Derpy's jaw hangs open as Cherry gives her a quizzical look! She shakes her head in an effort to clear it!
“I'm sorry, Cherry. What was the question again?!”
“Arc... who is he?”
Dinky looks confused. “How can you not remember my dad, Miss Cherry?!”
“I’m sorry, but that name doesn't mean anything to me.”
Derpy sighs and looks down at the floor. “He... he's your... fiancé.”
Cherry quickly brings her front hooves to her face! “Oh my! You mean I'm ENGAGED?!”
Dinky nods! “Yes ma'am! He... he proposed only yesterday! You were so happy then!”
Derpy walks over to the bedside table and picks up the pendant. “He gave you this as an engagement present!”
Cherry takes the pendant in her hooves as Derpy gives it to her.
“This is beautiful! He must be a very wealthy stallion to be able to afford such things!”
Doctor Horse shakes his head. “Not particularly, miss! His heart is much larger than his coin purse.”
“I don't understand. If he cares so much about me, where is he then?!”
“He left to lead an army against Yakyakistan early this morning!”
She gives the pendant back to Derpy. “So, he's a military commander then?”
Derpy carefully puts the pendant in Cherry's saddlebag on the nearby dresser before turning back. “Not... exactly.”
Dinky frowns! “Miss Cherry? Don't you remember ANYTHING about him?!”
She shakes her head. “No dear. Not a thing.”
Doctor Horse sighs. “Well, this is indeed quite the pickle were in!”
The door opens and Arc enters along with Ember and Sereb. He immediately sees Cherry sitting up and rushes over to her, excitedly!
“CHERRY?!”
Cherry's eyes grow wide as she sees his royal raiments! She quickly jumps out of bed and shakily moves to bow before him!
“S-sire! To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?!”
Arc looks down at her, confused
“Um... Cherry? What are you doing?”
“Bowing in the presence of royalty, sire!”
Sereb frowns. “Something is not right here.”
Ember nods! “You got that right, Sereb! This just feels wrong!”
Arc slowly approaches Cherry.
“Um... rise, my little pony.”
She looks up at him with evident fear in her eyes! Cherry shakes as she stands!
“Y-Yes sire!”
Arc kneels down to pick Cherry up. He carefully puts her back in bed!
“You should be resting now, my dear!”
Cherry keeps her head bowed. “Th-thank you for your concern, sire!”
“Cherry... look at me.”
She does so, albeit shakily!
“You... you don't you remember me, do you Cherry?”
“N-no sire! We've never met before!”
Arc sighs. “Do... do you at least remember my name?”
Cherry shakes her head. “I'm sorry sire, but I don't. Again, please forgive me sire!”
Derpy looks to her, sadly. “Cherry... this is Arc... your fiancé.”
Arc nods! “Please Cherry! Try to remember!”
She shakes her head. “I'm sorry sire, but...”
Arc bows his head! “Please... don't call me that Cherry! It... it isn't right!”
Cherry looks up to Arc. “Wh-what should I call you then, sire?!”
“The same thing you've always called me since the day we met. Arc. Just… Arc.”
She shakes her head! “That wouldn't be proper, sire! You're the ruler of this land after all!”
Arc removes his crown and hands it to Ember. He then calls forth the rest of his armor and spear from his ring to stand before Cherry with his eyes aglow within his helmet!
“Does this jog your memory, my dear?”
Cherry recoils, shaking her head fearfully! “NO!”
Arc, seeing how his appearance frightens the bedridden mare before him, quickly recalls his armor and returns to his royal raiments.
“Forgive me Cherry! I didn't mean to frighten you! I was just hoping you would remember!”
Ember approaches the bed and gives Arc back his crown. “Cherry? Do you remember how you and I met?”
Cherry thinks for a moment. “No. No I don't! Right now it feels like part of me is missing!”
Arc turns to Cherry again! “How about Buffalo Bull? What do you remember about him?
“He's one of the workers at my ranch, right?””
Ember shakes her head. “Um... not anymore...”
Arc nods. “Let's just say he doesn't work there anymore and leave it at that.”
Cherry nods nervously! “I... I'm sorry about this sire! I really am!”
“It... it's okay Cherry. None of this is your fault.”
Arc turns to Doctor Horse.
“How much longer until she can return home?”
Doctor Horse looks over his clipboard one more time before responding. “She can leave anytime. Although under no circumstances is she to do any strenuous activities until she's cleared to do so by her own doctor!”
Cherry nods! “Understood! I would really like to get home though! I'm sure my sister is worried about me!
