Forever Young (ch.5)

                                               By Schwartz

 

 

>Beep...Beep...Beep...

>You lay in a black abyss surrounded by the sounds of beeping.

>You don't remeber much before passing out, but one memory remains quite vivid.

>The sight of your employer shattering your arms with a single buck.

>Who knew she harbored such strength?

>You also think you saw Cheerilee.

>Shit.

>Is she okay?

>What did AJ do to her?!

>beep...BEEP...BEEP...

>The beeping is getting louder.

>It's hurting your ears.

>You can hear a heartbeat echo in the vast nothingness.

>It starts to speed up as the beeps get louder.

>You just want it to stop.

>There is a blinding light in the distance.

>Something is calling you. beckoning you closer.

>It's coming from the light.

>You crawl towards the light.

>It covers your vision as you get closer.

>Just a little more and you'll reach it...!

>You outstretch your hand towards and get engulfed by the sharp white glow.

>You close your eyes, or at least you think you closed them.

>You're not even sure you moved your arm towards the light.

>When the blinding flourescence dies down you find yourself in the bar.

>"Anon you turd! where have ya been?"

>You look to the location of the voice.

>A stallion stationed behind the bar counter waves to you.

>It's Bluey!

>Suddenly it all comes back to you.

>This is the bar where you first met Cheerilee.

>And that's what he said to you when you stepped inside.

>You inspect the area.

>The bar is empty save for a few ponies sitting at booths by themselves.

>It's eeriely quiet as well.

>you stroll to the nearest stool and take a seat.

>Bluey places a Mug in front of you.

>It's filled with a black liquid.

>You peer into it and scrunch your face up.

"What the hell is this goop blue?"

>You try to push the mug back towards him.

>he puts a hoof on it stopping your movement.

>"It's choice anon.Something you'll need to think hard about."

>You tilt your head in confusion.

"Exactly where am I and who exactly are you..?"

>Bluey smiles.

 

>He stands in front of you and leans on the countertop.

>"I'm gonna level with you Anon. You got messed up bud. Bad."

>You continue to look around at the unknown ponies sitting around the bar not moving.

>"Right now you're going in and out of shock from the damage you recieved. You might even die."

>That catches your attention.

"DIE?! From my arms being broken?!"

>He nods and shrugs.

>"Humans are fragile creatures bud. Taking such damage in a short amount of time will do that to ya."

>You bury your face in your hands.

"Fuck. Me."

>He puts a hoof on your shoulder.

>"It sucks, but that's why I'm here."

>You look up from your fingertips.

"Back to my first question. Who ARE you?"

>He puts a hoof to his chin.

>"The long version or the short?"

"Both."

>He looks at a clock on the wall over his alcohol cabinet.

>"We got time...okay. The short version is, is that I am a mental manisfestation of your inner psyche given a form you are familiar with."

>Your inner psyche is a bartender horse..

>"Think of it this way. Your brain and body are two seperate entities. You would be the body. I'm the brain. While we can think and act individually we still need each other."

>This shit is confusing.

"Uhm..okay.. give me the long."

>He clears his throat.

>"While back on earth I didn't have enough access to the other parts of me to become self-aware as a seperate body until we came to equestria. You remember when we met the princess and she tried that kooky memory spell?"

>You do. It fizzled out as soon as it hit you.

"Yeah. It was determined that magic doesn't work on me. I nullify it."

>He shakes his head.

>"That's not entirely true bud. Energy doesn't vanish. It has to go somewhere."

>You fold your arms.

>"Humans are conduits for magic. Not nullifiers. If it has no where to go or a way to be channeled we just absorb it."

>you're starting to understand things now.

"so that magic went to...you?"

>He nods in satisfaction.

 

>"It was enough to enable access to a higher percentage of your brain. We went from five percent to Seventy-five."

>Your jaw drops.

>You immediately hop off your stool and try to lift it with telekinesis.

>Bluey looks at you confused.

>"What the hell're you doing?"

