A Riddle by Nature

Chapter 9: Waiting

Spitfire

“Come on team! Just another thirty laps!” I hovered above the training track as Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Lightning Dust, and the rest of the Wonderbolts raced around the track as fast as they could.

After another minute Rainbow Dash landed and I glided down to meet her “Nice Job Dash, keep that up and you’ll make Captain in no time.”

The Rainbow maned mare smiled at this and said “Was there ever any doubt?”

I rolled my eyes at her. She actually should have been a Captain already but Princess Celestia had insisted that I let her decide when Rainbow Dash joined. Soarin landed second followed closely by Lightning Dust and the others. “Alright everypony hit the showers...especially you Soarin you smell like something the Diamond Dog dragged in.” The rest of the group laughed while Soarin smiled at me.

I opened my eyes as the boom of thunder shook the sky. “Stupid weather I was really enjoying having my memories back.” The storm that was rolling in from the direction of Lake Michigan had been nagging me for several hours and there wasn’t much I could do now that it had reached me...or was there?

I flew toward the approaching storm and thought. Welp here’s to hoping that Pegasus magic still works on this planet.

Once I reached the cloud bank I felt a tugging sensation in my gut and before I knew it I rammed head first into the storm. And, just as I had hoped, the clouds began to pop like they did in the show. “Score one for cartoon Physics and screw you Mother Nature!”

I began to criss-cross the storm until all that was left were a few stray clouds “Hmph, that will teach the weather a thing or two about respect.” I landed back on the cloud that I had been resting on earlier and stuck my head through it to check on Zecora. Yep, she was still multitasking between searching for more Ponies on the internet and brewing more of her potions, including several of the memory-restoring variety in case we did run into any other Ponies. So to pass the time I decided to fly around a bit and test my wings.

My flight was actually quite relaxing for the most part, I knew that no one on the ground would recognize me as a Pegasus from my current height so I risked a flight over the city but when I got there I noticed was that a lot of people were staring into the windows of electronic shops, you know the ones that usually have TV’s in the window.

I decided that whatever was on had to be important to attract that much attention so I landed on the roof of a building across from one to get a good view...and in there...on no less than a dozen TV’s...was Soarin.

I’ll admit at first I thought that the store was playing My Little Pony, but that only lasted an instant when I saw that Soarin was in a grocery store, carrying a bag and shopping as if nothing had happened. Then the scene went back to the studio and the news lady began to talk. I couldn’t hear her very well but apparently Spitfire can read lips because I could tell she was saying.

“Those videos were from about a day ago taken in a town in Washington The C.I.A. has not said whether or not this sighting has anything to do with the other Pony sightings coming in from around the country or even the robbery that took place here in Rockford a few nights ago that may have had to do with one of these creatures, Back to you Tom.”

“Thanks Diane, next up-”

I took off and thought to myself “What was he thinking?” I wasn’t angry with him just a bit confused then I remembered what the news lady had said.

“...Pony sightings coming in from around the country...”

That meant that there were other Ponies in America so that was a start at least “Maybe he wanted to get the word out, raise awareness or something like that.” I said to myself “Well this could end in two ways. Either A. capture and probably painful experimentation or B. we end up as guest on SNL, or The Daily Show.”

I smirked as a thought popped into my head “I wonder how Zecora would do in an interview.”

Then another thought hit me, if we were going to get the word out and get people on our side then I needed to do my part. “Ok I need a group of people who won’t scream, call the cops or shoot me...and I don’t know where any Bronies are sooo...is there a park around here?”

I decided on the park because I knew no one would shoot in a place full kids. “Right.” I said as I looked down at all the people in the park below me. I smiled “Time for a little show.”

I took off from the cloud I had brought with me and went into a sharp dive, when the crowd spotted me a fair amount of them gasped, probably thinking I would crash. But I pulled up at the last second and flew directly over their heads, knocking off a few hats as I passed. I pulled up after a few seconds and paused in the air, staring down at the crowd. Then I flew straight up and blasted through the cloud I had brought causing a lot of oh's and ah’s from the crowd, after that I criss-crossed the sky and, after picking up enough speed, began to color streak with a line of fire following behind me and went to work. After a few minutes I flew back toward the ground and admired my work, I had used my fire-streak to burn a message into the sky, well not an actual message I had just spelled out.

SPITFIRE

I looked back down at the people in the crowd, a lot of whom were cheering, and shouted down. “Thank you Rockford and remember to support the Wonderbolts!”

I knew that my little air show would draw the attention of...everyone. So I quickly flew back to the forest where I was hiding with Zecora, waiting for Soarin to arrive.

Fortunately I didn’t have to wait long.

Zecora

While my companion was away on her flight I was stuck looking up news on Ponies, which was relatively difficult considering everyone was overwhelmed with the fact that a small missile had apparently been launched at the U.S. from Canada.

