//------------------------------// // Chapter 29: February 13, The Cutie Mark Chronicles // Story: Yet Another Human In Equestria Story // by Bardic_Knowledge //------------------------------// Yet Another Human in Equestria Story By: Bardic Knowledge Chapter 29: February 13, The Cutie Mark Chronicles I sighed, setting down my book and getting up to pace again. I was reading an incredibly dry technical manual on magic as I took a break from writing, and the lack of engaging material basically forced me to do something with my energy, so I paced. I hadn't had this much trouble with a book since “Chaos,” a book on chaos theory back on Earth. The next day was Hearts and Hooves Day, so Trixie and I were planning a special outing for that evening. But the girls were going to be having a party or something at Sugarcube Corner today. I didn't catch all the details, but we'd be stopping by for a few minutes anyways. As I forced myself to sit back down and continue reading, somepony started knocking on the front door. Trixie was over at Rarity's (and even if she wasn't, I would likely have been closer), so I put the book back down on the table and opened the door, to be greeted by the faces of the Crusaders at my waist. “Well, hello. And what brings you lot to my door?” I let them in and closed the door behind them to keep the cold out. “Well,” Apple Bloom started. “We're lookin' to find out what everypony's done to get their cutie marks, and you said at Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera that you've got no cutie mark, but you know what it would be, so-” “How'd you figure it out?” interrupted Scootaloo. “Hmm, well, that's a bit of a boring story,” I answered. “When I was young, like eight years old or something, I thought I would be a scientist, then I figured I'd rather be a game designer. Dad made board games on occasion, but that was just for fun, really. Anyways, in eighth grade, when I was about thirteen, I auditioned for a play the Young Children's Theatre was putting on called “Dragon Tale,” and I landed the lead role, Hugh of Rutherford. It was then that I realized that I enjoyed acting.” “So acting's your special talent?” asked Sweetie. “Not entirely. It's merely an expression of it. Like I said, I realized I enjoyed acting, but I never really wanted to be famous, thanks to the way the press and paparazzi tended to hound famous people.” I smirked and rubbed my moustache. “Right after that play is also when my moustache started growing in. Anyways, I continued on with my life, looking to be a voice actor, the distinction being that a voice actor's face is almost never seen, and it was another three years and a comment from a classmate before I realized what my 'special talent' was.” “What sort of comment?” asked Apple Bloom. “He, almost proudly, informed me that he hadn't read a book in his life, except for what school forced him to. It struck me as bizarre, alien, even unthinkable that someone would not enjoy reading a good book. That, combined with a bit of introspection,” I paused at their confused looks and clarified, “self-examination, I noticed that practically everything I was interested in had to do with stories. I loved to read them, play them, watch them, act in them, and even try to write them. There's not a day gone by that I didn't have my nose in some kind of story. Or at least a book of some kind. And, so, my talent became known to me: I have a talent for stories.” “And your cutie mark?” “Well, it was about seven years later, when I got into the show telling this world's story, I decided to make a version of myself that would fit in in Equestria, cutie mark and all. Someone doing an Ask blog starring you guys, I'll explain later, was offering to draw people's characters for a fee, so I described myself from my ponytail to my goatee to the parchment-y colour of my skin, then thought about a suitable cutie mark: a book. At the time, we didn't know there was a theatre, but a book would probably still be the best representative of my talents. And it's an open book, because I enjoy telling stories as much as reading them.” Trixie came home a few minutes later. “Oh, hi, girls. What brings you over?” “They're looking for cutie mark stories. So I told them what could probably be considered mine.” Trixie absorbed this before looking over my pyjama'd self. “You should probably get dressed. We have to be at Sugarcube Corner soon. I'll tell them my story while you change.” I nodded, gave her a hug, then walked back to my room. I had already heard her story while we were on our date. I smirked as I realized I was pretty much the only one who was going to be at Sugarcube who didn't have the original sonic rainboom be a pivotal event in their life. Well, no more pivotal than any other episode of MLPFiM. And it probably wasn't pivotal for the Cakes. Anyways, as I returned to the living room, Trixie had finished up her story and the Crusaders were on their way out the door. I had finally come to terms with the cold, so I wasn't horribly bundled up like I had been two months ago. This progress was likely to be ruined by next winter. “So, just what are their talents, anyways?” asked Trixie. “So far as we can tell, Bloom is an amazing carpenter, Sweetie does music like nobody's business, and Scoots is some form of acrobat. Scoots is actually the hardest one to pin down, but that's what fits best from what I've seen.” “Shall we go meet the others?” “May as well. Depending on how many stops they've made so far, which I'm going to guess is just AJ, we might get there before the Crusaders and hear Dash's story.” I grinned. “You might be surprised by what she reveals.” “What