Author's Note

I changed the amount of bits he earned per day of work to ten. This is because I am dumb and forgot the currency value of bits.

Shopping for Forgiveness

I look at a stand in the market square located in what seems to be the middle of Ponyville. The sign says one bit and above it on a table there are groups of four eggs. Next to them is what seems to be uncooked hay-bacon that is priced at one bit per two pieces. I look to my right and see Sweetie Belle looking at these items with her hoof up to her mouth, imitating my pose. She looks at me, I nod, she nods, we leave with enough food to feed us tonight along with the six bits I have left.

"I'll try to make this correctly, if it's anything like what I've made back in my part of the world we should be good." I say while Sweetie Belle rests her head on mine while on my shoulders.

"I could make it!" she replies with a squeak.

If I recall, she burns everything.. So...

"No thanks, I got it. Maybe you can help with other stuff though. Perhaps I could teach you how to cook though." I say noticing the excitement in her voice.

"Fiiinnnee" I hear her say while slumping down onto my shoulders and head.

Just like a little girl from my world... Things never change, even across universes huh?

We go through the market together and go over multiple products including some accessories like crystal necklaces as well as clothing. Most of the market contains food however so we both decided to leave and just make the eggs and bacon we purchased earlier. On our way back we see a black pegasus buying some eggs from the same stand we were just at. They were having a conversation and smiles were exchanged, so I waved at them. The merchant noticed me and waved back, the pegasus, who I knew instantly as Thunderlane from the show, turned towards me with a smile that instantly vanished.

That's weird... Why would he...

His back was bandaged as well as one of his wings. It clicked instantly.

HE'S THE ONE! It was a pegasus that attacked me with a coat dark enough to not be seen at night! I threw him into the fence with my magic and... That must be why his back and wing are injured. I suppose that must make him hate me more... But Thunderlane? In the show he seemed nice enough.

"Hello again! I see you've got another customer there." I said to the merchant and then nod at Thunderlane with a smile.

Thunderlane gives me an angry look at first, but then it turns into confusion. He quickly grabs his purchased food and leaves immediately. The merchant looks towards where he ran off to with a confused face.

"That's weird, he usually doesn't act like that. I suppose he must just be in a hurry." the merchant says while putting his hoof up to his chin.

He notices my presence and then smiles at me. "Hello, you're the strange being from earlier right? I was really surprised that you could speak our language and understand us! My name is Sunrise Banquet, I have a farm a little ways away and keep chickens and maintain hay. If that wasn't obvious I mean." Sunrise says with a nervous smile.

Well, that was awkward. But I can't really let him go... I need to stop hate where it starts or else things will probably get bad soon..

"Sorry, but I have to go. The little one is pretty pooped and needs to eat those eggs and haybacon you sold me. Nice meeting you Sunrise, I'll see you later." I say with a smile while quickly going towards the Carousel Boutique.

Sweetie Belle starts laughing loudly while wrapping her hooves around my head as I run towards our new home. I smile at her reaction and innocence. We arrive at the boutique and I quickly drop her off along with what we bought. I pat her on the head and she nods at me, going inside towards the kitchen.

"Don't cook anything! I'll be back within the next hour!" I yell before running off towards where Thunderlane was heading to.

I end up near Sugarcube Corner and notice that Thunderlane is inside talking to who seems to be Cloudchaser and Flitter. Three milkshakes are on the table and Thunderlane seems to be angry and speaking loudly. I move closer to the building and begin to make out what is being said.

"Don't you think that whatever that thing is walking around town for the past month has been causing problems?!? Scaring the foals?! Annoying us with it's lack of knowledge concerning our traditions?! I know I don't want to do weather work for that... that... THING!" Thunderlane says in an angry rant.

Scaring foals? What!? I don't scare anyone... Do I?

"I mean, I don't think he's hurting anypony. From what I saw, he seemed... Kinda nice actually." Flitter says in response.

"Yeah! I mean he seemed pretty cool. I remember seeing it helping Applejack with her farm, as well as helping Twilight with her magic duel! Seems like a cool bro, ya know?" Cloudchasers chimes in after her sister.

HAH! These mares have good taste!

There's an awkward silence for a small moment and I hear Thunderlane say something softly and get up. I scurry to the side of the building so he wouldn't see me and watch as he leaves Sugarcube Corner. His face has what seems to be pain and confusion on it. He starts to head towards the town square in the south part of Ponyville. I follow him and watch as he sits on a bench and slumps over, looking at his damaged wing. I sigh and walk over to him, making sure he doesn't notice me until I sit down next to him. He jumps abruptly and looks at me with an angry stare. I smile back, which once again, confuses him.

"What do you want from me?" he says in a panicked voice.

"I want to know why you attacked me" I say calmly, looking for a reaction on his face.

Thunderlane attempts to hide a reaction, but inevitably sighs deeply while looking down. "My parents were killed by two different things. One was killed by a Gryphon and the other was killed by a monkey-like creature.. Like you. Except you know, slightly furrier." he says quietly.

I look at him and feel a welling of sadness inside me for the tragedy that was committed on him and his family.

That must mean he's raising Rumble by himself right? That's harsh, especially at this age... He has a job and, if I remember correctly, tries to become a Wonderbolt later on. No wonder he hates other beings, his parents were killed by them and I just hurt him not too long ago. I wonder if he will let me..

"Well, I promise I'm not going to hurt anyone, at least not unless I am attacked by one." I say with an emphasis on the last part.

He cringes and looks at me with a nervous smile. "Yeah, sorry about that. I just didn't want anypony to get hurt and didn't know anything about you. Other species kinda just... Scare me. I want to learn not to hate but... I think it's too deep seated in my mind. I tried seeing therapists, friends, family... Even going to other species populated places in the world for a small time. Nothing helped, but you? Why is it that I don't hate you as much as others? You just seem more inviting, even if you did twist my wing. Maybe I could.." he says but then shakes his head. "I won't bother you again, but give me time to think about becoming friends. It'll take a lot of willpower, something I've been lacking for a long time, ya know? Until then, uh... Devan right?" Thunderlane says as he lifts his painful body off of the bench.

I nod at him and watch as he walks off, his mind obviously buzzing with thoughts. I remember that magic in this world is based off of your imagination and attempt to do something I probably shouldn't be doing. I concentrate on his wing and imagine it healing.

Come on.... Please.... He didn't deserve that pain... He was just scared! DO IT!

I see a couple strands of what seems to be sand drift from the ground onto his wing. He stops for a second and moves his wing around, looks down at it with surprise and then back at me after noticing the sand on his wing. I smile with what energy I have left and he smiles back, flying off at a slow pace. I feel my eyes get heavy and close them as the soothing wave of sleep takes me.