Chapter 3: Fame and Insecurity
Ponyville was a fairly adequate town even for Austin’s standards, especially when entering a town of various ponies. Upon entering, he saw quite a few decently crafted wooden homes, and other buildings with more unique craft, such as the town hall they passed. Among such places, ponies were going about their daily lives from shopping to ordinary business. It came to somewhat of a surprise to Austin that even a town of ponies could be well organized.
Twilight explained some of the landmarks to Austin such as her library in a tall old tree, and the directions to Carousel Boutique and Sweet Apple Acres. Austin could do nothing but listen, but his mind said otherwise, drifting in and out of reality dragging in the same questions in his thoughts. “Why am I here? Why do I feel strange around Rainbow Dash…?” he asked himself.
While it was late in the afternoon, quite a number of colourful ponies still hustle and bustle around the streets. Some ponies had horns where they casted incantations to even do trivial of tasks such as lifting groceries around. There were also a few other pegasi that flew about town and walked casually with other ponies. Some pegasi also carried a few small clouds in their hooves and Rainbow Dash didn’t mind for several reasons, she kept to herself.
Austin noticed that some ponies where staring at him giving mixed expressions of joy and curiosity. Trying to ignore this for now, he also asked how the incident in the Everfree Forest happened in the first place. Twilight then explained that Rainbow Dash was entangled in a special type of vine that had special properties that would disrupt the magic used on them. She also told that applying the wrong kind of magic or being unable to manually remove them, they would wrap around the victim immobilizing them for a while. Rainbow Dash sighed knowing she had been a victim to sheer bad luck. She however brushed off the thoughts knowing she was safe and sound by the hooves of her new friend Austin.
It was starting to get late while darkness took the skies as Austin, Twilight and Rainbow Dash took one last look around Ponyville. They eventually saw a colourful candy filled building that stuck out like a sore hoof among the rest of the buildings. It looked dark inside from the outside, but that was to be expected knowing what the three were in for. “And there’s Sugarcube Corner, housing the tastiest pastries in Ponyville and Pinkie Pies home.” Twilight articulated.
“Looks well, quite something.” Austin replied as he took notice of Rainbow Dash acting unusual again.
Dash was quiet for most of the tour, casually walking around alongside Austin with little words to say. She did fly around town here and there, but went straight back to Austin and Twilight. Seeing Dash had stopped near the entrance, Austin had no clue what was on her mind and felt obligated to say something. “Listen, you don’t have to come with us if you don’t want to.” he uttered trying to sound comforting.
Rainbow Dash shot a worried look flying directly near Austin, “Are you kidding?! I’m not sure if I can face the others in there after what almost happened to myself.” she answered looking nervous.
Twilight turned giving Dash a scowl, “Is that what’s been eating you for a while? You should learn to let that go and learn from your mistakes. This party isn’t going to be laughing about them.” she whispered the last sentence noticing a shadowy figure inside the window of Sugarcube Corner.
Dash landed near Austin upon hearing that placing a hoof to drag him close, to his surprise, towards her. “Yeah I suppose your right Twi. I’ll just try and be awesome with my new pal Austin here.” she announced giving him a hoof noogie on his green mane.
“H-hey…!” Austin grunted trying to get out of Dash’s grasp.
“I see that’s been sorted out, anyways come on in Austin.” Twilight Sparkle giggled watching the two.
Twilight’s horn sparkled opening the door for Austin to enter. He took a deep breath after Dash let him go shaking himself off; only thinking about how this will hopefully help him stay awake. In addition, he also needed to think about what to do next, but he wanted to let one thing come at a time.
After a moment, Austin started to walk his way in being followed by Twilight and Dash. It was pitch black inside as he was unable to see much of anything when Twilight shut the door. The silence gave him the creeps regardless of knowing what to expect.
Nopony said a word as Austin walked forward for a couple seconds, then suddenly, his front hooves hit something hard and he tripped face first into something wet and squishy. Just as soon as that happened, life jumpstarted in the room as many colourful ponies jumped out of corners and countertops of the room yelling “Surprise!”
The ponies threw out random balloons and streamers including Pinkie Pie and the rest of her Friends. In that instant, they suddenly stopped, gasping at what they saw. Austin was on the floor where his face was dunked into a messy pile of succulent chocolate cake.
