Kyra Blade: Bounty Hunterby Kuromi BlueChaptersPrologueThe ContractLiberationGoodbye StarlightEpilogue: Hearth Warming's EveDarknessPrologueAuthor's Note There ARE some spelling errors in this chapter, but that's because the characters have accents, so to convey that I had to misspell a few things. Also, this is the only chapter where I misspell things, so don't worry - you won't have to put up with it for the whole story. Prologue At midnight, four stallions sat gathered around a fire, their faces tired. Presently there came a faint rustling sound, and they each leapt to their feet, each reaching for their weapons. Moments later a fox appeared from behind a bush, and the stallions relaxed. "Damn animals!" the one called Two-bit muttered.. Picking a stone from the ground, he tossed it at the fox, sending it darting back into the safety of the woods. "Do you really think it was a good idea to come here?" he said to the stallion seated across him. "'Course it is!" insisted the other, who was called Sly. "She won't dare follow us in here." "Right, but how long are we going to stay in here?" Two-bit asked. "I mean, even if she dun't come in here after us, we'll have to move on evenchally?" "Numbskull!" growled the third stallion. "We don't have to worry about finding a way out 'cause we ain't leavin'!" "Yeah," said the fourth. "Folks say treasure's hidden in here. In a castle. Ain't that right, boss?" "Aye," said Sly. "The castle's been abandoned for a long time. That means it must be full of treasure, and we're going to nab it first. Now, according to this here map," he said, pulling a roll of parchment from under his shirt and unrolling it, "we should be at the ruins by tomarra. After we find the treasure, we'll use the ruins as a hideout to plan raids on all the paths. At any rate, next time this time next week, we'll all be filthy rich!" While the stallions sat laughing around the fire, they were unaware that they were being observed. Not too far away, a unicorn sat crouched behind some bushes. Dressed in a travelling cloak and armor with a dagger strapped to her thigh and a dart gun on the other, she had spent the last week tracking these idiots ever since setting them up with the map in an encounter at a pub several towns away. The mare smiled to herself as she remembered it. The fools never suspected a thing. Now all her work had paid off, and she had the perfect opportunity to eliminate these scum once and for all. Reaching down, she grabbed the dart gun which was strapped to her right thigh. One it was free, she raised it to her lips with her hoofs, taking meticulous aim. "Whatcha think ya'll do with your share?" Two-bit asked the other stallions. "Well, first I think I'll buy me a-" Whatever Sly would have said was cut off as he let out a surprised grunt. A moment later he collapsed to the ground - a sleeping dart protruding from his spine. The others only had a moment of horrified bewilderment before they too were hit - succumbing to a deep slumber before they hit the ground. Walking out from the bushes, the mare strode towards the fire. There was a self-satisfied smirk on her face as she tied each of the stallions up, before walking over to Sly's pack and rummaging inside of it. After a few moments, she had removed a bottle of cider, a small bag of bits, and some bread and cheese. "I'll just help myself to this," she said to her sleeping captives. "Not like you'll be needing it anymore." Plopping down beside the fire, the mare chugged the cider bottle until it was empty, before tossing it over her shoulder with a loud belch, before starting on the bread and cheese. When finished, she let out a second, louder belch and laid down by the fire. Tomorrow she'd go into Ponyville and turn these dumb sods in to the guards. In the meantime, it had been a long week, and the mare was tired. With a full stomach warmed by the liquor she'd consumed, she soon fell asleep. ..... The following morning, the mare was up at dawn. After leading the Ponyville guards to Sly's gang, she accompanied them back to the guardhouse, where she received five hundred bits in payment for her deed. It wasn't as much as she'd hoped, but it was all right since she'd stolen a total of two hundred bits off the bandits while they slept. As she turned to leave the building, one of the guards called to her. "Thanks again for the help, Blade!" Blade grinned back, thinking smugly of the gold now clinking in her pocket. "Oh please, it was nothing. A good deed is its own reward." ..... Later that day, Kyra was seated at a restaurant in Ponyville, quietly munching her way through her second sub sandwich. Occasionally, ponies passing her would throw a glance her way, taken aback by her strange looks. Kyra ignored them all. She was used to ponies gawking stupidly at her, but it was to be expected, she supposed. Most ponies had never seen a unicorn like her before. Being one with a heritage of one third Kirin, one third dragon and one third unicorn, Kyra was at least six inches taller than most ponies, with a very long horn. In addition she was stronger and faster than most, with an impressive appetite. As such, she didn't expect ponies to quit staring any time soon. Still, she would have been lying if she said it didn't bother her. Not least because strange sights were common in Equestria, but also because it made her feel conspicuous. In her line of work, that could be a hazard. As such, she never stayed in one town for more than a day. Finishing her sandwich, she stood up. After leaving a handful of bits for her tip, she proceeded to the front of the restaurant to pay for her meal and left. Upon leaving the restaurant, she wandered the town for a while until she found a bench to sit on beneath the shade of a tree. Here she sat down, closing her eyes and feeling the sunshine on her back. It would be fall soon. Time to head back to her cabin in White Tail Woods. It was her home, the sole thing she had of her parents after they passed away in her foalhood. While life hadn't been the same since losing them, Kyra wouldn't have it any other way. She loved the adventurous life that came with being a bounty hunter. "Still, maybe I should stay there longer this time," Kyra muttered. "It'll be good to unwind. Get some rest and relaxation." "Considering retiring then, are you?" said a voice. The ContractSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.LiberationKyra stared at Starlight Glimmer, sympathy and pity taking hold of her heart. For the past three days, she had watched this mare suffer at the hands of the diamond dogs, while she had studied their behaviors to find weaknesses she could exploit. during that time, she had observed Starlight being starved, beaten, whipped, and even denied food and rest. Despite knowing what she had done to other ponies, watching her toil in this awful place had without a doubt been one of the cruelest and saddest things Kyra had ever seen. No living creature, pony or otherwise, deserved to suffer this much. So when the time had come for her to rescue the mare, Kyra had been more than eager to beat the ever-living shit out of the diamond dogs, leaving the entire colony unconscious in the caves and tunnels above - and, just to spite the miserable wretches, she'd stolen as many gems from their stash as her money pouch could carry, before tipping the rest into a deep crevice. Even the fact she had suffered an injury during the fight was negligible - Kyra would have gladly done it over again if necessary. "My name is Kyra," Kyra said at last. "I came here to free you." While it wasn't the real reason Kyra had originally come here, she didn't care. Whatever Luna had said to her before no longer mattered. All Kyra knew was she had to get Starlight out of here and get her to a doctor as quickly as possible. From inside the folds of her cloak, Kyra lifted a key attached to a rope over her head. Within seconds she had unlocked the cell door and had stepped inside. Remembering how cold the caves were, Kyra pulled off her