Chapters Arriving at Ponyville station, Dante was excited to be back in his hometown. After stepping off the train he noticed that the streets were now filled with small shops and restaurants. Walking around the town more made him realize that his hometown went form a small community that only had one restaurant, a hospital, town hall, and a couple of stores, to a town equivalent to a third of Manehattan. Upon walking up to his old school he noticed the young foals leaving for home and saw a familiar face.
"Cheerilee is that you?" Dante said walking up to the school teacher.
"I'm sorry but do I know you?" she said looking at him as if she was trying to remember.
"It's me Dante, remember? I sat behind you with Fluttershy for thee years."
"Dante! Oh my it's been what 15 years now?"
"Yeah, something like that. I never knew you would become a teacher."
"Well yeah I guess it is a bit strange especially how I used to hate coming here everyday."
"But we had some good times here, remember?"
"I guess you're right, so what have you been up to?"
"Don't tell me you haven't heard. We just finished up a tour with the Wondebolts as their opening act."
"I'm sorry to say I don't now what you're talking about."
"You, Cheerilee the most up-to-date pony I've ever met, hasn't heard of Armed To The Brink. I can't seem to believe you are telling me the truth. You must be lying to me, you just have to be." Dante said both shocked and sarcastic.
"I'm sorry to say I haven't."
"Well you should listen to some of our songs, or maybe I could play some for you and..."
"Fluttershy!" Cheereliee said interrupting him.
"Yeah and Flutterrshy. You didn't have to yell you know." Dante said not know that Cheerilee was actually calling Fluttershy over.
"Hi Cheerilee, and um... Hello Mr." Fluttershy said, now standing behind Dante.
"That voice. It can't be, can it?" Dante thought to himself. He slowly turned around to see his childhood crush standing behind him and looking as shy as the day they met. Upon seeing her Dante froze in place and just stared at Fluttershy, being mesmerized by her looks.
"Hey it's rude to stare, you know. Now come on and introduce yourself." Cheerilee said shoving Dante closer to Fluttershy, to her displeasure.
"Alright, no need to shove." he said giving Cheerilee a stare of annoyance. "Hello Fluttershy, it's nice to see you again."
"I'm sorry but I don't know who you are, or if we ever met before." Fluttershy said taking a few steps back.
"Don't tell me you forgot our promise." he said with a touch of sadness in his voice. 'Please don't tell me you did .' he thought to himself.
"I'm sorry but I don't know what you are talking about." she said flattly.
'But you promised .' he thought as e hung his head. "It's fine that you don't remember. It's been 15 years so I don't blame you. Look at the time. I reall have to go. It's been swell to see both of you again." he said then he picked up his things and went walking in the direction of Ponyville Inn.
"Fluttershy you don't remember him?"
"No, who is he?"
"I can't believe you forgot you best friend from our days at school."
"Best friend what do you mean." She said then she remembered who Cheerilee mean't. "Oh no, Dante. How could I forget our promise? He must be really mad at me. I made him promise, but I'm the one who forgot. He must really, really be mad at me. No he must..." she stopped to breath then she let it out. "He must hate me." Not being able to deal with the guilt of forgetting their promise, Fluttershy broke down into tears.
"Fluttershy what are you talking about? What promise that you made him make?" Cheerilee said picking Fluttershy off the ground and taking her to the nearest bench to sit.
Finally calming down Fluttershy starts to explain. "When Dante came to say good-bye I didn't want him to forget me so I made promise to remember me, and he made promise not to forget him. But now I know that I broke our promise so he must..."
"Fluttershy he does not hate you, do you understand? He may be upset with you but he would never hate you. He never got mad when we were kids and you did something bad to him or broke a promise, and there is no way he would start now." Cheerelie said placing a hoof on her shoulder.
"Do really think so?" she said wiping away the tears.
"Fluttershy who ever hate you?" Cheerilee said.
After arriving at Ponyville Inn, Dante went up to his room, and unpacked. After unpacking all his clothing, Dante went to a box with 'Fragile' stampede on it. Inside were photos of him, his band, his family and the at the bottom, was a photo with extra bubble wrap to keep it as safe as possible. The photo was of him, Cheerilee, and Fluttershy.
This picture is means the world to me you know that, don't you Fluttershy? he thought he placed it right next to the others.
Seeing that he had half the day left, Dante went out to explore the new Ponyville. Walking around town he found some new shops he planned to go to some other times and some that he wouldn't dare to go in. Every so often a couple of fans who recognized him would run up to him and ask for autographs, and that was something he didn't have a problem with, seeing that there are less fans mobbing him in Ponyville than any other town he's been to.
After walking around town Dante was about to head to the Inn until a familiar voice called out to him. "Hey, Dante is that you?" looking around he couldn't find anypony around and thought he was hearing things until he was called again. "Hey up here!" Dante looked up to find Rainbow Dash hovering above him. She then landed next to him.
"I can't believe it, it is you. Man you've become pretty famous, haven't you?" she said, gently punching him in the shoulder.
"Yeah I guess I have. So how have you been Rainbow?" he said rubbing the back of his head as he walked to the nearest bench.
"I've been doing great. So how long will you be in town for?" she said sitting next to him.
"I guess when the guys want to get back on the road. I don't mind staying in town but I'll need to get used to the new routes. Man it's changed since I've left!" he said stretching his fore-hooves.
"Yeah it has. Have you seen Fluttershy yet? I bet she'd love to see you again."
"Yeah I have actually. She didn't remember who I was though." he said hanging his head.
"Really? I can't believe it." she said shocked at his comment.
"Why is that?"
"Well after you left all she would say when we did something fun that you would love to do it. Or when we did something she was scared to do she said that you would stay behind to make sure nothing happened to her. She missed you so much. Man I thought that he was in love with you and I would tease her about it."
"Thought she was in love with me?"
"Yeah but after we finished school she seem to be over you and was infatuated with Big Mac."
"Really?" he said sadly.
"Yeah, but last Hearts and Hooves day we realized he was in love with Cheerelie. Fluttershy was heart broken, but eventually got over him." she said recalling how her closest friend was when her heart was rip to shreds. "So do you have anypony in your heart, huh?" she said in a better mood.
"No, not really. Why?"
"I swear that I thought you were in love with Fluttershy. You two did make a good couple when we were kids, I bet you'd make a perfect couple now." she said getting up. "Well I better be going home now it was great seeing you again, Dante."
"Same here Rainbow. I'l see you around." And with that they both went their seperate ways.
Dante continued to walk towards home after he left Rainbow Dash. Dante couldn’t believe that Fluttershy, the one he loved so much when they were kids, doesn't know who he really is. Even though she made a promise to never forget him. This was one of things he was worrying about; he couldn’t keep his mind off it. He tried to avoid it by not thinking about it.
Dante stop walking to see that he was in front of a Café. He walked inside of the Café and ordered a drink. Dante took his drink and sat at a nearby table.
"Hope this will help me forget everything that just happened with me and Fluttershy." Dante thought to himself sadly. He took a sip of his drink and let out a small sigh.
“Dante!” A voiced called out of the distant.
Dante put down his drink to see where the voice came from. He looked both ways, but saw nothing. He made sure that he wasn’t hearing thing so he ignored it. Dante picked up his drink until the voice was heard a bit closer to him.
He checked again, still nopony was there.
“Dante!!” The voice shouted right behind him causing him to fall right out of his chair and the drink to splattered all over him leaving the unknown pony who called him, to laugh so hard that almost everypony in the town could hear him.
The unknown pony decided to help Dante up from where he fell off from his chair. He lended a hoof in order to help him.
“Are you alright dude?” The unknown pony said sounding like he was going to laugh at what he did to Dante again.
When the Unknown pony lent a hoof at him, Dante saw what to see was a grey unicorn with red eyes. His mane was a brown color same as his tail and cutie mark which appears to be a black and white guitar.
Dante got back up, wiping off drink that was on him. Leaving the grey unicorn to stand there, trying hold out his laugh.
“So, again…you alright?” the grey unicorn asked.
Dante finished cleaning the mess that was on him and clear his throat for what he was about to say.
“Alright? Alright?! You almost killed me right at that moment!!” Dante yelled at him.
The grey unicorn backed up a little when Dante yelled at him and try to avoid fighting with him.
“Whoa Whoa, calm down there bro.” The grey unicorn tried to calm him down.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on other ponies like that” Dante protested “Anyways who are you? And why did you call my name out anyways?” Dante was unsure who this pony is that called out his name out and the one who scared him half to death.
“Don’t you remember!? It’s me Reda!” the grey unicorn shouted.
“You don’t have to yell you know." Dante raising an eyebrow.
“Reda,’member me?" he said in a mocking tone.
Dante was still unsure who this pony is so he slowly walked away from him and tried to avoid him as much as possible. Reda caught up to Dante trying to convince him to remember.
“How do you not remember your own best friend?” Reda questioned making Dante to stop in his tracks.
"Best friend?" Dante thought to himself when that question made him stop.
“Do you even remember me at all?” Reda said a little worried that his own best friend forgot about him.
Reda levitated something out of his saddle bag and looked at it for a few seconds. He wanted to show it to Dante to prove they were best friends.
He levitated the item towards Dante to let him see it “Maybe this will help you remember." Reda said as he gave the item to Dante.
Dante looked at the item which appeared to be a guitar pick with red and black stripes on it with a lightning bolt in the middle of it. He turned the guitar pick around which had a text saying “Don't forget me -Dante."
He remembered giving this to Reda when he was at a party with him, a day before he left Reda and everypony he knew. It was a gift for Reda to make him remember his best friend, Dante. He also remembered Reda using it at a gig he and Dante played at before he was leaving on his tour.
“Reda?” Dante lowered the guitar pick and threw it back to him.
“How can I forget the colt that gave me this, of course it’s me!” Reda shouted.
“How come you didn’t say something?”
“I did." Reda said a little annoyed.
"Should of listen better." Dante thought
“Well who cares Dante, at least you’re back." Reda said.
Dante and Reda both exchanged a massive hug until ponies passing by started taking pictures, since Dante became famous after all those tours he was on. Dante was the first to notice the ponies taking the pictures of them.
“Umm Reda….we can let go now." Dante said awkwardly while he was looking at ponies that were shooting pictures of them.
“Why?” Reda asked, who didn’t seem to notice the ponies.
“Just see for yourself." Dante replied.
Reda took a look around and knew what Dante was talking about. They both immediately let go of each other and walked away to a different direction of town to avoid them. The two of the both exchange conversations how everything change since Dante was gone on his tour and how much Dante’s family missed him and how time passed by in his absence.
“Hey man, everything has change since you left family, businesses, music and everything”
“Wait, music already changed?" Dante was both interested and shocked at the same time.
“Yeah, haven’t you heard? During your tour, two musician ponies, Octavia and Vin-“
“Never heard of them” Dante who interrupted Reda’s story.
“Let me finish.” Reda hissed at the interruption. “Well yeah, both of them combined their own music which pretty much ended up an all new music genre and everypony in this town started getting crazy about the music genre. It’s like a mix of dupstep and classical combined."
“Sounds like we got ourselves a little a competition, don’t you think?” Dante joked.
“It sort of does." Reda chuckled.
Hours began to past while Reda and Dante both exchanged stories with each other. Night began to take its role to float up in the night sky. The sun that Celestia brought to everypony, began to fall and wait for a new day to start.
Reda and Dante were at front of Dante’s home. They both walked up to Dante’s front door. Before he opened the door, Reda grabbed Dante’s hoof.
“What are doing?” Dante said in annoyance.
“Whatever you do, don’t open that door." Reda said, his face full of worry.
“Why?”
“Because….”
Dante began to open the door and when he opened the door, the lights flickered on and his family, friends, and ponies he didn't know, but seem to care yelled surprise in unison. Party decorations filled the house and a banner hung on the wall saying "Welcome Back!"
“Alright Reda, how many ponies did you invite?” Dante asked in anger.
“I don’t remember inviting any of them."
"Of course." He said to himself. He knew it was somepony he could never forget about.
Opening the door to his new home and finding old friends and some new faces having a surprise party made Dante wonder who make such a plan. After two seconds of thinking he remembered the only pony willing to invade somepony's home and throw a party. "Pinkie Pie." he muttered to himself.
"Come on in, it is ya party ain't it?" said the Big red stallion shoving Dante and Reda through the door and into the party.
"It's great to see you to Mac. Where is Pinkie, I know she planned this." Dante said looking around to find the mare. To his displeasure Pinkie was standing behind him with the party cannon ready to fire.
"Here I am!" she yelled before firing the party cannon, causing Dante and Reda both to jump in the air out of fear.
Turning around both the stallions yelled at her simotaniously. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry." she said moving the party cannon out of the way.
"Thats the second time today I could have died today from a heart attack! Somehow I think everypony in this town is trying to kill me! Maybe I should get back on the road where people I know aren't trying to kill me!" Dante yelled at Pinkie Pie.
"I'm sorry Dante. I didn't mean to make you angry, I'm just really happy to see you. It's been 15 years, 4 months, 8 days, and 13 hours since you left." she said hugging him.
"Ya don't have t' yell at dah mare. She was jus' bein' herself." said a feminine voice with the same accent as Big Mac. Turning around Dante found that the voice belonged to Mac's younger sister, Applejack. "It's been a very long time Dante."
"It's been 15 years, 4 months, 8 days, and 13 hours by Pinkie's count, right AJ." he chuckled as he turned to see Applejack.
"Y'all 'member mah sister Applejack." Big Mac said putting his fore hoof on her shoulder.
"Yeah I do, but I don't know this young mare here." Dante said starring at Applejack, seeing how she has changed since he saw her last.
"That's Applejack, silly. She's got the same hat from when we were kids. Can't you tell?" Pinkie said jumping over to Applejack.
"So it is. It's been too long Appleack. How have you been?"
"Ah've been jus' fine thank ya very much for askin'."
"Here he is the Stallion of the hour." said a very regal voice knowing only one pony who ever spoke with such class, Dante knew that if he turned around he would find no other than Rarity behind him.
Not even looking at her Dante started to speak to the mare. "It's been to long Ms. Rarity, how are you doing?"
"It is rude to speak to somepony without looking at them, Dante." she said raising her muzzle in a offended maner.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend y..." Dante stopped midsentence. As he was turning around to see Rarity, Dante saw Fluttershy cowering behind her. "If you'll excuse me I have to wash up." he said looking away and walking towards the restroom.
"Now why would he leave in the middle our conversation? Do you know Fluttershy? Fluttershy? Where dd you go dear?" Rarity wondered, looking around for her friend.
Fluttershy ran off towards the front door but was stopped as the door was shut by a light scarlet aura. Turning around she saw Reda walking up to her. "Hey where do you think your going, the party just started."
"I'm sorry but I have to go." she said backing up to the door.
"What's wrong Fluttershy? Come on you can tell me."
"I just have to go home that's all." she said.
"Fluttershy is something wrong?" Cheerilee called out walking towards her.
"I have to go. I really need to go home. I just can't be here right now." she said on the verge of tears.
"Reda what did you do?" Cheerilee said starring at the stallion.
"Nothing. I tried to get her to tell me what happened, but she wouldn't tell me." he pleaded.
"Fluttershy did you bump into Dante?" Fluttershy nodded. "I see. Reda thank you for keeping her here, but I need to be alone with her, ok?"
"Sure. I'm gonna go find Dante. See you later Fluttershy." with that he left and went into the crowd of ponies at the party.
"Fluttershy did you say anything to Dante, or did he say anything to you?" she shook her head. "Then why do you have to go?"
"When Dante saw me he was talking to Rarity then he made an excuse to get away from me." Fluttershy then broke down crying. "I told you he would hate me. Now he's trying to avoid me. He doesn't want anything to do with me anymore."
"Fluttershy, he doesn't hate you. How many times am I gonna have to tell you that?" Cheerilee said holding her friend in her hooves.
