Beauty And The Beast

Chapters

Chapter 1: Curiosity
Chapter 2: A Little Kindness
Chapter 3: Nightmares
Chapter 4: Powerless
Chapter 5: Recovery
Chapter 6: Dinner
Chapter 7: Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 8: Making Friends
Chapter 9: Sibling Rivalry
Chapter 10: Forgiveness
Chapter 11: Click
Chapter 12: Serendipity
Chapter 13: Sunset
Chapter 14: Falsified
Chapter 15: Living Parallel
Chapter 16: Under the Apple Tree
Epilogue

Chapter 1: Curiosity

PONYVILLE, TOWN SQUARE: Fluttershy's POV

"Who is he?" I asked, peeking around the corner.

"No one knows." Rainbow Dash said. "He lives in that tower outside town. People have seen him go outside, but never actually enter Ponyville."

"Oh.." I said as I stared at the hooded figure.

"I heard he experiments on people, turning them into hideous abominations that he uses as servants at the tower, and kidnaps women to rape and torture!" Pinkie said in a spooky storytelling voice.

"Oh my!" I said, leaning back.

"Uh... Pinkie? Don't you think your exaggerating?" Twilight said rolling her eyes.

"I dunno Twilight, he does spend an awful lot of time locked away in there. Who knows what he does?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Haven't you learned from Zecora not to judge a book by it's cover?" Twilight said sternly. "You two should be ashamed of yourself." Rainbow Dash and Pinkie held their heads down like two 5 year olds being disciplined by their mother.

"Now come on. Let's introduce ourselves." Twilight said. She turned the corner only to notice the hooded figure had vanished. "That's strange.. He was just there buying things a moment ago.."

"Well I guess we will never know." I said quickly, a knot in my stomach untying itself. Twilight sighed in defeat, heading off home.

"I'll see you guys later, I have some work to catch up on." Twilight said as she scurried off down the road.

"Yeah me too. I have to be up early tomorrow for my first job as a Wonderbolt!" Rainbow Dash said, giving a salute before flying off. I would have asked Pinkie if she had any plans, but she had already hopped off. I was now alone.. I sighed and passed through the market, looking around at anything that I might want to buy. Then I spotted it, glimmering in the sunlight.

"How much for that broach?" I said, pointing at the butterfly shaped pin.

"One Hundred Bits." The man said.

"Oh.." I said with a disappointed sigh. "I only have thirty with me.."

"Well too bad." He said with a shrug. I hung my head, saddened and turned around, heading for home.

"Ma'am wait!" The man yelled. I turned around to see him running to me.

"Y...yes?" I said.

"Do you really want this?" He said, handing me the broach.

"It would mean a lot to me.." I said. He sighed, scratching his head as he looked at the broach.

"Alright alright... That'll be thirty bits." He said with a smile. Excitement grew in me as I quickly reached for the pouch on my side.

"Here." I said, exchanging it for the trinket. He turned around and started heading back to his stand.

"But.. Why?" I asked, staring at the broach.

"You know, a little kindness goes a long way.." He said. "Well.. That and I saw your cutie mark, and it reminded me of my daughter." He said, his eyes glinting with sadness.

"What happened?" I asked as I approached him. We took a seat at a nearby bench as he took a moment to collect his thoughts.

"A few years ago, my daughter was... Killed.. In an accident." He said.

"Oh my.. I didn't mean to.. I'm so sorry." I said feeling saddened by the intrusion.

"No no it's fine... There's no way you could have known." He said. "Honestly, that broach was all that I have left of my daughter."

I felt a wave of anguish wash over me as I stared at the broach. "Why would you have it up for sale then?" I asked.

"Well.." He said, staring at the broach. "I figured once It was gone, I could move on with my life."

"Hell, The only reason the price is so high is because I figured if it was, no one would ever buy it." He said with a small chuckle. "I guess there's still a part of me that didn't want to let go."

I handed it to him, but instead of taking it, he curled my hand up around it.

"You keep it." He said, "I'm old... That thing only brings back memories of that day.. It'll be nice knowing it can make someone happy too." He said, his grip on my hand tightening as I saw a tear slide down his face.

"You know, death is a curious thing. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a moment of surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things." He said.

There was a long pause. I silently sat there as he stared down at the broach.

"She loved butterflies." He said with a smile. I looked down at the broach, and back up at him.

"Not that I'm the right person to.. Well.. Give advice... But when someone you love dies, and you're not expecting it, you don't lose her all at once; you lose her in pieces over a long time—the way the mail stops coming, the sound of her voice in the morning. Gradually, you accumulate the parts of her that are gone. Just when the day comes—when there's a particular missing part that overwhelms you with the feeling that she's gone, forever." I said, looking him in the eyes. "But when your father dies, do you stop being his son or daughter?"

Tears began to fill my eyes as I said that last statement, looking away. "But love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone. No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories, but the worst part about holding those memories isn't the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared. The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led, what things would be like if they were still with us.. So hold on to those memories. The bad ones that make you want to scream, cry... The ones that hurt and tear you up inside. Because without those, you would be forgetting that there were good ones too." I said, feeling a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at the man, who's face was stained with tears. I hugged him, as he rested his head on my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of his tears seeping through my shirt, and I knew he could feel mine.

"Thank you.." He said, gripping me tighter. "Thank you so much.."

The embrace ended as I looked up at him. He had a smile on his face as he stared at me.

"You just gave an old man a reason to keep on fighting." He said. "Keep the broach, free of charge. I don't need it anymore."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Don't worry about me. I just hope you can give that thing some more good memories, not that It could fit any more." He said with a laugh, forcing a smile on my face. I shook his hand and gave him one last hug before we parted ways. I knew I had changed someone's life for the better, and I can go to sleep happy knowing that. I looked down at the broach, smiling as a tear slid down my face. I closed my eyes.

"I love you dad.." I said to myself, continuing on down the path.

TEN MINUTES LATER:

I was walking back home, passing by and waving to the kids just getting out of school. I looked down at the broach, realizing I had been holding it since the man gave it to me. I pulled the pin out and tried to put it on, when someone bumped in to me, knocking me to the ground.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" I said, "I should have been watching where I was walking.." I looked up to see the hooded figure from earlier. My heart sank as a wave of fear sank in. His arm moved as he slowly started reaching towards me. I screamed, my wings going into overdrive as I lifted myself up and bolted away. A few minutes later I made it to my cottage, ran in and locked the door. I was breathing rapidly as I leaned against the door. I sighed in relief as I made my way to the kitchen.

"Angel?" I called out. "Angel are you in here?" I felt a tugging on my foot, causing me to jump into the air. My eyes were closed as I hovered there, kicking my feet, hoping to hit the attacker. I threw my foot forward, hearing a loud crash as whatever had grabbed me let go. I opened one eye to the direction of the crash. I saw two ears sticking out of a pile of pots and pans.

"Oh my gosh!" I said quickly, flying over to the pile.

"I'm so sorry Angel!" I said as I lifted him out of the mess. His eyes were spinning as he shook his head, snapping him out of the daze. He looked up at me angrily.

"I'm sorry.. I am just on edge. I bumped into this man earlier wh-" I was interrupted by Angel sticking out his arm, as if saying 'Talk to the hand', and walked away grumpily dragging his food dish with him. I put my hands on my face. 'Get a grip Fluttershy..' I thought to myself. I reached down to my chest to grip the broach, only to have a feeling of dread shoot through me. I looked down and saw the broach was gone. It must have fallen off when he knocked me down! I fell to my knees, wanting to start crying right then and there, had it not been for a knock on the door. I looked through the peep hole and jumped back a foot as I saw the dark figure from earlier waiting on the other side. I turned around, my back against the door as my heart started racing.

"What does he want?" I thought to myself, thinking of all the horrible things he might want to do to me for bumping into me. Will he kill me? Turn me into one of those monsters Pinkie was talking about? My train of thought was interrupted by a sharp creaking sound. I froze, slowly looking downward. The mail slot was opening. He's looking for me... I widened my stance so he wouldn't see my legs through the rectangular delivery hole. I closed my eyes and held my breath, hoping for the worst. But then... I heard a small clanking of something hitting my floor, followed by the sound of the mail slot closing. I looked down to see the broach sitting on the floor in front of me. I bent down to pick it up, staring at it intently. I turned around, looking through the peep hole to see the man had left. I opened the door, peeking outside.

"H..hello?" I said, gazing around. No one was there. I flew up high, scanning the area for the mysterious man. It was then that I spotted the tower off in the distance. I looked down at the broach, then back at the tower. I put the broach on and started to fly in it's direction.

LATER THAT NIGHT:

I arrived at the tower, landing near the doorstep. I saw a door knocker hanging on the center of it. I reached out and gave it a weak pull, before hitting it down. I took a step back, waiting for it to open. No answer. I reached for it again, this time with more effort, hitting the door three times with it. Still no answer. Stubborn and curious, I looked up, seeing an open window. I peeked through it, looking around the dark room.

"Hello?" I said aloud as it echoed through the room. I gulped, climbing through and into the dark room. There was a door at the end of the room with a faint glow of a torch underneath the door. I opened it and looked into the hallway. Strange... There was a row of light bulbs along the ceiling, but they were off. The hall instead lit by torches and candles. I approached the end of the hall, noticing it splitting off into two more halls. There was a staircase at the end of each hall, one leading up, one leading down. Against the wall of the one leading up was a rusty suit of armor displayed up with a shield. I heard sounds coming from the floor above me. With a deep breath, I moved toward the stair case, heading up. There was a door at the top. I heard movement, plus the sounds of things being dragged along the floor. A feeling of terror shot through me as I thought of what might be on the other side.

"Just... Just knock on the door and thank him. Then you can leave Fluttershy." I said to myself. I knocked on the door, the movement on the other side immediately halting. My heart quickened as the sound of footsteps got louder, stopping on the other side of the door. There was a long pause as I waited for it to open.

"I just wanted to say... Thank you for returning the broach. It means a lot to me.." I said through the door. "I'm just going to leave now. I didn't mean to intrude." I turned around, only taking a few steps before hearing the door creak open. I stopped, a growing fear building inside me as I slowly turned around. My eyes stood apon the hooded figure, staring down at me. I couldn't make out his face, but what happened next I didn't expect. He started walking towards me. My eyes widened in fear as i backed up down the stairs, reaching the bottom. I backed up into the light of the moon shining through the window. As he entered it, he extended his arm, as if reaching for me. What I saw made my face turn pale. His hand in the blue light was nothing but bones. A skeletal hand reaching for me.. I screamed and bolted in the opposite direction. In the panic I had not seen where I was going and slammed straight into the suit of armor. I looked up as it fell towards me, followed by a loud 'thwack'.

My eyes shot open. A sigh of relief washed over me as I realized it was just a dream. I was about to go back to sleep when a horrifying awareness kicked in. This wasn't my house. I was still in the tower. I got up slowly, tip-toeing my way to the door. I opened it, looking out into the hall. I saw into a room to the left of mine, there was a dim glow emanating from it as I heard a music box playing. I slowly walked down the hall opposite of his room as I attempted to make my way outside. But before I could leave the hall, I stepped on a loud creaky board. A few seconds later, the music stopped. The door was thrust open and the figure stared down the hall at me. In a panic I sped down the hall and out one of the open windows.

"Wait!" I heard him yell from the window I had just soared out of. After I was a ways away, i stopped to catch my breath. I reached down to my broach, only to notice it wasn't there. It was still inside the tower.. I gulped, looking back at the tower window. After thinking long and hard, weighing my options, I decided to go back for it. I peeked in through the window, making sure it was empty. I flew softly through, making sure to avoid the noisy boards, and back into the room I had woken up in. I saw the broach sitting by the bed on the night stand. I grabbed it and put it on to make sure I wouldn't lose it again. I flew out of the room and was about to head out the window, when I heard a sobbing from the room next to mine. I approached it and peeked inside. I saw a man sitting there, ragged clothing and short brown hair. His head was on the table, his hands covering his face. He looked to be not much older than me. I stood there looking at him as he cried into his hands. I approached him, stopping a few feet from his chair.

"Why are you crying?" I asked sincerely. His head jolted up, his eyes turning to me.

"You... Why did you come back?" He asked. His tone changed from confused to angry. "Did you come back to laugh at me? Call me a freak?"

"No!" I said, taking a step back. "I just came to.. to say thank you. For returning the broach."

His hostile look faded as he turned back to the dusty open book on the table. "Well.." He said with a sigh, "Your welcome. Now... Just go home." He put his hand on his head as he started reading the book.

"Could... Could I see your hand?" I asked curiously. He glanced over at me, giving a small chuckle. He held out his hand. It looked normal.. I turned my head back, looking out the door to the open window. The moonlight was shining in. I took a step to the left, unblocking the light. I watched as the moonlight bathed around his hand. It slowly turned from a normal hand, into the bony husk of what I saw earlier. My hand found its way to my mouth as I saw the skin on his face fade as if it were just an illusion, revealing nothing but bones. His eyes a black and empty void staring back at me. I wanted to run, but something inside me was telling me to stay.

"I'm a monster.. Just run away like everyone els." He said, turning his head back to his book. I closed the door, the light of the moon now blocked. The light from the candles revealed his face to a normal one, no longer a hollow skeleton. I walked toward him and sat in the chair next to him. He glanced over to me.

"Your still here? You aren't... Afraid I might kill you? Or turn you into a monster or something..?" He said, genuinely confused.

"Well... Are you?" I asked. There was a short pause.

"No.." He said.

"Then why would I be afraid?" I said.

"Because I'm a freak, an aberration, an anomaly. I shouldn't exist.." He said, a sadness growing in his voice.

"Nonsense!" I said in a serious tone.

"But.." He tried to say.

"I will have none of this. You are a kind soul. Now don't ever say anything like that again." I said standing up and walking to the door. "It's late, and I don't want to fly home at this time of night, so I will be spending the night here."

"Um... Okay." He said, his eyes widened in surprise.

"It's only fair that I repay the kindness you showed earlier. This place definitely needs to be tidied up. So dusty..."

"Um.." He tried to say.

"And don't forget about breakfast. Do you have a kitchen?" I asked.

"Uhh.. Yeah.. First floor." He said flustered.

"Good. I expect you to be up early! You do eat don't you?" I asked.

"Yeah but.." He said.

"Then it's settled! We will have breakfast in the morning and I will clean up a little." I said with a smile, turning and opening the door.

"Wait... What's....Your name?" He asked.

"Fluttershy. What's yours?" I replied.

"Cecil.." He said.

"Goodnight Cecil." I said, about to walk out of the room.

"Wait! Why are you doing all this?" He asked, still in disbelief.

"Because I want too." I said happily.

"But....Why?" He asked. I looked him in the eyes. My smile remained as I said,

"A little kindness goes a long way."

Author's Note

This chapter really hits home for me. I love writing and hope to continue writing. This one in specific is for all of you who have lost someone or are grieving. I write this, knowing that there are others who have been through the same tragic event/s. I hope you all enjoy. Have a merry Christmas.

Chapter 2: A Little Kindness

My eyes snapped open. I laid there, staring at the ceiling motionless. I waited minutes before I could move again. I had the same nightmare again. The same nightmare I have 'Every' night.. With a sigh I got up and moved out into the hall. I was confused.. The torches along the hallway were gone. Instead, the light bulbs that I hadn't bothered to use in a long time were on, a bright yellow light illuminating the stretching tunnel. Unsure of what was happening, I headed downstairs. As I walked down, I heard... Music? As I got to the bottom I listened to the words, something about.. Wrapping up? I didn't quite expect what happened next. I opened the door at the bottom of the stairs to see several crowds of people spread out around the room, drinking punch and playing games. People talking and mingling.. My mouth dropped open and my hands were on my head.

"Hey Cecil!" Fluttershy said, flying over to me.

"What..." I said confused..

"I hope you don't mind.. I asked my friends to help tidy the place up, and my friend Pinkie had the idea to throw a party here. You know, to show everyone you aren't so scary."

"What..." I repeated.

"Oh you must be Cecil! Fluttershy told us what happened, boy this Is some party!" A rainbow haired woman said, drifting by my head.

"Rainbow Dash!" A Pink colored woman shouted. "We're bobbing for apples GET OVER HERE!"

"Gotta go!" Rainbow Dash said, zipping over everyone.

"What..."

TEN MINUTES LATER:

I let out an long sigh, rubbing my forehead. I heard the door click open behind me.

"Why aren't you downstairs enjoying the party?" A familiar and warm voice said.

"I.. Just don't like parties Fluttershy.." I said, continuing to read my book. There was a silence, forcing me to look back. She was gone. I let out another sigh as I turned back to the book, head on my head.

"What are you reading?"

I nearly jumped out of my chair. I looked to my left to see Fluttershy hovering there, looking over my shoulder.

"Don't do that!" I said holding my chest.

"Sorry.." She said

"it's fine just... Just let me read alright?" I said, turning the page. There was a long pause.

"No." She said.

"What?" I said befuddled.

"No." She said again, grabbing my chair and dragging me out of the room. I sat there as she dragged me, a dull look on my face. I suddenly stopped, my eyes widened and I blushed as Fluttershy put her arms around me, her head on my shoulder as she stood behind me.

"So..." She said.

"Um.." I said, my heart racing.

"Are you going to get up? Or am I going to have to drag you down the stairs?" She said with a smile. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in.

"Fine.." I groaned, standing up and heading down with her. I saw no difference in the crowd, still as buzzing and active as it was earlier. Although there was something that I hadn't noticed before. Rainbow Dash was up near the ceiling, setting up a set of lights. They looked a bit odd.. They were extremely long, being placed along the entire ceiling, each one only a few feet from the other. I looked off to the edge of the room to notice a large table with records and equipment scattered on it. There was a woman with dark and light blue hair, and a pair of goggles. I scratched my head at all the new equipment and furniture being set up.

"There you are!" Pinkie said, yanking me away from the doorway.

"Um.. Where are we going?" I asked, trying hard not to stumble.

"You'll see!" She said. After being pulled through crowd, we stopped in the middle of what I could only imagine was a dance floor?

"Why am I... Oh.." I said as Fluttershy came into view. The crowd parted, standing around us in a large circle.

"Fluttershy I.." I stammered, looking around at the crowd nervously. As I glanced back at her, I was speechless. She was staring at me, her eyes glistening in the spotlight that was now on us. She was like a diamond under the morning sun. She... She looked beautiful. Her pink hair flowing, covering half her face. I never wanted to look away.. We walked towards each other. I held my hand out.

"Would you like to dance?" I asked, feeling a confidence I hadn't felt in a long time. A smile formed, half hidden by her hair. I put my hand to her cheek and brushed it back behind her ear.

"I like your hair better like this. That smile should never be covered." I said. She blushed, looking up at me. Her body pressed against mine, her head resting against my chest as a slow song started playing. We moved together, never breaking our embrace. I glanced around at the crowd, which had broken up into pairs, dancing slowly with the rhythm. I looked down at Fluttershy, her eyes closed, her head still resting on my chest as I lead her. The lights dimmed around the room, the major light source now officially the one beaming down on the two of us. I stared straight ahead, feeling something.. I felt warm.. I felt.... Happy..