cloak and helped the bewildered but grateful Starlight into it. "Can you walk?" Kyra asked. "I..." Starlight answered weakly. "I'm not sure." "Here." Kyra extended a hoof to Starlight, who looked up at her, stunned. "Let me help you." "...Okay." Starlight took the hoof Kyra offered. Although she wouldn't say it out loud, Starlight was wildly, desperately grateful for Kyra's help. The two ponies left the cell, with Starlight leaning on Kyra as they began to climb the steps. Once or twice Starlight nearly slipped on the uneven surface of the stairs, her exhaustion becoming all the more apparent to Kyra with every step. But Kyra was patient, muttering low words of encouragement until finally, they emerged onto the floor above, with Starlight panting heavily from the exertion. Still, as exhausted as she was, it would be impossible to miss the sight that waited for them. Starlight's jaw fell to the floor as she realized that the entire diamond dog troop had been decimated. All of them now lay on the ground, their bodies bearing black and purple bruises with their armor cracked and dented - an indicator of how formidable a fighter Kyra truly was. If what Kyra had said was true, she had done it all to save Starlight from this place. The realization was staggering. Starlight had never known anyone willing to risk their own well-being for the sake of hers. Yet Kyra - a stranger whom she had only known for a few minutes - had seemingly done it without a second thought. It was almost enough to make one swoon on the spot - if Starlight had been the swooning type, that is. "You'd better climb onto my back." "Eh... what?" Starlight said distractedly, not sure if she'd heard right. "Sorry?" "I'm worried you might collapse if we keep going like this." Kyra indicated the fact Starlight still had one foreleg around her shoulders for support with a hoof. Embarrassed, Starlight quickly pulled her foreleg away, confused as she felt a sudden warmth in her face. "Oh. Right." Great Faust, what the Hell is wrong with me? Kyra knelt down on the dusty cavern floor, while Starlight clambered somewhat awkwardly onto her back, linking her front hooves around Kyra's throat. "Hold on tight now," Kyra said to her, as she began to walk surprisingly quickly. Her stride was smooth and firm, hardly making a sound on the floor or jostling Starlight at all as she broke into a trot, heading for the exit. With how gracefully she moved, Starlight couldn't help feeling impressed. "Now, let's get you out of here." ..... After several hours of navigating through the caverns, Starlight and Kyra felt a surge of excitement as up ahead, they could see the light of the setting sun shining into the mouth of the cave. "We found the way out!" Starlight said. Seconds later, she had burst into tears. Kyra said nothing, but there was a kind smile on her face as she carried Starlight out into the open air. As soon as Kyra's hooves touched grass, Starlight leaved herself off the mare's back and sank to the ground, pressing her face into it. "I'm out!" she said. "I'm free!" She lay in the grass for some time, content to let the breeze wash over her, banishing the dark memories of her captivity. Kyra let her, content to let Starlight revel in her newfound freedom. As the sun sank lower however, she reluctantly when to Starlight's side and nudged her. "Come on," she said. "We should find somewhere to shelter for the night." "Okay," Starlight said, smiling for the first time in what seemed like forever. Soon the smile gave way to a laugh, clear and beautiful as it echoed through the quiet woodlands that surrounded them. For a moment Kyra stood still, spellbound by the mare before her. She'd never heard a laugh like Starlight's before. Somehow, knowing that she was the reason for it made it all the more special. It only lasted for a few minutes, but by that time Kyra had made her mind. She would do anything to see Starlight happy again. Whatever it took, Kyra would gladly do it. ..... That night, the pair camped out on a riverbank, beneath the shelter of the wild apple trees, with hazelnut and raspberry bushes also flourishing. Much to their delight, the fruit and hazelnuts were ripe for picking, and shortly after collecting a bushel's worth of fruit and nuts, Starlight quickly gorged herself on the lot, while Kyra sat slowly munching her way through an apple and a handful of berries and nuts. Once Starlight had eaten enough, she stretched out beside the fire with a satisfied burp, leaning against a large boulder. "Oh," she said sheepishly. "Excuse me." Kyra just smiled, crunching a hazelnut between her teeth. "You know, that reminds me," Starlight said. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name is Starlight Glimmer." Kyra nodded, crunching another nut. After a moment's silence, she spoke. She already knew the answer to her question, but she wanted to hear it from Starlight's perspective this time. She just hoped that being asked to recount the events wouldn't upset Starlight too much. "Well, Starlight. Might I ask how someone such as yourself was captured by diamond dogs? I mean, if you don't want to talk about it it's fine!" she added quickly as Starlight's face darkened. "It just seems that you seem to have run afoul of rotten luck for something like that to happen." Starlight scoffed, and her tone was bitter as she answered Kyra. "Please! 'Rotten luck' doesn't even begin to cover it!" Starlight was quiet for a moment longer, before finally continuing. Rather than look Kyra in the eyes, she instead gazed into the flames of their campfire, her expression unreadable. "The truth is, I was running from my mistakes." She looked at Kyra, and her eyes were sparkling with tears. "I've done some pretty horrible things in my life. At the time I thought it made sense but... I guess I was just angry with how unfair the world has been and was taking it out on ponies whom I didn't even know." She sniffed as her tears fell to the ground, hugging Kyra's cloak around herself as she watched the dancing flames. "But the worst part? I did it to ponies who were innocent, who'd never done any harm to anyone else." She sniffed again. "I'm a horrible person. A monster." "You know, no one's perfect," Kyra said after a time. Starlight looked at her, surprised. "Look, you've made some mistakes, and that's okay. When we fall, we learn to to pick ourselves up and keep going. I think you're a good person, Starlight. You just need a chance to let other people see it." Starlight was silent for a moment, letting Kyra's words sink in. You're a good person... You just need a chance to let other people see it... Maybe Kyra was right. Maybe she could find a way to redeem herself. In spite of everything, Kyra had managed to cheer her up. Starlight dried her eyes with the corner of Kyra's cloak, feeling hopeful for the first time in years. But now it was getting late, and she was too exhausted to think anymore. She stifled a yawn. "We should probably turn in, now." Kyra nodded. She was feeling sleepy too. "All right. Rest well, Starlight." "You too, Kyra." Goodbye StarlightWhen the morning arrived, the first thing that Starlight was aware of was warm sunlight on her fur. Second, she was lying in a bed. Opening her eyes in shock, she beheld a white ceiling above her. Turning her head slowly, she looked out the window to see a robin's egg blue sky, with only a few white clouds scattered on the horizon. A bird sat perched on the windowsill, twittering happily. Starlight gave a low sigh, absentmindedly raising a hoof to scratch an itch on her forehead. Or rather, she tried - only to realize that her movements were restricted by the stiff white bandages that covered her forelegs. Starlight blinked in confusion, the sharp scent of disinfectant finally registering to her sleep-addled brain. It was then she realized, she was in a hospital. But how had she got here? Starlight's eyes widened - the events of the last two days hitting her like a train. She remembered Kyra rescuing her from the diamond