Fire and Ice

Pain, pain was what I was feeling now. Dumb luck was what it was. I should have known that it was a set up. Umbrum never fought without a plan. And Ezra followed me and bided his time until I was most vulnerable. I didn't know where I was now, except it was dark. Maybe it was the void abyss that I called my mind. Or the dark painful memories that I long remembered. Memories my brother Midnight hated me for happening.

"So what's your name?" I asked the pretty petite girl in front of me. She had sea greenish black hair and artic blue eyes.

"My name is Alexia," the girl replied with a warm smile while she made a small fire in the clearing of the deep woods we resided in.

"Phoenix Stella," I replied with a grin.

The girl frowned as her eyes flashed in recognition. "I think you might be Midnight Fade's brother. Along with Corvis and Solstice?" Alexia asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?" I asked her in surprise.

"Reasons," Alexia replied with a smirk.

"So now that we've gotten this far I have to say.... THIS IS INCREDIABLY BORING!" I exclaimed in boredom. Sure they were taking the routes Midnight told them to. Through the Appalachian Mountains, but there was absolutely no adventure in it and was more of a nature walk at best. Despite the beauty of it and the fact he was having fun with the other changelings such as Claire and Alexia. There just wasn't that thrill he was expecting.

"So what do you want to do? We're already ahead of most of the routes that we can take since we're already getting closer to the north," A younger looking Claire replied. Although even then she had a rocking body in the middle school crush sort of way.

"Why don't we go off trail like all the older changelings do!" I suggested to everyone who began crowding around the three of us and nodding in agreement excitedly. But out of the corner of my eye I saw Alexia shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.

"Maybe we should stick to the safer paths. I know it's boring but we still have fun eating around bonfires and talking to other changeling bands right?" She asked looking around at everyone.

"Come on Alexia! Just think of how much more fun we'll have! And it'll be a good story to tell about how we did it on our first drifting session!" I told her excitedly trying to get her on board.

"I still don't know, Midnight did tell us to stay in the Appalachians.... maybe he knows best?" Alexia said a little shyly while the rest of us looked at her.

"Here I'll tell you what, why don't we do this. If we run into any trouble we go straight back to the Appalachians if we do alright?" I bargained.

"I-I guess that could work," Alexia said a little uncertainly. Several hours later we stopped at the edge of the steep cliffs. After a mutual agreement to rest we all decided to call it a day. I sat underneath a tree next to Claire and another girl. She was petite and had sea greenish black hair with artic blue eyes. "Come on, heard there's a good waterfall around here," Claire said standing up. Around us our drifting party rose and began following her.

"Don't worry, it's going to be fun," Claire and I reassured her together. Our famous last words before everything started going to Hell.

While we took a straight line to the west things got more and more exciting. Once we left the Appalachian mountains that served as our underground highway both above and below in the tunnels we carved our way into long ago. It was very foreign and strange. Alexia still looked nervously but eventually after maybe a week on the trail we turned north to take the long way to New York City where the main hive was she seemed to calm down. After walking until my feet felt numb and felt like they were literally ready to fall off did we finally stop to rest.

"So we just going to sleep out here in the field?" Claire asked me while we all sat down in the middle of a meadow with the distant silhouettes were seen in the far distance.

"No come on and bring your knives. We're going to find a place to sleep tonight," I replied while grabbing my own knife.

"Why do you guys need knives?" Alexia asked immediately.

"Just in case, we don't think we need them, but it's better to be safe than sorry," Claire replied while rising from her seat and began walking towards the north. I immediately followed while Alexia and the other eleven changelings stayed resting. It didn't take long for us to find shelter. It was an old barn with old oil lamps that looked like they haven't been used in years. In fact the whole place hasn't looked like it was used in years.

After determining it was safe for us to use Claire and I went back to Alexia and the other Changelings to see them crowded around a old dirt trail. Frowning I made my way over to them and glanced down. "What do we got?" I asked them.

"Umbrum," Alexia said instantly.

"What do you mean?" Claire asked as she arrived. While she and Alexia began talking I took a look at the dirt trail and studied it closely. What I saw sent chills up my spine. There was footprints and a lot of them. Going back and forth like this was some sort of common trail, but that's not what told me that it was Umbrum. It was the shape of the footprints. Spiked boots every single one of them.

"We should head back now," Alexia pleaded.

"We will, but tomorrow, right now we're exhausted," I explained, but it did little to calm Alexia down.

