Darkness Surrounding

by Sigil Flare

Rating: teen
Tags: Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Adventure, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance, Original Character
Length: 42977

Three humans are tranported to Equestia in it's time of need

Waking up in Twilight's house Lloyd a young mage has found himself in Equestria. But the land that is at the moment so peaceful will soon face a threat unlike any other. After finding allies with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Silver Stream the Wolf another human trapped in Equestria. They head out to Canterlot to investigate the disappearance of Princess Luna. Teaming up With Vinyl Scratch, Octavia and Steam Gear. They hop an airship to search the southern border for signs of Luna disappearance. They soon find themselves the spark that ignites a war as they are hurdled into a race against time to save all of Equestria and possibly their way back home.

Features Flutter Dash, OC Twilight, Vinyl Tavi, OC Spitfire

Published 2012-07-14 07:14:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-25 00:31:23 UTC

Chapter 1

First I would like to take a second to thank you for reading my story. It is my first attempt at Fan fiction of any kind so I'd like some structural critisim. You can probably tell I'm not an english major just try and avoid the grammar mistakes I'll have them edited out soon. Enjoy!

“Ouch” was the first thought Lloyd had as he woke up His entire body seemed to be in pain. He tried to open his eyes to find they wouldn't budge it was as if a weight was holding them down. Lloyd could swear he heard a voice coming from the darkness. He felt someone lightly poking his side and the pain following it. He managed to croak out a moan of pain. The poking stopped.

Using every bit of strength Lloyd had he forced his eyes open. The first thing he realized was that he was in a library. There were bookshelves everywhere he looked. The walls looked wooden almost like he was inside a tree. One things was for sure he wasn't at home where he remembered being just minutes before. He was on what felt like a couch and the lights on the ceiling where painfully bright. He heard somebody talking to his right.

He painfully turned on to his side on the couch to see who it was and froze. Sitting on the floor in front of him was a equine. A pony to be more exact. “A unicorn” Lloyd mentally corrected himself as he noticed the horn on it's head. He found it strange that she was purple he found it even stranger to find her mane was much like how a human would wear their hair although with a purple highlight flowing through it.

“Are you alright?” asked the unicorn a hint of concern in it's voice

“You can talk?” asked Lloyd back breaking down into a coughing fit with the effort of talking

“Yes I can my name is Twilight Sparkle.” said the unicorn putting a hoof to her chest and clearing her throat “and you are?”

“My name is Lloyd” he said this time without the coughing fit “Where am I?”

“Your in Ponyville” said Twilight in an obviously feminine tone “What kind of name is Lloyd?”

“Well fancy that a talking unicorn named Twilight Sparkle is making fun of my name.” laughed Lloyd wincing as his chest hurt with the effort

“Your a unicorn too you know” said Twilight with a frown tapping him with her hoof Her horn started to glow purple as a hand mirror on a cabinet glowed the same. It floated over in front of Lloyd's face and his face deadpanned. He was a unicorn! How is this possible, last time he had checked he was a human being.

Lloyd tried to wiggle his fingers and got nothing. He raised his hand to his face and was met with a hoof. It was true he was really a unicorn now.

“What did you do to me?” asked Lloyd scared

“What are you talking about?” asked Twilight tilting her head “I didn't do anything to you. For all I can surmise you fell out of the sky.”

“I fell out of the sky?” asked Lloyd turning on the couch to face upward again

“Yeah it was really weird” said Twilight lost in her thoughts “Rainbow Dash came her about a week ago telling me about a weather irregularity or what she called a super storm. I went to investigate after the storm and found you on the ground unconcious. I couldn't just leave you there so I had Rainbow Dash help me bring you back here.”

“Rainbow Dash?” asked Lloyd trying to sit up only to be met with a crunching sound in his what he believed to be his rib area Twilight put a hoof on his chest and gently eased him back down onto the couch just as the door to the library swung open and a voiced said “you called?”

Lloyd's jaw literally dropped standing in the door way was a cyan colored pegasus. Even more shocking was it's mane and tail they were all the colors of the rainbow. Red, blue, green, they were all there except indigo. Upon a second look Lloyd noticed her eyes were indigo.

“Rainbow Dash!” exclaimed Twilight in a half hearted whine “Must you always make such an entrance?”

“Well when your as awesome as I am you have to make an entrance.” said Rainbow Dash with a grin “besides I thought it would make a good first impression” she shot a glance in Lloyd's direction
it was at this point he realzied he was staring at her.

He quickly looked up at the ceiling and said as nonchalantly as possible “The name suits you”

“Who is this guy anyways Twi?” asked Rainbow slightly annoyed at his response to her entrance

“My name is Lloyd” he said waiving his hoof to the pegasus

“What kind of a name is that?” asked Rainbow her brow furrowing in confusion

“That's what I asked?” said Twilight putting her hoof to her forehead she walked over to Lloyd and sat next to the couch “I think we need to ask you some questions”

“I think I have some questions of my own but for now ask your's I'll answer as best I can.” said Lloyd preparing himself for an onslaught of questions

“First off where did you come from?” asked Twilight her horn glowing purple again a pad of paper and a quill hovering in front of her in the same glow

“I come from a world called Earth.” said Lloyd thinking back “I guess I'm not there anymore” he added looking at his hooves

“Are you trying to tell me you're from a different planet?” asked Twilight in mock interest scratching down a few notes with her quill

“Yes but how do I prove my words,” said Lloyd thinking quickly looking at Twilight's horn it dawned on him “Are you using magic?”

“Yes I am.” said Twilight smartly “All unicorns can use magic” she gave him an odd look

“Man how hard did this dude hit the ground Twi” said Rainbow looking at Twilight “He sounds a little nuts if you ask me”

Lloyd tuned them out as he began to relax every part of his body. He let out a long breath and concentrated all of his energy to his horn finding it easier than he imagined. He heard Twilight yip in surprise as a glowing circle appeared on the floor around them. As Lloyd began murmuring in a language long since lost to his people runes appeared flashing on the growing sigil. As Lloyd released his energy in a burst from his horn the sigil on the floor disappeared as did the room.

“Where are we” asked Twilight as her vision slowly returned She felt weird, strangely taller and off balanced and cold. As she opened her eyes she froze. She wasn't in the library anymore. Instead she was in what looked like a meadow filled with strange two legged creatures. They were pink had hair like her but were dressed almost completely in clothes. She looked down at herself to find that she was one of them.

A scream could be heard from behind her. Twilight turned around to see one very surprised Rainbow Dash had lost balance and fallen off her two legs and onto her butt. She looked a lot like her pony self the hair was the same color and the clothes were cyan but she looked skinnier and weak. Twilight realized she must look a lot like her pony self too noticing the familiar purple highlight in her hair running over her shoulder.

“Where the buck are we?” yelled Rainbow angrily trying to stand back up she stopped as a creature walked up and offered her a foreleg to help her up. Rainbow put her limb in it's and it grabbed her foreleg and hauled her to her feet. “Who are you?”

“Lloyd” said the creature “Welcome to Earth”

“Earth?” asked Twilight confused “but how?”

“I have taken you inside of my memories ladies.” said Lloyd giving a wink to Rainbow Dash “You know proving I'm not crazy”

“How did you do that and how are we these things.” asked Twilight confused and scared

“I had to use a little magic of course but even in my weakened state moving your conciousnesses inside my illusionary memory garden wasn't that hard.”

“Illusionary?” asked Twilight looking around “it certainly feels real”

“Well technically you are walking around in my memory so you are feeling what I felt.” said Lloyd looking a bit tired “As for what you are ladies” Lloyd put on a weak smile “You are the sentient inhabitants of planet Earth: Human beings.”

“So that means?” started Twilight looking at Lloyd with a gasp

“That I was telling the truth?” finished Lloyd with a weary smile “yes it does” and with that they were back in twilight's house. Lloyd was now panting from exhaustion.

“Are you alright?” asked Twilight concerned for this strange stallion

“Yeah just a little worn out from that last spell” said Lloyd his head spinning he put a hoof to his forehead and sighed “But I think that should have answered most of your questions for now.”

“It did for me” answered Rainbow Dash nodding her head with a uneasy smile “Don't do anything like that on me again okay? So not cool.”

“I promise I won't unless I have too” replied Lloyd catching his breathe “Not exactly pleasant for me either”

“I've never seen magic like that before not even in my books.” said Twilight her eyes going wide “Where did you learn it?”

“You see back where I'm from doing magic is a very special talent which very few people have.” started Lloyd as twilight nodded slowly “I am considered a mage someone who could use magic to warp the very elements of nature themselves. But my magic is very powerful and it takes a lot of stamina to keep up. So in my weakened state I couldn't hold that spell for very long.”

“And I thought you were the strongest unicorn in all of Equestria Twi” said Rainbow chuckling slightly

“Really?” said Lloyd crooking an eyebrow “and also Equestria?”

“I see so this is Equestria and the dominant species is ponies. Which branches off into three categories : Pegasus, Earth, and Unicorn. And your ruler is Princess Celestia which is an Alicorn and her sister Luna.” said Lloyd after careful thought

“Yeah that about sums it up” said Twilight satisfied in her teaching Lloyd the ways of Equestria but she disliked calling him Lloyd. It was a sure sign that he wasn't from around here. “Lloyd about your name...”

“I have to change it don't I?” Lloyd finished the sentence for her with a sigh “But how do I do that?”

“Well it has to do with your special talent and your cutie mark” answered Twilight sitting down on her couch tucking her forelegs underneath her

“Wait a cutie mark?” asked Lloyd confused

“Yes” said Twilight turning over onto her side on the couch so that her flank was facing Lloyd “It shows up on your haunches right here.” she pointed her hoof at a purple star surrounded by six other stars “My special talent is magic by the way.” Twilight said with a giggle

That giggle made Twilight's cutie mark do some very interesting things or so Lloyd thought at least. Lloyd reached out and touched Twilight's mark with his hoof feeling that the mark was actually part of her fur not painted on. He began to run his hoof back and forth over it in wonder and how soft it was. He realized what he was doing and pulled his hoof back quickly.

Twilight realized that laying the way she was, was giving Lloyd quite the eye full of her flank so she hopped off the couch with a little crimson on her cheeks. “So now that you know what a cutie mark is what is yours?” she said with a questioning tone

Lloyd turned and looked at himself. He noted he was a warm honey brown color. His cutie mark actually looked like the sigil he had cast to send the girls into his memory. “My cutie mark is a sigil?” he replied “so my special talent is magic as well then”

“That can be assumed all right.” said Twilight thinking “You said sigil right?”

“Yeah I did what you thinking?” asked Lloyd interested

“Why don't we call you Sigil Flare” said Twilight “or Sigil for short?” she gave Lloyd a winning smile and hoped he liked her suggestion

“I like it Twilight.” said Lloyd.. Sigil now “So you gave me my name what does that mean exactly does it have some sort of significance now?”

“Well other than the fact ponies won't think your name sounds weird now, not really” said Twilight with a laugh “But what do you want to do now Sigil?”

“Well I am feeling much better now that I've had time to rest” said Sigil moving his shoulders experimentally “Wanna grab some food?”

“Just you and me?” asked Twilight with mock surprise “but we just met!”

“Well you'll be buying my food anyways so don't count this as a date quite yet.” said Sigil with a smile “besides your the first pony I've met here I don't want to ruin our friendship already.”

“I was only joking Sigil” replied Twilight honestly “Rainbow Dash said that would be funny if I did it”

“That explains a lot.” said Sigil with a chuckle Twilight soon joined in and the two shared a good laugh as they walked to the door Twilight in the lead

“Well I just happen to know a great place for us to grab a bite to eat.” she said opening the door “My friend actually lives there.”

“Someone I know?” asked Sigil his interest peaked following Twilight out the door “I don't think it's Rainbow”

“It's my friend Pinkie Pie” Twilight said picking up here pace a bit to a slow trot “Welcome to Ponyville by the way.” Sigil looked behind him and saw that he was in fact inside of a tree. After traveling further into town he realized this was a pretty small town. All the houses were small and colorful and the ponies that live here are all friendly.

“This I have to say is a nice change” said Sigil almost to himself

“What do you mean” asked Twilight having overheard him talking to himself

“Your town it is so friendly.” said Sigil with a sigh “So unlike where I'm from.”

“Surely it can't be that horrible Sigil” Twilight said reassuringly “It is your home after all”

“Let's just say it's not the friendliest place” said Sigil putting on a smile looking at last at Twilight She was trotting along ahead of him. Taking his eyes of her flank immediately he noticed a rather large building on the corner decorated with all kinds of sweets. “Is this where we are going?”

“Yeah it's called Sugar Cube corner” said Twilight stepping up to the door opening it she said “get ready for a warm welcome”

“Why would you say..” was as far as Sigil got as soon as he stepped inside a pink blur obscured his vision and a non stop torrent of words assaulted his ears “Hey” Sigil cried in frustration

“Pinkie let the stallion breathe” said Twilight giggling as she dragged Pinkie back by her tail “also you should probably wash this thing” she added spitting some of Pinkie's tail out of her mouth

“Sorry Twilight but it's just that he's new here. And when ever there is a pony in town I just have to meet them. And then I get to know them.” said Pinkie in a voice almost to fast to understand then her entire face brightened as she said “Oh my gosh I should throw you a party!”

“A party, but why?” asked Sigil genuinely confused “I haven't done anything spectatular have I?” he looked at Twilight who just gave him a smile

“Your a new stallion in town that if that's not spectacular I don't know what is” said Pinkie now starting to bounce up and down “Oh I need to get streamers and balloons and Oh My Gosh I need to get cake!”

“No offense Pinkie” said Sigil trying not to hurt her feelings “but I don't really want a party just yet. You know I want to get to know Ponyville a bit more a few ponys especially.” he cast twilight a fleeting glance

“Well it doesn't have to be now silly willy” said Pinkie losing herself to a fit of giggles “We'll put it on later in the week okay? Why are you here anyways?” she tilted her head and narrowed her eyes

“We actually came here to grab a bit to eat Pinkie” said Twilight casually walking over to one of the tables “Sigil come sit down over here” she gestured him over with a waving hoof Sigil walked over and took the available seat opposite her. As he sat down he realized just how tired he actually was and let out a sigh of relief to be off his aching hooves.

“Your really that tired?” asked Twilight letting a bit of a yawn pass her lips

“Don't sound so awake your self Twilight.” Sigil said with a chuckle “So what exactly do you ponies eat?” He feared what she would say next but he needed it confirmed.

“Well I usually get a dandillion burger and some hay fries honestly” said Twilight motioning to Pinkie “Did you hear that Pinkie” she said over her shoulder to the Pink earth pony

“That honestly doesn't sound that bad” said Sigil “Not what I'm used to eating but it will work out fine”

“Pardon my asking Sigil but what do you usually eat where you are from?” asked Twilight curiously “And make that two dandilion sandwiches and 2 orders of hay fries Pinkie!”

“Well in all honesty humans are omnivores. We eat greens and you know... meat” the expression on Twilight's face changed from one of wonder to one of shock quickly

“Well I have to say I wasn't expecting that one.” said Twilight trying very hard not to shudder at the thought of Sigil eating ugh meat. “but did you um... like eating meat?”

“Well I would be lieing if I told you I didn't like meat” said Sigil honestly trying his best not to freak Twilight out “but I had a salad on the side most of the time” He hoped she didn't make him describe the sensation of eating meat that could get awkward. Luckily for them both Pinkie chose that time to bring their food to their table.

“Nice timing Pinkie” said Sigil taking a long sigh of relief “Looks good” he added after looking at his meal I thought it would look a little different but it looks a lot like a hamburger and fries.

“Well go on” said Twilight giving him an encouraging smile “try it” she watched as he took the sandwich in his hooves and took a bite. After chewing for a bit he swallowed. “How is it Sigil?” she asked a hint of worry in her voice

Sigil swallowed his first bite with a a very good intention to eat the rest of it. “It's great” he said with a smile taking another bite “Nice job Pinkie” he added after swallowing his second bite

“A friend of Twilight's is a friend of mine” said Pinkie cracking a smile “I tried to make it super duper special though seeing as your new here.”

A few minutes passed as Sigil and Twilight ate their food holding a pleasant conversation. As they were finishing up and getting ready to leave Sigil thought it was a good time to ask a question that's been on his mind for a while.

“Hey Twilight I've been meaning to ask you something?” started Sigil getting Twilight's attention “I was wondering if you had any kind of crime stopping force in Equestria?”

“Well there are the palace guards that guard the Princesses and company.” said Twilight thinking about this for the first time “But now that you mention it we don't really have anything like that here in Ponyville. Nopony really commits any crimes here.”

“Wow this world just gets better and better” Sigil said putting a hoof to his forehead

“What do you mean?” said Twilight a little confused “Surely it's the same for where your from” Sigil let out a long sigh and gave Twilight a look so serious it made her cringe a little.

“No Twilight, my world is not the same as your crime free world.” said Sigil with a deep sigh he lowered his gaze so as to hide his eyes from view “It is very different from yours. In fact it's not uncommon for multiple people to die in a single day. Even with all the people roaming the streets, loved ones die and there's nothing you can do about it.”

“Sigil I don't know what to say” Twilight said laying a hoof on his shoulder “but I can promise you one thing” Sigil looked up at her “That will never happen here and it never will.”

“Yeah nopony ever commits crimes here” said Pinkie Pie a smile on her face Sigil stared at her smile and his mood brightened a bit

“Yeah I guess your right.” said Sigil scratching the back of his neck with a hoof “sorry for getting all dark on you. I didn't exactly have the easiest life back home.”

“Didn't you have any family or friends to spend time with or maybe someone special?” asked Twilight blushing slightly

“I did have family but I'm orphaned now.” said Sigil old scars reopening “I didn't really have any friends back home either. All part of being a mage I'm afraid.”

“What do you mean all part of being a mage?” asked Twilight choosing to ignore asking about the death of his family “I thought they were really rare?”

“Oh yes they're rare all right.” said Sigil sarcasticly “because they are hunted to near extinction.”

“What?!” yelled Twilight her jaw dropping “you didn't mention that before.”

“Based on your reaction you can guess why I left that out before.” said Sigil getting up from the table “I don't think we should continue this conversation.” he gave Twilight a weak smile

“Good idea” said Twilight putting a hoof to her forehead thinking to herself “What else do I not know about this mysterious stallion?” “What do you plan on doing now Sigil?” she continued

Before Sigil could answer the ground shook and a roar cut through the air. Twilight and Pinkie looked at each other with a look of disbelief and horror.

“What is it?” asked Sigil looking out the window hearing the roaring grow louder

“It's a hydra” said Twilight swallowing the lump in her throat “They live in the everfree forest to the south, but they never come in to town.”

“I think I know why it's here now” said Sigil his eyes growing wide as he pointed a hoof to a cream colored pegasus running into view “It's chasing somepony” Twilight ran to the window and let out a gasp

“That's Fluttershy!” yelled Twilight running out the door “We have to help her” Sigil followed her when it came into view. It was twice as tall as most of the building in town and had five snake like heads. It was slithering with great speed after Fluttershy using it's heads to grab at her.

Fluttershy ducked behind a rather tall circular building as the hydra lashed out. It reached out two heads and wrapped them around the building and broke it in half. A cry of terror came out of the yellow pegasus that chilled Sigil to his core. He had to do something before the town was destroyed or the pegasus got killed.

Sigil stopped in his tracks and extended a hoof to halt Twilight from running to the rescue. “Stay back or you'll just get in the way” he focused intently on the task at hand He pulled all of the energy he had into his horn leaving his legs weak. He used all of his will to stay standing as a sigil was burned into the ground around him.

He lifted his hoof of the ground as his horn glowed intensely. Sigil slammed his hoof into the ground with force. As he did so his spell took hold. A fissure opened up in the ground and traveled at great speed in to the path of the hydra. As it found it's mark between the beast and the pegasus it grew wider and a great pillar of earth erupted from the ground and surrounded the hydra boxing it in.

The hydra ran into the newly created wall at high speed. It roared in pain as it bounced back with a ear ringing crack. Sigil broke into a smile as the pegasus was safe for the moment and the hydra roaring safely contained in the box. Then the fatigue hit him full force. He stumbled on his hooves suddenly feeling intense pain. As he fell over he was caught in surprisingly sturdy hooves.

“Woah there” asked Twilight worry thick in her voice “You okay Sigil?” He looked up at her and smiled before passing out “He did it at least” sighed Twilight letting him down to the ground slowly “I need to get him back to the library to rest” as Twilight and Pinkie carried off Sigil to the library it sounded as a cannon just went off.

The hydra had succeded in breaking through it's prison shattering it into pieces. Fluttershy was stricken with fear she hadn't moved since the hydra had been imprisoned. She tilted her head back and screamed “RAINBOW DASH!” with everything she had. Immediately an explosion sounded in the distance and a rainbow flew across the sky. The rainbow trailed down out of the sky at an alarming rate and slammed into the hydra knocking it backwards and sending it through what was left of it's broken cage.

Rainbow Dash hit the ground on all four hoofs and after making sure the hydra was taken care of for now, turned and ran to Fluttershy. Rainbow wrapped her hooves around her crying friend as Fluttershy buried her head in Rainbow's chest.

“It's alright” soothed Rainbow squeezing Fluttershy tightly “I won't let anything happen to you. You know that” she pulled back a bit so that Fluttershy could see the determination in her eyes

“Dashy...” sobbed Fluttershy holding on to Rainbow for dear life “I'm so scared” Rainbow looked behind her as she calmed Fluttershy. The hydra was getting back up.

Rainbow looked Fluttershy in the eyes and said “Run” as Fluttershy got to her feet Rainbow charged the hydra again. She flew up to one of it's heads and gave it a hard kick with her hind legs. The hydra roared in pain as Rainbow's kick found it's mark. Before Rainbow could get away another head lashed out. It hit her in the shoulder knocking her to the ground.

Pain shot through Rainbow as she picked herself up off the ground. The hydra was right on top of her. It lashed it's head out to chomp down on Rainbow, who reared back on her hindlegs and pushed herself into the air with a pump of her wings. She flew over the hydra's head as it's jaws closed on thin air. Rainbow then did a front flip and closed her wings tucking them into her as she plummeted feet first into the hydra's unprotected neck.

She could hear the spinal cord shatter under her impact as her hooves hit the beast. She rocketed back up as another head came her way. Doing another flip she attempted to do the same to this new head, but the hydra had learned. As soon as Rainbow had done her flip a second head had come from the side and knocked her out of the air.

Rainbow hit the ground hard and skidded a few tail lengths before coming to rest bruised and battered. The Hydra eyed it's prey with what looked like intent to kill, but it cast it's gaze wider as if looking for something. It focused all of it's heads as it found what it was looking for. It roared and charged as it found Fluttershy hiding under a cart of apples.

“Fluttershy!” cried Rainbow through her pain standing up and running with all her strength “Get out of there!” But Fluttershy was petrified with fear and could not move. Rainbow ran as fast as she could to no avail. The hydra roared as it lashed out with a head to chomp her. She cringed and closed her eyes screaming in fright. But the bite never came.

Fluttershy opened her eyes to what appeared to be snow. It was silver and appeared to be moving to an unknown rhythm, almost flowing. She realized it to be fur of some kind. Looking up her eyes grew wide. It was a wolf! A wolf had jumped in front of her to take the hydra's bite.

The wolf growled fiercely as it wrapped it's front paws around the hydra's head and twisted with an astounding amount of force. The hydra's jaw snapped and hanged limp. Before it could pull it's injured head back the wolf heaved backwards. Rainbow's jaw dropped as she saw the hydra lifted off of the ground and swung through the air to be dropped on the ground hard.

The wolf dropped the injured head and turned to face the rather surprised hydra. It's heads moved eraticly it's mind's try to figure out what exactly just happened. The wolf took this as it's moment to attack. It charged in low getting under the heads range of vision and dodging to the right catching the furthest head with it's claws as it did so.

It dug it's claws in deep carrying the head with it as it jumped on to the back of it and dug it's other paw into the hydra's scaly hide. The beast roared in pain as Rainbow watched the wolf tear it's captured head clean of an bite down on another neck. “I won't let this thing have all the glory” thought Rainbow launching into the sky She flew higher and higher then did a backflip and nosed straight down at the distracted hydra.

The wolf looked up just in time to see a rainbow colored ripple in the sky. He quickly jumped off the hydra and ran for cover as he heard a smug voice yell “Sonic Rain- Kaboom” Rainbow Dash hit the hydra square on it's middle heads joint that connects it to all of the other heads. Her elbow drove in with enough force it produced a shockwave and a rainbow colored mushroom cloud. Rainbow herself was blown spinning head over tails into a building on her right.

As the dust cleared, the hydra was finally defeated. Rainbow coughed up a little blood and knew that she had probably broken quite a few somethings doing that last attack. She sat back against the building with a smile and thought to herself “That's what you get for attacking Fluttershy you stupid beast.” Speaking of Fluttershy as soon as she saw the hydra was finished she asked “D-Dashy where are you?”

