//------------------------------// // Arrival (Revised 13/06/2014) // Story: Story Of An Alicorn // by Applepip //------------------------------// I try to keep warm by using my tattered wings as a blanket. My horn is too ice encrusted to use. This is not exactly how I expected my life to turn out, but here I am, an alicorn with a blank flank and no home. I have friends, but how can I still call them that after what I did to them? Here I was. A lonely pathetic stallion, sitting in a cave miles from anywhere. Though to me, I’m not just anywhere. I came here to be alone perhaps for the rest of my life, which will be a long time considering I am one of the few immortal alicorns. I think to myself, why did I let him control me? I let my emotions boil and I hurt them! He was always there, hiding, plotting, I just didn't see it! Even after two millennia traveling around Equestria and seeing the world, you would think he would have shown himself before now. Even when I went to Manehatten and Fillydelphia but, he didn't. Now I am sitting in a freezing cave hiding from my former friends, who are probably out to kill me. I wouldn't blame them, I just hope that she can forgive me. I hurt her so bad. If I knew he was going to come out at that time, I would never have come to this place! Then again, I would never have found her. The mare of my dreams. "*sniff* What have I done?" /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ I arrived in Ponyville after a somewhat bumpy ride from Hoofington. As train rolled into Ponyville's main station, the first thing I noticed was the colours. It didn't have the drab greys and browns of Hoofingtons station, it was bright red and yellow. Even the wood decking was bright and welcoming. "So this is Ponyville?" I said while stretching out my legs. "Nice place!" The train journey had been a long one and my muscles were really wound up tight. Leaving the train I stepped out onto the platform, firm ground beneath my hooves was a great feeling, even when you have traveled as much as me. It also made me laugh that my appearance still got me looks were ever I went. "Hi! You must be new in Ponyville?" I turned to see the face of probably the most beautiful mare I have ever seen, though my stare did not go unnoticed. "Um, hello? Are you alright?" The mare asked by waving a hoof in front of my eyes. I shook my head, realising she was talking to me. "Sorry! I was...distracted," I said. She looked away, a hint of red appearing in her cheeks. "Oh! I didn't mean it like that!" I panicked and waved my front hooves, she started to giggle. "I gathered that," she says. "My name is Twilight Sparkle." She held out her front hoof, I slowly calmed myself down and reached out to shake it. "My name is Valder." "Valder?" She says tilting her head side ways, looking somewhat quizzical. "Yeah, It was given to me a long time ago, so I just held on to it." I said, slightly digging at the ground. "Not as some others, but yeah it is kind of weird," She taps the wood floor of the station platform. "Um, so are you here to welcome somepony else? Or are you just hanging around?" I said looking around quickly. "I heard that an alicorn was traveling to here from Hoofington, so I wanted to come and greet them.” "I take it you don't get very many alicorns this way?" I asked. "Quite frankly the only alicorns that come here are the Princesses," she states while walking around me. "But I didn't know any other alicorns existed." “I am from a land that doesn't exist any more.” "Really, just how far have you come?" "From very far away, I have been traveling for almost two millennia.” "Two millennia!?" She shouts, a look of shock adorning her face. "Yeah, my home was lost long ago and my family passed on while I was traveling. I didn't even get to say good bye... I guess that's why I travel, to forget." "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked, it was none of my business." She lowers her head and looks to the side. "No, no, I knew I would have to visit those memories again, one day or another. Besides, I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful listener." I stated, gesturing to her. "Oh really?" Twilight says while turning red. "Oh Celestia I did it again." I feel my face burn as the blood flows to my cheeks. "Well, is this your first time to Ponyville?" Twilight asked me. "I have passed this way before... But Ponyville wasn't around then, so yeah you can say it is my first time here." I replied. "Maybe I can show you around and you can meet my friends. I can guarantee your going to love Ponyville." I thought to myself, 'here I have a beautiful mare asking to show me about and i'm thinking about it, in fact the sole reason for my visit was simple curiosity', yet there was something I couldn't fathom that told me, I was going to get more than I bargined for. After leaving the station Twilight and I started to walk along a small street, which was lined mainly with small vendors and shops selling many different gifts and trinkets. After a while I noticed Twilight was looking at me, almost staring. "Is there something wrong Twilight?" I asked, she straightens up as though i've just caught her doing something she shouldn't. "No, um, I-I mean... I’m j-just..." She stutters. "Twilight if you have a question please, just ask." I stopped and turned to her, looking her deep in the eye's I say, "Twilight you haven’t said anything since we left the station." "I'm sorry, it's just that you look so regal like Celestia but more..." "Male?" I raise an eyebrow, she looks away again. "Look, I have been around for many centuries and there is nothing you can say that hasn't been said already. If you have a question, just ask it.” "OK, Valder, I just don't understand, why do you have no cutie mark? I mean everypony has one! But your fully grown and have no mark." I see a nearby bench and gesture for Twilight to sit with me. We get comfortable as I carry on the conversation. "Twilight, you would be surprised how many ponies I meet ask that question. The truth is, I have never earned my cutie mark because...I don't think I can." I look down to the floor. Twilight puts a hoof on my shoulder, I look to her and see tears forming in the corners of her eye's. "I didn't mean for it to sound that bad!" I state, smiling at Twilight. "It's not that, it just the fact you seem to have excepted that you will never earn one." "Twilight, I have travelled for countless years. If I haven't earned one by now, I have excepted that I never will." "Have you tried getting help?" Twilight asks me. "No! Cutie marks cannot be magically given, I thought everypony knew that?" I reply. "I do, but it's just so saddening that you have gone so long without one." Twilight says, the tears forming again. "Look Twilight, I am who I am; and no mark is going to change that!" I state. "Anyway, I have to find someplace to stay tonight and perhaps for the rest of my trip." "Oh! You can stay at mine!" Twilight says, jumping up from her seat. "Just like that?" I ask. "I'm just some stranger you have met today, and you're giving me a place to stay?" "Yes! I mean you don't look bad, maybe a little grey, but a good clean might sort you out!" Twilight replies. "Gee, thanks! I'm not really that dirty am I?" I ask. "Not really, But you have the city look about you. You're in Ponyville now so we need to scrub that city look from you!" Twilight states, walking away and prompting me to follow. 'Huh! maybe this trip won't be so bad!' I think to myself, as I follow this purple mare.