//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: A New World, A Fresh Start // by drnkntst //------------------------------// Chapter 26 Rick dropped to his knees, he hit so hard the marble rung. He didn’t even feel the pain. All the ponies chorused a surprised “What!” Twilight backed away from the princess till she was next to Rick. He was crying, making no effort to stop or even hide the fact. It was happening all over again. He was losing his family. “Why, Princess? I-I don’t understand. Why does Rick have to go?” Twilight was crying too, all the ponies were. “He is not of this world. His species not only do harm to themselves, they also do great harm to other species. Isn’t that right, Rick?” He couldn’t speak, he only nodded an agreement. Five of the ponies were shocked, Twilight already knew. “You do not deny this? Do you also admit to haven eaten other species?” Rick fell forward to the floor hiding his face behind his fists, again he could only nod. “Do you wish to say anything in your defense before I send you back to your own world?” “…please...” “Raise your head and repeat yourself. I could not hear your answer.” “Please! Don’t take away my family again!” “ ‘Your family?’ These ponies are not even the same species. How are they your family?” “Twilight took me in when I had nowhere to go. Rarity clothed me even though I had no money. Pinkie made me feel welcome in a strange town. Fluttershy helped me adapt to the animals being so different here. Applejack fed me when I was hungry. Rainbow Dash even said she would stand up for me. This,” Rick sat up and spread his arms to indicate the six ponies, “is my family. Please, I’ve lost my family once and that killed me, I can’t do it again.” He collapsed again. Twilight rubbed his back. “Please, Princess, reconsider. Rick has done nothing to hurt us. In fact, he has saved me and Applejack’s sister.” “Yes, and he only had to save you because of something he caused himself, am I right?” “No, it was my fault. I invaded his dream. He asked me to leave it be but I didn’t. It was my fault. He apologized several times already. Please.” The princess appeared to considering this. “What do ya mean ya lost yur family once and it killed ya?” Applejack approached Rick. “Please, Applejack, we can talk about this later.” Twilight pleaded. “No, Twilight. Thank you for protecting me, but it needs to be said. Applejack, I had a wife and daughter on Earth. One year ago, My wife and daughter were killed in a plane crash. They were killed instantly. They were all I had, I didn’t even have parents anymore, so when I couldn’t take the loneliness anymore, I drove my truck off a bridge. I tried to take my own life.” The group gasped, tears streaming from their eyes. Twilight was crying but she had heard it before so it wasn’t as much of a shock. She magically took the photo from her saddle bag and levitated it to Rick. He took it gingerly and stared at the faces of the two most important humans in his life. “I can’t go through it again.” “And you won’t.” Celestia said as she approached Rick. She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “You did not try to hide what you are to me or these ponies. You even bared your grief before them. If you had tried to lie or hide anything from me, I would have sent you away. You even rescued two of my subjects with no regard for your own health or safety. My sister told me you had a kind heart and an honest soul. I needed proof before I allowed you to stay in my kingdom.” “Does that mean…?” Rick had to force himself to ask. “You may stay.” Celestia smiled and bowed her head. The six ponies all rushed in to hug Rick, tears of relief pouring down their faces. Rick sagged to the floor, he both hated and loved the princess at this point. Either way, he felt gratitude. He also felt a huge weight off his chest. All his friends knew his secret, they knew his past, they knew he had reached his lowest point before he came here, but what mattered most was they still accepted him. Something clicked in his mind. “Excuse me Princess, you mentioned your sister, will I get a chance to meet her?” “Oh, I thought you already had. Luna, will you join us please.” Celestia turned her head to see down a side passage. Rick turned to look and was not terribly shocked. “Hello again, Rick.” “Hello, Princess Luna. I trust you are doing well.” Rick wiped tears from his face and stood. “ ‘Again,’ what does she mean again?” Twilight asked. “Remember that pony I said I met in the woods?” Rick raised one arm and indicated Luna. “She was the one who told me to go back and find you.” “So I have you to thank, Princess. If you hadn’t told Rick to go back, I might still be hanging there. Thank you, Princess Luna.” Luna smiled. “Now, my little ponies, why don’t we retire into the next room? I have a banquet set up for us.” Now that Rick was standing, he could see that Celestia was as tall as him, maybe a little taller. Chapter 27 The eight ponies and one human enjoyed their lunch. Rick answered all the questions the princesses asked of him and he tried his best not to make a fool of himself in front of royalty. He even came clean about being and omnivore, they all took it better than he thought they would. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Thank you for allowing me to stay in your land. I won't make you regret it.” “I have every faith that you won’t. You know the value of good friends too well to allow yourself to ever hurt these fine girls. Please, take good care of yourself.” Celestia said as she and Luna both smiled at the group. “Of course, Princess Celestia. They are my family after all and I won’t ever let my family come to any harm ever again.” He patted Pinkie Pie and Applejack on the head. He grinned from ear to ear, he was home. They all said their goodbyes and parted ways. It had gotten late, all the ponies crammed into the cab of the truck to keep out of the cold night air. Rick was careful to drive slow so as to not risk driving off the road, he was unfamiliar with the road and it was dark. Fluttershy was leaning against him and periodically he would absent mindedly pet her. All the ponies were asleep, Princess Celestia’s little test took a lot out of all of them. When they got back to Ponyville, Rick stopped by Fluttershy’s cottage and dropped her off so she wouldn’t have to walk home alone in the dark. He then dropped off Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Rainbow Dash outside town. Lastly, he drove out to the farm to drop off Applejack and hide his truck again. “Rick, Princess Celestia said you’ve… eaten other species. You’ve never eaten ponies… have you?” Applejack had a pleading look on her face. Rick kneeled down and placed a hand on Applejack’s shoulders. “No, I have never eaten ponies. In fact, there are very few land animals that I have. Twilight already knew this, but I’ll tell you the same thing I told her, I will never eat meat again. I know it’s not much comfort, but it’s the best I can do.” “It’s alright, Rick. I know the world you came from was very different from Equestria. As long as you’ve never eaten Ponies, I think I can live with that.” She smiled at Rick. Rick returned the smile, it faded as he glanced across the barnyard and spotted some cows that appeared to be having a conversation. “I… gotta go.” “Alright, have a good night, Rick. Thanks for driving us all out to Canterlot today. It was a lot of fun.” “You’re welcome, AJ. On Earth we called that a road trip. It was one way for friends to enjoy time together. Did you have fun today?” “Yea, I did. I would like to do it again.” “We’ll see, good night.” Rick waved and started down the long dark road to the library. Luckily, Luna had made sure the moon was high, full and bright. He couldn’t help himself, he waved at the moon. “And good night to you as well, Princess Luna. Thank you for helping me with your sister.” “You are very welcome, Rick.” The voice from seemingly nowhere nearly made Rick wet himself as he stumbled in shock. The giggle wasn’t helping him feel any less self-conscience. “Princess Luna? Why are you out here?” Rick asked, the quickly bowed. “Please, call me Luna and there is no need to bow. I came to speak with you. May I join you on your walk?” “Of course, Prin… Luna. I was just on my way back to the library.” Rick gestured with one raised arm down the road toward town. The two began the short trek together. “What I told my sister about you was what I truly believed to be the truth. When we spoke the other night, you were concerned. You were concerned you hurt your friend. You were in fact, more concerned that Twilight and her friends would cut ties with you than you no longer having a home. You even bared your soul to me when you had no idea who I was. You, Rick Rhinestone, are a good, kind-hearted individual.” Rick felt his heart welling up in his throat. “Thank you, Luna. Twice now you have helped me. I don’t know how to thank you properly.” “Then I shall make you a deal, Rick. You do your best to be a good friend to Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and I will help you whenever you need me.” She grinned at Rick and looked sideways at him. “I promise, I will never do anything to hurt them. As I said, they are my family now. I would do anything to protect my family. Thank you again, Luna.” Rick looked back, but he was alone. He smiled up at the moon and mouthed ‘thank you.’