Zeta was running in an castle hall, panting heavily. Every hoofstep a pain but she still augmented the speed. Screams could be heard in the distance and other explosion sounds. Powerful magic blasts were shot on the castle making windows break and the floor shake. Pieces of wood falling from the roof and landing besides her, causing the filly to jump. She was terrified and out of breath. Tears falling from her face like streams. Zeta forced her filly hooves again to catch more speed. She was scared and alone. She couldn't fly, one of her wings was damaged. It was caused when a rock of the roof fell earlier.

"Mommy! Daddy! Help! Where are you!?" Screamed hopelessly the filly. She yelped when another piece of wood felled besides her.

A powerful monster roar was heard behind her. She turned slowly to see what it was, afraid her intuition was right. It was a big monster with sharp teeth, red crimson eyes that burned like lava and a dark black fur, with spikes on it's back. It had the head of a lion and a dragon body with fur. The creature began running to the filly, yelling and breathing fire. Zeta began to run again but faster. She turned to her left and dogged the claws of the monster. The monster breathed fire again, but this time it burned a back leg of the filly. The filly fell in pain with a scream. She touched her leg with a hoof and winced. She looked at every direction for a guard that could help, but every guard near her was dead. All that blood gave a shiver down her spine.

" Gah! Arrow! Somepony, help! There is a demon!" She yelled loudly. She stopped when she heard the monster walk to her. She crawled to the wall quickly.

The monster continued walking to her slowly with heavy steps and stopped while opening his powerful lion jaw, ready to squash the filly alive with his teeth, licking the top of his jaw. The filly screamed, looking at the monster with fear in her eyes. She din't want to die like this, in a demon stomach. The monster's jaw was only inches from the filly. Was this the end?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a unicorn with an armor jumped on the monster and stabbed it in the eye with a sword. A unicorn with pale brown fur and cinnamon mane. The creature screamed and walked back with a paw on his eye. The unicorn trotted to Zeta and grabbed her on the sides, so he could see if she was hurt.

"Are you okay-Oh dear Celestia your leg! Is that a burn?! And your wing?!" Asked worriedly the unicorn while putting the filly on his back.

"Cinnamon arrow! I was so scared and the bad demon hurt me! Some rocks and pieces of woods were falling, guards were killed and...they were screaming hopelessly for help.." Said Zeta crying and holding tightly the unicorn like her life depended on it.

"Don't worry kiddo. Uncle arrow is here to save you and take you to safety!" Said Arrow starting to run quickly away from the still screaming monster. Zeta nodded looking at her wound. Her wound was red and a piece of her fur burned completely.

They teleported to another hall, far from the monster, so they could be in safety for some time. An alicorn flew to them with a worried expression.

"Are you both okay!?" Asked the mare with a sigh of relief.

"Yeah but Zeta got burned on the leg and has a damaged wing." He said catching his breath. The mare gasped when she saw the state her niece was in.

"Aunty! Where is Mommy and Daddy? Are they okay?" Asked Zeta who was crying and holding to her uncle.

The mare kissed her on the forehead. "They are waiting for you outside the castle with some guards and your cousin. We where so worried." Zeta nuzzled her aunt with sobs. "My leg hurts."

"I know, but you must hurry. That thing is going to find us in any moment now. You must run!" She said with hurry.

The wall behind them exploded in pieces and the dark monster roared in rage when he saw the ponies below him. Arrow began running and the princesse's horn began to glow brightly. Her eyes full of determination.

"Run and don't look back no matter what! I'll slow him down a bit." Yelled the princess shooting powerful magic blasts to the monster.

"Aunty! Arrow, we must help her!" She said tapping her uncle on the shoulder. He din't respond."She is going to-"

"Don't look. She knows what she is doing!" He yelled. Tears starting to fall from his face. He knew what was going to happen.

Zeta looked at her aunt fight with the monster. She was fighting with all her strength, flying fast around the beast while shooting magic . The beast was swinging his claws at every direction, ignoring the magic shooting. She dodge it with ease. The second claw hurt her on the eye. She could only see from an eye now. The princess tried to block the attack coming in her direction with a magic shield but..it wasn't enough, with one eye wounded she couldn't focus on the shield. She was exhausted from her precedent fights before finding Zeta and her husband. She smiled at Zeta a last time and said her last words before being teared apart by the monster's claws. Zeta froze with horror at the horrible scene.

"Auntyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!" She yelled extending a hoof.

