//------------------------------// // The Day After // Story: Running the Show // by Theta //------------------------------// I turn on the headlights even brighter than before, this small town not having very many street lamps. The radio beside me read 1:45 A.M., the sign necessary to completely shut off the stereos, and unplug my music player. Lest I wake the whole town, and cause a riot of angry ponies woken from their sleep. Yeahhh, probably best if I don’t wake them... Creator, let them at least have set my bed up. Just want to collapse in the warm embrace of sleep... I yawn as I pull into Ponyville, noticing that there was only a few large streets with smaller back alleyway-like paths sprouting from them. The next thing is that they aren’t paved, the place still has dirt streets... Okay, how am I supposed to drive when there aren’t any lanes to follow? I find the address to my new house, 526 Harrow Ave., rather quickly. Not much can be seen right now, but then again I’m just focused on the front door and what lays behind. I pull up and park in the tiny driveway (If it can even be considered a driveway), which is just long enough to fit my car, and maybe a motorcycle. Not wanting to rush, lest I wake the neighbors, I slowly get out the car, making sure to put the emergency brake on. Ten steps, and I’m already opening the door, and switching on the lights. Not bad. This place is a little old fashioned, but hey, I ain’t complainin’. I take a moment to absorb the features of the house; the lower ceilings, paintings of flowers, and the bright, yellow that covered the walls. Satisfied that I haven’t been ripped off, or robbed, I make my way up the wooden staircase, and find the master bedroom. Upon entering the room, I notice the bed was set up, and to this I rejoice. “Thank the Creator! Those movers actually followed directions!” I say, as I toss my bag to the side and jump into the bed. Time to sleep...Celestia don’t wake me with your sun for at least another 10 hours. Of course, my request didn’t reach the Princess of the Sun, and the morning interrupted the dull sleep that I had enjoyed. Sure, might not have been enjoying any dreams, but I still loved the dark escape of it. As usual, I wake with a quick stretch, and jump out of bed. I head towards the bathroom to follow my usual routine... Piss, brush teeth, take 10 of each pill. I’ve been in the same routine for the past four years, and I don’t intend on breaking it anytime soon. My stomach growls, and reminds me of my second priority; food. Seeing as how I don’t have any groceries, I decide to head into town and grab a bite to eat. But first, I head back up to throw on some clothes. I don’t want to be labeled the town nudist on the first day...Let’s save that for later. I let out a brief laugh as I enter my room and slowly put on the outfit from the day before, excluding the flight suit, of course. I put my hood up as I exit the front door, making sure nopony recognizes me. I’ll deal with fans later, for now I just want to chill for a little while. I decide not to lock the door, for the sole reason that the town just doesn’t look like the crime rate is very high, if there’s one at all. Looking to my left, I see that I had done a downright terrible parking job last night, a good portion of my car lay in the grass beside the driveway. Wow, how fuckin’ stupid can I get... For now, I disregard it, mainly because I left my keys in my bedroom. Looking at the sun, I guess it’s about 10 in the morning, give or take an hour. I start my descent into the center of the small town, hell bent on getting some grub. I subconsciously pull my hood over my eyes, obstructing the top of my peripheral vision. It’s not because it was particularly bright out, but simply out of habit; I’m a terrible people’s person, especially with mares... In the time span of ten minutes, I make my way into the small market place, the streets being filled by others who are greedily bartering. What looks go-... Immediately, my eyes land on an apple cart, accompanied by an tan, blonde-maned mare. ...She is the epitome of western beauty... Wonder if her apples can stand to her looks? I casually stroll up to the stand, and am happily greeted, “Wooh, howdy there, partner! Care to buy some apples? Promise ya they’re the best in Equestria!” “Yeah, I’ll buy a few. How much?” I ask in a slightly douche-baggish tone. “Shoot, you new? Ain’t seen ya round here before...” She eyes me suspiciously. At this, I simply answer, “Yeah, just came in