For the next several hours she kept on pleading for us to head back immediately, but none of us could. So we settled on staying in the barn and leaving the first thing in the morning. The inside of the barn was full of hay and was the redneck backdrop. Some place to kick back at. A little cruising and boozing? What's not to like? Immediately everyone except Claire and I went to sleep. Because the two of us wanted to check something.

They came roughly an hour after midnight. I stayed just outside of the light in the building. Next to me Claire watched as several Umbrum took over the field just outside. Back then she was shorter and not as pretty. The rest of or group were sleeping. "I don't think they know were here," I said.

"We should have listened Midnight," Claire said.

"Its alright, tomorrow we curve north and head to Manhattan and the hive," I said.
The Umbrum below us worked with no organization whatsoever. And in the moonlight i could see that they were pretty primitive. We wielded knives, but so did they. At least I didn't spot any guns. Those clubs and bats looked like they could hurt though. As the night waned on I counted around thirty of them.

They stayed in the field where we were earlier today and kind of just had a small riot. Brawling with each other and eating around a fire. But when dawn came they left just as the sky was turning blue. I immediately woke Alexia and the other up and we took off before anything else could happen.

Around twilight we stopped for another rest, but Alexia insisted that we move on. When we all complained for her to let us rest she relented, but then began to put together a Uzi. Which was surprising to all of us since she seemed the least likely to earn the right to use one. Sighing I took a seat and that's when things truly went to hell. The area around us filled with Umbrum who launched a surprise attack on us. I wasn't ashamed when I ran. There was too many. But when I got to the door another dozen of them were at the door with feral smiles. Drawing my knife I charged them only to hear the hissing sound of Alexia's uzi taking several down. But she only took three of them down before they were charging us again.

I was running from them again. All around me the screams of my unit were heard while I saw the quick silver flash of Claire's knife. Beside me was a petite girl that was so maddening familiar. Before long we were surrounded by five Umbrum with clubs. "Run!" The petite girl with sea greenish black hair with artic blue eyes shouted. I was to afraid to die. I ran.

I didn't get far when I heard the shriek. Turning I was surprised to see Alexia underneath a giant of a boy. He was a few inches over six feet. The Umbrum launched a fist into her jaw over and over again. Now would be the time to save her. He wasn't looking and Alexia already saved me twice. As evident when four of the five Umbrum around us were lying dead with head shots in their heads. Raising my knife above his neck I poised to attack when the lights went out. The last thing I could see before my eyes had to readjust was the Umbrum raising his own knife over Alexia.

It was dark. I had my blade ready to strike. Around us my changeling party was fighting a losing battle against a swarm of Umbrum. 'Save her, save her,' Every instinct cried. The petite girl was on the ground clutching her chest as two Umbrum closed in. I moved to kill the Umbrum, but stopped. I just couldn't do it. The Umbrum brought his blade down.

"NO!" I shouted while slicing across the Umbrum's back. The Umbrum let out a growl while shoving me back with his elbow a the two other Umbrum made their way to me. Turning I sprinted out of the now unguarded door where the fighting drew onto the lawn of the small shack we took residence in. But there was the sound of the large Umbrum making his way after me. Turning I tried to swing at him, but only grunted when there was a boot to my chest when he kicked me. Rising I could here the sound of fighting a small distance back start to go quieter, but my problems was the Umbrum in front of me.
The Umbrum was fast. His blades were already glowing with blood in the night. Grinning he charged towards me only to for a tanto to come flying out of the darkness into his shoulder. The Umbrum let out a loud shout of pain while gripping his shoulder before my foster brother Midnight did a flying kick against him. The Umbrum let out another grunt when Midnight's kick landed in the handle of the tanto which made him fall to the ground. The Umbrum let out a guttering scream which only resulted in Midnight grabbing the handle of his knife and slicing it across the Umbrum's face.

The Umbrum crawled backwards from him. I would never forget the look on his face. He knew his time was up. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. With each step Midnight stepped closer to the Umbrum lifting the Uzi to him. Wait didn't that girl carry the Uzi. Before the Umbrum killed her. I took a glance at Midnight and my blood ran cold. Midnight's face was a mask of rage. He never gave that look to anyone including our beloved foster parents. And the Umbrum knew it was directed for him.

Slowly Midnight raised his Uzi and before even I could protest he ended the Umbrum's life. Turning he shot a icy glare at me which made my own blood run cold. Before I could even protest he put a iron grip on my shoulder and dragged me back to the shack. In front there was a lot more Changelings. But these weren't like my Changelings who were around middle school age. These were a little older ranging from 14 to somewhere in their mid twenties. And each of them were packing lots of guns. Black mat pistols, the quick silver flash of long knives strapped to their backs, long barrels of long guns, ammo belts, and bandolier belts. They were like some kind of crazy ass kill squad.

