//------------------------------// // The element of courage // Story: My Pony Academia // by Omegafr //------------------------------// John's point of view: It was a tough morning, especially when we found out our friends Light and Rainbow Dash were in the hospital. Me and my friends rushed to them with anxiety, waiting for answers to our questions. Once we arrived, we saw Light lying on one of those hospital beds, one arm in a thick plaster cast, which was hanging in the air. Rainbow was on the next bed but did not seem to be hurt. "Ah, hello friends." he said as he saw us go into their room, his usual smile on his face. "You've been a long time coming." Rainbow Dash complained, the same smile on her lips. They seemed to take it all in stride, me and the others caring much more about their health than they did. We quickly surrounded our two friends and they told us the whole story. I was really scared to hear what he had just gone through, so I and the others stayed with them the rest of the morning to give them our support. But they also had two pieces of good news about this story: the murderer was now behind bars for a long time, and this event had brought our two friends closer than ever, and they announced that they would be a couple starting today. The second piece of news had had a small effect on the group, each one having their own reaction. From a simple "congratulations to you" to "when will the wedding be", everyone seemed to have forgotten their misadventure and focused on the positive, and that was surely the best thing to do. By noon, the visits were over for us, and we promised to come and see them all the following days. Rainbow had nothing of her own so could already join us while Light would stay the rest of the vacation in that white bed. As she left, she didn't forget to thank him for the umpteenth time and kiss him tenderly, their lips making contact for the first time. I was far too shy to watch the scene, while Drew, Rarity or Harri didn't miss a thing. "HARRI YOU'RE NOT FILMING !!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she suddenly turned around... The surprise led to panic in Harri, who was actually filming the scene, as her perverted mind took over. He deleted the recording in front of our watchful eyes and nervously mumbled excuses. ----------------------------------------------------------- Upon returning to school, everyone went back to their respective occupations, just hoping that Light would come back soon. So, anyway, Light was in a relationship, with the one who loved him, and it was wonderful. I was very happy for him, especially knowing his background in the girls' world. Every time it was the same, the girls couldn't understand why he stayed single when they were all at his feet... literally. Some of them even thought he was gay, the rumor was spread too quickly in the school, which attracted some inappropriate remarks, fortunately without too much effect on the casual pegasus. Like that, the morons are more numerous than ever, well, that's all in the past. I wonder how she will be the reaction of the 54 girls who have confessed their feelings to her over the past three years. Looking back, I think he's lucky, I'd like to have a girlfriend too, but if you're not Light, it's unfortunately not that simple. My little person is nothing compared to the living god that he is... and if I've learned one thing by myself, it's that you have to ask for advice from the strongest person to hope to get your head out of the water. I've made up my mind, I'm going to take my life into my own hands now, or at least try to. The first step is to ask Light, I'll call him then. Apart from us, he has no other visitors and he must get bored alone in his room, that's what I tell myself to hope not to disturb him. He finally answers my call, which lasts several minutes. ----------------------------------------------------------- "Now you know what you have to do so go, you'll fly on your own wings you'll see." he said to me in a voice full of promise of determination. "Thanks again Light, see you later." I said, waiting for him to hang up the phone after a good ten minutes of conversation. All that's left to do is to apply some advice and it should go well. I head to the gym, knowing that Drew, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are sure to find it. My hunch turned out to be true, Rainbow Dash was working out on a treadmill while Drew and Applejack were doing squats at over 140 kg in pairs. They are really close together, even when we practice in threes, I can see them having fun without me getting into their deliriums, while I would love not to feel excluded, damned shyness... I walk towards them as Applejack finishes his fifth session of what I hear. As Drew prepares to lift in his turn, I call out to his partner as I get closer, gently and shyly... but surely. "You've finally come John, we've got the machine next door ready for you." she says to me as her voice, which doesn't let on her exhaustion or the slightest sign of tiredness. "Uh, yes, that's nice, thank you... Applejack, I have... something to... to ask you..." Surely, with that much hesitation, nobody noticed your stage fright Johnny... "Of course what is it ?" She then asked me in a questioning tone, causing Drew to turn his attention to me as well. NO!!!... Drew turned to me as well, if only I could wave to him and ask him to look the other way... Well, what did Light advise me... Remember Johnny uh... OH, YEAH, LOOK HER IN THE EYE. I turn my pupils towards her emerald colored eyes, they are so captivating that I could drown in them without hesitation. I take a moment to think about how to turn my sentence, but time is running out.... SHIT HOW DO I DO IF I CAN'T THINK ABOUT MY ACTIONS!!! "Applejack... I..." I said, trying to hide the blank I left while touching my pocket. FUCK !!! THE TICKETS, THEY ARE NOT THERE, I SERIOUSLY FORGOT THE TICKETS, IN WHAT SHOULD YOU MIT JOHNNY !!! I was screaming inside my head, calling myself names after my... problematic forgetfulness. "Yes John ?" she said. SHE'S GETTING IMPATIENT, SHE'S FUCKING FINDING SOMETHING TO SAY, I... WE'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE, IT'S FUCKED UP, GET OUT OF HERE, JOHNNY !!! "Uh no, I... LET IT FALL DOWN, NOW." But I shouted into the room before I ran out of there and left as fast as I could. "JOHN...WAIT !" SHE CALLED ME, I didn't listen to the rest of her message, preferring to run away from this bitter failure. I walk to my room and violently close the door before moping on my blanket. Look her in the eye? WORST IDEA EVER !! Her eyes... They are, so bewitching, she is a charmer and I am the snake that responds to the sweet sound of her way and her body so melodious. Every movement she makes in front of me sounds like a musical note, and every sound emanating from her mouth is a hymn to the beauty she is. How can I imagine asking this of such