I was really starting to worry about what could happen if the government actually this got out in the open. I knew from experience how people and ponies usually reacted to something different or strange.

I walked out of the Everfree forest and toward a small town that I had heard of from a rather helpful Sea Serpent a few miles back. Ponyville, as he had to told me was a small town not far from Canterlot.

“In thinking this and perhaps it’s just me but they should have settled farther from the Everfree.” I said noticing how close the town was to the unnatural woods.

I trotted into town without a second thought and began to look for some kind of official building and, spotting town hall, headed towards the center of town.

I was halfway there when I began to notice the odd looks ponies were giving me, and the farther I went into town the odder the looks became. Some curious but most looked terrified.

“When I ignore it they stare at me more, perhaps they’ve never seen a Zebra before.” I thought to myself.

So I decided to do the friendly thing and introduce myself, I stopped next to a small bakery and said. “By the name Zecora I am known, and I have just moved here from where I have grown.”

At that point a pink, poofy haired Earth Pony filly jumped up and screamed. “She’s an evil enchantress, she does evil dances...” and then she just ran inside.

For a pregnant moment everypony was quiet so I decide to explain why I was here. “I-”

An aquamarine Unicorn screamed “Run!”

A trio of Earth Ponies near a flower shop yelled “She’ll curse us all!”

An young, orange Earth Pony filly picked up a tiny, red haired filly and screamed “Big Mac!”

A large, red, Earth Pony Stallion came barreling down the street and, seeing me and the look of terror in the orange fillies eyes, charged towards me.

“I’ll give this meeting a reprieve...” I said as I turned and began to run. “because I really have to leave!”

I don’t know how I outran that Stallion. “Perhaps he was younger than his actual look..” I paused thinking this over “you should not judge the cover of the book.”

The next day I went back to Ponyville and this time was meet with doors locked and shutters shut. So I did the only thing I could, using my potions, I grew a hut.

I opened my eyes as my memory ended. I, at the very least, looked like a pony, albeit with a few physiological differences, but here we were dealing what 5,6,7? different species interacting with Humans. If ponies had treated me in such a way when I first arrived what would the average Human do if they encountered something like a Minotaur, or a Changeling...Or a very large, very hungry, very confused Dragon. I put the thought out of my head as Spitfire landed on the other side of the glade.

“Maybe some brewing will clear my head.” I said to myself “and clear this sickening feeling of dread.”

Spitfire

It was less than an hour after I had returned from my flight when I heard something land in the glade followed by.

“Oh thank Celestia I finally found you!”

I turned and smiled when I saw a familiar light blue stallion walking towards me.

“Ugh, that flight sucked. Please tell me I can take the rest of the day off...”

“Soarin! glad you made soldier, and not in bad time either.”

Zecora looked up from her potions, smiled, and began trotting towards up.

“Soarin you remember Zecora right?” I said introducing the Zebra.

“Greeting soarin, and how do you do? Spitfire was very worried about you.” She rhymed.

“Yeah... I don’t remember you just yet.” he smiled at Zecora apologetically.

“Sorry. I’ve been getting flashbacks for a couple days now, but I haven’t gotten anything involving you. But I’ll take your word for it that I know you.”

Zecora stroked her chin a few times before saying. “If you want I can fix your memory issue, a simple potion and your lost memories ensue.”

Soarin sat down and thought on the subject before shaking his head and saying. “Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather let them come naturally. It’s more... exciting, I guess.”

Zecora just smiled and nodded like she understood.

“So Soarin how have you been these past few decades anyway? I got to keep my gender but Zecora here wasn’t so lucky.”

Zecora turned her head away but on white fur her blush was pretty evident.

Soarin winced and said to Zecora “Ooohhh... sorry to hear that. My gender didn’t change, so I got lucky there. Other than that, it’s been a pretty easy-going couple of decades.”

Zecora just shook her head and said. “It is fine, just please don’t remind me I would very much like to put that part behind me.”

I smirked a little before saying “Alright now that your here Soarin we can figure what exactly we’re going to do, Oh, by the way I saw a newscast of your little stunt at that convenience store, wasn’t a bad idea so I decided to pull off my own little stunt, although there was a slightly bigger audience.”

He grinned when I told him about my stunt show over the park.

“Slightly bigger audience? Spits, I got on the news!” I paused momentarily before continuing. “...Well, you probably did too, so how about we call it a tie?”

Then he put his hoof to his chin and said.

“Well... hmm...there’s always... no... well, we could always be guest stars on The Daily Show or something.” He joked.

Then after a moment he continued. “...Actually that sounds like a good idea. I mean, I’m certain there are other people turning into ponies, right? And there are probably people and government officials freaking out about it being a disease or something? Then why don’t we convince some talk show to guest star us, and make a public service announcement or whatever about how this isn’t a disease, and that we’re not a threat?”

