//------------------------------// // It begins. . . // Story: Bucking Bronies // by Kiwi-Brony //------------------------------// I woke up in time to roll out of the way of the falling luggage and gifts. When they landed they made a good loud thump. I looked over at Pinkie who had a smile a mile wide on her face. I took a breath and noticed I wasn't tired, like I had been asleep while I was in Ponyville. Pinkie began to examine the pile of goodies closely then made a sharp gasp. “Mrs. Cakes Cupcakes!” She squealed in delight, grabbing the box she shoved her face in it and the sounds off eating begun. There was a knock at the door and a call from Chris. “Guys?” I stood up and looked at Pinkie bringing her head up after a little while only for a breath of air. “Yeah. . .come in.” “What's going on?” Chris said. He was followed by Sara and Micheal, they were all wearing their winter gear which for each of them consisted of jeans and maybe two jackets. “I went to Ponyville, got the ponies some gear and some snacks it seems.” I said looking over at Pinkie Pie. “Oh? What'cha get Pinkie?” Chris asked. “CUPCAKES!” She screamed, her head popped up from the box and her muzzle oozed with red jam some of it dripped off her and back into the box. Chris had a small fit and fell backwards, I had managed to catch him before hit the floor, while Micheal let out a squeal of panic and pranced around like a seven year old ballerina. “Ok what the hell was that?” I asked looking at Sara for some answers. “W-Well. . .it is just a silly story.” Sara half smiled. “Huh. . .really?” Sara nodded. “Nothing to worry about really.” I looked at Micheal and Chris. “Nothing to worry about eh?” Sara laughed nervously. “Look they are just overreacting, don't read much into it.” I thought about for a minute then sighed. “If you say so, I already have too much on my plate as it is.” I looked over the group. “You going to be warm enough?” Sara grinned. “Of course. . .” Her grin faded “. . .but just in case we may go look at some of the shops for warmer gear.” She looked side to side and smiled nervously. “Hey if you want to go shopping, go a head, just don't let it interfere with the mission.” I said with a shrug. Sara squeed a little and hugged me. “Thanks!” “No problem, get me something nice.” I smirked. “Only the best for Tommy!” Sara and I shared a laugh. “You know there was a time, where you would hate me calling you Tommy.” I paused for a second, it was true. I hated nicknames but agreed Thomas was a bit much in everyday conversation. So it was that or Tom. “A lot has changed.” I said looking back at Pinkie Pie who had decided to try and make Chris and Micheal better. “It has. . .hasn't.” Sara said. “I have noticed your more at peace.” “That obvious eh?” I looked at Sara. “I can't explain it, it started when I met Twilight and got to know Pinkie.” “I actually think it's because you have admitted to liking a certain someone. . .” I stared in disbelief, my eyes wide. “When did you. . .How did you-” “I've always known. When I met you I could see the longing behind those eyes.” Sara chuckled. “Besides I'm a woman I always know these kind of things.” I shook my head and was about to say something when there was knock at the door. “Morning everypony.” Applejack said with a warm smile. “I hope y'all had a good nights sleep.” Rainbow Dash stood beside her, she looked less than friendly. In fact she looked annoyed as hell. “Darn it AJ, why'da have to wake me up?” She grunted trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. “They are all awake.” Applejack said. “'sides what's wrong with waking up early.” “Everything!” She cried out. “Morning girls!” Pinkie shouted. “Tommy brought back some things!” “Huh?” Rainbow Dash and Applejack said in unison. It was then they noticed the pile of gear on the bed. “Hey that's mah scarf. . .and galoshes!” Applejack said with a huge grin. “Perfect for the winter.” Rainbow Dash looked over the pile and tilted her head. “Hey where's my stuff?” She looked over at me. “No one gave me anything. . .it was strange that no one was there for you or Fluttershy.” I rubbed my chin. “Do you have any family in Ponyville?” Rainbow Dash stared at me then looked away. “No. . .” “Oh. . .” The room fell quiet for a little bit. “So. . .where are they?” “Uncinus.” Rainbow Dash said. “Uncinus? I thought you were born in Cloudsdale.” Applejack said. “I was. . .I liked it so much I stayed when they left, it's so much cooler than Uncinus.” Rainbow Dash said, her bravado returning. “I bet.” Applejack said. “So