//------------------------------// // Chapter 18 // Story: Where Is My Love? // by TheMyth //------------------------------// Hutch stared after the receding Blueblood for a moment, then turned his gaze to the buffet table. The treats that intrigued him were the apple and cherry muffins, using his mother’s cherries and apples from Sweet Apple Acres. He picked one up and had just taken a bite when somepony behind him spoke. “How do ya like them?” Turning around, he saw an orange earth pony mare looking at him. A quick glance at the red brooch shaped as an apple on her dress was enough to tell him she was the mare who made them, and he chewed for a few moments then swallowed. “Pretty good,” Hutch replied, taking a smaller bite. “It’s the first time I’ve seen these items used together.” He was about to ask the mare how she had gotten hold of his mother’s cherries when another female voice rose above the chatting of the party goers. “Hu~utchy!” His ears splayed against his head as he turned to face the mare, then frowned when he saw her looking between him and the orange mare. “Well look at that, you an’ Miss Applejack already met!” “How many times have I asked you politely not to call me on my nickname in public, mom?” Hutch asked her, his voice flat and his face staring blankly at her. Cherry Jubilee giggled at her son’s words before she hugged and nuzzled him. “Can’t a mother show her handsome son who she hasn’t seen in a long time some affection?” she asked, then turning to Applejack, who was staring at the two in disbelief. “What’s wrong Applejack? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Applejack went to say something, but quickly shook her head. “N-nothing! Ah’m actually surprised yer here in Canterlot, Dodge Junction is mighty far from here.” “Well, I was invited by Princess Celestia to this event courtesy to my cherries being used in the making of these treats.” Cherry replied as she took a bite of an apple and cherry crumble, beaming at the taste she was experiencing. “And I can tell you made these.” she said. Applejack nodded before she replied with a grin. “Ah sure did.” “Of course you did. I know when an Apple has made a dish just by tasting it. If you haven’t found a stallion yet, you’ll keep one when you do!” Cherry tittered at the orange mare’s burning cheeks before she gestured for Applejack to come closer, which she did, and immediately the cream earth pony mare leaned into her ear and whispered. “My darling boy is free you know, and I saw how you were eying him earlier.” she said, Applejack lowered her head and removed her trademark stetson, covering her glowing face with it. “Oh! But I have to go and greet the Princesses! I’ll leave you two alone now.” Cherry said as she planted a kiss on her son’s cheek. “Ta ta…” she said before she walked off to where Celestia was and started a new conversation with her. After a few moments that seemed to last forever, Hutch finally cleared his throat before he spoke again. “I’m so sorry about my mother… she can be quite a hoofful.” he said as he shook his head. Ah should know… Applejack chuckled as she adjusted her hat back on her head. “That’s alright, sugarcube. So yer from the Jubilee family?” she asked Hutch, noticing he had the same mane colour as his mother yet a different coat. Her eyes lingered to his flank, where she saw a pair of cherries with an infinity mark in the back. A tiny smiling crept onto the mare’s face as she focused on him. He sure has got a nice fla— Applejack’s eyes dilated as she snorted, abruptly looking away when her face heated up again. What the hay is wrong with ya Applejack! Ya just met him and already yer fantasizing about him! Even though he seems like an awfully kind, handsome to boot stallion— “Everything alright?” Applejack let out a gasp, jumping into the air and surprising all the other ponies who were close by. “Ah’m alright,” she quickly replied as she straightened herself. “Alright, as for your question Miss... I am indeed a Jubilee.” Hutch said as he bowed a little to Applejack. “Currently enrolled at CBU, and partaking in an internship under the care of Prince Blueblood.” he said, a smile etched on his face when she saw the mare cocking her brow. “So what, yer training to be a prince?” Applejack asked, frowning a little when she was answered via laughter from Hutch. Hutch cleared his throat again but still wore his grin. “Heavens no, it’s just something CBU does, normally a placement in a working position at the Ministry of Finance.” he answered her, diminishing his broad smile to a smaller one. “I’ve always been good with numbers, yet not with farm work." "Funny, ya look like ya can handle yourself well on a farm." "Looks can be very deceiving in life, Miss Applejack." Hutch replied, arching his brow when he saw the faintest blush on her. Darnit! "Just call me AJ sugar, all my friends do." she said as she took a bite of her apple and cherry crumble. “Weren’t you a participant in the Canterlot Rodeo some years ago?” Hutch asked her as he too was savouring the taste of some of the bonne bouche before him. “If I remember correctly, you were one of the best contestants.”  “Yeah... “ Applejack trailed off as she lowered her piece of crumble and looked at Hutch. “How did ya know that?” she asked him. Hutch shrugged as he swallowed a treat he was chewing on. “My mother sent me a letter, does it once a week to keep in contact. Always speaks of daily events during the week. She spoke of a ‘very independent and hardworking mare from Ponyville” who helped her out on the farm, who was also in the rodeo that year.” he trailed off, giving off a snort as he laughed. “Makes me miss the days when I was in rodeos…” “Ya took part in them rodeos too?” Applejack became intrigued, unconsciously stepping closer towards the stallion. “Mostly second or third place in my high school, didn’t have much time to perform in rodeos again when I enrolled in Canterlot University. Not a lot of spare time when you’re currently studying in Accounting and Finances.” Applejack’s smile diminish as she furrowed her brow. “Oh…” she trailed off as she backed away from Hutch. “So ya still in school?” she asked him, scanning his body again and noticing she was a little shorter than he was. “Indeed,” Hutch replied. “Hopefully be finished with my Masters in two years,” the stallion said before his ears perked to the sound of a new song playing, with the other ponies making their way to the dancefloor. “Aren’t you going to dance?” “If Ah had a date, Ah would have loved to, but alone… that’s not going to happen.” Applejack said before she saw Hutch offering his hoof to her. The mare looked to the hoof and to his face, seeing a rather charming smile grace his features. Might as well… “Since we’re in the same boat, would you care for a dance?” he asked her politely. After a few moments of silence, Applejack blinked to reveal demure eyes and a soft smile emitting from her muzzle before she placed her hoof onto his. Might as well… “Sure thing, Sugarcube…” she replied and both her and Hutch trotted to the others dancing in the centre of the ballroom. Not far from where Applejack and Hutch had their conversation, Cherry Jubilee and Princess Celestia eyed the two ponies with interest, the former grinning triumphantly at what she saw. I knew it… my boy’s such a charm when he meets a mare like Applejack…Her eyes lingered until they landed on Blueblood and Derpy, who were still dancing slowly to the music resonating across the room. “You must be very happy for your nephew.” “You have no idea,” Celestia nodded as she sipped on her glass of wine, enjoying the view from the back row. “And I do approve of the mare he has chosen to be with.” she said, seeing Derpy smiling and wearing one of the most beautiful dresses she has ever seen, something that doesn’t happen often. I just hope nothing bad happens to her or little Dinky… Cherry cleared her throat before she spoke again. “By the way, where is your sister, Princess?” she asked, looking around the ballroom and not seeing any sign of Princess Luna. Having left the ballroom and made their way out onto the balcony that ran around the roof of the room, Luna and Nightshade walked past several other Katakans until they were looking down over the gardens. Staring out over the city, Luna let out a sigh. “I am slightly disappointed in you, Nightshade.” The Katakan mare let out a small whimper, but said nothing and waited for Luna to continue. “I thought you were more thorough, that you would have checked for a body. Why did you not?” Luna asked, looking at Nightshade with a frown. “Dark Star was near death when he fell, his wings were useless and he could not shadow dive,” Nightshade replied with a slight shrug. “How, if it was him the other night, he managed to survive, I cannot even guess at.” “Next time I send you on such a task, I do not expect you make a half-flanked attempt at it. It matters not he was your brother, Dark Star committed atrocities supposedly in my name. If it is him, I expect you to finish the job this time… or I will be finding a new captain for my Shadowbolts. Do I make myself clear?” Luna asked, now glaring at Nightshade. “As crystal, Night-mistress,” Nightshade said as she bowed her head. Luna snorted and turned away, looking down into the gardens. Following her gaze, Nightshade saw Dinky and Pipsqueak on one of the benches by a fountain, her son just off to the side. A small smirk came to her face, and, even if it clashed with their previous conversation, she couldn’t resist the temptation to tease. “So, Luna… when are you going to take a stallion for yourself?” “N-Nightshade!” Luna said in high pitched voice, looking at the Katakan with wide eyes and blushing cheeks. “It would not be proper.” “My son is single, I’ve seen the way you look at him.” Nightshade’s grin got wider as Luna’s blush deepened. I knew there was something that colt wasn’t telling me. “A Katakan stallion can go for hours, you know.” “That is enough, Nightshade,” Luna snapped, not meeting the Katakans gaze. “Who I do or do not have relations is between the other party and myself.” The pair fell silent, looking down at the foals