It was a few minutes before any reaction came from Twilight. I just stood there with my arms out, Midnight and Strider both staring at me with the 'you broke her' face. I lowered my arms only for a purple blur to slam into me and knock me to the ground. As I lay there on my back Twilight proceeded to pound her hooves on my chest, heavy tears rolled down her face as her attack continued.

“You...you...BUCK HEAD!” Twilight shouted. “Where have you been!? Why didn't you contact us!? Why!? Why!? Why!?” Each why was followed by more stomping. “Do you know how distraught and devastated everypony has been!?”

I reached up and folded my arms around Twilights form. For six months I had thought of this moment, now it had finally happened I was not far off. I knew this would be Twilights reaction, I knew that finally coming home would be this hurtful. I just pulled Twilight into my embrace and uttered two words.

“I'm sorry.”

Twilights pounding slowly started to die off, I don't know if it was my words or she was getting tired. I just held her with all my strength, somehow I had the notion that if I let her go I would lose her again. Twilight lifted her head and gazed straight into my eyes.

“Why didn't you contact me? Why didn't you contact any of us?”

I sighed as I closed my eyes. “I couldn't. If I did, your life would have been in danger.”

“My life? What do you mean?”

“Twilight....I was taken from Canterlot.” I say.

Twilight stands as I loosen my grip allowing her to get up. “Taken? You mean foalnapped!?

“If that's what you call being taken against your will, then yes.” I sit up. “And to answer your next question, I was taken to the Griffon Colonies. I was brought to be a collectable.”

“A collectable? Somepony foalnapped you to be in some things collection?” Twilight asks.

“Yes.”

Twilight starts to pace in front of me, before she finally notices my companions.

“Who are these ponies?”

“Twilight! I would like you to meet the ponies responsible for getting me back home.” I gesture to Midnight. “This is Midnight, he is a nightguard that found me. Midnight helped me in ways I could never repay.” I move my hand to point at Strider and his filly. “And this is Clear Strider and his filly Flower Petal, they also helped me beyond ways I could never have reached without their help.”

Twilight walks over to each of my companions and thanks them. “Thank you! Thank you all so much! John came back to us and it's all because of you, how can I...we ever repay you?”

Midnight bows. “No need Miss Sparkle, I was just doing my job.” Twilight reels back at Midnights use of her name. “Sorry, John has told us much about you and your friends. Forgive my informal tone.”

“That's quite alright, I guess you should know something about me, being with John all this time.” Twilight replies, blushing slightly.

“It is also an honour to meet you Miss Sparkle.” Strider says, also giving a bow of his head.

“Please! You don't have to bow.” Twilight says, reaching down and placing a hoof on Strider's shoulder.

“It is out of respect Miss Sparkle, you are Johns family. It would not be inappropriate for us not to.” Strider replies.

“Yeah! Daddy has always told me to respect family, no matter what.” Flower states, walking forward.

“And that is a good life lesson, family is important.” I reply. I walk up to Twilight and place my hand on her head. “Twilight showed me that, more than she knows.” I smile, looking down at my blushing sister.

Twilight went to say something as a knock was heard and the libraries main door.

“Now who could that be?” Twilight says.

“Twi' are ya home? Ah need to speak to ya.”

“It's Applejack!” Twilight states in alarm. I on the other hand just wanted to open that door and hug my love, never letting go.

“Twilight open the door, I'll hide.” I say, walking to the stairs at the back of the room.

“John?” Twilight turns and looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

“I want to surprise her.” I reply. I turn to my friends. “Guys, i'm sorry but I think that time has come.”

My three companions all nod.

“Ok John, I have to report back but I'll see you soon.” Midnight says, saluting and heading for the exit.

“Yeah, me and Flower have to look for some place to stay here in Ponyville. I think I saw a tavern close by.” Strider adds.

Flower runs up to me and hugs my leg.

“I'll miss you John.”

“I will see you in a few days Flower.” I say, patting her mane. I look to the others. “And guys I would like to speak to you about something important. After I reunite with my family.”

“No problem John, we'll stick around for a while.” Both Midnight and Strider leave the library as I quickly head upstairs. As I hide I hear my companions give their apologise to Applejack as they walk pass.

I hear the door close and hooves walk across the wood floor.

“Applejack? Why are you here this late?” I hear Twilight ask.

“Ah can't take it no more Twilight, Ah'm losing it without him!”

“Applejack you know we are still looking! Equestria is a big place, Princess Celestia has even dispatched envoys to the neighbouring nations.”

“Ya don't understand Twi'! Ah'm....entering again!”

I hear a gasp, causing me to raise my head slightly.

“Applejack, I didn't realise.”

“The first time, ah was fine ya know; but now.” I hear hoofsteps move about. “Ah crave him! Ah want him near me! Ah'm going insane just thinkin about him.” I hear sobbing. “It's been six months Twilight, ah can't go on.” I hear more sniffles and hoofsteps.

“Don't you say that Applejack! You are a strong pony, John is lucky that your his marefriend.” My heart starts to beat faster as a smile cracks on my face.

“Ah love him so much Twi'. Ah just want him ta come home.”

I hear a loud sigh. “You should come down!” Twilight shouts up to me. I brush off my armour and slowly stand up, bracing myself before walking down the stairs.