---(Present.)-------

Zeta screamed and woke up all sweaty."NO!" She looked around her panting heavily. It was just a nightmare, again. She sighed.
"This memories won't go way. It's frustrating." She said touching her head. She took off the blanket from her right back leg, and spread some fur to see the flesh. The colour was normal, but if you watched closely you could see it was a little burned. Unfortunately, demon's fire leave a mark. She sighed.

"Something wrong? You were talking in your sleep." Asked a sleepy Maria. Zeta squeaked at the voice. She turned around to look at the other mare and returned quickly her attention at the window."I'm fine. It was just a stupid nightmare."

Maria got up to see her and sat besides her."A nightmare? Are sure you are fine? You look like you saw a ghost." She said rubbing Zeta's back. Zeta left a hollow laugh. If that was the case I wouldn't be in this state. She looked over her shoulder to see her roommate's face. There was a sign of concern. Zeta's ears fell back from guilt. She hated the feeling of knowing that her friends are worried about her when she has nightmares. Was her facial expression really that bad?

"Y-yeah. I'm always like that when it happens. Don't worry." Said Zeta with a little smile, looking at Maria."I got used to it."

"Really? You know, dreams can be premonitory. Who knows?" She said while rubbing her eyes.

"Not if they already happened. Those dreams are memories." Said Zeta looking back at the window."Memories I want to forget."

Maria arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms."Why would you want that? Bad and good memories are important."

Zeta shook her head."Not those." She said pulling the covers over her and lying down on her back."Goodnight."

Maria pulled the covers away, getting on top of her so she could see her face to face."Mind to tell me why?" She din't like Zeta's behaviour, and she wouldn't let her sleep without a satisfying answer. Zeta frowned."Sorry but I don't want to talk about it. Why don't you just ignore it and go back to sleep?" Asked Zeta starting to feel uncomfortable by the subject.

"Is it personal?" Asked Maria with a soft expression. If it was personal, she would stop.

Zeta flushed at the position they were on. Maria was on top of her siting on her lap. "Hu, yeah It is. Do you think you could...you know.
Get off?" She asked.

Maria arched an eyebrow before blushing too."Sorry. You must be uncomfortable." She squeaked with embarrassment. She got off.

"N-no, not at all. It's just..." Zeta said looking away. Why was she so week in situations like this?

Maria paused."Am I to friendly?"

"That's not the problem. Forget it" She said trying to convince her friend she did nothing wrong.

"Alright then." Said Maria. "I was just curious to ask because you looked embarrassed."

"Never mind that. Let's get back to sleep." She said with a sly smile. Maria was still curious to know what had disturbed her friend so much but she had to respect Zeta's privacy.

"If you say so. Good night." Said Maria going back to her bed.

"Night." Said Zeta going back below her blanket. Sorry Maria, can't tell you. I don't want you to know my past. She thought. She started to feel her muscle relax again and her eyes close. While going back do dreamland, words started to echo in her mind.

Be strong Zirys.

---(Later in the morning.)----

The day was beautiful outside. Celestia's sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. The lights of the sun coming from the window woke up Zeta from her sleep. Zeta opened her eyes slowly and stretched her hooves in the air with a long yawn. She looked outside from her bed and smiled. "At least I got some hours of sleep." She said quietly. The sound of falling water in the bathroom got the her attention. Maria is taking a bat? Better take one too. She got up with another long yawn. The sound of the shower stopped and it took only a minute before an earth pony appeared. Maria was all wet from the head to the hooves, her mane and tail down and soaked. Her mane was smooth with drops of water still dripping down and her peach fur sparkling with the light of the sun. She turned to Zeta with a smile, with those beautiful diamond eyes looking at her.

"Good morning Zeta. Did you sleep well?" Asked the peach pony. Zeta was not paying attention to the question, she was to hypnotized by the mare herself.

Zeta stared at her with a blush on her cheeks. She looked at the mare eyes and trailed down to her- "Hu? Ho yeah. I was able to catch some sleep.." She finally said looking away with her face burning bright red. What am I looking at?! I hope she din't notice.

Maria started brushing her mane with a puzzled look. She noticed her friend's red cheeks. "Are you going to use the shower?"

