CHAPTER ONE: THE FORGOTTEN HERO.... AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS RETURN.

Location: Trotname, Under Cloudsdale.
Time: May 11, 1354 2:35 p.m
Description: Cloudy day with an anormal heat. Expect sudden increases in temperature.
Rhoenir & Umbra

"So, where do you think we should be going next?" said a young man walking down a road full of ponies passing. This peculiar man was wearing a dark hood and keeping his head low, trying to avoid any kind of attention.

I don't have a clue. Maybe you should check the map again.

"Hmm, maybe..." he said before placing one hand in a pocket of his dark blue jeans while the other hand reaching for the back of his head, cloaked by the hood. The fellow male pulled out a big piece of paper from his pocket, unfolding it until he finally got to display it in front of him, "Here is says that we are actually under a place called Cloudsdale. Quite the unique name if you ask me."

Rhoe?

"Yes, Umbra?" replied Rhoenir as he drifted his gaze to the air, ignoring the map in his hand.

Shut up. You look better with your mouth shut.

"Um, how about no? Now do me a favor and shut up, I have to think." he said before focusing on the map once more, "Hmmm, if was a girl in trouble from a bunch of goofons, where would I be...?"

I have an idea... Hehe....

"Eh? What does that even.... You know what? I don't even want to know. In fact, I-" he said before a sudden scream was heard in the distance. Rhoe, keeping his senses sharp, looked to where this scream came. His eyes widened at the sight.

A rather small mare was running to his direction, with plain fear right in her eyes. Her coat color was celulean (or cyan, Rhoe couldn't really distinguish colors) meanwhile her eyes had a burning red color on it. The way her rosed-colored maned moved from side to side gave an impresion of rebelion, yet it shouted freedom. She was wearing a red shirt with some purple pants with a top hat as well, not forgotting to mention the little black leather collar around her neck. Perhaps the most notable feature is her being an unicorn.

Taking in account the golden bracelets on her left arm, the whole outfit gave away the impression of a performance mare. Or perhaps he was wrong. It's wrong to judge a book by it's cover. Especially as a bunch of stallions were apparently chasing her.

Yup. A whole gang of stallions chasing down a small girl down town. Definitively nothing wrong here.

As the mare ran towards him, this cyan/celulean/whatever-the-color-is girl's eyes met Rhoe's. Down deep her eyes, Rhoe noticed the silent scream for help, waiting for a miracle to aid her. He kept staring at the running girl, not breaking eye contact with her as she cut the distance short between the two of them. It may have a coincidence or simply his imagination, but the moment she crossed paths with him, not only did time slow down, but also she faced him and formed with her lips the words "Help. Me."

Keeping his speed, she ran past him and the stallions kept the chase as well. Everypony remained in their places as they were trying to process what just happened. Soon, the witnesses ignored the recent event and kept going with their lives. All except for the cloaked human. He stood in the same place, looking at the direction where this chase proceeded.

It wasn't very long before the spirit decided to break the lost stare of Rhoe.

Rhoe, what are you thinking?

The human tilted his head sideways, keeping his hood still covering his face, "Oh, you know what I'm thinking"

Doing the hero's role again, I presume.

"You got it."

Be aware that doing this may reveal that you are a human to others. Are you okay with such?

Rhoe lifted his head some degrees before showing serious face, "I'm pretty sure. Besides," he sighed and looked back the corner where the mare was last seen by him, "Whether she has done something wrong or not, I can't simply ignore somepony when they are in danger. Especially seeing how many stallions were after her"

I swear, one of these days your hero act is going to kill us! Especially you. I can just fly away.

"That a risk I'm willing to take, and you shall be known as the biggest coward of history if you ever pull something like that", with that said, he sprinted towards the ongoing chase, hoping to catch up.

Location: Feather road, Trotname.
Time: May 11, 1354 2:40 p.m
Description: A long road down the city. Very low activity.
???

I can't run any longer.... my legs are killing me.... Too tired... A rest here doesn't sound that bad... Yeah, I should-

"NO! I can't stop now! Not after what happened back there! I'm NOT going back with those guys!" I said to myself, focusing on the path in front, not missing any small detail of any possible escape route, "C'mon Star, you can still keep going!"

Looking behind me, I spotted the same stallions keeping up, with an angry expression written on their faces. "Let's see..... Aja..... I still have 7 of those guys following me....", looking in front of me I spotted an oportunity to make it through. A sharp corner, just ahead me. Judging by the distance, it was 20 meters away from me, at the very least. Just what I needed. "If I can turn this corner just like back home, I should be able to lose these guys. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they will stop chasing me."

Seizing the right moment to act, I noticed no pony was on sight, causing me to smile, knowing that there wouldn't be collateral damage. This time. Wasting no time, I slowed down and waited for my chasers to close the distance far enough for the plan to work. Soon, there were just where I wanted.

