Cursed Eclipse - Manehatten

Chapters

Rainbow Dash?
Musical Manehatten
Summer Rumba
Realization
Learning to Live
Future Horizons
They Say I Need a Hero

Rainbow Dash?

(Author's note. The next two parts will be occurring in the normal story telling I've been doing and switching between a first person to fit one of the characters. I hope things do not become too confusing and I plan to try and fit it together. It'll hopefully make sense as you read. If this is your first Cursed Eclipse story I recommend reading at the beginning to know who Eclipse is. Cheers!)

Celestia's sun hung in the mid morning sky when Eclipse finally woke. She stirred from her restless slumber to the sounds of nature. The bright glow shinned against her eye lids letting her revel in the reminder she was no longer in her prison. Each glowing eye opened, gradually to halt the sun's intrusive rays, until she could see all around her. The green of the trees and grass, the bright white of the flowers she laid upon, the birds, the bees, the fresh air, the sky, and most importantly, no Gold Mine. She was quick to raise to her four hooves. Not wanting to waste any time on her adventure, the exploration began. She rolled around on every patch of grass or plot of dirt she saw, smelled every different kind of flower, and nibbled on anything that looked to be tasty.

Eclipse didn't bother to watch where she was going at first. Her head was too busy raised up glancing around the sky and in the trees. Twinkling mane ever persistent in staying over her left eye regardless of how often her head spun. Her cutie mark returned to its day time colors; white star, black orb, and white aura. A thought crossed her mind suddenly. Her left feathered wing raised up and curled at the ends to lift the flap of her saddle bag. Her magic powered from her broken horn wrapped around the three items inside. A quick check off to make sure they were still in there; her two dolls and the red rock. She was relieved they had not fallen out or been lost during her escape.

Finally setting her eyes forward she noticed something in her path and below her. It seemed that her time admiring the captivating scenes around her had brought her onto a dirt road and a road marker in front of her. The path she had settled on split off into two directions going opposite of one another. The sign was faded. Time and rain had worn down the chiseled markings. Confusion registered instantly glancing down each path for some sign of which way to go. She had no place in mind anyway, but some idea of what towns laid in either direction would have helped.

Eclipse came down on her haunches examining the ancient slab of wood when an owl landed atop the board. “Who.” It hooted curiously peering down at the unusual pony.

“Who?” Cursed Eclipse asked glancing cautiously around her. “My name?” She asked in return raising her right hoof to her self.

“Who?”

Struck by surprise, Eclipse regained her self to quickly answer back. “My name is Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” She stammered out bowing her head politely to the unusual bird.

“Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.”
“Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.”

At some point in the course of Eclipse's conversation with the owl, a group of five stallions came up the path behind her. The group consisted of one unicorn, two earth ponies, and two Pegasus. Each of them were of varying colors, each a stallion, and each wore matching outfits that consisted of a bandana the color of their coat, faux leather jackets, saddle bags with 'born to trot' printed over the flaps, and had tattoos over their cutie marks of dragons, skulls, or crossed bones. For twenty minutes they had watched Eclipse repeat two stuttered words after the owl hooted. They were becoming nervous at the display, giving a glance to each other before one of the Earth ponies took a step forward. “ 'Scuse me.” His gruff, scratch voice spoke up to her.

Eclipse eeped softly watching the owl take flight at the noise. She waved a hoof in its direction hoping that it finally learned her name after her many, many repeated tries. Teeth sunk into her lower lip holding back a few tiny tears with the owl's departure. That was when she finally came to realize the group behind her. Not knowing how long they had been standing there watching her, and they not knowing how long she had been there talking to the owl, a quiet stand off proceeded. Eclipse ruffled her wings unconsciously..tilting her head to try and let her twinkling mane cover her broken horn.

Finally, to break the stand still they had entered, the lead pony spoke again, “So, what's a nice little filly like you doing all alone in the woods like this?”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ah what another glorious day to be a super heroine of Equestria! I knew today would be far better then the last two days. It didn't matter that I failed to save the cat from the tree or accidentally destroyed the bridge to the mill. Those things happen when there is evil to stop. My wings beat against the air letting me hover high above the forest. My right hoof above my brow blocking the sun as I gazed down across the territory. I just knew that somewhere, some pony would need my aid today.

Just as I believed my search would lead me no where, something caught me eye. From my height in the air I could see them. Five ruffians standing in front of a blanket with various foods and trinkets, and in front of that a young filly or mare! This was my chance to show what I could do. For I am Color Copy! I beat my hooves against my own head. Stupid, my name is Rainbow Dash. It is the heroine Rainbow Dash! I glanced back at my body to ensure everything was where it should be. My outfit was where it should be. I wore my self styled Wonderbolts outfit from green fibers, my blue wings were strong and flapping, my purple boots snug and comfortable, my orange tail danced against the wing, my goggles covered my eyes protecting them from the wind's dagger sharpness, and my groomed yellow coat looking perfect in this light.

I swooped down just in time to hear the five stallions begin to laugh. What outrageous villains they were! They looked to be it too. Wearing the skin of a poor cow, and now stealing what looked to be this mare's bits and apples. I will make them pay! I fluttered over head so both could see me as I made my announcement, “Halt evil doers! For I am Rainbow Dash and here to punish you in the name of Cloudsdale!” I folded my forelegs across my chest standing in air proudly to display my powerful disposition. I could feel their stars upon me fueling my to go on. “Do not worry, my fair mare, I shall rescue you from these... hoodlums...”

My jaw dropped once I was able to look down upon the mare I was rescuing. She looked up at me, obviously awestruck, with bright glowing eyes. Her eyes actually glowed! Her mane, an enchanting twinkling blue gray only made her beautiful face mysterious and alluring. Her body looked trimmed and firm in the proper places. Her flank was perfect... I mean her cutie mark was a wonder to my mind. What could a star, in a sun or moon, with something else around it mean? I noticed her wings next, how unusual for a Pegasus to have those. What was that on her forehead? A broken horn? Maybe it was some sort of jewelry to remember someone by. That must be it!

I began seeing images of us together in my mind. Galloping down a white sandy beach, hoof in hoof. Cooking a meal messily with flour, flowers, and sugar everywhere. We danced at the Grand Galloping Gala taking the eye of everyone at the party. Our wedding would feature nothing but white from my super heroine costume to her wedding gown. I then saw an image of the two of us beneath white, silk sheets, hoof in hoof starring at each others eyes. My cheeks began to burn red and my body caught on fire with the final picturesque striking my thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“We gotta say you really surprised us!” The earth pony leader laughed rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. The five stallions had gathered their belongings from their saddle bags laying down a blanket between them and Eclipse, setting out extra food and some extra bits in offering to the mare. Each of them sat on their haunches in front of Eclipse who did the same. They had performed introductions; exchanging names with Eclipse and even told her what each did for work. “Most folks usually start shouting at us or thinking we're going to cause trouble.” The other four nodded and verbally agreed with their leader. “And thanks for tolerating those two fools for gushing over your wings.” The leader tossed a hoof back to the two Pegasi, “They just thought it's cool what you have there. Shouldn't try to hide them iffin you ask us.” Again, nods and agreements all around.

Eclipse was genuinely surprised by the nature of these five. She had been told her entire life her wings and horn were things to be shunned and made her a monster, but these five were intrigued and drawn to them. She fluttered her wings once to the 'Oos' and 'Ahhhs' of the two Pegasi. A faint giggle leaving her as she pushed a hoof to her muzzle. The five had heard her stomach growling after they had asked her what she was doing out here. They offered her food and heard her short tale. She didn't give many details to them, such as the state of her horn or where she was from, just that she was lost and without food or bits. The ponies converged to talk on Eclipse's situation before each agreeing to give up a bit of their own to give to her. “I thank you a..a...again, kind sirs,” She spoke respectfully bowing her head down near her front hooves, “Your kind sh..sh..shows the beauty in your hearts.” The innocence of her smile helped push the arrow into their hearts as their cheeks inflamed.

The leader looked back at his companions again laughing off the clear embarrassment each of them had. “Also sorry about that guy over there,” The stallion motioned with his head to the other Earth Pony. The poor pony appeared to be bruised and smacked around. Though, while the four stallions knew what happened, Eclipse had been told that when she turned around a moment he fell over. “He wont go calling your wings ugly again.” The beaten pony nodded repeatedly in agreement, cowering back with his forelegs raised up to protect him self from anything else.

“Halt evil doers!” The six ponies instinctively looked up to the shouting voice. “For I am Rainbow Dash and here to punish you in the name of Cloudsdale!” The confusion was amidst amongst the six ponies. A multicolored Pegasus had suddenly appeared overheard shouting about evildoers and Cloudsdale.

A collective look of 'huh' decorated each of the ponies on the ground. The five stallions conversed quietly. They could not figure out if this character was being serious or was some sort of comedy act. “Look, she's ripping off the Wonder Bolts and even looks like she used some grandmare's quilt for fabric.” “And that couldn't be Rainbow Dash. Her hare, coat, and mane are all wrong.” “Wait? Rainbow Dash is real? And how would you know who that is anyway?” “Me and him live in Ponyville. You've seen her. She's always around these certain five ponies. And at the last Winter Roundup when some colt hit on the yellow one, she grabbed her and shouted, 'She's mine!' while glaring at the poor guy.” “She's a fillyfooler? Dude totally gross!”

It was then that the two Pegasus, the unicorn, and the leader earth pony turned to their beaten friend. The leader looked over to Eclipse who still had her eyes on the floating Pegasus. The unusual character had been floating there in a daze for a good five minutes. Seeing Eclipse not looking at the five, they proceeded to reeducate their friend on being part of the Magic of Friendship.

The lesson was stopped early when the rainbow mare's wings suddenly went erect and she plummeted face first into the ground. A comical manner with her flank stuck in the air, and her muzzle eating dirt. The six ponies converged on the fallen one glancing back and forth waiting for some pony to take the first move to make sure the crazy one did not hurt herself. “What happened to her wings?” Eclipse asked reaching a hoof out to poke each straightened limb on the fallen mare's back.

“You don't know what wing boners are!?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My senses returned to me bringing the taste of dirt and grass on my tongue. Somewhere between my fantasies and my cry for justice against the evil doers I wound up face first against the ground. These treacherous ones will pay for humiliating me with however they got me to the ground. I dug my fore hooves against the ground thrusting my upper body to raise. My ascending back onto my hooves was stopped immediately with the words of the fair mare, and finding her face so very close to mine. I heard a song from my parents youth play in my mind.

'How do you talk to a Pegasus? How do you hold her hoof to where you are? How do you talk to a Pegasus? It's like trying to catch Celestia's star.'

“Are you al..al..alright? That looked like it hu..hu..hurt.” Her voice brought me back to reality.

My cheeks burned hot as Celestia's sun. I scrambled quickly to right my self back to a gallant pose, this time safely on the ground. Hooves danced moving me between the mare and the five stallion villains. “I do not know how you got me onto the ground but!” My words were cut off.

“You got a wing boner and fell.” One of the Pegasus replied trying to hide his wicked laugh.

I would never believe that my wings would betray my thoughts and fantasies as such. “I, Rainbow Dash, will not let you---” My words were cut off again.

“You're not Rainbow Dash.”

“That I am so!”

“No, you're not. You may sound just like her, but you're not,” The one I assumed was the leader spoke. “We're from Ponyville,” He said motioning to the Pegasus who pointed out my supposed wing boners. “Rainbow Dash is light blue with rainbow mane and tail.” I bit my lower lip. This stallion apparently did know the other Rainbow Dash. I feared the possibility of being found out, so I went with my backup strategy.

“I will prove to you I am Rainbow Dash! I will thwart you five with my Sonic Rainboom Punch!” My wings pushed me into the air sending me soaring skyward. I'd show them and I'd show them good. When I was high enough to satisfy the velocity I wanted to achieve, I turned back around to look down at the group. My hooves moved to my face adjusting my goggles to make sure the wind didn't seer my eyes. Tossing my back legs back, I lunged forward sweeping my wings to allow the maximum speed I could achieve. Sure I wouldn't actually do a true Sonic Rainboom but they wouldn't know the difference! My left foreleg curled against my chest while my right pushed a hoof forward. Right before hitting the ground I curled my body to fly at the stallions, scattering them left and right. For a moment I glanced behind me to marvel at the sight. My eyes came forward again and... Hey what's tree doing there?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A collective wince occurred for each of the six ponies watching. The self proclaimed Rainbow Dash was now straddled around the tree, all four legs wrapped around the trunk. Eclipse trotted first to the mare and reached a cautious hoof to prod her side. She seemed to be stuck to the tree, unmoving, and non reactive. Eclipse again rested down but this time next to the tree straddled pony. She watched, curiously, to see if anything else would happen.

The leader of the five ponies came over next, followed by the other four. They held no concern for the stranger, but focused their attentions on Eclipse. “Well, with this one having come here I think it's high time we went back on our way. Which way are you going, if you don't mind me asking?”

“I don't know. I cou...cou...couldn't make out the sign.” The answer came with a turn of her head to the five. Her wings ruffled lightly readjusting themselves on her back when her saddlebags shifted from her head turning. “I wasn't sure wh..wh..where I was anyway.”

The stallions exchanged looks once more. Even the rude one was showing concern for the filly. They knew they couldn't just offer to take her wherever she chose to go. They had lives they needed to get back to. “Well,” The leader began pointing a hoof down the path the group came from, “That way will lead you towards Phillydelphia.” He then motioning to the worn out sign, “Take the right path to go to Manehatten, and the left will take you through Fillyton, then Ponyville, and finally Canterlot. My buddy and I,” motioning to one of the Pegasus, “Live in Ponyville while the rest of these brutes live in Canterlot and another town near there.”

Canterlot. The name was whispered to her self trying to remember where she had heard it. Eclipse set a hoof to her mouth until the memory surfaced. Canterlot was where the princess lived and also her brother. A shiver trailed down her spine. She couldn't go there. Gold Mine had told her that she would surely be executed for what she was there by her brother himself. “I'm going... to Man..Mane..Manehatten.” She finally stuttered out.

“Well, alright then. If you ever come to Ponyville, find me and I'll make sure that our friend Pinkiepie throws you your very own welcoming party. Course, she's every pony's friend in Ponyville. One more thing.” The leader raised a hoof for the unicorn to do this thing.

The unicorn used his magic to open his saddle bag pulling out a silver dollar sized badge. It was in the shape of the moon with Pegasus wings coming out of either side. The initials 'NMA' had been engraved over the surface of the moon. The badge floated over to Eclipse's right saddlebag attaching its self with the pin in the back. “This here,” the lead stallion spoke, “Is an official badge of Nightmare Moon's Angels. We're all members. Basically, we get together, go wandering around a bit to clear our heads, then go home relaxed. We have chapters all over the place. And with this badge, you're now one of us. If you need anything, protection, bits, food, just go to a chapter and they'll treat you right.” He gave a warm smile, accompanied by his friends doing the same, to Eclipse. “Now, keep the blanket, apples, and bits we gave ya and say safe. I wouldn't stay here along with that one around. She seems a might bit odd.” His head tilted to the false Rainbow Dash. The five gave a way to Eclipse, as she did the same, then departed on their way back on their journeys home.

Seeing no sign that the Rainbow Dash was coming off the tree, Eclipse turned to the items that the five stallions gave her. She fit what she could with her magic into the right, empty saddle bag. Since it didn't have enough space a sit was designed for a foal, Eclipse folded the blanket to lay across her flank. Apples put into the right side, and the bits placed with her dolls and rock. When she came back around to see if this Rainbow Dash had moved at all, she finally witnessed her slow, humiliating slide down the trunk of the tree and falling back first to the ground.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Bark. Bark and leaves. I now tasted dirt, bark, and leaves in my mouth. The last things I remember before waking up with my back to the ground was a collision with a tree. Damnable tree. My wings flapped hard to rise me back up into a standing position. I swung around pointing my hoof in the direction I last saw the stallion five. “Hah! Now that I've showed you what I can... Hey where did every pony go?” My fore arms dangled in front of me with disbelief warping my face from once being heroic. The only pony I saw was the beautiful mare who I was trying to rescue.

“They had to le..le...leave but I decided to wa..wa..wait for you.” The more she spoke the more adorable she became. I dropped to all fours and trotted to her quickly stopping in front of her and raising my goggles to get a better look at her.

I was right. She was beautiful, she was young, and her horn was broken. Wait, broken horn? Wings? One wing looks odd too. I narrowed my vision glancing across her body. This was no ordinary filly. No unicorn I knew of had a bat wing, a Pegasus wing, and a horn. She mare backed off some when I took a fashion to look at her closer. “I'm sorry I'm sorry please don't take offense. Just your wings are really cool looking. So totally awesome!” I exclaimed pumping my right hoof. She edged a bit closer and I felt my cheeks burn more. I was embarrassed. It didn't matter any longer to me when I looked at her cutie mark, well her flank actually. My wings betrayed me just then, raising to the sky in an erect fashion. Red colored my cheeks as I scrambled back in a frustrated dance. So the stallions spoke the truth, my wings did cause me to fall. I was humiliated.

I could hear her stifle a laugh. I knew this was going to be bad. I turned my self from her yet something about how she laughed told me something else. The laughing wasn't cruel and unkind, it was amusement. I had to face her, letting my legs turn me in her direction. What I saw nearly caused my heart to burst from my chest. Her left hoof was covering her muzzle as she tried to hold in her excitement. “That was so fu...fu...funny. I did not know that Super Heroines were supposed to make po..po..ponies laugh.” Her cheeks ran a pretty shade of pink over her cheeks. To me it was like roses in bloom. “But why wo..wo..would I be offended?”

She didn't get offended? Did she not know what a wing boner was?! I did not know if I should be relieved or concerned that she maybe a bit naive. I spread my wings out like an eagle on display pumping my right fore leg to show off my flexed muscles. “Well, anyway, it was fortunate that I found you. Those ruffians were about to do something wrong and rob you!”

“Oh no, they weren't. They actually gave me all those things.” She raised her bat wing revealing to me the badge of the vagabond gang 'Nightmare Moon's Angels' and I felt my face go pale. “They also told me I was part of them now, too. Very nice gentlecolts.”

How could I have been so stupid not to check to see if they had any badges, buttons, or markings first. I face hoofed wanting to crater my brain in and end my suffering. Wanting to save face, I moved to the food items she didn't seem to be able to carry. “So, where's a nice filly like you going to? Even if those colts were nice you may run into strange ones.”

“They had mentioned when you hit the gr..gr..ground that you were one of the strange ones.” I watched the filly place a hoof to her chin tapping at her gray fur. “I asked them what a wi..wi..wing boner was but none of them seemed to want to tell me.” She shrugged. So she had no idea what it was and the stallions didn't tell her either. It seemed I was in the clear for now.

I offered my hoof to her, brandishing my brightest smile towards this beauty. “My name is Rainbow Dash.”

She looked down at my hoof a moment then back up to me. I was sweating bullets. She raised her hoof to take mine for a shake. “A pl..pl...pleasure to meet you, Miss Rainbow Dash. Muh..muh..My name is Cursed Ec..ec..Eclipse.” She bowed her head then moved a step back to be at a proper distance. “I was go..go..going to Manehatten.”

Buck! She was going the opposite direction I planned on it. I glanced around quickly. If I go with her then I'll miss out on performing for bits at the rodeo near Fillyton but this mare was one from my dreams. I looked back at her. Her glowing eyes were like nothing I'd seen before. As if someone harnessed the moon's glow and placed them for me to look at. Her hair, blue gray diamonds glowing from her scalp. I swallowed hard and spoke before my mind could convince me otherwise. “How about I go with you! A filly such as your self would be better off with a super heroine by your side protecting you every inch of the way!”

“Are you cer...cer...certain? I would not wa..wa..want you to go out of yo..yo..your way.” Such a saint! She was hesitant to ask, glancing away from me timidly then back up to stare at me. I couldn't turn down those eyes even if I would have died saying yes.

“I was going there my self! Manehatten is such a city that needs more heroine in it!” I announced striking a pose pointing at the sky with my right hoof. She only smiled to me and began walking down the path for Manehatten. When she passed by me and I watched her from behind, I stood straight up and shot my front legs back against my wings. I would not let them betray my thoughts this time!

~*~*~*~*~*~

It wasn't until the pair of mares had trotted for an hour that Rainbow Dash? realized how late in the day it was. She must have hit the ground harder than she had thought or hugged the tree longer since it was growing dark. It would not be long before Luna's moon raised into the sky. Time since the Moon Princess' return seemed so short yet it was agreed upon her moon was much brighter with her at the reigns than Celestia. “So, where are you from?” There had been silence up until now. Eclipse showed no signs of being annoyed just pleasantly trotted.

Eclipse showed signs of hesitation to answer. Her ears rested back, her head crooked over to glance at the oddly colored mare besides her. “I don't kn..kn..know.” She never learned where the Mine Manor was in the time of her captivity. If Canterlot was not in the same direction as Fillyton, she would have walked right down through the down without realizing she was going back in the direction of her burned down prison. “Miss Rainbow Dash?,” Eclipse's voice came across quizzically. “What is a Fillyfooler?”

Rainbow Dash? felt the headlights brighten in front of her and she was the deer standing there. She kept moving, for the sake of staying calm, but her body felt like freezing in place. Sweat grew on her face soaking into her coat and beneath the mask portion of her uniform. “It's... You see it's something of an insult for some when two... Well see there are many types of love in the world and a fillyfooler is like a coltcoraller in the sense. Well, oh god do you know what a coltcoraller is?” She was scrambling to answer the question. Was Eclipse having as hard of a time with this as Rainbow was? “A fillyfooler is a mare who loves other mares as a stallion and a mare would love each other.”

“Is that su..su..supposed to be a bad thing? One of the ponies earlier kept making these unusual co..co..comments to them. It was weird...” Eclipse momentarily stopped to ponder back the scenes. “Whenever he would make some sort of co..co..comment the other four didn't like, they showed me something and when I tu..tu..turned back around. He said he was run over by a rabbit. But I do..do..don't see anything wrong with love.”

That was one thing that Rainbow Dash? liked about Nightmare Moon's Angels. You could have a difference in opinion but if you became abusive about it or shoved it down others throats, they made sure you understood there were ways to say things. What she heard from the filly caused her to become giddy. She couldn't suppress the happy giggles she had been wanting to do since she first laid eyes on the beauty. She received an odd gaze from Eclipse for her foal like antics. “Oh, so sorry, Eclipse.” Rainbow couldn't bring her self to say the Cursed portion of her name. It didn't feel right at all. Who would name their foal Cursed? Rainbow thought to her self. Again, Rainbow looked over Eclipse. She was smaller than most mares, even herself, but she couldn't have been that young. Rainbow her self was nineteen. She smiled inwardly shaking her head of the thoughts. This wasn't the time nor place to continue gawking over the beautiful mare.

“Miss Rainbow Dash?”

“Yes, Eclipse?”

“What is a wing boner anyway?”

~*~*~*~*~

I managed to dodge the question and bring us back to silence for the next two hours. Right now, until I could think of a new subject, silence was best in order to avoid that particular subject from my school foal days. I had to wonder how much Eclipse knew of pony anatomy and what the different kinds of ponies experience. It didn't matter. The filly was far too cute as it was and anything that may ruin that cuteness would be a crime. There was a lack of inns and lodges between the different towns of Equestria. Thankfully for travelers like my self, Celestia had commissioned various rest and camping spots along the roads. These areas were cleared out of brush and had formations of rocks to setup fires. We came along one such spot with a sign indicating the halfway mark for Manehatten from Fillyton.

“Well, let's camp here for the night. If we try to do anymore we'll just be stumbling off course. I'll get some wood.” I had assumed that if she was traveling by her self she would know how to setup camp by now. With several twigs in my mouth and looking back at her, I assumed wrong. Eclipse looked lost and confused glancing around the campsite. I rushed over near her laughing off my assumption. “Hey, never camped before? Didja grow up in a basement or something?” I joked aloud rubbing the back of my head with a hoof.

The face of the filly grew dim. Her eyes brandished deadly weapons known as tears. I could see the little ponies that worked my brain begin to panic. They pulled emergency switches, threw out potential apologies to use, and killed the comedy section of my mind. The moonlit eyes simmered over as the warm tears flowed down her cheeks. Each one sent a dagger into my heart. “Whoa whoa!” I stammered out fast as I could. “I meant nothing by it. A joke just a joke!” A joke that apparently struck home for something. “Look, I'll handle the work. Why dontcha pull out some of those apples and go rest by the rocks!” I laughed putting a hoof to her shoulder. “Not every pony is meant to camp or know how to rough it so it's fine!” She went to the circle of stones and I skipped up to let my wings carry my faster in my stick collecting.

Once satisfied with the pile I went to work trying to find some flint stones. Travelers often left them after use around the camp sites... Ah! Once found I caught them in my mouth and rushed back to join Eclipse. The filly had sat down besides the pile of stones. Her saddlebag and blanket laid besides her with the left flap open. In her arms I noticed two dolls; one of Celestia and one of Nightmare Moon. Well, I assumed I twas Nightmare Moon. It looked like the decorations during Nightmare Night. I dropped the flint from my mouth and took one into each hoof. Desperately, I began to crack and rub them together to get a spark going. I should have been watching what I was doing but I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. “Those are neat dolls. The Celestia one is limited edition, right? Where didja get em?” The silence after bringing her to tears.

“My momma gave them to me wh...wh...when I was little... I think I was five. She went aw..aw..away a few months after.” She hugged her dolls tighter. For the first time since I met her earlier today there was no cheer nor smile. She looked to be in pain perhaps from a loss or some pony hurting her. Well, I think her broken horn was an indication that some pony hurt her.

“What happened to her?” In inquired while I still struck the stones together.

Somewhere inside I knew I should not have asked the question. Eclipse didn't respond. Her body quaked beneath the starry night. I about wanted to reach over to hold onto her when I smelled something burning. Well, it didn't smell like wood burning either. Why was it so hot? My eyes shot down to my forelegs. “Fire!!” I shouted a loud. Somewhere between starting the fire, staring at Eclipse, and thinking to my self I managed to catch my costume on fire. I shot up onto my hind legs then dropped to the ground. I tumbled back and forth smothering the flames. Somewhere when I finished rolling around I laid on my back blowing on my hooves. My forelegs were not burned but portions of my costume were ruined. I sniffed back some frustrated tears yet my ears caught onto something that made it all worth while. Laughter.

“I'm so te..te..terrible sorry to laugh.” She was hugging her stomach perhaps hurting her self holding in stronger laughter. Her wings ruffled up causing the fire to dance away from her a moment.

I sprang back onto all fours. “See! My plan to get you smiling again worked perfectly.” Yes, it was my plan to set my self on fire. And any pony who thinks or says other wise is a bucking liar! I settled back down across the fire from Eclipse. She offered several of her apples so I took a share to eat for dinner. The rest would be best left for breakfast. Seeing her yawn after she finished eating, I absently rubbed my blue wing with my exposed yellow hoof. Blinking I realized the blue had rubbed off and turned the bottom of my hoof green. Bah! Stupid cheap dye. “Maybe we should get some sleep, Eclipse, ya know sleeping next to each other will make things warmer too.” No, I don't have an ulterior motive.

“We can sh..sh..share the blanket then too.” I took this moment to raise back from my seat to come over to her. She settled down first laying on her bent legs tucking them carefully beneath her. I did the same coming blank to blank, side to side with the precious little filly. My heart was going off like a rocket. She looked to be absolutely fine doing this but I was more nervous than I had ever been before. Eclipse used her magic to draw the blanket the stallions gave to her around us. I placed my right wing down and around her as well. Nope, still no ulterior motive.

I watched her fall asleep quickly. Her head laid down in front of her. She looked so peaceful when she slept. Her hair bobbed down covering her left eye. I inspected her horn. It was shattered at what might be the middle. I had heard that unicorn horns were some of the strongest things ever. It took either intense magic to break them or... Intense hatred. Unicorn magic comes from deep within the pony. So it made sense that another feelings deep within would affect it. Who hurt you Eclipse? Who would want to hurt you? I closed my eyes then laid my head down. I felt the warmth of her breath against my muzzle and my eyes shot open. Her lips were mere inches away from mine. I could kiss her and no pony would know I did it. But I couldn't I am a heroine of justice! Yet I could get away with it. No, heroine here! A heroine deserves a reward every now and then. Great now I sound like some perverted colt thinking he deserves something for buying dinner.

I wasn't going to sleep at all tonight.

Musical Manehatten

One of the largest cities in Equestria, Manehatten was a metropolis for many things. An artists' life could be made or killed with one critics review. Cuisine was invented and refined in the confines of unique and sophisticated restaurants. Actors and actresses hastily uprooted comfortable lives to try their hoof at one of many productions and plays on one of the most successful theater strips in the world. Likewise, musicians could be broken and left in the street the very next day they succeed should the culturally elite deem their styles to be passe or unrefined.

The city's landscape was a maze of one way streets, cross walks, parks, and skyscrapers. The city's skyline weaved up and down with each towering metal and close building that many argued could make Canterlot castle seem small. Magic lights created kaleidoscopes of colors displaying names of businesses, new pop idols, or advertisements for anything from dental products to socks. A lesser willed pony would easily be over whelmed by the sensory overload of it all blasting at them relentlessly as they made their way through the intimidating cultural mecca.

“Well you can't tell by the way I use my trot I'm a filly fool. No time to talk.” The lyrics danced off the pony's lips in tune with the music blasting from her black headphones. She walked the streets knowing what lay down every path, around each corner, and where best to avoid. This was her town. Electric blue hair bounced with each bob of the pony's head to the beat. Unicorn's horn peaking out between the changing of dark and light blue mane. Confidence fueled her heavy trotted steps forward nodding and smiling to each person she pass. A mood of harmony was in her spirits. Her white coat, adorned on its flank with a black musical note, shinned against the artificial illumination of the buildings. Blue sunglasses gave everything around her a shade of sapphire. Night had fallen only a few hours prior but the city wouldn't sleep. The night ponies started coming out of their nooks and crannies to fill the clubs, dance halls, or more high class venues. This time of the day was when this pony came alive, for she was Vinyl Scratch, also known as DJ Pon-3.

Vinyl was at home in the hustle and bustle of the night life. It fueled and pumped her up for every party and experience she had. Not every pony could maintain the life style she did for employment. Many pony crashed and burned within days of first experiencing the freeway of debauchery. Fortunate for Vinyl, she had a special someone with the stubborn will to survive it all.

She set her eyes forward moving at a steady pace for her rendezvous with that special someone. They got off their respective employments near the same time and would meet up at a bar before heading home. A victory toast or two to another survived day with each other for comfort. Her night was supposed to be easy until in front of her a situation occurred that she rarely was able to walk away from. She wasn't an unfeeling pony in the least bit, but this sort of problem she could never turn away from.

On the crowded street you could usually see one or two ponies who were not used to the hustle and bustle of the big city. One such pony Vinyl say instantly in front of her. The storm cloud gray filly was being bumped and shoved aside by nearly every mare or stallion that came close to her. The DJ hated to see someone new to the city being shoved around as such. There was something about this one that caught her notice more than others she saw. She had glowing eyes for one. Something natural, not appearing to be false from magic or contacts. The filly looked to be a Pegasus, nothing special until she spun around in place trying to figure which way was up. Vinyl caught the glimpse of her right wing. It wasn't feathered but leather and bat in appearance. Vinyl's eye brows raised bringing her sunglasses shifting with it. The filly's hair had an glow to it similar to her eyes, her left eye still visible although covered by her hair. Each strand appearing to be crystal freely flowing from her head. This wasn't a pony you'd see every day. She had a foal's saddlebag on, a torn up blanket on her flank, and distress painted over her face. She was lost.

Vinyl made her approach quickly swaying and twisting through the crowd to come upon this lost pony before any more damage could be dealt to her. “Hey there, filly, whatcha doing out here alone at this hour?” The DJ spoke up once she was in front of the confused mare. She took a better look at her now. Her hair a twinkling blue gray, more on the gray side it seemed, the lights around gave her broken horn a glint at its edges for Vinyl to notice it. She turned her lips momentarily from a smile to a frown. A damage horn on a unicorn wasn't something that happened without bad mojo being worked.

The filly turned her head in time to see Vinyl, but this caused her to miss a rather large stallion behind her. The push from behind brought the confused filly straight down crashing her chin first before Vinyl's hooves. Tears instantly swelled in her eyes moving her front hooves to rub at her tender flesh. Flank stuck in an upright position with her tail falling properly to cover what was not needed to be revealed. Her head tilted back to watch the unicorn who had taken her attention away from just trying to keep standing.

“Hey! Jackass!” Vinyl shouted at the heavy set pony that struck the filly down. “Apologize to her, you buckhole.” She glared from behind blue tinted glass. A hard stomp, snorting through her nostrils, Vinyl prepared an intimidating stance prepared to buck the stallion if he didn't do as she demanded. Her tail lashed behind her and raised up giving her body the appearance of being larger than she actually was.

The pony male grunted once glancing back at the two. While his size may make someone think otherwise, he fortunately wasn't the confrontational type. Puffy cheeks sucked inwards to his mouth, his lips parted slightly to grunt out his 'apology' in the two ponies' direction. He turned in a huff purposely flaunting his tail before trotting back down the street. An everyday occurrence in the city where manners were in short supply.

The white pony let out an annoyed huff. “Some assholes just have no sense.” She stuck her nose up once then turned back to the fallen filly. Her right hoof was brought down curving her ankle into the gray pony's right ankle. The left moved against her back aiding in bringing her back onto her hooves. “Don't worry about dipshits like that one. You'll be all sorts of ponies here in this place. Don't have to say it. I know you're new.” Vinyl slid her now free hoof up through her hair letting it swiftly bounce back into the 'just woke up' style. “Name's Vinyl, Vinyl Tracks. But you've probably heard of me as DJ Pon-3.”

“I'm so..sorry I haven't he...heard of you before.” The filly tilted her head to Vinyl's reaction to this. The white pony felt an arrow pierce into her heart. Her hooves clutching to her chest as she raised back onto her hind legs. She spun around in place twice in a dramatic effect of defeat that some pony hadn't heard of the famous DJ. She quickly corrected her self and flashed a trade marked grin.

“No worries, filly, not all the country towns have had the chance to hear the amazing styling of DJ Pon-3.” Vinyl boasted to the confused filly. “Listen, didn't catch your name after my stellar intro there.” She set her foreleg up across the filly's shoulders.

“Cur..cursed Eclipse.” Eclipse spoke trying to keep her self from stuttering too badly. Her head turned to look at the hoof on her shoulder and gradually made its way back to Vinyl. “It's a pl..pleasure to me..me..meet you.” Her courteous way of speaking seemed to bring a grimace to the DJ's face.

“You sound like my marefriend for Celestia's sake! Ah well I'll forgive you again, don't you worry, Nightlight.” Vinyl had decided that with the filly's eyes, Nightlight suited her better than Cursed Eclipse. Less of a mouthful for the DJ as well. “Since you're new and all, I'll treat you to a drink on ol' Pon-3, her self.” She tossed a foreleg over Eclipse's shoulder to help guide her along to go with her. Eclipse should really learn not to go with every stranger she met but this was one exception to the rule she would find. “Since you're new to this place the first thing I gotta let ya in on is don't look around. Keep your eyes straight until you know where you're going. You'll be stuck in one spot all day being tossed about if you don't watch out for other ponies. Just like you were now.”

