Sky Mark sat at home, reading over the newspaper that had been brought to him by one of his employees. His gaze lingered on the photo that had captured a stallion grabbing a young colt that was in harm’s way. While this was a noble feat, it wasn’t the act that interested him.
Pulling out a magnifying glass, Sky Mark looked closely at the stallion’s wings, studying them as best he could through the black and white picture. Track Pace sat anxiously as his boss studied his discovery, Sky Mark had already come to his conclusions about the stallion, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy making his employees sweat a bit.
“Well, he’s got good build, I’ll give you that,” Sky Mark said leaning away from the paper. “I want to know what makes you think he’s got the ability to be molded into something more than some Sunday news story? If you brought this to me just because he saved a colt then that’s pretty pitiful.”
“You should have seen his wings in motion; he was nowhere near the kid, the next second he’s scooping him up, quick as a bullet. He took off before I could talk to him about anything, but I did get his name, Daniel, pretty weird if you ask me.” Track Pace said, pulling on the collar of his sweater.
“You’re basing this assumption off a rare dangerous situation. Ponies can do incredible things when they’re pushed, or if the occasion calls for them to go above and beyond. How do I know this wasn’t just some fluke?” Sky Mark asked.
“It can’t hurt to ask, or try. You said so yourself, he’s got good build,” Track Pace said doing his best to keep his heart in his chest instead of his throat. “Look, you’re going to have to stay out of the season if you don’t give one of these stallions a chance, then you’ll start to lose money. Now you’ve been indifferent at best about everypony I’ve brought before you, but I’m telling you this kid’s got potential.”
Sky Mark closed his eyes in thought. Track Pace was lucky that he was one of the best spotters he had, otherwise he would have fired him for calling him out on his indecisiveness. There was a reason for such indecisiveness; he had a reputation to uphold, and he couldn’t afford for it to be tarnished with some rookie.
Still, Pace had a point; he would lose more bits the longer he waited. Despite all this stallion might have to offer, he wasn’t completely convinced this was winner material. He had said the same thing before and been proven wrong though, so long as the stallion was willing to go the distance.
“Okay Pace, we’ll see what he can do. I’m not guaranteeing anything though.” Sky Mark shrugged.
“I know you won’t be disappointed Sky Mark.” Track Pace said excitedly.
“Oh I know I won’t, because he’s your project,” Sky Mark said making Track Pace’s expression fall. “I’m just giving you the green light to bring him out here. If he can win a race, then we’ll start talking about moving forward. I can afford to lose a few bits if I have to sit out.”
Track Pace was about to inquire about himself until he realized that his job was being subtly threatened. If Sky Mark did stay out of the season, then the employees with high paying positions would have to be let go, him included.
“Understood, sir.” Track Pace said quietly before leaving Sky Mark’s study.
---
I sighed as I closed the door to my house after another fruitless job hunt. With Isabella's test coming up soon things might not be so bad, but I wasn't a freeloader. I had been bored to tears when I was being kept at Fluttershy's.
“That bad huh?” Isabella asked as I climbed onto the couch and let myself fall on the cushions like a limp stuffed animal.
“It’s almost been two weeks.” I groaned.
“You have to keep trying, trust me things will work out.” Isabella said nonchalantly.
I rolled my eyes, I was slowly starting to get used to doing things without hands that I had once been able to manage with ease. Applejack had been nice enough to let me help out on the orchard, but I couldn’t abuse her kindness.
“I’m going over to Rarity’s, don’t do anything crazy while I’m gone.” Isabella ruffled my mane as she passed by before leaving.
I was tempted to bite her fingers, but was too demoralized to follow through with my plan of attack. I looked at the Nintendo 64, one of the few good things chaos had done was now worthless. I lacked fingers which meant my only form of amusement was being outside. This was out of the question as well, since I didn’t really want any attention.
A knock on my door ruined my pity party. I scowled before getting up, could the pony on the other end not understand that I was trying to wallow in self-pity? One does not need to be disturbed during such a delicate process.
I opened the door and was surprised to see Scootaloo. Her trademark scooter was nowhere to be seen, I could only assume that by Scootaloo standards the repaired scooter just wasn’t the same, after the damage had already been done to it. Isabella did mention something about the fix being temporary.
