Note from me: Heyo peeps, sorry bout the delay I kinda got hooked onto an anime called Little Witch Academia and have started a fanfiction starring Amanda O'Neill and an OC. And just been on a roll with chapters up to 8 done in 2-3 weeks lol. So decided to take a break from it to get the next chapter of this out. So thanks for sticking around and hope you enjoy. Also PonyLoco like to thank you for the review :3 would of messaged ya but your account in Anon but anyway on with the fanfic 2-3 chapter left cause the conclusion is coming!

A Locked Jewel

Chapter 10: Returning Home

"I can still use you…"

"HM!" A young man shot up in bed, his breathing heavy. His dull amber eyes quickly scanned the dark bedroom several times, his mind on high alert. Though after a few minutes his breathing returned to normal as he relaxed a bit, bringing his hand to his forehead. It felt clammy, bringing his hand in front of his face he could faintly make out the drops of sweat as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"J-Just a dream…" He choked out, lowered his hand to his lap his eyes moved to the sleeping mare beside him. As he watched her for a moment he could see a strand of her bed head mane covering her peaceful face, reaching over he carefully brushed the hair into the mess of her mane. As he did the mare moved a bit her face trying to get closer to his hand, with a small smile he gently caressed her cheek.

"Miss. Rarity." He whispered softly, leaning down he softly placed a single kiss on her cheek. Careful not to wake her he pulled away and climbed out of bed slowly, as his feet touched the soft floor he noticed a lack of clothing around his lower half. A small blush pulled at his cheeks as he remembered what happened before he fell asleep with Rarity in bed.

"Oh…yeah." He whispered to himself, looking around quickly he could make out the messy fabric table. The cloth that once covered it were on the floor now, some of that was from her striking him. The other part well was from there… horsing around.

Eventually finding his pants she had took off him earlier, he pulled them on and crept around the floor to the door. Slipping out soundlessly he moved in the direction of the bathroom, as he reached it he flicked the lights on. Blinding him momentarily he slammed his eyes shut.

"Buck.." He mumbled, rubbing his closed eyes several times to try and push the pain away he blinked a few times. Finally getting used to the blinding lights he moved to the sink, turning it on full blast with cold water. The water gushed out into the sink, sending droplets everywhere along the edges. Slowly reaching into the cold water he waited till the water turned ice cold, cupping his hands under it he threw the water onto his face. Repeating this once more he kept his hands there for a moment longer before removing them, grasping the sink he looked into his reflection in the mirror.

"Jaaasper~" A voicing inside his mind spoke, his eyes widen in panic as his eyes saw a pair of emerald green eyes staring back at him. His reflection stared back at him with a sick smile on its face, his own voice was locked away as he could only stare at the sick smiling version of himself in horror.

"Bucking an innocent mare while the world suffers? How unlike you." The voice teased, Jasper gripped the sink trying to steady himself. "What you created is out there and you're just standing there without a care in the world~" The voice continued its teases, growing more and more darker.

"And here I thought you'd come pla-" The voice was cut off as Jasper slammed his fist into the glass creating a spider web cracks along the glass. The face twisted around creating multiple version of himself in each of the shards, the smile growing even darker on all their faces.

"Now now Jasper you can't hide from what's inside you~" The voices said all in union, Jasper kept his fist against the glass. As he did small drops of blood slipped into the cracks of the mirror, one of the reflections pulled their own fist to its face licking the blood that seemed to be on them.

"Yessss what's in your blood, what you created to destroy the world~ Come, come home and finish what you started…. I'll be seeing you real soooooooon…." All the faces vanished at once, as they did Jasper finally removed his bleeding hand from the mirror. Feeling himself grow weak his knees gave out from below him, his own hand held the sink as he sank to his knees. Placing his forehead against the cold sink, he was burning up…

"Comet…" He whispered, closing his eyes lightly as he tried to collect his thoughts. 'I hope you're waiting you bastard… I'm coming home.' He thought, snapping his eyes opened he forced himself up to his feet. Grabbing a towel that hung beside the sink he began tearing a piece off, wrapping it snuggly around his hand to keep his wound from bleeding. And then closing his fist on the loose fabric to keep it secured.

