((I figured people would want the next chapter so I started it right away. Also a bit of a warning for this chapter, at one point it gets slightly steamy.))
Chapter 14
Big Mac was, as usual, the first to wake up in the Apple house. He did his usual morning job of waking up his sisters. He went to wake up AJ with a happy shout, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw nopony there. He took a quick look around the room to see if he left a note or any clues to where he went, but found nothing. “Hey Applejack, did AJ tell ya he was goin’ somewhere t’day?”
Applejack yawned as she exited her bedroom. “Nope, can’t say Ah remember him sayin’ anything? Why?”
“Cause he ain’t here.”
Confused, Applejack stuck her head in the room. “Now where did he go?” A thought came to her mind that she didn’t like, but she quickly brushed it aside.
“Now what’s goin’ on in here?” Applejack and Big Mac looked down to see that Apple Bloom had squeezed in between the two of them and was also looking into the room. “What’re we lookin’ at?” Apple Bloom stepped into the room to get a better room to get a better look. Big Mac and Applejack watched as their little sister looked around the room. She turned to them with a confused look on her face. “Where’s AJ?”
“We don’t know,” Applejack said as she shook her head. “Big McIntosh said he wasn’t in his room when he went ta wake’im.”
Apple Bloom sat on her haunches and started to think. Suddenly a fearful look flashed across her face. “Y’all don’t think he left, do ya?”
Applejack walked into the room and started to comfort her sister. “Don’t fret Apple Bloom. Ah’m sure he just went out somewhere. Ah doubt he would just up an’ leave without sayin’ goodbye to everypony.”
“B-but what if he did? What if…what if we never see him again?” Apple Bloom was starting to tear up now.
“How ‘bout this, after breakfast me an’ you go lookin fer’im?” Applejack asked. Apple Bloom nodded with a smile, wiping away some tears. “OK, now go get washed up. Big McIntosh, let’s get breakfast started.”
“Eeyup.”
********************
Celestia and Luna were there to meet AJ when he arrived at the castle. After a quick breakfast, the three of them walked to the throne room. There AJ told the two of them his decision.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do. Maybe you’d like to think this over some more,” Celestia asked. This was a big decision for AJ and she didn’t want him to feel rushed.
AJ shook his head. “No. I’ve had more than enough time to decide. It’s been the only thing on my mind since I was told. I weighed my options over and over again, and well…this is what I want.”
Luna smiled. “It’s good to know that you thought it over so thoroughly.” She got up from her throne. “We can start whenever you’re ready.”
“Actually, first I have a request, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Celestia looked confused. “And what would that be?”
AJ looked down with a sad look. “Well, I’d like to leave something behind to say goodbye. Like a video or something. They deserve to know why I chose this.”
Celestia and Luna looked at each other and smiled. Luna turned to trot out of the room. “Wait right here, I’ll go get my video camera.”
********************
Apple Bloom rushed Applejack out the door the instant they were finished with breakfast; leaving a very unhappy Big Mac alone to clean up the mess. They started by looking in the obvious places. They started with Fluttershy’s cottage and Ditzy’s house. When those turned out to be dead ends, they started looking around the town proper for any traces of him. They searched for hours finding nothing that would help them.
Eventually Applejack got an idea in her head as to where he might be. Though she was apprehensive about taking Apple Bloom there after how AJ reacted when she and Fluttershy had found him there. “Hey Apple Bloom, why don’t we split up. You go look that way, an’ Ah’ll go this way?” Apple Bloom nodded and started galloping in the direction of Sugarcube corner. Once she was out of sight, Applejack quickly made her way to the town gates.
After a few minutes Applejack made her way to the grave site. She looked all around the site for any signs that he had been there. Much to her chagrin, she found nothing. Sighing, Applejack made her way back to Ponyville.
When she got back, she saw Apple Bloom running up to her. “Applejack, where did ya go? Ah thought we were lookin’ fer AJ.”
“Ah, was. Ah was just lookin’ different places is all. Still didn’t find’im.” Applejack looked up and saw Ditzy trotting out of the post office with a smile on her face. She must have just finished her mail route. “Ditzy!”
Apple Bloom looked confused. “Huh?”
“If anypony’d know where AJ would be, Ditzy would know.” Applejack ran by Apple Bloom. With hope in her eyes Apple Bloom followed close behind. “Ditzy wait!”
Ditzy turned around. “Oh, hey Applejack.”
“Ditzy, have you seen AJ at all t’day?” Ditzy shook her head. “Did he tell ya if he had any plans at all?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why do you ask?” Ditzy was starting to get worried. “Is AJ alright?”
Applejack was about to reassure her, but Apple Bloom spoke up first. “He’s gone Ditzy! He left Equestria!”
Ditzy’s eyes got wide. “W-what?” The news hit her like a brick to the head. She fell to her haunches with her mouth agape.