She moves to stand, albeit shakily. Dinky moves to help her!
“Please Miss Cherry! Take it easy!”
Arc moves toward her quickly! “Cherry! Please!”
Seeing Arc approach, she stumbles backwards, landing on her plot and drawing back in fear!
“P-please no!”
Arc draws back, sadly. “Cherry...”
Doctor Horse walks over and helps her up. “You should be accompanied home, miss! It's quite a long way to Dodge Junction!”
Cherry shakes her head and backs toward the door. “T-thank you doctor, but I'll manage. If somepony would be so kind as to point me to the Train Station...”
Arc looks at her and shakes his head. “Sorry, but I can't let you do that, Cherry. I'll take you home in my airship.”
Doctor Horse nods. “Yes, that would be the best course of action.”
“While I appreciate the offer sire, I don't want to be a burden!”
“It's no trouble, Cherry! That and I want to make sure you make it home safely. Please reconsider!”
She continues to back toward the door! “Please sire! I'll be fine! Really!”
Arc sighs. “Very well, Cherry. I guess there's no changing your mind on this.”
Derpy looks to him, alarmed! “Arc! You're not really going to just let her walk out of here in that condition, are you?!”
“No I'm not. Cherry...”
Arc stands regally before her
“...as Lord Regent, I hereby order you to accompany me back to Dodge Junction! I'm sorry, but it's for your own sake, as well as my sanity!”
Cherry bows! “Y-yes sire! I'll do as you say.”
“Good. Now are you ready to go, my dear?”
Arc gestures to Sereb's saddle.
“I suppose so.”
Arc mounts Sereb as Ember helps Cherry into the saddle. She sits in front of Arc nervously as Derpy picks up Cherry's saddlebag and carefully puts it in Sereb's larger saddlebag.
“Can't forget your bag, Cherry!”
“Y-yes. Thank you.”
Arc puts his arm gently around Cherry's midsection.
“Alright Sereb, let's go. Keep it slow and steady though, okay?”
“I understand.”
Arc turns to Doctor Horse. “Can I fly you home doctor?”
The doctor shakes his head. “Thank you, but I think I'll take the train. I've had quite enough flying for quite a while.”
“Suit yourself.”
Arc and the others make their way out of the room and back to the Crystal Castle. They board the Lunar Destiny and immediately head for Arc's cabin! Ember closes the door behind them and turns to the injured mare!
“You should probably lie down, Cherry.”
Cherry shakes her head. “N-no, thank you. I think I'd rather sit on the couch. That is, if it's okay with Lord Arc!”
Arc dismounts and helps Cherry over to the couch. “Certainly. There you are, my dear. I hope you're comfortable!”
She nods nervously. “Y-yes sire! You have a... lovely room here!”
Derpy looks around! “I agree Arc! This really is nice!”
Dinky jumps on the bed! “It's so soft!”
Arc takes a blanket out of a nearby cupboard. “Thank you. How about something to keep you warm, Cherry?”
“Y-yes please!”
Arc covers Cherry with the blanket and turns to Ember.
“Tell Tight Ship to take us to Ponyville. He can land behind Light's Hope.”
“Sure thing!”
“And have him contact Flash Sentry to let him know we're coming! I don't want to scare the pants off of him!”
Ember calls out over her shoulder. “I'll take care of it!”
She leaves the cabin as Derpy and Dinky look to each other, confused.
“Pants?”
“Ponyville? I thought we were going to Dodge Junction.”
Arc nods. “We are. I just wanted to take you and Dinky home first. It's on the way.”
Dinky stops jumping. “Dad, there's more to it than that, isn't there? I mean, you could just open a portal.”
“Yeah... to tell you the truth, I wanted to walk you two home personally. As safe as Ponyville is, I'm a bit... worried about you two right now.”
Cherry looks down a her hooves. A single tear courses down her cheek.
Sereb looks to Arc. “You are worried about losing more friends.”
Arc looks over at Cherry, sadly. “...yeah.”
Derpy walks slowly over to Arc with Dinky by her side.
“Arc... thank you.”
He kneels down to look them in the eye. “For what?"
The pair nuzzle him!
“For... being there for Dinky and I all this time!”
“Yeah dad! It really means a lot to both of us!”
Arc puts his arms around both of them! “I love you two very much! Sorry if I'm being a bit overbearing right now!
Dinky suddenly yawns.
“Sorry dad. I didn't sleep very well last night.”
Derpy yawns herself! “I don't think any of us did!”
“Why don't you two take a nap on my bed? I think you both could use the rest.”
Derpy nods. “Thank you Arc, but I think we’ll just lie down for a bit.
