//------------------------------// // Book Two: Chapter Four // Story: Wishing Well // by Nobrains //------------------------------// Book Two: Chapter Four Towns went and trails receded under your feet and Twilight's hooves. You had never missed having a car so much as you did right now. You could have taken Twilight and yourself to Saddleworth and back in the time it had taken you to get this far, and you weren't even sure exactly how far that meant! The times seem to grow more and more with ease as you encountered a few ponies on the round north, heading in the opposite direction you were. They were a lot more cheerful than you and Twilight felt, and all you both did was nod in their direction as you went by, solemn and sober. You had happened to stop in quite a large town today. Its size was similar to that of Ponyville, and for a moment, you had hoped that you had reached your destination at last. Sadly, even though a cold chill nipped at everything up this far, Twilight told you that you were still a short while away. You didn't even bother to think about how much land laid out before you anymore. You were sitting under a tree at the park in town, counting your inventory that had been graciously given to you by the brash yet kind innkeeper. You looked over to Twilight who seemed to be more exhausted than you had ever seen her before. You began to speak up to her, but she didn't answer for a long moment, causing you to worry. “Twilight?” You eventually reached out to her. She twitched and looked around as if everything wasn't familiar, until they focused on you. Her eyes seemed to glimmer with such an obvious potency of adoration that it made it hard for you to muster more words up to see if she was okay. Once her eyes released you with a look more akin to curiosity, you began to address again. “You were phasing out.” You commented, not bothering to reach out this time. She shrugged. “I'm just thinking,” she suddenly laid down and rested her head in your lap. “What are we going to do? After all of this, I mean.” You know what she meant, and you weren't sure yourself. The encounter with her friends again would certainly be the first thing to worry about. You imagined shock and hurt painted across all their faces. They all probably thought you both dead after this long. First it would be the words, then the accusations of abandonment, followed by an abrupt departure by the majority of the group. You couldn't blame them if it came to that, she had picked you over them all. It was clear who and what she valued the most: love and family. You found yourself absentmindedly running your fingers through her mane. She definitely did not seem to mind, only smiling with her eyes closed as she rested her weary head. Would she be able to handle such a backlash if her friends did react the way you feared they would? Perhaps, she wasn't weak by any standards, and it wasn't like she wouldn't have your support. You would be there with her to the end of days, you were sure of that now. “Whatever happens, I'm sure we'll be happy.” You promised her. “You shouldn't make promises,” she whispered out, her eyes still closed. “I'll hold you to it.” “I don't mind being held to anything,” you declared. “It's just words.” “Well those words mean everything to me.” She sounded like she was about to fall asleep. No problem here, you could do wait sit here all day like this with her. Too bad you weren't about to enjoy another minute of it. “You two just passing through also?” A voice asked you both. “Oh my, it's that human!” You turned to see a rather old gray pony with a white mustache and a pair of round glasses, smiling toothily at you. He wore a tatter of clothes and a backpack strung around his shoulder. He seemed quite lively for his age. He was also accompanied by a younger counterpart, a dark blue stallion with a comb backed mane and a look of optimism in eyes. These two seemed to be traveling companions, curious to see if others were following their path. Now, however, it seemed that you were the subject of attention. The younger stallion stepped forward with an apologetic smile. “My father can be a bit... brash at times, please forgive him. It's actually quite a pleasure to meet you.” The earth pony extended a hoof towards you, which you took. “I didn't mean it in a negative way at all, Blues!” “I know, dad. I just wanted to make sure we didn't offend them at all.” He focused back on you, his grin even larger as he shook your hand rather violently. “The name's Blues Traveler, and this is my dad, Spry.” “...Nice to meet you,” you began, rather confused that this whole conversation was taking place at all. “Likewise!” Blues said happily, finally pulling back from your now limp arm. Twilight finally lifted her head to see who you were chatting with. She scanned them both before entering the conversation. “Where are you going?” “Why, me and my dad here hope to make it to the crystal empire! You see, my father is a merchant and I help him with his stuff since he's not as young as he used to be.” “Still more athletic than you!” Spry called out, his mustache wiggled as he spoke the words. “Yes, yes,” Blues rolled his eyes. “I wish he wasn't always like this