//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: The Alicorn Who Was Never Meant To Be // by WildWPony //------------------------------// Chapter Eight It was like coming out of darkness with the senses awakening first then the body wakes up after that. A headache tells him that he’s still alive and he thinks to himself whether or not that’s a good idea after what just happened. He tries opening his eyes with a soft moan and gets them partially open. Hey I can see he thinks to himself seeing an empty living room. Front door was near him and he thought he saw apple trees outside then his eyes scouts the room and finds pictures of prized apples, a few books on the history of apples, probably courtesy of Twilight, and he’s pretty sure there’s an apple blanket over him. I wonder if I’m still at Sweet Apple Acres? He thinks to himself then Nah he thinks jokingly. They must have carried me in here to rest after…he rather not think about that right now. “Hey,” Comes a familiar high pitched young filly’s voice then a second later she comes into view, “I think he’s waking up.” Applejack comes over and lowering her head looking into his eyes intently, “You sure? I’ve seen you sleep like that sometimes Apple Bloom.” He doesn’t let on that he’s awake, or at least trying to be sense his eyes are only partially open. I think I can have some fun with this he thinks to himself, after all I need a good laugh right about now. “I’m telling you I think he’s awake.” “Alright Apple Bloom let’s see,” Applejack moves the blanket some then picks up one of his hoofs with one of hers, raising it up high then letting it go and seeing it drop back down, “I don’t know I think he’s still out.” “Try it again.” “Alright,” she does it again. I wonder if I can hold up my own foreleg he wonders and he tries to when she lets him go. When she does he finds that he can hold it fairly steady but not quiet and so uses it to his advantage. Letting it move slowly in the air sometimes back and forth then around in a circle all the while not moving anything on his face. “What the…,” Applejack looks in a little surprise. “You don’t think that she is…,” Apple Bloom speculates. “Hold on, I got here a sure fire way to find out,” Applejack says and heads off to somewhere. I think it just backfired he thinks to himself. “Here we go,” Applejack says coming back with two feathers. Yep it backfired. “One for you Apple Bloom.” I’m in trouble, Warning, Warning, Warning. Shields, protective bubble, help They start to tickle him and he couldn’t help himself and he starts to laugh softly with a bit of raspy sound due to his thrashed voice and wiggles as much as he could, though not much considering. “Apple Bloom,” Applejack teases, “I think we got life.” They still continue to tickle him, “Yeah but who’s in charge Applejack?” He tries to get out an, “It’s me Wrenchy.” In-between laughs and succeeds only barely. “Hey there sugar cube,” she says to him and stops tickling him and Apple Bloom stops as well. Oh, thank heaven, “Hi.” He smiles and opens his eyes the rest of the way as his body really begins to wake up now then blinks a couple of times slowly and widely, “How long was I out?” “A little over a day,” Apple Bloom says looking to him. “How do you feel?” He thinks a second, “Like your barn decided to collapse on top of me and every board aimed for my body.” “You are exhausted aren’t you Wrenchy?” Apple Bloom says. “It’s no wonder, you did kick a good hole in the wall of the barn.” “I did what?” “Yeah right through and Applejack says that it would have bucked down a whole tree.” “I don’t remember doing that,” he says wondering what else could have happened, “The last thing I remember clearly was when she just took control over me the first time then after that it begins to get a little blurry.” “I tell you,” Applejack looks to him, “you were the wildest stallion that I ever did see last night.” “Did I hurt anyone?” “Nope,” Applejack says then looks to Apple Bloom, “Why don’t you get Fluttershy and the others and tell ‘em the good news.” “Ok,” she says running off. “Fluttershy is ok? Everyone?” “Everyone is fine even Fluttershy.” He sighs in relief and after a couple of minutes the whole gang rushes in with Fluttershy actually in the lead and gets to him first. His heart leaps when he feels her nuzzling his neck and hears her sweet soft voice in his ears, “Oh are you alright? How do you feel?” He knows that all eyes and ears are on him but at this moment the only one he wants to see is her, “Like the barn fell on me and won’t get off.” “Well, just you rest and get your strength back,” Fluttershy encourages putting a hoof to his head. He looks