Fallen Eagle

Chapter 68: Are you Sure?

Hello and welcome back, my faithful readers! I made sure to have this chapter out by the three week deadline, and I'm happy I made it. However, with Season 7 rolling around on April 15th, hopefully my updates will become a little more frequent when I have a set release schedule for videos on weekends, and then my weekdays will (after work at least) be for chapters!

Anyway, let's reply to some reviews, shall we?

axelialea: I'm very sorry for your loss

headreviewer mk2: It's what the Princess of the Night demands! Or requests :P AJ would say yes because of that, definitely, but she also likes to help others, especially the princesses. But in terms of how it would work, most likely Luna and Checkered would drop their little colt off at Sweet Apple Acres, or Ivan and AJ would head to Canterlot for an evening and Luna would teleport them back home or send them on a private train ride home.

Monkeyboy0118: Hmm, odd. Anyway, at least you were able to post a review! As for a step further, oh that could just be Luna teasing her friend, or something else...

SquirtlePWN: Thank you! I hadn't written a Luna/Cougar scene in awhile, and I thought this would be the perfect time for Luna to confide in someone her truest fears about her colt without that someone blowing it out of proportion. I really enjoy Luna and Cougar being close friends, and they'll have a few more moments like that in the future.

Furi Poi: Hey man, it's all right. I don't demand reviews from anyone. But NO. Ivan will NOT ever turn into a pony of any kind. It's been done far too many times in other stories, and I don't want to go that route. That goes for the whole prophecy or legend cliche as well.

OBSERVOR01: Ah, a betting person I see! Well, you'll just have to wait and see if Lady Luck shines on you or not, my friend ;)

(Outside Luna's Chambers; Ivan's POV)

After obtaining more snacks from the castle's kitchen without another hitch, and with the two of us becoming pretty quiet after our hallway talk, Luna and I found ourselves outside the door to her chambers, still without a pair of guards. "Hey Luna, don't you usually have a pair of guards outside your door when someone is inside your room?" I finally cracked and asked the alicorn.

"Normally yes," she replied, keeping her wings outstretched to balance herself as she carried food on her back. "But, I think whatever threat that tries to get in will be met with hostilities of our own."

"Hell, I've seen the result of your sister's work," I shuddered, thinking about the black and broken face of the dragon that suffered from Celestia's wrath in Draconia, and that was with no magic!

"Besides, with the exception of a select few, most of our guards are merely for show," Luna replied casually. I chuckled and reached for the door handle when the sound of AJ's muffled voice came from inside the room.

"Huh, looks like they survived without us," I joked, wondering what Applejack was currently discussing as I softly turned the handle to not interrupt her. Being the gentleman that I was, I naturally let my pregnant friend inside before slipping inside myself with a gentle shut of the door.

"Well, Ah mean Braeburn's at least met Ivan," Applejack continued speaking as no one had detected my and Luna's return. "We've still gotta introduce him ta Applebloom's cousin in Manehattan, 'n all mah family, but Ah'm not so sure 'o what they'd think 'o him," she admitted a bit sadly. "'Specially

since he's mah special somepony, 'n Ah don't plan on ever changing' that," she added firmly, putting a smile on my face.

"That's really all that matters, darling," Rarity cleared her throat. "I can't speak for the rest of your family, but I'm positive if you introduce him at your next family reunion and let him mingle, they'll come to adore him as we all do."

"FOOD!" Pinkie blurted out all of a sudden. There went my plan to surprise Applejack like I loved doing. Now distracted from the conversation, everyone turned to see Luna and I carrying in more snacks. Cadence, Celestia, and Fluttershy all got up to help us, but Luna wasn't having any of it.

"I think not!" Luna snapped as she walked past me and eased the refreshments down her wings and onto the table in the middle of the room. "Do I need to repeat what I said before our departure?" The trio of mares sat back down. "That's what I thought. Hello, Checky," Luna added, sharing an Eskimo kiss with her earth pony husband.

"You two were gone an awfully long time," Spike noted, "was everything okay?"

"Oh, everything was just fine, Spike! Luna and I just had a little conversation to pass the time, right Luna?" I asked and set my armful of food onto the table, only to have about half the party guests swarm the pile of refreshments.

"Indeed," Luna replied, pulling Checkered close with her wing. I managed to snag a few bottles of soda and some small sandwiches before slinking away from the growing crowd to join AJ on the small couch that she was sitting upon.

"Hey hun," I greeted with a hello kiss to her freckled cheek and snaked my arm around her neck with her snacks in hand. The mare chuckled and rolled her eyes before comfortably leaning against my body, her stetson becoming lopsided on her head.

