The Search

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"I'm happy to have been helped." Ali replied, a single tear flowing from her eyes.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong gave Ali's hoof one more gentle squeeze and stood up. He walked to the door and turned back, a sad smile on his face, "Take care Ali..." he managed to say. He opened the door and began to leave, tears now pouring from his eyes now that he was in the open.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali walked to the door, watching as Strong was leaving, feeling sadder than she'd ever felt before.

 

She looked back at her parents, whom were standing in the door behind her.

 

Her mother placed a hoof on her shoulder, smiled, and nodded.

 

Arty noticed the gestures, saying. "Wha...." But that was all Ali heard, as she spread her wings, calling out to Strong, and flying towards him at full speed.

 

"Strong! wait!"

[Strong Hooves 289]

"Strong! Wait!"

 

Strong stopped in his tracks as he heard these words. He looked back tosee Ali speeding toward him, "Ali...?"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali crashed into Strong at full speed, nearly knocking him over, as she held on to him, tears streaming from her eyes.

 

"I'm not going to let you walk away without me. I'll come with you if I have to."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong skid back a few feet, barely managing to not fall over. When she told him what she said, he wrapped her in a loving embrace, nuzzling her. He was happy, but confused, "But... but what about your parents? Your family? Isnt that what you wanted?"

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Yes, but....." She looked back at her parents.

 

"I love you, Strong. I love you, and I want to be with you."

 

She turned back to her parents, whom had caught up.

 

"Mom?" Ali said. "I've made my choice."

 

Tara looked at Ali and Strong. "I know."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong was at a loss for words, the joy could be easily seen on his face. He held her close as he said "I love you Ali... and I always will"

Edited May 7, 2012 by Strong Hooves

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Now just hold on a minute!" Arty said, advancing towards Strong and Ali. "You bring her here, and now you're going to take her away? That's just uncalled for!"

 

"Arty!" said Tara, in protest, but Arty payed no mind to her.

 

"I've half a mind to add to your troubles myself!" He finished.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong didnt take the threat lightly, he stood up to full height and looked down at Arty. "With all due respect sir, I did not make her leave. This is her own choice, made by herself. I did nothing to pressure her to make a decision. I do not wish to fight, that isn't what I came here for, but I also won't sit idly by while you talk in your current manner" he said, his voice strong and unwavering.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Arty looked slightly phased by Strong, but tried not to show it, as he himself stood to his full height, coming at a whopping foot shorter than Strong. He was about to say something back, when he looked at Ali.

 

The sight of his daughter standing there calmed him.

 

"You want this?" he asked.

 

She nodded.

 

There was a pause, during which Arty and Strong continued to glare at each other. Then, Arty sighed, backed up, and said "Then I guess there's no stopping you."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strongs gaze softened and he lowered his head respectfully at Arty. "I will take care of her, and treat her the way you would want me to, that I can garuntee" he said. "Besides, this isnt goodbye... she knows where you are now... you can expect many visits from us" he looked at Ali with a smile, "Right?"

Edited May 7, 2012 by Strong Hooves

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali didn't answer. Instead, she walked over to her parents, opened her mouth, closed it, and wrapped them both in a hug.

 

"I'm going to miss you so much." She said. "I promise we'll come back, I promise."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong smiled as he watched the tender moment, giving Ali all the time she needed.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali would have taken all the time in the world, and more, had she not remembered something.

 

"You wouldn't happen to have an easier way in and out, would you? I don't think we'll be able to climb back up that cliff or fight another one of those things if we take the same way back."

 

"Yes, yes we do!" said Tara. "In order to get supplies for us, George uses the trees, you see, he built mini platforms in the trees along the way. They're not too far apart, as carrying those supplies is tedious, so I'm sure you'll be able to cross without staining yourself."

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strongs eyes widened slightly in an impressed manner, he looked up and sure enough he could make out one of the platforms she had mentioned. "That's handy" he commented

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

"Yes, that old Pegasus was full of ideas." Arty said.

 

"The lift to the first one is right over there." Tara said, pointing to a wooden platform suspended by rope and pulleys that was to the right of the house.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong looked at the lift and walked onto it, looking back to Ali, waiting for her to join him.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali hugged her parents one final time.

 

"Goodbye." she said, no tears falling from her eyes. "I love you. Both of you."

 

Ali turned and walked to the lift to join Strong, turned, and as the lift went up, waved goodbye to her parents.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong laid a comforting hoof on her shoulder and gave her a loving smile, "Remember Ali, this isn't goodbye, this is until next time" he said gently, then leaned down to kiss her.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Strong Hooves

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

((hiss? XD))

 

Ali accepted the kiss, before saying "I know," and leaning in for another kiss.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Parties like Pinkie

[Strong Hooves 289]

They kissed a little more deeply the second time before setting off back out of the forest along the platforms.

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

They made it back to the edge of the forest without a single problem, finding another lift at forest edge, hidden by the trees.

[Strong Hooves 289]

Strong and Ali made it to ponyville, they walked to the edge of the town to watch the sunset together. Strong breathed a happy sigh and turned to face Ali, "Ali... this whole adventure together... it... it made me feel that this was a new beginning... for me, and you. I'm happy to have been lucky enough to have met you Ali... and I feel that whatever this world throws at us... we can take it... together... I love you, Ali Finish..."

[Parties like Pinkie 385]

Ali put a hoof over Strong's mouth.

 

"And I, you."