//------------------------------// // A strange start. // Story: The Foreign // by DerpyTitles //------------------------------// Dear reader. This story is something i discovered on my old hardrive, I had a search around both fan fiction and fimfiction to see if someone else had written and i had copied it in sole purpose of reading it while i didn't have internet. As it turns out i wrote and as it turns out, it was extremely poorly written. So I've patched it up and this is what's come of it. So i hope it was worth the effort. 'Hello dear ponies, I've come hear today to read you all a story" a seemingly ancient pony who wore a scraggily cloak with no hood sat atop a rocking chair and spoke in a very raspy voice which seemed to always end in a whisper. He stood in front of a class of young and cheerful students, who seemed to be looking in every direction but his. "Please stu..." Miss Cheerilee went to get the students attention but was cut off abruptly by the old pony. "Children, I have something to tell you. This story, is filled with courageous knights who are both mare and stallion. Valiant heroes who save ponies from monsters and there is oe more thing, but i can only tell you it when I'm doe with my story". The young foals had turned their attention to him, some curious and simply doing it because the others were. "Now this is a very long story and I will not force you to listen. So those of you who do not wish to listen, can go home". "Are you sure, i could make them sit down and listen to what you have t say. It was a gift that you simply came here to share this story" Miss Cheerilee piped in, her face a mix of worry and annoyance. The old pony simply shook his head and gestured for the students who stood up to go. "I will not make a pony do something they do not wish to". He looked out to what was left of the class and was slightly disappointed but not at all surprised to find all but three students had left. They were good foals but that was just what they were, foals. "Well since you're all that's left come hear and sit in front so you don't have to try as much to hear me". The three ponies complied and sat down in their new seats. They all seemed to be excited for him to start reading, this surprised him. "I take it these are your best students" The old pony chuckled and smiled. Despite his old age he still had a full mouth of teeth that still shone brightly. "I don't pick favourites, although these are my most well behaved and...creative students" Miss Cheerilee chuckled as her mind tracked back to when the fillies had tried to bring Cheerilee and big mac together on hearts and hooves day. "Well first, let me ask you fillies something. Do you know anything about Equestria before Celestia and Luna came to be its princesses?" The foals shook there heads to confirm what he suspected and smiled. "Well then you'll be astonished by what you'll find out from this story". He opened his book and began... ___________________________________________________________________ Leaf was standing outside of his home towns furniture store, watching the barren landscape. A rolling deserted grey filled back drop to a similarly coloured town, nothing much ever happened around this time. But leaf had always hoped for anything that may cause the change that he so desperately wanted. “LEAF! Where are you boy” leaf spun around and was greeted by a familiar yet unwelcomed face “Leaf what are you doing out here, I don’t pay you to waste your time sitting around doing nothing. What if we have a customer and you aren’t paying attention! Just because you are an alicorn doesn’t mean you are some special pony with special rights!” Leaf got up and walked inside ignoring what the ragged old pony was shouting at him. The old pony spent most of his time yelling at his employees, but Leaf couldn't blame him. What else was there to do? “I swear you are lucky I don’t fire you, if it wasn’t for your father you would have been out of here a week ago” the pony followed leaf to the counter and stared him in the eyes. “I am sorry Iron Aid, but it’s not like much happens out here in the middle of nowhere for people to want more furniture” Iron glared at him before walking back towards the front of the shop. Passing old yet well kept furniture that hadn't been sold for years, chairs, beds and tables. No one wanted any new furniture, they already had everything they needed when they first moved here. The only other time the company had any income was when people needed repairs or new furniture if they couldn't be bother waiting for the item to be repaired. Opening the door he threw a glare back at the youthful alicorn “I am going home, close up before midnight” Leaf sighed and rested his head in his hooves. Why lock it? no one ever stole