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The Preservation of Innocence (Part 10)

By Wall-o-text
Created: 2023-03-06 06:09:26
Expiry: Never
anonapplejackwarfeelsanonymousviolenceadventure/tim/politicsfeel

  1. 1.
    >as you made your way home you noticed a familiar orange pony coming your way
  2. 2.
    >she rubbed her face against you
  3. 3.
    >”c’mon, let’s get you home, I got something to show yah!”
  4. 4.
    >the two of you made way back to sweet apple acres
  5. 5.
    >but applejack took sudden turn leading you through a more open area
  6. 6.
    >behind the cover of a few trees there was a grassy hill looking down at a clear pond
  7. 7.
    >but most importantly you saw applebloom and big mac sitting behind a basket
  8. 8.
    >big mac gives you a confident smile but appleblooms is the widest and happiest grin you’ve ever seen
  9. 9.
    >”Yah hungry ‘non?”
  10. 10.
    >applebloom flips up the top of the basket and presents everything
  11. 11.
    >”applejack told me all about how much yah liked zap apple jam”
  12. 12.
    >she digs through the basket and lifts up a big jar
  13. 13.
    >”so we brought’cha a whole ton of it!”
  14. 14.
    >she presents both the jar and her wide smile to you
  15. 15.
    >before you could properly thank her the idea of the sensation of eating it causes you to drool
  16. 16.
    >out of embarrassment you quickly wipe your mouth
  17. 17.
    >the three of them start laughing
  18. 18.
    >their joy rubs off on you as you join in their laughter
  19. 19.
    >it felt nice to finally have a moment of peace to enjoy with them
  20. 20.
    >once the laughter dies down you finally spoke
  21. 21.
    “Thanks applebloom, that was really generous of you…”
  22. 22.
    >you pick up the enormous jar
  23. 23.
    >applebloom seemed to be the manager of the whole ordeal as she sets out silverware on plates and a big blanket to sit on
  24. 24.
    >applejack hands you one of the spoons, presumably for the jam
  25. 25.
    >excitedly you pop open the jar and take a big spoonful
  26. 26.
    >the flavor was just as amazing as you remembered
  27. 27.
    >the taste and sensation were the same as before yet still just as elusive
  28. 28.
    >before you could take another bite applejack offered you some other options
  29. 29.
    >of course, mostly apple related
  30. 30.
    >as the four of you ate your meals you all began to slow down as your appetites subsided
  31. 31.
    >applebloom turned to big mac
  32. 32.
    >”C’MON, LET’S GO SWIMMIN’!”
  33. 33.
    >before he could react applebloom bolted down the hill
  34. 34.
    >big mac slowly made his way down obviously more in the mood for a nap than to swim
  35. 35.
    >nevertheless his journey down hill continued leaving you and applejack alone
  36. 36.
    >right as you turn to her she sneaks in a sudden kiss
  37. 37.
    >it was quick and unexpected leaving you with little to say
  38. 38.
    >”I love you… by the way…”
  39. 39.
    >her words left you even more unable to speak
  40. 40.
    >”I’m sorry, I, I just wanted to be the first to say it…”
  41. 41.
    >within the time it took her to speak you regained your composure
  42. 42.
    “...I love you too AJ…”
  43. 43.
    >a gentle smile formed as she locked her eyes to yours
  44. 44.
    >she slowly made her way closer to you and brought you into a hug
  45. 45.
    >her forehead pressed against the side of your neck
  46. 46.
    >”I’m just so glad you’re home now…”
  47. 47.
    >the sounds of applebloom and big mac playing in the nearby pond only seem to add to the moment rather than distract you from it
  48. 48.
    >the combination of their joy and the love you share with applejack only further solidifies your sense of belonging
  49. 49.
     
  50. 50.
    >as applebloom and a very tired big mac make their way back up the hill you and apple jack pack everything up
  51. 51.
    >the walk home was uneventful but enjoyable in a relaxing way
  52. 52.
    >by the time you got home it was dark out
  53. 53.
    >applebloom yawned and wished you all good night
  54. 54.
    >big mac didn’t have the strength to even speak
  55. 55.
    >he simply walked slowly up the stairs and crashed into his bed loud enough it could be heard from the front door
  56. 56.
    >he didn’t even bother to close his door
  57. 57.
    >just as applejack is about to close the front door a lone stallion ran up to you
  58. 58.
    >”anon!”
  59. 59.
    >he spoke in a whispered shout
  60. 60.
    >”sorry i’m late, i’ve got your order right here!”
  61. 61.
    >thinking nothing of it you thank the blacksmiths son and take the package
  62. 62.
    >while he walks off applejack eyes the delivery in your hands
  63. 63.
    >”whatcha got there anon?”
  64. 64.
    >her question immersed you back into the reality of your situation
  65. 65.
    “It’s… um… I can’t tell you right now”
  66. 66.
    >she gives you a confused look
  67. 67.
    >”how come?”
  68. 68.
    >it’s difficult to think of an excuse but you need one now more than ever
  69. 69.
    “Well… you’re going to find out soon anyways, so just be patient”
  70. 70.
    >despite her acceptance of it the wording felt so wrong
  71. 71.
    >it wasn’t going to be a pleasant surprise for her
  72. 72.
    >or for anyone…
  73. 73.
     
