//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Book // Story: A Book of Ponies // by Scripture //------------------------------// Despite growling stomach, Scripture casually looked at everypony in the room. Certainly a diverse crowd... he thought. But I still wonder what they will think of my idea... He sighed heavily and walked out of the kitchen along with the others. When they filed out however, a dark grey mare had actually just entered Sugarcube Corner. Her black proper hair and spiffy tie around her neck suited her calm presence very well, a presence even Scripture felt across the room. When she saw Derpy along with the others though, she tried to explain the situation, her voice purposeful and at ease. “I’m quite sorry Derpy and everyone... I couldn’t find any of you around town! When I was searching for you all, I had this resurgence of my muse when looking at this calm field and.. and... well, I couldn’t help but play my cello for at least a little bit!” She looked down, a sad sight to see for the musician. “It’s alright Octavia, it wasn’t too much to handle. Just next time, try to at least tell Derpy about the situation.” Twilight smiled warmly, trying to cheer up the pony, when Pinkie Pie leapt to the front of the pack near Octavia. “Yeah! Cuz then, you have less tired ponies, and less tired ponies means more fun ponies, although the more fun you have the more tired you are, unless you are me, I never get tired hahaha!” Octavia chuckled a bit and eventually found herself looking at Scripture, curiosity splayed on her normally calm self. “And who might this gentlecolt be?” The author smiled, embarrassed. He had never been called a gentlecolt before... that was something new! Honestly he liked it... Scripture the Gentlecolt! Lady’s man to all! His mind scoffed at that idea, making him grin slightly. Like that would ever happen… “This’n here is Scripture, an author of some books. He’s here in Ponyville because... Because...” Now everyone’s attention was turned to the white unicorn, his former embarrassment now plastered over with worry. Crap… He didn’t think they would be asking so soon! Applejack took a step towards him, squinting her eyes at him in skepticism. “Why are ya here anyways Scripture?” “Yeahhhh... just what ARE you here for, hm?” Rainbow hovered in front of his face, putting on a suspecting look with her lip pouted out and everything. Scripture chuckled nervously and gulped, his throat dry now. Even Twilight seemed to be thoroughly curious as to his reason to visit Ponyville. After all, it wasn’t the most well known or prestigious place in Equestria, so why here? “Ah well, you see...” Everypony’s heads strained a bit closer to him as he talked, tensions raising high now. Sighing, he figured that the truth was the best course of action for ponies like these. “Alright alright... I’m actually here for you.” “AH HA! I knew the public would want me sooner or later!” Rainbow struck a pose in midair, confidence and pride beaming out of her like it was physical. Scripture couldn’t help but laugh at her and shook his head, much to her disappoint. “Uh, no actually... when I meant you, I meant you all!” A few gasps and slight murmurs went through the room, except Pinkie Pie, who was whooping and yaying in the background, bouncing around like a pogo stick. Scripture continued. “I’m doing a book all about the six ponies who both stopped Nightmare Moon, now Princess Luna, and the evil Discord! Not about those incidents, which there are many of, but about them, the ponies themselves! And if I’m correct… those six would be you?” Twilight was absolutely shocked by this news and her mouth actually did hang agape this time. “Yes! But…Really?! One of YOUR books?! Oh… Oh my gosh! This is amazing news!” Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight all shouted and cheered at the news along with Pinkie now, excitingly chattering amongst themselves. The author noticed Octavia and Derpy on the side however, hanging their heads just a little bit at the news their friends got. It wasn’t their fault that they hadn’t harnessed the Elements of Harmony or conquered Discord though. They were simple ponies in the background that were around but never would have- “Of course, Octavia and Derpy, I think I’ll be able to slip you two in there also... I’m going to be here for quite a long time so I might as well get every pony that I can, right? Maybe I could do a bunch of ponies while I’m at it, make it like a Book of Ponies!” Scripture smiled at the pair, who were both initially shocked, until Derpy broke the trance with a loud exclamation and flapping of her wings. Octavia smiled pleasantly and nodded, entirely liking the idea. Spike was a bit skeptical though and had his arms crossed, lounging on one side of the room. His expression obviously made him the dark cloud in the room. “Wait, you said you’ll be here a long time... Just how long exactly?” Even though he knew the stallion was overall a nice guy, Spike couldn’t just fully accept him yet. Scripture put a hoof to his chin, thinking about it for a bit, and looked at the excited group of ponies in the bakery. “Well... My editor told me that if I can get the Six Bearers of Harmony, I had as much time as I wanted to get my facts straight… At the moment, I honestly don’t have a place to stay