The Abyssal Requiem

One hour later, Flurry Heart was finished with her tutoring and she waited for Tempest’s arrival. There were only two guards to keep her company and she had nothing to do while waiting for Tempest. Bored out of her mind, she tried making funny faces in front of the guards in order to find some form of entertainment. But they were so stone-faced and focused that they hardly even cracked a smile. Although if the occasional pedestrian passed by one inch closer to Flurry Heart, he or she would be immediately tackled, giving her at least some form of amusement out of it. But there were hardly any civilians and she could hardly keep herself awake.

“Ugh! It’s so boring out here.” Flurry Heart groaned as she paced in circles.

But as she was about to lose her nerve, she suddenly saw Apple Bloom walking from a distance. Immediately, she shifts to a happy mood and shouts,

“Apple Bloom! Are you here to pick me up?”

But to her surprise, Apple Bloom ignores her and walks away from the cheerful alicorn. Making a pouty face, Flurry Heart went back to being bored once again. But undeterred by the former’s attitude, the latter notices a pedestrian walk near her. Seizing the opportunity, Flurry Heart shouts,

“On your left!”

Immediately, the guards tackled the civilian and Flurry Heart quickly left the campus before they could notice that she had vanished from the sights. She follows after Apple Bloom and tugs the earth pony’s tail, gaining her attention. Turning around, the latter glares at the former and says,

“You’re supposed to be waiting for Captain Tempest.”

“Well, I don’t see Aunty Tempest anywhere. And she seems too busy to see me right now. Plus, I’m bored. So it would be nice if you could take me around town and do something fun.” Flurry Heart said.

“And what if I say no…?” Apple Bloom asked in an irritated tone.

“I’ll tell mommy and daddy that you hold secret parties for the guards~.” Flurry Heart playfully threatened.

“Where did you hear that…?” Apple Bloom asked, unnerved by Flurry Heart’s blackmail.

“I followed you, of course~.” Flurry Heart said with a bright smile.

It was clear that Apple Bloom didn’t want to take Flurry Heart with her and she didn’t want to be blackmailed, especially by somepony who was related to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. But the very last thing that she wanted was to be scolded by her superiors. So she swallowed her pride and said,

“If word of this gets out to anypony, I swear that I’ll-”

“You’ll what~?” Flurry Heart asked, striking a nerve in the process.

“Just behave yourself. Or I will drag you back to mommy and daddy.” Apple Bloom threatened before turning around in a huff.

Silently cheering to herself, Flurry Heart followed after Apple Bloom and they wandered across Canterlot. The former did very well to keep a cool head while the latter aimlessly played around. But while Apple Bloom kept watch over Flurry Heart, she accidentally bumps into two familiar faces.

“Apple Bloom…?” this familiar pony asked, immediately recognizing her.

After recovering, she looks up and notices that it was none other than Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, her old school bullies. But instead of belittling her, Diamond Tiara nervously says,

“H-Hi, Apple Bloom. I haven’t seen you in five years. How’s life?”

“What do you two want…?” Apple Bloom asked in a hostile tone.

“N-Nothing. We’re just doing some grocery shopping while going over plans for the festival. Then we bump into you… anyway, how have you been?” SIlver Spoon asked in a friendly tone.

“Who are your friends, Apple Bloom?” Flurry Heart asked, appearing out of nowhere.

“Princess Flurry Heart?!” Diamond Tiara shouted, immediately recognizing the princess.

The duo immediately bowed before her and kept quiet. Noticing this, Apple Bloom said in a deadpan manner,

“Don’t worry. She won’t bite.”

Hearing this, they rose off the ground and Silver Spoon says in a bewildered tone,

“Wow! You really moved up in Equestria, Apple Bloom. I never pegged you for a big-time bodyguard.”

“Do you three know each other…?” Flurry Heart asked, confused by the conversation.

“We used to go to elementary school together.” Diamond Tiara answered in a nervous tone.

“Were you friends?” Flurry Heart asked once more.

“Eh… that bit’s a little complicated.” Silver Spoon said, starting to feel uncomfortable.

“They are not my friends.” Apple Bloom answered in a brutally honest tone.

“We were acquaintances.” Diamond Tiara said, trying to save face.

“Flurry Heart!” Tempest shouted.

She immediately ran over to the group and grabbed Flurry Heart.

“Let’s go.” Tempest said in an upset tone.

Watching the two walk away, Silver Spoon said to Apple Bloom in a sad tone,

“We know you have lost everything and the very last thing you want is to talk to us about it, but you are not alone on this.”

“If you wish to talk to us or Snips and Snails, we will be there for you. But you shouldn’t be taking your anger out on Princess Flurry Heart.” Diamond Tiara said, trying to be reasonable with the angry earth pony.

“Spare me the pity party…” Apple Bloom said, leaving them as they wondered what they did wrong.

. . .

Dragging Flurry Heart over to a private area in the corner of Canterlot, Tempest said,

“I thought I told you to stay on campus.”

“You did. But I was bored and I saw big sister Apple Bloom, so…” Flurry Heart said, trying to form words.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s somepony you know or otherwise. You’re not supposed to leave until I arrive. Period. I understand that you’re impatient and you want to see more of Equestria… but you’re still young. Your magic has the potential to unite Equestria. And if that’s last unchecked, it will become a double-edged sword.” Tempest lectured.

“Yes, Aunty Tempest. I heard you. I’m just so tired of learning the same old thing everyday at that boring school building. I want to learn more, to see more. I want to see the entire world of Equestria. I don’t want to spend my entire life here.” Flurry Heart said, bored of staying in Canterlot.

“In time, you will see what Equestria is like. But for now, you must stay here. For the sake of your subjects and your loved ones, you are needed if Equestria wants a future. I understand you don’t wish to stay here, but we need you. I need you.” Tempest said.

Flurry Heart felt mixed on what Tempest said to her. On one hoof, she understood why she was worried for her and wanted her to stay in Canterlot. But on the other, she wanted to leave. There wasn’t really much here for her, let alone anything to do. But regardless, there was nothing that Flurry Heart could do, so she swallowed her pride and conceded to Tempest’s reasoning.

“Yes, Aunty Tempest…” Flurry Heart groaned.

“We’re almost home. You can deal with your parents when you head inside.” Tempest said as they approached the castle entrance.

“I know…” Flurry Heart grumbled as the castle doors opened.

Immediately, she was greeted by her parents and they walked her to a private room where Tempest, Starlight, and Sunset eavesdropped behind the door. Flurry Heart was lectured for one whole hour while they listened from the opposite side of the door. When they were finished, Cadance and Shining Armor left the area and walked to the castle hallways, leaving the young alicorn in the room alone.

“At least I got to see my parents today…” Flurry Heart said to herself as she walked out.

After leaving, dinner was already prepared for her and she sat down at the table by herself. It was quiet and empty with hardly any company other than the guards. She felt cold and empty as she ate. After finishing her meal, she brushed her teeth and tied her hair back to prevent it from getting frizzy. When she was finished, she grabbed her favorite little teddy bear before tucking herself in and going to sleep.