Time to go
Chapter 22
Rockin' the town apart
The house was still and quiet. Not even the unicorn upstairs was snoring anymore. Gentle breathing was the only sound in the house. Not even the chirping of the birds outside seemed to penetrate the walls.
Then there was a yell from upstairs. Hunter's head popped off his pillow, and he swung his legs off the couch, throwing the blanket aside. He bolted up the stairs, his wings unfurling so he could make it up the stairs in two jumps. Once he reached the top he swung open his bedroom door to find the unicorn from earlier underneath his blankets. He was sitting on the bed, the blanket covering him with only his face visible.
“Uhm...” Hunter managed to get out, looking at the unicorn with a quizzical expression. “You alright?”
“Where am I?” The unicorn asked, hushed.
Hunter leaned against the door frame, putting his head against his fore hooves and sighing. “You're in my house.” Hunter said, the adrenaline leaving his system.
“Who are you?” The unicorn asked, this time not whispering.
Hunter turned the light on for the room and walked over to the unicorn. He grabbed his scarf, and pulled him off the bed, setting him on the floor. “I'm Hunter,” He said with a yawn, making the bed, “Do you remember anything about last night?”
The unicorn stood up, fixing his scarf after it had been rudely ruffled, and moving his metal fore leg. “Just that I was saved by Princess Luna.”
“Anything else?” Hunter asked, wondering if he was going to get any credit.
“Lots more,” The unicorn said, “but only because of the souls I absorbed. The fragments of my soul returned some of my memories.”
Hunter didn't know what he meant, and he was too tired to care. Hunter grunted as he removed the cloud pillow, and motioned towards the door. The unicorn saw what he meant and walked out into the hallway. Hunter turned off the light, and closed the door. He ushered the beige pony down the stairs. Which he stumbled down, much to Hunter's frustration.
“So you don't remember anyone else being there to save you?” Hunter asked, picking up his pillow, and tossing it to the top of the stairs for later.
“I remember flashes of gray...” The unicorn said, rubbing his chin. Then he looked at Hunter. “Oh, that was probably you huh.”
Hunter scoffed and walked over towards Michael's room. He opened the door a little and saw Trixie, cuddling with Michael, and decided that they looked too peaceful for a rude awakening. He shut the door, and turned back towards the unicorn.
“Yeah that was me.” Hunter said. He walked up to the unicorn and stared him right in the eyes, almost touching his face.
“And you're the one that woke me up.” Hunter said gruffly.
The unicorn was wide eyed, up until Hunter had spoken those words. His reaction being that he rolled his eyes and frowned. “Well excuse me for questioning my surroundings.”
“Don't you think you could question your surroundings a little later in the day? Like when the whole sun can be seen?” Hunter asked, looking out a window, and seeing that the sun was barely peeking over the horizon.
The unicorn turned around, following Hunter's gaze, and realized how early it still was. “Oh,” He said, turning towards the tired looking alicorn, “Sorry about that.”
Then he got a better look at the gray pony in front of him. He brought his hoof up for a salute, sitting down.
Hunter just stared with glazed eyes, and rubbed them before continuing to stare. After a few moments he sat down as well.
They sat like that for a while. The unicorn was starting to wonder why the alicorn was staring at him, and when he was going to let him end his salute.
“Sir?” The pony asked.
“Nopony calls me sir.” Hunter said gruffly, he had not had any water yet, and his throat was still dry.
“Ma'am?” The unicorn joked.
Hunter smirked. The unicorn continued to salute. “Can I be at ease?”
“Don't speak unless spoken to soldier.” Hunter said. “Now, who are you? I haven't had the pleasure of learning your name yet.”
“My name's Jason sir.” The unicorn said, straightening a little.
“Nice to meet you soldier,” Hunter said.
The fact that another human name had arrived was not lost on Hunter, and he started to pace around the unicorn.
“Now,” Hunter started, trying to sound as 'drill sergeant' as possible, “When I saved your sorry excuse for a pony hide, you went and did something reckless. I believe you set yourself on fire? No matter, you did something reckless and I can respect that.” Hunter said. This was too good, the unicorn sat at attention and listened intently to his words.
“What I cannot respect, is a freeloader who thinks he can get away with interrupting my beauty sleep!” Hunter said loudly, but trying to keep from waking the couple in the other room. “You will be put to work, and will be given things in return. A balanced way of doing things, don't you agree?”
“Yes sir.” Jason said.
“Good.” Hunter replied, “The first thing you need to do is go set the table for breakfast, and wash anything in the sink.”
The unicorn continued to sit, his foreleg wobbling and still at his forehead.
“At ease soldier.” Hunter said with a small chuckle.
The unicorn dropped his foreleg and sighed. He walked over to the kitchen and started looking through the cupboards to do what he had been told.
Hunter nodded at this, and walked back over to the couch. The unicorn had found the plates and was placing them on the table. Hunter refolded the blanket he had been sleeping with, placing it back in it's spot next to the glass table. The alicorn walked up the stairs, picking up his pillow, before going into his room and depositing it on the bed. He bent down and smelled the sheets. They were sweaty, and the blanket felt a little damp. He gathered the sheets and blanket, bundling them up and throwing them down the stairs. Hunter saw that the table was set, and called to Jason.
“When you're done with the dishes, you need to put those in the wash.” Hunter said, pausing for a second before finishing with, “They smell like wimp.”
A small sigh came from the kitchen. Hunter wondered if he was working this stranger too hard. Naw. Hunter went to the bathroom and started brushing his teeth. This unicorn that had stayed in his house was a mysterious one. He was attacked by skeletons, he had an immovable scarf, and he seemed to think of Alicorns as military leaders.
“Well,” Hunter mumbled to himself, spitting out some toothpaste. “At least that's one benefit.” He grabbed a cup and swished his mouth out. More humans in Equestria. How many of them were there? He knew that he wasn't the only one, but Luna must have been busy, carrying humans here often. Yet, Luna had not recognized this one, just as clueless as Hunter was when they had first encountered him.
He heard steps as somepony ascended the stairs. He finished off gargling, and spit, before opening the door to see the beige unicorn.
“Finished already?” Hunter asked, in a calmer voice than he had before. He had woken up a little since he had given his 'orders'.
“Yeah, the sheets are in the washer. Though I must say, it's not exactly a normal washer.” Jason said.
Hunter thought for a moment. He had briefly explored the washing room, but he had no idea how it worked. He was going to check it out later. Then Hunter leaned close to Jason and sniffed. He was drenched in manly musk.
“Shower.” Hunter said plainly.
Jason smelled himself, raising his foreleg and sniffing. He cringed slightly and nodded. “You don't have to order me to do that.” Jason said, walking towards the shower. Hunter stepped close to the shower as well, turning the nozzles until the clouds above were leaking warm water.
Hunter turned to Jason, and was about to usher him in, when he noticed he still had his scarf on. “Don't you think you should take that thing off?” Hunter asked.
“Do you want magic to ravage your house?” Jason asked back.
