//------------------------------// // Leaving Stalliongrad // Story: The Adventures of Cleansing Flame // by Fire_brand //------------------------------// Journal: Yesterday started off as a normal day. Pinkie, Twilight, and I went to the cake shot and got some free samples of some amazing cake. Pinkie bought two of the cakes, and we brought them back. Afterwards we went to the library and I found a book about the culture of northern Equestria. This is where the day took a very violent turn. As it turns out a…gang for lack of a better word…lost a lot of money betting on the competition that Rainbow Dash and Applejack swept. Thus they decided to make Applejack and Rainbow their slaves. Of course the girls ran, Rainbow came and found my group. After such we gathered together, minus Applejack, and listened to Rainbow’s story. We then headed to rescue Applejack and succeeded. I left the leader of this group, but not the boss, in a bad state. Battered and bruised we came back to the hotel where Applejack agreed to be my special somepony. I woke up before Applejack so I wrote using my magic so I didn’t wake her. As I’m putting away my journal Applejack stirs. “Good morning Applejack.” Applejack just responds with a groan and nuzzles me. As an attempt to wake her I remove the sheets with my free hoof, and I’m horrified. She is covered head to hoof in bruises. They must have almost caught her before we got there. But there is nothing I can do to help that, so I nudge her “Applejack, we have to get up.” In response she just latches on to me. I almost decide to stay like this, but our friends are waiting. So I begin to wiggle out of her grip. Fortunately this wakes her up. “Well, look who decided to wake up.” “Well g’morning, land sakes look at yer bruises!” Looking at myself I’m also covered in bruises. Smiling I say “Well, they were worth it. Come on, the other girls must be waiting.” “Yeah yer right.” With that Applejack climbs out of bed and we head down to breakfast. When we reach the buffet, I see the other girls getting their food. They’re also covered in bruises. Twilight only has a few that I can see, Applejack definitely got the worst of it from the scum. As we approach the buffet, Rarity spots Applejack and I “Oh Applejack there you are! You weren’t in the room last night so we were worried. Where did you go last night?” Applejack is fumbling her words “Well Ah…uh…ya see…ah sorta…” “Are you feeling alright Applejack? You’re not making much sense I’m afraid.” I couldn’t leave Applejack flustered like this so I speak up “She stayed with me last night. Yesterday’s events weighed heavily on Applejack so I comforted her.” At this I see the girls’ get rather excited. Pinkie excitedly says “So does that mean you and Flame?” Applejack just nods. Fluttershy says “Oh I’m so happy for you Applejack.” Rainbow puts her hoof on Applejack’s shoulder “I guess when it’s right, it’s right eh Applejack?” The circle of questioning and blushing nods continues until Rarity speaks up, and she’s sporting a wry smile “Well at least we know why you were stammering darling. But don’t you think your rushing things?” At this both Applejack and I say “What?” “Well I just don’t see it being proper to just jump into bed with him dear. But it is your body.” I’m completely blown away; I thought we were talking about Applejack and me starting a relationship, not us going at it. Applejack beats me to the punch “Now wait a minute girls, whut exactly are we talkin’ about here?” All of them look rather sheepish. “Ah can’t believe it. You all thought Flame and ah went all the way last night didn’t yall?” Twilight looks embarrassed as she says “But based off what Flame said, we assumed…” “Did ya stop and think that comforted could mean something other than that?” I could see Applejack was upset so I step in “I probably could have worded that better. But I did not, I repeat, did not do anything of that nature to Applejack last night. All we did was hug and sleep. That’s it.” All of the girls look embarrassed. Then Pinkie jumps in excitement “OH MY GOSH! FLAME IS APPLEJACKS COLTFREIND! THIS IS AMAZING!” Applejack and I facehoof simultaneously, finally somepony gets what happened. Understandably after this, breakfast takes a while as Applejack and I are bombarded with questions about us. Things like where it’s going, when we realized we liked each other, etc… I did not hear when Applejack started to like me. I’ll probably find out someday. Eventually the round of questions stops. Now we have to decide what to do. I have to ask “Is it worth it to stay for the last day as planned? We caused quite a hay storm with that group yesterday. Are we all finished with our stuff?” I get nods all around except from Rarity “You see darling I was interrupted yesterday while looking at some new boots. But I think I could make them myself now that I think about it. Yes, I’m ready to leave Stalliongrad today.” Twilight says “Well then let’s gather our things and leave. “ We do just that. It doesn’t take long to gather up my things so I stand outside the girls’ room. They