Eclipse bobbed her head to Vinyl's words. Things were moving faster than she was ready for. Ever since she stepped foot in the city hours before it was one rush after another. She was chased by a gang of Pegasi who didn't like her wings. This led to her crashing through a fruit stand sending apples and oranges in all directions. After being scolded by the vendor and handing over what bits the five stallions had given her, she was found by the gang once more and chased through the market. Her escape came when she caused the Pegasi gang to crash into a group of police ponies.

The streets that the ponies went down changed from a business setting into the entertainment district. Every corner had some manner of bar, dance clubs of various degrees from Country Western to Hip Hop were open with lines to get in, and some of the theaters for movie reels and plays beckoned newcomers to enjoy the arts with flashy signs and sounds. One club had a line that went down two city blocks just to get in. This club was the Magic Wisp. The sign was designed in a cursive method rolling the 'p' of wisp to bring the bottom point back around underneath the full title. Each letter switched between the color blue and red flashing every other change. The line was handled with red velvet connected to several brass poles from the front door to the western end of the building. The bouncer at the front door was an intimidating sight to behold. One of the few minotaurs of Equestria. He was pumped up beyond typical body builder stature yet his horns were smaller than a new born unicorn foal. One would question if he enjoyed juicing his extra muscles or not.

“Umm.. Mi..Miss Vinyl?” The filly spoke up as the DJ lead her past the crowd straight to the frighteningly large bouncer.

“Just Vinyl or Pon-3, Nightlight, don't like the uptight feel that 'miss' gives off.” Vinyl nodded to the bouncer who opened the door instantly for her and her guest. The crowd began to shout and curse at the patron skipping in line but a glare from the minotaur quieted the ponies right down. “Don't worry about a thing. The ponies here know who the Pon-3 is. I work on on occasion and this place is filled with my fans. My mare and I always get in VIP. Yeow!” The DJ gave a shout slapping her hoof to the bouncer's open hand.

Inside wasn't entirely what one might expect from the club. The lounge and the dance floor were separate. The loud, beat music from the dance floor could be felt from its tremors on the floor but not heard. The lounge was kept much more peaceful with a softer tune played over the speakers. The lounge was decorated in blue tones from the cushioned booths with curtains to block sight of the occupants inside, to the bar stools, and tables. Even the wood used had been dyed or painted blue. The bar area was an island in the middle of the booths and tables. The island bar was walled with mirrors at its center and the taps, shelves of alcohol, and glasses in front of them. Stools connected to the ground were dotted near the solid oak, blue bar counter. This was a place that only the in crowd and known ponies saw the inside of more then once.

Vinyl lead her guest between mingling ponies, drunk ponies, and those wanting to get a high hoof in with the DJ as they went to the bar. She dropped onto a bar stool first and patted the one next to her. Hooves came against the bar counter tapping twice and motioning to the bar tender. She'd be served her usual and when Eclipse, reluctantly, came to sit next to her, she grinned. “Okay, Nightlight, order whatever you want, it's on me!”

Every bottle's brand could tell hundreds of stories. From sordid affairs and drunken hijinks to depression set sobs and hilarious events brought on by the removal of sense of mind. From clear to brown, the colors of the drinks were not varied. Except for a single bottle that caught Eclipse's eye. It was the color of a rainbow swirling from top to bottom. It was the only one of the variety of beverages offered that held any interest to the filly. “The ra..rainbow one, please.”

The bar tender and Vinyl shot each other and look. A hoof was raised waving off any concern by Vinyl and motioned for the barmare to get the desired drink. Just a shot would do. She reached over planting a hoof on Eclipse's back patting her encouragingly. “Wow! You gotta be some party mare to want to drink that stuff. I wouldn't wish it on a frat colt. Well I would just to see him heave his guts outside!” An obnoxious laugh left her lips.

The barmare, a unicorn, used her magic to set a clean shot glass in front of then drew the rainbow bottle from the shelf pouring the distilled liquid. It was a bit thick, almost a syrup pouring into the clear glass. Worry eclipsed Eclipse's mind but she didn't want to let down her friend down. Mismatched wings twitched rattling her saddle bag and the torn blanket. Her horn glowed a faint gray as it enveloped the glass lifting it near her lips. She sniffed the drink finding it sweet and pleasing. Closing her eyes she tilted her head back, darting her tongue forward, and lapping the thick liquid down her throat to aid the process. She did this as quickly as she could. The taste was something she didn't imagine. It was like candy right after a visit to the dentist. Bitter and numbing but sweet and teasing to the pallet. The empty glass was set down before the filly and she instantly felt the effects of the drink take hold before she even finished swallowing the alcoholic syrup.

If other ponies had noticed what Eclipse was drinking they would have done the same as Vinyl and the barmare. Both ponies fell silent in awe of witnessing what they just saw. “Whoa there, Nightlight! Most ponies lick that stuff like a sucker and not drink it fast! Damn, filly, you are a party girl at heart aren't you?” She laughed slamming her hoof against Eclipse's back. “Never seen a pony gulped down Zap Apple Flank Bucker before!” Another quick pat to the filly. “Maybe I was wrong about... Hey you don't look so good.”

Eclipse teetered back and forth on her stool. Her glowing eyes were alive seeing all the colors of the rainbow around her. Everything was moving in slow motion and she could see sound its self vibrate across the air. She giggled and her eyes watched the word 'giggle' leave her lips. She leaned forward trying to catch the floating words only to face plant straight down, unconscious, onto the bar counter. All within ten seconds.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Magic Wisp saw even the most cultured entrepreneurial at its door steps. Certain parties, even when not on the list for the night, were welcomed because of connections or reputation. Octavia Philharmonica was well known in the classical music genre. One of the first Earth ponies to play the Galloping Gala, Equestrian renown, admired by many for her talent with her double bass cello, sought after by many of the rich and celebrity to perform at parties, gatherings, or events. It would be of no surprise when she approached the minotaur bouncer she would be let in without a second glance. The large cello case balanced on the top of her flank and her back, raven mane had not even one lock out of place. Her coat was a light gray similar to the ash of burned wood. Both were kept perfect and groomed almost no matter what situation she was in. Octavia spent a few moments talking to the bouncer. The two shared a common interest in literature and classical music. Something one would not suspect of the minotaur. She came to grace the lounge with her presence seeking out her marefriend. She trotted to the usual place they met to enjoy one another company and a variety of drinks. Seeing the white coated mare, she came from behind raising up with her hooves onto the back of the bar stool and placing a quick peck to the others cheek.

“It's not my fault!” Vinyl shouted tossing her fore hooves into the air. The sudden sensation on her cheek set paranoia at its worse twisting around to face Octavia. Deep breaths were sucked in and out of her lungs facing her marefriend waiting for the worse of the worst to slam into her. “I swear I thought she knew what she was doing but she just fell over!” The barmare had long left the scene, not wanting to be blamed for anything that may come from it.

Octavia raised a cultured brow to her friend then turned her gaze down right besides Vinyl. There she saw a very much unconscious pony. Lightly snoring as she laid face first on the bar counter. The filly looked that she shouldn't even be in the Magic Wisp much less the bar area. The manner that Vinyl was trying to distance her responsibility from the drunken filly reminded Octavia of a badly written accidental death mystery. This spelled nothing but trouble should someone realize exactly what has transpired. “Vinyl. You do realize that if someone who did not know you saw this they would come to many different criminal conclusions. For instance, someone who did not know you might believe you are contributing to the delinquency of a foal. Or perhaps committing pedofoalia, if she was any younger.” Octavia seemed extremely calm considering the situation. Her right hoof set to her chin eying the sleeping filly. “Or they might believe you are a pony smuggler that just found her next victim. Thankful for you, I know you and know none of these things are true. You do know what they do to pretty mares in prison, don't you? So tell me, my dearest Vinyl, what is this?” Octavia smiled sweetly, understandingly, and most importantly, calmly.

The burned out brain of the DJ was working slowly. It began to picture scenes of her self in prison surrounded by mares twice her size. Some of them whispered about her flank, others were curious if she tasted like a marshmallow. Her eyes went wide behind her sunglasses. Hooves plastered to either side of her face then reached out shaking Octavia wildly at her shoulders. “You gotta help me, Octy! We gotta dump the body somewhere! I can't go to prison! It wont be in like those Porny Magazines you wont look at with me!”

Octavia had Vinyl right where she wanted her right now. Remaining calm despite her marefriend's anxiety attack, she went to the filly's side lifting up one of her saddlebag's flaps. “Check the other bag. We'll see if she has any contacts. We can let them know we found her, she is safe, and where we can take her.” It was then that Octavia noticed Eclipse's right wing, bat wing. She blinked in a momentary bewilderment. This wasn't something Pegasi had.

“Right, check her bag.” The left bag was assaulted by Vinyl's magic almost ripping the flap from the sewn material. All either of them would find was the two dolls and the red rock. The DJ broke down again. “Oh Celestia, oh Celestia, no info, just some toys. How old is she anyway? Do they charge you by age? Younger the worse it is!?”

“Calm down.” Octavia chided. “We will take her back to our home for now and when she wakes, ask her where we need to take her. It is quite simple to figure out, Vinyl, but to say that would be forgetting whom I was speaking with.” Octavia left a moment to speak to the barmare about the situation. She explained that Vinyl and her self would handle it and no one would know the three were there that night. She came back after paying the tab. “Alright, that is handle... Vinyl.” She sighed shaking her head to her marefriend.

Vinyl was trying to use the shredded blanket to wrap up Eclipse as one would do to hide a body. While she may have believed that it was drawing attention away from her, it was doing the complete opposite. Octavia reached up with her right hoof smacking Vinyl lightly on the back of her skull.

“No, stop that. Put her on your back and come with me. We are taking her with us and settle things properly as two adults would.”

“Who's the other adult?” Vinyl asked as she positioned her self beneath Eclipse to hoist her onto her back.

Octavia sighed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Eclipse. Eclipse it's time to wake up.” A voice she believed she would never hear again played on a cherub's harp into her ears. Celestia's sun basked her closed eye lids with the warmth of a dawning day and promises of things to come. She raised her hooves up rubbing tired eyes then groaning as the onset of the first hangover of her life pounded a chisel on her cranium. She felt safe in this place. The softness of a cotton blanket over her small form, comfort of being on a cushioned surface not soiled nor worn out, and the safety of being indoors. Glowing eyes finally opened ready to see the bearer of the voice; her momma.

What she found was no pony at all. An illusion on a once drunken mind, the pony she sought for was no longer there. Instead she was in a place she had never seen before. The apartment was decorated with care and kept immaculate to the point of obsession. On one wall was an extensive stereo system. Large speakers leveled besides the device with wires moving over the walls like vines to the surrounding speakers. There were two audio devices, each setup to the predetermined specifications for each of the occupants. The coach she found her self on was set in front of a wide, twin door that opened out onto a balcony. She didn't dare look out just yet but the sight of the buildings across the way told her she was high up. The kitchen produced delicious smells and sounds of cooking food, between the kitchen and the couch was a wooden table set for three with candle light illuminating three bare dishes. Eclipse turned her head back to the opened balcony doors only to let out a shriek. Snout to snout the white pony from before was suddenly in front of her.

Vinyl scrambled her backwards walking with her back to the ground and her hooves around her. She mimicked a crab walking away from a predator. Red lenses sunglasses laid over her eyes. “Finally awake, Nightlight!” The DJ grinned broadly scrambling to reset her self back onto all four hooves in a proper manner. “Been asleep all day. Heck, nearly time for dinner. You got lucky.” Vinyl said rolling her pink tongue out over her lips. Her right fore hoof went rubbing over her belly. “Octy's making her white sauce mushroom pasta. She's even using the noodles I like.”

“Octy?” Did Vinyl speak of another pony? Eclipse looked around where she could see then brought her glowing eyes back to the DJ. A sound several feet near the kitchen caught her ears attention. The lobes turned first then her head followed to see who Vinyl was referring to. The gray pony with a treble clef cutie mark. She wore a white apron with Vinyl's cutie mark on the front.
“Our guest is finally awake, hm?” Octavia raised her eyebrows peering down the room to Eclipse. Eclipse suddenly felt very conscious of where she was and how she must of looked. Moments ago she had just shrieked in the face of the white pony and now she believed she was being glared at. “Vinyl, it is not polite to frighten our guest the moment she awakens.” Her words were scolding in tone to the other pony. “Vinyl tells me your name is...” Octavia found her self cut off.

Eclipse squeaked at what happened next. Onto the couch behind her, Vinyl Tracks scampered behind the filly. Her front hooves moved holding onto either side of Eclipse's head moving her face to face Octavia. “Check this out, Octy, her eyes glow. I mean they actually glow. It's not fake or nothing, totally natural, I can tell these things.” She grinned moving her hooves to force Eclipse's left wing up. “See this? Pegasus wing, totally and completely, but this?”

“Vinyl,” Octavia tried to interrupt.

Vinyl hadn't noticed that Eclipse was trembling now. When her head was freed she turned to try and look at the white pony who now fondled her wings. Her right wing was lifted up next, extending it out. “Here is where it gets kicked up a notch. Totally a bat wing. Real too, no scars from someone stitching it on or nothing. I checked while she slept!” Vinyl was a blur now moving her hooves, and the help of magic, to raise and mess up Eclipse's hair. “Look at this, it's like staring into the sky but seeing the stars. Ya know if the stars could be seen when the sun and clouds are about.”

“Vinyl.”

“Now look at this!” This would bring Eclipse to go silent, her eye wide, and her cheeks infused with red. Vinyl managed to twist the filly around aiming her flank and tail right at the other musically inclined pony. The DJ moved Eclipse's tail a bit at its base swishing it back and forth. “See! Just like her hair but check out her cutie mark. Earlier, when the sun was out, it was white, black, and white. Now?” She said trying to turn Eclipse more. “It's black, white, Bla...OW!” She gave a shout.

Octavia had traversed the distance between her self and the two in a matter of seconds the moment that Vinyl had gone from fondling to almost molesting the frightened filly. A hard hoof struck the back of Vinyl's head toppling her off the couch leaving Eclipse the sole survivor on the cushions. The filly's hiccuped lightly on the verge of full out crying at what just transpired upon her. Octavia couldn't bear to see something like this. “There, there. It is alright now, she wont do that again.” The gray pony whispered pulling Eclipse into a tender hug. She gently stroked the filly's hair while whispering soothing words to her. “I will punish her more later. Now, Vinyl tells me your name is Cursed Eclipse, correct? Is it alright if I call you Eclipse?”

“Yeah huh...” The whisper was barely audible between the hiccups and forced back sobs. She brought her wings around her body to try and hide her self away some. She didn't pull herself away from Octavia, no, she fell against her some feeling a safety that she felt last when she was five years old.

“While dinner finished simmering, can I ask you a few questions, Eclipse?” She brushed back a few of the twinkling locks from Eclipse's face, gazing down at the frightened filly. She was mindful of the broken horn, not wanting to come in contact with it in case it still hurt her.

Eclipse nodded her head. A moment was given to glance down at Vinyl. The poor white pony was on her back in a state between unconscious and delirious from the blow she took. She deserved it after all.

“Do you have anyone here in the city?” Eclipse shook her head no. “Did you run away from home?” This question was more direct to the situation she was in. She flinched her eyes closed and sighed. She had to answer her, even if she tried to skirt around the fully explanation.

“Yes I di..did.” Eclipse hung her head down. She wasn't sure if admitting to this was something good or something bad.

“Was some pony hurting you? Is that what happened to you horn?” The question this time was graced with foresight to see where the obvious clues were going to lead.

“I can't sa..say.” Her ears settled down against her head. By this time Vinyl was returning back from her short nap. Sitting upwards rubbing the back of her head with her hoof. Red eyes, hidden behind red lenses, looked up to her marefriend and the newly acquainted filly.

Octavia inhaled deeply. She knew this was going to become complicated and would possibly have to lead to other questions being asked. The sound of the food simmering in the kitchen took her attentions away from Eclipse. She had much she wanted to ask still, and also talk to Vinyl about, but this would have to wait. Reluctantly, she released Eclipse and patted her on her head. “Let us eat dinner. After our meal I am afraid I have to leave for a concert and Vinyl has a job she has to perform. I would like for you to go with her. I promise she will not do anything, alright?”

The promise was spoken again and Eclipse tilted her head back to look at Octavia then to Vinyl. “Okay.” She meekly said. She wasn't being shy, just unsure of how to deal with the DJ now after what she had done before.

“See? Everything is gonna be alright and we'll have a blast. Say... How old are ya anyway, filly?” Vinyl reached a hoof forward to pet Eclipse's head but was shot down by Octavia in a protective manner. Vinyl would have to re-earn her right to try something like that.

“I'm se..seventeen.. I think.” Octavia and Vinyl shared a look. For seventeen she was smaller then she should have been. Octavia's first thought was malnourishment. It only made things harder for Octavia's mind as it began working on what to do with Eclipse.

The two musical ponies got together to finish preparing the meal. A large helping of elbow macaroni pasta with a gratuitous amount of white, Alfredo sauce. Large chunks of mushrooms appeared towering and monument like to the starving filly. She leaned forward once she had seated her self in front of her place sniffing the rich aroma. Octavia gave a nod for Eclipse to begin eating first. She didn't waste much time using her magic to raise a fork up, dip it into her food, then bring it to her lips. Her eyes closed as she entered the paradise that was a warm, fresh meal. The taste sending her to nirvana. Whatever headache or pain she may have had from the Zap Apple Flank Bucker was instantly gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When she wasn't stuffing her face unceremoniously. Vinyl spent the other time during dinner sending a flurry of questions at Eclipse about her likes, dislikes, and if foal cereal really was just for foals. Eclipse was unable to answer any of them before a new questions was asked. Octavia interjected at times reminding Vinyl, much to Vinyl's annoyance, that certain questions shouldn't be asked just because they were thought of. Eclipse couldn't recall when she last laughed as hard as she did then when she listened to the interaction of the two mares. After they ate, Octavia collected the dishes and let Vinyl show Eclipse where her saddlebag and prized possessions were being kept. After another volley of questions, about the toys this time and still unable to answer most, Octavia announced it was time for the 3 to part ways. The gray mare was to head to her concert while Vinyl and Eclipse went to one of the clubs for Vinyl's own show. The DJ was given specific instructions, something Octavia considered writing down and taping to Vinyl's forehead, not to let Eclipse drink any alcoholic beverages nor let her go home with any unruly stallions. When asked if unruly mares were alright, Octavia smacked Vinyl for the second time in the night.

Eclipse learned that Octavia and Vinyl shared a condominium twenty stories up in a modern build structure. The rent was costly but to Octavia the avoidance of unwanted noise, aside from Vinyl, unsavory types, aside from Vinyl, and safety, aside from when Vinyl gets a new CD. Eclipse hadn't even flown that high up before so knowing she stood at such a distance left her speechless. She had wished now she had gone out to the balcony and gotten the chance to look out to see what of the city she could see.

Night had once more come to Equestria. While she had yet to see the city in the day light, Eclipse was still in awe at the surrounding structures and ponies. The path to the dance club wasn't far. The moment they came to the back door, Eclipse was assaulted by a varying array of lights and ear shattering music pounding at her head. The club wasn't any place popular or heavily on the radar for critics. Vinyl played here on occasion as it was one of the first clubs she got her break in.

“Just sit here, and if someone with a name badge asks if you need anything, order whatever you want off the menu for food but no bubbles, capiche?” Vinyl moved her hooves pointing both at Eclipse in a 'bang' motion then twirled about on all fours to trot back to the stage. The filly watched the pony leave then took a glance around her again at the many, many unfamiliar faces. Her next thoughts went to what Vinyl said to her. What did she mean by bubbles?

“Now fillies and colts! We have for you, DJ Pon-3!” An announcer screamed through the speakers as the lights went dim. An orchestra of lights varying from blue, to red, and yellow shinned, flickered, and raced spot lights across the dance floor. The music was fast and exhilarating. Pushing the ponies to move their bodies in a frenzied dance calmer ponies would call chaotic or accuse them of drug use. Some ponies began getting on top of tables, standing onto their hind legs to sway and shake their flanks.

Flickers of images that seemed to be some pony else memories flourished in her mind. She saw a pony very much like her self dancing while bathed in the moon light. Instinctively, she brought her self on top of the table wanting to recapture the experience her body told her was her's, but she swore she had never done before. The memories felt so real but seemed like another life time. Before she could figure out what these thoughts were, she had clambered onto the table raising onto her hind legs. Her eyes closed, shutting away the moonlit glow. Her chest raised as she deeply inhaled. Her forelegs and hind legs began to move in an intricate manner. It was a dance from ages ago historians would place thousands of years in the past. Her mismatched wings extended out at either side of her. Rolling in waves, curling around her then releasing back out. The strange appearance of the right wing caught the eyes of several onlookers who's attention went from the expert DJ to the unknown pony.

Eclipse began to feel light. Her entire body growing warm with any pain, tension, or embarrassment washing away. Magic circled around her, it formed not from her horn but from all around. The gray energy flowed up to her broken horn restoring it to a mystical proportion as it did temporarily the night it was broken. The power shed outwards cast upon the club as something occurred that would entrap all ponies to watch Eclipse dance on the table. The light from the spotlights, flickering strobes, and even candles was stolen and brought straight to the filly. The objects still glowed producing the lamination, but everything around was not brightened. The multiple colors of light came in contact with Eclipse's tail and hair extending it to lengthy proportions. Her hair raised spreading out over the area above her just as her tail extended out across the floor. The shadows were next to feel the strange occurrence. From every part of the room they moved away enveloping Eclipse as a sensual lover might. Nothing cast darkness now. The area seemed to be in an unusual state where everything could be seen without light nor unseen with darkness.

The pony continued to dance with the shadow wrapping around her. It moved gracefully as she did up and down her slender form. Her hind quarters swayed catching each beat with a delicate bump motion. Her fore hooves traced down along her sides then curled her forelegs onto her abdomen. Ears settled back, flattening on her scalp. Vinyl was the last pony to notice when even over the loud beats of her music, she stopped hearing the stomps and clops of ponies dancing to the music. Her fore hooves slid over the vinyl records, her head raised up from watching her actions to stare out across the audience. It was then she saw the spectacle that Eclipse had created. Her right hoof slid creating a screeching sound of music skipping into a wall. The sound forced Eclipse back into reality, her eyes opening wide casting a brighter glow than normal. When her concentration was shattered, the light and shadows returned to where they came.

She stood there a moment before slowly dropping onto all four hooves. Her mouth hung open feeling dry as nervousness dipped its thorny feelings back into her skin. All eyes were on her, every pony was watching to see what this unusual filly was going to do next. The final glimmer of magic with her vanished, returning her horn to its broken state. She retracted her wings quickly back to cover her self and her cutie mark alike. She was unsure how to proceed, having never been the center of attention with so many before this night. The silence of the once loud, thumping music grew into an eerie atmosphere until she heard Vinyl yell over the speakers.

“Alright, every pony! Let's give it up for Nightlight!” There was the break in silence followed by a thunderous round of hoof stomping. The music stared up once more but Eclipse wasn't in any mood to dance this time. She went back to sitting at her table waiting for Vinyl to finish her set. During this time she was asked by unicorns what magic she had used, dancers asked her where she learned to move as she did, two or three marriage proposals and ponies bought drinks for her until a pyramid of different shaped glasses filled with liquids had stacked up on her table. This wouldn't become a problem of wasted alcohol as when Vinyl finally finished her track, she proceeded to accept the drinks on Eclipse's behalf. The DJ explained to the ponies that her friend couldn't drink but couldn't want to disappointment so many happy ponies.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. The sound of the clock was the only noise in the condominium. Octavia Philharmonica sat calmly at the kitchen table. Her front leg's knees bent against the table top, her chin pressed to joined hooves. Her eyes glanced towards the ticking machine. It was two AM and Vinyl was supposed to have been home with Eclipse by eleven. Raven hair had found its self annoyingly across her face, but she remained unmoving to brush it out of her way. It was just another annoyance she could deal with after she dealt with a certain mare.

Her right eye twitched when the off key singing caught her ears from the hall outside the condo. There would be complaints and accusations the following morning now; Octavia was dreading this. The door handle jiggled with giggles and laughter on the other side. She didn't want to get up to let the mare in but the filly who was with her deserved a good night's rest. The chair slid back allowing Octavia to drop down to be able to move to the door. With a heavy sigh she pulled the handle down letting the deadbolt retract and the metal nub to let the door open.

The slow opening was hurried along with a slamming of the door against the wall besides it. A white blur launched its self inwards tackling Octavia down against the ground. A flurry of kisses, pecks, and licks to Octavia's face, mane, and shoulders. The other mare's hooves found themselves groping across the gray pony's torso. “Vinyl Melinda Scratch you take your hooves off meEEEE!” Her voice hit a high pitch when Vinyl's hooves found Octavia's flank and graced between her thighs.

“I love your plot of my life.” Vinyl whispered the cheesy line into Octavia's ear. The cello master would hear nothing of it. Her right hoof swung upwards connecting to Vinyl's chin sending her flying off her body in a comical manner. Pulling her self up, Octavia brushed her self off then looked at the door way for Eclipse.

Eclipse stood there watching the spectacle. It was another lesson in life that would eventually require some explanation for what Vinyl was trying to do and Octavia had stopped her from doing. “I apologize for Vinyl's actions. I take it she had a few drinks?”

“Yes some of the po..ponies had bought me quite a fe..few of them but I di..didn't want to drink them so Miss Vinyl did.” Eclipse stammered not wanting to get the crumbled mass of white pony into any more trouble than she assumed she was in. Her tail tucked back between her haunches when she carefully traversed into the condo's entrance. Octavia shut the door behind the younger filly.

“It all makes sense now.” Octavia muttered moving from the door to Vinyl. She slid her head beneath Vinyl's body rolling her up onto her back. She deftly carried the DJ to the couch rolling her flank upwards, her torso forward letting the other mare gracefully land on the cushions. “Come, Eclipse, you'll be sharing the bed with me. Let the drunk sleep it off out here.”

The pair retreated back to the bedroom where Eclipse would be able to sleep in an unsoiled bed with fresh sheets, a fluffy pillow, and bouncy mattress. She felt like a foal again when she leap onto the bed rolling and bouncing until her weight settled. She didn't want to wait for permission and made her way beneath the covers to one side of the bed. Octavia watched her with violate eyes, giggling softly to her self at how excited the filly was just for this. It helped her decide what she would talk to Vinyl about tomorrow.

Eclipse blushed heavily when she realized how she was acting. Octavia came to the other side of the bed drawing her self beneath the covers. She had made a quick trip to the bathroom first and dropped something from her mouth next to Eclipse. “Please, use these.” Glowing eyes trailed down to the items that were dropped.

“Ear plugs. I want you to get a good rest so I recommend putting them in.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Octavia had allowed herself to sleep in that morning. When she finally woke, the digital clock besides her bed told her it was ten AM. Drowsy eyes confirmed that Eclipse still slumbered, peacefully curled in a ball on the other edge of the bed. Sometime during the night Eclipse had retrieved her prized dolls . Each one huddled close to her chest, she smiled nuzzling them. Octavia was careful when she slid out from under the covers as not to wake the filly. From her dresser, bottom drawer on the right, Octavia retrieved a white cylinder with a horn attachment to the top; simply put it was an air horn. Her head dipped down placing teeth and lips around the cylinder's side holding it tight. Raising back up, her hooves dipped in lifting two extra ear plugs carefully between each limb and placed them into her ears. She was set.

A last check to make sure Eclipse was asleep and her earplugs in was made before leaving the bedroom. The door shut behind her, extra precaution, Octavia calmly made her way to the couch where she left Vinyl the night before. Sometime during the early morning, Vinyl rearranged how she slept. She was on her back, but her head hung off the edge of the couch at the middle. Her flank pressed against the backrest and her legs hung undignified over the back. Her tail wasn't much help is keeping her decency intact. Her glasses had fallen landing near where her head hung. Vinyl's tongue was rolled out the corner of her open maw while soft snores rumbled from her throat.

Octavia sighed at the sight. How the DJ was able to sleep like that and not wake up sore was always a mystery to her. She trotted to the front of the couch and sat back onto her haunches. One front hoof raised up to the top of the blow horn. In her mind she counted down. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Her hoof pushed inward against a bright red button. All at once Vinyl launched upwards planting her self against the ceiling. The loud belch of the air horn causing the windows nearby to vibrate. Octavia moved her hooves over to pull out each ear plug, then the air A horn set onto the small table in front of the sofa. As a feather in the wind, Vinyl slowly floated down back onto the couch. Her body was trembling, her head throbbed with unimaginable pain and anguish, visions were nearly blinded at the bodily sensations brought on by the epic hangover. When her visions did finally return, she found Octavia standing over her, smiling bright and cheerily. Vinyl knew that if she was woken up in that fashion, she had done something wrong.

“Good morning, darling, it is time for us to have our discussion about our guest.” Octavia excused her self and went into the kitchen. She'd begin making a light brunch for them to share. Fresh fruits and cheese was taken from the fridge, and a knife retrieved from the block held between hoof and ankle. “You said yesterday that you wanted her to stay here if she was in the kind of trouble we fully suspect.” She didn't want to dally on the subject.

A hing pitch ringing finally silenced in Vinyl's head. Her hooves pressed against her temples wanting the pain to subside enough for her to right her self and stand on her four hooves again. She was never going to drink that much again she told her self. Her purple sunglasses were retrieved set back on her muzzle. She knew she was just lying to her self, given the chance she'd do it again. Octavia's words reached her enough for her to hear them but not to fully understand them. Vinyl's brain still felt that it was being thrown around in her skull bouncing off the walls. “Huh? Well yeah. But you shoulda seen her last night, Octy!” Vinyl attempted to walk straight to the kitchen. She wouldn't pass a sobriety test very well as every other step she took another one either to the left or the right. “She was like freaking with the lights and stuff. Moving them like nothing I've ever seen a pony do before. It was creepy but damn was it badass!”

This did sound as an unusual act. But a unicorn, or alicorn's, in Eclipse's case, was something that couldn't fully be explained. “And it was not something you have seen before?” Inquiring tone spoke up setting some sliced fruit onto a one of two retrieved plates.

“Never. Hell, every pony there was completely silent about the whole thing. They had no idea what was going on but they loved the hell out of it!” Vinyl finally made it to the kitchen. From behind Octavia she went, moving onto her hind legs and tossing he forelegs around her lover's shoulders. A quick peck was given to the gray pony's cheek. “But yeah. Nightlight is a good kid. I say she stays if she has no place to go. Heck, she could use some lessons from a certain brilliant pony.”

“As long as a stupid one doesn't ruin it, right?” Vinyl smiled pressing her body back against the white pony's warm form.

“Hey now, don't put your self down like that!” Vinyl gave a trademark grinned resting her cheek against Octavia's nuzzling her.

“First we need to find out more about her. She looks to be like how the Princesses are but... Different. Will you go wake her? I'll get another plate ready.” She said wiggling her body from Vinyl to retrieve the third plate. “Just be gentle. She has ear plugs in her ears.”

Vinyl saluted Octavia then slid around on her hind hooves to face the kitchen door. Dropping back to her normal trotting ways, she half dashed towards the bedroom. Eclipse was still sound asleep in the same place that Octavia had left her. Devil horns appeared on Vinyl's head in her shadow when she approached the sleeping filly. Her hooves danced beneath her with a splendid idea craving into her thoughts. The twinkling haired filly looked so peaceful on Vinyl's side of the bed. Vinyl reached forward grabbing onto the edge of the blanket. She decided to tone down the prank in mind for something less startling. The blanket was yanked back forcing Eclipse to fall over the edge.

Thump! Eclipse's body hit the ground startling her awake. She jumped up onto all fours glancing back and forth expecting the worst had come for her. The sunlight struck still tired eyes stinging them awake as she adjusted to being conscious. Glowing eyes found Vinyl snickering off to the side yet, strangely she wasn't making a sound despite her lips moving. Eclipse tilted her head trying to lip read the white pony until it occurred to her. The ear plugs! Magic withdrew the tiny nubs out letting the DJ's voice come through loud and clear.

“Well glad to see you're finally awake! Come on, Octy's got some vittles for us to munch on.” Vinyl threw her front hooves out to help Eclipse right herself then guide her to the dinner table. Octavia was waiting, at her seat she was at when they ate dinner, with three plates of fruits and cheeses waiting for them. Vinyl would normally protest and want some Dandeliontarts or something similar for a foal's taste but she wasn't going to argue this time.

“Good morning, Eclipse.” She spoke calmly offering a genuine smile. When the other two ponies were seated, Octavia leaned her head down to pluck a piece of orange into her mouth. Violet eyes gazed towards the shorter filly who, in turn, had begun eating her fresh food as if it was her last once more. “This maybe difficult to discuss but it is something Vinyl and my self need to ask you. Yesterday you had mentioned you ran away from home.”

A deer in headlights made more attempts to flee an oncoming car than Eclipse did to swallow her food. Her pounded her right hoof against her chest forcing a piece of kiwi down her gullet. Eyes did not want to meet Octavia's kind stare. The gray filly felt ashamed for what she went through, and answering questions only seemed to make it a more prevalent feeling. She nodded her head finally to the question.

“I understand this maybe the cause for your horn breaking. Eclipse, I need to get honest answers from you if we are to help you. I do not wish to escalate the situation worse, but we are in need of information.”

Eclipse didn't want to say what had occurred over the years of her life. She was certain telling anyone would bring more turmoil and her possible return to the dreaded place. Yet, when she looked up to Octavia and Vinyl, the comfort and understanding in their eyes gave her an entirely different feeling. She felt safe here with them, a bit how she did with the Super Heroine who helped her reached Manehatten. “D..daddy kept me in the.. ce..cellar. That's what ma..mamma would call it. He would sa...say I was cur..cursed.” Images of the place returned to her mind, picturing each and every day of solitude she was forced to endure. “After Mamma had left... I do..don't know how lo..long but daddy came do..down made. He sa..said I did something and bro..broke my horn.” Tears turned in her glowing eyes. She never wanted to see what she saw that morning anymore but this recollection was forcing her to experience it again. “Ther..there was a fi..fire a few da..days ago and I go..got out then.”

Octavia and Vinyl exchanged looks. This was too unreal to be true but the tears the filly shed told them it was. No one cried like that without true damage being there. Vinyl slid from her chair trotting over to Eclipse's side. Her arms came around the filly hugging her tightly against her white coat. “Who is your father, Eclipse?” Octavia asked. She knew what she was going to ask next. Of course, she had made her decision even before asking these questions.

The gray filly pressed against Vinyl, returning the embrace tightly with her forelegs around the DJ. She whipped her face, cleaning away tears, on her chest. “I do..don't want to sa..say. I do..don't want hi..him to find me.”

“Would you like to live with us? We will clean out the spare bedroom for you to use.”

Eclipse shot her head away from Vinyl staring at the cellist with a slackjawed expression. Did her ears hear what was said right? She looked up at Vinyl then back to Octavia seeking some sort of reaffirmation. The smiles she received from both of them gave her what she needed. “Ye..yes please.”

“Awesome! I got so much to teach you now, Nightlight!” Vinyl said hugging the filly once more. “I'll show you good music, more dance moves, and lessons in love. See, Vinyl has this spot, right at the base of her ears that when you nibble it just right she melts in your hoo...” The mood changed abruptly. Vinyl felt a cold chill fill the air. When she breathed out air could be seen as on a chilly day. Sweat frozen solid in tiny droplets on her brow. Slowly, her head turned peering at Octavia. The look sent Vinyl's way sent shivers through her body.

“Vinyl. Kitchen. Now.” Octavia moving off the chair to her hooves.

