Generations-Chapter 12
Generations-Chapter 12Sweetsong was still very weak and was bed-ridden for another few days. During that time, Waterfire spent much of his time with her. He helped her translate the last few chapters of the history book, which told of Sparkle Desert.
It was mysterious and vast. The desert was given the name from the brightness of the sun reflecting off the sand. Little could survive there except reptiles and some specialized insects. However, there was a tiny oasis that once was home to a type of pony. They had special glands in their skin that reflected the light of the sun, rather than absorbing it, thus keeping them cool. This reflection ability gave them the appearance of sparkles as well, and they were called the Sparkle Ponies.
Sweetsong sighed and pictured the desert. It would be solitary and foreboding, but it must also be beautiful. The sunset reflecting off all that glittering sand, or the stars so vivid with the clear nights and no city lights to dim them. And a desert oasis to top it off; now that would be a true adventure! She longed to travel there, but did not mention it to Waterfire.
Although they were getting along much better these days, she knew he worried too much about her. He would want to go to the valley as soon as she was feeling better. She wanted to see her home again too, and knew it was the logical, sensible decision. Besides, she didn't want to ruin the peace between herself and Waterfire by even bringing it up. 'Someday,' she thought to herself, and was content with that.
As she began to feel stronger, she was able to venture around the house. A few days later, she and Waterfire were given a tour of the town by Rainbowberry. Though Waterfire had already seen most of the town during that week, he still expressed an interest in joining them. Sweetsong was glad he came along.
'What a change!' She thought to herself. Before, she would have thought the gesture an arrogant display that he thought she required a chaperone. But now, it just felt so good and so comforting to have him walking next to her. She looked up at him and smiled. He caught her eyes and gently nuzzled her. She blushed, how could she not have seen his sweetness before?
"Let me introduce you." Sweetsong's thoughts were interrupted as Rainbowberry brought over two ponies. "This is Wingsong and Silver Song. They helped me watch over you before you woke up."
Wingsong stepped forward, "My sister and I are so glad you're feeling better."
"Yes," Silver Song added, "It was touch and go there for awhile."
Sweetsong nodded and thanked them. She couldn't help but notice the incredibly long hair both ponies had. As they walked away and were out of earshot, Sweetsong asked Rainbowberry about it.
"Everyone here has hair that long," she chuckled to herself. "I suppose it's just a genetic trait. Ponies in these parts have had hair like this ever since anyone can remember. They used to be called Brush-N-Grow, but now we call ourselves Super Long Hair Ponies."
"Well, it's too bad I don't even have a drop of those genes. I would love to hair like yours!" she laughed.
"Are you kidding?" Waterfire asked very seriously, and looked square at her. "You're beautiful; I wouldn't change a thing about you."
Sweetsong's eyes grew wide and she blushed. No one had ever told her she was beautiful before. Pretty, yes. Attractive, sure. But never beautiful, especially when her best friend was Wysteria. The other reason she blushed was the forwardness of his remark, and right in front of Rainbowberry! She looked at Rainbowberry for her reaction, but she just shook her head and chuckled in a 'told you so' kind of way. She had known all along that Waterfire felt that way about Sweetsong.
As the afternoon went on, they met more of the townspeople and explored some of the woods in the Enchanted Forest. They were about to head back to the town when Rainbowberry stopped.
"I had better show you the tracks. You'll need them to find your way back to the valley."
"Tracks?" Sweetsong was confused.
"Yes, a set of old railroad tracks that are not used anymore." Rainbowberry lead the way as she explained. "From what Waterfire has told me about you being blown off course, we figure your valley is due north of here. But you can't travel due north to it, because there's a large cliff about half a day's walk away."
"That's probably the cliff behind the castle." Sweetsong surmised, remembering the layout of Dream Valley and Ponyville.
"More than likely," Rainbowberry went on, "But there's no way down the cliff. You have to walk around the edge of the valley until you come to more gently rolling hills that you can walk down to get home." Sweetsong and Waterfire both nodded. "Here we are!"
