I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found

The truck had been speeding down the Ponyville-Oxton Road for 20 minutes, with Paul and Apple Bloom still laughing Diamond Tiara's expression when Paul gave her a peck on the cheek.

Paul couldn't help but think 'She looked just like Patrick from the Spongebob movie.' as he laughed out loud. He pulled his phone again and pulled up the picture he had taken. "Look...Look at it..." he said as he showed her the picture before they began laughing anew. "Oh god.....I gotta stop laughing, I need to drive." he said as he slowly inhaled and exhaled to calm himself.

"That was funny." Apple Bloom said as she slowly stopped laughing. ".....that kiss...." she said as she looked at Paul. The awkwardness of that event had finally reared its ugly head.

At this Paul became uneasy and looked away from her towards the road. "Oh.....yeah....." he paused with Apple Bloom noticing his change in demeanor. "That was a just to push Diamond Tiara's buttons, Apple Bloom. I didn't mean anything by it....." he said.

"Oh......." Apple Bloom said as her demeanor changed to meet Paul's. They sat in silence for about five minutes, the awkwardness being so thick you could cut it with a knife. After the five minutes, Paul spoke up and said in an effort to break the tension, "How about some music?" as he scrolled through his smart phone. "Ooh, The Call. That's good." He said as he selected the song and it began to play over the trucks stereo....

Well

Well they blew the horns

And the walls came down

They'd all been warned

And the walls came down

They just stood there laughing

They're not laughing anymore

The walls came down

Sanctuary fades, Congregation splits

Nightly military raids, The congregation splits

It's a song of assassins, Ringin' in your ears

We got terrorist thinking, Playing on fears

Oh

Well they blew the horns

And the walls came down

They'd all been warned

But the walls came down

I don't think there are any Russians

And there ain't no Yanks

Just corporate criminals

Playin' with tanks

Die, die, die, die

Yes, come on

Die, Die

Come on, come on, come on

Die, die, wake up

Wake up

Die, die

Go, yeah

Die, die, die, die, die, die

Come on, come on, come on, come on

Die, die

The song ended just as they reached the Ponyville city limits. As the truck pulled into the town, Apple Bloom spoke up, "So....that was interesting music....What is it?"

Paul was glad that topic had shifted, "Oh, it’s called New Wave. It was really popular about 3 decades before I came here. It's sort of like the Punk music that Scootaloo likes to listen to but with a more pop like sound. The bands that were similar to this but had less of a pop sound were called Post-Punk. I was always interested in stuff from the years prior to my birth. You know, music, movies, TV, pop culture in general is something that I really enjoy. I even started calling myself 'Mr. Pop Culture' a few years back."

"That's really interesting. Ah never knew that about yah." She replied.

"Yeah kid.....There's a lot you don't know about me...." he replied rather cryptically which Apple Bloom noticed. "Ahhhh..we're here." he said in a more upbeat tone as he slowed the truck to a stop in front of Sugarcube Corner.

"Thank God Almighty. I really need that coffee." Paul muttered as he got out of the truck with Apple Bloom. "Come on kid, I'll show you what you're missing." As he held the door open for her. "Ladies first..." he said as she walked inside.

The store wasn't too busy, there were only a few customers sitting at tables enjoying their coffee and sweets but no one in line so Paul walked right up to counter where Pinkie Pie was 'manning' her post. "Hi Paul!" she said in usual tone of unrestrained glee.

"Hey Pinks. How's it goin'?" he replied

"I'm fine! Thanks for asking!" She replied

He looked to see that the Cake twins, Pound and Pumpkin standing near Pinkie. "What are the two rugrats doing here? Shouldn't they be in school?"

"Oh, they got into a little mischief at school today. Something involving 20 feet of copper wire, a duck, a can of shortening, a sack of potatoes, a melon, a mannequin hoof, an electric shaver taped to a golf club, a large piece of wet paper, an electric elk called Simon, and several butcher's aprons." she finished with a toothy smile.

Paul and Apple Bloom just stood there with looks of utter shock and confusement on their faces as they looked at Pumpkin and Pound Cake who were both wearing large shit eating grins. "WHAT IN GOD'S HOLY NAME DID YOU TWO DO WITH ALL THAT SHIT!?"

