Chapter 11

The late clean morning air invaded Alex's lungs, with it's pleasing clarity. He exhaled slowly as he walked through the strangely hectic streets of Ponyville. He could hear the idle chatter of passerbies performing what ever duties concerned them at the time. In the distance he could hear more noise and even the steam whistle of what he guessed was a train.

He took a deep breath of the rich oxygen.

"That's going to take some getting use to." He said, taking another lung full of the stuff.

Having lived in a dirty town for most of his life, he had never breathed such clean air. The cars rushing by his lousy apartment always made sure of that, Everyone was just so occupied with their little lives things like clean breathing air were of little concern. However now that he was exposed to the greatness of clean air he wondered how he ever could breath the air back home. Here he felt energized and much healthier because of it. He still wanted to go home though.

"Don't want to spend the rest of my life all bandaged up just for nice air," He mused, continuing to walk through the streets. "And I like to live in a place that won't dissect me..."

Alex let that thought roll off his mind though. Something had caught his attention, causing him to grow more anxious. Almost every pony in the street was staring at him. And It was not the "quick peek and return to what ever they were doing" stare, no! They were completely fixating all their attention on him, like he was some kind of freak show, which to them he could very well be one. Shoppers nearly dropped their bags, Vendors' mouths ceased shouting announcements of their wares to hang slightly, even children pointed at him while speaking to their mothers only to be hushed and hurried along by them.

"Well this is immensely rude! I don't have to take this shit!" Alex took a sharp left down another street, hoping he could escape the stares.

He rounded the corner only to find what appeared to be the town center positively bustling with activity. It seemed to be the main market place with stalls and advertisement's hanging in some store windows.

"This is the opposite of where I want to be." He mumbled, tapping a foot out of irritation.

The thought of turning back came to his mind but so to did the stares. If he turned back he would no doubt be met with the same eyes. However if he went down this street he would be met with completely new ones.

"Maybe if I shove my hands in my pockets and keep my head down they won't notice the bandages," Quickly resting both his hands in the hoodie's pouch he took one tentative step forward with his gaze slightly angled to the ground. "or at the very least I won't notice."

Alex breached the outer wall of ponies doing groceries and going about their business. He weaved through the crowd like a needle through fabric, occasionally altering his path to follow behind someone who happened to be heading in the same direction. He had just fallen in behind a mare who's hair was similar to Berry Punch, but lighter and with and with several shades of pink. Her coat was however the same and for some reason reminded him of a raspberry. But that might of been the stand of raspberries just passed, he was not certain. What ever the reason was it was at this time he realized that he was almost entirely surrounded by the females of the species.

At first he rationalized that maybe they were all housewives that shopped for supplies while the male counterpart worked. However that idea was shot down when he got a glimpse of a map. On a bulletin board the size of a truck he found that the town was hardly a town at all. It was hardly have the size of the town he used to live in, and mostly consisting of large orchards, or rather "Sweet Apple Acres" (if he was reading right) . Where he was now would be a village maybe a large one, but a town? No way.

"Perhaps the gender ratio is skewed towards mares." He dismissed, merging back with the crowd. "I don't really care though."

He continued to work his way through the crowd with relative ease. His previous hunch was spot on and much of the crowd only glanced at him before continuing with what they were doing. However Alex's smooth ride through the mass of ponies came to an end when he accidentally bumped into one. Although Alex only stumbled back a few steps the mare landed hard on her rump.

She was a light purple mare with a mane that resembled a mullet, except more wild. The front hung down above her lavender eyes, while it spiked towards the middle and hung freely again at the back. The style was among the more bizarre ones he had seen, reminding him of Sonic the Hedgehog in a way, but with different coloration. It was a series of silvers and whites, but their might of been some very pale blues as well. It was hard to tell the by the way it reflected light so violently. She sported pair of what seemed like black shorts and some kind of T-shirt that exposed her left shoulder, clearly displaying a mark of a falling star.

