//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Last Encounter? // Story: A Lost Diamond in the Rough // by Umi Chou //------------------------------// ~A Lost Diamond in the Rough ~ Chapter 5- Last Encounter? Rarity followed along the group as Rainbow Dash lead them into Ponyville. She could only think in frustration that the same three ponies from before were the same ponies Pinkie Pie threw a party for. Each one another large party! If I had just thought of that before, I would've guessed the three were from Jaden's colony She thought to herself. Her eyes looked ahead to see Spike running with Jaden behind Rainbow Dash. She quicken her step to keep up. Spike only glanced to Jaden, trying to help his new friend. "Are you ready, Jaden?" Jaden only groaned,"Maybe?!" Rarity laughed from behind, hoping for the best. Though it didn't seem long as they all ran into Ponyville. "This way! They're with Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said to them as she flew on ahead. "Roger!" Spike said, this time leading the group. Jaden tried to keep up, already tired from flying earlier. "Spike.. what if... they don't want to see me?" Spike only laughed," Rainbow Dash said that they were looking for you, Jaden. Come on!" The three kept on until finally Spike saw Twilight's home in the distance. He signaled them to slow down, and he stopped by the door. Jaden only stopped beside him, and surprisingly not trying to get away. "Let's do this." He said, looking towards her. He awaited her reply before opening the door... Jaden nodding back. The three entered the home. Three other bat ponies sat inside by Twilight who was studying one of them. Piles of books were laid about all over the place, for it was obvious they must have been doing research. Rainbow Dash was already there, telling Twilight what happened. "Oh! There she is!" She said, just as Jaden entered and pointed towards her. Jaden stared nervously at the three before her. The three staring back. Two of them were young mares, and the third was a large stallion. Although at the moment it was obvious that Jaden was telling the truth earlier, the three bat ponies towered above her, and so did Twilight and Rainbow Dash in comparison. Rarity must not have noticed before, but Spike was almost as tall as Jaden. The three bat ponies stepped closer toward Jaden, as they all expressed their shock. One of the mares approached her first, almost screaming. "OH JADEN! Oh, sister! I miss you.. I missed you!" She says, correcting herself half-way through. The other mare pitching in, " Yeah, you really worried us..." Jaden only blinked in surprise. "But, you guys made fun of me.." Her sister only lowered her head. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I was just teasing you. Me, and the others... they wanted me to tell you how we really didn't mean to hurt you.." The other mare nodded,"Me too. I just joined in the teasing without even thinking about how it would affect you.. " Her sister and the other mare bat pony looked up towards Jaden slowly. "Can you forgive us? And the others?" Her sister asked. "Yeah.." Jaden replies," I do..." The three hugged each other tight after that. Her sister almost crying as she held her, and it seemed the other mare must have been a close friend. Jaden stopped as the other bat pony looked towards her. The two mares noticed this, too, and gave them some space. "Hey.." Jaden said quietly toward him as he approached next... He only stared more, sighing under his breath. It took a moment for him to speak... "I'm so glad you're safe." He said then gave a look before quickly hugging her tight next, not holding back one bit. She only blushed in response too shocked to move. "Jaden... I couldn't say anything before.. because I wasn't sure what to say... When we left during that storm, I thought I lost you. I didn't know what to do Jaden! I couldn't go on without you with m-... " He paused, blushing as he cleared his throat. The other mares just giggling in the background. "... without you with us." She only stared into his eyes, blushing more. He couldn't look away from it, though he did just slightly. The two blushed more, and eventually met their eyes with each other again. "Jaden.. promise you won't ever leave. " He said next, holding her tight. "I... I... I..." She said, slowly shaking her head. "I promise." The others, including the other bat ponies, all was happy for the two. Spike just smiled as he gave her a wave, as he knew it would go well. His eyes retreated back to Rarity recalling when he almost told her how he loved her. His eyes met with hers as it seemed she was looking over to her as well. She gave him a bright smile, and it was one of those smiles that made his heart almost melt. "Rarity... I.." Spike began to say before being interrupted by Twilight. "Rarity! I'm glad you were able to find Jaden. These three were looking for her in Ponyville, and now they've reunited with her. Not only that, you helped her believe in her colony, didn't you?" She said, approaching her. But, Rarity shook her head. "No, it was Spike.. for making her believe in giving him another chance. Not only that, but her friends as well. Though he didn't say that second part exactly..." She said, giving him a playful wink. Spike just smiled,"Oh, it was nothing... that's what being friends all about. " He said looking back at Jaden still happily in the stallion's arms. Twilight, on the hoof, quite surprised to hear this. "Spike, I believe that this would be quite a letter to Celestia~ " She said next, looking over to Spike. