//------------------------------// // A Warm Welcome // Story: A New Life // by Lunafan1k //------------------------------// The makeshift path back to town was rather nice; we passed several ponies from both the castle and Ponyville as they hauled various carts to and fro. We even passed by Pinkie who was pulling a large colorful cart of her own, she promised it was full of only the most tastiest of treats. As we exited the wood we also passed the orange Applejoack pulling several carts on her own. She glared at us as she huffed and puffed down the path. She was closely followed by a red stallion easily pulling twice as many carts and finally little Applebloom trailed behind with a single cart of her own that was about half the size the others were pulling. She smiled and waved as we passed. “I thought that the ponies would be more terrified of the city full of ghosts and skeletons.” I remarked. “My sister must be doing a great job reaching out to the others.” Rose said. “That and a bit more so my dear.” A mare said from somewhere. “We were more than terrified but with the help of Fluttershy and the other bearers we were able to calm down enough to hear them out.” It was a tan mare with a grey mane that was addressing us; she had a scroll for a cutie mark on her flanks. “That’s good to hear, my name is Black Rose.” Rose sai-wait, what? “I thought your name was just Rose!” I half yelled in pure surprise. “My name IS Rose, Black is my family name.” She explained. “Ohhh, I think I get it now.” “And you must be Sigma I hear everypony talking about, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last.” The new pony said. She held out a hoof in my direction. “… Do I know you? Or, do you know me?” I asked. “Only from what the townsponies tell me, I hear you’re quite the hero of Lavender Town.” She said, awkwardly setting her hoof back down. “Lavender Town?” We all shared a confused look. “Didn’t they tell you?” She asked, “Well, the ponies in Ponyville started calling the Castle of the Two Sisters Lavender Town for some reason. From what I could gather it’s named after a haunted place of myth. It’s not official at all but the residents don’t seem to mind it.” “It’s got a ring to it.” I said. “It does have a bit of charm in its own way.” Rose added. “Oh! Forgive me, I am the mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare.” She introduced herself. “So, wait, your name is Mare?” I asked dubiously. She sighed, “You have no idea how often I’m asked that. My full name is Izabelle Mare, which makes me Mayor Mare. Come to think of it, I think ponies just keep electing me mayor because of the name…” She trailed off. Faina stepped up, “Hello, Mayor Mare, I am Grand Faina Night-Steel of the Northern Crystal Mountain Mines. I’ve been meaning to stop by your office.” She held out a gauntleted hoof toward the mayor. “Oh! You must be the bat pony I heard about. Though I’m afraid we don’t really have a guard in Ponyville.” She said as she shook her hoof. I laughed as Faina started sputtering, “I-I’m not a bat pony!” “Oh… I’m sorry dear but I’m afraid I don’t understand… You look just like the bat ponies flying in from Hallowed Shades.” Mayor Mare said in confusion. “I’m a thestral!” She heaved a breath, “Alright, I come from…” I stopped listening as she once again went into her longwinded explanation of her clan and all that. Yes it’s cool I guess bit this is like the fourth time I’ve heard it. I instead focused my time looking around for anything of interest. The pups were chasing a butterfly for some reason, and there were a few ponies with carts walking to and fro, but otherwise it was just a grassy area. I turned to Rose, “I’m bored.” “Politics usually are dear.” On a whim I lit my horn and a moment later summoned my living armor. “UURRRAAHHH!!!!” It grunted. “AAAHHHH!!!!” I screamed at it. “MMMRRRAAAAHHHH!!!” it yelled back. “What are you doing?” Faina asked. “Talking.” I responded simply. “GUAHH!!” “HMMM!!!” it grunted. “GAAA!!” “ORRRAAAAHHHH!!” “ENOUGH!” Faina yelled. The armor stared at her for a moment. “HM.” “Right. Sorry Mayor Mare, maybe we can set aside a better time for all this?” She said. “… Yes, Yes I believe that would be for the best. I’ll need to go through my schedule as it’s a bit full at the moment with everything going on; I’m on my way to speak with the leadership in Lavender town at the moment.” “That’s fine; we’re going out of town for probably a week anyway, how about when we get back?” “Yes, that will do fine I think. Well I best be off, it was a pleasure meeting you all.” The mayor gave my armor a wary look before she headed along down the path. “Bye!” I called after her with a wave. “Alright, back to Twilight?” My living armor vanished as I dismissed it, it had fulfilled its duty flawlessly. “Yeah, I should pack my one bag of things. If Twilight’s coming I don’t think I’ll