"Yup, I'm not goin' to take long. You can leave before me, I'll catch up." She said getting up from bed. She walked to the bathroom with a sigh and closed the door. What the hay was I thinking? Looking at my friend like that? Well, with a body like that-NO! Stop it. Time to get a shower. She shook her head and entered the shower. She released a moan of delight when she felt the warm water fall on her coat and mane, dripping on her wings, feeling her muscles relax. This is perfect~

--(Later..)----

Zeta got out of the room with some books in her settlebag. She looked in the hallway for Maria but she was long gone. Did she take that long in the shower? Zeta began trotting to the stairs with a confident smile. The beginning of a new school year always pumped up her energy. This is a new year, a new beginning, a new- "Waaooooow!" Yelled Zeta when she stumbled on her own hooves and began falling in the stairs. Every bump was a pain to her wings and head. She cursed at each stair. She tried to stop herself with a hoof, but it only made her fall worse and she nocked one of her hooves hard on the side of a stair. She hissed once she arrived to the floor. "Dammit! Why does this have to happened the first day!? ouch!" She said in frustration while trying to get up. "Come on, buck up."

"Ho dear Celestia, are you alright?" Asked with worry Lyra, coming from the next hallway. She walked to Zeta and helped her get up.

Zeta got up with a frown. "Not the best way to start a morning, and I think my hoof is broken.." She looked at her hoof and tried to move it. Grunting in the process. "Nope, I can still move it. And my head is still spinning a bit but I am sure it's fine."

"Good to know." Lyra sighed with relief. "Do you need help to go to the nurse?" Asked Lyra with a chuckle.

"Hu...If you don't mind. I don't think my hoof would mind." Said Zeta with a smile.

Lyra nodded and Zeta used her as support. Zeta couldn't stop limping all the way to the nurse. She got hurt to her hoof but her face showed no pain. "What about BonBon? Don't you always walk to class together?" Asked Zeta.

Lyra looked at Zeta. "She left earlier this morning for the shop, it seems she forgot something. She must be on campus right now at this hour." She said thinking.

"I see, that's odd. You din't go with her? You are always together." She asked with an eyebrow.

Lyra giggled. "I din't want to leave the bed. I don't follow her everywhere you know. Plus, if I did go with her, you would be alone right now."

"Touché." Said Zeta.

Lyra and Zeta chuckled a little before entering the nurse room. A unicorn with glasses was sitting on his wood chair reading a book. He had blue velvet coat with magenta eyes and gold mane. He noticed the two mares and waved a hoof. "Can I count you with something ladies?"

"Wow, that stallion his a hoty." Whispered Zeta to Lyra. Lyra arched an eyebrow and grinned.

"He's your type?" Asked Lyra nudging the other mare.

"Nah, just joking. I'm not into teachers." Said Zeta. She turned to him and showed her hoof. "I fell in the stairs and hurt my hoof. It's a little difficult to walk."

The unicorn got up replacing his glasses and walked to the two friends. "Way to start the day. Let me see."

"You bet." Joked Lyra earning a chuckle from the other unicorn.

Zeta handed her hoof to the unicorn so he could take a close look. He looked at it at every angle to see what was the problem. After a minute he walked to a cabinet to get something. "It doesn't seem severe, it looks like a small bruise. It's going to become a little blue or purple but it should be fine. A bandage around the injury should be enough. But no running for a day." He said piking some bandage and getting back to Zeta. Zeta nodded and smiled.

"I don't know if i'll be able to hold that promise doc, i'm not the 'stay still' type." She said.

"You'll need to stay still for a day before you are able to run correctly, or it will retard the healing process. That you like it or not." He said more seriously while putting the bandage on the wound.

Zeta nodded again in agreement with a sigh. "You sound like my mother." The stallion laughed and finished the bandage.

"My name is gold healer, if you need any help my door is always open." He said showing the door with a smile. Zeta looked at her hoof.
It was perfectly bandaged.

"My name is Zeta. My friend here is Lyra." Zeta gave pointed to Lyra behind her. Lyra waved a hoof.

"It's not that I don't appreciate your company but, Classe's are about to start." He said with a smile and showing the clock on the wall.
Lyra and Zeta looked at the clock and gasped. "Ho ho. Let's go! Thanks for your help." Said Lyra.

"No problem girls." He said before the two left.

Lyra and Zeta walked in the hall with more speed. Zeta tried to slow down because of her hoof. "You don't need to wait for me, catch up with Bonnie."

Lyra shook her head. "What? No way, I'm helping you."

"I can walk on my own. And I can still fly." She said flaring her wings a little.

Lyra looked at her friends' head with a questioning look. "Can't you use your magic to heal your wound?"

Zeta looked up. "Yes I can. But I don't have time to waste for that. I'll do it later."