"Sis are you OK?"

That was the voice of yet another mare, almost the spitting image of the one on the ground. The only thing different was her mane was more tame and straight with a pink bow tied into it. Unlike her duplicate she dressed more modestly, with the same black jeans and simple dark purple sleeveless turtle neck, which too showed a mark, a trio of flies.. no dragon flies.

"Twins?"

"Ya... I'm fine" She shot Alex a dirty look that faded immediately as he offered a hand.
"Sorry miss," He said helping her to her hooves. "Did not see you there."

The mare smirked but as she accepted his hand her eyes shot wide.

"Thanks," She said, getting back on her hooves and brushing of ant dust on her backside. "You must be that new pony."

"New pony?" The other mare asked, straightening her posture.

Alex smirked under his bandages. "Word spreads fast in a small town... So what gave it away? The bandages?"

The mare laughed nervously. "Well ya... heh...."

"Sis?!" The other one cried out. "That's very rude and no laughing matter." The one with the wild mane stopped laughing and shifted uncomfortably. The other one's face change to an apologetic smile as she turned to Alex. "Sorry about my sister Mr.Alex, she can be rude sometimes but she means well."

It was Alex's turn to feel uncomfortable.

"Alex is fine." Please and thank you. I'm not that old. "Miss...?"

The mare blushed. "Flitter, and no 'miss' please."

Alex turned his attention to the other mare. "And you?"

"Cloudchaser." The mare declared in a boosting tone, with a flare of her wings. "Welcome to Ponyville."

Her sister shot her a disapproving glare. To Alex's surprise Cloud Chaser actually shivered without even seeing it.

"That... Is awesome. In it's own scary way."

"So!" Cloud Chaser shouted, shaking the feeling off. "What brings you to Ponyville?"

"Oh, many reasons really." Alex shrugged.

"Like what?" Flitter asked with interest.

"Oh you know..." Alex paused. "Moving, wandering... Accidents." The last word carried more annoyance then the rest. If the twins noticed, they did not show it.

"You planning on moving in?" Cloud chaser asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"... Maybe." Alex said without a shred of confidence. "I still need to look around."

The two looked at each other with a smile. "We could show you around." They said in complete unison.

"... That was also pretty creepy." Alex grimaced under his bandages. "Oh, I couldn't ask you two to do that."

"Why not?" Flitter frowned, disappointment gracing her features. "It would be no trouble. We were just shopping for some minor essentials."

Cloud Chaser yawn and stretched an arm behind her head. "Ya, it would be totally boring. But while showing a new pony around it would be more interesting for sure."

"But-"

"Aw come on Alex," Cloud Chaser whined, giving him a playful punch in the shoulder. "Shopping won't take long."

"..." Alex sighed. "Alright. Where to first?"

*****

The storage car rattled and shacked noisily as the train steamed forward, as most steam powered trains do. Cargo both precious and personal to those on board whined in their confinements, wishing to be free and smash against each other. One particularly large crate wanted this more then any other.

'Luggage...'. A set of mechanical grinding groaned. 'I am no mere luggage. Such arrogance.

Rade had been miserable since leaving Canterlot, being forced to ride the luggage car will do that to most. Never in his life had he been treated like such a... Thing.

'I am much more than could ever comprehend.' He thought with the sound of several gears grinding relentlessly against each other. He had said something similar at least seven times since the train left the station half an hour ago. He had been rannting the entire trip, disturbing the many animals that were also placed in the car. A series of hissing and barking, all directed at a large crate, drowned out the noise of the train.

'Silence you foulish creatures!' A large gout of steam billowed out of the creases in the crate. Instead of barking and hissing furiously, the car became a sea of whimpers. Although far from the silence Rade desired the inferior creatures fear brought him a small shred of happiness. Which was just enough to make him stop complaining.

Meanwhile in the front passenger car "Cabin 7A" The atmosphere was tense. One mare being a combination of grumpy and furious kept it that way. Slouching in her seat she rested her chin on one hand glaring out the window. She tried to set the country side a blaze with her stare as it flew by, to no avail. Her mane bounced slightly as the train rattled, occasionally revealing her intense eyes to those sitting opposite of her. A couple by the looks of it.

An earth pony mare of neutral coloration, squirmed uncomfortably. Covering her light tan coat was a simple, yet elegant, white one piece dress. Complementing, the fitting choice of attire, was an equally fitting hat atop her head. The sun hat was more of a cream color, decorated with a yellow ribbon, and far to large by Night Fury's standards.

However out of the two she was the most interesting. Her stallion friend was not much to speak about. the pegasus was of dark blue coat and yellow mane with vary bland choice of clothing. A pair of forest camo trunks and black T-Shirt. He was a bit lanky and thin. One might think he had a minor eating disorder. Night furry did not think too hard on it though. She really did not care either way.

The train's whistle blew, signaling their arrival. The speeding landscape slowed to a crawl as the wooden station came into view. Not waiting for it to come to a complete halt, Night furry marched her way to the exit. Mere seconds upon arriving the doors opened and she grouchily stepped out.

Ponies say first impressions are everything. If that is true then the place was doing poorly to change her sour mood. It was everything and more then she expected. Small, secluded, bland and worst of all boring. No interesting sights, stallions, to please the eye. The buildings look comfortable an homey, but that is what made them all the more boring. Going by the looks of the towns folk not much would go on here. Everypony was set in their own routine for life, something Night Furry hated more then anything.

Night Fury only sighed out of disappointment. "This is going to be a shitty vacation."

With a grumble she set off for the rear train car. She already saw others gathering their suitcases, bags and any other sort of container they brought. Night Fury's was only reminded how furious she was when a large crate the size of a chariot was hauled off the train. A team of ten solar guard managed to lower the massive crate down to the platform with the aid of a specialized trolley.

"Attention!" One cried bringing everyone to a rigid stance of saluting guardsmen..

"At ease." She commanded. "I'm off duty."

"Of course mam." The stallions relaxed. "Where would you like us to bring this..."

"Luggage." All the stallions eyes shot wide for just a second. "Bring it to Miss. Twilight's residence. That is where I will be staying."

"Understood." The stallion joined the others, and got right to work.

Night Furry did not join them but instead wandered off on her own. She doubted she would find anything to interest her but she was damn well going to try. She refused to believe that their was a vacation in existence that was more stressful then her career as Captain of the Lunar Guard. However with every passing second she was growing more and more uncertain. Every shop seemed odd, like it was far to specialized. For example the shop name "Quills and Sofas". She took on skeptical look through a window and saw nothing but sofas on the floor and quills covering the walls. She shook her head and walked away.

"Come on Mister!" Night Fury heard a small voice in the distance.

"Ya hurry up!" Called out a small orange Filly. Running into the distance. "

Night Furry only caught a glimpse of a a group of foals disappear behind some buildings. She also caught sight of the one curious stallion they dragged along. She only caught the sight of some long fabric trailing behind him as he disappeared behind the corner.

Night Fury fondly remember her foal hood and hoped the young ones were enjoying there's as much as she did. After these great times they will be introduced to the boredom of adulthood.

She would have lost almost all hope for the small town if it were not for a few fetching stallions. One red on in particular. He was the spitting image one would think of a farm pony. Simple looking in his Warn work jeans and button up plaid shirt. His ginger mane hanged in front of his face as he chewed a piece of straw. The only thing that surprised Night Furry was his sheer size. She expect those that work the fields to be fit but he was absolutely massive.

"I bet he puts out." The mare smirked, rounding a corner.

*****

"Argh!" Alex shouted, clutching his face. "My fu-Bucking no- snout! Shit I mean... no that was right..."