“Don't wanna.” Vinyl replied shaking her head. She moved cowering behind Eclipse and the chair she was on.

“I never gave you a choice.”

“I'll stay with Eclipse.”

“Now.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Well into the evening the three ponies worked on clearing out the guest room. The different boxes of keepsakes, mementos, unneeded clothes, and other housewares would be taken to a storage unit sometime soon. For now they were stacked near the front door in anticipation for the event. Conversations stayed far away from anything that would open Eclipse's old wounds but instead inquired to her hobbies, likes, dislikes, and education. It turned out that with the books that Eclipse had to entertain her self while living in the cellar, she was knowledgeable in high school academia and below. The books she had were certainly knowledgeable when they were purchased eighteen years ago but there would be more to learn. Eclipse didn't know how to survive on her own, barely knew how to do chores, and, according to Vinyl, ensure that a tree isn't planted up her rump.

Eclipse enjoyed watching the pair. The way they fought and poked fun at one another was a continuous comedy show. The words and actions never became hurtful beyond child's pranks and insults. After dinner, and fresh blankets and sheets were on Eclipse's new bed, she excused herself to bed early. Alone, the pair of mares did some final cleaning up in the kitchen before they too would go to rest.

“We at least know more about her. Imagine spending your entire life locked away. Do you think we should contact someone about what she is? Any pony could see that she is an alicorn.” Octavia spoke running the first few dishes beneath the running water in the sink.

Vinyl did what any good unicorn would do. She used her magic to take the cleaned plates and dry them with an available dish towel. She was reclined back on a chair from the dining room brought to the kitchen so she wouldn't have to shout. “Nah, Octy, if Nightlight is so scared to not even tell us her old stallion's name then she's probably more scared to even talk to the police. Heck, we had to coax her to just tell us a little bit of her problems!” Vinyl moved from her chair coming up behind Octavia. She raised up onto her hind legs then wrapped her forelegs around her lover's waist. Gentle kisses were set to her neck and shoulder. “She just got out a few days ago, she said, so she probably just needs to chill for a while.” Her hooves slid over the gray mare's belly running down a bit lower than perhaps they should. “Hey, I've been a good pony today. How about being a bad pony for me?”

Octavia smirked glancing back to her marefriend. The last dish was set aside, she pressed back letting their bodies join fully. “Good pony? When I went to speak to the landlord you decided to show Eclipse your sound system. It shook the building.”

“Awww, come on.” Vinyl let her magic envelope her glasses raising them back to the top of her head. Ruby eyes, deep and beautiful, stared at Octavia while her lower lip trembled. “I've been a good pony, honest!”

“And last night?... Oh why bother fighting this. You will only escalate your foalish acts until I coincide with your desires.”

“I love it when you use big words.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

The moon and stars blanketed the city with their luminescent light. A flush emitted from the bathroom and Eclipse exited after washing her hooves. Nature had called to her in the middle of the night wakening her from another night of peaceful sleep. She trotted into the hall, glowing eyes emitting enough light for her to see perfectly to her surroundings. She admired it all once more; her new home. A sudden sound caught her attention. Her ears turned to get a better idea where they came from. The sound of flesh being slapped, one she knew all too well, came from the direction of Vinyl and Octavia's bedroom. She inched closer to the bedroom, quiet as a mouse even when the sounds inside were not. Her eyes closed shut. Was some pony being hurt inside? Was it one of them hurting the other? They were so kind to each other, showed such love, that she could scarcely believe it! With the kindness they both had showed her, she wanted to help whichever pony was being abused. So, with magic around the door knob and door, she thrust it open charging inside. What she saw would burn into her mind for ages to come.

Vinyl Tracks and Octavia Philharmonica were not fighting or abusing each other in the more traditional, violent manner. Vinyl was standing on all fours. She wore a brown saddle across her back strapped down along her belly. The area around her cutie mark was swore and red. Gray and purple socks with a treble cleft stitched in black at every ankle. In her mouth was a red ball gag with reigns running upwards to...

Octavia, on the other hand, was riding right on Vinyl's back sitting on the saddle. One hoof had the reigns wrapped around while the other held a riding crop between hoof and wrist. On her hind legs black chaps, on her torso a black cowboy vest, and to top it off a black cowboy hat settled on her head merging in with her straight, black hair.

Vinyl and Octavia stopped their antics when they heard the door open, both noticing Eclipse in the door. Vinyl looked at Eclipse. Eclipse looked at Vinyl. Octavia looked at Eclipse. Eclipse looked at Octavia. Somewhere in Ponyville a pony barked at the moon. None of the ponies stirred, none of them made a sound.

Octavia's mind reeled trying to come up with some sort of explanation as her cheeks inflamed with red. Excuses and explanations were thought up then thrown out for the obscurity that they would come across as. Just as the words were rolling off her tongue to convince Eclipse this was a misunderstanding, the filly retreated back out shutting the door behind her. She was heard returning to her bedroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The town of Fillyton was still in a panic over the fire that destroyed Mine Manor. Workers had begun clearing away rubble and securing anything that could pose a danger to any pony that came near the site. Bridal gossip had whispered of the events trying to find some explanation to how a wealthy family as they could have such a horrible ordeal occur. Diamond Mine's corpse was searched for first so it could be properly buried and Sheriff Tin Star did a short investigation proclaiming that no foul play was involved.

At Fillyton Memorial, in a familiar hospital room, a patient was waking for the first time in three days. Blood shot eyes, weary from trauma and fatigue, shot open wide staring at the white ceiling over him. Through a miracle, a deal with a devil pony, or dumb luck, Gold Mine had survived the horrific fire and structure of the horse falling onto his legs. His first memories were the sight of his wife's fallen body and the sensations he felt when he did the deed. The images turned to the last things he saw before his collapse into his three day coma. Eclipse. The filly's escape and ignoring of his wounds and call for help. There was a new lease for what he wanted to do to her. Revenge, suffering, and pain; he would cause all these things to her ten fold. His new ambitions were squished when one vital problems suddenly came to light. He couldn't move his hind legs.

Summer Rumba

“Look, Sheriff, we're working as fast as we can to clear this here rubble but your pesterin' isn't going to make it any easier.” An earth pony in a hard hat spoke up with a thick southern drawl. His hard hat had the word “Boss” written in badly stenciled spray paint with both 's' backwards. His lips curled to the side spitting out a thick brown substance. He was in charge of the grew of ponies hired by Gold Mine's lawyers to remove the rubble of his burned down estate from his property. They had begun on the fourth morning since the night of the fire. Their first goal was accomplished; find Diamond Mine's body. Now they were to simply load wagons and carts to be taken to a landfill or sorting center to see if anything could be reused.

“I don't care about what you can do I want you just to do it faster, why is that so hard for you types to understand?” The sheriff didn't care much for the lower end ponies. His town was full of the Upper Middle Class and Elites and he wanted to ensure that they didn't stay longer then they needed to be. Tin Star stomped the ground in front of him then pointed a hoof in the direction of the burned down manor. “I just want your work done so the hotel can be filled with respectable ponies instead of the cider swilling, loud, uncouth ponies like your selves. Now get back to work.”

The foreman of the workers was about to turn and buck the sheriff. He wasn't caring if he saw a jail cell this pony crossed the line insulting his workers. His actions were cut off when a young colt pegasus came swooping around the western corner of the house. “Boss! Boss!” The excited pony exclaimed aloud landing down with a force that caused his hooves to skid across the ground sending dust and pebbles upwards into the faces of the sheriff and foreman. “Ya know ole' four left hooves? He found something that you got to see!”

The foreman and the sheriff took a hateful glance at each other then went galloping to follow the air born pony. To the western side of the house the two ponies were lead to find a group of workers crowded around one spot near where the wall used to be. They had discovered a sunroof of sorts setup for an area within what was once the wine cellar. The fire had broken the glass over the window allowing access down. A rope ladder lead downwards that the earth and unicorn ponies setup since they couldn't just fly down safely or fly up to be able to climb over the edge.

The different ponies around urged the foreman and sheriff to go down and see what they found. They were spooked at what they found. The group separated to allow the two ponies to gradually lower themselves down into the hovel below. The foreman was the first down and the first to gasp at what he saw. The fire had not damaged much below the foundation. It kept much of the lower areas intact. The first small room they entered was the bedroom. While filthy, it appeared to have been lived in recently. Once the sheriff came down, the pair then came into the main room to look about. The foreman was shaken to his core with a feeling hardening in the pit of his gut. “By Celestia. Some pony was living down here.” He whispered to him self glancing at the remains of broken toys, moisture damaged books, and old furniture.

Tin Star came next. He felt the blood leaving his face, a cold chill rushing through him, and a sudden realization sparking his mind. His thoughts returned to a time almost twelve to thirteen years prior. The mare that screamed that Gold Mine was keeping a foal down here. His hooves tapping the stone floors as he followed behind the foreman. The sight was breath taking, the thought of a pony being forced to reside down here robbing him of his breath. Nausea coursed through his belly. Was he partly responsible for not stopping this sooner? No, he was not to blame for another pony's actions. Tin Star came over to the foreman and kept his voice low for the other workers not to hear if the echo should reach them. He had a town to consider, and he had a reputation to protect. “Foreman, if you don't want to wind up in a jail cell with charges I recommend you and your other workers don't speak a word of this.” His words were coated with venom. “I'm more than happy to put a few rough neck ponies away if it means my town stays where it's at.”

The foreman gaped at the pony besides him. How one could be so cold towards another pony's plight to further their own ambitions was beyond the him. He could not argue with the Sheriff knowing that he and his crew were in a foreign territory than their normal routine. The foreman wouldn't let it leave just like this, even with the forewarned punishment. Some pony would learn of this one way or another.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two bowls of cheerileos, a plate with a bagel and a sliced grapefruit, three glasses of milk, and three pieces of toast was set out over the dining room table for three ponies to eat breakfast. No words were spoken between them. The silence only adding to the tension between the three. Well, between two of the three. One of them was blissfully unaware that she should have been embarrassed over events that occurred last night. The unaware pony? Vinyl. Vinyl hadn't yet donned her trademark glasses, opting to wait to choose the color of the evening before leaving. Octavia couldn't even look at Eclipse. Her cheeks seemed to be stained red never to return to their gray tones. Eclipse had many questions, but questions were needed to find out if she could ask the questions and those questions would lead to only more questions. Starting the chain of questions was the question on her mind currently. The three ate without saying a thing until one pony finally broke the stalemate.

Octavia slid a sour piece of grapefruit past her lips suckling the juices before swallowing it down. Purple eyes finally took the time to look at Eclipse before her words were decided upon and she spoke. “Eclipse, about the situation you witnessed last night. I understand that you may have questions about what Vinyl and my self were doing.”

Vinyl slid her hooves beneath her bowl bringing it to her lips gulping down the cereal flavored milk. Eclipse watched then mimicked the actions identically leaving behind a white mustache across her upper lip. The pony with the treble clef cutie mark sighed, she would have to teach Eclipse manners again later. Octavia felt concerned, it had only been two days and Eclipse was picking up bad habits from Vinyl.

The gray filly finally decided the best course of action. Sliding her tongue outwards wiping over her lips, she brought in a breath then spoke out. “What ha..happened last night? I do..don't remember anything.” Ah feign ignorance.

Vinyl and Octavia glanced to one another then back to Eclipse. Perhaps the filly was sleep walking or simply not fully awake to know what she had seen. Vinyl bought this but Octavia didn't; though she was thankful that this discussion could wait until later. The cellist wasn't convinced. She wanted to ensure that the filly wasn't traumatized nor ask a question at an inappropriate time. “Are you certain, Eclipse?”

“Geez, Octy, if you're that worried if she saw us let's just invite her next time to watch or join in and we can teLLL.” Vinyl words hit a high pitch when a hind hoof struck one of her hind shins. The DJ's right eye shut right, the left twitching, her jaw clamped shut biting back from hollering at the pain that shot forth.

Eclipse giggled at the display. She knew perfectly well what just happened to Vinyl. She had seen the two of them act just like this all day yesterday and it never ceased to amuse her. Octavia composed her self, reaching her hooves up to adjust the red bow tie around her neck. After, she let her hooves comb down over her straight, black mane. “Alright then, I will accept this response. But, Eclipse, if you do have any questions or feel the need to ask about something that you may or may not have witnessed last night, please ask us in private rather than among other ponies who would not comprehend the actions.” Octavia rose from her chair, one plate stacked onto the other then raised on her hoof to balance, her empty glass the same. “Today you'll be joining me when I go to my practice. I wish for Vinyl to return from her duties from her next club sober this time.” The last words were icey in their presentation partially aimed to Vinyl. Hoof steps brought Octavia into the kitchen placing her dishes into the sink, but returned shortly after to conclude her words. “I'm afraid it may not be as exciting as the clubs Vinyl performs but I assure you that the music is far better and will enlighten your senses in a way that isn't akin to baboons beating on tree trunks.”

The bread stuffed down her gullet in one push, her beverage raised with magic to guzzle down the last of the liquid, and it ended with a belch as her hoof pounded her chest. Vinyl was now finished eating. Eclipse watched the unladylike, uncivilized display Vinyl did and did the exact same save for the belch at the end. Her right front elbow propped against the table, the electric blue maned pony tilted her head over the back of her chair grinning at Octavia. “Ah, Octy, if you want her to get lock jaw from yawning so much we could just show her the art exhibit you took me to last week!”

Electricity sparked in the stare the two marefriends glared at one another. The tension could be cut with a knife. Eclipse didn't like this. This wasn't like the fights they had before, their words seemed to try and cut at one another more out of annoyance than playful poking. What she didn't know was that these fights came as often as the playful ones they did. It helped them keep each other on their hooves. They would push at the boundaries but never cross the lines that would truly ruin the wonderful blessing they had. The filly glanced between the pair, her wings ruffling to make noise but it did nothing for the conflict.

“Tomorrow, Eclipse,” Octavia began to speak again, never leaving her visions from the DJ's red eyes. Neither was going to relent until a silent truce was made. “Vinyl and I will take you to the department stores to pick things up for you. I was thinking a new saddlebag, accessories for your mane and wings, bathing supplies, and I was thinking, since you enjoy reading, a few books.” This was it, both Vinyl and Octavia looked at Eclipse at the same time.

Vinyl waved a hoof in front of her face. “That's all well and good but we gotta get this filly right and ready for the club scenes too. Maybe some earrings and music to listen to so she can get right with it.” Gray magic circled around Eclipse's dishes and her own pulling them to a hover then letting them dance across the air to the kitchen. Another look was exchanged between Vinyl and Octavia. At the mention of introducing music to the filly, they each had their own plans in store.

“Yes, introducing her to music other than what we can do at our mutual establishments would be a rewarding endeavor for her.” The couple managed to agree on something even if they each held their own goals quietly away from the other. Octavia came over behind Vinyl, raising to her hind legs and draping her forelegs over her lover's shoulders. “Now, Eclipse, before we go out on our day is there anything you wish to know about? I am certain that between the two of us we can answer any question that can come to you. And it doesn't mean to pertain to events that may or may not be remembered.”

The twinkling maned filly tilted her head to the side thinking of something she had wanted to know but could never get an answer for. Innocent glowing eyes, so full of life and peace looked out the window while her lips moved to speak, “What's a wing boner?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns was seeing an unusual amount of activity for the normally busy academy. Unicorns were immersed in matters that were occurring in Ghastly Gorge. Rumors were surfacing of an unusual energy flowing from the deepest crevice. Lore of old and ancient texts were unearthed from Celestia's library seeking information on the gorge and the magic flowing forth. At present, it posed no danger to the land nor ponies but Princess Luna had insisted it be investigated.

Iron Mind arrived and was welcomed by scholars, teachers, and students alike. He was well known among the ponies here for his own accomplishments and those of his wife, Split Atom. His face held a somber emotion. He held knew news he wished not to share with the mare he swore his life to, but an order from Celestia was an order he could not refuse. White armor gleamed in the sunshine giving a radiant glow that seemed to surround his entire being. Each hoof guard, bladed at the fronts, clinked against the cobble stone walkway beneath him. Black mane and tail were tied back and bundled to keep from becoming a distraction during his duties. He passed beneath the archway of the Energy Division science building.

The design of the building was similar to a large gymnasium with smaller rooms broken off with long hallways to keep experiments separate. The main room's ceiling was covered in pipes holding either water pumping, wires sparking with electricity, flows of wind, or waste being taken out to be reused someplace else. Each pony either wore a lab coat or clothing to protect from the elements. Iron Mind felt sorrow for the ponies in protection. If they were assigned to work with his wife, they would wind up in the hospital at one point or another.

The various ponies greeted Iron with a smile or a courteous nod. Each was returned when Iron came to pass them. He came to the center hall of the west wing, the longest hall that connected to a building painted with magical wards, coated in steel plates, and had rabbits at each window to stop intruders with the power of cuteness. The last protection was Split's idea. Guard ponies were stationed at the start, middle, and end of the hallway. They did not question Iron Mind's arrival knowing his position and whom his wife was. The closer down the hall he came to the off building, the hotter the corridor became. Surely, Split Atom was experimenting with some new device or output machine to achieve a goal that no one would understand but her until it was finished. Iron Mind was forced to stop at the final door to the experimentation room. Thick iron doors and two guards blocking his path. A test was underway and he would have to wait until it was concluded.

“Throw the switch!” Iron Mind could hear the voice of his wife shout out. “Perfect! Now, put that under there and move that there. Now don't flinch too much!” Lights flashed beneath the heavy steel doors baring his journey into the structure. The pained cries of a pony caused Iron to cringe. He felt sorrow for the subject of Split's newest experiment. The door opened giving way for a thick mist to flow as water across the ground of the hallway. A gray pony with bubbles for her cutie marked help a pony with an hourglass cutie mark out of the room. The poor stallion was twitching at random intervals. Iron's heart went out to the test subject. If he was meant to be or not it did not matter, the poor stallion did suffer.

“Split?” His voice spoke out entering into the large building. Electrodes, spinning fans, and machines a plenty covered nearly every inch of the room. The orange coated pony was busy working on an odd chambered twice her height. It was cylinder shaped with glass walls, a metal base and top flashing with lights, power cords connected from every direction, and smoke flowing forth from its swinging door. Other scientists were avoiding going near the device fearing that they would end up being the next test subject for the crazed scientist's ambitions.

Her red mane tumbled over her eyes when she turned her head at the sound of her husband's voice. She twisted about, moving towards him as her magic snatched something inside of the tube out. “Perfect, I was waiting for you to arrive. Electric Conduit and I have our bags packed and are prepared to leave at lunch for Fillyton. I suspect you did plan to pack light so I prepared your suitcase as well.” Split Atom moved around her husband with what she retrieved flying behind her. What was it that she had prepared and willingly allowed another pony to be hurt to create? Equestria's perfect heat gem.

“Your information network in the castle, as always, is impressive but I have no plans to take you nor our son with me. But, if you have already made these preparation then I should assume that you have already asked Princess Celestia to order me to take you both.” His head shook giving up on any arguments he might use against her. “But was it necessary for you to put a pony to harm to create that? I would imagine you wouldn't normally put some pony in the machine with the stone, would you?”

“Of course. I couldn't let the stone rest on the floor of the machine nor could I just set it on anything that would cause it to take on unwanted properties. The good Doctor was willing to help after a bit of black mail.” Split Atom trotted to a container to hold her gem to show later. The other scientists finally came out of their hiding places or distance away to join in the short celebration of their accomplishment.

“Well then, we leave at noon.” It was two days prior that Iron Mind received the news of the death of his mother and the manor's burning. As with the other events that came on his parents over the years, he had originally not wished to deal with the problems they had gone through. This morning, Princess Celestia ordered him to go to Fillyton to check on his family. He should have known his plans to go there and be back within less then a days time would change. He couldn't hide anything from Split Atom. Gifts, surprises, or even an attempt to sneak up on her were always known about before he could even finish planing. She had spies everywhere, for what purpose he never wanted to ask lest he became one of her subjects to help with testing. Iron Mind feared no pony save her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The mystery that had plagued Eclipse had finally been solved. Though Octavia was horrified, Vinyl took it upon her self to inform the glowing eyed filly the answer to her question. The DJ was descriptive in manners that only the hippest of ponies could figure out. An interpretative dance, crude drawings, and an audio cassette tape were used, but Vinyl's method of teaching failed. Dreadfully, Octavia was forced to translate each act when Vinyl repeated every portion of it. The lesson finally took root allowing Octavia to give her blushing cheeks time to cool before Eclipse and herself departed.

It was noon when the two ponies left to go to Octavia's practice hall. Vinyl walked them to the door, gave Octavia a kiss, Eclipse a hug, and said her goodbyes to, as the DJ put it, her two favorite mares. Side by side, the cellist and the runaway trotted together down the streets of Manehatten. This was the first time that Eclipse had the opportunity to walk in the day light here. Everything was different than at night. The ponies that were dressed wore clothing of a different style. Carriage taxis rushed through the streets cutting off one another in desperate attempts to beat their deadlines. The only wild animals were the smallest varieties of birds, squirrels, rats, and lawyers. One thing persisted even when the sun shined and the moon slumbered; most every pony was rude.

“I hope that Vinyl isn't a problem for you, Eclipse.” Octavia began. Her flank bouncing to adjust the large cello case she lugged with her. “She has the tenancy to act as a foal would when she becomes excited.”

“Nn..Not at all.” Eclipse shook her head dismissing the idea that there was a problem. “It makes me feel ha...happy. B..both of you are so ni..nice to me.”

“You should have heard Vinyl when we discussed what we should do with you. After the paranoia of being arrested had wore off, she was adamant in aiding your situation. I doubt that any reasoned argument I gave would have convinced her to stop.” She winked to the fellow gray filly. Their approach to the concert hall was nearing its end. The large building was almost in sight. It was a Victorian design built in the last hundred years. Towering spikes and stained glass windows gave it an religious appearance similar to a cathedral. “I truly doubt I would have been able to turn my back on you after learning what you have been forced to live with.” The doors leading within were at their front. Towering slabs of oak pressed with brass handles, rims, and decorations depicting the sun and the moon. “Vinyl and I will take care of and help you in any capacity we can.”

Her heart felt close to bursting with the warm feelings that pumped through her. Since her escape, she had the chance to meet so many kind ponies willing to help her. The one called Rainbow Dash, the Nightmare Moon's Angels, and now these musical ponies had taken in a complete stranger. She felt tears brimming to escape but forced them back. Instead, she leaned her neck over to rub it against Octavia's. “Tha..thank you, Miss Oct..Octavia. For ev..everything.”

A tinge of red touched her cheeks. Octavia thought that Eclipse really was too naïve for her own good. She set a fore leg around the other giving her a quick hug. Her case rolled to the opposite side of her body, and was quickly corrected with another quick bump of her plot. “You're very welcome, Eclipse. Now, when we get inside I'll show you to the audience seating. I'm afraid you'll be stuck there for several hours.”

The interior of the music hall kept with the design of the exterior. The craftsmanship antique even with remodeling done to place electrical power, additions such as a ticket booth and a place for refreshments were made retaining the original quality and feel of the building. The ponies gathered inside were each of the musical sort. Some had cutie marks directly associated with their instruments, others musical notes, and some had nothing to do with music at all. Maybe they were workers or here with the musicians?

One pony stood out from the rest, more so because she was coming directly towards Octavia and Eclipse. A unicorn. Her coat was mint green, her tail and mane a lighter shade with the left side white in her mane and the center white in her tail. Her flank was designed with a golden lyre. She smiled a bitter expression, narrowing her eyes at the earth pony and alicorn. “Ah, do the token Earth Pony has finally arrived at the rehearsal. It's good to see that the conductor still wants to reach out to ponies who normally shouldn't play instruments.” The words were meant to cut to the bone, heated to seer the flesh.

“Ah, Lyra, I was lead to believe that mediocrity had been removed to ensure that those within the audience wouldn't feel the need to escape the sound or enjoy bleeding from their ears.” Not a beat nor cue was missed with Octavia's rebuttal. She locked eyes with the other mare, leaning forward prepared to butt heads, literally, if need be.

Eclipse's brow furrowed, worried at what was next to come. She tucked her tail between her legs, shifting her self a bit behind Octavia. She didn't much care for this situation. It wasn't like when Octavia and Vinyl argued or exchanged harsh words. This felt longstanding, a grudge that was brewing from a time that Eclipse would never know. The assured fight was broken immediately when both broke into a smile and a fit of giggles.

“At least we know that we can still fight and have it appear convincing.” Octavia spoke before she and the one called Lyra broke into a fit of giggles. “How is Bon-Bon? Your letter said you two are expecting. It is amazing how unicorn magic can work, hm?” She inclined her head peering at the mint green one.

Lyra waved a hoof dismissively fighting off a blush. “She's due in five months, a month after the music festival. Speaking of which, are you and Vinyl still going to stay with us during it?”

Octavia bowed her head then tossed back to free her face of irritating black hairs. “If you will still have us. But since you're here I need to ask if you both will have a room for a third.”

“A third?” Lyra tilted her head wondering what this third pony could be. She hadn't heard of anything dealing with Eclipse and Octavia having a child through magic nor adoption.

The cellist shifted her self to the side a bit to stop Eclipse from hiding behind her. Her hoof waved for the darker gray filly to come up besides her. “Yes, Vinyl and I have taken in a runaway of sorts. She'll be staying with us for sometime it seems. Eclipse, this is my friend Lyra. Lyra, this is Eclipse.”

Placed in the spot light, glowing eyes were brought quickly to look at Lyra. She hadn't expected this to turn into a meeting among friends with how they openly engaged one another seconds before. “It's a pl..pleasure to me..meet you, Mi..Miss Lyra.” Mismatched wings gave a flutter when she smiled.

She wasn't sure how to react to this pony. The number of things different about her than other ponies led her mind astray for what to ask first. “A pleasure to you as well, Miss Eclipse.” She settled on this approach. Octavia would fill her in, she was certain. She gave her attention back to the cellist. “Of course we'll have room for a third. Octavia.” She waved a hoof for her to come close to Lyra. Her voice low as she whispered to her ear. “What's wrong with her?”

“Let me show Eclipse to the seating and I'll tell you all about it as we prepare.” A sage nod she retreated back over to Eclipse setting a hoof to her shoulder. “Come with me and you'll be able to hear real music instead of the deafening, drug fueled noise.” She visibly shuttered thinking of having to return to one of those clubs. But she'd go back for Vinyl's sake. That was the punishment that came with love. A temporary farewell to Lyra and the two ponies went towards the audience seating. Up front, center, Eclipse took her spot. Octavia told her where to reach the restroom if she needed. They'd have a snack in a few hours at the break. The musician left her guest for now to go back and prepare. She'd tell Lyra what she knew of Eclipse's tale and ask but a simple request; don't bring it up to Eclipse unless Eclipse does. It wouldn't be right to trouble her until she was ready to converse freely.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The sight of Celestia's personal chariot brought the pony folk of Fillyton out of their businesses and homes to see if the Celestial Princess had come to their home. The golden, twin wheeled chariot was being pulled by two, pure white pegasus guards. Many were disappointed when it landed. For it wasn't royalty that would grace them, but the captain of Celestia's guard and his family. Those who knew who it was did not depart but ones unaccustomed with the higher ranking military left to return to their normal lives.

Iron Mind departed first turning to offer a hoof up to Split Atom. Her magic was entwined to carry two small bags with her. Then, he reached with his forelegs to help a foal down. The foal had a neon yellow coat. His mane neon green in a spiky fashion letting the bangs dangle over his eyes. His tail was short, neon green with a black stripe down the middle. This was their child, Electrical Conduit, five years old, hyper as a Pinkiepie on coffee, and already helping his mother with her experiments. They arrived thirty minutes after the noon schedule. Chasing down Electrical Conduit from running through the halls of the castle had them leaving fifteen minutes late.

“Sodadarewegoingtogoseetheplaceyouvisitedasafoaltooandbeabletoplayintheforest?” The rambled words were met with a calm smile from his father. Conduit wiggled free from Iron's hooves and began bouncing at every spot close by. He sniffed every plant, poked every pony he could find, and chased every bug.

The rest of the bags were taken with a bit of Iron's magic. He took hold of the bulk of them. The pegasi guards were nodded away to return to Canterlot. They would return in four days to retrieve them unless some other order was given. The family went to first check in at the inn. Their bags left at the room. The first stop was the hospital that contained Gold Mine. Iron Mind was dreading having to see his father for the first time in almost eighteen years. The reception room and waiting room were joined together while emergency services were in a separate door.

Iron Mind departed from his wife and child leaving them in the reception room. He acquired the room number, third floor room thirty seven, then made his way up the stairs to reach it. He felt no emotion when he reached the door. Showing none since he entered was part of his training as a guard. Not let your opponent read you and they cannot learn you. Hoof steps halted, a breath was taken in, and he let his magic open the door for him.

The guard captain saw what he had expected to find. His father, an older weaker colt than he had left him, laying in his bed staring down at a folder of papers. Magic held each sheet up for him. The aura around the paper was weak, barely visible brown. His power had not returned since the night Eclipse had gotten her cutie mark. Tired visions raised to the open door, the old stallion near snarling at Iron Mind's entrance.

“Over eighteen years and the first I see you is after your mother's death? If you've come believing there are bits waiting for you in her will there is none. I have it all.” Gold's words were embittered with venom. Every syllable rolled from his tongue threatening to strike at Iron's heart if he so pleased to. Much of his golden mane was bone. Either cut away by nurses or singed by the fire. “I have no wish for you to be here. Leave.” He dismissively waved a hoof to his estranged son.

No regard was given to the accusation. Instead he made his way to the side of the bed. Eyes trailed down his father's form then back to his face. “I have no desire nor need for even a single of your dirty bits. I never accepted it when I attend the University and I wouldn't accept it even after mother or you passed on.” He trotted a trail to the front of Gold's bed, raising a clipboard medical chart to his eyes. The doctor's found him to be paralyzed from the waist down, magic power still not returned since attack nine years prior, and a heart condition he gained from what is believed to be drug use. Iron Mind smirked at the list of issues. It was as if some great karma and come down and bestowed its divine punishment on the horrible pony. “The Princess ordered me to come and ensure that mother had a proper burial and to visit you. If not for her, I would have just ignored all of this.”

“When did you come to change so? When did you come to resent your own family?”

“Truthfully? It's always been there. When you struck mother and my self for your own failures. When you took and took and took from others until there was nothing less then destroyed them proclaiming it was superiority that gave you a right to do so.” He came back to Gold's right side keeping his flank to the door. “It's amazing the things I've learned since I was away from you. Now, I plan to take my son to view the sights of Fillyton. He's shown signs of interest in my childhood. My wife wishes to have words with you. Oh? I forgot to mention to you and mother. I am married with a five year old son.” This was one of the only times his character seemed to break into enjoying the pain he may have caused his father. It was the only time he saw some pony in pain and felt nothing.

Mouth gaped open, eyes wide, and his blood coming to a boil. Gold Mine felt his rage boil over. All the plans he had set for his son were thrown to the ground and trampled. He had nothing he could say in retort to. His son left him alone, leaving the way he had entered. A hoof slammed next to his body bouncing against the cushion.

No time was spent dallying to meet with his wife and son. This trip was going to be far too long. Split Atom could be heard laughing just from down the hall. Conduit was raising quite the disturbance with his boundless energy and curiosity for all things were driving the nurses near madness. Approaching Split, Iron Mind slapped a hoof to her's 'tagging' her to exchange jobs. She would now go see Gold while he would take Conduit away from the hospital and the rundown nurses.

Finding it best to simply leave the hospital, Iron Mind brought Electrical Conduit out to see the sights of Fillyton. Canterlot did not offer as much in nature as this hamlet did so it could easily be seen as a learning experience. A watchful eye was kept on the neon green foal as he zipped in every direction. Nothing was safe from Conduit. Those ponies who knew Iron Mind or knew of him gave a courteous nod or hello. The ponies who did not would either scoff or complain about his child's behavior.

“ 'Ey, Buddy? Got a minute?” A southern accent caught Iron's ears from an alley he passed. Black eyes shifted, gazing sideways at the pony who spoke up to him. He appeared to be a simple worker pony. A hardhat with 'Boss' written across the front of it. “Ah heard from some of these here pony folk that you're a guard in Canterlot, right?”

The sunlight hit his coat in just the right manner to give a glaring reflection off the steel silver color. A hoof stomped the ground three times to signal for Conduit to rush back to his father's side. He gave his son much freedom to explore but if he gave one of his signals, the foal knew it was time to return. “That I am. What can I help you with, sir?”

“Ah can't tell ya much here, and ah can't have ya showin up at the site with meh in tow, ya see.” The pony shifted his eyes away from Iron to glance up and down the streets. The coast was clear for now. “The sheriff is watching me and my boys like a hawk and if he gets word I'm tellin ya this we'll be seein the inside of a jail cell. Look, just come to the sight of the Mine Manor fire. Check out a broken window on the west side on the ground. Check inside and ah think you'll understand.”

It was a cryptic message as Iron had ever heard one. He had made plans already to go to where the house once rested, to check on the progress of finding his mother's body, but now with this information he was determined to go without delay. He would let the pony go without a further word. He seemed worried but not for him self. This 'boss' pony was more concerned with the job site and his workers. Iron Mind gazed down at his son while his mind went into thought. He had often wondered why his mother and father went into seclusion after his mother had miscarried but what would he be finding down there?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Get out of my room! Who are you?” Gold Mine shouted when an unidentified unicorn barged into his personal hospital room. The mare who entered bore a candy apple red mane cut in a bowl cut. Her coat of range appeared as a blur when she moved to the edge of Gold Mine's bed checking his medical papers. The unnamed mare noted the problems he was suffering from. Her actions took her next to perform some quick medical checks on the bedridden stallion; blood pressure, heart, and eyes.

Once she was satisfied, the mare moved to the edge of the bed gleaming a bright smile. “Forgive me for not introducing my self sooner. My name is Split Atom. I am your son's wife. Which would make you my father in law.” Split took ten paces near the door, turned about face to stare at Gold Mine. She was smiling still. It was eerie the happiness that never wanted to stop. “I've had my sources do an investigation into you. Well, I should say,” She placed a hoof to her chin tapping it thoughtfully, “I've been looking into you since I first met your son. Quite a number of irregularities in your life. Eighteen years ago your wife had a miscarriage, five years after an employee sprouted off accusations after her termination, three years an attack on you directly after a mine collapsed killing dozens, and now you end up here after a horrific fire. Pray tell, what caused this fire?”

An interrogation? She was his son's bride yet she was acting as a law enforcement officer. He huffed at the nature of the question, more importantly, the manner that she knew of his past. “I told the Sheriff all that he needs to know of that night. I found Diamond bloodied and dead in her study, when I woke from a nap. There was a fire already burning so I went to escape as quickly as I could.”

“Is that so. My informants came across something that, frankly, seemed odd. Right after your wife's miscarriage you hired construction crew from Las Pegasus, the other side of Equestria, to perform work on your home. Sadly, they were under contract to speak on what they did but I feel that will come out soon enough, hm?” She again showed her flank to him trotting to the door. “I do love a good mystery and your actions for the last seventeen, eighteen years next spring, will truly be a wonderful ending.” A coy giggle escaped the orange coated unicorn as she departed.

Gold Mine was left with a sick feeling in his stomach. He reached a hoof down to the intercom for the nurse, once Split was gone, he spoke. “Nurse, contact an associate of mine, a griffin named Handy Candy. Have her come here immediately. You will find her in the homes outside of Fillyton.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Yes, I don't believe she'll be a problem for Vinyl and I. On the contrary she's been nothing but a perfect guest. I hope she enjoyed what she heard during the rehearsal.”