Lyra nodded and began running. "If you say so. Let's hurry our flanks then or we'll be late."

Zeta opened her wings and flew to the exit of the hallway taking Lyra with her. "Z-zeta! Don't drop me!"

"I won't. Just hang on filly!" She said flying faster. Once they were outside, Zeta took the sky for more speed.

They flew on top of the student dormitory to the University grounds. The wind was smooth and calm, which made flying easier for her. Lyra tried to be calm so she wouldn't fall. Zeta din't help Lyra's stress with her fast flying and loops. "StoooOOOppp with the loops!" Screamed Lyra holding to her friend tighter. Zeta stopped and laughed at her friend's fear.

"Aww, your no fun." Joked Zeta. "Don't worry. We are already there." She landed on the grass carefully. After they touched the ground, Lyra jumped on the grass with a relief expression across her face. "Finally."

"Let's go Lyra! We are maybe able to make it if we hurry our flanks." She said beginning to run quickly. Lyra followed behind her. They where running faster then before. Sorry Doc, my leg will have to endure some running until I get to class. Then suddenly Lyra changed of hallway to the right.

"My classroom is this way! See you later!" She yelled so Zeta could hear her. Zeta turned back her attention to the classes numbers beside the doors until she found hers. The door was still open so she entered calmly, taking a moment to breath. "That was close.." She mumbled looking around to find a sit. The bell rang and everypony in the classroom went silent. She walked forward and spotted a free chair between Saxo star and Maria. She trotted to it and took place.

"Were where you? It's unlike you to be late." Asked S.S in a whisper. Zeta turned to her with smile.

"An accident happend. I'll explain to you later." She said taking her attention to the teacher. The teacher was an orange unicorn with white mane and blue dark eyes.

"Hello fellow students, my name is Richard and welcome to my theory class. I just want to say something to make things clear. That I won't tolerate any excuses for being late. I want all of you in my class in time and I want you to pay attention to my class. I am going to be strict this year, so don't think I'll make an exception. Do you all understand?" With a severe voice. Everypony nodded quickly there heads. The teacher turned his attention to Zeta with a stern glare. "Do you understand?"

Zeta looked behind her and then to the teacher. "Me?" She asked pointing herself with a hoof.

The teacher nodded. "Yes you. You arrived running and almost late. Consider yourself lucky for this time but, please make sure to arrive on time on my next class. I don't know what happened to your hoof but know this, I don't care. If you tell me to do favours just because of an accident, then forget it. Excuses don't work on me so don't try to make your situation even worse by explaining. Just be careful next time." He said dryly with no change in his face.

Zeta blinked. She was to say something but Saxo star cut her off. "It's not her fault if sometimes she's clumsy." She said trying to defend her friend.

The teacher looked at her with an annoyed look on his face. "That's not my problem either." He said seriously.

Saxo star shut her mouth to prevent herself of saying anything else that could bring her problems. zeta frowned and snorted.
"Tanks for your concern stronzo." She mumbled. The teacher looked at her.

"You said something?" He asked with a angry look. Zeta shook her head slowly, not even a bit intimidated by the teacher's stare. "No, I din't say a word." S.S let a quiet giggle. Your not going to make me snap teach, I saw worse.

"Good. Now, where was I? Ha yes. This year won't be easy.."

Zeta turned to Maria who was besides her. "He's a jerk." She whispered. Maria arched an eyebrow. "What? It's true." She said with a little grin.

"What happened to your hoof?" She asked with worry in her voice, her expression changing to concern. Zeta chuckled a bit.

"Don't worry Maria, It's nothin' serious. I'll explain later." She said with a reassuring voice. Maria nodded and brought back her attention to the front of the classroom. Zeta took out from her settlebag a pencil and a paper sheet if she needed to take notes. Zeta looked back at the teacher who was writing something on the board. She looked at him with a devilish smirk. If only he knew how I could take him on so easily and make him shut his mouth. I don't know why but I'm feeling bold today. Maybe It's the stairs that beat me earlier...
She shook her head and brought her attention to Richard.

"I'm glad you all chose this University and that you are in my class this year. This school is known for It's talented students in art, music and sports. I hope you pass a great year with your friends and that you don't get in trouble.." He continued with a smile forming on his lips. Zeta was almost shocked by the teachers sudden change. It was the first time that he smiled since he started speaking. Maybe I shouldn't judge him because of first impression. She thought. She turned her head a little to see the back of the class, not that she was interested in knowing the rest of the class. But she was curious this time. Then, something struck her. Her eyes wide and mouth agape, she noticed a particular pegasus. A mare with white coat, diamond eyes, red and yellow gold mane with lavender stripes. She turned quickly her gaze and focused back to her paper. She was in panic mode, sweat dripping down her forehead. That mare. Cherry Blossom!? What the buck is she doing here!? What do I do now, crap! She put her hoof on the side of her head. She frowned. Horseapples!

