1st Person story about an Ex-Con being the 7th element of Harmony and his struggles to change and make his dreams come true
Rated teen for language and implied imitate moments later on.
How is it going? My name is Wishful Thinking, and I wanna be a famous actor. Something only slightly hampered by the fact I'm an ex-con who broke his parole in the Griffin Kingdom, but what are ya gonna do?
Well for starters while eluding the ever lovely Gale I somehow ended up on a trip to this small town called Ponyville along with this purple unicorn that seems to be too busy to stop and let me off. Not that I'm complaining.
I guess I can at least stay here for the summer sun celebration. I mean, what's the worst that's gonna happen?
If this story continues I will swap the Adventure Tag for Slice of Life.
Also the image is pretty much static because I have no pic with Wishful nor do I want one unless I get serious about this.
Also if this is done I do plan on a entire Sparity thing since it was what Backfire was originally about.
You know what’s really cruddy about being on the lamb? The hours, you just have to be ready to up and go at any moment since your pursuers could follow you anywhere. As such it is usually preferable to be on the move in the night. Less ponies to deal with, more dangers for everypony involved means that the one willing to risk more to get away will. And an overall sense of excitement.
Unfortunately, when your pursuer is a griffin you don’t exactly have such luxury due to them being able to fly and see in the dead of night. It was sort of what the creator must have decided to be the trade off for having no magic like ponies do. Then again that would make me question what mules have as their balance. Not that I’ve met any mind, but it is something you think about when you have to keep your heart from racing while hiding in a tree in broad daylight.
Behind me Gale, the aforementioned griffin, was roaring quite loudly. And honestly I’ve already had to gallop on hoof three thousand miles to get the Tartarus out of the Griffin Kingdom so I’m not exactly going to let a little thing like fear give me away.
“I know you are here 24601,” she called out into the forest, luckily in the opposite direction. “You can’t hide from me forever. I’ll bring you back if it is the last thing I do.”
What was with this chick anyway? I’m outside the blasted kingdom and I wasn’t about to return… ever. Trust me, spend ten years working in a griffin prison starting at the age of eleven and you’ll never want to see another griffin for the rest of your life. And don’t look at me like I’m some criminal by the way, I swear the stuff I did was minor… for the most part. Either way, now is not the time to go into it. I gotta get out of here.
Gale craned her head over a tree near my hiding spot and beamed. “Found you,” she said in her usual drawl when she spotted me as if she were trying to make a point of either seducing me or telling me I was going to be her lunch. Granted in those other cases I was ready to do something a bit romantic like jumping onto a train or having a new friend I met in town ‘accidentally’ tackle her while I made my escape.
Right now I’m just stuck in a tree knot, with nothing around but a big ass cliff. No real way for me to get out of this one really. But who knows, maybe I could luck out this time?
“And I had such high hopes for you after our little tango back in Trottingham,” she continued as she slowly stalked toward me. That’s right, give me some time to think and get a way out. Sure she may be a griffin with really sharp claws, one of which was brandishing a pair of hoofcuffs, but the best part about being a pony uses all four of his limbs all the time is that it builds muscle. The fact most of the work is intended for those who can fly makes muscle building way easier as a result. Then again, she’s a trained professional so it probably isn’t wise to go off attacking her. Meh, it may be stupid but it’s the cornered animal excuse.
Now I could say we had an epic struggle at this point and likely sell you on it. Telling lies is my talent after all. It’s what made me such a valuable and none bullied member of the prison. Thing is though you don’t know me long enough for me to really sell you on something so ludicrous since no officer would be sent after a prisoner alone unless they could take them down easily. Secondly it would just make me look like a bad ass, and honestly I’m not much of one. The guys back home did tell me I was the strongest in the group but they were being modest since I am still kinda young and impressionable.
Gale had me on the floor with my hooves cuffed in no time flat. That was a fact. She even chuckled at how easy it was. It was very degrading and also involved her insulting my stallionhood at some points so I’m just gonna skip most of that since I’m not the best at retelling stuff that is supposed to degrade you while coming out of a voice most would say would get a standing ovation from any male even sitting down.
As she stood me up I tried for small talk as I continued to look around. “So how long do you suppose this is going to net me?” In the distance I could see my salvation, a chariot approaching. It wouldn’t be long but I’d need to distract her long enough with something else not to persue.
Gale let out a breath. “Honestly, I don’t think anything less than the chopping block will do anything to you. But even I wouldn’t advocate that punishment on any of you scum. It costs us too much time and money with all the legal crap these days. They already took your horn, so taking your hooves would be stupid. Life maybe, with no chance of parole obviously since you just broke it so we can’t trust you.”
I felt a tingle in my forehead where what was left of my horn reacted to being reminded it wasn’t whole. I couldn’t much magic anymore, this was true. But the thing is about unicorns is that our magic usually has something to do with our skills. And while I couldn’t use telekinetic magic anymore because of not having ninety percent of my horn, what I could still do was about to save my flank.
