The Fight for Happiness Chapter 1 Part 5: A Brunch Gone Bad

  The Fight for Happiness Part 5

Dear Journal log,

It’s been 10 days since I’ve arrived at Ponyville. Everypony I’ve meet has been very kind to me, except for Ms. Sparkle. She seems like a pleasant enough pony I just can’t help but feel that she has been rather cold towards me. I haven’t had much interaction with other ponies since my encounter with Pinkie Pie and Rarity mainly due to fact that I’ve spent the past 8 days up here in my room reading these books and comparing them to my own knowledge. Spike came up here and told me something about Rarity while I was studying but, I wasn’t paying too much attention, due to the amount of focus and intrigue I have with these books on the mysterious forest. Also I received a letter and my old necklace from Quick Silver a few days back; I don’t understand why they can’t just leave me alone. I’ve done my part now it’s time for them to do theirs.

Drake tucked away the journal inside the night stand drawer and continued to read the books given to him by Spike. He was reading about the medicinal plants of the forest until he heard a tapping at the attics window. Drake turned to see a familiar hawk with what appeared to be a small scroll tied to his ankle. Drake opened the window for Beau who landed on Drake’s bed. Drake walked up to Beau and removed the small scroll from around the hawk’s leg and proceeded to open and read it.

Hello Drake,

It’s me Fluttershy. It’s been a while since you helped me through the forest and helped me get Angel’s medicine. And Angel is feeling better, so I thought if you wanted you could meet me at Ms. Beans coffee shop today and allow for me to get you lunch, but that’s only if you want to. Also my friends will be meeting me there as well so you can get a chance to meet them if you want. And if you can’t make it just allow me to say thanks for your help and will be meeting there at 11 a.m. for brunch.

Sincerely, Fluttershy

“Well that’s explains where you’ve been as of late.” Said Drake to the Hawk

Drake put the scroll into the night stand drawer with his journal. He stood up and stretched out his back a little bit and proceeded to walk out of the attic and into Twilight’s room. He looked around for Spike but couldn’t find him. Drake noticed a small clock near Twilight’s bed and levitated it towards him. The clock read 9:45; Drake put the clock back where it was and walked back into the attic.

“Alright Beau, I’m going to head to Ms. Beans coffee shop now so I can get out of this library for a while, your free to come

with me or you can go back to Fluttershy’s.”

Not a second had passed and Beau was already speeding back outside. Drake just shook his head and approached the bed; he grabbed the book he was reading before Beau Interrupted him.

‘Might as well read something while I wait.’ Thought Drake.

“Fluttershy are you home?” Asked Twilight knocking on Fluttershy’s door.

“Hello Twilight, you’re a little early.” Said Fluttershy opening the door.

“I know I just needed to get out of the library for a bit. So how’s Angel?”

“He’s doing much better it’s like he was never even sick, thank you for asking.”

Well that’s great news.”

“So where is Spike? I thought he was joining us for brunch today.”

“He stopped by Rarity’s early this morning to help her with some new outfits.”

“Okay, would you like something to drink while we what for Applejack.”

“Yes please, do you have any of that tea I really like?”

“Of course, how much do you want?”

“A small cup please.”

“Alright I’ll be right back.”

Twilight sat there for about ten minutes until she heard a knock at the door. She walked over to open it, standing there awkwardly on one of her front hooves was AppleJack.

“Hey Applejack, are you alright?”

“Howdy Twi, and I’m just fine just sprained an ankle is all, I’ll just have Fluttershy take a gander at it before we go.”

“Do you need help getting to the couch?”

“I’ll be fine.” Said Applejack limping towards the couch clearly in pain before finally sitting down and letting out a sigh of relief.

“So how did you hurt it?” Asked Twilight.

“Well me and Mac was working the orchard and when I decided to call it quits I turned and stepped in a large gofer hole,

those little varmints are gonna be the death of me.”

Fluttershy walked out of her kitchen and into the living room, she was carrying a cup of tea in her mouth by the handle. She set the cup down on the coffee table and turned toward Applejack.

“Hello Applejack it’s good to see you. How have you been?” Asked Fluttershy.

“I’ve been doing fine, I just need ya look at one of my front hooves.”

“Of course, but what happened to it?” Asked Fluttershy with a look of worry on her face.

“I was walking back from the fields and sprained my right ankle in a gofer hole.” Replied the injured pony.

“Okay, I’ll go get my medical kit and I’ll be right back.”