“Wait, Vinyl got her drunk, then you two took her home? Someone could take that the wrong way.”

“Nothing I am not aware of. I made Vinyl sweat under the suspicion that one may contact the authorities with that she had done.”

The two were deep in conversation while they finished collecting their sheet music and packing their instruments. They proceeded to get Eclipse from the audience. Having feared the time she had spent with Vinyl had already ruined her, Octavia was expecting to find the filly fast asleep in her chair. On the contrary, she was active and filled with questions and praise. She had often heard this kind of music through the flooring of where she was kept. The times she heard it signaled times of enjoyment and festivity. The trio left the audience room to depart for their respective homes or hotels but were stopped by two ponies blocking the door.

One pony was a stallion earth pony with a diamond ring cutie mark, dark blue mane, and boysenberry colored coat. He appeared cocky and self sure, a stallion who wouldn't leave the house if even a hair was out of place. He was toned in the right places, but wouldn't be able to hold his own even if he was threatened with death. As many would consider him; a self entitled douche. He stood in front of a mare who obviously was the alpha of the pair.

The mare in front of him, a unicorn, was pine green on her coat and sand yellow mane and tail. She smirked at the three stepping forward to fully block their escape from the building. “Oh, two filly foolers and what? A third to take advantage of? You deviants make me sick.” She spat at the ground in front of Octavia and Lyra. Her cutie mark depicted a building on fire with a fiddle in front of it. She was the third of the string section of the orchestra. “It's demeaning to have to play with two halfwit ponies who find it acceptable to do the things they do.” She raised a hoof up brushing back a bit of her mane from her face. “I hear in the old days they used to just execute freaks for it, why they stopped I will never know.”

A dual sigh from Octavia and Lyra followed by a glance in each others direction. Every time they came in contact with this particular pony they had to put up with her insults and accusations. Octavia took a defiant step forward smirking in self assurance. “Ah, Burning Fiddle, new toy to hold on your leg? Have you already gone through the other stallions in the city? Please, step aside and let us pass. We have no time to deal with you. If I recall, it took a special favor for you to even be considered for this position and you're still playing third to Lyra and my self.”

There was that feeling again. The dark eclipse of kind emotions caused Eclipse to shiver. She moved behind Lyra and Octavia to keep out of the line of sight of the two offending ponies. Her eyes flinched closed, pushing out the words as they were spoken. She shifted her wings over across her face and body blocking her twinkling hair and glowing eyes.

“Please, the earth pony was brought in to appease the filthy masses while the other was brought in for some other reason I can't consider. Both of you are no where near my expertise. I think we should show them why they're nothing but insects compared to ponies who know the natural order of things.” The stallion grinned when Burning gave him the sign to act. Octavia and Lyra took a few steps back away causing Eclipse to stumble to not cause them to trip. The other ponies began to whisper. They didn't want any trouble so kept their distance.

The stallion reached a hoof up to smack down Octavia first. She stared him down, not showing any source of being intimidated. She'd dealt with their types before. Show them fear and they know they have won. A spark. A flash of light came from behind the two mares. A burst of electricity came forth surging through the hateful ponies. Their bodies danced and some would swear they saw their skeletons before they fell in a heap, panting and smoking, on the floor. All eyes, Lyra and Octavia's included, went to stare at where the source of the magic came.

Wisps of magic flowed openly from her glowing eyes. Her mane and tail was raised standing at its ends, her wings extended outwards at either side of her. She felt something coursing through her body, her mind twisting and contorting the reality she saw. Eclipse was the very source of what stopped the stallion. Eyes saw something entirely different than what was actually occurring. No longer was Eclipse in the theater but she found her self in a time of the past. She was surrounded by ponies calling for blood and the death of the abnormal one. A moment was taken to look at these unusual surroundings. She was in a field or a clearing perhaps. When she gazed at her own body, in this memory illusion, she saw her self again, but grown. “You will not touch my friend.” She spoke in both the illusion and real world. When Eclipse tried to look behind her at the pony she was protecting, she saw only a black cloud. As she attempted to see whom it was, a sharp pain struck her mind.

“A freak! These fillyfoolers brought another freak with them! Some sort of creature pony. Look at her wings! Her horn!” Burning Fiddle staggered to her feet. The tips of her mane, tail, and coat were singed and smoke still raised from her. The stallion was out cold twitching as the currents of electricity still ran through him.

Octavia moved over quickly to come next to Eclipse. She sat her forelegs around the smaller filly hushing her softly. “Eclipse. Eclipse, it is alright now. Calm down. No pony is hurt.” Well, only the ponies who deserved it were hurt. Her hoof ran down Eclipse's magic infused hair. She took note of Eclipse's horn. The portion that was missing was restored with what appeared to be energy of magic.

Calm came to her mind with Octavia's embrace. The brightness of her eyes died down, her mane and tail returned to normal. She pulled her wings back to her body. The magic that brought about her glowing horn vanished into a fine, gray mist. A motherly smile was offered to her when she gazed at Octavia.

“Someone call the police! We need to arrest this freak this instant!”

“Would you shut your mouth?” Lyra stomped her front hooves down in front of Burning. She pressed her body forward butting her head against the scared mare's. Once the green unicorn stumbled back, tripping over the fallen stallion, Lyra moved once more now to stand over her. “If you call her a freak again I'll buck you out the door.”

“Zat iz enough!” A commanding voice spoke out from the crowd of musicians that were watching the scene. He was an older pony. A handlebar mustache curled at the end. A conductor's baton for a cutie mark. The pony wore a perfectly pressed suite jacket. Mane and tail white from age as his coat was now a pale rust tone.

Burning stood quickly pointing an accusing hoof at the three mares. “Did you see what they did? They attacked us! I demand they are arrested and thrown from the orc..” The glare that the conductor flashed quieted her quickly.

“Zat will not occur. I had warned zou zat ze way you have acted will not be tolerated.” He stomped a hoof to ensure that he had the attention of the offending pony. “If zou wish to continue these belligerent actz, zou will be cut from this production!”

“Why are you defending them? They're deviants!” Burning Fiddle tried to protest waving her hooves back and forth frantically. “They attacked me!”

“Only when your ztallion friend tried to attack them! And Zi will have zou know that mine zizter is a, how you put it, fillyfooler!” He turned his back away from Burning giving a 'hmph' and a raised nose. The conductor came over to Octavia, Eclipse and Lyra. His head bowing in deep regret. “I apologize for ze actionz of the ztupid mare. If I had known zhe would ztill act zis way zhe would have been removed zooner.” He clapped his front hooves together. “I will make it up to zou three, ya? Zou three go to the Middlemist Red. Enjoy dinner and I will tell them zat I will pick up ze tab. Miss Lyra, Miss Octavia, I hope that you both will bring thiz charming young filly with zou to tomorrow's performance. I will have my perzonal box prepared for her and the gueztz of your choozing.”

The two friends and Eclipse departed quickly. They didn't want to stay around here for long. Lyra's mouth was salivating at the chance to eat at one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, Octavia made sure to stop at a payphone to dial Vinyl to meet them there, but Eclipse was not in such high spirits. Her mind continued to go back to what she had saw. The visions occurred again, but this time it lead to her attacking a pony. Sure, the pony deserved it. Yet something deep in her mind bothered why. Why couldn't she what pony was in the darkness?

For now it did not matter. Lyra began to talk to her, praising her protecting Octavia and herself. She showered Eclipse with compliments about her special mane, tail, and eyes. Her wings were noted as such a unique feature that she should do something more to show them off. If Eclipse could take one thing from the experience today, she had gained the feeling that she did belong with these ponies. They defended her, and she did the same for them. Dinner was filled with jokes, Vinyl boasting about Eclipse, and teasing Lyra about not having her squeeze here. It was a blessing to see such a sour note turn into a beautiful sympathy. The night ended on a blessing.

Realization

The morning dew collected at the tips of blades of grass and leaves alike. The sun peaked over the horizon letting roosters crow to awaken the farm ponies. Alarm clocks rang disturbing dreams or being smashed to be silenced. Iron Mind was one such pony that required not a bird nor a clock to wake at specific times. Every morning he was up just before Celestia raised the sun. Situps, squats, pushups, and leg bucks were among his morning routine when on travel. Each exercise lasted longer than normal, his mind was still on what Split had told him the night before. His body tightened from fatigue, each muscle straining against the burning rush that coursed through him. His eyes flinched closed wiping the sweat from his brow. Matted, damp hair clung to his cheeks and forehead after his workout.

“Your father is hiding much. I didn't want to show you until I talked to him, but read these.” The manilla envelope was brought with Split's magic to in front of Iron Mind the prior night. Until midnight he had poured over the documents. At first he sat casually on a chair, his right leg crossed onto his left. Then he moved to lean forward resting his chin against upturned hooves while his elbows pressed to the table. Finally, he was sitting on his haunches by the bed while Split slept. Silver eyes scanned, and rescanned the paperwork. Receipts, interviews, and pictures were categorized according to date and event. Employees were put under disclosure contracts keeping them from talking about their work or things they saw. They would be allowed to speak of illegal matters under whistle blower laws but the wording of the contracts could lead to litigation for other matters if they did speak out. Gold Mine was diligent at covering his bases with each step he took. But, even with the most cunning plan, there were things that could not be erased.

Iron Mind departed before his wife and son woke. He only brought with him a modern saddlebag. The fabric was squared at the edges, with two smaller pockets in the front. The town streets were beginning the process of waking. Business owners were arriving to begin opening their shops, walkers getting their exercise before foal were to be rushed to school, and the early morning weather team prepared for the days weather. On the surface this was like any other town in Equestria. Ponies lived their lives in a serene bliss never knowing hardships nor troubles. The Guard Captain knew other wise. This was only the lid covering a boiling pot threatening to spill over.

A casual trot was not taken to reach the manor outside of town. He opted to break into a full gallop once he had reached the city limits. With his fit body, Iron was able to make the trip in six minutes rather than fifteen. Down the dirt road he had traveled countless times as a foal, he took in the first sights of the once glorious manor. The grass was blackened and burned with a small ditch dug around the perimeter to keep the fire from spreading further. Everything around had been reduced to ash; the gardens, shed, and trees. The actual manor was a broken skeleton. Portions of it still stood, but the bulk had collapsed when the poison of fire bled through. Iron dropped his head forward whispering a prayer at the sight. Black hair falling in rivers over his face, his tail hanging loosely behind him. Each hoof raised again, slower now, to take him towards the burned out rubble.

Construction ponies had arrived only an hour before Iron Mind did. They were prepared to work just before dawn wanting to get the larger pieces of debris moved to the wagons before the temperature raised too high. The few unicorns worked their magic in unison raising large chunks of concrete and burned wood. Earth ponies were in charge of digging up the smaller pieces manually and pulling the carts to either a recycling center or dump then returning again. The Pegasi had the easiest job, but they were the fewest in numbers. Simply put, they did aerial surveying to pick out the best places to move rubble or start a new scavenging site. Beneath a tent tarp, the foreman pony, whom Iron Mind spoke with the day before, was looking over a table covered by a white sheet with a lump beneath it.

The makeshift tent was his first stop here. Iron Mind calmly approached the foreman pony. At present the Sheriff was not around, but he did not plan to act that he had spoken to him before. “What have you found?” He questioned raising a hoof near the white sheet. He was assuming that they had discovered the corpse of his mother. Silver eyes lifted to the boss then back down.

“We found 'er this morning. Ah made sure to send someone to notify the sheriff but they 'ad to leave a note. The law likes to sleep in ahm guessing.” The foreman raised a hoof gently pressing it to the covered pony. “Iffin you like ah can move the sheet. But ah wouldn't want to personally.” Southern drawl fell near a whisper to convey respect for the dead. “Ah apologize if that felt cold seein as this is your mother ahn all.”

A shaken head was the foreman's reply. Iron brought his hoof to his lips giving it a quick brush across. It was then set against the sheet. “Good bye, mother.” He whispered bowing his head near the white lump. His mind reeled back to memories of before he left for the University. Knowing his father to have a heavy hoof, having felt it himself many times, he tried to convince his mother once more to abandon Gold Mine. Diamond Mine was set in her ways. She believed that until infidelity occurred that a wife was not to leave her husband. Each strike Gold placed on Diamond was just showing the proper order that a husband and mare were supposed to be. Iron Mind found it despicable.

There was still much to be done and time wasn't a virtue he had much of. The foreman gave an easy glance around. The Sheriff hadn't arrived yet, so he took it upon himself to give further details to Iron Mind. He had less worry of doing it in secrecy since the place in question was just moments away. “Ah think that what you find may just be either the most bizarre thing or the creepiest thing. Heck, I had a hard time getting some pony to go down there after word got around with what they'd see. Some ponies seem tah think the place is haunted.” A hoof waved for the Guard Captain to follow him. “Yer welcome tah go down thar on yer own but iffin its alrigh' with ya' I'd rather stay up 'ere.”

Observations were made to the demolished hour and singed landscape. Nothing could have, nor should have survived a fire of this magnitude. But when he was shown the broken window, and allowed down the rope ladder to the cellar, Iron Mind was found to be wrong. The glow of magic encircled his horn illuminating banishing the darkness. The bedroom was in a state of disaster cleanup. It had been kept tidy, the bed was made, stacks of drawings piled up around with empty boxes of crayons, and broken toys placed in over filled waste baskets. Telekinesis brought several pictures up for Iron Mind to see.

The first was what to be assumed to be a self portrait, as it had 'Me' written on it, of a gray pony with a bat wing, a pegasus wing, and a horn. Did the pony called 'Me' have some sort of belief that she had these things? Or... Iron Mind forced his thoughts to silence. The next picture depicted a blue pony, with lighter blue hair along with the foal from the first picture. This one had 'Momma and Me' this time. The third Iron Mind made quick assumptions to the golden haired pony with the foal was. This had no eligible title as it was scribbled out with crayon. The final, the foal was depicted with a black shadow pony. Stars were drawn in yellow around the two, and beneath it was the most unusual of titles thus far, 'Nightmare Moon and Me'.

The process of thinking went in multiple directions. A recollection of the Nightmare Moon incident came back to him. Celestia had ordered him to spend the celebration with his family and not to worry of her safety. A feeling of regret was held learning of her capture by Nightmare Moon. He only learned after that this was part of her plan to free Princess Luna from the clutches of her alter ego. But, why did the foal depict herself with Nightmare Moon? Was it only from books she read or did Gold Mine, such a silly notion to have, plan for Nightmare's return? Once again, Iron Mind forced his mind back to the situation at hand. The four pictures were placed in the left main bag. He needed some evidence when confronting Gold later.

The main room was the most damning of the cellar. The walls, however faded, still had paintings of the sky both day and night, a few flight hoops still remained, books shelves filled with literature, and more drawings. Careful of what he may trot in, Iron Mind set further into the refurbished room. As a child he recalled the many shelves of wine bottles, some dating back over a thousand years, set perfectly in the grooves with a fine layer of dust over the labels. Now, it was a makeshift nursery for a foal he assumed remained in here until the fire. If he had one word to describe the bedroom and main room: Filthy.

Iron Mind began his investigation of this area at the stairs. Climbing up each, he observed the way the fire's smoke had canvased the ceiling but barely made it down closer to the floor. Some debris from the collapsed building above had fallen past the hole for the stairs, but little damage done to the stairs. Plates, now decorated with soot and ash, littered the top of the steps. Dishes that remained after the collapsed gave observational evidence that they were used either the day of the fire or just prior. It was time to inspect the books. He grazed them with his eyes. The age of the literature was set for a foal straight to one in high school. Educational books, fairy tales, romance, and technical books were what made up the collection. With the right dedication and proper introduction one could learn much.

There was much to go over and much to examine, but Iron Mind found himself out of time at the moment. It was faint, but he heard the voice of Tin Star up above arguing with the Foreman about letting some pony into the area without his authorization. The threats he was making towards the foreman and the crew were illegal, and the Guard Captain knew what to do next.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Now, I am going to go get my deputies and the lot of you will be spending time in jail now. I don't want to hear a word of what you think your rights are. This here is my town and I decide what laws are laws.” A forceful hoof prodded against the foreman's stout chest. “I warned you once already and you ignored that. Now you and your ponies are gonna pay the price for it.” The pair stood beneath the tented tarp in front near the covered body.

Gritted teeth and angry eyes, the Foreman bit back what he wanted to say to the sheriff and where he could stick his threats. He was ready to notify him of the Guard Captain's presence down below when he saw him come around the corner of the house's structure. No longer was he forcing back his ways, he now smiled and motioning a tilt of his head to the Sheriff's back. “Iffin ya beg muh pardon, Sheriff, Ah think ya should glance there behind ya.”

Tin Star growled annoyance at the sudden defiance set against him. He twisted his body about, stomping his hooves against the ground to face whatever the foreman had wanted him to see. He was now face to face with a hardened, gold complexion of a black maned colt. Silver boiled hot enough to burn flesh. With magic used, a royal crest of Celestia hovered next to Iron Mind for the Sheriff and any other pony to see. His tail swished back and forth fully showing the anger that scorched his mind. “Sheriff Tin Star. By this Gold Crest I have authorization to speak on behalf of Princess Celestia should I deem the situation critical.”

Tin Star slunk back. His courage, his brazen temperament, and authority vanished as the color of his face did. No amount of threats nor demands could stop whatever Iron Mind spoke next. His hind hooves slunk back forcing his body to move to give some distance between himself and the captain. He separated his lips to speak but could only muster tiny whimpers and groans.

“I am Captain Iron Mind. These ponies are now working for her Majesty. They are ordered to keep unauthorized individuals away from this property. It is being declared a crime scene until further notice. Furthermore,” Iron Mind closed the gap the sheriff was trying to create between them, “An investigation will also be made into the Fillyton sheriff's department.” Attentions came to the Foreman. Iron Mind took steps to him. “Sir, if you would be so kind as to place two workers by the window to ensure no one goes down until ponies from Canterlot arrive.” He left the Sheriff in his trembling state, the foreman looking down at the law pony, smugly smiling at the defeated.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A quick stop at the post office allowed Iron Mind to send off two of the drawings and a letter to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The parchment rolled up, his crest placed in hot wax to seal the letter, and given to be sent. It would arrive in less than fifteen minutes and help would arrive shortly after, he assured him self, sop now he wanted to go confront the believed villain.

The crest was shown at every point giving him a clear line straight to Gold Mine's room. Furious, the door was forced open stomping his hooves each step until he reached the bed ridden stallion. Iron Mind felt his heart beat faster slamming against his rib cage. He wanted to shout at his father, beat him with his own hooves until he was given a confession he wanted. A strict moral code kept him from doing this. Instead, he stared down his father mentally preparing for anything. From his saddle bag he magically brought the remaining two pictures down in front of Gold. One depicting the foal and Gold, the other the foal and the unknown mare. “What did you do?”

Gold Mine was calm when his door was abruptly thrown open. Since the visit the day before it was only a matter of time before the father and son exchanged words again. He moved his hoof down to the drawings on his lap, shuffling them from side to side. He glanced back up to his demanding child. “I have nothing to say to the Guard Captain without my lawyers present.” The two pictures were then ignored raising his head to stare out the window.

Magic ushered the pictures back into Iron's saddle bag. “I can help you, father, if you come clean right here and now.” Silence. The colt stared at his father. He was waiting for something he could rely on, anything he could use to protect the stallion. As he had suspected, his only response would be silence. “Fine. Let your silence condemn you. Canterlot will be sending ponies to investigate shortly. Once they arrive I will be removing my self from the case. May Celestia have mercy on your soul for whatever is found.” Iron Mind lowered his head and departed from the room.

Out in the hall, he retraced his steps to leave that he made when he entered. Halfway down the corridor he saw the sight of a bright pink feathered griffon. The tips of her feathers were cotton candy blue, and on, what Iron would call a flank, was the cutie mark of blue swirled pink hard candy. An odd sight to say the least. A mental note was taken on the griffon. It may prove useful later.

Iron Mind would make a quick stop at the stationary store for paper, quills, and marking stickers. He was going to catalog and research every inch of the cellar until his aid arrived. Split Atom would understand his absence today. He would make it up to his son next week at the Summer Sun Festival. Now he was going to begin to find answers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next visitor for Gold Mine was someone he was anxiously awaiting for. “ 'Ello, boss!” the griffon squawked while waving a wing. Her talon foot kicked the door shut behind her. “I woulda brought ye 'lowers, boss, but see I'm seein this blind colt who loves me somethin fierce and I 'ave the flowahs for you to him.” She rubbed the back of her head blushing past her facial feathers. Her foot dug against the ground nervously. “He's mighty fond of me even aftah I told him I was a griffon.”

“I care not for your little deviations or what you do when not working for me.” Gold dismissed the griffon's happiness as he did many times prior. A weak hoof beckoned the griffon closer. “Your happiness is of little concern for me. Let us get to business so you can leave and give my sense of smell some relief.”

Gold Mine's continued verbal abuse struck their chords on Handy Candy's mood. The griffon swept her eyes away from the stallion nodding her head obediently. Sitting back on her haunches, she waited for her orders. This had been a rehearsed activity performed several times prior. By now she wanted to only go back to the town she found residence, lay down with the pony she fell in love with, and forget the horrible things she had to do to make bits.

“You are going to find a pony for me. A filly. Once found you will hold her in a secure location and contact me. I have plans for this pony. Use what funds you need to hire what miscreants, scoundrels, and criminals.” Gold breathed in deeply pushing back the pain that shot into him. He cursed his weakness. His magic weakened, his legs numb, and the nerve damage from ten years prior still ravaging his body. He believed it was all a result of her, the curse on his life, the curse on his existence. “She will be easy to find. Look for a pony with glowing eyes, a wing of a bat and a wing of a pegasus. Furthermore,” words continued, cold and direct, “If she's been found by some pony or taken in by some pony get rid of those ponies. I don't want any pony who may try to look for her trying.”

Handy Candy had done many things for Gold Mine in the years she worked for him: Blackmail, framing ponies for crimes, and beatings. Murder? He's outrot asking meh to kill some pony! Feathered wings went right up motioning for the stallion to stop. “Look, boss, I cont go and kill some pony! That's right wrong, it is!”

Eyes could have turned red to convey the rage Gold Mine felt building. He didn't turn his head, but he shifted his eyes to focus on the cowering griffon. “Understand this, Handy Candy,” He spat the name out, “I own you. A bit of information and the griffons can easily come, take you back to your Celestia forsaken country, and you will be executed without trial. I am keeping you alive. You are my property. Now, get out of my sight and get the work done. I expect to hear some news within the next week. Get out. My lawyers will be arriving and I would rather not have to explain you to them.”

Feathers ruffled up and down her spine. Beak parted to speak up against the stallion yet she couldn't gather the courage to do it. Her head drooped down in front of her. She said no acknowledgment to his command, only left the room quieter than she had entered. Whispers coming from the ponies that she passed didn't phase her. It wasn't often any of them would see a pink dyed griffon. It was the fact she was being pulled back into the seedy despair of a mad man's crazed mind. Handy Candy looked out every window she passed.

A sight just outside a second story window took her attentions. A beautiful tree, lush, green, and beautiful, swayed with a summer breeze flowing through its branches. There were apricots or maybe nectarines begging to be plucked by their mother branches. Besides this tree was an untrimmed bush. The bush was trying to grow taller and taller to mimic the tree besides it. Yet, no matter how much I grew the branches never became thicker and began to sag down. The griffon saw her self in the bush wanting to be a tree. Handy Candy sighed forcing her gaze away from the sight. The tree was the pony she loved, staying besides her seeming to cheer her on. This would be the last time she would have to work for Gold, she hopped. Maybe her freedom could be brokered instead of bits this time. To do this, another pony would have to suffer. The glowing eyed pony she was told to hunt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With an open ceiling to allow the moon or sun to shine within, the audience chamber of the Celestial Princesses was a sight that stayed with ponies for many years. Marble was the primary choice material for everything from the floors to the pillars. The way they reflected the light casting a glow gave a radiance like no other. The western wall bore Celestia's cutie mark engraved with gold every ten feet. On the eastern wall laid Luna's cutie mark in onyx every opposite teen feet opposed to her sister's. Tapestries dating back thousands of years hung on each pillar noting a symbol for a different period of time. On the floor, running from the chamber doors to the thrones, a red carpet made from velvet and lined with gold fabric rested for ponies seeking audience to trot upon.

The thrones sat on a raised platform structure. Celestia's thrown a mixture of white and gold material stood taller than Luna's. The thrown of the night sister was made from a blue and black stone. The two sisters sat before their respective seats. Preferring to rest on their haunches lest royal duty deemed they take their place authoritatively before their guests. The days events were calm, matters primarily dealing with small land disputes and meetings of good will to foreign dignitaries and representatives for the many villages, towns, and cities of Equestria. The calm of the day would be shattered akin to a rock being violently thrown at a window.

The guards hurried to allow the mail carrier through. The royal seal laid on the rolled scroll was enough to notify them of the emergency. The twin doors opened with a mighty groan on the hinges bringing an emotionally subdued and frightful pony into the midst of royalty. The chamber had been emptied once forward had been reached of the urgent letter coming to the princesses. Hunched down in an awkward bow, the tired pegasus carrier scrambled in a stumbled pattern forward. Celestia and Luna merely smiled to try and calm the pony. “It is quite alright, my little pony, you will be rewarded for your haste and diligence to bring us this letter.” Celestia spoke as her magic sent tendrils around the parchment bringing it up for the royal sisters to view. The mail carrier smiled at being spoken so well off. Not daring to turn her back to the rulers of the land, the mail pony did a backwards motion retracting their previous acts and leaving from whence they came.

Celestia broke the wax seal and let the parchment unravel in front of her eyes. The pictures sent with it began to fall freely to the floor but was caught by Luna's magic for the night princess to stare at. Pink eyes scanned for the sender. Not many ponies held her seal to be able to send such a letter, and finding that her guard captain had sent this only let suspicions be confirmed. Ever glowing mane of pastel green, blue, and pink slid back from her brow so she could concentrate without worry. The letter read with urgency and action.

Your Majesty Princess Celestia,

I write with a heavy hoof and weary heart that matters that I seek aid from the crown have been found in Fillyton. There is great evidence that a pony was being held beneath the Mine Manor estate for an unspecified amount of time. Clues I examined lead me to believe that the pony may have escaped during the fire days prior. I humbly ask for an investigative team to be sent to determine what crime, if any, has been committed and to locate this pony, if the pony still lives. Inclosed are two drawings I believe come from the pony and may help to locate the individual. Furthermore, I must insist I am not involved directly with the investigation to insure that the integrity and keep accusations of tampering to a minimum.

Captain of Celestia's Guards, Iron Mind.

Celestia shook her head. The letter gave a grim suspicion on Iron Mind's father. “Lulu, what do you think...” The Princess brought her gaze to her sister, raising her brows in surprise at the reaction her sibling was having to the pictures. “Lulu? What's wrong?” Voice kept low, worry in her questioning tone.

Like a flash flood washing away dry, brittle dirt, the barriers in Luna's mind came crumbling down. Memories she had locked away from the time that the entity, Nightmare Moon, had taken control of her jealousy, regret, and sorrow. Memories of a foal who she was able to visit in the last years she was locked in her prison. The pain she watched her go through, the promises she had made to free her, and the lovingly, admiring eyes she always stared at Nightmare moon with came flashing back. A sharp sensation shot into her brain. Nausea hit her in her stomach forcing Luna to empty the contents of her belly onto the floor in front of her. She was horrified that she could forget such a promise for one who she watched suffer so. “Tia.” The Moon Princess whispered collapsing down on bended knees.

The Sun Princess summoned her magic to draw the drawings away from Luna and came swiftly to her sibling's side. A foreleg came over wrapping around her younger kin's shoulder. “Lulu? What is it? What is wrong?” A quick glance took in the images on the pictures. They depicted the most unusual of alicorns and Nightmare Moon, the other the same alicorn and an unknown blue mare. Full attention was returned to Luna when she groaned, dry heaving the sound. Celestia lowered one large wing down comfortingly along her sibling's body.

“We...I... Know this foal. Before when Nightmare Moon... when I was still within the confines of the moon prison.” Large tear drops fell from her eyes resembling shooting stars from the night sky. “I found my self, a portion of my self rather, being able to watch this alicorn filly. I watched her grow, played with her even if only as a specter, saw her sorrow and her pain. The filly was kept primarily in captivity in a dungeon, basement, or cellar. I could not tell exactly where or what it was.” Her voice choked at the end when Luna openly released a sob. “A stallion called her Cursed Eclipse. A blue mare cared for her for a time until even she was banished from seeing the foal. The caretaker never uttered the name Cursed. She only referred to her as 'Eclipse'. I watched then as she was blamed for everything that went wrong for the stallion that was her father. Beaten nearly daily for things she had no control over.”

“An alicorn named Eclipse? Lulu, you can't possibly think it is her, do you?” Celestia knew she should have waited until the story ended before asking. The startled reality of what possibility this filly could hold sent her heart soaring then crashing back down.

Luna simply nodded to answer her elder sister. “One day, her father came home reeling from madness. I tried, but could not stop him as he finally beat her to the point her horn broke. I believe the sun eclipsed and the room was bathed in black. When it receded, he was horribly wounded. It was then that she obtained her cutie mark, and when she slept, could visit my own prison. Tia, this alicorn. It had to be.... I swore and told her that Nightmare Moon, no, I was going to free her. But once I was freed I blocked away everything I could.” Now frantic, she placed her hooves to her sister's shoulders twisting her self to face the loving visage of her elder. “I did not keep my promise and now something potentiality worse may have happened to her.” Visions turned pleading. The Moon Princess' entire body began to shake under self inflicted torment. “Let me join the investigation ponies. I will go with them and see for my self if this place is where I believe it to be. And I will find her and we will see if she is... is...” Her head sunk forward. She wanted to believe but it was increasingly hard to do so until she felt a warmth. A sudden embrace that calmed her stormy nature.

Celestia slid fore legs around Luna's body drawing her into a lovingly hold. “Yes, of course. Gather your guard and I will notify the magistrate to get the help you will need. I will have a maid come and clean the mess. For now, you must hurry.” Her hooves slid across her sister's back pulling her again into a tight hold. “I am certain she will not be angry nor blame you for anything. And if it is whom you suspect, then finding her will become imperative.”

“Thank you, sister, thank you.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One of the largest malls in Manehatten found the two musical ponies and their house guest on a shopping spree. The promised day that Eclipse would be granted the chance to acquire new possessions for her new life. Money was no option today, Octavia and Vinyl assured her before they embarked. A thrilling endeavor, Eclipse had barely slept the night before with images of what a 'mall' was going to be.

Now, Eclipse found her self momentarily alone in the food court. Her very first hay and honey smoothie perched in front of her. She was seated at a table for three leaning forward with her lips wrapped around a white, bendy straw. The thick, sweet liquid sucked through bringing delight to her taste buds. She did what she could not to drink it hurriedly wanting to savor each blissful swallow. The lovers had left her there for but a moment to Octavia could help Vinyl wash her eyes out in the bathroom. That action was brought on with a simple demonstration by the black maned pony showing Eclipse how to use a self defense device. Glowing eyes came covered by her eye lids as she thought back to what brought it all on.

They had left well past ten after Octavia and Eclipse used dual air horns to wake the slumbering DJ. A quick breakfast of toast and jam set them on the right path for their event. Vinyl opted for dark violate sunglasses and Octavia wore her trade mark bow. The older ponies readied their own saddle bags and were off. Eclipse was awe struck seeing so many ponies, stores, and activity in one confined place when they reached the mall. The noise alone could have bested Vinyl's night clubs any night of the week. Their first stop was the bag store getting the filly a proper sized bag for her. Her cutie mark was stitched into each bag, Vinyl's recommendation had one bag using the day mark and the other the night mark, Eclipse was equipped to handle the rest of the trip.

“I ca...can't wait to put my pi...pin on my new bag.” Eclipse spoke up.

Vinyl gave her head a tilt, looking beneath the black lenses at her glowing eyed friend. “Pin? Oh yeah.” She thought carefully. “I thought I saw something on there like that.”

“What kind of pin is it?” Octavia asked giving a quick look between the two. She was trotting between them, acting as a kind of barrier in case Vinyl wanted to drag Eclipse into some sort of misadventure. It hadn't happened yet but she wanted to be careful.

“Fi..five stallions gave it to m..me. They said I'm a Nightmare Moon Angel with it.” There was a joy in her smile. Beaming with pride at Octavia and Vinyl. She figured it was a wonderful thing to be a part of.

“Wow, who would have thought some pony like her was a rough and tumbler.” Vinyl whispered shaking her head. Oh her image of the filly had changed just a bit. A concerned look was shared between Octavia and Vinyl. They had some reprehension to this fact but would leave it alone for now. The NMA were known for being gambling, cider swilling, brawling for fun ponies. The kind that Vinyl liked to hang with. It would be slid under the carpet of thoughts for now. Thinking it best to leave alone until something did occur.

Through each store the group traversed. Common items such as shampoos, hoof files, brushes, horn wax, and feather duster. The calm before the storm was over. Eclipse thought that if this was shopping, then she wanted to do more of it! The thoughts that lead her to this path derailed quickly. When the calm passed the storm began with a pair of sunglasses.

Like new parents, Octavia and Vinyl squabbled over everything that they wanted to purchase for Eclipse. So when Vinyl insisted on a pair of black sunglasses for Eclipse, Octavia shared choice words of her own to this idea. “She needs to wear accessories that show off her elegance and sophistication rather than putting her in the same circle of head banging charlatans. The pair argued until Octavia motioned for Eclipse to follow her to the next store. Much to the filly's surprise Octavia stayed behind for the moment instead of continue the fight.

In the next store, glancing back when Vinyl returned to the pair, Eclipse watched the pair of argued over sunglasses placed in her bag. The DJ winked at Eclipse then went back to apologize to Octavia, feigning defeat. This would repeat several times between the pair. Octavia wanted Eclipse to own a bow tie, so after the argument ended she did so in secrecy. By the time that they decided to take a break at the food court, Eclipse was the owner of several new items: a CD player with headphones, several CDs of Vinyl's choosing, mane and tail bows, a flash light, and a small disco ball that hangs from a pony's tail.

“Now, Eclipse, I purchased an important item for you to keep with you.” Octavia sat down across from Eclipse on a round table near the middle of the food court. Vinyl had gone off to get the three of them smoothies to tide them over until dinner. The cellist moved her hoof to draw back her left saddlebag's flap. Pivoting her neck around to pull out a small, black and white cylinder. Head turned to set it right side up. “This is pepper spray. Unicorns can use it easier with their magic, but it can fit comfortably in the hoof as well.” Closer inspection showed the device to have a bright red button on the top. The front was designed with arrows pointing inwards at a pin prick hole that dispensed the spray. “You use it when ponies do something you do not like and they do not stop. Let me demonstrate.”

“Yo! Nightlight! Octy!” As if her cue was said, the white marshmallow unicorn returned to her two favorite mares. A tray with three foam cups and straws hovered besides her, glowing as blue as her mane. When the tray was set down for the three to take their respective drinks, Octavia motioned for Vinyl to come over to her. A rogue grin slid along her muzzle sauntering to the love of her life. “Sup, Octy?”

“Be a dear and raise your glasses for me. Then, hug me. Only hug.” She chided bobbing a fore hoof in front of the pony's face. Eclipse tilted her head while she watched, confused to what this lesson was going to lead to.

