The Pegasus & The Pegasister

Ashleigh felt something gently nudge against her, causing her to wake up. It was Soarin, he had a nervous look on his face.

“Hey, uh, Ashleigh, the sun rose but you weren’t awake yet, so I woke you up.”

Ashleigh sat up, stretching out her arms and yawning.

“I’m surprised you didn’t run away.” she remarked, sliding her boots on as she stood up, still somewhat sore from the previous day.

Soarin shrugged. “Honestly there’s nowhere I could really go.” he joked, looking away from her and laughing nervously.

Ashleigh froze, the realization that the hatred that the two of them had shared was dying. Soarin had no anger or disgust, and even looked willing to be friendly to her.

“So...I guess we should keep going?” Soarin asked.

Ashleigh, lost in thought, finally added a reply.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

She was about to pick up Soarin, but Soarin stopped her.

“It’s okay.” he said. “You don’t have to carry me. I won’t run away, I promise.”

Ashleigh felt a little anxiety from the idea of him not being carried and him betraying her, but judging from his earnest tone, he wasn’t lying to her.

“Okay.” she told him, prompting him to sigh in relief.

“So, where to?”

Ashleigh took in a deep breath, and glanced at the horizon in front of them. Ashleigh had no idea to get back to where she had come from. She secretly knew now that the decision to just take Soarin and flee had been not only a bad idea, but a terrible one. They had to get to somewhere, but where to?

She could see what looked like Celestia’s castle, but it was very small from how far away it was.

“That way.”

Soarin nodded, and trotted alongside Ashleigh, the two began the long and grueling walk. By the time the afternoon arrived, the two were exhausted, in particular Soarin, who hadn’t been walking until today. However, they knew they must be getting closer, because they came to a bridge, and they could see the castle still in the distance, but somewhat closer.

Soarin broke the hours of silence they had shared together on the trek.

“Are we gonna cross that?” There was some nervousness in his voice, as he and Ashleigh glanced at the bridge in front of them. It wasn’t exactly sturdy to be sure, it was a rope bridge, and under it was a long drop to a tickling creek in a gorge.

“Do we have any other option?” she asked, pointing to him to show that it continued as far as the eye could see both says, and appeared to get much wider.

Soarin looked kind of nervous, but nodded and took a cautious step on it. The bridge appeared to be sturdy, but a little wobbly.

“I’ll go first.” he said, taking another step forward.

Ashleigh smiled. “Thanks Soarin.”

The stallion nodded and continued walking forward. As he got to the end, he increased speed, and took a massive jump using his one good wing as a boost from where he was halfway across the bridge to the end.

“Come on Ashleigh!” he shouted, waving from the other side.

Ashleigh let out a nervous laugh, and stepped forward, but not onto the bridge.

However, when she took a step onto the bridge and felt it slightly shake, she let out a whimper of fear and refused to cross it.

“Ashleigh, don’t be scared!” Soarin shouted, walking onto the very edge. “I made it across and I’m about the same weight as you!”

Ashleigh shivered in fear. “I can’t!” she shouted, taking a step back. “I freaking hate rickety bridges. I thought it wasn’t going to shake!”

“Well it does.” Soarin muttered. “Come on, I don’t want to stand here all day. Can we just cross this please?”

Ashleigh let out a groan and closed her eyes and started running across.

“That’s it! You’re doing great dude!” he shouted, as she got halfway across, and continued running, almost at the other side.

That’s when it happened.

Ashleigh felt something break under her, a board, and that’s when she fell, almost tumbling off the entire bridge.

Ashleigh grabbed the actual rope on the bridge, and wound her arm around it as tight as possible.

“Soarin, help!” she screamed, as she felt the rope start to slide away from her arm, glancing below, she saw sharp rocks; a fall from these fights would most certainly kill her.

She felt the bridge shake more as Soarin ran forward, avoiding staying safe in order to protect her.

“Grab my hoof!” he begged, as one of her fingers lost control of the rope. She did so, and felt herself being pulled up, and drug across the bridge. She let out a sigh of relief as she bumped against the ground on the other side.

“Thank you for saving my life.” she said, as Soarin glared at her in an unpleasant way.

“I wouldn’t have had to if you hadn’t taken me from the Wonderbolts academy.” Soarin muttered, glaring at her.

“I’m sorry!” she sobbed, her face already getting red from crying. “I was wrong to do it. It was horrible and I didn’t deserve your help!” she choked out the last part in earnest, hiding her face.

She was surprised to feel Soarin wrap his hooves around her shoulders in a hug. “I forgive you.” he said, tightening his grip.

Ashleigh let out a sob. “Thank you Soarin!” she said, wrapping her arms around him as well.

Soarin finally pulled away. “Hey that’s what friends are for, right?”

“Y-yes!” she agreed. “But why do you want to be my friend? I kidnapped you…”

“Well I mean, it was wrong, but I think you’ve learned your lesson. But you still owe me one thing.” he said, grinning.

Ashleigh grinned. “Oh? What do I owe you?”

“A pie!” Soarin said with a chuckle, poking her in the arm with his good wing playfully.

Ashleigh giggled. “Oh of course your lordship. Do you also want some whipped cream on it too?”

“I have no idea what that is, but sure!” Soarin said, trying to ignore the hunger roaring in his stomach.

Ashleigh laughed and ruffled up his mane. “Good one.”

Soarin looked away and smiled. “Thanks Ashleigh.” The blue pegasus suddenly stood up. “We gonna go?”

Ashleigh nodded, and the two started walking.

One week passed. Although not much of importance happened, Ashleigh & Soarin found themselves being forced to reduce their diet to creekwater and berries. It was hard, but the two managed to survive. While not much happened, the two had put their differences behind and were now friends, shared in a common goal of getting home.

~

“So…” Soarin broke the silence after a few minutes of walking on the eighth day. “What’s it like where you come from?”

Ashleigh was a little surprised by the question.

“Oh, how come?” she asked.

“Well, I figured since we friends if it would be okay if we knew more about each other.” Soarin said nervously, a slight blush on his cheeks.

“Sure.” Ashleigh said, letting out a cute laugh, causing Soarin’s blush to get bigger. “Not like we have anything better to do.” she added.

“So should I go first?” Soarin asked.

“If you want.”

Soarin smiled. “What do you want me to ask?” the blue stallion asked, hopping over a log as they walked.

Ashleigh thought for a second. “Uhh...shoot. I’m brain screwed. How about you go first?”

Soarin chuckled. “Okay, sure. So what is life like on earth?”