And then my blood went even colder. If that was possible. In a pile were the tussled bodies of my drifting party with the exception of Claire who looked like she was the only other person besides me who survived the Umbrum attack. The Umbrum themselves were dead like they never even saw what was coming. Most had their throats cut with red scarfs coming down their throats, but a few were headshots. No mistaking the third eye or misshapen skull.

Midnight tossed me to one side of the circle while two older Changelings roughly twenty give of take dragged one last Umbrum boy. Roughly eight years old give or take. Midnight then handed me his tanto. "Do it!" He growled.

It didn't dawn on me what he meant for a few seconds. Until the realization of what he meant dawned on me. Turning my head I looked at dead Umbrum. All slaughtered, the fact they were actually dead bodies staring lifelessly into the abyss with screams still on their faces made me sick to the stomach. This wasn't anything like how I imagined my first battle with the Umbrum would be. I assumed it would be like in the story books full of heroic deeds and great. Instead it was two minutes of slaughter from them, and then from the Futa-Changelings.

"W-what are you going to do to me?" The Umbrum boy asked with his eyes wild in fear. Even I could tell that he wasn't there by choice, most likely came there because his clan was there. And even if they did tell him, he must have thought it was some sort of story. Which made it dawn on my that it wasn't only the younger Umbrum who didn't realize what was happening. My own younger Changeling in my small swarm probably thought something similar. Like straight out of a video game. All pumped up to get thing done, but now none of them would live long enough to learn the harsh reality of the truth.

"We don't have to do this," Claire said. Heads swiveled as the eyes of the Futa-changelings locked. I wasn't even sure if Midnight was next to me or not, but I knew he wouldn't be there to save me from this fate. Even he couldn't take on a couple dozen Futa-changelings. Then I mentally face palmed, he was one of the Futa-changelings. Part of this was his idea.

"Sorry kid," I said while planting my feet. All the better for a swing. But it wasn't like I had a choice here. It was simply the changeling way. My actions took a life.... or many for that matter. But all debts must be paid. It was the Changeling law! Written in stone from a time where the Queen's bloodline first started our little sub-race of humanity. Simply rules that had to be followed!
Law 1- Queen's word is law.
Law 2- Never endanger the hive.
Law 3- Never betray the hive.
Law 4- All threats must be eliminated.
Law 5- Never dishonor the Queen or Hive.
Law 6- Challenges must be answered.
Law 7- All debts must be paid.

Claire still not knowing what was going on looked from Midnight, to the Umbrum boy, and then to me. When she finally figured it out she did her best to stop me, rising to her feet she charged me to save the innocent. But the Futa's were already there slamming her, followed by a series of kicks. A part of me wished she got past and stopped me. But another part of me was happy the barrage of Futa's were stopping her. It meant that she didn't see what I saw about to do with my knife to the boy. But even though she wasn't going to see it I knew she would still hear it. The Umbrum looked up at me with innocent eyes that looked like polished obsidian. Full of fear.

"I'm sorry," I told the boy, I didn't want to do this. But I had to, maybe in another life I could have said no. This is the part where I turned around and told them to kill me instead. Do the heroic thing and save the boy's life, but this wasn't some story book where the one who sacrificed himself would get to live happily ever after when the Calvary showed up to save them. The Futa's were the Calvary, and would kill me in a second if I tried to stop them. I was a coward, I didn't want to die.

With tears in my eyes I began to bring the knife down.... and again... and again... and again... and again... and again... and again. It took me roughly thirty seconds to finish my work. But his in the depths of my soul I knew his screams would haunt me forever.

The first thoughts that were in my head when I finally came to was how the pain wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Then again I wasn't even sure why I was in pain. Until the memories of how I came face to face with Ezra came flooding back into my mind. What happened?

With all my willpower I struggled to open my eyes, but if felt like they weighed a thousand pounds at least. But I kept trying. Slowly the world started coming back to me. My arms and chest hurt as well as my back and legs. Not to mention a long sore pain starting at my collarbone and ending at my waist. At least I was laying on something comfortable that I knew was a bed. But on my fight forearm some kind of tube was connected to it.

"Ummm you guys.. I think he's waking up," A timid voice said from somewhere to my left.

"Are you sure darling? He has been out for over three days," A regal voice asked somewhere from my right.

