Cursed Eclipse - Across Equestria

by AImostpure

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, DJ P0N-3, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Sad, Princess Luna, Original Character, Octavia, Comedy
Length: 96590

The third story of the Cursed Eclipse Saga.

After boarding the wrong train, Eclipse finds herself on the other side of Equestria with no clearway to return to Manehatten. New friends and emerging enemies enter the picture as she works to return to the two mares who took her in.

Third story of Cursed Eclipse

Published 2012-05-21 09:34:05 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-03 13:35:49 UTC

Burning Desire

“Mares and Gentlecolts! Appleloosa's first rodeo is proud to bring you an earth pony known far and wide for her stunts and acts of bravery!” The announcer's voice broke the chatter in the stands. Lights of the makeshift stadium were turned dark by the pegasus manning them. Hush fell over the ponies while their attention was drawn to the center circle at what laid to come. It was Sunday night and the festivities for the first day were winding down with one final act.

The truce with the buffalo brought a new prosperity for Appleloosa. Tourists came to savor the apples and watch the sentient race stampede across the desert plans. Proper buildings and roads cropped up like farm fields across specified areas of the open waste. In a years time, Appleloosa became a small tumbleweed of a settlement to a show town hosting the second largest rodeo in Equestria.

Now, two spotlights of red shine down on the western edge of the rodeo massive rodeo circle. In the light a strange contraption with a pony sitting on its seat. Her coat a daring amber. Her mane, dark chestnut color, buzzed at the sides but kept long down her neck in the middle. Her tail was cut short for reasons to her profession. The pony was adorned in an unusual outfit. Tight faux leather pants hugged her muscular hind legs giving a glimpse of the pristine mass beneath. Holes in the fabric let the pony's cutie marks be seen; a tornado made of fire. A jacket of similar fashion, a form of pegasus clothing known as a 'bomber' jacket zipped up down the middle. The collar lined with a white wool. Black lens goggles strapped to cover her eyes.

The contraption she sat on was unlike anything most ponies had seen. Two wheels holding up a sturdy, metal frame. A small sized engine tucked beneath the with a gear wrapped chain that was wrapped around a gear attached to the back wheel. Orange gemstones stuck out of the engine. They were the source of power to oiled mechanism. Curved metal bars went from the chassis up to in front of the pony. Her forelegs raised up setting her hooves into specially designed handles for ponies. Hind hooves would rest on metal plates instead of dangling helplessly to the side.

Two blue spotlights shinned out at either side of the rider. They gave the audience a chance to see two unicorns, dressed in a showmare's sequin skirt, exotically sway their hips in their movement to the cycle. They stood, one foreleg to their waist, and the other to the waist twirling once to give the crowd a look.

A motion of the rider's hoof gave signal for the unicorns to lower their heads, sparking their magic to the machine to grant it life. It roared a predator's cry. Rumbling louder than a locomotive in the crowded stadium. Dirt spun out from the back tire, grinding a incision into the ground before sending the bike and the rider speeding forward. Red spotlights clicked on, one after the other, right before the rider entered them. In the darkness, near the center, rings of fire burst to life spiraling in mid air. A roar of a pride of lions thundered beneath each circle. When the stadium lights shined back on, the crowd would see what the commotion was.

The rider was going dead fast for a wooden ramp. It would lead her at a forty five degree angle up. In front of the ramp four rings of fire spun, go through them at the wrong time would lead to the rider being burned alive. Beneath the rings, where the lions' roar originated, it was indeed five caged lions. The roofs of their imprisonment was removed, but they couldn't leap out to freedom either. If the rider was not careful, after hitting the rings, she would be torn to shreds by the carnivores below. There were gasps in the crowds. Many ponies had never seen the rider's show. Some covered their foals' eyes, others leaned forward form their seats to get a closer look. Just as the rider hit the ramp, the wooden construct burst into flames.

Even with the danger presented the rider drove right into the blazing inferno. Handles were pushed forward increasing her speed. The rubber of her tires could very well have melted if she had slowed down, but hitting the edge of the ramp signaled the victory from the first danger. Spiraling rings were the next, as she went through the first and second easily without even a lock of hair singed. The lions leap up trying to claw at their potion dinner. The rider decided to toy with them, Before entering the third ring, she pulled her entire body onto the seat, stood up on her hind legs, then hopped into the air. Her back curved, somersaulting herself backwards over the loop as her bike made the passage solo. On the other end, she landed back down, sitting as she once was to bring both tires bouncing onto the other ramp.

The bike took a sharp turn at the bottom of the ramp sliding over the dirt to a stop. When the engine died down, the biker's hooves raised pulling her goggles from her face showing off desert sand iris, she pumped her right fore hoof into the air twice. The crowd screamed out loud, cheering the pony on. Foals were able to see the after math of the stunt, some even attempted to climb out into the rodeo circle to get to meet the biker pony but were stopped by security.

“Mares and Gentlecolts! SPIRAL FLAME!” The announcer's shout could have easily been called a scream just trying to get over the roar of the Sunday Crowd. The pony, Spiral Flame, was in her zone loving every bit of admiration and cheer.

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

Iron Mind was at a loss. He was asked to return to Canterlot for a personal debriefing with Celestia before his rendezvous with the police in Manehatten. A punishment befitting one who allowed the monarchy to come to harm was what Iron Mind expected. He was bewildered to find that not only would he not be punished, but he was ordered to spend two days and nights with his family before continuing on with his assignment. Iron would learn through conversation with his fellow captains that it was Luna who was lectured over her injury. Celestia, instead, reprimanded Luna for charging off into the unknown. He would have paid to have been a magical fly on the wall for that.

The debriefing was just that. Iron Mind gave any new information but had any questions he presented painfully ignored or carefully eluded. There were thoughts of pulling favors from Shining Armor for him to ask Cadence. An option not able to be taken less his professional image be fractured. If it ever did come to that, he did have photographs of a certain Captain as a cadet in an immoral club. Despite his need for knowledge he would never bring such shame upon his protege and fellow captain.

A day spent with Electrical Conduit at a hoof ball game, a romantic night with his wife, and a panic as a family well behind him. Iron let the memories soak in before he departed the train at Manehatten on Sunday Morning. In the background he could hear the frantic cries of a mare shouting for somepony named Eclipse but the loud noise cut off any further investigation. This would be the second error he would look back upon that he wished he followed up immediately; the first being the pink griffin at the hospital.

It would be well into the afternoon, after delivering his bags and checking into the hotel, that Iron Mind had the chance to arrive at the central police station. The meeting with the chief went with Iron consistently having to remind the chief that Iron was in charge of the investigation and the chief was to follow his orders. For such an older pony, he was too set in his ways to not be upset at the prospect of being upstaged. Police officers were gathered for the Captain of the Guard to begin briefing them of what laid to come.

“Everypony, as many of you have been given some information, the Princesses have moved an investigation into Manehatten.” The briefing room was large and spaciest to fit the array of ponies that worked there. Electrical lights hung overhead, university level desks lined in neat rows filled with the blue dressed ponies. At the front the chief and Iron Mind stood to give a vantage when speaking. “There is urgency in this, but discretion is also needed. After being given a description of the pony, be discreet in releasing it. No sketches, posters, nor fliers will be handed out to help with the search.” There were murmurs in the ranks. Most asking if this was a missing pony, why not release information freely? Iron Mind clopped a hoof down onto a table in front of him. His head moved, motioning for the chief's secretary to begin handing out the papers with the description and name of the pony. “There are others searching for this pony. Any information we get, cannot go to them. I am afraid at this time, who the other party is remains unknown.”

“Then how do you know there is another party?”

“This pony is a key witness in the investigation of a suspect. The suspect is believed to be pursuing in hopes of eliminating the witness.” Iron Mind took a seat back on his haunches preparing for any questions that may come.

“So... It's an alicorn, right? Shouldn't there be more guards and less us?”

Visions moved to the officer who spoke up. Iron raised a hoof pointing to him. “Good question. No, the pony we are searching for maybe afraid to come to the guards. If she wasn't, we believe she would have approached the authorities already.”

“Hey hey! I've seen this pony before. I'm sure of it.” A mare in the middle of the officers spoke up, raising onto her hind hooves. Everyone had their attention on her. Such a quick break in the case felt too good to be true but would be welcomed. “Yeah. She had the broken horn, mismatched wings. Hard flank you could cut carrots on. Perfect flank. I mean that sort of flank comes from never eating bad food.” Iron Mind's right eye twitched. “She did some crazy dance and made the lights and shadows do stuff. Never seen it before.”

Iron Mind broke rank and file trotting down from in front of the officers to place himself, intimidatingly, in front of the mare. His cold gaze broke any warmth that she may have had starting her shift. Feeling under the pressure, she was the first to look away. “Which club? What night?”

“Maybe a month... a month and a week ago? It was at the Magic Wisp. Took me almost a month of bits to get inside that night!” The chief had to give Iron Mind credit. He had never been able to break down one of his officers so quickly into a cower as the Captain did with only his stare.

The officer was then disregarded, and Iron Mind drudged back to the front of the room. A strong hoof stomped down to gather their attention back on him. “We will begin searches in the district that this club is in. Remember, when questioning try to keep anything you must give to be little. The less that can be spread around the better.” Each officer was appraised individually now by Iron. Betrayal was the one thing that could turn this investigation further down the wrong path. He had wanted to avoid this, it felt too personal for him to be involved. Yet, it wasn't his choice to be or not. Unwavering the guard captain finished his speech. “If the pony is found, do not act hastily and create a disturbance. She is not a suspect, she is not believed to be dangerous, and she will not know what is occurring.”

The chief would clap his fore hooves together announcing dismissal from the meeting. The officer who had spoke up before was once again confronted by Iron before she could leave. The intimidation factor was still present in how she tried to hide behind her mane, avoiding direct eye contact with the captain. “Is there something else, sir?”

“Did you happen to see her with anypony or leave with anypony?”

“No sir. I was kicked out when I.. I would rather not say, and haven't been able to get back in since. I do know she still goes there. Some friends say they saw her in there on occasion.”

A place to start. Iron Mind collected himself and left the meeting room. His thoughts were scrambled. If Eclipse was regularly seen at an exclusive club, then she had to have an income. Or, Iron decided, somepony was taking advantage of her. An exorbitant degree of rage surged through his mind at the sheer thought of some stallion taking advantage of a pony that could be his sister. An image appeared in his mind's eye. A pony, matching Eclipse's description, was being held down by a stallion as she screamed for somepony's help. Lids flinched closed over burning visions. His right hoof raised slamming through the wall next to him. Sure it was all in his mind, but it felt real enough for him. If Iron Mind had been an older brother his entire life, no colt would have been able to get near any sister of his.

It was another hour before Iron Mind could set out onto the streets himself. He had donned a long trench coat for his outing to hide his cutie mark and to conceal Celestia's crest he kept with him. It was amazing how shining the magical symbol could part crowds of ponies down the middle. A police carriage took him straight to Magic Wisp. Sure enough it was in the hours of preparing for the onslaught of tourists, vacationers, and regulars that would be either allowed in immediately, have a list checked, wait in line, or bribe to get in. A shine of that crest would have one of the workers let Iron in instantly.

The owner arrived to greet Iron near the front door. Anypony arriving with the Princess' crest was worth meeting immediately. He was a pegasus, fat bellied, oily coat, full beard, and his mane slicked back. Many first impressions labeled him badly, but the truth was a complete opposite. “Ah! Welcome to Magic Wisp. My employee tells me you have some questions? Anything for a pony representing the Princess. Come my friend,” the pony waved a hoof for Iron to follow him to the bar, “Have a few drinks on me.” The two took their places on the bar stools.

Iron raised a hoof ordering a nice whiskey for the trouble. It would be rude to turn down the drink of a pony so willing to give aid. “My name is Iron Mind. Former Captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard, now Captain of Celestia's personal guard. My duties bring me to Manehatten searching for somepony. Reliable word puts her within this club over the past month to a month and a week.”

“Many ponies come through here, sir, I am afraid I would need more information if I am to help.” The pegasus ordered himself a brighter drink to test the bartender. A blended beverage that was candy apple red with apple slices poking out the top.

“She would be difficult to forget. Glowing eyes.” The owner flinched, the bartender gave nervous glances not just to the owner but to the other employees. “One pegasus wing and one bat wing.” His magic brought his glass to his lips sipping the liquid calmly. The reaction he was receiving was precisely what he had hoped. Each pony here knew who he was speaking of. A sweeping sensation of calm came as a cold rush on his heated skin. “Her parents, horrible ponies, named her Cursed Eclipse. Can you imagine?”

Shattering of a dropped glass echoed through the empty club. The owner praised this break in the moment to fly over the counter. He ducked down, working his hooves frantically to help his employee clean the shards. “Yes. No. We haven't seen anypony like that in here. Nopony what-so-ever.”

“Of course.” Ignoring the denial. “She wouldn't be of age to come into this place. Anyone aiding in finding her would certainly have any crimes associated be forgotten.” Blackmail. Just doing it to get a small bit of information brought a foul taste on Iron's tongue. “I do not mean to imply that not aiding will result in any charges either.” Magic lowered his class, his forelegs crossing as he leaned over the counter to gaze at the owner. “The young filly is in danger. If it puts your mind at any ease, I doubt it is anyone she would have met here.”

Both ponies behind the counter looked at the other for an answer. Of course, it would be the plump owner's responsibility to come up first. “Can't say I know where she is now but she'd come in here when a DJ friend, Pon-3, we'd give her easy stuff for some bits as a favor to the DJ. Real nice filly.” The owner dipped his head down lapping at the cold, fruity beverage. “But Pon-3 said she was taking off for a couple of weeks with her marefriend.”

“Is Pon-3 an alias or her real name?”

“Oh, right. Vinyl Scratch. Dunno where she went, or if the filly is with her. Probably best to ask around her place.” The pegasus ducked back behind the counter to grab a quill and paper. “I usually mail her checks to the Fritz Ritz Condominium.” The name was written down, the paper hoofed over to Iron. “Best place I can figure starting.”

A ball of magic tool the paper, rolling it up to place in his jacket with the seal. “Thank you. Both for the information and, from the sounds of it, taking care of the filly.” The guard captain tipped his head to the owner, the bartender, then dropped from the stool onto all fours. “Don't worry. Her presence here will not be known nor will you face any legal matters.” This assurance was accepted by the owner who waved a hoof to the departing Iron. Next location, the assumed home of Vinyl Scratch.

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

It was high noon at the Appleloosa Train Station. Once just a single ticket booth it had grown into a full grand station with all modern locomotive needs. Standing on the main platform was the town's residential tour guide and applebucker, Braeburn, stood anticipating the newest train of tourists. Braeburn was a yellow pony, maize tone. Mane and tail were dual shades of born a little bit messy and a little bit neat. He wore an ever present vest down to his waist letting his bright red apple cutie mark remain uncovered. Between his ears, a cowboy hat set over his mane. The side brims curved up to the top. A friendly smile and a welcome demeanor was put on as he spotted the iron machine rolling down the tracks.

A snake's hiss sounding from the breaks slowing the massive piece of machinery to a halt. Steam bellowed forth releasing from beneath. Braeburn steadied himself for the doors of each passenger car to open. Anticipation was the worst part but it made it feel all the more better when it finally happened. Ponies began to flow out in droves and Braeburn unleashed himself. Reeling back on his hind legs, his forelegs kicking lightly at the air. “Welcome everypony to ApplelOOOSA!” His voice called out triumphantly.

Regrettably, no pony even regarded Braeburn. Each passenger of the train had instead gathered around a specific spot in front of a private train car. A loud whoosh signaled the parting of the doors letting the five inside come out. “It's the Wonderbolts!” A random pony shouted leaping above the crowd to point at the five. Normally, pegasus such as they would have flown from one event to another to avoid such publicity and crowds. With the distance from the inner workings of Equestria to Appleloosa it was not an option to fly unfortunately for the Wonderbolts. The famous aerial acrobatics team were forced into an early fan gathering thanks to a train worker telling one passenger, who told another passenger, who screamed up and down the train of the celebrities' presence. Braeburn simply glared in their direction. “T'aint fair.”

One particular stallion, among the Wonderbolts, was receiving the largest quantity of Braeburn's ire. The second in command of the Wonderbolts, a sky blue stallion with a dark blue mane, had a mare beneath each foreleg and a mare beneath each wing. On each of their flanks rested a fresh apple pie with icing writing on the top of each. The first pie simply read 'we', the second a giant heart, the third 'Soa', and the last 'rin'. As with the other members and their own groupies, the blue pegasus was laughing and flirting to his heart's content.

Braeburn ground his teeth together, puffed his cheeks out, and felt fury build red across his face. Emotions were boiling as a volcano threatening to burst out right. It wasn't the fact he was being ignored or over shadowed, he was paid even if the tour was late or canceled by freak events. No, the jealousy had to do with that one particular pony.

“Excu..excuse me.” A voice snapped Braeburn out of his murderous daze. Salvation from his dark emotions came from somepony, rather anypony that was noticing their tour guide waiting in the wind to begin their tour of Appleloosa.

“Well howdy, Pardner! Name's Braeburn. I'm the tour guide 'round these parts for ponies new to this here town!” Ecstatic, he spun around on hind hooves to face the owner of the soft voice. “Now, what can I do ya for?” Much to his surprise, it was a solitary pony.

She couldn't have been a foal, but her stunted size didn't procure that she was a full mare. A pony trapped somewhere between filly and mare. As with everypony else, her moon glow eyes and crystalline twinkling hair, that never left falling over her left eye, took the first notice before her dark gray coat. Short tremors shook her body as unfamiliar glances were shot around her. “I see...seem to have got..gotten onto the wro..wrong train.” Her throat felt dry even swallowing what little saliva had collected. “I do..do not know ho..how to get ba..back.”

Braeburn swore he had found the first ever talking porcelain doll. As many before him, the yellow pony fell into a trance staring at the glowing pools. Haunting giggles of fan fillies took him right back to reality. Another glare was cast over his shoulder then bringing his attention back to the stranded filly. “Well sure I can see about helping ya out there. Anypony who's anypony in ApplelOOSA!” Braeburn let the name roll off his tongue with an excited yell. His body rocked back on his hind legs again kicking his forelegs to the air. Just as quick as he let out his trade mark call, Braeburn lowered back down. “Knows to help somepony in need. Say, what's your name, pardner? Name's Braeburn my self.”

“Ecl..Eclipse.” The filly lowered her head a bit giving her usual greeting. Braeburn took a moment to take in the sight of the filly. Previously, all he saw was her hair and eyes. This time he saw much more of her. Was this Eclipse a pegasus? The applebucker just couldn't tell not with a bat wing and pegasus wing. Was she a unicorn, perhaps? Braeburn had never known a unicorn with a busted horn. Then she had a saddlebag on. It had her cutie mark, though each bag had it opposite colors, made of expensive fabric and a single odd pin pushed onto one flap. A jingle sang from a chain around Eclipse's neck. An odd cylinder item dangling at the curve of the silver metal.

Braeburn's right eyebrow cocked upwards examining the filly. Eclipse was becoming well aware she was under a microscope causing her to fidget in place, scraping her hooves against the wooden floor of the train station. Right hoof set to Braeburn's chin 'hrming' to himself staring at the filly. Head began to lean down glancing quick motions at her wings, to her horn, then back to the filly's face. “Say there, missy.”

“Yes..Yes?” Eclipse managed a stutter taking a few steps back to recover what she could of her personal space.

“Are you one of them show ponies? Cause I'd swear I'd never seen anypony and nopony quite like you!” Beaming with satisfaction at guessing, what Braeburn believed, to be the honest truth.

“No I'm af..afraid I'm no..not a show pony.” A quick head shake caused mane to bounce but still never leave the left side of her face.

“Well darn. I was sure I was right on it. Welp! Let's get you straightened out, right?” Braeburn nudged Eclipse gently with his hoof for her to follow behind him. Even if he wouldn't be able to give his, in Braeburn's mind, famous ApplelOOSA tour he'd make things right for somepony. “Say, you wouldn't want to have a tour of AppleOOSA!” Again, he reeled back kicking his forelegs, “After we talk to the ponies in charge, would you?”

By this time, the constant shouting of the name, and the pride his body language showed for this town, made Eclipse giggle. She set a hoof to her mouth trying to politely hide this fact. “That would be lovely..ly.”

And with that, Braeburn beamed the brightest smile he could. Who needed a large group of ponies that would probably only ask questions about the Wonderbolts, when you had somepony who may actually want to know about the town? “Surprised truthfully. Most ponies seemed to be fawning over the Wonderbolts being in town than the town its self.”

“Wh..Who are the Wonderbolts?” Eclipse replied tilting her head peering at the stallion. Braeburn would be caught with his voice trapped somewhere between wanting to ask if the filly was ill or kept in a basement all her life. He ain't ever heard of nopony that hadn't heard of the Wonderbolts. No matter to nopony, Braeburn wouldn't judge one for not knowing who was famous and who wasn't. He agreed to help this pony and she agreed to let him take her around the town and show off how it's grown.

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

“What do ya mean you can't help the little missy out?” Braeburn's voice reached an annoyed, high tone as his right hoof slammed against the ticket counter. “This here filly needs our help and just needs to get on a train to... Say where didja need to go again?” For the past hour, Braeburn and the train station manager had been arguing over getting Eclipse onto a train. Whatever the manager would say, Braeburn argued with even if it was being offered something to drink. The yellow stallion felt it was helping somehow. This was at the ticket booth of the station. The window separating the customer from the ticket master covered with iron bares. A center avenue of the train station's whole.

Eclipse felt trapped under the eyes of gathering ponies. The commotion that Braeburn and the manager were causing created a stir in the normally calm station. Beads of sweat trickled down Eclipse's brow. The filly had cowered down against the wall near the ticket booth. Huddled with her hooves over her head wanting to vanish away. Sadly, the natural glow her hair and eyes gave off would do little to keep from not being noticed. Finally, through a squeak, she spoke up. “Trottingham.”

“You already asked her that five times since you came up here, Braeburn.” The manager scoffed shaking his head. “And she doesn't have her original ticket. Plus.”

“Don't you use your fancy rules on me.” Braeburn huffed, puffing his chest out. The moment this happened, the manager wrapped both his fore hooves around Braeburn's neck through the bared window, and pulled the yellow pony against the steel rods.

“And I told you forty five minutes ago, even if I wanted to get her onto a train to Trottingham,” The manager's eyes were now blood shot red, the veins of his neck and forehead pulsing prepared to pop and strangle the cowpony. “Right after the last train showed up, I got word that somepony or something took two miles of track clean off the ground! I can't do a thing to help you!”

A forced smile, nervous stare into the eyes of the homicidal station manager. Braeburn knew when to consider himself lucky not to have been bucked into the ground. “Got it. No problem. I'll just find this here filly a room to stay in until we can work something out. Sound good?” Suddenly released from the possibly skull fracturing hold against the bars, Braeburn offered a merry wave to the departing manager. His right foreleg brushed over his forehead removing any unwanted sweat. “Whew, I tell you, Eclipse, someponies just can't handle things. Look,” Braeburn turned back to face Eclipse, “Since I couldn't help ya get on a train back to where ya need to go. Let me get ya a room at the hotel that opened up. Least I can do, right?”

Eclipse shot upright up onto all fours. Tail tucked between her legs while she took a steady look around then came to settle back on Braeburn. Many of the ponies had gone back to their daily routines much to Eclipse's relief. There was never a problem in the many clubs and social situations in Manehatten with dealing with the crowds. The major difference between there and here was that Eclipse had Octavia and Vinyl to depend on. “Th..thank you. I do..don't have any bi..bits I am afr..afraid. My fri..friend, Miss Oc..Octavia, has the money.”

“Well, shoot, little missy. What sorta gentlecolt would my momma have raised iffin I didn't help ya out. Now how about that tour!” And in an instant, Braeburn put his head against Eclipse's side, mindful of her saddlebag, and began pushing her throughout Appleloosa. She would get the thirty second showing of various places in the city. The apple orchard, mild west dances, wild west dances, horse drawn carriages, horse drawing horse drawn carriages, and of course they ended the flurry of information in front of the Salt Block.

By this time, Eclipse's was swirling from a sensory overload of rapid movement and rapid, flapping gums, she had been whisked in front of the watering hole and inside. Unceremoniously Braeburn dropped Eclipse at her own table, into her own chair. The when and how were lost to the dazed Eclipse finding it better to accept that it happened and not bother with the details. “You ha..have a love..lovely town.” The words finally broke her own mental tension staring at the handsome stallion who had been so kind to her.

“Well shucks, thanks little missy. I know all of us here sure take pride in this settlement. Hey, Bartrot!” Braeburn shuffled a few steps back from Eclipse waving a hoof to the bartender behind the counter. The bartender dressed far differently than the ones who worked Manehatten. Handlebar mustache, black vest over a whit dress shirt, and a firm build to toss out any drunkards. “Let this little filly get what she likes and just put it on my tab. Now, Eclipse,” Just as soon as he spoke to the barkeep he had turned back, “I'll go see about getting you a room at the hotel. Just wait here, don't go with anypony you don't know. I'll be back before you can say ApplelOOSA!” For the third or fourth time, Braeburn reel back shouting the name. A group stare was fired off at him from every patron around. The yellow pony blushed ducking his head down just a bit. “Well, see ya soon!” In a gust of smoke, he galloped out the bar.

There was finally calm enough for Eclipse to assess her situation properly. First, a moment was given to look around the Salt Block. It was nothing at all like the bars in Manehatten. It was quiet, ponies remained huddled at tables nary an eye to anypony else, no dancing, and only a single pony on a piano playing a mildly lively tune. The bartender wasn't flirting for tips, and there were no waitresses or waiters doing the same. Everything was calm and serene in its own way. The lack of noise, mares arguing over anything and everything, and the sheer lack of variety in appearance for the ponies present caused an ache deep in Eclipse's heart. Her hoof st against her throbbing muscle, sniffing back a tear. It had barely been a day and already she felt the cold pain of loneliness piercing her. Why was she feeling it? Since she was five she was alone. Any contact she was allowed resulted in physical and emotional pain. She missed Vinyl and Octavia. The wallow of self loathing was interrupted before it could break into a full cataclysm of depression. A stallion's grunt caught Eclipse by surprise swinging her head about to stare behind her.

The bartender, staring down at Eclipse with an accusatory stare. Gave an 'haruff' dropping off his flank a platter with what appeared to be hay fries and a glass of non alcoholic cider. No order was placed yet, and the salty smell brought a lion's roar rumbling from her belly. By the time her senses returned to her, he had already retreated back to the saloon to begin cleaning his glasses. A pony of few words but could understand things. Magic lifted the first morsel of food to her lips biting down on the hot treat. It was odd, it wasn't hay, but rather potato. “Mmmm!” A squeal of delight ravaging the one raised to soon lift another.

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

A grandfather clock chimed twelve times signaling the coming of midnight. The bar was still several hours until closing time, but only one patron remained. Every other pony had long since gone to the week long rodeo and the first show of the Wonderbolts. This left the only patron, a lone filly, waiting for Braeburn to return. It had been eight hours and fifteen glasses of cider later with no sign of him. The bartender was content with the silence, ever cleaning the glasses, going over collecting her empties while bringing a new full glass.

Eclipse sat on the same chair Braeburn left her. The only time she got up was to use the little filly's room. Forelegs dangled lifelessly in front of her slouched body. Her chin pressed against the wooden table. An errant hoof poked the dangling cylinder around her neck counting each time it swayed before prodding it again. Dreary thoughts tapped into past paranoia believing that the yellow pony had just dumped her off not wanting to deal with any crisis. These train of thoughts led to further darkness clawing at her psyche. Maybe she did not board the train on accident? What if Vinyl and Octavia had arranged for her to be here? No! Eclipse would not go down such a dead road. Octavia had said it her self, 'No matter what happens, we will help in anyway they can.' Vigorously, her hooves rubbed at her eyes forcing back any tears that wished to be shed. Even if she was to force her depression away, however, she was still stuck in this bar without a place to stay.

Thoughts were broken at sounds approaching from the calm outside the saloon. Three or four voices talked quietly amongst themselves while another obnoxiously shouted, squealed, and hooted. Swinging bar doors slammed onto the inner walls celebrating the arrival of the first of five ponies. The mare was large than most mares in Equestria. Lean, mean, and built like a brick house. An amber pony with chestnut mane and tail, bomber jacket zipped up the front, black lens goggles dangling around her neck. Forelegs had shot out pushing the door out of her way making the loudest arrival she could muster. A cocky, sure of herself smile poised on her lips. “Did you all see that? I swear half the crowd wet their seats when they saw my catch on fire getting out of the straight jacket.” Burnt umber visions twinkled at the memory of her glory.

“Too bad you didn't go with it, Spiral.” The words would only be heard by the four ponies coming up behind the proud mare. Azure blue uniforms hugged every inch of defined muscle. The uniforms covered from everything from hoof to hoof to head leaving only tail, mane, wings, and mouth free of the tight confines. Matching sky blue goggles either rested over eyes, or in one case on forehead. Yellow bolts of lightning were stitched around each ankle and down the belly. On their flanks, where the uniform covered, the proud symbol of the Wonderbolts was displayed; a winged bolt of lightning. Of the four ponies, only the lead had lowered down her hood.

“Play nice.” She warned back to her teammates behind her. Eclipse believed her mane had to be a fire preparing to burst by the vibrancy of the oranges. Her coat, lemon, appeared soaked with sweat over her face. No reason as to why, but Eclipse found herself blushing at the sight of the athletic pegasus. There was nopony around to tell the filly this was normal. Everypony found attraction to this Wonderbolt.

“But, Captain.” One of the three trailing behind the pegasus mare spoke up, but still whispered for the flamboyant earth pony to keep from hearing. “She's a pain in the flank to deal with.”

“Yo, Spitfire! Spittster! How about a game to see who pays for drinks for the night?” The amber mare took still briefly to gaze across the empty saloon. Hope hit the ground as if filled with lead. Spiral Flame grunted kicking one of her hind legs back narrowly missing one of the Wonderbolts. There had been hope of groupies and loose ponies to be had. Knowledge this was a small town thrust from her mind thinking it would suddenly change the fact that morals were in somewhat high demand here. The prospect of one of Spiral's games was almost at its end until she noticed a faint glow across the bar. Until she had noticed Eclipse. “Whoa. Spittster, wouldja lookit that.”

After narrowly judging the buck of Spiral Flame, the other three shot questioning looks in Spitfire's direction. Each of them knew what the amber mare was thinking and they wished no part of it. From here they decided just to take a table near the door and hopefully away from the earth pony. Each raising a hoof for the tender to bring them their first round of hard cider.

The stares of her teammates were daggers on her conscience. Each of them respected her as Captain to tell them their faults, help them succeed, push them further, and ensure the team functioned. As a result, she also had to play baby sitter to a pony who occasionally shared the spotlight in their shows. A pony who Spitfire knew when she was just a rookie. A pony that Spitfire always felt sympathy for because this pony was the pony no one wanted around but was always around; Spiral Flame. “Look at what, Spiral?” Spitfire sighed exasperatedly. Exhausted gaze set to Spiral than to where she must have been looking. “No no no no no.” Spitfire denied shaking her head thrice. The glowing filly was looked at a second time, only then noticing she was watching them in turn. It was moments like this Spitfire was glad she could control the volume of her voice unlike Spiral. “First, she looks too young to be in here or to do your idea of a 'game' with. And second I know myself and the other Wonderbolts are too tired to deal with having to get you out of jail.”

A mock gasp, wide stare with false tears fought back. “Spitster, I would never end up in jail for just talking to somepony. Now, same rules as always.” Spiral made the decision to proceed with or without input from Spitfire. “Whoever gets the filly to do some hot and fire passion in their room tonight buys drinks for the next week.” Broad grin, head leaned down pressing her forehead to Spitfire's. “Come on. You're just like me. Don't matter if it's a pretty filly or a succulent colt.”

Exhausted. The captain of the Wonderbolts was exhausted. From the train ride, ambushed by fans after departing the train, speaking to parental groups over foals mimicking stunts, keeping track of Soarin who seemed to keep wandering off with a yellow colt, the Wonderbolts show, and finally aiding in Spiral's jacket parachute flaming death the Captain was ready to be numbed by alcohol than sleep. There were many things, just at the distance, that Spitfire could say would draw her to at least speak to Eclipse. “Since you made the challenge I get first swing.” It was the last attempt to keep her cool with Spiral. Nerves were 'spiraling' out of control and the last patience she had with the stunt pony was falling at its end. This was a time she wished that Soarin hadn't been doing the vanishing act he had been all day.

“Fine fine. I always make the challenge and you always go first. Just get it over with.” Much to the annoyance of the other three Wonderbolts, Spiral Flame came to sit down with them. She sat between two of the disgruntled ponies tossing a foreleg around each of their withers. “Barky! Hard cider over here!”

It may have been a good thing that Eclipse could only watch the exchange but not hear anything being said. If she had the warnings Vinyl had given her a many times before entering the clubs would have been heeded. Adjusting to sit upright, upright as ponies can do, Eclipse watched the attractive Captain saunter towards her. The smile that was given to the alicorn was equal parts seductive as it was trusting. It was often an instant castle breaker to a pony's defensive walls. Of course, Eclipse hadn't been going three to four nights to clubs with Vinyl not to know that walk and smile meant. Hurriedly, she returned to her partial glass of cider.

“Hey there. All by yourself?” The question was more curiosity than the start of a pick up line. Spitfire motioned a hoof to a chair across from Eclipse rather then besides her. Having now a closer look at the filly, Spitfire was able to fully appraise her appearance. She noticed the usual things ponies would see on Eclipse. Spitfire figured each unique feature had its own story that the filly told and retold countless times before. Consideration was the best course of action and the obvious questions would be ignored.

“Go..Go ahead.” The answer was given promptly. Spitfire wasted no time taking her seat across from Eclipse and the sea of empty mugs. The faint hint of liquid remains gave indication that the filly hadn't been drinking anything to make her tipsy. This was a point in the right direction. “Can... I hel.. help you with something?”

Eye brows quirked searching for something to say. Usually, ponies recognized Spitfire immediately for her position and popularity. She would be bombarded with compliments, questions, and swooning words. This time, however, the filly stared at her without even a hint in her eyes of knowing who she was. Flabbergasted, it was Spitfire who began to stutter nonsensical words until a train of thought could be formed that didn't veer of the tracks. “I was curious as to why, I assume, an underage filly was by herself in a bar.”

A moment, just a brief one Eclipse took, to look at the table with the three Wonderbolts and Spiral, then Spitfire's question would be addressed. Spiral Flame looked absolutely bored. A hoof pushed down into her cider swirling around then flicking the droplets at a random pony at her table. Each of them were prepared to discuss where to hide the body if this continued on.

“I was...was waiting for a po..pony named Braebu..burn. He said he wou..would help me ge..get a room. See I go..got onto the wrong tr..train and they sai..said the tracks we..were out.” Tongue felt dry. Not the dry that had no moisture but the dry where what saliva present was sticky and clung to only small areas of the mouth. The last of her cider was guzzled down with a pleasant sigh.

Intense ping of guilt lodged its self in Spitfire's throat. The name was definitely familiar to her. It was the colt that they had to keep dragging Soarin away from during practice and ran off with after the show had ended. Once again her co-captain's cravings for pie or his libido was causing trouble some somepony inadvertently. “What's your name?”

“Eclipse.”

“I'm Spitfire. Captain of the Wonderbolts.”

“Wonderbolts? I think som..somepony mentioned them ear..earlier but... So... Are you impo..important being the cap..captain?”

“You've never heard of the Wonderbolts?”

“No.. I'm so..sorry. Shou...should I have?”

Spitfire was never a pony to brag about her position. She never wore it on her sleeve, so to speak, or demanded attention for it. A humble Captain, Spitfire was always there for the fans and preferred things on a low key whenever possible. Yet, a pony who had never heard of her or the Wonderbolts cut through her ego as a hot knife through butter. It happened for the second time in the past five minutes. After not being recognized Spitfire had brushed it off with the pony just not believing it could have been her. But now? Spitfire was a mess of unrecognizable mumbles. Off key singing from Spiral was what took her back to reality this time. Glaring back at the other table, Spitfire came to decide it was time. “Listen. Give me a few moments to get something situated and I'll help you out with that room. Let me just go over and talk to my teammates... And if the pony in the jacket says anything to you after I talk to them, just ignore her.” Spitfire pushed her flank back, her fore hooves on the table before her, and raised up. She trotted all fours back to the table, but before she could say a word, Spiral flame was near gallop over to Eclipse.

“My turn!” Spiral shouted back over her shoulder to Spitfire. Even if Spitfire had tried to stop her it wouldn't have worked. Eclipse had been watching Spitfire walk back to the ponies she entered with, but now watched the amber pony rush right to her. There wasn't enough time to try and stop her. Sighs of relief resounded from her teammates and Spitfire decided to go ahead and talk with them about Eclipse. What harm could Spiral do anyhow?

“Excu..Excuse me can I help yo...you?!” Eclipse had begun to speak once Spiral came closer but she felt the desire to shriek slowly after. Spiral Flame came up behind Eclipse in an instant, raising to her hind legs, placing her hooves onto Eclipse's shoulders where she began to rub. The breaking of her personal space, that the two stallions nights prior had done, came rushing back. Without even an introduction, or a hello, Spiral leaned down hotly breathing into one of Eclipse's ears. A sickened shutter rushed into her gut.

“What's say you and I go set a bed on fire?” Husky voice whispered into the smaller pony's ear from Spiral's lips. The amber pony did not notice how Eclipse was trembling, if she had she would have believed it was her touch simply setting the mood.

“Please do..don't touch me.” A tiny voice mumbled.

From across the room Spitfire recognized the signs again. This usually led to the police being called and Spiral being put in jail to cool off. The captain deserted her conversation with her companions raising from her newly taken seat.

“What was that?” Spiral questioned leaning over Eclipse's shoulder to get a better look at her face. Instead, with Eclipse's horn glowing and magic encircling it, Spiral came face to face with the cylinder that was worn around the filly's neck. “What's this?” She spoke up tilting her head glancing at it then back to Eclipse. Her question was shortly answered as a spray of harsh pepper chemical shot out into the Don Juan’s eyes. “AHHHHHHH!!!” The shout was ear piercing and pain filled.

Eclipsed ducked her self down, fore legs pulling her hind legs onto the chair with her to curl her self up. The mare who came into her personal bubble began to violently stumble backwards pressing both her fore hooves to her eyes. Spiral struck chair after table after chair in a blind frenzy trying to get some place to clean her eyes. Frenzied motions, staring through blurred visions, found themselves back to the Wonderbolts' table.

“Here, use this.” One of the other three Wonderbolts chirped up handing over a glass of liquid when Spiral Flame came close by. The stunt pony wasted no time taking the liquid. Through sheer determination she kept her eyes forced open, pouring the glass back to flush her eyes clean. The liquid wouldn't help at all. A strong alcoholic beverage struck her eyes causing another intense scream to echo from her throat. Yet again, Spiral pasted her hooves over her eyes throwing her body somewhere between Eclipse and the Wonderbolts table. Hind legs kicked at the air while her body rolled from side to side. The Wonderbolts, save for Spitfire, were laughing harder than they had in weeks. The bartender grunted not wanting to be the one to clean the mess.

The three members should have been scolded right there for the prank. Spiral Flame was in enough pain that she didn't need more heaped on top. Even if she wanted to lecture on public images to her comrades, Spitfire would have found it hard to say anything with a straight face. The whole scenario was enough to nearly cause her to break out in foalish laughter. In due right Spiral Flame had this coming among other things.

With their conversation over, Spitfire left her teammates once more returning to the trembling alicorn. The poor filly must have had things like that occur regularly if it bothered her that much. “Sorry about her. I didn't expect her to do anything except spout off terrible one liners.” Again, Spitfire chose a seat across from Eclipse to take. If the pony reacted that way to physical contact with Spiral, Spitfire didn't want to risk any of that spray in her eyes trying to calm her down. “My teammates and I talked it out. We're going to give you some bits to get a room for the night. Tomorrow I'll get you in touch with Braeburn. I have a feeling I know what happened to him and it isn't completed his fault.”

It took a moment of thought for Eclipse to release all four of her legs. A returned seated posture and she was ready to listen to Spitfire. It was a generous offer. The mare had only just met Eclipse and was offering to pay for a room until the next day. If Eclipse was able to accept charity from Braeburn then accepting charity from Spitfire would be no different. With an innocent smile, she set her hooves to the table, parting her lips to speak.

“Oh thanks Spitfire!” To Eclipse's right but Spitfire's left, Spiral Flame shot up onto the third of four chairs. The amber pony reached her hooves over, not quite touching Eclipse's but dangerously close. “Look. My deepest apologies for before.” Sincere tones took each of her words. “When I see a beautiful filly, such as yourself, I tend to become nervous and act out of line.” Spiral turned her head to gaze away from Eclipse, feigning tears. Yet, the look she gave to Spitfire told something else.

“Now wait a minute, Spiral.” Spitfire tried to interject.

“I asked my friend to come and speak to you first, but before I could hear what she had to say I rushed over thinking all was well.” False tears fell from burnt umber eyes, Spiral's hooves now holding onto one of Eclipse's tenderly. “I deserved what you did. My friend, Spitfire, told me of your plight.” She sniffed back a sob shaking her head to get her short bangs from her eyes. “So I asked her to see if you'd accept bits for a room.”

“Spiral, this isn't the ti---” Once again, Spitfire was cut off.

“I would feel honored if you would accept my apology and share my hotel suite with me. I have a massive bed that gets so lonely at night.” Spiral Flame closed her eyes turning her head again. She peaked, just barely to get Spitfire's reaction. The plan would have to move fast as Spitfire wasn't one to just idly by for long. There was a feeling of dread when she took the moment to look at Eclipse. The gray pony wasn't reacting to any of it.

Eclipse was a stranger to love. Each and every time before Eclipse had a pony come onto her she gave the same, blank expression not knowing what was happening. This very well may have been the worst way to reject somepony. “Th..thank you but..”

“No... No. I understand. I just get so lonely since...” Another choked sob, Spiral Flame broke from Eclipse flailing her self to reach over onto Spitfire's side. “Spitfire can even tell you. I.. I lost my marefriend a few months ago. Airship fire. It would be nice to just have somepony to hold for once.”

Spitfire was boiling over now. This wasn't a situation that Spiral Flame understood could just be used to get some quick flank. Eclipse was in true trouble. “Hold on a minute, Spiral Flame.” Once more, she attempted to gain control of the situation. Hooves pressed against Spiral's shoulders once the mare was close enough to. She pressed her lips near her acquaintance’s ear letting whispered words out. “Listen, Spiral, look at her wings, at her head and get a clue. Don't do this.”

“Come on, Spitster. Obviously, that's a strap on and those are props. She's just a nice, succulent earth pony. Nothing else.” Spiral Flame shoved a hoof into her friend's mouth to keep her from interrupting again. “So will you, Miss? Will you help me tonight by letting me help you?”

Cheeks flushed, her nerves rattling kept her brain from thinking properly. Quick motions took in the sight of Spiral then to Spitfire. If this is what the lemon pegasus had actually meant by help, then turning it down would have been rude. “Al..alright...”

It was a quick turn of emotions for Spiral Flame. When Spitfire attempted to pull the hoof from her mouth and stop Eclipse in the same motion, Spiral kicked the chair from beneath her. Spitfire's dropped forward thudding her chin first against the table then striking the floor. A sweep of her foreleg, Spiral let several empty glasses unceremoniously fall onto the Captain's head. “Oh.. Oh Spitfire. You shouldn't drink so much.” Spiral sighed moving from Eclipse, ducking beneath the table to now woozy Wonderbolts captain. “See ya in the morning, Spitster, I'll let ya know how she is and when can go drinking on your dime.”

The three Wonderbolts had abandoned their table to rush to their Captain's aid. Spiral knew that if she was to leave with Eclipse it would need to be now or never. Rushing from her chair, she guided Eclipse with a wave of a hoof for her to follow. “Is...Is she going to be alri..alright?” The filly asked worriedly looking back as the two began to depart.

“Don't worry, Spitfire just has a few too many drinks. She... Has had problems like I have. Such a good friend to talk to you for me. Let's let her rest. Her friends can help her. Say...” Spiral held the door of the saloon open for Eclipse to leave first. “What's your name? You may have heard of me. The famous, Spiral Flame? Stunt Pony and bravest pony ever?”

“Eclipse...” The filly replied, yet again looking back at the three Wonderbolts helping Spitfire to her hooves. Was there something she was supposed to know about so many ponies? This was the third or fourth time that the presumption of knowledge was asked for. “Never hear..heard of you. I'm so..sorry.”

Spiral Flame froze in place. Her psych cracking. How could anypony not heard of her? In her own delusion, she was as famous as the Wonderbolts, sexier than Celestia, and had more admirers than Princess Luna. As these thoughts ate at her confidence, her eyes took her to more blissful places staring at Eclipse's flank.

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

The previous night's pursuit to Vinyl Scratch's residence gave a paramount of leads and information. Iron Mind learned Vinyl Scratch lived with her marefriend and, as of a month two weeks prior, her cousin, Cursed Eclipse. Descriptions from the residents painted a perfect picture of Eclipse. She was the pony that Iron sought. He also learned he had been mere hours of catching the trio before they departed for Trottingham. A memory of the train station, something he pushed aside, rushed back to him. He cursed himself for not following such a blatant lead.

Questioning the residents taught him much of the two mares that Eclipse was residing with. Eclipse was a filly who was polite, well mannered, full of life, and enthusiastic about every day. Each pony would remark on her alicorn appearance but chose not to ask further on it. The idea of an alicorn outside of Canterlot was such a taboo thought that many figured she simply dressed as one.

As for the two mares she had been living with, Iron Mind was given a clear picture of the marefriends. Vinyl Scratch was notorious in the condominium complex. Loud music at odd hours, wandering home drunk, over protective of her marefriend, and typically didn't bend with the ways of proper society. An electric blue mane and tail and a coat often described as marshmallow in color. Vinyl was never without a pair of sunglasses or goggles over her eyes. The reason for the apparel seemed to be that she was self conscious over the color of her eyes. It was added to his notes for future interrogation if necessary.

The residents seemed to have much better things to say of the second of the pair, Octavia Philharmonica. A pony with class, dignity, high vocabulary, and the patience of Celestia. A slate gray pony with vibrant black hair. Iron Mind knew the name from her performance at the Gala, among other accomplishments she had achieved through her career. Earth pony musicians were a rarity and of her school were akin to finding a four leaf clover. Certainly she would be much easier to speak with than her counter part.

A trip to Trottingham would need to wait until Iron Mind was certain he gained everything he needed to know. Through the manager of the condominium he had visited Octavia's primary rehearsal and performance locations, then when night came, he went to the clubs that Vinyl performed. How many ponies knew Eclipse was extraordinary. Each of them held the same positive feel for her, often recalling her appearance more than her nature. Some ponies remembered keeping perverts and swindlers away while others kept note that she turned down every alcoholic beverage that was bought for her or offered. Pictures were painted of the marefriends. Iron Mind felt relief that these two had found her versus whom else it could have been.

“Hey, you the one asking about Eclipse?” Iron mind was leaving his final club for the night. A wealth of information was in his mind and on the note pad he had brought with him. A voice caught his attention. The black haired stallion turned to view three ponies approaching from his front and back. He was no fool, he figured what they wanted.

“Yes, I am actually.” He confessed just to save time. His magic tugged at a pocket of his trench coat drawing out a second, empty, note pad and pencil. “I am from a collection's company seeking her out for past due invoices.”

“Well, ya see, we can help ya with where she's at. Come with us, huh?” The one who spoke motioned to an ally across from the club. The guard captain wanted to sigh and ask, 'Really?' to the obvious ploy.

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” His training would come in handy now with a sudden plan. Two ponies kept behind him, as the lead brought him into the ally. Iron Mind knew well enough what would come next. Visions kept on the pony in front of him, watching for the inevitable signal for his companions to strike. When the blow to the back of his head struck him, he faked his fall into an unconscious state.

“Rope em up and let's get 'em back to the meetin place. Handy is supposed to show up for the drop off for our money and I think anything this chump knows can get us a bit more in exchange.” Iron would have smirked. There were thoughts and suspicions that Gold Mind would have sent ponies to search for Eclipse. He'd let them believe they were taking him captive. Iron Mind could withstand any beating they belted out to try and get him to talk. He knew this but they didn't. When the ponies began to work binds around his ankles, he flexed his muscles in the most subtle manner. The increase in mass would allow the ropes to loosen once they had finished tightening. The three would take him captive for now, Iron Mind would let them believe they had the upper hand and could make him talk, but he knew what he was doing. The ponies would regret their course in life.

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

Distance to the hotel was short, but for Spiral Flame keeping up her false, sad appearance, it felt to be miles from the saloon. The false front that was used to trick Eclipse was constantly forgotten about and new lies were spoken to place her back in the complacent state to follow Spiral still. When the lies seemed to become too obvious or blatantly bad, the amber pony resorted to telling of her shows and stunts to try and impress Eclipse. Through the entrance, down the halls, and in front of her suite, Spiral Flame grew giddier by the second at the idea of Eclipse in her bed. “Um... I should probably take a shower. Clean the sweat off. Wouldn't want to be sticky in bed.” Until I get you sticky in bed, my sweet. “Go ahead and climb in. I'll be out in a moment.” Spiral would retreat to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

Eclipse said nothing. She went to wiggle from her saddlebags drawing out her two dolls from their pouch. Sleep was her soul focus as she wield her magic to draw back the covers. Ears twitched hearing the softened sounds of flowing water. With Celestia and Nightmare moon tucked beneath each foreleg, Eclipse was lulled to sleep by the comfort comfort of the bed and softness of the pillow.

There were other plans to be had, or so Spiral Flame believed. With Eclipse no longer watching her, the Stunt pony gave an active little dance, twisted each knob to create a steamy flow, and bounces into the water squealing in delight. Get clean to get dirty. Always liked that idea. Images of the things she wanted to do to Eclipse danced through her mind. A lewd grin turned on her lips. Lather, rinse, repeat, and Spiral had left the shower to quickly dry off. The bathroom mirror, wiped clean of condensation with her hoof, aided Spiral in brushing her hair then applying a small bit of perfume. “Tonight I'm going to shake the bed of an angel.” A sing song voice tipped form her lips. She pranced to the bathroom door. Suppressing her giggles and eagerness, her hooves worked the handle letting her come free of the humid room. “Eclipse, I am extremely grateful that you decided to stay with me tonight...” The pony slid her back along the frame of the bathroom door, facing towards the bed. A sultry smile teased her lips, eyes lulled partially closed watching the bed for movements. There were hopes that her damp appearance would tempt Eclipse without any words, but the truth was heart breaking.

The filly was fast asleep in bed. Her dolls held to her, a dream drawing her to smile in blissful harmony. There were no signs that she would wake from subtle words or actions. Spiral Flame felt her dreams crash around her at the sight. She tip-hoofed towards the slumbering angel peering at the peaceful form. Ears faulted down on her head. Bottom lip quivered as a child who's candy was stolen from them. Something about the way Eclipse slept made Spiral not to even want to wake her. The innocence, or perhaps the calmness created a tension in the stunt pony's brain fighting her urges and just letting her rest.

Hind ankles crossed, Spiral dropped down resting on her rump. Front knees bent to her hind knees, her chin pressed to upturned hooves. All the amber pony did was stare at the bed. She felt the urge to truly cry. So much effort, lies, and even possibly injuring her friend to get the filly to come back with ends this way. The treat was right in front of her for the taking, but even her own broken morals wouldn't let her destroy whatever peaceful dreams caused Eclipse to smile. “But... I was supposed to get lucky...”

Unfulfilled Needs

“Wot? Jus' like that you found somepony who migh' know somethin'?” A rough, feminine voice spoke with a surprised tone.

“Yeah. Practically fell into our laps. Poor fool had a ton of notes on him about the mark too. Think Mister Mine will pay more for it?” A stallion's voice replied to the feminine.

The voices were originating from a burnt out shop front in Old Manehatten. It was the perfect hide out for bandits and thieves taken right out of a crime novel or comic book. This building laid smack dab in the middle of the slums. It was the cheapest place to find a home in Manehatten but with it came its fair share of crime. Not even the pizza delivery ponies bothered coming to this area. Unlike Fillyton, however, this area of Manehatten was not hidden away nor was it only for the washed out ponies. Many thrived to leave, achieved their goals, or used the cheap housing as a foothold to gain better things. The moon was lowering into the West, nearing the hours of the first rays of sunlight.

Standing inside of the building, staring out at the road in front, the owners of the voices continued their conversation beneath an outdoor, overhead balcony. “Yea' I thin' I con git Mister Mine tah get a bit mor' bit' comin' yo way.” The female voice came from the pink feathered griffon, Handy Candy. In one front foot between two talons was a note pad, the other a bag of bits dropped down in front of a male pony companion. “ 'Ere's the first bit of bits for ya. 'Ow what 'bout dis pony ya got. Anythin' else he got on em? He talk at all?”

The pony besides her was a pegasus. Quick on the draw, one wing lowered down to swoop up the bag of bits. “We got him roughed up in the room upstairs. He can take a beating I can tell you that much. Strangest thing though,” The pegasus spoke shaking his head, “He smiled real creepy like once I mentioned you were comin'. Oh that's right.” From beneath the wing opposite of the one that picked the bits, dropped down a golden symbol adorned with Celestia's mark. “He also had this in that coat of his. Think we could sell it?”

Eyebrows quirked a confused motion. Why would a pony be happy knowing she was coming around? Handy Candy laughed it off until the clinking of metal to the cement beneath her feet lead her to stare at the crest below. These ponies had to be some sort of new kind of nitwit not to recognize Celestia's symbol, but Handy Candy did. “Wait a tick. You moron!” The griffin moved her fore hoof grabbing her pony companion by his throat. “It's a setup it is! It 'as to be! Do you know wot dat is!?”

“You're out of your feathered head, Handy!” The pony spoke up placing his wings, and front hooves against Handy's feet. “There's no way it's anything like that. The pony can barely move after what he put him throu---” Words were caught off as above them the painful sounds of two bodies thumping, and muted cries broke through the building.

Then came a sound nopony ever wants to hear. The thump of dead weight hitting the pavement, the cracking of pones snapping like twigs. Handy Candy and the pegasus were deliberately slow in turning their heads to the street. Much to their horror they saw the black haired, steel coat stained with red steaks, bruised and battered. A gash was torn into his right cheek. Left eye swollen and black. From lips turned in an amused smile, words were spoken to the pair. “Griffin. I believe you and I need to have a conversation. About your visit to the hospital, the robbery at the sheriff's office, and your involvement with these hoodlums.” Iron Mind stood on top of the body of a barely breathing, barely alive unicorn. He had used him as a cushion, riding him from the balcony straight to the street. “Do make this easy and give up. Also, you have two things that belong to me. Give them back.” A calm, cool voice demanded.

