//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Reunited At Last // Story: The Reason I Can't Find My Love // by Locomotion //------------------------------// By now, the train on which Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo were travelling was slowing down for its next station stop. As the two adult Pegasi looked out of the window, they noticed the scenery slowly changing from countryside to town as their train slowed for its next station stop. Trees and bushes gave way to huts and sheds, multicoloured flowers among lush green grass were replaced with steel rails on wooden sleepers, and an unmistakeable cloud mansion loomed in the distance. “This is it, Rainbow Dash,” said Soarin. “We're nearly home.” “Good – now when we get into that station, we won't have a moment to lose,” instructed Rainbow Dash. “As soon as we get out, it's up to us to get Pinkie back to Sugarcube Corner, find Applejack and tell her that everything's okay; but we can't stop for anything! Got it?” “Already had done since before we left Appleloosa,” affirmed Soarin. “I'm ready, Dashie.” “You want me to use my scooter and cart to carry Pinkie Pie home?” “I think Soarin and I can manage okay, Scootaloo,” replied Rainbow Dash, “but if you could use it to get you up to Sweet Apple Acres, then that'd be a great help.” “Okay, Dash.” Pinkie Pie sighed heavily and looked down at the floor. Her mood hadn't changed in the slightest since she and Rainbow Dash had received that bombshell from that buffalo bullock in Appleloosa; her mane and tail remained dull and deflated, and her coat only appeared to have darkened with the passing of time. “What's the use?” she mourned. “Braeburn's gone, and I'm never gonna see him again.” “Stop it, Pinkie!” scolded Rainbow Dash severely. “Braeburn may not be in Appleloosa, but that doesn't mean you're never gonna see him – in fact, you're closer to seeing him than you might think!” She turned to Soarin; “You all packed up and ready?” “Very much so. You ready, Scoot?” “All set, Soarin,” replied Scootaloo, brandishing her trusty scooter. “Great!” said Rainbow Dash. “Then let's go,” and she led them towards the nearest door. The train's pace slackened further and further as it pulled into the station, and soon it came to a complete stop. Without a moment's hesitation, the four ponies burst out onto the platform and made for the exit – but as soon as they reached it, they noticed a flash of orange rapidly approaching them. “Rainbow Dash!” crowed Applejack with relief. “Am Ah ever glad ta see y'all! Braeburn's about ta turn Sugarcube Corner upside down!” “He's WHAT?!” exclaimed Soarin, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, all at the same time. “Ah did try ta stop 'im, but he wouldn't listen to me – he's a' hay-bent on findin' out where Pinkie is!” blustered Applejack frantically. “We gotta get 'er back to the bakery, an' fast!” “Leave it to us, Applejack!” stated Rainbow Dash grimly, as she and Soarin scooped up the unwilling Pinkie Pie. With that, all five of them took off towards the bakery. Back at Sugarcube Corner, Apple Bloom, Dinky, Tootsie Flute and Sweetie-Belle were doing all in their power to hold Braeburn back for as long as they could. Each time, Braeburn would try a different trick to sneak past them, catch them off guard or overcome their forcefields, from turning back halfway round and trying the doorway he had attempted previously to ducking past the window. But no matter what he did, the same thing happened – if the inexplicable forcefield didn't hold him back, a seemingly jammed door handle did. Even when he tried battering into the front door, he only succeeded in knocking himself over onto his back again! Frustrated, Braeburn shook the stars from his vision and stood himself up again. “Alright, y'all in there!” he yelled angrily. “Ah dunno what yo' game is, but it ain't funny! Now fo' the love of Celestia cut that out, or else!” “Nope!” Braeburn's eye twitched. He knew that voice all too well. “Okay then, you win!” he bellowed. “Ah guess Ah'll just have ta come back later!” and he turned to head back down the road. Inside the bakery, Apple Bloom turned back to her friends with a triumphant grin. “Mission accomplished, girls!” she announced. “We can relax now.” Dinky, Sweetie-Belle and Tootsie Flute all breathed a sigh of relief as they reconvened in the lobby. Perhaps now