Dinky and her mother walk over to Arc's bed and lie down. Arc covers them with the blanket. “Rest now, my little ponies.”
“Thanks... dad.”
Arc turns to Derpy quietly. “You get some rest now too.”
“Thank you, but I'll just lie here for a bit.”
Arc nods. “Do as you wish.”
He walks over to the couch and sits down at the opposite end as far away from Cherry as he can as the ship takes off.
“How are you feeling?
Cherry nervously looks away. “Um... okay I guess, Lord Arc.”
Arc sighs. “Cherry, I already told you it's okay to call me Arc.”
“I... I'm sorry sire, but that just doesn't feel right!”
Arc sighs. “Very well. Call me whatever you want to.”
Cherry breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank you sire! Um... can I ask you something?”
Arc nods. “You may ask me anything Cherry.”
“Earlier today when the doctor asked me what I remembered, I thought I did! But... the more I think about it, the more holes I find! I just wanted to know... how did we meet?”
“That is a rather sad story. You see, there was a stallion named Buffalo Bull who wanted you to marry him.”
Cherry nods! “I remember him. He just started work at my ranch!”
Arc shakes his head. “No Cherry. That was some time ago. He ran off after swearing to one day make you his.”
“Oh my! Whatever happened to him?!”
“Ember and I were passing through Dodge Junction on our way to meet with the Dragon Lord. His ruffians were accosting you and your employees and the saloon. I had to teach them some manners.”
“You didn't hurt them, did you?”
“Not really. Nothing permanent anyways. In any case, you invited us to your house for supper and to spend the night. We agreed. After a particular splendid meal, we retired for the evening only to be awakened by your sister in the wee hours of the morning.”
She nods. “Ruby?”
“Yes. At least you remember her.”
“I do. But why would she wake you up so early?”
“To tell us you had been kidnapped and a wedding invitation had been slipped under the front door.”
Cherry looks shocked! “WHAT?! By whom?!”
“Buffalo Bull. To make a long story short, he badly hurt you, so I dislocated his front legs and broke the other two! His gang dragged him to the hospital behind me as I carried you there. He's in prison right now for a myriad of crimes.”
“That's a shame. I kinda liked him! He was very handsome, and so nice! What changed?!”
Arc shakes his head. “I don't know. Ruby could probably answer that question better. We'll ask her when we get you home.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope. That was the cliff notes of our first meeting.”
“I see. So how did we go from that to you proposing to me?”
Arc smiles! “Actually you proposed to me the last time I was at your ranch.”
Cherry blushes! “Wh-what?!”
“It's true. Ruby was there that time as well.”
“But why?!”
He looks to Cherry, confused. “She lives there now.”
“No, I mean, why did I propose to you?!”
Arc shrugs. “Um... I guess you really liked me.”
“I would hope so! What did you say?!”
“I said no.”
She appears confused. “Okay.”
Arc sighs. “I told you I cared for you very much, but had far too much to do as Equestria's Hero of Light to take a wife! Sorry Cherry.”
“I guess that makes sense. But I'm told you also proposed to ME yesterday!”
“I… I did. After your initial proposal it got me thinking about how much you meant to me.”
Arc turns to Sereb who is “guarding” the door.
“Sereb, would you give me Cherry's saddlebag please?”
Sereb nods. He uses his magic to open his saddlebag and levitate the mare's saddlebag over to Arc.
“Thanks.”
Arc opens the bag and pulls out the engagement pendant. He looks it over in his hands, sadly.
“In my homeland, it's customary for a man to give a woman an engagement ring as a sign of commitment. I learned from a book that a present is the proper way to do things here. When I saw this, I knew I wanted to see it around your neck!”
Cherry looks at the pendant! “But... it must have cost you a fortune! I know it's very rude to ask, but how much was that beautiful pendant?!”
Arc does not look up. “A month's wages.”
“Oh my! But... I can't be worth THAT much to you!”
He turns to look Cherry in the eye. “You're worth it and more to me, Cherry.”
Arc stretches out his hand to Cherry with the pendant. She looks at it for a long moment before putting a hoof on it.
“I... I'm sorry, sire. Please forgive me, but... I... I don't feel the same way about you.”
Cherry pushes the pendant back toward Arc nervously!
“Sire? I beg of you... please take this back! I... I can't marry you!”
She suddenly looks very frightened!
“You... you're not going to FORCE me to marry you... are you?!”
Arc shakes his head sadly. “No, Cherry. If I were to do so, I would be no better than Buffalo Bull!”
