Lost and Found

Chapters

Black Widow
Like A Bug In Amber
As The Sun Sets: Old Hauntings
As The Sun Sets: Never
As The Sun Sets: Innocence
Falling and Rising...and Vanishing

Black Widow

Fluttershy awoke slowly, wanting to savor the feeling of waking up in Joy's hooves. She felt the sun beat on her back, and she heard birds twittering in the trees outside. A breeze kept her cool, made her comfortable. She also felt warm wetness on her forehead, similar to that of a kiss. All this didn't succeed in hiding one little problem. This little problem was as such: Joy's hooves weren't there. It took Fluttershy a few minutes to realize this fact, and when she did, she instantly tried to smother it.

He is just downstairs. Yeah, that's it Fluttershy. Nothing to worry about. He just woke up early and went down, maybe for a drink of water, that's all.

Except, Joy wasn't downstairs either. Angel confirmed this fact when he bounded up to Fluttershy, his eyes wild and scared. His emotions were mixed, but Fluttershy easily read his thoughts from his expression. He was looking for Joy also. They scoured the small home to the point where it seemed pointless. They looked everywhere, in and around the home. It was predictable that in their panic, they didn't even take into consideration the note that so plainly hung on the inside of the door. When they finally did find it, they treated it as a revelation. Fluttershy read the note without hesitation.

I can't stay. I just can't.

I know you want me there. I know I want to be with you. But, as fate would have it, this can't happen.

I can't let myself get close to you. If I do, something bad will happen to you. I know it will. It happens to everypony I get close to. I don't know why, and I don't care to find out. It is my curse, and I must live with it. That is how my parents went, that is how my sister went, that is how my friends have gone. All of them dead. All of them. Each and every one of them having been close to me...

There is so much we could have been, so much that I wanted us to be. A friendship blossomed between us, and maybe even a little passion. I so wish that I could let that grow, let the petals of compassion and love wrap me up with you and never let me go. But that fragile little flower would burn to the ground.

I wish I could see your face after this. I write this as you sleep. I watch your chest rise and fall, I see you smile as you dream, and I know I will miss you more than I have missed anything else in my life.

Please, take care of yourself, for my sake. One day, I will return. One day, I will find my way back to you, and we can start from where we left off, if you haven't already moved on.

I am going to leave you with a kiss. I do not want to wake you. I am sorry. My heart is breaking as I am sure yours is as you read this.

I'm so sorry...

Fluttershy sat down where she stood, unable to fully comprehend what she had just read. Actually, unable to comprehend would not be the right description in this case. Not wanting to comprehend suited the situation much better. Fluttershy did not want to comprehend what she had just read.

"He...he left me...while I was sleeping..." A tear, and then another, after which those two were followed by a river. Fluttershy's lip trembled with sadness, and she shook her head. "No...NO! He isn't gone! He can't be gone! He just can't be!" Unable to control the flood-gates of her emotions, Fluttershy spread her wings and took off towards town, sobbing all the while.

It had taken Pinkie but a second to read the expression on Fluttershy's face as she stumbled by. Pinkie was the one pony Fluttershy had not seen after Rain. After seeing her other five friends, Fluttershy had assumed Pinkie was against her too. In reality, Pinkie was perhaps the one friend who had stayed loyal to Fluttershy. All of Rain's evil words had hurt, yes, but it hadn't been enough to turn her against Fluttershy. She still didn't understand why the others now loathed her some much. Now seeing her friend in obvious depression, her heart lurched, and she just had to make Fluttershy feel better. Before Fluttershy knew what was going on, Pinkie was leading her somewhere away from the road. They ended up in some deserted alley.

"Okay, out with it. What happened?", Pinkie asked as soon as they were a sizable distance away from the main road. Fluttershy couldn't speak. Her lips were sealed, and her body was numb. She hadn't searched the entirety of town for Joy, but just enough to know that he really was gone. Now, she was just moving unconsciously, like a zombie, though, even zombies have intent. "Fluttershy?"

"He's gone...", Fluttershy managed to splutter out, before collapsing against a wall, and sliding down it to the ground. She had lost all feeling in her limbs, and had let herself succumb to gravity. Why do I feel so sad that he is gone? We weren't that close. What is it about him that makes me need him the way I feel I need him? I shouldn't have even been falling into that trap again. But...just being around him those few days, and that one night where he...where he held me with such tenderness...made me happy. He had the key to my heart, that key being his heart. It was almost like...almost like he... "He completed me..." Pinkie, not having ever known about Joy, assumed that Rain had finally done away with Fluttershy.

"Good! Rain was not what he seemed Fluttershy! He said all these bad things about you, oh I just wanted to strangle him! All the others hate you now. I guess he said the same things to them. I just can't believe it." Fluttershy looked up at Pinkie. Her gaze was so full of contempt and underlying hurt that Pinkie couldn't help but take one tiny step back.

"Not HIM. Never, EVER, talk about HIM." The seal on Fluttershy's lips had been broken now that Pinkie had brought HIM up. The wild look in Fluttershy's eyes remained for a couple more seconds, and then she sighed, and the depression returned. "Another pony."

"Who, then?" Pinkie helped her friend up, and embraced her. She felt a few tears run down her side, and she felt tears of her own welling up. "Who was it that made you sad?"

"A pony who held my heart in his hooves from the day I got close to him. A pony who will keep my heart for as long it takes for him to come back..." Pinkie was confused. Why did Fluttershy seem to hate this pony for leaving her, but at the same time, was saving herself for him when he returned, which Pinkie doubted he would? "He left me while I was sleeping...didn't even say a proper goodbye..."

"Sounds like a coward...", Pinkie mumbled, unfortunately a little too loud. Fluttershy's eyes were in front of hers within the space of a second, and Pinkie felt afraid. Afraid of harmless, seclusive little Fluttershy. The irony was almost humourous.

"He wasn't a coward."

"Who is he, exactly? I don't believe you ever told me." This caused a pause in Fluttershy, in which during this pause, both ponies backed away from each other, then sat facing each other.

"His name was Joy Harvest, or so he told me. He showed up on my doorstep..." Fluttershy continued to explain what the past few days had been like for her. Pinkie listened intently, absorbing every word. After Fluttershy finished, there was a small silence as Pinkie let the story sink in. Then, a surprise.

"Fluttershy? Is that you?", asked the all too familiar voice of Joy. Fluttershy whirled around, and crying out in surprise and happiness, ran towards Joy. She buried her head against his neck, or at least, the part of his cloak where his neck would be.

"J-Joy...you had me so scared...I thought you left me...", Fluttershy spluttered out in between sobs.

"Why would you think that? I was only going for a morning walk."

"I searched all over town...I couldn't...couldn't..."

"Shh...it's alright...why did you think I had left you?"

"You wrote this note, and put it on the door. Why did you do that!?" Fluttershy backed up and glared angrily. She made as if to hit Joy, but found she just couldn't do it.

"What note?"

"If you are trying to trick her, that is not nice. That was a horrible prank to pull.", Pinkie added in, not knowing if her interjection would help the matter.

"I seriously don't know what note you are talking about." Fluttershy opened her mouth to argue, but her eyes were suddenly filled with a cold fear. Her mouth closed, and she stood frozen, the only movement being the trembling of her lip. "Fluttershy?"

"Oh...oh my...", Fluttershy said weakly. She looked faint, and both Joy and Pinkie rushed to her side to keep her from collapsing. "Joy...what time did you leave for your walk?"

"I dunno, 'bout...uhh...couple hours before sun-up. The moon was still high and the sky was still dark. Why?" Fluttershy shuddered.

"What is it Fluttershy?", Pinkie asked.

"HE was in my house last night...while I was alone and sleeping...and HE sat and watched me until I woke up...oh dear..." Fluttershy fainted in shock.

"Are you sure you saw her eyes open?", asked the voice of Pinkie.

"I am certain of it!", Joy replied.

"Well, she isn't waking up.", asked another voice. It belonged to Twilight.

"Hush, both of you. Give her a minute." Fluttershy, a little nauseous, but curious about what had happened, slowly opened her eyes. She strained to sit up, and noticed in the effort that she was on her couch.

How did they get me here? There's no way they could have carried me.", she thought. Blinking away the blurriness, she faced her friends.

"Doubt my judgment, now will you?", Joy scoffed.

"Whatever." Pinkie shot a glare at Joy, though it was filled with humour. Twilight just rolled her eyes. Pinkie then faced her friend. "Well, good evening."

"Wha-what happened?", Fluttershy asked.

"Well, you just kind of blacked out. We carried you from there."

I have been wrong before. Fluttershy silently chuckled. For a little bit, there was silence. Nopony really knew what to do. Finally, Pinkie broke the silence.

"So...uh...Fluttershy, I have a question."

"Yes Pinkie?"

"As you know, I kind of messed up and got the Corner burned to a crisp. I have been bunking down with Rarity, but I think she's fed up with me. Would you mind if I stayed with you until I have a place to live, and maybe I am not on Mr. Cake's hit list?" Fluttershy thought for a second.

"Oh, so that's what that smell was that one day!", Twilight exclaimed, and then looked at Pinkie. "Sorry..."

"It's alright."

"If you don't mind me asking, where did Twilight come from anyway?", Fluttershy asked.

"Well, I saw these two walking in the direction of your house. I would have ignored them if I didn't see you on his back." Twilight motioned to Joy. "I ran after them and asked what was going on, and Pinkie explained to me. Along the way, she told me what you told her. Is it all true? Like, no bull true?" Fluttershy nodded.

"Yes." It was a simple answer. Yet, it was full of contempt, full of hate. It was so simple an answer that it became complex in its absolute hatred of the matter.

"I'm sorry for believing that monster..." Futtershy had no response to this, and stared at the ground while she tried to get a hold of her bearings. Finally, she turned to Pinkie.

"To answer your question: If Joy doesn't mind. I mean, he usually sleeps on the couch." Joy cocked his head at Fluttershy.

"Assuming that I am staying."

"Oh please.", Fluttershy scoffed. Joy seemed to get a little flustered, shuffling his hooves a little and glaring. He realized the pointlessness of the act, and dropped it.

"Well...yeah...I guess I wasn't planning on leaving anyway." Fluttershy smiled, and got off the couch. She leaned on Joy, and closed her eyes. Even his presence made her happy and content. However, Pinkie's thoughts were somewhat different. Beneath her smile, there was an eclipse of doubt, of mistrust.

He is just a crutch. If Fluttershy becomes dependent on him to keep her up, she is never going to escape her misery. And what happens when that crutch disappears? I don't want Fluttershy to get hurt. I just can't let that happen to her.

Yet, Pinkie still smiled. Her cheeks hurt with the facade that she was putting on, and she just wanted to throw away the mask. But, for her friend's sake, she kept it on.

"Well then where do I sleep?", Joy asked. Fluttershy's smile grew wider, and she opened her eyes just to wink at him. His eyes widened, and he looked incredulously down at Fluttershy. "You aren't serious!"

"Mhm~", Fluttershy said, her eyes themselves glowing with happiness. Joy, shocked at the notion of being literally invited into bed with Fluttershy, could only stare at her.

"Hey Fluttershy, I think I heard something upstairs. Lemme go check and make sure I wasn't hearing things. I'll be right back.", Twilight said. She ran into Fluttershy's room. For a second, everything was quiet.

"Did you fi-" Pinkie was cut off by a scream. Twilight tumbled down the stairs, and landed still on the floor. The other three ponies ran over to her, all of them in shock. It was Joy who saw the Widow.

It had taken only a few hours. The doctors and nurses didn't understand the fast progression of the venom. They did all they could, and worked beyond their limits, but in the end, they said it was game over.

"Whatever kind of Black Widow it was, it had a particularly powerful bite. It's unnatural, and I don't think there is anything we can do.", One doctor had said.

"Do anything! Please! Just save her!", Spike had cried. The doctor had nodded.

"We are willing to try anything at this point." That had been an hour before. Now, it was over. The same doctor had come in and announced that Twilight had suffered from a total nervous failure, and her body, unable to function, shut down not long after. She was dead.

"At least she died peacefully...", Fluttershy said sadly, recalling that the fall down the stairs had knocked Twilight out. This got a wan smile from Pinkie, but Joy only looked down at the ground, and Spike trembled with anger. Sighing, she looked out a window. She saw the real Black Widow outside. Its eyes glowed with a malicious fire, and it smiled with ill intent. Then, it turned into the darkness and disappeared.

Like A Bug In Amber

The Morning After

Nopony went without crying that day. News of Twilight's death spread fast, a raging wildfire that could only be stopped by burning itself out. By noon, the entirety of Ponyville knew. By the end of the day, almost all of Equestria. Like Rain's love had left Fluttershy with nothing, this storm of depression, of sadness, left Equestria itself in a state of mourning and loss. Even the regal Princesses were spotted crying, and could barely hold it together as they tried to encourage their subjects that things would be alright. All heard, none believed.

Like Joy had done with Fluttershy, it was now Fluttershy's job to help Spike. For Fluttershy, it was like looking into some twisted mirror. In Spike, she saw herself when she had craved death like a child craves candy. It was horrifying. Spike was lethargic, unwilling to do anything but just sit and fume and cry. It was all any of them (Fluttershy, Joy, and Pinkie) could do to keep Spike away from the knives. Or really from anything that he could severely hurt himself with. It was truly a mess. Twilight was dead. Spike was suicidal. Pinkie had gone silent. Rain was still out there, and Fluttershy knew Twilight wasn't going to be the first. The only pony who kept Fluttershy's hopes up was Joy, but even he had lost his warm smile, his glowing eyes.