they could treat themselves to some cupcakes or something as a victory snack – or so they thought. Suddenly, the front door slammed open, and the four fillies froze over in shock. “How's this fo' later?!” barked Braeburn sharply. Apple Bloom cringed as she realised that they had let their guard down far too soon. “Ah might'a known you'd be behind this, Apple Bloom!” snarled Braeburn, slowly advancing on her. “What in the hay are y'all up to?” “Ah can explain, Braeburn,” began Apple Bloom nervously. “Ya see, Dinky an' Toot...” “Ah'll tell ya what yo' up to!” interrupted Braeburn, without waiting for Apple Bloom's full response. “Yo' in league with Applejack an' Caramel, ain't ya?” “What are you talking about?!” protested Sweetie-Belle. “We didn't even know you were in Ponyville up till now!” “Oh, didn't ya?! Then how come y'all were tryin' ta block me outta this bakery, huh?!” “What in heaven's name is going on around here?!” The five ponies looked back to see a startled Mrs Cake standing close to the foot of the stairs. Braeburn marched across the lobby. “Y'all run this place?” “Yes, what of it?” “Then do ya know a pony by the name of...” “BRAEBURN, LOOK!!” squeaked Apple Bloom suddenly, pointing towards the doorway. Mrs Cake looked, and was most surprised by what she saw. “Now look here, Apple Bloom,” snapped Braeburn, “if ya think Ah'm gonna fall fo' any more o' yo' tricks, you got another thing comin'...” “I don't know who you think you are, sir,” Mrs Cake spoke up severely, “but I'll have you know that that's no joke! If you'd care to look at where Apple Bloom is talking about...” Grudgingly, Braeburn did as he was told – and in that instant, his anger vanished altogether as he saw what Apple Bloom and Mrs Cake were referring to. There, standing just outside, were his cousin Applejack and four other ponies, one of them visibly pregnant while another seemed almost familiar to him. Her mane and tail were flat and lifeless, and her colours seemed rather faded, but her Cutie Mark and other features told him that this must be... “P-P-Pinkie Pie?” stammered Braeburn. There was a long, dramatic pause as the two ponies stared disbelievingly into each other's eyes. Soarin, Rainbow Dash and Applejack all looked on with bated breath, while the expression of disapproval that Mrs Cake had been directing at Braeburn slowly gave way to one of stunned realisation. “BRAEBURN!!!” Before anypony knew it, Pinkie Pie had all but leapt the distance between herself and the golden-furred stallion, and was now hugging him tightly as she bawled into his chest. “Oh, Braeburn, I thought I'd never see you again!” she wailed, her voice muffled by his chest fur. “Ah...Ah don't understand,” stuttered Braeburn, confused. “What's this all about?!” Applejack stepped forward with a rueful frown. “It's mah fault, Braeburn,” she confessed. “Ah meant ta tell Pinkie Pie about yo' visit, but Ah left it way too late 'cause Ah din' realise she an' Rainbow Dash...kinda had the same idea as y'all did – not until Fluttershy told me all about it the same day they were leavin'.” “Wait a minute – ya mean she was headed fo' Appleloosa? But why din' ya tell me?!” burst out Braeburn indignantly. “Because ya don't always look before ya leap,” explained Applejack. “If Ah told ya where Pinkie was, who's ta say ya wouldn't 'ave beaten it straight back to the train station an' got on the next train back t' Appleloosa?” Braeburn opened his mouth to reply, but the annoyance in his expression quickly retreated in favour of a more amused look. “That's yo' reason fo' keepin' the truth from me?!” he chortled. “C'mon, Applejack, even Ah wouldn't go that far.” “Ah couldn't be too sure,” said Applejack meekly. “Well, it still doesn't excuse you trying to hide the truth from us as well, you know!” chided Rainbow Dash. “You could have saved us a lot of trouble by at least dropping us a hint, Applejack! As it is, our vacation's been ruined and Pinkie's in a right state – all because you wouldn't let us in on Braeburn's visit until the last minute!” Applejack cringed and stared at the floorboards, brushing a hoof against them. “There was a reason fo' that.” “What reason?” “Well...Ah think Braeburn 'ad better explain.” Applejack nodded to her cousin, who placed an uncharacteristically shy hoof against the back of his neck. “Yeah, maybe Ah should,” he conceded. “See, Ah'm pretty much