A Darkened Heart

Chapter IV: Timeless

Cinder was breathing heavily, resting on a nearby cloud. The workout really was intense, designed by Cinder himself. His goal by creating this type of workout was to blend all the aspects of extreme high speed flying into one, thus creating this custom regiment. Glancing to his right, he saw Rainbow Dash and Spitfire flying over to the exhausted Pegasus, eyes wide with excitement. As Cinder caught his breath, Rainbow was the first to break the silence.

“Holy crap Cinder, I had no idea you could fly like that!,” she exclaimed. Even Spitfire looked a bit impressed, after all, anypony would be impressed to see another pull a 70 degree turn at subsonic speeds. The yellow mare was carefully studying Cinder’s physique, from his wings to his legs and posture. Not a detail was missed by the fiery mare.

“I found your flight path quite interesting uhm…. Cinder is it? Could you please explain the details to me.” The fiery mare turned her attention directly to Cinder’s eyes, which were glowing in the afternoon light.

“Yes Ma’am that’s correct. It’s actually quite easy to understand if given an in depth enough explanation. I simply look farther ahead while monitoring my sides, therefore I have greater awareness of my surroundings. And at the speeds I’m travelling, it helps quite a bit. I don’t have an exact estimate of what I’m traveling at, but I guess it’s close to the sound barrier, because when I free fall and pull later than I should, I hear that crack.” Cinder said with a sheepish grin.

Spitfire gave a nod, seeming to understand exactly what Cinder had said. Turning to depart she gave a glance at Rainbow Dash, adding “I’ll see to it that the rest of the Wonderbolts are aware of the situation, Dash. Thanks for bringing it up.” And with that, she took to the sky, soaring back to Cloudsdale at incredible speeds. Once she was out of earshot, Rainbow broke the silence between them.

“Wow Cinder.. I uh.. had no idea you could fly like that. I thought you were just showing off for us that first time,” she said meekly, a slight blush running across her face. She glanced down at the ground below them, a soft breeze running through her mane.

Geez, Cinder mused to himself as he eyed the weather pony.

I had no idea a Wonderbolt would be interested in my tricks, let alone the captain. But that’s beside the point. It’s time I go to Applejack’s for work today.

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*Two Weeks Later*

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Cinder walked away from Sweet Apple Acres with the sun setting in the background after a hard day’s work, the sweat dripping down his mane and into his face. He was exhausted, but it was good honest work that was hard to find nowadays, especially with the harvest coming up. He continued to walk along the white picket fence that led into Ponyville. The air smelt of apple cider and campfires, the smells and sounds of a waning summer. The feel of Ponyville was SO much better than Los Pegasus’ was. The big city felt cramped and mechanical, all ponies ever cared about was getting rich and money. Here in Ponyville, everypony just cared about making friends and living to be happy. And that’s all Cinder wanted out of life.

His thoughts were cut short by an abrupt question from a familiar voice.

“So, how are you and Flitter doing currently?” Rainbow Dash dropped out of the sky and landed right in front of the young colt. Her voice was filled with intrigue and interest. While Rainbow had shown to be very flirty with Cinder when they first met, he could tell that she had backed off and, silently, decided that it would be better to have the colt as a friend. He could understand her decision. Gathering his thoughts from the distant corners of Ponyville, he came to a decision.

“Well Rainbow,” he remarked, taking a slight pause afterwards. “Luna visited me a couple weeks ago and she told me it’s best for me to trust my heart, since she…uhm.. knows about my past,” he said very cooly. He wasn’t afraid to openly admit it anymore, as he decided to move forward and settle down.

Finally.

“By the way,” he added. “Have you seen Flitter today?” Cinder tilted his head slightly to the right, looking quizzically at the mare in front of him. She retorted by smiling.

“Actually yeah I have, she said dryly, “I saw her heading to Whitetail Wood.”

Whitetail Wood was on the far side of Ponyville. It was a known spot for the Running Of The Leaves and other things having to do with romance. What she was doing there, he had no idea. But he planned to find out.

