A Locked Jewel

by JesterintheNight

Chapter 5: A Sudden Turn

Author's Note:

MEEEEEE again, I couldn't help but continue working on the next chapter. :) Here it is, some Rarity and Jasper momentssss and much much more! Enjoy~

PS- If interested, the song for this chapter is 'Halfway to Heaven by Brantley Gilbert-

A Locked Jewel
Chapter 5: A Sudden Turn

Knock Knock

“Come in” A tired Princess answered as she lifted her head out of bed, her bedroom door opened to a Royal Guard. “Princess Celestia, Inmate 621 was spotted in the Everfree Forest.” Celestia sat up quickly, she was about to ask if they captured him; but judging from him saying ‘spotted’ that was unlikely.

“He attacked and subdued two guards, injuring another. He was then seen heading to the old castle, Master Sergeant Shadow Spark leading the garrison. They moved the whole camp to the grounds of the castle; then awaited his arrival but he never appeared. We believe 621 stole a communication crystal shard from the group he attacked, and was able to avoid Shadow Spark’s party. But the whole garrison is now hunting around the area, no sign of him yet.” The guard finished his report before bowing.

“Thank you, you may resume your duties.” Celestia said, the guard closed the door leaving the princess alone to her thoughts. Looking outside, she noticed it was almost time to raise the sun. So with a heavy heart she began to ready for the day…

-Outside Princess Celestia’s Quarters-

The guard moved down the hallway returning to his duties, as he passed a set of old pony armor he paused a moment looking at it. “I thought…no my eyes are just playing tricks on me.” He yawned lightly continuing to walk down the hallway, as he turned the corner the eyes of the old armor glowed green…

…
…..

“Jasper wake up!”

A mare’s voice cried out in excitement, Jasper moved a bit under the covers of a blanket. Groaning in annoyance he choose to ignore the voice, that was until a small bit of pressure touched his shoulder shaking it. “Jasper darling please wake up, a guard was here.” Rarity said, Jasper’s eyes snapped open as he sat up in a split second causing Rarity to jump back placing a hoof on her chest in panic.

“My apologies darling, I didn’t mean toooooo…” Her voice grew quiet as her azure eyes drifted down, Jasper raised an eyebrow as his own eyes looked down to see he was completely shirtless. Though after last night, it was no surprise since he came in late exhausted from running almost all night. He just took his shirt off, throwing it somewhere in the forest in case the Royal Guards found it. So they’d continue to search in the forest for him, though coming back home he didn’t bother to change just came in collapsed on the couch.

“Sweet Celestia…” Rarity whispered staring at his bare chest, a small blush pulled at her cheek. Jasper was a bit confused by her reaction, he was clean. He had stopped by a stream on the way back to make sure she didn’t question where he went. Not that she would; given he left when she fell asleep in her bed, he refused to take it from her for one more night. Just in case he needed to sneak out, sleeping downstairs on her couch was easier to slip out then in her bed. Plus… he felt a bit bad taking her bed any longer, she did need her beauty sleep after all. But back to the topic at ha-hoof.

“Miss. Rarity, focus please?” He said, Rarity’s eyes closed halfway before she whispered “Believe me darling…I am” Jasper turned a bit red, was she checking him out!? “E-Excuse me?!” Rarity’s face turned even redder as she just realized what she just said. “I m-mean, a guard came by today. He thanked me for letting him search my shop, and said that they were done searching Ponyville. I believe they found what they were looking for.” She said hiding a bit behind her mane in embarrassment, she was normally calm and collected. But she was acting like a little school filly talking to their crush…

“I-I see… Thank you Miss Rarity. C-Can you please leave me so I can get dressed?” He asked, nodding lightly she dashed up the stairs to her bedroom. Closing the door behind her she pressed her head against it breathing a bit heavy.

“What is wrong with me? I’m acting like a foal in front of Prince Jasper. Like a love sick filly, just like when I attended the Gala… Embarrassed myself in front of hundreds of ponies. All for a foolish dream of marrying a Prince, only to become a common clown… Not a beautiful Princess…” A small tear slipped from her eyes, she could feel it ruining her eyeliner. Sniffing once her horn lit up as she brought a tissue to her eyes gently dabbing her eyes carefully to clean herself up.

