Phyre in Ponyville

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic © Hasbro & Lauren Faust

Written By: TOO S0BER

Chapter 4: Under the Bridge

The light pervaded the corners of the room as the sun crested the horizon once more, lifted by Princess Celestia in her never ending responsibilities. Even as the fiery orb only just crested the horizon, already the light was bright and crisp. The signal of a new and glorious day.

Slowly Heart opened her eyes, a slight yawn escaping the she sat up and winced. The bruised wing, made even worse by her attempt to help Applejack, still ached furiously. Breathing was still a chore as she examined the angry red line bisecting her in half. The brick red pegasus sat up slowly and stretched, checking the time. It was very early in the morning, the shopkeepers would only just be setting up now.

The first thing Heart did was quickly, yet silently make her way to Halo's bedroom, stealthily wounding her way through the various debris in the messy filly's room. Cautiously she placed a forehoof on the smaller pegasus's forehead, feeling for a temperature. She sighed as everything seemed normal. Luckily the storm, and being out in that wet weather, hadn't given either of them a cold.

“Thank Celestia,” Heart whispered before exiting the room to prepare breakfast.

While the adult mare prepared the morning meal physically, her mind was elsewhere, thinking about the rest of her friends. Did any of them get sick? The most likely candidates would have to be Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The farmer spent a good bit of time in that river, and Dash didn't even get warm under a blanket; claiming it was “uncool” or something ridiculous like that. Believing she was too cool to get sick from a little water. With any luck the hot soup would be enough to ward off the sickness. But still she had doubts.

Heart Phyre was halfway through a batch of cherry vanilla pancakes when a frantic knock came to the door. That couldn't possibly be a customer could it? The grand opening was still two days away, and besides, a shop like this doesn't open this early; maybe for another hour at least. Looking back and forth between the dreamy smelling cakes and the door, Heart decided she had enough time to answer before they ran the risk of burning.

Another knock, louder and more frantic.

“I'm coming,” the pegasus shouted while removing her apron and hat. “I'm coming, hold your horseshoes!” Heart wasn't normally grumpy like that, but rudeness got to her in a big way.

Finally she opened the door and was rewarded by Twilight Sparkle cantering in place, looking like she had a Manticore or some other dangerous creature chasing after her. The unicorn stopped when she saw the pegasus.

“Twilight what's – ack!” The purple unicorn grabbed Heart Phyre by the shoulders, making her wince in pain from the injured wing. Twilight was rambling on so fast that the confused mare she was dragging only caught a few words. Something about a train, followed by a meeting, and that being late was horrible and could only be avoided by doing something now. If this was back in Buckson, she'd be crying out for help, that a psycho was foalnapping her, or something similar. But this was not Buckson, and this was a pony she knew – and was friends with. Twilight was still rambling when Heart mustered the strength to pull away.

The pegasus stumbled back on her haunches, looking directly at Twilight. “What the hay is going on Twilight?” Heart made no attempt to hide her annoyance.

“Princesses!” Twilight started, cantering in place again. “Meeting. Important. Canterlot.”

“Okay,” Heart blinked, twice. “What's so important about this meeting?”

“Late! Tardy!” Twilight looked to the sky as if expecting an anvil to fall on her head. “Train out of service! Storm! Must. Leave. NOW!”

Twilight got no further as Heart shoved a hoof in her face, she stopped cantering in place and stared.

“Okay,” Heart said slowly. “I understand this is very important, but I cannot understand a word you are saying. Slow down, start at the beginning, and explain.” Her wing made her wince again. “And easy on the violence!” She finished, removing her hoof from the unicorns muzzle, rubbing the sore appendage gingerly.

Twilight nodded in understanding, conceding to Heart Phyre. “Right, right.” She took a deep breath and said in a much calmer tone. “The Princesses have summoned us to Canterlot for a very important meeting – including you Heart. However, we need to leave right now if we're going to be on time. The tunnel in the mountain took a direct hit from a lightning strike, and has collapsed; which means we will need to travel by hoof to get there.” Twilight finished.

Heart just sat there, jaw agape. The Princesses wanted to see her? Why? Heart Phyre didn't consider herself special; not enough for a royal audience anyway. Forcing her jaw back into place with a hoof, she voiced the question in her head. “But why me?”

“I don't know,” Twilight said plainly with a slow shake of her head. “but it's the Princesses, so it must be important. And more importantly, we are going to be late if we don't go soon. I still have to round up Applejack and Rainbow Dash.” It was then that Heart noticed Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy standing a short distance away, waiting patiently.

“Can it wait five minutes?” Heart cautiously asked, remembering that she still had breakfast to finish. “I had some food on the stove. Won't take long, I promise.” She outstretched a hoof for emphasis.

The unicorn groaned, but nodded.

Heart dashed back into the kitchen in time to prevent the pancakes from burning. In short order, she set the table for Halo (when she finally got up), doing whatever she could to help the heat last longer in the meal. Scarfing down her own fill, Heart wrote a quick note for Halo explaining where she was going for the day. Shortly thereafter she was galloping down the road with Twilight and the others, heading straight for Sweet Apple Acres.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

At full gallop, the distance to the nearby farm was covered in quick succession. Passing row upon row of trees. Heart glanced around and saw the ruined stump from the day before, minutes before the near disaster at the Ponyville river. Silently giving thanks that everything turned out okay the way it did.

Twilight ran at manic speeds, Heart and the others barely able to keep up with the unicorn. She only slowed when Rarity had practically, and dramatically, begged for a short break. The fashionista unicorn unaccustomed to galloping for such prolonged periods at the pace the librarian was setting. Heart didn't blame Rarity, feeling incredibly winded as well, even though the dark orange pegasus had a bruised ribcage as an excuse. Her chest burned from the effort, the short rest very, very welcome.

“Come on girls,” said their unicorn leader. “we're almost there!” Gesturing over a short topped hill at the number of buildings that could be none other than Applejack's farm.

In unison, minus Twilight, the rest of the ponies groaned and continued at a slower trot; much to Twilight's annoyance. Heart couldn't hold back a slight smile watching her friend's frustration. Apparently she held the princesses in such high esteem that believing anything short of utter perfection was an affront to them. Maybe it was her imagination, but it seemed like most of the ponies in Ponyville did the same. Now, Heart didn't disrespect the princesses, no (in fact she too held them in high respects); but she also believed they were more down to earth than many would admit.

Heart cut her thoughts short and snickered as Twilight banged on the farmstead door, likely in the same comical manner she had done to everypony else. Although, this time as Applejack answered, the unicorn skipped the step of yanking the earth pony from the frame as she had done to Heart earlier.

“A meetin'?” Applejack said with a sense of reverie. “With the princesses?”

“Yes!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Ah'm sorry Twi,” the farmer said, staring at the floor between her hooves. “But Ah can't go with ya.”

At that moment the unicorn's mouth dropped to the floor and screeched, “WHAT!?!??”

Applejack recoiled and hurriedly explained, “Applebloom's caught a doozy of a cold Twi. Ah have to take care of her – and Rainbow Dash too.”

“They're both sick?” Heart asked before Twilight could screech again now that the rainbow pegasus likely wouldn't be coming either.

Applejack nodded, “E'yup.” She rolled her eyes and concluded with, “Because she stubbornly refused a blanket last night, it gave her the chills down to her bones.”

The farm mare turned back to the waiting unicorn – the latter's expression still aghast, “Ah'm sure the princesses will understand, but Ah can't go, and that's that.” Applejack emphasized with a light stomp of her forehoof, a look of determination on her face.

“But, I – we need – Arrugh! Fine,” the purple unicorn stammered.

“Everything will be okay dear,” Rarity offered. “Tend to your family.”

Heart nodded and added, “A cold is just that, a cold. If you need anything, Halo should be home most of the day. She didn't come down with it from what I could tell.” Heart smiled warmly.

“Oh! We'll have to throw a get better party when we get back! It'll be so much fun! Unless they throw up, then that wouldn't be fun. But throwing up makes ponies feel at least a little bit better, but then again not if it happens too much.” Pinkie rambled while Fluttershy just nodded. Heart couldn't help but roll her eyes. Perhaps it would be important to explain how colds work to Pinkie Pie. Even after the symptoms go away, it's still a good idea to rest a while longer. Many times with Halo or herself, a cold had resurfaced the next day because of too strenuous an activity too soon. Partying would be out. Especially if Heart had anything to say about it as far as Halo was concerned.

Applejack nodded at the comments, a more hopeful smile creasing her lips. “It took a w'ile, but Ah managed to keep Rainbow in bed. Twi, do y'all mind if'n Ah stop by the library to get some more o' them Daring Do books to keep Dash occupied? Ah only have a few and she's done read 'em already.”

Twilight awoke out of the trance she was in, not knowing what Applejack had just said. The farmer repeated, and the librarian agreed. Informing her friend to just ask Spike.

“Ah'm real sorry about this Twi,” Applejack apologized for maybe the dozenth time.

Twilight sighed and smiled, seeming to finally accept that with a cool head. “It's okay. Like you said, perhaps the princesses will understand. But if not –” an exceedingly worrisome grimace fell over her face.

“Then Ah'll make a personal point to apologize in person,” the farm mare honestly promised.

Pinkie Pie gave Applejack an odd, very suspicious glare.

The orange pony gulped and added, “Ah Pinkie promise – and this time Ah will.” Sticking a hoof in her eye. This seemed to make Pinkie happy, as she bounced once with a gleeful smile. Heart just looked confused. What just happened?

Rarity caught her expression and simply said, “Long story dear. But do remember to ask, it's a funny story... well...” The white unicorn gave a look to Pinkie Pie, and then to the farm house. Heart guessed it was meant for Rainbow Dash. “...most of it anyways.”

“Okay then,” that didn't assuage the confusion at all.

Suddenly a scream erupted from the second story floor, making all the mares jump. It came from a very familiar tom-coltish voice.

“Keep that away from me –” the shout was interrupted by an involuntary gulp, immediately followed by a series of bleghs, and sputtering noises. “Help! They're making me take poison!”