The pegasus was the first to react. Hind legs kicked Handy Candy's stomach until release was finally granted. “Look, you can deal with that psychopath. I'm not gonna end up like my buddy over here!” Wings shot out, flapping hard to raise himself up, swooping out the store front's broken display window into the air for freedom. The coin purse, held beneath a wing, fell clattering to the ground. No mind was given by the fleeing suspect.

Iron Mind glanced side long towards him. The pegasus wasn't that fast, and Iron Mind's magic was faster. Black energy surrounded a chunk of scattered wood lunging it into the air. A high squeal resounding from the debris caught up to the pegasus. His head turned in time to catch the material against his jaw. Consciousness fled from him while his body spiraled downwards contacting the top of the building with a resounding thud. Iron Mind smirked.

By now Handy Candy realized exactly what kind of day she was going to have. A possibly homicidal pony, the very pony who was chasing her from the sheriff's station, standing before her prepared to do Celestia knows what to her. Pink feathers ruffled as a cold sweat dripped from her brow. Fore feet pushed downwards to the cement ground, still clutching the notepad. If she gave this up, Gold Mine would surely see her dead. An object twinkle in the corner of her visions. The Seal of Celestia coming into notice once more. Free foreleg reached down clutching it up against her palm. She did the only thing she could think of; she threw it right away in hopes of distracting Iron Mind.

No amusement showed on Iron's face. A flat, dead pan expression covered his battered features while his horn glowed catching the seal in mid-flight. “Really? You witness me take down the pegasus and believe I would be foolish enough to turn away from you to run after the seal?” Finally, he stepped off the unicorn he had used on his decent to the ground. Despite the aches in his muscles and bones, the adrenaline fueling him kept the pain minimal for now. “Understand, Griffon, I am willing to let you fly away if you simply answer my questions. As much as I wish to repay you for potentially being the reason the Princess and I were lead into an ambush, and her wounding, there are more important things on hoof.” Tail swished behind him, then lowered down. His body leaned forward, his backside raised up. He prepared to traditionally pounce the griffon. Hold her own with his hooves to her shoulders if he must. Visions narrowed upon his target.

Backing away, further into the burnt out room was her first choice. Even if she couldn't fly within the corridors to her full speed, out maneuvering the other was an option. Handy Candy went to move her hind legs to turn herself, but she was caught in the cold stare of the pony. She felt this kind of terror before. As if staring down the grim reaper and hoping that you would fade before its touch came for you. Each of her feathers moved by her skin and muscles standing on their ends. “By Celestia, you got his eyes.” Memories washed through her brain triggering every sensation that she needed to flee. Yet, years of torment crept in seizing her muscles with paralysis. “Yo're the boss' kid, aintcha? Dear Celestia... You got his eyes.”

“Well, you answered one question I had. Now, give me the note pad and stay still.” He sprang forward, his hooves hammering the ground galloping full speed for the griffon. Panic took over for Handy forcing her weighted legs to move taking her down the hall. Forcing a chase may not have been the wisest of decisions. A wolf chasing a rabbit would appear tame compared to the cunning manner that Iron Mind stayed right behind Handy Candy. Talon feet reached down in front of her knocking whatever garbage or large objects she could down in Iron's path.

Many of the emergency exits had long been barricaded or sealed from the outside. Time felt extended but only mere moments had passed since this trivial pursuit began. “Jus' stay away from me! I ain't tellin' ya squat!” Ducking into a single room finally, the pegasus planted her body firmly against the door she shut behind her. Every bit of the room was taken in for a way out. The few windows were boarded up, the only door was behind her, but the single shining light to her escape was a large hole in the ceiling. She could not have hoped for a more obvious escape route.

Then it hit. A heavy pounding against the door nearly knocking Handy Candy back. Iron Mind had given up trying to simply be kind and polite. He resorted to bucking against the door, as he would do to Candy, the moment he had his hooves on the griffon. “You could have made this easy. But now, I will make sure that you harm nopony else.” The final kick shattered the doors hinges forcing the large, piece of wood to crash down in front of him. The stallion charged in glancing across the hollow room only to find the griffon vacated. The hole in the ceiling the obvious path she had escaped from. Iron Mind wouldn't give up so quickly if he could help it. Back out into the hallway, and into the street, he gave a look into the sky for the griffin's flight path. Going upstairs would have been a waist, most of the roof was gone as it was leaving nothing to hinder her. No pink, no feathers, nothing indicated where she had gone. Disgruntled, Iron Mind sighed turning back to the building. He'd collect his coat, the seal, then make haste for the police station. A moment to stop and check in and he'd be to the train depot for Trottingham.

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

Octavia Philharmonica refused to leave the train station. Fraught with despair over losing their charge, she remained in the lobby of the Trottingham train station until word of what happened to Eclipse would be brought to her. Octavia had been here since the moment that Vinyl and her arrived. Refusing to leave even to take a shower at her parents. A seat, in a row of bolted down chairs, had been confiscated as property of the cellist. Warm blanket wrapped around her shivering body. It did little to combat the increased cold of the region. Styrofoam cups littered the immediate area around her. Some once contained coffee, others vending machine soups, and even others errant bits that ponies dropped believing her to be one of the homeless. The only times she moved was during manager shift changes or to check if any new information presented itself.

It had been near two days since the separation. The staff grew accustomed quickly to seeing her waiting in the lobby. Those who recognized her asked her to sign records they purchased or took their lunch breaks conversing with the cellist. Onlookers and admirers gave their best wishes for hopes she would find the pony she was waiting for. Octavia could only give a smile as thanks less she broke down into tears.

Vinyl, on the other hoof, attempted to pretend she was made of sturdier material. Acting as a go between, Vinyl took the luggage to Octavia's fathers' home. She relayed information to Octavia's parents and her own informing them of Eclipse's missing status and that her marefriend would not be leaving the train station. This spurred Octavia's fathers' to visit her, if only briefly, to try and encourage her to sleep at home. Their words fell on deaf ears and hopes went back to Vinyl to take care of their little cellist.

“Octy, hey come on. It's been a few days you need to come back to the house.” Another trip to the train station, this time with fresh food for Octavia to consume. The DJ had settled herself on a seat across form her lover, watching through crimson shades the tired and worn pony devour several rose and avocado sandwich. The dressing spread used was a specialty of her daddy. The odd stallion of the relationship between her fathers, he was a short order cook at a local diner.

Disbelieved and unamused described the look she gave to Vinyl. There was knowledge that Vinyl wasn't being cruel to their friend's plight, but Octavia couldn't feel a bit betrayed the DJ seemed to give up to easily. “Not until we hear something. Anything. You and I both know that she doesn't know what to do... she...” Her head had to turn lest Vinyl see the tears pooling. A hoof set to her chin in a vain attempt to calm the quivering muscles. “Even if it's just letting us know she received one of the messages we sent out, it's enough.”

Empathetic to the emotions of her mate, Vinyl closed the distance between them taking a seat besides her avoiding the debris of used cups and plates. Foreleg moved wrapping around Octavia's quivering mass pulling her face against the white pony's chest. Her horn lit up pulling the blanket around them both. “Listen, I know what you may say, and no I'm wasn't rash or being thick. But I told both our 'rents about Eclipse.”

Violet eyes raised to stare at Vinyl's face. Octavia wasn't sure if she believed her or if this was some lure to get her to come back to the house. “Why? Eclipse is scared enough as it is of somepony knowing about where she came from. Think about what it took for her to open up to us as it did.”

“I know that.” The tone of her voice took a stern, but not angry toll. “But you remember as well as I do what happened the last time we had a major fight. She did some crazy things that I've never heard nopony doing. Now don't get me wrong,” She set a hoof to take a hold of one of Octavia's, “I'm not saying she's freaky for it or it's bad, but if she gets into that state again it could be loads of bad. My mom and your dad, the one with the freaky knife collection and obsession with horror movie reels, have connections in Canterlot. Which I think we should sleep in separate beds when we get to the house, your dad showed me a new knife he called the 'Marshmallow skinner' and I'm scared. But...” Vinyl exhaled through her nostrils sucking in a fresh breath through her mouth. “Even they found it odd Princess Celestia would actually want somepony dead. We'll have our folks send a letter to the castle and get it all figured out. Then, we go home and get back to our new organized lifestyle you like so much until I do something stupid to mess it up, we fight, and have makeup sex.”

Vinyl winced feeling the hard jab of a hoof against her ribs. She had it coming and knew this. It only increased the daring smile she flashed down to Octavia. They embraced beneath the blanket, in the middle of the lobby on the joined chairs. There was the occasional pony who seemed to not care for the affection shown, but most didn't mind. The pair enjoyed the warm embrace of each others bodies until a stout stallion in a blue blazer and match cap came to approach them. “Miss Philharmonica? I have some news for you.”

“Aw come on, dude, we just got a nice mood going.” An open groan from the DJ met with another hoof into her ribs. The pair stared hard at one another then broke into a smile returning to stare at the stallion.

He was one of the train employees who Octavia often sought out during the past days. Helpful and diligent to answer anything that was asked of him. This time, he seemed to fidget in place tapping each hoof against the ground in a rhythmic manner. “First, it's time for you to leave the station. We understand your desire to stay but it isn't doing any pony any good for you to remain, including your self. Go home, take a shower, get some rest because...” His voice trailed off averting his eyes. He was not trained to give bad news but it was news to give. “I'm afraid no news will be coming from Appleloosa. After the last train, the train your friend boarded, arrived several miles of track between Appleloosa and Las Pegasus, then Las Pegasus and Eastern Equestria vanished. No signs of it being dragged away or anything. Just gone. I'm afraid if we were to get a message there, it would still take several days. Even the fastest flier in Equestria can't fly for a full day and night without rest.”

“Let's go to my parents' home, Vinyl.” The better mood Octavia obtained had vanished all at once. The gray pony felt her world turn from a momentary rainbow back into a dreary forecast. Hooves worked to remove the blanket from her and Vinyl's bodies being careful to fold it up into a neat square shape.

Vinyl glared death at the station employee. Glasses slid down to the tip of her snout as she wished bloody death on him. It wasn't his fault that there was bad news to give. Nor was it his fault that Octavia's uplifted mood was suddenly shattered, but Vinyl wanted to blame somepony. “Thanks for that.” Mumbles hid the poison laced in her words.

“We'll clean up the mess. Go ahead and go home.” There was no mind given to Vinyl's attitude. He would simply pass it off. A moment was taken letting the two ponies gather their belongings then leave. Others came with a broom, rag, and bucket to clean up the spot that Octavia had claimed as her home. There was hope that the next time they saw them, it would not be for reservations to sleep on their hard chairs.

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

Mornings in Appleloosa tended to be quieter than the Wonderbolt captain was used to. Be it Cloudsdale or Canterlot, there was always constant noise from the higher populations just before the sun rose. Sure, the ponies of Appleloosa woke early to tend to their farms but most work didn't occur close to the city limits. The birds chirping was chirpier perhaps due to the fresh air. Sunlight through the window was clearer. Everything just felt more perfect in this small community.

When Spitfire awoke, her front hooves pushing to the bed raising her upper half up, she turned her head to the window. Lips turned upright in a lazy smile. Today there was not supposed to be training nor any show. No small part being from the train's lack of use to give them this break. She had forgotten, if only temporarily, the drama of last night. Choosing instead to not deal with any disaster Spiral Flame may have caused. Spitfire's choice would be ignored by the hands of fate. Small pinging noises against the glass pulling her muddled head out of drowsy clouds. The warm embrace of her bedsheets and the lazy comfort of her mattress was abandoned in an attempt to learn what sound came against the glass of her window. The closer she came, the louder it became. Head tilted forty five degrees to the left, narrowed visions watching small object fall from above down onto the sheet glass. Finally in front of the window, Spitfire leaned her head forward and up staring at the sky.

A shadow formed quickly from above. The sound of wood splintering and glass breaking was like an explosion on such a quiet morning. A heavy presence crashed against Spitfire's body slamming her back against the ground sliding her, and it, across the wooden floor. It was a miracle of Celestia and Luna that Spitfire remained unharmed, if not shaken, at the sudden battery. “Spitster!” The familiar voice cried out bringing the Wonderbolt Captain to openly groan. She didn't want this so early in the morning. “I need your help, man, it's the worst thing! The worst possible thing!”

“Get. Off. Me. NOW!” Sprawled across the floor, her head pounding with a headache, Spitfire hadn't bothered to look up when she shouted. Spiral Flame sat on top of her, front hooves on the yellow pony's shoulders shaking her back and forth in her panic state. Through flame mane Spitfire turned to stare at the pony above her. She twisted her body enough to draw her hind legs upwards, set her hooves against Spiral's rump, and bucked sending the stunt pony against the far wall. “What is it you want this time?” She huffed pushing back to all fours. “What could possibly be so bad that you break into my room through my window?”

The body of the amber pony smacked against the wall mimicking a fly against a windshield. Spiral's body slid down slowly along the wood wall following a high pitch squeak. Once her flank touched the ground, she fell backwards sending a thin layer of air blowing from beneath her. Eyes had crossed from the unexpected blow. She never knew Spitfire could react like that. Eyes were crossed watching the ceiling swirl in two distinct images. Hooves clopped further from her followed by the squeaking of a mattress. Spiral shot upwards as a fire cracker hunkering her upper half down near the floor, turning her head rapidly this way and that. She wanted to take in everything around her, re-associating herself for where she was at. Calm enough to speak, the amber pony stared at Spitfire who had returned to her bed sanctuary. “It's horrible! I couldn't do it. I took her back but didn't get anywhere. We slept. Only slept! Nothing else! At all! Not even a good night peck or good morning quickie!”

Spitfire was once more rested back onto her bed. The sheets covering from her midsection down, she was raised sitting up pressing her back to the head rest of the bed. Forelegs crossed over her chest, she turned her head staring away from Spiral Flame seemingly at some invisible presence that was watching their actions, her eyes asking the question 'What is wrong with this mare?'. It was too early in the morning on such a beautiful day to deal with the hysterical ramblings of a lecher. “Where do I begin? First. I don't care. I warned you that there is something different about her, but you go ahead, slam my chin into a table, then dump empty glasses on me to escape with her.” A hoof pressed to Spitfire's face. “Now, when she seems to have no interest in you, you break into my hotel room seeking advice. Why?”

Spiral Flame was near the bed now, leaping on top with her back first bouncing twice before settling. Spitfire used all her self control not to buck the mare away from her again. “Well, you and I do these contests so often I figure you must have been turned down after a win before, right?” She twisted her body moving to all four knees, eagerly waiting for some reply from Spitfire.

“Actually, no. Once we leave I bid them goodnight. I am not some sex obsessed, horny, fillynizing, coltnizing, egotistical pony who needs a constant reaffirmation by bedding anything with four horseshoes.” What Spiral was doing now was any pony's guess. Spitfire lowered her crossed legs in preparation for anything this mare might try at this point. “And I also warned you, I'll say this again, that there is something different about the filly. Did you finally see that her horn and wings are not some earth pony costume? Well?” A lecturing teacher's tone lashed out. “Ever think that she maybe an alicorn? And thus, by some chance, royalty?”

“Nah not a chance. One wings some bat thing. I poked it trying to wake her up during my hip sway dance I use if the pony's not yet interested.” She thumped one of her fore hooves against her chest in pride. “Works seventy five percent of the time.”

Again, Spitfire looked away from Spiral at the imaginary being perhaps watching their exchange. A return to the other pony started with a sigh. “That doesn't matter. She said she boarded the wrong train. She's not even supposed to be in Appleloosa. Consider this, as well, how many ponies have bat wings? Luna's guards do, nopony else. ”

Chestnut mane fell down across Spiral's face. Distance appeared in her eyes while her face emitted gloom. “None of that matters. I don't care if she turns out to be a princess. You gotta help me Spitster. I was so worked up and ready last night... Then to have her just fall asleep. I couldn't even bring my self to wake her. That pony looked so tender and sweet, sleeping with these two toys I couldn't try to wake her to even kick her out for just going to sleep like that...”

“Now you're sounding both pathetic and creepy.” Spitfire commented grunting at Spiral's selfish remarks.

“Help me, Spitster. Take my desire away!” It happened all at once. What was a conversation about the stunt pony being turned down suddenly changed in a flash. Spiral's fore hooves reached forward, her hind legs kicking against the bed to launch her the short distance towards Spitfire. “If I can't have her I'll take you!” She shouted closing the few feet between the other on the bed.

Much as before, Spiral wouldn't be ready for the reaction to her action. The door to Spitfire's hotel room was knocked right open by the flying stunt pony. The Wonderbolts Captain as not going to just let the other assault her without giving out a few pumps and bruises of her own. Therefore, she twisted her self to buck the earth pony out of her room with one, mighty kick.

“Don't you dare try to come back in here without cooling off you ungrateful whelp.” The door was slammed closed as Spitfire rushed to it to keep Spiral from rushing back in.

Spiral Flame was left, upside down smacked against the hallway wall. Her head tilted forward with the back of her neck resting at the corner between wall and floor. She was at an impasse. There had to be another pony she could seek for help with this. If she couldn't get relief, then maybe someone who knew rejection could lead her on the path to handle trying once more. Out of the Wonderbolts there was just one pony she could turn to now; Soarin.

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

In the hotel room between another Wonderbolts' and Spitfire's, moments before Spitfire's wonderful mood had been ruined, Soarin and Braeburn laid in each others embrace. Since the Wonderbolts' show ended, Soarin had whisked Braeburn away to the hotel. Neither held a care for anypony else in the world, only caring for the feel of fur and sweat. The glow of harmony radiated from their desire and affection. For hours they held a silence preferring to speak through movements. When the sun came to rise in the early hours, exhaustion finally set in but sleep only came to one.

The hotel room had seen better days. Some furniture was overturned while others were a shadow of their former condition. Towels and blankets strewn about as if a tornado had ripped right through. Braeburn's vest had been tossed nonchalantly on top of a dresser. The corner of the headboard acted as a hat stand for the cowpony's signature attire.

“Soarin?” Braeburn whispered poking a lone hoof against his lover's chest. With only mumble returned, the cowpony pressed harder to Soarin's light blue chest. “Soarin!” The name spoke up louder. By now, Braeburn narrowed his eyes with the lack of response. “SOARIN!” Voice raised higher than he had wanted it too. Red tinging his cheeks and Braeburn pulled the covers higher to his neck. Paranoid glances shot across the room expecting to hear somepony pounding against the walls for them to quiet down.

“Mraw.. Whun.. Huh?” Tired eyes finally graced Braeburn with their presence. Soarin attempted to form words but only managed to sound drunk on something other than love. Errant hoof came brushing back the perspiration soaked mane from his face. “Whazzit up, Braeby?” Drunken laughter rolled from his throat squeezing his eyes closed. When his head hit the pillow, he began to lull back to the siren's call of slumber.

“Wake up you Apple pie addict!” Hind hooves lightly bucked across the bed at the short distance between the pair. “We need to talk a bit before we have tah get out there. And it t'aint fair that you just go back to sleep!” Tail lashed beneath the covers conveying his growing sour attitude. “We need to talk.”

'We need to talk.' They were perhaps the most frightening four words to hear in sequence from somepony you cared for. If Soarin glared at Braeburn now he'd only find himself kicked out of the warmth of his bed. Worse yet, he wouldn't get any apple pie later. Crooked elbow raised a hoof to let Soarin's prop his head up. Even if he managed to say the right string ow rods now sleep would no longer come to him. “What's up, Braeby? Something bothering you, dude?”

“Our relationship. We're together, but we're free to sleep with anypony. You and I,” Braeburn made it apparently who he meant waving a hoof between them, “Are in a relationship but allow ourselves to be with others. We both like mares. We both like colts. We even talked about finding a mare for us to have a foal with.”

“Right, foal. Last time ya mentioned that you didn't even have a mare mind. That change at all?” Soarin knew better than to outright squash Braeburn's dreams. When the yellow colt looked away, a light blue hoof drew him back to his coltfriend's eyes. “Come on, dude, let me know.”

Braeburn sucked in a tight breath of air. Partly audible sounds of glass breaking then shouting caught their attention for a brief moment. It sounded close, but not within their room. Perhaps next door? The cowpony went back to the task at hoof. Cradled by Soarin's hoof, he rested his head against the flat surface. “Well, she's an earth pony who works at the copper mill right on the other side of town.”

“Can she cook?”

“Always comes back to food for you don't it? Yes she can cook just fine. She's a fan of yers and thinks I'm sexy. So it works out. The pony seemed to like the idea of two gentlecolts at her beck and call. But...” Braeburn sat up as he shifted his weight to rest down against his flank. He pressed his back against the headboard of the bed, tilting to stare at the ceiling. “It all comes down now to us.”

Soarin was no fool. He mimicked his coltfriend's actions sitting up besides him. His right leg curling over pulling Braeburn to his side. “I know whatcha mean, Braeby. I'm not ready to give up being a Wonderbolt. Appleloosa is your home. We make it work with you taking a week here and there to follow us on tour. Meeting on every other weekend in Las Pegasus and constant letters. These things work now but with a foal in the picture...”

“I know. Asking ya to give up whatcha like just like that wouldn't be right.” Braeburn sighed resting his head onto Soarin's shoulder. “Should I tell her we can't and just keep it social between her and I? Or maybe just take a deeper talk into it...” The shouting next door came up again, this time the painful sound of a pony hitting something hard came from the hallway followed by the slamming of a door. The two colts glanced at each other now wondering if they should go see what it was.

“Look, we know what the options are if we do somethin like that. We can't both marry her and she can't marry us. Ponies are accepting of a lot but actual marriage vows that unusual are still in the talks. Heck, you told me yourself that you still get hounded by someponies over datin me. But thanks to your buffalo friends always giving them a good ram of their horns for bothering you.” Soarin scoffed crossing his forelegs at his waist now. “I swear, there's always somepony who can't leave another pony alone. Oh! Speaking of pie.” Braeburn blinked shaking his head. Who mentioned pie? “You're gonna make me some pie before I leave, right?”

“Real subtle to get onto a new subject.” No matter what he couldn't get mad. A bit of laughter Braeburn wiggled himself over to the edge of the bed. “Course I'm making you my pie. Every Apple in the Apple family bakes pie.” Ears flattened back against his blonde mane. “And I always make you pie.”

“Thank Celestia. I love the smokey taste of your pie, but Caramel adds caramel to his and it's just not the same.” Scratching a hoof behind his head, it took Soarin a few seconds to realize what he had said. He had spoke of something he swore to himself he didn't want to bring up until he had to. There was no need to face Braeburn to begin feeling the tinge of suspicion.

“When did you have Caramel's pie?” Soarin felt disaster quickly approaching. “Wait... You're the pegasus that Caramel kept yapping about last time I was at Cousin AJ's farm!” Braeburn came right across the bed nearly leaping on top of the pegasus. His fore hooves pushed down against the light blue pony's wings pinning him against the bed. “Dang it, Soarin! We made a promise that if we happened to get with each others kin at anytime we'd tell the other! This is gonna cause an uproar like you've never seen!” Braeburn was boiling over. He had seen it happen enough times at family reunions. Kin attempting to steal another kin's mate only to end up breaking family apart. Teeth ground together trying to decide if he should push down harder against the sensitive appendages or begin smacking his coltfriend from here to Canterlot.

“Li...listen to me, Braeburn. It was an accident! Honest!” The line 'He came onto me' brushed his thoughts but feared what such a proclamation might draw out. His wings. Such a sensitive part of the pegasus created shivers through his body. If only Braeburn knew what this kind of play was doing to him right then he may have taken a different approach. “I was.. hoping the.. three of us could make.. pie together...” Breathing became labored, his words drawn out between each pant. He tried to stay focused but the play to his wings only caused his legs to squirm beneath him.

There it was. Braeburn had been stunned to silence. There were two ideas that planted seeds in his mind. Soarin could have meant either and either did not turn over well for him. The Apple Family was notorious for being proud ponies. Each of them knew better than to try and but into the kitchen if one was cooking something. There were a few exceptions but they were far between. “By pie, t'aint mean...”

The shocked expression of his coltfriend did little to stop his brain from sending signals out to stop his words from leaving his mouth. “I was thinking maybe Caramel, you, and me could do some baking sometime when we all get together. Ya know an Apple Family Pegasus pie.” It finally struck him what he had just done wrong. Soarin found himself unable to look at Braeburn's face.

Growls took the blue pegasus back to stare at the pony above him. “Soarin... You idiot...” Shadows from Braeburn's mane darkened his face keeping his expression hidden. The pressure of hooves down on Soarin's wings changed from pleasure to a sharp pain as the edges of horse shoes sunk against the flesh.

THUMPThe noise was a blessing for Soarin as it took Braeburn's focus from him to the door of their hotel room. It was loud and focused solely on the door. The two ponies looked away, to each other for some sign that the other may know what caused such a strong blow.

THUMP. Again. It happened, this time both ponies jumped in surprise landing side by side at the top of the bed.

THUMP Fore legs tossed around one another holding close. Braeburn and Soarin's bodies began to tremble. There had been horror reels of what laid behind doors where such sounds came from. These two ponies were brave, but the uncertainty and unknowing chased their nerves right out the window. It was day out, broad day light, yet something pounded on their door.

“Soarin!” A cry came just as the door gave way. It split down the middle, horizontally, sending the two large planks crashing down on opposite sides of the hotel's floor near the bed. Hind legs first, Spiral Flame had launched herself with the last buck against the defense from intrusion. For an earth pony she managed to fly across the room landing squarely between the two hugging lovers breaking them apart. Hooves kicked and scraped the sheets of the bed as she scrambled to right herself between them. “Soarin! I need your help. Spitster was useless.. Now you're my only hope!” Spiral had turned to him with her hooves onto his quivering shoulders. Neither colts had managed to recover from their initial scare.

Awkward silence filled the room like an enigmatic fog. Every second felt like an hour until Braeburn's throat clearing gave a reprise from the stand still. It took the cowpony to finally break the monotony. “ 'Scuse me, miss, but what pray tell are you doing... Barging in here, landing on the bed with us, and now demandin' Soarin help ye with somethin'?”

Spiral shook Soarin a few more times while disregarding the other for now. When the light blue pony began foaming at the mouth, she dropped him aside and twisted back to Braeburn. “He's broken. Maybe you can help. See, last time I brought this filly back to my hotel room.” Without so much as Braeburn asking if he could help, and having his questions ignored, she began her tale. This time she placed her hooves to his shoulders, ignoring the clear and present intrusion she forced on them. “Flank so firm you could eat off of. Glowing eyes... Weird freaky hair, betcha it holds on real nice when you're...” Spiral winked jabbing a knee against Braeburn's ribs. “Yeah, you get what I'm saying.” Her eye brows wiggled in a suggestive manner. “Spitster thinks she's some sort of alicorn but anyway...”

Braeburn twitched then froze up. His left eye went wide, but the pupil and iris shrunk down to pinprick size. Right eye shrunk and his lips parted as the bottom trembled. This twisted reaction of mix-mashed emotions only gave heed for Spiral to shake him harder till Braeburn finally uttered out, “This here pony... Her name happen to be Eclipse?”

“Whoa? Are you a wizard?” Spiral laughed giving a hard smack to Braeburn's shoulder. “Yeah! I got her to come to my room, but she fell asleep before we could do anything.” She suddenly wished she had a bowl of ice cream as she withdrew from Braeburn and moved to pull the covers over her body. She remained still, between the pair, now crossing her forelegs loosely in front of her. “So I came to Soarin here on how to handle rejection. You wouldn't believe how many fans end up shying away when they run out of pie and he just asks for more!” She chortled obnoxiously. “But seriously,” Spiral spoke up to Soarin, “Snap out of it and give me some pointers! I wanna bag this filly before the rodeo ends here!”

There was silence from the two colts. Soarin was gradually returning back to a stable focus. “Hey, shut up, would ya, Spiral? And get out of our bed!” Wings flared up in an attempt to appear larger than the muscular mare next to him. His hooves smacked down onto the matress bouncing the three of them up a hoof. “I don't care about your problems!” What happened next had both colts' faces painted red.

“Oh ho ho! I see two ponies giving me a salute.” Spiral spoke up pulling the sheets up enough for her to peer beneath. Her other fore hoof went to her forehead saluting down to what laid beneath the covers. “So that's why you want me to leave, huh?” Spiral rubbed Soarin's ribs with her knee while roaring with laughter.

He couldn't take anymore. It came back to him so suddenly, the pony he had promised to help but forgotten about. He went to Soarin the day prior in hopes of getting her with the Wonderbolts to get home. If anypony could leave without the train it would be them. Sadly, as it did every time they met, Braeburn was swept up by Soarin and pulled away right to the hotel room when the show ended. Now, he scrambled to leave the bed, Soarin, and the crazy mare behind. “Which room is yers?” The question as barked out with urgency.

“Well, it's at the end of the hall... Not the end with the stairs but the other side. Why? Not trying to steal my catch are you?” Spiral and Soarin watched Braeburn leave the bed, snag his hat with his mouth, then gallop straight for the doorway and out.

He took a moment to glance back and forth before choosing the proper direction. In seconds he was out of sight of the two ponies still in bed. Soarin growled flapping his wings lifting him from beneath the covers and comfort. “Dang it, Spiral! I was enjoying a good time and you came and ruined it again.” He snarled at the confused stunt pony before dropping down in front of the bed. “Braeburn! Wait!” He called forward chasing on his hooves after his colt friend.

Spiral set a hoof against her chest. There was no explanation why she felt a ping of pain there. Something in Soarin's words, how he appeared seemed to cause her normal, tough mare attitude to wither if only temporarily. Spiral was finding a common trend. She'd make her arrival which should be welcomed by all ponies but end up with them shouting. Shaking her head she deemed it that they were simply not good enough for such a high esteemed pony as herself. Smirking, she disembarked from the bed to follow behind the other two.

Little time was wasted breaking into Spiral's hotel room. Well, it would have been breaking in if the door had been locked. After his encounter with the stunt pony moments ago, the way she spoke of 'bagging' the filly, and her overall abhorrent attitude, he wished not to leave Eclipse in her care. “Look, lil' missy, I'm terribly sorry about last night. I didn't mean tah just leave you there like that.” Braeburn blurted out his apology before it occurred to him that the room was empty. Standing in the doorway while scanning the room gave nothing to tell him where the pony had gone initially. The bed was made and set on the pillow a parchment set out for whoever found it.

When Braeburn ventured within to collect the letter, he heard three voices speak up from the hall. He recognized them all; Soarin, Spitfire, and that annoying earth pony. “The hotel manager came to talk to me about the problems you're causing, Spiral.”

“Yeah, she busted into my room just a moment ago!” Soarin scoffed glaring at the amber pony.

“Hey, it's not my fault you can't lock a door.” Spiral countered back poking a hoof to his chest.

“It was locked! You broke it down!” Angrily, he knocked the pony's hoof away from him. Both now set into a death glare, butting their heads together.

Recognizing only a problem, Spitfire forced herself between the pair and spread her wings to separate them. “Calm down the both of you! First off, Spiral you are going too bucking far!” The pegasus twisted herself to face the earth pony. “You caused a still unknown amount of damage and all you care about is a bit of tail. Grow up and back. Down. NOW!”

The shout came with surprise to Spiral. All she could do was stutter. This was the third or forth time in two days she had to deal with Spitfire yelling at her. She clenched back what she wanted to say, instead glaring into her bedroom. “Hey! Get away from that bed! Whatever she left is mine!”

Braeburn counted down from ten to cool his head. Just listening to the stunt pony left him fuming hotter than watching Soarin flirt with his fans. “Listen, all it says is that Miss Eclipse is going to the train station to wait for a train. Little Missy has no idea that the train ain't comin for maybe months. T'aint right to leave her there, so I'm going to go and talk to her again.” The note in his mouth, the cowpony returned to the door dropping the parchment down in front of Spiral. Cold stare was set upon Spiral. “She even graciously thanks you for being so kind as to let her sleep with ya while she was scared about finding a place. Somepony like you doesn't deserve that kind of regard.” Braeburn scoffed, removing his attention from the stunt pony. “Hey Soarin? Think you and Spitfire can come with me? I wanted tah ask you two iffin you could help with 'er.”

“Course, Braeby, just lead the way.” Soarin pounded his own chest with his hoof while flashing a charismatic grin.

Spitfire nodded waiting for the two colts to go ahead. She turned a moment giving a side long glance to Spiral. “Unless you plan on doing something other than trying to get the filly in bed, just stay here or go to the saloon. You'll be in the way of doing something rare for you. Ya know, helping somepony.” Lightly kicking the ground, she turned on her heels stepping to follow behind her two companions.

Pain struck Spiral in her chest. It wasn't a familiar feeling but it was the second time today it struck her. Spiral dropped back onto her haunches watching the ponies leave her behind. Spitfire was supposed to be her friend but she had just reprimanded her twice and even talked down to her. “Now just hold on! I'm coming to!” She shouted out raising up to all fours. Speak to her like she was worthless? This wasn't something Spiral Flame was going to just let stand. She took off after the other three ponies.

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

There were not many ponies at the train station. Knowing that the trains would not be running for estimated months, they chose to spend their time in other places to wait. The rodeo wouldn't be affected. The ponies involved were already going to be here for several days.

Eclipse made a beeline path to the train station stopping only to acquire breakfast with the few bits she had in her saddlebags. She hoped that the letter she had left would be sufficient in relaying her thanks for aid rendered. There was guilt that she was too hasty in leaving, but with how upset Spiral seemed to be over her lost lover. Hanging onto somepony else wasn't an option either. Eclipse needed to return to Octavia and Vinyl lest they worry too much.

There was something peaceful, though, being out here. Eclipse rested back on her haunches occasionally wiggling her flank to readjust her saddlebags. Each turn of her head brought a sway to the chain that the pepper spray was attached to. The few workers still remaining gave Eclipse a wide birth to move around. They warned of the train track's condition again, but she only smiled and went to wait by the boarding dock. From this place she took, the desert was visible and wide spread before her glowing eyes.

Everything could be taken in with a careful turn of her head. Many pony argued that this was nothing but a desolate wasteland where nopony should try to survive. Eclipse saw something more then that. So much more was to be seen. Where there appeared to only be death and dying, there was the subtly of life. The desert tortoise and the desert hare seeking out shade and sparse locations of food. Cacti and small plants grew their roots deep underground to gain access to the moist depths below. The clean air did wonders for Eclipse's feelings, as it felt to have a rejuvenating effect on a weary soul.

She was saddened to be away from her friend. Naught three days past she felt homesick for the musical mares and the bed they gave to her. There was longing for the late nights at the clubs or the class and dignity of the lunches with the orchestra. She hadn't known the life for long but she loved it all the same. Before, Eclipse knew only the faded walls of the cellar. Now, she saw sunlight every day, and stared at the stars and moon every night. Even with her sadness she felt glad to have gotten lost. Eclipse would never had the chance to see the desert if she hadn't.

She giggled faintly placing a hoof to her lips. Leaning her head back, her wings extended letting the wind hold her up. Deep breaths filled her lungs with the sweet air. Thank you, everypony for these gifts. Rainbow Dash, the kind Nightmare Angel ponies, Miss Octavia, Miss Vinyl. Tears brimmed on the bottom of her eyes. Such gladness flowed through her. Momma would always tell me how much there was to see. But, she's not here to see it with me. Just as her elevated mood had lifted her up from her ill feelings of longing, she returned to the dark passage of depression. Momma...

No sooner had she lowered her wings, sat back down, and lowered her head, did she raised back up the sound of somepony calling her name. “Eclipse! Lil' Missy!” It was Braeburn's voice that took her attention away from the hounding darkness. Bright visions trailed from her hooves straight towards the galloping yellow pony. Behind him Eclipse would see three ponies more; two of which she recognized as Spiral Flame and Spitfire.

“Oh. Mis..mister Braeburn. Ho..How are you?” Eclipse politely asked bowing her head forward once. Raising to all fours Eclipse moved to face the four ponies who quickly closed the distance between them.

Partially out of breath, Braeburn skidded to a stop before the alicorn. “Are you alright? I'm dreadfully sorry I left ya in saloon to wind up with a lecher pony. Listen, I know you're in a might bit of trouble, so I asked my friends here for some advice.” Spiral scoffed at Braeburn's assertion of her being a lecher. “I met with a friend and he pulled me away before I could help. He can be a bit thick like that.” It was Soarin's turn to scoff.

Peering back at Spitfire, to Spiral, then to the still unknown Soarin, Eclipse looked finally at Braeburn. “I do..don't want to trou..trouble anypony.”

“Listen. It's no trouble at all.” Spitfire chimed in. “Somepony, such as yourself, probably shouldn't be out with no help, right?” Indeed, Spitfire, Soarin, and Braeburn, ignoring anything Spiral had to say, discussed Eclipse and her situation during the gallop to the train station. It was decided amongst them that if she was somepony important, getting her back home quickly was the wisest course of action. “But I'm curious, you were on the same train as I was, and that came from Manehatten... Shouldn't you be trying to go to Canterlot?” Soarin and Braeburn nodded their heads in agreement to the question.

Spiral huffed at being left out. She was warned numerous times on the trip here to not do anything stupid. If she wanted to help, then she was to listen and think before opening her mouth to talk. For now she did just that. Spiral felt something whenever she stole a peak at Eclipse. The glowing eyed filly was something certainly special. A deep pounding in her chest surfaced, not at all like the usual lustful feelings she was used to.

Reverently, Eclipse shook her head. She couldn't go to Canterlot, ever. There should have been knowledge that Gold Mine would have lied to her, yet the fear still held fast in her. “N..No. My frie..friends live in Manehatten bu..but are in Trottingham I be..believe.” She blinked a few times when the ponies, save for Spiral, brought their heads together to converse then broke out soon after.

“Might I ask their names?” Spitfire inquired stepping up to stand besides Braeburn.

“Octavia Phil..Philharmonica and Vinyl Scratch.”

“Whoa! You live with DJ-Pon3!?” The colt that Eclipse did not know suddenly jumped in front of the group. Both of his hooves took a hold of one of her's with an erratic shaking. Eclipse did not give the reaction that Soarin would have hoped for.

“Um...” Caution was taken, her horn glowed raising the pepper spray defensively. Spitfire remembered what happened to Spiral Flame the prior night and moved to pull Soarin back before his visions were clouded.

“Sorry about that. I don't think you've met him, judging by the reaction. He's my second in command, Soarin.” Spitfire moved a hoof thumping it against the light blue pegasus' chest. “He can be a bit thick, as Braeburn mentioned earlier.” Soarin laughed nervously when Eclipse's magic released the cylinder to let it dangle from her neck harmlessly. “Anyway... Yeah I've heard of both of them. They've both played for the Princess at a few celebrations she's held. Good ponies if I ever heard of any.” Still, they were not royal attendants. Finding perhaps her line of thinking Eclipse to be royalty to be naught, she went ahead with her original plans. “Hear. The only way to get to Trottingham or Manehatten for that matter is by airship for the fastest travel. Even then it's two days carriage to Las Pegasus which has the only airship port close by.”

“O..oh.” Ears fell back, cast down along her crystalline hair. She could not look at the four ponies while her mind drifted into thoughts. It all sounded terribly expensive, far more than she could afford even if she hadn't bought breakfast this morning.

Spiral Flame felt a tinge of pain in her chest for the third time today. Something about Eclipse's sad eyes, her exposed weakness caused Spiral's own mood to falter further. She didn't understand any bit of it. Normally seeing somepony in distress would leave her to shrug it off and go back to her own loving life lifestyle. Errant hoof dug against the wood beneath her, glancing away from the four ponies.

“But, don't worry. Being Wonderbolts gives Soarin and I a great deal of pay. We want to help a nice pony like yourself get home. We'll give you bits for the stage coach, and even give you bits for the airship. Think of it as us giving back to fans.” Spitfire could have pointed out that Eclipse wasn't a fan nor even knew who the Wonderbolts were, but the devil was in the details. “Staying in Appleloosa, while a great small town, wouldn't do good for somepony who doesn't want to be here.”

“And this'll help make up for me abandoning ya like that yesterday.” Braeburn suggested trying to laugh off the foolish error he made.

Looking between each of their smiling faces, Eclipse nodded her head. “Al..alright. I'll accept.” There was trying in her smile. She wanted to be glad that they were willing to part with so many bits in order to help her, but she felt wrong all the same. The filly raised to her hooves ready to follow wherever they would lead.

“Perfect. Let's head over to the Stage Coach station and get you on your way home.” Spitfire smiled warmly to the filly. Finally able to proper appraise her, she was surprised by Eclipse. Mismatched wings were indeed real by the manner in which they twitched on occasion. The horn that parted her mane at her forehead was real, broken, but real. Spitfire wondered what sort of act caused that to occur. She was smaller than most full grown fillies, but couldn't have been completely a mare yet. Truly a mystery to the captain.

“Wait!” Spiral Flame was known for random acts of brash acts. This moment was no different with how she shouted at the four ponies. What she would say would be different than anything Spitfire would realize. “I will accompany her to her goal.” She grinned broadly patting a hoof to her chest.

Braeburn, Spitfire, and Soarin gave a sour look in Spiral's direction. It was only Eclipse who seemed to brighten at the idea. Spitfire clapped her hooves then made a quick movement pulling Spiral away from the group. She leaned in close, keeping her voice a whisper to the amber pony. “What are you doing? After what you did last night, and this morning, do you really think we'd trust you to take her where she needs to go? A blind, hungry wolf would be a better companion.”

“But, I...”

“Don't start.” Spitfire quickly snapped. “You and I both know what's going through your head. You'll take her halfway, try to weasel your way with her, then come right back. But I swear to Celestia, Spiral, I am sick and tired..”

“Spitster...” Spiral began not wanting to hear what came next from her friend's mouth.

Spitfire's wings flared up, her eyes burning as bright as her flame mane. “No. No more Spitster. I hate that name. My name is Spitfire. Not Spit, not Spister, it is Spitfire. Next, I am sick and tired of everything you pull. Those contests winning over some colt, stallion, mare, or filly? You know what I do when I win? I apologize and go home to bed. Alone. My self esteem isn't built on how many ponies I buck.” Now Spitfire was frothing with rage. All the pent up malice she held for Spiral seemed to come out in blood dripped whispers. “Now, you expect me to let you go off with some innocent pony who actually has spoken well of you in a letter? Just because she fell asleep before you could do anything? Like bucking hell I will.”

Then Spiral felt it. A direct stab right through her heart. Never before had she felt such anguish pour into her. It was beyond anything she could even speak into words. For her entire life she was, or thought she was, accepted by everypony. Nopony hated having her around or wished her to be gone. Something about since she met Eclipse opened her eyes to this. “But... You three are helping. I should to. My main shows are over. I can get my stuff shipped back on a coach later. Okay, she went back to my hotel with me last night after I went to far as to nearly knock you out.” A sudden idea flourished. “How do you think she'd do trying to get home all by her lonesome?”

Spitfire hadn't thought about that. A quick look to Eclipse, who was talking merrily with Braeburn and Soarin, put her self in a position that she could be responsible should anything happen to the pony. Flinching and growling, Spitfire spit out, “Fine.” Now, both her hooves moved to Spiral's neck pulling the pony until their noses touched. “But, if you force her in anyway, abandon her, use her, or do anything unbecoming, I will make sure that your future is in the trash. I will make your agent drop you, every venue cancel your shows, and you will never perform along side the Wonderbolts again.”

There was honesty in Spitfire's hate filled eyes. Spiral swallowed her nerves, nodded her head, and when Spitfire moved a foreleg around Spiral's haunches, walked with her back to the ground. “Well, Eclipse, looks like I'll be going with you after all. Wouldn't want you to get lost. Ehehehe.” The amber pony brushed her chestnut mane from her eyes with her free hoof. The looks Braeburn and Soarin shot to Spitfire, and Spitfire shot back, seemed to put them on board with the idea.

“Tha..Thank you. First you let me sleep with you, now this. I am in all of you..your debts.” Fore ankles crossed, she bowed deeply then raised back up. Eclipse's words, coupled with her tranquil smile, had the three ponies once again staring at Spiral. Each of their eyes were daring her to try something, anything at all. Spiral only laughed shaking her head wanting to feel the burning glares away from her.

It took two hours for preparations to be made, Spiral to prepare her saddlebags, and for arrangements to be underway to have Spiral's bike and other equipment sent to Canterlot later on. Soarin and Braeburn were let in on what Spitfire told Spiral giving them a piece of mind for Eclipse on her trip. Eclipse gave a hug to each of the three ponies before boarding the four pony pulled stage coach.

“Remember. I will make you pay.” Was whispered to Spiral from Spitfire before the stunt pony boarded the coach with Eclipse. Final waves were given out the window as the pair departed from Appleloosa. It was the start of the next leg of Eclipse's return to Octavia and Vinyl.

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

It was an hour after their departure, Eclipse brought her legs beneath her body, belly to the couch cushion. Her head leaned near the window watching the scenery begin to flow by. Spitfire told them there would be two stops before Las Pegasus, one at a rest stop and the next at a small town called Oasis. Yet, as Eclipse stared out across the desert, her eyes saw something entirely different. In her visions, she watched the sands turn to green grass, trees sprout up everywhere, as the memories of another time over took her mind.

Spiral, on the other hoof, simply watched mesmerized by the filly across from her. Just in this day alone she felt emotions she never believed she was capable of having. Staring at the pristine gray pony, there was something else. A fiery feeling, no longer pain, flooding her heart and mind. It would be a long trip for Spiral Flame.

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

Rhythmic click clacks of the train running over the tracks played as a soft serenade for the passengers. A north bound train heading to Trottingham from Manehatten. It held an assortment of ponies from wealthy to destitute leaving the city for any number of means. Few of the train cars held cargo, this was primarily a passenger train that moved solely between the two cities.

Iron Mind laid, in his own private room on the train, out on a sturdy cot attached to the wall. The events of the day played out through his thoughts piecing together what was relevant and what was to be ignored. Details he had gathered were recalled and analyzed even without the help of his notepad. Right then, he decided to go over what occurred the morning till now.

After he rid himself of his captors and lost sight of the griffin, he returned to the police station to have a letter sent to the Princes and prepare for his departure. The chief would not have it and saw him to a hospital. The staff found him to have two broken or cracked ribs, a sprained hoof, and light internal bleeding. He ignored their insistence of remaining there a night and instead left to go to his hotel. He checked out, gathered his suitcases, and made a stop at the post office. A letter had been sent through the Police Department to Celestia, and a letter addressed to Fancy Pants requesting his airship to dock in Trottingham but now he had a more important letter to send.

Dear Electrical Conduit,

Father is sorry he could not come home for your science fair. I had hoped that
this assignment would have ended far sooner.
This letter will arrive with a package for you. I hope you still like
the kind of experiments mommy does. It's a Smarty Pants Chemistry set
you had asked for once before.
I miss you and your mother terribly. There isn't a night I wish I could tuck you
into bed, kiss your forehead, and wish you sweep dreams.
Stay strong for me until I get home. Take care of your mother and see to it that she
doesn't get lonely. You're the stallion of the house until I can come home.
And when I come home, the three of us will take the longest vacation
imaginable. Everypony will be envious of the places we'll go.
I love you son. Please, forgive me for being away. I will be home soon.
And if this letter you still find yourself lonely.
Just take my old guard helmet as you use to.
Keep it with you to keep the monsters
in your closet away.
I love you.

Iron Mind fought back the tears as he thought of his wife and son. He hated being away as long as he had but this matter was now something he could not just give to another pony. Shaking away his gloom, he returned to his previous thoughts.

Trottingham was the next place for the investigation. He had not the time to meet with the Police Chief properly, instead there would only be a short talk to learn of the whereabouts of Miss Octavia Philharmonica. Octavia was a pony he knew, and of one of her fathers. They both performed at the castle beautifully. If recollections were correct, Octavia was a well mannered, upstanding pony who had the disgrace of playing a song brought by one of the Elements of Harmony at the most amusing Gala he had attended.

In this evening hour, he had finally concluded all that could be figured out. Despite pain through his body, Iron Mind would find some sleep. What rest he got on the train would have to suffice until the safety of Octavia Philharmonica and this Vinyl Scratch was ensured. The last reports he had on Gold Mine put him in the very same town. If the griffin did reach Trottingham before he then there was no telling what danger laid ahead or the ponies.

Nuts and Cider - Bonus

The first rest stop from Appleloosa to Las Pegasus consisted of a large wayside inn. Carriages and stage coaches were lined up along the western wall and stalls hocking tourist trap quality wares along the eastern. There were a sparse amount of trees surrounding the water hole that had sprouted up in the middle of the desert; a deep well naturally made with walls of rock.

The stage coach that Spiral Flame and Eclipse had boarded came to an easy stop. The drivers quick to inform their passengers that their trip would begin anew at sunrise tomorrow. Despite her desire to do other wise, Spiral rented two adjacent rooms for Eclipse and herself. Spitfire's threat constantly enfolding her mind playing out like a loud speaker upon Spiral's thoughts. The pair left to visit the stalls after delivering their saddlebags to their rooms.

Once outside, side by side, Eclipse and Spiral moved to the eastern side of the inn. Most of the booths were of basic wood construction with tarps over the tops to free the owners of both sun and rain. One booth took both ponies attention immediately. A banner across the front read 'Flim and Flam'. Behind it, a large motorized vehicle covered in gizmos and doodads the which neither had ever seen. Electricity shot through glass tubes, steam and black smoke pumped from brass trumpet shaped opening all attached on top of a carriage without reigns.

Ponies passed by the booth where two yellow unicorns wearing pin stripped blue and white shirts and their mane and tail red and white striped, gave a marvelous display of musical lyrics and dances. One brother, bearing a red mustache came towards a filly foal and her father. He slid towards them dropping down onto one knee with a sales pony smile. “Excuse me, sir! Your little girl looks like she could use some nuts and cider!” The stallion saw little amusement to this as a front hoof slammed against the pony's face sending him crashing back. Questions erupted form the child, but non were answered by her snarling parent.

The clean shaven unicorn, snatching up a Barber Shop Quartet hat, came up from the rear of their stall and buggy tossing a fore leg around a marefriend and coltfriend. “Say there, buddy, show your marefriend you love her! Nuts and cider makes a great gift and my brother Flam and I are the ones to give them to her!” This brought rage from both ponies who in turn shoved a hoof each into Flim's face launching him back away. He performed three perfect spirals before crashing down across his brother's stomach.

Eclipse and Spiral had taken to watching the brothers, just out of ear shot, for thirty minutes as they went from mare to colt to couple to family pitching their wares only to be shot back with a physical blow. Spiral had to give these two some credit as a many pony would have given into their injuries and rejections. Some thoughts came to Spiral as to the wares these brothers were selling to be given such treatment and all the lecherous pony could imagine were things that caused an image of Spitfire beating her senseless to appear in her imagination. The large mare shuttered at the violation she felt having the fire pony rudely break apart her little day dreams.

“Sh...Should we go take a look?” Eclipse finally spoke up gathering the courage to venture towards the brothers. Within glowing pools there was sympathy for the plight of the unicorns. They must be doing wrong whatever they must be doing. The only way to know how to solve the situation is to know what it is to begin with. Upon her larger friend Eclipse did cast a smile. The effects the smile had on Spiral she would never know.

Spiral winced each time a brother took a blow. Something about them getting back up only to take a beating again reminded her of her seven brothers and the fights they would have. She could have swore that a foal had collected a tooth or two off the ground from the brothers'. “Why would you want to go near those two...” There was more to say, but Spiral's knees buckled the moment she saw Eclipse's smile. Every ounce of defiance she had to avoid the troublesome unicorns had vanished with the curving of lips. “Not fair...” Whispers words escaped as she hung her head forward.

The smaller filly lead the pair straight towards the down trodden brothers. At the sight of two possible customers, they sprang into action. “Welcome, my dear fillies!” Unison speaking shouted out. Their bodies went straight ahead, skidding in front of Eclipse and Spiral with one hind knee down, the other hind leg extended backwards. Their bodies were tilted at forty five degrees to the mares, right fore leg offered to them with their hats on hoofs, and the left raised up pointing up and away. The spectacle brought a short laugh from Eclipse but a snarl from Spiral. To the stunt pony they looked like they should be selling Discord Prevention insurance.

“I say, dear brother, what we have here are two beatiful fillies just begging for something!” The mustached brother spoke riding back up to his hind legs shifting to give the mares the view of his other side.

“Yes and I say, we are just the stallions to give it to them too! Say, there big and brownish orange, would you little filly there like some nuts and cider?” The shaven brother questioned slamming his back against his brothers. With synchronization they rolled their hats along their forelegs letting them land onto their stripped manes.

“What..” Spiral moved to stand in front of Eclipse. She wasn't sure if she had heard either of them right. A quick look at Eclipse told her all she needed to know just then; Eclipse had no idea what the brothers might have said.

“Some nuts and cider! We have a specialty for it!”

“That's right. We loving giving fillies nuts and cider!”

That was all it took. Chestnut mane appeared to rise up standing at the roots going jagged. Nostrils flared puffing out black smoke. Burnt umber eyes glared becoming a wild fire of raw emotions and hate. “If anyone is going to put their nuts inside her it's going to be me!” She declared to the heavens digging her front hooves into the dirt. Hind legs parted kicking her right hoof back digging a small hole preparing to launch herself at the brothers. Each of them glanced at each other. They learned just then that any pain they felt before would seem pleasure for what is to come. “And nopony else!” The next shout was a battle cry. She twisted her self around raising her hind quarters into the air. Each hind legs shot like a rocket connecting her hooves to the jaws of each brother. Their bodies were sent away, spiraling to smack belly first against the side of the inn.

Once they slid down to the soil below, stars circling with birds chirping around their heads, they raised to see everypony they had spoken to before. Some held clubs, some held sticks, and others simply clapped their hooves together in preparation for this moment. If only they knew what the brothers had truly been selling.

“Dear brother. I do say that ever since we left Ponyville, it has been like some sort of celestial being has frowned upon us.”

“Yes. I do agree.” Scrambling together, they clung to each other prepared for the worst yet to come.

Feeling proud of herself defending Eclipse's honor, Spiral turned to her charge and puffed her chest out. “Wasn't I wonderful? Nopony else would defend you like that, Eclipse... Eclipse?” Glancing around she found the filly no longer behind her. Frantic, she spun in place until she noticed Eclipse by the booth and odd vehicle that the brothers were in front of. With cautious approach, Spiral came to see what Eclipse was doing.

Eclipse lowered her head again into a small mug drinking the sweet, crisp drink inside. “This ci..cider isn't bad.” Her voice peaked up looking across her shoulder to the approaching Spiral. “They were giving away free samples of cider and nuts!” A hoof moved motioning to the dozens of ignored cups filled to the brim with Flim and Flam Cider and assortment of nuts. Spiral faltered nearly collapsing to her side.