“Hurry along now Spike we can’t be late for brunch.” Said Rarity calling back to the small dragon lagging behind her.

“But we still have thirty minutes we’re not going to be late.” Replied the dragon.

“Spike a lady is never late to a social gathering and it never hurts to be a tad early for a get together in a public place.”

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville today, it was a bit cloudy, but the clouds made sure it wouldn’t get to hot today. The streets of Ponyville were full of ponies heading towards the market area, while Rarity was heading to Ms. Beans coffee shop which was just a little further up the road.

“Shake a leg Spike, I would like for us to be the first ones at this little soiree.”

Spike just gave a small sigh and jogged to keep up with Rarity who was lightly trotting along. The pair arrived at the front of the small restaurant, Rarity scanned over the outside of the restaurant to see if any of her friends had made it.

“Well Spike looks like were the first ones here.”

“Hooray.” Cheered Spike sarcastically.

“All right let find a table to sit at, now Spike, Fluttershy told us that she would be meeting a new friend of hers here so let’s be on our best behavior.”

Rarity spotted a large table that would easily accompany eight ponies, and sitting at that table was a pony wearing a familiar ensemble. Rarity and Spike approached the round table that the pony was sitting at and took a seat next to him. The pony peered over his book and under his hood and greeted the white unicorn.

“It’s good to see you again Ms. Rarity, what brings you here?”

“It’s nice to see you again as well Drake, and I’m just here to have some brunch with some friends of mine.”

“Well you’re free to sit with me until they get here.”

“Thank you, also Drake I didn’t get the chance to tell you how much I adore those lovely Robes you wear. Do you have any more robes with different colors or styles?”

“Thank you, and no just the single set of robes.” Said Drake now closing his book and placing it on the table.

“Oh that’s a shame.”

“How so?”

“Well it means you can’t be dressed in a set of lovely robes every day.”

“That’s actually far from the truth, I know a spell that allows me to restore stained or dirtied clothes, let me show you.”

Drake pulled out a small bottle of red liquid from one of the pouches on his outfit, he then proceeded to open and pour it on the sleeve of his robes. He pulled down his hood and a dark teal aura formed around his horn and then to the stain on his sleeve until the stain disappeared.

“That was rather impressive, but I was talking with Twilight yesterday and she told me you studied the forest shouldn’t your magic have something to do with that.” Said Rarity.

“Actually my talent doesn’t have anything to do with magic, because anypony can study the forest, due to that I have a small pool of magic that allows me to cast simple spells in different fields of magic many ponies have it, but few seek the training to improve upon it. The only drawback is that if I use too many spells or one difficult one it affects my body causing me to become exhausted and unable to perform most magical or physical tasks.”

“That reminds me of a unicorn that came into town once; she was very uncivilized and brutish, unlike you Drake.”

“Wow that’s just like Twilight, but she can use a lot of spells or a few difficult ones before tiring out!” Shouted Spike trying to wiggle his way into the conversation

“Really? That is rather amazing.”

“All right Dash hurry up you have a shortened lunch break to day you’re being sent to Cloudesdale to help out at the weather factory for the rest of the day!” Shouted a large brown pegasus with an orange mane.

“All right I heard you the first time.” Replied a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane

“Ah, here’s one of them now. Rainbow, over here darling.”

“Oh, hey Rarity, Spike and…who’s the stiff in the robes.”

“This stiff as you called him is Twilight’s houseguest.”

“Hi, I’m Drake.”

“Sup Drake. What’s with the Goofy robes?” Asked the brash pegasus

“Rainbow!”

“It’s fine Rarity I get asked that a lot, I wear them because it’s a part of my profession.”

“And what profession would that be?”

“

I study the Everfree forest, I read books on it, write down my findings study the creatures that dwell there, that sort of thing.”

“Oh, so you’re a nerd like Twilight.”

“Rainbow!” shouted Rarity.

“Well when you put it like that, yeah I guess I am kind of a nerd.”

After that the two ponies and the dragon started to converse with each other, Drake decided to just sit and listen. A few moments passed and the pony Drake had been waiting for arrived, she was walking amongst a crowd of ponies, for such a small looking town there are quite a few ponies living in it.

“Well, my hostess has arrived.” Said Drake

“Drake I didn’t know you were waiting on a mare, which one is she?” Asked Rarity

“Do you see that yellow pony with the pink mane standing next to the one with the hat?”

“Yes, is she near her?”

“No that is her.”