The familiar voice of Granny Smith chastised, “Oh fiddle sticks! Y'er worse than Applejack when she was a filly with a flu!” putting two and two together, Heart assumed the 'poison' was just cold medicine. Applejack blushed with embarrassment, reminded of herself whenever she had to take the awful tasting syrup. From somewhere above, Applebloom's raspy voice commented on Dash being a foal, before bleghing herself when she got her own spoonful.

Everypony laughed.

That reminded Heart, “Rarity, is Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sick?”

The unicorn shook her head, alleviating the fear. “No, and I don't believe I'd be going to Canterlot if she were, either.” Rarity explained evenly. She further made some reference to Apple Pie that only garnered a stare from the pegasus, and waved it off as another thing to 'ask about later'.

Heart wanted to slam her hoof in her face. Of course Rarity wouldn't be here if her little sister and friend were sick. Duh. Still, she felt grateful that Halo hadn't caught the river bug.

Everypony waved goodbye to Applejack, wishing well the two sick ponies in the room upstairs, still hearing annoyed protests that must have come from Rainbow Dash. They made one quick trip back to the library, Twilight had forgotten the map they would need, which seemed to shock everypony since the hyper-organized unicorn usually had checklists of checklists apparently. In short order, the five made their way to the outskirts of Ponyville, the majestic cliff side capital of Equestria off in the distance.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

For once Heart Phyre was grateful that many clouds still obscured the open expanse of the blue sky, shielding the travelers from the heat of Celestia's sun as they crossed grassy hills and meadows on their way to Canterlot. Otherwise, the trek would have been much more miserable as the heat would have been beating all of them into submission. That, and she was grateful that Rarity wasn't given the opportunity to whine about it.

Paradoxically, Pinkie Pie made some joke referring to some event that the deep orange pegasus had no clue about. Something about Diamond Dogs and the white unicorn convincing them to let her go, with a mountain of gems, by whining. Wait... did she hear that right?

“What...?” Heart asked, perking her bored ears up to full attention.

“That's right!” Pinkie exclaimed, “She got them to let her go by whining!” the pink earth pony laughed with a snort.

Rarity groaned, “I will clarify once more,” she coughed in ahem, as though preparing an elegant speech. “I was not whining, I was complaining. There is an enormous difference between the two, and it served my manipulation of the Diamond Dogs very well I will have you know.” She finally finished.

What's the difference between whining and complaining? Heart mentally quizzed herself. Weren't they both essentially the same? She thought about it for a few moments, conjuring up the dictionary definitions as well as many abstract examples. After a while longer, she gave up before being rewarded with a headache that she didn't need nor wanted. Instead saving the debate for a more comfortable atmosphere.

Almost as if reading her mind, Twilight glanced back at the pegasus with a knowing smile, mouthing the words: don't drive yourself crazy over it. Believe me, I know. Just like with the whining adventure, Heart had no idea what their unicorn leader was referring to, but wisely let it slide. Perhaps she would ask her friend to share more of their, apparently quite entertaining, stories again.

Now she needed a distraction. While dragging the heavy cart from Buckson to Ponyville several days prior, Heart had been plenty occupied by the remarkable change in scenery. What with the plants, grass, trees, etcetera decorating the flowing landscape like a masterful piece of art.

Peeled from the waning interest in the pretty surroundings, Heart began to worry about Halo. Frowning at the sky, she wondered if the breakfast was sufficiently cooked. At the very least it would taste awful, at the most the filly could get sick from the egg the recipe called for. Did she know what to do if she got seriously ill? Did she even know where the hospital was in Ponyville? What if something else horrible happens? Unpleasant images of the house catching fire spontaneously forced itself into her mind's eye, followed by the same building collapsing in an earthquake. Later, random objects, such as a safe, a piano and a massive wagon seemed to crush the structure far too easily. What if...

Heart tripped and landed flat on her face with an oof, feeling the strong tug of something grasping her tail. She turned her head about on the ground into the worried gazes of her friends, and blushed a little before scrambling to get on her body, and out struck posterior displayed in front of them, off the ground. The something grasping her tail had been Twilight's magic, which faded a few seconds later. Then Heart looked at them... from a distance. In her worry-filled moment, she had quickly trotted several yards ahead of the group, and obviously she either could not, or would not, hear them calling to her.

Twilight was first to speak, snapping Heart from her thoughts, “Are you okay Heart Phyre? You were...” she paused, looking for the appropriate word. “you looked very worried back there.”

The pegasus blinked, somewhat confused. “Um, yes?” She wasn't even sure herself, grinning a little too big. The unicorn looked unconvinced, and the utterly fake smile collapsed back into a worried frown.

“I think I have an idea as to what is bothering her,” Rarity stepped up, and continued after a pause. “I find myself concerned for Sweetie Belle too. Leaving her all alone, like I did.” the elegant unicorn lost some of her composure, staring forlorn at the ground between her hooves. Quickly though, said composure was regained startlingly quickly. “However, I have faith that Sweetie will be fine.” she gave a genuine smile, and added, “so will Halo.”

That seemed to calm Heart down a bit, smiling weakly. The comforting words had helped greatly, but it didn't completely assuage the concern she felt. The imagination has a way of making everything appear worse than it actually is. She took a deep breath, and nodded to signal that she was ready to continue. Waited for a few seconds as the group caught up and partially passed before returning to the previous rank.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

Much of the trip went on in a boring pattern. The others would reminisce in tales of past adventures that Heart had little or no clue as to what had happened. Twilight fretted over their time table and repeatedly insisted on moving faster, much to everypony's annoyance. Her ears twisted back to listen to Rarity and Fluttershy talk about old photo shoots. Surprisingly, the shy yellow mare blushed and was trying to disappear in her pink mane, while Rarity smiled semi-nervously.

“Okay everypony,” Twilight began. “after we cross the nearby bridge, it's a trek through the mountain pass.”

Just saying 'bridge' was a bit of an understatement. The river itself at this juncture was easily fifty feet across, and the bridge in question spanned the whole length with only one support actually plunging into the water. Reaching the mouth, it was wide enough to allow two freight wagons to cross at the same time. Despite all this however, the structure seemed like it hadn't been used for quite a while. It wasn't so old that crossing would be hazardous, but the bridge looked like it hadn't seen traffic for many years; most likely due to the Ponyville Express, since it provided a more direct, and faster, line of travel to Canterlot.

The rest of the ponies ooohed and aaawed at the sight of the dilapidated, but magnificent, bridge. Heart remained neutral; Buckson had a few of such bridges, even a couple that were bigger. Although the 'rivers' that they spanned were little more than just chasms of dry riverbed that only flooded during the monsoon season three, maybe four, times a year. One detail did make her smile; the sides of the bridge were adorned with a faded mosaic of the Princesses, Celestia and Luna, in an epic pose of sorts with a half sun, half moon for a background. Surrounding the mosaic were six symbols, along with dozens of smaller ones that were mostly faded to time.

“Yes!” Twilight squeed. “After this it's straight to Canterlot and the princesses!” She burst into a faster trot as Heart and the others rushed to catch up.

“What are those symbols surrounding the princesses?” Heart asked, feeling like it was a dumb question for some reason.

Twilight craned her head back to the pegasus, and slowed her trot down a bit. “They are the Elements of Harmony. The six pillars of friendship that were once wielded by Celestia herself.” The unicorn explained as though reciting from a textbook – in all likelihood, she was.

“'Once wielded by Celestia'?” Heart quizzed, then asked the second part of her question. “Who wields them now?”

Twilight smiled and gave a short giggle. “We do.” she gestured to herself, and the rest of the ponies trotting around them.

Heart's eyes widened. Twilight was that pony, and her friends were those ponies!? They were the ones that stopped Nightmare Moon, re-imprisoned Discord, and foiled the Canterlot wedding attack? She recalled hearing Twilight talk about the very same events and that they helped, but didn't really clarify that those ponies were the very same wielders of the elements! That's quite the detail to leave out!

Heart's grin grew ten fold. She was friends with heroes! Squee!

Twilight stared at Heart's enormous grin, smiling and cocking an eyebrow at the pegasus. “Left that little bit out did I?” She mused.

Heart could do naught but nod, muzzle still open wide.

The bridge loomed before the five as they began to cross the expanse. After a few moments, Heart noticed something strange; an odd change in a certain crazy maned pink pony with party balloons decorating her flank. She kept looking oddly at her rear hooves, and shivering... wildly... as though the air around her was the inside of a massive freezer. Heart stopped short and absently reached up a hoof to stop somepony, catching a flank.

Rarity whirled her head around, possibly about to berate Heart about her manners, when she too saw Pinkie Pie acting stranger; well, strange-er.

“Um,” Rarity said calmly. “is something the matter Pinkie dear?”

“I don't know,” Pinkie said, worry etched across her face, staring down at her rear. “It's another Pinkie sense like the one from Froggy Bottom Bog, but it doesn't feel like a doozie, but I've also never had one like this before.”

Twilight whirled around, and out of nowhere a colorful umbrella hat appeared over her head. “What is it Pinkie?” she asked, looking everywhere above her. The hay was she expecting? A piano? Heart couldn't help but smirk at the ridiculous head ware, and imagined Rainbow Dash on her back laughing her flanks off.

However, that smirk quickly bolted out the door when she realized nopony else was smiling. In fact, everypony looked downright worried. “Am I missing something?” Heart struggled between mimicking the same worried face or continuing to smile, and decided on blank confusion.

Pinkie took a moment to blurt out in a painfully long ramble what her Pinkie Sense was and how it worked with Twilight translating the run-on spurt into comprehensible explanation. Apparently Pinkie could detect certain events before they actually happened by observing certain reactions happening to her body. At that moment Heart wasn't sure what up and down were as she tried to comprehend what was being rammed into her ears. They twitched with each word as her eyes narrowed slightly. Was there sizzling? The pegasus swore she heard sizzling as it felt liker her brain was frying.

“Um,” she cocked an eyebrow and looked up at the sky. “I think my brain just broke.”

Twilight smiled sympathetically and said calmly, “I know how it sounds Heart, but it's...” she paused for a moment. “...true. Pinkie can sense things before they happen.” That did not console the orange pegasus much, she blinked, and still looked confused. Twilight then turned her attention to the apparently psychic earth pony and asked, “What does it feel like pinkie?”

