Everfree Forest, P.o.v- Jay

"Jay, are you okay?" Celestia asked seeing the tears rolling down my cheeks. I blinked a few times realizing that I was suddenly crying for some reason.

"Y-Yeah, I uh, I-I don't know why I'm getting so choked up" I said wiping the tears away, but they continued coming down my cheeks. "What's happening to me, it's like my body is thinking for itself... I-I cant stop crying!"

"Alright, I checked on Snowflake and ms. Dash, other than a sore shoulder and arm, they'll both be just fine" Violet said walking back with a clipboard in hand, she looked up from said clipboard and almost immediately dropped it when she noticed me crying. "Jay what's wrong, is something hurting, did I miss a broken bone, was I being too mean earlier!?" She asked me frantically but I shook my head for all of them.

"I don't know, I just started crying out of nowhere for no reason" I said, clutching the area above my heart. "Why am I feeling so much pain, what's wrong with me?"

"My guess is that you have a broken heart" We heard a soft voice say from behind the group, we looked to see princess Cadance and Shining armor, although he looked worse for wear. Knowing that they were okay was one thing, but the thing that caught our attention was the woman standing next to them wearing a female guards cream colored tunic and brown pants that sported calf high leather boots, knee guards and a leather chest piece to complete the whole outfit. The woman looked like she made to wear such an attire due to her fit body, but the way she was shyly looking away and fiddling with her armor made it clear she wasn't cut out for something such as that.

"A broken heart?" I asked and the woman nodded, making her way over to me. She kneeled down and brought her hands up to my cheeks to wipe the tears away. "W-What are you talking about, and who are you!?" I demanded, pulling her hands off of me, that's when I noticed that the crying had ceased almost immediately. Actually, my sadness was gone as well, almost like it removed somehow.

"Oh, I am so sorry, please excuse my rudes, my name is Emerald Melody, I am the youngest of one brother and four sisters, and I can alter emotions, as well as feelings, with my magic" Emerald said. "Oh, and I do love flying from time to time" She finished much to everyone's confusion until Cadance cleared her throat and pointed to Emerald then to her own wings an horn.

"No way... are you serious!?" I asked the woman who nodded, I turned Emerald around and, lo and behold, she had wings that matched her skin color. "Violet, are you seeing this!?"

"How is-that just can't be possible!" Violet exclaimed, coming next to me and touching the young girls wings, causing her to yelp and even made her spring them open suddenly. "You're part of the Alicorn race!?"

"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted in shock seeing the, apparently new Alicorn woman standing before them.

"Uhm... can you please not do that again" Emerald asked Violet, blushing while she folded the wings back up.

"Oh... OH! I am so sorry ms. Melody, I shouldn't have touched your wings without your permission, please forgive me!" Violet pleaded as she apologized profusely.

"I don't understand, how can there be another person that comes from the Alicorn race, I thought Celestia, Luna and Cadance were the only one's" I said, completely confused about the whole situation.

"I would like to know as well, how in equestria could their be another person just like us, Cadance I understand because she ascended, but how did you become one?" Luna asked as she marched over to the girl, looking down at her slightly since Emerald came up to neck level with Luna. Emerald didn't say anything for a moment, though it looked like she was studying Luna's face for a bit, then she grew a big smile and hugged her as tight as she could. "Hey, unhand me this instant!"

"I'm so happy to finally see you again big sis Lulu!" Emerald said, getting the woman to freeze in place at the little nickname.

"Pfft... big sis Lulu?" I questioned, trying my hardest not to laugh.

"Hang on a second, if princess Luna is her big sister, doesn't that also make princess Celestia her big sister as well?" Pinkie queried, getting everyone to look at the sun princess.

"Wha-But I don't even remember having two little sisters!?" She exclaimed. "A-And who knows if she's even telling the truth!"

"Sorry ta say princess, but that their girl wasn't lying the entire time she was talkin" Applejack said, getting a look from Celestia. "What?"