"It's go time" Taking a deliberate sidestep and a bit of skill, I slid into the rather small alley swiftly and looked back, noticing how my plan had indeed worked. Problem was, I wasn't stopping. Or looking in front of me. Nor that wall. Ouch.

BAM

I crashed against the unbudging wall with might, hitting my muzzle headfront without any kind of support or cushion to soften the hit. Falling to my back, I cursed at my lack of concentration as the ground was slowly meeting my rear. Letting a growl escape my lips after I finally touched the rock surface, I grabbed my muzzle and rubbed it, with pain written all over it.

"Mother bucker..." Sitting up, I grumbled after I got a good look at the wall I just crashed into. Then it hit me. I had reached dead end. A one way out alley.

"Celestia damn it!" I cursed at my reckless actions, "I should have seen this coming!"

"Oh, indeed you should have" a voice behind repeated, revealing just how far it was from me. I felt my blood run cold after I heard such familiar voice speak.

"Great..." I whispered, grabbing the bridge of my nose and frowning "Just the pony I wanted to meet the most...". Looking back, I saw HIM.

Solar Wing. My previous boss. The one who I wanted to avoid above them all.

Taking a good look at him, I noticed how his red coat was slightly dirty and his purple eyes were staring at me with a mocking aura behind that stare. His long white-red stripped mane was covering one of his eyes though. Still, I could sense his other eye looking at me the same way his uncovered eye was. And that grin... ugh, there was something I definitively I didn't like about it. Maybe it was the large scar under his lower lip that made me feel that way. Or maybe not. Who knew. The point is he gave me the gibbie-dibbies.

Glancing at the unicorn in front of me, I quickly got back to my feet and turned towards him. Sadly, my legs were now paying the toll for that extra boost I forced into them and I almost fell back to the ground as I staggered backwards the moment I faced Solar, regaining my balance allthewhile. His grin just got bigger when I displayed my obvious fatigue.

"Oh, would look at yourself... So pathetic." he crossed his arms while still looking at me. His men were entering the alley one by one, as my hopes of escaping were slowly diminishing, "Did you actually thought you would get away after what you did to us?"

"It was worth a try!" I said, realizing I allowed my thoughts to run free. Placing a hand on my mouth, Solar chuckled and closed his eyes.

"As always, you can't keep your thoughts to yourself, do ya? Poor mare... well, now that you finally realize you have no chance of escaping, let's do this the easy way, shall we?" he said, a mischievious smile escaping his lips. I shuddered at what could possibly be the 'easy' way for him. But I still had a way out of here and I wasn't letting for any miracle to happen.

So, not waiting any longer than I should, I focused all of my magic on my horn and.....

.... nothing happened. WHAT!?

"Oh, how clueless," I glared at him with both a mix of confusion and anger, "Did you actually thought I didn't prepared a counter-spell against your stars? HA! You fool! Take a good look above you!"

I doubted his order, but curiosity got the best of me. As I looked up, my eyes shrunked when I realized what he just did. An arcane shield. Just like he said, above of me was his counter against my magic. This arcane shield could easily cover any kind of magic known to pony kind. How did he get it? Beats me, but the moment I saw the shield, I knew I was completely bucked. Now, there was NO other way out of this situation. My problem could only end two ways from here, and both weren't pretty.

"Oh, horseapples.... I'm so bucked right now..." I whispered. Soon enough, I grimmed at my fate as Solar and his gang were slowly closing the gap between them and me. Stepping back, I tried to gain as much time as I had before I met my doom. That's when I met the wall in a more appropiate way.

"Now, dear, let's all behave and no one will get hurt.....", Solar was just some feet away from me, amused by my desperate attempt to find any way out of this. Falling to my leg fatigue, I crawled to the corner of the alley and watched how my life was coming to an end. Oh, and I'm not talking about dying. I'm talking about how my days of living in a miserable room were over. Celestia knew what was waiting for me.

"Um, Solar, can't we think this through? I mean, surely you must be angry at me, but can you at least hear me out?" I requested, but it was futile. He kept his pace, and so were the stallions behind him. I could only hope for a miracle now.

However, just when Solar was in front of me, he stopped. Looking at him with confusion, I shivered, unaware of what was about to happen. He smiled back at my fear and spoke.

"But it would be too easy for me to take you back to the train, oh no, that wouldn't do it." he placed a hand under his undistinguished chin, as he looked back at his gang, "A punished would be better, right here, right now. Don't you think so, boys?"

"You are so right!"

"No doubt."

"No complains back here!"

"Good, I'm glad you all think the same." he returned his gaze to my amethyst eyes, "Now, Starblazer, you are about to be punished~! Any last words?"

"Help?"

