I'm Back.

Shatters of a Reflection Chapter 16: Homecoming

Many things had changed since that day 2 years ago. I had come to an understanding with myself, I knew who I was and no one, be it human or pony was going to tell otherwise.

For my school life, I hadn't been liked much after that whole ordeal. And it didn't help that most ponies were able to see the aftermath of it all. They had taken to seeing me in a whole new light, thou for most they were afraid to try and mess with me or even bully me.

Not that it mattered much anymore. Nowadays most ponies thought more about what they wanted to do after our graduation which was fast approaching.

Shining was going to continue his training to become a part of the Royal Guard like he had always dreamed of. Cadance didn't really know what she was going to do, but she liked helping others and since she was a Princess. She would most likely end up working in the castle.

As for myself. I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I never thought much about it much, and since I wasn't really good at anything I thought of just seeing if Mom wanted me to do something to help her out.

I can't really do much, but as she told me before, every little thing counts.

But deep down, I couldn't help but remember the words of that Alicorn I met in the ruins of the old castle.

I was reminded of what she had told me whenever I was spending time with Twilight, hanging out with Shining, or even talking with Mom, or even whenever I was with Cadance. Every moment I spent with them was a reminder that my time would one day come to an end here.

And no matter how much I didn't want it too, I knew that my time was slowly ticking away.

It was the sad truth, and I needed to accept it whether I wanted to or not.

But in that decision, I had thought it would be best to push them away. As harsh as it sounds I really thought that was the best thing for me to do, but that was stupid of me to even think of doing that. But I didn't want them to feel what I did, the pain of knowing that one day this would all end. So I told myself I would make the most of everyday I was here, in Equestria. No matter how long, be it today, tomorrow, or even the day after that.

I would show them how much I care for them, just as much as they care for me.

"Jake?" A whisper in my ear stirred me awake as I slowly opened my eyes to see Cadance smiling down at me. And for a moment I didn't realize what was happening until she giggled which shook me awake as I saw that she was sitting atop of me, pinning me to my bed.

"Cadance? Wha-what are you doing in my room?" I asked her only instead of answering me, she just gave me this look. Her eyes looked different as if she wasn't fully there at the moment.

"Aw, and here I thought you wanted me to wake you up in the morning Jakey?" The way she said my name sent a shiver down my body as she leaned down more closing the gap between us. And making me feel somewhat…well.

"And here I thought you liked me Jake." She said as a frown worked its way on her face, "Don't you like me?" She asked me as tears gathered in her eyes.

I gulped and said nothing as I wrapped my arms around her pulling her against me as I lost control of my body. All of my pent of feelings for her broke free for a split moment as I held her against me.

"Cadance, how could you think I don't like you? Of course I do, you know that." I told her, making her pull her head back as she stared into my eyes and I did the same.

"Because you don't like me like I like you." She said, on the verge of tears.

We stayed there, looking into each other's eyes as I raised my hand up brushing it against her cheek as she leaned into my hand, closing her eyes as taking in my warmth.

"I do like you Cadance…it's that. But I…I." I shut my eyes, I couldn't tell her the truth.

"Jake." She said softly as I felt her hoof touch my cheek as I opened my eyes to see her slowly leaning downwards towards me.

I knew I shouldn't for some reason I didn't hold it back as I closed my eyes once more as we began to close gap between us slowly as she whispered my name again.

"Jake!"

Only that whisper changed into a shouted. Which I thought was strange as she did it again.

"Jake! Wake up bro!" I heard another voice come out of her mouth as I snapped eyes open only this time instead of Cadance's face I saw.

"Shining?" I asked questioningly.

"Jake!" He shouted once more before I noticed that I had my arms wrapped around his neck as he was struggling to break free but I held him in place which was just a few inches away from my face.

At first my mind didn't register what was happening but when it hit me.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

*BOOM!*

"I said I was sorry already, coming Shining." I said pleading to Shining who was now sporting a large bump on the side of his head from when I unconsciously used my magic to blast his body away from mine in the spur of the moment. And now we were currently walking to school.

Shining who was still angry about what had happened strutted ahead of me, not looking towards me, "Maybe if you didn't sleep like a log I wouldn't have had to wake you up!" He said with some anger in his face before I noticed a smirk appear on his face as he turned his head towards me, "Or maybe it was because you wanted a certain mare to wake you rather than me?" He said raising his eyebrow in a hinting manner which worked as I remembered the dream I was having that led to the whole thing this morning.