Cherry breathes a sigh or relief! “Thank you, sire! You deserve better than a commoner who can't even remember you anyways!”
“I disagree. Please understand I do still want to marry you, Cherry! But only if YOU want to do so!”
Cherry looks away again.
“I... I can't promise anything sire, as you're a stranger to me. But, maybe someday I'll remember our past together. It could be quite some time though!”
Arc smiles at her. “That's okay. I told you yesterday that I wouldn't be able to marry you until all three princesses were safely back on their thrones. That in itself could take quite some time!”
A small smile creeps across her face as she gently pushes the pendant back toward Arc. “Yes sire! But in the meantime, I think you should hold onto this.”
Arc takes the pendant and looks at it for a long moment. He then puts it around Cherry 's neck.
“No Cherry. It looks better on your neck then mine.”
“What?! But...”
Arc holds up a hand for silence. “I… I want you to have it. Even if you never remember me or the time we spent together in the past.”
He sadly looks out the window before them.>
“Besides... I can't really think of anyone else I would rather see wearing it.”
Cherry looks down at the pendant. “Thank you sire. I'm sorry I can't reciprocate your feelings.”
There is a strange sound behind the pair. They look over to the bed to see Derpy and Dinky lying there peacefully! Dinky and her mother are both asleep and making small whiffling snores.
“Miss Derpy must have been more tired then she thought!”
Arc nods “Agreed!”
Meanwhile Ember stands outside the door, listening. She mutters to herself softly as she turns to walk away.
“Sorry Arc. I hope things work out between the two of you... one day.”
Two hours later the Lunar Destiny touches down behind Light's Hope. The late afternoon sunlight glistenes cheerfully across the land! Ember enters the cabin and walks over to the couch. She shakes Arc gently.
“Arc? We've arrived in Ponyville.”
“Huh? Oh… I… I must have dozed off”
He turns to see Cherry sleeping peacefully on the other end of the couch. Arc stands and walks over to the bed. Nudging Derpy and Dinky, the pair slowly open their eyes.
“Time to wake up you two.”
Derpy slowly sits up. “Arc? Where are we?”
Arc smiles at her! “We just landed in Ponyville.”
Dinky rolls over, sleepily. “Just five more minutes.”
Arc picks up the sleeping filly. “I'll just carry her.”
He turns to Ember.
“I'll be back in a little while.”
Ember soberly looks at Arc before looking to the sleeping mare on the couch.
“Take your time. I'll stay with her.”
“Thanks.”
Sereb follows Arc and Derpy out the door. The group makes their way to Derpy's small house. Derpy opens the front door to let Arc in as he carries the still sleeping filly to his bed and lays her down. He covers Dinky with a blanket.
“Rest well, sweetheart. Daddy loves you.”
Arc quietly leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Thank you for walking us home Arc. It was good to see you again!”
“I've missed you both as well! Listen Derpy. When this is over and the princesses are awake again, the three of us should go someplace together.”
Derpy looks confused. “Really?! Like where?”
Arc shrugs. “I don't know. Someplace fun though!”
Derpy nods! “I'd like that, and I'm sure Dinky would as well. But what brought this on all of a sudden?”
“This whole thing with Cherry made me realize you never really know just how long you have with those you love. In the blink of an eye, those you care about can so easily be taken from you.”
“I guess that makes sense! Dinky will be all grown up in no time, and I'll be old and gray!”
Arc chuckles! “We both will! We'll I should probably stop by the school on my way back and apologize to Cheerilee for what Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom did the other day.”
Derpy follows Arc to the door and gives him a parting hug.
“Don't be a stranger now Arc! Remember, you're always welcome here!”
“Thanks Derpy. I hope to be home again soon.”
Arc leaves the small house. Sereb is waiting outside.
“Off again?”
Arc nods as he mounts Sereb. “Yes. Let's stop by the school though.”
“As you wish.”
In no time at all the pair arrive at the orphanage. Arc dismounts and heads for the doors.
“I will wait outside.”
Arc turns back to his friend. “You know Sereb, you CAN come inside if you want to.”
“Thank you, but I am afraid my appearance would frighten the foals who live here.”
Arc laughs! “Aw, come on Sereb! Just go into Cub Form and follow me!”
“Very well.”
Sereb quickly turns into his smaller self and falls in behind Arc as they enter the orphanage. Pipsqueak and Aquamarine are playing in the Main Hall!
“Mr. Arc!”
Aquamarine shakes her head! “No Pipsqueak! It's Lord Arc! And you're supposed to bow! Like this!”
She bows before Arc.