"T-then w-why is he avoiding me?"
"I don't know why he is avoiding you, but I'm sure he doesn't hate you. Now come on I'll walk you home." and with that they left the party and went straight to Fluttershy's cottage.
While Cheerilee and Fluttershy were talking, Reda was looking for Dante. He finally found him talking to Twilight Sparkle and Spike, her assistant.
"Hey Dante mind if I have a word with you?" Reda asked.
"Sure Reda. Excuse me Twilight." they walked into the kitchen. "What's going on Reda?" Dante asked.
"What did you do to Fluttershy?" Reda said angrily.
"What do you mean, I didn't do a thing. Did something happen to her?" he said worryfully.
"No, but I saw that she was trying to leave. I asked why, but she didn't tell me she just said she had to go home. Then Cheerilee came over and asked her what had happened. Then she said it something to do with you. So tell me, what did you do to her?"
After telling Reda everything Dante felt as if he had personally told Fluttershy to leave. "Man I didn't think she would react like that. I just wanted to get away from her for the night." he said sadly.
"You should treat her better Dante. I just can't let you be a jerk around the one I'm in love with." Reda said putting his hoof on Dante's shoulder.
"Wait! What did he just say!?!"
“Wait! What did you just say!?!” Dante yelled as he immediately backed away from Reda.
"About what?” Reda asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh I don't know there was you almost giving me a heart attack, having a party in my house, or was it about YOU BEING IN LOVE WITH FLUTTERSHY!," he said mockingly and shocked.
“First of all the party wasn't my idea, and you didn’t know? Of course I am in love with her. Isn’t it awesome!? Being in love I mean.” Reda said in an excited tone. ”But please don’t tell her." He chucked nervously and rubbing the back of his head.
“I know it's awesome, but it’s just that…” Dante let out a sigh.
“Just what?” Reda’s smile began to fade away and turning into a worried look.
“I'm in love with her too."
"What?”
Dante once again let out a sigh and was thinking of a way to not hurt his friend's feelings or start an argument and fight about it. He had no choice but to tell Reda why he had fallen in love with Fluttershy.
Dante and Reda began to take seat at the front porch. Dante took a deep breath and tell Reda everything.
“Look while I was out touring, I was constantly thinking about her when I left. I couldn’t take my mind off her day and night those days. When I had the time, I wrote a song about her before all my performances to do at a different town. I never sang them to anypony or on stage when I had the chance to do it. When I arrived here in Ponyville, I was excited to see her once more and wanted to tell her that I've been in love with her ever since and never forgotten her. But when I saw her, she didn’t seem to recognize me. I couldn't believe that Fluttershy, my closest friend from we were kids, had forgotten her own best friend. I think she still hates me for avoiding her whenever we see each other, I never knew she will react this way." He said as he sadly finished off his story.
Dante began to feel guilty for everything he had done in the past and can never fix it since Fluttershy already hates him for avoiding her. Dante was trying to fight off the tears that were already rolling down his face of guilt and sorrow.
Reda decided to Dante his story of how he fell in love with her.
“When you left town Dante, everypony around town started waving goodbye at you before you were about to leave. Everpony except Fluttershy, tears were rolling down her face because that would be the last time she would lay her eyes on you and not be with you. After you left, I followed her to where she was going to. I found her face down on the ground crying while a bunch of animals surrounded her. I walked up to her and grabbed my guitar then strummed it until she noticed me from behind. I began to play her one or two songs that I wrote when we were at school and got in trouble for doing so instead of schoolwork. I found out that we both have something in common, that we both love music. She began to smile at me and thanked me. Then she kissed me on the cheek, and at that moment I was deeply in love with her. We both began to spend each day with each other while you were gone. I never told her that I loved her when I had the chance. I was always there for her in your place, Dante." Reda finished his story.
Reda had strong feelings for her, but he didn’t know his best friend, Dante, had feelings for her which Dante was hiding from Reda. His heart was now torn between his love for Fluttershy and his best friend's love for her. After Dante told him everything, Reda got off the porch and walked out the front.
“Where you going? The party is over here.” Dante asked sadly.
“I just gotta go okay. See you tomorrow.” Reda said heartbroken as he walked off Dante's porch with his head down and a broken heart for telling Dante how he feels about Fluttershy. He walked down the road and never looked back. Reda teleported himself back to his home, where a flash could be seen from the front of Dante’s home.
Dante walked back into the house where the party continued. Ponies at the party were dancing, exchanging conversations, and having a good time. Dante smiled at the sight of the party. Applejack was still with her brother, and with another ponies. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were talking with each other. While Pinkie was in the middle of the party doing an awkward dance while other ponies didn’t notice, Dante chuckled when he saw Pinkie doing that.
Dante continue to walk into the party until he bumped in to Twilight causing to spill her punch on her and wetting her mane.
“I am so sorry about that, you okay?” Dante panicked as he desperately tried to find a towel.
“It's okay Dante; I wasn’t looking where I was going either.” Twilight apologized.
Twilight noticed that Reda wasn’t with Dante when he needed a word with him.
“Wasn’t Reda with you? Where did he go by the way?” Twilight asked
Dante didn’t want Twilight to know to what Reda said to him, so he tried to come up with a lie fast.
“He just had to go that’s all." Dante lied.
“Why would he leave this party so early?” Twilight asked and became a little suspicious that why ponies would ever leave Pinkie’s party this early.
“I don’t know, I guess that he had to run a few errands for tomorrow."
“I see."
Dante began to make his way to kitchen to drink his problems out for what happened between him and Reda.
“You’re still in love with Fluttershy, I see.” Twilight said in a mocked tone.
Dante stopped and dashed across the room when he overheard her. He put his hoof on her mouth to shut her up.
“How did you know?”
“I overheard you when you guys were talking. Something that has to involve Fluttershy." Twilight was unsure what they were talking about.
“Please don’t tell Fluttershy that I feel that way." Dante begged.
“Don’t worry Rainbow Dash was right about you guys that you seem to make a very good couple when you were kids. I also thought the same. Remember the Pinkie Promise?”
“Oh no, not at this time. Everypony is right here right now.” Dante did not want do it in front of the party and get laughed at.
“I won’t.” Twilight giggled.
“Oh thank Celestia.” He said out loud relived.
Dante made his way to the punch bowl and to enjoy every last minute of the party. He took every sip of his punch enough to make him forget the conversation with Reda. Dante was now back to his old happy self and to just enjoy the party.
After spending the rest of the party meeting new ponies, and reminiscing with old friends, Dante realized it was late so after taking shower he went straight to bed.
"Hey where am I?" Dante said waking up in a dark room. Looking around he sees a bright light he then starts moving towards it. "What the ..." Dante soon found himself immobile and in his old classroom, more specifically his old seat. The seat he sat in when he first met Fluttershy. "Why am I sitting here? And when did I get here?" he thought.
"Attention class, these are going to be your seats for the next few years. So get used to who you're seated next to because, they will be there for two more years." said Mr. Libro, Dante's old school teacher. Dante was sitting behind Cheerilee but nopony was sitting next to either of them. "Are there any questions about who your seated next to?" asked Mr. Libro.
"Um yeah, where are the two ponies who are supposed to sit next to me and Dante?" asked Cheerilee.
At that moment two young pegusi burst through the door, one pushing the other one to the teacher. "Come on Fluttershy there is nothing to be scared of." the cyan filly with rainbow colored hair said to the cream colored filly with the pink hair. The cream colored filly muttered something but Dante couldn't hear her.
"And who may you two be?" Mr. Libro said.
"I'm Rainbow Dash and this is Fluttershy." said the cyan filly to Mr. Libro.
"Right. Ms. Dash your seat is next to Ms. Cheerilee, and Ms. Shy your seat is next to Mr. Dante. Dante, Cheerilee both of you raise your hooves." Mr. Libro said while looking at a seating chart.
"Come on Fluttershy if you don't move they will stare at you longer." and with that comment from Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy took off to the window seat next to Dante. Rainbow Dash soon sat at her seat next to Cheerilee.
"Okay, are there anymore questions? No? Good, let's get started. We will begin with....."
Dante soon found himself able to move again in the dark room. There was another light and as Dante walked towards it, he found himself in another memory.
"Hey this is Fluttershy's place. What am I doing here?" he soon found that his child self was screaming something at Fluttershy's cottage. After a few muffled sounds, Dante could hear what he was saying.
"Fluttershy I know you're home! There's no reason to be scared of me! I'm a friend you can trust me! Come on open the door we need to work on this project and I can't do it without you!" she didn't reply. "Fluttershy come on out I really need your help with this!" nothing. He then sighed and walked away towards a clearing in the distance. "Man if she doesn't help with this project we're both gonna get Fs." he muttered.
Arriving at the clearing Dante heard a voice, a very familiar voice. "Hello. Is there anypony here?" no reply. Curious, Dante walk off towards the voice. Reaching the end of the clearing and walking past many trees, he finally found who's voice he could hear. It was found Fluttershy. "She's singing?" he thought. "She has a beautiful voice. How can someone so shy sing so beautifully and keep it a secret? I'll never know."
After an hour of listening to her sing, Dante could hear Fluttershy speaking to somepony. "Okay everyone, I'll see you all here tomorrow." and with that Fluttrershy started walking in the opposite direction from Dante.
"Who was she talking to?" he thought. "Well at least I know she'll be here tomorrow. Now to find a way to get her to trust me." Walking out of the trees and towards Ponyville. "I got it!" he yelled. And with that the memory fades.
Before the next memory could run through his mind, Dante was loudly awaken by the sound of his front door. "Ahhg! Who could that be?" The banging on the door continued as Dante got up and headed for the door. "Yeah, yeah. I'm getting there." he muttered.
Opening the door Dante found that nopony was there. Just before he shut the door Dante saw a little white line race past him and to his couch. "What was that?" looking at the room he soon saw that Angel was on his couch and staring right at him. "Angel is that you? It's been so long you look very different." He said as he shut the front door and walking to the small white bunny. "What are you doing here?
Angel gave him a look that meant 'What did you do to Fluttershy?'
"Nothing Angel. I swear I didn't do a thing to Fluttershy."
'Then why did she come with Cheerilee carrying her?'
"I may have tried to avoid her. I just wanted to be away from her that's all. I didn't think she would react that way." he said lowering his head.
'So you do that because she forgot about you? Being forgotten is no reason to hate her Dante. Fluttershy wouldn't hate you if you forgot her.'
"I don't hate her!" Dante screamed. "I'm sorry Angel, I didn't mean to yell. Its just that I wasn't avoiding her because I hate her, I just wanted some time to cope with being forgotten. Thats all.
'Your still in love with her even after 15 years, Dante? Well I can't blame you. After all you told me yourself that Fluttershy was the only pony you could ever love.'
"Yeah Angel, she is." Angel soon left and Dante got ready to head out to Ponyville and explore some more.
Dante traveled through Ponyville and soon found himself at Sweet Apple Acres. Walking down the dirt path he soon remembered playing around with his friends, running through the orchards, hiding up in the branches, all those memories started to flood Dante's mind.
"Hey there Mr." called out a small voice similar to Applejacks from behind Dante which snapped him out of his trance.
"Huh? Oh hello there little one. I'm sorry but I don't believe we've met. My name is..."
"Dante its great t' see ya. What bings ya t' Sweet Apple Acres?" asked Applejack as she galloped over to her little sister.
"Nothing really. Just passing by."
"Okay well is is mah little sister, Applebloom. Say hello Applebloom."
"Hello again Mr?"
"Dante." he said nodding his head. "I know I just got back in town but you wouldn't have any work I could help with?"
"Well Big Mac could use some help with repairs."
"Great, where can I find him?" he said excited.
"In the barn." Applejack said.
"Thanks!" he said as he made his way to the barn.
Opportunity For Reconciliation
As Dante made it to the barn, he heard Big Mac and Cheerilee talking.
"Look ah know Fluttershy is ya friend she is mah friend too, but ah can't just get into someponyelse's problems. And neither should ya." he said in a parental tone.
"What if he hates Fluttershy and avoids her from now on, Mac? She would be heartbroken and you know that."
"If Dante hates her, then that is his business. But ah know for a fact that..."
"I don't hate her, Cheerilee." Dante said bursting through the barn doors. "Why would you ever think that? She's been my closest friend for years and you think I would throw it all away just because she forgot who I am. No matter what Fluttershy might do, say, or even think about me I could never hate her."
"Then why did you stop talking with Rarity and leave when you saw her last night?" Cheerilee replied angrily.
"When the mare of ya dreams forgets ya even exist ya gonna want some time away from her. Ain't ah right Dante?" Mac said trying to calm Cheerilee.
"What does that have to do with Dante, Mac?" Cheerilee said more confused than angry.
"Because I love her, Cheerilee. That's why I avoided her yesterday, but I didn't mean to make her hate me."
Cheerilee let out a sigh. "Fluttersy doesn't hate you, Dante, but if Rainbow Dash hears about this she will."
"Well now that we got that out of the way, how am I supposed to tell her how I feel?" Dante said aloud thinking somepony could answer his question.
"That's something ya got t' figured out ya self." Big Mac said as he left the barn with Cherrilee behind him.
"Right." he thought to himself.
Unknown to Big Mac and his guests, there was a young gossip journalist taking down notes on their entire conversation. "This will make a great story for tomorrow." Applebloom said.
Applebloom ran from the barn and out to the CMC headquarters to meet with her fellow crusaders, Sweete Belle and Scootaloo. As she reached her friends were waiting for her outside the HQ.
"So what do we have for tomorrow's paper, Applebloom?" wondered Scootaloo.
"How about 'Local Mare Enchants Music Idol!'"
"What are you talking about?" said Sweete Belle.
"The pony who jus' moved t' town is in love with Fluttershy."
"How do you know that?"
"Ah heard mah brother, Ms. Cheerilee, and Dante talkin' 'bout how he loves Fluttershy. Here ah wrote down what ah heard." Applebloom said giving them the notes she took.
"Wow! You were really telling the truth." Scootaloo said.
"Of course ah was."
"Now I think we should get to work." Sweete said.
"Alright!"
Fluttershy was at home going through her usual routine. Feed her little animal friends, feed Angel, make dinner, and got some sleep. Currently she was feeding Angel his favorite salad, but halfway through making his meal Fluttrershy broke down crying. Concerned about his caretaker, Angel went into the kitchen to see what happened to her. He put his small paw on her shoulder as if saying 'Whats wrong?'
"I'm sorry Angel I didn't mean to make you worry. I'm fine, really." she said putting on a fake smile, but Angel knew she was lying.
'You can't fool me Fluttershy. Now tell what's wrong.' he demanded.
"Okay fine I'll tell you what's wrong." she said as tears started to build up in her eyes. "Its about Dante. I know he hates me. Cheerilee keeps telling me he doesn't hate me but I know she's just saying that to make me feel better." Fluttershy was crying by this point. "I-i know we promised t-to remember eachother, b-but I couldn't keep my promise a-nd now he... he... He hates me!"
Angel got her to stop crying enough so he could write down something for her to read. He then handed the note to her and gestured her to read.
"Dante doesn't hate you. He could never hate you." she read out loud. "H-how do you know?"
Angel wrote down his response and gave it to her. 'He told me himself.'
"When did he tell you Angel?" she said as she wiped away the rest of her tears.
'This morning, when you were asleep.'
"Why did you go to see Dante this morning?"
'Because I wanted to now why you came home crying last night.'
"Thank you Angel."
'For what?'
"Worrying about me." she said with a small giggle. "I'll get back to your special salad now Angel."
'Actually, can I have some carrots?'
"Are you sure Angel? If your doing this for me I really wouldn't mind making you your salad."
'I'm sure.'
"Okay then Angel." Fluttershy then gave Angel a couple of carrots. "I'm going to go to town Angel. Be good." and with that she left her cottage and went towards Ponyville.
