Chapter 6

Chapter Six

“Twilight, are you ready for this?” Rainbow sat beside Twilight at the train station, watching a train approaching from the distance.

“I don't know Rainbow. Seeing her after eight years, it feels weird. You and Pinkie were there when I woke up so I didn't have a choice, but with her… I don't know if I can do it.” Twilight fidgeted nervously in her wheelchair as the train got closer. “I’m really nervous about this, she’s always been the most emotional. You told me Big Mac was coming and that worries me too. Has he forgiven me yet or will he if he hasn’t?”

Rainbow grinned, “Don't worry, you’ll love it and you will love seeing Flutters again, and Big Mac has forgiven you.”

Twilight shifted in her chair, “It's one thing to forgive me while I am a memory and another to forgive me face to face.”

The train pulled into the station and came to a stop. The doors seemed to open in slow motion to Twilight. She started hyperventilating a bit, unsure of what to expect. She certainly didn't expect to find herself and her wheelchair lying flat on the floor, with a very happy and very teary eyed yellow pegasus on top of them.

“TWILIGHT!”

Twilight couldn't understand the rest of what the yellow pegasus said through her tears. Twilight was unsure of what to say and tentatively spoke. “Hi Fluttershy, it's been awhile.” Twilight gently stroked the pink mane as Fluttershy buried herself in her chest. “How are you, you been doing alright? Rainbow tells me you and Big Mac are together now.” Fluttershy took some deep breaths and smiled up at Twilight as Big Mac righted the wheelchair and Twilight together.

“Twilight, when you, Rainbow and Applejack were hurt in your library it was the worst day of my life, and when I got your letter yesterday it was one of the greatest days ever.” Fluttershy pulled her face out of Twilight's chest and looked her square in the eyes. “The first greatest day was when I married Big Mac. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up but it hurt too much to stay here in Ponyville. Oh did Rainbow tell you? I told her I wanted it to be a surprise.” Fluttershy's face lit up to Twilight’s utter bewilderment. “I know you love kids Twilight and I thought it might cheer you up.” Fluttershy turned to Big Mac and nodded her head then turned to a quizzical Twilight.

Fluttershy beamed at Twilight and motioned two small fillies over to her from behind Big Mac. The first one was an earth pony, the same color as Fluttershy, and the second was a pegasus, as rust-red as Big Mac. “This is Honeysuckle and Honeycrisp. Honeysuckle is my earth pony daughter and Honeycrisp is my pegasi son.” She patted them on their heads respectively before turning to a slowly approaching Big Mac with a smile and leant against him.

Twilight sat, dumbfounded. Not only was Fluttershy married to Big Mac, but she was a mother now. It also seemed like motherhood had done wonders for her shyness. She hadn't seen any signs of the Fluttershy who used to apologize all the time and hide behind her mane. She never thought she would see Fluttershy openly show affection in public either, but there she was, leaning on Big Mac, her husband. Twilight sat still, silently moving her mouth as she thought about how things had changed so much, before sighing and passing out.

Rainbow looked over Fluttershy’s shoulder at Twilight, “Oh wow Fluttershy, I didn’t expect that to happen. Maybe we should have warned her about you and Big Mac. Or maybe I shoulda warned her about how much you’ve changed, or the kids for that matter.” Rainbow walked up to Twilight's wheelchair and began to push her away from the train station with a slightly guilty look. “That smile she has is amazing; I don't think I have seen her smile like that since her parents were here.” Rainbow sighed, “It's good to see she can still smile like that, I was getting worried, especially since our conversation last night.”

Fluttershy looked at Rainbow with a bemused expression, “Rainbow what conversation would that be? Is Twilight alright?”

Rainbow sighed, “Yes, no, I’m not sure. She was acting normal for so long and I didn't notice anything until she started staying with me.”

Fluttershy gave Rainbow her famous stare. “Rainbow you should be ashamed, she’s lost almost everything and you were the only one who stayed. I would expect you to at least think about how she is feeling. This can't be easy for her, and you know how she likes to take things on by herself.”

Rainbow got a guilty look. “Yea, I kinda got so wrapped up in her being awake and how happy I was, that I didn't pay attention to how she might have been, mentally speaking. Sorry doesn't cut it but I really am. I should have paid more attention.” Rainbow and Fluttershy didn't notice that Twilight had woken up and was listening to them while pretending to remain passed out. “I mean I waited eight years to see her open her eyes again and when it did happen, I was just so happy that I might have handled things badly, I should have paid more attention to what might be going on in her head.”