Not only was her actions unnecessary and brutish, but Eclipse didn't even know what she had done or why she did it. There would be other chances, Spiral decided. For now, with a merry smile forced onto her muzzle, she joined the smaller filly with enjoying the flavorful drink and food samples.

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

The rest of the evening did not progress as Spiral ever expected it to. A normal string of events had her wowing her date with tales of her amazing stunts, death defying acts, and showering the pony with false compliments to further the chance of her getting the pony to come home with her. With Eclipse, things traversed in a direction that Spiral had never gone.

Over dinner, she instead listened to Eclipse talk about herself. Spiral learned that Eclipse's favorite food was her friend Octavia's artichoke Alfredo with homemade wheat and hay pasta. For desert, she loved the taste of a fresh sliced apple; something Eclipse claimed she hadn't had since she was five until a almost two months prior. Spiral had a hard time swallowing that one. The gray pony enjoyed all kinds of music due to her constant ventures into clubs and the symphony. Eclipse had a love of reading and cooking. In the end, after dinner had ended and their conversation turned to getting to sleep, Spiral found they had very little in common.

Any talk of Eclipse's broken horn or her days before meeting Octavia and Vinyl were met with an uncomfortable silence. Spiral couldn't even get an answer to who Eclipse's parents were without making the feeling look distraught. So, without anything else to talk about, the pair went to their separate rooms. It was this visit that they found a door that connected the two together.

Now, late in the midnight hour, Spiral laid away on her bed staring at the ceiling. The pain in her chest was coupled with a warmth each time her heart beat. It was emotions that were different for her, foreign in many ways. Spiral never once doubted that she was popular or loved until today when Spitfire had verbally tore her down. Past events played a slide show of depression in her mind reliving times that she believed she was the life of the party, but now found the ponies who knew her well scowled or glared at her. Every pony she played with and never returned a letter, ignored the very next day as if they never met, or simply road down until they were putty to be cast aside.

Spitfire's words continued to plague her as she tossed and turned on her bed. The sheets soaked over with her sweat. The quiet of the night in this roadside inn was enough that the memories were deafening and without interruption. The stunt pony came to realize that it wasn't Spitfire who had started these doubts. The Wonderbolts Captain only gave the final crack to the dam. These doubts began to surface the moment she had met the alicorn like filly. Eclipse was the trigger.

The mysterious alicorn placed some sort of spell on Spiral Flame from the moment she had come in contact with her. It was her that eventually removed Spitfire from her mind and seduced all her thoughts into pure forms of kindness and attraction. Spiral could remember every inch of Eclipse's body in such a short time from her mane to her flank and to her cutie mark. Yes, the unusual cutie mark. She could have swore the colors were black-white-black during noon but during dinner they had gone to white-black-white. Such an oddity. The stunt pony decided that something had to be done.

Inching herself out of bed, Spiral crawled on all hooves and her belly to the floor, towards the single door that separated their rooms. Triangle ear pressed to the hollow wood door listening to the sounds on the other side. Spiral expected it to be just like everything else; utterly peaceful silence. Instead she heard tiny whimpers and cries like something you'd hear from a nightmare stricken foal. A softness loosened her intention wrapped face. With great ease Spiral let herself within Eclipse's room peering through the moonlight towards the bed that the glowing pony slept. Eclipse was crying within her slumber. Tears drops even seemed to produce a glow either from her hair or another source reflecting from them.

Spiral dared to venture closer to the sleeping filly. Blood rushed to her ears and the sound of her heart now overtaking anything else in this eerie silence. Straining to see in the low illumination, she found Eclipse curled beneath the sheets tangling her forelegs around only one of the two dolls that Spiral had seen the night prior. For a grown filly she certainly was attached to foal toys. “Momma... Co..come back. Wh..where are you...” The words whispered past trembling lips. The stunt pony did not expect her to talk in her sleep. Whatever dream that Eclipse was having caused a torrent of emotions to strike the gray pony. It broke Spiral's heart to see her as such.

Stepping closer to the bed, while images of Spitfire pointed a warning hoof at her in her mind, she felt something soft beneath a hoof. Glancing down, she found the Nightmare Moon doll down fallen on the floor. Something clicked in her head. If Eclipse had slept so peacefully sleeping with both last night, then surely... The chance was taken up. Her head dropped, ignoring the mess chestnut mane that fell over her face, to snatch the doll up by a leg in her mouth. She was gentle in returning it to Eclipse's arms.

Instantly, the filly began to smile and fresh tears no longer were shed. The nightmares appeared to have vanished, and Spiral could actually smile at the sight of Eclipse sleeping peacefully. She sighed. If this was any other pony, she would have just gotten into bed with them, had her way, and went back to her own room. Now, she couldn't even bring herself to kiss the pony on the forehead without feeling guilty that her feelings would be wrong. Teeth clenched the hem of the sheets pulling them back to Eclipse's neck. She would need to think about these things longer. Why staring at Eclipse made her feel so warm, and why when looking at Eclipse she felt such pain remembering what Spitfire had said. There would be no dreams for Spiral when she returned to bed. Only a bleak nothingness to haunt her until the morning.

Gold's Ambition

It was the way they begged even knowing that it would do no good. It was the way they writhed and clung to life despite so much blood lost. It was the way they cried staring into the face of death. The metallic smell of blood. The breaking of bones. The whimpers and screams. The final act of snuffing the life out feeling the ultimate control one could have over another sentient being. Gold Mine loved this feeling more than anything. It was never the same as that first time. Each sequential time created only a dull void instead of the pulse pounding, euphoric high. No, for the dozenth time he was left in the end with only a void and the remembrance of Eclipse's escape taunting him from where she left him to die.

“Please, sir, I have a foal...”

Were the last things that touched Gold's ears. The room was purposely kept dark. Torches on the walls were scarce in order to keep the victims from being able to truly see the instruments around them. All that they would make out were silhouettes of bludgeoning apparatuses, medical utensils, and bottles of fine alcohol. This room was carved from solid rock. It took a slew of unicorn construction workers a month to get it just as Gold Mine had wanted it. Hidden deep within his property in Trottingham, amongst the trees, and hidden from the common eye.

Dressed in black jackets, sunglasses, and white cufflinks, two guard ponies stood on either side of a large oak door. The door was connected to a large slab of rock twenty yards long, twenty yard wide, and two stories tall. Only muffled sounds could ever be heard. A quick look shared between the two at the final beg from a feminine voice, and soon the familiar thump of dead flesh upon the floor. There was hatred for this job but it paid too well to just leave.

The door opened with an eerie creaking. The right guard readied a handkerchief from a jacket pocket presenting it without a glance in front of the door. Gold Mine shortly came out, his magic taking the white cloth to dab the sticky red from his face. “A bleeder this time. Perhaps I should avoid those areas or it may take more than a rag to clean me off. Dispose of the body in the usual way. She mentioned having a foal. Do what you must with it as well.” The now red cloth moved with the aura of magic to rub up and down his horn. The guards knew he used it to finish the deed this night. “Find me a pegasus maid this time. Not too young, no family.”

A quiet prayer was spoken to Celestia prior to each guard entered to clean the mess up in the hidden room. Gold Mine departed leaving them to their duties. It was still early in the morning and he felt exhilarated. Although, each time he committed his excursion he felt it less and less. Day to day routine would be continued by first returning to his mansion. It was larger than his former manor in Fillyton, the rooms were more spacious with modern devices. An hour was spent in the exercise area trotting on the treadmill then into his personal wave pool to finish his light workout. With no longer having a maid, Gold fell back on the two guards he left at his mansion to prepare him lunch. They never could make a hay and dried apple sandwich the way he liked it. A full belly would help with the task he was loathing to come.

The scheduled time for the appointment was two hours past what he planned. The clock chimed one PM signaling the start of the second hour. A bodyguard, one of the two from the morning, knocked a hoof against the door of Gold Mine's office. With hooves outstretched he opened the redwood doors giving way for himself, and a panting pink griffin, to enter into the spacious room.

Handy hadn't yet visited this estate. This room was nothing like what Gold had in his old resistance. No it was far more elegant and refined. Everything was antique right down to the handles on the doors. Not a single expense was spared in decorating one of the three rooms Gold spent most of his days in. “By golly, boss, this is something else...” Handy whispered moving to a large leather chair.

When she attempted to lower her self down, she was caught in the glare of Gold Mine. The blond haired unicorn had situated himself behind an intimidatingly large desk. “Do not ruin my investment with your hind quarters. What do you have for me this time? If it isn't useful...” The warning tone shook Handy down to her very core.

From her right foot she tossed, carefully, the notepad she had stolen the day before. Handy Candy did not want to get in close to the pony. She was late with her last check in and late again today. With Gold's newest cravings she feared she maybe next. A disgusted feeling surfaced in her gut. Since he left the hospital she had learned from one of the bodyguards he had 'helped' ten ponies escape the boundaries of this world, as Gold often put it. Vagrants and the unwanted were the targets and they were disposed of in the same manner; transported to Everfree and fed to Timberwolves. Fore feet rubbed together nervously staring at her employer, her master.

Magic entwined the notepad bringing it straight to Gold Mine's eyes. The pages were flipped gazing over each scribble taking note of names and information. “Where did you get this? Do not try to beat around the bush, either, I want the exact pony.” Briefly his eyes came over the top of the note pad then trialed back down.

If griffin would ever sweat, she was doing so now. Her feathers felt unusually damp against her skin. For such a stout griffin, she felt such fear for the unicorn before her. Handy Candy had once wrestled ponies twice her size for bits while wearing a mask. Fearless and determined were once words used to describe her. Now, she as a shadow of herself praying to one day be free from the blackmail Gold Mine held over her. “He was your son, boss. 'Ad the same eyes and everything. Almost got caught, I did.”

“Of course knowing how you do things he will be coming here I suspect. Find a dark room to hide in. The guards will bring you food when I tell them to. Once it's clear, and he has made his visit, you'll be told where to go next.” Gold scoffed tossing aside the note pad. “On your way out send in the pony waiting by the door. And Candy.”

Movement as made to begin her exit when her name caused her to stop, and turn back to Gold Mine. She was afraid of what he may say next. “Yeah, boss?”

“You know of my recently aquired hobby. And I usually choose mares or fillies to fulfill it. As I understand you're shacking up with a blind earth pony, are you not?” Gold's voice held no emotion. A bland spoken statement in the disguise of a question. This brought a drop of Handy's beak to speak, but no words could come out. “Disappointment me again, reveal to somepony something you shouldn't again, and I will test if I really need a blind fold for my playmates or if a blind pony will do just fine. Now get out.”

Handy Candy didn't care if something happened to her, not after she met her special pony, but the moment that he was threatened she felt a new fear. There wasn't much information on who Eclipse was to the boss, but if it meant keeping her lover away from harm she would place one pony in front of the gates of Tartarus to save the other. As an obedient pet, she left the confines of the office motioning for the pony besides the door to take her place. She only wanted to find a room where no pony could see her and the sun could not touch her. The darkness would hide her sins and let her pretend she was a good griffin for one more day until she could be baptized in the love of her coltfriend.

The bodyguard entered shortly after Candy had gone around the corner and out of sight. Entering into his employer's office, the guard only gave a confirming nod that he was prepared for his orders. Gold Mine turned his chair giving his back to the guard to watch. He took to staring out his window, admiring the rich forest view before him. “This is to be done with utmost haste. Contact our guard friend at the Griffin Border Ramparts. Have him meet with Octavia Philharmonica within this very hour and have her bring our runaway with her. According to the little notes the griffin brought, she'll be at the Philharmonica household here in town. Do hurry, I want her returned home by nightfall.” The guard bowed his head and departed. Alone, Gold leaned back in his chair and let his mind wander. He was so close to obtaining Eclipse back that he felt laughter coming on. Cold, haunting, dark laughter roaring from the depths of his black soul.

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

1:10 PM. At this same time, across town at the train station, Iron Mind had finally arrived after numerous delays. It took several hours to clear a herd of cattle from the train tracks. Those bovine seemed to be able to talk for hours about any nonsensical subject. It finally took a pony pretending some rope was a snack to clear them away. Further down the line, the train was stopped again due to an unannounced parade of ponies who wander in random places. Then, it was the bushel of bouncing baby bunnies stampeding next to the train forcing it to slow down for onlookers to marvel at the sight. The trip would not have felt so long if Iron had managed to be able to sleep through the pain of his wounds, and there was not a deadline looming over his head.

There were no bags to wait to be unloaded. He had taken his saddle brief case, trench coat, and Celestia's seal with him. No strength was within him at the time to gallop to the police station. While Iron knew they were within the city, the location of the head Philharmonica household was unknown to him. Most likely he would need to question the local authorities for their whereabouts.

The distance between the train station and police station was not far he learned after questioning a local. Down these peaceful streets, Iron took to observing the day to day activities that other ponies took in. He let his mind wander away, for the first time in many weeks, to the past of all places. Tendrils of black mane bothered him over his face. Magic pulled it back away only to feel the firmness of crusty hair. He hadn't bothered to bath since his beating and the blood still remained in his scalp. Even with his distraction he went back to thinking.

Seeing foals with their parents was the biggest trigger. It took him back to times of old. Childhood was not a happy event for most days. Gold Mine demanded perfection in every way and he felt a heavy hoof when it did not come. Iron had to excel in all things; sports, academics, and business to name just a few. There was preference to being hit by the hoof than for things that Gold did if his cruelty was at its brink. Iron Mind stopped for a moment, shuttering away the dark passages of his foalhood. Wounds that Iron sustained were always in places easy to hide, particularly from the one pony who gave Iron reprieve from the vicious onslaught; His grandfather Platinum Wealth.

Iron Mind stopped to watch a foal play with an older pony. The filly foal danced around the grandfather speaking in happy tones and running off dozens of questions but never waiting for an answer. Silver eyes softened at the display and a new bout of memories returned. Iron cherished every chance he was able to visit his grandfather. Grandmother had passed many years before his birth due to illness. Platinum Wealth was a kind and gentle soul. He had tried to raise Gold to be just like him yet the pony refused to be anything but selfish.

Platinum died when Iron was thirteen. His funeral was held in a quiet place with a small service and few in attendance. What money would have been spend on an extravagant funeral was instead spent on giving his workers a celebration for their time working for him, as per his will. Iron's one solitude was now gone.

Returning to his walk, there was one more memory that came back to him. On the last day he had seen his parents, nearly twenty one years ago on the day he was knighted, he spoke to his mother privately. While Gold was cruel to him, Diamond saw the brunt of the damage. A father's cruelty was nothing compared to a husband's scorn. Much of the beatings that Iron Mind endured came from not fulfilling Gold's expectations. Diamond Mind, however, was beaten for not dressing right, changing her mane in a way he did not approve, or for every failing that Gold lost. Iron attempted to convince Diamond to leave Gold, come to Canterlot, and he would work to let her live happily and freely. He still remembers the sting of the slap she left him with. ”I will not abandon my husband. I serve him as a wife should and anything he does I deserve.” Diamond was a broken mare.

Finally, he found himself in front of the station. His resolution to see this through had been restored with a new vigor thanks to the past. He had to find Vinyl Tracks and Octavia Philharmonica at all costs. With any luck, Eclipse was with them and his journey would soon come to a fulfilled end.

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

1:30 PM. After receiving a letter at Octavia's parent's home, Octavia and Vinyl departed to meet with the representative of Celestia at a small cafe near the western edge of town. Their parents urged them with caution due to the content of the notes. It had asked for them to bring Eclipse with them to the meeting. Yet, Octavia's papa and Vinyl's mother had explicitly said she was missing. There was an air of worry among the ponies, but this was a meeting that the pair could not afford to ignore.

The cafe they arrived at appeared nearly deserted save for a single, cigarette smoking waitress and a disgruntle cook. It was more of a dive than any real cafe. No customers were in sight save for a single, burly pony at a table next to a path leading into the thick forest surrounding Trottingham. Every chance was taken to keep his identity a secret. Guard helmet encased his mane totally, the armor plates covered his cutie mark, and black visors kept the color of his eyes a mystery. The only thing that could be made out was his lime green coat. Its self a rarity he did not bother to consider.

Octavia did not move when they spotted the guard. Anxiety stiffened her legs as if her hooves had been placed in solid cement. Questions went through her mind asking her if this was the right thing to do. Knowing Eclipse's fear of Canterlot, she wondered if there was any truth to the things that created her paranoia. Vinyl felt the unease in Octavia and placed a foreleg around the withers of her lover. Her smile melted away the ice that froze Octavia's nerves. Together they approached the guard, taking a seat at either side of him.

“There was supposed to be three of you.” The lime green stallion chirped up glancing between the two. Hoof guards clicked against the table top when he pressed forward to lean. Covered eyes glancing between the pair. Little was told to him about these two save that Octavia might be the easier to converse with. Vinyl, as per her routine, wore deep red shades to keep her unique iris' hidden.

Confusion was apparent between the pair. Octavia looked at Vinyl but Vinyl never removed her eyes from the guard. The DJ instead crossed her forelegs and waited for something more to be said. She was studying the guard for any signs of change. Something about the lime green pony troubled her.

“I am afraid that you may have received only part of the information that was sent to Canterlot. You see, several days ago when we left Manehatten for Trottingham on the train, our friend, Eclipse, boarded the wrong train.” Octavia began her explanation swiftly. Every so often she looked to her marefriend for some sort of motion or approval or to hold back what she said. Octavia herself beginning to feel uneasy with the guard before them. “The station manager here informed us that the train she boarded was a departure for Appleloosa. Unfortunately, we have no means to arrive there ourselves as the track has vanished. Something I am certain you are aware of.”

Concealing his eyes was the best idea he had on this day. If he hadn't, Vinyl would have taken notice to the change in emotions that glaringly showed in widened depths. If these two ponies contacted Canterlot, then he would have to return to Gold Mine swiftly to alert him. The pay he was to receive for information or bringing Eclipse would remove his gambling debts two times over. Careful attention was given to his breathing, but that didn't stop his left hind leg from thumping his hoof against the ground. “I will need you both to escort me to the Guard Barracks near the ramparts. We have specialized unicorns stationed there who help in search and rescue for the forest that maybe able to lend a hoof to this incident.” A hoof was waved to the waitress and the cook who simply ignored it. “Come, I know a shortcut through the woods. It will be faster and time is of the essence.”

The guard was given several paces distance before Octavia and Vinyl came to all fours to join him. Vinyl remained quiet still, trying to analyze the strange feeling she was getting from him. She would protect Octavia should something come amiss, but they'd follow because there was some belief that he was a proper guard. The woods appeared unnerving even in broad daylight. Despite the aching feeling that they should not venture further, Vinyl lead Octavia behind the guard into a barely visible path.

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

1:35 PM. A blessing and a disaster had both arisen within a very short time. It appeared that the Philharmonica household had contacted the station before Iron had arrived. When presenting Celestia's seal to the chief, he was already prepared to give information on Octavia and Vinyl's location to him. The two mares had done the right thing and gone to the guards. The Guard Captain learned quickly that they reported Eclipse missing, somewhere in the direction of Appleloosa. Further questioning, along with placing the two in protective custody, was necessary so his next place was the home of Octavia's parents. This was a blessing for Iron. He was no closer to finding Eclipse, but he now had a better direction of where to go, and two witnesses in wait.

Then the disaster struck. Iron Mind was now leaving the Philharmonica household. The occupants informed him that Octavia and Vinyl had already left to make visit with a guard from Canterlot. Iron knew too well that the Chief would have heard about any appointment before Iron set out to reach the Philharmonica house. A quick look over the note and he was prepared to leave the cozy home to speed off to find the two mares.

Shrugging off questions from one of Octavia's fathers and Vinyl's mother over the disappearance of Eclipse, whom they called 'finally we have a grandfilly', Iron broke into full gallop to reach the cafe. The broken bones, the bandaged cuts would not stop him from his path. If this false witness meeting with the mares was sent by Gold Mine, he would have another two dead on his hooves to deal with. Gritting back wanting to sob from damaged nerves screaming for him to stop, Iron continued forth.

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

1:45 PM. Blood. Vinyl Scratch fell upon four knees, one hoof raised coated in the thick substance. The blow came without warning to the back of her head. A blunt object, perhaps a stone, flung against her cranium from an, at the time, unknown assailant. As a sack of potatoes she fell against the ground raising up enough to rub where the offending instrument hit. Ruby shades had been shattered beneath a pony's hoof. Vinyl couldn't raise her head high enough yet to look around her. Everything was spinning even if she wasn't physically. Voices surrounded her, non she recognized nor did she care to recognize. It took hearing Octavia scream to finally bring her head to rise.

There were six ponies in all. Giant black hoods covered their heads with only holes for their eyes. Whispers were about between them. The guard was no where to be seen. Vinyl was right to have assumed he was up to no good. When the white pony attempted to stand, she was knocked back down by a volley of hooves bouncing against her sides.

“Vinyl!” Octavia shouted. They were too far from anypony else to find aid through screaming. Two ponies came towards the cellist but she would not be so easily taken. She turned to fight trying to reach Vinyl. Twisting to buck her hind legs managing to dislocate the jaw of one pony, but the other five tackled her own just the same.

“This one has spunk!” One laughed gleefully pressing his hooves against Octavia's flank. “We got told to take care of any witnesses. Take this feisty one to the shed and we'll make sure marshmallow has an untimely visit with a pack of wolves.”

A unicorn's magic pulled against Octavia's hind quarters letting her upper body drop against the ground. Fore hooves dug against the ground trying to dig down to make it harder for the unicorn to pull her. It wouldn't do much use when a pegasus came up near her head smacking her face with his hoof. A gash formed across her cheek letting red flow freely. “Vinyl!” The shout came again. The pegasus struck again, this time rendering Octavia unconscious with the second hard blow. Octavia's upper body dropped dragging across the soft soil.

Red. Red was all that Vinyl could see through her crimson eyes. The sight of Octavia bleeding, the sensation of pain from the back of her skull, and the desire she felt burning inside of her, “Get your hooves off my Octy.” Vinyl did not shout. She did not raise her voice. Her tone gave threat bringing the other four ponies back towards her.

“Guess someone wants to die sooner than later.” The one who had been speaking laughed down, leaning his head closer to the white pony's face. “Don't worry. You'll see her again in some place Celestia permits.”

Another blow went to Vinyl's head bringing her teeth to snap against her tongue. Metallic taste rolled across the buds and she pushed forward. Like a wild animal she lunged for the pony in front of her tackling him to the ground. White horn glowed gray pulling the attacker's legs back against the ground. She began to swing downwards pounding the bottom of her hooves against his face and neck. One of the other assailants attempted to grab her from her back, but was met with the back side of her hoof for their trouble.

“Over here!” Came an unfamiliar shout. The bodies of the other two ponies went flying from a combination of brute strength and unicorn magic. Solid oak trees breaking their momentum leaving them to crash to the ground unconscious. The pony that had attempted to stop Vinyl earlier was accosted next tumbling him down besides the pummeling DJ. He as well wouldn't be returning to the fight.

That was what it took for Vinyl to finally cease her assault on the pony beneath her. Hooves lifted near her face staring at the red coating them. Crimson spheres gazed down at her victim. It would take months before anypony would be able to tell who that face was. Immediately, she turned to the new voice. On wobbly hind legs she raised up prepared to fight back against him if she must do so. The blow to her head had taken hold once again as she lost balance.

The ground wouldn't be met. Instead this new pony caught her, easing her to rest away from the others. “Vinyl Tracks?” The masculine voice asked.

“Who's asking? Where's Octy? Octy!” Vinyl thrust her body up. She was ready but her head wasn't. Sensations of nausea and dizziness flooded her brain bringing her back down.

“My name is Iron Mind. I am from the Royal Guard. I rushed here as quickly as I could.” Iron explained calmly. One of them had to stay calm. He believed that she would listen, if only a short bit, while he grazed her body with magic to try and close any minor injuries. If he had to, there was preparation to draw Celestia's crest from his coat. “Octavia Philharmonica was supposed to be with you? Did they take her? Did you see which way?”

Vinyl slammed her front hooves against the ground. Once more she attempted to raise up, but Iron forced her down just long enough for his magic to finish its work. “Octy! They took Octy!”

“Please, we will go after her, but running blind will not do us good. Which way did they take her?” Iron spoke slowly eying the DJ. He did not expect her to be this emotional but was prepared for anything she may do.

“This...This way.” Deep breaths raised her chest upwards than back down. Though she stumbled, Iron aided her in her motion to stand. Iron followed directly behind with Vinyl leading the way. No regard was given to his current state once more as they galloped through the woods, following a thin drag mark on the ground.

The four ponies were left to either be victims of the wilderness or to awaken. If Iron had removed their masks he would have recognized them as those who attacked Princess Luna and himself. Unfortunately, this information would never come to be.

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

1:55 PM. The aforementioned shed was more like a poor pony's home than any place for gardening tools. Rotting wood and vines made up the walls of the exterior. The interior was nothing but 3 empty rooms one leading to the next. The pegasus thus remained outside, while the unicorn brought Octavia to the farthest room. He wanted privacy for his time with the cellist.

Magic released Octavia letting her slide down to the ground. A broken door shut behind the unicorn. Mind filled with horrible thoughts and dark ideas, he hadn't seen such a proper pony close to him in some time. “Don't worry, music butt, this will get good real soon.”

“Papa taught me not to be a victim.” With that, the unicorn felt a strong set of hind hooves buck against his back. The soft, rotten wood of the door broke against the force of his body vaulting forward. Octavia had woken moments before they came to the shed. Lessons her father had taught her told her to remain quiet, remain calm, and play dead until an opening could be found. From there, either fight or flee, just get away.

Coughing, feeling a hoof to her head then to her cheek, the gray pony turned her thoughts to Vinyl. She could run to her own safety but finding the DJ was the first thought that came to her. Octavia twisted to face the door. Soft hoof steps went around the fallen body of the unicorn, praying by some miracle she had rendered him unable to catch her and that the pegasus wasn't aware of her escape. The approach to the front door was swiftly through the two small rooms. She bit back a yelp when the front door was thrown open. Much to her amazement the pegasus was not there, but rather two ponies in black suit jackets and sunglasses was before her.

“Mr. Mine. It does appear that the intruders brought another pony with them.” One of the two spoke behind him. Octavia cowered back, not from fear but preparedness to bolt past the two.

Behind the ponies came a third. Gold Mine came forward gazing past Octavia to the unicorn she had thwarted, to the pegasus, then finally to the raven haired mare. Her hair was a mess with specks of dirt and stray locks of hair poking out in random directions.

Octavia inspected Gold Mine in return. Nothing was out of place from his soil brown coat, to his golden sun mane. His business attire adorning his upper body going towards a white color rather than a traditional black. “Contact the authorities and allow them to know we have several trespassers and a pony who will be needing help.” A new sound took the four ponies to look back.

It was the sound of hammering hooves bringing Vinyl and Iron Mind to the same scene that the others had arrived at. Tension formed the moment that Iron and Gold set eyes onto one another. The guards stood ready, letting Vinyl pass as she rushed to Octavia's side. Iron read the situation, and against his judgment to just strike Gold Mine while he had the change, the guard captain came towards the two guards and Mine. “Thank you for your assistance. I assume you helped free Miss Philharmonica.”

The mares embraced with a quick reunion. Tears flowed freely from Octavia, but Vinyl did what she could to only let a few stray drops past her defenses. Dizziness was still abound clogging Vinyl's head. Octavia recognized the swaying motions of her mate, so she kept her forelegs around Vinyl as they helped one another out of the broken down shed. Their hoof steps were cautious when coming back to the stallion that came to Iron.

“It would not do me well to have mares dead on my property. My bodyguards will round up these two vagrants and have them taken to the police station. There is no more need for the three of you to be on my land.” Gold Mine turned his head to escape his son's stare. Placing a hoof to his mouth he gave a moment of consideration. The faster these three were off his property the faster he could make his own appointments. He motioned for one of his guards. “Get a cart and help these three to wherever they need to go. Just make it in due haste.” The one guard bowed his head then galloped in a quick run down a well established path. Gold Mine nodded to his second guard. “Come, let us be on our way back.”

“Gold Mine.” Iron spoke up. Straightening his posture, Iron looked towards his father for a reaction. Much went through his mind. He wanted to ask him about Eclipse, accuse him of tampering with evidence, killing witnesses, and countless other things that were levying over Gold's head. Lips parted to speak out, finally coming up with the right words. Words that he would not get the chance to say.

“Gold Mine? Mother bucking Gold Mine?” Vinyl shouted out. All eyes turned to her and laid witness to Octavia struggling to keep the white pony from moving from her side. “You're Gold Mine? You're the one who broke Nightlight's horn? Hurt her?” The DJ growled pushing her hooves to try and move the gray pony. Octavia held on for dear life. “You bastard! Yeah she told us all about the crap you pulled!” The cellist finally managed to shove a hoof into Vinyl's mouth.

Gold Mine looked back at the two mares. Iron Mind moved to stand between them and Gold. “I am afraid I do not know of any Nightlight nor do I appreciate these accusations after I went through the trouble of rescuing one you are associated with. Get off my property before I have you three arrested as well. Be grateful I am still going to have a cart waiting for you.” He smirked a devil's expression. “See to it that they get there quickly.” He motioned the other guard. Vinyl mumbled out a curse or two before sheathing her crimson eyes behind exhausted lids.

Octavia sighed feeling Vinyl slump against her. The unicorn wasn't asleep or unconscious, no the blow to her head once again rendered her a dizzy mess. She had a concussion no doubt. Tired expression came to move from Vinyl to Iron as he pushed his head and neck beneath Vinyl hoisting her onto his back. If only the mares knew of the damage in his own body. “Thank you.” Octavia managed to whisper coming up besides Iron. The pair would watch Gold finally trot out of sight, then themselves beginning to follow behind the guard.

It was a short trot back to the road, as promised the first guard to leave was there waiting with a old pony stallion and a cart attached to his waist. With no help from either guards, Iron used his magic to hoist Vinyl first into the back of the wooden trolley, then used his hooves to aid Octavia. The guard captain took a moment to look to each guard. His gaze asked a simple question to them of where they expected their souls to go when all was said and done. Unable to see behind their shades, he received no answer.

The old pony began to move once his three passengers were settled. Inquiring about his destination, the old pony turned to take them back into town and the Philharmonica house. The weight of his pain finally came down on Iron bringing him to collapse on the back end of the cart. Octavia sat, right side up, with Vinyl's head on her lap. A hoof absently brushed across the electric blue mane of her lover. The silence was deafening, until Vinyl gained some control over her senses.

Peering at Iron, Vinyl spoke in a soft tone. “So, who the heck is this guy supposed to be?” She coughed softly trying to sit up, but urged back down by Octavia's loving hooves. “You come running up, save me, known Octy and mine's names... so who're you?”

“Vinyl, be polite.” Octavia scolded. Even if the three of them were laying injured and exhausted in a cart, she wouldn't have the DJ embarrass her in front of the stallion who may have saved their lives. “But I to wonder who you are, sir.” Violate eyes turned to Iron now.

Iron Mine had let himself rest on bent legs beneath his belly. It seemed to be the only position right then that didn't make him want to cry out. These two mares had been tending to Eclipse and by all accounts had taken her into their family. If Iron wanted to learn about Eclipse from them, then they would need to be confident with him. Through clenched teeth, he sucked in air. Shuttering it back out and expelling some pain, the captain began. “My name is Captain Iron Mind of Celestia's Personal Royal Guard.” This brought a startled look from both mares. “Months ago, the residence of Gold Mine in Fillyton burned down revealing where he kept a pony. Evidence collected at the time suggested the pony had been kept there for many years.” He trained his visions from the two mares, choosing to stare at the forest and trees they passed. “Gold Mine's wife perished in the fire. I was asked to head the investigation for locating the pony kept in the cellar due to Gold Mine being my father. It was believed that I could locate the pony since I know more of how he works than anypony else who may investigate.”

“Wait... Wait...Wait...” Vinyl began thumping a hoof against the cart's floor. “So you're that bucking bastard's kid? And that would make you...”

“We came to learn that the pony, a filly, was named Eclipse. My investigation lead me to Manehatten and to you both through witnesses. Eclipse, who at first introduced herself as Cursed Eclipse, according to witnesses is an important witness to Gold's crimes.”

“Captain Iron Mind,” The gray pony held tighter around Vinyl's neck but was gentle of where the rock struck, “If you are Gold Mine's son...”

“Yes, Miss Eclipse could very well be my sister by all accounts and evidence.” Iron hung his head low.

A surge of emotion and energy sprung Vinyl straight from Octavia's lap closing the very short distance between herself and Iron. She pulled her right leg back throwing it forward giving the fully effect of her hoof slamming against Iron's jaw. “Vinyl!” The DJ heard Octavia give a small shout then felt familiar forelegs around her waist pulling her back from the injured captain.

“You heard him! He's that guy's kid! How do we know he's here because of something he's told to do and not because he's trying to help that golden maned prick!” The white pony fell back against her marefriend once more flinching. Her wrist hurt from the blow she gave Iron. Vinyl would have to hand it to him later, he had a hard jaw.

Magic illuminated a point in Iron's coat drawing out Celestia's seal for the two ponies to see. It was unique with the placement of gemstones to form the Princess' cutie mark. The pattern the stones glowed was impossible to mimic without the Sun Goddess' magic imbued in them. “I assure you... I am who I say I am.” Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth. Yet another injury he would need to tend to later. Iron would have retaliated in a normal situation for the blow. The DJ had every right to hit him though. “I assure you I do not wish to give any aid to that stallion. He is an abomination.”

“Then why?” It was Octavia's turn to ask a question. Moving a hoof to clear stray tears, she watched the captain for his reaction. “Why did any of this occur? Why did you not know she was down there to begin with? She told us you would kill her if she ever escaped. She's convinced you want her dead!” Scorn. The emotion radiated from the gray pony.

“If I had known that her birth had actually occurred, I would have done everything in my power to get her away from that place. Until I saw him in the hospital shortly after the fire, I had not seen him in neigh twenty years.” Truth spoke in his words as he came to look to the mares again. “If I had known of her, this would never have happened. I cannot change what I did not do or what I did not know, but I can change what now holds for her future.”

Relenting, Octavia glanced down to Vinyl then back to Iron. “Then, what now?”

“The police chief who sent your parents' letter to Canterlot informed me that Eclipse is thought to be in Appleloosa. Guards will be sent there by airship to, by all hope, retrieve her. I apologize but I must bring both of you with me to Canterlot for your safety. Gold Mine is a ruthless individual. We do not know the extent he will go to cover up his misdeeds and both of you knowing Eclipse only makes two more obstacles. You met with a pony before, what happened?”

“He claimed he was from Canterlot, but was not aware that Eclipse had boarded the wrong train, as the letter explained.” Octavia began.

“Yeah, thought it was really weird and all. So I tried to keep an eye on him. Darn if he wasn't making sure nopony could see his eyes or anything else to give him off. Lime green guy.” The DJ chipped in leaning her head back nuzzling Octavia's belly with her nose.

“He had asked why she wasn't with us. We told him where she was and...” It occurred to her then, both hooves reaching to her muzzle and placed over her mouth. “You do not think that he was there because of...”

“In all truth, Gold Mine now knows where Eclipse is as well as we do. For now, let us get both of you to a hospital.” Iron sighed leaning his head back letting his black mane fall over the side of the carriage. It still mostly clung to his head from dried blood but he cared not right then.

“No. Buck no. We're going to Canterlot, getting on one of those airships, and getting Nightlight.” Vinyl tried to situp, pushing her hooves against the trolly floor, but again was pushed down by Octavia.

Fighting a determined DJ was not something that Iron wanted to do. They could argue for hours but getting her to relent would be a fool's errand, especially if Octavia felt the same as Vinyl did. “Vinyl, you may have a concussion or worse. We need to get to the hospital...” This surprised Iron. Octavia was indeed the sensible one of the pair.

“No, Octy, just no. I'll be fine... you're fine... we're all fiiinnee...” Vinyl's words slurred as she slumped back on Octavia's lap. “Whoa, where did the stars come from.”

“Fine.” Iron relented seeing no other choice. “We will visit Miss Octavia's parents' home then immediately go to the airship dock. I have transportation waiting for us there. Once we reach Canterlot, since there will be time before we depart, each of us will visit the Royal Infirmary. Until then, do not let Miss Tracks fall asleep. Also, am I to assume Nightlight is Eclipse?”

“Yes,” Octavia replied giving a soft smile, “Vinyl gave her the name because of her eyes.”

“It sounds like it fits nicely.”

The three settled back to rest for the remainder of the cart ride. The cellist took it upon her self to smack Vinyl whenever she closed her eyes for too long. Iron inquired about the time the two spent with Eclipse; the things the filly did with them, her likes, dislikes, and other things not essential to his case. Granted, he also asked of anything she may have told them; from her broken horn to the time she was with Gold. It was a fruitful conversation allowing Iron to learn much of his potential sibling. Octavia answered the bulk of the questions. Halfway through the trip, Vinyl had entered a drunken state of random babble. The DJ would no longer contribute directly to what Iron and Octavia said but instead spoke in random words and revealed embarrassing things about intimate moments she and Octavia had. At this rate, Iron was worried that the cellist would only injury her further but was surprised at the restraint she had. It was a peaceful trip back into town, a cooling off for things to come.

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

2:30 PM. Handy Candy once again stood in Gold Mine's office. She observed a lime green pony leave before her with a sack of bits balanced on his flank. The armor he wore he must have been a guard she decided. Not daring to try and sit again, she simply stood at attention waiting for the brown pony to speak. Handy shook from a mixture of worry and fright. Her beak rattling as nerves

Gold was seated behind his desk as he seemed to always be during these encounters. He turned, facing the trembling pink griffin. Hooves clicked together before him, resting his knees onto the solid wood desk. “This will be a simple assignment for you, Handy. You will even get to go home to that pony you love so dearly. Apparently, our runaway has made it to Appleloosa. The pony I hired to get this information gave me some other tidbits as well. So, you are to go back to Ponygold, keep an eye on the road there. There are two ways for her to return to the life she had gained when she ran away. A ship in Las Pegasus or the road past Ponygold. Now. Go. A few of my hired ponies will be there in a few days to help with the watch.”

The sound of talons tapping the wood floors and the door closing were all that Gold heard after he turned his back to the griffin swiveling in his chair to face the window. There were now two new obstacles to contend with. He had their names but nothing more. It was of little matter, anything he did not know could change within hours.

Attention was given when the door opened again. One of the bodyguards came forth standing in front of the desk. “Sir?” He asked lowering his glasses enough to give an unrestricted view of the desk and Gold.

“On the next Airship send some ponies to Las Pegasus to wait for the runaway. They do not need to search the city, just keep an eye at the airport for a pony matching her description. As before, capture her and take her to the designated place.” The guard nodded slowly. Gold raised a hoof dismissing him after his orders. Casting a look out the window, down at the road leading to his house, he observed a young, pegasus mare start her way up to the door. He had to hand it to the guards, they certainty fulfilled his requests quickly. This one looked like she will be fun to play with later. “Excellent. The new maid has arrived.”

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

5:00 PM. The trio of ponies were en route to Canterlot aboard Fancy Pants' very own airship. Fancy Pants himself was waiting after receiving Iron's letter. He fancied himself a pilot and was garbed in an aviator's helmet fit with goggles and flight jacket. No better pony to fly them to Canterlot than the owner of the ship its self. A full medical staff had been on standby waiting for them on the ship to treat any injuries until they could reach the castle infirmary. Fancy informed Iron that he wouldn't have brought the staff, but a reminder of Iron's recklessness by Split had him choose otherwise.

Before arriving at the airship, Vinyl and Octavia had to say their sudden goodbyes to their parents. Iron was offered, and graciously accepted, a shower while the mares collected their luggage. Octavia's papa and Vinyl's mother were caught peaking on the good Captain which found them in temporary hot water by their respective spouses. Through hugs, sobs, and tears, Iron promised to protect them as he would the princess. No further harm would come to them and they would be returned to live their lives safely once the trouble had passed. Octavia's papa and Vinyl's mother, however, also warned that if their believed adopted granddaughter was not returned as well Iron would be set upon by their rage.

They had been inflight for an hours time. From Trottingham to Canterlot it was a ten hour train trip or a three hour flight by airship. Fancy Pants' airship was a modern ship with every modern luxury invention to suite the needs of any passenger that may come. Vinyl simply found the relaxation of hard alcohol and sleep to be the only one she needed.

Octavia found herself wandering around the short halls and small rooms of the airship. She was not as badly injured as Vinyl nor Iron, but found her mind filled with too many thoughts simply to rest in a bed or next to her marefriend. Laughter caught her ears twitching them in response. She followed the sounds straight to the cockpit, appearing more of a lounge than a traditional cockpit, to find Iron sitting on a velvet sofa, his upper body wrapped tightly with white bandage, while Fancy stood on his hind legs at the wheel. A snifter of brandy and a bottle was set near each pony, their magic raising their glasses to take short sips during pauses of their conversation.

Fancy was the first to notice Octavia's arrival in the spacious cabin. A warm, charming smile offered as he waved a hoof for her to come join them. “Miss Philharmonica, how nice of you to join us. I was just telling my good friend, Iron, that his wife would just love to know why he had been frolicking around the forest with two lovely mares.”

Expressionless, Iron scoffed at the idea while taking a deep sip of his brandy. He could not hold the attitude long before breaking into laughter. “Ah, she would probably ask me why I did not collect local fauna for her experiments then worry about me doing anything untoward.”

“Have you known each other long?” The cellist could not believe the banter being exchanged between the two. Fancy Pants, one of the richest ponies in Equestria, conversing with the Captain of Celestia's Guard as if they had been long friends. She came towards the couch Iron was situated on. The guard captain shifted himself to give her room to lay herself down as a proper pony should.

“Iron and I? Why yes, my dear. He and I shared a dorm while we attended Canterlot's University.” The unicorn spoke up brushing a hoof across his mustache. “I was the best stallion at his wedding.”

A hoof was placed to her lips. “My word. I would not have imagined.” Octavia whispered glancing to Iron. “So, he is married? I have not known him for but a few hours but he does not come across as a pony to be wed.”

“Hah! See, Iron? You need to take Split's advice and become a bit more approachable.” Fancy's horn lit bringing a third snifter, filled partially with an aged brandy, to Octavia.

“I believe I am quite approachable when I am not on duty. But, Miss Octavia, I am curious why you are not resting. You and your marefriend went through the ordeal today. Any normal pony would be exhausted or traumatized, but here you are to enjoy a good drink with two ponies.” A kind smile brushed over his lips.

There was a long pause from the gray mare. Questions had been floating in her mind, but she withheld for worry if she was in her place to ask them or not. The snifter was placed against the crook of Octavia's ankle holding it in place with bent hoof. The alcoholic liquid graced her tongue rolling down her throat. She sighed contently feeling a bit of courage flourish from the simple drink. “Then, if you consider your self not on duty now and approachable, might I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

“I have met a many pony through the concerts and parties. Not all of them are what I would consider to be good ponies, but never have I heard of such cruelty as what Eclipse had told Vinyl and myself. To break a foal's horn while blaming her for an act she could not have wrought. What would drive a pony to such depths of lunacy? Did it surprise you to learn that he broke her horn?”

A troubling question presented its self. Fancy chose to remove himself from this conversation for the time being. This was something that the unicorn knew all about from previous talks with Iron, but it was not his place to answer for his close friend.

Iron pushed himself to sit up with his upper body hunched forward. The smile he once bore became a cold smirk as he focused his stare to drill into the ground. “My father was never raised to be such a pony. My grandfather was the kindest stallion I have ever known, aside from Fancy here. The one time my grandfather physically punished him was after Gold used his magic to hold a cat up by its tail I was told. No, my father became such a cruel pony, as my grandfather spoke, because of the condemning of others.” Body moved back pressing against the soft cushion of the back rest. Lids draped over silver pools focusing back on the thoughts of old. A leg moved rubbing across his ribs. “As you know Equestria is partially democratic and partially feudal. Any caste system was mostly done away with many hundreds of years ago.” Another sip of brandy moistened his tongue. “Princess Celestia and now Princess Luna are the only members of the royal family who's word is law. Every other is held to the same laws and standards as the rest of us regardless of title. This, however, did not stop the wealthiest of ponies to create their own system amongst themselves. Well, I should correct myself. This holds true for many groups, organizations, or kinds. There will always be ponies who feel the need to bring themselves a form of self superiority by looking down on others or creating cliques that only their 'kind' can be a part of.”

The last statement release a nerve of guilt through Octavia. There was truth to what he said. While she may not be boorish, insulting, or look down directly upon the pony, she did see her form of music at times above some of the random beats that Vinyl may come up with. She still did not look down directly on the pony unless that pony did so themselves. Even if she did not enjoy the music, such as with her DJ lover's, she was willing to recognize and see the talent that came from the individual. She looked on to Iron listening still.

“At my father's private school, the wealthy sent their foal to gain an education, proper upbringing and etiquette. Most of the ponies who attended during my father's time were from families who's wealth went back for generations. Any pony who's wealth came began with their fathers or grandfathers were looked down on for not being 'pure' or 'perfect' enough. If their families were meant to be wealthy they would have been ages ago, they believed.” Iron sought to take in a breath, the remainder of his brandy brought to his lips then the snifter set aside on a small table. “My father, much as Fancy here, was only a second generation to the elite. They snubbed him. He, much like other ponies in his situation, were set upon with cruel pranks and taunts. They found fault with everything he did or attempted to ruin him when he rose above them. None of my Grandfather's lessons of honesty and generosity held. Instead, Gold became a bitter pony seeking to outshine all those who mocked him. He became obsessed with wealth and perfection.”

A pony's childhood can shape a pony's entire future. Octavia understood this all too well. Vinyl had her share of bullies who tormented her over her eyes and Octavia dealt with unicorns who shunned her for her talent without the use of magic nor wings. A sigh escaped her bringing a temporary pause from Iron. He looked to her with concern, but she waved her hoof for him to continue.

“Once he graduated and after attending a university, he began with his planing. He married mother due to her inheritance and beauty. With the land and money Grandfather gave to him, he began amassing his fortune. He sought out the families that taunted him, began to buy up their wealth whenever they faltered. But, it was never enough, he had to also have perfection.” There, Iron slid his hooves down besides him. One resting on the leg rest besides him, his hoof rub ominously across the fabric. “If Mother changed her appearance or dressed in a manner he deemed ill suited, he would strike her. If he failed, he blamed her. When she gave birth to me, it only added to his plans. I was pushed to the same limits mother was to be perfect. I was to obtain high marks in school and sports, speak in an established manner, and ensure that no one ever knew of Gold's actions upon my mother or my self.” Iron grimaced as he leaned forward placing pressure on his ribs. His forelegs raised up, hooves moving his hair, with the aid of magic, to part it in certain areas. “Look.”

Octavia glanced at Fancy who motioned with his head for her to gaze at Iron's scalp. The white unicorn knew what to expect. Violet eyes traced across Iron's scalp finding what appeared to be round burn marks. Some were dark and deep, as others were light and shallow. Two hooves set to her mouth gasping at the sight. “Are those...?”

“Yes. Father would never punish me in a manner that could easily be seen. He had a preference for heating bits and burning my scalp.” Leaning back, he allowed his black mane to come back over hiding the marks. “When I grew to a teenager I challenged to tell finally. He simply laughed and said if I did, mother would in turn feel the brunt of it all. I suppose that answers your first question, and no, it did not surprise me he would do that to her. He is a monster capable of much.”

Silence broke through now. Iron had no more to tell and Octavia did not know how to take all of this. Did she show sympathy for Iron's foalhood? Or discuss Gold's own issues? Perhaps she should condemn Gold further for his actions knowing that no such foalhood would give him justification for the acts he brought onto his family. Octavia only found herself on the verge of tears. A hoof held to her mouth, and the other cradling her belly as nausea began to appear. It truly was too much to take in, but she held a feeling it would be when she asked.

Not wanting to have any of this, Fancy Pants decided to break the mood. A quick change in subject to perhaps something more humorous would be the right tone for the dark atmosphere that clouded the cockpit. “I dare say, Iron Mind, a good friend of mine, Miss Rarity, had recently sold a number of dresses to Upper Crust. It appears that Jetset was caught wearing a number of the garments by his maid!”

It was a proper mood breaker. Iron and Octavia's heads shot over to stare at Fancy Pants. Octavia knew of the two ponies, she had performed for a number of their parties, and this bit of gossip drew her to begin giggling uncontrollably.

Iron simply shook his head brandishing a broad grin. “You would think after the times he was caught during our time at the University he would have just learned to accept this part of him.”

The warm inviting environment that Octavia came into had returned. For the remainder of the flight amusing stories were exchanged amongst the three from foalhood to more recent times. Many of the stories involving Vinyl, the two stallions could not believe, but Octavia would insist it all to be truth. It was a peaceful end to a tormenting day.

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

The Cowhachipi mountains rose up separating the two deserts that houses Appleloosa and Las Pegasus. On the only flat area of the mountain, nestled in its heart, the town of Cowhachipi resided. It was a moderate sized town spread out far and wide. On the southern end of town, heading towards Las Pegasus, a stage had been setup over night. A red curtain was set over the front with spotlight shinning across the fabric.

Behind the curtain, away from pony eyes, a mare stood with paint brush in mouth. Carolina blue paint was spread out across every inch of the mare's body save for her mane and tail. A crude, wizard's hat adorned with stars rested on her head, and a star struck cape over her back, with string holding it against her sides. Odd lumps persisted on being seen on either side of her. The mare was able to keep her white hair was it was after she finished painting herself. No need to dye what didn't need to be dyed. Her hooves slid through the darkness pulling a cardboard unicorn horn up to rest on her forehead. A thin strap attached to opposite sides of the horn's base pulled down beneath her chin.

She breathed deeply moving to the center of the curtain. Her hoof pressed a small button that followed with the sounds of weak fireworks outside. There was anticipation for hooting and hollering but only heard coughs and children asking 'is that all'? Then, the pony bite back a moment of stage fright. With hind legs thrust forward she lept out from behind the curtain. “Behold! For I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Great and Powerful Return

“Look, I'm sorry, Eclipse. I didn't think they'd just toss us off and leave.” Eclipse and Spiral Flame found themselves stranded in the mountainous town of Cowhapachi. The previous day was spent riding in the stage coach only taking short breaks for water or use of a random bush by the two stallions whom pulled. Their arrival in Cowhapachi came naught too soon as the Fall sun had set and a bright, orange moon began to be pulled from the eastern horizon. As they had done the night before, Eclipse and Spiral took different rooms at a local inn. The next morning was when they would learn of their stranded situation.

“I do..don't underst...stand why you we..were upset with the stallions pul..pulling the coach.” Spiral had woke up feeling far more refreshed than she had in days. Coming down from the second floor of their inn. Spiral met with Eclipse and joined her for breakfast at a hide away cafe across the street. The stallions sat at an adjoining table. They spent their time asking Eclipse personal questions about her appearance, where she was headed, and what type of stallion she liked. Questions like this brought Spiral to a boil.

It seemed that Spiral was purposely ignored by the pair. Each time she tried to interject herself to talk to them, she was swiftly ignored and more pressing topics were brought up to the glowing eyed filly. When their questions steered towards Eclipse's cutie mark and their eyes were focused only on her flank, this was when Spiral felt a surge of jealousy corrupt her mind. It wasn't that Eclipse was stealing two handsome stallions' attention from Spiral. No, Spiral felt secure in how she looked from her sleek coat right down to her firm muscles. It was the fact that they were giving Eclipse attention and robbing Spiral of precious time with Eclipse that pushed her to the edge. Spiral accused the pair of fondling Eclipse with their eyes. An accusation they quickly denied throwing it back at her and the way she stared at the filly for hours on end during the trip.

The three's verbal bout brought the attention of locals who gathered to hear what ponies would make such a fuss. Spiral accused them of trying to sneak into Eclipse's room at night. They accused her of sniffing Eclipse's saddlebag. She hugged Eclipse while pointing out how caring and innocent she is. They pointed out where her hooves were trying to lower down to. That was the final straw and saw Spiral leaping at them for an attack. A quickly gathered cloud of dust hid the brawl from the public's eye. Ponies ran in all directions avoiding the randomly thrown table or chair as the dust cloud moved through the cafe's outdoor eating area. When it was all said and done, Spiral stood on her hind legs triumphantly over the two ponies.

Spiral held her forelegs high in the air pumping them for a bewildered crowd. When the stallions came to, they swore that Spiral and Eclipse would have to find their own way to Las Pegasus, took their coach, and left to return to Appleloosa. These events occurred only two hours ago.

“Well, they were being lecherous and perverted towards you! You may not have noticed it with how subtle they were!” Now, the pair were left wandering, with only their saddlebags, through the sparse landscape of what seemed to be randomly built houses and roads. A search was on to find a new method of transportation to Las Pegasus. It was still too far for them to travel on hoof. They would never be able to take the necessary water to last them. But, it seemed that word traveled fast even in a spread out town as Cowhapachi. No pony that was in the line of work would dare take Spiral.

“If you sa..say so. Miss Vin..Vinyl would oft..often tell me th..that I don't know wh..when a pony wo..would..” Eclipse paused to think about how Vinyl phrased it. Modern slang was still being learned from simple words to newer jargon that came from music. “Make a pa..pass at me.” Her hoof steps quicken to catch up besides Spiral. “I th..thought they were ju..just being nice.” Eclipse's smile shined brightly.

Spiral stumbled when she looked at Eclipse. Catching herself on three legs, she managed an awkward walk while holding a leg against her chest. She is too bucking cute! A tear fell from her eye as she held back the urge to pull Eclipse against her and squeeze her until she popped. “We..well..” Spiral began regaining some composure that she had temporarily lost. “What is done is done and can't be fixed. Maybe I can use the last of my bits to...” Her head twisted to her saddlebag. Her mouth held onto the flap of one side, tossing it up. She peered within then frantically switched sides to the other. “Well... Maybe I can tell them once we get to a bank in Las Pegasus I can pay them...” It was then she remembered. She spent nearly all of her bits paying off the cafe for the damages she caused. Spiral cursed herself stopping in place. “Look, Eclipse I'm sorry. I'll find a way to make it ri.. Eclipse?” The presence of the other pony was no longer felt. She looked around, back and forth desperately seeking her companion. A glimpse of her glowing tail fleeing into a large crowd of Cowhapachi residents crowding a small stage pulled her in that direction.

Eclipse had not meant to ignore Spiral and wander off. No, she had caught the glimpse of a pony on stage that pulled her away. Realizing what she had done, she turned her head enough to look at Spiral, raising a hoof for a wave. “Spi..Spiral. Over here.” When she found the amazonian amber pony besides her, Eclipse stared onstage while gradually working her way through the crowd.

