Forever Roaming
Chapter 9
Downtime
William was sitting on a stool that had been provided as he slowly sipped the warm milk that Luna had provided those that wished to partake of the sleep aiding drink.
Rick on the other hand was out on the balcony, leaning against the rail looking out to the valley below. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts at the moment, then again he explained to William how he is dealing with his memories once again.
Chris was asleep on his desk while trying to read over the contracts that were sent to him. He managed to get four contracts altogether. One from Equestria Daily, one from the Canterlot Times, one from the Daily Canterlot, and the Ponyville Gazette. Royal News, and still on the desk was the smaller newspaper Ponyville Gazette. All had also left him with a lifetime subscription of their paper as well. At some point in reading the contracts he had fallen asleep on his bed, the contracts still in his hand and one on his chest.
William looked up a little and back at the large mug of warm milk. “So, how,” he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts and ended up speaking his thoughts aloud. “How did you survive that fall in the airship?”
Rick slightly looked up before turning towards the doors. “I had to take some precaution towards that, it was afterall, a new design. I had reinforced the hull to withstand hits incase I happened to mess up somewhere.” He said before mumbling slightly. “Though I wish it stood up more.” He mindlessly placed his hand on the side where he had been cut open.
“A reinforced, that is why the ship was more or less intact when you crashed.” William paused a little and looked at the sky that he could see from his position. “So, the town, the, Insanity called them your friends and family and neighbors, did, did insanity kill them? Turn them into monsters?”
Rick didn’t seem to shift in the slightest, and eventually he responded. “He thought it would be fun, to make them corrupted. They were still in there too. They were begging for death, and I did not understand why until I had fallen myself.” He turned towards William, now that Rick was standing in the doorframe. “He was able to do it by forcing me to watch, every mistake, I have ever made. All the people I failed...” His head fell slightly. “And I had to rewatch them, over and over...”
William set the mug on the ground and looked at Rick. “That can destroy one’s mind, tell me, have anyone shown you your accomplishes the good you did to your world? Maybe you can talk to Luna to help there. Still, I, I, I see what what it means, and what might have happened. Know this, you got friends here, no, warriors who will stand, and.” He lowered his eyes. “As well as one that might have faced demons of another world.” He moved to pick up his mug his hands shaking a little. “I, I think we should call it a day and get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and a new dawn will bring new life.”
Rick mumbled something, in which William couldn't hear but from what he could see Rick wasn’t moving.
William finished the mug and stood up and walked to the doorway leading onto the balcony. “I just want to let you know that, I want you to know that I will call you a friend.”
“They tried to call me a saviour.” Rick mumbled softly. His stare was blank as he looked out into the valley below.
William walked to the balcony and leaned forward upon the stone railing. “I never called you that. I call you a friend. I only have one person that I call a savior and his is the Son of God.” He smiled a little. “So I will not call you that.”
“I’ll be to bed momentarily. I have some things to work with first.” Rick said.
William only nodded his head before turning to face the moon while snapping to attention and saluted the moon. He spoke in ancient equestrian before dropping his salute and turned around and went to the restroom to change for bed for the night.
Chris was the first to wake up from the group. He raised his head from the desk and sat up straight in the chair. A piece of paper was stuck to his face. “Damn...I fell asleep while looking over the papers. I never did decide what to pick. I might as well think this over in the shower.” Chris mumbled to himself. Chris gets out of the chair, grabs the towel from the closet and heads to the bathroom to shower.
While Chris was in the shower William woke up and seeing that the shower was in use as the door was locked william walked out to the balcony and worked on some push up and sit ups for the morning before deciding to go for a run around the castle while Chris was using the only bathroom in the suite. However he did run a hand over his chin and the week’s amount of growth there. “Okay, find a shaving kit... or get my pendant fixed.”
Eventually Rick got up grabbing onto his satchel, and grabbing his boots. He had questions he wanted to ask and he figured he would do it to start the day. With a quick stretch he headed out the door, looking for one of the Princesses.