anything, and even if they did. Everyone knows everyone and it was insanely easy to find who would have taken the particular item. He got to work before Iron aid anyway. “I swear I can’t take much more of this” Leaf heard the stores door open and sighed again “I heard you Iron ‘close up before midnight’” he looked up to find that it wasn’t iron aid at all, or someone he knew for that matter . “Who’s Iron?” a mare giggled at him from the rickety door frame "oh um, sorry I thought you were…were” he stuttered as he looked at the mare. She had a deep pink mane and a blue coat that seemed to shine ever so faintly. She had ruby red eyes and a voice like a siren. “Your-r g-gorgeous” leaf stuttered. The mare blushed and hid her face in her mane sheepishly “oh jeez was that out loud *cough* I a…I am Leaf nice to meet you” smiling brightly he held out his hoof in a welcoming gesture “I’m amethyst nice to meet you” she shook his hoof still blushing. “umm, I am new in town and every pony I asked said this was the only place I could get furniture at decent prices” she searched through her saddle bags which seemed to be packed full with different sheets of papers and lists. She produced a small piece of paper with only a few things listed on it. “Hey uhh…Leaf since I am new in town could you…show me around, if you have the time” she said looking at the ground and her blush deepening. Leaf began to blush as well and nodded slowly. “yes… of course I could show you around town” Leaf said merrily “it would be my honest pleasure” he bowed as if she was royalty. “I can show you around now if you want, I was just about to close up anyway, and tonight is the first red moon of this season. I could you know…get some food and we could watch it tonight...” he looked up at her looking for a response ever so hoping she would agree. “that is if you want to, I mean I would understand if you don’t want to. Cause the whole stranger danger…don't go out at night "she kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his ear. “I would love to” she turned and flicked him on the nose teasingly with her tale before she turned and made her way to the door. opening the door she looked back at him with a smile “I moved in two houses down from here, come get me at around seven” she said as she closed the door and walked out of view. Leaf felt the side of his cheek where she had kissed him. Sure he had gone out with mares before. He was no stranger to dating or relationships, this just felt different. He couldn't explain it no matter how hard he tried, his heart just seemed to flutter when she was near him. “o..k-k…ok” he began to walk back to the counter. After about two steps he collapsed on the hard wooden boards. With a massive blush on his face he rolled onto his sides and looked up to the ceiling with a smile" I am the luckiest Colt alive!” he yelled as he shot upright grabbed a sign from the counter zipped to the door throwing it half heartedly at the door as it closed as he took off into the air laughing with joy. “I have to ask Fruity for her best cake and Cider for his finest beverages. Oh but who in this forsaken town sells fine cloths?” he stopped flying as he remembered the only place in town that did. The one place out of the entire town he dreaded going to more than to work. He promised himself years back he wouldn't ever step back into that forsaken shop. Golden gowns clothing store. Out of anywhere in town he dreaded going to her store more than anything. He flew back down to the ground and looked across the road, there was amethyst surrounded by a group of other mares. She glanced over at him and waved. He returned her wave with a smile; he noticed the other mares were giggling and laughing. One whispered something into her here ear, she looked over at him and blushed deeply. Leaf smiled yet again back at her placing a hoof behind his head, he looked up at the sun. It was about to start setting. He needed to hurry; he took off into the sky and looked across the town instantly locating golden gowns store since it was the only building with bright Gold paint covering every inch of the building, even the windows seemed to be shining gold in the sunlight. He landed out the front of the store as a mare just closed the door and locked it “uh hey, Golden” the mare turned around and smiled. “Oh hey Leaf, what are you doing around here” she hugged him and gestured for him to follow her. “Hey ...uhh... cous, I know that you and I have had our fair share of differences…” she laughed at this comment. “I think a ‘fair share’ is an understatement" she joked. Leaf looked at his hooves. “…I have a mare, I am taking to apple tree hill to watch the blood moon tonight and I was hoping that I could get anything fancy for colts” she giggled and then