With nothing left to do for the day, Dante thought he could go back to the cafe he went the day before where he was reunited with Reda. Heading inside the cafe he ordered the same drink from before, grabbed a newspaper, and took the same seat. Dante soon found himself reading almost every article in the paper. He then heard many voices come and go, but one voice in particular stood out from the rest.
"Hello Joey." said the familiar voice. "I'll have an herbal tea and a dafidel sandwich." soon the voice seem to have left, but it eventually returned but this time it was right in front of him. "Excuse me." said the voice quietly. "Um, could I possibly sit here? Te ret of the seats seem to be taken. If that's okay with you, I mean."
"I don't mind at all. Go ahead and take a se..." Dante stopped midsentence after putting the paper down he saw Fluttershy was the owner of the familiar voice.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to bother you." Fluttershy said grabbing her things and about to leave until Dante grabbed her by her shoulder.
"Fluttershy where are you going?" Dante said in a worried tone.
"I have to go, Dante so can you please let go of me?" Fluttershy said angrily.
Letting go of her shoulder Dante soon grabbed her arm and turned her around. "Before you go just answer me this question." he stopoed to take a deep breathe. "Do you really hate me for what I did last night, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy put her food down on the table then she looked into Dante's eyes and saw the pain he was hiding from her. "Dante I could never hate you just because you're angry and probably hate me." she said sitting down and motioning for him to do the same.
"But I don't. Didn't Angel tell you?" he said as he sat back down.
"He did, but I thought he was just trying to make me feel better."
"I'm sorry Fluttershy."
"For what?"
"For making you suffer and think I hate you."
"And I'm sorry for breaking our promise."
"It's not the first promise you've broken to me, Fluttershy."
"Please don't remind me of that Dante. I'm begging you don't bring back those memories."
"Okay then. How about that one Nightmare's Night where you dressed up as a tree? The way you scared Rainbow was hilarious." he said chuckling.
"I didn't mean to scare her." She sad defensively.
After reminiscing for a couple of hours, Fluttershy remembered that she had a little white bunny she was supposed to feed. "Oh No! I forgot about Angel. He was supposed to have dinner an hour ago. I'm sorry Dante but I have to go home."
"I'll walk you home then." he said standing up.
"Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you." she said putting a hoof on his shoulder.
"It's not a problem Fluttershy, really. Besides I remember how scared of walking in the dark you are." he said in a mock tone.
"Your terrible!" she said looking away from him.
"Oh come on Fluttershy. I didn't mean make you angry." he chuckled. "I'm sorry, I really am. Now come on if we don't hurry Angel will be even more angry with you." he said walking towards Flutteshy's cottage. Fluttershy followed him closely as se was really scared of walking alone in the dark.
Eventually arriving at Fluttershy's cottage, Dante realized how big it really was since the last time he was there. Fluttershy soon turned to him. "Thank you Dante for walking me home." she said appreciatively.
"It's not a problem." he said.
"Well I guess I never paid you for every time you walked me home so I want to give you something. Now close your eyes."
"Fluttershy is this really necessary?"
"Just do it." she said demandingly.
Dante complied to her demands, shutting his eyes. Fluttershy soon started leaning in to kiss him on the cheek, but as Angel opened the door Dante saw the light from inside. As if by instinct he turned to face Fluttershy and opened his eyes in time to see her lips connect with his. Realizing what she had just done Fluttershy paniced jumped away from Dante and shut the door, leaving Dante standing there shocked. He put one of his hooves to his lips and soon realized what she had done. He then turned around and went straight home.
Vicious Misunderstandings
After getting home, Dante went straight for bed trying to get some sleep but was unsuccessful. "Why can't I get that kiss out of my head?" he thought as he got up and went straight for the shower. "Maybe a quick shower will get my mind off it."
After finishing his shower, Dante's mind was still stuck on that kiss. "Ahhh! Why won't you get out of my head? I just want some sleep!" he yelled as the memory repeated itself over and over in his mind. After hours of struggling with his mind's disobedience, mental and physical fatigue put Dante to sleep, and taking him back to the dark room he was in the night before. "Great, here we go again." he said sarcastically as he was pulled into anther one of his memories of his foalhood.
"... And that's why the Apple family is a big part of Ponyville history." Big Mac said as he finished his lecture on his family's history to Mr. Libro's class.
"Thank you Big Mac. Are there any questions?" Mr. Libro asked the class. "No? Okay then, thank you again Big Mac. Everypony say thank you to Big Mac."
"Thank you Big Mac!" said the class in unison.
"Y'all welcome." he said as he rubbed the back of his head.
Applejack then ran up to her brother and gave him a hug. "Ya the bes', Big Mac." she said hugging him tightly.
"Tell mah somethin' ah don't know, AJ." he said jokingly returning her embrace. Applejack soon let go of her brother and he left soon afterwards.
"Okay class that's all for today. You can all go home now." Mr. Libro said as he stacked some papers. Then the entire class got up and ready to leave. "Be careful on getting home."
After leaving the school Dante went straight home, droped off his belongings, grabbed his guitar, and left for the clearing where he heard Fluttershy sing. As he made it to the clearing he could hear Fluttershy's voice coming from the trees to the left of the clearing. Dante made his way to the tree he hid behind the other day, making sure she couldn't hear his hoofsteps. As he hid behind the tree he heard her talking to the animals around her.
"Oh dear. Have any of you seen Angel?" she said with worry in her tone. "Angel bunny come on out. It's not good to wander off with out telling me." she said as she made her way to where Dante was hiding.
"Oh no. If she comes closer she'll find out I'm here and ruin my plan." he thought as he felt something soft on his head. "huh?" he looked up to see a little white bunny on his head, looking angrily at Dante as if he did something wrong. He tried to grab the bunny but it soon jumped off his head and ran towards Fluttershy.
"What is it Angel? You want me to look behind that tree? Why? T-there is somepony there, a-and he's been s-spying on me?" she said a little frightened.
"Dammit that rabbit ratted me out!" he thought trying to get up, but found his right wing caught on the tree. "Ow! Come on I got to get out of here or she'll never trust me." he thought as he tried to break himself free from the tree's grasp. He finally got his wing free when Fluttershy turned the corner and fond Dante standing there. "Too late." he said as he facehoofed.
"Huh? W-what are you oing here?" she said with fear written across her face.
"Fluttershy look I can explain."
She started to back away as he got closer to her."W-why were you spying on me?"
"I wasn't spying on you Fluttershy I just wanted to hear you sing that's all."
"Y-you h-heard me singing?"
"Yes and your voice is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." he said merrily.
"D-don't come any closer." she said in complete fear.
"Fluttershy please calm down. I just wanted you to trust me, so I thought I could..."
He was cut off by Fluttershy as she went from helplessly scared to monstrously angry. "You wanted me to trust you and you chose to spy on me? Is that how you get fillies to trust you, huh? By spying on them?"
"It's not what you think." he said trying to defend himself.
"It's not? Really, then explain what you were doing behind that tree and listening to me sing!" she growled.
"I... I was..." he stuttered.
"Well come out with it!" she yelled.
"I'm sorry." he said as he hung his head. "I'm sorry that I was spying on you. I'll leave you alone from now on." he said as he left through the trees and towards town, with tears running down his face.
"Oh no, what have I done?" She said as she put her hooves to her face.
The next day at school Fluttershy walked in and noticed Dante wasn't in his seat. She looked around the room, and found out that he wasn't in the class. The day went on she felt a sudden loneliness and guilt for what she had said to Dante yesterday. At the end of class she walked up to Cheerilee.
"Um, Cheerilee do you know where Dante is?" she said sounding worried.
"No I haven't seen him since yesterday. Why?" Cheerilee wondered.
"I, um, need to talk to him. Do you know where he lives?" she asked.
"Yeah do you want me to take you there?"
"Yes please."
"Okay then let's get going."
Making it to Dante's home was fairly quick, but on the way there Fluttershy had been thinking what he might say to her for what she had done. Most scenarios ending with Dante hating her. As they made it to the door Cheerilee turned to Fluttershy to see her looking as she was about to start crying.
"Fluttershy, what's wrong?" Cheerilee asked worried that something had happened to her.
"He hates me." she said as she started sniffling.
"Who?"
"Dante."
Cheerilee then motioned her to follow her as she crossed the street and sat under a tree, which Fluttershy did."Okay tell me what happened."
After what seemed like an hour, Fluttershy finally finished and suddenly felt no need to cry. "What should I do to get him to forgive me?" she asked.
"Simple. Apologies."
"But what if he doesn't want to talk to me?"
"Apologize. That's all you have to do, and if he doesn't listen you keep apologizing until he finally forgives you.
"Are you sure that will work?"
"One hundred percent." she said confidently. "Just go to the door ask to speak with him and apologize to him. I'll be right here if you have any trouble."
"Okay I'll do."
"That's the attitude."
Fluttershy made her way back to the door of Dante's home, but as she was going to knock the door suddenly opened and Dante found himself face to face with the filly that had snapped at him the day prior.
"Um, Dante can we talk?" she asked sheepishly.
"Why would you want to talk to me? Are you gonna finish yelling at me?" he said looking away from her.
"I-I just wanted to say I'm sorry for yesterday. I really didn't mean to do that. Could you ever forgive me?" she said looking straight at him.
"Why would I ever forgive you? Just what makes you think I want to forgive you? What right do you have to my forgiveness?" he yelled, shutting his front door and walking past her. "All I wanted was to be your friend but that doesn't matter anymore. Now just leave me alone." he said to her before he left towards the market.
Fluttershy walked back to Cheerilee. "How did it go?" she said worryfuly. Fluttershy then broke down to tears, which was a clear answer to her question. "I thought as much."
Eradication Of Misconceptions
After he vented his anger out on Fluttershy, Dante went to the market to buy some supplies his mother sent him to pick up. As he bought the last item on the list, Dante started to doubt that what he said to Fluttershy was the right choice.
"I shouldn't have said those things to her. I know how fragile she is, but I still yelled at her." he thought as his feelings went from guilt to anger. "Then again why should I feel sorry for what I said. She did the same thing to me, but worse." then his mood had changed once again. "But she was there to apoogize, and I told her she didn't deserve my forgiveness. I'm such a jerk!" he then facehoofed. "I think trust is the last thing I should try to get from her. I need to find her and apologize before its to late." Dante then started galloping towards his home. Making it home he left the items his mother asked him for and then left to find Fluttershy.
Dante looked everyplace he could, bt he found no sign of Fluttershy. Seeing that Celestia's sun was about to turn in and the moon was readily awaiting its time to rule the skies, Dante went home, ate supper, and went to bed. He hoped he could apologize to Fluttershy tomorrow.
When he got to school the next day, it seemed to Dane as if all of Fluttershy's friends were staring at him. As he took his seat he tried to get Cheerilee's attention.
"Cheerilee, whee is Fluttershy?" he asked in a hush tone.
"Why do you care? She just wanted to say she was sorry, but you went ahead and made her cry because of what you said to her." she responded, but not even bothering to look at him.
"I see." he said as he hung his head. "And everypony else knows about it too?"
"Yeah, they do."
Dante then felt as if somepony was behind him, so he turned to see Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all around him.
"What's the big idea making Fluttershy cry, huh?" Rainbow let out angrily.
"Yeah what did she ever do to you, you meanie McSweeny?" Pinkie asked with an angry look on her face.
"And don't try to mediate your way out of this one, Mr." Rarity added.
Dante let out a sigh as he began to explain. "I was trying to get her to trust me, and then I ended up finding her in the forest..."
He was then cut off by Applejack. "We know the story, what we wanna know is why ya said those things t' Fluttershy."
"I... I honestly don't know." he said as he turned to see Cheerilee looking at him as angry as the others.
"You sure did sound like you knew when you said those things to her." Cheerilee said.
"Fine. I was angry, I wanted revenge, I hate her. Will any these reasons make you leave me alone, because if they do then I'll gladly say that's the reason I did it." he yelled angrily but only loud enough for the five fillies to hear him. "I just... Want to be alone right now. Alright?" he said hanging his head before looking out the window.
The five filles then started to look at each other as the guilt built in their heart. Rarity was the only one to speak. "We understand. Come on girls we have to get ready for class." and with that the four fillies surrounding Dante left.
"Dante, I'm so so..."
"No, don't apologize. You were angry that I made your friend cry, I understand." he said as he tried to avoid her stare.
Cheerilee was about to speak until Mr. Libro came through the door. "Okay class let's begin, shall we?"
After class ended, Dante went home and grabbed his guitar. Seeing that music was the only true escape he had whenever he was sad, Dante started playing some sad songs thinking it would help him cope with his feelings, but the effects were the complete opposite. Feeling to sad to continue, he stopped and just laid down on his bed. After a few minutes he heard a knock on his door.
"Dante, there is somepony at the door for you." his mother said through the door.
"I'll be right down." he said as he looked in the mirror to see that his mane was a mess. After he combed his mane, Dante went down stairs to see who would want to speak to him at this hour. "Yes what do you.... Want?" he said as he opened his eyes to see Fluttershy at the door once again.
"Um, h-hello." Fluttershy said a lot more sheepishly than normal.
"Fluttershy what are you doing here?" he said shocked to see the filly who he tried to apologize to earlier in the day.
"Well yesterday, before you said those things to me, Cheerilee said that the only way to get you to forgive me was to keep apologizing until you finally did. So I thought that I should try again today."
"And after what your friends said to me today, you think that I would just go ahead and forgive you. Do you really think it would be that easy?" Dante said as his anger was coming out with each word he said.
"I-I'm s-sorry. I'll leave now." she said as she started to sniffle and walk away from Dante.
'What am I doing? I want to apologize to her, not make them hate me even more.' "Fluttershy wait. I didn't mean to say that to you I... I was just a little mad about earlier. Look I just want to say that I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" she said as she held in the tears.
"Because I had no reason to say those terrible things to you yesterday. I was angry and I let it out, and because of that I made you cry and your friends hate me. What I'm asking is, will you forgive me?"
"On one condition." she said cheerfully.
"What is it?" he said cocking an eyebrow.
"Um, well. I was hoping you could play some music for me sometime."
"Of course. Anytime you want me to play you some music just tell me, okay?" instead of getting an answer, all Dante heard from Fluttershy was some very close to a squee as she hugged him. "I'll take that as a yes."
As the memory faded, Dante slowly started waking up. After stretching his legs, he went over to the kitchen, poured himself some tea, and walked outside to see if he had any mail. As he returned to his house he saw there was a newspaper sitting on one of his bushes next to the door. He picked it up, walked inside, and looked at the front page to see the headline read 'Local Mare Enchants Music Idol!' Dante then dropped his tea and the paper and let out on simple sentence.
"WHAT THE BUCK!"
After calming down Dante started to wonder how the newspaper got his secret from, and who the hay was this 'Gabby Gums' pony.
"Now who knew my secret?" Dante thought trying to find out who gave away his secret. "Now Big Ac, and Cheerilee would never tell the newspaper. Hay, she wouldn't even tell Fluttershy. Who else? Twilight. But she would never do that. Reda. Who am I kidding? Reda would never do that. Ahhhg. Who did this?"
Meanwhile over at Sweet Apple Acres:
"Applebloom!!"
"Y-yes Big Mac?" Applebloom said as she walked through the barn door, as her brother watched her with anger written all over his face.
"Care t' explain why Dante's secret is on the cover of the paper."
"Big Mac, what the hay has gotten int' ya?" Applejack said as she walked into the barn.
"Look for yaself." he said as he tossed the newspaper to Applejack.
"What the hay? 'Local Mare Enchants Music Idol!'.... Frontpony Dante from 'Armed To The Soul' has fallen head over hooves for Ponyville's own... FLUTTERSHY!?! Applebloom, ya have a lot of explainin' t' do." she said as she put te paper down and stood next her brother.
