Ocellus sighed heavily as she exited Principal Twilight's office. She hated the fact that she had to lie to her; but, she couldn't exactly tell the truth. She could say, “Well, Principal Twilight, on our last school trip. I found a box that had been buried for centuries; and inside of it was a deck of cards. Not, only were they in very good condition. They have the ability to show me somepony's fate and future. Also, I have a demon changeling constantly annoying me. Who used to be the owner of the deck. So, yes, that is why I was in the hospital that day. I sorta knew what was going to happen to Miss Pinkie. But, I was too dumb to understand the card. That's not crazy is it?” She shook her head as she groaned in annoyance. She swore she could feel the straight-jacket on her body. And, the padded floor of a solitary confinement chamber under her hooves. So, instead of risking time in the nut-house. She lied and told her principal that she was worried for her teacher. Turned into a fly and hitched a ride on Coach Dash. And, stayed until she heard the terrible news. Although her Principal would've done the same thing. She still earned herself a weekend detention. Meaning, she would have to come in on Saturday.

“Hey, kid.” Jinai greeted as she suddenly appeared in front of her. Causing her to let out a scream; as he laughed wickedly.

“Not, Funny!” She growled as she continued walking towards the town of Ponyville.

Jinai floated above her, “Going after another one today?” He asked her.

“Yes,” Ocellus responded making sure nopony had heard her reply to him, “Now leave me alone!” She finished as she began to walk faster.

Jinai managed to keep pace with her, “Who is it this time? Friend of yours?” He asked knowing full well that he was annoying her.

“None of your business!” She responded through gritted teeth as she turned down another street. Still hoping nopony had heard her answer him, “Now go somewhere else!”

It was then he appeared in front of her again. Making her fall backwards onto her flank as she bumped into him. She heard him laugh at the hard time he gave her. She looked up at him with a glare; as he simply stared back down at her with that wicked smile of his. She got up and dusted herself off; before she walked around him. Trying her best to ignore the annoying thorn in her side.

“I know it's Silverstream.” He said in a rather blunt and uncaring tone.

Ocellus had stopped walking and stood still for a few minutes. She then sighed heavily and turned back towards him. While he turned to face her; he knew he was annoying the living Tartarus out of her. And, he was enjoying ever single second of it. She then continued walking to her destination. While he floated just above her.

“So, what did she get today?” He asked.

Ocellus sighed as she turned down yet another street, “The fool, six of swords, and King of cups.” She answered only to hear him chuckle in response.

She was heading to Sugar-cube corner; she knew all her friends would be there. After all; they would always go there after school to hang with each other. So, it was the the perfect place to start her search for her friend. She just knew she would be there. After all it was Silverstream; she was still trying all the many different flavors of cupcakes and cakes. She laughed as she remembered the first time she visited the place. How she tried to eat so many cupcakes in one go. She was surprised that Silverstream was able to make it to the bathroom. Before, the entire contents of her stomach had ejected from her throat. She giggled a little as the building came into view.

She heard the bell above the door ring as she entered the building. She looked around and eventually four her friends. Except for the one she was looking for. She sighed heavily figuring it wasn't going to be that easy. She quickly made her way to the table they were all sitting at. Smolder was the first one to greet her.

“Hey, Ocellus,” Smolder greeted while motioning to an empty seat, “Have a seat.” She offered.

Although she would love nothing more to enjoy a sweet treat with her friends. She had to find Silverstream. She then shook her head, “I would loved to. But, I need to talk to Silverstream; have any of you seen her?” She asked them.

It was Yona who answered, “Yak, saw Silverstream heading to Professor Applejacks orchard,” She answered, “Think she went to get apples. Apples from there best!” She finished with a yell.

Ocellus nodded and head for the exit. Just as she was about to push the door open; she heard Gallus say, “Seriously, Smolder are you okay?” He asked just as she exited the building aned head for the orchard.

It didn't take her long to reach the orchard. Once there she had changed her form into that of a small rabbit. She hopped through the surrounding fence and started searching for her friend. As she hopped through the orchard; her mind kept going back to her friends fate. The Fool, Six of swords, King of cups? Originally, she though the cards were just being mean. Sure, her friend was excited by.....well everything. But, was she really a fool? The other two cards she wasn't sure of their description of her fate. She did eventually find her; she was watching their Professor bucking a apple tree. Just like the one in the classroom. She saw Silverstream nod and walked over to a tree. She turned around and kicked her back legs as hard as she could. A vibration wen through the tree and up to its leaves. A few seconds later many apples fell from the trees branches.

