A painful wail echoed through the Everfree forest. Before a stallion was shown falling hard against a tree. The stallion was beaten and bruised badly. One of his eyes was swollen shut and bleeding. He gasped in pain as he looked up at his attacker. A pleading look of mercy was on his face. His attacker on the other hand had none. His attacker was a dragon; who took out a glowing white crystal. The dragon sat the crystal down in front of the stallion. The crystal glowed brighter and the image of a pure white mare appeared from the crystal.

“You stepped out of line.” The mare said in an icy cold tone.

The stallion fell to the ground; burying his head in the dirt below, “My Queen,” He began as the dragon growled loudly, “Please, grant me mercy. I only did what was best.” He was stopped by the dragon. Who had grabbed him by his throat and pinned him against the tree. The pressure that the dragon was applying to his throat; almost cut off his oxygen supply.

“You stepped out of line,” The mare repeated her gaze looked like death itself, “It will never happen again,” She continued just as the dragon brought up his other claw. In his claw he held a sinister looking dagger. The blade of the dagger glowed a sickening green. From it the screams of multiple souls came, “Kill him.” The mare commanded.

Another scream echoed through the forest. Multiple animals were shown either looking, listening, or running from the scream. The stallion lay at the roots of the tree; his body rapidly decaying and turning to dust. While his scream echoed inside the blade of the dagger. Along with many other countless screams. The dragon had a look that showed no remorse. It then turned to look at the mare. Who smiled up at him.

“You,” She began as the dragon waited for its command, “Are of no more use to me. You, pathetic lizard.” The dragon lifted the blade again; this time it stabbed itself into its chest. It didn't scream it kept a stoic expression. As it slowly dragged the blade through its chest. The dragon feel to the ground; its body also decaying rapidly. The mare looked over to the left. Resting against the tree was another mare. This one had a light brown coat with a yellow mane and matching tail. The mare was a pegasus; who pulled the blade out of the dragon.

She put the dagger away before turning towards the mare, “I am ready to serve you my queen.” She said with a bow.

“Keep a close eye on Lamina,” She instructed the mare, “When I arrive that is when we will strike.” She finished just as the crystal stopped glowing. The mare crushed the crystal and began to walk in the direction of Ponyville.

As the mare walked away; she did not noticed the small figure perched on a branch above. It watched as the mare walked out of the forest. While it disappeared deeper into the forest. As the creatures moved away from each other. The outside of the friendship school came into view.

Gallus sighed gently as he woke from his slumber. He looked down; seeing Razor resting his head on his chest. Gently, he rubbed the back of his friends head. Two days ago he had lost is parents. Since then Twilight had given Razor a week off from school. But, even she knew it would take longer for him to heal. Gallus had stayed with Razor since. He could feel him starting to wake.

“Morning, Gallus.” Razor said.

“Morning, Razor.” He replied as he began to get out of bed, “How did you sleep?” He asked.

“Nightmare of my parents; followed by me being abandon by all of you,” Razor answered, “I woke up earlier.” He finished.

Gallus sighed as he pulled Razor into another comforting hug. Razor said nothing all he did was let his friend hold him. He knew his friend was trying to show him he was not alone. That, they would not abandon him. He knew it was true; after all they had been making greater efforts to understand him. It even inspired him to try and be better himself.

“Razor,” Gallus began, “You know that dream will never come true.” He said trying to reassure him.

Razor nodded, “I know,” He replied, “I need to go shower.” He said Gallus released him from his hold. Allowing Razor to get out of bed; before he walked out of his dorm room. Walking towards the School's locker-room. So, that he could shower and get himself ready for the day.

Gallus sighed and walked out of the room and began to walk back towards his. As he walked he had run into Sandbar.

“Gallus.” Sandbar greeted happily.

Gallus smiled, “Morning Sandbar,” He greeted happily, “Heading to the cafeteria?” He asked.

Sandbar nodded, “Yeah, the others are there already,” He turned and walked a little ways forward, “Come on. We've got something planned.” He finished which confused Gallus.

It didn't take long for Razor to finish washing his body. As he dried himself; his stomach had alerted him to his sudden hunger. He slowly made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast. When he arrived; he grabbed a tray and grabbed a small carton of milk. Before grabbing some haycon and some pancakes. He then walked around trying to find a place to sit. He was flagged down by Ocellus; who waved him over to a table where her and the others were sitting. He smiled, walked over and sat in between her and Gallus.

“Good morning, everyone.” Razor greeted.

“Morning, Razor.” All of them replied.

For a moment all of them just sat and ate. Sometimes they would talk to one another. While the majority of the time; they just ate in silence. Enjoying the company of their friends. By the time they had finished eating. The bell for the first class had rang.

