The next twenty four hours for Melody Orchard were some of the best of her short life. Her friend’s treated her to a boat ride in the park, along with a movie that West joined in on after work. The following night, neither he nor Melody got much sleep. While they were sure their parents (for lack of better word in Melody’s case) would have issues with them later, they both agreed that it was worth it.

The following day, with only twenty four hours left on Melody’s clock, and neither she nor West wanting to spend any time apart, they ended up helping West’s father with some home improvement when called West to ask for some help. Which actually turned out to be Melody who insisted that they go. While both didn’t want to spend all day with his father, it wasn’t a bad time either. Melody could tell West and his father still had issues, but that they were getting onto better terms. Maybe when she was gone, they would be able to be happy all the time as well. The best part was when he, unofficially, gave her his approval of dating his son. Slightly soured when it came up that she’d be leaving that day. Which did cause him to do a double take. They could both see in the stallions eyes that he wanted questioning why West would fall for someone if the relationship would last. However. was polite enough to tell them to get out of their and enjoy their last day together.

After that was done with, when West had to, unfortunately, clock into work that day, there was sadness between then. Not helped that for his entire shift, West found himself fighting to stay awake. A similar problem Melody faced as she hung out with her friends. However, they were able to keep themselves from drifting off despite their friends' protest. Which, even with bags in their eyes, couldn’t have been better.

Sadly, all good things come to an end sooner or later. When West clocked out of work that night, Melody and the other bears, minus Twilight and Fluttershy who were still Silent Learner, were waiting for him. Much to his co-workers' surprise. The look on their faces was one West would never forget.

For Melody’s final meal, they went to the same bar where it had all begun. Where she ordered their largest rib and brisket basket, with a side of bottomless fries. The sight nearly made Rarity faint. There was much drinking, as well as dancing. Their favorite moment was to a slow song as Melody and West held each other close. A truly priceless moment. Next to when West beat Rainbow Dash on the bull. Although they both ended up losing to Melody. It was a night none of them wanted to end. Then the clock chimed it was time to close. They didn’t have to go home, but they couldn’t stay there. As such, five mares and stallion stood outside the bar, and said their goodbyes.

“Well, darling,” Rarity said, taking her hands, “It has been a pleasure. I’m sure we will meet again.” She smirked at West. “Was an honor to bring you crazy kids together.”

“Oh stop!” Melody laughed. “Still, thanks.” She pulled Rarity into a hug.

Rainbow Dash stepped forward next. “Yeah, well… We’re so going to have a rematch some time.”

West shook his head. “Looking forward to it, Rainbow.” He gave the pegasus a firm handshake.

“See ya,” Rainbow said as calmly as she could when doing the same with Melody.

“Of course,” Melody promised as Pinkie Pie kicked at the dirt.

“It was really fun.” She said quickly, tears forming. “You… I wish there was something I could do to give you more time.” She cried.

“Oh no. No Pinkie, no!” Sniffing, Melody brought the Pie in close. “I had a wonderful time. Come on, Pinkie, smile for me. You've done all and more to make these the best days a pony could’ve asked for.” She held back from a full on sob, although the tears were evident.

The other girls, save for Silent, pooling into the hug. Speaking of the other fusion, and Twilight and Fluttershy in general once her friends stepped aside.

“Melody-

Said fusion, very much now on the clock, held up her hand. “It’s okay. Thank you. For everything.”

Choking up, the two fusions embraced. Silent then looked to West. “I’m not sure what yours, her’s, or to an effect Applejack’s and Coluratura’s, future may be,” she spoke in Twilight’s regal tone. “However, as surprising as your romance may have been, love, no matter what forms, or how fleeting, is a treasure beyond measure. Thank you for giving my friend that gift in her time in this world.”

While the last couple of words were probably not the best choice for West at that moment, he appreciated the meaning nonetheless.

“Thanks, Princess. I mean Twilight- No! Learner… Fluttershy?” He shook his head. “Just when I was sure I had gotten it.”

All the mares laughed at him. And, despite a pit in his stomach, years of his dads ‘help’ had caused him to worry about what people thought of him, he found himself not caring, and laughing along.

“Well,” West sighed, taking his girlfriend’s hand, “thanks again. Goodnight.”

They all said goodnight, not bye, as well, and departed in their own directions. Melody and West, taking a more scenic route to the barn. Holding each other close, walking in quite, as the stars and fireflies lighted their path, simply being in that moment.

They arrived at the barn at one in the morning. Tired, but not wanting to sleep, Melody pulled West into a forceful hug. To which he returned as they wrestled down into the room. Clothing torn off and tossed carelessly across the room until nothing remained. Then, they fucked like rabbits who had no tomorrow.

“Hey,” Melody smiled, hours later, breathing heavily, from atop of West.