“Fair enough,” Hunter said, and prodded him into the big bathtub. Jason stepped in and was immediately drenched. His scarf clung to his backside and neck, now completely wet. He seemed a little put off for some reason.
“Something wrong?” Hunter asked, “Too cold?” he went to adjust the knobs when Jason said, “Just that you're watching me shower.”
Hunter didn't say a word as he also stepped into the shower. “This shower doesn't have curtains for a reason. We're always naked.”
“Yeah, but it's weird.” Jason said, shifting on the other side of the tub. “Do we have to shower at the same time?”
Hunter unfolded his wings slowly, stretching them out with small amounts of ecstasy, as if he had been in a cramped space, and he was just now able to stretch his legs. He used them to cover Jason, keeping the warm water off of him.
“No, I guess I can shower first.” Hunter smirked.
“That's not what I meant.” Jason frowned, feeling cold as the air from the house seeped under Hunter's wings. "I'm serious though, this is weird."
"Look, this is only awkward if you make it awkward. Being naked all the time comes with certain benefits. If you aren't going to gain anything from them, then what's the point?" Hunter said.
"Fine." Jason said, frowning slightly.
Hunter chuckled as he brought his wings back, but kept them out, letting them get wet. Jason seemed to stare at them as he shook the feathers. They were brilliant looking, but the thing Jason noticed the most was how big the wings were.
“I know what you're going to say,” Hunter said, moving the mane in front of his eyes back. “My wings are large aren't they.”
Jason snapped out of his staring trance and shook his head. “They aren't big, not really.” He said, thinking that this might be a sensitive topic for Hunter.
Hunter once again covered Jason from receiving the warm water. “Tell the truth soldier.”
“Alright they're big.” Jason said, another frown on his face. Jason was once again being rained on with warm droplets, and he reveled in it. He hadn't had a nice warm shower in a week or so. “Aren't all pegasi wings pretty big?”
“No.” Hunter said bluntly. He grabbed a bottle from the side of the tub and shot a purple liquid into his hands, before rubbing it in his mane, and a little through his tail.
“Oh.” Jason said, grabbing the bottle and doing the same. He couldn't think of anything to talk about, but he thought he should get something out, this was getting really awkward.
“So you come here often?” Jason asked. Nailed it.
Hunter stopped rubbing the shampoo into his hair, looking at the unicorn for a second, before moving his wing up over his head as he threw it back to laugh.
Jason chuckled weakly compared to Hunter's wholehearted laughs. When Hunter stopped chuckling he washed the shampoo out of his hair, letting the bubbles fall into the clouds below him. He would have to see how that worked as well.
“No, it smells funny.” Hunter joked.
Jason chuckled a little. “You're not exactly military are you?” Jason asked.
Hunter brought his left foreleg up to his chest, and his right fore hoof up to his forehead. “Oh no, you've found me out.” He moaned dramatically. He fell back onto his four hooves and smirked at the unicorn, “That doesn't mean you don't owe me.”
“Owe you!?” Jason said, “and I'm supposed to repay you by doing petty chores?” He glared at the gray alicorn before him. All the military respect lost.
“Yes.” Hunter replied bluntly. Soon the two ponies were clean and Hunter tried moving his tail. He found it difficult at first, but once he figured it out, he was moving his tail around easily. He used it to turn the knobs. It didn't want to turn at first, but after a couple seconds the water was off.
Hunter turned his attention back to the unicorn in front of him who was soaking wet and dripping. “Towel?” Jason asked, putting out a hopeful hoof.
Hunter responded by shaking himself off. Sending now cold water everywhere.
“Gah!” Jason yelled, trying to block the cold water. “Could you not do that?”
Hunter chuckled and left the big tub, grabbing a towel and throwing it over his back. He looked over his shoulder and saw Jason shaking himself off as well, so he tossed another towel onto the floor in front of him.
Jason picked it up and started to dry off his scarf, then his hair. Hunter stepped out of the bathroom, letting the steam rise out of the doorway and into the house. He breathed in the cold brisk air of the house, and went down the stairs.
He looked back out the window, and saw that almost the entire sun was over the mountains. He smiled and finished drying off his mane, fluffing his tail with the towel as it dried off. Jason started walking down the stairs, and Hunter threw his towel at him. The towel collided with his face, before dropping into his forelegs. “Throw those into the wash will you?” Hunter asked, walking towards the kitchen.
Hunter heard another exasperated groan come from Jason as he took them into the washroom, and he chuckled to himself. He might as well start breakfast, maybe the smell would wake up the cute couple that was resting in Michael's bed.
He started up breakfast as usual, the menu today being tofu strips and pancakes. Jason was soon back in the living room, and was enjoying the aroma. “Smells amazing.”
“I assume you haven't had a good meal in a couple days?” Hunter asked, pouring the pancakes.
“How would you know?” Jason asked.
“We found you fighting for your life on the streets in the middle of the night, and you never mentioned any kind of return address, not then, or this morning.” Hunter explained.
“Well,” Jason said, “I guess you're right, I've been scrounging. I haven't had a proper breakfast in a while, no.”
Hunter smirked to himself as he prepared the tofu, and called Jason into the kitchen. Jason walked in and Hunter directed him to the fridge, where he got the apple juice and set it on the table. After a couple minutes, Hunter was finished with breakfast enough for four people, and set everything on the table.
Hunter walked over to Michael's room as Jason sat at the table. He opened the door as quietly as he could again, and walked next to the bed. He looked at the two, sleeping in the bed, Trixie holding Michael in her hooves. He looked to be enjoying himself in her grasp. Hunter said a quick prayer to the gods of D'awwww, apologizing for what he was about to do, and poked Michael's face.
Michael's eyes fluttered open slowly, and the first thing he saw was Hunter's smiling face. “Whoa.” Michael said groggily, “Creepy.”
Hunter smiled wider and whispered. “I couldn't bring myself to wake your companion, I think you should do that.”
Michael realized what he was saying, and flipped over, looking at Trixie's face. Her mane was a little disheveled, and she was drooling slightly. Michael chuckled lightly to himself and prodded her awake. He heard the door close behind him before Trixie's eyes opened.
“Morning.” Michael whispered.
Trixie's eyes fluttered and she focused her eyes on Michael. After a few seconds she smiled and pulled Michael close for a hug. “Morning.”
“Did you sleep well?” Michael asked, mumbling into Trixie's coat.
Trixie giggled as his talking tickled her, and then moved him back a little. “Wonderfully.” She said.
They laid for a moment grinning at each other. Then Trixie placed a kiss on Michael's forehead and made her way out of bed. Michael looked around his room and was happy that his brothers were not living there. The room would have been a disaster, and Trixie would probably have run off at the sight of it.
Trixie looked around, and when she noticed there were no mirrors on Michael's walls, she walked to the door. Michael was out of bed, and opened the door for her.