smiled with an evil light in her eyes. “If you are joking then ha-ha, you made me laugh but if you aren’t I have one condition” he nodded showing his unwilling confirmation, Golden always loved making Leaf feel uncomfortable as foals. Always embarrassing him in front of respected towns people. Sharing embarrassing stories that sometimes she just made up on the spot to fit the agenda. She just loved simply tormenting him, so he just decided he would keep as far away from her as possible. “If, you want that dress. You MUST repeat everything I say to the letter” oh no, what had he walked into. “I Leaf am inferior to my beautiful cousin Golden Gown. I am a lowly peasant to her majesty and am always loyal to do whatever she wishes” he groaned before she winked at him “I don’t mean the last part” he sighed and repeated what she said word for word. “There now can I get this stupid shirt and go?” she giggled and nodded. As she opened the door again, leading into a bright golden room lined with purple banners and deep blue wall trims. The windows were in a checker pattern, each of the little diamonds were a different colour. The light that streamed in through the windows always seemed to be like rainbows. This was Leafs favourite part of her boutique, most likely the only part he actually liked. He never really liked he colour gold, it always hurt his eyes. As they walked into the room he found that it had been left extremely messy. Pieces of clothing and poniquins strewn about across the large room. "wait here a second, i know stallion clothing is in th...ah this pile" Golden began to dig through one of the pile of clothing, throwing the different pieces across the room. Was her boutique always like this? He wouldn't be able to stand it if his home or even his workplace looked like it. Sure he loved a bit of chaotic discord but when it came to organization. It all had to be; at the least, looking as if it was clean. "Here you go" Golden looked over at him smiling proudly and holding up a deep, rich black tuxedo top that already had the white accents attached to it.. "It's a bit crinkled but hey. It's free". Leaf grabbed the tuxedo and gave it a check. No holes, no missing buttons and it looked brand new! Leaf smiled brightly and hugged golden gown "Thankyou, i guess i owe you something in return for this too though?" golden let out a soft giggle. "No, it's alright. Just stop by my place more often. I never see you anymore" leaf nodded with smile. He hastily turned around made his way for the door almost tripping over a toppled poniquin "Will do and thanks again." he called back as he threw the door open and took off towards his house. Throwing his door open he ran to his room, leaf quickly attempted to get his tuxedo on. Failing miserably, as to it was a size to small. "Darn it Golden..." looking out his crystal clear window he found that the sun was already setting. He didn't have long till he needed to go pick her up. Deciding he needed to go pick her up, sometimes telling the time from the sun and the moon wasn't as reliable as it was most places in Equestria. He decided he would force it on, on his walk toward her house. Trapping over on more than one occassion he finally found himself at himself at her house. Leaf knocked on the door of what amethyst said was her house. It had a fairly bland exterior, just plain wooden boards and a bit of paint here and there. just a plain old house design, most of the houses here were built like this one. The door opened and he was greeted by a stern looking stallion who looked down on him disapprovingly, “uh, hi I am Leaf. Amethyst told me to pick her up around now” the stallion looked him in the eyes, inching closer to his face until he was a hairs breath away from his face. Leaf began to feel uncomfortable “she does live here right?...” he trailed off as he saw Amethyst standing at the doorway smiling and trying to suppress a laugh. The stallion turned around gave her a hug and walked back inside. “Hey Leaf” she said as she stepped out of the doorframe. She was wearing a beautifully woven dress made of silk and other fine materials “you look gorgeous” she walked up next to him and nudged him playfully “and you look handsome. So where is this place we are meant to be watching the moon” leaf turned and walked off of the porch “it is on the edge of town on a place called apple tree hill” she stood next to him. They looked at each other with deep blushes before making their way down the old beaten tracks of the town. “What did that mare you were with earlier today say” Amethyst blushed and averted her eyes “she told me…about you and well…” he cleared his throat, his suspicions were proven correct. It was Blueberry. He and Blueberry use to go out and once…let’s just say they