> Sunny and Kinder: The Sheep of Bronze Village > by R_E_D_A_C_T_E_D > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Bronze Village > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The wind blew gently, caressing Sunnys furry, yellow face. Her green eyes squinting as she searched for a familiar pony. Something she would never see again. She was far from home... Not that she could tell anyway. She held no knowledge of who she was or what she did. All she knew, was that she was standing in a unfamiliar place. Perhaps she would finally be some place where none of the other ponies asked questions, or demanded insane amounts of sugar. Sunny cringed at that last thought. She had once been thin, but now, her body was thick. She had eaten far more than she would like to admit over the last two years. Her then lover had gotten her into the habit. Luckily she had broken free of said habit, and relationship, but her body had not yet recuperated from the insanely high intake of food, leaving her still very pudgy. Sunny rubbed a hoof over her fat belly and sighed. At least now she had a chance at a fresh start. Maybe she would uncover the truth about herself and why she could not remember a single thing. "It's fine... As long as I keep trying, I'm bound to find something or some pony linked to my past." She muttered happily, ignoring the looks she was getting as she trotted along a paved pathway which was leading her directly into a small town, filled with life. Her messy orange mane bounced with each strangley large step the mare took. "Hiya!" She squeaked, waving a hoof to a disgusted looking couple of Unicorns. She ignored their rude behavior and stopped trotting, scanning the crowd, hoping she would see a pony and spark her memory, but of course, it did not. Instead, it only made her seem more odd as she looked to each pony, her little red tongue sticking out between the lips of her muzzle. Her eyes darting to each passing mare, stallion, or foal she saw. Sunny, although not the smartest Earth Pony around, was in fact quite the positive thinker. Often times she would try and find the best out of a horrible situation. Which in turn, could make her look rude or dumb, given certain scenarios in which she would giggle. But that was a rare thing. Sunnys mind began to wander, making her slowly stop greeting every single pony she saw. Her tongue still protruded from her muzzle, unbeknownst to her. She began to daydream about her friends she had left behind, and was rudely interrupted by something smacking her. Or had she smacked into it? Whatever the case, she toppled over and with a pomf, she was atop the warm, furry thing she had hit or been hit by. Sunny couldn't help but quietly giggle. "Sorry about that! Did I run into you? Or vice versa?" She looked down and beamed, ignoring the fact she was possibly crushing this poor creature. The thing let out a muffled groan and with surprising power, shot out from under Sunny, and shook itself off. It looked up at the mare and sat extremely still. Its small floppy ears and fluffy fur shined brilliantly. Sunny leaned closer to see what this thing was. Was it a dog? A bunny? A cat? No... As she looked it over, she noticed its crossed eyes and snickered. The thing looked at her with a hurt expression. "Aw, I'm sorry. That was pretty rude of me." She smiled and patted its head. The thing opened its mouth. What sound that came out startled Sunny, causing her to jump back like a cat. "Get off me." The little lamb muttered, her crossed eyes readjusted, fixed on the yellow mare that had smashed into her. She sighed and slowly stood up. Her legs buckled and she fell back down. Why did this have to happen to her? The pony smiled apologetically and offered a hoof. "Sorry about that... I was in my own little world." The lamb lifted a dainty little hoof and pokee through her golden fleece, scratching her head. She slapped her hoof on the earth pony's and smiled back. "Eh, whatever. No worries ma'am." She gave the pony a curious look but decided she didn't care enough to ask for a name. She saw the pony stand up straight and knew she would get her name anyway. Of course she would. Thats what these ponies did. At least this one was being nice so far. "Im Sunny! What's your name?" She grinned to the lamb, who forced a smile back. "No idea. Doesn't matter." The lamb grunted, slowly looking away. She looked back to