Chap 10

“Whew” Rainbow Dash whistled from the door.  “What the hay?” Apple Jack pulled away from Tiger quickly with a large red blush spreading across her cheeks. “Aww don’t be shy AJ,” Twilight laughed as she appeared behind Rainbow Dash. “Yeah! It just isn’t like you!” Pinkie Pie added in as she hopped into the room. “Apple Jack, I am jealous!” Rarity pouted, “you have a KNIGHT!” “Um.. hi.. I’m Fluttershy” the yellow pegasai was hiding behind Rainbow Dash. “Um nice to meet you,” Tiger smiled, he too had a blush that was spreading across his face. “Tiger.. what are we gonna do?” Twilight asked with a serious look now. “The Princesses were captured,” Tiger looked outside the window. The sky had a monotone color about it. “We need to rescue them… and destroy the Darkness once and for all,” Tiger tried to move but was pinned down by Apple Jack again, “what were we just talkin about earlier Tig?” Apple Jack frowned at him. “But Apple Jack… this is serious,” Tiger looked at her. “Yeah.. it is but what happens when you git yer self banged up and aren’t able to move huh?” Apple Jack asked. “…” Tiger sighed. “Umm excuse me..” Fluttershy moved in closer, “what’s up Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. “I was umm just thinking maybe we could ask Zecora.. for some medication you know.. for Tiger?” Fluttershy said in a quiet voice. “Now that’s an idea!” Pinkie Pie cheered at the thought of another friend. “That is actually a very good idea!” Twilight nodded. “What are we waiting here for then?” Rainbow Dash asked, “maybe while I am there I can see about some skin rejuvenation potion” Rarity smiled. “Wait!” Apple Jack exclaimed. “We can’t just leave him here alone…” Apple Jack lifted an eye brow at Tiger, “knowin this boy, he’ll up and leave on his own!” she was eyeing a rope. “Wh.. wha do you mean Apple Jack?” Tiger laughed nervously. “Fluttershy you stay here with him then!” Apple Jack looked at her friend who’s eyes widened and curled a little. “Wh.. why me Apple Jack?” Fluttershy asked timidly. “Cause, Tiger won’t be able to force his way out or convince ya,” Apple Jack smirked at Tiger who scowled back. “We’ll be back soon, just talk! I mean we should all be friends,” Apple Jack looked back and Tiger. As soon as they left, Tiger tried to get out of the bed. “Wait!” Fluttershy stood in front of the door. “Fluttershy.. there’s something dangerous that’s about to happen to Equestria… I can stop it!” Tiger looked at her with pleading eyes. “I know what you can do..” her voice was small, “but I can’t let Apple Jack’s colt friend get hurt” she looked up at him. “Woof woof” Wiona ran underneath Fluttershy and nuzzled Tiger’s right front leg. “I guess, I’m not going anywhere huh?” Tiger laughed a little. “She’s worried about you too,” Fluttershy walked over to the puppy and nuzzled her. “Do you like animals Fluttershy?” Tiger asked as he got back into bed, he realized at that moment that his body was very stiff and he let out a small groan as he felt a sharp pain shoot through it. “Tiger! Are you ok?” Fluttershy rushed to the side of the bed. “Y.. yeah, I guess I really shouldn’t move…”Tiger winced a little. “Yes.. just relax” Fluttershy smiled, “and I do like animals, small and big.” “You must be kind, and very brave to handle all types of animals,” Tiger said. “It’s what I love to do,” Fluttershy’s voice came out tiny. “Aww don’t be shy about it,” Tiger smiled, “you should be proud!” he nodded, “I’ve never been able to be around animals that much…my parents didn’t like having pets, and I was always training in Canterlot…” Tiger felt Wiona lick his cheek and laughed. “Though there was this one time when I was still little, I saw a real tiger,” Tiger lay his head back thought about it, “it was amazing, I didn’t get close to it or anything. I just watched it. It’s fur was like fire when it moved, it was so powerful and the way it jumped made it look like it was flying, and it’s proud roar lighted my soul on fire,” Tiger smiled, “I wanted to become as strong as the tiger to protect my friends…and after I thought about that I ended up with my cutie mark.” “So that’s how you got it big brother!” Apple Bloom was standing at the door way with a small soup bowl. “Hey Apple Bloom!” Tiger waved, “I’m sorry for worrying ya” “Big sis was really worried too..” little filly walked over and put the soup bowl down on top of the desk with a lamp on it. “Really worried,” Apple Bloom let a small grin spread across her face. “Hee hee” Fluttershy giggled. “Oh come on! Not you two too!” Tiger blushed. “But anyways, got any tips on how to get the cutie mark?” Apple Bloom smiled. “The secret to the cutie mark is that, it only appears when you find what you want to really do, what you love to do,” Tiger tried to explain. “Aww… but the teacher tells us that all the time,” Apple Bloom sighed. “Hehe, it’ll come, I’m sure” Tiger smiled. “Yes, you can’t rush those things Apple Bloom,” Fluttershy agreed. “I know I’ll find it!” Apple Bloom raised a hoof in the air. “Hmm I wonder how Apple Jack is doing..” Tiger looked out the window again. “Common Tiger.. it’s sis, you know her” Apple Bloom reassured Tiger. “Yes, I am certain that they will be back as soon as possible,” Fluttershy got up and gently petted Wiona who panted happily. “It’s just… all this sitting around is pretty frusterating,” Tiger sighed as he turned his head on the pillow. It smelled like Apple Jack, he breathed it in relaxed.