up to her, “Some of it, after she first took over is just a blur. Then I remember being in darkness, floating, and heard you call me,” his voice still soft and raspy, “I think I remember feeling something helping me to control her?” Fluttershy shushes softly rubbing his head with her hoof gently, “just rest, we’re glad to have you back.” The rest of them agreed with mutterings of just get some more rest. He couldn’t help it when feeling her hoof against his head and her sweet voice again, it was like all the walls that he had built up suddenly came crashing down. Tears welled in his eyes then begins to fall, “Oh Fluttershy…she…she just…just wouldn’t stop.” Crying as her hoof continues to rub his head softly, “I tried so hard. She just wouldn’t stop.” “Let it go,” Fluttershy encourages softly laying her head gently on his, “just let it go.” He does so and let the flood of emotion flow in tears falling from his eyes and his hooves wrap around her. Applejack motions for the others to follow her outside and they do so to leave the two of them to deal with the emotional aftermath. “Last night really shook him the poor dear,” Rarity speaks first and just thinking about it makes her heart ache for him. “Well, at least she won’t be back for a little bit anyway,” Twilight hopes. Pinkie Pie just looks to the house and one of those rare times when something profound comes through her, “Cleaning wounds is the only way for them to heal. That’s what Fluttershy is helping him do now.” “Wow Pinkie,” Rainbow says with surprise, “you know sometimes you scare me.” “I know,” Pinkie says with eyes wide, “I get scared too,” then her face goes back to normal, “then I have some frosting and it’s all better.” “He’ll need to strengthen up though if he wants to get through this,” Rainbow says to the group. “Rainbow have a heart,” Rarity says to her. “No, I think Rainbow’s right,” Applejack says, “besides he’s going to need help gettin’ back on his hooves again anyway, might as well prepare him for this last fight. After he gets his strength back of course.” After a few minutes they see Fluttershy trot up to them, “He’s sleeping again.” “Hopefully with sweet dreams,” Twilight says quietly, then saying with encouragement about how they have a plan, “We think at least. I want to go to Zecora’s to confirm my suspicions.” They all go where they need to for now, Rainbow Dash to cloud busting. Rarity heads to her boutique. Fluttershy goes to her animals, but tells them she’ll be back tonight to check on him and Applejack says that would be fine. Pinkie Pie going to Sugar Cube corner working up another crazy something for someone then she said it’s off to babysitting for Mr. and Mrs. Cake. As the day wore on and the afternoon started to turn into evening he would drift in and out of sleep and watch the late evening go by in spurts. At one point he heard her softly singing to him. Oh that sweet wonderful voice of hers that only her whisper could command him at will and with such joy in its action. A gentle touch is all she would need to calm him and relax him. Now dreaming his ears welcome her gentle voice as he looks up at a beautiful night sky filled with stars twinkling happily as he lays comfortably upon a sea of grass in a clear meadow. It was so perfect, “The only thing that would make it better would be that she was here with me.” Then scoffs, “Yeah, like that’s ever gonna happen, I mean really here and not something my head cooked up. Wouldn’t that be something, we could have the time of our lives right here in dreamland together, talk all the night through and still get a good night’s sleep.” He hears her humming stop and he stretches out as far as he can hearing a couple of places pop in the process, “Well, she probably went to bed. I wonder how Applejack and Big Mac did in the field today. I’m so grateful for Applejack her family letting me stay here until I get my strength back, but I feel like a paperweight not helping out and all.” He had to laugh seeing the state that he’s in, “I guess I am one until tomorrow morning or so.” About a couple of minutes later he hears her voice once more but this time a lot closer just as if it wasn’t too far away. Standing up he looks out and sure enough he starts to see a light yellow figure singing her way over to him? “Ok, did I make this up?” He can’t help but smile as the voice washes over him as it hits his ears, “Oh who cares, I’ll take it anyway.” Positioning himself so that she can’t help but to run into him he slowly walks to her. When she notices him her face brightens like the sun in the sky and his own heart skips a beat and explodes with joy, “Fluttershy.” He gets out