//------------------------------// // You’ll Be In My Heart... Always: // Story: A Dream Met... // by Jon bucker //------------------------------// As we were walking through the forest the sunlight quickly disappeared and it was dark, there were vines and trees and plants of all types and a musty smell filled the air around us. The others were being cautious as they walked, but besides the smell, it wasn’t that bad for me. Walking through the Everfree was like walking through the forest back at home. Other than the smell, it was the most relatable place to my would. But at least there’s light in my forest, in here is like walking through a forest were its always night time, not the most comforting thought but once I got passed that I was fine. We all walked in a somewhat of a single file, Twilight led like she said she would and Princess Celestia walked in the back, and the rest of us were in a small group in the center. Rainbow dash flew up front with Twilight. Fluttershy was walking a bit slower in the back in front of the Princess. “ohhh... I really don’t like it here...” fluttershy said in a worried some tone Applejack looked back to her. “We all don’t fluttershy, but bein in here sure brings back memories, eh twiligh.” she said to her Twilight put her map back in her bag and looked back. “Yes it does, in these woods is where we all really became friends and discovered the magic in friendship.” she said reliving the moment Pinkie pie bounced ahead and up to twilight’s side. “Do remember when we were in here and there were all those spooky looking trees? and how you guys were so scared and didn’t know what to do, and I started singing, and dancing, and laughing! and it made everything better. That was super duperly fun!” the pink mare said bouncing That put a smile on all of our faces and made some of us chuckle. “Yes pinkie we all remember that. Actually, I can remember every moment like that. What about you guys?” Twilight asked looking back to the others We all nodded but I think that was more meant for them then for me, but I still knew what she was talking about. Rainbow flew from twilights left side over to her right beside pinkie. “And for the record pinkie, I wasn’t scared.” dash stated A couple of the others rolled their eyes at her, but pinkie just giggled in her face. “Whatever you say dashie...” she said. Rainbow dash groaned slightly and hovered back over to twilights other side crossing her hooves. We had a couple more short conversations; I didn’t say much because it was more about memories that they had, but I still got a word in here in there when I knew what they were talking about. Princess Celestia didn’t say anything, I think she was manly coming to supervise and make sure everything goes smoothly, she manly just watched over us, so I let that be. After about a half-hour of walking, we made it to zecora’s hut. The others stayed behind so I could be along with her to say goodbye. I walked up to her front door and knocked, zecora answered the door and she instantly put on a smile when she saw me. “Ahh Jonathan I am happy to-...” zecora stopped in the middle of her sentence when she saw the others behind me, but what probable got her was Celestia, she seemed a bit confused. “What did you do, to have six ponies and the Princess behind you?” she asked curiously I really wanted to fill her in and stall but I knew that wouldn’t have been right so I tried to keep short. “They’re sending me home zecora, but I asked if we could stop here so I could thank you again for everything you did for me, and to also say goodbye...” I said She smiled warmly at that and chuckled slightly. “I expected this. I knew you weren’t from this place, but since you were injured I decided not to ask and give you your space..." she stated. "Goodbye Jonathan to your side I’m glad I was able to tend, and I am also glad to be able to call you my friend.” she said I smiled warmly at that. “Take care of yourself, and thanks again for everything you did, all never forget that... Goodbye zecora.” I said to her I turned around and started walking, I looked and waved back to her, she waved as well and then stepped back into her hut and shut her door. With a good feeling in my heart I walked back to the others in the group. They were all talking to one another; applejack was the first to notice me. “Ya’ll set?" she asked, seeing if it went well. I nodded. “Yeah... and thank you for taking me here, I appreciate it.” I said looking to the two alicorns “You’re welcome jonathan. But we should get moving; we still have quite a ways to go yet.” Twilight said and with that we all started walking again. I was glad that I was able to say goodbye to zecora, after what time we spent together and her pretty much saving my life, I just wouldn’t have felt right with leaving without saying a proper goodbye. It helped make leaving a bit easier to accept, but when I did I started to remember about bloom and that pain returned, mind It never really left. I just wish I could have had the same thing with her, but it was already too late for regrets, so I just had to live with it and keep walking, but it wasn’t very easy emotionally. Twilight’s alternate route worked and we got there quickly, we didn’t even come up to the river, so that sped up the time greatly. We came up to the on the right side of the bridge that extended over the gorge and started crossing one by one, being very careful on the old rope bridge. Rainbow dash though preferred to fly over rather then walk. When we made it to the other side and started walking towards the castle, I started to feel a pain of regret; this was it, after spending five days in equestria and having the best time of my life, I have to leave. Just the thought