> The Peach Boy; A Tale of a Blessed Birth
>  by Freewing Alchemist P
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ginger Snaps
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do not own the right to My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic, it is the property of Hasbro. Nor do I own the right to Momotaro The Peach Boy by a Chinese Folktale.. I was inspired by ease stories to write this one.
                 
   The Peach Boy; A Tale of a Blessed Birth.
                                    MLPFiM

The one thing you'd think I would hate about my new life would be the constant disasters that occur in this town, but that's not it at all. What I do not like about living in Equestira or my new home of Ponyville, what is it you ask? The fact they use solid gold coins as  currency and you have to haggle for the best prices. I hate haggling I always feel that I’m getting ripped off. These ponies are too good at bargaining and I am not. That’s why I always need to find a little extra work.
            On this fine day I was working for a new farm pony in town by the name of Peach Bottom. Dang, Peach Bottom, even for a pony that was a weird name. She was a Pegasi, with a peach-colored coat, and a darker  reddish, peach-colored mane. She also had a sweet voice with a southern  twang. I had been helping her haul in all her products and setting up her new stall at the market place. I like the farmers market and all the fresh fruit and even some fish, some Pegasus do like seafood.
      "Thank you, darlin', " she told me with a smile and batted her eyelashes at me, in an almost flirtatious manner. “I’m sure glad that you be’n a round and all.”
            “No problem Ms. Peach.” I replied as I set up another viewing stand.
            “Ahy, no Ms. You can call me Peach Bottom.” She flashed me a big smile.

            It had been a long day as the customers filed in to buy the new product, Sweet Peaches. I was kind of worried that I would alienate some of the other friends I'd made by helping out this stranger, but I guess helping a new pony was all part of this town. Good thing too, I like the Apples, they are nice ponies.
            It was near the end of the day and we were going to close the stall when something strange started to happen. Peaches started to disappear and I could hear giggling. Peach Bottom and were starting to get concerned.  I mean, I'd been a victim of both Pinkie Pie's and Rainbow Dash's  pranks before, but Peach Bottom hadn't.  She'd might've gotten the wrong idea
            “Six,” She shouted and looked around. “I’m miss’en six more peaches.”
            I shook my head. “There hasn’t been any new customers either where have they gone?”
            “Weee!” A laughing voice call cheered.
            “Funny!” Another answered back.
            Then there was more laughter for the two new voices, we looked around try and find the source. It was kind of eerie, like a horror movie cliché. The two of us were so preoccupied trying to find our tormentors that we didn’t here a set of hooves come up to us.
            “Excuse me.” A familiar voice got my attention. I turned around to see a yellow stallion with a short cropped, orange mane and  was dress in a candy striped baker apron and hat.
            “Have you see our ginger snaps, our little ones?” Next to him was a blue mare in a frilly version of the apron with two tone pink swirl mane.
            I looked at the two ponies, not being young but they were far from being old. I knew I had seen them before but I could not place where I had seen them. It took me amount to realize who they were, the bakers form town. They owned the gingerbread house, Sugar Cube Corner “Little one?” I asked absentmindedly.
            “Yes, our babies.” The mare added I could see she was a bit worried.
            “Ah, Cuppy I think we should focus on a more pressing matter.” The Stallion said with a manic look on his face.
            He face suddenly matched his. “Oh, yes dear. Pound! Pumpkin! Come to mommy and daddy!” She made a clicking noise as both her and her husband looked around the stall.
            That was when we heard a noise from just behind one of the stacks of crates that was helping to hold up a crate of peaches. A buzzing noise reached my ears and a little Pegasus colt rose into the air. He was had off white fur with brown mane but his muzzle was smeared with peach juice. Then form on side a butter yellow unicorn filly with pumpkin orange mane who also had peach juice on her muzzle their respective brown and blue eye lit up and waddle quickly to their waiting parents.
            “Pegasus and a unicorn? Twins I presume?” I asked aloud.
            “Ahww,” Peach Bottom started. “This two are cuter than June bugs on a dandelion.” She cooed.  
            “Yes, they can be a little tricky and a bit troublesome too.” The Stallion chuckled a bit. As the two of them started to whipped off their foals muzzles and cleaned them up, with what I assume was wet naps or the equivalent of it when it comes to Equestria.
            “Oh, wait introduction,” The mare cheered. “I’m Cup Cake and the hunky stallion next to me is my husband is Carrot Cake. You must be new?” She extended a hoof to Peach Bottom.
            “Pleasure, I’m Peach Bottom. Peach farmer just move here from Hoofshire, glad there are other mixed family her too. In Hoofshire I was the only Pegasus in a Earthbound family.”
            “Oh, so Pinkie hasn’t got to you yet.” Cup Cake said.
            “Yes, she just love giving parties to new ponies.” Carrot Cake added.
            “But we have not seen you too often?” Cup asked me.
            “You own a bakery right?” I asked and they nodded.
            “Yah,” I shook my head. “Everything is just a little too sweet for me I think I might get sick. Now it does not help seeing these two they are adorable.”
            They both smiled at me. “Well deary we can figure something out for you. I mean we make sapphire frosting, with real sapphire for Spike, you know little the dragon.” I thought about if for a moment.
            “I guess I will stop by some time.” I said to them.

