Author's Note
Bit of forewarning, this isn't one of my better fics.
I managed to put the whole thing together in an hour in an attempt to get rid of some writer's block. So...
Yeah.
This is your warning.
Underneath the Moon...
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
E.B. White
Some ponies were made to stay in one place.
A common example being the earth ponies of the Apple Clan, once rooted, there is little one could to to get rid of them.
Not that anypony would want to, good company those ponies.
Others, however, where made to wander. To roam from place to place, meeting many, remembering few.
Be they travelling showponies, traders, or even just lost souls looking for reason.
Dust was one of the these ponies.
He was a grey and white earth pony with a brown mane, the sort that seems out of place in the crowds of colour. But, at the same time, is about as memorable as a fallen tree.
If you saw him often enough, sure, you would remember him. But, up until that point, he was just a face in the background.
Some would say that he was lazy, seeing as he never even tried to hold down a job.
But then they would see him walk for days on end.
Some would say he was stupid, seeing as he never bothered to go to school.
But then they would see him give the wise some advice.
Some would even say that he would never will amount to anything.
And, in a sense, they were right.
Dusty Trails never had the motivation to do anything else but travel, ever since he moved out of home, he never stayed in one place for too long. Only ever taking enough time to gather some bits for supplies before moving back to blazing his trails.
Other ponies never understood why he travelled, but, his response would always be the same.
‘No matter how far you walk, no matter where you go, there is always something new to be found.’
For tonight for example, there was a tired unicorn colt walking in the bitter night, miles away from the nearest town with only a makeshift pack on his back.
“Hello traveller,” Dust greeted, giving a light smile as the foal jumped at bit at his voice. “It's cold on the road, ‘specially for one a young as you. Where are ya’ headed?”
“It’s none of your business.” The colt shot back, even as his ears were pinned to his skull.
Dust only gave a shrug at first, the miscellaneous items in his worn saddlebags seeming to voice their protests at the action. “It’s a long way till the next town kiddo, time passes quicker with some friendly conversation.”
“Name’s Dusty Trails, but everypony jus’ calls me Dust.” Dust introduced himself with a playful smirk, “What’s yours?”
“Solemn.”
“Ya’ seem like a pleasant sort, so, if ya’ don’t wanna tell me where you’re going,” Dust began, stroking his chin in mock consideration. “Why don’t ya’ tell me what ya’ running from?”
“I’m not running from anything!”
“Sure ya’ not.” He replied with a roll of his eyes. “I’ve seen enough on these roads to know a thing or two ‘bout runaways.”
At this, Solemn gave no reply.
“C’mon kid, trust me, you’ll feel better.”
“Fine.” Solemn mutter reluctantly, “I got sick of being called selfish and went for a walk. The walk just hasn’t ended yet.”
“So ya’ from the last town? That’s a serious distance, ya’ got some good legs on ya’ Solemn.”
“I guess.”
“Ya’ got a family?”
“Yeah, my mom, step dad, and a little brother.”
Dust nodded thoughtfully, “I had a family too, ya’ know. Nice enough folk.”
“Everypony has a family, otherwise they wouldn’t’ve been born.”
“You’re a smart kid, Solemn. Wish I had brains like that when I was your age.”
“Wait…” Solemn paused for a moment, before running a little to catch up. “What do you mean you had a family? Did they die?”
“Nah, nothing like that kid. Jus’ haven’t seen em’ in a long time.” Dust chuckled a bit, before looking to the horizon. “Ya’ know, I was a lot like you at one point.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep, ran away from home cus’ nopony ever bothered ta’ tell me how ta’ fix myself.” Dust explained, his voice barely above a whisper. “Only that ah’ was broken.”
“So what happened? Did somepony help you ‘fix yourself’? Like in stories?” Solemn asked with no lack of snark.
“Ha!” Dust laughed, his voice returning to its normal tone. “Not at all, kiddo. Jus’ kept walking.”
“So you’re still broken?”
“We’re all a lil’ broken, jus’ some show it a bit more. That’s all.”
“So why are you still walking?”
“Because sometimes, when ya’ run away from a problem, ya’ can find a solution on the way.” Dust shrugged. “I may regret runnin’, but Ah lost the choice ta’ go back a long time ago.”
“But, ponies keep telling me that running from your problems doesn’t help them?”
“And those ponies are right, kiddo. And if ya’ run for long enough, ya’ loose the choice ta’ stop.”
“So does that mean I have to walk forever now?”
“Nah’, ya’ lucky kid. You still got the choice.”
“But… I ran away! She’d hate me…”
“Well, would she?” Dust replied with a shrug, “Most ponies are will’n ta’ forgive almost everythin’. Ya’ just gotta ask.”
“...”
“How ‘bout this kiddo, we head back ta’ town, and see what she says?” Dust suggested, taking a quick look at the position of the moon before continuing. “We should be able ta’ make it back by dawn if we start walking now.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Well I ain’t sure ‘bout you, but I walk pretty consistently.”
“I mean about forgiveness.”
“Once again, I ain’t sure. No two ponies are tha’ same.” Another shrug. “Though, I got a good feelin’ about this time.”
“I… I think that would be nice.”
“Well, let’s get goin’.”
And so, the pair walked further into the night…
By daybreak, Dust and his small companion was greeted by a near hysterical mother. And, true to the stallion’s prediction, Solemn was welcomed back with open hooves.
The town was pulled into festivities by a hyperactive pink pony, and within moments, the foal was swept up out of the remains of his dour mood.
“Hey mom! I want to show you-” Solemn began, cutting himself off as he turned to where his fellow traveller was a moment ago.
But, he was greeted only by leaves on the wind, and a small cloth bundle. Within the bundle, was a compass and a note, reading simply:
Just so you don’t get lost again, kiddo.
- Dust
Because in the end, there are those ponies who are destined to stay in one spot.
And there are those who were made to walk.
