I was now in a train, completely out of breath. I didn't know where it was heading, but it didn't really matter to me ...
Next to me was a puffing pony named Shiny Surface. I don't believe for a second that it was her real name, but I didn't wanted to talk about my past either, so I kept my mouth shut.
I picked her up on the road a few days ago and we had agreed to travel together for a while. She only knew my first name, and kept it at that. I rummaged in my saddlebag for the canteen and offered her a drink. She briefly looked at me with her golden eyes and grabbed the canteen, careful not to touch me like always. When she was done, she put it on the floor in front of me.
"That was pretty close, Travel." She said after a while.
I rolled my eyes, "Can you do anyhing other than nagging? After all, we did it." I said a little harsher than I intended.
"Yeah! Awesome! Just great! ... " she responded sarcastically. I had to say...sarcasm really didn't suit her.
I sighed. At least it was getting dark, which promised a few hours rest .
I tucked the canteen back and looked in my bag for food. I found some bread, some carrots, 2 apples and 3 caramels . Using telekinesis I handed her an apple and one of carrots, knowing that eating would make her silent for a while. While she ate, I looked in the compartment next to us. It was a compartment that was specifically used for transport and was up on some empty boxes. My eyes fell again on Shiny. Her fur had a dark purple color, while her mane and tail were dark blue and had a light blue streak in it. The most curiously , however, was her luggage. Except for aviator glasses, she had nothing else. I looked closer at the boxes and found that they were destined for a store in Manehatten. In addition to the box, I gratefully found a blanket. The last few nights have been getting colder, too cold to sleep without one.
"I have a blanket here! We can fit under it, but space is limited. That means that you need to overcome your fear of contact, at least for tonight, if you don't want to freeze ..."
I made myself comfortable under the blanket and looked over at her, noticing that she was looking at me in terror.
"Don't worry, I don't have fleas or diseases." I said annoyed.
In the dim light, I could see how she struggled with overcoming her fear.
"I-it's not that ..." she finally replied.
"I don't care what it is. But there are just two possibilities: either we both squeeze under the blanket and keep each other warm, or you can freeze."
Without waiting for an answer, I closed my eyes.
After a while I noticed that she lifted the blanket and took a got settled in it. For a while there was silence. Then, just before I dozed off,
"Travel?" she called
"Hmm?"
"I just wanted to say that ..."
"Yes?"
"I'm ... I'm sorry, I acted stupid"
I paused briefly, "It's all right, I'm not exactly a choir boy myself,"
The rattling of the train was the only thing that could be heard in the otherwise silent cart.
"Travel?"
"..."
"Travel?"
"Zzzzzz ..."
"... Farewell, Travel Tale ..."
I woke up the next morning, feeling whacked and hungry. Next thing that I registered, was the halt of the train. Sleepily, I looked around.
"Shiny ...?" I called, but got no answer.
It took a while before it registered that she was no longer here. Suddenly I heard hooftsteps from the front compartment come closer.
I jumped up and looked for my bag. It was gone! I stopped searching and immediately opened the load input to the compartment with my magic , and went up the opposite door. The conductor entered. Without hesitation, I pulled the input completely open and ran loose as if Cerberus himself was behind me. I could still hear the furious roar behind me...
Tired, I finally reached my room in a small hotel. After my mobile residence was completely burned down, I had to endure me some of the most annoying hours in my whole life . At first I was besieged by some press ponies, appearently something like my flared hut must have been quite a top story. After that, I was invited to the Mayor, who personally and formally apologized to me. Moreover, she obviously felt compelled to repeatedly emphasize that she did her utmost to find the responsible ( blah blah blah rhubarb ). What interested me more, was that she covered the costs of two weeks to stay in a hostel.
After A period of smiles and nods, it was on to the night and I was tired. I looked for the hostel and laid before him the adoption of the Mayor. All I wanted now, was falling into a bed and sleep. I don't even inspect the room at large, i only thought about sleeping at that moment. I was laying in the bed, when i heard a knock at the door.
"Oh great ..." I layed still.
Again there was a knock. I ignored it, hoping the knocks would eventually disappear.
It knocked a second time
and then again
and AGAIN
and AGAIN!
I sighed, "All right, I'm coming!" I trotted to the door and opened it.
At the door stood a young lady and three foals that seemed vaguely familiar to me.
"Good evening. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but they are not mine." I say
The lady was about to say something, but she was gazing at me, briefly surprised. She shook her head as if to regain her senses.
The three girls giggled behind her, but she gave them a glare that made them stop immediately and stare at the floor.
