Aria's Story

Chapters

Prolouge
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
Chapter 2: New Friends in a New Land
Chapter 3: The Minotaur and the Time Lord
Chapter 4: Re-learning the Basics
Chapter 5: The Race
The Dream

Prolouge

Prologue

His attacks became wild, like those of a rabid, bloodthirsty beast. Complete madness had taken hold. The Aspects readied the Dragon Soul to finally end him while the heroes kept him distracted.

“Dragon Queen! Hurry! We can’t keep him occupied for much longer!”, yelled the heroic band’s leader, Aria. “His attacks are too strong!”.

“It is almost complete. Just a short time longer.”, explained Nozdormu, the Time Lord.

While they were distracted by the Time Lord’s response, he struck. The blow knocked to group to the ground and pinned them beneath one of Deathwing mighty tentacles. Their leader was flung into another platform away from the group. Deathwing would end this now. He began to channel the Final Cataclysm to destroy these foolish mortal heroes, the Dragon Aspects, and all of Azeroth once and for all. Aria saw her friends in danger and leaped to her feet ignoring her own wounds. She drew her daggers and activated their hidden power. These were no ordinary daggers. They were The Fangs of the Father, a legendary set of daggers forged from the very essence of Deathwing’s Black Dragonflight. In an instant, a pair of jet-black wings appeared on Aria’s back and she took flight right for Deathwing. Her daggers dug into the Corrupt Aspects dismembered chest. She knew what must be done to end this and save everyone.

“THRALL!”, She called out to the new Aspect of Earth, “Quickly! Use the Dragon Soul!”.
She let out a scream of agony. The power of her daggers protected her from the heat of Deathwing’s Molten Blood, but the pain of using the power of these weapon sent a wave of pain through her body that was unlike any pain she ever felt. “I can’t hold his attack back for very long!”.

Seeing this as the only opportunity he would have to end this, Thrall raised the Dragon Soul up and fired. What happened next would have caused even the Titans themselves to stand in shock. The young Blood Elf leaped from her grasp on the Aspect of Death and flung herself into the beam shot from the Dragon Soul. She pulled from her satchel a small hourglass. I had been a gift from the Time Lord for her assistance in the Caverns of Time. It could be used to amplify the power of any attack by 10-fold, but only once. Her plan was to utilize this item to increase the power of the Dragon Soul’s blast to eradicate Deathwing for certain. The item required a focus however. It was intended to be combined with the Dragon Soul itself, but given the circumstances, Aria was the only thing available to use to focus the blast through the Hourglass.

The beam from the Dragon Soul connected with her. A burning sensation surrounded her as she was enveloped by the beam. The pain she felt was far worse than anything she had ever faced in all of her journeys. The hourglass began to glow and started to absorb the beam surrounding Aria. The hourglass floated into the air and after an bright flash, it hang alone in the air. Aria was gone. Within a moment the energy was released from the hourglass and fired right at Deathwing. The beam was far brighter and larger than before. The blast pierced right though what remained of the aspects armor and engulfed him in a blinding light. When it subsided the only thing that remained of the Corrupt Aspect were two heavy metal jaw-plates that fell to the floor with a large crash. Deathwing had been stopped and Azeroth was saved from complete Annihilation. Aria’s sacrifice had saved them all.

“And One will rise up and give all for the rest.”, Aria’s second in command, Helvansing, a warrior of the Tauren, stated solemnly. “An old prophecy from ages long past.”

“She didn’t have to go and do that though.”, Raven the Paladin, Aria’s Defense Strategist, said through eyes welling up with tears.

“I never thought I would see the day.”, Exitus the Death Knight, Aria’s Field Commander, said as he fell to his knees in disbelief.

“May the light watch over her.”, Vyce, another Death Knight, and Aria’s Armor Specialist, knelt in prayer for his lost friend.

“No, NO! IMPOSSIBLE! She can’t be gone!”, Falvore the Mage couldn’t control himself after witnessing the loss of his best friend.

The five heroes stood solemnly in remembrance of the most loyal friend they ever had. No matter what, she was there for them as they were there for her. And now, it was as if a large hole was torn through each of them. Even the toughest of them all, Helvansing, who laughed in the face of fear and made jokes in the face of death, had a small stream of tears flowing down his face behind his helmet.

“She will not be forgotten Heroes. She will receive a place of honor in Orgrimmar’s Valley of Honor so all will remember her Sacrifice for the rest of time. This I swear!”, Thrall assured the grieving heroes.

“Thank you, Earthwarder. She was a grand Hero, and an even grander friend.”, Helvansing responded as his gaze wander into the blue horizon. Aria had always been obsessed with flight. He found it ironic that when she finally found a way to obtain wings that she never got the chance to use them.

With Deathwing defeated and the world saved, the heroes returned home to enjoy the glory of victory and the praise of the countless people they had saved, albeit half-heartily as one would not be joining them in this celebration. The Aspects returned to their temples. All but two.

“Her presence is still felt along the Time-ways, isn’t it brother?” Alexstraza questioned a distracted Nozdormu.

“It is indeed Sister, but where I am uncertain. She is beyond my powers...”, Nozdormu responded, his gaze drifting off to the now clear blue skys above...

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Pain wracked every corner of her body. Her left wing and leg particularly. She tried to fly but was only struck with sharper pain. Her leg was definitely broken and her wing was definitely shot too. To make it worse, she was falling, fast. Numbness from the pain began to take over.

“What happened?”, She thought to herself.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was a cyan multicolored blur.

* * * * * *

It was about noon. Rainbow Dash had just finished practicing her new Triple Rainbow Double Flip (patent pending) trick for The Wonderbolts and had found a cloud to take a quick nap on. She was suppose to be prepping the sky for the weather team to move in a storm later today.

“I’ll do it later. Everypony knows I can clear this sky in 10 seconds flat. I wouldn’t leave em’ hangin’!”, She boasted to herself. As she began to lay down she caught a quick glimpse of something she couldn't believe. A golden coat pegasus with a purple gradient mane was falling out of the sky! She looked pretty badly injured too.

“HANG ON! Im’ma comin’!, Rainbow shouted as she charged off the cloud to save the injured mare. With her impeccable speed she caught the injured pegasus well before she came close to the ground.

Rainbow rushed the injured pegasus right to the hospital. She knew the staff there pretty well due to her own regular visits from practicing her own stunts.

“Doc! Got a real problem over here!” she yelled as she entered the main doors of the hospital in the the quaint waiting room. The Doctor entered from a set of double doors that led back into the wards of the building.