And right in the middle of it, Fluttershy sat helpless. Helpless to do anything but watch as her life slowly began to tear apart once more.

One Week After Twilight's Death

"Hello Fluttershy.", Rain said, his voice calm. Fluttershy could only look up at him. "This has been a long time coming, hasn't it?"

"I...just...I don't want anypony else hurt."

"So what happens to your precious little Joy? I fully expect that after this, you will never want to let me go."

"I'll do anything to make sure you don't destroy what I hold sacred, even if it means selling my body to you." Rain's grin grew wider, and he approached Fluttershy. Without warning, she threw herself upon him, and locked their lips. She once again felt that explosion of heat deep in her body. She loathed this feeling. Yet, loathing it did not stop the moan coming out of her mouth as legitimate pleasure swept through her body, something else she loathed. Rain broke the kiss.

"Excited are we now?" His grin became almost sadistic. He moved quickly and methodically. Fluttershy screamed in agony as she became impure.

"You know you like it Fluttershy." Fluttershy only cried out as he shifted. "Can't you talk? Huh, Fluttershy? Don't you have a mouth that is useful for more than just making noise, Fluttershy?"

"Fluttershy? Can you say something, Fluttershy? Fluttershy!?", Rain's voice melting away, changing into Joy's as Fluttershy realized she was dreaming.

Even though she knew the dream was over, that everything was fine, Fluttershy couldn't help but let out another scream when her eyes snapped open. Openly sobbing and choking on tears, she buried her head into Joy's chest. The fact that it was night and Joy was once again hidden by darkness didn't matter. Fluttershy's own eyes were squeezed shut.

"Fluttershy, what's wrong? Are you okay?", Joy asked, worried about his "more than a friend". Fluttershy could barely even shake her head. Joy sighed sadly, and wrapped his hooves tighter around Fluttershy. He slowly ran one of his hooves through her mane and down her neck, caressing her gently and soothingly. "It's alright...shhh...shhh..."

"I don't want him...I don't want him...", Fluttershy whispered.

"It was just a nightmare, Fluttershy. I'm here...it'll be alright..." Slowly, Fluttershy's head moved to look at Joy. Their eyes met, and both of them once again felt the connection that kept them together.

"HE...HE's everywhere Joy...in my dreams, in darkness. I just don't want him to exist."

"Well, I have a feeling that he is going to exist for some time. All we can really do is wait this out."

"I feel like I am stuck."

"What?"

"I feel like I am stuck in place, like a bug in amber. I have all this going on around , but there is nothing I can do. I don't want to die stuck in this mess." Joy couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Fluttershy, don't think about things like that. Think about now. Understand that there is nothing we can do to stop what has happened, like it or not. Yes, life doesn't always play nice, but think about ourselves. We're not mistake free. We try to cheat our way around the tough things in life. We disrespect others at one point or another, deny it or not. Life is just a game. No matter how fairly you play, life can still cheat away your chances of winning."

"And what would winning be?" Joy was silent as he thought. When he spoke, his voice was quiet.

"Winning would be having friends...growing old...living life to its fullest...falling in love, true love...dying without a regret or a grudge..." Fluttershy knew there was one thing she would regret if she kept holding her self in. Joy seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Fluttershy, you help me everyday win at life. It might be cheating, but I need you more than I would have ever thought I would need anypony else." Fluttershy couldn't help it anymore. Without a second though, her lips met Joy's. They kissed for an eternity, only thinking of each other.

"I love you Joy. There's just no point in denying it anymore." Joy smiled and kissed Fluttershy's forehead, before putting their heads together.

"Fluttershy, I think it is safe to say that I love you too." Fluttershy closed her eyes and let those words sink in. It had been nearly a month since she had heard those words said to her. Now she was hearing them again. She wanted to be scared, scarred forever by Rain, but it took only a second for her to push that all away. Joy was different. Joy was real, true. Joy was hers to keep. She was Joy's to keep. Nothing could break their bond. Nothing.

As The Sun Sets: Old Hauntings

Two Weeks Since The Events of Like a Bug In Amber

Joy looked at the letter from his sister one more time. He read those precious hoofwritten lines over and over, savoring the feeling of knowing that his sister, who had he thought dead for more years than he wanted to count, was indeed alive. Sighing, he looked up at Fluttershy, who had waited patiently through Joy's silence. She smiled softly, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Go on. It's alright. I can take care of myself. Besides, I have Pinkie to keep me company." Pinkie, lounging on the couch, did a mock salute at the roof, then let her hoof drop back to her chest as she continued to day-dream. Joy was speechless for some time, trying to process Fluttershy's answer. Finally, he spoke, though waveringly.

"I...what about you? Rain is still out there, and-and I won't be here, and what if he hurts you? I-" Fluttershy sealed his yammering mouth with a kiss, and he let the always welcome feeling of sanctum enter him as he felt the warmth of her lips on his. She pulled away, chuckling.

"I will repeat it again, because apparently, you didn't hear. I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me." Joy took yet another second, just to think about things, before he shot out the door. He stopped just outside it, and turned.

"I'll see you soon, Fluttershy." Then, wasting not a single second more, he began to run, full gallop. He disappeared into the trees, and Fluttershy knew that he was really going. She was then the one to sigh.

"It's just you and me now.", she said to her friend.

"Yeah. I guess so.", Pinkie replied. With a groan, she stretched and sat up. "You know, I've been thinking."

"Is that so."

"Yeah."

"About what?"

"Well all of our friends still have something against you. I thought we could maybe go out and see if we can fix that." Fluttershy shook her head slowly.

"Rain was too methodical...it just won't work..."

"First of all, it worked on Twilight, and I only talked for an hour, less than that. Second, I don't think Rain planned on you escaping from him, and then living this long after he more than likely watched you almost commit suicide. His plan was smart, genius at that, but not foolproof. I say we give it a shot. I can't hurt to try." Fluttershy scowled as she thought about the idea. Then, she smiled.

"Sure. It would be nice to have my friends back."

"I say we start with Applejack. I am sure that she will understand the most."

"Okay. Let's go!"

Walking on a lonely road once again. Joy chuckled softly to himself. It might be the last thing I expected to happen. He stopped for a second, and breathed in the spring air. Grass, flowers, trees...I think I smell a storm too. What's up with all of them lately? I don't think I have ever seen it rain this much in all my years. Joy smiled at the smell of nature, storm or no storm, and continued on his way. The path he was on was free of anypony. He really was alone for the time being. Oh, the memories. He frowned. I wish the lot of them would just go away. A sudden gust of wind threatened to blow down his hood, and he looked down as he waited out the gust. When it finally stopped, and he looked up, he found that he was no longer alone. Up ahead, an outline moved, coming towards him at a slow, leisurely pace. As the pony grew nearer, Joy began to make out details. Soon, the pony was upon him.

"Hi!", the pony said cheerfully as she came close to Joy. She was a grey hue, with a light golden touch to her mane and tail. The thing that drew Joy's attention were the mare's eyes, both skewed in a peculiar way.

"Good day to you.", Joy said with a smile, though the pony couldn't see it. Then, the mare stopped as she was just about to pass him. Joy didn't want to start conversation at the moment. However, he too stopped. Having the company for a small amount of time was better than ignoring the mare, and continuing alone. Besides, she seemed joyous enough. He didn't want to ruin her mood by being rude.

"So...nice day!" The mare had an infectious smile planted upon her lips, and Joy found that he had begun to smile also. Pass it on., he thought, which made him think of Fluttershy, which made his smile wider. Of course, the mare couldn't see the smile. Joy was tempted to take take off his hood, just so the mare could see his smile, so she could know that she had made somepony else smile along with her. That would be in violation of all that I hold sacred!, he scolded himself, and quickly shrugged the thought away.

"Yes it is. But I think it's going to rain. Kind of a bummer considering the nice weather we have had recently."

"True, but it doesn't have me down." There was a small silence. "So, what brings you down this road less traveled?"

"I am going to see my sister. It's been a long time, and I just needed to see her."

"Oh Celestia help you. Sun hasn't shut up about you for weeks. I wish you luck." The mare rolled her eyes and offered Joy a wink, then made to walk away. For a second, no more, Joy was in a state of absolute shock. Nothing could have prepared him for this complete stranger who knew about his sister, and more specifically, him. It had taken him but a few words, and the mare had known exactly who he was. He could have been any brother going to see his sister, yet she knew that he was the brother of Sun. Joy felt faint, but the realization that the mare was walking away brought him back to his senses.

"Wait! Come back, I have a question!", Joy called out. The mare turned, and cocked her head in confusion, before returning to Joy.

"Yes?", the mare asked.

"How...how in the name of Celestia do you know my sister?", Joy asked, incredulous.

"Funny. I would have thought your sister would have told you about me. I am a regular at that house of yours, which is beautiful I must say. Sun and I are good friends, have been for a little while. I would think that she would have warned you about a certain somepony who often comes uninvited, given that you are not exactly one to be social." Joy's mouth now hung open, another thing that the mare couldn't see.

"How much did my sister tell you!?"

"I don't know. She is very eccentric. I am sure she hides a lot more secrets than facts she has told me. Oh, and by the way, my name is Derpy. I have have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time we meet." Joy was at a loss for words. He didn't what to think at this point. He wanted to run. His heart hammered, and he felt adrenaline pumping through his system.

Fight or flight, fight or flight, fight or flight...flightflightflight~, Joy thought, and without warning, he simply walked away. Derpy stared after him, unsure of what to do. She had seen many emotions flash through Joy's pumpkin orange eyes, the most prominent being horror.

I do hope he'll be alright. She shrugged, and continued on her merry way, her thoughts focused on getting home.

Fluttershy sat behind the large hay bale as Pinkie talked to Applejack. Their conversation sounded natural and friendly, the kind of idle talk conversation that had been nearly eliminated from her life. She listened to them talk about the weather, the happenings around town, the rebuilding of the Corner. Finally, Pinkie brought up the real subject, the subject that pertained to the reason why Fluttershy was hiding behind a hay bale.

"I brought somepony here to see you, Applejack."

"Ya did? Who? Is it anypony Ah know?"

"Yes, you do indeed know this pony."

"Well, where is this pony?" Fluttershy knew this was her cue. She stepped out from behind the bale, and tried very hard to ignore the look of absolute contempt that entered Applejack's eyes as they met hers.

"I am right here." Applejack sneered, and then looked at Pinkie.

"What is she doin' here!?", she growled.

"Since when did you not like to have her around?", Pinkie asked, an innocent frown crossing her face.

"Since Rain told me the truth about Fluttershy."

"And you believed him why?", Pinkie asked.

"Because Ah knew what he told me was true. Ah had already had a hunch."

"What did he tell you...?", Fluttershy asked quietly. Applejack fixed a cold stare at her, and began to walk towards her.

"You know what he told me! Why would you even lah? Ah don't know why Pinkie is on your side. Ah am sure that you have done something bad to her too." Applejack was now very close to Fluttershy. As for Fluttershy herself, she was rooted in place with fear. Applejack looked like she wanted to murder her right now. Just then, Pinkie saved her skin by stepping in front of her.

"Applejack, you better step away from her right now. Or maybe you do want the entirety of Ponyville to know that you are thinking of having a child with your ever so precious big brother?" All color drained from Applejack's face, and she obeyed willingly. Fluttershy noticed that Applejack was trembling. You're one to talk. You are quaking., she thought to herself.

"Ah....Ah don't know how you know about my brother and Ah, but Ah ain't goin' to denah it...but there ain't anything wrong with it! Ah mean, it's natural for us to fall in love. Mah love is just a little..."

"If there isn't anything wrong with it, then why did I found out by coming across you and Big Mac smooching up a storm in the middle of the orchard? And also, both of you seemed to really enjoy it as Big Mac popped your sweet, innocent little apple." Pinkie let the thought roll around in Applejack's head, the thought of knowing that Pinkie had watched Big Mac make her into a "true" mare. "Shall I go on? I saw a lot that day, and all of it is just brewing up in my head."

"Enough! Pinkie, Ah'm sorry Ah never told ya. Ah'm sorry that Ah never told any of our friends. Please, just stop talking about it~", Applejack cried out, a couple tears streaming from her eyes. There was silence for some time. Fluttershy found herself too shocked to speak. She had never seen Pinkie like that, had never known her to threaten somepony with such intent. What had changed in her happy-go-lucky friend?

"Well if neither of you are going to talk, then what's the point of this?", Pinkie asked, though she didn't sound impatient. Silence greeted her. "Well, I guess we should go then. C'mon Fluttershy." Pinkie helped Fluttershy up, and lead her away. Fluttershy did look back, and saw Applejack staring after them, her green eyes wide and scared.

"Pinkie?", she called out. Pinkie stopped and looked back. "Ya...ya ain't goin' to tell anypony, r-right?"

"That is up to you.", Pinkie responded coldly. Then, she continued walking and leading Fluttershy away. As Pinkie urged her forward, Fluttershy managed to extend a wing and wave a goodbye to Applejack. Applejack smiled ever so slightly, and waved weakly back. Is it fear that drives her, or forgiveness?, Fluttershy though as Pinkie lead her away from Applejack.

