//------------------------------// // Gossip // Story: Rule of Thumb // by ShortHopLaszer //------------------------------// The quaint jingle of a bell woke Iron Will from his slumber. His eyelids parted as wakefulness slowly overtook him. "Ah, I see you're finally awake darling. How was the couch?" He cracked his neck to the side "It wasn't as bad as it sounds." He looked over to see Rarity fussing with a piece of fabric while sitting at a table. "Thanks for having me over." "Oh it was no problem at all." Rarity took note of the way Iron Will cracked his neck. They may be different but there are a few similarities. "So do you have any plans for today?" "Not really. Was just going to walk around town for a bit. Check out some stalls. Maybe strike up a conversation with somepony." "You don't take me as a conversationalist." "Iron Will is not bad at it. Although, Iron Will admits sometimes talking with a minotaur can be frightening. But you have to make connections to stay in business somehow." "That reminds me. At the square yesterday, you were getting pretty passionate. It seemed a little more personal than anything." He sighed as he sat up. "Yeah, Iron Will knows." He tossed the blanket to the side. "It's rough out here if you don't know how to stand up for yourself." "Whatever do you mean? Ponyville is one of the nicest places I've ever been to." Iron Will snorted. "For ponies." Rarity chose to ignore the rude gesture. "Would you be so kind as to elaborate?" "Ponies are known for their kind nature right? As children all we ever heard of ponies were the kind things. But going to a pony town for the first time changes that. And after talking to other species about their experiences with the ponies, they aren't what we originally thought. You see, ponies are very protective of their friends and family. So when something unfamiliar shows up they usually stay by who's closest to them. Going to these towns, getting shunned, made fun of, and above all feared. You have to toughen up to deal with it." "And you thought that was another minotaur." "Yeah. Iron Will can empathize with being the center of an angry mob for no reason. I teach anyone to grow that tough exterior so they can deal with their problems head on. A slight attitude adjustment, and no one bothered me again. If all their stares are made to pierce, return the stare and become fierce." "I guess I've never considered it from an outsider's point of view." Rarity scratched her chin "Now that you mention it, outsiders don't usually stay long." "Iron Will would feel bad for any species that wander into town not knowing what to expect." The white unicorn nodded her head "I understand." "I always tell young ones to always walk with a group." "Having a pony with you should ease the tension a bit, no?" "For creatures not as tough as a fully grown minotaur." Rarity rolled her eyes. "So what do you think of the thing yesterday?" Iron Will looked to the side thoughtfully. "Iron Will is not sure. I had a very strong protective instinct when I saw it in the cage since I thought it was a minotaur. But I got a very quick glance at its face." Rarity leaned in "Yes?" "It was too dark to make out many features, but it didn't have a muzzle. Nor did it have recognizable horns." "I knew it wasn't a minotaur." "Indeed." Iron Will returned his gaze to Rarity "Now Iron Will is curious about it. What type of species is it?" "I don't know of any species that is so magic resistant." "Maybe it had a charm or accessory that helped to deal with your magic. It's hard to tell what exactly is going on under that heavy jacket" "I didn't consider that. Who knows what it could be hiding under there." Rarity folded up her stitched piece of fabric. "I bet it isn't happy being in that cage though." "No one would be." Rarity levitated the cloth and placed it in a drawer. "So I'm ahead with my schedule. Would you like me to accompany you today?" He looked at her face. Trying to find a reason for her random acts of kindness. "If you want to. Iron Will doesn't need to be watched over." "I'm not really watching over you. It's more of a mutual thing between friends. It'll be easier to go about town with me with you. And you can do something if the creature acts up. Hmm?" Iron Will chuckled. "If you wanted someone to keep an eye on things, Iron Will is your minotaur." "But before we go, how about some breakfast?" The large minotaur smiled "Iron Will could use some nourishment." Iron Will got up and they both walked to the kitchen. Neither of them noticed a small filly gingerly tip toe down the stairs when they were out of sight. ===================================================================================== *knock* *knock* The pink