And he knew what he'd tell Leaf. It was the truth all the way through. This was for her safety. If she were an alicorn, she'd be as strong as he was. He was sick of people trying to take her away, and if she were with him, he swore that would never happen. He knew Leaf would hate him, but he was willing to trade hate from Leaf in return for Brisk to be safe. Maybe Leaf wouldn't mind...after all, if he hates me, who else is going to rule the places like the EverFree forest? Bolt didn't have the power to do that, but Leaf did. It had to be done, and if she said no...well maybe Leaf could run off with her, and they'd both be done with him forever...
Narrowleaf finally found a store. A faded sign hung from a chain. He went inside and found the perfect gem. He hesitated to smash open the glass case, but did it anyways. After breaking it, he quickly ripped some bandages from his side and wrapped his hoof up. He grabbed the box holding it and ran, back to the palace.
Bolt was phased...she didn't answer...in fact, she flew off. He had to tell Leaf...where was he anyway? "Well...she's, uh...hard to get." He said to himself. Fluttershy smacked the back of his head with her hoof. "Ow! What the hell, mom?" "Don't EVER insult a mare. EVER!" "Okay..." He said, rubbing his head. He went to the Royal Announcement System, which he made by putting a bunch of megaphones in close proximity to one another and spoke "Narrowleaf, your presence at the Palace of Fire in Ponyville is requested. Now!"
Narrowleaf dashed up the castle stairs, holding the box in his mouth. He bucked the doors down and said, "Brisk... I–I..." He growled. "DAMMIT!! I love you, Brisk... And I want... to prove it..." He was trembling, fighting back tears.
Bolt turned to him. "One, I'm sure she knows, two, I'm sure she thinks we're both jokes, and three, she didn't answer me. She just...left. Why does she do this to us man...why can't she break this wall between the three of us?" Bolt asked Leaf.
”It's the end of civilization. Of course she's unstable. So are we... And I've always been sensitive.” Narrowleaf responded, as calm and serious as he could possibly be.
"Well...for now, I need you to come with me...we have some work to do. If I'm going to call you my brother, we better at least have you look the part. Oh, stupid me...you probably don't want to be an alicorn freak like I am...I got selfish, I mean flying's fun, but it's so lonely when you're the only alicorn or pegasus around. Do you want wings, Leaf?" Bolt asked, shoving Brisk out of his thoughts.
"No. I'm fine being me. I just want to be the Apple I am. Just the big pile of stupid emotions I am. I... Don't need to be something I'm not. Nor should you." Narrowleaf replied, as brave as he could be. "I only think the old Royals are heartless freaks. This is a new Equestria."
"I'm saying that if I could I would fly with you. But I can't. And... Just because if one of us is rejected, or both, doesn't make us losers." Narrowleaf was shaking.
Bolt went over and hugged Narrowleaf. "You're like a brother to me and I hate seeing you like this. Let me show you your guest room while you stay at my humble abode." Bolt said, laughing at the last part. "I'm going to invite Applejack, too. I still feel bad about what I did. Don't tell her, but Sweet Apple Acres is getting a lot of new equipment. It should be there soon." Bolt said. "So don't worry. I'm gonna make life good again. I promise."
"Fine. But you dare lose your cool, and lay a single hoof on Brisk, I will kill you. You touch my ma, and I will kill you, got it?!!" Narrowleaf kept as calm as he could saying this. "You guys are all I have. And if I lose one, i'd be willing to kill."
Bolt walked away. "If you really think I'm still that much of a monster...you're the blind one here. Your room is the one in front of you...I'm not sure how much I want to talk to you anymore. It's clear that you don't have any faith in me at all. I'll talk to you...when you can trust me, Leaf. I'm gonna go talk to my mother. She'll know how to calm me down." Bolt said, tears running from his eyes, his head hung low, and his mane no longer glowing a happy orange color.
"Bolt... I didn't mean it... like that... You are not a monster. But if ya'll are going to rule us, you need to calm down." Narrowleaf was also in tears. "O-Or else we will fall. J-J-Just like Old Equestria..."
Bolt turned around. "I have a lot to deal with right now...and I can't tell you about it, because you made a decision not to have wings and now I'm the only one here who can deal with the threat moving in on my palace. I'm sorry for being so uptight. It's hard to relax when the fate of everything is on your shoulders. I forgive you. And if you want to hear what I'm dealing with, I'll be happy to tell you.
"Bolt... I... I'm... going to pass out... too... much blood. I... want you... to leave the... shards in... show Brisk... what i'd... do..." Narrowleaf dropped to the ground. "Hurry... I'm c-cold..."
"What shards? There's nothing wrong with you?!?! You've been worrying me, Leaf...I thin-" Bolt cut himself off as he saw that the gem Leaf brought for Brisk was now in pieces in his body. "What the hell did you do to yourself? Brisk isn't even here! You can impale yourself again when she gets back, but for now, take this!" He said, blasting Leaf with his most powerful healing spell. "Since when was this a time to jack around? The Shadowbolts are coming, and...agh! Forget this! I-" Bolt was interrupted by a crack of lightning. "Damnit. DAMNIT! Why do these things happen at the worst times?!?!" He yelled, horn pointed at the shy
