Family Begins With You

by Jmaster49


Arc XXVII Episode XII: Self-Acceptance

At the hospital…

Wallflower had started to stir and awaken. “Urgh…my head…Micro? What’s going on?”

“You? Wall…Wallflower, right?” Micro mumbled as he tried to jog his own memory. “Wait no…now I remember. I…I was strapped to a chair and I…augh, my head.”

Wallflower sat up on her bed and looked over at him. “No no…don’t stress yourself out. I’m starting to recall what happened, and…it’s opened my eyes quite a bit to say the least.”

Micro sat up as well, and asked, “...Hm? What do you mean?”

"...I used to not care whether I lived or died,” Wallflower explained in a soft tone as she clutched her chest with a regrettable sense of dread in her eyes as she looked away from him. “There was a time where I figured that, if I suddenly myself dropped off the face of the earth, nobody would care the next day. It’s why I did the whole thing with the memory stone last year…”

“The…ah…I think I remember,” Micro replied, and thought hard about what she had said moments ago. “But wait…were you genuinely unconcerned for your own life?”

“I was…in fact, part of me still was. Up until recently that is,” she continued with a shudder. “...coming to a near-death experience like that has shown me how…short-sighted I was thinking. I never realized just how important I was to you and the others. Wanting to…kill myself was not the answer, and I’m sorry for ever thinking that.”

“Hey…you were in a dark place,” Micro consoled her, “There’s no need to apologize. If anything, I’m sorry that I didn’t notice how you were feeling much sooner. Had I did, I would’ve been able to diagnose and help you get you the proper treatment you needed without the need for a traumatic experience.”

Despite this, Wallflower seemed to be content with where she was now, as indicated by the faintest of smiles on her face.

“Maybe…but this traumatic experience has really opened my eyes up, Mike. I appreciate you in particular for listening to me ramble on about my dreams…no matter how futile they might be,” she muttered while idly twirling her finger around her hair--her cheeks red from embarrassment.

“They’re not,” Micro insisted, “You’ve got plenty of great ideas that I’d like to see through to fruition alongside you.” But he had to pause for a moment as he held his bandaged head in his hand. “Argh…if only I could remember any of them.”

“...Don’t trouble yourself,” Wallflower tried to comfort him in return as she got up from her hospital bed. She wasn’t hooked up to any machines which allowed her to take a few steps. “...I’m just glad you’re still here with me.”

And before Micro could say anything in return, Wallflower had pressed her lips against his with her arms wrapped passionately around the back of his head to hold him close. The unexpectedly bold gesture caused Micro to blush and stare at her in shock…until he shut his eyes and accepted her.

After about a minute or two, Wallflower pulled back and let a heavy breath slip through her lips as she swooned. “Mmm…god you’re so cute,” Wallflower squealed to herself then cleared her throat. “Er…I mean…sorry, I just wanted to try that. I uh…have never actually kissed anyone before.”

“...Unexpected but not unwelcome,” Micro adjusted his glasses. “...I need to do more research into affectionate gestures. I’m not exactly experienced myself, so don’t worry.”

“Eeek…!” Wallflower cupped her hands against the sides of her face as she grinned from ear to ear, blushing upon hearing him say those words. “I love it when you start looking into things with that big hefty brain of yours…”

“Well it’s not that big, but…”

BZZZ!

Their idle chatter was interrupted by Wallflower’s phone ringing.

“...hello?”

“Turn on the TV in your hospital room right now!” Aidon shouted from the other end, “The court case with Applejack is happening as we speak!”

Micro immediately grabbed the nearby remote and pressed the button to turn the TV on. Sure enough, the news coverage was displaying everything for them to see.

“Oh no…”


At the courthouse…

“Applejack…” Applebloom called her name with a worried tone as she got up from her seat.

“Yer better than this,” Big Mac called out, “Let her go. She’s tryin’a get inside yer head.”

“Hey, hey, hey…” Keiji also jumped in, holding out his hands as he approached them. “Come on…there’s no need for this.”

It all happened so fast that Aria wasn’t able to react in time. “Ke--shit…” she grumbled as she opened her hand and prepared a small air blade…

“Applejack! You will be held in contempt of court if you don’t release her,” Judge Vera called out, “Don’t make a foolish mistake. Please.”

“You better listen to her. Unless you wanna end up like your pathetic old man!” Pomme continued to egg her on.

Keiji slipped his way in between them both, pointing at Pomme first, then looking at Applejack. “You shut your bitch-ass up. And Applejack, don’t let her do this to you. You’re only going to make yourself feel worse. Think about what your parents would’ve wanted you to do.”

Applejack shut her eyes for a moment. With Keiji in between her arms and blocking her from reaching Pomme, she let go.

“Everyone have a seat,” Pale commanded from nearby. “Don’t make me have to resort to force. Remain silent unless spoken to.”

From where she was sitting, Silver Spoon squinted her eyes and could see something protruding from Pomme’s jumpsuit sleeve. “...Wait…is that…Keiji!” She was unable to speak in her state of panic as a solid white magical aura surrounded her body…

But even then, Pomme would make a snide remark under her breath that only Applejack could hear. “...looks like yer pa raised a candy-ass after al--”

FWIP!

BANG!

CRASH!

Before anyone could react, Pomme could be seen on the floor with a bootprint across her chest.

With all of the officers and judge staring at her in disbelief, Applejack lowered her leg, tilted her hat up, and folded her arms.

“I was spoken to.”