need my cloak but I will be bringing my armor, just in case.” Faina said as we started heading into the town. “And it looks cool! Hey can I try it on?” I asked. “No.” “Why not?” I asked. “Because it’s mine, my coltfriend made them for me and I don’t want anyone else wearing my armor.” She said. I thought about it for a moment, yes, I suppose I would feel the same with whatever Rose were to make just for me. I nodded, “Fair enough.” The trip back to the library was largely uneventful. We waved to a few ponies along the way while others seemed to avoid us. I didn’t really care and it looked like Rose and Faina didn’t mind either. They probably only stared because we were made up of the strangest group of ponies in the entire town. We arrived at the library and I pushed the door open, allowing the pups to run inside. There was a shrill scream and a lot of crashes a moment later. We ran inside to see what all the fuss was. Rarity was standing on the table screeching while levitating a few boxes while Twilight was digging Spike out from under a pile of more boxes. “WHAT are those THINGS doing here!?” Rarity screeched as she pointed an accusatory hoof at the pups. For the most part they simply ignored her and went to relax on the sofa as the floor was covered in boxes and clothing. “Those are the Pups.” I said. “They are mine.” “Like what, pets?” “Eahh, yeah. Let’s go with that.” I shrugged. “What’s with the boxes?” “Well my client had to cancel their order when it turned out his fiancé was seeing another stallion behind his back, so I was able to finish Rose, Sigma and Faina’s dresses earlier today so I stopped by to deliver them, and then I hear that you are all taking an all-expenses paid trip to see the Wonderbolts perform in Manehatten? How could a lady refuse~!” Rarity said with a twirl. “You could just say no.” I suggested helpfully. “…” Why were they all staring like that? “Sigma’s remarkable understanding of society aside, I am free to join you on this trip.” Rarity said as she levitated a box to both Rose and I. “Here you are darlings, just like your other ones but with a bit more pizazz! And one for you too Faina.” Rarity set a box in front of her. “I expect this will greatly improve relations as a diplomat, I’ve even padded it to help keep you warm.” “Wow, thanks Rarity! I’ll try it on once we get to the city so it isn’t dirtied up in the travel.” She said as she balanced the box on her back. It was just a few minutes later and everyone was packed with the things they deemed worthy of bringing along to Manehatten. Faina was wearing her leather and chain armor with her gauntlets, Twilight had her own set of saddlebags, Rose had a spare set of saddlebags from Twilight to carry both our cloths and a few books from the library, and Spike was supporting a mountain of Rarity’s luggage while she had a dainty purse. “Let’s go!” Rarity cheered as she led the way outside, followed by Twilight, Faina, Rose, me, and Spike taking up the rear with his teetering tower of luggage. Faina trotted up beside Twilight, “Don’t you think you should invite the others too?” “I thought about it, but Fluttershy isn’t really good with crowded places and she has her hooves full with Tatl and the wood nymphs. Then Pinkie and AJ, I doubt they would drop what they are doing to feed an entire city and keep a party going non-stop. I was going to ask Rainbow to come with but she hasn’t been seen all day, so I have no idea where she could be.” Twilight explained. “You don’t think she went to Manehatten to see the Wonderbolts without telling us, do you darling?” Rarity asked. “I know she was excited for it but I’m not sure if she managed to get any tickets or not.” Twilight said. We made it to the station and got hooked up with the royal suite once again. I told the pups to behave and hang out with Pinkie, who may or may not be aware that they are friendly, and before long we were on our way to the big city! Several hours later and I’m bored out of my skull. I Spy got old fast, Twilight keeps talking about boring history, Faina snores like a lumberjack and the others all found something else to do while I wished I had claws to scratch out my eyes! “Sigma! Get out of the overhead storage, we’ve only been traveling an hour and there are six to go!” Twilight scolded me. “WHAT?! Impossible!” I called as I buzzed to a new hiding place, shoving things aside to make room. “Sigma if I need to put you under a sleep spell like I did to Faina I will not hesitate!” “You’ll never take me alive!” The last thing I saw was a flash of purple and then darkness. “I awoke several hours later, blinking blearily into the light of the evening sun…” “Sigma you’re speaking out your internal monolog.” “Twilight said as she pulled out luggage from their hidden cubby holes. I said with a grin.” I grinned. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand you.” Twilight sighed as she unloaded everything out the door into Spike’s waiting arms. “Let him have his fun, you did knock him out for several hours. How do you feel, dear?” Rose asked and patted my head. “Like a lot of something valuable!” I exclaimed excitedly as I hopped to my hooves. “Like a million bits?” Twilight asked for some reason. “What?” I asked in confusion. “It’s a saying, you know, like you’re really happy or feel really good, ponies say they feel ‘like a million bits.’” Twilight explained. “… That’s stupid, bits don’t feel.” I explained to her as I walked past onto the station. If I thought that the Canterlot station was busy, this place was packed! I was faced with a solid wall of ponies rushing this way and that way, a great many of them wearing a frown or a scowl on their face. There were a few other races mixed in as well, there were weird lion-birds, minotaurs, dopey donkeys and ponies. Wait, they looked like ponies but something about them seemed… strange. I stared at them as they stared at me with what looked like shock. The next thing I knew I was surrounded and shoved into a corner of the station. “What the hell are you doing here like that?!” One of them hissed at me strangely. “… What?” I had no idea what was going on. “Don’t play dumb, why aren’t you in your disguise, just standing around in the open?” Another asked as the rest huddled close to keep me hidden from something. “Oh, it’s in a box with the rest of the luggage.” I said, assuming they were talking about the suite Rarity made me. How they knew about it I had no idea. “My last one was torn to shreds so I’m saving it for special occasions.” Apparently the thought of my clothing being destroyed struck a chord of anger with them as they hissed under their breath. “Ponies…” “Spiteful creatures…” “How dare they attack us like that?” “Anyway, Rose and the others are probably looking for me, I should get back.” I said and tried to move past them. They pushed together and closed the gaps between them. I looked at them in confusion as they pressed together. “Are you nuts?!” “You can’t go out like that!” “Should I get my disguise?” I asked. “Worst. Infiltrator. Ever.” “Fine, who’s Rose?” One of them asked. “The undead mare standing behind you.” I said pointing her out. “Undead?” They turned to look and came face to face with Rose in all her somewhat decayed but well preserved glory. “…” “…” Rose stared at them a moment. “Oh good, you’re here. This drone needs his disguise.” One of them said. Rose leaned to the side to look at me. I grinned back. She shrugged and took out a box from her bags and handed it over. The other ponies took the box and pulled out the suit and helped me put it on. Moments later I was feeling pretty well dressed in my clean pressed suit. “Hmm, missing something…” “Hmmm…” They pondered. “I think…” One of them stepped forward and took off their beret and placed it on my head. “…” “It’s perfect!” “Nopony would be the wiser!” “Flawless!” “Alright new guy, now you’re ready for the city!” The others nodded. “The Queen has recalled us all from the cities for some reason, so be sure to be back before long. Word is something big is about to go down in the city pretty soon so I’d get back as soon as you’re done.” “Kay.” I said. The others quickly departed and boarded the train, leaving me standing there with Rose. “They seemed nice.” I said. “They seemed to recognize you; do you have any idea who they were?” Rose asked as we headed back towards Twilight who was waiting with Faina, Spike and Rarity by the ticket kiosk. “No clue. They felt different though, like not like normal ponies.” I explained. “That tingling feeling you mentioned?” She asked. “Yea, I didn’t feel a thing.” “Well if you encounter more of them maybe we can get a few more answers.” I nodded as we met up with the others. “Well that was weird, glad you’re alright though. The big cities tend to have their fair share of strange ponies.” Twilight commented as we headed out to the main streets. “That is true darling, one can never be too cautious. The best course is to not appear like a tourist, right Faina?” Rarity said as she addressed Faina who was gazing up at the tall buildings. “Yes… well, I see you have taken a liking to your suit Sigma, although that beret is garish and doesn’t match in the slightest.” “We could stop by the discount hat emporium for a new hat.” Twilight suggested. Rarity gagged a bit, “While some ponies may be fine with cheap clothing, that is the suite I made by hoof so I will be the one to pick out an appropriate hat.” “Alright, you’re the clothing one so whatever you think is best.” I said. Twilight chuckled as she pulled out Celestia’s letter, “Alright everypony, according to Princess Luna we need to find Stormy Flare.” “What’s your business with Stormy, eh?” A voice off to the side called out to us. We