Trixie thanked Michael as she walked out, trotting contently before she noticed the stranger at the table. Luckily for her this unicorn was facing away from her at the dinner table, and as Hunter glanced up to see her disheveled mane he also saw her scamper up the stairs, and into the bathroom.
Michael followed after her and Hunter smiled at him.
“What?” Michael asked.
“You two are so adorable.” Hunter said, talking like he would to a baby.
“She's adorable.” Michael said with a sigh.
Hunter almost choked on his pancakes as he laughed. “Hey, this is Michael.” Hunter said to Jason, “Michael, this is Jason.”
“Nice to meet you I suppose.” Michael said, holding out a claw.
“Quite.” Jason said, reaching out and shaking his hoof. Hunter pulled a monocle out of his pocket, and tossed it to Jason, who put it on.
“What's this for?” Jason asked, fixing it to his eye, and speaking in his best Canterlot voice.
“I saw a comic need, and I filled it.” Hunter said, stuffing another tofu strip into his mouth.
Michael laughed, and Trixie descended the stairs. The blue unicorn flipped her mane, and sat at the table, piling on some food.
"Trixie, this is Jason. I brought him in off the streets." Hunter explained.
Trixie looked a little surprised at the unicorn, but thought it wasn't that unbelievable, considering his disheveled mane.
"Hunter was nice enough to let me stay here." Jason started to explain, glaring at the alicorn. "But I am not a hobo."
"Charmed." Trixie said sweetly, nodding as she started eating.
“So what's the plan for today?” Michael asked.
“I was thinking we would interrogate our new roommate, and then maybe have a day in town. If I don't have to work again, maybe we can do some exploring of the town?” Hunter suggested, finishing off his breakfast after he was done talking.
Jason was about to protest being interrogated, when he realized that the alicorn was joking, and rolled his eyes. The beige pony took off his monocle and, pulling his scarf forward a little, dropped it between his neck and the fabric.
Hunter glanced up curiously at this, and it had his full attention when he saw the monocle did not fall out the other side.
“What.” Hunter said standing up slightly from the table. Then Hunter walked around the table to where Jason was sitting. The blonde stallion was soon leaning over the messy haired unicorn, Jason leaned back in his chair trying to avoid the alicorn's scrutiny. Hunter was focused on his scarf, and at this point the whole group was staring at Hunter.
“What are you doing?” Jason asked, once again thrown into an awkward situation with this seemingly insufferable stallion.
Hunter responded by grabbing Jason's scarf, pulling it forward and sticking his hoof as far in as he could. Michael gasped as he saw that Hunter's fore leg didn't reappear underneath it. Hunter's face looked focused, and Jason tried to resist Hunter's grasp as the gray stallion rummaged around inside the void of Jason's scarf.
Then Hunter felt something slimy attach itself to his hoof. Hunter immediately brought his hoof out, hitting Jason in the chin with whatever it was that had attached itself to the gray hoof. Hunter waved his foreleg around trying to get the strange object off, when Jason objected.
“Hey stop! You're going to hurt him!” Jason yelled, getting up out of his seat, and grabbing Hunter's foreleg. Hunter finally got a good look at 'him'. It looked like Gummy, Pinkie's pet alligator.
“Gummy? What are you doing with Pinkie's alligator?” Michael asked, apparently reaching the same conclusion.
“His name is Rythian.” Jason said, almost pouting, “and he's a crocodile.”
Hunter was just happy to have the slimy grip of Rythian's toothless mouth off of him. The gray alicorn wiped his hoof on the back of the couch, and seeing that everyone had now finished their plates, he cleared the table.
“So what's with your scarf anyways?” Hunter asked, “Is it some kind of bag of holding?”
Everypony, including Michael, seemed confused by Hunter's terminology. Hunter sighed, leaning his head back in frustration. “Does it have infinite carrying capacity?”
“I'm not sure,” Jason said looking down, and peering into his scarf. “I haven't tried putting an infinite amount of stuff in.”
Hunter's eyebrows went flat and he frowned. “Let's get started then.” Hunter walked over to Jason, and before the beige unicorn could get away, he dumped the dirty dishes into his scarf. “Make sure you clean those when you're done with them.”
Michael stared, slightly agape at Hunter's sudden change in character. Hunter wasn't one for being rude, not even when others seemed to deserve it. “What was that for?” Michael asked.
Hunter whipped around, turning to face Michael as if he had just surprised him when he was doing something he knew he shouldn't have. The gray alicorn glanced back at the beige unicorn, who was still a little fazed by the sudden intrusion of syrup on his neck.
Hunter sighed with frustration and, trying to work away his sudden pangs of guilt, he once again dove his hooves into the void. The unicorn just relaxed, being pulled around as Hunter rummaged through his scarf, a glare on his face to nopony in particular.
Hunter pulled out his monocle, some yellow squares that looked to be edible, what looked to be needler ammo, a tiny companion cube, a blue glass bottle labeled 'salts', an arrow, and a blue ocarina. Hunter was starting to get jealous. Hunter continued to dig, setting the arrow carefully on the table, and hitting Michael's hand when he had reached for the needles. The scarf produced a dove followed by a strange voice saying “Archemedies?!”, the dove flew out the wall, and was never seen again. Then a note that said, “Cousin let's go bowling.” Hunter was beginning to wonder about this guy.
Hunter pulled a out a ring, but he would have sworn it was for a certain hedgehog. A yellow nozzle found it's way onto the table, the letters F.L.U.D.D were on it's side. Hunter pulled a sonic screwdriver reverently out of the scarf, but it fell out of his hoof, and through the cloud floor. Hunter was confused that his floor had not held out, and more than a little sad at the prospect of losing such a thing, but was reassured when he heard, “Aha! I've been looking for that!” From a familiar voice below the house.
Hunter glared up at Jason accusingly, as if he had stolen it. Jason just shrugged, “What was that thing anyways?”
Hunter just sighed, and reached back into the void.
After some dusty tomes, labeled “A Dream of Sovngarde”, “Dwarves, Ver. I-III”, “A Gentleman's Guide to Whiterun”, “Sinnoh Folk Tales”, and “The Angel's Kiss: A Melody Malone Mystery”, Hunter pulled out a master ball, which he threw at Michael. The dragon's scales seemed to glow redder as he grumbled, picking up the ball and putting it on the table. Hunter pulled out a ballpoint pen, silver looking, with strange markings on it.
“Ανακλυσμός”
Then it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Finally, Hunter felt the sticky dishes. The stallion grabbed at them from the side and pulled them out, but soon realized that with all the stuff, he didn't have anymore room left on the table. His blonde mane once again intruded on his eyesight as he fell onto four hooves, and walked around to dump them into the sink.
“What is all this stuff?” Trixie asked, poking at the sphere that Hunter had thrown at Michael's head.
“I dunno.” Jason mumbled, munching on the yellow squares, “but I put these in here a couple weeks ago, and they still seem to be good.” After that, Hunter noticed he looked a little distant, as if a flashback was happening in his mind.