“O-over here Pal” said Rainbow pain making her voice squeak and her chest ache Fluttershy ran to her friends side and her eyes grew wide

“Rainbow your hurt.” cried Fluttershy tears starting to form in her eyes

“Nah I'm just fine” said Rainbow a smug look on her face “Although if you wanted to help me up I wouldn't complain.” Fluttershy put a hoof under Rainbow's shoulder and helped her to her hooves Rainbow tried to unfurl her right wing to steady herself on Fluttershy, but a searing pain tore through her. “Ah my wing” cried Rainbow holding back the tears in her eyes

“Dashy are you alright” asked Fluttershy steadying the cyan pegasus next to her with her own wing

“I can't move my right wing it hurts to bad” grunted Rainbow through gritted teeth she'd been through this once before already and she knew how bad this was “Darn it this means more expensive surgery and I'm still paying off the last one”

“Rainbow we need to get you to the hospital immediately” cried Twilight running up to the two pegasi “Your right wing is broken”

“Well get me to the hospital Twilight.” Dash slowly limped over to the purple unicorn turning to give Fluttershy a quick hug good bye “Make sure to visit me in the infirmary Pal I want to make sure your alright.” With that said Twilight's horn flared purple and they were gone in a flash.

Fluttershy was now all alone as the townsfolk opened their doors and looked around . They realized the beast was dead and cheered in victory. Fluttershy didn't want to be in the middle of the crowd so she quietly walked away off towards her cottage. She got halfway there when she noticed somepony following her. She turned around and saw it to be the wolf from before, the one that saved her.

The wolf stumbled as it followed her. Fluttershy noticed it had several small gashes along it's stomach where the hydra's teeth had caught him saving her. Fluttershy walked back and carefully approached the wolf staying back far enough to be out of reach should it try to attack her.

“Please don't be afraid of me” she heard a voice say inside of her mind

“Who is this” asked Fluttershy out loud “What do you want from me” she began to want to run away to flee from this foreign assault

“My name is Kurt” said the voice “currently I am the wolf in front of you” Fluttershy froze as the wolf formed an odd smile a few of it's fangs shining in sunlight. Fluttershy had every intention of running away when it said “Please don't leave me here alone.”

She slowly trotted up to the wolf ready to bolt at any sign of hostility, but it just sat down on it's haunches and waited for her to work up her courage. She stood in front of the wolf as it looked up into her eyes. There was a gleam of happiness in it's brown eyes as it thought “Thank you for not abandoning me.”

“Well I do love animals and you did help Dashy save me.” said Fluttershy wincing as she recalled Dash being teleported away by Twilight to the hospital.

“She'll be alright Fluttershy.” said Kurt in her mind “From what I could catch of her thoughts she doesn't plan on spending more than 2 weeks in that hospital.” The wolf let out a whine as Fluttershy put her hoof on it's stomach

“O-oh I'm sorry” said Fluttershy pulling her hoof back “I didn't mean to hurt you”

“Oh I wouldn't worry about it Fluttershy” said Kurt in her head “I know you wouldn't hurt anypony on purpose. Of course I'm not a pony now am I?” that last part she could have sworn she heard him laugh

“I need to get you back to my cottage so I can take care of you” said Fluttershy shyly “If that's okay with you I mean..”

“Beats bleeding out, out here in the forest alone” said Kurt in Fluttershy's mind standing up beginning to walk “lead the way”

It only took a few minutes to walk to her cottage. She quickly opened the door and rushed inside allowing Kurt to come in after her. Fluttershy trotted to the back room and grabbed some gause from her medical supplies. She had bought it a few years ago when angel got bitten by that snake but never had gotten around to using it.

Fluttershy walked back out into the living room to see Kurt closing the door behind him. He then fell belly first to the floor and let out a long sigh. Upon seeing Fluttershy he flipped around so that he was lying on his back.

“Alright I'm going to stop the bleeding now” said Fluttershy wrapping some gause around her hoof. “it might hurt a little and I need you to sit up for me” Kurt sat up as the shy pegasus stuck some gause into his first wound. He cringed a little from pain but quickly steeled himself. She walked around him wrapping his entire chest in gause efficently stopping the bleeding.

“There you go” said Fluttershy tapping his new bandage lightly with her hoof “That should do for now”

“Thank you Fluttershy” said Kurt laying down on the floor tucking his front legs underneath him resting his muzzle on his paws “You are too kind”

“Your welcome Kurt” replied Fluttershy “I never told you my name though?”

“I'm sorry for my rudeness” said Kurt in her mind “But I might have read a few of your thoughts”

“Well I have to say I'm find that a little rude” said Fluttershy blushing furiously “but.. um... did you perchance read”

“I'm sorry Fluttershy but I didn't read Dash's thoughts about you” replied Kurt with an audioble sigh “But I can tell you this” Fluttershy looked down into Kurt's eyes “She thinks of you as more than just her “Pal””

Chapter 2

“Ugh I feel horrible” muttered Sigil opening his eyes squinting against the bright light of the room

“And you look terrible too” said a certain purple unicorn with a chuckle “Good morning Sigil”

“Twilight is that you?” asked Sigil his eyes adjusting to the light He noticed he was back in Twilight's house but on a different floor perhaps. He noticed more book cases and a staircase leading down. He also realized he was in a bed with a pillow under his head. “What happened?”

“You over exerted yourself trying to save Fluttershy from the hydra remember?” said Twilight putting a hoof on his shoulder “You were in no condition to even attempt a spell that powerful”

“If Fluttershy's alright then it was well worth the risk” said Sigil flatly “I try to put others before myself as much as I can” He looked up at Twilight to see her reaction

She looked into his eyes fondly and said “Well from the amount of time I've spent playing nurse for you seems like your getting the luxury treatment.”

“But I do enjoy it ever so much” said Sigil in a sing-song voice sitting up he added “So what have I missed?”

“Well after you failed to stop the hydra Rainbow had to step in to fight it” said twilight replaying the battle in her mind “She managed to give it a rather hard time before a strange snow colored wolf stepped in and aided her. It distracted it so Rainbow could finish it off with what she so proudly named the Sonic Rain- Kaboom.”

“Who got hurt?” asked Sigil a look of worry on his face as he starred down at his hooves

“Rainbow broke a wing and cracked a few ribs, but the doctor said she'll be fine in a few weeks” said Twilight “I have no idea where the wolf went and nopony else got hurt”

“Alright” said Sigil breathing a sigh of relief looking at Twilight he asked “So Nurse Sparkle, what is to be my prescription today?”

“Plenty of bed rest and relaxation” said Twilight playfully hitting him in the shoulder “This is the second time you've nearly killed yourself do to exhaustion”

“Well if your the nurse I get every time I do” said Sigil closing his eyes and taking a deep breath “I see one good thing that comes out of this” he drifted off to sleep as he let out a long slow calm breath

“You are such a tease” said Twilight staring at the peaceful look on Sigil's face while he slept “Get better soon Sigil” She walked down stairs leaving him to sleep “Spike” she called out as she neared the kitchen “Where are you?” She found a note on the counter. It read

“Dear Twilight when the hydra attack I thought it would be best to round up the Cutie Mark Crusaders and get keep an eye on them. You know make sure they don't try and be Cutie Mark Crusader Hydra fighters or something incredibly dangerous. Will be at Sweet Apple Acres if you need me. “

Sincerely, Spike

Twilight let out a sigh. She wanted to check on Rainbow Dash, it's been three days since she had left her there with Nurse Redheart. Twilight also wanted to stay and keep Sigil company. Also she would get a chance to read a few books she had been wanting to read for awhile. Reluctantly she shook her head “Rainbow's not going anywhere” she thought to herself with a smile “Besides if I went to go check up on her I'd only spook Fluttershy”

The cream colored pegasus had been spending almost all of her time for the last few weeks helping Rainbow with anything she needed to do. Twilight thought it was a little odd, but they have been best friends since they were fillies, so she let it slide as a coinceidence. Twilight walked back upstairs and found a book on her night stand next to the bed. Picking it up in her magic she walked back downstairs and laid down on her sofa.

Reading the cover of the book it said “A beginners guide to Romantic Relationships” Twilight blushed a little as she opened the cover. To think she never even considered she would need to read this book until just a few days ago.

Rainbow Dash felt light headed as she laid awkwardly in her hospital bed. “Hey Nursy?” Rainbow hiccuped with a grin “What's up with me today?”

The nice pony who was serving as nurse for today looked at Rainbow and said “We've increased your painkiller Miss Dash, you may feel a little loopy for a while but it will wear off after a while” With that she trotted out of the room to look at the other patients Rainbow stared up at the ceiling boredom setting in,when she heard hoofsteps outside her door.

The door swung open to reveal Fluttershy walking slowly into the room and closing the door. “Man” thought Rainbow to herself “Fluttershy looks really cute today” She smiled at that thought and said “Hey Pal come to visit me?”

“O-oh Dashy I wanted to sooner but I had a rather extreme patient to take care of” said Fluttershy walking up beside Rainbow her eyes lowered “I'm sorry”

“It's no prob Pal” said Rainbow with a goofy grin “you're here now and that's what counts” Rainbow had never really noticed how soft Fluttershy's mane looked

“I'm just glad visiting hours are still open” said Fluttershy nervously She hadn't exactly asked anypony if they were she was too shy, so she had snuck in.

“Actually, Pal” said Rainbow looking at the clock “Visiting hours are over” as Fluttershy's eyes went wide in over exaggurated shock Rainbow ran her hoof through Fluttershy's mane “Not that I'm asking you to leave Pal” Rainbow smiled to herself at how unbelievably soft Fluttershy's mane was.

Fluttershy blushed a little at having Rainbow touch her mane, but it felt so right she couldn't pull away from the advanced hoof. Instead she scooted a little closer to Rainbow and said “I can stay Dashy” she put on her cutest face and looked up at Rainbow “That is if it's okay with you?”

Rainbow put her hoof deeper into Fluttershy's mane as she scooted closer feeling the softness as she ran her hoof through it. “It's fine with me Shy” said Rainbow looking into Fluttershy's eyes those great cerulean orbs. “It's fine with me”

Fluttershy had to use every bit of will power she had to not kiss Rainbow right there instead she blushed furiously and asked “would you like me to sing a lullaby for you?”

“That would be so awesome Shy thanks!” said Rainbow withdrawing her hoof from her friends mane and snuggling up under her covers She shook a little bit as her machine administered anotherr dose of painkiller to her, numbing her thoughts even more. “man am I tired” said Rainbow yawning

Fluttershy took a deep breath and began her song

"Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed

Drifting off to sleep

The exciting day behind you

Drifting off to sleep

Let the joy of dream land find you

Hush now, quiet now

Lay your sleepy head

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed...

As she finished she noticed Rainbow faintly snoring as she slept. Flutteshy gave an adoring sigh as she saw the peaceful look on Rainbow's face. She leaned in and nuzzled her sleeping friend giving her a light kiss on the cheek before standing up.

“Fluttershy...” mumbled Rainbow in her sleep half opening one eye as she yanked her blankets
“Don't go I wanna tell you something. Something important”

Fluttershy whipped around and looked at her friend with intrest. She was obviously delerious from her medication Fluttershy was certain of that. But this was Dashy she was talking about! She would never lie to anypony unless she had a very good reason. “I'm here Dashy” said Fluttershy softly to her sleepy friend “What is it you want to tell me?”

Rainbow shifted in her sleep and wore a smug frown as she said “You know I think your kinda cute right?” then she let out a sigh and waited for a reply

Fluttershy was shocked speechless. Her dream mare had just said she thought she was cute. She had to find out if this was true or just a drug induced incident. “Dashy I had no idea you thought that way” said Fluttershy gently blushing a bit “but I do think your kind of cute yourself”

Rainbow grinned as she replied lazily “Yeah I know I'm awesome” then she took in a long breath and added “But I think you may be just as awesome Shy. Your so adorable and kind and you never turn down a friend in need. I like you a lot you know that right?”

Fluttershy's heart was racing now. “Did she just say that I'm as awesome as her!?!” thought Fluttershy her head spinning in euphoria “I wish she was telling me the truth”

“Fluttershy?” asked Rainbow beginning to twist and turn in her sleep looking for her friend “You there...”

“Yes Dashy” said Fluttershy a blush spreading on her cheeks “I'm here. I will always be here for you, you know that. But I.. um.. I like you a lot to Dashy. If you were awake right now and this wasn't all a dream I would tell you how much I like you for real.”

“Why can't you now?” asked Rainbow a expression of confusion drawn on her face “If this is a dream that would make it the best dream I've ever had”

“Alright then Dashy I will tell you how I feel, though I doubt you'll remember any of this when you wake up tomorrow” said Fluttershy taking a leap of Faith “I- I love you Dashy. I have for a while now and if you will take me I would like to be your special somepony.”

“Shy...” said Rainbow said with a smile on her face “Thank you” then she rolled over and the snoring grew louder

Fluttershy shook herself to calm down and then hurriedly exited the room and ran outside. She needed to tell somepony what happened. She needed advice bad. “Rarity is out of town. “Thought Fluttershy in a hurry “Applejack is Dashy's rival, Pinkie would be no help. That leaves Twilight.” Fluttershy trotted quickly over to the library and knocked on the door.

“Hold on” came a voice from the other side A deadbolt slide acrossed on the inside of the door before it swung open revealing a rather tired looking spike.

“Hello Spike” said Fluttershy trying to look as calm as possible “Is Twilight here?”

“She hasn't left all day.” complained Spike obviously jealous “She's been watching over that new stallion. I'm her number one assistant and she's totally ignored me since I got back from watching the Cutie Mark Crusaders”

“I need to talk to her.” said Fluttershy kneading the ground with her hoof “It's rather important” Spike took a step to the right and Fluttershy walked in the door as he closed it behind her.

“She's upstairs with him” said Spike waving his hand in the general direction of the stairs “Let her know that we need more rubies while your up there, she won't answer me” With that he walked off into the basement grumbling.

Fluttershy trotted quickly up the stairs. She saw that the new stallion was asleep in Twilight's bed. She looked to the couch on her left and saw the purple unicorn reading quietly. “Twilight?” asked Fluttershy quietly Twilight let out a yawn and continued reading not aknowledging Fluttershy's question at all.

“Twilight I need your help” said Fluttershy in a much louder voice stamping her hoof down Twilight's ears perked up and she immediately dropped her book as her eyes spotted Fluttershy.

“Wow Fluttershy what's gotten into you?” asked Twilight sitting up on the couch gesturing for Fluttershy to do the same “It must be something important if you did something so unlike you” Twilight watched Fluttershy as she sat down next to her. She started running her hooves through her mane before she spoke

“It's about Dashy” said Fluttershy twirling her hoof on the couch's cushion “When I went to visit her...”

“Fluttershy Rainbow will be fine” soothed Twilight putting her hoof on her nervous friends shoulder “The doctor said he was able to fix all of the damaged bones. Now all we have to do is wait for them to heal and the muscles of her wing to strengthen, and she'll be good as new”

“It's not that” said Fluttershy looking away from Twilight in her shyness “It's something more... personal”

“Well I am your friend Fluttershy if it's really important,” said Twilight taking in a deep breath You can tell me and I will try to help as best I can”

“Well when I was talking to Dashy at the hospital” started Fluttershy uneasily “I know she was probably loopsy from the meds she was on but, she started talking about me in her sleep”

“That's pretty awkward” said Twilight with a chuckle “but not uncommon. I read about a group of friends who shared each others dreams” this did nothing to help Fluttershy at all so she decided to continue

“After that I talked to her while she was dreaming putting my words into her dream” said Fluttershy a blush coming to her sheeks so she had to look down to cover it “and she said she really liked me”

“Is that what has you all flustered Fluttershy?” said Twilight with a nervous chuckle She hoped she was doing this right. One over her books had told her what to do in this situation. “She's your best friend. Of course she likes you a lot”

“Twilight she called me cute” said Fluttershy blushing even more “and she called me adorable...”

This took Twilight by surprise. “Why would Rainbow do that?” she asked herself mentally “Could it have been the meds? Or did the meds just let her say what she trully feels?” “So what did you do?” Twilight asked aloud looking around to make sure Spike hadn't come up stairs

“She asked me to tell her what I felt about her” said Fluttershy looking into Twilight's eyes she added “And I told her I loved her..” Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing “She loves Rainbow!” thought Twilight her mind racing “Well that would explain calling her Dashy all the time, but still It's her best friend!”

“What else?” asked Twilight wanting to know all the facts she could before she said anything more

“I might have told her that if she would take me I would be her special somepony..” finished Fluttershy still holding Twilight's eyes in her gaze Twilight's mind did a recap of the conversation. Fluttershy had went to a drugged up Rainbow Dash and accidentally spilled her heart out to her in a leap of blind faith and was now terrified that Dash was just rambling craziness and will some how remember what she said and reject her offer.

“What did she say back?” said Twilight once she had a better grasp on what had just happened

“She said thanks,” said Fluttershy taking her eyes off of Twilight and put them down on her hooves “then feel asleep”

“Well Fluttershy,” started Twilight stepping lightly with her words “It doesn't seem that Rainbow was upset by your confession” The cream colored pegasus looked up at Twilight

“But that could have just been the medication talking” said Fluttershy tears now very visible in her eyes “What if she doesn't feel that way about me?” Twilight was a little stunned this was Rainbow Dash Fluttershy was talking about, the mare she apparently loved, her best friend, and she was now believeing that that same mare which risked her life for Fluttershy and put herself in the hospital would ever do anything to hurt her.

“Fluttershy, Listen to yourself!” said Twilight a little harshly Fluttershy stared at her friend admittedly a little frightened at her outburst “This is Rainbow your talking about! She is your best friend, not to mention the element of loyalty itself! She risked her life willingly just a few days ago to fight that hydra that was after you. I'm sure I don't have to tell you of all ponies that she would never do anything to hurt a friend ever, least of all you. Yet here you are crying like a little school filly who just broke her neighbors window.”

Fluttershy broke into tears at hearing these harsh words from her friend. Twilight put her hooves around Fluttershy suddenly regretting her outburst. “Fluttershy I didn't mean to...” Twilight began but stopped to hear laughter She looked at the pegasus in her embrace to see it smiling. “Fluttershy was crying tears of relief and joy” thought Twilight with a sigh of relief

“Twilight your right” laughed Fluttershy wiping her eyes of tears “Dashy would never hurt me by lieing to me. Whatever she said no matter how loopy she was must have held some truth to it.” She jumped off the couch and trotted over to the window she opened it and said “Thank you for all your help Twilight” before she flew out into the night

After that episode she felt exhausted. She really didn't like the idea of sleeping on her couch though and her guest bed was still full of tree parts thanks to the sleepover she had had with Applejack and Rarity. She cast a glance over to Sigil still sound asleep in her bed. “Surely he wouldn't mind if I spent one night in my bed with him” said Twilight reasuringly “Not like he's going to try something on me while he's asleep”

Twilight walked over and let her self into her bed gently pushing Sigil to one side so she could crawl under the covers. She let out a sigh as she felt the softness of her bed. She put her back to Sigil and her head on the pillow and readied herself for sleep. Spike chose this moment to walk upstairs. As he saw the look of relaxation on Twilight's face a pang of jealousy knawed at his stomach. “I'm her number one assistant and she's sharing her bed with a stranger” he thought angrily as he trudged back downstairs to his bed

Sigil awoke with a yawn. He was still in bed he was sure of that. But it felt way to warm and comfortable, something had changed. It was at this moment he felt the warm breath on the back of his neck. He arched his head to see Twilight in bed behind him, her forehooves wrapped around him gently. Sigill had no idea what was going on, but judging from the look on Twilight's face she was enjoying herself.

He twisted in, careful not to wake the sleeping mare beside him, to look up at the ceiling. “This feels oddly familiar” thought Sigil thinking back to his childhood Her remembered his little sister would always come in his room at night and ask to stay with him, for fear of the monsters in the dark. Sigil always told her yes and let her share his bed usually ending up with him hugging her as she slept.

Sigil sighed as he looked at Twilight next to him. “She really does remind me of you Nicole” he thought looking around at the bookshelves “of course with her hugging me it's kind of nice for a change” Then he yawned and realized just how hungry he was He hadn't eaten in three days if Twilight was correct about how long he had slept. He hated to do it but he lightly poked Twilight on her nose with his hoof to wake her up.

Twilight opened her eyes sleepily not fully awake. She noticed a familiar face in front of hers. “Oh It's just Sigil” thought Twilight wanting to go back to bed Then it dawned on her where she was. “Sigil I can explain” said Twilight snapping awake unwrapping her hooves from around him and sitting up

“I bet you can” said Sigil smiling at her “but I'm terribly cold now that I've lost my unicorn blanket. Do you think I could get a warm breakfast? Maybe some tea?”

“Y-yes of course” said Twilight blushing furiously getting out of bed and making to go downstairs “I'll fix it for you right away” Sigil chuckled to himself at her flustered response to her obviously unintended snuggling. Although he did wonder why she had gotten in bed with him.

“There's no need to rush Twilight” said Sigil friendly “I don't plan on running off” He waited while Twilight walked downstairs into the kitchen. He could smell the delicious things she was making for breakfast. His food fantasies ended abruptly when a purple dragon walked in front of him. At first he was a little shocked that a dragon had gotten past Twilight unscathed. He decided to see if it was friendly.

“Hi” said Sigil as friendly as possible “Who are you?”

“I am Spike” the purple dragon replied proudly “Twilight's number one assistant. Who are you?” it narrowed it's brow at him

“I am Sigil Flare” he replied smoothly “but friends can call me Sigil. I'm a friend of Twilight, surely you know that” He looked as the dragon waved a hand at him nonchalantly

“Yeah cause Twilight sleeps with all her friends” said Spike sarcasticly “she won't even let me share her bed anymore” His face darkened visibly at this last remark

“Hey she's just taking care of me is all” Sigil said calmly “I was asleep when she crawled into the bed. Although I don't know why she did in the first place nothing happened. Besides she reminds me way to much of my little sister back home.” At this the dragon's face brightened

“So your just an injured friend thrown into a weird circumstance” asked Spike a little confused

“I think your thinking way to hard about this” said Sigil with a wave of his hoof “Me and Twilight are just friends” Spike nodded his head and smiled then he walked back down stairs. Sigil laid his head back down on the pillow thinking to himself “If that dragon was my number one assistant I think I would have taught him a bit more about situation like this”

Twilight came upstairs a few minutes later carrying to trays with her magic. As Sigil sat up she placed on in front of him. She sat down at her desk across from him placing the other tray in front of herself. Twilight couldn't bring herself to meet Sigil's eyes after the incident this morning. “What was that noise” thought Twilight looking up in the direction it was coming from. It was Sigil laughing.

“Twilight what are you doing over there?” asked Sigil laughing hysterically “It's not like anything happened last night right? It's fine really. It doesn't bother me at all or make me think any different of you in any way” at this Twilight's ears perked up a bit and she met his gaze as he added “In fact you remind me a lot of my little sister Nicole” stuffing what looked like a pancake in his mouth

“Really?” asked Twilight a little confused but relieved her snuggling hadn't freak out Sigil “How so?” She picked up a pancake in her magic and hovered it to her mouth chewing it before swallowing.

“Well when I was back home I lived with my little sister and my parents for a long time” said Sigil slowly thinking back over the years “With my dad usually working late and my mom always to drunk to stand, my little sister only had me to turn to. Nicole being 9 years old at the time was afraid of the creatures that lurked in the night you see.” A smile lit his face as he remembered his little sister

“I still don't see the connection” said Twilight a little confused and shocked at his off the hoof description of his parents She'd have to inquire about them later.

“You see when she got scared at night, Nicole would always come into my room and ask to stay with me for the night.” finished Sigil with a smile “So when I woke up to find myself in your embrace.. I don't know I kind of felt... right. A little opposite because I had to hold Nicole so she felt safe but still very similar in a key way.”

“Okay now I get the connection, but I still don't get how I'm that much like her” said Twilight with a wave of her hoof “I mean I am a unicorn, not a human” at this Sigil chuckled

“Very true, but you still love to read” Sigil said gesturing to the bookshelves surrounding the room “and your also smart, funny, and I'd be lieing if I didn't admit your cute as well.” with that he resumed stuffing his face with pancakes like nothing ever happened

“Thank you” said Twilight not knowing what else to say She had never been called cute before, not even by her own parents! “So what happened to Nicole?” Twilight asked She immediately regretted it.

Sigil stopped eating his pancakes and gave a huge sigh. He turned to look at Twilight with eyes full of pain. “I left her...” he squeaked out grabbing the blanket in his hooves “I left her there”

“What are you talking about Sigil?” asked Twilight reaching out a hoof to Sigil a little worried about him. This much stress could be bad for him in his current physical condition

“That night when my house was burned and my family slaughtered” said Sigil his voice growing deep his eyes opening wide staring into Twilight's illuminating an image in the back of her mind She could see what Sigil saw that day, almost as if she had been in his hooves. “I had caught wind of the attack and had been running back to my home that night. When I got there my parents were already slaughtered in the front room and the house set on fire. I ran up stairs calling Nicole praying she was still alive. She ran out from my room tears streaming down her face her dark brown hair frayed and wild.

I picked her up in my arms and ran down stairs to meet two soldiers at the front door. They took Nicole from me and knocked me to the ground. Using my magic I caused a blinding flash of light catching them off guard and blinding them. Not being able to think clearly do to fear I did the only thing I thought myself capable of. I ran. I ran out the back door and It wasn't until I was safely away that I heard something that would give me nightmares to this day. The sound of my little sister calling my name with her dieing breath.

