The Legend of Bucephoron

The bell rang, signaling the end of the day’s classes. Scootaloo got up and went to join Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as they walked out of the schoolhouse. "Hey girls. Do you want to do crusading today?" Scootaloo asked as she caught up with her friends.

"Sorry Scootaloo," Apple Bloom replied, "I hafta help Applejack with some work on the farm this evenin'."

"That's alright Apple Bloom. How about you, Sweetie Belle?"

"I can't either," Sweetie Belle replied. I'm staying at Rarity's this week and I need to get my things ready."

Scootaloo drooped her head and frowned. "Oh."

"But I'm free tomorrow," Sweetie Belle said cheerfully. Scootaloo cheered up a little when Apple Bloom agreed that they should get together the next day. She waved goodbye as the three fillies parted ways on the path.

But Scootaloo's happiness was fleeting. She looked around her as the other pegasus fillies and colts started to fly home. Scootaloo turned her head and looked at her own wings. She wiggled them a bit and sighed. Poor Scootaloo had never flown, even after all the other ponies her age had started flying. Even trying her hardest, all Scootaloo had managed was hovering in the air for a few seconds before falling back to the ground. Seeing the other fillies and colts flying home every day only made her even more sad. Scootaloo walked over to her scooter. With a halfhearted kick, she slowly wheeled off along the path by the river that flowed through Ponyville. For some reason, Scootaloo was in an even bigger slump than usual.

Rainbow Dash kicked the last cloud in the sky and it disappeared with a puff of vapor. Hovering, she surveyed the clear blue skies over Ponyville. The last remnants of yesterday's storm had been cleared up, and Rainbow Dash's work was done for the day. She brushed her hooves and started flying toward her cloud home.

On the way, she looked down and saw the little orange filly puttering along at her slow pace. Angling downward, Rainbow stopped so she hovered a few feet above Scootaloo. "Hey Scoot!" Rainbow said, catching Scootaloo's attention.

Scootaloo turned and looked up. "Oh, hey Rainbow Dash." Her voice was indifferent. Rainbow Dash wriggled her muzzle in confusion for a moment.

"What's up Scoot. You're not buzzing around like you usually are." Rainbow Dash made a quick circle above Scootaloo for emphasis.

"I'm fine," she said indignantly.

"Aw come on, Scoot. I can tell you're down in the dumps. What's that matter."

Scootaloo sighed. "I don't want to talk about it." She gave the ground a stiff kick and sped up the scooter. Her wings, however, remained tucked close to her sides.

Rainbow kept hovering over Scootaloo. "Oh don't give me that," Rainbow Dash spread her hooves and raised her voice. "Just tell me what's the matter." Rainbow positioned herself in the air in front of Scootaloo, keeping pace with the scooter. Rainbow's wings cycled so she could fly backward while facing Scootaloo.

Scootaloo was silent for a few seconds. She looked up at Rainbow, but her brain only seemed to focus on the pegasus' wings. Seeing Rainbow flying irritated her even more.

Suddenly, Scootaloo put her hooves on the ground and skidded to a stop on the dirt path. "Will you just stop flying, please?!" Scootaloo's agitated voice startled Rainbow Dash.

"Alright, but only if you'll tell me what's bugging you." Scootaloo was still annoyed, but gave in. She let out a guttural sigh and nodded. Rainbow landed on the ground next to her.

"It's the other fillies at school. Why can they fly already and I can't!" Scootaloo looked at her wings again then up at Rainbow Dash.

"You still haven't flown? Have you kept trying?" It had been a month since Rainbow last tried to help Scootaloo learn to fly.

"Of course I have!" Scootaloo practically yelled in exasperation. "I've been trying every day but I still can't do it!" Scootaloo's eyes were starting to tear up. "At this rate I'll never fly." Rainbow started to reply but Scootaloo cut her off. "And if I can’t fly I’ll never get my cutie mark! I'm just going to be useless forever!" Scootaloo flopped down onto the ground pouting. It felt good to get her feelings out and to have somepony to listen to, but she still felt sad.

Rainbow Dash frowned. She had rarely seen Scootaloo this upset before. Knowing how much Scootaloo looked up to her, Rainbow felt for the filly even more. She put a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder to comfort her.

"You're not useless," Rainbow said with conviction. "You have plenty of talent. I've never seen anypony who can rock like you on your scooter." Rainbow felt Scootaloo's shoulder relax.

