His Heart Aflutter

Chapters

Pictures of Lily
She Bangs the Drums
When You Smile
Directly From My Heart To You (incomplete)

Pictures of Lily

Jackson Bertram Apple, better known as ‘Applejack’, always knew his own mind; he prided himself on that fact. It could be attributed to the reasoning that he was a pony who lived rather simply. Wake up, eat, buck apples, sell said apples, spend time with friends, eat, other farm chores, sleep; rinse, wash, repeat.

Ponies in the community often looked to Applejack as a leader among the community and a stallion everypony could count on to be there when needed, even going so far as to regale him with the ‘Prized Pony of Ponyville’. Indeed, Applejack was used to taking charge and giving direction to those around him; after all, it was practically expected of him.

He did have an older brother, of course, known as Big Macintosh, so why was Applejack the one constantly under pressure to lead others? Simply put, Applejack’s outgoing, confidence-exuding nature drew attention to him more so than to his brother’s more subdued, passive demeanor. He as well had a younger brother, Applebuck, who was much too young for the sort of responsibilities Applejack was faced with from day-to-day. You might ask, why all this pressure in the first place? The Apple family was one of the founding families of Ponyville, so many ponies looked to its members as natural figureheads among the community.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anypony with any level of basic knowledge in equine psychology that Applejack often felt the need to immerse in an environment where he wasn’t constantly expected to take charge or have an answer for everything, and his circle of friends provided the perfect example of that.

There was Twilight Sparkle, his newest friend, the bookish unicorn and personal student of Princess Celestia. She was a natural problem solver, and an impressive magical talent. Her organizational and sometimes authoritative nature allowed an alleviation and division of the pressures that would often be forced upon Applejack. And then there was his best friend, Rainbow Blitz, the reckless, restless, and – to many – coolest Pegasus stallion on Ponyville’s weather patrol. In Blitz’s company, Applejack could forget his troubles in favor of the friendly rivalry and competition the two friends shared. And then there was Rarity, the elegant and generous unicorn whom Applejack was constantly in awe of how he could remain friends with; one word he might’ve used to describe her would be ‘prissy’- though he would never let on to that, being the gentlecolt that he was. Rarity’s oft-overdramatic nature would constantly shift the attentions of anypony from their own problems to her’s, which Applejack found refreshing. And who could forget the boundless ball of energy and sugar that was Pinkie Pie? Indeed, Pinkie’s constant randomness and celebrations were a great outlet by which Applejack could tune out his stresses and just go with the flow. Applejack was quite glad he could have such wonderful friends to just treat him like any other pony and that he could be himself around, he was determined that if any of his friends should require that same sort of recourse that he would try his darnedest to provide it; he would definitely do, indeed, anything for his friends.

But there was one particular friend whom he would do even more than anything for. She was special, just the thought or sight of her, even the sound of her name in his mind set Applejack’s heart racing. Fluttershy. Everything about her was perfection to the apple-bucking stallion; her soft yellow coat, her flowing pink mane, the manner by which her voice carried through the air – as if by a delicate and gentle breeze – her graceful and deliberate movements, the way in which she carried herself was simply mesmerizing to him. Now Applejack wasn’t clueless, he had a damned good idea of what these feelings were; he knew he was in love. He had been in love with Fluttershy from the first moment he had laid eyes on her, and could remember perfectly the details of their first meeting, which happened roughly 12 years ago. In fact, it went a little something like this.

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Another tough day of work on the farm, it seemed. Pappy, that is, young Applejack’s father, was always throwing something new at Applejack to learn about the maintenance and workings on the farm. Applejack was still by regular definition a very young colt, about 8 years old, 5 years junior to his brother, Macintosh, whom he was making his way back toward the farmhouse with as the sun set over the orchard.

The young orange colt was about to step over the threshold of the door behind his sibling, when suddenly his acute sense of hearing picked up a faint, yet stirring sound. The sound drifting toward him seemed to be a faint sobbing, most likely a young filly about his age. Applejack stepped away from the house and began to make his way toward the sparse sound.

Following the trail of the sound, he was led into a small clearing in between a gaggle of apple trees, and beheld one of the most humbling sights he had ever beheld in his short life.

