Jump!

Story 3

Chapter 5: Humble

By: FluttersIsAwesome

As he led me out o’ the base, Ah suddenly remembered somethin’. “Hey Jet, can ya fetch Sprint?”

He looked at me questioningly. “What fo’?”

Ah grinned at him. “Ah just remembered that Ah brought some food with me. If ya can take me back t’ Orange Mansion, Ah can get it fer ya.”

His eyes lit up as he set me down. “No problem.” He ran back into the base n’ came back with Sprint, who had a grin on her face bigger than Rarity’s ego.

“You have food, sissy?!”

Ah nodded, which triggered a fit o’ clappin’ n’ cheerin’. “YAY! YAY! YAY!”

Jet smiled. “I think this is perfect. I’ll take ya to Orange Mansion my way.” He took my hoof n’ ran off with Sprint on his shoulder. “Get ready, we’re jumpin’ right in to yo’ trainin’!” He let go o’ me as we approached the wall t’ what looked like a broken down convenience store. “Follow my lead.”

Luckily there were bricks juttin’ outta the wall; Jet used these as footholds as well as grab points. He pushed off o’ the ones under his bottom hooves n’ pulled himself up with the higher ones. “Come on, AJ! Give it a try, babe!”

Ah walked up t’ the wall nervously. Lookin’ back at him, Ah noticed he was already on the roof. “Don’t worry, it’s easy! And if ya do fall, I’ll catch ya!”

Ah found confidence in his words, n’ started climbin’ like he did. It was difficult, but soon Ah was lookin’ up n’ Ah was close t’ the top. Ah got it! Darn me n’ my big mouthed thoughts. Ah took a wrong step n’ slipped right off one o’ the bricks. However, just like in old movies, Jet caught me just before Ah fell.

“Heh, told ya I’d catch ya AJ.” As he pulled me up, he patted my back.

Sprint jumped up n’ patted me too. “One rule of being a Specter is to always trust your friends!”

We resumed our travel somewhat slowly. Ah had t’ learn the ropes o’ rooftop hoppin’, n’ despite how easy Jet made it look, throughout the whole trip he had t’ catch me with every jump. He didn’t mind, though. He smiled at me every time he pulled me up. Eventually, we came t’ the last jump, n’ when Ah took it, he grabbed me as usual. This time, though, Ah tripped over his hoof n’ fell on top o’ him.

“Whoa! Hey there!” He got t’ laughin’, n’ so did Sprint. It won’t long before Ah joined in n’ wrapped my arms around him without thinkin’.

Ah whispered t’ him so Sprint wouldn’t hear. “Thanks, Jet. I owe ya one.” I kissed his cheek softly.

He blushed at me. “Fo’ what?”

Lookin’ at him made me smile. “Ah don’t think Ah ever forgot, yet you still reminded me o’ the true meanin’ o’ friendship.”

His head tilted. “Whatcha mean?”

Ah hit my forehead with my hoof. “We’ve known each other fer two days. You we’re bein’ friendly with me when we first met, n’ you’ve only bet gettin’ nicer n’ nicer.”

He grinned. “Well I’m glad ya think so. Come on, the Manor is right there.”

We climbed down, which was a bit harder than goin’ up, but Ah still managed. As we approached the door, Jet stopped.

“Go in without us, we’ll wait for you here.”

Ah nodded n’ went in t’ grab my saddlebags with the apples n’ money them. When Ah walked back out, Jet n’ Sprint pulled me into an alley.

“We can’t be seen here.” Jet told me.

Ah nodded n’ set the two apples down. “Alright, how can we split ‘em?” Ah was surprised t’ see Jet shake his head. “Jet? You ain’t gonna eat?”

He nodded. “Sprint needs it more than I do, an’ I got no authority over you since yo’ not official yet. You two eat, I’m fine.”

Sprint had no problems with it, but Ah was reluctant. “Jet, are ya sure? Ah ain’t got a problem with sharin’.”

The little filly nudged me. “Eat big sis. Once Big Bro makes a decision, you can’t talk him out of it.”

Ah saw Jet grin proudly n’ decided to give him an affectionate punch in the stomach. “Jet, you’re stupid. You’re a pony, too. Ya need t’ eat, so let me share with ya!”

He cringed when Ah hit him n’ nodded. “Okay... you win... I could use some food.”

Noddin’, Ah set the apple down n’ thought fer a minute. “Now how’re we gonna split it?”

“No problem, AJ, I got it.” A knife came out o’ the armband he was wearin’ n’ he used it t’ cut the apple in half. “Half fo’ me, half fo’ you, babe.” He picked it up n’ wolfed it down in one bite. “Delicious.”

Ah followed suit, tossin’ my half up in the air n’ catchin’ it in my mouth. Ah couldn’t help but notice Jet’s stare, so Ah tilted my head at him.

He tapped Sprint, who was already done eatin’. “Sprint, go on back, we’ll catch up.”

She jumped up n’ saluted in her normal adorable way n’ took off.

“Do ya think it’s a good idea t’ let her go off on her own?”

Jet nodded quickly. “She can handle ‘erself. If it were any other way, I wouldn’ta told ‘er to go.” His expression became serious, n’ Ah got slightly worried. “Applejack, the road ahead will not be easy. I want ya to know, if ya don’t think ya can do it, nopony will think any less of ya fo’ quittin’ out.”

Ah jumped up quickly n’ grabbed him. “Listen, Jet. Even it is gonna be hard, Ah can’t just go home n’ lay down at night knowin’ that Ah can make a difference here. Ah can help y’all change y’alls lives, n’ Ah’m gonna do it.”

His smile warmed my heart, but his words irritated me. He was so dense. “AJ... why are you helpin’ us?”

Ah couldn’t help but shake my head n’ smile at the same time. “Jet, you’re dumb. Learn t’ read a mare n’ maybe you’ll find out.” Ah got up n’ turned around, brushin’ his face with my tail. “Ah already told ya; Ah ain’t gonna sit around n’ do nothin’ while y’all are out here fightin’ fer your freedom. It just ain’t right.”

When Ah turned back, the look on his face was just... priceless. “So... yo’ doin’ this outta the kindness of yo’ heart, pretty much?”

Ah nodded. “Pretty much.”

My new friend clapped as he jumped up. “Well, what am I doin’ keepin’ ya waitin’? You can’t do nothin’ if yo’ not trained, let’s get to work!”

Hearin’ the excitement in his voice, Ah quickly nodded. “Let’s do it.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 6: Tips and Tricks Estimated time remaining: 16 Minutes