"Yeah, I guess. But still, I'm a pegasus. Who ever heard of a pegasus who couldn't fly? If I can't fly, I'm just going to be useless forever!"

Rainbow Dash kept comforting Scootaloo. She dried the filly's eyes and sat her on the scooter. “Look, no matter what you think, you’re not useless.” Rainbow noticed a slight smile flash across Scootaloo’s face. But in the back of her mind, Rainbow Dash knew she needed something more to cheer Scootaloo up. And suddenly, she had an idea. Scootaloo's last question reminded her of an old myth from long before the founding of Equestria.

She helped Scootaloo up. "Hey Scoot. It's okay. I have an idea. Do you want to come stay at my house for a while? We can drop your scooter off at Twilight's and I'll carry you up there. Even if you can't fly, you can still walk on clouds." Scootaloo smiled and nodded. The two ponies walked over to the library and left the scooter with Twilight. Rainbow picked up a book on pegasi mythology and then flew carrying Scootaloo and the book back to her house.

Rainbow Dash landed on the tuft of cloud at her front door. Scootaloo hopped off Rainbow's back and the two pegasi went inside. On the fly over Scootaloo had mostly forgotten about her worries earlier that afternoon. Now she was more taken aback at Rainbow Dash's house. Scootaloo had never been in Rainbow's house, or any other cloudhome that she could remember.

Scootaloo followed Rainbow Dash up to Rainbow's bedroom. "Come on Scoot, sit down," Rainbow said as she nudged the saddlebags off and laid them by her bed. Scootaloo pulled over a small cloud that had been fashioned into a cushion and sat on it. She watched Rainbow eagerly as Rainbow Dash took the book out of her saddlebag and sat on her bad.

Scootaloo eyed Rainbow. "Huh? What's that book? It is a book on flying?" Scootaloo leaned forward and her eyes grew wide with anticipation.

Rainbow chuckled. "No, Scoot, it's not. I figured you could use some cheering up about your flying troubles."

"Oh." Scootaloo's ears went flat. "Thanks for reminding me about that," she grumbled.

"Aw don't feel bad," Rainbow rubbed Scootaloo's mane with a forehoof. "When I'm done with this story, I'm sure you'll be fine."

As Rainbow sat on her bed and opened the book, Scootaloo glanced at the cover. It read 'CLASSICAL MYTHS OF THE PEGASI'. This caught Scootaloo's interest. She had never heard any pegasus myths before. They weren't usually taught at school aside from the Hearth's Warming Eve tale. Her ears perked up and Scootaloo listened as Rainbow Dash began reading.

"Now this story takes place long before the reign of Celestia and Luna, or even before the founding of Equestria."

Back in those days, ponies had to fend for themselves against their surroundings, and nature was a lot like it is now in the Everfree Forest. There were alicorns of course, but they lived high up in the mountains where nopony could reach and almost never interacted with the earth ponies or unicorns living in the lower valleys. The unicorns still worked together to raise the sun and moon every day and night, and the earth ponies would plant their crops and gather the food needed for all the ponies. But back then, there were no pegasi that could move the clouds or control rainstorms or snowfall. Storms and blizzards were unpredictable, and life for all ponies was hard.

This particular story concerns the tale of a young pegasus named Bucephoron. Bucephoron was born in the village of Nimbus. Like all pegasi back in those days, he could not control the weather or even walk on clouds. But at least the other pegasi could fly. Bucephoron was born with unusually small wings. When Bucephoron was three years old, his mother tried to teach him how to fly. But try as he might, Bucephoron's wings were unable to lift him off the ground for more than a few seconds. During his youth, Bucephoron was mocked by other fillies and colts for his inability to fly. Because of this, Bucephoron often got into fights with other foals. One day, Bucephoron's fights grew to be too much of a nuisance for the village. The local king, Tyrannus, ordered that Bucephoron's family be cast out of the town. But Bucephoron did not want to bring such shame upon his family, and offered to voluntarily leave the town so his family could stay. Tyrannus accepted Bucephoron's offer and the pegasus was sent into exile.