“Rainbow Dash? What’s wrong?”, responded Doctor Readout, “What did you break this time?”. He was a rather young doctor. Probably in his later 20’s. He had a light brown coat, with a black puffed mane. He always wore his white lab-coat with his stethoscope and those odd circular metal headpieces doctors seem to wear but never use. His cutie mark was a pulse readout screen, Hence where he got the name “Readout”.

“Not me doc, her!”, She responded, visibly upset with both the doctors taunting and the condition of this mysterious pony.

“By Celestia’s Mane! Quickly, Nurse, get her into the ER!”, The Doctor barked. “Don’t worry Rainbow, your friend will be fine now.”

* * * * * *

Several hours had passed. Rainbow had left briefly to finish her weather team duties but had returned to the hospital and had been by this strange mare’s side ever since. She hadn’t woken up yet. The doctor said it was a miracle she was alive considering her condition. Broken wing, fractured leg, 3 broken ribs, countless cuts and bruises. The amount of scare tissue astounded him. Whoever this was, she had been through quite the ordeal and it hadn't been the first time. There was something about this pony though. Something that made Rainbow feel that she needed to be here for her. As if there was some important reason she was here.

“Looks like I might be here a while.”, Rainbow said quietly to herself. “I hope you don’t mind that I read out-loud.”, She pulled a Daring-Do book from her saddle bag. “Daring-Do and the Temple of Terror...”.

A faint smile crept onto the sleeping pony’s face that went unnoticed to Rainbow as she began reading the story...

* * * * * *

It was morning now. She lay sprawled on the floor using her book as a pillow.

“Rainbow Dash? Rainnnboww Daaassh! Get up it’s morning!”, Doctor Readout called to the sleeping mare.

Half asleep and still gathering herself, Rainbow’s face sobered up as she remembered what had happened the day before. She turned with relief to see the strange mare awake and enjoying a glass of juice. The book she started the night before lay open on the bed beside the mare.

“See, I told you there was no need for worry. Now I’ll leave you two alone for a while. I have some papers I need to fill out and I need to prepare a file for the patient since she doesn't seem to have anything on record.”, Readout said as he left the room.

“So since you’re awake now, what’s your name anyway? I’ve never seen you around Ponyvill before.”, Rainbow asked.

“Well... My name is Aria, but that's all I can remember, other than falling out of the sky at least.”, She responded.

“What do you mean that’s all you can remember?”, Rainbow contested. “You mean like Amnesia or something?”.

“I’m not sure, but all I remember is my Name. I don’t even know where I am or where I came from or why I am even here. The last thing I can remember before everything went dark was this cyan blur trailed by a rainbow. The I woke up in this bed about an hour ago.”, Aria explained.

“Oh. Well from what I saw you just seemed to have popped up as if from thin air and were falling outta the sky. Lucky for you I was there and saved you right in the nick of time.” Rainbow stated confidently, striking a rather heroic pose.

Aria smiled and let out a small giggle, “Well thanks for saving me, and for staying her all night. We don’t even know each other and I don’t even know your name yet, but you stayed here as if you’ve known me for a lifetime.”

“Hehe, yea I was just worried is all... wait how did you know I was here all night?” Rainbow said with a confused stare.

“When I was sleeping I kept hearing a voice that saying “hold on. you’re going to be fine.”

“Well, I was worried was all. Its not everyday somepony falls out of the sky half dead and beaten to Oblivion.”, Rainbow protested, not wanting her softer side to show too much. “Anyway, the names Rainbow Dash, best flyer to ever come out of Cloudsdale!”, She boasted as she flexed her wings ambitiously.

“Well its nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. Once I’m back up and moving around we’ll have to test that speed out so I can see it for myself.”, Aria said with a competitive grin.

“Ya know Aria, I’ve got a feeling me and you are going to be awesome friends.”, Rainbow said confidently.

The two continued talking for hours. Being without a memory save her own name, Aria had plenty of questions. After her initial questions: Where was she and the like; She asked about other stuff. Rainbow told her all about her other friends, the princesses, their adventures, and of course talked for several hours just on the subject of how Daring-Do and The Wonderbolts we’re the most amazing things to ever exist and how her dream was to one day become a member of the Wonderbolts. Aria had become mesmerized with Rainbows stories about the Wonderbolts and Daring-Do.

Aria considered herself lucky. She had survived whatever almost caused her own death and had already found a new friend to help her in this strange land.

Chapter 2: New Friends in a New Land

After about a week in the hospital and hours and hours of conversation and reading Daring-Do, Aria was finally discharged. She would have to stay off her wings for a few days to let them get used to the newly healed wounds. Aria and Rainbow joked about that race having to wait until she could fly again. But now there was a real problem: Aria needed a place to stay. A house like the one Rainbow described that she lived in was an obvious choice, but until she could fly again getting up to it would be difficult.

“Well this is a bit of a dilemma, isn't it?” Aria said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood on the situation. “All that time we had and we didn't even think of what to do once I healed up.”

“There has to be somewhere you can stay for now...” Rainbow said, trying to think of a solution.

She thought for a moment.

“Twilight! That's it! We'll go see my friend Twilight. I'm sure she will let you stay there until you can fly again. Maybe she can even help you find your memory.” Rainbow said feeling a little silly she hadn't thought to ask Twilight earlier.

“Are you sure She will be alright with this?” Aria asked. She hadn't met anypony else but Rainbow Dash and the Medical Staff at the hospital.

“Don't worry about it! Everypony here in Ponyville is really nice and level headed.” Rainbow said to reassure her new friend.

They passed by a pink pony with a swirly pink mane. It reminded Aria of cotton candy.

“Hi Rainbow Da... HUAAAAAAAHAHAA!”, The pony gasped in astonishment and then sped away.

“What was that all about?”, Aria asked, completely confused as to what had just happened.

“Ah, that's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. She's cool but kinda random. She'll show up again later I'm sure.” Rainbow said as if this was a normal occurrence. Aria figured she would get a better explanation later on.

“Alright, we're here! Hey Twi! Get out of your books for a sec! I've got somepony for you to meet!” Rainbow yelled to an open window.

Aria followed Rainbow into the hollowed out tree that served as the library and Twilight's house. Bookshelves lined the inside. It was more books that Aria had ever seen, even though she couldn't remember if she had seen more books or not in one place.

A purple unicorn descended the stairs. “Hi Rainbow Dash! I just finished writing up a report for the princess. What's up?”