Joy had stumble stepped for some time, unaware of much happening around him. When he finally regained his focus on his surroundings, he found himself in front of a home. A home that he knew all to well. A smile crossed his lips, and he stepped up to the door. It was unlocked, as he knew it would be. The rooms were empty, as the house was deserted. Yet, Joy knew that it was still full of life. From room to room, he reminisced. One room had been the nursery where his mom had first taken care of him and his sister. The one next to that was his first room, and then the room next to that his sisters. He saw younger versions of himself and his sister, running around the house. Her long, orange and goldenrod hair bounced off her back, a smile of joy cemented onto her face. He saw himself as a mere shadow chasing her.

"You'll never get me!", Sun teased, and she shot out the front door.

"You are going to wish you never said that!", Joy replied, and he pumped his legs faster after his sister. The real Joy followed this memory outside into the lawn of the house, where he now them running back and forth.

"How are you so fast!?", Joy asked breathlessly, though his spirit was undaunted and he kept up the chase.

"I guess it's natural!", Sun shouted back. Joy slowed to a stop, catching his breath. Sun, realizing this, danced circles around her brother, mocking him. "Awww, is the wittle colt tiyed fwom his wun?" Joy remembered that at that moment, he had smiled mischievously. Like any good pony in war, he had a plan. Joy walked over to the tree in the lawn, and smiled as all the good memories flooded back.

"Just need...a sec...", Joy panted. He signaled that he was ready to go again, and shot off after his sister. The rounded the home a few times, but then Joy veered right. With uncanny agility, he shot up the tree and into it's branches. His sister passed a few times, before she stopped, looking around.

"Where did he go? I swear if he ran inside~", Sun thought out loud, and sighed. Joy made his move and silently leaped from the tree, landing on his sister, causing her to shriek in terror. Having a good estimation of the force of which he was going to hit his sister, he sent them into a tumble. It absorbed the shock of the impact, and kept him from crushing her. When they finally stopped rolling, Joy got up, dusted himself off, and helped his sister up.

"Got you.", he said. Sun looked down at the ground.

"Yeah...I guess you did..."

"Come on now. Cheer up. It was only a game.", Joy said, and he hugged his sister. Sun smiled, and her face lit up like the sun that she was. Joy let go of the hug, and began to walk inside, Sun following him.

"Big Bro?"

"Yes?"

"You're the greatest..."

"Thanks. You not that bad of a sister either."

"Wait, I'm not the best?"

"Weeeeeeell..."

"You jackass!", Sun cried, and slugged Joy in the shoulder. However, she was smiling, giving away her less than meaningful intentions. Both brother and sister began to laugh, and they disappeared inside the house.

The memory faded from Joy's mind, and he realized that he was crying. Sobbing, actually. He missed this past. He missed all the light and the happiness of that time. However, his sister was still alive, and she was waiting for him. That made him smile amongst his tears. He pushed away from the tree, and went back onto the main road. He took one last look at the house, standing a testament to time, it's colors not faded, and it's boards not warped and destroyed, before walking on. And so, the object of Joy's memories became soon forgotten, and within it, the days of his past hid themselves, waiting to be discovered once more.

Pinkie walked with an air of satisfaction that disturbed Fluttershy on many levels. Unable to contain her anger, she tripped Pinkie, who face-planted into the ground and then shot up. She gave Fluttershy a dirty look.

"What was that for?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Fluttershy glared at her.

"What!?"

"The Pinkie I know would never, EVER threaten somepony like that. Not even if her life depended on it. Doing that makes you no better than Rain! Remember? The stallion who caused all this damage we are trying to undo?"

"I'm not Rain and never will be. And besides, I was protecting you." A silence "You caught me. I'm not the Pinkie you knew. That Pinkie died a couple weeks ago."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that Twilight's death killed a part of me."

"It did in all of us."

"I know. So what?"

"That's no excuse to suddenly be a jerk!"

"It is if the one who died meant more to you than others know."

"No it-wait..."

"Yeah, yeah, the secret's out now." Fluttershy had to sit. Her mind was whirling.

"I'm sorry...I didn't know you two were...intimate...."

"We weren't."

"Well then why-?"

"I liked her, and she liked me. We had been talking about it for some time. Even had a few discussions with Spike. Celestia bless that poor dragon. He was so kind to me, and to Twilight. I acknowledged their love for each other, and he acknowledged our fleeting interests. He allowed some expressions of romance to an extent, but it was enough to satisfy me. Just him allowing me to be close to her, to even hold her sometimes, was all I needed. Never was there a kiss. Never was there anything serious. But there was something. And when that died, so did the happy part of me. Her death revealed to me the darkness of this world we live in, and now I know that sometimes situations are more appropriately solved with some aggression in your blood."

"Well, that's not entirely true...what you said didn't even make sense. How does Twilight's death make you more aggressive than before?"

"Someday you will understand Fluttershy. I hope you understand. Not everything in this world can be solved with kindness."

"But-" Pinkie apparently had enough of the conversation, as she began to walk away.

"Come on. We need to see at least Rarity before the day ends." Fluttershy, figuring that Pinkie would not continue the conversation, simply followed her.

That Night

Joy eagerly fell into the tall grass. It whispered around him and put him into a trance, perfect for falling asleep. As he reached the edge of consciousness, however, a noise brought him back. The grass near him whispered, yet there was no wind to stir it. The storm had been no storm, and the clouds had left, revealing a night packed with stars and a full moon. What is making that noise? Joy became alert and prepared for anything. Then, the grass next to him flattened as a shape lay down. It talked before Joy could move away.

"I thought you might want some company.", said the unmistakable voice of Derpy. She turned to face him, and Joy saw the bright glow of her golden eyes.

"Well...um...this is kind of awkward..."

"It shouldn't be."

"Why?" Joy heard the sound of a facehoof.

"Oh Celestia help you." Derpy said, and very quickly found Joy's mouth and gave him a quick peck. As the shock of it faded from Joy, a memory came back to him.

A young Joy stood in front of an even younger Derpy. By now, he had adopted the all obscuring cloak and hood. He held Derpy against him, for she was quivering with fear.

"Leave her alone.", Joy said to a small group of trouble making young stallions and mares.

"And what's you to stop us?", asked the leader of the pack, a mare with burning blue eyes and a evil grin.

"What's you to hurt this little one?" The mare glared.

"You didn't answer my question."

"But I did. With another question, one that makes much more sense than the rubbish coming from your mouth."

"Do you really think you can stop us? What's it, one to seven?"

"I only fight those who fight me. Those who choose not to are under their own jurisdiction, and what ever happens to them isn't and will never be my fault."

"You use big words for a kid.", remarked another member of the group, a closer-to-adulthood stallion who didn't quite fit in with others.

"That's irrelevant."

"My question is will you stick by them?", asked the leader.

"Until I lay broken and dying on the ground." This seemed to unnerve everypony, even the leader, for none of them had the intention of killing anypony.

"Well, you are not one to stop us from doing what we please."

"Watch me." The leader, fed up with Joy, signaled to a tall young stallion. He was a real brute. Tall, muscular. Burning green eyes and a black mane that was braided behind his back. His horn flashed a few times in something like intimidation. His skin was covered with faux tattoos, but it appeared to be blue in color. He stepped forward, a menacing look on his face. Joy leaned down and whispered something in little Derpy's ear, and then moved to meet the young stallion. For a second their gazes locked, and then Joy lifted his hoof to hit the stallion. The stallion moved faster and clocked Joy across the face, sending him to the ground. Joy saw him smile at his friends, who cheered him on. He moved over to the downed Joy, and began to repeatedly kick him in the chest. Then another member of the group, a small and pretty young mare, saw the tip of Joy's snout sticking out of his hood, and saw the smile on it. Before she could cry out to the young stallion attacking Joy, Joy grabbed the hoof that assaulted him, and brought the stallion the ground. Everypony backed away in horror when there was a horrible snap that resounded into the air, and a pained scream that followed it. Joy dusted off his cloak, and spit to the side. Despite every blow he received, not a drop of blood was inside it. In fact, Joy did not give any expression that he was at all hurt. This seemed to shock everypony even more.

"What are you!?", cried the leader.

"Same as you. I just know to tense up for a blow." They all stared a him. They saw a glint in his pumpkin orange eyes. He walked all the way up to the leader, and looked her right in the eyes. What shouldn't have been at all intimidating, a young stallion dressed in a cloak and hood who had to strain his neck to meet eye level, somehow managed to be so. "Bye now." The leader cried out and fled, the rest of her flock following her. The wounded stallion tried to follow them, but Joy went over to him and lay him back down. "Stay here. I will be right back." Joy went over to little Derpy, who was scared but also awed, and said a few words to her, and she nodded. In a few minutes, Joy had enough leaves and vine to make a makeshift splint. After making it, he tenderly put it on the stallion, and then helped him up.

"Do you think you can walk?"

"I t-think so..."

"Alright. Just tell me if you need to stop." With the stallion leaning on him, Joy began to walk towards home. He beckoned to Derpy, who began to follow close behind.

"Why are you helping me?", the stallion asked. Joy chuckled softly.

"Just because I hurt you doesn't mean I hate you."

"But-"

"Like I said, I only attack those who attack me. But I hold no grudge. I hold no ill-will. I was hoping not to fight, but you see what happened. By the way, I don't think you should be friends with those scumbags anymore. Even if I was scared, I wouldn't leave my friend behind."

"But friends help eachother."

"I know."

"We...we're not friends."

"Who says we can't be?" The stallion was speechless. He hadn't expected so much kindness from this other stallion.

"What's your name?"

"Joy Harvest. Yours?"

"Everypony just calls me Tally."

"Alright. Tally it is." Joy looked at Tally and smiled. Tally, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't help but smile back. Then after that memory, another.

Tally, Derpy, Joy, and Sun all living together in a house. In the absence of adults, the relied on and supported eachother. Each was older and more mature both in years and in their own right. It was good time. It was a happy time. Derpy had established Joy and Sun as mother and father figures, and Tally was like an uncle of sorts. Everyday, Derpy greeted Joy with a small peck on the lips, Sun a hug and a kiss. She also never missed a hug for Tally. They were like family. Scrounging up what money they could, each of the older ponies found enough to keep them happy and send Derpy to get an education, so she could go to school and meet friends and have a life outside the house. They weren't poor, and they weren't rich. But money didn't matter to them. As long they had each other, they would be fine.

Joy now stared at Derpy, wide-eyed.

"I'm so sorry! I can't believe I forgot! I feel so stupid now, oh so stupid!", Joy cried out.

"I thought I gave you enough hinters. I guess I didn't."

"Well now that I remember I couldn't be happier!", Joy said happily. He pulled Derpy close. She sighed contentedly and slid her snout inside Joy's hood, where she had the warmth of his head and neck. She soon became still, and Joy opened the hood for her to breathe in her sleep. He lay his head right on top of hers. If I can get my sister and Derpy to come with me to Ponyville, then we can be together again. We would just need to find Tally. Smiling at the thought of bringing his family together again, and adding another at that, Joy slipped happily into the hold of sleep.

Fluttershy lay in her bed, eyes closed, yet still awake. The events of that day had been enough as to keep her up, just thinking about them. The two startling truths she had learned, the very out-of-character quietness and obliviousness that Rarity had exhibited that day, and just the fact that she had actually seen her friends again, face to face. So many thoughts ran through her head that sleep had been unobtainable. Had she been asleep, however, she would not have heard the hoofsteps coming up the stairs. She became at once alarmed, but did not move, in fear that Rain had showed up yet again in the night. If she could catch him off guard, it would be all the better. She began to put a plan together.

If he touches me, I will scream. It will startle him, I am sure of it, and it will wake up Pinkie. When she comes up the stairs, he will be cornered. If he doesn't run, I will have him right here, and the roles will be reversed. It will be he that- She was interrupted when the familiar vice of Pinkie whispered quietly near her.

"Fluttershy? Are you awake?" Fluttershy didn't know whether to reveal her wakefulness to Pinkie or not, though she didn't see the harm in doing so. "Fluttershy?" More silence. Pinkie sighed. Fluttershy heard her the sound of her sitting down hard on the ground, which was accompanied by a small grunt of pain. "I wish you were up...I am so lonely..." This was said so quietly that Fluttershy barely heard it, even in the dead silence of the room. Angel, whom Fluttershy had been holding close looked at Fluttershy's open eyes and shook his head in disapproval, and hopped off the bed and over to Pinkie. Fluttershy heard the sound of crying. "Hey Angel..." Fluttershy, unable to bear the depression of her friend any longer, flipped in her bed to face her.

"Pinkie, what's wrong?", she asked. Her eyes searched her friend's face for a telltale sign as to what was wrong. Joy had taught her how to do that, though he was much better at it. Fluttershy didn't see much, but she could see the signs of loss on her friend's face. The teary, baggy eyes, the "self-hug", the way she way she held Angel so close all gave it away. A few things Joy told her to look for.

"I know because I have been there, I have seen you there. Both of us have lost something.", he had said that day.

"What did you lose?"

"Everything that made life livable."

"Oh, Fluttershy! I hope I didn't wake you.", Pinkie said, guilt woven into her voice. She began to get up, and made as if to go downstairs. "It's nothing. I don't know why I came up here in the first place."

"Wait." Pinkie stopped at the doorway, and turned. "Come here." Pinkie walked over to Fluttershy, who sat up. "Tell me what's wrong." Pinkie sighed.