“I think I can take it from here Twilight!” I state. Applejacks head snaps up and her green wholesome eyes lock onto me. “Hello my mare, I'm home.”

Applejack bolts up and tackles me, I brace myself for a beating but instead I get a muzzle locking lips with mine. I wrap my arms around Applejack as we lay there huddling on the floor. Applejack starts to plant kisses all over my face, I hug her tightly.

“Where have ya been!? Ah was lost without ya! Ah never want ta lose ya again!” I laugh and stroke Applejacks back. I longed for the touch of her fur again, the feel of her lips against mine.

I planted my own kisses on Applejacks muzzle and caught a square hoof across the jaw.

“And that's for making me go insane.” Applejack lowers her head again. “But this is for coming back!” Applejack kisses me, our tongues dance is pleasure as we enter each others mouth.

When the kiss was broken, I placed a hand over Applejacks cheek and rubbed it.

“I thought of you everyday, I missed you beyond words can say.” I close my eyes. “But you must know this...” I reopen my eyes and look towards Twilight who now had Spike by her side. “...I killed....alot.” I feel Applejack reel away slightly.

“What do ya mean...Killed?”

“Applejack I didn't leave Equestria freely, I was taken.” Applejack gasped.

“Taken?”

“Yes, I was taken to the Griffon Colonies to be given as a trophy for someone's collection.” Applejack moves so I could sit up. “I found out who payed for my 'collection', it was a griffon called Varala. She was a colonel in the griffon military.”

“Was?” Twilight asks.

“Let's just say as I earned my way out, I made connections of my own and now she's not.” I sigh. “But there lies the problem, she found out about me and I had to leave earlier than expected.”

“Then ah'm glad ya did! Ah know it sounds selfish but ah need you John. Ah'm just happy your finally back home.” I sigh at Applejacks words as a smile crosses my face.

“You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear that, which brings me to my next duty!” I say, springing to my feet. “Now that I am home again I intend to make the most of it! Both with my family and the love of my life.” I reach to my belt and pull off two black pouches. I approach Twilight and kneel down, holding out the pouch before her. “Twilight I got this for you, it is a small repayment of all the crap and bull you put up with when I was living here.”

“Wait, you don't want to live here anymore?” Tears start to form around her eyes.

“Of course I do! But I think it's about time I got my own place, not just for me but..” I lean in to Twilight, and whisper in her ear. Twilight blushes and nods.

Applejack nudges my leg. “What ya just say?” I just tap my nose in reply as I smirk.

Twilight looks at the bag and takes it in her magic. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out.” I reply.

Twilight unravels the string on the bag and looks inside. Twilight quickly closes the bag and hands it back to me.

“I can't take this! It just wouldn't feel right!” I push the bag back to her chest.

“Then don't, take it as a gift and give it to somepony for a present. But I brought it because you earned it Twilight more than you know.” Twilight stares at me before nodding.

“Thanks Brother.”

“Now!” I say, turning to spike. “Spike, I know that before I was...taken, I never really asked if you want to be part of my family and i'm truly sorry. The weeks I was living here I always considered you to be like a little brother to me.” I shuffled over and held out the second bag to Spike. “I brought these as I know dragons eat them, however I have no idea if you will like them or not. But I hope that this will be an acceptable apology and I ask you now, will you be my little brother?”

Spike looks to the bag and then back to me. Without warning he darts forward and hugs me.

I pat Spikes head. “I'll take that as a yes then?” I chuckle.

“Sorry! Yes, I would like to be your brother very much.” Spike replies.

I stand as spike takes the bag from my hand and opens it. Spikes face lights up as he reaches in and pulls out a claw full of gems.

“These are...Edonum gems!” Spike exclaims, snapping his gaze up to me. “H-How did you find these?”

“I found a rare gem merchant in one of the cities, near where I was staying. When I asked about the gems, he let lose that those are a dragon delicacy. So I brought some, for you.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” Spike says, hugging me again.

“No problem little guy.” I reply. I turn my gaze to Applejack who was just sitting behind me, smiling. “Applejack? Since is was in the Griffon Colonies, I never forgot you or anypony else. You and the others were in my thoughts from day one, and you never left. My biggest fear was I would never see you again. Which is why I thought long and hard about this next question.” I approach Applejack and kneel down in front of her. “Applejack you are the sparkle in my eye, you are the pony that occupies my thoughts everyday! I don't want that to end.” I reach behind me and unclasp a small flat black box from my belt. “Applejack I ask you this, from the bottom of my heart, to the entirety of my soul...” I lift open the box to reveal a gold necklace adorned with a red gem shaped like an apple. “...Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

Applejack just stared at the necklace and then her eyes met mine. Before I could say anything Applejack jumped up and ran out of the library. I just froze in place, holding the box in my hand. I heard Twilight gasp behind me as the library door shut itself. I close the box and turn to Twilight.

“Well, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting.”

Author's Notes:

Hey everypony, I know this chapter is not long but rest assured the next is going to be longer and will be the first sex chapter. YAY!

I would also like to add thanks to the new followers and the likers of this story, to whom I might have given up on this story a long time ago.

Thanks

Applepip