done with Appleloosa now...” Pinkie Pie lifted her head from his chest and gazed up at him, her eyes still filled with tears. “You're moving out of Appleloosa? After all it's ever meant to you?” “Well...yeah, it does mean a lot ta me, Pinkie,” admitted Braeburn, “but not as much as a certain pink mare here in Ponyville. That's why Ah moved outta Appleloosa – so Ah can be with that mare fo' as long as Ah live. That's why Ah din' want Applejack ta give away too much before Ah got 'ere; Ah was hopin' ta surprise...that certain mare at mah Welcome party.” Pinkie Pie's eyes widened. “You...I...meaning me?” she stammered hopefully, her fur starting to lighten up again. “Ah sure do. Ah'm only sorry Ah never told ya this before, Pinkie, but Ah really, really la'k y'all, an' always had done.” Another long silence hung over the bakery as those meaningful words sank in. Again, Pinkie Pie gazed into Braeburn's eyes, and noticed a sincere, loving glimmer in his expression that spoke volumes for itself. With a loud, squeaky PLOOMPF, her mane and tail literally sprang back to their normal bouncy state, and she let out a joyous squeal that could be heard for miles around as she leaped for joy again and again. “YAY! BRAEBURN'S STAYING IN PONYVILLE! BRAEBURN'S STAYING IN PONYVILLE!” Only then did Mrs Cake finally find her voice. “You...really care for Pinkie that much?” Braeburn nodded. “Well...given that Ah don't know her too well, yes Ah do. Ah'm awful sorry about a' the hullabaloo earlier, by the way.” At this point, Mrs Cake could only smile kindly in response. “That's quite alright, Braeburn,” she counselled. “You obviously had good intentions. Besides, I can hardly hold it against the one pony who managed to make our Pinkie Pie so happy now, can I?” “Neither can any of us,” chipped in Rainbow Dash. “There's only one of us to blame for this misunderstanding, and it certainly isn't you either – you just caught up in the middle of the whole thing, that's all.” She then grinned broadly and gave the golden-furred stallion a friendly punch on the shoulder. “You're okay, Braeburn.” Braeburn chuckled heartily as Pinkie Pie, having finally calmed down after her ecstatic episode, bounced up to him and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Braeburn,” she gushed, “you've just made this the best day in my whole life! All the parties in the world can't get any better than how I feel now that you've told me how you feel about me and that you're gonna be living in Ponyville forever and ever...and ever...and ever – I just......I'm really, really, really, really, really, really happy that you feel about me the way you do, because I like you – LIKE YOU, I TELL YOU!!!” With a warm smile, Braeburn fondly returned the embrace. “An' there was Ah thinkin' Ah'd never get the chance ta hear ya say that,” he murmured, nuzzling the side of her head affectionately. “Me too,” added Pinkie Pie. She then looked back to the others; “You know what this calls for?” “As if I didn't know already!” quipped Scootaloo. “A PARTY!!” Rainbow Dash nodded her wholehearted agreement. “That's probably the most sensible suggestion anypony's made all week.” “You said it, Dashie!” laughed Soarin. “Did somepony say 'party'?” Everypony else looked back towards the doorway, and were delighted to see a familiar brown-orange Earth pony stallion with chocolate-brown mane and tail. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie in particular could only smile when she saw the orange-furred interloper – they knew this particular pony all too well. “Well, well, well,” remarked Rainbow Dash, “if it isn't our old friend Cheese Sandwich!” “Got it in one!” replied the stallion. “Been a while since I last visited this place, hasn't it?” “You bet,” laughed Rainbow Dash. “I still haven't forgotten that epic birthday party you and Pinkie Pie put on for me a few years ago.” “You and me both, Rainbow Dash,” smiled Cheese Sandwich. “So, Pinkie Pie, do I take it you're gonna be throwing yet another of your swell parties?” “Yes indeed-y!” beamed Pinkie Pie broadly. “Braeburn here has just moved into Ponyville, and...well...” The pink-furred party animal paused, a light blush spreading across her cheeks. “...we've kinda got a thing for one another.” Cheese Sandwich smiled again and nodded his acknowledgement. He knew exactly what Pinkie Pie was talking about. “Hang on!” exclaimed