//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: On the Road Again // Story: Spellbound Apples // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 15 On the Road Again It had been a month since the visit to the clinic. Night stayed behind with Gale as she went to her board of review and get released. Storm offered for her to stay with him and Rainbow until Night gets his potion business up and running in Ponyville. Hex was still a bit distant towards Nightshade, but did give him some time to talk. The group was soon ready for Dash and Storm’s wedding that was being held at Canterlot Castle. Dash was wearing a stunning wedding dress and Storm was in suit and tie with Gale as his best mare. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and was at her son’s side with tears in her eyes. After the ceremony Dash was squealing more than when she joined the Wonderbolts. The group then saw the light get illuminated by a rainbow explosion with black flamed tips. The group of friends departed Canterlot the next morning and Dash was off on her honeymoon. Night opened up his potion shop and met with Zecora on a regular basis who helped him get ingredients and showed him all the best spots for picking. Early one morning, the mare snuck out of her room and grabbed her packed saddle bags. She tip toed through the house and made it to the front porch. She looked out to the rising sun and let out a sigh. “Going somewhere?” The words made the azure mare jump in surprise. She spun around to see Hex standing in the door way with a raised eyebrow. “Oh I was just going out for a stroll.” “With fully packed saddlebags?” He said in a flat tone. Trixie bit her lip and sighed. “C’mon Trix, what’s really going on?” Trixie hung her head and sighed. “You and dad have found a life here. Now I need to find mine.” Hex looked at her in shock. “What? After all that’s happened. You don’t have to go you can-” Trixie put a hoof to his mouth. “You have AJ and Dad has Gale.” She smiled. “Besides somepony has to carry on the family business.” She chuckled. The mare looked over her brother’s shoulder and saw the orange mare. “Look I’m not gonna stop you. You’re my sister and I want you to be happy.” He said as he started to walk towards the barn. “So I have to at least make sure you have a roof over your head.” Trixie and AJ followed him into the barn and they saw the cart. “Hex I can’t-” “Oh no.” Hex said in a big brother tone. “You need this more than I do.” The show mare felt tears in her eyes and hugged her brother. “The power gem will still work you just need to charge it once a year for two weeks.” Trixie nodded and sniffled. “If yer ever in town then you’ve got a place here.” AJ said with a smile. Trixie wrapped her in a hug and smiled. “Just take care of my big brother.” The mare sniffled. “You can bet your hat ah will.” Trixie smiled and looked at her brother. The mare hitched herself up and trotted out of the barn with the two ponies by her side. As they walked through town they ran into Night, Gale and the other five mares. “You’re leaving darling?” Rarity said in surprise. “Yes, Trixie has to keep going and can’t live off of all of your kindness forever.” She said with a smile. “You sure? We don’t mind having you around.” Pinkie said in a slightly sad tone. Trixie gave a nod and the pink mare wrapped her in a bone crushing hug. “We’re gonna miss you!” Pinkie said as she cried. “Trixie.....needs air.” Pinkie immediately let go and backed off. Night walked up to her and smiled. “You remind me so much of your mother.” He said as he gave her a hug. “Thanks dad.” Trixie said with a smile. Trixie walked over to Twilight and the lavender mare gave her e hug. “Um May Trixie speak with you in private?” “Of course Trixie.” Twilight followed the mare into the cart. Trixie motioned for them to sit down at the table and Twilight complied. “Trixie wishes to apologize for trapping you in that illusion.” “Oh that’s all right Trixie.” The lavender mare’s ears drooped. “I know I deserved it.” “But there was another reason why Trixie was so angry.” The lavender mare looked at the performer in surprise. Before she could react, Twilight felt the mare’s hoof wrap around her head and pull her close. Twilight felt Trixie’s soft lips press against her own. Twilight’s eyes shrank and her mind exploded as she reeled back. “Trixie! What the buck?” Twilight said as she stumbled. “We apologize for that.” Trixie said with a sigh. “Trixie was so cross with you was because she was jealous.” The mare said with a blush. Twilight bit her lip and adverted her eyes. “Look Trixie, you’re a very nice and beautiful mare but-” “You’re straight right?” Twilight gave a nod. “It’s all right. Can’t blame a mare for trying I suppose.” She shrugged. “Can Trixie ask you to keep this to yourself?” “Does Hex-” Trixie shook her head. “It’s my job to tell him on my own.” Twilight thought and gave her a nod. “Promise?” “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Trixie had heard of the Pinkie Promise and knew that if you break it, bad things followed. The lavender mare shook Trixie’s hoof and made her way out of the cart. The cart started moving away from the small town and the group waved goodbye to her. Hex felt AJ’s nuzzle his neck and he wrapped a hoof around her. “Think she’ll be okay?” The farmer asked. “Sure, she’s my sister. I know she’ll be just fine.” Hex said with a smile. “Same goes for us.” He said as he gave the farmer a pack on the cheek and the two watched as the cart until it went out of view. “So what’s next?” “Well you could work on your apple bucking.” AJ said with a smile. “What? I got like twenty apples down last time.” The stallion complained “Too bad, meet me by the swimming hole in ten minutes.” Hex raised an eyebrow at the mare’s words. To his knowledge there were no trees that needed.....His face turned red as his brain made the connection. “Never mind.” The mare then used the end of her tail and tapped his nose. “AJ are you in-” “Eeyup.” The mare said with a sly grin. “Don’t be late.” AJ said as she walked back towards her farm. Nightshade came up next to his son and chuckled. “You know, I remember when your mother and I-” Hex held up a hoof. “Nope.” The stallion said with a shiver. Hex quickly galloped after the mare back towards the farm. As he cleared the swimming hole he felt a familiar body crash into his body and propel him into the water. The stallion rose his head above the waster and felt a familiar brown Stetson on his head. “Looks good on ya sugar cube.” The blonde farmer said with a chuckle. Hex saw her wet mane sticking to her well toned body. He levitated the hat off his head and put it on it’s rightful owners. “Looks better on you.” He said with a quick kiss. “Think ah need a hoof drying off.” She said as she got out of the swimming hole. Hex Teleported next to the mare and the two laid in the warm summer sun as they held one another. For now, all was right with the world. The end.