The Search

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Well, you see," began the pony. "Your parents never stayed in this room, they just rented it out in their name, and told me to live here. My name is Jeron, and I was told to wait for your arrival, Ali. Your parents hardly stayed for 30 minutes in Canterlot, before they left again. Told me that they'd still be in the area, though, and that you were close. That you were ALWAYS close."

 

Ali sat, stunned. Unable to speak, she simply sat, her mouth partway open in an almost comical sense.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong was surprised by the explanation. "Just how close are you saying?" he asked. He saw Ali's hanging jaw and gently shut it with a forehoof.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"The Everfree forest." replied Jeron.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strongs eyes widened slightly, he remembered how Ali had hated the forest, how would she react to this? He looked at her to see how she would act.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali had her head slightly down, thinking. She sat like this for about a minute, then jumped up, thanked the man, and began walking out of the apartment.

 

As she was almost to the door, she heard Jeron call out "I'm sorry, Ali."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong followed Ali, he was at her side when he turned back to the pony, "Sorry about what?" he asked

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Sorry that your journey couldn't end here." replied Jeron.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong nodded to him, then left to join Ali, he was worried about her. "You... you alright?" he asked her.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali remained speechless, heading down the stairs and out the door.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong was now worried, he walked up and turned so he was in front of her. "Ali come on, speak to me" he said

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali stopped, looked up at Strong, and said "I've never liked the forest. Never have, and I probably never will. But I guess it makes sense, as I've always felt a strong pull from it."

 

She hung her head, and started to walk around Strong.

 

"I'll be fine, I guess, let's just get there and get it over with."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong looked at Ali sadly, not sure what to do. He walked alongside her, and gently nudged her, "Well whatever we find... just know... I'm right here for you" he said with a sad smile. In his head he began to wonder, what will happen if we find them? Obviously she would want to stay with them, where would that leave me? I guess I'd just go back to traveling... alone... and Ali is so convinced about helping me find my own parents... and I haven't even told her the full truth...

 

Strong sighed, "I... I hope we find them Ali... you don't deserve to be alone... you're too good of a mare to be without them..."

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali stopped in her tracks. "And neither do you deserve to be without yours."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong gulped and looked away, "Th...thanks but... it's a little too complicated for me"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Fine," Ali reasoned. "But you'll tell me before we split, I can guarantee it."

 

The duo walked out of Canterlot, and began heading for Ponyville.

 

"We're going to Ponyville first, because we can get to the path from there." Ali said.

 

'Plus, I kinda miss my friends.' She thought, silently.

[Strong Hooves 289]

"Sounds good" said Strong. Once the two made it to ponyville, Ali was immediately glomped by a group of ponies who were quite excited to see her again.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

((Ah, you cheeky little bastard, that's what I was gonna put ))

 

Ali laughed at the sight and sound of her friends from Ponyville. She looked at Strong, saying "Can you give me a day or so to catch up and all? I'll meet you at the path to the forest come daybreak tomorrow."

[Strong Hooves 289]

"Oh... uh... Yeah sure" replied Strong, beginning to turn away from Ali and her friends. She would need some time of course with her friends, shed only been with him for who knows how long? But... he thought she liked being with him... that was why she kissed him, right? He shook his head to clear it, she needed to be with friends.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali spent the day catching up with her friends, and went to Derpy's house to see her. She was welcomed back from everywhere in Ponyville, and as the day came to a close, she slept peacefully.

 

The next day, Ali went to the path to wait for strong.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong awoke the next day and met Ali at the trail, he smile when bs saw her. "This could be the last day I ever see her" he whispered to himself, he decided now there should be no more secrets. "Uh Ali? Before we get going, there is somethingi need to tell you"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali looked up at Strong.

 

"Yes?"

[Strong Hooves 289]

"I never told you the full truth as to why I never met my parents" Strong sighed and continued, "The truth is... I'm an orphan. My parents are dead. I've lived my whole life without anyone, being transferred from orphanage to orphanage, resulting in me running away from each one. I was turned away from anypony I ever met, and I thought I would ever find anyone that would accept me."

 

He paused for a little bit, before adding "But then I met you"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"A...an orphan.... Oh my gosh, Strong, I'm so sorry, I never should've pushed trying to help you!"

[Strong Hooves 289]

"That's ok Ali. To be honest... my time with you has made me happier than I've ever been before. I'm glad I had the opportunity to be on such a wonderful adventure with such a wonderful mare" he replied smiling. <Dangit why don't you just tell her?! Just say Ali, I like you, more than a friend, it's not that hard!>

 

He sighed then said "Ready to get going?"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali walked up and hugged Strong. "I'm happy to have made you happy, Strong. Now let's go." The two began down the trail to the Everfree forest.