anyway. . .Tom, how'd ya get this stuff?” Rainbow Dash said, for once trying to take the spotlight off herself. “Went to Ponyville.” I said. “I meet some pretty interesting ponies.” “Oh! Did you have party!?” Pinkie exclaimed. “No.” I smiled. “I had a chat.” “So who was there?” Applejack asked. “Well off the top of my head.” I said pondering. “Mr. and Mrs. Cakes, Lyra, Bon-Bon, the Mayor, Big Macintosh, Applebloom, Sweetiebell, Doctor, Derpy, Scootaloo, Spike.” I stopped thinking I had finished the list, then looked up after think of two others. “Oh and Princess Luna and Celestia.” “Princess Celestia!?” A shout came from Alex's room and quick as can be Twilight appeared in a flash. She had tackled me down. “Whoa! Easy girl.” I said trying to calm her down. “Is she ok? What's happening?!” “Twilight. . .” She pressed her face against mine. Her eyes reached into my soul, she must have been desperate for news. “. . .we are working with Luna, but we have to be on our own for a little while longer. Luna is going to come through to Earth with some guards.” “Luna's coming here!?” Chris said shaking off the shock. All the others were silent. Twilight backed off but sat on my chest, which was making it difficult to breath. “Yep.” I said. “But what was scary was that she was ready to go to war.” “War?” Chris said, a look of concern on her face. I nodded. “Pervus did sort of declare war on Equestria for stealing away the Elements.” I sighed. “I was able to convince her otherwise, but it is probably a good idea to avoid her when she gets here, though by far she is defiantly my favourite horse.” “Favourite hors-” Chris started but then stopped. “You actually like Princess Luna?” “Sure, she has an aura about her.” I said. “The way she stared at me, those eyes of fire. She could kick so much arse if she wanted.” I noticed I was getting stares from the humans. “What?” “You're a brony!” Micheal shouted. The others grinned and the ponies started to laugh. “Whoa there pony fag.” I said shaking my head at Micheal, he looked some what insulted at what I called him but eventually just shrugged it off as me being me. “I am not a brony.” “Yeah? But you like Princess Luna.” Chris said folding his arms. “So? I can't be a brony.” “Why not?” Chris asked. “I have never watch an episode, aside from the first one and to be honest I wasn't impressed. I like Princess Luna not because I like ponies but because I actually met her. I mean so far I have been pleasantly surprised that you guys are as awesome as you are.” "I know." Rainbow Dash grinned. The humans and ponies smiled. “That's why I am helping with this little trip turn shit-storm. I guess you have grown on me, so much so that I count all of you as friends.” I shook my head. “Crap I've gone sappy.” “Awww but it's so cute.” Sara said. “Even me?” Alex said standing in the door way. She was only wearing her singlet and some boxer shorts. I smiled a little. “Of course.” I moved so Twilight had to get off me, after she had I stood up. “But you only just met me.” Alex said. “Feh!” I shrugged. “You seem like a good sort. Besides, you helped the ponies so Pervus is after you as well. Like it or not, your stuck with us and we're stuck with you. So might as well be friends about it.” I stretched. “Now if you excuse me, I smell like dog arm pit.” I walked past the Ponies and Humans giving them one final smile before I closed the door. - - - “He is a strange man.” Alex said quietly. “He is a good man.” Chris said with a smile. Sara nodded. “Believe it or not I think he is doing this because he cares.” Micheal snorted. “Care? Tom? Hah he is the most care-free person I know.” Micheal grinned. Chris looked at Micheal and said nothing, he knew that was so far from the truth. He remained silent as he recalled all of the times Tom cried to himself, all the times Tom gritted his teeth and punched a wall in anger. “Chris?” Sara asked. “Huh? Oh sorry!” He laughed a little. “Just thinking.” Sara looked with slight concern at Chris but decided not to ask about it. Rainbow Dash looked at the humans. “So are we ready to go?” “Go?” Micheal asked. “OH! Right the recon!” Rainbow Dash nodded. “We'll get going soon, you're going to stay here.” Micheal said. “What!?” Rainbow Dash said jumping into the air. “But- But-!” She hovered in front of Micheal “But nothing, your far to noticable.” Micheal said. “Micheal. . .” Sara started. “What? It's true. I mean as much as I would love to have Rainbow Dash by our side, we need to try and be stealthy.” He put up his hands and his finger into air quotes. “'Incognito.'” “They're