Bucephoron was still only a little colt, but he put on a brave face when leaving Nimbus. He had only packed a few things as he marched steadfastly into the wilderness. But soon after he left Nimbus, Bucephoron's resolve withered. The rations Bucephoron had only lasted him three days. After his food ran out, the white-coated colt resorted to munching on the grasses and berries growing at the edge of the path. One day, Bucephoron was walking along the forested path when it started raining. Bucephoron quickened his pace seeking shelter. He trotted down the path for miles, losing track of time as his focus turned to finding shelter. The rain continued to come down, soaking Bucephoron's coat. The drops of water were cold and Bucephoron began to shiver. Suddenly, Bucephoron spotted a small opening in the hill up ahead. He galloped toward the possible shelter, shivering as the rain kept falling. The drops were getting larger and splashing off his back. Eager for any respite from the storm, Bucephoron climbed up the rocky slope and entered the opening to find a small cave. Grateful and exhausted, Bucephoron shook himself dry and collapsed against the cave wall. Soon, Bucephoron was fast asleep.

Bucephoron slept for almost a full day, longer than he had ever slept before. He awoke the next morning to find the sun piercing through the cave entrance. Its warmth felt good on Bucephoron's coat. But soon the pangs of hunger and thirst hit the colt. He stepped out to the edge of the cave to get a look at his surroundings. The rocky outcroppping he had climbed was actually the side of a jagged hill with little plant life. Bucephoron looked down and groaned. The path had been largely washed away in the rain. He took a tentative step out of the cave, but the edge of the path gave way. His front hooves slipping, Bucephoron quickly backed up and away from the edge of the cliff. "Well, looks like I'm staying here for the time being," Bucephoron thought. He sighed and walked back into the cave.

Bucephoron lay down again near the entrance to the cave where the floor was still lit by the sun. The warmth felt good and soon dried him. Bucephoron rested his head on his front hooves and stared out of the mouth of the cave. For the first time since he left, he missed Nimbus. He missed his family. He even missed the other fillies and colts at school, even though they picked on him. Bucephoron brooded over his homesickness, but soon these emotions gave way to the more earthly pang of thirst in his belly. His stomach knotted. He likced his lips; his mouth was dry. Confronted with his thirst, Bucephoron's sadness turned to anger. Why did Tyrannus have to kick him out? He was just standing up for himself. And those foals, always picking on him! He stood up. They never thought he would amount to anything. Well he'd show them!

As Bucephoron went through this monologue in his head, he had been pacing. Losing himself in his thoughts, he accidentally wandered further back into the cave. "Those foals don't know anything! I can be great, even if I can't fly!" Bucephoron stamped on the ground in frustration. To his surprise, the rock gave way to reveal a wet patch of clay. Bucephoron blinked. It felt moist on his hoof. Now brought out of his trance, he looked around. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Bucephoron noticed that the cave floor had changed from stone to dirt. Calming further, Bucephoron also noticed a tingling in his forehooves. He had never had this feeling before, but something was telling him to keep digging. Bucephoron did so. As he dug down, his hooves became more and more wet. Bucephoron dug deeper into the cave floor. At a depth in the ground that caused the pegasus head to just peek above the hole, he struck his front right hoof into the clay. As he removed his hoof, Bucephoron heard a gurgling noise and faintly saw a trickle of water emerging from where he had struck his hoof into the earth. He whinnied in shock. The sound of the water reminded Bucephoron that he was very thirsty. Bucephoron's ears went flat. Was this water safe to drink? His belly grumbled again and he licked his lips. That answered that question. Bucephoron lowered his head to the gurgling water and lapped at it. It was fresh and crisp on his lips. He reared back in delight. It was as if it had come from a natural spring!

Then another wondrous thing happened. The gurgling started to grow louder. Looking around him, Bucephoron noticed the hole he dug was gradually filling with water from the spring. He climbed back out of the hole and watched the water reach the top and trickle toward the cave entrance. Bucephoron turned back to the now water-filled hole. It was bubbling with water continuing to emerge in it. It really was a spring. Bucephoron eagerly lapped up the spring water, satisfying his tremendous thirst. After he had drank enough water to stop the pain in his belly, Bucephoron walked back to the cave entrance. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he noticed that the water was now running at a steady rate out of the cave mouth and down the hill. Bucephoron also saw the water was so clear he could see his reflection in it. He noticed something else in the reflection too. Craning his neck, Bucephoron eyed his flank to make sure it was there and cried out in joy. "Yes, yes, I got my cutie mark!" Bucephoron yelped. Sure enough, a small brown mound with water shooting out of it had appeared on his white flank. That night, Bucephoron drank heavily from the small stream now flowing out of the cave. He stared at his cutie mark and thought for much of that evening, and remembered his hooves. He looked at his hooves and had a realization. Bucephoron's talent was finding and digging up natural springs. Bucephoron smiled. He was one step on his way to becoming a hero and proving himself to Tyrannus and the town of Nimbus that he was more than a nuisance. Pleased with his discovery, Bucephoron rest his head on the ground and fell asleep to the sounds of the stream.