Rarity sat there pondering Drakes words, the realization that Fluttershy’s friend is Drake hit her like a ton of bricks. This look of bewilderment was evident on her face, and Spike and Dash’s as well. The act of Fluttershy being social with anyone besides her friends is an odd occurrence much less her inviting out a stallion to brunch. Rarity expected Fluttershy’s friend to be as shy and timid as her, but her friend was this handsome pony.

“Howdy, Rarity, Dash, Spike and I’m guessin’ your Fluttershy’s new friend who will be joining us for brunch.” Said Applejack whilst limping towards the table

“That I am, my names Drake it’s nice to meet you Ms…”

“Applejack.” The orange pony responded while taking a seat.

“It’s nice to meet you Applejack, And Rarity I guess you and Dash are the friends Fluttershy wrote about in the invitation she sent me.”

“I guess so, Fluttershy darling where are Twilight and Pinkie?” asked Rarity

Right after asking the question a large purple luminous sphere appeared in front of the table the five ponies were sitting at. A few chairs got tossed around the restaurant and a biscuit hit a patron in the face smearing butter and jelly all over her. Everypony in the restaurant stared at the combustion of purple magic until it expired; there stood a pink earth pony with a large grin on her face and a purple unicorn looking around noticing all the ponies starring at her.

“Sorry everypony, please enjoy your meals.” Said Twilight sheepishly

All the ponies in the restaurant returned to their tables or went off to find their chairs mumbling to themselves while they did so.

“Drake what are you doing here, I haven’t seen you since I gave you that tour around Ponyville! That was so fun especially since I put the confetti in the oven and the cake batter in the confetti cannon! I do that a lot for some reason; we should totally hang out more! So what are you doing here?” The bubbly pink pony talked at an elevated volume to where everyone in the restaurant could here.

“Yes, Drake why are you here? I thought you had to study up on those books spike brought you.” Said Twilight.

“Well Fluttershy invited me to this little get together to meet some of her friends and how could I say no, but it appears I’ve already met a few of them.” Responded Drake.

The final two guests took a seat; the ponies started having a light conversation catching up with each other and what they’ve been up to recently. Twilight talked a little bit about her new magical discoveries, Rarity talked about this new order that just came in this morning, Applejack talked about her injured hoof which was now wrapped up and put in a splint thanks to Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash told everyone about how she had to go to Cloudesdale today, Pinkie started to loudly talk about this new cake recipe she’s been dying to try, and Fluttershy told everyone Angel made a great recovery. Then finally

Twilight asked the question that had been on her mind the entire time.

“So how did you and Drake meet Fluttershy?”

“Well I was in the forest…”Started Fluttershy only to be interrupted by a waiter.

“Excuse me; we’ve had a few complaints about this table I’m going to have to ask you to keep the magic use and the loud speaking limited.”

“Of course sir, we are so terribly sorry.” Responded Rarity in the most charming voice she could muster.

“Now that’s out of the way may I get your orders?”

The ponies went on to ordering there food and drinks everyone ordered tea except for Rarity who ordered a latte, and Drake who ordered a black coffee,  which got an odd look from Pinkie Pie who was wondering why anypony would want to drink something so bitter.  They all agreed to get a large plate of cinnamon rolls to which they would all share and split the bill. The waiter thanked them and went to fetch the order. Then the subject of how the two meet was brought up again by the same pony who was intrigued how somepony could become such quick friends with Fluttershy.

Fluttershy went on to tell them everypony about that day. The Timberwolves that almost killed her, the way Drake pulled the stasis spell on the wolves, which caused Twilight to raise an eyebrow. To when they made it to Zecora’s, she skipped the part where Drake got upset about the asking of his profession, to when they made it out and Drake left. Fluttershy then asked about how Twilight new Drake. Twilight told her about how she just walked in on him reading a book and the contents of the letter from Celestia. She wondered why Drake had gotten upset about her asking about his profession. But before she could ask the waiter came back levitating a tray of cinnamon rolls whilst balancing drinks on his back, after placing the tray down he levitated everyone there drinks and hoped they enjoyed the meal. Pinkie was the first to grab a cinnamon roll with the blinding speed she always uses when sweets are involved in any way. After they all started eating the questions about Drake started to fade and they started to focus on how good the food was until a certain hyperactive pony brought up a question.

“Hey Drakey, what’s that thingy on your hoof?” Asked

“Oh this, it’s just a bracer it protects my forehoof from spraining while going through the rough terrain of the forest.” Said

the Pony bringing his hoof so everyone could see.