"*sigh* Ms. Melody, can you please explain to us how you know my sister's na-"

"Sunnybun! I've missed you so much as well!" Emerald exclaimed, letting Luna go and wrapped herself around Celestia. "Hey Sunnybun, how did those snapdragons I planted in mother's garden turn out, I bet they became beautiful!" She said much to everyone's surprise at not just knowing Celestia garden but also her nickname.

"Sunnybun?" Celestia asked and it looked like it triggered something in her mind.

"Oh it's so good to see you two again... but where's mother?" Emerald asked then something clicked in her head that made her frown. "Oh... that's right" she muttered in a sad tone, she slowly unhanded Celestia and looked at the ground. "She's not here anymore"

"Correct, she vanished almost a few thousand years ago, yet you speak about her as if it just happened" Celestia said, slightly intrigued.

"Because to me... it did just happen" Emerald said, tears slowly welling up then falling down her cheeks. "I've been trapped inside that accursed Nightmare form ever since mother vanished all those years ago!" She cried out, getting surprised and shocked look's from the two sisters.

"Nightmare form... you mean like how Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon?" I asked, though she looked at me with confusion.

"Night.... Nightmare Moon?" Emerald asked and she looked to Luna who looked away in shame. "Not you too big sis Lulu... you were the happiest amongst us all"

"Yes, well... people change I suppose" Luna retorted a little coldly. "I take it that what Jay asked is true then?"

"Yes, it's hard for me to say because I know not of how you'd react, but... I'm Queen Chrysalis" Emerald said, getting us all taken aback.

"You mean... that horrible woman who was hurting everyone I cared for... was you" I said getting up and started walking towards her. "Where's Thomas?" I asked, Violet could feel my anger slowly rising so she went to try and stop me.

"Jay, calm yourself honey, if what she says is true then she didn't have any involvement with the invasion" Violet said but I didn't stop.

"Where is Thomas?" I asked again, the anger currently rising even higher.

"I... I don't know who that- ah!" Emerald yelped as I lifted her up by the shirt and glared daggers at the girl. "P-Please, I-I don't know anyone named Thomas!"

"Where's my friend!" I demanded, then suddenly felt a hard slap go across my face.

"Put the girl down you idiot, don't you know it's cowardly to hit a defenseless woman" Jackson said, retracting his hand back to him. The slap snapped me out of my rage and I let the girl down, I was ashamed of myself for even considering the possibility of hurting her. I walked off in a random direction and didn't look back. "Violet... help him calm down a little more, I think he needs you right now" Jackson said and the girl nodded before rushing after me.

3rd P.o.v

"I'm sorry about my friend Emerald, you see, your Nightmare form put us through a lot of hell and we are all a bit on edge at the moment. You seem like you're a nice girl so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I would like to know where my friend Thomas is if you have any clue" Jackson said and Emerald hung her head.

"I'm sorry, I don't know anyone of that name" Emerald said and Jackson sighed at this response.

"Emerald here actually appeared right after we finished firing that beam of magic we used earlier... she was the only person their" Cadance said, it took a moment for the other's to realize it, but Luna was the first to understand what they meant.

"Please tell me you're joking... please let it be a joke" Luna said, her voice getting caught in her throat. Cadance wanted to say more but all that came out was a heavy sigh of sorrow.

"Thomas... *sigh*... we finished the spell after a few more minutes so we went back to Thomas and Chrysalis, however we ran into a... minor set back" Shining started, feeling his soon to be wife's hand run over his brand new jagged scar. "Thomas jumped on Chrysalis as a last hail mary attempt that soon lead to Chrysalis' demise... unfortunately it led to his demise as well" He finished, finally letting the pieces fit into place.

"My god... I can't believe it" Jackson said in disbelief, falling to his knees and holding back his tears. "Thomas... Thomas you fuckin.... fuck" he said, hanging his head and cried silently.

"You're lying" Snowflake said, getting everyone's attention. They looked and saw a silently sobbing Rainbow Dash holding hands with the snowy white girl. "He can't be gone, he promised that he'd be okay"

"Im sorry kid... he's gone, he uh... he went out like a true hero" Shining said, his tone also a bit gloomy.