dogs, then the next morning, when Kyra had transported them both to the city of Baltimare, using her magic. Shortly thereafter, they had found this hospital. After giving a brief explanation to the doctors, Starlight had been led away to receive treatment for her injuries - while Kyra had stayed in the lobby to speak to one of the doctors in private. Kyra. Where was Kyra? Starlight turned her head from side to side, her gaze scanning the room for any sign of the unicorn, but it was empty. Well, not completely. Starlight's heart thumped a bit faster in her chest, as she realized that on the end table beside the bed, there was a leather pouch, with an envelope beside it with the words "For Starlight" written neatly in pen. Leaning sideways, Starlight reached for the letter with a trembling hoof, wincing as her body objected to the sudden movement. With the letter now clutched in her hooves, she quickly tore the envelope open. Inside was a letter addressed to her, written in the same neat hornwriting she'd seen on the back. Heart in her throat, Starlight began to read. "Starlight. I'm sorry, but by the time you wake up and read this letter, I will already be gone. I can't tell you where I am going or why, but rest assured I have made arrangements with the doctors to ensure you will continue to receive help in your recovery. When you have regained your full strength, there are a handful of gems I have left for you in the bag included with this letter. However you decide to use them is up to you, but I hope you will seize this opportunity to start over somewhere far from the town you left behind. For now though, all I can do is bid you a fond farewell. Until next we meet. Your friend, Kyra." Starlight re-read the letter several times, feeling a lump form in her throat. Eventually she leaned back against the pillows, the letter pressed tightly against her chest, eyes shut tight as warm tears ran down her face. Kyra was gone, and Starlight didn't know if she would ever see her again. ..... "So, you have returned," Luna said. She and Kyra were once again standing in the castle ruins - Kyra having gotten in contact with Luna the day before by telegram after arriving in Ponyville. "Judging by the fact you do not have Starlight Glimmer in your custody, are we correct in assuming something went wrong?" "Yes, Your Highness." Kyra's head hung low as she spoke, ears pinned back against her skull in a show of remorse. "Might we ask what happened to prevent you in completing the task?" "I didn't get to her in time," Kyra explained. "As crazy as it sounds, there was a colony of diamond dogs in the caverns which found her first." Kyra paused, taking a deep breath. "There was nothing I could do. She was already dead by the time I tracked them down." Luna's eyes widened in bewilderment. Clearly she had not been expecting this. "Oh." The dark alicorn's ears drooped against her skull. "That's unfortunate. We're sorry she had to meet such a terrible fate. Criminal or not, she did not deserve to suffer such cruelty." "I'm sorry I failed, Luna." Luna stepped closer to her student, surprising Kyra as she pulled her into an embrace that felt almost motherly. Kyra blinked in surprise. In all the time she'd known her, Luna had never done anything like this before. "Do not blame yourself, Kyra," Luna said, now stepping back and releasing Kyra from the hug. "We know it wasn't your fault." "All the same, I feel responsible for what happened. If you wish to withhold the payment originally promised, I understand." Luna considered this for a moment, before answering in a firm voice. "No. That will not be necessary." Kyra looked at her, surprised. "But Luna, we had an agreement." "Yes, we did," Luna answered. "And since we are the ones who enlisted your services, we reserve the right to decide whether or not to honor the agreed payment." Luna smiled at Kyra's astonished face. "You have served us well these many years, Kyra. For this, we are more than willing to forgive and forget this one failure." "I... I don't know what to say, Luna." Kyra stared at the Princess of the Night, unable to believe any of it. "Thank you." "On the contrary, my friend," said Luna. "It is we who should be thanking you. You shall be missed, my friend." Kyra bowed her head respectfully. "Likewise." ..... That evening, Kyra found herself sitting on a grassy hill outside of Ponyville, her eyes on the stars above, her mind and heart elsewhere. Since leaving the Castle of the Two Sisters after speaking with Luna, Kyra had found herself aimlessly wandering Ponyville, hardly noticing anything around her. She was thinking about Starlight Glimmer, whom she'd left at the Baltimare City General Hospital. Kyra shut her eyes, feeling an ache in her heart that had not been there before. She hoped Starlight was okay. It had not been easy to leave her behind, but Kyra knew it must be done. Staying with Starlight would have only put her safety in jeopardy, and Kyra was not willing to take that risk. She could only hope that Starlight was safe and on her way to a new life somewhere. "Who knows?" Kyra muttered to herself. "With how crazy this world is, it's possible we'll cross paths again. Someday." As Kyra sat alone on the hill, a single shooting star swooped across the sky, brilliantly bright in the violet and apricot sunset. Ponies who saw it glanced up in amazement, eyes widening in delight. And hundreds of miles away, seated on a bench outside the Baltimare Train Station, Starlight Glimmer looked up and smiled. Epilogue: Hearth Warming's EveThe city was covered in a blanket of snow. Delicate white flakes drifted lazily to earth, and everywhere excited fillies and colts ran around, laughing as they tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues. Everywhere the shops and houses were dressed in holiday decor; lampposts were bright with ribbons and holly garlands, and every door was hung with a Hearth's Warming wreath. This was a joyous time of winter, when ponies celebrated by gathering by firesides in their homes, with good food, stories to tell and carols to sing. Every day gifts were exchanged, and the air in Canterlot was sweet with the aroma of baked sweets and hot chocolate. On this particular day, Kyra had been to one of the local coffee shops for a drop of hot chocolate and a plate of fresh-baked sugar cookies. Now seated on a bench in the city's park, she was content to watch the snowflakes tumble from the somewhat cloudy blue sky above. Since retiring from being a bounty hunter, Kyra had taken some time to travel the rest of Equestria. She had seen rodeos in Appleoosa, visited the frigid north to the enchanted Crystal Empire, and had travelled to the famous Rainbow Falls before heading to the far west to see the city of Las Pegasus. The best part of it by far though had not been the spectacular sights, but the interactions she'd had with the ponies she'd met along the way. Having spent most of her life only knowing the unpleasant side of pony society - a few choice encounters with the various bandit gangs she'd fought years before still made her grimace with disgust - it was refreshing to be able to speak with normal ponies for once. Sipping her hot chocolate, Kyra once again found her thoughts gravitating towards a particular pony she had met not too long ago. Not for the first time, she wondered where Starlight Glimmer might be, and whether or not she was doing well. Kyra only hoped Starlight had forgiven her for leaving her in Baltimare the way she did. Although it was necessary at the time, Kyra would have been lying if she said she had no regrets on the matter. Finishing the last bit of her hot chocolate, Kyra stood up, walking several feet away and throwing her disposable cup into a trash can situated beneath a lamppost. With a sigh, she walked down the cobblestone sidewalk, being glad of the bright blue winter cloak and stockings she wore as a frigid wind swept past her, stinging her face with cold. Grumbling to herself, she quickened her pace, turning a corner