"Shu-shut up! I don't know what you're talking about!" I said turning away from him as the blood rose to my face not only in embarrassment but because of the dream.

"Oh, hey there Cadance!" He said suddenly as my head shot towards him only I saw a huge grin on his face as smacked his hoof against the ground in a full blown laughter focused right at me.

"Oh! Oh that's rich!" He said between breathes as he clenched his sides still snickering about how I reacted to her name.

"Shut it Shining!" I said making him wipe a tear away as he got back up.

"Sorry, but I need to get you back somehow. And poking at your crush on Cadance is how I'm going to get it." He said with the widest grin on his face as I just scowled at him.

"Whatever." I told him as I started walking ahead as he caught up to me.

It was going to be a long day. That much I could tell already.

After getting to school, Shining and I went to get our breakfast at the cafeteria, him getting the usual hay sandwich, and myself a salad with an apple to snack on. We sat down at a table and ate making small talk about how things were going with his Royal Guard training and how he was at the top of his class which wasn't a surprise to me. And how I still figuring out what I was going to be doing once we graduated which wasn't that far away from us now.

"Really Jake? You still don't know what you're going to be doing? And I here I thought you knew what you were going to do after we graduate." Shining told me taking another bite out of his sandwich as I bit into my apple and shrugged.

"Don't know really." I said swallowing the chunk of apple in my mouth, "At first I thought I knew about what I was going to do, but now." I gave a sigh, "Now I don't think it'll be possible to do that."

This caught Shining's attention apparently because he leaned over the table and patted my shoulder, "Don't worry about it bro." He said in an understanding tone which made me feel much better- "I'm sure Cadance likes you too, so don't be so discouraged!"

I slapped his hoof off of my shoulder as he started to laugh again, while I took another bite out of my apple, "Not funny." I said glaring at him. While he continued to laugh at me.

But while we were distracted I didn't notice somepony walking towards us before they bumped into me spilling their food all over my head as the sound of the tray hitting the floor made those near us stop what they were doing and turn to the source of the noise. I myself wiped the food off my face as I heard.

"Oh, my bad. I didn't see you there." A smug and snobby voice said as I knew instantly who it was. And I could already feel a headache coming along.

I grit my teeth and wiped some more food off of me, "Blue Blood." I said the name with some spite while looking at the colt who held his head high and sported a grin on his face.

"I do hope you can forgive me, I can be so clumsy sometimes." He said lying through his teeth as he gave me a fake smile.

I knew what he was trying to pull and two could play at that game, "Don't worry about it Blue Blood. I know how much of a klutz you are. Always tripping over yourself. Don't worry though, I'm sure that one day you'll mature enough to not being so clumsy." I said as his grin turned into a scowl as he huffed and walked away as life went back to normal with some mummers here and there.

"Freaking Blue Balls." I cursed under my breath as Shining heard me and snickered at the nick name we had given him for being a pompous ass.

"Well," I started taking a whiff of myself and I pulled back at the smell of applesauce with an abundance of cinnamon and apparently mashed up hay and daisy oatmeal, "I'm going to have to take a shower again." I said as Shining agreed.

"That's for sure. I can smell you from here. Are you going to use the schools or head back to the castle?" He asked and I thought about it for moment, I could head back to the castle but if I did then I knew I would probably just be too lazy to come back and just skip today. I still wasn't the best of students in school but my grades were just barely above average. Which was something I had never been back on earth.

"I have a spare change of clothes in my locker. I think I'll just use the showers here and send my clothes back to the castle because I probably wouldn't come back." I said with a laugh that he joined in on as we got up and tossed out whatever was left of our breakfast out before heading out of the cafeteria and going our separate ways.

I headed towards the gym and walked into the locker room heading towards mine and opening it to grab a black short sleeved sweater, lucky enough my pants were fine but I did need to get the clumps of food out of my hair.

'Doesn't seem like there is anypony here.' There was one thing about the showers, they were used by both colts and mares at different times, but there were showers off to the side open for use but were open up. And since I noticed the showers were being used I headed towards off to the other ones. Shouldn't be anypony there since it was still before school. Or at least I thought that.

I walked into the room and I was greeted with a fog of steam that rushed out of the showers. I felt the hot steam hit my skin and it felt well, hot. But I walked inside the showers working my way through the steam when I suddenly slipped on some water, but I didn't just slip on the ground. I crashed into somepony who shouted out as we tumbled to the ground together.

"Ow…" I groaned out as another voice spoke up.

"That hurt." She said.