of that made me feel uneasy. As we entered the castle and while Twilight started going through her bag, we all started walking and looking around. Applejack didn’t even have to say it, I could tell that her as well as the others that being there was bringing back memories from when they defeated nightmare moon and saved Princess Luna. I probably would have been doing the same but I was only focused at one thing, I was starring from across the room to the spot in front of the pedestal were I woke up in this world. It was kind of cool seeing it cause that’s where it all started for me, but it also made me feel empty because that was the spot I was being sent back from, kind of ironic when you think about it. Getting straight to it. Twilight pulled out my element out of her bag and stood beside me. “Ok Jonathan, you said that when you touched the element you blacked out and you woke up here. Where was that exact spot?” she asked I looked down at her and started walking forward and pointed to the spot. “Right here...” I said Twilight levitated my element over to that exact point and placed it on the ground in front of me, the others lined up behind me, all standing side by side and Celestia stood off to my right. Twilight walked over to the front of the pedestal and turned to face me. “Are you ready jonathan...?” she asked With every fiber of my being I wanted to yell “No” but I knew I couldn’t, but I still wasn’t quite ready yet. I was still depressed and I had to do something and get it of my conscience before I left. “One sec...” I said turning my back to her I looked to the others and smiled weakly, I wanted to say a personal goodbye to them all first. I walked over to the first pony in line which was Pinkie pie; I took a deep breath and kneeled down to get to her level and looked her full in face. “Goodbye Pinkie, and thanks for giving me my first real party. I had a blast...” I said to her She smiled sadly at me. “You’re welcome Jonathan, I had a lot of fun to, hope to see you again sometime...” she said I nodded to her and stood up and move to the next pony in line which was Rarity, like before I kneeled down in front of her. “Goodbye Rarity and thank you for fixing my shirt, I won’t forget the generosity you showed me, thank you...” I said to her She smiled weakly. “Goodbye darling and your welcome, and if you ever come back one day... could you please wear something more decent? for me?” she asked I chuckled lightly; she could never leave fashion out of anything could she. “If I get time to pack...” I said She nodded and I got and walked over to rainbow who was next, this time though she started. “Look Jon... I’m not really good at goodbyes. But ya know what your cool, and what you did with those timberwolves was pretty gutsy, I like that. Take it easy Jon...” she said raising her hoof to me I smiled and bumped it with my fist. “Thanks dash, you take it easy to. And keep improving on those stunts, you’ll become a wonderbolt soon enough, I know you will.” I said to her, and she smiled back and nodded I then moved on to fluttershy who like dash spoke first. “Goodbye jonathan...” she said simple She actually talked to me in her normally voice and tone, just when she grouse comfortable around me I have to leave, but I guess that’s just how it is sometimes. “Goodbye fluttershy, and thank you for bandaging up my shoulder, I really appreciated that. I wish I could have seen all your animals but sadly that will have to wait tell next time... goodbye.” I said to her, she smiled and nodded and then I got up. As I said goodbye to each one of them it was getting easier and easier to accept on me leaving, but the last one was going to be hard. I walked over and stood in front of applejack and looked directly into her bright green eyes and felt a painful sadness in my heart, and instantly dropped to both knees and held out my arms, she jumped forward and hugged me almost instantly. And we both held each other close and tight. Tears almost fell from my eyes but I managed to hold back the flood gates, but they were still watery none less. I waited tell both of our breathing rates settled down before speaking. “Applejack... I can never thank you enough for everything you did for me. You gave me a home, you gave me a family, and you even gave me yer pa’s hat... I'll never ever forget about you or the apple family and love you all showed me... goodbye...” I said over her shoulder, with my voice starting to crack. Applejack pulled out of the hug for a moment to look me in the eye, there were tears flowing down her face as she spook. “Goodbye Jonathan... and if something like this ever happens again and ya don’t were ta go... know that you’ll always have a special place at sweet apple acres... and in our hearts...” she said her voice cracking as well. We both smiled weakly at each other and hugged once more, a few of tiers fell from my eyes. We held each other for a couple of minutes and when we were both settled down, we both took a long deep breath and exhaled slowly and let each other go. I stood up and smiled down at her and whipped the tears from my face, she did the same. I took one more deep breath and turned from her and started walking back over to twilight. “Are you ready now...?” twilight asked Even though I had accepted that I had to leave and said my goodbyes there was still one pony I never got to say goodbye to, and that hurt and hunted me. But I couldn’t change that so I nodded. Twilight took her stance and her horn started glowing; I closed my eyes and just waited for it to all be over. “WAIT!” a voice cried I instantly opened my eyes, Twilight’s horn stopped glowing. I turned around, I knew that cry anywhere. Applebloom was running towards me with tears pouring