"Miss me that much, Sugarcube?" She asked in a snarky voice, raising her eyebrow as she took a bottle of soda and a sandwich from my hand. I did nothing but roll my eyes in return and took off her stetson so she could cuddle up against me more comfortably. In fact, while Luna and I were gone, it appeared that all of the couples were now getting a little cozier with each other, so at least AJ nor I would have to feel a little awkward showing affection to one another.

Rainbow didn't seem to mind that Soarin was preoccupied with negotiating deals for new airshow venues for the Bolts, but I did feel a little pity for her since she didn't have her boyfriend there to make jokes at. Of course, she could still crack jokes at the expense of Starlight and Dr. Whooves since they had become good friends and were sitting next to each other.

"I trust everypony is still having a good time?" Luna quipped as she swallowed a bite of food. In their own way, everyone responded with a yes, making the alicorn look visibly pleased that hopefully the whole name issue was dropped for the time being.

"We're still-" Celestia tried to apologize again, only to have her little sister hold up a wing.

"We're done discussing it for today, Tia. Just enjoy the company of your friends," she grinned, downing a gulp of soda. "So, if Cougar and I may inquire, what were the lot of you discussing when we returned?"

"Yeah," I agreed, casting my look down at the mare cuddled against me, polishing off her soda already. "Something about me meeting the rest of your relatives?" AJ was still sipping down her drink, but nodded in reply as Pinkie Pie waltzed by, carrying about a four foot high stack of cookies, sandwiches, chips, cupcakes, and bottles of soda.

"Actually, it started out with Twilight drilling Rarity about telling her parents that she's dating Spike," the hyperactive pony squeaked, balancing the stack of plates on her back while taking her seat next to Fluttershy.

Twilight's shrill reply came instantaneously. "What?!" She burst, her wings opening up and accidentally smacking Flash in the face. "Ooh, sorry Flash!" The mare apologized before turning her attention back to Pinkie. "I did not drill Rarity about that subject! For the love of- why does everypony assume I treat my son like a criminal when it comes to his dating life?!"

"Because you're kind of an overprotective nutcase about Spike?" Rainbow shrugged. Twilight slowly turned her head to the side, teeth clenched and eye twitching as a vein on the side of her neck was protruding under her skin. Flash gently put his hoof to her cheek and pulled her head away from Rainbow Dash to calm her down.

"Oh please, Pinkie Pie," Rarity after swallowing a bite of cucumber sandwich. "All Twilight wanted to know is if I'd told my parents I was being courted. She did not drill me nor Spike, all she asked was a simple question."

"Thank you, Rarity," Twilight breathed in and out, the vein on the side of her neck relaxing once again. She eventually returned to normal and pecked Flash's cheek for helping her cool off.

"Okay," I nodded, trying to follow along after Twilight momentarily lost it. "So, how did that get to me meeting the rest of your family, AJ?" Applejack gave out a small belch after drinking the last drop of her soda.

"Well, ya see Ivan, Rarity here told Twilight that she would tell her folks about her datin' Spike in a couple days," Applejack coiled her foreleg around my neck and laid sideways against my torso.

"Yes, after I was positive that this would be a longterm relationship. Thank goodness my Spikey-Wikey is patient," the unicorn tickled under his chin with her hoof. "Celestia knows I've introduced coltfriends to my parents too soon in the past."

"No…..I don't," Celestia blinked a few times and slowly lowered a tea cup she was levitating in her magic.

"Sorry your highness, figure of speech," Rarity blushed.

"Anyway," Cadence chimed in. "Since we were on the topic, I asked Applejack if she'd introduced you to other members of her clan besides her cousin in Appleoosa," she explained.

"An' 'o course Ah want ta, Ivan," Applejack reassured me.

"I know," I chuckled and intertwined my fingers with her golden mane. "And your family is huge; it'll take awhile to meet them all. But I'm sure I'll like them all."

"Well, yeah, there's that. Though the next Apple Family Reunion would help yer chances 'o meeting' a good chunk, if not all, o' them," AJ paused for a brief second. Her worry about what the majority of her family members would think of me stuck with me, but she'd also said that she didn't plan on breaking things off with me anytime soon. However, I was still prepared to tell her that I didn't mind what the rest of her family thought. AJ loved me, and I loved her; that's all that mattered to us. It did help that her granny, brother, sister, and all of her friends supported us, however.

"What else is there, hun?" I gently rubbed her ear between my index finger and thumb, making her shiver. My girlfriend didn't say a word in reply. All she did was wriggle her ear out of my grasp as her pupils slightly shrunk.

"Sorry Ivan," she pushed away from me. "Uh, Princess Luna? Is it all right if Ah uh, use yer bathroom?" She asked and bit her lip hard while popping her Stetson back on top of her head.