“I'd like you to meet Aria. She's new here in Ponyville and needs a place to stay for a few days till she can fly again and I can get here a proper cloud home made.”

Well its an honor to meet you Aria. I'm Twilight Sparkle. Your welcome to stay here for a few days. I'd introduce you to my assistant Spike but I sent him on an errand. He'll be back later.”

“Well thank you. Its nice to meet you too. I'll try not to be a burden.” Aria said happily. The ponies here had been so kind to her even though she had only just met them.

“So what brings you to Ponyville Aria?” Twilight inquired.

“Well it wasn't exactly by choice and I don't even know how I got her honestly.” Aria responded.

Twilight gave a dazed and confused look. “What do you mean exactly?”

Aria began her story to a rather intrigued Twilight who listened in eager anticipation. Rainbow walked off to the kitchen to find a snack.

“... and then we came to see you.” Aria finished.

“Wow, that's quite the story. Aren't you worried about your past though?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“Well I've thought about the possibilities, but now I've started making new friends. Maybe once I'm able to fly again I'll try and find my past.” Aria said.

Twilight could tell something was bothering her. She hid her real feelings under a layer of unyielding confidence, much like Rainbow Dash does when she's got something on her mind. Twilight chose not to say anything about it, not yet.

There was a knock at the door and two new ponies cantered into the library. One was a light yellow pegasus with a pink mane styled down. She was obviously quite shy. The other was a white unicorn with an expertly styled purple mane. She held a very sophisticated air about her.

“Twilight, dear, I've come to get my... WAH HA HA!” She gasped in shock when she saw Aria's mane. It was a frilled mess. She hadn't combed it or anything since her bandages had come off at the hospital.

“Oh my this simply will not do! We can't have you walking around with your mane looking like THAT! Come with me, Fluttershy, I'll need your help with this as well.” The white unicorn pushed a startled Aria out of the library and down the street to a large ornate boutique.

“Déjà vu...” Twilight said to herself.

The white unicorn shoved Aria inside the boutique and the yellow pegasus named Fluttershy followed them inside.

“Now we must do something about that mane darling!” The white unicorn spoke in a very sophisticated tone. “Now tell me, what is your name dear?” She asked as she lifted a brush from the table with her magic.

“It's Aria... OW! That hurts!”, She cried out as the white unicorn pushed through a knot in her mane.

“Oh now sit still. We simply must get these brushed out at the least. Now, back to the formalities. My name is Rarity and this is Fluttershy.”

The yellow pegasus tried to move like a tortoise retreating into its shell, “....umm....hi....”. No wonder her name is Fluttershy, Aria thought to herself.

“Oh don't worry about Fluttershy. Just give her time and she'll warm up to you.” Rarity smiled, “Now tell me, what brings you to Ponyville?”

Aria told her story to the two ponies.

“Well now, that is an interesting tale. Its a good thing Rainbow was there when she was.” Rarity said, enthralled by the interesting story. “But I don't mean to pry dear, but I've noticed you don't have your Cutie Mark yet. How is it that a mare of your age hasn't found their talent yet?” Rarity asked with a questioning look.

Aria hadn't noticed that until now. Everypony else had a distinct mark on their back flank somehow depicting their unique talent.

“I'm not sure. I hadn't noticed it until now.” Aria said in slight embarrassment.

Suddenly, three young fillies storming in from another room.

“You don't have your cutie mark yet ethier?!” the three shouted almost simultaneously. One was a small white unicorn that looked much like Rarity. The one standing in the center was an orange pegasus with a purple mane. The last of the three was a yellow earth pony with a bright red mane and a distinct country accent.

“I'm Sweetie Bell!”, shouted the white unicorn.

“I'm Scootaloo!”, exclaimed the pegasus.

“An' I'm Applebloom!”, yelled the earth pony.

“And we are...”, the three gathered together and struck a triumphant pose, “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!”

“And we want to make you our newest member!” explained Scootaloo.

Before she had a chance to respond she was hauled away by the three fillies.

“Come on! Lets get back to the Clubhouse!, Scootaloo shouted to the other two fillies and Aria riding in the wagon. She was using her wings to propel them down the road by using a scooter and a wagon to get around. It was pretty ingenious.

“DUCK!”, called out Scootaloo.

Aria had been surprised by the random warning and didn't see the low tree branch. She was tossed from the wagon and landed flat on her back. Her still mending wing sent a sharp pain through her.

“YEEOUCH! Dang, Doc wasn't kidding when he said it would still be a little sore for a few days. Gonna have to be more careful.”

She took a look around her. “Sweet Apple Acres?” It sounded like a name for a farm. After a quick look around she confirmed that it was indeed a farm. A large barn, some livestock, and hundreds, maybe thousands, of apple trees surrounded her.

“Howdy! What brings ya 'round these parts, partner?” a yellow earth pony with a tied back blonde mane wearing a Wrangler's Hat called out as she approached from near the barn.

“Oh. Hi! My names Aria. These three young fillies dragged me out her from Rarity's boutique.” Aria explained.

“Gosh Darn'it Applebloom! Don't pay them no mind. They didn't mean no harm in it. Name's Applejack, pleasure to meet ya Aria!”, Applejack said as she shook Aria's hoof vigorously, “Can't say I've seen ya 'round Ponyville before though.”

“Its kind of a long story.” Aria said as her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten anything since she left the hospital that morning.

“Well I reckon y'all could explain it all over lunch. How do y'all feel about Apples?” Applejack laughed as she led Aria to a small picnic table.

“Oh man! Apples! Finally some real food and not that mushy green stuff at the hospital!” Aria shouted eying the large bowl of apples before her.

Applejack's eyes widened at the speed Aria ate the apples. She had devoured 10 apples in as many seconds. “Whoa Nelly! Are you even tastin' em?”

“Sorry, Its just been longer than I can remember since I've had actual food, but I suppose I owe you that explanation still right?” Aria began her story and Applejack was enticed by the tale.

“Well now, you've seen your fair share of hard-times.” Applejack said, still surprised by Aria's strange story. “It is getting' a might late though. I'm sure Twi an' Rainbow are waitin' fer ya back at the library.”

“Yea, I should head back I guess.”

“Tell ya what Sugarcube, I'll walk ya on home since your new here an' all.” Applejack offered.

Unable to decline, The two began their walk back to the library.

It was around dusk when the pair arrived at the library. The sunset cast a grand orange and purple hue across the sky. The sight was beautiful.