and heading towards the welcoming lights of the local inn. Stepping inside the building, she found the interior pleasantly warm and bright. Here and there, small groups of ponies were gathered, sitting on the comfortable furniture in the lobby or chatting at the counter in the dining area, while others were seated around the dining tables, laughing and talking. However, as Starlight made her way to the stairs (she had paid for lodging earlier that day) a movement in the corner of her eye made her stop. Her heart began to race, and slowly she turned in the direction of it, hardly daring to breathe. Standing about a dozen feet away beside a window, staring at her with eyes as big as saucers, was Starlight Glimmer. Kyra blinked once. Then she blinked again, expecting Starlight to disappear just as quickly as she had appeared; unable to believe this was really happening. It couldn't be. It seemed impossible that she would find Starlight again so soon after going their separate ways. However, while Kyra's brain was saying this was impossible, to her heart it didn't matter one way or the other. Before she could stop herself, Kyra had closed the distance between them. Seconds away from being close enough, Starlight took two quick steps forward, pulling Kyra into tight squeeze - pressing her face into Kyra's soft, indigo mane. Oh Faust, it was so warm. Starlight had imagined the texture so many times over the past months but all her fantasies paled drastically in comparison to the real thing. The silky plushness of it as she rubbed her cheek against it; the sweet scent of it as she sniffed it. "I've missed you so much." Kyra said nothing - her heart was too full of emotions to speak. After a few moments however, she was able to find her voice. Suddenly aware of the fact that quite a few ponies were staring at them, Kyra cleared her throat awkwardly. "Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere more private?' she suggested. "All right," Starlight said, reluctantly pulling away. There was a cheeky smile on her face. "But don't think I'm letting you out of my sight for one second." ..... The following morning found both mares still together in the room Kyra had rented. Kyra lay on her side, Starlight cradled between her forelegs, her face pressed into Kyra's chest fur. As the room gradually lightened with the rising sun, Kyra was content to lie still, listening to Starlight's soft breaths, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind, making her lower belly tingle with pleasant warmth. The night before, the two had stayed awake well into the late hours of the night, each filling the other in on what they had been up to since they'd last seen each other. It was also then that Kyra confessed the real reason why she had come to the caverns to find Starlight all those months ago. Starlight had handled the news better than she'd expected, stating that she'd always suspected as much. "Wait. So you're really not upset?" Kyra had asked incredulously. "Nope," Starlight answered with a shrug. "You saved my life in those caverns, Kyra. I won't forget that. Although I was pretty upset when you left without saying goodbye." Kyra grinned sheepishly. "Sorry." "Don't worry about it," Starlight said. "You were just doing what you thought was best for my well-being. I can't be mad at you for trying to keep me safe." Kyra blushed as Starlight leaned against her, once again rubbing her cheek against Kyra's soft chest fur. There was a look in her eyes that was making her feel hot all over, causing her mane to stand on end, becoming twice as fluffy. "I never thanked you for it, you know. Saving my life and all that." Kyra smiled. "And you'll never have to." The words had only just left her mouth before Starlight kissed her fully on the lips. Kyra's mind went blank for a moment, and in that time Starlight managed to pin Kyra on her back without pulling away. Kyra let her. There was no way in Hell she was putting the brakes on now, and besides, they were already past the point of no return. Kyra arched her back slightly as she recalled the memory, blushing as she remembered how incredible the rest of the night had been after that. Really, Kyra had to admit Starlight was a mare of many talents. Kyra smiled, bending her head to plant a kiss on Starlight's horn tip - watching with amused affection as Starlight wriggled closer still in response, making a soft cooing noise. .Kyra shut her eyes, the comforting warmth of Starlight the only thing she registered before falling back to sleep. Author's Note Well, that's all, folks! Time to roll out the credits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxZ009DY1nc DarknessFootsteps echoed in the the dark caverns, adding to unsteady rhythm of labored breaths. The only source of light was the faint glow of Starlight Glimmer's horn, casting flickering shadows as she glanced from side to side. Ever since being chased here by Twilight Sparkle and her interfering friends three days ago, she had at first attempted to navigate the endless passages. Unfortunately however, her knowledge of these caverns was... minimal at best. As a result, she had soon lost her way entirely. She wouldn't last much longer like this. The more time she spent fruitlessly wandering, the more exhausted she became. And she was hungry. And thirsty. Breathing heavily, Starlight sat down, trying to collect herself. But it was hard to concentrate with her stomach loudly voicing its discomfort. Her ears shot up, and leapt to her hooves. What was that sound? It seemed to be coming from the passage behind her. As Starlight watched and listened, she could hear something heavy being dragged, and the yellow glow of flickering torches. Although it was not in Starlight's nature to go do down without a fight, she knew that doing so in the current circumstances would be stupid move at least five different ways. So she did the only thing she could: she hid. No sooner had Starlight hidden behind a large boulder, that several large, vicious-looking diamond dogs came striding out of the aforementioned passage, their harsh voices echoing off the cavern walls. "Typical!" one spat as he dragged a large cart behind him. "These stupid ponies never last long." "Go ahead and dump 'em here," one of the others - a brown dog with a scar over one eye. "We need to get back to digging for gems, quick." With help from the other three diamond dogs, the one pulling the cart proceeded to tip it over - and Starlight quickly turned away as several dead bodies spilled onto the floor. Dear sweet Celestia. They had actually worked those ponies to death! Starlight thought she might be sick. She needed to find a way out of this place. Now. Slowly, she began backing away from the diamond dogs, trying to keep her steps as quiet as possible. Then her rump came into contact with something solid. Whirling around, Starlight experienced a moment of terror as she locked eyes with a large, black diamond dog holding a stout wooden club. "Oh boys!" he called. "I think I just found us a new slave for the mines." That was the last thing Starlight heard before the diamond dog swung his club. The force of the blow was so strong, not only did he knock Starlight unconscious - he also snapped her horn in two. As blood trickled down Starlight's forehead, the diamond dog grabbed one of her forelimbs and hoisted her onto his back - with little regard for how uncomfortable Starlight would have found the experience had she been awake. He and the other dogs set off down the tunnel from whence they came - grinning with glee at their latest catch. And nearby, still and unobserved by any of them, Kyra stood behind a boulder on a high ledge. As soon as the coast was clear, Kyra leapt lightly down and followed the light of their torches down the tunnel, being sure to keep a safe distance. Getting Starlight out might be tad more difficult with the dogs to contend with, but Kyra wasn't upset. On the contrary, she saw this as a blessing in itself. Where diamond dogs gathered, usually