Metal Fire

The crew still hadn't quite recovered from the demonic encounter. SaberStar still hadn't forgiven himself for what he had did to Rainbow. She still bore the scars he had given her. If they hurt her, she didn't show it. Saber had liked that his wings were back. He could fly faster than normal and they were more flexible and light. There was a change in his mood. Nopony saw him very often and he seemed..... withdrawn. Rarely came to meals, barely talked and stayed hidden in the shadows. He was jumpy and startled easier than before. Saber didn't trust himself. Not after what had happened. Regardless, Dash stayed with him on the nights where she was tired enough. Now, no matter what, nightmares plagued his sleep, and the worst ones, he never forgot. He noticed that something had been.......changed. No fire, no crystal armor, no bladed wings. He still had his color changing eyes but just normal wings and black steel armor with no runes and red designs instead of blue. It was hung up in the armory in the Tardis. Nights where he was alone were few. When Celestia had nearly killed him, the Tardis had teleported away into the Everfree. Saber usually took walks by himself. One day, he came across Zecora's hut. The lights were on and it looked as if somepony was home. Saber didn't trust himself, so he found his way back to the Tardis, not easily. It was the Everfree Forest, what was he going to expect? He trudged back, spirits lifted slightly by the news that the Cutie Mark Crusaders might still be alive and well. Opening the door slowly, he ambled into the Tardis.

"I found Zecora's hut. Looks like somepony or a few someponies." Saber shared with the others. SunFlight looked up, joy written all over his face. He immediately blushed and looked down. "I don't trust myself around others, so somepony else can go." The stallion said, hanging his head. Saber told them how to get to the hut. Memories, none of them good, flashed through his vision. Shaking his head to clear them, he spread his larger than normal wings and flew up to his perch. He heard the conversation and decided that Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, and Princess Luna should go. Saber heard the doors creak and then shut close. Withdrawing to the darkness, he lay there, deep in thought. His eyes were probably the multicolor they were when he started to think. About an hour passed. Memories flashed through his eyes every once and a while. Some were happy times, other were not-so-happy. The Tardis doors creaked again and closed. Saber heard the commotion of three little fillies. He swooped down and landed on the other side of the room, as silent as a shadow. Stepping out into the light, Saber saw Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. His younger brother was looking down, pawing the ground and not speaking. To Sun's immense surprise, Scootaloo ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.

"Oh thank Celestia you're okay! After you went exploring, we didn't know where you to were. What did you guys find?" The orange and purple Pegasus blurted. Sun smiled but it soon faded and was replaced by a grim expression no foal should've had to wear. Scootaloo noticed the sudden change in the colt's mood. "Did I say something wrong?" She asked, looking concerned. Sun glanced at his older brother.

"What do I do?" He mouthed at the black stallion.

"If they really want to know, tell them." Saber replied, "Otherwise, play it cool."

"No, no. You didn't say anything wrong, it's just, what we saw, wasn't pleasant. Even Saber was the least bit scared." Sun replied, cheeks tinted red. Scootaloo looked at the pony hidden by the shade. She had never met SunFlight's older brother, let alone seen him. He waved a cyan hoof at her and put on a brave attempt to smile. It looked like he was trying his best to be happy. She couldn't decide what color his eyes were because they were like a kaleidoscope, constantly changing. And then, her hero, Rainbow Dash, with two long scars came out of a room that was in, well, wherever they were. This time, Saber actually looked happy. Putting a bigger than normal wing around her, he pulled her closer and kissed her on the cheek. His eyes turned pink. Scootaloo wondered what the scars were about. They looked like battle scars. She decided she would ask later.

"So what happened, Sun? Did you find out?" She asked cautiously. Sun's younger sister, MoonStar, looked like she was trying not to cry.

"Uncle Slash, Grandma and Grandpa are......." Sun tried, holding back tears.

"Oh no....." Scootaloo said, putting a hoof over her mouth, "I'm so sorry Sun." she looked like she was starting to cry as well along with the rest of the Crusaders.

"What's worse is that Sun and Moon had to watch them die." Saber replied, face identical to his brothers'.

"Saber it's worse for you," Dash said, leaning into the Centurions' shoulder, "You've had to watch ponies die when you wanted to saved them. You've fought Changelings and even killed them."

"That was different. I was fighting for home and my friends. I'm not a heartless killer like Celestia." the black stallion replied, eyes turning to haphazard blue, which wasn't an emotion, but the meaning was clear. Don't go there. "But we have each other now. We all depend on each other." A shadow crossed his face. His eyes turned back to flame red. All of a sudden, Adamant galloped at full speed out of one of the Tardis rooms.

"Saber. I've.........finished...........an experiment. It might work." The scientist said in an out of breath voice. He held two small plates that would fit over his wings with a lime green aura. "Spread your wings." Saber did as he was told as Adamant moved the two plates forward a bit faster than Saber would've liked. They apparently they had little spikes in them and they jabbed into his bones.

"Ow! What was that for?" Saber yelped, eyes turning haphazard blue again.

"Think of a pen outlining your wing." The Unicorn replied, not looking scared at the look his friend was giving him. Saber grudgingly obeyed and the plates extended along his wings. They gleamed like starlight. Honed to a deadly edge, they were almost like his old wings. He flexed them and the plates moved smoothly, but not as fast as normal wings. Slower as if they had been wrapped in a thin layer of rubber. He though of them unextending. They did just that, slower as well. Just plates the size of a paper card. When Saber folded his wings, they were just a gleaming white band on top of each wing. Not unnoticeable. They were actually pretty noticeable. Even somepony with bad eyesight. Spreading one wing, he put it around Dash again.

"So, where exactly are we?" Sweetie Belle asked in awe as the Doctor walked in.

"We are in the Tardis," He answered.

"Does that stand for anything?" Apple Bloom asked, looking very confused.

"Time And Relative Dimension In Space." The Doctor replied. Apple Bloom turned to Saber.

"What's that mean?"

"It's a spaceship as well as a time machine."

"Now Ah get it." She said, nodding. The Doctor looked offended. Vinyl hid a smile. Saber had a serious look on his face, like he would do anything to protect those he loved. The Doctor studied him.

"You remind me of somepony." He said, "His name was Rory, but to his enemies, he was known as the Last Centurion."

"The Last Centurion, eh? I'm guessing you gave him that name."

"Mmh. We have other problems."

"Then let's take care of them."