"Why of course," Luna's magic opened the door for the earth pony mare.

"Thank ya, princess!" AJ exclaimed, scrambling off the couch. "Ah'll be right back Sugarcube," she promised before giving my nose a short but sweet peck and dashed off to relieve herself. The room sounded eerily quiet after she slammed the door shut. I stared in the direction AJ had run off in, my hand still hovering in the air from where I was playing with her ear.

"Cougar, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked after I sighed rather sadly.

"Huh? Oh yeah," my hand twitched before I put my arm down on the arm of the couch, drumming my fingers. "I'm fine, it's just that-"

"You were just getting comfortable and Applejack got up?" Shining Armor cut me off.

"Yeah," I swallowed. "Sorry guys, I don't mean to act mopey."

"Oh, you don't have to explain anything to us, darling," Rarity waved her hoof. "I think it's adorable you love being close to her, and I understand you were looking forward to cuddling with her once you returned with Princess Luna."

"Ehhh, I just don't want to be too clingy," I admitted.

"Please, I feel the same way when my Shiny-Whiny has to get up while we're embracing each other," Cadence chimed in, kissing at the aforementioned unicorn's jawline. Armor chuckled and folded his foreleg around his wife. "At least you're not acting like it's the end of the world," she added.

"Not to mention, Applejack was about the same way after you left, so you're not alone," Celestia continued sipping her tea. I sighed in relief hearing that no one was put off of my slightly downtrodden behavior, but I wanted to change the subject anyway.

"That makes me feel better, but I was just wondering, Big Mac," I turned to the red stallion, "are there any family members of yours that I should be worried about?" I questioned. AJ's older brother pouted his lower lip and flatted his eyebrows.

"Uh, what do ya mean there, Cougar?"

"Well, I heard the tail end of what your sister was saying when Luna and I returned," I explained. "She said something about being concerned about how they'd react to me. Of course, I understand some of them might take some time getting used to just my presence."

"Naturally," Cheerilee agreed. "Big Mac told me she's at least written to most of her family that you live on Sweet Apple Acres."

"Eeyup, 'n even told 'em at the last family reunion last year," Big Mac nodded. Right, I opted not to go to that one since I didn't consider myself a member of the family just yet, and….Applejack and I weren't together at that point. "At least most 'o them were interested in meetin' ya," AJ's brother added.

"Hey, if any of them are like you two, Granny Smith, Applebloom or Braeburn, I'm looking forward to meeting them even more."

"That's the spirit, Cougar!" Pinkie grinned after stuffing another cupcake in her mouth, the frosting decorating her mouth.

"But, outside 'o Braeburn," Big Mac continued, "none 'o them know that yer with mah sister," he warned. "An' Ah agree with her; we just don't know what their take on that'll be."

"I kind of figured that," I replied without sounding downtrodden again. "But I can't and won't feel any disdain for them; it's a little unusual, and any of us would be lying to deny it, right?" I questioned. Silence met my inquiry. No one had a straight away answer. They just sat or stood in their spots, occasionally looking up at me or the one they were sitting next to. "Come on guys, you won't hurt my feelings. The only reason none of you found it strange is because you were my friends first and saw how AJ and I felt about each other, and even supported the both of us."

"That is true," Luna bowed her head.

"Thank you, Luna," I smiled. "I know some ponies still don't like me being here, and I'm pretty sure once they find out I'm with Applejack, that'll piss them off even more." Fluttershy flinched at my curse word.

"Which is disgraceful!" Rarity exclaimed. "Those ponies who only judge outward appearances are the very definition of shallow. And as we know, some don't even care about all the good things you've done for us, and for Equestria itself."

"I appreciate the support," I smirked, "but not everyone has to like me or accept that AJ and I are in a relationship. If certain ponies don't like it, it's their right."

"Kind of like how you didn't want to trust me after my whole time travel debacle?" Starlight softly spoke up. I felt a sensation guilt hit my chest as I slowly turned to look at the unicorn sitting across the room. She wasn't lying; everyone knew my position on her presence around all of us, but I wasn't one to hold something over someone as long as they were working to correct their mistakes, and I had no intentions of comparing her to what I was talking about.

"Sort of," I swallowed at Starlight's regretful expression staring back at me. "Starlight, I wasn't trying to draw any comparisons to you. You're actually trying to do better and make up for what happened."

"And that's more than what any of us can say about those that dislike your existence here, Cougar," Blueblood reiterated what Rarity had mentioned moments ago.

"Right," I nodded at the prince's remark, "and I was willing to get to know you and earn my trust. And I'm happy to say I can see your progress," I offered her a smile.