turned to see… a Spike recolor dressed like a punk. “… Spike? When did you turn green?” I asked. Purple Spike peered around the boxes at Green Spike and they stared at each other for a moment. Green Spike shook his head. “You’re a fucken moron you know that? I’m the only me there is.” He puffed his cigarette, “Now, answer my question. Depending on your answer, I may let you go unharmed.” Looking to the sides and behind, there were still ponies going about their business, but there were two or three that had stopped a few feet away to watch us. “Hey Twilight, give him the letter.” I suggested. “Alright, I’m sorry; we don’t want any trouble…” Twilight said as she levitated the letter to the small green dragon. “You look like trouble. Bunch of weirdos get off a train then start asking about Stormy? That’s enough for anyone to be concerned.” He snatched the letter out of Twilight’s aura and read it over. Once he reached the end he chuckled, “Going to see a show, eh?” He did a hand signal and the ponies that were watching us blended back into the crowd. “If you’re cool with Luna you’re cool with us. Come on, there’s some things we need to talk about.” “Leaving so soon?” Faina asked from behind the dragon. The dragon reacted quickly, whipping around and slashing with a dagger. There was a ping of steel on steel as she blocked with her own dagger. “Nice reflexes.” She commented. He smirked, “Good, at least someone can handle themselves.” He twirled the knife and it vanished from sight. “The name’s Roulette. I’ll take you to the gang.” He flicked his cigarette off to the side and started walking away. “Where are we going?” Twilight asked, but remained unanswered. We followed him for block after block, through several alleys and over an expansive bridge to the small island not far off shore. We looked around at what could be considered to be a shipyard, there were two airships tied to the ground and another in a dry dock with ponies and other races crawling all over it. Sounds of heavy construction and machines filled the air.. A few minutes later we walked up to a large restaurant called The Storm Vein. Roulette held the door open for us. We filed in one by one to see a nicely decorated room with more than a few tables fitted with decorative cloths and menus. Near the back was a large table with a few shady characters playing a card game. “Your gang hangs out at a restaurant?” Twilight asked. “Oi, we don’t ‘hang out’ here, we own this joint.” A mare said as she came out of the kitchen area. “Roulette, who are the tourists?” “Here on Luna’s word, they’ll be going to the show. I think Luna sent them to help us out.” He told her as he wandered to the table in the back and they dealt him a hand. “Well if Luna sent you have a seat and pick something to eat. We got a spare room you can stay in in exchange for helping out around here.” The mare said. “Oh, We’ll do what we can, thank you miss…?” Twilight asked leadingly. A moment later the door opened and a pair of mares walked in. “We got that stuff you asked for Stormy!” The others gasped, “Rainbow Dash!? What are you doing here?” “Guys? Why are you all here?” She asked as she set down several bags of vegetables on the counter. “We could ask the same thing, darling!” Rarity said. “We did though…” I said in confusion. The others gathered around and exchanged hugs with Rainbow while Rose, Faina, and I stood by the other mare, a Pegasus with fiery orange hair and a yellow coat. She wore a black jacket of some kind that made her look shinier and dark sunglasses hid her eyes. “Hello.” I said. She peered right through me. “Sup scrub? What’s with the hat?” “It’s my disguise!” I said proudly. “… Right. So what brings you all here?” She asked suspiciously. “On Luna’s orders sweetie.” The older mare, Stormy, said as she walked over and gave the younger mare a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Mom, not in front of everypony!” The younger protested and tried pulling away, but it was too late. The group at the table pointed and laughed as her cheeks turned crimson. Now that I looked at them side by side, they did look really similar. “It’s my job to tease my daughter, no matter how big and important she is. Now go get washed up and help prepare dinner.” Stormy said and pushed her into the kitchen. “Wait, Rainbow, was that Spitfire?” Twilight asked. “Yep! The one and only! We hang out now and then ever since I saved her last year at the Best Young Flier’s competition and her mom offered me a place to stay whenever I’m in town. She also makes some of the best food I’ve ever tasted so how could I refuse!” “You could just say no.” I suggested helpfully, again. “…” There they go staring at me again. “Anyway, what brings you all here?” Rainbow asked as we sat down at one of the tables. “Princess Luna directed us here, she mentioned trouble was brewing and I think