had an eventful night, or two, or three. Leaf looked at her “she and I were close. Once” amethyst kissed him on the cheek. Leaf turned and kissed her back, smiling happily he turned back towards the road. "I have a question to ask" Leaf stated still keeping his gaze on the road in front of him. "You and i only met today, yet. You and I are well...i don't want to use the word "date" but I think you get what i mean" this matter had been nagging in the back of Leafs mind all day. Never wanting to address it just in case of it ruining the immense happiness he was feeling. "You're different" Amethyst turned to look at him with a warm smile plastered on her face. Of course he began to think sorrowfully, it was because he was an alic..."and not just because you're an alicorn" she interrupted his thoughts abruptly. "You just feel different to be around. I can't quite say how so. I just seem to find smiling and being happy around you easier and a lot more natural" she nudged him playfully and giggled I guess you just bring out the best in me". Leaf looked at her beautifully blue eyes that seem to shine in the fading sunlight. She was perfect in his eyes, a flawless gem set among thousands of cold grey stones. He felt so much happiness when she was near to him. In a single day, she made him feel more so pleasant than he had felt in the past few years of his life. The pattern his life followed was shaken violently as this mare had presented herself in it. Changing its coarse for the better. "Where is this place we are meant to be watching the moon any way?" Leaf looked around confused. He had been lost in his thoughts. The buildings looked all the same around these parts. It was always hard for visitors or new residences to tell which road to take. Fortunately he was neither. "Oh fortunately we're actually almost there" Leaf said pointing his hoof out in the general direction of their desired location "It's probably the prettiest part of the town. It's a little hill just on the outskirts, it's one of the few places the grass grows a light green shade. Their is a single apple tree that has stood for centuries, Before the town had even been founded. Couples have been dating and wed on this hill" Leaf smiled at Amethyst. Amethyst grinned back playfully "OH, so now you do want to use the word date" "Yeah well...I don't think 'Romantic get together' is quite fitting for this occasion so yeah. It's a date" "So what are we doing on this date anyway besides sharing dinner in front of a rare solar event. Well that and staring into each others eyes dreamily" amethyst said sarcastically while puffing up her cheeks and smiling at him cheekily which caused leaf to laugh at just how well she pulled the face off. "Well for dinner I just brought some fresh daisies and bread" Leaf glanced at amethyst worried that he had brought something to bland. It may be hard to get fresh daisies out this far but they still didn't taste that great compared to certain foods he had eaten in the past. with her smile ever reassuring him he continued "There's a bit of cake and i brought..." Leaf cut off as he went to grab something from his saddlebag. He held up a glass bottle filled with purple liquid "Gra-ape s..soda" he mumbled with the top of the glass in his mouth. Placing the soda back in his satchel he laughed "I love grapes, and anything made from or made to taste like grapes". Amethyst giggled and looked up into the sky. "It's going to be a beautiful night, not a cloud in sight. It's going to be a perfect First date." amethyst purposely emphasised first causing leafs already fluttering heart to soar even higher. "Ah here we are" Leaf exclaimed excitedly as they found themselves at the top of the hill... ___________________________________________________________________ "Uh mister?" the young foal with a bow in her hair pipped up. "Ah thought you was telling us the story of what Equestria was like before the princesses" "Yeah all I've heard so far is a mushie love story" the Pegasus to her right added and pretended to gag. "I kind of like it" A pure white unicorn said smiling widely. "You see my little ponies, every story has a beginning. This one just starts off happy, and kind of mushie I won't lie" the old pony answered with a smile. He looked out the window and realised it was time for him to pack up and leave. "Sorry, girls but our guest has to pack up and leave, and you have to get home" miss Cheerilee ushered the students towards the door. Waving goodbye to the older pony the three fillies made their exit from the school house, miss Cheerilee came to her teachers desk and pulled out a multitude of worksheets. "I see that you've got a lot of work on your hooves so will take my leave" the old pony stated as he made his way towards the door.