“I know where we can get some more if you want.” Hunter said, “A certain pink pony would be happy to accommodate.”
Jason's eyes lit up at this, and he got up from his chair. Hunter chuckled as he looked a little too excited.
“A little happy to be seeing a pink mare with a talent for delicious confections are we?” Hunter accused.
“Yes.” Jason said bluntly.
“Oh.” Hunter seemed a little disappointed that he had somewhat admitted to it so soon.
The door rumbled with a sudden knocking. Michael and Trixie went to 'their' room to gather some things for the day. Trixie's shift at Sugarcube Corner was supposed to start soon.
Jason started stuffing the junk on the table back into his scarf, and Hunter opened the door. Jordan stood on the porch, a smooch still visible on his cheek.
“Hey man how's it going?” Jordan asked smiling.
“Not as good as your morning apparently.” Hunter chuckled.
“What?” Jordan asked, a little confused.
Hunter pulled a small mirror out of his pocket, and showed Jordan his face. Jordan laughed as he wiped the lipstick from his cheek.
Jason finished putting things into his scarf and walked over to the door.
“Whose this guy?” Jordan asked, curious, but rude.
Hunter moved to give a good view of the doorway for each pony and introduced them. “Jordan this is Jason, Jason this is Jordan.” Hunter said, pointing at them, then turning to the dragon and blue unicorn that had just left their room. “Joo wanna join jus?” Hunter joked.
“Jure thing.” Michael laughed.
Hunter ended the silly 'J' joke and stepped out on the porch. “So what did you need?” The gray alicorn asked the brown pegasus.
“I just wanted to see if you could hang for the cider celebration.” Jordan said, trotting to the edge of the porch.
Hunter glanced over at Rainbow's house. Either the cyan pegasus would want to hang with them, or was sleeping in, knowing she would get some cider anyways. Hunter decided that if Dash had wanted to join them then she would have been present.
Hunter looked around at the group they had already. It only consisted of guys and Trixie, who was going to be working today anyways.
“I wouldn't mind doing that today, but Michael and Jason should join us. What do you guys think?” Hunter asked, turning to the unicorns standing at the end of the steps.
“Sure!” Michael said, “Just as soon as I get Trixie settled in at the shop, we can have a day on the town.”
Trixie reached up and patted her dragon friend on the head, and Jason responded, “I've been wandering for weeks. Having some fun would be a nice reprieve.”
Hunter smiled as all his friends agreed to stay together for the day and trotted over to the beige unicorn. “Meet us at the sweet shop alright?” Hunter asked the rest of his friends. Trixie and Michael nodded, and soon they were gone in a puff of pink magic. Jordan also gave a nod and took off towards town.
Hunter turned his gaze towards the unicorn still on his porch. “So can you blink or what?”
The unicorn blinked his eyes.
“Can you teleport?” Hunter asked, using popular terminology.
“I don't think so.” Jason said, peering over the edge of the porch. “The best I can do is jump and then shield myself last second.”
Hunter grabbed Jason by the scarf and tossed him into the air. Jason flipped out as he fell towards the trees below. Jason didn't fall far however, as he was suddenly on Hunter's back.
“Welcome to Hunter airlines, I hope you enjoy the flight with us.” Hunter said, as if over an intercom.
“Do I get a complimentary bag of peanuts?” Jason asked jokingly.
Hunter pulled some peanuts out of his pocket, handing them to Jason, who downed the whole pack in one toss of his head.
“Thanks.” Jason said.
“We aim to please.” Hunter said, and then shot off towards town.
><><
Hunter whizzed past Jordan, and flew quickly over Trixie in town. Hunter landed in front of the store and quickly went inside, hoping to avoid the crowd until later today. Hunter dropped the unicorn, who had been holding onto his neck for dear life, onto the tile floor.
Jason wobbled slightly as he stepped onto the familiar floor. The room was the same, the tiles were the same, the ridiculous amount of furniture the same. The only thing different was that a couch was missing.
The smell of delicious confections stopped his wobbling legs, and he walked slowly over to the counter. Carrot cake was standing behind it, helping a mint green unicorn with some cookies.
“Heya Lyra.” Hunter called out to the mint unicorn at the counter.
Lyra turned around to see the gray alicorn and waved. Carrot Cake handed her a box of cookies before looking up at the alicorn in his doorway and dropping his jaw.
Lyra walked up to Hunter at the door, “Heya, what brings you here on this fine cider season afternoon?”
“Just looking for some treats. Speaking of which, mind if I snatch one of those?” Hunter asked, pointing to the box of chocolate chips Lyra was holding.
Lyra opened up the box and pulled a cookie out holding it for Hunter to grab. As soon as Hunter was about to take it, Lyra shoved it into her mouth.
Hunter just put on the most despairing face he could think of, and pretended to try not to cry.
“Mmmm.” Lyra hummed, licking her lips. “Delicious.”
“You're so cruel.” Hunter said quietly, as if he were terribly stricken by the incident.
Lyra laughed as she tossed Hunter a cookie from the box. Hunter grabbed it out of the air with his mouth, and ate it. “Thanks.” The alicorn mumbled.
Lyra had looked back and taken notice of Carrot Cake's surprise. “Might not want to chew with your mouth full. It's not becoming of royalty.” The mint mare said, turning to Hunter, and then out the door as she laughed.
Hunter loudly gulped down the cookie, making it sound like he was scared of something. The blond stallion walked up to the counter with his friend. “Hey there Carrot Cake, is Pinkie home?” Hunter asked.
Carrot stuttered as he tried to call for Pinkie, “P-P-Pinkie! Come here please?” The orange baker yelled behind him, eyes still focused on the alicorn, who was now smiling happily at him. Carrot Cake suddenly decided he was being rude and bowed slightly, “I-uh- To what do I owe the pleasure of...”
Carrot was interrupted by Hunter's pulling him up off the ground. Hunter instead knelt down in front of the chef. “No, it is I who should bow to such an amazing artist!” Hunter said, making wavy foreleg gestures as he tried to put on his display. “I have tried your confections and they are to die for!”
Carrot just stared widely, “You think so?”
Hunter stood up, “Of course!”
Jason was chuckling to himself off to the side.
“This is from the perspective of non-royalty however, so I'm not sure how it helps.” Hunter said flatly.
“You mean you aren't a prince?” Carrot Cake asked.
“Nope.” Hunter said, “Common misconception.”
Carrot seemed to be relieved slightly. “So what's an alicorn doing here anyways?” He asked suddenly. “If you aren't royalty, then what are you?”
“Lucky.”
Then Pinkie bounced into the room. “What do ya need?” Pinkie asked Carrot Cake, before looking over at the two ponies in front of the counter.
“Heya Hunter!” She called sweetly, “Need something?”
“I've brought somepony to meet you.” Hunter said, turning to his beige friend, who was shifting uncomfortably in place.
“Well hi!” Pinkie called to Jason, “New friends get a dozen cupcakes for free!”
“You know what I think of that rule of yours.” Carrot Cake turned to Pinkie, a little exasperated.
