//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Goodbye // Story: Ink // by Cyanjames2819 //------------------------------// In the morning, I heard the rooster outside. I opened my eyes and yawned. Fluttershy's fore hooves were wrapped around me and her head resting on my right shoulder. I smiled and pulled her a little closer. She moaned and positioned her head under my chin. I started caressing her pink mane lightly. I looked over to the little table and saw my journal just resting there. I didn't want to go back home, there's nothing much for me to do there or even get a good girlfriend. More than half are smokers, already taken and even pregnant. There's also about three suicides every year and even six just about a year ago. The town is growing, but from what I learned from experience, is that a bigger place has more crimes and violence. But here, there's almost nothing bad going on, but a few rampaging monsters here and there, but barely any criminal activity. I'm a friend, a teacher, a blacksmith, a savior, and many more and now, I have a marefriend. Back home, I'm a weirdo, a loner, a waist of space, and a ghost. "Hm? Winter?" I heard. I looked down and saw Fluttershy's teal eyes. I smiled, "Good morning sunshine" I greeted. She smiled and nuzzled me on the nose, "Good morning" she replied. I sighed, "You know, I'd rather die here instead then in my universe, so I could stay here forever with you" I said to her. She rested her head back down under my chin; "I'm going to miss you so much" she said to me and hugged me a little tighter. I rested my hand on her mane, "Me too Shy" I agreed. We got off the bed and I started putting on my cloths. I grabbed my journal and we both went into my room. I grabbed my backpack and threw in my book. I lifted my backpack and rested it on the back on the bed. I looked around the room and remembered my first night here, "Heh heh, remember the first night I got here?" I said and chuckled to myself. "Yes, I heard you groan from my room. And found you outside just wearing your… um, shorts" she said to me. We got downstairs to have our last breakfast. We talked about my time being here and we had a few laughs and chuckles. I still have my scar on my shoulder from brawling with the dragon. I then remembered something I had to do in my shed. "Hey Shy" I said to her from across the table. "Hm?" she answered. "I have to go and get something from my shed. I won't be long" I stood and washed my plat. I went over to her and kissed her cheek, "I'll be right back, okay" I said to her. She nodded, "Okay" she smiled. I went over to the entrance, put on my shoes and hat. I went out, got on my bike and started headed for my shed. I reached it and quickly got off my bike. I opened the doors and grabbed my gloves. I started up the fire on the pit and started working. After an hour I finally finished it. I held it up with my hands, "Finished" I said with a smile. It was a large metallic grey shield. It had three points at the top; the middle was the highest and the whole thing as shaped like an arrow head. In the middle of the shield was a crescent moon with a six point snowflake within the blank spot of the moon. I smiled and flipped it over. I put it on my arm and it was the right size for me. I took off my gloves; I grabbed the wall hanger for it and put the gloves back on the anvil. I got back out and hurried back to the cottage on my bike and with the shield on my arm. I reached the cottage and went in. I saw Fluttershy and Sapphy on the couch, talking. "Hey you two" I greeted. "Hi Wint… what is that?" Fluttershy asked and pointed. I took off my shield, "What do you think it is?" I said and showed it to them. "A shield?" Fluttershy answered. I nodded and stood, "I'll go and hang it up" I said. I started going up the stairs and went into my room. "Um, c-can you hang it in my room instead?" I heard. I turned and saw Fluttershy at the door. I smiled, "Sure". We went into her room and I looked around for a good spot. There was an empty spot above her bed, "How about over your bed?" I asked. She nodded in agreement. I grabbed the wall hanger out of my pocket and nailed it in the wall. Fluttershy gave me the shield and hung it up. I got down and looked at it, "Not bad" I said with a smile. I looked down at her and she was looking down at the floor. I picked her up and looked at her with a loving smile. She blushed with a bashful smile. I chuckled; "You just look so