"Thank you, Cougar," the mare's expression softened in relief. "To be honest, I'm kind of happy to know that at least someone is at least giving me more of a challenge to redeem myself, not that I'm unappreciative of any of your support," she added hastily. "And sorry for interrupting," she grinned nervously.

"It's no issue," I chuckled, "but what I was getting at was even if some of your family members are skeptical at first, Big Mac, I'm fine with that."

"Well," he sputtered, "Ah won't lie, Ah remember bein' a lil hesitant of ya at first too, Cougar."

"And we all know how that turned out," Cheerilee grinned.

"Eeyup!" Big Mac nuzzled the maroon mare.

"I think at the next Apple family reunion, all you need to do, Cougar, is let them get to know the real you," Luna winked at me. "If some are indeed skeptical as you are predicting, give them time and show them how caring you are of Applejack, Granny Smith, Big Mac, little Applebloom, and all of your friends."

"That's all you can do," Celestia agreed. "Although, I would advise being a little more open to questions than you have been in the past, no offense," she grimaced.

"Please, none taken, Celestia; you're right," I nodded and chewed on the inside of my cheek. "I'd like to make peace with as much of Applejack and Big Mac's relatives as possible so there won't be any resentment between family."

"But they won't be able to trust you if you act like you have something to hide?" Twilight guessed vigilantly.

A smirk curled up the side of my mouth. "Yeah, but as long as I have you," I pointed to Big Mac, "AJ, Granny Smith, Applebloom, and even Cheerilee, to extinguish any doubt, I think we'll be okay." Even though I knew that a family reunion meant most family members would attend, and that I'd no doubt have AJ and her family there to introduce me to their clan, I was still feeling uneasy about it. How would they swallow the fact that Applejack and I loved each other? Sure, she said she had no plans to change that, and I respected anyone's right to whatever opinions they held, but the last thing I wanted was to put a strain on any familial relationships.

"Well," Pinkie's voice suddenly came from behind me, making my whole body jolt, "you wouldn't have to worry about meeting the Pie family, Cougar! I know my sisters, ma, and pa will love you!" She then slipped her forelegs around my neck, hugging me tight but didn't cut off my oxygen.

"Your family, Pinkie?" She nodded wildly, her mane becoming a pink, cottony blur.

"Of course, silly Cougar! They're totally your kind of ponies; hard working, trustworthy, and all around good folk of the rocks!" She grinned happily and squished her cheek against mine.

'Help me,' I mouthed to the one nearest to me which turned out to be Rainbow Dash. The cyan mare snickered and covered her mouth at my predicament instead. "Is your family coming by Ponyville sometime soon?" I asked, deciding to get this over with as soon as possible.

"Uh no," Pinkie removed one of her forelegs and cocked her head to the side. "This is a busy time of year for our family's rock farm; they can't afford to leave now," she explained as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Ooookay," I slowly replied, having not the faintest idea of what Pinkie's entire point was. "Are you suggesting AJ and I go with you to your family's farm and meet them for practice?"

Pinkie's head twitched a few times before she slipped her other foreleg out from around my neck. "Huuuuuuu!" She gasped loudly and her pupils encompassed her entire eyes.

"That's a great idea Cougar! I mean, I was just saying that you'd technically be meeting some more relatives of AJ and Big Mac since there's the teeny-tiniest chance the Pies and Apples could be related, and that my family would like you," Pinkie started rambling at about the speed of sound. "But we definitely should take a weekend or a week to head over to to Ma and Pa's to get you some good practice in for the big Apple Family Reunion!"

Pinkie was huffing and puffing, her chest expanding and contracting like a balloon once she was done. "That actually sounds like a fantastic idea, darling!" Rarity said confidently.

"Oh. Sorry Pinkie, sometimes I forget how you and Applejack could be relatives," I apologized. "But, would your siblings and parents be exactly like you?" I gulped. Considering Pinkie already had a twin in Surprise, an entire family of Pinkies was just unfathomable.

"I know how amazing that would be, but I wouldn't trade my family for anypony else!" The earth pony declared. "My twin sister Marble, who's only a few minutes younger than me but still my baby sister is one of the sweetest ponies you could meet! She's practically a wingless Fluttershy!"

The pegasus in question sank in her seat once everyone else looked at her. "My big sister Maud is so hilarious that she made me spit out my rock soup the last time I visited for Hearth's Warming."

"Rock soup?" I asked out of the corner of my mouth, but Pinkie apparently didn't hear.