A smile grew on my face. I closed my eyes as tears escaped my eyes. I was happy... I felt a hand touch my face, wiping the tears away. I opened my eyes to see Fluttershy looking up at me, her caring hand never leaving my cheek. I was lost in her eyes like a ship to the ocean, stuck in it's everlasting grasp. I stared into it's roaring beauty as it pulled me closer. Our eyes closed as our lips touched, a spark igniting a flame I had long since forgotten. Our faces parted, my senses returning. It was then that I realized the music had stopped. Everyone in the room started clapping and applauding.

"That's more like it!" I heard someone say over the microphone. I turned my head to see the blue haired woman on stage. "Let's get the party started!" She yelled as she pulled her goggles down over her eyes and pressed a button. The lights shut off and new ones came on. These were darker though, a blue hue too it.

"Blue lights? Really?" I said questioningly to Fluttershy as It hit me, now knowing what the strange long lights were.

"It wouldn't be a party without Vinyl. And her parties always involve a Rave." Rainbow Dash interrupted. A loud bass kicked in, followed by a more upbeat song. I raised an eyebrow to Fluttershy, giving her a wink. She grinned, starting to do her own dance, as I did mine.

LATER THAT NIGHT::

I sat down, leaning back, sighing a breath of relief as the party started calming down a bit. I looked over to Fluttershy, who was over at the far end of the room, being spun in circles blindfolded.

"Pin the tail on the donkey... In a rave..." I mumbled to myself, shaking my head.

"So?" Rainbow Dash said, floating directly above me. I shot my head up in surprise.

"You guys really have to stop doing that.." I said, holding my chest.

"How was the party?" She said.

"It was... Fun." I said with a shrug. She laughed, hitting me in the arm.

"Just 'fun' huh?" She said with a raised eyebrow, "You seemed to have a lot of 'Fun' with Fluttershy earlier."

I blushed, turning away from her.

"Well.." She said, "I have to go help Pinkie start taking the lights down. We gotta do this more often."

"Yeah, maybe we will." I said nodding in agreement.

"Oh yeah by the way.. Your watch has been blinking for over an hour." She said, before flying off across the room. My heart dropped as I looked down. It was 10:04 PM. Oh no... I saw Pinkie at the front door and start to turn the handle.

"WAIT!" I shouted across the room. Her head turned back as the door swung open. The moonlight shone in, bathing me in its glow. I looked down at my hands in time to see the skin fade, revealing the skeletal form underneath. The song currently playing stopped as I felt everyone's gaze turn to me. There was a mix reaction of fear and surprise, gasps being heard throughout the room. I stood there, looking at the crowd perplexed. I ran upstairs to my room and locked the door. I sat at the table, my head in my hands. I moved them away slowly, seeing they were now back to normal in the dark room that I called my own. I noticed the window next to my desk, which I always had covered by drapes, had a slight streak of the moonlight shining through. I held out my hands, glancing at one in the moonlight, and another in the dark. I watched as my right hand transformed to its skeletal counterpart. My eyes slowly looked back between the two extremely different looking limbs. I screamed in anger as I smashed the skeletal limb into the desk, throwing everything on it to the ground. I put my head back into my hands, beginning to cry. There was a knock at the door..

"Cecil?" I heard Fluttershy say through the door.

"Go away.." I yelled to her.

"Cecil please.." She said, sounding worried. "I can help.."

"LEAVE! JUST LEAVE! YOU"VE HELPED ENOUGH TONIGHT." I screamed. There was a pause, then I heard her begin to sob. My anger subsided as her cries seeped deep into me, tearing at my soul. I ran to the door and swung it open. She was gone.. I fell to my hands and knees, staring down at the ground as tears dripped from my eyes.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.." I stammered to myself between sobs. "Please... Please don't leave me... Not again.."

"I love you... I love you so much. Please don't leave me again... Not... Please god not again.."

I caught a glimpse of a shadow forming on the ground under me. I looked up to see Fluttershy standing there, looking down at me. I stood up quickly, frozen in place.

"Fluttershy... I'm so-" I said before her lips interrupted mine. She pulled away and stared at me.

"I love you Cecil." She said.

"I love you Fluttershy." I replied as our lips met again. I pulled away, looking down the hall. "Are they..."

Fluttershy looked up at me sadly, "They all left... I'm the only one that stayed."

A tear slid down my face as I looked away. I felt her hand on my face, forcing me to look at her.

"I don't care what everyone els thinks, I love you." She said, her eyes glimmering in the dim light of the hallway. We stared into each other for a long moment, before running into the room and locking the door. We started to remove our clothes, exchanging a passionate kiss for every piece we removed. She pushed me onto the bed, climbing on top of me, rubbing herself against my hardening cock. I pulled her down, enveloping our lips as our lust grew. I flipped her over, slamming her back onto the bed as I kissed her neck. A small gasp escaped her mouth as she wrapped her arms around me. I pressed the tip against her opening, which was already wet and waiting. I looked at her, waiting for her approval.

"Do it... I want you." She said. I thrust forward into her, causing us both to gasp. I lifted her up, now sitting against the wall at the edge of the bed. She sat in my lap as I slowly moved my hips up and down. Her hand gripped the back of my head, her head resting on my shoulder. I clenched her tightly, my thrusts speeding up. Her moans grew louder, I could feel her convulsing around my shaft as I came to my own orgasm. She leaned back, staring into my eyes. Our lips locked as we both peaked, becoming motionless in each other's arms. I lied down, still inside her as our heads rested on the pillows. We looked into each other's eyes once more, before drifting off to sleep.

THE NEXT MORNING:

I opened my eyes, Fluttershy still lying beside me. I smiled and got up, putting my clothes back on. I pulled the covers up to her neck. It was then that I realized.. This was the first night, where I had no nightmares. I peeked outside the drapes, seeing the morning sun rising on the horizon. I think I'll let her sleep a bit longer, there's no sense in waking her up. I headed down stairs to the kitchen, now starting to prepare breakfast. I was turning the first batch of eggs, when I heard a knock at the door. The memories of last night instantly flooded back. Who could it be? Someone who came to laugh at me? Call me a freak? I shook my head, snapping myself out of that train of thought.

"Fluttershy is right, I shouldn't care what people think of me." I told myself, heading to the door. I took off the latch and opened the door. Immediately I saw a cloaked figure standing in front of me, his face was hidden under a mask. Before I could say anything, he took a step forward. My eyes widened as I barely caught the glimmer of a dagger before...

Author's Note

Chapter 2: Return of the Cliffhangers!

Chapter 3: Nightmares

I yawned, stretching as I opened my eyes. I noticed Cecil wasn't next to me. I guess he's already up. I looked down at the stained sheet and giggled. I got up and put my clothes on. After I was dressed I moved out of the room and down stairs. Then something caught my attention. I smelled something burning.. I rushed down the stairs and saw smoke coming from the kitchen.

"Oh my!" I said, rushing to the kitchen to see a plume of thick smoke rising from a pan sitting on one of the burners. I turned the burner off and picked up the pan by the handle, dumping it in the sink. I coughed, waving away some of the smoke before opening one of the kitchen windows. I ran out of the kitchen to let the smoke clear a bit, when I saw something that made my heart sink. The front door was open, and there was a trail of blood at it, leading from the door, to the basement. Fear shot through me as my imagination ran rampant. I reached for the handle, my breath rapidly increasing, heart pounding. I turned it, opening the door and peering down the dark staircase. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath in, and took the first step. As I descended, each board of the wooden stairs creaked and moaned, causing me to cringe. I extended my wings to attempt to fly down, but it was too narrow. I hit the bottom and gazed into the dark space, squinting to make out anything or...anyone. My eyes widened as I saw a dark mass strewn out along the floor. I stared hard at it, trying to figure out what it was. I saw it move, causing me to jump back into the wall. As I hit the wall I heard a click, followed by the lights in the room turning on. The darkness was instantly removed, revealing the room and its contents.

"CECIL!" I screamed, seeing him lying in a pool of blood. I rushed over to him, flipping him over on his back.

"H...Hey Fluttershy.." He said with a chuckle. I clasped my hands around my mouth as I stared down at him. He was clutching his stomach, and I could see a stream of blood staining his clothes, emanating from the part he was covering.

"Cecil what happened!" I said confused and scared, noticing a blood soaked dagger lying off in the corner. I stared blankly at it as I felt a hand grab me.

"In case.. I don't get a chance to say this again. I love you... Fluttershy." He said with a cough, a small trickle of blood running down his mouth.

"We have to get you to a doctor!" I said, trying to help him up.

"Fluttershy.. I don't think I'm going anywhere." He said. "Just... Help me into that chair."

I helped him up and set him down in the chair. He leaned back, lying his head back.

"Thanks.." He said weakly. I grabbed his hand and looked up at him. He nodded, moving his hand away from the wound. My hands found their way back to my mouth, tears forming as I saw the stab wound.

"What happened..?" I asked.

"An old friend of mine.. Who doesn't really like me to be seen by the public's eye.." He said.

My heart dropped. The party...

"Oh my god... This is all my fault!" I said as I fell to my knees, bursting into tears. I felt a hand on my chin, pulling my head up.

"Hey hey... Don't cry." He said gently. "I've been like this for a long time. I've been thought of as a monster, an abomination... A freak."

"Cecil.." I sobbed, grasping his hand.

"Let me finish.." He said. "People have pointed at me, screamed.. I've been hunted more times than I can count."

"Cecil please.." I said weakly as I stared up at him.

"But then I bumped into someone the other day." He said with a smile. My hand fell to the broach on my chest, gripping it tightly.

"You know..." He said, his smile never fading. "There was someone a long time ago that came to me."

I stared at him curiously. "Who?" I asked.

"A woman. Someone who wasn't afraid of me. She was elderly.. Came to me years ago." He started, "She said.. She saw the pain I was going through, the fear, the loneliness. She did everything in her power to break the curse that was on me. But she couldn't.."

"Why.. Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"Because I don't... I want someone to hear this, so people can add.. A little bit of truth to the stories." He said.

"Stop talking like this.. You're going to be okay.." I stammered.

"Please just.. Just listen." He said. "Before she left, she told me something."

"What?" I said with a sniffle.

"That I would die alone." He said, tears beginning to run down his face, his grip on my hand tightening.

"That's... Why would she say that?!" I said.

"I think she was a fortune teller.. or something." He said, shaking his head softly. He put a hand on his head, closing his eyes and covering half his face. He started laughing.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"I spent years believing that..." He said, more tears running down his face as he laughed. "But I guess she was wrong."

At that point, I was a mess. I pressed my face into his leg as I cried. I felt his hand run through my hair, only pushing the tears out harder.

"You made someone really happy. And I can leave knowing... That I did too." He said. With that, I snapped. I stood up, a stern look on my face.

"No!" I said. "You aren't dying today. I'm going to get a doctor, just stay here." I said immediately turning around and trying to run off, only to be stopped by a hand grabbing my arm.

"Please don't leave me alone.." He said, a horrified look on his face as I turned back. I escaped his grasp and ran to the stairs.

"It'll be okay, just wait here!" She said, bolting up the stairs.

"Wait!" I yelled, trying to get up only to fall back from a sting of pain. She was gone... I sat there, staring blankly at the top of the stairs. Everything started going fuzzy..

"Not like this...Please... Not like this.."

Chapter 4: Powerless

I flew towards town, clouds zooming past me as tears fell off my face and into the wind. Finally I arrived in town and landed in front of the hospital. I ran in through the doors, gathering the attention of several doctors around the room.

"My friend is dying, please help!" I yelled. They gave each other surprised looks before running around, grabbing tools and instruments. They followed me out as I started flying in the direction slowly.

"Where is your friend?" One doctor asked.

"At the tower near the edge of town. He's hurt really bad." I flew for a few seconds before realizing.. They had stopped following me. I turned around to see them standing there, staring at me.

"What are you doing he's bleeding out!" I yelled, They gave each other a few looks before turning around and walking back to the hospital.

"WAIT! PLEASE!" I flew in front of them, begging. I was on my knees, holding the doctors pant leg. He looked down at me and stared for a second, before looking back up and moving out of my grasp. Tears fell down my face as I stood up. I grabbed the box of supplies from the doctor and flew into the air.

"You think he's a monster, BUT YOUR THE MONSTERS!" I screamed, flying back to the tower. I landed and ran through the door. As I ran, I slipped on the trail of blood, causing the medical supplies to spill across the floor. I started scooping them up.

"You're going to be okay... You'll be okay.." I chanted to myself as I picked the box back up and headed down stairs.

"Don't worry Cecil, I got medicine. You're going to be alright I jus-" I froze at the bottom of the steps. He was sitting back in the chair, his head hanging down limply, his eyes closed. I dropped the box as I walked towards him. I stared at him, a horrified expression on my face.

"C...Cecil?" I said, my face unchanging. My hand was shaking as I reached it out, placing it on his cheek. He was cold.. I stared at him for a moment, a blank expression on my face as his words from earlier played through my head on repeat. 'She said that I would die alone..'

I turned around and sprinted back to the stairs, picking up the box and bringing it over. I opened it and found a needle and a thread. I pulled his shirt off, reaching down for the disinfectant. As I applied it, he sat there motionless, not reacting at all. I started stitching up the wound.

"It's alright Cecil... It'll be alright." I said with a forced smile as I sowed it shut. After a minute I finally finished, cutting the thread.

"There Cecil.. All better." I said. I started shaking him, "Now wake up..."

"I fixed you.. Now you have to wake up.." I said, feeling tears build up under my eyes.

"Everything's better now.. Your okay now." I said with a small laugh. "Stop joking around.. I still have to make you breakfast.."

Tears started sliding down my face as I shook harder. "Wake up Cecil! Please!" I said, my tone turning from calm, back into sadness. "PLEASE WAKE UP!" I screamed. My strength weakening as I fell to my knees.

"This is my fault... Please...Please wake up.." I said my face pressed against his leg, a new wave of tears staring up. "Don't leave me.."

Creak... Creak...... Creak......

My head shot up. I froze, staring up at the ceiling as I heard footsteps. My mind went blank as I turned my head to the top of the stairs. A moment later, I saw a figure descend from the top of the stairs. It was a man in a white coat, carrying a box. He ran down and up to Cecil, placing the box on the ground. He placed two fingers to his neck.

"He has a pulse!" He yelled upstairs. Several feet were heard running around upstairs. What?!

"Who.." I said surprised.

"Help me get him upstairs." He said, grabbing his feet. I quickly pulled him forward, holding his upper body.

He glanced down at the wound as we carried him. "Careful, we don't want to tear his stitches." He said. We got him upstairs, and I was in disbelief at what I saw. There were several doctors from the hospital running around the room, setting up equipment and unloading boxes, along with a collapsible bed.

"Come on, get him on the bed." With his help I hoisted him on the bed. A doctor plugged in an ECG, as another put an I.V. in his arm.

"He's lost a lot of blood." One of the doctors said.

"Do you know his blood type?" The doctor that helped bring him up said.

"Um.. No I.." I stammered.

"Grab the O." He said, motioning to one of the boxes. The other one pulled out a bag of blood and started giving him a transfusion.

"We have to wake him up." The doctor said. "Grab the Adrenalin." He said as another doctor rushed over and picked up a syringe. He jabbed it into his chest and pushed the plunger. The doctors and me stood silent, staring down at him in anticipation. Several moments passed, no reaction.

"Another." He said as a doctor handed him a second dose. He stuck it in again and injected it. Still no reaction. The doctor shook his head and walked to his side.

"Wake up damn it!" He said, clenching his fists together, pounding Cecil's chest. Cecil's eyes snapped open and he took a deep breath in. He was breathing rapidly, looking around the room at all the people suddenly around him.

"Cecil!" I yelled. His eyes made contact with mine as I rushed over to hug him.

"What.." He said confused.

"Easy.." The doctor said, "Don't move too much until the adrenalin wears off." I heard another doctor sigh in relief as he sat down on the couch. I leaned in and kissed him, nearly knocking him off the bed, never wanting to leave his side again.

He grunted, clenching his stomach.

"Sorry!" I said, jumping back.

"It's fine... I'm just happy your here." He said, a smile I never thought I'd see again returning to his face. I smiled, on the verge of tearing up. I turned my head to the doctors, who were gathered, looking at us. I noticed Nurse Redheart as one of them. She was tearing up, a smile plastered on her face as she held her hands to her chest.

"Who are you?" I asked the doctor that helped Cecil up the stairs.

"I'm Dr.Cross." He said, looking as happy as the other doctors. I looked back down at Cecil, giving him another, more gentle, hug.

"Thank you so much!" I said, glancing back over at Cross.

"Well don't thank me. It wasn't me that convinced us to come." He said, pointing at the front door. It was the man that sold me the broach! I ran to him and hugged him. He gave a laugh as he stumbled back.

"It's nice to see you again too." He said.

"But how?" I asked confused.

"I was walking by the hospital and saw you flying. I could see the tears on your face, and overheard your conversation with the doctors. So I thought I'd tell them a little story." He said with a smile. I hugged him tightly, putting my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you... Thank you so much." I said. It was then that I noticed someone at the door, holding another box.

"Where do ya need it?" The man said.

"Put it over there." One of the doctors said, pointing to a table.

"Who's he?" I asked the old man.

"That's my son." He said with a smile.

"You have a son?" I said surprised.

"Yeah.. After my daughter died, we were both devastated. But he was strong. He helped more than I ever could."

I watched as his son put the box down and headed over here. He froze, staring at me.

"That... That broach." He said, pointing to my chest. He turned to his dad, his eyes glistening. He ran over and his father embraced him. I could see the tears falling from both of them as his son wept into his shirt.

"It's okay son.. It's okay." The old man said, holding his son close. I approached them, putting a hand on the son's shoulder. He looked up at me with his tear stained eyes.

"I'm sorry.." He said, wiping his face. "That broach.. Just brought back a lot of memories."

"It's alright." I said, giving him a hug. As we pulled away, he looked at his father.

"So you finally gave it up?" The son said.

"Yeah.. I decided I didn't need it to remember her anymore." The father said, giving me a wink.

"So.. How's he doing?" The son asked, giving Cecil a glance.

"He'll be fine." Dr. Cross said, "We got to him just in time."

"Well, glad to have been of help." The son said, "But I have to get back to the hospital to check on Rainbow Dash."

"Did you want me to come too Red?" The father said.

"No that's alright." Red said, hugging his dad one last time.

"Wait... Did you say Rainbow Dash?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah.. Do you know her?" Red said quizzically.

"Of course! She's one of my best friends. What happened to her?" I said quickly.

"Well... She was struck by lightning this morning when trying to clear the skies. It got too bad and.. She just couldn't keep up with the clouds forming." He said, looking a little worried.

"She's in a coma." Dr. Cross said, "We're lucky this young man brought her in for treatment when he did. Any sooner and she might have been killed.

"Oh my gosh!" I said, "I have to tell the others.." I ran over to Cecil and gave him a kiss. "Will you be okay if I leave to see my friend in the hospital?"

He held his hands up sarcastically, "I'm not going anywhere." He laughed, motioning to the I.V. in his arm and wound on his stomach. I smiled, giving him a hug before running back to Red.

"Whenever you're ready." I said, waving to Cecil.