I should have saved her” said Sigil tears streaming down his cheeks and falling into his food “but I ran like a coward” Twilight stood up and trotted over to Sigil putting a hoof on his shoulder she said gently

“It's not your fault Sigil there was nothing you could have done” She hoped this is what he needed to hear from what she had saw in her vision it was accurate Sigil rounded on her with tears of pain blinding his clouding his eyes

“I abandoned her. She trusted me to make everything okay and I failed her” He sobbed his chest heaving with the force of it all “All my magic all my 'natural talent' and I couldn't even save the most important thing in my life”

Twilight could take no more of this. She wrapped her hooves around the crying stallion and drew him into a warm embrace. She held him there letting him cry into her chest as he calmed down. Once he was calmed down enough that only sniffles remained she leaned back and tilted his head up to look her in the eyes. “Sigil It's okay” said Twilight “You'll never have to worry about losing anyone special to you ever again” then she hugged him again

Sigil drew in a deep breathe relaxing in the warmth and comfort of Twilight's hug before replying “I think I might have gotten you a little wet with all my crying Twilight”

“Good to know your sense of humor is back Sigil” replied Twilight ending their embrace “sorry I asked.” she added remorsefully “I don't think I fully understand what it would feel like to lose a sibling like that”

“I pray that you never do” said Sigil with a weak smile “but I'm glad you know about my little sister. And I wasn't kidding about the nightmares either. They have haunted me for so many years. I think last night was the first night that I didn't have any nightmares” then he rubbed his chin with his hoof in thought

“Well I thank you for sharing your story Sigil” replied Twilight putting a hoof on his shoulder “It must have been hard for you to cry that much”

“What a stallion can't cry when he needs to?” asked Sigil trying to fake anger as obviously as possible “Those were colt's tears!”

“Well if your going to get all defensive about it” said Twilight with a chuckle she punched Sigil teasingly in the shoulder and the mood in the room lifted “Hey if your done with your breakfast what do you say to helping me out today?”

“Alright Twilight I'm game” replied Sigil glad to be on a happier topic “What do you need help with exactly?”

“Well I am to write a letter to Princess Celestia when I learn something about friendship” said Twilight “but I haven't written her anything for a few days now. What with all the hydra attacks and new ponies appearing in storms and such.” She gave him a passing glance as she continued “I was wondering if you would be willing to write a letter to Princess Celestia about your events so far in Ponyville?”

“I'd be happy to Twilight” Sigil said nonchalantly “That is if Celestia wants to hear my ramblings” He exchanged a glance with Twilight and they both broke out laughing Twilight went down stairs to retrieve her quill and notepad and handed them to Sigil. He grasped them with his magic finding it easier than he thought and began his letter.

Dear Celestia,

My name is Sigil Flare. I am a newcomer to your realm. At first I was a little freaked out by your land known as Equestria but now I find it wonderful. The ponies here are very nice and friendly. I have met your student Twilight and I have to say she is becoming my best friend very fast. She has already taught me so much about your world. I don't know how to thank her for what she has done for me. She has taught me a lot about friendship these last few days. I have met a lot of her friends and they seem alright to me. I do wish that I had come on better times. We had a hydra attack a few days ago that wrecked the northern side of town. It's all better now though.

Sincerely, Sigil Flare

Once he had scribbled his signature he handed the quill and parchment back over to Twilight. She smiled at him and said thank you before trotting back down stairs. Sigil watched her leave his eyes fixated on her flank. He shook his head and laid back down on his pillow. “Why does she have to be so gorgeous” asked Sigil to himself “She's just my friend right?”

Chapter 3

This is a chapter featuring a lot of emotional tension between Rainbow and Fluttershy ending in some flutter dash shipping. just letting you know in advance. I'd like to hear some comments though.

Fluttershy yawned as she opened her eyes. Blinking them a few times to get rid of the drowsiness. She threw off her covers and got out of bed. Trotting down stairs she spotted Kurt still sleeping soundly on her floor next to the unlit fireplace. She walked over and inspected his bandage. It seemed to be holding on nicely but she might have to change the wrappings later in the day.

“Good morning” said a familiar voice in her head

“Good morning Silver Streak” replied Fluttershy using her name for the snowy wolf “did you sleep well?” she put on a smile as the wolf rolled over and smiled up at her with his usual toothy grin

“Yeah I did” he said rubbing his stomach “That massage you gave me did wonders for me” after this he sat up and eyed Fluttershy who was walking to the door “Where you going?” asked Silver

“I'm going to check up on Dashy” replied Fluttershy simply grabbing her saddle bag in her teeth and throwing it over her shoulder

“Ah I see” replied Silver laying his head on his paws “Am I to be left home this time as well?” he asked rather lazily

“Well I'll only be going to the hospital this time” said Fluttershy checking what her chores for today she had listed on her calendar “but when I get back I'll take you over to Twilight's for some introductions alright?”

“That's fine with me” replied Silver rolling over “more time for me to sleep.” he was snoring before Fluttershy even got outside She didn't bother locking it anymore. With Silver watching her home it wasn't really necessary anymore. She trotted her way into town passing a familiar park bench on her way to the hospital. On it sat the all to familiar mint green unicorn and her friend the candy colored earth pony.

“Hello girls” said Fluttershy as she walked past them

“Why hello Fluttershy” replied the earth pony nudging the unicorn with her hoof “say hello Lyra”

“Alright Bonbon geez calm down” replied Lyra poking her friend back “Hey Fluttershy have a nice day alright?”

“You to girls!” replied Fluttershy continuing on her way to the hospital She reached it in no time at all. Walking up to the front desk she rang the bell with her hoof. A white furred pony came out and said hello asking her what she needed.

“Oh I'm just here to check up on Rainbow Dash” replied Fluttershy with a smile “What room was she in again?”

“She's in room 212” replied the pony in a friendly tone “Tell her to stop stealing all the rolls while you drop in alright?”

“Okay” said Fluttershy with a laugh “That's my Dashy” thought Fluttershy to herself as she walked to room 212. She opened the door to find Rainbow still asleep in her bed. She quietly stepped in and closed the door behind her. She walked over to the chair nearest Rainbow's bed and sat down.

“Fluttershy is that you” mumbled Rainbow opening her eyes rubbing them with the back of her hoof

“Yes Dashy it's me” replied Fluttershy quietly “Just here to check up on you”

“Thanks Pal” said Rainbow sitting up in her bed casting a glance at her bandaged wing with a frown “Man that smarts”

“Would you like me to give you a massage?” asked Fluttershy blushing a bit “I've been told I'm quite good”

“You know what?” said Rainbow with a smile “I'd like that”

Rainbow rolled onto her stomach as Fluttershy flew up onto the bed with her. Fluttershy sat down on Rainbow's haunches blushing a bit at their closeness. Rainbow however was completely comfortable with this kind of behavior. Fluttershy was her best friend after all, she'd never hurt her.

“Alright I'm going to start now” said Fluttershy gently working her hooves into Rainbow's back “Let me know if I should stop”

Rainbow fidgeted under Fluttershy as the knots were worked out of her back. Rainbow let out a long sigh of relief as the stress and worries plaguing her were lost to the warm hooves swirling into her back. Noticing this Fluttershy stopped.

“Is something wrong Dashy?” asked Fluttershy worried she'd hurt her friend

“No Pal” replied Rainbow laying her head on her hooves “please continue”

Fluttershy continued her massage careful to work around the injured wing. She felt the muscles under Rainbow's skin tense up then relax and unwind. Fluttershy felt a familiar crimson hue flush her cheeks as she heard Rainbow's pleasurable moanings underneath her. She lifted her hooves off of Rainbow when she was finished flying off of her friend landing next to the bed.

“That was awesome” said Rainbow getting up into a sitting position on her bed looking at her friend with a smile “I feel a hundred times better”

Fluttershy blushed as she replied “Thanks Dashy” then she decided to ask a question that had been knawing at her all morning “Hey Dashy do you remember me visiting you last night?”

“Yeah of course” replied Rainbow a little confused but a playful smile on her face as she looked at her friend “How could I forget my closest friend visiting me?”

“Do you remember me singing you a lullaby?” asked Fluttershy her heart speeding up a bit

“Yeah of course” replied Rainbow blushing a bit as she remembered that particular tender moment “I like it when you sign your lullaby”

“Do you remember anything after that?” asked Fluttershy silently praying that she did

“No sorry Pal” replied Rainbow trying hard to remember anything after the lullaby last night “I got nothing. Was there something I needed to remember?”

“Not really” said Fluttershy with a sigh “So what are you going to do when you get out of here?”

“Well now that I think about it” thought Rainbow “I can't go to my house cause I can't fly...” Rainbow stopped at this thought “I can't fly...” she repeated as the light left her eyes Her shoulders slumped and her head hung low.

Rainbow felt a warmth on her neck and looked down to see Fluttershy nuzzling her. Rainbow laid her head on Fluttershy's nuzzling her back her previous train of thought forgotten to her friends comfort. Fluttershy threw a hoof around Rainbow's shoulder and pulled her closer. Rainbow leaned into the embrace finding comfort in her friends support.

“It'll be all right Dashy” whispered Fluttershy in her friends ear softly “I know that you'd never let something like this stop you. I'll be right here beside you always”

Rainbow felt like she was flying right now. She felt tears come to her eyes at her friends kindness. Not wanting to see Fluttershy to see her crying she pulled back a bit whiping her eyes and said “No way am I going to let a broken wing stop me from my dreams”

“Now that's my Dashy” replied Fluttershy with a smile nuzzling her friend with a smile

“Hey Fluttershy” asked Rainbow nuzzling her back

“Yes Dashy” asked Fluttershy running a hoof through Rainbow's mane

“You think since I'm grounded for the next few weeks that I could stay at your place?” asked Rainbow loving having Fluttershy's gentle hoof playing with her mane

“I would love to have you come over for awhile Dashy” replied Fluttershy nuzzling her friend again “maybe while your over we could even have some snuggle time like we used to?”

“Oh I think we are long over due for some snuggle time” replied Rainbow nuzzling Fluttershy before pulling back and laying back down on her bed a familiar flush on her cyan cheeks “escpecialy now that I can't fly” added Rainbow grumpily

At this moment a doctor walked into the room. Noding to the two pegasi he cleared his throat.

“Miss Dash I am here to inform you that you can leave when you like. Your wing is healed enough for you to walk around. But don't try to fly or you may actually break your wing for good this time.” informed the Doctor looking straight at Rainbow as he said that last part “Your free to go just be careful and keep your bandages on. We'll need you to come in for the next three weeks to check on your progress of course”

As Dash was loaded into a wheelchair and carted throught the hospital halls towards the exit she turned to the doctor and asked “So how much am I paying for this?”

The Doctor smiled and replied “Your not paying for any of it Miss Dash”

“Say what?” asked Rainbow confused “Then who is”

The doctor pointed his muzzle in the direction of a cream colored pegasus at the front desk.

“Fluttershy?!” asked Rainbow dumbfounded “but why?”

“I don't know” said the Doctor at first “I think It's her way of making it up to you”

“What do you mean?” replied Rainbow not quite getting what he was hinting at

“Well you got hurt rescuing her” said the Doctor “She's paying you back in only way she can”

Rainbow looked at her friend with renewed admiration when the doctor chuckled a bit to himself causing Rainbow's attention to shift back to him. “Honestly Miss Dash of all the hooves you could have fallen into” he said as Fluttershy started towards them “I don't think you could have done better...”

“Hi Dashy” said Fluttershy smiling at the doctor first then looking at her friend with a familiar fondness in her eyes “Ready to go?”

“Always” replied Rainbow smiling at her friend Rainbow liked how Fluttershy always had such happiness in her eyes. She was actually rather jealous of that but she'd never say anything about it to Fluttershy or anypony else for that matter. She got up out of the wheel chair and walked out the main hospital door with Fluttershy beside her.

It didn't take long to get back to Fluttershy's cottage. Rainbow sat back as Fluttershy opened the door. Fluttershy let Rainbow go inside first before closing the door behind them. Rainbow let out a breath of relief when she sat down on Fluttershy's couch. Her eyes then immediately went to the rather life sized rug in the corner of the living room. Except it wasn't a rug, it was breathing!

“Why hello there Miss Dash” said a voice in her head “Fluttershy has told me much about you”

“Who's that?” asked Rainbow surprised at this invasion of privacy “Where are you?”

“I'm that rug in the corner” the voice said sarcasticly adding “and yes I'm breathing”

Noticing the look of surprise on Rainbow's face Fluttershy giggled a bit then said “Dashy meet Silver Streak” indicating the now sitting up snow pelted wolf in the corner of the room “I believe you've met already”

“Yeah we have” replied Rainbow with a frown thinking to herself “Why is that thing here?”

“Well this thing” said the voice in her head rather rudely “Is Fluttershy's friend. She did me a kindness by helping to heal the wounds I got saving you from that hydra a few days ago”

“Did he just read my thoughts?” asked Rainbow extending a hoof to Fluttershy

“Yes he does that sometimes” said Fluttershy glaring at Silver “though I keep telling him not to pry into other peoples personal thoughts”

“Sorry Fluttershy” replied Silver to both pegasus looking at Fluttershy “but she called me a thing”

Fluttershy couldn't help but laugh at this “Is that all?” when her laughter calmed down a bit she added “i think you two will get along just fine”

“Wait he's staying her too?” asked Rainbow in disbelief her eyes begging Fluttershy to say no

“Sorry Dashy” replied Fluttershy walking over to Rainbow and nuzzling her softly “but I couldn't leave him alone when he was injured.”

“Yeah I guess your right Pal” replied Rainbow nuzzling her friend back with a little bit of a blush

Silver stood up and made for the door. “Where are you going Silver?” asked Fluttershy in a questioning tone

He turned around and looked at both pegasi and said “I want to give the two of you that “snuggle time” you both are thinking about” when both pegasus looked at each other with a blush he added “and I wanted to grab a bite to eat anyways”

“but there's food in the kitchen?” said Fluttershy confused

Silver shook his head “I can't eat pony food” he gestured outside in the direction of the forest “I have to eat meat. I'm a wolf after all”

“Oh I see” said Fluttershy wincing at the word meat “Does that mean for the last few days...?”

“Oh no I didn't eat any of your furry friends Fluttershy” replied Silver putting a paw to his chest “not even that annoying little bunny Angel. I've been sneaking off into the forest for food while you slept.”

“Alright” replied Fluttershy half-heartedly “Just be careful okay?”

“I will try” said Silver opening the door and walking outside closing it behind him

Fluttershy looked over at her friend to see a warm comforting smile on her face. Fluttershy liked that smile. “So now that he's gone is it snuggle time?” she asked with a chuckle

“Yes it is” replied Rainbow as Fluttershy got up on the couch next to her

“Good” replied Fluttershy scooting closer to her friend on the couch laying her head on Rainbow's shoulder nuzzling into her

“I've missed this” said Rainbow nuzzling her friend back sighing “With all the training I've been doing for the Wonderbolts audition coming up next month, I've been to busy to come by as much as I should have”

Fluttershy pulled her head back and looked Rainbow in the eye nearly getting lost in those indigo swirls and said “Well we have time now let's make the best of it”

“Alright” said Rainbow falling onto her back her head in Fluttershy's lap “I had better make myself comfy then huh?” Rainbow smiled as she felt the familiar comfort of her friends lap beneath her head.

“Comfy?” asked Fluttershy giggling to herself as she looked at her friend as she smiled back up at her

“Yeah pal your lap is the greatest pillow ever” said Rainbow snuggling into her friends lap sighing contently

“Well I'm glad you think so Dashy” said Fluttershy running her hoof through Rainbow's mane Fluttershy loved snuggle time with her friend. She knew Rainbow liked it too, but Fluttershy loved it even more because secretly she thought of Rainbow as her special somepony. She'd never admit it though especially not to Rainbow. Fluttershy knew that she had said she would be her special somepony while she was medicated but she didn't count that.

Fluttershy wondered how Rainbow did it? How could she be so Tomcoltish and yet have so much feminine charm when it mattered. She didn't even need to try to stay beautiful it just came naturally. She had to fight off the urge to lean down and kiss her right there and now instead she brought her head down and nuzzled her friend on the nose.

Rainbow blushed slightly at Fluttershy's closeness. To anypony watching it would seem that they were in love. Lucky nopony ever does and truth be told they did this sort of thing all the time. They were foalhood friends and were perfectly comfortable being this close to one another. But man what Rainbow would do to get Fluttershy to lean down and kiss her right now. Rainbow had a playful Idea run through her head.

Rainbow reached up with a hoof and grabbed Fluttershy's mane pulling it down near her face. Fluttershy let out a giggle as Rainbow pretended to go to sleep taking the ensnared mane with her dragging Fluttershy on top of her. “Now look at that” said Rainbow with a laugh “You've gone and fallen all over me Pal”

Fluttershy's cheeks flushed crimson at these ironically chosen set of words and she replied “Well it would help if you weren't so awesome” then she pulled herselfonto Rainbow's belly and laid her head under Rainbow's chin. “Now who makes the best pillow?” she asked teasingly poking Rainbow in the stomach

Rainbow let out a rather girly eep at being poked in her belly but immediately hid it by saying “Well I can't help being awesome” said Rainbow “It's what I do, but even if I am 20% more awesome you still make the better pillow Pal. Although,” she added running her hoof through Fluttershy's mane “You do make a really great blanket”

Fluttershy nuzzled Rainbow leaning up to plant a sweet kiss on her nose before saying “I might be a nice blanket for you but I'm getting a little cold Dashy”

“I think I can fix that Pal” replied Rainbow wrapping her hooves around Fluttershy and nuzzling her back “There how about that?”

“I can think of a more awesome blanket Dashy” replied Fluttershy blushing a bit nuzzling her friend kissing her on the cheek “Your so soft and warm”

This caused Rainbow to blush a bit “Hey don't tell the girls that Pal” she nuzzled her friend before adding “I don't want them thinking I'm a softie”

Fluttershy giggled as she replied “I won't Dashy. I promise” She liked seeing this side of Rainbow. Rainbow was always kind to her. It was different when they were with their friends and around town, but here in her home Rainbow was at peace. It was a different side of Rainbow that nopony but Fluttershy ever saw.

“I know you won't Pal” replied Rainbow looking down at her friend with eyes full of admiration “You always keep your promises” then she decided to ask something that had been on her mind “Hey Pal can I ask something?”

“Anything Dashy, you know that” replied Fluttershy with a sigh breathing into Rainbow's chest fur

“back at the hospital I was there for three days and I was asleep for two of them correct?” asked Rainbow just confirming her suspicion

“That's right” replied Fluttershy looking up at her with worry in her eyes “Why is something wrong?”

“No” said Rainbow reassuringly “I just wanted to make sure is all” Rainbow waited for Fluttershy to settle back down before she asked “So how many times did you visit me while I was out those two days?”

Fluttershy's head shot up at this unexpected question. “Dashy..” started Fluttershy nervously

“I'm just asking” replied Rainbow running a hoof through Fluttershy's mane “You don't need to tell me if you don't want to”

Fluttershy knew that Dashy wanted to hear the truth so she took a breathe and replied “6 times the first day and the entire second day” as she hurridly finished her sentence she looked up to see Rainbow's expression To her surprise it had a smile on it.

“Oh you had a extreme patient to take care of all right.” Rainbow said nuzzling her friend causing her to blush “It was me wasn't it?”

“Yes it was” replied Fluttershy blushing fiercely now “Silver had almost entirely recovered within an hour of his first treatment so I decided you deserved my full attention in your time of recovery. I asked the nurse if I was allowed to stay after visiting hours to keep you company”

“That's really sweet Pal” said Rainbow nuzzling her friend and holding her a bit closer now “Thanks, but you didn't need to pay for it too”

“Well it's my fault you got hurt in the first place” replied Fluttershy remorsefuly looking at Rainbow's bandaged wing “When I heard you were still paying off your last hospital visit I just had to help. I know it doesn't make up for everything but it's all I could think of to... well... say thanks”

“Shy..” breathed Rainbow nuzzling her friend and pulling Fluttershy's head up subconsciously

“Yes Dashy” replied Fluttershy crawling up her friend blushing hard with what she hoped to come

“Your so kind to me..” said Rainbow closing her eyes pulling Fluttershy closer to her still

“I told you Dashy” said Fluttershy almost in a whisper leaning her head towards Rainbow's “I'll always be there for you”

Rainbow could feel Fluttershy's breath on her lips and she began to blush at what was about to come next. In the back of her mind came a thought. “What if Fluttershy doesn't want this?” It said to her clouding her mind “What if you are making her do this?” Rainbow didn't get a chance for another thought as a pair of lips met hers.

Fluttershy melted into Rainbow as she kissed her softly. She pressed her body against her friend feeling Rainbow's hooves around her release their grip. Rainbow's head was spinning as she tried to stay in control of herself. Fluttershy pulled her head back to catch her breath and look at Rainbow a look of worry on her face.

“Dashy I'm sorry I thought that you felt the same way..” said Fluttershy looking away shyly “I'm so sorry”

Rainbow shook her head once to clear it and looked at her friend. The face which she adored so much now wore a sad frown. It tore a hole in Rainbow's heart to see her friend that way. Rainbow reached out a hoof and brushed Fluttershy's mane out of her face revealing the tears in her eyes. Rainbow put a hoof under Fluttershy's chin and pulled her head up to meet her eyes.

“I never said I didn't like it Shy” said Rainbow with a smile Fluttershy's expression brightened immensely. “But, I'm afraid I don't know exactly how I feel. I know you are my best friend and I know I love snuggling with you and I want to spend as much time with you and possible. I'm just not sure..”

At this Fluttershy looked Rainbow in the face and said “Dashy I love you” Rainbow blush immensly at Fluttershy's straightforwardness it was so unlike her usual timid self. Fluttershy had expected this but hoped it wouldn't be a problem. Being a tomcolt for most of her life she had been teased constantly for being a fillyfooler. It was a dark part of Rainbow's past that not many knew about besides Fluttershy. “I know you didn't being liked being called a fillyfooler.”

“Shy...” said Rainbow stunned at the raw emotion Fluttershy was displaying. Tears streamed down her face in force and started to wet Rainbow's chest fur.

“I'm so sorry Dashy” cried Fluttershy between sobs burying her head in Rainbow's chest fur “I just hope we can still be friends. I don't want to lose you..”

“Shy” said Rainbow holding her friend in a tender embrace “I've already told you, Nothing will ever come between us. I will always have your back no matter what.”

“But I k-kissed you” said Fluttershy tears still flowing she wrapped her hooves around Rainbow and squeezed hard

Rainbow took a deep breath and asked “How long have you loved me Shy?” Fluttershy stopped crying long enough to squeak out

“Since 5 years ago” she squeaked “When you came to Ponyville for your weather job and I ran into you”

Rainbow was speachless. Five years ago. Rainbow remembered five years ago. She had just flunked out of flight school, to many rules was her excuse. The real reason was she did everything she could to fail. Ditch class, not study, didn't do homework. She had wanted to drop out but her parents wouldn't let her. So she had failed out on purpose and then her parents had kicked her out on her own.

They didn't want such a failure as their daughter they had said. They had told her that she could come back when she had become a success. She didn't even care. She had wanted that to happen. All because of a certain Filly from her foalhood. A cream colored ground loving pegasus who had left flight school a few years back to live a simpler life.

She would have thrown away her life to have been able to see that pegasus again. She had been her first friend and she had left her there all on her own in a strange town. Fluttershy was her name and she was not the greatest flier but she had the biggest heart Rainbow had ever seen. She had worked out a deal with her uncle to get her the job as a weather pegasus to cover her mysterious arrival in Ponyville.

Now here was the very same pegasus she had thrown away everything she had once dreamed about to be with pouring her heart out to her. “What am I doing?!” thought Rainbow furious with herself for her own self doubt She gently took Fluttershy's head in her hooves and lifted it off her chest. She brought it up to her own and kissed her friend passionately

Fluttershy felt her heart flutter as Rainbow kissed her. All the tears stopped as she melted into Rainbow loosening her grip on her to a soft hug. She thought she would faint right there. This was her dream, her one secret wish. For this moment in Fluttershy's mind Rainbow was not just her friend she was much more than that. She was her special somepony.

Rainbow didn't flinch away this time. All the doubt in her mind had left to be replaced by something more. A heat rose over here. A feeling she had never felt before. It wasn't a bad feeling. It felt... right. Rainbow never wanted this moment to end. She pulled Fluttershy closer to her a warmth rising in her stomach. She needed to breathe but took a sharp breath through her nose to keep going.
Acting on instinct Rainbow brushed her tongue against Fluttershy's lips.

Fluttershy gasped a little at Rainbow's urgency. Rainbow took no time rushing her tongue inside Fluttershy's mouth feeling around flavoring it. It tasted of salad and sweet spices, yet strangely the only word Rainbow could use to describe the flavor was a word: Fluttershy. Fluttershy pulled back a bit her comfort zone broken a bit by Rainbow's tongue play.

Rainbow pulled back as well taking a breath of air “Are you okay Fluttershy?” she asked putting a hoof on her friends cheek “Did I go to far?”