Magic now raised Vinyl's glasses up to rest on her brow. Eye brows wiggled when a glance was shot to Eclipse. “See, Nightlight, get the moves like I do and you can get the mares and stallions asking you for the loving.” She leaned forward drawing her arms around her beloved. Necks rubbing in an intimate manner. As Octavia predicted, the hooves slid down the cellist's back moving down to her flank.

“Now see, Eclipse? I ask for a hug and she takes more. If this situation was such that the pony was hugging and doing this without permission. You take the spray and,” Octavia reached down taking the container to her hoof, moving it carefully to face Vinyl, then pressing the red button with her other hoof. The spicy spray shot out, not for too long, blinding the DJ.

The white mare recoiled howling aloud in pain. Her body hitting the ground, fore legs over her eyes. She rolled back and forth while rubbing trying to get the painful substance from her eyes. Tail had shot outwards, taking on a frozen state. Onlookers watched in question. Some laughed and others pondered contacting mall security.

“Excuse us, Eclipse, I am going to help Vinyl to the mare's room.” Octavia moved from her chair coming down to Vinyl. She slid her fore legs underneath Vinyl raising her up to assist her. The two were careful in their trots passing by staring ponies. “You were a very good subject, honey, I'll make it up to you tonight. I noticed you bought Eclipse ear plugs and I can only assume what they were for.”

This was twenty minutes ago. Fearing that the other two smoothies would go to waste, and letting her desire for the sweet liquid get the best of her, Eclipse greedily sucked down the other two. “Looks like some pony was thirsty.” The alicorn nearly choked on the final gulp of hay jolting her head upwards to face her two chaperones. Her embarrassment was quickly removed when she took in the state they were in now.

Vinyl had lowered her glasses back down hiding the condition the spray left her in. She was grinning, blushing bright, and seemed happier than she had been all day. Octavia, on the other hoof, was in a state of appearing flushed and blushing at the same time. Her gray coat appeared whiter, her breathing erratic, and suspicious glances shot at the ponies around them. The two had been up to something. Something other than the cleaning of one's eyes. Clearing her throat, Octavia spoke up, “Let us finish our shopping, Eclipse, we need to get you a dress for the concert tonight and the Summer Sun Festival next week. The director told me he expects to see your glowing eyes tonight when we play.”

A smile and a brisk nod from Eclipse set the three ponies on their way to the dress boutique. This time Eclipse trotted besides her two friends smiling towards them. “I'm so..sorry I drank your sm..smoothies. You're n..not hungry are you?”

“Nah, I ate plenty just a while ago.” Vinyl flashed her trade mark grin sending Octavia's face into crimson tones.

“Vinyl!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With only the dim light from his horn, Iron Mind spent hours pouring over the papers that were strewn about the cellar. Drawings were categorized by age and content. A time line was attempted to be discovered depending on the skill and changes to the pictures appearances. He took note of the filly's broken horn more than once. A gut churning sensation sizzling in his mind pondering what could have caused this. Pages that consisted only of writing were only of school work from the books present. No diary nor observations to her life style could be found. The calm of the cellar, Iron found, would play tricks on him. His head raised to cast a worrisome stare in the bleak light swearing he could hear the cries or giggles of a filly. The caution that the workers had believing that there were spirits here began to dwell on his mind.

Iron Mind was mindful to let the workers and the Foreman know that no one was to be allowed on site until the Canterlot guards arrived here. At some point Gold Mine's attorneys had come to try and put a stop to the workers and Iron Mind. The foreman wouldn't have it. The workers knew how to intimidate these kind of ponies without laying a hoof on them so the guard captain could continue his work without interruption.

Dark thoughts loomed into his mind. Hatred burned from the fiery pits of his heart. Settling on two pictures, two pictures that seemed to describe everything to him. One was the filly in question, laying on her side as a brown pony beat and berated her. The word 'why' was scribbled with small water stain droplets around it. He could only assume these were tears. Next, the paper was colored totally black. What he assumed was yellow hair, yellow eyes, and yellow teeth. Iron Mind could only fathom was this piece meant but it always came back to his father. It all became clear to him. His mother never suffered a miscarriage, the evidence was there, the filly's features must have set Gold Mine off and he kept her down here. Kept her... Kept his sister in this pit.

A monster. The pony who calls himself my father is nothing but a monster. Crimes against his workers, deceit for his business partners, abuse to his family, and this coming to light.

Iron Mind slammed a hoof against the ground shouting aloud in frustration.

If I had come home even once I could have seen the signs. I could have done something... I could...

The burning sensation that came from tears stung his eyes closed. This was the first time since his son's birth he had cried. Those tears were of happiness and not remorse. No injury, no horror, not even taking a life wounded him as badly as learning all of this. Sparks erupted from his horn, finally thrusting his legs downwards beneath him standing upwards. He pivoted his legs twisting around to face the bedroom. His actions were stopped, his body faltering back quickly lowering into a bow.

“Raise, Captain Iron Mind, I did not mean to startle you.” From the nothingness of the shadows, Princess Luna emerged before Iron Mind. A gentle hoof raised motioning for him to take a stand once more. “You need not bow. We are on familiar enough terms that when in private you may treat me as equal.” Luna trusted Iron Mind nearly as Celestia trusted him. He was one of the few ponies who treated her as 'Luna' and not as 'formerly Nightmare Moon' as other ponies reacted. No, Iron Mind treated her as a Guard Captain would treat a princess; strict, well mannered, and dutiful. “I needed to see this place for my self. The letter, while short, did not give sufficient details for what kind of place you had found.” She had lied. She knew what sort of place she would find here but wanted to be certain it was the same.

Hooves slid over the dust covered floor raising his body back to an attentive state. He kept his head bowed for but a moment wondering if she had seen his near lose of control. “I understand, Princess Luna.” He wasn't one for ever dropping title, even when told to. It was his code and he dared not break it. “I did not dare tread heavily in here. Instead I focused my inquiries upon the multitude of books and papers scattered about.” Once lead back into the central room of the three, Iron proceeded to give an explicit explanation for his system of filing. “Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a diary or writing that we can go on to aid in deciphering the drawings. Many of the images speak for themselves.”

“I understand, per your letter, that you wish not to partake in the investigation. I am afraid that my sister and I must ask you to continue.” Luna did not have to look at Iron Mind to notice a change in his demeanor. The captain's tail hung low and between his hind knees. “This is a difficult request to be presented with. But please understand.” The Moon Princess, her horn now shining its self to illuminate the black room as if the sun shinned directly within. A rush of sensations caused her to inhale sharply. Stuttering a sigh, Luna forced her self to continue. “Instead of helping with searching through paper work or questioning witnesses, or suspects, we would like you to head the search for the pony.”

“And my duties in Canterlot?” He pulled a full 360 turning to face the bedroom so he could make his exit.

“Shinning Armor can handle things until this situation is taken care of. I know his wedding is in several weeks but,” Luna brought her tender gaze to the guard captain. She lowered down to rest at her haunches, turning her neck to gaze at the many drawings, “This matter is of utter importance to the royal family. While I cannot say yet why, finding this pony is imperative to my sister and I.” Star lit mane slid down over her back. It was the first time that Iron Mind would see either sister letting their 'hair down'.

This was a sign of emotional change in the princess. Iron tipped his head forward once. The way the princess worded it all, he could have declined to accept. A part of him was glad though that they decided to push this. If this pony was a sister, he needed to find her to make things right. “I accept.”

“Thank you. The lawyers are no longer here. I had guards escort them back to Fillyton. Celestia has two orders for you, before you commit yourself fully to the search. Finish spending time with your family and celebrate the Summer Sun with them as well.”

“I will, Princess Luna. Thank you.” Magic readied the rope ladder allowing the pony to clamber back up to leave the cellar. He had much to discuss with his wife. Her network of contacts would be vital in accumulating the necessary places to look. He'd share a few words of thanks to the workers and the foreman then traverse the path to return to the inn.

Anxiety played a deadly game on Luna's subconscious. Since Eclipse was a foal, Luna's other self watched her grow at every stage. She was unable to converse or interact with the pony who, for five years, cared for Eclipse or any pony else for that matter. Only the glowing eyed filly was ever able to touch and speak to her. Nightmare Moon had even understood whom Eclipse could have been. The need to protect to filly even there in such a hate fueled being. Luna took in the sight of the room recalling every intricate detail that she could. Tears began to pour down her cheeks, hanging her head in deep regret.

She let her hooves dance over the piles of pictures. Stopping at the one that was made especially for images of a shadow mare or Nightmare Moon. A gentle smile slid along her muzzle at the many different ways she was depicted. Not as a horrible beast or a fury driven mad mare, but as a loving friend, tender teacher, and brave protector. At times, she was even drawn with Celestia. Oh how Eclipse loved her dolls of Celestia and Nightmare Moon. “I should have realized it sooner, Eclipse. You were lost to Celestia and I almost two millennium. But, my little sister, you've come back. I will find you. Celestia and I will not fail you again.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was the eve of the Summer Sun Festival and every pony was in cheer. Everyone remained awake through the night awaiting the longest day of the year to begin. Only the youngest of the foals and the oldest of the ponies fell into sleep. In celebration there were carnivals, dances, and small house parties scattered to the far reaches of Equestria.

Ponyville was having its annual Pinky Sun Party. The tree the library was in rattled nearly out of the ground. Every pony in town was invited from the two members of Nightmare Moon's Angels who lived in town to a lone zebra. The number of guests rose spilling the party out into the streets. On a tree branch was a quiet party of its own. A rainbow maned pegasus hugged a pink maned pegasus close as they stared at the stars. Down below, a farm pony felt a yearning while staring at an unknowing seamstress.

Canterlot was the city to be in this year. The home of the Celestial Princesses would be where Celestia would appear to raise the sun in person. Iron Mind, Split Atom, and Electrical Conduit spent the night visiting ride after game booth after food booth. The two delighted parents barely able to keep up with their speedy son without the aid of magic to leash him close to them. The Celestial sisters spent the night speaking of times of old, before Nightmare Moon and before their estrangement.

The streets of Manehatten were filled with ponies, griffons, minotaurs, and a variety of other species. A bet placed between Vinyl and Octavia found Vinyl on the losing end. Little did she know that Eclipse had aided in her loss at the ponies drinking game by switching Octavia's liqueur with plain water. The DJ would be forced to attend a social gathering of aristocratic musician ponies wearing a full dress. The only consolation was she was able to wear her glasses.

Octavia chose a modest ensemble leaving her bow tie at home and donning a black, silk gown. Slits rode up along each hind thigh to her waist at the side. Low cut at her chest with no sleeves leaving her gray forelegs bare. A gold necklace set around her neck with a white gold charm in the shape of Vinyl's cutie mark. Octavia preferred to go light on the blush. Her mane set in a bun high on the back of her head. Black tail combed to perfectly and tied with a black ribbon at the base of her flank.

The DJ was never one for dressing in anything that would even hint at formal. An attempt was made to wear a gold, nylon cotton blend mini skirt and a black halter top. Eclipse was about to attend her first funeral but Octavia held back finishing the strangulation of her lover. Forced to wear something nice, Vinyl went with a sleeveless red leather bodice. Gold rope tying the piece down the front. The edges were decorated with silver roses and a gemstone, blue heart sat at the center.

Eclipse was a very special case for her dress. The seamstress they had visited was dazzled by her unique appearance and insisted that her gown matched the owner. The dress' core layer was velvet in light blue tones. Every bit of the dress was carefully measured to give proper room for Eclipse's wings, and slender figure. Gemstones were used to create a swirling vortex of white and black from the center of her chest outwards across the dress. The lines parted out further they were from the center until the ends were three inches apart at the base of the gown. The sleeves bore sequins at the ankles using bright white stones to mirror her eyes. The seamstress recommended a circlet that reflected the natural twinkle to Eclipse's hair. Taking the suggestions, Octavia fashioned Eclipse's mane to mirror a bun similar to her own.

Ten minutes into the party, the trio was kicked out when Vinyl bucked a pony into an ice sculpture for touching Octavia the wrong way. The gatherers to the party watched in suspended horror as the sculpture toppled over into a massive fish tank sending the small aquatic creatures scattering across the soaked floor. Octavia gathered Eclipse away from several stallion admirers, ashamed and embarrassed, followed as a bouncer pony hauled Vinyl out of the reception hall.

The three would find themselves on the balcony of Octavia and Vinyl's home. On one side Octavia laid on Vinyl's lap with her head on her marefriend's shoulder. Their cheeks resting together as they stayed in the direction of the soon to be rising sun. In their world, there was only peace and each other. While they had arguments, fought, and at times felt they would kill the other, the pair loved each other more than music and life its self.

It was the second time that Eclipse was able to celebrate the Summer Sun Festival outside. The first she hadn't the chance to see the sunrise, but now? She watched as the bright, yellow globe rose above the edge of the world. There were not enough words to describe the sight. All the running, all the fear, the new ponies she met, and the experiences met at the sun. She was touched in ways she hadn't felt for years. Not since the first time she played in the grass with Momma. Her hoof touched her cheek feeling a dampness she had not realized was there. It wasn't sadness that touched her. She was happy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Give yourself to me

Gold Mine hoofed at the black ground. He laid on his belly, his hind legs motionless. Eyes tried to make out where the voice came from yet all he saw was darkness. A nightmare. A tormenting dream plagued him bringing fear like never before. The laughter of ponies echoed in his ears.

Terrified gaze went back around him trying to decipher where the sound originated. What he saw he wish he hadn't. Ponies. These ponies were the ones he had left for dead in the mine, ones he had tried to swindle, and ones he put in prison for his own crimes. Their eye sockets empty, their flesh rotting, and their movements staggered and slow. He heard them laugh and he heard them moan his name.

I can restore your former glory.

He tried to kick his hind legs to move him away from the encroaching monsters but they remained lifeless and limp. Front hooves dug deeper into the darkness beneath him pulling forward with all his might. Magic! He tried to use his magic. Fizzled sparkles fell down over his face telling him once more of the uselessness of his magic.

Serve me.

The dead drew closer to him. Horrid breath making Gold retch. The cold of their bodies pushed goosebumps up over his skin bringing a rise to his fur. Their hooves touched onto his gimp legs pulling him back towards him. A moment of weakness, a parting of his lips he screamed aloud. “Yes! Whatever you want!”

In an instant a bright light shinned above him. The dead vanished returning to the dust. His eyes, pupils shrinking to try and focus on what was now before him. He could not make out what exactly it was. All he saw that it was a pony. The shadowed being with six wings along its back and three horns on its head. The horns were in a triangle formation, each glowing at the tip a different color. The colors were of the three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow.

Serve me well.

Bed sheets were soaked in a cold sweat. Gold Mine sat up panting and trembling from the episode his mind played on him. The light of Celestia's sun, rising for the festival, gleamed into his hospital room window. His magic ignited from his horn pulling the blankets from his body. A glass besides him was lifted with his power moving it to the sink to be pulled. He brought it back gulping it down thirstily. He dropped form his bed there after, onto all fours moving to the window. He thought about the cryptic words of the dream. The imagery still feeling so real.

Then it came to him. Eyes darted to the bed, to the glass, then back to his legs. His magic had been restored, his legs were moving as they did before Eclipse had gotten her cutie mark. The scars that covered him, where fur refused to grow, had vanished and the entirety of his coat was returned. He smiled. He felt laughter pouring from him. A sudden rush of power fueling him to continue his tyrannical joy. He was restored once again to his former self. Now, he truly rebuild.

Learning to Live

Falling into routine was an easy task. In the morning Eclipse woke at the same time that Octavia did. Together they performed aerobics to classical music until Vinyl woke. Vinyl waking was the same each day. It consisted of her falling out of bed onto her belly. Groggily moving to her hooves and unceremoniously stumbling out of their bedroom. Her first destination was the kitchen for her coffee until she sat at the table in a passed out posture. Once the muffled groan of muzzle to table was heard, Octavia and Eclipse would then retreat to the kitchen to begin cooking lessons and preparing breakfast.

Once the DJ was fed, house hold chores were completed. Depending on who took the lead it could either be a disaster or orderly. Then came the normal day to day affairs that ended with the lover's quarreling. There seemed to be cues for when Octavia and Vinyl argued each day. Eclipse was able to time when they would occur and for what reason depending on conditions met or unmet the day prior. The fights never went past being simple and quick resolved. Each one gave Eclipse amusement for her to giggle over for hours to come.

Octavia and Vinyl's scheduled occurred at different times unless Octavia had a show to perform. Vinyl was a night pony working the clubs when the sun went down. For the cellist, practice occurred in the mornings to afternoons. This allowed each mare to have time to spend with Eclipse showing her the things she had missed out on. Each pony giving a unique perspective to the most mundane things.

Some days Octavia felt that Vinyl's influence on their house guest was becoming too strong. So, to counter this, she brought Eclipse with her to practice. She felt that the filly needed to experience proper music, class, and dignity. The twinkled maned filly became fast friends with the other members of the orchestra. Frederick and Beauty Bass often gave a hug for a hello when she was there. The conductor would spend their lunch breaks telling her of the stories of his youth saving the others from hearing the same tale for the thirtieth time. Eclipse, even if she heard the tale, listened intently. Lessons on music, proper etiquette for dining and conversing, and even some dance lessons were given by these regal ponies.

The nights that held performances for both mares had Eclipse typically going with Vinyl. As different as night and day are, so were the experiences she had with Vinyl compared to Octavia's. Eclipse had gained a reputation after her dancing caused an unusual effect to the lighting and the shadows. Ponies still remembered it and tried to get her to do it again. Try as she may, she couldn't recreate the feat that removed all light and darkness from the room to circle around her. The friends she made through Vinyl Scratch taught her things she would have never learned in a higher class setting. From some unsavory, but kind, ponies Eclipse learned to play poker. They offered tips on her poker face, how to bluff, and how to act stupid when playing with someone new in order to get their confidence falsely built. Bartenders gave lessons on how to mix the perfect drinks. Gold diggers gave advice for using doe eyes and tears to get what Eclipse wanted.

Eclipse even had chances to earn bits when she went with either of the mares. With Octavia, Eclipse acted as a lunch pony or fetched water for the thirsty musicians. It was minimal work but she was glad to do it. The work with Vinyl brought in more bits but had more to it. Some nights she mixed drinks, other nights she helped Vinyl or bands setup their equipment with her magic. There wasn't any insistence that Eclipse pay rent, she felt it only right to give some of her bits to her caretakers.

Intimacy for the mares was solved with one of Vinyl's stellar ideas. After a week, and Eclipse was settled in, they left her alone some nights so the two could enjoy a romantic dinner. After, ear plugs were slipped to Eclipse by Vinyl to use for that night. Neither of them truly wanted a repeat of the night they were caught by the naïve filly. It seemed that everything came together perfectly. A puzzle where the pieces were large and easy to decipher. Of course, that didn't mean that there would not be problems.

It began during Octavia's practice. Spying out over the darkened rehearsal hall at the seating. The usual ponies were in attendance; walks in, older ponies let in just to listen to music, and Eclipse in the front row. Lavender eyes concentrated through the dim light to make out Eclipse. The filly's glowing eyes only made it harder to properly see what she was doing. Octavia found it a bit odd. The gray pony was seated, as she normally was, but her head bobbed and her hind hooves tapped the ground. Visions narrowed, wondering what brought on these motions. The music that the orchestra played wasn't particularly lively. It fitted more for conversation and regal parties in Canterlot.

When the ensemble ended, and the ponies broke away for lunch, Octavia trotted down off the stage going straight to Eclipse. The pony was expecting the filly to instantly raise to all fours and greet her halfway, but she didn't seem to even realize that the practice session had taken its pause. The dim lighting gave little help for Octavia to see Eclipse until she was besides the other pony. There she saw why Eclipse seemed to be acting unusually.

Eclipse was still seated, swaying back and forth and tapping her hooves. On her head sat a set of headphones just like Vinyl wears around her neck during her DJ concerts. DJ Pon-3 was even written in silver ink on the side of each ear piece. Annoyance raced up and down Octavia's back.

She reached a hoof up, finally getting seen by Eclipse. The cellist couldn't be mad at Eclipse, not with the kind smile she gave the moment she had seen Octavia. Still, she had to know what kind of music she was listening to instead of proper music being played for her ears. The raised hoof presented its self to pull back one side of the headset. Black mane and twinkling mane met when Octavia pushed her cheek near Eclipse's to listen to what it was that drew her attention. Her teeth grated. Her tail swooped back and forth at a face pace when she heard the obnoxious sounds of 'wubwubwubwubwubwubwub' broke whatever good mood she could have been in. “Eclipse, dear, where did you get this music?” It took the will power of a goddess to keep Octavia from finding the filly's player to destroy the source of the music.

“Mi..Miss Vinyl told me..me that if I ke..keep listening to your music without som...something to keep me awake I'd yawn my ja..jaw off. I did..didn't believe her but she insi..insisted.” Octavia couldn't feel any rage towards Eclipse. Not with the innocent way she smiled, the way her eyes glowed a bit brighter waiting to see what reaction it would bring, or Eclipse not truly understanding what Vinyl had done bringing this brand of music into the practice hall.

If there was malice, Vinyl simply being Vinyl, or some sort of challenged involved, Octavia would take it to the next level regardless. A motion of her tail, her body twisting for Eclipse to follow behind, Octavia was practically skipping at the fiendish plan that unfolded in her mind. Lips curled to create a fiendish smile. Small bits of laughter escaping past grinning lips imagining the way the plan would work. It was a simple one she had come up with, but would do the job of putting her point across. Little did Eclipse know, she was about to be used in a war of musicians.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The very next night, Vinyl was to bring Eclipse with her to one of the nightclubs she frequented for work. Vinyl finished her last set for the night performing a trade mark double record spin on her hooves, dropping each disc down into their holders. A quick bow, and she made her way off stage expecting Eclipse to be waiting for her at the door that lead back out to the floor. From behind her magenta glasses, her eyes narrowed finding not the pony she was expecting to be there. At the table Eclipse normally sat at, Vinyl would find her swarmed by more ponies than normal. Sure, she had her fair share of stallions, and even the occasional mare approach her, but this was an unusual amount.

“Oh my Celestia! She is like so cayute!”

“Maybe we should call her DJ Bab-3!”

“Who knew such a bad flank could be such a cute tot!”

Cautious hoof steps took her closer to the group. The sounds of cooing and giggling, unusual sounds for a nightclub, they fit more for looking at a foal or foal pictures. Vinyl shook her head letting the sway of metallic blue mane drift over her covered eyes. When she got closer to the group, butting her flank in between them to make room, to let her get in close to the table. Her jaw could have hit the table if it fell any further. The ponies gathered had been giggling over a photo album. A photo album sitting in front of Eclipse. A photo album sitting in front of Eclipse of foal pictures of Vinyl.

“Mi..Miss Vinyl.” Eclipse finally spoke raising her head when the other ponies in attendance did the same. “Mi..Miss Octavia told me you'd always wanted to bri..bring this here. So she said I sh..should.”A beaming smile gave Vinyl pause. It shows that Eclipse had no intention nor knowledge of what could come of this act. “I es..especially liked thi..this picture.” Her magic worked to turn the pages of the album until a large picture was seen. Vinyl was flank first in a small waste basket with her hind legs up near her ears.

White cheeks burned red from all manner of emotions. She clenched a hoof at her side while gritting her teeth. Crimson orbs sizzled seeing only blood red across her field of vision. Vinyl only nodded to Eclipse's words. The sounds the ponies around made became softer and softer as the blood rushed into the DJ's ears. She would have revenge on Octavia for this. The smile, a thousand times darker than Vinyl had ever done before, curled on her muzzle. She would ensure that this was not the last round fired.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everyday was a new disappointment. One month ago, Gold Mine made a recovery that would stun everypony. Every injury sustained since his supposed attack by the hands of former employees had vanished down to the tiniest scare. His magic made a miraculous recovery now as strong as in his youth. Gold was ruthless assembling his lawyers. Evidence collected before the official investigation began was removed by court order declaring it unlawfully obtained. Iron Mind managed to conceal many of the drawings before the rest were removed.

The former residence of Mine Manor was sealed off. Again, Gold's lawyers battled the authority the Princesses had proclaiming an investigation on hearsay evidence and testimony from witnesses. The witnesses kept vanishing. One by one former employees willing to break contract and talk would vanish in the middle of night and be found later without life. Nothing could be found linking these events back to Gold Mine. The stallion had alibis and witnesses for all his accounts.

To make matters worse, he was feeling regret over being unable to attend Captain Shining Armor's wedding. His wife and son attended in his stead. It wasn't that he couldn't be there to watch his fellow Captain be married to a alicorn Princess, it was that he could not protect Canterlot from the coup that was attempted. Iron had not been called back even after the Elements of Harmony aided in thwarting the Changeling queen. Celestia and Luna reminded him once more that his work was of an importance that could not be overlooked. Split had told him that she enjoyed the time during the coup more than the actual party. She had the chance to use various experiments and machines against the changelings which thrilled her to no end. At least this was a good thing to come from it. She didn't need anypony for a while to experiment on.

Iron Mind sighed breathlessly. He was resting on a rug in front of a fireplace. Fillyton was made the headquarters of his search. The sheriff's station, sans Tin Star, turned into a well oiled royal guard run machine. His magic and hooves moving over the paperwork he had set in front of him. Dark rings set beneath his eyes. Sleep had been a myth to him for the past week. He had not even had an hour of true rest since Split Atom arrived shoving sleep aid down his throat. He was not the investigator having to deal with these road blocks he was reading about, but he kept up with the information anyhow. Right front hoof raised brushing back his mangy black mane from his eyes. His efforts to search for the missing pony, his possible sister, had the same problems that the criminal investigation was heading to. Eyes crossed to a map of Fillyton. Areas that were painted in red were set off limits by the owners of the property. The wealthy had closed up and wouldn't let any pony look around searching for clues. Areas in black were searched with no leads.

Iron Mind put himself at some ease when he drew a letter that arrived earlier towards him. It was the midweek reviews from Split Atom. Twice a week they would mail letters back to each other. He sent one to her, and another to Electrical Conduit. Iron hadn't been home since the Summer Sun Festival. Recalling how Conduit cried brought him cringing. A promise was made that when it all ended he would take the longest vacation he could. Then, the three would go anywhere in Equestria that Conduit wanted to go.

The letter was unraveled for Iron to read. Depressing thoughts pushed aside to gather what information of the home life he was missing.

”Dearest Husband,

You're not sleeping right. Do not make me come there again to force the pills down your throat. Yes, you know I can find out these things whenever I want to. I trust that you will do what's right and sleep. Conduit is missing his daddy as always. He's been wearing some of your training armor and going on adventurers. He's become a constant show at the animal sanctuary at the University trying to battle some of the creatures there.

I am afraid I do not have much information to help you this letter. My contacts in areas surrounding Fillyton only speak of seeing an odd pink griffon. The griffon had been asking for a pony with a description close to the one you seek. It maybe wise to follow the griffon. Arrest and interrogation would only be detrimental to the investigation.

Furthermore, I understand that nothing has come from Gold Mine's list of employees. Perhaps you should go over them again while looking at Tin Star's secret files. You maybe surprised what you could come up with out of the blue.

Yours always, Split Atom

The lists of his father's employees. He had checked them time and time again. Within the past two weeks new names had been added. Gold Mine had begun purchasing new ore mines and lands with gemstones. These places were previously condemned for pony use. The mines were filled with noxious gases that risked the lives of the workers. The gem fields were infected by parasprites. These did not feed on food as normal ones would but instead fed on every day object and equipment. The problem did not come from Gold purchasing them, but the fact that once he had the problems vanished. The gas seemed to have never been there. The parasprites returned to wherever they originated. Within a week they began to be productive. It all seemed to happen out of the blue. Out of the blue.

The phrase that his wife had written echoed through Iron Mind's thoughts. Blue. Blue blue blue blue blue blue. On wobbly legs he raised up from the rug. His magic focused on his body to give him focus as he trotted towards the stack of notebooks. Iron had to give it to Tin Star for one thing. The stallion wanted to ensure he knew who owed him favors so he kept track of every event he swept under the rug down to the tiniest intricate detail. The note books were pulled down one by one with the pages flipping rapidly in front of his eyes. It wasn't until he had gotten halfway down the pile he found what he sought.

Between twelve and thirteen years ago a blue mare had woken the sheriff in the middle of the night. Tin Star did his job enough to follow her to Mine Manor then help in forcing her out of town. The date was taken note of and Iron Mind returned to the folders containing employee records. It didn't take long to find the name. A nurse hired to take care of an ill Diamond Mine. The mare's name was simple: Blueberry Pie. The captain knew the name instantly. The Hero of Clearsky Valley he had the honor of meeting during her award ceremony. A more perfect witness couldn't have trotted into his life. The path to finding her was the next step.

A light rapping came from the door. The candle of Iron's fatigue burned at both ends caused an uneasy weariness to ripple through him. He had not been notified of anyone due to arrive this late at night. Soft hoof steps carried him near the door. Eyes traced downwards to his bladed hoof guards quietly sliding one on. His magic came to the door handle pulling it down letting the door swing open swiftly. Iron's body assumed a defensive posture before his exhausted mind could be prepared. His tail snapped behind him, toned body giving out drifting forward. He did not strike the wooden floor, instead some pony had applied their neck beneath Iron stopping any damage that may have come.

“My word, Captain Iron Mind, it isn't proper for a host to collapse before even greeting their guest.” Iron Mind righted him self quickly recognizing the voice of the pony beneath him. A stumble backwards released the hoof guard creating a high pitched clanging echoing through the room. The captain winced flinching his eyes closed.

The pony was no other than one of the most important ponies in Canterlot, Fancy Pants. A pony among ponies he was a self made stallion who earned the respect of his peers, employees, and even those who only heard of him second hand. Fancy Pants stood high above the other social elites. He gave respect to anypony regardless of status or life's misery. Iron Mind and Fancy Pants had known each other since Iron Mind was a foal. Iron Held a high respect for the white stallion.

Focusing his eyes, it took concentration for Iron Mind to no longer see three swirling Fancy Pants before him. The pony wore his trademark tuxedo jacket and monocle. Well groomed metallic gray blue hair and split mustache. “My apologies.” Iron spoke softly to keep his brain from becoming a further throb. “It has been sometime since we last spoke. I was not expecting any pony this night.”

“Nor should you have. I came here once a mare friend, Fleur-De-Lis, had told me of something she had come across. I am afraid this information is a month old, but we had been out of the news loop due to her movie tour.” Fancy Pants came close to Iron in case the stallion decided to nearly collapse again. As Iron held respect for Fancy, Fancy held the same for Iron. He had watched the captain for sometime in his work. He treated every pony fairly, more so than previous captain had when It came to normal citizens of Equestria. “I understand you are seeking a pony... In particular a possible alicorn, yes?”

The words were heard but took longer to process in a worn out mind. Fancy could only have heard this information from one of the Princesses themselves. Iron went back sitting onto his haunches, prepared to hear what the important pony had to say. A nod was the confirmation given for the stallion to continue speaking.

“Well, Fleur-De-Lis seems to have seen a pony fitting the description that I was given heading towards Manehatten of all places. She was in the presence of a most unusual pony. The crew on site believed her to only be in some kind of costume, after all an alicorn without guards is unusual, wouldn't you say?” Fancy Pants chuckled lightly mimicking Iron sitting across from the stoic captain. “This occurred well a month ago. Furthermore, I understand the sheriff is under investigation. If I may be of any service, please, allow me to help. I am more than capable of getting my fellow ponies to come clean of their misdeeds. Iron? Are you alright?” A crafted eye brow raised, his mouth closing firmly watching the captain.

Iron Mind took the words in like a breath being held. He had a witness he could depend on, he now had a location or direction to begin a further search without having to deal with these wealthy snobs. Relief of pressure came to him in a sudden warped feeling causing a euphoric feeling to numb his body. He could not handle anymore. All at once his insomnia broke down releasing a tidal wave of exhaustion peeling at the barriers of all he could handle.

Fancy Pants saw what was happening and was well prepared for it. When Iron Mind's strong stance came out and he fell forward as he did before, the wealthy aristocrat was there to catch him once more. It would be seen as unheard of for someone as the important pony to hoist the captain onto his back. Yet, he did so without a single regret. Fancy understood the motives behind what Iron was doing. “Ah I see my friend, too much to handle at once. I spoke with your wife before leaving Canterlot yesterday. She warned me this may occur.” He chuckled softly anchoring his back legs to give him balance to turn to the door. He'd help the guard captain to a bed then see himself home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Vinyl didn't know what caused Octavia to give Eclipse the foal picture book. Did it matter now? No, war had now begun between the two musicians. The next volley fired, Octavia found her prized cello was missing. When she arrived at the practice hall the instrument had been replaced with a banjo. Eclipse could almost make out the steam shooting out from her ears when the other musicians began to laugh.

The following night, Octavia struck by replacing the records of Vinyl's third set to a foal's song about using the potty. Every second there after felt like minutes. The sudden roar of laughter was not what Vinyl was used to. She was used to everypony cheering or begging for more. Each pony turned into a silhouette with red eyes cackling madly at the embarrassed pony on stage. All except for Eclipse who sat there stunned. The DJ's mind turned deducing plans of revenge in a matter of moments. She would end this feud with one swoop. Front hooves slid together rubbing together as she began to grin a slow, twisted expression.

The next day Octavia and Eclipse made their exit from the practice hall. They came out the thick wooden doors followed by the other musicians on this bright sunny, fall day. Octavia was certain, as she balanced the large cello case on her back, that her small prank the previous night saw her with victory. A proud smile flashed to Eclipse besides her, a tilt of her head back letting crafted, black locks fall back curving down her neck. Violet eyes traced down to peer at her younger friend besides her. Eclipse had been unusually quiet since they left in the morning. It was almost as if....

Then it occurred. Octavia took several trotted steps ahead of Eclipse swearing she heard the sound of Vinyl laughing. Her head shot left and right trying to decide the direction the voice originated from. “Eclipse do you know...” The gray filly had pulled herself back some and shut her eyes. Octavia gasped then. Vinyl had planned something. Did she include Eclipse or just warn her? There wouldn't be time to react as five unicorns, wearing hockey masks, came running up towards Octavia. Each of them used magic to carry foam bats behind them.

The gang of unicorns struck fast striking Octavia in every spot they could reach the flailing cellist. The blow did not hurt, nor were they meant to be. Each slap from the foam splashed an odd, gel across the gray coat and black mane. Her tail long tucked between her hind legs. Just as fast as they arrived assaulting her, they would speed off back in random directions. Nopony moved from their spots, especially Octavia. They were too stunned to react to the unusual act. The cellist knew well who perpetrated the assault, and planning her revenge would take more than just a night.

Octavia did not wait for Vinyl to come home that night. After dinner, she dismissed herself from the table leaving Eclipse to do the cleanup. Why Vinyl hadn't brought Eclipse with her that night she wasn't aware. Eclipse didn't mind helping. It was actually a bit of training and adding experience to her life as a whole. She had already showered earlier after the odd attack on her ponyson. She hit the bed hard kicking Vinyl's pillow off of her side while flailing about a moment. This stupid war wouldn't happen if Vinyl had kept her mouth shut and her music to herself! The sandcolt came to Octavia guiding her into a bliss less slumber.