down her face, I ran up to her and dropped to me knees and held out my arms. She jumped into my chest and I pulled her in quickly and hugged her, we both held each other close. “You don’t have to go anywhere, you can stay on the farm with me and applejack and granny smith and big macintosh. You don’t have to go anywhere.” she pleaded as she cried over my shoulder. “Applebloom... I would want nothing more in the whole world than to stay here on the farm... but I have to go you Know this...” I said to her “B-But I’ll miss you...” she said as her voice cracked and she held me tighter around my neck I squeezed her tighter as well. “All miss you to bloom... so much...” I said my voice starting to crack again. My flood gates had burst and tears began flowing down my face, but I let them. I could hear some sniffling coming from the others in front of me but I paid little attention to that, my only focus was on her, it felt so good just having her in my arms again. I could feel her tears of sadness going down my back; my tears were rolling down hers as well. And we just sat there, comforting one another and letting the tears fall. Once I was able to control my own breathing I wanted to give her something. “Here... I want to give you this...” I said my voice cracking even harder I pulled out of the hug and sat her down on the ground in front of me. I reached to me neck and took off the timberwolf necklace and hung it gently around hers. “Take this... and remember of what happened that night. But don’t let it frighten you... but let it strengthen you... you and applejack were my strength that night, let me be yours for the next...” I said to her She looked at it and then back to me and smiled weakly and hugged me again. “A-Ah have something fer you too...” she said She jumped out of the hug and ran over to her saddle bag that she dropped and pulled out a rolled up piece of paper and passed it to me. I slowly unrolled it and when it was open my heart was instantly filled with joy. She drew a pitcher of big macintosh and granny and applejack standing in front of the barn, but I was standing beside applejack and she was on my shoulders, and there was an arrow pointing to me that said... brother. Tears started pouring down my face again even harder than before and were hitting the paper; I looked up at bloom and smiled. I folded up the pitcher neatly and lifted up my hat and placed it underneath for safe keeping, and held out me arms again and hugged her and held her close, so very close. It was that moment then, that I truly accepted the fact on me leaving, everything in my heart and soul felt at peace. I wasn’t feeling pain anymore in my heart but joy; it was kind of like a bitter sweet feeling. Sure I was still leaving, but what I did and achieved here will stay with me for the rest of my days, nothing will ever change that nor would I ever will forget. I sat bloom down in front of me and wiped away my tears, she did the same, and I looked down and smiled to that little filly. “And who knows bloom, maybe one day all come back... but if I do, I don’t want to come back to sad filly... I want you to be happy, for me ok?” I said to her, trying to look at the positives. Twilight stepped in from the sidelines. “I don’t mean to be rude Jonathan... but that probably won’t happen. This was never suppose to happen in the first place, it was all accident...” she said with a regretful tone I chuckled lightly, her words couldn’t break my newly found joy, I looked back to bloom. “Well then... looks like where just gonna have to pray for another accident now doesn’t it?” I said cheerfully to her as the tears still fell. She cracked a smile and nodded and gave me one more quick hug, I kissed her on her head and sat her down and she walked over beside applejack. I stood up and turned around and started walking back to my original spot. Some tears were still falling from my eyes, I was still sad that I had to leave them, but I was also proud to know them, and being able to call them... my family... I stood in the spot once more, twilight walked over in front of me, but something was wrong with her, the look she had before we left came back stronger than ever. She looked up at me with sorrow filled eyes. “Jonathan I can’t hide this from you any longer, I wanted to tell you this sooner but I thought if I did you wouldn’t want to come...” She started miserably. “The spell I’m going to use might alter your memory... you might just wake up and think it was all a dream or wasn’t even real...” I was shocked and tried looking for a positive. “But I'll still have these things to remind me... wont I...?” I asked unsure if I wanted an answer Twilight shook her head. “No... The spell will only affect you...” she said I felt a sharp pain in my heart, so she is saying, I traveled to another world, had a life and heart changing experience, Risked my life! for someone I care for... and I wouldn’t be able to remember any of it? “Can’t you send something with me... so all know it was all real...?” I pleaded Twilight looked away from me for the answer was too painful for her to acknowledge. I stumbled back a bit and tears began flowing from my eyes again, it devastated me, my gut and my heart fall deep into my chest, it felt like she hit me with a truck and stole the breath form my lunges. I felt like I was going to throw up. I had never felt that much pain before in my life, the very thought of it made my heart cry out; I would have rather the timberwolves then this. I looked over slowly to Princess Celestia to see what she thought about it. Even though she was starring directly at me I couldn’t tell, she had the best poker face. But then she smiled lightly and nodded once to me. I don’t know why it did but