  74. 74.
    >the two of you made your way upstairs
  75. 75.
    >you toss your box next to your rifle
  76. 76.
    >apple jack opens her closet
  77. 77.
    >”ya know anon, did i ever show you my old record player from when i was little?”
  78. 78.
    >before you could respond she dragged out some kind of wooden box
  79. 79.
    >it looked quite nice but definitely worn to some extent
  80. 80.
    >she opened the top to show it with a record already inside
  81. 81.
    >”we got it from a relative in manehatten, the record came with it too”
  82. 82.
    >”here, go up on the bed and get cozy, i wanna show it to ya”
  83. 83.
     
  84. 84.
    >https://youtu.be/9E6b3swbnWg (The Preservation of Innocence)
  85. 85.
     
  86. 86.
    >she lets the record play and climbs up into bed next to you
  87. 87.
    >you both cover yourselves in the blanket and lay down near the edge of the bed facing the record player
  88. 88.
    >neither of you spoke
  89. 89.
    >rather, you sat and listened to the performance of the machine
  90. 90.
    >the two of you were extremly close to each other
  91. 91.
    >faces pressed together cheek to cheek
  92. 92.
    >both of you could have moved away at any time
  93. 93.
    >but the comfort of being this close was too much for either of you to give up
  94. 94.
    >as if you couldn’t get any closer, she climbs onto your back
  95. 95.
    >over the left shoulder and under your right arm, she wraps around you giving you an abnormally tight hug
  96. 96.
    >her face burrows into the side of your neck no longer focused on the record player
  97. 97.
    >you were her only focus now
  98. 98.
    >as time passed you felt her breathe draw air across you
  99. 99.
    >in
  100. 100.
    >out
  101. 101.
    >it’s pacing slowly became unsteady
  102. 102.
    >in
  103. 103.
    >in
  104. 104.
    >in
  105. 105.
    >and a shaky breathe out
  106. 106.
    >you could feel something damp on your neck after her stuttered breathe
  107. 107.
    >as the song ended her uneasiness was more audible
  108. 108.
    >the wet sensation became more evident
  109. 109.
    >you moved your hand over to caress her
  110. 110.
    >once she registered your touch she spoke
  111. 111.
    >”I hate when things change anon…”
  112. 112.
    >”I just want to wake up and show you things that make you happy”
  113. 113.
    >”I love seeing that innocent excitement you have”
  114. 114.
    >she goes silent for a moment
  115. 115.
    >”I just wish you didn’t have to go…”
  116. 116.
    >”I wish we could have beat king sombra on our own”
  117. 117.
    >”I wish I could have been there for you in canterlot”
  118. 118.
    >she pauses for a second
  119. 119.
    >”anon… I know what’s in the box…”
  120. 120.
    >you’re paralyzed by the thought of what she said
  121. 121.
    >”it’s okay… I know what’s going on”
  122. 122.
    >”it’s the changelings, isn’t it…”
  123. 123.
    >you can’t find a way to respond
  124. 124.
    >”I hate this anon, I really do…”
  125. 125.
    >”but i know how severe things are now”
  126. 126.
    >”just promise me… don’t ever stop being the sweet anon that I know”
  127. 127.
    >”I really wish you didn’t have to shoulder this responsibillity”
  128. 128.
    >”I get so scared that it’s gonna change you somehow”
  129. 129.
    >”I don’t want you to come home… different… than you are now”
  130. 130.
    >”Ponyville is my whole world anon, it wouldn’t be the same if you changed”
  131. 131.
    >she takes a few labored breathes
  132. 132.
    >”I was always so worried you were going to change some day, that your sweet side was going to be replaced by this hard, bitter shell”
  133. 133.
    >”that’s why I was always so secretive with you, that’s why I acting so overprotective”
  134. 134.
    >”I couldn’t stand the idea of your adorable ways being torn apart by how cruel the world can be sometimes”
  135. 135.
    >”but even now, you’re just as sweet as ever anon, I can’t tell you how relieved I am”
  136. 136.
    >”promise me you’ll always have that innocent joy, and when you come home, promise me you’ll stay for good”
  137. 137.
    “...”
  138. 138.
    “I promise…”
  139. 139.
     
