//------------------------------// // Two: "Gathering" Supplies. // Story: Rising Sun // by New Dawn //------------------------------// My eyes fluttered in the darkness of the cave. I release a heavy yawn before standing up and shaking my coat devoid of anything nasty. I slowly slink out to see the moon had lowered but sun hasn't risen yet. "Do I really have to do your job?" I mutter. I silently draw a circle in the sky. The black circle turns orange and a bright sun flies into the sky. I flinch as the warm light hits my fur. "Morning already?" Landon mutters. "Yeah. Celly isn't doing her job today." I mutter. I slowly walk over to the pile of gold and bits. I carefully pick out about one hundred bits with my nose and slip them into a small bag that used to contain a few gems. "Get up. We're going out to get supplies. The offerings will only hold for so long." I say, walking out. "I don't want to." He replies stubbornly. I walk over and nudge him. "No." He states again. "Fine. More stuff for me." I say, turning to walk out. He groans. "Fine." He mutters. He slowly gets up and limps over. I sigh and place a paw on the... flat of my snout? I dunno but that's what I'm calling it. ???-1,000 years ago "So. What your saying is... I was turned into.. a wolf?!" I shout at the tiny pony, Who I've yet to get his name, and Konohana. "Pretty much." He replies. "Oh god oh god oh god... Please tell me this is a nightmare...." I mutter. A sharp pain fills my paw as I jump. Standing there was the tiny pony who was spitting fur out of his mouth. "WHAT THE HELL?!" I shout. "Can't hear ya." He mutters. "What the hell?!" I then think. "Just checking if you were dreamin'. You're not." He states. "Great... Just great..." "What's that supposed to mean!?" Konohana shot forward and placed herself between us. "Ventus! Uh... Whatever your name is! Stop!" She shouts. "Oh right. My name is...Hmm... I think I'll go with Amaterasu." "Too long! I'll call you Ammy!" When we got to the edge of town, I stopped to look around. I place down the bag of bits and turn to Landon. "Right. If you see the element bearers or The princess just run. I'm pretty sure that everyone else in this town can't see our markings or hear us." I mutter to him. He nods. I took a deep breath and slowly moved out of the bushes. Not many ponies saw us. "Did Fluttershy forget to bring in her animals?" "Who's dogs are those?" "Maybe they're Fluttershy's. You know that bunny of hers comes out to get carrots from Carrot Top all the time." "Just ignore them. As long as we don't run into the Element Bearers or the Princess we'll be fine." I say to him. "I think..." I add under my breath. "Welp, What do we need first?" He asks. I think back to the mental list I made on the way here. "I think... Apples." I mutter. "Why? We got plen-" "We just do!" I shout. The rest of the five minute walk is silence. We eventually get to the apple cart where I notice something... Odd. "She's one of the element bearers!" I shout. I quickly pull Landon behind a building. "What the hell?" He asks. "That's one of the Element Bearers... I smell it on her..." I say, sniffing for extra measure. "No you can't." Landon deadpans. "You're right. But I've seen her with the Element of Honesty on." "Well, Can't you go distract her or somethin'?!" Landon shouts. "Wait..." I mutter. Drawing an equal sign the mist flows around me. "Woah." Landon mutters. I quickly grab a few bits and run out. Jumping over the orange pony I spit the bits into the pocket in her apron. While still airborn I kick a bucket of apples over to Landon. When the mist fades I sprint off around the building, leaving ponies to wonder what happened. "God. That was terrifying..." I mutter. "How'd you do that?!" Landon shouts. "Dunno. Just a random thought. I've learned to not question things." I say, pushing the bucket of apples. "Oh!" I turn around to see Sweetie Belle standing there. "Hello Sweetie." I greet. "Hello Mrs- Hey! I thought you said you'd never come into town!" Sweetie squeaks. "We needed to get supplies. Know anywhere we can get a sleeping mat or something?" I ask. Sweetie thinks for a bit then gasps. "I know of a place!" She yells. "Beds and... Excuse me!? What kind of store only sells two things?!" I shout. "Well... There's many stories that just sell two things, Quills and Sofas..." She starts to list off nearly half the stores in ponyville "Great... Juuust great. If you need me I'm going to be walking around." Landon sighs. "Be careful." I say to him. He walks off, Pushing the bucket off apples along with him. "I'll go in and see what they have. I don't think the owner will take too kindly for a giant white wolf to run into his store." Sweetie says, walking in. She comes out again after a little. "He said he won't just sell the hay mattress by itself." She relayed. "Not what I wanted but ok." I sigh. She thinks for a bit before gasping again. "I think my sister can make something like a sleeping bag for you!" She shouts. She grabs my paw and the next thing I know we're in front of a house that reminds me of a carousel. Me and Sweetie walk in through the door. "Raarityyy! I'm home!" She shouts. "Back here Sweetie!" A voice that reminds me of an upperclass person's yells. We walk through to the room where this "Rarity" is. "Did you- WHAAAHAHHAAA!" She yells upon seeing me. "I suppose this is a good time to introduce myself?" I ask Sweetie. "Those markings! I've seen them somewhere before...." Rarity starts. "SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!" I shout. "Oh yes! I made a fashion line based on them! They sold wonderfully." She then says. "Right but mrs Ammy, Wait, Can I call you that?" She asks. I nod. "Mrs Ammy needs a sleeping bag that you can't get into. Kinda like... How did you say it was?" Sweetie asks. "A mat in all essence. Two of them actually. I can't exactly use a normal pony bed." I explain. Rarity thinks for a bit before replying. "I think I may have just the pattern... It's a little different than what I usually make but I'm guessing I was your last stop for these?" She asks. I nod. "Very well. I've got no big or upcoming business deals... I think I can have it done atleast by the end of this week." Rarity replies. "I'm willing to pay if you like..." I say, nudging the pouch on the floor. "No no! I can't ask that of you! Weren't you the one who saved my sister?" She asks. I nod once more. "Then accept them as a thank you." She then states. "Fine. I'll be back by the end of the week." I say, picking up my money pouch and walking out. "I'll come with you!" Sweetie yells. "Oh no! You still have homework!" "But rar-" That's all I hear when I close the door. Welp, Better find Landon. "LANDON!" I shout. "Naomi, I'm over here." He says, walking up. Well, rather it looked like a giant bucket of apples scooting up. It kinda.. creeped me out in all honesty. "Well, We should go back. We can get the rest next time." I tell him. He nods and we begin the long trek back. Everfree forest- Cave of the Sun- Present I flop down in the middle of the stoney floor. "That. Was stressful for some reason." I moan. "Tell me about it. Next time, We're asking that Sweetie Belle pony to get us stuff." Landon says, pushing the bucket in the corner. "Welcome back, Amaterasu." A familiar voice breeches my ears. "Hey Konohana." I mumble, barely even turning around. "Who?" Landon asks. "A friend." I say, standing up. The pink Pegasus floats over and smiles. "I assume this is a friend?" She asks. "His name is Chibi. Short for Chibiterasu." "Best name you could give me?" I hear Landon think. "Shut up." I bark at him. "Wait, You heard that?!" He shouts. "Minor Telepathy. I assume whoever brought us here put that on us to make things easier. It only works with people/ponies who can see our markings. It also has a limited radius. Or so I think." I explain. "Huh." "I see your fitting into the world nicely again." Konohana smiles. "Yeah. It's been nice seeing you again." I say. "It's been nice. I must get back to the tree." She says before fading. I stretch out and fall on my back. Silence filled the cavern. "Wanna jump through the Mermaid Springs?" Landon asks. I remain silent. "Ok." I finally answer.