Echoes of Equestria

“So, we’re shopping?”

“Mm-hmm. Shopping.”

“For?”

“Oh, you know. Groceries mostly. I do have a new mouth to feed.” Fluttershy leaned down to nuzzle me, which caused me to blush. “And you can’t do an epic long quest arc on an empty tummy.”

“Heh, heh. No, I suppose you can’t.”

We stopped at a stall of celery, and I looked to my left and noticed a trio of very familiar little fillies.

Oh shoot, oh shoot, oh shoot. Here comes trouble on four hooves. Please don’t let them look over this way. I think to myself as I quickly hide behind Fluttershy’s leg.

Noticing this, she glanced down at me, hiding behind her leg, then lifted her head spying the CmC who had spotted me and were heading over this way. “Don’t be shy.”

“Hello pot. Name’s kettle. You’re black.”

She snapped her head back in surprised confusion before it clicks, then she giggled saying, “Very funny wise guy.”

“Howdy thar. Name’s Apple Bloom. How y’all doing?”

I opened my eyes and saw a trio of cute staring into my soul. Apparently the traitorous Fluttershy had decided to move to the side and throw me to the wolves. I could not handle the cute and did the faint with the goat noise. I remembered thinking that that was really weird, as Applebloom’s final words followed me into unconsciousness.

“Was it something I said?”

I felt a gentle prodding sensation in my side, and upon opening my eyes, I saw Fluttershy prodding me with her nose, apparently in an attempt to rouse me. As the memories of what just transpired reasserted themselves I quickly got back to my hooves exclaiming, “I’m fine. I’m fine. Just got overwhelmed by the cute.”

Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom blushed, while Scootaloo had a dumbfounded expression on her face. “You think I’m cute?” She asked making a gagging gesture with her hoof.

“Well, to be more precise,” I said, pointing first to Sweetie, then Apple Bloom, and finally Scootaloo as I added, “she’s cute, she’s adorable, and you’re precious.”

Scootaloo seemed to be gobsmacked while the other two’s blushes deepened. Meanwhile Fluttershy had a look in her eyes that seemed to scream this is so precious.

Finally, Apple Bloom gets over her embarrassment and continued. “So, anyways, we’re the…”

“Cutie Mark Crusaders. Basically you’re like career counselors. Helping to not only find somepony’s cutie mark, but to also, in certain situations, help others to truly understand what their mark means. Case in point one Diamond Tiara who got her cutie mark without fully understanding what her special talent really was.”

Collectively all of their jaws hit the ground. It was only then that I realized that I had just run off at the mouth like a dumbass. Before any of them had a chance to respond I quickly added, “Yea, I’ve heard all about you girls.”

“From who? And when exactly?” Fluttershy inquired.

“Whenever we go on our strolls I keep, my ears peeled at the conversations going on around us. I pick things up.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I suppose that could be true. I certainly don’t pay such close attention like that whenever I travel around town, but then again it’s all old hat to me.”

“Yeah. I need to learn a much as I can about this new world that I’ve been literally dropped into. Listening to the talk of the townsponies as we travel helps with that.”

“OK then.” Her face resumed its gentle smile. “Sorry about being suspicious.”

“Pft. No worries. It’s all good.”

“What’s all good?” Applebloom asked.

“Oh… Um that’s slang from back home. It generally means there’s no problem. In this case I was letting Fluttershy know that it’s fine that she was a little suspicious, given the fact that from her perspective, I should have had no knowledge of you girls yet.”

“Oh. So… Y’all ain’t from our world? Is that what you’re laying down?”

“Laying down?”

“Oh. Guess y’all could call that my slang fer is that what y’all is telling us?”

“Oh. Yea. Pretty much.”

“Whoa, really?!” Scootaloo asked, her wings buzzing slightly in excitement. “You’re from another world? Like, a whole other world?”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What’s it like there? Is it full of magic and mythical creatures?”

“Or maybe it’s like that place where Twilight goes sometimes with all the tall, hairless apes!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “You one of them?”

“Eh… something like that,” I replied cautiously, scratching the back of my head with a hoof. “It’s definitely different, though not as colorful or, uh, magical as this place.”

The three fillies exchanged wide eyed glances, their excitement palpable. “That’s so cool!” they chorused in unison.

“Yeah, cool,” I muttered, more to myself. I didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm, but the topic still made my situation feel all too real. I wasn’t here for a casual vacation—I had responsibilities back home. But before I could dwell on it, Scootaloo bounded closer, her bright orange coat almost glowing in the sunlight.

“So, if you’re from another world, does that mean you’re here on some kind of mission? Like, a secret quest?” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I hesitated. Technically, she wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share. “You could say that,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in a way that was almost too cute to handle.

“Well, it involves figuring out how to return to my own world, while also learning something important about this one.” I gave them a small, sheepish smile. “It’s a work in progress.”

Fluttershy leaned in, her soft voice carrying a hint of encouragement. “He’s still adjusting, girls. Try not to overwhelm him.”

“Overwhelm him? We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Sweetie Belle declared with an enthusiastic stomp of her hoof. “Helping ponies is what we do best!”

“Yeah! And if you’re trying to figure things out, we could totally help!” Scootaloo added, puffing out her chest proudly. “We’re, like, professionals at solving mysteries and going on adventures.”

“Plus, maybe we could help you figure out your special talent!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “Do ya have one yet? I mean, a cutie mark?”

I froze, glancing down at my blank flank. Right—because that wasn’t going to raise any questions. “Uh, nope. No cutie mark,” I admitted.

The trio gasped in dramatic unison. Sweetie Belle placed a hoof over her chest as though she were about to faint. “A blank flank at your age? That’s tragic!”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with bein’ a blank flank!” Apple Bloom added quickly. “After all, we used to be blank flanks, too. But, uh… if you’re older, that’s gotta feel kinda… weird, right?”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, her brow furrowing. “It’s like… what’ve you been doing your whole life?”

“Thanks, Scootaloo. Way to make me feel better,” I said dryly, earning a sheepish grin from her.

“Well, it just means we’ve got our work cut out for us!” Sweetie Belle declared with determination. “We’ll help you figure out what makes you you! And who knows? Maybe that’ll even help with your quest.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Fluttershy spoke first, her gentle tone softening the moment. “That’s very kind of you, girls, but Simon has a lot on his plate right now. Maybe he should take things one step at a time?”

The Crusaders pouted in unison, their wide eyes silently begging. “But Fluttershy…”

“No buts,” Fluttershy replied firmly, though her expression remained warm. “Let’s let him decide what he’s ready for. Okay?”

I shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, Fluttershy.”

“Well, if you change your mind,” Sweetie Belle said, her voice hopeful, “just let us know. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are always ready to help!”

“Yeah! We’ve got your back,” Scootaloo added, striking a heroic pose.

“And y’all can find us at the clubhouse anytime,” Apple Bloom finished with a bright smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back. “Thanks, girls. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As they bounded off, already chattering about their next adventure, Fluttershy leaned down to nuzzle me again. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

I sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and exasperation. “You’re lucky they’re cute.”

Fluttershy giggled softly. “I think you’re starting to like it here.”