“Perhaps I should speak to the girls…” She whispered as she looked in a mirror beside her dresser making sure she looked presentable. Thankfully her tears didn’t damage her makeup enough to be noticeable, setting the tissue on the dresser she began to get ready. Gathering a few things, her saddlebag and a lovely tan sun hat with a violet ribbon wrapped around it. Settling it on top of her head carefully so not to mess up her mane, she trotted out the bedroom, down the stairs to Jasper who was sitting down putting his socks on. He was also dressed in a pair of black cotton dress pants, and a white button up cardigan sweater. Though he had nothing on under it, Rarity paused for a moment. Her ears were about to droop as her soften a bit, Jasper looked…

“NO!” She cried out in her head, shaking her head a few times she trotted right past him. Jasper looked up only to get a view of her marshmallow flank, his eyes quickly averted to the back of her head. He didn’t mean to glance at her plot, given that he was sitting on the ground that was the first thing he saw.

“Jasper darling I’m going out for a little while, help yourself to anything to eat. I shouldn’t be gone too long.” She said, before Jasper could even respond the front door closed behind her. He sat there for a moment, he couldn’t help but feel a little hurt. Had he said something wrong? Sighing lightly and after he led those idiots away for her, shaking his head a bit he got up. Deciding to accept her offer of food…

…
…..

Ding…ding…

“Welcome to Sug- Oh! Good morning Rarity” A thin orange stallion behind a counter greeted, dressed like a baker. He had a small amount of his orange mane popping out from the bottom of his white hat. He had a pleasant smile “Need to talk to Pinkie?” He said “Yes please, Mr. Cake” He nodded before going in the kitchen, after a few second a pink pony bounced out of the doors.

Boing, Boing, Boing, Boing

“Hey Rarity, need a cupcake?” The pink pony asked before reaching into her bubblegum pink mane, pulling out a cupcake she offered it. Rarity’s nose scrunched up in disgust, but she raised a hoof.

“N-No thank you Pinkie Pie, I need a favor.” She replied, Pinkie shrugged shoving the cupcake into her mouth. The frosting completely covered her lips, but she stuck out her tongue rotating it once around her lips. Now the frosting was on her tongue before bring it into her mouth.

“Mmmm yummy, need me set up a party?” Rarity shook her head.

“No tha-“

“Need some streamers?”

“No”

“Party cannon?”

“N-“

“Confetti!?”

“PINKIE PIE!” Rarity screamed out, Pinkie fell onto her back blinking a few times. Before magically springing to her hooves without actually moving her legs. “I need you to get the girls for me, I need some help” Pinkie saluted once before taking out a strange ball, throwing it to the ground a small puff of smoke engulfed her. Before vanishing…

“The door is right there…” Rarity said feeling strangely tired already…

…..
…

“Rarity! What’s wrong Pinkie Pie said there was an emergency!” A purple unicorn dashed into Sugarcube Corner, with a small purple dragon right behind her. He looked panicked, he slid to Rarity’s hoof gently taking it. “My lady are you safe?” He said with a gentleman’s tone, Rarity smiled taking her hoof before scratching the dragon on top of his head.

“I’m alright Spikey, I just need the girls though.” Spike’s head sagged down a little only for her to place a hoof under his chin. “Perhaps I’ll need your assist later, but be a darling and allow us some privacy. He bowed deeply before walking out of Sugarcube Corner, the unicorn went with Rarity to a nearby booth big enough for several ponies.

“So what’s this all about Rarity?” The purple unicorn asked, Rarity took off her sun hat gently setting it on the table. “Do you mind if we wait til the rest of the girls arrive Twilight darling?” she asked, Twilight nodded once. Though they didn’t wait long, as a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and matching tail busted through the front door. A yellow pegasus with a pink mane right on her heels, though she arrived with a bit more grace.