"Well, I have a lot to say...I don't know where to start..." Fluttershy moved, and patted the pace where she had just been sitting. Pinkie, understanding the gesture, climbed into bed with Fluttershy. She sat, and leaned against the wall, her face pointed at the ceiling. Angel hopped on the bed after her, and she began to pet him, deep in thought. "I guess I should start by apologizing. What I did today with Applejack was terrible. You were right. I am no better than Rain. I didn't think before I said that. I wish I could take it back. In trying to help you, I did near nothing, except to just further myself from Applejack." She sighed again. "What have I become?" Fluttershy took one of Pinkie's hooves and held it tenderly. Pinkie looked at her friend.

"You have become nothing more than what you already were. You are just...sad." Fluttershy pulled Pinkie into a hug, which she gladly accepted. Fluttershy hated quoting the same words Joy had said to her not even a couple weeks ago, but they felt perfect for the moment. They fit. I am so lucky to have him. He always knows what to do, what to say. If he had never showed up at my door that day, I would be six feet under. To think I distrusted him back then. Now look at me. I fret, and he has barely been gone for a day. If this is what true love is, I don't like this part of it. Fluttershy realized that she was thinking less about her friend and more about Joy, and snapped her attention back to the situation at hoof. Gotta focus Fluttershy. For Pinkie's sake.

"You're such a good friend, Fluttershy...", Pinkie mumbled softly. Fluttershy smiled sadly, and lay Pinkie down. She slowly caressed her friend.

"Shh...you are tired...sleep. We can talk in the morning. I am here...don't worry..." Pinkie's quiet crying slowly faded, and her breath slowed. Soon she was asleep in Fluttershy's hooves. Fluttershy equally as exhausted, fell asleep in the same fashions. The way the held each other in their sleep, one have mistaken them for lovers. But no, they would be wrong. They were something more important than that. They were the best of friends, and as long as one was there, the other would support them for until they died.

Many Places, Many Faces

Sweet Apple Acres

Applebloom stared at the ceiling. In the room not far from hers, she heard the unmistakable cries of ecstasy coming from her sisters mouth as she and Big Mac did adult things. This had been going on for more time than Applebloom would have liked. It was keeping her up, and she was exhausted from previous nights where the cycle had yet to be broken. Finally, after what felt like an hour, she heard Applejack's cries sharpen, and then very quickly die down. With Applejack now quieter, she found herself disturbed by the lusty quality of Big Mac's grunting and breathing. Soon, that stopped too. It was silent, and Applebloom closed her eyes.

When is it going to stop? Celestia...make it end soon..., she thought as she drifted off.

Rarity's Boutique

Rarity exited her shop, dressed with scarf to keep out the surprising chill of the night. After locking the door, she turned to the group that waited for her.

"Ready to go?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah. Let's go.", Rarity replied with a smile. Vinyl let out an exasperated sigh.

"About frickin' time! I am itching to get to the party! I got the best set for you all.", she said.

"I bet you do.", Soarin' said, obviously anxious to get to the party. Everypony knew that he had something for Dash, and it was inevitable he was going to do something stupid in trying to impress her. Personally, that was what most everypony was really looking forward to.

"Well then what are we waiting for?", Spike asked. He had found that getting together with small groups and going out helped him shake off the remaining pain from Twilight's passing. So, when Rarity had dropped by to ask him if he wanted to join them, he had agreed. It had sounded fun enough.

"Nothing! Come on!", Vinyl said, and began to walk briskly away. Everypony followed in suit, ready to have good time.

Canterlot

A tired Celestia lay in her bed, sleepless. She had a lot on her mind. A bad dream had come to her, and though she wasn't one to really believe in omens, this one had disturbed her deeply. Troubled, she got out of bed, and searched the castle for her sister. She found her, and together they walked outside onto a balcony.

"I had this dream, and I want to talk to you about it."

"Alright."

"I was standing in the rain...there was a horrible storm going on. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed, but above all that, I heard singing. I followed it to its source, and I found Twilight. She was facing away from me. I called out to her a few times, but she didn't seem to hear me above the noise. I went up closer, and I touched her. Everything stopped; the rain, the storm, the singing, everything. She turned to me, and I had to back away. Her face was drained of color, like it would have looked in her final minutes. The fatal spider bite still shone on her neck, and it bled. I was terrified. Then she said something, something that I didn't understand. It sounded like gibberish. She scowled at me when I didn't respond, and spoke again, except this time I could understand her. She said, 'Do not fear the rain. Fear only rain.' Then she turned away from me, and everything started again. I was so confused. I felt the dream began to fade, and I tried to call out to Twilight again, but then I woke up. I haven't been to sleep since." Celestia took a deep breath and let it out, as if to calm nerves. Luna looked out at the night. "When she said Fear only rain, she put some kind of emphasis on rain, like there was something that mattered about it."

"I have a feeling that she didn't mean the rain which is made of water.", Luna said. "However, it was just a dream. There shouldn't be anything to fear. You are probably still troubled by her sudden death."

"Yeah, that's it...thanks sis.", Celestia said. She quickly hugged Luna, and then walked wordlessly back to her chamber. She collapsed on her bed. I want to be just a dream...but it felt like so much more... Celestia closed her eyes, and she felt herself drifting off. What am I saying? It was just a dream...Luna was right, I am just fretting to much. With that, she fell asleep.

The Morning

Joy found himself on a familiar path. When he looked at Derpy, she smiled, and urged him on. He stared at the ground, and watched his hoofs go step by step over more and more memories. The same red dirt. The familiar birds chirping their hypnotic trill. He was almost home.

Home...where the heart is..., he thought as he moved. Except this home is more than where my heart is. It is where my past, my emotions, my everything is. It feels so far away, yet I know it is so close. He looked up, and saw in the distance the hill where his mother's shop had once stood. And beyond that hill, less than a day away, was where his sister waited his long overdue return. Overcome with happiness, Joy began to gallop.

Fluttershy knew the day was going to be good as she lay in Pinkie's hooves. Pinkie smiled and nuzzled against her friend, and Fluttershy sighed contentedly. Their eyes met.

"Morning...", Pinkie said.

"Morning to you too...", Fluttershy replied. No sooner did Blue meet Blue that Yellow met Pink, and then Pink met Pink. Even in Yellow's already otherwise taken eyes, Pink meeting Pink was as natural as Wings meeting Sky. And Fluttershy couldn't have felt any better.

As The Sun Sets

Joy walked up to the door of the house that he knew contained Sun. He knocked once, twice, thrice, even four times. After a few minutes, nothing had happened.

"Maybe she isn't home?", he asked. He turned and walked down the steps to Derpy, who shrugged. Just then, he looked up at the large Oak which sat not far from the house. For a second, there was just green, and then a flash of red appeared between the green. Joy heard a gasp, and the leaves rustled. A blur shot out from the tree, and Joy smiled as he braced for impact.The blur crashed into him, and they tumbled backwards. When they stopped, red eyes looked down into orange, and excited wings beat furiously. Long, straight orange and yellow hair hung down from an orange mare. She was small, tiny in comparison to Joy. Joy wrapped his hooves around the mare, and brought her down into a hug, which she eagerly returned.

"Hey Sun.", he whispered softly.

"J-Joy...you...oh I missed you!", Sun cried out. Joy got up, and helped Sun up with him, without breaking the embrace. All was silent as their embrace lasted, and even Derpy sat and watched with only a smile. Finally, the embrace broke, and Joy looked down into his sister's eyes.

"I'm here now.", he said. Sun smiled, her face lighting up in a way that Joy had missed all too much.

"Come here. I have to show you something.", Sun said, and her still beating wings shot her away and back into the Oak. Joy looked at Derpy and laughed. She laughed also, remembering old times. She beat her wings and flew into the Oak as well. Joy walked up to the tree, and using the steps he had carved long ago into the tree, walked up it and into its leaves. He came out on a platform that overlooked the prairie that surrounded the house. Sun sat at the the edge of the balcony-like structure, Derpy next to her. Joy walked up to Sun, and sat at the other side of her. They looked out at the grass, the hills, the mountains far beyond.

"Still as amazing as before.", Joy said. He looked at Sun, and she looked at him. Their eyes met, and Sun smiled. Joy knew what happened next, and he embraced it fully. And as the sun set, he felt his lips meet Sun's, as they relived a part of their past they had long forgotten. Their shadows projected onto the platform, and Derpy saw the cloak of Joy flutter and make the shadows seem to dance. It was a happy time. Now things were almost complete. Derpy smiled at that thought.

Joy and Sun are reunited, and their love is once again sparked. I have my mother, my father. Now we just need Tally. Then our family will be complete again.

Where Flowers Bloom

In the dark of night, when everypony else would be asleep, the family was still awake. Joy and Sun sat together, Sun in the comforting hold of Joy's hooves. Derpy walked at the edge of the prairie, and then walked back to them.

"It is where the flowers bloom where we start our lives anew.", she said. Joy looked down and Sun, and she up at him. It was time to start their lives anew. It was time to become family once more. A family where Fluttershy was not involved. Not one bit.

As The Sun Sets: Never

Joy sighed into Sun's mane. Her head was buried against his chest. She was still asleep. It was what Joy needed her to be right now. She wouldn't see him leave. Yet, as much as the thought cried to be enacted, he just couldn't do it. He couldn't leave her in her sleep like this. She stirred, and shifted a little. Joy caressed her, his stomach upset about what he had to tell her. After a little bit of time, her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled.

"Good morning...", she said sleepily. She kissed Joy, and nuzzled back against him. Silently, Joy sat up, and brought her up with him. Sun cocked her head slightly. "You're so quiet...is something wrong?"

"Yes..."

"What's wrong, love?" Joy shook his head.

"Don't call me that." Sun looked hurt.

"But...but why? I love you. Don't you love me?"

"Yes, but as a sister. I just simply can't love you. I won't love you." A tear appeared in Sun's eyes, and slowly slid down her cheek.

"W-what? Why?"

"I'm sorry Sun, but I have another mare now. I have to get home to her."

"But you...you..." Sun's lips were trembling, and more tears followed the first one.

"I thought you were dead, Sun. I had to move on. We had to move on."

"Why didn't you stay? Then you would have never had to move on!" A small amount of anger had entered Sun's eyes, and Joy knew he had to tread carefully.

"I did it for Orchid's sake. Do you know what would have happened to me if she caught what you had?" Sun looked down at the bed covers, multiple spots appearing on the white cover as her tears continued to roll down her face.. "The last time I saw you, you were throwing up blood and hanging onto life. I lied and I lied to Orchid. For her sake. She couldn't know your condition."

"She couldn't...you're right..."

"Those mares took good care of you, but I feared the worst. After a few days, my love for you was trumped by my worry for Orchid. I had to run. If she got sick like you and died..."

"It would have torn you apart."

"Exactly. I didn't think you were going to make, and I didn't want Orchid around to see you in your state. I took her far away, far away enough to stop thinking about you. I did it because I loved both of you."

"You were a good father."

"You were an even better mother. A mother whose daughter should not have had the pain to see her in suffering." Sun seemed to calm down, realizing that everything that Joy did had made perfect sense. Of course it did. Everything he does makes sense., Sun thought.

"What happened to her?"

"Life on the move was too much for the both of us. I found her a good family willing to take her in."

"That's good..."

"Remember how she used to play?"

"Yeah...her beautiful and full pink hair bouncing. Her green eyes shining. Wings flapping constantly, as if they were going to get her somewhere...her yellow skin seemingly incorruptible by either dirt or grime..."

"That is how she was when I left her. She had friends, for the family had a two other daughters. She had a real family where she could stay and be happy."

"What happened after you left her?"

"I wandered alone for three years. Two month's ago, I stumbled upon a town named Ponyville..." Joy went on to explain everything that had happened, from meeting Fluttershy to falling in love with her, and everything in between. Sun listened intently, her tears slowly drying and finally stopping. After he finished, she smiled.

"You did the right thing.", she said.

"I only did what I thought was right. I never expected to fall in love with her, but I knew it was eventual. Once I got close, once I found out for myself that everything about her yearned for companionship, once I realized that that every day that I spent with her, the more I wanted to hold her and just be hers, all the pieces fell into place." Sun nodded. She understood. It was hard wanting to understand, but she did.

"In all my twenty-five years that I have known you, I have never known you to make a bad decision."

"And in all my twenty-seven years, I have made many mistakes. You have just never been there to see them. And one of those mistakes I have made was leaving Fluttershy to come here. I need to get back to her. You can come with me, you and Derpy both, we can get you situated somewhere in town, and then we can still be together as family."

"Let me think about it while I make breakfast." Sun got out of bed. "See you downstairs."

Maybe it was the feeling of rebellion that fueled it. Maybe it was just that fact that it was something different. Whatever the reason was, Fluttershy felt herself growing ever closer to Pinkie. This morning, they lay in bed together. Fluttershy's back was to Pinkie, and she lay nuzzled against her. Pinkie still slept sound, but Fluttershy was abuzz with thoughts and other things. There was really a lot to think about. The peace of the morning didn't last long however. Somepony rapped very loudly on the door, which startled Fluttershy and woke Pinkie with a jolt. They looked at each other with frayed nerves.

"Who could possibly~", Pinkie muttered. She got out of the bed and went grudgingly downstairs. Fluttershy followed her down, but waited on the stairs. Pinkie opened the door, and gasped in surprise.

"Miss Pinkie?", asked a voice. Young and feminine.

"Y-yes?", Pinkie replied.

"Is Miss Fluttershy here?" Pinkie looked at her friend, and then back at the filly.

"Yes...?"