A small, delicate, butter-yellow Pegasus filly lay on the grass, head hung in sadness, tears freely falling from under her large, bewitching eyes.

Applejack had always been taught by his Pappy to act a proper gentlecolt, and he felt an immediate compassion and confusion at would could possibly cause this vision of loveliness before him such sorrow.

Unfortunately, Jackson’s mind was not quite keeping pace with his heart, which was currently fuelling his speech.

“Ummmm, ah—er… are y’all an angel?” He managed to stutter out, rather dumbly at that.

The little filly was now made aware of the extra presence in the clearing, and shrunk back even further into herself, a muffled squeak of surprise escaping her as she tried to hide behind her mane. Tears were still freely flowing from her eyes which were now directed up at the strange new colt.

Applejack found this to be completely adorable, and on top of his heart melting was now even more determined to make a good first impression on this filly. “S’alright ,Miss. Y’all don’t need to be afraid’er nothin’. Ah ain’t gonna hurt ya.” At this, the filly seemed to ease up very, microscopically slightly, stilly apprehensive toward this stranger. “What’s yer name?” The farm-colt asked.

“Oh, I’m Fl-f-fluttershy.” She spoke almost imperceptibly, the sounds barely seeming to leave her mouth.

“Fluttershy, huh? Well, Miss Fluttershy, mind if I ask why y’all’re here all by yerself? Are y’all lost? Ah’m Applejack, by th’ way.” Applejack inquired, real concern dripping from his voice.

Upon hearing the genuine concern this strange colt held for her plight, Fluttershy found herself easing up even more visibly, her tone still remained soft as the orange colt made his way toward her and she tried to explain herself. “W-well, I-I was up in the clouds with my friends, un-until I fell off a cloud. I landed in the forest and met some new animal friends, so I played with them for a while. But I lost track of time and I’m n-not a st-strong enough flier to get back home myself, so I’m stranded here with-without my friends or family.” She began sobbing openly once again, her delicate frame shaking significantly with each whimper and sniffle. A comforting orange hoof reached out to touch her shoulder.

“It’s alright Miss Fluttershy, yer not totally alone, and Ah’m sure your parents’re out lookin’ fer ya.” At this, Applejack began to settle into a seated position beside Fluttershy as he continued to speak. “Tell you what, Ah’ll keep ya company until somepony finds ya, as long as it takes. Ah’ll be yer friend, okay?”

“I-o-okay. Th-thank you, Jackie.” She nuzzled her head into the neck of the, admittedly rather handsome, colt who now lay beside her, reveling in the comfort he offered. Applejack’s cheeks, in turn, lit up red at the sudden affectionate actions of this filly, coupled with the pet/nickname she had just given him.

They stayed that way for a couple hours, during which Macintosh had come to bring dinner to his brother, which Applejack would coax Fluttershy into sharing with him before she fell asleep at his side. The sun was now completely absent from the sky and the moon was nearing its place atop the stars when a larger-built Pegasus stallion flew into view over the treetops, calling out one singular name.

“Selina! Selina!” The mysterious Pegasus caught side of the two young ponies in the clearing, instantly entering into a protective state of mind at the thought some strange pony were doing something to his daughter.

Landing in the clearing, he approached Applejack and the other, sleeping form warily. “Mind telling me what you’re doing here with my baby girl, kid?” He questioned Applejack apprehensively.

“Mah name’s Applejack, sir. And I was simply keeping your daughter company until somepony came for her, sir.” The colt stated back, respectfully.

The filly began to stir. “Mmmmmhhhmm. Wh- Daddy?” She squeaked out tiredly.

“That’s right, Angel. Now it’s time to go home sweetie, climb on.” He said softly to his daughter as she began to climb up onto the back of his neck. “Thanks for watchin’ her, kid. But we need to be going now.” He looked back to his filly, “say goodbye, Selina.”

“Okay. Bye-bye, Jackie.” She said groggily. With this, the stallion turned around and began to fly to fly back the way he came.

“Goodbye, Angel.” Applejack whispered to the night sky.

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It turned out that night was not the last time they would see each other, however. Years later, Fluttershy would move into a cottage in the Ponyville area, just down the road from Sweet Apple Acres, as a matter of fact.