“Dashy” said Fluttershy blushing furiously looking Rainbow in the eye Fluttershy didn't know why she had backed out. It would be a lie if she said she didn't like it. It was just all happening so fast. “No you didn't go to far” Fluttershy said reassuringly nuzzling her friend affectionately

“Just to fast then?” Rainbow said with a laugh nuzzling Fluttershy back “Sorry Shy”

“Being fast is part of who you are Dashy” replied Fluttershy giving her friend a peck on the cheek “I wouldn't want to change ever. I just need to ask a question. Does this mean we are going out now?”

“Does this answer your question Shy?” said Rainbow planting another light kiss on her new marefriends lips

Fluttershy giggled in delight and nuzzled into Rainbow laying her head on Rainbow's shoulder “I'll take that as a yes” She let out a content sigh and shut her eyes falling fast asleep in her marefriends safe embrace. Rainbow eyed her new marefriend with loving eyes and soon drifted off to sleep herself.

Chapter 4

A lot of drama and emotions tossed around in this Chapter. You are Warned.

The sun was going down over the Everfree forest as Twilight cantered along. She wanted to find out where the hydra had come from that had attacked Ponyville. She had decided not to wake Sigil since he needed all the rest he could get, so she had enlisted the help of Applejack. At first she had been reluctant to go, but Twilight had done some tough negotiating and finally got her come along.

“Ay can't believe your holding that over my head again Twilight” whined Applejack from beside Twilight

“How else would I have got you to come along?” said Twilight in light tone “Besides that's not something you do at a slumber party”

“Tell that to Rarity” mumbled Applejack just loud enough for Twilight to hear “Anyways why are ya'll out here anyways?”

“I wanted to see what that Hydra was doing in Ponyville” replied Twilight “It had to have a reason”

“Well I reckon your right” said Applejack “Them critters never come near Ponyville”

“Hey Applejack come look at this” said Twilight pointing to a strange foot print on the ground “What do you think it is?”

“I'm not sure Twilight” said Applejack poking it with a hoof suspiciously “Definitely not Hydra that's for sure” A bird flew out of a tree just a few feet away letting out an alarm call.

“What was that for” complained Twilight covering her ears

“That was an alarm call Sugarcube” said Applejack getting worried She began looking around frantically “And it means there's something here with us”

“Like what?” asked Twilight trying to peer through the thick undergrowth of the forest floor

“I'm betting the thing that made that there...” Applejack got no farther A Manticore jumped out of the tree to Applejack's left catching her by surprise. It side swiped her with a massive forepaw launching her into Twilight knocking them to the ground in a heap. Applejack and Twilight rolled out of the way as the Manticore dived for them. It's teeth chomped down on air as Applejack pivoted on her front hooves and gave it a traditional Apple Family Apple Buck to the side of it's head.

It lost it's balance as it feel on it's side. Twilight didn't hesitate to use the opportunity her friend had given her. Calling on her magic, her horn flaring purple, she brought the roots of the nearby trees shooting out of the ground ensnaring the Manticore. It didn't want to give up without a fight though it began flailing around wildly trying to escape. Applejack ran up and did a pile-driver on it's skull sounding a resounding crack with her elbow.

The Manticore’s eyes rolled back in it's head as it lost consciousness.

“What the hey is a Manticore doing this close to Ponyville?” asked Applejack looking at her flank to see if that swipe had left any marks She let out a sigh of relief that it was just a scratch

“I don't know” replied Twilight “but it seemed to be in more of a panic than anything else”

“What do ya mean sugarcube?” asked Applejack finding her hat and putting it back atop it's proper place

“Well it was hiding from us in the first place” said Twilight thinking “then it ambushed us once it realized we weren't what was chasing it”

“Very observant of you” said a voice from behind Twilight

Twilight and Applejack turned simultaneously to see who said that. When they looked their jaws dropped. There standing next to the Manticore was a island teal unicorn with pale blue hair. She was wearing a magician's cape and hat painted black with gold stars.

“Trixie?!” both Twilight and Applejack screamed in unison

“Yes it is me the Great and All Powerful Trixie!” replied Trixie in mock applause “why are you so surprised to see me?”

“What are you doing in the Everfree forest?” asked Twilight backing up a little Something was off about Trixie but Twilight couldn't put her hoof on it.

“I'm just gathering a few fans” she replied walking up to the Manticore examining it closely “Is that so wrong?”

“I thought we ran your flank out of town already?” yelled Applejack remembering how she had out roped by the unicorn's tricks

“Oh I really should thank you for that” said Trixie with a smile on her face “but how can I?”

“You want to thank us for running you out?” asked Twilight confused

“Oh yes” said Trixie in an honest tone “Without you mares running me out of your pathetic town I never would have found this” Trixie reached under cloak into a saddlebag and pulled out a rather beat up looking book.

“Is that...” asked Twilight stumbling over her words

“Yes it is Twilight” Trixie said with a grim smile opening the book “It's the long lost spellbook of Star Swirl the Bearded”

“Applejack we need to run” yelled Twilight grabbing her friend by the tail “NOW!”

“It's no use” laughed Trixie evily her horn glowing in black light The trees around Twilight and Applejack began to shake and bend, interlocking their branches trapping Twilight and Applejack inside with Trixie and the Manticore. “You can't escape now”

“Twilight what's going on” asked Applejack in a fearful tone

“I don't know” said Twilight swallowing the lump in her throat “We need to get that book.”

“Oh don't bother” said Trixie placing her hoof on the Manticore A glowing ball of black flame enveloped it instantly. It shrunk over the Manticore and finally faded into a glowing emblem on the Manticore's forehead. The roots pinning it down burned away as the Manticore stood up and turned to Trixie. Twilight and Applejack gave each other horrified looks as the Manticore bowed to Trixie. Trixie raised her hoof and pointed at Applejack “Catch her but don't kill her”

The Manticore turned and launched itself through the air at Applejack pinning her under it's paws. Twilight tried to help her friend, but found herself hurtled into a tree by a fireball. She doused her flaming coat with summoned water and looked at Trixie who relpied “Your facing me this time Sparkle” she hurtled another fireball as she yelled “And this time I WILL WIN!”

Twilight dodged the second fireball and sent a chunk of ice flying towards Trixie in return. She simply took a step to the right and the ice flew past her. Twilight summoned more magic, her horn glowing, as she let of a powerful beam of magic at Trixie. Trixie did nothing to avoid it. She held up her hoof to the beam and it erupted into a spray of sparks upon impact. Twilight was powerless, her strongest spell blocked as if it was nothing.

Trixie disappeared in a flash to appear behind Twilight sideswiping her with a hoof to the side of the head knocking her to the ground. Trixie then grabbed Twilight by the throat with her magic and lifted her off the ground.

“Your not number one any more Sparkle” said Trixie with a dark smile “Although I really should thank you. If it wasn't for you beating me and kicking me out I never would have this power.”

“What do you mean?” choked out Twilight struggling to breath against her choke hold

“When you kicked me out I was all alone” said Trixie rage boiling beneath her coat “So very alone. I was wondering around for days until it found me. I do not know it's name but it called to me. I went in to the darkness to it and it gave me a way out of my loneliness. It gave me a reason to live again”

“What is that supposed to mean?” struggled out Twilight her vision blurring from lack of air as she was lifted higher

“It means this Sparkle” Howled Trixie in rage bringing Twilight down to meet her gaze she put a hoof on Twilight's forehead as she spoke “The Darkness is coming to Equestria. And there is nothing you and your elements can do about it. The Darkness is Surrounding. Not even the Princesses can save you now. From the Darkness you came and back to it you shall go”

Twilight felt something happening to her. It was as If all the happiness and joy was being drained out of her. Her hooves stopped flailing and she went limp. All the life was being sucked out of her. Her vision blurred and faded and she was thrown into darkness. No not even darkness just nothing. The last thing she heard was “TWILIGHT!” and then there was nothing.

Sigil opened his eyes blinking them a few times to get the grogginess to go away. He sat up and stretched feeling a lot more rested than yesterday. He looked around the top floor of the library and noticed something missing. “Huh?” he thought “No Twilight” He hopped out of bed and decided to trot on downstairs and see if anypony was there. When he got downstairs he froze.

In the middle of the room Twilight's body was heaped on the floor. She was surrounded by Spike ,who was crying into his elbow, Pinkie, who's hair was flat and drained of color, Rainbow and Fluttershy, Fluttershy was crying madly into Rainbow's chest but Rainbow kept a straight face as a obvious sign of respect. There was one other pony. She was bigger than all the others and had a multicolored mane. She also had a horn and wings, an Alicorn.

“Sigil” said Rainbow in a strained voice

“Sigil Flare” called the Alicorn in a gentle tone ushering him over to sit beside her “Come over here”

Sigil trotted over to the Alicorn and sat down not taking his eyes off of Twilight for a single moment. She didn't move.

“I understand your new to Equestria” said the Alicorn obviously trying to distract Sigil from the horrific situation

“Yes I am princess” replied Sigil not knowing her actual name “What happened?”

“Call me Celestia please” she replied in a friendly tone “We don't know. In all my years I have never seen anything like it”

“Celestia...” said Sigil trying to remember where he had heard that name before Then it hit him “You were her teacher...”

“Yes” replied Celestia with a drawn out sigh “She was my honored and most precious student”

“I can't imagine how you must feel” said Sigil

“Oh I believe you can” replied Celestia placing a hoof on Sigil's shoulder

“She was my best friend” said Sigil tears welling up in his eyes “My first true friend....”

“I know how you must feel Sigil” said Celestia levitating a piece of paper over to him “That's why I want you to read this letter”

“What is it?” asked Sigil taking it wiping his eyes with his hoof

“Just read it” said Celestia knowingly

Dear Celestia,

My name is Sigil Flare. I am a newcomer to your realm. At first I was a little freaked out by your land known as Equestria but now I find it wonderful. The ponies here are very nice and friendly. I have met your student Twilight and I have to say she is becoming my best friend very fast.....

“This is just the letter I wrote to you” replied Sigil shaking his head

“Look at the extension” replied Celestia pointing with her hoof at the bottom of the letter

Sigil looked at it and read

Dear Celestia,

Above is a letter from a new friend I have made. He's not from Equestria at all. He's so strange and different. But he is also nice and funny. I've never had a friend like this before. I want to spend more time with him than any of my other friends. Is it possible that I could have a favorite friend? Or is it something else? Anyways,

your faithful student Twilight Sparkle

“You know what she means” said Celestia seeing the tears flow down Sigil's cheeks “don't you?”

“She loved me...” cried Sigil tossing the letter away

“Yes I believe she did” said Celestia a sad tone to her voice “and we don't know why or how but she's gone”

“She told me...” sniffled Sigil trying in vain to stop his tears “She told me no one else I cared for would die”

“I wish we could all keep our word” said Celestia “but we are all just ponies after all”

“No” said Sigil rubbing vigorously at his eyes to wipe away his tears “I won't let it end like this” he stood up and walked slowly and determinedly over to Twilight's body “I will keep my word. I won't let anyone, anypony, I care about die. Not again”

“Sigil..” said Celestia in a gentle tone “She's already gone”

Sigil ignored her and kneeled down next to Twilight using his magic to delve into her mind hoping to find something, anything. He closed his eyes and concentrated casting his gaze wider until he found something. A small shimmer of light in the far corner of her mind. He tried calling out to it but got no reply. Coming back to his own consciousness he took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

“She's not dead” said Sigil in a monotone voice All the crying in the room stopped.

“What do you mean?” asked Celestia hope coming to her eyes once more

“She's not dead” repeated Sigil lowering his head “She's still alive”

“How do you know?” asked Rainbow in a serious tone “How do we know your not just saying that?”

“Because I've seen this spell before” replied Sigil grimly

“How have you seen it?” asked Pinkie confused “Even Princess Celestia hasn't seen it”

“Because this spell comes from my world” replied Sigil “It's forbidden”

“If it's from your world then how the buck did it end up here in Equestria?” asked Rainbow

“I must not have been the only human to have visited your world before” said Sigil “But I know this spell and I know for a fact that Twilight is still alive”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Celestia curiously but cautiously

“Because this spell is used by those who wield dark magic” replied Sigil “it is used to drain the life force out of a person, in this case a pony, until they are nothing but an empty shell. Twilight on the other hand, erm I mean hoof, was a very powerful unicorn. She had enough power to hide some of her consciousness away in the far corners of her mind”

“You seem to know a lot about this particular spell Sigil?” asked Rainbow drilling for information

“That's because..” started Sigil “I've used it before” the room went eerily quiet once again

“You used this spell before?” asked Celestia “I thought you said it was forbidden where you come from”

“It is” replied Sigil wanting to hide from the judging eyes of the ponies in the room “I was young and powerful and mad. I don't know what I was thinking. It was just he had done so much to hurt me and h deserved it”

“Who could possibly deserve a fate such as this” asked Celestia wanting an explanation

“The bastard that murdered my family!” yelled Sigil in fury and pain tears rolled down his cheeks as he continued “Is that what you wanted to hear? That I'm nothing but a murder who ran away from home because he has done things he could never escape?”

“Sigil” murmured Rainbow having no idea how to respond

“If there is one thing you pony's can let me do” begged Sigil stomping his hoof defiantly “Let me save Twilight while there is still time”

“Sigil!” bellowed Celestia

Sigil stood his ground as Celestia stood up at full height towering over him. He closed his eyes as she trotted over to him waiting for the beating he was about to get. It never came. Sigil opened his eyes to see the Princess looking down at him with soft eyes.

“Fear nothing Sigil” said the Princess giving him a soft hug “The deeds of your past do not bind you here. You are born anew here. If you can do anything to save Twilight, I know there's nothing anypony in this room could do to stop you”

Sigil's mind shut down at this strange arrangement of words. He gave himself a mental reboot as he sunk into Celesta’s hug. He knew what needed to be done all he had to do was ask. Stepping backwards Sigil clapped his hooves together to get every pony’s attention.

“I can save Twilight” Sigil said “But it comes at a cost. As I said she has had her life force drained dangerously low. She doesn't have much time left if we don't act fast.”

“What can you do?” asked Spike finally managing to control his breathing long enough to speak

“I can act as a conduit” explained Sigil “I can use my own life force to take that of another pony and move it into Twilight”

“Wouldn't that mean..” asked Celestia

“Yes I'm afraid so” answered Sigil sadly “there is a strong possibility that both I and the volunteer will die in the procedure”

“I'll do it” said Spike standing up and sniffling

“Spike” said Sigil in a warning tone “Do you know what your doing?”

“Twilight was like a sister to me” replied Spike wiping more tears from his eyes and putting on a determined face “She hatched me and cared for me my entire life. I owe her at least this much if not more” he looked at twilight at the floor and hardened his resolve

“Celestia?” asked Sigil nervously

“Spike knows what he's doing” said Celestia nodding slowly “Besides he's old enough to make his own decisions”

“Alright then Spike if your sure” sighed Sigil “Then give me one of your claws”

Spike took hold of his hand and bit his claw off cringing at the spike of pain. He then handed it to Sigil. Sigil took it in his mouth and cut his hoof with it. Using his blood he drew a sigil around Twilight with the claw and put two small circles on the edge and marked runes into the floor. He then sat in one circle and gestured for Spike to sit in the other one.

“I need everypony to stand back while the spell is in effect” said Sigil gesturing for everypony to take a step back “Are you ready Spike?” asked Sigil “This is your last chance to back out”

“I'm not backing out” said Spike determined “Twilight needs me”

Sigil took a deep breath as he willed the spell to commence. At once the sigil on the ground began to glow a dark crimson. As they all watched a faint blue transparent line began to emerge from Spike and began to twist into a small tornado above Twilight. Sigil reached out his hoof and grabbed it and guided it into Twilight. The strand of blue light twisted in mid air and began to worm it's way into Twilight's body which began to spasm.

Twilight opened her eyes, or at least she thought she did. She couldn't tell anymore all she saw was nothing. She couldn't remember how long she had been like this. She wondered if this was death. Twilight heard a faint noise coming from all around her. She turned around to see a light coming towards her. She reached out a hoof and touched it beginning to feel warmth run up her hoof. She was being pulled out of the darkness by this light.

What was this light Twilight asked herself. She tried to look at it but had to hide her eyes from it's bright glow. She heard a voice calling her name “Twilight” it said softly at first as she was dragged further it got louder till it was screaming her name “TWILIGHT!” then she felt weightless and warm and she was enveloped by the light.

Twilight opened her eyes feeling the lids scream protest. “Yeah she was alive alright” she thought to herself Her entire body was stiff.

“Twilight” said a familiar voice faintly She strained to turn her head in it's direction to see Spike with a pained expression on his face despite the obvious smile “Welcome back...” Then he let out one last breath and fell to the floor face first.

“Spike?” asked Twilight finding her voice returning “Spike what's wrong?” she could see a thin blue line coming out of him and floating up into the air.

“Twilight don't move” said a stallion from behind her “This isn't as easy as it looks”

“Sigil?” asked Twilight in a scared voice

“Yeah Twilight” replied Sigil panting “I'm here just sit tight and you'll be okay”

“Spike...” said Twilight a tear running down her cheek looking at her number one assistant The thin blue line stopped coming from him and disappeared into the air. The glowing sigil on the floor also faded to a bloody streak on her floor.

“Alright now you can move” said Sigil catching his breath “You may be a little stiff though, being mostly dead will do that to you”

“What?” asked Twilight picking up the lifeless body of Spike in her hooves “What did you do to Spike?”

“Twilight” said a all to familiar voice in a royal accent

Twilight turned to see Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Princess Celestia staring at her like she was a ghost.

“Princess” said Twilight all other words escaping her

“It's alright your back now” said Rainbow placing a hoof around her shoulders and drawing the unicorn into a friendly embrace

“Back?” asked Twilight confused “What are you talking...” Twilight's eyes grew wide as the memories of her recent experience in the Everfree forest came flooding back to her. She pushed Rainbow off of her as a thought struck her. “Where's Applejack?” asked Twilight scanning the room for her missing friendliest

“She's in the hospital” replied Fluttershy finally finding her voice realizing the worst was now over “She's pretty shaken up”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight concerned “How bad is she hurt?”

“She's not hurt physically except for a few bruises and a cracked rib or two” replied Rainbow looking down at the floor continuing “But she's hurt on the inside Twi. She had to carry your body back through the Everfree all by herself. I wouldn't wish something like that on my worst enemy.” finished Rainbow shuttering in disgust

“I need to go see her” said Twilight heading for the door “I need to show her I'm alright” She felt a hoof bar her way turning she saw it was the Princess herself.

“that's not a good idea” said the Princess retracting her hoof leading Twilight back to the center of the room and sitting her down on her couch

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight a little angered by the Princess's interference

“She just got to sleep a little while ago” replied Celestia in a serious tone “They had to sedate her heavily before she could even think of sleep. Then she had terrible nightmares until I arrived and put her in a trance state. Whatever happened in that forest we need to know”

“Applejack didn't say anything about it?” asked Twilight grasping for information

“She hasn't said a word since she's gotten back” said Rainbow shrugging her shoulders “and we weren't about to force her”

“Alright then I'll tell you all what happened” started Twilight taking a deep breath

Chapter 5

Vinyl yawned as she got out of bed. She reached over to her bedside table the oak feeling cold to her hoof. Finding her target she grasped a familiar pair of Aviator goggles and placed them upon her head. Standing up on all four hooves she shook herself to get rid of the leftover drowsiness. She then walked into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.

Seeing her white fur shine in the reflection of the mirror she smiled. She then ran a hoof through her frazzled blue hair getting it to fall in that hap-hazard way it always does. Satisfied with her appearance she gave a quick smirk at her double quarter note emblazoned on her flank. She looked over her shoulder as a groaning sound came from the other room.

Walking back into the bedroom Vinyl saw a lump under the sheets of her bed. Walking over she prodded it with a hoof. It rolled over taking more of the sheets with it only to pull some up over it's self and mumble something. Vinyl smiled at this.

“Hey wake up” she said again poking a bit harder this time This was met with more shifting of covers and another muffled response. The shifting of the covers had revealed to Vinyl a pair of ash colored haunches emblazoned with a treble cleft. “Take the bed out of your mouth” giggled Vinyl “Then maybe I can hear you” She took a seat on the bed next to her friend and pulled the covers off of her to reveal a pair of lavender eyes and a soft smile.

“Why do we have to get up Vi?” said the earth pony innocently “Why can't you come back to bed with me?”

Vinyl ran her hoof across her marefriend's cheek and replied “I really wish I could Tavi, but you know I have a gig today”

“But that isn't even till this afternoon?” asked Tavi putting a hoof around Vinyl slowly pulling her down towards the bed “It's not like you'll be late. Not that you'd care” Octavia giggled to herself

“What about that interview with Photo Finish?” asked Vinyl slowly moving her head towards Octavia's

“Oh Celestia forbid” over dramatized Octavia “Vinyl Scratch not showing up to a magazine interview. What is the world coming to?”

“If I didn't know any better I would think you were making fun of me?” said Vinyl her lips almost touching Octavia's

“No I just know my DJ” said Octavia as their lips met

All of Vinyl's thoughts about going early and setting up the equipment for her gig herself simply vanished. She brought her head down and turned it slightly as she met Octavia's passionate advancements. Octavia wrapped her fore-hooves around Vinyl and brought her closer. Vinyl shifted her position so that her haunches were between Octavia's.

“and I know my Cellist” said Vinyl breaking the kiss long enough to catch her breath before diving back in Vinyl was about to go further when the goggles fell off of her head in front of her. Staring at them she slowed her advances on her marefriend and sat up.

“Vi what's wrong” asked Octavia placing a hoof on her DJ's chest in concern

“Just thinking” replied Vinyl picking up the goggles and placing them back on her head

“About what?” asked Octavia sweetly running a hoof through her hair

“About four years ago...” replied Vinyl with a sigh

“We've been over this Vi” said Octavia with a sigh “It wasn't your fault, you did everything you could”

“I just can't help feeling I could have done something” said Vinyl a sad tone in her voice “I just felt so worthless”

“Your not worthless Vi” said Octavia sitting up next to her marefriend nuzzling her comfortingly “Your priceless”

“I guess your right Tavi” said Vinyl nuzzling her back “I just wish I could repay him”

“He knew the risks involved when he did it” said Octavia gently “It was his choice. He gave us our life together”

“That's true” said Vinyl a little happier She planted a kiss on Octavia's cheek before adding “Steam was never one to just jump into things he always thought them through first”

“There's the confidence I'm used to hearing” said Octavia with a adoring sigh She rested her head on Vinyl's shoulder as they sat there enjoy each others company. It was soon interrupted by a knock on their door.

“Who could that be?” asked Vinyl getting up to answer it Her horn glowed as the knob glowed. “Who is it she asked?”

“It's Fleetfoot” replied the Stallion outside the door As it opened he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“What's the matter?” asked Octavia curiously “I didn't know you did home deliveries?”

“I don't, but this is special” said Fleetfoot addressing them both “This message is from Princess Celestia herself”

“What does the Princess want with us?” asked Vinyl curiously

“Please not another garden party” prayed Octavia silently

“I'll cut to the chase you two” said Fleetfoot seriously “The princess requires your services not as musicians, but as soldiers once again”

“What are you talking about?” asked Octavia nervously “we were never soldiers...”

“Don't give me that crap” said Fleetfoot no humor in his voice “I know about the incidents in Canterlot University four years ago. I know that you two were involved and The Princess is asking for your assistance once again.”

“How do you know about all of that?” asked Vinyl angrily “we never told you?”

“That's not important right now” said Fleetfoot dismissively “What is important is that you come to Equestria's aid once more”

“We told the Princess that we didn't want to do that sort of stuff anymore” yelled Vinyl “How dare she disrespect us like that”

“Vinyl stop it your going to get us in trouble” said Octavia wrapping a hoof around her shoulders

“The Princess regrets asking you to do this but she has no choice” said Fleetfoot shaking his head “Equestria faces a threat the size of which has never been seen”

“Is it really that bad?” asked Octavia getting a little worried “What about the elements of harmony? Can't they do something about it?”

“The elements have been considered but even their combined strength will not be enough to stop the coming darkness” said Fleetfoot in a sad tone “I'm afraid you are needed now more than ever.”

“Man this sucks” murmured Vinyl thinking to herself “hold on you said you two. What about Steam?”

“We have tried to contact Mr. Gear but he will not answer” replied Fleetfoot “We were hoping you could do something about that”

“I wish I could” said Vinyl sadly “but, I don't even know where to begin to look”

“Last thing I heard” said Fleetfoot with a smile “Mr. Gear was locked up inside of an abandoned warehouse on the south side of Canterlot.”

“Are you serious?” asked Vinyl a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes

“Yes Mam” replied Fleetfoot with a salute “I expect to see you all at the palace before sun down today” With that said he walked out the door closing it behind him.

“Tavi did you hear that?!” asked Vinyl excited “We know where Steam is!”

“Vi do you think it's a good idea to just walk in on him?” asked Octavia shifting uneasily on her hooves “He may not be happy to see us”

“This is Steam we are talking about Tavi” Vinyl shot back “He's our friend of course he'll be glad to see us” Vinyl walked to her door opened it and gestured for Octavia to go first. They stepped out into the street and closed the door behind themselves.

Vinyl kept close to Octavia as they walked down the street together, occasionally bumping flanks. Someponies gave them odd looks as they walked along, but it didn't bother them. It was a good hours walk until they found what they were looking for.

