A Tale of Something New

"I'm sorry that you had to keep that thing on for so long, but after the fireworks incident we just couldn't trust you to not use your magic before you completely recovered," spoke a soft voiced Nurse Redheart. Nurse Redheart, a white Earth Pony with a light pink mane and a red cross for a Cutie Mark, has been visiting with the doctor ever since we met over a year ago. She's a bit strict, as evidenced by the seal she had to have put on me after a certain incident, but has been very nice and patient with me throughout my entire recovery.

"I said I was sorry, and it's not like the spell used a lot of my magic," I stated defensively. "In my defense the book didn't say that I had to point the spell to the sky, and the fires were small enough that they were put out almost immediately." She raised an eye brow at that last statement with a slight chuckled afterwards. She removed my seal, which was on a full 2 weeks longer than it took for me to recover, with a special liquid she brought with her and did one last examination over me to ensure there weren't any side effects.

"Congratulations, Cherry Blossom, you have made a full recovery," said a smiling nurse after the examination.

"Thank you, Nurse Redheart," responded with a smile, "is there any reason Doctor- "

"He had bad case of the cold, and yes, even doctors can get colds if they don't take care of themselves," Interjected Nurse Redheart as if she was a mind reader. "Now off you go, I bet Ms. Belle will be eagerly awaiting the results." With that I nodded, hugged her, and ran off.

“So, I take it your planning on going soon?” asked Sugar Belle while working on the filling for the cake.

“The day after tomorrow,” I responded adding the finishing touches to the batter, “there’s a train that heads to the Crystal Empire on that day.”

“What are you two planning on doing there?” she stops and gives me a curious look.

“They say that the Crystal Empire is in the middle of an eternal snow storm,” I reply, “if I were trying to make a place where I didn’t want to be found, then that’s where I’d build it.”

She tapped her chin for a second. “I can see your logic, but do be careful.” She then stops, levitates the finished batter to herself, and begins to pour it into the cake molds. “They say the frozen north is terrible, and the creatures there are comparable to those you would find in the Everfree Forest.”

“They also say that Windigos still thrive there, but we all know those have been extinct since the time of Clover the Clever,” added a very tired looking blue kitten after coming in from her nap.

“Azurinne!” I go to her, but am stopped by Sugar Belle’s magic holding me in place.

“You know the rules; no petting while baking,” I pout, but nod my head and begin working on the frosting. “Azurinne, I’ll have you know that there may still be some left, or at least something that may be similar.” To that Azurinne lifted an eye brow. “Starlight and I were once talking about it, and she said that Sunburst found evidence of a strange kind of Ice that starts to melt near happy ponies, but got colder the angrier the ponies got.”

“Sunburst?” I ask curiously, noting the frosting was ready and putting it in the fridge.

“A foalhood friend of Starlight’s and the royal wizard to the Crystal Empire,” she replied as she made sure the filling was also put into keep cool. After the cake was completed, we put it in a location to await tomorrow.

As I sat in the bed, I could hear the faint sound of talking coming from downstairs. I think Sugar Belle and Big Mac were having a rather interesting conversation, but I couldn’t hear anything concrete. “Today was really fun wasn’t it, Azurinne?” The kitten being questioned simply nodded with her usual grin. “Azurinne, I know you said you don’t know why you reverted to a kitten, but you never told me why you stopped a lot of the antics you used to do back when we first met.”

“Simply put, I can’t,” stated Azurinne, “most of those abilities come with age, and at my current reverted age, the most I can float and speak any language that suits me, as well as use my claws for basic self defense.” The cat began to float up to be beside me. “How’d everyone take the news?”

“I think they took it rather well. Most were smiling, but I still felt like they were holding back,” I replied. “The Crusaders took it the hardest, but they eventually came around after they made me promise to visit Ponyville sometime on our journey.” I look to the three fillies in question as they slept in the bed. “I’m surprised we didn’t get to do much as far as a sleepover goes.”

“You realize it’s well past midnight, right?” I blinked as her words sunk in.

“I guess that’s why I’m so tired,” I say in a surprised tone. I began feeling sleepy as I was reminded of just how long I had stayed up for. Mom would have had my head if she found me awake, and I was betting Sugar Belle would be no different. “I guess we better get some rest as well, we start tomorrow, and the train station is a bit far from town. Good night, Azurinne.”

“Good night, Cherry Blossom.”

Morning came a little later than any pony expected. Apple Bloom and Big Mac, both being farm ponies, were the first to wake up, followed by Sugar Belle and Azurinne. Myself, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo took a little longer to wake up. We had breakfast, and everyone made sure to clean up after themselves. After that we all went down to the edge of town in the direction of the station.

“Are ya sure you have ta go?” asked Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, do you even know if you'll be able to find them there?" Sweetie Bloom added.

"For all you know, your parents might be in some volcano lair or something," spoke Scootaloo finishing the trio's thoughts.

I smiled at them before closing my eyes thinking about my next words carefully. "I admit you're right, and I more than likely won't find them there. I'm still going though, even if it's a wild goose chase, even if I find nothing and come back empty handed," I open my eyes and stare into the eyes of the three fillies trying desperately to make me stay, "I'll still go because that's how I was raised. I believe that I'll find something. I believe that at least a clue to finding my parents is there, and I believe that when I come back, my friends will be smiling with warm hugs and open arms." This made the three of them smile wide, although tears running down their eyes was more than evident.

"Goodbye girls, thank you for being my best friends," they nod. "Goodbye Night Glider, I'll be sure to watch the weather out there," She nods. "Goodbye Double Diamond, and thank you for the retractable skis," I shake my saddle bag as he nods. "Goodbye Party Favor, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for anything fun," he laughs and then gives me a grin. As I go down the line telling my goodbyes to each of the townsfolk, I finally reach Sugar Belle.

"Goodbye Cherry Blossom, thank you for adding something I never knew I needed in my life." At this point I can't hold back my own tears as I rush and give her the tightest hug I could.

"Goodbye Sugar Belle, you were like a second mother to me, and I know someday you'll make a great one to some lucky foal," I feel some tears landing on my mane. I break the hug and go on my way as I hear every pony shouting their goodbyes.

Azurinne appeared next to me from a nearby building. "We are going to have to hurry up a bit, but we should still make it with enough time to catch the train." I nod and we pick up the pace as the cries of the town's farewells fades away.

"I'm coming mom and dad, and I'll find you no matter how long it takes."