“I made a few mistakes and I just felt so bad that I had trouble facing her; first I let her find out about Applejack and her Library on day one. Not to mention she met Applebloom and learnt how long she’d been… out from that meeting. I probably should have been open with everything right away, but I just wanted to pick up where things left off. That was my biggest mistake. Part of me thought it might be better for her if we pretended it hadn't been that long, then it would be easier on her, but I was dead wrong about that. Then I made the mistake of not being there for her enough, because of how ashamed I was, and that caused me to miss things I should have been able to see. That last one was a huge mistake that I am trying to fix by having her stay with me.”

Fluttershy continued giving Rainbow the look. “Are you blaming yourself for something again Rainbow? We talked about all this already. You know it's not your fault and that there are those who are still here for you. Applejack isn't here to save you this time, so don't go down that road again.”

“I know Fluttershy, don't worry. I won't be leaving Twilight alone. I feel bad about how I’ve handled things, but I know that I need to just do better and not blame myself. I won't be trying anything like that again so don't worry.

Everyone jumped as Twilight spoke up, “What are you guys talking about, what did Applejack do for you Rainbow?” Twilight had a slightly scared expression on her face as she looked imploringly at Rainbow. “Rainbow, what’s Fluttershy talking about? What did you try to do? How does it involve Applejack? Did you do something horrible and why would we worry about you trying it again?””

Rainbow fidgeted a bit before sighing. “When I first woke and found out what happened and what I lost, I grew very despondent. After Applejack's final day was declared I slipped over the edge into depression. I grew reclusive and would have starved myself to death if Applejack hadn't defied the doctors and left the hospital to find me. She was pretty far gone by then and could barely move, but she hunted me down and got me some help. She saved me from myself and what would have been the worst thing I possibly could have done.” Rainbow looked in the direction of Applejack's statue. “I owe her so much, and I didn't even let her say goodbye. I wish that I could change that, not out of regret, but because she deserved the chance to say goodbye.”

Rainbow felt a hoof take hers and smiled as the purple hoof squeezed hers. “She knows how you feel Rainbow, she knew then too. That's why she went to such lengths to save you from yourself. I sometimes think she could even see the honesty and dishonesty of the actions around her. I used to feel that she was far more insightful than most of us thought, like our very actions told her more than our mouths.” Twilight followed Rainbows gaze, “It's part of why I loved her, and Rainbow. Thank you for sharing, I know you don't think I need to know everything about the last eight years but I still want to know about what my friends did. The good and the bad, it makes me feel like I might have a place here sometimes.”

Twilight's eyes began to get tear up. “Applejack was so hopeful for my return, she made sure that I would have somepony there for me when I woke up. Pinkie probably kept me alive as well in some way, probably with laughter knowing her, but sometimes I don't know if a place exists for me here anymore, and sometimes when I hear the past, I think that maybe a hole was kept open for me to fill.” Twilight squeezed Rainbows hoof harder and leant her head back and rubbed it against Rainbows chin.

Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Sorry to interrupt this tender moment, but you two have an audience.” The two fillies in Twilight's lap were looking up at the two of them, the fillies with wonderment and Fluttershy with a slight blush. Twilight turned a light crimson color, and pulled her hoof away from Rainbows, leaning forward. “So Rainbow, where were we going? Was it to see Pinkie Pie?”

Rainbow smiled, shaking her head to get her thoughts in order again, “Yep, we were.”

Twilight turned and looked at Big Mac, “So you and Fluttershy? I wish I’d been there to see the wedding. I bet it was a wonderful wedding. I’m sorry that your sister couldn't...” Twilight's voice cracked a little bit, “I am sorry about your sister in general. I wanted to tell you right away about our relationship, but she didn't want to. I hope you can forgive me for everything that happened.”

Big Mac turned and looked her square in the eyes, stopped Rainbow with a hoof. “Eeyup,” He then wrapped Twilight in a massive hug. “I forgive ya. Tweren't yer fault and Ah don't blame ya.” Big Mac said as he hugged Twilight. Twilight's eyes teared up a bit more as she returned the hug.

“I really am sorry Big Mac, she was a wonderful mare and she deserved so much more than she got. I wish I could bring her back for us, but even magic can't do that.” Twilight took a shuddering breath as her tears started falling. “I know I shouldn't cling to her and what I felt for her, but it's hard. It feels so sudden to me. If Celestia could hear me thinking about even attempting something like reviving her, she’d be livid. Though some part of me knows it’s dumb, she’s not really gone, not from my memories.” Twilight smiled at everyone present and pulled them in for hug.