  140. 140.
    >last nights rest was not as good as you had hoped
  141. 141.
    >as nice as it was to be with applejack again you struggled to keep a clear mind while falling asleep
  142. 142.
    >even your dreams were filled with high speed nonsense
  143. 143.
    >there’s so much you wish you could get done but so little time
  144. 144.
    >the more you think about it the more you realize there’s nothing meaningful you could get done within the last day that you have
  145. 145.
    >applejack, being the most hard working pony you know left bed an hour ago
  146. 146.
    >you’re still laying in bed thinking it all over
  147. 147.
    >every innovation that could prove useful would take weeks to do
  148. 148.
    >mustard gas, flashbangs, spikey armour?
  149. 149.
    >half of your ideas would never turn out anyways
  150. 150.
    >but spikey armour would sure as hell get changelings off of you
  151. 151.
    >as ridiculous as it sounds, it’s a lot better than a repeat of canterlot
  152. 152.
    …
  153. 153.
    >It’s terrifying to think about getting swarmed by those things
  154. 154.
    >but with an army plus the princesses there fighting along side you, you should be fine
  155. 155.
    >the goal is to end the war quicker
  156. 156.
    >that’s all it is
  157. 157.
    >as overwhelming of a force the equestrian army should be, both you and big mac should be home relatively soon
  158. 158.
    …
  159. 159.
    >the pressure of it all begins to lift
  160. 160.
    >it won’t be so bad after all
  161. 161.
    …
  162. 162.
    >”anon? You been sleeping all day?”
  163. 163.
    >you jolt awake realizing you fell back asleep
  164. 164.
    “Aj? How long was I asleep?”
  165. 165.
    >”uh, well”
  166. 166.
    >she pulls the blinds back exposing the room to the orange glow of the evening sun
  167. 167.
    >”about that long…”
  168. 168.
    >damn
  169. 169.
    >”don’t worry about it anon, you’ve had a rough week”
  170. 170.
    >”the only thing im worried about is if you’re gonna be tired enough to fall asleep again tonight”
  171. 171.
    >she snickers to herself a bit
  172. 172.
    >”don’t wantcha stayin’ up all night, maybe go tire yourself out a bit while there’s some sun left out”
  173. 173.
    >can’t argue with that
  174. 174.
     
  175. 175.
    >before you can get dressed there’s a knock at the door
  176. 176.
    >you can hear applejack answer the door with confusion
  177. 177.
    >as you put your clothes on you hear a mild argument between the two
  178. 178.
    >what the hell are they on about?
  179. 179.
    >just as you get yourself fully dressed applejack calls down for you
  180. 180.
    >”anon, somepony wants to talk to ya!”
  181. 181.
    “One second”
  182. 182.
    …
  183. 183.
    >oh shit, that’s probably shining armour
  184. 184.
    >you rush downstairs to see the visitor
  185. 185.
    >as you catch a glance of him on your way down you notice it most definitely isn’t shining armour
  186. 186.
    >rather, the doctor
  187. 187.
    “Uh, can I help you?”
  188. 188.
    >he opens his mouth to speak but notices applejack behind you
  189. 189.
    >”why don’t we talk outside for a bit”
  190. 190.
    >you step through the doorway as he closes the door in front of applejack
  191. 191.
     
  192. 192.
    >”there’s been a change of plans”
  193. 193.
    >”pack light, we’re only going to be there for a day at most”
  194. 194.
    >only a day?
  195. 195.
    “That’s, that’s great news!”
  196. 196.
    >”when ur ready get in the balloon, it’s gonna be a long ride”
  197. 197.
    >you quickly make your way back inside
  198. 198.
    >”so what in the hay was that all about?”
  199. 199.
    “Just a minute AJ”
  200. 200.
    >she gives you an pouty scrunch as you rush back to your room
  201. 201.
    >you grab the box and your rifle
  202. 202.
    >if it’s only going to be a day you won’t need much of anything besides that
  203. 203.
    >you pop open the box and fill your rifle as well as some of your spare pockets with a decent amount of pellets
  204. 204.
    >with your rifle slung over your back you make your way back downstairs
  205. 205.
    >”ANON YOU BETTER EXPLAI-”
  206. 206.
    >she notices what your carrying and freezes
  207. 207.
    >”ah-anon, are you leavin’ already?”
  208. 208.
    >she asks in a nervous tone
  209. 209.
    “Yeah, but i’ll only be gone for a day, isn’t that great aj?”
  210. 210.
    >you cup her face with your hands
  211. 211.
    >she smiles with closed eyes
  212. 212.
    >”that’s the best news i’ve heard in a while”
  213. 213.
    >but her tone changes when she opens her eyes
  214. 214.
    >”make sure you’re stayin’ safe anon, I know you can handle yourself now, but that don’t make me worry no less”
  215. 215.
    “Of course aj”
  216. 216.
    >you give her a big kiss before heading out
  217. 217.
    >”see ya when you get home anon!”

The Preservation of Innocence (Part 1)

by Wall-o-text

The Preservation of Innocence (Part 2)

by Wall-o-text

The Preservation of Innocence (Part 3)

by Wall-o-text

The Preservation of Innocence (Part 4)

by Wall-o-text

The Preservation of Innocence (Part 5)

by Wall-o-text