“See?!”
Arc laughs! “You don't have to bow to me. But I am glad to see that you two remembered you manners.”
Pipsqueak nods happily! “What brings you here today Mr. Arc?!”
Aquamarine giggles! “Another adventure?! Hey, you brought Sereb with you this time!”
Sereb nods. “Hello again.”
“Nah, I just got back from one of those.”
Pipsqueak jumps up and down excitedly! “Really?! Can you tell us all about it?! Did you and Sereb have to teach some bad ponies a lesson again?!”
Aquamarine heads for the stairs! “I'll get the others! You can tell us all about it!”
Arc nods! “We did, but we're really busy right now. There's still a lot to do before the sun goes down. I just came here to see Miss Cheerilee. Can you tell me where she is?”
Aquamarine looks uncomfortable. “Um... well, you see...”
Pipsqueak points nervously upstairs. “She's in the Matron's Office.”
“Anything wrong?”
Aquamarine nods. “Kinda. You see a couple of the students here got in REALLY big trouble the other day!”
Pipsqueak sighs. “Miss Cheerilee and Miss Pommel scheduled a meeting with their parents!”
“They've only been up there a few minutes, but I get the feeling it's going to take a while!”
Arc sighs and heads for the stairs. “I hate to interrupt but I don't have time to wait. You two be good for Coco Pommel, okay?”
“We will!”
Arc and Sereb make their way up the stairs to the Matron's Office. They can hear angry yet familiar voices coming from the other side of the door.
“Wait. Is that...”
Arc nods. “Yup.”
He knocks on the door lightly. A few moments later Coco Pommel answers.
“I'm sorry but...”
Her eyes grow wide as she sees who is standing there!
“P-please forgive me! Come in, come in!”
Coco Pommel quickly steps aside to allow Arc and Sereb to enter the office! Applejack, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Cheerilee appear to be having a conference of some kind! They all bow as he enters!
“No need to bow. I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting here.”
Rarity turns angrily to Sweetie Belle. “I guess we'll see who's telling the truth NOW!”
“But Rarity...”
Rarity holds up a hoof for silence! “Shush now! I don't want Lord Arc to have to listen your lies!”
Applejack nods angrily to her little sister! “Come on now Apple Bloom! Just tell us the truth and we can all go home!”
“But big sis, that's really what happened! Ask Arc! He'll tell you!”
Applejack walks over to Arc. “Sorry about this sugarcube. But these fillies are in a whole heap of trouble!”
“Oh? What did they do?”
Rarity glares at her sister! “Apparently they left school yesterday at lunch and didn't come back!”
Cheerilee nods! “Miss Pommel and I originally thought they had just gone home for lunch!”
Applejack frowns! “We were worried sick! But that wasn't the worst thing they did!”
Rarity nods! “Indeed! They got some stallion to pretend to be Doctor Horse! He called the school to tell them they were in the Crystal Empire of all places! And with you!”
Cheerilee sighs. “At that point I realized I had no choice but to notify these filly's guardians of their misdeeds.”
Coco Pommel turns back to Arc. “I'm sorry to bother you with this , but could you please tell these fillies where you were yesterday about this time?”
Arc nods. “Sure. I was in the Crystal Empire with them.”
Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Come again?!”
“They teleported to the Crystal Empire to save me from a case of Crystal Poisoning.”
Rarity looks him up and down. “I'm sorry Arc, but you don't appear ill. These two claim you were at Death's Door!”
“I was.”
Sereb nods. “Arc speaks the truth. Equestria came very close to losing him.”
“However, as you can see, thanks to the Cutie Mark Crusaders I was able to make a full recovery!”
Applejack looks to him wide-eyed! “You mean to say that these two were telling the truth?!”
Arc nods. “Yes. I sent them back to Light's Hope when I was strong enough to open a portal. They should have been escorted back home by a couple of my guards.”
Sweetie Belle nods! “We were!”
“Then why didn't they explain what was going on?”
“Rarity was too busy hugging me and crying hysterically to hear a word they said!”
Apple Bloom sighs. “Applejack wasn't paying any more attention to them when they took me home! She was too busy yelling!”
“I'm sorry sugarcube! It's just... your story was really out there!”
“I'm sorry too Sweetie Belle. I was just so happy that you were okay!”
Sweetie Belle appears hurt! “Then why didn't you listen to me?!”
“Like Applejack said... your story was a bit too hard to swallow.”
Cheerilee looks mortified! “I'm sorry about this girls, but it wasn't like we could have just called to ask him. The Lord Regent is a very busy stallion!”
