Kix an Mint; Past Regrets an New Opportunities

  "Ah don' mind, but would like ta know what yer plannin first." With that we stroll over ta a corner and after a whispered long discussion we nod an hoofshake before returnin ta the main group.

  "Well it was a fun meeting but we need to get going, just curious, were you planning on perfoming all by yourself or would you like to add a band to back you up?"

  After some thought mah reply is simple. "Lets do a test, see how it sounds with a full band, then decide."

  "Sure, sounds like a plan." With that we go our seperate ways, me an Mint first goin ta the orphanage, see how Mint's friends are doin and maybe have a group picnic.

  "D'ya have fun?"

  "Yea Ah did pa, thanks fer encouragin me ta do it, maybe... ya think ya could help me write a song or two?"

  "Sure ya have any ideas fer what ya want the songs ta be about?" With that Mint's expression turns inta a frown as she goes silent, ponderin possible ideas. With a chuckle Ah give her a lovin noogie as we stop jus outside the buildin.

  "Pa, Ah've been thinkin..... it might be fun ta have a brother an sister, you know if ya do decide ta adopt the two." Mint admits befer we go inside, with a chuckle Ah give her another noogie an we head inside.

  "You just missed them, some of the other workers took a few of the foals out for a field trip to the castle, sorry." States the janitor as we take our first couple steps inside.

  "Thanks, tell those two we said hi." With that we make our way ta the park fer lunch, befer leavin a suprise visitor shows up, first stayin as far inta the shadows as possible, obviously debatin weither ta approach or not. "What does she want now?"

  Finally the figure steps out inta the light, revealin once again Mint's mother, her eyes obviously red an watery. "I.... I know...... its time I tell our daughter why I ran out of both of your lives." She admits with a lowered head an pinned ears. With a nod Ah back up a bit while nudgin Mint a bit closer despite her obvious attempts ta stay away. After a few silent minutes finally she speaks, voice full o' guilt an shame. "I- I know you probably hate me and........ I don't blame you..... I'll admit..... I- I did wrong by you." Takin a deep breath in a short pause she continues to gaze heavily at the ground an continues. "Its time for you to hear the truth..... *heavy sigh*..... I- I fell in love with Kix shortly after he appeared on the rodeo circuit, he was funny, cute, hard working, and attentive." Her voice getting a little depressed an softer as she describes me shortly after we met, takin me back in time as well.

Ten years earlier

  "Was Ah a fool fer leavin mah parents?" The question bounces about inside mah skull fer what feels like the thirtieth time, mah mouth getting hot an dry as Ah force one hoof in front o' the other fer a few more shaky steps until Ah finally collapse, blearily Ah spot a couple forms in the distance approachin before passin out.

  "Ugh... wh.... where am Ah?" Mah voice hoarse and weak as Ah wake up in an unfamiliar room immediately revealed ta be a hospital due ta the equipment.

  "You're in the hospital, a couple ponies brought you here after finding you passed out." Replies a super hazy image of nurse crosses mah field o' view, her voice full o'relief an carin. "Seems like you have a few visitors, the ponies who rescued you." As mah vision starts ta clear up Ah notice the newcomers, a pretty dark mint pegasus filly and an older dark green earth stallion, both wearin cowboy hats an hankerchiefs.

  "Glad to see you're awake, you scared us for a bit." Begins the stallion. "My name's Steel Moon, this is Amethyst Rain." He nods ta the filly as he introduces her.

  After thirty seconds Ah finally reply, the delay comin from if Ah wanna give mah original name or if Ah wanna rebuild mahself under a new name. "Kix, Kix Brooks, nice ta meet ya both." Ah finally offer, them gives voice ta the mountin questions swirlin through mah brain. "Where am Ah exactly an where'd ya come from?" Ah start, controllin mah curiosity fer the time bein.

  "You're in Hooferton, not to far from Manehatten, as for your second question we're....."