“Here we are! Now lets get you on inside now.” Applejack said, she looked as if she was trying to hide something but Aria just ignored it.

“Are you sure Twilight's home?” Aria asked. All the windows in the library were dark. It didn't appear that anypony was even home.

“Ah don't give that no worry. I'm sure shes here.” Applejack said, again she looked like she was trying to hide something.

Now slightly suspicious, Aria opened the door and walked in. A sudden flash of light filled the room.

“SURPRISE!!” shouted a room full of ponies. It was all the ponies from the town it seemed. She also saw all her new friends standing with that mysterious pink pony from earlier that morning.

Aria had clung onto a hanging lamp on the ceiling as if her life depended on it. The sudden shock had scared her enough that she jumped almost 8 feet into the air. Being such a small lamp, she lost her grip and came tumbling to the ground.

“Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Sorry fro freaking out earlier but when I saw you with Rainbow Dash I figured you must be new here because I've never seen you before and if I've never seen you before then you MUST be new so,” Pinkie inhaled deeply, “I got everypony in Ponyville together to throw you a great big Welcome to Ponyville Party!”

Aria was still speechless. A party for her? She had only just met all these ponies.

“Its just how Pinkie Pie does things. She can throw a party for just about anything! Don't worry about it too much and enjoy yourself.” Rainbow said to reassure Aria.

“Yea, you're right.” Aria said.

The group partied until late in the night. Pinkie challenged Aria to a hot sauce shots contest. To everyponys surprise Pinkie Pie lost. Aria then drank 4 gallons of cider to get the feeling back in her mouth. Rarity stuck around until a bottle of sarsaparilla shot all over her mane. She ran off and insisted she go home and bathe immediately.

Eventually the party wound down and everypony went home. Aria was shown the guest room by Spike since Twilight had a few too many cupcakes and had passed out from the subsequent sugar rush.

“Here's your room. It's really just the extra library hall with a bed, but I think it works.” Spike said as he led Aria into the second room. “Well,” Spike yawned, “I'll see you in the morning I guess. Night.” Her turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Aria climbed into bed. Careful not to lay on her still mending wings, she decided to just plop down on her stomach. She fell asleep almost instantly.

Chapter 3: The Minotaur and the Time Lord

Helvansing stood beneath a large statue in Orgrimmar's Valley of Honor. It had been 8 days. 8 long days since their victorious return from Wyrmrest Temple, but for Helvansing, there was no true victory. This statue exemplified that.

“No. I know you too well. It takes a lot more than one blast to put you down.”

He had been telling himself this for days, hoping that cocksure smiling elf would come waltzing up once more. She never came.

“Heh, ya know, you haven't missed much. With the last major threat to Azeroth dealt with they've had little use for us, aside from mercenary work. Vyce wandered off one day, said he needed to find himself, what life really meant aside from the constant strife. Raven and Exitus decided to join the Horde War-machine. They'll be campaigning for the Horde proper now I guess. Falvore returned to Dalaran. He decided to go continue his studies. I guess I'm all that's left of our little troop here. Aside from Blitzen, but he's busy training the new recruits at the Academy.” Helvansing let out a loud sigh. “Look at me. Once the most powerful warrior in all of Azeroth, now standing around talking to a hunk of shaped rock!” He let out a masking laugh. Sadness quickly returned to his face. “Its not the same without you: the jokes, the laughs, the discussions, they just aren't the same without you!” He slammed his fist down in both anger and grief. A small pendant fell from his belt pouch, a letter remained in the now open pocket. “Why....why....hmm? Wait, this pendant...” Helvansing immediately pulled the letter out and opened it. It read:

“My most Trusted Friend,

I write this in the hopes it is never read. However, if your are reading this then my game is over. That pendant I gave you is more than just a symbol of our friendship. You can use it to open my lockbox in my chambers aboard the Skybreaker. Show this letter to the crew with your pendant and Captain Johnson will allow you entry. He still owes me a favor.

Your Friend always,

Aria

P.S. That magnataur with the Kobolds still counts as 1!

“Hehe, she never let that go did she? After all this time too.” Even after she was gone she still made him laugh. “But the Skybreaker? That's an Alliance ship.” He wondered how his friend had gotten a lockbox kept under guard on an Alliance ship, but she did have a knack for finding strange and wild adventures.

“Well, off to Icecrown it looks like. That's the last place I remember it being stationed at least.”

He pulled a small white stone from his pocket. It was called a “Hearthstone”, they were magically enchanted stones carried by heroes and adventurers to return to locations they were attuned to. Helvansing activated his and in an instant found himself standing at the Horde Inn of Dalaran's Sunreaver District. He departed the inn and headed for Krazus' Landing. From here he summoned his both massive and intimidating proto-drake, Ironscale. He was different from the other types of proto-drakes. This one was tamed as the sole survivor from the condemned clutch of Razorscale of Ulduar. Like his mother before him, he was void of the “Curse of Flesh”. His entire body, scales and all, were made of a strong metal alloy. And he was massive. A mount befitting of Helvansing as the Tauren towered above even the tallest of Dreanei or Worgen. He climbed onto the saddle of his mount and took off on his flight north, to the forsaken Icecrown Glacier.

“My lord, we have pin-pointed the location of the anomaly”

“Where?”

“Icecrown Glacier, Sir. Aboard the Skybreaker to be exact. Its a faint readout, but its there.”

“Its her. I'm certain of it.”

The land below look no different from the Icecrown Campaign almost 2 years ago. The effects of the undead were still felt, small units of scourge still lurked around, the path cut back to Icecrown Citadel still littered with the debris of battle: Corpses, shrapnel, spent mortar shells rounds, destroyed siege weaponry. It was a wasteland.

“But we still keep up the vigil...” Captain Marcus Johnson said quietly to himself. He furled the large mustache on his weathered, reserved face. He was a powerful 6'2” and was very well respected as a decorated war hero, even to the Alliance's more exotic allies. No easy feat for your average human.

“Sir, our lookouts have spotted what looks like a Tauren riding Razorscale!” Corporal Thompson called to the Captain.

“A Tauren on Razorscale? Preposterous! Give me that Spyglass!” He grabbed the spyglass from the Corporal. “Wait. I know that Tauren.” He pulled a photo from his pocket. It showed a young blood elf girl standing next to the largest Tauren the Captain had ever seen. He flipped it over to read a note on the back:

“If you ever see this Tauren, grant him aid in the fashion we agreed. Once he departs, your debt is clear.

-A”

“Motion him to board. And do not antagonize him. Relay that to the rest of the crew.” Johnson barked.