Coco Pommel looks to him apologetically. “Sorry for all this Arc. Was there something I can help you with?”
“Huh?”
She smiles at him. “Not that I mind seeing you, but I'm sure you had a reason for coming here.”
“Oh, right! I came here to apologize to Cheerilee for being responsible for the disappearance of two of her students. But as long as everyone is here, I have something else to say.”
Arc walks over to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.
“Thank you for saving me yesterday! I recovered just in time to meet with Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan! He was about to go to war with Equestria!”
“Wait! You mean...”
Arc nods to Apple Bloom. “Yes. Your actions yesterday indirectly averted a war in which many on both sides would have died!”
Rarity looks amazed! “So they... saved Equestria?!”
Arc nods. “Pretty much! You two are heroes now!”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle prance around the room happily! “Cutie Mark Crusaders Heroes, YAY!”
The pair look at their flanks for a moment! However, nothing happens. Sereb appears confused.
“What are you two doing?”
Sweetie Belle sighs. “We were hoping that would get us a cutie mark!”
Apple Bloom looks sad. “I guess it's not our destiny to be heroes then.”
Arc kneels down to Apple Blooms level. “Don't worry you two. You'll always be heroes in my book. Now just because it isn't your destiny to be heroes doesn't mean you can't do the right thing!”
Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom rush forward to give Arc a hug!
“We'll keep trying!”
“We sure will!”
Arc nods as he returns the hugs! “I know you can do it! Now I'm sorry to cut this short, but I need to get back to Light's Hope. My airship is waiting from me.”
Rarity looks to him, confused. “Airship?! I thought Twilight had the Blitztorte!”
“She did! It... uh... had a bit of an accident and needs some repairs. I'm riding the new airship.”
Sweetie Belle looks up at him! “Is it cool?!”
“It sure is! I've named it the Lunar Destiny!
Rarity nods approvingly! “That was very nice of you Arc! I've always felt that Princess Luna was living in her sister's shadow.”
Applejack walks over. “By the way Arc, is Twilight coming back to Ponyville soon! We all miss her!”
“I'm not sure. When I left the other day she was trying to reverse engineer a cure for what ails the princesses. I'm sure she'll tell you all about it when she gets home.”
Arc turns back to Coco Pommel and Cheerilee.
“Keep up the good work you two.”
Coco Pommel smiles at him. “Thank you, Arc! You too!”
Cheerilee bows respectfully. “Thank you, sire!”
Arc and Sereb leave the office and head back downstairs. Pipsqueak and Aquamarine are waiting for them with the rest of the orphans!
“How did it go Mr. Arc?!”
Arc smiles! “Just fine. Your two friends upstairs aren't in trouble anymore.”
“What happened?!”
“The whole thing was just one big misunderstanding! Dinky will tell you all about it tomorrow!”
Pipsqueak looks around. “Where is she?”
“I took her home. She was all tired out from yesterday's adventure.”
Aquamarine’s eyes light up! “We can't wait to hear about how you and Dinky saved the day, sir!”
“You won't have long to wait! Both her and Derpy will be back in the morning.”
Pipsqueak smiles! “Good! Miss Pommel had to work really hard with Miss Derpy gone!”
Aquamarine nods! “Yeah! She's almost as nice as Miss Pommel is! We all really like her!”
“How is Coco Pommel doing these days?”
“She's doing a lot better!”
“Yeah! She smiles a lot more now that Matron Tempest is gone!”
Arc nods and heads for the door. “Good. Take care of each other, okay?”
“WE WILL!”
Arc and Sereb leave the orphanage.
“On to Dodge Junction?”
“Yup!. I want to get Cherry home before it gets too late.”
Sereb kneels down to allow Arc to mount him. “Could you not just hold the sun up longer?”
Arc thinks for a moment. “I never tried, but I probably could. However, that would be an inconvenience to everyone in Equestria. That and everyone might freak out!”
Sereb appears confused. “Freak... out?”
“Panic.”
“Oh.”
In a flash the pair arrive back at the Lunar Destiny. They make their way back to Arc's cabin. They arrive to find Cherry has woken up and is chatting with Ember.
“...and that's how it went down!”
Cherry claps her hooves together happily! “I'm glad to know Equestria is in the care of such a hard working and diligent Lord Regent!”
Ember nods! “Yeah, but sometimes he works TOO hard!”
“What do you mean?”
“I've had to drag him to bed more than once now! What he did... he did for everyone. But... I do worry that someday we'll lose him!”
Cherry puts a hoof to her forehead. “I... don't really know what I should be feeling right now. Happy? Sad? Proud? Anxious?”