“I know! That's why I take the cost of cupcakes out of my paycheck.” Pinkie dashed out of the room and returned with a box of cupcakes.
“Actually.” Jason spoke up, still shying away slightly. “I was wondering if you had some lemon squares.”
“Coming right up!” Pinkie said happily, dashing once again into the kitchen. “It'll be a minute!”
Hunter nudged Jason with his elbow, and Jason looked up at Hunter, “What was that for?”
“I knew it.” Was all Hunter said in response.
Hunter turned to Carrot Cake. “I'll explain everything later today, just show up at the ceremony for the cider festival alright?”
“I guess I can do that.” Carrot responded.
Then Cup Cake walked in, carrying a chocolate cake, which she placed on a platter, that sat on a shelf below the cash register, behind some glass. The blue mare stood up and looked at the customers. Hunter smiled at her and Jason just tried to look into the kitchen.
Cup would have dropped the cake along with her jaw if she hadn't just put it down.
Hunter just sighed as finding ways to hide his horn crossed his mind. Carrot closed Cup's mouth and told her that Hunter was just a regular customer, and he would be speaking at the festival today.
Cup just walked back into the kitchen, mumbling to herself about something.
“Here ya go!” Pinkie said, as she brought out some steaming lemon squares. “Fresh out of the oven. Be careful, they're still hot!”
Hunter snatched one off the tray, and shoved it in his mouth before anypony could say combustible lemons. The gray alicorn chewed it up and swallowed before his tongue was burnt off.
“Pinkie, meet Jason, Jason...” Hunter paused, wondering if it was even necessary. “This is Pinkie Pie.”
Jason was a little mad that Hunter had taken one of his free treats that Pinkie had made for him, but took the tray of eleven bars all the same. Jason opened up his scarf, and dumped them all in, before handing the tray back to Pinkie.
Pinkie took the tray back, looking confused. “Where did the bars go?”
Hunter chuckled. “You confused Pinkie, good job.”
Jason blushed as Pinkie grabbed at his scarf, trying to see where the lemony treats had gone.
Finding nothing under his scarf, she tried digging around in it, only to find her hoof disappear down it.
“Whoa!” The pink mare gasped.
Jason was thinking of all the ways that Pinkie was familiar. Her mane still smelled like cotton candy, and she was the same kind of personality, but she wasn't the same. Jason was close, but yet so far, and hopelessness ran down his face.
Hunter noticed this and wiped the tear before it dropped onto Pinkie. Hunter gave Jason a smile that said, “Cheer up.” and backed away.
Jason sucked his tears back in, and pulled Pinkie out of his void, as she was almost halfway in.
“Wouldn't want to lose you in there.” Jason joked, “You wouldn't believe the kind of stuff I don't know I have.”
“You have a crocodile!” Pinkie said happily, holding Rythian in her hooves.
Hunter laughed as Jason tried to get Rythian back. That crocodile was one of the things he could remember his Pinkie by, and for some reason he felt angry that this Pinkie was holding onto the crocodile.
Jason snatched the crocodile away from Pinkie, just as the rest of the gang walked through the door. Rythian was stuffed back into the void, and Pinkie looked a little sad. Pinkie realized that Jason's crocodile must really mean a lot to him.
“Don't worry I'll make it up to you!” Pinkie said, running into the kitchen.
“What's that mean?” Hunter asked Jason.
Jason just made a motion as if he were adding a mark to a chalkboard.
Pinkie returned with some crocodile chow, which she stuffed into Jason's scarf void, and went back into the kitchen.
“Hello again Trixie.” Carrot Cake said cheerfully.
“Hello again.” The blue unicorn responded sweetly.
“Ready to start the shift?” Cup asked, walking back out with another cake for the display.
“Most certainly.” Trixie said, getting Michael to hop off her back.
Michael landed on the floor with a soft thud, and Trixie walked behind the counter. Her light colored mane flipped by her hoof, and she settled behind the register.
“Ready to serve.” Trixie said sweetly.
“Well,” Hunter said, “We already got our free treats, so we'll be heading out.”
“Have fun with cider season!” Trixie called to them as they exited the door.
Hunter stopped Michael, Jason, and Jordan as they tried to walk into town. He reached into his pockets and pulled out some mustaches. Hunter handed out the fake hair and got a couple monocles, and a top hat.
Hunter donned his top hat, effectively covering the horn on his forehead. The group donned their mustaches and monocles, and Hunter led them back inside. The group walked nonchalantly up to the counter, and Trixie, who had only just finished waving when they entered the door, was now glaring at them.
The Cakes had left out the back door, off to enjoy some cider season fun, and Pinkie was still in the kitchen.
“Ve have come for some free treats” Michael said, sitting on Hunter's back.
“Indeed.” Jordan said, in his best Canterlot accent. “The gentle-colt outside said new acquaintances are awarded handsomely.”
Hunter and Jason played it up with some “Hmmm Yes.”-es and they stood there in the lobby.
Trixie just sighed, “Guys you aren't fooling anypony.”
Hunter scoffed, “How dare a lowly shopkeep such as yourself accuse high class ponies like us of being questionable!”
Michael dug his claws into Hunter's sides at the words “lowly shopkeep” and Hunter decided to downplay the insults.
Trixie just frowned. “The 'lowly shopkeep' decides if you get free cupcakes or not.”
“Look here lady,” Jason said, a thick Australian accent on his tongue, “We are very important ponies, and we would like it if we got what we want!”
Trixie just groaned. “Who else has a dragon!?”
“Very important ponies.” Hunter emphasized.
A few moments of silence passed with Trixie glaring at them. Then out of nowhere Pinkie was beside the group. “Well? Are we going to get our free stuff or not!?” Pinkie asked, a mustache on her lips, and talking in a made up accent.
Hunter couldn't keep a straight face. The gray alicorn was on the floor seconds after Michael started laughing. Jordan laughed as well, and Jason just chuckled, rubbing his head as if he was embarrassed.
Hunter eventually picked himself up off the floor, and took off his mustache, and his monocle. Hunter gathered all the costume pieces and shoved them into Jason's scarf, but he kept his hat on.
“Hold onto those for me.” Hunter said.
“Don't your pockets do the same thing?” Jason asked, remembering how Hunter continually pulled things out of them.
“It doesn't seem to work that way, no.” Hunter said, then he turned to Trixie. “Sorry about calling you a lowly shopkeep, I get really into character.”
Trixie laughed to herself, “You guys are a bunch of dolts.”
Pinkie had taken her mustache off, “Well you guys can each have a cookie for effort!”
After each of the ponies, including Trixie and Pinkie, had been given their cookie, the three stallions and the dragon went back outside.
Hunter kept his hat on, realizing that it was the perfect solution to his crowd problem, at least momentarily. The group walked down the street, still gaining their own share of stares from the ponies around them, considering that Hunter had a baby dragon that wasn't Spike on his back.