“Hey Scoots, how are things?” I asked, my urge to yell at the pony on the other side of the door vanishing instantly.
“Okay I guess, just got bored and you’ve been staying inside more than usual.” Scootaloo replied.
“Well, at least you’re honest.” I said as she walked past me.
“You should be flying around, still out there looking for something. Apple Bloom told me how you’ve been having trouble.” Scootaloo followed me as I walked over to the couch again.
“Apple Bloom seems to be the town’s CIA agent.” I mumbled under my breath.
“What?” Scootaloo cocked her head in confusion.
“Nothing, look things will be fine Scootaloo. I’m just tired from having doors slammed in my face…metaphorically speaking.” I added just as the filly opened her mouth to presumably ask for names. She was a good kid.
"What's that?" Scootaloo asked pointing at the game console that was partially boxed up.
Without fingers I had no use for it, if it wasn't for the small glimmer of hope that I might be able to be human again it would be sitting in the trash bin. Scootaloo had seen them when she got dragged to Earth with me once, she had even played on the original NES, since it didn't take much effort to work the few buttons on the controller.
"That's just a console, kind of like the one you played on." I said dismissively.
Before I could tell her no, Scootaloo had managed to pull it out of the box. The contents being spilt out onto the hardwood floor was enough motivation to get off of the couch. I wasn't about to let her struggle with strange wires that shouldn't exist in this world to begin with, Discord had definitely out done himself when he brought this little set up into existence.
Excitement filled Scootaloo's eyes as the title screen for the Legend of Zelda appeared. Almost immediately that excitement turned into mild frustration as she tried to find a way to comfortably control Link, or as she had called him, RainbowDa, due to a slip up with the start button. I had to tell her where the letters were since she couldn't read my language.
I was content to watch Scootaloo try to maneuver RainbowDa around the world while I translated what the characters were saying, and pointing out where she needed to go. It brought back a few memories of playing with my cousin and sister. We would each take turns reading out of the strategy guide while the other worked their way through a dungeon.
When that satisfying hour came to finally fight Ganon, it was an epic moment in my childhood. It was probably one of the fondest since we had reached that spot together; helping each other out in the tough spots of the game.
By some miracle Scootaloo managed to recover the sword and get a deku shield from the shop before going into the first dungeon. I had trouble keeping s straight face during the cut scenes that mentioned her character’s name. What added to the hilarity was how difficult hooves made fighting even the simplest of enemies.
The tangerine filly whined in frustration as she died to a deku baba, ignoring the shouting of a frustrated Navi. Scootaloo proceeded to tell the fairy to shut up after losing count of how many times she had tried to get her to press the up triangle button.
“Keep at it Scoots, you’re not going to let some weed get the better of you, are you?” I asked teasingly.
Scootaloo managed to roll away from the plant just as it lashed out at her before hitting it twice with the sword, vanquishing it. She proudly turned around and stuck her tongue out at me before turning her attention back to the game.
---
“You’re serious?” Isabella asked looking down at the dress design Rarity’s brain had produced.
“I would never joke about something like this. A fine lady such as yourself should attend such an event in something with a bit more class than your regular attire.” Rarity replied.
“I don’t really think a gala is the place for someone like me, especially after my last reception at Canterlot.” Isabella sighed, starting to lean back until she remembered her seat had no back to it.
“Pish posh, you can’t let the upper classes keep you from attending such a prestigious event. I promise with my help you’ll turn heads, in a positive way of course.” Rarity was already picturing the guest reactions.
Isabella had to admit, the dress was beautiful. Even though she wasn’t a fan of getting dolled up, she wasn’t completely opposed to the idea of showing the snobby ponies of Canterlot that she wasn’t as uncivilized as they might think she is.
“Sure, why not. I’ll have taken the test by then.” Isabella shrugged, after reconsidering.
Rarity let out a soft squeak, by far the most adorable trait ponies possessed in their arsenal of disarming tactics. Isabella couldn’t stop herself from giggling at the noise in time; the thought that these ponies were making her a softie was unnerving. The one thing keeping her from being completely relaxed was Discord, who had seldom appeared around her since his magic fiasco.