The Tauren landed on the ship and his dragon took off and disappeared into the mountains. The Captain greeted the mighty Tauren as if they were old friends.

“Well now I never thought I'd meed you in person. Though I doubt my meeting you is for a pleasant reason.” his face grimaced. “Why don't we return to my quarters and you can fill me in.”

The two returned to the Captain's Quarters. Helvansing had to squeeze through the door due to his height. Over a hot cup of Northshire cocoa, Helvansing told the Captain the fate of his friend.

“So something finally got the best of her. Never thought I would happen, at least, not while I was still alive.” He let out a hearty laugh to soften the mood. “But you're here for the lockbox she left me. Well, here it is.” He pulled a small lockbox from beneath his desk.

The keyslot of the small green chest had an intricate mechanism that was shaped exactly like the pendant.

“Well aren't you going to op...” The Captain stopped mid sentence. Everything stopped. Everything Except Helvansing and the chest had lost its color and turned a faded gray.

“Do not be alarmed, but what you hold is of extreme importance.” A mysterious but familiar voice called out.

Suddenly, who else but Nozdormu the Time Lord himself appeared in the room with a burst of yellow light.

“I did not expect you to be the one to find this, however, it is not entirely unexpected. Whatever is in that chest is of Time Magic origin, and it is powerful.” The Time Lord announced. “You hold the key to whatever secrets your friend hid from even Time itself.”

Helvansing took a long look at the chest. Whatever was in it, Aria went to a lot of trouble to hide it. He decided that by what the letter said, he needed to know what was in it. He set the pendant in the slot and pressed it in. With a faint glow the chest popped open. Helvansing and the Time Lord leaned in to find a small hourglass and a note. The pair read the included note:

“My friend,

We have known each other a long time. We grew up together, We fought together, We were always there for each other. But now, it seems that isn't possible anymore. I know I'm not usually the sappy type but I'm sure you have noticed the small hourglass. Its called a Time- Flux. It uses the sand of the Hourglass of Time to open a one-way portal through Time and Space. This one is special. It can be manipulated to send you across any timestream that has ever existed. The Time Lord reading this with you should be able to help. Enjoy your Vacation!

You're Eternally Loyal Friend,

Aria.”

A tear ran down Helvansing's face. “That crafty girl, no matter what, could find a persons weak point.”

The Time Lord pondered a moment before realizing. “WAIT! Hero, we can find your friend. I do no believe she is dead!”

“Are you mad? You were there, you saw what happened to her.” Helvansing retorted.

“Yes, but she activated some sort of Time Magic to do what she did. After the battle, I noticed a very faint flux in the Timeways, but I thought little of it until now.” The Time Lord said, pondering the small hourglass. The faint hope he had held for this small anomaly being what he thought solidified what he felt after the Deathwing fight.

“So there's a chance she?”

“Indeed.”

Helvansing felt hope flood every vein. His friend may very well be alive somewhere.

“Now allow me to attune the hourglass to the timeway she was flung across.” The hourglass floated up and after a few moments began to glow a bright pink.

“It is done. The trip is one way, but it will take you to wherever she was flung. You mostly likely will not be able to return.” Nozdormu warned.

“I'm alright with that.” Helvansing replied. With the last threat to Azeroth being war between the Horde and Alliance, Helvansing didn't see a reason to regret leaving it all behind him.

He reached out and touched the hourglass. A bright light enveloped the room. When it receded, the hourglass faded to dust which flowed back into Nozdormu's shoulder plate.

“Farewell and good luck hero.” Nozdormu said before teleporting away.

Chapter 4: Re-learning the Basics

Aria woke up and staggered out into the kitchen where Spike and Twilight were waiting with breakfast.

“Hehe, nice bedhead you got there.” Spike taunted.

Aria glanced up. The entire front end of her mane was cow-licked clean up. She just started laughing.

“Yea, I guess I had a rough bit of sleep. Crazy dream last night, involved Pinkie Pie and cupcakes. Apparently she made them into some giant mech-robot thing.” Aria gave a smirk of embarrassment.

“That does sound like something Pinkie Pie would do.” Twilight laughed.

Aria walked over to the counter and made herself a bowl of Apple and Cinnamon oatmeal. She then sat down at the table to enjoy her breakfast until a certain blue pegasus soared in and blew the bowl clean off the table, subsequently dumping the oatmeal on Spike's head.

“IT BURNS!” Spike screamed as he ran out of the kitchen.

“Rainbow!” Aria yelled in annoyance.

“Hehe. Oops. Sorry about that.” Rainbow held a hoof behind her head in both apology and embarrassment.

Spike reentered the kitchen muttering something about installing locks on all the windows.

“So are you ready for today?” Rainbow asked Aria as she prepared a new bowl of oatmeal.

“What's today?” She had forgotten what was planned for today.

“It's the first day you can use your wings again! How did you forget?” Rainbow giggled.

Aria's eyes opened wide. “Oh man! How did I forget!” Rainbow had shown her the extensive Wonderbolts Magazine collection she had and Aria quickly became as obsessed with them as Rainbow was. She had been up late that night reading over a book on flight and different tricks, hence why she had slept in.

“Well lets get going! I wanna see what you've got!” Rainbow challenged.

They had gone out to a clearing near Applejack's place. It was a big open field where there was plenty of space to practice.

“Alright, here goes!” Aria leaped into the air and tumbled back down to the ground. “Oww. Alright, guess I'm going to have to practice a bit after all. This whole lose my memory thing might be a bit more annoying than I thought.” Aria said jokingly.

“Ha. Yea. Here this might help you out a bit. Rainbow produced a crash helmet from behind her.

“I've seen this before. Wasn't that little filly, ummm,...Scootaloo? Isn't that hers?” Aria questioned.

“Yea. I doubt she'll mind though. The little squirt follows me everywhere so she'll get it back soon anyway.” Rainbow laughed.

The falls and crashes continued for a while. Eventually, Aria was finally able to get one good jump in that got the wind under her wins. That was all she needed. Within minutes Rainbow was watching in awe as a pony who just an hour ago had the flight skill of Fluttershy was speeding around at speeds comparable to her own.

“Well. Looks like you've warmed up enough. How about a test of how fast you are?” Rainbow said with her usual cocksure attitude.

“What did you have in mind?” Aria asked.

“Alright. So we aren't too far from Applejack's now. How about first back to Twilight's wins?” Rainbow suggested.

“Easy.” Aria said with confidence.