Still I had to act the part of an angry con at what she just said, so I did. “You monsters cut off the horn of a teenager and under your own laws I couldn’t find a damn job anywhere. Why the hell would I want to stay a slave of your stupid laws.”
Really I’ve long since come to terms with the horn cutting thing, honest. And really getting a job was still easy. Thing is I have higher aspirations that just being a fry cook or something. And there was no way that was going to happen while I spent my remaining seven years on griffin parole.
“Yeah yeah,” she replied disappointed making sure she was attached to me. Lucky me that chariot was getting some cloud cover. Celestia you are a doll sometimes. “It’s what you all say, and it’s just because you don’t try.” She turned her back to me to make sure her harness was secure, too easy. “I had better hopes for you since you actually made it into Canterlot. Furthest any runner ever got. But you are just like the rest of them. Stupid oafs that end up doing the same crimes again and again.”
“I tried to tell you back in Trottingham that wasn’t me,” I replied. Honestly it was sorta me, accidental purse snatching I promise. I didn’t even get any money from it, I was just sort of there and stopped the actual guy, but the old mare who got robbed couldn’t tell us apart and called the police which is why I had to get out of Trottingham. I gotta remember to actually give that twenty bits I took back to her one day though.
With everything in position I decided to get cocky. I know, tempting fate and all, but when am I ever going to be able to pull off the “smooth player” on somepony where it would end positively for more than ten minutes…. I know don’t say it.
“I’m not going back,” I said in a horse voice, which was easy since I’ve been doing that all my life only much deep than usual here. “I’d rather die than go back.”
“Really now,” she said turning to look at me. “I’d never think you’d volunteer yourself for the block.”
“Nope,” I said jumping close to her. “Not about to give you the satisfaction.” And before she could tell what was going on I leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the beak. I mean come on you can’t really do more than that with a griffin. And revealed my hooves to her, free of the cuffs.
That got her attention. “Wha- how did…” She found herself harnessed to the tree nearby. I took this little time I had to gallop for that cliff.
“See ya on the other side,” I called as I jumped.
“Wait!” she cried as I dove. The timing wasn’t exactly right, but I was seeing that chariot starting to descend.
“The fate of Equestria does not rely on me making friends,” said one of the passangers. All I could tell was that there were two purple blurs as I started to rush down. Yep I was gonna miss hit something alright so I called out to them.
Soon enough I felt magic, something I’d not felt hitting my body in years. The force slowed me down and pulled me into the cart. Meanwhile my own magic cast my shadow back where I was so that Gale could still think I was falling down from that angle. Yeah it's shadow puppets, I'll punch you if you laugh about that.
“What in Celestia’s name were you doing jumping from this high?” cried one of the two purple blurs as I got adjusted.
“Bungee jumping without a bungee?” I answered trying to sound like a surfer. As the chariot continued its path I could see Gale diving down past the clouds. Looking down it seems like there was a lake at the bottom of that cliff. Well it wasn’t like not finding a body wouldn’t have been a tip off anyway.
The two blurs focused into a purple mare with a pink stripe in her hair, and a purple and green baby scaly thing. They both look slack jawed at my answer so I just held out my left hoof- since my right sort of still had my prison tats- and introduced myself honestly, though still in my surfer voice. “The names Wishful Thinking. Just call me Wish. Guess I was being a bit of a doofus now that I think about it. What’s say you just drop me off and we’ll be square kay?”
The purple unicorn who's chariot I had landed in was quite cute after I got a good look at her. After setting everything straight, I learned she was supposed to go to a town called Ponyville to make sure everything in town was going as needed for THE princess Celestia herself to arrive.
That of course had me a little nervous considering my past, but she didn't seem to catch on I was lying and better yet her companion was almost ecstatic at the idea of befriending me. Made more so after I played off being a traveler and telling him a few taller versions of my travels minus the thievery.
After he stopped praising me once he found out I was fine I said, "Look kid, I'm not that awesome. I sometimes have a bit of an issue with thinking before I do something. Not sure how a safety measure slipped my mind, but I don't think I need to tell you it is wrong to follow my example. Even zip lining is safer than that."
“What’s zip lining?” the little dragon asked curious.
Honestly I didn’t know, it was just one of those things I read about in prison on a list of extreme sports. I really didn’t have enough down time to actually have fun since I got out so I never had a chance to actually know if a pony could do it, let alone what it was. Luckily I could play it off. “I don’t think you should know just yet, kinda for the big ponies and all. Now if you want something that is good for your-“
"Stop giving Spike ideas," the unicorn injected. That look of a protective mare over her child came out at me. The message was pretty clear so I shut my yap.