William was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt once again of the Lunar Guard as he was sitting on a bench out in the Royal Gardens and was just taking a breather from his jogging. At the moment there were no ponies around and he was just enjoying the smells, sights, and the sounds around him. “Always nice to relax here.” He muttered to himself. He didn’t noticed that he was being watched.
He smiled and just took a great sniff of the flowers in the air around him. “I never get tired of the Canterlot Gardens.”
“I am pleased to hear that you enjoy my gardens.” Princess Celestia spoke while smiling at her phoenix that was flying over her head. “I hope it is similar to the one you are familiar with.”
William only smiled a little at seeing the fire bird. “I never grow tired or old of seeing a real life phoenix.” He smiled as to his amazement the fire bird landed on his shoulder making some cooing noises before turning and pecking his head lightly. “OW!” William yelped as the firebird too to the air and make avian noise that William felt was laughter.
Celestia only smirked. “Well, that was unique, it seems Philomena decided to peck you with one of her feathers.”
William blinked slowly a few times. “That is a good or bad thing?” All he got was a wing shrug before William smiled. “Oh, Princess, I got a question for you that might need some of Luna or your help.”
“Well, I think I can help, what is your question.”
William only smiled. “Well...”
Chris gets out of the shower with a towel around his waist and one to dry off his brown hair. “Alright guys. You can use the shower.” Chris announces. He looks around the room to see that it was void of people. He looks at the clock in the room to see that it was 45 minutes later when he first took the shower.
“I gotta take quicker showers.” He mumbled to himself. He goes over to his side of the room to get his clothes and puts them on. Chris puts on a pair of jeans with a basic shirt that rarity made for him. The shirt was a plain blue color to match the color of the jeans. Chris grabs some hair gel to put his hair in his usually spiky way.
“Now that is out of the way, I need to go check those offers the newspapers offer to me.” Chris looks at the pile of papers on the desk. They were the basic contracts that had the salary he would get paid for and the signing bonus for signing up with them; however each newspaper company gave Chris a newspaper to look over as well as a lifetime subscription to them.
“Okay, first is Equestria Daily.” Chris picks up the Equestria Daily contract. The signing bonus for them was 1,000 bits and at 10 bits an hour. “Damn that is more then I would get paid at any job I was in.” He picks up the paper and reads a couple articles. “Hmm...Equestria Daily seems like a popular magazine filled with gossip. It talks about certain famous ponies, some different types of clothes, and other things in the media. Not really a source of news, more like People magazine back at home. The pay is good so I might put this to the side for later.” He puts it to the right to check it later.
The next contract was from the Royal News. He picks it up and reads the contract which gives him a 800 signing bonus but an hourly pay of 12 bits an hour. “Well the signing bonus is less than Equestria Daily but the pay rate is better in the long run.” He reads the rest of the contract. “Well the contract is pretty strict with what I do and what I may take pictures of.” He picks up the Royal News and reads it. “Yea, I don’t think this is my style. The way they go with it is too formal. The style is similar to CNN which I can respect but with the uptight guidelines they have and how formal they write it wouldn’t fit my style. Pass.” He puts the paper to the left side to know that he won’t accept the job.
The next paper was the Daily Canterlot. The contract was similar to Equestria Daily’s so there was no restrictions or guidelines that bothered him. The signing bonus was 900 and the pay rate was 11 bits an hours. Chris picks up the newspaper and reads it. “Well this seems like a basic daily newspaper that talks about the general things that are happening around the area. It seems more local and its main audience is the ponies of Canterlot. This is possibly a choice I am going to choose.” Chris puts the paper contract nexts to the Equestria Daily contract.
The fourth one was the Canterlot Times. Chris reads the contract which has a signing bonus of 1,200 and a pay rate of 10 bits an hour but there was only one problem for him. “The contract states I must stay within the area of Canterlot to work with them. They would send me out when they need me to cover a report or news. The other three let me live wherever I want but this one requires I get a home in Canterlot and I must be within the working location of the company. This one is a no even though the pay is good.” Chris places the contract next to the Royal News side.
