The search for her Heart.by PorqupineChaptersChapter 1: PrologueChapter 2: Good RiddanceChapter 3: Into the EverfreeChapter 1: PrologueThe Search for her Heart Chapter 1: Prologue Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Are you absolutely sure you want to see him?" Celestia asks me as we were headed for his room. "Yes." Is the only thing I can reply as I can feel myself getting nervous. I know I had to do this. I had to see for myself. I had to make sure it was him. "Alright then. But keep in mind, he might not be the same pony as you remember. I will now go check on Twilight, after that I will return here to check up on you." "That's o.k. I guess." I know that I am not good with words. I'd rather just be at home caring for my animals but this is necessary. I carefully open the door to his room and slowly make my way in. As I enter I find that he is still asleep and I decide to wait until he wakes up, so that I can talk to him a little. I gently place one of my hooves on him just to make myself feel closer to him again. Just like old times, when we were together. And then you just had to leave didn't you. Why did you have to leave me. "Come back to me." I say, feeling a lump in my throat. Suddenly I can hear his heart monitor making strange noises, its beeps slowing down very quickly. "No! Stay with me! Come back to me. DON'T FOLLOW THE LIGHT! Please." I can feel my own desperation rising by the second. "Please. Please don't go yet." I wanted him to stay, we still had so much to talk about. "I looked for you when I heard you'd gone missing. I never forgot about you. Please. Please don't go. Not now, not yet." I can no longer control myself as I just let my head fall onto his chest and let the tears flow freely. I barely notice when the beeping of the heart monitor returns to normal again. "I-I'm sorry." I suddenly hear from very close to me. I look up to see those beautiful crimson eyes. It fills me with so much happiness that he didn't leave me this time. That he actually came back to me. I jump right on top of him and hug him as tightly as I can, determined not to loose him this time. "Thank Celestia you're okay." I manage to say through my tears of joy. "Where is Celestia?" Is all he says in reply, with a rather stern voice at that. "She's just making sure Twilight's okay. Don't worry about it, I'm sure she's fine. I'm just glad that you're okay." I say back to him, trying to reassure him that everything is absolutely fine. After a few seconds I feel him trying to move beneath me. "Can you please get off me?" He says, but with such acid in his voice that shocks me, and it really quite hurts me to hear him say that with such venom. I quickly jump off him as he obviously doesn't want me near him. "I'm sorry. Uhm well, bye." I start for the door but before I am halfway to it he surprises me yet again. I know Celestia said that he might act a little different and that he was still uncertain about himself, but it still surprised me. "Wait! Please don't go. Don't leave me. Not again." I slowly turn around trying to understand what he just said, and almost instantly understand what he means. "What do you mean 'again'? I never left you. You're the one who left without even saying goodbye! I searched for you! I missed you! You didn't even visit me on my birthday! I WAITED FOR YOU BUT YOU NEVER CAME BACK!" I felt betrayed, that he would think that I would ever leave him. I felt angry that he actually believed that and I felt hurt that he still believed it. "I-I'm sorry." I look him in the eyes and I notice how puzzled and confused he felt. He was so brainwashed by that evil creature that he really thought I left him. "Please, forgive me." He says while turning his head away from me. He doesn't understand that I never blamed him for anything. It was never his fault. "I don't blame you. Celestia told me everything. I know it wasn't you who did all this. I still love you, you do know that right?" It was the first time I had ever said it to him, even when we were together I never told him how much I love him. "I-I can't." He said, still facing away from me. And that's when he started to go crazy again. He started pulling on the restraints holding him to the bed, he even started biting on them. I wanted him to stop, I wanted to talk to him, but I was afraid, as I am afraid of almost everything. "Calm down, uhm, please?" Is all I manage to squeak as he finally bites through his last restraint. He jumps off the cot and I can hear him wince as he lands on his hooves which haven't had the chance to fully heal yet. "Please don't." I say through tears as I can almost feel his pain as my own. "I'm so sorry." He says before he limps out the door and leaves me behind without even a second glance. I feel my heart take another beating as he just leaves me, not bothering to say goodbye. Only saying sorry for things he shouldn't be sorry for, for thing he didn't do. That is when I breakdown in tears and slump to the floor just letting all the stress out. I know he loves me too, but why must he hurt us both by leaving, why. Then I hear hooves on marble, coming closer. I know it isn't Lightning because there's no limp in the rhythm. When the door opens to the room again I'm surprised by Celestia, who is carrying Lightning on her back. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!" I shout, oblivious to the small smile on Celestia's lips. "Do not worry my little pony, he just needs to recover from his injuries. You, however, have a job to do. We will need all the Elements for this. Come to the throne room in thirty minutes, and bring your necklace, you'll need it." Celestia then leaves me with an unconscious Lightning Dash, not really knowing what to do for a few minutes before everything sinks in what she said. I need my necklace. She needs the Elements. We are all in grave danger. Chapter 2: Good RiddanceThe Search for her Heart Chapter 2: The Imprisonment Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Rainbow Dash no!" Twilight screams as the cyan pegasus charges at the creature before us. The creature is absolutely massive, a colossal entity of darkness which has taken refuge in Lightning Dash's former lair. Before Rainbow even gets close she is reflected by a wall of dark magic, a forcefield created using the hate and anger of all beings. This thing before us was vengeance itself. "C'mon girls, get yourselves together." Twilight now pleads as hate seems to fill us all. All except me that is. I cannot hate. I am physically unable to hate anything. Of course I can get annoyed by something but I will never hate. The amulet in my necklace starts glowing the more I think about my feelings for everything that is living, and my love for all creatures of the forest. I can feel that the girls are affected by it too, relieving them from the dark fog that was slowly settling in on them. "Thanks Flutters!" Applejack says as she realizes what was going on. "Uhm, it's okay really." I shout back at her. "What was that?" She replies. Couldn't she hear me? I'm absolutely positive I just yelled to her that everything was fine. Never mind that, there's a more important matter at our hooves. 'Oh you really think that that little trick will save you all, don't you? Well let me just assure you that soon enough you'll all be under my full control.' The shadow was so big and frightening, but I knew I couldn't let myself pass out at that moment. I had to fight it, together with my friends. "Formation girls." Twilight orders, and we quickly obey. I can feel myself being lifted off the ground and I can feel our minds connecting once again. As a whole, and for the first time with Twilight as an alicorn, we speak. "You, creature of hatred and vengeance, you, doer of evil and corruption, you will face justice on our lands!" The power felt more intense than when we defeated Nightmare Moon, and it was more difficult to contain it as well. It took all our strength to guide the energy toward our target. "No. NO! THIS CANNOT BE!" The shadow was consumed by the many hues of light as it was hit head on, all but eliminating it from the surface of the planet. You may have defeated me now, but mind you, I live everywhere. I am every little bit of anger and hate. I cannot be destroyed ever, and I will return. With that said we all slowly fell back to earth, much to my relief. I may be a pegasus but I still prefer solid ground over anything. "I-is it gone?" I ask Twilight as I look at the massive crater left behind by our combined forces of Harmony. "For now, I believe so." She replies with a sigh as she too lets herself fall to the floor, probably from exhaustion. Using the Elements of Harmony is very energy consuming but now that the threat is over we can let ourselves rest a little. "So it has been taken care of I presume?" Celestia asks us. We are in the throne room approximately a day after the Shadow Walker event has taken place. "Yes Princess. Although we weren't able to capture him I believe he won't return to us any time soon." Twilight replied while bowing to the Princess of the sun. "Oh Twilight, you don't have to call me princess or bow to me, you are a princess yourself after all. Neither do all of you for that matter. In my eyes we are all equal. Isn't that right Luna?" Celestia said with a grin on her muzzle. "Huh? Sorry, you were talking to me?" A tired looking Luna replied giving a big yawn from her throne as she had obviously fallen asleep on the job. Not that anyone can blame her, she is up all night each night to care after the kingdom of Equestria after all. We all stop talking as we hear the doors to the throne room open and a fully recovered Lighting Dash enters. I can't help but stare at him as he takes in the scenery. "Ahem." Although a bit crude this does seem to get Lightning's attention to the Princess. "Why did you bring me here?" He asks Celestia