door swings open to reveal Applebloom. "Hey Sweetie Belle. *yawn* Glad you could make it." "Me too." Scootaloo was on the desk, looking decidedly at a piece of paper. "We're trying to figure out who to talk to first." She picks up a crayon in her mouth and scribbles something on the paper. "I was thinking Rainbow Dash, but she can't really talk right now anyways." Sweetie Belle walked in "Well I don't think we need to worry about Rarity anymore." Scootaloo turns around to face her "Why not?" "This morning I heard her talking with Iron Will-" Applebloom interrupted "Iron Will is at your house?" "Yeah, they bumped into each other yesterday. Anyways, Iron Will was talking about how hard it is to be another species in Ponyville." Sweetie Belle lightened up. "We might not have to say anything to Rarity at all!" Scootaloo punched her hoof in the air "Yeah!" Then who'll we work on first?" The yellow filly glanced outside the window "How about Applejack? She's the closest one here." The little unicorn hopped in excitement "That's a great idea! If Applejack agrees with us first, then surely everyone else will be easy to talk to!" "Alright! Let's go find Applejack." The three fillies stroll out and start wandering the apple orchard. "Where do you think she'll be?" asked Scootaloo. "Well today there isn't much for us to harvest, so it'll be easier to find her." They walked for a few more minutes, glancing around for any signs of the farm pony. "Ah reckon she'll be in the field close to the barn." "Do you think she's over there with Big Mac?" Sweetie Belle pointed. "That's strange. Why is Big Mac going that way? We don't have any apples to buck over there." Scootaloo piped up "Maybe he missed some?" "Ah doubt it." Applebloom furrowed her brow "Now that I think about it, Big Mac has been acting strange lately." "Oh he's proably just stressed out from all the monster fighting." The white filly gasped "Scootaloo! I told you, Edward is not a monster." "Yeah yeah, I know that. But no one else knows that." "Maybe he knows where mah sister is. Let's follow him." The fillies nodded their heads in agreement. They made sure to stay a good distance behind him, ducking behind trees and bushes every time they thought he might turn around. After quite a few apple trees were passed, Big Mac stopped at a hill. He looked around for a moment, barely missing a glance of Applebloom's bow, before removing a grass tarp from the hillside. It revealed a small tunnel, which Big Mac proceeded to walk down. Sweetie waved a hoof towards the hidden entrance "I don't think we should follow him there." "What! Of course we're following him in there!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "Ah don't know. Ah've never seen my brother go in a place like that." "Come on. Don't you wana find out what he's up to?" The yellow filly looked down "Well yeah, but-" "No butts! Let's see! Come on guys." Sweetie nodded her head "If you say so." The three girls move the tarp to gain access to the tunnel. It was dark, and the fillies kept bumping into each other while making their way through. After stumbling for a bit they see a light at the end. They carefully make their way towards it. At the end of the tunnel was a secluded area, with many boulders and rocks strewn around. There was a large rock formation with what appeared to be spiderweb cracks running along the bottom. Big Mac was at the bottom of the formation, sitting with his eyes closed. The orange pegasus poked Applebloom "What's he doing?" "How am I supposed to know?" Suddenly he opened his eyes, quickly turned around and bucked. Adding another rather large crack to the set. The fillies' jaws dropped. They continued to watch as Big Mac hefted a heavy boulder onto his back. He then carried it to the top of the rock formation. When he made it back down, he stood there for a few moments. He took a few deep breaths before pulling on a rope. The rope released a platform which released the boulder. Applebloom almost shouted out as the boulder landed squarely on his back, shaking his stance only slightly. The look on his face was one of determination. Sweetie Belle poked the younger sister "I think we should go before he finds out we're here." The other two fillies nod in agreement. After exiting the tunnel Scootaloo exclaimed "What was your brother doing?" while she waved her hooves around. "Ah'm not sure. It looked like he was trying to hurt himself." she started to tear up. "I don't like to see him hurt himself." Sweetie placed a hoof on her shoulder "I'm sure there's a good reason for it. I mean, he's never shown that he was hurt before. Right?" The yellow pony wiped her eye "Yeah. I wish I knew why he was doing that though." "Hey! What