"Language, Paul! They're only ten!" Pinkie told in a semi-scolding tone.

"Dammit, I'm sorry...I mean shit. I mean fuck! I mean cock! I mean balls! I mean shoot!" he cursed as he verbally tripped over his own feet.

Apple Bloom and the Cake twins giggled at how flustered Paul managed to get himself.

"Sorry Pinkie.....Jesus, you two are like Dennis the Menace!" He muttered as Pumpkin and Pound sat with smiles on their faces that said 'we know what happened and we ain't telling.'

"Anyway.....What can I get you two?" she said with her trademark toothy grin.

"Two coffee's, lots of cream, lots of sugar......and an espresso shot." Paul replied.

"Okie Dokie Lokie! Let me just get..." She started before Paul interrupted her.

"Pinkie.....the strong one...." he said ominously.

At this Pinkie froze and her pupils dilated to the point her eyes were almost solid black.

"You mean......*Gulp* THE strong one?" She asked hesitantly.

"The one and only.....I had loooooonnnnggg night last night, Pink. I need the strong one."

Pinkie gulped before zipping away and coming back wearing thick hoof gloves and welder's mask. She began making Paul's espresso shot by pulling out coffee beans and various industrial chemicals. After about 5 minutes, Pinkie brought them their coffees and placed the espresso shot on the counter using a pair of metal grips. Apple Bloom was in shock when she saw a drop of the espresso shot hit the counter and eat its way through the wood.

"Might as well get this out of the way now....." He chuckled as he picked up the espresso shot and downed in one gulp.

"Apple Bloom you might want to step back a bit...." Pinkie told the adolescent mare.

"Why?" she asked before Pinkie grabbed her and pulled her behind the counter. The two watched as Paul stood for a minute before his eyes shot fully open and his face began to twitch.

"What's happenin'?" Apple Bloom asked

"Watch..." Pinkie replied pulling a bag of popcorn out of the hammerspace.

Paul's face shook back and forth before he placed his hands on his face and pushed it down and began speaking in sort a silly high pitched whine. "Mary had a widdle wamb! His fleece was white a snnnow! And evvewywhere that Mawy went the wamb was sure to go!"

His face turned a pale green before he began to start walking in stiff motion similar to a clockwork toy soldier. At this point the other customers in store paused to watch the strange spectacle.

He continued before stopped and screamed at the top of his lungs, "YOU BETRAYED SHIVA!!!! AAAAAAHHHH!!!" before charging at the wall and slamming his head into it, forming a large dent.

Apple Bloom continued to watch in utter shock while Pinkie watched with a look that said that she had seen this scene play out in one form or another many times over. The Cake twins just sat and laughed their little heads off.

Paul pulled his head out of the wall and began walking awkwardly around, and for some reason he began reciting a poem. "Under the spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands The smith, a mighty man is he with large and sinewy..." he said before walking into another wall. "hAaAnDs" he said before falling flat on his face.

Everybody in the store just looked at Paul lying on the ground, trying to comprehend what exactly just happened. Apple Bloom looked first at the very large hole in the wall and then to Paul who was still lying still. "Is he okay?" She asked Pinkie.

"Stand back...He's not quite done yet." Pinkie replied.

All of a sudden Paul shot up and screamed at the top of his lungs before hopping over the counter, running into the kitchen and dunking his head in a sink full of water. Pinkie, Apple Bloom, and the Cake twins ran into the kitchen after him. They saw Mr. and Mrs. Cake standing next to Paul as they pulled his head out of the water and dried him off. "What was that!?" Apple Bloom yelled as she tried to understand Paul's unusual behavior.

"That was just a reflex action Apple Bloom, his head will clear up in a moment." Mr. Cake replied as he carried Paul on his shoulder over to an empty table and sat him down.

"Does he always do that whenever he gets 'the strong one'?" Apple Bloom inquired as she sat down at the table with Paul.

"Unfortunately yes dearie, but he's always courteous enough to pay for any damage he causes and he always helps out with the repairs." Mrs. Cake replied as she walked back into the kitchen with Mr. Cake in tow.