“Rarity what’s up!? Is it trouble?” the cyan pegasus said raising her hooves like a boxer “Let me at them!” The pony shadow boxed only for Twilight to use her magic to pull her out of the air. “Relax Rainbow Dash, Rarity just needs to talk.” Rainbow sat down beside Twilight, the yellow pony calmly walked. “Thank goodness, I was worried” She said taking her spot on the other side of Rarity, they all began to chat between eachother waiting for Pinkie to get back with their last friend. Though Rarity was quiet, she began to play a little bit with the ribbon on her hat.

It took about 5 more minutes before Pinkie bounced into the shop, a tan earth pony on her heels calmly walking in. She had on a brown Stetson on her head, with lighter tan mane. “What is it now Rarity? I was in the middle of buckin”, Rainbow chuckled a bit “Oh yeah AJ, were you buckin real well?” AJ face turned bright red in anger “Rainbow!” Twilight rolled her eyes at her two friends’ antics before finally taking the lead.

“Listen you two, Rarity needs our help. So can you please relax?” She said, AJ’s face soften despite the fact Rarity was a drama queen if she needed help it was normally important. So she sat down beside the yellow pegasus, Pinkie bounced away to get some drinks for her friends.

“What’s wrong Rarity? You look sad” The yellow pegasus said, Rarity took a deep breath as she looked to her friends. Pinkie returned quickly with some sodas on a platter, setting it down on the table they all took a drink. She sat down beside Rainbow happily sipping on her drink.
“Well, dearest Fluttershy” Rarity said turning her attention to the yellow pegasus, she then took a small sip of her drink. Her throat felt dry, her heart began to quick its pace. Why was she so nervous to talk about him? Maybe because he didn’t want anypony to know he existed…

“Well girls, I met somepony on my way from dear Applejack’s farm. He… He had passed out on the road as it began to rain.” She paused for a moment, none of the girls seemed to react much. Expect for Applejack who wondered why he was on the path to her farm, but didn’t raise any concerns. “He had come from the Everfree Forest.” This got a reaction though as a few of the girls gasped, Rainbow Dash blinked in surprised. Twilight on the other hoof looked slightly concerned.

“And he’s…well. He’s a Prince.” This made all of them gasp, she continue to talk about Jasper. Though hiding some facts, like what he was, his name, and the ‘she’ Rarity overheard…

…
…..

“There’s something about a daisy daffodil sandwich that I like.” Jasper said as he walked around the boutique, happily munching on his sandwich. He walked to the shop area of the boutique glancing at the large mirrors, as he took his last bite he stepped onto the platform. He then looked at his five mirror clones.

“Reminds me of a funhouse” He laughed once before looking down something else entered the mirrors looking up at him. Jasper’s eyes widen as he jumped off the platform slamming into one of the mirrors, he managed to keep it from breaking though.

“CELESTIA!” He yelled in a panic, placing one hand on his hurt rib as he breathed heavily. “That scared the hell out of me.” He said to himself, though when he looked at where the thing he saw was, it was gone; he heard something running though.

“Shit!” He leaped over the platform, glancing around listening carefully he looked at the stairs seeing something disappearing upstairs. He could faintly make out a female voice yelling “Rarity! Rarity!”, quickly running up the stairs he skipped several steps at once before he saw the bedroom door slam shut. Then a quick click, Jasper made it to the door just as it clicked. Grasping the handle he tried to turn it, locked.

“Damn.” With a sigh he gently knocked, whoever this was it had to be a filly. They were small, light hoofsteps, and a tiny voice. Most likely female judging from the voice, when he knocked however there was no answer. He could faintly make out what sounded like somepony moving around inside, he grabbed the handle.

“Come on unlock it” He said as he did a faint click could be heard, and the door opened up. Slipping the ring into his pocket he looked inside, it was pitch black. Stepping into the room, he squinted though it was pitch black he could faintly see a filly running at him. She had…a pillow?
Suddenly she whipped her head throwing the pillow right at him, catching it with ease he felt something brush against his leg. Whipping around he threw the pillow in the filly’s path, she came to a halt for a second before hopping over the pillow. But in mind air he caught her in his arms.

