Welcome to Ponyville, The Cutest Little Town in Coltson County.
As I walked into town, my headphones blaring Octavia's latest concerto, I see a large library. I walk right towards it. I pull off my headphones, the classical music still playing, and slowly open the door.
I am greeted by the ringing of a bell. "Hello, welcome to Golden Oaks Library, I'll be with you in a second." calls a voice from upstairs. I hear a rush of whispering and then the slap of hooves on the wood stairs.
"Hey, um, I'm looking for the..." I start then I notice something. The neatly brushed mane with a stripe of light violet interrupting the twilight blue. Then I notice the wings.
Alicorn. I hate Alicorns.
I give a quick nonchalant bow. I look up at her and notice a look of discomfort on her face.
Either my loud music was bothering her, or she wasn't used to the formality. I quickly rise.
"Um, so what was it you were looking for?" she said.
"Well, Princess, I was lookin' for the post office. Ya know where it is?"
"It's at the train station. You should have seen it when you came into town." she said, almost impatiently, but tried to hide it. Like she had something to do.
"I actually didn't take a train into town. Could you tell me where the station is?"
"Okay, leave the library and go left. Then, just keep true."
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"Just keep true, okay, don't look back,"
"But what about..."
"Just keep true. I'll be fine."
BOOM!
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"Excuse me, miss?" Twilight said for the fourth time.
"Huh, yeah, right, sorry. So, just head north. Thanks," I said. "I'm Victoria, by the way,"
"Well, its nice to meet you, Victoria," she said as I walked out the door. She quickly shut it behind me.
As I walked towards the post office, I try to focus on the scenery. The sloping, colorful roofs, the cheerful faces of the ponies in the market, the smells of baked goods in the oven. All of it so familiar. All of it so normal. Ponies content, even happy, with mediocrity. Such a refreshing change.
Then I see a pink mare, and she looks uber excited. She had a hot pink coat and a sort of red violet mane. She was pretty attractive. Er, for a mare, that is. "Uh, hey," I say.
She doesn't really say anything, but she kind of lets out a loud gasp and runs off. I guess walking from the coast to the center of Equestria does make me smell... a bit ripe. She didn't need to be so rude about it, though. As soon as I got to my brother's house, I was taking a shower.
I continued to walk north, toward the station and post office, I hoped.
In the next two seconds, I hear a loud roar overhead and look up. I see a small blue comet with a rainbow tail. You don't see comets like that everyday.
I continue to walk, listening to my music, until, again, another mare blocked my way. This one was a pure white unicorn with a swirl in her tail. She had a large hat on, and an outfit that was way too elegant for a stroll through town. I pause my music and slide my green headphones to my neck. "'Scuse me?" I say.
The white mare turned, revealing a purple mane that swirled into an ocean wave. "Oh, hello there, what can I do for you?"
"Well, I was just wondering, why you're wearing such an elegant ensem while just out on a stroll through town," I reply.
She looked shocked by the professionalism in my voice. I couldn't help but feel a little insulted, but I could only imagine how I looked. "Well, a lady needs to look her best," she replied.
"Well, no offense, but I don't believe this is your best. Because it seems like you're trying too hard to impress someone." I point out. Then I leave, letting that thought stew in her head,
After about another three minutes, I reached the train station. I walked up to the window. "Um, hey, this is the post office, right?" I asked.
"Yes, are you here to pick something up?" the mare behind the window asked, a excited glint in her yellow eyes. Her irises had a slight off tilt.
"Um, yes, Ditzy, I am." I say.
She looked shocked. "Do I know you?"
I let out a chuckle. "No, but I hear you know my brother quite well," I answer a smirk on my face.
She came out from around the counter and threw her forelegs around me. "Victoria!" she yelled.
"How ya doin', Ditzy?" I asked.
"Alright, I guess." she said. "String's been a bit busy, recently."
"Do I need to talk to him?" I offered. I always was the dominant sibling.
"No, No, it's fine." she said. "So, your package, right?" she said ducking behind the counter to grab it.
"Yeah, thanks,"
Ditzy pulled the package out and she placed it on the counter.
"You're amazing, Ditzy," I tell her, but she just shrugs off the compliment.
"Where ya stayin'?" she asked.
"With my brother," I replied.
"Really, I'll help you with your box, then," she said, sliding it into her mailbag.
"You don't have to do that," I said.
