The Guardian Colt

The following day came with a warm breeze and was full of laughter as the fillies and colts were leaving school to go home, returning to fun and a stress free environment. Scootaloo and Applebloom had left Sweetie and Button on their journey home as their journeys took different paths. The crusaders could only talk of the events of yesterday but during the journey, that was forgotten. Button and Sweetie Belle lived near one and other so after meeting one and other- due to the hoofs of Pinkie- they always walked home together. They were talking about video games, to much surprise. Button had rubbed a lot off on the white Unicorn. She herself was now wanting a JoyBoy. As they walked home they needed to cross a bridge to get over the stream which separated Ponyville into two. As they got closer, they saw a pony sitting in the middle of the bridge just staring into the running water. It was that colt from yesterday.

“Hey Button! Isn’t that the colt from yesterday?” She tried to be quiet so they didn’t alarm him in case he would try to run away. She really wanted to ask some questions- whether or not she would get the answers was another thing. They both approached with careful hoof steps. As they set their hoofs they slowed their spend making their steps impossible to hear. As they got closer they sat beside him.

“The waters soothing isn’t it?” Sweetie said with calm voice. The colt looked up with surprise and stared at Sweetie. He looked back at the water and didn’t seem at all bothered by their company –only startled by their sudden appurtenance. He hummed the word ‘Mmhm’ in response to the question. Sweetie Belles eyes widened as she heard the colt for the first time. He had his saddle bag next to him- it seemed drier than yesterday. But it wasn’t long before he picked up the bag and hooked it on his back; leaving the bridge. Both Button and Sweetie Belle followed his slow walk as they followed him into the Ponyville town centre- near Twilights house. Sweetie and Button followed keeping a set distance, until Sweetie told Button to keep on him whilst she went to get Twilight.

The filly knocked on the oak door and waited for a response. A small dragon opened the door and greeted the young pony.

“Ahh Sweetie, not seen you in a while is-“

“Not now Spike is Twilight in?” Sweetie was in a hurry, she didn’t want to lose the colt. Spike rolled his eyes and shouted for Twilight. It wasn’t long before the lavender mare appeared in the doorway.

“What can I help you with Sweetie Belle?” The purple mare asked.

“It’s the colt! We’ve found him!” Excitement was filling every word that left Sweetie Belles mouth. She was that eager she ran off in the direction that she could see Button walking, expecting to Twilight to follow- which she was doing. They closed the gap between them and the colt. Twilight finally got a closer look at the colt.

“Applejack and Rainbow told me a bit about him, how he may not have anywhere to stay?” Twilight was watching him as she addressed the matter.

“We found him in the barn, and he just ran out without saying anything.” Sweetie concluded. Button was nodding to everything his unicorn friend was saying. Twilight broke the distance between them and shouted the colt. He stopped and turned to see Button and Sweetie Belle again. He cocked his head; listening to what the purple unicorn had to say.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, I’ve heard about you- how these two found you in the barn on apple acres. Do you have anywhere to stop or live?” Twilight seemed to just jump straight to the matter without thinking about it. The white colt looked her in the eyes, and Twilight could see tears forming- it was obvious from there that it was true. As a tear rolled down his cheek. Twilight lowered her ears and walked up to the colt. She sat in front of him and put her hoof on his shoulder. He tried to shrug her off but just found himself falling into her caring nature. He sat down on the ground, with the sun glowing his mane. He looked into Twilights eyes and more tears rolled down his cheeks and patted the ground. Button and Sweetie watched in disbelief that the quiet colt was letting himself go to Twilight- of all ponies! They watched as he shed more tears, not speaking but words didn’t need to express what he felt.

“You can stop with me, until you have somewhere.” she said softly. The colt looked up with glistening eyes from his tears as the Purple Unicorn got to her hoofs and made a motion with her head that read ‘follow me’. He followed her back to the library

Ponies caught attention that the colt was crying and watched him as he walked by. As the four ponies reached the library, the door opened. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Scootaloo and Applebloom stood in the interior of the tree; waiting to see the colt. They all heard that they found him with news from spike. The three ponies entered and left the white colt at the door, his teeth grit and more tears seeping through his closed eyes. They watched as the colt slowly came in, releasing his grip on his emotions.

“We know ya spent a night in the barn, and we’re not angry. Just concerned for ya sugar cube” Applejack expressed emotions as she watched the colt look her in the eyes. For the first time they saw the colt. His eyes were raw from crying, but his bluey green eyes prevailed through the redness. The tears were stopping. He looked round and saw Twilight sitting the closest to him.

“Like I said; you can stay here, with me and Spike until you have somewhere. It will be no trouble.” she said softly. He looked at the bed Spike was setting up for him, it was small with a light blue quilt. The pillow was a light purple colour and had a star in the middle which was a darker purple than the lavender it sat on. None of them spoke as they watched the white Pegasus who looked round the library, scanning the walls; reading the titles labelled on the spins of each book.

