//------------------------------// // Closer Ties // Story: Lost // by Hazel_Hester777 //------------------------------// Uni’s relationships with the girls seemed to be getting more and more serious each day he spent with them. They were all just like acquaintances before, but now they were closing the gaps to growing closer bonds. He learned a lot from and about each and every one of them. They also began to grow close to him as much as they grew close Sunset. Rainbow was becoming a rival at PE at first, but she began to accept it as competition like Applejack. Uni learned that she also watches over the younger members of the club to help them get better at their practices. It was tough work for her, especially since some of the younger recruits were fans of hers. Pinkie remained hyper and child-like, but would sometimes grow serious when need be. She and Uni once bumped into a few cats and dogs and just kept thinking about how it was like when she got Gummi. Uni also understood that she bloomed a happy-go-lucky girl from a gloomy family. She also let him come with her to meet the Cake Twins and help with babysitting when Mr. and Mrs. Cake were not around. Rarity began to come out and try simpler things in her life more often with him. He took her to a fast food restaurant once and she was surprised at the facilities. It was quite funny to see how she didn’t know anything like this before. But then again, this was Rarity. She still looked lovey-dovey around him and just wouldn’t give up. The girls just hid their worries. Applejack loved her little sister Applebloom very much. She was trying to help her to get better with the baking and cooking of the apple treats the Apple family made. Uni was happy to help by being a taste tester to help find if anything was wrong. Applejack began to appreciate him more because of this. He learned that the best way to be friends with Applejack is care about her beloved sister. Fluttershy was beginning to open up to Uni now. She began to talk more at ease with him now that there were no other voices to compete with. He learned that she was part of animal shelter group in terms of part-time jobs. He sometimes went with her to meet the dogs. He found it so sweet that she knew they could all find a forever home. He helped her gain her courage to speak more often, even if in large groups. Sunset held a special place in Uni’s heart. He knew her before he met them and even tried to make up for the time they lost within the many years of separation. Out of all the girls, she was the one he was closest to. He was sometimes protective of her, though she insisted she was strong now. “Can…you…slow…down…out of breath!” Rainbow panted as she struggled to keep up with Uni. The boy chuckled before he turned back to her and walked back up to her. She took a while to regain her breath. Once she did, he held her hand to make sure they would be on the same pace. She blushed slightly at the touch. Uni smirked. “Are you shy?” She covered her face. “It’s not like that! It’s just…moving too fast?” “I thought fast was your style” They both went to the mall today because Rainbow noticed that the younger recruits were heading there instead of the park. She wanted to see what they were up to. Only thing is, she used so much energy in running there that she ran out of breath the time they got there. Uni kept a steady pace and soon ran up ahead when she got tired. Rainbow snapped back to her senses when one little boy bumped into her from behind. He fell backwards, but Rainbow fell forward. She was in an awkward position now that she looked like she and Uni were hugging. She was extremely flushed now! Uni blushed slightly, but helped her pull away. Rainbow took a bit to recover before she recomposed herself. “Rumble, you need to be more careful! It won’t matter how fast you are if you don’t know where you’re going!” she reprimanded the boy. “Sorry, Ms. Dash” he hung his head low as a group of three came up behind him. “Do you know him?” Uni asked. “Yeah, he’s one of the kids from the team” “Uh oh, Rumble’s in trouble!” one of girls teased from the sidelines. “You all are!” Rainbow yelled in frustration, catching all of their attention. “This is no place to play or practice! It’s okay this time since you only bumped into me, but what if it was a stranger? Now, all of you head down to the park” “We can’t go there! The sixth graders are playing soccer! They said they would move if we beat them in a race, but we’re two years younger than them! That’s not fair!” another girl whined. Rainbow thought for a bit before speaking up. “Alright, all of you come with me. Uni, you wouldn’t mind if you came along, right?” He nodded. “Great, come on” Uni walked along Rainbow as she led them all back to Canterlot High. They headed over to the field course. Rainbow then announced that although they weren’t supposed to be here, today was an exception due to the situation these kids were in. She set up some ground rules, and had to be the couch to supervise them all. Uni helped as well to make sure an extra pair of eyes could keep all under supervision. While the kids were taking a break, Rainbow had a talk with Uni. “Sorry about that. Once they called me Coach, I just couldn’t resist! Sorry I kept you around for this. But, can you help me train them some time? I may know how to keep them fast, but I can’t keep eyes on all of them at once!” Uni smiled with a nod. “I’d be happy to help” Rainbow sighed in relief. “Oh, thank you. I swear, those sixth graders are about to have a word with me and Spitfire once she gets