there was a stash of gems hidden somewhere close by. In addition, rather than making her task more difficult, they had provided her with the means to earn Starlight's trust and had rendered her totally helpless when they'd broken her horn. Kyra smiled, and almost giggled. This was turning out to be easier than she'd expected. ..... The cell door clanged shut with a bang. Starlight Glimmer staggered inside, collapsing moments later onto the ground. Today had been another long, terrifying day at the gem mines, adding to the uncertain amount of time she'd spent in these damnable caverns. Turning over, she winced from the pain of her newly acquired whip lashes. Her mane was filthy. Her once bright pink coat was unkempt; her hooves covered in a layer of grime and blood from being forced to dig. She was thin too - her ribs were painstakingly visible, as were her hip bones. Forget about being fed at all - the diamond dogs rarely even bothered giving her water - and that was only if they felt like it. As she lay on the cold stone floor of her cell, Starlight felt the first hot tears form in her eyes. How had it come to this? How could she have fallen so far from the mare she once was? Before long she succumbed to despair, but she wept silently. If these diamond dogs saw her crying, they would no doubt subject her to another beating. Starlight wasn't sure how much more abuse she could take. A distant crash from above startled her, and she sat bolt upright. Was that them? Were they coming for her already? Oh Celestia, what would they do? Even more noises. Among them, Starlight could hear angry curses and yells from the diamond dogs as whatever was upstairs was clearly giving them quite the beating. But Starlight wasn't hopeful. On the contrary, she was terrified. Whatever was fighting the diamond dogs was probably even worse than they were, and she trembled with fear wondering what sort of horrible monster was currently wreaking havoc on the floor above. Then all at once, the noises stopped. Starlight remained motionless, blood roaring in her ears as she waited on pins and needles, every second of silence a moment of agony for the frightened mare. Finally, after what seemed like an hour but was in fact only ten minutes, Starlight heard footsteps on the stairs which led to the floor above. She sat still as a statue, eyes wide in the dark as the flickering light of a torch came ever closer. Moments later, Starlight experienced a surge of joy as she recognized the outline of a unicorn. As the figure came closer however, the momentary joy Starlight had felt at seeing another pony gave way to unease. Something didn't seem right. The mare before her was dressed in ebony armor and shoes, with a black traveling cloak and mask which concealed her muzzle. Her eyes shone a bright blue in the light of the torch she levitated, and Starlight realized that one was bleeding freely from fresh claw marks - likely made by a diamond dog. The two mares stared at one another for a long minute, before at last Starlight broke the silence with a hoarse whisper. "Who are you?"
PrologueAuthor's Note There ARE some spelling errors in this chapter, but that's because the characters have accents, so to convey that I had to misspell a few things. Also, this is the only chapter where I misspell things, so don't worry - you won't have to put up with it for the whole story. Prologue At midnight, four stallions sat gathered around a fire, their faces tired. Presently there came a faint rustling sound, and they each leapt to their feet, each reaching for their weapons. Moments later a fox appeared from behind a bush, and the stallions relaxed. "Damn animals!" the one called Two-bit muttered.. Picking a stone from the ground, he tossed it at the fox, sending it darting back into the safety of the woods. "Do you really think it was a good idea to come here?" he said to the stallion seated across him. "'Course it is!" insisted the other, who was called Sly. "She won't dare follow us in here." "Right, but how long are we going to stay in here?" Two-bit asked. "I mean, even if she dun't come in here after us, we'll have to move on evenchally?" "Numbskull!" growled the third stallion. "We don't have to worry about finding a way out 'cause we ain't leavin'!" "Yeah," said the fourth. "Folks say treasure's hidden in here. In a castle. Ain't that right, boss?" "Aye," said Sly. "The castle's been abandoned for a long time. That means it must be full of treasure, and we're going to nab it first. Now, according to this here map," he said, pulling a roll of parchment from under his shirt and unrolling it, "we should be at the ruins by tomarra. After we find the treasure, we'll use the ruins as a hideout to plan raids on all the paths. At any rate, next time this time next week, we'll all be filthy rich!" While the stallions sat laughing around the fire, they were unaware that they were being observed. Not too far away, a unicorn sat crouched behind some bushes. Dressed in a travelling cloak and armor with a dagger strapped to her thigh and a dart gun on the other, she had spent the last week tracking these idiots ever since setting them up with the map in an encounter at a pub several towns away. The mare smiled to herself as she remembered it. The fools never suspected a thing. Now all her work had paid off, and she had the perfect opportunity to eliminate these scum once and for all. Reaching down, she grabbed the dart gun which was strapped to her right thigh. One it was free, she raised it to her lips with her hoofs, taking meticulous aim. "Whatcha think ya'll do with your share?" Two-bit asked the other stallions. "Well, first I think I'll buy me a-" Whatever Sly would have said was cut off as he let out a surprised grunt. A moment later he collapsed to the ground - a sleeping dart protruding from his spine. The others only had a moment of horrified bewilderment before they too were hit - succumbing to a deep slumber before they hit the ground. Walking out from the bushes, the mare strode towards the fire. There was a self-satisfied smirk on her face as she tied each of the stallions up, before walking over to Sly's pack and rummaging inside of it. After a few moments, she had removed a bottle of cider, a small bag of bits, and some bread and cheese. "I'll just help myself to this," she said to her sleeping captives. "Not like you'll be needing it anymore." Plopping down beside the fire, the mare chugged the cider bottle until it was empty, before tossing it over her shoulder with a loud belch, before starting on the bread and cheese. When finished, she let out a second, louder belch and laid down by the fire. Tomorrow she'd go into Ponyville and turn these dumb sods in to the guards. In the meantime, it had been a long week, and the mare was tired. With a full stomach warmed by the liquor she'd consumed, she soon fell asleep. ..... The following morning, the mare was up at dawn. After leading the Ponyville guards to Sly's gang, she accompanied them back to the guardhouse, where she received five hundred bits in payment for her deed. It wasn't as much as she'd hoped, but it was all right since she'd stolen a total of two hundred bits off the bandits while they slept. As she turned to leave the building, one of the guards called to her. "Thanks again for the help, Blade!" Blade grinned back, thinking smugly of the gold now clinking in her pocket. "Oh please, it was nothing. A good deed is its own reward." ..... Later that day, Kyra was seated at a restaurant in Ponyville, quietly munching her way through her second sub sandwich. Occasionally, ponies passing her would throw a glance her way, taken aback by her strange looks. Kyra ignored them all. She was used to ponies gawking stupidly at her, but it was to be expected, she supposed. Most ponies had never seen a unicorn like her before. Being one with a heritage of one third Kirin, one third dragon and one third unicorn, Kyra was at least six inches taller than most ponies, with a very long horn. In addition