“Well,” She scrunched her face in what might be concentration. “The sensation is like my rear hooves are being dunked in buckets of ice, my tail feels stiff. I dunno what that's supposed to mean but it feels like it's a... massive argument?” She said, confusion apparent. An argument? That isn't so bad. “An argument with mean, scary, bad creatures that nopony likes.” Okay, maybe a little bad. “Awe how sad, how come nopony likes them I wonder?” For a moment, Pinkie's mane and tail slightly deflated before perking back up almost instantly. “They need a Pinkie Party!” She hopped once in the air with a manic grin.

“Also my stomach is squeaky,” Pinkie stated, rubbing her midsection.

Heart facehooved. How can a stomach be squeaky!?

“And what does that mean?” Twilight asked thoughtfully, her eyes twitching up at the sky again.

“Not sure, but it feels the same as burning right hoof and manic ear.” She stated with a shrug.

Everypony seemed to blink in perfect synchronization.

Okay, Heart thought, twitching just a bit. Not going to ask, I need my brain right now.

Without warning there was a groan from underneath the bridge, followed by what sounded like several sets of claws clanging and scraping against metal, drawing closer and closer with each rap. Everypony looked around in confusion; Twilight though, looked ready to cast a spell should everything go from bad to horrible. From one side over the bridge railing, a massive dark figure leaped out from under the crossing structure, landing several yards away to block the path forward. In quick succession, two more such figures, slightly smaller, also flew into the air to land right by the monstrosity. Together they stood evenly spaced out, blocking further passage down the path of the bridge.

“What in Equestria?” Twilight gasped.

Heart squinted, trying to focus on their features. The far left creature seemed to be squat, maybe only a head taller than a normal sized pony and his – if it was a he – girth matched his height. The color of his hide seemed to be a very dark and depressing blue. He had one big meaty arm up towards his very round face. On the opposite side was, well, the opposite. This creature was tall and thin and seemed to be a fiery red color, almost like the coat of Big McIntosh, but it seemed like an angry flame. This one's arms were crossed across his slender chest, as if he was impatiently waiting for something. The third was the largest of the three, towering over the red one by at least two heads, and he was black as Luna's midnight. Even from here, he seemed to radiate intelligence, a dark and distrustful intelligence.

“Oh! Maybe that's it!” Pinkie declared, pointing a hoof at the three mysterious creatures.

“So, what do we do now? They are obstructing our path.” Rarity asked. She looked like she was going to be sick. “Ugh! Have they never heard of a little civility?” Heart looked at the creatures, and because it was Rarity, took special note of their clothing. They wore several articles, but they seemed dirty and torn.

“Well,” the purple unicorn answered, thinking with her eyes to the ground. “go up and say 'hi'?” She smiled sheepishly.

Fluttershy shivered with a worried squeak. “B-b-but... they're big... and strange looking.” she covered her mouth with her hooves. “I-I've never s-seen creatures like t-t-them before!” She stuttered fairly quickly in her squeamish voice.

“Not to mention garish,” Rarity made an icky face. “I doubt their appearance is better than their odor.”

Heart had to agree with Rarity, they didn't look like they were a pleasant bunch to be around. Unless her eyes were deceiving her, that red one looked downright hostile; like taking one wrong look at him would trigger a furry like Celestia hath no. The blue one seemed harmless, maybe even passive since it seemed more interested in picking at its face. But that black one in the middle, it made Heart's mane twitch furiously. There was something very wrong here.

“Well we aren't going to find out by just standing here,” Twilight took a few steps and then rounded to face her friends. “besides, we have a meeting to attend.” Her violet eyes looked up at the hat  still on her head and quickly removed it.

Heart glanced off at the three again. Watching as the red one tapped its foot on the ground, possibly from impatience. After a few seconds of this, the arms flew into the air and she thought she could hear faint yells coming from him. Apparently he was wishing for the ponies to hurry up and do something.

“I don't know about this girls,” the pegasus said, keeping her eyes on the red thing. The black one gave his red comrade a glance, and the red one took his old stance at once; standing there with his arms crossed. The blue one hadn't moved, still picking at something on his round face. Well, well, well, seems the black one is the leader perhaps. Made sense; he was the biggest.

Something else nagged at Heart Phyre, making her chest tighten, an old familiarity that tried to crawl its way against her skull. Several unpleasant emotions bubbled up to the surface. Loathing, contempt, insecurity and depression among the top. Trying to place the unwanted feelings, she only came up with images of Buckson, and a building with many ponies milling about. She gave a low growl and mentally stomped the image, bitterly and aggressively again and again. Heart really didn't want to get near those... whatever they were. For some reason, they stirred very old memories within her, ones she didn't want to remember.

Heart heard voices, but they were occupied, distant, as she stared at the three mystery guests. Mentally, the sound of multiple different voices. Familiar, hurtful words rang unwelcome. 'Blank flank', from a young filly with condescending eyes, wearing emerald ear rings. Several pegasi laughed when an older buck in a hoof ball jacket talked in disbelief when she said she couldn't fly, spouting ridiculous names at her. Then a softly glowing room with two voices shouting angrily back and forth, faces and bodies out of sight. The yelling reached a peak, and suddenly a semi-translucent object with a black label and half full of liquid came straight at her face with a shattering crash as everything went black. Slowly, her wary gaze at the three turned into a misty glare, an intense frown splaying across her face.

A more familiar, and welcome, voice called out a little louder; accompanied by a hoof visibly shaking her. “Heart! Are you okay? What's wrong?” When that didn't work, Twilight grasped Heart with both hooves and vigorously pulled back and forth, causing the pegasus's head to snap back and forth.

“O-okay, o-okay! I-I'm ok-kay!” Heart tried to blurt out between shakes. The unicorn let go of her head, but the world still spun for a few seconds afterwards. She imagined her eyes swirling in their sockets and blinked – several times.

Twilight filled her vision when Heart finally decided to open her eyes and could focus.

“What was that just now?” the concerned mare asked. “You drifted off and started glaring at those three... quite venomously.” she added with a touch more worry, and a bit more quietly added. “You looked like you were about to cry.”

Heart blinked, and looked over Twilight's shoulder at the rest. Rarity and Pinkie Pie just stared back, halfway in shock. Poor Fluttershy half cowered behind Rarity, fear etched on her shaking face, half of it hidden by her pink mane. Wow, it must have been bad.

Heart enveloped her vision in darkness, and released a heavy sigh, “I don't know. There's something about those three.”

Twilight pondered a moment, looking at the deep orange pegasus and the three mysterious strangers, still blocking the way across the river bridge. “They stir uncomfortable memories in you don't they?” she carefully asked.

Bingo, Heart thought, then said flatly, “Something like that.” Giving the trio a flat stare instead of a glare, lips in a thin line.

Heart stared at them another few seconds, then remembered the shaking, quickly turning her gaze back to Twilight – who froze as her hooves were about to start grasping her again. The mare backed away quickly with a very embarrassed grin.

“I'll be okay Twi,” Heart warmly said, trying to assure the nervous mare. She glanced at Fluttershy as well, and smiled when the other pegasus stopped shaking and came out from behind Rarity.

“Well then let's get moving,” Twilight said and began trotting. “I'm sure we're just overreacting and this will be over before we know it and we'll be off to Canterlot and the Princesses!” the unicorn said happily.

Heart resisted a nervous gulp, following her friend. I sure hope so Twilight.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

The three creatures were even uglier up close.

Heart winced as the behemoths got closer in her vision. All three of them were bigger than the ponies approaching, even short blue and exceptionally gross (that arm he had to his head was him picking his nose). Poor Rarity wretched at the sight. Short blue and fat had multiple bumps on his face and around the chunky arms that he had. He wore a distant, distracted stare as a long nailed finger picked absently inside his stubby nose, a normal enough looking tongue sticking out to one side. One partially cracked, stubby, slightly curved horn sat on his fat head.

Red was definitely the impatient type; it was etched on his face, and looked like he wanted to shout at us 'what the hay took you so long!'. Heart suspected that the scowl on his face was permanent, and while her own couldn't possibly match his, she scowled back. Just as the pegasus saw from a distance, Red was tall and slender with maybe a bit of muscle. It seemed Red even seethed with barely controlled anger. Two jagged horns jutted out parallel above his eyes, looking sharp and wicked.

Black was by far the most disturbing. He stood two heads taller than Red, and had a lot more muscle, but unlike the other two, he looked cold and calculating; the hidden intelligence of a mastermind gleamed in Black's dark eyes, watching like a predator as Heart and her friends approached them. Three horns sat on his head in an upside down triangle; they were neat, polished even, and curled once like an elder ram's before ending in a tip that seemed impossibly sharp. But that wasn't even the worst part.

It was his smile.

Large, muscular, and just plain scary wore a devilish grin on his face. The kind of grin that would be seen in the face of not a murderer or a psychopath, but of a con-man that could sweet talk a mother out of her foal, and maybe with a bit of mania mixed in. Heart felt her mane crawl as though there were a thousand parasprites setting up shop. All three of them wore somewhat matching rags of clothing, something similar to what she heard Diamond Dogs had worn.

“Oh dear,” Rarity wretched for the second time.

The others murmured their own curiosities and speculations. Heart just walked silently, watching the three for any signs of sudden treachery. Saying that the pegasus was tense would be an understatement.

“Hello,” Twilight said friendly enough, extending her hoof. “I am Twilight Sparkle and I-”

“I don't care who you think you are!” Red exploded. Shaking one of his long, clawed hands at the unicorn who now recoiled in shock.

Rarity gasped, “H-how rude!” and Red mocked her words in a condescending tone, to which the white unicorn huffed indignantly. Blue chuckled dumbly.

Well, that proved Heart's suspicions about Red being a Mr. angry pants.

Twilight only seemed slightly perturbed, and tried again. “As I was saying, I'm Twilight, and we would like to cross this bridge if you please.” The smile worn before was gone and she held her expression as a thin line.

“I-If that's okay w-with you...” Fluttershy added, squeaking behind Rarity.