right sugarcube.” Applejack said trying to defuse the situation. “I want to go too, but we arn't exactly the type of things these here humans are used to seeing.” Rainbow Dash couldn't believe this, she had been stuck on this boring piece of rock longing for action only to be kept away from it. What was worse was the fact that two of her friends were being held by some freak that wanted to use them for Celestia knows what. She gritted her teeth and was about to argue when Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder. “Don't worry Rainbow. . .” Twilight smiled a little. “This is only recon when they get back we can all go and get them.” Sara nodded and smiled with Twilight. “It won't take long.” Alex folded her arms and sighed, though not loud enough for anyone to notice. Her thoughts were of what was quickly becoming a plan. Her new found friends seemed to be okay with this, and she found no real flaw at present. But like Rainbow she was quickly becoming impatient, her blood longed for action. She was not happy about being attacked then being accused of being a terrorist, these men wanted to ruin her life? So be it! She however would not make it easy for them. Chris took a breath. “I think we should go.” He smiled a little. “Twilight, Pinkie, AJ, RD. Please looked after Alex and Tom for me. . .” The ponies looked at Chris. “Will do!” Pinkie said saluting. “Look after each other.” Micheal said as Sara pushed him towards the door. “See ya.” Sara said with a smile. “LATER TOM!” Chris called out. “LATER!” Tom replied. “TRY NOT TO FUCK UP!” Chris just chuckled and left closing the door behind him. “Now what do we do?” Rainbow said huffing. “Well there is still stuff from our friends and family.” Applejack said looking over the pile of goodies. “Well it will gives us something to do, we need to organise everything after all, I hope Spike got me some quills and paper. . .” - - - Two hours passed and Twilight and the others (including Alex and Tom) had finished organising the stuff they had got from the Ponies in Ponyville. Twilight asked Tom plenty of questions about what was going on in Ponyville. The ponies were surprised to hear that Lyra had formed a special group designed to fill the gap the Elements left. “Well we have to thank her when we get back.” Twilight said ticking off the final box on her check list. There was more talking about Equestria and the ponies home, family and friends. “What about you Tom?” Twilight said after telling the group about her parents. “What are your parents like?” Tom looked up not expecting to be picked for this little exercise. “I'd rather not talk about it.” He said with a pang of anger in his voice. “Ask Alex, she has a much more interesting life.” He said folding his arms. Alex blinked. “What?” She cleared her throat. “Nien, meien life is boring.” She smiled a little. “Though my parents are-” She paused for a moment. “. . .were great. I lost my Mama sometime ago.” “Oh. . .I'm sorry to hear that.” Twilight said. “I was too, but my father he is good to me, I love him very much.” A warm smile plastered her face. “Ich liebe ihn von ganzem Herzen'' All the ponies smiled. Even Tom had a pleasant look in his eyes, that was until Alex turned to him. “I have talked about my parents. Your turn.” “Like I said I don't want to talk about them.” He looked out the window. “None of my family actually.” “But family is on of the most important things we have.” Applejack said. Tom remained silent for a time before taking in a breath. “I hate them.” This caused a gasp among the ponies. Alex stared at Tom no hint of a reaction on her face. “H-Hate?” Pinkie said. “Yep. . .opposite of love.” He shook his head. “How could you hate your parents?” Twilight asked. “It's very easy believe it or not.” Tom shrugged. “Especially if. . .” The hotel room's phone began to ring making everyone jump. Tom stood up and answered the phone. “Ello?” “Good morning sir, we have a call from a. . .Miss Lovestone for you, would you like to be transferred?” A nice young lady said, possible one from reception. “Umm sure.” There was a click and then the sound of heavy breathing. “Hello!? Tom is that you!?” “Chris? I though-” “Yeah no time to explain! We have been found out!” “Wait what!?” “Hurry Chris!” Sara shouted in the background. She sounded out of breath and scared something that chilled Tom to the bone. “They're coming for you! You got to get of there!!” Chris' was frantic. “Please! Protect the ponies.” There was a low laughter. “Come now children, you don't want to keep Malik