below them. Both mares began to smile as the filly slowly moved her muzzle towards the colt’s. As the music slowly died down, Derpy sighed inwardly as she removed her head from Blueblood’s shoulder, not wanting to let go of her stallion. When she felt her stallion slowly pull himself away from her, she had the urge to cling onto him as though he was the only one to offer her sanctuary. “Say, Derpy… mind following me outside?” Blueblood asked her. Immediately giving him a nod, she walked alongside Blueblood, instinctively leaning close to him as a soft smile decorated her face along with tinted cheeks. Derpy could swear she heard a few ponies already conversing with gossip about her. Just as they reached the entrance leading to the gardens, a pink mare swiftly blockaded their way to the outside world. “Hey! The party is just getting started.” Pinkie Pie moaned at the couple as she pouted. “Why are you leaving now?” “We’re just going to the gardens Pinkie.” Derpy tried to explain to her, but her words didn’t get them past their living barrier. “Aww c’mon! There’s still so much to do and I still have to show you how to do the—” Pinkie’s words were cut off when Blueblood placed his hoof on her mouth and removed it once the earth pony stayed silent. Blueblood smiled before he gestured Pinkie to come forward. When she did, he leaned into her ear and started to whisper something that Derpy could not hear. As he finished, the pink mare beamed before giving a salute. “No problem! You spend as much time as you need in the gardens! I will not let a soul leave the premises no matter what. Cross my heart,” Pinkie placed her hoof on her chest and drew a cross on her heart. “Hope to fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!” she finished as she poked her eye, giggling before bouncing away. I will never understand Pinkie… Derpy cocked her brow as she turned to Blueblood. “What was that about?” “Just her being herself?” Blueblood answered her as he laughed. “Let’s go.” he said as he took a hold of her hoof and exited to the gardens. Pinkie Pie bounced to Princess Celestia, who was standing next to Wise Words as they shared a drink. “Um, Princess… mind if I ask if we can make this music a little ‘livelier’?” she requested to the princess, beaming in anticipation. “An excellent idea,” Celestia answered as she smiled at Pinkie. “Wise, do you mind relaying to Octavia and the others?” she asked the stallion. “Of course.”  Wise bowed to Celestia before he made his way to the orchestra players, approaching a dark grey earth pony mare playing the cello. When he finished relaying the request, the mare nodded with a soft smile and turned to her fellow musicians. Once they understood what was asked of them, the band started to play a new piece, that was indeed faster and more extravagant than the last piece. Sounds like we’re missing a really good song… Derpy’s thoughts trailed off as she walked alongside Blueblood in the gardens. Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw he had led her to a different area than her previous visit, but one that had changed her life nearly a decade ago. “Say, Blue… why are we leaving the party?” Derpy asked her stallion, but was answered only by a smile and him stopping in his tracks. Blueblood sat down and beckoned her over, taking her hoof in his, the mare looking around with wide eyes. “This is—” “The place where we first met…” Blueblood finished her sentence, leaning his muzzle to her ear before he nibbled on it, causing Derpy to giggle. “I still remember how you greeted me back then…’It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?’” the stallion mimicked the pegasus, doing his best to sound like a mare. Derpy cocked her brow as she grinned at the unicorn. “And you yelped and jumped in the air like a little filly on Nightmare Night.” she snickered as she imitated Blueblood from when she first met him. “I did not!” Blueblood rebutted Derpy’s words, furiously blushing as he looked away from the laughing mare. She’s not ever going to forget that, is she? He slowly turned his head back to her when she finally stopped laughing and looked at him with half lidded eyes. He was then greeted by a pair of lips pressing against his, before he melted into the kiss and brought his hooves around her neck. As they continued, Blueblood lay his back on the grass with Derpy against his chest. Once they disconnected from each other, the mare rolled off of him and scooted closer against his side, resting her head against his shoulder as she lay a foreleg over the stallion’s barrel. Her eyes looked up to the night’s sky, where the stars shined brightly down upon them. Since Princess Luna’s return, the night really has become more beautiful…  “I think I saw a shooting star just now,” Blueblood spoke randomly as he pointed to a cluster of stars. “Did you make a wish?” Blueblood shook his head as he nuzzled Derpy’s. “I don’t think I need to wish for anything right now at this point,” he said as he turned his gaze to Derpy. “Not when I’m with the most beautiful mare in Equestria…” Derpy tittered