Thunderspite

Applejack was just finishing making lunch for the two of them when Thunderspite returned.

“Oh good,” she said. “You’re right on time. I made one of your favorites for lunch, grilled cheese and apple sandwiches. Then after lunch we should probably get right to the... what’s wrong?”

When Applejack looked back, Thunderspite was still standing in the doorway, his head low to the ground and his eyes closed. At her question, he quickly resumed his normally stoic demeanor, walked into the kitchen, and calmly started unloading the supplies from the market onto the table.

Applejack knew immediately that something was very wrong. The expression she saw on his face was not the happy, smiling Thunderspite that she and Apple Bloom had come to know over the past couple of weeks. This was the old Thunderspite, the cold and distant stranger who had first knocked on her door all those months ago.

“Thunderspite?” she went over and touched him on the shoulder. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s time for me to be moving on, Miss Applejack.”

Applejack recoiled, as if she had just been slapped in the face. He delivered the news that he intended to walk out of her life forever with the same inflection one might use to comment on the weather. He also hadn’t called her ‘Miss Applejack’ in some time, and the fact that he had used it now made it perfectly clear to Applejack just what she meant to him.

“Mo…moving on?” Applejack asked incredulously.

“Yes. I’ve stayed much longer than I’d meant to already.” With that, he finished unpacking his groceries and headed upstairs, not meeting her eye. Applejack stared after him a moment, then followed.

She found him in his room, quickly packing his spartan belongings back into his tattered old pack.

“Thunderspite, would you...” He brushed past her as he trotted to the other side of the room. “Would you just slow down a minute?”

“I don’t have much time if I want to catch the afternoon thermals.”

“Thunderspite...” Applejack looked abashed. “You know, you don’t have to go driftin’ around everywhere. You could just stay here in Ponyville. Make a home of it. I reckon the pegasus ponies are always lookin’ for more help with the clouds, and I...” She paused and cleared her throat. “We sure could use your help around the farm, too.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am.” He brushed past her again, then trotted downstairs and out the door.

Applejack stood, shocked, on the landing as he walked down the steps. “Won’t you at least stay for lunch?” The pleading in her voice was evident.

“I’m afraid I can’t." He turned back to her as he secured his straps. “Thanks again for your hospitality, ma’am.”

“Gosh dangit, Thunderspite!” Applejack shouted and stomped her hoof, with an intensity neither of them expected. “Don’t you dare ma’am me now, like I’m just some kind of door-to-door salespony. Why...why are you doing this? We were just startin’ to get to know you, and... and now here you go flyin’ off into the sunset again, like these past few months don't mean nothin’ to you?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “You know dog-gone well you owe us better than that. And what about little Apple Bloom? I suppose you were just gonna fly off without even havin’ the decency...”

In a flash, Thunderspite dropped his pack, and with one quick thrust from his wings, charged back up the porch. Applejack recoiled, expecting perhaps to be struck for her sudden outburst, but instead she found herself lifted off her front hooves, with Thunderspite’s arms wrapped tightly around her. She was at first taken aback from the suddenness of the maneuver, not to mention still angry with him, but she quickly melted into his arms. They stayed like that for a long moment, not speaking. Gradually, Thunderspite also wrapped his broad wings around her, completely cocooning her in his embrace.

Applejack thought she might be content to stay there forever, but after a long moment, Thunderspite lifted his head to look her in the eyes.

“Thank you for your kindness, Applejack. You and your friends. It's much more than I deserve.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. Then, without another word, he walked back down the steps, secured his pack, and took to the sky. This time, Applejack did not protest. She watched him circle above the orchard several times, gaining altitude, before he turned west. She stood at the foot of the stairs, watching after him, until he was no longer even a speck on the horizon.

She was still watching the direction he had gone when she heard ponies galloping up the path. Turning, she saw Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all coming towards her.

Rainbow Dash was the first to arrive. “Applejack! Where's Thunderspite?”

“He just left,” she said, dejectedly.

“What do you mean left? Where did he go?” asked Rainbow Dash, as the others arrived and came to a stop.

“Left. For good." Without looking, she pointed in the direction she had just seen him disappear.

“I guess the guards must have spooked him, and he ran off,” said Rarity to the others.

“What do you mean, guards? What happened?” asked Applejack.

The four quickly recounted to Applejack what had transpired in the market, and what they had overheard the guards say behind the mayor’s office.

“We think Thunderspite is an escaped criminal.” Rainbow Dash folded her arms as she finished.

“Thunderspite? A criminal?” Applejack’s head swam. This was all too much.

“Yes, dear. We think so.” Rarity put a reassuring hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

“It all makes sense,” said Rainbow Dash. “The way he drifts from town to town, not wanting to talk about his past, being able to fight so well... and why he ran away after he was spotted by the guards.”

“I know this may be hard to accept, Applejack," said Rarity. "I didn’t want to believe it either. Thunderspite was our friend too,” Rarity said.

“What do you suppose he did?” asked Fluttershy meekly.

“Doesn’t matter. Good riddance, I say,” said Rainbow Dash, though it was obvious to her friends that she was putting on a brave face.

Just then, Apple Bloom came trotting up the path, humming to herself as she went.

“Hey y’all!” she called. Seeing everyone’s somber demeanor, she slowed. “Why’s everybody look so down?”

The assembled ponies all looked to Applejack to break the news to her sister, but Applejack just looked back to the others for help. It was Fluttershy that finally stepped up.

“Apple Bloom,” Fluttershy began, “I know that you were friends with Thunderspite. But he’s gone now. We think he may have done something bad in the past.”

“What?!” Apple Bloom was shocked. “No! Thundespite wouldn’t do anything bad! He’s my friend. He wouldn’t leave without at least saying goodbye!”

“Apple Bloom…” Rarity’s voice was gentle. “Sometimes...ponies aren't whom they seem to be. I know it must seem hard to accept, but I think you’ll understand when you’re older.”

“No! It ain’t true. It just can’t be!” Apple Bloom ran sobbing into the house. Fluttershy began to chase after her, but Rarity shook her head.