//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: An Accidental Beginning // Story: Time Lord: The Story of North Star // by Thrawn1800 //------------------------------// Chapter 3 When I woke, the sunlight was shining through the room’s window. It must have been late in the morning, judging by the look of the sky outside. I sighed and stretched my limbs out. I tried to open my wings, but nothing happened. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t move them, but I decided to figure it out later. I rolled off the bed and walked over to the door. I opened it, and proceeded downstairs. I made my way into the kitchen, where I found Applejack. She greeted me with a smile. “Mornin’ North!” said Applejack happily. “Ya sleep alright?” “Yes, thank you.” I said. “If you'd like, ah can make ya somethin’ to eat.” “That’d be nice.” She got to work at the stove and I sat down at the table. After a while, we were joined by Applebloom. She tried to help Applejack, but after she burnt the apple juice (don’t ask, I don’t know how), she sat down at the table with me. She kept throwing glances my way. “Applebloom?” I asked. “Is something wrong?” “You don’t have a cutie mark.” she said. I looked down. She was right. I didn’t have one anymore, which I guessed to be another effect of my regeneration. The more time passed, the more upset I was getting. Would I have to do everything again, including ‘finding my special talent’? “Why?” I asked. “If you don’t have one, and your as old as you are, how can I ever expect to get mine?! I’ll be a blank flank forever!” She face planted on the table. “Applebloom, I’m sure you’ll get yours soon. I’m just… a special case.” “Really? Are you sure?” she said, looking up. “Yes, on both counts.” She sniffed. “Thanks North.” “If I’m not too busy later-” I said, glancing over at Applejack. She’d been paying attention, and she nodded, indicating her approval. “-we could do something fun.” “Really?” she asked. “Sure. If you like.” “Cool!” she said, perking up. “Maybe I could introduce you to my friends!” Applejack walked over, carrying four bowls of steaming oatmeal. She placed them around the table, then called for Big Macintosh. I had yet to see the Granny I heard tell of last night. Big Macintosh walked in and sat down next to me. I enjoyed the meal; the three siblings were all fairly talkative, even Big Macintosh. They shared conversation with me as well, and I felt welcome. When we finished, I assisted Applejack in washing our dishes. “Well North, you do whatever you feel like.” said Applejack, drying her hooves off on an old towel. “Big Macintosh and I have some work to do.” “I can help.” I said. “I want to help.” “Are ya sure? Pegasi aren’t exactly the strongest.” I looked back at my wings, then back at her. “I don’t mind.” “Well, ah’m sure we can find ya somethin’ that isn’t too hard. And something that won’t take all day.” I glanced over at Applebloom. “Right.” The two of them led me outside, and Applebloom wandered off somewhere. Outside, I was surprised to see that the ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow. It must have snowed during the night. In front of the barn, a small group of ponies waited. They were primarily stallions, though there were a few mares, and the were all earth ponies. Next to them, a line of snow plows waited. I guessed we were going to clear the snow from the area around the house, as well as the path down to the road. “You all know what we’re here to do!” called Applejack. “So get to it!” The ponies started working. The two of them led me over to an unoccupied plow. “Do ya think you can handle a plow?” Applejack asked. “I can try.” I said. “Where would you like me to start?” “Why don’t you try going downhill? It should be easier.” “Thanks.” The two of them walked into the barn. I stepped behind the plow’s bar. I stepped forward, pushing the plow forward. It went slowly at first, but I began to pick up speed. When I started down the hill, I tried to apply the brakes, but they didn’t work. The plow continued to gain speed, and I lost all control. I crashed into a tree, the impact sending me flying. I smashed into a neighboring tree, and cried out in pain. I slid to the ground, groaning. When I tried to stand, my vision flickered, and I fell back to the ground. I heard hooves on the ground, and looked up. Applejack and Big Macintosh must have heard me cry out. “What happened?” she asked. “The… the plow.” I said. “It lost control.” Big Macintosh walked over to the plow. It was lying on its side, the front bent slightly from the impact with the tree. He checked it over, then turned