As expected, Applejack was always finding a new excuse to go down to Fluttershy’s, whether it was to help her round up her animal friends she cared for, or building her new pens and feeders for these animals. Applejack would sacrifice his own spare time just to be close to her as often as he could. He truthfully would do anything, for this mare, who had stolen his heart completely.

Author's Note

Welp, thanks for droppin' in to check out my first attempt at a fic on here everybody! Hope you'll give this a chance with a follow as there's more yet to come!

-- WetWilly

P.S. chapter title is indeed taken from a song by The Who (see here). Not so much because the song is of similar subject matter, but because the mood, to me at least, is quite similarly evoked.

She Bangs the Drums

Another sunshiny day on the edge of good ole’ Ponyville, and Applejack was spending it in one of the most wonderful ways he could possibly think of; helping the most beautiful mare finish her daily chores – no, not chores more like duties. Fluttershy loved all of her little critters so much; it was practically her obligation to give these little fellas the excessively agreeable room and board which she so vigorously maintained.

Ever since Fluttershy had moved to Ponyville, Applejack had constantly found reasons to come out to her cottage and visit her, usually helping her with anything which needed doing. He had honestly been more and more nervous to do so lately; after the incident which had occurred a few weeks ago where Twilight had gotten two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala from her mentor, her esteemed majesty Princess Celestia, and had been so indecisive as to who she would give her second ticket to a right big argument had broken out amongst the rest of the friends as to who it should be. Of course, Applejack would’ve given up the ticket to Fluttershy in a heartbeat if it meant keeping her happy. Ultimately, they had gotten six tickets and were now all attending the prestigious event. And Applejack saw this as a good opportunity to confess his feelings to the Pegasus mare, and maybe even go as her date.

Of course, Applejack relished in the opportunity to spend any sort of time with Fluttershy, even if it couldn’t be classified as anything but ‘just a good friend helping another pony out’. It was still essentially a dream for him, to watch her flowing mane and tail drift in the breeze, kicked up from her wings – fluttering in that cute way they did when she was excited – as she trotted daintily across the sizeable yard, from den to den, catering to the needs of all the little animals. And oh, how he treasured that heavenly sound which drifted off her lips whenever they parted, that motherly tone which it adopted whenever she was doting on any creature from the tiniest, sweetest little squirrel, to a large, imposing – but seemingly docile – bear.

So enraptured was he in his revelry of her beauty that Jackson didn’t even realize she had been staring at him in a questioning manner, for how long he had no clue. “Jackie?” He snapped to attention, a slight blush spread across his cheeks as he heard is name being spoken.

“Oh! Ah’m sorry ‘Shy.” He scratched the back of his head with a forehoof. “Ah guess Ah was just a mite spaced out there fer a second.”

“Umm… well, I apologize for interrupting your thinking, but we’re all done out here.” She rubbed one foreleg against the other softly. “Would you… care to join me inside? For some tea?”

'Land sakes, she's jes' too darn cute. Applejack’s heart spoke into his mind. “That would be just wonderful, ‘Shy.”

With that they made their way into the pegasus’ cottage, and a kettle was placed on the stove to boil.

Applejack, who was now seated at the small table in her kitchen area, was currently giving himself a pep talk in his mind. ‘Now’s yer chance ya damn fool, jes’ ask her if she’ll go with ya to that there Gala, it’s freakin’ simple!’ Oh, if only it were so. ‘Well, here goes nothin’.’ He thought to himself, more calmly this time.

The mare of his affection had now taken up in the seat across from him. “It should be ready in just a couple minutes, now.” She stated, giving him a soft smile.

“That’s nice.” He replied, almost absentmindedly. “Say, Fluttershy…” He began to speak up.

“Yes, Jackie?” She responded quizzically.

This was it. “Ah was jes’ wonderin’ if, maybe, perhaps, by any chance, if you would maybe like-”

An abrasive *knock knock knock* - ing on the cottage door stopped his train of speech dead in its tracks. “Oh! Somepony at the door, whoever could it be?” The pegasus mare questioned. “I’m going to answer that. Jackie, could you get the kettle, please?”

“A’course.” He stoically answered.