"Suit yourself", then the punch came. I wasn't even prepared when he launched that fist towards my cheek. Recoiling to the hit, I smashed my head to the wall behind me, falling frontward, and soon my head was touching the cold, hard ground. It wasn't very long before I could feel several legs kicking me, non-stop. I screamed, screamed with all my might as the pain was slowly wrapping me. There was probably not a single place where I wasn't kicked or hit.

It didn't took long for me to accept my fate and pass out from the pain. Deep inside me, I was hoping that it was all a really bad dream. It's sad how life doesn't work that way. I didn't know how long was I on the ground, but there was definitively a-

"HEY! YOU BUNCH OF COWARDS! LEAVE THAT MARE ALONE!"

"Huh....? What.... was that....?"

Slowly lifting my head, trying to ignore the pain as well, I attempted to get a better view of whoever was shouting at them. Of course, all the stallions, including Solar, stopped hitting me after that yell. However, after being beated up for Celestia knows how long, I didn't a clear view, for it was all blurry and everything.

What I do managed to spot was a dark blur standing out from the background. All the stallions turned their attention to... that guy and snorted.

"Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Somepony is trying to be a hero!" said one of the many males Solar had at his disposal.

"Somepony wants to play!"

"Let me at 'im! LET ME AT 'IM!"

"Shut up, guys! Let me handle this," one of the gang said and he slowly approached the dark blur, "Hey! We are dealing here with somepony! Mind your own business!"

"Didn't you hear me? I said leave that mare alone." Oh, they heard you all right, because now they are laughing. The laughter was short-lived as the front stallion faced the guy trying to save me.

"Well, someone is feeling brave today! I don't think you have noticed, but we are way more than you. So, how about this?" he cracked his knuckles close enough for me to hear it, "Get out of here before you get really hurt, got it?"

"I don't think so. I don't things to get ugly, so just leave that mare alone." I heard from my position. I honestly thought this guy was just proving to be brave, but now I think he is just crazy! He doesn't stand a chance!

"Looks like you need a punishment as well, you mother bucker!" he launched himself towards the blur, but then.... Well, I couldn't see quite clear what happened, but I spotted the goon stopping in front of my 'hero', motionless. He must have- .....What? How!? The blur threw him aside like it was nothing! And he is not moving! What did he do?

"Huh? What did you do?", exactly my point.

"Who cares!? Get him!" said Solar as he stepped forwards to the hero stallion. With his gang following behind him, I prayed the best for the challenger. Soon, using some of my remaining strength left to sit up, I noticed he didn't need luck. Why? Well, let me say this in the most plausible way possible.

IS HE A FREAKING ALICORN OR WHAT!?

I mean it! This guy... whoever he is, is taking out the stallions one by one! Shifting his weight perfectly to avoid the attacks, countering in the process, this guy looked like he could put a fight against anyone!

... My mistake. Almost anyone. He just got hit. By Solar nonetheless. I hope the cloak, which I just noticed until now, protected him at least.

Recovering some, but not all of my sight, I saw him recoil a little as he slowly backed away from them, putting some distance between him and the rest. The rest, as expected, didn't wait for him to take a break. Poor fella. I just hope he doesn't-

................. ................. .................

................. ................. .................

................. ................. .................

................. Okay, what in Tartarus just happened?

One moment, I was seeing (from what I actually see) him backing away from Solar and his gang, the next thing you know, he is soaring through the tiny bit of room the alley gives. Are those.... wings? Black wings? I'm assuming he is a pegasus then. But there is something odd about this pegasus. Yeah, his wings are... his wings are thin? I can clearly see through his wings. Since when does pegasus have transparent wings? If they don't, then what is that?

Whoops, too slow. He already went higher. Wait, is he planning for a dive? I gotta give him credit though. He sure thinks of the most crazy things, for someone I just saw. And... he goes for the dive. Is he an idiot? He is gonna get hurt!

Well, I'll be- He actually used one of his opponents as cushion for his landing/crash. Must have hurt. Yup, the cushion is down. I repeat, the cushion is unconscious. The pegasus slowly gave back to his feet and- WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?

That guy is definitively not a pegasus! He is just like us, yet so different! His coat is tan colored, but he has no fur at all. He resembles a minotaur, but shaved. Except on the head. His hair(?) is brown and he also has a lock-style beard with that same color. His green eyes weren't as big as ours, but they could be seen nevertheless. And last, but not least, was his... feet? That thing has feet? Okay, now this is getting weirder.

"What the hay is that thing?"

"He looks just like us!"

"It's a he?"

"That's it. I'm not drinking cider again."

"The horror!"

"Snap out of it! He is still vulnerable!" Solar stated, pointing at him and the bruise he left on his right cheek, "The hit proves it. Now, get him!" The gang did so without questioning his orders. Quite loyal, if you ask me. But that wasn't enough to take down the.... thing.