            “Attention Citizens of Ponyville,” A Pegasus called to all below. “There is a rough storm front moving in from the Everfree forest, please return to your home immediately! Stay in your homes while the weather team takes care of it!”
    
            “That does not sound too good.” I said aloud.
            “No, it’s not darl’en I live clear on the other side of town.” Peach Bottom said to me wit a hint of distress.
            “Don’t worry,” I surged with a smile. “I’ll help you.”
            “Oh no worries dear you both can come and stay with us until the storm is over it’s the least we could do.” Cup Cake said with a smile.
            “Our little ginger snaps did eat your stock so I think it’s a fair trade.” Carrot added.

            Between the four of us we were able to bring all of Peach Bottom’s stock into Sugar Cube Corners. Peach Bottom and the bakers went to work making a Peach based treat while I watched the twins. That made me nervous they had already proven to be quite mischievous, but they seem to calmed down. It was not long until the three had finished and the six of us were together. Eating some Peach dumplings, as I finished I was in the mood for a story and I need to start.
            “So, may I ask?” I started. “Are you too an older couple?” I asked the Cakes.
            “Oh, that we are.” Cup said.
            “We tried for so long to have foals and we almost gave up.” Carrot said.
            “But then we met Pinkie Pie. She gave us hope that may be we could have them. I mean look at all the crazy things she can do.” Cup added.
            “It gave us hope, that maybe...” Carrot finished.
            “That’s good,” Added. “I have a story that I would like to tell you all a if that’s OK?”
            I went to one of Peach Bottom’s crates and picked up a peach and then took my seat again. “I was thinking of this story since I was working for you Peach Bottom and I think this is the perfect time to tell it. It’s called Momotaro the Peach Boy.”

            In my home world, long, long ago in a faraway land a poor old woodcutter and his wife lived. The poor couple had never been blessed with a child. They were good people but they were very lonely. One day, the old man traveled to the mountains to cut firewood, while the old woman went to the river to wash her clothes.
            She had only just started when something strange happened. The Strange thing you ask? A gigantic peach floated down the river and floated towards her. Surprised, the woman took the peach, and decided to take it home so she could share it with her husband. But the biggest surprise was yet to come.
            Just before the old woman could cut into the peach a voice called out. “Wait! Don’t cut me!” Suddenly the peach split open and out jumped a baby boy.

            “I like this story already, it involves peaches after all.” Peach Bottom said with a smile.
            “Well, I think we know where were you got the idea from.” Carrot added.
            “I’m guessing that is not how baby humans are born.” Cup said I. shook my head. “I’ll let you finish.”

            The boy said. “Don’t be afraid! The god of heaven saw how lonely you are without children so he sent me to be your son.”
            The old man and woman were overjoyed, and named their new son “Momotaro,” that means Peach Boy. The old couple raised the boy the best they could and he was a fine son. He became the best any mother and father could ever hope for. Soon that fine boy grew into a strong and noble young man.