"Good evening. I'm Cheerilee and I'm here because these three here have something to say." She took a step to the side to give the three room.
However, they only scraped the floor and remained silent.
"You three look that you had made some mischief and were caught. Bad luck I'd say. "
The middle one, an Earthpony with a red bow, looked at me now. "Sorry."
the other two repeated in chorus: "Sorry. "
I was confused. "Huh? I don't understand. Why are you sorry?"
Still confused I changed looks between Ms. Cheerilee and the girls.
"Sorry, that we have burned down your coach, Mr Tale."
I stared at them and sighed, "Alright, come in," I stepped aside and pointed into the simple room, "All of you."
I brought them to the table and motioned for them to have a seat. I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the rainbow jam and vanilla ice cream. I slowly spread it to 5-sized portions, then I levitated everything to the table. Everyone present received their portion, together with a spoon.
"Well, then tell me the whole story," I said and tried a spoonful of the dessert.
"By Pfelefftiaf's wig! fhat tafts whonderfull!" I cried out, while the spoon still stuck.
First, I caught dumbfounded stares from my four guests, then shortly after the three girls burst into laughter while Ms. Cheerilee pressed her hooves at the mouth.
I smiled and waited until the four had calmed down again.
"Well? Will you tell me what happened? Don't be afraid, I will not tear you head off or anything. Let's simply start with your names, ok?"
The three nodded and the one with the bow started.
"I'm Apple Bloom!"
"And I'm Sweetie Belle," continued the unicorn.
At last, the Pegasus foal spoke up "Scootaloo"
I nodded, "See? All very harmless, and now please your story. Why is almost everything I own a pile of ashes now?” Immediately, the mood of the three darkened, but they came out with it. They told me how they wanted to earn their Cutie Marks in storytelling, how they entered my carriage, and how Sweetie Belle, with a candle in the hooves, was frightened by the sugar skull.
Appearently she fell, the stack of writing paper was accidentally set on fire and all three panicked and ran away.
When they had told to the end, I remained silent at first with an emotionless face. I ate the dessert ever so silent as the three fillies nervously shuffled in their places.
"But you are unharmed," I asked to make sure. They looked puzzled, but then nodded to me.
Relieved, I let out a "there falls a stone from my heart!"
"Huh? B-but ... but because of us, you have lost everything you owned" replied Sweetie Belle.
I chuckled to myself. "Oh really? And what about my bit-bag? My cylinder, the shirt that I wear? Not to mention the things that nobody can take away, such as my talent to recite tales and legends. I assure you, there was nothing in the coach that I can not replace. Sure, my fairy tale collection is indeed gone, but I can re-write it. At least, everything is in here," I pointed to my head.
"That means," Scootaloo spoke up "you are not mad at us?"
I rolled my eyes. "By Celestia's non-existing beard! Please name basis with me, I'm not one of those stink boring, arrogant snobs! Just call me Travel. And to answer your question, of course I'm not happy. It has cost me many years to write all the books and now I'm back to square-one! It will cost me an additional 2 to 3 years to restore them, but you have learned from it. And as you have confessed to me and Ms. Cheerilee, you have shown honesty, responsibility and courage! Why should I punish that? Speaking of which, are you somehow related to them Miss?"
The mare I addressed looked at me, "Pardon? Oh no, I'm their teacher. "
I nodded. "Well, it was an very...eventful day and it's already late. Shall I accompany you to bring the girls home?"
She smiled. "I don't think that will be necessary, but thanks for the offer. "
I escorted my visitors to the door and said goodbye. I looked at them for a while afterwards before I closed the door and threw myself into bed. While I dozed of, I went through today's events. Did I forget something? Oh yes, the lights. I turned off all the lights and then quickly went to the land of dreams.
Like every story , this story begins with four, well-known magic words...
Once upon a time ...
Not so long ago was a residential area close to Barnhills, was a settlement of the last remaining wild pony tribes . A tribe living in harmony with nature.
The settlement had a chronicler called Folklore and with his wife Campfire they had a foal named Travel Tale, with another one on the way.
The settlement was built centuries ago in a sparse forest beside a mountain. Most residents pitched their tents among the trees or around them. Some had settled in the more stable trees in tree houses , which where connected with bridges. The mountain itself had a large cave, where the elders , the wise counselors of the tribe, lived and taught the young ones how to respect and live off of nature, and their way of life
One sunny day in the settlement, Travel rushed home from school .