With that, Fluttershy made her way through the threshold of her living room to the door. Whosoever was on the other side must have been either pretty darn important, or pretty darn impatient, as the knocking picked up again once Fluttershy was halfway there. “Just a second.” The mare called out sweetly. Ever the patient one, while Applejack had half a mind to answer the door himself and give whoever it was a piece of his mind for being so damned rude. Of course, with whom it turned out to be, that probably wouldn’t have fixed much. The persistent knocking stopped.

Finally reaching the door and pulling it open ever so lightly revealed a light blue pegasus stallion with a multi-hued rainbow mane, Rainbow Blitz.

“Oh, um… hello Blitz.” Fluttershy greeted meekly.

“Hey, ‘Shy.” He then spotted Applejack standing in her kitchen, pulling the kettle off the stove. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Oh no, Jackie and I were just about to have some tea after a hard afternoon’s work caring for all my animal friends.” She responded sweetly, and then asked just as sweetly, “Would you care to join us, Blitzie?”

“Ah. Sure, why not?” He answered nonchalantly, pushing the door closed with a rear hoof and following his friend to the kitchen. He then pulled out one of the remaining seats at the small table and planted himself on it, subsequently looking toward the orange earth pony stallion also in the room. “’Sup, Jack?”

“Nothin’ much, Rainbow. Jes’ helpin’ Fluttershy with a few things, you know how it is.” Applejack stated coolly.

At this, the pegasus stallion’s eye twitched visibly. “Oh, I know how it goes alright.”

Of course Rainbow Blitz, being Applejack’s de facto best friend, was well aware of the other stallion’s infatuation with their mutual friend. And Rainbow’s relationship with Fluttershy went a little bit deeper than just a regular friendship; due to knowing each other for most of their respective lives, the two pegasi were as close as brother and sister, which they practically were. As such he was just somewhat protective of the yellow pegasus mare.

Suddenly Fluttershy broke the silence, slightly alleviating the tension nopony even realized had been building. “I almost forgot about Angel’s afternoon nap, I’ll go get him settled and be right back. You two boys play nice now, okay?” She got up from the table and smiled as she left the room.

Applejack watched after her –wearing a goofy smile on his face – as she left. He thought it was just adorable how she doted on that little white rabbit, he was practically her baby, even if his name was grossly inaccurate; that bunny could be a right pain in the flank when Fluttershy wasn’t waiting on him hind and hoof.

Rainbow Blitz broke the silence once more. “Snap out of it, bucko.” He huffed.

“Blitz, Ah have no idea what y’all’re talkin’ ‘bout.” Applejack responded rather slyly.

“You know damn well what I’m on about, buddy.” He pointed a hoof accusingly at his friend. “And you know I don’t have a huge problem with it, I just don’t like the risk of something happening and you hurting her. Ya know she’s like a sister to me, man.”

“Well, Ah was gonna ask her ta join me to the Gala as a date, before you so unceremoniously popped up.” Applejack spat back at him.

“Dude, how would that even work? You know she’s set on exploring the Royal Garden and meeting those animals, and you were adamant about setting up your freakin’ pastry stand to turn a profit at that damn thing!”

“Ah would make time fer her. Jes’, whatever’d make it work.” Applejack stated resolutely. “Anythin’ for her…”

“Whoa, whoa! Slow down there, bro. Don’t drift away on me. ” Blitz said waving a hoof in his friend’s face.

It was then that Fluttershy walked back into the room. “Okay boys, what’d I miss?”

“Nothin’.”

“Eeyup.”

“Okay, well, the tea should be steeped by now. So let’s get to that, shall we?” She asked sweetly.

“Hay yeah!” Blitz answered in his usual overly enthusiastic matter.

“Eeyup.” Applejack replied evenly.

And with that they all sat, enjoying the tea and exchanging idle friendly chatter, the three of them spending the remainder of the afternoon in the good company of each other. Applejack never did get to asking Fluttershy that one question, either.

Author's Note

Well damn, I know it's been well over a year. In fact some of you probably gave up hope of me ever updating again at all. Unfortunately I've had a busy time the last 14 months, going through a job, a lot of family commitments, and a busy first semester of college. So I once again want to apologize to anyone I may have cheesed off by not writing. It was pretty much all I could do to keep up with reading others' stories, let alone writing my own. But since I'm pretty much finished my first semester and have a 1 month break over Christmas, I should be able to hash out enough prose to keep you peoples sated for a while (I hope).

