CONCLUSION PART TWO: THE REUNION
I had awoken with quite an unusual feeling on the morning of the reunion. I remember getting the feeling that everything was in its proper place. As if everything was right; like it was a day made especially for this event. The birds melodies were especially somber, as if they were trying to relax everypony. Even the air had a certain aroma about it, though I could not pinpoint the exact aroma. It would have even been more perfect had Mozart’s Serenade in G major been playing on the speakers at the café. As I gazed out from the veranda, I could not help but to smile wide at the sight before me. Everypony about their business as if they were being conducted and they were the instruments! The shoppers would have been the brass section, going about in a calmly hectic manner. The merchants would be the ever so quiet strings, sitting there going about business and making miniscule conversations with customers. The children would have been the percussion because they were just sporadic and just ever so alive with energy! It was a most marvelous sight!
I had then been cut off from my view as I caught what looked like a green flame in my room. As I rushed in, the flame had dissipated and a letter was sitting on my wardrobe. Upon reading it, I had been put in an even better mood than before, watching the beautifully composed life outside.
“Dear Feather Nib,
It is I, Twilight Sparkle who is writing to you at the moment. I am writing to you to let you know that we have everything ready for the reunion. Please come to the Orchard as soon as I have my assistant send the letter. Big Mac has been sent out for most of today, and probably will not arrive until later in the evening. We would all love to get acquainted with Ivy, so please do show up as soon as you get this Mr. Nib.
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle”
The excitement was so unbearable, I had actually giggled and shouted out to Ivy! His reaction was one more of confusion than anything.
“Feather, what are you so happy about?
“Ivy! Guess what!”
“Yes?”
“Everything is ready for the reunion! We must go now!”
His reaction then was rather, unexpected. He was actually saddened at the news. After a brief conversation as to why he was so upset, he had told me he was afraid. He was afraid of Big Mac’s reaction to him leaving and being gone for so many years. The look in his eyes was that of sadness and fear. It had taken some comfort and coaxing to get him out of the room and into ponyville. Luckily, Big Mac had been sent away for most of the day, so by the time we had exited the hotel, it was already midday.
“Feather, I’m much too nervous to be around other ponies right now.”
“Ivy, don’t worry. The ponies in this town are much different than you remember”
After a short conversation, we had both reached the Orchard, where everypony had been waiting for us. Applejack was the first to greet us with a warm welcome and a magnificent, fresh Apple Pie.
“There y’all are! Here have some pie!”
“Oh, thank you Ms. Applejack”
Ivy had stayed quiet before being pulled from behind me by Applejack
“Ivy, ah knew all along you was still alive!” She had wrapped him in a tight hug
“Ap…..applejack? You….you look so different”
“Ah guess ah could say the same fer you”
“Alright everypony, shall we go to the barn to get acquainted like Ms. Sparkle had asked of me?”
Without much hesitation, we had all headed back to the barn. When we arrived, that pink party pony had almost caused poor Ivy a heart attack. It was quite a funny sight, to be honest. That pony has to be the shyest I’ve ever encountered. We had both gotten settled down in the barn, and started getting acquainted with everypony there. Ivy had taken quite the liking to a very, very shy yellow Pegasus. I can’t quite remember the mare’s name, to be honest. I had made my way back over to Ms. Sparkle to make sure that everything was in place. I had to make sure Big Mac did not find out about this before he arrived.
“So, Ms. Sparkle, nopony except everypony who’s here knows about this, correct?”
“Of course, Feather. And please, call me Twilight”
“Okay, Twilight. So tell me, what would it take for a reporter like me to acquire a place in Ponyville?”
“Well, there is an old studio in town somewhere you may be able to rent. The last time I checked, the local paper could use a new reporter” She chuckled lightly “Ours is rather……..in need of retirement” She chuckled lightly at the thought and gave me a warm smile. For some odd reason, I could not help but to blush. Confound these ponies here, they drive me to be embarrassed.
“Ahem……well, Twilight, I would love to talk to the mayor about it” I remember looking back at Ivy and seeing him having a very detailed conversation with that yellow Pegasus, and seeing him smile. Right after noticing Ivy, I had been tackled by that pink party pony.
“AGH! WHAT THE HAY?!?!”