"How else am I supposed to see your brother?" she asked, and trotted out from behind the counter, flashing a smile.
"Lead the way," I told her.
I followed the grey pegasus down the road. We passed a few ponies that Ditzy said hi to. They all looked extremely cheery. We passed a cake shop that smelled amazing. Ditzy informed me that was where she used to work. We also passed an apple stand where there was a little yellow filly trying to sell apples and what must have been her older sister watching her with a smile on her face.
Then, I saw her say something to her sister and she started walking towards me.
"Howdy there, Ditzy," she said, with a tip of her Stetson.
With a closer look, she had a very strong muscle tone and beautiful green eyes.
"And who's this?" she asked Ditzy.
"I'm Victoria... Bass," for some reason, I felt compelled to tell her my last name.
"Bass? Would ya happen ta be related ta String Bass?"
"Yeah, he's my brother." I said. "You must be Applejack. I've heard a lot about you."
"Well, it's nice ta meet ya, Victoria." she said, extending a hoof.
"Likewise," I said, shaking her hoof. "That your sister over there?"
"Mm hmm. Her name's Apple Bloom," she said.
"Well, she looks like she's trying a bit too hard to sell those apples," I told her, looking past her shoulder towards the yellow filly trying to sneak apples into ponies' saddlebags, and trying to charge them for them.
Applejack turned and quickly trotted over. "I'll catch up with ya later!" she called over her shoulder.
I guess I was staring at her, because Ditzy waved her hoof in front of my face. I shook my head and looked at her. "Yeah?"
"You were staring at Applejack," she said.
"Huh? No I wasn't. I was... Looking at her apples," I said.
"Suure ya were," she said, sarcastically. "Come on, you're brother's house is just up here a few more blocks,"
I followed her the remaining few blocks until we reached String's house.
"Wait, there's something wrong here," I told Ditzy as she was about to open the door.
"What?" she asked, concerned.
"I'm not sure," I said. "I just can feel something's up,"
"Well, only one way to find out," she said, slowly pushing open the door.
Then, an explosion...
An Unexpected Turn of Events
So, you know that explosion I told you about? Well, explosion may have been a bit strong of a word. It was more of a roar. So, yeah, carrying on.
"SURPRISE!!" they yelled. It seemed like nearly every pony in town was there. This would have been sweet, if I hadn't been dirty and tired.
I walked into the crowded house and approached my brother, who might as well have been my twin. He had the same blue coat, lime green hair and eyes. The only difference is the blue streak through my mane.
"Hey, String?" I whispered.
"Hey, sis, long time no see!" he said, throwing a foreleg over my shoulder. "Come on, let me introduce..."
"Hold that thought. Right now, I need a hot shower," I said, interrupting him.
"Upstairs on the right," he said, pointing up the stairs.
"Thanks, bro," I said. "Be back in a minute,"
I hurried up the stairs towards the bathroom. I scooted inside, walked across the small room to the shower. I turned the water on hot and stood under it, not caring that it was scalding my skin. It felt good to be clean. I washed the sweat and grit out of my coat and mane, restoring the normal glossy shine to my trademark blue striped mane. After I got out of the shower, I dried off with one of my brother's hoofmade cotton towels. I ran a brush through my mane and hurried back down to the party, which was in full swing.
I was surprised that there was a DJ there already. Curious enough, it was the cute, pink mare I saw earlier.
Now, I'm not talking cute as in, DAAAMN, she's fine. I mean, yeah, she's cute, I guess. Major difference.
I slowly wafted through the crowd of strangers looking for my brother. Of course, he was right where I thought he would be, in a corner, slow dancing with Ditzy even though the current song was a particularly fast beat song. I walked/waded over to the DJ stand and asked the pink mare if I could take over for a bit. I announced, "This one goes out to my brother, and his crazy marefriend," and I quickly slowed the current song down, increased the sound of the beat, and then overlayed "Open Arms." by Journey and let it roll until the end of the track. Then, I let the pink take over again.
I walked back towards my brother, who embraced me as soon as I walked over there, and he turned and started introducing me to people.
First, was Fancy Filly, who's name was Rarity, and apparently she was just trying to distract me while they set up the party. She said she had something special for me back at her boutique when I had the time. She was sweet, and now that I got a look at her without that ridiculous outfit, and a scarf around her neck, she was quite attractive. Not the kind of attractive I was into, though.