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yes. I guess right now I feel... empty. Something inside tells me I've lost something... precious to me.”
Cherry puts both front hooves on the side of her head and shakes it hard!
“WHY?! Why can't I remember?!”
Arc and Sereb enter the cabin. He takes one look at Cherry and rushes over to her!
“CHERRY! What's wrong?!”
She looks up to him, sadly! “I... can't remember! I want to so badly! But... I CAN'T!!!”
Ember looks to Arc apologetically. “I'm sorry Arc. She woke up and wanted me to tell her about our adventures together! I was hoping it would jog her memory.”
“Can I assume it didn't work?”
Ember shakes her head. “Pretty much.”
Arc sighs. “Tell Tight Ship to get us underway. I want to get Cherry back to Dodge Junction as soon as possible! Have him land in the field next to the cherry orchards.”
“I'm on it!”
He sits down next to Cherry who has collapsed in tears! “
“It's okay Cherry. We'll get you home now.”
Cherry cries out frantically! “No Lord Arc! It's not okay! I... I want to remember! I want to remember my feelings for you! I really do! But... I... I CAN'T!!!”
Arc pulls Cherry close as she continues to cry in a futile attempt to cope with the loss of her future! He strokes her mane, tenderly.
“I'm here Cherry. Let it all out.”
Eventually Cherry cries herself back to sleep in Arc's arms. He looks out the window at the sunset and sees Cherry Hill Ranch in the distance.
“You're almost home Cherry. I only pray that this isn't the end for you and I...”
A short time later Ember returns to the cabin.
“We'll be landing in about five minutes, Arc.”
She sits down next to him and looks at Cherry.
“How is she?”
Arc looks down as he continues to stroke Cherry’s mane. “She wore herself out crying.”
“I'm really sorry Arc. That was my fault! Telling her all those stories of ours! I just... I just really wanted her to remember you! You of all humans, deserve a ‘happily ever after’!”
Arc does not looks up from Cherry’s sleeping form. “Maybe someday I'll have it. But… I'd be happy if just Cherry found happiness! But that day is not today.”
The Lunar Destiny touches down a short distance from the house. Arc can see Ruby standing on the porch looking confused. He stands up with Cherry in his arms, making sure she stays covered by the blanket.
“I guess there's not use putting this off.”
As Arc moves toward the door to his cabin he turns to Ember and Sereb.
“I'm going to take Cherry home now.”
Ember nods soberly. “Want us to stay here?”
“Please.”
As Arc steps out of the ship onto the deck, a cool evening breeze blows over Cherry's face. She slowly opens her eyes and looks up at him.
“Ugh... where... are we?”
“Cherry Hill Ranch.”
Ruby looks toward the ship and sees Arc carrying her sister. She immediately runs out to meet the pair!
“CHERRY!!!”
Cherry smiles at her sister weakly.
“Hello Ruby. I'm... home.”
“Ch-Cherry! Are you alright?!”
“I'm... a bit tired. But otherwise okay I guess.”
Ruby leads them into the house! “Oh thank Celestia! I was so worried about you!”
Arc lays Cherry on the couch as Ruby sits down next to her sister and turns to him!
“Thank you so much for bringing her home safely Arc! I don't know what I would do if something would have happened to her!”
Arc nods. “The doctor says she'll be okay with some rest. No strenuous activities until the town doctor says so though.”
Ruby nods! “What exactly happened?!”
Arc quickly recalls the story, beginning with his own battle for survival in the Crystal Empire's hospital and how he was healed by the power of the Crystal Heart along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. How General Wind Rider used Derpy and Cherry as a distraction to get away, along with how she had forgotten him!
Arc sighs. “I'm sorry Ruby. I never should have let the two of them go out there.”
Ruby stands up slowly, her head down. “So... you let my sister go out to help evacuate the city?”
“Yes.”
Ruby slowly raises her head to look Arc in the eye. He quickly notices the look of unbridled rage on her face.
“My sister... she's... she's like this... BECAUSE OF YOU?!”
Arc hangs his head. “She is. I'm sorry Ruby, but...”
He looks up just in time to see Ruby charge at him. She does a half turn and bucks Arc as hard as she can out the screen door. He staggers backwards off the porch and falls down the steps to land in the dirt on his back as Ruby charges out the front door angrily.
“STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER! I WISH SHE’D NEVER MET YOU!!!"
Arc quickly stands up. “Wait! She... she said yes! We were going to...!”
Cherry slowly walks out of the house to stand next to her sister.