Pinkie Pie giggled unable to help herself while Twilight tried to see what happened. She noticed a pair of gray hooves under a nearby table where Austin fell. The pony underneath crept out and it was a pegasus with a yellow mane, bubbles for a cutie mark, and she was cross eyed vertically. The odd pegasus put a hoof on her mouth nervously, “Oops, my bad...” she said in a cute voice.
“Oh Derpy…” sighed a facehoofing bright green unicorn with a silver mane and a golden harp as her cutie mark.
The scent of chocolate filled Austin’s nostrils as he tried to breathe licking off some of the cake around his mouth. The taste seemed refreshing and sweet to his surprise as he picked himself up and gave a stupid grin. Twilight and her friends weren’t sure how he was going to react, “Well, that was quite the surprise. Thanks Pinkie.” Austin responded with a soft giggle towards her.
Pinkie Pie felt filled with accomplishment after seeing Austin smile. He wiped himself off with cake in his face, tasting it some more. Pinkie bounced around Austin randomly again announcing, “And with that fillies and gentlecolts, It’s time to welcome Austin, the new pegasus in town and party!”
Relief struck her other friends as life started to return to the party with a few cheers towards Austin. Among those cheers was a quiet “Yay…” from Fluttershy.
At a loss for words, Austin cleaned himself off there was still some cake was in his mane. “Wow, I’m already loving this. I…never had a party like this before.” he thought looking around the crowded room of ponies that already started to mingle.
Music and other noises filled the room as Pinkie pie then zipped over to the other guests after giving Austin a dozen hoof shakes for rescuing her Dashie friend. “It’s real nice you were able to join us Austin, I wasn’t sure if you were going to come.” remarked Fluttershy, sitting nearby beside Rarity who wore a shiny dress he could not describe.
Austin nodded, “No worries Fluttershy, I wouldn’t dare miss something like this.” He replied looking around for some more food.
Rarity cringed as she remembered the last time somepony broke a Pinkie promise. The results weren’t something she wouldn’t want anypony else to see. “Nice to see you again too Austin, and please for future reference, keep to Pinkie’s promises.” Rarity stated.
“I’ll try to keep that in mind I guess, and you look great in that dress too.” he commented trying to be as nice as possible.
“Oh thank you, at least some gentlecolts take notice of my exquisite fashion.” Rarity, added before talking to Fluttershy about their custom fashion line.
Before Austin could eat, Twilight stepped up to him stating, “I need to talk to you about a few things later so come to the library when you get the time.” she said.
“What about?” Austin asked curiously.
“Oh just some things I need to check up on, and you of course. Anyways I got to talk to Fluttershy and Rarity.” she answered before joining them.
The words hit Austin like a ton of wooden planks to the face as he turned around to face the food. He desperately wanted to eat so much, but he felt so reluctant feeling like he was taking advantage of their kindness over deeds that felt well familiar to him. Conflicting thoughts rushed into his mind as he took a look at Rainbow Dash trying to look like a normal part of the party. “Darn it…I really need to sort all of these thoughts out later.” he thought before diving into the party platter.
Austin then spared no time as he began eating more of the cake, pastries and even delicious muffins on the table Derpy was under earlier. “Whoa there partner, don’t try to overeat, though try these apples I collected. Big Macintosh allowed me to spare a few.” said Applejack as she offered up a couple red apples to Austin.
Taking the apples gladly, Austin said his thanks to her before continuing to eat. The excessive amount of sugar and nutrition kept Austin on his hooves, he desperately needed the energy. “Anything…to keep me from falling asleep for a while.” he thought fighting the sadness that lingered in the back of his mind.
Rainbow Dash noticed wanting to make a statement since she barely made any words towards the celebration. She suddenly flew onto by nearby table with a bowl of punch standing up tall to get everyponys attention. “Hey attention everypony, I just want to say a few words.” Dash announced.
Dash’s wings were extended and Austin looked after he finished one more muffin from Derpy. “I just want to give my awesome appreciations to Austin! Without him, I wouldn’t be here talking to you today. I personally want to show him around Cloudsdale when he is able to fly once again. Regardless of him being new to Ponyville, he’s cool in my book!” she continued with much of her bravado returning to her face.