His coat was of pale mint- green color, his mane and his tail was a little scrubby, and was kept in vanilla-tone. On his forehead stood a horn out of his mane, and his Cutie Mark was simply a open, empty book in a black cover, with a black pen filling it with words. He hurried to get home in great anticipation, for today was a great day. Today is the day he finally gets to see his little brother or sister enter this world, and so with great joy, and gitty anticipation, he picked up his pace and ran home.
When arrived at the front of his parents' tent , the great-elder came out and turned to him, giving him a solemn look. " Not now , young one," she said, " It will be a while before you can see your little sister. "
Travel looked to the elder with beaming eyes , "Sister ? " He repeated and began joyfully hopping up and down "When can I see her? "
" Not anytime soon, I'm afraid. It's... complicated. "
His euphoric smile faded and Travel ceased to bounce, a sense of overhwelming dread filled his heart and a cold, tingling sensation ran down his spine when he heard the elder speak so solemnly. "W-what happened? Is somethimg wrong with my sister?"
The old mare sighed , "She is very sick... that is all I can say. You should go and play with your friends, enjoy your time with them."
He nodded, "Y-yes , great-elder." He said as he trotted away . Though he was dong as the elder asked, he couldn't take his mind off of his new sister, the sens of worry and dread plaguing his mind much like an itch that got worse over time. The rest of the day he stared sadly to the ground, wondering what what was in store for his family, too worried about what would happen if his sister didn't pull through. He dreaded the thought, but the way the elder madenit sound, it was a very real possibility.
When evening came, Travel slowly walked home, his head filled with worry, each step only magnifying the feeling until finally, he was home.
Reluctantly, he entered the tent. He didn't see anypony, but he heard angry voices further in the back of the tent. He followed the voices and found his parents in the bed-place, both standing before the crib and arguing with hushed voices. The tension he felt made Travel cringe a little.
"... . The tradition demands it!" His father brought to an end as a Travel occurred. Campfire was about to say something when she noticed her colt.
" Why are you arguing?" Travel asked tentatively
"We are not arguing , darling. We're uh ... having divided opinions." Campfire replied.
For him it sounded very much like a quarrel. However, Travel did not dig further because something else attracted his attention . He walked over to the crib and there, under a blanket laid his sister, breathing heavily. She had a turquoise coat, and a bright yellow mane and tail like the sun' and was, like himself, a unicorn. " What's wrong with her ? " He asked, gently touched the cheek of the newborn, whereupon she opened her eyes and looked at him weakly.
" We don't know exactly, just that she only gets air badly and is very weak ... " . His father, Folklore replied.
" What can we do?" He asked as he looked into the orange button eyes of his sister.
" Hope for the good will of our ancestors ," said Folklore, while Campfire" Bring her to a doctor! " replied at the same time , what reaped a vigorous "No!"...
___________________________________________________________________
I let the feather slide back into the pen and sighed.
How many years have passed since then? A look at the calendar read that it was nearly thirteen and a half years ago when I started my journey. Since then, I have traveled to every country in Equestria and contributed stories and tales from everywhere together, which I held in books. Also, I had improved my skills in my illusionist , So I was now able to create in a position within 20 meters , a perfect , full - sensory illusion that reflects each scene of the stories that I tell .
I went to the window and looked out my living coach . It was already late afternoon , the nearest town, according to the map, was called Ponyville. I would not reach before sunset ...
"Then I'll stop for now, and wait until morning .. "
I had to smile. the last time I showed up overnight in a village , I was considered a witch doctor or something along those lines.
" Now that I think about it , " I mused , and let my grin grow in width , " I could do that again .. "
So I got out of the carriage , sat down on the driver's seat and put the wheels in motion using telekinesis .
When it got dark , I lit my lantern on the coach . It was just before midnight , just over 2 kilometers from Ponyville , as I drove past a dwelling. It smelled like, well animals. don't get me wrong , the smell wasn't unpleasant in any way.
and the moon was bright enough to reveal a wide range of wooden boxes , and baby bird houses . Obviously, this pony was a great animal lover.
Shortly after, I passed a farm, I could not see what they grew there, and i didn't care at that time. Ponyville's silhouette gained contrast and finally I reached the city.
I quietly went to the city center and stopped there.
I yawned and jumped from the driver's seat and blew out the lantern. Finally, I went in and locked the door
There were countries where it was considered good form to open unlocked doors to see what is hiding behind it, and dropped me to my bed , falling asleep immediately .
When I woke, the sun was shining through the window, which was directly above the bed and lit up
there was a second one at the front of my ' ahem ' residence , which helped illuminate. I mean, - . only one window? - Pffff .. my room.