"Yeah, he's waking up. I can tell by his moving eyelids!" A overly excited voice responded besides the timid voice.

"That's what you said last time. The doctor said he could be out for at least a week," A somewhat dry and confident voice said.

"Now don't be pitching a fit now Dash, he said he wasn't sure," A voice with a southern accent chided.

"Come on Phoenix, please wake up," A soft spoken voice pleaded.

Slowly I tried to open my eyes, but this was a lot harder than it should have been. But that soft spoken voice that was pleading for me to wake up was what was driving me forward. Because I knew that voice that pleaded. It was a honeyed voice that I learned to be weary of when I first came here. A voice that I dreaded and at the same time felt excited for the longest time, and then a voice I always longed for no matter the time of day. I would raise my eyelids for her... for Sunset Shimmer.

Slowly my eyes opened and I got a good look of the world around me. It was a hospital room with a UV connected to my arm. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were all standing around me bickering about me. But sitting next to me, holding my hand was Sunset Shimmer who was now starring at me with wide aquamarine eyes.

"Ummm.... you guys," She said in a low voice. Doing my best I tried to ask her something, but all that came out was a low gurgle. Thankfully me low gurgle received the desired effect. Rainbow Dash and the others all froze before turning towards me.

"Well it's about time Y'all woke up," Applejack said in a relieved voice.

"W-w-what happened?" I croaked out while trying to sit up, but was instantly, gently yet firmly pushed back down.

"Now hold your horses, you best not move around. You might now be able to wake up,"

"Fine, where's my crew at?" I asked them which caused them to all glance over at each other nervously. "What did I say?"

"Um.... you see the night you were attacked by Ezra...." Rainbow Dash began before trailing off.

"Well, I can't lie to ya, Those three bullies Alex, James, and Sebastian were part of that Umbrum organization and attacked your home when Ezra was fighting you," Applejack spat out.

"............... WHAT!" I shouted in shock while trying to sit up. "What happened? Is my crew alright? What about them? Are they hurt? Are they here?" I asked them frantically. But the looks on their faces told me everything that I needed to know.

"Andrew was murdered that night, Claire wouldn't tell us who did it, but she, Beth, and Ben all fought back. The police said it was in self defense. But Ben and Samantha were cut up pretty bad and had to be admitted here. Ben is in stable condition.... thank goodness. But Beth...." Rarity said in a croaky voice.

The news of Andrew's death was shocking to me, it came and I was blank. But the knowledge Ben was alright gave me a little comfort, but Andrew was still there. The young Freshman who always followed me around. Admiring me, and wanting to be me. Gone........................

And then she trailed off about Beth. The tough changeling girl that was always by my side through thick and thin from when we were here. The girl that decided to stick with me when I refused to ditch Pinkie Pie and the others when they came. The girl who was as close to my sister. Staring at Rarity I willed her to tell me Beth was alright, that she was going to make it. But the look on their faces told me all that I needed to know.

"No...... no, no, no, no!" Turning I began sobbing into my pillow wanting this nightmare to end. It was like that night with the Umbrum boy all over again. But this wasn't on me. And yet I felt responsible for Beth's death. If we just took off with Ezekiel and the others this never would have happened. For what felt like hours I cried not only for Beth, but for Andrew as well. Eventually I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders and then another pair that continued until all my friend's hands were comforting me. Eventually I cried myself out before turning back to them. I didn't say anything, but only waited for them to continue.

"Ezra did a number on you, but the entire crowd told the police that you were fighting back in self defense. You got a good number of good cuts on him and he's under secure holding now. The police are watching him night and day. As if they even had to. He's in critical condition," Rainbow Dash explained.

"What about the other three?" I questioned wanting to know about the bastards that killed Beth and Andrew.

"According to the news.... they broke in during the night. And were killed on the scene," Applejack replied.

"And what about Claire? What happened to her? Is she here too?" I asked wanting to know.

"She gave me this letter and gave me very CLEAR instructions that only you or Ben were to read it," Sunset told me while handing me a sealed enveloped. Taking the envelope I stared at it before opening it. It was written quickly as if she was in a hurry.

Phoenix, Ben

If one of you two are reading this than that means that Sunset Shimmer has done something right for a change. And didn't cause a problem. As either of both of boy know by now. Ezra wasn't alone, and Beth and Andrew are dead. Luckily I managed to end their killer's pathetic excuse for lives and bought us some time temporarily. But Umbrum don't operate solo. If he's here than that means that more will come sooner or later. Rather than lose our territory in Canderlot, you two will hold it until I can make it to the Hive and get back with reinforcements, if you have any friends now would be the time to call them.