Sunny, sighed as she saw her keeping that enthusiastic grin, and muttered to herself before deciding to let her nickname slip through her teeth. "I guess you can call me Kinder. You know.. Like kindered spirit?" "Nice to meet ya Kinder!" She beamed, her tongue still dangling out of her mouth. Kinder looked around, and after seeing none of her friends around, quickly gave a small smile back. "Yeah, whatev." She went back to her blank expression. "Uh. You trying to be funy or somethin'?" Kinder poked the tongue and wiped her hoof off immediately. Sunny returned her tongue to her mouth and fixed her mane. "Whoops! Sorry. Thats not always under my control." She looked around. The place was just full of ponies moments ago, but now, as the sun began to crest over the hills,there was no other ponies in sight. Kinder noticed this as well and groaned. "Oh... Great..." Kinder muttered, slowly moving towards the nearest building and knocking on the door. Sunny watched as the door opened and an elderly sheep poked his head out. "What is the matter Lamb Chop?" He asked. Kinder shied at the mentioning of her name and pointed towards the darkening sky. "Night comes quicker this day." The old sheep noted before turning his gaze to Sunny. "And this would be who?" Sunny took a deep breath, preparing to tell the sheep her name when Kinder covered her muzzle. "Well Dag, I didnt catch her name. I did hear her mention leaving early tomorrow. I offered her a room at the inn. Fifty bits. So I shall be shjowing her to it now if you don't mind." She hurriedly dragged Sunny through a door, which brought them to the back room of a bar. Kinder shut the door and let out a deep breath. "What was that about Kinder?" Sunny asked, adjusting her stance at the door. The lamb shook her head. "Dag isn't very open minded. He thinks all ponies are trash. So do alot of sheep and lambs here. Didnt you notice the separate lines? One for ponies, and one for sheep."Sunny scratched her head and looked at Kinder. " If that's the case, why were you in line with the ponies?" Kinder rolled her eyes. "I was protesting. I think having seperate lines is stupid. Why should ponies be treated differently just because we were here first?" Sunny nodded and looked at the floor. There was a white chalk line splitting the bar in half. One side said Sheep, while the side they stood on said Ponies. Kinder tapped Sunny and lifted a ring of keys off the wall inside the bar. "Come on. I'll show you to your room.." Kinder muttered, hopping over a step, swishing her fluffy tail as she turned. "Hurry, before Dag decides to kick you outta town!" Sunny trotted up alongside Kinder, smiling at the small lamb, who looked up and rolled her silver eyes. "Dont get all mushy just yet. There's a reason this room is vacant..." > First Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunny followed Kinder through a long, winding hallway. There were no windows for the stars to shine through, making it near impossible to navigate, but they did eventually find their way over to the door on the opposite end. Sunny watched the small lamb walk to the door, her fleece bounced softly with each step, she was almost entranced by the little things movement, it took Kinders relaxed voice to snap Sunny back into reality. "Here we are.." Kinder slowly pushed the door open with her little right hoof and sighed contently as she breathed in the smell of cinnamon and Pine, a scent she had grown to love since her first day at the inn. She smiled for a brief second taking in her surroundings, Sunny also took the time to admire the inn. Every inch of the floor was covered with a ratty-looking, cream colored carpet, which had spots matted down from excessive use. Bits of the material had loosened to the point where they were just coming off without any effort. The walls and ceiling were made of light colored wooden planks, which gave off the oaky-pine scent Kinder loved so much. Directly to their right as the trotted through the door, there was a small desk with a small piece of paper nailed to it. A pen and tiny bottle of ink beside it. Behind the desk were exactly three hooks presumably for keys to rest on, but only one of which a key was found dangling off of. Kinder muttered something under her breath and grimaced. Sunny tilted her head and smiled at Kinder. "I guess this means you get to bunk with me. I totally forgot i already rented the