Right above my bed was a dream catcher , an object that would always remind me of my home...also it gave my dwelling a special kind of charm .
Across the bed, surrounded by bookshelves, was my workplace .
There was a desk along with pen and inkwell . Under the desk I brought a stack of blank books. You never know when strange stories would fall before your hooves. Next to it was my closet where I kept my few garments. Most , however, were different souvenirs and souvenirs were on , I had spread everywhere .
For example, I had a great shell that I found on a coast of Gallop'ago Islands, in the closet ( it fit nowhere else properly , so what debits ... ) or the sugar skull ( or also called Calavera .. . ) from Mexicolt. It found his home on the bookshelf .
I stood up and stretched . Normally I would prepare me for some stories, but as the day promised to be pleasant times today, I wanted to let my mind wander. Also, I wanted to get rid of a few bits .....
So I put on a short sleeve shirt and my dark blue vest and let my dark blue cylinder-hat slide on my head. Then I created a reflective surface in the air and looked at me:
In recent years, I pretty shot up , which resulted in the fact that I almost towered most others over a head. My stature was rather skinny but appealing, which gave me an androgynous look ( I really had to show bitter reality two times) . I let the mirror disappear , grabbed my purse and walked out the door .
Outside, the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. It was warm. It seemed as though all of Ponyville was already on his feet . In short, it was the perfect day for me to laze around and explore the city. As always, I was immediately catching curious, but friendly stares.
I put on a smile and made my way through the simple roads. There was much to see, next to the market and the town hall , I saw also a spa, jewelers, a boutique, a library inside a tree( a tree house in the truest sense of the word), and a shop which had rainbow-colored (!) peddled jam ( I just had to secure a jar).
It went on to lunch time , when I decided to explore the surrounding area. So I arrived at a school that finished their day's work today . A group of young ponies left the building . I leisurely walked further when...
"Um ... Excuse me? hey mister?" curious i looked around .
A girl with bright blue hair and dark blue mane stood behind me and looked at me. "I have never seen them here," she continued.
I turned around completely , some other children looked across. " Well, no wonder ," I replied , "I just arrived here after midnight. Permit ? Travel Tale. Traveling storyteller and Fairy-tale collector ! "
" A storyteller ? Really? " Marveled the little one , " Would you tell me one? , " she asked expectantly.
I just thought , "Hmm ... Why not? But why just for only you? Get your friends around. " Joyfully she galloped away. While I waited for the return, I scoured my memory for tales . For starters, something funny should be enough ....
After a short time , a throng gathered before me.
"Is everypony here? Yes? Then I will tell you something ... but first I'll create the right atmosphere ... "
I let the environment become sluggish, what called forth astonished exclamation.
Gradually, I replaced the school grounds with a dirt road , where a farm pony pulled a load of wood. I let the children look around a few moments , as I began....
There was once a poor farmer named Beet who brought a load of wood to town and sold it for five bits to a doctor.
As the money was paid , the doctor sat at table. when the peasant saw, what he ate and drank, his heart went out of him, and he would willingly have been a doctor.
So he remained standing a while and finally asked if he could also be a doctor. " Oh yes ," said the doctor , that is soon , first buy yourself an ABC book, one where the front has a rooster in it , get thyself clothes, and whatever else pertains to medicine; secondly you let a sign painting with the words: I am doctor Know, and nailed up above your front door. " The peasant did everything as it was told to do .
When he had some customers, a rich and great lord had some money stolen. Then he was told by the Doctor Know who and where the village dwelt , and also should know where the money would be.
So the lord had his car hooked , went out into the village, and asked him if he was the Doctor Know? " Yes , i am. " So he should go with , and obtain back the stolen money " ." Oh yes, but my Wife Grete would also " The Lord was pleased and invited them both into the car and they drove away together. when they came to the noble castle, the table was spread, . because you shall sit down and eat "Yes, but his wife Grete too," he said , and sat with her to the table .