adorable when you blush" I said to her and kissed her forehead. "I can't help it" she said and leaned in to kiss me. We kissed for a moment and I felt her smile and I did the same. We went to my room, grabbed my fiddle case and backpack, went downstairs and saw Sapphy rocking a bunny in her hooves, humming a lullaby. We both went to the door; I took on my shoes and hat. "Um, we'll we out for a while Sapphire" Fluttershy said to her. She nodded, "Don't worry Fluttershy, I'll take good care of the animals" she said in a hushed tone. We both got out and I gently closed the door. I sighed, "I guess I should say goodbye to everypony" I said and Fluttershy nodded. We first went to the library to see Twilight. I knocked on the door and Spike opened it. "Oh, hey Winter, hey Fluttershy" he greeted us both. I tried to keep my smile, but Fluttershy had a hard time. "Uh, what's wrong?" he asked her. "Can we come in?" I asked. He nodded and gestured us in. "Twilight! Winter and Fluttershy are here!" he called out. Twilight trotted out the attic, "Oh, hey you two!" she greeted us with a smile. "Good morning Twi" I greeted her back, but Fluttershy as silent. Twilight looked at Fluttershy, "What's wrong Fluttershy?" she asked her, a little worried. "I'm going back home" I answered for her to prevent Fluttershy from breaking down. "Huh? But why is she sad, isn't she supposed to be happy?" Twilight said to me. "W-Winter's… my…" tears started to form. "What?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy looked at her and moved closer to me, I crouched down and wrapped my hand around her. "Oh… I had no idea" Twilight said. Twilight looked at me, "Winter I'm so sorry, I didn't know. If I did I would have stopped" she apologized and started to hipper ventilate. "Twilight, calm down" I said to her. "But- but" she said. "Calm… down Twi. It's okay, you didn't know" I try to calm her. She crestfallen, "I'm so sorry you two" she apologized. "It's okay, Twi. I forgive you" I said to her. She looked at Fluttershy, "I'm so sorry Fluttershy" she apologized to her. "I-it's okay Twilight. You didn't know" she replied. Next, we visited the apple family to say goodbye to Applebloom. I saw Big Mac bucking some apple trees. I waved and he nodded back. We went up to the door and I knocked on the door. Applejack answered the door, "Oh, Howdy Winter" she greeted us. "Hey Applejack, is Applebloom home?" I asked. She nodded, "Hey Applebloom! Winter came here ta see ya!" she yelled. I heard trotting little hooves going around and went up to the entrance. "Hey Winter!" she greeted me. I crouched down and patted her little head, "Hey Applebloom" I tried so hard to smile at her. "W-what's wrong?" she asked. I gulped, "I'm going back home" I answered. "Home, aren't ya home already?" she said. "I am, but I'm going back to my original home" I said to her. "For how long?" she asked again. I looked at my fiddle case to my side, "Want to play with me one more time?" I asked her. She smiled and nodded happily. She went up to her room and came back down with her fiddle case. We took out our fiddles and I looked at her, "What song?" I asked. "Bunny Hop!" she answered happily. I nodded and we both started playing. Applejack, Big mac and Granny Smith went to us and watched us play. While we played, small tears started to form in my eyes and I smiled. We both finished and the apple family cheered. I whipped my tears quickly before Applebloom saw me. "That was amazing. Just like on bunny day" Granny said with a smile. I sniffled and Applebloom like up at me, "Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded, "Just a stuffed nose" I answered. We put our fiddles back in their cases. I looked at my case for a moment. "Applebloom" I said. She went up to me, "Yeah?". "Here, have it. It should perfect for you when you're older" I moved my fiddle case to her. "Really? What about you?" she said to me. "I have one back home" I said to her, "And keep on playing for me. You're a bright young pony" I said to her with a smile. She looked at the case, "Okay, thanks Winter" she then jumped over the case and hugged me around my waist. "Ya the best" she said to me. I hugged her back, "Thanks". Me and Fluttershy started going then Applejack went up beside us, "Ya not coming back, are ya" she said to me. I nodded in response. "Winter!" I heard Applebloom. We stopped and turned to see Applebloom galloping up to use with a piece of paper on her mouth. She