“Apple Bloom!” Applejack angrily shouted at her younger sister.
Tears were starting to form in Ditzy’s eyes. “B-b-but he couldn’t have left. H-he didn’t even s-s-say goodbye.”
When she finished chastising her sister, Applejack walked up to Ditzy and brushed away a tear. “Don’t worry sugarcube. I’m sure he wouldn’t leave without sayin' goodbye. He cared about ya too much not ta.” She embraced Ditzy who had started lightly sobbing at this point.
“B-b-but, what if he did leave? I don’t *sniff* I don’t want to lose him Applejack.”
Applejack started rubbing Ditzy’s back. “Shhh, everythin’ll be OK sugarcube. Come on, maybe Twilight knows somethin’.” With a sad yet hopeful nod, Ditzy wiped away her tears and followed Applejack and Apple Bloom to the library.
********************
“I would have traded anything in the world to spend just a moment with you my love,” Shimmer Star said as she nuzzled up to her lover. “Nothing compares to the feeling I get when I am in your presence.”
“And I feel the same way about you my shining star.” Sun Burst embraced Shimmer Star in a hug and kissed her passionately. Their tongues dancing around each other as they did.
The two of them fell back onto the bed as Sun Burst broke the kiss, a strand of saliva connecting their lips. He started nipping at her neck making her moan in pleasure. He started slowly moving his head down her body, kissing her as he did. As he got to her belly he looked up to her face. A content smile blessed her face as she looked down at him. He continued down her body, brushing against her teats as he did. As soon as he got between her legs he…”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Celestia Dammit! It was just getting good!” shouted Twilight as she slammed her hooves on the floor. She closed the book and hid it under the couch as she got up from the pillow she was laying on. She walked over to the door and put on a smile as she opened it. “Hey Applejack, what’s up?”
“Can we come in?”
Twilight looked past Applejack to see Apple Bloom and a sad Ditzy behind her. “Sure.” She let the others into the library and called up to Spike. “Spike, could you get some tea started?”
“Sure thing Twilight,” came Spikes voice from upstairs. He came down the stairs and headed into the kitchen, waving to everypony as he did.
Twilight smiled as she turned back to the three new ponies. “So, what can I do for you?”
“Twilight, Ah’m not gonna dance around the issue, have you seen AJ t’day? We can’t find’im anywhere,” Applejack asked with a serious face.
Twilight thought for a moment. “Nnno can’t say that I have. Spike, have you seen AJ today?”
Spike poked his head out of the kitchen. “No, I haven’t seen him since he asked me to send that letter to the Princess yesterday.” The entire room looked at Spike in shock. “What?”
“Spike, why didn’t you tell me he sent a letter?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t know, I guess it kinda slipped my mind.” Spike quickly slipped back into the kitchen to avoid any further staring.
Twilight facehoofed and turned back to the rest of the group as she heard Ditzy start to cry. “H-h-he’s gone! I-i-i’ll never see him again!” Applejack and Apple Bloom quickly started to comfort her once again.
“Don’t worry Ditzy. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” Twilight used her magic to grab an empty scroll and an inked quill. She quickly wrote a letter and sealed it, rushing into the kitchen to give it to Spike. She walked back into the main room with a determined look. “I’m sure Celestia will help us.”
Moments later they all heard a belch from the other room. “Twilight, letter fo…” Spike was cut off as Twilight yanked the scroll from his hand with her magic.
She opened the letter and read through it with a smile. “She’s sending a carriage over right now so we can talk about it. It should be here in a couple of hours.”
Ditzy’s face became hopeful. “C-can I *sniff* come with, please?”
Twilight gave a warm smile. “Of course. I’m sure the Princess would understand.”
********************
The sun was going down by the time Twilight and Ditzy made it to the castle. Twilight thanked the pegasus pullers and led Ditzy into the castle. Celestia was waiting for them when they passed through the gates. “Twilight, it’s always nice to see you.” She walked up to Twilight and gave her a hug. Twilight happily returned it. Celestia looked up with a smile. “And who’s this.”
Ditzy quickly bowed down. “M-my name’s Ditzy Doo your highness.”
Celestia motioned for her to rise as Twilight spoke up. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you she was coming Princess, but her and AJ were really close and she wanted to come too and…”
“It’s OK Twilight, I understand. Please, come with me. We have a lot to talk about.” Celestia turned and lead the two of them further into the castle.
The walk through the castle was relatively silent. The only sounds coming from the castle’s cleaning staff talking to each other as they worked. Celestia smiled and nodded to them as she passed. Twilight looked over to Ditzy and she could tell just how anxious she was. She stopped and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Don’t worry Ditzy. I know Celestia will help us.”