He was expecting Rarity to tell him how much it accented his outfit, but what he didn’t expect was to not see it on his hoof. He looked over to the Pinkie who was now in possession of his bracer and shaking it like she did with every interesting and new object she found.

“Pinkie wait!”

The sound of metal being unsheathed was heard and a light stream of red liquid dripped on the table.

“Owieowieowieowieowieowieowieowieowie!” shouted the pink pony who now dropped the bracer which now brandished a long sharp piece of metal stained with her blood.

The ponies around the table looked astonished at the events that just happened; they just saw their friend injured by a weapon. Most of the patrons of the restaurant were looking upon as well.

“Dammit, Pinkie let me see where it got you.” Said Drake grabbing the Pink ponies hoof.

The cut wasn’t too serious it wasn’t deep but it did go across a good portion of her right hoof. Drake levitated the medical bandages out of his pouch and wrapped it around the ponies hoof.

“Now you’re lucky that didn’t cut deep that could have been really bad.” Said Drake to Pinkie whilst putting away the medical bandages.

The Ponies were just starring now, until the brashest of the group decided to speak up.

“What the buck was that Drake!?!?” Shouted RainbowDash.

“Yes Drake why do you have this thing?” Continued Twilight levitating the bracer towards here touching the material which made up most of it.

“Calm down, it’s a battle bracer, it was used by the pegasi warrior’s before the founding of Equestria it’s and it’s a custom made one that my brother put together for me.”

“Calm down!?!? That thing just hurt are friend, why the buck do you have it!?!?” Shouted RainbowDash again.

“Like I said I go into the Everfree forest on a regular basis, so if I ever need it I can…well you know.”

“What do I know!?!?”

“Incase I’m too tired to ever protect myself with magic I have that to protect me.”

‘This is it! I knew there was something up with him, a pony who was studying the forest wouldn’t just want to study the forest and not want to affect the habitat in any way. So there is something more to it just need to keep pressing him’ thought Twilight

“Drake the letter said that you studied the forest, wouldn’t a pony studying the forest not want to affect the ecosystem in any way.”

He couldn’t come up with a response, Fluttershy would never talk to him again, Rarity would find him uncivilized and barbaric. The only two friends he’s made here so far would turn on him.

‘So much for starting over.’ thought Drake.

“You’re no ecologist. What are you hiding Drake?” Pressed Twilight

All eyes were on Drake now; he levitated his bracer towards him and whipped the blood off on his robes and put it back on. He looked Twilight dead in the eyes.

“Fine you caught me, your right I’m not an ecologist of the Everfree forest.”

“Then what are you?” asked Fluttershy quietly.

“I’m what’s known as a Vanguard of the Forest.”

“Well what in tarnation is that?” asked Applejack.

“A Vanguard of the Forest is a pony who keeps the more dangerous creatures and animals of the Everfree forest from roaming to close to towns or new settlements. They’ve been around for a while even before the settling of Ponyville. They also keep the population down by any means, so that means Drake’s bracer isn’t for self-defense it’s for the slaughtering of creatures.” said Twilight pointing an accusing hoof at Drake.

Drake retracted the blade back into his bracer.

“Very good Ms. Sparkle you’ve obviously been studying.” Said Drake.

All the ponies looked upon Drake with some form of fright or disgust, all except for Fluttershy.

“Drake I understand why you would keep this from me, I also understand why you have to do this, if you didn’t do it then a lot of the animals of the forest would be in danger. Also so would Ponyville and all the other small towns near the forest.” said Fluttershy.

Now the attention was turned to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy how could you say that, I thought you loved all creatures no matter how big or dangerous.” Asked Twilight

“Oh I do love all the creatures, but there are too many of them to love and keep from rampaging. So while I don’t agree with Drakes methods, he is helping everypony in the long run.”

“But Fluttershy he’s killing animals, do you not see that!” shouted Dash.

“Yes I do see that, but animals kill animals to, it’s just the natural way of life. Ferrets eat fish, foxes eat ferrets, and bears eat foxes. It’s a vicious cycle but that’s nature.”

Everyone was staring at Fluttershy now, amazed how okay she was with this.

“Well I guess Flutters is right, what if there weren’t any of those Vanguard fellows? My family may not have been able to settle here if it weren’t for them.” stated Applejack

“I guess it’s okay, I mean if he’s making it better for everypony then that’s fine, just make sure that doesn’t poke me again it really hurt.” Said Pinkie still holding her throbbing hoof.