a hold of this! I’m so gonna make them pay!” she then realized she said that infront of Uni. “Sorry I keep dragging you into these things, Uni. You can go now; I’ll be sending them home soon” ________________________________________ The next day… Uni walked with Pinkie out to get her back to the Cake’s residence. It was yet another fun-filled and lively day. Okay, a little too lively since she just wouldn’t stop playing around. Pinkie had thought about letting Uni meet with the Twins again. As they walked, they passed by a familiar face. It was Cheese Sandwich with someone who looked like his mother. He was having a chat about something, but he soon ran off. Pinkie could see he was clearly upset so she ran after him. Uni had no choice but to come along with her. They soon found him, and Pinkie did most of the talking. Cheese didn’t seem to be too upset about her presence at first, but it was escalated when he noticed Uni. This went on for a while before Cheese left, leaving Pinkie confused and Uni rather embarrassed. “I don’t it with Cheese. He’s usually not that angry” she whined. “But now I made his even more angry. What did I do?” Uni sighed but spoke gently. “He saw me as your boyfriend” “Well, you are a boy, and you my friend. What does that have to do?” Uni sighed. Pinkie still didn’t know that concept. “Oh, it means that other thing, huh?” He nodded. “Well, I didn’t mean to make him mad. Oh! I know! I’ll just throw him a forgiveness party tomorrow! That’ll cheer him up!” He let out another sigh, but smiled as well. With Pinkie Pie, that’s her answer to everything. “Though, to be honest, Uni, I didn’t know Cheese would be so offended if I did have a boyfriend. And my own feelings to him are a little weird. He has that spark in his eyes and his personality is just like me. Why, people thought he was the male version of me! We even have the same hairstyle!” she suddenly pouted. “But, what is nasty feeling I’m suddenly getting?” Uni giggled. She didn’t know her own emotions after happy and sad. Well, angry was also around when someone breaks a Pinkie Promise, not that anyone would dare do that. “Well, I better go; the twins will get cranky if I don’t show up in time for their bedtime story. Bye, Uni!” she waved before she dashed off. “Bye, Pinkie!” ________________________________________ The next day… Uni decided to take Rarity out for a movie today. She said she had never been to one before, but now was an opportunity. Uni purchased their tickets and they went in. They were watching some romance movie, much to Rarity’s delight. After that, they exited and went out to chat about how she felt about the experience. “It was so easy that I never expected it” she commented. “You purchase a ticket and then just go in to see your movie. It may sound strange to you, but have always been eager to experience a film in an actual movie theatre. Even though we sat near the end of the aisle, I don’t think my view was compromised. It was so interesting that so much thought has been put into design and construction of the theatre” Uni smiled. “I’m glad I could help” “Thank you, Uni. I have always felt so awkward coming here alone. I don’t think I would normally have this type of conversation, but…” She paused, somewhat uncertain. “What is it?” “I didn’t want to bring this up due to how you lived with her, but Sunset seems to be the type of girl who wouldn’t feel inhibited watching a movie all by herself. I shouldn’t be surprised due to her independence before she became a bully in the school. She would seem more suited to riding a motorcycle” Uni furrowed his brow at that. “A motorcycle?” “Oh, right, I forgot. A motorcycle is like a bike, but you don’t need to pedal in order to keep it moving. You need gas to make it move. To maneuver it, you need to think it’s like a bike’s hand rails and control its wheels” “Sounds awesome! We should go for a ride!” “Together? Just the two of us?” she blushed slightly at that, nearly swooning as hearts came out again. “I feel much better right now. If you don’t have any objections, I’d like to stay here with you for a little while longer” ________________________________________ The next day… Well, yesterday made Uni feel a little awkward. Rarity just kept on trying to flirt with him, but it didn’t seem to work as he kept just thinking she was just playing with him. Though, he swore she almost swooned when he started back to Sunset’s after walking her home. Now, he was on the rooftop of Canterlot High with Applejack. She brought him along for another taste testing. He was praying it wouldn’t go as bad. The last time he went, it looked fine, but it tasted so bad even a cat hissed and ran away from the scent! Applejack nearly puked when she tried it, so he was spared. “Don’t worry; it won’t be like last time. You’ll be able to eat this” Applejack then handed him a slice of apple pie. It looked rather alright. He took a tentative bite. Surprisingly, it was actually edible. In fact, it was delicious. He found himself taking another bite. Applejack seemed rather pleased. “Well, how does it taste?” “She did great job” “R-really? I’m so glad to hear that. Thank you. Applebloom was practicing for quite some time now. Ah taught her closely until she finally got it right. They’re simple to make, but the amount you need takes some time to get just right. You’ve taught her so much. Thank you, Uni” “I’m glad I could help” “So am I. Ah’m just glad she managed to finally get the basic one, though she will be trying to aim for harder ones now” she chuckled. “Anyhow, oh my, it sure is getting