Scootaloo was fixated on the Pegasus the most. After seeing him in the barn she wanted to be friends, friends with another young Pegasus. Rainbow Dash was awesome and all, but she couldn’t act her age round her- in fear she would put her off. As the rest of the ponies made their way into a different room, she remained with rest or the crusaders. As soon as she was sure Twilight and the others were in a different room, she got up and walked over to see him-

“Hey! You got off pretty quick the other day! I liked the way you jumped off the side. Guessing you can fly?” she was curious to see if he could or couldn’t fly.

“No, I can’t fly- not yet” He said softly. Scootaloo was shocked- he just spoke. His voice was soft and tender as it echoed to the rest of crusader. They all sat with wide eye; a look of disbelief sat on their faces. Button had stopped playing with his JoyBoy and followed Sweetie and Applebloom who had gotten up to sit closer to the colt; to listen to what he was saying.

“I can only flutter down to things, that’s all” he explained as he extended his wings; giving them a quick glance to check they were still neat before relaxing and folding them back by his side. He looked back up to notice his crowd had increased by three more small ponies. He looked them all in the eye with one sweeping glance before going into his saddle bag-

“Is it dry now?” Applebloom asked. She was not destine for an answer but was surprised to hear the colt respond-

“Yeah, it wasn't too wet to start off with- how did you know?”

“How did I know… what?” Applebloom was confused. She had been side-tracked by an actual response from the colt.

“How did you know my saddle bag was wet?” he concurred as he looked her in the eyes.

“Oh, urmm it looked damp. Ya know how the colour changes when things are wet” She blushed in embarrassment, it was obvious what he was asking in the first place. The colt smiled and brought his saddle bag in front of him, to get a better look for something. The crusaders all watched as he shifted though the bag, pulling out whatever was in his way. He pulled out a blue scarf along with a blue pony hoodie. The hoodie was fresh and clean and looked well looked after.

“What’s that?” Button was the first to speak up as he watched the item meet the floor. Sweetie Belle thumped him on his shoulder. “Oww what was that for?” he looked at her with a puppy dog look.

“You don’t ask questions about peoples things it’s just-“ she was stopped as the colt looked up at her and smiled.

“It’s fine, that’s my hoodie. It keeps me warm when it’s cold outside. Try it on if you want?” he pushed the hoodie over to Button who looked at with a huge grin. He quickly pulled it over his head but struggled with the rest of the holes. This sparked a question in Sweetie Belles mind…

“Can I ask a question?” she said out loud, hoping the colt would register it was aimed at him

“Yeah, sure you can!” he pulled his head out of his bag, halting his search for was the unicorn had to say.

“Your horn… can you use magic?” She said it with a moment’s hesitation. The colt looked up and looked back to answer.

“I don’t know. I’ve never really tried…” with that said Twilight reappeared into the room followed by a small purple dragon. She smiled at her new guest and said directed her voice to the fillies.

“Applebloom, Sweetie Belle your sister are going and they want you to go with them”. The fillies gave an expression showing sadness as they had to leave. The look a chid gives their parent when they say they have to leave a toy shop. They all sighed, and walked to the door where the older ponies waited for them. Button hurried to take the hoodie off as he would walk home with his unicorn friend. The colt gave a smile at them all as they left. There was a moment’s silence which hung in the library for a while…

××××

Day quickly turned into night and there was yet another storm brewing for Ponyville, The colt had settle into his bed which was downstairs. The lavender unicorn was making something to eat in the kitchen and spike was tiding the library from Twilights intense studying during the morning. As he climbed back down from his ladder he noticed the colt drifting off

“Woah!” he ran over and poked the colt awake. “Don’t fall asleep little guy, Twilights making you something to eat!” The colt looked up with heavy eyes, he glanced to the room where he could hear the unicorn preparing food. Spike decided he should go hurry Twilight- he didn't’t realise how tired their new residence was but before he got chance the lavender mare trotted through with a salad levitating in front of her.

“Here you are!” she smiled and set the bowl in front of the small Pegasus. She watched him stretch up and eat at the bowl.

“So can I ask you a few que-“she was paused by Spike; who grabbed her hoof. He pulled softly on her head and brought it down to his level. He whispered in her ear-

“He seems really tired Twilight, can’t the questioned be saved for tomorrow?” she smiled and nodded in agreement. She looked back at the colt who was struggling to keep his eyes open.

“We’ll talk tomorrow, enjoy your salad and just put it on the side when you’re ready for bed- stops the library from getting cluttered you see.” She sounded positive with each word. She gave one look at spike, in turn who looked back. Spike noticed the Pegasus colt getting to his hoofs so he rushed over-

“Why don’t you just get some sleep and I’ll take that for you” The colt looked up with gratification over the offer.

“Thank you” was all he said before dropping back into sleep. The dragon looked over to the pony who was dimming the lights. Twilight gestured to him for bed and he was quick to answer that with a huge smile. The two made their way upstairs and the lights hit off. Everything was quiet indoors. Only the storm could be heard raging outside…