At first glance it seemed to be a giant stone building which hadn't been used in what seemed like years, but upon closer inspection the door was unlocked. The windows were also opened halfway. Some of the vines covering the stone walls on the outside had been cut away recently. Most important however was that a plume of smoke was coming out of the tall brick chimney on the top of the warehouse.

“This looks like the place” said Vinyl walking up to the door and knocking

“Are you sure?” asked Octavia nervously twirling her hoof on the ground

“Positive” replied Vinyl looking over her shoulder and smiling at her nervous companion “He just needs to answer the door” After waiting for about five minutes there is no reply. Vinyl decides to check and see if it's locked. Her magic surrounds the door knob and it swings open easily.

Stepping inside Vinyl starts to gag. There was a noticeable amount of steam in the air. It had a metallic smell to it that made Vinyl cringe.

“Vi” said Octavia weakly “I think I'll stay out here and make sure you can find your way out”

Vinyl was about to make a snappy comeback until she put on her goggles and got a better look at the interior of the warehouse. It was like a wasteland of dead and forgotten machines. Metal laid everywhere haphazardly with no real rhyme or reason. “Good idea Tavi” said Vinyl with a cough “I'll holler if I need help”

Vinyl stepped carefully through the rubble trying not to cut her hooves up on the loose metal scattered on the floor. It took a while but she finally found a staircase that lead up to a small room overlooking the main floor. She trotted quickly up the staircase and over to the door into what she now believed to be the old Foreman's office. She went to open the door but froze when a voice asked from the other side

“What do you want?”

“Steam is that you?” asked Vinyl hopefully

“How do you know my name?” asked the voice curiously Vinyl could hear hoofsteps from the other side of the door now.

“It's me Steam” said Vinyl “It's Vinyl Scratch”

“Vinyl?” asked Steam “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you of course” replied Vinyl opening the door “I've wanted to see you....” Vinyl stopped in her tracks Standing in front of her was the same stallion from four years ago. The same rust colored fur except grease stained. The same red hair except it was much longer and looked unkempt. Two things she noticed were very wrong. Where his once bright blue eyes were was a dirty strip of clothe wrapped around his head. Also his feathery wings were replaced by metal ones.

“Oh did you really?” asked Steam sarcasticly sitting on his haunches “I wish I could see you”

“Steam what happened to you?” asked Vinyl confused

“I'm not surprised you don't remember Vinyl” said Steam nonchalantly “After all it was four years ago. When my workshop burnt down and “Octavia” he practically spit her name out “was caught inside I went back in after her. As a result she lost her eyes and I lost my wings”

“I remember that but..” started Vinyl starring wide-eyed at her old friendliest

“At the hospital when I awoke I woke up to find myself alone” continued Steam anger creeping into his voice “Where was my friend at. Where was my dear Vinyl Scratch? You were with Her!”

“What are you talking about?” asked Vinyl shying away from Steam a little scared

“I'm talking about you picking her over me!” yelled Steam losing his temper for a bit

“I told you Steam your like my brother” said Vinyl trying to calm him down

“I gave her my sight” said Steam darkly “In hopes that in appreciation you would pick me over her. I can see now I was wrong. That I was nothing compared to her.”

“Steam..” mumbled Vinyl not knowing what else to say

“I have lived in nothingness for so long Vinyl.” said Steam “The only thing that kept me going was my hope that one day you would come for me. I learned soon however that you would not. My heart broke on that day, and has since been wrought in cold steel”

“Steam I'm right here I did come for you” said Vinyl taking a step towards him

Steam stood up and walked over to the window overlooking the workshop floor. “Yes but you only came because someone asked you too” he said harshly “Isn't that right? You are here to persuade me to meet with you and “her” at the palace tonight correct?”

“Well ya, but...” admitted Vinyl

“Then your effort is wasted” said Steam cutting her off mid sentence “I see no reason I should help you fight the coming darkness. For I have no light left in me”

“Steam don't say that” said Vinyl in shock

“It's true isn't it?” asked Steam motioning to himself “I have lived in a void of nothingness for four years. FOUR YEARS! Even darkness has to have light Vinyl. All I have is nothing and it is what I will live with the rest of my life. Just look at me!”

Vinyl could not believe what she was hearing. Steam ,the stallion she had gone on so many adventures with, the one person who's motto was forgive and forget, to live and fight on, had given up. It tore a hole in Vinyl's heart. She looked at her friend for a moment before she removed her goggles from her head.

“My old friend gave me these” Vinyl said in a pained voice “He told me that no matter what happens. No matter what troubles arise or what other ponies say. Nothing can stand in the way of your dreams, as long as you are willing to fight for them”

“Words of a fool” said Steam not daring to look into Vinyl's eyes

“He also had another motto” said Vinyl placing the goggles on the floor next to Steam “He always said ponies deserve a second chance. That we should forgive them their past mistakes and try to help them improve themselves. I think it's time for you to forgive yourself Steam. Before it's to late”

With that said Vinyl walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Steam heard her hoofsteps as she walked away. He reached down where the object had been laid next to him. Upon lifting it he found it to be familiar. He moved it around in his hooves and found it to be a piece of head-ware. Putting his hoof inside he could feel an inscription.

It read “Property of my best friend Steam Gear. I don't know where he is or if he is still alive. But I know this. Wherever he is, whatever he is doing, nothing will stop him from following his dreams. I know he will be alright, because nothing can keep him down. I won't stop looking for him, this promise I make to myself. I wish I could have been there for him when he needed me most. Your friend always Vinyl Scratch.”

Steam started to put it down when he heard an unfamiliar sound. It was like small drops of water hitting the ground. It was accompanied by huge intakes of air. The bitter taste of sadness and regret stung the air. Steam knew what this was. It was the sound of tears of a broken pony. The sound of it brought Steam no joy.

Vinyl cried into Octavia's chest freely, letting out all of her shattered hopes and dreams. Octavia wrapped her hooves around her marefriend and squeezed her gently.

“What's wrong?” asked Octavia nuzzling Vinyl warmly

“Steam is gone Tavi” mumbled Vinyl through her tears “He is not the pony we once knew”

“Oh Vi I'm sure he's still in there somewhere” said Octavia trying to cheer Vinyl up “Would you like me to go talk with him?”

“No” said Vinyl “He holds a grudge against you Tavi. He says that you stole me from him”

“That's ridiculous” said Octavia giggling “I cannot steal that which he did not possess.”

“What?” asked Vinyl confused by Octavia's use of big words

“It means that you're my DJ Vi” said Octavia giving the unicorn a kiss on the cheek “and always will be”

“Thanks Tavi” said Vinyl her tears ebbing and coming to a stop

“Now I will go have a word with our friend” said Octavia gently She released Vinyl from her embrace and walked into the warehouse. She found the path quite easily and trotted up the stairs to the Foreman's office. She neatly wrapped on the door.

“Go away” yelled Steam from the other side

“I'm here to talk” said Octavia “I want to see you”

“Oh well isn't it funny how you can see?” said Steam sarcasticly

“It's not funny it's dreadful” replied Octavia “I want to thank you for what you've done for me”

“It's alright I don't have anything left you can take from me” said Steam harshly

“I didn't take anything from you Steam” yelled Octavia “Your my friend”

“I live in agony because of you” yelled Steam “How can you possibly still consider yourself my friend?”

“Because I know you Steam” said Octavia “I know you love Vinyl. So do I. I did not take her away from you. She chose me on her own free will”

“Thanks that makes me feel so much better” said Steam sarcasticly

Octavia had had enough of this. Her temper was spiking and that's not good. “Steam listen to me Vinyl came here because she missed her friend. Her best friend. She has not been able to forgive herself for not doing anything to help you four years ago”

“She seems fine to me” replied Steam bluntly

That was the last straw. Octavia pulled her hoof back. “You can yell at me, you can tell me my music is bad, but if you do anything to hurt my Vinyl” thought Octavia as her hoof hit the door blowing it off it's hinges and slamming it against the wall across the room “I'll kill you”

“Now look what you've done” said Steam now sitting on a stool at his desk “You've gone and done broken my favorite door”

“What is wrong with you?” screamed Octavia her temper rising once more

“You're the one getting upset?” said Steam turning to face her

“Vinyl came here for you!” yelled Octavia holding herself back from bucking his head off his shoulders “She came here to see you and reunite with her old friend Steam. The one she had been fond of. The one she always talks about. The one she used to call brother”

“So she didn't come here to talk me into going to the palace tonight?” said Steam smartly

“You of all people Steam should know Vinyl well enough to realize she doesn't give a buck about that or anything else the Princess's want.” said Octavia angrily calming herself down “She came here for one reason only: to see you again”

“Then why are you here?” asked Steam curiously deliberately steering the conversation a different direction

“Because you are my friend Steam” said Octavia “But more importantly to talk some sense into you. You made Vinyl cry Steam. CRY!”

“I know” said Steam his ears drooping a bit then instantly fixing themselves making it seem to Octavia he's hiding something “But what I said is what I meant. She deserved no less than the truth”

“Do you feel nothing for her?” asked Octavia “She's is your best friend Steam surely you know that”

“Octavia” said Steam seriously “I have felt nothing for a long time”

“Steam..” said Octavia shocked

“I would like you to leave my home now” asked Steam politely “you have given me things to consider”

“I will leave” said Octavia turning to leave “but only because my friend asked me to” she threw back over her shoulder

As Octavia trotted away her hoofsteps becoming more distant, Steam sat at his desk his mind spinning. “Maybe I was wrong?” he thought to himself as he grabbed a blank blueprint off his desk and set it in front of him “Vinyl did choose who she wanted”

Steam stared into the nothingness as he battled his thoughts. He came to a conclusion once he started drawing his next machine. “I think I will go and see what will come of tonight. Maybe me going to the palace will answer my questions” he heard a kawkaw sound from behind him “Welcome back Talon” Steam said greeting his pet falcon. From the sound of it's landing he realized it was on his desk slightly to his left.

He reached his hoof out and patted the falcon's head. It nuzzled his hoof and then dropped a small metallic object on the desk.

“Is this for me?” asked Steam curiously hoofing over the device Talon let out a kawkaw and ruffled his feathers. Steam set it on the desk and pressed a small button on the side. A small click sounded and a voice came from the box.

“Dear Mr. Gear” the voice said “On behalf of our Princesses we do wish your presence at the Palace this evening before sunset. We do apologize for such an informal invitation but the situation is dire and we could find no other way to contact you. Your falcon was located and our message has hopefully been delivered. It is in this time of need we need brilliant ponies such as yourself to come to Equestria's aid once again.”

“Alright I don't need to hear anymore” said Steam about to turn it off

“Noting your “condition” we have sent you an escort. She is to meet you outside your warehouse 30 minutes before sunset. Wishing you well, Shining Armor”

“Shining Armor?” said Steam picking up the device in his hoof and tossing it in the trash can “I remember that name” Indeed he did. He knew Shining armor all the way back from his days at Canterlot University. He had been a class ahead of him, but he had been his roommate for two years.

Talon kawkawed again bringing Steam back to the present. “If Shining is sending an escort,” said Steam “There will be no hiding this time. He's not one to do half of a job” Steam trotted over to his workbench and picked up his saddlebag. He threw in some pencils, a dozen blueprints, and A bag of feed for Talon. He started fro the door but remembered something.

Turning around he took out a key from inside his jacket pocket and inserted into a bronze trimmed chest on the far side of the room. Inside there were three odd shaped metallic objects. He took them out and careful put each one into his saddlebag. He then took the goggles Vinyl had left on his desk and put them on his head. He felt a strange sensation doing this, it felt somewhat right.

Opening his door he walked on the catwalk till he reached twenty hoofsteps and then trotted down the stairs. He then wrapped his forehoof on the piece of metal to his right and waited for the echo to pass. He then picked his way through the room remembering where the differences in echo laid. Upon reaching the front door he took a long breath of air. It had been quite sometime since he'd left his warehouse.

He opened the door and felt the air rush in, a gentle breeze on Steam's face. He walked outside and found it to be a little cold. He felt an odd sensation on his fur. It felt as if he was being rained on with warmth. He could hear the small talk of ponies coming from farther down the street. Somepony stole an apple. Some other pony's hat doesn't fit. Steam sat down next to his door and raised his foreleg so that talon could rest his wings for a bit.

As he laid his head back against the stone wall. He heard hoofsteps coming towards him.

“Oh hello” said the Pony stopping and looking at him Steam didn't answer “Are you okay?” asked the pony taking a step closer

“I'm fine” replied Steam firmly

“Are you sure?” asked the pony in a gentle voice Steam heard a set of wings flutter, obviously this pony was a pegasus as well. Steam shuffled against the wall bringing his metal wings fully out of view “Do you need help getting some where?”

“No I'm just waiting for somepony” said Steam placing his free hoof behind his head

“It's just that I can see...” started the pony in an obviously feminine tone

“Yes you can see” said Steam harshly “That's wonderful for you. I may be blind but at least I don't try to make other ponies feel sorry for me. If I need help I'll ask somepony for it” Talon chose this moment to launch into the air. Seemingly escaping from the situation until it cools down.

“O-oh I see” said the pony beginning to retreat backwards “Well I guess I'll be going then”

“Hey Shy what's up?” asked a second voice more brash than the first one Steam hadn't noticed it coming when he was yelling at the pegasus.

“She was insinuating that I was helpless” said Steam nonchalantly

“N-no I didn't mean it like that” said Shy softly

“Hey just who do you think you are talking that way to my friend?” asked the other pony A pegasus Steam noticed by the ruffle of feathers.

“Who do you think I am?” asked Steam sarcastically “I don't even know who you are”

“My name is Rainbow Dash” said the second pegasus proudly “Fastest flier in all of Equestria. This here is my friend Fluttershy” Steam assumed that meant the other Pegasus

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” asked Steam curiously as if he was looking for a medal of some kind “Do you have a badge?”

“Dashy” said Fluttershy putting her hoof on Rainbow's shoulder “Maybe we should just go?”

“Yes perhaps you should go and leave a stallion to rest” said Steam shifting to a more comfortable position

“What is wrong with you” asked Rainbow dumbfounded

“I'm blind” replied Steam with a chuckle “Or did you not notice?”

“I meant your head feather brain” said Rainbow taking a step closer

Steam looked to his left as he heard another pair of hoofsteps come closer. It was followed by a familiar scent. It smelled slightly of cinnamon.

“What's going on here” asked the new pony

“Spi-Spitfire?” said Rainbow jaw dropping “What are you doing here?”

“I could say the same for you Dash” replied Spitfire casually

“This feather brain was picking on my friend” accused Rainbow

“Feather brain huh?” said Spitfire with a laugh “This one?” Steam could only imagine the look on her face seeing him this way.

“Oh quiet Spits” replied Steam giving her the equivalent to a glare

“Spits?” mimicked Rainbow her jaw dropping “You know each other?”

“Yeah me and this feather brain go way back” said Spitfire trotting over to Steam and patting his head with a hoof “Although I don't remember him looking quite so grungy”

“Spits why are you here?” asked Steam batting away her hoof “It's been four years since we last met”

“Don't say it like that” said Spitfire in a fake hurt tone “After all you had a crush on me didn't you?”

“Spits!” yelled Steam standing up quickly his metal wings unfolding “You know that's not true!”

“Then why get so defensive all of a sudden?” asked Spitfire knowingly bopping him on the nose with her hoof “Also what's up with the new wings? I don't remember you having those”

“What the buck is that?” asked Rainbow noticing the metal wings as well They were sharp and definitely shaped to look like wings, but they seemed to be connected directly to his back there was no harness of any kind.

“They're called wings” said Steam angrily casting his gaze over all three of them “Do you have a problem with them?”

“Its just that they are um” said Fluttershy nervously

“Metal?” suggested Spitfire with a giggle

“Yeah” said Fluttershy “metal..”

“I am a pegasus after all” said Steam folding his wings back against his sides, locking them there with a click “Even a feather brain would know I need wings. Now can we drop the topic?”

“Sure but just who is this feather brain Spitfire” asked Rainbow

“This feather brain is non other than Steam Gear” replied Spitfire stepping in beside Steam wrapping her hoof around his shoulders

“The Steam Gear?!” asked Rainbow in shock “The same Steam Gear who made your wonder suits?”

“All I did was make them lightning proof” said Steam “I don't deserve all the credit”

“Yeah but that has saved my flank more times than I can count Steam” said Spitfire hugging Steam this admittedly made Steam feel a little weird. He could feel her mane on his face and smell that familiar cinnamon scent on her. He breathed in deeply getting a warm feeling in his chest.

“U-um Spitfire” asked Fluttershy shyly

“Hmm” replied Spitfire looking in her direction, doing so swept her mane out of Steam's face

“W-what are you doing here” asked Fluttershy lowering her gaze “If that's okay to ask”

“Oh I almost forgot” said Spitfire letting go of Steam “I have to take Steam to the palace before sundown for a meeting of some kind”

“No way” said Rainbow in disbelief “We have to go to the palace before sundown too”

“Seems like we're headed in the same direction” said Spitfire hitting Steam in the shoulder playfully “Though I suppose I should get Steam here cleaned up a bit before I take him to see the palace. He smells kind of funny”

“Now that you mention it he does smell kinda rank” said Rainbow placing a hoof over her nose

“You don't smell like sunshine either” grumbled Steam

“We'll meet you two later alright” said Spitfire pulling on Steam's jacket leading him away from the other two

“Alright Spitfire” said Rainbow wrapping her hoof around Fluttershy

“Goodbye” said Fluttershy waving goodbye

Spitfire and Steam walked in silence for what Steam assumed to be a couple blocks before she broke the silence.

“So how have you been Steam?” she asked

“I've been alright I guess” said Steam with a sigh

“Doesn't sound that way to me” replied Spitfire worry in her voice “Something on your mind?”

“Just thinking” answered Steam reassuringly

“You thinking” said Spitfire with a laugh “When aren't you thinking?” When Steam didn't say anything Spitfire lost her smile. “It must be pretty serious if it's bothering you this much”

“It's nothing really Spits” said Steam giving her a weak smile “Just thinking about some old friends”

Spitfire accepted that for now and stopped at their destination.

“Where are we exactly?” asked Steam curiously “The Wonderbolt headquarters?”

“Nah I brought us back to my house” replied Spitfire fumbling under the mat for her key Upon finding it she opened the door ushering Steam inside before coming in herself and closing the door. She walked over and sat down on what from the sound of springs squeaking Steam thought to be a couch.

“So Steam?” Spitfire asked coyly patting the cushion beside her “What is really on your mind?”

Chapter 6

Twilight stepped into her old bedroom and took a deep breath. She hadn't been here since she left for Ponyville with Spike. “Spike...” Twilight thought with a sigh Not too long ago she had witnessed him give his life for her. She could still see the pained smile on his face as he said “Welcome back” Twilight shook her head and closed the door to her room.

At first she thought the trip to Canterlot would be an escape, but she soon realized that Sigil was coming along. Sigil, a pony she had come to admire. He had magic that could rival Princess Celestia herself, but what did he use it for? He knew magic that Equestria could not even imagine. A particular spell which Twilight had suffered personally almost killed her and cost Spike his life.

Twilight trotted slowly over to her bed dragging her hooves along the floor. In her heart she knew that Sigil had done the only thing he could to save her, but in her mind she couldn't forgive what he sacrificed to do it. Spike was like her brother. Without him Twilight would never have been accepted as the Princess's private student, would have never been sent to Ponyville, never have met her friends.

Twilight laid backside down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She closed her eyes as she remembered yesterday's events. After explaining her experience with Trixie in the Everfree, the Princess had left for Canterlot and asked us to meet her there in two days. Rainbow and Fluttershy left to go get train tickets for the next day, leaving Twilight and Sigil Flare alone in the Library.

At first there was an awkward silence. “Twilight don't scare me like that” said Sigil finally breaking the silence

“Don't scare you?” Twilight said upset mistaking his concern for scolding “Have you seen what you've done?” she pointed a hoof at Spike

“I know what I've done” said Sigil his ears drooping “You have every right to hate me”

“Why did you do it?” asked Twilight tears starting to form “Why?”

“Because I made a promise,” said Sigil looking into Twilight's eyes “A promise that I wouldn't let anypony I care about get hurt”

“Anypony?” yelled Twilight her emotions coming to the surface clouding her thoughts “Is that why you let him do it? Because he wasn't a pony?”

“No..” said Sigil defensively raising a hoof to shield himself if she decided to strike him

“Spike was more of a pony than you''ll ever be Sigil!” yelled Twilight shutting eyes against her tears

“Twilight...” said Sigil in a shocked voice backing away from her

“I don't want to hear anything more” cried Twilight through her tears “Get out of my house!”

Sigil gave a deep sigh and gathered his courage walking past the crying Twilight. He stopped at the door and without turning around said in a voice that froze Twilight to her core “Twilight...”

Twilight turned and looked at him. His back was turned to her but his shoulders were firm and his voice steady.

“I will keep my promise Twilight.” said Sigil with a wisdom that scared Twilight “There are many ways to live this life we are given. You can live it alone. With no friends, no family, no one to wake up to in the morning. Always wondering where your next meal will come from and with everypony shunning you and looking down on you. This is the life I lived before I came here”

“Sigil...” murmured Twilight her tears slowing

“This is not a life I chose” continued Sigil putting more effort into his words holding back his own tears “It was a life I was given. When I came here to your world I thought I could change that. I thought I could finally have friends, have someone to talk to that would try to kill me in the morning”

“What are you trying to say?” asked Twilight trying to understand her emotions turning to rage

“I can see now that I was wrong” said Sigil all of his pain over the years loaded in his voice “No matter where I go, I will always be hated and exiled.” He turned and looked into Twilight's eyes Twilight had never seen so much pain in her entire life. It hurt too much, Twilight had to look away from his gaze. “But that doesn't matter to me anymore. I don't care if I am hated and looked down upon. I will shoulder the load if its what it takes to protect those I care about.”

As Sigil turned and opened the door he waited for one second before saying a voice just loud enough for Twilight to hear “Especially the one I love” With those final words he walked out the door and was gone, leaving Twilight alone with her griefs. Twilight pulled herself together just long enough to bury Spikes body properly. With that done she closed the door to the Library and walked upstairs.

As soon as her bed was in sight she broke down and ran crying to her bed diving into it and covered her head in her pillow, muffling her sobs. Twilight began to cry as she laid in her room. In the last two days she lost two of the most important things in her life. She lost her number one assistant and brother Spike and she also lost Sigil, a pony which she had been developing strange feelings for over the last couple of days, her best friend.

Twilight was startled by a knock on her door. She took a pillow and threw it at the door and yelled “Go away!” The pillow bounced off the door and hit the floor, only to be pushed out of the way as the door swung open. Princess Celestia stepped into the room and looked at her student with a warm expression.

“Princess...” said Twilight immediately regretting her previous action “I”

“It's alright” said Celestia raising a hoof to silence the crying unicorn “I understand” She walked over to her student the door swinging shut behind her. Celestia sat down in front of Twilight meeting her eyes for a moment. Through the tears she could see pain and regret.

“Why are you here Princess?” asked Twilight trying to look for something “I don't have a letter for you”

The Princess reached out a hoof and turned Twilight's head back to face her. “Twilight I'm not here for a letter. I'm here because your brother asked me to come check up on you”

“Why would he do that?” asked Twilight sniffling

“Because” said the Princess using her hoof to wipe the tears out of Twilight's eyes “He told me that he had never seen my student with such a look of grief on her face. Shining told me he would rather fight a swarm of Manticores than see you like this”

“Really?” asked Twilight with a blush “He said that?”

“Yes he did” replied Celestia softly “Now what's wrong my little pony?”

“I don't know” said Twilight her head spinning “I'm so confused. Every time I try to think of an answer I can't come up with anything. My heart wants what my mind says it can't have. I've never read this in any books in my Library.

“Twilight you are my most gifted student” said Princess Celestia reassuringly “But sometimes you think to much. There are somethings you can't learn through books. If your believe it to be true in your heart, than you don't need to think about it. You already have your answer”

Twilight's jaw dropped as the truth behind the Princess's words sunk in. The world around her began to melt away as the answer hit her. In her heart she wanted more than anything to have Sigil back. A warmth flooded through Twilight as she rushed forward and embraced her mentor in an embrace. The princess just smiled and wrapped her hooves around Twilight.

“Thank you” whispered Twilight into Celestia's fur

“No problem” answered the Princess softly

Sigil dragged his hooves as he trudged along the road. He couldn't get her out of his head. Every time he closed his eyes he could see Twilight's face, tears streaming down her cheeks. “She hates me” thought Sigil “My first and closest friend and …. she hates me” Sigil's ears drooped as he sighed

He had been walking for a day and a half now. He had been forced to build a makeshift shelter last night. Sigil still had leaves sticking all over his fur from sleeping on the ground. Sigil took the map of Equestria he bought before he left Ponyville out of his saddle bag. Looking at it he guessed he had another half a days trot until he hit Canterlot.

Sigil's hooves hurt with every step. He had been pushing himself to the limit the entire way. He was going to keep his promise. “Even if he I can't be with Twilight” said Sigil to himself picking up his pace “It doesn't mean I can't watch over her” He cantered on for about a half an hour before he had to take a short break to rest his tired hooves.