"Not to mention, she's always so happy to meet new ponies, plus she has the cutest little rock she carries around with her for company. Maud calls him Boulder!" I didn't attempt to ask for an explanation. "Then there's Limestone, she's a bit….rough around the edges, but she's also such a sweetheart deep down. Ma and Pa Pie on the other hoof, they're a bit old fashioned, so they may take a little longer to get to know you, but it'll all be worth it!"

"Well, your family sounds…nice," I clicked my tongue several times. "I suppose a little practice wouldn't hurt anyone. Of course I'd have to clear things with Applejack."

"Good, I'm glad you've come up a plan, Cougar," Twilight grinned. Knowing how anal that mare is about lessons and organization, it wouldn't come as a shock to me if she begged to come along just to see how things would turn it, if this actually happened.

"Um," Fluttershy winced from her seat.

"Are you all right, Ms. Fluttershy?" Blueblood asked, sounding as regal and polite as his two aunts and cousin. With her cheeks blushing, Fluttershy zipped her eyes around the room, squeamish at being called upon by the unicorn.

"O-oh it's n-nothing," she whispered. "It's just that, Applejack has been in the bathroom for awhile….." the meek mare quietly trailed off, too embarrassed to finish her explanation.

"Ah," Blueblood nodded. "Well, I could escort you to the nearest restroom down the hall if you wish," he offered her his foreleg. I couldn't help but notice the proud smiles on both Celestia and Luna's faces. Though to be fair myself, it was nice to see Blueblood's personality becoming more and more humble with each visit. Fluttershy, however, blushed even harder and shook her head.

"That's not necessary Prince Blueblood," she modestly rejected his offer. "I-I can wait until Applejack is done," the mare began to rock back and forth on her haunches, biting her lip.

"That's not healthy, miss," Glock's ears drooped to the side of his head while he frowned at Fluttershy.

"Indeed," Celestia nodded.

"Why don't you just see what's taking her so long, Fluttershy?" Spike suggested.

"Spike! That's not polite!" Twilight growled.

"You do it to me all the time!" The dragon retorted, folding his arms across his chest. Now Twilight's cheeks matched the same shade as Fluttershy's, which naturally made me and Rainbow chuckle.

"Oh I couldn't do that to somepony," Fluttershy put her hoof to her chest.

"It's easy Fluttershy! Just pound on the door and scream it's an emergency," Pinkie slung her arm around Fluttershy's neck. "It worked on AJ when we had to find her after she never came back from the rodeo one time, remember?"

"But that was an outhouse darling, not a bathroom, especially not one that belongs to a princess," Rarity corrected, shuddering at the word outhouse.

"So what? If Fluttershy has to go, she has to go!" Rainbow floated up into the air to get her friends' attention. "There's nothing wrong with telling somepony to hurry it up," she scoffed.

"I'm sorry Rainbow, I just can't do that. It'd be rude," Fluttershy repeated. "M-maybe I will take up your offer, Blueblood." The unicorn grinned and gladly extended his foreleg for Fluttershy to take, but Rainbow Dash had other ideas. She swooped down and smacked Fluttershy's foreleg away from Blueblood.

"Fine, if nopony else will do anything, I will!" She declared before darting over to where I was sitting, grabbed my arm with her forelegs and tried to lift me off the couch. Of course, I was too heavy for her, so all she was doing was yanking on me while sounding like she was trying to pass a kidney stone.

"Can I help you, Rainbow?" I asked, pulling my arm away from her.

"Rrrggh!" She growled in frustration. "Just get up and go see if Applejack decided to build her own toilet or something," Rainbow outright demanded from me.

"First off, I don't take orders from you, Dashie," I pushed her away as I stood up. "Second, I'm not gonna bother someone in the bathroom, especially my girlfriend."

"You're closer to her than anypony else in here!"

"No more sex jokes!" Twilight screeched before Rainbow could get another word in, causing the pegasus to roll her magenta eyes.

"I'm not telling you to barge in there and drag her out by her tail," Rainbow ignored Twilight's warning. I, however, put my hands to my waist, intrigued by what Rainbow meant.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Please, even I'm not that ruthless. Just go see how much longer she'll be so Fluttershy can get a straight answer," the mare slapped her hoof onto her face. When she looked back up at me and noticed I hadn't budged, she groaned loudly. "Look Coug, I'm serious; I think if anypony else asks her how long she'll take, she might tell them to buzz off."

"I highly doubt that she'd say that to Luna, Celestia, Twilight or Cadence either," I turned around to look at the four alicorns. A snort from Rainbow's muzzle turned me back around.

"Cougar," she took a deep breath, "what if she's sick or just isn't feeling well?" Her frustration slowly melted into concern. "Don't you think she'd want you specifically to, you know, at least give her a little comfort?"