while I can see his eyes pausing as he sees me. I quickly avert my eyes to a very interesting bit of floor near my hooves. "I have some important information I thought you would also be interested in hearing. It involves Shadow Walker." Celestia replies and I can immediately feel the atmosphere in the room change. His anger apparent as he slowly becomes statically charged. "What about it" He says with an icy tone that cuts straight through the thick atmosphere. "Thanks to your memories the Elements were able to track the creature down and then they brought it to me. I have banished it to the moon for eternity, so you needn't have fear nor anger any more." It seems Celestia thought it would be better to make him think that it was banished, rather then that we destroyed his physical form. "I have to apologize but I will always have anger against that thing of darkness. It isn't something that I will forget easily. This little piece of darkness will stay with me forever. No matter how far away it is I know it still exists, and that is enough to anger me. This is who I have become and I cannot change that, for that I am sorry." It hurts me to hear that he will always be angry at this creature. I hope it will fade with time and that we can be together again soon. "At least let me ask you one thing." I only just hear Celestia say as she walks after Lighting who had turned around to leave the throne room. I can see them argue a little but then Lighting just turns his head away from us all and walks away, leaving me behind. I know he'll run. But I don't care. I don't care how long it takes. I will find him again! Chapter 3: Into the EverfreeThe Search for her Heart Chapter 3: Into the Everfree Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Fluttershy, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" The white alicorn asks me as she looks at me with judgement in her eyes. "Yes. I have to find him again and I have to do it alone." I state, sure of my cause. "You know that the girls will follow you don't you." She continues. "I do, that is why I want you to not tell them anything. I have to do this by myself, please. Please don't tell them." I plead, letting myself slump at her hooves. "Al right, I will not tell them anything. But promise me one this one thing Fluttershy. Be careful and take good care of yourself. I do not have any power in the Everfree therefore I will not be able to protect you. Please, proceed with caution." "Of course Princess." "Now go and find your special somepony." She finishes our conversation, smiling at me with compassion and a motherly love. Why does the Everfree have to be so dark and scary? I haven't even entered yet but it's already getting on my nerves. I have mapped out a route to follow through the forest which will take me past almost every likely area that Lightning might have chosen as a place to live. Only thing is, is that this route will take me at least four months to complete if I don't find him along the way. It will probably take even longer considering the dangers of the forest. I don't want to go in there but I know I have to. I have my bags packed with all things essential for surviving and with the help of Zecora I managed to bring along a few potions that might aid me in my search. She also gave me a list of things to avoid, which I have already memorized. I have to be extra careful because the forest is dark and I won't be able to see clearly once I enter. And now is the time to do just that. I stand in front of the Everfree at the area behind my home since I don't want to run into anypony. It's now or never. I place one hoof in front of the other and slowly make my way over to the dirt road that serves as an entrance to the Everfree. Leaving behind everything in search of an old friend and lover, in search of my Heart. The Everfree is not so bad once you get used to it. It's just really dark and there are creaking twigs and weirs howling noises and sounds of breathing everywhere. Everything also seems a lot bigger than from the outside. I just keep on walking the path and take out the map with the route I planned out. In front of me is a junction, which way to go, left or right. The thick bush prevents me from reading any signs that should be standing somewhere but the map is telling me that I should go right. The path to the right however is darker than the path to the left. There are even flowers just pointing in the direction of the lighter road. No! I have to go right, I have to stick to my plan and I have to find him. Against the will of my body I steer myself right and onto the road leading me under an even denser canopy. After walking for what seemed like hours I finally arrive at my first point of interest. A small clearing offers me a chance to check the time. To my surprise it is still day but I can't get a good reading on the precise time because of the few branches of the tall trees blocking my view of the