//------------------------------// // Reunited with loved ones: // Story: A Dream Met... // by Jon bucker //------------------------------// All the energy that I had soon left me, it got increasingly difficult to walk, every step that I took got harder and harder; I don’t know how I was still walking. I was so tired and weak my body itself was screaming in pain. Every time I moved the the pain got worse, but I forced myself to take every step by step, enduring the pain and suffering to get back to them. This strength wasn’t mine; it came from the ones I love. I have to get back to them... I have to keep my promise... I have to get back to them... I have to keep my promise... I kept repeating that in my head, it was the only thing keeping me going, and it was like that all the way through the forest... By the time I got out of the forest the sun was almost in the sky; I didn’t know how long I was walking for, but by judging on how high the sun was I was probably walking for an hour or two. I lowered my head again and closed my eyes and continued walking, it took to much energy to hold my head up, even though I couldn’t see where I was going I had a general direction. I judged were I was going by the sun hitting me on my face, so I always had a good idea. My walking, if you can even call it that at this point, was hard. I kept myself leaning forward, every time I was about to fall I’d drag my foot and catch myself and repeated. It was slow but at least I was moving, and that’s how I continued... About fifteen-some minutes later, I heard my name being called from in front of me. I caught myself one last time and stood still. I lifted my head and eyelids which felt like they weighed a thousand pounds and looked up. I saw six familiar ponies all running and flying frantically towards me, all yelling and calling my name. Applejack led the group, I smiled weakly. When I saw Applejack I knew I was safe, and my body did to and gave out. My right arm dropped to my side and my legs gave out, I fell to my knees and then fell forward. I was expecting the ground to brake my fall but something caught me. I opened my eyes into a golden manned orange furred pony who was hugging me. I lifted my right arm slowly and sat it on her back and returned they embrace and held on tight, letting out a quite breath in relief. “Hey... AJ how’s... It goin...” I spoke slowly, my voice was really soft and weak, I would have been panting but my lungs simply couldn't. “Ah’m fine... now...” Applejack said her voice cracking slightly We held they embrace for several more seconds, my promise wasn’t complete yet, I made it to two ponies. “Applejack...?" I paused, she gave sound that she was listening. “can we go home now...?” I asked Applejack pulled out of the embrace. “Sure...” she said with watery and joyful eyes. “Can ya walk?” I shook my head lightly “Not without help...” I said She nodded and got on my left side. “Dash lend me a hoof ta help get'em up will ya.” she asked Without hesitating Rainbow Dash flew to my add and pulled me up by my right arm while applejack pushed from my left, eventually they were able to get me up. When I was up I slowly placed my right hand back on my wound and we started walking to sweet apple acres. Not too long letter Rainbow dash spoke up. “Have to say jonathan; what you did was pretty gutsy.” she said like it was over. She then punched my right shoulder lightly. Normally something like that wouldn’t faze me but I had no energy to stop myself so I started falling towards applejack. Luckily she was able to catch me in time. “Careful dash! He don’t have any energy!” applejack snapped at her “Uhh... right sorry.” She said. I chuckled breathlessly, I let go of my shoulder for a sec and raised a fist slowly to her, she smiled and bummed it. Applejack and Dash stayed on either side of me, if I ever started stumbling then Applejack would redirect me. And if I started losing my balance then Rainbow would steady me. It was needed a couple of times. We were getting close to the path that led to the farm. As we were walking I looked down to my left at applejack, then up to my right at dash, then at the four others following in behind us, and was a bit shocked. “You all came... to help find me...?” I asked “Of course we did, why wouldn’t we?” Twilight said. “Yeah, you’re our friend.” Pinkie pie added cheerfully. I felt so full of joy when she said friend. “Thanks...” I said cheerfully, although it didn’t sound like it with my tiresome voice but they understood. Rarity picked up her pace and walked up beside applejack. “Darling, I now this isn’t really the best time but is that *ahem* Blood, on your shirt?” she asked. I nodded slowly. “Yes...” I said She seemed instantly disgusted. Twilight walked up beside her. “What happened...?” she asked concerning. “A t-timberwolf... bit my shoulder...” I said Twilight’s as well as the rest of their eyes widened, with some gasps of shock. “What happened?” Dash asked wanting to hear more. I knew she as well as they wanted me to explain what happened out there but first things first, bloom. “Sorry... I want to tell you... but I don’t have... much energy to.” I said Twilight spoke up again and raised a