The ponies clopped their hooves on the ground in applause while Austin blushed once again. “I really do hope things will be alright…I’m not sure what I’ll do here after this.” he thought giving a small insecure look.
Twilight gave a proud look to Dash as she got off the table near her, “Wow Rainbow, you really put some thought into this and you’re showing some modesty of your own this time around.”
“Yeah well it’s not easy Twi, but this is the only answer I can come up with.” Rainbow replied.
After barely hearing the door open and close, Austin took notice of a particular pair of pegasi that entered the party. One of which Austin recognized as the small crusader Scootaloo who excitedly walked over to him. “Hi Scootaloo, how have you been?” he asked.
“Great Austin, you wouldn’t believe who I found today, she was on her way to the party and she wanted to meet you.” she bounced pointing with a hoof over to the pegasus at the door.
Nopony else took notice, not even Rainbow Dash while she conversed with Twilight and the others. Austin took a gander at the mare pegasus that approached him. Her mane arranged and coloured like fire dangling on top of a pair of flight goggles she wore over her lovely orange eyes. Her coat was bright yellow like the sun along with her wings that were spread, but was mostly covered what looked like a very sleek blue outfit outlined with lightning bolts. A long lightning bolt was in the place of where her cutie mark would be, but Austin guessed it was part of the outfit.
Something about this pegasus gave Austin the shivers, “So I take it you’re the pegasus that saved the champion of the Best Flyer Competition a ways back. Is this true?” she asked while taking a good look at the green and red stripped pegasi in front of her.
“Do you mean Rainbow Dash?” Austin guessed as he took some interest.
“Why yes, Rainbow Dash. She was the star of the show with her legendary Sonic Rainboom and we granted her flying lessons for a day as a reward. I just really wanted to meet you when I heard.”
“Sounds big, and who’s we?” Austin asked.
The yellow pegasus adjusted her goggles for a second, “Oh, my name is Spitfire of the Wonderbolts, the greatest flyers in all of Equestria. Your name must be Austin I assume?” She said offering a hoof to him.
The sounds of the party drowned out in Austin’s mind as the word Wonderbolt carried more weight than expected in Austin’s mind. He remembered back when Rainbow Dash mentioned something about that when talking about how it felt to her being saved by him. “Yes, my name is Austin Angelus, and I just so happened to run into Rainbow Dash in the Everfree forest while exploring with Scootaloo here.” He replied returning that hoof to Spitfire.
Scootaloo gave a silly grin watching the two mingle, “It was so cool that you were able to do it too for the both of us.” she said.
“Yes, it must have taken quite some skill to be able to rescue Dash.” Spitfire added with confidence.
“Skill? Don’t be ridiculous…” Austin thought looking disappointed.
Austin was beginning to figure that not many ponies get saved in Equestria that often, especially for someone important as Rainbow Dash. He could not pinpoint why, however he could not complain about the current hospitality given despite of this. “Oh no, it was just a spur of the moment kind of thing over a mistake she made, nothing more. Don’t hold it against her ok?” Austin stated to Spitfire.
Spitfire giggled giving Austin a hoof on the shoulder, “Hey no problem, it happens to the best of us believe me.” She remarked adjusting her goggles again.
While listening to the laughter from Pinkie Pie and the others in the background, Austin sighed in relief. “That’s good, and before you ask Spitfire, I’m not really a skilled flyer, even if Rainbow Dash said I was like you when I’m not. I’ve also been grounded for tonight.” he said trying to spread his own wings still felling a sharp pain from them.
For a moment, Spitfire wasn’t too surprised as she pondered over what she could do, and then sparked an idea. “Hey Austin, in that case, since me and Soarin are taking the day off from our daily routines tomorrow, how about we give you a personal flying lesson?” she asked with a grin.
“W-wow…that’s awfully kind of you Spitfire, I’d…” Austin said with a loss for words.
“This…may be my one ticket to re-learn how to fly like this…especially if-” Austin was cut off in mid thought as he heard something loud making him jump.
A loud gasp followed by a girlish squeal from the background coming from a particular cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane. “Ohmygoshohmygoshogmygoshogmygooooosh!” the rushed voice coming from Rainbow Dash that zipped right over the other ponies to the two.