sun. I do know that it is past midday and because I can't see the sun from this angle, I even come to the conclusion that it is past three. I realise that I have to find a place to sleep soon, as my next target is at least another twelve hour walk through the dense forest. I will have to get up before dawn, which will cause quite a problem because it always looks like dawn or dusk when it's midday and like midnight any other times. Then, remembering the natural habits of my animal friends, I know I'll just have to listen to my surroundings. I know there are things here that see me as an easy snack, but I know most creatures' habits and weaknesses. It is my special talent after all. After mulling on how I would wake up on time, I make my way over to the edge of the clearing, looking for a some place to take shelter. I find exactly what I need, a little cave hidden from view by vines and natural overgrowth. I was lucky to find it and probably wouldn't have if I didn't see the small flash of light from inside it while I walked by. I carefully enter to find out what had caused the flash, only to be caught by surprise. Against one of the walls lies a broken piece of mirror, the image staring right back at me. On the floor are hooveprints, recently made hooveprints. Somepony had been in this cave not too long ago, and I have a pretty good idea of who that was. There's only one pony I know of that has gone into the Everfree before me and that is the one I have to find. Lightning was here, he was here and that means I'm going in the right direction. But the question still remains, where are you now? Where are you and why are you running from me? "Please, please come back to me." I whisper to nopony in particular. I lower myself to the ground and get a little comfortable for sleeping, I will need the energy tomorrow. I hope I find him tomorrow and if not, then the day after that. I will keep on going. I won't stop, not even if the world ends. You can run, Lightning Dash, but you can't hide. I will find you and you'll be mine again. Author's Note Update? Wut? Since when do I update? Hope the chapter's not too bad or out-of-character. Do you know how difficult it is to have Fluttershy's mind set? Just imagine you are a five-year-old who's lost her parents during New York rush hour. At least that's how I do it. Whelp, I hope y'all enjoy. /) ~Porqupine
Chapter 1: PrologueThe Search for her Heart Chapter 1: Prologue Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Are you absolutely sure you want to see him?" Celestia asks me as we were headed for his room. "Yes." Is the only thing I can reply as I can feel myself getting nervous. I know I had to do this. I had to see for myself. I had to make sure it was him. "Alright then. But keep in mind, he might not be the same pony as you remember. I will now go check on Twilight, after that I will return here to check up on you." "That's o.k. I guess." I know that I am not good with words. I'd rather just be at home caring for my animals but this is necessary. I carefully open the door to his room and slowly make my way in. As I enter I find that he is still asleep and I decide to wait until he wakes up, so that I can talk to him a little. I gently place one of my hooves on him just to make myself feel closer to him again. Just like old times, when we were together. And then you just had to leave didn't you. Why did you have to leave me. "Come back to me." I say, feeling a lump in my throat. Suddenly I can hear his heart monitor making strange noises, its beeps slowing down very quickly. "No! Stay with me! Come back to me. DON'T FOLLOW THE LIGHT! Please." I can feel my own desperation rising by the second. "Please. Please don't go yet." I wanted him to stay, we still had so much to talk about. "I looked for you when I heard you'd gone missing. I never forgot about you. Please. Please don't go. Not now, not yet." I can no longer control myself as I just let my head fall onto his chest and let the tears flow freely. I barely notice when the beeping of the heart monitor returns to normal again. "I-I'm sorry." I suddenly hear from very close to me. I look up to see those beautiful crimson eyes. It fills me with so much happiness that he didn't leave me this time. That he actually came back to me. I jump right on top of him and hug him as tightly as I can, determined not to loose him this time. "Thank Celestia you're okay." I manage to say through my tears of joy. "Where is Celestia?" Is all he says in reply, with a rather stern voice at that. "She's just making sure Twilight's okay. Don't worry about it, I'm sure she's fine. I'm just glad that you're okay." I say back to him, trying to reassure him that everything is absolutely fine. After a few seconds I feel him trying to move beneath me. "Can you please get off me?" He says, but with such acid in his voice that shocks me, and it really quite hurts me to hear him say that with such venom. I