sometimes.” “Aren't you going to repeat what I asked?” Spry questioned his son. Blues took a breath and repeated what his father had asked you earlier. “You both are heading in the direction we are too, right?” “Yes.” Twilight answered quickly and coldly. It seemed like this was going in the direction you assumed it would, with any possibility of company on the road being abolished right on the spot. Surprisingly, Blues didn't seem at all concerned with her tone of voice. “We were wondering just when you two were going to head out. Me and my dad would love some company. It gets a bit boring out on the road and by the campfire when it's just ourselves.” You and Twilight stayed silent for a long moment. Blues began to frown after your delayed response carried on after awhile. Spry didn't seem to notice much, whistling a happy tune. You asked for a bit of privacy, and the two obliged your request. “I don't want to be mean...” Twilight whispered to you after the two backed off out of distance. “Maybe we should just go with them?” You added after a short pause. Your unicorn friend seemed to not like the suggestion, but she didn't say anything. You didn't see the problem with having a few to accompany you both while you closed in on Saddleworth. It was nice being with Twilight all the time, but alone you feared her affinity could get asphyxiating at some point. She began to mull it over, regardless of her obvious dislike. You began to add the fact that with them, you'd more than likely not need to make anymore stops when heading to Saddleworth, for you would at least have twice the supplies. Once you added that, she gave a huff and a hesitant nod. You didn't think it would be this easy to sway Twilight. Perhaps your claims about your mind weren't entirely a joke? Blues and Spry were shifting about nervously in the distance. You motioned for them both to come, since you didn't want to leave Twilight's side. That was in part, because more than likely, she wouldn't let you. “So what's up?” Blues asked, his face teeming with anticipation. “We'll go with you,” Twilight said gruffly. Blues smiled and bumped your shoulder, which invoked a glare from the little unicorn who claimed ownership over you now. He stepped back a bit and gave an awkward laugh. “So when should we be heading out?” “I hope it's soon!” The old pony behind him called out. The blue stallion gave you an apologetic smile. “I'd prefer that as well. Better be off and on the road as soon as possible so we can get to where we need to go.” You gave him a curt nod and stood up slowly so Twilight could get up herself. Spry nodded in approval and swung his bag around his back several times, claiming your trip would take no time now. Maybe he'll be right. Once you were back out on the road, little changed. The only thing that was really a difference was the constant chit chat between Blues and his father. They obviously did this around everybody, even complete strangers. You imagined how many others had to put up with this. More than once, you and Twilight exchanged glances at each other, debating on whether or not to have them leave you behind. That, however, would only be counterproductive at this point, so you continued on with the chatty two. Around dusk, Blues was exchanging a tale that somehow turned into his life story with you, when your group was finally forced to make a simple camp on the side of the road. Spry rushed off in search of twigs and other dry wood that would help in starting a fire. You wished him all the luck in such a barren area. It was all just dirt and grass around here. It was only going to get colder the more you continued on the road as well. Somehow, despite all doubts, Spry managed to find enough wood to supply a campfire for at least an hour or so. You had to give the old man praise, and it made you wonder why Blues believed he needed help with his business. Perhaps it was just an excuse to be on the road? His name hinted at it as well as his cutie mark: a dirt path, forking in two different directions. The talking certainly did not die down as you all sat around the campfire. Blues continued to tell you about his many different encounters while traveling along with his father, trying to make it sound as comical as possible. After the third tale, a story consisting of how Blues had managed to get arrested for standing too close to a mare that wanted nothing to do with him, he stopped talking and went over to his father's bag. Spry himself was fidgeting the whole time, looking around for something to do. He was certainly a live one and could hardly contain himself. You imagined what it would be like for him sleeping. Blues pulled forth a harmonica and returned to his seat near you and Twilight. He asked if you had ever seen one of the instruments before, and you answered quickly with a 'yes.' He began to play the thing soon after. He was skilled, but the close proximity coupled with the already loud nature of such instruments caused you and Twilight to grimace as he played about. At least you were grimacing to a catchy tune, you supposed. When that was done, Blues began to yawn. “That was some of the best fun I've had on the road in a long time. I'm glad you guys liked