The excitement in Dash’s eyes was mind-blowingly scary as Austin had never seen anypony like this. She floated over the two trying to fathom the spectacle in front of her. “Oh hey Dash I was wondering if you were here since your new friend here was.” said Spitfire as she was used to seeing Dash like this.
Rainbow Dash could not believe she didn’t notice sooner as she was telling random jokes with her friends earlier. Thoughts rushed into her mind how could Spitfire be a surprise guest in Austin’s welcome party. “Spitfire?! What are you doing here in Ponyville?!” she asked hardly able to control herself.
“Word travels fast, especially when it’s about you Rainbow Dash. I came to see you two while Soarin decided to stuff his face with pie back in Cloudsdale. It’s great to see our favourite flyer in one piece.” Spitfire explained.
While the over-excited Rainbow Dash talked to Spitfire, Austin began to understand that this is what she meant when Dash told him her thoughts with the word Wonderbolt. It felt as though she were rescued from a superhero anypony would find in stories or a lifetime idol somepony looks up to everyday of their natural lives. He felt neither of those things as heroic deeds; they seemed too familiar to Austin personally when he thought back. However as of now he didn’t feel like a hero, or anything special for that matter. Deep down inside, Austin started to feel cold, and lonely, thinking about memories he wished to piece together later.
“Well I promised to give Austin the grand tour around Cloudsdale when he is able to fly again.” Rainbow Dash said with pride.
“Oh if only you knew…ugh what’s wrong with me!” Austin thought feeling stressed as he looked at his hooves and his wings.
Spitfire smiled at Dash’s offer to Austin, “Well before that, in our day off tomorrow if Austin can, he can join me and Soarin for a personal flying lesson. Wanna come?” she asked.
As soon as Spitfires words spilled, the whole world took a tailspin in Rainbow Dash’s head, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what one of her famed idols just said. “Austin?...Personal flying lessons?!” she winced as if something inside of her was about to explode, twice.
It wasn’t long before everypony in the party heard Rainbow Dash squeal in pure excitement whizzing around the room unable to contain herself. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoooooosh! How Austin?! Oh gosh who cares?! We get to spend time with the Wonderbolts!” Dash thought to herself almost feeling like she should get herself in peril more often if it would attract this kind of attention.
Twilight Sparkle stepped up promptly towards them with her friends while holding a cupcake in the air with her magic. “Wow Austin, it’s quite an honor when opportunity knocks like this, you two should totally go.”
Ignoring Rainbow’s craziness, Austin shuffled his mane with his hoof a little thinking about it. The desire to fly again filled his head like nostalgia and he needed some air time to possibly clear his mind of troubling thoughts. He thought being able to fly would be the best next step for now. “I’d love to Spitfire, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Austin replied offering a hoof.
Spitfire returned it with a bump as she put her flight goggles over her eyes. “Sounds great, rest well beforehand ok buddy?” she asked with promise in her fiery eyes.
“Will do Spitfire, see you later.” Austin said lowering his volume gradually after each word.
“Great, we will meet near Rainbow Dash’s cloud home east of Ponyville. Anyways, gotta fly to tell Soarin about it. Bye!” Spitfire said as she flew right out the door speeding off into the skies.
The further away Spitfire flew; Austin grew more and more nervous as he looked into the night sky losing most of his pent up energy. The darkness felt draining as he knew what he was in for most likely if sleeps cold embrace beckoned him. There was a chance he could sleep soundly, but a chance he may need to take in Equestria in order to move on. “See I told you, quite the surprise huh.” Scootaloo stated snapping Austin back to reality.
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash tackled Austin to the ground without a second thought after he agreed to Spitfire’s offer. “That was so awesome! Your officially twenty percent cooler!” she squealed exuberantly.
Austin looked up at her trying to regain composure. “Yeah I guess you’re right Dash, I suppose we should be glad things turned like this today huh.” Austin said with a silly grin.
“Well sugarcube, I bet by tomorrow y’all will be fixed up in no time.” commented Applejack.
“Hmph, fixed up…funny.” Austin thought in response trying to get up from under Rainbow Dash.