"Miss Fluttershy, I want to see your face.", said the voice. Fluttershy descended the rest of the stairs and reached the door. When she saw who asked for her, she too gasped. A filly, no older than ten, stood in the doorway. Her white skin was pulled thin, and her ribs showed through. Her wispy red and brown hair was flat and looked matte, not luscious as it seemed it should have been. Her amber eyes barely shone. Her wings seemed droopy and weak, and her horn seemed to be nothing except an odd accessory, looking as if it contained absolutely nothing. Yet, she still smiled as if she was living a great life. "Wow...I finally get to see you..."

"Who...who are you?", Fluttershy asked. She pressed closer to Pinkie, who shifted to allow maximum contact. This made the filly scowl for one reason or another.

"Who I am doesn't matter. I mean, I will only see you once. I just wanted to see your face." The filly began to turn.

"Why did you want to see my face?" The filly stopped mid-turn, and looked out on the day.

"Because I have only ever seen you from the shadows. I have only ever seen your back, something that you unknowingly turned on me." Fluttershy was very confused at this point. She took another good look at the filly, and the malnourishment of the filly became her focus.

"Why are you so thin?"

"I don't know. Even my parents don't know. What does it matter to you, anyway?" Both Fluttershy and Pinkie had heard the flat-out lie in the filly's voice.

"Come in. I will get you some food.", Pinkie said. She held the door open wider, and moved out of the way. The filly didn't move. She looked down at the ground, and then met eyes with Fluttershy and Pinkie.

"Why is it that you want to help me? I did not ask for help. I do not need help. I am fine, but I thank you generously for your offer." Pinkie became aggravated at yet another outright lie.

"You WILL come in, and you WILL be fed, and you WILL stop lying to me." The filly blinked.

"Doesn't it seem wrong that you have to force a child into your home?"

"Wha-what?"

"I don't understand why you are trying to force me into this home. I have declined your offer, for it is not necessary. I am going to leave now. If you come after me, I will tell somepony in authority. Understood?" The filly turned and began to walk away. Fluttershy and Pinkie looked at each other, not sure whether to be surprised or utterly confused. Fluttershy sighed, and ran to her cupboards, where she grabbed a few slices of bread and a couple cookies she had baked the day before. She packed them in a box that she had laying around. She picked it up, and flew out the door. She intercepted the filly, who took a step back in shock.

"Take these. Consider them a gift.", Fluttershy said softly. She set the box down. The filly opened it and saw the contents, and then looked calmly at Fluttershy.

"Keep them. Please."

"No. I don't need them as much as you do. I know you want them. I can see it in your eyes."

"You don't know anything."

"I know that you are way too skinny to be healthy. Please, take these. You need to eat."

"I can't!", the filly cried shrilly. Her eyes had grown wide and her breathing had become ragged very quickly.

"Why can't you?"

"They'll hurt me. I don't want to be hurt."

"Who'll hurt you?"

"Mommy and Daddy. They aren't nice to me. They say they don't want me. They say I was just a mistake and they would be happier off without me. They won't let me eat it! They want me to die!" Fluttershy's eyes widened in shock. She looked up, and found Pinkie in the doorway, equally shocked. Quickly, without second thought, Fluttershy wrapped a wing around the filly and brought her inside. Pinkie ran outside and grabbed the box. She brought it in and closed the door. Meanwhile, Fluttershy sat the filly down on the couch. The filly was sobbing.

"Shh...shh...it's okay...shh...", Fluttershy soothed. She hummed a small tune that Pinkie vaguely recognized as something like a lullaby. The filly attempted to talk between her sobs, but her voice was choked and quiet.

"...have to go...expect me home before noon..."

"You're not going anywhere close to your parents again, do you understand?" Angel, wondering what all the commotion was about, hopped onto the couch. The filly saw him, and scooped him up. She began to hug him close. Though the sudden attention seemed to make him distraught, Angel bore with the filly.

"...but they...they..."

"Don't worry about them anymore. If they come looking for you, we will do whatever it takes to keep you away from them.", Pinkie said. The filly's amber eyes met Pinkie's.

"..." The filly took a second to gather her words. "Promise?" Pinkie nodded. "P-Pinkie Promise?" Everything became hush in the room. Pinkie and Fluttershy's already whirling minds began to do so even more, even faster.

"C-cross my heart...hope...hope to fly...stick a cupcake in my eye...", Pinkie breathed. The filly blinked, and then closed her eyes. Fluttershy felt her fall to sleep. She softly laid her down. Angel stayed in the filly's hooves, and curled himself up against her neck. Fluttershy went over to Pinkie, and then sat her side. They both stared at the little mystery which had shown up at the door. For the first time since Twilight's death, both of them felt truly scared. Mutual feelings of fear for the future passed through their minds. Whatever it was that this filly foreshadowed, it wasn't good. The worst part about the fear was that they didn't know what it was they were supposed to fear.

Joy was sitting at the table. A muffin sat in front of him. It was blueberry, his favorite. Yet, he didn't eat it. Sun seemed to be stressed about something (she was gripping the counter, breathing heavily), and that worried Joy more than his appetite.

"Sun, are you alright?"

"Yeah...Yeah, I'm fine. It's just I don't know what to pick. As much as I want to come with you, I have trouble leaving this behind."

"You're sure you're fine? You don't have to make the decision. I could go home and ask Fluttershy if she wants to come here with us."

"No, no, it's alright. I need to make this decision. Keep my past or face the future." Joy nodded.

"Okay, if you say so." He looked hungrily down at the muffin and bit into it, savoring its rich, fruity flavor. He heard a small sob, and looked up to see Sun crying. "Sun?"

"I'm so sorry~"

"For wha-" Joy didn't finish his sentence. He began to feel weak. He tried to get up, tried to use the table to support him, but even his hooves gave out, and he fell to the floor. He closed his eyes, and gave in to the fast-acting sedative.

When he awoke, he didn't actually think he was awake. He was surrounded by darkness. He lay on something cold and grainy. Moving his hooves a little, he figured it was dirt. He got up, and heard something clink. He made an attempt to move, but hit the end of whatever held him, and got tugged back. He fell to the floor, shocked and confused.

"Hello!?", he called out. No reply other than his echo returned to him. "HELLO!? CAN ANYPONY HEAR ME!?" Still nothing. "Why is it so damn dark?", he swore under his breath. Raising a hoof, he touched some kind of collar around his hood. It was metal. It was also very light, which explained why he had not felt it when he had first awoke. Joy paced back and forth as far as the chain let him, thinking, pondering. Then, a door opened, and shed light on the room. Standing in the doorway were two ponies, one larger and one smaller. The light behind them made them look like shadows, so features were undeterminable. The larger one stepped forward, followed closely by the smaller shape.

"Well aren't you just the poorest chap?", ask the larger one. The voice was male.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, you know me." The larger pony pony stepped to the side, so the light could illuminate his face. Joy at once recognized the stallion.

"Rain."

"Ah, so you know me by name too. Let me guess, that pathetic little Fluttershy told you about me."

"She did, yes."

"Perfect. All the more reason to have you right here."

"Where is right here?"

"Do you not recognize it brother?", asked the unmistakable voice of his sister.

"No, I do not."

"It is our basement. I had to clear it out."

"It looks so different without all the clutter and mess."

"Well, there is still one little spot we have yet to clean.", Rain said. "It's disgusting and brown and clinging onto a chained of piece of filth." Joy's eyes widened.

"Don't you dare!", he shouted.

"Should we chain you by the hooves as well? I would love to see how you can stop us from anything if you can't move." Joy went silent. Rain grinned in victory.

"I do wonder, what do you look like?" Rain reached a hoof forward and took hold of Joy's hood. Joy let out a whimper.

"Please...don't..."

"I'm sorry, but I don't sympathize with you." Rain rudely yanked off the hood. In an instant, his smug look of triumph melted into something close to horrified awe.

"Are you happy now!? Are you happy that you got what you wanted!?", Joy cried out. Tears ran down his cheeks.

"You...you..." Joy's eyes blazed, and his face was twisted into a snarl.

"My father would be so proud of you. I hate him. I hate him with all my heart. I don't know how my mother managed to find something in him." Rain was backing up now, terror plastered on his face. "I hope you're happy, Rain. I really do." Rain bumped into a wall, before finding the door and backing out of that. He turned and walked up the stairs, speechless. Sun looked at her brother.

"It's not over. He's going to get over the shock."

"Whatever he does is his choice. Just like whatever you do is your choice." Sun looked away in shame, and then proceeded to walk through the door. She closed it without looking back, leaving Joy in the darkness once more.

Joy lay restless that night. Every scream of pleasure from his sister buried itself into his ears like a drill.

"RAIN! Oh Celestia YES!", she cried. A bang resonated through the building, and Joy guessed that they had fallen to the floor in their love-making. It sickened him.

Why would she involve herself with him? Joy closed his eyes, and sought Tally. He had always been like a conscience. Joy imagined his voice, struggled to hear him talking.

"Tally?"

"I don't know why you insist on calling me that. First, I don't exist. You are just talking to your own subconscious. Second, I'M NOT FRICKIN' TALLY!"

"You sure sound like him."

"Because that is what you make me sound like."

"Well then that is who you are to me."

"For Celestia sake..."

"Okay, let's drop this subject. We can argue about this at a different time. I have a question for you."

"Whatever."

"Do I exist?"

"What?"

"Do I exist?"

"No, no, I heard you. I was just so shocked to hear something like that come out of your mouth. Of course you exist!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am sure! What the...I don't even..."

"What if this is just some dream?"

"Okay, are you high?"

"Do you really think I can get drugs like this?" Sun interrupted Joy's thoughts when she let out a scream of climax. Things went silent, and Joy returned to his thoughts.

"You got drugged earlier. That sedative might still messing with your head."

"I feel clear minded."

"Okay, okay. Just...slow down for a second. What in world would make you think that you don't exist?"

"Things seem too surreal."

"Well, I don't think that even remotely explains why you would think you don't exist. However, it does sound like a good reason to believe this is some very powerful lucid dream."

"..."

"Well, say something."

"I don't know..."

"Oh, I know what it is. You are delusional from that idiot pulling off your hood."

"Am I?"

"Okay, I think I am catching your logic now. You have had everything you hold sacred defiled by your enemy."

"Perhaps."

"Damn. I didn't think that hood meant that much to you."

"It was me. I was nothing without the hood and cloak. That was who I was as a pony."

"You grew to hate your looks so much that your method of disguise became you."

"Exactly. So I repeat the question. Do I exist?"

"I still have no idea how the hell to answer that." Tally laughed, and Joy laughed too.

"I don't think I do either."

"Well then why did you ask?"

"I'm beyond bored."

"You're an idiot."

"At your service." Joy shared another laugh with Tally. The door slammed open, bringing Joy out of his thoughts. A drunk Rain stumbled in, Sun trailing behind. Without warning, Rain struck Joy in the stomach. Joy, unprepared for the blow, curled over himself. Rain continued to beat into his stomach.

"You...filthy...son of a-"

"RAIN!", Sun shouted. Joy mentally smiled, remembering Sun's aversion to especially crude language. The smile disappeared when Rain struck Joy upside the head with the bottle in which he had been drinking out of. Joy tumbled to side and reached the end of chain, only semi-conscious. Rain went over to him and began to push his throat against the metal collar. Joy began to choke, spluttering and gagging.

"This is the end...I really am going to die..."

"Faith, Joy."

"What faith is there to retain?" Joy's vision began to fade, and he started to embrace the darkness. Then, Rain let him go. Joy sucked in a huge breath, and his sight rushed back to him.

"IIIIII'm n-n-not done wi you...there's mo...more where THAT came from...", Rain slurred. His stumbled out of the basement and up the stairs. Sun stayed behind. She seemed to be locked in some kind of struggle of conscience. Finally, she walked over to Joy, and gently brushed all the glass out of his face. She used his hood to dry most of the blood that covered his face.

"Why...why Sun...?", he asked weakly. She closed her eyes, and sighed. Then she turned away from him, and simply walked out the door without answering his question. She closed the door, and Joy was once again left in the dark.

With Fluttershy, food and drink had been a commodity. Living with her had been the opposite of living off the land. He had shelter, and food and water had been there whenever he had the urge to quench his thirst or fill his belly. Now locked in his old basement, he was again faced with his survival instincts. He had grown so used to have food whenever he needed it that having now gone a day without it, he found himself in horrible pain. His body cried out for him to eat, his head pounded even more than it should have, even with the blow from the bottle. His sight had begun to waver a little bit, a side-effect of the huge headache. Joy felt determined not to let this get the best of him. However it seemed that he wouldn't have to deal with it when Sun came in with a cup of water. She set it down at his side.

"What if I don't drink it?", Joy asked. Sun was silent. "What if I let myself die?"

"That won't happen."

"You don't know me."

"Yes I do. I am your sister."

"You're not my sister."

"Brother, I think you need to drink that. You sound a little delusional."

"Don't call me Brother. You are not my sister."

"Joy..."

"My sister would never betray me." Sun fell silent as Joy's hard gaze quietly destroyed her. Using the same trick as she had used before to get out of conversation, Sun walked out of the basement without another word. She closed the door.