They wandered the town, Jordan leading the way to interesting sights, considering he was the only pony in their little band who had been there for more than a few days. They passed close by the road to Rarity's boutique and Hunter thought they should go and visit.
After making their way to the fashion designer's house, Hunter knocked on the door.
“Coming!” Came a young voice from the other side of the door.
The door opened to reveal Sweetie Belle, who looked blankly at the arrivals. Sweetie thought she recognized the brown pegasus, but the brown unicorn, and the dragon riding the gray pegasus with a top hat, were unknown to her.
“Can I help you?” The white filly asked.
“Is Rarity home?” Hunter asked, trying to peer inside.
“Hold on! I'll go get her.” Sweetie said, before closing the door in Hunter's face.
Hunter stumbled backwards at the door in his face and waited. There was some shuffling and soon the door was once again open.
“Do come inside,” Rarity said sweetly, “The crowds are absolutely monstrous during cider season.”
The group walked inside and Rarity swept back into the boutique, apparently in the middle of something. Hunter nodded to Jason and Jordan at the door, signaling them to wait, and walked into the center of the room.
Rarity was focusing on a brilliant green suit, which had gold flakes and gems, covering it's hat and coat tails. Hunter wondered.
“Whose that for?” Hunter asked.
Rarity seemed to gasp, as if she had remembered something important. Rarity had completely forgotten about the customer who had asked for the suit to be made, and she couldn't let them down. The white mare covered up her surprise by making it look like she forgot to put enough gold on the green hat.
“Nopony really.” Rarity said, trying not to let suspicious tones enter her voice. “Just another one of my designs.”
“If that's the case, I would love to take it off your hooves.” Hunter said, “I don't have any bits yet, but gosh darn it if that wasn't meant for me.”
Rarity groaned under her breath at how right he was, “Oh no, I have to use this here to show off at a fashion show. Paying customers first!”
Hunter's lips stretched into a slight frown. “Too bad I suppose.”
Rarity sighed of relief in her head. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“I was just coming to check up on all my clothes.” Hunter said happily.
“Oh yes of course.” Rarity said, taking a glance at Hunter before going into another room. “That top hat rather suits you.”
Hunter reached up to feel the top hat. “Thanks, I just got it today.”
“From who?” Rarity asked, wondering who else was selling hats of that nice of a design, even if it was simple, in Ponyville.
“I actually just got it from my pocket.” Hunter said nonchalantly.
Rarity stopped shuffling through her pile of finished orders, and straightened up, confused. After a moment, the white unicorn spotted Hunter's saddle bags and pulled them out with her magic, setting them next to Hunter.
“When did we get those?” Michael asked.
“When we got here.” Hunter replied, “I found them when I first needed to bring my clothes here.”
“Your pocket?” Rarity finally asked, walking back to the center of the room.
“Yeah,” Hunter said, turning back to Rarity, “I'll show you.”
Hunter reached into his pocket and pulled out a green gem. Rarity gasped, taking the gem in her magic and placing it on the suit. The suit looked to be completed now, and Rarity squealed in excitement.
“Thank you so much Hunter!” The white mare said over her squeals, “That was just the gem I was looking for!”
“Think nothing of it.” Hunter said, “I'm sure Rainbow Dash will pay for all these.” The gray alicorn picked up the saddlebags. Rarity lifted Michael with magic as Hunter put one of the double bags on, and Michael was set back on his spine.
“Oh yes,” Rarity said, “but expect a discount, those gems are hard to find, and I would have gone digging for hours if you hadn't just given me one.” Rarity got back to her work.
“Convenient isn't it?” Jason asked from the doorway.
“So convenient.” Hunter agreed. The blond haired stallion tried fishing something else from his pocket. This time he got nothing but dust. His gray hoof was sent in again, but only came out looking even more gray.
“Well, that's a bummer.” Hunter sighed. Jordan was nominated to hold the other thing of saddlebags, and Hunter decided that now was the time to take a trip back to the house. Michael was left with Jason, who decided they should go enjoy some cider during a cider festival, and Hunter raced Jordan back to the house.
Jordan honestly didn't put up much of a fight race wise, but Hunter made him think he was winning for most of the race. When the house was in sight, Hunter sped ahead and opened the door, walking inside before Jordan had landed.
Hunter had Jordan follow him up to his room and they dumped the contents of Hunter's saddlebags into the drawers.
“You brought your clothes with you?” Jordan asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I like clothes,” Hunter replied, fishing out his under armor track shirt and fitting it over his wings. The gray wings were surprisingly easy to stick out of the shirt. “Sometimes for their functionality, and sometimes for their feel.”
“What's this one for?” Jordan asked, recognizing the look of a high school slogan and his name on the back. “Nord.”
Hunter looked at the back of his shirt and realized his last name was still plastered on it. He took the shirt off, and stuffed it into a saddlebag.
“What's wrong?” Jordan asked.
Hunter seemed upset about something, but wouldn't speak his mind until he had another shirt on. This one was blue, a tree on it, with branches that shaped the word “Levi's”.
“That's not who I am anymore.” Hunter said coldly.
“What do you mean? It's just your last name.” Jordan said.
“Names are important,” Hunter continued, “Labels that tell us who we are. That is not who I am anymore, and it would be wrong for me to keep it.”
Jordan realized that Hunter took things like this seriously. “You like to think a lot about this stuff don't you?”
“If I don't,” Hunter said, starting down the stairs as they left the room, still wearing his saddlebag with the track shirt in it, “Then nopony will.”
Jordan just shook his head at how weird Hunter was sometimes, and how serious he was about it.
They took off back towards Rarity's, and after a quick stop, where Hunter asked the fashion designer to change the name, they continued on to the town.
Hunter re-donned his top hat that he had taken off when he was putting his shirts on. His blue shirt was made of a light fabric, so it flapped like crazy in the wind.
When they made it to the center of town, where Jordan noticed Michael and Jason near a game stand, they flew down into the crowd.
“Stylish as ever.” Michael commented, noticing Hunter was wearing a fancy hat with a terribly casual shirt.
“Thanks.” Hunter said, not picking up on the sarcasm on purpose. “What's this game you're playing?”
“You're supposed to knock the bottles over with this baseball.” Jason explained. “It's harder than it...”
Jason was cut off by the bottles being knocked over.
Hunter turned to stare at Jordan who had just thrown the baseball. Michael and Jason joined him.
“What?” Jordan asked, “I do this every year, the bottles never get the best of me.”
After choosing a particularly adorable giant teddy bear that Michael planned to give to Trixie at some point, they left towards the town hall. Jordan told them that it was about time for the town to gather for the main cider fest.
The crowd was gathering from all over town, bigger than, even when Trixie had apologized to everypony. Ponies were obviously visiting Ponyville for the occasion. Hunter grabbed Michael off of Jason's back, the beige unicorn muttered words of relief under his breath, and Hunter placed the dragon on his own gray back instead.
“Alright, I guess now is as good a time as any.” Hunter said to Michael, then turning to the other two he said. “You guys might as well come with.”
