Chapter 37

Celestia continued to enjoy the picnic with the elements of harmony, laughing as Rainbow Dash kept telling jokes every time the conversations began to dwindle. Spike was talking to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle whilst Nox and Applebloom sat together behind a tree

“So do ya really mean that?” Applebloom smiled as Nox nervously tapped his hooves together. The earth pony rested against the alicorn as the sun began to descend

“W-well yeah, I mean we both like each other” Nox gave a reassuring smile, his face burned red as Applebloom rubbed her face under his chin

The yellow filly giggled as Nox struggled to act casual, “But wouldn’t ya like it if we kept this secret?” Applebloom turned away slightly as her hooves felt for the bow in her mane. “I ain’t special in anyway, it might make ya look bad”

Nox wrapped his wing around Applebloom as he pulled her closer again, a small blush still spread across his face. “You might not look special to anypony else but to me you are the most precious pony I have met”

Applebloom blushed before leaning forwards and kissing Nox’s cheek, causing him to blush even redder and pass out from shock. The filly giggled at the colt until she realized he was not playing and had actually fainted

The ponies all began to pack their food away and gather the children up as they yawned from the day’s events. Nox managed to recover before Celestia calmly walked over and knocked the tree politely to gain the attention of Nox and Applebloom

“Come on Nox, we had better get going if we want to get back to Canterlot in time for dinner” The princess looked down at the cuddling pair as her eyes opened dramatically. “But if you want to wait a few minutes then that is fine with me”

Celestia quietly retreated as Nox and Applebloom laughed briefly until Nox broke the growing silence. “I might not see you for a while… I kinda don’t want to leave you”

“I know what ya mean,” Applebloom sighed sadly. “I would have liked to have spent a bit more time with you”

Nox scratched his chin, humming as Applebloom rested her head against him. “Well I could see if my mom will let you come with us… but I doubt I would be allowed”

“Well… why don’t ya stay at my family’s farm tonight?” Applebloom looked up hopefully as Nox nodded in agreement. “Granny Smith made a pie that will be too much for just me an the rest of my family ta eat alone”

The grey colt stood up in determination as he followed the earth pony over to Celestia and Applejack. Applebloom smiled sweetly as she neared the pair, “Is it ok if I can have somepony sleep over?”

Applejack smiled in response as she placed a hoof around her sister. “Sure ya can, is it Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo or both?”

Applebloom gave Nox one final smile before looking back up at her smiling sister. “I was wondering if Nox could stay over”

Applejack’s relaxed posture suddenly tensed up as she bowed in front of Celestia. “W-well it would be fine with me as long as your majesty has no objections”

“Of course not!” Celestia smiled as a sly smirk suddenly spread across her face. “It would give me some time alone with Dave when he returns”

Applebloom and Nox smiled happily as they moved back to each other’s side. Applebloom nuzzled against Nox’s crimson cheek as she sighed happily. “I can’t wait til Granny Smith meets my very special somepony!”

“That sure does sound lovely Applebloo…” Applejack stopped mid-sentence as her eyes slowly moved to look at her little sister. Her eyes darted between the filly and colt as her jaw dropped and she turned to Celestia

All the other girls also had shocked expressions until they changed to various smiles. Pinkie’s smile was clearly larger than everypony else’s as she began to plan a party. Spike exchanged glances with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo before lookin at Celestia to listen for her response

Celestia looked around and saw that all eyes had turned to her, the hopeful grins made her roll her eyes as she looked down at Applebloom. “If Nox give you any trouble, don’t hesitate to tell me” she winked as she took flight into the air and left Nox with Applebloom

…

Applejack pushed open the door to the house as she stepped in and began to look for Granny Smith, her two followers closed the door as they walked into the living room. Applebloom sat on the sofa and watched Nox observe his surroundings

The living room was large and had an apple green sofa along the far wall, a wooden rocking chair beside it. The curtains were closed so no moonlight shone in through the windows, only the lamps on the walls filled the room with light

Applebloom rested her head on Nox’s shoulder as she clutched one of his hooves. “So do ya like my home?”

“Yeah!” Nox smiled with enthusiasm as he nuzzled Applebloom’s head. “I can’t believe how big the farm is!”

“Well I usually help my sister and brother during my days off school” Applebloom sighed as she rested her eyes

Applejack stormed back into the room with a slightly annoyed frown. “Nox, would you like some apple pie?”

“Yes please” He smiled until Applejack’s flustered attitude got his attention. “Is something wrong?”