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had a chance to speak to all of the bat ponies including Jaden. She had been whispering to them ever since Rarity was distracted by Twilight. "Alright.. that's the plan. " She finished, signaling them. The four just nodded, looking over to Rarity. "Oh, Rarity~" Jaden called out, moving toward her. Rarity turned from Twilight," Yes, Jaden? What is it?" "We still have to go to Sugar Cube Corner, right?" Jaden asked next, nudging Spike. "Oh! No! We totally forgot... we wanted to get there before it closed." Spike said in return, turning back toward Rarity. "Oh... Twilight, and Rainbow Dash... well all of you, you're welcome to come with us?" Rarity asks, looking to all the bat ponies, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash. They all shook their head almost exactly at the same time. "No, no, you go on ahead." said Rainbow Dash. "Please, we've been enough of a bother." said Jaden's sister. The five just smiled innocently. Rarity was going to question this, hadn't Twilight go on ahead and lead them out. "Please go ahead Rarity! You need to get there before it closes!" She says, trying to warn them. Rarity recalls, and leaves the library. She waited for Spike and Jaden to tag along before they left to the sweets shop. At the back door of Sugar Cube Corner stood the same five as before. Rainbow Dash had flew back to the shop with the bat ponies while one of them carried Twilight. Twilight gave a gentle knock, to which Ms. Cupcake answered. "Is she here, yet?" She whispered. "No, she's not! Quick, come in.. come in!" Ms. Cupcake replied, opening the door wider for them to enter. In the front of the shop, Rarity was starting to approach the shop. "Oh dear, why the lights are out.. we may have missed it!" She said, trying to peek inside. Spike and Jaden only giggle. "Maybe we should go in, I mean Pinkie Pie would at least save us a snack." Spike said next, convincing Rarity to go in. "Oh, I suppose." She said..Rarity opened the door.... "SURPRISE!!!" Shouted everyone from inside as the lights flashed on. Inside was one of the best parties Rarity had ever seen, and she looked all around to see all of her friends just as well. Jaden and Spike walked in behind her, nudging her as they went. "Gotcha, huh?" Spike teased happily. "Glad we got you to open the door.." Jaden added. Pinkie Pie, of course, jumped in towards Rarity. She hopped over and hugged her tight. But, it soon turned to a group hug as Fluttershy.. Rainbow Dash... AppleJack... and Twilight joined in. Rarity just didn't know what to say.. " Why, it isn't my birthday everypony.. why.. the occasion?" She wondered, still very surprised. The friends departed from the hug with a slight giggle. Pinkie Pie just laughed," Well, dduuhhh! I know when your birthday is! And it isn't today- Oh no! Not by a long shot!" Twilight smiled," It's a party we wanted to throw to show how much we appreciate you... not only do we, but everypony here in Ponyville. You've done so much for all of us, and we know how you're shop's anniversary is coming up. So, we wanted to help you celebrate and congratulate you!" She said gesturing to the party. "Plus it's another reason to parrrttyy!" Pinkie Pie adds in, releasing her party cannon. Rarity blushed hearing the mention of her shop's anniversary," You knew about that?!" And as soon as she said this, little Sweetie Belle emerged from the crowd. "I told them earlier how you opened your shop a week from today, and that was yesterday!" She said with a squeak. "We didn't have much time to plan for the party.. so we had to plan it today..." Fluttershy added in next. "Not only that! We had to keep it a surprise from you!" Applejack pitched in next, wiping her forehead. "Twasn't easy." Rarity smiled at her friends, and toward Sweetie Belle, too. Her eyes looked out to all of her friends in the crowd.. and toward all her past customers just as well. They all were here to thank her, and celebrate her success. Her eyes began to water.. "Thank you everypony.. Thank you..." She quietly said, looking up back at them. The party lasted well past closing time for the shop, but the Cakes didn't mind. Everyone had much fun, and plenty of cake. Fluttershy was able to bring Angel, and introduced him to all of the bat ponies. Applejack played many games, along with Rainbow Dash, and was able to get to know Jaden. Jaden got to meet all of Rarity's friends, in fact, and it turns out that she already knew the Cakes. The Cakes introduced their children, but had to do so through photos since they were asleep. (It was past their bed time) Towards the end of the party, Jaden was able to dance with a certain other bat pony, and the two danced together for three songs. Plus they weren't the only ponies dancing together. Although Spike wanted to offer Rarity a dance, Jaden's sister asked him for one instead. Even though he tried to leave after each song, she held onto him through the next one. Eventually Jaden gave Rarity the gems within her bag, and thanked her for what she did. Spike giving Rarity all the gems he had carried as well. Jaden thanked Spike again one last time for everything he did. If it wasn't for the two of them, well.. she didn't know what would've happened. Jaden left with her colony as they continued their migration.. though it was difficult for all of them to leave as Jaden's sister was trying to take Spike with them. Rarity was able to finish her new clothing line, and dedicated the name of it to Jaden... calling the new clothing line "Dark Jaden."