//------------------------------// // The Fall and Rise of a Star // Story: Continuing the Dream // by Blue Breeze //------------------------------// Author's Note: Time for more happenings on whats going on in Ponyville. You can hate me even more if holding off the weather factory. And I don't care if I've already said this, I'm gonna say it again. This story has just passed ten thousand views, completely shattering my expectations for this story. Not only that, but I hit one thousand total views between all four of my stories up on my page. Thank you so much to all my fans and friends reading this. Now, on with the story. While there was awkwardness and a bit of tension going on with me and my family up at Cloudsdale, the rest of the gang was doing just fine. Well, except for Ice's plot, but that'll heal... eventually. But right now, something they aren't expecting is walking through Ponyville, on its way to club Pon3. Orion, a white pegasus with a blue and black mane and tail, a scar on his face, a black shirt with a bandana, black and purple shoes, and a constellation cutie mark, is nervously thinking to himself as he walks through the town. Orion is definitely different from most ponies. The thing most will notice about him is the fact he wears clothes all the time, compared to most ponies who only dress up on occasion or wear just one certain accesory such as Applejack with her hat or Vinyl with her shades. But that's not the most unique thing about Orion. He has something most would call me crazy for if he admitted it to them. He has two comletely seperate consciences from his own set of thoughts. These consciences take on forms of smaller versions of him that only he can see. Eclipse, is nicer and more friendly side. And Nova, his more crude and agressive side. These two help Orion through situations and life, while at the same time being annoying voices in his head he wishes had an off switch. [I say it's about time you finally did this, bro.] Nova says. {Are you really sure this is a good idea? What if she says no?} Orion thinks to him. (Don't think like that, dude. Think positive. Mares like stallions with positive attitudes.) Eclipse says. [And big di-] (Don't finish that sentence.) [Fine.] {I guess you're right, but I still really want Octavia to like me.} [Then stop being such a wuss and just ask her out. Luna's sake, you've been watching her for over a month now.] {You're right. It's time I do this. I'm gonna ask her out no matter what.] [That's my bro.] After a bit of a pep talk with his consciences, Orion walks the streets down to Club Pon3 with more confidence than he did before, now ready to ask out the mare he's been admiring for so long... Did he say Octavia? Oh no. Over at the club Zephyr and Vinyl sit together over at the club's drink bar, hanging out tiogether as they haven't had much time to do so as of late. Zephyr looks over to Vinyl after taking a sip from his can of Ponsi. "Hey, Vinyl?" "Yeah, Zeph?" she says to him. "You know where Ice is at?" "Yeah, I also thought it was weird he wasn't here yet. He said he was talking the day off from work because of Vine's, well, you know." "Yeah. I wonder where he could be." "I'm here." the cold, black and blue pony says, walking up to them in a funny way. "About time you showed up." Zeph says. "You try walking around after getting a dozen thorned vines shoved up your butt." Ice retorts. He takes a seat besides them and cringes as he feels a stinging pain. "Still hurt that bad?" "You have no idea. I may have gotten all the thorns out, but it hurts like hay to take a dump, and I think I saw some red in there." "Well, thanks for spoiling my appetite for the next three weeks." "No problem." he dringes again as he moves. Vinyl gives him a kiss on the cheek in sympathy. "That do anything to make you feel better?" "I don't know. How about kissing the spot where it hurts?" "That is one spot I am NEVER kissing." she says in a peeved voice. "Why not? You already kissed my di-" "Shh, you two. Tavi's coming up on stage." Zephyr says, getting their attention to the stage. Over at the other side of the club Orion watches eagerly as he sees Octavia walking up on stage. To him, she was one of the most beautiful and talented mares in Equestria. {So, you two got any ideas on how I should go about this?} [I could take control and do the talking.] {No bucking way! I'm not gonna let you screw this up for me, Nova.} (I say just wait til she's done performing and then meet her backstage. Then start up a conversation and ask her politey.) [That's lame.] (Better than letting you do it.) {I think I'll go with Eclipse's plan.} [Lame!] Orion ignores Nova's complaining and continues to watch Octavia up on stage. Her mane is long and beautiful, her coat clean and gistening, and her form while playing her cello masterful. Standing on one's hindlegs is no easy feet, so to see Octavia do so for so long is quite incredible. It also gives a nice view of everything she's got. And I do mean EVERYTHING. Octavia takes a bow as she finishes her piece and heads backstage.. (Time for the moment of truth, Orion.) {Um, I'm starting to have second thoughts about doing this, guys.