she was stronger and faster than most, with an impressive appetite. As such, she didn't expect ponies to quit staring any time soon. Still, she would have been lying if she said it didn't bother her. Not least because strange sights were common in Equestria, but also because it made her feel conspicuous. In her line of work, that could be a hazard. As such, she never stayed in one town for more than a day. Finishing her sandwich, she stood up. After leaving a handful of bits for her tip, she proceeded to the front of the restaurant to pay for her meal and left. Upon leaving the restaurant, she wandered the town for a while until she found a bench to sit on beneath the shade of a tree. Here she sat down, closing her eyes and feeling the sunshine on her back. It would be fall soon. Time to head back to her cabin in White Tail Woods. It was her home, the sole thing she had of her parents after they passed away in her foalhood. While life hadn't been the same since losing them, Kyra wouldn't have it any other way. She loved the adventurous life that came with being a bounty hunter. "Still, maybe I should stay there longer this time," Kyra muttered. "It'll be good to unwind. Get some rest and relaxation." "Considering retiring then, are you?" said a voice.
LiberationKyra stared at Starlight Glimmer, sympathy and pity taking hold of her heart. For the past three days, she had watched this mare suffer at the hands of the diamond dogs, while she had studied their behaviors to find weaknesses she could exploit. during that time, she had observed Starlight being starved, beaten, whipped, and even denied food and rest. Despite knowing what she had done to other ponies, watching her toil in this awful place had without a doubt been one of the cruelest and saddest things Kyra had ever seen. No living creature, pony or otherwise, deserved to suffer this much. So when the time had come for her to rescue the mare, Kyra had been more than eager to beat the ever-living shit out of the diamond dogs, leaving the entire colony unconscious in the caves and tunnels above - and, just to spite the miserable wretches, she'd stolen as many gems from their stash as her money pouch could carry, before tipping the rest into a deep crevice. Even the fact she had suffered an injury during the fight was negligible - Kyra would have gladly done it over again if necessary. "My name is Kyra," Kyra said at last. "I came here to free you." While it wasn't the real reason Kyra had originally come here, she didn't care. Whatever Luna had said to her before no longer mattered. All Kyra knew was she had to get Starlight out of here and get her to a doctor as quickly as possible. From inside the folds of her cloak, Kyra lifted a key attached to a rope over her head. Within seconds she had unlocked the cell door and had stepped inside. Remembering how cold the caves were, Kyra pulled off her cloak and helped the bewildered but grateful Starlight into it. "Can you walk?" Kyra asked. "I..." Starlight answered weakly. "I'm not sure." "Here." Kyra extended a hoof to Starlight, who looked up at her, stunned. "Let me help you." "...Okay." Starlight took the hoof Kyra offered. Although she wouldn't say it out loud, Starlight was wildly, desperately grateful for Kyra's help. The two ponies left the cell, with Starlight leaning on Kyra as they began to climb the steps. Once or twice Starlight nearly slipped on the uneven surface of the stairs, her exhaustion becoming all the more apparent to Kyra with every step. But Kyra was patient, muttering low words of encouragement until finally, they emerged onto the floor above, with Starlight panting heavily from the exertion. Still, as exhausted as she was, it would be impossible to miss the sight that waited for them. Starlight's jaw fell to the floor as she realized that the entire diamond dog troop had been decimated. All of them now lay on the ground, their bodies bearing black and purple bruises with their armor cracked and dented - an indicator of how formidable a fighter Kyra truly was. If what Kyra had said was true, she had done it all to save Starlight from this place. The realization was staggering. Starlight had never known anyone willing to risk their own well-being for the sake of hers. Yet Kyra - a stranger whom she had only known for a few minutes - had seemingly done it without a second thought. It was almost enough to make one swoon on the spot - if Starlight had been the swooning type, that is. "You'd better climb onto my back." "Eh... what?" Starlight said distractedly, not sure if she'd heard right. "Sorry?" "I'm worried you might collapse if we keep going like this." Kyra indicated the fact Starlight still had one foreleg around her shoulders for support with a hoof. Embarrassed, Starlight quickly pulled her foreleg away, confused as she felt a sudden warmth in her face. "Oh. Right." Great Faust, what the Hell is wrong with me? Kyra knelt down on the dusty cavern floor, while Starlight clambered somewhat awkwardly onto her back, linking her front hooves around Kyra's throat. "Hold on tight now," Kyra said to her, as she began to walk surprisingly quickly. Her stride was smooth and firm, hardly making a sound on the floor or jostling Starlight at all as she broke into a trot, heading for the exit. With how gracefully she moved, Starlight couldn't help feeling impressed. "Now, let's get you out of here." ..... After several hours of navigating through the caverns, Starlight and Kyra felt a surge of excitement as up ahead, they could see the light of the setting sun shining into the mouth of the cave. "We found the way out!" Starlight said. Seconds later, she had burst into tears. Kyra said nothing, but there was a kind smile on her face as she carried Starlight out into the open air. As soon as Kyra's hooves touched grass, Starlight leaved herself off the mare's back and sank to the ground, pressing her face into it. "I'm out!" she said. "I'm free!" She lay in the grass for some time, content to let the breeze wash over her, banishing the dark memories of her captivity. Kyra let her, content to let Starlight revel in her newfound freedom. As the sun sank lower however, she reluctantly when to Starlight's side and nudged her. "Come on," she said. "We should find somewhere to shelter for the night." "Okay," Starlight said, smiling for the first time in what seemed like forever. Soon the smile gave way to a laugh, clear and beautiful as it echoed through the quiet woodlands that surrounded them. For a moment Kyra stood still, spellbound by the mare before her. She'd never heard a laugh like Starlight's before. Somehow, knowing that she was the reason for it made it all the more special. It only lasted for a few minutes, but by that time Kyra had made her mind. She would do anything to see Starlight happy again. Whatever it took, Kyra would gladly do it. ..... That night, the pair camped out on a riverbank, beneath the shelter of the wild apple trees, with hazelnut and raspberry bushes also flourishing. Much to their delight, the fruit and hazelnuts were ripe for picking, and shortly after collecting a bushel's worth of fruit and nuts, Starlight quickly gorged herself on the lot, while Kyra sat slowly munching her way through an apple and a handful of berries and nuts. Once Starlight had eaten enough, she stretched out beside the fire with a satisfied burp, leaning against a large boulder. "Oh," she said sheepishly. "Excuse me." Kyra just smiled, crunching a hazelnut between her teeth. "You know, that reminds me," Starlight said. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. My name is Starlight Glimmer." Kyra nodded, crunching another nut. After a moment's silence, she spoke. She already knew the answer to her question, but she wanted to hear it from Starlight's perspective this time. She just hoped that being asked to recount the events wouldn't upset Starlight too much. "Well, Starlight. Might I ask how someone such as yourself was captured by diamond dogs? I mean, if you don't want to talk about it it's fine!" she added quickly as Starlight's face darkened. "It just seems that you seem to have run afoul of rotten luck for something like that to happen." Starlight scoffed, and her tone was bitter as she answered Kyra. "Please! 