"Wait, I know that voice. Cadance?" I said opening up my eyes to see said mare on the floor beneath me.

Her coat was wet, and her main was let down from her usual ponytail she had it in and it was spilled out under her, and she was opened her eyes meeting mine.

"Jake?" She said as I gulped trying hard to not look at her but it was hard not to.

"Um, yeah?"

She blushed at me before placing a hoof over her mouth and turning her head to the side with her eyes closed.

"I-I think it's touching me." She stuttered out in a small embarrassed voice as I was confused as to what she meant until I looked down and realized I had come in with a towel wrapped around my waist which was gone now and well. It was full on skin on coat action as my lower half was pressed against Cadance's as we were left in a very provocative position.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted jumping off her but as I did I skid across the wet tiled floor and slammed against the shower wall wincing a bit but I ignored it as I tried to find my towel which I did but it was soaking wet but I still covered myself with it as Cadance leaned up in a seated position.

It always puzzled me how ponies were able to do that despite their bone structures being different. But at the moment that was the last thing on my mind as I covered my eyes so I wouldn't see Cadance as she was.

I had enough respect for the opposite sex, and even though most ponies were technically naked all the time. When they were in the shower I thought that should be private at the very least.

"Don't worry about it. But what are you doing in the showers Jake?" I heard her ask as I gulped not wanting to open my eyes.

"Um, had an accident with my breakfast. And needed to shower. I'm really sorry, I thought no pony would be in this side of the showers this early so I didn't bother to check if anypony was in here." I explained to her, trying not give my reasons for being inside of there with her right now.

But instead of any mad response I heard a sigh, "It was Blueblood again. Wasn't it?" She asked me and I just nodded my head which erected another sigh from her, "Did you do anything to him?"

"No, I just left it as it was and he left after the damage was down." I told her.

"I swear that colt, he acts like such a filly it's not even funny anymore." She said as I chuckled at that.

"Well maybe he still is one. You've seen the way he acts." I said which caused her to giggle a bit.

"Yes, that's true." She said before there was a long pause between the two of us.

"So, Jake." She started, "Have you gotten a date for Academy prom that's coming up?" She said making me remember about that. We were just a few days away from the end of the year and graduations. But the academy throws a huge ball which everypony just calls prom but the term is Ball, for the graduating class on the Graduation night.

"Oh, that's right. I had completely forgotten about that." I told her which was true, I had forgotten about it.

"Jake," She said in a stern tone, "You need to be more mindful of things. I'm not going to be there forever to remind you of upcoming events." She lectured me with a soft laugh and I lowered my head as I was once again reminded of my limited time here.

"Yeah, I will, I promise." I said but in a more sullen tone which she caught.

"Jake? Is something wrong?" She asked as I heard her shuffling around, moving closer to me.

But I shook my head side to side, "No!" I shouted rather quickly but pulled back, "I mean, no. Nothing wrong." I said this time in a more forced tone with a halfhearted laugh. But from the silence I guessed she didn't buy it.

"Jake." She said more comforting this time around as I felt her hoof brush against my cheek, gently caressing me, "You know that I'm here for you. Be it anything. I know you don't like to bother others with your problems, but I'm here for you. So don't hesitate to tell me whatever is bothering you." She said which hurt me.

I have keep my knowing of my departure for over two years, and it was the reason behind my not telling Cadance how I felt about her. Because I knew that one day I would have to leave her. And it hurt me to much inside to do that to her.

"It's nothing Cadance, really. You're just imaging things." I said giving her a grin, but even though I couldn't see her face I could tell she wasn't going to let up about this.

But luck was on my side as the bell rang out meaning we needed to head to class.

I felt her hoof remove itself from me, and a part of me wanted to just grab hold of her then then and there but I resisted the urge.

"Jake," She said with another sigh, "Just don't dwell on whatever is bothering you so much ok. It's not like you." She said, and I could tell she was smiling. I don't know how, but I could always tell when she was smiling because whenever she was, I would be to. Much like right now.

"Ok, I will." I told her as I heard her getting up and walking away from me before walking out of the showers.

I finally opened my eyes, as I leaned my head back against the wall.

"I'm sorry Cadance." I said closing my eyes once more as the guilt grew inside of me, "It hurts, but it's the only thing I know how to do." I said to myself as I stood up and walked over to the water and started to clean myself.

But as soon as I was done, I didn't feel like being at school anymore. So one I gathered my things from my locker, I surrounded myself with my magic and teleported back to the castle and appeared in my room where I dropped my things on the floor, not bothering to put them away as I collapsed on my bed and closed my eyes as I drifted away.