Red huffed at the yellow pegasus, “I don't think I've ever seen a dumber looking group of girlie ponies.” To Heart's surprise, Black rolled his eyes in slight annoyance, his manic grin lessening. “No, it's not okay with me!” Shouting again. “Now take your dumb little picture flanks and get the hay out!” The creature bent down low and yelled right in Twilight's face, making her indigo mane sweep back.

Now Twilight seemed very displeased, Heart taking an involuntary step away from the unicorn as her eye twitched. “I'm afraid that is not possible. We need to get to Canterlot, and this bridge is the only way since the tunnel has collapsed. So, if you would kindly...” She gestured a hoof for Red to step aside.

Now Red's eye twitched as his face turned a darker shade of red. Somehow, Heart doubted he was blushing. Before the angsty demon could reply, and boy was he about to reply, Black held up his massive muscled and boiled arm. Red stopped dead in his tracks. The pit in the pegasus's stomach grew as the message became clear; he was definitely the boss.

“What my friend is trying to say,” he began in a far silkier voice than should be legal for someone like him. “is that you cannot pass without playing a little...” purring as though making a genuine request. The stone turned to nausea inside Heart's stomach. “...game with us.

“You five must 'convince' us to let you pass,” Black continued. “or if your hearts are not up for it, you cannot pass. If you can determine what it is we desire, and put an end to obliviously giving it to us, then you may pass. Simple as that.”

It took several seconds for Heart to process this. A game? What for? What was the point?

“Fine.” came Twilight's voice.

Everypony did a double take at that. The lavender unicorn, out of all of them, should have been the one to refuse because she was the one that was in such a hurry. Honestly, it took every ounce of self control for Heart not to plunge her jaw through the bottom of the bridge.

As if reading her friends' minds Twilight turned back to them and added, “The sooner we finish their little game the sooner we can be on our way to the Princesses.”

Heart wanted to protest. Something didn't seem right about this game they wanted the ponies to play. Everything about it screamed 'trap' or something else that was really bad. Also, was this bridge really the only way across the river? Surely there's another bridge elsewhere, or maybe even a shallow part of the river to cross. Taxi-ing everypony across the river by flight was out. Fluttershy didn't look like she could carry anything heavier than a rabbit, and Heart herself... well...

Heart glanced over the railing of the bridge. The rushing water disappeared and was replaced by  a paved tarmac street. Below were a dozen ponies of various color schemes and ages, all of them staring upwards with their wide eyes. Right at the bottom of her vision, two orange hooves, small enough to belong to a young filly, stood perched on the brick of a multi-story apartment building. Muscles tensed, and she leaped off the roof.

Shaking the memory from her mind, the orange pegasus grumbled as she glanced back at her wings, combination of unwilling and unable to fly. The only pegasus that could have ferried them across was at Sweet Apple Acres with a bad cold.

Great, just another way I can't help others when they need it, Heart pouted. The thought was less like a passing annoyance and more like stab.

“So what is this little game?” Twilight asked.

“Do you like books?” Black answered with a question.

Before the mare could answer, Blue added. “Pony looks like a dorky egghead.” and then he made a curious noise that sounded like 'hadurh'. All the while still picking his nose. Goddesses Heart wished he would cut that out! Breakfast threatened to greet her again.

Red laughed contemptuously at the statement, he enjoyed the insult and the way Twilight bristled. “A real dork for sure! Probably likes books more than her actual friends.”

Heart watched Twilight react. The mare's jaw dropped in disgust, but there was something else. She looked almost ashamed for just a brief moment, considering something that she was trying desperately to hide.

“Oh, it must be true.” Black cooed. “The evidence is on her face. Is it Twilight Sparkle? You did enjoy books more than the company of ponies... so what about now? Surely sitting at home in that library would be more entertaining than being with your friends.” his voice carried some kind of temptress-like snare, like a very well baited trap.

Twilight kept glaring at him, but there were flickers of doubt, that she was trying to hide. Since Rarity and the others were off to the left, several feet behind, Heart had a better view of the unicorn's expression from the opposite side. The betraying thoughts of desiring the company of books over friends was palpable. Heart tried to comprehend it, and found the thought unbearable. Going through school in Buckson without so much as a single friend was... miserably lonely. How could books be any better? Heart felt vaguely perturbed with Twilight.

“That isn't true,” she squeaked out, words not very assuring.

“Oh just fess up already!” Red bellowed. “You know you like books more than anything. You live in a library for crying out loud!”

In almost a whisper, Black fed the last nail. “Perhaps you need someone else to tell them the truth since you cannot face it yourself...”

“No!” Twilight screamed. “No, just... no.” Heart strained to hear the next words. “I don't want to lose them...” did she mean the books or her friends? For some reason the orange pegasus felt skeptical.

“I-I need to go,” Twilight said, then trotted back, clearly shaken.

“Darling?” Rarity tried to catch Twilight's attention. “Darling is everything okay? What did they say to you? Twilight!” she humphed as Twilight seemed to ignore her. “Oh, we'll see about that! It is on!” and she trotted angrily to the three figures for her own turn.

“Now see here,” stomping a hoof. “I don't know what you said to my poor friend, but what gives you the right to be so cruel as to upset anypony like that? You should be ashamed of yourselves!”

“About as much right as you for accusing us of anything.” Black replied, looking almost innocent. Almost.

Rarity cocked an eyebrow, clearly trying to process the circular logic. “That is beside the point. What I'm trying to say –”

Red cut her off with a vulgar noise from his mouth and added while the white unicorn recovered from her retching, “Eh, prissy ponies are all alike. This stupid pony probably gets upset if you so much as scuff her hoof!” the crimson demon laughed loudly.

“Well I never –”

“Never what? Never gone a week without a hooficure? Never gone a day without having to obsessively brush your mane?” Red mocked. “Goddesses you must be the shallowest pony in all of Equestria. Can you even do anything?”

“Of course I can do things!” Rarity exclaimed, redness welling in her face. “I created beauty from scratch, elegance from air!” the unicorn half posed.

“And what about anything that's actually useful?” Black pointed out. “I doubt a dress has ever helped out with applebucking season. I doubt a tiara could protect anypony from a falling object.”

“Well, I suppose not.” her usual confident voice wavered noticeably.

“Tell me,” Black continued. “would a finding gems spell have been any use to find Applejack's hat? What about when Rainbow Dash needed support for that contest and you bumbled your way in to steal the spotlight? I doubt that was very helpful.”

“But even so, that helped Dash perform the sonic rainboom. That helped!”

“Yes, that is true, but that isn't why you joined the competition.” Black retorted evenly. “You did it for yourself, to show off, to steal the spotlight because you could. Generosity indeed.”

Rarity balked, and sat down hard, considering.

Heart couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sure, half of those accusations or whatever, had to have been false, but joining the competition that Rainbow was training for constantly? That – that didn't sound like the Rarity Heart had briefly known. Her shoulders drooped, and the once confident unicorn mare had an almost pained look on her face.

She opened her mouth, several times, trying to come back with something. After a moment, she just trotted away, unable to meet any pony's gaze.

The orange pegasus looked on, at a loss for words. Had half of what they said been true? Heart vaguely recalled Dash bragging about her second sonic rainboom, the one performed at the best young fliers competition, and how she had saved Rarity from plummeting to her death. Sure, it wasn't exactly a generous thing to do, but everything turned out okay. Rarity apologized immediately, and everything was fine. So, why did this get to her so much? Perhaps, maybe, it bothered the unicorn more than she let on? She stopped a little ways down the bridge, with still plenty of distance between the forlorn Twilight, and leaned against the rail, slumping.

Heart frowned, she didn't like that at all, and made a mental note to keep an eye on Rarity. One potentially drowning pony was enough for one week.

“Rarity...” Pinkie said in a sad whisper.

Suddenly the pink party pony wore an inscrutable glare at the three towering horned jerks. The sudden change in demeanor made Heart jump, Fluttershy as well, as she slowly trotted up towards the three, and then sat on her haunches in front of them. And waited.

Black cocked an eyebrow over his cold eyes, curiously. Blue stared off into space.

“And what are you staring at huh?” Red asked menacingly.

Pinkie Pie shifted her gaze to Red, and just continued staring.

His eye twitched and his smile visibly strained.

Heart tried to imagine lasting ten seconds under the pink mare's stare, and shuddered. She heard of some of the... odd... things that Pinkie seemed capable of. Popping in and out of nowhere, somehow being able to keep up with Rainbow Dash, and the reaction when Applejack 'broke' a Pinkie Promise. Heart was certain that crossing Pinkie Pie was always a mistake, and almost felt sorry for the three beings towering above her.

“What's so funny huh!?” Red shouted, Pinkie had been laughing at his yelling and bellowing.

“Oh I'm funny now eh?” He shouted some more. Briefly, Heart wondered if shouting like an immature foal could be a special talent, and tried to imagine what that Cutie Mark might look like.

The happy-go-lucky mare laughed happily again, this time with a cute little snort added in.

Red was fuming, and the orange pegasus couldn't help but smirk, imagining steam escaping his horned head. For a moment, Heart worried that he might physically assault Pinkie Pie, but he just stood there, glaring daggers down at the earth pony sitting before him. But it appeared this guy was all bark and no bite. Either that, or he knew his boss wouldn't like violence of action.

Heart chanced a glance back at Black. To her surprise, he was enjoying Red's simmering anger as well. Smiling like he was watching a comedy show, and that almost made Heart's own smile disappear. Black, and indeed all three of them, seemed to revel in the torment of others; even each other. Something was clicking within Heart's mind, screwing up her face in concentration, she tried to pin it down.

She had seen this kind of behavior before, but exactly where eluded the pegasus. Instead it made her heart ache, and a rising bitterness accompanied by a shadow in her mind. It felt like her own sub-conscious was fighting against her, trying to keep a lid on it. Whatever 'it' was.

Pinkie laughed again, dragging Heart from the thoughts going nowhere.

Red, about to scream something else, was again interrupted by Black waving a dismissive arm. “Tell me, Pinkie Pie, do you like parties?”

“Yes! Yes, I do.” she said smugly, straightening proudly.

“You really like parties?” Black asked seemingly innocent.

“Mhm! Pinkie loves to throw parties to make other ponies happy.” talking about herself in a third person. For some odd reason, that made Heart's eye twitch.

“Are you certain?” Black said with what must have been mock concern.