Sigil laid down in the cool grass, the sun burning itself into his fur. His ears twitched as he heard a bird give an alarm call in the distance. He sat up and perched himself on his front hooves.

“Halt” said a voice in his mind “Come no further”

“Who is this?” asked Sigil out loud he got no reply “I am just a wary traveler” Sigil continued

“I know who you are other worlder” said the voice echoing in his mind “You thoughts are made known to me”

“If you know who I am then why do you stop me?” asked Sigil out loud “Show yourself. At least give me a face to talk to” Sigil stood up on all four hooves as a silver furred wolf at nearly twice his size stalked out of the bushes. He remembered talk of wolves near this road with his talks with fellow travelers, but they never said anything about telepathy.

“I show you my face Lloyd” said the wolf in his mind “I tell you once more, leave”

“I cannot and you know it” said Sigil firmly “I have a promise to keep”

“As do I” replied the wolf “I have been asked to keep you away from Twilight”

“Who would ask you to do that?” asked Sigil curiously

“That is no concern of yours” said the wolf crouching as if to pounce on Sigil

“I would like to know who asked you to do this wolf” yelled Sigil angrily

“Fluttershy asked me to do this” replied the wolf “and my name is Kurt not wolf”

“Kurt?” asked Sigil his eyes widening “Kurt Wolfe?”

“Ironic seeing as I'm a wolf I bet?” said the wolf in his head with a laugh “You've heard tales of me then?”

“I have” replied Sigil swallowing the lump in his throat “I've heard you are a sword for hire, who will do anything for gold. You don't care what the job is or how many people you have to kill to get it done.”

“Seems someone has done their research” said Kurt with a toothy smile

“What is a monster like you doing in Equestria?” asked Sigil stamping his hoof “How many ponies have you murdered already”

“I am offended Lloyd” said Kurt mockingly sitting down putting a paw over his chest defensively “To think a mage believes that I am a monster”

“I may be a mage” said Sigil angrily glaring at Kurt “but at least I have a heart!”

“Oh you have pained me” mocked Kurt again “A job is a job mage. I just have a very dirty one”

“Is that how you justify killing people?” asked Sigil mouth agape

“Honestly I don't particularly enjoy killing people” said Kurt with a yawn “To tell you the truth I kind of tired of it. But if word gets out that a mercenary has gone soft it becomes difficult to get any of the high paying jobs”

“Is all you care about money then?” asked Sigil wondering now if he could talk his way past Kurt

“Not really” replied Kurt “It's just something to pass the time”

“Your sick” said Sigil

“Perhaps I am?” answered Kurt with an inquisitive look “What do you plan to do about it?”

“I plan on killing you” replied Sigil pointing his hoof at Kurt “and then I'm going to find Twilight and make sure she's still alive”

“You kill me don't make me laugh” said the wolf flexing his claws into the soft earth under his paws “you haven't the skill or the energy”

“Maybe your right” replied Sigil his horn glowing “I haven't the energy” The earth under Kurt's feet began to rumble. “But I do have the skill!” yelled Sigil as the earth under Kurt's feet erupted into a spike. Kurt leaped backwards and landed on all four paws as another spire shot up underneath him. Kurt jumped higher this time and dug his claws into the trunk of a tree.

Sigil stamped his hoof and a boulder shot out of the ground in Kurt's direction. Kurt dropped off as the boulder hit the tree tearing a hole through it.

“Well the mage has a few magic tricks” Kurt sneered “but play time is over” He broke into a sprint running to fast for Sigil to follow with his eyes. Sigil gathered magic into his hooves raising them up. He lit them on fire with a glow of his horn and crashed them to the ground. A shock wave was sent out around Sigil with an explosion of flame. It caught Kurt mid jump knocking him backwards through the air into a tree. As Kurt fell to the ground, Sigil laughed panting.

“I thought you said play time was over?” asked Sigil

“It was” said Kurt dusting the soot off of his fur, restoring his silvery shine “that is until you decided to use a cheap shot”

“All I did was a magic trick” said Sigil acting innocent

“Good to see you have a sense of humor” said Kurt appearing in front of Sigil in the blink of an eye Kurt rammed his paw into Sigil's stomach lifting him off his hooves and catapulting him backwards. He hit the ground with a heavy thump and skidded in the dirt to a halt.

“It helps make this more fun” grunted Sigil getting back to his hooves, sucking in a breath of air

“You know your not that bad” said Kurt thinking “Maybe I won't kill you”

“Then let me pass” yelled Sigil “I must keep my promise. I won't let anything stand in my way”

“Are you sure?” asked Kurt seriously “Is she worth that much to you?”

“I would rather die than to give up now” said Sigil “I must see her again”

“Then take it back” said Kurt calmly all hostility gone

“Take what back?” asked Sigil confused

“Calling me a monster” replied Kurt simply

“That's it?” said Sigil deadpanning

“Yup” said Kurt with a toothy smile

“In that case I take it back” said Sigil taking a step towards Kurt “Can I pass now?”

“Of course” said Kurt with a laugh “I'll even come with you”

“What?” asked Sigil in disbelief “Why?”

“Well to tell you the truth” said Kurt in explanation “I never promised Fluttershy to keep you away. All I wanted to do was confirm for myself that you really do care for her”

“So it was just a test?” asked Sigil face hoofing

“Yes it was” replied Kurt setting out at a brisk pace gesturing Sigil to follow him “and you pass with high marks”

“Are you really Kurt Wolfe?” asked Sigil curiously looking at the wolf beside him

“I sure am” answered Kurt with a laugh “Remember what I said about the whole reputation thing. Let's just say some of it was exaggerated.”

“So you don't actually kill people?” asked Sigil stepping over an overgrown root in his path

“No I still kill people” said Kurt “but on my terms and honorably. I do not kill those who do not deserve to die”

“How can you tell?” asked Sigil

“I can read minds remember” said Kurt in Sigil's head “I know who deserves it”

“What about that town you burned down?” asked Sigil

“The town was empty” replied Kurt with a laugh “Some bandits had run them out 2 days prior to my arrival”

“Really?” said Sigil wondering if all the stories he'd heard about this blood thirsty killer were fake

“I actually hunted down the bandits and took back what they stole from the villagers and gave it back to them” continued Kurt “they were very happy to see it believe me”

“What happened to all the seriousness and talk about killing me?” asked Sigil

“Well I can't go around killing all my friends” replied Kurt punching Sigil in the shoulder playfully “If I did that who would by me a drink?”

“You sure do have an odd way of making friends Kurt” said Sigil glad to not have to fight this wolf anymore

“I guess I do” said Kurt with a smile “but while we're in Equestria it's Silver Streak alright?”

“Alright Silver” said Sigil nodding agreement “Let's hurry on to Canterlot”

Silver slowed down and stopped just inside the forest line. Sigil noticed this and stopped too .

“What's up?” asked Sigil

“I can't go with you beyond this point” said Silver

“Why not?” asked Sigil not understanding

“Think about it” said Silver “I'm a wolf. What do you think would happen if I walk into a town full of ponies?”

“Good point” said Sigil with a laugh “maybe I can help with that”

“What can you do?” asked Silver “You can't turn me into a pony”

“No” Sigil admitted “but I am pretty gifted with illusion magic. I can make it so when ponies look at you they see you as a pony”

“Really?” asked Silver excited

“Hold still” said Sigil igniting his horn He began waving his hooves weaving magic around Silver. When Sigil finished he was no longer staring at a wolf he was starring at a silver furred stallion with gray hair and a sword for a cutie mark. “All set”

“You sure it works?” asked Silver looking at himself “I don't feel any different”

“Trust me” said Sigil “unless you are usually a silver stallion, its working”

“Thanks” said Kurt high hoofing Sigil

“No problem” said Sigil “Let's go find Twilight”

Chapter 7

“I told you I'm fine” replied Steam waving a hoof

“You are many things Steam” replied Spitfire with a smile “But a good liar is not one of them. I can practically hear the gears in your mind screaming”

“Your exaggerating” said Steam trying to change the subject “Why did you bring me here anyways?”

“I brought you here originally to clean you up” said Spitfire with a shake of her head “but I can see now that your mind needs some cleaning out too”

“My mind is fine” said Steam “i don't need your help”

“Now is not the time to be turning away help Steam” replied Spitfire “You of all ponies should know by now that sometimes you can't do it alone.”

“Why do you care anyways?” asked Steam trying to make her the bad pony

“Because I'm your friend Steam” replied Spitfire warmly “I want to help you”

“If you wanted to help so much then where were you 4 years ago?” yelled Steam wanting to hear anything but the truth

Spitfire's ears drooped as she replied “You know where I was 4 years ago Steam” She looked straight at him as she added “I was trying out for the Wonderbolts in Filydelphia”

“Why didn't you come and look for me once you heard the news?” asked Steam still drilling her for info “I'm sure Shining told you”

“I got a letter 2 weeks after the incident” answered Spitfire opening a drawer and pulling out a tattered piece of paper “It said you had been injured in a warehouse fire and then disappeared from the hospital. That's all I got, I tried to come and look but if I had then I would have been kicked out of the Wonderbolts. I would have missed too many practices in my absence”

“So you stayed and lived your dreams and left me to rot alone?” Steam said sitting up and looking in her direction “yet you still call yourself my friend?”

“Hey!” yelled a voice from the other room “Stop yelling at her!” A large Stallion came in from the other room. Steam hadn't noticed him in his conversation with Spitfire. As Steam heard wings flap, a hoof was driven into his chest sending him tumbling backwards. Steam did a back flip and regained his balance on his hooves standing up.

“Soarin!” said Spitfire shocked “When did you come in?”

“Right on time” replied Soarin gearing up for another punch “Just who is this pony and how hard do you want me to beat him?”

“If you may” said Steam reaching into his saddle bag “let me get ready first. I am blind you know” Taking one of the wrapped parcels out of his saddlebag and unwrapped it with a swing of his hoof. It resembled a large brass colored metal rod interchanging with two silver rods and a half moon. Steam took it and banged it on the floor once and it unfolded itself into a rather grisly looking scythe.

“Now,” said Steam gripping the scythe's shaft in his mouth and getting into what can only be described as a hunter's crouch “I'm ready”

“Steam stop it” yelled Spitfire throwing herself between Steam and Soarin

“Steam?” asked Soaring confused grabbing Spitfire in his hooves and flying quickly out of range of Steam's scythe “Your Steam Gear?”

“What if I am?” asked Steam through the scythe “What is it to you?”

“I just came here because I heard our Captain had quit so I wanted to make sure she was okay” said Soarin explaining “But now that you are here I can see why she quit”

“What are you talking about?” asked Steam suspicion creeping into his voice “Spits what's going on?”

“I quit the Wonderbolts” Spitfire said slowly forcing the words out she hid her face behind Soarin

“Why the hay would you do that?” asked Steam confused “I thought being a Wonderbolt was your dream?”

“It was my dream” replied Spitfire still hidden behind Soarin “but now I have a new dream”

“What are you talking about?” asked Steam bringing the scythe up to point menacingly at Soarin's throat “Did you do something to her?”

“I haven't done anything” replied Soarin defensively swallowing the lump in his throat “You are the one that made her quit.”

“What?” asked Steam the scythe falling from his mouth as it swung open in shock

“For the last couple years she's been with the Wonderbolts Spitfire has been disappearing for a few days whenever we come to a new town. She always shows up for practice but then poof she's gone” said Soarin “We asked where she had been and she always replied looking for an old friend”

Steam's mind shattered. It felt as if a hole had punched through his chest. Here he was again scorning his own friends just because he was feeling sorry for himself, because he had believed himself to be alone for so long. In truth he was only alone because he decided to be. Steam couldn't be with other ponies for fear of what they would do to him in the end. He couldn't have his heart broken again.

“When Shining told me that he had found you I was so happy” said Spitfire finally coming out from behind Soarin “After all the years of searching I had finally found you again”

“Spits...” mumbled Steam his mind swirling with his new revelation

“She has been looking for the whole time dude” said Soarin

Spitfire trotted slowly over to the dazed Steam and sat directly in front of him. “I have wanted to do this for so long” Then she leaned in and kissed Steam on the lips

Steam's mind instantly cleared as he felt the tenderness in that single kiss. For a moment he could have sworn he saw Spitfire sitting in front of him the sunlight shimmering on her golden coat. It was at this moment he realized how he felt for Spitfire. She was not only his friend but, maybe she was something more as well.

“Well it looks like I can go now” said Soarin letting himself out “I'll tell the team that you want a extended vacation. There will always be a spot on the team for you captain!” with that he shut the door behind him leaving Steam and Spitfire alone.

“Spits... I....” started Steam not knowing what to say

“It's okay Steam” said Spitfire a tad of sorrow in her voice “I didn't expect you to kiss me back”
She began to stand up, but was stopped by a hoof on her cheek.

“Spitfire...” said Steam pulling her head down towards his again “You should always expect the unexpected” With that he kissed her. He put all the feeling he could into it trying to make it last as long as he could. Reluctantly he had to pull back for air.

“I'm sorry” said Steam lowering his sightless gaze to the floor “I am such a fool”

“Steam you have nothing to be sorry for” soothed Spitfire lifting up his head with her hoof “I love you. You are no fool”

“Why do you say that?” asked Steam absently “look at me”

“I am looking at you Steam, but it is not for that reason you are not a fool.” said Spitfire pulling her hoof back taking a deep breath “It is because of what you said to me all those years ago, something that has driven me to this day.”

“I was lost and thought the very thought of me ever joining the Wonderbolts was hopeless. I was ready to give up altogether.” said Spitfire in a very quiet voice closing her eyes remembering how she felt that day “In fact I was on my way to drop out of Canterlot University when I bumped into a rather goofy stallion. As I apologized and offered to help him pick up his scattered books he just put a hoof on my shoulder and smiled at me. He asked me what was wrong. It was as if he could read my mind.”

“Spits...” was all Steam could say before Spitfire continued

“Somehow I felt like I could trust this stallion he made me feel like everything was alright. As if being around him could make your darkest fears just go away. When I told him my problems he laughed at me.” said Spitfire with a chuckle tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes “He told me that it wouldn't do me any good to run away from my dreams. I asked him what made him so sure. I believe you know what he told me Steam.”

Steam closed his eyes and repeated from his memory “Your only giving up because you have lost your sight. Without sight we lose hope. Without hope we eventually fall into darkness. This is were you are right now in the darkness unsure of yourself. Let me be the one to light your path. The truth is that a light shines brightest in the darkness, and there is nothing, no force in all of Equestria, that can stop the will of a determined soul. If you can gain the courage to overcome the obstacles in your path then there is nothing holding you from your dreams. Trust me”

“That stallion was you Steam” said Spitfire opening her eyes tears flowing freely “I never told you how much that meant to me. You acted as if it never happened just patted me on the head and gave me the goofiest smile I had ever seen and trotted off.” She had to pause to wipe the tears from her eyes before she could continue “but that didn't stop you from helping me follow my dreams. It seemed from then on I would always bump into you and you would say something to lift my spirits and push me onward. Without you Steam I never would have had the courage to even try out for the Wonderbolts much less become Captain. I owe you my life Steam”

“Spitfire...” said Steam in a mere whisper He could hear her crying. Her tears spattering as they hit the floor. He saw a flash of light as if in a dream. There stood Spitfire in front of him her eyes streaked with tears staring at him. A ray of sunlight hit her coat igniting it in golden twirls of flame. Her wings partially unfolded to her sides. She looked like a weeping angel.

“On that day you gave me my life back Steam. You pulled me out of the darkness” said Spitfire rubbing her eyes erasing her tears and scooting closer to Steam “You are just as lost as I was that day. Let me be your light now when you need me most Steam. Find hope in me and take a step out of the darkness and into the light.” With that Spitfire caught Steam in a loving embrace.

Steam returned it without a second thought. It was almost as if he could feel all the pain and loneliness just wash away as a new feeling rose within him. One he hadn't felt in a long time. Tears began to wet his bandage as he wept. “Thank you” he sobbed into Spitfires mane “Thank you”

Spitfire only smiled and said “Welcome back” She let Steam cry until he tired out then she softened her embrace and let him pull back. “Feel better?” asked Spitfire giving Steam a soft bop on the nose with her hoof

Steam replied simply by kissing her deeply which she greatly enjoyed.

“I'll take that as a yes” Spitfire laughed

“Spitfire...” said Steam pulling a deep breath “I love you”

“I know” said Spitfire patting him on the head His hair felt grungy and stained with oil. “but you are very dirty and your bandages are soaked through. We'll have to clean you up before I take you to the palace tonight”

“Haven't really had the chance to shower lately you know?” said Steam with a chuckle “Sorry”

“No it's no big deal” said Spitfire thinking mischievously “We'll just have to give you a bath”

“What did you just say?” asked Steam confused

“I said “we” you can't find your away around my house without your sight” said Spitfire pulling him in the direction of her tub “besides I want to wash your back for you”

“Alright..” said Steam still unsure he should be doing this Spitfire lead him through what smelled like the kitchen, down the hall and into a nice smelling room. He sat down and turned his head as Spitfire walked over and turned on the faucet to draw the water.

“I'm going to need you to get in Steam” said Spitfire with a giggle waving him over to the tub
tapping the side of it with her hoof to give him a good idea where it is

Steam blushed a bit as he made his way slowly to the tub. He unslung his saddle bag from his shoulder and laid it against the wall. He then took off his jacket. Spitfire took it from him and hung it up on the wall. “You didn't need to do that” said Steam

“It was no problem Steam” said Spitfire cutely “Feel free to step on in the water is fine” She flicked the tip of his nose with her tail. Steam followed her tail up over the edge of the tub. He placed his hoof into the water finding it warm to the touch. He quickly placed all four of his hooves in the soothing water and sat down.

“This feels great” Steam sighed

“You needed this more than I thought” Spitfire said placing a hoof on his shoulder “You are so tense and worked up. Do you want me to give you a massage?”

“Could you?” asked Steam with a smile

“Of course Steam” said Spitfire stepping into the tub in front of him “I'd love to join you. That is if you don't mind?”

“I'd love for you to join me” replied Steam with a frown “I just wish I could see...” He didn't get to finish, Spitfire stole his breath with a kiss. She pulled back and said

“Don't finish that sentence” She nuzzled him before she said “Sight can fade Steam” she put a hoof on his chest “But feelings never do”

“You always know what to say” replied Steam hugging Spitfire nuzzling her

“Alright Steam” said Spitfire grabbing the shower head in her hoof “Time to wash you up” With that she sprayed him on top of his head. The water ran down his head and into his face.

“Augh” said Steam spitting some water out of his mouth “Spitfire you could warn me first”

“Sorry” apologized Spitfire with a small chuckle giving him a peck on his forehead “Here comes another one then” She sprayed water over his head again and ran her hooves through his hair , letting the shower head drop. “Is that better?”

“Almost” Steam replied grabbing the fallen shower head he sprayed Spitfire over the head. She squealed in delight “Now we're even”

“That wasn't fair” protested Spitfire playfully bopping Steam on the nose

“I know” replied Steam nuzzling her “I'm sorry”

“What am I going to do with you?” asked Spitfire nuzzling him back

“Well you did promise me a massage” answered Steam with a smile

“Alright” said Spitfire sweetly “I'll need you to turn around then” Steam turned around so his back was facing Spitfire. She looked at his rust colored mane as it cascaded down the back of his neck and smiled. Her smile faulted when she glanced at his brass colored wings. “These wings of yours how did you get them?”

“I built them three years ago” replied Steam spreading his wings out and ruffling them a bit “I'm a pegasus. I need wings to fly.”

“But it is so unnatural” said Spitfire tapping one wing with her hoof

“Once a pegasus always a pegasus Spitfire. Flying is in our blood.” explained Steam folding his wings back up “Imagine if you lost your ability to fly?”

“I don't want to imagine that Steam” said Spitfire with a sigh “Flying is in my blood”

“I'm sorry if they bother you” said Steam attempting to stand up Spitfire reached out a hoof onto his back right between his wings stopping him.

“No it's fine” said Spitfire with a weak smile “I'll just have to get used to them is all. I would never take anything away from you” With that she moved her hooves to Steam's shoulders and began her massage. “I want you to be happy” Her hooves worked themselves into the thick mouscles in Steams shoulders kneading them firmly.

Steam let out a relaxed sigh as he felt the massage start. He closed his eyes and let Spitfire's hooves work they're magic. He felt her hooves work down his back and move in circular motions around his wings. Steam felt the knots in his muscles tighten and then unwind. When Spitfire was done she patted his back softly.

“All done” she said stepping out of the tub

“Already” said Steam stepping out of the tub after her shaking his wet mane splashing her with water

“Take a towel” said Spitfire giggling pulling a towel out of a cabinet and handing it to him

“If you insist” replied Steam “Does that mean we have to go to the palace now”

“As much as I would love to spend the rest of the night with you Steam” said Spitfire with a sigh “I did promise Shining Armor you would be there”

“Alright” said Steam putting his jacket back on and throwing his saddle bag over his shoulder “but I'm not sure I can get to the palace myself”

“Don't worry Steam I'll be your eyes” said Spitfire nuzzling him “I won't leave your side”

Chapter 8

“Calm down Dashy” said Fluttershy giving her marefriend an affectionate nuzzle

“It's almost time for the Princess to set the sun” whined Rainbow accepting the nuzzle from Fluttershy a little of her annoyance fading. They had been waiting in the palace throne room for quite some time now. “Where is everypony else?”

“Don't you remember Dashy?” asked Fluttershy hugging her marefriend and giving her a peck on the check “We came here early so we could spend sometime together”

“Oh yeah” replied Rainbow returning the hug blushing a bit “who would have thought I'd every be early?”

“That makes two of us” answers Twilight Sparkle entering the room from a doorway to the left of the throne

“Twilight..” said Fluttershy letting go of Rainbow a blush on her face “So nice of you to join us”

“Where the hay have you been?” asked Rainbow pointing a hoof in Twilight's direction accusingly

“I'm sorry Rainbow Dash” answered Princess Celestia walking into view from behind her throne “Twilight has speaking with me. I hope that's okay with you?”

“Of course Princess” replied Rainbow immediately much to Twilight's amusement Rainbow shot Twilight a dirty look.

“You seem impatient as usual Rainbow” said Twilight getting over her giggles

“It's just we've been waiting for you to show up for quite some time” said Fluttershy quietly “and we were wondering what we are here for”

“I'm sorry Fluttershy but you have to wait for the others to arrive” said Princess Celestia

“Probably a good thing I decided to show up then huh?” asked a white unicorn with purple shades walking in from the left. She had spiky blue hair and a pair of headphones around her neck

“Who are you supposed to be?” asked Rainbow loudly walking up to the mare

“Ah Vinyl Scratch how nice of you to make it” said Princess Celestia

“Vinyl Scratch?” asked Rainbow smirking

“Says the rainbow colored freak standing in front of me” replied Vinyl with a coy smile

“Who do you think you are?” yelled Rainbow losing her cool

“Only the best dj in all of Equestria” replied Vinyl tapping her headphones with a hoof

“If your so good then why have I never heard of you” asked Rainbow defiantly

“Probably because your head is always in the clouds” replied Vinyl starting to laugh

“Why you...” said Rainbow gritting her teeth She pulled a hoof back and sent it flying straight towards Vinyl's face. Vinyl ducked Rainbow's punch and backed away.

“Wow Color-Stream” said Vinyl coldly “You sure you want to do this?”

“Stop acting so cool” yelled Rainbow leaping at Vinyl “It's pissing me off”

“Alright have it your way” replied Vinyl dodging Rainbow's assault

Rainbow was on the offensive from the beginning throwing punch after punch. Vinyl kept on her hooves and dodged all she could having to block a few. Rainbow pivoted on her hooves and feigned a low jab. Vinyl took the bait. Rainbow instantly pooped back up and threw her other hoof in a sideswipe catching Vinyl in the side of the head.

Vinyl stayed standing but her glasses fell to the floor. She shook her head and looked back up at Rainbow. “Her eyes” thought Rainbow in shock “Their red!”

“Now look at what you've gone and done” said Vinyl angrily her horn glowing “Better watch your step Color-Stream. You might drop your bass!” with that Vinyl reared up on her hind hooves and slammed the ground. Everyponies ears in the room, even Princess Celestia's rang, as a wave of bass echoed out from Vinyl's epicenter. The force of it knocked Rainbow hurtling back through the air. Fluttershy flew up and caught her marefriend before she hit the wall.

“That wasn't fair” said Rainbow standing back up checking to make sure she could still hear

“Neither was your's” replied Vinyl levitating her glasses back into place

“What are you talking about” said Rainbow attempting to walk back towards Vinyl

A ash gray mare with an amazingly straight coal black mane walked in from behind Vinyl. She looked in Vinyl's direction caught the fading smile on the unicorn's face and sighed. Rainbow didn't notice the new pony till it was too late. She felt a hoof grip her throat as she was raised off her hooves and into the air. She stared into her new adversaries eyes and saw nothing but seriousness in the violet pools.

“Listen to me miss.” said the ash earth pony in a deadly tone “If you hurt my friend in any way I will break you” The mare shot a hoof out and punched a hole in the wall to her left. “Understand”

Rainbow just gulped. The ash mare let her down slowly then trotted over to Vinyl's side and hit her over the head.