-One Week Later-

It was a few days before the end of the year and the Academy had given us the days off until Graduation day, and for today. I was sitting on the steps leading towards the garden watching Twilight practice an advanced version of a spell she had already known.

"Come on Twilight, you almost got it." I said encouraging her as she was trying to levitate a ball of water out of one of the fountains.

Twilight was bigger now, just a bit under 3 feet tall. And weighed a bit more now too, but I never complained when she wanted to be carried by me. Even as old as she was, she was still liked to be babied ever once in a while.

"I'm trying my best Jake. But it's too hard." She told me, a bead of sweat falling over her forehead as her horn glowed with magic, which was levitating a ball of water but she was struggling as half the ball of water fall down into the fountain.

I just shook my head chuckling at her, "I know you can do it Twilight." I told her a she looked down at the ground and kicked the dirt with her hoof. She just needed a little push.

And then I had an idea, "Ok, how about his. If you can manage to do this spell then I'll take you to get some Ice cream. What do you say?" I asked her as I saw this new found light in her eyes as she gained this determined look.

And well.

-A Little Bit After-

I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace when I was with Twilight. She was so innocent, and very smart for someone her age. But she tended to overlook things. Like a lot. Like when it came to plain studying or Magic studies. She was the best at what she did. But when it came to simple things like cooking, and a few other things but she was very clumsy.

And deep down, I wanted to be that person, or pony that wasn't there for me when I needed someone. Deep down, I wanted to best for her. She was the closest thing to a little sister I've ever had I knew she was destined for great things. And I want to be there for her then, but even I knew that isn't going to be a possibility but she had Cadance and Shining, along with Mom here for her. And that gave me some leisure knowing that.

Not to mention it felt nice to spoil her every now and then.

"Twilight you're spilling your Ice Cream all over the floor." I told the filly as she was using her magic to make her hold her triple scoop of ice cream cone that she was gradually eating as we were walking back to the castle.

I myself getting my favorite, Mint and Chip while she had Cookies and Cream along with a scoop of Vanilla and Chocolate. She hummed as she ate hers, and I couldn't help but grin at how childish Twilight acted sometimes. I think she forgets that herself sometimes.

"It's ok, I can just stop it from doing that. See!" She said showing me as some of the Ice Cream started to drip off only to be stopped by her magic and put back in place a second later.

"Fair enough." I told her as we neared the large doors leading into the castle which we entered.

I nodded my head towards some of the guards that gave me a small one in return. It was pretty much the only reaction I could get from them. It didn't matter how hard I tried, once they were on duty they became statues.

I would often make fun of Shining by telling him that his life-long dream was to one of them.

Once we were inside of the main entrance, I looked back to Twilight who nearly finished with hers she suddenly looked up to me before moving closer to my leg and nuzzled against it, "Thanks for the Ice Cream Jake!" She said with a huge smile on her face as I reached down and brushed her mane.

"Don't mention Twili," She said responded with a giggled before I spoke up again, "No really, don't because if Ca-"

"Twilight!" I was cut off as the both of us looked at each other turning to look up at the large stairway to see Cadance standing there with an agitated look on her face.

"Yes Cadance?" She asked innocently as the mare-sitter quickly moved down the steps before marching over to us only stopping to stare at the little filly.

"Twilight, you know you're not supposed to have sweets before dinner." She scolded the filly as I cut in.

"Wait a second Cadance. I'm the one that bought it for her." I told her as her head snapped towards me as she gave me this knowing looking.

"Jake!" She barked at me making me take a step back as she took one forward, "You know she isn't supposed to eat sweets before dinner. It isn't healthy for a growing filly to eat an unbalanced meal! And think about what type of message your sending her by getting her snacks." She lectured me as I tried to plead my case to her.

"But Cadance."

Her eyes glared into mine, "Don't you Cadance me mister!" She started pushing a hoof against my chest, "This isn't the first time you went and got her something to snack on like this. The last time you got her all that cake and if you remember she got an upset stomach afterwards. You need to stop spoiling her so much Jake." She said stopping as my back was up against the wall and I had nowhere to retreat too.

Suddenly a fit of giggles broke out as the both of us looked over at Twilight who was laughing for some reason.

"And what is so funny Twilight?" Cadance asked trying to keep a giggle from breaking out herself.

Twilight stopped laughing, letting a few break out before she looked at the two of us, "It's funny, because you both remind me of my Mommy and Daddy!" She said with a huge smile on her face as she giggled again.