The group made their way up to the stage, and Hunter got Applejack's attention. “You mind if we make an announcement before you start handing out the cider?”
“What fer sugarcube?” Applejack asked, “We're about ready to start.”
“I was hoping to tell everypony who I am so that I don't get swarmed in public everyday.” Hunter explained.
“I guess so.” Applejack said, “The band isn't here yet, so take all the time you need.”
Hunter walked up to the stage, his friend's following after. Hunter took his place at the microphone, and Michael seemed interested in the electric guitar laying near a speaker. Jordan went to look over at a drum set, and Jason looked at the bass guitar at his feet.
“Hello everypony!” Hunter called into the mic, as soon as Applejack gave him the get go.
The crowd was silent.
“I suppose I should introduce myself,” Hunter said, wondering why nopony was reacting. “My name is Hunter and I'm a new resident of Ponyville.”
Hunter was nudged from the side, “What?” Hunter turned to ask Michael.
“Take your hat off.” Michael chuckled.
“Oh,” Hunter realized. “Right.”
As soon as Hunter's horn showed, the crowd in front gasped. Hunter extended his wings, and the rest of the crowd joined in the surprise.
“I just wanted to get up here and tell you all who I am, so that hopefully you don't have to mob me everytime I want to come into town.” Hunter joked.
Only a few ponies laughed.
“I'm not any kind of royalty, I'm just a normal pony, just like you all.” Hunter explained. “This is Michael, he's my dragon companion. Jason,” Hunter continued, pointing to the beige unicorn, “Is also new. Jordan has been here a while though.”
Jordan waved, and a couple of ponies cheered.
Hunter was unsure of what to do at this point, as Applejack realized that the band was not going to show up on time. Applejack trotted up to Hunter and whispered in his ear.
“Don't worry, I think we should be able to take care of it.” Hunter whispered back.
“You sure?” Applejack asked.
“Definitely.” Hunter said, then he turned to Michael. “You still know how to play that song I taught you forever ago, right? The rock one?”
“We're gonna rock their world.” Michael replied, picking up the guitar and putting the straps over his shoulder. He plucked a couple of times, getting a feel for the instrument, and found it was in tune.
Jordan was already seated on the drum set. Hunter hoped he knew what he was doing. The gray alicorn lastly turned his attention to Jason, who was putting the bass around his shoulders.
“You know how to play that?” Hunter asked.
“I should be just fine.” Jason said with a smirk. Hunter walked over and whispered the song name to Jason and he seemed to recognize it. Jordan was ready to lay out a beat, no matter what song it was.
Hunter stepped up to the mic, and as the instruments were primed, talked to the crowd.
“Turns out the band's a little late, so my group here is going to play you a little something.” Hunter said, smiling widely.
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight all stood in the crowd. They were skeptical how this would turn out, but Twilight knew that at least the singing would be good.
Then, Michael played the first few notes to Boston's “Smokin'”
The crowd was silent for a few moments.
As soon as the drummer had been introduced, Twilight felt her hoof tapping.
Then Hunter started singing.
“Gonna play you a song! A little bit of rock and roll!” Hunter sang into the microphone.
The ponies in the crowd started to nod to the beat.
“You gotta let yourself go, the band's gonna take control! Yeah!” Hunter continued to sing.
The crowd was warming up, letting out shouts, and agreements with the choice of music.
“We're getting down today! We'll pick you up and take you away!”
“Now this is music I can get behind!” Twilight yelled, dancing in the crowd. The entire town was going wild with the sudden change in music choice. It made you want to move, and they loved it.
Hunter continued to sing, Michael rocked out next to him, and Jason was playing along, keeping the rhythm smooth. Jordan was having no problems making the drums go along with the music, and the crowd was going wild.
Applejack was barely getting any sales while they played. Hunter was sure they would get flooded afterwards, but the apparent point of the music was to entertain the ponies 'while' they had their cider.
Oh well.
Hunter realized that this song had a keyboard in it. He looked around frantically, searching for an electronic set of ivories. Hunter turned to look behind him, and noticed a pad next to his foot. His gray hoof stepped on it, and the ground in front of him opened up, a keyboard appearing from it and lifting onto the stage.
Whoever this band was, they had style, but lacked punctuality.
“Smokin'! Smokin'! I feel alright mama I'm not jokin'!” Hunter sang, enticing the crowd as he hovered his hooves over the keys. They were large enough to accommodate each hoof for the most part, so he should be fine if he worked quickly.
“Oooooooooh! Yeah yeah!” Hunter sang, and then immediately went to work on the keyboard. The crowd went absolutely insane at his show of ivory tickling.
The solo went on for a good couple minutes, and it was then that most of the crowd went in for cider, realizing a kind of pause in the action. Applejack was soon overflowing with bits, and orders. It took the whole of Applejack's direct family manning two barrels, and switching them out, to keep the crowd happy.
Rainbow Dash flew up above the crowd. “Keep going Hunter you totally rock!”
Hunter didn't hear what Rainbow said, but he could see her cheering for him, and started showing off. Hunter twirled around, playing the keyboard backwards, and then back to normal. He raised his hoof above his head, playing as fast as he could with one hoof, before going back to the song.
Michael felt like he wouldn't be outdone, and played some epic guitar rifts, kneeling on the front of the stage.
Once again, the crowd went wild, and a few young mares in the front fainted.
Jordan copied Michael's rifts exactly with his drums. Soon Michael was putting out as many awesome chords as he could, and Jordan would copy them, speeding them up to show up Michael.
The two finished their competition, and Jason thought that he should do something to contribute to the show. After shouting some words, just so he could hear himself say them, fireballs shot off from the front of the stage, shooting into the sky, and exploding in the air.
If the crowd could go any wilder it would.
Fluttershy was even dancing, it was in the air where she wouldn't get trampled, but she was grooving to the music.
Applejack couldn't help but chuckle at Hunter. His enthusiastic boy band was bringing in a far better reaction than the other band would have. The band in question had shown up halfway through the show, had seen the fireworks, and were gobsmacked by what the alicorn and his friends were doing with their instruments.
“Get down tonight! There ya go, we're takin' off today! We'll pick you up and take you away! Get down tonight!”
Hunter looked at Michael for the anticipated end of the song, Michael ran forward and Hunter slid onto his knees. Michael and Hunter slid together on the stage, ending the song with the final notes and word.
“ALRIGHT!”
The music stopped, but the crowd was going absolutely insane.
Rainbow Dash held back the urge to fly up and congratulate Hunter on the awesome performance, but Vinyl Scratch did not.
“That was so amazing!” The musically inclined unicorn said, raising her glasses to look at Hunter.
“I don't believe we've been introduced!” Hunter yelled over the noise of the crowd. Hunter felt he should make one meeting seem normal at least.
“We can do that later!” Vinyl responded. “What was that you played just now?!”
“You mean rock and roll?” Hunter yelled back.
“What's that?” Vinyl asked.