Isabella was anything but hurt by his lacking presence, but the feud did put a bit of tension on her relationship with Fluttershy. Sooner or later she would have to suck it up and apologize, but keeping the self-proclaimed lord of chaos on his toes was too much fun at the moment. She’d apologize when she got bored.
“Now all we need to do is convince your brother to go.” Rarity said happily.
“Good luck with that one, he’s been really depressed since Discord’s little slip up.” Isabella clenched her fist in frustration.
“I’d imagine so, but this might be good for him. He just needs a moral boost. Why, I wager he’ll bounce back and find something. When one door closes another one opens after all.” Rarity said.
“There were other things that got complicated; it’s not just his life he’s upset over Rarity.” Isabella briefly turned her attention away from the white unicorn when she thought she heard her brother’s name mentioned. Upon dismissing it as her mind playing games with her, she was met with a starry eyed Rarity.
“It seems a few details were left out then. I thought Minuette was only a friend to your brother.” Rarity said, propping her head up on her hooves.
“That’s not what I’m talking about, and no I won’t tell.” Isabella said.
“I’ve kept up with your brother since the beginning, if he’s been hurt by some mare I feel it is my duty to set things straight.” Rarity raised a hoof into the air proudly with her declaration of loyalty.
Isabella sighed, Rarity would continue to ask until she found out who or what had got under her brother’s skin, or was it coat now? Either way, she wouldn’t stop until she found out what happened. Fortunately, Isabella knew a way to keep her from telling others more than they needed to know.
“Fine, but you have to Pinkie Promise you won’t tell.” Isabella smirked; Pinkie Promises were not something you broke in this world.
“Oh you’re not really going to make me go through those absurd motions, are you?” Rarity whined.
Isabella only gave her an emotionless stare that sent a wave of unease through the fashionista. The unicorn was beginning to ask herself if she really wanted to know what had been so disheartening. With a sigh Rarity relented, giving into the human’s request.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rarity chanted halfheartedly.
“It’s Scootaloo.” Isabella said quietly.
“Darling, you know there are rules about that sort of thing, right?” Rarity asked with a nervous laugh.
“No think, aside from the obvious what is Scootaloo?” Isabella asked in return.
“Aside from the obvious? Well, she’s an orph-oh my…you’re serious!?” Rarity asked excitedly.
Isabella nodded in confirmation with a smile. Rarity let out an unexpectedly high squeal of excitement. While it was news worth getting hyped about, it was starting to look like a dream out of reach.
“So that’s why he’s been so upset? Well this sheds a bit of light on things for sure.” Rarity said.
“Yep, he’s always wanted to be a parent, and he likes the kid. He’s taken all of this pretty hard since it’s a setback.” Isabella’s smile faded from her face.
“I know he’ll bounce back, but I do have a question. You said he was married once, why didn’t he ever try to have a child of his own?” Rarity asked.
“He can’t have kids Rarity, it’s not something he can help. Not from a lack of trying mind you, but some guys just can’t...I know he would have been a good dad.” Isabella leaned on the small wooden table with her hands folded together.
She rested her head against her hands and sighed. There had been one time when they were convinced an attempt had been successful and she was finally going to be an aunt, only for her brother to contact her later saying that things didn’t work out. She could still remember the devastation in his voice.
“He still can be, you need to have a little faith in him dear.” Rarity said placing a hoof against Isabella’s arm.
“I know Rarity; he just needs a push in the right direction.” Isabella said.
---
“Come on, you’re almost out!” Scootaloo screamed excitedly even as the building caved in around my character.
"This thing is a bi-ad itch without thumbs." I said, censoring my language as I exited the castle.
We sat in silence as Ganandorf's castle caved in on itself. The entire scene, while epic, felt a bit drawn out now that I was older.
"Whoa....so that's how far you are?" Scootaloo asked looking up at me.
"Yeah, it was annoying to get the hang of when I was little." I replied, just as a series of knocks came from my door.
Pausing the game, I opened the door to see the stallion from the week before last. While my memory was a bit fuzzy on some of the events that took place that day, I vaguely remembered the tan unicorn, with a green mane calling himself Track Pace.
"Daniel? You certainly have quite the house." Track Pace said.
"Thanks...Track Pace, right?" I asked, an ear swiveling towards my side as I heard Scootaloo cautiously approach the door.
