Tuesday, August 14th 2012.
9:44 A.M.
Ponyville Emergency Care Check-out Desk
“It’s time to say goodbye, Galsthan.” the Princess said to the brown pony standing next to her. Strange how Galsthan was almost as tall as the Princess, No, that’s probably got something to do with the royal genes… he thought quietly to himself, then retorting his own assumption, ..but then, why don’t I have wings..? He glanced over his back for a quick moment, confirming his lack of flight-inducing appendages.
Driving that thought from his mind, he faced Quick Fix, and knelt to be eye-level with her. Tears had begun welling up in her eyes, and Galsthan would be stone-hearted to not have the same. “Looks like this is it, huh?” he said, throwing on a fake smile in an attempt to cheer her up. Needless to say, putting on a smile to cheer somepony up of losing somepony very close to them, possibly forever, didn’t really help much.
Physical sadness seemed to stream down Quick Fix’s face, as she realized this was likely the last time she would ever see her special friend again.
Galsthan attempted to comfort her with a hoof on her shoulder, but she didn’t seem to show any sign of relaxing. She quickly drew in close and threw her front legs around him, nuzzling him and wishing he didn’t have to leave. Taken off-guard by the sudden movement, Galsthan almost reeled back until he realized he was being embraced, which he returned with his own front legs and affectionate snuggle.
For what seemed like hours they remained entwined, yet it felt all too short in the end. Galsthan eventually pulled away, much to the dismay of Quick Fix, who had attempted to hold him tighter as he broke their connection. Galsthan could no longer keep eye-contact with the anguish-stricken look across Quick Fix’s face. He hung his head and turned to leave, but raised his despairing gaze and glanced back at Quick Fix before getting more than two steps away. “Quick Fix… I… wanted to let y-“ his words were interrupted by another swift movement as Quick Fix leapt to him and their lips met with a loving kiss. Galsthan was briefly surprised, before returning the sign of affection and drew her near to him, clasping her to himself with much endearment. This felt like it had extended on for eons, but felt all too fleeting as their time together had drawn to an end.
Princess Celestia smiled brightly in the background.
As Galsthan and Quick Fix’s lips finally detached, Quick Fix looked into Galsthan’s eyes and said, “I love you, Galsthan.” Galsthan’s response came as quickly as the wind with a simple “I love you too.” They embraced each other lovingly for the next couple of minutes, before Princess Celestia cleared her throat, signaling that it was time to leave.
Galsthan eventually let go of Quick Fix, who was just as eager to prolong her time with her love. Tears roared from her eyes as she choked out sobs. She didn’t want Galsthan to leave. Not after this. It was clear that Galsthan wasn’t too fond about leaving behind the love of his life as well, with sadness portrayed across his face with rivers rushing from each eye. As Galsthan and Princess Celestia turned to take their leave, Quick Fix unintentionally shouted, “W-Wait!” Only Galsthan turned around as Quick Fix added, “Galsthan, don’t forget me. Please.” A heart-warming grin spread across both of their faces as Galsthan replied, “Trust me, I’d sooner die than forget about the most special mare in my life. Goodbye, Quick Fix. I’ll… I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll.. m-mi-ss you too, G-galsthan..!” Quick Fix stuttered out between sobs, covering her eyes with a leg as she turned away. She couldn’t bear to watch them walk away.
Like most things in life, this good thing came to an end.
Like most good things, it was hard to give it up.
Unlike most ponies in Equestria, Quick Fix was NOT going to let this fade through the passage of time. She wasn’t about to let the most important stallion she’d had in her life slip away to the waves of chronology. No, she would remember Galsthan until the day she died.
She could only wish that he would do the same.
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The walk for Galsthan felt like he was walking away from life itself. He would occasionally glance back and, only to find that Quick Fix was not behind him, would turn back to the walk with dissatisfaction.
“It is likely you will see her again.” Princess Celestia noted from out of the blue.
Galsthan sniffed and looked to her, asking, “R..Really?”
"No." she stated, her face succumbing to sadness, “I wish it were. However, being part of the Royal family line gives you immortality. You would likely have outlived Quick Fix’s lifetime.” She quietly added, “Unless…”
Galsthan’s ears immediately stood on end, and he leaned intently forward, hope in his longing eyes. “Unless what?” he asked expectantly.
The Princess looked away from him for a moment, returning her gaze to the road ahead.
“Unless WHAT?” Galsthan asked louder than intended, before shrinking back a bit in realization, “Oh, um, sorry, your Highness.” his confidence returned as he continued, “..but I would really like to know what you were going to say. I’d give a lot to be with Quick Fix. She made me feel… complete.” He looked down at his chest, as though expecting a large Quick-Fix-shaped hole to be inside of it.
The Princess smiled wide as she turned back to Galsthan, then stopping and sitting on the road.
“You could induct her into the family.” she stated with a grin, closing her eyes.
“In English, please?” Galsthan bluntly asked.
“You could marry her.”
Long before Celestia reopened her eyes, she could already tell that Galsthan had departed.