“I think it’s messed up, what did those creatures ever do to deserve that? Just because they exist you think you have a right to make them not exist.” Said Rainbow Dash in a harsh tone

“I have to agree with Dash, Drake why would you pursue such an awful profession? Asked Rarity.

“You think I enjoy it?” Said Drake Standing up and opening one of his pouches and levitating a few bits on the table.

“Then why do you do it?” Asked Rainbow Dash

“Because it’s better than what I was doing before this. Thanks for having me Fluttershy, but I must go.” Said Drake as he levitated the book he was reading and walked away.

The ponies just sat there speechless for a while, all having conflicting opinions one Drakes profession. Just sitting there going over the events that just ruined their brunch. Spike was less confused but more scarred.

‘Okay so Drake kills dangerous creatures, Dragons are dangerous creatures, I’m a Dragon, Oh sweet Celestia does he want to kill me.’ thought Spike.

“Well I got to go it was nice hanging out with you girls, but I got to be in Cloudesdale.” Said Rainbow Dash leaving a few bits on the table then flying away

“Yes I must go to; I have an order to finish.” Said Rarity leaving a few bits on the table and trotting off.

The five friends sat there just looking at the last few cinnamon rolls on the table.

“You girls going to eat that?” Asked Pinkie.

They all just shook their heads no; Pinkie just shrugged and ate all the rolls in one bite.

“Well I got to go the Cakes probably need me back at the shop, I’ll talk to you girls later.” Said Pinkie back in her bubbly mood probably due to all the sugar she just ingested at once. She left her bits and hopped off towards Sugar Cube Corner.

“Here is your check, please come again soon.” Said the waiter somewhat sarcastically.

The ponies pulled all the bits together and paid for the meal.  After saying their goodbyes they all left. Fluttershy and Applejack started walking off towards their homes, and Twilight and Spike headed towards the library.

“Hey Spike, do you think what I did was wrong?”

“What do you mean Twi?”

“Well putting him in the spotlight like that, I mean he was lying to us, but I understand why he would want to.”

“I don’t know Twi, but all you can do now is apologize to him.”

“I guess you’re right, it’s just why did he bring that bracer of his to brunch?”

“I don’t know Twi, all we know about him is he kills dangerous creatures, and dragons are dangerous creatures…You see what I’m getting at right.”

“Spike he wouldn’t hurt you, you’re just like us civilized, polite, and pleasant.”

“I guess, but I’m keeping my eye on him.”

After a few minutes of walking they finally made it home, Twilight was going to go inside and apologize to Drake. It turned out she didn’t have to, Drake was sitting outside smoking a cigarette and reading a book titled Super Naturals. Drake heard the approaching hoofsteps clopping along the cobble road until they stopped right in front of him.

“Hello Ms. Sparkle may I help you with something?”

“Drake I just wanted to say I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have pressured you like that it was wrong. I should have respected you’re privacy, and not have accused you of being a soulless killer.”

Drake pondered her words for a bit, she seemed genuinely sorry, but she was the one who put him in this position in the first place. Drake finally decided to forgive and forget.

“It’s fine, it’s just you don’t know how hard it is for me to make friends when they know what business I’m into. I don’t enjoy it, but I have to do it.”

“Thank you for accepting my apology Drake, also why in the world are you sitting outside.”

“I forgot my key in the attic.” Said Drake putting out his cigarette.

Twilight giggled a bit and unlocked the door.

“Well you’re free to come in now, also I have few notes on the Everfree forest, you’re free to use them whenever you like.”

“Thanks for understanding Twilight.” Said Drake getting up and walking into the library.

Dear Princess Celestia

Today I learned that even if somepony seems odd or off you shouldn’t accuse them of things. Even if you’re correct it doesn’t give you the right to do something like that, it could really hurt some pony’s feelings. I learned this lesson thanks to my new friend Drake, at first I thought something was off about him. But now I feel like he could be a welcome addition to ponyville.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

“Are the changelings in position?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, what about that Brotherhood of pests who wish to stop us?”

“Our combined forces will be able to subdue them and the guards.”

“Excellent. Dismissed.”

“Sir, may I ask you a question before I go?”

“What is it?”

“Do you expect Queen Chrysalis to keep her word?”

“Leave the worrying to me; you just prepare your squad and wait. You can dismiss yourself now.”

“Yes sir.”

End Chapter 1