"No... no!" Snow cried out, making the other's flinch at her voice. "Thomas is not dead you hear me, he's not..." she trailed off, letting her tears finally fall from her eyes.

"I think you're right little girl" Cadance said, gaining all their attention. "Before we blasted them with our magic, he wanted us to tell you something"

"What?" Rarity asked.

"'I will find my way home'" She said. "It's funny, right before they both got blasted he was laughing so much it almost like he planned the whole thing from the very beginning" Cadance said, which made Jackson chuckle.

"Of course that idiot would laugh in death's face... if he said he'd find his way back, then I believe he'll come back to us" Jackson said in confidence.

"We can worry about that at a later date, for now I think we have some work to do" Luna said, making the now homeless citizens of Canterlot known. "It will take at least a few months to rebuild everything that was destroyed in the city even with the most skilled of carpenters" She said which made the others think about the situation.

"... Oh! Ah think Ah know just the people ta help rebuild this place" Applejack said.

"I also believe ponyville has quite the group of capable doctors and nurses that will be more than happy to help the injured" Rarity threw in.

"For now we have to make sure the people of Canterlot are well, I believe I have enough magic to teleport us to ponyville while Applejack writes a letter to the people she knows" Celestia stated then remembered her 'brand new sister'. "You will stay with ms. Fluttershy for the time being, if word got out that you were the cause of all this then everyone will be hellbent on killing you, for now just pretend you're a regular magic-user" She said, even though Emerald felt saddened by the request she still agreed since she knew her sister was right.

"Rarity, me and you will go gather the doctors and nurses in ponyville along with any able person willing to help these people in need" Jackson said and Rarity nodded. "Twilight I want you, Spike and Applejack to send that letter to the people she knows and then set up a few medical tents for the injured"

"Got it" Twilight said.

"Rainbow... I want you to look after Snowflake, just until we get everything sorted out, sound good?" Jackson asked the woman who wiped her eyes and nodded. "Everyone knows what their job is?" He asked, they all nodded. "Then it's time to get to work people"

Rainbow's House, 8:05 a.m. , 2 Months After Emeralds Invasion

"Snowflake I hope you're dressed, cause you're gonna be late!" Rainbow called up to the girl who was still in her room.

"I.... feel sick!" Snowflake replied from her room much to Rainbows disappointment, she looked at the clock on the wall then sighed.

"Im coming up kid!" Rainbow announced before going up the stairs and walked to Snow's room, she slowed down slightly when she passed Thomas' room. Rainbow looked at the door feeling a wave of sadness come over her, but she quickly shook it away and continued towards Snowflakes room. "Snow... you doing okay?" Rainbow asked, opening the door a bit.

"I feel sick" Snow answered, though, Rainbow knew that was a flat out lie. "I don't think I can make it to school, in fact, I should probably stay here until it's over" she said making Rainbow snicker at her boldness.

"C'mon kid, school isn't that bad" Rainbow said, mentally laughing at the statement. "I'm sure you'll feel a whole lot better if you found some kids to play with that are around your age" she said, coming into the room.

"But I like playing with you, and you're old!" Snow said getting her cheek pinched.

"Im nineteen you brat, and I like playing with you too, but I think it'll be more fun if you had more friends to play with incase I'm too tired" Rainbow said, letting her cheek go.

"But what if they make fun of me?" She asked.

'Now that's cute' Rainbow thought before humming. "Then ignore them, words can hurt but that's if you let them" she said. "This is something Thomas once told me when I was feeling what you're feeling, 'Who cares what other people think, they don't decide who you are, you do. You are, who you choose to be'"

"Mr. Thomas said that?" Snow asked to which the speedster nodded. "I think I kinda get it... but wait, why would you be scared of people making fun of you?"

