Finding Freedom

Again I rose with the sun, bright and early. I remember that I dreamed about something… but it had already faded. Like when something is on the tip of your tongue, but you just can't think of it. I didn't bother getting clean, but left the library immediately. I prepared myself for a long walk down the road to the farm. However, when I got started down the trail I wasn't alone. A brownish pony whose name I couldn't remember was also heading down the road. When he saw me, he stopped and waited for me to reach him.

"You heading down to the farm?"

"Yep, my name's Silver."

"I'm Caramel, you new in town? I don't think I've seen you working before."

"I arrived a few day ago, but yesterday was the first day I worked on the farm."

"I've been working with the Apples for a few years now, they're good to me. They may work you like a horse, but they care about their workers. Just curious, why did you decide to work on the farm?"

"Well I've gotta pay the rent somehow right?"

"Well most Pegasi just live in cloud houses they've built, or don't even own a house. Most don't settle down, they'd rather be out exploring the world."

Caramel seemed like a nice enough pony, but his random interest was surprising.

"I guess I'm just different. Why do you care?"

He laughed at me, "That's exactly what Rainbow Dash said when I asked her. Honestly I don't care. I was just being friendly. It's always good to make a new friend, even if they're a twisted Pegasus."

Well that's a great attitude to have. Don't see a lot of that on Earth. Maybe it would be a better place if you did.

"Sorry, I'm just not used to people being so friendly. Old habits die hard, y'know?"

"I understand, so where do you come from?"

Well you see I'm from an entirely different planet and I came through a whole different plane of existence to get here, ya that would go over well.

"Far away, hard to explain."

"Well that's mysterious."

"Well they say that girls like a man shrouded in mystery."

Caramel laughed, "You're alright Silver, if you ever need something, don't be afraid to ask."

Wow, a few minutes ago we hadn't even known each other. If everyone I met had his kind of attitude, i would have more friends than I would know what to do with.

"So what do the stallions around here do for fun?"

"Well, I'm usually working on the farm, but when I do get some time off I just like to hang out with my friends. If you're looking for a derby or something of that nature, then you're in the wrong town. If you haven't noticed, Ponyville has a lot more mares than it does colts. So most of the stuff is geared towards them. If your just looking to have a good time, there's a club in the center ring. Never been, but I hear it can be wild."

"Sounds… Interesting."

In a dry tone he said, "By the tone of your voice I can tell that you can't wait to get off work."

I didn't get time to reply, as we had arrived at the barn.

"Hey there Caramel! Good to see y'all back in town. Good to see your back Silver. Ah'll be on the farm today so I can show y'all how to properly buck."

Caramel snickered, and I couldn't help, but grin. Once again ignoring the double entendre, Applejack led us out onto the farm. Applebloom was still setting up the baskets, and could be seen zipping around. I was still trying to wake up.
Caramel went off to a different section of the farm, and Applejack and I went to where I had stopped the other day. Applejack walked up to the tree and turned towards me.

"Now in order to do a proper buck, ya need to be close enough to the tree to hit it, but not to close where you have no leg room. Now y'all probably have ta git a runnin' start. Now you're going ta wanna stand facing away from the tree first. Then push against the ground with your font hooves and kick back as hard as y'all can. Got it?"

It took me a few tries, but eventually I performed an acceptable buck. I wasn't strong enough to just buck the tree right away, which Applejack didn't comment on thankfully. I had to run at the tree, turn around and stop myself with my front hooves and then transfer the momentum into my back legs as I hit the tree. Needless to say, I fell many times that day. It was good training though. I started to get into the finer points of having hooves, and how to control all four of them even when running. At one point Caramel met up with me and tossed me an Apple.

"On the house, at least that's what AJ said."

I ate the apple quickly, I hadn't realized how hungry I was. The apple was incredibly delicious, unlike anything I've ever had before. I can't even think of words to describe it. It was juicy, crunchy, and just amazing.

"That. Was. The. Best. Apple. Ever."

Caramel chuckled, "Well that's the Apple's apples for ya."

"I need to eat fruit more often…damn that was good."

"Might help you get some muscle too, from the looks of things you need it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well you can't buck a tree without getting a running start. Even AJ doesn't need that."

"Well if you haven't noticed, I'm a pegasus. I don't get the boost you earth ponies do. I bet if I used my wings, I could get all the apples off the tree."

"Can you do it in a timely manner, and without destroying the apples?"

"Definitely."

"If you can do that, then I'll buy you something at Sugarcube Corner. If you can't, then lunch is on you."

"Deal."

I found a nice sized tree, with a decent amount of apples on it. I flapped my wings to get the air moving, and felt the magic in them tingle. I then forced the magic to shove the air against the tree. I put a lot of power behind it so even the unripe apples would fall, but I tried to make sure I didn’t just break the tree. The tree groaned as it bent back a little, and for a second I thought it was going to fling back and send all the apples flying. The apples however fell off before the tree could sling them. One by one they fell into the baskets. The tree returned to its regular position, and no apples could be seen on it.

Caramel blinked, "You got lucky"

I smirked at him, "Famous words of a loser."