“Gotcha!” He said, the little filly started flailing in his arms wildly. ”Let go!” She cried out as she struggled something sharp stabbed into Jasper’s right shoulder. “AH!” He cried out dropping her, she was a damn unicorn! Jasper grasped his shoulder in pain as he ran after her once again. She was doing more damage to him then 3 fully trained guards, though he highly doubted it he was beginning to believe she was an assassin.

“Get away from me freak!” Jasper’s eye twitched “Freak?” now that’s just rude, as the filly was about to reach the stairs going back down. He picked up the pace, jumping the whole set of stairs at once he landed in the roll. Unfortunately… he landed right on his ribs, he could feel the rib bending a bit inwards. Not enough to poke at his lung but enough to where he coughed hard in pain. Rolling to his back he took a few sharp breaths to try and push the pain away. Glancing up he saw the filly frozen in place in the middle of the stairs, stunned that he jumped.

“You know… You’ve hurt me more in the last 5 minutes then any pony has in the last week.” Jasper coughed out, his dull amber eyes watching the filly. “A-Are you okay?” she said, her tone almost musical. Now that she wasn’t running he got a good look at her, she was a light grey color. Almost the same color as Rarity, light purple mane with a pinkish color mixed alongside.

“Y-Yeah, broke a rib almost a week ago. Been bugging me since.” He laughed lightly before sitting up, he turned to fully face her. She looked familiar, then he remembered a picture frame in the bedroom. Rarity was beside a filly in something called the Sisterhoove Social, though he didn’t know her name.

“You’re Rarity’s sister aren’t you?” He asked, he should be more cautious given the fact that this filly had seen him. But at the mention of Rarity the filly nodded once “Yeah but who are you?” Jasper bowed his head a little being formal “I’m Jasper Abbott, a Prince staying with your sister. And you are?” The filly blinked surprised that he was a Prince but didn’t bow like her older sister. Somehow Jasper was liking this filly already.

“Sweetie Belle, Prince Jasper.” His eye twitched, maybe not. He rubbed his shoulder lightly, undoing one of the buttons he moved the sweater from his shoulder to look it over. No major damage, small bruise was beginning to form though. “Sorry…” Sweetie Belle said, Jasper smiled at her covering the mark up. “Don’t worry Sweetie Belle, it will heal.” She smiled lightly, though still a little worried about him.

“Excuse me Prince Jasp-“ He raised a hand “Just Jasper please Sweetie Belle, hard enough getting Rarity to just say Jasper. I’m only a person, not a higher power. I’m not my…” He paused for a moment, Sweetie Belle tilted her head in wonder at what he was gonna say. He simply smiled before standing up “Sorry, just being called a Prince leaves a slightly bad taste in my mouth.”

“Then why did you mention you’re a Prince?” Jasper was about to open his mouth to answer before closing it. “Why did I?” Placing his hands on his hips, he had no idea why he had. Oh well not important, he knelt down in front of her with a smile.

“Sorry, but Rarity isn’t here. She had to run a few errands, left me here to look after the shop.” Sweetie Belle’s ears went down as she looked down at the ground. “Oh, I guess I’ll have to come by later” She hopped down the stairs slowly, and walked past him. He watched her for a moment, he felt bad strangely. He didn’t know why….

“Hey umm.. what did you need from her?” She turned around with a sad smile “There’s a dance at school in a few days, our teacher Miss. Cheerliee asked for me to bring in some fabric. To help decorate, I was hoping to ask my sister to give some.” She said, Jasper thought a bit. He was sure Rarity wouldn’t mind, and maybe if he helped her sister out. She wouldn’t be upset with him?

“Well… How about I help you out? Give you some, I can explain to Rarity when she gets back.” He smiled kindly at her, as he did her eyes lit up almost as if there were stars in them. He couldn’t help but laugh her eyes looked so much like Rarity’s when she was excited. She trotted over to him “Would you really do that?” He nodded once to her, they walked off to get to work…

…
…..

“So you’re telling us that this Prince, is staying with you?” Twilight asked, Rarity nodded.

“That you might be falling in love with him?” Rainbow asked, nod.

“An ya’ll trust him?” Applejack jumped in this time, nod.

