//------------------------------// // XXIV // Story: Baen of Equestria // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// Now, parties in Ponyville were not uncommon. It mostly helped that the number one part pony lived in the sweet little town and made it her duty to make everypony happy. With this cotton candy colored mare also came many traditions, one that occurred the most, a ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party. But for the pony known as Baen, this had not been done yet. Many ponies were curious as to why and at times asked, but Pinkie would always reply with a cryptic, ‘it’s not time yet silly!’ So most ponies just went about their lives but were awaiting the inevitable invitations to Baen’s party. So it was no surprise that a week after the barbarian who had been released from the hospital…again, the invitations arrived in neat looking gift baskets. They were pink with balloons tied to them, though for some reason they had cupcake scented candles and the confectionaries themselves. But nopony questioned it as they took the baskets into their homes and lit the candles, to say the least, Ponyville smelt odd that day. At Sugarcube Corner, the guest of the hour was sitting on a cushion…staring at a dragon made of paper. “Um Pinkie Pie,” Baen asked confused as he gave an experimental poke, “What is this?” Pinkie giggled, “It’s a piñata silly! I thought that we could theme the party!” Rainbow nodded, “Yeah! I suggested it when-“ Pinkie clamped a hoof on the cyan mare. Baen raised an eyebrow, “Hm? So you’ve planned this out?” “Well,” Twilight said sheepishly as she hung a banner with her magic, “It was in case you did become our friend. It was going to be a surprise, or more so-” Baen smirked, “A contingency plan?” Fluttershy giggled, “Well it was going to be more of a gesture of good will.” Baen shrugged, “Well I must say,” he picked his words carefully; “I appreciate this effort you’re putting forth.” Applejack mock awed, “Ah, ya really are a sweetie.” Baen rolled his eyes, “Only for you apple bottom mare.” “Applejack,” she stated slightly annoyed but relented her attitude when she saw his grin. Rainbow glanced around in a huff, “Where the hay is Rarity?! We’ve been setting all this stuff up for an hour!” Twilight thought for a moment, “She told me that she had a few finishing touches to put on our…,” she glanced at Baen who tilted his head, “garments.” Baen chuckled, “Getting all dressed up for my sake, I’m touched. You all might have to take me out for a feast next before things advance to far.” The mares scrunched their faces with blushes as Baen broke out into a fit of laughter. A series of knocks were heard and the doors opened to reveal Rarity with a rack draped in cloth. Before Baen could regain himself, the alabaster unicorn pushed him out the door with a quick ‘wait out here’, then shut it behind her. Baen sat on the front step grumbling, “Kick me out of my own party for a trivial clothing matter,” he gave a small smile, “She’s lucky she has a nic-“ “YO BAEN! ARE WE LATE?!” Baen turned his head and smiled at Vinyl and Octavia as they approached, “Nope, right on time.” Vinyl noticed his current seating arrangement, “Why’re you out here? You get them mad or something?” Octavia shook her head, “You became friends with them a week ago and you’ve spoiled it. “That’s not the issue, Rarity has costumes and,” Baen shrugged, “I suppose she doesn’t wish me to see them donning them.” Vinyl smirked, “Only because she doesn’t want you checking her out. I’ve seen the way you look at some mares around here dude,” she wiggled her rear playfully, “somepony like’s it when it’s goooood.” Octavia blushed, “Vinyl Scratch, could you control your baser instincts for a mere moment?” “Sorry Octy,” she then rump butted Octavia’s rump, “can’t do that. I’ll get too bored!” Baen smirked. Then the door behind him opened, and he couldn’t help but gawk. Twilight stood in the door, her mane done up in a braided bun on the back of her head. She wore a hooded plum and indigo robe with gold highlights as well as arcane patterns. She smiled at the barbarian and ushered him inside. He could only glance around in utter astonishment. The interior of Sugarcube Corner had been converted into…an Inn lobby! Rounded oak tables adorned the floor with small candles in the middle of them. Lanterns hung from the walls with care and hard cider was placed on shelves behind the counter in classic foggy bottles. Baen felt a tear come to his eyes, “It’s….” “Oh, did we upset you,” Twilight asked concerned, “I knew it was too much.” Baen shook his head and placed a hoof on Twilight, “No. It’s perfect.” Twilight beamed at the success of the party set up. Rainbow Dash touched down beside Baen…and he did a double take. She was wearing a more form fitting version of his armor which a dark navy blue with a bow across her back, he mane tied to one side in a warrior braid. The left side of her face painted red. “Uh….,” Baen stared. Rainbow struck a pose, “Huntress Rainbow Dash, at your service.” Baen blinked then gave a long, “Riiiiiiight.” A cough turned his attention to the counter. Applejack and Fluttershy were behind it dressed in smocks and their hair was collectively tied back. Fluttershy was polishing glasses while AJ organized the cider bottles. Rarity sat in the corner on a much finer cushion…Baen couldn’t tear his eyes away. She was