"Uh-well-that's-uh..... a-anyways, just don't let their words get to you and just be yourself, I even think I know who your first friends might be" Rainbow said, getting them back on track. "I know these past two months have been hard on both of us, but we know that one day Thomas'll come back, so why don't you just have some fun until he does"

"I'll try... I still think I'm gonna be made fun of" Snow said but Rainbow flicked her in the middle of her forehead.

"Just remember those words and everything will be fine, now hurry up and get dressed, you're late as is" Rainbow told her before the two got up, Snow went and put on a fresh pair of clothes then went to the bathroom to do her daily routine while Rainbow went downstairs and sat on the couch. "*sigh* Hope everyone else is having fun rebuilding Canterlot, I know I gotta take care of Snow but I didn't think it be this tough, she's been like this for a month already... I have no idea what I'm doing, but neither did my parents and neither did their parents so I guess this is parenthood or guardian hood in my case" she said to herself before hearing a knock at the front door.

She got up to go check, she made it to the door and opened to see Applejack with Apple bloom next to her. Just as Rainbow was about to say something Rarity popped up behind her with Sweetie belle and Scootaloo.

"What's up you guy's and why aren't they at school?" Rainbow asked the two.

"Well you see, Ms. Cheerlie posted at the school saying she was feeling a little sick after staying up late reading to the children in the remaining medical tents" Rarity answered, making Rainbow 'oh' at this. "So we thought we'd introduce the kid's to little Snowflake"

"Oh, she was getting ready so she should be down any minute now" Rainbow said. "You guys wanna come in?"

"Be happy too, so how you feelin Dash?" Applejack asked as the five walked into the house. "Haven't seen ya since my cousins stopped here for supplies two months ago, oh yeah, they also said that it'll take another two more months to finish rebuilding the city, Ah tell ya, havin magic-user's in the construction business sure came in handy" she said while Rainbow closed the door then walked back to the couch.

"Well I'm glad they're almost done, and to answer your question about where I've been, I've been here taking care of Snowflake" Rainbow said, which made the girls a little perplexed. "What, is it hard to believe I'm taking care of a child?"

"Well... a little, I thought at this point you were able to find her parents" Rarity said but noticed Rainbow looking slightly sad an grim. "Whats the matter darling?"

"Well... remember how Thomas arrived with only Snow?" Rainbow asked and they nodded. "It was Just Snow" she rephrased it, a few seconds passed as they thought about the words and then it clicked.

"Their dead?" Applejack asked, the only one out of the two brave enough to ask. Rainbow said nothing but nodded, answering Applejack's question, making Rarity gasp in shock. "Gosh, poor kid"

"I had no idea, I thought they got separated, that poor little girl" Rarity said in a hushed voice, though the little trio was nowhere to be seen. "Where did those three head off too?" She questioned, only to be answered by the sounds of laughter echoing in the house.

"Guess there with Snow, wonder what their laughing about" Rainbow said and the three got up to go see what was going on. As they climbed the stairs, Rainbow remembered that they had to pass Thomas' room in order to reach Snowflakes room. Taking a silent breath they started walking past the door, but Rainbow suddenly stopped right in front of it unbeknownst to the two going to check on the kids.

Rarity was the first to reach the door and she peered inside, cracking it open just enough for Applejack to look inside as well. They saw the four talking and laughing with one another without a care in the world. After everything they've been through, Applejack and Rarity felt a little more happy seeing the four girls get along with each other.

"So Snowflake, how are liking ponyville?" Sweetie belle asked her.

"It's a lot better than Canterlot, everyone is so much nicer here but I think Im still getting used to it, Ms. Rainbow helps me relax when I feel anxious about being new here" Snow said and Applejack aw'd quietly.

"Ya hear that, Rainbow is really doing a great job takin care of her, it was like she was born for this kinda stuff just like how she was born to be a daredevil" Applejack whispered to Rarity who hummed in agreement.

"I think we don't have to worry about those four getting along anymore, right Rainbow... darling?" Rarity asked only to finally notice that their rainbow haired friend isn't with them. They looked down the hall to see if she was behind them, but they only saw the door next to them open. "Rainbow Dash, are you in here darling?"