Bright rays of a morning sun glared in through an open window. In the morning hours, the shades were always drawn to keep the offending light from disturbing the two ponies within. With one being a night owl and the other having sympathies for having such a schedule it was an easy decision to make. Octavia thrust a front leg over feeling for her DJ lover. She found nothing but the cold of the other side of the mattress. The covers were still drawn back but it felt that nopony had laid there for sometime.”Wub? Wub wub wub unce wub?” Octavia's eyes shot open. What did she just ay? More so, why did her voice sound like that trash Vinyl Scratch enjoyed?

At once she sat up. The alarm clock on the stand besides her was pulled with her hooves staring at the time. It was 8AM in the morning an unusual time for Vinyl to be awake and playing music in the house. “Wub? Wub wub?” She tried to speak again. It wasn't a song Vinyl was playing on the radio but something else. The clock abandoned, violet eyes scanned the room then rested on something across the bed on the dresser in front of her. A single bottle. She squinted to make out the name. Concentrated Poison Joke Gel. For when you really want to make a pony mad.

In the kitchen, at the table, Vinyl Scratch sat enjoying a nice large stack of flapjacks. Eclipse had made them per request with her usual cup of coffee. “Best pancakes as always, Nightlight,” Vinyl complimented raising her cup to the filly sitting across from her. “Best ever.” She grinned and glanced out the window. She heard the commotion coming from the bedroom. Silently, counting down from ten, she waited until she hit one and the waited moment echoed from the bedroom.

“WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUB!!!”

Eclipse winced at the ear piercing sound screamed from the mare's bedroom. Her head shot upwards staring at the hallway. Vinyl stood in wait, she was prepared for whatever may come at her. “I think we can both see that this is now over in my win, right Octy?” The DJ spoke giving a quick wink at Eclipse. Eclipse, on the other hoof, was not thinking it was over. She crawled beneath the table counting down from ten herself.

“Wub Wub wub!!” It sounded like a war cry. Octavia launched from the bedroom galloping down the short hall to where she knew Vinyl would be. Her lover was waiting with her forelegs opened wide expecting a hug and congratulations for winning their silly war. The gray pony set her self on another idea. Her head poised and lowered, she rammed her lover in the sternum knocking her off her feet and out of air. Octavia did not waste time mounting on top of Vinyl. It would not bruise or cause permanent damage, but she still wailed down on her with front hooves. The DJ only laughed mock covering her self with her own forelegs to try and stump some of the blows. The music coming past Octavia's lips did nothing to stop her giddy excitement, which in turn only increase Octavia's frustrations and beatings on her lover.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ever since the Poison Joke had some nasty effects on six unsuspecting citizens of Ponyville, two spa owning sisters spread the remedy to the various spas and health clubs for a fee. Profits were shared with an unnamed zebra. The spread of the treatment couldn't of come quick enough as some pony had begun selling a product called Poison Joke Gel. The gel was quickly made illegal for sale after it was released during a party on castle grounds.

It was an emergency visit to the spa. Octavia had planned to take Eclipse to a real visit where a proper detail could be done to her coat, horn, and hooves, but with Vinyl Tracks little prank it would have to be done now. With a quill in her mouth Octavia wrote out instructions for Eclipse to follow. The glowing eyed filly would in charge of making the arrangement. It was a quick trot to the spa Octavia went to. The cellist wore saddlebags to carry her bits and carrying home beauty products she'd purchase on the way out. The products she almost felt the need to ignore as they would be enjoyed by some other particular pony as well.

Eclipse set the order at the spa's front desk. A day of paradise for two ponies; sauna, hoof manicures, Vitamin E coat treatment, full body massage, horn polishing, and an assortment of other services. First, Octavia would be given the hot bath that would release her from the wub voice she suffered. With her voice returned to her, she was actual to begin conversing with Eclipse during their various.

An hour had gone by, the two ponies were seated in the sauna together. Towels wrapped around their waists and hair. Eclipse had two towels specially wrapped around each wing. Eclipse felt relaxed in every muscle and tendon in her body. A near mush like state lounging back reclining on a wooden seat. Octavia had allowed the filly to rest her head on the gray mare's lap, chuckling at the kittenish manner she acts. “Enjoying yourself, Eclipse?”

“Y..yes I am. Tha..thank you.” A polite reply came quickly.

“Vinyl and I wanted to tell you over a nice dinner, but I doubt we'll be having one of those until she apologizes, so I will go ahead. In two weeks the three of us will be visiting Canterlot and Hoofington to visit our parents.” Octavia gleamed happily staring down at her little friend.

The gray color of Eclipse's coat began to fade at her face. The filly averted her glowing gaze away suddenly shaking even in the steam heat. Octavia drew her forelegs around her confused by the sudden withdrawal the pony seemed to be suffering from. “I ca...can't go to Cant..Canterlot.” She managed to stutter out shaking her head at the sheer thought. She finally managed to find a home, two ponies who seemed to love her. Eclipse didn't want to die now.

“Why not? Eclipse? You can tell me what is wrong. Vinyl and I haven't pushed you to know more but... If something is wrong we need to know so we can help.” There wasn't an angry nor accusing tone in her voice. It was motherly, soft and gentle to calm the smaller one.

Words were lost to Eclipse. If anypony was deserving to know of the things behind her, it was Octavia and Vinyl. Her fore hooves pressed down against the wood letting her body sit up. Her wings absently twitched on her back. “I was to..told my bro..brother lives in Cant...Canterlot. He's a cap..captain in the gu..guards. Daddy to..told me if I went th..there Princess Cel...Celestia would have me ki..killed.”

Octavia slid the filly into a tight embrace. The trembles coursing through Eclipse had worsened. It must have been difficult to have such a paranoia forced upon you by somepony who should care and nurture you. “It's alright. I'll speak to Vinyl. She has a way with her parents and can get them to come to Hoofington and spend time there. My parents and her's have been friends since before either of us were born.” A soft kiss placed to Eclipse's forehead. “Do you know which Captain? If at all possible knowing will let us avoid him or her. There are three captains at the castle. There is the Canterlot Guard Captain, Shining Armor. Luna's personal Guard Captain is Candy Sprinkles. And Celestia's Guard Captain is Iron Mind. Is it any of them?” The thought of Princess Celestia wanting anypony dead was absurd. If anything, Princess Celestia would send her to the moon, lock her in stone, or force her to eat enough cake that she can't fit out a dungeon door.

“I don't kn..know.” An image of Blueberry Pie flashed in Eclipse's mind. She was once loved like this. A sensation of courage burned its way into Eclipse's chest. Tilting her head back, lips parted to speak. “Da..daddy's name. Gold Mine.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two ponies neck deep in mud with cucumbers over their eyes, laid in silence. Octavia was at a loss for words when Eclipse opened up to her. She knew of Gold Mine. The cellist played at his parties once or twice personally, or had played at parties he attended. Many of the elite had much to say of him, mostly negative, and rarely had anything to say about any sort of kind nature. He was a deplorable pony whom other ponies gave false front to just to keep on his bad side.

“Mi..Miss Octavia?” The soft sound of Eclipse's voice broke Octavia from her trance. She turned her head to address the filly, although the cucumber kept her from actually seeing her.

“What is it, sweetie?”

“Ho..how did you and Miss Vin..Vinyl meet?”

“How did we meet?” A chorus of laughter passed from Octavia's lips. “Forgive me if I give you the short version, you are far too... naïve in many aspects of life for me to want to sully on the story.” Gray furred body squirmed beneath the mud. “Our parents, namely my father and her mother, played together in the Canterlot Royal Symphony. We grew up together from baby to foal to University.” Memories and recollections created vivid images in Octavia's mind. “See, my daddy and my papa met during one of the very same symphonies Vinyl's mother and daddy played at.” A muddy hoof came close to Octavia's lips. “Perhaps I left out a crucial bit of information. I am adopted. My daddy and papa are both stallions. They have a relationship similar to Vinyl and I's but being stallions.”

Eclipse simply nodded intently listening. The story seemed to be one of life long friends finding love between each other. Destined lovers chosen by the stars to be together since before they were born. Having read no romance novels per say, fairy tales did use romance as a powerful element in telling a tale.

“Growing up we could not be separated. She would drag me on adventures, I would drag her to the hospital or back to our parents for our punishments. Outside of a friendly hug she never showed signs of affection. We grew up and went to University. She partied, I studied, she begged for me studying the night before exams. Every week she'd have a new coltfriend. I admit, I was jealous.” Octavia cleared her throat. “Not jealous of having a coltfriend, I had plenty ask me, but jealous they were with Vinyl. Still, every week she'd dump the one she had and find another. Every week I'd be there picking up the pieces. To cut short on the unnecessary details. She came back to our dorm room one night, drunk, and confessed she dumped another colt. She admits that whenever she kisses a colt, she sees me. Believing she was entering the first stages of insanity, something I have to wonder about to this day, she kisses me to conform her own concerns. We hadn't stopped since.”

“That's bea..beautiful.” Eclipse whispered holding back a foalish giggle.

“Thank you, Eclipse. Our parents handled it quite well. Except my papa, the musician, still insisted she see his knife collection in private. I never knew ponies could turn whiter after they finished. We are fortunate not to have to deal with the prejudice someponies have with homosexuality. When did it come up, either Vinyl had an entourage in the shadows to assist or my papa would later take care of the problem. Daddy always hated when Papa would take his knives outside.”

Through the rest of the services and treatments Octavia continued with varying stories of her time with Vinyl. The two mares were in love beyond what words would simply express. Eclipse watched them fight over the smallest things. Eclipse knew that once this prank war was over they would return to the normalcy of their lives. Slouching in the mud, the filly found a quick nap would be just fine as she listened to the audio book of Octavia.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After super gluing Vinyl's dark pink glasses to her head, leaving her with a bold strip from temple to temple, a truce was called to tone down the pranks to the household. Anything that would affect or make them unsubtle for work was not allowed. It all finally died down with Vinyl taking Octavia to a romantic dinner. Ear plugs were left for Eclipse, and the DJ whisked the cellist to copulate their peace.

“Amazing..” Octavia whispered. The pair laid on their bed with only a thin white sheet across them. Each pony had their heads on their pillows, staring into the others eyes. Fore hooves were touched rubbing one another shins during the blissful after glow.

“It is. Ready for round two?” From behind Octavia a third then a fourth white hoof slid across her shoulders. She felt a chill race up and down her spine when she slowly looked behind her. There, as she feared, a second Vinyl slyly smirked at her. Violet eyes widened, her mouth dropping open trying to figure out what words to use.

“Maybe round three?” Again, Vinyl's voice came from another direction than in front of her. This time, she came to look at the bathroom door. A third Vinyl leaned against the door frame. A towel resting on her waist held up by her flank.

“I think round four is better.” Octavia's pupils had become pinpricks. Trembling spheres moved to the edge of the bed where a fourth Vinyl crawled on hind knees and fore hooves towards the two Vinyls and Octavia on the bed.

The scream that followed saw to it that every condominium in the tower had a light on. Even Eclipse, who with the ear plugs, slept as a foal through the night was awakened by the glass shattering sound. From the bedroom window three changelings flew off into the night. They earned their bits.

Eclipse left her bedroom just at the right moment to watch Vinyl go speeding by her. Only the fact that the real Vinyl was the one Octavia slept with gave the unicorn enough pause to escape. The cellist was fast on her hooves running on her hind legs so her forelegs could throw random, breakable objects. “I am going to kill you Vinyl Melinda Scratch!” The gray pony screeched.

Situating themselves in the family room, the marefriends started their fight anew. The pranks were over and now it was outright bombardment. Whatever Octavia could life and throw was tossed at Vinyl. Wherever Vinyl looked she lifted with her magic returning the assault. Eclipse found it necessary to venture from her room, Celestia and Nightmare Moon dolls pulled with her magically, to act as a referee to the squabbling lovers. Holding her dolls close, she sat on a large plush chair between the pair, catching objects that shouldn't be thrown with her magic to safely set down. Broken horn or not, she had enough magic to catch most of what was tossed.

An hour of violent throwing, neighbors pounding on walls, ceilings, and floors to get them to stop, and a half asleep Eclipse saw that their supply of ammunition was running dry. Octavia gained the upper hand gaining a carton of eggs during one of Eclipse's moments of dozing off. It was a matter of time that the living room was coated in yolk. Octavia cradled the carton on her right foreleg while carefully tossing with her left hoof.

Ducking and dodging the white shelled grenades, Vinyl still had to feel the goo splatter onto her fur. Desperation was pulling at her to find something else she could use to counter. Anything would have done as long as she hit the mare and could rush in to finish the game. Crimson spheres glanced about quickly taking only seconds away from watching her enraged lover. It came to her when she looked. In the right mind she would have never dreamed of taking it, but when faced with opposition that you didn't know would use cut throat plans you chose what you could find.

The gentle aura of blue came around Eclipse's Celestia doll beneath the filly's arm. The gradual shifting brought Eclipse out of her current doze. Blurred visions only caught sight of her doll floating away from her. A tender giggles bubbled from her throat amused by the sight of one of her favorite toys dancing about. Like a rock breaking glass, Eclipse realized it wasn't her magic nor the magic that the doll may or may not posses that caused this. Forelegs pushed behind her lifting her up enough to find the source of the magic, Vinyl, in the final stages of throwing the beloved toys.

Octavia had positioned herself in front of the open balcony window. Everything slowed to a snail's pace. Glowing orbs kept watch as the possession was launched at Octavia. The gray pony didn't even realize what was thrown at her when instincts took over. Eclipse fell onto all fours running after the doll. Her wings spread in anticipation. Everything moved too quickly for her to focus her magic. When the cellist moved, it all went downhill. The doll flew outwards over the balcony's balustrade. It was then that Eclipse's world changed.

Visions no longer found the alicorn in Manehatten. She wasn't even seeing things in her time period. The floors went from hardwood to cold stone. The city became a lush landscape of foreign trees, flowers, and a variety of other flora. Glowing pools turned back behind her guiding into the inner sanctum of her home. She didn't see Octavia and Vinyl. The two had been replaced with alicorns. One a white alicorn with a pink mane and tail with a cutie mark of the sun. The other alicorn's coat a midnight blue and her mane and tail settled in royal blue. She had a cutie mark of the night sky depicting the stars and crescent moon. Even with the loss of her toy, the two continued to argue back and forth.

Eclipse set her wings outwards extending them to their fullest. Her broken horn became restored replacing the shattered portion with dark gray magic. The glow of her eyes lit the room as bright as a full moon. “Thou will cease this foalish squabbling this instant!” Magic poured from the tip of her horn. The shadow beneath her expanded outwards covering the walls, filling the room with a thick black sludge removing all light. Outside, the moon glowed brighter than anypony could remember seeing it do so. A black ring forming around the sphere in the sky.

Just as quickly as her mind was lost, it returned to Eclipse. She recognized this scene. The very moment that the black recedes she would find her two care takers laying bloody on the floor, just as Eclipse left Gold Mine. “No... No! No! NO!” She screamed aloud on dry tongue. Glowing spheres were halted with her lids falling over each. The moon returned to normal and the shadows fell back to where they came. Eclipse fell to the ground as her mind snapped the very sensation of consciousness away from her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Within the tallest tower in the castle overlooking Canterlot, three alicorns and a unicorn enjoyed a midnight tea party. Princess Celestia, her younger sister Princess Luna, their niece Princess Cadence, and Celestia's unicorn pupil Twilight Sparkle enjoyed a specially select choice of rare tears and Sugar Cube corner pastries. They talked about magic, friendship, love, and the power that comes from all three combined.

Princess Cadence, niece to Celestia and Luna, was slender and smaller than her two aunts. Her coat was a pink color that gave reminiscence of cotton candy at a carnival fair. Single streaks of rose, red-violet, and cream flowed from her mane and tail. In public, Cadence held the poise and grace befitting of royalty. In private, particularly with her husband or sister in law, it was easy to find that she loved life, fun, and forgetful playing as much as anypony. A cutie mark of a gemstone heart depicted on her flank told of her special magic to join broken hearts. Plum eyes danced with mirth as a delicate hoof, protected by a gold hoof guard, raised to her pert lips holding back a giggle as Twilight Sparkle finished another story of her time in Ponyville. The adventures the mare went on would make anypony envious of the seemingly carefree life style.

A sudden invitation had brought Twilight Sparkle to the castle this evening. A spur of the moment rendezvous spurred by Luna's persistence that Celestia take some time with her student and family letting Equestria tend to its self. The sisters needed the break after the coup and possible return of one they had lost centuries before. Twilight dipped her head down, indigo coat standing on end as goosebumps rolled over her body. A particularly chill wind fell brushed upon the four. Errant hoof came to brush her mane from in front of violet sphere. Twilight's mane and tail was a unique tapestry. Primarily navy blue, down the middle though were single strips of fuchsia and purple. On her hide, to her delight, her cutie mark of a dark pink star with smaller white stars.

“Of course, nopony could convince Pinkiepie that devouring four cakes in a row then drinking ten bottles of sarsaparilla was a bad idea. It wasn't until she finally ate the center of Ponyville's largest towering, exploding chocolate volcano sculpture that we had to take her to Nurse Redheart's. The nurse said she had never seen a pony go from being bigger than a cow to normal size as fast as Pinkie did after one burp!”

Simultaneous laughter sang from the four ponies. The night had been filled with these kinds of silly stories. For the citizens of Ponyville it was an everyday occurrence they had grown accustomed to enduring. This particular story had to do with a chocolate sculpting competition between Pinkiepie, the Cakes, and an angry dragon.

“Twily, is your friend truly like this? When things calm down I will have to tell Shining a vacation to Ponyville is in order.” Cadence chirped shaking her head as tears gathered in her eyes.

“She really is. Give her any reason from getting an A on a school test to making an awesome pie and she'll throw a party.”

Twilight and Cadence's merry talk was cut short when the two noticed the absence of the elder alicorns. Their attention, and soon the younger pair's, was drawn to the moon. A black enigma protruded from it letting the light of a black sun shine down. The moon's surface was as bright as four full moons. For a minute, until the eclipse passed, there wasn't a word spoken between the four. They sat on their haunches in silence watching the astral show overhead.

“Princess Celestia...? Was that planned?” Twilight broke the silence. Her question spoken in a whisper. She was unused to the sight she found when she strayed her eyes form the moon to her mentor.

Celestia was quivering. Tears surfaced on the depths of radiant pools streaking down her perfect, white cheeks. It was another minute before Celestia broke away from the sight of the moon returned to its natural state. “Twilight. I had hoped to tell you of a coming problem when Lulu and I were certain it was coming. If there had been any doubt,” The Princess gazed towards her sister, who in turned looked to her with a more hopeful upkeep, “It is no longer there. My sister and I will entrust you with a tome. It dates back near when Equestria was first founded.” The white alicorn stood on shaking legs. Her head drifting forward then shook to get rid of the nasty sensations burrowing from her heart. “It tells of an event that saw the loss of the third Princess. The Third Goddess.”

Piercing eyes focused solely on Twilight. Cadence was of no consequence to hear these words, but Twilight needed to learn of it all. The leader of the Elements of Harmony would be called upon to aid her country yet again. “A Third Goddess? If you control the sun, and Princess Luna controls the moon, what did she control?”

“Balance.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A white warmth filled Eclipse directly to her center. If this peace was heaven she never wanted to let the bliss escape her. Snuggly wuggly blankets surrounded her from the neck down. Her torso, she could feel, was encircled by two forelegs. Drowsy eyes opened, prepared to turn to see who was holding onto her. Eclipse found herself back in the confines of her room. Tucked into her own bed with somepony snoring behind her. Visions did not see who was behind her first, instead she saw Octavia laying beneath the covers before her. Against her, her two dolls and rock were set carefully to Eclipse's chest.

The cellist hooves were pressed to Eclipse's. They would not dare let go of the filly. At the stirrings of Eclipse, Octavia awoke shortly after. Octavia did not rush to get out of bed or move. She remained beneath the covers with Eclipse staring. Hr lips, upturned into a peaceful smile, parted to speak in whispered tones. “You are finally awake. Vinyl and I were worried.”

Eclipse took a moment to look behind her. Torso did not turn much, just enough, to see the DJ hugging her tightly from behind. The two had been asleep with her in her bedroom, since when she did not know. “Wh..what happened?” She kept the same tone that Octavia did not wanting to wake the electric blue maned DJ.

“I do not know exactly. After Vinyl threw your toy outside. You screamed at us then everything went black. We heard you shouting before we could see again. You were on the ground after.” Octavia drew in a steady breath. “You scared us nearly to death. Vinyl was in hysterics. She tried to use her magic to carry you to her room, but her magic didn't work. We failed to notice our cutie marks were missing after moving you to bed. Well, I noticed but after putting you to bed Vinyl rushed out the front door.”

Cutie marks had vanished? That didn't occur when the event occurred with Gold Mine. No mention was made of any cuts on their bodies. It seemed that her worries were unfounded for now. “Yo..You're cutie marks vanished?” Wide spheres appeared to grow brighter.

“They came back a few hours later. As did Vinyl's magic.” There was no pressure to ask how it had happened or what Eclipse might have done. It was truthfully the furthest thing from Octavia's mind. The gray mare moved towards the filly. Scooting across the bed to tenderly wrap her forelegs around the other. It was difficult with how tight Vinyl was holding but she managed. “After finding your toy, the arm had fallen off. Vinyl went door to door in the building waking everypony until she found someone who could fix it. When she came back she was covered in flour, oats, and I think honey, but she had your doll fixed.”

Eclipse's bottom lip quivered. The filly wanted to begin bawling outright hearing the story. The two mares were taking care of her even after she made their cutie marks go away and summoned that horrible darkness. Teeth bit against tongue trying to hold back the hiccuping sobs. Octavia slid a hoof up to stroke down Eclipse's twinkling mane.

“Sssh. It's alright.” Octavia assured her. “After I made her clean off, we climbed in here with you, by her insistence, to make sure when you woke up that everything was fine. I agreed this was the best course.”

“I was so sc..scared. La..last time that ha..happened Daddy was hu..hurt badly.” The words came out in choked cries.

“What happened back then?”

“I... I do..don't know. He ca..came home angry wi..with me. Held me do..down and stomped on muh..my horn.” Eclipse buried her face against Octavia's chest. Twin dams had opened up letting the fresh salt water spill forth. “It hurt so ba..badly. I sc..screamed at him to stop that I wa..was so..sorry for wha..whatever I did.”

Octavia felt her breath escape her. Everypony hears the tales of abuse that ponies can experience. School yard bullies, siblings, parents, or others, it didn't matter they could be responsible. To hear a first hand experience, to see the damage of Eclipse's horn before her eyes while listening was too much for Octavia to hold in. She began to cry now. It wasn't tears for herself but for Eclipse.

“When muh..my horn bro..broke it hurt so..so bad. Things went da...dark like before but... that time wh..when it we..went away he was covered in blood.” The filly curled her self tightly into a ball. She didn't know which way to press, to the DJ or the cellist, so she remained right there to be held by them both. Vinyl still hadn't wakened. Yet, even in her slumbering state she held Eclipse tighter just feeling the turmoil she was going through.

“You don't need to say anymore, Eclipse. You did nothing wrong. Nothing at all. You were just a scared little foal being abused by a horrible pony.” There was tenderness in the words spoken. She had waited so long for somepony to tell her she did nothing wrong. Finally hearing somepony tell her that she was not to blame brought a new out pour of tears. “No matter what happens. Even if you, Vinyl, and I are separated. We will help you in anyway we can. Though just a short time, we love you so much, Eclipse.” A kiss was placed to the gray filly's forehead. “You needn't be scared any longer.”

Eclipse's cries softened. She mouthed the words “Thank you” but the the sound was caught on the whispers of her cries. She huddled close to the two mares. Eclipse was blessed to have found two ponies so willing and wanting to accept her. Octavia became to hum a lullaby lulling Eclipse back to sleep. The cellist would tell Vinyl everything when she was given the chance to do so. Now, they would just lay in Eclipse's bed and sleep. Each of them suffered a long, painful night, but the healing had already begun.

Future Horizons

Summer warmth flew away with the changing of the leaves falling from the trees. Shedding life to keep life during the coming cold of winter's grasp. Ponies began to wear scarfs, sweaters, and heavy padded saddles to fight back the coming chill. Weather teams worked in anticipation of the coming frost and snow.

Before a familiar condominium tower stood two ponies at the entrance. The doorpony watched on but paid no real mind to the conversation. An orange and sherbert orange pony stood speaking of goodbyes and farewells. “Ah just want to thank ya again, Aunt Orange. Ahm sure mamma would be happy tah hear I'm giving her broach to somepony finally.” The orange pony spoke with a southern drawl typically of her upbringing. Messy blond hair tied near the end with a red bind. Her tail matched her hair in every aspect from the bedhead appearance and red tie. Three red apples were her cutie mark signifying her life and her name. The pony wiggled her flank once letting her green saddlebags jingle with the contents inside. Each was stitched with her cutie mark to identify owner. “Ahm real sorry that Apple Bloom and Big Mac couldn't make it. Apple Bloom and her friends are always causing some fuss or another. And Big Mac...,” The pony trailed off letting green eyes avert away, “Well he's not one to from the farm too often. Big guy has enough problems with the fillies in town always trying to rastle him down with a band.”

The sherbert pony let out a marvelous laugh. A gold, plate necklace around her neck shining in the afternoon sun. The color of her mane and hair matched that of the orange pony's. It was styled in a more upper class bun. “Oh Applejack, just seeing you is enough for your Uncle and I. Just knowing you found somepony special makes us both happy.” The mare smiled gently to the other. “I remember when your mother gave your father the broach. You know the Orange custom. If the pony doesn't lose the broach and can return it during vows, then it is meant to be. If the pony loses or forgets it, then it wasn't. It was amusing to see the panic your father went through when your mother hid it.”

The doorpony took a moment looking at the upper class mare's flank at her three slices of oranges cutie mark. He felt hungry suddenly being near pictures of apples and oranges. Applejack glared at his wandering eyes, queerly staring at him. “That and... Thanks for understandin about the pony ah plan to give it to. Ah know not many of the Apple Family save Granny Smith and Big Mac even approve of this sort of thing.”

Aunt Orange moved forward raising her front legs to bring Applejack into a hug. “Worry not, my dear, we Manehattenites are not so shallow so oppose love. As long as this pony makes you happy then we are happy for you.” The mares came together in one last quick hug. Aunt Orange's hoof patting her niece on the back. “Now be careful going through Fillyton. Since the sheriff was arrested there has been quite an increase in gangs and bandits.” A frown appeared when she withdrew enough to look at Applejack's face. “Are you certain your Uncle and I can't buy you a train ticket or even a carriage to get home?”

Applejack took a step back. She closed her eyes, shook her head, and pressed a hoof to her chest. Her Aunt and Uncle had done so much for her already, and she wouldn't let them do anymore. “No siree at all. Ah'll be just, fine Aunt Orange. Ah'll write once ah get back to Ponyville.” Setting a hoof to the brim of her hat, Applejack tipped a nod in her aunt's direction then turned to begin her journey home.

There was a change in perspective now that a single tall hurdle was well behind. Applejack felt a certain skip in her step ushering her forward towards a new horizon. The first few steps, realization and acceptance, took everything in her just to come to grips with. Imagination ran wild picturing how the events would unfold declaring love with the broach of her mother. A heavy feeling knocked the wind right out of Applejack. The orange pony was one of the bravest ponies in Ponyville. Her face scrunched up feeling warmth come to her white freckles. As the Element of Honesty she had faced down Discord and Nightmare Moon. Her athleticism kept her going against the fastest pegasus in Equestria time and time again. Yet, the sudden feeling of having to take the next step made her feel queasy. Aw horsefeathers. Applejack thought to herself. Ahm getting all rilled up about somethin that's not even gonna happen for a few days. In the middle of the sidewalk the orange pony hunkered down throwing her forelegs over her head. The queasy feeling was causing a pain in her heavy gut. If ah don't get movin soon it'll be sundown before ah get to Fillyton. But ah just can't my legs tah move none!

Green eyes raised up staring around her. She found that she had dropped down in front of a concert hall. Several older ponies were entering inside, but no sign of a ticket taker nor usher was to be found. Wanting to rid her mind of her doubts, Applejack hoofed forward past the large wooden doors to see what might have been going on. Blond hair tossed over her left shoulder when she peaked her head inside. Jaw dropped open, her nose scrunching to the smell of old wood and musty antiques. It reminded her too much of the library for her comfort but she'd enter anyhow. She'd find the elderly ponies stopping in front of a pony at the doors to the theater then going within. Hoof steps brought her to this pony hoping some answers to what this place was could be given.

“He..Here you go, Miss Tock.” The pony at the theater doors was behind a plastic, lightweight table adorned with cookies, cupcakes, and small paper bowls of pudding. Each guest to the theater was offered their choice of confectionery.

“You're a good filly, Eclipse.” The old mare mumbled taking a cookie into her mouth for later.

Applejack had never seen a pony like her before. The orange farm pony stepped to the end of the line entering struck by curiosity. Glowing eyes, cloudy diamond twinkling hair that always stayed fallen over her left eye, and her wings mismatched. She wore a forest green beret covering the area where a unicorn's horn would be. Was she even fully grown? The gray pony seemed small for a mare. Knowing the kind of spells her friend, Twilight Sparkle did, she had to wonder if this pony was in the wrong place at the wrong time with a unicorn. “Excuse me there, sugarcube.”

“Oh.” Eclipse looked right up away from her pastries then back down to the line up. “I'm so..sorry but I don't ha..have any sugar cubes.” A frown touched her lips gazing back to the orange pony. “I do..do have some cupcakes with cream ch..cheese icing.”

It took even Applejack a moment to figure out what Eclipse was referring to. She used the term, sugarcube, so often among friends and potential friends that she never realized somepony may take it to mean actual sugar cubes. A hoof waved dismissing the cupcake and the desire for sugar cubes. “No, ya misunderstand me. Ahm calling you sugarcube, sugarcube.” In a polite manner, Applejack pulled her hat from her head setting it to her chest. “Name's Applejack. Ahm from Ponyville.” Her hat settled again on her head set between her ears.

The gray pony took a hoof step back from the table. Her right foreleg curled up near her chest while her head bowed forward. Glowing visions traced back to face the orange mare giving a fancy smile towards her. “Muh..My name is Eclipse.” It took time but she learned to drop the 'cursed' from her introduction. Wings ruffled lightly, namely the bat wing coming up, stretching to the right then resting back down. Eclipse seemed to always have a problem with that one giving her cramps.

Applejack couldn't keep her eyes just on Eclipse's face. It seemed that each time she looked at the other mare she found something new about her. “Sugarcube, iffin you don't mind my askin somethin that maybe personal?”

A quick blink. Eclipse was a pony who hid information. A closet full of skeletons she wished not to get out could have bust open at any time with the wrong question. Still, Applejack was nice enough to ask before just blurting out a random quiz. “I don't see..see why not.”

Applejack knew only one pony who stuttered and that was her friend, Fluttershy. That pony only stuttered from being too dang shy. Eclipse didn't come across as being a shy pony so her stutter must have been something else. A seat was taken, resting down on her haunches, on the other side of Eclipse to keep the door from being blocked. A cookie was taken to take a quick munch. It was an odd flavor, not extremely sweet, but mild. “Well, ah have a friend, name's Twilight, she's crazy 'bout anythin that has to do with magic. She'd probably ask ya a million questions if she met ya. But.... Are those things natural or one of those unicorn spells?”

Eclipse heard that question before. It didn't bother her considering she knew no other pony like that. “No. I was bo...born with th..them.”

“Well ah'll be.” A quick head shake before peering intently at each glowing pool. They looked just like real eyes but glowed as Luna's moon. An errand front hoof came up scratching at her blonde mane. “Now, what about them wings? I know a certain rainbow maned lunkhead who would make a pony go deaf going nuts over those. They natural too?”

Twisting her torso to look at each wing, Eclipse turned back to Applejack affirming her question with a nod. “Ye..yes. I was born with the..these as well. My hair is nat..nat..natural too.” She figured what the next question might be and tackled it ahead of time. Not wanting to seem rude, Eclipse came sitting down next to Applejack. From inside the theater the sound of music began to play.

“Are ya missin something now, Sugarcube? Ah wouldn't want ya to miss it on account of my questions.” A tinge of guilt poked at the Element of Honesty.

“It's al..alright. Miss Octavia says I sh..should talk to ponies more oft..often. Would you li..like another tre..treat?” A bit of magic raised a white, fluffy whipped icing cupcake down in front of Applejack. Eclipse looked on hopeful that she would take even the smallest bite.

A quick bite was taken when Applejack couldn't turn down the look in the filly's eyes. “Sure. Say, these ain't as sweet as I'm used to. Not enough sugar 'round to use?”

“No..Not at all. Many eld..elderly ponies prefer the sweetness le..lesser. So I made it to fit th..their needs.” Attentive to others needs.

The orange mare tipped her head again, the cupcake resting at her hooves she took another quick bite. “Rather kind of ya, if I do say so myself. Now, Ah hear music inside but if it's a party ah don't hear enough commotion. Unless it's like those hoity toity Canterlot shindigs they do.” Both ponies began to laugh. Applejack for remembering the garden party and the Grand Galloping Gala. Eclipse for believing that any and all parties consisted of rave music, flashing lights, and Vinyl stage diving into crowds.

“Nah..Not at all. This is a small theater that my fri..friend Octavia uses to pra...practice with the Celestial Manehatten Orchestra.” There was a sense of pride from Eclipse as she looked to the open door. Every day that was a new blessing since arriving in Manehatten. There wasn't a reason not to feel pride. “Bu..but foals use it fo..for recitals and sma..smaller orchestras for the..their shows. I us..usually come here ev..everyday with Miss Octavia. The Con..conductor asks me to ta..take notes when watching too.”

There was an understanding. Knowing exactly how the filly must have felt for her friend. Applejack felt the same with the uniqueness each of her friend's held. A gong from a clock struck Applejack like a hoof to the chest. If she wasn't careful she'd be hitting the road at night instead of under Celestia's sun. “Ah really hate to say this but ah really need to get a hoof on. Say, iffin you're ever in Ponyville stop by Sweet Apple Acres. Ah'll pay ya back with some of my famous apple pie.”

It was the second time somepony invited her to Ponyville. One of these days the offer would need to be taken up. Both ponies raised up, trotting towards the exit back out to the city streets. “I'll re..remember that. Tha..Thank you, Miss Applejack.”

“Just Applejack, Sugarcube. Take care now, ya hear?” The pony set a hoof to her hat, nodding to the smaller pony. Eclipse waited until the farm pony was out of sight.

“She looked to be a nice pony.” Eclipse turned to the sound of her friend's voice.

Octavia was waiting patiently for Eclipse to finish speaking to the orange pony. An interruption would have ended the session of friend making far too soon. In truth, Octavia had been unnoticed since Applejack and Eclipse began their conversation. She was standing on the side observing as a protective mother to her foal.

“Did you fi..finish the set alrea..already?” The question came out looking past Octavia to the concert hall. The sounds of the instruments still came out. Glancing between the door and back to Octavia, Eclipse tilted her head.

“Not at all. I was not apart of this piece. My solo practice begins shortly, but I am in a bind it seems and I was hoping you would help me.” Octavia led Eclipse on a beeline path to the door to enter the backstage. White light glowed from florescent light bulbs along the walls. Neither pony ever believed this new kind of lighting would ever beat magic or fire. “My first song during the concert is to be played with Sapphire Shores.”

“Oh...Only one song? But what abo..about my stut..stut...stut..”