Pinkie's smile faltered slightly, “Yes, I'm certain. Why?” she asked, confused.

“What I mean is, are you certain you're not... hiding behind them? The parties I mean?” that eerie grin returning as the words dripped from his maw.

Pinkie hesitated, unsure how to respond.

“Maybe you throw all these parties because you're lying to yourself.” Black continued, talking in a tone akin to a therapist – if a therapist's job was to drive somepony insane with guilt trips! “Lying, thinking that everypony wants to be your friend, when all you really do is annoy them.”

“That's not true,” Pinkie said confidently, and yet not so confidently. Evidenced by the slight droop in her smile. “Everypony loves Pinkie parties, they're the bestest in the westest. Just ask Fluttershy!” with that Pinkie thrust a hoof at the yellow pegasus, whom was shaking a little distance away.

The yellow mare gave a wan smile and a slight nod of her head.

“See?” Pinkie said triumphantly.

“Hm,” Black hummed. “perhaps, but what about everypony else? And what about you? It seems like you're hiding behind having parties because no pony likes to be around you, so to draw them in, parties are thrown.” the midnight behemoth finished darkly.

Heart thought about that a moment. Sure, Pinkie got... eccentric... at times but was never unpleasant; well, with the exception of when Heart first met her, but that was a misunderstanding! The earth pony looked less sure now, eyes darting along the ground with a frown. And was Heart seeing things, or did the puffy pink mane... deflate significantly? The pegasus briefly wondered if this was the same mare, cocking an eyebrow in puzzlement.

“Unless I am mistaken,” Black turned his eyes towards the sky, deep in thought, while stroking his rough chin. “you even held a party where there were no ponies. Just things.” slowly he rolled his gaze back down to Pinkie with a knowing smirk.

Okay, that Heart had not known.

Pinkie's eyes shot wide and the pupils shrank to pinpricks. Whatever Black was referring to, and Heart had absolutely no clue, deeply upset the pink mare. Whatever puffiness remained in Pinkie's mane and tail disappeared with an audible pop, and was now perfectly straight as though she had recently visited a spa. Her eyes, once full of life, were now glazed over and heartbreakingly sad. Even her coat lost much of its luster as depression seeped into the earth pony.

It was all Heart could do to suppress the saddening tears. It was perhaps the most starkest transformation yet. A visible spectacle of such depressing sadness that the pegasus felt as though she had never laughed... ever. Laughter itself was a foreign concept now.

“It's true!” Pinkie suddenly burst into tears, covering her drab pink head with her forehooves. “I do have a problem!” she wailed before dashing away, almost to the other side of the bridge, as if she didn't want to be seen by anypony.

“Pinkie, wait –!” Heart tried to blurt out. Wow, that mare could move. Suddenly keeping up with Rainbow on full steam ahead didn't seem so implausible. In ten seconds flat she was well outside shouting range, and thus beyond help without having to track her down.

“Pinkie...” Fluttershy, floating in the air with forehooves pressed against her mouth, said meekly.

Then Heart heard the mocking, condescending laughter from all three of them, even the calm and collected Black couldn't help but join in. Heart scowled, feeling the heat building in her face. That was it, that was the last straw! She was going to give these jerks a piece of her mind!

That anger evaporated into shock and confusion as a pink and yellow blur whooshed past her.

For a moment, Heart thought that Rainbow Dash had arrived, but that was disproved when she saw Fluttershy wasn't sulking in the corner anymore, and now hovered close to the three brutes.

Heart had been wrong before, this was the starkest transformation.

Fluttershy had her teeth clenched, breathing heavily through her nostrils, each exhale expelling what looked like steam. The once soft and gentle cerulean eyes were now hard pinpricks of uncontrolled rage; Heart imagined intense laser beams of death that could disintegrate in a single, mind-melting stare. The yellow of her face turning red with each passing second. Heart trembled in her hooves and suddenly felt the need to whimper and hide, color partially draining from her coat as she stared at what used to be Fluttershy.

“You. Big. MEANIE!” Fluttershy screamed at the three. And even more shocking, they balked. Almost full recoil at the sudden change in demeanor Fluttershy demonstrated, coming inches from their faces. “What in Equestria gives you the right to talk to anypony like that! That is not how you make friends! That is not how you treat others, even enemies! When people give you crap, give them a slap!”

With that Fluttershy reared up like she was about to deck them.

Heart's jaw dropped in horror and shock, and almost didn't register the long, low chuckle from Black as he stared at Fluttershy in amusement. Still blistering with fury, the yellow pegasus halted her would-be assault, cocking an angry eye brow at Black. For almost thirty seconds he dared to continue laughing.

Just when Fluttershy was about to lose patience and resume the clobbering, he spoke up. “Congratulations Fluttershy,” he said as though he were handing her first prize for the Best Young Flier's Competition. “you are one of us.”

Before the confused pegasus could say a word, he produced a large hand mirror and jutted it out to Fluttershy. She stared at it for a moment in bewilderment, greatly confused but still wearing that scare-the-hide-off-you angry look.

Then she balked.

The steely stare softened, the angry blush disappeared, and the kind hearted visage of Fluttershy returned to normal as she brought her hooves to her mouth in shock. But Black didn't finish there...

Turning the mirror slightly, Heart saw her own reflection now. The face of terror and shock that she still wore from watching Fluttershy transform into a monster, showing that face to the trembling pegasus. Heart quickly tried to change her demeanor, but the damage was done.

“N-nooo!” Fluttershy squealed shakily, her voice choked as tears quickly built in her eyes. “S-She can't return! She can't! I-I'm not l-like you, I'm not like you!” she retreated to the corner she recently occupied, bawling like a foal.

“Fluttershy,” Heart made her way to her crying friend and placed a hoof on her shoulder, but she shook it away in shame. “that wasn't you, it wasn't! And I...” she trailed off, remembering that face she wore moments ago in response to Fluttershy's outburst.

“That wasn't you!” Heart said sternly, simply trying to get the message through.

“Yes it w-w-wasss!” Fluttershy wailed between sobs.

Heart was at a loss as she looked at each of her broken friends. Twilight was soaking neck-deep in a tub of self-loathing. Rarity was sulking over the rails, lost and useless, staring down at the water longingly. Pinkie, while she had crawled back closer to the group looked like an addict in withdrawal, unable to let go but incapable of facing the truth. And Fluttershy was dealing with a part of herself that she really did not like when it reared its ugly head; let alone control it.

Everypony seemed to have demons they were trying to cope with, control, or ignore. What demons did Heart possess? Would she break as hard as the others if Black and his friends, with their freaky knowledge of the ponies, used them against her? Surely a meeting with the Princesses, no matter how important, wasn't worth this.

Heart looked up at the sky, almost begging for a better solution, and announced evenly, “Come on everypony. We're going back to Ponyville... back home.”

That garnered everypony's gaze. Most seemed hopeful, slightly uplifted by the promises of returning to the happy place of home. All except Twilight, who looked at her like she had gone mad.

“And the meeting?” she asked. “The Princesses?”

“Will have to wait until the train tunnel is cleared.” Heart said, stomping a hoof for emphasis. Then she scowled back at the three demons before adding. “It's clear we cannot go this way.”

“Giving up so easily?” Black cooed, feigning as though the decision had hurt his feelings. “You still have one more shot, one more un-traumatized pony.”

“Shut up.” Heart replied sharply, as she trotted slowly towards the other side of the bridge.

“Oh come now,” Black said with a hint of amusement. “I thought you were the one that was good with games. If you can't even play one little intsy wintsy game, how can you expect to run a store for games? You'll be out of business in a week.”

Heart's gazed turned towards the ground as she stopped. It was a major concern of hers, whether the game and hobby shop would be successful or not. If it wasn't, Halo and herself could lose everything, and would have no choice but to go back to Buckson and get with their dysfunctional parents. Heart struggling to make enough money to make ends meet, Halo going back to being miserable at school, dealing with their drunkard of a father's abuse, and their mother's negligence and tendency to turn a blind eye to it all.

That cracked door appeared in her mind again, the argument was about Heart Phyre and when her mother was pregnant with Halo. Father was upset, and had been drinking, and was accusing mother, several months pregnant at that point, of cheating on him. She swore up and down that she hadn't, but between his stubbornness and the alcohol, he didn't believe a word. Eventually the argument had woken Heart up, and she staggered down the hall to see what was going on. Well, the fight escalated and father threw his beverage bottle out the door, and it smashed – full force – into Heart's face. The end result was a divorce and shared custody. Heart waited until she was of adult age, saving every bit that wasn't immediately needed, for the first chance to get herself and her sister out of there.

Ponyville was their last chance.

“And what about dearest sister?” Black batted his eyebrows at her. “She's happy – isn't she?” His words were poison, and she knew it, but they pervaded anyways.

She gulped, considering how this action would affect Halo and potentially ruin her chance at having happiness with Miss Cheerilee and the small elementary school. Visions of Heart's own experiences throughout school flashed before her. The name calling, the mocking, condescending tones of the high-class ponies that thought themselves better than everypony else. Getting shoved against her locker between classes, spitballs from ponies seated behind her, the constant 'accidents' in gym, and any athletic activities she tried to participate in, and none of the teachers caring enough to stop it.

Heart's eye twitched repeatedly, in tune with each unpleasant memory. She felt weak, drained, like all she wanted to do was sulk and angst over every wrong done to her, and get physical with nearby furniture. She wanted to act out in a big way – her thoughts turned to her father.

No, Heart thought desperately, clenching her teeth. No! I am NOT like him, I refuse to act like him! I am not! I am not...

...is that you cannot pass without playing a little game with us.

Heart's eyes shot open, and felt the angry tears that had been pouring down her face. The words spoke in her head, vaguely in Black's snake-charmer of a voice. Play a game he had said, and you still have one more un-traumatized pony left.

...or if your hearts are not up for it, you cannot pass. If you can determine what it is we desire, and put an end to obliviously giving it to us, then you may pass. Simple as that.

His words. They told them almost exactly how to win. The game, what they desire, and whether or not their hearts were up for the task. It made a vague kind of sense now. What they had been doing, like they were picking out everypony's deepest, darkest fears and manipulating them. Making Heart and her friends suffer from mistakes and...

