Part 15
“Don’t worry, we’ll get her.” Silver Spoon said.
“She is such an evil conniving tramp.” Diamond Tiara said firmly.
"She’s just been annoying.”
So Splashy
It was finally the weekend, a chance to relax and have fun. Escargot wasn’t needed or expected to be anywhere. Snails was free! He finally had a chance to do what he wanted, and he had plans. He was going to have a weekend full of action.
Lying in bed, he held his grandmother’s pendant in his forehooves and examined it. He never knew his grandma, but somehow this made him feel closer to her. Gently he traced the outer sun on the pendent. Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.
He had never considered going there- why would he? How could he? Yet now, holding the pendant, he thought about it. ‘What would it be like? Could I actually go? Should I? I think I’m starting to like magic.’
Closing his eyes, he thought of Sweetie Belle and Dinky practicing magic with him... well, with Escargot... under Twilight’s teachings. ‘Would it be like that? Would there be the fun and laughter?’
He perked his ears at the sound of the front door, as it was still early and Snips wouldn’t be over yet. Slowly, he got out of bed and opened his bedroom door. Carefully, he poked his head out of the door, seeing his father at the door facing Princess Twilight.
“NO. On no accounts will I allow that.” Long Haul said firmly to the Princess. The abruptness and finality of his response making her take a step back.
“Please reconsider sir, your son is a unicorn. Unicorns are very...” Twilight started, before he cut her off firmly.
“I said no, and that is final. He may be a unicorn, but his cutie mark isn’t stars, or diamonds or rainbows, it’s a Snail. He is slow, but he is also tough and sturdy, able to take punishment. This house does not use magic, and while Escargot may be staying here, she is not allowed to use magic here either.” His father said sternly.
“But-” Was all Princess Twilight managed.
“And while you may be a princess in title, this city is not your private fiefdom. We have laws, as well as the town charter. You have no right to try and come into my home and tell me how to treat my family, or what rules to apply in my home.” His tone was final. There was no questioning it. Snails would not be allowed to learn magic. Ever.
Twilight could do nothing but stand blinking as he closed the door on her. Frozen at the door, her wings spread in shock, the young princess was at a loss for words, plans, or ideas.
Walking back into his room, Snails sighed… falling backwards on his bed, he looked at the pendant. ‘It seemed like the only hope for learning magic is as Escargot. What about the cure though? I can’t keep lying to everyone…'
“The nerve.” Long Haul said, opening the door and looking at Snails. “Snails, I think you should get a part time job. Filthy Rich can always use another cart puller.”
Snails blinked and gulped and looked at his father. “Umm, Rarity offered me a job hauling fabrics and sorting her stock room. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s heavy lifting.”
“I see, that is acceptable but…” Stopping mid-sentence, Long haul looked sternly at the pendant. “What… is that doing here?”
“Mom gave it to Escargot,” Snails said absently, “Escargot asked me to hold onto it till she got... hey!” He looked in shock as his father grabbed it from him.
“I told her to throw this out years ago. It has no place in this house, it just shows you can’t depend on magic, just strength and stamina!” Throwing the pendant out of the window, he turned and stormed out. “I will not have it in the house!”
“Yes, father.” Snails did everything he could to hide his emotions. A stallion shouldn’t cry. He bit his tongue as hard as he could. With a deep breath, he walked out the door. “I’m going to go spend some time with Snips."
“See if you colts can get a game of hoofball going, or something.” Long Haul said.
Trotting outside, the idea of playing sports was the last thing on his mind. He hated to disobey his father. It didn’t seem right but... He started searching for the amulet. He knew the direction his dad threw it, so he started there, criss-crossing back and forth as he searched.
It wasn’t anywhere to be seen, it wasn’t even in the garbage. Sitting down, Snails wasn’t sure if he was angry or sad. He wanted to lash out, to cry, or to run. He didn’t know why though. He couldn’t figure out why it hurt so much.
Standing up, he walked, head hanging, to the Carousel Boutique. He just felt so lost, but he opened the door and walked in anyhow. The store was relatively clean, though signs that Rarity was preparing for another big order were all over, including a new shipment of lusterdust.
“Snails, you look just miserable.” Rarity said softly. “Are you here because of Escargot?”
“Sort of, but…” Sitting down on the floor, Snails sighed softly. “It’s my dad.”
“Oh, I see.” Carefully, Rarity got a glass of water and brought it back setting it in front of the colt. Sitting down, she tilted her head. “Want to talk about it?”
“Dad found me with my grandma’s amulet, the one my mom gave Escargot.” Snails said, looking down and softly rubbing his hind leg. “He got upset and threw it out.”
Gently Rarity hugged Snails, “Don’t worry, it’s safe.”
Blinking, Snails looked up. “What? How?”
