//------------------------------// // Catching up // Story: The Adventures of Cleansing Flame // by Fire_brand //------------------------------// Journal: Well this is my first completely sane entry is three years. Yesterday was amazing. I got out of the hospital where Doctor Psyche helped me get over my PTSD. Then I rode the train to Ponyville. I can’t believe it, no visions, spasms, or loss of consciousness. I’ll probably always be slightly nervous about trains but given what happened now 7 years ago I’m not surprised… wow…am I really 20 years old??? Anyways, back in Ponyville, not much has really changed about the town. Though what really changed is Applejack. She went from an angel to pretty much the beauty of the heavens. Better yet, Applejack and I are back together. I’ll have to find out what my friends have done for the past three years. I also have some practicing in a forge to do, I haven’t worked in 3 years, and I need to know what I can still do. I put away my Journal and go downstairs to eat. Halfway down I’m met by Apple Bloom who asks “So what were ya doin for 3 years?” As I continue walking I say “I had some…issues that I had to take care of.” Apple Bloom cocks an eyebrow “Fer 3 years? What kinda issue was it?” Applejack heard Apple Bloom and came over to scold her “Apple Bloom! That’s no way...” I stop her mid-sentence with a kiss. I then say “It’s no big deal; I’m fine talking about it now. Apple Bloom, the issue I had was a mental one; it made me unable to feel anything other than anger and sorrow. Physical issues are easy to heal; mental ones take a lot of work.” A now embarrassed Apple Bloom says “Ok, thanks Flame” and runs off. I turn back to face a bright red Applejack, who says “Now why’d ya go and do that in front a mah sister?” I playfully say “What, I can’t kiss the most beautiful mare in Equestria? I missed 3 years; I’ve got a lot of making up to do.” She nudges me with her side, goes crimson, and says “Flatterer.” We then walk out to the fields. Along the way out with the wagon I tentatively ask “So Applejack, how were the last 3 years for you?” Applejack looks like she knew this was coming “Well the first few months were pretty bad. Ah had a hard time getting over what happened to ya. After winter came Rarity convinced me ta take some time off and ta try seeing some other colts. None a them worked out. (as she digs her head into my neck) none a them treated me like ya did before ya had yer issue. So Ah just worked the farm and had a good time here in Ponyville.” I can’t help but smile “I’m glad you were keeping happy, I’d have felt terrible if I’d made you miserable all this time.” She almost gives me the stink eye “Well…in a way ah was miserable. Ah was constantly worried about ya and if ya’d ever recover. But enough a that, lets git some work done.” So Applejack and I buck some trees to sell the apples. In town Applejack and I go see the other girls in the castle after selling all the apples in the cart. Pinkie Pie is still the hyperactive sugar fueled pony I remember, still the premier party planner in Ponyville too. Rarity hasn’t changed too much. She now stocks materials from all over Equestria and incorporates them into her designs. Fluttershy seems to be very much the same. At first she was very anxious around me, must have been afraid I still had some leftover anger or something…I don’t know. Rainbow Dash changed the most; she has been a Wonderbolt reservist in case of injury for the last 2 years. She thinks they’ll offer her the seasonal contract soon. Twilight has physically grown since the last time I saw her. She’s now taller than me, and much more proficient with alicorn magic. Apparently she went to Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence for some guidance. All the recounting of the years took a few hours. Looking around I have to ask “So outta curiosity, who among you have found yourselves stallions?” None of them bat an eyelash. “What??? None of you? Are you serious?” Rarity proclaims “Well it’s not that we haven’t tried Flame, but none of the approaching stallions were any good. Sure they claim all they came from all over but they were all selfish.” “Ah…that would do it. Sorry I asked.” Now Twilight speaks up “So Flame, what are you going to do about your job as a smith? You must be dying to practice after 3 years.” I can’t help but laugh “You have no idea, I need to know what I have to brush up on.” “You do know that hmhmhmhmhm.” Applejack just shoved her hoof into Twilight’s mouth, causing my eyebrows to disappear into my mane. I see Applejack whisper into Twilights ear, causing me to get very suspicious. So I say “Applejack, what’s going on?” Applejack just looks at the others with a look that reads ‘Help me out here.’ Before I know it I’m blind folded and being forced to walk. I complain “Ok girls what the hay? Why am I blind folded?” I hear Pinkie “That’s my idea silly! This way we can surprise you!” “Surprise me with what?” Now I hear Applejack “Now that would ruin tha surprise.” I resign myself to being led by 6 mares while blindfolded; there are worse things than this. As I’m being led around I hear many things, foals playing, the girls laughing, the flapping of multiple pairs of wings, and…nothing? What in the world, why can’t I hear anything? I can’t figure it out, I’m not deaf…oh…magic…dang. Well I can still feel the girls nudging me to an unknown location. I can’t tell how long this goes on for but after a time I feel the ground become harder and I can hear again. A little bitter I say “Can you warn me before you take away my hearing next time? It’s not fun being blind and deaf you know.” Next thing I know the blindfold is ripped off and I hear a deafening “SURPRISE!” Before my eyes is a brand new forge. I’m a bit stunned as I check out everything. Checking out the tools, I see everything I need to forge anything, the storeroom is also stocked with materials needed to craft iron and steel. I smile and say “Alright, who is responsible for this? Step forward please.” All 6 mares step forward. “All of you? Really??? Thank you!” I go and give each a hug giving each a small blush. Applejack got a kiss instead, making her blush all the way to her ears. “I can’t believe it. When did you decide to do this?” Fluttershy says “It was Applejack’s idea, we all agreed and helped to make it a reality.” Rarity speaks up “We thought it’d make a great gift once you recovered.” Pinkie jumps up as she says “And I thought it be a great start to a PARTY!” “…party?” Walking outside I now see why I was blind folded, the whole town is set up for a giant party. I’m amazed Pinkie was able to set all this up in such a short time. Pinkie jumps at me, puts a party hat on me, and bounces as she says “It’s so big because it’s a special day for you!” I give her a confused look…I get having a party for my return, my getting better, and a new smith in town…but my special day? “Oh come on! Don’t tell me you forgot about your birthday!” “My birthday, what’s today’s date?” “August 15!” “Well I’ll be, how did you find out?” Now I hear a familiar voice “I told her Flame.” I knew who it was without having to look “Master Iron! I didn’t know you were here!” He chuckles a bit “I arrived a few minutes ago. Princess Twilight told me about what happened to you so I came over as quick as I could with my busy schedule. They told me everything Flame. It was then that Pinkie got the idea for a party for you so I let her know what I did about you to make it a great welcome back party. Though it looks like you have a lot of catching up to do.” “Yeah, you got that right. I was gone for 3 years; I got a lot of practice to make up for.” He claps my shoulder “Have fun today, this is one heck of a party!” I spend the rest of the day partying with the town. All of my favorite foods are there, as well as my favorite ciders. This time I took it easy on the wheat cider. The games Pinkie brought are great. Another benefit to the party was that I became reacquainted with the ponies here in town. By the end of the day I’m worn out, hopped up on wheat cider, and sticking to Applejack like glue; what a great party. Back at the farm, Applejack and I are intertwined and sucking face. A great end to a great day, I have to work tomorrow so I force myself to fall asleep. I really don’t want to but we both have jobs to do and can’t afford to be up till Luna knows when. Besides, there’ll be more time for fun while Applejack. I don’t plan on ever leaving her. I spend the rest of fall on my job, friends, and dates with Applejack. Most of the dates are picnics by the lake but the last few are in Sugarcube corner as it’s too cold for picnics. My circle of friends grew steadily as fall rolled on. Now I count the Cakes, Thunderlane, Zecora, and the girls’ families among my friends. Unfortunately I had forgotten more smithing techniques than I’d like. It took all fall to get them back. Even then, there are a few steel techniques I’m too rusty on for my liking. On the plus side I had a lot of business. Much of it was repairing broken/bent iron or steel and making new horseshoes. I still got requests for custom items but they were fun to work on. The biggest item I made was a brand new plow and harness assembly for Big Macintosh; I may have given him a good sized discount. A few young ponies wanted to be my apprentices. I had to turn them down as I’m not ready for that yet. I will be in a few years, but not now…still too rusty. I still want to know how to make crucible steel but the trader doesn’t come this far south. Sooner or later I’m going to have to resume my journey. I’ll have to ask if the girls want to join me again. I’ll ask once winter fully sets in, that way if they come not there won’t be much business anyway.