waiting.” “GET AWAY!” Chris screamed. The sound of Sara sobbing in the background didn't make the situation better. “Hehe, talking to your little ring leader. . .tell him I'll come by soon, to pick up our property. Now Pixie, collect the trash.” There was sounds of a struggle but eventually everything went dead. “Chris?” Tom spoke out helplessly. “Chris. . .CHRIS!?” Tom slammed the phone down and gritted his teeth. “What's going on?” Alex said. “The others have been capture.” Tom spat out. “We got to get out of here.” “But the others. . .” Twilight began. “No time! We need to leave now!” Tom shouted, causing Twilight to back away. “Alex you get the ponies down to the basement, if Donald is there load them up. I got some things to take care of.” There was no argument this time, no words spoke as the ponies slowly followed Alex out of the room all except one. “What was that!?” Rainbow Dash said. “I told you to go with Alex.” “But our friends are in danger! We don't leave people hanging.” “Look this is just a. . .” “If you say, 'a temporary thing' I will buck you in the face.” Tom sighed. “You think I don't want to help them?” “It looks that way.” Rainbow Dash said. “Well it's not true!” Tom looked around the room and started to pack his bags. “I want to help them, but it is more important keeping you away from Malik.” Tom sighed. “It's more important to save the world from a man like him.” He felt a hoof on his shoulder and he turned around. Dash had a sad smile on her face. “Loyalty is one of the most difficult elements to bare.” Tom returned the smile. “Sorry for snapping at you before.” “No big deal.” Rainbow Dash motioned towards the door. “Not lets get the buck out of here.” They left the room side by side, a small conversation starting between them. - - - Bing The elevator opened for Alex and the ponies. They stepped out and noticed Donald the driver smoking a cigarette. His face was covered by a shadow only to be lit up when he took a drag on his smoke. “Ah! Donald we need your help. The ponies are in danger.” Alex said approaching him. Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack followed closely behind. “Really?” He said. Alex nodded. “Yeah. . .” She began but paused. Something wasn't right here. “. . .we need to get them to safety.” “Is that so?” Alex's eyes narrowed. “Well come on the car's around here.” Donald said throwing his cigarette on the ground and stamping on it. The group followed Donald for a short time before coming across the limo. “All aboard whose going aboard.” Donald said with a small smile as he walked to the drivers door.. Alex opened the door for the Ponies and one by one the hopped in. “You girls going to be alright?” Alex asked. “We'll be fine, I just hope Sara, Chris and Micheal are safe.” Twilight said. “Yeah well they are smart so they should be fi-” WHAM! Donald stood behind Alex with a lead pipe in his hands. The ponies gasped but before they could react to aid Alex, Donald slammed the door. The kiddie lock in place made it impossible for them to try and exit. Alex groaned as she started to move. She rolled on her back to see Donald raise the pipe again, he brought it down on Alex as she tried to brace herself. Bing. The elevator door flew open and without thinking Rainbow Dash rocketed out and flew right into Donald. They flew a few feet before landing on the concrete. Though Donald was the first to hit the ground he recovered quickly and ran for the Limo. Tom ran as fast as he could and got in Donald's way but was push aside by a spear tackle. Tom hit the floor and gasped for air, Tom being winded gave Donald the time he needed to jump in the limo and start it up. As Tom got up Donald hit the gas and sped out of the garage. “Rainbow! After him!” Tom gasped. His arms around his stomach. Rainbow saluted and took off after him, a rainbow trail behind her. Alex stood up rubbing the back of her head. ''Arschloch'' She said with some spite in her voice. “You ok?” Tom asked. “Fine!” She gritted her teeth. “I'm German remember.” “We need to catch up to him.” Alex nodded and looked around before a wicked smile appeared on her face. “Come with me.” Tom followed her and she got on a motorbike. “Wait how are yo-” Before tome could finish Alex was already hot wiring the bike before it erupted into life, she revved the engine. “Get on.” Tom blinked and did what he was told. He wrapped his arms around Alex's waist. “How did you do that?” “Mama taught me. . .” She grinned.When she felt Tom was secured the bike took off flying out of the garage. The chase was on.