“Behold! Trixie will perform magic unlike you had ever seen! Come one! Come all!” A powder blue pony with white hair stood on stage stepping back and forth. She kept one eye on the crowd, and the other on her hooves being careful to where each hoof step fell. Every few steps released small sparkles of sparklers and dim fireworks. The quality of her star struck cap, and bedazzled star hat instantly reminded Eclipse of somepony else. The pony's horn unusual for any unicorn to have. The pony, who called herself Trixie, gave a wave for a group of foals to arrive on stage. First, she drew a bit out from behind a foal's ear. Then, select card tricks were had revealing either the foal's card or finding the card in their mane. Finally, she withdrew several long balloons from beneath her cape, blew them to pull size, and formed various animals for the children. The applause after each trick was limited primarily coming from the children she was so focused on entertaining. “Now! For Trixie's next trick! Trixie requires a volunteer!”

“Rainbow Dash!”

The blue pony stiffened instantly. Such a familiar voice called out to in her direction. She was shaking when she looked out to the crowd. In the front row, dead center, the pony called Trixie saw who had called the name. “E..ECLIPSE!?” She shrieked aloud at the sight of the unusual alicorn. Instantly her cape shot up at either side of her body. Pure white wings fired up erect at her sides sending a plastic band that held them down firing into the crowd. A stray mare would be victim to the band crashing to the ground from the sheer force of its release. 'Trixie' was wide eyed ignoring the now silent crowd and focusing on Eclipse in the audience.

“Wing boner!” Much to the surprise of Spiral and 'Trixie' both, Eclipse pointed a hoof accusingly at the showmare.

“Wait... You know what that is!?” Spiral gasped glancing to her friend then to the showmare. When Eclipse spread her mismatched wings and took off to get on stage, Spiral followed behind like a faithful hound. “Eclipse! Don't just go up there it's obvious she's some sort of phony!” Protests were not heard drawing ire from Spiral towards this lame magician. “Aww Eclipse!”

“It's okay, Spi..Spiral.” Eclipse dropped from the quick flight down onto the stage. Her hoof pressed one of the raised planks causing a small air pipe to shoot out confetti. The alicorn came closer to 'Trixie' who had reverted her body into a shocked pose, reared back on her hind legs, and forelegs over her face and body. “It is you!” She exclaimed coming closer to the pony with erect wings and misshapen horn. “Bu...but weren't you different colors before? And why ca..call yourself Trixie?” Intrigue shown through glowing pools fixated on what 'Trixie' would do next.

“How.. How can you recognize me? Nopony has ever recognized me!” 'Trixie' blurted out falling back onto her flank. Hooves plastered down onto the wood of the stage, lifting her up a few inches off her back. She began moving her legs as a crab trying to escape an unknown being only to find the curtain blocking her escape.

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

It was a glorious, bright sunny day. Color Copy loved days that started like this. A clear sky overhead showed that the weather ponies were in top form for Cowhapachi, ensuring that despite the coming chill of winter, at least today would be spectacular. Waking up to the birds chirping and her stomach growling, Color Copy felt that something good was going to happen. Good or bad, she did not know.

A tent served as her home during the travels that took her further from the major hubs of Equestria. Even then she tended to sleep in the very same tent but in approved campgrounds. Color crawled to the flap as she shrugged off her blankets with the aid of her wings spreading out slightly. Her mouth snapping teeth around the zipper pulling it upwards to bring in the chilled breeze. Tiny hoof steps were taken to bring her forth from the makeshift home. Copy's tent was staked down right behind an old stage the town used to use during festivals and events. It had long since been abandoned when Celestia gifted the town with a theater building attached to their community center.

The sun shinned on her perfect white coat giving her a certain radiant glow. Copy had her mane cut short weeks back. Decision was made to use extensions when she took on a new role. In times she found herself in trouble and had to ditch her act, having different cuts of hair made it all the easier to avoid an angry mob or love struck mare or stallion. Ah love. They never loved Copy, just the persona she adopted. Wings gave a quick twitch and flutter working out the time she spent sleeping on the hard ground. A nearby pond, for lack of a better word, had served as her bathing facilities, and a drinking fountain her beverage. After a short bath and mouth wash, Copy went now to the worn down stage.

Her arrival in Cowhapachi came on a lark. Traveling by airship from Canterlot to Las Pegasus under the guise of gray pony with blonde hair, she had been tossed overboard by an annoyed passenger. It hadn't been Copy's fault that her cart wheels, random somersaults, and jovial acts caused her to randomly fly into a massive, crew cut, white pegasus male with tiny wings. It wasn't her fault either that his shouting of 'Yeah' tumbled her into the crew trying to fix a rotor. When the rotor fully broke off, their anger and seeing her with wings prompted them to throw her overboard to let the desert below deal with her. She was never happier to have wings than that day. She hadn't removed her saddlebags or flank pack so her belongings were thankfully falling with her.

Arriving in Cowhapachi, finding the stage, and deciding on her next moniker to take. The few bits she had was spent at the general store on a dull, light blue paint, streamers, fireworks, and blue and yellow fabrics. It didn't take her long to prepare a make shift horn from paper, construct her cap and hat, then begin going on stage a the Great and Powerful Trixie.

After her makeshift bath, Copy returned to her tent to feast on some store dried oats. It would be back to the worn down stage for her. The stage wasn't much even in its hay day. Several buttons had been hastily constructed on the ground to activated small air pipes to fire off confetti and streamers or perhaps more. She refilled each and setup the sparkles to go off at the same time as each pipe. The curtain was tattered and torn but served its purpose of keeping the small backstage hidden. It was enough for her to be able to make for easy paint jobs without being seen. Floor boards creaked from weight, and lights had to be replaced with fireflies caught in an undignified manner. Soon an older pony, a mare, and her grandfoal approached her.

“Excuse me, miss?” The old pony asked with her voice shaking as much as her body. She stood with one hoof reaching back stroking and holding onto her hip. Copy could only give a smile when she turned away from her workings.

“Yes?” She replied dropping the long stick of the sparkler from her mouth into its designated holder. Copy's voice, her natural voice, a bit of a high tone.

“Will Miss Trixie be performing soon? I told my foal I'd bring her here for a balloon animal.”

Copy beamed at this. Ponies were making plans to come see her perform! Such a thing had her beaming brightly at the notice she was receiving. Yet, a dark feeling came after. Voices in her head began to taunt her reminding her that it wasn't Color Copy they wanted to see, but The Great and Powerful Trixie. Copy swallowed back the dread and misgivings of her self esteem to force herself to keep smiling. Her hoof moved brushing back over the edge of the stage. “Miss Trixie will be performing in about five minutes.

The foal began to dance around until she went straight in front of Copy. “Hey are you apart of the act? I hope not cause you look lame!” It took all her will power for Copy not to snap at the foal. Ever since months ago a foal had her go up a tree for a cat she never owned, only to meet with near demise at the paws of a panther than serial killer house cat, Copy did not care for children who actually spoke.

“No. I just setup the stage.” Copy scoffed turning around from the foal and grandmother. All four hooves clicked the ground, her wings gave a quick beat downwards lifting her upwards onto the stage. The curtain was brushed away with Eclipse using her wing as she could a leg to escape back behind. To her left were her articles of clothing she created from memory; a cape, wizards hat, and a paper horn with a strap. At Copy's right was a closed tin of paint with a used brush laying besides it. She hated having to paint herself but over the weeks gotten to the point she could do it in three minutes if it wasn't more than one color. That would leave two minutes to dress and put her 'game' face on. Once her coat was painted, her clothing put on, her wings tied down with straps then hidden, her voice adjusted to 'Trixie', and a wig to extend her hair, she was prepared to go out on stage! By now, even in the short time, the voices of other ponies who were gathering. Ah, her audience had arrived.

The show began as it did for the past five days. An lackluster explosion of color paper shot up when Copy sprang forth with her front hooves held high. “Behold! For it is the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Mostly foals applauded the minor efforts she gave. Her act began with light dancing with sparklers, being tied to her wrists and one in her mouth. The special buttons on the stage floor were hit in a certain order. After this, she began calling forth foals from the audience, ensuring each received a turn, to have some sort of trick with them involved. A coffee in that had been set in front of the stage since day one was slowly doing its job of collecting tips and donations. Everything was going fine until she heard a voice. Copy heard a familiar voice she thought she may never hear again, but what it said chilled her to the bone.

“Rainbow Dash!”

Copy felt every bit of nerve she had gathered for the day to fly right away on the wings of her bravery. A pony stood out in the audience. A certain pony that Copy had met months ago, swore she would meet again in Manehatten, but had been dragged down the current of a river to another place. Every other pony shrunk from sight with all focus coming clearly on the pony who shouted, Eclipse. “ECLIPSE?!” Copy found herself shrieking the name. It was right then that everything spiraled out of control.

The strength of her imagination, returning the fantasies she once had involving Eclipse, brought forth the tremendous power of her wings firing them upwards in all their glory. The binds bounding them had managed to knock a mare clean off her hooves. Much to the astonishment of those in attendance, Eclipse gave little regard when pointing a hoof at Copy and announcing, “Wing Boner!”

A large, muscular mare had come up from behind Eclipse speaking things to Copy's prized filly that she could not make out. Ringing entered her ears, horror plastered on her face once Eclipse took flight to land on the stage in front of her. Copy would not be able to make out the departing ponies no longer wanting their foals to see what may come. Confetti exploding once Eclipse touched down, and the amber earth pony rushing up the steps of the stage, were lost to Copy. She reared back in a mixture of shock and tension rolling her forelegs back trying to appear larger but only managing to look ridiculous doing this in front of a filly shorter than she was. In an odd turn of events, the sweat that perspired from her body began to dissolve the paint on her coat leaving flakes of blue to shower an outline of her hooves on the stage.

“It's okay, Spi..Spiral.” Eclipse pushed forward coming within inches of Copy's terrified posture. “It is you! But... but weren't you different colors before? And why ca...call yourself Trixie?”

“How can you recognize me?! Nopony has ever recognized me!?” Color Copy had lost the Trixie voice just then reverting to her higher, squeakier sound. Clopping of her hooves, she dropped forward and began back peddling her hind legs to get some distance between Eclipse and herself. This had never occurred once since she found her special talent. Each time she changed her voice it was identical to the pony she mimicked. From panting her fur, to changing her hair, there hadn't been anypony who was able to tell her normal self from her change self. Eclipse changed all this in an instant.

“I do..don't understand. Wh..Why call yo..yourself something else?” An inquirer made once more jolted Copy to become rigid in stance.

The amber pony, no longer wanting to be forgotten, thrust herself forward coming up next to Eclipse. “She asked ya a question. Why don't you answer her, huh? Seems to me you told her something else and not don't want to admit the truth?” She tsked shaking her head. “Typical con pony if you ask me.”

Color Copy diverted to the massive mare. If she wasn't so frigid from this encounter she may have cast a glare, then backed away in hopes it didn't lead to a pummeling. Copy could never tell with the ones who looked to be on steroids. “I..I can explain. Really if you give me a chance I can explain.”

“Please.. th..then. I was worr..worried about you.” Back on her haunches Eclipse came to rest. Her fore hooves pressing down in front of her, striking another button letting loose a bit more confetti. Besides her the other mare came to sit, protective glances shot to Copy but more intent on watching the filly besides her.

“Yeah. Get on with it. We're waiting.” Color Copy took in the sight of Eclipse's escort. She was a large amber pony with chestnut mane and tail. Her cutie mark a flame tornado or something like it. The sheer size of her forced a hard gulp from Copy.

“Spiral Flame.” Eclipse spoke with a chastising tone. “Pl..please let her explain.” Having Eclipse speak to her in such a way brought ire from, who Copy just learned was named, Spiral. Hatred was the only emotion that sent invisible beams of fire right at the pegasus. Yes, Spiral blamed Copy for Eclipse reacting as she had.

“Um.. yeah I can explain..” Copy reached her hooves up brushing off her hat, fake horn, and wig in on quick swoop. Much of her fur was reverting back to the white it naturally was. Her cutie mark, a silhouette of a pony's head visible. Copy didn't want to look at big amber, so she kept on to watch the amused Eclipse. “My real name is Color Copy...”

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

Moments earlier on the southern end of town was a scene both similar and far different. An unusual caravan was station on a grassy clearing between the post office and a general store. It was three ponies in length and three ponies high. The side of it had rolled down displaying a large stage, twice the width and three times the height, of the caravan that produced it. Only magic only explain how it could be contained within such a small mobile home. A blue curtain hung down the middle, six brass trumpets set three per side. A banner hung over the top displaying a starry sky with a blue question mark like shape and a wand over the front. A red whirl plate, a blue planet with stars bouncing out the top, and what ponies could only imagine to be a rocket bounced back and forth at the very top in front of a red ceiling over the backstage.

Unlike Copy's performance, there were not many happy ponies watching. One by one they had been called on stage, bested in insulting manners, then left with their pride hurt. Who had injured them? “Now! Who next will dare to challenge the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Fireworks exploded sparkling light and fire behind the caravan. The very pony who was berating this crowd, was none other than the true Trixie. A pony who's ego could easily fill a parasprites belly leaving it no longer desiring to sedate its endless hunger. A steel blue pony who's mane and tail were white with sky blue streaks. A trade mark of her's consisted of a purple magician's hat, resting just in front of her unicorn horn, with blue and yellow stars and matching cape. Trixie's cutie mark was never hidden. The off crescent moon with a wand angled over the front forever to be seen by anypony who would look. Boasting could easily have been her special talent with the tales she told that barely mirrored the truth of events. “No matter the challenge there isn't a pony in existence who can match the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria!” If only the crowd could read her mind. Every time she said that line, the image of an lavender pony with pink and violet stripped midnight blue hair would appear taunting her. How it taunted Trixie, only she knew.

“Momma, I wanna go see the other Trixie. This one is mean.” A foal spoke to her guardian. This caught Trixie's attention with utmost haste.

Without delay, Trixie dismounted the stage to rush to the foal. Her hooves smacking the ground to get the foal and her mother's attention. “Another Trixie? There is only one Trixie and it is she!”

“Nu uh!” Trixie was met with defiance and a tongue stuck out at her. “The other Trixie makes balloon animals, does neat card tricks, and doesn't make ponies cry! You stink!”

The fire in Trixie's eyes could have set the Everfree on ablaze. Cheeks puffed out, and teeth began to grind holding back the urge to smack the little tart for such a rebellious act against Trixie. “Where is this other Trixie?” She spoke to the foal's mother with a demanding tone.

“Across town!” No hesitation to answer, and the mother took child away from the stage. She kept her voice low, whispering down to the foal. “Let's go see the good Trixie. Maybe she still has some balloons next. Want a cat this time?”

“Show is over! Trixie will see to this imposter right now!” Magic energy blew out of her pushing the earth beneath her downwards causing a small crater to form. Front hooves stomped frustratingly against the ground while she flinched. “Nopony will upstage Trixie will her own name! Nopony!” Ponies directly near her stumbled and fell then charged to escape the rampaging blue unicorn. Whoever the other Trixie was, many thought, was not going to see the outside of a hospital room for sometime when Trixie was finished.

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

Like a scene out of a teenage coming of age drama, Color Copy began to pour her heart out to Eclipse after being caught. The three ponies had seated themselves at the center edge of the stage; Color Copy on the left, Eclipse in the middle, and Spiral Flame on the right. Color Copy had retreated from them for only a moment to bring back cups of water for all three. After, she sat on her flank with her hind legs dangling down. Wings had slumped back lazily hanging from her shoulder blades now noticeable even with the cape. Each chance she got, a glance was stolen to Eclipse. Fore hooves rested on bent knees. The slouch in her posture and the gloom of every sigh she let out a perfect indication of her mood. By now, the blue painted flaked off her upper half leaving Copy half blue and half white. “My real name is Color Copy. I'm from Cloudsdale. My name isn't Rainbow Dash, or Trixie, Or Derpy Hooves, or anything else.. It's just Color Copy.” Copy couldn't do it. She couldn't bring herself to glance at Eclipse after she began speaking. Shame coursed through her flushing her face paler if it could even reach a shade whiter than the white she was. “I can mimic anypony's voice I hear, and if given enough time I can even copy how they act. Um... My fur also doesn't hold color well. It can wear off in hours or at the most a day...” She had uncertainty where to continue on this, until she felt Eclipse set a hoof onto one of her own.

Besides her was Eclipse, sitting in a similar fashion with her hind legs over the edge of the stage. She wasn't slouching but sat straight up and turned at her waist to watch Color Copy. There was no sign of anger towards this confession. Everything about Eclipse's body language told of calm and understanding which only put Copy at further ease. Saddlebag remained resting just above her flank and the pepper spray long removed tucked into one of the bags. Her wings had twitched when she leaned over pressing a hoof against the pegasus to her left. “So you..you're name is Color Copy then? It's a ple..pleasure to meet you again, then.” A twinkle in the glow of her eyes followed by the tender kind smile had Copy's heart racing. Eclipse had no idea what kind of pressure a simple expression was doing to the poor pegasus. “Your abil..abil...” A moment was taken to concentrate, keep her stuttering down to finish her sentence, “Your ability sounds amazingly useful.”

On the right of Eclipse sat Spiral Flame. For a massive amber pony, she certainly did not care much for posture as Copy seemed to. She was bent forward with her fore knees against her hind knees, sitting just like the other two were, but her chin pressed again an upturned hoof. Any attention given was just to catch anything that maybe useful. She didn't care about the white pony nor did she care for the attention that Eclipse was giving her. When the filly at the center of the three touched hooves with Copy, thoughts of murder came to her.

The heat of Spiral's rage could be felt by Copy, but seemed to be unnoticed by Eclipse. Color Copy leaned forward just a little more, looking across Eclipse to the amazonian mare. A quiet gulp, nervous laugh, and she continued. “I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I just... I just have a problem being around others when I'm not somepony else. So I pretend to be other ponies and it calms me down...”

“In other words, you're just a wuss that can't be yourself. I get it.” Spiral finally spoke up, snorting in indignation. Neither her head nor her body turned, only her visions shifted towards the white and stained blue pony. “So now that you're caught you think you can play nice with Eclipse, right? Che.”

Chilled words cut straight into Copy's chest. Pain filled her mind causing gloom to flood her consciousness. If she could have slouched farther down, she would have let herself fall through the boards of the stage. “I.. I don't like to pretend but...”

“But nothing. You're just some pansy pegasus who can't even look at Eclipse in the eyes. Whatcha doing out this way anyway, huh? Ponies in these parts don't take kindly to liars, especially ones who try to fool innocent ponies like Eclipse.” Spiral continued to berate Copy, shifting her view to the opposite side of the stage from the other two.

“You don't understand, I...”

“I understand perfectly. Like I said, you only came forward cause you got caught. You would have probably continued lying to Eclipse if she...”

“Spiral stop!” The shout took both ponies by surprise. At once, Spiral and Copy turned their heads staring at a fuming Eclipse. The alicorn was on all four hooves, tears appearing while staring down her friend. “Col..Color Copy is in pain. She is..isn't a bad pony at all.” Eclipse choked back a quiet sob, something about the manner that Spiral had been talking set off a nerve in the filly. “She help...helped me when I had esc...” A deep breath to calm herself. She didn't want to tell of what occurred before, not yet at least to these two. “She hel..helped me get to Maneha..Manehat..Manehatten fighting off a giant sna..snake and..”

Copy wanted to stop her. There wasn't a thought that Eclipse could raise her voice much less stand up to a large pony like Spiral. If it was hurting Eclipse to defend her, she certainty didn't want the pony to be upset. She tightened her wings on her back, coming to stand up moving next to Eclipse. Though, before she could protest the filly defending her, Spiral had made a move to stand.

What Eclipse was doing felt so similar, yet her words were so different from Spitfire's. Something that Spiral did triggered emotions in Eclipse she wasn't even aware such a happy pony could have. First she shouted, then she stood up defending a pony who, by all account, lied to Eclipse up until now. What was it that she wasn't seeing that the filly did see? “Okay, okay. I crossed the line.” Spiral finally admitted turning a bit to look from the two. “Just tell me. She lied about who she is, why forgive her so easily? You're saying she helped you, but why does it make it alright?” Now, Spiral stood tall and waited for an answer, but did not receive the one she had anticipated.

“Be..because. I can te..tell that she want..wanted to help me. Ju..just like you d..do.”

Just like that, with the comparison of Copy to Spiral, the amber pony's entire defense and argument was shattered. Copy helped Eclipse because she wanted to help, not for any reward. According to Eclipse, this was the same reason Spiral was standing there right then. A hoof went, pulling her chestnut mane back from her face. Was Eclipse right about even her? Why did she choose to help the filly in the first place? “Fine. You win. Look... Color Copy was it? I'm sor...”

“STOP RIGHT THERE!” An extreme sound of a pony's voice shouted from the right side of the stage. “How dare you try and steal the Great and Powerful Trixie's name sake and dare to copy her talent with simply foal tricks!” Eclipse and Spiral expressed surprise to the pony who arrived. Copy only expressed horror. The pony who had screamed in their direction was non other than the same pony that Copy was imitating, the Great and Powerful Trixie. Blue and yellow star wizard hat and cape, steel blue coat, white and sky blue hair, and fury imbued violet eyes. Her head was hung downwards lined with her withers. At Trixie's horn, magic spun and encircled creating a circular vortex of energy.

“Sweet Luna's garter belt why are you here?!” Color Copy's voice hit a pitch that may have broken glass if any was nearby. The pegasus felt her wings shirk against her back, muscles failing to move her legs to escape. “You're supposed to be.. Somewhere else!” Her lower, blue half began to flake off the paint once again. Panic appeared to be a great solvent for coloring to her coat.

“Wa..wait.” Eclipse attempted to interject shifting her body between Trixie and Copy. A flash of light signaled the failing of diplomacy, and Spiral reached her forelegs to pull Eclipse straight from the path of harm.

From Trixie's horn came a spiraling beam of energy. The stage beneath was torn asunder setting off any remaining fireworks and confetti cannons. With mere seconds to spare, Copy jumped to the left off the stage landing with her chin and chest crashing first. Her legs still refused to do much more movement than the jump. Pieces of wood and bits of cloth rained down when the magic dissipated. The tall wall that was the back of the stage fell crashing down across the open field below narrowly missing the tent Copy called her home.

Trixie set forth trotting across what remained of the demolished up stage while keeping Copy in her sights. She was breathing hard, glaring at the cowering pony attempting to flee, but barely making any movements. “Trixie will not let this stand. No pony will take Trixie's name and be more beloved than her!” A high whine sounded, magic swirled flowing inwards to the tip of Trixie's horn. Laughing chaotically, her head raised up casting one last look upon the pony. “You shall learn your lesson well! For I am the Great and Powerful Tri... Who are you? How dare you interrupt Trixie!”

Through the dust and smoke, Eclipse stepped out from what was left of the backside of the stage. There was something different about the air around her. Wings had spread out taking a defensive posture flapping against upwind of soot and dirt. Glow of her hair came off brighter, and gray magic flowed at her horn restoring the broken portion. “You wi..will not hu..hurt my friends...” The image of a brave stance was broken with the nervousness of her voice.

“What is this?” Trixie smirked narrowing her field of vision to the new challenger to set forth. “Another pony thinking she can best the Great and Powerful Trixie? Nice wings. Look fake.” Insult given, a bolt of magic electricity shot from Trixie's horn to her newest opposition.

Eclipse flinched. She had planned that it would turn out as it did a many times when Vinyl stood up for her. The bullies would see they were being shown up, back off, and run into the night. This time, it didn't work that way. Time seemed to slow down for Eclipse. She glanced at Copy, who pulled with her fore hooves clutching onto her hind legs trying to move them from their cemented spot. A groan from Spiral sent Eclipse's stare to her. The stunt pony had been buried beneath the planks and boards of the collapsing half ceiling. Time sped up. Eclipse lowered her horn taking the full brunt of the spell into the magic infused part. The bolt broke being sent in different harmless directions. Front hooves stomped the ground, Eclipse flinched as her own spell was sent in return to Trixie.

It happened faster than Trixie had hoped. Shock that her spell was so easily broken, stopped her concentration on the fight at hand. Eclipse's counter attack hit dead center on it. Warm feelings crackled through and across her body lifting her off the ground a hoof, raising the upper half of her body to the sky. Just as quickly, she was brought back down to all fours. Steam raised up from her body but other then that not a hair or piece of fur was out of place. Finding herself unharmed, Trixie began to laugh once more. “Is that all? Pathetic! No pony can match the power of Trixie!” Reeling back on her hind legs, kicking the air with her front, Trixie laughed at what she saw as a pathetic attempt to protect the imposter. The focus of her magic, her horn, was lowered again directed at Eclipse. But, when she tried to sent off another flurry of magic electricity. Lids fell closed but Trixie felt odd. Something wasn't right. She came to look up once more staring at the odd pony in front of her. Sparks and particles of magic fell down before Trixie's eyes, but no spell was cast. “What? What is this?” She exclaimed raising her head up. Once more, she pictured the spell and cast it at the other pony only to be met with fizzling sparks and vanishing particles of light.

At first sight that the danger had passed, Eclipse prepared herself to help her friends. Which she went to first was a predicament. The choice was made for her, when Trixie came rushing up touching face to face with Eclipse. “Um..What?”

“What did you do to Trixie?! She can't use her magic! And... And!” The showmare thrust a leg back pulling her came from her flank. There, she presented what should have been a brilliant cutie mark. Instead it was nothing but a watermark of its former self. Faded and discolored it looked more like a temporary tattoo then a true cutie mark. “Explain this to Trixie?! What did you do?!” Blue hooves pressed against Eclipse's shoulders. “Give Trixie back her magic!!”

“I... don..don't know how. When it hap..happened before I was to..told it ju..just came back.” At least, this was how Octavia made it sound when Eclipse had made their apartment go black. There was no eclipse in the sky nor drowning out of light. All she did was focus on protecting her friends and the spell came to focus. Wings lowered down, an act Trixie noticed after. The magic surrounding Eclipse's magic dissipated returning her horn to its broken state. “So.. Yo..you should be fi..fine soon.”

She wasn't sure what she was seeing now. Trixie had ignored the pony who had somehow bested her at first, but seeing that her wings were true and her horn broken gave her pause. Hooves released from Eclipse's shoulders placing them back down. If the pony spoke true and her magic would return in time, it would cease to do her good to continue to berate her. If Eclipse did it once she could surely to it twice. Contemplation was given glancing to Copy and Spiral.

Color Copy had long tried her movements to escape. Seeing Trixie's failure to harm Eclipse and her fading cutie mark gave her a chance to fly into the air landing behind the smaller gray filly. “Lis..listen if I knew you were in town I wouldn't have ever tried to do what I did...” Now that things had calmed, Copy wanted to try and stop any future outbreak of violence now instead of when it began again. Raising a hoof in preparation of apology, she found Trixie outright ignoring her. The showmare had instead focused on Eclipse. It was moments until Trixie reacted to Copy's words, glancing at the now completely white pony then back to Eclipse.

“Fine. Trixie will accept your apology on the condition that she,” A hoof pointed at Eclipse, “Comes to Trixie's caravan for a conversation. I wish to inquire about this pony and what she did to Trixie.”

Eclipse and Color Copy exchanged looks. It was the easiest way to deal with the situation, but they would need to pull Spiral out of the wreckage first. Copy went to begin taking down her tent and packing her saddlebags. With the stage collapsed she couldn't stay near it in fear she would be expected to take care of the damages. A pony as frightening as Trixie would simply blame her for instigating her. Eclipse levitated the large pieces of debris from Spiral until she was free to raise up on her own. After being told of where they were going next, and giving a disgruntled grunt, Spiral recovered the saddlebag that was flung from her when she dove for cover from Trixie's first spell. The four then departed for Trixie's caravan; Trixie and Eclipse in the front with Copy and Spiral hanging back far enough that the two before them could not hear their whispers.

“I know about you.” Spiral spoke low, keeping her stare forward on the road before them.

“What about me do you know?” Copy countered glancing upwards to the pony besides her. It was a bit of an odd sight. An alicorn and unicorn walking side by side with a pegasus and earth pony trailing behind.

“You like Eclipse. Well don't bother. She's mine.” The earth pony grinned proudly not letting a gaze come across Eclipse's flank.

“No she's not.” Speaking up a bit louder to assert some dominance.

“Yeah she is. Her and I are going to Las Pegasus. And you know what happens there.”

“Yes I do. She leaves you for her true love, me.” A challenge among words.

Spiral resisted the urge to twist and buck Copy in the side. It would not look well on her to strike the pony that Eclipse had defended just moments ago. She realized she needed something to best Copy, something that her and Eclipse did that would stop the pegasus cold. It hit her. True, it would not be the definition that Spiral would have liked it to be, but it did fit one of the definitions nicely. “Oh yeah? Well Eclipse and I slept together.”

Nothing about what Spiral said would be believed. Copy was firm in this thought. There was not a single doubt to her that Eclipse would do such a horrible, vile act with a pony that, Copy thought, would not be able to recognize the passion somepony like Eclipse needed. Not wanting to be upstaged by some half truth, it occurred to Copy that she, as well, did the same thing with Eclipse, if by only one definition. “Oh yeah? Eclipse slept with me to!” A slight, unknowing rise in her voice.

By now, the two mares were locked in a death stare. Neither were speaking, and neither would look away. Both had now crossed a line in their small competition that giving in would put them too far behind. In order to break the stale mate, Copy stick her tongue vibrating it in Spiral's face splattering her with saliva. Copy did not linger back with Spiral any longer. She took a quick galloping step forward to join Trixie and Eclipse, making sure to come along side them on Eclipse's other side rather than Trixie's.

Fuming, yes fuming was the best way to explain how Spiral took the words Copy said. On any normal day she would have snapped at the pegasus tail, tossed her to the ground, and strolled off with the mare or stallion she was in competition for. The problem that Spiral faced now was that this wasn't any normal day, and this wasn't any normal pony she was now forced into a competition for.

Trixie smirked to herself. Since they began the short walk, she observed the exchanges between Spiral and Copy. It was easy to read such simple ponies from their words to their body language. It seemed they both had something for the unusual one next to her, and now she wondered how she could use this to her advantage.

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

The inner workings of Trixie's cabin could only be explained with one word: Magic. For an object so small, the inside was spacious and spread out easily fitting all four ponies on a pile of pillows at its center. Saddlebags were piled up next to the rear exit inside. Pictures of Trixie lined the walls from glamour shots to photos of her performances. Thick velvet ropes of indigo hung against the left side wall, opposite of red velvet ropes that were used to release Trixie's stage. The stage another work of magic to conceal its massive proportions into the smaller four wheeled caravan. Cabinets for storage and a bed of soft massive pillows on the front end near a door that went out where a driver would normally sit. It had many comforts for a single pony to live.

Now, the four sat around the small circular table in the middle of the pillow pile. Trixie had since removed her hat and cape placing them on a rack by the rear exit. She had forced Copy to retrieve them glasses of water through a glare and idle threat of future violence if she did not obey her. Trixie was not quite yet over being shown up in such a way. Drinks, comfort, and the comfort of her home let Trixie begin to inquire to Eclipse. “Trixie must know. What are you?” Trixie's cutie mark had yet to return to its natural splendor, but this was far from Trixie's mind... for now.

Spiral had taken one side of Eclipse and Copy the other. Trixie had planned for this wanting to further fuel the tension that the two ponies had for the alicorn. Eclipse, ever still ignorant of such social acts, saw it as nothing more than three friends speaking to a forth. “I'm a po..pony.”

“No. You're something more than a pony. Trixie sees this.” The blue pony stomped a hoof onto the table. “We ponies come in three kinds; unicorns, pegasi, and earth. You are obviously an alicorn, an alicorn of unusual kind with wings like yours.”

At this point Spiral and Copy had looked to one another. It was something nopony had directly pointed out to Eclipse since her escape. Everypony seemed to beat around the bush or only make reference to the fact she could have been one of the god like beings. Neither of them knew what to say. They too wanted to know more about Eclipse, but wondered if this was the proper course to take for it.

“I... Don't kn..know. Momma never to..told me.” Eclipse confessed shaking her head.

Trixie leaned in over the table while setting her front hooves against the top. She peered studying Eclipse from her flank to her broken horn. Yes, the horn was taken into account but did not interest Trixie in the least. It was little more than an injury to Trixie, not something that would be of any association with Eclipse's wings. “Your 'Momma', is she like you are?”

“No. She's an earth pony. But daddy ma..made her go away...” Sadness trickled at the rims of Eclipse's eyes, forcing her self to look away lest the glowing tears come to view.

“Very well. If you do not know then Trixie suggests we find out. You stole Trixie's magic, if only for the moment as you claim, so Trixie proposes we discover how.”

“Ho..How would we do th..this?”

“Simple. There is a unicorn in Ponyville with a vast knowledge of magical things. Trixie proposes that we pay her a visit. Trixie will guide you there, though she must warn it is the trek. Where, pray tell, is your destination to begin with?”

“Ma..Manehatten... Well I ne..need to also get to Trottingham.” For a moment she glanced between her two friends. Copy had now taken intrigue to the hanging violet velvet rope but Spiral held a stare on Trixie waiting for her moment to speak up. “My fri..friends Octavia and Vinyl are wai..waiting for me I think..”

“Trixie knows of the train tracks being missing, so if you are going there it is either by walking to a train station beyond Las Pegasus or by airship. If Trixie is to accompany you, then Trixie proposes that you get your little friends to pay her way by airship. It is only fitting.” It began. Trixie was playing at something with her words. She shifted her eyes towards Spiral waiting for the earth pony to speak up, and she would

“Whoa whoa whoa.” Spiral leaned her head forward shaking it back and forth. She was seated on her flank, all four legs crossed with their direct opposite. “Sorry, but it's only Eclipse and I going anywhere and she wants to go to Manehatten so that's where I'm taking her.”

“I'm going with you two! I wont leave Eclipse alone again. I promised once to take her there and I'll do it this time.” Copy was leaned forward over the table flashing a smile to Eclipse. “This time I wont go jumping into the river with any giant squids.”

“Now hold on! I wont be taking along some wuss who runs off from a unicorn leaving somepony else to deal with her!” The counter came form the amber pony with a hoof slamming against the table top.

“And I wont leave her with somepony who proclaims she's theirs without any basis to it! She happens to like me too!” Copy leaned over the table, pressing face to face with the larger pony. They began to growl at each other not realizing that they may have just made their feelings known to Eclipse.

Trixie only smirked. The more these two let on the more that it gave her ammunition to use later. Eclipse, on the other hoof, simply sat and smiled. “You tw..two get along so well.” She announced clapping her hooves together.

“What?!” The two shouted in unison turning their aggression to Eclipse. Neither would believe that she would say something like that them.

“Of co..course. You two act alm..almost like Octavia and Vinyl.” Eclipse gasped placing a hoof delicately to her mouth. “Are you tw..two marefriends?” Trixie couldn't have planned a better way to silence the two ponies than when Eclipse had said this.

The warring ponies stared at Eclipse then right at each other. For the lives of them they could not figure out the connection between how they were acting, this Octavia and Vinyl, and the accusation they could be marefriends. Both of them, identical in actions, dropped back sitting again, turning away from facing the other, with their legs crossed.

“Well then, how many bits do you three have between you?” Trixie inquired leaning her body back against a large pile of pillows behind her.

“Now just wait, I never said either of you are coming with us. My bits pay for travel for Eclipse and I, nopony else!” Spiral was feeling a bit of anger at Trixie. She wasn't the pony that Trixie should be making demands to, it was that other pony that had caused the problems for her. Chestnut tail snapped back and forth behind her. “Domestic travel on airships go to and from Canterlot, Manehatten, Stalliongrad, and Las Pegasus. Not some backwater place called Ponyville.”

“I think I have twenty or thirty bits from donations.” Color Copy's reply was met with a dark look from Spiral.

“As I said before it is just Eclipse and...”

“I'd like for Copy to come with us.” Eclipse whispered. Her glowing eyes flashed with a doe's innocence. Spiral melted into a puddle of compliance no longer able to argue over one of the two ponies accompanying them. Copy beamed with new energy close to glowing with happiness. Trixie had to rethink her strategy.

“So, Spacial Frame...” Trixie began.

“Spiral Flame.” Harshness cut with her words giving a vicious look towards Trixie.

“Whatever, Trixie cares not. How do you plan to get to Las Pegasus? Surely you know that the coaches and carriages are gone from Cowhapachi. Only way to Las Pegasus is to have you two.. well three trot there with no overhead cover. It's fall, so the heat will not be a problem but what if you're forced to rest? Miles with nothing to use for shelter.”

Copy had long gotten lost again starting at the violet rope. Eclipse, unsure how to respond, waited for Spiral to speak on the subject. Being deep in thought with two ponies staring at you did not lead to quick thinking. Spiral never cracked under pressure for a show nor did she break when confronted. This felt different, especially with Eclipse sitting there. “So I guess you propose we take this caravan of yours, and you with it, to Las Pegasus? Fine. You can come with us to Las Pegasus, but I wont be spending one bit to get you or the airhead pegasus onto an airship.”

“Trixie is fine with that.” Trixie's head lowered to partially conceal her smirk. She'd have to change her plans once they got there. She had reasons other than what she had told these ponies for wanting to go to Ponyville. “You, Spiral, will be pulling us. You have the look of a pony who could pull four caravans with no worries.”

“What?! Why me? Get the white stick pony to do it!” The protest came just as Trixie predicted. Copy did not react to being brought into the conversation. No, the rope had all her attention.

“You are a guest using Trixie's caravan. Thus she will not be pulling before you even suggest such a thing. I doubt you would want sweet little Eclipse to do it, would you?” Leaning her back against a large pillow, Trixie grinned while she stared at the ceiling. These ponies were too easy to manipulate, especially when Eclipse was brought into it. “And I doubt the one who copied Trixie could pull us far before wearing down. That only leaves a pony with more muscle than beauty or intelligence.”

“Th..thank you for your hospit..hospit..hospitality and generosity, Miss Trixie.” Eclipse bowed her head forward while her front hooves came to rest on her bent, hind knees. “I am very grat..grateful for this.”

Spiral had grown tired of it. Tired of the vague and direct insults. Tired of feeling that she was being manipulated. Eclipse's words of thanks echoed through her ears. The filly truly had a heart of gold if she wasn't too trusting of ponies. She was trusting Color Copy after she lied, trusting Trixie with her half truths, and she trusted Spiral after she had planned to have her way with Eclipse. Spiral decided it was time to go on the offensive. “There's something you're not telling us. You seem persistent on going to Ponyville claiming you want to find out what Eclipse is. So what is it? Why offer all this? Wait... You got something, or somepony waiting for you in Ponyville and just want an easier way back huh? Smoochy smoochy?” Leering at Trixie, she continued. “Or maybe something more? So what's the stallion's name? Huh?”

“Trixie has no such pony! How dare you insinuate that Trixie would only aid for lustful means!” Trixie's outburst gave Spiral more fuel for the fire. “Trixie has nothing but pure motives to help Eclipse and Trixie wishes to learn more about this pony Trixie's self!”

As if on cue, and Copy finally reached her head up snatching her mouth around the end of the rope. She had been watching this dangling velvet since they had gotten into the caravan and were told of what the red ropes role were. Pegasus wings sprung out, flapping to give her leverage as she pulled on the length. Trixie would not notice this act until the rope pulled out triggering a mechanism. The wall opposite of the stage wall began to slid down. Each plank falling, collecting with the one below it until they stacked neatly at the bottom. A bright, wisteria purple light shinned down from a glowing orb above the wall. The scent of jasmine wafted through the air. Spiral, Copy, and Eclipse turned to see what was on the wall; pictures. Dozens of pictures of a single, lavender pony with pink and purple striped midnight blue hair, and a large purple star with five white stars surrounding it for a cutie mark. The images were of various voyeuristic scenes. The pony in the bathtub, laying in bed, reading a book, or talking with her friends. Trixie's eyes went wide, she went as stiff as stone unable to turn around to see that they had found her dark secret.

“Whoa-hoho!” Spiral became giddy with enthusiasm. She jumped to her hind legs, bouncing back and forth until she came behind Trixie. There, her hooves prodded and poked the blue pony in random places on her shoulders and sides. “The truth comes out, does it? You're going to Ponyville to continue to spy on some innocent bookworm, huh? Trixie's a pervert! The Sick and Deprived Voyeur! Hah!”

Color Copy made no attempts to join in with Spiral's fun of poking a sleeping tiger. Instead, she wiggled herself over next to Eclipse glancing between Trixie and Spiral to make sure that she was was not to become a target herself. This would not turn out well, given the state of magic that Trixie used earlier, even if her magic was suspended when it did come back this would only give fuel to Trixie's vengeance.

And it would come back. “Trixie's a pervert!” Spiral announced once more poking at her cheek.

This was the final straw. Trixie had been quietly stewing since the barrage of taunts and insults began. Resting on her haunches with her front hooves pressed down in front of her. Trixie had tilted her head forward trying to hide the red of her cheeks and the hate in her eyes using her mane for cover. One would swear they could see steam blowing from her straightened ears. In an instant, a flash of light came from Trixie's cutie mark. It had restored to its full glory and with it, her horn gave off a brilliant glow. Spiral's body became wrapped in magic raising her from the caravan's floor. “YOU. WILL. NOT. MOCK. TRIXIE!” The showmare raised her forelegs to the heaven's launching the stunt pony straight through the ceiling to become a twinkle in the sky. Sinister glare was shot to Copy, but avoided giving such a look to Eclipse. It had not occurred to her that the filly could very well do what she did before. This time, however, even Eclipse believed that Spiral had it coming. Finding some calm, Trixie panted lowering herself to sit once more. The magic gradually faded as she puffed out, “Forgive Trixie. She could not take anymore of that nuisance.”

“I un..understand.” Yes, even Eclipse could see that Spiral had that coming. She shifted herself up coming to all fours. Her head looking up at the pony sized hole in the roof. “Sh..should we fix it be..before we leave?”

“No. Trixie will have the muscle headed fool do it as punishment for taunting her, but you,” Trixie let her words drift to Eclipse first then to Copy, “Use your bits and go get provisions for the trip. Water and food will be needed and Trixie requires the freshest chocolate. Chop chop!”

“Yes ma'am!” Copy sprang up, saluting with one hoof to her brow. The pegasus waited no time to escape from the caravan and the horrifying unicorn. Her wings parted from her back letting her take flight for the general store.

“Now, as you promised, Eclipse, my magic and cutie mark returned. Until our two unnecessary companions return, let us talk, hmm?” Trixie's horn glowed lifting the planks back up to cover her shrine to the unknown mare, stop the glow of light, and cease the smell of jasmine.

Spiral landed about a mile away and rushed back for a confrontation with Trixie. There was revenge on her mind that overshadowed the revenge she wanted to take on Copy for daring to say that Eclipse wasn't her's. But, Eclipse insisted that they needed to get along. Giving into Eclipse was easy, so under Trixie's instructions, the last of Spiral's bits she had on her went to repairing the ceiling.

Once the repairs were finished and Copy returned, Trixie used her magic to attach the reigns of the caravan around Spiral. They would be departing Cowhapachi three hours before the dawn. Copy's duty through the trip was to fly down and supply Spiral with water whenever she requested. For this she was to remain at the driver's station in the front. It should not have been difficult or tiring work but Spiral would not give Copy a moment reprieve to open the door from her spot to the inside of the caravan. If Spiral could not freely converse with Eclipse, than she would ensure that Copy would not either.

This left Eclipse and Trixie to themselves within the caravan. Much of the talk between the two was one sided. Trixie drilled questions into Eclipse inquiring at first about 'momma' and 'daddy' but meeting only a brick wall of resistance. Her questions turned to Eclipse's magic instead. Comparing knowledge of magic was a short trip. The number could cast was limited to the basic abilities of most unicorns. How she managed to subdue Trixie's cutie mark and magic was not something she could explain. For all accounts, Trixie was more powerful then Eclipse was. Yet there was something that Trixie could not place her hoof on about her.

“Eclipse. Trixie wishes to know what kind of alicorn you are? Why are you not with the royal family in Canterlot?”

The question felt too quick to Eclipse. It had taken weeks for her to open up to Octavia about such things and that was only when she was pressed with the fear of going to the capital. Her forelegs wrapped around her hind legs pulling them against her chest. She shook her head, refusing to speak on the subject or even speak a definitive 'no'. Lids fell closing away the visions of the caravan, of having the face the pressuring Trixie.

“Fine then.” Trixie was not one to simply give up but, seeing the manner that Eclipse drew into herself, refusing to even look upon her. “Wont even tell Trixie what kind of alicorn you are?”

Trixie would be met with a shake of Eclipse's head. Everything Trixie asked about Eclipse, her magic, or her past was met with a diligent no or failure to even give a bodily message of it. Trixie finally gave in, sighing and tossing her hooves into the air, finding that any personal inquiries would not be met. She fell back on something perhaps simpler, asking about Octavia and Vinyl. This, Eclipse began to give a mountain of information on the two and the things they did together. It seemed that Eclipse happily spoke of her two roommates, but would not budge on speaking on the occurrences before that.

Color Copy left the door behind her open. Though difficult, the two ponies outside the caravan could hear bits and pieces of information being spoken. Both of them had similar reasons for eavesdropping. What either of them knew of the filly they longed for could barely fill the introduction of a text book. To them, what they could overhear, Eclipse speaking of her time with Octavia and Vinyl gave them a new wealth of knowledge. It would suffice for now until they could get the chance, and courage, to try and ask her further about her past.

When night became too dark, and exhaustion did its part on Spiral. They came to the side of the road to sleep. Trixie would not let Copy and Spiral inside of the caravan but granted Eclipse the chance to sleep within it. The two mares insisted Eclipse do so, and they would simply share Copy's tent. When dawn came, the final hours of the trip were passed with silence until the sight of Las Pegasus brought Eclipse to the driver's area with Copy.

Even during the day light, and at a distance, Las Pegasus was a sight to behold. Large structures taking on unorthodox shapes from pyramids, to a small version of Manehatten, a pirate ship far larger than any that had been built, a circus that went on all year long, and a giant cupcake could be seen from the distance. Eclipse learned that the buildings resided along 'the Strip'. The center of Las Pegasus surrounded by thousands of smaller stores, casinos, and specialty entertainment establishments. It was the premier theme park city for foals to adults alike. A city of entertainment and sin welcoming all into its charming embrace.

Eclipse smiled at the sight. It was breath taking, perhaps more so than when she first saw Manehatten. She was finally at the place that could return her to Octavia and Vinyl. With three new friends accompanying her, at least Eclipse saw Trixie as a friend, they made their approach in the caravan into Las Pegasus city's limits.

Prim and Proper

Prim and Proper

Las Pegasus was a true testament to pony ingenuity and engineering. The first settlers discovered the site for the future city seventy years in the past when the western expansion first began. A mile west from the mountains that separated the deserts of the west and the paradise of Equestria, settlers and explorers were amazed to find miles of land rich with vegetation and rich soil. It was declared that the first settlement would begin here. Word of the fertile land in the middle of the desert quickly found its way back to Canterlot bringing in a wealth of investors. Geological surveys discovered the source of the good land; an underground reservoir.

The finding of a near unlimited supply of water gave investors a new breath of air and soon construction began to form the city. The original settlers were pushed out of any further development instead given the task to use their talents of agriculture to begin planting crops and sewing seeds to feed the influx of ponies to the area. The investors quickly had garnered all say in the planning of the city. No longer would it be a hub to further expansion into the desert, instead it transformed into a city where ponies could find their dreams.

Nothing was to be left to chance in the design of Las Pegasus. From the location to the shops and residential homes, to the factories and offices it was planned with a fine eye for detail. Construction of the city to its glory took twenty years from start to finish. New ideas and modern magics were used to create sights no pony had seen before.

South west, south east, and north east areas were designated for building homes. The southern areas would have the more expensive real estate built. Dozens of middle class home peppered around larger manors and small mansions. The northern area became composed of townhouses, condos, and apartments crammed into small complexes to fit as many ponies in one area as possible. Even a city as inspiring as Las Pegasus needed affordable housing.

In the south and east, in between the residential districts, businesses for shopping, and small restaurants were to be built. Smaller buildings were kept to the east, primarily suited for low income and easily accessible supplies. Taller department stores and specialty shops had been given their home to the south catering primarily to high end clientele and ponies with large amounts of disposable income.

Most of the west was kept safe from expansion, with miles left untouched by constructors hooves to allow food to be readily grown. Orchards of apples, stocks of corn, rows of beans, celery, and assortments of other vegetables were planted dutifully and quickly to take in the influx of ponies into the area. Farm owners found their coffers filled to the brim in three seasons time. Never was there a time when the crops did not sell, or the farmers worried of financial woes.

The center of the city, known as the strip, would house the largest structures reaching up straight to the clouds. Each building was built for entertainment for adult and foal alike; Casinos, hotels, and small indoor amusement parks. Structures ranged from typical offices to flamboyant designs such as a skyscraper cupcake to a pirate ship. Each of the tall buildings were covered in clouds at their highest point, but lights that shined through the white fluff indicated they reached higher.

Just outside of the strip, latched onto its outer walls like a parasite, was the more sinful side of Las Pegasus. Sock clubs, exotic dancer establishment, brothels, and low keys bars incited their fair share of normally morally upstanding ponies to venture to their darker desires.

Outside the city limits to the south an airship port, the hospital, and lots for carriages, caravans, and stage coaches were given their fair share for traveling ponies to come to and from the city with ease. The hospital catered to each of the three pony race equally and employed some of the greatest pony doctors that money could bribe to move there.

Finally, the pinnacle of Las Pegasus, laid above a ring of clouds hovering over the strip. Three casinos, built by earth and unicorn ponies, rested on the fluffy clouds. Each building and the streets around them was connected directly to the clouds through the use of thousands of small and large magic stones. It had taken an act of Celestia to gather the magic stones necessary to achieve such a feat. Described as a castle in the clouds, the three casinos were joined by towering walls allowing ponies to easily traverse between without fear of plummeting to the ground below. To gain access, a pony only had to enter the largest ground casinos and ride to the top where the clouds and the buildings met. When construction had finished for the castle, Celestia had been given rights to name each of the three casinos. The middle, adorned with the rising sun and made of pearl marble, was named Sol. The right casino, dignified with a full moon built with onyx marble, was entitled Lunar. Celestia had announced, after Luna's return, that the second casino was named as a reminder of the moon princess. The third casino, refined to perfection using ashen marble and symbolized by a star in the center of a dark sun, was the smallest of the three, Blackened Sun.

Nestled between two department stores was a single two story building set apart from the rest of the stores by its design and appearance. The first floor exterior was designed with two curved showrooms displaying pony mannequins with the latest fashion of socks and saddles. Mirrors surrounded the back half of the display booths. During work hours indigo and fuchsia spotlights danced around the showcases drawing in passersby ponies. Magenta roses with golden stems created a motif around the twin pillars standing on either side of the glass entrance way. An elegant balcony stood over the front doors with spotlights shinning down from the gold railing over the billboard reading, “Prim and Proper Boutique”. The inner workings of the boutique offered a glimpse at the various apparels. Tables of sample saddles, socks with the area for the cutie mark left blank so a pony could select their favorite design and have it personalized, and the newest fashion craze to hit from eastern nations, lingerie. Clothing worn beneath clothes for a species that rarely wore clothes had not caught on except for the elite seeking a new thrill. Rose was the theme of the interior. Yellows, reds, pinks, and peach silk hung as bows or curtains over the lightning to give the ambiance of beauty and calm. Three stalls set to the rear, western wall for less confidant pony to try on their choices in privacy. A counter at the north end guarded the entrance to the storage, kitchen, and sewing areas. A spiral stair case rested in the corner of the storage room lead to the second floor where the owner of the luxurious boutique resided, Prim Rose.

The upstairs consisted of only two rooms; a bedroom and bath. Fresh incense continuously burned giving a floral scent across the spacious bedroom. Candle light, no electric nor magical, was the only light allowed within Prim Rose's sanctuary. Furniture was brought in to amplify the need for a place that the seamstress could create the works she called art. A chaise lounge, peach in color, set out in front of the glass doors to the balcony. A large, round bed adorned with the finest silk and softest cotton sheets. She preferred the lighter colors and kept the bed soft pinks and pale yellows. A bedside table had a digital alarm clock and a single framed picture resting on top of a peach table cover. On the opposite wall was Prim Rose's youth. Images adorned the egg shell white paint depicting foal beauty pageant moments, primarily focused on a young foal with pink, yellow, and peach hair with a rose red coat. Each picture revealed multiple victories for the prize and crown including Little Miss Equestria three years in a row. Two display cases on either side of the picture gallery held each of the tiaras and crowns she won from her career which spanned the age of five until she was fifteen. Two dressers were placed near the wall by the staircase filled various garments and keepsakes from from both past and present. A door near the staircase led to the bathing facilities. Much of the owner's money went to designing and building this essential room of the upstairs home.

In a city that never slept, there was a period of three hours where time slowed down. Ponies woke to attend school or jobs, businesses accepted deliveries and prepared to open, and casinos readied for another haul or tourists and gambling addicts. The Prim and Proper Boutique was no different than the rest of Las Pegasus.

The witching hour began, the haunting melody of a banshee's scream unleashed itself from the alarm clock. A pony shaped lump twitched and groaned from beneath peach and yellow sheets. Only a red horn was visible of the pony. Red in color, three roses were etched joined by one petal at the rounded top. Thorny branches wrapped around the length of her horn ending where horn met scalp. A pink glow radiated from the appendage then encircled the alarm clock crushing it down to a ball of plastic and wires. Silence returned to the room leaving the pony to sigh contently. The ringing of a second alarm, carefully tucked beneath the bed, brought an ire of curses and threats. She could not reach it with her magic without seeing it, so the magic instead gripped the length of her sheets pulling them off.

She laid on the soft, feather mattress in all her glory. Prim Rose, even after leaving the glory of modeling and pageants, still retained the slender figure. She groaned aloud stretching her legs from the top of the bed to the bottom edge. Hooves, white in color as the fur along with the fur around her ankles, scratching at the air trying to reach an invisible destination. Teal colored eyes forced themselves open to seduce her body from its restful state. Prim's mane was longer than most ponies kept. The lengths were wavy with the ends curled keeping it from coming near her hooves when she stood. Colors of her mane were like that of a rose garden. Pinks, yellows, and peach created an extravagant display for the eyes. This was one of the unique features that helped push Prim above the other contestants with the judges. Prim's tail was a forest green, or as some who disliked her claimed, it was her 'stem'. On her flank were two roses closed roses opened towards one another and stems intertwined. The sun did not shine through the windows, the department stores saw to this. Still, the alarm clocks blaring noise was enough to force her to finally raise up. Her neck lowered down her head to gaze beneath her bed, letting her magic now simply turn off the screaming clock. With a heavy sigh, she departed to the bathroom.

