//------------------------------//
// History 
// Story: not so lonesome road 
// by Xerain 
//------------------------------//








Their walk through the forest was relatively silent. Only the sound of their hooves hitting the ground was audible in their surroundings. Outwardly, Ulysses showed absolutely no emotion, something that unnerved the company he was in. Twilight, feeling awkward in his presence, decided to risk a question.





"What does that symbol on your jacket mean?" She asked. "I've never seen it before."





Ulysses looked over his shoulder to the image of the stars and stripes. "The flag of America, The symbol of the Old World," he said. "America sleeps, and until it dies, I carry it."





Twilight was confused. The Old World? America? She knew not what any of it meant. She would've asked another question, but was interrupted by Pinkie Pie.





"Ooh, I've got to throw you a party when we get back! its going to have balloons and cake and all sorts of other things!" She shouted happily.





"Pinkie, is that all you think when you meet new ponies?" Rainbow Dash said, exasperated. "I mean, we just met this guy, and we already had a party a couple of days ago."





Ulysses smiled under his mask. These ponies were strange, yet amusing. Twilight kept looking at him in confusion

"Something else you need an answer to?" He asked.





"What is America? What is The 'Old World'?" She asked. He just looked at her, emotionless. 





"A nation, an Idea. Faded away to the flames of atomic fire," he said. "One day it will return, or completely die."





Twilight was still burning with questions. Ulysses could see it.





"We will continue this conversation at a more appropriate time," he told her. Twilight huffed and continued walking, as did the others.





"Is it me, or is this guy hiding something?" Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack, who just shrugged.





"I mean, This guy's really creepy. For all we know, he could be hiding something really important."





"Care to elaborate, Sugarcube?"





"I mean look at him. He's got a really weird symbol on his back, he talks all serious and stuff, and what's he doing here in the Everfree, anyway?"





"Ah don't rightly know, but we might have to keep an eye on him," Applejack assured her friend. "He tries anything funny, and Ah might have to show him how the Apple family takes care of business"





Unbeknownst to them, Ulysses was listening to every word they said.





"I don't like the look of this guy either," Rainbow said. "Something about him just says trouble."





The group of ponies soon reached a clearing in the forest, with the faint sight of buildings in the distance. They soon found a road leading to the town, which led them to Ponyville.





The residence was bustling with ponies of various colors, milling about like a hive of ants. Conversations between friends and lovers filled the air in sweet melody.





"Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie Exclaimed. "You're going to love this place! we have all sorts of fun things to do here! Like-"





"Pinkie Darling, I do believe we should let our guest get accustomed to being here," Rarity interrupted. "Besides, We really need to do something about his look."





"What's wrong with my appearance?" Ulysses asked.





"Everything. I mean, just look at that ragged jacket. And what's with that mask upon your face? And don't even get me started on those horrid braids."





Ulysses glared at her.





"You will not touch a single thing on my body, especially my braids," he said venomously. "You know nothing of their meaning," This voice made Rarity shrink back.





"Whoa, calm down, she was just offering to give you a makeover is all. Don't get so defensive," Rainbow Dash glared at him, which in tern caused Ulysses to glare back at her.





"None of you know the meanings of the symbols I hold, and I will not let you change the way I show them."





"Um, mister Ulysses?" Fluttershy squeaked out. "You don't have to be changed if you don't want to," her words seemed to calm Ulysses down, as he softened his gaze to Rainbow Dash.





"Umm..... awkward," Pinkie Pie said, all the other ponies nodded their heads. Ulysses felt uncomfortable in this situation, as well.





"So, do you like parties?" Pinkie asked. Ulysses thought about it. Parties were old world festivities, something entirely unknown to the wastes.





"I've never had one," he said monotonously. Pinkie gave him a look of shock.





"You never had a- well, I'll throw you one right now!" She said as she bounced off. Ulysses looked at her disappearing figure in confusion, wondering whether or not he made a mistake in judgement. The other ponies shrugged.





"Well, Ah'd love to stay and chat, but Ah got work needs doin' back home. Ah'll catch ya'll later," Applejack said in a nervous chuckle as she turned and left. All the others stood in an awkward silence.





"I'm kinda busy, too. Gotta go clear the skies. You know how it is, right girls?" Rainbow Dash said awkwardly, soon after. She started to fly away, pausing slightly to give Ulysses a warning look. Something only he seemed to notice. All the other ponies slowly started to drift away. All except Twilight, who continued to stand there.





"Can you come back to my library with me? I still want to ask you some questions," she asked sheepishly. Ulysses nodded And followed after her lead