Demons inside us.

Heart gave a low chuckle, almost matching Black's to a tee.

The three demons quieted to listen. “I know what it is.” Heart said through the tears that hadn't quite stopped yet. “And you were right... I am good at games.

“All this time you've been feeding off us. You're 'desire' and us 'obliviously' giving it to you. That was our fear, our anxiety, our insecurity. You feed off of the misery of others.” Heart coolly explained, but not without bitter contempt. “So tell me, how long have you been here? How long have you been doing this? And do you do anything else?”

The three looked at each other, exchanging glances.

“I'll answer for you.” Heart said evenly. “It's truly sad. You're whole existence is to stand there and make others feel utterly miserable to make yourselves feel good. Feeding off of everything that gives a good pony pause. Taking away the things that make them feel good, like a leech. You could go elsewhere, find a different way to survive, but you don't. I can't believe I didn't pick up on it the first time you, Black, fed off of Red's discomfort when Pinkie was staring him down.

“What is it then? It can't be for survival. Changelings are the only creatures that feed off of emotions, and you are not Changelings.” Heart stomped her hoof, keeping her gaze level. “It's some sick form of amusement, and you don't have a worthwhile justification for it. Your only reason isn't even a reason at all.” Heart never raised her voice, and after a few sentences, all the anger and despair had left her. She was a long way from good, but was no longer in danger of becoming a psychological train wreck. At least, for the moment.

“Honestly, find something that gives yourselves joy, and find comfort in that instead of taking it away from others. For your own sakes.” Heart finished, giving each of them a slow look, and slowly trotted towards her friends.

First she went to Twilight. “Twilight?” She said gently, the unicorn looked at her somewhat fearfully. “Liking books is a wonderful thing. It made you smart, it made you strong. They aren't a substitute for friends, but real friends won't be put out with you for choosing to read instead of spending time with them once in a while.” Heart waited, and Twilight considered the words carefully, deep in thought. Eventually Heart got a wan smile from the unicorn, and visibly, Twilight already looked more energetic.

Heart made her way to Rarity, whom was still by the bridge railing. “Rarity, everypony makes mistakes. And there is no such thing as a useless pony. Others have told me of how you generously made hoof-stitched dresses – five of them – from scratch, just because you wanted to make some ponies happy. That, is a wonderful thing. And even if you make many mistakes, what matters is that you're sorry, and that you've learned from them.”

Rarity leaned back from the edge and stared at Heart, smile growing back on the fashionista. “Thank you.” she muttered. Heart gave a curt nod, and went to Pinkie.

“Pinkie,” Heart whispered, the straight maned pony barely glancing her way, putting a friendly hoof on her should. “there is nothing wrong with wanting to party with your friends – for whatever reason. Real friends won't simply abandon you for how many – or how little – parties are thrown. An insecurity doesn't have to hold you down and paralyze you.” Heart smiled at her, and added in a louder voice. “Party hard!” and pulled the earth pony in a tight hug.

Almost instantly, that dismally straight, dull pink mane popped back out with explosive force, and Pinkie laughed heartily, snorting much of the way. “Oh thank you Heart. I was getting bored being a Saddy McDepressed pants!”

That caught Heart by surprise. She wanted to ask, 'what the hay are pants?' but let the subject fall. She had more important things to do.

Heart chuckled, and answered. “Anytime Pinkie.”

Now Heart stood over Fluttershy for a few moments. Slowly, she bent over the still sobbing pegasus and lifted her head up, smiling at her. Then, orange pegasus hugged yellow pegasus.

Holding her tightly, “Fluttershy, no matter what outburst you have, no matter how upset or sad or angry you get; you're friends will always be there for you. They will always want to be there for you. They'll toss everything else to the wind, to make sure you're happy. And they'll always love you.”

Fluttershy gave a loud sniff, and Heart felt her friend tremble slightly. Then she returned the tight embrace she was offered. “Oh, I'm so sorry...”

“I know Fluttershy. And I forgive you, because you're my friend.” Heart held her at arms length, drying Fluttershy's tears for her. She smiled, but still couldn't look up, not yet; and Heart felt it best not to push it.

Heart noticed movement behind her, and looked back at the comforting sight. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie had all joined close to them. All wearing small smiles and looking more like themselves since this whole 'game' had began. Before, the four of them had fallen into a pit of despair that seemed endless. Before, they had given up faith in completing their mission, giving in to the demons of past mistakes and bad ideas that seemed good at the time. Before, suffering from vices that were believed to be laid to rest, but in truth never healed.

Even Heart had those problems. But they seemed long and distant now that she had succeeded in returning a vital element to her friends' happiness...

Hope.

Unbeknown to Heart Phyre or her friends, the golden heart and matching halo that imbued itself on the orange pegasus's flanks, in as short a moment possible, gave the slightest glow.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

It had been a long time since the sun had been laid to rest, and the light of the crescent moon joined the chorus from the thousands and thousands of stars in the sky. Pleasantly warm air had been replaced by a calm and cooling night time breeze, a single cloud visible, partially obscuring Luna's moon. The night was a direct reflection of tranquility, peace and mystery. Still, many had feared the night for some reason or another.

Heart thought, while she stared up at the glowing orb in the night sky, about the tale of the Mare in the Moon, and the demon that was spawned from it. The same demon that was stopped from eternally eclipsing Equestria by Twilight, her friends, and the elements of harmony. Turned out that Nightmare Moon was really Princess Luna herself – twisted and corrupted by evil.

But what about how that evil was born? Heart wondered.

Even though there was very little information on just how or why the Princess of the night had become the shadowy specter that many (still) feared, there must have been a reason. A cause, an explanation, something that had triggered it. From the tales, Luna was jealous of her sister, Celestia, and how all their subject ponies adored her and the daylight.

There must be more to it than that, Heart frowned, thinking. Ponies don't just 'snap' like that without significant reason. She thought about what Black and his friends had done to herself and Twilight and the others. She shook the notion away; the thought of something influencing the princesses like that sending a rancid chill down her spine.

Heart took her gaze down from the sky and back to the warming glow of the campfire they had set up to ward off the chilly night air. Shortly after bringing everypony back from their stupor, Heart had been about to say a thing or two more to the three demons – but when she turned back they were gone. They made no noise, didn't say a single parting word, and it was like they were never there to begin with. Heart had asked Fluttershy to peak under the bridge, see if they had simply returned to their home, but the pegasus confirmed that they were nowhere to be found. Everypony else was relieved, but the thought still nagged at Heart. Where did they go? Until they had disappeared, Heart had fully intended to go back to Ponyville, the demons still had essentially won; but instead they appeared to give up.

Heart glanced around at the ponies surrounding the fire, at her friends.

Everypony still wore wan smiles, like the wounds that had been torn open and left bleeding had already healed to become lightly talked about scars. Even Fluttershy seemed to be doing better than expected. Heart was glad to see it, but couldn't manage a smile herself.

Black had brought very personal fears to her utmost attention. And no matter how hard she tried, she could not banish them from her mind. Heart had a horrible time dealing with the nightmares developed by her time in school and living with the mockery of a family. Until Halo was born, she had next to no hope of things getting remotely better. With her parents ill-fit to care for Halo, she took on that responsibility. She did so to protect her, and it was painful wondering whether or not she had succeeded. A mounting fear had built in her chest at the thought of failing in Ponyville and having to crawl back to that old, horrible life. She wasn't afraid for herself, she could handle it, like she had all those years before.

That fear was for Halo having to deal with the same crud Heart had, so desperately she wanted to keep it from happening.

A hoof nearly jarred Heart from her thoughts, dragging her away from the precipice of the abyss. Slowly, she turned her gaze from the fire and looked into the worried visage of Twilight, looking very concerned.

“Heart,” she said gently. “what's wrong? You've been silent ever since we left the bridge behind.” Twilight's eyes moved back and forth, searching Heart's own.

Heart blinked, and felt the last remaining tear fall on her cheek. It surprised the pegasus, not even realizing that she had been crying right in front of everypony. It made a crazy kind of sense though, since the action was almost always accompanied by the tight knot tugging in her chest.

“I-I'm fine,” Heart lied, stealing a glance at everypony else staring at her. “I'm j-just fine.”

Rarity let out a sigh, and spoke up softly. “No, dear, you're not. You've been acting like a zombie-pony ever since. It's really not good for your complexion.” Heart didn't smile at the attempt of humor.

Then a hoof took hold of Heart's right foreleg, grasping it tightly. She looked over at Fluttershy, whose flowing pink mane obscured half of her face as she looked at Heart with worry in her one visible cerulean eye. Even Pinkie Pie, mane and tail still vibrantly poofy, stared with concern etched in her face.

Heart's jaw and legs trembled and quivered in tandem, she clenched her eyes as they began to mist over once again.

Then the story came spilling out. “I came to Ponyville to give Halo happiness. Growing up everything was misery after misery.” She choked, voice hoarse with tension, but Heart couldn't bring herself to stop. “I hated it, I hated them, and just wanted to leave. I would have so much sooner, but then Halo was born and I-I c-couldn't leave her to deal with all of that! I couldn't!

“I struggled and clawed and-and worked my tail to the bone to raise money for us to leave together. H-halo deserved better! Better than what they were doing!” Heart sobbed uncontrollably for several moments before continuing. “I-I d-don't care about m-myself, but if I f-fail, that hope for Halo disappears.

“She's so happy here. Happier th-than I've seen her in...” she gasped, sobbing more. “since her third b-birthday...” Heart whimpered. “she...she j-just deserved better...”

Twilight's hoof on her shoulder tightened. “You won't fail Heart Phyre.” Heart dragged her eyes from the cold earth. The unicorn's smile was warmer than the glowing embers. “You are an incredibly determined, dedicated and hopeful pony. You've been hurt, you've suffered, and have been unappreciated. But you endured, and came out better because of it.

“As you said, you wanted to leave... badly, so much so that it hurt to stay any longer, but you didn't, because you knew Halo would be subjected to the same treatment that you had been through. And not attempting to do better hurt more.” Heart just listened as Twilight reiterated and analyzed everything the pegasus just said, not knowing how to take what she was hearing. Even if she wanted to say something, the knowledge needed to work her muzzle seemed to have abandoned her.