"Should heal soon…" He said, leaving the bathroom with his blood in the cracks of the mirror he moved quietly back to bedroom. He needed to pack, as he slipped into the bedroom he saw Rarity right where he left her sound asleep. A small smile formed on his lips, but as quick as it came it was gone.

'I wish I could stay here… with you forever.' He thought, by Celestia did he wish he could stay. But he had to finish what he started all those years ago, taking a deep breath to steady himself he moved to the fabric table. Rarity had only managed to finished the shoes and pants he request before they well started bucking.

It would do he thought, taking off the old pants he was wearing he folded them up and placed them on the table. He then grabbed a pair of boxers, pulling them on then his black almost tactical military pants. They fit just right not that he doubted her abilities, he then slipped on the rubber shoes. Once again they fit just right, now what to use for a top? Searching through the clothing she had made in the past, most of it was formal shirts. He was going to the final fight of his life not a ball, it took some time but he finally found it. A dark grey tank top, or as close to a tank top as possible.

"This will do." He said to himself, slipping it on quickly he tucked it into his pants. Then grabbing a belt he had for his pants, fastening that on quickly he was dressed for war… though he wasn't ready just yet… He needed a few more things. One the satchel bag Rarity made him, which didn't take long since it was with the clothing. Next some spare cloth just in case of wounds, so he grabbed some white fabric from the table. Cutting it into strips with a pair of scissors, only the sound of snipping could be heard in the bedroom.

After making a dozen strips of fabric he slipped them into his back, the rest of the stuff he'd need was downstairs. So taking one last look at the sleeping mare that only a few hours ago he made love to he couldn't help but feel his heart strings being tugged. One telling him to stay with her… the other telling him he needed to do this for her…

"I… need to finish this…" He mumbled, moving to the sleeping mare he crouched down beside the bed edge she was closest to. Reaching out he softly caressed her cheek, a small smile forming on his face once again though this time he allowed it.

"Rarity… So many things to say. And not enough time to say it without risking waking you up.." He started to say to her, he took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing. "The first.. thank you for saving my life and… thank you showing me love. I honestly didn't plan for any of this, I never planned to fall for you. And I never planned to save anypony while I was here… But I did." He paused once again as she stirred a bit, but continued to sleep soundly. Sighing as he worried she might have woken up.

"I'm glad I saved Sweetie Belle, I'm glad you kissed me, I'm glad I got to feel friendship, and most of all… I…" He struggled with the words for a second, bracing himself he continued. "I love you Rarity… I should have said it sooner. I shouldn't have fought this love that you created inside me… I was scared. I loved someone once before… then they were stolen from me… again. I was scared to love you only for somepony else to steal you from me… that's why I must go. I must finish what I started, take care of yourself. And don't be scared to love another… I'm sorry I couldn't be your Prince Charming… I hope you find them someday, take care of Sweetie Belle…" He whispered softly, leaning in he softly kissed her lips one last time. She returned the gesture with a small kiss but didn't wake up as he pulled away.

"Goodbye, I love you…" He said one last time before pushing himself up, walking around the bed he grabbed the satchel and threw it over his shoulder. Then picked up his glasses from the floor since he lost them when Rarity knocked them off, slipping them on his vision became clear. Moving toward the door he grasped the handle as he went to open the door a voice behind him called out…

"Don't…go…." They said, turning slowly in place he looked back at the still sleeping mare. As he slowly opened the bedroom door he could faintly make out tears forming in her sleeping eyes. Freezing in place he stared at the tears for a moment, a strong desire to wipe them away filled him. But he didn't, he knew if he did… he'd never leave her. Taking a shaky breath, he pulled the door fully opened and slipped out the bedroom.

"I'm sorry…" He whispered softly before closing the door, the desire to go back to her didn't fade. He needed to leave, he couldn't look back if he did he'd never leave again. Walking away from his peaceful life he moved downstairs, to the couch in the living room. Getting to it he got down on one knee and reached under the couch. Feeling around he could feel a small hole in it, slipping his hand inside he grasped something hard.

"Good…" He said, pulling the object out of the hole looking at it. It was a small crystal; the very crystal he had stolen from the guards he beat down in the Everfree Forest. It had grown quiet since the attack, which meant either they knew he stole it and switched to new ones. Or that they had stopped searching for him, either way it could still be helpful.