Rarity suddenly gasped as she realized something, “Oh my, I almost forgot, where did you plan on staying after the party?” she asked.
It never crossed Austin’s mind until he was asked directly, and wasn’t sure himself. He simply couldn’t go back to the hospital and Ponyville was an entirely different place to him. Austin knew he had no true place to stay as far as he could remember, he felt like a drifter. “I’m sorry but I didn’t think about that even if I just got here.” Austin sighed.
Rarity and her friends looked at each other then looked back to Austin. “My my this won’t do, not at all. How about you come spend the night at Carousel Boutique upstairs in the guest room?”
“Oh you don’t have to Rarity.” Austin remarked.
“Oh but I do, for Dash’s sake and I’m feeling generous tonight.” said Rarity in return as she held a glass of punch with her magic.
Austin thought about it for a moment lingering on the word generous in his mind. He couldn’t simply back out of it now since these ponies were being so kind to him. It wasn’t long before he considered that he needs a place to stay for now until he was able to cover some ground. Nodding at her, he replied, “Alright Rarity, I’ll spend the night at your shop. Thank you so much.”
“Marvellous.” Rarity clopped her hooves together offering Austin some punch.
“I’ll be sure you won’t be late as well Austin.” barked Rainbow Dash eagerly as her excitement of what transpired tired her out.
Austin gave a soft smile, “I know I won’t as I’m never late.
Pinkie Pie bounced over to Austin as he drank some of the punch Rarity offered him. “Well without further ado, lets party some more!” she said with a huge smile.
After that being said, Austin drank down some more punch to refresh himself again since he forgot about thirst blindly at the start. He started to talk to Twilight and her friends about themselves a little. They talked about Fluttershy’s animals, Applejack’s farm, and the Wonderbolts that Rainbow Dash insisted on explaining further for him.
Rainbow Dash mentioned it was her dream to join them and this to Austin gave him another cold shiver. Thinking about this set more thoughts reeling about dreams and personal goals as it wasn’t something thought much about either. The more information he gathered from Rainbow Dash, the harder his mind was struggling to push back lingering thoughts that brought sadness to him. "Why...?" the only thought he could muster.
It was getting late and the party started dying down as most of the ponies started to head home. Pinkie Pie was super happy knowing that her party was yet again, a success in its own right, and told Austin to come again soon. He considered it and agreed with her as he left with the other five mare friends.
Scootaloo said her goodbyes as she zoomed off on her scooter with Applejack to her farm where the Cutie Mark Crusaders were sleeping tonight. Fluttershy and Twilight left as well back to their homes, leaving only Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Austin watched Rainbow Dash still smiling exuberantly while flying circles above the two.
The night sky seemed quite beautiful as he saw a full moon overhead of Ponyville. The chilled wind stroked across his mane once again and he could of sworn he saw a single snowflake drop down on his nose. Shocked by this, Austin looked up in the sky barely seeing any clouds and it wasn’t snowing. It felt mysteriously weird at first, but he could feel the soft wet touch of water stream down his cheek. “What could this mean…am I crying or…is this just my imagination?” Austin wondered begging for an explanation.
Austin could only hear Rainbow Dash’s voice saying, “Cheer up, I’m sure we’ll get you flying in no time! Anyways, I gotta fly, see you tomorrow Austin!”
Then with a flash, Austin saw Rainbow Dash flying off into the night sky without taking his eyes off of her for a second. He wiped his face with a hoof noticing he did shed a few tears without even realizing it. He thought they might have come from deep in his own thoughts. Rarity didn’t see this as she was behind him as they neared a fancy building that she described as Carousel Boutique.
After Rainbow Dash was out of sight, Austin got lost in his thoughts again, not even caring about whether he had to sleep or not anymore. Thoughts of flying, as well as a number of other things filled his mind rendering him unable to think straight. He looked up into the night sky again only to meet the nights’ cold embrace across his body and mane. Only one thought came to surface from the chilled air that hit his own wings, “Frosty…what am I to do now?” he whispered to himself.
Rarity curiously asked following behind, “I beg your pardon Austin?”
“Nothing…nothing at all.” Austin answered as he enters Rarity’s shop to welcome the cold embrace of sleep.