“Finally the last contract which is called the Ponyville Gazette” He picks up the contract. The contract was the most basic out of the other four. The signing bonus was 500 bits at a rate of 8 bits an hour. “Damn this paper doesn't pay well compared to the other choices.” Chris picks up the paper and reads it. “Wow this paper has some good quality work in it. Not as top notch as the Royal News but it could have potential.” Chris said approvingly. “The paper is even located in the nice town of Ponyville which was where the Pinkie Pie and her friends live.”
Chris looks over at the contract one more time for Equestria Daily, Daily Canterlot, and the Ponyville Gazette. After careful consideration Chris came to a conclusion. “Ponyville Gazette since it reminds me of the local newspaper I use to work for. It also seems like a nice paper and pleasent to work with.
Pinkie Pie comes in with her bubbly mood. “Chris” Pinkie Pie sang. “It is time for dinner!”
“No it is...” Chris stopped himself when he checked the clock to see it is 6 in the evening. “Oh...well damn it is late.” As if on cue his stomach growled. he gave a nervous chuckle. “I be there in a minute.” Chris put all of his gear away and walked with Pinkie Pie to the dining hall.
Rick seemed to be walking down some darker hallways, guards walked around the area most likely headed to their post or something of the sort. As he walked his eyes scanned every guard by him, checking their armor, weapon, and just their mobility itself. He was given directions to where he wanted to go and free reign for what he wanted to use there.
He turned a corner and faced a set of doors, his destination. With a smile he pushed the doors open to reveal something familiar to him. A forge.
Reaching into his satchel he pulled out a tool which had been with him for ages, his hammer. With a twirl he headed over and began to scan the room for, metals. He found all kinds of metal, ranging from Copper to Mithril. With a smile he pulled out a bar of metal and turned towards the forge, a smile on his face as he returned to what he enjoys to do. He reached into his satchel and pulled out his leather gauntlets, sliding them on he walked over to begin his work.
Time slowly began to drag on, Rick was given time for his work and most of the guards did not disturb him while he worked. Mostly what they could hear on the outside was the sound of a hammer meeting the anvil.
Tink....
Tink......
Chris and Pinkie Pie walked into the dining hall, well Pinkie Pie bounced into the dining hall. They notice that some of the seats were empty. Currently, Princess Luna and Twilight are sitting next to each other talking about the recent changeling invasion and what they plan to do with it. Rarity was admiring some of the new features they added to the dining room since she last visited. Spike was sitting next to her with his lovestruck face.
“Hey there,” Chris greeted the group.
“Greetings,” Princess Luna responded to Chris.
“Hello Chris, did you make your decision for which newspaper you want to work for.” Twilight asked.
Chris and Pinkie Pie walked over to an empty seat at the table. “Yea I did. They were all well and paid better than I got paid back on Earth. I decided to go work for the Ponyville Gazette.
“But why did you not take the Equestrian Daily offer? They are a world renown paper.
I even have a subscription to them.” Rarity pointed out.
“Well they aren’t my style but with the Ponyville Gazette, it makes me feel like the company I use to work for back on Earth. Just a simple group with great values.”
“Well I think that is a great choice Chris,” Twilight replied.
“So where is Ponyville so I can meet my employers?” Chris asked them.
“You don’t know where Ponyville is?” Pinkie Pie questioned him. “You were just there silly filly! That is where we met you and took you to Twilight’s house and took the train to-Mphh” Twilight put her hoof over Pinkie Pie’s mouth.
“I think he gets it.” Twilight chuckled nervously and smiling while looking at Chris.
“Well...that is convenient as hell! Makes my job easier and I can see you guys there.”