“Well there are definitely other ponies out there, The Elements of Harmony and the other Wonderbolts for sure, and as for the Daily Show I was thinking the same thing, and the only flaws in the plan I can find are that A.) We can’t exactly drive to...New York right? and B.)”

I gestured to Zecora “She can’t fly and I’m not leaving her behind.”

Soarin just shrugged and said. “Then don’t. We can fly with her. As for her stuff, we’ll just figure something out.”

“Don’t worry, I have a bag for my potions and brews, since some of those are too dangerous to lose.” Zecora answered before trotting off. “Now my supplies I’m going to pack, and then we can leave once I get back.”

“Well I guess that takes care of that,” I said with a smile “next stop New York City!”

He smiled and said. “And back to being the world famous Wonderbolts!”

Zecora

It took about two days to get from Rockford to New York and let me tell you it wasn’t something I’d like to experience again. Turns out I have a fear of heights, who knew?

When we finally arrived Soarin and Spitfire dropped me onto a roof top not far from Daily Show Studios and once they landed we began to work out a plan.

The first idea came from Spitfire. “Why don’t we just bust into his office and ask him to interview us? I mean we're kinda famous already.”

I sighed and said. “We don’t want to scare him if we can help it, and if he calls the guards then we’ll be in deep shit.”

Soarin chuckled “Sounds like your kind of plan, Spits. How about we just do this the same way I did the grocery store back in Washington? We don’t need some elaborate plan when we can just waltz in the front door and give them guests to interview for an episode that will bring in a ton of money.”

I thought this over and realized that I had developed a way of overthinking things.

Soarin continued. “I mean, come on, what’s more interesting: a news channel showing off a couple YouTube videos of me and Spits being seen in public, or Jon Stewart himself interviewing us? And especially after we walk in and say that we’re there to do exactly that.”

Spitfire smiled. “That’s exactly what we’ll do. Then maybe we can find the Elements. Or even better, the rest of the team!”

I laughed. “Well if we’ve got a plan then lets do this, for this is a chance that we cannot miss.”

Soarin and Spitfire flew me down to the studio and together we walked into the building. Once inside the guards at either side of the doors mouths dropped and the assistants who were running around stopped dead and several of them dropped papers and coffee.

Spitfire just walked past the guards up to the receptionist and said. “Hi...we’re here for our interview.”

Soarin, and I stood in the Daily Show lobby waiting for something to happen while Spitfire waited at the receptionist’s desk. Unfortunately shes a bit impatient.

Spitfire tapped her hoof on the desk and said. “Hello, two Wonderbolts and a witch doctor here...I know this isn’t how you’d usually schedule an interview but my agents still in Equestria.”

At this point the guards finally came to their senses and realized that letting talking ponies into the studio might not be a good idea.

The larger one began shouting orders. “Alright put your hands in the air.”

I smiled. “Sorry to point out the flaw in your plans but it would appear that we don’t have any hands.”

The second guard laughed lightly before the larger one silenced him and said. “Now listen here you little-”

I interrupted him before he could continue. “Sir I don’t think you should try to make threats, or you might just say something that you will later regret.”

The second guard stepped forward and said. “Was that a threat?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t threaten others, that’s just isn’t me, it was just a piece of advice don’t you see.”

They looked at me in disbelief but I continued. “And before you ask for my speaking to cease I just want to say that we come in peace. For, and this is something you should already know, all that we want is to be on the show.”

The guards were now completely confused, I tend to have that effect on people, and the receptionist had regained herself. She looked from Spitfire to Soarin and said.

“You two were on the news weren’t you?”

Spitfire smiled. “I was in Rockford.”

“Washington state, for me.” Soarin answered not really paying attention to the woman. “Now, miss...” He read her name tag. “Julie, allow me to explain why giving us an on-air interview would be a good idea. First, the number of viewers you’ll get. Just think about it. What’s more interesting: a politician talking about something going on overseas, or three real-life ponies that more or less qualify as aliens from another dimension? Not to mention the fact that the live audience that will be here eventually will be all the witnesses you’ll need.”

“Second, money. Aside from the ridiculous amount of viewers you’ll get just from having all of us be on this show, you’ll be raking in more money than before. I mean, really; just imagine how many people will do whatever they can to get their hands on this footage.”

“Finally... you’ll get to do something no other talk show has done yet. You’ll get the chance to broadcast video of ponies that just happen to resemble those from a cartoon and just happen to actually be real. And of course, it’ll be a perfect chance for us to prove to you -- as well as everyone in the world -- that we mean no harm. That all we want to do is go home.”

I was slightly shocked for a second at just how convincing that explanation had been and, from the look on her face, so was the receptionist.

“Well I umm...let me just...there's someone I need to call.”

She fumbled with the phone for a few seconds before managing to hit the right button. The phone rang a few times before someone on the other end picked up and and she said.

“Mister Stewart? You need to come see this. Yes, it’s important.”