Bucephoron spent the next few months meandering around the forest near the cave. Every so often, he would feel the tingling sensation in his hooves and dig down. And every time he did this, water would start to bubble from the hole he had dug and start flowing toward the nearby stream. Each time he dug a spring, Bucephoron would drink from the newfound source of water and become giddy. He was so excited about his cutie mark and his new gift, that he wanted to share it with anypony who would listen. But, in the middle of the forest, there was nopony to talk to. Bucephoron's thoughts drifted back to loneliness. He began once again to think of his hometown and of how much he missed them. He deeply wanted to just see Nimbus again, despite his exile.

Bucephoron moped about the forest, sleeping beside the stream at night. He wished he could go back to Nimbus and be accepted again, but Bucephoron was convinced that there was no way Tyrannus or the other ponies would take him back now. However, one day, a thought came to Bucephoron. As he was digging at the ground, he remembered that the town had been in need of water. His ability to find a spring nearby would surely bring the ponies of Nimbus back to his good side! After gathering up his saddlebags, Bucephoron set out down the stream. He had lost track of the original path long ago, but remembered that the path crossed the stream further down.

After following the stream at a trotting pace for several days, Bucephoron found the path. He veered away from the stream and now followed the path for another two weeks. One day, as the sun was rising in the sky, Bucephoron came within sight of Nimbus. The village was just as he remembered it, nestled between two hills. The sunlight poured into the valley as Bucephoron galloped toward the edge of the village.

Nimbus was a small village, mostly populated by pegasi. The few earth ponies who lived in Nimbus were responsible for growing all the food for the entire village. But times had become harsh, and food was scarce. Bucephoron walked up to the small wooden gate at the edge of the village and was immediately greeted by a guardpony with a spear.

"Halt!" The mare flared her wings and pointed the spear at Bucephoron.

"Whoa there," Bucephoron reared slightly, startled. "It's me, Bucephoron."

"Yes, I know who you are," the guard glared as she looked him over. "You must not have a lot of brains showing your flank around here again. You're still exiled, remember?"

Bucephoron lowered his head. "Yes, I remember," Bucephoron replied with more than a touch of anger.

"Why did you come back?" the guard asked, sneering. "Did you realize you were as useless on your own as you were here? Or did that shiny white flank of yours get you attacked by bandits and you're crawling back to mommy and daddy."

"No!" Bucephoron screamed and stamped a hoof at this insult. He immediately regretted his outburst. The guard gave Bucephoron a smug look, knowing the comment hit its mark. "I'm not useless anymore. Look, I got my cutie mark!" He turned to show the pegasus guard the image of the spring that now adorned his flank.

"Well well, looks like poor little Bucephoron might be of some use after all," the pegasus guard said sarcastically. "Let's go see what Tyrannus has to say. He might even let you stay if you can actually help Nimbus," the guard gave Bucephoron a wide menacing grin, "but I doubt it."

Bucephoron sighed. It was his best chance to be allowed to return to Nimbus. The pegasus guard turned and Bucephoron started following him toward the palace in the center of the village. The pegasus hovered beside Bucephoron as he walked, acting as a constant reminder about his flightlessness. Bucephoron looked around at the other ponies in the village as he walked. Most of the ponies gave him dirty looks as he passed. Bucephoron drooped his head in shame. Soon, the guard had led him to Tyrannus' palace. It was a modest stone and brick affair, but compared to the wooden structures that dotted the village and the wooden palisade that formed a meager wall, the palace with its three stories dominated Nimbus. The guard led Bucephoron up the steps in front of the palace and through the doors. Bucephoron had never been inside the building before. The guard then led Bucephoron up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. He opened an ornate wooden doorway with columns on either side and a triangular pediment above the door. Bucephoron correctly guessed that through the door was the throne room.

"My lord Tyrannus," the guard announced, "I present you the exiled pegasus Bucephoron. He has returned to seek your pity." The guard bowed as Tyrannus beckoned to Bucephoron.