"Go away guy's... I don't wanna talk right now" The girl muttered while curled up on the bed.

"Are you alright sugarcube?" Applejack asked, walking into the room and over to Rainbows side. "... How much time have ya actually grieved darlin?" She asked her friend as Rarity closed the door behind her and came over to her side.

"A day" Rainbow answered somberly, making the girl's become worried.

"Darling, I understand that people grieve in their own way... but it looks like you've bottled it all up" Rarity said.

"Does it look that obvious, man I must look pathetic" Rainbow sighed, adding an empty chuckle. "I know he'll come back one day... but it still hurts you know, he was one of my best friends and he's gone for who knows how long... I don't want Snow to see me like this so I push the feelings down until they were almost gone, but everytime I walk past his room I just feel it sting my heart. I keep expecting Thomas to just walk out his room with a smile on his face or be cooking in the kitchen or opening the front door with groceries telling me how Twilight keeps experimenting on him. I just wish he was here and not somewhere we don't even know" Rainbow said and the girls watched as their friend became more and more broken.

"Ya know Rainbow... we understand how you're feelin, we all miss Tommy as much as you, Ah loved havin him come an fool around with me an mah sister's, tryin ta do more work than he should, but we all had time ta understand the situation" Applejack said, placing a hand on Rainbows shoulder. "Yer the only person who hasn't had time ta process such things"

"Maybe you should go see Princess Emerald at Fluttershy's cottage, if I remember correctly she can help with this type of thing, Fluttershy said that the princess helped mend her sadness with her magic" Rarity said and Rainbow kept quiet. "I just hate seeing you suffer like this Rainbow... and I'm sure Snowflake would hate it just as much as us" she told the girl which got her thinking.

"If I keep acting like this I wont be able to take care of Snowflake, and Thomas entrusted me to take care of her... *sigh* I'll go talk to the princess" Rainbow decided and Rarity smiled.

"We know y'all don't like being open about yer feelin's, but this will be good for you, Ah went an Ah feel ten times better" Applejack said and the girl humed. "We'll look after the kid's so go on an see the princess"

"Alright, I'll be back in a bit... can you guys keep this a secret from Snow though" Rainbow asked the two.

"Of course darling, now go before they find out where we are" Rarity said and Rainbow slowly rose to her feet before quietly walking out of the room then quietly exit the house. "I've never seen her this depressed before, losing Thomas must've been really hard on her"

"Ah know what ya mean Rares, Twilight was acting weird as well an even princess Celestia told us that princess Luna wont come outta her room unless it's for food and water" Applejack said and gained a small frown. "Thomas said he's not attractive to the opposite sex but he left three girl's heartbroken" she said, though Rarity noticed that Applejack wanted to say something else, but decided it wasn't a good time to ask.

"Well... when he comes back, that boy will have a lot of questions to answer and face the wrath of three heartbroken women" Rarity said. "I'll bring the camera and take pictures of the beating" she added, making the girl chuckle a bit.

"*sigh* Alright, let's get those three an take'em to the farm to go play, we actually have a pond past the orchard if they wanna go swimmin, it'll be fun to actually relax a little for a day" Applejack said which surprised Rarity.

"You, relaxing, I never thought I'd see the day" She commented and they both went to get the kids.

Near Fluttershy's Cottage, P.o.v- Rainbow Dash

"This is stupid, I'm just a little sad that Thomas isn't here... *sigh* I hate feeling like this" I said to myself as I walked to Fluttershy's house, I don't know what the princess is gonna do, but I'm sure I'll get over whatever I'm feeling. I walked along the dirt path for a few more minutes until I finally reached Fluttershy's house. "Alright, just ask if she can help then get out, easy" I muttered then knocked on the door then waited.

"Yes?" Emerald asked, opening the door slightly. "Oh, ms. Dash, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, inviting me into the house.