“I will see you all later.” Razor said as he began to get up.

“Razor, wait.” Silverstream said causing him to look at her.

“Yes?” he asked.

Silverstream smiled, “Twilight, is letting us spend the day with you today,” She informed him before handing him a rolled up scroll, “Take a look at that.” She finished.

Razor used his magic to unroll the scroll. His eyes quickly scanned over it; as he read a smile stretched across his face again. He set the scroll down on the table. Allowing him to see the smiling faces of his friends.

“I can go to my forge today.” He said happily as the others got up from the table. Each of them smiling happily; for the last two day he had really wanted to go to his forge. But, the royal guards who were investigating the fire. Would not allow him anywhere near the scene. Not because they were mean. But, just to keep him from contaminating the scene of the accident. Just in case they were looking into an arson case.

From the cafeteria they walked to the entrance of the school. Once outside they began to walk in the direction of his home. Razor felt a single tear roll down his face as he stared forward at the burned remains of his home. His friends stood at his side; neither of them saying a word. They just simply stood there at the ready. Ready, to be strong for him. He walked forward towards the area that would be the front the door. Now it was just three burned planks of wood. Barely, keeping itself up as it balanced itself onto of a pile of ashes. He then looked over to the left of his home.

“The living room would be there.” Razor said as he scanned his home.

None of them said a word as he listed off the various rooms and their locations. All of them just listened to him. When he was done he walked over to his forge. It had no signs of damage; it made him smile. He then began to charge up a magical spell.

“What are you doing, Razor?” Smolder asked as a magical aura began to wrap around the forge.

In a flash of light his forge was gone. Or, so they thought; in Razors magical hold he held a miniature version of his forge. When he turned around; he saw his friends looking at him in shock. He wondered why they were staring at him like that.

“What?” He asked.

“Where did you learn a spell like that?!” All of them asked.

After explaining where he had learned the spell; all of them made their way back to the school. He spoke with Twilight before placing his forge behind the school. When he found the perfect location; he used his magic to restore his forge to its original size. He smiled as he walked in; making sure everything was in its proper location. His friends smiled happily when they saw how happy he was. A few of them laughed as he immediately started getting to work on a sword. Before, he even began to heat the metal. He paused for a moment and then looked out towards his friends.

“Do you all wanna help?” He asked.

They looked at one another before they nodded. Each of them walked into the forge; ready to help him create the sword. They watched in awe as he heated the metal to a glowing yellow. Once it was heated to the necessary temperature. He showed them all how and where to strike the blade with the hammer. After a few hours all of them had finished the sword. It was a masamune blade with floral pattern etchings on its hilt. The blade was forged from pure steel. But, the color was a setting sun orange. The color was thanks to the crystal he had melted onto the metal. All of them smiled happily as he wrapped the blade for delivery. He then sprinkled magical powder on the package; before he had Smolder breath fire onto it. In a flash of orange color smoke; the package flew from the forge and to the sky. Heading to where the customer lived. A few minutes later; the customer had sent payment. A total of three thousand bits. Which he divided evenly among all of them.

“That was fun!” Yona yelled, “Yak like sword making! Sword making is best!” She finished causing everyone to laugh.

“Yeah,” Smolder agreed with her before looking at Razor, “Thanks for showing us how to do this.” She finished receiving a nod from him.

Razor stayed silent as his friends talked to one another about what all of them had done. At all the other schools; the other students he would meet. None of them had expressed any interest in what he really liked doing. He smiled again as he looked at them all. He looked up at the sky; he saw there was they still had some daylight left.

“Hey, guys.” He spoke causing all of them to look towards him, “Do you all wanna go to sugar cube corner?” He asked.

They didn't need to be asked that question twice. All of them then started walking towards the towns favorite sweet shop. Each of them had a smile stretched across their face. Not only because of where they were going. But, also from a sense of pride. A pride that came from doing something none of them thought they could do. Razor, he was happy, very happy. Although, he missed his parents greatly. He was thankful for having friends like them. Friends, that made him feel like he was normal.

As the group walked through the streets; none of them noticed a shadowy figure watching them from an ally. It watched as each of them entered the sweet shop. Once the door closed the figure retreated into the ally. It pulled out a yellow crystal and held it close to its maw.

“The child is uninjured,” It said into the crystal its voice so low nopony would be able to tell if it belonged to a mare or stallion, “Project 'Eternal Flame' will proceed as planned.” It finished.

Author's Note

Chapter 8 had a lot of fun making this chapter. also again thank you all for the likes, comments, I really appreciate them. also take a look at what I am saving up for.

Cool huh.