ONE HOUR LATER:

I sat there, looking down at the wound on my stomach. I sighed with boredom as I looked up at the two doctors left to monitor me. The front door opened and another doctor walked in with a small box of I.V. fluid, and a letter.

"What's that?" I asked curiously, pointing to the letter.

"Oh yeah.." He said setting the bags down. He handed me the letter. "Some weird guy in a cloak gave it to me, said to give it to you."

I looked at the envelope closely. My heart stopped as I noticed a symbol on the center of a wax seal holding it shut. I looked up at the doctor.

"Was this guy wearing... A mask?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact.. Yeah! How'd you know?" He asked. I looked down at the envelope, staring intently at the seal. I clenched envelope tightly, staring... Staring at it. I reached down and pulled it open, hearing the crack of the wax breaking. I read the letter, only seeing a short sentence of four words written in the center of the page.

"YOU BROKE THE RULES."

Chapter 5: Recovery

"How was she?" I asked Fluttershy as she approached the bed.

"I don't know.. She's still in a coma." She said with a saddened tone.

"Come on Fluttershy. It's not often that you survive something like this. She'll be okay, trust me." I said, attempting to put a hand on her shoulder, only to be held back by a sharp pain in my stomach.

"Careful!" She said, quickly grabbing me and leaning me back into the bed.

"I'm fine.." I said taking a breath in. "It just hurts.."

"I wonder why.." She said, giving me a serious look. I held my hands up defensively,

"Alright.. Alright... I'll take it easy. But if I have to pee I'm using the wheel chair this time okay? No more bottles.." I said.

ONE DAY LATER:

It's been three days since I was stabbed. It feels like longer though.. This pain has been making it harder to focus. It has been getting better, and Fluttershy being by my side has been a godsend. She hasn't been with me for very long, but I can't even remember what it was like without her. I just know that I never want her to go.. The doctors packed up and left earlier, seeing as I was in no real danger of going into shock or anything like that. So long as the stitches stay intact, the wound should heal normally.

Knock, knock, knock.

I looked at the door, then around the empty room.

"Here we go.." I sighed, reaching for the crutches. Like hell if I was going to be stuck in that chair for a week. Sure it hurts to walk with the crutches, but it wont kill me. I know Fluttershy would be all over me if she knew I was hurting using these, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her. I opened the door and..

"NO!" I yelled, seeing the red cloaked figure standing at the door. With everything I could, I kicked him with my right leg. I saw him fly back into the bushes as the kick forced one of the crutches to slip, sending me tumbling to the ground. I writhed in pain as the shock from the impact tore one of the stitches open.

"AHG..." I grunted, barely able to speak. I regained my focus, seeing the figure looming towards me. Horror flooded through me as I grabbed one of the crutches, swinging wildly at it.

"Please.. PLEASE DON'T!" I screamed. With the pain shooting through me I began to feel faint. Darkness growing around the room as my mind grew blank.

"Please...ple..." I muttered, blacking out.

TEN MINUTES EARLIER:

"So he's just a normal guy? You sure Fluttershy?" Twilight asked me, a concerned look on her face.

"I'm sure Twilight. He has a... 'Curse'.. On him. It was given to him a long time ago. But trust me, he is as normal as you or me." I said.

"From what the doctors say, he's a tad...strange.." Twilight said.

"Wouldn't you be strange if you had locked yourself in a tower, isolated from the outside world?" I asked.

"Well.. I suppose you have a point." Twilight said, "And I hate being prejudice. Your right, when can I meet him?"

"Right now if you want. I was just heading home to check on him." I said, beginning to walk to the tower.

"Alright then!" Twilight said with a newfound cheery tone. We walked for a bit in silence before Twilight spoke up.

"I miss Rainbow Dash..." Twilight said emotionlessly.

"You say that like she's gone." I said sternly, stopping to look at her.

"I know.. And I know that it hasn't been that long.. I just worry." Twilight said.

"We ALL worry.. But that doesn't mean we should give up hope. So stop talking like that." I said. A smile cracked across her face.

"You're right. Nothing is certain." She said. We kept walking until I had a sudden realization.

"Oh no!" I said in a panic.

"What is it?" Twilight said with a worried tone, snapping to alert mode.

"I forgot my broach at the cake shop!" I said quickly, looking back down the road. I heard a sigh from Twilight.

"Oh... You really need to just keep it on, you would forget it less. I know where the tower is, meet you there?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah sounds good!" I said, running off down the road.

"Come on Twilight... He can't be that bad." I said to myself, picturing what he could look like in my head.

"They said he turned into a skeleton... But..." I muttered to myself, thinking of what kind of curse could do this to someone. I was suddenly interrupted by my ass hitting the ground. I sat there, trying to figure out what happened. It was then that I noticed a hand in front of me.

"Sorry. I should have been watching where I was going.. Are you alright?" The man said. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me to my feet.

"That's alright. It's my fault really.." I started, "I was the one lost in thought."

"Well it happens to the best of us." He said as I brushed the dirt off myself. A breeze swept by, sending chills up my spine. He apparently noticed as he took off his cloak and handed it to me.

"Here, you need this more than I do." He said with a smile.

"Oh no I couldn't..." I said, trying to push it away, only for him to wrap the scarlet colored shroud around me.

"Nonsense. I have a few at home anyways. Besides, I have been looking for a change anyway." He said.

"That's very nice of you.. My name is Twilight Sparkle." I said, holding out a hand.

"I'm Nicholas." He said with a smile, returning the handshake.

"It's nice to meet you Nicholas." I said with a smile, enjoying the cloak's warmth, presumably from being worn only moments ago.

"No, the pleasure is mine." He said, lifting my hand to his mouth as he gave a small kiss. I blushed, a small giggle escaping me.

"Hey, I know this is a bit sudden.. But how's about I treat you to dinner tonight. It only seems fair. But I shouldn't.. A woman as beautiful as you probably already has plans." He said. My face grew brighter, a smile attaching itself to me as I looked away coyly.

"Well.. I wouldn't say that. I'm free tonight.." I said.

"Fantastic! I'll stop by at 9? Unless that's too late." He said.

"No no.. That's fine. I just.." I stopped mid sentence, realizing I had plans with Fluttershy and the mystery man she met.

"Um.." I said hesitantly, "I already had plans with my friend. I was going to meet her boyfriend.."

"Well they can come along! It will be a double date.." He said, never losing eye contact. I wanted to tell him that Cecil was injured... But there was something.. About his eyes.

"Y...Yeah sure!" I said.

"Great. How about the diner at town square?" He asked.

"That sounds good. I look forward to it." I said enthusiastically.

"Alright. I look forward to it as well." He said before heading off down the path. I watched him turn the corner, finally alone to my thoughts again. He seemed like a nice guy. And those eyes.. That smile..

"Brrr.." I shivered as another breeze blew across me. I pulled the hood up, seeing the tower in the distance.

"Have a good day!" Mrs. Cake shouted to me as I snatched the broach from the table.

"You too." I said back, putting it on as I walked out the door. I started back down the path, heading to the tower. I passed a man with short brown hair, he didn't even glance at me. I saw an envelope slip from his pocket to the dirt. I reached down to grab it. There was a symbol on the wax that held it shut. It was a picture of a moon, crescent shaped..

"Um.. Sir, you dropped yo-" I stopped, looking around to see he had disappeared.

"Huh.." I mumbled, looking at envelope. There was something strange about it. There was no address on it, just the wax seal. I wanted to open it, but I knew it wasn't my business to snoop in other's affairs. I'll just look around later, maybe someone will recognize the seal. A few minutes later I arrived at the tower. Strange.. The door was open. I peeked inside and screamed. A red hooded figure was hovering over Cecil's motionless body. The man looked at me, his hand raised defensively.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM! YOU WONT TAKE HIM FROM ME AGAIN!" I screamed, flying through the air tackling the assailant to the ground. As he hit the ground, the hood came down.

"T...Twilight?" I asked confused.

"What the hell Fluttershy?!" She said, seeming a bit scared as she looked up at me. It was then that I noticed I had my fist in the air, ready to throw a punch.

"Oh!" I said quickly, hovering off her and helping her up. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were the man who attacked Cecil.."

"No.. When he opened the door he just freaked.. He kicked me, and it REALLY hurt! When I got up, he was on the floor. I tried to help him but he passed out.." She said, scratching her head.

"He tore one of the stitches... Go get me the sucher kit from the bathroom, first door on the left." I said, pointing across the room.

Consciousness returned as I blinked the darkness away. Light filled my eyes as I tried to make out the room. I was back in bed, and Fluttershy was hovering over me.

"Hey..." I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "What happened?"

"Oh your awake! Thank goodness.." She said, taking a seat close to me. "You blacked out.."

I shook my head, trying to remember what happened, then I saw it... My eyes widened, my heart started to race. A figure stood in the doorway, a red cloak draped over him. I looked around, seeing the knife I was stabbed with on the bedside table next to me. I picked it up and threw it at him.

"Cecil wait!" Fluttershy yelled. I watched the dagger sail through the air, stopping mid air as a purple aura engulfed it. He stepped forward into the light.

"What the actual fuck?" She screamed, a look of both anger and horror on her face as she grabbed the dagger from the air. My fear fell to surprise.

"Who the hell are you? Where did you get that cloak?" I demanded.

"She's my friend!" Fluttershy said quickly, floating to the other side of the bed.

"I'm sorry..." I said, placing my hands to my face. "I'm just really... REALLY on edge.."

"No.. It's my fault I guess.. Fluttershy told me what happened, and I'm the one that had the cloak on. I suppose I should have pulled the hood down before I knocked." The purple woman said. Fluttershy hugged me, she could feel me shaking, only making her tighten the grip.

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Twilight Sparkle. Nice to meet you." Twilight said, removing the cloak and putting it around one of the chairs.

"I'm really sorry Twilight.. I.." I said.

"No it's fine... Really. Next time reach for something a little less... Sharp?" She said with a weak laugh.

"Oh yeah.. I met this guy on the way to the tower. He asked me out on a date. I was wondering.. Maybe the four of us could go on a double date?" Twilight asked.

"Oh I don't think we could.. Cecil needs his rest and-" Fluttershy tried to say,

"No I can go.. A little fresh air might do me some good." I said with a smile.

"Are you sure?" Fluttershy said, a worried look on her face.

"Trust me I'm fine.. Just help me into the wheel chair." I asked. It wasn't until my arms were around their shoulders that I saw the envelope sitting near the door. I was set into the chair and quickly wheeled myself to the door. I grabbed the envelope and flipped it over. My heart dropped as I saw the seal.

"Some guy bumped into me earlier and dropped it. Do you recognize the seal?" Fluttershy asked.

"Uh... Yeah.." I said, cracking the wax and opening the envelope.

"Um!" Fluttershy mumbled loudly, "I don't think we should be meddling with other's things."

I ignored her, pulling the letter out and read it. I paused, staring at the paper.

"What does it say?" Twilight asked in anticipation. I sat there quietly, staring at the letter.

"Fluttershy... 'You' are the one that found the letter?" I asked.

"Yes? Why?" She asked curiously. I looked back down at the paper and closed my eyes, breathing a long sigh.

"What does it say?!" Twilight asked impatiently.

"It's a Christmas card. Your right, I shouldn't have opened it. He was probably off to deliver this himself." I said, pocketing the letter.

"Oh.." Fluttershy said.

"I'm sure he won't be too upset. Nothing can be done about it now, no address, no way of finding him." I said. "I'm going to go take a shower.. Er... Bath."

"Alright... Well the date is tonight at 9." Twilight said. I stopped in my tracks, spinning the chair around.

"9? That's a tad late don't you think... You know what happens to me when.." I said hesitantly.

"Well everyone in Ponyville has heard already.. There were a lot of people at that party. And besides, what are they going to do if they see you?" Twilight said.

"Panic? Scream? Try to behead me?" I said slightly worried.

"Oh come on.. Your nice, and if they can't see that then... Who cares? I've known you for a short time and your a good guy. You've only tried to kill me once today!" She said with a chuckle. I stared at her blankly, an unimpressed expression on my face.

"I was joking.." Twilight said.

"Yeah I got that.. Giving me a lot of confidence..." I replied sarcastically.

"Listen, just wear the your cloak. It IS indoors after all.. It's not like you'll be in plain moonlight." Twilight said.

I sighed, "Your really excited to see this guy aren't you?" She nodded rapidly, staring down at me.

"Okay... Okay fine." I said defeated, "But if I cause a riot, it's your problem not mine."

"Yes!" She cheered, jumping into the air. "I mean uh... Good. I'll see you tonight." Twilight said, walking out the door, closing it behind her. I shook my head, heading to the bathroom and turning on the water.

"You sure you don't need any help?" I asked through the door to Cecil.

"I'm fine Fluttershy.. I think I can handle a bath tub." He said back as I heard the water start. I cracked the door, peeking at him. I blushed, seeing his naked body as he hoisted himself from the chair to his feet. He stumbled a little, clutching his stomach.

"Like hell if I'm going to let this stop me from taking a damn shower.." He mumbled to himself, turning a knob, switching the flow of water from the tub to the shower head. He slowly made his way into the shower, closing the curtain. I heard a long sigh of relief as the water hit him. I shook my head, snapping me out of the daze I was in. I stood up and made my way to the other room and sat down. I noticed the nightstand next to the bed. That was the nightstand from his room upstairs.. Those doctors must have moved it for him. A bit strange.. I guess he asked them too. I was about to move on, when I noticed one of the drawers cracked open. I pulled it open, not expecting what I saw. I saw an envelope.. With a cracked wax seal on it, the same wax seal that was on the letter the man dropped.. This was getting weird... And my curiosity was getting the better of me. I grabbed the envelope and took the letter out.

"YOU BROKE THE RULES."

"Rules? What rules? I don't understand.." I muttered to myself, rereading it over and over. There was nothing els written. I flipped the note over, there was nothing on the back, just those words... I quickly put the letter back in the envelope, and placed it back in the drawer. I ran back to the bathroom, peeking inside. He was still showering. I saw the other letter poking out of the pants pocket, currently lying on the floor. I cracked the door open, crawling towards it. My sight kept glancing between the letter, to the shower. I reached for the envelope.

"ARGH!" I heard Cecil groan. I froze, my entire body locking up.

"Son of a bitch..." He mumbled to himself as I saw his shadow clench his abdomen. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. I opened them and snatched the letter, slowly backing up until I was out. I closed the door back to its cracked position. I went back downstairs and sat on the bed. I pulled the drawer open and placed both letters next to each other, comparing them.

"I was right..." I said to myself. Both of them had the same emblem on it. A crescent shaped moon. The letter was for Cecil... But why did he hide this from me? I looked at the envelope I took from Cecil's pocket, slowly pulling the letter out. I quickly pushed it back in.

"No.. I shouldn't. He didn't want it read. If he did he wouldn't have hidden it. I have to respect his privacy... I stared at the letter...

Well......

I quickly took the letter out of the envelope and opened it. I stared at the paper confused. I flipped it over, looking at the back, then back at the front.

It was blank...

Chapter 6: Dinner

"Are we almost there? I don't like being out at night.." Cecil asked.

"Yes, patience." I said, pushing his wheel chair down the path, seeing the restaurant in the distance. I saw him hold his hand out, pulling his sleeve up. I watched his arm turn into it's skeletal form. He looked up at me, the shade from the cloak protecting his face from the light.

"It'll be fine." I said, pulling his sleeve down. "Stop worrying. Who cares what people think? And that's if they even see you."

"There were a lot of people at that party.. They all saw me transform." He said emotionlessly.

"Stop fussing." I said, playfully shoving him. We walked inside, getting a few looks from people as we made our way to the table. I could see Twilight already sitting down with the mystery guest.

"Hey Twilight!" I said, rushing over to the table. I sat down on the opposite side as Cecil wheeled his way over here.

"Hey Cecil." Twilight said with a smile.

"Hey Twilight. Who's your friend?" Cecil asked.

"Hello Cecil.." He said, extending his hand to shake. Cecil stared at his hand for a moment before reaching out and accepting it.

"Hello Nicholas." Cecil said.

"You two know each other?" Twilight said surprised.

"Yeah we're old friends.. Really old friends.." Nicholas said, never losing eye contact with Cecil.

"I'll tell you about it later." Cecil said as we picked up the menus to order. It is a bit strange.. I thought Cecil was secluded, how could he know this guy? About ten minutes passed before our food arrived.

"So Cecil.." Twilight said, "What do you uh.. Do?"

"I'm an inventor.." Cecil said, taking a bite of his steak.

"Really?" I asked surprised, "I didn't know that... Why don't you ever talk about it?"

"Maybe because he hasn't invented anything useful in awhile." Nicholas said bluntly. The clanking of Cecil's fork and knife stopped as he paused a moment, then continued eating.

"I have to go to the bathroom. Do you mind?" Cecil asked.

"Not at all." I said, standing up to push him to the restroom.

"Allow me." Nicholas said, "We have a lot of catching up to do anyways."

"Alright.. We will be here when you get back." Twilight said with a chuckle.

"I have to pee too.." I said, standing up and following them to the restroom. They walked into the men's, and I walked into the women's. I walked in and was about to sit down when..

"What the hell do you want Nicholas." I heard Cecil say. I looked up to see a vent. It must connect to both rooms..

"Come now... Let's not fight big brother.. You know why I am here." Nicholas said.

"Brother?!" I said to myself, listening closely.

"You broke the rules." Nicholas said.

"I don't care. I love her, and you can't stop me from being with her." Cecil said.

"Brother... You're breaking my heart.." Nicholas said sarcastically.

"If you have come to kill me, then do it.." Cecil said.

"Oh but where would the fun in that be." Nicholas replied.

"I AM SICK OF YOUR GAMES!" Cecil yelled, "WHY CAN'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU ALREADY TURNED ME INTO THIS MONSTER!"

"Because you are everything I despise. After everything you have done to me.. After everything you have TAKEN FROM ME!" Nicholas yelled back. "I will make you suffer.. Slowly."

"Heh... You didn't deserve her." Cecil said.

"SHUT UP!" Nicholas yelled, a loud banging from him hitting the wall. "She was the only woman I loved, but no.. You were the knight in shining armor.. Always the hero. YOU STOLE HER FROM ME!"

"SO YOU HAD TO KILL HER!" Cecil yelled. There was a pause.

"You know... She's pretty." Nicholas said calmly.

"You wouldn't dare.." Cecil said.

"Oh I don't know.. 'I' wouldn't do anything to hurt her... But there was an awful storm a few days ago..." Nicholas said.

"What are you babbling about?" Cecil said.

"Didn't you hear? A woman was struck by lightning. I think her name was Rainbow Dash?" Nicholas said.

"What... What are you getting at?" Cecil stammered.

"People say it was a freak storm... It shouldn't have happened. But the clouds just... 'Mysteriously' appeared. Now don't you find that strange?" Nicholas said, a cold tone in his voice I hadn't noticed before.

"I..I don't.." Cecil muttered.

"And don't you find it strange.. In that entire storm, there was only a single bolt of lightning recorded." Nicholas said. There was another pause.

"You caused the storm.." Cecil said bewildered.

"Yes." Nicholas said.

"But... Why Rainbow Dash?" Cecil demanded.

"To prove a point." Nicholas said bluntly.

"What point?!" Cecil asked angrily.