Ditzy smiled as they heard a set of hooves running down the hall. They both looked over as an earth pony in a nurse’s uniform ran up to Celestia and whispered something to her. Celestia smiled. “Good, if at all possible, bring him to the throne room please.” The nurse nodded and ran back the way she came. “This is wonderful. Now let us continue.” The three of them entered the throne room and Celestia sat in her throne. “Now, where would you like to start Twilight?”
Twilight cleared her throat. “Well, AJ left Ponyville with out saying goodbye. He didn’t even mention it to anypony. Applejack said they woke up and he was gone. We were wondering if he…”
“Please Princess, did AJ tell you anything?” Ditzy interrupted with her plea.
Celestia gave a knowing smile. “I understand your plea, but I’m not sure why he would have said his goodbyes.
Both Twilight and Ditzy looked at Celestia in disbelief. Twilight spoke up first. “Princess, what are you talking about? He was our friend. Why wouldn’t he have…”
The door to the throne room was opened, interrupting Twilight. Very slowly moving through the doorway was an indigo unicorn stallion with a disheveled brown mane and tale and a small hoop earring in his left ear. Past his droopy, almost closed eyelids Twilight could see his blue eyes. He was supported on both sides by nurses. As they slowly made their way up to the throne the stallion kept losing his balance and stumbling. The only thing keeping him from collapsing onto the floor were the nurses that were supporting him. As they got closer his strained breathing could be heard.
“Princess who’s this, and why isn’t he in bed?” Twilight asked. “He looks like he can barely stand, much less walk.”
Celestia just smiled and said nothing. Ditzy was busy trying to make heads or tails of this situation when she saw the stallion smile. “What, not even a hello, how are you? Twilight, I’m hurt.” He spoke with a very strained voice.
Both Twilight and Ditzy gasped. They knew that voice. Ditzy took a step forward. “A-AJ?” He smiled and nodded. She took a few more steps forward until she was standing in front of him and the nurses. She sat there for a minute just staring into AJ’s eyes before lifting her hoof and slapping him to the ground.
The nurses quickly shook themselves out of shock and helped him up into a sitting position as Twilight ran up to Ditzy. “Ditzy what are you doing, he’s…”
Twilight stopped talking when she saw Ditzy step forward and embrace AJ, crying once again. “I-I thought you were gone. I thought you had left me just like he did.”
AJ weakly returned the hug. “I’m sorry for worrying you Ditzy.”
Celestia silently got up and started to leave the room; stopping only let the nurses get back to work leaving only the three ponies in the room. After a few moments of silence, Twilight spoke up. “So why didn’t you tell anypony? Why did you keep this whole thing secret?”
“I wanted it to be a secret. My plan was to go back to Ponyville and surprise everyone.” He hugged Ditzy a little bit tighter. “I guess that was a bad idea, huh?”
“But what about your family?” Twilight asked. “Don’t you think they’re worried about you?” AJ’s smile turned to one of sadness as a tear rolled down his cheek.
********************
Mary unlocked the door to the house and walked in with her bag of groceries. She placed them on the kitchen table and slowly put them away. Ever since AJ had disappeared she felt like her whole world was crumbling. First her husband had died, now her youngest son was gone.
She walked into the living room and sat down on the couch about ready to cry. She looked up and noticed something. On the coffee table sat a DVD that she was sure wasn’t there when she had left. She picked up the jewel case and looked at it. Written on the DVD in familiar handwriting was ‘Please watch me.’ Noting the handwriting, she quickly put it in the player and started playing it.
“…an do this. I’ve never been good on camera.” AJ was pacing in front of the camera. It was obvious he was very nervous.
“A-AJ?” Mary said with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” came a woman’s voice from off camera. AJ looked off to the left. “Just tell them everything you told us and everything will be alright.”
AJ sat in the chair he was in front of and put his head in his hands. “That’s the thing. Once I’m in front of the camera my mind will go blank. Just watch, as soon as she hits record I’ll…”
“Actually I’m already recording,” came a voice from right behind the camera. “I’ve been recording for about a minute now.”
AJ looked just above the camera. “You serious?”
“Mmhm.”
AJ closed his eyes and took a deep breath and looked at the camera. “Hey mom. Long time no see huh.” AJ rubbed the back of his head. “I know you must be worried sick about me, and I’m sorry about that. I’m so sorry. I wish I could have told you this sooner, but unfortunately I was unable to.” AJ started looking at the floor. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be coming home. I know this must hurt, cause it hurts me too.” He looked back at the camera with tears in his eyes. “Mom, please don’t worry about me. As you can see I’m fine. I’m surrounded by friends, and…I’m happy here. P-please continue to live your life to the fullest mom. Don’t let *sniff* don’t let my disappearance ruin y-your life. I-I love you mom, Forever.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “OK. T-turn it off.”
The video ended. Mary had her head in her hands bawling. She was probably never going to see her son again.
****************************************
((Alright show of hands, who here got legitimately trolled?))
My little pony © Hasbro
Friendship is magic © Lauren Faust