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“So Flitter, Rainbow and I can see that your feelings for Cinder are getting ahead of you,” a confident Cloudchaser said as her and her little sister trotted through Whitetail Wood. Cloudchaser had brought Flitter there to clear her head, and finally get some reason into it.

“I know I know sis,” she replied, a heavy blush on her muzzle. “It’s just, he’s so cute and awesome. And I don’t wanna let him find another pony… erm.. I mean become interested in somepony else.”

“Sis, he’s a good match for you, but you can’t rush it. These things take time. And he’s new in town, so you’ve gotta allow for that. And also, you need to determine if this is just a hard hitting crush, or these are true, legit feelings,” her elder sister lectured on.

“Trust me when I say this Flitter, no offense to you at all, but if you act on a crush, it’ll often end with heartbreak,” the lavender mare explained, with concern in her voice. She just wanted her sister to be happy.

Maybe I should talk to Cinder¸ she mused silently to herself.

She stopped trotting, along with Flitter and gave a gentle nuzzle at her sister. What Cloudchaser said was true. Crushes rarely ended well, and she was just trying to protect her little sister.

“Ok Flitter, answer me this. How often do you think about him?”

“Uhm.. most of the time.”

“Do you dream about him?”

“……..yeah.”

Do you feel warm and fuzzy when you were with him?”

“Yes…..”

Cloudchaser uttered a hearty laugh, putting a hoof on her sister’s shoulder.

“Sis, you got it bad. And I mean bad.”

Cloudchaser was right. Was this a hard hitting crush, or were these feelings something more?

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“Now Cinder I need to chat with you as well,” the cyan mare adjacent to Cinder said. Her demeanor was cheery but serious at the same time. It was obvious that something was on her mind, and she intended to speak it.

They were nearing Whitetail Wood, the gorgeous woods coming into view. The pegasi landed just outside the woods when Rainbow Dash stopped Cinder, looking him dead in the eye. Her intentions were cloudy at best, however the ash colored colt had a sneaking hunch of what is was. A breeze blew through the woods, rustling the trees gently. Rainbow’s mane was caught in that breeze, Cinder’s gaze transfixed on her.

“So this is going to sound awkward, what are your feelings towards Flitter?” The question was blunt and caught Cinder off guard. He was expecting something along the lines of flying. However, the ash colored colt knew exactly what his answer was going to be.

“You are asking me if I have just a simple crush on her, or if it’s something more,” he said cooly. “Aren’t you Rainbow?” The cyan mare standing opposite to him tilted her head slightly to the right, eyes gazing at Cinder’s. She smiled, and walked around him until she was at his side.

“That’s exactly what I’m asking. What’s your take on it? I already know Flitter’s opinion.” The mare in front of Cinder was eagerly awaiting his answer, her tail swishing from side to side.

“To be completely honest with you Rainbow, I think I like her, ya know… more than a crush,” the colt finally said, after a long pause of silent thinking. He was aware of his feelings for Flitter when they were sitting on the bench together. And when they parted ways he felt like he was missing something. Seeing as Rainbow wasn’t saying anything, just giving him a quizzical look, he failed to hold a chuckle in.

“However…. She’s going a bit fast for my taste, but if she slows down, it’s almost certain that we will be together in the near future,” he added. Not receiving a reply from the mare, but rather a quizzical look, he chuckled.

“Oh Rainbow, you can read me like a book can’t you,” he chortled with a dry smile on his face. Rainbow responded by smiling and saying “Oh yeah. Cloudy and I could already tell when you were all snuggled up together. You kept glancing around making sure she was all yours,” she replied. Rainbow motioned for them to enter Whitetail Wood, which Cinder readily agreed to. As the two pegasi trotted through the beautiful woodland, their manes rustling with the summer wind that blew through them. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold. Rainbow and Cinder were not aware that Flitter and Cloudchaser were nearby, discussing the same mater. The two would be meeting in the most awkward of situations.

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The four pegasi met in a clearing. When Flitter first saw Cinder, she checked herself over, making sure that her mane and tail were in shape, and that her wings were freshly preened. Seeing that she was to her standard, the colt and the mare neared closer. Soon a voice sounded on the wind.

