//------------------------------// // Act XII: Return to Sender // Story: Fade Away // by JoeBobWhitney //------------------------------// Cole sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. His mind was so full of thoughts he couldn't get to sleep. He tossed and turned in his bed, trying to fall asleep but it was futile. Sighing, he got up and left his room. He quietly made his way out of the castle, entering the streets. He walked around, admiring the Empire. He walked around for a good minute staring at either the moon or the buildings. As he went around a corner, he saw a flames flicker in the distance. He squinted his eyes and made out a small ball of flames. He ran towards the flame and as he neared the flame started moving away from him. As he sped up, the ball of flame kept it's distance. Cole kept pushing towards it and finally, when he was in a dark area of the city, the flame extinguished. It was almost black and the only light was the moon that gave a sliver of light. Colt heard noises like little steps and feet or hooves leaving the ground and hitting moments later like jumping. Cole charged his hands full of lightning and aimed where ever he heard a noise originate from. He heard something behind him and he turned around to be face-to-face with green eyes with purple smoke emanating from them. He stepped back as he heard dark laughter. He bumped into something and turning around revealed a black wall. Cole tried to push on it but it wouldn't budge. He hit it with a bolt and it bounced off. "Running will get you nowhere, Conduit." A deep, masculine voice spoke from behind him. "Who are you?" He asked, grabbing his Amp. "Someone very important. I am the one who planted those jewels and you are spoiling my plans. So, I know the perfect treatment to remove you. All you are is just a thorn is my side and all thorns must be removed." He was grabbed by arms that came out of the wall and he was pulled against it. He was being crushed as the arms continued to pull, squishing his lungs. He gritted his teeth and tried to reach for his Amp on the ground but couldn't. He tried and tried but the pain worsened quickly and he gave up. The arms finally grabbed his neck and began crushing his windpipe. And as he slowly faded from existence, he heard the laughter one last time... "AH!" Cole bolted up from bed and regretted it instantly. The spontaneous movement didn't give his blood enough time to move with his body. He laid back down as he panted heavily, holding his chest. He stopped panting shortly and looked at the clock on the wall. "Nine? I guess it's time to get up." He stretched and got out of bed. He headed for the shower, knowing that he smelled like awful grubby sweat but stopped as he realized he was die. He then offered to do ol' scrubbing method and nearly a hour later, he got out and and put on the extra clothes he was given by Rarity. A simple white and grey T-Shirt and midnight blue pants with the same Union Jack symbol on them. He left his Amp in his room, however. He didn't think he'd need it. He walked downstairs to see the lovely couple eating breakfast. "Cole. I didn't think you were a morning person." Cadence puzzled. "Not really, but today's different. So, what's to do today?" He asked the Captain who was drinking coffee. "You go home. I know that you mean no harm and you don't have anything to do with those crystals." The Captain stated. "Okay. Are you sure?" Cole asked, jokingly. "Yes, Cole." Cadence smiled. "It'll be okay. Plus, I think your friends miss you." "Yeah, you're right. But before we go, I want to get a few things." "Oh? What is that?" She asked as he placed his hand on his chin in a comical manner. "You'll see." He smirked. They talked for a bit and left for the town. As they arrived, Cole asked Cadence the weirdest thing. "I want something if you will." "Okay?" "Do you have Crystals Roses?" He asked, raising a eyebrow. "Yes. They're quite common, why?" "I want one." "Oh. Guard!" She called for her guards. One arrived seconds later. She whispered into his ear and left by teleport. One minute later and he returns. He held the rose in his magic. "Why, if you don't mind me asking?" "My boss loves flowers and I know she wanted one." Cole explained. She nodded and gave him the flower. "How sweet." Cadence exclaimed, a soft smile on her face.. "Yeah yeah, ready to go?" Shining asked as he stepped forward. "Yup. Let me get my stuff." And that was that, Cole headed in and got his stuff. Retrieving any extra clothes, his Amp and anything else of his, he packed up. He left for the chariot and began the trip back home. The couple