**Apocalypse star system**

Icarus smiled back at his friend as he decided to observe the grand luminary of their star system. His wings seemed to glow magnificently as he flew, leaving behind small ethereal feathers that followed him. As he got closer, the sun's rays actually startedchanging thecolor of his armor as he basked in the light. "How long has it been since we last saw each other?"

Skyblazer could only look on in awe. His friend would appear to resemble what some called angels. The sun would gleam a different color occasionally as it was known to do,but something would happen that would unsettle them both, ast the sun turned a dark shade of blue, starting to rumble ominously. Whatever was coming, Skyblazer knew it was bad news. "Icarus, get out of ther! NOW!" he warns as loud as he could muster.

Icarus looked back at him in confusion, until he felt strange waves coming from the sun. Not wanting to find out what was going on, he turned to leave. He suddenly felt an intense amount of heat behind him. Turning back one last time, he jumped when a torrent of plasma erupted from the surface, straight at him! Caught off guard, he is only able to evade enough to escape complete obliteration. But it still proves catastrophic as the contact with his left wing causes him to scream in pain as he erupts into flames.

Skyblazer could only look on in horror. No, I should've stopped him. "No! I won't lose him!" he shouts, flying towards icarus as fast as he could. His emotions driving him, he was reaching speeds even he didn't know he could attain. The strain would prove too much for him however, causing him to black out.

Back on Apocalypse, the ponies would watch in amazement as an unpredicted flare shot from the sun. Even more impressive was how the flames seemed to follow a trail back towards theor planet. Seeing the sudden burst of light headed towards them, the guards in the courtyard began clearing out, for fear they might be caught in the blast whenever touched. What happened next was a bit surprising to everyone, as suddenly a white pillar surrounded b black specks of stardust suddenly shot into the sky towards the sudden light at almost similar speeds.

**Several hours later**

Skyblazer started to come around, looking about him groggily. "Ah, you're awake." he would hear through the ringing sounds of hoofbeats in the background.

"Where am I? What happened?" he asks. It takes him a few moments to recall the events from earlier. "Wait, where's Icarus?!"

"You both are in a .tal Your friend shall be fine, despite his severe condition. I have already seen it. Though I am surprised by you, young one. To reach speeds that great is something only a few are privileged to experience." the voice said.

"I had to reach him, no matter what. But it still wasn't enough." he sais with a sigh. "I knew it was a bad idea, I should have stopped him." His eyes started to focus, giving him his first look at this stranger. It appeared to be a strange pony robed in mystical garments.

"Nothing you could've done at the time would have helped your friend. For you see, that moment is locked in time, my boy." he said as he walked literally through the many doctors and nurses in the infirmary to get to him.

"I can at least take solace in knowing he'll survive. Were you the one who helped us?"

"Twas not I, but my master that permitted your aid. I was merely the vessel that brought you here when he came back with you."

"I see... Might I ask your name? Or your master's for that matter?"

"None may know of the master, lest by his outstretched hoof. If he wishes to speak to you, he will have already done so. For he is 'of the past'."

"Fair enough. At least tell him he has my thanks."

"He is already aware of you gratitude."

"Is there anything else I should know?"

The mysterious pony thinks for a moment before shaking his head. "Nothing at this moment. You should be healed in a couple of hours. But I would suggest holding off on seeing your friend until after his surgery."

"Thank you for the tip, I'll keep that in mind."

The robed pony would nod, letting out a ghastly laugh before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"Well, that wasn't at all creepy." Skyblazer says, rolling his eyes. Suddenly, all of the staff became aware of skyblazer being awake, moving over to see if he was okay. /Strange they didn't notice earlier./ he thinks to himself, wondering if its because of his mysterious 'friend. He assured them he was ok. They told him his injuries were minor. He would merely have to rest for a few hours. He nods, thanking them for tellig him, getting comfortable.. The staff soon moved on, attending to patients that needed their attention.

Some time later, he overheard two nurses talking, mentioning a pony from a few hours ago. He was still in surgery, and badly burnt. He had to be sure. "Excuse me? That pony you are talking about, I think I know him. Please, tell me about his condition."

They turn to him. "Huh? Oh, you must be the one they brought in with him. Uh well, he seems to be pulling off miracles just by being alive right now, but we think its only a matter of time beforehe fails. doing what we must to keep him alive, but nothing is changing. I'm truly sorry."

"I thank you for tellig me." he says, clearly worried. Could that strange pony have lied? No, I have to believe. He WILL make it, I know it." he keeps telling himself.

To be continued...

Author's Note

This chapter turned out rather focused on Skyblazer and Icarus. The next oe should return to normal.