suggestion at my state. “We need to get you to the pony hospital immediately.” she said I appreciated her caring for me but it’s already taken care of, I shook my head lightly. “There’s... there’s no need. Zecora said that she already did everything... besides they couldn’t do much... for me anyway.” I said They seemed a bit surprised. “How did ya’ll meet up with zecora?” applejack asked this time I knew if I said that she saved my life they would want me to tell even more so I decided to leave it at that. “All tell you more when we get home...” I said. I don’t know why I kept calling it home, but it was a better home then any and that’s were I felt like I belonged, I don’t know. but there were no barriers holding me back from saying what I was thinking anymore, I spoke freely. Thankfully they all agreed to leave it at that Intel later, I really appreciated that. We were now walking down the path to Sweet Apple Acres, even though they said that they would leave it at that, they were all talking to one another, but they left me out of it and just went on about what they think happened. Applejack didn’t talk much either; she seemed more focused on me more than anything else, that made me feel loved. I did chuckle slightly at myself, just walking down the road with my pony slash big sister, Just brought a slight smile to my face. Even though I was still exhausted and in pain it wasn’t as bad anymore, I was surrounded with friends helping me carry myself, mentally and also sometimes physically. I did need applejack and dash a couple of times. But I never stopped and forced myself to continue and endured the pain. We were getting closer to the farm; I could see it at the end of the path. As we were walking, Big Macintosh was coming down the path pulling a wagon. As he approached he looked directly at me and gave me the warmest smile I had ever received and nodded. I guess that was his way of thinking me for what I did for AJ and bloom. I smiled and nodded back as he passed. Then we walked up the hill and under the archway, I saw applebloom sitting on the porch and she saw me... “JONATHAN!” she yelled, and started running towards me. I'll never forget the amount joy that was on her face, I smiled and started walking fast ahead of applejack and dash. I stopped thinking about my pain, it didn’t matter anymore, all that mattered was her. When we got closer I stopped and kneeled down and held out my arm, she jumped into my chest giving me a hug. When she jumped, I didn’t have enough energy to stop so I fell onto my back, but pushed myself and sat up and hugged the filly and held her close and tight. And then I knew the time was right. “Hey little sis... how’s it goin?” I asked cheerfully. But I felt her starting to sob. “What's wrong...?” She pushed out so she could look me in the eyes. “Don’t you ever scare me like that ever again!” she yelled angrily, she was mad at me but she went back to hugging me and sobbing in my chest. I was confused. Applejack walked over in front of us. “When I was running with her we heard you scream... We thought... we thought you were gone.” she said lowly, terrified of the moment. I had no idea how much they cared for me until that point; I’ve never felt that loved before in my whole life. I smiled and continued to hold tight and comfort the filly. “Shh... it’s ok... shh... it’s ok... I’m so sorry I scared you like that little sis... but even though I saved your guys life’s. in a way you also saved mine...” I said in a soft tone She pushed out of the hug again but this time not as forcefully. “How...” She asked through a sniffle. Her eyes were watery and a stray tear fell from her eye. I didn’t care about my shoulder and the pain; I slowly lifted my left hand to her face and wiped the tear of her cheek. “Even though... you and Applejack weren’t there physically... you were both there in my heart, cheering and rooting me on, pushing me to my limits and beyond... I could have never of done something like that on my own... But the reason I was able to... is because I had your love in my heart, strengthening me...” She smiled softly and resumed hugging me, I kissed her on her head and held her close, rocking back and forth smoothly. A tear almost fell from my eyes, not from sadness but the love and joy I had from being with bloom again. I heard some awws from behind me but I didn’t care. After she had settled down I pulled out of the hug. “What do ya say we go inside, and all tell you a little story...?” I said cheerfully, breath finally starting to to catch. She nodded and whipped her eyes. “Yeah...” she said She jumped out of my chest onto the ground in front of me. I went to go push myself up, applejack was about to step it from the side lines but I raised my hand, I didn’t want applebloom to see how much pain I was actually in, I didn’t want her to worry. So I gritted my teeth beneath my lips and forced myself up on my own, it hurt a lot but I managed, I put my arm back on my wound and walked towards the house slowly... I felt at peace, it was done and finished... my promise was fulfilled... I’m back with my family... I didn’t bother looking back to the others; I almost forgot that they were even there to be