soon come out, though I can’t help but notice Rarities now bulging saddlebags. As we’re walking to the (gulp) train station I ask “Uh Rarity? Why do your Saddlebags look like they’re going to burst open?” “Oh well that’s easy Flame, I bought a lot of materials for sewing that are unique to the area.” I feel silly for needing to ask. Surprisingly as the station gets closer I’m fine. Even walking up to and being on the station I feel ok, not scared or anything. I buy my ticket to Dappleshore and wait there for the train to come. Suddenly remembering the variation in my fire’s intensity I turn to Twilight “Twilight?” She responds “Yes Flame?” “I had a question for you regarding magical strength.” “Ok, I’m listening.” “Well when I showed you my fire spells back in Ponyville, the intensity of the fire was stronger than it had ever been before then. What could have caused…” Then the trains whistle sounds and I freeze up as a shiver runs down my shine. Now I’m afraid, I’m very afraid. I’m surprised my hooves aren’t clicking together from my shaking legs. Applejack must have seen me shaking because she sticks her head in my neck “Don’t worry Flame, nothing will happen.” Thankfully this does calm me down, but not enough for my legs to move. Seeing this she whispers in my ear “Do you really want to hear Rarity complain about dirt in her coat and mane again?” This works as I walk, albeit slowly and with help, onto the train. Now on the object of my fear…I’m regretting getting on this death trap. I’m physically on the train with the girls in my seat, but I’m back at the train wreck all those years ago. All I can hear and see is completely mangled cars and bodies. The sight of my parents corpses seem to last forever. In the middle of my torment, I hear a voice “Flame!” Where is that coming from? “Flame! Come back!” It sounds familiar “FLAME, ya gotta fight it!” Everyone around me is dead. Who is it? “FLAME! SNAP OUTTA IT!” At this I’m jolted out of my delusions, Applejack standing over me, I’m flat on my back, and no longer on the train. Seeing I’m back Applejack backs up as I stand up saying “What…how long was I out?” Twilight answers looking quite worried “The entire train ride. Applejack dragged you by the tail to the platform. Your eyes were glazed over for a while.” Now Applejack is in my face “Why didn’t ya warn me ya would do that? Ya had us scared for ya.” I sheepishly answer “I haven’t been on a train in years…I didn’t know.” “Whatddya mean ya didn’t know? Ya said ya were ‘fraid of trains.” “I didn’t know I would freeze up like that. I’ve avoided trains since the accident.” Rarity squeals “I know what our next project shall be darlings! We need to help Flame overcome his fear.” Quickly deflecting I say “I appreciate the gesture but shouldn’t we head into Dappleshore?” Rainbow starts drooling “Yes we should, this is the cider capital of Equestria. We need to try out every flavor they have!” Pinkie goes bonkers, “CIDER!” As she’s about to run off Twilight holds her with magic “Shouldn’t we find a place to stay first?” “Watcha talking about? There’s a hotel right there! Or at least in town.” The hotel was easily seen from the station. On the walk there Twilight says “So what is it you wanted to ask before you froze up Flame?” “Oh, I was asking what could cause a sudden strengthening of magical spells?” She looks at me funny “What do you mean?” “When I showed you my fire spells in Ponyville they were the strongest flames I had ever produced.” “Let me look at some of my books. Your magic should be mature at this point, maybe the strength is increasing so catch up with it.” Twilight looks deep in thought so I leave her alone, turning my attention to a still drooling Rainbow Dash. “So Rainbow, you’re really into cider aren’t you?” She happily answers, barely containing her excitement “Of course! You’ve had apple cider from sweet apple acres haven’t you? It’s amazing! Now I get to drink cider of many different flavors, how can I not be excited?! I’ve only heard stories of the cider from here!” Pinkie jumps in…also drooling “Can you just imagine it? Cider of every flavor lined up, just waiting to be tried. Maybe there’ll even be chocolate cider! OOH OOH! Maybe even a cider with hot sauce! OR MAYBE EVEN CHOCOLATE HOT SAUCE!” Pinkie just starts babbling about kooky flavor combinations. I must admit, the thought of so many cider flavors is making my mouth water. Then I hear “Ah wonder how they keep growin the plants fer cider all year round?” I answer “Would you like to find out?” Applejack just beams “Would Ah ever!” “All right, we’ll try out a few then go talk to the cider makers themselves. Sound good?” I don’t get an answer but Applejack just rubs her head against mine, her hat pushed off to the side, and closes the distance so our sides are rubbing against each other as we walk. I’m most likely bright red as I say “I’ll take that as a yes.” We stay like this as we enter the hotel. The other girls get their room, as Applejack and I walk up to the counter the pink filly says “How cute! One room for you two?” I simply