More Walking...

Date: July-15-2015…

Location: Few kilometers outside Sweet Apple Acres…

POV: Cpl. Adrian Shephard…

Time: 1242 hours…

“So, it’s Friday right?” I ask the three ponies that walked alongside me down the dirt path alongside the apple trees. We decided, as a group, to head down to ponyville and see some figure of authority known as, “Princess Twilight Sparkle, princess of Magic,” or something like that to figure out how I got here. To be honest, this was moving a bit fast for my taste, but, what could you do.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Came an impressed Scootaloo that bounced along to my right.

“Uh, lucky guess, I guess…” I answered back, “If that’s true, then shouldn’t you fillies be at school or something?” I ask looking down as Applebloom, who looked up at me with an inquisitive look. The three ponies remained quiet for a second until behind me Sweetiebelle spoke up.

“No actually, today we had off, for some reason, I didn’t pay attention,” She answered. Applebloom came after her rather quickly,

“It’s a holiday remember? I can’t remember what it’s for, but, were not at school I know that much,”

“I think it’s about friendship or something, I don’t know,” Came Scootaloo next to me.

“Okay then, glad that’s been cleared up. Now, another question, how much longer until we reach ponyville?” I asked right after Scootaloo stopped talking.

“A few more minutes, we’re nearly there, we just need to pass the barn house of Sweet Apple Acres then were home free,” Sweetiebelle answered with a squeak in her voice. The barn in the distance began getting closer, the dirt path began to show more wear as more foot traffic around the main center of the farm drew closer. Once we reached the front gate, tree cover of the orchard gave away to a spacious courtyard with a large white gate at the beginning of it.

“Come on Mr. Shephard, Applebloom’s sister should be around here somewhere!” Came Scootaloo as the three scattered off to find the aforementioned family. As they scattered the grounds I began to scout the area. The air seemed cleared, and quiet. The ground around me was worn and well treaded on. The fences now seemed just a slightly bit dirtier. Farm equipment was stacked together into neat piles and carts were lined up into rows against the right fence that lined the yard.

I moved over to the carts and examined them,

“So, no motors just horse drawn, interesting. Either this is a common thing on farms, or, these ponies haven’t grasped the concept of motorised carriages. Figured that much, these ponies seemed to understand basic building, or even advanced construction. But maybe not the implications of applying engines to carts. Oh well.” I talked amongst myself while hoofsteps rang out behind me.

After awhile the fillies returned to me looking rather confused, “Uh Adrian, I can’t find any of my family. I’ve looked almost everywhere I could look, but yet nopony is here.” Applebloom said in a distraught tone. Quickly I consulted the carts again. Something about that area, seemed off. More specifically the grounds around it. On the end of the line there was a space where a cart could fit into, yet wasn't there. The ground in the space where the cart should have been, had a pair of tracks, that, after I followed led out of the farm towards ponyville.

“Applebloom, your sister, does she cater for big events, like holidays,” I asked the filly once I returned to the confused ground of ponies.

“Yeah, she does… why do you ask?” She came back.

“Because I believe I know where your sister is,” Saying that, I pointed over towards the village in the distance, “She’s more than likely inside the village selling food. Or something.”

1254 hours…

Finally Ponyville was within arms reach. The only true form of bustling civilization I’ve seen in a long time. The “town” I last saw was Sacramento on leave back in California. Though this “ponyville” would never compare, it would do just fine, for the time being.
We peaked the top of hill and below us stood the village in question. Suddenly an explosion erupted over top near the center of town. It coated the sky in bright red and blue lights. A firework. Then after that one happened another one shot off afterwards. Soon the whole sky as filled with streamers, smoke, and bright flashes. Underneath the chaos, music could be faintly heard coming from everywhere within the town. It was upbeat, with a fast tempo that had the whole town jittering along as colorful specs moved around on the ground.

“Well, that’s certainly something…” I muttered underneath my breath.

“OH yeah!” Came a voice from below me, it was Scootaloo.

“The Friendship Summit!” She followed up with. The two other fillies faces lit up as all their eyes met with each other. Suddenly a cheer erupted from around me.

“That’s why we have off!” Applebloom said in between cheers.

This was all going way too fast. I needed some answers before we went any further.

“Okay, okay hold on… Just… What’s the Friendship Summit?” I asked putting away my rifle, and standing in front of them, facing away from the town. The three calmed down and looked up at me.

“Oh yeah, I forgot, yer’ not from around here, right.” Came a still semi excited Applebloom.

“Well, you see Mr. Adrian, the Friendship summit is the celebration that honors princess Twilight Sparkle. It celebrates her crowning, when she got her wings and ascended to princesshood.” Sweetiebelle came from the back of the group, making her way up in front of me.

“Yeah that’s right. Every year ponies from all around Equestria come to Ponyville and party their tails off! Next to Hearth's Warming Eve, and Nightmare Night, this is one of the greatest holidays ever! But… there's a challenge.” Scootaloo said putting her hoof up.

“Yeah? And what would that be?” I ask crossing my arms.

“We need to out party last year's summit!” Cheared all three of them at once.

“Oh, uh that’s... interesting,” Suddenly I didn’t think going to ponyville was a good idea.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait...