SAAiE: Day Twenty Six, Part One: Perspective

DAY TWENTY-SIX, PART ONE: PERSPECTIVE

(Five days until the fight.)

 

        Another fine day in Ponyville. I take a look at the alarm clock. Four-Forty-Three AM. I slept in a bit, but hey, I still beat the alarm by about ten minutes. I always beat the alarm though, so it’s nothing to brag about. I deactivate the clock, and get ready to see Anon. Bubble bath, blow dry mane, waffles, and…hmm…should I get a blue, or green turtle neck…PURPLE! PERFECT! I throw on my coaching uniform, get about six eggs from the fridge, throw em’ in my hat, keep the eggs and hat secure with my cushiony mane, and tip-toe out of the bakery, trying not to wake the Cakes. Free from Sugarcube Corner, I gallop full speed to Fluttershy’s home at 5:30.

        I make it to the cottage in record time.

*knock knock knock knock knock*

Fluttershy sure does takes her time getting to the door. She does eventually open it though, so I don’t have to invite myself in.

Fluttershy: *yaaaaawn* Good morning Pinkie Pie.

Myself: Hey Fluttershy!

FS: Come to take Anon away from me again? He he.

M: You bet!

FS: *sigh* Okay.

        I place my bowls and eggs on the kitchen table, trot up stairs, and slowly creep into Anon’s room. That spider who’s always in the room waves to me from the shelf. I whisper back to her while waving.

Myself: Hi Misses Spider. *Ahem*RISE AND SHINE ANON!

Anon flops around a bit as he wakes up.

Anon: Hey Pinkie.

M: Actually, call me Doc when we’re training.

A: Why!?

M: It adds to the character.

Anon lets out a frustrated sigh.

A: Sure thing Doc.

Anon doesn’t understand how perfect my plan is, but once the fight happens, I’m gonna be the coachiest coach EVER! All I need now is some make up, and a dramatic backstory.

 

(Applejack)

        It’s funny, I kinda missed having Anon and Pinkie with me to buck apples yesterday. Ah’m not the kinda pony to need, or even want help from another, but it’s kinda nice having some company for these long mornings in the fields. Speak adah’ devil, I can see Pinkie and Anon at the horizon. I wave to em’ and Pinkie rushes over, I can see Anon having a tough time keeping up behind er’.

Myself: Hey guys!

Pinkie: Hey Applejack!

Anon needs a sec to catch his breath.

Anon: *huff huff* Hey AJ. *huff huff*

PP: I expect better from you Anon. We’re going to do MORE running tomorrow.

A: Sorry Doc. *huff huff*

Doc?...Whatever.

M: You need to pull yerself together Anon, we got a ton of apples, and not much time before the sun completely rises.

A: Okay.

Anon lets out a really deep breath.

A: I’m ready.

M: Let’s go!

        Anon grabs the nearby wheelbarrow, and I take him and Pinkie to a nice and large portion of un-bucked apples in the west side of the acres.

Myself: Okay Pinkie, I need you to count one hundred and twenty trees for Anon.

Anon: A-HUNDRED AND TWENTY!

Pinkie: Am I hearing complaints!

A: N-No Doc. Sorry Doc.

M: Alrighty then, no point in “procrastanatin’”. Let’s get to work!

A: Okay.

Anon walks over to the nearest tree, and kicks it, causing the apples to rattle out. It begins.

        Me and Anon buck and transport apples well into the morning. Of course we take an occasional break, but he seems to be workin’ much harder than last time. Maybe it’s because Pinkie keeps egging him on about how he could be doing better. I don’t really know if I approve of her methods, but hey, if it gets results, there shouldn’t be a problem…I think.

 

(Apple Bloom)

As I walk outside to head to school, I can’t help but notice Anon, who’s pulling a giant wheelbarrel full of apples to an even gianter stack of barrels. Pinkie’s also following him, and blowing her whistle really loud at him for some reason. I’d run over to say hi, but I gotta get to school, ah can’t wait to show Featherweight the stories the Crusaders and I got over the weekend.

I run on down to school just before the bell rings and head into class. As I enter, I see Scootaloo at the desk to the end of mah left, and Sweetie Belle’s at the second to last desk at the right. There both at the front, and there’s a seat open right between just waiting to be occupied. I take that seat and say hello to both of em’.

Myself: Hi girls!

Together: Hey Apple Bloom!

Their eyes lock onto each other, and there both silent for a moment. They then turn their heads away, and cross their forelegs with a hmpf.

Miss Cheerilee eventually silences the other foals to begin class.

Cheerilee: Settle down children. It’s time for class.

The class slowly settles down.

C: Now, today, we’re going to be discussing the constellations around our planet, but before we begin, does anyone have anything they’d like to say about their weekend.

Sweetie: Ooh, ooh, PICK ME!

Sweetie Belles wigglin’ her arm like a worm out of soil tryin’ to get Miss Cheerilee’s attention, but she’s eventually called.

C: Yes. Sweetie Belle?

Sweetie Belle rises, as if her announcement is really important, but then again, I guess it kind of is.

 

(Granny Smith)

        Oh goodness, I hope it’s not too late. I know for a fact that Applejack’s friend is here, and I’d really like to meet this heumin thing that I’ve been hearing so much about. I run into the fields as quickly as I can. Unfortunately, that’s not very fast compared to a younger pony. I do however make it over to where I hear the sounds of apples being kicked, and I see a really tall thing over with Applejack and that Pinkie lass. At least, I think it’s Pinkie, she’s wearing a really silly costume…or maybe it’s someone else. It could be. The tall thing then gives a really loud grunting-like noise.

Applejack: You okay Anon?  That was a pretty strong kick.

Anon: I’m fine, just check the apples.

AJ: Are ya sure?

A: Yeah. Check em’!

Applejack begins counting the apples.

AJ: Twenty-four…Twenty-eight!…THIRTY-THREE!

Anon looks over to the pony with the outfit.

A: Is THAT good enough for ya’ Doc!?

Doc:…You could do better.

They stare at each other in silence. The Anon looks very displeased, but that Doc pony seems completely unphased.

        Applejack notices me walking over.

Applejack: Well, would ya look at that? Hey Anon?

He looks over to Applejack, and she points to me grabbing his attention.

AJ: I’d like you to meet mah Granny Smith.

Myself: How do you do?

He begins to walk back a couple of steps.

M: Oh, now don’t be shy, I don’t bite. I couldn’t even if I wanted to hohoho.

Anon: Sorry, it’s just…you’re not intimidated or anything?

M: Oh of course not silly. My little Applejack already told me that yer a perfectly safe feller, and I have no problem with you being here.

He sighs with relief.

A: That’s good to know.

M: Besides, I’d never have a problem with someone willing to help out on the farm. I keep telling Applejack that she needs to find herself a colt to help around these parts, but Applejack’s the stubborn type. Likes to handle work on her own.

AJ: Granny, I already told ya’, I don’t need no colt. I can handle my obligations just fine.

M: But you got this Anon guy with ya?

AJ: Well I-…HE’S ONLY HERE FOR TRAINING!

M: Okay, okay. [To Anon] This mare sure could use a special somepony in her life, huh Anon?

Anon snickers a bit while covering his mouth.

Applejack blushes slightly.

AJ: Granny, yer’ embarrassing me.

M: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But yer not getting any younger. Don’t you agree Anon?

A:…She has a point.

Applejack’s face becomes as red as a cherry. I don’t understand why though.

AJ: OKAY! Anon, your done for today.

A: Don’t you want me to get the apples and crate em’ though.

AJ: Nope. Just…go.

A: O-…-kay then.

Anon walks off, and his mustached friend bounces away as well.  He seems like a nice guy.

I give a small sigh.

M: If only he were a colt.

AJ: GRANNY!

 

(Fluttershy)

        Angel watches on the side of the table, as I make the fourth sadwhich for the beaver’s picnic. Occasionally, Angel tries to take bits from the salad I made, but I continue to smack his paw away.

Myself: No Angel, I already told you, we need to wait until later. This is for the picnic, and if you’re going to be this way, I won’t let you come.

Angle huffs in frustration, and crosses his arms.

As I’m preparing the picnic, I hear the sound of somepony walking in. It’s the exact somepony I’ve been waiting for.

Anon: Hey Fluttershy.

Myself: Hi Anon! How was your training.

A: I cracked thirty apples with a single kick.

M: Wow, that’s a nice number.

Applejack can do fifty easily, but I don’t want to discourage him.

A: Sooo, what’s with the sandviches?

He reaches out for one, but I smack his paw away. His arm snaps back away from the sandwhich.

M: Do you remember Sugi and Balsa.

A: The Beavers?

M: Yeah! Sugi proposed to Balsa yesterday, and Angel and I are going to have a picnic with them in celebration. Ya know, there’s plenty of time to get ready. If you want, you could join us.

A: Tempting, but I can’t.

My heart sinks a bit into my chest, but I keep my composure.

M: Why not?

A: Well, when I was walking back here, I was by the farmer’s market, and out of nowhere, I started hearing the sound of music. So I followed the music and-

I’m trying to focus on what Anon’s saying, but my mind’s going one hundred miles an hour. “Tellhimnottogo tellhimnottogo, come on Fluttershy, you need to have courage!”

A:-I knew having some pocket money on me was a good idea, so I threw five bits into her case, and then she said, “Thanks for the bits”. I was just going to walk off, but then she told me that she was going back home in an hour, and if I wanted, I could show up, and we could talk about music. So I agreed. Because of this, I can’t go. It’s an obligation thing.

M: Do you really have to leave though. You know I’ll worry if you’re going to meet some random pony without supervision. What if something bad happens, and I’m not there to help.

A: Don’t worry. I’ll be perfectly fine without you.

I say quietly to myself.

M: That’s what I’m afraid of.

A: What was that?

M: Uh-Nothing! I was just trying to remember what was left to pack. I understand your circumstances completely.

A: Great…I better get ready.

As Anon heads up the stairs, I sigh quietly to myself. I’m beginning to miss the days when ponies thought he was scary.