//------------------------------// // Olivia and the Meal // Story: I'll catch you, you THIEF!!! // by Knightofstories //------------------------------// Phantom couldn't believe what he was seeing he saw his friend Olivia standing right in front of him again after so long. “Olivia? What are you doing here, I thought you and your parents were going to a place called ponyville.” Phantom said with a shocked expression followed with his confused statement. Olivia pouted her lips when Phantom said her name “I told you already it’s not Olivia, its Olive.” Phantom smirked at this “What’s wrong with calling you Olivia, you never had a problem with it before.” Olivia just glared at him “That was when we were foals, I thought after all this time you would have grown up a little bit, but you’re still the same little foal I remember Spirit.” Phantom kept his smirk “Maybe it’s cause I have a friend who is just as much of a foal as I am Olivia.” Olivia Pout’s her cheeks again as she stomps her hoof in front of Phantom “I told you already its Olive!” Phantom just chuckles at his friend behavior as it makes him remember the past “It’s been a long time since I had this sort of conversation, thanks Olive.” Phantom stretches his arm out from under the tarp and puts it over her ear and gave an ear scratch behind it. Olivia’s face turned from a pout to a silly smile of bliss as she couldn't resist the blissful pleasantries of Phantom’s ear scratches. “Damn you Phantom, I curse you for having this weaaa-pon of masss destruction.” Olivia unable to suppress her blissful feelings from the ear scratch started to show in her words as she couldn't speak without slurring her words a little. Her body involuntarily started to relax and her legs gave out and she soon landed on the ground with all 4 legs spread out. Phantom was smiling at this as it made him remember the good old days whenever he scratches Olivia’s ears she always acted like this. Phantom however was still thinking about his first question though. “Olivia so tell me why are you still here. I’m certain your parents didn’t leave you here and I’m certain your family would like a fresh start. So why come back to this place?” Phantom said as he removes his hand from Olivia’s ear and her face became that of concern and grief. Olivia was hesitant in answering as she was not speaking and her eye were staring at the ground. Anypony could tell that Olivia is hesitant in telling Phantom of this. Olivia looks from the ground back up to Phantom but her head still hangs low. “Umm… well… If you want me to tell you, you have to promise me something.” Olivia said with her head hanging down and her eyes went back to the ground as well. Phantom was now worried for his friend and her saying to promise something must mean its serious. “Alright well I have to know what I must promise first.” Phantom replied to her with concern filling his eyes as he started to get a bad feeling in his guts. Olivia sighed then spoke “You see…. On the way to Ponyville we were passing a rocky mountain area… and then. Flashback 2 months back/ Olivia and her parents were trotting along the mountain path on their way to their new home in ponyville. Olivia’s father who was a Pegasus was pulling the cart up the hill with all his might, and Olivia’s mother who was an earth pony was helping by pushing the cart up and Olivia carrying the provisions for the trip. They soon reached the top of the mountain where it’s flat and they stop a moment to rest. Olivia’s father removed the harness from his back and Olivia’s mother put some wood between the wheels to prevent them from moving. The father walked to the edge of the mountain and took in the view from there. “Woow… Olive, Blossom come take a look at this.” The two mares who were resting beside the carrier looked up to where the father was. Blossom spoke “What is it Feather?” Olivia spoke as well “Yeah what is Dad?” Feather motioned them to come over “come and take a look for yourselves.” Olivia and Blossom looked at each other then got up and started to move to where Feather was. Little did they know that there were shadows lurking behind them, hiding behind the boulders that cover the mountain top. As soon as Olivia and Blossom arrived they were amazed and looked at the gorgeous view, the land was so green, the air smelled really fresh, the land looked fertile and there were many wildlife just moving about, and across the land in a distant view there was a small village in a distant land where the family were planning to live. Feather was just amazed “Take a good look everyone from now on that village over there.” Feather said pointing towards the village in the distance. “Will soon be our new home, and a new life.” Olivia and Blossom were just beaming with glee at this opportunity to start anew, all of them are enthusiastic about it but Olivia as she isn’t as positive as her parents expected. Blossom was the first to notice. “Sweetie is something the matter? Aren’t you excited we can live a new life out here in the open instead