"I can't argue with that," I said, staring off into space as I thought. "But, you know if AJ isn't feeling well, she'll just try to deny it so doesn't feel like a burden."

"But we wouldn't think she's a burden," Luna shook her head. "Of course we'd throw her our sympathies, but a burden? No."

"Yeah, but Big Mac's known her longer than anyone else," I countered, "she likes to be independent and take care of herself just about more than anyone I've ever known."

"Eeyup," the red stallion concurred. "'Specially that time she forced herself ta try 'n harvest every tree fer Apple Buckin' Season by her lonesome a few years back. AJ's gotten better at askin' fer help since then, but she'll always have that stubborn streak in her."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," I inhaled through my nose before giving Rainbow a pat on the head. "I'll try not to take too long to give you an answer Fluttershy," I smiled and waved at the buttery pegasus before turning heel and marching toward the bathroom. I overheard the quiet pony say a gentle, "Thank you," as I made my trek. Of course, all I was going to do is ask her if she was okay; I wasn't going to guilt her or anything if she indeed was feeling under the weather. Call me selfish, but I couldn't prevent a dumb smile from forming at the thought of getting to cuddle with her on the train ride home if only to perk up her spirits. Then again, another thought hit me when I reached the door; the mare didn't seem to be ill earlier, and she also told me she'd be right back.

"Eh," I brushed it off, and knocked on the door thrice. "Hey AJ?" I stood there, waiting for an answer, but all that greeted me was nothing. Turning around and giving my friends a confused shrug, I heard a faint whimper coming from the other side of the door. "AJ?" I worriedly snapped back around, putting my ear to the door's surface.

"Y-Yeah, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked, almost completely devoid of emotion. "Ah…Ah heard y'all's conversation."

"Are you all right, hun?" I asked, forgetting about what Rainbow sent me over for. I could hear her inhale a few deep breaths as if she just ran back to back Running of the Leaves without a break. "Do you need anything?" My voice cracked a bit.

"What's going on, Cougar?" Twilight asked from across the way.

"I uh, I don't know," I peered behind my shoulder. Ever so softly and slowly, Applejack's hoof-steps drew closer and closer until they stopped with the jiggling of the doorknob. I looked back at the now opening door, only to gasp. The mare was shaking and looked pale as a ghost; her eyes had large bags under them and her pupils were the size of peas. I couldn't breathe a word as my heart jumped into my throat.

"Ivan…Ah need ta talk ta ya please….alone," was all she muttered before stepping aside to allow me access inside the bathroom. I literally couldn't budge a millimeter; Applejack had never looked, talked or sounded like this before as long as I've known her, and it was scaring me like nothing else. Something was wrong, but what in the hell could've turned my girlfriend into a mess like this? "Please Ivan….." That was the push I needed to help her. Mustering up the will to move, I gulped and put one foot inside the bathroom.

"Hey, what's going on?!" Rarity exclaimed, repeating almost verbatim what Twilight had asked. I put one hand on the other side of the door frame and slowly turned.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, but something's come up," I gulped despondently and entered the bathroom, the door creaking shut behind me as the murmur of everyone's voices grew inside Luna's chambers. I understood that my explanation was awful, but what else could I say? If I said that something was wrong with Applejack, most everyone would rush her to see exactly what the issue was, and I didn't want to freak her out or make anything worse. Nonetheless, I turned my attention to my troubled girlfriend. "AJ, what's-" I started before trailing off.

The state of my girlfriend was such an alien sight to me that I momentarily lost my voice as her perturbed expression and unkempt stetson stared back at me. I wanted to get right down to what was wrong with her, but the part of me that wanted to comfort her was too strong. Without saying another word, I gave her a smile and removed her stetson from her head, setting it on a washcloth hook above the countertop before kneeling down in front of her. Our eyes met; I reached out and put my hand on her quivering shoulder, my thumb rubbing small circles around it.

"Woah," I exclaimed when the mare surprised me by leaping forward and thrusting her arms around my body, squeezing it tight as she rubbed her cheek against mine.

"Ah…Ah love you," she remarked, sounding completely exhausted. Still caught off guard, I blinked several times before gladly wrapping my arms around her and cuddling my cheek against her own.

"I love you too, Applejack," I replied, moving my hand up and stroking the back part of her mane, earning myself a quiet whinny from the mare. She exhaled right onto my ear, but her shivering was even affecting her breathing as she had shuddered. As much as I wanted to ask her what was wrong, she was the only one who knew when it was time to talk, so I didn't dare push her.

"Ah knew talkin' ta ya instead 'o somepony else was the right choice," she said after a few minutes of our silent hug.

"Why's that?" I asked, genuinely interested in her answer. She cooed and gently pecked my neck.