Pinkie brought their regular coffee's over to the table and set them down in front of the two. "He'll be okay Apple Bloom!" She said happily. "In fact he should be waking up right....about......now!"

At the same instance Paul shot straight at attention and said, "Damn good coffee!" before sitting back in his seat. "Thanks Pink! You always do make the best coffee!" He said as picked up his cup and took a sip. "Hmmm....Oh looks like I didn't do too much this time. Just a head in the wall. Well, here's the money for the coffee's..." he said as he pulled out his chain wallet and pulled out some bits. "....and....here's for the wall." he said pulling out some more bits.

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie said collecting the bits, "See ya tomorrow?"

"You know it, party girl!" he said as he raised his cup to her before taking another sip as Pinkie walked back to her post.

Paul stopped drinking his coffee to see Apple Bloom still staring in awe at him.

"Stopping by during Lunch tomorrow to patch that hole." He told her as he took another sip.

"Are yah okay?" she asked unsurely

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, why do you ask?" He replied

"Well yah did a bunch of weird stuff and put yahr head through the wall. Are yah sure yahr okay?" she asked again

"I'm fine, Angel Face. Trust me. Pinkie and the Cakes made me go to the hospital the first time. Doctor's ran a bunch of tests but they never found any problems or a concussion. Must be getting my daily dose of iron." He chuckled. "Well go on kid, try it! See what you’re missing!" He told her while pushing her cup of coffee towards her.

Apple Bloom hesitantly brought the cup to her mouth before taking a sip. She made face that suggested that she didn't know quite what to think about the drink.

"Ehhhh, it's all right kid. You just got to get used to that taste. Just keep drinking it and you'll be in like Flynn." he said with a smile on his face.

Apple Bloom smiled and took another sip. She never really understood those human turn of phrases he was always using, but then again, Joe was the only one who did and there was an obvious reason for that.

They sat there for about 10 minutes drinking their coffee before Apple Bloom paused to speak. "Paul......about that kiss..." She began before he cut her off.

"Listen kid....... I'm not Joe... I'm not completely clueless as to someone’s...or somepony’s feelings for me. Of course I have the advantage on him because I came here at 17, not 12, but that's beside the point." He said as he took another sip while Apple Bloom sat there hoping that Paul would return her feelings.

He sighed deeply, which caused the small smile on her face to disappear. "Kid........I'm not someone who you want to be with. I'm damn sure your family wouldn't want you with someone like me either. I mean look at me," He said while motioning to himself, "I'm 18, soon to be 19, and already I have a serious drinking problem and I smoke like it’s going out of style." He continued, opening his jacket to reveal a large container of cigarettes in his inside jacket pocket. "I was late for class this morning because I got ridiculously drunk and high last night. I mean for Christ's sake, this morning I threw my Alarm clock at the wall because I couldn't turn it off and then I threw four beer bottles at the same spot." He told her as he looked into Apple Bloom's eyes which were starting to get a little moist.

"Don't get me wrong Angel Face." He said as he wiped away a tear from her face. "It ain't that I don't like you, in fact I think I might even feel the same way about you. But it would never work between us. I'm bad news, I'm no good, I'm 4F, I'm damaged goods.....All I would do is end up hurting you....and I don't want to do that....That's why I got so drunk last night." He said as he looked into her eyes, trying to make her understand. "You're better off finding someone's who good for you and makes you happy…" he said before Apple Bloom quickly grabbed his right hand and held it in her hoof.

"But yah are good for me....and yah do make me happy." She said as tears slowly slid down her cheeks. "I've loved yah ever since yah came here. Seeing yah always managed to make my day feel a little bit nicer." she said.

"Well then why did you hook up with Bane for a while?" He asked

"That was because I didn't think yah noticed and Ah thought I should move on.....but ah can't...Not since ah broke up with Bane and yah saved me in the hallway. Ever since then ah feel safe around yah...." she said as she gently squeezed his hand. "Please....." she said as the tears began to increase. "Don't leave me..."

Paul sighed deeply. If there was one thing that always got to him......It was girls crying. "Alright! Alright! Turn off the waterworks.............We'll give it a try." Apple Bloom responded by quickly jumping across the table and giving him a big hug and kiss on the lips. "Me and my big mouth....... alright kid... now what?"