Perhaps the most expensive room in the building, the bathing facilities left a pony wanting for nothing more. Floors and walls had been created from redwood. The bathtub was something of Prim's personal design. Solid granite, smoothed and polished, was carved for the entirety of the spa sized tub. Five ponies could easily fit with room left to stretch out. Four shower heads were installed on the ends of curved, copper plated pipes leading from the sides of the bath over to the top. Simple button pushes would releases rainfall of cold, warm, or hot water to meet the users whims. A smaller room was to the right of the bathtub keeping the toilet free form the rest of the room. Opposite this door was a long, copper counter with three sinks and mirrors above. Overhead, soft white light shinned down from magic stones imbedded into the texture of the ceiling. The stones had been carved and designed in the shape of a rose with the flower above the bath and the thorny stem ending near the door. The first hour of her day was spent preparing herself in here. She would never let herself greet a potential customer. She was to appear as beautiful as the items she sold, or it would be worthless to sell them.

Once ready, Prim descended the stairs and made the motion to enter her kitchen. This was the smallest room in her building. Only a refrigerator, a small pantry, a small stove, and a table with two chairs were shoved between the cramped four walls. Little actual cooking was done in here, due to Prim's strict diet, that she only ate foods according to her regime with did not include junk foods or an abundance of sweets. A small salad was consumed with her usual glass of mineral water. Not being much of a morning pony, her appetite was small.

Next in her schedule, thirty minutes of exercise. One part of her beauty pageant days included showing how independent she was apart from the other foals. Her mother insisted she take martial arts to show she could handle danger. The training did a wonder on toning her thighs, and giving her the delicate small waist. Out of enjoyment and exercise she continued the basic exercises to this day.

Everything up until this point fell into a daily routine. Deviation only occurred when Prim Rose willed something to be changed. With her self preparation finished, so began the work to open her store. By the time she began this there was a little over an hour. Opening the store was a simple feat. Magic did most of the work flicking on light switches, folding clothes she may have missed the night before, and doing a spot check for dust on the showcases. The front door was then unlocked and Prim retreated back behind the counter to gather a quill and parchment. Her magic holding the feather item, she began to sketch out anything that came to mind. Until ten in the morning, she did this and greeted the occasional delivery pony with shipments of materials. Then when the clock hit 10 AM, the next stage of Prim's daily routine began. A poster by the door, one of her few advertising ads, depicted a white pony's flank with a single purple diamond cutie mark. The tag line read in bold white letters against a black background, “Don't be fooled by a rarity, looks your best with a Prim and Proper treasure.”

Bells attached to the door gave a jingling at the entrance of a pony who arrived each and every day. Magic power gave a gentle push behind its user closing the swinging door once they entered. A apricot unicorn gave his presence to the Boutique. His mane stood out against the contrast of his coat. lime Green, dyed, shaved into a long Mohawk with the front tip hanging down just between a pair of picturesque sandy pools. Same sandy pools were difficult to see these days. Since winning a radio contest, Open Heart had won a pair of genuine, worn by the DJ herself, Pon-3 crimson lenses glasses. He could be such a foal with his obsessions. His tail was still its natural color of aquamarine. Open Heart's cutie mark depicted a valentine heart with a needle and thread on top of it. Prim knew he would be here, as he was every day right when she opened. Open Heart was her best friend and confidant since her teenage days. They had met when he had placed himself outside the modeling studio demanding to see a colt model. Prim was assaulted by a fan that day, and Open Heart had rescued her. A doctor transplant surgeon at Las Pegasus General, Open's schedule was always open. He was an exceptional doctor who had been courted from Canterlot with the promise of a high salary. In truth, there was few need for a doctor of his caliber on call in Las Pegasus. Many ponies who came would only stay for a week or less at a time and the residents were not in the worse shape of their lives either. This left his schedule open to do as he pleased until an appointment or consultation called him back. For this he wore only a single black belt with a black, magic device that would page him when needed. “Sup! Prim! How did last night go?”

“Last night? You mean my date that contacted me through my personal ad in the paper? The date that you insisted I go on because I'd eventually become a crazy cat lady without owning any cats?” Prim had seated herself on a stool behind the counter. Her tail raised up across her lap keeping a lady like posture. In front of her a fashion magazine was displayed showing various winter fashions to be released for the coming cold. “The very date that turned out to an obsessed mare who was a former rival for pageant glory? Who, after I beat her, believed that we would make 'magic' together?” Prim scoffed using her magic to turn the page of her magazine. One hind leg lifted up crossing down across the other. “She had a full presentation, with a slide show, of what our lives would be like after we had a dozen foals and put them through modeling.”

Open's laughter earned him a well deserved glare. He was the type of pony who smiled even when angry which only gave a rise in most that was around him. Today though his mood was especially jovial. Hooves skipped over the ground taking him straight towards where his best friend was. Raising his front torso, his forelegs cross and he leaned forward against the wood. Ah the smell of fresh apple perfume touched his nose. It must have been a new scent Prim had chosen. “Well, I had the time of my life last night. Met the colt of my dreams. It was love at first sight!”

Deadpan expression was the reply that Open would have to his announcement. Prim rose her head up from her magazine staring at her stallion friend with an unamused withdraw. “Open, we've discussed this. There is no such thing as love at first sight. It is lust. Plain and simple.” Her tone became that of a class lecture. Prim even set a hoof to her mouth clearing her throat in preparation. “We do not know if it is love just by appearance. There is no magic element nor magic wave that tells us if this pony is our destined lover or not. We react to the fetishes and desires our physical body holds and go from there. It is lust, plain and simple.”

How Open could scowl and smile was a mystery that Prim had never learned. Still, he managed to give off the negative vibes of disagreement while maintaining his upbeat atmosphere. His knees remained on the counter and hooves raised up. He shook his head causing his hair to sway just seconds behind each turn of his head. “There ya go again. You need to stop thinking that logic and planing will see you through and just leap forward without looking. You did it with this shop and doing it with love is no different... Well look at the time. It's the harpy hour!” He shifted a quick look at the clock that hung behind the wall. The time had struck fifteen minutes past ten signaling the final act of Prim's daily routine.

Again the bells on the door jingled with the entrance of another pony. This time it was an older earth pony. Her mane and tail were a green very similar to Prim Rose's but lacked the brightness in color. Age had begun to take its effect fading away the youth and vibrancy. This mare had a rare coat among ponies. As Prim Rose did, her hooves were white but unlike Prim her nose was as well. Most of her coat remained a bright raspberry red. The area around her cutie mark, a pair of lilies opening in opposite directions with stems circling around one another, held blotches or specks of a dark magenta. A small pair of gold rim glasses rested on the bridge of an forever upturned nose. The pony's hair was cut short, mane plastered against the sides giving it the appearance of upside down waves curling upwards to meet her cheeks. “Prim Rose, I have found the perfect stallion for you!” She spoke aloud trotting to the counter. Not a glance nor acknowledgment was given to Open Heart whom stuck the tip of his tongue out to her.

“Mother.” A cold voice spoke past Prim's lips. One would suspect ice to gather at the point that the two pony's stares met. It was the moment that Open often joked about making ice cream from the chill that ran through the air when these two met.

“Lily Petal! How good to see you? Ever get that stick taken out? Or just like the feel of it?” Open spoke up receiving the two mares to turn their glares upon him. Dropping from the counter he took the motion to gain a bit of distance between the two.

“As I was saying,” Lily Petal began again turning from Open with a slight 'harumph', “I found a nice respectable stallion for you. Now he maybe a bit old, but that only means that you can move on that much faster. He knows of your old pageant days and would love to meet you!”

“Every day, mother. Every day you come to my place of business sprouting off about finding me a nice stallion.” A slow, shaky breath pulled in through Prim's nostrils. There was little calm to be had when dealing with her mother. “I am not interested in stallions. I am interested in mares. Only mares, always mares.”

“Still? I thought you would be over that phase!” Lily scoffed shaking her head to Prim. Her tail swished behind her barely touching over the wooden floor. “Ever since you were a little girl... Why can't you just be normal like mommy wants?”

“It is not a phase. Again, you say that every single day. This conversation is the same every day! It wont change, I don't like males! This is normal, I'll have you know!” Both of her front hooves slammed against the counter's top. Open retreated back behind her, placing his hooves to her shoulders giving a gentle rub. “Really, Mother, we've been through this for six years, since I was sixteen and I told you, and regardless of what is done or said you wont let it go.”

“You have to admire that kind of determination, Prim, not many parents are this dedicated to their children.” Open chirped grinning broadly to Lily. “So what if she has the intelligence of a run over toad...”

Prim groaned at her friend's cheap shots at her mother. On normal days she was fine with it, but today just felt wrong to do. “Not helping, Open.” Prim could have slammed her hoof through her face at what her mother sprouted off.

“If only your father were here...” A false sigh of remorse slid past her lips. Her right foreleg came up sweeping over her brow. Lily shook her head in desperation at the manner that Prim acted.

“He was here, yesterday when you came. And he told you to let me live my life how I wanted then dragged you out once you began to scream that I was not living the way you wanted.” A thankful smile was given to her friend.

“Yes. I must say, he's the sane one of your parents, Prim. Unfortunately, the insane one always seems to find her way out of her box.” Once more, Open found himself under the frozen watch of Lily. “I for one am certain if she wasn't so frigid then your father could actually give her a good bucking. And if he could do that, then maybe she wouldn't be this way!”

“How dare you! I will not take such words from a deviant coltcuddler!” Lily upturned her nose once more turning her head away from Open and Prim. “By Celestia's grace your kind should just be turned to dust and..”

“You do not talk about Open like that!” Prim had heard enough to today from her mother. Around the counter she came, the unicorn doctor behind her to offer assistance, pressing her face directly against Lily's. “Understand this, mother, and get it through your thick, old fashioned head. I will repeat myself again, as I have every day since I first told you I was, how you like to always term it, a fillyfooler. These feelings that Open and I have are not some choices that we wake up one day to make.” Onward she pushed, forcing a now stuttering and worried Lily back towards the door. “They are as normal and natural as you loving father. Even if I say, 'don't ever come back,' you will. So for now, just get the buck out until you decide to apologize to my friend, as you always do the next day!” Magic swung the door open for the earth pony to be forced out.

Open hung back far enough just to hear Lily stutter and curse lightly. The door slammed with a heavy whoosh, and Prim turned to return to the counter. The doctor gave a glance at the clock. “Ah a new record. Eight minutes from start to finish. Maybe tomorrow you can beat her when she comes in?” Open chuckled coming back behind Prim. He stopped in front of the advertising poster on the wall. Eyes traced over the old parchment. “When are you going to change this advertisement? How long are you going to hate that pony anyway?” Open came back to his stop at the counter. “It's been three years since you two fought at the Expo in Manehatten. I really think it was an accident and not her sending her sister to,” Open Heart wiggled his hooves in the air, “go and 'sabotage' your saddles.”

Prim Rose sighed laying her head, cheek against the counter. The smell of oak drifted to her nose and the cold felt refreshing. “Yes, I know this. I can't afford to have new posters printed, nor can I afford any actual models.” Her forelegs curled up around her head brushing a hoof to draw back her multicolored hair. “I refuse to model my own merchandise and risk my mother trying to pull me back into it... If I could find a pony, she wouldn't have to be stunning, just somepony eye catching. I could pay them in socks and saddles.”

Open's lips parted to inject sarcasm into her idea of a plan, but the beeping form the device on his belt caused his smile to turn into a smirk. “Well, it's time for me to head to the hospital. I have to reattach a pegasus' wing. Poor pony got drunk and tried to do a Spitfire Fireball Tumble.” The unicorn doctor turned around from the counter trotting back to the front door. “Sliced off going through a window. Well time to work my 'magic'.” His hooves waggled again when he turned enough for Prim to see. “See you for dinner?”

Prim smiled lightly lifting her head enough to see a full view of her friend. “Yes. Bye, Open.” A hoof waved and the seamstress returned to staring at the wall. It was now ten thirty, the first customers usually arrived at eleven. Thirty minutes of pure boredom was her reward for finishing the fight with her mother early.

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

It was a fortunate turn of events, with only having five bits between four ponies,that the owner of the Caravan Park was a long time fan of Spiral's. An agreement was made that for a photo with the stunt pony and an autograph the caravan could park there until Spiral came back from the bank. Spiral prepared herself, adjusting her saddle bags onto her back with the aid of Eclipse's magic, to make the short trek to the nearest bank.

“Trixie will be accompanying you. She does not trust that you will keep your end of the bet.” Spiral had nearly made her exit from the caravan when the Show Mare spoke up from behind. Trixie had yet to adorn her cape and hat, but magic had readied them to be worn for departure.

The large, amber pony was slow to turn her head back to the egotistical one. A twitch struck her right eye as she stared in Trixie's direction. “Ah hell no.” The point was swift and blunt. “I am going no where with you alone unless it's in a place with no witnesses, and I'm sure not taking the faker with me, and I wouldn't want Eclipse to see the kind of places out there just yet.”

Eclipse and Copy lifted their heads once they heard a reference to them. The two had sat at the center table, a deck of cards set out for a friendly came of poker between themselves and Trixie. A glowing orb of magic rested on the table offering heat to those around it. It was a spell that Trixie had taught Eclipse during their travel from Cowhapachi to Las Pegasus. Copy was using a card holder, held between her hooves, to keep her cards close to her face. Eclipse and Trixie had simply used magic. Spiral was not wanting to play without bits or other prizes on the table, so she simply chose to try and coach Eclipse until she left for the bank. Sadly, Eclipse knew more about the game than Spiral did.

“Hey, I wanna go see Las Pegasus too!” Copy chirped laying her card holder face down to the table's surface. Wings brushed down across her flank as she raised up off her haunches. “I've always wanted to see some of the places there!”

“See? Trixie wishes to visit some of the casinos that she performed in.” The azure mare turned her head letting her silver and blue mane swished around the curve of her neck. “She will not be told to simply stay put.”

Spiral Flame stomped a hoof against the pillowed floor. A quick glare shot between the two ponies. “Look, I'm going to the bank, then to the Airship port to get tickets for Eclipse, you, and sadly, the faker. I lost last night, last time I play a unicorn without magic wards around, and I will keep my end up. Furthermore, I don't need a showpony taking away the spotlight from me! I have fans all over Las Pegasus and I,” Spiral stomped her hoof again, tossing her head back to bring her chestnut mane from her face, “Will not let them be disappointed.”

“She ne..needs to do this, right? So le..let's let her go and we can still pl..play cards.” Eclipse sat with her hind legs bent beneath her. Ladylike, she let her tail come over her lap. The cards had folded back to keep anypony from seeing what she held for that hand.

“See? Eclipse is on my side!” Spiral turned back around from the trio of ponies. “Ciao!” A hind leg hooked the door with her ankle swinging it shut behind her.

The three ponies readjusted back around the table to continue their friendly game. Part of the agreement with the owner was that they had to remain with their caravan until they paid, if the money didn't come they were to leave or have their belongings taken for payment. Cards were collected with Eclipse's magic then shuffled, and dispensed to the trio. On the table, beneath the warmth of the magic sphere, were pieces of hay and small hard candies. These were used for currency when placing bets.

“So.. Eclipse.. How did you meet Spiral anyway?” The pegasus slid a wing forward holding two cards between her feathers, placing them face down on the table to be replaced by two new ones. An opportunity had come up allowing Copy to get some conversation with Eclipse without the meddling interruptions from Spiral. Her upper teeth bit down against her bottom lip drawing it into her mouth to apply soft nibbles.

“Oh. We..well after I had been sep..seper..separated from Octavia and Vinyl she le...let me sleep with her in her be..bed. Aft..after she said she'd he..help me get back to Ma..Manehatten or Trotting..Trottingham.” Eclipse did not seem to find the harshness or underlying purpose that could have been in Copy's question. “She ve..very nice actually. But seems to ta..take things wrong when other po..ponies talked to me.”

“How so?” The question came quickly. Teeth went back to nibbling on her bottom lip, quickly becoming an nervous tick whenever she spoke to Eclipse without the purest of intentions. Her wings twitched, eyes shifting to Trixie who had remained quiet since Spiral left.

“Tw..two ponies offered us nuts and ci..cider but she got angry and hi..hit them. Then when the sta..stallions pulling the co..coach asked me some..somethings she said we..were wrong she got into a fi..fight with them.” The reply did not give anything to Spiral that she may not have guessed herself. It only caused worry in her of the possible violence Spiral may show in the future.

The azure pony, who had been quiet so far, finally found something to speak up about. She shifted her self on her haunches, back and forth to give some feeling to her legs. “Trixie has to say that she isn't the most subtle of ponies. Beating her at cards almost made her feel bad.” The show mare waved a hoof towards Spiral. “Go get Trixie some tea. The kettle is in the cupboard the magic stove.”

Spiral huffed but did as she was told. Since yesterday she had been at Trixie's beck and call. The thought of angering the unicorn came with a hint of fright even with Eclipse there to perhaps protect her. “She doesn't seem that nice either. Always calling me faker. I think she needs to lighten up a bit.” Though it was not a high spot, without magic using the kettle out with hooves alone was a challenge. Her wings spread giving her some flight up to pull the copper item out by its wooden handle with her mouth.

Eclipse didn't know what to say in reply to that. She did not know Spiral, well any of these three ponies long enough to defend nor speak on why they may act one way or another. She stared at her cords, well past them to the table the magic ball she created. A slight tingle struck her from her horn bringing her to stare over to Trixie. The showpony had since turned her attentions upon Eclipse, smirking all the while.

The card game had been forgotten just as quickly as it had begun. With Spiral no long there, both Copy and Trixie felt they could talk on subjects they couldn't before. A knee pressed to the table letting her chin come against her hoof. “Tell me, Eclipse, what happened to your horn? It takes a lot to damage or even chip a unicorn's horn, but to have it break as it is makes Trixie wonder.”

Actions to fill the kettle with water from a canteen and set to the magic stove were clumsy at best. Trixie question to Eclipse made the act of making tea now become a secondary desire. It had long been a subject on Copy's mind. With what she had heard of Unicorn horns, it would not be a good story to hear. “Hey, Trixie, can you turn the stove on?” Two tea bags were dropped into the kettle from their place in a cardboard box near where several canteens were.

Azure horn glowed a cyan blue color setting magic to ignite the stove to produce heat. Eclipse watched, taking in the sight of the spell to try out later. When Copy was at the front of the caravan, Trixie had taken it on herself to teach Eclipse a few easy spells. The alicorn was a quick study and there was little cause to be upset if she did mess up even the smallest bit. Her mind had wandered, thankfully, from the question Trixie posed but a cough brought it back. Shame rushed through her body. She had only told two ponies of what occurred, she didn't want to tell anymore yet. “I can't sa..say.” Whispered words spoke causing Trixie to become irritated.

“For a unicorn to have her horn broken is not something that is come across very often. Trixie feels that you should tell her this much at least.” Trixie huffed sitting upright with her forelegs crossing over her chest. “After all, she did give you the ride in her caravan so Trixie learning about you isn't out of the question, is it?”

There was a sting to the words that slid a sharp point against Eclipse's heart. The feeling of shame only grew inside of her. She flinched her eyes closed hanging her head forward. There was no desire to talk about the horrors of the past. Reasons she spoke up before were only from fear and sadness, more feelings she did not want to hear. It took a phenomenal amount of will power alone just to keep the memories at pay as it was. A hoof suddenly set to her shoulder let a wave of relief to come down. Eclipse looked up to find Copy now sitting next to her smiling gently to the wounded alicorn.

“Listen.” Copy's voice felt weak to the task to push back Trixie's questions and guilt dripped words. She set one hoof onto each of Eclipse's shoulders, even if her courage was at the pit of her stomach threatening to flee if Copy continued, she persisted in speaking, “Would you tell everypony that asked what happened? If she's this upset... Maybe we should wait until we've known her longer than a few days...” Voice finally dropped out at the end of her sentence. At that point she wished she had some dyes to change her appearance, then she would be able to defend Eclipse right. Before Trixie could speak, Copy had an idea. A moment of concentration, and Copy spoke not with her squeaky sound, but with Trixie's actress tone. “After all, Copy is certain Trixie has things she wishes not to elaborate on, hm? Like a certain purple pony shrine?”

Hatred rushed across to fill Trixie's eyes staring at Copy rather than Eclipse. Biting back any kind of threats or insults she wanted to throw at Copy, Trixie instead relaxed her posture. “Point taken. Fine, Trixie has a different question. You've said the name Octavia a number of times. Trixie wishes to know if you mean Octavia Philharmonica.”

A smile that Eclipse presented to Copy for her words and actions sent a wave of heat through the pegasus she could not explain. Copy believed her feelings to only be one of the many crushes she had on mares since she realized her attraction to them. New emotions and desires came forward with each glance she gave of Eclipse and smile she received ever since they met months ago. Inaudible words followed with mumbles, and Copy sputtered out to look away.

This was something Eclipse felt no worries to answer. The mention of Octavia's last name brought a charismatic nod. “Ye..Yes. She's a cellist for the Manehatten Symphony Orchestra.”

“And Vinyl would be Vinyl Tracks?” The kettle began to whistle signaling the boiling of the water. Trixie's magic brought it to levitate bringing it to the three ponies along with three cups. An equal amount of liquid was poured into each, and the bowl of sugar cubes was soon magicked to them.

Another nod from Eclipse, now clapping her hooves together. “Ye..yes she is! But on sta..stage she goes by DJ Pon-3.”

“DJ Pon-3?” Copy asked suddenly. Her back stiffened at the same moment her wings shot out from her back. Trixie did not fail to take notice of this, while Eclipse did not having her back to Copy.

“Trixie was hoping you would say that. Yes, Trixie owns a number of Miss Philharmonica's records. They can add the much needed spice for Trixie's performances or to relax to.”

“Her music is wonderful. Vi..Vinyl's is also a very powerful performer, I sa...saw many of their shows.” Eclipse no longer felt the feelings of shame that were brought on by the question of her horn. The dreary mood had been vanquished with the questions of her two friends. Something behind her caused Eclipse to turn, rather, Copy had set her hooves to Eclipse's shoulder forcing her to turn.

“You live with DJ Pon-3?!” The white pegasus squealed loudly. “I have to get her autograph!”

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

It was a hoof race with her self through the streets of lower Las Pegasus. I left Eclipse alone with that damnable faker! Celestia only knows what's being said! It had occurred to Spiral Flame, once she had left the bank, of a fatal error. During the trip, she had done everything she could to keep Color Copy and Eclipse under her supervision or from talking without another pony present. There had been plans that Trixie would have easily broken up any talks, but Spiral wasn't going to count on it. The rush to escape the caravan, Trixie, and Copy, led Spiral to leave without foreseeing possible consequences. She had not known Eclipse long enough to have built any sort of real relationship with her, and if Copy had known her first, there was that risk in her mind the faker could sabotage anything she had done.

To the bank had been Spiral's first destination. Sure enough she had run into a number of fans along the way who recognized either her cutie mark or abnormally large, muscular size. Photographs with their idol were taken, and some produced markers for her to sign pictures or flanks. An kiss or hug were not out of the question from male or female alike and both were welcomed with ease. At the bank she was treated as a celebrity might. An employee showed her to a private office to talk about her transactions, how many bits she would need, and even was offered to be taken to lunch by the bank manager. Lunch was turned down, not wanting to take too much time away from returning to the caravan, and enough bits for fun on the town, two first class, and two coach tickets.

Having time to herself did not bode well for Spiral's mind. She had time to think and it wasn't a healthy hobby for her to think. Dammit, Spitfire, why did you go and make a threat like that? I'd have nailed the filly, put her on an airship, and been back to Appleloosa by now if you hadn't... hadn't... For Spitfire to get angry, it would have taken an act of Celestia or something built up over time. Only one time in the past did Spiral see her show such animosity towards another pony. It was when a sponsor had tried to force a new Wonderbolt into a backroom to keep his position. Spiral remembers the way she kicked the sponsor out rather vividly. At the time, Spiral was a newcomer to the stunt scene and was working clean up between minor performances. I had to have done something worse for her to do that. Did she really hate those little games? Did... Other ponies hate the things I did? Doubt came over her. If she wasn't the life of the party she thought she was, then what was she? Why does being around Eclipse feel different. She doesn't treat me like any other pony does. We practically had to force her to accept the charity given to her, she had no idea who I was... Yet looking at her I can't do what I want to do to her and leave. It wouldn't feel right. Her head hurt at the thought.

An image of Eclipse appeared in her mind. Everything about the filly had been different from her wings to her eyes to her mane. The stunt pony had been entranced by her at first sight. When they went to Spiral's hotel room, the order of things should have been known outright. Instead, Eclipse simply went to bed. Was it the devastation of not performing carnal acts with Eclipse that had caused Spiral such torment? Or was it something more? When I hit those two stallions at the stand, she didn't seem phased, when I got us kicked off the coach, she wasn't angry. Just a forgiving pony with no sense of when to shout. Yet, she protected the faker without cause. Would she do that for me? What am I to her... Dear Celestia what is she to me!?

Time can be fickle when it moves. Battling her own thoughts and emotions sped up the process of passing each minute bringing her to the destination of the airship dock that much quicker. She wouldn't notice that she purchased four first class tickets instead of her original plan. After setting the bits on the counter, Spiral finally glanced around the large, W shaped building. There were four raised podiums for two airships to dock at each. The only unusual thing that she saw, was the abnormal amount of Pegasus Guards. Each had a brand on their armor signifying their deployment being directly from Canterlot. For Canterlot guards to be here, Spiral only assumed some big shot or low rung royalty was to arrive. It had nothing to do with her, she decided. Tickets were dispensed, picked up with her mouth, then dropped into one of her saddle bags.

Departure from the terminal was set for tomorrow at noon which left her time to see some sights. She had wanted to visit some of the exotic clubs before leaving. She'd drag Copy with her if she had to. Leaving Eclipse alone with Trixie was bad enough, but she would not leave her with Copy without being present herself. Then it struck her. Spiral did leave Eclipse with Copy without her supervision. A heavy feeling rushed into her belly. She knew little of Trixie aside from the magic, inflated ego, and speaking about her self in third person. For all Spiral knew, she would be willing to let Copy be alone with Eclipse and turn things against her. This train of thought lead her to begin galloping down the streets right back to the lot. At the gate, the owner was waiting patiently for the stunt pony's return. Spiral wasted no time in paying the stallion. Any attempts he made at small talk was brushed off as she took off again for the caravan.

The covered wagon was not far off from the entrance. Coming within feet of the rear door, Spiral ceased her rapid movements when she heard music. It was blaring from within the confines of the traveler's home. Upbeat melody was easily such played during parties or in clubs. Spiral knew the song from the parties she'd attended. It was from DJ Pon-3's third album, if she recalled. This was only an after thought to her. Up the steps that lead to the backdoor, Spiral used her head to but open the wooden slab. The horror she saw lead her to realize that her worst fears had come true.

Music played heavily like a thick fog that block one's hearing instead of eye sight. Trixie stood on her hind legs upon the center table. Before she Spiral had burst in, she was staring down at the side of the table. Abrupt entrance let her stray away from what she had been so focused on seeing the amber pony return. Spiral locked eyes with Trixie, then together came back to look at what Trixie was so focused on before. On the ground splayed out on a pile of pillows, Eclipse laid with her hind legs parted, her wings extended to their full lengths, and her hair a mess of starlight around her. Above her, with a hoof at either side of Eclipse's head pressing down onto the pillows below, Copy laid on top of the gray filly. Each of them stared at one another, Copy's cheeks fused to become strawberry red, but flushed pale white when Spiral burst through the door.

Animosity fueled Spiral into a rage induced fit. She brought her head low, dragging her right hoof across the pillowed floor. Each grunt acted as a countdown. Tail hung down behind her, unmoving furthering the bodily language of her wrath. Teeth clenched together, lips flaring apart following heavy breathing to try and focus her thoughts and sights on the pure white pegasus. Copy knew what was about to happen.

Backwards she spring boarded her body off from Eclipse's fallen form. Her hooves waved back and forth frantically. Wings beat the air lifting her up near the caravan's ceiling, though it wouldn't be enough to separate her from Spiral should the amazonian pony choose to charge. “It isn't what you think! For the love of Celestia it isn't!” Ears went flat, high pitched, frantic pleas left her mouth in rapid succession hoping that they may give her some stay of execution.

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

It had been a day and a half since Iron Mind, Octavia, and Vinyl Scratch came to Canterlot with Fancy Pants and his private airship. Arrival came at the Castle's landing dock. Earth pony and unicorn guards stood rank and file along the edge of the platform, with pegasus guards floating behind and the castle's physician When the wide doors of the airship's hatch opened, they moved in with three wheelchairs to collect the three ponies. Orders from the physician would not let them simply walk off the airship even if they had been fine through the trip.

Octavia and Vinyl parted with Iron without so much as a goodbye from the stoic guard captain. Iron had been escorted off by a white unicorn with cyan, sapphire, and ultramarine blue strips and a flame orange bat pegasus with bright fuchsia hair. For the mares, they were escorted to the doctor's office only to be given to a second physician. A unicorn, with a sunset orange coat, candy apple red hair, and cutie mark of an atom with a beaker at its center. She introduced herself as Doctor Split Atom and happily began to examine both of the mares.

Questions proposed were invasive and to the point. Split Atom inquired love lives and favorites foods as if it was a common examination question as asking about allergies. A woozy Vinyl had no problems offering Octavia's favorite positions and more public places they've made love. Octavia, on the other hoof, refused to answer such questions until a proper explanation for their meaning was given. Split Atom's physical exam was worse for Octavia than the questions. Split took measurements of every inch of each pony, barely paying attention to any injuries either had. In the end, a bottle of painkillers was given to Octavia with simple instructions to give one pill to Vinyl when the pain became too much.

Once released, they were escorted to a guest tower in the castle where the two remained. It was a very spacious set of rooms for guests. Though only consisting of three rooms, a bedroom, bathroom, and living room, each could fit a small apartment. Pegasus guards kept a constant watch around the tower, meals prepared by the Princess' chef were delivered at scheduled times. Medication given to Vinyl had a side effect that made the white unicorn drowsy and exhausted. Vinyl slept since her first pill waking only to eat, take another pill, and crawl back into bed again. It had left Octavia with plenty of time on her hooves. Having taken her cello with her, she played to her heart's content for the enjoyment of it. A task she had not done in many months.

Lunch today came with a welcome surprise. Their host on the airship, and important pony, Fancy Pants, came bearing expensive pastries to share. Fancy Pants used a special favor in order to be able to enter the guest tower for the surprise. Vinyl remained asleep this time, so it left Octavia and Fancy Pants enjoying lunch without the random outbursts of the DJ.

“...And that was the first time I had ever seen Iron become angry.” An inquiry of Iron Mind's condition lead to Fancy Pants talking of their time at the university. “Despite aiding the mare, he was brought before the Campus court to be thrown out. I wouldn't have it. Not every pony sees a mare being abused and will immediately move to stop it. He would not go it alone, I volunteered as his lawyer and through careful planning on both our parts, he was allowed to return to school. After, he gained quite a reputation and ponies came to him for help with their own abuse problems.” Magic lifted a steaming cup of tea to Fancy's lips for a slow, drawn out sip. The taste of Earl Gray was always held a calming effect for him. “He examined each time, and thanks to the reputation he held from the first time, never had to become physical when he intervened. I think that's what lead him to abandon any start working for his father and to become a guard.”

Octavia sat, doe eyed watching and listening to Fancy. From her perspective, it seemed that the wealthy pony held much respect for the guard captain. It was not surprising to her considering the stories of chivalry and courage that Fancy rambled on about. “He is fortunate to have a friend as yourself.” Octavia raised her own cup of tea, by her hooves in the manner pegasi and earth ponies did, gratefully sipping of the delicious flavor.

“As I am to have him.” Fancy Pants spoke factually. “During a conference with the Princess over transportation between Manehatten and Trottingham, she told me of why she chose him to be her captain.”

It was the cue to begin a new story. The cellist wouldn't interrupt nor want him to to stop. Iron had saved her and Vinyl from what may have been their final moments alive. She wanted to repay him somehow, and learning more about him was a good start to this. “Please, go on.”

“It was during a parade through Canterlot. If I do recall it was during a Spring Celebration Festival.” Magic lifted a powder sugar dusted lemon square for Fancy to take a large bite from. Chewing and swallowing he returned to speak, “A foal had darted out in front of one of the floats, Iron was the only guard to break protective formation to snatch the little filly up and stop her from being crushed. She sobbed that she had only wanted to see the Princess up close. Knowing that he would be punished for breaking rank, he let the filly onto his back and brought her directly to Celestia. He bowed to her, and Celestia brought the filly onto the float she sat on until she could be rejoined with her parents.” Laughter rang out as Fancy Pants poured himself another cup of Earl Gray. “He was nearly demoted, but Celestia requested a different punishment. She said she foresaw him doing great things. His punishment?” Imagining Iron Mind doing the act still brought such mirthful thoughts to Fancy's mind. “He was to foalsit in the castle nursery for two weeks. Nurses there said that babies rarely cried when he was there, and when they did, he was quick to rock them back to sleep or calm them down. It explained a lot about how great of a father he is with his own foal.”

“A guard captain, a father, and friends with Fancy Pants. Are you attempting to make him perfect?” Octavia teased finishing the contents of her cup. A honey drizzled scone was retrieved by mouth for a quick bite.

“He is far from perfect, my dear, I'll tell you the tale of the first shouting match he and Celestia had when he became captain, you see...” Fancy Pants' next story would not be able to continue. A quick knock at the door brought an unexpected caller.

The pegasus guards stationed outside the door opened it with wings extended. Entering was one of the ponies Octavia saw escort Iron from the airship; the unicorn. White coat and a mixture of different shades of blue in his mane and tail. His cutie mark was of a dark blue shield with a red star at its center, and three white stars above it. Blue hooves clip clopped over the carpeted floors of the guest room. The pony's face was youthful and kind, an ever present determined smile curved on his lips. A red, formal military coat was worn on his torso. The color and cufflinks used the same, gold material with white buttons. A blue sash was draped across the front of his chest, and a brown belt over his waist. “I apologize for intruding.” He spoke in a proper manner lowering his head in a respectful act. “You are Miss Octavia Philharmonica, correct?”

“Yes, I am Octavia.” The gray mare spoke up but didn't raise from her chair. She was not quite sure who this stallion was. He wore clothes of a military manner, but what he did was a mystery to her. “Is there something the matter?”

“Ah Captain Shining Armor, how good of you to join us.” Fancy Pants spoke up bringing his magic to let an extra tea cup, brought for Vinyl, come towards the white pony brimming with the warm liquid. “Come, join us.”

“Ah, Fancy Pants, good day to you. While I would be honored to, I am afraid I do not have time to join you, but I would be willing to take a rain check.” Shining Armor replied stepping towards Octavia. “Miss Octavia, Princess Celestia requests that tonight, after the moon rise, that you and Vinyl Scratch give attendance in the royal court. She has matters that she wishes to discuss on the pony, Eclipse, and believes both of you deserve to be there.”

Fancy Pants remained quiet when Eclipse's name was spoken. He had only heard whispers of her from maids and Iron Mind seemed to tight lipped on the subject. There was concern he shouldn't even be hearing of this now.

“Has something been learned? Did they find her?” This brought Octavia to rise from her chair coming to stand in front of Shining. She was pleading with her eyes seeking some sort of information to calm her nerves. It did not come.

Shining Armor shook her head, lowering his gaze from her. “I am afraid that any information to where she is has not come. What I can say is that numerous pegasus guards were dispatched to Las Pegasus since your arrival and are keeping watch for a pony of her description. All things considered, someone of her appearance would stand out easily and we hope to have some news soon.”

“I see.” Octavia's mood became downtrodden. Her ears flattened down on her head, a miserable sigh escaping. Like a mother seeking the whereabouts of a runaway child, she held on tightly to the hope that the filly would be found soon. “I will make sure that Vinyl does not take any of the pain medication she was given when she wakes. I would hate for her to be under its effects during a meeting with royalty.”

At the mention of main medication, Shining became perplexed and it showed. He raised his head up casting a quick glance to Fancy Pants then back to Octavia. “Pain medication? Did she have it before she arrived here? I was told the physician did not prescribe any to her.”

Movements traced the sullen mare back to her chair retaking the seat she had before. She wanted to eat the sweet pastry she had chosen, but the feeling of lead in her belly stopped any kind of desire to sedate her hunger. “Yes, Doctor Split Atom had prescribed her with medicine for her head injury.”

The two white ponies in front of her would have been translucent if they could become paler. At mention of 'Split Atom', Fancy and Shining smiled weakly not wanting to stay what was truly going through their minds, so Shining settled for the path well traveled. “I would recommend not taking the medicine, and if the doctor approaches you again, scream for help or until Iron Mind arrives. It would be in your best interest.”

Movement of her head turning may have broken a lesser pony's neck. She narrowed her visions down onto them. Feelings of being told only half truths twitched her ears back to stand once more. Octavia inhaled deeply. “That wasn't a real doctor was it?”

“I am afraid it wasn't a medical doctor. She is a scientist.” Fancy answered before Shining could. “Split Atom is mostly harmless, though why she would pose as a medical doctor for you two isn't too out of the ordinary for her... whims.”

“Whims? Who is this pony that she goes into an infirmary, the Royal Infirmary, to assist injured ponies without anypony else knowing?” Flabbergasted, Octavia pressed her hooves against the table and leaned forward. What was once a straight, black mane now became frazzled with strands poking out in random areas like broken cello cords.

“She is the leading energy scientist at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, and also Iron Mind's wife. Split enjoys gathering information on ponies she meets, who are important, or just catch her fancy. Considering Iron Mind injured himself further to aid you both, it seems she decided to throw a net out.” Shining began his march back to the front doors. “She will be present during tomorrow's meeting when we discuss what our next plans are.”

“It does explain the questions that she inquired about.” An audience with the Princess Celestia tonight, perhaps Luna maybe there, and tomorrow was to be a meeting? What was the audience for then? Weakly, she smiled to Fancy Pants who simply offered a calming one in return. Stirring from the bedroom gave reprieve to Octavia's worries. Vinyl was waking.

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

“Because Eclipse asked, I'm buying you a ticket to come with us. Because Eclipse asked, I even brought that showpony and you to dinner, which because of how you talked about it, we went to that snot filled, foal haven, noise factory called Wonder-Cheeses,” Spiral began to rant on the whispers of annoyance. They had just departed from a large eatery with families pouring in and out constantly beneath the glow of neon lights. 'Wonder-Cheeses' hung over the entrance carved from wood and lined with blue and yellow lights. Fake smoke pumped out of pipes behind the sign while plastic lightning bolts swayed up and down cutting into the thick gray. It was a chain restaurant pushing cheap Wonderbolts theme thrills and cardboard posed as pizza onto screaming foals and gullible parents, “You got her worked up over the magic of Wonder-Cheeses so any attempts to eat at someplace that served hard alcohol was out.” With their bellies full, the four ponies walked back towards the lot. Just as in Cowhapachi Trixie and Eclipse walked in front with Copy and Spiral behind. It was thirty past five, and the sun was entering its final stages limiting its light to an after glow on the horizon.

Color Copy hung her head down forward. On top of her white wings, were a pair of fake yellow wings with 'Spitfire' printed over the end feathers' tips. A plastic bag, the handle made of cloth string, hung down from Copy's neck filled with various candies and other cheap two bit prizes. Color Copy was a master at skee ball. Luck had been on Copy's side leading up to this point. After Spiral caught her on top of Eclipse in the caravan, she had nearly lost her life by a charging pony. It was Eclipse's quick intervention that convinced Spiral that it was simply a dancing accident that found the two in the awkward position. They left to get dinner shortly after to get the amazonian pony a hard drink and fresh air, but the foal eatery held little of either. She looked to the side, avoiding contact with the amber pony. A bout of courage crept up in Copy's throat causing her to speak before contemplating the outcome. “Like I'd let you just monopolize time with Eclipse...” Copy felt the sensation of walking into a brick wall. Looking forward, she saw the murderous intent that Spiral had just hours before. Attempts to back peddle were met with her hooves sliding, stumbling against the concrete sidewalk.

Spiral slid a foreleg across Copy's withers pulling them together. They were now eye to eye, face to face. The hot breath of the stunt pony poured out through her nose causing Copy to twitch uncontrollably. “Ya know, maybe it's just the lack of alcohol in my system, but I think you got a real purdy look to you. If you were some faker, you would make a nice one night or booty call. Maybe if you play nice, drop this fixation on Eclipse, I'd let you hang around with us for a flank call or maybe somepony I keep on the back burner.” Sneering, Spiral brought her lips up close to Copy's ear. “But keep on this little act and I will end you. I have my eyes set on that filly and I don't care if you do too. I know how to woo the mares and it's just a matter of time.”

Goose bumps scattered over the white pony's body. No amount of seduction, if there was any in her cold words, would push her in the direction Spiral wanted Copy to go. Wings flared up lifting enough to raise the pony up and away from the intimidating pony. Desperation called for quick action. “Neither of us have her.” Copy spat out raising her voice up. “Sure, I like her, but I don't think either of us know her well enough to claim some property of her.” Flank raised up high then her head, giving leverage above, pressing her face to Spiral's again. “If doing all this for her is just some sick way for you to try and get her in bed, then you're delusional. I'm not going to stop. I'll get to know her, and keep going no matter what anypony like you says.” Wings flapped behind her taking her out of reach of the other. She flew quickly forward to meet up with Trixie and Eclipse. She expected her to be farther ahead, but found them pressed to the glass of a two story boutique, gazing within.

Put in her place. Cold, hard truth slapped her in her face and left Spiral standing as a statue in the middle of the sidewalk. Again, everything Spitfire had told her came back as an echo in her thoughts. It was a persistent sting acting as her conscience removing the dead, angel Spiral on her shoulder. A temper tantrum brought on had Spiral stomping all four hooves against the ground. She spun, bucking her hind legs kicking a trash can straight down a barren alley. It was useless, she didn't want to look at any of them, even Eclipse the object of her emotional changing. Steadying forward, Spiral pushed herself to come behind the other three at the boutique's entrance. “Come on. We're leaving.” She barked out startling two of the three ponies.

“Trixie does not move by your demand. Trixie thinks that if you want to become 'huffy' do not attempt to take it out on the Great and Powerful.” She tossed her head upwards letting silver and steel blue hair drift over across her back. She stepped forward leading the trio of window shoppers. “Ladies, let us return. Trixie does not wish to risk being arrested if the brute desires to become anymore unsavory.” The tip of her tail swayed up brushing across Spiral's face.

Eclipse smiled weakly, trying to show calm to the mounting fury building within Spiral. Around her neck hung the familiar, liquid pepper filled cylinder. Spiral had told her to put it on before they departed for dinner. “Shall we?” She asked softly hoping the sweetness of her voice would let the pony feel ease.

Copy avoided coming within a leg's distance of the larger pony, choosing to stay on Eclipse's other side. With Spiral taking up the rear alone now, the four ponies began to walk back, retreating towards the lot where Trixie's caravan was parked. Even with the noise of the city, the ponies heard the sounds of a galloping pony coming from behind.

Spiral could not react to turn to see the figure before it passed it. A blur of red ran right past the group skidding to a stop in front of them. It was a pony, a unicorn mare, that blocked their passage further down the sidewalk. Green tail hung ling behind her thighs which were kept together in a modest posture. Peach, yellow, and pink hair hung down over her sweat soaked face. A few strands caught into her mouth. Teal spheres stared forward at the four ponies whom took the focus of her attention. She raised her head up breathing hard to catch her breath after the unorthodox manner she stopped them. “Model for me, please.”

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

It was a quarter past five PM when Open Heart returned back to the Prim and Proper Boutique. He found Prim Rose much as he had left her that morning; sitting behind the counter staring at the wall. It was dead inside. No other pony save for Prim was there. A few customers that had arrived were there not to browse but to drop off or pick up orders. “Well I must say I don't know if I'll be able to reach the counter with the crowd in here!” Open Heart exaggerated with sarcasm dripped words. “How do you keep yourself from running ragged?” He slid a hoof up against the green Mohawk brushing the long tip temporarily from his face. It bounced back, just as expected, right into the same spot. As he did in the morning, Open took his place at the counter crossing his forelegs across the top.

There was an explicit lack of amusement from Prim Rose. The jokes coming form her dear friend met the resistance of a steel wall. Just as he had left her this morning, she was sitting on her stool. Left hind leg crossed over the right with her tail laying across her lap. Hind legs crossed defiantly against her chest. Narrowed visions moved to watch the stallion approach then went blankly staring to the front door. “It has been a horribly, boring day.” She muttered pursing her lips with dissatisfaction.”It led me to thinking. The Boutique isn't doing what I want it to.”

Open clicked his hind hooves on the floor, lifting one leg, lowering it, raising the other, lowering it, and repeating until he felt comfortable. “Only you can change that. As I was saying earlier, if I saw the same advertisement for two years I'd think the quality and money coming here wasn't that great.” Right foreleg turned upwards giving his face a place to set onto his hoof. “You need something fresh to catch ponies eyes. If you're not willing to show your flank on an ad, which I wouldn't or let your mother think she won, then you need to get somepony else. I'm always available!”

“Open, my dear, the last time you tried to stir up business for me, I ended up in the middle of a murder investigation being chased by a pony in a plastic ghost mask. How it happened is beyond me, but it began with you recommending me to several of your Ex's.” The exhaustion that came from lack of activity set in, she leaned forward pressing her forehead , just beneath her horn, against the edge of the counter. “And I will not be subject to taking a mask off while declaring, 'the killer is Old Mare Barcoats!' again.” Rose etched horn illuminated casting telekinesis on a nearby pair of socks. They were a formal pair designed with a dozen small suns sewn in along the top, moons sewn in at the ankles, and ocean waves separating the two. The suns used a shiny yellow switch, the moon shiny silver, and the waves blue. Base material for the sock was a white silk woven from Everfree Spiders and Equestrian silkworms. Using both kinds of silk gave the material a natural affinity to retain warmth. “What I need if somepony who can attract attention, but not draw too much away from the merchandise.”

“You'd need bits to get somepony like that.” Knees pressed to the top of the counter letting front hooves wave while she shook his head. “Say, what about one of the ponies you went on a date with? Still using that dating service from the date last night?” Cheshire cat's grin looped over his lips finalizing his smug expression. “I bet to get a second date they'd pose for you?”

Hostility radiated from unamused eyes. Straightening her posture, Prim raised her forelegs up brushing back her mane. Her right hoof did this twice lifting the long locks to 'fluff' it back into its place. “I sent my letter leaving the service. After the first three dates were stallions claiming to be mares thinking they would find virgins, the fourth date the mare was three times my age and could barely feet through the door.” Each time she spoke of a date, she clopped a hind hoof to the floor to keep count. “The fifth? Yes the fifth had purchases of my old Pageant costumes and wanted me to model in them, the sixth ended up being my mother who brought a stallion for me to meet. How she ever got my information for the service only Celestia knows.” Distressed sigh fell from her relaxing body. She slouched forward pressing her forelegs against her taut belly. “The seventh was last night. Maybe it isn't meant to be.” She turned her head to avoid having to look at Open, choosing to stare past him at the door. Something caught her focus. A pair of glowing orbs staring in through the front glass doors. Focusing, she could make out a filly, or was it a mare?, two of them peering into the boutique. When the one with the glow turned, she caught the glimmer of twinkling hair. “Spun moonlight...” She whispered as she dropped off her stool to all fours.

“Then we'll go to clubs, mingle at bars, or go to mixers. I wont let you become an old maid making obsce..What are you looking at?” Open reacted to the change in Prim's physical behavior with a counter of curiosity. He turned his head to look behind him just to find his friend's flank as she ran towards the door. “Prim? Prim wait a minute! Where are you going! It's not closing time yet!”

Something drove Prim to rush around her counter and run to the front door. Her magic send power to the hinges swinging the gateway outwards giving her freedom. In front, she glanced back and forth for some sign of the mare she had seen. It was stuck in her mind what she had saw. A voodoo to her senses if the pony indeed had the twinkle and glow to her. To the right, Prim caught just a brief flash of the faint light past a large, amber pony. No rational line of thinking could have persuaded Prim to cease what she did next. Breaking into a full gallop, she charged past the large mare, came up behind the three ahead of her, and stopped, panting for air.

She felt disheveled. Hind legs trembling not used to sprinting. Even if she was in shape, she had not trained for such actions. The pony behind came up to join the three she stood in front of. Prim looked up, from left to right, to find an amber earth pony, a white pegasus pony, the gray pony she saw, and an azure unicorn pony. As she ignored her brain before, Prim did so again. She raised her body up to stand properly, her mouth becoming dry as she uttered the short phrase. “Model for me, please.”

Lost History

Model for me, please.

Eclipse had heard the words or those similar before from some passing mare or stallion in the clubs Vinyl frequented. In those places, Vinyl or somepony who knew her would step in to put a stop to the bad pickup line. A lack of sincerity in their words made it simple for Eclipse to forget the empty compliments. Something was different regarding the red mare blocking their path. Though she did not speak loudly, there was strength in her words. Piercing spheres of teal burned with oceans of confidence and grace. Their focus seemed to be solely on the gray alicorn, ignoring Eclipse's companion's entirely. An air of nervousness felt staggering to Eclipse's mind bringing her to slink back under the unwavering watch of this stranger. She took in the sight of the one before her from her colorful mane to her twin rose cutie mark.

It would be Spiral who would break the stalemate. Eclipse turned her head to watch the pony step forward. A swagger in her step, the amber pony grinned flashing a celebrity smile. Spiral offered a hoof forward, bowing her head in just the slightest manner that she could let her eyes become upturned and stare at the red mare through her chestnut locks. “My my, pretty mare, I'm afraid my schedule is all booked up to model for somepony. But if you give me your name I'm sure in a few days I can be right back here for a nice and private session.” Tail swished lately conveying the enjoyment she had just from seeing such an attractive pony come before her. “Very private if you like.”

“You are not who I am speaking to.” No hesitation in her words. “If I sought a pony who believed that belching should be a national pass time, thinks chugging cider until one passes out in their own filth and excrement is a good night, then I will think to contact you.” Viper's venom dripped from each word. Confident eyes ,now cruel, turning to the side glancing over Spiral's larger form. “I ask that you do not think yourself in such high regard that somepony would simply approach you on the street for such a task. It would save you humiliation later.” It was then this unknown brought herself back to gaze at Eclipse.

Spiral could not speak. Anything that uttered past her throat was just stuttering of gibberish. She shook her head, thoughts rattling around until coherency could be spoken. “Now just wait a damn minute!” Such an insult would not stand, especially from somepony who hadn't even introduced herself. When Spiral sped forward wanting to be directly in front of the red mare, she found an invisible barrier in front of her. Any attempts of butting her head or smashing her hooves against the magic only bounced her back. It was then she caught the glow of Trixie's horn.

It was not like the showmare to let somepony else take center stage. A seemingly random stranger approached, asked one of the four ponies to model, and to Trixie it seemed that there should not be any doubt as to whom they chose. This rose oriented mare was not some street trash Trixie would toss aside readily. She was too taken care of to be that sort. “A stranger approaches, and you presume it to be you because of your inflated ego? Trixie dare says that she simply noticed Trixie's beauty and rushed to meet us. This mare understands true grace and showmareship by first look, and thus she stopped the Great and Powerful Trixie to properly pay tribute!”

“Not you either.” Blunt words came across with the same chilled intensity she had spoken to Spiral.

“You turn away Trixie? Who do you think you are to turn away Trixie!” Indignantly, Trixie stomped her front hooves up and down at the insult of being brushed aside. None of the ponies even knew what the modeling was, but it sting the same.

The pegasus of the entourage knew better than to believe it could have possibly been her. Observing was part of her special talent. In order to emulate a pony's actions, Color Copy had to watch and learn. She was doing just that with the red mare now. The tingle of jealousy, though not as intense as it might have been with Spiral, bore into her mind realizing that the pony she had asked, was the only one who had yet to speak other than herself, Eclipse. Copy felt her mouth become a desert when the unknown mare reached for Eclipse's hoof, drawing it close to place a gentle kiss.

“You, miss, I ask of you to do this. Please, come back to my boutique and hear me out. This is all that I ask. If you require some sort of compensation I am certain there is something in my boutique I can give as a gift. Please, all I ask if a moment of your time.” Optimistic for the outcome, the pony remained steady in wait for the reply. Eclipse's hoof would not be released by the unicorn, wanting instead to let her hoof slid up along the gray limb to get a quick feel of the fur.

Eclipse had not spoken yet. Spiral came first and was shot down with an insult. Trixie came next, but was cut off and ignored. If there was any saving grace, it as that Copy had not done anything but remain back and to the left of Eclipse. She was careful in removing her hoof from the mare's hooves. Head hung forward staring at the cold concrete then raised giving a dissatisfied frown. “I am so..sorry but I can..canno...cannot accept your off...offer. You insu..insulted and were ru..rude to my friends.”

Stricken with the realization of her error, the mare stepped back glancing at the three ponies with Eclipse. It had seemed that in her rush to catch up to them, she did not consider these other ponies to be with her. The error on her part may have cost her greatly. Pride came in many shades. To some ponies admitting when one was wrong would never suffice, but the mare was not one of them. “Indeed. It was wrong of me to render insults and judgment so quickly, and not to give a proper reply when one should have done so. Please,” she bowed her head forward in an act or remorse, “The offer still stands for you to hear my proposal, but I also ask that you give me the opportunity to make it up to each of you for my ill-tempered behavior. I shall have cakes and tea delivered to us at my boutique and we can discuss in a better atmosphere.”

“Since you proposed to make it up to Trixie with a proper tribute, Trixie finds it only right to take you up on the offer.” Trixie haughty laughed placing a hoof to her lips. Feeding her sense of pride or reducing yourself to a status lower than her was an assured way to change Trixie's mood.

“I'll go wherever Eclipse goes.” Color Copy chipped in taking the few paces to come side by side with the smaller, gray mare.

It was down to Spiral. Out of the three ponies she was the only one who did not take a gaze into the boutique. Furthermore, the anxiety of regaining her pride for the insult or taking the mare down a peg for kissing Eclipse's hoof, the fluttery feeling of having Eclipse turn her down for her quick insulting tongue, or thoughts of what Eclipse maybe modeling sent her reeling. An overload of information finally snapped her brain. “Fine! We'll go!” Snorting, Spiral took the lead stomping her way moving back down the street for the boutique.

“Then it is settled. Dearest me,” A moment taken to garner her nerves, the red mare brushed her silken mane back, then offered her hoof towards anypony who would take it. “I am Prim Rose. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

At once, Copy and Eclipse both took the same hoof of Prim Rose. They shook it vigorously together offering her a welcoming smile. “My na..name is Eclip..Eclipse. This is my frie..friend Color Copy.” A motion was made with Eclipse's bat wing, which raised Prim's brows at its sight. “This is the Great and Pow...powerful Trixie.” And Eclipse's pegasus wing raised pointing behind her, “And that is Spi..Spiral Flame.”