"That if you continue down this path... Well... I think you know." Nicholas said. I heard footsteps, and the door to the men's restroom, hearing one of them about to leave.

"Oh, and by the way..." Nicholas said, "I heard lightning never strikes twice in the same place... So I wouldn't worry about it." He said with a chuckle before leaving the restroom. There was a long pause before I heard Cecil scream, hitting the walls with his fists. I couldn't move... I was trying to process everything I just heard. Nicholas... He must have been the one I bumped into.. Who dropped the envelope. He is the one that made the storm... He put Rainbow Dash into the coma... But.. How?

"Fluttershy? You okay?" I heard Twilight say through the door.

"Y...Yes! Just a moment!" I said hesitantly. I got up, moving out of the stall and quickly back to the table. Cecil and Nicholas had already taken a seat. I sat down next to Cecil. A blank expression on my face. Everything was silent.. All I could hear were my own thoughts and what horrors Nicholas could be planning.

"What do you do?"

"Huh?!" I said, snapping back to reality.

"What. Do. You. Do?" Nicholas asked.

"Um.. I..." I stuttered, refusing to make eye contact.

"She cares for animals. I guess you could say she is a Veterinarian but.. She does a lot more than that." Twilight said.

"How kind of you. She's a keeper!" Nicholas said, glancing at Cecil. Cecil put his silverware down and rolled backwards.

"I think it's time to go Fluttershy. It's been nice talking to you Nicholas." Cecil said.

"Yes I am getting tired.." I said quickly.

"It was nice chatting. I hope to talk again... Soon." Nicholas said with a smile. I hurried out with Cecil, waving goodbye to Twilight.

FIVE MINUTES LATER:

"Cecil.." I said.

"Yeah?" He replied.

"I heard everything." I said. Cecil stopped, his chair going still. A moment of silence passed before he started moving again.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Because of the letter." He said.

"The blank one?" I asked.

"You... saw it?" He asked surprised.

"I saw both of them. What rules?" I asked with both curiosity and a growing dread.

"Nicholas... Put this curse on me. He holds grudges, and never forgets them. When he placed the curse on me, he made rules. And if I were to break them, he would have to intervine." He said.

"What rules?" I asked.

"Well.. A long time ago I.. Stole the woman he loved." He said, sadness filling his voice.

"What happened?" I asked, looking down at him.

"He got jealous. He couldn't stand to see the woman he loved slip away from him. So if he couldn't have her.. Well... You know." He said.

"So he turned you into..." I started,

"A monster? Yeah." He finished.

"That's not what I was going to say.." I said to him, a concerned look on my face.

"I know.." He said, stopping his wheels. "I hate.. This god damn chair!" He yelled, standing up, a spike of pain shooting through him.

"Cecil!" I said, grabbing him.

"No... Let me go." He said, pulling away. He stood up straight, taking a deep breath in, then out. He took the cloak off, the moonlight radiating on him as his skin faded. Along with it, the wound.

"Let's walk together, please?" Cecil said, holding out his hand. I smiled, taking it as we walked home.

"Alright, we're home. I hope you can stay over. I wouldn't want you sleeping alone tonight.." I said.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Fluttershy said with a smile. We approached the tower and opened the door. As I entered, I stepped out of the moonlight and my skin returned.

"AGH.." I screamed, falling to a knee, clutching my stomach.

"Cecil!" She said, rushing to help me.

"I'm fine... I might be fine in the moonlight, but as soon as its gone, my wounds return." I said as she helped me up stairs into our room. I sat down, reclining back, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Let's just lie together.." Fluttershy said, resting her head on my chest. I sat there, feeling comfort in knowing she is safe... At least for now.

"So.. You're an inventor?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah.. But I haven't made anything in.. awhile." I said.

"Well you have to show me some things you have made. Better yet, make something new." She said.

"I don't know.. It's been so long.." I said.

"Please? It would make me happy.." She said with a smile, looking up at me.

"Alright.. I'll show you some things I made.. They might be a bit dusty though." I said grudgingly. "So long as you promise to do something for me.."

"Anything." She said.

"Promise?" I said, raising an eyebrow, a grin on my face.

"Cross my heart and hope fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." She said with a giggle.

"What??" I asked confused.

"I'll tell you in the morning." She said, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Author's Note

The plot thickens!

Chapter 7: Calm Before The Storm

I yawned, sitting up from bed. I noticed Fluttershy wasn't next to me. I also smelled bacon... I got up and walked downstairs, adjusting to the light as I made my way to the kitchen.

"Morning!" She said as she flipped the eggs currently sizzling in one pan, and bacon in another.

"I didn't think you ate meat." I said scratching my head.

"I don't.. But I know you do." She said, humming as she flew around the room grabbing a variety of tools. I sat down, rubbing my eyes as a plate was slid across to me. Damn it smelled good.. Better than mine at least.

"I hope you like it!" She said as she hovered over to the fridge, pouring a glass of orange juice for both of us.

"Don't forget you said you would show me your work." She said into my ear. I choked, coughing as I swallowed a drink of orange juice.

"What??" I asked confused.

"You remember last night... Don't think I forgot." She said, gracefully swaying back to the stove.

"Oh.." I sighed with a dull look falling on my face, my shoulders slumping down. I took a bite of food as I recalled everything that happened yesterday. What am I going to do about Nicholas.. He's intelligent, conniving, and resourceful.. If we wants something, he usually knows how to get it. He doesn't want to kill me or Fluttershy... If he wanted to kill Rainbow Dash, she wouldn't be alive, I know that for sure.. What does he want? No no.. He wouldn't just end it quick, that wouldn't be any fun for him. I know my brother..

"So where do we start?" Fluttershy said, already finishing her food.

"What?" I said quickly, shooting back to reality.

"What are you going to show me first?" She asked, waiting anxiously.

"Oh um... Well... You haven't even finished your juice!" I said hesitantly. She gave me a blank look, glancing down at her orange juice. She picked it up, staring at me the entire time with a stern look. She chugged the full glass down. My eyes widened as she downed the tall glass.

"Done." She said, slamming it on the table. "Any more excuses?"

I groaned, putting my fork down. "Fine." I said, getting up and heading to the basement. "You coming?" I said as she followed quickly behind me.

"So where are we going?" I asked as Cecil led me down the steps.

"You wanted to see my work? You'll see my work." He said as we walked across the basement. He looked at the bookshelf, skimming across it for a certain book. He reached up and pulled one out slightly, causing the whole bookcase to rotate.

"You have a secret room?" I asked in awe as I entered the dark dusty hall.

"Mmhm.." He mumbled as we reached the end. He opened the door to a large room full of mechanical devices and contraptions.

"Wow.. You built all of these?" I asked, gazing around the room.

"Yeah.. It's junk though.." He said.

"Don't say that. This is amazing!" I said, hovering around a broken down robotic hummingbird. He smiled, looking away as he looked at all the equipment.

"Man.. It's been a long time since I've been down here." He said.

"Why did you ever stop?" I asked.

"Well after the curse was put on me and... No one wanted anything to do with me. I had no reason to. I had no purpose.." He said.

"Well that just isn't acceptable." I said, grabbing him and pulling him a large table.

"Wha.." He said as I pushed him into it.

"Build." I said, handing him a wrench.

"Fluttershy.. I can't just.." He stammered.

"Come on. I know you used to have a spark." I said, wrapping my arms around him into a hug. I could feel his face flush as his cheek pressed against my neck. "And I know there's a fire waiting to be let out." I said, leaning back and kissing him. There was a long paused after I pulled away. He glanced down at the wrench, gripping it tighter.

"Hand me that toolbox." He said, a smile enveloping my face.

ONE HOUR LATER:

"Almost done.." He said as I heard gears grinding. I waited patiently, observing the many machines spinning and whirling as he worked.

"Done." He said, lighting up as he handed me something. I looked at it.. It was the robotic hummingbird from earlier.

"Wow.." I said as I looked it up and down. "It doesn't seem to be... Any different?"

"Not yet." He said as he reached for a remote. He pressed a button and the bird shot to life, hovering in front of me.

"It's beautiful!" I said as it looked me up and down, circling me.

"It's... Just a simple contraption." He said with a weak smile, scratching his head. I flew up, following the bird around the room. We flew upstairs and outside. I watched it fly off into to the edge of the forest, a small group of other birds gathering around it. They all flew off into the forest. I smiled as I waved it goodbye.

THE NEXT MORNING:

I yawned, seeing Cecil wasn't next to me. I jumped up and walked out. Something was odd. Everything seemed a bit... Clean? At least, cleaner than I was able to make it. As I made my way downstairs to the living room, I heard the sounds of gears clicking and moving. I opened the door and..

"What..?" I said with wide eyes as I saw robotic things scurrying and flying around. Some were cleaning, some were cooking food. Others straightening pictures and such. I started making my way to the basement when I realized..

"My broach.. I forgot it upsta-" I was interrupted by a robotic hand attached to a gyrating set of helicopter blades. In it's hand was the broach, it floated there, handing it to me.

"Oh! Thank you." I said. It gave a thumbs up, flying off to join the other machines. I walked downstairs to see the entire secret room brimming with life as Cecil worked on something across the room.

"Cecil?" I called to him. He looked back quickly, covering what he was doing.

"You aren't suppose to see this, go back upstairs! It's a surprise." He said in an excited tone. I shrugged, walking back upstairs and sitting down. The floating hand from earlier came by, setting a plate of food down.

"Thank you very much." I said happily as it shot me another thumbs up. I started eating, looking at the room buzz with life. There was a knock on the door. I got up and moved to answer it.

"Hello?" I said, opening the door. "Oh! Hello!"

"Hey Fluttersh- Shy..?" Twilight and the others said as they saw the horde of machines moving across the room.

"What the hay is going on in here?" Applejack said as the hand flew over, taking her hat and placing it on the hat rack.

"I see he's really.. Changed up the place." Twilight said as a small robotic raven landed on the hat rack, a large camera on it's head scanning them before flying off.

"Wowie this place is NEAT!" Pinkie shouted, running into the room and looking at all the machines.

"This is quite... Interesting." Rarity said as two floating hands came by and took her coat, "Why thank you dearies." She said with a smile as they hung it up.

"Cool!" Spike said, climbing into a small bot with treads. I watched as it drove him around the room.

"Great.. You made Spike even lazier." Twilight said as we all laughed. They all walked in and headed to one of the couches. I started to close the door, when It was stopped by a foot.

"Don't forget about me dear." I heard someone say from outside. I opened the door and Nicholas walked in, nearly pushing me over. I caught myself with my wings, flying back as I stared at him.

"I like what he has done with the place." Nicholas said, looking at all the machines floating and running around.

"What do you want?" I asked angrily.

"My my! Watch that anger, it doesn't suit you at all.." He laughed.

"Fluttershy? What's the matter?" Applejack asked, surprised by my tone.

"HE.." I started,

"I wouldn't.." He whispered, "It would be a real shame if anything were to happen to Twilight.. Or better yet, Rainbow Dash... "

"You.. You wouldn't." I whispered in surprise.

"Wouldn't I?.She's already holding on by a thread. It wouldn't take much to.." He said, snapping his fingers, "Snap.. It." Fear filled me as I remembered Rainbow Dash, seeing her in the hospital. She was in poor condition..

"I just... remembered.." I said, "I uh.. left the kettle on!"

"Uh.. Fluttershy?" Twilight said, pointing behind me. I turned my head to see one of the hands floating there holding a tea kettle.

"Thank you...Very....Much." I said, staring at it menacingly.

"Tea sounds lovely!" Rarity said as a turtle like robot rolled by, a tray with cups sitting on its back. She took one and the hand poured tea into the cup.

"I'd love a cup." Nicholas said, sitting down next to Twilight as she rested her head on his shoulder, her arms around him. He picked up a cup and waited for the hand to pour it. The kettle floating next to him began pouring. But it didn't stop, the cup overflowed and spilled all over him.

"DAMN IT!" He yelled, dropping the cup as the boiling liquid spilled on his hand and lap. The cup smashed on the floor. He looked up at the kettle as two hands flew over and made a shrugging gesture. He took a breath in, moving towards the back room.

"I'm going to wash up.." He said calmly, closing the bathroom door behind him. All I could do was giggle as one of the hands flew next to me, high fiving me. All the ones shaped like hands were wearing white gloves, it looked nice.. All I could do was giggle at the event that just occurred.

"Oh! We have company!" Cecil said, appearing in the doorway.

"Hello again." Twilight said, greeting him.

"Nice to see you again Twilight, Pinkie.. Where's pinkie?" He asked, looking around the room. There was a loud crash, followed by a Pinkie flying down the staircase with a jetpack on.

"THIS THING IS AWESOME!" She yelled, screaming past me into the basement.

"Wait it's not ready to be tested!" Cecil yelled, chasing after her. A moment later Pinkie came sailing out of the basement, Cecil holding onto her. We watched as they flew through the air.

"PRESS THE RED BUTTON." Cecil shouted. Pinkie pressed it and the pack shut off. They both went tumbling down and were stopped by a purple aura, holding them up. I looked over to see Twilight slowly dropping them to the ground. There was a slow clap as they landed. Our eyes turned to the bathroom, and Nicholas was standing there.

"Bravo." He said, walking towards us.

"Nicholas.." Cecil said, "What are you doing here?"

"I just came with Twilight and her friends. They wanted to visit! Twilight thought it would be delightful if I came along." Nicholas said. "But as fun as it's been, I really must be going."

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked with a disappointed sigh.

"Sorry. But I have things to attend to. I look forward to seeing you again Cecil." He said, making eye contact with his brother.

"The feeling is mutual.." Cecil replied. Nicholas walked out, closing the front door behind him.

"Wasn't there something you wanted to show me?" I asked after a long pause.

"Oh right! Stay right here." Cecil said, rushing down into the basement. We waited, talking for awhile. We finally heard him coming as he blasted through the doorway with a large box.

"We had better step outside for this one." He said. We all stood up and walked outside as he placed the box in the center of the living room.

"Why are you putting it inside?" Twilight asked.

"You'll see." He said joining us. We all stared at the box from outside the front door as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a button. He flipped the top and pressed it. The box opened and a swarm of mechanical butterflies flew out and towards us.

"Um.." Twilight said, backing up slightly.

"Just wait.." He said, smiling with anticipation. As soon as the butterflies reached us, they began to ascend, glitter dropping from their wings. Time seemed to slow as I watched with astonishment at their beauty. They elegantly traveled past us. A few landed on me, forcing me to smile as I brought one close to my face, looking at the patterns on it. I looked down, placing a hand on the broach which was pinned to my chest. A tear slid down my face as I closed my eyes. I felt two hands grip mine as my eyes opened, meeting Cecil's.

"I did all of this for you.." He said.

"It's beautiful.." I said. Moving closer to his lips. The sun glistened and shined off the glitter raining on us. His eyes mixing perfectly with the light's splendor. I closed my eyes as I felt him press against me. Everything seemed to melt away in this perfect moment. My arms holding him to me like a life preserver in the middle of the ocean. When we finally parted, the butterflies were gone. I turned around to see them flying away in the distance, still shimmering in the morning light. I looked over to the others, who were staring at us. Rarity and Twilight were hugging, tears welling up in their eyes as they smiled at us. Applejack stood to the side.

"Yee haw!" She shouted.

"You sure are a great kisser Fluttershy!" Pinkie said, appearing next to us. I stared back at here, raising an eyebrow.

"Well.. We'll leave you two alone. Come on girls, we have some things to do." Twilight said, motioning down the road. They left, moving down the road to Ponyville.

"Wait for me!" Spike shouted as he rode the small robot out and towards them. I shook my head, giggling with Cecil. I walked in as Cecil went to toy with some of his robots. I walked down the basement, looking around as I approached his desk. I looked at some blueprints scattered around the table, and noticed something glimmering from one of the drawers. I pulled it open and stumbled back, gasping. I stared into the drawer in utter shock at what I saw. I reached in, and pulled out a revolver, staring at it intently. I opened the chamber... There was a single bullet in it.

"You weren't supposed to see that.." Cecil said. I jumped, spinning around to face him.

"Why do you have a gun?!" I asked extremely confused.

"I've had that thing for a long time. You see.. My brother... Gave it to me after he cursed me. He said I'd use it eventually, you can guess what for.." He said saddened. I gazed down at the gun, my heart gripped by sadness.

"That's... Horrible." I said. Cecil approached me, taking the gun from me and putting it back in the drawer.

"But It seems that he was wrong. I suppose he didn't expect you." He said with a smile. My heart being relieved as I stared up at him.

"Come on, there's one more thing I want to show you." Cecil said as he grabbed my hands, leading me. He led me upstairs, higher than I have ever been in the tower. We reached the top, now standing outside on the summit.

"What's that?" I said, pointing to a large metal rod that stood tall, a glass tube coiling around it.

"That.. Is a lightning rod." He said as the moved to a table full of levers, switches, and buttons. I looked up at the clouds. Everything was pretty calm, no storm clouds or anything.

"What are you doing?" I asked as he fiddled with the controls.

"Science." He said, pulling a pair of goggles out and putting them on, a smile on his face.

"Um.. There's no storm, how do you plan on getting lightning to strike it?" I asked.

"Who said anything about that?" He said as a loud buzzing was heard.

"What are.. You doing?" I asked, growing nervous.

"SCIENCE!" He yelled, pulling a lever. Electricity began to flow up the glass tubes, arcing in between it and the rod. Once it reached the top, it collected into a ball. Once it got large enough, he pulled another switch. A constant stream of lightning shot from the ball into the sky. As soon as it hit passed through the clouds, a loud thundering sound was heard. The clouds parted as if a bomb just went off, fading away into the distance. I gazed over to Cecil, who had a large smile on his face. Every so often I would see the light from the stream of electricity flicker. The occasional flash turning Cecil's face to its skeletal counter part only for a split second. I leaned back, my eyes open wide in surprise, backing away slowly. He pulled the switch again, causing to steam to cease. Everything calmed down, silence growing.

"Well?" Cecil said.

"What.. Did it do?" I asked, looking around. "Nothing seems to have changed."

"Not nothing." He said, pointing up. My jaw dropped open as I saw the sky. The clouds had been cleared completely, and replaced with an aurora. Colors streamed across the sky, dancing in patterns of pure magnificence. I was speechless.. All I could do was marvel at the display he had put on for me... For me...

"I have one last trick up my sleeve. Or rather.. My pocket." He said. I looked down, he was on one knee, a small box in his hand. My hands shot up to my mouth, tears building up under my eyes.

"Fluttershy.. Since you came into my life, I have been a new man. You brought life to lifelessness. You gave me hope, and a reason to live again." He said, never breaking eye contact. "If you hadn't come then... Well... That gun might not have a bullet in the chamber."

I stared at him, my hands covering my mouth as tears steamed down my face uncontrollably. My heart was pounding.

"You don't have to say yes but.. I don't know what my life would be like without you. Just like the robots downstairs, I would fall apart. You're the bolts that keep me together. Without you, I'd rust away." He continued, "So believe me when I say that I love you. Will you marry me?"