Braeburn, suddenly remembering. “Yo' that stallion who threw us that Wild West disco party once!” “The very same!” proclaimed Cheese Sandwich proudly. “So how about it then, Braeburn – you up for another party at the hooves of one of the finest party planners in Equestria?” “Are y'all kiddin' me?!” retorted Braeburn in delight. “With y'all an' Pinkie Pie hostin' mah party, this'll be a night to remember! How can Ah say no ta that?!” “Well, I'm glad that settles it,” remarked Cheese Sandwich with a hearty grin. “Any excuse to repay Pinkie for helping me realise my true calling in life.” “And I know how another pony can repay the rest of us for messing us about like this,” added Rainbow Dash, a sly grin of her own starting to creep its way onto her face. “As I understand it, Braeburn's always fond of a good apple fritter every now and again – am I right?” Applejack's face lit up. “Yeah...so he does...so do we all,” she remarked. “Yeah, Ah guess we could have some o' those at the party.” “My point exactly – Pinkie and Cheese can plan the party, Mr and Mrs Cake can do the catering and provide the venue...you don't mind, do you, Mrs Cake?” “Of course not,” smiled Mrs Cake graciously. “So yeah, they can do all that, and you, Applejack, can fry us some of your delicious apple fritters...” “Sounds la'k a good...” “...alone!” Applejack was mortified at this suggestion. “What?! Now hang on, Rainbow Dash, that's takin' it a bit too...” “Tough luck, Applejack,” interrupted Rainbow Dash smugly. “You were the one who got us into this whole mess in the first place, so you're gonna have to work your flanks off if you wanna make up for it.” “So...not even Apple Bloom or Caramel?” “Sorry, sis,” said Apple Bloom cheerfully. “Ah got a lot o' catchin' up ta do with cousin Braeburn.” “And don't count on us asking Caramel to...” “Ah, let it go, Dashie,” chuckled Soarin. “If Caramel wants to help, that's his lookout. Still, even he's going to have his work cut out for him if your palette is anything to go by at the moment," he added with a broad smirk. Everypony else in the bakery laughed heartily; but Applejack's feelings were beyond words! That evening, Sugarcube Corner was filled with the cheery sounds of light-hearted chatter as Braeburn's Welcome Party went into full swing. Braeburn himself was enjoying the attention enormously, along with all the new friendships he had made thus far; all of his Ponyville cousins were present along with some of Pinkie Pie's other friends, there was no shortage of food and entertainment to keep them amused. But best of all, he considered, he was finally reunited with Pinkie Pie – and nothing, as far as he was concerned, would ever come between them again. Applejack wiped the sweat away from her brow for what seemed like the hundredth time as she fished yet another batch of apple fritters out of the pan. It had been hot, tiring work, and just as Soarin had predicted, matters hadn't been helped by the fierce cravings Rainbow Dash had been getting for apple fritters. “Oh well,” sighed Applejack wearily as she placed the fritters into a bowl with all the others, “Ah suppose Ah did bring this on mahself.” “How's it going, A.J.?” Applejack looked over her shoulder to see Caramel entering the kitchen. “Not bad, seein' as Ah've been left ta provide enough fritters fo' seventy-three ponies and a mare who's eatin' fo' two,” she grunted. “Just seventy-four ponies?” Caramel eyed the vast amounts of fritters in utter disbelief. “Applejack, that's enough fritters to feed an army! How do you expect a mere seventy-four ponies to eat all that lot in one evening?!” “Yeah...maybe Ah have gone a li'l overboard with them fritters,” murmured Applejack ruefully. “It's just that...well, Rainbow Dash just won't leave 'em alone – every time Ah bring out a fresh batch, she goes an' nabs most of 'em before anypony else has a chance to grab one themselves! Ah mean, Ah can understand Pinkie Pie bein' able to wolf down so many fritters, but Rainbow Dash?! how's that even possible?” Caramel nodded sympathetically, trying not to laugh. “Ah, that's probably just the sort of thing most mares go through when pregnant,” he observed thoughtfully. “You know when I went to see my Dad in Manehattan last year?” “What about it?” “He confided in me that, when Mom was carrying me, she used to get through six jars of olives, three apple pies and twenty