Slipping it into his bag he looked towards the door. "Now.. the ring." He said, moving to the front door he paused once more. Looking around the boutique one more time, he was throwing away his peace. His happiness, just to end all this madness. But it must be done he knew that, as much as he hated to know it…

He then left the boutique; he left the peace and he left his love behind. Ponyville was quiet as ever not a single soul was out thankfully, it made moving around easier for him as he snuck to the library. Which it didn't take long since he didn't need to hide, though when he did arrive he could see the lights on.

"Weird." Jasper mumbled, Twilight wasn't the type to be up late at night unless studying. Or reading, researching… okay maybe it wasn't that weird. But he couldn't help feeling uneasy as he approached the large tree house library, a cold chill that he hadn't felt for months was creeping into his heart.

"This is…Twilight!" His eyes widen in realization; this cold was the same cold he escaped from months ago. Moving to the front door of the treehouse quickly, he knocked on the door. It took a few moments before it opened, blinking as he didn't see anypony until someone called out.

"Jasper." The voice was cold and angry almost jealous, looking down he saw the source. "Spike." Jasper said, the small purple dragon was looking up at him in annoyance. Though Jasper knew why since he had in a way stolen Rarity from him, not that he meant to steal the jewel of Ponyville from the dragon.

"I need to see Twilight." He ordered, Spike looked inside the house for a moment before turning to look back at Jasper. "About that… She umm…" Jasper began to worry, what was going on?

"It's important Spike." He said, Spike nodded once before allowing the human in. Stepping into the large library for the first time he looked around, books were out of place. Thrown around like a twister went through the building sending books everywhere as it passed. Turning his attention to Spike, who only pointed a single claw to a door. Judging from the position the door led downstairs…

"Twilight hasn't come up since she came back from the hospital…" Spike said, his voice full of worry. Jasper nodded once walking to the door, turning the handle he recoiled. It was ice cold, the same cold he felt in that cursed prison…

"Spike… stay up here… and whatever happens don't come downstairs." He said, Spike's face matched his voice. He didn't fully trust Jasper, one since he stole his Rarity from him and two because of the ring Jasper had given Twilight. He went to protest but Jasper already opened the door closing it quickly behind him.

As the door closed Jasper was submerged in darkness, a darkness that he knew all too well. And his eyes were trained by now to handle it, taking the first step down the steep stairs he could hear an echo in the large basement which sent a chill up his spine. As the echo died away he could hear movement at the bottom of the stairs, though from the top he couldn't make out what it was.

"Twilight?" His voice echoed into the basement which was eerie to him, a warm upstairs full of light. Then an overbearing darkness below, taking a second step he began descending the stairs. Each step echoing into the darkness, it took a minute before he reached the bottom.

His feet hit the stone floor of the basement as he looked around, he could make out a unicorn in the corner of the basement. It was rocking back and forth in place, Jasper's eyes widen. "Twilight!" He shouted, the rocking figure froze before slowly turning to face him. Moderate violet eyes seemed to stare lifelessly at him, he knew those eyes… they were the eyes of a prisoner. Once they were his…

"J-Jasper…" The figure said, the voice was Twilights. She sounded scared, terrified, hollow…. Twilight got up slowly as she crept closer to him, coming to a stop a few feet away. She just started up at him with two lifeless orbs, he could faintly make out tear lines in her coat.

"W-Who are you?.." She said, Jasper froze confused by her question. "Y-You're not normal… you're a monster…" She whispered, Jasper felt his heart drop at her words. What had happened to her? Just yesterday they were laughing, smiling, and having fun at the hospital now she was a hollow shell of her former self.

"Twilight?" He said, he reached out for her but she cowered back from his hand. "Lost Hope Prison… you were there…" She said her voice full of fear, his own body tensed up at her words. She knew, but how did she know? Letting his hand drop to his side he had to pick his words carefully… A slip up and it could end badly.

"How'd you figure it out?" He asked, his tone stern. She was quiet for a moment before answering. "The ring… when I slipped it on I saw… blood, pain.. suffering… death… I saw you… you hurt a unicorn with golden eyes.. broke his h-horn." She tripped over her own words at the end, Jasper's eyes widen for a moment.