He opened the box, the ring sparkling from the sun reflecting off its many facets. I nodded my head violently, unable to speak as he placed the ring on my finger. He stood up.. I stared at him, his face brimming with beauty as the aurora streamed through the sky behind him. The butterflies from earlier flying over us, showering the area in their sparkling glitter. He placed a hand on my cheek, his warm touch sending electricity through me. Our faces were pulled closer as the gravity of our love took hold. I felt a flame ignite as our lips met. The last trace of reality fading as I was pulled into what felt like a dream. He was the first to pull away, a small strand of saliva connecting us as I stared into his eyes in a love driven haze. I pushed him back, hearing a grunt as he landed on his ass.

"Oof!" He blurted, "What are..?"

I slid my shirt off slowly, staring down at him with a lusty grin.

"Oh.." He said, mesmerized by my sway as I walked towards him. I pulled his pants off, along with mine, pushing him down on his back as I crawled on top of him. I felt him already growing hard, poking against me through his underwear. I felt his heavy breath on my skin as we gazed into each other's eyes, a lust building inside us. I turned around, pressing my ass against his face as I pulled his underwear off, seeing his member come to fruition. I gasped as I felt his tongue slide under my underwear, digging itself into my velvety pussy. Instinctively I took his full length into my mouth, my own tongue circling it as I bobbed my head up and down. I could hear him breathing heavy, his breath on my cunt driving me insane. My hands ventured down to his sack, kneading it playfully. He grunted, his shaft beginning to pulsate. I wanted it... I wanted it all. I needed to taste him, right now..

"Fluttershy I.." He tried to say before I felt him cum, his seed covering my taste buds as it's large volume bubbled and seeped from my mouth. I swallowed as much as I could, letting the taste sink in. I stood up, pulling my underwear off completely as I sat on him, his cock sliding between my ass cheeks. I could feel his semen oozing down my backside as it rested there. We stared at each other, panting with a thirst that only the other could quench. I felt him hardening again. I moved my hips up and down, teasing him as I waited for him to grow fully erect. I could hear him moan with pleasure as his hard-on glided between my cheeks, already lubed by the constant pre-cum leaking from the tip. I lifted myself up, pressing the tip against my aching pussy. The tip sending spikes of pleasure through me as I rubbed it back and forth. He places his hands on my hips, clenching my bare bottom as he stared up at me. He pulled me down onto his dick. I moaned loudly as it pushed through, pressing against my cervix. We both panted as I slowly gyrated my hips. I was surprised as he quickly sat up, placing one of my nipples in his mouth, gently suckling on it as he fondled my other breast. I wrapped my arms around his head, holding him there as he began to move his hips in rhythm with mine. Pleasure rocked my body as a bottled up orgasm found its way out. My pussy spasmed around his cock as I dug my nails into his back. He grunted slightly, feeling the pain as blood trickled down his back. An animalistic urge growing in both of us as his thrusts sped up. He moved forward, gently sprawling me down as his arms pushed my legs back far, my knees nearly behind my head. He continued to fuck me, his poundings growing in force as another orgasm crashed through me. His arms fell down to my hips, freeing my legs. My legs wrapped around his hips as I felt his member grow slightly, twitching inside me.

"I'm cumming.." He said.

"I want it all... I need it." I said as I wrapped my legs around his hips, pulling him in with one final thrust, holding him in place as both our orgasm's surfaced. After a long pause I pulled him down, resting his head on my chest as I stroked his hair.

"Hey Fluttershy.." He said, looking up at me.

"Yes?" I said with a blissful smile on as he laid there on top of me, his head on my breasts and his shaft still inside me.

"It's still the morning..." He said.

"You're right.." I said, looking out at the position of the sun.

"You know what that means?" He asked. I didn't even have to ask as I felt him start to harden again, never even pulling out as he slowly teased his hips back and forth.

"Round two?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

"Let's stay here today. No one will miss us if we... Have a little alone time." He said. I nodded in agreement, feeling my lust returning as I stared into his eyes.

"I want you to hold me in your arms all day long.." I said as I wrapped my arms around him.

"Well.. Who's going to stop us?" He said, his lips meeting again as he started thrusting.

Author's Note

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Chapter 8: Making Friends

"Why am I doing this?" I asked as my chair was pushed by Fluttershy.

"You need to make some friends for the wedding!" She said.

"I figured you already had enough.." I said with a sigh.

"Everyone knows what I am, who is going to want to hang out with me?" I asked.

"I am getting sick of this side of you." Fluttershy said coming to a sudden halt, nearly throwing me from the chair. She walked in front and grabbed my chin, pulling it up to look her in the eyes.

"So LISTEN." She said with a slight hostility in her voice. My eyes widened in both shock and slight fear at the personality change.

"You are a good person. If you wanted to be alone all your life then.. Too bad." She said sternly, "But so long as I am your bride, you are going to meet new people. AND YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT!" She screamed. I was leaning back in my chair, staring into her eyes with my own dinner plate sized eyes.

"Got it?" She asked in a kinder tone. I nodded violently as she let go of my chin. "Good. Now let's continue." She said, returning to her original position and pushing me down the street. That's a side of her I haven't seen before... I am going to refrain from seeing it as much as possible.. I suppose I could go about trying to make friends. What's the harm in it? I could get laughed at? A bit too late for that.

"Hey Fluttershy!" I yelled to her.

"Oh hello Red!" She said back as I approached her. I gave her a hug, smiling at seeing a familiar face for once.

"How has Dash been?" She asked.

"She's still asleep.. She's been in that coma for days." I said saddened.

"I'm sure she'll... Be fine.." Fluttershy said half heartedly.

"I'm sure your right. I just worry.." I said.

"Don't take this the wrong way.. I love that you care so much but... Why do you care so much?" She asked quizzically, "You don't even know her."

"Well.. I don't really know. Something about her just... Clicked." I said with a shrug.

"I know exactly what you mean.." She said, glancing over at Cecil with a smile. I looked over at him, my expression turning to confusion.

"What's wrong with him?" I said questioningly as I saw a look of half surprise half fear stuck on his face.

"Oh... We just had a long talk about meeting new people. He's just.. Nervous." She said.

"Okay..." I said.

"Sorry, but would you mind staying with him for awhile? I have to pick something up from home real quick." She said.

"Uh.. Sure?" I said reluctantly as she hurried off down the road. I walked over and wheeled him over to a bench, sitting down beside him.

"So..." I said. He blinked, snapping out of his daze.

"Oh.. Hey Red. When did you get here?" He asked.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." I laughed.

"Ghosts wouldn't compare.." He mumbled, shaking his head. "Anyways.. What's up?" He asked, stretching his arms.

"Nothing really.. Everything's been really slow lately.." I said, staring off towards the hospital.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I just... Can't sleep at night anymore. Things have been dull.." I replied.

"You're worried about her huh?" He asked, moving from his chair to the bench.

"I don't know why!" I said, scratching my head furiously. "I don't even know her.. But I can't stop thinking about her."

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" He asked.

"I don't know... I guess?" I said with a shrug.

"Well I think we have a case of it here." He said nudging me, a smile on his face.

"But I don't.. 'Love' her... I don't even know her. But when I saw her fall, it's like everything stopped. Nothing mattered at that moment, not me, not the people around me, just...Her." I said, "Maybe I do love her. Maybe there is such a thing as 'Love at first sight'. I don't know what to do.. "

Cecil gave a long sigh before turning to me, "“Well.. When we fall in love at a glance, the question we should ask ourselves is, What is it that we long for? Or maybe, What are we lacking so that we can turn life in the direction we want? Creativity? Confidence? Authority? Recklessness? Irresponsibility? Or even darkness? Maybe the lover is the outlaw in ourselves we don't quite have the nerve to claim. So do you want to know what I think you should do?" He said.

"What?" I asked, his words igniting a spark in me.

"Go to her. Be with her. Never leave her side. She quite literally 'Fell' into your life.. That's destiny if I've ever seen it." He said with a hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, thinking about everything that's happened since that day. I looked at him, a smile sneaking onto my face.

"Thank you Cecil." I said, pulling him into a hug.

"Ahg... Still... Recovering.." He said, patting me on the back. I pulled away, my hands on his shoulders as I stared at him.

"You're a good friend." I said. He raised his brows, a sparkle in his eyes as I said that. He smiled.

"What?" I asked. He seemed...Happier?

"No.. Thank you." Cecil said, standing up.

"Whoa easy.." I said, standing up and grabbing him.

"Nah... I think.. I'm feeling a little better." He said as I released him. He stood there for a moment.

"Yeah maybe I should sit down.." He said heavily as he stumbled forward slightly, sitting back into his chair. We both laughed. A good while passed as we talked.

"Actually you know.. I think I'm going to head to the hospital." I said.

"Yeah. I'm going to head back to the tower." He said with a chuckle.

"Shouldn't you be waiting here for Fluttershy?" He asked.

"It won't take long. I just need to grab a couple things. We were heading to the hospital anyways. I need an examination on the wound to see how it's healing. And Fluttershy was going to check on Dash, I'd imagine you're doing the same?" He said

"Yep. And thank you again, really." I said, giving him one hug before turning away.

"Hold on a moment.." He said, grabbing my arm.

"What is it?" I asked.

"There's something I have to tell you..." He said, a slight worry entering his voice.

"Is something the matter?" I asked. He paused, looking at me, then to the hospital. He placed his hands over his face and a muffled screamed was heard.

"What's wrong??" I asked in surprise. He took his hands away and looked up at me.

"I.. I can't tell you... DAMN IT!" He yelled.

"Why not?" I asked curiously.

"Just... Dash's accident... Might not have been an accident." He said hesitantly.

"What are you talking about? She was struck by lightning.." I said quizzicaly. He shook his head.

"Listen.. There might be someone who wants to hurt her. Just watch for a man in a red cloak alright? Don't tell anyone I told you, promise?" He said. I was trying to process what he was saying but..

"PROMISE!" He yelled, his grip on my arm becoming painful.

"I promise!" I grunted. He quickly turned around and started wheeling himself back to the tower. I turned and started walking to the hospital, thinking about what he said. It wasn't an accident? How.. I don't understand. I..

"SHIT!" I yelled as another person collided with me from the side. I grunted as I hit the ground. I looked up to see a red hooded figure speeding away from me.

"Hey you're..." I tried to say as someone tripped over my prone body.

"FUCK!" He yelled as he landed face first in the mud. He quickly got up and looked around.

"FUCK FUCK!" He screamed, as he searched the area. He glanced back at me, an angry look on his face as he stormed towards me.

"Hey wait a second.." I said as I stood up, backing away slowly.

"HE GOT AWAY BECAUSE OF YOU!" He yelled, pushing me backwards. I stumbled but caught my balance. I took a swing at him but he ducked under it, hitting me in the stomach. He pushed me to the ground as I tried to catch my breath.

"You're dead you little shit!" He said as he raised his leg to kick me.

"THAT'S ENOUGH PATRIC!" A man yelled. The attacker looked up, then back down to me, his leg still raised. He swung it down to stomp me. But before it made contact, a yellow glow surrounded the mans body and sent him flying back into the wall of one of the buildings. I turned my head to look at the stranger, who's horn was glowing with a yellow aura. I glanced back to Patric, who was on the floor, the air knocked out of him after colliding with the building.

"Sorry friend." The man said, extending a hand to me. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to regain my composure.

"Colin. Nice to meet you..?" He said awaiting a response.

"Red.. Nice to meet you Colin.. Who's your short tempered friend?" I asked. Immediately after I said that, I began to hear the soft ticking and grinding of gears. I turned to see Patric standing up, staring at me with an angered expression.

"SHORT TEMPERED?! I'LL SHOW YOU SHORT TEMPERED!" He yelled. He tore his shirt off, and two wings extended themselves.

"What the hell?!" I said as I saw his wings. One looked normal, matching the brown color of his fur. While the other.. Was of a bronze color, made of metal. I could hear a grinding sound as he lifted himself off the ground and shot like a bullet towards me. I ducked and he flew over my head and into Colin. Directly after collision, Colin's horn glowed, followed by a blinding yellow flash. I shielded my eyes. When I looked back... They were gone.

"Hey Red!" I heard Fluttershy shout to me. My head snapped to her, and back to where the other two were.

"Did you see.." I said pointing to the spot on the path.

"Where's Cecil?" She asked, looking around for him. I shook my head.

"Oh uh.. He went back to the tower to get something. Said something about meeting him at the hospital?" I said in a half dazed state.

"Oh.. Okay then. Would you mind walking with me? I would feel comfortable if I wasn't alone.." She said nervously.

"Oh.. Um... Of course!" I said hesitantly.

"Thank you!" She said in a happy tone, instantly calming down. "I mean... I really appreciate it."

"I was heading there anyway.. Might as well have some company." I said, slightly leaning back from the outburst. We walked to the hospital and to Dash's room. Her friends were already inside.

"Hey.. Im uh.. Just going to wait outside. Tell me if anything happens okay?" I said.

"Um.. Alright.. You sure you don't want to go in?" She asked curiously.

"No.. Not right now. I just need to think about things.." I said, taking a seat in an empty chair. Fluttershy walked in, and as the door opened I could hear her friends.. Crying? I saw Fluttershy disappear into the room. I stood up and started walking towards the door. I stared into the room through the glass window that stood in the center of the door. I could see Pinkie and Twilight crying. I was about to open the door and enter when..

"MMPH!" I screamed a muffled scream as a I was grabbed and a cloth was put around my mouth. My head turned enough to see a man in a red cloak with his arm around me. My eyes shot wide open as I tried to breathe, immediately feeling faint from the air I inhaled. I heard footsteps from Dash's room, then I passed out.

"Let's go yall.. There's nothing more we can do." Applejack said, holding back her own tears.

"You're right.." I mumbled, wiping my tears away as I fell into her arms.

"It'll be alright Fluttershy.." Applejack said, the first of her tears finally freeing itself. I glanced over to Pinkie, who's hair was straightened and down to her side. She was crying into Rarity's shoulder. Pinkie moved over to Rainbow Dash's bed, crying profusely.

"Wake up... Please wake up.." She cried into Dash's arm as she knelt beside her.

"Come on girls.." Twilight sobbed, "There's no sense in mourning now.. We should probably.. Start planning the funeral soon."

I looked at the flat-lining ECG once more before shoving my face back into Applejack's shoulder. We all got up and walked out. I could see Red fast asleep in the chair.

"Let him rest.." Rarity said, "He's been awake for over a day. We can tell him.. Later." She said as tears streamed down her face.

Pinkie's POV:

"I guess I should.. Get the balloons out of her room." I said as I pushed some of the hair out of my eyes. I walked back into the room, closing the door behind me. I walked in, my hair blocking most of my vision as I started untying the balloons.

"Pinkie!" Dash said. My eyes widened, my head snapped to Rainbow Dash, who was now sitting up.

"RAINBOW DASH!" I screamed. I ran over and clamped my arms around her, sobbing uncontrollably into her blue hospital gown.

"I... Pinkie.." She stammered before beginning to cry herself. Her arms wrapped around me as my hair absorbed her tears.

"I thought you were gone!" I said. I snapped back to reality, pulling away. "I have a surprise for you.."

"Huh?!" I gasped as I snapped awake. Looking around for the hooded figure. He was gone.. My thoughts returned as my eyes shot to Dash's room. I jumped up and bolted in.

"Where is she?!" I asked in a panic.

"Red!" Twilight said, a smile on her face. "She woke up!"

A wave of happiness washed over me as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"She's in the bathroom." Twilight said, motioning to the door. I walked out and up to Rarity.

"How.. is she doing?" I asked.

"She seems fine... But she's been in there for a long time." Rarity said. The concern from earlier returned. I ran to the door and knocked.

"You okay in there?" I asked through the door.

"Yeah just a minute.." She quickly retorted. As soon as the door opened, I rushed forward, putting her into a hug.

"I'm glad you're okay.." I said as I held her tight. It was at that moment that I noticed her wing.

"Does.. It hurt?" I asked.

"Wh- What?" She asked hazily.

"Your wing." I said as I pulled away. "It's pretty burned, does it hurt?"

"Oh! Yeah uh... Its not that bad. I mean I am the toughest weather pony in all of Equestria! A little lightning isn't going to get me down!" She said as she extended her wings in a proud manner, only to collapse into me from the pain. I laughed a little, walking her back to the room where every one els was waiting, sitting her back down in the bed.

"So what can I call the hero who saved me? You obviously know my name already." She asked. I looked at her, a smile on my face.

"Red.. Just Red."

Chapter 9: Sibling Rivalry

"Now where did she put them.." I mumbled as I wheeled myself around the room. "You! KleptoBots.. Where did you put my crutches?"

Two of the floating hands came together and shrugged.

"Well help me find them." I said. They both shot across the room, digging through things. I made my way to the basement door. Looking down the steps, then back to my chair.

"Okay..." I said to myself, "Now how do I approach this..."

"Hello Cecil." A voice said into my ear. Before I could react, the chair was pushed forward and I was sent tumbling down the stairs. As I hit the bottom I screamed in agony, clutching my stomach. I looked down to see the stitches were still intact. I glanced back up the stairs to see Nicholas standing at the top, glaring down at me.

"N...Nicholas?" I barely managed to say.

"I just wanted to let you know that Rainbow Dash is doing alright." He said down to me, "However.. I can't say the same for Fluttershy."

"DON'T TOUCH HER GOD DAMN YOU!" I screamed, dragging myself up the stairs slowly.

"Have fun alone.." He said, "All... Alone." And slammed the door. I crawled up, reaching for the handle. When I turned it... It was locked.

"LEAVE HER ALONE! NICHOLAS! GOD DAMN IT LEAVE HER ALONE!!" I screamed, banging my hand against the door. I broke down, tears finding their way to the surface as I pounded.. and pounded..

HOURS LATER:

I was awoken by a loud banging. My eyes shot up to the locked door.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP!" I yelled, banging on the door. There were several large bangs on the other side before the handle blew off, the wood around it splintering. I covered my head, jutting away. The door creaked open and I saw several of the robots gathered around the other side.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" I yelled, the robots backed away in fear. "SHE COULD BE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU! USELESS PIECES OF SHIT!" I screamed, kicking one across the room as I stood up, collapsing from pain. I started crying on my hands and knees as I stared at the floor.

There was a tap on my shoulder. I looked up to see three of the floating hands in front of me, two of them holding crutches. I stared up at them.

"I'm... I'm sorry.." I said, "You did everything you could.."

I reached up, grabbing the crutches and pulling myself up. I rushed to the door and made my way outside.

"I'm coming for you Fluttershy.." I said as I hurried down the road.

I hobbled down to town square, searching frantically. Then I spotted him.. Sitting in a chair outside of the cake shop.

"NICHOLAS!" I screamed. He turned to me, a smile on his face. I dropped the crutches and started running, the pain in my abdomen vanishing in the adrenalin rush as I sprinted towards him. His expression unchanged as he stared at me. I tackled him out of the chair, grunting as he slammed into the ground. I raised my arm and punched him. I hit him again.. And again... And again..

"Stop!" Someone said. I continued to hit him, a rage in me growing as I continued to strike him mercilessly.

"CECIL STOP!" She screamed as my arm was stopped mid air. I turned to see..