"Well princess, it might seem a little stupid, but my friends think something is wrong with me after the whole 'Thomas disappearing' thing and they think you can help pinpoint whatever is wrong with me" I explained as I walked over to the couch and sat down, Emerald hummed at this while closing the door then thought to herself for a second. "Do you think you can use your magic to help me stop feeling like this?" I asked.

"My magic doesn't work like that Ms. Dash, I can alter emotions as well as feeling's yes... but it will only for a short amount of time... can you elaborate on what you are going through, tell me how you're feeling every time you think of Thomas?" Emerald asked, but I felt a little hesitant to do so. "It's okay to open up about how you're feeling ms. Dash, there is no shame in confiding your feelings and emotion with someone, so please... tell me" she begged which got me to break.

"Okay, okay..... ever since Thomas vanished after fighting your nightmare form I've been having this constant pain in my chest for the past two months, I went to see my friend Violet to check if everything was fine and she said nothing was wrong, but the pain kept on coming. For two months I've felt this pain as well as unbridled sadness, rage and the urge to cry my eye's out... the day that Twilight's brother said Thomas was gone was probably the worst day of my life, my friend was either somewhere alive... or somewhere dead. When I started taking care of Snowflake, I buried these emotions and urges to make sure she didn't have to go through what I'm feeling. I want her to have hope that Thomas will come back home just like he promised, but everytime I pass the room he stayed in, I feel...." I trailed off thinking about his room door. I would always think about how it would just suddenly open up and I'd see him there in his bed reading. It makes my heart hurt.

"Heartbroken?" Emerald asked, finishing my explanation and I looked at her like she was crazy, after a minute I shook my head and sighed before getting up and went for the door. "I-It's only natural for you to feel this way when you deeply care for that person!"

"Yeah, sure, next you're gonna say that I'm in love with him" I said, slightly annoyed.

"Well... are you?" Emerald asked just as I got to the door, I whipped around to answer but nothing came out of my mouth. "Is that why you're feeling this way, are you in love with Thomas?" She asked again, but I didn't say anything, "... Rainbow I know most of you don't like me very much, and I'm also the reason Thomas is gone, but I want to make up for that any way I can... if you want me to help then tell me, if not then I completely under-"

"Yes!" I blurted out catching the woman off guard.

"What?" She questioned.

"Yes okay! I've been in love with him ever since he started living with me!" I said and Emerald looked a little surprised. "... Well!?"

"I-I honestly thought you were going to leave, b-but this is good, now we can dive deeper into this and find some peace of mind" Emerald said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back to the couch. "Okay Rainbow, I want you to tell me everything"

"L-Like... what kinda everything?" I asked nervously, she sat me down and looked me dead in the eye.

"Everything"

"Well... alright"

Medical Tents Near The Entrance Of Ponyville- Jackson

"Another day, another few hours tending the injured" I said as I walked around the medical tents set up around the entrance of ponyville. It's been a strange couple of months, but I'm glad that we only have a handful of people left in these tents left, though it will take another two months for the city to be finished. "*sigh* Alright, guess I should go relive Violet of her duties, she even requested a day off since everything could be handled by the remaining doctors in ponyville, glad everything is going back to nor-"

"Jay c'mon, you know we have to get back" I heard Violet say behind an empty tent, I quietly snuck over to see what was up and saw Jay and Violet both sitting on the floor making out like a couple of horny teenagers.

"Aren't you the one who dragged me here in the first place?" Jay asked when they parted from each other, Violet was blushing a bright red after they finished kissing. "Maybe later you can come with me to Sugarcube corner, say an hour after your shift is done?"

"I like the sound of tha-"

"What are you doing!" I exclaimed, jumping out from my cover. Violet screamed in fright while Jay had picked her up and was ready to haul ass until he realized it was me. "Having a little fun are we?"

"We were, then you came in and ruined the vibe" Jay said, making me laugh. "Anyways, what are you doing here Jackie, thought you were heading back to Canterlot today?" He asked which made me feel a little iffy but I forced a smile.

"Ah you know how Tia is with her subjects, wants to make sure everything is going smoothly and that the people are healing at a steady pace" I said and Jay seemed to notice something off.