“I... I'm sorry sire, but... could you please just leave? My sister has been upset ever since you got here.”
Ruby angrily points a hoof at Arc. “Yeah! It's YOUR fault she lost her memory! GO AWAY!”
She turns back to her sister.
“Cherry, please come inside now. I'll fix you a nice supper and put you to bed.”
“Thank you Ruby.”
Cherry turns to look at Arc
“Please... just go.”
Ruby helps her sister into the house as she closes and locks the door behind her. Arc can only stand there and stare at the closed door. After a half hour or so he sits down the the porch swing to watch the sunset. He rests his chin in his hands, sadly.
“Cherry... I'm sorry.”
He can smell the aroma of cooking cherries coming from within the house. Although he hasn't eaten in hours, Arc cares little for food. An hour later the sun reaches it's lowest point in the sky. Arc can only stare at it wordlessly as the front door slowly opens and Ruby emerges from within. She slowly walks over to the porch swing and sits down on the opposite end. She does not look over as speaks with a voice as cold as ice.
“She's sleeping peacefully in her room.”
Arc nods. “Good.”
“I... I'm sorry for what I said earlier.”
He does not take his eyes off the sunset. “No. You were right. It is all my fault. One decision, one mistake... may have cost Cherry everything!”
Ruby looks at the sunset before them. “My head disagrees with you, but my heart hates your guts right now.”
Arc sighs. “I hate me right now. She's better off without me around...”
“Listen Arc. Cherry's going to have to make a fresh start of things. It's going to be hard for her. And she can't really do that with you around.”
“I... understand.”
The pair are silent for a time.
“It's a beautiful sunset.”
Arc sighs. “It is. I... I feel like... that it’s symbolic of Cherry and I... our relationship, I mean. I said I would stay with her and keep my promise to marry her, but...
Ruby sneers at him. “She doesn't want you around anymore, Arc! Neither of us do!”
“I... understand. Would you do me one favor though.”
“What?”
Arc takes a few moments to reply. When he finally does so, he is on the verge of tears.
“Just... just tell her that no matter what... even if she NEVER remembers me... I... I'll always love her.”
Ruby sighs. “I will.”
Meanwhile… Sereb steps out onto the Lunar Destiny's deck with Ember. They look over to Arc sadly a few moments before Ember sets Cherry's saddlebag on the deck. Sereb wordlessly uses his magic to slowly levitate it over to Arc. The bag lands gently between him and Ruby. She looks down at the bag, sadly.
“She... she was so happy when she left with this bag. Do you know why?”
“No.”
“Because she was going to see YOU, Arc! Cherry was so head over fetlocks in love with you she couldn't hardly see straight! Every conversation quickly turned to YOU! Every meal started and ended with her worrying that you weren't eating right! Every THOUGHT she had... was of YOU!”
Ruby looks down at her fetlocks, angrily.
“I... I was... jealous. Jealous and worried that you would take my sister away from me."
Arc nods. “I don't blame you.”
Ruby opens the saddlebag. “She put something special in here. A gift for you.”
Arc looks over at Ruby, surprised.
“For... for me?! But... she never said a word about...”
She looks up at him, angrily. “Did she have a chance?!”
“No, I guess not.”
Ruby rummages around in the saddlebag for a short time before removing a pocket watch. She gives it to Arc.
“This... this is the engagement gift our mother gave to our father many years ago. It was her last wish that Cherry give it to the stallion she wanted to marry.”
“What? But she...”
Ruby hops off the porch swing and heads for the front door.
“Cherry... the old Cherry that is, would have wanted you to have it. She was so excited when she left with it the other day. Now it would just be a reminder of a future that will never come to pass. Take it Arc. Take it... and go.”
“Thank you Ruby. I'll treasure it forever.”
Ruby wordlessly nods and goes back inside the house. The sound of the door closing behind her echoes in Arc's head like an explosion. The silence that follows is enough to deafen him! He stands up slowly and walking over to the steps. Before walking down them for the final time, he turns around to look at the closed front door.
“Cherry. Your heart along with our future together... just closed like that door. I pray you find some semblance of happiness…”
Arc walks slowly back to the Lunar Destiny where Ember and Sereb are waiting for him. Ember looks down, sadly.
“Arc. Are you ready to leave.”
He walks slowly past them toward the main hatch.
“More than you know.”
Sereb nods. “Where shall we go? Back to Canterlot?”
Arc looks at the pocket watch in his hand. He opens it to see a small picture of Cherry smiling back at him from within. Not looking back as he walks inside the ship, sadly…
“…anywhere… anywhere but here.”