Angel of Nature: Guidance
Chapter 7: Conflicting Emotions

"You sure?"

For the past few hours now, Everfree had been trying to convince Nightmare Moon to allow him to 'create' more company for her, based on what she wanted but she was constantly declining, saying that she was content with his already existing Nature.

She let a laugh in reply. Another thing that Everfree completely confused was that she had seemed to do a complete one-eighty in terms of her personality. Instead of being cruel and whatnot, she seemed to be caring, it all confused him greatly.

Females... He thought.

"I'm positive. What you have here already is fine, it shall do me fine."

The Angel of Nautre gave a shrug, not bothering to argue the point any further, knowing that it would most likely get him no-where. Besides, he needed get back to his other job that he had been tasked with.

"Alright then. If you need anything just mentally or verbally call for Aleera, she'll be able to assist you in anyway she can."

Nightmare Moon nodded. "I will, now go back. I'm sure Princess Celestia doesn't want you gone to long."

She reinforced her point further by pushing Everfree along with one of her wings which he chuckled to, shaking his head in amusement before willing himself away from the Heavens once again and back to Equestria.

...

Twilight and Applejack had just finished picking apples from one of the many orchards on Sweet Apple Acres and we're now heading back to the barn to drop of the bushels of apples they were carrying.

However, with Spike sorting through Twilight's bushels, and by sorting he was throwing them on the ground, all that work would be for nothing soon.

"Thank y'all kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. Ah bet Big Mac Ah could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If Ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles."

Both girls giggled at that thought, Applejack more so as she was fairly certain she was going to win the bet she had placed with her brother.

"No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry."

"I know, right?" Spike chirped.

A deep chuckle came from behind them, causing them to look over their shoulder as they saw Silver walking up the road behind them.

"If I'm guessing right, I doubt you've done much Spike."

"That's an understatement." Twilight said with a roll of her eyes.

"Howdy Silver! What brings y'all out this way?"

"Just figured I'd get to know my neighbours, particularly if six of them are going to be the wielders of the Elements of Harmony." Silver explained.

"Wait a minute...how do you know about the Elements of Harmony." Twilight asked, moving closer to Silver.

"Well, I'm a lot closer to than Princess than what I said I was and it has it's perks, such as being informed about powerful artefacts of Equestria."

Both Twilight and Applejack accepted the reasoning for what it was, despite the fact that the latter was the Element of Honesty, so she'd know if he was lying or not, yet she didn't seem to think he was.

Nor did she have any reason to.

"Well how's about we head over to the barn and we can get acquainted there."

The two mares and stallion, or rather Angel, trotted along the path that lead them back to the home of Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack and her family lived. Silver enjoyed the walk, or trot in this case, he always enjoyed a walk wherever it may lead him.

"So with the trouble that occurred only last night, your already back to work?" Silver asked, breaking the silence as he tried to make small talk.

Applejack gave a chuckle. "Sure am, Sugarcube. Just 'cause something occurs doesn't stop us Apples from doin' our work."

"Dedicated, very nice. I guess Ponyville would have you and your family to thank for its delicious apples and apple products."

"Thanks Silver. That's not tha first time Ah have heard that compliment."

"Well he does have a point, Applejack." Twilight chirped. "Ponyville has some of best apples I've eaten."

"Can we just hurry up?" Spike whined. "I'm hungry."

All three ponies laughed at Spike's expense and that's the way it was for most of the trip, Spike whining from Twilight's back about how hungry he was as he continued 'sorting' through the apples on her back.

That was until he held up a large and very shiny red apple.

"A-ha!" He exclaimed before promptly eating it.

"Spike!" Twilight groaned.

Spike's paws quickly went to stomach as he made a face of sickness and made gagging sounds before burping loudly as a wisp of magic flew out of his mouth, forming into a scroll, a letter specifically.

"Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest."

"The Grand Galloping Gala!" Squealed both mares.

"The Grand Galloping Gala huh?" Silver asked, making it seem like he was disappointed.

It caught both the mares attention as they turned their gazes towards him, the lingering question speaking out from their eyes.

"I've spent nearly my whole life in Canterlot and with how close I was to the Princess, I still had miss every Gala...there was always some important job that needed to be done on that night."

"Oh wow...what about you Spike? Ever been to the Gala?" Twilight asked.

"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense."

That made Silver raise one of his eyebrows at Spike. Obviously he hadn't heard what the Unicorn had just said or he did and just disregarded it.