A collage of pony colors and personalities. Prim Rose was taken back to her pageant days by the uniqueness of each of the mares now in her presence. It was Eclipse who still garnered her attention. She saw her in perfect light once her eyes were no longer fixated on only her face, but could take in the depth of her unusual appearance. Most of it was brand new, but something about Eclipse was troubling. It came to her as she set her eyes to the broken horn and her mismatched wings.

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

Dusk came across the land of Equestria. As forewarned, Octavia and Vinyl Scratch were to arrive in the audience chambers before the moon rose. Pegasus guards came, moments before the sun's final crescent fell behind the mountain range, guiding them to the necessary destination. Even within the confines of the castle they were under protection. It was no small task to prepare for an audience with the princess, but they would be in the presence of both on the eve of urgent matters. Getting Vinyl to understand the gravity of such a meeting, and preparation for it, was no small task.

An hour after Fancy Pants departed after lunch with Octavia, Vinyl finally awoke. Octavia remained steadfast denying Vinyl the pain killers she so begged to have. Even knowing that the doctor who prescribed them was no doctor did little to persuade her. In a final plea, Octavia dumped the contents of the medicine bottle into the toilet flushing the light green ovals to oblivion. A fussy Vinyl was not a cooperative Vinyl. Octavia knew how to persuade and manipulate her marefriend to calm her. The prospect of bathing together, with a few hours until they needed to depart, left the DJ bouncing back and forth clapping her fore hooves together.

The pegasus guards stationed outside the guest tower had wished they could have watched from the sounds they heard echoing within. Once cleansed of dirt and grime, and both appearing exhausted and flushed, Octavia left Vinyl to her own devices, retreating into the bedroom, giving only two orders; Vinyl must select a proper dress, and wear the small frame glasses purchased for dinner parties. Stifling Vinyl too far would only create chaos opposite of what Octavia wanted.

Octavia spent extensive time on her hair ensuring the long, black tresses stayed straight with the only curls being at her bangs. A long black evening gown, a lit from the left hind ankle up to her thigh, was selected. It was strapless held firm around the chest. No tail was made for her tail rather it remained beneath her dress. Octavia went to the luggage brought with them pulling out a small, black velvet covered box. Her hooves were careful snapping it open. The contents was a gift from Vinyl on their third anniversary. A crimson red bow tie, the same color as Vinyl's eyes, made from the finest silks. Center piece to the item was a gemstone carved in the shape of a treble clef, violet in color to mirror Octavia's cutie mark. Memories of the evening she had been given such a splendor touched a smile to the cellist's lips. “Vinyl dear, would you help me for a moment?”

Scrambling hooves were to be expected. Vinyl was rarely punctual. She was the kind of pony who was ready right at the moment to leave and not a moment sooner. Out of breath, she had mustered all her strength to get her own dress on. The pain still throbbing at the back of her skull made it difficult to perform the simplest of telekinesis. Old fashioned was the only way she had gotten her dress on. Vinyl came from the bathroom feeling mischievous and perky. She slid behind her marefriend, sliding her forelegs around Octavia's waist, leaning her head to her neck giving tiny nibbles. “Always here to help my Octy.”

Smirking, Octavia hoofed the special bow tie to Vinyl. With teeth holding one end of the strap, and hoof holding the other, the DJ brought it around Octavia's neck connecting the small hooks in the back together. Vinyl gave a gentle tug to ensure that it was secure. Octavia slid her hooves up feeling the soft fabric against her fur. This particular item always made her feel beautiful to wear. Turning to face her marefriend, a pleasant surprise awaited her. Vinyl had chosen well for the engagement this evening. The white unicorn wore a black gown similar to Octavia's, except it had straps over the mare's shoulders. Silver rimmed glasses set on the bridge of Vinyl's nose. Lenses just large enough to keep her crimson eyes hidden, but were small enough for a sophisticated feel.

“Are you sure we're supposed to be so formal? When I woke up you told me it's to learn about Nightlight.” Words came across with a hint of whine. Dressing up had never been a thing she enjoyed, so some protest from Vinyl was to be expected.

“Of course. Despite the pretense, we will still be in the company of the Princesses. Appearing proper is a matter of courtesy and respect.” After her reply, the knock at the door came for them to depart.

Now, Octavia and Vinyl found themselves before the foreboding entrance to the chambers. The doors were far larger than one might need for regular ponies. It would take a being two stories tall to bump their heads at the top. As with the rest of the castle and walls, the door was an egg shell white, trimmed with gold and midnight blue metals. The two guards escorting them handed care over to the guards on either side of the door. They were unicorns, their magic used to ease the massive structure open. Octavia and Vinyl felt the intimidation ponies must have felt as they waited for their turn at an audience with the ruling sisters. A feeling of self doubt and heaviness in ones' belly was met with a lump forming in the throat. Octavia felt it but a glance to Vinyl made her wonder, if behind her indigo lenses, she did as well.

Light steps took them to the interior of the chamber. The majestic hall stood wide and open. It was the first time either had the chance to step foot on the hallowed grounds. Six ponies and one small, purple dragon awaited standing in front of the stairs leading up to two empty thrones. Octavia and Vinyl knew five of the ponies along with the small scaled creature, but one they had only seen in passing. Vinyl did take notice to one thing, none of them wore attire like the mares did. No, Vinyl and Octavia were the only ponies present wearing evening wear. Heat appeared on Octavia's cheeks as Vinyl smirked towards her, whispering low enough for only her marefriend to hear, “We should wear clothes befitting meeting the Princesses, huh?”

Octavia scoffed shaking her head thrice. “Hush you.” She playfully warned stepping to the group that had already gathered. The guards returned the doors to their closed state leaving the occupants to wait for the Princesses' arrival. Octavia took a moment to make a mental list of the ponies present. To the left of the throne stood Iron Mind, the false doctor Split Atom, and the fuchsia haired bat pony from the other morning.

Iron wore a military dress coat much like Shining Armor's. It was white with gold buttons, gold cufflinks and collar, and a bright yellow sash across his chest. His right front leg was bandaged against his chest, the sling holding it wrapped around his neck. At his elbow, a small cane was set with a band attaching it to his leg. Remaining bandages were concealed beneath the fabric of his coat. He did appear in better condition with the once visible bruises on his face fading from the tender care he must have been receiving. “Ah, Miss Octavia, Miss Vinyl, welcome. Please, join us.” He spoke on a calm, but firm tone. An inviting smile offered to them.

Being not of a military career, Split Atom had come wearing no clothing save for the wedding band around her left ankle. Short, bowl cut candy apple red mane bounced as she turned her head to stare upon the two musical mares. She grinned mischievously giving the suggestion she knew something that they did not. An errant hoof slid up against the opposite leg, scratching against the dusk orange fur. She leaned up, speaking softly to her husband while attempting to conceal the snickers of the moment. All the while she never let her eyes leave the pair of mares.

The third of the three ponies, was the fuchsia haired bat pony. A garment identical to Shining Armor's and Iron Mind's was worn, but these colors seemed to mimic that of the Moon Princess. Midnight blue fabric hugged around her slender torso, the buttons a shade of onyx, her sash royal blue, and the cufflinks and collar a simple black. Octavia and Vinyl both let their eyes trace from the bat pony's head, admiring her tan eyes, straight across to her sun fire orange wings, down to her cutie mark. The mark consisted of multiple fire work explosions of the rainbow. Six in total randomly splattered across both sides of her flank. The pony turned to face Iron, her lips moved to speak, yet not even the hint of a whisper was heard.

Vinyl took the initiative bumping her flank to Octavia's. “You can take that group, I'm going over to the other side for a sec.” She spoke up flashing a grin. Octavia answered with only a nod letting Vinyl trot away. “Yo! Twinks!” The DJ called out obscenely waving a hoof to the three ponies and dragon of the second group. It did not take long for Vinyl to forget the setting she was in. Octavia simply sighed.

Opposite of Iron Mind, Split Atom, and the bat pony, were ponies that Vinyl recognized instantly. “Yo, Spike, sup?” Vinyl grinned coming up to the dragon first.

Green spikes and purple scales on a small frame made up the one Vinyl called Spike. “Hey, Vinyl, what are you doing here?” On quick steps, the purple dragon ran up to clutch around the white pony's leg. After, he gave a quick leap slapping his clawed digits outwards when Vinyl extended her hoof.

“Gonna ask you the same thing. Octy and I were told this was an important meeting going on about a friend of ours.” She answered turning her gaze to the three ponies. She knew all three of them.

The lavender coated Twilight Sparkle, protege to Princess Celestia, stood to the right of Shining Armor, whom still wore the military fashioned coat he had met Octavia in earlier, and to his left was his wife, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, also known as Cadance. The DJ had met each of them on the night of their wedding reception garnering special favor using her skill of the turn table. It was the same day she sacrificed a stack of her favorite records defending against the Swiss cheese resembling changelings.

“We're here for the same thing, Vinyl,” Twilight spoke stepping from her mother's side to join the dragon. She offered her hoof forward firmly shaking it against Vinyl's.

Shades slid to the very tip of her nose before magic drew them back over her eyes. For a brief moment ponies could see the perplexed look she gave. “Celestia is really calling in all the stops over our missing friend. Not that we're not happy for it, it's just...” Vinyl trailed off shooting a glance to Iron. Eclipse was afraid of him, from lies Gold Mine told her, yet even with his words of encouragement left her feeling apprehensive.

“Yes, my Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna have much to discuss over it. Forgive me, but they would be the better ponies to explain in earnest what is occurring.” It was Princess Cadance who came forward, with Shining Armor following at her hooves. As Split Atom was, Cadance wore no gown. True to her royal nature, she retained her tiara, gold necklace, and golden hoof guards. On her left ankle, the wedding band signifying her marriage to Shining was worn, glinting in the faint light of the hall.

A disappointed sigh fell from Vinyl's lips. There was some hope to obtain something to let her know what lie ahead, but it maybe these ponies were as much in the dark as she was. Coming about, she looked to Shining Armor, finally addressing him. “Hey, SA! Didja try those techniques I told ya about?” The DJ sauntered next to the captain ribbing him with her knee. “I know how to please the fillies, ya know.”

Marshmallows could have roasted from the heat produced on Shining Armor's cheeks. He turned his head away, setting a hoof to his mouth while coughing to clear his throat. Cadance stared at him wide eyed bewildered by Vinyl's words. Feeling a leg smacking him lightly on his back, he turned his head to see the cause of his embarrassment laughing next to him. “I would rather not discuss that in mixed company, you see.”

“Ah too bad! Wantin to make sure the wedding night was as much of a blast as before the wedding... Say, anypony know if they're gonna serve dinner? I haven't eaten since yesterday.. I think...”

Octavia shuttered at Vinyl's obnoxious laughter. She knew all too well what she must have been talking about to produce that laugh. It was common for Octavia to rush to Vinyl and give her a smack before she could offend anypony. However, this time she led it slid since she seemed to know the ponies she was with. Giving her attention back to the three before her, she gave a bow of her head to the bat pony. “Miss... Candy Sprinkles, correct? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She watched as the pony simply moved her lips, producing no audible sound that could be heard. Tilting her head, Octavia replied in kind, “Pardon me?”

“Forgive me for not explaining with the introduction,” Iron Mind said, “Candy has been mute since birth. It may seem that this would hinder her actions as a captain, but it is actually a blessing during night time patrols and her body language can speak volumes where words cannot.” The silver stallion motioned to the bat pony once more.

Candy Sprinkles appeared to be near the time of slumber. Tan eyes were glazed over with lids at half mast over the orbs. Manner in which her body swayed back and forth inclined she was fatigued or near exhaustion, but she still retained herself to keep eye contact on whichever pony was speaking.

And suddenly, Octavia fell backwards onto her haunches. Fright filled her eyes as the full vision of Split Atom's face mashed against her's. Giddy as a filly, the scientist pressed their muzzles together. “So, you're the kind of pony who uses physical delights to persuade your marefriend. From the examination I would never have guessed. Certainly need to add this to the information folder, but it can wait. How did the pills work? Was she out cold for the most part?”

Bombardment of questions and comments rocked Octavia until the relief of Iron gently pulling Split back allowed her some breathing room. Setting a hoof to her chest, she sighed raising back onto her hooves. “Yes, I was warned to keep my eye on you. I do not understand why you would want to pretend to be a doctor and examine both of us... Wait, what you do you mean by that first comment?” Pupils dilated baffled by the words that were spoken.

“Earlier today, after Vinyl Scratch woke,” Split Atom was released by Iron. She raised a hoof setting it neatly to her chin in thought. “In order to get Miss Scratch to cooperate, you offered a chance to bath with her and things lead to another point. Quite common for any number of relationships when one wishes the other to comply.” Right eye was closed, but her left remained opened watching the other intently for changes to her physical stance.

Octavia sputtered stumbling back from the wicked scientist. In her mind's eye, she saw the light orange pony laughing like a villain looking over a fallen arch enemy. It was almost a scene out of a bad comic book Vinyl often brought home. Her face mirrored an erupting volcano burning red and smoldering her senses.

Iron was her hero then, lightly tapping his wife on the back of her head. He was comforting in his smile to Octavia. “Forgive her, but I would say answering her questions in a private setting would cease any future copies of this moment... Forgive me.” He said again shaking his head to the wickedly grinning Split.

Words began to form in Octavia's mind for what she wanted to say about having a private meeting with Split, but they would not be uttered at this moment. An interruption, wonderful but late in timing, came without notice.

The doors of the hall opened once more bringing every pony and one dragon to bow forward. For arriving was the Princess of the Sun, Celestia, accompanied by two pegasus guards whom departed from her side once she safely entered the hall. Wide eyes shifted left and right taking in those present. She carried herself on righteous hoof steps up to her throne, where she sat back in front of it on her haunches. A deep breath, and she spoke, “Greetings, my friends, I wish to begin by apologizing to everypony present. No doubt, many of you wonder how the disappearance of one pony would garner such attention from my sister and I, and tonight I wish to put these questions at ease. Unfortunately,” Each pony raised up, taking a place along the sides of the red carpet leading to the thrones. Faces were watching up to the white alicorn bearing her words to memory. “What you will learn tonight changes events in history. I will begin with a short explanation, as Luna finishes raising the moon, and then we will venture to the tower that lays between mine and Luna's. A tower that had been sealed off since its original construction.”

The three guard captains knew well of this tower. Since its raising, Celestia sealed the entrance to the long hall connecting it to the main of the castle. Thief and explorers were caught regularly attempting to infiltrate inside, but were never able to get passed the barriers and magic locks. Twilight and Cadance recalled times seeing Celestia stand in front of the door to the hall leading up to the tower. Many of these times they would swear to see tear drops in the alicorn's eyes.

“Eclipse, a pony known as Captain Iron Mind's younger sibling, a roommate and friend to Miss Octavia and Vinyl Scratch, is much more. I am certain many ponies see her horn and wings and wonder why she is not within the safety of Canterlot, or they assume one or both to be false decorations of a rebellious youth. The evidence presented, and events passed conclude without a doubt her true identity. She is the third Celestial Princess, Eclipse.” Celestia hung her head forward, wavy hair floating just above her visions hiding back the trembles in her eyes. “While born to Iron Mind's mother, she would have come into place through magic, not conception. Her blood is the same blood that runs through my and Luna's veins. Tonight, each of you will learn of her original birth, and her demise.”

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

“Let me get this straight, Prim dear, moments before we would normally go to dinner, you peered outside, saw a shiny mare, ran outside nearly breaking your doors off their hinges, and now came back with four mares in tow. I must say, hon, I never expected you to be the type to want to keep a stable of mares at your beck and call!” Shortly after Prim Rose brought the four ponies back to her boutique, Open dragged Prim into the backroom before introductions were made. Prim barely was given time to tell the four to browse her goods and she would be out shortly before the door closed.

Prim paced before her friend. Back and forth her hooves carried her in the same ten feet. Tail swished each time she turned curving around firm flank and right, upper thigh. “I don't know. Something just came over me and I wish I knew what.” Prim stopped momentarily waving a hoof in front of her to emphasize the situation, “I just saw these piercing eyes that looked like stars staring in, hair that must have been spun from moonlight itself... And before I could think again, I ran after her.” Ashamed, she hung her head low returning to the quick pacing.

Open had perched himself on the edge of a work table, watching her with glee. A good friend knew when to take pleasure in a friend's misery to pull them from the cataclysm, or to show love and support to cast away a tide of depression. He brought a hoof up sliding down the Pon-3 shades to the edge of his nose. “You're going to trot a groove into the floor if you keep up that pace...” It donned on him then. Prim's facial expression played her off as being lost in a dreamy wonderland. Her half sullen eyes, a tiny smile curved on her lips, and new ammunition was added to his arsenal. For a pony who believed he finds true love three or four times a week, he saw the signs perfectly. “Love at first sight... Or how did you tell me again earlier? Lust at first sight? Oh how marvelous!” Open exclaimed pushing his hooves together rubbing them against his cheek. “Little Prim is loving.. Lusting after a pony after all these years!”

Muscles tightened, her legs became stone solidifying her hooves firmly in place. A dawning of knowledge to her own predicament came so suddenly, and so soon, it was a tidal wave pushing her over the mental brink. She hung her head low. Prim was a pony who hated having her own words thrown back or used against her. “Then I am simply following innate biological sensations when I followed after her, but once I got a good look at her she was perfect.”

“For?”

Hooves clicked twice to the ground while turning her body back to the door. “Advertising.” She spoke turning her head back looking to her friend.

Off the table his body dropped. All four hooves touching down in unison. The unicorn doctor came up behind then besides her, smirking, “But she isn't the type of beauty to be a model. Many ponies might argue that aside from her hair and eyes, she's just a... what is she anyway?” He had only a brief look at Eclipse before dragging Prim to the backroom. “Pegasus, right? But must be an earth pony. Nopony has wings like her's. It's absurd!” Head shook dismissing the idea of a half pegasus half bat pony.

“It's somewhat hard to notice, but she has a horn... it's broken though. The wings... I could not tell you if they're real or not.. Maybe she'll let me massage them if...” Perversion clouded her mind, a half smile curving the left side of her lips. Realizing Open was staring at her, grinning, she rid herself of the ideas. “Anyhow, I do not need a model that will over shadow the clothes. What I need is somepony who will catch the eye of a passerby. What I need is her. So...” Prim lost all ounce of self respect. She dropped down to her hind knees in front of Open pushing her hooves together. “Please go and buy some cakes and tea for me right now? I need enough for the four out there, and you can even buy whatever you want. You can go to your favorite bakery!” As Open knew how to manipulate Prim, Prim knew his weaknesses as well. The crown to the begging, Prim stuck her bottom lip out, trembling it with crocodile tears at the corners of her eyes.

“By all that is Celestia would you stop that! I'll do it and be back in a flash. I don't want to miss you mooning over somepony who may or may not even be legal!” Magic from Open's horn illuminated the perimeter of the door, as magic from Prim took a half circle table from a far wall.

The friends exited the backroom as Open's magic pushed the thick wood forward. Prim took the lead then stepping forward in front of the unicorn stallion. “I apologize for the sudden departure. Everypony, allow me to introduce my dearest friend, Doctor Open Heart.” Prim spoke looking out to the ponies she convinced to return with her. Spiral Flame was at one of her small showcases displaying a variety of jewelry. Prim had a deal with an out of town dealer that supplied her modeling days to sell their pieces by commission. Eclipse and Color Copy were set looking at the more modest nighttime apparel, socks and half t shirts worn to bed. Each knew of the socks, but were unsure what the shirt was even for if a pony was just going to sleep. Trixie, finally, had become fixated on a mannequin wearing a saddle shaped like a heart, socks covered in hearts, and a flank covering designed the same. Everything of the set was pinks and reds for somepony's very special somepony. Prim Rose's words brought each of them to take attention of her presence, and come joining closer to her. “Open, this is Miss Eclipse, Miss Color Copy, Miss Trixie,”

“Great and Powerful Trixie,” Trixie chimed in smirking.

“Yes, the Great and Powerful Trixie, and Miss Spiral Flame.” She gave their names to Open as each of them came to her. Her magic did its work moving the half circle she carried, made of plastic and dirty white, over to the center of the show floor. Prim unfolded it to create a full circle, the legs beneath pulled down, and set to the floor. “If we can all just have a seat we can begin discussing my proposal. My friend will be going out to purchase the aforementioned snacks and tea. Open.” She said looking to the apricot pony. Where he was looking, she didn't like. He had an amused grin while staring primarily at the small mare.

“Hey! That wasn't much of an introduction for me.” Wasting no effort, Spiral pushed herself in front of the others thrusting her chest forward and extending an arm across her chest. “I am the Spectacular Stunt Pony, Spiral Flame. Defiler of death and reaper of fear.” She snorted lightly bearing a broad smile. “So, a doctor, huh? Care to examine me?” Spiral wiggled her eye brows moving in close to the stallion. “Nice shades, by the way.”

Color Copy was the first pony to seat herself at the round portable table. Rolling her eyes at Spiral's display was painful to watch. Such a show off was never a good pony to have around, in her thoughts. Moods enlightened when Eclipse joined her at her right, white cheeks tinting pink with the filly so close. Copy drew the plastic bag from her neck using her teeth. The contents spilled outwards over the smooth plastic surface. Wonderbolt shaped erasers, small pieces of candy, deflated balloons scattered about. Her head turned pulling off each of the plastic wing covers next. A quick smile shot to Eclipse pushing a piece of candy to her with her nose.

In defense, Open thrust a hoof forward for Spiral to shake. Mohawk bounced down over his visions as he lowered his head lightly. “Course I know of you! I watch a few of your shows.” Aquamarine tail swished up and back down when he walked past Spiral to the back of the counter. A messenger bag, with 'Prim and Proper' stitched to the flap, was taken up by his magic and looped around his neck. Open took enough bits from the till to the bag pulling the flap down. “One show you were set on fire. Placed on your cycle, then rode from Captain Buck's Boat Casino onto a ramp, over the Strip's main road, landing in the Canterlot Casino's fountain. Most amazing part, only minor burns.”

“You set yourself on fire? Trixie was certain you were a brutish, ignorant pony but to do such a thing for fame? Trixie wonders how many braincells you killed in that time alone.” Trixie was the next to seat herself, taking a spot opposite of Eclipse at Color Copy's side. Her magic moved the hat from her head, setting it down onto the table.

“Wasn't that da..dangerous?” Broken horn lightly glowed gray lifting a piece of caramel, unwrapping the plastic, then popping it into her mouth. She peered over her shoulder looking at Spiral. She felt fire once. A spell misfire during her foal years caught a book on fire singeing her fur. Bat wing lifted, her head ducking beneath letting teeth nip at the fur at the base. Eclipse blinked, the piece of caramel slipping from her mouth attaching to her fur. It was an epic struggle, but in the end she managed to retrieve the candy swallowing the remains before anything else could happen.

“Course it was dangerous. I wouldn't be a stunt pony if it wasn't dangerous. I am a true celebrity, not like a certain false and conceited unicorn, I actually have fans and wealth to go with it.” Spiral gloated coming in turn to follow the other three ponies. She took a seat besides Eclipse, reaching a hoof over snatching a piece of hard candy for herself. Glares were exchanged with Trixie across the table after when she sneered in Spiral's direction. “It also helps that I'm naturally fire resistant. Comes with the cutie mark and all.”

“Trixie has heard of fire retardant but she is afraid that you just maybe retar--” Trixie bit her tongue, fighting back the urge to continue this petty argument. “Hmph.”

“Thank you, Open... Please hurry back...” Prim whispered when her friend passed her for the door. In moments, the jingle of the door's bells signaled his departure. Reading ponies was a part of the pageant scene. One had to be able to know what their opponents were planning, or how they would perform and figure, sometimes on the spot, how to outperform the other. All Prim saw when she looked at these ponies was a mixture of emotions and storms. The short distance to the table was taken quickly, Prim seated herself at the table, facing the door. “Now, let's get down to business. As mentioned before, I would like you, Eclipse to offer services as a model for my Boutique.”

“That will be a problem.” Copy lowered her mouth to the edge of the table. Front hooves moved out shoveling a mess of gummy bears into her waiting maw. “Smee, we're leaming for Manematten tomommow amound moom.” Prim, Trixie, and Spiral shot unamused looks at the candy stuffed pony. Copy chewed quickly, then tried to force the lump of sugar down her throat. When it became lodged, powerful hoof slams from Eclipse aided in its departure downwards. “Well.. What I said was, we're leaving for Manehatten tomorrow around noon...” Her eyes trailed away from the group looking from the disappointed face of Prim. “So it'd be hard to do anything.”

“Yeah so your little project has to wait for somepony else.” Spiral yawned bracing her chin onto her hoof. Her knee set against the table while giving a bored look.

Eclipse sighed looking down. She felt guilty for letting Prim down. They had met within the past hour, but hopelessness her body language conveyed her disappointment prominently. “Well... Mo..modeling is just tak..taking pictures right? Can't we do th..that right now?” Copy and Spiral dropped their jaws to the table rushing to bring their eyes to Eclipse.

“You would do that?” Prim asked. Eclipse nodded once to confirm. “Well then. I'm afraid I cannot offer bits upfront. But, what I can do is allow you to keep whatever items we use for the pictures.” The rose oriented pony placed her hooves in front of her on the table. “If you give me your home address I can send bits once business picks up from the advertising.”

Before any other pony could speak, Spiral thrust her body upwards shaking her head. “Now just wait a minute! My Eclipse wont be dressing in anything that she should only be seen in when we're alone!”

“Yeah! My Eclipse wont be doing that!” Pure white wings shot out, her cheeks glowing red when Copy stood with Spiral. They locked eyes together, agreeing with a glance that they had a common agreement even if their thoughts on Eclipse differed.

“Allow me to clarify,” Prim began ignoring the claim on Eclipse both ponies outright made. She took note that Trixie had no said a thing, just observed. “I had no intentions of having her model any of my apparel worn for lovers. Over the eastern seas they tend to wear clothing to bed, some ponies have begun to mirror this trend and I have a line of clothes I wish to sell accordingly.” She raised a hoof motioning over to the corner next to the counter. On the walls and on small show tables were various small shirts, socks, and modest undergarments. “Considering how young she looks, I only wish for her to model, maybe five outfits, from the selection on the wall. No saddles, no garters, nor would I ask her to pose in a way that would convey the wrong message to anypony looking at the add. I have a camera in the back we can use, I can have an area for photographing ready quickly, and within a few hours, have the shots I need. Is this alright?”

Two perverted minds joined together listening to Prim. For these two ponies, they imagined coming home to find Eclipse waiting for them wearing the various garments displayed around the shop. Saliva coaxed from their glands moistening their mouths at the sheer delight. Only Copy gave off any outward physical indication of her wayward thoughts with her wings firing off her back, smacking a now disgruntled Trixie on her head.

“If.. Eclipse wants to then I'm fine with it!” Copy spoke first jumping up to bounce on her hind feet wanting the show to begin now.

“Yeah, I can give up a few hours for this.. I do believe.” Predator smile slid over Spiral's mouth narrowing her gaze to Eclipse.

“Trixie is fine as long as Trixie is allowed to take something herself.”

“That can possibly be arranged if you're willing to offer some magic for the photos.” Prim agreed ignoring Spiral and Copy. She did not want to know what they were thinking, but they gave the approval she sought. It now came down to the filly. Prim turned to Eclipse, her smile to her gentle and kind. She didn't want to make her feel pressured to say yes, but the chance of her saying no could not be completed washed from her face.

Her answer brought instant delight to Prim. “Al..alright. I'll do..do it since everypo..everypony is fine with it.” Moon lit spheres gazed to the four ponies around her. It was something else new she had the chance to experience, and to her, the things she would get might make great gifts when she returned to Vinyl and Octavia.

“Marvelous! I'll go ready the camera, and gathered the things needed. Everypony just rest here while Open returns.” Prim shifted herself back onto her hooves trotting to the backroom door. A dull pain hit her mind when she looked back at Eclipse. The possessing way Spiral and Copy spoke to her stuck to her like a thorn. Into the back she dismissed herself, out of range to hear Spiral's last whisper.

“Any pony see her horn? Looks like somepony carved into it. Know what that is?”

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

“But Princess,” It was Twilight who spoke bringing everypony's head to turn to face her, “You gave me the tome of memories to study. I watch every event multiple times, but when I searched through history books, journals old texts, and even fairy tales for anything relating to Eclipse but...” Twilight looked down and away. Always on quests for knowledge, it was when she could not find what she sought did the feelings of disappointment and failure sprung within. This served to further pique the interest of the ponies. “I couldn't find anything. No notes, no pictures, not even an old mare's tale that would suggest you had a sister, how can this be for a member of royalty?”

Attention returned to the goddess, everypony sought an answer to Twilight inquisition. A heavy burden, Celestia knew that this question would come before Luna arrived. Answers were something she wanted to wait until her younger sibling was there besides her to give. Dreading the reactions among her faithful subjects, she began again, “Nor would you find anything, my faithful student.” To the glass ceiling her eyes did raise. The openness of space, the twinkle of the stars gave her confidence to continue. “Everypony knows of the founding of Equestria. In the reciting, the unicorns raise the sun and the moon, pegasi create and control the weather, and earth ponies cultivated the land. When ponies hearts became cold from hate and mistrust, the lands they inhabited grew cold mirroring their souls.”

Celestia began what seemed to be the retelling of the founding. There was not a pony present who did not know it by heart. Each heard of it time and time again every Hearths Warming Eve. Octavia came over towards Vinyl quickly on quiet hoof steps. She replaced her seat down besides her marefriend. Violate eyes sought comfort in the DJ's presence. A feeling that tonight would shake her strong will could not be ignored. Vinyl's right leg came across the withers of her lover, pulling her close causing Octavia's to smile. But, when Vinyl's stomach gurgled from lack of nourishment, it brought disapproving glances in her direction. Octavia's cheeks could have stained red then. She buried her face into the crook of the white pony's leg, wanting only to fade from the sudden spotlight.

Fortune smiled that Celestia did not take notice to the interrupting belly. Celestia's eyes seemed to be lost in another time and place. Her mind brought her back to the fateful days of old reliving the years of regret and turmoil that continued to bring conflict. “Even before the founding, Luna and I resided within the castle in the Everfree Forest. In truth, unicorns did not raise the sun and moon, but their magic told us when to do so. In truth, the pegasi did not create the weather, but we send the clouds for them to manipulate. Ponies knew of us, and worshiped us, but few saw us. From each tribe they would send ponies periodically with food, workers, and requests. It was not until after the six ambassadors found Equestria, that we came from seclusion to rule unbiased for any one tribe. So in awe that their goddesses would join them, the ponies agreed for peace to allow this. Unicorn royalty became figureheads there after, many of whom are seen to this day.” Air became stale to Celestia when she breathed in a deep breath. Wings extended out feeling a chill roll down her spine from the base of her neck to her flank. Finding calm, she spoke again, “In such an early time, peace was still fragile. And an event that occurred twenty years after the founding, an event that I chose to hide to ensure peace was re--.”

“No, my sister, it was not your decision alone, nor was it your burden alone to bear.” Thunder rolled and lightning crashed. Flashes of white light shot through the grand hall. Each torch was snuffed out bringing darkness with it. Twin eyes, glowing white, appeared besides Princess Celestia. One by one, the flames of the torches along the walls once more bore flame; an eerie green and black fire. It was if the stars has been captured and weaved into the ever flowing mass of Luna's mane and tail. Midnight blue coat displayed the cutie mark of black and moon on her flank. She offered a calming smile to her sibling, restraining her urge to embrace her in this time of need. “In order to conceal what took place, it was also necessary to remove Eclipse from history.” Luna's voice lowered unable to retain the strength of her vocals. Since she remembered part of her time as Nightmare Moon, and remembered the filly locked on the cellar, she had felt a depression unlike anything she had felt for a thousand years.

Raising up to her hooves, Celestia began to gradually move down the red carpeted steps. Luna followed closely behind her staying only a few hooves pace back. “Now, my friends, my little ponies, come with us so we can tell you the full truth, tell you of the history removed. We understand that learning of such things may draw an ill favor towards us, but we simply request that you retain an open mind until the end.” When Celestia and Luna passed those assembled, they fell in line behind the Princesses in twos. With joined magic, the alicorns brought the grand doors open guiding them from the hall.

Twilight, with Spike on her back, and Candy Sprinkles were the first to join in the procession. Though she felt eager, Twilight resisted the urge to gallop up beside her beloved mentor. An abundance of questions piled up in her thoughts. She wanted to ask each and everyone, but knew the answers would come soon enough. Desire to comfort Celestia and Luna in this emotional time also came. But, there would be time for this later.

Shining Armor and Cadance took position next. Even being of proper royalty herself, she knew naught of what transpired thousands of years ago. In her years as a foal, she knew only of Luna as Nightmare Moon, but nothing of a younger sister to them. Memories of a third tower besides the Celestial sisters' returned to her. A doorway blocked the entrance to the hall leading to it, and at no time was she ever allowed past regardless how often she asked.

Next, came Iron Mind and Split Atom. They exchanged looks, a silent conversation exchanging ideas and proposals with subtle bodily movements and mouthed words. Split was giddy over the prospect of furthering her catalog of files she assembled. Iron Mind, though, received her assurance she would not share what she had of the Royal Family outside of her own amusement. He trusted Split more than even Celestia and knew she understood the gravity of a slipped tongue could do.

Finally, Octavia and Vinyl join in the rear. Talks hinting at the possibility that Eclipse could have been connected to the Princesses had come up, but were dismissed each time the filly had told them new information of her foalhood. When Vinyl noticed Octavia's mood becoming dark, she bumped her flank to the other causing a startled squeak. Muted laughter threatened to become vocal when Octavia glared at her marefriend. The break was appreciated until the familiar gurgling of an empty belly brought back and embarrassed blush.

Canterlot Castle was a large and expansive. Multiple spires picketed the sky housing guest quarters, barracks, store rooms, and a variety of other necessities. The central area was surrounded by a single, circular hall. Every path lead to this round path which acted as the central hub of traveling around the castle. In the west, of the inner circle the hall surrounded, was the Grand Audience Chamber. In the south, facing north, a single door lead to a smaller room. Within this room three twin doors, smaller than that to the Audience Chamber, stood, and from this room three covered walkways extended to the three tallest towers at the Castle's center.

The twin door on the left, carved from black metal and decorated with silver and sapphires, had Luna's cutie mark carved into its center, split down the middle where the twin doors parted. Beyond it, a walkway lead North West to Luna's tower a structure a story smaller than Celestia's. Doors in the middle had been created from gold with diamonds and a rainbow of gemstones to decorate with Celestia's cutie mark bestowed on it. Going north down the walkway, ponies would find Celestia's tower, the tallest of the three. To the right was a door that had never been opened, to anypony's knowledge since the castle construction after Nightmare Moon's banishing. Smokey colored metal, gems faintly glowing, and platinum metal formed the entrance. What ponies debated was a cutie mark, was as well carved into the materials; an eight pointed star with the bottom point twice as long as the others, set to the center of a circle that was surrounded by a wavy aura. Beyond, lead to a walkway and tower thought to never have been visited.

It was not until after Luna's return that ponies learned Celestia had Luna's tower built in anticipation for her return. Possessions from before her banishment had been kept secretly and safely as both keepsakes to Celestia and for when Luna return. It was this founding that furthered the debate that the third tower had some connection to another pony lost to Celestia.

When the group entered, the Princesses did not hesitate to approach the right doors. Octavia and Vinyl gasped at the sight. She finally lost all sense of proper etiquette proudly thrusting a hoof at the doors, waving the limb at an increasing speed. “Octy! Octy! It's Nightlight's cutie mark! Right there! Right there!”

“Yes, Vinyl, I can see it.” Unwanted attention once more burned red over Octavia's cheeks. Right hoof planted against her face as she shut her eyes. Head shook lightly wanting to will herself away from here, or at least will Vinyl to gain an ounce of restraint.

Luna leaned over close to Celestia, “Nightlight?” Quizzical tone spoke towards her elder sibling. She glanced back at Vinyl as if expecting an answer from her.

“I believe Iron Mind informed me that it is a nick name Miss Scratch gave Eclipse.” Tongue clicked off the top of her mouth drawing Luna's attention back to the door.

The sisters came before the exalted, ashen door. First meeting with their eyes, a nod exchanged, they raised their muzzles upwards. Bright glows emitted, gathering at the center of their horns' tips. White and black energy paralleled until their intensity reached the critical level. Magic flowed out freely washing across the entirety of the door. It was there that the two powers joined forming an aura of gray. The cutie mark on the door began to glow; the star white, the circle black, and the wavy outer rim white. Echoing sound of breaking glass filled the entrance room. One by one the barriers and seals shattered giving way to the mystery that lied ahead. A chilling groan was heard as hinges became used after a long period of neglect.

Stale air rolled out from the sealed walkway filling the room as a thick, stagnate odor. Beyond appeared to be never ending darkness. Everypony knew that stepping past the point of the doors would seal them to continue until the end. If one wanted to leave, it had to be then.

Among the group, only one was hesitant to enter, “Say, Twilight, maybe I should go back to the room and organize your luggage. Ya know, where it isn't dark and spooky.” Spike spoke up moving his claws over Twilight's back to clamber down to the floor. Bucking her flank, Spike was tossed back onto Twilight before he could dismount. He whimpered as the group of ponies entered the haunting darkness.

Celestia entered first. Two spheres of white appeared besides her horn floating to either side of the wall just inside the door. Tigers' busts hung on the wall, its mighty mouth opened to roar holding the flame within. The spheres jumped from the busts bouncing to the next tiger's head. This continued another five times until all fourteen sculptures poured out the white light. The walkway was fully lit revealing the inner workings. On the eastern wall were six stained glass windows separated by the flames. Ponies who walked past the outside of the walkway would have seen only the smooth wall, unmarred by the colorful glass art. Opposite of each stained glass, on the western walls, were six portraits. Works of art painted thousands of years in the past. Each cased in a golden flower motif frame. The floors were granite, made from dark earthly browns, speckled with white and silver stone fragments. It was smooth to the touch, easy to become slippery if wet.

Luna took the lead from her sister approaching the first window and portrait. It was her turn to wield her magic alone. Lids fell deftly over sky blue as lips parted. She drew in a slow breath concentrating on bringing magic forth. An aura of dark blue came from her horn's tip blanketing the first stained glass. Concrete and plaster vanished from behind the multicolored window revealing the image. It depicted a side view of Celestia and Luna's heads facing opposing directions. At its center, a gray infant filly laid curled in a bundle of white cloth only allowing her head to be visible. In the glass, Luna's mane was its original royal blue, as Celestia's carnation pink. As in this time, Eclipse's mane a gray blue.

The portrait joined with it depicted the three sisters in a happy setting. Luna and Celestia sat on their haunches, with a toddler Eclipse between them sitting on her flank. Each wore an expression of happiness and peace. They appeared smaller in statute than their modern selves, no crowns on their heads, nor necklaces around their necks. If it was not for their wings and horns they would have appeared to be any normal pony family. Even back then, Eclipse had one bat wing, one pegauss wing, and her eyes glowed blessed by moon light. Behind them a vast garden was painted, many flowers and bushes never seen outside of the Everfree Forest.

“Eclipse was delivered to us by our parents scarcely three months after her birth. She came to us with a request, message, and a warning.” Luna began the tale when Celestia came next to her. Each ponies sat down to listen to the first part of the story.

At mention of Celestia's and Luna's parents, Twilight recalled a time she had asked Celestia a question she never received an answer for. It was just before Mother's Day when Twilight was ten, two years after becoming the Princess' protege. When asked of Celestia's parents, Twilight only was given the answer, 'Everypony meets them when the time comes.' It was the only answer that was ever given. Asking Cadance only fueled the mystery. With her, she said that her parents were in a place that they could see her in the day light, but she could never see them. It made her wonder, since it had been almost two thousand years since this story happened, when the last time Celestia and Luna heard from their parents. The thoughts were dismissed, and she gave her full attention back to the sisters.

“They left a simple message. Love her, take care of her, teach her, and guide her.” Head leaned back, hovering mane flowing outwards against an invisible wing. Celestia stared at the portrait. It had been several hundred years since she had last set food in these hollowed halls. A hoof was raised, extending up to the portrait. The image began to glow emitting a strange spell over the floor.

Phantom images appeared around them. Grass and flowers covering the stone floor, rose bushes and lilies popping up randomly where hooves were not set, and ponies depicted only as shadows wandering to and fro. At the next window and portrait, the ghostly image of a pink haired Celestia, and royal blue haired Luna, sat side by side clopping their hooves eagerly against the ground. With her blank flank up high, the baby Eclipse clumsily moved on wobbly legs towards them.

Joy filled Vinyl's face and a cheery smile adorned her lips. She leaned down hastily, her mouth opening snapping her teeth around a single lily that sprang up next to her. The painful chattering that followed vibrated through her jaw. She whimpered at the lies around her. Vinyl was certain she had finally been given the dinner she had been desiring, but it was only a tease to her poor, rumbling stomach. Bottom lip stuck out, tears forming as she let the flesh tremble.

“The message,” Luna began to speak casting her eyes down to the old memory. A half laden smile curved on her lips watching the sweet event take place. “Told us of Eclipse's purpose. For Eclipse, she could block the sun's rays or the moon's glow. She did this by creating a phantom moon that covered the sun or my own moon.”

“While an actual solar eclipse, the moon moves between the planet and the sun, and a lunar eclipse, the planet moves between the sun and the moon.” Twilight commented displaying a proud grin.

“That is correct, Twilight,” Luna then continued, “Through the use of these eclipses, Eclipse acted as a balance between Celestia and I. For, when the rays of the sun or the glow of the moon became blocked, so was Celestia's and my magic was weakened. She was to be a guard to ensure neither of us held the upper hoof over the other. For, though we goddesses are capable of great wisdom and even greater kindness, we were also susceptible to cruelty and hate.” This brought back memories of Nightmare Moon. Something Celestia and Luna had discussed after her return, if Eclipse had been there a thousand years ago, would Luna have had to be banished to begin with?

“Yes, Eclipse holds a unique talent that gave her a frightful reputation in days of old. Just as her eclipses could weaken us, she could also weaken a unicorn's magic, temporarily cease a pegasus flight, or remove the strength of an earth pony. During the short time the effects were in place their cutie marks would become dull, nearly transparent from sight. But,” Celestia took a moment of pause returning to the memory playing out.

Before them, the ghostly Celestia looked at the ghostly Luna casting a challenging glare which was returned in kind. Though nopony could hear what they said, their lips made the message clear, 'Come on Eclipse! Who do you love more? Come to Tia, come on, come to Tia.' 'No, come to Lulu, Luuluuu, Lulu loves you more!' Much to the dismay of the young versions, Eclipse's slow, wobbly trotting brought her right past them, and leaped on top of an unusual black furred creature with white tiger's strips. The creature had the form of a tiger, but with four additional legs, and four additional eyes. A most curious sight.

“This is where we were warned. Eclipse would never be as powerful or in control of her magic as we. As such, her power would not last a significantly long time without taking its toll on her. There was a time she slept for six months after causing an eclipse that lasted eleven days.” Celestia and Luna looked away from each other, blush tingling their cheeks. “But, the warning went on. If she was placed in the wrong hooves, she could very well be used against us. With this, we chose to keep her from sight, away from the visitors who came to the castle. She became a legend and a mare's tale even while still a foal. Come, let us continue.”

One by one the apparitions vanished from the shadow ponies to the plants. Following the princesses, the ponies moved with their pairing to the next set. Octavia lifted a hoof beneath each eye. Watching the play of magic, the happiness of two sisters guiding their youngest to walk was a touching moment. She turned to her marefriend, patting her shoulder. Vinyl was slumped forward hanging her head down between her front knees. “Vinyl? What's wrong?” Concern rolled with each word when she whispered, lowering her face to Vinyl's level.

“It's not fair, Octy, it's not fair.” Reply came with small sobs and whimpers. Hoofs stomped the solid granite floors in frustration.

“I know, Vinyl, to see and hear of such happy times, just knowing that something in the end brought it to all go away.” Sighing, Octavia slid to sit down again next to her lover. She rested her chin down onto the top of Vinyl's, humming a gentle, comforting tune.

Vinyl moved her head out from beneath Octavia's, raising her brows in a bout of confusion. “Huh? No,” she sniffed rubbing her hoof to her eyes. “The flowers, they looked so tasty, and I'm so hungry. But they were fake. Nothing but a cruel joke on a hungry DJ. It's not fairy, Octy, it's not fair.”

If there was ever a time that marefriend abuse would be ignored, Octavia was certain that it would be now. The urge to smack Vinyl the fought back with the restraint only known by Celestia herself. Instead of bringing her hoof to the back of Vinyl's head, she opted to instead drag the pony to the rest of the group. For another time in the night, the pair had become the center of unwanted attention. Hooking her ankle around Vinyl's, Octavia dragged her unceremoniously to the rest of the group.

After taking their places with the others, the portrait and companion window ere examined. The portrait had been painted indoors rather than out. It appeared to be a small version of the modern castle's audience chamber. Rather than stone thrones, they were made of wood and covered with a cloth of some sort. It was assumed the black throne to be Luna's, and the white to be Celestia's. Though not princesses yet, they were still treated as deities to the ponies of old. Celestia and Eclipse were the only ponies portrayed. Celestia was laying on her belly, legs bent beneath her. Her head was raised elegantly, staring in the direction of the painter. Directly besides her, Eclipse, now painted close to five years of age, was sitting in a similar manner pressed up directly at her side. When she smiled in the painting, it seemed she had not yet mastered the partial smile so carefully done by the high class or sophisticated when having their photos taken or portraits painted.

As before, Luna's magic gave way to removing the spell that blocked the stained glass window from the outside. The natural glow of the moon joined by electric lights and open flames brightened the multiple shards that created the picture. In this image, Eclipse was poised on one side of a wall with the black tiger like creature that appeared in the ghostly imagery before. She was posed looking back at the barrier, her wings extended skyward. On the other side of the wall, Celestia and Luna were joined by multiple ponies of each tribe. Even in those days, Eclipse could not escape isolation.

Lost History Part 3a

”Princess Eclipse, does thou love me?

“Yes. We love thee with all our being.”

“Then I shall make thee a kingdom worthy of your grace.
A kingdom worthy of your purity.
My Princess.
My Goddess.
My Life.”

Weight of the past began to fall heavy on Luna's conscience. Bottled up for generations, the guilt felt for failure came raging back to her as a typhoon of raw fear. Anxiety grew approaching the forth painting and window. She did not know what lay behind the illusion wall guarding the image of the mosaic. Lids drifted halfway down while wings extended outwards. Mustering the magic to dispel the illusion began to feel impossible. But, feeling two hooves press to her shoulders, Luna turned her head to see not only her sister, but Twilight Sparkle giving a comforting smile. Given a new lease, the magic poured from the tip of her horn bringing forth the illumination of the stained glass. Once the task completed, Twilight remained by Luna's side.

Lines made of lead separated the pieces of colored glass depicting a trembling sight. Split down the middle by a jagged bolt of light, two armies stared down the other. On the right, images of Celestia and Luna's heads stared diligently to their opposition. Luna's bust was placed into a carved portion of Celestia's neck as if the moon princess was inside her sibling. Beneath them an army of ponies, griffons, minotaurs, and massive dragons rallied beneath banners of the sun and the moon. Opposite, staring down the sister's, was only the outline of a red unicorn's head and green mane. It hovered above a much smaller army of pegasi and unicorns. Join in their ranks were scattered beings of kobolds, griffins, manticores, and goats. Fire burned behind both armies and the skies were depicted black.

Across from the image of war, was a softer, calming sight. Eclipse, sitting proudly on display, as a full grown alicorn. Long fore limbs pressing her hooves down. Her hind legs bent resting her flank against a plush tapestry. Lips were sealed, but the smile curving was painted as genuine happiness. Her head lowered down as eyes cast an enchanting allure to whomever was caught in the grips of her gaze. Glow of her eyes had been captured magnificently through the paints of the artist. Mismatched wings were raised just enough to reveal the bottoms of each limb. Long horn appeared to hold a glow of magic circling the tip like an angel's halo. Mane was long. Longer than either of her sisters from previous paintings. It had been tied in a twirling style braid from above the base of her skull down her neck till her ankles. Hairpins kept the weave in place with stars, moons, or suns resting on the end of a dozen picks. Tail laid curled up her side twisting around her cutie mark at its base with the tip folding inward to the curve.

“Hey Tavi, if she looked like that when we met her maybe I woulda invited her to join us that night she caught us, eh?” Vinyl waggled her eye brows to her marefriend, poking her with a bent knee.

Vinyl would swiftly learn that for every action came a reaction. Octavia did not waste time looking at Vinyl, instead she simply, and swiftly, thrust a hoof into Vinyl's ribcage. With a 'hmph', she trotted to join the group to get a closer look at the painting.

Vinyl doubled over, laying on the ground clutching at her side with a satisfied grin. “Worth it.” She managed to mumble staggering back to proper footing.

Examining the painting, the artist was articulate in the work to properly capture every detail of the background as they did the subject. Solid stone walls stone gray in color surrounded Eclipse on all sides. A copious amount of tomes and books rested on two wide standing book cases parted by an assembly of large, feather filled pillows setup for her bedding. On a mantle over the bed hung a large gilded sculpture of Eclipse's cutie mark. What would catch the eyes of the ponies would be the earth pony to the right of Eclipse in the painting.

This earth pony was unusual. Her eyes set not on the painter, but on watching Eclipse. She sat behind the princess, angled showing her side. Her coat was sleek oil black with splotches of metallic rainbows reflected in places adjacent to where the lighting in the room was. Her mane and tail were turquoise. Mane was combed back with hollowed, red beads looped randomly around thick lengths. Her tail had been cut short, only two feet in length curled around her ankles. On her hind quarters her cutie mark expressed who she was. Like an explosion of magic, bursts of white erupted on her flank; three in all.

“In the eleven years since Eclipse cause the twelve day eclipse, Luna and I worked ardently to establish the kingdom further. The elder dragons to come in contact with us quickly establishing a treaty for their safe travel through Equestria. A call for a standing army brought us to form an enlistment campaign for ponies to become knights and guards.” Celestia smirked inwardly at Vinyl's and Octavia's display. She would have to inquire later what sort of situation Eclipse was to be invited into. “All ponies were invited regardless of tribe or gender. Their courage would swiftly see action as nations around Equestria began to test the borders of the ponies. These wars were never long. Once they grasped that we controlled the sun and the moon, and could control the weather over head, their acts ceased.”

Even if war was no longer a concern, the occasional melee still broke out from resentment other nations held for the ponies. Luna wondered, taking a glance at the stained glass besides her. Would she have caused a war as Nightmare Moon one thousand years ago if she had not been imprisoned so swiftly? Perhaps the hall leading to her bedroom would hold magically hidden windows and paintings such as these, waiting for her sister to tell her story. Fears were forced back to the depths of her mind.

“The passage of time was cruel to Eclipse,” Celestia continued raising a wing towards the painting. “What you see here, this happiness, came after much anguish. She withdrew from the activities she once took joy in performing with Luna and I. Whispers came to us from outside the castle walls that the events of her party had transformed from a squabble amongst three ponies, whom were punished for their fighting, became a tale of a monster locked in the castle that had escaped to ruin the festivities. No longer were there desires to show her face among ponies. Even when alone with us, she neither sang nor smiled, but became crestfallen and mute. There were a many nights we would not even see her for dinner. Tenebris would come and collect a cart with their meals taking it back with him.

Knowing what came next, Luna took initiative to begin the illusion. She clopped her right hoof down twice focusing on bringing about a pony she had rather not see again. The task was found to be easier, she realized finding Celestia besides her aiding in the transfer of magic. Blue mist moved across the ground gathering at the center of the ponies. Inch by inch the figure of a pony was carefully reconstructed from memory.

As if ripped from time its self, the mare in the painting stood before these ponies. Here they would see her cutie mark. The white of her cutie mark had an unusual shimmer. “This is Divine Essence.” Celestia spoke with a disdained taste to her words. “On the eleventh year, she came to the castle seeking an audience with none other than Eclipse. We saw her first, of course, seeking to learn her desires.”

“She explained that she was an alchemist by trade. A demonstration of her serums and potions were a jarring sight for that age. Liquid that turned to fire,” Luna motioned with her head to the image of Divine Essence. It drew out a vile from seemingly no where pouring a blue liquid onto the ground. Red flames danced skywards several feet, then died to the size of a small bonfire. “A guard whom had been injured, was healed with a salve,” A shadow pony joined Essence as she poured a thick, white cream onto its right hind leg. Instantly, it rose back up bouncing on its hind legs. “Many ponies called her a witch for her creations. They chased her from town to town until she came to the castle seeking protection to continue her research. Such potions would be an amazing push for ponies. Thus, we inquired, why she sought Eclipse.”

Bowing her head while drawing her right foreleg across her chest, Divine Essence showed great respect to the princesses. “She said that she would give her answer if she could just see Eclipse. Through whispers, it was finally decided that if somepony desired to see our sister so badly, we would allow it if only within our presence.” Celestia raised a leg covering her mouth with bent ankle. “I sent Luna ahead to warn Tenebris of our coming with a guest. Dear sister, how did he handle the situation again?”

Luna appeared jittery at recalling the moment. “I was forced to lock him in the closet while bracing both my body and magic against the door. It required three guards in addition to keep him from coming out. Subsequently, it took a magnitude of cake to for him to allow me within Eclipse's room.” Such audacity from Tenebris was not a rarity in that day, but could be irritating none the less.

Luna decided to take inventory of the ponies around her. Since the tale began only a hoofful of them had spoken up during the story. Split Atom was anticipated to be the most vocal. In other cases she was quick to ask questions about even the smallest of details. Yet she remained quiet offering whispers to an equally calm Iron Mind. The stoic guard captain simply listened to his wife and the story in turn giving an occasional nod as his only reply. If only Luna could have used her mist to listen in. Her ears began to burn wondering what Split Atom may have been confiding in Iron's ears.

Cadance had spoken earlier. Her inquiry into friendship that Eclipse had was a touching sentiment to her nature. She was learning of something that had been hidden away from everypony, but what did she think to the account of having another aunt? Shining Armor seemed calm. He too listened as Cadance whispered to him during passages of the tale. Unlike Iron Mind, Shining Armor whispered in return. Sometimes they shared a quiet chuckle, other times Luna watched him hold a leg around his wife's withers.

It had seemed that Luna's personal guard captain, Candy Sprinkles, had acquired a new friend. Spike was sitting cross legged against the front legs of the eternally drowsy pony. Candy had no given much reaction through the evening. Her body made the motion of a metronome keeping rhythm with the story's events. Content with his backrest, Spike listened, gap mouthed at the 'show' being performed by the specters and illusions.