I chuckled a bit before nudging an arm at Cadance who was looking the opposite way but turned to look at me only her face was bright red and when I noticed that her face became an even deeper shade of red.

"M-me? A M-Mom-my?" She said placing a hoof over her mouth before removing it to show a smile that had worked its way onto her face.

"I guess that would make me the Daddy then?" I said making her look up to me as a smile worked its way onto my face. But I quickly shook my head letting out a halfhearted chuckle, "But you wouldn't like that right Cadance?" I asked. I don't know why I did, but inside I felt hurt saying it.

And it did hurt me because I didn't want to see her with any other pony. But with everything that was-

"I wouldn't mind."

My body froze in place as I looked down at her, only she was averting her gaze from mine as she played with her mane.

"W-what?" I stuttered out not believing what I had just heard.

She moved her mane in front of her face as her eyes looked up to mine, I was still able to make out the growing blush over her pink coat.

"I said," She started in a hushed tone, "I wouldn't mind if it was you."

At first I didn't register in my head what she had said but then if finally clicked as I felt my entire face burn up as she must have realized what she had said as she turned around and ran off before I could even say anything.

I watched as she took off running away from us as Twilight was completely oblivious to what had just happened but she did notice Cadance running away.

She looked up to me tilting her head to the side and gave me a same frown as she thought she had done something wrong, but I quickly petted her mane and smiled at her assuring her that it was nothing for her to worry over.

And she agreed with that and she left to take care of her own things before it was time for dinner.

I myself had taken to heading to my room before dinner, but inside of me my chest was pounding at what had just happened and once I reached my room. I opened the door and walked in before closing the door behind me as I rested against it, sliding down to the floor where I wrapped my arms around my knees.

'I wouldn't mind if it was you.'

Her words repeated in my head over and over again, as her face was all I saws when I closed my eyes.

"I want nothing more than to stay here with you, but…" I felt a sudden shift in the air around me as I slowly stood up, my eyes still closed as I sighed, "My time here is almost up."

I opened my eyes to find that I was no longer in my room but in a dark and cold place. One that I was familiar with, and the one that I had hoped never to see again.

"So," I said turning around the see a large Alicorn standing in front of the sphere atop the pedestal, "It's finally come?" I asked as she nodded.

"I would say it is good to see you again Jake Muller, thou I would believe you would not be happy about me saying that." She responded and I nodded my head since it was the truth.

"How much time do I have left?" I asked knowing why she had brought me here, and I wanted to get straight to the point.

She closed her eyes, "In three days times. That is when you will leave this world." She said before opening her eyes and looking at me, "You know what day that is, no?" She asked and I did.

"It's the day of my Graduation." I said, but she gave me this knowing look as if that was the only thing, "And the day that I arrived here in Equestria." I told her and she nodded.

"That is the only time in which your world and our own will be closest to each other. Only then will I be able to return you to your rightful place Jake Muller." She told me, and clenched my fist as I gritted my teeth.

I knew this day would come, I knew it was going to happen. But still.

"So I am leaving this world on the night of the Ball?" I said and she nodded.

"I will find you when as the third day ends." She paused and looked at me, thou I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes, "Then I will send you back to your own world where you belong." She told me.

I stood there and took it all in, "Do I have to go back?" I asked my voice slightly shaky but she nodded her head.

"You know as well as I do that you do not belong here Jake Muller. It was no accident that you were brought here, but you should have never of been her in the first place. So I was say this once more, you have until the moon reaches its highest point on the third day until I come for you." She told me and I nodded, "I suggest you make amends with anypony you need to." She finished say as her body disappeared in a flash of light that blinded me. And when the light disappeared, I found myself standing in my room again.

"Three days." I said to myself as I looked around my room, at all my things, "I only have three more days until…" I stopped and shut my eyes as a rush of emotions hit me.

"I don't want to leave…" I said in a whimper as I crumbled to the ground, I was so helpless. It was beyond my own power to do anything. I was going back to earth in less than three days.

Tears blurred my vision as I cradled myself on the ground.

And I cried. Something I haven't done in years. I cried out, whimpers escaping from me every now and then. I felt so alone, so cold.

But then suddenly, I was engulfed in a warm embrace. I felt two large wings wrap around my body pulling me closer to a body of warmth as I opened my eyes to see my Mother looking down at me.

She said nothing as she gave me a warm smile, but it hurt so much. I was going to lose her. She had always been there for me, through my ups and my downs. She the Mother I had wished for and so much more.