that for some reason that helped a lot, I didn’t know what she was going to do, but I knew she was going to do something. It was in her hooves and taken care of. I stood up strait and whipped away the tears that were still flowing, and steadied myself. The pain still remained but I trusted the Princess in what she had planned, that helped a bit. I took one more deep breath. “Ok twilight... I’m ready.” I said to her Twilight looked up to me in some shock that I didn't hate her, but doing what she came to do she whipped away her tears and steadied herself and took her stance and her horn started glowing again. The time it took for twilight to do the spell felt like minutes, I turned around and looked back to applejack and applebloom who both had tears falling from their faces. I couldn’t explain it but it was like we connected minds again, but it was with both of them, and it was like we were all one thought and operating with the same mind... Every single memory that I had here started flooding my mind, every single one, I could tell it was the same for them, and I held on to them tightly to those in my mind and heart so I wouldn’t forget... No matter what happens I will always care for you, you’ll be in my heart... always... I smiled weakly at them, they smiled sorrowfully back and nodded, I knew they heard me as I heard them, and nodded back. Then the my element of harmony lifted into the air in front of me and a bright orange light shined from it, I didn’t panic though for I had accepted everything that was happening, I smiled as I closed my eyes and passed out... When I awoke I instantly opened my eyes and sat up. I was in my bed room, but I still remembered everything that happened. I looked over to a calendar hanging on my wall; it said it was Saturday, I guess the spell that twilight used sent me back before I left, it was like nothing happened. And I didn’t have anything with me, I refused to believe that it was all a dream though; I nearly tore my shirt trying to get to my left shoulder. The scares were still there. 'It was real...' I threw off the covers and stood up and opened my dresser grower and pulled out the shirt that I wore to equestria, but it fine. There were no singes of any rip or tare anywhere, without thinking I took of my shirt and put that one on with my jeans. I grabbed my shoes and ran upstairs, no one was awake yet, it was still early in the morning. I put my shoes on and ran out the back door to the forest. What normally would have taken me twenty minutes took me ten at full sprint. When I got to the forests edge I jumped in and ran down the two hills and passed the tree, when I got to the river I didn’t bother taking off my shoes and just plowed across. Then I ran towards the clearing. When I got there I was speechless, but that might have been because I ran the whole way. The pedestal was gone and there was nothing there, there were no singes of it being there either, it was empty. Like the clearing I felt an empty feeling and pain in my heart, like I had lost something. I turned around and started walking with my head hung and tears starting to form again back home. But then I heard a noise from behind me, I turned around to see what it was. There was a box in the exact spot were the pedestal was, and there was something sparkling on top of it, I walked up to it slowly. It was my element of honesty, but it no longer carried Equestrian looks, but like it had came from this one. I got down to my knees and picked it up slowly, and on the back I found something engraved. “It was real...” I took a sec to let that sink in; I looked at the box and started wondering. I sat the element down beside me and I lifted the lid of the box slowly. I was instantly filled with joy with what I found. It was the hat that belonged to their parents, but it didn’t look like it came from their world, it looked like it came from this one, like it was made to be here. I pulled it out and placed it on my head and pulled it to the tip of my hair line and felt the lather strips go down the back of my neck, it fit just like it had before. I looked back down into the box and there was a folded up piece of paper in the corner, I reached back in and pulled it out. When I unfolded it there was an immediate warm feeling in my heart. It was the pitcher that applebloom made for me, but it didn’t change. It as the exact way it was from when she gave it to me. I could even still see the spots from where my tears stained it. I sat there for a while in complete joy and kept remembering and soaking up what the element said. It was real... Now a days I live my life like I did before, helping my mom and anyone else who needs me but more cheerfully. The dreams had stopped the day I got back and I’ve never had another one. The only thing that has change is me. I’m more acceptant of things that have happened and also learn to live with what I can’t change, I’m more understanding now and look at things in all knew perspective that help me learn even further, and through everything I’ve been through I chose to learn from it instead of letting it hurt me. Life’s what you make it, and I chose to enjoy what I have instead of what I don’t, no matter how little. Not a day passes that I don’t think of the apple family and everything I went through both good and bad, but I always find myself walking to that same clearing were it all started... waiting for another opportunity. I still walk these streets along, but I walk with a hat; keeping the memories alive in my heart and my soul. and talking with a light southern accent that rubbed off on me from loved ones. And when people ask where I got that old hat, I smile and simply tell them. “Let’s just say I got it from a friend...” The end...