mangoes a day!” explained Caramel, finally letting loose his laughter. In spite of her annoyance with Rainbow Dash, Applejack couldn't help but join in. “Anyway, I think you've done way more than enough for tonight. Why don't you come and join in on all the fun?” “Yeah, why not?” conceded Applejack heartily. “And by the way, Applejack...” “Yeah?” “...I think you did wonders in keeping Braeburn here in Ponyville for as long as you did,” praised Caramel. “I'm sure Pinkie and Dash feel the same way, even if they won't show it.” Applejack blushed. “Ah couldn't 'ave done it without yo' help, though,” she said softly, and gave her tan-coated coltfriend a light peck on the side of his muzzle. “Thanks, Caramel.” “That's okay, Applejack. Just glad I could help,” smiled Caramel kindly. With that, the two Earth ponies left the kitchen and headed into the lobby to join their friends, Applejack taking extra care not to be spotted by Rainbow Dash in case she should be chastised for bunking off work. She didn't quite succeed, however; the heavily pregnant mare caught a glimpse of her while enjoying some happy gossip with Braeburn, but luckily for Applejack, she simply assured herself that justice had been dealt and turned a blind eye on the orange-coated farm pony. Besides, she told herself, at least they were well-stocked for fritters! “So, Braeburn,” she continued, “no more thoughts about leaving Ponyville just so you can be with Pinkie Pie?” “Not a chance, Dash!” Braeburn assured her. “As long as Pinkie's still 'ere, so am Ah.” “Good for you, Braeburn,” chuckled Rainbow Dash. “Just make sure you don't upset that mare on purpose, or else...” Braeburn's smile faded. “Or else what?” Rainbow Dash leaned in towards him with narrow eyes. “...or else I'll be seeing how many times I can wrap you round a single apple tree,” she warned in a low, fierce tone. “Ah won't – y'all can bet on it,” stammered Braeburn uneasily. “Oh, I know you won't!” Rainbow Dash promptly dropped her threatening façade and resumed her previous cheery expression. “I was just messing with your head, Braeburn; I know you'd never wanna hurt our Pinkie Pie – not that she does upset very easily, anyway.” Braeburn breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Well, am Ah darn well glad ta hear that,” he mused thankfully. “It was bad enough that Ah'd done so just by leavin' Appleloosa behind, but...oh, an' by the way,” he added apologetically, “Ah'm real sorry yo' vacation was ruined...” “Nah, it's okay, Braeburn,” smiled Rainbow Dash. “I think we've all had enough of Appleloosa for now, me and Soarin and Scoot. As soon as this party's over, it's off to Manehattan with us – a nice, relaxing seaside setting, that's what we need.” “Fair enough,” chuckled Braeburn. Just then, they heard an ear-splitting squeal of delight as Pinkie Pie bounced joyously across the lobby, beaming from ear to ear. “They said yes! THEY SAID YES!!!” she cheered loudly. “I so can't believe this! Me and Braeburn together under the same roof – this...is the GREATEST DAY EVER!” Soarin, who was just rejoining his wife after filling himself a glass of punch at the buffet table, raised an eyebrow. “What in Celestia's name has gotten into her now?” Rainbow Dash shrugged; but Braeburn smiled broadly. He knew exactly why Pinkie Pie was so far over the moon right now. “Oh, Dashie, you're so not gonna believe this!” the pink-furred party pony gushed ecstatically. “Braeburn and I wanted to be in the same place under the same roof at the same time, so I went and asked Mr and Mrs Cake if they'd be okay with him moving in and becoming my room-mate, and guess what – THEY SAID YEEEES!!” “No! Really?!” Rainbow Dash was astounded. “That's really awesome, Pinkie!” “I know, right? Now I'll never have to worry about being away from Braeburn ever again, 'cause I'll be waking up in the same room as him, and maybe in the same bed too!” “Y'all said it, Pinkie!” agreed Braeburn. “Uh...isn't that a bit forward for you both?” Soarin looked slightly perturbed. “Ah, c'mon, Soarin,” scoffed Rainbow Dash. “You and I sometimes shared a bed before we were married. Anyway, aren't you forgetting that this is Pinkie Pie we're looking at here? The only pony I know other than myself who likes to take things fast?” Soarin opened his mouth to object – but immediately thought better of it. “Yeah, I guess you're right,” he decided.