"Well? Go on."
"Fine." Applebloom soon explained everything to Big Mac and Applejack.
"What did ah tell ya 'bout gettin' int' other ponies lives?" Applejack said to Applebloom.
"Look AJ, ya can lecture Apllebloom after ya get her and her friends t' Dante's home, so they can apologize." Mac said as he went to the door.
"Where are ya goin' brother?" Applejack said with Applebloom behind her.
"T' stop Fluttershy from reading the newspaper." he then ran off towards Fluttershy's cottage.
"Ya really messed up now Applebloom."
As Big Mac made his way to Fluttershy's cottage, he saw that Cheerilee was banging on the door.
"Come on Fluttershy. I know you're In there so open up!" Cheerilee yelled.
"Ya read the paper too?" Mac asked as he made his way to the door.
"Yeah. Those girls are in a heap of trouble aren't they?"
"Eeyup."
"I'm really sorry that I have to ask this, but can you kick the door down?"
"Sure. Stand back from the door Fluttershy!" Big Mac yelled as he bucked the door down in one go.
Twy made their way to Fluttershy's room and found that she was still asleep,and for some odd reason wearing earmuffs. Then they turned to see Angel with the newspaper in his tiny paws. He gave them a look that meant 'Looking for this?'
"Oh thank Celestia. Angel your a lifesaver." Cheerilee said grabbing the paper from Angel.
Unknown to the two ponies and white bunny, the cover page of the newspaper was in full view for Fluttershy to see. Unluckily for everypony there, Fluttershy had woken up, taken off the earmuffs, and read the main article of the paper, to which Fluttershy responded by hiding behind her hair, mumeringthings that nopony could understand, and turning a deep red color. As Cheerilee turned to see what was causing the noise, she facehoofed as she realize her mistake.
"Fluttershy calm down. If you don't you'll pass out." Cheerilee said trying to calm Fluttershy but was to late as she fainted from the shock. "I warned you."
Over at Carousel boutique:
"There you are Applejack. I've been waiting for you for hours." Rarity said with her sister sitting next to her.
"Sorry but unlike ya, ah was busy with other things." Applejack said in a mock filled tone.
"Why I never." Rarity said looking away from Applejack. "Now all we need to do is find Scootaloo, but where could she be?"
"Here she is." Said Rainbow Dash as she lowered Scootaloo next to Sweetie Belle. "Come on, we got to get these three to Dante's house."
"Ya'll heard her, let's get a move on." Applejack said following Rainbow Dash.
While walking to Dante's house, Applejack explained to the three guilty fillies that intervening in other ponies lives is rude and unexceptiable. They soon knocked on Dante's door and he let them in.
"Hello, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Appebloom, and... Um I believe I don't know who you two are?" Dante said looking at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
"This is my sister Sweetie Belle. Say hello Sweetie Belle." Rarity said motioning her forward.
"Hello, Mr. Dante."
"And I'm gonna guess by looks this is your sister Rainbow, right?"
"Nope." she said shaking her head.
"Really? She looks so much like you." he said darting his eyes between Rainbow and Scootaloo.
"Nah, she just idolizes me that's all."
"So she's your... Daughter?" he asked tilting his head.
"How old do you think I am, Dante?"
"Enough." he mumbled.
"What was that, Dante?"
"Nothing! So lets see. I got it. She is your... Mother. I know I right about this one." he said in a joke tone.
"Did ya hit ya head or somethin', Dante?" Applejack interjected.
"Oh come on, don't tell me that wasn't funny. (That goes for the reader as well.)" he said looking at everypony's face.
"You should stick to music, Mr. Dante because you are terrible at this comedian stuff." Scootaloo said.
"Okay, I guess that's true. So what brings y'all here anyhow?" he said looking at Rarity.
"Well have you read the newspaper?" Rarity questioned.
"Oh yeah. When I get my hands on that Gabby Gums I'm... Ow! What was that for he said as rainbow hit him in the gut with her forehoof.
"Ah think the little ones have something to tell you." Applejack said.
"Sure what is it?"
"We're Gabby Gums." the three said in unison.
"Come again?"
"We said that we're Gabby Gums." Sweetie repeated.
"Dash am I hearing them correctly?" he ask as he rubbed his ear.
"Yeah, you are." she said looking at him.
"So you three are Gabby Gums?"
"Yes! How many times are we supposed to tell you for you to understand?" Scootaloo said in an angry tone.
"If the three of you are Gabby Gums, then which one of you figured out my secret?"
"That'd be me." Applebloom said as she walked towards Dante. "Ah was easdopping on ya and mah brother's conversation. Ah'm sorry."
"Applebloom, why would you do such a thing?"
"Ah thought that if we got a good story for the newspaper they would sell more. Ah didn't know that ya would be angry 'bout it."
"Look as much as I respect why you did it, it's still a bad thing and now everypony in Ponyville knows my secret. Now they will be bothering me and Fluttershy about this for who knows how long." Applebloom was now sniffling as the guilt settled in. "Don't cry, Applebloom. Look I'm not mad at any of you, but please promise me that you three won't do anything like this okay?" he asked as he motion the others over.
"We promise." they said in unison.
"Now that's better." he said patting them on the head.
"Dante can we talk?" Big Mac said as he burst through the door.
"Sure." he said getting up and walking with Big Mac to the kitchen.
"Dante, she knows." Big Mac said flatly.
"I thought as much." Dante said lowering his head.
"Ah think ya should go talk t' her."
"Why? She knows the truth, so what's the point?"
"Because jus' knowin' doesn't make it any more true unless they tell ya themselves."
"I guess your right. I'll go talk to her right now." Dante said confidently.
"That's the spirit. Now go get her." Big Mac said encouragingly.
Dante soon left his house and galloped towards Fluttershy's cottage.
As Dante arrived to Fluttershy's cottage, he noticed that the front door was missing. Walking through we're the door used to be, he went up stairs to see Cheerilee sitting with Fluttershy. He then heard them start talking.
"I told you if you didn't calm down you'd faint, but you didn't listen." Cheerilee said.
"I'm sorry I was just shocked about what it said on the newspaper."
"I'm really sorry but I have to find Big Mac so he can fix the door will you be okay by yourself?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Okay then I'll be leaving." Cheerilee said as she walked out of the room.
After Cheerilee left Dante waited a few moments before he finally chose to go in to Fluttershy's room. As he walked in Fluttershy had her back to him so she didn't notice that somepony had walked in I until he sat in the chair that Cheerilee was sitting in.
"Oh, did you forget som... Eeeek!" she shouted as she found Dante sitting across from her and staring right at her. "W-what are you doing here?" she asked as she calmed down.
"I want to talk to you about something really important." he said as he moved the chair closer to her bed.
"W-what is it?" she said as her face turned a deep red.
"I'm looking for a pet, and since you're the biggest animal lover I know I thought you would know what animal would be best for me." he said with a look on his face that just made Fluttershy angry.
With that look on his face Fluttershy couldn't help but say "What the buck is wrong with?" as she stood up from the bed she walked over to Dante and smacked him across the face.
"What the hay was that for?" he asked as he got up and grabbed her.
"For being such a jerk. Now get off me." she said as she pushed his arm off of her.
"What are you talking about?"
This, you bucking moron." she said as she showed the Headline to his face.
"Not this again."
"Why would you come here to ask me such a stupid question, when you know that this is all over Ponyville. Now everypony is gonna start bothering me about this, all because of you!"
"You think I wanted you to know this? I wanted to keep this a secrect from you until I found the right moment, but that ain't gonna happen thanks to this."
"Then you should have told me before!"
"When? When I got here? Oh wait, you forgot I even existed up until Cheerilee reminded you who I was."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have left Ponyville on the first place!" Fluttershy yelled as she started crying.
"What..." he barked before he calmed down and sat down next Fluttershy. "What would of that done Fluttershy?" She didn't reply and continued to cry. "Please stop crying Fluttershy."
"T-tell me, how could you love somepony like me? I'm just a normal mare, I can't do anything besides talk to animals." she said as she stopped crying.
"That's why I love you. You're the kindest and most beautiful mare I've ever met. I've felt this way even before I left."
"Then why didn't you tell me before you left?"
"Because it would have just made you miss me when I did leave. I didn't want you to suffer from loneliness while I was gone."
"I could have handled it if I knew you would come back." she said as she hugged him.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you before. Can you forgive me?" he said as he returned the hug.
"On one condition." she said as she hugged him tighter.
"I'll do anything." he said as he turned to face her.
"Go out with me." she demanded as she kissed him like the night before.
"S-sure." he said ase recovered from the kiss. "I know just the place."
Author's Note:
Well since ive posted 3 chapters in the past 24 hours I'll be taking a break and let Sk8erdude take the wheel on this project so expect more Reda in your diet.
Meanwhile back at Reda's:
Reda was outside of his home sitting down at his porch, enjoying the beautiful morning sky. He relaxed at every single minute of it. Reda was now back to his happy and yet peaceful self ever since he and Dante had that conversation at the party. He glanced over to his guitar which was sitting beside him the whole time since he sat to his porch.
Reda grabbed his guitar and tuned it. After he stopped tuning it, he began to strum his guitar to one of his songs that he wrote himself. Playing songs on his guitar always got his mind off things when it comes to all the troubles he has and anger that he can’t control.
Even though Dante told him that he already loves Fluttershy, it still didn’t stop Reda from loving her. He never stopped thinking about her since the day he fell in love with her. To get that off his mind, he levitated a notebook and pen got to work on his song that he was willing to write in a long time about his childhood crush.
With every single word he wrote on that notebook, he began to smile at whatever words that involved his love and emotions for Fluttershy. He couldn’t stop scribbling on that notebook; it felt as that he was almost finished with the song. All he needed was the rhythm from his guitar, and might as well be done with the song.
Reda once again grabbed his guitar and tried to come up with the rhythm since he was almost done with lyrics. After a few minutes, Reda decided to put down his guitar and come up with it later when he soon realized he didn’t have enough time to write the song and have enough time to hang out with Dante after he recovered from his depression.
As he got off his porch, a newspaper came flying out of nowhere then hit him in the forehead and landed somewhere in the bushes. There was enough force to knock Reda down for a little while. Reda then got back up rubbing his forehead and looked annoyed for the newspaper that hit him. The newspaper hit him fast enough for him to not know who threw it at him and get away with it.
“Ow….who ever threw that has really bad aim to aim it at the house and hit me instead." Reda groaned as he try to recovered from the hit.
Reda found the newspaper and levitated to right by his side. He unfolded the without even looking what was on the front page.
“Oh look another newspaper from Gabby Gums whoever he or she is; I wonder if there is are going to be some interesting news of ones in lifetime." He sarcastically said to himself.
Reda levitated the newspaper in front of him and got to reading.
“Let’s see what it is this time.” He groaned that the fact the news from around town is just dull. He began to read it so he can see of how bad this is really going suck.
“ 'Local Mare Enchants Music Idol!'. Huh so Gabby Gum finally got some news for us.” Reda said out loud sarcastically. ”Wait…”
After a few seconds, he quickly levitated the newspaper in front of him and began to ready it correctly.
“ 'Local Mare Enchants Music Idol!'. Frontpony Dante from 'Armed To The Soul' has fallen head over hooves for Ponyville's own... FLUTTERSHY!?!” Reda yelled at that last sentence. Reda couldn’t find any words to react to this but all he can think is.
“WHAT THE…” Reda yelled and immediately closed his mouth as he saw a mother and her filly walking past Reda’s house.
Reda immediately dashed out of his home and teleported into Ponyville.
Reda teleported in the middle of town and quickly made his way to Fluttershy’s cottage. Sweat began to drip from his forehead and was wearing a scared look on his face.
Reda kept running past ponies and bumping into them. Each time he bumps into them, he apologizes every time he does that.
“Pardon me, sorry." He bumped into the first pony.
“Watch it you!" The pony threatened at him as Reda pasted by him.
“Excuse me."
“What is wrong with you?” A mint colored pony said in an angry tone.
Reda was almost at Fluttershy’s Cottage when he noticed Twilight’s tree house which meant he was almost there. Reda kept running until a he saw a small purple dragon holding a stack of books with him, Reda became very worried that it will stop him from going to his destination.
Spike walked out of the tree house with a stack of books he was holding. He was whistling a tune as he was unaware of his surroundings. Spike then noticed a grey unicorn going top speed and it was coming right at him. He began to tried to get out of the way, but couldn’t due to the weight of the stack of books he was holding, it was hopeless and for Reda too. He then began to panic.
Reda on the other hand didn’t stop running, as he got closer to Spike. He immediately sprung up over Spike’s stack of books and tapped the first stack of the books with his right back leg and causing the books to collapse on Spike.
Reda chuckled as he didn’t believe he never jumped over that high and that he didn’t get stopped.
Spike let out a groan after Reda leaped over his stack of book and dash past him.
Reda finally made it to his destination. He was at the front of Fluttershy’s cottage and finally stopped running then stopped to catch his breath after all that running all over town.
Reda made his way to the front of the cottage where he noticed Big Mac fixing up the door.
“Hey, Mac watcha doin’?” Reda greeted.
“Jus' fixin‘ this door back up." Big Mac replied not looking at Reda.
“And this happened why?” Reda looked at Big Mac suspiciously.
“Ah don’ wanna talk ‘bout it." Big Mac replied a little uneasily.
Reda then got out a key which was under Fluttershy’s doormat.
“You do realize there was a key the entire time." Reda stated when he levitated the key in front of Big Mac.
After Big Mac heard and saw the key, he facehoofed for his mistake of breaking the door down while Reda chuckled at his mistake.
“Later Mac, it was nice talking with you." Reda said as he made his way inside Fluttershy’s cottage where the door used to be at.
"Eeyup."
Reda made his way inside went upstairs and ended up I front of Fluttershy's door.
“Hope I’m not too late” He said to himself sadly as he slowly turned the door knob.
Dante and Fluttershy were still at her room, they were still holding each other close and their snouts touching each other. Fluttershy forehooves wrapped around Dante’s neck and Dante’s forehooves wrapped around Fluttershy’s hip.
“So Dante, where are you taking me?" Fluttershy said slyly.
“You’ll see.” Dante let out a small chuckled and kissed her cheek.
Dante closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss her once more, Flutershy did the same as Dante did until they both heard a door knob turning causing them both to immediately separate from each other.
As Reda came inside her room, Fluttershy began to blush a deep red color. As for Dante, he seemed a little bit annoyed from the interruption and suspicious why Reda came in.
“Reda, what are you doing here?” Dante asked.
Reda didn’t say a word due to running all the way from his home to Fluttershy’s place. As Reda caught his breath, he tried to answer Dante’s question. "Have…you….guys….read any Gabby Gums lately?" He said exausted trying to catch his breath.
“You mean this?” Fluttershy showed the newspaper to Reda.
“Yeah…Wait how’d you know about it?”
“Don’t worry, Dante told me everything about it."
“What happened to you?” Dante notice the sweat coming down from his forehead and the exhaustion.
“Ran all over town and made it here."
“Couldn’t you just teleported here?” Dante stated.
Reda facehoofed as he realized his mastake. "Magic school wasn’t easy for me okay!" Reda said in an angry tone.
After Reda and Dante stopped talking to each other, Reda said his farewells to Dante and Fluttershy with that he left Fluttershy’s cottage and teleported back home, leaving Dante and Fluttershy both alone in the room. With that it became a moment of silenced.
“So where were we?” Dante was first one to speak.
After Dante said that, Fluttershy wrapped her forehooves around Dante’s neck and leaned in. As for Dante, he didn’t fight it. When Fluttershy leaned in to kiss him, Big Mac came bursting to the door causing her to back away from Dante right before Big Mac saw her and Informing Fluttershy that he already fixed the door. Dante on the other hand threw his hooves in the air and let out a single sentence.