“Oohh a group hug and no one invited me? That's not very nice at all, I love hugs and smiles and I love sharing them with other people.” Everyone looked up at Pinkie, who was pouting with her smile barely suppressed, and burst out laughing. “Sorry Pinkie, come on over and join us, there's room for you in here too.” Twilight said, reaching out with a hoof as Pinkie bounced up and pulling her into the hug. “So is anyone else hungry, because I could really use something to eat.” Twilight broke the hug as she looked at everyone present. “Let's head over to Sugarcube Corner and get something to eat.”

~~

They had finished lunch and were gathered at Applejack's statue, they’d left Big Mac and the foals at the park on the way. They’d said that they liked the park, but Twilight suspected that it had more to do with the fact that they were talking to a gravestone.

Fluttershy was in front of the statue and Rainbow was behind Twilight again, at her post of wheelchair pusher. “So Applejack,” Fluttershy began, “it's been a while since I visited, Big Mac and the kids are fine, he’s like putty in our foals hooves though. Rarity should be coming by soon as well; I bet she is going to be so excited to see Twilight up and about again.” Fluttershy smiled and looked at Rainbow, “You have anything to say?”

Rainbow shook her head, “Naw I visited her pretty recently I think we should just leave Twilight with her for a bit.”

Twilight nodded her assent, “If you wouldn’t mind.”

Twilight watched them head over to a bench to give her some alone time. “Hey Applejack, I guess this is the first time I’ve visited. I don't think that first time really counts.” Twilight sat in her chair looking up at Applejack’s stone eyes. “I don't know why I decided to drop by, I mean really to me you just left.” Twlight looked over at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, the two of them talking on the bench. “I don't think this is a goodbye it feels more like visit to an old friend. I don't think I could this without them present though, it would hurt too much.” “

“This feels weird, you’re just a statue, but they think talking to you will help me. How can an unresponsive statue help me? Well anyway maybe it will feel good to get this out there. I miss you. I miss you more than I thought I would Applejack. This past month has been horrible; I’ve spent most of it brooding about outliving you. It didn't help that you chose to leave me. I’ve spent a lot of time hating you as well, I loved you and then you did this to me.” She pointed at her chest and breathed in deeply to emphasize the point.

“You chained me to this life that I don't want; you forced me to live without you. I talked to Rainbow about this, and I still feel like I should be dead. You chained me here and then left me to live my life without you. But the worst thing this, this whole sordid affair, is that I still love you, and we can’t talk things over with one another again. We can't come to an agreement now; we can't make up and make amends. I wanted to apologize to you for so many things, but you left me with no way to do it.” Twilight moved herself closer to the statue.

“You left me two things, chains and memories. I want to hate you for it and to kill myself to spite you, but I promised Rainbow I wouldn't. I won't forgive you for giving me these chains but I do still love you, and maybe I’ll be able to forgive you one day, but right now I don't think you even deserve my visits.” Twilight looked at the statue and began to cry silently. “But I can't even do that to you, because even though I hate what you gave me and what you did to me, you were still the greatest thing that ever happened to me. So thank you for the wonderful time we had together, it meant the world to me.” Twilight turned her chair around and headed over to Rainbow and Fluttershy who looked up at Twilight as she arrived.

“So, feel any better?” Rainbow asked her immediately.

“A little bit. I don't know why but I do feel a little better. So Fluttershy, mind if I ask why you left Ponyville?” Twilight asked, changing the subject from her feelings as soon as she could.

Fluttershy lowered her head and began to walk towards Rainbows apartment. “Well Twilight, to be honest, you’re the reason.” Twilight zoned out for a moment before listening again, Rainbow still pushing her along. “-hurt too much to stay here, same for Big Mac. We both decided after the wedding, that to move on we needed a change of scenery. I could barely walk around Ponyville without crying and Big Mac just didn't know what to do without Applejack anymore.”

Fluttershy looked at the sky, “We both decided that we wanted to keep doing something we knew, and the only other apple orchard close enough to Ponyville to make monthly visits possible was Apploosa. We got married here in Ponyville three months after AJ passed away, then we left.” Fluttershy turned and looked at Twilight helplessly. “I visited every month with Rarity and Spike, but I left here so I could move on and stop hurting so much.”

Twilight looked at Fluttershy and smiled. Her smile froze as she saw something behind the yellow pegasus. “Spike?” Rainbow and Fluttershy followed her gaze to a purple dragon with green spikes that had just dropped a bunch of luggage in the middle of the street.

The dragon slowly turned towards them. “Twilight?”

Twilight grabbed her wheelchair from Rainbow and took off in the direction of the dragon, tears streaming from her eyes. “SPIKE!” The dragon took off at the same time, running as fast as his legs would carry him and they met in the middle, embracing each other for the first time in eight years.