'Rotten luck' doesn't even begin to cover it!" Starlight was quiet for a moment longer, before finally continuing. Rather than look Kyra in the eyes, she instead gazed into the flames of their campfire, her expression unreadable. "The truth is, I was running from my mistakes." She looked at Kyra, and her eyes were sparkling with tears. "I've done some pretty horrible things in my life. At the time I thought it made sense but... I guess I was just angry with how unfair the world has been and was taking it out on ponies whom I didn't even know." She sniffed as her tears fell to the ground, hugging Kyra's cloak around herself as she watched the dancing flames. "But the worst part? I did it to ponies who were innocent, who'd never done any harm to anyone else." She sniffed again. "I'm a horrible person. A monster." "You know, no one's perfect," Kyra said after a time. Starlight looked at her, surprised. "Look, you've made some mistakes, and that's okay. When we fall, we learn to to pick ourselves up and keep going. I think you're a good person, Starlight. You just need a chance to let other people see it." Starlight was silent for a moment, letting Kyra's words sink in. You're a good person... You just need a chance to let other people see it... Maybe Kyra was right. Maybe she could find a way to redeem herself. In spite of everything, Kyra had managed to cheer her up. Starlight dried her eyes with the corner of Kyra's cloak, feeling hopeful for the first time in years. But now it was getting late, and she was too exhausted to think anymore. She stifled a yawn. "We should probably turn in, now." Kyra nodded. She was feeling sleepy too. "All right. Rest well, Starlight." "You too, Kyra."
Goodbye StarlightWhen the morning arrived, the first thing that Starlight was aware of was warm sunlight on her fur. Second, she was lying in a bed. Opening her eyes in shock, she beheld a white ceiling above her. Turning her head slowly, she looked out the window to see a robin's egg blue sky, with only a few white clouds scattered on the horizon. A bird sat perched on the windowsill, twittering happily. Starlight gave a low sigh, absentmindedly raising a hoof to scratch an itch on her forehead. Or rather, she tried - only to realize that her movements were restricted by the stiff white bandages that covered her forelegs. Starlight blinked in confusion, the sharp scent of disinfectant finally registering to her sleep-addled brain. It was then she realized, she was in a hospital. But how had she got here? Starlight's eyes widened - the events of the last two days hitting her like a train. She remembered Kyra rescuing her from the diamond dogs, then the next morning, when Kyra had transported them both to the city of Baltimare, using her magic. Shortly thereafter, they had found this hospital. After giving a brief explanation to the doctors, Starlight had been led away to receive treatment for her injuries - while Kyra had stayed in the lobby to speak to one of the doctors in private. Kyra. Where was Kyra? Starlight turned her head from side to side, her gaze scanning the room for any sign of the unicorn, but it was empty. Well, not completely. Starlight's heart thumped a bit faster in her chest, as she realized that on the end table beside the bed, there was a leather pouch, with an envelope beside it with the words "For Starlight" written neatly in pen. Leaning sideways, Starlight reached for the letter with a trembling hoof, wincing as her body objected to the sudden movement. With the letter now clutched in her hooves, she quickly tore the envelope open. Inside was a letter addressed to her, written in the same neat hornwriting she'd seen on the back. Heart in her throat, Starlight began to read. "Starlight. I'm sorry, but by the time you wake up and read this letter, I will already be gone. I can't tell you where I am going or why, but rest assured I have made arrangements with the doctors to ensure you will continue to receive help in your recovery. When you have regained your full strength, there are a handful of gems I have left for you in the bag included with this letter. However you decide to use them is up to you, but I hope you will seize this opportunity to start over somewhere far from the town you left behind. For now though, all I can do is bid you a fond farewell. Until next we meet. Your friend, Kyra." Starlight re-read the letter several times, feeling a lump form in her throat. Eventually she leaned back against the pillows, the letter pressed tightly against her chest, eyes shut tight as warm tears ran down her face. Kyra was gone, and Starlight didn't know if she would ever see her again. ..... "So, you have returned," Luna said. She and Kyra were once again standing in the castle ruins - Kyra having gotten in contact with Luna the day before by telegram after arriving in Ponyville. "Judging by the fact you do not have Starlight Glimmer in your custody, are we correct in assuming something went wrong?" "Yes, Your Highness." Kyra's head hung low as she spoke, ears pinned back against her skull in a show of remorse. "Might we ask what happened to prevent you in completing the task?" "I didn't get to her in time," Kyra explained. "As crazy as it sounds, there was a colony of diamond dogs in the caverns which found her first." Kyra paused, taking a deep breath. "There was nothing I could do. She was already dead by the time I tracked them down." Luna's eyes widened in bewilderment. Clearly she had not been expecting this. "Oh." The dark alicorn's ears drooped against her skull. "That's unfortunate. We're sorry she had to meet such a terrible fate. Criminal or not, she did not deserve to suffer such cruelty." "I'm sorry I failed, Luna." Luna stepped closer to her student, surprising Kyra as she pulled her into an embrace that felt almost motherly. Kyra blinked in surprise. In all the time she'd known her, Luna had never done anything like this before. "Do not blame yourself, Kyra," Luna said, now stepping back and releasing Kyra from the hug. "We know it wasn't your fault." "All the same, I feel responsible for what happened. If you wish to withhold the payment originally promised, I understand." Luna considered this for a moment, before answering in a firm voice. "No. That will not be necessary." Kyra looked at her, surprised. "But Luna, we had an agreement." "Yes, we did," Luna answered. "And since we are the ones who enlisted your services, we reserve the right to decide whether or not to honor the agreed payment." Luna smiled at Kyra's astonished face. "You have served us well these many years, Kyra. For this, we are more than willing to forgive and forget this one failure." "I... I don't know what to say, Luna." Kyra stared at the Princess of the Night, unable to believe any of it. "Thank you." "On the contrary, my friend," said Luna. "It is we who should be thanking you. You shall be missed, my friend." Kyra bowed her head respectfully. "Likewise." ..... That evening, Kyra found herself sitting on a grassy hill outside of Ponyville, her eyes on the stars above, her mind and heart elsewhere. Since leaving the Castle of the Two Sisters after speaking with Luna, Kyra had found herself aimlessly wandering Ponyville, hardly noticing anything around her. She was thinking about Starlight Glimmer, whom she'd left at the Baltimare City General Hospital. Kyra shut her eyes, feeling an ache in her heart that had not been there before. She hoped Starlight was okay. It had not been easy to leave her behind, but Kyra knew it must be done. Staying with Starlight would have only put her safety in jeopardy, and Kyra was not willing to take that risk. She could only hope that Starlight was safe and on her way to a new life somewhere. "Who knows?" Kyra muttered to herself. "With how crazy this world is, it's possible we'll cross paths again. Someday." As Kyra sat alone on the hill, a single shooting star swooped across the sky, brilliantly bright in the violet and apricot sunset. Ponies who saw it glanced up in amazement, eyes widening in delight. And hundreds of miles away, seated on a bench outside the Baltimare Train Station, Starlight Glimmer looked up and smiled.