} [Either you do it, or I will. I'm tired of this admiring from afar junk.] {Okay, okay. I'm going.} Orion quickly finishes his drink and exhales as he puts on his game face. He gets up and trots over to the stage, meer hooves away from Octavia. He peeks through to see Octavia putting away her cello. Octavia hears rustling behind her and looks back to see him. "Oh, why, hello there." she says. "Hey." Orion says. "That was a really nice show you put on out there." "Thank you." she says. She raises an eyebrow at him. "Haven't I seen you in here before?" "Yeah, my name's Orion Starchaser. I've been coming here for a while now. I'm a big fan of you work." "Oh, you flatter me." the sit in an awkward silence as neither knows what to say next. Finally, Octavia decides to continue. "Was there something you wanted to see me for? I mean, besides to compliment my work." "Well, the thing is, I was hoping to ask you out on a date." he answers, sheepishly smiling at her. "A date? Oh, I'm very sorry, but, um..." Just then, Zephyr comes through to the back. "Great show out their, Tavi." he says, giving her a kiss on the cheek. At that moment, Orion can feel his heart shattering into a million pieces. He had no idea Zephyr was dating her. "Oh, hey, Orion." Zephyr says. "What are you doing back here?" "Zephyr, Orion here was asking me out on a date before you showed up." Octavia explains. "He what?!" Zephyr shouted. He looks at Orion angrily. "Dude, not cool! How could you just try and steral my marefriend like that?!" "I-I'm sorry, Zephyr!" Orion says through his tears. He rushes out of the club in a hurry, holding a hoof up to his eyes. "Can you believe the nerve of that guy?!" Zephyr says to Octavia. "Zephyr, I don't think he knew about us. I'm quite sure if he knew, he never would've asked in the first place." she says. "Really? Are you sure?" he says, now feeling a bit of guolt. She nods. "Oh, man. I guess I was a bit hard on him. I'll go find him and straughten this out." "Please do. I don't want anypony upset because of us." she says, rubbing up against him for comfort. They share a kiss before Zephyr leaves the club in search of Orion. Orion sits at a lone table as he quietly sobs to himself and his consciences. The one mare he ever truly loved, and she was somepony else's (Come on, Orion. Thing's could be worse.) {How? Not only is Octavia already taken, but Zephyr hates me now.} [Who needs him? You didn't even know him that well.] {Still, it's a rotten feeling knowing that you're hated. If I knew about them, I never would've asked.} [Beating yourself up about it isn't gonna do any good.] (Nova's right.) [Not often I hear you say that.] (Orion, there's always gonna be more mares and ponies to befriend. Don't let a misunderstanding with two get to you.) {I guess.} Just then, a white cat jumps up Orion's table and looks at him. "Um, nice kitty?" he says nervously. Rather than attacking him like he thought, the cat goes closer to him and rubs up against him like a cat would their owner. Orion starts petting her. "Aw, aren't you the sweetest thing." "Opalescense!" a pony shouts. The pony, known as Rarity, walks up to the cat. "How many times have I told you not to bother other ponies." she loos at Orion. "I am so sorry, sir." "Oh, it's all right." he says, still a bit saddened. "But are you all right? I sound depressed. I'm Rarity, by the way." "Orion Starchaser. I'm just a bit bummed out is all. I'll be fine." "Sounds like you're just trying to be tough to me. I ask that you come with me and tell me the whole story. I'll even give you a nice cup of tea." "Really? You wanna talk with me?" "Why, of course, dear. What kind of pony would I be if I left you to wallow in sadness. Now, come along." Orion smiles as he gets up and follows her. [You are so in there, bro.] {Don't get too excited just yet.} [You guys are no fun.] Before getting too far, Orion is stopped by Zephyr, who was just coming around the corner and spotted him. "Orion." "Zephyr, I promise, I didn't know! I swear it!" Orion says defensively. "I know, dude. I just wanted to say I was sorry. Can you forgive me?" Zephyr puts up a hoof and gives a weak smile. Orion smiles as he pounds his hoof. "Sure, bro." "Oh, Orion dear! Do keep up!" Rarity shouts back at him. "Gotta go, Zeph. I've got a date with a certain fashion pony." he says. "Coming Rarity!" As Orion catches up with her abd Opal, Rarity starts rubbing his clothes. "You simpky must tell me where you got your clothes. I adore ponies who have casual wear." Zephyr smiles as he loos at them. "Huh, I guess everything worked out after all." Author's Note: Orion comes from Eclipse160. Yep, turns out I was lying about Orion not being important. Big shock, I know. Just to let you know, only times we'll be seeing Eclipse and Nova are when the story shifts focus on Orion.