her name speaking with happiness then a second later locked in a deep kiss that both shocks him and excites him to his core. Closing his eyes his rump slowly sits down on the ground as his back hind legs give out from under him. His whole body relaxes welcoming this deep kiss. His wings slowly slide off his back and to the ground weak as his body surrenders to her willingly, leaning into the kiss his feels like he’s soaring though haven’t left the ground. Seconds go by as the kiss makes its mark on them both then they slowly part. His heart so full of joy it sends his head spinning and takes a deep breath once unlocked from its embrace. His eyes show all his emotions through them as they slowly open meeting hers as in this moment, right now, they lock in silent communication. Her soft words hits his hears like a flood that slowly washes over him and he welcomes in drowning himself in it, “I have a confession Wrenchy.” His own voice soft and filled with the emotions running through his very soul speaks to her, “It seems I have one too, but ladies always first. Besides my head is still spinning.” While in this dream he wonders if this is the way she would act in reality. His heart wishes it were so. She giggles and steps up leaning into him, shoulder to shoulder and as if on cue his body lowers to meet hers equally. She places her head on his back resting there, “Then lean on me and hear my confession.” His body as if being controlled by her, though he doesn’t mind anyway, lowers and he feels her against him and his heart melts at her touch with her head on his back and her voice once again overflowing into his ears, “You make my days bright, the days worth signing until the light fades, looking forward to the night where our souls can mingle together in the realm of dreams and relish the rising sun to sing again with you at my side. I love you Wrench Heart for you have surely wrenched this mare’s heart from her chest and made it your own.” He feels her gentle kiss on his back and it sparks an excitement in him so unexpected yet so welcoming igniting a longing within him that he didn’t even know existed. His voice soft yet flowing with longing for her he too rests his neck upon her back now in like manner, “You have been by my side, you give me a strength I have yet to understand, your softest touch commands my spirit, and your softest voice commands my soul. It seems that I have been swimming in a sea filled with your scent, your touch, your voice, your very being and now I welcome myself in drowning in it. My heart, my spirit, my body, every bit that I am is now yours,” he kisses her back in like manner with her then slowly makes his way up her back, “Claim me and take me.” “Claim me as your own then Wrench Heart for I am yours as well now and forever,” her voice filling his ears as he feels her kissing up his back as he kisses up hers. Soon he feels her on his neck as he is on hers, each kiss turns to passion using his teeth to run up and down her neck filled with longing as she in turn does to him sending waves of shivers up and down his spine. Like minds joined as one as their lips reach each other again locking in a deep passion of longing for one another. Unknown to the both of them inside Fluttershy’s cottage the amulet around her neck glows brighter until it fills the room. He feels suddenly engulfed in energy and a feeling so warm and welcoming it’s as if he can feel her long for him as if it was his own longing for her. His mind doesn’t comprehend but the spirit welcomes openly her feeling of love and longing. In her own dream as she kisses him she is engulfed in a white glow of energy and is washed in warmth and longing that she can only explain as coming from him. She doesn’t understand but welcomes it and drinks it in losing herself in it. As the light fades, as does Wrench Heart from her dream, the feeling from him for her still remains and in the sea of the flowers of the meadow she lays down, closes her eyes, and embraces it. She lays there enjoying the feeling as it seems to cover her like a blanket. A smile on her face she stretches there as if to make sure it sinks in to the deepest part of her. As the light fades from him she disappears from his dream but that longing for him, that love for him remains, filling him to the very core. Eyes still closed, as he doesn’t want to open them out of fear this feeling of warmth and love would go away, he lays down. It washes over him like the waves of the sea crashing on the shores he loses himself in its movements. ^_^ Back at Canterlot Castle Princess Luna suddenly opens her eyes with a shock, not out of fear, but out of unexpectedness. “Did