“Sweetie Belle almost got hit by it. She knew it was Escargot’s, and is off looking for her to return it.” Rarity said.
Snails breathed a sigh of relief. “Remind me to thank her so much.”
“I don’t think I’d have to remind you or Escargot.” Rarity said, booping Snails nose softly.
Scrunching his nose, he sighed, “Am I really that predictable?”
“No, you’re not. That’s partly what makes you so special.” Rarity said, standing up. “Now, I have a spa appointment booked with Fluttershy, would you care to join me?”
Snails blinked and looked down at himself. “I’d have to change, wouldn’t I?”
“Not if you don’t want to. You can stick with the hot tub and sauna.” Rarity said with a smile.
Perking, Snails nodded. “That sounds safe, and nice.” Looking up at Rarity, he smiled brightly to her. “Thank you so very much.”
“You shouldn’t feel pressured to be Escargot, but at the same time, don’t take it for granted.” Walking out of the store, Rarity took her time leading the colt out to the spa.
Looking up from the door Fluttershy waved, “Hello, Rarity.”
“Fluttershy, I don’t know if you’ve met little Snails here. He needs some time to unwind, so I thought I’d bring him. I hope you don’t mind.” Rarity smiled, giving Snails a nod.
Whispering softly, Fluttershy took a step backwards, “Hello Snails.”
“What’s wrong, Fluttershy?” Rarity blinked and looked at Snails, then the timid pegasus.
“He was helping Trixie when she took over the town.” Fluttershy said timidly.
“I was being whipped and pulling around her throne.” Snails said with a sigh.
“Oh, you poor little thing!” Fluttershy stepped forward quickly and pulled him into a hug. “I didn’t know.”
Blinking, Snails looked between the two mares. He felt a little timid himself now, but followed Rarity inside. Rarity quickly talked with the spa twins before motioning to Snails. “He has a bad reaction to cold water. Please allow only the hot tub and sauna for him.”
Nodding, the twins quickly assaulted Snails, washing him down with hot water, Aloe giggling softly. “For a colt, he is very well groomed. He also uses strawberry rose shampoo, I recognize the scent.”
Snails eeped and blushed, looking down. He hadn’t thought about the smell of that carrying between forms. “I umm…”
“He works at my store, and I expect standards.” Rarity said, nodding.
Giggling, the girls finished their work, wrapping a towel around his head, before helping him into the hot tub. It was the first time in a while Snails felt like he could relax… Although he was doing something really mare-Oriented.
Moving to sit beside Snails, Rarity relaxed as well. “Fluttershy, dear, remember to breathe.”
“Sorry.” Fluttershy gasped and looked around until the spa twins were finished their work. When they were done she was able to get into the hot tub as well.
“Sweetie Belle should be back at the store soon. We’ll get the pendant from her next time we see her?” Rarity said softly.
Nodding slowly, he closed his eyes a bit, allowing the hot water to relax his muscles. Slipping a bit lower into the water, he let out a contented sigh. It might not be swimming, but it was still fun.
He was so relaxed, he hardly noticed the jingle of the front door. He just stretched out his forelegs in the water, and let them float a bit. He always wondered why his legs were thinner than most males. The only colt he knew with a slighter build was Featherweight. Strange thing is, he never really paid attention to things like this before now.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get her.” Silver Spoon said.
Snails grumbled as his muzzle sank beneath the water of the hot tub.
“She is such an evil conniving tramp.” Diamond Tiara said firmly.
Rarity blinked looking at Snails then Diamond Tiara. “Excuse me, it’s very rude to talk about other ponies like that.
Silver Spoon blinked, “Sorry Ma’am, she’s just been annoying my friend to no extent.”
Diamond Tiara blinked, “And what is he doing here? Isn’t today girl’s day at the spa?”
Aloe giggled, “He is here as a guest of Rarity.”
Snails sighed, “I’ll go.”
“Nonsense, you have every right to be here.” Rarity said.
“I know, but I’d like to find your sister.” Snails said, he looked at Diamond Tiara. He more just wanted to be away from her. He did, however, want the pendant back, so it wasn’t really a lie.
Getting out of the hot tub, Snails used towels to dry himself off. Honestly, he was getting too used to being clean. One little shake, and his fur puffed out. Turning,he nodded to Rarity. “Thanks again.”
“Boys, always so splashy. This isn’t a swimming pool, you know.” Diamond Tiara huffed.
Snails headed for the Crusaders’ clubhouse. It was the most likely place to find the girls- unless, of course, they were off trying to find a cutie mark. With luck, though, he would find them there. The city was pretty quiet today, and there didn’t seem to be any major celebrations. Sometimes, it felt like days without celebrations were the rare ones.
Charging up the ramp, he opened the door. As he looked inside he smiled brightly.
“Girls?”
