//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: Stranger Ponies // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// Vice and Enzo made their way back towards Sweet Apple Acres with a paranoid stroll. Their footsteps shook with unease, but stayed secure to the ground. Each pony trembled at what they had seen in the forest and their imaginations rose to new limits. “Seriously,” Vice said shattering the dead silence. “That thing was really creepy.” Enzo nodded with fear. “I feel bad for the pony itself. How his mind must be in absolute pain.” “Meh, it’s probably some looney who volunteered to get his brain screwed over. We shouldn’t worry about it, he’s not important. What is important,however, is that we put down this doctor dude and his creation-YO!” Vice jumped back as he was barely able to dodge a thrown apple. It bounced harmlessly on the grass and rolled gently towards Enzo. “Vice!” Applejack had appeared with Big Macintosh and was now storming towards the duo. Her face conveyed fear in both terrified ponies. “What in blazes have you two been up to?” Vice flopped his body back next to Enzo and put on a smile. “We were just having another break; we were playing around,” Vice said as he prepared himself for imminent scolding. “Another-you can’t expect me tah let you get away with this,” Applejack said shaking her head with disbelief. “We don’t,” Enzo said in place of Vice. He turned to the pegasus and winked with a grin. “It’s my fault I let him trick me into going out there again. But, maybe we can negotiate a deal concerning our pay.” Vice tried not to have an outburst, but was slowly letting out small protests as Applejack considered the offer. “Pay deductions?” She sized up the duo, specifically Vice, and shook her head lightly. “A little ridiculous, but it’s a better option than just outright firin’ ya…again.” “Ye-I mean, aw crap. Gosh darn it, that really stinks,” Vice said with full drama. Applejack eyed him once more before speaking confidently. “Alrighty then. Vice, you’ll be receivin’ ten bits less than what ya normally earn until you’ve proven yourself.” “But...doesn’t that put me negative?” Vice said almost laughing. “...right. Make it five less.” Applejack said with a hint of embarrassment. “As for you Enzo, this is your final warning, ya hear? No more messing around.” Enzo nodded and put his hoof on Vice. “I’ll make sure to keep Vice in check.” Vice saluted obnoxiously and kept his grin. “Don’t worry Applejack, by tomorrow I’ll be the best worker ya ever saw.” He nudged Enzo who looked down at the ground, and snickered. “Right, let’s just forget this little charade happened and get back to work. I’m tired of yellin’ at y’all.” Big Macintosh stood stone faced the entire time. He noticed the conversation ending and simply turned around back towards the farm. “Hey, big guy, that was fun right? I’m still here!” Vice shouted. “Eeyup!” ~~~~~~~~~~ The moonlight shot effortlessly through the duo’s bedroom window, illuminating the dim lit room. Vice gestured Enzo so get to bed and clapped his hooves with satisfaction. “C’mon Enzo, you need your beauty sleep. We’re gonna call it a night and kick ass tomorrow.” Enzo grumbled uncomfortably, he caressed his blue wrist band. “I don’t know if I can. Things are starting to look…different.” Vice snorted and shook his head. “You don’t usually see a pony with freaky fingers-fingers in the first place-right? I told ya, we’re gonna deal with the doc tomorrow. No sweat, we took care of those guys, we can take care of that monster. I just…was surprised. This is not going to be our biggest hassle, that just wouldn’t make sense.” Enzo watched Vice slowly close his eyes and lower his head. He then performed proceeded to do the same thing and felt a calming sensation cool down the agitation of the day’s frights. Adjusting his entire body for comfort, Enzo fidgeted under the tight blanket. A thought zipped by his mind and he mentally sighed. “Forgot about Gray Patch’s letter,” he whispered. Looking in from of him, he noticed the letter still sitting flat on the old table across the room. He closed his eyes in defeat as his body persuaded him not to move. “I’ll just pick it up later. I’m sure it’s not that important. I don’t even know him anyway.” “Yo, shadup. I’m trying to sleep, fool!” ~~~~~~~~~~ Blitz’s nostrils met hoof as he entered the Emporium. “Still can’t get used to that smell.” He walked over to his station and felt his head rocking back and forth. Fuzzy Fry’s image kept popping in and out, Blitz actively tried to block it out. He closed his eyes, put a hoof on his head and slowed his pace all in attempt to assist him in his denial. ‘He was always there for me, even when I’d given up. His hoof of reassurance; his funny, but serious words of comfort.’ Blitz allowed himself to reimburse in an old memory as he sat down and zoned out. ~~~~~~~~~~ Blitz was sitting outside in the cold Manehatten sidewalk. He kept his head low and stared directly at the hard pavement. “C’mon Blitz, you can’t keep moping around like this.” “Fuzzy, just leave me alone. I’m no use to anypony, not you. Why do I even exist?” “Don’t say things like that,” Fuzzy Fry said. He stood at a distance from Blitz, his hesitation to approach got the best of him. “How can I lie? There’s no point in lying, hiding the darn truth about my stupid self.” Fuzzy Fry winced at Blitz’s statement, but put on a face of pained determination. “Listen here Blitz…shut up!” Blitz lifted his head and turned around, tears rolled down his face. “What?” “You have to stop talking like this, I mean it,” Fuzzy Fry said shedding tears as well. “Stop calling yourself useless. Stop crying!” “I can’t,” Blitz said weakly. “It hurts so much, I’ll never be useful or nothing to anypony.” Fuzzy Fry gritted his teeth and stamped his foot. Blitz jumped at the sudden sounds, but continued to frown. “Please, Blitz, stop. You’re everything to me,” he said rushing over and embracing Blitz. “That’s never gonna change. We’re gonna be best buds forever and nothing’s going to separate use. You better believe that, you have my word!” Blitz suppressed his tears and managed to pull himself together. He breathed slowly and exhaled sobs of recuperation. “Alright, Fuzzy, thanks. I needed that.” Fuzzy Fry looked Blitz in the eye with sincerity and laughed with melancholy. “Yup. Now, let’s go get some ice cream, that’ll certainly help you.” Both ponies shared inseparable laughs and trotted together down the crowded Manehatten street. ~~~~~~~~~~ Blitz smiled and felt his heart sink as he remembered the times shared with Fuzzy Fry. As he partially succeeded in mending his thoughts about Fuzzy, he came upon his co-worker chatting with an unknown pony. “Oh, hi?” “Hi!” Derpy smiled and ushered Blitz to join the conversation. Blitz nodded happily and trotted over to meet the other pony. He stopped and gave a face of bafflement as he inspected the other pony. The sporty grin matched the pony’s lean, black eyes. His mane was a bright, rosy red and it was styled towards one side. A thick strand jutted out and formed a hook on top. His tuxedo held a single rose within the chest pocket and complimented his dark green coat. “Who’s this guy?” the pony asked with disinterest. Blitz frowned, but Derpy spoke in his word. “He’s one of the other ponies…or pony who works here.” The other pony gave a slight laugh. “Alrighty then, well I’d just like to say thanks again, Miss Ditzy Doo, for delivering my letter to the lovely Miss Rose for me.” “It’s Derpy-” “Ahh, but Ditzy Doo is such much better. It rolls off the tongue and is such a sweet, precious name,” the pony said. His words were filled with an air of sincerity and awe. He spoke poetically and almost in rhythm. “You shouldn’t replace something as pure as that.” “Thanks.” Derpy’s face grew redder at the remark, but she still looked at the pony with confusion. “But, that wasn’t me who delivered the letter.” This created a genuinely stunned reaction for him. “It was…um, him, Blitz I think.” The pony turned to Blitz and raised his eyebrow. “You? Oh, I thought this pretty young girl right here did so. Well then, I apologize. I thank you.” He extended a dark green hoof towards Blitz. “The name’s To-Bloom.” “Toe Bloom?” Blitz asked out of sheer surprise. “Sorry, just Bloom. My mind speaks faster than my mouth sometimes.” Blitz reluctantly shook Bloom’s hoof and the other pony smiled with disturbing content. “Anyway, I, again, thank you for being the one to deliver this letter. I wouldn’t be able to do it myself,” he said with a chuckle. ‘Hardly,’ thought Blitz as he stared at the pertinacious pony. “Well then, it looks like I’ll be going. I’ve got places to be and girls to see.” Blitz let his face become expressionless. ‘Girls? As in more than one? Wait, what?’ “Maybe I’ll see you later, okay?” Bloom said with a seductive smile. Blitz gave Bloom a completely disgusted look before realizing that he was talking to Derpy. “Okay.” As Derpy said the words, Bloom was already on his way out the door. ‘Again, wait just a single minute. What the hay? Did he just-never mind,’ Blitz thought. He watched as Derpy received her package and waved as she made her departure. “Better get going, I’m already confused as it is.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Blitz was trotting steadily through Ponyville’s market, slightly unnerved about the particular location of delivery. He wandered a bit aimlessly as he tried to focus on finding where he needed to be. “Celestia, I swear. These ponies really pick the weirdest spots to be.” He glanced at the side of the box he was carrying. “Doctor Rivet, on the edge of Ponyville’s market near the Everfree forest. Hmm, doesn’t get weirder than that.” Blitz finally spotted an area that looked like it matched the location and settled down the package. He awkwardly waited and thoughts raced in his mind. ‘Wait, what if he doesn’t even show up and I hauled this thing for nothing? What if he meant the other side of the market-wait that doesn’t make sense. “What the HAY, why is this-” Bitz covered his mouth as he spoke out loud. “Hello?” a voice called. Blitz jumped out of his skin, but kept his ground afterward. “Um, delivery for Doctor Rivet,” he unintentionally asked as a question. “Ah, yes. That would be me.” A stallion wearing glasses and a suit stepped forward, adjusting the lenses as he neared the package. “Right on time,” he said with a chuckle. Blitz shared the laugh and slid the box over gently. He eagerly watched as Doctor Rivet inspected every inch of the box. He darted his eyes back and forth, making intellectual grunts. Blitz noticed the doctor glance at him before slowly placing the box on his back. “Are you gonna be alright, Mister?” he said tilting his head. “Do you need help?” Doctor Rivet smiled mechanically. “No need, my good boy. I can handle this weight with ease.” He paused suddenly and wrinkled his nose. “Hmm, did you, perhaps, peek into my package?” Blitz shook his head violently and stuttered. “Oh-no! Of course not, I would-I would never consider that!” The doctor raised a hoof to halt Blitz’s disarray. “Would you like to see what is inside?” Blitz was unsure about the offer. He did not expect to even still be with the strange pony. “Um, I’m not sure. It was kinda heavy, but I don’t know if I should be interfering with your affairs,” he said now uncomfortable at the situation. “How about being my assistant?” the doctor said blindly. Blitz broke eye contact. “Sorry, but I’m already someponyelse’s assistant,” he said warily. “I’m going to have to say no.” Doctor Rivet’s eyes glared at Blitz, but quickly adjusted to a half smile as he bowed solemnly. “That is quite a shame; I was hoping you would comply. You seem like an extraordinary candidate to fit the spot.” Blitz watched as the other pony made his way towards Everfree forest. He contemplated as to why anyone would do such a thing, but shook his head to negate the thought. ‘Don’t trust anypony from now on and don’t worry about their affairs. Life lessons…’ Blitz continued observing Doctor Rivet’s descend into the forest and glimpsed at a peculiar object. An orange blurb was contrasting with the lush greenery in the distance. Blitz narrowed his eyes and thought he made out some sort of face. “That’s totally normal. Celestia, that’s very normal.” He slowly backed away and trotted with fastened pace back towards the Emporium. “Never coming back here again, check.” The unicorn felt a chill run down his spine and grimaced. “I wish Fuzzy was here, hay, anypony was here to just be with me. I’m not getting good vibes here.” Blitz eyed his surroundings with suspicion, and smiled awkwardly at staring pedestrians. ‘There I go talking to myself. But, seriously, this is kinda creepy. Who is that Doctor Rivet guy? Oh well, I’m sure he’s on his merry way doing whatever in the forest…um-’ He giggled at his own dirty thoughts. ‘Wow, that’s a Vice thought right there. I sure met some strange ponies today.’