"Because….this is somethin' y'all should know 'fore anypony," AJ admitted, her head coming to a rest on my shoulder. With the exception of her trembling, she was completely still now. As much as I loved holding her close, I pulled away so I could better talk to her and help her, but not without her attempting to stay locked tight with me. It hurt when her saddened face looked back at me, but I held myself together and cupped my hand around her cheek, offering her a smile.

"What do I need to know, AJ?" I asked as tenderly as I could, trying to not sound as if I were rushing her. The poor thing stared back at me, but her ears dangled on the sides of her head, and her lower lip was trembling as much as the rest of her body. I added my other hand to her free cheek, cupping her entire face and gentle massaging her freckles with my thumbs.

Applejack, still laying her forelegs on my shoulders, gulped and shut her eyes closed, tilting her head down. "Ah-Ah'm sorry, Sugarcube."

"Don't be," I whispered, allowing her to nuzzle my palm with her right cheek.

"Ah'm just, so scared," her eyelids gradually opened up and she looked back at me. That, of course, was simple to tell the moment she opened the bathroom door, but all I could do was nod and stick by her. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, moving one hand atop her head and petting her soft mane.

"What's got you so worked up, AJ?" I asked when I nudged my forehead against her own. "W-wait-" I stammered when the mare sighed and pushed away from me, getting up on all four hooves.

"Ah, Ah just don't know, Ivan!" She exclaimed, beginning to nervously pace about the bathroom, leaving me sitting on my knees, confused as what to do. "Ah don't know what's goin on, why it happened or what's gonna happen ta us afterwards!" She whimpered before flinging her forelegs over the side of Luna's large bathtub, resting her chin on the rim and looking away from me.

My mind was racing at about the speed of light with questions. What in the hell could've happened in here that caused her to fear the future of our relationship? AJ didn't sound like she wanted to break things off, but more that she was afraid whatever was going on would cause us to split. 'Like hell we are,' I thought and pushed myself up off the floor before quickly rejoining Applejack at her side.

"Hey," I gingerly touched her back. She slowly turned to look at me, looking even more frightened than ever. "What do you mean you don't know what's gonna happen to us? I love you, and I'm never letting you go," I promised. My attempt at reassuring her didn't work; Applejack folded her hooves together on the side of the tub and used them as a pillow for her head.

"Ah wouldn't blame ya one bit if ya thought the worst 'o me, Ivan." I stared back at her blankly, becoming more and more confused with of her words, but I was determined to help her. "Because none 'o this is makin' any sense ta me."

"Applejack, please," I pleaded, my own voice cracking a bit. "Whatever's scaring you, whatever's happening, just tell me. Every time I've told you I loved you, it meant I'll always be at your side for anything, no matter what," I scratched behind her ear. It hurt me more when I could see the bottoms of her eyes beginning to water with tears, but she managed to reach over with her left front hoof and put it into my hand, encouraging me to curl my fingers around it.

"Y-you'll always be the only stallion fer me, Ivan….always," was all she said, and that was when it finally clicked within me. Afraid of what would happen to us, she wouldn't blame me if I thought the worst of me, she couldn't have been implying….

"AJ, what would make you think I'd believe you to be unfaithful to me?" I asked, feeling a little numb. She was always honest with me, and I believed her every time she told me she loved me. The mare had never shown any signs of sneaking around on me, but I also couldn't see her being close to anything disloyal at all.

"Ivan, Ah don't know how ta feel," she confessed, sucking in a deep breath and cupping both hooves around my hand. "Ah wanna be happy, but….Ah'm scared because Ah don't know how this could've happened, or how you'll react." With the rush of emotion I was feeling, I did the only thing I could think of and kissed the love of my life. She squeaked in surprise, but with her current attitude, she quickly submitted and kissed me back.

"A….J," I huffed after we parted, "you can tell me anything; you don't have to be scared," I slipped my arms around her and hugged her tight. "All I want is for you to be happy, let me help," I repeated. Seeing no other option, and that I wasn't going to leave her side, Applejack sighed and gently pushed me away so she could look me in the eye.

"Ivan," she swallowed, her voice returning to normal, "Sugarcube, it's a miracle if it's true."

"Yeah?" I smiled, encouraging her to go further.

"Ah don't know how it's possible, but Ah," she clenched her eyes shut and bowed her head before placing her hoof on my cheek and moving closer until our noses nearly touched, and her eyes opened once more. "Ah might be pregnant." I sat there, on my knees, staring back at Applejack before what she'd said finally hit me. Now I knew how Applejack felt; my encouraging smile vanished, only to be replaced with wide eyes, a slightly ajar jaw, and a slight tremble in my hands.