“He seems…nice.” Fluttershy, nod.

“I need to throw him a party!” Pinkie Pie, n- shake shake!

“Pinkie, he can’t let anypony know he’s here. He said he has an important mission.” Rarity added, the girls all looked at one another concerned. For a number of reasons, if this was a case of their creative friend just having a crush they’d all bane together to help her find love. But him being a Prince, which it seemed like only Twilight saw an issue with this given she was taught by Princess Celestia. She held royalty in high regards much like Rarity.

And the fact that he was found in the middle of a storm, though only AJ and Rainbow saw this to be a problem. If he was moving about in the darkness it had to be for the wrong reasons, and finally he didn’t want to be known which only the other two saw an issue. Pinkie because he was new and wanted to throw him a welcome party. Fluttershy though she said he was nice, she was nervous for her friend given that he came from the forest and was living in her home… though all their thoughts were cut off as a light tan filly with a maroon red mane came up to them.

“Hey there sis” The filly said, AJ looked to her little sister. “Applebloom what ya’ll doing here? And where are your friends?” She asked, Applebloom pointed to Rarity who looked surprised “Me and the others split up to look for Rarity, we needed her help with some fabric.” She said, Rarity kindly smiled.

“Oh and what did you need it for?” She said, Applebloom told her the same reason as Sweet Belle told Jasper. As she finished explaining Rarity nodded lightly understanding “Of course you can have some, but where are the others? You’ll need help with all that fabric.” Rarity said placing her sunhat back on, the others got out from around the table along with Rarity.

“Oh Scootaloo went to the library for a book we needed, and Sweetie Belle went to the Boutique to look for you.” Rarity’s eyes widen in panic,
without a second thought she galloped out of Sugarcube Corner. The others quickly on her heels, leaving a confused Applebloom.

…..
…

“Alright that’s all of it, you sure you don’t need any more help.” Jasper said as he put the last of the rolls of fabric in the back of a wooden cart, Rarity had for shopping. Sweetie Bell happily ran around the cart once coming to a stop beside him.

“Yeah I can handle it!” She said with a smile, Jasper couldn’t help but smile with her. He looked at the cart, it looked pretty heavy but if she says she can handle it. “Alright if you’re sure” He backed up a bit close to the back door of the Boutique, Sweetie Belle got behind the cart. Pushing on the back wheel it slowly began to roll forward.

“Thank you Jasper!” She cried out as she got further and further away, he waved goodbye to her. Taking a look around seeing nopony, he then looked up at the sky. Clouds, soft white puffy clouds this was the first time he actually looked at them since his escape. Smiling softly he closed his eyes as he took in the sun’s rays, he should be more cautious but the guards were gone. And it was a beautiful day, Celestia must be happy to give such a wonderful day.

“Not too bright…” He said taking in a deep breath of fresh air, the air back home was nowhere nearly as fresh at Equestria’s. There was no factories here, no pollution, no pointless wars, and no hate… Opening his eyes slowly he thought about Earth, more so about Florida… He didn’t miss it, the humidity, hurricanes, he missed nothing about it… Sighing lightly he knew this peace of mind would have to end sooner or later. He needed to get back to Canterlot Castle, placing one hand on his broken rib…

“When you’re healed we’re going back…” He needed to go back, he couldn’t stay with Rarity forever. He knew this, peacefulness needed to end. As he turned to go back into the shop he heard a high pitch scream.

“SWEETIE BELLE!!” Rarity!? Jasper whipped around quickly, without a second thought he took off running in the direction of her voice. As he reached the end of her path he saw a sunhat sitting on the ground, picking it up quickly. “This is…” Jasper whispered to himself… “SWEETIE BELLE!” Rarity cried out once again, Jasper looked down the path seeing a small glimpse of her violet tail. Dropping her hat he chased after her, as he reached where he saw her tail disappear; he noticed a large downward angle hill. Squinting down the hill he could see Rarity chasing something, looking ahead he saw what it was; the cart, with Sweetie Belle inside it!

