Lost and Found

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.