"'Girly frilly frou-frou nonsense?' Spike, in case you didn't hear, I was basically saying I've wanted to go to the Gala."

"So?"

"Well, wouldn't you technically be calling me 'girl' then?"

Spike simply shrugged, not completely understanding what Silver was getting at, the latter of the two was just shaking his head as a sigh escaped his mouth but quickly pushed it aside as he moved his attention to Applejack.

"What about you Applejack? Ever been?"

"I wish I have. Ah'd love to go. Land sakes, if Ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business Ah could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip."

"Wow..." Silver murmured after Applejack had finally finished.

"Why, Ah'd give my left hind leg to go."

"Twilight, why don't you-"

Silver was suddenly cut off by a loud cry of alarm from above followed by a loud thud as something hit the ground, that something being none other than the rainbow maned mare, Rainbow Dash. The silver furred Unicorn turned his gaze upwards to that there was a pillow set up in the branch of tree.

"Napping on the job?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Nah, just napping. Anyway, are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?"

Applejack stepped up in Rainbow's face. "I thought you were too busy to help harvest apples and you were napping this whole time? Or should I say spyin'?"

"I was napping and happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?"

"Yeah, but-"

Silver was starting to tune out now. It was just a constant back and forth of who should get the ticket, why and what their dreams for going to Gala were. Couldn't they just simply go just to spend time as friends?

Although, that brought up another question in Silver's mind.

He turned to leave but spoke, letting the three arguing mares know what he was doing.

"I gotta go now girls and you two might want to do Twilight a favour and let her decide, let her think about it."

The three mares watched him as he trotted away, curious as to why he suddenly departed, but all shrugged it off and were soon arguing again, completely ignoring Silver's last words.

...

Silver was soon back in town, although he had no idea where to go from where he was. He tried desperately to remember where everything was in relation to everything else, but it was to no avail. He was about a nearby pony for directions when a voice spoke out to him.

"Silver?"

He turned to see Fluttershy approaching him, a small smile gracing her features. He smiled in return, thankful that somepony had come to him and not he to another.

"Hello Fluttershy. How are you?"

"I'm well enough thank you, I am just getting something's for some of the animal critters I care for."

Indeed she cared for animals, Silver remembered this well and figured he may stop by her place one day to see how she goes about caring for her woodland creatures. It would be an interesting experience.

"Perhaps I'll stop by one day?" Silver asked.

Fluttershy nodded eagerly. "Oh yes please, I would very much like that, and I'm sure my animal friends would as well."

"Then I shall one day, but for now, can you direct me to the train station please?"

Fluttershy beckoned him to follow her, saying that to get to where she was going that she was going to pass by it, making it easier for Silver to find. He also made note of his surroundings as they went so that next time he'd be able to find his way.

It took them only a few minutes to get there and they bid each other farewell for now, going their separate ways. However, from what Silver could see, Fluttershy had spotted Twilight and the commotion that was going on.

It's going to be a long day for Twilight.

...

After a five minute wait then a further hour, Silver soon found himself in Canterlot once again and it had only been one day since he was last here. Disembarking from the train, he moved through the train station till he was on the main street.

From there he made his way towards the palace, located at the opposite side of the city despite being visible from miles away. There many of the Canterlot ponies were about at the moment, all holding their heads up high.

Stuck up nobles. Silver thought, I can never stand them, no matter the race.

His thoughts were rushed back to his first meeting with Princess Celestia. He was reminded of Prince Blueblood, who he thought was probably the most arrogant of all the nobles, even for royalty.

Silver shook his head of the thoughts and focused on the path before him, winding his way through the streets of Canterlot before finally coming face to face with the palace, the drawbridge being lowered. It was generally always lowered.

He strode across the bridge and up to the grand doors that led into the palace. All guards were aware of who he was, even in his current form, the two at the door bowing low to him as he came closer.

He gave a small bow in return a small smile crossing his face as he asked where he could find the Princess. The guard on his left told him that she could currently being found in her room, most likely going over reports.

Silver thanked them and moved into the palace, traversing it, using his knowledge of its layout to get him to the Princess' room in the shortest possible route. It took roughly five minutes to get there and was thankful when the doors were in front of him.

He nodded his head at the two guards standing either side and they bowed in return as he stepped up to the door and gave three sharp knocks. A faint voice from within echoed out telling him that he may enter.