honest; my attention was more on Applejack and Bloom. They followed quietly in behind us, but what made me remember, was some sniffling could still be heard, to who I think was rarity but I still didn’t really look back, at that moment it was only about Applejack and Applebloom to me... When we got to the house applejack opened the door and we all walked in, I started making my way towards the living room. Granny smith was in the kitchen baking and she saw us walk by. “Landsake’s... yer still kickin!" she said in shock. “Applejack told me what ya did, that was mighty kind and brave... Glad ta have ya back sunny.” she said with a warm smile I stopped and smiled lightly back. “Good to be back granny...” We continued into the living room, I lowered myself down carefully in front of the fire place were bloom had sat a few nights before so I could look to all of them, bloom sat next to me and the others sat in their own spots around the room. But before I spook I need a drink. “Bloom... before we start, can you get me a drink please? I haven’t had anything... since I left zecora’s...” I asked She nodded and quickly got up and ran to the kitchen, she soon returned with a glass of water and passed it to me, then returned to her spot. “Thank you...” I said to her I didn’t really care for manners at that point; I lifted the glass to my mouth and drank it in one go. When it was gone I sat it on the ground next to me. But I wanted to make sure of something first before I started explaining. “Did Applejack already tell... all of you what happened?” I asked They all nodded and replied. That was only going to make thing easier. “Good... then this shouldn’t take that long... All explain everything from when applejack got away with bloom...” When I started explaining it to them I didn’t use A story telling kind of voice, I didn’t really have the energy to tell a gripping tail on how I defeated the timberwolves, I just told it how it was. Bloom didn’t seem to mind though and neither did the others. Although there were some cringes when I mentioned the bite and how much it hurt. “It was a miracle that I still won... but even after I won it wasn’t over; the wood started glowing, I knew what that meant... so I started running...” I paused for a second and looked to everyone sitting around the room. They all had wonderuse exertions of all sorts, but I guess something like that doesn’t happen very often. “So you not only took on three timberwolves, but won?... That’s’ awesome!” Rainbow dash cheered “But that still don’t explain how ya’ll met up with zecora?” Applejack said I almost forgot about that part. “Oh yeah... when I was running I was getting increasingly tired, I was in so much pain and was losing so much blood... I started stumbling, my vision started going blurry, I tripped over my own feet and fell and wasn’t able to get up... Then I heard a sound from in front of me when I looked up, it was zecora, but I didn’t know that at the time... my vision was to blurry to make anything out, it was just a blurry figure... I asked for help and then passed out... I don’t know how zecora managed to get me to her hut, but thankfully she did and took care of me there. When I woke up I found that not only my wound but also all my cuts and scrapes were taken care of... Then zecora came into the room to check up on me, and give me medicine..." I paused to catch my breath. "She said that she put a highly concentrated sap from an aloe vera plant on my wound that would help heal it faster and also prevent infection... Then she gave me something she said that would help regenerate my blood cells twice as fast as normal… Then the next morning she gave me some more, she gave me one that would help with the pain but it wore off quickly. Then she just gave me some that were vitamins and stuff... I thanked her for everything she did and left...” I was just about to stop but there as one more thing I wanted to add. “Oh yeah... and she also gave me this...” I reached into my shirt and reveled the timberwolf necklace. They all seemed confusion; applebloom leaned out to get a better look. “What are those?” she asked. “Their the teeth from the timberwolf that bit my shoulder... zecora said that when she got me to her hut and started caring for my wound, she found these embedded in my shoulder.” I explained All their eyes went wide, some jaws were even dropped. “Those... were in yer shoulder?” Applejack asked. “That must of hurt, I mean the two smaller ones would have been bad enough on their own. But the middle one must of really really reeeaally hurt.” Pinkie pie added She was right on that one. “It wasn’t the most pleasant thing I’ve felt I can tell ya that.” I said They all continued to stair in shock, but twilight seemed worried. she jumped up from her seat. “Jonathan why do you still have those? we need to get rid of them before the timberwolves come looking for them!” she panicked. The worry started spreading throughout the room, but I spoke up before it got worse. “No its ok... zecora said she put something on them that took away that effected, she said they won’t be able to track or find them... to them it’s just another piece of wood...” I explained again They all