Proving to be the most interesting of the pairs, Octavia and Vinyl gave some comic relief to the accumulating depression. Vinyl's actions and reactions must have been a mechanism to deal with things, Luna insisted to herself. Nopony could be so oblivious to a mood as to make such comments without a prerequisite. For the other, Octavia, it was easy reading the shifting moods on her face. A mood ring would have hid her feelings better. For each happy moment, she smiled and snuggled her marefriend, with each sad, she cleaned a tear from her eyes and pressed against Vinyl. Of course, when reacting to Vinyl's comments, it was cute the way her cheeks turned red and passion burned in her eyes.

Twilight had moved from Luna's side to come between the sisters. Just having the first pony she could call her friend near helped her cope with desolate memories. Both of the princesses relied on her more than Twilight would ever come to realize. Luna smiled leaning down to gently nuzzle Twilight's neck. During the story, the bookworm had attentively listened. There must have been a thousand questions and inquiries she wanted to make through out the story. Grateful was Luna that these would be kept until later.

“With Tenebris contained, we brought Divine Essence before Eclipse. Our dear sister was huddled on her bed. Frightened or shy, it was hard to distinguish which by how she hid behind the many pillows around her. Even at her age she still clutched the doll of herself tightly to her.” Magic released in a calming yellow and white light flowing from the tip of Celestia's horn. Astral images formed creating the scene. Divine stood before the shy alicorn. She was confident in her stance giving a charming smile down to the goddess. “She explained herself to Eclipse, but kept her distance at first. She told of how when she was a filly of seven years, her teacher brought her to the castle to pay his respects. Eclipse had been in attendance that day. Divine spoke that she had never forgotten her first sight of Eclipse. She wanted desperately to return to the castle to see her again, but was never allowed. News of the party reached her ears, and since she could not attend, assembled the very doll Eclipse held so preciously to send to her. To prove this fact, she asked Eclipse to look at the doll's head where the initials, DE were stitched. Eclipse finding them began their friendship.”

Swiftly each illusion broke down and reformed to create Divine standing before an enraged Tenebris. Producing a potion from a sack, Divine poured it across the ground between the two. Tenebris took one sniff and became a purring mess of a creature. “With evidence that she was the one who stitched the doll given, and Eclipse giving a meek consent to allow Divine around her, it came down next to Tenebris. Within an hour after using one of her potions, she had him accepting her as well.”

Luna spoke shortly following Celestia. “She was given two rooms at the castle. One for her experiments and another to sleep. We quickly found she rarely slept in her own given bed.” Such a scandal it was back then. It would have been if Eclipse was still worshiped as her elder sisters were. Thinking of it, Luna felt ashamed as an elder sibling for not monitoring Divine more. “With Tenebris subdued, Divine used his help to get Eclipse to come out of her room more. Whether she was experimenting, or gathering ingredients in the gardens, Eclipse brought a tome to read and was not allowed to leave Divine's side. This forceful approach lead to our sister once again joining us for meals and even brought her to smile again.”

“Ah yes, she did use her own bedroom rather infrequently.. seven months after arriving at the castle? It was then that we found she was sleeping with Eclipse every night hence forth.” Celestia could not conceal the grin painted over her features. Even if Divine Essence was a bitter memory to her, the things she did for Eclipse were still happy memories. A sway of her wing manipulated present magics changing the images. A slid show effect took hold showing Eclipse and Divine in an assortment of situations. They slept in the same bed entangled in each others legs, bathed together, explored the gardens, and delved into the library examining the many books, including ones written in a language neither knew. “We soon found they had become lovers. Two stallions and two mares were looked down upon in the age of earlier Equestria. Some were violently forced apart, others run from towns. We did not care.” A smile was exchanged with Luna, flashing a look down at Twilight between them, “As long as they are consenting and no laws are broken, love should know no bounds. So, we let them have their peace in the sanctuary of the castle.”

In a violent twist, the images of Divine and Eclipse were cast away. The stallion unicorn, Grudging Cross, appeared in their stead. “Then, five years passed, he returned with an army. Since his banishment from our court, Grudging Cross went to the edges of Equestria to continue his misguided plans. Over the many years he began to build a small army of pegasi and unicorns. Coming before us,” Celestia spat out in disgust, “He threatened to remove us from our thrones unless we give into his demands; servitude of the earth ponies, a ruling position for himself, and aid to the allies he made outside our borders. We replied with a swift answer.” Celestia's eyes opened brimming with a glow of power, “No.” Illusion of Cross broke down. “War broke out. He had allied himself with the griffin monarchy of the north and the kobolds of the east. The kobolds had tamed many manticore to use for war. Grudging had brokered a deal on the backs of the ponies with these two nations. He promised that once he controlled the sun and moon, which he believed he would if he ruled, he would use them to help conquer his allies enemies for them. Promises were made to give pegasi to the griffins to aid in turning their frozen wastes into warm climates. Neither of these deals would ever come about, but they did not know at this time.”

Armies the size of mice swarmed the floor around the image of Grudging Cross. They were the soldiers of Equestria and the soldiers of Grudging colliding in battle. With magic still brimming from the tip, Celestia traced her horn through the air creating the sun and moon to hover above the waring factions. “Our allies were the dragon race, the minotaurs, griffons who wished to change their own nation, and ponies wishing to continue the found harmony of friendship. Sadly, it was not a war that we could end swiftly as we did the others without damaging Equestria as well. So,” the armies vanished away giving creation to small towns, “Many lives were lost and cities burned. With no other path to take, we sought after a treasure that would allow us to enhance our magic as not to hurt, but to subdue the armies. A treasure hidden away on this world for a purpose we do not even know. A treasure that has only been used four times in history. The Elements of Harmony.” With this, Celestia lowered her horn extinguishing the fires of the burning cities. The sisters turned to move to the final point in the long walkway.

Coming upon the final set, they were now before the entrance to Eclipse's tower and what would become her rooms. Doors leading in were much more conventional than the set they entered the walkway through. These were basic, twin rectangular doors with brass handles. Between the handles were a unique, blue chain with various runes carved into the metal. A final ward to keep thieves from venturing within. Luna did not waste time to remove the ward on the window. Her mental barriers were breaking down not wanting to relive these final moments she spent with Eclipse. All the fears and regrets were boiling back to her subconscious reminding her of the first time she failed. A dark voice whispered in her ear telling her to simply stop now. She could find Eclipse one way or another without any proper methods of aid. It took all her willpower to ignore the alluring temptation.

This was a scene of horror. At the top Eclipse appeared to rise above. Fore legs were outstretched at either side of her joined with her wings behind. Her head was tilted back and a glow of magic flowed from her horn. Legs were positioned pointed downwards joined by her tail. Beneath her the green earth was torn asunder. Equestria had opened its maw devouring what appeared to be Grudging's army. All eyes set examining the chilling scene. For those portrayed in the army, it mattered not if they had magic or wings, they all fell the same. Luna did not stare at it for long. Her attention was quickly turned to the painting.

Tears flowed freely now. Twin rivers christened her cheeks flowing to splash on Luna's hooves. Her heart poured out its pain through her body numbing every nerve. Dark eyes wandered over the image so carefully crafted by a painter. Luna bit her lip drawing crimson to spill forth across her tongue. It was all she could do not to wail out from the memories wickedly returning to her.

Set during the dusk hours, Luna and Celestia were sitting with several feet separating them. Heads were hung low, eyes closed tightly. The painting showed the final farewell the sisters performed for their departed sibling. A bouquet of lilies and roses rested on the ridge of a hill. Their bodies were facing the same spot, but at different angles. From behind they were painted giving only the briefest view of their wilted wings. Others had broken down to tears seeing only a glimpse of the suffering these two had to bear.

Celestia still stood strong. Her voice quivered when she began again. She did not want to trouble Luna, knowing her current state, with having to tell the heart wrenching end. “Eclipse had begged us to allow her, Tenebris, and Divine to join us. Fearing danger from ambush, we ordered her to her room and told Tenebris and Divine to guard her with their lives. After our departure, we know only what ensued by what servants told us.”

A melody began to fill the covered walkway. It was a pony singing. Lyrics sung would only be understood by the two oldest present. Every word touched with anguish and pity. It was the first time they heard any other sound come from the illusions.

“That's Eclipse's voice.” Octavia mentioned drawing everypony to look at her. Vinyl only nodded with her. Neither of them bothered to try and hold back their own tears. Octavia pressed over, leaning onto Vinyl for support.

“Luna and I flew off to seek out the Elements. From what we were told, Divine was missing. Eclipse had gone through the castle to find her. A maid joined her in her search every hoof of the way until they heard voices; one Divine's and the other not known. Divine told the other voice that we had left the castle and for the armies of Grudging to make their move to take it. Eclipse rushed in to find a griffon flying away.” Celestia did not conjure any illusions to play any of this out. She did not want to watch a a reenactment of the events. “We were told she ran off to her room to find Tenebris, then flew off from the castle.”

Two things dueled loudly in Luna's ears; the song and the beating of her own heart. Just barely could she still hear her sister tell the story. She wanted it to end with every ounce of her being. A glance was cast to her own shadow. It seemed warped and changed into something she had been naught two years prior. Panting, she averted her gaze back to her sister wanting to focus on the one thing she knew might calm her. She could count on the love Celestia held for her.

“We remember hearing this song play. It would come about that all of Equestria heard it that day. When the sun became eclipsed above, we knew that something terrible had occurred. Guided to wards where our sister's magic came, we flew into the sky to find her.” It was now Celestia's turn to begin breaking. Openly, she wept seeing the last moments in her mind's eye. She allowed her recollection to take shape.

Eclipse hovered between them, her body raised up just like in the stained glass. Her lips moved in sync with the song around. Celestia took steps close to it, reaching a hoof out wishing it were real. “When we arrived, her body was already beginning to break down.” Starting with Eclipse's hooves, she was dissipating into small globs of glowing energy. Each bit vanishing away in a slow process. “She was on a hill overlooking where the army had began to move towards the Everfree. For miles, the ground was torn open. Most of the army had fallen to their doom. Pegasi and griffon alike found their wings useless to save them from the fall, unicorns magic failed to save them, and cutie marks had vanished. Survivors scrambled away from the sight to make sense of it all. We understood what happened. Eclipse was never supposed to use such greats amount of magic. Doing so would be too much for her. This was what had been explained before to us, it was her crutch to keep her from using her talents wrong. But to save us, to save Equestria, she summoned all her magic and power to stop the army.”

More of Eclipse's body began to fade away. Luna looked to see her sister's leg buckle and give out. Her flank coming in contact with the ground. Twilight, Cadance, and Luna rushed to her side. Offering either aid, or comfort. With a whimper, Luna rubbed her neck to her sister's and took over for her duty. “She was dying. Her magic being so weak, she used her own life force to conjure the spell. We had arrived far too late to stop her or to save her. She cried when she saw us. Her words to us, 'Please forgive us for our acts. If nae for our blinded eyes, we would surely seen a traitor in our mist. Do not forget us.' We body became nothing but her eyes, we heard one final calling,” At this point the fading image of Eclipse did just as Luna described, only the twin moons shined, “She said, 'Doth thou believe we shall see mother and father? We have always wanted to see them.”

“Divine had vanished. We never learned what happened to her. The war was over. There wasn't an army to fight for Grudging, and even he, after the events, had vanished. There was still much pain.” Celestia, giving a weak smile to her niece, her sister, and her student, raised back to her weak legs. “Ponies wanted vengeance, but it was this desire that lead to the war to begin with. We ordered the war removed from history. No recollections, books, or accounts to be taken. Those who fight and bravely died would be honored another way, but not through remembering the tragedy. Sadly, Eclipse had to be forgotten as well. If ponies asked of her and where she was, then they would always have to ask of the events leading to her death. We had thought the loss was over, but two months later,” Celestia looked back over her shoulder. By now, the glowing pools had vanished away just like the rest of Eclipse, “We lost Tenebris as well. He was found passed away on Eclipse's bed. His own regret for not saving her had led him to starve himself to death. For him, there was no life without our sister.”

The walls came down in Luna's mind. The song would not stop being sung, the images of Tenebris' body and Eclipse's final moments would not stop playing and replaying in her mind. “We weren't even allowed to have a body to bury.” She hated this hall. But it was the windows she hated most of all. From her depths she released a terrifying shriek. A forceful gust poured from her voice. One by one the windows exploded inwards sending their fragments scattering over the ground. Wings shot upwards extending out. Her horn glowed dark swirls of blue. There was a change in Luna's shadow. The dark silhouette depicted a long, banished being. Panting, she readied herself to do it again, this time casting a hateful stare at the paintings. All this was stopped, when she felt the familiar feeling of hooves wrapped around her.

Silence deafened the walkway. Ponies were knocked back by the force of Luna's outcry. Raising back, at first fearing for the worst, they found Celestia clutched around her younger sister. She was holding her tightly, bringing a hoof down stroking the galaxy of Luna's mane. “Forgive us, everypony, but we should adjourn for now. Miss Octavia and Miss Vinyl, we shall call for you two for lunch tomorrow. If either of you are hungry, visit the kitchen for whatever you wish.” Celestia shifted from Luna guiding her to the door into Eclipse's tower. Removing the chains, Celestia ushered the two inside.

A final glance was cast back to the ponies. Luna feared she would see them looking upon her as if she was Nightmare Moon once more. She found only sympathy and pity amongst their stares. She wished she could apologize to them. Right now, though, she was too far in her grievance to do more than hang her head. Darkness swallowed her and Celestia up as they vanished into the foreboding tower.

“Shining, can you take Spike to our room? Thanks!” Twilight waved a hoof rushing to follow her mentor. Cadance simply smiled, kissing Shining's cheek and following behind.

For those remaining outside, it had been an exhausting night. So much having been learned and still so many questions to ask, but they would have to wait another day. Two by two, they departed from the hall going on their own ways. Vinyl and Octavia bid their farewells leaving to the kitchen. Split Atom and Iron Mind went to return to their home. Candy Sprinkles stumbled to wherever she went when off duty. This left Shining and Spike to go on their own.

Lost History Part 3b

“How can she treat her marefriend that way?”

“Probably brought her here just to compare her to the dancers. Makes me sick.”

“You think she hits her? Seems like the abusive type.”

“Let's wait till they leave then teach the big, dumb one not to talk like that.”

“White one is kinda cute. After you smack the big one around, maybe I'll ask her out!”

A bulls eye had formed on the back of Spiral Flame's head. With the music dead she could hear every snide remark, every threat, and even a few remarks having to do with her parents. What did her parents have to do with this!? She's not even dating the damnable pegasus! Spiral set both her front hooves flat onto the table. Narrowed eyes glanced back and forth amongst the ponies. The stares had become painful. She adored being the center of attention but not in this way! Okay, Spiral, examine the facts and fast. I have a sobbing filly across from me who just had an uncharacteristic outburst. I swear she gave off no signs of this before. Now, everypony is staring at us and I could very well wind up in a hole in the desert. Music returned at full blast once Spiral brought herself to look at Copy. I think my buzz is wearing off. Just fantastic.

Comments and remarks were drowned out, thankfully, by the loud repetitious music. Copy had not moved from her spot on the chair. She still resembled a white egg covered partially in feathers. Legs huddled against her torso and her wings lowered down covering her front. She shook on occasion with tiny sobs. Spiral sighed at the display.

She knew what she had to do but would anypony that was making the threats believe it? Would Copy even believe it? “Look... You probably will think I'm saying this just to get out of getting my plot handed to me, but I'm sorry. Normally, somepony would say something like, 'If I'd known you'd had a condition I wouldn't have pushed', but that's just fake apologizing.” Lips pursed blowing a quick sigh from her lungs. “I should know better. Really, I should.” Hoof set against her chest emphasizing who she meant, “You said you never had any friends? Is this true? Why would anypony not want to be your friend?” Spiral recognized the signs coming from Copy. Years before she caused such signs from a pony and it lead to a disaster that troubled her even now.

“You're just saying those things, huh?” Even muffled by the blocking feathers and slamming music, Spiral was able to hear mumbles of what Copy was saying. “I hear what other ponies are saying... and I bet you don't want me to say anything to Eclipse either. Don't worry. I won't tell her. I remember what happened to snitches in school and flight school.”

“No I mean it. All of it. Look, why don't we go someplace quiet, huh?” Head swished back and forth until Spiral spotted a waiter. Waving a hoof she flagged him over. “I'm sure a VIP room is available. I'll pay the extra bits for it, we'll go in there and talk. Or if you want, so other ponies don't feel the need to, you can pound me to feel better.” With the waiter near her, Spiral gave the request for the room. The pony didn't seem particular fond, offering only a threat that if Copy came out injured, the bounces would be notified.

Wings began to part allowing silver eyes to gaze out towards the amber pony across from her. Spiral caught the parting of white trying to give a smile while she argued with the waiter. Copy only shook her head. She didn't understand what Spiral could have been trying to accomplish now. Dejected, she simply spread her wings to drop off the chair onto her hooves. A moment was taken cleaning her face of any damp tears. “Fine...” She murmured.

Spiral twisted her self to dunk her snout into her saddlebags producing the needed bits for the waiter. “There, now let's go. Room 3A, Fa...” She bit her tongue hard kicking her right hind hoof into her left. “Copy, let's go, huh?” Treading on social hot coals, Spiral took point guiding the socially frightened pegasus with her. “We got the green room.”

VIP rooms were large enough for small groups of ponies to party in privacy. Five in all, each was named corresponding to the color of the carpet inside; red, blue, green, yellow, and orange. Doors were electronically locked. Controls to the locks were kept in a small room in the back with the rest of the electronics in the club. This kept ponies not allowed to be using the rooms from easily accessing them. Each room was identical to the next. Spacious openings with circular satin couch surrounding a round table. Mirrors were used for the ceiling, walls, and table top letting every angle of a private dancer be seen. A control box set into the side of an end of the couch let the user control the volume from the DJ's music, order drinks, control the lighting, or another dance. The door opened before their arrival, Spiral and Copy ventured inside.

Each end of the rounded couch were taken up by each pony. It was quieter in here than out on the dance floor. One could finally hear themselves think without feeling the pulsing vibration of electronic sound. With careful manipulation of her hooves, the control box was removed from the side and placed on the table by Spiral. “Want something to drink? If you wanna, you can make the music louder from the box. Just let me know.”

Once both were settled, it turned into a one sided, silent staring contest. Copy slumped forward with her head turned away from Spiral. Her wings took a limp posture laying the bottom of her wings over the cushion. She was not speaking, nor did it seem she would be the one to initiate. A brooding pegasus statue sitting on an expensive sofa. If she dared to move, it may have brought the calls of witchcraft or her own show on the strip.

Lights became painful to Spiral Flame. She shifted the remote to dim the lights lower. Dim light helped keep her focused without trailing off onto other things. Her attention span when buzzed tended to get her into avoidable trouble. Air from her lungs respired giving her some calm before the storm. “Well I'll begin then. I don't get it. On stage back in Cowhapachi, you didn't show a lick of stopping because of some crowd. I don't know much about medicine but nothing just removes stage fright. I don't want to be pushy, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. The option to just kick my flank freely is available.”

“That's different.” Murmurs came past pale lips. Copy leaned forward, finally doing something other than look away, pressing her chin down onto the cold mirror table. “I wasn't me, then, I was The Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“I don't follow.”

Uncomfortable and feeling heat rise through her, Color Copy shifted one hind leg then the other. “It's like I said. I wasn't me. Like the other times I act like a pony. It isn't me so I don't get anxious.”

“But when you're you, you do. It wasn't like that earlier at Wondercheeses or at that fancy boutique.” Pieces didn't fit together for Spiral. More she heard, the more she wondered if Copy wasn't just putting on a show for some sort of revenge match. She slid her forelegs cross to her chest, eye brows quirking as she singularly stared at Copy.

Back she tossed her body to the comfort of the couch. Again, she refused to look at Spiral opting to stare at the door. It was an odd door. Blended in with the wall using a form cut piece of mirror. “When I'm around ponies I'm comfortable with it's easier. I feel safe. Eclipse makes me feel safe.”

“And your medicine? I don't know much about crazy ponies but what sorta medicine would help you with this? Anti crazy pills or something?” It happen. She got a response from Copy but not the one she meant to.

Copy leaned forward glaring across from her to the larger mare. She wanted to shout like she did before, but resisted for the sake of her own brain imploding. “It isn't about being crazy. I.. I don't handle things like other ponies do. You try being in a crowd thinking everypony's staring at you, you try being told your crazy because you can't get along with everypony like everypony else can!” Tone raised sharply, ragged breaths creating a light sensation flooding her body as so much adrenaline. “You... You try hearing voices telling you you're worthless, nothing drowning them out when nopony will even talk to you because you like different things, or being too afraid to draw attention you don't even bother going outside.”

No response. Spiral could not form one as she again, metaphorically shoved her hoof into her mouth. She chose the wrong words for the subject, but at least this time there were not ponies around threatening her life for it. Solemnly, she bowed her head unable to look forward. “Again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply you're crazy, just help me out here. Please. Last time somepony reacted like you did with me, it didn't end well and I don't fancy wanting to see that again.”

Copy's head raised inclining forward. “What happened?”

Both front hooves waved dismissing the question instantly. “No no no. Won't go there yet. I know you're pouring yourself out to me by my snooping but that's something I'm not wanting to go into. I'll tell ya why my brothers hate me, but I wont tell you that.” Spiral tipped her head back up.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Why do they hate you?” A change from her problems set Copy to appear calmed.

Not wanting to have her drop this new found, non crying mood, Spiral took it upon herself to dig into her own bag of bones and gloom. The things I do for ponies. “I slept with my younger brother's, just below me in age by a year, fiancee. Night before his wedding, his bachelor party at the local pub, I drank enough to give two pegasi alcohol poisoning,” hooves waved forward and back emphasizing the sheer amount she had guzzled, “Well, this mare comes hitting on me and one thing leads to another. Next morning my five brothers show up at my hotel saying the bride to be went missing. I told them to hold on and I had to tell the pony I brought back I had to go...”

“You didn't...?” She gasped at the realization of what was about to happen next. Copy could have swore she read a story like this in one of her raunchy novels she kept under her bed at home.

“Yes. There was my brother's fiancee. In my bed. Heard of a bucket list? She had a ball and chain list. Didn't like mares but wanted to experiment before marriage. Being the beefcake and, as she described it, 'coltish type' she decided to hit for me. Three years and they still wont even return a letter or go to my folks if I'm there too.” Feeling ill, Spiral slumped on the couch. It wasn't an easy story to tell. This telling was only the second time she told somepony about what she did. Her brothers weren't blabbing about it. Ruining her celebrity reputation would only hurt the family name and they depended on it too. She better not get any ideas to turn this all around on me with this. “So, I told you something. Now, tell me about this medication.”

Diffidently, Copy would talk about the medicine. Chin pressed to upturned hooves, knees bent against the glass table. “It's anti anxiety medicine. It doesn't take the problem away, just helps to calm it. It's also a mental thing, at least that's what my therapist says. It wont work unless I want it to work.. and I ran out two days ago.”

Hoof slid the control panel device back in front of Spiral. The small keys were carefully pressed, as careful as hooves could do, placing an order for some pizza rolls, drinks, and peanuts. “Ran out?”

“Yeah. I have the prescription I can get it refilled just.. don't have the bits.. Probably be feeling even worse soon. I was told that not taking it is like withdrawal or something. Not pleasant I hear...” Copy mumbled trailing off the last words. She peeked up at Spiral.

It was all she could take. Dear Celestia. I can take a hint when you lay it on that thick. “Tomorrow morning before we leave I'll buy your pills.” Okay, why she freaked out and her medicine are both check... Onto subject three. Celestia dammit when did I become a therapist for a mental, albino pegasus. “And you've never had friends.”

Her cheek pressed to the table while arms flopped across her head and neck. “None. Never had a single pony. Try imagining what it's like to invite the entire class to see the Wonderbolts for your cute-cenera only for nopony to show up.”

“An entire class to see the Wonderbolts? Family loaded or somethin?” Spiral took notice of the door opening ushering in a pegasus waiter. On his flank was the treasure trove of earthly delights ordered moments before. His flank bucked upwards sliding the tray onto an extending wing and then sliding it onto the table. Invasive looks were set on Copy examining her. “Um...” Spiral muttered sliding the appropriate bits for the pegasus. A hoof waved brought the waiter closer letting them share a short, private conversation. Satisfied with his examination of Copy, and the bits, he bowed his head and departed. “Geez, guess some ponies still think I'm beating you.”

Copy hadn't noticed the examination from the waiter. She was too focused at her salivating mouth at the fatty foods delivered. Unladylike hoof motions shoveled a few pizza rolls into her free mouth. Spiral grinned sipping her alcoholic beverage. Even with the devouring of pizza earlier, Copy still had room for the small snacks now. “My mom's a nurse at Cloudsdale General. She co-ops at the stadium during events so she meets a lot of celebrities. Always gets free tickets and stuff. But it was always like that. Birthdays I was lucky to have one pony show up who wasn't family... Even then my sisters always had plans to do stuff.”

“Couldn't imagine something like that, personally. Not wanting to sound like I'm bragging but I was always crowded by friends and ponies.” First drink was lapped down in a hurry, rushing to her second. I can already see what I'm going to have to do. I can do it now and cut away having to hear more or let her go on. Dammit, Spiral, she's not the guy form High School, she doesn't seem like she'll...

Quivering voice cut Spiral's thoughts in twain. “It's not pleasant. It only got worse. Try being nothing but the color white then being lost in a cloud by your parents. Then the bullies...” Another shoveling of food, this time nuts, was her comfort to the reviving melancholy.

“Well, you have a friend now.” It's only right. Save one pony when you let down another. Amber hoof thrust forward across the glass table. It was small, and soft, but Spiral smiled to the other when she did this. “If anypony messes with you, I buck their teeth in. If anypony messes with me.. you... You just do what you do and run for help if I can't take em.”

A judgmental, partial smirk showed full and well the distrust Copy had when she looked at the offered hoof and back at Spiral. Not sure what else to do, she reached to shake the extended limb. “Thanks?”

It was confounding how weak Copy's shake was compared to Spiral's. I've heard of a dainty little flower before but this pony might as well be a twig. “See? We're friends now. Since we're friends... Why Eclipse?” Boastful grin splayed out across eager features. “Not asking as a rival or anything like that. With you being... you it makes me wonder why you're stuck on her.” Promptly, she expectantly looked to the door then back again. “I'll tell you if you tell me.”

Skeptic of Spiral's reasoning, Copy decided it would be suitable to at least give this friendship a try. As far back as she could remember, Spiral was the first pony to offer friendship first to her. “At first it was just a, 'look a cute mare' sorta deal. But when she saw through my act in Cowhapachi,” Her hoof pressed over her heart, “It felt just wonderful. Whenever I did that sorta deal, change my voice or change my looks, nopony has recognized. Even my folks were always fooled... or claimed to be. Having her remember me after only knowing me for a day then doing that? It just... made me feel like air!”

Cute. She's acting like a school filly now. “I'm a lot simplier. Aside from a hot flank... It's because she completely blew me off and had no idea I was even trying to bag her.” Images of Eclipse's sleeping face popped one by one in Spiral's mind taking her back to the first night.

“So you didn't sleep with her...”

“Not in the sense I made it seem.”

“Me neither.”

In turn, both fell into repose and laughed. It was the first either felt at ease in one another presence. Perhaps just to spoil the moment, or to see what the pegasus looked like flustered, Spiral parted her lips and spoke, “Virgin?”

Through white fur the red glowing on Color Copy's cheeks was as apparent as the sun in the sky. It spread quickly over her ears and straight to her withers. Particles of food flicked from sputtering lips as words were jumbled in her throat. “Wha? What? Why would you ask me something like that?!”

“So you are!” An accusing hoof prominently pointed at Copy. “You just had this whole innocent vibe about you. Dunno what it was.” Nonchalant sigh fell from Spiral. They were making headway in such a short time. She had to admit, seeing the pegasus like this was better than the bundle of sobbing fur and feathers before. It was almost cute. “So, just mares? Or mares and stallions?” Taking a turn at the food, a few rolls were snatched away before Copy finished off the plate.

“Just mares... And no, it isn't just because I've never been asked out by a stallion,” Copy scoffed at the idea, “Somepony actually asked me that while buying a Playcol.. a magazine..”

Discerning grin at Copy's near admission. Hooves came back behind Spiral's neck when she reclined against the sofa. “Me? I go for either. Yep!” Again, she earnestly looked at the door, “Sometimes you feel like a sweet, hot apple pie. But sometimes you need a nice raging bucking bronco. Of course! They do sell things that let mares do that sorta thing to other mares. Never tried them myself. I do remember what unicorns can do with their horns!” She laughed slapping her hoof onto the table. “This one time I was with an earth pony mare, and a unicorn stallion. Each of us took one spot on him and just..”

“Please, stop.” Copy pleaded pushing her hooves against her ears. “It was bad enough when my mother told me about the birds and the bees. It was bad enough having to hear about the things pony put into orifices of their bodies that she had to remove. I don't want to hear about any of that!” Copy's blush had only intensified. She shook her head when a chorus of laughter roared from Spiral.

A click from the door signaled another arriving. Spiral looked far too eager as she plastering a lewd grin on her face. The fake smoke rolled in coating the ground in thin gray. “Since we both like Eclipse, I asked if they had any dancers that did the whole fake horn or fake wing thing and acted like the princesses. Sure enough, they have one that does! Lunass!”

“Told two hot mares needed a dance!” Spiral's grin vanished instantly when she heard the voice. It sounded raspy and rough as if somepony had eaten gravel while smoking three packs of cigarettes at once. It was expected that the dancer would be either a unicorn or pegasus wearing a fake novelty to compensate for the missing alicorn article, but it was worse. An earth pony was before them wearing the cheapest knockoffs bits could buy. Wings and horn were a sickly yellow plastic attached with thin straps. Lunass' coat and mane were at least the proper colors to mimic Luna. Unfortunately, the product line she used had burned out any softness or volume. Then came the sagging. Lunass must have been in her older years or have done something wrong in her life. Her skin and flank sagged in the wrong places creating an effect found on wrinkled clothing. “Who's first?”

Copy did not waste any time frantically pointing a hoof in Spiral's direction. Spiral quietly cursed at the quickness of the pegasus. “Look... Maybe this was a bit of an.. ah mistake or something. See I never said alicorn. I said acorn. Ya know, a pony dressed as an acorn!”

“Don't give me that lot!” Lunass sashayed to Spiral hoisting her forelegs up. Hooves set against the amber pony's thighs as she leaned in close.

Fearing what was to come, Spiral fell back onto the curved cushion scrambling to escape the less then desirable pony. Her head turned when she heard it. It was a voice, her voice, but her tongue hadn't moved to speak.

“When I thought we were getting Luna I didn't expect the moon to be her ass! Must be a full moon cause that flank is huge!”

That was me. But I didn't say that. But it was me! Wait she thinks it was me! Abhorrence stared at Spiral through raging eyes. A dark blue hoof crashed down against Spiral's muzzle splaying her across the couch. Spiral thrust her hooves up rubbing against the side of her nose where the strength of the stripper blind sided her. “It wasn't me! I swear!”

“Tooth! She insulted my flank!” Setting a hoof next to her mouth, Lunass shouted out towards the door. A large stallion emerged from the smoke and lasers nodding towards the badly costumed stripper. “Toss 'er out on her fat plot!”

Spiral thrust her body up with forelegs pushing behind her. She stared around the room searching for whatever had spoken in her voice. It all came back to Copy. Peering across the table, at her newly made pegasus friend, it returned to her mind what Copy's special talent was. “Wait! You got it all wrong! It was her! I swear she said it! Not me!”

Copy simply watched Spiral's frantic outburst while grinning with a feigned innocence. Fore hooves touched together resting against her knees. She spoke not a word since the mirth set in her visions would tell Spiral all she needed to know.

Moment later Copy and Spiral were escorted from the club. Spiral was given a first hand introduction to the pavement from four ponies who had tossed her out. Copy, on the other hoof, had the door held for her and coupons for complimentary drinks on her next visit. “We don't want to see your face here for a month!” A bouncer shouted at the fallen earth pony then turned to Color Copy, “We apologize for the way your marefriend treated you and would welcome you back at the soonest convenience. Have a good night.” The four retreated inwards, swinging the doors closed behind them.

Tossed out like an unruly bag of garbage, Spiral Flame was quiet the sight. When she hit the hard pavement her flank had continued to move as the rest of her skidded to a stop. It sat now above the rest of her body upturning her saddlebag spilling precious bits and small items out across her form. Lips placed a passionate kiss onto the hard surface of the ground. Soon parted she spat out pebbles until the approach of a pegasus in front of her.

“Wow. They threw you far!” Copy giggled extending a hoof down to her self proposed friend.

Grudgingly, Spiral accepted the white leg using it as aid to hoist herself up. Much to her own surprise, she wasn't as angry at Copy as she expected herself to be. “Ya know, I actually thought I was talking in there. Not bad. Not bad at all.” With Copy's aid, Spiral collected her possessions strewn around where she landed. Each bit was counted making sure she didn't have to make another trip to the bank because she lost money in a gutter that wasn't a casino. Satisfied with their collecting, the pair began to trot back to the boutique.

“Hey... Since we're friends... Can I borrow some bits and buy some mane and coat dye on the way?” Copy shyly asked trotting a few steps behind Spiral.

A sidelong glance was set upon the white pegasus. For a split second there was worry that this would become a friendship of pure dependance from Copy relying on Spiral's bits. Surveying the worry clouding Copy's expression, Spiral shoved this doubt aside. With a swift motion she fell back to keep pace with the other and pulled her into a quick headlock. Her free fore hoof dragged repeatedly across Copy's head. “Ah what the heck! As long as you don't copy me again, I'll buy ya some dyes. Don't tell that Trixie about it. She may want something too.” Brandishing a smug grin, Spiral released her hold and motioned with a tip of her head. “Let's drop by a drug store then go back. Only take a few minutes, right?”

Lost History Part 3c

The world around Eclipse became a haze. A hallucination overtaking her brain sweeping visuals across her eyes. What was once the boutique became a stone walled room with book cases, open windows, and a blazing fire lit in the hearth. It wasn't the scenery that surprised Eclipse. She had seen it before when these mirages occurred. Now across from her, Prim's teal eyes were no longer there. They were replaced with a vibrant light green. Something about them made stirred emotions in Eclipse causing her breath to shorten and her heart race. Eclipse did not return the soft touch of the lips, yet a beckoning in her heart left her puzzled why she hadn't. A sound, it came across as distant, shattered the images of her mind returning her to the state she was in before.

“Now this is fantastic!” Open Heart exclaimed loudly from his place besides Trixie. “Isn't it? Isn't it?” He grinned nodding his head towards the showmare besides him. Rapidly, he clopped his front hooves to the ground. “Encore! Encore!” His voice rang out with a slight malicious accent.

Rose panicked both from her actions and the rude gestures her best friend dared to make. A glare was shot in the direction of Trixie and Open, one that would have them both taking steps back to create a safe distance. Close to hyperventilating, Prim twisted her head returning proper attentions to Eclipse. “Eclipse, please forgive my rude behavior.” Her mind spun working to formulate an excuse that would be believable. When nothing beyond 'I tripped' or 'I was applying lipstick directly' stunted her brain, Prim stood paralyzed.

Eclipse felt her head grow into a daze. The hallucinations never lasted past a few moments, but this felt different and far more intense on Eclipse's razzled brain. Voices shared by the three ponies around her started to grow faint. Each display table and mannequin became blurs just like when she watched the settings changed on the train ride from Manehatten to Appleloosa. Bit by bit the colors vanished leaving her alone in never ending darkness.

Somewhere in the distance a scream echoed, but it was too faint to tell where it originated. Eclipse cowered down shaking from her head to her hooves. Even the glow radiating from her eyes did little to banish the darkness that encased her. Cold air swept across her hooves sending shivers that trembled her spin. How long she would be lost in this place, she hadn't the clue. Something caused he rears to perk. It was a rendition of 'Here Comes the Bride' played on an orchestra of stringed instruments. Bright light brought focus to a vertical line of white appearing in front of her. It widened, inch by inch, splitting the darkness until it released her into a new world.

This hallucination no longer felt to be a memory, but the foreboding of a premonition. With her world illuminated Eclipse found herself inside a large chapel. She looked around her for some sign of familiarity. Finding none, she took next to look upon herself. Eclipse wore not the garments picked out by Prim Rose. Instead, a pristine white wedding gown adorned her slender frame. It covered her form from ankle to ankle only to rise up revealing her cutie mark on each side of her flank. A thin, white veil partially obstructed her vision, but what she could see would be enough.

A crowd of ponies congregated on the chapel floor split by a long red carpet. Each pony was chained at hoof and neck to the next. They had been defeated and brought into bondage to serve as witness to the events still to come.

Eclipse felt her body go stiff. The music had long stalled, but initiated once more signaling for her to begin the slow march down the red walkway. As she passed each imprisoned pony, they lowered their heads in feared respect. She looked forward to find, in wait, an alter with a masked pony standing behind it. It was here that she found that the smells brought on in this dream state were as horrible as the sights.

It was a stench. The kind of stench that clung to everything that came in contact with it. It drifted creating a putrid fog of revulsion. It was the smell of rotting flesh set out in the heat of Celestia's sun to decay. Eclipse bit her lip fighting back the urge to vomit at the horrible sensations such a smell brought. Staggering back, Eclipse sought the source of the pungent smell and quickly wished she had left herself to gaze at the floors.

A large window was carved into the wall behind the masked pony. Outside, an eclipsed sun radiated black light. Beside each space to the side of the window was the source of the foul stench. To the right, suspended high, a pony of white with a pink mane and to the left a pony of midnight blue with a mane of blue gray. Their wings had been stretched to their lengths and thick nails, hammered through the upper mass of each wing, pinned them to the walls. The fragments of unicorn horns remained in a broken stub on their foreheads.

Eclipse recoiled back. Her jaw dropping in abject horror at the sight. The two ponies were familiar to her. Feelings of loss and sorrow bubbling to her mind spilling forth tears from her eyes. Downwards she cast her sights away to find, beneath the two broken nailed forms, six more forms.

Each of them were lifeless. Slumped forward or over the one next. Six ponies laid unceremoniously beneath the morbid scene above. Eclipse recognized only one but the others were a mystery. The first was a cyan pegasus who's mane and tail were a myriad of colors. A pink pony leaned against her a chilling grin still curved on her lips. The pony she knew was next. It was Applejack that she met in Manehatten. Her trademark stetson hat displayed over her lap. A lavender unicorn pressed forward with her head slumped over her lap. Dark blue mane streaked with violet and pink swept out the stone before her. A canary yellow pegasus came after. She looked the saddest to depart the world of the living. Finally, a white unicorn with a metallic purple mane laid at the end. Her head dropped down onto the lap of the yellow pegasus besides her.

Wanting nothing more than to escape this scene, Eclipse stumbled back. Her clumsy escape came to a halt when her flank met the resistance of presence behind her. A tremor rushed down her spin causing her fur to stand on its ends. Eclipse dared not to look back not wanting to know what had come behind her. Near her right ear, the tickle of lips played at her lobe. Whispers danced on her ear drum beckoning her to listen.

“All for you. I did this all for you.”

All of a sudden, as if it had all been a dream, Eclipse sat upwards. Fevered glances were cast back and forth around her. Once more she was within the safety of the boutique. To her immediate sides, Color Copy and Open Heart stood with reassuring hooves touching her shoulders. Not far in front of her Spiral Flame and Prim Rose sat in silence. By the door, Trixie was solemnly standing guard.

Nothing was unusually out of place from when she went to the nightmarish place. She was laying away from where she was posing with a white sheet draped down over her. Color Copy and Spiral Flame had returned and Prim Rose was bandaged on her left foreleg and left side. Eclipse herself had been unclothed during the time she was unconscious. A group of five paper wrapped boxes stacked up close to her.

“Are you alright, Eclipse? When Spiral and I got back you were passed out. Prim said you just fainted from the heat.” Color Copy spoke up rubbing a hoof across Eclipse's back lightly between her wings.

“Wh-what happened?” Glowing pools moved about again. Eclipse wanted to make sure that what was witnessed was truly gone.

The doctor in the room moved his hoof in front of Eclipse's face. “Follow my hoof with your eyes,” he softly ordered moving it in various directions. Carefully, he watched her reaction and took in anything that maybe off. “We are not quite sure. You fainted suddenly and in a hurry to catch you, Prim ran right into a table like a klutz hurting herself.”

An inspection of Prim's injuries were made once Open had lowered his hoof. “I'm so-sorry for the acc-accident.” Eclipse mumbled not wanting to come into a direct gaze.

Open laughed out loud slapping Eclipse onto her back causing her to startle. “Don't apologize for that! It was hilarious actually. She said every swear word under Celestia's sun.”

Across the room, Prim nodded an assurance, at least after she glared at Open, that she was fine. Eclipse still lowered her head to stare at the sheet that covered her hind legs. Though it seemed to have been a dream, she could still recall the sights and smells of wherever her mind had taken her.

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

There was exhaustion written on Prim's face. Eclipse's fainting, the 'accident' after, and the bombardment of questions she received from Spiral Flame on her return caused her brow to tighten. She gained relief when Eclipse shot up but chose not to speak. Her mind returning back to the 'accident' and a paranoid look around her boutique.

“Hey, got a toilet in this place?”

Besides her the voice spoke. Prim gave a side long glance to its owner, Spiral. “Yes, go into the backroom and up the spiral staircase. First door you'll see on your left. Then first door on the left inside.”

“Thanks. We're going to have to head back soon and I'd rather not have my eyes swimming in yellow for the walk back, if ya get my drift.” Adding a saunter to each step, Spiral made her way to the backroom.

“Couldn't you say that with a bit more dignity.” Prim sighed trotting towards the three. “Well then. Miss Copy, if you and Miss Trixie would be so kind as to help Eclipse with the packages she earned tonight, I will go and finish some preparations with the film in the back and see you out. If you'll excuse me,” she finished bowing her head. A swift retreat brought her to the backroom.

“I'll see if she needs any help. Wouldn't want her to fall again, right?” Open chuckled. With a wave of his hoof, he dismissed himself to go and join Prim in the backroom letting Trixie take his place.

“Trixie will warn you, Color Copy, that one of these happens to belong to Trixie and she will not have you ruining her precious garments.”

Hearing the door close a second time behind her, Prim took only a moment to ensure it was Open who followed her. She paced to the stairs gazing up wanting to make sure that a certain earth pony was still in the washroom. With certainty they were safe to talk, she turned back to her old friend.

“What in Luna's banishment happened out there tonight?!” Prim exclaimed stomping her front hooves down.

“Well, you kissed a mare and you liked it. Probably cause you like that sorta thing. And want to drag her upstairs and do so many unmentionable, but marketable, things t---,” Open was swiftly silenced when a red hoof thrust into his mouth.

“Not that, you fool. The other thing!” Prim hissed lowering her voice. A paranoid glance around, mainly at the staircase, then back to him. “What happened after. You can't explain that.”

Careful movements let Open come around the cluttered backroom. He was silent as he apprised the place he had been in so many times before. “So what? I told you we should have contacted the guards on the matter.”

With a blank look, Prim sucked in a breath to help with what she was to say, “Oh yes that would go over so well,” She placed a hoof to her chest, trying her best to mimic a hysterical mare, “Why yes, guardpony, I had just asked this possible alicorn with a broken horn to pose for pictures in my boutique with other questionable ponies who claimed to be her friends. After kissing her without her permission, and she passed out, we hear this voice that screams, 'Her lips are mine!', before cutting my leg and side and burning half of my undeveloped film. After, the pony named Trixie, who seems like she would have warrants out for her arrest, banished it away with her magic. Now, do you need me to repeat all that or do you want to take my to an asylum now?”

Consideration was given to Prim's explanation. Open placed a hoof to his chin, nodding in quiet contemplation. It was an unusual situation. “Well, at least nothing happened after. Eclipse woke up, my skill as a doctor bandaged you up without any severe blood loss, and Miss Trixie vanquished... whatever it was just fine!”

Prim felt tired seeing how happy and optimistic Open was. “Yes, everything is now just so wonderful, isn't it?”

“But there's something more bothering you. A pony can tell these things, especially a best friend to a pony.” Hooves set against Prim's withers, Open administrating a firm and accurate massage. “Did kissing her really bother you that much?”

She fell forward tossing her forelegs across her eyes and muzzle. A mixture of sobs and laughter created a distraught combination to her voice. “Yes it did! I'm always in control of myself, Open. I let out my aggressions when we go dancing, I focus on my work, and I stay in control. I don't go running out the door after some unknown mare and her mare friends and suddenly ask one to pose! And certainty not kiss her when in the middle of business!”

Stifling a chuckle, Open grinned broadly down at his friend. “At least you didn't ravish her when she fainted and then tied her in a basement somewhere!”

“Open Heart, my dearest friend, I swear by Luna's moon that next metal festival we attend, I am dressing you up as Sapphire Shores and throwing you flank first into the mosh pit if you dare continue that line of thinking.” Each word dripped with the stigma of hate. Open didn't have to see Prim's eyes to know the honestly of her threat.

It did not take an airship scientist to know when pushing with jokes was at its limit. Open Heart concluded that his normal approach wouldn't remedy his troubled friend. A hoof was thrust down to Prim, “Come on, let's talk about this, shall we?” He began. Feeling the tug of Prim's hold he began to hoist her back up to her hooves. “What do you normally get on me about? The difference between love and lust, right?” The lecture began much to Prim's lack of delight.

She nodded her head while moving over to a small box of hair accessories and ribbons. Magic lifted each piece, one by one, selecting the best ones. An extra gift for Eclipse wouldn't hurt. A thought crossed her mind, glancing to the stairs. Nothing was heard near the top of them this entire time. How long is that pony going to be in the bathroom anyway? Shaking it away, she returned her attentions to the box and Open. “Yes. You fall in love far too easily and always wind up getting hurt from it.”

“Do I really?” Came a chuckled reply. “Yet, I always bounce back after we spend the night at a concert, or eating ice cream, or spending a night just complaining. It's never a true heartbreak.” Prim gave him a bland, distrusting look. Either she didn't believe him or he faked much of his emotions well. “I am just attracted to them. Just because they call it 'love at first sight' doesn't always mean it's going to be that way. In my opinion, love is something you develop over time with somepony.” His best professor tone was taken up. “The start can be many things; pen pals, seeing a pony for the first time and feeling that ping, long time friends, or even hated enemies. And just because you feel a ping, doesn't mean it will end with a throb.”

“Is this going anywhere? It almost sounds like you keep stumbling over yourself.” Several accessories were taken out. Prim wanted to make sure that Eclipse didn't keep her hair over her face. She thought Eclipse far too pretty of a pony to do such a thing. A beeline path was taken guiding her towards where she kept her shipping boxes.

“Yes, I have something going,” he said sticking his tongue out. “Why did you kiss her? Because you felt a ping. Why do you feel bad about it? Because you think you did it because of how she looks, right?”

Prim flinched when the hammer hit the nail. She hung her head in shame. “Yes. I saw her, took her in by her appearance, and just that.”

“Well whoopie do!” The exclamation was made with Open tossing the ribbon skyward. “You're just like every other pony! Yes, I know you don't want to do that. You hate the idea because you were judged by your appearance for years because of your mother's infatuation with those pageants and modeling.” Open closed the space between them and once again set his hooves against her shoulders. “But the more you try to make sure that you never make certain mistakes, the more it will hound you if you do. Somethings just happen because it's how we are naturally. Instincts and what not. What you do after or what you do with those feelings is where it matters. Now, I could be wrong... but I like to think I'm right that.. well... Shit happens.”

There was a truth in Open's bluntness, even if Prim didn't agree with the entirety of his explanation. Different ponies would have different ideas to the matter and reasoning for love. His just followed a mixture of basic instinct and mild logic. Still, for what it was worth she did feel better hearing it. Maybe she had acted too hasty in creating an abhorrence for herself and her actions. “I suppose you maybe right on somethings. But last I checked, you do transplants, not psychology.”

Again with the chuckling, Open went back to the door back to the parlor of the boutique. “When it comes to you, I have to be many professions just to make a dent in your issues, darling. Now come on, you need her address if you plan to do anything else. She leaves tomorrow after all and you wouldn't want her to be out of your life for good, right?”

It was the knife that sunk into a heart. Open's final words were a focused blow on Prim. Mustering her magic, she placed the various articles into the parcel and trotted out behind him from the backroom into the parlor.

By this time, Trixie had raised three of the packages to rest on Color Copy's weak back. Copy's legs wobbling beneath the weight and tension of staying straight to keep balance. Eclipse had taken it upon herself to use her own magic to carry the remaining two.

“I see you're ready.” Prim spoke up coming to join the three. Her box levitated up coming to land squarely on Copy's flank. “Be a dear and carry this for Eclipse. It's not heavy.” She assured giving her best smile. “Now then,” Her mind began to work out a plan. She still needed Eclipse's address, and the night was becoming long. Prim didn't want to keep anypony past the time they wanted to sleep. “Why not, for doing this, I'll treat everypony to lunch as Ponneys tomorrow and escort you to the airship port?”

Trixie, Eclipse, and Color Copy looked to one another for approval, then gave Prim their agreeing nod. Something occurred to Eclipse then. Awareness to an overlooked detail dawned on her face. “Wh..where is Spiral?” She spoke up glancing quickly between each of them. “She left for th-the bathroom but it has be-been a while.”

Before anypony could speak further, and as if summoned by a magic word, the backroom door opened and Spiral stepped forth. A collective gasp came among all the ponies. What they saw confused each of them. Where Spiral stood, they saw an amber pony who was damp from the tip of her nose, to her hooves, and to the tip of her chestnut tail. “Since when did toilets spray water at you! There wasn't any paper when I finished, I got up and turned around. Then your toilet,” pointing a hoof at Prim, “Soaks me with water and tries to blow dry me. What in the world is that?”

Trixie and Open were perplexed. Neither could find the words to properly reply to the unusual story. Copy and Eclipse looked eager. Both wanting to find this mysteriously toilet that attacked it's user.

Prim, finally, simply stood hiding her mouth behind an upheld hoof. She giggled softly tears forming at the edge of her ducts. “Spiral, that is called a bidet.”

End of a Night

Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic and personal protege to Princess Celestia, considered herself to be a bright and intelligent pony. She memorized and developed spells with ease. She knew the history of Star Swirl the Bearded and other unicorn mages of days past. When a task is brought to her, she remained focused on her goal seeking to learn all there was and complete it with precision and grace. But, for as much as she did know, there was much she did not. The tale tonight showed just how little she knew of the history of the ponies beyond the founding of Equestria and the pain her mentor hides from everypony's eyes.

Eclipse's tower was a step back in time. The first room was decorated similar to the portraits in the long walkway. A hearth burned with magic fire, a plush rug rolled out underhoof, and walls of tomes and books filled the circular dwelling. Immediately to the right began stone steps that ran counter clockwise up the wall creating a spiral. Everything was kept clean and perfect. No doubt Celestia used an old spell to repel the decay of age.

Besides Twilight, Princess Cadance shared a very interested gander. It must have come as a surprise to the Goddess of Love to know the memorial was beneath her nose but had no knowledge of it. She stepped forward letting her hooves come in contact with the rub. The fibers tickled her under hoof. Material used must not have been native to Equestria. It did not feel plant based but rather animal. The times of old were indeed a chaotic period where some hunting still took place.

“WHERE IS IT!” A voice robbed them from silence's unnerving hold. It was Luna reverting back to using the Royal Canterlot voice a habit she worked so hard to overcome. Thunder, brought on by a volley of hoof stomps, crashed overhead. It could have been two ponies by the constant motions but a single rattled pony could do the same. Without a word spoken, a decision conveyed through body language, Twilight and Cadance began the ascent up.

Twilight had walked up the towers of the castle many times. Some went upwards ten stories and as low as two. A sprinter's adrenaline always fueled her motions up these steps bringing her to her destination with little energy lost. This felt different. The growing anxiety of unknown variables plagued her mind. Each step was cautious and careful listening to the sounds of falling objects and crashing wood. Round and round Twilight and Cadance climbed the circular stone steps. A pause came only to look upon each floor they arrived at.

A study had been the design for the second floor. It was far more modern than the first floor. A desk beneath the window, a globe nestled between two text book filled shelves, a type writer on a smaller desk, and paintings of landscapes. Twilight made a mental note to come back to the second floor when she had the chance and permission. She could only imagine what kind of text books had been placed and from how long ago. The third floor was for storage; chests and shelves in every nook and cranny. If they were full or empty they couldn't tell.

For the first time since they began their climb, a real pause was taken at the fourth floor. It was the bathing area of the tower. Crafted from marble and smooth granite, near the wide window, an alicorn sized bathtub. Embedded in the floor, it was encompassed by four pegasus statues. Each statue was reeled back on its hing legs and lips puckered. To the left a vanity with a large mirror pressed to the wall. No doubt its drawers were filled with cosmetics and perfumes. On the right was a wooden, door that parodied a swinging saloon door. To offset the glow of the sun, matte colors were chosen so the glare wouldn't blind somepony leaving the tub. A momentary glance from Twilight let her see Cadance biting her bottom lip. Envy shinned in the Princess of Love's eyes wishing she had known such a wonderful place existed.

Another floor and another set of steps scaled, the fourth floor awaited. Ceiling was set higher than the rest of the floor. Gray walls circled from one side of the entrance to the other with nay a window cut into the stone. At what would be the corners of each room, glowing blue crystals hovered just above stone pedestals. All eyes went to the center of the room next. A statue towered high reaching straight to the top of the stone ceiling. It was the reason for the taller walls. The statue was a familiar one due to the illusions of earlier.

From stone, Tenebris was chiseled in his mighty glory. All eight legs were positioned flat, one behind the other, on the ground around him. He sat in a position to guard. His head hung down, but he still stared forward. No matter which way a pony moved as long as they were in front of the statue the eyes would follow them. A twinkling plaque fastened was fastened at the base. Twilight approached cautiously to read.

Sleep well, Faithful Protector.
You were a friend until the end.
A guardian during danger.
A companion during storms.
Your pain is at an end.
Your sorrow is no more.
Rest now, Faithful Protector.
Your sacrifice will never be forgotten

Twilight read the inscription a second time. She thought back to the things Luna and Celestia told them in the walkway. Tenebris had died of a broken heart. He was Eclipse's closest and dearest friend. Now, he is immortalized in stone as a proper remembrance. Bowing her head in respect for the faithful protector, Twilight returned to the stairs to come to the next floor.