Thanks for stickin' with me, everybody!

-- WetWilly

P.S. Chapter title taken from this fantastic Stone Roses song, because it gives me a good giddy feeling!

When You Smile

"Just the one Earligold? That'll be two bits, pardner."

The white unicorn stallion hoofed over the bits, and took his apple. "Alright, thanks dude." He took a loud bite out of the fruit, and lifted the purple sunglasses he wore up his brow to inspect the apple more closely. "Damn, this just might be the best apple I've ever had!"

"Thank ya kindly sir. Hope you'll swing on bah another day, always a delight havin' new customers." Applejack waved to the stallion as he walked off through the market square.

The afternoon was drawing to a close, as were Applejack's market hours, he peeked into the bin stashed beneath the shelf, he'd made quite the haul today. 'That new plow should only be a couple weeks away at this rate.'

He set about packing away the apples still laid out on the cart and folded the top down, hitching himself to the front to begin hauling it back home. As he passed through the park he cast friendly smiles to and greeted various ponies he knew from around town. 'Seems everypony couldn't help but get out in the fresh air foe such a lovely day as today', he thought to himself.

He then noticed his friends, Rainbow Blitz and Pinkie Pie, no too far off. Blitz was simply bouncing a ball off his head and back while Pinkie observed with intense concentration, presumably keeping count of the bounces. 'Then again, ya never can tell what's goin' through that gal's head', Applejack chuckled to himself. The pink party pony then started hopping up and down and chattering the way Pinkie was wont to do, distracting Blitz, who let the ball fall to the ground as he shot his bouncing friend an annoyed look.

Continuing further down the path, the workhorse noticed the object of his not-so-secret affections, Fluttershy, standing with her back to him and staring off in the distance at something, what Applejack couldn't tell. It was obviously distressing her, whatever it was.

Applejack took actions and trotted up quietly beside her, attempting to give her fair warning before he opened his mouth and nearly scared the legs of the poor girl. "Howdy, 'Shy."

She jumped ever so slightly off the ground in surprise, and turned to look at the large stallion. "Oh, good afternoon Jackie. Did you do well at the market today?"

"It was a mighty fine day fer sellin' some apples, thank ya." An awkward pause. "'Shy, is everythin' alright? I noticed ya were lookin' a mite distressed here."

"Um, well... I was actually looking over towards the mountains, and I noticed this trail of... smoke."

"Smoke, huh?" Sure enough, when Applejack cast his glance in the direction of the mountain range, there it was. A black row that was endeavoring to cover over the entire sky. "Hoo-wee. That don't look too good, reckon we should tell somebody 'bout it, darlin'."

Fluttershy blushed slightly at the stallion's choice of words. "Oh, I tried to tell everypony, but well, nopony really wanted to listen."

Applejack frowned at that. Even with his intense infatuation for the mare before him, he was still well aware that she needed to pony up and assert herself more sometimes. "Well let's fix that, sugarcube." Applejack was taking a deep breath in, about to call out across the park to grab the pony's attention, when --

"Listen up!" The voice of one Twilight Sparkle rang out across the park. Everypony directed their attention to hte bridge on which she stood. "Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria."

Everypony finally took notice of the growing mass of smoke beginning to overtake the blue sky above them.

"But nopony worry. I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia in forming me that it is not coming from a fire..."

Several sighs of relief were released, Flutershy visibly relaxed a bit. "Thank goodness."

"It's coming from a dragon!" Finished Twilight. A new mess of paniced expressions spread throughout the group of ponies.

Fluttershy, stiffened on the spot, obviously terrified. "A- a- d-d-d-dragon?" She toppled sideways into Applejack, and fainted leaning against the stallion.

A couple hours later, and the group - that is Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Applejack - had reached the mountain, and had begun to make their way up the first slope. The group looked back to notice Fluttershy still standing at the bottom, looking mortified as ever.

Blitz was the first to speak up. "Hey! What are you waiting for? An invitation?" he called down the slope.

Pinkie hopped up ecstatically, "Ooh, I think I have one in my bag!" She then jumped behind a rock, only to pop out a second later with a card held in her mouth, sending a blast of confetti straight into Rainbow Blitz's face.