“SNAILS!” Sweetie Belle said and trotted up to him. “I found this.” She said, holding out the pendant.
Taking it, he hugged it tightly and sat down. “I found out, it’s my Grandma’s. It’s all I have of hers.”
Applebloom blinked as she saw the tears in Snails' eyes. Taking a breath, she walked over and sat beside him. "Ah think ah understand. Ah know that feeling to." Closing her own eyes, she touched her ribbon with a sigh.
I want to kill snails father
6844644
Get in the line, please. And hope he won't develop an immunity to resurrection before you get your turn.
Countdown clock has begun on Snails dad. Celestia will not stand for this and when she finds out she will launch the biggest prank war Ponyville has ever seen! I would love if he fell into one of the springs, like spring of drowned bug bear. He could fall in due to his own arrogance. That way he can get beat up and it would funny as Twilight could run all her tests on him when she finds out!
I like to throw Long Haul into one animal springs and ship him to the zoo
nop lets not kill long hall some how I have a feeling he will be receiving something much wares thane death in time.
I will admit I am feeling really bade for Snails but remember long hall just slammed the door in Twilights face do you really thing he will get away with that.
yes snails cute mare is a snail but remember snails shed there shell at times, his time is coming.
6844644
6844659
6844761
Twilight needs to make/use a copy of the Tirek magic sucking spell and drain away all of Snail's father's magic, since he is so against magic. I can't imagine he'd miss it since it surely doesn't give them increased strength endurance and hardiness against sickness that he claims are so important.
Sadly there are parents like this. Parents who believe one thing and force their children to follow it. This goes from Base brats where military fathers send their kids off to military schools even if the child isn't... "built" for it. Sports fans who push their children into football, belittling them if they don't succeed.
Picture a person with a knack for computers, for programming, for hacking, scripting, etc. And their parents won't let them anywhere near a computer, instead insists they play hockey, football, etc. "They" didnt have computers and video games growing up, so their son shouldn't either. They were school all stars, and all it take is the commitment to be one... So their son's failure's in it is just because he isn't committed enough.
we see this kind of parenting all the time.
6844872 So it is no surprise when the kids old enough to be on their own, that some resent their parents so much for how they treated them, they sever all ties to them (their parents) and say "screw you I am finally going to live MY life how I WANT to"
Turning,he nodded
Ah know that feeling to
1. Forgot your spacing.
3. Too.
6844872 It is a pity indeed that there are parents so fixed in their ways that they won't change for anything. Change is part of life and if they don't change at least to make things more bearable, nothing will really go well for them. I can only imagine his shock and outrage when he finds out that he was 'lied' to.
6844761 Snails should just push Long Haul in the spring he fell in, see how his dad likes it.
6845425
It would be good but I want the mane 6 and/or Sweetie Drops to use him as a punching bag. Pluse the spring of drowned filly would not be an effective teaching tool because he would not change his behavior as much as something different.
6845460 at the very least it would be amusing.
6845425 I would recommend the Spring of Drowned Pretty Pink Alicorn Princess instead.
It might give him better perspective.
How is he still married? That heirloom from my mother-in-law..? I thought I threw that out.
6848826 As bad as it sounds, we see this and a lot worse all the time. How many women live in abusive relationships?
Heck Ranma 1/2 Ranma has to spend a night dodging his mothers katana because she's having nightmares that... ranma's failed at being a man... and she has to kill him and Genma.
Honestly, I'm waiting for Long haul to say something along the lines of "A stallion's life is fraught with peril. And mares."
After reading the further adventures in the land of Oz, Long haul could just as easily be Mombi. He tried to take over Equestria with Sombra or something more contrived could have happened like the discovery he actually IS Sombra, and his punishment was that he forgot everything he knew about magic... Naturally, being a bigot and easily seduced by the dark side it was only a matter of time before he found something could blame for the cause of his misery. And, his child was the perfect scapegoat. I've also seen no evidence earth ponies don't have the stomach for wishing pills.
Sadly, you've already used Tiara as Sombra's vessel so that plot twist is obviously going nowhere. Not to mention this is based on Ranma so it's more likely that snails will get bonked on the head and forget who he is than the possibility that Snail's father is secretly a shape-changing bugbear disguised as a pony.
6862121 Yeah. I'm starting to think Snails should just become Escargot.
6862309 So you think, Snails should call Celestia an Old Ghoul?
"This bow an' the thirty-seven other identical ones in th' closet are the only things ah've got to remember ma by!"
pbs.twimg.com/media/BiQdWoNIMAAYF3d.jpg
6879279 Well... If, and I'm not saying this is what they do but... if it was me, I would keep the original tucked away someplace special. To be worn only on special occasions, or when I missed them too much, and just keep duplicates around for casual use, since it's Ponyville and sooner or later something /will/ happen to it.
other ponies like that." (----