“Hiya Cloudy! Hey Flit!” None other than Rainbow. The cyan mare was happily trotting up the hill where the other two pegasi were waiting, with Cinder in tow behind. Flitter’s heart beat faster when she saw him. Cloudchaser was right. She did feel happier when they were together. She couldn’t take her eyes off him, and when his crimson eyes met her, both their faces blushed, Flitter looking away with a goofy giggle. The four met on that hill outside Whitetail Wood with that same summer breeze blowing through their manes.

“Hey Rainbow, Cinder! What’s good guys,” the cheerful Cloudchaser asked. “Gotten into trouble lately?”

“Actually, no. Not recently at least, ehe,” Rainbow retorted.

“Hiya Flitter. What’s up?” Cinder was looking directly at her, catching Rainbow off guard. She smiled dryly, and playfully batted Cinder’s back with her right hoof. Her look in her eyes was mischievous, friendly and welcoming. Cinder started to trot towards Cloudchaser and Flitter, with Cloudchaser flying over him, flashing him a smile out of the corner of his eye. They knew what to do.

As he got closer to Flitter, he could not hear Rainbow and Cloudchaser behind him, perhaps they had moved away. It didn’t matter now. All that mattered now is that he was with Flitter.

Oh boy. Should I tell her my feelings? It’s been two weeks since we first hung out in two weeks.

“Hi Cinder,” she said meekly, her wings stiff at her sides. “How have you been?” The mare was gazing deep into Cinder’s crimson eyes, lost in their trance. Unaware that the other two mares had gone, the two stood there in a few more moments of silence before Cinder motioned for them to walk.

“Oh, I’ve been settling in just fine. What have you been up to? I haven’t seen you in two weeks,” Cinder said sheepishly with a warm grin spread across his face. It had been a long time, two weeks, since the two had spent time together. Although, it was not all bad. It gave Cinder time to consider his feelings for Flitter, even when he was at his welcome party Pinkie Pie threw for him a week ago.

She smiled widely, still gazing into his eyes. “I’ve been in Cloudsdale most of the time. I’ve been taking an advanced weather class because I wanted to earn more money than I was. Anyway, enough about me, what have you been up to… and I’ve missed you.” Her voice was eager, optimistic and even a bit flirtatious. She took a step closer to Cinder, looked up at his eyes one more time, and proceeded to gently nuzzle him on his neck.

The colt froze. She was literally nose to nose with him, feeling her gentle breath graze against his skin. He leaned forward in response, pressing his forehead against hers, their manes blowing in front of their eyes. Neither pony said anything, but it was louder than words.

The stillness around them was engulfing, totally all consuming, as both ponies got lost in the other’s eyes.

Then it happened.

Flitter had a slight smile across her face, closed her eyes, and gently pressed her lips against Cinder’s. The young colt’s wings went stiff, startled by her sudden advance, but later relaxing and returning the kiss. Time seemed to stand still for those few seconds, all other thoughts were cast to the wind as his mind’s entire attention was focused on the mare in front of him. He understood completely what had just happened. With that one kiss, she gave her entire trust to him, only hoping that he would return it. And that he did. He felt her bite down on his lower lip gently, a sign of deep affection and love.

Love. How long had Cinder run away from that word. He had forgotten what it meant to love, to have somepony that you trusted with your deepest secrets, who you ran to when you needed a shoulder to cry on… who you considered special.

The colt pulled back first, breaking their lips embrace. Flitter kept her eyes closed for a second longer, finally opening them, biting her lower lip gently. Their silence continued, both at a loss for words.

Cinder made the next move. Gently putting his right hoof behind her neck, he pulled her close to him, their bodies so close they could feel the gentle rise and fall of each other’s chest. The long silence that had held the pair in its grip was broken with Flitter’s voice.

“I….. I love you, Cinder… Will you be my special somepony?”

Her voice was so gentle and affectionate, practically forced Cinder’s face into a smile. He felt his heart skip several beat, finally it was alive after so long.

“I love you too, Flitter. And of course I will,” and with those words he pulled her in for another tight hug, their heads resting on each other’s backs. For that time, Cinder truly felt happy. The ash colored colt felt like he could trust this mare with his heart. They held their embrace until the sound of hooves clapping sounded above and behind them. Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser were hovering above them, wide grins on their faces.

