Ponid-19

Smooth Boulder led everyone inside of his home. It was a small abode, with the perfect amount of room for him to live, eat, and do the various things that he either needed or wanted to do. The living room spilled over into a rather nice little kitchen, featuring silvery appliances and a bright white refrigerator. As for furnishings, he had chosen the minimalistic method that had become popular in the interior design world recently. He probably had no idea of the upsurge, but just decorated the place to make it his own. It became apparent that he had no desire for roommates or companions, and enjoyed things as they were.

“Look, it’s been a while since I’ve had guests,” he said, “so…forgive me if I’m stale when it comes to social graces. But if you’ll make your rears comfortable, I’ll put together some refreshments.”

“Thank you,” Starlight said, “that’s very kind of you.”

The grizzled pony grunted in acknowledgement before shuffling off into the kitchen. As they watched, he expertly got down the proper number of glasses and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. Since he was an Earth Pony, he had to use his hooves to pour the drinks, which was rather adventurous and amusing for the others to view. He spilled a little bit, but quickly acquired a napkin and soaked it all up, tossing it into the local wastepaper basket and then whirling back around to place the drinks on a small tray.

He brought them into the room and sat them on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Starlight and Trixie sat there, while Rose and Kite made themselves at home in two other chairs. He offered them the glasses, and they graciously took them and drank freely. The acidic taste caused their lips to shrivel a bit, but the thirsty travelers were grateful for the beverage. Their happiness was apparent from the warm smiles they offered, and Smooth sat back in his own chair. He felt a small twinge of warmth temper his heart. It was something he had not felt in a long time, and he experienced a minor thrill at it.

“You know, for somepony who hasn’t had guests in a while, you entertain well,” Starlight complimented.

“Yeah, well,” Smooth replied, “when you learn something thoroughly, I guess it never leaves you. You’d do well to remember that, young filly.” He jerked his head at Kite String, who nodded excitedly in return.

“Ugh…I thought we were here to advance a conspiracy theory,” Trixie complained, earning a sharp jab from Starlight.

“Conspiracy theory? Young mare, there ain’t such a thing that exists as a theory in all Equestria.”

“There ain’t-I mean, isn’t?” Trixie asked.

Smooth shook his head. “It’s all a giant hoax, fabricated by the ones up top who want to stick the shiv of their power into the bodies of all us common ponyfolk. Here, follow me, and I’ll show you what I mean.”

He arose from his seat and beckoned the others to do the same. They did, and he led them down a long hallway blanketed by the shaggiest carpet any of them had ever seen. He ducked into the third door on the right, and they followed suit. Once inside, he lit up the place and their eyes were accosted by the most amazing collection of newspaper clippings, articles, and various writings that they’d ever seen. It was a veritable museum of the literary arts, and Starlight was baffled by just how long it must have taken to gather all of this information. It was all tied together with various bits of string, and it seemed to form a pattern.

Kite String was particularly impressed. “WOW!” The filly breathed, “there must be a THOUSAND YEARS of newspaper stuff here!”

The small comment earned a smile from the grizzled one. “Well, not quite, my dear filly, but it is around thirty years’ worth of very hard work.”

Starlight turned to face him. “How in the world did you collect all this…and why?”

Smooth smiled and pointed at a framed picture on a small end table in the center of the room. It showed four ponies, happy and gaily smiling at the camera. Since it was black and white, it became apparent of the age of the photograph. It was also thoroughly important, considering the pedestal and placement with which it had been carefully set.

“I am a veteran of the Third Hoof War,” Smooth confessed.

This led to gasps from everypony. The Third Hoof War had been a terrible conflict between Equestria and Saddle Arabia. Ponies on each side were conscripted into military service and fought bravely to defend their countries. Sadly, due to the irreparable nature of war, most of them returned in wooden coffins with their nation’s flag draped over them. It had all been for naught, as the friction quickly dissipated through peace meetings between the leaders of the nations. Princess Celestia was heartbroken at the devastating loss of life, and a very famous photograph had circulated of her weeping in pain at the memorial service for those who had passed.

“But…how in the world did you survive?” Starlight asked.