quickly jump off him as he obviously doesn't want me near him. "I'm sorry. Uhm well, bye." I start for the door but before I am halfway to it he surprises me yet again. I know Celestia said that he might act a little different and that he was still uncertain about himself, but it still surprised me. "Wait! Please don't go. Don't leave me. Not again." I slowly turn around trying to understand what he just said, and almost instantly understand what he means. "What do you mean 'again'? I never left you. You're the one who left without even saying goodbye! I searched for you! I missed you! You didn't even visit me on my birthday! I WAITED FOR YOU BUT YOU NEVER CAME BACK!" I felt betrayed, that he would think that I would ever leave him. I felt angry that he actually believed that and I felt hurt that he still believed it. "I-I'm sorry." I look him in the eyes and I notice how puzzled and confused he felt. He was so brainwashed by that evil creature that he really thought I left him. "Please, forgive me." He says while turning his head away from me. He doesn't understand that I never blamed him for anything. It was never his fault. "I don't blame you. Celestia told me everything. I know it wasn't you who did all this. I still love you, you do know that right?" It was the first time I had ever said it to him, even when we were together I never told him how much I love him. "I-I can't." He said, still facing away from me. And that's when he started to go crazy again. He started pulling on the restraints holding him to the bed, he even started biting on them. I wanted him to stop, I wanted to talk to him, but I was afraid, as I am afraid of almost everything. "Calm down, uhm, please?" Is all I manage to squeak as he finally bites through his last restraint. He jumps off the cot and I can hear him wince as he lands on his hooves which haven't had the chance to fully heal yet. "Please don't." I say through tears as I can almost feel his pain as my own. "I'm so sorry." He says before he limps out the door and leaves me behind without even a second glance. I feel my heart take another beating as he just leaves me, not bothering to say goodbye. Only saying sorry for things he shouldn't be sorry for, for thing he didn't do. That is when I breakdown in tears and slump to the floor just letting all the stress out. I know he loves me too, but why must he hurt us both by leaving, why. Then I hear hooves on marble, coming closer. I know it isn't Lightning because there's no limp in the rhythm. When the door opens to the room again I'm surprised by Celestia, who is carrying Lightning on her back. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!" I shout, oblivious to the small smile on Celestia's lips. "Do not worry my little pony, he just needs to recover from his injuries. You, however, have a job to do. We will need all the Elements for this. Come to the throne room in thirty minutes, and bring your necklace, you'll need it." Celestia then leaves me with an unconscious Lightning Dash, not really knowing what to do for a few minutes before everything sinks in what she said. I need my necklace. She needs the Elements. We are all in grave danger.
Chapter 2: Good RiddanceThe Search for her Heart Chapter 2: The Imprisonment Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Rainbow Dash no!" Twilight screams as the cyan pegasus charges at the creature before us. The creature is absolutely massive, a colossal entity of darkness which has taken refuge in Lightning Dash's former lair. Before Rainbow even gets close she is reflected by a wall of dark magic, a forcefield created using the hate and anger of all beings. This thing before us was vengeance itself. "C'mon girls, get yourselves together." Twilight now pleads as hate seems to fill us all. All except me that is. I cannot hate. I am physically unable to hate anything. Of course I can get annoyed by something but I will never hate. The amulet in my necklace starts glowing the more I think about my feelings for everything that is living, and my love for all creatures of the forest. I can feel that the girls are affected by it too, relieving them from the dark fog that was slowly settling in on them. "Thanks Flutters!" Applejack says as she realizes what was going on. "Uhm, it's okay really." I shout back at her. "What was that?" She replies. Couldn't she hear me? I'm absolutely positive I just yelled to her that everything was fine. Never mind that, there's a more important matter at our hooves. 