from Canterlot. So about those apples...” “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet ya! For new ponies ‘round these parts, Ah give a discount... So that’ll be two bits!” She replies in a upbeat tone, seemingly forgetting the uneasiness that she had just a moment ago. “Yeah, you too...Uhh, what’s your name? Didn’t catch it.” I ask as I pull out two single paper bills from my wallet, each marked “ONE BIT”. “Mah names AppleJack, but my friends call me AJ for short. And you would be?” “I’m Solar Runner.” I say back, quickly regretting my honesty. I internally face-hoof, and scorn myself for it, You moron, thought you didn’t want anypony to know who you are! An internal voice cuts through my cerebellum. “Wait, aren’t you the famous Wonderbolt?” She asks with genuine curiosity. “Ye-Yeah, that’s me... Please don’t tell anyone...” I pull my hood back a little, revealing my dark brown eyes, and give her a look shouting Please I beg of you, don’t make a big deal out of this. “You got it, Mr. Solar Runner!” She practically shouts this, and a multitude of heads turn our way, “Oops...Ah’m so sorry...Guess Ah got a little excited. Ain’t often we get celebrities in these parts. Let me just bag up them apples so y’all can get gettin’.” “It’s...it’s okay, I guess. They’d have to learn sooner or lat-” I barely make out a rainbow trail as I feel somepony land behind me. I turn around, and am greeted by a rainbow maned mare,“OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh! It really is the Solar Runner! I would know those scars anywhere!” “Uhh...” “I have soooooo many questions! Who’s coolest Wonderbolt to hang with? Ooh, is it true Spitfire and Soarin are an item? Wait is Fleetfoot really on steroids?” “Ah reckon that’s enough, RD. Can’t y’all see you’re makin’ him uncomfortable?” AppleJack’s southern accent interrupted the onslaught of questions. “It’s cool, I guess. I mean I was the same way when I first entered training camp... To answer the coolest Wonderbolt question, I’d say Soarin by a long shot. He’s a great problem solver, and has made my life ten times easier over the past year...Oh and yes Spitfire and Soarin are an ‘Item’. Don’t spread that around, I’ll catch hell for it. And as for the steroids, the answer is a flat no. We’re all drug tested on a weekly basis, and even if we weren't drug tested, steroids wouldn't have a desirable effect on a Wonderbolt. We’re about speed and precision, not bulk, unusable muscle.” “Ohmygosh! A Wonderbolt answered my questions!”, Rainbow's eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head. I start to doubt she actually listened to what I answered, and instead just watched my mouth move. Then I notice something about this mare... She looks athletic...where have I seen her before, though? Couldn't be at a show, I’d be going too fast. In Canterlot? Nah, I rarely went outside there. On tour? Who knows, that was a blur to me. It was after a minute of pondering that it clicked, Wait, that’s gotta be the Rainbow Dash, only pony to ever pull off a sonic rainboom...Gotta be, it’d explain the initials and mane. “Wait, aren't you Rainbow Dash?” She squeals with, what I can only assume, is amazement. “So you've heard of me?” “Yeah, overheard Spitfire say stuff ‘bout you. Well that, and the fact that you’re literally the only pony to pull of the sonic rainboom.” My stomach growls, indicating that I should take the bag of apples that were being held by the tan mare. I eye it for a second, and almost on queue, AppleJack extends her arm to give me the bag. In exchange, I hand her the two pieces of paper that I still had in my hand. “Uhh, kid you want to take this somewhere else? Maybe pick up on it later, say, lunch or dinner?” I watch as she suddenly collapses to the ground, seemingly unconscious. As soon as I approach to help her up, magenta eyes flick open and a shrill voice exclaims loudly, “A WONDERBOLT JUST ASKED ME ON A DATE!” Date? Oh shit...I really need to think before I speak. “Umm... I’m new around here?” I say, trying to change the subject. Multiple heads have turned my way, and most of their faces read ‘Is it true? This will make some great gossip!’. “Meet me at a place called Sugar Cube Corner at three o’clock. You can’t miss it, only building modeled after a gingerbread house. I’ll see you then, lover boy.” She teases, which sent me into a frenzy. "Sounds good, dude." Oh, dear Celestia, what the fuck have I gotten myself into...Wait, did she just call me ‘loverboy’?!? I’m in for it now...