of the city of Canterlot?” Blossom was wondering as to why her daughter was not as happy as she was. Olivia just sighed. “I am happy mom, we can start a whole new life, fresh air, a good home, a BED, and friendly neighbors everywhere unlike the noble ponies in Canterlot…. It’s just that….” Olivia’s smile soon turned into a slight frown as she rubbed her forehoves together. Blossom was wondering what was bringing her daughter down, Feather was watching his daughters face and then knew what was bringing her down. “You wish that Spirit came with us so you don’t have to worry about him isn’t that it?” Feather said with a smirk to Olivia who slightly blushed at what her father just said. Olivia’s face was slightly blushing “Well… it’s just that… well, he’s been with the family so long he’s like a …aaa. Brother, yes, a brother to me, and I am his big sister and I can’t help if I worry about him being all alone in Canterlot even though it was his decision to stay.” Feather laughed really hard at the memory of it “HAHHAHA, yes I remember that one. Spirit was really stubborn about his commitment on staying in Canterlot, even when you tried to drag him away he used his teeth on a wood beam to make sure you can’t drag him any farther. HAHAHAHA!!!” Olivia blushed at the memory of her being quite the stubborn one as well when she tried to take Spirit from his place. She forcibly tried to take him with them on their journey but even her stubbornness can’t match that creature’s tenacity. “Well I guess that’s what makes him a Spirit, he likes to stay in one place.” Olivia said with a smile returning back to her face. Feather sighed with a smile “Well we can’t force him to come with us, I don’t know what’s keeping him in Canterlot but if he’s willing to be that stubborn about staying I guess we can’t make him change his mind.” Olivia just stared out at the horizon before her wondering how her new life would turn out and wondering how Spirit is holding up back in Canterlot “I just wish that we could have left him something to remember us, after all he doesn’t have anypony in Canterlot to take care of him, and I think we are the only ponies he can trust.” Blossom spoke up “Now Olive I know you’re worried but we all know he’s not a little colt anymore he’s a stallion now, I’m sure he can take care of himself, and besides we all know what he is capable of I’m sure he won’t create a problem he can’t handle.” Feather spoke as well to assure Olivia “And I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if we visit him from time to time, we are like family, and family stick together. Olivia smiled when her father said that as it really calmed her down. In her thought “I’m sure that Spirit won’t do anything stupid, he may be family to us but he is much more rash, and stubborn than all of us combined.” Behind them the shadows from before started to creep up from behind the rocks and started towards the group of ponies unaware of their presence there were three in total. The three shadows uses pads on their paws to silence their movement and creep slowly and then hide behind the cart that the ponies brought up, they took a look inside and searched for a specific item that catches their interest. The first shadow was a small runt size one, and seemed to have a rusty squeak voice behind it “Well do you smell any gems in here? BECAUSE I DON’T!” He said rather loud but in a whisper tone to not alert the ponies. The second shadow was a very large one and has a deep gruff voice to him “I’m sure I smelled some gems here, it’s faint but I’m certain that it’s gems.” He lifted some of the contents up and searched for them gems despite the content he carried was a heavy bag of provisions filled to last a week. The third shadow was in between the two in terms of heights and has a more rusty voice to him and so does his form. “Well I don’t see any, either those ponies are really good at hiding them or simply they NEVER had any at all, you’re snot must be getting rusty Fido. The second shadow spoke “My sniffer works just fine Rover.” Then the first shadow spoke. “If that’s true then where are the gems?” The midget one is starting to get slightly aggravated at the lack of gems that the big one supposedly smelled. Then the third shadow spoke “Wait we don’t really need to steal these ponies’ gems now do we.” A wicked smile started to creep on this face but the other two were confused. “What are you saying I don’t want to go back empty handed?! We’re starving already as it is.” The midget one spoke and the big one agreed. The middle one said with an evil smile on his face with an evil intent behind it “What I’m saying is why don’t we just take the ponies with us, we are in need of some ‘helpers’ if you know what I mean. Hehehe.” Chuckling to end his sentence on which the other two caught on and smiled along with the 3rd shadow as they soon crept out of their hiding spots. The ponies were too engrossed in the gorgeous view that they didn’t notice the dark, slightly oppressive pressure behind them. Feather