>You furrow your brow in concentration.

"Psychic powers."

>He facehooves.

>"For the love of-- It doesn't work that way bud."

>You look from him to the stool and back again.

>You sigh defeated and go to sit back down.

>"I can't really communicate with you when you're conscious but I can only influence you through emotions and subtle actions. Have you felt like you've been maturing more lately but seem rude, crass, and inappropriate at other times?"

>You think.

>Actually..yeah you can remember times like he's described. especially now.

>"This bar was the first time those influences became more defined."

>You're confused again.

>"When you met that teacher you remember what you intended to do?"

"Yeah I was going to fuck her brains out back at my house."

>"but that's not what you said right?"

>You said...what did you say again?

>Bluey one-eighties on the bar leaning back on it.

>"Let me get to know you then."

>Holy shit. That was him?!

>He turns back to you and smirks.

>"Judging from your expression I'd say you're finally putting the pieces together."

>You look down at the shiny bar countertop.

" So I'm what..a puppet?"

>He shakes his head.

>"Nah...just more of a figurehead you could say. You make decisions that I overlook. If it's a good idea I'll let you do it, but if it's bad I try to suggest something more appropriate. Speaking of which, I kinda dropped the ball with AJ. sorry bud."

>Oi vey. your head is starting to hurt.

>"Now for the reason you're here-"

>You rub your hands on the sides of your head.

>"I want to ask you something. And offer you a choice."

>You close your eyes and sigh.

"Just...go ahead."

>He looks to one of the shadow ponies.

>The bar goes completely dark.

 

>A spotlight shines on the shadow pony.

>It's Applejack.

>You narrow your eyes in growing anger.

>He puts a hoof on your shoulder again.

>"Whoa bud! Calm down! It's not the real deal!"

>you focus your glare on him.

"Why are you showing me this then?"

>He looks back to AJ.

>She looks miserable. a small puddle of water rests on the table near her snout where it looks as if she's been crying.

>"You've known Applejack for a while now. Three years and some odd months right? What do you think of her?

>You purse your lips in thought.

"I'm pissed at her for attacking me...but, I don't hate her."

>"Do you love her?"

>This question catches you off guard.

>You never really stopped to consider this. You would usually just set it to the back of your mind.

>"You know that heavy air feeling you get when she's close? Or how a little kiss on the cheek made you feel like you wanted to go wild and jump her?"

>You nod.

"I do."

>Despite all the recent drama AJ still means a lot to you. perhaps as more than "family".

>The light fades from her and moves to another Shadow pony.

>It's Cheerilee this time.

>Her head is on the table staring off into nothingness.

>She looks just as miserable if not worse.

>"This mare..I'm going to be straight up with you. You're aren't attracted to her in the slightest."

>You double-take.

"What the hell do you mean? All this shit I've been going through for her and you tell me I'm not into her? I'm laid up in a fucking hospital bed with fucked up arms, and I'm not attracted to her? I had to listen to stories about Big Fags gayscapades and, I'm not into her?"

>He shrugs.

>"You're not bud. I am."

>You grimace at him baffled and slightly mad.

"Wha...wait..huh?"

>He looks at Cheerilee with caring eyes.

>"When you first laid eyes upon her I saw so much more than a one night stand. I saw potential for happiness. I saw a lonely, sad woman looking for that man to spark that passion long lost."

>Wow your brain is a real fag.

>He frowns at you.

 

>"I can hear everything you're saying you asshole."

>Ah. makes sense.

>He rubs his forehead with a hoof.

>He pushes the mug back to you.

>You look back into the black goop.

"So what is this then?"

>Right now I'm currently working overtime trying to keep you ticking with all the endorphins I'm shooting out."

>He looks back to the clock, and then back to you.

>"The choice is this. I purposely interfered with your love life out of my own selfish whims. I know you dig AJ and if you want to be with her I can accept that, whatever consequences may come bud. but-"

>He looks over to Cheerilee.