I just get,” her mind thinking upon what just happened, “thrown out of their dream?” She initialized the dream where Fluttershy would enter into his dream as a way of a type of therapy for him. What she saw wasn’t exactly what she expected from them but once started she didn’t want to feel like she was eavesdropping on their most intimate moments but she had to stay in order for her to interact with him. To just cut them off like that, well, she just couldn’t do that either. She was happy for them of course, moving from her place by the window and into a bathroom to take a cold shower, she hoped that it would be enough to defeat Aurora. ^_^ Fluttershy woke up the next morning still with the feelings from the dream, like they are a part of her now as she stands and takes a quick stretch. That warmth from last night lingering inside of her makes her feel so wonderful she goes to the window of her small balcony, opening the window starting to sing softly. The animals come up to her with sayings of how good she looks this morning and she seems to glow, “Oh thank you my friends. I do feel so wonderful this morning,” she begins to explain as she starts with her usual morning chores for the animals, “and I had the most beautiful dream last night.” The animals inquire and they see quite clearly and a question from them comes right to the point. She had to blush but then nods feeling like a little filly again, “Yes actually, he was in my dream last night.” The animals get closer and a little more excited some bouncing wanting the details, “I was walking in a field of flowers and he was walking slowly to me. It felt so good to see him. I kissed him and it was so wonderful then we exchanged our love for each other.” “And oh my friends,” she continues clearly overjoyed as she comes back into the cottage from finishing her morning chores for the animals, “I can still feel it even now.” Closing her eyes feeling it wash over her once more just as powerful as in her dream. She looks to herself once after the animals point out that she can’t go out like that, “Oh you’re right my friends after the chores I have got to get cleaned up.” They chirp up, and speak up in their own way, “Oh you’ll help me get ready? Thank you so much I want to look my best for him today.” Meanwhile back at Sweet Apple Acres Wrenchy stood just outside of the house standing tall like he was standing on top of the world. He couldn’t believe that what he felt last night he could still feel this morning as he took a deep breath as if smelling the sweetest rose. His wings spread as far as they could as he stretched in the morning’s soft glow. That feeling of her love washed over him again and he slowly let out his breath finishing the stretch just in time to hear Applejack, “Well, don’t you look radiant this morning.” “Good morning Applejack,” he says still under the euphoria of last night and hoping it won’t ever go away either, “I feel like I could buck the whole orchard.” Applejack laughed, “Well, you won’t have to cause this morning it’s stacking the hay bales then you helping me fix the whole you kicked in the barn.” “Ok,” he chuckled waiting for her to lead the way then noticing that inquiring look on her face, “What? I just had a good night’s sleep, that’s all.” “Oh no you don’t sugar cube, you can’t tell that to me and get away with it. You can’t go from what I saw yesterday to today without somethin’ happenin’,” she looks to him with a grin, “aint tellin’ huh?” He shakes his head. “A’right then, let’s go and get some work done,” she gives in and leads the way to start collecting and stacking the hay bales. Fluttershy left her cottage feeling great as he animal friends help her get ready with a couple of different colored flowers in her mane and tail. She, and the animals, took her time with her coat, mane and tail because she seems to glow softly in the morning light. She trots through the market getting some fruit in a basket and leaving for Rarity’s not noticing how many of the stallions heads she is turning in the market. Soon stepping up to the boutique and knocking on the door, “Rarity?” “Come on in Fluttershy,” Rarity says from inside. “Good morning Rarity,” she says happily as the door shuts behind her not seeing her, “I have some fruit for you but leave some for Wrenchy. Um…Rarity where are you?” “Oh I’m back here,” she says from the back room, “I’ll be out in a minute.” “Anything I can do to help?” Rarity comes out of the back room not immediately seeing her, “No thanks, I can…Fluttershy,” Rarity says stunned, “You look just stunning this morning.” She blushes, “Thanks Rarity I wanted to look good for Wrenchy this