I couldn't hold it in as I let out a loud wail but she pulled me into her, not caring that I was getting her coat wet and dirty from my tears. She held me close like any Mother would when their child was in pain.

She patted my back for what felt like an hour, calming me down as I held onto her. Never letting her go of her, as everything I had tried to bottle within me broke free.

"Jake?" I heard her say as I sniffed a bit against her neck.

"Mmmm…" I answered with a hum rather then words as she brushed my hair.

"What is bother you my son?" She asked me.

Truthfully, I didn't know where to start, but Mom had always told me that you needed to start somewhere, the beginning was the best place.

So I told her the truth.

How two years ago when the accident happened and I somehow was teleported to the Everfree Forest. How I found myself being drawn towards the ruins of the old Castle before I met that Alicorn. That got Mom's attention as I explained that it was an Alicorn that I had met, but at the same time, she didn't feel the same as her. But she didn't question me as I continued on and told her how the Alicorn was going to erase me from this world before I had come to an understanding with myself, and my inner self. Then how she told me I was never supposed to be in this world, that something happened and I somehow made it through the gateway with the help of the Elements of Harmony which somehow reacted to me but never again. Then, the big news.

I told her how the Alicorn had told me I only had a short amount of time before I would eventually leave this world to return to my own.

It was then that I felt her body shake slightly as I looked up to see tears in her eyes as she suddenly wrapped her wings around me, pulling me even closer into her body. I wasn't able to see her face, but I felt something drop on my face.

It was wet.

"Mom?" I asked not able to look up but I felt her wings pull me closer once again as I could hear small whimpers from her.

I didn't say anything as I lifted my arms and wrapped them around her neck once more as I heard her cries becoming a bit or audible.

"You have always been there for me," I started to say, "When I woke up that day, and found you there smiling at me. I felt as if I didn't have to run anymore. I found someone that accepted me for who I was rather what I had done. You generously took me in when you didn't have to, you showed me a kindness that you didn't have to. You showed me that I could be honest with myself, and how to be loyal to my friends. You showed me it was ok to laugh and have fun, and you loved me even when I wasn't like you or the other ponies here. You are my Mother, and no pony can say otherwise." I felt her wings tighten around me as I did the same.

"I love you Mom." I said in a soft voice that caused her to break out in tears once more as she cried while holding me.

"H-how lo-long?" She said between sobs.

I gulped knowing that she wasn't going to like the answer.

"The night of our Graduation. When the moon reaches its highest point. She will come for me, and then… will you know." I said as she rested her head atop mine.

She gave a long sigh as she calmed down herself, "Jake." She said my name but there was a long pause afterwards, "Nothing I can say will prepare you for what is to come. But know this, you are my son. Even if you were to go back you your own world. I will still love you, and I will never forget you."

"And I will never forget you." I said to her as I just held onto her.

It was a while until there was a knock on my door, "Dinner will be beginning shortly your Highness." A guard said behind the door.

"Thank you. But I don't think I will be eating tonight."

"As you wish." He responded before I heard the sound of his hoofs walking away.

"Jake, you should eat something. It's not healthy to skip meals." She told me.

"I know, but I just don't feel like eating anything right now. I just want some time to think."

She pulled back as I looked up to see her giving this look, "Jake."

I sighed knowing that I couldn't say no to her, "Fine." I said in defeat as she smiled and stood up pulling me along with her.

"You and I are not finished with this talk though. We shall continue this later on. But for now, let us get clean up before dinner." She said nuzzling her head against mine affectionately as I couldn't help but smile.

"You always knew how to make me feel better." I said as she gave a soft laugh.

"Mother's know best." She told me pressing her nose against mine, much like she did when I was younger. This act caused me to chuckled, "Now go freshen up, and I expect to see you downstairs ready to eat."

"I'll be there Mom." I said feeling better as she disappeared in a flash leaving me alone once more. Only this time I wasn't as upset.

"Mothers." I said chuckled a bit as I headed into my bathroom and splashed some water on my face before I changed my clothes and went down for dinner.

Only when I left my room, I didn't notice a shadow out on my balcony disappear in a flash of magic.

-TBC

As the story nears its conclusions, Jake only has two days before he is to make his return to his own world. But now that he has told his Mother about everything, he thinks it is best to tell the rest of his friends. But what's this? Somepony already knows about it? They overheard everything he told his Mother? How did they find out? And how does this complicate things? Next time: "Remembrance."