"We're rodeo performers, mostly local venues, we were headin inta town ta get supplies." The filly finishes, speakin up fer the first time. "Where were ya headin and where ya from?" She continues, barely takin a breath between.

"Ah....... Ah honestly have no idea where I was headin, as fer where Ah'm from...... its .... " fast forward a couple days an Ah'm discharged, chattin with mah new friends an inquirin about performin in a rodeo. Finally we find ourselves at the rodeo encampment, after some food an drink Ah watch some o' the practicin ponies.

  "Enjoyin the show?" Amethyst asks, sneakin up behind me an gigglin at mah startled reaction.

  "It looks fun, Ah'd be interested in tryin it once." Ah reply after compossin mahself.

  "Well here, Ah was bout ta practice mah rope work, Ah'll teach ya, its easy." With that her smile an friendly tone draw me inta a hard life.

Five months later

  "Kix, Ah......... Ah might be..... pregnant." The revalation comes between a round o' mornin  sickness, catchin me by suprise as Ah start gettin ready fer practice.

  "Thats....... thats great news honey!" With that Ah carefully hug her, not wantin ta cause an damage.

"Ah'm..... Ah'm scarred Kix."

  "Don't worry, things'll work out jus' fine, ya'll see." Ah offer ta try an comfort her befer headin off ta practice.

  Fast track eight months an the rodeo is in full swing, at about the halfway mark the arena is cleared an Ah head ta the center concealed by the darkness. Once Ah get lit up Ah straighten up an begin. "Amethyst, we have had a lot o' good times these past few months as well as problems but Ah wouldn't change anythin we've been through, Ah remember ya sayin that ya didn' think anypony can wrangle ya up an settle ya down, but Ah think Ah've done a good enough job, Ah love ya with my whole heart........" after a thirty second pause fer affect Ah pull out a felt box. "Ya've brightened up mah life an Ah'd be honored if ya become mah wife."

  With that the place closes silent, a second light shines brightly on an obviously swollen Amethyst, sweatin from the heat an weight, despite the hinderence she hurries ta me, wrappin her hooves tightly around mah neck and kissin me deeply befer lookin deeply inta mah eyes. "...........Kix........ Ah......... Ah do." With that the place errupts ta the cheers an whistles o' the crowd an other competitors as we head back ta the stands, a new shiny ring glintin from her left hoof. A couple days later Ah'm gettin ready ta go ta work, next in line fer the barrel racin event. With a deep breath Ah step up ta the line, goin through mah ritual while waitin fer the timer ta start.

  "Next up is Kix Brooks, an up and coming rookie competing in his first ever pro rodeo circuit, three......" As he speaks Ah close mah eyes, takin deep calmin breaths "......two......." Ah force mahself ta relax while stretchin out, blockin out all sound except the announcer. ".......one......." Ah get inta position, mah hind leg muscles tensin in preparation. "......GO!" With that Ah explode from the line, findin mah rythm in jus a few steps as mah body goes inta competition mode, eyes focused on the next move. After Ah pass the first barrel a naggin thought starts ta warn me somethin ain't right but not tellin me what exactly. As Ah near the halfway point one o' mah hooves snag on somethin, causin me ta loose balance an trip, mah speed and direction carry me full force inta the next barrel, mah eyes tightly shut as Ah anticipate the impact. A loud crackin sound explodes as mah back hits, forcin it ta bow outwards, mah eyes shootin open as Ah scream from the pain. As the dust settles Ah try ta get up, unfortunately only mah front legs are obeyin me, thats when Ah realized Ah can't feel mah hind quarters. Mah eyes dart about in panic as the medical staff hurries towards me along with Amethyst.

  Layin in a bed a couple days later in the local hospital Ah wake up, the light harsh and blindin as Ah take in mah first look at the new day, mah ears twitchin they pick up the sounds of somepony pacin nervously around. With a hug Amethyst begins ta cry, holdin me tight. "Ah..... Ah thought...... ya were...... ya scared me so much Kix." With that a flood o' tears coat mah neck an mane as she sobs uncontrollably, after a few seconds Ah hug her back.