"Who is this guy?" the tangerine filly asked.
"Well young filly, I'm what they call a spotter, and I've come to talk to this fine stallion about a proposition, if you've got the time that is." Track Pace replied.
"What kind of proposition?" Scootaloo asked.
"Well it was for his ears only, it's a pretty big decision, one that doesn't need to be made willy nilly." the unicorn replied.
"As his manager I don't think private deals are in his best interest." Scootaloo turned her nose up to him, making me laugh.
Track Pace rubbed the back of his head at a loss for words. His eyes shifted from me to Scootaloo as he tried to figure out how to deal with the situation. I understood now why Scootaloo had come over, it was to try and cheer me up. While seeing a 'spotter' on the other side of my door was unplanned, I appreciated the humor Scootaloo had provided.
"Well, you heard my manager." I chuckled.
"It's about a job offer sir; there are some details that your...manager might not comprehend." Track Pace said.
"Oh...um, Scoots, maybe you should take the day off." I said looking down at the filly who was already maneuvering past Track Pace with a grin.
Track Pace waited until Scootaloo was out of earshot before offering to treat me to lunch. I cautiously accepted, still not quite sure what to make of him. I didn't really focus on the food at the restaurant and kept my eyes on him.
"I'll get to the point since I'm sure your time is as valuable as mine," Track Pace said after finishing a bite of his food. "Have you ever heard of Pegasi Racers?"
I nearly laughed at the name, it sounded like something out of a video game. I had to shake my head no, for fear of slipping up and snickering at the name of the collective group that went under that title.
"Well, before the Wonderbolts came onto the scene, the races were all the rage, still are. The Wonderbolt shows are nice, but that's all they are, shows." Track Pace explained.
"Mind your words; I've got a friend who's pretty close to Spitfire." I warned, unwilling to let some random unicorn bad mouth Rainbow Dash's possible future.
"Just trying to draw a fine line between the two," Track Pace said holding up his hooves. "I'm here to offer you the chance to come to Las Pegasus and see what you can do."
"You said a job earlier, now you're saying a chance. From the sound of things, I get the feeling I'd be trying to impress somepony. I'm not knocking your selection, but I'm not the most impressive stallion there is...what made you pick me?" I asked.
Wordlessly, Track Pace pulled out a newspaper that had a picture of me on it. I was midflight when the photo was taken, and I was impressed how only a few parts of the picture were blurry.
"I still remember how fast you got to that colt. Call it an adrenalin rush or whatever you want, but you've got some speed, you just need to tap into it." Track Pace said.
"One instance hardly accounts for me being what you're looking for. I mean you're a spotter, surely there were other picks?" I said looking the paper over.
"You're the only one my boss gave me permission to give the offer to. He turned down all the others, without you we don't have a racer entered in for the season." Track Pace lowered his head a bit, seemingly embarrassed.
"How long would I be in Las Pegasus?" I asked.
"Two months tops, things there don't run like they do in this little backwater town. No offense to the princess of course." Track Pace said noticing the glare I was giving him.
Even if Track Pace was somewhat socially awkward, what he was offering was something that sounded too good to pass up. The downside was, it would take me pretty far away from home, and even then there was no guarantee I would make it.
"How did you find me anyways?" I asked, mildly curious.
"Well, there was only one Daniel in the citizen's registry. It wasn't that hard, I still couldn't believe it when they told me what happened to you,” Track Pace replied, smirking at my shocked facial expression. “Yeah, I know who you are."
"You still tracked me down with that knowledge?" I pressed.
"The way I see it, and the rules view it, you're a pegasus now," Track Pace replied, placing a few bits on the table before producing a folder. "I can’t drag you back with me, so here’s the deal; at twelve tomorrow I'm going to be headed back to Las Pegasus. Come find me if you're interested."
With that Track Pace left me to my thoughts. The cover had a rather fancy design, the central focus being a wing that resembled a pegasus'. I had dismissed this as a joke before, but now that I was actually holding an application in my ha-hooves, I didn't know what to make of the situation.
---
The stars were out, the consolations placed with precision and care by Luna. The moon gave off its soft glow as always, providing light for any ponies that might be traveling at night. Ever since the change, I had noticed I became much more exhausted without some form of caffeine as night approached. Ponies weren't night owls by any means.