Alex backed away from the wooden door that, oh so suddenly, shot out and smashed his beautiful face.

"Alex you okay?" Cloud Chaser called. She was quickly at his side along with her sister.

Cloudchaser scowled at the shop door, but no pony was there. Bewildered that the only one inside was a pegasus who could not have possibly opened the door from across the room.

"I`m fine." Alex groaned."Universe, why do you hate me so?"

'Because you're a whiny bitch.'

Alex gave his head a good shake and reassured the twins he was fine. They offered to check if it was fine, but he shot that down faster then anything in his entire life. The tour continued but for some reason Alex was convinced the Universe was out for his head this time around.

*CRACK*

"FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUU-!" Alex Bit his lip to contain his outburst.

Both Flitter and Cloudchaser looked up to see a pair of cream hands covering an equally cream colored snout.

"I'm Sorry!" She called down from the window still.

Alex took a knee and cradled his head. He sunk his teeth deeper into his lower lip, nearly drawing blood. "A fucking flower pot?! Seriously?!"

This pattern continued for the next ten minutes. Alex's body quickly bruised from colliding with doors, flower pots, barrels and crates even other ponies. The twins were continuously suggesting that he go see a doctor but he would always wave them away.

"Honestly I'm fine." He assured between gritted teeth.

"Sooo... This happen a lot then?" Cloudchaser asked Falling in step behind Alex. "Doors just open up and slam against your face?"

"No," Alex said through grinding molars. "this is new."

Thankfully no other projectiles rained from the heavens and so long as he stayed several meters away from doors, they would be no problem either. The twins showed him several uninteresting sights around town like the many outlandishly named stores that absolutely littered the town. It was strange to have so many stores and vendors but after the first dozen or so Alex had a feeling he knew why. For what ever reason, the shops only carried up to three things!

From apples to cherries, and clothing to armor, the stores stayed true to their names. The Bronze Anvil, Sweet Apple Acres's Apples and so forth. One that Alex found particularly amusing was "The Quill and Sofa". Ten points if you can guess what they sold.

If you guessed Quills and sofas congratulations.

However after that store things were significantly more mondaine. Alex quickly realized that, besides the new races, this town was about as interesting as watching paint dry.

"Hey new pony!" A heavily accented voice called.

Alex and company came to a halt and looked in the direction the voice came from.

There, across the street, was a familiar orange Seton wearing pony. She waved them over with a big smile from behind her stand.

Both Flitter and Cloudchaser shared a smile and walked over. Alex hissed and hesitantly trudged over as well.

"Ah' Flitter and Cloud how have ya' been?" The vendor politely inquired.

While the three conversed the typical pleasantries, Alex almost checked his ears to make sure they were clean after hearing such a strong southerner accent. Yet another eire similarity to add to the list.

"An' a hello ta' you to..."

"Alex." He offered half hearted.

"Right' sorry," The mare apologized. "Such a hard name ta' remember."

"... Have we met?"

The pony gave him a quire look but gave a good laugh. "Ah' ain't't surprised ya' don't remember. We met last night when you wer' going ta' Vinyl's. Name's Applejack but ponies round' here call me AJ"

'Ah that's right.' Alex recalled finding some minute amusement in the pony's name. 'She was one of the ones I met on the way.'

"So how d'ya like our lil' town?" She ask never dropping her smile.

Alex shrugged. "Small, but nice. Doesn't seem like a place much would happen but that's OK."

Applejack chuckled along with the twins. There must have been a joke there but it flew right over Alex. He hoped he would not be staying long enough to understand it.

Author's Note

Well here is what was meant to be the rest of the chapter. I am sorry for the long wait but... Ah who am I kidding I was playing video games.

On a more important note, I NEED A PRE-READER/ EDITOR.

Thanks to AdmiralPopeye for reminding me. You are awesome.

And as always comment, like, favorite ,follow do whatever. Go nuts.