garbed in heavenly white armor that could only be present on a Valkyrie. Her eyes were outlined with sparkling blue. Her mane was a mix of cascading curls. The front of her mane parted perfectly and framed her face quite well. The back of her mane was pulled into a loose ponytail which had sparkling strings of material weaved into it. “I am Lady Rarity the Radiant,” she then added quickly, “and Fabulous.” Baen glanced around, “Where’s the pink one?” “BOO!” Baen jumped two feet in the air and whipped around. Pinkie was dressed in an all-black hooded tunic with matching boots and pants, her mouth covered and her eyes staring at Baen. “Pinkie the Sneaky.” Baen smirked, “I hate thieves.” Pinkie poked him, “That’s only because you never see us coming,” she then raised a hoof above her head, “SMOKE BOMB!” A burst of smoke obscured Pinkie until it cleared and she was gone. Baen then glanced at Twilight, “And you are?” Twilight placed a hoof on her chest, “Archmage Twilight Sparkle, the Knowledgeable.” Baen nodded as Rainbow snickered. Twilight stared evenly at Rainbow, “What?” Rainbow waved her hoof, “No it’s nothing, just, Archmage sounds a little ridiculous.” Twilight rolled her eyes, “Well let’s get this party started.” Pinkie descended from the ceiling on a wire, “Hey! That’s my line!” * The part fell into a massive celebration. Baen helped employ his part methods which resulted in much colorful conversation and for once, Baen told a story of day long passed. Baen then clapped his hooves together as the room collectively jumped, “Then it was upon us! The massive wurm Kal’Dajash. It’s body massive, larger than anypony could imagine. Its skin had the appearance and density of the thickest stone,” he made a collective chomping gesture with his front legs, “It had no eyes, but a massive maw. Each tooth as large as a spire and sharper than any blade. Argon, Lucretcia, Yew, and I were too stunned to move.” Scootaloo was dressed like a mini-viking and asked in awe, “What did you do?” “Well,” Baen tapped his chin, “After Lucretcia rallied us, Yew weakened it’s armor like hide by rapidly heating then cooling it. Soon its hide became brittle,” Baen smacked his hoof on the table he was behind as the ponies in the room hung on his every word, “And then we struck. Argon first used his sword and shield to bash away at the armor on its body, Lucretcia was busy attacking its head.” Rainbow leaned forward, “What did you do.” Baen smiled with pride as he dusted his hoof on his chest, “I dove into its stomach.” Everypony fell silent. “Then I cut my way out,” he patted his axe, “this old girl had some bite and that abomination felt it, hard.” Baen sipped his hard cider, “Let’s just say, we had a trophy to take back to the King.” The ponies collectively stomped as they dispersed and bid farewell. Baen hung out at his table, but then he noticed Twilight at a far table staring into the distance. Baen tilted his head, he saw that look before, she was troubled. Baen stood and walked over to her table as the girls absently took stuff into the cellar, “Hey Twilight, something wrong?” Twilight glanced at him, “Oh. No, I was just thinking.” “About what might I ask?” Twilight sighed, “Baen…you consider me a Princess right?” “Of course,” he tilted his head, “you do wear the crown do you not?” Twilight nodded solemnly, “Yeah, but…why do I even? I mean look at Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. They have massive responsibilities and I’m…,” she looked away, “I’m just me.” Baen tilted his head and stared at her calmly, “What are you talking about?” “Don’t you understand,” she glanced at him with slightly watery eyes, “How can I call myself a Princess if I don’t do anything? I mean look at you! You’ve fought monsters, toppled armies and other creatures we Equestrians could never dream of. As far as I’m concerned, I’m nopony, just a mare with a crown,” she noted Baen’s neutral expression, “Just,” she sighed sadly and looked away from him once more, “forget it.” Baen stared at her incredulously. He then shook his head and became serious, “Twilight Sparkle, you listen to me,” he turned Twilight to face him, “Never think that Twilight, I am nopony to envy. But you….” Twilight stared at him with tearful confusion as Baen nodded as he placed a hoof to her chest, “You have the capacity to be something more than what you think you are, greatness is in you,” Twilight stared at him as he continued, “But you have to stick to your path, tough it out! Twilight,” he smiled warmly; “there will come a time when you achieve something beyond imagination. You’ll rattle the heavens, and shake the earth!” He placed both hooves on her and gave her a gentle shake, “And when that time comes, when you glow brighter than any star and change the world,” he stood up and pointed at her with a confident look, “well,” he stared dreamily into space, “I just hope I’m there, catching some of that light coming off you.” Twilight stared at him with tearful shock as he stared back at her with a calm smile. Twilight then seized him in a hug, the sheer force knocking the stallion into the sitting position. The warmth and love coming from the hug froze Baen stiff. Baen was taken by surprise but he smiled warmly as he gently wrapped his forelegs around her, “Hey now, it’s alright.” Nearby, the girls smiled at the scene, having seen and heard everything as the stars shined outside.