Tyrannus stood up from his throne. Even though Bucephoron had grown during his exile, King Tyrannus still towered over him. The king's dark red coat and coal-black mane made his looming figure even more menacing.

"Well well, the impudent little whelp has returned," Tyrannus said calmly as he walked toward Bucephoron. As Tyrannus slowly walked across the smooth stone floor, his hoofsteps echoed loudly through the room. Tyrannus drew himself up as he reached where Bucephoron was standing. The king extended a hoof. "I will allow you to plead your case. But first, you must bow and kiss my hoof." Bucephoron looked around. There was nopony else in the room, and he was not sure if this was customary of all those seeing the king. But he did so anyway, prostrating himself. Bucephoron stood back up, now sheepish when confronted by Tyrannus' imposing figure.

"Um-" Bucephoron felt himself going weak in his legs. He cleared his throat. "Well, your highness, the reason I came back here is because I got my cutie mark!" Bucephoron turned to show Tyrannus his flank. Bucephoron's pride in his talent eased his nervousness a bit.

Tyrannus looked at Bucephoron's flank with disinterest. "Good for you. That still doesn't tell me why you should be allowed to come back," Tyrannus said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, right. Well you see your highness, I can sense and find springs and sources of fresh water. I know that Nimbus has been going through a drought recently and I can help fix that!" Bucephoron grew more confident as he spoke.

However, every time Tyrannus replied, Bucephoron felt like he was shrinking. The king brought a hoof to his chin and rubbed it in thought. "A cutie mark for bringing forth water from the ground? On a pegasus? I've never heard such a preposterous idea in my life!" Tyrannus scoffed. "But I'll admit, you have a lot of guts coming back like this. Tell you what. I'll give you a chance to make your case, but if you can't I never want to see you near Nimbus again."

Bucephoron's stomach lurched, both in excitement and dread. He had a chance to show off his talent to other ponies and to be accepted back into Nimbus. But if he couldn't find a spring near Nimbus, he would be cast out into the wilderness forever. He realized it was his only chance and gathered his resolve. "Very well, your highness. I accept your conditions." King Tyrannus smirked and decreed the conditions for Bucephoron's penance. He would have the next day from sunup to sundown to locate a spring near Nimbus, and would be followed by the king himself throughout the day. Tyrannus dismissed Bucephoron, and he went to the room he had been given for the night.

That night when Bucephoron went to sleep, he was visited in his dreams by the alicorn Nertia. Bucephoron dreamt that he was standing alone in a white void, when Nertia appeared in a bright flash. The alicorn was light pink with a flowing white mane and tail. She stood twice as tall as Bucephoron, and her cutie mark was an eye wide open with a large black pupil in its center.

Bucephoron gazed up at the alicorn in awe as she strode toward him. “Who are you?” he asked. Bucephoron, like many ponies in the ancient times, had never seen an alicorn in his life. He felt very small in her presence and thought about bowing. Were you supposed to bow for alicorns?

Nertia put up a hoof. “There is no need to prostrate yourself. I am Nertia,” She spoke with a firm tone, but also with a softness that calmed Bucephoron.

Bucephoron relaxed and regained his composure. “If I may ask, Nertia, why have you appeared? I thought alicorns such as yourself disdained contact with regular ponies.”

Nertia smiled. “Yes, most of us do keep to ourselves and do not meddle in the lives of you ponies. However, Bucephoron, you have a great potential and ability. It is your destiny to become a great hero for this land.”

Bucephoron brightened at Nertia’s claim, but quickly became wary. Could he trust her? “Oh really? How do you know this?”

Nertia chuckled and gestured to her cutie mark. “My special talent lies in the realms of perception. I am able to see what the future holds, as well as alter a pony’s senses and mind. That is how I am able to appear before you now as you sleep.”

Bucephoron nodded slowly.

Nertia continued. “As I said, you are destined to greatness, young pegasus. Redemption shall be yours in due time.” Bucephoron brimmed with pride. If what the alicorn was saying was true, he would certainly find a spring tomorrow and be welcomed again. As Bucephoron was processing this, Nertia turned and began to walk away. As Nertia turned, her cutie mark appeared to keep its gaze on Bucephoron.

“Wait, where are you going? Tell me more!” Bucephoron reached a hoof out to her.

Nertia looked back at Bucephoron. “I must go now, but I will be keeping an eye on you.” Nertia disappeared in another flash. The void around Bucephoron grew dark.