The doors opened at this moment and Celestia and another pegasus pony walked into the dining hall. “Your majesty, I must say again that I am grateful for your help.” The pony gave a small bow before walking up to Chris. “Hello, so you must be those new creatures that helped defend the castle. Thank you for your actions.” The pony was smirking a little before he shook his brown mane a little before walking towards the table. The dark olive green coat accented with a white five point star. The new pony walked to an empty seat next to Chris and sat down. Around his neck was the same pendent that Chris had seen around all of Luna’s guards. “So, what is your name?” The pony asked Chris.
“My name is chris” Chris put out his hand.” Photographer and reporter for the Ponyville Gazette. What is your name.”
“I am Nightstar, I am a Lunar Guard retired at the moment, but I have been asked to keep you safe a little. I hope you don’t mind but... I am going through the humans asking a simple medical question, what is your blood type?” He was smiling a little as he looked around. “Do you know what they are going to be serving for dinner?”
“Umm...my blood type is O positive and I am not sure what they are serving.” Chris told the guard.
“Oh good, that is the universal Donor.” Nightstar sighed as if some weight lifted from his shoulders.
“Wait...that is a good thing...right?” Chris asked.
The pony grinned. “Well, maybe... you can donate to any human, but the other human, William is A Positive, meaning he cannot donate to you.” The pony frowned. “This is... complicated.” He smiled and grinned as if he was holding a big secret. “I think you might make a good unicorn disguise.” He held out a hoof again. “Nightstar, AKA, William.” he was looking at Chris’ face for a reaction to his words. “This is my safe form in Equestria without fear of dying of bleeding out.”
“Wait...what...William is a pony!” Chris shouted. The other ponies were shocked as well to hear that except for Princess Celestia.
Nightstar face hoofed. But began to speak before anyone could even ask questions. “Chris, back in my equestria, I was the only human. In the entire land. My blood was unique, not even minitours could donate to save my life. Can you imagine that? we didn’t know this till two days after the guise was set. Can you imagine the relief and horror upon realizing that if I didn't have this.” he pounded his hoof on the table rattling a few plates and silverware. “I could risk dying from not being able to be treated?” William looked at Chris. “If it comes to push or shove. Would you like to live for a week as a pony to live years after as a human? Or die a human because nothing can be done to save you?”
“Well when you put it that way I guess it makes sense that you would be turned into a pony.” Chris pondered. “I would rather be a human than a pony, no offense.”
Twilight just looked back at Celestia, “So, this, is this new magic?” She asked in worry.
“Oh no Twilight,” Celestia replied in a warm friendly tone. “I only had to restore the magic stores after resetting two spell matrixes.”
William chimed in. “Even the others are unsure of the magic, seemed some kind of … magic power surged invented this medallion.”
Pinkie who was sitting next to Chris was only vibrating before she launched into the air with a squeal of delight. “PONY PARTY!!!! I can get to know what humans think of hay fries, or daisies, or, or...” She was lost to all others as her talking jumped to hyper speeds as she began to zoom around the room in a pink blur.
“Wow, I don’t know how she does that.” Chris wondered.
Twilight shrugged, “Never question Pinkie Pie, otherwise you might end up having things fall on your head. Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie.”
Over the next half hour the others walked in, most of them looking at Nightstar before moving on, the entire time was filled with idle chit chat, and thanks to Pinkie Pie all in the room knew about the strange disguise that WIlliam had. After the last pony of the group entered another ten minutes past before Chris started to be a little antsy.
“Where in the name of whatever god you worship is Rick!” Chris said impatiently. “I haven’t eaten in awhile.”
Celestia blinked and looked around. “Odd, surely he would be hungry by now, last I saw he was heading toward the royal blacksmith.”
William looked up. “Oh, a blacksmith.” he looked around before blushing a little. “Sorry, I, I had a passing interest in forging.” He bowed his head a little as he remembered that this world’s Luna was not a weapons smith.
Pinkie Pie without missing a beat raised a hoof. “Oh, William should, I mean that was an awesome trick he pulled and he should totally do that on Rick.”