They lined themselves up on a short starting line Rainbow carved out on the grass.

“Three, Two, One, ...GO!” And the two dashed off. Rainbow shot off at full blast. She shot clear over the meadow in seconds. She looked back to see how far behind she left Aria. She stumbled a bit when she looked to her left to see Aria keeping right up!

“Alright, your fast, I'll give you that. But lets see how you can keep up with REAL speed!” Rainbow yelled. She fired off with a small sonic-boom as she increased her speed even further to the point she was leaving her trademark rainbow trail from her mane reflecting the water naturally in the air behind her.

Suddenly a purple shimmer caught her eye. Again, Aria had caught up to her speed. There were now two trails running across the sky. Several ponies walking around Ponyville stopped to watch the trails shimmer across the midday sky.

The heat of the competition got the better of the two pegasi. The two had their gaze locked on each other to make sure the other didn't pull ahead. Suddenly the two found themselves not only at Twilight's, but crashed into Twilight's. Aria crashed clean into a bookcase, knocking every book off the shelf and into a pile on top of her. Rainbow knocked over the table and got stuck in the legs of a chair. Twilight came running from the first floor of the library.

“What is going on?!” Twilight yelled, not exactly happy to see the two pegasi amidst a new mess within her home.

Aria and Rainbow exchanged worried gazes as they awaited Twilight's wrath for trashing her house.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Helvansing rubbed his head. “Uggh, Wish he would have warned me about how crazy of a ride that would be.”

He tried to collect where he was. In every direction, all he saw were trees, except for a small path that led through. It seemed to be night but with the dense cover of the trees it was hard to tell.

“Perhaps this path will lead out of the forest. Better than standing here wasting time when I should be looking for Aria.” He reminded himself.

He started down the path. On either side was very dense foliage. The path seemed well traveled in comparison. After walking for about 20 minutes, he noticed a light through the trees. As he approached the light he found himself standing atop a cliff that overlooked a vast new world. He could see a nearby castle on a lower part of the mountain. It seemed to be built clear off the side of the mountain. In the distance he saw a small town with what looked like a farm at its outskirts. There was a train that seemed to connect the two and continued farther into the distance and out of view. Then he looked up and saw a city that seemed to be made of the clouds themselves!

“This is indeed a curious new world.” He said quietly in awe.

He began to descend the mountain along a path. I was a simple dirt path cut through the trees. It led right to the side gate of the castle-like town he saw earlier.

“Hello there! What brings you to Canterlot?” called a guard standing watch at the large ornate gate. He was a white stallion unicorn with gold armor.

“Well, I'm looking for someone. An elf to be exact.” He replied to the guard. Talking ponies didn't startle Helvansing any, he had seen much more obscure things in Azeroth.

The guard laughed. “An elf? Those are just an old pony tale now. Elves left Equestria over 2000 years ago!” The guard stopped giggling when he noticed the large minotaur was no amused. “oh, you're serious. Well I'd talk to the princess. If anypony can help it would be her. I'll open the gates for you. Just follow the signs and you'll be at the castle. Enjoy your stay in Canterlot.”

The gates opened at the guards call as he began using some magic on it. Helvansing stepped through into Canterlot. The streets were brick paved, the houses were ornate white stone. The backdrop to it all was the large ornate gold-trimmed castle. He gazed at the intricate detail of the architecture. The precision and style reminded him much of Dalaran, though her was sure this city was built with much more magic involved.

After asking a few ponies for better directions, he made it to the castle. As with the kingdoms in Azeroth, he was able to enter the throne room and ask the steward for an audience. The Steward found it too farfetched to be false. He returned a few moments later with a large white Alicorn. She stood much taller than the other ponies and had a long flowing mane. The colors of it reminded Helvansing of a flowing river of bubblegum ice cream since it seemed to move on its own.

“Welcome to Canterlot Castle. My name is Princess Celestia. The steward told me of how you have journeyed from the distant world of Azeroth in search of your friend.” The princess stood interested in what Helvansing had to say.

“Thank you for the audience, your highness.” He made a respectful gesture, “And yes, that is true. My friend Aria, who we thought gave her life to save our world, I have recently found out is actually alive somewhere here in your world. I was hoping I could request your help in finding her. I am also wondering if it is possible for you to grant me aid in learning more about your world. Its not possible for me to return to mine, and I would like to learn more about this world. Your people have been strangely... accepting of my appearance. My people were not met like this in my world, not until the arrival of the Orcs from Dreanor.”

“I'm sure I can find a way to help you, Mr. Vansing. But you have had quite the trip. Shall we discuss the details over tea?” Princess Celestia offered.

“It would be an honor, Princess.” Helvansing responded. He followed the Princess out to the Palace Gardens.

Chapter 5: The Race

It was around two in the afternoon. Aria and Rainbow had just finished putting the last books back on Twilight's shelves.

“I can't believe how mad Twilight was.” Aria said with a groan.

“Yea, she doesn't like it much when somepony knocks all her books off her shelves.” Rainbow giggled.

A large smile crept onto Aria's face, “Can you believe how fast I was going though?”

“Yea! That was lightning fast! No-pony has ever been able to keep up with me like that before!” Rainbow said in astonishment. “We should have a real race though. See who's really the fastest!”

“You're on!” Aria said with an air of confidence.

“Well then lets do this where you two aren't going to crash into anyponys house.” Twilight retorted as she came up the stairs.

“What did you have in mind?” Aria asked.

“Well...” Twilight's horn began to glow with magic. A book floated down off a shelf and spun open to a map. “Remember that Iron Pony Competition you had with Applejack last year, Rainbow Dash?”

“Yea? What about it?” Rainbow asked not sure where Twilight was going with this.

“Well, we can use the path for the Running of the Leaves for your race!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Good idea!” Rainbow cried out.

Spike overheard the whole conversation and ran off to tell Pinkie Pie.

The three departed the library and headed for where the race was to be held. They were astounded to see everypony in town had gathered to see the race.

“Spike! Why is the whole town here!?” Twilight shouted.

“Well, I heard you were doing a race so me and Pinkie Pie were going to be announcers.” Spike explained.

“All these ponies came to see us?” Aria and Rainbow just stood in amazement.

They gave each other a competitive grin and headed right for the starting line.

“Alright, Now you both know the rules, I shouldn't have to reiterate them.” Twilight nodded.

“On your mark!”

“Get set!”

“GO!”

Aria and Rainbow shot off down the Path. Aria kept right up with Rainbow. It was neck and neck.