"F...Fluttershy?" I said in disbelief. She had grabbed my arm and was staring at me. I looked behind her, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the others were standing there, watching in horror. I looked down at Nicholas.. His nose was broken, and blood covered his face. A small laugh escaped him, that smile still pasted on his face. I looked around me, there were men... Women.. And children staring at me. Suddenly I was grabbed and thrown off of him, smashing into the ground. I felt a sudden shock of agony as the pain returned from the wound. I looked up to see Red standing over me. I climbed to my feet, clenching my stomach as I saw Fluttershy stare at something behind me, her face in shock as she looked back at me. I looked behind me to see the moon rising on the horizon. I looked down, seeing my body transform. Red and everyone backed up, the crowd gasping and staring.

"WHAT!" I screamed, taking a step to the crowd. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!"

Everyone backed up. My eyes glanced around at the people. I stopped, looking down at my hands, staring at them angrily. My head shot back to the crowd.

"GET A GOOD LOOK! TAKE IT ALL IN!" I screamed. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"GET AWAY!" I screamed, swinging my arm back. There was several gasps. I turned around to see Fluttershy on the ground, holding her eye. She looked up at me in shock, tears starting to fall down her face. Everyone rushed to her. Rarity and Twilight's horn glowing as they stared at me angrily, standing defensively over Fluttershy. I stared at them, horrified.

"W..Wait.." I said hesitantly, taking a step forward. A chair was levitated and thrown at me by Twilight. I blocked it, halting my advance. Applejack was holding Fluttershy close as I looked at all of them. I turned and ran... Never stopping until I reached the tower. I slammed the front door, immediately feeling the pain of my stomach return. It wasn't stopping me anymore.. I walked downstairs into the basement and sat at my desk, head in my hands. I stood up, smashing everything I could see, rage building inside me.

"FUCK!" I screamed as I threw a broken robot across the room, watching it break into pieces. I collapsed into the chair, my head on the table as I cried. I cried... I glanced down at the drawer, pulling it open slowly. I reached down for the revolver, glaring at it.

"Is this what you wanted Nicholas?" I said to myself, "IS IT!" I screamed, more tears sliding from my face. I stared up at the ceiling for a moment, looking back down at the gun. I raised it slowly, opening the chamber. I took the bullet out, staring at it. Engraved on it was,

'EASY WAY OUT'

I hung my head back, staring at the ceiling again, laughing as a new wave of tears found their way out. I placed it back into the gun, loading it into the chamber. I spun the chamber, watching it rotate. I put my hand on it, stopping the rotation. I raised the gun, placing the muzzle against the side of my head. I closed my eyes, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry...." I said between sobs.

CLICK.

I flinched at the sound, crying more and more as Fluttershy's face ran through my head.

"I'm so sorry.." I said again..

CLICK.

I flinched again, my hands trembling, my breathing becoming shaky.

"I love you Fluttershy.. God... Please forgive me..." I sobbed.

CLICK.

My finger gripped the trigger, time seemed to slow as I pulled it for the fourth time.

"I love you... I love you.... I lo-"

CLICK.

Chapter 10: Forgiveness

"Are you okay Fluttershy?" Applejack asked, extending a hand. She pulled my up to my feet and I wiped away my tears.

"I'm fine.." I said.

"Are you sure? Your eye looks pretty bruised." Rarity said.

"Really, I'm okay.." I replied, "It was an accident. I know he didn't mean it."

"Fluttershy.." Twilight said in a concerned tone.

"No really! I know how it sounds.. Listen, there's something I have to tell you about Nicholas.." I said, taking a seat.

"So.. What you're saying is that... Nicholas put the curse on Cecil?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"And that it was Nicholas that caused the storm?" Red asked confused.

"I know it's hard to believe.." I started, "But it's true."

Everyone paused, thinking about what I had just told them.

"I believe you." Red said.

"You do?" I asked.

"The short time I've known Cecil, he hasn't shown one inch of hostility. He's kind, and wouldn't resort to violence unless he had too. So I believe you." He said.

"If Red believes you, then so do I." Rainbow Dash said, putting an arm around me.

"Well I think you know where this is going." Twilight said, "If Dash does, then we all do too."

"Well.." Rarity said, "The first thing we should do.. Is try to convince everyone that Cecil isn't what they believe him to be."

"Yeah!" Pinkie said, jumping in the air. "He's a gentle cuddley huggable lovey dovey romantic AWESOME PARTY throwing guy!"

"Uh... What she said." Applejack said.

"You guys get to work on that. I'm going to go check on Cecil." I said, receiving a nod from everyone.

ONE HOUR LATER:

"So how are you doing?" I asked Rainbow Dash, holding her close.

"Pretty good..." She said, looking down.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Well... Red.... The thing is.." She mumbled.

"What is it? You can tell me." I said, running my hand through her hair.

"It's about the surgery..." She said, giving me a nervous look.

"You're scared.. I am too." I said.

"I want my wings back, and I know this is probably the last thing that can really give them back to me." She said.

"Dash listen to me. I know how much this means to you, and we are going to find the money. I know you'll pull through. You always do." I said, kissing her on the cheek. Then I noticed something.. Something glimmering out of the corner of my eye.

"HEY!" I screamed.

"What?!" Dash said in surprise. I saw the man with the mechanical wing from the other day. I jumped up and bolted towards him. I was about to deck this guy when..

"What.." He said, turning to me. I could see his face stained with tears. He wasn't angry like before, he was sad..

"I..." I said in surprise.

"I'm sorry.." He said, putting his head in his hands. He was shaking.. I sat next to him, Dash following in turn.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my empathy taking hold.

"Why do you care?" He said with a returning hostility, "You don't even know me."

"Do I need too?" I said. He paused, looking away from me.

"Your name is Patric right?" I asked.

"Yeah.." He said.

"And where's your friend? Colin was it?" I asked, looking around for him. "You were his friend right? Why isn't he with you."

He looked at me angrily,

"He's dead."

"Cecil?" I shouted as I walked through the front door. One of the hands approached me.

"Oh hello. Do you know where Cecil is?" I asked it. It turned and pointed to the basement.

"Thank you." I said, walking past it and into the basement.

"Cecil?" I shouted down the hall, walking to the bookcase. "That's strange.. Why is it closed?" I reached up to the book and pulled it back, the shelf moved and revealed the hidden door. I pulled it open and walked in. It was dark.. Why were the lights off?

"Cecil?" I yelled into the room. I reached for the light switch and flipped it on. My heart sank, my hands trembling as I saw Cecil sitting at his desk, his head resting on it motionless, one arm on the desk next to his head, the other hanging limply to the side... And next to the chair on the floor, sat the revolver...

Chapter 11: Click

"I love you... I love you... I lo-" I froze as I heard a knock at the front door. My rapid breathing stopped, my thoughts roaming wild. My finger stood on the trigger. There was another few knocks. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. I dropped the gun to the side of the chair and got up. I walked out to the front door, and reached for the handle. What if it's Fluttershy... I can't face her now.. Or ever again.. I took my hand away and turned around, looking back at the basement. More tears slid down my face as I started walking back.

"Cecil you asshole open up!" A male voice said. I stopped, turning back to the door. I walked over and swung it open.

"Patric??" I asked in shock.

"Hey Cecil.. Can I come in?" He asked.

"Yeah... Sure come on and sit anywhere." I said, motioning him inside. He went in and took a seat, me quickly following in turn.

"Did.. You need anything? Anything to drink or.." I said quickly.

"No.. Nothing at all. I just came with some... Bad news." He said as I saw his eyes glint with sadness.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's Colin.." He said.

"What about him? Is he okay?" I asked, leaning in.

"He died..." He finished.

"What? But.. What about the medicine? It stopped working..?" I asked in utter shock.

"I guess so..." He shrugged. I could see him holding back tears. I sat beside him, pulling him close.

"I'm so sorry.." I said, thinking back to the last time I saw Colin. It's been a long time.. The last time I saw him was when he brought Patric here, after he lost his wing. Patric lunged to me, pressing his head to my chest, his tears crawling their way out as I hugged him.

"We were so close Cecil... We almost caught him." He said as he wept.

God.. I didn't... I couldn't have expected this... I just sat there, letting him cry as I tried to understand.

"You really loved him didn't you..." I asked sincerely. He looked up, nodding.

"You two did make a great couple." I said.

"You're damn right we did..." He sniffled.

"Is there anything you needed? Really." I asked, staring at him.

"Well... This damn wing you gave me could use some tweaking." He said.

I smiled, "I'll see what I can do." I said, placing my hand on his cheek and kissed him. It was a short one, but absolutely genuine.

"Thank you... I'm glad to know you're always here for me." He said as another tear fell down his face. I wiped it away, pulling him in for another hug.

"Come on, come to my office. I'll see what I can do about that wing." I said as I stood up. He followed me downstairs. He sat down and I pulled the mechanical wing off, setting it on my desk.

"The hell did you do to it?" I asked, seeing several bolts undone, along with the tears and scrapes alongside it.

"I used them..." He said sarcastically.

"As what, a blender?" I asked as we shared a laugh. I grabbed a toolbox and started working on it.

"Go upstairs and relax, it'll probably take a few hours to get it all fixed up." I said. He got up and walked to the exit of the basement before stopping.

"You know... I missed kissing you." He said with a chuckle.

"I know." I said, grinning as I continued to screw in some bolts.

"When I left... I didn't mean to hurt you." He said. There was a long pause.

"I know..." I said.

"I just.." He said, turning away.

"Patric... I know. I knew you loved him. And I was alright with that. That's the past. I still love you and care for you. Really. So get your cute ass upstairs and get something to eat."

He smiled, "Yes sir."

I stared back down at the wing, scratching my head.

"Bastard... What did you do to my baby..." I mumbled as I started working on the half-mangled wing. It wasn't until I was relaxed that I realized how tired I was. My eyes started to droop... My head falling to the table.

"Maybe...Just a little nap..." I said to myself as propped my head on my left arm, my right hanging off the side.

"Just...A nap.."

Chapter 12: Serendipity

Patric's POV: FIVE YEARS PRIOR.

"NICHOLAS!" I screamed weakly as I limped through the trees. I watched him inch further and further away as he slipped from my sight. My pursuit slowed as the pain in my back increased. I fell to my knees, pain rocketing through me as I gasped for breath. My vision blacked as I started to pass out.

"NO!" A voice screamed, snapping me back to reality. I jumped up and ran towards the voice, seeing a man kneeling down. I walked over, my speed faltering as I felt more blood run down my back and drip to the forest floor. When I got closer I noticed there was another taller figure lying on the ground on his back. The man on the ground was concealed by a blue cloak, with stars on it. The man who stood on his knees looked up at me, staring.

"Help... Me..." I said, falling to my knees. The pain finally peaked and I lost consciousness.

I sighed, glancing down at the revolver, rotating it in my hand. There was a knock at the door, taking my glance away from the weapon. I placed it in the drawer and walked upstairs, the front door coming in view. I cracked it open to see a man standing there, a blue cloaked man with his arm around his shoulder, and a Pegasus hovering mid air, a yellow aura around him.

"Please help me..." The man in the middle said.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm Colin." He said.

"What happened to them?" I asked.

"My friend was stabbed. The other guy... I have no idea." He said.

"Uh... Yeah come in." I said hesitantly, motioning to the couch. It wasn't until the man he held with his magic came closer that I noticed something horrifying.

"What the fuck happened to his wing?" I asked as I saw one missing, blood seeping onto the floor.

"I don't know but he's losing a lot of blood. Do you have a medical kit or something?" Colin asked.

"Yeah just a second..." I said quickly, rushing to another room and scavenging through boxes. I grabbed a red bag with a cross on it and ran back to the room. I put it on the floor and started dumping everything out and organized the tools and equipment.

"So what can I call your friend?" I asked, staring at the unconscious man that had been wearing a blue cloak earlier.

"Starswirl." Colin said. I stopped dead in my tracks, my head jolting up to stare at him.

"What?!" I said in utter shock.

"I can stitch him up. The other guy... Do you know how to cauterize a wound?" Colin asked. I was still trying to process who was bleeding out in his arms.

"DO YOU KNOW OR NOT?" He said angrily.

"Y... Yeah!" I said, rushing to the kitchen and turning on the stove. I grabbed a pan and placed it on it, waiting for it to heat up. I peeked back into the room. Colin was holding Star, crying as he sowed the wound.

"It's... It's too deep." He mumbled, "I don't know what to do..."

I grabbed the pan and ran to the other man and splayed him out on his stomach. With a deep breath I pressed the pan to what was left of his wing to seal the wound. His eyes shot open and he let out a bloodcurdling scream. His arms flailed back to try to grab me, but I held him down.

"No no no..." I sobbed as I stitched Starswirl's wound, knowing it was futile. My cries were interrupted by a scream of agony. My head shot up to see the man I had brought in calling out in pain as his wing was cauterized. He was held down for a few moments, but knocked the pan out of his hand. I watched it slide across the room and stop in front of the window. The one winged grabbed him and started choking him. I used my magic to rip his hand away, holding him down as he struggled to get free, a rage in his eyes.

"He's trying to help you!" I yelled. His glance meet me and he started to calm down.

"We need to cauterize your wing... You've been bleeding badly for awhile." I said. His head turned back to the other man, then to the pan.

"What's your name?" I asked. He looked back at me.

"Patric." He said.

"Nice to meet you Patric. I'm Colin, and he's..." I said, "Well... I don't really know who you are."

"Cecil..." The man said hoarsely, rubbing his throat.

"Well it's nice to meet the both of you." I said, beginning to cough.

"I need to finish cauterizing it. Think you can handle it?" Cecil asked.

"Just do it..." Patric said weakly. Cecil walked over to grab the pan, when something I could never have expected happened. When Cecil reached for the pan, the light from the window hit his hand. The skin on it receded and faded away to reveal a bony, skeletal hand. I quickly glanced back to Patirc, who wasn't looking, obviously focused on his missing wing. As he pulled his hand back, the skin reformed as if nothing had happened. I stared at it astonished as he approached Patric.

"This is going to hurt alright?" Cecil said.

"Just get it over with." Patric said impatiently. Cecil took a breath in and pushed the searing pan against the nub that once held his wing. Patric's teeth clamped together as a muffled scream worked its way out. His mouth shot open and he let out a scream that made me cringe. Patric passed out, lying motionless as the pan was pulled off. There was a long moment of silence.

"I'll... Take him upstairs. You going to be okay down here?" Cecil said.

"Yeah..." I said weakly as I looked back down at my teacher, who was growing pale. I stared at Starswirl as Cecil left the room, dragging Patric upstairs. I felt a hand grip my arm. I looked down at Starswirl, who was awake.

"Master..." I said in shock as he stared up at me, "I don't know what to do... The cut is too deep I can't... I can't-"

"Colin..." He interrupted, "My life doesn't matter."

"That's bullshit." I said, tears beginning to form again.

"Listen to me." He said quietly, "Before I die..."

"Star... Don't say that..." I said as I started to weep, "We can fix this..."

"Just listen... I'm old Colin. And in my time I've learned that life will try to break you. And nobody can protect you from that... But you have to be strong." He said.

"I... I know master." I said weakly, "I swear... The man that did this to you will pay."

"No!" He yelled, gripping me tighter, "Promise me you wont kill him. You have studied under me, and I have trained you for years. You're like a son to me... I can't stand to think what it might do to you. Don't late hate consume you... Please."

I closed my eyes, anger brewing in me as images of the man in the red cloak stabbing him flash through my head. I looked down at him and nodded.

"Thank you..." He said, his eyes slowly closing as the last ounce of his life slipped from my grasp.

"Star...Star please!" I said, shaking him violently. "Please don't die... God damn it you can't die!"

My eyes snapped shut and my head sunk down as my tears fell to his clothes.

"Goodbye..."

I placed Patric down onto the bed. A few moments later he woke up, his eyes gazing up to mine.

"Are you okay?" I asked. As I stared down at him, I saw a sparkle in his eye as he looked into my eyes. "Did... You need anything to drink or... You lost a lot a blood and I thoug-"

I was interrupted as his lips met with mine. My eyes shot open and my face flushed bright red as we stood there, locked together. He pulled back, looking away from me.

"Sorry..." He said after a pause.

"That's... Alright." I said with an embarrassed tone. I looked back at him, our eyes met again. There was something about those eyes... I just...

"It's not... That it was bad..." I said shyly.

"No no... I shouldn't have. I had no right to and I know that you probably aren-" He rambled.

"I'm bisexual Patric." I said, hushing him.

"Oh... So you..." He said quietly.

"Attracted to you? Maybe a little." I said with a smile.

"Oh! Okay... Well I uh... That's good to hear, I'm glad tha-" He said quickly before I interrupted.

"Oh shut up already." I said, pressing my lips to his.

THREE DAYS LATER:

"How long did you know him...?" I asked, kneeling down beside him as we stared at the grave.

"A long time Patric..." Colin said. I looked at him, he was in pain... His heart was torn up, I could tell.

"Are you going to be okay?" I asked.

"Yeah..." He nodded, never taking his eyes off the grave. He covered his mouth and started coughing.

"Are you okay?" I said with a tinge of concern in my voice. When his hand pulled away from his mouth, there was blood stained on them.

"What... What's wrong with you?" I asked, staring at the blood. He started breathing heavy, wheezing slowly growing louder.

"My bag... Grab my bag." He said quickly, pointing next to the grave. I reached over and opened it, handing it to him. He reached inside and pulled out a syringe full of a yellow liquid. He took the needle and plunged it into his chest, injecting it into himself. He took in a deep breath, his breathing slowing to a normal healthy sound. He pulled it out, breaking off the needle and replacing it with a clean one, then filling the syringe up with the same liquid from a vial. After he finished he replaced it back in the bag and closed it.

"What was that??" I asked, a hand on his shoulder as I looked at the small bit of blood running down the tiny puncture mark on his chest.

"Medicine." He said.

"For what?" I asked.

"I'm very sick..." He said, trying to avoid the question.

"Listen, I know you saved my life and all... And I don't have any rights to ask questions but... I'm concerned about you. You can tell me." I said. His eyes for the first time made contact with mine. I could see his glimmer in the light.

"Lung cancer." He said.

"That's...Horrible..." I said in disbelief, "How long do you have left?"

"I don't know. This medicine suppresses it. It's currently at stage 2. But the doctors I've been too said they can't treat it. They said I probably have a few good years left before it gets to the point where the medicine won't help anymore." He said. There was a long pause as our heads turned away from each other.

"His name is Nicholas." I said.

"What?" He asked confused.

"The man who killed your friend. His name is Nicholas. He's the one that did this to me. And I swear I'm going to kill him for what he's done to me, and you." I said, using my thumb to point back to my wing. He stared at me, then at my wing before starting to laugh.

"What's so funny?" I said angrily.

"The irony..." He said, staring down at the grave.

"What irony?" I asked.

"You want to kill him... And I don't." He said.

"But he... Killed your friend... How could you not want that?!" I asked in surprise.

"Don't get me wrong, I did at first... But..." He started.

"But what?" I asked.

"But I don't. I just want to tell him something." He said.

"And what would that be?" I asked. He shook his head.

"No... This is something I have to tell him, and him alone." He said. He reached over and grabbed my hand as he stared down at the grave.

"He was my teacher, and the only friend I've ever had." He said as a tear slipped its way out, "I don't want to be alone again..."