then spoke up “Ok let’s get ready to go. The sooner we get to the village, the sooner we can start making some bits, and the sooner we can go see Spirit and bring him some treats from our new home.” Olivia and Blossom nodded in agreement and turned around to get ready to move on but then they saw something they did not expect. Three creatures stand before them and all of them standing on two legs and all are much taller than them except the midget one. The short one had a grey vest, with a diamond encrusted color on him, and has tan fur with yellow, blue eyes to go along with it. The large one had a grey vest and a diamond color as well but has yellow and black eyes, with a bluish fur. The last one the middle on had a red vest, grey fur, and full on green eyes. “Why hello there it’s not every day we find ponies in these part of the mountains.” The red vested one said. Feather saw them and stood in front of Blossom and Olivia who were slightly worried at the creatures’ sudden appearances. “Diamond dogs, cut the chit chat I know what you want, well sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we don’t have any gems with us.” Feather said with snort and crouched slightly downwards ready to charge at them if need to. “Hehehe, we already know that we just searched your cart.” The midget dog spoke, and Olivia was upset at this. “WHAT! You can’t do that that’s a total violation of invasion of private property!” Olivia was really upset and was pointing a hoof at the dogs until her father spoke up. “Olive these are Diamond dogs, they appear to be more of the ruffian kind so they don’t follow rules except their own. Looking through other ponies’ cargo is like playing in their own back yard for these dogs.” Feather said still maintaining a firm position between his family and the diamond dogs. Song that goes with Action “Well put that’s the kind we are, but unfortunately this IS our backyard and YOU’RE invading OUR private property.” The midget one said and the middle one spoke up. “And since you don’t have any gems for payment.” The large one smashed one of his paws with his fist to emphasize his point “You’re just going to have to work for it, for a very, very long time.” All three of the diamond dogs started to walk up to the ponies while chuckling and when they reached a point Feather rocketed towards the middle one and shot him up into the air along with him. Feather then did a nose dive and planted all four of his hooves right one top of the large one’s body squishing him down but not out. Feather shouted “Blossom, take Olive and get out of here, I’ll keep them busy.” Blossom and Olive were hesitant in moving at the moment. Blossom shouted “But what about-“She never got to finish as Feather shouted “I’ll BE FINE NOW GO!!!” Finally Blossom and took shoved Olivia to move and they both ran while Feather kept the Diamond Dogs busy. The midget one said “I’ll get them.” He was about to burrow down until “OH no you don’t!” *BANG* Feather bucked the midget Diamond dog before it had a chance to dive and sent him flying towards a stone wall. The middle one landed on the ground with a thud and shook his head to get the shock from the fall out of him, he then saw the two mares making a run for it. “I’ll get them Spot just get this one under control.” The dog started to dig through the stone and Feather saw it and tried to fly towards him but the big one grabbed one of his hooves and prevented him from moving. Feather picked up even more wing power and started to drag the large dog along with him but the middle dog got away and the midget one pounced on top of him send him crashing to the ground and he struggles to get out of their grip. In Feather’s mind “Please Celestia, please make sure my wife and child get away.” Olivia and Blossom were running down the mountain road heading back where they came from. Olivia was starting to gasp slightly as she spoke “Mom what about dad, I know he’s strong but he can’t take on three of those creatures.” Blossom agreed with her daughter on this one. “I know Olive that’s why we have to make sure we get back to Canterlot to tell Celestia about this.” Olivia was shocked at what her mother just said. “WHAT! Mom it took us at least 3 weeks to get here, by the time we arrive who knows what those things can do to him.” Olivia was starting to get scarred for her father’s safety but her mother reassured her. “Don’t worry as long as I know Feather he is a real tough nail and I’m sure he can last long enough, and it took us 3 weeks because we were taking our time with the travel, if we can speed up and keep our pace we should be able to cut out some time.” Blossom was starting to pant as well as she is having slight trouble with keeping pace then up ahead a mound started to pop up and Olivia and Blossom saw it and were wondering what it was until the red vested dog come out “AHA! Found You.” Olivia was stopping but Blossom kept charging in fact she picked up her speed and slammed right into the dog’s stomach. “OHMP!” Blossom the kept the dog from moving by keeping her hooves on his paws. She shouted towards Olivia “Olive quickly go!” Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “But mom I can’t leave you.” Blossom was starting to struggle with the Diamond dog as it’s starting to get some of its breath back. “I know it’s not a good feeling Olive but you’re the only one who can get back the fastest, I’m not as fit as I used to be, please Olive I know it’s hard but you must get back to Canterlot you’re the only one who can do it.” Olivia couldn’t move as she is stuck with helping her mom or getting back to Canterlot to get help, the Diamond dog finally got back air back into his lungs and then started to move Blossom from off of his paws. Blossom shouted towards Olivia that finally made her move “GOOO!!!!!” After hearing that Olivia started to run fast as she had ever done in her life while the diamond dog got out and pinned Blossom down who continued struggling and saw Olivia getting away. In Blossoms mind “Be strong Olivia we’re counting on you.” The Diamond dog just watched one of his targets get away “Bah she’ll probably more of a whiner than a helper, two out of three isn’t so bad.” He then grabbed Blossom by her neck and dragged her along. “Well then I guess you and that other fella won’t mind staying a good while to ‘help’ us with your payment. HAHAHAHa.” Dragging Blossom within his giant paw the Diamond dog started to walk back towards his pack and Olivia just continued running and running towards Canterlot. End of Flashback/ Olivia then spoke to Phantom “The problem is despite my best efforts to get back even I need everyday supplies like water, food, and rest and I didn’t have any bits with me. So I helped out on farms and other places here and there for food and water, and got some sleep in some places. I now my parents are suffering right now but I tried my best but it still took me 3 weeks to get here.” Phantom after hearing what happened to her family after coming so close to having a new life he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Olivia. “Olivia I’m so sorry for what happened.” Olivia just smiled after hearing that “It’s alright, if there’s one good thing out of it I’m glad the first person I get to see was you.” Phantom looked at Olivia and smiled happy to know even when they were separated she still liked him as family. Olivia’s stomach started to rumble and she blushed out of embarrassment, but coincidentally so did Phantom as his stomach grumbled as well. They both looked at each other and started to laugh, and it felt good as this was the first time they both had a good laugh in a long while. Phantom then perked up a bit and then stood up to Olivia’s confusion. “Spirit what are you-“Phantom then started to climb on the wall he was leaning on. He then reached the top where he peaked from and saw the line still there and there was still food but only a fourth left. Phantom then saw two ponies that he recognized to be the usual caterers walk down the street that he was near and they both had a bread and soup on them. Phantom then got an idea he jumped down and Olivia was wondering what Phantom was up to. Song that goes with story Phantom signaled Olivia for him to wait here and then he started to run towards the duo ponies he saw earlier. Phantom ran and turned a corner and started to pace himself in his walk, the two caterer ponies looked and recognized Phantom right away, as he’s the only one with something covering his entire being. The first caterer a stallion earth pony waved hello to Phantom “Hey sonny, how’s it going.” Phantom waved his hand in wave to signal he heard. Phantom then started to walk with the two ponies the other caterer pony and unicorn who was a mare spoke up next “What’s up? You’re usually one of the first ponies in line but we didn’t see you at all?” Phantom then spoke “It’s the guards over there, they make me very nervous.” The earth pony nodded his head in agreement. “I know! You’re supposed to serve the ponies with a smile not a stone cold glare, I doubt many ponies were feeling mighty uncomfortable seeing royal guards being there, I mean we were just as surprised as those guards just appeared out of nowhere and told us to let them handle the catering. What’s up with that?” Phantom responded “I have no clue.” Although he actually does but he then spoke what he had in mind. “Actually I have a huge favor I need of you two.” The two ponies were slightly surprised from this. “Are you feeling alright there, you’re usually somepony not asking any favors from anypony.” Phantom nodded his head “I know but this is really important and I know you both want to get back to you’re job so I have a proposal.” The two stopped and looked at each other and back at Phantom “If you got a plan to move those block head guards, be my guest, those guards are like statues in their stations.” Phantom smiled at this “Not if you use the right bait.” “Huh?” The two ponies looked at each other in confusion. Phantom then told them his plan and they were confused