Teddy sighed as he lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. His room was dark with only a few beams of light coming through his window. He moved his head to look at his alarm clock. It's blue number read that it was five minutes till six in the morning. Oddly enough he had no desire to go back to sleep. In fact he had no desire to stay in his bed; he got up and exited his room. He then walked down the hallway to the bathroom. He walked as softly as he could so that he would not make that much noise. His parents were still asleep and they were off today. So he knew they would appreciate being allowed to sleep in. when he reached the bathroom he started to get himself ready for another day of school. He took a shower so that he would not stink later on. Once done he dried himself off he started to brush his teeth. After that he combed his mane and exited the bathroom. He walked back to his room and continued to get himself ready.
As he walked over to his alarm clock he paused for a moment. For some odd reason he didn't feel like his usual self. Instead he felt sad. He felt sad and he did not know why. He shook his head and turned his clock alarm off before it went off. He then grabbed his saddlebag and placed his sunglasses atop his head. He exited the room again and made his way to the kitchen. He didn't want to make any noise so instead of cooking anything. He made his way over to the pantry. He opened the door and his eyes fell on an open box of pop-tarts. He took a package of them out of the box and headed for the front door. Once outside he locked the door behind him and started to walk to school. Normally, he would wait for the bus but this time he didn't want to wait. All he wanted to do was walk.
The air was cool and the morning sun provided some comforting warmth. It was the right combination for a walk. But, for some reason he still felt sad. He watched as ponies drove by in their cars. Sometimes they would wave to him but he would not wave back. His mind felt like it was in a haze. Like he was walking around in a fog. He continued walking down the sidewalk towards the school. His mind was not the only thing lost to him. His body it felt like it was moving on its own. Then all of a sudden he came to a stop. He stood still for a solid minute before he looked over at a house. He had stopped in front of Sweet Heart's house. He stared at her home for a moment; before he felt something wet sliding down his cheek. He brought his hoof up and felt what it was.
He asked himself. “Why am I crying?”
Sweet Heart had just finished fixing her mane and started to get her stuff for school ready. As she prepared herself for the school day; she caught a glimpse of someone walking by outside. She looked out her window just in time to see Teddy walking down the sidewalk. She wondered why he was out there. Was he walking to school? She opened her window to call out to him. But, he was already too far away to hear.
She told herself. “Maybe I'll ask him at school.”
As if on cue the bus for school came to a stop in front of her home. She grabbed her bag and quickly ran down stairs. Narrowly making it in time to catch the bus to school. The trip to school was the same as usual. She caught up with her friends and they talked about their plans for the day. She noticed the curious looks on both Lancer's and Ace's faces'. She wondered if they knew that Teddy was walking to school that day.
She called to both of them. “Lancer. Ace.”
They looked at her and Ace replied. “Yes, Sweet Heart.”
She replied with a question. “Did Teddy say he was going to walk to school today?”
They both looked at one another with confused looks. They then shook their heads that was a little odd. Normally he would tell them everything but this was news to them. She nodded and turned away from them. She wondered if he was okay. Maybe she could talk to him at school; maybe there she would get her answer. They didn't have to wait long to get to school. The bus was already coming to a stop in front of the building.
Now Sweet Heart was worried for her friend; not only was Teddy not on the bus. But, he was also not in class. And their teacher had just marked him tardy. She looked back at Bright Eyes and waved at her. When she saw she had her attention she motioned towards the empty desk in the room. Bright Eyes looked towards the desk only to shake her head and shrug her shoulders.
Sweet Heart thought to herself. “Teddy, where are you?”
As the school day went on Sweet heart continued to worry about her missing friend. Ace and Lancer were worried about him too. But, they also had a lot to do today. By the time lunch had come around Sweet Heart sat with her friends. They each looked at her with worry and she looked back at them with the same expression.
Starlight asked her. “Sweet Heart are you okay?”
Sweet heart looked at her and shook her head before replying. “No, I'm not Starlight.” She sighed before continuing. “I'm worried about Teddy.”
Patch spoke. “We know.” She shook her head before continuing. “I know Teddy can be a little spontaneous and a little bit of a jerk.” She paused a moment looking at Sweet Heart with an apologetic look before finishing. “But, there is no way he would ditch school. At least not without telling Lancer or Ace.” The others nodded in agreement.
Melody asked. “You guys don't think he's in trouble do you?”
They looked at her and Bon-Bon replied. “He's gonna be in trouble when his mom finds out he skipped school.”
Melody responded. “Not that kind of trouble Bon-Bon. I meant emotionally.”
Everyone soon started talking each of them coming up with a wild scenario. After hearing all she could take Sweet Heart stood up and started to walk away. Here friend followed close behind her. Patch asked. “Sweet Heart. Where are you going?”
Sweet Heart answered. “To find Teddy.” She heard each of them gasp in shock.
Clover spoke. “But, Sweet Heart school isn't.”
Sweet Heart interrupted her. “They remainder of my day are free periods. And, I usually spend them in the library.” She started to make her way to the closest exit. “I'm going to find my friend.” She placed a hoof on the door before looking back at her friends. She saw each of them nod before she smiled and exited the school. She didn't know where to start looking so she started to head back to her home. That was where she saw him earlier that morning. Maybe she could guess where he went after that. “Where are you Teddy?”