'Oh you really think that that little trick will save you all, don't you? Well let me just assure you that soon enough you'll all be under my full control.' The shadow was so big and frightening, but I knew I couldn't let myself pass out at that moment. I had to fight it, together with my friends. "Formation girls." Twilight orders, and we quickly obey. I can feel myself being lifted off the ground and I can feel our minds connecting once again. As a whole, and for the first time with Twilight as an alicorn, we speak. "You, creature of hatred and vengeance, you, doer of evil and corruption, you will face justice on our lands!" The power felt more intense than when we defeated Nightmare Moon, and it was more difficult to contain it as well. It took all our strength to guide the energy toward our target. "No. NO! THIS CANNOT BE!" The shadow was consumed by the many hues of light as it was hit head on, all but eliminating it from the surface of the planet. You may have defeated me now, but mind you, I live everywhere. I am every little bit of anger and hate. I cannot be destroyed ever, and I will return. With that said we all slowly fell back to earth, much to my relief. I may be a pegasus but I still prefer solid ground over anything. "I-is it gone?" I ask Twilight as I look at the massive crater left behind by our combined forces of Harmony. "For now, I believe so." She replies with a sigh as she too lets herself fall to the floor, probably from exhaustion. Using the Elements of Harmony is very energy consuming but now that the threat is over we can let ourselves rest a little. "So it has been taken care of I presume?" Celestia asks us. We are in the throne room approximately a day after the Shadow Walker event has taken place. "Yes Princess. Although we weren't able to capture him I believe he won't return to us any time soon." Twilight replied while bowing to the Princess of the sun. "Oh Twilight, you don't have to call me princess or bow to me, you are a princess yourself after all. Neither do all of you for that matter. In my eyes we are all equal. Isn't that right Luna?" Celestia said with a grin on her muzzle. "Huh? Sorry, you were talking to me?" A tired looking Luna replied giving a big yawn from her throne as she had obviously fallen asleep on the job. Not that anyone can blame her, she is up all night each night to care after the kingdom of Equestria after all. We all stop talking as we hear the doors to the throne room open and a fully recovered Lighting Dash enters. I can't help but stare at him as he takes in the scenery. "Ahem." Although a bit crude this does seem to get Lightning's attention to the Princess. "Why did you bring me here?" He asks Celestia while I can see his eyes pausing as he sees me. I quickly avert my eyes to a very interesting bit of floor near my hooves. "I have some important information I thought you would also be interested in hearing. It involves Shadow Walker." Celestia replies and I can immediately feel the atmosphere in the room change. His anger apparent as he slowly becomes statically charged. "What about it" He says with an icy tone that cuts straight through the thick atmosphere. "Thanks to your memories the Elements were able to track the creature down and then they brought it to me. I have banished it to the moon for eternity, so you needn't have fear nor anger any more." It seems Celestia thought it would be better to make him think that it was banished, rather then that we destroyed his physical form. "I have to apologize but I will always have anger against that thing of darkness. It isn't something that I will forget easily. This little piece of darkness will stay with me forever. No matter how far away it is I know it still exists, and that is enough to anger me. This is who I have become and I cannot change that, for that I am sorry." It hurts me to hear that he will always be angry at this creature. I hope it will fade with time and that we can be together again soon. "At least let me ask you one thing." I only just hear Celestia say as she walks after Lighting who had turned around to leave the throne room. I can see them argue a little but then Lighting just turns his head away from us all and walks away, leaving me behind. I know he'll run. But I don't care. I don't care how long it takes. I will find him again!
Chapter 3: Into the EverfreeThe Search for her Heart Chapter 3: Into the Everfree Written by: Porqupine DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanbased work of prose. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the property of Hasbro and the reinvention of the lovely Lauren Faust. No copyright infringement is intended, please support the official release. (Disclaimer by Andrew J. Talon. No copyright infringement is intended) "Fluttershy, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" The white alicorn asks me as she looks at me with judgement in her eyes. "Yes. I have to find him again and I have to do it alone." I state, sure of my cause. "You know that the girls will follow you don't you." She continues. "I do, that is why I want you to not tell them anything. I have to do this by myself, please. Please don't tell them." I plead, letting myself slump at her hooves. "Al right, I will not tell them anything. But promise me one this one thing Fluttershy. Be careful and take good care of yourself. I do not have any power