are you fillies doing out here!" the trio turned to see Granny Smith hobbling up to them. "Uhh, nothing Granny! We were just looking for ma sis." Granny smith eyed them carefully "Are you sure? You fillies looked as if you saw an apple tree get up and walk away." "Well, ah-" "Spit it out Applebloom." "Ok ok." She looked at her two friends. "We were looking for Applejack in the field and we found Big Mac. We followed him and saw him dropping rocks on himself." The two other girls nod their heads in agreement. "We didn't mean to see it." "Oh, you saw that." Granny smith scratched her head "Ah reckon you fillies are old enough to know how your big brother got his cutie mark." The three fillies sang in unison "Really?" "If'm you promise not to try it! If ah knew at the time what Big Mac was going to do, ah'd have smacked the fur off him!" "We promise!" "Now Big Mac was a strange one growing up. Sometimes he would wander the orchard to be lost with his thoughts. He used to talk to me more. And he would tell me these strange philosophies about how he saw the world, and how ponies are doing stuff wrong." Granny Smith smirked "He even got his cutie mark later than I've ever seen anypony get one in all my years." "How late?" "He didn't get his cutie mark until his sophomore year of high school." Applebloom looked shocked "What! Really?" "Yep. The youngins would poke fun at him fer it, but it didn't bother Big Mac. He was a tough one." "Wow." "Do you fillies know what griffons are?" "Yep!" "Unh huh!" "Well when Big Mac got his cutie mark, he almost became king of the griffins!" Granny Smith threw her hooves to the side. "How?" "The thing is, griffins fight a lot. And to advance in their ranks you have to beat everyone in the previous rank. Big Mac almost made it all the way... ===================================================================================== A grey messenger burst into the throne room "Sire! Someone is about to beat everyone from the Elite Rank!" The king stood from his throne. "Really now? That hasn't happened for quite some time." The large brown griffon scratched his beak "Tell me about this newcomer. What's this griffon like?" "That's the thing sire. It's not a griffon. It's a pony!" "A pony? Don't they know no unicorns are allowed to participate!" "It's not a unicorn sire." "....let's have a look at this pony." The king walked towards the entrance. They entered the arena midfight, and saw a swarm of griffons swooping through the air. The messenger pointed to the center "There." In the center stood a red pony, with a brownish mane. A griffon dived at him from the side. As it's spear almost reached Big Mac, he thrusts his hoof in a circular motion knocking the spear from the griffon's grip. The spear glided through the air before Big Mac kicked it at the group. Most of them scattered but it struck one square in the chest plate knocking him out. The king smiled "That's rather impressive for such a young pony." Two griffons charge at the farm pony this time. One from each of his sides. Big Mac turns to face one, and as they approach bucks the one behind him and quickly ducks to dodge the attack of the second one. It passes over him and he bucks that one too. The swarm started to get furious and they all decide to charge him at once. There is a flurry of spears and feathers as hooves clank against armor and skulls. Dust gets kicked up and the sounds of metal being stuck ring throughout the arena. The dust settles and only the farm pony is left standing. He turns to face the last griffon who didn't charge when his comrades did. The red pony looked straight at the king as he slowly approached the lone griffon. The solider shook in fear, but when Big Mac got close enough, he yelled a cry of battle and charged him head on. Without breaking eye contact with the king, the red pony rolls on his back and bucks the griffon in the stomach. Big Mac continues the roll and stands up straight, then continued to walk straight towards the king as the griffon falls onto the ground behind him. "My my, that was rather impressive young pony." "Eyup." "I take it you're going to challenge the last rank before me?" "Eyup." This pony is rather strong, but he can't fight anyone from the last rank. The king thought of the four griffons in his last rank and shuddered. They'll kill him."How about this pony. You don't have to fight the special class. You can have your final battle with me." Big Mac looked suspiciously at the king "Alright." "Clear the arena! Make some space for me and my opponent!" Several griffons swoop in and pick up their fallen comrades. Then a few others comb the arena picking up every feather until the no one would be able to tell a fight