“Stuttering? Not at all. Eclipse, you have a lovely voice.” Her movements stopped at the bottom of the steps to the stage. Octavia turned herself around. “If you do not feel comfortable it is alright, Eclipse. I would not want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

It wasn't as if there was an actual audience. It was the old ponies and perhaps the orchestra that she talked to and spent time with each day. “I'll do it.” Voice was soft, shy and timid. Octavia beamed reaching her hoof down curling around Eclipse's foreleg guiding her onto the stage.

Eclipse had been on this stage many times during music pieces giving the members water or helping to setup instruments. This time there was a stand with music sheets set up for the canceled Sapphire Shores. On a normal night spot lights would shine down on the musicians but now it was the normal lighting. It was what Eclipse expected out in the audience. The elderly were settled in the front row, members of the orchestra were scattered around in the seating like teenagers at a late night ate movie, and the conductor settled at the front center of the stage preparing to guide Octavia.

The cello was setup to the left behind Eclipse as to not take full view away from the singer. Octavia positioned her self, bow in hand, to begin playing at her own convenience. “The opening of the song has me playing solo. Follow the tune until you're ready to enter and just sing the lyrics.” The bows slid effortlessly across the cello strings bringing forth a soft, eerie melody. The song brought forth memories of love lost and chances forfeited.

Nervous and quick steps went straight for the stand and sheet music. The lyrics gazed over examining the words and notes. It was a song of losing ones self to temptation and wishing to return back the time to fix mistakes. Unbeknownst to Eclipse this song was popular currently. Lids fell across glowing pools leaving the afterimage of the crowd and theater. Immersing herself in the music was an easy feat with one of Octavia's skill. Chest raised pulling a breath into her lungs. Lips parted as she began to sing. The lyrics were not what she was meant to sing, but something from a memory long lost.

When Eclipse opened her eyes she was no longer in the theater. Since the night of the eclipse, the illusions had grown more frequent and intense. Now, she found herself in a place of stone much smaller than where she once was. It was a bedroom. Two large cushions laid before her with the alicorn mares of white and midnight blue watching her with adoration and calm. Eclipse was upon her haunches in front of a hearth. Although a memory, she could hear the crackling and feel the heat of the flames. A nearby window showed the night sky twinkling with stars. A quick glance back down at her self, she was a filly again, flank blank and wings small.

The words that she sang were not ones any modern pony would have knowledge. While not many would know the lyrics, they would feel the emotion behind it. Each word slid from the alicorn's tongue telling a story of the ancients. Of a time before Equestria of a time before ponies understood themselves. Eclipse raised one hoof guiding it upwards motioning to the sky. Her head tilted back letting her eyes follow while she sang. Her voice never stuttered nor did it break. As the sound of the cello became an echo to the filly's mind, the sound of her own voice grew louder in her ears.

The light from the fire and the darkness of the shadows became dancers to her words leaving their homes and places of origins to sway and move with each syllable and drop in tune. The flow of energy came swirling around Eclipse. Front hooves came forward swaying back and forth motioning to where the darkness and light would go next. Images of warriors and monsters battling when her song became faster and chaotic. As the war waged in the imagery, the song returned to its soft form casting away the light and dark to return back to its natural state.

Finally, casting her gaze back to the alicorns before her as the song came to its conclusion. The two had raised to all fours clopping their hooves in front of them applauding the younger. Tears glowed streaming down their cheeks. Eclipse could hear the white one speak, “Dear sister, thank thee for the marvelous song thou has sung to us.”

As a ripple in water, the memory of when she knew not faded from Eclipse's eyes. Once again, to the trumpeting applause of the small audience, and even Octavia behind her, Eclipse returned to reality. The clomping of hooves echoed through the near empty theater creating timid emotions to sprout forth. Ting of red touched her cheeks, Eclipse turned away to look at Octavia who was urging her to bow. Peering out at the ensemble of ponies, the alicorn lowered herself forward giving a bow in gratitude to the audience's cheers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Where did you learn such a song, Eclipse? It was a challenge to play the music according to your song but I think I managed fine.” Octavia praised her words to the filly besides her. They walked down the dimmed streets returning home after the practice. The final two hours were spent with Eclipse being questioned on the song, why she wasn't performing, and how she had managed to move the light and shadows the way she had. Adoration and praise came from every pony, including several that came inside upon hearing her sing. “Here I thought I was going to practice my piece but hearing your voice made up for anything missed.”

“I do..don't know. Re..remember what I tol..told you about the oth..other night? What I sa..saw?” Hesitant to speak of the event fearing the risk of sanity being brought into question made explaining that much more difficult to want to do. “It wa..was like that ag..again.” Head shook lightly.

The gray filly was examined again in silence. Octavia looked at her flank, to her wings, to her head for any oddities that may have come during the song. It was obvious that she wasn't in her right mind after conjuring the light and shadow the same way she did at the club. It happened the first night Eclipse went with Vinyl since meeting them without Eclipse getting drunk. The cellist would see something different, this was in Eclipse's mane and tail. It wasn't as gray as it had been when they first met. Slowly, but surely, whenever mention of another 'vision' was brought up, Eclipse's hair became less gray and appeared more like a cloudy diamond. A jeweler would have wanted to cut her hair off to use in rings or necklaces. “Whatever it was, Eclipse, it was stunning. Would you sing for Vinyl and my parents during our trip?”

The trip was a week away. In seven days, at the prime time rush hour, the trio were expected to born a train heading north to Trottingham. Ears perked then lowered at the request made. No wasn't an answer that could be given, not with everything Octavia had done for Eclipse. Behind a false smile of confidence, the filly nodded her head. “I wi..will.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heat. Sweat. Blood. Iron Mind could feel it. Iron Mind could taste it. Iron Mind could see it. In a clearing off the side of the main road, he stared down an ambush by about a dozen highway ponies. A knight's sword attached to his right roof, bladed hoof guards scratched and stained in red, and his brightly glowing horn were his only tools for defense. He was unafraid to take a pony's life especially with Princess Luna at stake.

Princess Luna. Iron took a moment to look away from the encroaching ponies to look at the wounded princess. A sharp blade cut through her wing, launched by the highway men to take down their bounty, and now she was unable to continue the fight along side the captain. It was of no consequence. Iron Mind knew his duty. And they would all die if they did not surrender. The day took a turn just two hours ago...

A regime of guards had been gathered outside of the Sheriff's office in Fillyton. A blanket search would begin once more from Fillyton to the Manehatten bridge to ensure that nothing was missed. Each were given a block of land to cover and report back immediately should any discover come forth. Camps were setup every five miles to give refreshments and check-ins, with the final camp being the base of the bridge.

Her majesty, Princess Luna, had been staying in Fillyton since the eclipse a week prior. Iron noted she appeared pained and saddened the search had thus far turned nothing up. Within Iron's office she remained most days and nights doing the same Iron had been doing, until he had gotten the break from Fleur-De-Lis, looking and re-looking over evidence, notes, and drawings.

Two mugs of coffee floated besides Iron Mind as he entered into his temporary office. “Your Majesty.” He spoke bowing his head forward until the Princess raised a hoof for him to rise. Regardless how often the two princesses told him not to bow in private, he did so still. “The guards have been set off to begin their final patrols. It is only a hope that they can manage to find something. If not the Police Department in Manehatten has prior knowledge to my arrival to begin there. We have been informed we have full cooperation with their units.

“Your last letter mentioned finding an employee we had not heard before, a miss Blueberry pie?” Luna could find comfort in the professionalism that Iron Mind kept. Unwavering, unemotional, and intimidating to a point made him an impeccable soldier to have in the kingdom's ranks. Her magic took one of the mugs of peasant coffee bringing it to her lips with a grateful gulp.

“Yes, we have not yet found clues to where she is, but she is a wanderer from what we have learned. I met her once, many years prior. She is a hero from when the kobolds and the minotaurs went to war. My only concern is that she remembers the pony and is willing to aid us in pursuing Gold Mine. We are not yet aware of what he may have done to her to keep her silence.” Iron let his forehead and horn come against the window, sighing aggravatingly.

“It is astounding that this could have gone hidden for as long as it did. Did no pony consider that things were unusual? A perfectly healthy mare suddenly falls ill after a failed birth, two wealthy socialites becoming recluses, and the strict manner they handled employees.”

“If it was any other pony, it would have. Forgive me for saying so, Princess Luna,” Iron Mind stood before a window overlooking the town. The ponies went about their lives without a knowledge or care of what was going on just outside the borders. To them, it was rich pony problems that didn't involve them, and they were right. For many wealthy in Fillyton they kept anyone below their level out of their lives unless they had to bribe them to ignore some crime or destroy their lives to cover up. “Much as I presume it was before certain events, ponies now hide things with their wealth. In this day and age the ease has only increased. I apologize if my words are condescending, I mean no disrespect, but as we both know, your Majesty, just as there are good ponies there are... bad... ponies...”

Luna looked up from the papers once Iron's words trailed. “Iron...?” The moon princess questioned as he turned from the window trotting quickly to the door. At the door Iron kept his tools; his guard armor, four bladed hoof guards and a pony usable sword. Bladed hoof guards, save for the right, was slid on his hooves. Magic slid the sheathed sword to connect onto the side of his breast plate, which in turn moved to cover his torso.

“Your Majesty, I believe I just saw one who could help us leaving this station in a hurry. A pink griffon to be precise. If you'll excuse me.” He was prepared for a fight if one was to come from this. When Iron let his magic swing the door open, two guards were preparing to do the same.

“Captain, an intruder broke into the evidence room and has stolen information on the remaining witnesses.” Luna came up behind Iron Mind. She motioned for the guards to depart letting the alicorn and pony begin pursuit.

“Your Majesty...” Iron Mind began once they left the office door leading outside.

“Nothing you say will stop me from accompanying you.” Luna spoke in a commanding tone. Her wings spread outwards taking herself to the air as Iron Mind galloped below her. With one in the sky, and the other on the ground, it was easy to find the pink figure that was ahead of them. The chase led the pair quickly out of town towards the area that was referred to as the slums. The distance closed its self between the two. Why the griffon was flying slower than a pony galloping was found by the extra weight she carried in her talons.

Iron Mind was now directly below the pink griffon and Luna was at her tail feathers. “Halt!” The guard captain shouted casting only momentary glances in front of him, preferring to keep his visions up to the thief. A curse onto himself. If Iron had brought a knife he could have used his magic to throw it into the criminal. Unfortunately, he was not the only pony to have such an idea on this day.

The pained cry of a mare and the hollow sound of a body striking the ground was what finally took Iron's attention away from the fleeing griffon. Dust rose around his hooves forcing his speeding body to a fast halt twisting to look behind him. The Princess had fallen. Crimson seeping from a wound on her wing. A hasty retreat brought him to the princess' side. His magic drawing the knife out causing the princess to yelp. “Forgive me, your highness.” Iron whispered.

The griffon was no longer in sight. She had flown to the point that chase was no an option. A new concern had come to them. “Lookit here colts and fillies. We have a real life royalty and some puny guard. Betcha the blue one makes a real good bank account.”

There were fifteen of them, unicorns and earth ponies, with clubs and knives in their mouths or with magic. “No no boss! That's the Princess. The princes of, ya know, the moon. We could get a town for her rewa...” The words were cut off by the sound of liquid gurgling from the pony's throat.

No quarter was given and no time to reconsider was allowed. Iron Mind threw himself right into the group. His left blade hoof guard slid into the chest of the pony with a kick of his leg forward. His right hoof moved back drawing out his blade. The metal hilt clicked locking its self in place. “Nopony harms the monarchy.” The gleam of his sword shined under the light before cutting downwards across the flank of the leader. Iron Mind was in his element. A third pony came from the captain's right tossing her head forward to bring her club down against his neck. It wouldn't reach. Magic pulled a knife from one of the slain pony's mouths lunging it into the newest assailant’s side.

Crimson splattered over Iron's face and body, but not his own. The sword was held in a threatening manner, hop steps taking him to the Princess' side to protect her directly. Twelve remaining bandits drew closer towards them. Revenge gleamed in their eyes moving on the outnumbered and cornered captain. Two unicorns rushed forward lunging to strike the captain together. Iron lowered his sword raising with a quick strike upwards knocking the first pony back. His hind legs bucked backwards letting each hoof blade cut into the pony's knees splitting the knee caps.

Iron sunk his sword to the hilt of the second attacker's chest. He raised his head staring at the remaining bandits. A growl rumbled in his throat, left hoof raising beckoning for the others to come attack.

“Iron Mind. Stop this.” Luna spoke pushing to her feet. She raised her head back, magic pulsating from the tip of her horn. “I will handle the rest.” The guard captain moved back close to Luna standing between the bandits and the princess. A worried glance shared between them, they turned to begin fleeing from the two. Luna smirked. They would not be able to run far. Her head lowered downwards aimed towards the cowards. Sparks of electricity and ice gathered towards in a gust of fog blowing forward enveloping the group. Their movements stalled, bodies frozen in solid ice.

Luna drifted on her hooves prepared to fall, but the captain was there to catch her. He pushed his body beneath her's prepared to carry her back to Fillyton. She could not fly with her wing in its condition, nor after casting a spell after her fall could she walk back on her own. “Rest, Princess, I will protect you.” The griffon escaped, there were now dead or frozen highway ponies, and the princess was wounded. What was stolen he did not know yet, but he guessed it would be another setback. Shaking his head, Iron Mind turned, keeping the princess in mind, as he trotted in the direction of Fillyton.

Overhead, to the sound of beating wings, four pegasus guards landed in front of Iron Mind and Luna. With them they brought a small, royal carriage and first aid. “Princess, Captain!” The lead of the four landed soundless in front of the two. The other three guards detached themselves from the carriage moving to help guide the princess into the carriage. “We hurried to follow but another problem occurred. The sheriff, he ran into the offices shortly after you left, something happened and they're in flames. We believe the sheriff didn't make it out... Nor do we believe he wanted to come out. Fire ponies are working to put it out but it doesn't appear much can be saved.”

Stolen evidence, attacked by highway ponies, and now a suicide with a fire involved. Since the investigation began this was turning into the worst day he could have asked for. Frustration peaked, his front hooves slammed against the ground releasing his sword from his hoof. Iron howled out in pure rage. A maelstrom of emotions flooding through him.

Luna only watched as the captain vented his anger. She too was feeling the agony but for a cause similar and different than she felt the captain was. In his mind, a sister he knew not of had and may have been suffering. In her mind, a sister she failed once had returned and was lost just as fast. The pegasus guards, two of them brought the carriage upwards to take the princess back to Canterlot. She would need her wing tended.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In a large plush chair, a glass of old whiskey floating besides him, and an illegal kobold cigar between his lips. Gold Mine was enjoying the study of his new mansion in Hoofington. The stallion loved Hoofington in the fall and winter so much better than the autumn in Fillyton. Here, he was closer to his newest refineries and his recently purchased manufacturing factories. Gold was expanding his profits and nothing was failing for him.

“Ah. By now Handy has what I sent her to collect, the thugs would have stopped anypony foolish enough to follow, and I believe that the tree with the annoying baby birds will be cut down tomorrow.” A short sip of whiskey, letting the smokey flavor roll over his tongue. “Ah what to do tomorrow. Maybe the maid. Nopony will notice her missing. No... Nopony at all.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Mares and Gentlecolts I need to hear you scream!” Yellow and red lights flashed from strobes and spotlights guiding over the crowd of ponies. Vinyl paced on the stage back and forth, magic raising a mic to her muzzle. “Now all of you know that this will be the Pon-3's last concert for a few weeks. 'Fraid the old mare's dragging me off to see her folks and mine.”

It was a typical Friday night in Manehatten. The Magic Wisp was filled to capacity as it was every weekend. Vinyl Scratch was giving a farewell speech. She would be without her people for two weeks and wanted to make sure they felt the love from the DJ. Behind the turntables, the mic set aside, the music, her magic began to get the club bouncing.

The door of the service exit creaked open giving Eclipse enough room to squeeze inside. A box of recycling was delivered outside, one of the few things she did at the club to earn a few bits under the table. The filly, underage according to drinking laws, wouldn't be handling any serving or making drinks for customers but could take out garbage, restock the bar, or clean the bathrooms. Very little fuss was made over which she was asked to do, which made the owner that much happier to see her. Every employee and regularly knew who Eclipse was; a pleasant filly always smiling.

Taking her regularly seat at the bar, near the end close to the stage for Vinyl to watch her, Eclipse relaxed with a glass of orange juice and listened to the music. The clink of a glass robbed her attention away from Vinyl. It sounded far too close to be for some other pony. Head turned to see the bartender, a mar setting a glass with an odd, neon green liquid inside it.

“Don't drink it, 'Clipse, just doing what a couple of 'bro' ponies over there asked me to do. Take my word for it, don't leave your stool even if ya see 'em waving at you.” The bartender kept her voice to a whisper then went back to serving the next customer to come up with an order.

Eclipse turned her head in the direction the mare was speaking. At a table not far from her, two earth ponies sat leeringly watching the filly. Smiles were degrading, focused more on Eclipse's flank or cutie mark than her face. The two stallions' eyes leered lustfully at her. An ill feeling rushed through, averting her gaze from the pair. They wouldn't like this act, but she wasn't watching them to know.

“Don't like our choice in drink? Ya know when somepony buys another pony a drink you're supposed to drink it.” An unfamiliar stallion's voice spoke up from behind Eclipse. Before she could turn to identify whom it originated from, the two stallions had come standing at opposite sides of her ensuring there was no hasty retreat. The bar mare gave a worried glance in Eclipse's direction prepared to call for the bouncer if they did anything more.

“I'm so..sorry I don't dri..drink alcohol. Miss Oct..Octavia says I sh..shouldn't.” The twinkle haired filly shook her head twice. “I do th..thank you for the off..offer though.”

Each stallion shook their head, the one to the right of Eclipse sliding a forearm along Eclipse's shoulders. It was a break in her personal space she didn't like. Sure, ponies came to hang onto her, friendly random hugs from ponies she knew here, but this had a different feel to it. “Now that's just not right. You should try drinking a bit before you let some old mare tell ya what not to do.” The other pony pushed his foreleg around Eclipse's waist. She shivered sickly squirming to get out from the ponies' grasp.

“Um.. Pl..please don't to..touch me.” Mismatched wings shook on her head, spreading out to push the stallions away. All they did was chuckle. The thick alcohol scent of their breath touched Eclipse's nose. She had been warned of these types, but this was the first she actually had a problem with them.

“Ah, she's usin' some weird costume on one of her wings. She'd a bit of an odd one but a cute one.” The other spoke this time. They didn't care what she had to say. Their tails made the final violation they would be allowed, letting them come over in contact with Eclipse's tail and flank. The surprise squeak she let out was silenced with their leering faces lowered down to her. “Now come on sugar, just have a sip and we'll see where it goes from there.”

“Nah, let's see where it goes from here.”

“Nah, let's see how fast you two get lost.” The two stallions heard voices in their ears. To the free side of either 'bro' stallions two military ponies positioned themselves with a foreleg around the offending stallions' shoulders. These two ponies were large, with crew cuts and military tattoos. Flanks depicted medieval weapons of guards and knights. “How about you two ponies get lost,” the left new stallion ordered dipping a free leg to grab the green drink for a quick gulp, “Drinks gone now and you two should be gone too.”

In a cloud of dust the ponies touching Eclipse ducked down from beneath the soldier ponies' legs. They mumbled a threat then rushed away to save their own hides. A sigh of relief, the feeling of nausea and discomfort vanishing in an instant the ponies were gone. “Ya doing alright now, Eclipse?” Her heroes came in to fill the spots the other two ponies had left. Each of them took a chance to give a friendly hug to the filly, which she accepted cheerfully.

“Ye..yes I am. Tha..Thank you two fo..for that.” The two ponies returned back to their own activities on the dance floor leaving Eclipse on her own again.

The call for another batch of recycling to be taken out came from the bartender with a quick hoof wave to Eclipse. Gingerly, she dropped off her stool trotting to the box of bottles and cans. A chipper hum vibrated from her throat as she crossed the lounge to the service exit as she did multiple times in the night.

Bright red exit sign flashed over the thick metal door guiding her to the outer perimeter of the club. Cold night air brushed across her gray coat tickling her uncovered form. A familiar click of the door signaled its closing behind her. Dim light swayed overhead moving Eclipse's shadow to dance in the moon light. The bright blue bin in front of her had its lid raised in preparation for her hourly return. Clinking bottles and rattling cans played a chorus melody tumbling from the box into the plastic container. Before being satisfied that the last items fell in, the click of the door closing whisked her attention to the door. Eclipse gasped lightly, her magic releasing the box to the ground losing focus on the simple act.

Two wolves in pony clothing blocked her re-entry into the club. It was the stallions from before come to take their dues from the filly who snubbed them. Movements towards here were not straight not. Rather they did the same as when she sat at the bar, they curved their trotting making sure she couldn't run to either side of them nor down the center.

“No big bruisers here to help ya. How about you thank us for that drink now.” Tongue slid out of the pony's mouth rolling along his lips. Deliberately slow to increase the tension. There was a thirst for Eclipse to be afraid with the way their stares focused on her eyes instead of her body.

A hard swallow of air and courage vanished under the predatory eyes of the ponies. She clambered backwards until her tail hit the stone wall of another building behind her. Frightened, Eclipse glanced around for another means of escape. Sadly, a fence blocked the path to the street, unlocked for when the garbage carriage made its path around in the mornings. This kept it normally safe back here. “I do..don't want any trou..trouble.” She confessed.

“Trouble? Nah we're going to make you feel good, filly.” The right stallion slammed a hoof against the wall near Eclipse. Breath could be felt crossing over the gray filly's face. Each whimper she made stirred their blood in a carnal way. “She looks cold. How about we warm her up.. huh?”

In an instant the left pony was knocked off his hooves. Movement went to his unprotected left side forcing in front of him. A white and blue blur knocked him back slamming a brass covered hoof into his jaw. The other stumbled back narrowly maneuvering around the same hoof coming for him. Splatter of blood coughed from the left stallion's mouth. The right only glared at what now blocked their path to Eclipse.

“Touch Nightlight and I'mma break more than just your bucking faces.” A clink of metal to stone, and in all her glory, Vinyl Scratch stood with her front and back legs spread to brace, and her head lowered to strike. Ruby goggles gleamed in the white light of the moon. Lips curving up into a smile, almost enjoying this moment. A single pony became a brick wall guarding the frightened filly from impending damage. “Now, you two bucks can turn around and get out of here or I'll lay the bass down on your flanks so hard you'll never be able to get your danglies hard for anypony.”

“It's the Celestia bucking DJ!” The right pony laughed at the single mare that came to Eclipse's defense. “What? The fillyfooler think she'll get a second filly toy if she goes all white knight? Go back to whatever hag you hooked up with and leave this trinket to us.” Coming close, face to face with Vinyl mocking her with his cool smile and uncaring eyes. “Wouldn't want your stage face hurt, wouldja?”

Patoohy! A wad of spit spat from Vinyl's lips splattering onto the pony's face. She twisted her self about bucking her legs for a short length kick keeping him away from the two of them. Returning to her defensive posture, watching the stallion stumble, she smirked proudly. “Nah, Nightlight here is one of my favorite mares. Mess with her, you mess with the Pon-3.”

The second had recovered. Hooves hammered the ground thumping over bringing him to charge, tackling against Vinyl. She was pinned recklessly against the wall, slamming her brass covered hoof against the stallion's midsection. Even as her head had bounced against the wall behind her, it didn't stop her hammering against the pony's side. So focused on this one, she did not see the spit faced stallion come to punch his hoof into her eye. The glass of her goggle broke from the forced digging a shard beneath her eye.

Warm fluid leaked down her cheek. Revealed crimson eye glaring at the pony who assaulted her as she dealt with the friend. While the DJ wasn't letting him pounding at the one who was holding her's side, nor was his friend stopping his own blows against Vinyl. This one had fire, Vinyl wasn't going to just let up from a little bloody scratch.

It took an act of bravery and stupidity to push the stallions off of Vinyl, and Eclipse was prepared to do it. Her magic shot out to the recycling bin drawing out multiple empty bottles. Each swung straight at the stallions shattering on their soft bodies and heads. Eclipse made short steps to come next to Vinyl when the two finally broke away from her. Instinctively, she moved to let Vinyl rest her left foreleg around Eclipse's shoulder. The filly pulled her own fore legs around the DJ's waist supporting her not to fall.

“Dude, let's get out of here.” The stallion who took the pummeling coughed another splatter of crimson to the ground. His tongue felt around his mouth until not one, but two teeth fell out from when Vinyl struck him earlier. “Dude, my dad's gonna kill me when he sees the dental bill!”

“Nah. This fillyfooler's gonna get to love a stallion's touch when I'm done with her.” His tongue slid out over his lips again stepping back towards Vinyl.

When Vinyl gave a bright smile, the stallion hesitated. “Nah, bros, I'd look behind ya before you get anymore ideas.” The marshmallow colored pony leaned against Eclipse's hold, looking down to wink at her with her exposed eye.

The stallions heard it. It was the most frightening sound they could have imagined right then; the clicking of the back door closing. They had been quiet when they came out to the garbage area. None wanting to make a sound until they all gathered. Fifteen ponies stood blocking the only exit the two stallions could have ran through. Bartenders, bouncers, regulars, the two guard ponies, and various others were in wait. Vinyl began to laugh.

“Hey thanks for showing up. Drinks on me until the place closes. Nightlight,” Vinyl whispered nodding her head to the door. “Let's head home.”

The mob moved on the two trembling stallions. The pair saw their lives flashing before their eyes at the impending beat down that would come upon them. Eclipse moved quickly to guide Vinyl to the backdoor and back into the club. She whispered a thank you each time one of them looked at her, getting only an understanding smile in return. The door shut closed behind the two, now only the sounds of the stallions' cries for help to be heard.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The trot home seemed to take longer than normal. Eclipse was now only supporting Vinyl with one arm around the DJ's shoulder and Vinyl keeping an arm around Eclipse. No words had been spoken between the two. Vinyl understood why just looking at the filly's face.

“Hey, Nightlight, don't worry about it.” Vinyl grinned nuzzling the filly's cheek. “As I said, you're one of my favorite mares, no one messes with one of my favorite mares. If the folks ask about this I'll just tell em Octy did it. They'll believe it without much of a fight.”

“Bu..but if I was care...careful they wou...wouldn't have...” A quiver in her voice threatened for her to begin crying.

Vinyl didn't let them stop moving, there would be time when they got with Octy to properly comfort Eclipse. “Nah, they woulda found a way to do something even if you had a bodyguard at the door. Those types don't quit until somepony bigger than them decides to put their faces to the ground.” Vinyl made a quick thump with her free forehoof to her chest. “You come to my aid during the fight and that shows a lot too. Tomorrow we'll get packed, and Sunday we board the train to Trottingham.”

Eclipse smiled. “Yes, let's.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Okay, Nightlight, this is a battlefield we're going to go into. I need you to be ready to run at anytime. Even a moment of hesitation can spell life or death!” The three ponies stood outside the train depot. Octavia was verifying their ticket information at the booth and Vinyl was pacing in front of a seated Eclipse preparing her for the situation to come. “There will be ponies in there ready to rip you, tear you, beat you apart!”

The shake two nights prior was gone from the filly. A new terror revealed its self the moment they arrived at the station. Vinyl was wearing a brand new pair of goggles instead of glasses. A white bandage over her eye from the cut she received. Vinyl chastised them both for being so reckless, but it was only for show. Octavia had been more grateful they were both in one piece.

Each pony wore their saddle bags filled with things they may need on the six hour train ride. Eclipse made sure not to pack her two dolls, pepper spray, and rock in the normal luggage in case she wanted to pull them out for any reason. A second bottle of pepper spray now hung around her neck by a chain, Octavia given this to her yesterday after the run in with the two stallions.

“Vinyl.” Octavia's voice spoke close to Vinyl as she returned from the booth.

“Don't take candy from strange ponies. Don't follow anyone you don't know into any rooms you haven't seen. Don't listen to classical music unless you want to hurt your self trying to get rid of the sound.”

“Vinyl!”

“And above all don't forget that what happens in Las Pegasus stays on the ponynet!”

“VINYL!” The shout was nothing out of the ordinary for Eclipse and Vinyl. For everypony else they turned to stare at the trio. Octavia was breathing heavy, her face red, and her eyes narrowed at her marefriend. She had to grit her teeth to keep from biting onto Vinyl's ear and dragging her to the train for that display and speech.

Vinyl laughed bringing her fore hooves to Octavia's shoulders. “Ah come on, Octy, it's better to scare her now then when she sees what it'll be like in there!”

Eclipse tilted her head bewildered by Vinyl speech and newest words. She wondered what could have been so bad inside the station that would make Vinyl think scaring her now would be helpful. She was about to find out.

The train station inside was a chaotic mess. Ponies and other species of sentient life were gathered, pushing, shoving, and fighting over just mere inches of room to get to their respective trains or just to leave. Breathing room and personal space was a forgotten ideal in the train station. Eclipse felt her jaw drop at how ruthless ponies became when crammed into an ill desired setting fighting just to reach one of the escape points.

“Alright, Vinyl and Eclipse, we need to get to train platform ten and board. The faster we get there, the less likely we have ourselves violated by some pony who takes advantage of tight quarters.” Black mane was whipped aside when Octavia looked back to them then stared forward. “Out of my way!” She gave a warriors shout pushing her body forward to enter the crowd of ponies.

Vinyl and Eclipse gulped in unison. Eclipse had never seen such raw passion come from Octavia as she did seeing her fight the mob. On the other hoof, it was turning Vinyl on. The DJ was grinning like an idiot until a shout from Octavia brought both ponies into work to charge into the crowd after the gray cellist.

Several attempts were made to break into the onslaught of ponies. More than five times Octavia and Vinyl were forcefully separated from Eclipse, having to back track to find her at the front doors of the station. It was becoming a losing battle and with fatigue setting in, would continue to be a losing battle.

Regrouping, circled to set up a plan, the three stared at the ground in front of them. Octavia was the first to speak. “The problem is Eclipse keeps losing sight of us. So, we need to remedy this. Eclipse,” violate eyes moved Eclipse. “Once we get down into the crowd again, if you're worried about splitting off, bite onto Vinyl's tail, hold on for dear life, and shut your eyes so you don't get nervous.”

Each pushed a hoof down in front, Octavia's on top of Vinyl's and Eclipse's on top of Octavia's. Together, they gave a quick cheer, “Break!” Then turned back to the crowd. Time was ticking down for their departure and one more screw up would only lead to a later train trip.

“Charge!” It was Vinyl's turn to lead the attack forward, followed by Eclipse then Octavia. The three mares rushed into the crowds lowering their heads and pushing others aside. Common curtsey was no long an option to consider.

As the ponies pushed and shoved their way through, Eclipse felt herself slipping behind the other two. Octavia had since passed her, moving a foreleg around Eclipse's to get her to come forward some. In desperation, Eclipse leaned forward snapping her teeth around a blue tail in front of her. Eyes flinched closed, and she let the mare guide her through the crowded station.

Feeling a tug on her tail, Vinyl smiled feeling that she could really pushed through now. Eclipse had finally given in to take the easy way and sure enough, Octavia and Vinyl would lead them to the necessary train before the conductor gave the final boarding call. Clambering up the stairs and into the train car, they finally found some relief and space to relax.

“We made it.” Octavia sighed blissfully at the cool feeling of not being flank to flank with dozens of other ponies in a tight setting. “Vinyl? Eclipse? Are you two alright?” The cellist turned to her companions wanting to do a pony head count just in case. All she found was Vinyl grinning at her.

“Yeah, boss, we're both fine. Right, Nightlight?” Vinyl twisted her neck to look back at her, still feeling the weight on her tail. She hadn't known it before, but the weight she felt couldn't have been enough to ever have a pony hanging onto her. No, what she felt was a pair of dentures that were latched onto the tip of her tail. Vinyl's goggles went wide the same as her eyes did. The unicorn turned, turned again, and again looking around frantic for the alicorn.

The pair of mares heard the whistle blow for the train to begin departing. Octavia felt her nerves explode as sweat moistened her body. “Eclipse! Eclipse!” The cry for the filly went out through the train. Maybe she had boarded at a different one? With Vinyl on her hooves, Octavia began to race up and down through the train cars. “Eclipse! Where are you!”

“Octavia! I found her!” Vinyl's voice brought Octavia to a screeching halt. The two mares rushed to a central window in the train car they stopped at. The white unicorn raised her hoof up pointing through the window at the train parallel to them.

Sure, enough, the earth pony would see Eclipse as well. In another train. A train that was now pulling away in the direction opposite that Vinyl and Octavia was to depart. Octavia and Vinyl began another sprint, rushing to the front of the train where the conductor was settling in for the train to finally leave. The gray mare presented her self in front of him setting her hooves to his shoulders. “Please stop the train! Our friend is on the other one and we need to get her on this one!”

Vinyl felt out of breath catching up to her marefriend once more, just to hear the conductor. “'Fraid now, missy, this train can't stop for nopony no how. It would take an act of Celestia for us to stop. Now, iffin your friend is smart she'll just get on another train and meetcha.”

“She wont know how to do any of that!” As Octavia became more frantic, the conductor becoming annoyed, Vinyl reached her hooves around her marefriend pulling her back to enter one of the passenger cars. They looked out the window together to the train Eclipse was on. The alicorn filly had followed them in their mad dash in her train trying to keep sight.

“Where's the worse she could be going? Probably Canterlot or Phillydelphia.” Vinyl assured her rubbing her neck to Octavia's.

“Nope. Train is going to Appleloosa.” The conductor chimed in, shutting the door to the employee car shortly after behind him.

Vinyl and Octavia stared at each other for a long moment then back to Eclipse. The trains began their departure, pulling away from the station moving in opposite directions. None of them could leave their trains to reunite with the others. Time slowed down drastically for the three. Vinyl and Octavia could only watch, mortified at their mistake, as Eclipse's train gradually drifted further and further away, as both trains went further from Manehatten.

Appleloosa was the town farthest west in Equestria's borders, only city that came close to it was Las Pegasus. It was smack dab in the middle of the desert that parted Equestria from the unknown lands beyond the hot sands.

All Eclipse had now was her saddlebags. Her luggage was safely stowed on the proper train. She knew not where she was going, anypony who knew her was in Manehatten, and the two most important ponies to know her were on a train to Trottingham. For now, she went to take a seat, curling her self in the corner of the booth staring out the window. Fear, the same fear she felt when she escaped her prison had returned. Venturing again into the unknown not knowing where to start to get back to her two friends.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two days after the unannounced eclipse, Twilight received a letter from Princess Celestia that the aforementioned book would be arriving by guard later that day. Sure enough, as the sun began its decent. Four royal guards had delivered one of the thickest, larges tomes that Spike and Twilight had ever seen. It took up a fifth of the library floor, when opened, on the first floor. For almost two weeks Twilight had been buried in it reading what she could make out. The pages were thick, made of a material of paper that gave whatever was written onto it a brail texture.

Each page was written in the mannerisms of thousands of years ago. Twilight suspected even before the emergence of Nightmare Moon. Two inch wide margins were left on the top, bottom, and opposite of the spine. Notes had been scribbled in from past scholars deciphering the meaning behind some of the words and phrases used. It was a marvelous study in ancient language and literature.

The tome's author was non other than Star Swirl the Bearded's. The introduction spoke that he had been tasked by Celestia to create a family diary of the three goddesses. Three Goddesses? A magic spell was placed after the introduction for a unicorn to learn before reading the pages. Twilight spent three days perfecting it, but wasn't aware what she was perfecting yet.