“Mah big dumb brother finally showed up” Applejack groaned as Big Mac walked into the room, his eyes looked tired as a frail old mare followed him in and continued to mutter in annoyance. “Nox, this is Granny Smith”

Nox walked over to the old pony and smiled as nicely as he could. “It is nice to meet you Granny Smith” he stared curiously as Granny Smith leaned closer and began poking him in random places

“Oh he is one of them royal types!” Granny Smith sighed heavily as she sat down in her rocking chair. “Forgive me if I can’t bow like a spring chicken any more”

Nox chuckled, “I don’t expect any royal treatment or anything special” He nervously shuffled his hooves, “Actually I have asked Applebloom to be my very special somepony”

“Oh?” Granny Smith lowered her gaze to the colt. “Well if ya try any hanky panky with my granddaughter I will leave ya more broken than an apple with worms!” she glared menacing at the alicorn

Applejack placed a hoof over her mouth as Big Mac groaned, “Trust Dave’s kid ta get into trouble”

Nox walked back over to Applebloom and held her hoof as he looked back at the elderly mare. “I intend to make Applebloom happy and I will never do anything to hurt her or her family”

Granny Smith glared before breaking out into a raspy laugh, her rocking chair sprung to life with every chuckle. “Good! It’s about time somepony in this family is managing to grab somepony nice”

Applebloom blushed as Nox sat next to her, making sure she managed to get a good grip on his hoof again before resting her head in its usual spot

Meanwhile…

Dave, Shining Armour and Strong Shield all got off the train as it rolled into Canterlot train station. The captain of the guard said his goodbyes before walking back to his home and his inevitable encounter with his wife

“So what was this I heard about you hitting it off with a Pegasus?” Dave smirked as he placed his hands in his trenchcoat pockets

Strong Shield rolled his eye, “We were all drugged and I may have accidentally slept with Flux,” he grumbled as Dave swapped between happy and confused

“I thought you hated her and the big fellow?” Dave slowed his pace as Strong Shield paused to yawn

“I don’t hate them, I just hate the ideals they follow, chasing after a dead ponies failed science project,” The black unicorn shook his head. “Martial law is not the same as peace”

Dave shrugged in agreement, “I am not really sure what happened all those years ago, but I know that it changed you”

“Yeah, I used to be a lot more open and caring,” Strong Shield closed his eye for a brief moment before opening it to look up at Dave. “Flux, Battering Ram and I were all chosen because we were supposed to have a range of skills that would have allowed us to complete objectives easily”

“What kind of places did you all come from?” Dave asked as they began walking towards the castle. The few lights in the castle were a welcoming sight for Dave and Strong Shield

“Well I did the odd jobs that nopony else did, tried to be a good citizen of Equestria,” he sighed as he looked at his hooves. “Battering Ram was a farmer that came into the city to take part in underground, bare-hoof boxing, which he always won”

Dave chuckled, “When he is twice the size of your enemy then I suppose he has an advantage,” Dave’s laugh was wasted as Strong Shield continued to stare at the floor

“Flux was a pickpocket and thief,” He groaned, “She was orphaned from birth and always depended on herself”

“I thought you were an orphan as well?” Dave raised an eyebrow as he stepped into the castle courtyard

Strong Shield nodded, “But I was almost a teenager by the time I saw my father die”

Dave and Strong Shield remained silent until they were inside the castle halls before saying their farewells and walking in opposite directions towards their respective bedrooms. Dave had to drag himself up the long stairs as he made his way towards Celestia’s quarters

Dave hesitated going inside as he noticed the guards outside were relaxing with newspapers and their ears had yellow earplugs firmly equipped. The hesitant human nodded to them before creeping into the room and closing the door behind him

Dave closed the door gently before turning around and freezing on the spot. The room was filled with lit candles that made a large ring around the bed. Celestia was reclining across the bed, her mane wet as she held a rose between her teeth

The white alicorn levitated the rose out of her mouth as she smiled seductively. “So my brave adventurer has returned from his quest?”

Dave’s mind went into autopilot as he began walking towards the alicorn. “Yes milady, I hath slain the foul beast and have returned to your service”

Celestia smirked as she rolled to the edge of the bed, her wet mane clung to her body and enhanced her curves. “But a true princess must reward her knight properly”

Dave smiled, “That is true but I think that…”

“Shut up and get on the bed” Celestia glared, “I have been worried sick and have not had any decent physical contact with you for a while!” She narrowed her eyes until Dave nervously sat down and began undressing. “Now make sure you do your best and I might overlook the fact you disappeared for no reason again”

Dave sighed, “Listen I’m sorry about that, I promise I will…” he held Celestia’s hoof gently as he smiled

“Did I say stop?” Celestia licked her lips in anticipation as Dave finally removed his shirt

“This is almost rape”

“It’s your duty to make me happy" The white alicorn rose an eyebrow as Dave shrugged

"Well couldn't I bake you a cake?"

Celestia tapped her chin, "You can do that later"