“The right thing to do is not always the easiest,” Rarity slowly trotted a little closer, sitting in front of Twilight and Heart. “but you handled it swimmingly. Nothing shows greater compassion than assisting others at the cost to yourself. You should be proud.” the white unicorn smiled genuinely, her eyes beaming softly.

Fluttershy, still clutching Heart's foreleg, looked at her with both of her big blue eyes. It was soothing, calming even, no hint of the fury from earlier; to which Heart was grateful. Smiling wide, the yellow pegasus nuzzled Heart's cheek softly. It made Heart blush a little, but the message was clear. Such kindness is never unrewarded. One way, or another, that gift is clear. Halo is with you, always.

Heart looked down at the golden bracelets that circled her left forehoof and read the inscription to herself: Together forever, I will always be there for you. A wan smile replaced the deep frown. Bit by bit the heavy feeling in her chest slowly dissipated, replaced more and more by a warm fuzzy feeling that was quite welcome.

“I'm sorry,” Pinkie almost whispered, just a short ways away from where Fluttershy sat. “that you didn't have fun and smile in your foalhood.” The earth pony eyed the ground for a while before reconnecting her eyes with Heart's, and said. “But it's not too late now.”

Pinkie began to sing.

“My name is Pinkie Pie,” Pinkie's usually high pitched voice took on a melodious quality, much to Heart's surprise. “and I am here to say, I'm gonna make you smile, and I will brighten up your daaa-ay.” Pinkie paused for a moment.

“It doesn't matter now,” Rarity joined in, singing with her own voice worthy of a concert hall. “If you are sad or blue,'cause cheering up my friends is just what Pinkie's here to do...” The unicorn watching her,

“'Cause I love to make you smile, smile, smile.” Now Twilight added in, the harmony of her own just as surprising. Did everypony in Ponyville sing in their spare time? “Yes I do, it fills my heart with such an all the while...”

“Yes it does,” Fluttershy now added in her smaller voice, plenty audible minus the typical squeak. “'Cause all I really needs a smile, smile, smile, from these happy friends of mine.” the yellow pegasus nuzzled Heart's cheek once more.

“I like to see you grin,” the happy earth pony picked up again. “I love to see you beam, the corners of your mouths turned up is always Pinkie's dream. But if you're kind of worried, and your face is made of a frown, I work real hard and do my best to turn that sad frown upside downnnn!”

Rarity joined in and sang simultaneously with Pinkie Pie. “'Cause I love to make you grin, grin grin, yes I do. Bust it out from ear to ear, let it beginnnn!” Twilight followed up next to Heart. “Just give me a joyful grin, grin, grinnnn. And you fill me with good cheer!”

Rarity and Twilight paused, while Pinkie put a hoof on Heart's unoccupied shoulder and sang slowly, “It's true some days are dark and lonely, and maybe you feel sad, but Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn't that bad...

“There's one thing that makes me happy, and makes my whole life worth while. And that's when I talk to my friends and get them to smiiile.” Pinkie's voice was beautiful, all of them were beautiful. Ever since the song began, Heart felt that looming cloud of doubt lift and disappear. “I really am so happy, your smile fills me with glee. I give a smile, I get a smile, and that's so special to me...”

All four of them broke out in chorus.

“'Cause I love to see you beam, beam beam, yes I do. Tell me what more can I say to make you seeee, that I do. It makes me happy when you beam, beam, beam, yes it always makes my daayyy!” Heart couldn't help it. Even if she really didn't want to, the muscles acted almost of their own accord, and curled up in a teary eyed smile. She gazed at her bracelet, the happy memories she shared with Halo bubbling above the dreary muck of a bad life left behind. Overjoyed with the prospect of being with such wonderful ponies and good friends, Heart sang along with them, trying her best to match their lyrics.

“Come on everypony, smile, smile, smile. Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunshine!” New tears flowed from the pegasus's eyes, but continued to sing alongside her friends. “All I really needs a smile, smile, smile. From these happy friends of miiine!” They repeated this chorus once, then twice more before the song finally ended.

“Thank you,” Heart said with a sniffle. The dumps had receded completely, and she felt like she could canter on cloud nine. Nothing was going to stop her from enjoying the life she shared with Halo, and her new friends. Failure or no, successful in Ponyville or not, it was worth every single second. It was worth every day breaking her wings to earn the money needed. Every bit was well spent, every inch well traveled. That, and she knew that no matter what happened, she would always be with them.

“Anytime,” Twilight replied, still smiling brightly. Then she looked up at the night sky and announced. “Well, we had best get some sleep. We still have some distance to cover to Canterlot in the morning.

“And we absolutely cannot be late! Maybe we need to get up before the sun rises and –” Everypony groaned. Rarity collapsed in a dramatic faint. The white unicorn was about to go on a rant, likely going to say something like 'go on without me!' or 'oh woe was me!'.

And stopped when she caught Twilight's sly grin. “Gotcha!”

“Oh don't do that Twilight!” Rarity chastised lightly. “Beauty sleep is serious business! Tell her Fluttershy!”

The pegasus blinked in surprise, looking unsure on whether to answer or hide behind the pink curtain of her mane. “Oh, I don't really...” Fluttershy whispered meekly. Rarity huffed and dismissed the comment with a hoof. Heart smirked herself and slowly shook her head at the unicorn's obsession with beauty while Pinkie laughed vigorously, calling Rarity silly.

The group shared a few more laughs before succumbing to sleep for their journey the following day. Hardships had tested their minds, bodies, and souls. With their friendship, they persevered through the fire of the demons. Trials come and go, challenges rise and fall, but friendship can last forever through all the pain.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

Heart stared at herself in the mirror, dried tear streaks still evident on her face. Gingerly, the young filly touched the growing bruise on her forehead, wincing at the sharp pain that quickly dimmed to a dull, persistent throb. The wound had bled, but only a little; the blood had already dried, leaving a thin, dark red rivulet running down between her young, emerald green eyes and down one side of cheek.

It had been a bottle of the strange, bad smelling, stuff that Daddy always drank that had soared through the air and struck the young filly in the head. He always drank that stuff when he was upset or mad about something or somepony. Usually at Mommy or something Heart did that she didn't understand. They were arguing again, Heart had been asleep, and she went to see what was going on. Without warning, the bottle soared out of the crack in the door, and found her.

When she awoke, the pegasus filly had been tucked into her bed.

Voices, loud and angry, were still echoing up the stairway through the closed door to her room. Mommy and Daddy were still arguing, even after what happened. They didn't understand that she simply wanted them to stop. To quit yelling at each other and get along. Heart didn't understand much, but she knew that families weren't supposed to act this way. They weren't supposed to fight and hate and throw things.

Mommy had been gaining a lot of weight and Daddy was upset at her for it. Confused, Heart thought it was some kind of game or something, because Daddy had said she cheated and broke the rules. The filly knew that breaking rules was bad, but Mommy apologized again and again, also saying that she didn't cheat and that 'something' was his. If that were so, why couldn't he just forgive her?

Heart sighed as she thought about the fighting that never found an end. Every single day it was something. She hated it. All the fighting, the hatred, and that bad smelling stuff that Daddy drank all the time!

Heart huffed, “Dumb drink.” she said aloud to nopony, pouting at herself in the mirror.

Then there were the soft thuds of hoof steps coming up the stairs. Heart felt the panic rising in her little chest, she wasn't supposed to be up this late! Quickly the filly shut off the nearby lamp and dashed under the covers. Just as the door opened, a long sharp crack of light coming from the hallway spilled into the darkened room. Though her eyes were closed, Heart could see the hallway light through her eyelids, she listened.

It may have been Daddy, coming to make sure she was asleep no doubt, as the steps sounded heavy and staggered as they came closer to the bed. The filly fought to control scrunching her nose as the scent of that bad drink nearly overpowered her; yes, it was definitely Daddy.

Heart froze as the light of the hallway dimmed in her closed vision. He must have been standing directly above her now, looking down at her. A faint, wan glow surrounded the blanket that protected her, and lifted it slightly. Then, Heart felt it clumsily tuck a little too high, partially covering the filly's face. Daddy gave a slight grumble that was followed by a gulping noise. Heart didn't dare move, if he found out she was awake and trying to fake it, he might hit her. Especially if he had been drinking a lot of that stuff.

There was a long, low sigh, and more hoof steps announced that he was leaving.

A few seconds later the glow from the hallway was gone, and Heart was plunged into darkness once more. She waited for the hoof steps to gather more distance before opening her eyes and adjusting the comforter so it wasn't smothering her face. She stared at the ceiling, mind blank except for the constant, dull throb from her forehead.

It wasn't happy here. She wasn't happy here. The fillies and colts at her school didn't want to be her friend; they bullied and teased her about being scared to fly, being in a socio-, sociaeco-, some word she didn't understand, and just thought she was bad. She would go to the teachers, but they just ignored every plea she made. Daddy would drink the bad smelling stuff and get really mean. Mommy would just sit in a corner and let it happen. The worst part was she couldn't understand why.

Why weren't they happy? Why were the other ponies so mean to her? Why didn't the teachers help her? Why did the bad smelling stuff make Daddy so mean and why was Mommy so quiet? None of it made any sense no matter which way she tried to think about it.

The room turned red and blue and back again over and over.

Curious, Heart got out of bed and looked out the window between the open blinds. There was a white and red carriage outside with symbols she was vaguely familiar with. She recognized them as ponies to call if you were injured or very sick. Two ponies in dull green clothes lead a weird bed with wheels, and on it was Mommy as they raised the rolling bed into the wagon. Mommy didn't look well, her chest heaved fast and she was sweating – a lot. Arms and wings alike were limp, some straps being the only thing keeping her from falling off the funny looking bed with wheels. Daddy followed close behind, for once not levitating a bottle of that smelly stuff with him.

Heart, while concerned, wasn't confused in the slightest. The red and white carriage had been to the house before numerous times. None of them happy. She knew Mommy and Daddy were going to the hops- hospy-, the place that made boo-boos go away, and that they would be back soon enough.