"Uh…." I couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle. Applejack would never be one to joke about something like this, and her face told me more than enough that she was being completely serious. I'd begun to hyperventilate a little, but not enough to cause concern. "W-what?" I swallowed as my mouth twitched.

"Ah might be pregnant, Ivan," she repeated, her hoof beginning to encircle my cheek. This, this couldn't be possible. Our genetic codes were too different to be compatible and produce offspring, that much I at least knew from biology class. Now I knew precisely why Applejack looked like a mess when she opened that door: The shock was like getting rammed in the gut by a raging bull.

Feeling lightheaded, as I'm sure my girlfriend was before, I turned away from Applejack and put my elbow on the edge of the tub, cradling my head in my hands. Pregnant, the word kept repeating over and over in my head. "Ivan?" She whimpered a bit when I left her hoof's comforting touch.

"I….I know y-you didn't ch-cheat on me," I stuttered as our roles took a sudden 180 degree turn. AJ lovingly put her front hooves on my shoulders and began to gently massage them, trying to help me relax. "A-are you sure?" I asked over my shoulder.

"E-Eeyup," she nodded. "At least, that's what the test Ah borrowed from Princess Luna's medicine cabinet says." Applejack ceased her massaged and rummaged around in the small trash container resting beside the toilet, pulling up a spent test. Even though she'd used it, the shock, confusion, and fear running through me was enough to squash any second thoughts as I craved answers.

She handed me the white stick in a shaking hoof, but even before I took it in my hand, I could clearly see a large plus sign on the end. "H-h-how?" Was all I could say before my fingers went numb and dropped the pregnancy test into the tub, the stick clattering about.

"Ah wish Ah knew, Sugarcube," Applejack sat down on her haunches right next to me, her foreleg finding itself hugging my neck. I didn't want to sound like I didn't want this to happen; I told Applejack that she would make a great mother, but the two of us had no clue what else to say or feel, and we wanted clear cut answers.

"Maybe, maybe it's a false positive?" I guessed, facing the mare.

"Nope. Only reason Ah even took the test was 'cause Ah saw the date on Luna's little calendar in here. Ah haven't had a period since about before her weddin' ta Checkered." There went that theory out the window. "Ah've had a few late periods before, Sugarcube, but Ah just never noticed this time around 'cause everythin' was just….perfect." What she said normally would've brought a smile to my face, but didn't have the energy to do so.

"And uh," I swallowed, still breathing pretty heavily, "you haven't shown any signs of anything changing, right?"

"….No," she replied weakly, laying her head on the porcelain of the tub. "That's the scariest part, Ivan. Ah haven't had any cravin's, mornin' sickness, pains, or mood swings. This just snuck up on us like a snake on a field mouse," she finished and gently rested her face on her forelegs, covering her eyes. I couldn't deny that it was pretty freaky how this whole thing happened without warning like an earthquake, but we both needed each other so we could get through it. I sighed and leaned forward, placing my lips on Applejack's cheeks as softly as I could while rubbing my fingers on the back of her head.

"I know now why you were scared, hun," I too laid my head on the tub, except sideways, "and hell, I'm scared too." The mare solemnly rolled her head around so that she was looking directly at me.

"What do we do, Ivan? Ah….Ah'm just lost," her pea sized pupils danced around her eyes. I simply sat there on my knees, massaging the back of AJ's head and contemplating on what we could do to get over this shock.

"We'll need our friends," I came to a final decision. "Their support I mean; keeping this between ourselves isn't an option." Applejack gave me a pained smile in return and kissed the end of my nose.

"Ah think Ah'd have ta agree, Sugarcube. But, how do we tell them what's goin' on?"

"The infirmary."

"Huh?"

"Look hun, I believe you when you said you haven't had a period in a long time, and your test was positive, but if we can get a doctor's official diagnosis in the castle infirmary, where it'll be kept private better than a public hospital, at least we'll have an answer for something."

"An' that's when we let everypony know?" She asked.

"Yeah, we can't just go out there and drop this on them, but I'm sure they'll understand why we made them go all the way to the infirmary with us," I said, crossing my fingers. "And then, if it's true, maybe we can get Dr. Whooves to take a closer look at me to see if we're more compatible than we thought." Applejack pondered on my idea for a moment before inevitably nodding her head and slipping her hoof in my hand and squeezing it.

End Chapter 68

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I already know exactly what most of you are thinking. Don't worry, you WILL get a definitive answer in the next chapter which will also be much longer than these previous few chapters. This whole chapter went through a total of five rewrites until I finally settled on this final product. I hope you all enjoyed it, please don't forget to leave a review, and I'll see you next time!