"Armorheart…" He whispered, Twilight turned away from his as she slowly moved to a table. A gold ring sitting on top of it, she just stared at it for a moment. "You tricked us all… you want to destroy Equest-" Her words were cut short as Jasper moved quickly through the darkness, though she didn't have any time to react as her back was to him. And as the words 'Equest' left her lips a swift strike to the back of the neck silenced her, she fell forward almost slamming her face against the table but Jasper caught her quickly in his arms.

"I'm sorry Twilight…" He whispered, he pulled the fallen unicorn into his arms hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry…" He repeated his apology, he never meant to hurt her. But he did, the cursed ring had given her vision of the unicorn that wore it last. Which was Armorheart before Jasper took him out. Snap his horn and left him on the cold floor of the morgue, taking the ring that once rested on his horn. Speaking of ring…

He looked to the golden band on the table, it just sat there as if mocking him. Though he did notice something different, it was smaller. Careful with the fallen mare in his arms he held her with one arm closely, his now free hand reached for the ring picking it up. As he brought it close to his face he could feel it, power was swirling through the object. And it indeed was smaller, small enough for him to slip it onto his right pointer finger.

As it went on he could feel all the power trying to force its way out, how she had resized it without removing gold from the band was beyond him. But she changed it to fit his hand, which made him wonder why? She had seen the visions of the prison; she had seen the suffering but she still resized it… was it because of Rarity? Because he told her to? He didn't have the answers, and the knock out mare wasn't going to tell him….

"Come on Twilight… let's get you to bed…" He mumbled, slipping his arms under the mare he picked her up. She was pretty light he noted, a bit heavier then Rarity not that he'd say it lot loud and risk being smacked. Maybe she was light from a lack of eating Spike did say she had been down here since yesterday morning…

Walking to the steps he began to feel a shift in the room, the coldness that once engulfed the room had faded away. And the darkness that once swallowed up the light was gone as well, looking down at the sleeping mare he couldn't help but wonder. Was the ring effecting Twilight's mind? Making her subconsciously cast magic to make things darker? Hopeless?

He could only guess, so with a careful grip on her he carried her up the stairs. Her soft breathing was heard as she rested her head on his chest, reaching the top of the door he stared at it for moment. He began to wonder something…

"Unlock…" He whispered, as he did a black aura engulfed the door. Slowly it opened allowing the light from the room beyond to pour into the darkness, blinking a bit at the brightness as he adjusted. He noticed the black aura was gone, so it did confirm his theory that the ring stored magic away. And judging from all the time Twilight stayed with it, it stole a majority of her magic for itself, which meant it was a store house of power.

"I can use this…" He said, now he was ready to go to Canterlot Castle. Stepping into the room Spike came running in a panic. "T-Twilight!" He screamed making the mare groan at his voice but didn't wake up. Jasper hushed him for a moment before speaking…

"Keep it down, she fell asleep down there." He lied, Spike looked up at him not trusting him but nodded once. "Where is her bed?" Jasper asked, Spike led him upstairs quietly. When he laid down the sleeping mare he covered her with the blanket before leaving the bedroom with Spike. As he closed the door he turned to the small dragon.

"Spike, I need a favor." He said, Spike raised an eyebrow at him in suspicion. "I was going to ask Twilight to teleport me somewhere, but you saw how she is. She's in no shape for it." He said, Spike nodded once before answering. "So what do you want from me?" He was on guard; Jasper could respect that.

"I need you to send me to Canterlot Castle with your magic breath." He calmly said, Spike's eyes widen in surprise. "You want me… to send you to the castle with the same fire I use to send letters?" Jasper nodded once "Yes, you can. Can't you?" Spike thought about it, he had never tried sending anything aside from a letter to Celestia.

"You just visualize Princess Celestia to send the letter, don't you?" Jasper asked, Spike thought about it some more. That was true all he did was imagine Princess Celestia and breath the green flames. Spike nodded once to his question.

"That's a special fire that can send anything anywhere, you just need to visualize where you want to send it." Jasper said "If you visualize Canterlot Castle you can send me there but…" He paused for a moment earning a questioning look from Spike.

"I need you send me to somewhere in the castle where somepony can hide something without being caught…" Spike was now confused. "Somewhere somepony can hide something?" He said in a question tone, Jasper nodded once.