“And its Aria! Now its Rainbow Dash! And its Aria again!” Pinkie was commentating from a hot air balloon.

“Yes folks, it looks like a fantastic race here today!” Spike added.

Rainbow increased her speed, but Aria was keeping right up.

“Gonna have to go all out.” Rainbow thought to herself.

She blasted off even faster, leaving her signature rainbow trail behind her. It didn't seem Aria could keep up.

“Wow. She's fast.” Aria said astonished. “Come on wings, we gotta go faster.” She wasn't out of this yet. Aria pushed as hard as she could. She was closing in on Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was amazed to see Aria begin to keep up with her. A purple trail followed behind Aria. They were closing in on the finish line.

Rainbow has only one last trick up her sleeve: The Sonic Rainboom. She sped herself up and she rocketed ahead, breaking through the air and setting off the legendary Sonic Rainboom. This looked like a decisive end to the race.

Aria didn't give up. She pushed herself even harder. She felt the wind around her bend. With a final thrust of her wings she blasted forward with a crack of lightning! Sparks ran and danced around the purple trail she left in her wake. The crowd looked on in awe. Pinkie Pie and Spike were speechless. Aria and Rainbow Dash were neck and neck once again!

A flash went off as the two sped over the finish line. After they were able to come to a stop, they rushed over to Twilight.

“Who won!? Who won!?” The two shouted in unison.

Twilight held up the photo, “Well... It was a tie.”

“A TIE?!” The two said with confused stares.

“Well, not exactly. Aria can call it a victory. Look!” cried Spike.

He was pointing at Aria's flank. On it was a marking. A purple lightning bolt woven around a trail of clouds. Aria's eyes lit up. She had gotten her cutie mark!

“So what are you gonna call it?” Rainbow asked.

“Call what?” Aria was still gawking are her new cutie mark.

“That totally awesome move you just did there!” Rainbow said with no concealed excitement.

“Oh...Um...How about...” Aria began to think.

“That was a Sonic Stormbolt!” They turned around to see an golden colored pegasus with a fire-colored mane walking toward them. Aria and Rainbow's eyes began to glimmer.

“ohmygosh! You're...” Rainbow said in a squeaky fangirl voice.

“... Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts!!” Aria finished in an equally squeaky fangirl voice.

Twilight covered her face with her hoof. Aria and Rainbow just stood there, ogling Spitfire. “Excuse me, but how do you know about this move? I've never heard of it before now.”

“Well, just like its counterpart, The Sonic Rainboom, The Sonic Stormbolt is legendary. It hasn't been performed successfully in generations! Not since it was done by the creators of the two moves.” Spitfire said in amazement. “It would appear Ponyville has two legendary fliers living in it now.”

Aria and Rainbow only looked at each other and giggled. They still couldn't believe they were standing with Spitfire and now she was praising them? They almost fainted.

“You two make quite the team. I'll be keeping an eye out. You're going places kids.” Spitfire said before she flew off.

Aria and Rainbow passed out at this point. Fainted from the sheer awesomeness. The crowds returned to town and Twilight began levitating a bucket of cold water. She tipped it over right above the two pegasi.

“Waa!”

“That's-s-s-s C-c-c-c-cold!”

“Are you two finished? It's getting late.” Twilight said jokingly.

Aria and Rainbow didn't stop talking about the race. They went back to Rainbow's house and spent the better part of the night talking about moves and the wonderbolts and Spitfire. Twilight was more interested in the origins of the two moves and began scouring the shelves of her library in search of answers.

The Dream

CHAPTER 6: THE DREAM

Aria stood in an open field. Dark clouds rolled overhead. She looked for somewhere to seek shelter bu no matter how much she ran she didn't seem to move anywhere. Lighting cracked from the sky above. The field had caught fire. Aria began hearing screams of pain from the flames as if there were creatures trapped inside. Aria tried to fly to see if she could find anypony she could help. As she entered the air a bolt of lightning lashed out, striking her. The blast left her body numb and immobile. She fell out of the sky, no one to catch her, no way to keep from crashing into the ground below. She watched the ground come closer and closer in terror, her fate inevitable.

Just before she hit the ground, she woke up in a sweat, screaming. Rainbow Dash jumped out of bed and landed on the floor. Tank made a futile attempt to run to the other side of his cage.

“Wah.. wuzzah huh?! What's going on? What's wrong?” Rainbow said, disoriented.

Aria explained the dream to Rainbow in detail.

“Oh man, that's some heavy stuff. Do you think it has anything to do with your memory?” Rainbow asked.

“I'm not sure. It felt so familiar. I'm not even sure I want to find out if its from my past or not.” Aria wiped the sweat that dripped down her face.

“Hmm. Hang tight I think I have something that might help you sleep.” Rainbow flew over to a closet on the far wall. She emerged with something very expected.

“Here, I got this when I was just a filly at my first Wonderbolts Derby. It used to help me sleep back then. Just don't let anypony know about it alright?” Rainbow offered Aria a small plush that resembled Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts. She couldn't believe somepony like Rainbow Dash had something like this.

Rainbow flew back over to her bed and lied down. She was just about to fall back asleep.

“Rainbow?”

“Yea?”

“Thanks.”

The nightmares didn't come back that night.

The next morning the two went to see Twilight about the dream. After coming up with nothing, Twilight decided they should go see somepony with experience in this type of thing. The three departed for Canterlot, Twilight figured if anypony could help it would be Princess Luna.

They stood at the station waiting for the train.

“Are you sure about this Twi? What if she can't help?” Aria asked

“I'm sure she will be able to help. Luna has plenty of experience with nightmares and should be able to help shed some light on how to get your memories back. I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!” Twilight said with her usual egghead I-figured-it-out voice.

The train's whistle blew in the distance.

“Cool! There's the train!” Rainbow shouted as she pointed off into the distance.

The train rolled up to the station. The conductor checked their tickets, showed them to their seats, and the train started off for Canterlot Station. The ride up the mountains to Canterlot was both smooth and scenic. You could see all of Ponyville and the entire Everfree Forest.

After around an hour the train came to a halt at Canterlot Station. Canterlot was much more ornate than Ponyville was. The houses stood taller. They were made of white marble. The castle stood beautifully on the back wall. The three ponies walked into the throne room. Princess Celestia sat in her throne talking to what appeared to be a minotaur. He wore armor that bore the Royal Crest and carried a large sword. He seemed to be the Princess' Personal Guard, separate from the Royal Canterlot Guard who kept watch over the Palace and the surrounding grounds.