spare rooms out for the night." Kinder tapped her front hooves on the desk and thought for a moment. Sunny took advantage of the moment and looked at the cute lamb. She looked to be around Sunny's age, and Sunny admired her non chalant attitude and calm voice. "Uh, Sunny? Are you oggling me?" Kinder had looked back ever so slightly, subtly checking on her new acquaintance, and frowned as she caught the mare staring at her. Sunny, who had never been known to do this before shook her head, hiding the embarrassment on her face. "Wha-what? Me? No.." Sunny was an awful liar, and her overly obvious denying tone did more than give her away. Kinder snickered, finding this rather entertaining. "Good grief Sunny. How have you survived so long if your such a terrible liar?" Kinder teased. She smirked before going back to looking at the keys. She hopped over the desk, nabbed the key, and bounced backwards. Her hooves hit the ground gracefully as she landed. She turned around to face Sunny and set the keys down on the carpet. "Now, we've got to settle this before I allow you in the same room as I..." She leaned forward with an eyebrow cocked upwards while the other rested firmly in place. "Do you wet the bed?" Sunny looked at Kinder for a moment and shook her head. "Nope!" She beamed before looking at Kinder, who backed away and nodded her head, her fluffy fleece swaying with her head. "Good!" Sunny watched as Kinder walked towards one of the three doors in the back. She slowly unlocked it and looked back to Sunny and whistled quietly. "Well? Come on. I dont have all night." Sunny happily trotted to her and followed her into the room. Kinder looked to make sure no sheep were there and shut the door, locking it. "Thank you for allowing me a place to sleep Kinder." Sunny said, excitedly. Her eyes fixed on the sheep. "Eh, no worries. I couldnt let you sleep outside and be picked up by some slaver sheep, could I?" Kinder watched the mare carefully, she stood three feet away from her, and now Kinder could smell the citrus fragance she had on her. The two looked at one another, and as Kinder took a step forward, Sunny smiled nervously and cleared her throat. "So uh... Tomorrow I gotta help you. You have to split before Dag comes looking for you. Trust me, you dont want to see him tomorrow." Kinder stretched, climbing gently onto the small bed, and into the plain blue covers. Sunny looked around and softly tapped the lump of blankets that now held Kinder inside. "Kinder? Got any spare blankets and pillows?" Kinder lifted the blankets up and looked at her with annoyance. "Get in bed Sunny.." She stared blankly at Kinder, who rolled her eyes and patted beside her okn the bed. "Just.... Stay on your side.." Sunny softly climbed over her and laid down beside Kinder, closing her eyes trying desperately to fall asleep before her mind wandered. Kinder, though, let her mind race. A thousand different scenarios played out in her head, and she curled up beside Sunny as she fell asleep. Kinder could not sleep as easily. But she took the time she had to take a quick peek at Sunny under the covers. She slept, curled up in a ball, her eyes closed, her breaths soft. Her chest rising and falling gently. Kinder leaned in and pulled the blankets up more, covering Sunny more. Kinder felt tired and confused as the night went on until eventually, she fell asleep, resting against Sunnys stomach. As night turned to day, and the sun brightened up the world, Sunny yawned, waking herself up. She opoened her eyes slowly and saw covers surrounding her, and a soft head pressing against her stomach gently. She tapped the head and Kinder squeaked. "Stay on my side of the bed huh?" Sunny snickered. Kinder smiled sheepishly and got out of the bed. "What? I was cold.." She explained, looking up to Sunny from where she stood. Sunny nodded and kept a thought to herself, hopping out of the bed and looking out the framed window curiously. As she watched the sheep and ponies rush around outside, she noticed a large, angry, older looking sheep walk towards the entrance of the building they were in. "Uh Kinder?" Kinder had been pretending to brush her fleece when Sunny spoke to her, causing her to drop the brush and go wide eyed for a second. "Huh? What?" "I think-" A loud and hurried knock on Kinders door interrupted her, followed by a gruff, southern sounding voice that cracked through the air like