Claire

It was several weeks before they let me go. Not sure why, but the cops that questioned me were unusually quick to leave. As Ezra was already in custody, there wasn't much they needed from me. What surprised me was how often Sunset Shimmer visited me. Everyday when would wake up I would often see her sitting there with a book in her hand, or watching T.V. Despite my initial assumption that with the lack of school when I was in the hospital, Sunset Shimmer was determined to see me graduate. I expected that it was something that had to do with what I told her on our date.

Either way she was always catching me up on what I was missing on school. Which was a lot after you think about it. Science, Math, English, Creative Writing, History, and Government. Each week day a little after 4:00 she would show up. Sometimes one of the other girls would show up as well, but it was chiefly her with my school work. On the weekends she would stay by my bedside all day. Either talking to me, or we would catch me up on my schoolwork. As strange as it may have been, I was actually doing better in school than I ever was. And that was just because of Sunset Shimmer.

When we weren't studying. We talked about our lives. Or at least I did. During this time I told her how I learned how to fight, and why I we changelings preferred the traditional kickboxing techniques with the exception of Midnight and a few others. During this time I told her about my life back what was a pathetic excuse for a home. And about my adopted parents.

"Well, Solstice was always the cunning one. She reminded me of a savvy ally cat. Like she was incredibly smart, but didn't care about school. All she cared about was other things,"

"Well, what kind of things did she care about?"

"She wanted to become an artist, didn't matter what kind either. Sometimes she did graffiti on the walls, pastel paintings, oil paintings, charcoal drawing, or sculptures. It's just that, our beloved Foster parents always put her down each chance they got. Sooner or later she gave up. Like she wanted to, but was put down one time to many. After that she never really was the same anymore," I told her while trailing off.

"What do you mean never was the same anymore? Did she try something else? Or is that when she learned her wily ways?" Sunset Shimmer asked me while staring into my Icy blue eyes with her cyan ones.

"No, she was always cunning, but after one times. She grew more sullen, like every little thing annoyed her to no end. And yet she was always the most patient of us. The last one to stay out of faith. Even if it was too long. Like if we were cooking and failed. She would keep cooking until she got it right. But she was as ruthless as you could be. And not like the kids from our school ruthless. More like a realist who didn't believe in fantasies and such," I explained to her.

Sunset shimmer nodded her head. Thinking it over, but has a look of familiarity about her as if she went through this as well. Wait...... she did go through it as well. The constant verbal abuse from school, Ezra and his lackey's constant attacks on her, and the lack or appreciation in her efforts in trying. Sensing a dark part of the conversation rising I quickly decided to change the subject.

"So uh........ when do you think they will let me out of here?" I asked her. Her response was her eyes lighting up with the most genuine smile I had ever see
"The doctors say that if everything goes alright, then you could be out of here tomorrow," she said happily.
"Wow that's a relief, because this hospital food is literally killing me. Uh... no pun intended," I added quickly when Sunset Shimmer swatted my arm.
"Quit joking like that, you might cause bad karma in the hospital," She scolded playfully.
"My bad my bad, I'll stop," I replied with a chuckle. "So how's Ben?" I pondered. Feeling slightly guilty at how long it took me to ask about him. Guy was like one of my best friends.
"Well for the most part I've been around here with you. But from what Rarity says, he's been in better shape than you. Had an artery cut, but he's already back in school," She told me.
"Wait? They're actually letting us back in school?" I asked incredulously.
"Yeah, and people stopped attacking me out of.... respect for Beth and Andrew. They aren't exactly nice, but they've been more than supportive about the whole thing," Sunset Shimmer told me.
Hearing those words sent a massive relief through me. To be honest with myself, I thought that Principal Celestia would kick us to the curve. Having someone risking other students wasn't exactly school material and I wouldn't have blamed her. Guess being a victim this time was better than I thought it was going to be. Not that I would let them know I liked it, I still had a reputation to maintain after all.