yet, getting here earlier this morning...” It had been a hellish trip in all opinions… Trains were one of the worst places to sleep on! The stallion cleared his throat a bit. “I was almost wondering if, so I can get as much information as I needed, I could simply live with each one of you for a few weeks each to get to know you and your families better. That would make me stay in Ponyville for about a half year, plenty of time to get my own place! I know it’s a tall order but would you allow me to-” “YES, YES YOU CAN!” Twilight shouted out, unable to control it. After a few snickering stares from the others she composed herself and smiled, although a bit red. “You can with me, I have no problem with that and I don’t think Spike will either... right Spike?” Spike was given a small yet hard nudge by the purple pony and he rolled his eyes, nodding shortly. “Just don’t mess with my gems and we are all good, ok?” Applejack nodded right afterwards. “Why, I’m sure Granny Smith would love ta see a new face round the farm!” She chuckled a bit. “Hope ya can buck well!” Rarity took a scan through her schedule and smiled slightly, putting it away swiftly afterwards. “Well I have no big orders of late so I think it will be an exceptional idea!” Spike’s jaw immediately hung low, all his beliefs crashing around him when she said that. Pinkie Pie cocked her head to the side, putting a hoof to her chin in thought. “Well, it would be up to Mr. and Mrs. Cake, but they do have one last guest room you could possibly use. I’ll have to move Gummy’s water park but I think it will be all good!” She suddenly jumped up and down really quickly, apparently having struck an idea. “Oooo! We gotta have a super duper extra special party for you now since you’re gonna be in Ponyville for a really really long time!” Scripture laughed a bit and nodded his head at the pink bundle of hyperactivity... And wondered who Gummy could possibly be. Rainbow rubbed her head a bit and shrugged. “I don’t know how you can stay at my house, since it’s in the clouds, but if you know some kind of spell that’ll get you up there, be my guest!” She chuckled and crossed her arms. “Think of it as the challenge to get to know me!” Fluttershy, although still nervous, stuttered out her response with a small flush of color. “Oh... Oh my... Uhm… Well... If you need the information, and to get it is to stay at my house... I suppose you could have the upstairs room... That is, if you don’t mind sleeping at my house...” Derpy smiled widely and zoomed around the room a bit, extremely excited. “ALRIGHT! My first sleepover buddy! WOO-HOO!” Unfortunately during her short flight, she had brushed over a few pastries with her wingtips. Pinkie Pie, quick as a whip, made sure to eat each one before letting it hit the ground. A frosting faced party pony and an embarrassed muffin-loving mare was all that was left of incident afterwards. Octavia sighed slightly, knowing her schedule to be busy, but nodded in agreement. “I suppose so, since I would not want to be the odd one out... I would gladly have you in my house for your book.” She bowed gracefully. “It would be an honor.” Filled with excitement and joy, Scripture shouted out in the air. “Alright! This will be my best work yet! Probably even better than being co-author of the Daring Do novels!” Rainbow’s jaw was now the one to hang low. Applejack chuckled to herself and lifted the blue pony’s mouth back up with a hoof. Everyone was thoroughly ecstatic now except Spike who didn’t like the idea of this new-in-town stallion sharing a house with his precious Rarity. The ten of them, all jubilant from Scripture’s news, each took a muffin from the tray. Scripture raised his up in the air, as if it was a wine glass instead. “To new friendships!” He looked at everyone and felt quite cheesy doing this, especially with a muffin. However, it was sort of a tradition to him to make a toast on each book he wrote. “I hope that they will last a lifetime and we should all-” “DIG IN!” Pinkie Pie shouted, unable to contain herself from muffiny goodness any longer. A quick laugh from everyone else resounded and they all bit into their muffins, save Derpy. Her muffin had popped into the air only for her to catch it and eat it swiftly with only one gulp. Another laugh belted out amongst the newly aligned friends, even from the tensed-up Spike. Scripture smiled and sighed. “Now THIS is going to be great!” If only they group realized what was going to happen in the few months this author would be living in Ponyville… Maybe things would have turned out better. Maybe worse. However, only one pony in all of Ponyville truly had a perfect ending… A perfect ending written by Scripture himself. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Author's Note: DA-DA-DUMMMMM! So yeah, now you know! Now, the big thing is this though... Who should be the first Pony he researches about and interviews, etc? This is all user based and I want to know what you guys think for this! If nobody answers then... Meh, I will just choose randomly! Anyways, like always, please comment, critique, etc... and most of all enjoy! :) UPDATE: I just decided, along with a few influences of friends and from the comments, that Twilight will be the first one to come up~ So please, be patient, and i will try my best to get her chapter up :D