Spike looked between the two of us clearly getting Twilight’s face wrong and stated, "Hey I'm not so little. But look at you Twilight, already making your first Ponyville friend."
At this the unicorn seemed to flush. "I can't be friends with him!"
That got me a tad cross, "and why not? Even if you never see me again it is sort of rude don't you think?"
"Oh no," Twilight exclaimed, "I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking I guess. Sorry if I offended you, but I've no time to be making friends with danger coming."
I started to ask what she meant by that, but the sound of the chariot coming to a halt stopped me. Before long we were all asked to exit and Twilight was thanking the guards for the ride. I of course kept my tattoo out of sight to keep them from noticing me.
"Sorry again Wishful," said Twilight returning her attention to me. "But I think it is time we parted ways."
She was right of course. I had no reason to stay near and no reason to ask beyond mild curiosity about that danger. If she didn't feel like sharing than I didn't need to know, something I picked up back at my old "home". So I nodded and shook her hoof as the dragon got out a few bags.
It was then I heard the gasp. I couldn't exactly see what it was but a pink streak seemed to wiz off into the distance. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Twilight admitted. "That pink mare just saw us and then dashed off without a word." She got over the confusion quick and started moving, "Come on Spike, the faster we get done, the faster we can research."
Groaning, Spike took the bags with him but seemed to have trouble. So I decided to take them off his claws. "I can at least drop these off for you in return for helping me out dude. Where are these headed?"
At this, Spikes eyes brightened. "Oh thanks so much. They go to the Ponyville Library. But be careful. I'm still waiting for my new Fire Ruby to be ripe and it could break if you're too rough with it. I couldn’t leave it at home because somepony might steal it while we’re here, but I can trust you."
Did he just say Fire Ruby? As in, one of the rarest and most valuable gems in the world? That at least proved he was working in royalty if he could afford that. I bet I could be set for two years if I find the right buyer and-wait no. What was I thinking? Taking something I didn't need from a little kid? That's too low.
"Sure thing," I agreed. "And good day man. Till we meet again."
The dragon jogged of to catch up with his mother as I suddenly realized I had no idea where the Library even was. They were both long gone before I could call out to them. Well, I might as well start looking. I’d get to meet new ponies anyway. Thing was I didn’t really like this persona, maybe some small compromise between myself and that filly Twilight would work better? If nothing else it will be interesting to practice my imitation skills, something that while I was able to use wasn’t exactly rewarding range wise in prison.
There is a reason griffin stereotypes were so well known all over the world, most of them you could swear were all either brutes or cons than came off way to obviously slimly. It was why I was so useful, not too many griffins were skilled in the acting department which is actually needed a lot when it comes to criminal activity. Thus they more readily like using ponies such as myself and helping me refine my art.
The only issue was that instinctively ponies are prone to trusting others they are comfortable around. I’m still not used to having so many of my own kind, so a town like this where as I noticed only had one mule and as a result maybe one donkey was unsettling to me.
Luckily I didn’t have to think about it too much as something small and as orange as myself seemed to zip in front of me. Shortly after I heard a rather distinct cry, “I’ll get you for that you stupid cooter.”
The little white filly seemed to be going in the same direction as the blur had gone, so of course she gave up by the time she was in front of me since she was out of breath. Her coat was covered in mud and a look of pure hostility rang true in her little face which despite the look came off to me as more cute.
Normally I wouldn’t bother which such things as I’m sure most of you would, but something struck me about how Twilight would have reacted. Despite being very on mission, she would be curious about things until they were explained as I had on the chariot. Thus it fell to my new self to actually find out what was going on.
“What was that about?” I asked in my closest clone of Spike’s voice. I’m no voice manipulator though so I didn’t sound completely different, but it wasn’t like this filly had met the dragon yet to notice the oddity of my tone, to her I just sounded my age instead of my usual deep voice that made me sound a good twenty years older than most.
“That,” the filly seemed to tense up even more as she shouted out again, “THAT stupid idiot just ruined my mane!”
“Okay hold on kid,” I said picking her up. She took a bit but once she stopped squirming I released her so she could stomp around and kick the dirt before finally settling down and starting to cry. It didn’t really seem like a concern until it turned into a massive flood that cleaned some of the mud on her face. It took a bit of looking in Spike’s bag but I did find a handkerchief and started to wipe her face. “We’d better get you cleaned up.”
It didn’t take too long to wash off all the mud with a nearby hose, but it did leave a still rather upset filly. Sweetie Belle, as she eventually told me, had apparently looked really good for this big event. Given that the Princess herself was supposed to visit I could see why she wanted to look her best.
Sweetie Belle sniffed as she looked at her wet mane in the window. “Rarity will kill me if she sees me like this! She spent so much time making my mane look perfect. I can’t see her like this. And it isn’t like I can get past her to get the shampoo she used either.” She was looking like she was actually afraid of prospect of this Rarity finding out about her little mud trip.