morning.” “Well darling, if this doesn’t get him jumping over the moon nothing will.” She looks at the fruit, “You didn’t have to but thank you Fluttershy, and I can have this for lunch,” Rarity says thankfully and only taking about three good size fruits and leaves the rest. “Thank you again Fluttershy and give my best to Wrenchy.” “I will Rarity,” she says happily and leaves the boutique and heads for Sweet Apple Acres. Back at Sweet Apple Acres Wrenchy was busy stacking the last of the bales from the last batch that Applejack and Big Mac dropped off for him. This was just the second batch of three and he was starting to get a little tired. He had to laugh a little that even though he felt great, which he still did, his body told him to take it easy but he just couldn’t help himself. The hard work was doing him wonders as he finished placing the last bale on the pile from his batch. His coat was draped down with sweat and hard work and he noticed that at this height he could just barely see above the canopy. Closing his eyes he takes a deep breath taking in the warmth of the sun and feeling the breeze against his sweaty coat creates a cool sensation against his skin. His ears starts to pick up the soft pats of hoof beats softly walking their way up the path to the barn. He opens his eyes expecting Applejack and Big Mac with the final batch but it wasn’t. The sight he saw was way better. He spots her first with her light yellow coat seemingly to mix with the light of the morning sun as the two dance creating a beautiful sight to his eyes and breathtaking to his lungs. She soon spots the barn after leaving the tree line of the apple trees then she spots him. She didn’t know why but she expected him to be awake this morning and feeling much like she is and of course Applejack would have him working hard already. Her heart skips a beat at the sight he poses to her eyes standing tall ever watching and forever making her feel safe and secure with him. She steers off the path and heads toward him slowly with a warm smile on her face as warmth floods her again. He couldn’t help but let out a quick soft laugh out of pure joy seeing her head toward him and he steps down from the bales of hay. They were stacked like stairs so he slowly made his way down and noticed it felt like a dream to him. Again like last night walking toward her and her sight in his eyes enraptures him and his heart. This time though, it was obviously not a dream. Applejack stops cold seeing the sight of Fluttershy approaching Wrenchy and how beautiful she looks and Big Mac stops next to her, “Big Mac?” “Yep?” “Do you see what I do?” His voice comes out a second later, “Yep.” “Good morning Wrenchy,” Fluttershy says to him almost singing the greeting. His eyes close a little as his nose concentrates on her scent. Whatever she did he really approves whether it be soap, just the flowers or both with the combination of the fruit he smells in the basket. He takes a deep breath taking in all her scent and presence. “Good morning Fluttershy,” he says softly, tenderly and looking into those beautiful eyes that never ceases to capture him. “How are you feeling?” he hears her say almost singing again the question to him. He smiles down to her, “I felt great watching the sunrise this morning, but that pales in comparison to the view I have now.” She giggles, “Hard at work already. Well, it’s good for you. Here,” she takes a peach out of the basket with one hoof and raising it up to his lips, “a little snack before lunch.” She places the peach inside his mouth and he moans just a little at the sweet taste. Some juice escapes running down his lips and he closes his eyes just savoring the moment. Then he feels her lips brush ever so softly against his and his body almost goes limp. When the kiss is broken he takes in a deep breath. Her love washing over him again like waves upon the shore. His eyes open slowly to see her starting to walk away. Then she stops, turns her head back to face him with a smile and uses her tail to wipe away the last of the juice from his lips, “Now go back to work and I will see you at lunch.” Just before she turns away she licks the juice from her lips then heads to the house. His mind gets lost looking into those beautiful eyes gulping down the last of the peach. His voice portrays the emotions that she stirs in him, the love for her and the desires that she ignites in him also reflecting in his eyes, “Yes, ma’am.” He almost chokes on the words as they come out of his mouth, then he watches her walk up the path to the house until she disappears inside. Applejack turns to Big Mac and seeing him actually sweat, “You think