Finders Keepers

On a sunny afternoon in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and her loyal companion Spike are taking a stroll on the outskirts of town in search of a wide open area. In the little dragon’s claws he clutches a green rucksack to which he hasn’t been told anything about other than: ‘be careful with it’. “Twilight,” Spike begins. “I still don’t understand what the deal is with this bag.”

“It’s more than just a bag, Spike,” says Twilight. “It’s an assignment by Princess Celestia, and that on its own is already a big deal.”

“But it’s just a bag.”

“To the untrained eye, but if you knew the story behind it, perhaps you’d change your perception of it.”

“. . . So, what’s the story?”

“I have no idea.”

Spike groans. “Why would you tease me with some kind of awesome story if you don’t even know what the story is? I was expecting something about dragons and creatures of the darkness; and a hero who wielded this great . . . bag . . . to save the world!”

“It might be something like that.”

“You don’t have a very vivid imagination, do you?”

“Well then, since ‘you’ seem to have such a vivid imagination; then perhaps you’d be a perfect subject for my experiment.”

“I hate this part of our talks.”

“According to Princess Celestia, this bag possesses an incredible, magical power.”

“Go on. . .”

“It can grant whoever wears it whatever they wish. So, if I wore it, and I wanted a book on Fairy Pony Folklore; then by reaching inside, it’ll give me exactly that.”

“Why would you want a book on Fairy Pony Folklore?”

“Spike, did you not hear what I said?”

“No, I heard you. I’m just curious as to why, out of everything you could think of, ‘that’ is what you would want from this bag.”

“Who cares?!” Twilight boils from frustration. “It was just an example! I don’t know what I’d want if I were given the opportunity!”

“See? No imagination.”

“Well,” she sneers. “Mr. Imagination, why don’t you stand there with the bag while I stand back and observe.” Twilight readies her clipboard and writing utensil.

“So, are there some kind of ‘magic words’ I need to recite for this thing to work?”

“Nope. Just think of something you want, and reach inside. Start with something small, then I’ll have you try and think of bigger things as we go along. I need to gather some notes on the limits of what this bag can bestow, assuming there are any limits at all.”

“Okay, here goes nothing.”

“Twilight! Over here!” Twilight turns to see one of her best friends, Rainbow Dash, fluttering and waving her hoof from afar.

“Huh, I wonder what Rainbow needs,” says Twilight. “Spike, stay here, and whatever you do—”

“Be careful with the bag.” Spike jokingly attempts to mimic Twilight’s voice. “Yeah, I got it.”

“Good.” Twilight walks over to Rainbow Dash, leaving Spike to sigh as he examines the bag.

“Hm. . . Sure don’t look like anything ‘incredible’.” Suddenly, something knocks into Spike, sending him down to the grass. He sits up to find a young stallion looming over him with curious eyes. His coat of fur is gray, and his mane is a dark-brown color, the same as his eyes. He’s wearing a dark-blue vest, and takes a step backward in fear upon discovering he’s bumped into a dragon.

“Ah! Dragon!” He shouts.

“Hey, what’s the big idea?”

“A talking dragon!”

“Will you take it easy? What’s your deal?”

“Are . . . Are you not going to cook me alive?”

“Why would I do that?”

“I uh . . . I just thought that’s what dragons do.”

“Oh, so just because I’m a dragon you just assume I’m some kind of monster, huh?”

“Um, I mean . . . i-it’s not like that, you know?” The stallion nervously chuckles. “I’ve never met a dragon before. I’ve only heard about them. I’m uh . . . sorry for jumping to conclusions. I’ll just . . . be on my way.” He lowers his head, and walks passed Spike. He halts upon noticing the town that sits just ahead of him, and his eyes immediately dart from side to side.

“What’s the matter with you?”

“There’s a town over there. It’s probably filled with other ponies.”

“Yeah . . . as towns usually are.”

“Well, I suppose I might as well turn back.”

“Huh? Why? The next town is miles from here.”

“I . . . I just want to be alone. I left my town because I just couldn’t seem to get along with just about anypony. Ever since I was a little colt, I struggled with making friends. I figured it’d be best I just avoid ponies all together.”

“Woah, what town are you from?”

“Oh, what does it matter? I don’t want to bore you with my story. You’re probably in the middle of something more important anyway.” The stallion turns and starts to walk back in the direction he came.

“Wait! Where are you going to go? Like I said, the next town is miles from here! Like . . . a lot of miles! You wouldn’t be able make it to the next town by nightfall!”

“I’m sure I’ll find a ditch to sleep in.”

“Jeez, this guy’s gloomy. There’s gotta be some way I can help. . . Hey! I’ve got an idea!”

“I told you to forget about it.”

“Yeah, I got that; but I think my friend can help you get a place to stay for the night!”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Oh, come on!” Spike cuts off the stallion’s path and puts his claws on his hips as he glares at him. Fearful, the stallion lifts up one of his legs to help shield himself from the tiny threat. “What’s your name?”

“I-It’s Knick Knack.”

“My name’s Spike, nice to meet you.”

“Um. . .” Knick Knack slowly lowers his guard. “You too”

“Now, honestly!” Spike shouts, causing Knick Knack to hide and quiver behind his hooves. “Do you really want to spend another night out in a ditch?”

“I mean . . . I’m getting used to it—”

“No! You don’t! Now look, I’m going to go convince my friend to find you a place to stay, you just wait here.”

“Listen, I really don’t—” Before the stallion can finish his sentence, Spike runs off towards Twilight who is still occupied with Rainbow Dash. The stallion sighs. “—want you to pity me.” Figuring he just might need a good night’s sleep in an actual bed, he stands and waits for Spike to return. However, something catches his eye: the rucksack Spike had been holding onto is lying in the grass nearby. Knick Knack pokes and examines the rucksack to find it seems to be completely empty. With one last glance to Spike as he converses with Twilight, he picks up the bag and puts it on. “This could be of some use. . . Thanks for trying, little dragon; but I think it’s for the best I stay away.” Knick Knack turns and gallops across the field of grass away from Ponyville, hoping not to be spotted.