do you mean?” I started out the door. “Joe! Ugh, fine. I'll wait. But you can bet I'll remember this!” It's a good thing my boots didn't have laces, or she might have tied my feet together right there. --- As we walked through town, I was interrupted by a voice calling my name, “Joe! How have you been!” I turned to see Time Turner approaching us. “Oh, hey there! I'm doin' alright. You?” “Pretty good, pretty good. How's that watch treating you?” I pulled out the Chameleon Arch-like watch, flipping it open. “It's been running amazingly well. I make sure and wind it every day at midnight.” I frowned. “Even when I'm not thinking of it sometimes...” Time Turner nodded with a thoughtful look. "Curious. Maybe it has something to do with your more, shall we say, colourful appearance?” Trixie looked me over before turning to the watch-and-clockmaker. “What do you mean?” “I guess it must have happened gradually enough you didn't notice. It's been long enough since I've seen you to see that you're not quite as drab as you used to be.” I looked down at my hands, glancing over my shaded glasses to get a proper look. “Now that you mention it, I do seem to be a bit more pastel or something. I remember when I arrived that I thought the trees of the Everfree looked more like the trees on Earth than the trees in Ponyville proper. Ponyville's seemed brighter, more vibrant. It seems like I've become so as well. Fascinating.” “Well, I just happened to see you as I was headed back to the shop and thought I'd say 'hi.' Have a good afternoon, you two!” We waved goodbye to each other and continued on our way. “So, what do you think this means?” asked Trixie. “Well, pretty much that I'm going native. There's so much ambient magic in Equestria that I'm sure the food I've been eating all this time's been infused with it and so my body's been absorbing it from outside and in. Wonder if that gives me any pony-esque abilities?” “Well, you can't use unicorn or pegasus magic, since you don't have a horn or wings, which only leaves you with earth pony magic.” she snickered. “And as far as I can tell, you're nowhere near as strong or tough as even the weakest earth pony.” I chuckled too. “Well, maybe I've got human magic, then. The most that would probably mean is increased brain power or morality or something.” “Morality? With the way you complain about your species?” “Yeah, I complain. Mostly because I don't understand them most of the time. I do believe that humans are an inherently good people, though. Even if most of those I've met can be utter morons. Or as I liked to say, 'common sense isn't very common these days.'” We chuckled together. It was then that we reached Sugarcube Corner. We walked in to find everyone other than Pinkie already present. “Hey, Joe, Trixie. Glad you could make it!” said Twilight. “Of course we'd make it. This is a Pinkie Pie Party!” I said. “Speaking of,” said Trixie, “where is Pinkie?” “I'm not sure,” Rarity said. “She went out the door a few minutes ago without saying anything other than she'd be right back.” “She's coming this way with the CMC. Telling them her cutie mark story like everyone else.” I answered. “They haven't asked me yet,” said Dash. “They've actually been hunting for you to get your story. I must say, I am looking forward to hearing it from your point of view rather than watching it on a screen.” “Wait, so this is an episode?” asked Twilight. “Yep. One big flashback episode. The moral being about waiting to find out your destiny rather than rushing about and not finding it in your hurry.” As I finished talking, the door opened, Pinkie pronking on past me as the Crusaders followed after. “Rainbow Dash! You're here!” cried Scootaloo. “I hear you're looking for my cutie mark story.” Scoots sighed. “You have no idea what I've been through today to hear that story.” “It all happened during the race at Flight Camp, where I stood alone against all odds to defend Fluttershy's honour. A group of bullies were teasing her for not being able to fly well, so I jumped in and challenged them to a race. It was a once-around of the flight camp, going through the pre-set obstacle course the teachers used. I was all set and raring to go, not caring that there were three of them, all bigger than me. Fluttershy was my friend, and I was going to show them all that if they pushed her around they'd answer to me. “With a wave of the flag, we took off, and I gained an early lead. It wasn't a very big one, because Hoops, their leader, was right behind me, easily vying for my position. But I knew I had to win, for Fluttershy and I pushed myself harder than I'd ever pushed myself before. I'd never flown like that before! The speed, the adrenaline, the wind in my mane... I liked it... a lot! Hoops tried to sabotage me by knocking me into a cloud, but I kept going. “Turns out the only thing I liked more than flying fast... was winning! I could feel the air like a wall, trying to stop me, but I wasn't going to yield and I told that wall to let me through! Just as I hit the bottom-most ring of the obstacle course I felt the air give way with a humongous boom! And as I felt myself go faster than anything, I glanced back... Most people thought that the Sonic Rainboom was just an old mare's tail. But that day... The day I discovered racing... I proved that the legends were true. I made the impossible happen! “And that, little ones, is how you earn a cutie mark,” she finished, looking at the Crusaders. “Wait a second,” said Fluttershy. “I heard that explosion. And I saw the rainbow too. Rainbow Dash, if you hadn't scared the animals, I never would have learned I could communicate with them and