And when the first servant came with a dish of delicate fare, the peasant nudged his wife, and said: ' Grete , that was the first . " And meant,that was the Servant who brought the first dish . The Servant thought, he want to say that he was the first thief, and because he really was, he was terrified and so he said to his comrade outside: ' the doctor knows everything, we are in trouble! he said I would be the first . " The second did not want to start, but he had to . Now when he came in with his dish, the peasant nudged his wife , "Grethe , that is the second. " This servant was terrified and he did that he got out. the third servant fared no better , for the peasant again said : . " Grete , that is the third. "
The fourth had to carry in a covered bowl , and the Lord said to the doctor , he should show his art , and guess what lay underneath, but there were beets. The farmer looked ' at the dish , did not know how to help him, and said , "Poor beet i am " As the Lord heard this, he exclaimed : " Since he knows it, he knows who the money has . "
The servants looked terribly scared and sign to the doctor that he would come out again . He went out , they stood him all four , they had stolen the money, so they wanted to share , and give him a heavy sum into the bargain , if he would not tell . They were doing would be hanged They led him away, and where the money was hidden . With this the doctor was satisfied, and went in again , and said, "Lord, now will I search in my book where the gold is hidden . " But the fifth servant crept into the oven , and wanted to hear if the doctor knew still more of . but the doctor sat and opened his ABC book, flipping back and forth in it, and looked for the rooster, because he now could not find it immediately he said, "You're in it and also have to come out . " As said, the servant in the oven , he was meant , jumped in terror and cried out : " The man knows everything ! " Well, the Doctor showed the Lord , where the money was , but did not say who had stolen it , and received from both sides much money in reward , and became a famous man
___________________________________________________________________
"What was that ? Why did you pulled us away? " Said Sweetie Belle .
" I wanted to listen to more stories ," she pouted .
" That is why! " Said Apple Bloom
" Wait a minute! " Said Scootaloo pipedup , "Do you mean, that you've dragged us because he wanted to tell more stories? "
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "No, you goof ! I want to say that I have an idea, how do we get our Cutie Marks ! "
" By telling tales ?" asked Sweetie Belle .
" Exactly! Think about it . Sweetie Belle provides the illusion , while Scootaloo and I tell the tale.
" You make that sound so easy at all , but I can not conjure illusions ," she pointed out.
" No problem . We ask Twilight! If she doesn't know the spell by herself , he will be in one of her books. "
" Cutie Mark Crusaders ! To the library , "they yell ed together out and went on their way .
As they trotted , Sweetie Belle had an idea . "Do you know many fairy tales? "
" Not really, but I'm pretty sure there are also fairy tale books in the library," Apple Bloom replied .
"I think I got a better idea ! " Scootaloo said, " Archer said earlier , that that Travel-guy is a fairy tale collector. So, he must have hundreds of fairy tales ! "
" Good point , but where would he store them ? I mean , we do not even know where he lives. " Came from Sweetie Belle back .
Just at that moment they came to meet two mares that were talking . "Did you see the coach in the city center ," asked the first , " wanna to know, who owns it ... "
"I 'm not sure ," replied the second , " But there was a stallion with blue hat and vest. And . .. " while the two were going on , the fillies beamed at each other.
___________________________________________________________________
After I had now told the fifth story ( Who wants to know, it was the legend of the Scarlet Red Swan) , I dropped the illusion . Judging by the faces of the children, they were probably still fascinated by my narrative style . "Well, I think we make a cut at this point ... " Disappointed exclamations were heard by the whole audience.
"Come back tomorrow at noon to the village center . Then I tell you another one. "
Reluctantly, the foals trotted away, when I noticed how somepony came up to me. Before me stood a stallion with light brown fur, a well-kept dark brown mane. Around his neck he wore a red tie with a golden bit sign was embroidered ( He stank out for money). " Good day , dear Sir . I suppose you are a new face here in Ponyville ? "
I nodded, "Yeah? "
"Allow me to introduce myself ? I 'm Rich. Filthy Rich . " ( Fuck you , brain !)
"Nice to meet you Mr. Rich . I 'm Travel Tale . Traveler and storyteller . "
He smiled, "Yes, you certainly are . After all, I was able to convince myselve. "
A foal came closer and turned to Filthy . "Can we go home now , Dad? " Obviously it was his daughter .
" Yes, just a moment yet , little angel. " He wanted me to turn back , but I was faster.
"No problem, Filthy ! My carriage is waiting anyway . Until then." Let I trotted away, leaving family Rich alone. On the way back to Ponyville , I noticed a plume of smoke that rose from the village. Although it made me a little suspicious , but decided to give no further attention and trotted on along the way . When I arrived in the village center , I discovered the origin of the smoke.
Near the town hall burned a wooden structure . I approached a little to see it up close to me , and paused beside a lavender unicorn. " Forgive me miss, but can you tell me what 's going on here ? "
She turned her face to me , " I do not know exactly how it happened, but apparently this Carriage caught fire ... " . I looked back again to the fire , and saw a cyan Pegasus flew with a thundercloud to extinguish the fire. I looked for a while , when it caught me cold. " Wait a minute, Carriage? ? MY HOUSE ! MY BOOKS ! " .
To be Continued ....