“Ow what did you do that for Tavi?” whined the Dj

“I swear every time I take my eyes off of you you wander into some kind of trouble” said Tavi in an annoyed tone It was at this moment she turned to look at the rest of the ponies in the room and her eyes fell on Princess Celestia. She immediately straightened up and said “Princess Celestia I am so sorry for everything Vinyl caused”

“It's quite alright Octavia” said Princess Celestia chuckling “I've always wanted a door there anyways.”

“See Tavi everything is cool” said Vinyl throwing a hoof around Octavia's neck “Relax”

“You keep saying that” replied Octavia looking at her marefriend

“So Vinyl Scratch, Octavia” said Princess Celestia addressing them “Where is your friend, did you find him?”

“We found him your highness” replied Octavia looking down at her hooves “but he was different”

“How so” asked Twilight curiously

“He used to be my brother” replied Vinyl “he looked over me and protected me. I would do the same for him” Tears began to form in her eyes and she rubbed them away “That's was not my brother. It was like talking to a ghost”

Princess Celestia closed her eyes and nodded “You know Vinyl, sometimes we lose sight on what is important in our lives.” Vinyl looked up at the princess not understanding “It is at these times we fall into the dark. Sometimes in extreme cases the pain is too great and we don't want back out”

“So what your trying to say is that he is lost forever” screamed Vinyl tears streaming down her face “I refuse to believe that Steam would ever want to forget about his friends, I know him.”

“Vinyl...”said Octavia gently trying to comfort Vinyl who fell into her hooves crying into her shoulder

“Sometimes when your lost in the dark you can't see what's in front of you” said a golden pegasus with flaming hair

“Spitfire...” asked Rainbow confused

“and it is during these times you do things you don't mean too” replied a brown pegasus with rust colored hair. He had on a tan aviator's jacket and a bandage was covering his eyes. His hair was a rusty orange and he had metal wings.

“Steam..?” asked Octavia pulling Vinyl's head up to see

“Things that make us seem like horrible ponies. With light comes clarity and understanding. I can see now that you have tried to help me and I returned your kindness with hostility.” continued Steam stopping next to Spitfire

“Brother? Is that you?” asked Vinyl trying to look through her tears

“I would like to apologize for what I've said” said Steam remorsefully “I hope you can...” he got no further before he was tackled to the ground a pair of hooves wrapped around his neck

“Don't you ever do that again” cried Vinyl into his chest angrily

“Don't worry little sis” said Steam returning the hug “I have an angel watching over me this time” He turned his sightless gaze in Spitfires direction

“Steam I'm glad your back” said Octavia helping him to his hooves dragging Vinyl along with him “You've been missed more than you know”

“It's good to be back Octy” replied Steam with a regretful smile “Though I feel terrible for the way I've acted”

“It's not your fault Steam” said Spitfire putting a hoof on his shoulder “The dark is a strange place. It makes us do terrible things”

“Steam Gear it is good to see you out and about once again old friend” said Princess Celestia

“I'm not that old” replied Steam with a laugh “but I must say It's good to hear your voice again your highness”

“Wait Steam Gear...” said Rainbow “How do all of you know this featherbrain?”

“Dashy...” shushed Fluttershy cautiously

“Oh you must be the two mares I met outside my warehouse today” said Steam sniffing “I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you. Wasn't really myself you know?”

“If you say so...” replied Rainbow unconvinced

“Now we're only missing one member of our group” said a silver haired stallion walking in beside Princess Celestia's

“Shining? Is that you?” asked Steam his ears twitching

“Well if it isn't my old roomy” said Shining with a laugh “Come to get me to do your homework again have you?”

“Not today roomy” said Steam with a smile “I should thank you for sending an angel my way in my hour of need.”

“No thanks necessary old friend” replied Shining holding up a hoof “Call it repaying an old debt I owed. Besides Spitfire wanted to see you so badly”

“Shut up Shiny” said Spitfire blushing a bit

“Only you Spits would call me Shiny” sighed Shining shaking his head

“You said we are missing another member?” asked Twilight her eyes scanning the room “Who do you mean?”

“Why Sigil Flare of course” replied Shining “You've talked about him so much I thought I'd get to met him. When is he arriving Twilly?”

“Oh about that...” replied Twilight looking down at her hooves “I don't think he's coming”

“Why not you sounded so excited to bring him in your last letter?” asked Shining concerned
“Did something happen?”

“We had a fight” answered Twilight averting her eyes from her brother and her friends

“I see” answered Shining nodding “Well that's too bad”

“I think with that we can begin our meeting don't you?” asked Princess Celestia hinting to change the subject

“I agree old friend” said Steam nudging Spitfire “Let the meeting begin”

“A week ago my sister Luna went on a diplomatic mission to our southern border” said Celestia waving in a group of guards carrying a covered up frame. “She was abducted two days ago from her quarters. The only evidence left was this symbol carved into her wall.”

The guards withdrew the sheet from the frame revealing a strange symbol. It looked like a full moon with a unicorn's head in it.

“It can't be...” murmured Octavia “It just can't”

“I'd thought we had seen the last of those bastards” growled Vinyl angrily

“What is it?” asked Steam concerned

“It's the symbol of the Nightmare's Steam” said Spitfire giving him a worried look

“I was afraid of that” said Steam with a sigh

“So you know this mark?” asked Princess Celestia

“Oh we know it” yelled Vinyl her voice laced with venom “It has caused us nothing but grief”

“What Vinyl means to say is that we recognize this symbol” explained Octavia taking a deep breath “It's the symbol of a cult called the Nightmare's. The very same one Princess that was behind the event four years ago at Canterlot University”

“I see” said Celestia nodding “It must be bringing back some unpleasant memories for you four then”

“It's not a very pleasant topic no” replied Steam with a frown “But tell me old friend why did you show us this?”

“Because old friend I need you to go after these kidnappers and get my sister back” replied Princess Celestia

“No!” yelled Vinyl furiously “I don't care if you are the Princess! I am NEVER going back there!”

“Vinyl calm down” said Octavia hugging the Dj

“I know it is a lot to ask after all these years but we don't have a choice” said Princess Celestia with a sigh

“Shining surely you could do something?” asked Twilight hopefully

“Sadly Twilly the Princess is correct” said Shining regretfully “It doesn't matter how many soldiers we send after them. Not a single one has made it past the border and returned”

“I couldn't ask more ponies to risk their lives for the sake of my sister when they stand no chance” said Princess Celestia “That's why we need you old friend. You have been there”

“And look at what it has done to him!” yelled Vinyl “How could you possibly ask him to do anymore to save Equestria after what he has already had to go through?!”

“Scratch calm yourself” said Steam with a smile he looked at the Princess “Old friend I would be honored to help Equestria in it's time of need”

“Brother...” said Vinyl confused tears seen streaming down behind her shades

“It's alright Sis” said Steam “I'm not asking you to come with me”

“We're not letting you go Steam” said Octavia sternly “Not after we just found you again”

“I'm coming with you” said Spitfire nuzzling him

“Thank you angel” whispered Steam nuzzling her back

“If Spitfire is going I'm going too!” said Rainbow

“Rainbow what are you doing?” asked Twilight “Are you featherbrained? Stay out of it”

“Actually Twilly you were brought here for the same reason they were” said Shining “We need all of your help for this mission”

“Why us?” asked Fluttershy hiding behind Rainbow

“Because my little ponies” said Princess Celestia “You are the elements of harmony. You are the best we have”

“See guys it's our job to save Equestria” said Rainbow proudly “We're coming with you guys”

“I'm sure you'll be a great support you three” said Spitfire with a smile

“Are you all nuts?!” asked Vinyl glaring at all of them “Do any of you remember what happened the last time we went after these guys? They turned Steam blind!”

“Scratch!” said Steam loudly She cringed back a bit as he trotted over to her. “You need to see the bigger picture. You know the danger as well as I do. But this isn't just about us. This is for all of Equestria.”

“But brother...” said Vinyl

“I know sis” said Steam “But we are together this time. They won't separate us again I promise”

“Fine” said Vinyl nuzzling Steam “but if you leave again I'll buck your head off”

“I'll remember that” said Steam with a smile looking at Twilight, Rainbow and Fluttershy “Will you join us?”

“Of course” said Rainbow proudly

“I'll help if in any way I can” said Fluttershy

“I'm with you Steam” said Twilight “There are so many questions I want to ask you anyways”

“I'm truly thankful to all of you for your help” said Princess Celestia bowing her head “We will of course provide anything you need”

“Thank you old friend” said Steam bowing “We will of course require provisions and supplies. I will handle the transportation”

“How do you plan on transporting seven ponies that distance without a chariot?” asked Octavia curiously

“Let me worry about that Octy” said Steam “I think you'll like what the surprise”

“I thank you old friend for what you are doing” said Princess Celestia

“No I thank you” said Steam bowing “I know Shining wasn't the only one keeping track of me for these last couple years. Thanks for watching my back”

“I was merely paying back an old debt I owed” said Princess Celestia “When do you plan to depart?”

“I was hoping to leave as soon as tomorrow morning” said Steam rubbing his chin with his hoof “Can you send the supplies and provisions to my warehouse?”

“Of course” said Celestia “I suggest all of you go stay here at the palace for the night. So you can go with Steam in the morning. You are dismissed. These guards will show you to your rooms”

Everypony was escorted out of the room except for Steam and Princess Celestia.

“Was there something you wanted to say” asked Princess Celestia

“I wanted to thank you correctly” said Steam with a smile

“I was hoping you would say that Rusty” said Celestia getting down off of her throne and trotting up to Steam

“It's been a long time since I've been called that Tia” said Steam with a smile

“and it's been too long since I've been called that” said Celestia sitting in front of Steam with a smile

“To think that it's been six years since those days” said Steam with a sigh “I can still remember the feel of the mountains under my hooves”

“I would be lieing if I said I didn't miss those days Rusty” said Celestia wrapping her hooves around him

“We'll never forget them Tia” said Steam returning the hug “Thank you for always watching over me”

“Every Princess needs her hero Rusty” said Celestia tightening her grip “I couldn't let you go that easily”

“Thanks for never giving up on me” said Steam in a whisper “It means a lot”

“Would you mind sharing my quarters with me tonight?” asked Celestia releasing her embrace “For old times sake?”

“Sure Tia” said Steam with a smile “It's not the first time and with any luck it won't be the last”
Celestia smiled at him and put her wing over him pulling him close. They walked off together in the direction of the Princess's quarters.

Chapter 9

“Sigil what are you doing?” asked Silver curiously “The palace is this way”

“I can't go Silver” said Sigil with a sigh

“Why not?” asked Silver

“Look at what I have caused Silver” said Sigil flailing his hoof “Ever since I showed up in their lives bad things have been happening. It's like I am cursed to be alone”

“You don't seriously believe that do you?” said Silver angrily “Without you Twilight would be dead right now!”

“At what cost?!” yelled Sigil back “At the life of an innocent. A dear friend even?” Sigil punched a building in frustration “Was it even worth it?”

“He volunteered himself willingly” said Silver “It was an honorable sacrifice. One worthy of praise and remembrance”

“Was it necessary though?” asked Sigil “Would it have happened if I had never showed up here?”

“I can't answer that” said Silver shaking his head “But I can tell you that everything happens for a reason. You were brought here for a reason Sigil”

“Was I brought here just to make everpony's life a living nightmare?” asked Sigil pacing back and forth in the alley they were standing in They were in between two buildings in the industrial district of Canterlot.

“No It is my belief that you are a good pony Sigil” said Silver “You were brought here to look over these ponies”

“Then why bring you here Silver?” asked Sigil angrily “You are a mage hunter and a sell sword. Why bring a mage hunter here if not to hunt a mage?”

“I do not know why I am here” said Silver nodding “This is true, but neither do you. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions Sigil”

“How can you stand there and lecture me about this?” asked Sigil “You have more blood on your paws than I do”

“This is also true” said Silver “Which is why I know that somethings are out of our control. You need to do what needs to be done and face the consequences of your actions”

“That's real sweet coming from the son of The Fallen” said Sigil

“I'd rather you leave my father out of this” said Silver growling “That's a ghost long since buried”

“Whatever” said Sigil “Hate me too everyone else does” He ran off down the alley and into the street disappearing into the crowd “I'll keep my promise regardless” was his final words

________________________________________________________________

Steam yawned as he awoke. He could feel warmth up against his stomach as he tightened his grip on the Alicorn laying next to him in bed. She let out a pleased sigh as she nuzzled his neck and tightened her grip. Steam could feel a slight breeze coming in from the open window and smelt the soft scent of morning dew on the wind.

“It's time to get up Tia” said Steam nuzzling her gently

“I don't want to get up yet” said Celestia with a yawn laying her head on Steams shoulder “I think morning can wait a bit more”

“Aren't you a princess Tia?” laughed Steam bopping her on the nose “Don't you have a job to do?”

“Says the laziest Stallion I know” giggled Celestia “Honestly you can be so cheesy sometimes”

“Why do people keep saying that” asked Steam confused

“I'm sure a smart colt like you will figure it out eventually” said Celestia kissing him on the cheek “I can't thank you enough for staying with me last night”

“It was no problem Tia” said Steam “What are friends for?”

“Yeah...” said Celestia sitting up with a sigh “Friends...”

“Tia are you alright?” asked Steam laying a hoof on her shoulder

“Does she love you?” asked Celestia laying her cheek on Steam's hoof

“Yes” said Steam “Thank you for mentioning her to Shining for me. It must have been hard for you”

“I wish things were different Rusty” said Celestia “She's not the only one who loves you”

“It would never work Tia. You know how lazy I am” said Steam scooting in closer to hug her from behind wrapping his hooves around her stomach “I couldn't handle that much responsibility”

“Why do I have to be a Princess?” asked Celestia putting her hooves on Steam's

“Because you are the correct one for the job Tia” said Steam giving her a squeeze “It's as simple as that”

“Your too sweet sometimes?” said Celestia with a chuckle“Do you know that?”

“You should tell Spitfire that” laughed Steam “She'd love to hear that coming from you Tia”

“I'm sure she would” said Celestia getting out of bed Steam stepped off the bed as well.

“Shall we go great the others” asked Steam walking to the door and opening it

“Yes Rusty let's great them together” said Celestia walking out after him and closing the door with a flash of her horn

They walked down the hallway together in silence for awhile. As they turned the corner Celestia extended her wing over Steam and pulled him closer to her.

“This won't be our last meeting Tia” said Steam “I'll be coming back to visit”

“I know I just wanted to give you something before I have to see you walk away again” said Celestia stepping in front of him

“What do you...” said Steam He was cut off when he felt Celestia press her lips to his. He tried to turn away but felt himself unable too . Even though she was his friend he couldn't help but feel something for the Princess.

Celestia pulled back with a smile and said “There you go”

“Do you do that for all of your friends?” said Steam with a chuckle

“Nope Rusty just for you” said Celestia nuzzling him Steam stepped away quickly and replied

“Well thank you old friend” he said with a smile “I'm sure I'll find some way to repay you for your kindness”

Twilight and Spitfire walk around the corner and trotted up to Steam and the Princess.

“Hello Princess” said Twilight happily nuzzling her mentor “Good morning Steam”

“Good morning Twilight” said Steam with a nod of his head “Hello Spitfire did you sleep well last night?”

“I had a good rest” replied Spitfire giving Steam a quizzical look “How did you sleep?”

“I had to share some memories with an old friend” said Steam with a smile “Nothing for you to worry about”

“Alright” said Spitfire trotting up to Steam and giving him a kiss “I know you wouldn't lie to me”

“The rest of them are waiting out front” said Twilight “we shouldn't keep them waiting”

“Let's get going” said Steam urging them onwards “Goodbye old friend. It was good seeing you again.”

“I agree old friend you should come by more often” said Celestia looking away as they turned the corner She didn't want them to see the tears in her eyes.

The three made their way outside and picked up the others. Once a head count was done they set out across town to Steam's warehouse. They were escorted by four royal guards two in front two in back. It was more for show than protection. As they walked past ponies stepped aside and let them through.

Rainbow loved the attention waving as if she was famous. Fluttershy on the other hoof tried to hide behind her exuberant marefriend. Vinyl was bouncing with each step her headphones over her ears. Octavia was having a formal conversation with Spitfire about how their mornings have gone. Steam was trying to answer Twilight's barrage of questions with little success.

“So where did you go for so many years? Why are you back? How many things have you invented?....” rambled Twilight wanting to know a little too much

“One question at a time please” begged Steam rubbing his forehead

“Oh sorry” said Twilight blushing from embarrassment “It's just your a famous gear-smith”

“is that what they're calling me these days?” laughed Steam “I'm just a normal pony like you. Just calm down and ask your questions”

“Alright” said Twilight nodding “Firstly where did you go for so many years?”

“All over the place actually” replied Steam “I was constantly on the move. I wanted be alone. I didn't care where or how. I ended up staying in Manehattan for two years before I bought an abandoned warehouse back here in Canterlot. Been there ever since.”

“Okay” said Twilight taking mental notes “Why did you leave in the first place? I heard it was an accident”

Steam let out a sigh as he walked “It happened four years ago. There was an explosion at my dormitory in Canterlot University. Octavia was inside it looking for me when it happened. She had heard about a bomb planted by a group called the Nightmares and had come to warn me. Unfortunately for her I wasn't there I had run out of scrap metal for my latest project and went to get some more from my shop teacher.”

“What happened then?” asked Twilight interested

“On my way back I ran into Vinyl. She was in a frenzy screaming that Octavia was in trouble. We hurried over to my dormitory but it was too late, the bomb went off. Fire coated what was remaining of the dorm. Vinyl was frozen in terror at the sight. Against my better judgment, I went inside the flaming building.”

“How bad was it?” asked Twilight a studious look on her face

“The inside of the building was a mess. Support columns were laying around and flames were spreading quickly. I ran through as fast as I could getting singed a little in the process screaming if anyone was there. I heard Tavi whimpering from inside one of the rooms.”

“Was she okay?” asked Twilight looking back at Octavia pleasantly chatting away

“She had been hit in the initial detonation.” replied Steam shaking his head “Her eyes had been seared. She was blinded. I picked her up and carried her out. On the way a pillar fell from the ceiling. I used my wings to catch it and fling it to the side. Doing so I caught my wings on fire. I didn't have time to put them out, nor the means to do so. I just bolted for the exit. Once I got outside I dropped off Octavia and tried to put out my wings”

“Is that how you got your metal wings?” asked Twilight curiously

“Yes” answered Steam nodding his head “After passing out from the pain, I woke in the school infirmary. They told me they had to amputate my wings, they were too damaged to repair even with magic. I was devastated. Later when I was on the go I met a traveling physician. He told me that the nerves my wings connected to still lived. So I built these to replace them.”

“What happened to Octavia?” asked Twilight practically begging

“Her eyes were burned beyond repair” said Steam looking back at his friend with his sightless gaze “The news destroyed her. She is a musician not just by trade but in heart. I couldn't let her lose her dreams because she was looking out for me.”

“What did you do?” asked Twilight lightly

“I gave her my eyes” said Steam pointing to his bandage

“Wow...” said Twilight looking down at her hooves “I didn't know all that. I'm sorry I asked”

“Nah It's no big deal” said Steam with a comforting smile “It happened four years ago. What's done is done. Never wish to undo your past, just try to fix your future.”

“I just don't get one thing” said Twilight confused “I know all this stuff happened too you, but I just don't see why if you would give your friend your eyes. Why would you just leave?”

“Because she took something I felt I couldn't live without.” said Steam looking at Twilight “Bones can mend and buildings can be rebuilt, but friendships and trust. These things are more difficult to repair. That is why I left. I needed a break from it all. I wanted to be alone so that no one could ever hurt me again”

“Its strange” thought Twilight “Even though I know he's blind I can't help but feel he can look straight through me. What else don't I know about this pony?”

“Why did you come back then If you wanted to be alone?” asked Twilight

“Because I finally realized that even though friendships can be a pain in your arse at times” said Steam “It are those friendships that make you strong enough to overcome what life has throw at you. All it took to get me too realize that was a little help from a special somepony.”

“Spitfire?” asked Twilight poking Steam with a hoof

“Yes” said Steam with an adoring sigh “She made me see things with a new light. I could never thank her enough for all she's done for me”

“Well you could always try” said Spitfire with a giggle trotting ahead to join Twilight and Steam

“Glad you could join us” said Steam smiling

“I'll always be at your side Steam” replied Spitfire “besides someone needed to tell you we're here”

“Ah yes” said Steam slowing his pace down rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof “I was too involved in conversation to notice. Thank you Spitfire”

“No problem” she said walking away to join the others near the entrance to the warehouse

Steam was very proud of his warehouse despite it's horrible appearance and cluttered interior. He had spent a good amount of time doing incredible things inside it's walls. One of which was now illuminated as if on display. It stood 35 tail length's tall and dwarfed the rest of Steam's inventions by a landslide.

“Steam is that?” asked Vinyl confused

“Yes Vinyl it is” answered Steam sitting back and sighing his sightless gaze scanning over his creation

It was a massive ship. It was 250 tail lengths wide by 300 tail length long. It seemed to be made out of plated brass and aluminum. Twilight looked closely and could see the rivets connecting each plate on the hull.

“Steam I thought you were never able to find the crash site?” asked Octavia looking at Steam “How ever did you find this”

“I never did” sighed Steam “The Falconer is still lost. I built this one in four years. It was much easier the second time.”

“Excuse me Steam” said Fluttershy quietly “but if it's not asking to much, what is this thing?”

“Everypony I would like to meet the Albatross” said Steam gesturing to the massive ship “It is an Airship of my own invention. It travels on the sea and in the air.”

“How does it do that?” asked Rainbow confused

“It would take way to long to explain” laughed Steam “Just have a little faith in the Albatross. I promise she won't disappoint”

“If you say so...” said Rainbow

“Everyone go on inside” said Steam pulling a lever on the side of the hull Everypony could hear the massive gears turning on the inside of the side as a staircase descended out of the side of the hull. Everypony besides Steam, Twilight and Rainbow climbed on inside. Vinyl and Octavia could be heard directing Spitfire and Fluttershy around the interior of the ship.

“Any reason you two stayed out here?” asked Steam

“Yeah” said Rainbow taking a few steps closer to Steam causing him to take a step back “Why is it that you and the Princess were all buddy buddy? I've never heard anypony call her an old friend before”

“I'm her most trusted student” said Twilight proudly “Even I don't call her that. I would like to know too”

“I've known the Princess for a very very long time.” said Steam casually “Probably longer than you two have been born”

“How long?” asked Twilight curiously

“Let me ask you this” said Steam slyly “How old do you think I am?”

“Maybe 30 years old?” said Rainbow thinking “Maybe 32”

“Thank you for that wonderful compliment Rainbow Dash” laughed Steam “but you are quite a ways off”

“Well then maybe you should tell us how old you actually are?” suggested Twilight

“What good would that do anyone?” said Steam with a smile “besides who doesn't like a little mystery now and then”

Before Twilight and Rainbow could get anymore out of him, a storm began to rage above their heads. It came out of nowhere. It looked as though a tornado had appeared on top of the Albatross. It began swirling around faster and faster shooting lightning off as it did so.

“That's no normal storm” said Rainbow “I've never seen anything like it”

“I have” said Twilight “It looks exactly like the one that brought Sigil here”

“Come on” said Steam spreading his wings As he did so the metal feathers he had separated and a third set unfolded extending his wings to full length. “We need to get to the deck and check it out. Twilight hop on my back”

Twilight hopped on to his back and wrapped her hooves around his neck. As Steam took off buffeting the air with his wings, the sheer force of the take off was like hitting a brick wall. Twilight struggled to stay on as he soared up to the deck. Through her squinting eyes Twilight saw Rainbow landing beside them as they hit the deck.

Twilight released her grip praising Celestia as her hooves hit the floor. The three looked up at the storm over their heads. It began to change into a dark purple color as it swirled faster. A glimmer caught Rainbow's eye as an object was launched from the center of the storm. It flew end over end as it fell towards the Albatross. It hit with a sickening crunch as it plunged itself into the deck.

“What is it?” asked Steam curiously stepping in to get a quick sniff It smelled metallic but it was not a metal he was familiar with.

“It's a sword” said Twilight startled “but it's bigger than any sword I've ever seen”

“Hey the storm is disappearing” said Rainbow pointing with her hoof The storm began to dissipate and soon disappeared as if it had never been there at all. They all looked at the sword with wonder. It stood 6 tail lengths tall with 3 more buried into the deck and it had to be half a tail length thick and a tail length wide.

“Who would use a sword this massive” asked Twilight critically “It seems a little ridiculous to me”

“Because you can't see how awesome this thing is” said Rainbow trotting over to it “Just look at it. So cool” she reached out and touched it's hilt with a hoof She instantly pulled it back screaming in pain. “Ouch that hurts” cried Rainbow shaking her injured hoof

“What just happened” asked Steam concerned “Are you all right Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah I'm fine” said Rainbow casting her glance at the sword again “I don't know what just happened I touched the sword and it felt like fire was flowing over my hoof”

“I'd bet that that sword is cursed” said Twilight inspecting Rainbow's hoof “It didn't do any damage I can see, but I don't think we should try to touch that thing again with out figuring out more about it”

“Good thinking Twilight” said Steam scratching his muzzle with a hoof “But how are we going to get it out of the deck. We can't just leave it there, that would just be asking for trouble later.”

