Author's Note

Right! So! If there is anyone who still reads my stories, I'm sorry for being gone for so long! Assuming there's even anyone reading this. I've just been busy, but I'm trying to get back in the swing of things, so yeah. Here's a quick little chapter for you for now. I am very tired so there WILL be some errors, and I'll fix them... eventually... So yeah, I do hope you enjoy, and that stories aren't already going to die off.

Just Friends

"So, what you're meaning to tell me is that Onyx tripped on a banana peel while marching somewhere? Did he get laughed at? I couldn't imagine being in front of hundreds of ponies and slipping on a conveniently placed banana..."

Crystal chuckled a little bit before saying, "Actually the only ponies that laughed was me and Amber, the commander of our division. You should've seen his face! He was so embarrassed but it was still funny. Commander Amber actually ending up admitting that she had somepony place the peel under his hoof. She was all serious and stuff, but she had an odd thing for pranking her friends while on duty." Crystal explained, sitting across from an amused Dusk.

"You know, aside from the whole 'enemy of equestria' thing, being apart of the Broken Shield doesn't sound half bad." Dusk pointed out, taking a sip of the tea he had just brewed.

"Hey, we're ponies too! We're just... Working for a different cause..."

The two ponies sit in silence for a few minutes, occasionally sipping on their tea. Everything was quiet and peaceful, until... CRACK! "Ahh!" Crystal yelped out, startled. Thunder cracked through the sky, which do to the silence beforehoof, startled Crystal quite a bit. Dusk couldn't help but laugh at her for that.

"Hey! It isn't funny! what if... what if a tree fell down on a house or something? Somepony could be hurt!" Crystal exclaimed, still a little shaken.

"If that happened, We'd know by now. Besides-" Dusk began, before cutting himself off. "Hey, do you feel that?" He asked, curiosly."

"What? Feel what?"

"There's a cold breeze... coming from down the hall." Dusk asked. Concerned, he gets up and tots towards the hallway.

"Wait! What if something got in through a window?" Crystal asked, getting up and cautiously following behind.

"Like what? The windows are all locked and boarded up."

"What if... Like, a bear got in or something?"

"A bear? Are you serious? you're the soldier, why do you sound scared..." Dusk half asked, half said.

"Shut it and see if it's a bear or not!" Crystal exclaimed, pushing Dusk ahead a few steps.

"Sheesh... Somepony nees to grow some..."

"Oh for Celestia's Sake just do it before I use my command on you! I did win that game we played yesterday!"

"You'd waste it on that? Why not something fun like... I don't know, making me dance on the table for 7 hours?"

"Just GO!" Crystal shouted likely gaining the attention of whatever may or may not be in the next room.

"Fine, whatever..." Dusk said, trotting down the hall and investigating the source of the cold breeze. it was coming from his bedroom...

Opening the door slowly, he's greeted by heavy rain almost instantly soaking him. A damn tree DID fall! And it hit his house! Luckily his closet wasn't blocked though, so he could at least get his valuables out of there before they're ruined.

"Dammit!" He exclaimed, obviously angry. "Crystal, I hope you're ok with sharing the couch because neither of us are sleeping in here!" He said, turning back and looking down the hall at Crystal. As he closed the door to try to stop all the heat from escaping, He failed to notice something... Silent movement in the shadows...

"Share? Why? Is there a bear in there!?"

"For the love of- NO! A tree fell down and screwed my room. Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Dusk asked, now a little more concerned then angry about the situation.

"I don't know... I'm just a little paranoid... I... I know more about this storm then I'd want to..." Crystal said, trotting back to the couch where its actually comfy and warm. "I'm just afraid that what I've been told might actually be true...

"What are you talking about? Is there something I should know?" Dusk questioned, looking his room door and trotting out to the living room with Crystal.

"Amber, the Commander of the shield said something about one of Equestria's foes. She never specified which one, but she believed that the storm was being generated by some evil magic... But we weren't sure why. I've just been feeling kinda... Paranoid that that could be true..." She explained, curling up on the couch.

"Ok... Well... If that is the case, that door is locked, so nothing's getting in... But... Why did you think it was a bear-"

"I just don't like bears! I got chased up a tree by one as a filly!"

"-right...Well, we have that spear of yours by the front door so we have some protection from whatever this 'foe' may be." Dusk said trotting to the door and picking up said spear, then trotting to the couch with it.

"Well I'd fell safer if... You could cuddle me..." Crystal muttered.

"If I could what?"

"If you could cuddle me."

"You're gonna have to speak u-"

"CAN YOU CUDDLE ME!...Please..." Crystal sure was embarrassed, but hey, you can't deny a paranoid mare's request for cuddles! Besides, Seeing as a cold breeze was now forever coming from Dusk's wrecked room, a little extra warmth was a nice thought.

"Uhm. Well, If you're just saying that so I don't have to sleep on the floor, I appreciate it but I can manage on the floor. Again, thanks for the off-"

"I command you to cuddle me. Right now."

"Really..? You're wasting it on that?" Dusk asked, not amused. Besides, he wasn't exactly comfortable with getting all cozy on a couch with a mare he met only a few days prior.

"Please? I'll... I'll make breakfast fro you tomorrow!" Crystal suggested, waiting for the right response with hopeful eyes.

"I already know what'll happen if I argue with you, so whatever, fine." Dusk said, climbing up onto the couch with Crystal. There wasn't much room, but they'd make it work. Dusk wiggled his way behind Crystal for optimal cuddles. Hesitantly, he wrapped his hooves around the blanket-bundled mare in front of him. Sure, it did feel a little awkward for the both of them...Yet, it felt... right. like it was meant to be.

"you're the kind of friend I've always wanted dusk." Crystal whispered, almost immediately dozing off after saying it.

"Right... friend... just friend..." Dusk said to himself, following Crystal to the dreamworld.

All the while a silent click came from down the hallway. The bedroom door slowly creaked open, and a shadowy figure slipped through the door, closing and locking it as if nothing ever happened...

...To Be Continued...