in the Everfree therefore I will not be able to protect you. Please, proceed with caution." "Of course Princess." "Now go and find your special somepony." She finishes our conversation, smiling at me with compassion and a motherly love. Why does the Everfree have to be so dark and scary? I haven't even entered yet but it's already getting on my nerves. I have mapped out a route to follow through the forest which will take me past almost every likely area that Lightning might have chosen as a place to live. Only thing is, is that this route will take me at least four months to complete if I don't find him along the way. It will probably take even longer considering the dangers of the forest. I don't want to go in there but I know I have to. I have my bags packed with all things essential for surviving and with the help of Zecora I managed to bring along a few potions that might aid me in my search. She also gave me a list of things to avoid, which I have already memorized. I have to be extra careful because the forest is dark and I won't be able to see clearly once I enter. And now is the time to do just that. I stand in front of the Everfree at the area behind my home since I don't want to run into anypony. It's now or never. I place one hoof in front of the other and slowly make my way over to the dirt road that serves as an entrance to the Everfree. Leaving behind everything in search of an old friend and lover, in search of my Heart. The Everfree is not so bad once you get used to it. It's just really dark and there are creaking twigs and weirs howling noises and sounds of breathing everywhere. Everything also seems a lot bigger than from the outside. I just keep on walking the path and take out the map with the route I planned out. In front of me is a junction, which way to go, left or right. The thick bush prevents me from reading any signs that should be standing somewhere but the map is telling me that I should go right. The path to the right however is darker than the path to the left. There are even flowers just pointing in the direction of the lighter road. No! I have to go right, I have to stick to my plan and I have to find him. Against the will of my body I steer myself right and onto the road leading me under an even denser canopy. After walking for what seemed like hours I finally arrive at my first point of interest. A small clearing offers me a chance to check the time. To my surprise it is still day but I can't get a good reading on the precise time because of the few branches of the tall trees blocking my view of the sun. I do know that it is past midday and because I can't see the sun from this angle, I even come to the conclusion that it is past three. I realise that I have to find a place to sleep soon, as my next target is at least another twelve hour walk through the dense forest. I will have to get up before dawn, which will cause quite a problem because it always looks like dawn or dusk when it's midday and like midnight any other times. Then, remembering the natural habits of my animal friends, I know I'll just have to listen to my surroundings. I know there are things here that see me as an easy snack, but I know most creatures' habits and weaknesses. It is my special talent after all. After mulling on how I would wake up on time, I make my way over to the edge of the clearing, looking for a some place to take shelter. I find exactly what I need, a little cave hidden from view by vines and natural overgrowth. I was lucky to find it and probably wouldn't have if I didn't see the small flash of light from inside it while I walked by. I carefully enter to find out what had caused the flash, only to be caught by surprise. Against one of the walls lies a broken piece of mirror, the image staring right back at me. On the floor are hooveprints, recently made hooveprints. Somepony had been in this cave not too long ago, and I have a pretty good idea of who that was. There's only one pony I know of that has gone into the Everfree before me and that is the one I have to find. Lightning was here, he was here and that means I'm going in the right direction. But the question still remains, where are you now? Where are you and why are you running from me? "Please, please come back to me." I whisper to nopony in particular. I lower myself to the ground and get a little comfortable for sleeping, I will need the energy tomorrow. I hope I find him tomorrow and if not, then the day after that. I will keep on going. I won't stop, not even if the world ends. You can run, Lightning Dash, but you can't hide. I will find you and you'll be mine again. Author's Note Update? Wut? Since when do I update? Hope the chapter's not too bad or out-of-character. Do you know how difficult it is to have Fluttershy's mind set? Just imagine you are a five-year-old who's lost her parents during New York rush hour. At least that's how I do it. Whelp, I hope y'all enjoy. /) ~Porqupine