---Zecora’s hut---

“You need a potion for this colt, then I shall make it quick… like a lightning bolt!” Zecora swung herself around and move across the room, gathering ingrediants. “Thank you very much Zecora” Twilight was glad Zecora could help. “There anythin we can do to help ya Zecora?” Apple Jack asked. “Yes, please wait, because I need concentration, it will decide this potion’s fate,” Zecora opened a book and started pouring various different colored liquids into her cauldron along with herbs. “Come on, then, let’s let the lady focus,” Rarity motioned for everyone to leave. “Twilight.. do you think we’ll be able to save Celestia and Luna?” Spike asked, Twilight had taken Spike along with them worried about leaving him alone.“We have to Spike,” Twilight looked up at the sky which was peaking in through the trees. “Yeah we totally have to.. how is anyone going to be happy with the sky like that?” Pinkie Pie chipped in. “All the pegusai landed in PonyVille too! We can’t fly in whatever that sky is!” Rainbow Dash complained, “there is no wind! And all the clouds are starting to disappear!” “So Twi.. do you know anything else about the Knights?” Apple Jack asked Twilight. “All I know is that they all carry the elements of harmony inside them, a fraction of each element at least,” Twilight thought about the sword that had appeared in front of Tiger Dusk. “That armor he was wearing was so fashionable!” Rarity cooed. “And the way he jumped! Woosh!!” Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced around. “Ah admit… Ah was kinda impressed too..” Apple Jack blushed. “Ahhh you should have seen the look on your face darling,” Rarity gave a really smug look to Apple Jack. “Especially when he yelled ‘it’ out,” Twilight joined Rarity, “it’s too bad… I didn’t get a chance to do my spy work~” “Hay you were gonna spy on them too?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Spy?” Apple Jack looked at Twilight then Rainbow Dash. “Hey we were just going to do it to see if you two really did like each other… but from the looks of it we were both wrong” Rainbow Dash laughed, “BECAUSE I LOVE HER!” Twilight tried to imitate Tiger’s voice and rolled on the ground laughing. “…” Apple Jack scowled at the two for a second and smiled, “thanks you two”. “Huh?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Fer lookin out fer me,” Apple Jack answered. “Aww it’s no problem AJ, we’re all friends right?” Twilight hugged Apple Jack. “Well once we get the Princesses saved we’ll ALL have to have a HUGE PARTY!” Pinkie Pie let some streamers fly up in the air. “Yeah… actually that’s a very good idea, to celebrate both of them,” Twilight smiled at a blushing Apple Jack. “I agree,” Rarity walked over to Apple Jack and seemed to be examining her. “What are you doing Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously. “Oh I am thinking of an outfit for Apple Jack,” Rarity answered. “Wha.. nah that’s not… “ Apple Jack was hushed by Rarity, “Apple Jack! You’re colt friend is a K.N.I.G.H.T even for just one night!” Rarity eyes flashed, “you must… YOU MUSSSSSST!” “Aww.. shucks,” Apple Jack sighed. “The potion is ready! Just remember while he drinks to keep his lips steady!” Zecora held up a potion bottle which was glowing a bright blue. “Thank you so much Zecora!” Twilight walked over to Zecora “Be swift like the wind child, save Equestria before our days are filed..” Zecora handed the bottle to Twilight. “Let’s go Twilight! I really want to see what a Knight looks like” Spike imagined himself in an armor holding Rarity in his arms, “hee hee” his eyes went dazey. “I’m sure you’d look handsome as well Spike… when you grow up a little,” Rarity said as she walked by. “Let’s go every pony!” Apple Jack started galloping. She hadn’t felt like this before, but being away from Tiger made her jumpy, and worried even. Something seemed to be tugging at her. She just wanted to be beside him.

---Apple Jack’s room---

“So you don’t like to fly much?” Tiger looked at Fluttershy, in almost disbelief. “No.. I know it sounds silly, but I am really scared of heights..” Fluttershy blushed and curled inwards. “That’s not really a problem,” Tiger answered, “but.. I am a little jealous” he laughed, “I wish I could, fly sometimes… the feeling of freedom and just to be able to go anywhere in the air with the wind blowing in your mane” he closed his eyes imagining it. “But you can fly,” Fluttershy said in a tiny voice. “Huh?” Tiger looked at her. “Yes.. I saw you when you fought against .. that Sol Lune, you flew in the air,” Fluttershy answered. “No.. that’s a jump,” Tiger sighed, remembering Sol Lune’s face. “Oh.. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to remind you of that,” Fluttershy apologized. “No, no need for the apology,” Tiger shook his head, “I’ll stop him.. cause I am his friend,” Tiger said as his ears perked, he heard the clopping of hooves. “They’re back,” Tiger smiled as Wiona started to bark leaving the room.