Shades of Love

Chapter One: Confession Time

"Come along, children!"

Mr. Torchlight, head tour guide of Horseshoe caverns, a tourist attraction on the outskirts of Ponyville, was leading a class of middle school ponies through the catacombs. While most of the class followed his lead, one student, by the name of Teddy, was intent on taking his own private tour, looking only at what interested him. Another pony, Sweetheart, peeled off from the group, seeking to dissuade him from that course of action.

"Teddy, don't you think you should stay with the group?" Sweetheart asked. "What if you get lost?"

"Relax, Sweets." Teddy smirked. "You worry too much."

Sweethheart sighed in exasparation. She'd known Teddy for years now, and hardly anything about him had changed. They were both thirteen years old, but Teddy was just as brash and impulsive as he was when he was ten. But Sweetheart was just as compassionate and caring as she ever was, and she couldn't bear the thought of Teddy getting lost or hurt, prompting her to try and talk him out of his personal tour.

"But Mr. Torchlight said some of these rock formations are unstable, and that we should stick to the path." Sweetheart pointed out.

"Who wants to stick to some dumb old path?" Teddy snorted. "There's more fun in going off the trail, seeing stuff no-one else has."

As Teddy said this, he leaned against a group of stalagmites. A moment later, there a loud cracking sound. Before either pony could do anything, the stalagmites collapsed, and Teddy tumbled down a steep incline.

"Whoa!" Teddy cried out.

"Teddy!" Yelped Sweetheart, as she tried to help him. In her haste, she tripped over a piece of rock, and joined Teddy on the rocky slide.

The two ponies ended up in a small cavern, the only way out being the stone ramp they entered from.

"Well, I hope you're happy!" Sweetheart huffed, after a failed attempt to get up the slippery slope. "We're stuck down here!"

"Hey, easy!" Teddy protested. "It was an accident! Anyway, the others will probably figure out we're missing, and come find us."

"And what if they don't?" Asked Sweetheart. "What if we're stuck down here forever?"

The confident smile slid off Teddy's face.

"I dunno." He shrugged.

Both ponies started yelling for help. After what seemed like hours, they grew too hoarse (No pun intended) to continue. After another seeming eternity, Teddy dropped to the ground, burying his head in his hooves.

"Teddy, are you okay?" Sweetheart asked.

"No, Sweets." Teddy admitted. "I'm scared. What a wimp, huh?"

"Oh, Teddy." Sweetheart smiled. "Being scared doesn't make you a wimp. But admitting that you're scared? That's actually kind of brave."

"It is?" Teddy asked in amazement.

"Especially coming from you." Sweetheart declared. "I know you like everyone to think you're tough and fearless, but there's really, truely nothing wrong with admitting when you're a little bit scared."

"Thanks, Sweetheart." Smiled Teddy. "You've always been good to me. It's better then I deserve, really."

"Don't say that." Sweetheart admonished him. "Deep inside, you're a kind, caring pony. I've always known that. Why else do you think I've been your friend all these years?"

"I dunno." Shrugged Teddy. "I thought it was just 'cuz of my winnin' personality."

"Very funny." Sniggered Sweetheart.

"But seriously, thanks." Smiled Teddy.

"For what?" Asked Sweetheart.

"For always standing up for me." Smiled Teddy. For stickin' by me, even when nobody else would."

"Oh, it was nothing." Blushed Sweetheart.

"If we really are stuck down here, then I should at least let you how I really feel about you." Teddy leaned forward and kissed Sweetheart on the cheek.

"Oh, Teddy..." Sweetheart gasped, rubbing her cheek with her hoof.

Teddy looked away guiltily, as if he done something very wrong. To his surprise, Sweetheart then kissed his cheek. For a moment, the two just stared at each other. Then they leaned forward and kissed each other deeply on the lips. A noise from above shattered this loving moment.

"I think they're down there!" Came a voice.

"Sweetheart, Teddy, are you down there?" Mr. Torchlight called.

"Yeah, we're here!" Called Teddy.

"Help us get out, please!" Pleaded Sweetheart.

The rescue team lowered a rope into the cavern, allowing Sweetheart and Teddy to climb out of it.

"What were you two doing over there?" Asked Mr. Torchlight. "You know you're not supposed to go off the path!"

"It was my fault, Mr. Torchlight." Teddy confessed. "I went off the path, and Sweetheart was just trying to stop me."

"Well, since neither of you seem to have been hurt by your little escapade, I suppose I can let you off... this time." Mr. Flashlight declared.

As the young ponies were led outside, they were greeted by their concerned friends. In all the clamour, Sweetheart and Teddy shared a brief but loving smile, tinged with uncertainty. The truth was out, at long last, but they couldn't help but wonder where to go from there...

To Be Continued...

(My Little Pony Tales and all associated characters are the property of Sunbow Productions.)