As she delved deeper into the book, she found that the words were actually magic infused runes. Notes on the side gave a small explanation. They stated that these runes would take images of real life and replay them when the spell to record the moment was active. The indigo unicorn had a bit of sense in her to use the spell she learned earlier on the runes. What she found was beyond what she could even say.

Each page, each group of runes, played a different sequence. Holographic, three dimensional images of the past appeared in front of Twilight and the book. It was unlike she had ever seen before in magic. For hours on end, sometimes repeating two or three playings, she watched a young Celestia, young Luna, and whom she assumed was the third goddess, smaller than her sisters, Eclipse, play, learn, and converse together.

It seemed that even back then Luna and Celestia had an enjoyment for playing pranks on each other and the guards. Eclipse was never the target of the pranks but often helped in them. This included pelting Celestia with snow balls, spiking Luna's bubble bath with poison joke, or switch guards armor around to create confusion. The three seemed to love each other dearly in this more peaceful time.

On a note pad Twilight kept with her, she kept notes on Eclipse. The way her mane appeared to be crystals growing from her flank and head, her mismatched wings, and how she was never let out of the castle. Eclipse had asked numerous times to go with her sisters to various functions outside of the castle walls, but was told time and time again that her special talent was too special. If anypony or any creature as to use her for it, it could spell the end of Equestria.

“Twilight!”

The indigo unicorn could have sworn she heard a voice call her name. She shook her head believing it to be from the images or perhaps just herself thinking.

“Twilight!”

It came again. Twilight turn to raise to her hooves from in front of the tome, twisting to peer around the dark library. Once again she had been reading the tome into the wee hours of the night almost forgetting sleep, and probably having forgotten dinner once more. Believing it to be her imagination once more, she turned back around only to shriek in surprise.

There before Twilight was a bouncing pink pony. Poofy dark pink, mane moving with each bounce she made getting higher and higher. “Twilight! You wont believe what super awesome special exciting mega terrific thing has happened!”

“Pinkie?” She said trying to get her friend to calm down enough for her to get some words in edge wise.

“It's even better than that time I ate twenty cakes. Or was it thirty? At the cake eating contest! Even more super then when the dragons migrated or when...”

“Pinkie!” Twilight put more oomph into her words stomping her front legs downwards to create some noise.

“Hey remember when we went up against Cerberus and all that stuff? This even beats those things but I dunno if it would be a dangerous as those things. It is super keen though! Not as super keen at whatever this is!” Pinkiepie announced pointing a hoof at the magical holographic images. “This is a really neat spell you cooked up this time!”

“PINKIE!” Twilight felt her body raise off the ground several feet, as her anger levels boiled to peak.

The pink pony turned to her friend, smiling ever so brightly. “Yes, Twilight?” As per the norm, she appeared to have no idea why the unicorn shouted.

“I am very busy with this book. What is it that's happening?” Twilight moved past Pinkie to perform a cancellation spell. She didn't know how many ponies could know of the book, seeing as it was under guard for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years.

“I'm throwing a party!” Pinkiepie announced as an explosion of confetti followed her throwing her hooves to the sky.

Twilight Sparkle learned not to be so surprised when things exploded around Pinkiepie. Falling to sit on her haunches, the fatigue she had forced back was finally being felt. “You always throw parties. Wonderful parties but why come in the middle of the night to tell me?”

“Because it's for my most favortest aunt in the whole wide world!” Pinkie began to bounce again on all fours, right in front of Twilight pressing her snout to the unicorn's snout. The earth pony grinned even brighter tossing her self back again with another explosion of confetti. “Blueberry Pie!”

They Say I Need a Hero

The entire night passed as I battled my self over the decision. I don't think I fell asleep but with how the voices in my head fought I wouldn't even have known. The sun's warmth told me that it was day time, early morning to be precise. My body had not moved from when I came to lay besides her all night. The wing closest to Eclipse stayed around her and the blanket joined us together. I have my decision though after the war raged with my thoughts. I was going to kiss her while she slept! No pony would know what I did except for me. I leaned forward from where my head rested, puckering my lips in the slightest to press to the other mare's. Odd, I thought her lips would be soft and gentle as a new flower blooming to life. Instead, they felt cold and scaly. Cold and scaly? It was then that I realized I was more zoned out then I had previously thought for I was now kissing the largest serpent I had ever seen in my life.

Wait, a serpent of this size shouldn't be in this forest. It had to be at least twenty hooves long, with jaws that could devour a manticore. I scrambled to get to my feet and reached up lowering my goggles. Luckily, the blanket seemed to have been gone and I hadn't noticed Eclipse just yet. The serpent coiled back then lunged its massive jaw at me. I was a super heroine so something like this shouldn't be a problem at all! My right hoof struck first against its nose followed by my left, then right, then left. I fly upwards into the air only getting halfway up before it grabbed onto my orange tail. Buck you serpent! I stiffened my wings making them parallel with my body. Speed over such a short distance could cause injury if I struck someone, and this was just the idea. My hind hooves dug into the serpent's face imprinting my horse shoes into its scales. It released my tail and hissed recoiling away once more to retreat into the forest. Victory!

With dust surrounding me when I landed down, I pumped my hooves forward then back. “Yes yes yes yes! I am the greatest! I am Color co... I am Rainbow Dash!” Darn it I almost blurted out my real name again. I am Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash! I stomped my hind legs down then dropped to all fours. This was a tiring effort to keep up the facade for so long. Normally I'd only take on a role for a few days to make bits but not this long. I took this time to glance around the camp site. With the serpent gone it all seemed to be abandoned until I noticed Eclipse by the hushed fire staring at my with wide, inquisitional eyes. “Um... Hey Eclipse!” I spoke waving a hoof in her direction. She looked beautiful in the morning sun as she did in the afternoon sun, evening sun, and evening moon. I raised my goggles back onto my forehead so ensure I had no obstructed view of her.

Eclipse had two apples near her, separated one at one side of the fire and the other in front of her. “You were hugging the snake so I didn't want to wake you. I'm sorry but I wanted to see the sunrise but you looked so sleepy. I'd never seen someone sleep with their eyes open before.” She didn't seem troubled that I had kissed and perhaps about to adult kiss a massive serpent. Eclipse was there on her haunches watching me battle. “It was am..am..amazing how you de..de..defended your self, though, you truly are a Su..su...super heroine.” I was on Cloud Nine with the compliment. I felt I could challenge Celestia herself and win. My wings fluttered on my back gradually taking me across from Eclipse as my body hung limp.

I finally settled down and put some life into my self to sit up straight. I leaned forward taking the apple between my two hooves. “Didn't mean to scare you like that. Knowing that the serpent would want something warm, I kept still to lure it into a false sense of security.” Why did I suddenly smell bull excrement? “Taking down a beast like that is no problem when I know I am protecting a pony as your self.” I flexed my right foreleg to show off my meek muscle. My eyes closed, my head tilted back giving Eclipse a side profile of my face and muzzle. I could hear her 'Oooo' and 'ahhh' at me. Her hooves stomped the ground in applause of my bravery. My yellow cheeks would have turned red if not for the intensity of the dye. The dye. It occurred to me that it should begin to wear off soon. I glanced down at my once blue, now green hoof finding specks of white breaking through. “Well, shall we get a move onto Manehatten?” I quickly spoke to make sure she didn't catch what was happening.

It seemed that while I was focused on my decision making of kiss or not to kiss, Eclipse had been preparing for our departure. The blanket was folded neatly besides her, her saddlebags replaced on her back, and the flint stones I tossed away when I purposely set my self on fire were neatly stacked next to the circle of stones. That's right I purposely set my self on fire last night, got a problem with that?! “Well, now that we're done eating let's head right that way. If we get hungry I'm sure there are some wild fruit trees around. After all it's said that Pony Appleseed used to walk these very trails!”

The two of us stood up near the same time, trotting to come together at a spot near the fire. I watched the blanket become entwined with magic, raise and lower down across her flank. I felt envious of that blanket just then. Before the blanket dropped, I did notice something. It did not occur to me the night before but when the sun was out her cutie mark was white, in black, circled by white. At night the colors had changed opposite, and now they were back again. I cocked my eye brows and went to ask but her turning and swaying her tail just right caused my wings to shoot upwards and stiffen. Damn you appendages! Stop betraying me! Fortunately, she did not notice. I had never felt like this for any mare before. I mean, I've certainly felt things for mares but never this strongly! Celestia help me.

It would be a five hour trek of casual trotting to reach Manehatten. If I had a watch I would have said it was close to nine in the morning, but sadly I had none. If I was going to win this mare over I had to learn more about her. There were ways to get information and to learn the past. I just had to figure out which route to take. My thoughts went back to the previous night and how Eclipse hugged the two dolls. I looked over to her on a sideways glance. “So, I noticed you really hugged those dolls. The Celestia one is limited edition but they never sold a Nightmare Moon one that I know of. You said your mother gave them to you?”

“Ye..ye..yes. When I turned five she ga..ga...gave to me as a present.” Eclipsed tilted her head down staring at her hooves. “She left me I think twelve years ago. Daddy said she had to leave.” This must have been painful for her to talk about. “Daddy to..to..told me she wasn't re..re..really my momma. That a mean mare was.” Eclipse sniffed back a tear glancing in my direction then back forward. “I wou..wou...wouldn't believe it...” The filly forced a smile on her lips looking at me again. “She was too ni..ni..nice not to be my mo..mo..momma.”

My mother is a school teacher. She took a few classes on how to tell if someone was being abused or not. It isn't talked about openly, but Cloudsdale often has problems with foal abuse due to the Pegasus determination for sports, weather teams, and the Wonderbolts. She used me as a study aid acting out flash cards of different signs to look for. Eclipse could have been a poster child for abuse if I had ever seen one. I wanted to grab a hold of her and tell her things would be better, that I would take care of her. “What is her name?” I inquired feeling a ping of guilt for forcing my self to overlook her sadness. I needed more information, as selfish as it was.

“Blueberry Pie. She had a pie for a cutie mark. She said that my name was half a lie. That Cursed wasn't very nice to give to me. She called me her little Eclipse.” The sad smile was replaced with something brighter. Her glowing eyes turned to me, the left covered by her hair but still shinning through, were merry and bright. She must have been recalling fond memories of her foalhood. The name struck somewhere in my memory banks. I didn't know where I had heard it from but it seemed something important to me. No matter.

“She sounds like a nice mare...” My words were cut short when I heard the distinct cry of a foal in the distance. I looked at Eclipse and nodded my head before we both charged towards the sound. I would get my second chance in one day to impress her. After, I would ask her about her father. If I knew who he was, then for sure I could see a clearer picture.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Several minutes of straight galloping brought us before a large tree of unidentifiable nature. It loomed before us casting a dark shadow over its self that made seeking between the thick, heavy limbs impossible. I swear to Celestia I had never seen this tree before. If I had I sure didn't notice how horrifying it looked. At the base of the tree a young unicorn foal filly was staring up. Her front legs pressed against the tree trunk steadying her as she stood on her hind legs.

Being the heroine, I motioning for Eclipse to take the back seat as we came closer. I reached with my hooves back to my neck drawing the hood of my costume down across my face and letting my red mane flow out the top of it. “Never fear, young lady, for Rainbow Dash will help you. What seems to be the matter?” I asked in my most regal, stern, yet kind voice. “How may I assist you?”

The foal turned her head and with her eyes I could see she was accusing me of something. What I had no clue. “That's a terrible Wonderbolts costume.” Stupid brat. She resumed staring up in the tree as my right eye brow twitched. How dare she! I worked hard on this outfit. “My kitty went up in the tree and hasn't come down yet.”

“I'll get her down for you!” I exclaimed nodding back to Eclipse for her to sit down and watch how I was going to do this. My hooves went to my goggles bringing them down over my eyes. I didn't think I would need protection from a small cat but if a tree limb breaks or a branch flies in my face I'll be happy to wear them. Weightlessness took over with my wings picking up speed to raise me up along the edge of the tree branches. I was stopped briefly when I heard the foal speak again.

“Your goggles look cheap. Did you but them at Barnyard Bargains?” Keep calm, Rainbow, keep calm.

If a tree branch above me hadn't rustled and move, I wouldn't have had much help on where to begin looking for the stray pet. Even in broad daylight I couldn't see in between the lubriciously large tree's limbs, branches, and leaves. It wasn't long to reach the spot I saw the tree move. “Here kitty kitty kitty.” I whispered extending both hooves forward to offer to take the cat against her. Easy as pie and twice as delicious to impress Eclipse. Something felt off though. A warm breeze blew out from the tree's inner sanctum. It smelled fishy, literally, and was probably something I should have been weary of. Twin eyes of yellow glared in my direction. I gulped down my courage against a parched throat. Jaw tightened and I continued to motion for the kitten to come out. “It's okay, come out.” No. It wasn't okay. A kitten didn't come out. A panther did.

First came its forward paws. Jet black fur covered each talon tipped appendage. The wood from the limb the beast stepped out from curled outwards into tiny ribbons. Next I saw its head. I could have fit my head inside of its jaw. The teeth resembled jacked rocks at the bottom of a crag you see before plummeting to your doom. A pink tongue licked at its lips while hungry eyes staring at me looking for a snack. I gulped again. If I flew upwards for my own safety I knew it would go down to find the two ponies below for a snack, but if this was the kitten for the little girl they maybe fine. It didn't matter what I thought at this point. It lunged at me.

I had an advantage with speed and agility but it had the advantage of strength in its legs. The panther took claw swipes at me. I did the only thing that came to mind and got in close enough so its superior reach would be a disadvantage. My front hooves and my back legs bucked, kicked, punched, and slapped at the beasts muscular body. My head went against its neck working to keep those powerful jaws from finding their way against me. I looked down for only a moment. There was a chance to survive but only if I did it soon.

Knocking my hind legs against the panther's hind legs, I let us go into a free fall. My wings acted as I wanted them to keeping me on top of the beast and letting it break our fall. We managed to hit every tree branch and limb directly below us. “Take that! And that! And that!” The shouts seemed to come from some other pony before we struck the ground in a storm of dust and leaves. The 'pet' was still alive, and only I came to stagger and stand. “There...” I mumbled puffing out a few feathers. Where did the feathers come from?

“That's not my kitten.” The foal spoke up. My eyes shot wide behind my goggles. What the buck did she just say!? The panther could have killed me and she couldn't have said something before I brought it two stories down from the tree!? I wanted to wrap my hooves around her neck, but the stomping of applause from Eclipse kept me from my desires. The unicorn foal raised her hoof up the tree again. I tilted my head back to follow where she pointed.

Up a bit higher from where I was, a white kitten sat at the edge of a limb. Wings wanted to have their rest but that wouldn't happen until I made this blasted foal happy. Gradually I came back to raise along the tree's edge and came from below the kitten. If I caught if off guard I could try the snatch and grab again to bring it down with me. Buzzing. I heard buzzing the closer I got to the white pile of fluff. Squinting my eyes I took notice to where the sound originated. A hive. A bee hive hung directly below the kitten. Without warning, as I was just below it, it looked down at me with malicious glee. Its paw raised with talons that should have only been on the panther popped out one at a time. Dear Celestia no.

In one swipe it freed the bee hive from the tree. There was no time to fly out of the way, and like out of an old cartoon, it landed right on my head. “THE BEES!!” I screamed aloud as the swarm went into attack mode. My hooves grabbed onto the hives sides trying desperately to be free of the stingers, honey, and embarrassment. I maintained my height of flight but the kitten had other ideas to use it for. With those panther sized claws it landed on my back and latched onto my uniform down through my fur and into my skin. I hate cats. Howling at the magnitude of pain, my wings gave out and I began my decent downwards. This time, it was my turn to hit the tree limbs and branches. I cursed my hollow bones praying that none broke with the damage I was sustaining. My fall would be broken in the end. By the ground.

The bee hive shattered once I was back down to the ground. The bees eventually gathered together and fled off to make or find a new home. The kitten however was grabbed by my self once it released its claws from my tender flesh. It seemed to just want to wander away as if nothing had happened. That wasn't going to happen. I pushed my self onto all fours and lunged to grab the kitten between my front hooves. As it tried to fight back, the snarl I let out in its ear calmed it down enough for me to hobble on my hind legs to the foal. The prize was offered as I tried to keep my best smile when I wanted to cry out.

“Oh wait I don't have a kitten!” The unicorn foal said before merrily skipping away. Sanity was close to breaking. The kitten found an opening in the defenses that held it in place and lunged at my face. After numerous more scratches riddled my complexion I tossed the kitten away and watch as it ran off in the foal's direction.

“Are you al..al..alright?” The peaceful voice brought me back from homicides delicious temptations as I turned to look at her. She was scared, I could tell in her eyes, at what it wasn't immediately known. “You're hu..hu..hurt.” Eclipse stuttered motioning for me to follow her. I assumed it was best to leave this area right away. The panther was still there, unconscious but still there.

My companion had learned of a pond nearby by the foal. I was hesitant to go near the clear liquid since the dyes on my feathers and coat would easily wash out. Even permanent dyes never lasted long on me for some reason. It was both a blessing and a burden. The pond wasn't that far down the road in the direction we needed to go. Eclipse led the way this time and was first to go to the pond's edge. She leaned down sipping at the water a moment. I felt my tongue hang from my mouth now envious of the water as I was the blanket. Her magic took the blanket from her flank then began to rip shreds out in short and long lengths. “Hey, don't do that, you'll need that later.” I protested.

“N..n..no. It's fi..fi..fine. If we don't tr..tr..treat your wounds then it may get wo..wo..worse.” Were they that bad? Myh eyes didn't lie when they took a moment to scan over my body. The uniform was close to being in ribbons. Places that should have still been yellow were either fading back to white or splotched with red. Bee stingers and bumps were in random places, including ones that would have been more pleasant not to have them, and needle like branches tangled in my fur.

When I went to sit next to her, Eclipse didn't waste time to dip the torn cloth into the water, ring it out with magic, then begin applying it to the worst of the wounds. As she did this, she leaned in and begin plucking the stingers out with her teeth. With her teeth. Which were behind her lips. Behind her soft, majestic, magical lips. My wings shot up on my back causing her to back away for a startling moment, but returned soon after to go back to her mending. My face burned a inflamed inferno. I never told Eclipse what it meant when a Pegasus wings did that, and by Celestia I was glad she didn't. “So.. Um... I wanted to ask about the Nightmare Moon doll. It was specialty made you said? I think?” I hope.

Eclipse spat out a few of the vile bee stingers and came back to her haunches. Her magic finished bandaging the worst of my cuts and went to work removing the stingers where her teeth had not reached yet. If only she was doing it a little longer. Bah! Rid bad thoughts! “Ye..ye..yes. Momma said she had to co..co..contact a lot of makers to get one ma..ma..made.” She turned her head a moment to look at the left saddlebag eying the lumps. “I've kept it sa..sa..safe since I got it.”

My tail swayed across the ground happy she hadn't asked about her stiffened wings. “It's very nice. Both of them are.” The medical treatment ended, I raised back up to stretch my sore limbs. “Well, let's get back on the road. I don't want to waste anymore time and wind up in Manehatten in the middle of the night. It's not the safest place to be, ya know.” What remained of the blanket was magically placed back on Eclipse's flank when she raised with me. We began our journey again despite my limbs telling me to rest longer. “What do you plan to do in Manehatten? Have family there?” Ah! This was the perfect question to ask. There must be some reason to go to one of the largest cities in Equestria.

“No. I just tho..tho..thought it would be good to go to.”

“So, no family? Any siblings?”

“I'm told I have a bro..bro..brother but I ca...ca..can't go to him.” Another sad look. I seemed to keep swinging misses with these questions. I at least got some more information about her family. She had a segregate mother of sorts, her father possibly abusive as her mother was, and she can't go see a brother. I bit against my lower lip and turned the subject down a different route.

“Anyway, what did you think of my amazing methods of combat back there?” I entered a bragging mode quickly giving my right hoof a fist pump. “I gotta say, a giant snake and another a panther in one day. I truly am Equestria's greatest Super Heroine.”

Eclipse didn't seem as enthusiastic as after I just had thwarted my enemies attempts on my life. This time she held a solemn gaze, her eye brows knitting together causing my stomach to feel a weight press to my abdomen. “You sh...sh..shouldn't put your self into su..such trouble. Sometimes it's be..best to ru..run.” The filly nodded thoughtfully at her wise words. Yeah I should follow such a thing but when you're trying to impress someone danger isn't something you consider!

Caution was thrown to the wind. I stopped on our trail and moved my hooves to suddenly take up one of her's. Bringing it to my lips, I set the most gentle of kisses to the tip of her hoof. My smile was gallant, suave nature taking over. A spontaneous act turned into a chance to woo her. “Never fear, my dear Eclipse, I will always protect you. No matter how much I may scream for help, no matter what danger I maybe in, you do not need to worry. Do not come to my aid, ever, I will find my way back to you.” I tilted my head forward closing my eyes. Let's see how she reacts to this.

Waiting for her to react. Yep. She has to say something at some point, won't she? I couldn't wait any longer. I looked back up at her to find not the look of happiness. No tears in her eyes as she realized her love for me after knowing me for barely a day. Much to my disappointment she looked confused. The pony was confused by what I said. I released her hoof quickly and went right back to standing next to her. She chuckled when I coughed into my hoof. “Thank you fo..for those words but I'm af..afraid I don't understand.” Her tail swished lightly coming into contact with mine. “But th..thank you.”

Maybe she's just not into fillies I figured. Not everyone is like me and it would make sense. Then again, she didn't seem to mention that fact at all. Where she came from was a complete puzzle to me. Ya know the kind of puzzles. Two thousand pieces and you can't even find the edges and your unicorn best friend is using her magic to mess you up further by mixing up the box. What was I thinking about again? I faded back to reality as Eclipse started trotting ahead of me. I hurried to catch up coming back to my thoughts. She was naïve and falling for my lies so that had to say something about how much she knew. Bah! The sudden silence was driving me nuts. Time to get more pieces of the puzzle. “So, what do you like to do for fun?”

Eclipse inclined her head back looking up at the clear, blue sky. “I only was able to re..read and play with my do..dolls.” Only able to do those things?

“No friends to play with or go outside and explore?” Bzzzt! Again I struck a land mine. A side ways look showed me the gloom once more drifting over her face. Dear Celestia what couldn't I say that wouldn't make her get sad! “So! What kind of books do you like to read?”

An immediate flip of the coin for her attitude let us enter a conversation about literature, self teaching, and love of books thicker than Prince Blueblood's ego. I could only pretend to understand the philosophical ideas or ideas behind magic. The thickest book I've ever read was a Daring Do comic I used to hide in text books. Eclipse was ecstatic to talk about the one hobby that made sense at her age. Who plays with dolls being as old as she was? How old was she again...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Eclipse had spent the next two hours of our trip walking about the books she's read and re-read. The library she had wasn't extensive as some of the ones I was forced to visit at school. I began to imagine where she lived in my mind. She was fearful of her parents, had a nanny or surrogate mother take care of her, and was surrounded by books. It wasn't a typical life style. The strangeness of the situation reminded me of wealthy life style soap operas they showed at the movie theaters.

“Ca...ca..Can you tell me about your se..self?” The question came out of the sky. She wanted to know about me? Yes! Another step towards our long romantic life together.

“My life? Well I was born in Cloudsdale.” My tale was starting but it wouldn't reach its conclusion or even go past the first detail before I heard another pony's cry for help. Ever get that feeling of Deja Vu? Something occurs similar to something else in the day and you just knew that it would be a string of events ruining the rest of the day? This was that sign for me. Eclipse and I stopped looking in the direction of the call. It was a mare this time, not a foal, but I wasn't sure to rush off. When I looked at Eclipse for permission, well hoping she would stop me, she was awaiting my rise into the air to thwart the newest danger. Stupid life style.

I took to the sky with my imaginary theme music playing in my mind. Scanning over the forest from above I finally found the call of distress after moments of looking. It was from a clearing not far up the road. What I could see at this distance was an odd green, sparkling monster, and a white mare huddled down in terror before it. Before ascending, I glanced back to ensure Eclipse was following. She ran up the road on hoof yet why she didn't fly in turn I may have to ask later. It didn't matter now, thee was heroism to perform!

It was a dragon! Why in Luna's Grace would a dragon be in the forest now? First a giant serpent, a killer panther, and then a sinister white kitten, but now a dragon? It looked a bit odd, I had to say. Jewels were imbedded into various parts of its scales. Its tongue, long and red, hung out the side of its mouth. The eyes wobbled, yes they seemed to wobble, as it moved towards the pony. It was two ponies in length and two ponies tall. Not big for a dragon but it could prove dangerous. Yet, I was attracted to look at the mare.

The mare was someone I knew, after all I had a pinup poster of her on my bedroom wall at home. A slender pony with the graces of a super model. Light pink hair with a dash of white streaks. A unicorn of grace and elegance with two purple symbols and one gold symbol cutie marks. I could never remember what those things were. Jasmine eyes stared in horror at the beast approaching her. “Oh help me! Help! Wont some pony save me!” She called out while laying on her side, one foreleg holding her upper body up while the other held across her brow. I saw many times in gossip rags how she was around some rich and important pony names Prancy Plants or something. This was a double chance for me. Impress Eclipse and maybe impress the one and only, Fleur-De-Lis.

“No need to worry! Rainbow Dash will help you in a hurry!” I prepared my patented Sonic Kick; left hind leg curled back, right hind leg kept straight, wings hugged against my sides for an air slicing free fall. “Hiiyah!” I yelled in excitement striking downwards at the middle of the dragon's spine. It crumbled beneath me like so much paper. The momentum when I bounced from it let me perform three solid spines then land gracefully on two legs. I pointed a hoof to the sun, the other hoof against my hip. “Justice prevails again!” Too easy. Little too easy. My hoof pointing sunward was lowered down to Fleur to give her a chance to hook ankles with me to aid her in standing.

“Um... Thank you, good mare, but I don't quite thing you understand what you've just done.” She replied with a dignified, kind tone. She raised up to stand on her hooves her self and aimed one hoof to the dragon. The dragon? Yeah not so much. It was three headache suffering ponies in a dragon costume. Then she pointed behind me. Why?

“Cut! Cut! CUT!” I heard the shouting of a furious, annoyed voice. Twisting about to see who caused the commotion I saw a short, stubby pony with a monocle, a red beret, khaki pants, black boots, and a blue button shirt. “What do you think you are doing on the set of my movie! You just ruined the take!” Yes, it was a movie. I noticed how the ponies with cameras, sound equipment, and the other actors and actresses staring at me. My cheeks would have flared once more today if not for the dye in my coat. “Your moron!”

For the next forty five minutes I was verbally assaulted by the director of this movie. He threatened law suites, beatings, bad make overs, and performing manual labor to work off what I had done. He insulted my hair, goggles, torn uniform, my wing size, and even decided to accost me for my choice in boots. Somewhere along this time Eclipse caught up with this. Since the movie was on hold she spent the time I was being yelled at to talk to the other ponies around. They offered her her choice at the catering table. At least she got to eat, I'd probably starve until we hit Manehatten. Something else happened that caused me to think in ways I never thought before. Some of the stallions marveled at her wings. She extended them at their request and each took turns feeling her bat wing then her Pegasus wing. Jealousy tore through me. I hadn't even had the chance to do that yet!

When I was about to go over there and knock some sense into the ponies fondling Eclipse's wings, one of them called for the director to come over. The pork of a pony waddled towards the group and began to examine Eclipse. His eyes were fondling her body taking in everything from her mismatched wings, broken horn, and finally her plot. How dare he! “Well, Miss! I think it was a destiny act that brought you to this set. You are perfect for my movie! Stunning looks, unique features, and spectacular aura that would bring in the audience from all around!” The director whipped around his hooves back and forth trying to convey through body language the things Eclipse would be able to do.

Eclipse was uneasy. This was making me mad. I flew over at a speed that made me wonder if I had used magic to teleport. Placing my self between the Director and Eclipse, I stared down the pony this time uncaring what threats or actions he may take against me. “I'm so..sorry but I don't thi..thi..think I want to.” I heard Eclipse speak up glancing around me to the director. He wasn't amused.

“Do not let this hoodlum try to change your mind through her brutish tactics like this!” He accused trying to push me aside with his head. “It seems you two know each other but I know that I can lead you to success!”

“Look you fat toad, she said no.” I growled between gritted teeth peppering his face with bits of saliva. We were now forehead to forehead pushing against each others strength of body and will power. I felt Eclipse inch back and away from the two of us fearing what conflict would come next. Something forced the two of us to pull away from each other. A soft voice, one of peace and understanding picking through.

“Director,” It was miss Fleur-De-Lis who put a stop to the director's forceful nature, “I will handle any costs these two put up personally. If she says no we have no reason to hold them now.” Kind and beautiful just like my Eclipse! “And I do believe that our chief financier would want us to stay on the proper level for ponies during the making of this movie. If Fancy Pants were to hear how you blackmailed a pony, especially one with a broken horn, into this movie...” She let the last word trail off. It appeared Fleur hadn't noticed Eclipse's wings like the other did. Her focus was on calming the director.

“Fine!” He seemed to know when he was beaten. “Go to Ponyville at once and get this costume fixed by that Miss Rarity. Chop Chop!” He clapped his hooves together.

“Thank you for that.” I said once the director had found his way away from us.

“It is no bother. But I would recommend leaving soon before he gets some other ideas.” A diamond pure smile was given to Eclipse and I.

I took this suggestion, wrapped an ankle around one of Eclipse's and pulled her with me to get away form the set and back to the road. She smiled, gave a thanks her self, and let her self be tugged behind me. With this over I was certain now the day couldn't get any worse.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So my mother is a teacher and my pappy is a manager at a cloud factory.” We had gotten once again back on the proper trail to Manehatten and I was able to continue my life story for her. I would have been either making something up or using information based on another certain pony of a similar current name, but I felt compelled to tell her the truth. “I have two sisters, the youngest is still in High School and the oldest works for the weather team directly out in some small, desert town. I dunno the name. We don't get along.” Eclipse was hanging on my every word.

“I think I re..read about Cloud Factories. The Pegasus wo..work there, right?” What kind of question was that? A first grader would know that sort of thing. Eclipse was intelligent with how she spoke on her books and text books but this seemed... odd?

“Yeah, only Pegasus, or unicorns with strange magic, can work on the weather. My mom and old man make good money. They always complain about me still living there but what the hay? It's hard to find work with a cutie mark that's only the outline of a mask with no eyes but a mouth!” I tossed a hoof in the air. “Some ponies just don't respect ponies who are different than the usual fold!”

Uh oh. I did it now. I spilled more than I had wanted to do to Eclipse. I gazed at her trying not to act suspicious to see if she understood my over blabbing or if she passed it off and figured my cutie mark had something to do with being a masked heroine. She didn't react at all; just continued to listen, nodding her head every so often. I was in the clear for now.

“And so I decided that being a heroine was the way for me!” Add that in for good measure. “Plenty happened between my decision and meeting you but meeting you has been.”

“Help! Oh help! Wont some pony please help me!” That sounded familiar. Awfully, terribly, familiar. “Ah buck it!!” I shouted soaring into the air again. Eclipse had gotten used to the routine and galloped after me. I flew towards the sound of another endangered pony. Every time I get closer to Eclipse something happens. Today sucks. And I was about to find out how much more it would.

Not a minute ahead of where we were I saw where the cry of distress came from. On a bridge over one of three rivers before Manehatten, an earth pony guiding a cart behind him was being assaulted by a... A... “Why Celestia! Why!?” I shouted up at the sky shaking my front hooves in sheer disbelief. It was a giant squid. Nearly the size of the dragon earlier attached right onto the cart and trying to drag its owner into the murky depths of the river's bottom. The rapids of the water crashed below the pair taunting that any pony caught within would be dead. Nervous. Yes that was one of the things that came to thought. Afraid, concerned, and knowing I was about to get my plot handed to me.

Eclipse came up to the bridge first. A bit of her magic encircling various stones around her throwing them at the monstrosity laying siege to the pony's cart. I couldn't let her get hurt, no matter what, I just couldn't. I reeled back bending my forelegs back, my left leg straight and my right leg curled then firing off like a bullet down against the doughy, slimy flesh. “Take this! Take that!” I shouted at the creature lashing at it with my tail, punching and bucking at the flailing tentacles.

“Rainbow watch out!” I heard the voice somewhere in the distance although it was only twenty hooves away. My head turned a moment too late to see two tentacles latch themselves onto my mind legs. I was at the beast's mercy now. I wouldn't stop fighting though. My wings swept back and forth trying to gain some leverage in the air but all this did was tip the squid off balance plunging us both into the rapid waters below. It's weight far too heavy for me to be able to lift into the air with me. Water swirled around beating against my tiring body. The rapids were unforgiving giving the squid strength but causing mine to wither.

“Help! Help me! Wont some pony save me!” The similar line now escaped my lips as I flailed my limbs. The strength of the water was not only my enemy it seemed. The squid was being dragged by the earth moving water pulling us away from the bridge down stream. “Help!” I called out again. I know Eclipse would help me. With a heart as big as her's there wasn't any way she wouldn't! I stared up from the water's surface, using my strength to gaze at Eclipse and what she was doing to help me.

Nothing. She stared from the edge of the river bank watching me. She had a smile on her face that told me that I was going to hate my self in just a moment. She was waiting for my victory against the squid as she had waited three times before. Why wasn't she coming to my help? I was calling out but she was doing nothing at all! Before the squid dragged me under the water to do battle there, I remembered what was my greatest mistake of the day. The word returning back to me like a kick in the flank. “No matter how much I cry for help, do not come to my aid. I will find you.” No! This isn't what I meant! Eclipse! Eclipse!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Eclipse watched the squid drag her friend against her will beneath the water's grasp. She believed deep inside that Rainbow Dash? would be returning to find her soon. She would do what she felt Rainbow would have wanted her to do; continue on to Manehatten. Twinkling hair cast a blue gray glow across her face when she looked up to the sky again. If she could make it in Manehatten she could make it anywhere!

“That there was a mighty brave thing ya friend did fer me.” The earth pony moved in from behind Eclipse pulling his cart along with him. He gave a toothy grin in her direction, except every other tooth was missing. “Ah believe ah can offer ya a ride on my cart for the help your friend gave to meh. Hop on.” He motioned with his head back to the empty, wooden trolley. “Ah reckon she'll be just fine if ya got that much faith in her. Ah can see it in your eyes.”

The filly's glowing eyes set out across the raging rapids once more then turned to the kind pony. “Th..Thank you, sir.” She said coming back to the back of the cart. She raised her fore legs up first, taking one last chance to gaze down the river, then pulled her self up with the aid of her wings. Sparkling tail thrashed a moment then settled wrapped loosely around her ankles when she sat back to rest and enjoy the short trip to the towering city.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Further down river, on a sandy bank, a pony washed up after being dragged for what felt to be an eternity. Red dye washed from her mane, orange dye from her tail, yellow dye from her coat, and blue dye from her wings revealing an almost pure, perfect white coat, mane, and tail. On either side of her flank was a cutie mark of very simple design; a white mask without eyes but an emotionless set of lips. This was Color Copy in her true form. Sand clung to the matted, wet fur giving a rough texture to once soft coat. Her once prized uniform torn to shreds leaving her naked as most ponies were.

The squid had long returned to whatever Discord spawned place it had come from. Perhaps it would attack another pony or perhaps not. The rivers were safe for now thanks in no part to the efforts of the pony formerly known as Rainbow Dash. As the heroine returned to the blissful grasp of fatigue induced unconsciousness, a final thought brought a handful of words to her.

“Eclipse... I'll save you...”

Sproing!