The next day, Bucephoron was awakened by the banging of hooves on the door. "Bucephoron, it is time!" bellowed a voice from outside. The pegasus hurried to the door and opened it. King Tyrannus, flanked by two guards, looked sternly at him. "Ah good, you're up," the king said. "Come, we don't want to waste any time." King Tyrannus' voice was tinged with disdain at Bucephoron's expense. The king turned and walked toward Nimbus' east gate. Bucephoron trotted out and fell in step behind them. He held his head up straight and puffed out his chest, far more confident than he was the day before. The alicorns had bade him luck! As he followed Tyrannus, Bucephoron noticed that the sun was barely over the horizon.

They reached the east gate and Tyrannus held up a hoof for them to stop. "Now then, exile," he said the word with just a hint of malice, "you may begin your search for a spring." Bucephoron began to wander outside the gate, but Tyrannus quickly placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Wait." He pointed to one of the guardponies next to him. "You, Graupel, follow the exile and make sure he doesn't do anything sneaky." Bucephoron took a quick look at the king and then the guardpony. He had assumed that Tyrannus would be joining him on the task, but now the thought seemed foolish. He looked at Graupel and his heart sank. It was the same pegasus who he encountered when he first came back to Nimbus.

Bucephoron eyed Graupel. She sneered back. Bucephoron glared at her as Tyrannus and the other guardpony left them at the gate. "So, the ole' king is giving you a chance, eh? You're luckier than most," she said as soon as they had walked through the gate and out of earshot of the other ponies.

Bucephoron kept his glare fixed on Graupel. "Just stay out of my way."

Graupel's sneer softened and she chuckled. "Fine. Like you have any chance. We haven't had a decent rainstorm in weeks. All the earth ponies say the area’s as dry as bone."

Bucephoron snorted and started walking in a regular pattern around the area just outside the gate. The night before he had made a plan to cover the most ground possible during the day to have the best chance of finding a spring. Bucephoron started from the north end of the gate and stepped outward to the edge of the trees. Repeating this pacing, Bucephoron covered the remaining area directly in front of the east gate. He didn’t feel any tingling in his hooves, but it did not worry him. The likelihood of finding a potential spring so early in the day was minimal, and it was just the start of the search. Bucephoron continued his pacing, strategically moving southward along Nimbus’ eastern wall. Graupel leaned on the wall or hovered alongside Bucephoron.

The sun climbed into the sky as Bucephoron continued his methodical pacing around Nimbus’ walls. With each line he covered, Bucephoron grew more impatient. He hadn’t felt anything in his hooves all morning; there wasn’t even a smidgen of hint that a spring was to be found near the village. Bucephoron looked up at the sun as they reached the west gate. They had already covered half of his planned route, and still nothing. He looked up at the sun beating down on the two ponies. Sweat glistened in his fur and face. He wiped his brow with a foreleg. As if the momentary break in his work sent a signal to the rest of his body, his stomach growled. He looked toward Graupel, who was settled up against the western wall in the sliver of shade offered by it. “Hey, are we going to get lunch or something? I could use a short rest.”

Graupel opened an eye at his request. “Sure, I guess so,” she said. She ducked inside the gate and came back moments later with a small saddlebag. Trotting over to Bucephoron, she got out two small bundles of hay and four apples. Graupel gave Bucephoron a bundle of hay and an apple.

Bucephoron looked at the apple in his hoof. “Hey, you brought four apples? Shouldn’t we each get two?”

Graupel shot Bucephoron a scowl as she turned to her saddlebag again. “What, you think just because His Majesty let you have a second chance that you can get equal treatment? Ha! You’re still technically an exile, and King Tyrannus ordered that you should still be treated as such.”

“Hmmph!” Bucephoron snorted and gave the grass a hard stomp with a hoof. Graupel was starting to get on his nerves again. He had been so concentrated in his searching for the spring that he had forgotten about her arrogance. Bucephoron trotted to beneath the wall and rested against the cool stones that were still in shadow. As he munched on the apple and hay, he sulked. That arrogant mule, he thought. He would show her that he could find a spring and prove that he was worthy of coming back. By the time he went back to work, finding a spring to show up Graupel had almost surpassed his desire to return to Nimbus.