"Yes, is there any place like that?" He asked, Spike thought about it for a moment. Then realization dawned on him "Well… there is a crystal cave hidden beneath the castle… During the Canterlot Wedding Twilight was sent there by the bug queen thing." Jasper's eyes widen at this bit of news, the old cave? Why didn't he think of that? He had remembered Celestia telling him about them once.

Deep under Canterlot Castle was an old mine where the kingdom mined most of its wealth. But when the Crystal Empire disappeared because of a crystal obsessed unicorn, Celestia feared he might come for the crystals in Canterlot. She had the castle built on top of the mines to hide them away, where they laid forgotten by history…

"Send me there." Jasper said, Spike looked confused. "I… can't I've never been there only Twilight has." Jasper cursed under his breath for a moment, till he remembered the crystal shard in his bag. Reaching into it he pulled it out, eyeing it for a moment he offered it to Spike. It was a gamble this crystal could have come from a trader, or the Crystal Empire, but he had to hope it was from Canterlot…

"Use this, visualize this but larger. It might not work but you need to try." Jasper said his tone serious, Spike took it looking it over. He then looked up at the human "Why should I help you?" He asked, Jasper was a bit surprised by his cold tone. But he did have a point, he did just carry Twilight up from the basement out cold…

"Because, it's time I returned to Princess Celestia. I finally have the proof I need to save Equestria but I need to find it in the crystal caves where it's hidden. And if I don't go… Rarity will be danger." Spike's eyes widen at the last part; his beloved Rarity was in danger? From what? Jasper didn't answer as he continued.

"I know you love her… just like I do, so I need to go save her and if I don't make it… I need you to look out for her…" He paused for a moment, kneeling down to Spike's height he placed one hand on the scaly dragon.

"Please Spike, protect her in my place." He said in a pleading tone, which caught Spike off guard. But after a moment Spike nodded once. "Fine… but I'm doing this only for Rarity!" He shouted, which earned him a smile from Jasper.

"Thank you Spike… now visualize." Jasper said, Spike nodded once feeling the crystals sides, closing his eyes lightly he began to think of the crystal as a larger piece. Towering, reflecting, shining, and… delicious to dragons. Shaking his head of hunger, he took a deep breath confident he had the crystal pictured in his mind.

"Now… release." Jasper said, Spike breathed a green flame out into Jaspers face. Which made the human cringe as he felt his body being burned away, but it wasn't hot in fact it didn't burn or freeze him it felt like the wind was blowing him apart gently.

And with that, the ashes blew out the window. Floating carefully on a windless night, as they flew through the sky. Jasper was gone, gone from Ponyville and for a while gone from Equestria, gone from Rarity's side, to an unknown world. He couldn't see anything, feel anything, hear, taste, smell he couldn't even think. He was just dust on a windless current flying at high speeds to a stone wall, flying over the stone wall.

The ashes glided into an open window, past a patrolling guard, to a locked door. Which the ashes slid underneath the locked door, down a set of stairs, and to a rocky floor till finally the ashes collided with a large crystal. They floated for a moment before falling to the ground, slowly they began to reform into the human that once stood at the Ponyville Library.

First forming the legs, collecting till they got to the hips, to the stomach, to forming the hands and arms. Till finally the human fully collected into one solid mass, which when done he fell to his knees gasping for air. It felt like he had been holding his breath for an hour, which the distance from Ponyville to Canterlot Castle that might have been the case.

Struggling to breath for a while, he looked up at the surrounding area. Crystals surrounded him on all sides, this had to be the mines he thought. Putting a hand on his knee he forced himself up, staggering a bit in the darkness he clenched his fist tightly at the ring glowed a dark aura. Swinging his fist at the air the aura flew out as it began to glow in the darkness giving him some light to see. As his eyes scanned the path a head he could hear a voice in the darkness.

"Welcome home"

PS NOTE FROM ME- Hey everypony one thing I forgot to say is after this chapter there isn't anymore fluff between Rarity and Jasper until Chapter 14 and 15 being the last. 11, 12, 13 is about Jasper seeking the truth and more insight into his past, though there are Rarity and Jasper moments in chapter 11 just no direct fluff just flashbacks and such. Hope you'll stick around lol