The sun was starting to set and Sweet heart so far had no luck locating Teddy. When she made it back to her home. She head towards the intersection that was just down from there. One way lead to the school. The other lead to the center of town. And, the third way lead to the outside of the city. He was obviously not at the school and she figured that he wasn't outside the town. So she figured he headed to the center of town. As she searched for him there she had to avoid the areas where her parents worked. If they saw her there during school hours. She would be grounded for life. She went to all the places she knew he liked to hang out.
She checked the arcade, the soccer field, the gym. But she could not find him anywhere. She even asked some of the adults in the area if they had seen him. But, they seemed to be more worried about her not being in school. She was currently walking through the park. She was starting to lose hope that she would never find her friend.
With a growl she nearly shouted. “Teddy where are you!?”
She panted a little bit trying to calm herself down. She then sighed heavily before walking over to a nearby bench. She sat down and started to cry. She wanted her friend. She missed her friend. She just wanted to know that he was okay. She stared down at the ground for a little bit before looking up. She looked towards the lake and that was when she finally saw him. There sitting at the edge of the lake was Teddy. She sprang up from where she sat and galloped over to him.
She called out to him. “Teddy!”
The moment she was close enough she wrapped her hooves around him. Hugging him close both happy and relieved to see him. It was only after a few seconds she realized something was wrong. She pulled back and took a better look at him. He had a blank expression on his face and he was just gazing out at the lake. She looked out at the lake and saw nothing.
She asked him. “Teddy are you okay?”
He replied. “Uh-huh.”
Now she knew something was wrong with him. She pressed on asking him. “Teddy, why weren't you at school today? You had everypony worried.” He did not respond all he did was stare forward. She asked him. “Teddy is there something wrong?” He remained silent. She pleaded with him. “Teddy, please. You can talk to me. You're my friend and every time you needed somepony to talk to I was there.” She reached for one of his forehooves and gently held it in hers. “I'm here for you Teddy.”
The two sat their in silence for a good while. The sun had set and now the moon was starting to rise. She sighed sadly; he wasn't going to tell her anything. She looked at him and told him. “Be safe going home Teddy.” She started to stand up to leave. Only to feel Teddy's grip on her hoof tighten. She looked down at their hooves. Before looking back up at him.
It was then he spoke. “Please, don't leave Sweet Heart.” His voice sounded vulnerable.
She sat back down before placing her other hoof on his. She gently held his hoof in both her hands before saying. “I'm not going to leave you.”
He looked at her allowing her to get a better look at his face. She could now see the tear streaks that were on his face. He then asked her. “Sweet Heart.” He paused a moment before he continued. “Am I a bad pony?”
She was caught off guard by his question. Was this why he was sad? Sure, he had his moment where he was a complete jerk. But, in the end he was always able to make it up. She answered. “Well.” She paused a moment before continuing. “You do tend to be a jerk sometimes. But, that does not make you a.” She stopped when she saw the tears welling up in his eyes.
He then spoke in a voice just barely above a whisper. “I....I.” Tears started to fall from his eyes as he suddenly shot up and started to run away from her.
Sweet Heart quickly chased after him while shouting at him. “Teddy wait!”
She chased him all the way to the other side of the park. When she was close enough she tackled him. The rolled across the ground for a little bit before finally coming to a stop. It ended up with her on top of him. Both of them were panting heavily as they tried to get air back in their lungs. Sweet Heart lifted herself up a little and looked down at him.
That was when he suddenly begged her. “Please, Sweet Heart just leave me alone.” He sobbed a little before continuing. “I don't want anypony to see me like this.”
She shook her head and responded. “No Teddy.” She made him look up at her before continuing. “You don't need to be alone. Especially now. When you need somepony the most.”
They lay their in silence for a moment. But, Sweet Heart broke the silence as she spoke. “Teddy, you are not a bad pony. Yes, there are times you do act like you are. But, I've seen the good side of you Teddy.” She began to gently wipe his tears away. “I've seen the good and caring side of you Teddy. I've seen the pony who I'm very happy to call one of my best friends.” He stared up at her; listening to her kind words. She then finished with something that completely shocked him. “And, the one that I....” she then kissed him on his forehead. He stared up at her with a look of shock while she looked down at him with a blush on her face.
He spoke. “Sweet Heart.”
She was about to apologize to him for the sudden revelation. Only to be shocked by him kissing her back. But, he kissed her back on the lips. They held the kiss for a moment before the broke apart. They gazed into each others eyes before they pressed their foreheads together. Both of them smiled happily before she got off of him and helped him up.
He thanked her. “Thanks Sweet Heart.” He watched her nod before he offered. “Do you want me to walk you home.”
She nodded before reply. “I would like that.”
He smiled before they walked together side by side. As they walked Sweet Heart moved herself closer to him. Gently nuzzling him as they walked together. Teddy Smiled happily for the first time today. He may not know what this meant for them now. But, he knew that it was good. He couldn't help but keep smiling. Finally after all this time feeling sad all day. He felt very happy.
In the forest surrounding the small town a human walked around. He was stumbling around almost as if he was in a daze. He had orange colored hair. Wore what appeared to be a scientist trench coat. He wore glasses and a strange necklace around his neck. He panted heavily before he fell and came to rest at the bottom of a tree trunk.
As he lay there slowly slipping out of consciousness. He muttered two words. “Containment breach.”