went up to me and showed me the paper, "Here, ah want ya ta have it" she said to me. I grabbed the paper and it was drawing of me and Applebloom playing on a stage with rabbits and bunnies hopping around. I smiled and patted her little head, "Thanks Applebloom. I'll treasure it" I said to her with a smile. She smiled back and started galloping back. I folded up the paper and put it in my pocket. "Applejack" I said, "When she's older, can you tell her she was my best student I ever had" I looked at her. She nodded, "Will do Winter. It was nice having ya in Ponyville. Good luck going back" she brought out her hoof. We shook and I started going with Fluttershy to my side. I bid goodbye to everypony I know of in the town and thanked Zecora in her hut. I sent a letter to the company that made the tricycles to keep sending bits to Fluttershy. I wasn't going to go back if Fluttershy went broke. We went back to the cottage to wait for the carriage to pit us up. We waited in Fluttershy's room, my backpack resting on the side of the bed. I had Fluttershy in my arms, her head resting on my chest. I caressed her pink mane and she seemed to like it. She moved her head closer to my mine and pressed her cheek against mine as well. "I love you" she said to my ear. "I love you more" I said to her and kissed her cheek. She giggled and nuzzled my cheek. I felt her beating heart, her gentle breathing and her soft touch. I just wanted to stay there with her forever. Then I heard the door knock. "Oh, hello Princess" I heard Sapphy. "Hello, is Winter and Fluttershy home?" I heard Luna. "Yes, I'll get them for you" she said. I sighed, "I don't want to go" I said silently. "Winter, Fluttershy, princess Luna is here for you" Sapphy said through the door way. "Okay, thanks" I said and she went back down. I got up with Fluttershy in my arms. "Shy, it's time to go" I said to her. She nodded, got off and I grabbed my backpack. We went down, I followed just behind her. "Hey Luna" I greeted with a sly smile. "Are you ready?" she said to me. I nodded and looked at Sapphy; "It was nice meeting you Sapphire" I brought out my hand. "Likewise Winternight" she smiled and we shook. I, Fluttershy and Luna went out. I grabbed my bike and dragged it over to the carriage. I tied it up on the carriage and went in with the two, then the carriage started to fly. "Winter" I looked at Luna, "Thank you for being my friend. You've brighten up my night and the moon" she thanks me and smiled. "My pleasure Luna" I smiled back. We landed down and we all got out. At the entrance, we saw Princess Celestia waiting. I untied the bike and carried it up the short stairway. "Ready to go home?" Celestia asked me. I looked at her. "No, I'm not" I answered. "I'm sorry" she apologized and started going in. We got to her throne room and Celestia sat down on her throne. Fluttershy and Luna were by my sides. Celestia closed her eyes and her horn started to glow brightly. Then in front of her, at the start of the little steps to her throne, was a white portal, circular in shape. I turned to Luna and we hugged. "I'll miss you Winternight. You will be forever remembered" she said to me. I smiled, "Thanks Luna, I won't forget you as well" I said to her. I turned to Fluttershy and crouched down. She looked at me and I hugged her tightly, "I'm always in your heart if you need me" I said to her. She hugged me back and I felt tears going down my neck, "I love you too" she said to me. I leaned back and kissed her. We separated and I grabbed onto my bike. I started walking towards the white portal. I stood in front of the portal, took a deep breath and looked back, "Stay safe everyone" I smiled and stepped in the portal. I was surrounded by pure light. I looked ahead, there I saw a dirt road, arctic plants and the blue sky, my home. I looked back and saw Fluttershy and Luna. Fluttershy was crying on the floor, Luna caressed her back with care. Then I heard a voice in my head to take out my journal, the same voice who told me to bring it in the first place. I took off my backpack and took out my journal. I skimmed through it. My history and memories all in one book. I smiled and looked at it. I got to the last page and saw Fluttershy's writing. "Today was the best day ever. I found my special somepony. I love him so much it hurts my heart. I wish we stay together forever and ever. Love, Fluttershy" I read. I closed the book and smiled at it, "Goodbye" I said to my journal.