I couldn’t just leave this girl to cry though to when the idea came to mind I began using my magic on her shadow. Instantly it started trotting around her enough for her to notice and I changed my own into the best looking version of a generic filly streaking past. Sweetie’s shadow clothesline the filly shadow and jumped up and down in victory. At this the real Sweetie giggled.
“Yeah I guess that isn’t something I’d want to do,” she finally said embarrassed. Well at least it was a positive reaction of some sort. I’d have gone with that fact it was a good idea but then again I’m not an innocent kid anymore. However that did give me an idea since it was so easy to catch her eye.
“Tell ya what Sweetie,” I stated in a low tone and motioning her to come closer. I whispered into her ear, “I’ll help you get that shampoo. Just tell me where it is and I’m all in.”
“But Rarity only keeps it with her at all times,” Sweetie argued. “She doesn’t even leave it home because it is so expensive and she’s afraid of thieves.”
“Well just drop it into my bag after you’re done at the library. I’ll put it back in her pack before she even notices. Now then, where is she?”
The place looked fantastic. I'm not kidding, in my travels I have seen many places considered to look good but this was the first time I actively found a place attractive in a sense. This was of course helped by the hot little number doing the decorating.
Fur as white as snow, long unblemished legs and make-up applied enough to notice but not to the point most at least would say was too much. Everything about this woman showed beauty. Boy was I glad the saddle bags I'd taken from Spike were covering for me.
I stood there in stunned silence for some time before the beauty finally noticed me. "My apologies, I did not see you there. I am Rariry, and who might you be?"
That shook me out of my daze. I took a look around myself and found that Sweetie Belle jumping into a large bag set in a corner or something. Can’t exactly focus when you’re supposed to keep your audience’s attention can I?
So I bowed deeply saying to the lovely mare, “The name is Wish. I specialize is making dreams come true. And I can tell miss that you could use a nice dream at the moment.” Okay I wasn’t exactly sure what I was saying. For all I know this girl already had somepony. Still her attention was I me and that was enough as I noticed Sweetie start to run off. Mission Accomplished.
“Oh my,” Rarity replied sounding flustered and with slightly pink cheeks. “I’m am flattered dear sir but we barely know each other. I couldn’t possibly…”
“Another time then,” I cut her off. “But I did have a purpose to entering before I was distracted by your captivating beauty. I’m to deliver these saddlebags to the town library. Would you please point min in that direction?”
"Oh, then just follow the main road outside and that the second left path offered you. It's a giant tree so you can't miss it.” She said this rather fast and then suddenly gain focus as she shook her head. “Was there anything else? I really must be getting back to making preparations."
"No miss," I said stating to trot out, “and thank you.” With my act complete I gave a look around but saw no signs of the filly. Though honestly I couldn't really see Rariry being too scared of her own sister, but then again I really didn't have a family of my own so I couldn't tell.
As I thought about that fact the image of a pale blue unicorn rose in my mind and I wiped it away. No, that foal is not my family…not anymore. Well stiff upper lip and all that, time to go to the library.
The place was wondrous. Unlike every other building it was made out of an old hollowed out tree, and that helped the atmosphere all the more. I’d not seen this many books in my entire life. Granted I was from griffin country and reading, while a fine pastime, was not exactly wide enough to even allow for full on bookstores that could stay around unless they were in the middle of the city.
I had heard that the king was the reason for that, but since griffins were also proud tradition wise there wasn’t much parchment in general to work with if you were not rich anyway. Something others of my kind it would seem have not known, and the better for it.
Books filled almost every wall of the place and I was tempted to just sit down and see if there was anything for me to read, something in old fairy tales and myths. However with my load still just as tempting as ever and the knowledge that the further away I got from this place the better chance I had at getting away from my pursuer, I decided against it.
Leaving the bags in what I guessed was the bedroom I proceeded to try and leave this entire thing behind. I say try because as soon as my hoof was on the front door, I was flung into the wall by somepony rushing into the place and scrambling around throwing streamers everywhere.
“Ugg…wha-“ I felt my muzzle get smacked again by the door as the pink blur dashed out and came back in to set a table. “Ow! Sto-“slammed again with another table. Okay, that’s it. I rolled away this time before speaking.
Before I could however the blur jumped in front of me and I was greeted with bright blue eyes staring into my own. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t see you there. I’m so sorry.”
“Whoa,” grunted pushing her back, “personal space please.”
“Oh sorry I’m just so-“ I wasn’t exactly sure what happened as the next think I knew I was having my head dunked in some water and the feel of a sink. “I completely forgot to clean you up.”
“Personal Space,” I cried again pushing her away. “What is wrong with you mare?”
“I’m not mare, I’m Pinkie Pie.”