The endless void of night did little to help my restless mind as I looked skyward. A gentle wind moved the clouds past the moon and stars, causing the light to shift and the shadows to dance around me. The night always seemed to offer a beauty the day could not.
Ordinarily such a thought would make me smile, I considered Luna a good friend. Tonight sleep escaped me however; as my mind ran wild with possibilities while trying to come to a decision. The roof served as the perfect thinking spot, now that it was much easier to access.
"I don't think I've ever seen a pony on a roof before." Isabella said, staring up at me.
"I'm not your average pony." I shrugged, tearing my gaze away from the sky as Isabella climbed up to join me.
Isabella sat on the shingled roof beside me, tilting her head to try and see what I saw in the night sky. The crickets’ gentle, steady tune was the only sound for what felt like an eternity. This peaceful atmosphere had done little to calm my nerves, my sister’s presence served to bring a comfort that only family could.
"Care to explain where that fancy folder came from?" Isabella asked with a grin.
"A unicorn from Las Pegasus. He wants me to go back with him if I'm interested in trying out to be some kind of racer." I replied.
"You? A racer? Does he know who you are, and that you're not really what you seem to be?" Isabella asked.
"Technically speaking since that spell's effect was reversed this is the real me, for now. He knew, Daniel isn't exactly a common name in this world." I replied.
"So...what do you want to do?" Isabella rested against the roof top, staring up at the starry sky.
"I'd have to leave Ponyville, he said for two months but probably longer. I don't know when I'd be back, and I can't just leave you here. This is a pretty big leap of faith." I sighed.
Silence followed my reply. Isabella seemed to only stare up at the night sky, deep in thought about how to respond. The silence was starting to make me uneasy, and I wondered if she was upset or offended at something I had said.
"Do you remember the last thing I wrote to you, before all of this? Before Equestria , and this new life, the spell mix up and everything in between, what was the one thing I told you to do?" Isabella asked, breaking the silence.
"Go have an adventure." I replied, having saved the letter she wrote.
"It took a supernatural event to pull you out of your comfort zone, only to settle into a new one. Now an opportunity has literally knocked at your door and you're having second thoughts...I mean I still have a little trouble swallowing the idea of you doing anything athletic, but if this is your second chance, run with it." Isabella said.
"I'd be leaving you, the others, Scootaloo, everything behind." I said.
"I promise you Scootaloo has dreamed of having a family one day. You were willing to go through all the legal nonsense when you were a human, what's different now? This is a job, you need one. If you're really serious about her, how far are you willing to go? Do you stop at words?" Isabella asked, her tone becoming a bit agitated.
I hated to admit when my sister was right, and this was one of those times. I always started to smile for some reason when she gave me her little pep talks, they would piss any normal being off most of the time, since she didn't pull any punches.
"I'll go to the end of the line." I replied, only to have my sister ruffle my mane once more.
"You know, this is so much easier to do now that you're shorter." Isabella laughed.
---
Cloudchaser leveled out after a sharp turn; she was preforming the practice run on auto piolet as her thoughts drifted back to that stupid stallion. She remembered seeing him with Rainbow Dash once, but he didn't have her scent. Any stallion would kill to have a chance with her. That should have been a hint that something was off.
The mare's muzzle scrunched up in frustration as she thought back to when she had kissed him. Those stupid, big brown eyes that a mare could get lost in for days, they reminded her of chocol-
"Cloudchaser!" Spitfire shouted, pulling the mare out of her trance.
Ugh, why why why why! Cloudchaser thought to herself, shaking her head before landing in front of the captain of the Wonderbolts.
"Your speed's been dropping, and you nearly missed a turn. Do I need to cut two cadets this month?" Spitfire asked.
"N-no ma'am!" Cloudchaser exclaimed.
"Keep flying like that and I will. Now go again, and pull your head out of your ass!" Spitfire barked.
Cloudchaser took off to prove she wouldn't let some stupid, gent-no! The mare battled with her thoughts; she was mad at him, so why did she...miss him.
---
"I honestly thought you'd wait until the last second to decide." Track Pace said as we traveled towards the train station from the hotel he had stayed in.