back to us. “Someone cut the brake-line.” he said. Applejack walked over to the plow, and took a look at it. Her expression became one of anger. She straightened up and looked over at the other workers. They were all looking at us, some confused, while others were keeping their expressions neutral. “Who did this?!” she shouted. For a moment, no one responded. Then, one of the larger stallions stepped forward. “I did.” he said, looking proud of himself. “Why?!” Applejack asked. “Because this is no place for pegasi!” he shouted. “He should leave!” “It’s not up to you who can help here!” I stood shakily, my body protesting painfully. I started walking away, heading into the rows of apple trees. I ignored Applejack as she called after me. I needed to be alone, I felt like nobody wanted me around. I knew that wasn’t true, Applejack cared, but I kept going. Soon, I could no longer hear her. I walked through the trees, which were loaded with snow. Around me, I heard the quiet whispers of snow falling from the trees. It was accompanied by the sound of the gentle breeze brushing against the trees’ branches. After a long time walking through the orchard, I came across a large hill. I ascended slowly, looking down at my hooves. When I reached the top, I sat down, still staring at my hooves, thinking. ___________________________________________ When I looked up, the sun was on the western horizon. I was shocked, I’d been there for hours and hadn’t even noticed the time passing. Behind me, I heard the sound of laughter. I turned and saw the stallion for earlier. He and several others were climbing the hill towards me. “What’re you doing, pegasus?” he said, getting right up in my face. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He laughed drunkenly when I didn’t respond, and knocked me over. Pain flared in my side as I hit the ground. I gasped, and the group of them laughed. He kicked me in the ribs, eliciting more pain from me and more laughs from his friends. “Leave him alone!” someone said, a stallion’s voice. “Or what?” said the stallion. “Or,” another voice said, again a stallion’s, “ah’ll have to do somethin’ about it.” The stallion backed off slightly. A light orange hoof appeared in my field of vision. I took it, and someone helped me stand upright. I didn’t have a chance to see the stallion's face before someone shoved me from behind. I stumbled forward, and my lips met the stallion’s. I froze in place, shocked. He didn’t move either. We stared at each other, his dark blue eyes locked onto mine. “Oh, look!” shouted the ringleader. “He’s a coltcuddler!” I unfroze, and pulled myself away. I whirled around to face him, breathing heavily. “Oh!” said the ringleader in mock terror. “This coltcuddler’s got some fire in him! Help me!” I advanced on him, anger and unbridled rage blazing through me, my teeth bared. I wanted to destroy him. He stepped back slightly, and now he really did look scared. “W-what’re you going to do coltcuddler?" he spat. "Stare at me?” I continued towards him, not thinking about anything except how much I wanted to obliterate this stallion. He took a step back, then he took a swing at me. To me, it looked slow, and I easily sidestepped the blow. Then I struck, hitting him in the jaw. He staggered back, then he took another swing at me. I dodged it as well, and the one that followed. Then I attacked him. When my thoughts had regained clarity, I was standing over him. He was lying on his back on the ground, looking terrified. I leaned down, pressing my forehead into his. “My name is not pegasus.” I said, my voice carrying farther than I'd anticipates. “My name is North Star. I am a time lord. I will not tolerate you. You will go now, and you will not come back!” He nodded fervently, and I withdrew. As I turned away, he spoke again. “So, you are a coltcuddler.” I whirled around, feeling ready to kill. He and his friends ran for it. I turned back to face the two stallions who’d come to my rescue. Then the horizon turned sideways, and I found myself lying on the ground. I heard someone walk over to me. I looked up to see the light orange stallion. He helped me upright, my legs failing to support me. Another stallion appeared at my side, this one palomino with a golden mane, and wearing a stetson and vest. “Whoa there.” said the second one. “You okay?” “I-I…” I couldn’t answer, I felt drained. I shivered, then went completely limp. “Braeburn,” said the orange stallion, “help me get him on my back.” I felt myself being lifted, and I found myself on the orange stallion’s back. My mind went blank, and I lost my awareness. When I regained my awareness, we were back in the orchard, walking slowly. I lifted my head slightly, looking up to see the palomino. Braeburn? “W-what’re your names?” I asked. They started. “You’re awake?” said the orange one, looking back at me. “Y-yes.” I whispered. “Well, my name’s Caramel, and that’s Braeburn.” “What were you doing so far out on your own?” asked Braeburn. “I-I needed to be alone.” I said. “All day?