I tightened my grip on his hard and stood up. I placed my hand on his cheek and wiped the tear away.

"You won't be." I said as I kissed him. We melted into each other, more tears sliding down his face as he pulled away, pressing his head to my chest.

"I won't ever leave you Colin... I promise."

THE NEXT DAY:

I groaned as I twisted another screw in. I scratched my head, looking at the blueprints. I heard footsteps behind me, and turned to see Patric walking towards me.

"Hey Patric." I said as I turned back to the mechanical wing that was about half constructed.

"Hey Cecil..." He said as he looked over my shoulder, "Is that it?"

"It's not finished yet." Cecil said, pushing him slightly. He laughed a little.

"I thought it looked a little small..." He said. I laughed sarcastically.

"Did you need anything?" I asked.

"Actually... I needed to tell you something." He said as he took a seat in an empty chair.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I think I'm in love with Colin." He said. I immediately stopped, the screwdriver I was holding no longer turning.

"What happened a couple days ago..." He said hesitantly.

"Don't worry about it." I said as I started working again, "It was just the 'Florence Nightingale' effect. It didn't mean anything."

"Oh... Alright. You're sure that you're okay with it?" He asked.

"Absolutely Patric. You two look like you'd make a great couple." I said.

"I'm so happy you understand!" He said as he put me in a bear hug.

"Okay..." I said weakly, trying to breathe, "I'm happy you're happy... But I need to breathe Patric..."

He let go and laughed, "Sorry! And thank you. It takes a lot of stress off my back... No pun intended."

"Again, don't worry about it." I said with a smile, "Now go upstairs and get your cute ass something to eat."

"Yes sir!" He said, turning and heading out of the basement. I stared back down at the wing, a single tear falling from my face onto it.

ONE MONTH LATER:

"Okay!" I shouted up to him, "Try flying!"

"I don't know about this..." He yelled from the top of my tower.

"Come on! Colin will catch you if you fall." I yelled.

"Fine!" He yelled. He looked back, extending his wing, then it's new mechanical twin.

"Get ready to catch him..." I whispered to Colin. Patric dove off the tower, but instead of plummeting, he soared!

"It worked!" He shouted, starting to laugh.

"Holy shit... It works." I said with my mouth ajar. I watched as he flapped both his wings, actually gaining altitude. I started to laugh, cheering as he bolted through the sky.

"You have fun up there!" Colin shouted, "Im going to talk with Cecil for a moment."

He motioned me inside and we sat down.

"What is it?" I asked.

"There's something I should tell you." He said.

"Go on..." I said as my curiosity began to expose itself.

"A month ago, when we first arrived at your door..." He said.

"What about it?" I questioned.

"I saw your hand... When you reached for the pan." He said. My heart dropped.

"I... Why didn't you say anything?" I asked surprised.

"Well... You helped us. You didn't look like a bad guy, so I figured it wasn't my right to pry." He said, "I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you..." I said, relief washing over me.

"But there is something I want to tell you." He said.

"What?" I asked.

"I noticed you live here all alone. And I could imagine you've been here for quite awhile, am I right?" He asked.

"Yes..." I said quietly.

"And I'd imagine it's because of your... You know." He said, motioning to my hand.

"Well... It's more than just my hand. But yes." I said, gazing down at my hand.

"Can I give you a bit of advice?" He said.

"Sure..." I said with a shrug.

"Life will try to break you... And nobody can protect you from that." He said, giving a long pause before continuing, "But living alone won't either, because solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on this planet. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt... Sit by an apple tree."

"What??" I asked, thrown off by the last part. He laughed a little.

"Just think about it. Sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you, wasting their sweetness." He said.

"Alright..." I said, "Go on..."

"And when the day is over, and you're about to leave, you have to tell yourself something." He said.

"And what would that be?" I asked. He paused for a moment before placing a hand on my shoulder.

"That you tasted as many as you could." He finished, a smile on his face. I stared at him.

"I don't understand..." I said.

"You will some day." He said. I smiled, pulling him into a hug.

"You take care of him alright?" I said, patting him on the back.

"I will." He said, walking out the door. Patric landed and walked up to me, hugging me goodbye.

"Take care you two..." I said.

"Take care yourself." Patric said. After they left I closed the door. Staring at it. I sighed, moving upstairs to my room. I fell back onto it, staring at the ceiling.

"Cecil..." A voice said. I looked around the room, trying to find the source of it.

"Cecil." It said, a little louder this time.

"CECIL!"

My eyes snapped open, my head jerking up from the table. I looked down at the mechanical wing on the table.

"Oh..." I mumbled to myself groggily. I was about to continue repairing it when I was forced into a hug.

"I thought you were dead..." Fluttershy said, her face brimming with tears. My eyes glanced down to the gun lying on the floor. I stared at it, then back to her.

"Fluttershy I..." I tried to say before being hit in the arm several times.

"You selfish BASTARD!" She screamed, continuing to hit me. I raised my arms defensively.

"HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK OF DOING THAT!" She yelled. Her punches got weaker and weaker, then she fell into me, crying.

"Fluttershy I'm so sorry... I..." I said, beginning to cry myself.

"Don't ever... Do that again." She said, tightening her grip around me.

"I won't... I promise." I said, "I love you Fluttershy."

THE NEXT MORNING:

"Thanks for the repair." Patric said, flexing his new and improved wing.

"Don't mention it." I said.

"Come on Cecil, we're going to be late!" Fluttershy said, tugging on my shoulder.

"But the sun's not even up..." I said, "How early are we supposed to be?"

"Just come on..." She said, pulling me out the door.

"I'll come too." Patric said, following in turn. As I stepped outside, the last bit of moonlight left hit me, my body changed to it's skeletal counterpart.

"You sure I can't wear my hood..." I asked nervously. She immediately blindfolded me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"It's a surprise. Just walk." She said.

"We've been walking for half an hour..." I groaned.

"We're almost there." She said as I heard a door slide open. We walked inside a house or... something. Smelled a bit off... I heard the door close behind us.

"Okay. You can take your blindfold off." She said. I reached up and pulled it off to see that I was in a barn. All her friends were around me, staring at me.

"What... What's going on?" I asked. I was answered by the barn door opening and the moonlight flooding in. I was turned back into my other form. But I also noticed that in the light, there were a lot more people here.... A bunch of bright lights turned on overhead, lighting up the entire barn.

"Is... Everyone in town here??" I asked, turning to several people in the crowd I recognized from last night.

"Yep!" Pinkie shouted, "And we're here to show you how much we care about you."

"But... I hurt Fluttershy... How could you forgive me so easily?" I said in utter surprise.

"Because I love you." Fluttershy said, "And we're all your friends."

If I could, I would be crying right now. I hugged her, gripping her tightly.

"Thank you... Thank you so much." I said.

"No!" A voice from the crowd screamed. I turned to see Nicholas staring at me.

"You idiots! How can you just accept him like that? He's a freak! A monster!" He yelled in anger. There was a pause as he glanced around at the crowd. Everyone was glaring at him.

"I only see one monster here." Twilight said. Nicholas looked around in shock, backing away.

"You... You can't..." He said weakly. He turned and ran. I looked at Fluttershy, and she looked back at me.

"Let's get this party started!" Pinkie screamed as the blue haired girl pulled her goggles down and turned on the music. The crowd started cheering and dancing. She took a step back and held her hand out.

"Would you like to dance?" She asked.

THREE HOURS LATER:

"That was pretty fun." I said as me and Fluttershy walked towards the exit to the barn.

"The day's just starting too." She said. I walked outside and into the morning sun just coming over the horizon. I looked at my hands to see them revert back to normal. It was then that I saw the farm for the first time.

"Are those..." I said, eyes widening as I stared towards the fields of trees.

"Apple trees. This is Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack's farm and home." Fluttershy said. I looked at the trees, staring speechless at them glisten in the sunlight. I walked over to one and sat down, leaning against it as I watched the sunrise. I stared out into the vast fields, the beauty of the sun shining across it. I smiled as a tear slid down my face.

"What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nothing... It's just something a friend told me... A long time ago. Some advice he gave me that I didn't quite understand until now... Until you." I said. She sat next to me and I wrapped my arm around her.

"We could try that restaurant again. I'm sure this time it'll be a bit nicer now." She asked, looking up at me.

THUNK!

I looked to my left, and saw an apple sitting next to me. I looked down at her and said,

"Maybe we can stay here... A little bit longer..."

Author's Note

Sorry if this one took a bit longer to come out. Just bad timing and all, hadn't got a chance to write for a good amount of time. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 13: Sunset

Colin's POV:

I groaned, my head in my hands as I stared down at the black book, reading the last line over and over again in my head.

'From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fulfilled'

I stared at it, shaking my head.

"I don't understand..." I said to myself. I closed the book, staring down at the cover.

"Give it a break." Patric said, standing up and opening the fridge, "And we're out of food..."

"Great..." I said.

"How's about we go out to eat?" He said, heading to the door and grabbing his coat.

"Sure." I said. As I walked to the door I started coughing. Patric ran over and grabbed me, walking me to the bed.

"Maybe I'll just bring something back..." He said as he sat me down.

"I'm fine..." I said as I tried to stand back up, only for him to force me down.

"Do I need to tie you down?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"You'd love that wouldn't you." I said coyly, kissing him. He smiled, pulling back after a good amount of time.

"Just get some rest, I'll be back with something to eat." Patric said as got up and walked to the door, stopping to look back at me, "You sure you'll be alright alone for awhile?"

"Don't worry about me. I have enough of the stuff if anything happens." I said, pointing to the capped syringes lined up on the table. He laughed, "Alright. See ya in an hour?"

"Take your time." I said, lying back onto the bed.

"Wait!" I said, sitting upright and pointing to Starswirl's book, "The next chance you get, take that to Celestia. Maybe she can figure it out. He nodded, snatching the book and heading out, closing the hotel door behind him. I went back down onto the bed and turned over on my side, facing the wall as I closed my eyes.

Click...

"You forget something Patric?" I asked. There was no response...

"Patric?" I asked, turning over to see a man standing in the doorway, staring at me.

"Who are you?" I asked, sitting upright.

"I'm sorry to barge in like this but... I'm from the hospital. Dr. Cross sent me to check up on you?" He said, looking down at a clipboard.

"Oh... Well alright." I said, "Come in, sit down."

He moved in, glancing at the syringes laid out on the table.

"Is that the medicine we gave you?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?" I questioned.

"Well the tests are back. We need to change you to a new medication." The doctor said.

"Why? The stuff I've been using for the past few years have been working just fine." I said quizzically.

"True, but the new one we are prescribing you lasts longer. You only have to use this weekly instead of daily." He said, pulling out a needle with a greenish liquid.

"Weekly??" I asked in surprise, "That's a... Big leap."

"I'll say." He said with smile as he took a seat next to me, "If you don't want to that's fine. We can keep you on the old stuff."

"No no... It's just... A bit odd is all." I asked, eyeing the syringe.

"Alright, pull up your shirt and lean forward." He said, prepping the needle. I took my shirt off entirely and leaned forward. I felt him touch around my upper back.

"So... If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" I asked.

"Nicholas." He said. My head jolted back as he stabbed the needle into me, pushing the green liquid into my lungs. Every breath I took filled me with agony as fire flooded through me. I fell to the ground, clenching my chest as tears started to fall from my face.

"Don't worry." I said as I looked down at Colin, "It'll be over soon..."

I placed the needle back in my bag and got up, walking to the door. I reached for the handle, only to be stopped by a yellow glow surrounding me. I looked down at my hands in confusion, and was thrown back against the wall. I glanced over to Colin, who was standing up. I could see veins bulging from his skin as he walked towards me in pain. I stared at him in horror as I was held there powerlessly, awaiting whatever he was about to do to me.

"I... Have been waiting... 'Five' years... To say this to you." He said as I was pulled forward, just inches away from the wall.

"Please... Wait!" I said quickly as he stopped in front of me.

"You killed... My friend, and my teacher..." He said, beginning to wheeze with each breath. "I have been waiting to say this for five years..."

He raised his arms, his hands moving towards me. He was going to strangle me! I struggled to escape from the magical grip that surrounded me to no use. I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. The magic around me let go and a physical one replaced it. His arms were around me as he... Hugged me...

"What..." I said in absolute confusion.

"I forgive you..." He said, my head resting on his shoulders as my eyes were locked open, blankly staring past him.

"I...What..." I stammered.

"I... Forgive you..." He said again.

"But... Why?" I asked as his grip around me tightened.

"Because I was taught never to kill. It took me awhile to understand my master's dying words." I said.

"What...?" I asked. I was forced to my knees along with him as his grip around me weakened. He leaned against me, his head resting on my shoulder. He ignored my question.

"Heh..." He mumbled, "Such a beautiful end... To a beautiful day."

"What are... You talking about?" I asked. I waited, not getting a response. It took me a moment to realize his arms were no longer around me, and were hanging limply to his side as he leaned against me.

"Colin...?" I said in a meek tone as a tear slid down my face.

"Huh?" I said quickly, snapping awake. I looked around to see I was in a field, and was leaning against a tree.

"Hello Colin." A gentle voice said. A voice I haven't heard in a long time... I turned, to see Starswirl sitting next to me.

"S...Star?" I said, tears starting to build up under my eyes. He stared at me, a smile on his face.

"I... I don't understand. You died..." I said, my voice shaking as I held back the oncoming flood of tears.

"Yeah... Yes I did." He said.

"Then... How are you here right now?" I asked weakly. He paused for a short moment before taking a breath in.

"How are 'you' here?" He asked. I sat there thinking, my eyes darting between him and the area I was in. I froze, my glance slowly returning to him as a realization hit me. I looked up... I was sitting under and apple tree. But all the apples were gone.

"I died too..." I said. There was another pause before tears started falling down my face.

"It's okay son... It's okay." Starswirl said, pulling me gently into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, my tears staining his blue cloak as I bawled... I pulled away, wiping the tears from my face.

"Are... You real?" I asked.

"Well... I sure hope I'm real!" He said sarcastically, forcing a smile across my face as we had a short laugh. I looked up at the tree and stared at it. I leaned back against the tree again. I looked out into the field and noticed that the sun was setting. Starswirl stood up, looking off into the sunset.

"Such a beautiful end, to a beautiful day..." I said, another tear sliding down my face as I closed my eyes. When I opened them, Starswirl was standing in front of me, his hand extended. I took it and he pulled me to my feet. He started walking, then stopped to look back at me.

"You coming?" He said. I walked with him, seeing a black cloaked figure in the distance.

"Where are we going?" I asked. He turned to me, a smile still on his face.

"Let's go find out."

Chapter 14: Falsified

DAYS LATER: Rainbow Dash's POV:

Red broke the silence, "I wanted to tell you that wherever I am, whatever happens, I’ll always think of you, and the time we spent together, as my happiest time. I’d do it all over again, if I had the choice. No regrets."

Our hands slipped apart as the stretcher was pushed through the door. My gaze met the moving ceiling as I was pushed into the surgery room. A mask was put on me with a tube feeding off to a small sealed metal container.

"We're going to turn on the anesthetic now alright?" One of the doctors said. I nodded.

"Just countdown from 100." The doctor said, turning the valve. The door opened and a masked man in a white coat came in.

"Ah good your here. We can begin as soon as the anesthetic kicks in Nicholas." The doctor next to me said. My eyes shot open and I stared at horror at Nicholas. Before I could say anything, everything went black.

TWO WEEKS LATER: Cecil's POV

"I don't understand..." Fluttershy sobbed as I held her close.

"I don't either..." I said. I recalled what Rainbow Dash told us, and how she only had two weeks to live. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. "But I'm going to find out."

I got up and walked to the door. I turned to see Fluttershy's head pressed against a pillow, her cries muffled. I looked back to the door and left, making for the hospital. After half an hour I arrived, walking through the doors to see a rather deserted room, only the nurse at the front desk. I walked up to it and stared down at the nurse, who seemed rather bored.

"Yes?" She said, lighting up at what she hoped was a patient.

"Is Dr.Cross in today?" I asked, "I need to talk to him."

She immediately slunk back down, "No... Sorry."

I groaned, "Where is his office?" I asked.

"Down there but... You shouldn't be down there without an appointment!" She yelled as I started walking down the hall the moment she pointed. I opened the door to his room, not seeing anyone inside. I walked in and approached the desk, looking around for anything that could tell me more about the surgery. I opened the drawers, noticing a medium yellow folder in the bottom one. I pulled it out and placed it on the desk, opening it. Inside were several papers labeled "Laminectomies."

It was divided into two categories; Short term, and Long Term results. These are obviously the surgery reports but... There is something off about them. I skimmed through the short term files.

PATIENT#057: JACK PLAX.
STATUS: ALIVE.
RESULTS: SUCCESSFUL.

I looked at the reports, all the short term results were a success. Just like Dash said... I moved the papers and looked at the long term.

PATIENT#035: HARVEY BLACK
STATUS: ALIVE.

I froze, reading it again... And again.

PATIENT#036
STATUS: ALIVE
RESULTS: SUCCESSFUL

PATIENT#037
STATUS: ALIVE
RESULTS: SUCCESSFUL

Successful...Successful... Successful... I quickly flipped through the pages for Rainbow Dash. Found it.

PATIENT#89: RAINBOW DASH
STATUS: ALIVE
RESULTS: SUCCESSFUL

I stared at it, not understanding at all...

"You weren't supposed to read those..." Dr.Cross said, snapping my attention to the doorway. He had a look of dread on his face as he stared at me.

"What the hell are these?" I asked, holding the folder up. He didn't answer and moved to his desk, taking a seat as I held the folder tight, backing against the wall. From his seat he looked up at me, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"What are these damn it!" I yelled.

"The test results." He said.

"So... The surgery was a success?" I asked.

"Yes..." He said.

"Then why did you tell them that she was going to die?" I demanded.

"He told them exactly what I wanted him to." Nicholas said, entering the room. I glared at Nicholas in horror as I noticed he had a syringe in his hand.

"Nicholas... Wha-" I said before being caught off guard by Dr.Cross, who bent my arm backwards and forces me to the ground. I struggled, trying to escape. I watched the needle grow closer as my panic set in.

"Hold him still." Nicholas said.

"Nicholas please!" I begged.

"It... Won't hurt..." Cross said, a tear falling from his face.

"HELP!" I screamed, "SOMEONE HEL-"

My eyes shot open and I looked around the room.

"Where... Where am I?" I said aloud, searching for another person. I tried to move, but couldn't. My arms and legs were tied. I was in a dark room, it looked like a basement.

"H...Hello?" A voice said, a small, feminine voice...

"Who's there?" I said, looking around.

"Over here." She said. She was behind me. I twisted back as far as I could. I was tied to a wooden pillar that went up to the ceiling. The little girl was shackled to the wall behind me.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Cecil... And you?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

"I'm Emma..." She said weakly.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"I don't know. The mean man took me from daddy a week ago." She said. It was then that I recalled what happened. Nicholas... He injected me with what I'm guessing was a tranquilizer.

"Who's your daddy?" I asked.

"He helps people get better." She said.

"He's... A doctor?" I asked.

"Yes." She said.

"Doctor... Cross?" I asked.

"Yes." She said again. I thought about it for a moment... That must have been why he was helping Nicholas... His daughter...