a girl, I'll have to see my ambitions lowered, if a girl is on my level nevertheless. End of John's point: "John, what's wrong ?" The land pony was surprised that the mare with the golden mane had followed him to his room, her appearance startled him on the spot. "NOTHING !" he said quickly, turning to the wall, not wanting to lose his way again as he had just done. "John, I can see that you want to ask me something but you're too shy for that." she said sitting on his bed next to him. "Don't forget that I'm your friend, you can tell me anything John and you don't have to be afraid of my reaction or anything." she said in a calm tone that managed to gently calm the young man. John then remembered a piece of advice Light had given him, the most important one in his opinion, to just be yourself. The pony had to manage to talk to him frankly despite his sometimes alarming shyness, that he should talk to him with his faults but also with his qualities. John then took an inspiration followed by an exhalation worthy of the greatest warm-ups of top athletes, and began to speak while looking at the ground. "Do you remember the story of the beginning of the year, the triumph of friendship ?" "Yeah, why ?" she asked him. "The characters in the story, do you have any idea who they really are ?" He asked, joining his hands together and continuing to look at the ground. "Um... I confess I haven't thought about it..." she replied, bringing her hand to the back of her neck and scratching lightly. "Yet I think it's obvious, the first one who lacked motivation is Light, the second one who was too aggressive is Drew, and the last one who hasn't evolved is me..." he said with a hint of resentment in his voice. "Why would you say that ? Don't sell yourself short." Applejack nodded immediately. "Light and Drew have achieved their goal, they've evolved, not me, I'm still shy and aloof with people." he said, looking at the palms of his hands, his voice getting shaky. "You mustn't look at it that way. There are weaknesses in all of them, John, and in you I could not name any, for to me your shyness is your only weakness if you look at it as such." she said, placing her hand on his back. Applejack managed to cheer John up... for a few seconds, before he started shaking, letting a tear fall on his cheek. "That's nice Applejack, but Light and Drew are perfect for me, and I don't understand how they can count me among their close friends." he said with a smile to hide his sadness, which is betrayed by that one tear. Applejack can't bear to see John in this state, so she removes the tear with her finger before she hugs him. The hug is a total surprise for John, who begins to feel his cheeks blush. He doesn't move, just making the hug with his own arms, which lasts for a while. "But you know John, Light and Drew may be ideals for you, but I think you're fine like that." she says with a smile that would warm John even in the middle of the ice pack. John starts to feel his cheeks burning under Applejack's compliments, he turns his head towards the wall to avoid being spotted. Applejack finally comes out of his arms, allowing him to hide his face better. "And look at your story, without you, Drew wouldn't have gone soft and Light might not have taken him as a role model to gain motivation. It's... like a gear and you're part of it John." she says, placing her hands on his shoulders, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. "If Drew and Light are what they are, it's because of you." she continued, her voice bewitching the young pony as always. John was in the middle of a desert, his cheeks turning as red and burning like baked tomatoes. He turned his head again, Applejack having noticed the pony's deep blush, he made her smile. John only managed to whisper a simple one. "Thank you, Applejack." "If you need anything at all, just call me." she said, still with an almost divine smile. She gets up and gets ready to go back to practice. That's when John realizes something, that this is the perfect moment. "APPLEJACK !!!" he says as he stands up and bends almost 90 degrees. Applejack turns around when she hears her scream, which she takes at first as a cry of distress, and is surprised to see John looking down at the ground, his arms outstretched in front of him, with something in his hands. "I'VE GOT TWO TICKETS TO SEE A MOVIE AT THE THEATER THIS WEEKEND, CAN WE GO TOGETHER !!!" He shouted, all the ponies in the dormitories may have heard his request. John completely lost his way, he kept silent, waiting for an answer before the drop of sweat on his nose touched the floor. Luckily, the answer was not long in coming, and his melodious voice could be heard... "Of course, I'd be happy to go with you. Keep your seats, I'll see you at practice, I'll see you later." she says with a look and a charming voice that could seduce even lesbians in couples. She left the room, then the floor, in fact, she had time to return to the field that John was still in his position, refusing to move. He was wondering what had just happened, wondering how he had managed not to die, given the heart problems he was experiencing at that moment. He stayed so much in his position that he could feel the cinema seats, always at the end of his hands, slowly leaving. He acts quickly and comes straight back, bringing the tickets towards him, realizing that it was Rarity who was trying to steal his precious. "Those are tickets for the movie Alien that you've got here, you can invite me, no problem." she says as she readjusts her hairstyle. "Ah... sorry, Rarity, I'm going with Applejack." he said, almost averting his gaze. "Well, well, well, what have we here." she said as she approached with an unhealthy look on her lips. "Then it's a date." "A date between friends, nothing more." he said, turning around and hiding the seats in a box he locked. "Yes, I believe you." she said with that same smile that did not please him. "Good date." she said as she left the room. John realizes that what she's saying... is totally true. He has a date, with a girl, he thought her shyness would prevent him from bringing it up. But he did, and he overcame it, and he didn't believe it himself. He doesn't let on, but his head is at the moment an even bigger party than what Teddy and Pinkie pie could throw for the end of the year. A horde of costumed ponies is organizing a symphony orchestra in his mind. The melody playing in his head gradually bewitched him, even if it was nothing compared to the voice of the earthly mare he had just invited. Keeping always a neutral expression, he had the best possible idea according to him: to ask Light for advice again. It was thanks to him that he had found the courage to speak to him, then it would be thanks to him that he would gain the courage to confess to him. Without waiting, he just picked up his phone and rushed off to the hospital, waiting for his friend's precious advice.