"I stayed up pretty late thinking about it...said my goodbyes this morning." I mumbled the last part quietly.
"Hey, it's not like you're leaving forever. I can't say I relate since I live where I work, but if you do this it's just one of the occupational draw backs. All jobs have them." Track Pace said.
The train station dock was unusually quiet for this time of day. The noise from the train was all that kept the scene from being completely tranquil, and was a reminder of what I was about to do. A part of me felt ill, leaving behind the town and community I had come to call home.
I walked away from Track Pace, observing what I could see of Ponyville, trying to burn the image into my memory. Something told me that things wouldn’t be done in two months; that would be too easy. I didn’t want to forget a single thing about this town that I had grown close to.
I waited patiently for the unicorn to settle things at the ticket booth. My farewell to my sister had been the hardest of all. We hadn't been reunited for very long, and already life was pulling us apart again.
"Daniel!" my ears perked up as a young voice called out my name.
I looked up to see Scootaloo, using her wings to power her scooter towards the loading dock for all the hunk of wood was worth. It was a miracle it didn't break from the abuse the little filly put it through, it would soon enough.
Before I could ask what she was doing here, she had already galloped up the dock steps and slammed into my left foreleg, hugging it tightly. Distracted by the tangerine filly that had semi permanently attached herself to my leg, I didn't hear the others approach until Applejack cleared her throat.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.
"Goodbyes are cool and all, but it's not the same as seeing somepony off." Rainbow Dash replied, to which I cocked my head a bit in confusion.
"I think what Rainbow Dash is trying to say is that we wanted to see you off safely, and get one last goodbye in of course." Rarity said.
"Please don't go! I didn't get the chance to throw you a Lift Your Spirits party." Pinkie Pie whimpered, her mane unusually flat and deflated.
"Pinkie, when I get back we can throw the biggest party ever. Since I'll be back here in about two months my Birthday will have already passed so-" a rather loud gasp interrupted me midsentence.
"That's a Welcome Home, Birthday, and Lift Your Spirits party all in one!" Pinkie Pie's mane inflated comically back to its normal proportions.
"Just don't go forget'n about us while you're in the big city. Ah know you'll do alright." Applejack said, punching me in the shoulder.
"After all we've been through? How could I forget about you guys?" I asked rhetorically, not noticing until after I had responded to Applejack that one was missing from the gang. "Where's Fluttershy?"
"She's probably busy. I know she'd want to be here though." Twilight replied.
"You don't have to go, you can stay!" Scootaloo squeaked, fighting back tears.
"Kid, hopefully this will all make sense someday, sooner would be better than later," I said looking down at her. "Trust me; this is something I have to do."
Scootaloo sniffled with a small nod before hugging my leg again. I sat down on the dock, pulling the little filly into a hug. I couldn't tell her just yet, not until everything was lined up again.
"You look after my sister, okay? Can I count on the coolest filly in Ponyville to help me with that?" I asked, making her laugh.
"Yes sir." Scootaloo replied with a small salute, wiping away a stray tear.
The filly padded over to Isabella, sitting beside her. My sister wasn't one to show her vulnerable side in public, she kept quiet while the others said their farewells. I had already spent roughly an hour in a hug from her before getting ready to leave Ponyville.
"Alright, time to head out." Track Pace said, bringing about a conclusion to the farewells.
I slowly followed the unicorn onto the train. The whistle blew, alerting all those who hadn't boarded yet that the train would soon depart. I decided to get one more look at Ponyville before moving to our designated train car.
I was treated to the sight of Fluttershy waving from the dock. Discord was with her and only managed to give a halfhearted wave, refusing to make eye contact. I was impressed that the timid pegasus could marehandle him into showing himself again.
"You coming?" Track Pace asked.
"Yeah, sorry, just getting one last look at Ponyville." I replied.
"You'll be homesick for a day or two tops. I promise you, when you see Las Pegasus after being in this corner of Equestria, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. Oh and the food, don't even get me star-" Track Pace continued as the final whistle sounded.
The train lurched forward, slowly creeping away from the station, and from my home. I only nodded to what Track Pace was saying, tuning his ramblings out. Soon Ponyville was out of sight, but my goal wasn't.
Just a little longer Scoots, wait for me.