“Congrats Sis,” Cloudchaser said as she descended to meet her sister with another hug. Flitter returned it, as equally if not more so than when she had hugged Cinder. The colt caught a fading glance at a stray tear running down her cheek, but decided not to comment on it, because his full attention was on his new marefriend. Just shortly after, he felt a hoof on his back. Turning to his left he saw Rainbow Dash smiling. They exchanged a quick hug and trotted up to meet the other two mares at the half way point on the hill. Flitter was glowing with pride as she raced to meet her coltfriend. Cloudchaser and Rainbow Dash giggled at the cuteness of it all.

The sun was starting to set as the group finally made it back to Ponyville, Flitter closely at Cinder’s side. Rainbow and Cloudchaser were slightly ahead of the couple, enough for them to be out of earshot. The two exchanged a silent glance of satisfaction as they walked towards the center of Ponyville.

“Heh, I knew it was in his heart,” said Cloudchaser, as she bounced along the road, her joy all too obvious. Rainbow Dash was keeping a more subdued appearance, but inside she was boiling with excitement. She didn’t have time to reply, since the group had made it to their destination. A fly-in movie theater in the center of Ponyville. The projector cloth was draped over the town hall and was fastened in place by magical pins, that wouldn’t make it sway with the wind. The group settled down in the grass, Cinder and Flitter nuzzled up close and enjoyed the show.

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About an hour into the film, Cinder looked to his right to see Flitter asleep at his side, hooves stretched out. Careful as not to wake her up, he gently extended his right wing, and let it fall over his marefriend. A Pegasus doing this was a display of deep affection and love, not frowned upon in public like preening was. Sensing the new comfort from her coltfriend, Flitter wiggled in closer, resting her head under Cinder’s. Smiling to himself and closing his eyes for a brief moment, he looked to his left to see Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser laughing their tails off at the movie, their mouths wide with grins of enjoyment. Looking to his right, he saw The Cutie Mar Crusaders nestled together, watching the movie intently. Well, two were. An orange filly with a purple mane had no interest in it. She reminded him of Rainbow, much more stallionesque than marelike. They had been at Cinder’s welcome party, bouncing around him asking how he got his cutie mark. Truth is, he was a blank flank when he first arrived in Ponyville.

Looking straight ahead he saw the other ponies he had met earlier. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Spike were all sitting together watching the movie as well. He looked off to his slight left to see two mares, one mint green, one tan sitting together, enjoying each other’s company and watching the movie intently. To his slight right, he saw a group of other ponies he didn't know enjoying the movie and chatting among themselves It was then that it dawned on Cinder.

This is where I belong…

He looked down to see the sleeping mare in his arms, head resting below his, with his wing over her body. He truly felt like he was right where he deserved to be. The movie droned on. The ash colored colt was slowly losing interest in it, until he as snapped out of his daze by playful bop on his nose. He looked down to see his marefriend, grinning goofily up at him, her eyes filled with stars once again. As he leaned down for another quick kiss, it suddenly dawned on him.

Stars…… They had guided him to his destiny…

He heard a gasp coming from The Cutie Mar Crusaders as well as Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser. Not wanting to disturb Flitter, who had fallen back asleep, he looked over at Rainbow.

“What is it?”

“Check your flank.”

He froze, eyes going wide with the sudden realization. He carefully turned his head to his flank, and gasped himself at what he saw.

Two lightning bolts crossed unto each other had been emblazed on his flank, forming an abstract star. His eyes lit up with excitement as his subtle movements stirred Flitter awake. She let out an excited yelp when she saw that her coltfriend had finally gotten his cutie mark. Touching his face with her hoof she smiled as she slid in for the kiss.

“It’s true what they say. Now you’re even cuter,” she said nose to nose with her coltfriend. They exchanged a nuzzle and settled back down for the rest of the movie, and Cinder could not have been any happier than he was at that very moment.

He was surrounded by friends, found a new home and even found love once more.

And this time, he was never letting go.

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FIN