Hunter's eyes widened. They were going to start a musical revolution, and now there was nothing he could do to stop it. It was going to be awesome.
“I'll tell you later! Meet me backstage in a few hours!” Hunter suggested.
“Sure thing!” Vinyl yelled back, and then made her way off the stage.
Hunter set himself back in front of the microphone. “Thank you all so much!” Hunter said, “Quiet please! QUIET!”
The crowd slowly died down, and was completely silent so they could hear Hunter speak.
“So.” Hunter said, “That was a new experience wasn't it?” Hunter asked.
The crowd yelled in agreement, and Hunter had to quiet them down again.
“Well, we'd be happy to play you all another song, but you have to promise me to give Applejack here as much business as possible! Can you do that for me!?” Hunter yelled.
“Yeah!” The crowd yelled in response.
“I can't hear you!” Hunter yelled into the microphone.
“YEAH!” The crowd responded doubling in volume.
“Alright, I'm not sure if you do this here normally, but here's one dedicated to all of you out there with a special somepony. Why don't we have ourselves a slow dance?” Hunter asked.
A calm yet excited reverence passed over the crowd, and many paired up with each other. Soon Hunter had a huge crowd of couples in front of him. Some seemed to be outcasts on the sidelines, but they paired up as well, despite not being couples.
“Rainbow Dash how about you make your way on up here!” Hunter called into the microphone.
Rainbow Dash blushed, and Twilight nudged her up to the stage. Hunter called to Applejack, and soon a karaoke viewer was on the front of the stage.
When Dash was finally up on stage, Michael and Jason exchanged their instruments for some acoustic guitars, and Jordan picked up a tambourine that was laying against his stool.
Hunter handed Rainbow Dash a microphone, and explained karaoke to her.
“Just sing the words that show up and get highlighted on the screen.” Hunter said chuckling.
“Are you sure?” Rainbow asked, “I'm nervous.”
“You'll be just fine.” Hunter reassured her.
The music started, Michael and Jason syncing their guitars, and Jordan lightly tapped his tambourine in the background.
Hunter prepared for the song, and watched as the ponies in the crowd danced slowly around their lovers, or friends.
“Walking up to you, is the hardest thing to do, and every time I look into your eyes I forget just what to do.” Hunter sang, softly and sweetly.
“Deciding what to say, Tryin' to chase my fears away, but every time I look into your eyes, nerves begin to fray.” Rainbow sang back, still slightly nervous, but she sang the lines perfectly.
Then they sang together, “And all this time spent down, for my life to turn around. I know I'll find a way, to be with you some day, and someday you'll see.”
“You'll notice me.” Hunter sang.
“All the times I've tried, to be right by your side, but the hardest thing of all to do, is try and talk with you.”
“Wishing from afar, Tryin' to find the right star, but the hardest thing of all to do, is to try and talk with you.”
“And all this time spent down,” Hunter sang, leading into the lines they sang together, “For my life to turn around, I know I'll find a way, to be with you someday, and someday you'll see.”
“You'll notice me.” Hunter finished.
Michael continued to strum on his guitar, and smiled at Jason as they made the song turn out beautifully. Jason returned the grin, and went back to focusing on the chords.
“How am I gonna act.”
“What will I do.”
“When I'm finally with you.”
Hunter started again, “How will time pass us by?”
Rainbow answered, no longer nervous, “Stay by my side.”
“I don't know what to do”
“I hope that you do, feel the same way I do.”
“I hope that you do.” Hunter sang.
The crowd continued to dance slowly together, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“Standing at your door, not knowing what to do, I must be crazy for even saying this, but I'm in love with you." Hunter sang.
“I look into your eyes,” Rainbow sang, being somewhat true to the lyrics, “What a perfect surprise. You're not crazy for saying this, cause I love you too.”
They ended the song together, “All this time spent down, for my life to turn around, I think I found a way, to be with you someday, and today you've seen.”
“You've noticed me.”
As the guitar ended the song, the ponies on the dance floor began to separate slowly, and it was just a crowd again.
The crowd cheered, not quite so fueled by adrenaline as earlier, but still excited by the brilliant performance.
“Rainbow Dash!” The crowd chanted, “Rainbow Dash!”
Then they would switch, “Hunter! Hunter!”
Hunter wondered if they were edging them on for something. No, not something, that one thing. The only thing they would be edging for.
Hunter glanced over at Rainbow Dash, who was also looking at him. Dash wasn't much for romance or mushy stuff, but she had just been sung to. If a love ballad wasn't an invitation, then she didn't know what was. Still, Dash glanced around, embarrassed and rubbing her right foreleg with her left one.
Hunter glanced at the crowd. Raising his hoof up to point at himself he raised his eyebrows. The crowd cheered his name. Then he pointed at Rainbow Dash, so they cheered her name. Then he pointed at himself, and then Dash and then himself, and then Dash.
The crowd went wild with cheers of agreement. Hunter walked over to Rainbow Dash, and the crowd grew even more excited. Rainbow Dash blushed furiously as Hunter got closer. Dash wondered if this would ruin her image as a tough mare. Probably.
With one swift motion, Rainbow Dash was in Hunter's forelegs again. Hunter leaned her over his knee, leaned in, and kissed her full on the mouth.
The crowd 'awwwwwww'd and then cheered wildly.
Applejack gaped at the scene that had just taken place on her stage, as did Fluttershy. Twilight was a little less surprised. Pinkie was on the scene and was shouting, “Woohoo! You go Dash!”
Rarity had taken time off from working to see what all the fuss was about, when she could see fire from the middle of town. She was now squealing like mad, but still slightly shocked at this saucy development.
Hunter pulled away from Rainbow Dash, looking into her eyes, and then standing her back up. As soon as Hunter had done this, Rainbow Dash was looking at him with a smile on her face. Then the cyan pegasus tackled him, kissing him to the floor.
Hunter was on the ground, enjoying a passionate kiss from Rainbow Dash, listening to the crowd behind her, when he heard Applejack over the loud speaker.
“You remember what Hunter said!” The orange apple farmer yelled, “Time to get some cider!”
The crowd yelled in agreement, and Applejack was once again flooded with customers.
Rainbow Dash pulled Hunter up off the floor, after getting up herself. Hunter glanced at Michael, who was rolling his eyes, Jordan, who was giving him a hoof bump, and Jason, who had pulled a camera out of his scarf and had taken their picture multiple times.
“Looks like we'll always be able to remember this moment.” Hunter chuckled, looking back to Rainbow Dash, “Whether we like it or not.”
Rainbow Dash laughed out loud, and Hunter joined in. Soon the whole band was laughing heartily on the stage, while the Apple family made the most profits they had ever made during a cider season.
Hunter and the rest of his band went to the front of the stage. They took a bow, and the crowd once again cheered.
Hunter was hoping that this announcement would keep the crowd from swarming him whenever he went into town. Now he was popular for a completely different reason.
Hunter turned to Michael.
“Prepare to be famous.”