>"If you feel about her the same way I do then continue to try and clear up her insecurities and good name Anon. I'll support you as much as I can bud."

>you finger the mug making the black liquid to swish around.

"Then what the hell is this tar about?"

"If you choose AJ drinking this will keep me from interfering with any future decisions you make in the conscious world from here on bud.It'll be all you from now on."

"And If I don't drink it?"

>He grins with hopeful eyes.

>"We'll keep going as we have trying to help the mare of our dreams be happy finally."

>"Our" dreams huh.

>You eye the mug cautiously.

>You definitely have feelings for AJ. You wanted to kiss her, when you were on the bench.

>You know who it was that persuaded you to turn your head also.

>Cheerilee also is growing on you.

>She's suffered so much for the unbelievably cruel actions of another man.

>And continued to suffer with no one trying to get the truth or even speak to her.

>She had to put up with a no-good sister and a job where she doesn't feel like she'll go anywhere with it,

>Not to say AJ's problems are less.

>She's had feelings for you that were ignored for three long years.

>Forever chained to that apple farm to never seek out someone willing to spend the rest of her eternity there with.

>Until you.

>You mean a great deal to them both.

>What do you do?

>You pick up the mug and swish it's contents around.

>Bluey stares in anticipation at what you'll do.

>You sniff it like a wine-taster and casually toss it over your shoulder.

>He smiles from ear to ear and, looks at the clock.

>"Time to wake up bud. The lady's waiting on ya back home."

>Light begins to engulf the room.

>The image of the bar begins to fade, and all you can hear is a voice echoing in your head.

>"Thanks."

>Your eyes slowly flutter open.

>He was right. you are in the hospital. So it wasn't a crazy death dream.

>You give the room a quick once-over to the best of your ability.

>You notice the twin thick casts decorating your immobile arms laying at your sides.

>You look to your left.

>There lies a small table with a card on it.

>"Get well soon! I miss you !-Cheerilee".

>You want to "D'awww" but your everything is sore along with your arms.

>Your bed is pushed up near a window to your right.

>The sun is blindingly radiant today as numerous Ponies mull about again with their day.

>"--in room 305. She has to have her wing bone reset and-"

>Two ponies enter your room. One being a balding unicorn stallion in glasses and a white coat and the other Nurse Redheart.

>Redheart glances your way and pokes the doctor who desists his talking.

>"Ah! Anonymous you're up!"

>He trots over to you with a clipboard in his magic hold with the nurse in tow.

>"You took quite the beating young man. Do you know where you are?"

>You nod in silence.

>"Good. good. Your arms are in bad shape but we managed to put them back together despite the lacking knowledge of human anatomy."

>The Nurse begins to check you IV.

>He pulls a picture of a griffin skeleton from his clipboard.

>"You humans have bones like griffins..right?"

>Your heart rate goes up in panic.

"Y-you used a griffin's skeleton as the basis for resetting my arms?!"

>He stares for a long while, while you begin to seethe in fury.

>He let's out a long laugh.

>"I'm just kidding with you son! Hohohohohoh!"

>You grit your teeth in silent aches as she wraps her hooves around your neck.

>"I was so worried Anon! Sweet Celestia I thought you weren't going to make it!"

> You smile, wincing slightly.

"Thank you Cheery. I heard it was you who saved my life."

>She grins at you with caring eyes and looks back to Shining Armor who nods and steps forward.

>"Anonymous. Long time no see bro."

>You smile back.

"It has been a while. How is the missus?"

>He takes a spot next to Cheerilee.

>"Cranky, and emotional! but that's what happens when you become a mother. You should come by and visit someday Anon. I'm sure she'd love to see you."

>While Cadence is trippin pony balls? Not likely.

"I'll...consider it."

>You both let out a laugh.

>Cheerilee removes a leg from around the back of your neck and lays one on your chest.

>It's like she doesn't want to let you go. It's really cute.

>Your Painful laughter fit ends as Shining's face takes on a more serious tone.