“Nice job, Silverstream,” Applejack spoke in a voice filled with happiness. While Silverstream gave a squeal of excitement, “Yer, a regular natural girl.” She complimented as Silverstream walked back towards her.

Ocellus sighed in relief as she started to leave the orchard. She figured that her fate had already come and gone. Plus, earlier she noticed that Jinai didn't laugh his usual laugh. Meaning that the fate was as dangerous as she though. But, she felt better knowing that she had checked on her friend. Once outside the fence; she changed back into her original form and flew off towards the school.

She sighed heavily as she rested on her bed. Allowing not only her body to rest; but, also her mind. That was until she heard the familiar chuckle of Jinai. Which caused her to groan loudly in annoyance; as she slowly opened her eyes. Only to see his ugly face just inches from hers.

“Hey.” He greeted with a large smile.

Ocellus screamed as she shot up from the bed and fell to the floor. While he laughed loudly at the misery he had caused her. She looked up at him with a look of anger; while he stared back down at her with a smirk. She got to her hooves and dusted herself off.

“Jerk.” She said to him.

“I try,” He replied with a chuckle, “So you figure out her fate?” He asked no really caring if she did or not.

She sighed and walked up to her desk; turning on the light. She sat in her chair and looked at the deck of cards, “No, I didn't,” She answered rather bluntly, “But, I remembered how you laughed earlier. So, I figured it wasn't as bad.” She finished only to hear him laugh at her again. To say he was starting to annoy her would be an understatement. After all; he wasn't going to help her for free again. It was either she give him her fate or give him her. She shuddered not wanting to ever finish or think that though ever again. With a sigh she looked at the deck again; wondering who she should try now. She though for a few minutes; until she had remembered something from earlier. She remembered Gallus had asked if something was wrong with Smolder.

She looked at the deck, “Reveal to me, Deiknumena, Dromena, Legomena,” She spoke as the deck shuffled itself and the three cards flew out. She watched as they went into the piece of paper she had at the ready. Folding it and listening for the voice of Smolder. She didn't need to wait for long, “I miss him so much.”. The voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears; which shocked her. Smolder, crying? Was that even possible or imaginable? She shook her head and unfolded the piece of paper. There was one new card she had never seen. And, two cards she had seen before; except one of the familiar cards was upside down. The other she had hoped to never see again. Underneath Deiknumena was a card with the image of a ghostly stallion; rising from a corpse that had been stabbed by ten swords. All around the corpse was a battlefield littered with various bodies. It almost made her want to puke. The cards name was the the Ten of swords. Underneath Dromena was the Eight of cups; except it was upside down. And, underneath Legomena was a card she prayed she would never see again. It was Number thirteen, Death.

“I gotta find Smolder!” Ocellus shouted as she got up and ran out of her room. While Jinai looked at the fate she saw.

He chuckled, “You're never gonna save her!” He yelled out.

Ocellus had ran from her room to Smolders. Knocking on the door rapidly; hoping her friend would open the door soon. She never did. Panic entered her mind and she changed into a mouse. Allowing her to crawl underneath her door; Smolders room was gray in color. Possibly to remind her of home. But, there was only one problem with her room. Smolder was not there! She immediately left the room and went to find Gallus.

It didn't take her long to finally find Smolder. She was at the lake where they would all sometimes meet. Smolder was sitting next to the waters edge looking out at the waters edge. She seemed focused on something; because she never noticed her sit next to her. Slowly she reached her hoof out to Smolders shoulder. Her dragon friend jumped at the contact.

“Oh, sup Ocellus.” Smolder greeted in her usual tomboyish voice.

“Hey, Smolder,” Ocellus greeted back with a hint of nervousness in her voice, “Um, Smolder?” She asked.

“Yeah?” Smolder replied.

“Is something bothering you?” She asked.

Smolder rolled her eyes and gave Ocellus an unamused look, “Did Gallus send you here? Because if he did; tell him I'm fine.” She finished

Ocellus shook her head, “No, he didn't send me here,” She lied trying to keep from sounding nervous, “I.....sensed that you were sad.” She finished try to keep from breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Well you “Sensed” wrong,” Smolder replied before turning back to look at the lake, “Now leave me alone!” She finished with a small growl.

Ocellus couldn't do that; not after what the cards had shown her. She wasn't about to let these cards come true; even though she had no idea what they were showing her. She continued to sit down next to Smolder. It earned a growl from Smolder; who turned to look at her.

“I said!”

“I know what you said and I don't care!” Ocellus shouted surprising not only Smolder; but herself also, “I know something is wrong with you! So either you tell me or I'm sticking to you like glue!” She finished knowing she was either gonna pass out or get knocked out.