a whip. "Kinder?! Who's that with you in there?" Kinder took in a deep breath and motioned for Sunny to hide under the bed. She nkdded and did so as Kinder cleared her throat. "I'm the only one here Dag. Relax. I kicked that outsider pony out of town earlier, thought I'd get some rest in since I was up so early." She made a face as Dag snorted frokm outside her door. "You've got a hour to get outside and open this damned inn and tevern of yours. Or I'll have Butch tear this place down. Ya get me?" Kinder smirked and kicked at the door. "Yeah, yeah, an hour. I get you Dag. Whatever." She went silent and watched outside the window until she saw Dag walk angrily back into the Mayors office. Sunny peeked out from under the bed and cleared her throat. "Shall I leave?" Sunny asked, climbing out. Kinder nodded and began handing Sunny things to put into her saddle bags. "Kinder, why don't you come with me?" Kinder shook her head. "I need to stop Dag from harming any ponies. He used to execute them when they fought against his view." Sunny frowned and looked out towards the Mayors office. "What if I helped you stop Dag and his sheep? Would you think abiut coming with me?" "Why do you want me to come? We don't know each other." "I dunno, I guess I just like ya." Kinder took in a deep breath and thought for a moment. She nodded held her hooves together for a moment before touching Sunny. "Help me first, then we'll talk. Deal?" Sunny nodded and smiled eagerly. She pecked Kinders nose and stood up straight. "Deal! Now let's figure out what the hay we're going to do!" > The Obviously Rushed Stand Off > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A small hoof shot up quickly, hitting Sunny hard in her face. She squeaked and looked at Kinder, whos little hoof was raised into the air. She chuckled nervously and slowly placed her hoof back to the carpeted floor. "I uh... didnt expect a kiss on the nose. Sorry 'bout that." Sunny rubbed her muzzle and pounced suddenly. "Hyah!" She let out her soft war cry as she rolled around, clinging to Kinder, who in turn began clinging to Sunny, screaming and laughing as the two playfully fought. The rolling stopped and Kinder found herself lying on top of Sunny. She used her two front hooves to pin Sunnys forelegs in place, and then admired the way Sunnys mane and fur reflected the colors of the sun that lit up the room they were in. Sunny looked up at Kinder and shook her head with a tiny smile. Her red tongue sticking out of her mouth as she locked her green eyes on Kinders yellow eyes. "I win." Kinder whispered before leaning forward, gently pressing her muzzle against Sunnys, closing her eyes, and kissing her slowly. Sunny giggled and broke the kiss, booping Kinders nose as she easily broke free of her hooves. "It's a tie silly!" She exclaimed, wiggling free and smirking. "Now... Let's get to work on my plan." Kinder shook herself back to reality and nodded. "Right... What is your plan?" She laughed nervously. Sunny rolled her eyes and smiled. "I challenge Dag, fight him and win hopefully, while i do that, you free the ponies. Simple enough right?" Kinder nodded and fixed Sunnys mane for her, and wrapped a red bandana over her brow. Sunny looked to her mockingly and Kinder shrugged. "I don't know, I read this in a book once." Sunny nodded and closed her eyes. She had never done something like any of this before. Her mind raced as she thought of her friends she had left to find herself again and sighed. Kinder cleared her throat and prodded Sunny with her hoof. Sunny opened the door and looked back to Kinder. "No matter how this fight goes, do not get involved. Okay?" Kinder nodded and watched as Sunny trotted outside, and then headed towards the door in the back of the inn. "Dag! Dag! I challenge you! Come out here you cowardly sheep!" Sunny shouted, standing up and scanning the village. Sheep ran inside their homes, ponies watched from open windows, it was like a classic showdown. "Oh, is that right? And why should I care? Hm?" Dag exited the mayors office and walked out onto the bare dirt road, stopping in front of Sunny and snickering. "Because I'll be taking your ponies with me, and freeing them." She muttered, stomping the ground beneath her, dirt rising in the air as her hoof impacted the ground. Dag rolled his eyes and turned back. "Fine, but that won't be happening, as I will be the winner." Sunny shook