The three arrived at the tracks, if you could call them that. They were broken in several places and mostly buried in dirt and leaves. They stretched out into the forest until they were out of view.
Rainbowberry continued, "You'll follow these east until you come to the edge of the forest, and then turn north. That will take you around the outside of the valley."
Sweetsong couldn't help her curiosity, "Where do the tracks go beyond the edge of the forest?"
"Out into the desert," Rainbowberry shrugged. "These tracks are obviously not used anymore, and no one from the town has ever been out there." She turned and started leading them back to the town. "But there's an interesting rumor about an oasis where ponies actually survived, maybe even still do. Who knows, maybe that's where these tracks lead."
"No one's ever thought of following them?"
Rainbowberry chuckled, "No, I suppose we suffer from a deplorable lack of curiosity. Besides, SLH's don't travel.
Sweetsong thought this was a good opportunity to bring up another matter. "Do you think you might change your ways and come visit us sometime in Dream Valley?"
Rainbowberry suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Well, maybe someday...in the future. I suppose I can ask some of the other ponies...but I can't make any promises..."
Sweetsong felt dejected. It was obvious Rainbowberry was searching for a way to say no, but let her down gently. Why had everyone they met refused to travel to the valley? There was so much they could learn from one another...
Waterfire noticed her disappointment and gave her a hug around the shoulders as they re-entered the city. The sun had set, and it was getting dark. "Get some rest tonight. We'll leave in the morning."
Early in the morning, Waterfire and Sweetsong started off along the tracks. He had abandoned the idea of repairing the balloon. In all honesty, it was really beyond repair. The project was only begun to try and keep him occupied while Sweetsong was sick. As soon as she had awoken, any thought of it had fled from him.
It was a beautiful, crisp morning; not a cloud in the sky. But the sun was not yet up, and there was a chill in the air. He offered Sweetsong his cloak. As they walked east and watched the sun rise, the birds and other animals awoke and soon the forest was full of noise and life. The orange and yellow sky flickered through the canopy leaves as a gentle breeze blew above.
They reached the edge of the forest a few hours later, and stood for a few minutes warming themselves in the direct sunlight. Sweetsong started to turn north, but Waterfire lingered.
"I thought we might take a break here and have a snack."
Sweetsong nodded, "Sounds like a good idea."
He cleared his throat, "Besides, I don't want you to over-exert yourself with all the walking."
"I feel fine," she reassured him. As they finished eating, she looked around her and couldn't help but sigh. "Gosh, it's beautiful here."
Waterfire nodded. It was somewhat rocky terrain beneath them, but very flat as the forest gave way to the desert beyond. On the horizon, he could see a mirage of what looked like water. He pointed it out to Sweetsong, "I suppose that's why they call it Sparkle Desert."
He looked out again and longed to reach that horizon, but his eyes inevitably turned north. The valley was probably only a day's walk, maybe a day and a half. He would bring Sweetsong home, as he promised and then what? He dreaded the thought of leaving...
"Are you sure you're feeling alright? Maybe we should have stayed longer."
Sweetsong rolled her eyes, but tried not to let him notice. "Waterfire, I'm fine, really. I promise I'm fully recovered."
"Ok then," Waterfire swallowed hard; how could he ask this? "Well, if you're feeling up to it, maybe we could explore some of the desert. Just because, you know, we're already here." Sweetsong looked at him with wide eyes. "B-But only if you're feeling up to it..."
"Absolutely!" Sweetsong interrupted him. She hugged him excitedly, "I'm dying to try and find that oasis. Especially after Rainbowberry and the history book both mentioned it!"
"Are you sure?" Waterfire asked very seriously.
"Completely sure!" She was not going to let him change his mind now. It was unbelievable that he wanted to go in the first place.
They packed up the food quickly and Sweetsong hooked arms with him as they headed off into the bright sun.