Smolder stared at her for a few seconds only to growl out in anger. She glared at her friend in anger; only for her anger to be replaced with a look of softness. A sad sigh escaped her maw; before her vision was fixed out over the lake again.

“Please, Ocellus,” Smolder begged. Which completely surprised Ocellus; what surprised her even more was the fact that it happened. Did she just witness history?, “Just let me be alone.” She finished.

Ocellus shook her head before she placed her hoof on her friends shoulder again, “Smolder, please,” She spoke as her friend looked towards her, “Tell me what's wrong.” She finished.

Smolder sighed again before looking down at the sand, “Do you have any brothers or sisters, Ocellus?” She asked.

“Many, why?” Ocellus answered.

“I,” She paused for a second, “Had a little brother once.” She finished.

Ocellus nodded, “Yes, you told me how he underwent the molt. And, then struck out on his own.” She replied.

Smolder released a sad laugh, “I lied,” She replied, “My brother was eaten by a roc.” She finished.

Ocellus gasped in horror, “Smolder, I'm sorry,” She apologized, “I didn't mean to.” She was silenced by Smolder pressing one of her claws against her maw. Quickly silencing her.

“I was supposed to watch him,” Smolder said as she started to tell what happened, “I didn't want him stinking up my part of the cave. So, I took him to a place that was wide open, far away from the cave, and far away from my nose,” A tear then escaped her eye. As the memory played in front of her, “ But, I never knew that a roc was nesting nearby.” She finished as she relived the most moment in her life.

How she flew as fast as she could to her brothers location. Hearing him screaming and crying out for help. Feeling the wind stinging her face; as she flew faster and faster. She watched as his tiny body came into view. The look of horror on his face; his claws stretched out towards her. While he screamed her name. Then in that instant; she watched as the roc's beak closed down on him.

“Swallowed him whole,” She sniffled, “That stupid bird ate my brother alive. And, it was all my fault,” She sobbed as she tried her best to wipe the tears from her eyes, “My mother she disowned me and my father,” She sobbed again, “When he finally wakes up and sees his only son is gone. He'll.....he'll.” She finally gave up the battle and broke down.

Ocellus didn't know what to do; all she could do was just one thing. She gently hugged her friend and pulled her close to her. Smolder returned the hug with a hug of her own. Smolder sobbed into her shoulder. While Ocellus gently rubbed her back, “I miss him so much.” She heard her sob.

“I know,” Ocellus replied as she hugged her friend tighter, “Smolder, I'm so sorry.” She apologized; regretting making her friend feel so much emotional pain. But, she was also hoping she had changed her friends fate.

After a few minutes of hugging and crying; the two eventually separated and headed back for the school. When Ocellus reached her room. All she could do was head right for her bed. She even managed to ignore Jinai's annoying voice. But, she felt like she had forgotten something. Something very important. But, for right now sleep was more important. When morning came she awoke with a yawn. Stretching her tired limbs out as she got out of her bed.

“So, how did it go?” Jinai's voice asked.

Ocellus sighed heavily as she brought a hoof up to her face, “How did what go?” She asked in an annoyed tone.

“That thing where you tried to change your friends fate.” He asked.

Ocellus gasped as she ran to her desk and looked at the card. She swore she felt her heart stop at what she saw. All three cards had changed; but one of the cards had been swapped with another. While the other two had switched places. Underneath Deiknumena was the eight of cups. But, it was right side up. At the end underneath Legomena was the five of cups. But, Dromena, underneath it was the death card. Her blood ran cold and she ran as fast as she could to Smolders room. As she rounded a corner she collided with said dragoness.

“Smolder!” She shouted in both happiness and surprise, “You're!” She was interrupted by her friend as she was suddenly pulled into a hug. She was shocked at first; until she heard her friend sobbing quietly. She gently hugged her friend back; finally finding her voice, “Smolder what happened?” She asked.

“Bahamut called her mother home last night.” The voice of the dragon-lord herself answered.

Ocellus looked up and saw Ember looking down at the two. It took Ocellus a minute to process the information; until she came to a horrible realization. Smolders mother had passed away. She held her friend a little tighter. Allowing her to pour all the emotions she was feeling out; all over her comforting shoulder. Slowly, she looked up again. She was tempted to give off a glare; for, Jinai was standing behind the dragon-lord. His smile stretched a little wider than normal. It was then she heard his twisted voice.

“Nice job kid,” He congratulated her with a chuckle, “You changed her fate.” He finished.

Author's Note

Here is another chapter! I hope all of you reading my story enjoy this chapter. I'm also thankful for the reviews. they really help with my confidence in typing this story. so please if anybody has anything to say; or any criticism they want to give me. I'm happy to listen and read.