“Hello Princess Celestia.” Twilight said as the three bowed in respect.

“Hello Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, but who's your new friend?”

“Oh, this is Aria. She's new here in Ponyville, but we actually came to see Princess Luna. Have you seen her?” Twilight responded.

“Yes, right up the stairs there on the left. She's in the Library.” Princess Celestia motioned to the staircase to the left.

The three ponies hurried up the stairs. Princess Celestia and Helvansing exchanged a worried look.

“She's lost her memory. She would have recognized me otherwise.” Helvansing explained.

“Are you certain that was her?” Celestia asked.

“Those eyes. I could see the ferocity of lightning in them. There is no mistaking it, that was her.” He responded assuredly.

“You're not going to go after her?” Celestia asked in confusion.

“No. I only needed to know she was alive for now. I fear she will not understand if I tell her about her past. She may not even take it well if she did believe it. If you had the memories she did prior to whatever caused her to lose them, you wouldn't want them back.” Helvansing retorted ominously.

“Why, what happened to her?” Celestia inquired.

“When she was but a child, she watched demons slaughter and burn her village. No one else but her survived. She lost her family, her friends, everything. My parents were tradesmen from Mulgore. They found her alone and hungry. They took her in and she became like a little sister to me. She vowed to bring justice for her friends and family that was lost. She always kept a cocksure attitude about her, but it was just a mask. Those memories of that night plagued her every moment of every day. She became the most powerful Demon Hunter in all of Azeroth, and hunted down and destroyed the demons responsible for her villages destruction, but even their retribution offered her troubled spirit no Harmony. I can't bring myself to tell her this, not when she seemed to finally have peace and happiness.” Helvansing explained, the entire time his eyes fixated on the staircase the three mares had ascended to the second floor on.

“That's such a heart-breaking story. To care so much for someone who can't even remember you. You truly are as noble as you appeared to be when you first arrived, to give up your own desire for the sake of another is not something most would be able to do easily.” Celestia placed a hoof on Helvansing's shoulder.

“We must all make sacrifices in life, Princess.” Helvansing said solemnly.

Twilight, Rainbow, and Aria entered the Library. Princess Luna sat at the table reading a book on recent history.

“Hello Luna!” Twilight called out.

“Oh. Hello Ms. Spa... Twilight. We... I was just reading up on recent history and practicing speech without the use of the Royal Canterlot Voice.” Luna replied.

“Sounds like you have been making progress.” Twilight congratulated, “but we were hoping you could help our friend Aria. She lost her memory and we think her dreams may be able to help her get it back.”

“Hmm, step forward.” Luna placed her horn on Aria's head. It began to glow. Tears came to Luna's eyes. “Oh my, the pain locked away deep within you is so great for somepony so young. You have witnessed things that even my Night Guard would quiver in fear of. I cannot bear to bring all these terrible memories to light. I'm sorry. The most my power could offer is relieve you of this burden.” Luna explained sorrowfully.

“That bad huh?” Aria looked at Luna in disappointment.

“Trust us, thou woulds't regret for the rest of thine life ifts thou kept these nightmares.” Luna couldn't help using the old speech in her disarray.

Aria looked back at Rainbow and Twilight. She thought of her other new friends back in Ponyville: Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and all the other ponies of Ponyville. Even though she had been a complete stranger just two weeks ago, they had all helped her settle in and helped her so much.

Aria looked back at Luna, “Erase the memories.”

“Are you sure?!” Twilight said, astonished by Aria's decision.

“But you'll never know about where you are from then!” Rainbow cried out in worry.

“No. I know where I am from. I'm from Ponyville. Its where all my friends live. If those memories are that bad then I choose to forget. I have new friends and I can have new memories too. There was something I read in Twilight's Library the first night I spent there.

“Friendship is the most powerful magic,

It's power can stretch across the whole universe,

A pony could have friends wait for them anywhere,

They just haven't met them yet,

And even if their travels take them far apart,

They will always meet again one day.” Aria said with vigor.

“Very well.” Luna's horn began to glow. A bright flash went off.

“Did it work?” Rainbow asked.

Aria felt like a weight had been lifted off her back. Warmth filled her entire body. “So this is what true happiness feels like?” she thought to herself.

“Yes. I think it worked.” Aria said softly. She hugged Luna, “Thank you.”

“Just one thing... Aria. On your travels with Twilight and Rainbow could you tell me about them in letters? I believe it could help me learn more about how the citizens of Equestria have changed since I left so long ago.” Luna inquired.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea!” The four spun around to see Celestia and her personal guard walking into the Library.

“Alright then! I'll keep track of anything interesting I learn about and tell you all about it. It's the least I could do for all your help!” Aria said with a smile.

The three mares departed the castle and returned to Ponyville.

“So what will you do now Mr. Vansing?” Celestia asked her Personal Guard.

“Keep the promises I made. I vowed I would protect you and you subjects in exchange for your help. From here I will be able to keep that same promise I made to her all those years ago. I swore the Blood Oath of the Tauren the day she entered my family. It is a heavily respected custom that the oldest male become the protector of his siblings. I must follow it in respect of my ancestors and of my honor.” Helvansing replied.

Aria and Rainbow said goodbye to Twilight and went to return to Rainbow's house. What they found surprised them.

“I don't remember having TWO houses!” Rainbow said. The two flew over to investigate. There was a note on the door.

“For such a good show you two put on the other day. It's modest but somepony lost a bet and owed me a favor. Keep up the good work kids, you two are gonna go far! - Spitfire.”

Rainbow and Aria looked in awe. It was modest, only three rooms, but to be given a house just like that? They couldn't believe it! Aria said goodbye to Rainbow as it was getting late and they were both tired. Aria went inside to check out her new home.

The inside was fully furnished: Everything seemed to be formed from the clouds themselves, but tempered into more solid forms and then enchanted. Electricity seemed to flow through the clouds themselves, the dormant lighting being redirected by conduits so it could be used as an initiate power source from the home. It looked to be a rather intricate wiring system. Countless Wonderbolts posters decorated the walls. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered her new bedroom. The bed had purple sheets and bedspread. It bore Aria's cutie mark on the top blanket. She unfurled the covers and noticed something very surprising. A small plush Spitfire. Aria knew exactly who really wrote that letter and made this house after she saw this.

Luna stood on the balcony of her quarters in Canterlot. Her horn aglow as she rose the moon into the night sky. She looked down at Ponyville and smiled, “Sleep well young hero. May strife never plague you again.”