Bucephoron’s search on the north side of Nimbus started off just as well as the search on the south side; more nothing. In fact, the north side of Nimbus seemed drier than the south side. The ground on the north side of the village was harder and drier, and his hooves clicked sharper against the dirt. Another hour went by. Bucephoron kept up his pacing, and by two in the afternoon he reached the north gate. He still hadn’t even felt any sense whatsoever in his hooves that there might be a spring near the village. He kicked a hoof in frustration. Graupel, as usual, was wherever she could find a shady spot. Bucephoron sighed and kept it up. Surely he would get a hint of a spring in the last quarter of the village’s outskirts. He had to. Bucephoron stopped, breathed heavily for a few moments, and started up his pacing again.

Three hours later, Bucephoron collapsed to the ground. He and Graupel were at the eastern gate again. Bucephoron got up and kicked the ground hard and screamed at the heavens. He had searched every single spot of land near Nimbus, and had still not found any sign of a spring. “Curse these alicorn forsaken hooves!” He yelled skyward as he stamped at the ground. Graupel fluttered over to him from the gate.

“Aww, did you still not find a spring?” she said malevolently, mock petting his head. Bucerphoron knocked her hoof away.

“No! No thanks to you,” Bucephoron grumbled. He was still very annoyed with Graupel’s taunting, but more than that he was disheartened. Nertia’s appearance had convinced him that his strategy would work, and he had covered every inch of ground around the village. There was just no spring in the vicinity. He slumped to the ground. It was over. Nertia had been wrong. Bucephoron knew he should not have trusted her. And because of it, he wouldn’t be allowed back into Nimbus, and would go back to wandering the wilderness and the forests.

“Wait,” he thought. Suddenly his moping had given him an idea. King Tyrannus hadn’t said anything about not going into the forest to search. Surely he’d find a source of groundwater there. He stood up and looked at the sun. It was still a few hours before sunset. With this newfound urgency, he rushed off down the path into the forest.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Graupel said, flying after him and hovering to block his path.

“I’m going to look in the forest,” he said pointing his hoof past her. “Tyrannus never said that I couldn’t.”

Graupel sighed, but consented. There was no chance he could find a spring by the end of the day, so why not have a little fun and follow him. She shrugged and moved aside. Bucephoron trotted down the path and she followed close behind.

The two ponies ventured down the path that Bucephoron had followed when he first went into exile. He knew the path well, and sought out rocky areas like the cave where he had first found his spring. The air became cooler as they left the sun-baked clearing around the town and entered the shade of the forest. Bucephoron sighed with relief as the searing heat stopped hitting his back and face. Graupel followed close behind Bucephoron. She had never gone into the forest. Few ponies from Nimbus ever had.

After half an hour of walking, Bucephoron noticed a small rocky outcropping sheltered in the trees to the right of the path. Even better, he could feel a slight tingling in his forehooves. He started to wander off the path into the undergrowth. “Hey, where are you going?” Graupel snapped.

“I think I felt something in my hooves. I think it’s coming from over there,” Bucephoron pointed with a hoof. “I’m going to check it out.”

Graupel looked warily at straying off the path into the forest. “Wait,” she said. Her tone was still mocking but hid a twinge of worry. “Are you sure it’s safe to go out there? What about the creatures that lurk in the forest.”

Bucephoron raised an eyebrow. “Creatures? All I’ve encountered were a few bunnies and maybe a snake, nothing dangerous. Any larger creatures that are here are probably nocturnal.” Graupel’s eyes darted slightly as she eyed the surrounding foliage warily. Bucephoron noticed and was unable to resist returning her mocking. “What, are you scared?”

Graupel’s expression immediately returned to its usual smirk. “Of course not.” Bucephoron started walking further into the brush and Graupel followed him looking around as she hovered amid the aspen branches. Bucephoron trotted briskly through the trees to the outcropping. The feeling in his hooves was still slight, but weaker, like they were going numb. Bucephoron paid this no notice, as his mind was now completely set on the spring being somewhere near those rocks.

Graupel followed and alit on the top of the granite outcropping. The lone scrag of rock formed the center of a small clearing in the midst of the forest. From the top, Graupel could see out to the horizon just over the shorter trees. From her angle, the sun was just beginning to set below the tall mountains to the west. One peak in particular stuck out from the rest, rising high up above its brethren and disappearing into the far off cloud cover. The grey pegasus admired the view for a moment before returning her attention to Bucephoron.