He laughed and said, "I think the other guys would like you, why don't you come down to my place later today and I'll introduce you."

"I'd like to, but I already have plans."

"Oh well, some other time then?"

"For sure."

I continued to work until the sun was high above me. My legs felt like jelly, and my neck wasn't doing much better. It could only get easier with time. I waited at the barn for Caramel to come back with his last load of apples.

"I'm heading out. You wanna pay up now, or later?"

"Sorry, but I've got a few more hours left. See I own a house and that's expensive. So I can't just work a few hours and call it quits."

He was messing with me, but I knew he wasn't going to get off. So feeling like I could barely walk, I started down the road back to the library. I finally got there feeling like I couldn't walk another step. When I went inside I saw Lunar and Twilight sitting at a table. Lunar was trying to levitate a spoon and a fork at the same time, and Twilight was giving him pointers.

"Oh hey Silver, we were just practicing focusing on two different things a once. Wanna join?"

"Uh…no. I think I'll just watch from the couch here."

I really wanted to just go to sleep, but today I was going to go all day. For a little while I just watched the two of them practice, but eventually my legs loosened up. Feeling the need to wash up, I reluctantly got up. I threw my pouch of coins in front of Twilight and went to the washroom. After a nice refreshing shower I took up my place on the couch again.
Lunar had apparently tried making food, but whatever it was, it was burnt. Twilight pulled out some frozen sticks.

"Okay these will do, and I can teach you more magic with them!"

My voice echoed from the next room, "Hooray."

"Now you need to concentrate on heat. What it feels like and how it affects things. Then apply that to the fries using your magic. Don't focus too much though, or you'll burn them."

After a few failed attempts, all of which I ate, Lunar managed to heat one of the sticks to the right degree. I took that one and ate it too.

"What are these things?"

"You've been eating them and you don't know what they are? Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"You're going to answer my question with a question? Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Ha ha. These are Hay fries, they're…."

"Hay fries, got it."

I learned a long time ago to never question my food, even if it's something simple. I just laid there, occasionally stealing a fry from Lunar, for quite some time. It was moments like these that really made me enjoy life. When you could just sit down with friends and laugh. So why did I hate life on earth so much? I used to have plenty of moments like this, before I left all my friends and family behind anyway. Was it because the bad outweighed the good? Or because there was bad in the first place? Maybe it was….

At that moment a fry hit me in the face. It interrupted my thoughts and I looked up to see Lunar and Twilight giggling at me.

"Why the sad face Silver?"

I shook my head, flinging any thoughts into the depths of my mind. "It's nothing, just stuck on some dark thoughts."

"Well anyway as I was saying, were having a party later tonight to celebrate Lunar getting a job."

Oops, forgot about that. Oh well Pinkie Pie couldn't be mad at me for that. Besides I never promised to help. It's helpful to avoid making promises, if you like to keep them that is.

"So don't forget to come, oh and you'll be able to go with Fluttershy! It will be so cute!"

I scowled at her, "When did you become Rarity."

Twilight scowled back, "I can be excited about two of my friends shacking up, can't I? Besides I can keep my eyes and hooves off of you."

"Who said you and I were friends? And the only reason you're not all over me is because your teacher called dibs."

Lunar laughed and I soon joined him.

Twilight gave me a 'I am not amused face' and said, "Fine maybe were not friends! And you really want to bring that up, didn't you learn your lesson last time? Besides I'd rather kiss a mule than you!"

"Oh really? Well I think that can be arranged. All I have to do is find a mule. All though your point about bringing up Celestia is a good one. I was beating her off with a stick last time we met." I attempted to wiggle my eyebrows at the last statement, but I failed.

I think I got the joke across, because Lunar started laughing and Twilight paused for a second and then shook her head vigorously.

"I didn't need to hear that."

"Why? See something you liked?"

Twilight let out an exasperated breath, "What am I going to do with you?"

"Well you could…"

"Don't answer that."

After a moment of silence we all laughed again. Reluctantly I relinquished my couch and got up. Walking towards the door I called out one more time,

"Well I gotta go, see you two later at the party. Don't do anything I wouldn't!"

Twilight of course responded, "What wouldn't you do?"

"Kiss a mule, but in the mean time feel free to beat each other off."

Leaving both Lunar and Twilight with red faces I closed the door behind me. I chuckled to myself began to walk. I nearly ran into Rainbow Dash in doing so. She was flying at about head level, but her head was lowered so she was looking right into my face. The proximity was a bit unnerving to say the least.

"Oh hi, didn't see you there. What brings you to the library?"

She narrowed her eyes at me, "I'm watching you. If you hurt Fluttershy in any way I will… well I don't know, but you will regret it."

Of course Rainbow would be the one to be the big brother of the group.

"Okay."

My lack of response surprised Rainbow. She gave me one last look, pantomimed punching me, and flew away. I walked down the road shaking my head. When I reached Fluttershy's house she was already outside waiting for me. When she saw me, she jumped a little and said,

"Oh Silver you're finally here!"

"Am I late? I don't really have a way of keeping time."