she wants us to help with whatever it is. Originally we were just going to see the Wonderbolts in action because Faina wanted to see their show.” Twilight explained. “I convinced Celestia to give me an all-expenses paid super ticket.” Faina gloated. Rainbow’s jaw hit the floor, “Are you kidding me?! I had to save for months before buying the ticket, and that was months ago! Spitfire refuses to let me sit in the friends and family section…” “Gotta keep up appearances kiddo, you’re cool and all but as soon as I start letting some mare into the good seats the media will go nuts, probably say we’re dating or I’m giving special privilege.” Spitfire said as she walked out of the kitchen with an apron and a pot, which she placed on a fire pit. “Besides, if you do wind up making the reserves in the next few years I don’t want ponies thinking I went easy on you and basically gave you the position, understand?” “Yea, I understand.” Rainbow said with a hint of sadness. “Hey cheer up, grubs almost ready. Set up a big table for your friends and the others.” She raised her voice, “Hey freeloaders, you help setup too if you want to eat!” The group of ponies sitting in the corner stopped and glared at her, to which she responded with a sly grin. “You know Spitty, one of these days you’re going to regret your words.” One of the stallions said, pointing a strange pipe at her. He was pretty rough around the edges and had a dangerous glint in his eye. His coat was brown and his mane was black. He was wearing a hat similar to the one Apples had, and was wearing a few belts like Faina does, but with more of the pipe things in them. “Relax Jack, she’s just teasing. And last I checked I give you way more grief than her anyway. We’ll be right there sweetie~!” A green unicorn mare with a silvery mane said. She had what appeared to be a flute wrapped in ribbon for a cutie mark. She seemed to graciously glide over to us and set up the tables with precision and fluid motions, almost like she was dancing. The rugged pony, Jack, sighed and put the pipe thing away. “You’re both lucky I have a soft spot for cute mares.” Spitfire and the green one stuck their tongue out at him. “I’m out.” Roulette said, tossing his cards onto the table and departing out a back exit. “You too Swiss. Strings you can go ahead and find a seat.” The green mare said. The other figure moved into the light, their body was mostly hidden in hooded robes, only allowing keen eyes to peer out at us before he too exited out the back door. Another figure stepped forward, he stood about as tall as Spike and was covered in thick brown fur, and two little nubby horns stuck out of the top of his head as he waddled over and sat down in a chair. In his hand he was playing with a few strings, twisting and tying them into different patterns. “… Oh well. My name’s Phoebe by the way, but you can just call me Pipp.” The green mare said. “I’m an exotic dancer, master of rhythms and great at playing the flute as well. Nice to meet you!” “Dancer? Like a performer?” Faina asked. “Yep, those other three and I got a traveling show going, using a mixture of magic and plenty of practical stunts we rake in a fair bit of coin. I draw the crowds and they wow the audience.” She explained. “We call them Three Cheese, because their names are Jack, Swiss, and Strings. Pepperjack cheese, Swiss cheese, and string cheese!” Spitfire grinned. There was a loud explosion! I jumped and spun around to see Jack pointing one of his pipes at Spitfire; it has a small trail of smoke coming out the end. “What did I say about calling us that?” He said threateningly. “What the bloody hell is going on in here?!” Stormy yelled as she came out of the kitchen. She looked from the smoking pipe to the hole in the wall and glared at Jack. He tried quickly putting the pipe away but he was doomed. “What did I tell you about shooting off your little pistols in my restaurant?! Get out! Find someone else’s food to eat before I really get mad!” Spitfire smiled apologetically as Jack looked between them. “Fine.” He muttered and turned to leave. “And don’t come back until you got money for repairs! And for Luna’s sake get Roulette to pay his tab!” Stormy yelled after him, the door closing with a solid thud. There was a tense silence in the room for a few moments before Spitfire spoke up, “Now you know why my mom is called Stormy.” Stormy spun around and smacked Spitfire on the rump with a wooden spoon, causing her to yip in pain. “You better watch it too missy or you’ll be next to go without dinner.” Stormy warned. “Yes Ma’am.” Spitfire responded and went back to stirring the stew diligently. Stormy addressed the rest of us, “You all have a seat, dinner will be out in a moment.” She turned and trotted back into the kitchen. We nodded and sat, doing out level best to behave, lest we face the storm of a mother’s wrath.