on what they must do, and then Phantom told them what he want’s in exchange. “I know you guys have to eat but think you can spare a set for me.” Phantom said too which the two ponies were thinking. “I don’t know I do want to serve my customers again but we both need to eat as well.” The stallion said as then Phantom then brought out a small bag, and planted it on top of the stallions head. “This should suffice for a meal in a fine café.” Phantom said smiling to which the stallion grabbed the bag and opened it to find 5 gold bits inside. “Bu-But sonny wouldn’t you rather use this you’re self and go get something from the café instead of eating soup and bread.” The stallion said confused and the mare was just as confused and nodded in agreement with the stallion. “I know but I have certain problems with the city. Think you can do this favor for me just this once?” Phantom hopped and the two ponies looked at each other and agreed. “Ok we will do it, but we’ll give you both sets if you can get those guards to move.” The mare stated to which Phantom was surprised. “You don’t have to give me both I just need one set.” Phantom said in hesitation while the stallion then spoke up. “We know but let’s just say we made a bet with the other meal if you can get those guards to leave their station.” Phantom smirked at this “you are so going to lose that bet in 2 minutes flat.” The two ponies smiled at this “I like the way you sound, well tell us this plan of yours.” Phantom signaled them to move closer and they did and were confused on what they heard but they decided to give it a try. 2 minutes flat later/ “GET HIM, DON’T LET HIM GET AWAY THIS TIME PONIES!!!” The guards from the catering station and everywhere else were starting to go on a wild goose chase for a being that wasn’t even there they ran through a street and turned the corner where they saw a black cape and continued running. The mare who had her magic activated just stared there wall eyed at what happened as she brought a large black towel on her back and deactivated her magic aura around it. The stallion was mouth agape at this and Phantom just smiled at this. The stallion then turned to Phantom “What di- how- What just happened?” Phantom then spoke to the Stallion as he took the two meals “that’s my trade secret but I think you should be to work I think the ponies are waiting to see their real caterers back.” Phantom said with a smile as he then walked away. The Stallion then turned to Phantom with his mouth closed now but then came with a smile and chuckled “Boy howdy that creature sure does know how to play the mind games.” He then started to walk towards the catering table as well as the unicorn mare from before and then were on their way to continue their job and soon their next proper meal. Phantom returns to Olivia who was slightly panicking from the uproar from the guards. She then saw Phantom come and she ran up to him “Spirit what happened there was this huge uproar all of a sudden and then-“ Phantom then presented Olivia with a meal tray. “Courtesy of the catering ponies, and a trade secret to get the guards to move.” Olivia just stared and shook her head. “Typical Spirit always likes to play the mind games.” They both sat down with a meal set and thanked the earth for providing the food they need and were about to eat until Phantom grabbed his bread and was about to eat it until he saw two filly and colt sitting at the wall just starring at the ground. Phantom looked at his meal and sighed, Olivia watched him and saw him get up and took his food with him and walked towards the two little fillies. They were at first scarred of him but then he putted his meal in front of them. He then extended his arms and scratched their heads and he left the two fillies who were confused but then saw the food and were beaming with happiness. "Thank you Mr" The colt said as he and the filly started to eat the meal that Phantom left them. Phantom went back to Olivia who then presented him half a bread. "Huh?" Olivia smiled as he was confused "I know you better than anyone and when I saw you look at those two I knew what you were going to do. Take it you need something to eat, after all neither me nor those two wouldn't have any food if not for you." Phantom smiled at this "Thanks." He took the bread and sat down with Olivia and they both including the filly and colt, ate their meal. Phantom then spoke after he finished his bread and Olivia was now on her tomato soup. "Olivia." Olivia responded mid sip "Mmm?" Phantom's face then turned into concern "So what was it you wanted me to promise?" Olivia stopped sipping and brought the soup down and stared at it with a sense of melancholy air around her. "I know you're not going to like this one bit Spirit and I know you will try to sneak off to do it-" Phantom's attention was grabbed at the part of her saying that he will hate her. "What are you saying?" Olivia then spoke what she want's Phantom to promise. "Spirit no matter what I don't want you to go and rescue my parents."