The day came and went. Joy's hunger continued to torture him. His headache had gotten worse. He felt exhausted, but couldn't sleep. His mouth was dry, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't wet it. He couldn't even get himself to cry. He was racked with non-stop stomach pain. The cup of water still sat, untouched. Joy was determined not to drink it. A dry tongue passed over dry lips and retreated into a desert. Joy gave in. He grabbed the cup, and swallowed every single drop. He let out a sigh of the most unfortunate of ecstasies. The door opened, and Joy's needy eyes shot to the figures that stood in the doorway. Sun approached first, holding a plate in her mouth. She set it down in front of Joy. On it was a cinnamon-roll like pastry. It smelled divine, and Joy only barely kept himself from stuffing it down right then and there. Sun left without a word, and Rain came forward. He set down another glass of water.

"Eat. Drink.", he said. The pastry disappeared into Joy's mouth, and then the same happened to the water.

"Why don't you just let me rot down here?", Joy asked after he wiped the crumbs from his mouth.

"The game that we children of the dark play is a long and twisted one. Nopony who falls into our hooves simply dies. There's no fun in that."

"So you are going to keep me barely alive. Only the bare necessities, and minimalistic portions at that."

"That's the plan until you start making your own decisions."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll know exactly what I mean when the time comes."

"Why not tell me now?"

"Now where's the fun in that? As a very meticulous player of this wonderful game, I like to keep everything a surprise." A mischievous grin spread across Rain's face.

"At least I know you're here. As long as you're here, you're not with Fluttershy. If you're not with-"

"Oh hush. I get what you mean." Rain got up and walked to the door. He turned around when he reached the frame. "Besides, as long as you're down here, Fluttershy has nopony to protect her. Who's to say I don't leave tonight? Leave you to the whims of your amazing little sister?" With that, the cycle repeated, and darkness became Joy's torturous sanctuary.

A day. A week. A month. These all passed by. Every other day two cups of water. Every day a small food item that made up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every third day, Rain would come in drunk, and Joy would be beat. So far, Joy was at one broken rib and a dislocated shoulder. He had never known suffering to be so great. This certain day, the cycle had reached its end again. It was the third day. Rain came through the door, alone this time. He did not smell of alcohol, and seemed completely sober. He stopped and admired his work. Joy was an emaciated skeleton now. Fat had disappeared, and muscled had wasted away as Joy gave in to fatigue and weakness. He was literally skin and bone. Now, on this particular day, Rain walked in with a smile that was more vile than any previous night. He also carried with him a huge meal, covering all three times of day. He also had a pitcher of water.

"Rain...please...mercy...", Joy struggled to get out. These words tasted horrible in Joy's mouth, but it was all he had left.

"You're lucky your sister has a big influence on me.", Rain said. He brought over everything, floating it all with his magic. He set it down in front of Joy. "Go on. I am just going to stay and watch. Wanna make sure you don't get all sick, you know?" Joy barely heard him. He buried his face into the first plate. He had polished it clean in less than ten minutes. He then gulped down half the water pitcher. Rain pulled it away from him. "Woah now. Too much and you're going to throw up." Joy didn't care. He busied himself with the second plate. That was gone in fifteen minutes, max. Another huge swig of water. Onto the third plate. Also gone in less than fifteen minutes. Joy polished off the rest of the water. He looked up at Rain, and smiled.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

"There's more." Rain pulled out a key, and unlocked Joy's binding. "Come on." Joy followed Rain out of basement, and outside. He relished in the scent of nature, something he hadn't smelled in a long time. The day was hot, but beautiful. Clear skies, birds singing, a light breeze playing through the grass. Rain led him to the nearby river. "Go in. Clean yourself. Take as long as you need." Joy, his cloak and hood long since discarded in the basement, jumped into the river, and let the cold through his body. The way his hooves tingled felt great. The way he went numb felt even better. These things combined, along with washing away all the grime from himself, drove Joy into a near tactile climax. He finally climbed out after what felt like ages. "Go sit in the sun." Joy did what he was told. After waiting in the sun for a little bit, Joy felt Rain's hooves tenderly slide a towel around him, as if the slightest touch might break him. Joy took the towel and dried himself off. He hung the towel on a tree branch. Rain led him back inside and into the basement. Rain brought a bright candle with them, and closed the door. He did not put the collar back on Joy.

"Why are you doing all this for me? I thought that the game you played was long and twisted?"

"And that everything I do is a surprise." Joy saw a gleam in Rain's eyes. Rain got up and walked towards Joy. Joy, though bigger, shrank down.

"Rain...what..." Rain grabbed Joy and pulled him up. He turned him around, and pushed him against the wall. Joy was confused until Rain jumped up on him. "What the hell!? Rai-" Joy felt a pain that was entirely new to him, and he bit his lip to keep from screaming.

Rain lay against the wall, smiling happily. Joy lay on the ground, curled against himself, shivering. The events of the past fifteen minutes were things unforgettable in the worst manner, unforgettable in a way that made you want to forget them.

"Hey Joy." Joy didn't even do so much as twitch his head toward Rain. "Joy?" More silence. "Well, then I think it is time for round two!"

"No...please no...", Joy whispered quietly.

"I knew that would get you to answer. Now that I have your attention...here." Rain moved closer to Joy. He grabbed Joy's cloak, and draped it over him. Then he took Joy's head onto him and slowly caressed him.

"Stop touching me...", Joy said weakly, unable to stop him.

"Shh...hush now...", Rain said softly. Joy did go quiet. He felt cold inside. He felt defiled and uncomfortable.

"Why Rain?", he asked.

"Why? Because I like to keep you on your hooves."

"You..."

"I stopped caring a long time ago Joy. To me, sexuality does not matter. I swing whatever way applies best. It isn't hard to swing towards stallions anyway. The first time is weird and awkward, but then everything after that is easy."

"You're psychotic. Insane."

"Fully."

"Why the food before?"

"I can't make love to a skeleton."

"And the bath?"

"Now why would I touch somepony who was so grimy?" Joy hated giving it to Rain, but the stallion knew how to set somepony up for a hard fall. Rain got up, easing Joy's head off him. He went out of the basement, and returned a couple minutes later with a thick blanket. He draped it over Joy.

"Thanks Rain...", Joy said. Rain smiled.

"Sleep well, Joy." He nuzzled Joy, and then walked out. He closed the door, and Joy heard a lock slide shut. Joy began to cry. Not because he was sad, and not because scared, but because this was the first time he who no clue what the hell was going on. However, Rain had left the candle in the basement with Joy, and it's soft, flickering glow lulled him to sleep.

As The Sun Sets: Innocence

Angel

Angel was exhausted. The month had been a torturous one. The first and foremost thing that Angel had to face was his owner. Fluttershy had stayed calm for the first couple weeks because Pinkie was there. However, as the end of the month approached and there was still no sign of Joy, she started getting jumpy and restless. As the month waned in to the next, it was all she seemed to focus on. Joy this, Joy that, where is Joy, et cetera, et cetera. It had taken a toll on everypony, even young Summer Blossom (she had told everypony her name over dinner the day she arrived). Nopony was fed up with her really, it was just the stress of keeping her sane and happy and not delusional.

To add to that, Angel had also taken it upon himself to be Summer's guardian. Everywhere she went, he went. He kept her calm. He had learned that she had social problems, and that having him around soothed her. She whispered all of her secrets to him at night, as they lay together on the couch. She told him how she hated being around a lot of ponies, and how she could barely keep herself together around Pinkie and Fluttershy. She had admitted that they were wonderful, and that should things continue the way they were (Summer's parents had never once showed up, nor had they been seen in town looking for Summer), that she was prepared to call them foster parents. However, she also admitted that she was worried about them. She said that was worried that she would one day lose it with one of them, and then be sent out onto the street again. Angel had tried to wordlessly dispel that thought, but there was only so much he could do.

And now, he was tired. It was late. Everypony was asleep. Nestling against Summer's warm fur, he closed his eyes and prepared to sleep for a long time. Well, at least until the morning came and somepony finally forced him to get up. How he loathed that moment that he knew would come.

Joy woke up staring at the ceiling. The candle he had fallen asleep near was gone, but light still alighted on the ceiling. Joy found Sun at it's source. She had a new candle near her, it's flickering flame sending dancing shadows across a wall.

"Hey Joy...", she said softly. Joy got up and stretched. He found his cloak and hood and put them on, and then walked over to his sister. He sat in front of her, and though she could have feared what he could have done to her, she was steadfast.

"What do you want?", Joy asked, a continuous glare focused on Sun.

"I wanted to ask how you are."

"I am wonderful."

"Why do I doubt that?"

"Because I am obviously lying. Would I be anything but miserable?"

"Well..."

"My own sister betrayed me. She helped the one pony I hate trap me. I have sat down here for a month with barely enough to sustain myself. That same month has been spent away from the mare that I love. I have been beat, starved, dehydrated, allowed to grow filthy. Plus, your sick lover raped me earlier today. Yeah, I am sure I am wonderful."

"My "sick" lover is sitting right outside. You touch me-"

"You don't deserve to be harmed by my hooves, no matter how much I want to do it. One day, you will realize what you have done, and you will drown in your own misery, or at least I hope you will. I hate saying that, especially to my sister, but you have done everything to have such a horrible fate fall upon you."

"I have done nothing wrong." Joy let out an incredulous laugh.

"Really? Really!? You put a roofie in my damn muffin! You put me to sleep so you could let Rain do everything he has done! You have distanced me, and you have participated in his acts of starving and dehydrating me! I am pretty sure you are partially at fault here!"

"Rain put the roofie in the muffin..."

"What?"

"Rain was there the whole time. I told him not to do it, but he did it anyway. The only reason I have continued with this is because I fear him as much as I...as much as I love him."

"So this was a setup? You wrote that letter just to bring me here so Rain could do these things to me. You didn't even care to see me again. Your heart was occupied by a serpent, and everything that you did that convinced me that you still loved me like before was just a ruse, a lie to pull me into his strangling hold." Sun looked down.

"Yes..."

"How long have you loved him?"

"I met him about four months ago. I was on a walk, and I bumped into him when I was spaced out. I gotta admit I was a little stoned that day, got my hooves on a little Green...but that doesn't really matter..." Sun looked down, seemingly ashamed of breaking her good girl personality (disregarding the incest she had shared with her brother for nearly thirteen years, and the filly that resulted from it). With a sigh, she looked back up at Joy. "So...I bumped into him, and he offered to keep me company. I happily agreed, and we became fast friends. Soon, it was more than that. We were soul mates."

"The good that did...", Joy muttered. Sun ignored her brother's snide comment.

"No matter how it changes your opinion of me, that's the truth. I stuck by him too. I fell so fast into his hooves, everything was a blur. But, I liked that blur. It just gave me that much more time to love him."

"It's not true love. It never will be."

"Rain was and still is truthful to me. I was in Ponyville the whole time that he was with Fluttershy. It was then that I was introduced to his true self, but by that point, I didn't care. In fact, he had told me what he was going to do even before he did it. I could have left him right there. But I didn't."

"Bad move." At this point, Sun didn't care what her brother thought about her or her actions. She continued to tell her side of the story.

"After that whole thing, he promised me that he would never pull something like that on me. He told me that he truly loved me. I believed him, and still do."

"Why do you believe him? He will just go behind your back."

"You don't know him like I do."

"Maybe not, but I know scum like him. I guarantee that he is just using you. I will say it again: he WILL go behind your back."

"If that happens, then it is my own damn fault that I went with him."

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't want her to get hurt either.", Rain said as he walked in the room. His eyes burned with a soft fire, one that showed compassion at the same time that it showed contempt. "And if you do anything that even remotely endangers her, I will kill you." Joy snarled and grabbed Sun, quickly pulling her into a choke. She fought as his hooves tightened around her throat.

"Go ahead. Kill me. Do it now. Might as well just kill me. I'd rather die than let you do this to me. At least in death I will be in a place where I can watch over Fluttershy, even if I can do nothing to stop you from there.", Joy said with an eerie calm.

"You won't suffocate her.", Rain replied, ignoring basically everything Joy had said.

"I won't, but I can hurt her. I am not afraid to hurt a stranger." Rain scowled for a second, a hint of hilarity entering his eyes.

"If she's a stranger, I am a good pony."

"Well then you are a good pony." Rain sighed.

"Do I have to do this?"

"You don't really have a choice, now do you? One must assume the worst in a case like this, so they must take the most appropriate action."

"Rain, don't do this.", Sun said weakly.

"I have to."

"He's tricking you. Listen to me, dear."

"Am I tricking him though?", Joy said devilishly.

"Rain, don't let him get to you."

"You need to shut the hell up.", Joy hissed, and began to really choke Sun. She flailed her hooves up at him, attempting to get him to let go, but to no avail.

"I made my move Rain. It's your turn now. Are you going to take it or pass? My next turn in this game we are playing is going to be a knockout either way." Rain let out a sound that was somewhere between a pained scream and a battle cry, and launched himself at Joy. Joy threw Sun to the side, where she tumbled and came to stop.

"RAIN, NO!" Rain didn't listen. Sun could only watch helplessly as Rain pounded Joy to a pulp. His hooves flew quickly, each blow succeeded by a low cry or groan, or even worse, a dry crunch. Every-time a hoof pulled back, it was covered in more and more blood. When Rain was finally finished with Joy, his face was covered with blood that was not his own. As for Joy, well, it was probably better that his cloak covered the ground meat that his body had become.

"Dare challenge me you piece of sh-" Rain cut himself off and looked at Sun. "Idiot..." Sun got up and ran over to Joy, pulling back his hood. What she saw almost sickened her, and she had to look away. Joy's snout was bent at an odd angle, and blood spilled from a million open wounds. His eyes were swollen. One of his ears was almost torn off. A deep gash that was the result of multiple strikes ran across his forehead.

