Chapter Three: Ponyville
The stone buildings with tiled, inclined roofs and cobbled pathways of Canterlot had been replaced with thatched, straw roofs and beaten dirt pathways. The extravagant shop fronts of the big city, were replaced with more humble, family run shops and small market stalls.
The ponies that walked and talked along the streets of Ponyville were much more, down to Earth than those at Caterlot. This seemed fitting as the ponies in Caterlot lived in a castle on the side of a mountain but even so.
Ponyville seemed quieter than Canterlot too. It was certainly less busy and was most definitely smaller. But that didn't mean it wasn't filled with life. The ponies here seemed if possible, even more at ease, even happier than those in Canterlot. The distinct lack of armed guards that had been present in Canterlot seemed to relax him.
Canterlot had made Battle feel happy. Ponyville made him feel welcome. It was a strange feeling. Not in an unpleasant way. It was warm and gentle. It wasn't unlike the feeling he'd had at Canterlot but something had been missing there. Canterlot hadn't offered him the same sense of belonging Ponyville did. Of course Battle was no stranger to the feeling, but he had not expected to find it here of all places.
It felt like he had come home. Which was impossible he knew, but still...
“So what do you think?” Twilight asked, gesturing around Ponyville. “It may not be much but, it's Ponyville.”
“It's fantastic,” Battle said smiling, as the group of seven walked down the main street. He turned on the spot, walking backwards, smiling and closing his eyes to bask in the sun.
“Oh, oh, oh!” Pinkie Pie cried, bouncing as they continued to move.
“What is it Pinkie?” Applejack asked with dread.
“We should totally throw a superspecialawesomereallycoolsuperduperamazingfunparty for Battle!” Pinkie cried in a single, outward verbal gush.
Battle blinked.
“Say that again? In some understandable language perhaps?” Battle said.
Pinkie sucked in a deep breath before she replied: “I said 'Nous devons absolument jeter un impressionnant vraiment cool super duper incroyable partie d'amusement super spéciale,' for Battle!”
Battle blinked a second time, even more confused.
“Did she just speak French?” he said, looking at the others.
“That's Pinkie for ya,” Dash said. “Just roll with it you'll be fine.”
“Okay but I still have no idea what she's driving it,” Battle admitted.
“Silly, I'm not driving, I'm bouncing!” Pinkie chirped.
“Yeeeeeeeeeaaaah, not what I meant,” Battle said slowly. He was starting to worry about the pink mare.
“What Pinkie's sayin' is that maybe we should all through some kind of party for ya'. Since you're new here an' all,” Applejack translated.
“Well duh! That's what I was just saying Applejack,” Pinkie said, rolling her eyes.
“You don't have to go through the trouble,” Battle said, smiling now that he finally understood the meaning behind Pinkie's words. “Really, I'll be fine without a... super special awesome... whatever party.”
Twilight chuckled and laid a hand on Battle's shoulder.
“There's no point in arguing with Pinkie,” she said smiling. “Be thankful she's given you warning. The first time I arrived in Ponyville she broke into the library and set up a surprise party with everypony in town invited.”
Battle had to smile at this.
“I'm sure it was a welcome surprise,” he said.
“Actually it wasn't,” she admitted. “At the time I was too busy with my studies to even have a friend or care about getting one.”
Battle frowned. He had been distant in his time, but he had never wanted to not have friends. Something about what Twilight said reminded him vividly of somepony he knew back home. He scowled at that particular memory. One thing he certainly wouldn't miss.
“So where's the library?” Battle asked.
Twilight pointed down the road. Battle followed her finger and saw in the middle of the road, was a large tree. An oak tree to be precise. Old and tall. Even from this distance, Battle could see the various windows cut into the bark.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me,” he said, chuckling at the obsurdity.
“What?” Twilight asked.
“A tree? Isn't that a bit... whimsical?” he asked.
“Whimsical or not, I like it,” Twilight said. “Come on. I'll show you to your room.”