//------------------------------// // Already Home // Story: Comfort Far Away // by Spic Ultimo //------------------------------// Once I exited the shop, I noticed there was a crisp breeze outside. It was on of those perfect nights for stargazing, when it wasn't too hot or too cold. I looked up to the sky and saw it was so much more illuminated here in Ponyville. 'Maybe I could put off sleep for just a few more hours.' I thought to myself. "Someone's gonna stargaze tonight," I heard Echo tease from my left. "I don't blame you though, the sky here is a lot more beautiful." He said as if he was reading my thoughts, and sometimes I think he actually does. "Stargazing? The only pony Ah ever really hear that from is Twi, 'nd even then she keeps it ta herself." I figured, she seemed very studious, like she could answer any question you've ever had... almost. "I take it not many ponies find the night interesting?" "Not any that ah know of." That didn't sit well with me. The night was so beautiful out here for ponies to not be enjoying it. Heck, even the moon seemed brighter, and it had a halo around it. "That's a shame." I said a little louder than I intended. "Do you think Twilight has an extra telescope I could borrow?" I added as an after thought. I've never used a telescope before, and the very thought of it seemed very exiting! "Ah wouldn't know mahself, ya should try askin' her next time ya see'r." Setting the personal quest to the back of my mind, we continued walking down the dirt path. Then everything went quiet. I mean, sure, the night was quiet on its own, but this was an eerie, unsettling type of quiet. I stopped on a dime and Applejack seemed to notice. "Somethin' the matter, Sugarcube?" She asked, concern in her eyes. I shushed her, and perked my ears as I glared at a building several yards to my left. Slowly, I made my way towards it, and started going around it. As I neared the corner, I heard two distinct voices, a male and a female, one which I recognized. "Please, I don't want any trouble..." She said, then it dawned on me who she was. "Don't worry, this'll be over in just a second." I heard the male say in a menacing voice. I knew I had to save her, but I knew that revealing my powers could come back and bite me in the flank. I stepped around the corner, plan formulating in my head. Once I was in Star's sight, she had a look of fear and worry when she looked my way. The stallion noticed her turn, and he looked over to me as well. He seemed amused at my glare, given his size he was half a foot taller than me. "Get outta here kid, ya didn't see nothing." He said in that scratchy voice of his. Still formulating a plan, I decided to stall. "On the contrary, I have two other witnesses that say otherwise." I said, now having a good idea of what to do. now if only I could get angry. "Oh yeah, what're you gunna do 'bout it?" He asked as he yanked Star towards him, stoking her face with his damned hoof. "Back off." I stated, simply and calmly, but with so much hidden meaning. It was by then that he walked over to me and stood right in front of me, sizing me up. He leaned into me and spoke. "Make me." Next thing I know I was sent flying a few feet back. I wasn't anticipating an attack, but now I was down right pissed. I released my hold on my "Magic" and glared at him dead in the eye, which made him waver a little bit. "'Ya think your eyes are gunna scare me boy?" It was at this point that I stood back up and began walking towards him, keeping my sight on the ground so the others wouldn't see my eyes. "Come back for more?" He said readying himself for another buck, that is, 'till I looked him in the eye. I spin around on my front hooves and bucked him in the face. Hard. a fraction of a second later I used my "magic to send him flying to a building a dozen feet away. From what I could tell he was unconscious, and had a broken jaw. I brought my power back inside me and felt my eyes go back to normal. I looked over to Star with a worried expression on my face. She ran up to me and embraced me without a second thought. "T-thank you." She said, and it meant everything in the world to me. "Hey AJ, how about we have Solus meet us at the farm." I heard Echo state from somewhere behind me. "Uh, sure, we'll see ya at the farm, ahm sure ya cant miss it." Very discrete, but I guess I couldn't complain. They began to walk in the direction Sweet Apple Acres. "So... I guess I'm walking you home now." I said, earning a slight giggle from Star. I broke the embrace and bean to look around. " So, uh, which way?" I asked. "It's this way, follow me." She said as se took the air. Uh oh. "What's wrong?" She asked, clearly oblivious to the embarrassing fact that I can't fly. "I... I can't exactly fly..." I said, feeling warmth flood into my cheeks. Never before have I felt this embarrassed, but then again, Star gives me such different feelings. "It's never too late to learn." I heard her say as she offered me her hoof. ***** "This is amazing!" I yelled into the night sky, feeling the cool night air rush past my face. I looked over to Star to see a smile on her face as well. "Come on, lets take a break." She said while banking towards a cloud. I followed close behind and had a rough landing, resulting in both of us tangled in each other's hooves. Once again, I was mesmerized by her eyes. I realized I was staring and got back up immediately. "S-sorry!" I stuttered, not really knowing what else to say. "Don't worry about it." she replied with a small blush on her face. It was at that moment that I let gravity take me down and I lay on the cloud and gazed at the stars. "Bit for your thoughts?" I heard her say from right next to me "The sky here is beautiful." felt her lay right next to me, and felt her hooves wrap around me. I turned over to her and looked her straight in the eye. "But not as beautiful as you." I finished, earning a bright blush from her. We suddenly found ourselves leaning into each other, but this tome there was no interruption. Our lips met and there was no other feeling like it. Actions really did speak louder than words. I knew as I slowly found myself into unconsciousness, that I found a home. That everything would be alright.