her head, but sqeaked in surprise as Dag suddenly tackled her to the ground, making her smack against the dirt with a hard slap. He began pummeling her with his pointy hooves, cutting and bruising her face and chest with each hit. Sunny screamed as she jabbed the big, old sheep in his left eye, causing him to back away, momentarily stunned from the pain. A thin trail of blood ran down his cheek. Kinder hopped up, onto a small platform beside a cage inhabited by a teal and blue unicorn. "Hey pal. Any others here besides us?" The unicorn shook his head and pointed a weak hoof towards a single glass table with some papers and a key resting atop it. "There coupdnt be an easier way." Kinder commented, hopping down and recieving the key. She carefully unlocked the cage and turned to find the rest of the ponies when she was hit with a red blast of magic. "Really dude?" Kinder grunted, climbing up to her hooves, frowingoat the unicorn, who turned purple and silver. He nodded and smiled. Kinder rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Screw it. I have a couple spare minutes." Sunny kicked her hing legs, connecting her hooves with Dags face, leacing behind a horshoe marking in his fleece. Dag fell over, rolling in pain as Sunny turned to face him. Why was it so easy to fight him? She wondered before Kinder sped past her. "Sunny! Huge problem!" Sunny looked towards Kinder and saw a unicorn close behind her. "Hey! Creep! Leave her alone!" The unicorn stopped and turned around, smirking as he teleported directly infront of her. "What? Want me to fight someone my own size?" Sunny nodded and glared at the unicorn, who glared back. "No, but close." She leapt, jumping towards him when he teleported again, causing Sunny to crash into the dirt. "Kinder! Finish the job. I'll keep this guy busy.." She gulped and whispered, "though i don't know for how long." Kinder ran around, freeing pony after pony. All the while Sunny desperately fought the unicorn. "Look man, why are you even fighting with us? We freed you!" The unicorn shook his head. "No, you freed my slaves." Dag grumbled in unison with the unicorn. Sunny snarled and tackled the Unicorn, hitting hoof after hoof against his head. As Sunny hit the unicorn, he saw a ring wrapped around the unicorns Horn. It glowed red like his magic. Kinder must have also aeen the ring, because she dived towards the unicorn and slipped the ring off his horn. He returned to his teal and blue colors. Dag stood up and grumbled. Looking at Sunny with disgust. Sunny and Kinder were too busy celebrating to notice. He slowly hobbled towards them. One eye shut tightly, the other focused on Sunny as she hopped with joy. She stopped when she felt his hot breath on the back of her neck. "I'm gonna kill you." Dag growled, raising his hooves high into the air. Kinder puahed Sunny out of the way, and received the blow, toppling over as he continuously beat her. Sunny gasped aa she saw thia and headbutted him, knocking him off of Kinder. "You stupid coward." Sunny stomped on his face until he stopped moving. She then turned and checked on Kinder. "Chill Sunny. We did it." Kinder stood up but cringed from the pain. "You seriously owe me." Sunny looked at her and nuzzled her softly. "I do." She looked around as some of the sheep ran, leaving the village. The ponies and remaining sheep leaving their hiding spots. "But only if you come with me." Kinder rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just, no more surpri-" Sunny interrupted her with a soft kiss on her lips. She squeaked and broke away. "Come on, let's leave so they can do their thing." Sunny happily said, skipping off, Kinder following closely behind her. The ponies and sheep surrounding the weak Dag. He laughed nervously. "Hey, how are y'all doing?" They glared at him furiously. The teal and blue unicorn snarled. "Oh haybales." He muttered as they drew closer. "Sunny?" Kinder lie beside Sunny, their forlegs wrapped around each other. Sunny opened her eyes slowly. "Hm?" Kinder leaned in and brushed her hoof along Sunny's orange mane. " Your hoof is crushing my leg." "Sorry." She smiled and readjusted herself. Kinder poked at Sunnys chest and got up out of bed. Sunny watched as Kinder checked their bags. "Sunny, where's the map?" Sunny's eyes went wide. "It's not in there?" Kinder shook her head. Sunny laughed a little before letting he ears droop. "Oh crap."