S.S noticed the tension and distress. She patted the other mare's shoulder. Zeta din't turn to her friend. That worried the blue pegasus.
"What's up? You look like you saw a ghost. Hu-wait sorry. You did see one? Sorry for that." She whispered. Zeta shook her head.

"On the back of the class, the desk on the middle.." She whispered, carefully. S.S did as told, and in only five seconds she turned her head back to her friend with the same expression. "Oh dear. Cherry is on the back, what is she doing here?!" She said raising her voice a little.

"I'm asking myself the same question here. How din't I notice her?"

Arthur, who was besides Maria, looked up from his book and tilted his head on the side. "What is it guys? You've been acting like you saw Celestia in a banana suit since earlier." Asked the brown unicorn. Zeta and Saxo star simultaneously tilted there heads to the direction of the back. Arthur looked behind from his shoulder. When he got the hint he looked over his friends and pointed to the direction.

"Is that?" Asked slowly Arthur. They nodded in response. Maria, who was paying attention to the teacher since he started talking, din't notice the three panicking Spellstone ponies.

(Later...)----

The class ended, and Zeta turned slowly to Cherry with worry in her eyes. What the hay was she supposed to do? Walk to her and say ; hi dear Cherry, how are doing? Or should I just run for the hills? She sighed. "She is taking notes, I could leave before she gets up.." She said in a low tone. Unfortunately, her plans were blasted away when a certain Maria walked over her. "So, you were saying that professor Richard was a jerk?" She asked with eyebrow and a smile.

Zeta calmed down her racing heart and worried expression. "Hu, yeah. And it's true." She said with a sly smile. Maria noticed that something was off with her.

"Is something the matter dear? You don't look great. Is it your hoof?" She asked with the same worry from earlier.

Zeta shook her head. "Wrong? Nah everything is just fine." She looked over Cherry a moment before turning back to the earth pony.

"I-Arthur? Why are we avoiding her anyways? We look stupid." Asked Saxo star. Arthur looked at her and shrugged.

"Well, it's awkward. I feel as uncomfortable as Zeta here. Okay maybe not as much like Zeta, she's totally freaking out now." He said pointing at his friend. Who was sweeting rain drops. Maria's ear's twitched at Arthur's words.

"Ha! I knew something was bothering you." She paused. "You are avoiding somepony?" She asked.

Zeta nodded in shame. "Yeah, I'll tell you later. Can we go now?" She asked.

They all agreed with a smile. Zeta was leaving when the mare in question appeared to be blocking the way to the door. She noticed Zeta and dropped her books on the floor. In slow motion with an echoing sound that you only see in drama movies. Her mouth closed and opened for a minute before she could get out words. "Zeta?"

Zeta felt like her heart stopped beating. Her hooves refusing to move like they were paralyzed. Her eyes lost in Cherry's. Those beautiful diamond eyes, that beautiful face she missed for a year. And cried for nights. She shook her head.

"Hu, hey Cherry.." She began. The other's averted eyes. Except for the poor Maria who din't get the atmosphere and situation. Cherry din't know what to say or do. Zeta gulped. There was something she hated and irritated her about this particular silence. She wanted to run, run and bury herself in her room from shame. But, in a way, she wants to talk with Cherry and settle things. So she took a deep breath and took a step forward. Which made Cherry put her harm on her face and wince.

"I'm not going to hurt you I promise. Can we talk? In private?" Asked Zeta with a soft voice while putting a hoof on her shoulder.

Cherry looked at her with a more calm expression, still unsure of what to say. "O-of course Zeta. I...need to talk with you too." She finally said with a shifty look. The atmosphere was still awkward but at least now, she felt a feeling of relief. She was going to talk to Cherry Blossom and settle things once and for all. It was time she faced the problem.

Author's Note

Okaaaaaay...those ideas came out quite fine for me. I din't know what to write in Zeta's dream but I found the right idea. This chapter is not that long. Sorry if I made some errors (english isn't my native language).

If you have any questions about who the characters in Zeta's dream are or anything else you can ask me on my profile page. Thanks for reading, it means a lot to me.