"I-it's... so... steep." Fluttershy murmured back up to the group. Seeing her so terrified nearly broke Applejack's heart, but he knew they needed to get her up the mountain if they wanted any hope of getting that dragon out of there. He reached for the map sticking out of Twilight's saddlebag.

"Applejack, what are you doing?" Twilight questioned.

"I'll need this if Ah'm gonna find us another way around this here mountain." He stated, and began sliding down the slope to meet up with the pegasus at the bottom.

"Ugh..." Rainbow Blitz groaned incredulously. "Around the mountain? that'll take them forever."

Applejack reached the bottom of the slope, and looked back up to the group. "Don't y'all worry none. We'll be there before ya know it." The two ponies at the bottom watched as the rest of the group turned and continued their journey up the mountain. Once they were out of sight, Jackson turned to his companion. "Come on now, sugarcube. We'll find an easier way up for ya."

"Oh, thank you Jackie. You're so sweet." She brushed her side up along Applejack's as they began walking around the base of the mountain, causing the stallion to sport a blush warmly.

"Yer always welcome, darlin'."

They had found a much smoother path, and though it had taken them quite a bit longer than the previous route would have. Applejack wasn't about to imply that he didn't enjoy the time spent with his lovely pegasus companion.

Being that they were now coming up on a space where the path seemed to widen, Applejack thought it might be a good time to take a small break, but they had to keep moving if they meant to catch up with the others.

Suddenly he heard a rumble from above, and looked just in time to see a medium-sized boulder rolling down the rock-face towards them. He nudged his companion forward, and both sprinted forwardto the widened area, out of the path of the falling rock. After checking overhead to make sure there were no other loose boulders that might try to crush them, Applejack decided it might be a good idea to take a small break to slow the beating of his heart, however no such relaxation would come.

"Jackie?" He heard the voice of his crush address him. "Can- can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, sugarcube." The stallion answered. His expression turned to one of worry when he noticed the downcast look on his distant yet oh-so-near beloved's face. "What's on yer mind?"

"I just..." She hesitated. "Why are you always so patient with me? Even when my timidness seems to wear on everypony else, you're always so sweet to me. to most I'm just the pony who's scared of her own shadow... I'm nothing special." She looked down, dejectedly.

Jackson immediately jumped into defense mode upon hearing this, moving in closer to the mare and placing a hoof under her chin to bring her face-to-face with him. "Hey now, darlin'. What's got ya sayin' that?" He pressed gently. "Ya are special. I know it, so does everypony else. Yer talented, stronger than you know, and more beautiful'n..." He froze up and blushed heavily, realizing what he'd just said.

Fluttershy was blushing rather hard in this moment as well. "Y-you really think... me? Beautiful?"

Applejack tried to find a way out of this jam he'd talked his way into. 'What are ya doin'? Don't ya wanna tell 'er how ya feel, ya damn fool?' Of course his thoughts played his voice of reason, he came to his decision. "Well- Ah... yes. Ah never meant to tell ya like this, sugarcube, but it's out there now. Ever since I first met ya Ah had feelin's fer ya somethin' fierce."

"R-really?"

"Darn right, sugarcube. In fact I know what yer fear of that there dragon must be like, 'cause, well..." He trailed off, unable to finish that thought.

Fluttershy's concern for this stallion instantly overcame her shyness. "Oh my. Applejack... are you afraid of- me rejecting you?" She received a bashful nod in confirmation. "Why? I'm not too good for you, if anything you're out of my league." Applejack's eyes widened in surprise at this. "I mean, you're successful, hard-working, outgoing, and possibly the most..." She hesitated once more. "Handsome stallion I know. You don't really want to be associated with somepony as plain and boring as me."

Applejack was completely taken aback. 'Too good for her? Me? But she's absolutely wonderful!' His confidence in speaking was regained once more. "Now 'Shy, Ah hope you ain't implyin' Ah'm a liar of some sort when I say y'all are beautiful... and kind, strong-willed, sweet as sugar, and a whole mess of other things that make me absolutely crazy fer ya. Why, I would like nothing more than to take ya fer just one night out on th' town, so's I can prove to ya jest how wrong you are in sayin' those things."