"Oh no, you're fine. I was just excited to get started today."

"Oh? Why's that?

"Well today you should be able to get in the air and fly slowly."

Buck ya, "Well then let's get started!"

First she started off showing me how use the air around my wings to lift off and stay airborne, all on the ground of course. Then she told me to hold out my wings like I was actually flying. I complied and she began sending varying speeds of air bursts. Every time one hit me my wings got that odd sensation, and I had to adjust my wings to get rid of it.

"That's how you can tell if the wind speeds change, and how to adjust to them. I think we're ready for a test flight. Now on my count of three lift off, but don't g anywhere. 1.. 2… 3!"

I jumped up and spread my wings. I had done it! I was hovering above the ground, concentrating on keeping the air below my wings moving. I hovered there while I got over the fact that I was flying. Once I got a taste, I wanted the full meal. Doing as I had been shown I started flying in a straight path. I went slowly at first, but the sensation was getting to me. Soon I was speeding around dodging clouds. I kept going faster and faster, continually pushing myself. I felt at home in the air, makes sense I am a pegasus after all. No wonder Rainbow was always flying around so fast. I started to go fast enough to leave a green blur behind me. I turned around to head back to Fluttershy and took off. However, I was unprepared for the tree limb that suddenly came up from the left. I hit it full force, knocking myself out right away.

Pain once again blossomed in my head. I opened my eyes slowly and was greeted with Fluttershy's face looking into mine. She let out a breath when I opened my eyes and gave me a look of relief. Then she gave me a stern look,

"What do you think you were doing? Didn't I tell you to go slow! You could have been seriously injured! I'm just glad I saw you fall. I was so worried that you were badly hurt. You should feel ashamed of what you did! Now what do you have to say for yourself?"

Man she was scary when she was angry. I just wanted to do whatever it took to get her back to the actually shy Fluttershy.

"I uh… wasn't thinking?"

"Well obviously, next time think before you act! We don't need another Rainbow flying around. Now apologize!"

I used to laugh when my teachers scolded me, but right now I could barely speak, "I'm sorry."

"You better be… now can you get up?" her voice instantly went back to its usual tone.

I blinked, "Uh… yeah, actually I feel fine."

"Oh good, I couldn't find anything to bad, just a few bruises. I want to check your wings though, so if you could lay down again."

I did so and she pulled my wings out to their full span. She began running her hooves lightly across my wings and that odd sensation nearly flooded me. I lost the ability to think as she checked my wings over.

"Did you feel any pain while I was doing that?"

I let out a groan in response. She was still doing it and I could barely stand it. Then to my surprise my wings shot out and stiffened, I couldn't fold them up or move them. They were completely rigid.

Fluttershy instantly let go of my wings and jumped back deeply blushing.

"Um… what just happened?"

"I uh… over stimulated your wings… I'm sorry…"

"No idea what that means. Can you get them back down?"

She blushed even harder, "Oh well… um… I…"

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say so I tried again, "Just to let you know I have no idea what you did, so if it's something embarrassing then I have no idea."

"Oh well… when a wing is feeling the same pressure constantly and it isn't adjusted, then it will lock up. When you're not flying though… Its… um… considered… uh…"

"What?"

Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, "…Sensual to get your partners wings hard."

Oh, well isn't that just great. I just got a sensual massage from Fluttershy.

"Well you were just checking me for injuries, I know you didn't mean anything by it."

Fluttershy said nothing, but the redness in her face stayed. My wings eventually softened and I was able to move them.

"What time is it?"

"About 5." She pointed at a clock in her house.

"Wait you have a clock? Why doesn't the library have one?"

"Well Twilight says she can just check the time with her horn…"

"Well we still have some time left, would you like to accompany me on a relaxing fly?"

"Oh… um I don't know if that's a good idea. Maybe we should go for a walk instead."

"A walk it is then."

We walked outside and the evening sun shone down on us. We walked together talking about nothing in particular. We stopped near a pond and sat down.

"Fluttershy we need to talk."

"Isn't that what we're doing?"

"No we need to have a serious talk."

"Oh… Okay."

"What's going on between us?"

"Um… Well… I don't know."

"That's the problem, I don't know either."

"Well sometimes it's better to just go with it, instead of questioning it."

"Huh…" Odd, that sounded like something I would've said had someone asked me that question.

"Maybe you're right, I just don't want to do anything we'll regret."

"I don't think I'll regret spending time with you…"

I smiled at her, and she returned it. We sat there for awhile just looking out over the pond. We just leaned against each other, enjoying the shared warmth. Eventually I got up and pulled Fluttershy with me.

"We should get going if we want to make it to the party on time."

"Alright…"

We walked towards Ponyville and said nothing. Fluttershy was walking somewhat close to me, so I reached out with my wing and put it over her. She moved closer and together we walked. When we got into Ponyville, we headed for Sugarcube corner. I prepared myself for the chaos that would surely be inside and opened the door.
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AN: Not gonna lie, I think I failed that test. Oh well, didn't matter in the end anyway. Here is a chapter and such. I don't have anything to really say this time. So read and comment and stuff. I think that covers everything.