Chapter 9: How Do We Fit In?

Nearly a week had passed since the crash and both Samus and Recsigh were starting to feel a little, not so much restless as disjointed, like they didn't belong. Both wanted to work, not only to supply a steady income, but to give them something to do each day. However, bounty hunting work was pretty scarce in Equestria, so they weren't quite sure what to do. Recsigh was the first to suggest that they try getting jobs in town, but the results of their efforts were not so great.

There just didn't seem to be any jobs that really fit them. When Samus tried working on the farm with Applejack and her family, she wound up nearly blowing the barn up when a wasp stung the back of her neck and brought friends. The resulting chase ended up with a final tally of twenty bushels of smashed apples, a broken fence, and a destroyed weathervane. The Apple Family took the losses in stride, though it was clear they didn't want Samus taking up farm work.

Recsigh didn't have much better success in baking with Pinkie Pie either. She didn't chase a wasp around the kitchen, trying to kill it for stinging her, but she did wind up destroying the oven. Of course she put it back together again and even upgraded it a little, but it was clear that baking wasn't her forte. Carpentry was another bust. Using high-tech tools for low-tech work wasn't a very wise practice and so Recsigh moved on. But, it was more or less the same everywhere. Recsigh and Samus were just too high-tech for most of the jobs in Ponyville.

So it was that Twilight found two dejected hunters sitting outside their ship, trying to figure out their next move.

"Hi, Samus, Recsigh. Why the long faces?" the purple Alicorn asked.

"Oh, hey Twilight. We're just trying to figure out what we should do next. We've tried every job in town and nothing really fits us," Recsigh said with a heavy sigh.

"And the kicker is we really do need to find employment of some kind soon. Mostly to supply an income, but also so we have something to do. Sure, we've got our pet projects, but what we need is something more… substantial, so to speak," Samus added, looking equal parts frustrated and gloomy.

Twilight considered the hunters' words for a few moments. "So, you're trying to find your place in this world. I get it. I've been there myself. For a while, I wasn't sure where I fit in, what my part in the grand scheme of things was. But, in time I found my place. True it was a somewhat painful journey in some aspects, but in the end, it was worth every step." She walked over and gently lifted Recsigh's chin with a forehoof. "I understand how hard it can be to wait to find your purpose, but just be patient and you'll find it. I know you will. As three certain Princesses once told me, you'll play your part. You'll find your place."

Recsigh offered a weak smile. "Thanks, Twilight. It does help to know we're not the only ones to ever feel disjointed in this world. We'll just keep plugging away until we find our place."

"That's the spirit! I'll write to Princess Celestia and ask her if she has any advice on the subject. Who knows? Maybe you'll become the Princesses' official bounty hunters or something," Twilight chuckled as she headed back to her castle to write that letter.

Samus looked at Recsigh. "She's an odd one, that Twilight. Well, all these ponies are a little odd in their own ways. But, Twilight is a good friend. I guess it's not so weird she's the Princess of Friendship."

Recsigh blinked. "You're actually admitting there's something to this whole friendship business after all? Will wonders never cease!" she exclaimed in exaggerated astonishment.

Samus chuckled. "Maybe. I'm still not convinced about this whole 'magic' business, but I will admit, friendship might be a bit more powerful than I first thought."

Recsigh shrugged. "Well, it's a start."

Samus chucked her friend in the shoulder playfully before standing an heading back inside the ship. Recsigh watched her with a smile on her face.

"Sooner or later Samus, I will show you the true power and magic of friendship and these odd ponies will help me do it. I just know it," Recsigh thought before standing and heading into the ship herself.

Author's Note: Sorry about the long wait. I've got a lot going on, so I'll only be able to update this story infrequently for a while. Thank you for your patience.