“OH COME ON!!
After spending some alone time with his new fillyfriend, Dante left Fluttershy's cottage and went home so he could get ready for his date with Fluttershy. Arriving at his home he noticed somepony was at his door. Further examination reviled that there were two ponies at his door. A tall and strongly built grey pegasus stallion by the name of Stonewall, and his wife Life's Treasure, a highclass mare with a golden coat. To Dante they were simpy know as...
"Mom. Dad. What are you two doing here?" he said hugging his mother.
"We read today's headline and saw our son was the talk of the town. And not for his music for once." Stonewall chuckled as his son began to blush.
"I told you dear that Fluttershy was the mare for him, did I not?" Treasure said.
"Yes, you did. So Dante my boy, where have you been leaving your parents waiting for your arrival outside in this weather?"
"With Fluttershy I presume."
"Right you are mother, please come in." Dante said opening the door leading his parents to the living room.
"How did it go?" Stonewall said in a serious tone.
"Not as I planned, but it came with better results then expected." he said coming from the kitchen with some tea for his parents.
"Oh, how so?" Treasure wondered taking the tea.
"Well I originally planned to ask her out when things settled down after my arrival, but seeing that Gabby Gums spread my secret all around Ponyville, I had to change my approach." Dante said as he sat across from his parents. "So after confronting Gabby Gums, and having Big Mac inform me that Fluttershy read the article, I decided to go over and talk to her in private."
"And how did that go?" said Rainbow Dash as she walked through Dante's front door with the rest of the Elements Of Harmony in tow excluding Fluttershy. Big Mac had also arrived seconds after.
After making enough room for all his guest, Dante began to speak again. "If you must pry, I will only say that we shall be having dinner together in a remote location only I know of." Dante said drinking some tea.
"Your going where you first heard her sing, aren't you son?" Stonewall said raising an eyebrow.
After releasing what tea he had left in his mouth Dante responded to his fathers inquiry. "How the hay do you always know what I'm thinking, dad?" Dante said cleaning up his mess.
"Let's just say fathers intuition." Stonewall said in a mock tone.
"That's a pretty good idea though, taking her to the place you two became close. How will you spend your time together?" Twilight asked.
"That I'd like to keep a secret if I can." Dante said staring at his father.
"Don't worry son not a word from me." he said raising his right hoof to his muzzle.
"Well you better not get any bright ideas." Rainbow said staring at Dante with suspicion in her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Dante said raising an eyebrow.
"Jus' cause ya two love each other don't mean we wan' ya t' start fooling around." Applejack said.
"Yes, We would like our dear Fluttershy to remain pure after tonight, Dante." Rarity added.
"I wasn't planning anything like that at all." Dante said backng away from the mares.
"You better not." Rainbow said angrily.
"Look at the time. Ah think we should leave Dante t' get ready for his date." Big Mac said motioning his sister ans her friends to the door.
"Your absolutley right Big Mac. Well we'll leave you to whatever you're gonna do. It was nice seeing you again son." Stonewall said walking to the door. Afterwards everypony followed suit and left. Clearing up the mass amount of cups, Dante found a note written on a napkin next to his mother's cup.
"Don't forget your guitar."
"How the buck do they know what I'm planning!"
After finishing her daily chores, Fluttershy got ready for her day with Dante and waited patiently for his arrival. After waiting for what seemed like several hour, there was knock on the door. Instead of finding Dante at the door Fluttershy found a small white bunny similar to Angel, holding a note.
"What's this?" Fluttershy asked as she took the note from the bunny.
"Please follow the little bunny. - Dante."
"Dante sent you?" the bunny nodded. "Okay then I guess I could follow you."
After walking through the forest, the sky started to darken causing Fluttershy to worry.
"Are we far from where Dante is?" Fluttershy asked the bunny. Instead of answering her question, the bunny ran away from Fluttershy, causing her to panic and run after him. As she followed the bunny Fluttershy saw a clearing and soon she found herself in the center of the clearing. "Where did you go, little bunny?"
At this point the sun had gone down and the moon was in the center of the night sky. Fluttershy felt as she was completely alone, then suddenly she heard a sound. Not something that would scare Fluttershy like a twig snapping, something more soothing and calming. As she walked towards the sound Fluttershy found herself I the same little patch of the forest where she used to sing to the little critters when she and Dante were kids.
"Hello is anypony here?" Fluttershy asked looking around for a sign of somepony's presence.
"Hello beautiful." Dante said as he landed next to Fluttershy.
"Ahhh!" Fluttershy yelled.
"Calm down its just me. Geez you don't panick in the dark by yourself but when your coltfriend gives you a complement, you freak out."
"I'm sorry but I didn't expect to be lead here by a bunny. I was expecting my coltfriend to pick me up and take me to somewhere special." Fluttershy said in a rage.
"But this is a special place. Don't you remember?" Dante said as he put his guitar over his shoulder.
"Yes, yes I do. We used to sing together here, and after you left Reda and I sang here as well." Fluttershy said in her normal calm tone. Dante the hung his head as he walked away from Fluttershy. "Dante is there something wrong?"
"I'm sorry Fluttershy this date has gone terrible for you already. I'm terrible at this coltfriend thing. You deserve somepony better than me."
"That isn't true at all. I don't deserve you Dante. There are hundreds of mares who would love to date you, and out of everyone of those mares you chose somepony so normal and undeserving, me. And this date isn't terrible because it hasn't even started Dante. Now come on and lets eat shall we?"
"Your the kindest mare in the world Fluttershy, and that's why I love you." Dante said as he lead Fluttershy under the tree she caught him hiding under years ago.
After having dinner, Dante and Fluttershy sat on the ground staring at the night sky. "The stars are beautiful, aren't they Dante?"
"Yeah they are. Traveling from big city to big city, I never really got to see the stars clearly." he said hugging Fluttershy. She then started giggling loudly causing Dante to stare at her. "Did I say something funny?"
"No. I set you up for a 'not as beautiful as you' compliment and you don't even notice." she giggled hugging him and leaning in for a kiss.
"I guess I really am bad at this coltfriend thing." Dante chuckled as he kissed Fluttershy.
"You could be better." Fluttershy said as they retreated their muzzles.
"Well either way I have something for you." Dante said as he got up.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that. I don't need you spending any of your bits on me."
"Don't worry, I didn't spend any bits on this gift. Actually I've been holding on to this since I left."
"What is it then?"
Dante then grabbed his guitar, started to tune it, and then started to play a soft and slow melody. Soon the pace of the guitar sped up and Dante cleared his throat.
"It's been five years since I left home, And I haven't visited for so long. Spending evey morning all alone, Yet I will keep my love for you strong.
My life's been easy, New friends and experiences. Every moment so cheesy, Writing music to painting fences.
With each step, every mile, All I remember is your smile. Each brick and stepping stone, All I feel is that I'm here alone.
I miss you so, Wonder how you are. Hoping your not alone, Wishing you weren't so far.
Somehow I know your life is perfect, Filled with care and purpose. Thinking you found a new love, Makes me jealous.
With each step, every mile, All I remember is your smile. Each brick and stepping stone, All I feel is that I'm here alone.
I still remember the day I fell for you, It was so long ago. A beautiful voice coming from a better view, All the animals would ask for more.
The day I had to go, All you did was cry. I wished I didn't have to leave you, I'm so sorry Fluttershy."
As he put his guitar down, Dante soon found himself on his back with his mare crying uncontrollably on top of him. "Fluttershy what's wrong?"
After calming down she slowly answered his question. "That was beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you." Dante said as he pulled Fluttershy into a deep kiss.
"Now your the cheesy coltfriend." Fluttershy said in a mocking tone.
After spending another hour together singing, reminiscing, and show each other's affection, Dante walked Fluttershy home.
"Here we are milady." Dante said in a formal tone.
"Thank you, Dante. This was the best night of my life." Fluttershy said as she kissed Dante one more time before heading inside.
"Not for long." Dante whispered to himself, as he walked home.
It's been a month since Dante and Fluttershy started dating, and everything seem to be perfect for Dante. He lives in a town where everypony is nice to one another, he has a house to live in, great food to eat, a family that cares, and a beautiful mare who loves him as much as he loves her. Nothing could ruin his new life. Unluckily the same thing can't be said for his morning. Being forcefully woken by a loud banging that came from his front door, Dante went down stairs to find his father looking impatient.
"What is it dad, and why couldn't you wait for later?" Dante murmured as he let his father inside.
"Get dressed Dante. We have to leave as soon as possible." Stonewall said heading for the kitchen.
"Why?" he yawned.
"Here this should help wake you." Stonewall said as he threw a cup's worth of water to Dante's face, waking him up violently.
"Dad, what the hay!?"
"Now get dressed while I clean this up."
Dante soon went upstairs mumbling to himself. Not long after Dante return to the living room to find his father waiting by the door.
"So where are you taking me anyways?" Dante questioned.
"To the station."
"Why?"
"We have somepony you need to meet, Dante."
"We?"
"Your mother and I."
Not long after they both made it to the station and found Life's Treasure waiting for them patiently.
"Good morning, Dante." Treasure said as she hugged him.
"It was a good morning until dad threw freezing water in my face." Dante said to his mother.
"Here it comes." Stonewall said as the train approached slowly.
"Who is it your introducing me to anyways, mother?"
"You'll see." and with that the train came to a stop in front of Dante and his parents. Soon everypony in the train had exited except two pegasus. One a small orange filly, and the other a red mare.
"Come on Marcy, they're over here." the red mare said to the orange filly.
"Okay sis, I'm coming."
"There she is Dante." Treasure said as the red mare made her way to them.
"I'm dating Fluttershy, mom. I don't need you to get me a date." Dante said giving his mom a confused face.
"Not her Dante. Her." Stonewall said pointing at the filly.
"Mom. Dad. It's great to see you." the red mare said hugging Stonewall.
"Mom? Dad?" Dante said looking at the mare even more confused than before.
"Scarlet, you remember your brother." Treasure said motioning to Dante.
"Dante? Oh my gosh, it's been so long!" Scarlet said nearly tackling her brother.
"S-scarlet? I didn't even recognize you. Look at you, you've changed so much sis." Dante remarked looking at his sister in disbelief.
"Of course you didn't recognize me, you haven't come visit in 15 years! I've spent the last 15 years alone since you decided to leave." Scarlet said now angry at Dante, turning her back to him.
"Scarlet, I'm sorry but I've been touring nonstop with the band, and when we did stop, it was to record more music." she still didn't look at him. "But there's no reason to be mad, because I won't be leaving town for a long time. I promise." Dante said as he hugged his sister. She then turned around to reveal that she had tears rolling down her face. "Scarlet, what's wrong?"
"I-I missed you so much big brother. Why did you have to leave, you big meanie?" she said as she buried her face in his chest.
"Scarlet I'm sorry. I'm so sorry little sis. I didn't mean to make you worry." Dante said as tears started to run down his face. After a few minutes in their embrace Dante let go of his sister to see his father walk towards him with the filly behind him.
"Dante I want you to meet Marcy. Say hello Marcy." Stonewall said as he pushed the filly towards Dante.
"Hello Marcy. I'm Dante it's nice to meet you." he said walking towards the filly, wiping away any leftover moister from before. The filly stood her ground terrified of Dante, but as soon as Dante got within hoof length, Marcy ran towards Scarlet for protection.
"Marcy thats no way to say hello to your brother." Scarlet said as she lifted her off the ground.
"B-brother?" Marcy said in a whispered voice.
"Yeah Marcy. Dante is our big brother. He's your big brother."
"Wait could somepony explain this to me?" Dante said looking at his parents.
"It's true Dante. Little Marcy is your baby sister." Treasure said.
"I'm not a baby!" Marcy yelled.
"You're acting like one though." Scarlet said chuckling at her sister's face. "Now come on and say hello to Dante already." As if by magic Marcy's attitude went from angry little filly to Fluttershy level of shyness.
"Marcy if you don't say hello we won't get any food. You don't wanna starve, do you?" Marcy shook her head. "Then say hello already."
"I don't think that's...." Dante muttered.
"H-hello big brother." Marcy interrupted.
"See it wasn't that hard, now was it Marcy?" Scarlet said lowering her sister and pushing her closer to Dante.
"Come on everypony let's go get some breakfast." Stonewall said walking away from the tracks.
"Great, I'm starving. Come on Marcy I'll carry you." Dante said as motioned her to get on his back.
"O-okay."
Unknown to Dante, Rainbow Dash had seen the exchange of hugs between Dante and this unknown mare. Within minutes Rainbow was at Fluttershy's cottage.
"Oh hello there, Rainbow Dash. What are you doing here?" Fluttershy said letting Rainbow in.
"Dante is cheating on you that's why I'm here!" Rainbow yelled.
"W-what do you mean he's cheating on me?" Fluttershy said now worried.
"I saw him hugging some mare at the train station. And it wasn't any 'hello' kinda hug either."
"Are you sure it was Dante?"
"Tell me how many other stallions look like your coltfriend, Fluttershy?"
"None."
"And that's my point! That two timing weasel."
"Are you sure it was that kind of hug?"
"What other hug is there Fluttershy. Just face it the stallion you love so much is a lieing cheater."
"I don't believe you."
"What?"
"I said I don't believe you. Dante said he would never cheat on me, and I trust him completely."
"And my isn't as good, Fluttershy. Fine, if you won't believe me then go see for yourself. I'll take you to him." Rainbow said as she went through the door, waiting for Fluttershy to follow. "Come on."
"I'm going."
Walking through town, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy soon found Dante and the red mare sitting on a park bench, chatting away as if there was no tomorrow.
"See Fluttershy, he is cheating on you." Fluttershy remained quiet as she watched her coltfriend and the other mare.
Eventually after getting close enough to hear their conversation, Fluttershy first heard something she would have never thought she would hear Dante say to any mare.
"So do you have a coltfriend?" and with that Fluttershy's heart was torn to shreds at the thought that the love of her life would ask another mare if she had a coltfriend while they were dating. Unable to stand it any more Fluttershy ran home leaving Rainbow in a rage nopony could have ever thought possible.
After eating with his family, Dante beckoned Scarlet to join him on a walk around town. She gradually accepted his request wanting to spend some quality time with her brother after being separate for 15 years.
"So what are you studying at Canterlot anyway?" Dante asked.
"Medicine. I wanna be a nurse." Scarlet replied.
"Of course you would." he chuckled.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just saying you always tried to help others, even with things you couldn't handle. So you becoming a nurse doesn't seem like some crazy idea. To tell the truth I'm really proud of you little sis." Dante said hugging her.
"Thank you Dante, that means a lot coming from you." she said returning the embrace.
"Now that I think of it why was Marcy with you?"
"Oh I told mom that since I wasn't spending as much time with Marcy as I used to, I thought she could spend the week with me. Like a good older sibling." Scarlet said mocking her brother.
"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"
"Fifteen years worth."
"I know I used to call you crazy when we were kids, but now I'm a hundred percent sure I was right."
"That's mean you big bully." Scarlet said as she pushed her brother away for her.
"Come on sis lets sit down." Dante said as he sat down at a nearby bench, with Scarlet following suit. "So how do you pay your intuition for college?"
"Oh I got a scholarship." she said proudly.
"Really? A scholarship to Canterlot University? You've got to be kidding me." Dante said in disbelief.
"No, it's true. You don't believe it because you're not smart enough to get one."
"Hey that's no way to talk to your older brother." Dante said in a hurt tone.
"But it's true."
"That's it. Time for your punishment." Dante said as he grabbed Scarlet and started giving her a traditional nuggie.
"Ow! Stop it! Let go of me!" she screamed while giggling at her brother's foalish nature.
After a good minute more of torturing Scarlet, Dante let her go. "That's what you get for insulting your big brother."