nod. “Alright, room number 202, second floor; it’ll be on your left as you leave the stairs.” Catching up with the girls Fluttershy says “So what room did you get?” Applejack answers “202.” Rarity says “Well that’s right across from our room! We’re in 201. I’m just glad we didn’t get split up.” There’s a lot of idle chatter as we get to our rooms. I don’t really make an attempt to keep track of who’s saying what. It’s hard to keep up with 5 ponies talking at the same time. As we reach our rooms Rainbow says “So, should we leave you two alone for a while?” I can’t tell if she’s joking or not but I shoot her a dirty look, Apple must have as well. “Ok, ok, easy you two, I was only joking.” We deposit our saddlebags in the room, and go to the front of the hotel. Once gathered we all head to the stalls, eager to try out as many flavors of cider as we can. We get there to see there is no stalls to buy from. You pay an entrance fee, a steep one, and then you can drink all you want of any flavor. We all pay then start trying flavors. The area is well protected so we split up and drink at own discretion. I of course go for apple first. It’s good, but Sweet Apple Acre’s is better. Next I spent hours drinking, going for cherry, potato, carrot, banana, orange, and wheat flavored cider. There’s so much more to try, but I can’t drink any more, my stomach is so full. The banana cider was so good I had 3 mugs full. The wheat was also good…but it was easily the most alcoholic of the ciders there. After two mugs I was seeing double. As I’m about to fall over I’m caught by somepony “Whoa! Hey there buddy you doing ok?” I’m slurring my words “I’m shfine. I little to muchsh shcider.” “Uh huh, wheat?” “yyyyup!” “You feel sick?” “nnnnope!” “Good. You gotta be careful with the wheat cider. If you let it, it’ll knocked you out quickly.” “cooool, sssso hwhat’rrre yourrrr namesch?” There's just one of me, names Wheat Thin.” “Good to meet oou Hwheeeat. I’mmm Cleansching FFFlammme.” “Ugh you’re drunk as hay. I’m glad you enjoyed the cider though. You have any friends to help you out?” I search the crowd and point a shaky hoof at Pinkie Pie. He sets me down and trots off. Moments later he comes back with Pinkie. I hear Wheat Thin talking “He had a bit too much of the wheat cider. I don’t think he knew how alcoholic the stuff is. I see them approach…all six of them. “Heeeeey, it’sch my buddiesch. How arrre all schix off yoou dooingk?” I hear Pinkie “Oh no, how big were his mugs?” Wheat says “Extra large.” “Okay, we need to get him back to the hotel.” I protest “Ah donn’t hwannaaa. The schider is scho goooood!” Looking around in triplicate is difficult. I see three fluttershys heading my way as she says “Oh my, he doesn’t look so good.” To my right I hear Rarity “I agree dear, he looks like he went overboard.” Trying to regain control of my mouth “I diiiid nnot, Ah jusct didnn’t kknow the hwheat schider wwas scho alccohooolic.” “Ah mystery solved.” Above me I see Rainbow flying around rather strangely “Ischn’t that RRRRainbow Dasch?” Twilight walks up and facehoofs “FLAME! Not you too!” I just give a big goofy grin. I notice Twilight has two rather tipsy Applejacks in tow. “Heeeeey there’sch mmy girllllsch!” Applejack protests “Hey, I thought I was yer girl! Not one a two!” I shake my head “But yyyou are my girllls, both you (pointing at Applejack) and you (pointing at the second Applejack). Two Applejacksch!” At this Twilight collects the drunken Rainbow and we all leave. I’m wedged between Applejack and Rarity as I can’t stand on my own. Rainbow dash is wedged between Twilight and Pinkie for the same reasons, also to prevent her from using her wings. Fluttershy flying is above the six of us. All the while we’re heading back to the hotel; Rainbow Dash and I are rambling drunks. Needless to say the stairs were not fun. Getting back to the room I had sobered up enough to talk properly but not enough to walk or think straight “Arg, next time someone warn me the wheat cider is super alcoholic.” Applejack just laughs “We didn’t know about that sugercube. Did you try their apple cider?” I poorly imitate Big Mac a little “Eyup, but it wasn’t as good as sweet apple acre’s apple cider!” “Flatterer.” “I’m serious, your family made cider is amazing.” “A’ight big guy, let’s get ya inta bed.” As she’s guiding me towards the bed “Ooh, I think I like where this is going!” She bops me in the back “None a that flame, yer too drunk.” “Promises promises!” I smile as I made her fumble her words “Ah…you…well ah…” “Don’t worry, I said let’s take it slow and I meant it. Doesn’t mean I won’t tease ya though.” She playfully pushes me onto the bed “Just go ta sleep wont ya. It’s getting late ya know.” In a somewhat pouting fashion I curl up in the covers. As Applejack climbs in, I intercept her and pull her into a hug. This catches her off guard as she lets out an a small squeal. As she settles down I lay my head down. As I’m almost asleep I feel her shift around and reciprocate the hug, turning it into cuddling, I fall asleep staring into her beautiful green eyes.