took place not moments ago. The king removed his heavy cape and passed his crown to the assistant. He kept his staff and glided to the far end of the stadium. Big Mac strolled to the other end and turned to face his final opponent. The assisstant walked onto the field "Last round, Big Mac Versus Midas. FIGHT!" Both fighters stood still for a few moments, eyeing each other, getting a feel for their opponent. Suddenly the king swipes his staff, and an orange field of magic sweeps Big Mac to the side. Big Mac shook his head. No wonder he's the king of the griffons. He's one of the few that can use magic. The farm pony quickly calculated his chances of winning and decided a long fight will be his downfall. He quickly charged the king. Midas summoned another field intercepting the space between the two. He then summoned another field behind the red pony and swept him off his hooves. Big Mac immediately stood back up and tried to buck the force field. The field made a few clanging sounds but showed no signs of caving. The king chuckled "Give up yet young pony?" Big Mac jumped over the field and headed straight for the king. The king caught off guard took flight and intercepted him midair. Big Mac tried to head butt the king but he stopped it with his staff. The king grabbed his hooves and swiveled around the pony so he was the one on top. The red pony struggled in the air and winced when he saw the ground fast approaching. Flash!* Big Mac opened his eyes to see a field of magic between him and the ground. The field overtook him and he floated gently to the ground. "I think you've realized by now that you have no chance to win." Midas ran a claw over his staff "Do you surrender?" The red pony sighed and dropped his head. He admitted defeat. The king smiled "Come with me pony, let's go for a walk." Midas waved his claw at his assistant "Cancel my plans for the next hour." The two fighters walk out of the arena into a field. Big Mac wondered where they were going when the griffon turned to enter a cave. Inside the cave were glowing blue crystals that reflected off pools of water. The two walk in silence for a while, before the king speaks up. "So what brings you all the way here pony?" Big Mac shrugged. "I'm curious. Why did you decide to take on this challenge. Surely you knew you couldn't win at such a young age?" The two stop at the end of a path and gaze into the water. "I wanted to see how far I could go." "That's admirable. I've never seen a pony get so far in our ranks. You have much potential." Big Mac shrugged. "And you know what? You've got guts to take on a griffon army by yourself." the king nodded to Big Mac's reflection. "You've got the biggest apples of any pony I've ever met." The farm pony smiled at the compliment. "Thanks." "I remember when I was young, doing what you're doing. It's a dangerous life. But if you know what you're doing it can be very rewarding. You've got potential. Come back when you're older and maybe we can arrange something." Midas patted his back. "Now go home Macintosh, I'm sure your family is worried." "Eyup." Big Mac turned and started walking towards the cave entrance. "And one more thing." Big Mac looked back at the king, who almost seemed to glow in the light of the crystals. "I like your cutie mark." ===================================================================================== Scootaloo burst out laughing "He got his cutie mark for having big apples?" Granny Smith chuckled "Don't let other ponies know I told ya, you hear?" "Don't worry Granny, we'll keep it to ourselves." Applebloom motioned towards her friends. "So do you know where we can find Applejack?" "Hmm Applejack eh? That one is just as stubborn as her brother. She gets an idea in her head she won't stop til it happens. Do you fillies know how she got her cutie mark?" "Yeah, she told us the story." "Oh alright then. I'm not sure where she is. Try checking by the barn." "Ok, thanks Granny!" "No problem youngins!" she waved her hoof as she slowly walked away. Scootaloo pointed "So the barn's that way?" "I think ma Granny is right. I'm not sure we'll be able to convince Applejack." The white filly spoke up "Why not?" "Ma sister's really stubborn. And I'm sure she and my brother have the same opinion of Edward." "Then who should we talk to?" said Scootaloo "I think I know. Remember what you said Rainbow Dash told you?" "Rainbow Dash tells me a lot of things." Applebloom stuck out her tongue "Now here's what we'll do." ===================================================================================== "TWILIGHT! I'M HOME!" Pinkie shouted as she burst through the doors of the library. Spike put a comic book down "Hey, Pinkie. Sorry but Twilight's not