Next up was a cyan mare who introduced herself as, "The fastest flier in all of Equestria, Rainbow Dash," Now, she was a mare I could fall for. Athletic enough, but the slight fat on her underside suggested not only was she an athlete, but a big time gamer. I made sure I asked for her number so we could chill sometime. She sounded cool with it.
The next mare didn't need introduction. "Twilight, hey," I said half heartedly.
"Hello, Victoria." she said, sounding as if she were distracted.
There was an awkward pause when String interrupted, "Well, come on Chatty Cathy, there's more ponies to meet. I'll see ya later, Twilight. Tell Spike I say hi,"
The next pony I recognized as Fluttershy from String's letters. I also knew she was shy. Elegantly beautiful, but shy. "Hey Fluttershy," I said quietly.
"Hi," she said soft and shyly, and I think I detected a slight pink blush. She was just too cute. After a bit, we said, "bye," to each other, but it was nice nonetheless.
"You like her, don't you?" String asked as we walked away. I could only blush, and then we passed by the orange goddess, Applejack.
"Close yer mouth, you'll catch flies." she said, walking up to me. I envied the trees that she bucked all day, if you know what I mean, but there was something about her that I knew wasn't for me. I shook the idea out of my head. "Hey, Applejack. I heard you've been teachin' my brother how to buck," I said. (Inuendo)
"Heheh, yeah, a bit. He's a natural at it, though," she said, "Never woulda expected it outta a Manehattan boy,"
"Really? What'cha got against Manehattan?" I asked, stiffly.
"Nothin'. They just don' seem like the workin' type." she replied.
"Well, you're thinkin' 'bout them white-collar buckers. We come from the blue-collar class." I explained.
"Well, Imma let you enjoy yer party. String, don't drink too much. I still expect ya at work tomorra," she teased my brother.
"No problem, boss," he said, even though the three of us know he doesn't drink.
"Okay, one more person, but I think you've already met her," String said after we left Applejack. We walked up to the pink pony rockin' the turn tables. "Pinkie Pie, this is..." my brother starts, but gets cut off by the pink mare.
"Victoria Bass, a.k.a DJ WRLD-1. I've memorized both of your albums." she said and bounced up and down. "When String told me you were coming, I planned this whole party just for you!"
I couldn't help but blush a bit. I had a fan. Not any fan, but one that planned a party just for me. "Nice ta meet ya, Pinkie Pie." I said with a nod and a slight smile.
Maybe Ponyville won't be so bad. "I'll swing by Sugarcube Corner sometime, but 'til then, keep up the good work with the party and the mixin'," I said.
"Awesome!" she said. "I'll see you around, Tori,"
My brother drug me out and introduced me to more of his friends, but the rest didn't really stick out to me all that much. The party went on for what seemed like days, and even though I really wanted to pass out, I stayed awake and tried to enjoy it.
When the crowd began to thin out, a black unicorn approached me. "Sup?" I said, drowsily.
"Hello, I'm Black Slash. I just wanted to inform you that Princesses Celestia, and Luna have been made aware of your return to Equestria," He spoke in a monotone voice and his eyes were a deep midnight blue. From his glare I could tell he meant business.
"Okay, um, thanks for the info, Black," I said in a nervous voice.
"We're watching you, Miss Bass," he said and strolled off.
My brother approached me as he was leaving. "What was that about?" he asked.
I wasn't paying attention, though. I wanted to find out who that guy was. I didn't need another secret blowing up in my face. I was snapped out of it when my brother waved his hoof in front of my face.
"You alright, sis?" he asked, and I nodded in reply.
"Come on, you must be tired. There's a guest room down in the basement. I already put your stuff down there." he said, gently leading her down the stairs. When he gets to the door, he notices the door is locked. He puts his ear to the door and smiles, amused. He pulls out his skeleton key for the house (He owning one of the only houses in Ponyville with one) and unlocks the door. He throws it open and flips the light on.
I see a pony I met name Berry Punch, that was obviously drunk, on top of a stallion I could not recognize. The stallion looked thoroughly embarrassed, but Berry just giggled and asked, "You two wanna join?"
I was about to take her up on her offer when String led me out of the room and up to his bedroom. "You take my bed, I'll take the couch, tonight," he said and shut the door on me before I could refuse his offer.
I laid down on the bed and tried to sleep, but my thoughts kept spinning Black Night. I finally drifted into Luna's world, but my sleep was anything but calm.