my songs!” He raised a hoof in your direction, intent on giving you another playful nudge, but decided against it when a pair of dark purple eyes scowled him to practically oblivion. “Guess we'll have to call it for the night. My dad's sleeping while sitting up again...” He sighed at the sight of his father snoring while nearly swaying several directions, each time threatening to fall over. Blues went over to his father and gently placed him on his back, where he could rest with the thin grass as his only cushion. The blue earth pony wished you both pleasant dreams as he found his own spot opposite of the fire from you and Twilight. You slept a bit farther away from the fire, Twilight pressed against you like when you two were at the inn. You were getting use to it, at least that's what you thought. More than once you couldn't help but feel like someone was watching you as Twilight slumbered against your chest. Sure enough, you looked up quickly during the sleepless night for you and saw Blues watching you both with a frown. He noticed your eyes on him and quickly tore his sight from you and Twilight. You wondered what was the deal until a thought occurred to you. How weird it must be to see a pony and someone like you holding each other as one slept. A mental scenario suddenly began to play in your head. What if, by the chance that Shining Armor is very well alive and well, does not approve of his sister's choice in partner? You dug your fingers into your palm, careful not to wake your Twilight up. You hoped that her decision in making you her special somepony wouldn't force further strain upon her. You were, after all, supposed to be relieving it. The following morning ended up being less chatty than expected, which was fine with you. You felt like enough went on yesterday and last night to suffice for the next few days. You broke your fast with a few pieces of bread that the innkeeper had given you while you watched Blues and Spry both enjoy a few rose heads. You were sure they thought they were having the better meal, but you begged to differ. The travel went much easier today and you finally felt the air growing even colder. It wouldn't be long until you wish you had a sweater and a nice pair of pants. That would have to wait until after this search was through, however. Luckily, Twilight was more than willing to provide the heat with her close proximity. You were practically attached at this point with her need to have contact with you at any given moment when out and about. Blues continued to stare on occasion while Spry was in his own little world. His bag seemed to carry more than you thought could be possible in there. When you tried to ask him why that was after he pulled out a rather sizable umbrella during a light shower, he hinted out the object being enchanted. You were sure there was weirder things out in this world, but this tickled your mind like no other. “There it is,” Blues saddle, looking down the road to a walled off settlement. “Saddleworth in all it's glory.” “Really?” You almost couldn't believe it. Today was a good day so far you decided. You suddenly stopped caring about wherever the hell Spry was getting all his stuff. The town seemed to be quite large as you continued to close in on it. It's walls grew as the distance between itself and you waned, allowing only the rooftops of the rather tall houses to be visible. You may have made it to Saddleworth, but you doubt it would be any easy task to find who you were looking for. When you finally reached the tall smooth stone walls, you found the the gate that controlled the influx of visitors or residents to be slightly opened and no one watching it. Your first thought was that this city must be important to have such protection as gates and walls, your second thought was where those guarding this gate could have went off to. Spry scurried under the gate while Blues contemplated what could have happened. “Perhaps they were called back for something – stop that, father!” His father just continued to slip under the gate, back and forth. You were both horrified but what might happen if the gate decided to fall right then and there. Spry eventually got the idea and simply sat on the inside, waiting for you to follow. “Hmm... wait. Do you hear that?” The blue pony's ears pricked up at the distant sound of dozens of voices. Something was indeed going on right in town. Blues had no trouble slipping through, and he waited with his father for you both to join them. Simple enough, though you would be forced to get on your knees. Twilight seemed to be growing urgent, so you sent her in before you. She, as expected, was reluctant, but with an encouraging smile from you, she managed to part for just a minute and wait behind the gate that was likely as thick as a brick wall to her. You fell onto your hands and knees, giving the gate one last sour look before crawling slowly under it. As soon as you were nearly under it, Spry thought it would be funny to yell “boo”, causing you to skitter and roll out to their hooves, where the old stallion laughed and his son gave him a disapproving glare. Twilight fussed over you for a second and planted a kiss on your forehead before you stood up