“Wishful Thinking,” a answered accepting the hoofshake.
“Ooh,” Pinkie gaped pulling my arm and turning to see my marks. “Cool tattoos. What’s the number for?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly pulling my hoof back quickly. “Just something goofy you wouldn’t be interested in. So what are you doing here anyway.”
“Well,” the girl for some reason decided to back flip out the bathroom door as she continued and I followed. Her speech becoming more rapid as she went. “I’m here to throw a welcome party for the princess’ representative and silmaltanious Summer Sun Celebration party. And I thought and tried to think about how to make two parties, when it occurred to me that I could just make one. So I packed everything into wagon and decided to move everything here for the bash. I wish I had a faster way to do all this though. MaybeIshouldconsiderworkingonthatlater. Ohwell.”
Any remaining speech she had was lost to me as she began to talk so fast I wasn’t even able to hear it as it seemed to get higher pitched too. I’d feel bad for any dogs in the area if I wasn’t so relieved.
When she was done she was catching her breath since the entire thing was done without one inhale. I’d admire that if the act itself wasn’t something that made me wanna rip out my own ears.
“So….wanna help me set up this party?” I thought she mumbled something involving bucking trees afterword but I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Whatever it was I agreed and the two of us got to work.
Sure enough, huge party. It looked like half the town was here as a big banner reading "Welcome Party" was draped over the place. It had been going for well over an hour now and Spike was busy dancing with a lamp. I didn’t see Twilight or anyone else I knew, including Pinkie and thankfully not Gale.
Where there is a party there is of course....bingo cider! It was rare to have such things by home but some guards took pity on me when I lost my horn so I was able to get some before. In retrospect they likely only did it to get my grossed out reaction to none prison food since that was most of my palet, but I got used to it soon enough.
I grabbed a rather large drink from the table and took a big swig of it before I was interrupted. "Hey, that was mine ya moocher." I turned to find yet another lovely mare. Orange fur a much lighter shade than my own, freckles that made her stand out compared to most others here and obvious muscle tone that showed her physic off nicely. One of these days I have to see without my libido.
“Sorry,” I apologized moving to the back of the place. I might as well go check on that Fire Ruby again. I mean with all these other ponies around it would be in danger of somepony else walking into a private bedroom and stealing it on accident.
I shut the door neatly behind me. How had I lost track of so much time? It was near the dead of night at this point.
"Can't you all just leave me alone," grumbled a voice behind me.
I looked up, and sure enough there was the pony I didn't see at the party. Twilight rolled out of my sight and mumbled incoherent garbage so all I could respond with was, "it's a pretty narly party out there. What're you doin staying here?"
I could hear a pillow fly as Twilight shouted, "all of you ponies are CRAZY! I don't get how you all even get along so well, let alone act like its normal. How can the princess ask me to befriend a bunch of weirdos?"
I was gonna agree with her, Pinkie Pie alone proved her point. I could have also made up some lie about how everyone is crazy, which to an extent is true, but that would not help. So all that ended up coming out of my mouth was one word: "Wrong."
Twilight got up and stared at me, and I responded with whatever came to my head. No planning, so act, no persona, just some honest part of me I had not voiced in a long time and had been waiting to come out.
"Every creature in this world is different and sometimes ya just gotta roll with it. Friends are part of life and every pony needs it. Some will betray you. Some will even fool you, believe me I know. But if you don't keep trying to find a friend than you'll be alone; and trust me, having no one sucks. Finding good friends are rare, and from the few I’ve met these would be some pretty good friends to anypony. So I suggest you don't pass it up."
"Thanks," Twilight whispered as she trotted down the stair to meet me. "I really needed that."
I slowly started to back off a bit as she approached. Was she infatuated with me now or something? I can't say I'd be reluctant if that we're the case, but nothing about what I just said seemed like something that would do that. Then her fore hooves took me in an embrace. Did I offend her somehow? Why now would a girl of all creatures wanna harm me? I prepared for the worst.
This embrace was different. No intention of ruff housing or malicious intent. It wasn't some comical squeeze to knock the wind out of me. It was soft, warm, even downright pleasant. I could feel this filly's heart beat, and feel my own match it till it started to beat faster. I couldn't let her notice that last part so I pushed her away.
"Something wrong?" Twilight's question caught me off guard. I couldn't tell her that was my first real hug in my life. It would lead to having to tell her about my past, and one thing I learned is that ponies like Twilight will change after they realize they befriended a felon.
"It's nothing, I just never…" I said giving her a playful pat on the head. "Now come on. I believe you had something you wanted to say to all of them right?"
At this, Twilight suddenly seemed to change her expression instantly. Suddenly becoming very serious, "I can't believe I didn't warn them. Come on, we don't have much time."