>"You know why I'm here though..right?"

>You nod.

>"The both of you were attacked by an element of harmony according to Cheerilee's testimony and a parent of one of the fillies that attends the school."

>She looks into your eyes searching your face for something.

>You just listen intently without saying a word.

>"Applejack was released from the hospital already but remains in Guard custody until further notice. I wanted to ask you if you'd like to press charges."

>Cheerilee hasn't stopped staring at you.

>"I wanted to wait to see what you wanted to do Anon."

>You smile at her.

>She was attacked and presumably battered by AJ and yet she was more worried about you than angry with Applejack.

"Do you trust me Cheery?"

>She nods frantically.

>"With my life!"

>You smile and turn to SA.

"I don't want to press charges against her. Let her go."

>Shining's jaw drops.

>Cheerilee looks to him as well

>"The same goes for me. I don't wish to press charges either."

>She nuzzles you under your chin.

>Sweet baby jesus the pain!

>He brings a hoof to his head in incredulous disbelief.

>"Are you sure? I mean she did a number on you both! It wouldn't be a problem!"

>You both nod in unison.

>"Really? You absolutely sure? It's okay if you want to!"

>This is getting weird. SA really has an axe to grind with AJ it seems.

"I'm sure man..are you okay?"

>He furrows his brow and looks away.

>"We haven't arrested anypony in months man. It's boring!"

>Wow. Guess Equestria is more peaceful than you thought.

>You let out a pained chuckle.

"It's okay Shiney I get ya. but I've made my mind. She won't learn her lesson from the confines of a jail cell."

>He processes your words and shrugs.

>"I suppose. Well then, I'll head back and give you two some alone time."

>He magically brands your left arm cast with his Cutie mark and leaves the room waving to you both.

>The door slowly clicks shut leaving you with The Schoolteacher of Ponyville.

>Silence passes between you both.

>"This is a pretty weird first date."

>You both snigger.

>This is the only time you've been alone together since the love poison incident.

" I'm sorry Cheery. It seems we both got drama in this dysfunctional relationship of ours."

>She looks at you agahst.

>"Nonsense! Our relationship is anything but dysfuctional! It just needs some ironing out is all."

>She smiles and eskimo kisses you.

>You motion to the card on the desk.

"So how often did you come here while I was on vacation?"

>She looks confused for a moment, but then gets the reference.

>"I came by everyday from the opening visiting hours to close!"

"What about work?"

>"Administrative leave."

>Is there a ponyville teachers board?

>May have to ask about that.

"So how're you holding up? Must've been rough on you."

>Cheerilee thinks to herself.

>"I'm fine. as long as you're alive.."

>You look into each other's eyes for a moment.

>Her cheeks suddenly turn red and she looks away.

>"Can I ask a favor of you anonymous?"

>You blink.

"sure?"

>"She breathes hard.

>"Can I kiss you?"

>You stare wide-eyed at Cheerilee.

>This is unusual coming from her.

"Sure if you want..just be careful of the damage..I guess."

>She looks at you out the corner of her eye and leans in slowly taking care not to harm you.

>She closes her eyes and makes contact with your mouth.

>It's just a delicate drawn out peck but you can feel the emotion behind it.

>You decide to close your eyes to try and make the moment more authentic for her.

>Her lips quiver, still in contact with yours.

>Her nasally breathing turns a bit more sensual as she leans in closer.

>The soft peck becomes a deepened kiss as her mouth opens wider to take more of your lips in.

>You respond by following suit and in mere moments your tongues begin to dance in each other's openings.

>You feel a tingle in your lower half.

>At least he's not broken.

>"Mmm..!"

>She let's out a throaty moan into your mouth, meshing saliva with you in unrestricted desire.

>She's getting a bit rough and it hurts but right now you don't care. And you suspect a certain muscle in your head doesn't either.

>She licks the roof of your mouth and trails her tongue over every inch of your teeth.

>She breaks the kiss with her tongue flopping out with a trail of drool connecting you both before dispersing in the wind of her heavy panting.