Opening the door wide, he stepped in before promptly shutting it behind him again and quickly shifting back to his natural form, his wings stretching out wide causing him to sigh in relief. Even as a pony he could feel his wings needing to be stretched.

Although, it was more that they needed to be used.

"You've no idea how much better that feels." Everfree murmured.

"And to what do I owe this visit?" Princess Celestia asked.

Everfree had never seen the Princess' room in full detail before and was surprised by how...graceful it was but it was what he expected, after all, she is a Princess. She'll generally gets the best.

"Well I figured you might like to hear on how Twilight is doing."

"If your referring to her new friends, I'm aware of that. It became evident when they used the Elements."

Everfree nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of that as well, but I was more meaning today."

Celestia tipped her head slightly to one side. "Oh?"

"I noticed that you sent her a letter with two tickets to the Gala, one for herself and a plus one, yet she has five other friends, why not send one for the other five as well?"

Celestia's head straightened again as a smile danced across her lips and a musical laughter springing forth from her mouth, again making Everfree feel drawn in slightly.

Dammit! Stop! Everfree berated himself.

"I would have but I want to see if she can decide that herself and simply ask."

Everfree nodded several times, understanding the reasoning behind the Princess' decision. It would help Twilight to learn to ask when you need help with something or don't want something unless your friends can be with you.

It was at that moment that Celestia's horn flared up, a golden aura coating it as a wisp of magic flowed from it, forming into a scroll much like what had happened with Spike, only this letter was from Twilight.

"Speaking of which..."

Celestia grabbed the scroll in the magic and unraveled it, her eyes skimming over the contents as the smile on her face grew larger, a smile that showed she was proud of what she was reading. She turned the scroll around and moved it over to Everfree.

"Read it."

Everfree grabbed the scroll in his hands and promptly read what was scrawled on the parchment.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to The Grand Galloping Gala.

The Angel looked up from the scroll and looked over to Celestia who seemed to already be busy with preparing another letter, this time six tickets laying next to it as she wrote down whatever she was writing.

She then rolled it up with the tickets tucked into it before zapping with a bit of magic from her horn, turning it into a mist of magic as it floated away, most likely to Spike. Celestia then gasped as she grabbed another piece of parchment and ticket with her magic, scrawling a small message before sending that one off as well.

"Now they all can go and I would be happy if you could be there as well, Everfree."

The Angel of Nature did not know if he had heard things properly but he could have sworn he heard an underlying tone of hope in her words, maybe something even deeper and given the way she was looking at him he was starting think her emotions may be more prominent than his.

But why? She has had centuries, if not a millennium, to be able to suppress the emotions she doesn't want to display unless she sure, those probably being related to romance. However, it would seem that was coming crashing down with him.

Despite all this, Everfree spoke up with a little emotion than he wanted.

"I'd love to."

Despite only being a smile on her face, Everfree could see in that internally Princess Celestia was absolutely pleased and happy. It was time for Everfree to consult an expert about all of this, he wasn't comfortable pursuing something if it wasn't real or true.

"And as much as I'd like to stay longer, I must leave. I need to check on my home."

...

Everfree was walking through the hallways of the Crystalline Tower, the central structure in Heaven where most Angels reside and where the one Angel was looking for would probably be.

So far his search had turned up nothing, but the tower was large structure so she could be anywhere, however, luck was on his side this time as he could see the Angel walking back his way.

"Aliyah!" He called.

The Angel looked up to see who had called out to her, seeing Everfree walking towards her. A smile graced her features as her eyes told him to continue his inquiry.

"I was hoping you could help me with something."

"And what would that be?"

Everfree then went into a lengthy and deep explanation of everything that he has been feeling in the past few days towards the Princess of the Day. Aliyah's smile grew larger with each detail he added in, knowing exactly what he was feeling.

And to be honest, it surprised her.

"It's love, plain and simple."

Everfree had looked down to the ground after he finished, his head still whirling around the thoughts as he tried to sort them out, but his head came whipping when he heard her words, almost doing a double take.

"You're in love."

Author's Note

It would seem Everfree is now trying to get to solve the mystery that is his conflicting emotions that are in constant turmoil and who better to seek counsel from than th Angel of Love?

It would seem that by Aliyah's understanding, Everfree is in love...but why? Keep reading to find out and remember to please leave a comment letting me know how I did!

~ShadowfireAngel