“Hehehehe, well you’re a new pony and I saw you talking with Twilight, so I had to introduce myself. I’m Pinkie Pie!”
She had to be the weirdest pony I’ve ever met, to be quite honest. Never have I met anypony who tackles somepony to the ground as an introduction. I must say, that afternoon was quite the unforgettable one.
Later on, we had all gathered around while Applejack had left to go get Big Mac and bring him to the barn. We had all hid in complete darkness for a while before she had returned. Ivy’s face (when I could see it) was completely colorless, as if he had just died right then and there. If it weren’t for his shaky breathing, I would have thought he died. He was terrifyingly nervous about seeing Big Mac. I had to get up to take him to a different spot. It had to wait until the right moment for Ivy to show himself. It was more or less for his mental well-being. We had waited for quite some time hidden behind some hay and apples when they had arrived. Big Mac was somewhat upset from being taken so soon. It was quite funny to hear them bickering from outside. When they approached and opened the door, I told Ivy to stay where he was. As they entered, I greeted Big Mac with a warm smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Mac.”
“Howdy Feather”
“I assume things went well on your trip?”
“Eeeeyyyuuup”
“So Big Mac, I have a surprise for you. Please close your eyes”
As he did so, I had trotted over to Ivy and told him to come up to Big Mac. As he did, Big Mac kept his eyes shut. I whispered to Ivy, telling him to speak to Big Mac. He nodded and did just that, and got a surprising reaction.
“Hello Big Mac”
Just as he said this, Big Mac’s eyes shot open and he paused for a moment, taking in what he is seeing.
“I…..Ivy? Is……is…that….you?”
“Yes, Big Mac. It is I, Ivy” He smiled and stood there
“No…..this…..it can’t….ah….you….” His big green eyes immediately swelled up with tears and he fell to his haunches. “But….ah watched you die! Ivy…..you’ve been alive this whole time?”
“Yes, Big Mac. I was too afraid to confront you……I was afraid you’d be mad”
“Ivy, ah…..” Big Mac threw his arms around Ivy and started bawling like a little foal
“Big Mac, it’s okay…..I’m moving to Ponyville!” He said with a gigantic grin. Big Mac remained unmoving, still in his hysteric crying state. “Big Mac, please look at me” As he said so, Big Mac lifted his head up “Big Mac, you’re the only true friend I’ve ever had. I’ve been everywhere, looking for places to hide. It wasn’t until Feather had done that interview with you that I realized you still cared” He started to tear up “I promise I will never, ever leave this place. I’ve got to make up for lost time” He was crying as well by that point in time. Applejack had walked over to console her brother, but he wouldn’t respond. It was as if he was frozen in time at that very moment, shedding tears of pure joy and excitement. It was almost eerie as well as tear jerking, like watching how one would react after seeing a loved one rise from their grave.
“Ivy……ah…..ah can’t believe it’s you….” He looked up at him with big, teary eyes. “All happiness ah felt’s been long gone…….you took a piece a mah heart…….you was the first pony who ever cared…..” He broke down again, then tackle hugged Ivy, bawling his eyes out. I had walked over to him to console him, but only to be stopped by Applejack and her friends.
“It’s better if he does this on his own, sugarcube.” Twilight and her white-coated unicorn friend approached me
“Feather, dahling, he needs to calm down on his own”
I had nodded in agreement “You two are right. It’s just…….I’ve never seen such happiness before in anypony’s eyes. Regardless of Big Mac’s tears, I can see pure happiness and love that only two friends for life can share”
“Mister Feather, ah kin see that look comin’ back in his eyes” Applejack had given me the warmest smile I’ve ever seen in anypony before.
As I watched the rest of the day unfold with those two, I could not help but feel upset for my past. Though these two were the happiest they’ve ever been, I’ve never felt so upset. I guess you could say I just need a friend like Ivy. I’ve seclude myself from the rest of everypony at this party to complete this report on the magic of friendship. My conclusion would have to be this: Always, and I mean always listen to your heart, for it is the true compass in your life that can guide you in any direction, for it knows what is truly right.
((Thank you all for your comments and your interest in my story! I plan on continuing Feather's story in the future, but for now this is all I have. Again, thank you for so many views))