Night's Return

Autumn stared at her friend in pure shock. Her best friend had a crush on her childhood friend. Maybe Shade feels the same way? Autumn focused on what Mist had said and decided to think of that later. "How long have you liked him? Does he know? Did you even tell him?" Autumn rapidly asked her friend.

Mist shakes her head and says, "No, I haven't. I just never got the strength to say anything." She shyly looked away from Autumn embarrassed that the fact that she likes Shade is known. Autumn could tell that she was sad. Sad that she hasn't told Shade and that Autumn knows her secret now.

But, Autumn had so many questions that they couldn't wait at all. "When did you start liking him?" she questions

"Near the Autumn Dance last year. The season, not you

"But you said you had a crush on Tech. You lied about that?"

"Yes. I didn't want you to know that I liked Shade."

"You should have said something. Why do you even like him?"

"Where do I begin? He's smart, he's kind, he is helpful, he's handsome. For Celestia's sake, there's only oneword that describes him perfect..."

Autumn sat there quiet for a minute. She had never thought of Shade the way Mist did, but now that she did look at him that way, she realized that there are no other stallions like him. Especially not ones with his talent. But she would never try to even get with Shade romantically and she didn't want to steal him from Mist.

"You have to tell him how you feel!" Autumn stated, "He might feel the same way!

"He might not though, but I will try to" Mist said.

The months traveled on. And Mist never told Shade how she felt throughout the whole college year. Fall had passed by in the blink of an eye. Then winter lingered with it's chilled air and all of its heartwarming holidays.  And spring had come and gone just as fast. It was the last week of the school year and most ponies were deciding on what they were going to do. Mist and Autumn were preparing for another day of school when Mist said to Autumn, "It's a school day after a long weekend. You know what that means..."

Autumn sighed and dryly answered, "Shade didn't set his alarm." The two ponies walked out of their room and proceeded to the main lobby. The lobby was full of many ponies and all were hanging around with their friends before the first class started.

They continued on their path down to where Shade's room was. They had reached the door and heard snoring from inside. Mist reaches for the handle when Mist stops her and says, "Shhh... You hear that?"

Both ponies pressed one ear up against the door and listened. shade was mumbling in his sleep. It was quiet at first then quickly escalated into him screaming in rage. He even yelled out "You won't take them from me! Especially not her!" Mist wanted to listen to hear who he was talking about but Autumn had burst open the door and yelled at Shade to wake up.

Shade yelled as he woke up and fell off the bed. He groaned as his alarm clock which had broken had fallen on his head. He got up and saw his friends in his room. "School's about to start isn't it?" His to friends nod stating it is. He sighs then tells them to leave. And the rest of the day and the school year had gone normally.

The friends had stood together at the edge of the college grounds to discuss their plans for the summer. Shade and Autumn had decided to go back to Manehatten and stay there for a while in their homes. Mist had no plans at all. Shade says to Mist, "Hey why don't you come with us to Manehatten? Maybe we can all plan a trip from their?" His friends agreed and the set off towards Manehatten.

They had reached a train station where an alicorn mare was waiting for somepony. She had a golden coat and her hair was like watching a sunset. Which is what her cutie mark was. The alicorn looked towards Shade, Autumn and Mis5 and her expression turned to joy. She an towards happily. Shade ran towards the alicorn as well. She can't be Shade's marefriend can she? Autmn and Mist both thought.

Shade and the alicorn hugged. The alicorn said to him, "I missed you so much Shade!"

Shade says to the alicorn, "I missed you, too, Sunny!"

"Sunny" Looks over at Autumn and Mist  as he releases Shade from the hug. "I didn't know you brought friends. You going to introduce me?"  Autumn and Mist looked at each other curiously. Then Shade introduces them.

"Sunny, these are my friend Autumn and Mist. Autumn, Mist, this is my older sister Sun Shine"

"Oh so this is your sister!" Autumn says. "It's very nice to meet you." the three mares said in unison. They then realized it and laughed about it. The conductor called all passengers to the train. All of the friends had ran towards the train , Sunshine included. And they all took seats. Mist and Sunshine sat in the very back car becuase their where no other seats available and Shade and Autumn were in the next car.

Shade and Autumn talked and laughed during the train ride discussing past events in their lives.

"Hey, remember in kindergarten when you yelled at that colt we hated and  kicked him from behind?" Shade asks Autumn

"Oh yeah! That was hilarious!" Autumn replies. They both laugh but then it is cut short. They hear a bang outside and they look outside the window. there where pegasi wearing dark robes. They were banging on the back car, like they were trying to knock it loose...

They had knocked it loose. And they had lifted it up off the tracks by pure strength. Autumn and Shade yelled for their friends to get out of the car. ut were only answered with screams of fear from the others.  The robed pegasi flew awa with the train car . Shade went to open the door that now lead to open tracks behind them. Autumn halted his effort to save his friend and his sister. She pointed out the window and said it was no use trying to rescue them now. Because the robed pegasi had flown through a black portal and disappeared. And soon after the portal closed, trapping Mist and Sunshine inside.