at his words as she blushed with a soft smile. “Flatterer.” she said as she playfully shoved at his chest. “Yet you don’t object to that, do you?” Blueblood smirked as he kissed her burning cheek, eliciting a giggle from her. His smile dropped though as he raised himself to sit upwards, with his back facing Derpy’s face. “Well… there is one wish that I have, but it’s not exactly something I can ask a shooting star.” “Blue?” Derpy pushed herself from the grass until her back was free from the ground and she reached a hoof to her stallion’s back. “What is it?” she asked curiously as a frown formed on her features in concern. She thought she saw a box of some kind for a moment in the clutches of the unicorn as she tried to look over his shoulder. What’s he hiding?  The answer was given to her as Blueblood turned around and showed her a black jewelry box, slowly opening it to reveal a necklace with a blue diamond attached to it. Derpy’s pupils dilated as she stared in awe at the beauty of the heart-shaped gem, before her stallion cleared his throat to bring her attention to his eyes. “My wish is to be with you and Dinky forever… will you grant me this wish?” he asked her, his lips giving a slight tremor in anticipation. Oh my gosh! Derpy gasped as she placed a hoof to her open mouth, her eyes returning to the diamond necklace. She tried to think this through, but her heart was beginning to control her body as her lips started to quiver and her eyes became watery from the sincere request Blueblood had just asked her. She looked into his eyes again, removing her hoof from her muzzle as she emitted the brightest smile she could muster, as tears of joy freely flowed from her eyes. “Yes!” Derpy uttered out before she literally shoved her muzzle against Blueblood’s, who returned the embrace with as much vigor. After a few moments more of kissing, she finally released herself from him and lowered her head as he placed the necklace around her neck, reinforcing the bond between them. As she looked down on the diamond dangling from her neck, her vision was blurred as more tears leaked from her eyes that she tried to wipe away in a vain attempt. “It’s so beautiful…” “You’re beautiful, Derpy…” Blueblood replied as he placed his hooves around her neck and brought her in closer, his muzzle just mere centimeters away from hers. “I love you…” he whispered to her. Derpy sniffed before she placed her hoof on his cheek and gazed into his eyes demurely before she replied. “I love you too…” she said as she slowly brought her lips to his, embracing her fiancé and lover under the moonlight. Yes! Celestia mentally cheered as she looked upon the couple from the bushes. If Luna saw me like this now, she would never let it go… she said to herself as she climbed out of the bushes and trotted back to the ballroom, using her magic to clean herself from any leaves that may have been stuck on her. Now we just need organize a venue and a date for it… oooh! This is going to be so much fu— “Tia.” Celestia snorted and stopped dead in her tracks as her thoughts came to a halt, and she saw her sister and Nightshade standing in front of her. The latter had a grin on her face as she shook her head and tsked at the princess. “You’re lucky they didn’t find you, Princess.” Nightshade spoke as she looked over Celestia’s shoulder and saw the couple in the distance reveling in each other’s embrace and in complete obliviousness to their surroundings. “Your technique needs more finesse and you give off too much sound in your hoofsteps when—” she stopped talking when Luna raised her hoof. “That’s enough, Nightshade.” Luna said as she eyed the Shadowbolt captain, who bowed before stepping away from the sisters. “Tia, that was very uncouth of you to spy on your nephew like that…I may watch ponies in the night, but only to a certain degree.” she reprimanded her sister. To be lectured by my younger sister… Celestia sighed in defeat as she nodded. “I know, Luna… it was just a spur of the moment thing.” she insured her sister, her ears twitching when they heard hoofsteps coming from behind them. “I suggest we make ourselves scarce before they find us.” “Agreed.” Luna replied as she and Celestia both flew into the sky with Nightshade following suit. Looks like things have gone smoothly tonight… Now if only my son would be more courageous and do what Prince Blueblood did tonight… Nightshade thought to herself as a grin formed on her face. Maybe I should give a little push to him or the Night-mistress. A sigh escaped from her muzzle as the trio landed on the balcony on top of the ballroom, Nightshade looking around for any other pony lingering the castle ground. I just hope I’m wrong about that presence I sensed the other night… “Nightshade?” Luna called out from an open door. “Will you join us?” the princess asked her captain as she beckoned her to come in. “Of course, Night-Mistress.” Nightshade answered Luna as she walked to the door before she looked back one last time to the night sky and the gardens below. I pray I’m wrong about this… Please let it not be him…