The scene we entered however was deathly quiet. Everypony was looking up at a rather large mare with both a horn and wings. My body froze as I recognized this creature. It was like a creature every foal was afraid of and thus my elder sister got me with it for years before I was sent to prison and the inmates only made it worse when they found I was afraid of her. The master of the night itself and queen that ruled over all a thousand years ago and was thought by many to not exist anymore: Nightmare Moon.
“A long time ago, there were two regal sisters that ruled over the kingdom of Equestria. The elder was in charge of the sun and all of the daily activities. The younger was in charge of the moon and the stars, as well as the fewer night duties. At first the two worked together, but one day the younger sister grew jealous of the elder.”
“Why?” I asked confused, “She had a good deal. If dad worked nights we’d see more of him and him wouldn’t be as tired.”
My sister decided it would be best to pop me in the snout for that. “Don’t interrupt. She’s just getting to the good part.”
“Now now,” my mother said soothingly, “Wish is just a bit misinformed.” She pulled her attention to me and gave my horn tip a little kiss. “Even if you’re father did work nights it would just make it so he’d never be able to see you at all because he’d be sleeping during the day. Does that make sense?”
“I guess,” I answered not exactly getting it. Hey I’m not exactly the smartest pony around now, as a kid I was basically a brick to basic math.
“Well,” mom said giving a little cough that I only learned later wasn’t to clear her throat, “back to the story now. The younger was jealous of the elder because ponies would sleep turning her night while playing in her sister’s sun so she felt unappreciated.”
“I still fail to see how this made her hungry for foal flesh,” I injected.
“Ugg,” my sister complained, “Would you just stop? This is a great story and you are ruining it. I guess mom named you wrong since thinking is obviously something you can’t do.”
“Nuh uh,” I cried pushing her, “I can think perfectly fine.”
“Yeah huh,” came my sisters reply pushing me back. Within no time things were heating up as the two of us started to wrestle but were pulled apart as my mother’s wings separated us.
“Calm down you two,” she said in her usual proper tone. It was small but I noticed my mother flinched and did my best to calm down. My sister followed suit. “But you have proven my point. Now think of what would happen if I wasn’t here to stop that little fight and you both could throw the sort of powers the princesses have.”
Both of us swallowed hard. It was easy to see it going wrong if I could throw the freaking sun in a fit of rage. My mother sat us bad down and continued the story, my sister now holding onto me as she finished it.
It was always like that between us back then before mom’s flu got the best of her. We’d fight but then make up just as quick. At least it was like that till the day she cost me my horn and never came to talk to me again. Bitch.
Still even somewhat happy memories like that came be very comforting when you’re trying to calm your panicking mind.
Nightmare Moon. THE Nightmare Moon. My legs shook as I watched the night ruler disappeared into her own darkness. Whatever speech she made was lost to me as I suddenly was reminded that she can thrown the freaking moon on us if we disobeyed her.
Many scrambled. Panic taking hold of the entire town. I was not immune to this. I wasn't exactly sure when but I found myself galloping as fast as I could, saddlebags draped over me form and instinct to loot. Was it even in my instinct to steal at this point? What does it matter? Equestria is screwed and I have to get out as soon as I can before things go too far.
That was the plan, until a claw grabbed my mane and pulled me down to the ground.
"Just couldn't resist," came that seductive voice again. "I knew you'd screw up eventually 24601. These damn Equestrian laws keep having me wait until you are out of the city limits or that you break the law. Though I must admit they do have a good system going."
I tried to pull away, but my neck was taken next as the full weight of Gale came onto me and the click of cuffs locked us together. "Wha, what are you talking about?"
"Oh that's right," Gale said in aa tone that showed she didn't really just realize. She chuckled a bit and said, "You didn't know how lax the laws here are because we don't allow law books in the griffin kingdom prisons. Hard enough for you to get ones on our hometown, but getting ones for here would be impossible. I still had to though, comes with being bounty hunter. I doubt you even thought to look into how one on the run may claim refuse.”
“Wha-“ I started to say but got my face slammed down again as a reward.
"Do stop talking Wishful. As I was saying: Basically, when your crime itself is in the minor category as yours was. You get a free pass so long as you stay in a different city limit. So while I have come for you I couldn't bring you in till you broke the law. Make sense now?"
It did, why someone as skilled as Gale would just flirt and give me so many chances to escape. How I could in fact escape a flyer in general. I had messed up every time and never just settled like I wanted. And I didn't know this place was so free it was allowed to do that."
"So what was it this time?" She reached into my saddlebag and hummed. "Some food, a glass, oh what's this?"
I looked up to see that fire ruby once again. Had I not taken it out before? Even if I had it was likely my instinct took it since it was a gem that could net me quite the starting money.
"Oh boy, finally decided to join then big leagues eh?" She fumbled it in her claws a bit longer, her paws digging into my flesh. "This is worth well more than that old food cart. I wonder how the owner will react when I return it. Who's is it?"