Like promised, I was discharged from Hospital. While the doctor was giving me one last check up I wondered if Ben and the girls were waiting for me. "Is there anyone out there waiting for me?" I asked the doctor.
The doctor didn't look at me while he continued to jot things down on a clipboard. "There's that pretty red headed girl that keeps visiting you, a five other girls, your friend from the other room, and I'd estimate half of Canderlot High,"
"....... well fuck,"
"You don't wish to see a welcoming party?" The doctor asked while glancing towards me.
"No, I'll face them, it's just that its..." I started before I struggled to think of the next word.
"Unexpected?" The doctor offered.
"Yeah, unexpected," I replied feeling a little dumbfounded that such a word could elude me.
"Relax kid, these people are your friends. And they are here in full support with balloons, gifts, confetti, and even several cakes with you and Ben's faces on them," The doctor said with a hint of a smile growing on his face.
"Wait what?!" I exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Your friend with the pink hair? She formed up a welcoming party for you. Did the same thing for your friend Ben," The doctor replied.
"Of course she did," I said before grumbling.
"Would you like me to sneak you out the back?" The doctor offered.
"No, otherwise she'd get all upset and I'll never hear the end of it," I replied.
"So I see, now I'll just need you to sign this and you'll be able to go," The doctor said while handing me his clipboard. "Just sign here, here, and here," The doctor said while pointing to several places.

As I signed my name I caught a glance at what I was being seen for. Extensive trauma to the ribs, multiple knife wounds to his blah blah blah.
"Wow..... this is a lot of damage," I said as I finished signing
"It wasn't something that happened often, spent 23 hours in surgery with you," The doctor said as he began walking out of the room.
"Thank you Dr..." I began before I realized I didn't even know the man who saved my life's name.
"Whooves... Dr. Whooves," Dr. Whooves finished as he exited the room.

"Okay, you got this," I told myself while giving a few jumps to pump myself up. Pinkie Pie probably got a whole thing together. So that meant the cake would be fresh, probably Ice Cream and chocolate. With Sunset, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy...... and Ben.

With one last breath I walked out of the door and was blasted with confetti.
"HE'S ALIVE!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she tackled me while the confetti blinded me.
"Pinkie.... can't.... breath...." I gasped out from her bone crushing hug. I was pretty sure that I heard a rib or two pop.
"Sorry!" She said sheepishly as she let me go. Immediatly I began gasping for air.
"I see you threw me a rave. Not that I mind," I told them while I looked around. The waiting room has streamers, balloons, and a giant WELCOME BACK!!! sign hanging. It looked like the nurses were annoyed withthe whole ordeal, but the presence of Big Mac and Ben dissuaded them from actually doing anything. Not that they would do anything, but they didn't know that.

"So how ya doing partner?" Applejack asked.

"I feel like shit, and my ribs are hurting like Hell," I admitted while looking at the cake. "Lets eat the cake now," I suggested.

"Okay," Pinkie said excitedly as she led the small heard of people to the cake.

"Phoenix," Ben said while stopping.

"What is it Ben?"

"We can't stay at that place anymore,"

"Any valid reason why?"

"You weren't there.... I was........ the place is a graveyard,"

"........I know a place where we can rent a place. My friend Andreas, he has a pretty good place,"

"Thanks bro,"

"What happened anyways?"

"That night?"

"Yeah,"

"We were all just sitting around the fireplace. You know, just watching a movie. Andrew kept on asking if you were getting lucky and all that. Then Claire heard something upstairs. Well after that I heard something coming from the kitchen. So I went to investigate. Only once I was there I saw James right before the kid attacked me. Wasn't sure what exactly happened but...... there was a lot of blood. And then Claire was there, cutting half his throat out with that corn knife of hers. But by then the police were arriving and thats when I saw Sebastian and Alex... but Claire had already killed them," Ben said lowly.

"Andrew and Claire?"

"Andrew was already dead, but Beth died on the way to the hospital," Ben said before he walked towards the cake and began talking to Rarity. As if the dark conversation we had was gone. Deciding to follow suit I went to talk to Big Mac and attempt to see how far back in my studies I was. Even with Sunset Shimmer helping me, I probably was weeks behind. But as I walked past over heard a conversation between Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

"So do you think Ben and Rarity are going out now?" Pinkie asked.

"Uh Pinkie, with what those two are doing to each other. I'm pretty sure that they're going out," Rainbow Dash replied.

"What do they do to each other? Are they the romantic type?" Pinkie asked.

"Ummm when I stayed the night at Rarity's shop one night those two came back. Said hi then went into her room. And they were either fucking or Rarity must really like agreeing with Ben in the loudest way possible," Rainbow Dash mused.

Shaking my head I walked past them. Apparently Ben was getting more lucky than I was. Then again, he had several weeks on me. Once I made my way to Big Mac. I cut right to the chase. "Give it to me straight, I know I'm screwed in my studies. But I need to know..... is my education redeemable?"

".......... Eeyup,"