"I'll meet you at Sugarcube Corner Vie, Jackie... let's go on a walk, been a while since we've actually talked," Jay said as Violet excused herself to go get ready. Jay started walking towards the outside of the town, beckoning me to follow to which I did, now we were walking along the edge of ponyville. "So what's wrong man, you seemed a bit down back there" Jay asked.

"That obvious huh?... well it's nothing to serious I guess, but me and Feather decided to stay as friends" I admitted, making Jay cock an eyebrow at me.

"You two were only together for two months, what happened?" He asked, admittedly I didn't want to say but Jay's my best friend so it's better him than no one.

"Feather said she didn't want to always worry about me being alive or dead when we get into fights with people like Chrysalis. Apparently she's been feeling this way ever since she found me half dead outside the castle when I got thrown out, I can't blame her for not wanting that burden really... I can't imagine what it must feel like to always wonder if the person you love will come back alive or dead when faced with terrible danger... how does Violet handle all that?" I asked the man and he just shrugged.

"We actually talked about that after the whole Chrysalis thing, she made me promise to always come back alive that way she can kill me herself for making her worry so much" Jay said, getting us both to chuckle. "That girl is special, I'll tell you that much, she knows full well about the dangers we face and has come to terms with it... and I guess I understand where Feather might be coming from with not knowing if you will be alright, but that's just life... well, our life anyways... I don't know the right words to say, nor will I attempt to find said word's, but just know that I'm always with you man, no matter what" he said and it actually made me feel a little better about the whole thing.

"Thanks man... that means a lot to me" I thanked him. "So to add on to more depressing matters, how do you think Thomas is doing?" I asked and Jay gave a low hum.

"Well he's either dead or alive somewhere, seems like everyone is hoping for the latter, so honestly I don't know how he might be doing... I just hope he's okay" Jay answered.

"If he's alive... then all we can do is wait for him" I stated, getting a firm nod from Jay, losing our friend was a hard pill to swallow but it was necessary if we were to keep our friends safe and sound. "... I wanna get stronger... I want to be strong enough to actually put my foot in the same race as Thomas... and I know you want to get stronger too"

"No doubt about that… I wanna get stronger no matter what... so what do you think we should do?" He questioned. "How can we re-learn what we already know?"

"We train, perfect our skills, we'll ask Shining if he can teach us how to properly fight and think of strategies on the spot when needed, then we'll hone any and all abilities that we possess in order to further strengthen ourselves... we can't stay as we are now, we have to get stronger, even if it kills us" I said with determination. "You in?"

"... Yeah, I'm tired of having my ass getting kicked" Jay stated, then looked at his hands. "If getting stronger means I can protect Violet and all our friends, then I'll gladly do anything to be as strong as Thomas" he said.

"We'll train until our bodies are purple and blue, until we've gone past our normal limits, we'll train until we can finally hold our own with people as strong as Thomas!" I exclaimed, holding my fist out to Jay. "This'll be hell, last chance to back out"

"It's me you're talking to, like I'm ever the one to back down from a challenge" Jay joked then fist bumped me. "Let's get stronger... for Thomas... for everyone" he said and I nodded.

"Agreed, before get started with training though... go have some fun with your lady man, and be sure to tell her about the training or else she'll kill us both" I said to which Jay joked, "And thanks for the talk man, I really needed that" I threw in, getting a hug from the man before he headed back to Violet. I was once again alone to think for myself, my plan for getting stronger was honestly all over the place, but it's better than not having anything.

I walked around the edge of Ponyville for a good twenty minutes, thinkin about home for the first time in six months. Mom is probably still flipping over streets to find her 'little' boy, my dad was most likely trying to keep her from tearing open the whole world, but I know my sister's will be okay since they are able to adapt in any situation. The pain of never seeing them again felt faint, but it was fading, as if the wound was finally able to heal, and all that's left is the tenderness it's left behind.