Smooth smiled. “I survived thanks to the courage and quick wit of the three ponies standing with me in that photo. I’m second from the left, and the pony standing first in line was Swift Wind. He was the fastest Pegasus I’ve ever seen, and bequeathed that down through his line after the war. He had a son, Bow Hothoof. That colt was the scrawniest one I’d ever seen, but he grew into a great flyer. Then Bow had a filly named Rainbow Dash, who’s apparently done very well for herself.”

“I can vouch for that,” Starlight said with a smile, “I’m one of her best friends.”

Smooth’s smile became wider. “Well, then, you tell her that her grandpappy’s old pal Smooth Boulder said ‘hello.’”

“You have my word,” Starlight responded.

“Now, then, back to the picture. The pony standing to the right of me is Iron Hoof, the toughest Earth Pony I’d ever known. I mean, that stallion could go up against the iron gates of Tartarus and buck the whole thing down! He was a country pony, from some place called Ponyville, and he told me how he’d met this really cute mare named Granny Smith. He married her after the war, and they had a family. We sort-of…lost touch afterwards, and I assume he’s passed on by now, but I would like to know what became of him.”

“I can tell you,” Starlight said, “because I’m from Ponyville, and I can assure you that Granny Smith and the entire Apple Family are doing just fine. In fact, her grand colt, Big McIntosh, recently married and now his wife is expecting a foal of her own. Her grand mare, Applejack, is running their farm and dating a stallion of her own, and her other grand mare, Apple Bloom, helps other young ponies discover their special talents!”

Smooth Boulder looked at the floor, then back at her. “I truly am glad we met, Starlight,” he said honestly, “I believe ‘twas fate that brought us together. I was wondering about my old war buddies, and…now I have some closure. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but…who’s the mare standing last in line?”

Smooth’s smile became wider than it ever had been, and it became apparent that he held a special place for this pony. “That…is Marea Barton, the first mare to ever nurse on the front lines during an Equestrian war. She was beautiful, kind, and caring, and she always knew exactly what to do. Sharp as a tack, that one was! But even more than that, she looked beneath my rough exterior and saw somepony worth caring for. We fell in love deeply, and we got married after the war.”

“AWWWWWWWW!” Came the excited shriek of Kite String.

“Kite, dear, hush!” Her mother softly commanded, “don’t interrupt the nice pony.”

“It’s alright,” Smooth said, “it reminds me of when I had a young filly.”

“You had a filly like me, Mr. Smooth?” Kite asked. Her rump was wiggling with joyous anticipation, and the old timer couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yes, I did, young Kite String. She was the pride and joy of my life, and I loved her very much. I still do, in fact. She’s moved to Manehattan with her husband and their three foals, and I…I haven’t-”

Here, the veteran was moved to tears. It seemed that he had not seen his grand foals or daughter in a very long time. Starlight felt moved with him and stepped over to embrace him. He wrapped his hooves around her, grateful to have a friendly gesture after all this time. They broke apart and looked at each other, one with a desperate determination for truth and friendship and the other with the dull pain of years of loneliness.

“Mr. Smooth?” Kite asked.

“Yes, little one?”

“What happened…to Ms. Marea?”

“Now, Kite, perhaps Mr. Smooth doesn’t want to relay that,” Rose Garden chided.

“No, no, leave her be,” Smooth said, “it does my heart good to remember those who’ve gone. I now know that all of my wartime friends have met their end, and it leaves me with a sense of peace. I know I shall be joining them soon. How soon, I cannot say. But it gives me comfort to know that we shall be on the front lines of a cemetery together, just as we were during that horrible, blood spilling conflict.”

Starlight looked down, and then back up at him. “Smooth Boulder, it seems that you’ve got every last newspaper clipping from those thirty years here. May we use them? We might find a clue from the past that could help us here in the present.”

“Feel free to use them,” Smooth responded, “I would love nothing more than to crack the lid open on this whole dang virus. But…I am wondering if you might do something for me in return.”

“What’s that?”

“Can you…take me to Manehattan? Please? I want to see my grand foals one more time.”