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “How did you know?” “Mah cousin Applejack sent us to look for ya. What’ve you been doin’ all day?” “Just… thinking.” I lost awareness a while, and when it returned, I found myself crying. Hot tears were streaming down my muzzle onto Caramel’s back, and my nose was buried in his mane. I brought myself under control, stopping my sobbing and removing my nose. “What is it?” asked Caramel. “Do you want to talk about it?” “Y-you wouldn’t believe me.” I said quietly. “We’ll listen anyway.” said Braeburn. “You go ahead.” I hesitated. They seemed honest in their desire, and it had felt good when I’d confided in Big Macintosh. I took a slow, calming breath. “Can you keep it secret?” I asked. “If you want us to.” said Caramel. I took another steadying breath, then I launched into the narrative. I felt pain during the retelling, but also some relief. I felt like I was letting more of the weight of my past go. The parts involving Luna were the most difficult to retell. Thinking about her made me feel like I was being stabbed in the heart again. When I finished, they were both silent. I was sure they didn’t believe me, most of what I said was outrageous. “Well, I don’t know what Caramel thinks.” said Braeburn. “But I think you’re telling the truth.” “I do too.” said Caramel. Their responses made me feel warm, in spite of the chilling breeze. “Thank you for listening.” I whispered, thinking back on the day. “And for helping me out.” “Well, from the looks of things,” said Braeburn, “you would’ve been fine.” “Um… I was wondering.” said Caramel, looking a little embarrassed. “Are… are you?” “Am I what?” I said, confused. “Are you a coltcuddler?” “What-?” “Not that I care.” he added quickly. “What does that even mean?” I said. I thought I knew, but it was best to make sure. “It’s when two stallions like each other. As in like like.” “Oh. I thought so, I was just being sure. And... no, not really." “Sorry, I… I just wanted to know. You know… so I didn’t insult you or anything.” “That’s fine. I understand… though it should’ve been apparent from the way I reacted to that guy.” “Right. I'm not either, I was just checking” “North?” said Braeburn suddenly. “How long has that cut been bleeding?” I looked at my side, where Braeburn was looking. On my left side, where I’d hit the tree, a long bloody gash ran along my ribs. Part of the cut was under my wing, the feathers of which were now red instead of white. “S-since…” I started to tell them, but my voice faltered. A wave of exhaustion rolled over me, and I went limp. “North?” said Caramel, his voice faint in my ears. “What’s wrong?” I tried to speak, but my breathing had grown erratic, and I couldn’t. My awareness closed in around me, until I was only aware of a patch of orange fur in front of my nose. After a few seconds, or maybe a few days, I numbly felt myself being lifted off of Caramel’s back. After a few years, or maybe just a second, I felt cold stone underneath me. Another decade later, someone was trying to lift my wings away from my body. Another century later, I saw Applejack in front of me. From miles away, I heard her distant voice. “North!” she said. “I need you to let us move your wings!” It took me a couple millennia to understand, and another decade to try and comply. I didn’t feel anything, and she shook her head. “Nothing.” she said, now from the other side of town. She looked over at someone else, my vision fading further. Someone spoke, and she nodded. She leaned down in front of me. “Sorry North.” she said. She took my head in her hooves and pressed her lips against mine. Energy surged through my body, and the accompanying shock caused my wings to open. She pulled back, looking embarrassed, while I was frozen in place. I felt someone lifting me up slightly, and another pair of hooves wrapped my chest with something. When they’d finished, my wings were gently folded back into place. The energy from Applejack’s kiss faded away, and I went limp again. At some point, I was lifted off the ground, and carried upstairs. I don’t know when, because time had lost meaning. I faintly felt someone pull cool covers over me. My vision faded into darkness, taking me with it.