Being Brave Part I

As he looked at himself in the mirror in his new firmly pressed uniform, Cory began to contemplate on the recent events that occurred. One day he was a battered and bruised nobody with hardly a future to look forward to, now, all of a sudden, he had the position of two reasonable jobs: A Stable Boy for Applejack, and a Chauffeur for Rarity. What's more, he was to escort this Unicorn and her friend Pinkie Pie around a foreign, alien like place filled with quadrupedal residents who had the ability to harness magic. Yet, the name of the town: CANTERLOT, sounded very familiar to him. Back in his world, the Canterlot he remembered was a high school on the other side of town which was coincidently called CANTERLOT HIGH.

Oh, how he wished so badly to attend that school. There, he would be allowed to talk to people, make friends and even attend clubs. Of course he knew he had to find and fit in with his own clique of friends, but he didn't really care. At least it was better than having no friends at all. Sometimes, when walking back to his abandoned home from school, he would see some of the students from Canterlot High as well. He would sneak closely, yet discreetly behind them, pretending for that moment he was one of them. He even fantasized of presenting himself at random on a school day and magically being able to attend the classes. Of course that would make him look foolish and stupid, and besides, he didn't have any money to go there.

However, one day, while walking back home, something changed among the students. At first he couldn't quite put his finger on exactly what, but then he knew what it was. The Cliques were gone. Everyone was now randomly dispersed with each other. Jocks were talking to nerds. Thespians we're talking to the eco-kids, Goths were talking to preppies. etc, etc. Something must have happened that day. Something Magical. Like always, he walked behind a few of them, pretending he attended the school. suddenly, one of his pencils dropped. A student from nearby noticed it. She went over and picked it up for him. It was a simple gesture, but it was the first time someone at the school noticed him.

Now, as Cory was straightening his tie and buttoning up his jacket, he couldn't help but notice the bundle of fabric from yesterday lying at the edge of his bed. He sat down on the mattress post and took a good look at it.

"There must be way to make it useful for something." he said to himself. "But What?" "It just isn't right to simply throw it away."

Then he noticed a tiny pair of scissors lying right in front of his feet. He picked them up delicately and reached for a piece of the fabric. Slowly, he started to cut through the material, creating what appeared to be the shape of an apple, when suddenly....

"CORY, RARITY'S WAITING!!" shouted Applejack from downstairs.

"COMING." He responded in a clear yet solemn voice. He quickly stuffed the scissors and some of the fabric deep into his pockets and ran downstairs.

At the front of the house was Rarity dressed up in what looked like a church lady's giddup. She was waiting on what appeared to be a horse drawn carriage pulled by two butch looking colts. He looked at his uniform and knew where this was going. He was to be like Morgan Freeman and she like Jessica Tandy. A "Driving Miss Rarity" story in a nutshell. He climbed onto what looked like the drivers seat, fastened his seatbelt and grabbed the steering ropes.

"We'll need to take a stop over at Sugar Cube Corner to pick up our friend, alright." Said Rarity.

"Yes Miss Rarity." replied Cory, and off they went.

The Town of Ponyville was going about it's daily schedule. Here the usual comings and goings of the four legged residents we're in full swing. The unicorns we're out and about magically tidying up their surroundings, Pegasi we're determining the weather forecast, and filies we're outside playing the occasional game of hopscotch and jumprope. The businesses we're quaint and content with the incoming customers, each selling and trading the same items brought every day. But none seemed to attract more attention that day then the ever bustling Sugar Cube Corner.

"Just park right here darling." Said Rarity as she stepped off the platform.

"Yes Miss Rarity." Replied Cory with the tip of his hat as he steered the gentlecolts to a halt. He then carefully slipped behind the carriage and went inside so as not to cause attention. After all, he was the only human to set foot in this world.

"You wait here." Said Rarity as she walked to the back of the store.

To him, Sugar Cube Corner looked like a humongous gingerbread house supported by brick and wood. Even the smell gave passerbys a mouthwatering feel. The interior was just as welcoming as the outside, with it's bright and cheery color scheme and colonial decor, and especially the different array of delicacies at the countertop. As he waited at one of the eating tables, awaiting his next assignment, he reached into his pocket and took out the fabric and scissors. After a moment of examination, he continued with his cutting. When he finished, he looked at his little makeshift apple and thought 'why stop there?' He took out another piece of fabric and started again, this time on what he saw in the room. First he started simple with plates, forks and tables, then into more complex images such as a cupcake, strudel, chair, wallpaper design, window and even one of the silky clouds from outside. Only 30 minutes had gone by and he had already cut out 2 to 3 dozen images from fabric, each one exquisite in detail. Suddenly, just as he was about to snip another piece.....

"HIIIIIIII!!!!" cried a voice from the back that almost shattered the room. Cory thrusted in the air and lunged to his feet trying to catch his breath. He felt as though his heart thumped into his throat as what seemed to be a bubblegum coated pony hopped towards him.

"Wellll, aren't you gonna say hi." Said Pinkie Pie

Cory slowly raised his hand and gave it an awkward waving gesture.

"Oooo, what funny appendages you have. Are those what Twilight called Hands?"

"Now Pinkie." said Rarity affectionately as she stepped from the backdoor. "Let's be polite to our new chauffeur."

"I"m Pinkie Pie. What's Your name?" she asked with her nose touching his.

"Cory?" he answered softly.

"How did you get here?"

"Well...I.."

"Ooh, are you one of those creatures that Twilight encountered in the other world when she was retrieving her crown and you got here by entering through a portal that transported you from a shack to the Everfree Forest and after freaking out over talking ponies you hid in the Ponyville junkyard where you we're found by Scootaloo, Sweetie belle and Applebloom where they took you in and now you're currently serving as Applejack's stable boy and Rarity's personal driver?" she asked enthusiastically as she caught her breath.

"How did you know that?" He asked with a stunned look on his face.

"Just a hunch." she said sheepishly.