he can work after that?” Big Mac gulps out a soft, “Nope.” She laughs softly and takes her hat off and fans him. He pushes her away playfully. She can’t help but give out a teehee laugh and places her hat back on her head, “Come on let’s see if we can’t snap him out of it.” He was able to get his mind into the work again and after a little bit he was back into the swing of stacking the last bits of the hay bales. Using his wings he was able to hold on to bales with his hooves and hover the bales on top of each other for the high ones. By the time he got done with the very last one he was breathing heavily when he landed softly on the ground. “Finally,” Wrenchy says as he breathes heavily panting, “That’s the…last one.” “You look tuckered, Wrenchy,” Applejack notices as she too got a good workout from pulling the cart even with Big Mac’s help then kicking the hay bales to help Wrenchy. “I am yeah, even though my spirit is high, my body though,” he’s able to say with his breath normal, “not so much.” Applejack gives a quick laugh, “Well sugar cube, no worries. You can go fix the whole in the wall then cleanup yourself up for lunch. I don’t think either Fluttershy or Granny will appreciate you sweatin’ all over the table.” “No, I suppose not.” he agrees, “Ok then I’ll see you and Mac at lunch. Where are you two going?” Big Mac spoke up this time, “South Field.” “Just a couple of things to do before lunch,” Applejack says while taking her hat and fanning herself some. “We won’t be too long with the heat building up like this, so you go on and fix that hole and we will be there a little later. Come on big brother.” “Ok,” he says to them as they trot off and he turns to go fix the wall. It wasn’t too much trouble either, as the two boards needed with hammer and nails were already at the hole, so all he had to do was patch it up. “Well, it shouldn’t be too hard.” He was surprised on how quickly he used the hammer and nails. It was as if he already knew how but he quickly shrugged it off finished boarding up the hole. Taking a quick look to make sure that Applejack would be satisfied, “Yeah I think so.” Hardly any gaps between the boards and the boards being large enough to cover all of the hole he was satisfied. As Wrenchy entered the house the smell of lunch came up and tickled at his nose and he could see Fluttershy in the kitchen, “Smells good Fluttershy.” She turns hearing that baritone voice she has come to love, “Thank you so much, now go get cleaned up. Lunch will be ready shortly.” He smiles, “Yes, ma’am.” Then he heads to take a nice cold shower for two reasons. Reason one is that he was hot and needed to cool down, which is always a good idea on hot days. Reason two was her, she could always turn his head several times over and ignite his heart. When he was sure he had himself under control he washed and dried himself for lunch. Coming back out, he spots her putting the last thing on the table with her mouth and her front hooves on the edge of the table. Trying his best to be quiet he sneaks up to her and lowers his head putting his nose gently against the base of her back. She could hear him coming so she pretended to be looking over the table. Her eyes close when she feels his nose against her and lets the wave he gives her wash over her like rain. He breathes deep taking in her scent. His nose picks up the smell of peaches and closes his eyes letting his nose slowly trail up her back as the scent guides his way. Her breath deepens and her wings open for him letting him have full access to her back. She welcomes the shivers he gives her as those shivers follow his nose. Slowly her wings wrap around him with one around his broad shoulders and the other running through his mane. Her nose picks up his scent, the scent of a stallion fresh from a shower and breathes him in. When his nose reaches the base of her neck she lets out her breath slowly moaning his name softly just for him to hear. He notices that they are breathing nearly in unison and a part of his mind is wondering how that could be but most of it is concentrated on her. Relishing the chance for him to tease her he kisses her neck slowly then resting his head on her shoulder and whispers into her ear, “You smell better than the sweetest rose and look more beautiful than the rising sun.” Her heart just melts as she hugs him to her with her wings feeling his chest on her back. She lets out a giggle turning her head to him, “You know just what to say to a girl.” He moves to kiss her lightly on her lips, “Only you.” “Good morning you two,” Granny Smith says startling them into a sudden stance beside one another. He moves first and