  "Ssshhh it'll be okay, ya'll see." With that the doctor steps inside, a folder hoverin in front o' him by his magic.

  "Well after some exams it might take a while, hurt alot and will take alot of effort on your part but you can be able to walk again."

  "What about performin? Is that gonna be possible?"

  Befer he can answer she speaks up, nearly yellin as her voice darkens with anger an fear. "WHAT?! YA...... YA CAN' BE...... YA WON'........ YA CAN' DO IT, FIND SOMETHIN ELSE PLEASE!" She jumps up as she finishes, starin at me in worry and fear mTchin her tone.

  "What else am Ah gonna do hun? Next ta ya the rodeo is what keeps me goin, Ah can' see mahself doin anythin else." Ah state, mah anger startin ta get the better o' me despite tryin ta stay calm.

  "IF THATS HOW YA WANT IT KIX, ITS EITHER ME AN OUR FOAL OR THE RODEO AN THE FOAL, AH WON' LET YA DO SOMETHIN THAT COULD KILL YA!" She states in a tone that won' allow a debate.

  "Ah'm sorry ya feel that way Amethyst, but Ah can' jus quit, jus like Ah don' wanna loose ya, please don' be like this."

  "Sorry Kix, but Ah can't.... Ah'll allow ya ta be there fer the delivery next week if ya can be allowed ta, after that.... we're through." With that she drops the engagement ring on the table next ta me, sobbin as she walks away, head lowered an tail droppin.

  As she finishes her story Ah notice an unendin stream o' tears fallin from her as she sobs an takes a breath befer continuing. "What I did was wrong and selfish, I realize that now. I- I know nothing I say or do could make up for what I did and I don't deserve your forgiveness, either of yours." With a deep calmin breath she looks at Mint directly in the eye an then mine as she says the last bit, the stream o' tears continuin ta fall steadily. "I am however glad you two are happy an doing well, I love you..... both of you..... but I let my fear take over and ruin what should have been the best thing in my life, tommorrow I'm moving to Applewood, I wish you both the best in your endeavors." With that she turns an starts ta leave, head still lowered as a quiet snifflin can be heard, however her gait becomes lighter an her posture more straight.

  As she begins ta leave Ah begin ta realize somethin mahself. "Ah was bein selfish back then, Ah never thought how much it her hurt her goin through all that." With that thought. "Amethyst Ah'm sorry Ah put ya through what Ah did back then, seems we both made mistakes...... Ah wish ya best of luck on yer journeys."

  "Same to you Kix, I hope this endeavor works out for you, you always were a gifted musician and singer, its about time the world got to hear it.... I know don't have to say this, but I am, take care of our girl, I'll keep in touch more often." Amethyst offers from over her shoulder and starts walkin off.

  Before she can leave Mint takes ta the air in her clumsy fashion an rushes forward, screamin out as she quickly closes the distance. "Momma...... momma wait." With that Amethyst stops jus in time fer Mint ta squeeze her in a painful hug, tears decoratin her cheeks. "Ah..... Ah love ya too ma, jus..... jus didn' realize it till now, Ah was.......Ah was angry with ya cause ya left, Ah..... Ah wish ya the best as well ma." With that the two seperate an after sharin a smile they take off, each goin their own direction.

  " Mint, yer mother wanted me ta give this ta ya during yer birthday, Ah wasn't sure how ya'd react then but after what happened....." With that Ah stop an pull the small box from behind mah mane, handin it over ta Mint. Without a word she begins tearin hesitantly inta the wrappin, as the box is cleaned off the top is slowly opened, layin inside is a heart locket with a pair o' feathers, presumably Amethyst's, attached ta either side o' the pendant. Also layin in the box is a picture o' both me an Amethyst together, jus' after we both won first place in a small rodeo an a small envelope which contains another ticket ta a Wonderbolt show, this one includin a back stage pass.