William blinked before getting up and clip clopped out of the dining hall. “I shall return as quickly as I can.” He looked at Chris. “hold the fort down okay?” He left without waiting for a response.
“Sure but I might get hurt in the process.” Chris replied, William ignoring what he said.
William was soon walking the hallways and finding that the blacksmith was actually two floors further down than what he remembered, he was walking through the doors of the shop to look for Rick.
Finally arriving to the floor William could hear a faint noise echo through the hallways. The sound grew as he made his way to the smith, the sound now distinguishable, was the clank of metal hitting metal.
Tink
William or rather Nightstar focused on the tink with his equine ears and quickly honed in the direction of the sound and quickly moved forward at a trot towards the sole occupant. Eventually he found his way to the door just as the sound had cut off, seemingly over for the time being.
Nightstar continued forward, he heard the noise and knew the direction and with a shop as it was, he was going easily find Rick without a problem. After a moment he arrived at the door and listened in for a second to perhaps hear something that would indicate he was right. With a shrug he Opened the door and found Rick facing the opposite direction, seemingly messing with something on a table, before leaning back slightly and scratched his slight beard in thought.
Nightstar found himself in the actual forge area as the rooms before were the storage area for the weapons already made or tools for the castle as well. He walked up to look at what he was making at the moment. “Sir Rick, Her Royal Highness requests your presence for the evening meal with the other heroes of Equestria.” he spoke in a stiff tone he had adopted at times when having to be an officer in the other Equestria.
“One moment, just let me finish this... There we go.” Rick replied as he stopped what he was doing for the moment and turned around to face the pony before him. His goggles lenses were darkened so he could work, with a raise of his hand he turned the frame around the lenses and they started to lighten up to a clear glass-like shade. His eyebrows lowered as he looked at the pony standing in front of him, he eyes constantly moving, seemingly studying Nightstar.
After a moment he spoke once again. “Commendable, I will give you that. Now, who are you really?” He said while reaching for his equipment, along with something wrapped in cloth.
The pony looked at Rick in confusion. “Excuse me?” The wings bristled a little as he seemed to have taken offense. “Are you implying I am a Changeling?” There was an undertone of something in his voice and it wasn’t a friendly type either.
“I never said that, but I have learned enough illusion based spells to notices some of the signs of those under it.” Rick said while placing his equipment into his satchel once more. “So, may I ask again, who are you really, or shall I take a guess William?”
Nightstar laughed at the question. “Are you saying I am a human? How can that be? I walk on four hooves, don’t need all the clothing you wear, and I have wings. How am I a human? Let alone a specific one?” His voice was harsh and seemed to be finding it funny that he was called a human.
Rick only smirked slightly. “Two reasons, one, the illusion based magic, and two, because my magic is still slightly on that pendent around your neck.”
Nightstar looked down at his pendant and then up at Rick. “not a word, I, I am not happy at knowing their is a breach like that, this was to hide me from enemies and and if any Nightmares came with me... Even one, they find me, it will be a disaster, so do not ever again connect that I am.” He paused and groaned. “I need to tell the rest of the mane six and Chris as well. I am such a silly filly there.” He sighed. “Come on, I got damage control to do now... I, sorry, been living in fear can make you paranoid over things like that. Hiding from enemies and trying to have a normal life.” he paused and shook his mane. “Rambling, let’s move, also, might I see what you made later on?”
“You will see it soon, in fact, very soon. Trust me when I say this though, the only knowledge of how to do what I just did is in my head. I had to make a way to see through illusions less I died by foreign creatures, so I will say I am sorry for that, but it is a habit of mine to check these things.” Rick said, finished packing at the moment. “What time is it?”
“Right, let’s just move okay? Chris is getting hungry and antsy. As for the time? It is according to my own time about six at night, here by Equestrian terms the last watch of the day guards before the night guards take over guarding the castle.”
Rick hummed in thought before speaking again. “Then let us make haste, I did not know it was this late.”
Anonymous:
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