Skystriker: seeking Aspects

I dropped to the ground and continued on my way, checking my map to make certain I was still on course. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been to this section of Equestria, and the map was not designed for those who did not travel by train or similar methods. With this in mind, I traveled south, making for roughly where I though a town should be, If I were on the correct course.

It was warm here in the south, and I found myself missing the comforting darkness of the Everfree already. It was, I decided, far more like the frozen north than ponies knew: flat, nearly featureless, almost as lifeless. All it was missing was the cold, though if it was traded for oppressive heat, it would be good enough.

“Hey! Hey you! What are you doing running through here like that? Come to think of it, who are you? I could have sworn I know everypony in a day’s journey.” I kept walking, ignoring the voice behind me.

“What are you doing? It’s not nice to ignore people you know! You should really answer me.” I looked back at the young adult pony that was walking towards me. She was a yellow on blue Pegasus. I looked back ahead and continued walking. After a little bit she caught up with me and slowed down, matching her pace with mine.

“You never answered my question. Where are you going and what are you going to do once you get there?” I stopped, realizing that she would know where the town was, which meant I could re-orient there if I got her to show me the way.

“I’m trying to get to the nearest town so I can make sure I’m going the right direction.” She perked up at this, and instantly began running off in some random direction.

“Town’s this way! Come on!” I frowned at her forced enthusiasm but followed anyway, hoping that the town we were heading to was on the map.

“Where are you headed?”

“The badlands.” She froze, looking at me for a moment before turning back and continuing on, moving a bit faster than before.

The town was a small affair, houses, church, school. It was surrounded by apple orchards on all sides. I looked at my travelling companion, who seemed to be becoming much more confident now that we were in sight of the town.

“What’s the name of this town anyway?” I had to chuckle at the way she jumped. It almost rivaled Celestia’s jump into the roof back in Castle Everfree.

“That wasn’t funny! You shouldn’t laugh when you scare ponies.” I shrugged.

“It was a memory of the last time somebody jumped like that that I was laughing at. So what was the town name?”

“It’s called Appleloosa, technically I should be letting Brayburn apple do his tourism spiel, but the name can’t hurt. One note of warning, if he starts regaling you of the wonders of Appleloosa, ask somebody to bring you a meal or you’ll miss your next one.” I nodded in thanks and pulled out my map, checking to see which direction I needed to head next. I felt something pulling me along, urging me to move faster, which I did, as I had discovered that I had gone a bit too far west and needed to head through the town anyway to get to the badlands.

“Come on! If we get there quickly we might be able to get some of Miss Starr’s Apple pie and fritters while they’re warm!” I rolled my eyes but allowed myself to be pulled along, checking my saddlebags to make sure I had some… bits? I think that’s what they used as money now anyway… I did have a few, but likely not enough to stay here long.

“That’s Miss Starr’s place, come on, she’s the best cook this side of the Everfree!” I shrugged, not pointing out that there weren’t many cooks at all this side of the Everfree.

“Miss Starr! Miss Starr? There you are. Can we have some apple pie and fritters please?” The Pegasus called to an older earth pony that had just come through what looked to be the kitchen door.

“Certainly Cloudrunner Oh! Who’s your friend?” Cloud stopped, looking back at me as if only just realizing she hadn’t asked my name. I shrugged.

“I’ve gone by many names in the past. Not that it matters just now, I’m just passing through you see. I’ll be going now, since I’d rather not cause any problems for you.” I turned and began walking away with a quick step, avoiding a few ponies who seemed to be having too much fun and not enough care where they were putting their hooves. Once back on the main path through town I started off towards the badlands again. Behind me, I heard galloping hooves, which were quite distinct from the stomping of the dancers. I kept going, having no reason to look back.

“You there, hold still! You’re under arrest!” I ducked then sprung into the air as a lasso whipped over me and tightened just under my now airborne hooves.

“Why exactly am I under arrest, might I ask?” I kept walking, now moving backwards as I looked at the sheriff and his posse. None of them looked very friendly, but they all looked like they’d just swallowed a mouthful of hot rocks to fast, especially the sheriff.

“You’re under arrest under declaration number fifty three: All strange ponies south of the Everfree Are to be detained until proof that they are not changelings is found.” I sighed and rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“I assume you mean princess Celestia?” They nodded, I groaned again. That fool of a horse. She’s been alive for thousands of years and doesn’t know that this is a bad Idea? I don’t even live with ponies and know that’s a bad plan.

“Well I’ll give you two pieces of proof now, and be on my way, sound good?” Tentative nods and a few growls, but they seemed to be fine with the idea.

“Number one: I Know Celestia, she knows me, and probably would be quite happy with you if you carted me the whole way back to Canterlot to meet her, assuming she didn’t faint in shock. Number two: If I were a changeling I’d have knocked out cloud and taken her place on my way through the town. That good enough or are you going to keep trying to capture me?”

“No, that is not good enough. The first we can’t check, the second is a claim that you, the suspect, are making and we’d have to be fools to listen to you.” They all threw ropes and lassos in my direction, some coming close, others not. I shook my head in annoyance and cut through the ropes as I walked out, flicking my daggers out like snakes tongues, never letting them remaining visible for long.

“Hey! You get back here or I’ll--”

“Let him go Crabapple, we’ll just have to report it and keep a close watch.” I was already outside the town, sticking my course to the badlands. With some luck and a bit of time, I’d have some new aspects.

Why, after all this, and more like it, do I still look in on the princess to make certain she's alright? Why do I care?