//------------------------------// // Crash Into Me // Story: Igniting Hope // by Theta //------------------------------// By the stars, he's freaking fast! Never seen an earth pony run that fast anywhere! I thought, as I casually put my jacket on, and slipped my small bag over my shoulders. I walked out the door, noting that he hadn't even picked up the helmet from last night. Guess business really is slow... I exited the store, and made my way towards the market, and lucky for me, the market was literally ten steps from Theta's home. Going back to where Apple Jack's cart was, I quickly noticed the long line that waited for me. I mall-walked to get the last spot in line, making sure no one got there before me. My gut was constantly reminding me of how hungry I was. Waiting...waiting...Oh shit! Even more waiting...wonder how Ditzy's holding up, I need to find her, no matter what. Goal for the d- "Heya Torque! Come back for more Ah see! What can Ah do ya for?," a familiar southern accent cut my thought short. "Hey Apple Jack, a few apples please.," I said with hunger in my eyes, and saliva practically dripping from my lip. "Three apples comin right up! That'll be three bits!" I reached into my bag, and came up with the adequate number of bits. Shoot, my funds are dwindling down...gotta head to Rarity's after this. "Here ya go, thanks Miss Apple Jack!," I said as we exchanged goods. "Any time, sugar cube! Good seein' ya!" "You too.," I replied, walking away. The busy market place made it a little harder to get to Carousel Boutique, but I eventually made it there. Aahh, just long enough to finish all three apples...dang those things hit the spot! I walked in and was immediately greeted by a purple dragon with green spines. "Hey! Welcome to Carousel Boutique, home of the lovely and enchanting Rarity!," He greeted me with a strange inflection in his voice. In all honesty, he scared the shit out of me...ponies and dragons don't get along too well, and that was my first encounter with one. Holy buck! That can't be a dragon can it? I mean dragon's are mean dudes whom breathe fire and destroy stuff...right? "Yo, dude, ya alright?" Snapping out of my trance, I replied with, "Woah...brain rush, little dude! You a dragon?" "I'm guessing you're new here? Yes, to answer your question, I am a dragon...and for your information I'm very big for my age! Rarity doesn't see anything wrong with how small I am, and neither should you!" "Woah, calm down dude. I'm here to talk to Rarity about...business." "What kind of business, you don't have your eye on her too do you? I mean come on man! I've been here longer than you!," He jealously replied. "Nah, nothin' like that man...although I do have to say she is a very, and I mean very, gorgeous mare...shoot, what'd I'd do to her... But no, I'm here bout a job offering.," I tried my best to calm the dragon, lest he catch me on fire. "Hmm, well if you say so...RARITY, SOMEPONY HERE TO SEE YOU! HE'S A REAL GRUNGE!," the little dragon shouted. Grunge...way to save your rep, dude. Rarity walked down the stairs like she was going to prom, and her face lit up when she saw me. "Spike whom are you talking abou-Oh Mr. Ignitor! So good to see you! I have very good news, daddy has agree'd to hire you! Although, I'll be honest, the pay isn't too good, and the hours are a little long..." "Ain't a problem. I'm looking for something that'll take my mind off of- I mean I need the work, so it's whatever. Uhh, I should tell you though, I got another job at...what was the place? Sweet Apple Acres I think it's called. So I can work afternoons, sometime after one or two...Hope that don't interfere with anything." "Ooh darling! You're working for my friend Apple Jack, of course it's no problem! I'll just work out a schedule to fit your hours. The pay is...well it's seven bits an hour..." "Dang, that's pretty generous, I see no problem with the pay at all!" "I thank you dearly for understanding, but if it were up to me, you'd be payed at least ten bits an hour. It is very uncouth to pay minimum wage, but then again my father is not me, and vice versa. Please excuse me though, I have a very important order to tend to. Come Spikey-Wikey! Good day, Mister Ignitor!" "Peace, dudes.," I said, as I looked over my shoulder and exited the elegant building. Sweet, two jobs! Now to find Dit- The world had yet again escaped me, and everything faded into black. Torque, dude it's good to see ya again! Congrats on the job search, although I gotta admit, I didn't think you'd ever even want a job! Thanks, man...Means a lot. Shit, I ain't good at beatin' round the bush, so I'll just come out and say it; I can't forgive myself for what I did to you. I...I killed you... Hmph, I see you need a little closure man. Look you know I had a rough upbringing... Letting go of all of that was, well it was easy. I mean no one can touch me now, ain't gettin my ass beat by my old man, ain't being called worthless by my bitch of a mom. Everything's perfect for me! Time don't affect me anymore, I don't have to worry about college, and best of all; I get to watch over you. Shit that came out wrong, but what I'm saying is that I've been granted the ability to check in with you. That just proves friendship don't die man! But I...I just can't forgive myself man. I ain't too sure anyone back home can either. Look I've said it before, and I'll say it again;Buck 'em! Shit, they don't know how strong our friendship was, not by a long shot. I'd rather die by your hands, than be taken by Celestia herself. Shit man, I'm being called back, that means it's time for you to go back to reality! Peace, bro! I woke with a slight headache, and noticed that I was laying on the ground, with my face in the dirt. "Ugh, what the buck happened?" It was then that I noticed two familiar pegasi mares standing next to me. One I recognized as Rainbow Dash, and the other was...was Ditzy! Come crash into me... "OhmygoshTorqueI'msosorry!," Ditzy blurted out, completely incomprehensible. "Uhh what?," I responded, still a little dazed. "She's trying to say sorry for bumping into you.," Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Ohhh, shoot Ditzy, don't sweat it. I'll be fine.," I let out a small laugh, and got to my feet, "Besides, I was coming to look for you anyway. Thought I'd keep my promise to ya." I finally looked at Ditzy; it was obvious that she had been crying since I left. "Torque...I knew you'd keep your promise!," She shouted and darted to give me a hug. That hug caught me off guard, but after a split second, I returned it. "Always and forever, so long as blood runs through my veins.," I whispered into her ear as the hug broke. "Hey Ditzy, I ain't got anything to do today...so you want to hang out, maybe get somethin to eat later?," I said nervously. "I thought you'd never ask!," She practically shouted. "Well...seein' how you two have a long day ahead of you, I think it's time for me to take my leave. Later!," Dash spoke up as she flew away.