Then, the fur-less ape slowly to mumbling some words to himself, almost as if he was conjuring some kind of- Is that magic!? Just how much of the shield affecting me!? He is not an alicorn, for Faust's sake! What's more, how is the shield not affecting him as well? This makes no sense! ...... He has to show me how he does that! Could come it handy.

The gang came to a halt as they witnessed the hero pull a weird-looking sword out of nowhere and pointed to my direction. Several gasps could be heard from the crowd looking at him.

"He is using magic? But how!? Even I can't pull something like that! Specially with the arcane shield up!" said Solar with a mix of fear and confusion behind his voice.

Taking a close look at his magic, I noticed he had a black sword in his hands. Did he just created that out of thin air? It takes years of hard practice to create magic weapons. Also, I noticed his arms were covered in bandages, giving away the impression of a warrior. Just who is this guy? And just how much has he gone through? Apparently, my chasers were sharing the same expression as me. A mix of confusion, anger, and awe. I wouldn't blame them. I'm as surprised as they are.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Take your unconscious friends, leave this mare alone and get out of here. I won't hesitated to do otherwise" he said, glaring at Solar with a serious expression. The leader was clearly sweating bullets, as he staggered backwards a few inches. Soon, a member of his gang approached the red unicorn from behind.

"B-Boss! I don't think we can take him down..." whispered a grey pegasus to Solar, shaking a little, "If we fight him, we all know what might happen... It's for the best if we retreat, don't you think?". Solar didn't answer back. He simply looked at the ape, troubles doing a very good job with filling the inside on his mind.

"As much as I hate doing this, I guess you are right, Wind Shake...", he grunted, obviously disguted by the idea of retreating. He has never been the kind of stallion that backs out from a fight. Normally, he would have kept fighting, but this is new for me. Solar fleeing? See to believe. "Call the other boys, we are backing out"

Solar whistled a high pitch tone and ran towards the exit that the pony-shaped guy gave, his goons following behind closely. Just before he was out of sight, he looked back and yelled, "This is not the last you've seen of me! I swear I'll get my revenge!"

With that, he was gone. Let's hope for the best that they get something from this. Maybe they learned a thing or two about messing with me. Or maybe they didn't. I hope they did. Otherwise, I'm bucked. What I should be concerned about is what is the furless hero going to do to me. Let's hope it's not what I think it is.

"That's the last of them. Another minute there and I might have gotten seriously hurt."

...... Is he talking to me? I think he is talking to me. I better answer ba-

"I know that! They saw my true face, what I really am, but if she is safe, I don't care." he said launching his arms in the air.

.... Okay.... maybe he is talking to himself. Completely normal. I have seen other ponies doing-

"Umbra, keep your mouth shut."

Nope. He is crazy. This fella might have saved me from a terrible fate and knows new magic that I could learn from, but I don't wanna stay any longer with this nutcase, thank you very much! I had enough events for one day. Besides, he talks to himself too often. Or maybe that is something his kind do. Whatever his kind is. In any case, I better get out of here, these injuries are starting to ache badly.

"Hey, are you ok?" he said, obviously looking at me. In my defense, that EEP I released wasn't intentional. I tend to be shy around new ponies, specially if you are facing a whole new species you never heard of. "Don't worry, I won't bite". NOW he is talking to me. What do I do!? Easy, he can't you hurt much, can he?

I looked at him and was about to speak, when I saw something I haven't seen long ago. He was looking at me with unique eyes. Eyes that shouted, 'I care more about others than me'. It held so much kindness, so much care, but they are hurt as well. The kind of eyes that can easily give away a pony's personality without even knowing them. I have forgotten how long have I seen those kinds of eyes. I never expected this type of eyes coming from such weird creature like him.

Maybe he is a hybrid? As far as I know, many species have been trying to create a foal. Is this guy one of their breeds? .... Not possible. I have around the globe long enough to know there hasn't been a succesful case between one species and another. But that was long ago. Is it possible now?

"Hello? Someone there?" he waved his hand in front of me, hoping to get a reaction from me. Luckily, he wasn't going to be dissapointed as I looked at him with a dopey grin plastered on my face. He didn't know whether to be happy or terrified after I showed him that smile. Before I actually got a good look at him, I 'm gonna be honest, I was terrified. But now, not anymore. After I saw the kindness behind his eyes, I knew trouble was no longer around.

Oh, who am I kidding. He saved my life. I should return the favor.

As the creature studied me and my dopey grin closely, I ignored any kind of pain my body was giving and glomped him, helding him in a tight hug. He was definitively surprised.

"Thank you." I whispered to him, while my head was still on his shoulder. For a creature I just met, he is incredibly warm. Maybe he isn't that different from us?

"Um... you... um... are welcomed?" he replied. I could feel his arm moving and soon I saw him rubbing the back of his head. Did I flustered him? Aww! That's cute! But enough is enough. I gave him my thanks. Now it's time to let go.