My head snapped to the door at the top of the steps as I heard the knob click and start turning. When it opened, Nicholas began descending.

"I see you're awake! Welcome to my humble abode..." He said, walking towards me with a syringe, a green liquid brewing inside it.

"What the fuck do you want?" I demanded, struggling against the ropes.

"I swear we've had this conversation before..." He said sarcastically, "It's what I've wanted from the beginning. I want you to suffer."

"I don't care what you do to me, just let the girl go." I begged.

"I'm afraid... I can't do that." He said.

"Why the hell not?" I asked

"Because your friends are on their way... And she is my escape route." He said.

"What do you mean?" I questioned. He held up the syringe, looking at it.

"A strange thing this chemical is..." He said.

"What... Are you..." I asked puzzled.

"It's made from a specific plant. Found in the Everfree forest." He continued.

"What does this have to do with anything?" I asked.

"It has different effects depending on where it is injected..." He said.

"Nicholas..." I tried to say.

"The Lungs for instance..." He said. My eyes widened and I stared at him.

"You... Killed Colin..." I said in disbelief.

"Yes... It's effects vary depending on the subject. But in the end do the same thing. It degrades whatever it's injected into. But the medicine he used to suppress his cancer... Made it have a very different reaction." He said.

"What do you mean..." I asked, beginning to get angry.

"It mixed with it. And instead of 'suppressing' his cancer... It sped it up." He said.

"But.... How?" I asked, not understanding.

"It's a mystery to me. But you know what ISNT a mystery?" He said.

"What?" I asked.

"What it can do if injected into the spine..." He said. I stood there, frozen in horror as the realization hit me.

"You... Are the reason Rainbow Dash is dying... You falsified the long term reports of the surgery..." I said.

"Yes. The survival rate is 100%. But there is one variable they didn't factor in with this surgery." He said.

"What?" I asked.

"Me." He said with a smile

"But... Why? And why did it take so long for it to start working?" I asked confused.

"Well that's the thing. The dosage determines how long the effects take to manifest. I gave her a rather insignificant dose. Would take about... I don't know... A month? For the damage to get to the point of no return." He said.

"But why her..." I asked.

"Because Cecil. I'm not just stopping at her... I'm going to make you watch as your friends slowly die around you, until you beg for that bullet I gave you. And there's nothing you can do to stop me." He said. There was a loud banging at the front door upstairs.

"And that's my queue..." He said, walking over to Emma.

"Wait Nicholas... What are you doing?!" I asked frantically.

"Using my 'Get out of jail free.' card..." He said, "This won't hurt for very long dear..."

"NICHOLAS!" I screamed, "LEAVE HER ALONE GOD DAMNIT! NICHOLAS!!"

There was a loud crash, followed by the basement door flying off its hinges. Twilight Sparkle burst down the stairs, staring in my direction. Her horn glowed and Nicholas came flying past me, landing face first onto the floor.

"Twilight!" I yelled. After Twilight hit the bottom of the steps, two guards followed in turn, along with Dr. Cross.

"Emma!" Cross yelled, running past me. My bonds glowed with a purple aura and untied themselves. I fell to my hands and knees.

"Are you okay?" Twilight said, quickly rushing to me.

"I'm fine." I said weakly as she pulled me to my feet.

"Get off of me!" Nicholas yelled. I looked to see the two guards restraining him.

"How did you find me?" I asked.

"A little birdie told us..." She said as a mechanical hummingbird flew through the door, hovering in front of me. I smiled, holding my hand out and watched it land on me..

"Thank you..." I said to it. It jumped up and zipped towards the door, flying out of the basement. I turned back to look at Emma when I noticed something that made my heart sink. The syringe that Nicholas was holding was on the floor... It was empty.

"...Emma?" Cross said.

Chapter 15: Living Parallel

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait. Just been having a lot of fun with Patric and The Pack. Will try to work more on this story whenever possible!

Chapter 15: Living Parallel

FIVE HOURS LATER: Cecil's POV

"We've filtered out the toxins from her blood but..." The doctor said.

"But?" Cross said as me and my friends waited anxiously for the news.

"But it's already done damage. Her kidney's are shutting down." The doctor said. Cross looked devastated, like he was about to fall to his knees and cry.

"Can you... Help her?" I asked.

"The only thing that would save her is if someone donated one to her." The doctor said.

"Of course!" Cross said, "She can take mine..."

"Well it's not that simple Cross, you know that... We have to do blood to see if it's a match... And if it's not then we will have to start looking for a suitable doner."

"You can test me." I said.

"And us." Twilight said, the other five of our friends nodding in agreement.

"Alright well... Come with me and we'll start right away." The doctor said, leading us back.

THREE HOURS LATER:

"Thank you Cecil..." Cross said, pulling me into a hug.

"Anything to save her life..." I said weakly.

"You don't have to do this..." Fluttershy said, gripping my hand tightly.

"Fluttershy..." I said, looking up at her, "You know I do."

"We're ready." A doctor said, "You all will have to stay in the waiting room."

I looked at everyone as they stood over me.

"I'll be fine." I said with a smile as Fluttershy kissed me. I reached up, placing a hand on her cheek, "Later we'll go out to eat. Something fancy..."

"I'd like that." Fluttershy said.

"We'll be waiting." Twilight said, heading out to the waiting room with Fluttershy and the others.

I took a deep breath in, staring up at the ceiling.

"We will start the surgery in a few minutes. Until then, just relax." The doctor said, leaving the room. I looked down at the medical scrub I was in.

"Well..." I mumbled.

"Thank you mister..." A small voice said. I looked over to the bed next to me.

"It's nothing, really..." I said.

"I promise I'll take real good of Kiddy." Emma said.

"You named my kidney?" I laughed.

"Mmhm..." She said.

"Well Kiddy..." I said, patting my side, "I hope 'you' take real good care of Emma too."

"Don't worry I will! We'll be best friends!" I said, covering my mouth and changing the pitch of my voice slightly higher.

Emma giggled. Her smile faded back to a frown.

"I'm sorry I'm taking Kiddy away from you... You can keep him if you want." She said.

"Nah... He's a real slob. Eats nothing but sugar. I think you can really straighten him out." I said with a smile. Her face went back to its happy state as the doctor came in.

"Are you ready Cecil? Emma?" He questioned.

"Of course." I nodded, staring over at Emma. A mask was put on the both of us as a tube was fed onto it from a large metal tank.

"I'm scared..." Emma said weakly.

"Don't worry... I won't let anything happen to you." I said, extending my arm out. She took my hand as we looked at each other.

"Everything will be alright." I said.

"Count backwards from one hundred." The doctor said, turning the valve on the tank.

Emma looked like she was about to cry as her grip on my hand tightened.

"Ninety-nine bottles of milk on the wall..." I started. She glanced over at me, "Ninety-nine bottles of milk..."

"Take one down..." She said.

"Pass it around..." I continued.

"Ninety-nine bottles of milk on the wall." We both said, seeing that smile again through the transparent mask.

"Ninety-eight... Bottles of milk on the... wall. Nine-"

I looked over at Fluttershy, who was staring out the window.

"Are you alright?" I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll... Be fine Twilight." She said, "I'm just worried."

"Come on sugar cube..." Applejack said, "The doctors know what they're doin."

"That's very true dearie." Rarity interjected, "They are very good at what they do."

Fluttershy sat silently, staring out as a mechanical butterfly flew through the open window, landing on her shoulder. She looked down at it, smiling. The door to the hospital opened and Celestia walked in.

"Princess!" I said, jumping up and bowing.

"There's no need for that Twilight." She said.

"What brings you here?" Rarity asked.

"I came to see Cecil when he wakes up." Celestia said, sitting down next to me, "If that's alright."

"O'course!" Applejack said.

"I'm sure it would mean a lot to him." I said.

"What about Princess Luna?" I asked.

"She is busy dealing with Nicholas in the castle dungeon." Celestia said, "She will be here soon."

"She's not... Going to hurt him is she?" Fluttershy asked.

"Why the heck do you care what happens to him?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Yeah... I don't usually advise violence but... Whatever they have planned for him, he has it coming." Red said.

Fluttershy stared straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone. I looked up at Celestia with worried eyes, receiving the same look.

"He will not be harmed." Celestia said sincerely. Fluttershy looked up at her. "I swear."

"Thank you..." Fluttershy said.

"The surgery is over, if you want... Princess Celestia!" Said a doctor coming around the corner, "I'm... I um... I didn't..."

"Calm down... Continue what you were saying." Celestia said.

"Well uh... Cecil should be waking up sometime in the next half hour." The doctor said, quickly regaining his composure.

"Good." Celestia said, standing and walking nimbly past him, "Well? Are you going to show us his room?"

"Oh! Of course Princess." The doctor said as he walked with her.

"Shall we?" I said, getting to my feet and holding a hand out to Fluttershy.

"Absolutely." Fluttershy said.

I stared blankly up at the ceiling, turning onto my side as I heard the continuous drip of water. The door to the dungeon opened, flooding the room with light. I didn't even look to see who entered... I didn't care anymore.

"You must be Nicholas." A feminine voice said. I didn't respond.

"Come now... You must feel like your entire world was shattered, falling away from you." She said.

"What do you want..." I asked emotionlessly.

"Well that's very simple. I want the curse on Cecil to be removed." She said sternly.

I chuckled, "And why would I do that Luna?" I asked, turning to her.

"Because I won't ask again." Luna said.

"I could care less about what you do to me." I said, "I'm already dead..." Turning back to the wall.

"Oh don't worry... I won't do anything. In fact, I'm the one that is going to 'Prevent' you from dying." Luna said as the door clicked open again. I turned back again.

"Oh hello Patric..." I said with a grin, "How's your wing do- Oh right... I forgot."

Patric stuck the key in the lock, opening the cell door.

"Cecil has quite the craftsmanship. I see he repa-" I was cut off by his arm hitting my neck, slamming me into the wall. I choked, grabbing his arm as he held me there, staring at me angrily.

"Just shut up." He commanded, punching me in the gut with his other hand. I coughed out what little air I had left as his choke got tighter. I tried to breath but was unable to.

"You're going to fucking do it or I will make you suffer." Patric said.

"You mean... Like... Colin?" I said weakly. His anger subsided as his eyes widened, he dropped me. I fell to my hands and knees, coughing as I regaining my breath. I was about to stand up when I felt him kick my in the side, knocking me into the edge of the bed. My eyes shot open as I coughed up a bit of blood, watching it splatter against the white mattress.

"Don't you even DARE say his fucking name you got that?" He said, pulling me up and thrusting his knee to my stomach.

"How does... It feel to know your friend... Died all alone." I said with a smirk as blood ran from my mouth.

"How would... You know that." Patric said, taking a step back.

"Because... I killed him." I said. Patric froze, staring at me in horror.

"W...What?" He said.

"What did it feel like... I've always wondered. How ironic it is that you spent every day with him... Every moment of the last few years with him. It's sad that the one time you choose to leave him alone... Well..." I said with a weak laugh.

"You..." He mumbled to himself. There was a pause before he reached into his coat and grabbed a knife, lunging at me. I smiled, closing my eyes as I waited for the icy cold blade to come. But it didn't... I opened my eyes to see the blade merely inches from my face. Patric's hand had a blue glow around it.

"LET ME GO!" Patric screamed.

"Patric calm yourself..." Luna said, pulling him back.

"HE'S DEAD! HE IS A DEAD MAN!" Patric yelled furiously as two guards pulled the knife from his hand, dragging him away.

"We're not done here..." Luna said, glaring at me as they left the room. I walked to the bed, lying down and staring up at the ceiling. I waited there patiently. A grin slid onto my face as I looked down at my hand.

"Idiot..." I chuckled, staring at the key I took from his belt, placing it a hole in the mattress.

"He's waking up!" Dash said, rushing to Cecil's side.

"Morning... What I miss?" Cecil asked in a drug induced haze.

"Nothing at all..." I said, bending down and pressing a long kiss onto his lips.

"Nice to see you too." Cecil said with a smile as he pulled me back to his face.

"Give him a little room to breathe Fluttershy..." Twilight joked.

"I don't think he'll let me." I said as he pulled me back down.

"Well I've been waiting here for awhile and I need to pee. Don't go anywhere..." Rainbow Dash said, bolting out of the room.

"How are you feeling?" Cross said, walking into the room in his doctor's outfit.

"Like I've been pumped with painkillers." I laughed.

Cross smiled, walking over to Emma, who was lying in the bed next to mine, "She's going to be just fine by the way... You're a hero."

"Glad I could help." Cecil said.

"You did more than just help." Celestia said, walking into the room.

"P... Princess!" I said in disbelief, "I think you gave me too much painkiller because... I'm hallucinating."

"I can assure you that I am one hundred percent real." Celestia said, approaching the bed. "You saved that girl's life. You are a hero after everything that you've been through."

"What... Happened to..." Cecil stammered..

"He's in the dungeon at my castle. Nicholas won't be harming anyone anytime soon." She said.

"Oh... Alright." Cecil said.

"Did you need anything?" I asked.

"A wheel chair? I just have to use the restroom." Cecil said as one was unfolded and put beside me. I was helped into the chair and wheeled to the door.

"I can do this myself, just wait here alright?" He asked.

I wheeled myself out and into the hallway, spotting the bathroom at the end. I approached it and knocked on the door.

"Anyone in there?" I asked. I heard coughing on the other side.

"You alright in there??" I questioned. I reached for the handle and pulled the door open. Rainbow Dash was standing there, staring at herself in the mirror. She looked at me.

"Rainbow Dash!" I said, absolutely shocked as I saw blood running down her mouth, "I'll get a doctor..."

"No!" She said, grabbing my chair and pulling me inside, slamming the door shut.

"But..." I said

"You can't tell anyone... Especially not Red." She said, clenching her chest as she wheezed softly.

"Why the hell not?" I asked in a concerned tone.

"What's the point... I only have about a week left, there's no sense in making people worry about something that can't be fixed." She said half heartedly. It was at that moment that Dash's incident flooded back to me. What Nicholas did... How long she has left, and what he did in the surgery. God damn it!

"Dash..." I pleaded.

"Just promise me you won't tell anyone Cecil... Please." She asked. I hesitated for a moment, thinking about what to do.

"Cecil!" She said, grabbing me.

"Alright! I won't..." I said quickly.

"Thank you..." She said with a relieved expression, a tear falling from her face.

"Rainbow Dash..." I said quietly.

"Just... Let me get cleaned up and I'll be out of your way." She said with a smile, "The summer sun festival is tomorrow... It's not often it get's rescheduled for a dying Pegasus..."

"Stop it... Just stop." I said as tears formed on my eyes.

"Come on... Don't cry for me." She said, pulling my head up, "We should be celebrating... You just saved that little girl's life. Today should be a happy day."

"A happy day..." She repeated.

ONE MONTH LATER:

"How can it kick... It doesn't even have legs yet." Red said, feeling Rainbow Dash's stomach.

"I'm telling you I felt it..." She said, "Feel it again."

"You're imagining it..." Red replied, rolling his eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me! Twilight..." Dash said quickly.

"It's... Possible?" Twilight shrugged unsurely.

"Maybe we should leave them alone." I whispered to Fluttershy.

"Mmhm..." She mumbled, following me out of the room.

"What should we name him?" Red said.

"We should name HER Dusk Shimmer." Dash said.

"Really? Because Starlight is going to be a fantastic alchemist!" Red said.

Their voices faded as we closed the door, walking out of Twilight's house and down the road to town square.

"So where did you want to go?" I asked. There was no response.

"Fluttershy?" I said, turning back. She was gone. Her broach was on the road behind me. I walked over and picked it up, staring at it.

"Strange... Maybe she forgot something. I guess I'll just wait for her." I shrugged, sitting down at one of the benches.

"Hey Cecil. It's good to see you again!" A voice said from behind me. I turned.

"Oh! Hey Hugo." I said with a smile, patting the seat next to me, "Come on sit down."

He sat next to me, putting an arm around me as he pulled me close.

"How's my son doing?" He asked with a laugh.

"Red's doing just fine." I said.

"That's good to hear. Have they decided on a name for them?" He asked.

"Them?" I questioned, looking up at him.

"It's twins." He said.

"Twins?? How do you know that?" I asked in utter surprise.

"A father knows these things. Anyways... How are you and Fluttershy doing?" He asked.

"We're doing just fine. How about you? Been awhile since I've heard from you." I said.

"I've been doing just fine. business has been picking up lately." He said.

"Well that's good! That broach you gave Fluttershy has had quite a few new memories since you gave it to her." I joked.

"So I've heard. Well I have to be getting back to my stand, it's really good to see you." He said as he stood up.

"Hey uh... Dash's kid... 'kids'... Do you know their genders?" I asked curiously.

"Come on Cecil... I'm not psychic." He said with a smile. I laughed, shaking his hand.

"Have a good day." I said as I hugged him goodbye. I leaned back, staring up at the sky as I pondered about where I should take Fluttershy. There are a few good restaurants nearby... Maybe a trip to the spa?

"You!" A deep male voice called. I turned to see an armored guard resembling that of the Royal Guard.

"Yeah?" I asked, standing up to meet him.

"Are you Cecil?" He asked.

"Yeah... What about it?" I questioned.

"Your brother Nicholas... He's gone." The guard said.

My heart immediately sank.

"W...What...?" I questioned in a quiet tone. My eyes shot open as a realization hit me... I stared down at the broach that I was still holding in my hand.

Oh god... Fluttershy.

Chapter 16: Under the Apple Tree

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER:

"It's a boy!" The doctor said happily, wrapping him in a towel, "Would you like to hold him?"

"Yes..." Fluttershy said as he handed her the baby. I watched as Fluttershy held her, a large smile on her face as she glanced up at me. She was crying.

"He's beautiful..." I said. She handed him to me and I took him carefully... Holding him gently, as if I was going to break him...

"What should we name him?" I said, rocking him back and forth.

"I was thinking about that..." She said, "If it was a girl, I would have chosen Penny... Or Emily."

"But?" I said.

"But it's a boy... So I was thinking..." She started.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Nick..." She said.

I stared down at the baby, who hand was wrapped around my finger as he quietly whimpered. A tear fell from my face and onto his forehead.

"It's perfect..." I said, a smile growing on my face.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm not sure who the first person was said that was... But at the moment, that sentence best explains my tragic flaw; my inability to change. I don't think I'm alone in this. The more I get to know other people, the more I realize it's kind of everyone's flaw: staying exactly the same for as long as possible, standing perfectly still just feels better somehow. And if you are suffering...at least the pain is familiar. Because if you took that leap of faith, went outside the box, did something unexpected, who knows what other pain might be waiting out there? Chances are it could be worse, so you maintain the status quo, choose the road already traveled, and it doesn't seem that bad.. Not as far as flaws go. You're not a drug addict, you're not killing anyone...except maybe yourself a little. When we finally do change, I don't think it happens like an earthquake or an explosion, where all of a sudden we're another person. I think it's smaller than that. The kind of thing that most people wouldn't even notice unless they looked really really close, which, thank God they never do. But you notice it. Inside of you, that change feels like a world of difference, and you hope that it is, that this is the person you get to be forever...that you'll never have to change again

I miss you little brother... I love you.