>" It's...It's just like the romance books said!"

>You're breathing hard too, mixed between pleasure and pain.

"What else...did those...books tell you..?"

>You stare into her face rosy-cheeked and mildly perspirating.

>Her eyes trail down to your obvious bulge poking up in the blanket covering you.

>"Well..."

>Your temples twitch in arousal.

>"I don't plan to give up myself until marriage.."

>She seductively looks at you.

>"..but I know other things we can do.."

>She licks her lips suggestively.

>hoo boy.

>It starts to feel a lot more stuffy and the window is open.

>She slowly starts to move your blanket off your waist with her teeth.

>"Are you ready for a lesson Anon?"

 

>You gulp down a ball of anxiousness in your throat.

>She moves the blanket down to your knees and giggles at the bump in your Hospital gown.

>You clear your throat nervously and follow cheerilee's every move.

>She locks eyes with you smiling deviously.

>"This will be a date you won't ever forget Anonymous."

>She nonchalantly flips your gown over with a hoof not looking away from yo-

>"Heeey Anon! It's me again!"

>The unicorn doctor from earlier suddenly slides in through the door.

>"I just came to tell you that you can be released today as long as you keep those arms in--"

>He's reading from a clipboard but drops it when he witnesses the scene about to unfold before him.

>Cheerilee has her mouth wide open and is hovering above your erection.

>she's freezes in place and stares at the Unicorn.

>You sit there looking at him as well with a sheepish embarassed grin.

>He looks between you two awkwardly.

>You both look to each other and back to him.

>he clears his throat.

>"....and here I thought Ponies were Vegetarians."

>Fucking Doctor.

>after signing some papers with Cheerilee's help and some awkward jokes from a certain cock-blocking Unicorn you were released back into the colorful town of Ponyville once more.

>Via Wheelchair of course.

>Cheerilee gently pushes you in the direction of--not your house.

>You lean back and look at her.

"Hey..uhm..where are we going?"

>She grins not taking her eyes off of what's in front of you.

>"My place."

>okay. that answers that.

"And why are we going to your place?"

>She chuckles.

>"Because you can't take care of yourself with those manhled limbs of yours can you? Unless you've somehow sprouted a unicorn horn and mastered Telekinesis."

>I got a unicorn horn that sprouted for you baby.

>You feel a slight pressure in the back of your skull.

"Fair enough. Plus, I get the feeling If I was to go home I would be getting some unwanted company."

>Her smile falters.

>"I'm sorry Anon..I probably ruined your life didn't I?

>You roll your eyes at her absurdity.

"Tooootally. You fought my crazy lovesick boss over me, saved my life and quite possibly gave me a new fetish. My life is FUCKED."

>She shakes her head at your poor sarcasm and smiles.

"And look at it this way. We'll now have way more time to get associated with each other."

>There was a little more than a bit of innuendo in that statement.

>Cheerilee blushes and grins

>"Oh? Then maybe I'll have you write me an essay on today's lesson."

>You start to feel that tingle again.

"Can't write on what you didn't finish teaching me Ms. Cheerilee."

>The Wheelchair suddenly feels like it's moving a bit faster.

>"Mmm. You're right. We should remedy that."

>She licks her lips again staring off into the distance with her eyes lowered.

>You take a deep breath once more and, fidget in your seat to try to accomodate your growing Flesh pillar.

"So uhm...were you always this spontaneous?"

>She shakes her head.

>"When I was younger. I did a lot of crazy things as a Teenager going into my young adult years."

>this is interesting.

"Go on..."

>She chuckles and blushes.

>"I once went down on this stallion in the middle of our chemistry class in college."

>Wait..should this be arousing you?

>"You could say he was "overflowing with knowledge" afterwards."

>You breath out loudly again with a jolly expression.

"That was awful."

>"And you love me for it."

>This side of Cheerilee..relaxed and impulsive. You adore this side of her.