"Dante, you shouldn't treat mares like that." Reda said as he walked up to his friend.
"Reda, what are you doing here?" Dante said in an embarrassed tone.
"What? A stallion can't take a stroll around town, and walk up to his pal while he is mistreating such a beautiful mare. Especially when you have a fillyfriend remember, or have you already lost interest in Fluttershy?" Reda said mocking his best friend.
"That isn't funny Reda. You know I would never lose interest in her." Dante said angrily.
"I was just kidding. Geez lighten up, man." Reda said as he turned his attention to Scarlet. "So if you're not the mare Dante would cheat on Fluttershy with, then who are you?"
Even with a coat the same color as her name, Reda and Dante both could see the blush on Scarlet's face. "I-I'm, um..."
"She's my little sister, and her name is Scarlet." Dante said as he wrapped his hoof over her.
"Well its a pleasure to meet you, Scarlet."
"Y-you too, Reda." she said.
"So Dante when were you gonna tell me you had such a hot sister?" Reda whispered to Dante.
"Well I haven't seen her since I left town. How was I supposed to know my little sister would look hot?" Dante replied. "I know this is kinda rude but could you leave us alone? I want to learn more about my sister in private."
"Fine. Well I guess I'll be leaving." he said looking back at Scarlet. "it was nice to meet you. I hope we can hang out sometime."
"M-me too." Scarlet said shyly.
After Reda left Dante noticed that Scarlet was daydreaming so as any good jerk older brother Dante snuck up behind Scarlet and yelled.. "Boo!"
"Ahhh! Dante you jerk. You could given me a heartattack."
"Well I've missed 15 years of being an older brother and I'm trying to get them all back."
"Well how about you try messing with Marcy too?"
"That's terrible. I couldn't possibly do that to somepony as shy as Marcy."
"I remember you used to do it to Fluttershy. She was just as shy as Marcy back then."
"But I was a colt back then, I'm a stallion now and supposed to act like one."
"Well you don't seem to be dong such a good job."
"That's because you're not as young as Marcy. You're 23 years old, she's just 7. If I did anything to Marcy she could really have a heartattack. You know that as much as I do." Dante said in a caring and concerned tone.
"Why are you acting so sad Dante?" Scarlet said worry.
"It's nothing." Dante said with a fake grin.
"You're lying." Scarlet said angrily staring at him.
"That obvious?" she nodded. He sighed. "Fine. I think Marcy doesn't like me."
"What do you mean? She's talked more with you around then she normally do with just mom, dad, and I." it didn't seem to affect him. "Look if you want I'll tell her your a good pony and that she doesn't need to be afraid of you. You are her older brother after all and if anything happens to mom and dad, you're gonna be her legal guardian." Scarlet said hugging her brother lovingly.
"Do you ever get the feeling you're a bit of a nuisance when somepony is trying to be sad?" Dante chuckled as his mood improved.
"I get that sometimes."
"Since you know I have a fillyfriend it's my right to ask you this." Dante said as he became a little tense. "So, do you have a coltfriend?"
"No. Why do you wanna know?"
"I just wanna make sure you don't before...." Dante wasn't able to finish his sentence as a rainbow streak hit him head on and sent him flying.
"DANTE YOU'RE SO DEAD!!!"
As a rainbow streak hit him and sent him flying, Rainbow slammed Dante into a nearby flower stand causing him to lay down on his back and Rainbow Dash to get on top then slamming her fore hooves on his face.
“You...back…stabbing…weasel!!” Rainbow yelled angrily each time she slammed her hooves on Dante’s face. Each punch she threw at him made him bleed more and bruised him.
Unknown to the two of them, ponies gathered around them and watched the fight going on between them. None of the ponies who gathered around bothered to stop the fight but watched in horror. ___________________________________________________________________________
Reda did what he does in his free time, strolling around town greeting other ponies he knew and some he doesn’t know. As Reda began walking towards where Dante got slammed, he noticed a crowd surrounded him and heard some insults being yelled out by a voice he found to be familiar with. Some were bad and some that anypony wouldn't dare to say.
Reda ran up to the crowd full of ponies then pushed them away to see. What he saw was his best friend bruised up and bleeding from his snout and mouth, and a furious Rainbow Dash on top of Dante throwing punches at him and then choking him not even stopping.
Reda began to use his magic without hesitation to separate Rainbow Dash and his injured friend.
“Nothing to see here!” Reda commanded the crowd while holding her back. With that the entire crowd that surrounded them, walked away from them and got back from whatever they were doing. Reda continued to hold Rainbow Dash back with his magic but began to struggle as she tried to get out of his grasp. The more she tried, the more Reda struggled.
“I knew I should’ve stayed in magic school." Reda grunted holding Rainbow Dash.
Dante got back up while coughing out blood and limped to a nearby wall to support himself.
“You good for nothing lying cheater!” She shouted at the top of her lungs causing Reda to let go of her.
“Whoa, what’s going on here!?” Reda asked, in shock letting go of her.
As for Dante, he tried to recover from his injury then coughed out blood so he can speak.
“What in the hay are you talking about!?” Dante shouted angrily at Rainbow Dash.
Reda stood there confused wearing a dumbfounded look on his face to what the two were talking about.
“Fluttershy trusted you, and you throw away all she’s done for you by going out with another mare behind her back?!” She said pained and furious tone.
“Wait, another mare?! What are you blabbering about?!” Dante asked shocked.
“Yeah Rainbow Dash, what are you talking about? Did somepony put anything on your drink this morning?" Reda teased in a joke tone.
“Reda, this isn’t the time for jokes.” Rainbow growled
“Somepony is getting moody today." Reda muttered to himself
Rainbow rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh, the fact she wanted to do the same to Reda only worse because of how annoying he was starting to get. So to avoid that, she simply ignored Reda to avoid beating him up and then turned to her attention to his beat up friend, Dante.
“Why would you do that to your own fillyfriend and most importantly, my best friend?!” Rainbow shouted through all her rage almost making her to break down into tears.
“What do you mean another mare?”
“I saw you hugging another mare at the train station earlier, and don't think I didn't see how happy you were to see her!” She continued to yell at him.
“You mean Dante’s sister?” Reda interjected as Rainbow Dash brought it up.
“Sister?”
"Is she that red mare across the street that you're talking about?"
"Yes."
“Yeah, that's Dante’s sister alright. I met her this morning. Why did you attack Dante anyways?” Reda tilted his head.
After Rainbow Dash heard what Reda said, she immediately took a quick look at Dante to see what she had done. Dante’s injuries were worse than she and Reda had expected, blood coming at out both his mouth and snout followed by the bruises all over him. She immediately went up to Dante and put her head under his forehoof to help him back up. Reda also did the same; he put Dante’s forehoof over his neck to support him.
“I’m…sorry…for what I did to you.” Rainbow Dash stammered sounding like she wanted to break down into tears.
“You don’t have to apologize okay, he’ll be fine” Reda wanted to lighten up the mood while holding Dante.
Dante started to worry about Fluttershy, thinking that he cheated on her. When Reda began to walk away from Rainbow Dash to find some help, he stopped Reda in his tracks and asked Rainbow Dash a simple question.
“Does Fluttershy think I’m cheating on her?” He asked worried.
”Yep. And it’s not pretty.”
“Please go to her cottage and just tell her everything.” Dante said coughing. After that Rainbow Dash left to Fluttershy’s cottage leaving a rainbow streak behind.
“C’mon Dante lets go.” Reda left to find help while holding him and then to walked where his sister was at.
“Where’s Nurse Redheart when you need her?" Reda ranted.
“You realize that my sister studied medicine at the Canterlot University. I think she might help me with these injuries.” Dante stated.
Reda understood what he mean't so he went to where his sister was sitting at.
After Dante and Reda met up with Scarlet, Reda lowered Dante in front of his sister causing her to put her hoof on her mouth and a tear to roll down her face due to the injury on her brother she encountered.
“Think you can help him?” Reda asked a little worried.
“I'll see what I can do to help him.” Scarlet said.
Reda picked up Dante to take him to his home while Scarlet followed him.
As the three of them were at the front of Dante’s door, Scarlet opened the door and went inside as Reda followed her. He then dropped Dante on his couch and let Scarlet to do her job.
“Thanks for helping him.” Scarlet cheerfully thanked him as she hugged him. After she let go of him, she blushed a little of what she did. Reda then made his way to the door until Scarlet flew in front of him.
“Where are you going? Aren’t you going to help me with my brother?” Scarlet asked.
“I would love to but I got to get back.” Reda replied.
As Reda made his way out of the door, he looked back and wanted Scarlet to know something.
“I know we just met but would you like to hang out sometime? I'd like for us to know each other a little more.” Reda said.
“I would love too.” Scarlet happily replied.
“Um, good. See you later.”
"Come on Dante, you need to stay put." Scarlet said as she shoved him back onto his bed. She had finished patching up Dante's injuries hours ago and helped him up stairs, but he refused to get some sleep.
"I... have... to... get... to... Fluttershy." Dante let out as he struggled against his sister's hooves.
"You're not going anywhere, you need to get some rest. Those injuries won't heal if you're running all over town."
"I don't care about these stupid bruises. I need to go now!"
"Scarlet, there you are. Where have you been? Marcy has been worried sick about you." Stonewall said as he walked into Dante's room. "Dante, what the hay happened to you?"
"Nothing. I need to get going." he replied.
"Rainbow Dash attacked him because she and Fluttershy thought he was cheating on her with me, then me and Dante's friend Reda brought him here so i could patch him up, and now he won't stay here and get some rest." Scarlet said as she got in her brother's way once again.
"You were always such a taddle tell, you know that right?" Dante mumbled to himself.
"Big sis!" Marcy yelled as she jumped onto Scarlet, appearing from nowhere.
"Marcy, what are you doing here? I told you to stay with your mother, or did I not?" Stonewall said as he frowned at his daughter.
"Marcy, sweetheart, I thought I told you barging into other's homes is impolite and unladylike." Treasure said entering the room. "I'm sorry Stonewall dear, but she kept begging me to follow you until I finally yielded. Please forgive me." she finished lowering her head.
"If you'll excuse me I have somewhere to be." Dante said as he walked for the door.
Stonewall quickly shut the door and stood in Dante's path. "You're not going anywhere. Scarlet is right you need rest, those injuries will worsen if you go out now in this weather."
"I don't care, I need to talk to Fluttershy!" Dante yelled.
"Is this mare worth risking your life over!?" Stonewall replied. Treasure motion the girls to get to the other side of the room. "Is she important enough for you to make your family to worry!? We're trying to keep you safe and don't want anything happening to you, but you're attempting to run in this storm so you can talk to a mare who doesn't even seem to trust you and..."
"You don't know anything about her!"
"Don't you raise your voice to me!"
"I don't have to listen to you!"
"You will listen to me, I am your father! I'm here to take care of you!"
"I'm a grown stallion, I can take care of myself!"
"It doesn't look that way, seeing that a mare did this to you!"
"STOP IT BOTH OF YOU!!!!!" Scarlet screamed.
"Scarlet sweetie, please let them handle their own business." Treasure said as she placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"No mother, I won't!" Scarlet said as she removed her mother's hoof. "I'm not going to sit here and watch my father and older brother argue over, especially not in front of Marcy!" Everpony in the room turned to Marcy, she was curled up in a ball and was crying, barely audible. "Now do you see what you've done, you both traumatized my baby sister! And over what, you refusing to get some sleep and talk to Fluttershy in the morning." Scarlet yelled as she point her hoof at Dante.
"Scarlet sweetheart, please." Treasure pleaded.
"Don't you start blaming me, this wouldn't have happen if you just let me leave!" Dante said defending himself.
"We're trying to take care of you, but you're to stubborn to listen!" Stonewall remarked.
"That's it! Come on Marcy we're leaving." Scarlet sad as she picked up her little sister and put her over her shoulder.
"Scarlet, where are taking Marcy?" Treasure asked.
"Away from this family. Marcy is gonna be staying with me until Father and Dante stop this pointless fighting." Scarlet then left with Marcy.
"You know what, I don't care anymore. Leave, go see that mare. I don't care what you do with your life anymore, because from this moment on you are not my son!" Stonewall then left in a rage.
Dante sat on his bed, taking in what his ex-father said. Treasure sat next to him and put her hooves around him.
"Dante, are you okay?"
"I... Don't know." he said shaking.
"I know what your father said was terrible but he'll come around. He has to understand that Fluttershy really means a lot to you, but your father cares about your safety too much to see why. She's a nice, down-to-earth filly who's great with animals and very caring. She's also an extremely beautiful mare, she isn't like most mares these days acting like sluts and wanting expensive gifts from their coltfriends and your lucky to have her in love with you and not some punk who would only use her."
"You're right mom. She's the kind of anypony would want to marry, stallion or mare. I'm just extremely lucky that nopony had taken her, but now I feel if I don't go see her she'll hate me."
"So are you going to see her now?"
"No, I can't. If the worst is to happen, I don't want to lose two ponies I care about in the same day." he said as he hung his head.
"I see. Well I guess I'll go home to check on your father. When you feel that you want to settle things with him, just come by will you?"
"Sure mom, I will."
"Great. Good-bye Dante, and please get some rest." Tresure said as she left Dante's home and to her own.
After leaving Dante's house Scarlet realized something, she had no idea where she could go. Most shops would be closed by now, and the ones that weren't exactly foal friendly. Scarlet didn't want to admit it but she had just messed up.
"So exactly where are we going, sis?" Marcy asked. She had finished crying and recovered pretty quick, but she wasn't ready to talk about what happened.
"I don't really know. I don't have many friends here anymore so I guess we have to stay at the inn."
"Why can't we stay with Reda?" Marcy offered.
"W-what?" 'Why would she even mention staying with him, we just met each other today.' Scarlet thought.
"I said why can't we stay with Mr. Reda?"
"I heard you, but I don't understand why would you want to stay with him?"
"Mr. Reda is a nice pony, he teaches music classes at the school, and he's really nice to everypony. He said if we ever needed anything we could come to him for help."
"I don't think he meant that we could stay at his house though."
"He said anything, he even told us that he wouldn't mind if anypony asked to stay at his home."
"I don't know Marcy, it seems a little rude to go todo something like that." 'But its the only option we have at the moment.' Scarlet thought. 'I guess it would fine, he did want to spend more time together. Nonononononono, Scarlet get your head out of the gutters. We're considering this because we need a place to stay, and not to do such things with somepony you just met. Especially Dante's best friend, and your sister's music teacher.'
Marcy stared at her sister as she shook her head to get rid of such thoughts, leaving Marcy to wonder what was wrong.
"Sis, are you ok?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Marcy. I thought it over and we'll go to his house and 'ask' if we can stay. Do you understand?" Scarlet said as she looked down at her sister.
"Yes!"
"Okay then, where does he live?"
"I know the way follow me."
Arriving at the door of Reda's home, Scarlet knocked on Reda's door lightly. Hearing a few soft clops coming from the other side of the door, Scarlet looked over her shoulder to look at her wings, nothing out of place, then her hair a few strands separated from the others, easily put back in line with the rest. Her breath, she hadn't eaten besides breakfast with her family so it shouldn't leave any odor.
Marcy looked over at her sister checking her features as if preparing herself for a date. Marcy let it slide in her mind as she wanted to make a good impression with her teacher.
The door opened to show a groggy Reda, looking as he had just woken from a deep slumber. "Yes, how can I help you?" Reda said as a yawn took over, not even bothering to see who it was.
"Oh, um... Hello Reda." Scarlet greeted, twiddling her hooves together. "I was wondering... If we could, um, stay here for the night. But If this is a bad time we'll leave, seeing that we must've woken you from your nap." Scarlet remarked shyly.
Reda now fully awake, sorta, looked to see his closest pal's sister and his favorite student standing on his porch, asking if they could spend the night. Not completely sure why the two were together, Reda let them in and motioned them to the couches. "So, I guess the first question I have to ask is why you're both here? At the same time?"