Breaking up the hug, I sat on the alley's ground and rested on the closest wall to me. The moment I did so, I felt the pain Solar and gang did to me. So much for that trouble. I cringed at my injuries and apparently, my hero noticed so. Well, it wasn't so hard to spot anyways. My body, from what I can see, is filled with bruises. I may have a blurry vision, but it can seen from anywhere near me, for Faust's sake.

"Hey, are you okay?" he said, extending his arms towards me, "You don't look so good"

I tried to talk without using a whispering tone, but everytime I did, my voice was cut-short due to my bruises aching each time I opened my mouth. As annoying as it was for me not to talk, I stopped trying and signaled I couldn't speak. Hopefully, he will understand.

"Huh?", well, at least he noticed my signals. He is must now aware I can't speak normally.

"Are you hungry?" .... I take that back. He didn't get my message. Great. Shaking my head, I signaled again something, aiming at my throat specifically.

"You are thristy!" I face-palmed. This guy has problems. It's obvious I can't talk! I tried again, hoping he could get the message through his thick skull.

"You..." ... yes...., "can't...", almost there! "...breathe?" CELESTIA DAMN IT! You were so closeeee!

Sighing, I hung my head down, giving up on how can I give him my message. Maybe I shold just go.

"Oh! You can't talk!" ..... Seriously? I didn't do anything and he GETS my message? Are you freaking kidding me? Doesn't matter. He finally understand what I wanted to say. End of the struggle.

Nodding my head and giving him a deadpan stare, he sheepishly give me a smile back. The creature grabbed his neck and laughed nervously. Took you long enough. Without any more wait, he took a serious stare and looked at me with more detail. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but it couldn't be anything bad.

"Now, I better take you to a hospital. These injuries are starting to take a turn for the worse." Huh? What does he mean? I don't feel anything- ... Okay, I take it back. My injuries are starting swollen way too much. Extending my arms in front of him, he chuckled at my request (I'll pretend I didn't see or hear that) and picked me up with ease. Carrying me in his bandaged arms, I yelp as I felt a strange outlet of magic coming from his chest, almost as it looked like a magical injury or something similar.

I simply shrugged the thought and rested my head on one of his arms, closing my eyes to take a well deserved break from this whole thing. I was just happy to know it was all over. Solar wouldn't chase for quite some time and I could focus on my magic performances. Which reminds me, what happened to the arcane shield? Popping one of my eyes open, I looked above, expecting to see the barrier.

Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't there anymore. Which brings me the next question to my head. Where is it!?

"Hm? You are wondering where is the barrier from earlier, am I right?" Wha? How... how did he know? I looked at him with confusion and awe, wondering how was it that this creature figured that out, "Well, judging from your face, I would say I guessed right. Well, to answer your question, the barrier was long gone just before I fought these guys"

Using all of my strength, I whispered something, still weak from the beatdown, "....How?". The guy looked surprised I spoke, but didn't question why. He instead drifted his gaze to the road ahead.

"It was actually before I arrived. You see, when I saw you running from those guys, I couldn't simply leave you to your fate after the show you all demonstrated with that chase. But," he looked another way, thinking of something by the looks of it, "I actually had second thoughts when I decided to follow up."

"Why?" I replied, still enduring the effects that speaking is causing me for the moment.

"To be honest, when I tried to follow up, I got lost." I deadpanned at his confession, which caused him to show an embarrased grin, "Yeah... it's the not most proud thing I have ever done. I would have probably given up if it wasn't for the barrier the gang activated. When I saw the purple barrier form up, I took- OUCH!" the creature yelled as he cringed at something that was hurting him. I couldn't help it, but to feel confused by his sudden reaction. Also, I accidentaly let out a yelp when he shook his whole body. Recovering his balance, he walked a lot of meters further before he spoke again.

Shaking his head, he smiled at me. "I'm sorry, I mean SOMEBODY took a flight for the skies and told me where it was. That's when I decided to head to your location and, with luck at my side, found you. But," he interrupted as he stared at my horn, "When I saw you crawling in the corner at end of the alley, I wondered why didn't you use your magic to leave or something. That's when I figured it out. The barrier was affecting your magic, wasn't it?"

I nodded in response, "I thought so. Anyways, seeing how many were them, there was a possibility that I couldn't handle all of them. This bruise right here," he pointed at the blue-colored spot on his right cheek, "Proves my point. So, in order to have a better chance to fight them, I nullified the shield and took it for myself"

He balanced my body in one arm as he pulled a familiar device with his free hand. Taking a closer look, I noticed it was, indeed, the arcane shield in it's standby form. My eyes widened as I spotted the awfully familiar device at his reach. The fur-less hero chuckled at my surprise, but a doubtful expression soon spread all over his face. Finally, he sighed and spoke.