waved as he took air and he waved back. He laid back in his seat and let the guards take him home. He closed his eyes and let the wind brush against his face. He fell back asleep moments later. ~~~~~~HOURS LATER~~~~~~ "We're here." A guard spoke up, waking Cole. "Huh? Oh. Perfect." They landed over near Twilight's and ponies expected Princess Cadence because of the guards but saw the Conduit instead. He hopped out and the guards left, flying off. He headed back to his house, dropped off his things, then headed back to Twilight's. "TWILIGHT. Guess who's back!" "Cole!" She rushed downstairs. They hugged. "So, how was the Crystal Empire?" She asked him. "Fantastic. It was mind-boggling how pretty it was. So, now I'm back and ready for anything. So, I got to say hi to the others and give my boss something. Later!" He walked out and went to their individual places. Cole went to Rarity's, said hi and was gone to the next. He knew Rainbow was probably flying so he headed for Roseluck's shop. "Rose. Guess who's back?" He had his hand behind his back holding the Rose. "Cole! I'm so glad you-" Cole placed a finger on her mouth. "I got you a present." He revealed the rose and almost fainted at the sight of the rose. "From the Crystal Empire and me, to you." "I-I... Thank you, Cole. This means a lot to me." She paused to look up at Cole. "Also - you're fired." "I know." He chuckled. "I took a break when I shouldn't of. I'm not mad. I do hope you find somebody to help you." He waved goodbye as he went to his home, walking with a bounce in his step. When he reached his house, he was attacked by a speeding blur. "Ah, shit!" It was Rainbow who grabbed the picture that Cole actually forgot about. She began ripping it up and tore it to tiny pieces. "Happy?" "Very. Nice to see that you're back. Ponyville is boring without you." "Aw, nice to know." He placed his arm around Rainbow's neck. "So, what do you want to do? I'm free 'cause I don't have a job anymore." "Oh. Well, I don't know then." "Anymore events or anything interesting?" "Not really." "Damn. We'll find something to do." "Hey, if you need a job, I'm sure Applejack would like to help." She suggested. "You know what, I'm going to go ask her. Comin'?" "Yeah, I gotta see AJ anyway." They both headed off to Sweet Apple Acres. Cole took his time to admire the quaint little town again. It was a nice change after the Crystal Empire which was hard to stare at in the sun. They arrived to the farm moments later and Applejack was already out and kicking the trees. "Yo!" Cole waved to her. She noticed the two and stopped, then walked over to them. "Well, howdy Cole! Nice to see that yer back. So, what can Ah do fer you today?" She asked him. "A Job. I lost mine minutes ago." He chuckled. "Well, I'm mighty sorry for that. Ah'm sure that Ah'm can find you something to do. First, let's test your strength." She showed him to a tree away from hers. "Here. Take your shot, pardner." Cole cracked his knuckles and punched the tree, sending small surges throughout it. He recoiled back in pain however from the bark. Once the lightning hit the stem, the apples literally popped off. "Hah! Take that tree." He bent down and picked up a apple and began eating it. "So?" "Alright then. You can help with getting Apples. Now, can ya carry them?" Cole cracked his neck and used his Kinetic Pulse to grab the Apples and hold them in suspension. "Like this? I've held cars which weigh tons. So, carrying baskets should be easy." "You'll be our heavy lifter then and y'all can help for the farm." She walked off back to her trees. "You can start tomorrow at seven. Get to bed early, Cole." She went back to work as they left. "So, you're pretty strong then if you can hold 'tons'." Rainbow claimed. "Yeah, I can only carry so much however. But, Apples are nothing. Mm, this apple is absolutely delicious. I've never tasted a better apple!" He declared as Rainbow chuckled at that. "Trust me, the Apple family makes the best apples. Including their Zap Apples." "Their what apples?" He asked, intrigued by the word "zap". "Magical apples from the Everfree Forest. They're really good." "Oh. Interesting." He bit from his apple to notice he had all of it. The last was the middle which contained seeds. He just went to his house and threw it away. "So, anything else to do today?" He asked, sitting down. "No, not really." "Well, shit. There's nothing to do, then?" "Yep. Ponyville is a usually quiet town." "Damn. Wait, how about that little 'date' I said I would promise?" Cole remembered. "Buck, I wish you didn't remember that. Fine, around eight right?" "Yup. Look sassy." "Whatever."