"Well, after I patched Dante up, I led him upstairs so he could get some rest but he kept trying to leave. Then our father came in, saying that he was looking for me. I told him what happened and then he wouldn't let Dante leave. Soon they started fighting in front of us, and..."
"Wait us?" Reda interrupted.
"Me, mama and bis sis." Marcy said.
"Big... Sis?" Reda said as he looked at Scarlet with a 'You can't mean...' look on his face. It made sense now, why they were together, why they seemed so close, even why Marcy was his favorite student. It all made sense to him now and he facehoofed at the realization. "Well that explains mostly everything." Reda muttered.
"Well they argued and then Marcy started crying and that's where I drew the line. I wasn't going to sit idly by as my brother and father fought in front of Marcy, traumatizing her. So I spook up told them how I felt then I left and took mercy with me." Scarlet then lowered her head in shame. "And that's when I noticed I had nowhere else to go."
"What made you think of me?" Reda asked.
Scarlet started blushing at the simple question. She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't find an answer. Marcy luckily came to the rescue.
"I told her that you were always wanting to help your students and I thought that maybe we could stay with you." Marcy remarked.
"Well I'm always willing to help my students, especially my favorite, and coincidently my closest friend's baby sister."
"I'm not a baby, I'm seven years old!" Marcy replied in an angry tone.
Scarlet snickered at her little sister's rage. "So you don't mind if we stay for the night?"
"You can stay as long as you want just, um, don't tell anypony." Reda said in an awkward tone. "You wouldn't want the town to think we're dating or anything, would you?"
Scarlet looked at Reda, then to Marcy and back to Reda. "No. No, I guess we should give anypony the wrong idea." Scarlet said.
Reda detected some sadness in her tone but ignored it. "Okay then I'll be right back." he said as he made for the guest room. Looking inside, Reda saw that the room was full of junk, only leaving enough room for a young foal to sleep. Reda, as he does every time he does, say, or thinks something wrong, facehoofed. Reda went back to the living room finding that Marcy was asleep on her sister's lap. "Um, we have a slight problem."
"What's wrong?" Scarlet responded.
"Well I have things stored in the guest room, leaving only enough space for Marcy and none for you."
"Oh my."
"No need to worry though, you can always have my bed." he said reassuringly.
"Oh no, I couldn't do that. You're already letting me and Marcy stay here, I couldn't possibly kick you out of your own room. I'll sleep on the couch."
"But..."
"No buts. I'm sleeping on the couch and that's final!" Scarlet said forcefully.
Reda sighed. "Fine, I'll set up the sleeping bag for Marcy, and then get you a pillow and blanket."
"Thank you."
"Not a problem."
After a couple of minutes getting the sleeping bag prepared and grabbing a blanket and pillow for Scarlet, Reda went to his room and on his bed. "Man, I meet a fine looking mare, and then I find out she's my best bro's sister. Stop Rainbow Dash from killing said bro, carry him to his house, then find out that my favorite student is his baby sister, and I'm having both of his sisters stay with me until a family affair blows over. Dante, when this is all over, you owe my big time." Reda thought to himself. Soon he found himself fast asleep.
After a long day, Reda felt relaxed and rejuvenated waking up in his bed. The room was still dark, so looking over to his clock Reda realized he had woken up half an hour before dawn. Knowing he had no plans for the day, he tried to get some more rest. Rolling over, Reda stretched his right forehoof out. It landed on a soft and warm surface.
"What the..." Reda mumbled. He opened his eyes to find Scarlet sleeping comfortably in his bed. She slowly scooted herself subconsciously towards Reda and started rubbing her muzzle against his chest. Reda couldn't believe what he was seeing before him. A beautiful mare in his bed rubbing against him and the best part, it wasn't a dream."Oh Celestia, if Dante was to ever find out about this he'd kill me for sure." he thought. "Wait, but why would he? We didn't do anything last night, did we?"
Scarlet slowly started to wake from her comfortable rest. "Uh, man this pillow is a lot more comfortable than I thought."
"Yeah, I guess I am." Reda said in an awkward, yet smartass attitude.
"Ahhh!!!" Scarlet screamed as she kicked Reda off the bed. He landed on the ground with a loud thud. "Oh Reda, I'm so, so, so sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
Reda was on the ground rubbing the back of his mane, trying to rub away the pain. While Scarlet went over to Reda to help him up.
“Sis, what are you doing up here?” Marcy yawned as she woke up by a loud thud and her sister’s scream.
“I-I…um don’t know Marcy. You see-” Scarlet stammered quickly to find what to say.
Reda then got back up continuing rubbing the back of his mane. He went back to lie on his bed trying to get rid of the pain on the back of his head. “How did you get up here?” Reda raised an eyebrow as he recovered from his injury.
“Well…I-I just…um-" Scarlet stammered.
“Never mind that it’s getting late, we should all get some more sleep.” Reda yawned as he turned to looking at his clock.
"I guess we should get some more, Marcy why don’t you come with me down to the living room.” Scarlet motioned Marcy to the door.
“Wait, why don’t you guys stay here with me?” Reda called back stopping the two mares in their tracks.
“Sleep in here with you?” Scarlet turned back and tilted her head.
“Yeah, there’s enough room for the three of us, that is if you don’t mind at all…” Reda remarked shyly while rubbing the back of his mane.
“Oh please sis, I don’t want to sleep alone downstairs and I wanna stay with here with you and Mr. Reda.” Macy pleaded tightly hugging Scarlet’s forehoof.
“Marcy, I don’t think-“
Marcy did what she always does whenever she wanted something, giving the puppy dog eyes. Scarlet try to look away and ignore her for a little while, but she couldn't help it as she started whimpering to get her attention. Scarlet then let out a small grunt as she couldn’t help looking at her sister keep begging to her and showing her puppy dog eyes.
“Oh alright.” Scarlet hung her head in defeat.
“Yay!” Marcy yelled in excitement tightly hugging her sister.
“Reda, do you think we can all fit I mean-”
“Of course there’s room for the three of us.” Reda replied.
After that, Macy jumped onto his bed at his side making Reda to let out a small chuckled. Scarlet begin to make her way to the left side his bed, lying down next to Marcy. As for Macy, she lay comfortably between Reda and Scarlet. And with that the three of them found themselves fast asleep.
Finally morning arrived, and Reda got out of bed while Scarlet and Macy were still asleep. He made his way out the door to make his way to the kitchen. Before he walked out of the door, he took a small glance at the two sisters. Scarlet was on the left side of his bed, the was sun shining over her face and her forehooves were wrapped around Macy. Reda let out a small chuckled and smiled at the sight. He walked downstairs trying not make enough noise to wake up the two mares in his room as he made his way into the kitchen. Reda searched in all of his cabinets for anything to make.
“Looking for something?” A familiar voice came behind Reda causing him to bump his head on one of the cabinets he was searching it. Reda once again started rubbing the back of his throbbing head.
‘Do these pains ever take off?’ He thought to himself angrily referring to the pain he got last night.
Reda turned around to see Scarlet with her mane messed up and wiping one of her eyes. She slowly walked up to the table and took a seat. “What are you looking for?” Scarlet asked again as a yawn took over.
“Just looking for something to make here.” Reda replied
“You cook?” Scarlet sounding a bit surprised.
“Of course, weird huh.” Reda replied awkwardly.
“No, it’s just that I don’t see many stallions do-“ Scarlet was cut off as Reda was looking at her with a puzzled look. “Never Mind.” Scarlet trying to change to another subject.
“So um, where’s Marcy.” Reda said trying to avoid a moment of silence.
“She’s still upstairs.”
With that a moment of silence occurred between the two of them. Luckily, Reda decided to break the silence, with the fact that he always hates getting stuck at awkward moments for a long amount of time.
“I know this might not be a comfortable question for you, but um,” Reda said as he became a little tense. “Did we do anything last night when you first appeared in my bed?”
“No, w-why would you ask that?” Scarlet became a little startled at that question.
“I just wanted to know before Dante finds out about this, so again did we?” Reda asked again making Scarlet even more nervous.
“No, but if we did I don’t know it would work out.” Scarlet said trying to get her way out to answer that question.
“Yeah, also I’m a little worried how Dante would react to the both of us together in bed.” Reda hung his head and a little relived. “Speaking of Dante, mind if we check up on him? I haven’t seen him since I brought him in.”
“I don’t know, my parents are still fighting with Dante and I don’t want to be a part of their nonsense fighting ever again.” Scarlet said very worried of the flashbacks she encountered back home with her brother and her father arguing nonsense and didn’t want to relive those memories.
“Mind if we check? I’m pretty sure your parents already got through all that fighting and it’s been hours since. I’m sure they wouldn’t stay mad at each other this long.” Reda desperately trying to lighten up the mood.
“I guess your right, Reda. They wouldn’t stay mad for this long and also I’m sure they have forgotten all that ever happened. So I guess we should go and I’m still a little worried about Dante’s injuries right now.” Scarlet’s mood began to change back to her good normal self.
“So you want get going right now?” Reda asked.
“Sure, just let me go upstairs so I can get ready.” Scarlet smiled as she exited the kitchen. She flew back upstairs passing by Reda’s bedroom with Marcy still sleeping in there, then finding the bathroom. She went inside and picked up a brush. She began brushing her messy mane, and when she was done; she put her mane covering her left eye like usual. She kept it away from her eye and kept it down for a change. She looked at the mirror trying to change to her new look.
‘Maybe looking a little more feminine might catch his attention.’ Scarlet thought brushing her hair to a new look.
“So, you ready?” Scarlet smiled.
Reda noticed Marcy wasn’t with Scarlet. “Wait, isn’t Marcy coming with us?”
“She’s a heavy sleeper.” Scarlet stated.
As they left, Scarlet lightly closed the door, not wanting to wake up the sleeping filly inside.
Reda and Scarlet were almost to their destination, and on their way they were greeted by other ponies Reda knew and some that he didn't know. As for Scarlet, she couldn't remember any of these ponies that Reda greeted since she hasn’t been in town for a long time.
Arriving at the door of Dante's home, Scarlet and Reda were standing in front of his door. Reda stood there while Scarlet opened the door then went inside. Reda followed Scarlet inside as she was searching for her injured brother. Reda sat took a seat on his couch thinking about something while she went upstairs for her brother.
"Man I wish I get a chance to ask Scarlet out." Reda shook his head realizing what he just said himself ‘Reda, what do think you’re doing?! This is Dante’s sister you’re with. One move on her and you’re dead. If Dante founds out you’re making a move on his sister, he’ll literally kill you for sure. So you better control yourself! ’
Reda went upstairs to check up on Scarlet. As he was upstairs, he found Scarlet holding a small note and wearing an bothered look on her face. He went up to her wondering what is wrong.
“Why so annoyed?” Reda asked as he entered his room walking up to Scarlet.
“When will he listen? I told him to stay put here but he’s too stubborn to listen to me. Why did he run off on me like that?” Scarlet scoffed.
“What do mean?”
“This.” Scarlet handed the small note to Reda.
Reda levitated the letter in front of him and reading every word of it.
'Dear Scarlet,
Stonewall Look after you left with Marcy, Dad said he didn't care what I did with my life anymore and left me with mom. She tried to comfort me but I just couldn't believe what he said. I guess I should tell you that even after what happened last night, I still plan on leaving but I won't go to Fluttershy's until morning.
I'm sorry I always worry you but just remember I still love you sis, - Dante.'
As he finished reading, he handed the small note back Scarlet and facehoofed. "Of course.” Reda muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“Follow me.” Reda motioned Scarlet out of Dante’s room. With that, the two of them left his home.
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than my usual but I'm very busy with all my work at the moment so it'll be a while for the next few chapters. Sorry for the wait.
After leaving Dante's home, Reda and Scarlet continued through town, and from what Reda could tell it was about 9 am. 'Scarlet has been awfully quiet, I hope there's nothing wrong. Maybe she's worried about Marcy.' Reda then turned his head to see that Scarlet had a disturbed frown on her face. 'I guess she is worried.'
'He hasn't said anything about my hair, maybe have hasn't noticed. Or maybe... Maybe he isn't interested in me because I'm Dante's sister. He did sound worried about Dante finding out that we slept in the same bed, but it's not like we did anything. Wait but why does it matter if Dante were to find out? It's none of his business if I like Reda, so why is it even a problem?' Scarlet thought to herself. 'I have every right to want to ask Reda out, so why don't I just do it already? But then there is always the possibility he doesn't even like me. No, I can't think like that! I'll ask Reda out, and I'll do it in front of Dante.'
"Scarlet, is everything okay?" Reda asked out of the blue.
"Huh? Oh, no everything's fine. Why do you ask?"
"You looked like you were in deep thought, so I thought something might be wrong."
"Nonononononono, everything is okay. I-I was just thinking about Marcy, that's all." 'How could I be so easy to read?'
"Okay. Well I think we should head back to my place so we can get Marcy and some breakfast."
"That sounds like a great idea."
"Okay then let's get going."
Like he said in the note he left for Scarlet, Dante hadn't gone to Fluttershy's cottage the night prior but was on his way until a very clumsy mailmare landed behind him with a thud. Dante turned around to find Ditsy Doo behind him, picking herself off the ground.
"Uh, oh there you are Dante, I've been looking for you all morning. I checked your house but you weren't there." the mailmare said as she began digging through her bag.
"Ditzy, look can this wait? I have something important to do at the moment."
"I wish I could but my boss said it was important to give you this." she said hoofing him an envelope.
"Okay, well I guess I should be saying thanks."
"It's not a problem, and again I'm sorry for bothering you."
"It's not a problem and again thanks." and with that the mailmare return to her duties. 'This can wait until later, I have to talk to Fluttershy.'
When Reda and Scarlet got back to Reda's, they noticed something out of the ordinary. Reda's front door was open wide, yet the window blinds were shut. Then both of them heard a loud shriek come from inside.
"Marcy!" Scarlet yelled running inside.
"Scarlet, wait!" Reda shouted, running after her. Reda and Scarlet ran up the stairs to Reda's room. From outside the door they could hear somepony crying. Scarlet threw the door open and ran to her sister.
"Don't worry Marcy, I'm here now." Scarlet said hugging her crying sibling.
"B-big s-sis, I w-was so s-scared. I-I t-thought t-they were g-gonna h-hurt m-me." Marcy said, still crying on her sister's shoulder.
"Who did this!?" Reda shouted, enraged that somepony close to him was attacked and traumatized. Out of nowhere there was a sudden banging.
"What was that?" Scarlet asked, still holding Marcy.
"I locked them in the basement." Marcy muttered, now calm but still very scared.
"I'll go down stairs to see who would dare do such a thing." Reda said, obviously still angry. Reda made his way down stairs to the basement entrance. He used his magic to unlock the door and slowly opened it. Within a microsecond, Reda was flat on his back.
"Uh, I thought I'd never get out of there!" said the voice of whoever was on top of Reda. The voice was feminine, a voice Reda could remember in a line up of voices. It was Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow Dash, what the hay are you doing in my basement!" Reda shouted, causing the mare to jump.
"Ah! Reda, what are you doing scaring me like that!?"
"I'm still wondering why you were in my basement and almost giving poor little Marcy a heartattack."
"Well I came by to ask you where Dante is, then I hear somepony running inside so I let myself in. Next thing I know a little filly is running past me and locks me down there." Dash pointed to the basement.
"Reda, who is it?" Scarlet called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Everything is alright, it seems Rainbow Dash was the one that scared Marcy."
"D-did you say Rainbow Dash?" Scarlet asked.
"Yeah, she just wanted..." Reda was cut off by a red blur shooting past him and colliding with Rainbow Dash.
"You bitch! How dare you come here after what you did to my brother and my family!" Scarlet yelled as she repeatedly assaulted Rainbow Dash.