“I could see if I could levitate it out” said Twilight cautiously “I wouldn't physically be touching it”

“I wouldn't do that if I were you” said a snowy white stallion emerging from the shadows under the stairway behind them

“Who are you” asked Rainbow taking a defensive stance

“Wow Rainbow it's me Silverstreak” said the stallion “don't you recognize me?”

“Nice try but last time I checked Silverstreak is a wolf” said Rainbow

“Oh I almost forgot” said Silver facehoofing “A friend of yours cast an illusion on me to make me look like a pony. Couldn't be walking through town scaring everypony, you know?”

“He's telling the truth” said Steam catching his scent “He smells of meat. Tell tale wolf smell”

“How do you know a wolf Rainbow?” asked Twilight

“Silver is the same wolf that helped me fight that hydra back in Ponyville. Fluttershy helped him with his wounds after the fight.” replied Rainbow

“Ah you must be Twilight” said Silver looking at the violet unicorn with a smile “Sorry I didn't get the chance to introduce myself back in Ponyville. You left before I got the chance. Hey is there anyway you could get this illusion of of me?”

“Um.. sure let me see what I can do” replied Twilight unsure she wanted to She had read stories of wolves before, they weren't exactly happy endings. Her horn glowed and Silver began to shimmer and in a few seconds he was back to his normal Wolf self. “There you go. Which one of our friends did that Illusion? It was very well layered”

“Sigil Flare helped me out with it” said Silverstreak looking himself over “I have to say though I'll take being a wolf over a pony any day”

“You don't sound like any wolf I've ever met” said Steam “Who are you really?”

“Who is this?” asked Silverstreak curiously “A new friend?” He tried to look inside the stallions mind to only find a wall blocking him off from the ponies thoughts.

“You can stop trying to read my thoughts Kurt” said Steam with a sly smile “It's not my first encounter with a telepath.”

“You read my thoughts?” asked Silver shocked

“I can see your confused” said Steam with a chuckle “You see Silver when you try to read a “person's” thoughts as you believe you actually extend your mind to touch theirs and view their thoughts. So it was fairly easy for me to catch some of your mind when you attempted to read mine.”

“There is more to you than meets the eye isn't there” said Silverstreak with a smile

“Did you say person?” asked Twilight “Silver you wouldn't happen to be a human as well would you?”

“Not entirely no, but I am part human yes” replied Silverstreak “Why do you ask?”

“I wanted to ask you if you knew that Sigil was a human as well?” said Twilight's

“Yes I knew that Sigil was a human” said Silverstreak licking his paw “Probably by the way he didn't run in terror when I talked to him.”

“Did you know him before he was a pony?” asked Twilight curiously

“You could say that” said Silverstreak licking his paw swiftly “I was just talking to him a moment ago.”

“Do you know where he is now?” Twilight asked

“No I'm sorry I don't. He ran away from me. Said something about keeping his promise as he was running off” said Silverstreak “I didn't give chase because this caught my attention” He pointed a paw at the sword dug into the deck

Silver walked over and went to grab the sword's handle in his mouth.

“Silver don't touch it!” yelled Rainbow trying to stop him “It's cursed”

Silver chomped down on the handle of the sword and heaved it out of the deck. He seemed unphased like he wasn't even effected by the same pain that hurt Rainbow. He swung the sword a few times experimentally before laying it down on the floor at his paws.

“It's not cursed Rainbow” said Silverstreak calmly “At least not for me”

“That's your sword isn't it?” said Steam “That's why you aren't affected by it's enchantment”

“Another brilliant deduction” said Silverstreak with a smile “I'm starting to take a liking to you. What's your name?”

“I am Steam Gear” replied the rust haired Pegasus with a curt bow

“Why does your sword do that to other ponies” asked Rainbow angrily “It really hurts”

“This sword was forged nearly 1500 years ago by the greatest sword smith ever known. It's power was so feared that a group of magician's cursed the blade to only be able to be wielded by one person.” said Silverstreak

“But certainly your not 1500 years old” said Twilight “How did you get it?”

“I got it from killing it's previous wielder” said Silverstreak “And it will go to whomever kills me. That is how it works”

“Does your sword have a name?” asked Rainbow excited “Surely if it's so powerful it will have a really awesome name!”

“This swords original name I couldn't possibly pronounce even if I tried” said Silverstreak running a paw down it's blade “I call it The Oathbreaker”

“That is so cool!” said Rainbow staring at the sword

“So what are you going to do now Silver?” asked Steam “You have your sword”

“I was sort of hoping I could hang with you” said Silverstreak “I don't really know anypony else around here”

“Sure thing Silver you can hang with us it'll be awesome to have you on board” said Rainbow giving him a hoof to paw bump

“As Captain of this ship” said Steam authoritatively “I would like to welcome you aboard the Albatross”

“I hope I can be of some help” said Silverstreak shaking Steam's hoof

“Come on everypony” said Steam ushering them below deck “We should join the others before they wonder where we've gone”

They went down below decks Steam in the lead. As they descended the spiral staircase the got to see some of the internal workings of the ship. It had a ton of steam blocking the heart of it's workings from view but what they could see blew their minds. The gears that were turning were bigger than some of the houses of Ponyville.

“How did you build this?” asked Rainbow jaw dropping

“It wasn't easy let me tell you” said Steam with a chuckle “but I'm stronger than I look”

“You just get more interesting every minute” said Silverstreak “glad I could stick around”

They passed down another floor and were met with a vast hallway of the same riveted brass and aluminum as the outside. It had doors going down it on each side. Looking down to the end of the hallway they saw their friends. As they approached they were given very awkward looks.

“Um.. okay” started Vinyl “Any reason you have a bucking wolf behind you with a ridiculously over sized sword?”

“This is Silverstreak” said Steam patting the wolf on his shoulder “He will be joining us on our voyage”

“I hate to say this Steam” said Octavia “but are you sure it's a good idea to bring a wolf on board a ship with a bunch of ponies?”

“Silver isn't really a wolf” said Twilight “He's a human from another world”

“Oh not this again” said Vinyl “I thought It was just Lyra who was crazy, but now it's the Princess's own student too!”

“I'm not crazy!” said Twilight “It's the truth”

“Vinyl that was very rude” scolded Octavia turning a soft expression on Twilight “I'm sorry about that I'm sure your quite right. It's just that Vinyl's friend Lyra keeps going on and on about humans”

“Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble everypony but I am a human and a Wolf” said Silverstreak

“Your what?” asked Rainbow confused “how is that possible?”

“I am the last of a species called the Tr'dal. We are half human and half wolf.” said Silverstreak

“Still think It's a bad idea” said Vinyl loudly“He eats meat. We're meat!”

“I don't eat only meat” said Silverstreak “Besides I've never liked the taste of pony. To chewy”

“He's practically saying he's eaten a pony before!” said Vinyl a worried look on her face “Your letting him stay on board after that?!”

“Silverstreak?” said Fluttershy poking her head out of a doorway

“Fluttershy” said Silverstreak with a smile “How good to see you again”

“Did you really eat a pony?” asked Fluttershy looking up at the wolf a fearful look in her eye

“Yes” said Silverstreak “Where I come from ponies don't talk. They don't build houses or fantastical flying airships either. They are just an animal for us to eat like cows and chickens.”

“Oh...” said Fluttershy looking down at her hooves

“But I have to say now that I have talked to some ponies” said Silverstreak “I will never eat another pony ever.”

“So you have eaten a pony!” yelled Vinyl in triumph “Steam please tell me your kicking him off the ship now”

“Vinyl” said Silverstreak walking over to her Vinyl's head only came to Silver's shoulder. He towered over her a blank expression on his face. “Let me ask you a question. Your hungry, out of money, wounded badly. If you don't find something to eat you are going to die. The only thing close by for you to eat is a pony. What would you do?”

“I...I don't know” replied Vinyl taking a step back from Silver

“I hope you never have too” said Silverstreak walking back to sit beside Steam

“Well I'd say after that performance we all need something to eat” said Steam clacking his hooves together “Everyone follow me to the dining room and we can get lunch started”

“Alright food” cheered everypony except for Vinyl and Octavia They stayed behind as the rest of them walked off towards the dining room.

“Are you okay Vinyl?” Octavia nuzzling her marefriend worriedly

“I'm fine Tavi” said Vinyl shaking her head getting a grip on herself “I just wasn't ready for that sort of thing you know?”

“None of us were Vinyl” said Octavia comfortingly “But come on it's time for lunch”

“I don't think I'll be able to eat much right now Tavi” said Vinyl trotting alongside her marefriend

“No worries” giggled Octavia bumping her marefriend's flanks with her's “I don't think anypony would blame you”

Chapter 10

It's been two days since the start of our heroes journey. Silverstreak has finally been accepted by the group. It took awhile for Vinyl to warm to the fact he eats meat, but after watching him eat dandelion sandwiches for the last two days, she admitted he wasn't going to eat any member of the crew. It also helped that Silverstreak enjoyed Vinyl's kind of music.

Silverstreak had found a true friend in Rainbow Dash. At first she was aggravated by his seemingly effortless coolness. He always had a serious face on and only put on a smile when it was necessary. After a while though Silverstreak caught Rainbow practicing her acrobatics. At first Rainbow started showing off, no reason not to show off her skills she thought. When she looked back Silverstreak was gone.

Rainbow went looking for him finding him in the sparring quarters. He had set up a very large cube of metal. He wrapped it with his paw, making it give a metallic ting. Rainbow watched as Silverstreak brought his paw back, she lost sight of it as it flashed forward punching a hole straight through the solid metal block. Rainbow's jaw dropped, but Silverstreak didn't stop he kept going.

He brought his paws back and forth in a rhythmic wave of destruction. Rainbow started backing out of the room as the block was turned to rubble in mere seconds. Rainbow froze in place as Silverstreak let out a deep growl and put his paws to his head. He dropped to the floor and writhed as if he was being beaten.

Rainbow immediately flew to his side asking if he was okay, looking him over. He slowly stopped writhing breathing deeply. He removed his paws from his head and let them lay on the floor at his sides.

“Sorry you had to see that” said Silverstreak panting

“What just happened?” asked Rainbow “Should I get help?”

“No I'll be fine” said Silverstreak getting to a sitting position

“Are you sure?” asked Rainbow shooting him a questioning look “You didn't look fine a few seconds ago. Look at what you did to that block” She pointed in the direction of the remains of said block.

“Oh you saw that?” asked Silverstreak looking at his paws his ears drooping “I have no problems if you want me to leave”

“Why in Celestia's name would I want you to leave?” asked Rainbow confused

“Because I'm a berserker” said Silverstreak

“A what?” said Rainbow still not getting it

“A berserker is somepony who, when they get too angry or taste blood, enter a blind rage in which they gain incredible strength and will attack anything in sight” said Silverstreak

“That sounds awesome” said Rainbow excited “Can I do that?”

“No and you don't want to” said Silverstreak with a frown

“Why not?” asked Rainbow frustrated “Am I not allowed to be one?”

“No it's because when your in the berserker state you can't stop yourself” said Silverstreak looking away “You'll destroy everything in your path.... even your.... family”

“Oh...” said Rainbow scratching the back of her neck awkwardly “Well in that case I don't think I want to be a berserker, but why were you so angry?”

“I say you practicing your flying” admitted Silverstreak with a awkward smile “I've always wanted to fly”

“You could have said something” said Rainbow with a smirk “You didn't have to come down here and wreck stuff”

“I'm not one for talking about stuff” said Silverstreak shrugging his shoulders

“Hey I'm your friend Silver.” said Rainbow putting a hoof on his shoulder “If you ever wanna talk about stuff come see me alright?”

“Really?” asked Silverstreak a gleam in his eye

“Really” said Rainbow with a chuckle “I'd never leave a friend hanging”

After that Silverstreak started coaching Rainbow Dash in fighting techniques and Rainbow helps Silverstreak handle his anger. They asked Steam Gear if they could fix up the sparring quarters to use as a training ground. With his permission they started renovations.

The next day Steam had called everyone else into the chart room to discuss their course.

“Alright with Silverstreak now aboard we are going through supplies faster than originally thought” said Steam “We need to make port somewhere to resupply”

“What about Stalliongrad?” asked Vinyl hopefully

“Vinyl that's north.” said Octavia face hoofing “we're going south”

“I know I've just always wanted to go to Stalliongrad” said Vinyl with a smile

“Steam why don't we head east towards Fillydelphia?” said Spitfire pointing a hoof at the chart displayed on the table in front of themselves “It's only a day away if we divert course now”

“That won't work with the wind we have now” said Steam with a shake of his head “It's blowing from the east. We'd lose more time than we'd gain”

“Why not go to Las Pegasus?” suggested Octavia “It's two days away to the east but with the wind behind our sails it should be less than a day and a half”

“Smart suggestion Octavia” said Steam with a smile “I didn't take you for a sailor”

“Tavi stayed up all night yesterday studying boating” said Vinyl with a chuckle “She's such an egg head sometimes”

“Some of us prefer to be useful Vinyl” said Octavia defensively “Don't you agree Twilight?”
Twilight was over in the corner of the room with a glazed look in her eye. She didn't even acknowledge Octavia's statement.

“Hey Twilight, anypony home?” yelled Vinyl rather rudely

“Huh... what?” asked Twilight shaking her head

“Are you okay dear?” asked Octavia concerned for her new friend and shooting a venomous look at the DJ sitting beside her “You don't look well”

“Nah I'm fine” said Twilight rubbing her eye with a hoof “Just a little tired is all”

“What do you think about going to Las Pegasus?” asked Steam curiously

“Isn't that a little off course?” asked Twilight staring at the map on the table a little to noticeably “Shouldn't we be going south?”

“Dear we just decided to go that way to get some supplies” said Octavia “You sure your okay?”

“I'm fine!” yelled Twilight defensively “Just didn't sleep well is all”

“Wow Twilight” said Vinyl laughing “No need to yell”

“I'm gonna go take a walk” said Twilight getting up and walking out of the room “Las Pegasus will work out fine, I'm sure you know what your doing”

Octavia gave Vinyl an odd look. Steam looked over to Spitfire, who nodded in silent reply. She got up excused herself and left to follow the lavender unicorn. Turning the first corner she caught a glimpse of Twilight's tail disappearing around a corner and began to sneak after her. Spitfire followed her up the spiral staircase to the deck.

She stayed out of sight as best she could, ducking behind barrels when Twilight would occasionally look over her shoulder. It was obvious to Spitfire, wherever she was going, Twilight didn't want anypony following her. She lost her as she ducked past the front mast onto the bow of the Albatross.

Spitfire got closer to see if she could spot Twilight. She spotted the unicorn sitting on the edge of the bow her front hooves over the edge swaying in the breeze. Spitfire breathed a sigh of relief. All Twilight wanted was a good view and a breath of fresh air. She turned to leave, but stopped as she heard a soft crying sound.

Twilight was crying softly, the noise almost drowned out by the wind. Spitfire knew she couldn't just leave her there like this. She trotted over and sat down next to her. Twilight took no notice of her until she reached out and touched Twilight's shoulder with her nose.

“Twilight?” asked Spitfire gently

“Spitfire?” replied Twilight her ears folding down in shame “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see if you were alright?” said Spitfire reaching out a comforting hoof

“I told you I'm fine” said Twilight batting away the hoof “Now go away. I want to be alone”

“I'm not going anywhere” replied Spitfire sternly

“Fine” said Twilight irritably “then I will”

“Is this about Sigil Flare?” asked Spitfire a quizzical expression on her face

“What are you talking about?” asked Twilight in a panic “He's just a friend”

“I didn't say he was anything more” giggled Spitfire “but I'd say he's a lot more than just a friend, if he gets that response from you”

“Oh...” said Twilight looking at her hooves It was obvious to Spitfire that Twilight had remorse written all over her. Head down, ears drooped, and eyes closed.

“Twilight I know Sigil didn't show up at the meeting a few days ago” said Spitfire “I'm beginning to think you know why”

“I...I” stumbled Twilight forcing the words out “I yelled at him”

“For what happened to Spike?” asked Spitfire

“How...?” asked Twilight confused

“Fluttershy told me” Spitfire answered

“Yes, for what happened to Spike” said Twilight rambling “I was mad and confused and and”

“It's okay Twilight” said Spitfire

“No it is NOT okay” yelled Twilight forcably closing her eyes as she remembered “I said horribly things. Things I wish I had never said. I told him he wasn't a pony, That I never wanted to see him ever again” She grabbed her head in her hoofs and yelled in frustration tears streaming down her face

“It's not your fault” said Spitfire trying her best to try and keep Twilight calm

“Don't you get it!?” screamed Twilight glaring at Spitfire a pained look in her lavender eyes “It's all my fault. I am the element of MAGIC ITSELF! If hadn't have lost to Trixie none of this would have happened to him!”

“Don't say things like that!” said Spitfire in a worried tone

“Why not? It's true” said Twilight angrily banging her hoof on the deck “All he wanted to do was start over. To FORGET about all the bad things. To make FRIENDS, ponies that care about him, who's lives he wouldn't put in danger just by being ALIVE. I was his ONLY one! And I let him down....” Twilight's entire body shook with the force of her anger and frustration

“TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” roared Silverstreak walking up to her and looking down on her She looked up at him with tear stained cheeks and fearful eyes. Silver drew his lips back in a snarl as he spoke “LISTEN TO ME!”

“Silverstreak...” mouthed Spitfire choosing not to interfere yet

“Listen to yourself!” said Silverstreak growling angrily “Your whining like a little foal! You messed up, so what? Beating yourself up and destroying yourself from the inside out won't help.”

“But...” replied Twilight fearfully Silverstreak wrapped a paw around Twilight's neck his claws gripping her fur and hoisted her off the ground shaking her a bit

“You are the pony that discovered the Elements of Harmony” said Silverstreak “You said yourself you are the Element of Magic. I know your no Rainbow Dash, but show a little loyalty towards your friends. If you really are his only friend, then you need to be there for him. Your only as strong as your determination to be strong”

Silverstreak then threw Twilight across the deck. She landed a few feet away her back aching from impacting the hard metal of the deck. She shook her head getting rid of her daze and caught Silver's gaze before he turned around. It was a look of disapproval and longing.

“Now pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and buck up” said Silverstreak beginning to walk away

“Why are you doing this?” asked Twilight “Why are you helping me”

Silverstreak stopped and not looking back at Twilight and replied “because... Sigil Flare deserves better than me” Then he walked out of view

“Are you alright?” asked Spitfire

“Don't worry. I'm okay” laughed Twilight “I've fallen out of bed enough times that this is nothing”

“What did he mean Sigil deserves better than him?” asked Spitfire confused

“I have no idea” replied Twilight thinking “But I think there's more to that wolf than meets the eye” Twilight noticed a glint in the corner of her eye. At first glance it looked like a small black box. Upon closer inspection it was a solid black cube with a golden band running along it's middle. On top it had a very familiar looking Arcane Sigil.

“What's this?” asked Twilight picking up the cube in her hoof

“I don't know I've never seen anything like it” replied Spitfire a studious look on her face

Twilight touched her hoof to the Sigil on top and it flashed bright lavender. The box let out a blast of air and the gold band split in half the top levitating off the cube splitting it in half. In the middle of the now floating cube was a black semi translucent orb. Suspended inside the orb was a brightly glowing star.

There was a note inside. It read as follows:

Dear Twilight,

A gift from Sigil's late father. A family heirloom if I remember correctly. There's an old saying my father used to tell me. When your lost, look to the stars, and they will light your path.

Silverstreak

“I don't believe it....” stammered Twilight in shock and amazement

“What,” asked Spitfire “do you recognize this thing?”

“It's a Lorestone” answered Twilight deadpanning “I thought they were just a myth...”

“What's a Lorestone” asked Spitfire prodding the orb “I've never heard of them before”

“A Lorestone is something said in an old marestail.” explained Twilight “The story goes that a Unicorn was on his way home one night and used a star to guide his path. When he looked to the sky the following night he couldn't see the star in the sky and got lost. When his wife realized he had not come home she grew worried. She had often heard her husband speak of his guiding star. Finding it in the sky she used her magic to pull out of the sky. Doing so she broke it into pieces. These pieces of star were to be named Lorestones. When the unicorn finally return home he met his wife smiling at the door. She handed him a glowing stone in the shape of a star and said “If ever you find yourself lost again, throw this into the sky to find your way home”

“So why would Silver give you this then?” asked Spitfire confused scratching her head with a hoof “It doesn't make sense”

“Don't you get it?” asked Twilight figuring it out “Who is lost right now? Sigil Flare! He said he would be following us. Silver said he deserved better than him. He was talking about me! He wants me to use the Lorestone to guide Sigil home. Back to me!” She felt like floating away in joy

“That sounds wonderful and all” said Spitfire “but how did he get Sigil's father's Lorestone in the first place?”

“I don't know” said Twilight seriously “But I'm going to find out.”
___________________________________

Sigil sat in a coffee shop in the outskirts of Canterlot, his head laid in his hooves in defeat. He'd failed. Within the first day he had lost track of the giant ship that Twilight had embarked upon. He had been forced to retreat back to Canterlot so as not to get lost. Now he had no idea where Twilight was headed and no way to follow her. It seemed hopeless.

What's worse is that he couldn't get her out of his head. Every time Sigil closed his eyes he saw her face in tears as he was walking away. He took a look at his mug of coffee in front of him on the table. He smacked it off the table with a hoof and it shattered on the floor. The ponies in the coffee shop turned to look at who made the noise.

The shattered mug glowed a faint gold and began piecing itself back together. It flew up and landed back on the table in front of Sigil causing him to look up into the face of princess Celestia herself.

“That's very disrespectful to your host” said Princess Celestia sitting across from Sigil

“What are you doing here?” asked Sigil inspecting the newly reformed coffee mug “How did you find me?”

“I noticed you walking in here and thought I would check up on you.” replied Celestia “Make sure your okay”

“I'm terrific” replied Sigil laying his head on the table “So glad you decided to stop by”

“Don't you sound happy” said Shining Armor walking into the coffee shop

“Ah Shining” said Celestia smiling “What are you doing here?”

“I always come here on Tuesdays” said Shining with a smile “The have half priced lattes. I do wonder why it is you are here Princess?”

“I was just checking up on your Sigil Flare” replied Celestia pointing a hoof at Sigil

“So your Sigil Flare” said Shining glaring at him “What are you doing here instead of chasing after my sister?”

“Your sister?” asked Sigil worriedly “Your Twilight's brother? Look if your here to beat me up or something just do it now and save me sometime”

“As much as that sounds like fun” said Shining handing him a letter “I actually wanted to give you this letter. It's from an old roommate of mine. He just happens to be on the ship Twilly's on board. You may want to take a gander at it.”

“How did you get this?” asked Sigil “How did he know you would give it to me?”

“he sent it with his falcon Talon. It is dated yesterday.” said Shining “That's just how he works. Sometimes I feel like he can see the future.”

“Do you know what it says?” asked Celestia enjoying all the mystery, a pleasant smile on her face

“I didn't open it” replied Shining dutifully “It was addressed to Sigil Flare”

“Could it be from Twilight?” asked Sigil hope shining in his eyes

“It could be” answered Celestia motioning for him to open it “Why not open it and find out?”

Sigil grabbed the letter in his magic and tore it open and skimmed over the contents. He wore a confused expression on his face when he lowered the letter to the table.

“I don't get it” said Sigil “It only has two sentences!”

Shining Armor grabbed the letter and read it aloud “If this letter finds you lost, look to the night sky. There you will find a star most bright, shining with a lavender light.”

“I understand it perfectly” said Celestia with a smile “It's a set of instructions for you to follow”

“What are you talking about?” asked Shining “How can you understand it?”

“Because it's written like the poems an old friend used to write.” said Celestia “He saying that if you got lost you should wait until the sun sets and look to the sky. If you find a star shining brighter than the others, with a lavender light follow that one.”

“How can a light shine with lavender light?” asked Sigil “that seems impossible”

“Think about it for a second” said Celestia with a chuckle “Do you two know any Lavender Unicorns?”

“Do you mean a Lorestone?” asked Sigil beginning to understand “Where did Twilight get one?”

“I don't know but that is what the letter says” said Celestia

“What are you two talking about?” asked Shining confused “What's a Lorestone?”

“How do I follow her though” asked Sigil “She must be miles away by now”

“Sigil” said Celestia “You know spells that Equestria could only dream of. Surely you must have some way to catch up to them”

“I will think of something Princess be sure of that” said Sigil blushing at her praise “I must go off to prepare whatever it is I am going to be doing” He stood up and began to trot for the door

“Take good care of my Niece” said Celestia with a chuckle as he walked out the door

Once Shining Armor had gotten himself and Celestia a latte, he sat down across from the Princess. Handing her the latte he said

“I sure hope Uncle knows what he's doing” said Shining “If not I fear that Sigil will be sadly disappointed”

“Don't worry” replied Celestia sipping on her latte “I know my brother better than anypony. He knows what he's doing or he wouldn't be doing it.”

“Still though,” said Shining wiping off a latte foam goatee with a hoof “Don't you think we should have told Twilly that he was her Uncle?”

“And take away the fun of telling her himself?” chuckled Celestia