snapping to a type of attention pose next to Fluttershy, “Um…morning Granny Smith.” Fluttershy yelps softly suddenly down from the table, “Oh we’re sorry, good morning Granny Smith.” “Oh now don’t you two worry your heads around me,” she says in her that sweet aged voice of hers, “I was in love once myself you know.” Fluttershy and Wrenchy relax and smile to one another as they notice her slowly walk her way over to where she usually eats for lunch. Then from outside they hear hoof beats, “Come on Big Mac let’s get cleaned up for lunch.” Pretty soon they were all having lunch then they hear Granny, “I remember when I was in love. Oh what a handsome stallion he was.” Fluttershy and Wrenchy look to each other and just smile then go back to their lunch. “Here she goes again,” Applejack says with a sigh then sees Fluttershy and Wrenchy simply eating with smiles on their faces, “Are you two up to something?” “Not at all,” Fluttershy says in that I’m slightly offended voice then goes back to her lunch with a slight smile on her face. He can’t help it and one side of that smile slips up slightly, “Nope.” Applejack’s eyes dash between them, “I’m keeping my eye on you two.” She then looks from them to Granny and back again but when she looks away from them again out of the corner of her eye all she sees is a flash of color and a piece of her lunch is gone. Her eyes snap to Wrenchy which smiles back innocently. Thinking a second she slowly takes a fork in one hoof, slowly looking away and if she times it just right. A sudden sound of forks meeting in the middle of the table is heard and Applejacks satisfied voice, “Aha, I got myself a thieving varmint.” Slowly raising his other hoof in the air level with his head and just behind it in a type of stance one might expect from a sword fight. He smiles to her playfully. “You think that you can take this bull by the horns?” Then she notices his eyes twinkle with anticipation, “Oh it…is…on.” The sound of forks clinking over the table and the soft laughs of the opponents is heard and the only thing that Fluttershy can do is just smile and shakes her head. “I think Applejack is rubbing off on him,” Fluttershy says to Big Mac. “Eyup,” is all Mac says shaking his head. “I thought I stopped raising kids long ago,” Granny Smith says looking upon the fork fight. Suddenly the door bursts open and Spike comes in panting heavily, “Applejack, I have a…” he takes a few breaths, “give me a…” All at the table stops and watches Spike come in, the fork fight gets put on hold, the meal is forgotten for the moment as Spike continues, “It’s Princess Celestia. She will be here tomorrow for a visit with the Mayor then with Twilight. After the meetings Pinkie Pie wants to throw another party.” “Well,” Applejack says, “I’ll be.” Spike walks up to Wrenchy, “Rarity wants you over at the boutique for the fitting of your suit.” “Well, better get going Wrenchy and you will be with me tonight at the cottage,” Fluttershy says giving him a quick kiss. He kisses her when their lips meet then speaks when they separate, “Ok.” Applejack can’t help but laugh, “That’s one lady you don’t want to keep waiting.” “No kidding,” he says walking up to Spike, “need a ride somewhere?” “Yeah,” Spike says jumping onto his back, “Drop me off at Twilight’s.” “You got it,” he says and trots outside then once outside the house he takes flight for Twilight’s Castle first then to the boutique. “I wonder why Celestia is coming?” “Don’t know Fluttershy, but it could be good or bad depending on the condition of Aurora. Speaking of which what happened in the barn?” Applejack says. “As soon as I hugged him my strength went away and I think I went asleep then.” Applejack looks to Fluttershy quizzically, “Yeah, but how?” “I think I have the answer to that one,” Twilight says in the doorway. “You notice she pops up just when needed?” Applejack says. “Eyup,” Big Mac assures. “You see I went to Zecora to confirm my suspicions and they were correct. The amulet takes energy from pony or zebra to another. So, when Fluttershy hugged him the amulet made contact with the one needing the energy and took that energy from Fluttershy. With the way that amulet works using that method it could take energy from any number of ponies making it almost limitless. Here’s the catch though the amulet only uses energy from ponies or zebra’s that really care for the one needing that energy.” “In that case why don’t I just give him the amulet the next time that I see him?” “Good idea there Fluttershy, that way it will always be on him and the energy can be transferred almost instantly right Twilight?” “That is a good idea Fluttershy, good thinking.”