here right now." "What? Where is she?" "Off interrogating that monster again." Pinkie's eyes dropped "Oh." "Is something wrong Pinkie?" "I don't know. It just seems Twilight is taking this a little seriously." "Off course she's taking it seriously. Did you see what that thing did?" "I know, but she doesn't have to be a crabby pony about it. I mean, she's starving him!" "Twilight knows what she's doing." "By not giving it food? I'd be cranky If I didn't get food for so long." "Twilight knows it can go at least one day without food. So she gave it food and is waiting at least one day." "That's still a crabby thing to do." Spike made a circle on the table with his claw "I guess. Twilight hasn't seemed to be in the best of moods lately." "What do you mean?" "She's getting into study mode. She's obsessed with finding answers but isn't getting any. I guess it's making her act funny." Pinkie cocked her head "Are you afraid of it Spike?" Spike rubbed the back of his neck "I hate to admit it, but yeah. That thing makes me want to run away." Pinkie nodded "I don't know anymore. I just think Twilight should stay away from it for a while. I don't want her to be too serious all the time." "Don't worry Pinkie, Twilight will be fine." The pink pony chuckled "It is scary isn't it?" "Yeah. I've never seen anything like it." "Maybe that's part of the reason it's so scary." "I don't think so. I've never seen a crystal pony before, but I wasn't scarred of them." "Yeah, but crystal ponies are still ponies. Whatever Edward is, isn't a pony." "Maybe." "There is an interesting thing I think I know about it." "What?" "I think it likes cookies." "How could you possibly come to that conclusion?" "I don't know, I just have a feeling." Pinkie scratched her nose while crossing her eyes "Usually my feelings for things aren't wrong." "Is it your Pinkie Sense?" "No." The small dragon looked confused "Ok." "It's more of just a feeling. I think we need to find out these things before we decide to treat it the way Twilight is." "How is knowing if it likes cookies an important thing to know?" "I don't. It's just a feeling." ===================================================================================== Twilight stood in front of the cage. "So here we are again." A raspy voice responded "Yeah." "Are you willing to cooperate today?" "Depends." Twilight shifted as she pulled out a bag of chips from her saddle bag. "You hungry?" "Not necessarily." Liar. "Alright then, so let's just get to the questions then." She levitated a small notepad. "Do you know where there are more of your kind?" "Nope." "Where were you before you came to this town?" "Nowhere close to here." "What would you do if you were in my situation?" "I don't know." "Are you sure you're not hungry?" Twilight levitated the bag of chips closer to the cage. Suddenly Edward grabbed the bag, and crushed it in a fist before throwing it away. The purple unicorn stomped her hoof "Why are you being so difficult!" "I'm being as difficult as you are being! I don't want to be here so let me go!" "I can't let you go until I know you're not a threat!" The human turned slightly "Fine." "Why won't you take off your hood?" Edward sighed, I can't. "Why not Edward?" "Fine, I'll show you." he slowly removed the hood. Twilight gasped at what she saw. Edward's head and neck was completely covered in white bandages, save his eyes. Light brown eyes that glinted when the sun hit it. She wasn't sure if it was the removal of the hood, or if she just noticed it again. But it was cold. "Why are you wearing bandages Edward? Are you hurt?" "Do you think I like wearing these things? No! It's for everyone's own good." "Why? What happens if you take them off?" Edward sighed. "Edward!" The bandages shifted with a facial expression that couldn't be made out by Twilight "If you were to see me without these, you would die." Twilight stammered "Now either unlock this cage or leave." Twilight sighed and placed another bag of chips by the cage before walking away. ===================================================================================== Fluttershy smiled to herself as she walked down the hospital hallway. Rainbow Dash seemed happy to see me today. She waved at a nurse as she passed the lobby. Oh my, it's past noon already? She thought back to her cottage, and to all the chores she still had to do. Better get home soon. It's a good thing I'm seeing her every day. Somepony has to keep her company. As she exited the hospital's main entrance she was ambushed by a trio of small fillies. "Eeep!" She flew up a few feet. "Fluttershy! We were looking for you all day!" "OH! Hi girls. How can I help you." "We were wondering if you can help us with something?"