"Well.... I..... I haven't told Big Mac or Applejack that yah were the one Ah've been pinin' for. And.... they said they wanted to meet whoever it was over dinner." she said in a hesitant tone of voice.

"So they have no idea that their little sister has fallen for the hard drinking, heavy smoking, punk who works in their fields, is that right? Is that what you're telling me?" he said in a sort of sarcastic deadpan.

"Eeyup." she said mimicking her brother.

"Oh....holy Christ wagons. That's going to be one awkward dinner...." He muttered as he sighed. "What am I going to do?"

"PARTY!!!" Pinkie Pie yelled as confetti inexplicably shot everywhere. "Oooh, I'm so excited! We'll call it the 'Paul and Apple Bloom are getting together' party!" she screamed as banner came out of nowhere displaying that text.

"Okay Pinkie, first of all....Where did you get that banner and confetti?.... No wait scratch that, logic and the laws of physics have no meaning around you. Second, No, we don't need the exposure right now." Paul replied

"But..." Pinkie began to say before she was cut-off.

"NO Pinkie." he replied

At this a large popping sound was heard as Pinkie's hair deflated to a flattened state and she began tearing up.

"Oh no, no, no, no. We're not doing that routine again." He said as she continued to whimper. "I don't care. Nothing you say or do is going to make me change my mind." He said as turned away from her and closed his eyes.

He stood there for about five minutes before he spoke to Apple Bloom, ".......She's still making that face and she's about 10 seconds from flooding the place with her tears isn't she?" He said in a deadpan tone.

"Eeyup." she said smiling while once again using her brother's catchphrase and mimicking his voice.

"God fucking damn it...ALRIGHT, Pinkie you can throw a party." he yelled, giving in.

Pinkie's hair shot back to hit natural curliness and her face went back to its perpetual happy look as she began to jump and yell "Yay!!!"

"BUT!" He said suddenly which caused Pinkie to freeze frame in the air. "It can only be after we tell the rest the of the Apple family. Better they hear it from the horse's mouth...oh yeah right." He said pausing. "Well you know what I mean."

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" she squealed as she happily zipped into the kitchen to begin her preparations.

"That girl......is a god damn looney tune." He said as pointed to the door that Pinkie had exited through.

Apple Bloom just giggled at Paul's expression before he looked at his watch. "Oh...Fuck!" He swore "We have 15 minutes to get to class. Why do we have to always cut these things so damn close?"

"Fuck!" They heard a small voice say. They looked over to see Pumpkin and Pound Cake beginning to repeat the new word they learned over and over again. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

"WHAT IS THAT!?" they heard Mrs. Cake yell from in the kitchen.

"That...." He said while grabbing Apple Bloom's hoof, "Is our cue to leave." He ended his statement just before he zipped out of the store with Apple Bloom.

The two teenagers jumped in the truck and zipped away with Apple Bloom laughing her head off. "Well on the plus side...They did learn probably the most versatile word in the entire English language." He chuckled.

They were about 5 minutes away from school as they drove on the Oxton-Ponyville Road. "We got a little bit of time, let’s take a different route. Let me show you what this thing can do." he said as slowed to a stop and moved a small stick that read "2WH, 2WL, 4W" and shifted into "4W".

"What are yah doin' Paul?" she asked as he wore a determined look.

"Check your seat belt and grab hold of somethin'." was all he said as he put on some music and pressed down on the accelerator.

The truck roared down the rough dirt path at 65 MPH as the truck's suspension bounced up and down as the truck drove through the rough road. "Woah!" Apple Bloom yelled as the truck squealed around a sharp turn in the path "Slow down Paul!" She yelled as she gripped her seat.

"Nuh uh! This is fun! Test Drive: Off Road has nothing on this!" He yelled with a smile on his face as the track splashed through a creek bed before he roared around another turn. A small hill came into view as Paul increased his speed.

Apple Bloom looked at the daredevil grin he wore on his face as he looked at the rapidly approaching hill and her eyes grew wide when she realized what was going on.

"No....." she said

"Yes...... he replied.

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes!"

As they came to base of the hill Paul looked at her and said, "Can you fly Apple Bloom?" with his mischievous grin.