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Galsthan tore through town at a full-speed gallop, swinging his head left and right in his search for Quick Fix. I can’t wait to tell her the news! he thought excitedly, stopping at a corner. “Quick Fix! Where are you? Quick Fix!!” he shouted deafeningly, startling passers-by. He pressed on in his search, going up one street and down another, calling her name the entire time. She didn’t seem to be anywhere in Ponyville.
“Quick Fix! Answer if you can hear me! Quick Fix!” he shouted sporadically up and down the avenues and boulevards, hollering for Quick Fix as he clamored about in his pursuit. Ponies around him yelled at him for disturbing the peace, but he didn’t care. He had wonderful news to share with a very special somepony, and he wanted to let her know right away!
He stopped by his shop to see if Quick Fix had gone there after Galsthan ‘left,’ but it seemed that she did not. Galsthan kept up his search, seeing as this was not news that he could simply let idly slip by.
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Quick Fix couldn’t believe that it was the last time she would ever see Galsthan again. Entire oceans ran from her eyes as she sobbed morosely, wanting Galsthan back. After Galsthan had departed, she took off running. She wasn’t sure where, and she wasn’t sure why, but she felt like she needed to get away.
So she ran.
And ran.
And ran…
Until she couldn’t run anymore.
She had ended up at Sweet Apple Acres, but she hadn’t run far enough to escape the thought that she would never see Galsthan again. She could never outrun that horrible, piercing thought. It would haunt her until her death, picking and prying at her heart until she could feel it no more.
She attempted to walk on, but with every passing second, she felt the burning in her grow stronger from both physical and emotional exhaustion. She walked until she could walk no more, and collapsed on the path.
She heard a voice call out something, but couldn’t make out whose it was or what they were saying as she faded from consciousness…
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“…be fine…?”
“..eeyup.”
Voices floated around in blackness, having no discernible source.
“Ah reckon she’ll be alright. Good thing you noticed her when you did, r’else we might not’ve been able to help.”
"Eeyup."
The voices, and more importantly the accents, came into clearer focus as Quick Fix felt her body start up.
“She’s comin’ to. Should I go get her somethin’ to eat?” the more masculine of the two voices asked.
“Ah suppose so. She’ll probably be hungry, what with the condition we found ‘er in.” the second voice responded, sounding more effeminate.
Quick Fix opened her eyes weakly, seeing four large, red legs move by as she began to regain her motor function.
“Uhhh…” she muttered as she attempted to stand. Weakness found her legs as she quickly collapsed back to the floor, losing the inches she had gained in her struggle to rise.
“Easy there, pard’ner, you took a nasty spill out there. You’re gonna want’a rest fer awhile.” The yet unrecognized Mare’s voice assured Quick Fix, who had fully regained consciousness at this point. She looked up at the orange Mare, who had a large hat perched atop her head. “Thanks for the help.” Quick Fix addressed the apricot-colored pony. She laid back down obediently and in a more comfortable position. “Glad Ah could help.” responded the golden-maned Mare, a smile spread across her face.
The red Stallion eventually returned with a small platter balanced carefully on his back. On the platter there was a slice of Apple Pie, a glass of Apple Juice, and a napkin. He casually placed it in front of Quick Fix, who eagerly reached for the pie with her magic, her horn aglow.
As she scarfed down the slice of pie, she could feel her strength return to her, but she could also feel a bit of pain. She quickly located a bandage wrapped around her front left leg, near one of her joints. She wasn’t completely sure what happened, but she had probably just scraped up her leg when she fell over from lack of energy. Thankfully, these kind ponies took her in under their hooves and restored her to health. She was very thankful for that, and actually forgot about Galsthan for a short moment.
It was all too brief.
Before even touching the Apple Juice, Quick Fix broke down in a crying fit. Both ponies immediately had worry struck across their face, as the crimson Stallion and orange Mare simultaneously asked, “You okay?”
“N.. no…” she softly replied in-between bawling attacks.
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“Have you seen Quick Fix?” Galsthan asked a random pony, who responded with a short “No.” and continued on his way.
Galsthan had been scouring the entire town looking for Quick Fix, desperately hoping that nothing bad had happened. If something had happened to Quick Fix, knowing that it had been just after he departed, he would never forgive himself. Well, maybe after- NO. NEVER. he roared to himself, quickening his search and doubling his efforts.
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Between short fits of crying, Quick Fix explained to her company what had happened between her and Galsthan, especially the part where he left. When she was explaining that he had to leave, she prolonged the conversation as long as she could with lots of synonyms, short and quiet sentences that almost seemed to be directed to Galsthan himself, sniffles, and pauses.
The red and orange ponies looked at each other before returning their eyes to the heartbroken Quick Fix. “Ah’m real sorry to hear what happn’d to ya, Fix, but I’m afraid all we can do is help ya onto yer feet. Ah ain’t ever heard ‘o a pony named Gal.. gals.. whatever his name was.” said the orange pony, kindness in her tone.
“Eeyup.” stated the red Stallion in concurrence.
“Anyhow, Ah’m Applejack, and this here’s Big Macintosh. He doesn’t say much.” said Applejack, pointing first to herself and then Big Macintosh.
“Eeyup.” was Big Macintosh’s reply.