“Sweetie Belle…” He said, looking around quickly he could faintly make out a cyan pegasus charging down the hill. A rainbow trail right behind them, another pony right behind her. And earth pony with their head pointed downward as if they were charging “We’re a comin!” They cried out, female pony he could faintly make out she was wearing a stetson.

“Woah! What are you!?” A voice said behind him, turning around quickly he saw a filly with an orangish coat. And a purple redish mane, she was staring up at him while standing on a scooter unaware of what was going on. A scooter! “Sorry I got to borrow this!” He carefully lifted up the filly who kicked wildly “Hey weirdo! Let go!” He set her beside the scooter and grabbed the handle bars, there was just enough room for him to use it like a skateboard. Running to the edge of the hill he jumped on scooter, landing a bit shaky given he never rode one before.

“Thief!” The filly yelled behind him, but he didn’t wait crouching down to lower himself a bit he began to pick up speed. He grasped the handle bars with one hand to keep himself from falling off he leaned forward to gain more speed. “Come on! Come on!” He yelled in his head, he flew right past the earth pony who grinded to a stop her mouth wide open.

“What in tarnation is that?” She said, but he didn’t stop for greeting. He kept going right by the cyan pegasus, as he did the wind behind him caught up making the pegasus spin in midair. But she managed to catch herself, as she flew in place “Somepony catch license plate of that twister!?” She cried out, Jasper’s eyes locked on the cart it was still going faster than him. As he past right by Rarity he heard her cry out his name, he noticed the cart would crash right into one of the houses if he didn’t hurry.

“No…Come on just a little faster!” He said to himself, crouching as low as he could go he leaned forward so his weight was center more in the front. “Just a little faster! Just a little faster!” He cried out, he could feel the wheels beginning to wobble. Speed wobbles, the scooter was unable to handle his weight and speed combined! He knew he wouldn’t be able to grab the cart at this rate, unless….

“Only one shot at this!” He jumped….. His jump snapped the scooter right in half. Shit, he owed that filly a new scooter. No time to worry about that now, he flew through the air flailing his legs. He was closing the gap quickly, but it wasn’t enough the cart was slipping away…

“No…” He was coming dangerously close to the ground, right as he was about to collide with it, something struck him in the back. A ball of energy, he flew through the air and right into…

SLAM/CRACK

He felt it, a sharp object piercing his right lung. But he felt something else, his arms on the edge of the cart. He managed to grab onto the cart right when he impacted, blinking a few times to try and clear his blurry vision. One from his poor eye sight, to the tears welling up in his eyes from the pain. He could feel a warm liquid filling his mouth, blood. He was bleeding from that damn rib…

“Jasper…” A voice brought him back to what was happening, he looked up to see a frighten filly. “S-Sweetie Belle…” He reached out with one arm wrapping it around her he pulled her into his painful chest. “H-Hold…O-On..” He coughed out, placing his feet on the axle of the cart he kicked off with all his strength. As soon as his other arm was free he wrapped it tightly around Sweetie Belle holding her tight to his chest, it hurt. But not as much as what would happen next, his back slammed into the ground as he came crashing down. The air completely left his only good lung, along with some blood as he was unable to keep it in.

Then another impact came, his head bounced right off the ground. As it did his vision completely blacked out in an instant, it didn’t return… But he didn’t let go of the filly in his arms, he could hear her screaming. He could feel the world turning upside down as he began to roll, then another impact as he slammed into something much softer then the earth. He stopped moving, one of his arms slipped completely free of the filly and fell with a thud on the object.

He couldn’t feel his arm, he couldn’t feel his body. He couldn’t hear anything, but he could feel his vision returning as the cloud came into view once again.. Then something else came into view. A pair of…beautiful azure eyes, full of tears, the owner of those beautiful eyes was talking but he couldn’t hear her not til darkness overtook him…

“JASPER!”

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

7219934 Is Misago really your girlfriend?

[JesterintheNight]

7268069
What? Oh lol I guess I didn't clarify that. No my gf does follow my page but not it's not Misago. But no the reason I said that was cause my girlfriend proofreads my stories first then I release them when they seem good. But she asked before I released them if Jasper created the virus or not and why i didn't spoil anything to her and I won't spoil it for anyone else