"Could... can you... extend your hand?" he asked, something troubling his mind. Nodding, I did as he asked me. A few moments later, he placed the arcane shield in the palm of my hand and placed that same free hand to support my body weight in two places. Holding the precious device in my hand, I looked at him, once again, confused, wondering why did he give me such valuable item. He knew what was I thinking, so he knew the answer to my doubts.

"If you are wondering why I gave you something like that, well, let's say it my way to help you out. It may be very valuable, but I thought you could use something like this. You know, for whenever you get stuck in a chase again". Okay, that crossed the line. I ain't no filly to be rescued everytime I'm in trouble. I deliberately punched his shoulder with some of my recovering energy, causing him to recoil a little. He laughed at my hit, showing a forgiving smile. "Sorry! I'm just messing with you. But seriously, keep it. You might need it someday in the future."

I smiled at his gift and rested upon his chest on his way to the hospital. Wait. We are heading there, right?

"Are.... we... ", I tried finishing the sentence, but discovered I wasn't recovered enough. However, he figured out what I was trying to say.

"Don't worry, we are heading to the hospital. Hm?" he looked up to the air, staring at the void with caution. Did he heard something? I didn't. What is he-, "Oh, right. I better go in cloak mode again". Nope, still talking to himself. He promptly removed a hand under me and used it to cover his head with the robe, cloaking, indeed, his face and everything. His nose was barely visible, but the mouth was the opposite. The creature inmediately returned to his original position and returned the hand to where it was.

A rather long silence filled the air as soon as we approached the hospital's location. How did he knew where it was? Who knows, but thank Celestia that he knows his way around. I don't think I can guide him all the way there. Not in this condition, at least.

Just a couple of question were floating in my mind right now, but I'm not so sure if I should ask.... Oh, buck it, I might never seen him again.

"Hey", I called in my not-so-weak voice (I can finally speak! This is a glorious day!). He looked at me with wonder, an almost visible smile plastered on his lips, "How... did you... prevent Solar... from looking up?"

"So, his name is Solar, eh? .....And to answer your question, I didn't plan such thing" ... eh? What? He didn't?, "It was luck I guess. If he had taken a good look to the shield's location right before he left, I might have been in trouble, big time. So! Lucky me!"

So it was all luck? Luck? LUCK!? Is that what this is all about!? He doesn't the slightest idea of what he could have provoked if Solar had found out! So reckless! So..... foolish! What a hero he turned out to be! .....

...........................................

...... but still, he saved me from Solar. I really shouldn't be complaining. I still find weird that Solar didn't notice the shield's absence, or what's more, why he didn't take it back with him in the first place, but I guess he must have his reasons. That, or he is more stupid than he appears to.

"Ah! Here we are!" he said, a smile adorning on his face. I looked as well and spotted the hospital. It's a relief that I could finally get some deserved rest. Letting out a relief sigh, my savior giggled at my relief, "Let's get you comfortable, shall we?". I nodded, I was certainly hopin- GUH! Wha.... Why do I feel so weak.... all of the sudden? I'm shaking... all over... as if my consciousness.... couldn't take.... it... any.... mo.....

Location: Shining Hospital, Trotname.
Time: May 11, 1354 3:10 p.m
Description: A hospital dedicated to help out any pony, no matter the wealth.
Rhoenir, Umbra & Starblazer

"Oh no! She passed out! What do I do!?" Rhoe began skipping in his place, holding the celulean mare in his hands. If Umbra had hands, he would have face-palmed.

What else? Take her inside!

"Oh right." and he did as he was told to. Entering the hospital, several ponies were passing by, minding their own business. Rhoe didn't waste any more time than needed and searched for a local medic. It didn't take long to find one avaiable.

"Um, excuse me?" he whimpered at the medic. Taking a better look at the medic, it turned to be a pegasus medic. A male, to be precise. The doctor turned around and inmediately spotted the mare in his hands.

"Whoa! What happened?" he asked with a really surprised tone. Rhoe, hidden by the black robe, grimmed seeing the mare injured.

"She was beaten up by a bunch of stallions. I found her soon after. Please, doctor! Do something!"

The pegasus bit his lower lip, almost like if something was running in his mind 1000 miles per hour. Soon, he sighed and stared at the cloaked human, "Okay, then. Quickly! Follow me!" The doctor was gliding towards the back of the hospital, looking for a room for her to stay. It's a good thing Rhoe wasn't falling behind. But Umbra had it's doubts. Something was strangely odd about all this.

Rhoe, there is something I don't like about this guy.

"There is always a thing you don't like about others, Umbra!" he thought, with his mind being shook by the constant sprint.

Go fuck yourself. No, but really. There is something definitively wrong with this guy.

"Well," he grunted as his stamina was slowly depleting, "I guess I'll deal with that later. Right now, I have to focus!"

Suit yourself! But I'm telling you, be REALLY careful about this pegasus. Something's not right.