"Rain...what have you done?", she cried softly.

"What I needed to do."

"He played you, Rain. He wanted you to beat him. And he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish."

"Which is what, exactly?"

"He showed me what a real monster you are."

"I did what was necessary, no more."

"Nearly killing my brother was not necessary!"

"I got a little carried away sure, but he isn't dead."

"He is bleeding out, Rain! He might bleed to death!"

"His fault." At this point, Sun lost it.

"NO! IT IS NOT HIS FAULT! HE DID NOTHING WRONG!", she screamed.

"He was choking you."

"HE ADMITTED THAT HE WOULDN'T KILL ME!"

"You don't know that."

"HE IS MY BROTHER, RAIN! HE WOULD NEVER-!"

"That is where you would be wrong.", Rain interrupted. Sun breathed a little bit, gaining her composure. Then, she fixed a cold stare on Rain.

"No. You are wrong." She ran to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere where you are not. I can't love anypony who would go so far as to nearly murder my brother." Sun disappeared, and Rain heard the front door swing open. A look of sad shock entered his eyes.

"Sun!? Wait! Come back!", he cried, and raced after her. All the while, Joy smiled. He smiled so wide as to reveal his broken teeth and destroyed mouth. Should there have been anypony there to see that smile, they would have wondered how he did not yelp in pain from the effort of smiling so wide with his broken snout.

"I win...", he whispered to the dirt, and let the darkness overtake him.

A Pause...

Rain is in mid stride, a look of sorrow on his face. Sun is ahead of him, her tears frozen and glistening on her face.

Pinkie and Fluttershy are locked in a passionate kiss. The covers are rumpled, and their hair is in disarray. Summer is below, and her mouth is open next to Angel's ear, stopped in mid-sentence.

Spike is alone at home, staring at the ceiling. He holds a picture of him and Twilight in his hands, close to his heart.

Rarity is laying down on her couch, Vinyl just above her. Their muzzles are together, and each is blushing and smiling.

Soarin is on the floor of Rainbow Dash's home, tangled in string and cloth. Dash's lips are on his cheek, and his eyes are wide with surprise.

Applejack is looking down at the table. She is smiling. Applebloom is on the floor, curled around herself, laughing. Big Mac is looking at his two sisters with a what-did-I-say? kind of look on his face.

Everything seems to be going one way. However, it can be nothing but one simple action that throws everything off balance.

...Un-Pause

In The Mo(u)rning

Fluttershy sat on the couch, troubled. There was one thought and one thought only that remained in her mind. She turned it over and over, looking at it from all angles, as if it were a three-dimensional shape. The only other thought that could have joined this one was of Summer's safety, but Summer was in the care of Rarity all day, so this thought was unimportant. She considered, stopped considering, pondered, but it wasn't enough. The thought would be better quelled with the help of somepony else. Finally, she broke her silence.

"Pinkie?" Pinkie, sitting in the doorway and staring out at the day (Oh Joy, where have you gone?), turned and looked at her friend.

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk. It's...important."

"O..kay?" Pinkie was not quite sure what could be so important that it had caused her friend to silently brood ever since she woke up. Except maybe Joy, wherever that lying dirt bag is... Pinkie fully believed that Joy had skipped town. Maybe the letter was real, maybe he was just in some really far away place watching a dying sibling waste away, or at least trying to save her, or maybe just with her, reliving childhood. At this point, however, Pinkie doubted that. A month without a single letter to tell why he was absent so long, or anything. It was too suspicious to be what things had said they were.

"I think it's time to make the big decision...", Fluttershy said when Pinkie sat down.

"And what is that?"

"Well, Joy's been gone for a long time. We have gotten nothing explaining why. Either, you are right, and Joy left me, or he's dead, and I don't really believe the latter. Now, the question comes down to me: Is it time to move on?" This genuinely surprised Pinkie, and she sat up in anticipation of what came next. "I mean, we have something. I don't know how it started so quickly, or why I let it start so quickly, especially with Joy still fresh in my mind, but it did. If I move on, I have you." Pinkie smiled.

"I'll always be here for you Fluttershy, in love or not." Fluttershy cringed.

"I feel so ashamed now..."

"Why?"

"You said in love...the one thing I have tried to deny ever since this started. I mean, I was devoted to Joy. To be in love with you at the same time with him..."

"But...isn't that what we are?"

"Yes...admittedly so. I really wish that wasn't the phrase to describe us, but it is." Fluttershy sighed. "Why did I get myself into this mess...?" Pinkie felt guilty. She was originally the one who had introduced Fluttershy to the concept of sharing a lover, and furthermore, she had been the one to kiss Fluttershy that morning that "this" all started. She was going to say something to help soothe her friend, but a loud rap on the door frame startled both mares. They looked, and saw Derpy, a haunted and angry look in her eyes. The anger seemed to be pointed at herself, however, as she kept uttering profanities using her name that would make a proper mare faint.

"Derpy?", Pinkie and Fluttershy asked in unison.

"He's not dead."

"What? How long ha-?", Fluttershy began.

"I have been sitting outside since Pinkie came out. I had a gut feeling something was going to happen today."

"Gut feeling?", Pinkie asked.

"It's a long story. What you have to know is that I have been watching you two ever since he left." Pinkie and Fluttershy exchanged equal glances of confusion before looking back at Derpy.

"Watching us?", Fluttershy asked in a way that sounded almost as if she were saying it incredulously.

"Yes, watching you." Derpy saw the blank stares that met hers, and continued. "Joy and I are friends. We have been so for a long time. When we met, I was just a young filly..." Derpy told the whole story of Joy and the group of troublemakers. The other two mares absorbed every word. "The reason I have been watching you both is because of what he whispered in my ear that day. He said, 'Should I ever have to leave ever, or should I die, or should I ever be in a situation where I might not return, watch over everypony close to me. Make sure they are doing fine. Make sure they never stop doing fine.' I never forgot those words."

"Okay, now that you have explained why you have been watching us, can you tell us how you know Joy isn't dead? What, have you been stalking him, little creep?", Pinkie asked rudely.

"Pinkie!", Fluttershy scolded. Pinkie took no notice.

"The funny thing is that what you said is basically true. Being a friend of Joy from childhood, I also knew his sister. It just so happened that I met him on the way to his sister's house. Naturally, I went with him. I saw him hug his sister when they saw each other again, even stayed the night just to engage in festivities that I can admittedly say that we all got drunk for. I have gone back a few times, but he was always gone for a walk. At least, that's what Sun told me. With Joy, you never really know what is on his mind." Pinkie seemed like she wanted to keep arguing, but Derpy had brought up logical answers for both questions, and had also answered any others that might have come up.

"You know the way to the house...", Fluttershy said.

"Yes?"

"Could you bring us to him?" Derpy scowled in thought.

"It's about a two day's walk. However, it's only a couple hours by wing." Fluttershy looked at Pinkie. Pinkie, who knew that her days in a love that should have never existed with Fluttershy were over, smiled.

"Go on. I'll stay here for Angel and Summer." Fluttershy smiled back, and wrapped her hooves around Pinkie in a hug. "Stay safe, will you?" Fluttershy pulled away.

"I will." She got up and walked towards Derpy. "Lead the way."

"Homeward bound again!", Derpy said with a hint of excitement, before spreading her wings and taking off, Fluttershy right behind her.

Joy heard sounds above him. The scuffing of hooves on floor, the sound of one voice in conversation with itself. It was Sun, that much he could tell, but Joy didn't know why his sister was that way. One thing he knew for sure was that her and Rain had made up, somehow. They had come back together, and sat and argued quietly close to Joy. He didn't remember what they said, for he had still been unconscious, but he knew they had come in. Sun had bandaged him up pretty well, and Joy thought that most of the bleeding had nearly stopped. This morning, he had heard Sun and Rain talking quietly above, and then the door opening and closing.

And so begins my day of fasting., he thought to himself. Then another thought occurred to him. How was he going to eat, when the food finally did come, with his snout all jacked up? Perhaps I can push it back into place so it can heal? Joy raised a hoof to his hood and slipped it inside. He tenderly touched his broken snout. Pain instantly shot through his body, and he brought his hoof back. Just then, he heard knocking on the upstairs door. Oh great...he's back... He heard Sun greet Rain with a happy tone. A female voice replied to her in an equally happy voice. Is that Derpy? Oh Celestia, please, give me a miracle. Have her find me. Then another voice spoke up, a voice that Joy was all too familiar with. Fluttershy... He tried to get up, to pound on the door, to do whatever, but he couldn't. He got lightheaded, and promptly threw up with the attempt. What's she doing here? What did Derpy say? And what about Pinkie? Where is she? Too much thinking. Joy got even more lightheaded, and he struggled not to gag. I might die before I ever see her face again... Another blackness quickly swept over him, but passed after a short while. He looked around groggily, just as the door opened. Three forms sat in the light, two of which cried out. Derpy and Fluttershy ran in and rushed to Joy.

"Joy!? Dear Celestia..." Fluttershy fortunately did not see Joy's face or head due to the hood, but she did see all the pools of dried and fresh blood that were near him. She turned on Sun, glaring full-force. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?"

"Things I wish I had never done."

"All the blood...", Derpy breathed, and swayed as if to faint.

"You...you monster!", Fluttershy cried out angrily.

"Take him to a hospital. Now. Before Rain returns." Fluttershy seized up, and began to tremble.

"R-Rain?"

"Yes, Rain. Rain Watcher. I know what he has done to you. This is what he has done to Joy. This is what he is going to do to me. But, he will have done it to me because I let Joy go. Now take him." Fluttershy was speechless. She grabbed one side of Joy, and with a quick gesture, had Derpy pick up his other side. Joy groaned softly.

"Why have you let Rain do this?"

"I love him." An expression of genuine sympathy entered Fluttershy's eyes.

"He doesn't love you."

"I don't know for sure if he does or not. But you need to go. The longer you're in my sight, the more I realize that you are never going to forgive for this. So please, leave. For your safety and for Joy's." Fluttershy nodded, and began to move. Derpy moved with her, supporting Joy between them. "Derpy, take the side roads. Avoid the main road back to Ponyville until you get there. Stay safe."

"I will.", Derpy called back. Once outside, she led Fluttershy to a side road. "I know a hospital near here with somepony we can trust."

"Trust?"

"Somepony who knows what Joy looks like."

"What could he possibly look like that makes him want to wear a cloak and hood to cover most of his body?" Derpy looked at Fluttershy with a look that was almost terrifying.

"Love is a precious thing Fluttershy. The slightest thing can break it. Obviously, because Joy truly loves you, he hasn't shown you what he looks like."

"Why?"

"Because appearance changes everything, and Joy...well he..." Derpy trailed off. "Nothing you would ever expect. Ever."

Night had fallen. Sun lay in her bed, wondering what was to become of her. A knife lay on the bedside stand, but not because she was going to use it. Finally, she heard the door open.

"Sun?", Rain called.

"Up here!", she replied. She heard Rain walk up the steps and across to the floor to their bedroom. He walked through the door and smiled.

"Hey. I have good news!"

"I let Joy go. Derpy and Fluttershy came, and I couldn't take it anymore. By now, they are halfway to Ponyville." Rain's smile had disappeared off his face, and slowly melted into a snarl.

"You...did...what!?", he asked viciously, and crossed the room over to her. He jumped on her and pinned her down. "Tell me that again, this time to my face."

"Joy is gone with Fluttershy and Derpy. I let him go."

"You...I trusted you...", Rain hissed, and began to beat Sun. Like she had predicted, it was much the same as what happened to Joy, except she had no hood or cloak to absorb some of the impact. Rain even began to strangle her at one point. Then, he saw the knife and grabbed it. "One cut for everyday that you lied to me..." Rain began a mad slash at Sun, cutting her once for every day that Joy had been in the basement. Bleeding, beaten, nearly lifeless, Sun still looked at Rain with a courage that most would have by then lost.

"Go ahead. Do it. You never loved me anyway." Rain smiled, and brought the knife up.

"Finally, I get to really satisfy myself." Sun waited for the inevitable impact of the knife burying into her, and the darkness that would follow.

It never came.

Falling and Rising...and Vanishing

Joy slept rather soundly in the hospital bed. Derpy watched over him, looking at all his wounds and silently crying. The doctor, a handsome young zebra, appeared next to Derpy.

"I don't think he's going to make it.", he said.

"You are doing everything you can?"

"Everything I can think of. Luckily for Joy, Rain did not appear to have gone for his jugular during his assault. See these marks?" The doctor pointed to some red marks on Joy's throat. "My guess is that these are the result of Joy's hood chafing him. Based on the shape of the marks, Rain was probably holding him by the neck for the majority of the assault. That is my best possible explanation as to why those marks are there." Derpy sighed.

"I am so glad Fluttershy hasn't seen what Joy really looks like yet. I was able to convince her against seeing him like this."

"Joy would have thanked you for that." Derpy looked at the doctor, her eyes still wet.

"Would he have, Maxwell? Tonight, he could possibly die, and his lover will have never seen what he actually looked like until he was about to go six feet under. Would he have thanked me for putting Fluttershy through that?" Maxwell seemed to think for a second.

"There's one more thing I can try, but Fluttershy will have to consent to it."

"To save Joy?"

"Yes, but the process will be difficult."

"What are you going to do?"

