A Cosmic Joke

Chapter 2

( Star bears are a thing?)

You remember that thing in the Matrix where you could have anything minor downloaded into your head,  “I know Kung Fu” and all that?

Well that ain’t got shit on this

Theres nothing like a giant bear the size of a small mountain to suddenly help you learn how to walk and run faster then any teaching or learning naturally over time can, also really efficient method as I no longer tripped over each step, and was in fact galloping, because holy seabiscuit that thing is huge!

I ran like there was no tomorrow, the giant Star Bears paws were over my head, I could see the way up just up ahead, I was so close to freedom!

With a leap of faith I made it past clear of the giant paw, only to suddenly look down, way down, below me.

“This, this is gonna Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-”

I screamed again as I had fallen what felt like a hundred stories, hitting every tree branch along the way, though I supposed at least I should be thankful that I wasn’t as squishy as I used to be.

“Oomphf, Ow!” I said upon hitting the ground, I felt a sharp pain on my side,

“I think I broke something” I subtly turn my head to look above me, or something pierced me. So bruised, and hurting all over  I just lay there choosing to just stay put and breathe.

“Definitely one of my top 10 things NOT to do.”

And with that, I was out like a light. Must be my luck, even as a Unicorn the universe must see me as a play toy.

“Anyone got the number of that bus?”

I muttered to myself as I awoke, for a moment I though- Oh crud Finals is today! I opened my eyes and shot up from where I slept.

“Oh yeah there was that.” I took stock of my form, so that really happened huh? Well at least I tried.

I looked, where was I? this wasn’t where I was before.

I looked around the room, a bit confused at the wooden decor, haven’t seen much of that aside from those fake tiles, where am I? I wondered, I tried sitting up to get off the comfy bed I found myself in.

But something was restricting my movement opening the blankets I see my torso was wrapped in bandages as well as a great number of other places.

“Right, the fall.” I said, I guess that i was just out of it today.

I heard  sounds heading towards me, up first I thought they were feet, but then again I WAS a Horse-pony PONY gah whatever! ,I guess ponies can make houses here… neat.

The door opens and in walks a generic pony, no horn, or anything else, don't know why I was expecting extra but meh I wont be surprised if there were pegasi here.

The pony had a red mane, and a golden yellow coat, it had a branding of a pink leaf, weird. The pony lifts its head and with a feminine tone spoke. “Ah! good you're awake, good morning.” She said with a smile towards me.

I remained sitting as she walked towards me, I let her examine my form and check the bandages, I remained relatively quiet for the procedure.

“So whats your name?” She asked from out of the blue, I felt my ears perk up at the sound, again weird.

I was momentarily confused about how to answer that, I could go with my birth name, or my hippie name. My ears involuntarily lowered at my indecision.

Noticing my hesitance she chuckled softly and looked at me, “right I should introduce myself first, my name is Cherry Blossom.” She had said with a smile.

With that I didn't hesitate anymore, “my name is Starlight Glimmer.” I said meekly but clear enough.

“A pretty name,” she said as she backed up from me. “well everything seems to be just fine dear, your fit as a fiddle.”

“Thats good, I could start playing music again,” I stuck my tongue out at my joke, getting a small laugh for my troubles.

“So you’re a musician?” she asks. I sat there nursing my bruises, ow, at least they don’t hurt as much as I expected them to. I continued nursing till I noticed how she kept looking at me for a reply.

“No, no just a figure of speech.” I replied, tightening what bandages came loose during my attempt to get a feel about.

A thought crossed my mind, I had nothing here, I have no money, I have no idea where to go or what to do, I needed money and I needed friends..

I turned to Cherry Blossom, “Um, is there anyplace I can ah, get a job or something? I’m kinda broke.” I asked, and so with some instructions from Cherry Blossom and more bed rest i had made my admittedly slow way to recovery , Cherry was very nice to let me stay with her for these few days, I later found myself standing before a bulletin board with jobs listed.

Wow, an actual Quest Board, heh, it’s like those Fantasy MMO’s I never quite got into, well, at least this wasn’t your standard peasant village.

Simple, honest work, granted I wished I had something to listen to while doing anything! Weeding, cleaning places, dealing with the rats in somePONY’s basement, acting as a courier.

Heh, some ponies asked why I just didn’t use my magic.

I kept doing this for several weeks, I’d always come back to Cherry’s place exhausted and with a large bag of coin, some of the share went to Cherry as payment for letting me stay,

Left unsaid was the sheer novelty of having to hold an actual bag of GOLD, heh, with this much money I’d always wondered how those Main Characters could hold fifty-thousand of the things at once. one bag was heavy enough.

As for banking, well let’s say that no banking system was in place here, though that kinda made sense, with the nearly nonexistent tech level here the banks would probably be limited to the Big Cities, or to the major trade hubs.

I walked by my regular, Mr. Pea Soup, a murky green coated pegasus, yeah I’m not joking I had not expected that, but I wasn't totally surprised, then again I am a unicorn, so at this point nothing should shock me as much.

He was currently managing his market stall, the goods were fine, apparently it was all grown by him, the food’s good, almost magical.

He’s always got something for me to do, pest control, weeding, tilling the soil, meh, it makes enough, though how enough money circulates in this town is beyond me.

“Good morning Mr. Pea! Hows the Garden?” I trotted up to the stallion and leaned stall as I started talking to him casually.

“Ah good morning Miss Glimmer, it is going splendidly.” he smiles as a customer walks to him, with a quick exchange of… hooves, the customer was off.

Our own exchange of idle conversation was quick and I smiled at him as I left.

I had done some listening around gave me a bit of detail and information to work is as to what I could do and what a unicorn’s “magic” was capable of

Well, at least i have something new to do today.

So, magic. The word rolls off my tongue, not like I haven't said it before, it’s just that I’m actually talking about it as if it’s an actual thing to consider. It is apparently, but I refuse to call it such! there had to be a better thing to classify it as, calling it mere magic was like comparing a grand spell to your everyday parlor trick!

Besides, there had to be a reasonable way to explain how things worked! granted from what I’d heard this so-called “Magic” had rules, mystical and cryptic rules but rules nonetheless.

And so here I am, standing in some clearing not far from the town. Staring at a small stone.

“Alright, deep breaths…” I focus, summoning what power I feel within me. Heat builds up, and I sense a faint hum along my horn. The surrounding area feels like it’s growing dark, and I hear a low rumble echo around me.

The stone rises, nice this is going well, I focus some more, wondering if this is how those Wizards felt like? not that it mattered, I wasn’t much of a fantasy enthusiast.

The power grew, and I felt it, surging through me, Opening my eyes, I willed the stone to float higher.

“thump”

“Eugh, Wingardium Leviossaaaagh!” I parroted, hoping that the added intent would at least do SOMETHING!

Aaaaand I’m spent. I hit the ground. okay perhaps magic didn’t work exactly like those books said, Though there WAS intent involved. it sure was a bit more than picking up a stick and chanting in bastardized Latin.

“I wonder if the incantation had made any difference at all…” I mumbled to myself. Well time to get up.

I rose, dusting myself off before making my way back to the town proper.

Maybe the next few times would yield better results.