"What calmed you down to the point you wanted a stable life?"

>She smiles and kisses the back of your head.

>"At some point I got tired of the partying and nonsense. I wanted something I could hold onto forever and not just in a fleeting moment of excitement...you know?"

>You nod in agreement.

>"I just kinda woke up one day and looked at myself in the mirror and wondered what I've become. I just wish another Pony I know would do that herself."

>Oh yeah.

>You didn't tell her about Berry yet.

 

>You roll your eyes at her absurdity.

"Tooootally. You fought my crazy lovesick boss over me, saved my life and quite possibly gave me a new fetish. My life is FUCKED."

>She shakes her head at your poor sarcasm and smiles.

"And look at it this way. We'll now have way more time to get associated with each other."

>There was a little more than a bit of innuendo in that statement.

>Cheerilee blushes and grins

>"Oh? Then maybe I'll have you write me an essay on today's lesson."

>You start to feel that tingle again.

"Can't write on what you didn't finish teaching me Ms. Cheerilee."

>The Wheelchair suddenly feels like it's moving a bit faster.

>"Mmm. You're right. We should remedy that."

>She licks her lips again staring off into the distance with her eyes lowered.

>You take a deep breath once more and, fidget in your seat to try to accomodate your growing Flesh pillar.

"So uhm...were you always this spontaneous?"

>She shakes her head.

>"When I was younger. I did a lot of crazy things as a Teenager going into my young adult years."

>this is interesting.

"Go on..."

>She chuckles and blushes.

>"I once went down on this stallion in the middle of our chemistry class in college."

>Wait..should this be arousing you?

>"You could say he was "overflowing with knowledge" afterwards."

>You breath out loudly again with a jolly expression.

"That was awful."

>"And you love me for it."

>This side of Cheerilee..relaxed and impulsive. You adore this side of her.

"What calmed you down to the point you wanted a stable life?"

>She smiles and kisses the back of your head.

>"At some point I got tired of the partying and nonsense. I wanted something I could hold onto forever and not just in a fleeting moment of excitement...you know?"

>You nod in agreement.

>"I just kinda woke up one day and looked at myself in the mirror and wondered what I've become. I just wish another Pony I know would do that herself."

>Oh yeah.

>You didn't tell her about Berry yet.

 

>You feel a bit uneasy.

>The last time you were about to reveal a horrible truth of a family member to a pony well..

>Best to test the waters first.

"Did you and her ever talk about what I told you?"

>She frowns a bit.

>"Yes.."

>Must still be touchy.

>"It got rocky.Really rocky. I had to chase her out with a knife."

>Oooh..boy.

>Your boner starts to shrink.

"What..uh..what happened?"

>Cheerilee went on to explain how she woke up feeling happy after you walked her home. How Berry came in smelling of booze and Males and how she demanded her breakfast. The argument and how she was chased out from her home.

"So that must've been when I ran into her. right after you--"

>Shit.

>Cheerilee stops the wheelchair.

>"You ran into her? What happened? Did she do something or say something to you?"

>You shake your head.

"It was just something stupid. nothing I couldn't handle."

>She looks at you for a long while and continues pushing your chair.

>"I trust you so I won't ask for details..but don't hide things like that from me Anon."

>You nod and she continues to push you along the trail in relative silence.

>You hope this doesn't come back to bite you in the ass, but you'd be stupid to hope that won't happen.

>After a few moments of painstaking silence you finally reached Cheerilee's home behind the school house.

>You'd only heard about it in the various stories told to you.

>She stops your chair in front of the door.

>"welcome to your new temporary home anon. It's not much but I hope you'll come to like it!"

>She moves around you to open the entryway.

>You smile and try to stand with little sucess.

>These casts are fucking heavy!

>You fall back into your chair.

>You feel pressure in the back of your head again.

>There's something you should be asking Cheerilee.

>But it eludes you at the moment.

She retakes her spot behind you and pushes you in.

>It'll come to you later.

>You hope.

Chapter end.