            I paused and took a drink of water. I could see the happy looks on the Cakes faces and even the little one seemed to enjoy it too. “Now before I begin do you know what an Ogre is?
            None of them showed any explanation, so I explained to them. “They are hideous, horned giants that have great strength and they feed on humans. Most, found in fairy tales, children's stories. You know the one to scare them.” I cleared my throat and started again.

            When Momotaro was fifteen he went to his parents and said. “I am a big boy now. I must do something to help my country.”
            He told them he wished to journey to the Ogre Island, where there lived many wicked ogres who did many wicked things, like carrying away innocent people and steal their treasure.
            Momotaro meant to fight the Ogre, and bring back the treasure. “Please, let me do this.” He pleaded.
            The old man and woman were afraid for their son’s safety not to mention his life, but proud of his bravery and gave him their blessing.
            So Momotaro donned his father’s armor and his mother gave him some millet dumplings to eat on his way.
            He began his journey, promising his parents he would return soon.
            As Momotaro walked toward the distant sea, he met a dog. Momotaro shared millet dumpling, the dog agreed to accompany him to Ogre Island and fight the wicked ogres.
            Soon, Momotaro and the dog met a monkey, who wanted to fight with the dog. Momotaro stopped it and shared his millet dumpling with the monkey. The Monkey agreed to accompany the two to Ogre Island and fight the wicked ogres.
            Then Momotaro, The dog and the monkey met a pheasant on the path to the sea. The Pheasant wanted to fight with the dog and the monkey . Momotaro stopped it and shared a millet dumpling with the bird, who agreed to accompany them to Ogre Island and fight the wicked  ogres.
            When the four friends reached the coast they built a boat and sailed to Ogre Island.

            “Let me guess dar’len the next part of the story is Ogre Island?” Peach Bottom said.
            “That’s right,” I said. Looked at that Cakes. “So what do you think?”
            “How bad will it get?” Cup asked. I could tell that they were concerned  about their kids.
            “Not that bad.” I answered.

            Arriving upon the island’s shores, Momotaro found the fortress of the ogres. The fortress was made of large stone walls and strong sturdy gate. The Pheasant flew over the fortress walls and pecked at the ogres. Distracted by the pheasant’s pecking, the ogres did not notice the monkey as he climbed over the walls and opened the fortress gate.
            That was when Momotaro and the dog rushed inside surprising the ogres. A fierce battle raged! Momotaro and his friend cut, clawed, bit and pecked the ogres!
            At last, the ogres surrendered to Momotaro. They promised to never again do wicked things. They gave Momotaro all the treasure they had stolen.
            Momotaro and his friends sailed back across the sea with the treasure, and journeyed back home. Momotaro’s parents were overjoyed to have their son return, just as he had promised. The brave boy presented them with the treasure and they all lived happily together for many years.

            I smiled as I finished my tale. The little foal giggled a little and the parents picked them up and nuzzled them lightly.
            I smiled. “This is for you two.”
            “Us?” They both asked puzzled.
            “Yes, you're an older couple who had a miracle of there own,” I pointed at their foals. “May they grow into great ponies that will make you proud and do great thing for your world.” The couple smiled at me and Cup mouthed ‘Thank you’ The storm ended and I help Peach Bottom with the remaining stock.
            “That was a pretty nice story you told us there,” Peach Bottom stated. “I like to know if I can share that story with anyone?”
            I laughed. “Yes, yes you can. I have many more stories. I am a storyteller after all.”
            “Care to share any more?” She asked.
            I shrugged. “I might think of something. I’m just glad that I can get some nice baked goods there. I worked something out with the Cakes. But I might, do you want to hear them?” I asked.
            “Well some other time not tonight but a am sure glad that I ended up in this town.” Peach Bottom said with a smile on her face.
            “I’m glad I ended up here too.” I was glad I ended up in this strange little town. It may have it’s share of disasters but it’s my home now. Just glad I could make some friend and tell some stories.