As much as Rhoe would like to complain, Umbra has never the kind of spirit that just feels things by mere coincidence. If he is concerned about something, or somepony, it's best for to hear him out. Otherwise, trouble would come along.

The human couldn't help it but to feel uneasy as he took a good look at the doctor guiding him, "Could it be that Umbra is being just paranoid? Should I really trust this pegasus?", he shook his head, focusing on the task at hand, "I can worry about that later. Right now, this mare needs some help!"

Taking its required time, the stallion finally made a room for the performance mare, who looked to worsen within each minute. Resting her in the well-made bed of the room and placing the arcane shield she held on a nearby drawer, Rhoe could finally relax to see the girl finally taking its well-deserved rest. But her bruises were blue now. From what he knows, blue injuries are bad. Not gravely bad, but rather concerning bad.

"There, she has a room," the doctor(named Swift Flare) turned to Rhoe, who was concealed by his robe, "Now, tell me, what happened?"

"Well, from what I puzzle together, she got beaten pretty bad from several stallions. There is probably not a single place where she wasn't hit" Swift gave Rhoe the most incredulous stare, "Only physically. Nothing sexual was related" The doctor relaxed, but a frown came to his face.

"And you are?" Rhoe's face couldn't be seen, but he did turn to the doctor and gulped, trying to hold his hidden poker face.

"O-oh! I'm... just a friend."

"Just a friend?"

"A friend. Nothing more"

The doctor still had his doubts to whether he was trustable or not, but mentally shrugged it off as he focused on the injured patient, "I'll have a partner of mine to check her up. You can either wait here or leave it up to us. Your choice,"

Recalling what Umbra had told him before, he was rather relucant to leave the mare alone with this pegasus doctor. However, her health was more important than just some unnecessary paranoia. Rhoe didn't hesitate, for he was confident what he wanted to do. "I'll stay with her."

I want to leave....

"Hush you" thought Rhoe as he looked slightly above his field of sight.

"Well then. I'll leave you with her. Just make sure to tell us if something happens. The bill..." Rhoe cringed the moment he heard the word bill, ".... we will talk about that later. For now, take care of her meanwhile I look for my partner,"

"Will do. Just hurry" he finally said, with the doctor closing the door behind. Rhoe was left to his own thoughts the moment the pegasus left the room.

"Welp. I guess it's waiting time,"

Or.... you could simply leave so we can continue our quest.

"Yeah, no. With Solar---that was his name, right?--- on the run, he could easily track down... er.... well, I didn't quite get her name. Something about a Mark Chaser or something like that. Focusing on the main task, if that guy finds out she is here, I'll doubt somepony else will be here to save her"

Are they even going to let them in? You know how everypony was looking at them.

"In case you've forgotten, they can lie their way in. I rather not take that chance. But in the meantime," he rested on the chair that was lying next to the bed, "I'll stay with her as long as needed. After that, THEN, we can continue our search."

Whatever, I'm taking a quick stroll through town.

"Huh? Whoa, waitwaitwait-", too late. The moment Umbra left Rhoe's body, he felt an excrutiating pain run through his body, non-prepared for the impact. The pain was something similar to having an arm being ripped out with pure, brute force, only this time, it's the whole body. He gasped as the spirit had completely left Rhoe's body. The human was mumbling some incoherent words as he recovered.

"That son of a.... He knows how much it hurts everytime he does that! Stuck-up jerk..."

".... who are you talking to?"

If Rhoe had long ears like they did, they would be perking up right now. Rhoe's attention focused on the discovery of the mare's awakening. A concerned smile was formed on his lips when he turned towards the patient, "Oh thank goodness, you are okay!"

"I said, who are you talking to?" she replied showing a serious stare towards his rescuer. He flinched at her tone from the question. Thinking of something quickly, he came up with the closest answer his brain managed to process.

"... Muffin Man?"

"Seriously?"

"Oh, whatever, cut me some slack" said Rhoe as he crossed his arms, pouting a little. Despite Star's injuries, she managed to sit up, taking a better look at his savior.

"All I know is that either you are crazy, talking to yourself, or you were, from what I recently saw, talking to somepony. So, let's do this again. Who were you talking to?"

"Wait, she saw me and Umbra? How? The only ones who were capable of seeing Umbra, or sense him were me and Tenebrarum! This only complicates things... Maybe I should have listened to Umbra before I agreed to take care of her," she looked closely at the human, not missing every possible detail that could reveal a secret to her, "Okay, let's try the -'It's better for you not to know.'- talk. If I'm lucky, she'll stop pestering me with questions"

"Well?" she repeated, growing desperately for an answer. Rhoe inhaled deeply and closed his eyes as he prepared his talk. Exhaling, he opened them and looked deep into Star's red eyes.

"Um, listen Miss, uh..." he rolled his handwrist a little towards Star.