"Scarlet stop it!" Reda shouted as he pulled the mares away from each other. "What is wrong with you!"
"It's all her fault! She's the reason all of this has happened to my family!" Scarlet responded. "If you never spied on my brother, none of this would have happened!"
"Scarlet that's enough! Go take care of Marcy while I handle this." Reda commanded. Scarlet angrily agreed and returned upstairs. "Are you okay Rainbow Dash?"
"I've been better." Dash replied.
"I'm sorry but Scarlet has been through a lot lately. I never expected she would attack you."
"I don't blame her, she is right its all my fault."
"Don't say that. You know Dante doesn't blame you and I know he tried his best to explain everything to his father."
"That doesn't mean Scarlet is wrong."
"Right or wrong, she didn't have to do what she did. I think it would be a good idea if you left while I talk to her."
"Okay, I guess I'll go look for Dante." Dash said as she walked towards the door.
"Wait, what do you want to tell him anyways." Reda asked.
"Well, my talk with Fluttershy didn't go good and that he should be careful if he's gonna see her."
It took longer than he thought but Dante finally made it to Fluttershy's cottage. 'I hope Rainbow Dash explained everything to her.' Dante thought. He made his way to the door which was strangely unlocked. As he made his way in, Dante saw that Fluttershy's home was a mess. Furniture overturned, food scattered all around the kitchen, and when he reach Fluttershy's room there was a puddle of red outside the door.
"Oh Celestia, Fluttershy!"
Dante busted through the door to find Fluttershy on the floor, surrounded by a dried pool of something that looked like blood.
"Fluttershy!" Dante yelled as he ran towards her to find she was still breathing. "I have to get you to a hospital." Dante told Fluttershy, as if she was listening. He lifted her on to his back and began his long trip to Ponyville Urgent Care.
"Please Nurse Tenderheart, I need to see her." Dante pleaded to the young nurse.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wings but no one is allowed past this door except family of the patient. You're gonna have to sit in the waiting room."
"I'm her coltfriend, isn't that enough?"
"I'm sorry but you're going to have stay here."
"Please Tenderheart, I have to see here."
"Nurse Tenderheart, where is she!?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
"Ms. Dash, you're gonna have to stay in the waiting room."
"Like hay I am!"
"This area is for family members only."
"I'm the only family she has. We're practically sisters."
"Ms. Dash I don't..."
"Tenderheart, let them through." Nurse Redheart ordered as she walked through the ER doors.
"Are you sure Nurse Redheart?"
"I've known these three since I was in middle school. Out of anypony in Equstria I would think would worry about Fluttershy, it would be these two."
"Thank you Redheart." Dante said as he walked pass the white coated mare.
"Dante." Redheart called.
"Yes Redheart?" he replied.
"I think I should tell you, Fluttershy is fine."
"Then what was all the red on her?"
"That I'm not sure of but I'm certain it wasn't any type of blood. And if you can, keep it quiet for the other patients." Redheart asked politely.
"Will do." Dante answered leaving the nurse to do her job. Dante then caught up with Rainbow Dash at the door. They both walked in together to find Fluttershy attached to a machine that keep track of her heart rate, which had a steady rhythm. "She's still asleep." Dante uttered.
"Dante." Dash said.
"Yes Rainbow?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For bringing her here. I can't think what I would do if I ever lost Fluttershy." Dash muttered quietly.
"There's no reason to even think of things like that. She wouldn't wanting to think like that if she was awake."
"I guess your right." Dash replied as she took a seat next to Fluttershy. Dante soon took a set next to the multi-colored mare.
"When do you think she's gonna wake up?" Dante asked.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm an athlete, not a doctor." Dash said jokingly.
"I guess you're right." Dante muttered as he turned his attention to the sleeping mare he cared for deeply.
The rest of the day the rest of Fluttershy's friends came to check on her.
"I'm sorry everypony but visiting hours are over, I have to ask you all to head home." Nurse Redheart said as she walked into the room. Everypony went ahead and complied to the nurse's orders leaving just Redheart, Dante and Fluttershy. "That means you too Dante." Redheart muttered.
"I'm not leaving her alone." Dante firmly replied.
"Are you sure about that?" Redheart asked with a serious expression.
"Yes."
"Good," Redheart replied with a smile across her face. "because if you weren't I'm sure that Fluttershy would've been disappointed that you weren't here to keep her company."
"I don't want to disappoint my fillyfriend." Dante joked around.
"But she isn't your fillyfriend, Dante. Remember she broke off your relationship when she saw you with Scarlet." Redheart said as she took a seat next to him.
"How did you know about that?"
"Even though the town has grown since you left, its still a small town." Dante didn't reply to Redheart's remark, he just gave the tile floor an undeserved amount of attention. "Dante what's wrong?"
"I'm leaving." he replied.
"Why are you leaving? Aren't you going to keep Fluttershy company?"
"Why? So I can keep lying to myself?" Dante replied standing at the door. "It just dawned on me Redheart. The reason my relationship with her is like this is because fate never wanted us to be together."
"Dante, you can't seriously believe that. If anything, the both of you are destined for each other." Nurse Redheart said in a worried and reassuring tone.
"I'm sorry but I can't believe that. Not after this." Dante said. Soon after he left the hospital.
Redheart looked over to Fluttershy's sleeping body. "Please Fluttershy, wake up and go talk some sense into that stallion of yours before he does something he regrets." Redheart soon clocked out and walked home.
When Dante got home the first thing he did was land on his back after jumping on the couch. "Huh?" he muttered as he pulled out a letter that was tucked under his wing. He remembered it was the urgent letter Ditzy delivered to him in the morning. Dante quickly looked it over then he left it on the coffee table, thinking to himself that he'll read it in the morning. Without thinking Dante made his way upstairs and into his room then on his bed. Only a few seconds later he was unconscious.
'And I'm back here.' Dante thought.
"Wake up!" cried out a familiar feminine voice. "Please wake up Dante!" pleaded the voice again.
'Huh?'
"Please Dante, wake up! Please!" the mare continued, yet this time Dante felt some moister land on his face.
'That voice, it's her. But why is she crying, and why is she begging me to wake up? I am awake.' Dante thought as he tried to move his forehooves. 'The hay, why can't I move?'
"Please wake up. Please please please please." the voice continued as the amount of moister increase to fall.
"Fluttershy, stop. It's too late, he's gone." said another familiar voice, yet the was one of a stallion's.
"No Reda, he's still alive. I know he is!"
"Stop lying to yourself!" Reda yelled. "Now look at him, he isn't breathing or moving. He's dead!"
'No I'm not, I'm right here!' Dante yelled, but Reda didn't hear him. 'Dammit Reda listen to me, I'm alive! I can't see you but I can hear you now stop yelling at Fluttershy!' Reda still couldn't hear a word he was saying.
Dante then felt more pressure on his chest and the he felt his coat getting drenched by tears as Fluttershy cried on his body. "No. Nononononononononononononononononononononono. No!" Fluttershy screamed.
As Fluttershy stopped screaming, Dante could finally feel the energy in his hooves. He slowly got up and opened his eyes. What Dante found made him sick to his stomach, almost rowing up at the spot. He saw his body covered head to hoof in cuts all over and from what he could tell, they were self inflicted. His body was surrounded by large pools of blood and on the wall next to him was a suicide letter written in blood by him.
'What is this?' Dante asked.
'Your suicide, Dante Wings.' said a raspy voice from behind him.
'Who are you?' Dante said as he turned around to find a skeleton pony wearing a black robe. Where a pony's cutie mark would usually be was also covered by the robe but on the robe was a picture of a pure bone scythe.
'You should know who I am, seeing as I'm the one who takes you to either heaven or, well you know.'
'You're Death, aren't you?' Dante asked, the fear written on his face.
'Ding, Ding, Ding. We got ourselves a winner. Guess what son, you just won yourself a one way trip to hell.' Death said in a carnival pony's voice.
'Wait, I can't leave Fluttershy behind.' Dante pleaded.
'You should've thought of that before you killed yourself. Now come on we got to get going.' Death said as he grabbed Dante by the shoulder and began dragging him away.
'Nooooooooooooo!'
"Nooooooooooooo!" Dante yelled as he fell off his bed. "Oh thank Celestia, it was just a nightmare." he said as he got off the floor. "I think a shower will do me some good right now." Date went to the shower and turn the knob to a nice warm temperature. "Ah, that feels nice."
After a good ten minutes Dante shut the water off, dried off and made his way downstairs. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Dante noticed a couple of ponies on his couch. "What the hay are you doing in my house?" Dante asked the four ponies sitting on his couch. Instead of getting a verbal response like he was expecting, Dante was struck in the face by a cream colored hoof.
"When were you planning on telling me that you were leaving me behind you asshole!" Screamed the mare that struck Dante.
"Fluttershy? What are you doing here, and what the hay was that for?" Dante asked, both shocked and enraged.
"That doesn't matter, now answer the question."
"What question?"
"When were you going to tell me that you were leaving me behind?" Fluttershy asked again.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not going anywhere."
"Then what's this all about Dante?" Asked Scarlet as she threw the letter he left on the coffee table the night prior.
"Dear Dante,
Hey Dante it's me, Jason. It's been some time since we've talked man, you know since you moved back to Ponyville and everything. Leaving the rest if us here in Manehattan. But I guess it's better since you're back with your family. Which reminds me, how is that sister of yours doing? And what are you doing about that filly that you keep telling us about? Wait I should get back to what I was trying to get to.
Look man I know it hasn't been a long time since we've taken our break from touring and everything but the guys at the label are asking us to write some new material so we can tour with the Wonderbolts again. Seems like they liked having us around and personally asked us to join them. What I'm trying to say is that me and the guys need you to come back to Manehattan so we can start getting work. I know you probably want to spend more time with your family but this is probably the biggest chance we can get to get on the Wonderbolts' good side. Just respond as soon as you can because there isn't much time before they start touring.
Hope to hear from you soon
-Your pal Jason"
"Now do you understand what we're talking about?" asked Scarlet.
"Why didn't he just come and tell me himself." Dante muttered to himself.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Scarlet wondered.
"That if it was so urgent why didn't he come tell me so I could leave earlier." Dante responded.
"So you are planning to leave? Why would you do that?" Fluttershy asked, still angry.
"Because I have to Fluttershy."
"No you don't, you're just using this as an excuse to break your promise. I knew you never cared about how I felt whenever you left Dante." Scarlet said as tears began to fill her eyes.
"What part of 'If I don't go, I'm out of a job' didn't you understand?"
"The part where I hate you!" Scarlet yelled as she ran out the door.
"Scarlet wait!" Reda yelled. "Dante what's your problem? She's your sister and you treat her like that. What kind of brother are you?"
"You know what Reda, if you care about Scarlet so much then why don't you be her brother? You seem to be taking her side more then you do your best friend's so tell me why."
"Because she just wanted her brother back, but you never gave her the time of day to even write to her when she was young!" Yelled Marcy. "You never wrote to her, mama or papa. You never cared about our family, you only cared about yourself and you still do. You were never a part of this family!"
"Marcy, what are you saying?" Reda asked.
"What I'm saying is that I wish you'd just disappear!" Marcy screamed at Dante. She then got up and left his house.
"Marcy come back!" Reda yelled as he followed her out of the house.
"So that's how it's going to be then Dante? You're just going to leave back to Manehattan and just leave us all behind again?"
"I can't just leave the band hanging, I'm the frontman after all."
"And I'm your fillyfriend but you don't seem to care about that either."
"No you're not."
"What are you saying Dante? You're just gonna dump me like that now, is that it?"
"You're the one that left me after what you and Rainbow Dash saw in the park."
"I never said it was over between us."
"And yet you didn't confront me about what happened. You just left and refused to talk to me."
"Because I thought you were cheating on me!"
"Why would I ever do that!?" Dante yelled, unable to control his anger anymore. "You know I would never do such a thing. I love you Fluttershy, why can't you just remember that?"
Dante saw Fluttershy's mood change drastically but didn't care. "B-because I-I don't feel like I can trust you anymore, Dante."
"Then why do you insist that we be together? How can you say you love somepony you don't even trust?"
"I-I... I don't know." she mumbled.
Dante looked away. "Then just leave me alone until you do know." he said coldly as he left her alone in his living room.
Fluttershy slowly but surely felt her heart disintegrate. She soon left to her own home.
Dante laid on his bed, remembering everything that Scarlet and Marcy said.
"The part where I hate you! I wish you'd just disappear!" Dante had been repeating those words for hours. "I should just disappear. If I do at least nopony will have to even remember me or that I even exist anymore." Dante was so deep in thought he didn't hear the loud hoofsteps coming from outside his room.
Suddenly the door came crashing down as Stonewall grabbed Dante by the throat and smashed him against the wall. "You little shit, how dare you do such a thing to my girls!?" Stonewall yelled angrily. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't snap your neck right now!" instead of an answer, all Stonewall got was a hysterical laugh coming from the stallion below him. "What so damn funny!?"
"Do it." Dante responded. "Go ahead dad, do it. Snap your son's neck. Go ahead and kill me, it's not like I have anything to live for anymore." he continued to laugh hysterically as Stonewall looked down on him. Stonewall removed his hoof from Dante's neck and turned for the door. "What? You can't handle killing your own son, is that it?"
"I'm not going to waste anymore of my time on killing a stallion that has already lost the will to live." Stonewall responded, as he left Dante to willow in his own misery.
Dante just laid there, staring at the ceiling. "Lost the will to live. I really am pathetic." he said to himself.
Dante was woken by the loud whistle signaling that the train has reached its destination. He looked out the window and saw large buildings reaching the clouds above. He was back in Manehattan. Dante gathered his belongings and exited the train. He looked at the clock in front of him, it was two in the afternoon. Dante started walking into the big city.
After walking through half of the town, Dante reached his destination and walked inside.
"Hello welcome to the..." the mare receptionist cut herself off as she looked at Dante. "Oh Mr. Wings, it's you. The chairman is in his office. You still remember how to get there right?"
"Yes, thank you Sherry."
"Not a problem Mr. Wings."
Dante walked towards the chairman's office but stopped outside the door. He could hear two stallions arguing.
"Give him one more week, he'll be here. I know he will be here." pleaded a familiar voice.
"I've given him as much time as I could. Unless he comes through that door right now, I'm going to have to tell the Wonderbolts that you're not ready." said the chairman.
Dante stood there with a choice. He could leave now and try to make amends with those he hurt in Ponyville, or he could open that door and leave his life in Ponyville behind forever.
Just a little message I guess. I have the thought of rewriting the story, no major plot changes but just a way to make the story sail smoothly. No promises but I want to have it out there if anybody has an opinion.
Thanks for taking the time.
Prologue: The Road Begins
Dante was your average young pegusas colt; he like sports, hanging out with his pals, and of course had a special filly on his mind constantly. Having the said filly as his best friend didn't make it any easier to get her off his mind either.
While most colts his age wouldn't even think of things such as love, Dante was head over hooves for Fluttershy. He first met her on his first day at school where he was seated next to the extremely shy filly. Eventually finding something in common, a love for music, they became the very closest of friends. Spending each day together since then had taken a toll on Dante's heart, a toll that dropped him dead center in love with his closest friend. As time past Damte's family had to move from Ponyville, leaving Dante to say good-bye to the young mare he had fallen deeply in love with.
Years after moving to Manehattan, Dante went to Manehattan university of music to hone his skills of song writing, singing and, to master multiple instruments. After getting a degree in music, he started his own band and recorded many songs he wrote himself. Eventually signing a record deal with a big time record company, Dante and his band 'Armed To The Soul', became famous all over Equestria. After playing the biggest venues, and recording hit single after hit single, the band took a break from music to spend time with their families. Dante chose to leave his Manehattan home and to move back to his hometown, Ponyville.