I felt ashamed. Before I could just say it was so I could survive. A treasure obtained for the greater good. This was not it. I had taken something out of greed in a fit of panic. No excuses and I knew if I didn't tell Gale she would just keep the gem instead of hunting for it. In her own way she was allowing me to set things right. "The Librarian, her assistant is the owner."
I’ve found myself in front of a lot of judging eyes before. But the twelve I was placed in front of right now were by far the worst. Some of them were not as strong as others, but those of Twilight Sparkle pierced me and caused me to shake.
Gale finished explaining as she handed the Fire Ruby over to Spike with a smile and swooped back over me. That look finally broke me. I just fell limp in shame. I guess I’m nothing more than a thief after all. Maybe my sister was right to leave. She may have seen it I was a hopeless case, nothing but scum.
“It was a gift,” the little dragon piped as Gale tried to lift me.
“What,” I whimpered at the same time Gale said in obvious confusing.
“He asked me for it,” Spike said. “I was just gonna eat it anyway. I can always find a bigger one with some better shape.”
“Oh I can help you with that darling,” announced Rarity, “As soon as this whole Nightmare Moon incident if fixed of course.”
“Ba-“ Gale started to argue but Twilight cut her off.
“We don’t have time for this,” Twilight finally said. “Just let him go. Spike forgave him already and we have to get going.”
My shackles released in an instant as Gale grumbled. She stared down at me with a hint of angry but also a bit of what I would say a bit glee. Was she THAT into chasing me that she would just wait till I broke the law again?
“I’ll try to calm this stupid town down then,” Gale said. “I’ve got nothing better to do and I’m not stupid enough to fight a god so do what you will.”
“We don’t got time for this y’all,” said Applejack. “At this rate the princess will never come back and mah apples will all die from no sunlight.” The other five nodded and started galloping off.
“Wait,” I called after them. “I’ll come to. It’s the least I can do for you all.”
“Like hay we will,” cried the Blue Pegasus speeding back to me so fast I didn’t get a chance to blink. “You just stole from one of us and basically wet yourself when you saw Nightmare Moon. Heck give you another chance and I’m pretty sure you’ll just betray us the first chance ya get or my name isn’t Rainbow D. Dash.”
She did have a point. I bit my lip and looked down at my own shadow. I could see it come alive as if trying to tell me to buck up as if it was some form of friendly Vashta Nerada. It even did a little mimic to try and tell me to mouth off at the pegusas as she landed beside me and pushed me over.
“Ah I’m just joshing ya,” Rainbow said laughing. “If you did that I’d just floor you anyway.” I would have come back with ‘I’d like to see ya try’ but given the situation I still just kept my head down.
Pinkie Pie jumped on my back, “Besides, the more the merrier right?” How did she get there? She loomed over me and gave me a really odd look that almost got me to stop in my tracks. It was like her pupils were as big as my head before she skipped off me and finally left me alone.
“Whatever,” Twilight said with an obviously angry tone. That really hurt more. I really did need make up for all I did and show her trusting in others was not a bad idea.
This left me in the back with the last member of this group, the one that had yet to say a world to me. She even used her hair to block me from her eyesight. Still it would be best to start on having at least one more be friendly with me so at least half these girls would not be distracted by my presents.
“Um,” I finally said trying to approach her. She however trotted away from me. Okay I can do this, just give her a smile and introduce yourself. “I know it wasn’t the best first impression but the name is Wishful Thinking. What’s yours?” Not a peep, in fact she did her best to distance herself from me. Guess I wasn’t going to win her over, but she didn’t have to be so rude about it.
“Well buck you too,” I mumbled as I noticed I was pushing the both of us away from the group. I rejoined and heard a slight wimper from that pegusas. Well whatever, even if she was a bit hurt from hearing that she diserved it a little right? Well even if not apologizing now was pointless since she obviously still didn’t want to associate with a criminal. I’d just have to prove my good intentions to them all.
So we were off, to this Everfree forest.
Friendship is Magic: Trails Part 1 [Unedited Tablet typed]
To my surprise while it was for all purposes a death march, the company was rather cheery. Pinkie kept every pony engaged with fun little mini conversations, mostly about me and Twilight. Which meant all about me since Twilight was not seeing the point of such banter.
I tried to keep what I actually did from them for a time, but eventually as we neared a cliff face within the forest I had run out of stories that didn't involve my prison life and thus would lead into it. Thankfully it was Applejack that finally stopped her.
"I think that's enough Pinkie. You're gonna dry his throat out at this rate and none of us got any water on us."
"Speak for yourself Applejack," Rarity said as she took a swig from a canteen.
"Now when did y'all have time to get that?"