sighed with relief like they had dodged a bullet. “That zecora has a remedy for just bout everythin doesn’t she.” Applebloom said Zecora pretty much does have a remedy for everything, and if she didn’t then she’d make one, alchemy must come in real handy, I know it did this time. I nodded “Just about...” I said “Then why would you want to were three pieces of plane wood around your neck then?” rainbow dash asked I smiled and chuckled lightly, there’s a very deep reason why I wanted to keep them. But for their sake I'll keep it short. “To remind me of what I did that night... and why.” I said in a vary meaningful and acknowledgeable. It stayed quiet for a few seconds, applejack and bloom had a look of appreciation on their faces. They others just remained silent. “I don’t mean to be rude or interrupt.” rarity started “But Twilight, don’t we have to be at the library at noon for Princess Celestia?” she asked Twilight’s worried look came back. “Oh no! I completely forgot about that. quick what time is it? I hope we’re not going to be late.” she said rapidly Applejack got up from her seat calmly and walked out of the room and looked to the clock in the kitchen. “It’s about ten-thirty.” she said Twilight sighed with relief. “Oh good that’s plenty of time.” she said “But how are we supposed to get jonathan there if he can barely walk? I mean we can’t just throw him in a wheel barrel or something, that would hurt him.” pinkie pie asked Twilight started thinking. I was a bit surprised that they were all taking time to consider possible ways. It was so unnatural to me, normally peopled say just to suckered it up. it showed me how much they cared for me, and it made me feel good. “I don’t know pinkie, I might have to go to the library and wait for the princess’s arrival, and when she does bring her here...” she said coming up with no other solution. “Couldn’t ya just send her a letter asking her ta meet us here instead?” applejack suggested “I could but I don’t think she’d get it.” she started. “You see, when I send my letters to Princess Celestia they all go directly to her bed room, if she’s doing her duties then she won’t see them. and if I know the princess then after she’s done she’ll leave right away so she wouldn’t get it... And that’s my only idea... unless...” she paused striking another conclusion and turned to me. “Can you walk?” she asked I honestly wasn’t really sure, my head was saying yes but my body was saying hell no. But I guess I could give it a shot. “I should be able to... I’ve lasted this long haven’t I?” I said Twilight nodded. “Then it’s decided, but we should probably still leave now. Judging by jonathan’s physical condition we’ll need the extra time.” she said They others nodded and agreed, I still wasn’t sure if I could make it or not, but I appreciated them thinking of me. “Agreed... and thank you...” I said to them They all started getting up out of their seats; bloom got up and ran over to applejack. “Can ah come applejack?” she asked her older sister Applejack paused and looked over her head to Twilight, she shook her head lightly. “Sorry bloom. This is important and besides ya wouldn’t know what were talkin bout anyway.” applejack said Applebloom seemed disappointed; she turned and looked at me with concerning eyes. Maybe she was worried that Princess Celestia was going to send me home. Honestly I’m a bit worried about that to but I try to keep my mind of it. But if I know her, she’s not gonna stop at just that. “Can... Can ah at least walk with ya’ll ta ponyville? Ah’m supposed ta meet Sweetie and Scoots at Sugarcube Corner anyway. Ah would of left, but ah wanted ta wait for jonathan ta get back first.” bloom asked Applejack didn’t bother looking to Twilight for that one. “Well, ah don’t see anythin wrong with that, sure.” she said “Yay, thanks applejack.” bloom cheered. She turned and ran towards me and gave me a quick hug, and then ran towards and out the front door. The others smiled and started make their way in that direction as well; I on the other hand was still trying to get up. I pushed as hard as I could but I just didn’t have the strength nor the energy to. Applejack was at the back of the group and was just about to leave the livening room. “Applejack...” I called for her quietly. She stopped and turned and walked back into the room. “I can’t get up on my own... can you help?” I asked She smiled weakly and walked over; I knew she didn’t like seeing me like that but there wasn’t really anything I could do about that. “Sure...” she said She got on my right sided and started pushing up against me, I put my arm on her back and started pushing myself up. She was able to get me up to my feet, when I was up I placed my hand on my wound and stood still to let the pain go down a bit, it wasn’t just the pain in my shoulder, my whole body was to. “Thank you…” I said as some of it subsided “No problem Jon... come on lets go.” she said smiling warmly. We started making our way towards and out the front door, slowly. They others were waiting for us just off the porch. “Are we all set to go.” twilight asked “Yep, let’s geta goin.” Applejack said cheerfully, and with that we all started making our way to ponyville.