gotten my cutie mark.” “I heard that boom! And right afterwards, there was this amazing rainbow that taught me to smile,” said Pinkie. “When I got my cutie mark, I saw a rainbow that pointed me home,” added AJ. “I bet it was your sonic rainboom!” Rarity joined in. “There was an explosion I could never explain when I got my cutie mark.” “This is uncanny!” said Twilight. “If that explosion didn't happen when it did, I would have blown my entrance exam. Rainbow Dash, I think you helped me earn my cutie mark too!” “And from what I can tell,” I added. “The sonic boom part startled Trixie into getting her her cutie mark.” Trixie blinked, thinking it over, then her jaw dropped. “Whoa!” gasped Dash. “We all owe our cutie marks to you!” cheered Pinkie. “Do you realize what this means?” Fluttershy said in awe. “All of us had a special connection before we even met.” Rarity sighed. “We've been BFFs forever and we didn't even know it!” “Come here, y'all.” AJ drew us all into a hug. “AWWW!!!” cooed everyone else. My lungs were too busy being crushed to make any sort of noise. “I'm so glad we're friends!” said Fluttershy, as AJ released us. “I love you, guys!” added Pinkie. “Awwww...” cooed Sweetie and Bloom. “Ewwww...” Scoots groaned “Gimme a break. Come on, Crusaders! Maybe we just need to try zip-lining again.” “Hey. How about a song?” Fluttershy giggled. I grinned. “I know exactly the song to sing.” I said loudly, drowning out Scootaloo's Big No. As I prepared to sing, a familiar bit of banjo music filled the air. The song started pouring out of me almost unbidden (though it was in my bass, rather than Kermit's voice. I can't really do a Kermit voice). Me: Why are there so many songs about rainbows And what's on the other side Rainbows are visions But only illusions And rainbows have nothing to hide So we've been told And some choose to believe it I know they're wrong, wait and see Some day we'll find it The rainbow connection The lovers, the dreamers, and me Trixie: Who said that every wish Would be heard and answered When wished on the morning star Somebody thought of that And someone believed it And look what it's done so far Trixie and I: What's so amazing That keeps us stargazing And what do we think we might see Some day we'll find it The rainbow connection The lovers, the dreamers, and me Everyone (except Scootaloo, who was looking at us mildly horrified): All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices? I've heard them calling my name Is this the sweet sound That called the young sailors? The voice might be one and the same Me: I've heard it too many times to ignore it It's something that I'm supposed to be Everyone (see above): Some day we'll find it The rainbow connection The lovers, the dreamers, and me La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da As the last note died away, I paused, staring at everyone else. “Okay, what was that? I was just going to sing a couple verses and maybe the chorus and then... that!” “That was a heart song, silly,” said Pinkie. “When somepony starts a song, the magic of it echoes in the hearts of those around them and gets them singing, too!” “It's a commonly documented phenomenon,” agreed Twilight. “But, I've sung songs a couple times before now and-” I paused. “I think I get it. Trixie and I were just talking about how I've apparently been absorbing enough magic from living in Equestria to count as having it myself. Looks like I might be joining in on the next big song that happens in my presence.” “Oh, wow!” cheered Pinkie. “I think that calls for an entirely separate party! C'mon, Joe! Let's go plan it!” I shrugged and followed her into the Sugarcube kitchen. When I got there, she stopped and turned to look at me. “Hey, Joe, remember when you asked me about my resolve to do anything for my friends?” she said, quietly. “Kinda,” I responded, warily. It had been a few months since I had brought it up, and hadn't asked again, so I wondered at what had prompted her. “Well, it happened about a year after I got my cutie mark...” She closed her eyes, and her hair seemed to darken slightly, though it didn't lose its poofiness. “I had this one friend from the nearby town, Fizzy Pop, and we would meet up and play whenever dad brought me with him into town. One day, she wasn't there when I went to meet her, and I learned that she had gotten very sick. Dad let me visit her in the hospital, and I did my best to cheer her up and help her get better.” “Laughter is the best medicine, after all.” Now probably wasn't the best time to mention that my first Blind Bag pony was Fizzy Pop. “Uh-huh. Anyways, I visited her every day I could, Ma even letting me go on my own if all my chores were already done,” Pinkie's hair began to droop. “But no matter how much I kept her smiling and laughing, no matter how much I tried...” Tears began to drip from Pinkie's eyes, and I knelt down to hug her. “She... She died. During her... Her funeral... I vowed, with the first Pinkie Promise, that I would never let my friends down ever ever ever EVER again.” “Oh, Pinkie.” I hugged her tighter, feeling my shoulder get warm and wet from her tears. She sniffled quietly. “It's a hard thing, losing a friend. I've lost them, too. Everyone back home, on Earth... I don't even know if they know what happened to me. Thinking of the pain they have gone through, might be going through, it tears at my heart. I want to go back, but then that would mean leaving all of you.” “All we want is for you to be happy. Okay, Joe?” Pinkie said, drying her face. “Come on, the others are probably wondering what's taking so long.” “Right. Oh, and Pinkie? Thank you for being my friend.” “Always.”