“Hi.” West smiled back.

The two of them kissed, and Melody rolled her naked body onto the sides of West’s.

Looking to the clock on the far side of the room, West noticed the time was 5:36.

“So,” he asked, holding Melody’s hand. “When do you got to, you know?”

“Well, Melody sighed, pulling out a red marble sized orb that was pulsing with magic from a nearby drawer. “According to Twilight, I have to defuse soon. The longer I wait, the more painful it will be as my body deteriorates.”

West scooted closer, wrapping her into a hug. “You feeling alright now? Like, do you have to leave right this second.”

“Hey, I feel fine. Give me a second and we can probably go a-

She sucked in a breath and clenched her stomach.

“Melody?!” West shot up in alarm

“I’m, oh... ugh.” She squinted her eyes, clearly in pain, despite her attempts to look at him with assurance. “Hehe... Yeah. Its probably going to get a lot worse the longer I wait. But for I think I can survive a few more hours. Oh! I don’t think we’ve tried reversed mission-

He took one of her hands and gave her a deadpanned look. “Mel... I think we’re just putting it off at this point

“No,” she protested, taking his hand with both of her’s. “No, no, no! I don’t want to leave you-yet! Yet!” She ran a hand through her hair. “I’m just saying-

She freed her hands and placed them on her head.

West embraced and stroked her mane. “That’s sweet of you. But I really don’t want to see you put yourself through any additional pain because of me. Please, Melody.”

She sniffled and dug her face into his chest.

“Okay.” she contended as her left leg felt as if a knife had been plunged into it. “But,” she said as she picked up the red marble. “Will you stay with me? Until the end?”

“Of course.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise. Thank you, for everything. I had a great week with you.”

“No.” She pulled back to kiss him on the lips. “Thank you. For letting me know, in the short time I had, the same love my mothers had.” She looked into his face. “I really hope either of them might be interested in you after this.”

“Well, I mean, did we ever establish it would be like dating my girlfriends parents after we broke up?” he mused.

Melody punched him in the shoulder. “Oh stop it.” she laughed, then cringed in pain.

West stopped laughing, and pulled her into one finale hug. “Goodbye, Melody. Until we meet again. I love you.”

She pulled back, wiping away her tears. “I love you too, West.” She held out her hand, the red orb resting on her palm. “Would you-

He nodded and took her hand, feeling the warmth of the orb between them. It was the most difficult thing West ever had to do. Seemed so simple with how often they did that in the past week. However, he was going to put her needs ahead of his own.

He pulled her into one last kiss as they squeezed their hands. The orb letting out a loud pop, as it’s red magic seeped out of their palms, dissolving into Melody’s body.

West wasn’t sure what to expect, so he found the scream Melody let out, while not surprising, frightening. Mouth agape, she pushes herself off of West. For a second, she just stood there, eyes widened. That was when they noticed her body was jiggling.

“We... West.” She breathed as her legs started to tingle. Looking behind herself, she saw that her legs were splitting apart, and an extra set of toes came out of her feet. She squeaked and threw herself into West’s arm.

“It’s okay, Mel,” he said, holding close as he felt her chest flattened out. Her waist and chest smoothing out into a back as well. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

Despite everything, she smiled. “Oh, Wes... West...

From her perch on his shoulder, she saw a pair of arms growing out of her limbs that reached out, and wrapped around her own torso. Which was being pushed apart by a pair of belly buttons and breasts.

As she felt the magic pulling at her face, she lifted herself up, and as her face disappeared amidst the raven mane, to look at West’s worried face.

She gave him one last smile, the last thing she remembered was West’s running a finger through her-

*****
As he promised, West stayed with her until the final moments. Even as her face disappeared beneath a mass of raven, even as he felt that he was holding not one, but two mares in his arms, he stayed.

There was a popping sound, and the whole thing seemed to have ended as suddenly as it began. Looking down at his arms, he saw two naked mares, that had passed out during the transformation.

Half an hour of crying later, West seemed to realize that he had been holding onto two naked mares, that he didn’t know. Although mindful that they had been Melody not an hour ago, carefully, not to wake them, he pulled himself out of the bed and set them down. Although Melody's lack of sleep for the past two days would have likely kept the two mares asleep during a hurricane for the next couple of hours.

A feeling that was also upon West as well. However, as tempting as it was, even thinking if this was some fan fiction story about sex, the next bit would be of Rara and Aj waking up, now or much later, and then immediately realizing they did love him and have a threesome if he feel asleep their and waited.

No, he knew better than to expect that, and knew it would be more mature to give them space. Grabbing his clothing, he thought to himself how much more mature he was for not thinking like that. As he was dressed and walked out of the barn to the sounds of snoring, he felt proud in doing what was the right call in leaving

At least, that’s what he was able to tell himself.

Author's Note

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