Meanwhile, Bucephoron had been circling the rock formation. He moved in a slow outward spiral, stopping to dig at various spots in the ground. Fixated on the ground, he stopped at one particular spot a dozen yards north of the formation at the edge of the trees. His legs felt like they were burning after the day’s walking, but Bucephoron did not care. He was sure he had finally found the right place! His hooves felt numb as he began pawing. The dirt felt cool and moist under his hooves. He kept digging furiously with his forehooves. Dirt flew from the hole he created. It grew deeper. Six inches. Minutes later the hole was almost up to his chest.

Graupel had been following Bucephoron’s movements looking down from the top of the formation. She shook her head as he desperately dug. Graupel looked back up to admire the sunset. Suddenly, she heard a yelp from down below. Looking back at Bucephoron, she saw him scrambling out of the hole with his back legs. Graupel got up off her perch and skidded down the smooth stone on the north side of the formation, hopping just before the edge to land on the floor of the clearing with a little flair.

“What was that? Did you find anything?” she asked. After watching him search all day, she was admittedly curious if he had found something.

Bucephoron brought his left hoof up and winced. “No, just bedrock.” Graupel looked at his hoof. He had been digging so violently that he had stubbed his foreleg just above the hoof. She could clearly see the purple discoloration beneath his white fur. Bucephoron grinned sheepishly, but regained his composure and excitement quickly. “That was a bust, but I think I know of another spot that might have a spring. If we go now we can-”

Graupel interrupted his rambling. “Come on, exile, it’s sunset. You failed. Let’s get back to Nimbus and let King Tyrannus know.” She realized she hadn’t even learned his name. She almost felt sorry for the pegasus. Almost. Graupel decided that her pity was getting the best of her, and that she felt more sorry for the lack of water than for the pony in front of her. She flapped her wings and again hovered above Bucephoron as they walked back to the path. During their trek back to Nimbus, she continued poking fun at him for his flightlessness, though it was more lighthearted now.

As the sun sank fully beneath the western mountains, the two pegasi walked back to Nimbus. By now, Bucephoron was no longer disappointed. His desperation to find a spring in the last few hours had given over to anger. He was angry that his talent had left him high and dry when he needed it most. He was angry that Nertia had given him false hope, probably seeing him as a mere plaything. He was angry at Tyrannus for giving him so little time and space to search for a spring. He was angry at Graupel for continuing to insult him. Currently much of his anger was focused toward Graupel as she had kept pestering him during the entire walk back to Nimbus. Outside the town gate, his seething anger finally got the best of him after Graupel made another wisecrack.

"You know what? I am sick and tired of your insults Graupel!" Bucephoron burst out, his face turning a deep red and his wings fully extending.

Graupel turned to Bucephoron. She belied a shocked expression for just a moment, before her face returned to its natural state. Her smug expression only infuriated Bucephoron even more. "Oh, what are you going to do about it?" She also extended her wings and hovered for a moment. "You can't even fly. You can't even find one measly source of water," Graupel said in a sing-songy tone.

Graupel’s taunt struck Bucephoron deep. He had beaten himself up throughout the day as every time he was sure he would find a spring, and every time his hopes were rebuffed. If he could not even find a spring now when he needed to most, Bucephoron thought to himself, what good was he at all? As self-doubt crept its way into his mind, Bucephoron fought against it. No! He tried his best, and had found his talent! There would be other chances. There had to be! As his courage returned, it channeled itself into a blind rage. He had felt this rage before, years ago. It was that same rage that had made Bucephoron lash out at the other fillies and colts and had gotten him kicked out of Nimbus in the first place.

She gave Bucephoron a mock pout, "and I thought that finding water was your special talent." Bucephoron had had enough. Before she could react, he bucked his hind legs. They connected square on Graupel's jaw with a loud crack. She went dazed and fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Bucephoron slowly calmed after his furious outburst and took a look at Graupel. She lay knocked out in the dirt. As he calmed, Bucephoron saw Graupel’s body limp on the ground and began to panic. They were right outside the gate, and the townsponies and Tyrannus would probably be coming out to check on their progress now that it was sundown. He couldn't let them see her on the ground and him standing over her. Tyrannus would surely send him to be banished forever, or have him locked in a dungeon... or worse. He had to run away. He would become a hero and return triumphant. Thinking quickly, Bucephoron grabbed the armor that Graupel had been wearing and took her spear. Going out into the forest at night was dangerous. He put on the armor and set out from Nimbus into the wilderness again.