"Starblazer, but you can call me Star. And you are...?"

"Rhoenir. But my friends call me Rhoe,"

"Nice to meet you, Rhoe," she said, extending her hand to Rhoe.

"Likewise, Star. So, let me say this in the most sugarcoated way possible," he cleared his throat and frowned, "Stay out of my way. It's best for you to not know what I do or what I am"

"Oh, why is that?" she replied, folding her arms as she listened closely.

"...Okay. This girl tends to open quickly to others. Suitable, but dangerous" he thought as he watched Star ask for a reason. He closed his eyes and sighed, "Please, I rather not talk about this topic. It's not something you should know."

"... Well, I suppose I could.... stop bothering you...." she looked down to bed sheets and pouted. Rhoe felt a little guilty for her reaction, but he remained firmed to his convictions, knowing that if other ponies knew about his existance, trouble would be attracted. And not from his enemies, oh no, his friends would be the trouble.

Several minutes later, silence reigned over the room, as none of the creatures inside talked or moved. The human wasn't comfortable with such awkward environment, but he had to deal with it. At least for now.

"Hey..." he acknowledged Star's call, shifting his sight towards her, "Listen, I... I really, REALLY don't want to be a bother, but.... I really want to know. So... Please?"

The cloaked human stared at the unicorn for a few more moments before looking away and sighing, "Well, if you really want to know, then I'll tell you what I actually can tell. Anything else that I hide, it's for a reason. Got it?"

She lowered his eyelids and leaned her head to the side, "Not really," Rhoe sighed once more at her honesty, placing a hand on his covered face to conceal the groan.

"She... isn't an airhead, right? But the way she responded with her thoughts on the run.... okay, maybe she is an airhead. Let's do this one more time,", he removed the hand from his face and looked at Star, "Well, let's say that everything I tell it's allowed meanwhile the rest is hidden for multiple reasons. Better?" he leaned in, trying to hope for a better answer this time.

"... Yes."

"Good" he returned to his original position, trying to get comfortable for the small explaining, "Now, since I know you have a lot of questions, I'll begin with the first one. Who was I talking to. Oh man. Where do I even begin-"

He was about to talk when all of the sudden, a very familiar, but really annoying pain came back to his body, a pain that could only mean one thing. "Umbra's back."

The moment Rhoe opened his mouth, he twisted his sides from one place to another, almost looking like he recieved a kick in the gut. Starblazer, due to her shy nature, yelped back in her startle as she witnessed the creature convulsing right on the spot. She hesistated to do something, but didn't think of anything that could actually help. Star was forced to see and do nothing as Rhoe was shaking furiously.

A few seconds later, Rhoe stopped spinning in pain and sat up. Grumbling, he spoke some inaudible words.

"What now, Umbra?", Star stared at Rhoe as her suspitions were clearly revealed.

"So, he was really talking to someone? But where is this pony? Is it a pony to begin with?" she thought.

Rhoe! I need to shut up and listen very carefully!

"Well, it better be important! What's the matter?" Rhoe said as he gathered enough strength to stand up.

Remember the doctor we met the moment we arrived? The one I said I didn't like something of him?

"Yeah, what about him?" he replied. Umbra didn't answer back. He simply decided to share the memory that the spirit had just witnessed. Rhoe's eyes widened and he clenched his teeth. Looking down to the floor, he frowned, "That traitor..."

Star felt uneasy to Rhoe's reaction, hoping it wasn't anything bad. "Rhoe, what happened? What's going on?", Rhoe looked at her with worried eyes, sharing some of his worried aura with her, "Is something wrong?"

"Star, take the arcane shield," he hastily accomodated his robes, looking at the door. Star inmediately took hold on the shield and sat up, enduring the pain her injuries were giving away. Rhoe ignored the door for a moment and looked back at Star, who was holding a very confused expression, ""We need to get out of here"

"Huh? Why?"

"Remember the doctor that brought us here?" she nodded, still not grasping the situation, "Well, it seems he won't help us anymore"

"And why is that?"

"The doctor was working with Solar," Star's colors faded the moment she heard that, "He gave away our position, and now, Solar and his whole gang are coming after us"

Author's Note

A CLIFFHANGER JUST FOR YOU~!

Starblazer is one of the OCs that made it to the stories. It belongs to PPGmakesmesmile (a really good friend).
Well, more than anything, I got inspired with PPG's OC that made it to this story. However, I didn't know how to develop her into the story without any kind of lame plot. But my inner writer didn't give up and voila! Here she is!

Talking about OC's, there is still an open spot or two in this story. Just send me a message of an OC (but avoid mary-sues, please) and I'll see what I can do!

The next episode might include a very familiar character, but it is a very slim chance for that to happen.
Without further ado, let me know what do you think and what was wrong with it! Remember! Bitching is allowed!

See ya soon!