Anxiety gone, Heart settled back down in her bed. Drifting off to sleep always took time, what with the traffic noise that always flowed from the street below. Eventually the small filly fell into a dreamless, peaceful sleep.

_-**-_//(o)\_-**-_

Heart awoke the next morning to a surprise. No pony was home.

Again, this didn't come as a horrible shock to the filly. Mommy ran out often and Daddy would often go to places called 'stable bars', whatever those were. What was so interesting about a boring old line bar anyway? Either way, having the house to herself was very enjoyable.

Over time Heart experienced herself using the tools in the kitchen. It started off as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fresh daisies. Eventually Heart got brave enough to use knives to cut vegetables and fruits and make salad concoctions and other goodies. It was something rare that she didn't get to do often, and she liked it a lot. Recently, she successfully made her own vegetable soup using the stove for the first time.

Today she kept it simple and just made a quick salad, being careful to put everything back exactly the way it was. Grateful that the day wasn't a school day, Heart read Daring Do novels and looked through fantasy books about Star Swirl the Bearded to pass the time. When that got boring or her head started to hurt, she practiced braiding her mane in a ponytail and tying the yellow bow she fondly wore. Being alone always got Heart antsy, and she soon found herself cleaning the house. She had always heard that that was supposed to be Mommy and Daddy's job, but they never did it themselves; or at least not very well. Smelling Daddy's bad drink was bad enough without smelling the rest of the house too.

The time passed quickly and soon the sun and open skies had been replaced by the moon and the stars. Heart had just finished cleaning up after a late night snack; a leftover apple fritter which she had experimented on with melted chocolate. It wasn't that good, but it gave the curious filly ideas about what would go good with it.

Then Heart heard the slight screech of a taxi wagon's brakes outside the front of the house. Quickly, she put the last dish away and dashed back upstairs. It was already passed that time and she didn't want to get in trouble.

Like the night before, she faked sleeping in the bed. Although she couldn't escape the feeling that something was off. It was something she was so used to and only now that it wasn't there did she notice it was not there to be noticed when both Mommy and Daddy were home at the same time.

Silence.

Well, not complete and utter silence, she could hear them moving and whispering in shushed tones. It wasn't like them to be so quiet. The yelling and screaming was almost always there and, for some reason, it wasn't anymore. Slowly, Heart crept out of bed and made her way to the door, pausing, listening.

No hoof steps, nopony was coming upstairs yet.

Slowly, Heart weaseled through the door and tip-hoofed down the hallway to the top of the stairs, and laid down softly. It was a safe place to eavesdrop on what was going on.

The whispers were coming from the living room.

“Try not to wake her,” Mommy whispered softly.

“Yeah, yeah.” Daddy huffed just as quietly, soft movement that was likely him.

“Do you think she'll be surprised?” About what?

“Meh, I don't know.” Heart felt confused, a surprise? For her? That made her suspicious.

“So, what about Heart's room?” That perked the filly's ears up. Now that the conversation turned in her direction.

“Well, we'll have to clear a lot of space.” Daddy seemed to speak slowly, unsure, with the hint of a slur in his voice. Heart's pulse crept up. Clear space?

Mommy sighed, “Hmm... I suppose it's for the best then. She'll be upset for sure, but do you think she will understand?” Mommy seemed... apera-, apprahu-, not very sure.

Daddy took his time answering, and for a moment Heart thought he wasn't going to, until he spoke up softly. “Yes. Maybe. I don't really know.” he stammered.

The filly felt numb.

A surprise that might make her upset? Something Heart wasn't going to like, but it was 'for the best'? Huh? Clear space for what? The filly thought about it, and figured they must have been talking about her room, her stuff; not that she had much. And what wouldn't she understand? They were clearing room for something... then... then...

They're getting rid of me!? The numbness doubled.

That must have been it. Why else would they talk in such hushed voices when they got home? Why would they talk about her behind her back like that? That must have been it, it had to be! Heart felt sure of it. The filly's jaw trembled as fresh tears made their escape.

Fine, she thought angrily. If they don't want me anymore then...then...maybe I'm better off without parents!

Upset and frustrated, Heart silently made her way back to her room. She grabbed her saddlebags and dumped out the school contents and began packing. It didn't take long, she didn't have much. A hoof full of toys, a coloring book, and her favorite Daring Do novel. Along with a couple changes of her yellow vest and bow.

Opening the window as quietly as possibly, Heart made her way down the metal walkway of the fire escape. With some difficulty, due to her small body, she clambered down the ladder and onto the concrete sidewalk.

Perhaps a bit sadder than she meant to, Heart looked at the bright window that was once her home. The curtain was drawn, but there was enough light to display the silhouettes of her parents sitting on the couch, talking about Heart behind her back still. That thought made her bristle, and any other doubt about what she was about to do vanished.

Eyes to the concrete, Heart started to slowly trot down the street, head racing with what she was going to do now.

A sudden wailing cry sounded from the direction of her home.

Heart jumped in the air with an eep, completely surprised by the shrill noise. She balked into a fetal position, shielding herself with her little hooves. Heart thought that her parents had somehow discovered her escape and was fully expected punishment that never came. The wailing banshee cry continued, and when she looked up at the window, there was rapid movement. One silhouette, Mommy recognized by her poofy, curly mane, was rocking something back and forth in her arms. Daddy could be seen moving back and forth looking for something in the background.

Ever the curious filly, Heart crept up to the window and peaked in a crack exposed by the curtain. The light blue mare with a minty green mane – Mommy – held a blanket wrapped bundle in her forehooves. Her ears twitched as the screeching became louder, make it stop! Heart shielded her ears with her hooves, gritting her teeth.

Daddy returned levitating a clear plastic bottle with white fluid in it, an odd shaped... thing... attached to the top. Mommy wrapped her wing tip around the bottle, and gingerly moved part of the blanket with the other wing.

A cute, little, creamy orange face with a tiny flock of two-toned orange mane, and big green eyes popped out. Heart's jaw dropped. A foal! The wailing subsided as the infant started sucking on the strange thing on the bottle, feeding. The filly failed to suppress a d'aw.

So that's what it was? That's the surprise?

Heart looked back at her saddlebags, and back at the now quietly feeding foal – her new baby brother or sister. Should she stay or should she go? The filly looked up at the night sky, searching for the right answer.

If she left, she would be free of everything bad here. If she left, she could possibly find something better. Heart thought about that a moment. There were relatives she could escape to, and Heart knew how to get there without too much trouble. Heart had also heard about things called 'orphanages', where fillies and colts could get new parents. The idea was tantalizing, intoxicating. New home, new parents, new... family. Happiness.

But...

She looked back at the newborn foal. She, after looking closely at the eyes, would be stuck here with Mommy and Daddy for quite a while. When she grew a little older, she would have to deal with the same school Heart went to. This truce between her parents wouldn't last forever, and eventually her sister would get caught in the crossfire.

Heart thoughtfully rubbed her forehead, where a bruise was trying to heal.

She hoped her sister would make friends in school, but she knew what those fillies and colts were like, and it seemed dismally doubtful. Worst of all, if Heart left, she would have to deal with all of that alone... like Heart had done for all her life. And Heart hated being alone.

The pegasus filly sighed, looked at the foal, and smiled.

Heart wasn't going to do that to her, wasn't going to let her face a dark world alone. Not if she could help it, and be there to support the new life. There was still a massive part of Heart that wanted to leave, just say 'forget it' to the foal and her old life, and try to seek out happiness with either relatives, or a brand new family. But the other part knew that staying would be the right thing to do, and it was far more insistent.

And with that, Heart made her way back to the fire escape and back up to her room. She unpacked the saddlebags and put the school supplies back where they belonged.

Lying in bed, trying to get to sleep, the filly thought about the positives of this turn in events. She thought about the fun she could have with her new sibling. Playing, laughing, sharing, and what made her own heart glow was protecting the foal; the opportunity to help her through all the tough times that were bound to happen... to give her sister what she never had.

A friend.

As the filly drifted off in the black embrace of another peaceful sleep, a soft white glow bled through the fabric of the comforter in the area where Heart Phyre's flanks were. It only lasted for, maybe, a few seconds before dying, and plunging the room back into darkness.

Author's Notes

I'm very sorry that this is so very late. This chapter was extremely difficult to get down right, and even still I'm not completely happy with it. But, after a point of rewrite after rewrite, I decided that maybe it just needs to get put out there. Not because I didn't care, but because the longer I wait, the worse it gets. Anyways, it's finally done. Also, from now on I'm not going to give dates and deadlines. They'll just be a disappointment when the chapter doesn't appear when promised. So, they'll come when they come. I refuse to submit stuff that is bad just to meet a deadline.

This "episode" was inspired by a comment on a YouTube video. I was watching an MLP:FIM related video of a certain song. In the comments, one person said that the song "helped them through depression", going on to explain that they had a problem with chronic depression, some condition they had. And in general cheered them up.

Well, another person replied to their comment. And said something along the lines of, if they had to rely on little girl shows to be happy, that they weren't worth their life. (that wasn't exactly, word for word, what was said, but close enough. I couldn't track down the original comment)

That shocked me. How could anyone be so cruel as to suggest to someone, a person who was already diagnosed with medical depression, that their life wasn't worth living? I was very outraged, because, even before finding MLP and becoming a brony, I had heard of the numerous suicide stories from people who were cyber-bullied. And this thoughtless troll either didn't know, or didn't care. Likely the latter.

I didn't comment right away. I took ten minutes to simmer down to articulate my thoughts for what I wanted to say, and this is what I posted in reply:

"What's truly sad is that you have to insult others in order to make yourself feel worthwhile.

Want to know what people aren't worth their own lives? Trolls. People like you.

Because they have to make others feel like shit.

Crawl back under your bridge"

I had planned not to even reply to his reply to my message. I was simply going to leave it at that and drop it. Ever curious, though, I checked my inbox after a couple days. And there was no reply. I'll never know for sure, but I think, maybe, my comment shut him up. This guy had streams of linked comments arguing back and forth with people on the video. Perhaps the best stereotypical troll I've ever seen. And it was very surprising (and a little disappointing) that he actually shut his trap.

Every now and then, though, I wonder if his hurtful message had driven that person to suicide or not. This was about five months ago.