"Enjoying your walk Mr. Castle?" A soft and sweet voice asked, I chuckled a little bit knowing who it was already.

"Indeed, beautiful day for a walk thanks to your power over the temperature Ms. Celestia" I answered, eliciting a giggle from the princess. "So I'm guessing everything is running smoothly at Canterlot?"

"Very, remind me to give Applejack and her family a little reward for helping us rebuild Canterlot, and in such a short time as well" Celestia said, I was about to write it down only to remember I didn't have my usual equipment with me. "Seems someone loved their work" she teased.

"Sorry to say Tia, but that's what happens when you write reminders and schedules for a boss who forgets everything planned a few days prior" I retorted, getting her to bite her lip and blush a slight red. "So what brings you here Tia, I thought you'd be supervising the rebuilding process"

"I got some free time, besides if Applejack trusts them then so do I, anyways I hoping you'd like to accompany me to Sugarcube corner for some breakfast... if you want" Celestia asked me and I stopped.

"Are... are you asking me out?" I asked, a bit amused but also flattered.

"Wha-What! Of course not, I just wanted to see if you wish to join me is all!" Celestia said hastily, blushing a bright red color. I chuckled at her reaction, and it honestly made me feel better. "D-Do you want to join me or not?" She asked, more sternly this time. Although her blush face wasn't helping her sound more stern.

"Hmm... on one condition" I said, getting her full attention. "I want to plant the first flower in your new garden, deal" I said, she chuckled at this before shaking my hand.

"Deal, what will you plant inside my garden?" Celestia asked, I choked down a little laugh and composed myself.

"Probably some dandelions, those were mine and my mother's favorite kinda flower" I said, getting her to giggle a bit.

"A Mama's boy huh?" Celestia queried, I actually felt a slight burn on my cheeks when she said that.

"Kinda"

"How cute, that gives me more teasing material" Celestia said as we began walking back to town. "Maybe I'll plant some black rose's in a special place for Thomas"

"Aren't black rose's mean death?" I asked her.

"Yes, but it also has a positive meaning as well, such as a new beginning and a major change occurring" Celestia said while humming happily. "Do you believe Thomas will keep his promise… to find a way back to us, I admit I have my doubts if we'll ever see him again… but then again, I doubted I'd ever see my sister again. So maybe the impossible isn't as impossible like we first thought"

"Well, if he comes back then we'll throw the biggest party for the hero of Canterlot" I said, eliciting a giggle from the princess. "I trust that Thomas will show up one day, until then, all we can really do is continue moving forward and protect those who cannot protect themselves. After everything is back to normal, myself and Jay are going to ask Shining if he could teach us how to properly fight and plan ahead, I hope you don't mind" I said, throwing in the training me and Jay wanted.

"I can teach you how to fight" Celestia said and I gave her a questionable look. "Before our mother had vanished, she spent a good three years teaching me how to fight, and when Luna was old enough I taught her what I knew. I am a princess, yes, but I was also trained to be a fighter as well, I actually use to disguise myself then go to a gym to spar with other's who could fight like me but I'd always win with a knock out within five seconds after a month of going there" Celestia said, nonchalantly telling me how she basically fought people for fun then knocked them out in just a few seconds.

"You are one scary lady Tia, remind me to never piss you off" I said and she laughed.

"So how about it, want me to train you personally?" Celestia asked, I thought about it for a second and realized that if I train with Celestia personally then I could develop my skills quicker and inhance my lighting abilities as well. "I can arrange Shining Armor to train Jay while you train with me"

"Alright... you got a deal" I said.

"Good, now first lesson!" Celestia exclaimed, getting right in my face, her arms slowly wrapping around my body and coming closer to my face. I was to shocked to move and just waited for the inevitable, but she just giggled before sweeping my leg then pushed my to the ground with little to no effort. "Never let your opponent get close to you"

"This training is gonna be hell... isn't it?" I asked, getting myself back up on my feet.

"Oh, you have no idea"

Author's Note

Sorry for the shorter chapter, but Im gearing up for something good in the next one