late. We better go before Sunset gets worried about ya” ________________________________________ The next day… Uni was glad things went well with Applejack yesterday. She was very proud of her sister and somewhat also proud that Uni had taught her how to be better and strive as well as accept trying at the basics. He was glad he could help both of them. Applebloom for being humble and Applejack for being supportive. He was now exiting a sweet shop with Fluttershy. She had to pick some flour up for her mother who was with her. He accompanied her to help her for it. He was also worried about her well-being from the last time they met up when going out. She looked like she was slightly sick after some guy tried to beat her up. He saved her, of course. She made a run for it after thanking him since she suddenly felt like she was coming down with a fever. Come to think of it, she was absent on Monday due to being sick. As they exited the shop, Fluttershy looked down uncertainly when they stood on the sidewalk. She seemed rather nervous. What should I do? She thought. Uni decided to start the conversation. “So, how was it?” She snapped out of her trance. “Huh? Oh! Sorry, I was lost in thought. Remember when you saved me from that guy, Uni?” “Yes?” she was concerned about her. “Well, from that day on, my health hasn’t been so great. But I’ll be fine. But…” “What is it?” “Well, I guess I could tell you. But, don’t think I’m weird, please?” “Fluttershy, I’m your friend, you can tell me anything. I won’t judge you” “Okay, here I go. I…I…I had dreams about you for a few nights, Uni!” she looked down, rather flushed, trying to hide it. Uni could tell she was feeling scared and frightened about it. He tried to ease her. “It’s probably just a coincidence” “I thought the same thing. But, I got them nearly every night since you saved me from that guy. This never really happened before. I think my mind felt safe at night when it remembered what happened. I appreciate how nice you’ve been to me, Uni. Thank you so much” “I’m glad I could help” “I’ve been starting to regain my confidence more since you helped me up! I still am slightly frightened by attention, but not as much as it was before. As long as it’s nothing so serious, I’ll be fine!” Uni smiled at Fluttershy. She was doing pretty well now. It was a big relief to know she was also well and would be fine. It was rather touching to hear that she felt she could trust him with her life. He noticed she was getting rather nervous again. When they started for her home, he took her hand. She blushed slightly at the touch, but allowed it. He chuckled at her behavior. He made sure to walk her home and only then did they part ways. ________________________________________ The next day… “Well, that’s a big relief to hear about Fluttershy” Sunset spoke to Uni as they walked around. They were having a stroll around the park to get some fresh air and roam around a little. Uni was just telling Sunset how it went with the girls. “Well, it’s nice to know that her mother went there to watch her when she got sick” “I still can’t believe she was able to get home after that incident. Is she alright now?” “Yeah, but I helped her home yesterday for her safety” “That’s so sweet!” she smiled at him. She then felt at her bag for something when her eyes widened. “On no!” “Why? What’s wrong?” “My wallet! It’s gone! But…I had it when we left the house…wait a minute! I also bumped into someone at the bus station! Sorry, but I’m gonna go back and look for it” “I’m going with you” he spoke as she turned to leave. She was quick to stop him. “No, stay here! It’ll just take a minute. It’ll be okay, so don’t come after me” she assured him before she turned heel and ran to the station nearby. Uni was unsure about it. Still, he waited for a while for her. A few minutes passed and Sunset had not returned. He was getting worried now. He knew she told him not to, but he went after her. It didn’t take long for him to find that she was surrounded by punks. They outnumbered her, and she was frozen in place. He couldn’t let them hurt her. He felt Bill’s speaking to him again. You must save her. I know, Bill. But how? I can fight, but there are three of them! Your power, Uni. Just a little, of course, but enough to help you. Uni was uncertain at first, but allowed it. He closed his eyes as he let bill’s power flow into him. He only took enough that he needed. That settled, he went up to fight off the punks. It was verbal at first, but they soon went to physical violence. Luckily, Uni was able to fend them off. They fled when they realized they were no match for him. He then let Bill remove the power as he calmed down. He then turned his attention back to Sunset, helping her back up. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you” “What a relief” he sighed. “Hey, I thought I told you to stay put. You didn’t need to come after me. I found my wallet before I bumped into them” “You took so long that I got worried. Am I not allowed to worry when my friend could be in trouble?” She calmed down. “No, you could worry. Sorry, I just wanted to try being independent even if I’m attacked. I guess I can’t” “Well, there’s no need to get disappointed. I mean, it’s okay to ask for help. That’s how we all learn, right?” Sunset chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about that. Let’s go” Uni then took her hand. She flinched at the touch, but relaxed soon after. They then walked, hand in hand. Sunset felt somewhat safe now. Uni felt a faint affection coming from her. Good move letting me help. Bill, quiet.