"I- I would really like that, Jackie." She responded quietly as she nuzzled her head up under the large stallion's chin. "Maybe after we get rid of this dragon, though?"

"Why a'course, darlin'! Now..." he turned around to continue up the path, his companion moving alongside him, "...shall we continue onward, m'lady?"

"Oh yes, we shall..." She giggled, and they continued up the way, remaining close the entire time.

Author's Note

Well damn, I took my sweet-ass time getting this done, didn't I?

This fic is actually approaching it's end. I decided to make the wrap-up quick n' dirty, since I have ideas for other sequels, prequels, and tales concurrent to this one I want to put out sooner rather than later. The next chapter will most assuredly be the last.

Thank you for not giving up on this story!

-- WetWilly

Chapter title stolen from my favourite band, The Flaming Lips.

Directly From My Heart To You (incomplete)

Twilight and the rest of the group had been waiting further up the mountain for some length of time, from what Twilight could gather it had been about a half-hour. She then heard voices from down the path to her right. She turned and spotted Applejack and Fluttershy making their way toward the rest of the group, walking curiously close together.

"There you two are, and you got here much quicker than expected!" Twilight exclaimed with enthusiasm obvious in her tone.

"Told ya we wouldn't be a minute too late, sugarcube." Applejack called back, and turned to grin warmly at his companion, who smiled back more softly.

With that, the party was off once again working their way on up the once-again continuing path until they reached a gap in the rocks. Everypony made the jump with ease, turning back to look at Fluttershy who was sitting before the gap, looking mortified.

"Your turn, Fluttershy." Stated Twilight Sparkle.

"I-I don't know. It's so far." the yellow pegasus responded meekly.

"There's nothing to be afraid of!" Pinkie interjected loudly, launching into a short little song, something about how easy it was to make it with a hop-skip-and-jump.

"Okay, here I go." Fluttershy stood, making her way towards the edge, following the steps outlined by her friend. Once she got to the edge, though, she panicked and sunk back.

"C'mon sugarcube. You can make it, I believe in ya!" Applejack called to his mare.

"Oh, I don't know Jackie. The gap is so wide."

Applejack let out a small sigh, and stepped up to the edge on his side. "Just hold on a second darlin', Ah'm comin' back over."

"We don't have time for this!" Blitz growled impatiently.

Applejack shot a glare back at his friend before turning and hopping over the gap to the yellow pegasus. "Okay sugarcube, just climb on my back." She did just that, wrapping her forehooves snugly around her stallion's neck. He took a light running start and made the jump with the added weight. She then slid off of his back and landed upright on her own hooves.

The mare nuzzled into the stallion's broad chest. "Thank you Jackie, sweetie."

"Sweetie?!" The rest of the group exclaimed in surprise.

Applejack just scratched the back of his neck with a hoof, while Fluttershy tried to bury herelf in her mane out of embarassment. "Heheh, so... We should keep goin' now, don't y'all think?" The orange workhorse managed, attempting to divert the subject.

The others decided to drop it, Rainbow Blitz in particular deciding he needed to have a word with Applejack once everything was said and done. That didn't stop the two from walking awfully close together as the party continued on their way.

They somehow managed the rest of the trek without incident, of course Rarity couldn't help herself with bombarding the seeming new couple among them with questions. She was eventually silenced however when they heard Twilight at the front of the group.

"Here we are." Sure enough, they were at a large cave entrance, which the mass of smoke could be seen trailing out of, and the snores of the adult dragon within could be heard quite clearly.

---INCOMPLETE---

Author's Note

Chapter title is a Little Richard song, but I'm specifically linking the Mothers of Invention version here since it's my favorite. Plus I was listening to this album while I wrote this chapter.

That was the initial intent, but after letting this sit for more than a year, I've tried coming back to it multiple times and just hate everything. That said I'm going to try my hand at creating a new canon of stories in the near future, since this universe I initially worked out doesn't appeal to me anymore. I hope it's not too much too ask for you all not to get too mad at me for leaving you all hanging and then abandoning the very product you were waiting for.

That said, if any prospective authors are interested in the canon I had in the planning stages to sprout from this story, PM me and I can work out to send you the character outline notes I'd drawn up.

Thanks for putting up with my bullshit (or lack thereof).

--WetWilly