"Most of the wounds are superficial, excluding that gash and the broken snout. I can and have replaced the bandages Sun put on him with stronger ones that will retain the blood better. However, the blood already lost from them is what is giving me a grave outlook on this."

"So he needs-"

"A blood transfusion. Now." The color drained from Derpy's already pale face.

"What if you use mine?" Maxwell turned to Derpy, green eyes dark with worry.

"Your blood isn't compatible. Joy and Sun had you blood tested before, as they both have been tested also. I found all three tests in the hospital's records. It was how I found out about you guys."

"So we have to use Fluttershy's."

"That is correct."

"But what if hers isn't compatible? Doesn't a test take a little bit of time to get results?"

"Then Fate decides."

"What?"

"We aren't testing. We are just going for it." Derpy went slack jawed as she gasped.

"What!?"

"We don't have time for a test. By that time, Joy will either be dead or recovering. All we can do is go for it."

"But-"

"If Fluttershy is incompatible, Joy gets sick and possibly dies a faster death. If she is compatible, he makes a quicker recovery."

"And if Joy dies because of her, the regret-"

"Who says Fluttershy has to know it was her fault." Derpy felt a chill go down her spine.

"You weren't going to tell her the risks..."

"Sometimes, having false hope is better than having no hope at all. If she thinks that this could possibly save Joy, without risk of killing him, then she will do it much more willingly. It's either that, or wait to see what happens. Pretend that you don't know the risks, and put yourself in Fluttershy's hooves. What would you do?" Derpy opened her mouth to argue, but could find no argument.

"I would go for it..."

"Exactly."

"But what if he dies because of this?"

"Then he will just have been put out of his misery faster." Derpy sighed. "I'm sorry. It's all I can do."

"Okay. I understand. Go and tell her."

"I'll make it up to you, I promise." With that, Maxwell walked out of the room. Derpy looked back at Joy, and listened to Maxwell and Fluttershy converse in the other room. Fluttershy agreed, much too quickly for Derpy's liking. After about ten minutes, Maxwell walked back in, a small bag of blood in his mouth. He set it on the bed-side table and got quickly to work, hooking up tubes and other things to feed the blood slowly into Joy's system. When he was done, he sat next to Derpy, and put a hoof around her.

"That's that?", she asked, leaning against him and nuzzling into his pelt.

"That's that. Now comes the hard part.'

"Which is?"

"Waiting, of course."

Dawn

Fluttershy didn't understand exactly what was going on in her groggy haze. The fact that the moon was still in the sky did not help this fact. Derpy was running around, swearing and muttering to herself. Maxwell kept calling out things that were apparently addressed to Derpy, because everytime he said something, Derpy picked up another object and brought it into Joy's room. Fluttershy got up, and moved toward the door. She peeked inside hoping to catch a glimpse of sanity on anypony's face. She found none. All she found were two faces filled with worry and stress. Derpy turned and saw Fluttershy in the door, and rushed out, pushing her away. She closed the door and turned to Fluttershy.

"Not now Fluttershy."

"What's going on?", Fluttershy asked. Her bright eyes desperately searched Derpy's face for an answer, but were only met by stone rigidity.

"We're losing him." Fluttershy gasped.

"What!? I thought if I donated blood-"

"It was worth a try, but results weren't guaranteed." Derpy hated building upon Maxwell's lie, but she had no choice. Maxwell was right. Fluttershy simply could not know that she had caused this, though unintentionally.

"Oh Celestia..." Fluttershy just about crumpled to the ground. She swayed, and her legs went out under her, but Derpy caught her.

"I know it's hard to take in, but there's nothing else we can do." Fluttershy wept bitterly, but she still was able to speak sensible words.

"I wish I could have had just one more day with him...just one more day to tell him that I loved him..." Derpy felt her heart breaking, and had no choice but to set Fluttershy down and walk away so she could cope with her own broken heart. She sat and breathed heavily for a few minutes, crying her own tears as she listened to Fluttershy cry hers. It took some time, but Derpy found her voice again.

"I think we both do." Silence greeted her, and didn't leave. Finally, Maxwell walked out of Joy's room, a tear in his eye (once Maxwell had known Joy's secret, it had not been hard for them to become close) and a sad frown on his face.

"He's gone..." Fluttershy's crying, which she had barely managed to silence, flared up again. Maxwell went over to the sobbing mare. He grabbed her hoof, and led her over to Derpy, where they managed to all embrace each other. "Today, we all lost someone close to us. A friend, a lover, a family member. Joy was a good pony, through and through. We must always remember never to forget him, but know that what has happened has happened, and nothing can be done. We must move on, though it will be hard. Today, we are united in the death of a loved one, and we must hope that this unification never falls apart. Together, we will pull through this. I know we will." All three ponies let go of each other, and simply stared for some time. Derpy finally lost all her composure, and fell sobbing into Maxwell's hooves. He caressed her and kissed her forehead, holding her close to him. Fluttershy, on the other, had nopony now. Nopony except Pinkie, but she knew that could change in an instant. Then she remembered something Rain had said, and even though she hated him for ever saying them, they would always ring true.

Why kill yourself when you have so much to live for? Or something like that. Fluttershy couldn't fully remember the exact words, but the meaning still got across nonetheless. She would keep living. She would keep pushing. Even if her sadness killed her on the inside.

Derpy and Fluttershy were asleep. Maxwell was cleaning up his tools. He looked at Joy's body, hooves folded over himself in preparation for burial.

"I am sure going to miss you, my friend." He sighed, and put a hoof on Joy. He jumped when he felt something bump against his hoof. Then again after a short time. And again. It was a heartbeat. Maxwell couldn't believe it, but even as disbelief coursed through his mind, the heartbeat began to speed up. "Celestia...thank you for this miracle..." Maxwell got to work quickly, trying to keep Joy stable. It was a mad dash, and more than once Joy's heart almost stopped beating again. Finally, Maxwell got him to a stable, livable pulse, and sat, exhausted. He saw a little movement under Joy's eyelids. Come on buddy...almost there...

"Mother! Let me die!", Joy cried out before his eyes snapped open and he took in a deep breath, and lurched forward as if almost to exaggerate the effect of a rude awakening. He stayed forward, holding his chest and breathing heavily. When he began to calm, he turned to look at Maxwell.

"Are you really alive? Am I just dreaming?"

"I don't want to be..." Joy looked reproachfully at the roof, though a hint of fear had entered his eyes.

"But why? This is a miracle, sent from Celestia above!"

"This was no miracle, and Celestia above had nothing to do with it. Mother said my time was not now. She said that I still had more to do in my life..."

"But...you are alive now! You can go back to Fluttershy, and-"

"I don't think you understand, Makai. I was ready to die. Being thrown back into my body like this hurts more than you would think." Maxwell was silent for a second.

"First of all, I told you a long time ago not to call me that. I prefer Maxwell, if it would do you fine." Maxwell took in a deep breath, and calmed his nerves. "Now what are you going to do? Kill yourself?"

"Perhaps." Maxwell grew angry, and barely contained his anger from his voice.

"Fluttershy is out there, sleeping, hoping that when she wakes in the morning that this will have all been some bad nightmare. Don't let her wake up to that. Be there to surprise her in the morning. Your mother obviously brought you back for a reason." Joy looked back down from the ceiling, meeting Maxwell's eyes with his own.

"If I die again, she will never have to know I woke up in the first place."

"You are really going to do that to her?" Joy went dead quiet, face twisted in thought. In response to Maxwell's question, he got out of the bed and walked over to him. He sat, and held out a hoof.

"Because you are urging me to obey my parents, I will do so." Maxwell took Joy's hoof, and shook it.

"Atta boy. Now go out there and be there for your lover." Joy began to walk out. "Wait." Joy turned to see Maxwell holding his cloak and hood. "Forgetting something?"

Fluttershy felt a light tap on her shoulder, and she turned to it. Her initial reaction was to screech, but then overwhelming emotion came over her, and she burst into tears.

"J-Joy? A-are y-you really th-th...there?", she asked between her sobs. Fluttershy felt the warmth of Joy's smile cover her, wrap her up in its comforting hold. Joy climbed into the bed with Fluttershy, and pulled her into his his chest, wrapping his hooves around her.

"I ain't leavin' yet...", he whispered, which caused Fluttershy to cry more, and bury herself deeper into his cloak. This is all a dream...in the real world, Joy is dead...I know he is...but this a good dream...and I will make it last as long as I can...

"I love you Joy..."

"I love you too Fluttershy. I love you more than anything in the world. I would give up everything I had if it were just to be with you."

"Oh Joy..." Fluttershy locked lips with him, determined never to ever let him go again.

Parents

Mother smiled and looked to Father.

"Are you sure you made the right choice?", Father asked her.

"Positive."

"Well, you better be. We just broke so many rules of magic by doing that."

"Trust me."

"I am doing so as we speak."

"Good, then we are on the right track."

"What is it exactly that you foresaw that made you come up with the idea of resurrecting our son in the first place?"

"I saw blood, but not his own. The blood of a naive vulture who pecked at the wily fox."

Joy limped slowly out of the hospital, supported by Derpy and Fluttershy now that the anesthetics that had numbed the pain had worn off. Maxwell waited outside a smile on his face. He laughed joyfully when they neared him.

"I don't know how in the world you are still alive, (I was so convinced I was dreaming I tell you what), but you are. Now go on, BUT BE CAREFUL! Those bandages will hold up, but not if you do anything crazy. Walk, rest, nothing extreme alright.", he said to Joy.

"I understand Doc.", Joy replied. Maxwell came forward and embraced his friend. When he backed up, a tear was in his eye.

"You go and make the most of your life, my friend."

"You too, Maxwell." Maxwell turned to Derpy.

"You too, little one."

"I'm not little anymore...", Derpy said.

"You're still a little filly to me.", Maxwell replied.

"Oh hush Uncle..."

"And likewise, I am not your uncle. I am just a family friend, that's all."

"Whatever." There was silence for some time, as everypony just stood around awkwardly, waiting for somepony to say something to end or begin conversation. Finally, Fluttershy spoke up.

"Let's go home.", she said quietly, with a smile. Joy smiled within his hood, and kissed her head.

"Let's." The trio turned toward Ponyville, or at least the path leading to it, and began walking that way.

"Keep them safe, Derpy! You know the way!"

"I will!" Maxwell watched them disappear into the trees before turning back to the hospital. Just then, two nurses (twin sisters, it got annoying at times to remember who was who) were arriving.

"Who were they?", asked one.

"Yeah. I've never seen them before.", commented the other.

"Doesn't matter. You'll probably never see them again."

"And why is that?", they asked in unison, their exceedingly high pitch voices combining into a whine that made Maxwell's head hurt.

"Because they are going home now. And home is where I hope they will stay."

The last rays of light had long disappeared from the sky, which was now an eerie dark with the new moon. Joy, Derpy, and

Fluttershy had finally set down for the night, and all slept soundly, Fluttershy in Joy's hooves, Derpy curled around herself. In their deep sleep, they were not aware of the motion around them. Something was stirring in the brush, like a predator who has just cornered its oblivious prey...

When Joy woke up, he felt a weight on him. Thinking perhaps Fluttershy had somehow rolled on top of him in her sleep (How she did that, he had no idea), he shifted and turned, prepared to catch her head. Except, it wasn't her head he saw. It was Derpy's. Instantly panicking, Joy backed up and smacked his head on something hard enough to see stars. He let out a yelp of surprise, which woke up Derpy. Her eyes flickered open, and then widened. She moved closer to Joy, and wrapped her hooves around him.

"Are you okay!?", she asked. Her eyes searched Joy for any kind of fresh injury.

"Yeah...yeah...what did I hit?" Derpy looked behind Joy's head, and then the realization that they weren't where they used to be hit her.

"You hit a window..."

"A what?", Joy asked, opening his eyes and turning. He saw the window, and then looked around where they were. It was a train, and it was moving. Just then, a pony walked down the aisle, and saw them.

"Hey, are you okay?", she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. By any chance do you know what's going on?" Joy thought of stopping there, but then realized that it might sound strange to stop with that. He needed an excuse to ask. "I hit my head really hard, so I can't really think straight right now." Derpy looked up at Joy with a well played look in her eyes.

"Oh, okay, no worries. We will be arriving in Manehatten in less than an hour.", the mare replied.

"Thank you." The mare nodded and smiled, and continued down the aisles, probably to tell others the same thing. Joy and Derpy locked eyes, and one thought passed between them. Fluttershy.

Fluttershy stirred, and rose slowly up. She didn't feel Joy's hooves around her anymore, but that didn't worry her. She yawned and stretched.

"I told you that you couldn't run, Fluttershy.", Rain said from behind her. Fluttershy froze and spun on her hooves. Rain was leaning casually against a tree, chewing a corn stalk. He spit it out, and looked at Fluttershy in the eyes, a horrible smile on his face. "You will never be able to run. Oh, and their gone. Gone, on a nice one way trip to Manehatten. I do hope they enjoy their stay." Fluttershy, regaining her senses, screamed, and took flight. Once again, like the night she first escaped from him, his voice followed her departure. "I will just keep finding you Fluttershy! You will never escape me, and I will get what I want! NEVER DOUBT THAT!" Fluttershy didn't listen. She just flew. Flew and flew, hoping to find her way home, back to Pinkie, back to Summer, Angel, her friends. Back to normality. But deep inside her mind, she knew that things would never be normal again. They were never ever going to be normal, ever since the day that Rain showed up behind her. She knew it was only going to get worse. She was more right than she wanted to be.