"She asked me to get it while you guys were deciding what to do with Wish here," Rainbow Dash answered taking her own bottle out and sucking out some water. "I'd have gotten more, but it was a big of a time crunch and I had to talk Rarity out of more stuff."
"I still say I will end up needing my eyelash curler on this trek," said Rarity. "But sometimes a lady must make do with what she has."
Applejack seemed like she was about to complain when Twilight's voice cut though the noise. "Would you all just shut up. We have a serious mission here and yo all are just spouting nonsense! I knew it was a bad idea to bring all of you."
As if on cue however, the ground beneath all of us crumbled and we began to fall. Rainbow and Fluttershy grabbed Rarity and Pinkie Pie to stop them, but that left the remaining three of the party to be stuck desperatly trying not to go over the cliff and to certain doom.
I frantically tried my best to grab onto something but to no avail. I had only managed to slow my speed down at best. I could see Applejack holding onto Twilight after being able to stop herself. But she was unable to pull the unicorn up.
"I won't let you get hurt Twi," the earth pony cried. "Applejack never leaves a friend hangin'." If I wasn't about to die from my fall I'd have groaned at that pun. Luckily I was too busy imagining my brains coating the walls to notice.
However my fall suddenly stopped, and looking down it wasn't a moment too soon. Cyan hooves held my shoulders. I was so greatful I hugged the Pegusas right there. Only letting go when I heard, "You're choking me."
With that I released her and before I could apologize, she had zoomed back to the top of the cliff to get Applejack as I saw Fluttershy helping Twilight down.
"What the hay Fluttershy? You were supposed to catch him."
Note: twist ankle from fall and have AJ tries to help Wishful. He refuses to keep up act so only AJ knows about it for now and will feel concerned for the next few bits.
The beast roared as it swiped at all of us. Thankfully I was still taking up the rear before so it came up short of striking me. Still keeping the panic from myself thanks in part to no knowing if I could outrun this thing with my injury.
Rarity's kick connected with a surprisingly audible sound and causing the creature to fall back. "Ha!" She cried, "take that you ruffian."
It was then I spotted it, hidden in the shadows was something under the beast's paw. My magic was off to try to pull off whatever that was to get a better look at the real shadow.
Twilight and the others rushed foreword, my twisted hoof keeping me from trying to stop them. Fluttershy thankfully was able to, though I will say I was surprised how loud she was able to project her voice.
Instead of just telling them it was better to run however, Fluttershy herself stepped foreword. We couldn't do anything to stop her and Rainbow Dash seemed the only one both willing and able to stop her. But Fluttershy stared back, stopping the blue Pegasus in her tracks.
The bellow of the beast returned Fluttershy's attention to it and she said in as sweet a voice I think she could muster, "it's okay. We're not gonna hurt you. Now let me see your paw."
Surprisingly the creature followed this order and the rest of us gasped. A very large thorn was coming out of the creature's paw. Whether because of Nightmare Moon or just plain luck it was in there rather deep. If it wasn't a pony eating monster that tried to kill us I'd almost sympathize.
"Okay now hold still," said Fluttershy as she examined the wound, "This might hurt a bit." With that she took the torn in her mouth and yanked it gently. The others flinched but I kept my eyes glued, my time in prison showed me far worse injures than that on a regular basis.
Once the torn was out however, the Manticore roared again, it's maw streaming at Fluttershy who remained unmoving. Everyone, including myself, cried out being unable to do more than watch. And what a sight it turned out to be.
"You're very welcome," Fluttershy said though giggles as the beast kept licking her face. I just stared in amazement. Were all these girls this incredible? Even miss Rarity had kicked this thing right in the face. I felt woefully ignorant for coming along just because I thought they needed someone physically strong. More and more my presents didn't seem to be needed, and right now I was slowing them down and being ignorant.
Still we were so far in there was nothing I could do now. Doing my best to keep quiet as I trotted foreword, I rejoined the group who had all gathered around Fluttershy to give her a cheer.
Note: Fluttershy notices the sprain
I saw my own shadow slowly go as the forest grew thinker with trees. What little light the moon had given us was slowly disapaiting, and with it so was my willingness to keep up my act. Luckily in the dark I could start trotting on three legs. Thus made everything difficult since I was far easier to trip, but my luck seemed to hold out so I was at least able to keep up with the rest.
"How are you holding up?" I heard Fluttershy whisper into my ear. Well at least it was an entire sentence this time with no hiccups.
"I'm fine," I replied even lower. "Keep your voice down though. Twilight should be distracted by a simple injury on someone she doesn't like.
"I'm not so-" whatever Fluttershy was going to say next was lost to me as I felt a tree stump finally end my lucky streak. I started to roll foreword, but Fluttershy caught me before my face hit the ground.
The grip grew tighter however as I felt her shake. The sound of the others screaming causing my awareness to heighten as light finally did show, and the face of a terrible monster loomed back at me.