"Paul don't! PAAAUUULLL!" She yelled as the truck crested the hill and flew into the air.

"YEEEEEEEHAWWWW!!!!" He screamed as he gunned the engine in the air.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Apple Bloom screamed at the same time.

*Freeze Frame*

*Look's like Paul and Apple Bloom are out to get themselves a little fresh air.*

2 minutes earlier
Joe was standing out by the football field talking with his teammates over lunch when he heard a sound coming from behind the hill that was behind the football field. "Hey Joe, what's up man? You hear something?" Tanner inquired.

"Yeah, it sounds like there's something coming from that hill. Something loud..." Joe replied.

Pipsqueak came over and stood next to Joe as he looked at the hill as well. "Whadaya hear?"

"I think.....It sounds like an engine........and is that music?" Joe asked.

"Yeah man, sounds like Industrial Rock..." Dandelion commented.

All of a sudden they all saw a truck crest over the hill and leap into the air.

"HOOOLYYY SHIT!" they collectively said as the Truck seemed to go through the air in slow motion for about 20 feet before landing and tearing on down the path and turned to pass by the football field.

They looked to see the truck speed towards them as Paul stuck his head out the window, make the sign of the horns, and yell, "WASSSUP BITCHES!?" before speeding past the stunned football team towards the front parking lot.

"Wasn't that your friend Paul, Joe?" Thunder Shot inqured.

"Yeah......he seemed happy about something..." he said contemplating what was going on.

"Wasn't that Apple Bloom on the other side?" Pipsqueak asked.

"Yeah, he took her for coffee at Sugarcube Corner as a way to make up for not walking her to class today."

"Well there's your answer..." Dandelion said as he raised an eyebrow. "He's shacked up with Apple Bloom."

"Now don't go jumping to conclusions, Dandelion." Joe scolded. "I'll go see what's going down." he said as he started to walk towards the front parking lot.

"TAKE PICTURES! WE WANT DETAILS!" Dandelion yelled as Joe walked away.

Joe walked into the main building and headed for the front doors before stopping to listen out the window....

"WOOO! Yeah!" Paul yelled as he pulled the truck into the front lot and parked.

"Was that awesome or what!?" Paul yelled as he turned off the engine and got out of the truck.

*Stop Music*

"Let me rephrase what ah said earlier: SOMETIMES ah feel safe around you." She snarked as she got out of the truck.

"Got to learn to take a ride on the wild side Angel Face." he said as he messed up her bow.

"Ughhh! Don't mess with mah bow!" She said as she readjusted it.

"Oh, you're no fun anymore. Come on, lets get to class." He said as they walked towards the front of the school

"Ummm...Paul?" She asked

"Yeah?" He replied.

"Could you.....could yah hold my hoof please?" She asked softly.

"All right Angel Face. Mah lady..." He said as he smiled and took her hoof in his hand before kissing it softly. Apple Bloom's face lit up like the 4th of July.

Joe looked around for someplace to hide as the two started to walk in. He found a bench with a copy of the Canterlot Times and decided to pull that old trick from many a Private Eye story. He stood with the paper covering his face as Paul and Apple Bloom walked in the front door and headed to class without even noticing Joe.

Joe slowly lowered the paper to see Paul and Apple Bloom walking down the hall.....hand in hoof. "Huh, that was fast." He said with a smile on his face. "Told it would do you some good, dude." He said before setting down the paper.

"COOL!" he heard a group of voices yell. He whipped around to see the entire football team sticking their heads around the corner Scooby Doo style.

"How long have you butt knockers been there!?" Joe yelled as the group snickered.

"The entire time. Now....questions." Tanner stated.

"After school....Come on we need to get to class." Joe said.

"All right.....but you owe us answers..." Thunder Shot playfully prodded.

"Yeah, yeah...." Joe said brushing him off.

As the group walked down the hall, Revy spoke up, "Looks like your friend isn't as much of hard ass as he makes himself out to be.."

"The stone speaks!" Pipsqueak said playfully.

"Shut up Pip. Anyway Revy, he is a hard ass.....but he's a good guy and he's got a heart just like the rest of us." Joe said as he walked down the hall with a smile on his face......