This floor returned the height of the walls to its original state. Much like the previous floor, this room laid mostly bare. In each corner pedestals held glowing, white gemstones to illuminate the area. At its center a wide beam of light created a pillar shape. Looking closely, Twilight would see a gray crown, necklace, and hoof guards. It was obvious who they belonged to.

A bitter cold feeling struck Twilight staring at the pillar of light. How lonely was Princess Celestia when she saw these? First she lost Princess Eclipse and then Princess Luna. Did she do the same for Princess Luna? Twilight's thoughts made her feel empty. She had been wrapped up in the Celestia's happiness when Luna returned she never thought of the sadness she must have felt before. Twilight returned to Princess Cadance to make their final steps up the stairs. Her thoughts hanging heavy on her heart.

Finally reaching the top of the stairs, they were given the sight of a once beautiful room. A large, round canopy bed using dark blues and whites for colors at the center. Dressers, hoof crafted lamps, and framed pictures of paintings that must have originated from Eclipse's era decorated around the circular wall. Curtains over three windows and the balcony, glass door allowed just enough light to come through. It must have been a beautiful room until Luna and Celestia came to it this evening.

A Goddess of the Night rampage converted it into a catastrophe. Drapes were torn down, paintings were ripped down the middle, and any furniture that could be toppled had been. The culprit now laid at the center of the large round bed clutching a ragged straw doll between her forelegs. Luna's head laid forward resting on a pillow. What light came from the moon showed the remains of twinkling streams down her cheeks.

Celestia was not seen until Twilight and Cadance ventured further in. She stood on the balcony staring up at the sky unable to watch her sister's self destructive ways. If she had less control, she may have been helping her. Celestia refrained herself and simply allowed the wanton destruction to occur until Luna could find what she sought after; Eclipse old doll.

Cadance and Twilight split up. Cadance, wordlessly, went to Princess Luna. Crawling onto the bed she laid down next to her aunt. She felt such pain for Luna, unable to imagine how she was suffering. For this she did not speak but simply laid her neck cross ways onto Luna's. A simple sign to show she was there and she cared.

Twilight went to be next to her mentor stepping onto the balcony into the cold night. She tilted her head back staring up at the stars and the moon. A moon that once housed an imprisoned Nightmare Moon. Gradually Twilight's attentions went to Princess Celestia. All the words she wanted to say were jumbled and caught in her throat. A worry overtaking her wondering if anything she says could even make things better. Celestia was in a vulnerable place and Twilight's only wish was to remove her fears and sadness.

“Twilight.” Celestia's voice spoke just louder than a whisper. “I have something I need to request from you. Something in the near future.”

“Anything, Princess.” Twilight assured her.

“I feel I always put too much of a burden on you, Twilight. I ask so much but how often do I give back?” Celestia voice was laden with guilt.

“You've given me more than you realize, Princess.” Twilight's urged. She trotted to stand in front of Celestia staring up at her with adoration. Calmly she set her hoof to Celestia's foreleg. “If it wasn't for your tutelage, I would never have met my friends or discovered so many of the things I have. I wouldn't have had Cadance as my foalsitter, or know how much friendship means to me. You've given me more than I could ever repay in my lifetime.”

It would be the second time Twilight would see Celestia openly shed tears. The first was when Nightmare Moon was vanquished and Luna returned. Celestia's smile was radiant and pure as she looked down on her student. “Thank you, my dear dear student. Your words are a blessing to my heart.” Celestia lowered her head rubbing her neck to Twilight's.

Twilight craned her neck meeting Celestia's with ease. Stepping back she looked up at Celestia gently smiling. “What is it you wanted to ask me to do?”

Celestia sighed lowering her face to stare at the balcony beneath her. “When we do find Eclipse I am afraid we will not be able to simply bring her to the castle. The state of her memories is still in question. There is not any proof that she would ever regain her memories of the past. I fear we would only bring her stress to force being a princess upon her.”

Words of wisdom. Putting someone in a position of authority, no matter how minor, when they were unused to it could lead to disastrous results. Twilight nodded her head signaling her understanding.

“Until the situation is fully taken care of with Gold Mine, we cannot place Miss Octavia and Miss Vinyl Scratch in danger by sending her to live with them either,” Celestia continued, “I feel there is one place she would be safe and able to begin gradually readjusting, and that is with you and your friends, Twilight.”

Another task of importance. This was not to save Equestria, as Celestia has asked of Twilight before, but of a more personal matter. Celestia and Luna told Twilight what they knew of Eclipse's youth in the Mine Household. Luna's memories were still foggy but the picture painted was not pretty. Twilight momentarily felt her confidence lacking. What could she offer a filly that went through such a trauma. This led her to think of her friends.

Each of them had helped Twilight, and her helped them, with numerous problems and lessons. Every time they came out better ponies than when they were. Twilight became certain she wouldn't be doing this alone. Celestia must have put this also into consideration. The Elements of Harmony could and would help in every capacity that they could. Twilight's confidence became renewed knowing that her friend's would help her.

“Princess Celestia. You can count on me.” Twilight spoke with determination. A comforting hoof again set to a white leg. “I wont let you down.”

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

A cold breeze blew through the streets of Las Pegasus. Discarded fast food wrappers, pages of newspapers, and articles of clothes danced on the currents of air. Despite being a city that never slept, there were still sections of it that saw sparse activity when the sun went down and the moon hung high in the sky. The Prim and Proper Boutique was no exception to this.

Outside, Spiral Flame and Color Copy trembled to keep on their hooves. An assortment of colorful boxes tied to their backs. Trixie exchanged a few parting words with Open Heart. Prim Rose once again apologized to Eclipse for the events of the night. She left a few details out while Color Copy and Spiral Flame were in ear shot.

A final promise of breakfast in the morning and hooves were waved. Four ponies left two at the boutique. Beneath a white glow Eclipse, Color Copy, Spiral Flame, and Trixie trotted down the street returning to Trixie's caravan.

Beneath a street light, five ponies stood watching the departure. The lead pony stared down at a crude drawing held on his hoof. Beneath it a brief description detailing shimmering hair, glowing eyes, and a broken horn. Smiling the pony looked to his compatriots nodding, “Looks like we found her. Time to get paid colts and fillies. Wait till she's alone then snatch her up.” He grinned chuckling softly.

Lost History Part 2

“The time before the founding of Equestria was blissful. We sisters remained close knit, every day spent together sharing in the harmony of family. Certainly, did we have our fights and arguments,” Celestia said anew. Transparent images appeared once again to the ponies. Granite floors became covered in a thin, fog like illusion of carved stone. Around them, multiple images of ancient Celestia and Luna gave shape. Some had the two sisters locked in biter arguments, magic enhanced food fights, and many instances of the two pulling and tugging Eclipse between them like children fighting over a toy. Celestia stopped her tale momentarily, watching the tug of war. “I remember this. A servant came and offered to cut Eclipse in half so we wouldn't bicker over her anymore. We did not believe he was serious until he produced an ax. We quickly agreed not to fight over her after.” Celestia grinned to Luna who had become washed over from her withers to her nose in red.

“Yes, I do remember it, though dully. She was four at the time, and he was tired of cleaning up our fights. Imagine if we had agreed to it, I wonder what he would have done,” Luna spoke. A hoof set to her chin to ponder the possible outcomes. Scenarios and contemplations aside, Luna gave her attention back to Celestia to continue.

“Eclipse loved to sing since learned to talk properly. Every chance she had she either sang or danced for us.” Spectral images changed creating a fire glowing hearth as a backdrop. In front, a filly Eclipse sat on her haunches, right foreleg extended out, her head tilted back just a bit. Her lips were parted in song. Before her, Luna and Celestia were laid side by side with bent legs beneath them. Their eyes never wavered from the song bird who's melody so entranced them. Stories were put aside letting the sisters revel in the memory. “Eventually, her magic would wander and become active during her song and dances. I think she even began to sing just to cast spells.”

Moments later, Celestia returned to the story once more, “As told in the Hearth 's Warming Eve tale, the six ponies emerged from the cave to find the splendor of Equestria before them. Luna and I greeted them as they came forth offering them aid in returning home and spreading the wonderful gifts they had found during the night. With their return to the barrens of ice, a small summit was held. The six leaders took quick charge conveying the windigos' presence to blame on everypony. No one side held more blame than the other. With this message firmly lectured, they quickly began to move all ponies northward to Equestria.” Celestia extended her wings outwards, touching each tip to the walls on either side. “What was once broken, became complete. To perhaps garner favor from their goddesses, and to establish peace, Luna and myself were asked to rule over the ponies. So no one tribe held favor over the other. Unfortunately...”

Cadance did not know what to think of all of this. She was born both alicorn and of royal blood she should have known the secrets of the Celestial Sisters, but she did not. The night of the last eclipse left her near phobic. For everything that she knew, there was still so much she did not. What else could have been hidden from her? If the eclipse never occurred, would it still be hidden? Inquiries on the subject were met with brick walls. Neither sister wanted to divulge information on Eclipse. It wasn't until Iron Mind sent a letter stating his departure for Trottingham that she was told of her aunts' plans for tonight. The wait was felt as horrible as being left in the dark to begin with. She hoofed at the smooth floor in front of her. Though she listened, her gaze came down away from her aunts.

“Eclipse was far too young to participate in relations both political or worship in nature. She mostly stayed in the gardens or one of our rooms avoiding contact with ambassadors or advisers.” When Celestia started speaking once more, the images of the two sisters vanished. They were replaced with Eclipse. The glowing eyed, mismatched winged filly in various stages of life. The terrible twos showed her bouncing around from wall to wall. Hyper threes the group witnessed Eclipse randomly using her magic to teleport away from nannies and her sisters. Next, a tiny gray bundle was curled in the middle of the floor surrounded by big, black fur with eight legs. The tiger like beast protectively wrapped around his little charge. Several images continued showing Eclipse's growth till the age of eight. “We had prominent teachers and scholars come to help teacher her basic education. Luna and I had become too busy to handle many of the day to day chores for raising a foal...”

“It must have been difficult. Did she ever have any friends? What of the creature with her?” Cadance inquired motioning a hoof to the big, furry black beast. Her head turned hearing a relief filled sigh leave Twilight. It seemed that she was not the only pony who had been waiting to ask about the ominous creature. Fur ruffled just imagining such a fearsome, large creature hovering above the poor filly. It had been in past images, but to grow to such a substantial size could not have made it easy on anypony.

A creature of its kind nopony save for the two oldest would have seen lest they traveled to the deepest hollows of the Everfree. Releasing a soft, dark blue glow from her horn, Luna created a new image solely of the tiger creature. It ran from one end of the hall to the next with great strength and speed. Its paws stuck to the wall letting it climb upwards across smooth stone until it was upside down over head. It then released its self dropping down, perfectly on all eight legs, in front of the group. “This is a veravyn. They are a combination of a tiger and a spider. Though they produce no webbing, they are able to scale most surfaces such an arachnid can.” Luna's explanation was kept simply without touching onto the mystical side of the creature. “At the time of Eclipse's arrival, the nest mother delivered one of her cubs to us as a gift for our newest addition. He was named, Tenebris.” Luna giggled, elegantly placing a hoof to her mouth. Eyes fell closed, her body shaking lightly. “The two were inseparable. Tenebris would never leave Eclipse's side whether she slept with Celestia or I, bathing, or just playing in the gardens. He was a jealous one. Often snarled at ponies who, aside from we, tried to take up too much of her time.”

“Oh yes. For a while he was becoming angry with both of us, wasn't he?” Celestia chimed in as the illusions vanished.

“Princess! What happened to him?” Vinyl tilted her head forty five degrees to the right. Her tail lifted up, the middle, and end drooping in such a way that it appeared as a question mark. Volume control was no longer an option. Growing hunger did strange things to this pony.

Celestia shifted herself to stand once more, stepping on graceful movements towards the painting of herself and Eclipse. “We will come to that soon.” She cleared her throat, staring wishfully at the portrait. “Eclipse's chance to meet with other ponies was short lived. We held a party formally introducing Eclipse beyond the royal meetings. We decided to hold it on her birthday, mid spring.” Illusions poured out in waves across walls and floors. Yellow light filled the walkway as the tiger busts changed into golden suns with artificial flames scorching at their centers. Carpet woven from vanilla colored fabric with black crescent moons and white swirl suns. Dozens of pony shadows crowded around talking, dancing, and feasting. Three ponies stood out from the others; an earth pony, an unicorn, and a pegasus. An argument had broken out among them. Their black lips rapidly shot out silent insults between them. Other guests ignored the silent feud choosing not to return to an age of the windigos. “The three ponies were arguing over the past. All three had lived in the icy cold and still blamed one tribe over another than accept they could have been responsible.”

Silver cloth loosely covered Eclipse's body. Cross wrapped over her chest pulled back over her flank and back down her back thighs. The top ends of the material met at her necklace, attached to the diamond stone centered in the silver metal. Twinkling hair was pulled back decorated with previous stones set aglow by silken locks. Her crown sat curled around her horn wrapping downwards just above the ridge of her skull. She first stood with her sisters at the entrance welcoming the ponies who came to celebrate the day of her birth. Offerings of a happy celebration and welcoming to royal duties. Presents were few in demand but none had been expected. Only a few had come delivered by messenger before the celebrations began. Celestia leaned down, appearing to whisper to Eclipse. “I had told her to go ahead and enjoy the party. Luna and I would finish welcoming the guests.”

Silver hoof guards click clacked as she scampered across the ancient hall towards the waring three. She appeared to try and speak to the three. Moving behind each and between them to try and cease their arguing words. “Celestia and I had many times held council for ponies establishing settlements. We acted as mediator for arguments between tribes, offering compromises and ways to merge traditions without having either side give up more. Eclipse sat it on many of these, and she thought to settle this herself.” Luna turned her head to watch the recreation reproduce the events of that night. Without warning, earth pony bucked his hind leg back striking Eclipse by her mouth. With a yelp, her small form thrown, bouncing twice against stone and rug.

Guests became quiet turning to the pained sound of a hurt pony. Eclipse raised to her hooves, holding back tears. She charged forward coming close to the three. Her lips as the tip of her horn surged forth with magic. The three ponies became encased in a swirling miasma of gray energy. They raised upwards several feet until a flash of light blanketed the room. Each dropped to the ground after flat on their bellies with legs extended in random ways. Eclipse backed from them slowly, a stern visage remaining on her features as she verbally chastised them for their actions. Luna exhaled a shaky breath. “Celestia and I entered shortly after the flash alerted us to what was happening. We were met with a stampede of terrified ponies running away from the farther end of the hall.” Many of the shadow ponies vanished, popping from existence one by one until only Eclipse remained, sitting alone, her head hung low and tears pooling on the floor. “She had used her gift to weaken the three ponies. When their cutie marks near vanished, it sent everypony into panic. They screamed monster, that she cursed them for their actions. We tried to cheer her up, but the thorns dug too deep for us to simply remove.”

“We opened the few gifts she received for her when she refused to even look at them. Most were of no use for a filly, or even things you would give a foal. One thing took her attention. It was a a doll, made by an amateur, of her. No name was attached for who sent it, but she took to it instantly.” Celestia rose to her hooves coming towards the sad image of her youngest sister. Though still disheartened, Eclipse now clutched her precious new gift to her body, curling on the ground with Tenebris standing behind her. Her guardian's back was turned to her, his head raised surveying the surroundings defensively. “Nopony would approach her. If she was in attendance when we held council, ponies refused to enter. Stories reached our ears that ponies were referring to Eclipse as the 'Cutie Mark Curse'. She became withdrawn, avoiding ponies just as they avoided her. Next, we will tell how the event that forced us to erase the past, and how Eclipse got her cutie mark.” With this, the specters vanished from sight, and the group raised unanimously.

Cadance stopped a moment, Shining Armor waiting with her. She stared long at the painting of Eclipse and Celestia. Up until the end of the story things seemed perfectly reasonable and normal. Selfish ponies caught up in their own petty arguments ruined another pony's happiness. Even after loosing one home they just could not rid themselves of stupid hatred. She shook free a growing bitterness to the ponies of old. Not all of them held the beliefs that the three ponies did, but it still burned her heart to know that some did, and other paid for it. Offering a weak smile to her husband, they moved to join the group.

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

“So, what's up with that freaky horn ya got?”

“Hey! Don't ask something that maybe personal straight like that!”

“Trixie has heard of such things before, but only seen it once or twice. Did it really hurt as ponies say?”

It had taken the time that Open Heart left and returned for Prim Rose to setup an area of the parlor to take her photographs. Crates were removed from the storage room then covered with black sheets forming an artificial wall. Pillows were pulled from her bedroom in different positions across a white sheet on the floor in front of the black. Spot lights, used to give ample light for precision work, were pulled and shinned on the makeshift area. Several feet away at tripod with a camera was in position to begin snapping the photographs. It was a newer model that automatically wound to the next film without requiring extra actions.

“Look, you come up with a better way to ask Miss Hot Flank about her horn and I'll do it! Frankly, as long as she keeps that flank in view I may just listen!”

“Maybe not be sexist...Can mares be sexist to other mares?”

“How should Trixie know? Trixie would not be so vulgar as to blatantly gawk at a mare's flank.”

“No, you just stalk or hire ponies to stalk a mare.”

“Oh Celestia, you're going to get shot out a roof again.”

“Trixie is happy with her cake enough to ignore such an insinuation.”

Eclipse was positioned centered on the white sheet. She sat on her haunches with her front hooves, together, in front of her. It was the first outfit of the night. A form fitting camisole made from ruby red material clung to her like a sleeping lover. Holes were in the back, zippers to make them larger when first putting it on, for wings to easily come through. Rose designed lace was sewn in at the hems and neck. Decorative red ribbons, and gilded hairpins tied her hair back pulling her bangs from her eyes forming a curled low bun at the base of her neck. Socks on each hoof were thin. Silk material had been dyed pink with four roses stitched in along the top each centered with one opposite of another. Only her glowing eyes went to focus on her friends. She didn't dare move or speak unsure how exactly to act when modeling.

Magic fluttered across Eclipse's body bringing a near transparent cloth blanket down across her back, slopping along her curved flank. Prim moved quickly around Eclipse setting a pillow beneath her flank and right hoof. Several stuffed toys, pulled from a closet or chest from Prim's foalhood, were used as decorations with the filly. “Yes... Okay now life both your front hooves, bend them and put your ankles against your chin. I want a natural smile.” Eclipse did as she was told, raising her legs, bending her hooves, then waiting for her next instruction. Sudden sensation of hooves pressing across her belly caused her to squeak aloud. She had not expected such a ticklish sensation from Prim. This quickly drew glares from two ponies not far from them.

With Open now in attendance, the four ponies circled around the plastic table Eclipse and Prim sat at with them moments ago. A dozen Styrofoam containers sat open revealing various cakes and pastries; cheese cake, triple chocolate lava cake, cupcakes, and sugar powdered scones. Four mugs sat in front of each of the ponies. Two thermos were brought back with in, one filled with orange tea and the other a special blend Open refused to share with anypony but Prim and Spiral. With the way Spiral was knocking back the special tea, it must have been delicious.

“Seriously, you're over there fondling our friend and wont tell us about your sticken horn!” Spiral spat out then carnivorously stuffing a brightly iced cupcake into her mouth. Her hoof came to her mug lifting it to supply four quick gulps to her parched throat. “Just tell us about your horn or put Eclipse in something skimpier!”

Any attempts to ignore the abominable earth pony finally broke the walls of her patience. “Alright Eclipse, please hold that pose, smile and I'll begin taking the pictures.” Flank swayed, tail raising just a few inches when Prim returned behind the camera. She did not take her eyes off the glowing filly in her dangerously alluring pose. Magic held the camera at every inch, taking quick photos in succession. “You want to know how my horn became this way? Yes, it is practice that adult unicorns sometimes do in either a rebellious stage or to express themselves. Acid and a chisel is used, Eclipse, lower your chin down, and look up at me as if hiding your face now, while mine was done without regard to my own wants by my mother when I was three.” Quick flashes captured the many angles of Eclipse, Prim making motions with her hooves to parts of her body for her to mimic. “And no, there will not be any erotic nor 'skimpy' outfits being modeled. I asked for her to simply do casual and comfortable garments, nothing more.”

Open was having the time of his life listening and watching the interactions between them. Like a mother watching their foal come out from behind her skirt for the first time, so did he enjoy Prim actively conversing with these other ponies. “It is an extremely painful process for unicorns. Very similar to the wing modifications some pegasus have done. You know, adding fake bones to give their wings spikes or an earth pony breaking both their hind legs.” Deftly he sipped the special tea, closing one eye but watching with the open for the reactions. “You know, snapping the cartilage, shattering the bone, using drills to set special screws in place. Such a horrid affair.”

If she could have become whiter imagining the pain such procedures caused, Open would have become giddy at how pale Copy was turning. No words could express the ill feeling she suddenly felt. So she chose instead to look away, sipping the orange scent tea to calm her nerves. Something broke her concentration. In a duo act, Copy and Spiral twisted their heads back to the modeling display when Eclipse squeaked once more. Her jaw dropped watching Prim slid a hoof across Eclipse's lower back pushing it forward, then moved seeming to caress over Eclipse's chest pressing it back.

Prim moved the filly so her back was to the camera this time. She moved back behind the photographer's instrument. “Turn your head and look at me.. Perfect.” Sequence of flashes followed once more. Prim smirked to herself, she could feel the daggers being stared at her. For some reason, she didn't seem to care.

Invasive hoof touches sent twitches to her wings. Eclipse froze statuesque in position becoming a mound of clay for Prim to move. Prim moved in close paying extra attention to her hair, mouth and hooves were used instead of magic to bring each lock back into place away from the glowing moons. Lids fell across her field of visions raising back removing the familiarity of the boutique. It was replaced by a vast walled garden. Vines climbing the gray stone walls, a kaleidoscope of colors dyed into the petals of thousands of flowers around her. Eclipse felt a feeling of disheartening loneliness. In a blink, it returned back to the boutique.

“Trixie must say, it's interesting you chose her to wear rose themed clothing first.” She smirked locking gaze with Open, who smirked in return. It was as if two kindred spirits had found one another and sought to bring calamity.

“Yes, I was certain she would choose something that wouldn't have any other implications.” Both unicorns began to giggle, scooting closer to one another. “Open Heart, tormentor of high class ponies and on the side I'm a doctor, as mentioned before.” An extended hoof was met in kind by the azure magician's.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie. Most magical unicorn in all of Equestria.” Trixie said in kind. Drawing her hoof back she brushed back her silver and blue mane, settling back watching the three main ponies. Eclipse was just an innocent sheep among wolves, her reactions were not what would bring amusement.

“So, Primrose, why ain't you yellow? Primrose means yellow flower or something right? So why the roses? Doesn't make sense. Dye job?” Agitated movements had her hind, right leg tapping the ground. Special tea was being drunk like water until, annoyingly, the thermos had run dry. She glanced towards Copy then back to Eclipse and Prim. Eclipse, her eyes darted across her examining exposed flesh. She diverted desires stuffing another hunk of cake past her lips.

Primrose. A word that caused her fur to stand on end. Prim mentally counted down from ten locking her eyes on Eclipse. She would not give Spiral the benefit of seeing her annoyed look. “Eclipse, we're going to switch costumes now.” Prim did not remove her eyes from the filly as she moved from the photo stage. Eclipse used magic to remove each article of clothing, folded and placed aside for her to take with her. “Let's get photos of the younger article. The white set.” White socks, white shirt, and a variety of matching lace for her hair, Eclipse began to get ready for the next group of photos. “My name is Prim Rose. Prim meaning formally precise or proper, and rose as in the flower. Primrose is a yellow flower or pale yellow. My name is two words, what you are saying is one word.”

Each hoof raised up once to pull the sock up to beneath her knee, then raised a second time making sure it was put on properly. They were void of any designs and made from simply cotton. A t-shirt, as Eclipse heard a few ponies call them, it was extra long in the back reaching down to her hind legs. There were no holes for wings this time, thus she had to keep her wings pressed down. The hole for her head was larger, letting one side hang down off her shoulder. She turned back to the ponies taking in their sight again. Copy never stopped watching Eclipse it seemed. Trixie and Open were enjoying their own conversation. Spiral appeared antsy squirming and twitching on her seat. “Is th..this alright?” She asked coming back to position.

“A name that fits you're appearance.” Stammered words escaped Copy's mouth. She flinched when Spiral scowled at her.

“Thank you, and yes, Eclipse, you look beautiful. When you take position again, hug one of the stuffed animals, show how much you love it, okay?” Instructions given returning to pretending that no other ponies were in the boutique with them. Magic went to take up the white lace, carefully removing each hairpin and jewel and replacing it with the cloth. Eclipse's hair no longer held its bun shape. Instead it was pulled back from her eyes, as before, and braided with the lace act as a portion of her hair. Braided mane was then set over Eclipse's shoulders, hanging down in front of her chest.

It finally hit a boiling point. Why wont she have her wear a saddle at least? Spiral glanced at a black and gray saddle hanging upon a wall. Chrome trimmed over the edges and the thick knob handle on the top front. Yeah, have her wear something like that. Something strong and naughty... Ya know, forget this. “Faker! You're coming with me!” Spiral shot up onto her hooves, wiggling her flank and back to readjust her saddlebags.

Copy's wings shot up off her back seeing Eclipse become encased in white. A chaste appearance in the color that the pegasus knew most of was an enticing appearance to behold. No warning was given when Spiral shouted out the nickname that was thrust upon her. “What? What?! What?! No! I haven't taken my medication since two days ago! I can't!” She shouted jumping onto all four hooves. She wouldn't have a chance to make her own move, Spiral latched teeth around Copy's tail dragging her to the front door.

All eyes set to the departing two.”Still have the spray, Eclipse?” Muffled words spoken through mouth filled with pony tail. Spiral halted momentarily for an answer, but ignored Copy's pleas.

“Ye..yes!” Answer shot back instantly. Sure enough, the cylinder on a necklace sat with chain coiled around it like a serpent on the floor where Eclipse set the first of her many to come come gifts for this excursion.

“Good. Use it if some rose decides to try and prick you with their thorns. We'll be back in a few hours!” Spiral's announcement met with their departure. Copy clawing her front hooves against the ground trying to free herself from the larger pony's hold. It would be of little use and the two ponies left from the boutique.

“Trixie has a question now that the two adolescence minded ponies have left, Trixie has a question about giving a gift.” Trixie resorted to filling her cup with the orange tea this time. “She does not wish to appear too forward but wishes to express certain feelings as well.”

“If you like after I finish with this outfit I can show you something, Miss Trixie.” Prim offered while motioning with her hooves again for Eclipse to mimic.

“Oh don't you worry one bit, Prim, I'll answer anything she has to answer. Not like I've not been bored and helped customers before.” Green Mohawk bounced with the bobbing of his head. He shifted himself up to his hind legs, bending his back at a reverse arc while pressing fore hooves against his lower spine. Dropping forward, he waved for Trixie to follow him towards the more gift associated area of the boutique.

“So, Eclipse, tell me of yourself. You live in Manehatten, correct? I worked there on occasion years ago. Do you and your parents reside there?” Small talk was a corner stone to friendship. One could not be friends with someone for long without asking something about them. Prim opened the conversation on something simple and easy.

Head shook lightly when she took a moment to reposition herself for the camera. “No I li..live with my fri..friends. They to...took me in.” A quick answer, not giving away too much. Eclipse barely knew this pony, then again, as she thought it over, she barely knew any of these ponies. Questions shouldn't be intrusive, she figured, she had been asked similar things other times by random ponies she met at Vinyl's clubs. “Wh..what would you li..like to know?”

Prim offered a glance and nod back to Open whom did the same. “Friends can be a wonderful thing. Where are you from? Or is Manehatten your home since birth?” A brilliant, showmare's smile flashed on Prim's face. It had won her many awards and tonight, she planned for it to win her just a minor prize.

Questions. Another pony asking her questions she would rather keep buried away in a place never to dwell upon. Absence of a smile was captured with the flash of a camera. Eclipse appeared lost, gazing away to the front door of the boutique. Lips down turned at the corners but held high at the center. Body tensed when she hesitated to speak the few words. “I'm fr...from Manehatten.” She partially lied holding back the truth. When she looked back to the camera, she gasped.

Without a sound to her hoof steps, Prim was in front of Eclipse. “That look you made. Can you do it again?” Her voice was only a whisper lulling worries away. The closeness of the mature pony became confusing for Eclipse. Her snout was practically in her mane. “Let me fit the t-shirt a bit at the bottom.” Sugar sweet sound dripped off her tongue. Hooves held the edge of the bottom of the shirt pulling it away from Eclipse's side to tie it into a precise knot. Teeth came back to the white lace in twinkling mane. Without magic, she once again adjusted the cloth with hoof and mouth creating a large bow and a pony tail propped out of its center. “Perfect, darling, wouldn't you agree?”

Once Prim moved back enough they were nose to nose, Eclipse could only nod. She didn't understand why magic couldn't have been used to adjust her hair and shirt. Unhinged dropped jaws and stares from Open and Trixie went unnoticed. Eclipse simply returned to posing with the cozy stuffed toy. She wished she had brought her dolls with her now. It would have made for a much for delightful photo.

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

“How many ponies know of any Equestrian civil wars?” Whispers copied the sounds of insects as the assembled ponies exchanged notes, ideas, or moments in history that would mimic a civil war. “According to our history, within the twenty five hundred years since Equestria's birth, ponies had never experienced a civil war. We have had wars, yes, short wars with various countries on our borders who did not understand that we, the Alicorn Royalty, control the sun and moon for this world. Northern Griffons, Kobolds, those across the Eastern Seas, and the United Nation to the South East waged short wars at some time or another until realizing the futility of engaging a species that could control weather itself.” Celestia lectured.

Luna and Celestia were seated as they had been the first two times in front of the group of guests. Stained glass window and painting were revealed to them. Glow from the window gave rise to the uncertainty of the time. A black sun at the center with ponies depicted in stages of fright and worry. Above it depicted a blank night sky devoid of the stars. Painting was Luna and Eclipse whom posed for this portrait. Luna sat, on her haunches on the left angled diagonal from the painter. Front hooves set to block hind hooves. Her cutie mark on display revealing the black splotch with the crescent moon. Black royal crown set behind her horn. Wrapped around her neck the necklace decorated with a white moon. Eclipse, seated besides her in a similar manner, her hair was drawn back from her white eyes with the use of black and gold hairpins. Her crown of silver behind her horn, silver necklace around her neck depicting half a black moon and half a black sun at its center. Her cutie mark had a black star within a white moon and black aura around it. Behind them the glory of the Everfree forest was seen from a high over watch at night.

“It was painted at night, correct?” Octavia did not mean to interrupt. The painting did depict the later hours, but as paintings are the time they were painted wasn't always detailed by the features.

“That is correct. Pray tell, how did you know?” Luna inquired raising her eyebrows to the cellist.

“Vinyl was the first to notice, but Eclipse's cutie mark changed colors according to night and day.” Hoof pointed to Eclipse's flank, “During the day, the colors are reversed to a white star, black circle, and white aura.”

“Correct, my little pony, her cutie mark represented a solar eclipse during the day and lunar eclipse at night. It was fun to watch it change colors. As unique as her wings.” Chuckling, Celestia gave a kind smile. “You will need to tell us what else your marefriend and you noticed of her. How much is different and similar to how she was before. Now, to the story.” She tipped her head to Luna.

Magic gathered in a whirlwind effect of energy between the princesses and the group. An image of an older stallion unicorn was created. Deep shade of red was his coat, carmine, and his mane apple green with streaks of gray from his age. A monocle sat on his right eye gilded metal surrounding the product of glass. An unusual metal was used for the chain. It appeared clear, more so than the apparition already did, hanging down connected to a necklace around his neck of a similar material. A locket carved from ebony stone was attached at the center of the necklace. He wore a periwinkle robe, made from the most expensive material of the time, with a yellow rope tied around the waist. Mane was slicked back ending near his withers. On his flank was the cutie mark of a cross. The corners of the cross were curved out creating a spiral. Small jewels set into each curl. A blue gem sat at the center, oval in shape. “As the rulers of the new land we needed representatives and advisers. Aside from the six ponies who made the perilous journey, other leaders came forward to held lead the united tribes. One such leader, was Grudging Cross, who is presented here.” Luna raised a hoof pointing to the image centered between them all.

“Grudging was a leader of the unicorns during the Windigo Crisis. His leadership kept unicorns safe, properly dispensing food, and creating order if it ever broke down. Charisma was in no shortness for him, and many unicorns held him in the highest respect.” Celestia looked away from the image, resting her eyes on the other ponies. “Another pony who you will not find in the history books past the founding of Equestria. He did not take to the lessons of friendship. Rather, he still blamed the pegasi and earth ponies for the loss of the old lands. Every week he held tirades demanding concession from the other tribes to the unicorns for grievances that were not of their doing. Eventually, something turned him away from blaming the pegasi. Perhaps he had found a kindred spirit in them, but his relentless hatred turned solely onto the earth ponies.”

Movement and life was given to the image. Cross began to speak silently to an invisible crowd or to the princesses themselves. A hoof always accusingly pointed at somepony or another. “Though his words were unpopular, and most ponies ignored him, his renown kept him well in the public eye. As it would become, some pegasi and unicorns began to follow his lead when he began to fully speak out on the earth ponies alone.” A flash of resentment flashed in Luna's eyes. Her wings beat sending a gush of wind destroying the fabrication of the old unicorn. “He proclaimed, 'Earth ponies have no traits unto themselves. Loathing creatures whom suckle at the teat of Equestria proclaiming thy selves to be the soul nurturers of the land.' Cross ignored our words that everypony tribe was held magic. Pegasi controlled the weather and flew, unicorns wielded magic spells, and Earth ponies...”

“Earth Ponies are capable of turning sand into rich soil. Earth ponies can live in almost any environment. Their magic affects their bodies directly rather than in spells. Appleloosa, Trottingham, and even in the old land with the cold, earth ponies created environments that would be difficult to produce for the other tribes. Cross refused to accept this.” With her head lowered, Celestia whispered something, to herself, inaudible to other ponies, then spoke, “Eventually, we cast him out of court. The final cord came when he called for earth ponies to be placed as indentured servants to the other tribes. As it sounds today to be a cliché, from the various movie reels and comic books young ponies enjoy, he vowed he would not be kept silent and would return. Thankfully, an event came that would stem the tide of his threats. For, Eclipse would finally get her cutie mark...”

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

Exposed. Color Copy felt exposed and frightened in the new setting Spiral Flame dragged her to. Loud music beat from multiple speakers stationed at the upper corners of the large, spacious room. It was dark, barely lit by faded lights hanging in holes on the ceiling. A smoke machine fogged the ground with a sickly green pigment. Laser lights decorated the ceiling given visible life in due to the smoke blowing upwards from the movements of ponies. From the front doors two bars were setup in opposing corners. At the center left, from the door, was a large stage jutting out from the wall. Three brass poles came from ceiling to floor, spot lights shinned outwards from the edge of the raised portion. Three pony dancers were on the stage dressed in saddles, lace, and socks having what could only be described as an intimate relationship with their pole. Bar stool seats were bolted into the ground along the stage for ponies to gawk and throw bits at the dancers performing.

Past the perverts and admirers of flesh delights, was a normal dance floor filled with ponies moving and shaking to the beats being played. A DJ booth literally hung over the dancing horde. Steel cables held the bowl shaped booth to the ceiling and a cat walk from the wall opposite the front doors let the DJ come and go. Further past the dancing frenzy were the tables and booths for ponies taking a breaking, enjoying a private show, or just wanting to sit down.

In the back, below where the catwalk met the wall, were four doors. Three lead to the private, VIP rooms where the delights were not spoken of outside the walls. The forth door was an employees only entrance to supplies, dressing rooms, and break rooms. This was the Sore Saddle Club. And Color Copy felt more terrified in this unfamiliar scenario than she had in her entire life. She was here, sitting on a table with a pony she saw as a rival.

“Loosen up, faker! It was either you or that damned blue pony and you should feel lucky I picked you!” It was Spiral Flame who addressed Color Copy. She was sitting opposite of her with her back to the back wall. Several empty and full shot glasses, a few bottles of hard cider, and two bowls of peanuts. “It's all on me so enjoy yourself. Ask nicely and maybe I'll get a pony to give you a special dance!”

“Would you stop calling me 'faker'! My name is Color Copy!” She hissed suddenly ducking her head down feeling the heat rise to her face. Red painted over her cheeks, so painfully obvious one could see it even in the darkened club. Wings swooped down over her head as a saving grace for her self induced, and self believed, humiliation.

In an instant, another two shots were downed by the earth pony followed by a hoof full of peanuts. Spiral felt alive in this place. Getting in hadn't been a problem. Celebrity status took her to the front and right inside. Instantaneously, she regretted every bringing somepony like Copy here with her. “Fine, I'll call you whatever you want, just get in a good mood before I buck your face in for ruining my buzz.” Spiral hissed kicking a hind leg into Copy's leg beneath the table. “While in here, just pretend we're friends enjoying a good show and a good time. Can you do that for me?”

Copy winced when hoof collided with shin creating a painful bruised mark beneath her fur. Fore hooves dropped down rubbing the damaged spot when she raised the leg up for an easier access. She flinched her lids closed, biting back a tear or two. She mumbled, at first, her response to Spiral but realized by the impatient look she expressed, that her words did not come across. “Friends don't kick friends under the table.”

Groaning, Spiral put both her hooves to her face. Such infuriate feelings from the pony across from her made her want to kick twice just to get the point across. It would only make things worse. Dropping her hooves, a moment was taken to glance around. She found it odd, ponies at tables around them were glancing her way now. They were whispering, pointing, and glaring at the stunt pony. “Fine, I'm sorry I kicked you. Now stop slouching and sit up. This is a happy place. Heck, I'd say it's the happiest place in Equestria. You like Eclipse, right? Maybe one of the dancers puts on fake wings or a fake horn.”

“I'd rather not. I...” Copy released a long, held in sigh. Forelegs crossed on her chest, hooves resting to opposite shoulders. She glanced around uneasy of the setting. There were too many ponies in one place. Too many ponies she didn't know. Breath, Copy, breath. “I'd rather just go back to the boutique.”

“Don't be such a wuss. Why not just fake you're having a good time, huh? You're good at faking things. I know, 'Copy' somepony who's having a good time.” A hoof was waved at a random pony. “Right there, the one with the flank implants, pretend you're them.”

Eyes flinched closed, her body shaking at the barrage of insulting words rattled her ears. “I don't copy just to do it.” Copy whispered staring down at the table top.

“Fine. Act like you do around friends. You have friends right?” Spiral hung her head letting it shake lightly. Fore hooves pressed together when elbows set to the table top. “Just pretend I'm one of them, for Luna's sake. Act freaking normal.”

“I don't.” She flinched as a loud beat hit the speakers above them. She tilted her head up to look at Spiral but diverted it away feeling the annoyance the pony must have felt for her.

“Don't what? Know how to act normal? Have friends? What don't you do? It's obvious you don't do fun if this is any indication. Or do you only do the weirdo copy thing for fun?” Words were spoken as quickly as Spiral could think. “So which is it? Or can't you say anything else right now?”

“I don't...” It was sudden. The scratching of a chair thrust back over the smooth floor. Hooves slapped against the table top. Copy's voice raised higher than she had anytime since she came across Eclipse and Spiral. “I don't have any friends! None! Not a single one! I've never had a friend, okay? Nopony wants me around like that! Does that make you happy to hear?” By now, tears streamed down her cheeks in twin rivers dripping to the table. She hadn't realized she began crying, not until the sting finally hit her. Her breathing was erratic and heavy sucked in through her mouth to exhale harshly through her nasal passages. “I freak out in crowds, I take pills so I have some chance not to. You'd know this if you didn't drag me out! But why should you care, you never cared about anypony but yourself and your libido! So just.. just.. Buck off!” In a rushed action, she dropped back onto her chair. Hind legs came up to her torso with her forelegs wrapping around the bent limbs. Her face pressed to her knees, wings lifting to cover her body while she quietly sobbed.

She would not see the shocked expression that warped Spiral's face from an emotionless tyrant to a surprised, worried sinner. Music died down to a faint whisper. Everypony in the club ceased their lively activity to stare at the drama unfolding at the table with the large earth pony and pegasus. Then began the whispers.

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

Keeping away from Prim's work area, Open held back no stops in showing Trixie the variety of items that could be given away to somepony. This side of the store displayed a jewelry case of pieces sold on commission, a variety of comfort first socks pre-designed with random symbols, small stuffed toys, and light articles of clothing. They were priced to move and easy to access for anypony in a hurry.

“Trixie has to ask... What do you give somepony you haven't exactly... met?=” Trixie, hesitant to say it, spoke while her magic raised up a thigh length pair of socks. They were for the winter days to keep a pony warm when magic nor heat was readily available.

Without missing a beat, Open gripped a different item with his magic. He held the shirt up besides him. A ruby red cloth with 'Love is down here' printed on the front and arrows pointing downwards. “Wear this when you see this pony, and you're sure to impress.” There was no worry that his joke would not achieve what he wished. Truth be told, when Trixie saw what he held up for her to see, the azure color of her fur was discarded from her cheeks to be replaced with a fine red that could match the ruby cloth.

“Trixie would wear no such thing!” She denied in a loud whisper. A hoof slammed down pulling the shirt roughly away from the prankster unicorn. “A gift is needed for a first date. We wish to make the best impression without appearing too forward. Trixie has much to makeup for, you see.”

Relation was easy to take in with Trixie's words. Open understood all too well what she was saying to him. “How long have you known this pony? Please be honest. I cannot help you if you leave anything out. The most critical of detail left out can decide if the gift is a bang or a flop.”

Lips pursed together in a defiant frown. “Fine! Trixie shall tell you. Truth is Trixie has not... physically seen this pony in near two years. We exchange letters but she does not know Trixie is the one she sends them to. She sends them to the next town Trixie goes to, and Trixie sends one back.” A mannequin and its ensemble of specifically chosen items.

Open traced the path of Trixie's sight to the mannequin and its assortment. Hoof slippers, similar to those worn by ballet dancers, sparkling with glitter stuck onto ivory felt. Smooth inch wide lengths wrapped from the slipper up the mannequin's thigh meeting onto a garter. Over the mannequin's body wore a marble colored summer dress. It was firm around the torso, and ruffled along the hem of the skirt. Darker pearl cloth wrapped around the neckline and leg holes. A silk belt fastened at the back with a large bow hugged the waist. “Do you like this? It's something of an experiment for Prim. She isn't much of a dress maker, but wanted to do something a pony would wear on a date. Like it?”

Hoof came up clearing away drool collecting along Trixie's lower lip. Images flashed in her mind of a certain lavender pony wearing the angelic dress. It took all she could not to rush to her carriage to get all her bits to purchase the outfit. “Yes. Trixie does. Prim Rose! Miss Rose! Since you are giving Eclipse anything she models for, Trixie thinks you should let her model this!”

An answer was not given immediately. Trixie and Open watched as Prim came close to Eclipse, aiding her physically to put on the third outfit for the night. Teeth snatched the edge of a pair of loose fitting, jasmine colored short shorts tugging them up over Eclipse's flank. Not to be too brazen, Prim used magic to tug Eclipse's tail through the appropriate opening. At the side of each leg a slit came up halfway. The entire piece was trimmed with sun shaped sequins around the leg holes, tail hole and waist. A short sleeved pale yellow shirt worn short ending at the midsection. Reflective paint, specific for clothing, created shimmering sun on the back. Prim dragged her hooves, purposely slow down Eclipse's body smoothing it against her gray coat. Hoof booties, tied with laces in the front, made from the same color as the shirt wrapped around each of Eclipse's hooves.

“Trixie must ask, is she always so... forward?”

“No. She normally isn't. This is fantastic though!”

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

Only four ponies among the eleven individuals could claim they have seen Celestia in a huffing mad state. A scene played out between the alicorn sisters and their guests. A young Celestia stood across from a young Luna. Small objects ranging from house plants to books were tossed with magic between the pair. Neither seemed to be able to land a hit as each reacted flawlessly to avoid the other. Lips moved in speech but not a word could be heard from the astral images of old. Hair was in disarray with random lengths shooting out in various directions. They lacked their crowns and necklaces, it seemed both sisters were not among company other than themselves. Horns glowed prepared for the next volley to be sent off. Teeth set to clench with a deep stare locking to the other.

Whatever had set the two sister's off, Eclipse was caught in the middle. She sat with Tenebris behind her curled protectively around her body, a book laid out before her, and the doll she anonymously received tucked beneath one of her legs. Her flank still blank. If her smile was any indication, the young filly seemed content just to sit beneath the bombardment of household items being launched from either side of her. She too did not wear the royal garments that fitted her duty and stature. Appearance was kept from being raggedy or worn out. She wasn't apart of the fight, not until she noticed something strange.

White magic circled her book and blue magic her doll. Both lifted up and away from her going to join either of her sisters. This brought her to break from the comforting fur of her friend standing in defiance of the theft. Gray illuminated her horn as she swayed her attention between the two stolen items in a futile tug of war with two far more powerful beings. She was powerless to do anything but watch as the items pulled back behind Celestia and Luna's heads as if in sling shots, then fire forward at the other. Eclipse dropped down on her flank as an expression of horror lowered her ears, formed an 'O' from her lips, and widened her glowing gaze. Her doll and book then flew at the other only to vanish from sight.

Tenebris reacted when Eclipse took on a distraught appearance. The massive form of the tiger rose up moments too late to stop what seemed to be the destruction of her precious things. White fangs revealed, his mouth opening releasing a silent roar that brought both princesses down from their adrenaline and rage fueled war. Snarling, the tiger seemed to berate both of them through growls and roars for their behavior. It only stopped when all three came to look on their youngest sister.

Mismatched wings shot out from her back extending to their full lengths. Once gray glow of magic from her horn became a swirl of white and black gathering at the tip. Mouth moved shouting at her sisters a silent command. All at once a burst of black shot out from around Eclipse. It engulfed the four beings entirely sucking them into a void of nothingness. Minutes seemed like hours until the bleak nothing shattered like glass vanishing in a mist. Eclipse was gone from sight leaving the three in the wake of confusion. What the images did not see at the time, Luna and Celestia's cutie marks were faded.

An astonishing sight for the ponies to see. None of them could ever claim they had seen Celestia, even Luna in the few years since her return, act in such a selfish and foalish manner. In one fell swoop of magic Eclipse silenced both of them from their arguments, but she had to lose precious items to bring it about. For two ponies in the hall, it was nearly an identical scene to one they themselves brought about.

“We have seen that before...” Front hooves tip tapped the ground. Octavia felt contrition for the event that mirrored the one they watched. “Vinyl and myself, we...”

“We so did exactly that. Except I tossed her two dolls, of you two! Well kinda you two. You and Nightmare Moon. So you and old you. Out the window from our condo.” Animated hoofs waved through the air, at times pointing at either princess, at times moving her hooves together to show the flight of the dolls. Vinyl waved her hooves in front of her then moved over the tiny lenses of her round shades. “She did that trippy black out thing and next thing you know. Octy's hot butt is nearly blank, and my magic only fizzed. Honest to Celestia.” Hoof motion made a cross motion over her heart. “What?” She asked hearing Octavia sigh next to her.

“That must have been the last eclipse we had then. It explains much. Did you two make it up to her?” A Nightmare Moon doll? This brought back memories to Luna. When she was a moving shadow wisp confined in the cellar to watch Eclipse, she watched the happy filly play with her two dolls.

Prominently, Octavia proudly smiled lifting her right foreleg to slide across Vinyl's withers. “Yes. I put Eclipse to bed and Vinyl ran outside to find the dolls. She spent most of the night going door to door in our building finding somepony to repair the dolls. She then insisted we sleep next to Eclipse so she wouldn't have any nightmares when she woke. When she woke, she was fearful she had hurt us. After assuring her we were fine, she told me of when her father... Well, learning much of these things the pony who believes he is her father, broke her horn.” Vinyl leaned over nuzzling Octavia's cheek lovingly. She loved it when her marefriend spoke well of her. Like a puppy being praised and given a treat. “Our marks returned the next morning without worry.”

“I see. Thank you both. It seems you both cared about her dearly in such a short time meeting her. What did you argue about to cause it?” Celestia tilted her head back looking down on the pair. Brows arched curious to what could have sent these two to throw dolls at one another.

“Prank war. I'd say more but Octavia would hurt me.” Affirming nod as Vinyl slid her hoof across her throat.

“Yes. I would rather not relive the events at this time. If that is fine.” Despite the stares, Octavia stood firm in her decision. She didn't even know how to begin telling of the glue, poison joke, or changelings shapes like Vinyl.

“Luna? What was that argument about?” Lowering her head, repressing a chuckle at the way the two ponies hid their quarrel, she chose instead to reveal theirs.

“You stole my abacus. I made an image of your royal flank with stars in the sky. You covered me in flour then water. I retaliated by gluing her hooves to her bedsheets. She then with parasprites, and I with green dye in her mane. Magic helped remedy the last two before we finally began throwing things at one another.” Luna faced Celestia but looked away from her sister. If only they knew how similar their fight mirrored Vinyl's and Octavia's. “We looked outside to find the sun blackened.” Finding it for the best, Luna began to tell the rest of the story. “We sought Eclipse in her bedroom, but she had barricaded herself within. Our magic was weakened and we could not find a way inside. She said she would not come out until Celestia and I made peace.”

Images appeared of the ancient sisters outside of a large, oak door. They hopped, one following the other, in a circle while appearing merry and singing. It changed to a scene of the pair performing a play with various maids and guards aiding in their attempt. “We tried to starve her out also, but Tenebris always brought her food and water. We had the chef make her favorite treats, but Tenebris brought them to her as well. Finally, after twelve days of an endless eclipse, Luna and I collapsed from exhaustion in front of her bedroom door.” Celestia released a swirl of magic to change the scene forward. It showed now, outside of the door, Celestia, Luna, and Eclipse curled against one another asleep. Eclipse's cutie mark had appeared where once only gray was. “When we woke that morning, Eclipse was asleep with us. Her cutie mark had appeared. We held back punishing her too severely, as Luna and I were mostly to blame for it.”

A light bulb appeared in Twilight's head. “A twelve day eclipse? I remember reading of that! Ponies had become frightened they had upset you both, so for ten days they performed friendship plays, held festivals, and feasts to show they were still cooperating. To think, Eclipse caused it because of a crisis of friendship between Princess Celestia and Princess Luna....” Twilight held a hoof to her chin, gazing sideways in thought.

“Yes. Now let us move on. We soon move to the end of the tale, but first we must speak of her. Of the traitor, Divine Essence.” Luna was quick to cut off Twilight from speaking any further. Already the sisters had showed how pony they could be. It would not further anypony to further erode their godly images. Sweet sister image of love vanished into mist. Ponies stood together moving forward now coming upon the fifth window and painting. The story was nearly over.

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

Rapid flashes of blinding light created a barrier to which Prim Rose could hide the intensity of her stare. For the past hour and half she had been dressing, stripping, and essentially fondling Eclipse. Her mind was a powder keg of emotions and thoughts trying to figure out what was coming over her. What is it? I see this pony, run out after her, offer her clothing and possible financial gain to do impromptu modeling, all for what? For an advertisement I may not actually do? Tail dusted the floor speeding up each time Eclipse took a new position. Her troubles would not be in such a dire state if not for the heckling from her best friend and his new accomplice behind her.

Eclipse wore the garment that had attracted Trixie's eye. At first, Trixie had given commands for how she would pose, but a vengeful stare from Prim put a stop to this. It began with Eclipse laid out with a book in front of her, then a dragon plush standing beside her, and ending with her strikingly badly thought of dance positions. Prim had her return to the normal after Trixie had her fun. With a suitable amount of photos, and needing a new cartridge of film, Prim made a motion of her hoof. “Eclipse? You can take those off now. I'll get the final outfit and we'll conclude it.”

A threatening hoof wave kept Open from volunteering to help Prim. She retreated back to her workroom to get the final piece. She leaves tomorrow. Leaves tomorrow and I know nothing about her but a name, her address she gave me after much pressure, and the scent of her fur. Among the mess she had created drawing out each of the outfits she had selected, one stood out among the rest. She kept it in a tidy box by itself. It was a favorite of her's. Nothing too flashy, it was simplistic in design and color. Magic took the box up with her, along with another reel of negatives for use with her camera. She glanced behind her at the door letting out a heavy sigh. Maybe she'll let me write her letters. Get to know her more than just somepony I began lusting over. This isn't love, it's just like I told Open this morning, it is lust at first sight. Why this pony, I haven't the clue. Stupid physical attractions. Ponies do this sort of thing towards me, not me towards other ponies. She stopped at the door. Finding composure through breathing and focus on the task rather than the pony she was using as a doll, she came back out.

An inventory of the room was taken into perspective. She needed to know where each pony was before she finished. Open and Trixie, like a pair of gossiping hens, remained in the far back of the boutique watching and whispering. Eclipse had finished shedding her clothes to be folded then placed with the other three on the side. Prim trotted quickly to come back to the young Eclipse. “Here, the final garment. A favorite of mine. I hope you do not mind.”

Prim lowered her head removing lid of the box. Her teeth clamped down, one by one, removing the items inside. Four sheen black silk socks were the first to come out. Eclipse pulled them up her legs. They were excitingly long leaving only six inches of her fur showing. The top was lined with sheer rose pattern cloth. Next came the skirt. Matching black to join with the socks, Prim sewn ebony gems into the hem. It was stiff, sticking straight out off the body. Latex shorts were to be worn beneath, they shorter than what she wore before easily compared to panties. Another ribbon was to finish it. For some reason Prim loved seeing big bows in Eclipse's hair.

There was no assistance from Prim to get on the assortment of well tailored clothing. Eclipse used her magic to slowly raise each long sock up her slender legs. The tight spandex encasing her flank behind the black material. Skirt was unhooked, pulled around her waist and reattached once more. Even with magic, it Eclipse was having difficulty getting the bow just right.

Taking it upon herself again, Prim moved face to face with Eclipse. She could feel the alicorn's breath on her nose. Magic consumed the entirety of the ribbon raising it to Eclipse's neck. Prim's hooves moved drawing back her crystalline, twinkling mane. Ribbon was lustrous white to be set against the black backdrop of the rest of the clothes. Here she is again. I'm so close I can smell her sweetness. Forelegs came to Eclipse's shoulders holding firmly her mane while tying the ribbon in a neat, big bow high on the back of her head. Bangs were moved completely from Eclipse's eyes, gilded hairpins used before retrieved to add effect against the ribbon's lustrous color. She'll be gone tomorrow. What will she have to remember me by except my clothes? Eyes drifted from the work securing the ribbon in place. They drifted over Eclipse's face, settling her glowing pools, then to her lips. Warm. Her lips are probably warm and soft. Yeah, they feel exactly like that. Like that? Prim jolted back to her senses. Awareness of what she had just done struck her with the strength of a thousand spells. She was kissing Eclipse.