and once again towered over them. Blues literally had to hold onto to his father's bag with his teeth to keep him from running off. You and Twilight decided to take point as you examined the buildings of Saddleworth. They were much more rugged than their southern counterparts. Understandable due to their need to contain heat at a much more efficient level in this climate. Luckily, it wasn't winter, and the homes and their thicker makeup were left to function as any standard home. The voices grew steadily, and it wasn't long before you suspected some sort of rally was going on in some part of the large town. “It's gonna take us forever to find them...” You complained. “Ah, don't worry!” Spry said encouragingly. “This is the biggest trading hub in northern Equestria! I know this town like the back of my hoof!” “Well that's comforting. Wait, why not-” Before you could question him about wasting time up in the Crystal Empire when he could just be trading in this town, he broke free of his son's hold and started down one of the cobbled streets, beckoning for you all to follow. You chased after him, with Blues in the lead. The old coot was laughing the whole time, exclaiming how he remembered this part of the town, or this other section. You didn't doubt he did indeed remember, but this was getting ridiculous. It was then that you came across the crowd you had been looking for. You drifted by the corner and found a plethora of ponies of all kinds all encircled around a small box. You couldn't see who was standing on that box, for the figure was obscured behind a dozen hovering pegasi. Spry quickly entered into the crowd, his momentum not stopping a bit and leaving several ponies yelling out in irritation. Now you really saw why Blues followed his father, he was obnoxious and his senility only added to it. “Why must you be like this?!” Blues roared, following him into the crowd. You and Twilight remained outside the crowd, trying to see who was at the center of the event. You couldn't hear any voice over the sea of incomprehensible chattering that was brought on by such a gathering. After a minute, Twilight finally declared her intentions. “We're going in there.” You figured as much. You didn't protest in the least bit and went into the rush by her side, faithful as ever. You had the easier get go of spotting whoever it was you were looking for, since you stood quite a bit taller than any other pony in the crowd, you just wished these pegasi would get out of the way! Then came the shouting and gasps. “It's the human!” One pony cried out, pointing at you. You and Twilight hadn't thought this through well enough. You began to garner even more interest as the pegasi that had been blocking your field of vision circled around you. Now you couldn't see a damn thing at all. At least you were clearing the way for Twilight. You couldn't see or hear her, and assumed she had continued on without you (almost blasphemous to think of at this point, but there was always the possibility.) Before you could react to any of the sudden questions being thrown which way and that, such as why you happened to be hairless, did you wear clothes all the time, and was all the stuff about what you did to the hellspawn actually true, a single harsh yet irritated shout could be heard, thundering over many of those that were trying to talk to you. “If he is really here, I'd like to see him for myself.” The ponies surrounding you suddenly diverged, allowing you clearance to the center of the masses. That was easier than you thought. From the diverge, out popped Twilight, looking back and forth for you until you shouted. You ran to her and you both finally got to look at just who exactly was standing above all the rest. Why, it wasn't just one pony, it was two. “Shining!” Twilight called out, her voice cracked from the overwhelming relief she must have been feeling. “Twiley!” The white unicorn stallion stepped off his small soapbox to embrace his sister while his spouse, Cadence watched them both with a warm smile. You waited a few steps back, unsure of what to do. After a long moment, Shining and Twilight ceased their hug and turned to you. “So you're the human?” He asked, his eyes hard, but curious. You remember the innkeeper describing him as a bit shaken from his experience, but he seemed to have recovered rather well. Perhaps you would get to that at some point, and as to why all these ponies were gathered around him and his wife. “Yes.” Was all you managed out. Best not come off as dense here. “I see, and you seemed to have brought my sister to me. For that, I am grateful.” He pressed a hoof into Twilight's mane, roughing it up a bit as she laughed, pushing him off lightly. “Is there anything I can do for you, since you took the trouble of escorting my sister all the way up here?” He seemed sincere, which caused you to relax a bit. It was Twilight who spoke next, however. “He wasn't my escort,” Twilight snickered, all smiles now. “I asked him to come along.” “Really?” Shining gave a nervous laugh, and looked at his lightly pink better half still standing above them. “Why would you do something like that?” “Well,” she began, still smiling with joy. “He's my special somepony.”