Epilogue: Hearth Warming's EveThe city was covered in a blanket of snow. Delicate white flakes drifted lazily to earth, and everywhere excited fillies and colts ran around, laughing as they tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues. Everywhere the shops and houses were dressed in holiday decor; lampposts were bright with ribbons and holly garlands, and every door was hung with a Hearth's Warming wreath. This was a joyous time of winter, when ponies celebrated by gathering by firesides in their homes, with good food, stories to tell and carols to sing. Every day gifts were exchanged, and the air in Canterlot was sweet with the aroma of baked sweets and hot chocolate. On this particular day, Kyra had been to one of the local coffee shops for a drop of hot chocolate and a plate of fresh-baked sugar cookies. Now seated on a bench in the city's park, she was content to watch the snowflakes tumble from the somewhat cloudy blue sky above. Since retiring from being a bounty hunter, Kyra had taken some time to travel the rest of Equestria. She had seen rodeos in Appleoosa, visited the frigid north to the enchanted Crystal Empire, and had travelled to the famous Rainbow Falls before heading to the far west to see the city of Las Pegasus. The best part of it by far though had not been the spectacular sights, but the interactions she'd had with the ponies she'd met along the way. Having spent most of her life only knowing the unpleasant side of pony society - a few choice encounters with the various bandit gangs she'd fought years before still made her grimace with disgust - it was refreshing to be able to speak with normal ponies for once. Sipping her hot chocolate, Kyra once again found her thoughts gravitating towards a particular pony she had met not too long ago. Not for the first time, she wondered where Starlight Glimmer might be, and whether or not she was doing well. Kyra only hoped Starlight had forgiven her for leaving her in Baltimare the way she did. Although it was necessary at the time, Kyra would have been lying if she said she had no regrets on the matter. Finishing the last bit of her hot chocolate, Kyra stood up, walking several feet away and throwing her disposable cup into a trash can situated beneath a lamppost. With a sigh, she walked down the cobblestone sidewalk, being glad of the bright blue winter cloak and stockings she wore as a frigid wind swept past her, stinging her face with cold. Grumbling to herself, she quickened her pace, turning a corner and heading towards the welcoming lights of the local inn. Stepping inside the building, she found the interior pleasantly warm and bright. Here and there, small groups of ponies were gathered, sitting on the comfortable furniture in the lobby or chatting at the counter in the dining area, while others were seated around the dining tables, laughing and talking. However, as Starlight made her way to the stairs (she had paid for lodging earlier that day) a movement in the corner of her eye made her stop. Her heart began to race, and slowly she turned in the direction of it, hardly daring to breathe. Standing about a dozen feet away beside a window, staring at her with eyes as big as saucers, was Starlight Glimmer. Kyra blinked once. Then she blinked again, expecting Starlight to disappear just as quickly as she had appeared; unable to believe this was really happening. It couldn't be. It seemed impossible that she would find Starlight again so soon after going their separate ways. However, while Kyra's brain was saying this was impossible, to her heart it didn't matter one way or the other. Before she could stop herself, Kyra had closed the distance between them. Seconds away from being close enough, Starlight took two quick steps forward, pulling Kyra into tight squeeze - pressing her face into Kyra's soft, indigo mane. Oh Faust, it was so warm. Starlight had imagined the texture so many times over the past months but all her fantasies paled drastically in comparison to the real thing. The silky plushness of it as she rubbed her cheek against it; the sweet scent of it as she sniffed it. "I've missed you so much." Kyra said nothing - her heart was too full of emotions to speak. After a few moments however, she was able to find her voice. Suddenly aware of the fact that quite a few ponies were staring at them, Kyra cleared her throat awkwardly. "Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere more private?' she suggested. "All right," Starlight said, reluctantly pulling away. There was a cheeky smile on her face. "But don't think I'm letting you out of my sight for one second." ..... The following morning found both mares still together in the room Kyra had rented. Kyra lay on her side, Starlight cradled between her forelegs, her face pressed into Kyra's chest fur. As the room gradually lightened with the rising sun, Kyra was content to lie still, listening to Starlight's soft breaths, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind, making her lower belly tingle with pleasant warmth. The night before, the two had stayed awake well into the late hours of the night, each filling the other in on what they had been up to since they'd last seen each other. It was also then that Kyra confessed the real reason why she had come to the caverns to find Starlight all those months ago. Starlight had handled the news better than she'd expected, stating that she'd always suspected as much. "Wait. So you're really not upset?" Kyra had asked incredulously. "Nope," Starlight answered with a shrug. "You saved my life in those caverns, Kyra. I won't forget that. Although I was pretty upset when you left without saying goodbye." Kyra grinned sheepishly. "Sorry." "Don't worry about it," Starlight said. "You were just doing what you thought was best for my well-being. I can't be mad at you for trying to keep me safe." Kyra blushed as Starlight leaned against her, once again rubbing her cheek against Kyra's soft chest fur. There was a look in her eyes that was making her feel hot all over, causing her mane to stand on end, becoming twice as fluffy. "I never thanked you for it, you know. Saving my life and all that." Kyra smiled. "And you'll never have to." The words had only just left her mouth before Starlight kissed her fully on the lips. Kyra's mind went blank for a moment, and in that time Starlight managed to pin Kyra on her back without pulling away. Kyra let her. There was no way in Hell she was putting the brakes on now, and besides, they were already past the point of no return. Kyra arched her back slightly as she recalled the memory, blushing as she remembered how incredible the rest of the night had been after that. Really, Kyra had to admit Starlight was a mare of many talents. Kyra smiled, bending her head to plant a kiss on Starlight's horn tip - watching with amused affection as Starlight wriggled closer still in response, making a soft cooing noise. .Kyra shut her eyes, the comforting warmth of Starlight the only thing she registered before falling back to sleep. Author's Note Well, that's all, folks! Time to roll out the credits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxZ009DY1nc
DarknessFootsteps echoed in the the dark caverns, adding to unsteady rhythm of labored breaths. The only source of light was the faint glow of Starlight Glimmer's horn, casting flickering shadows as she glanced from side to side. Ever since being chased here by Twilight Sparkle and her interfering friends three days ago, she had at first attempted to navigate the endless passages. Unfortunately however, her knowledge of these caverns was... minimal at best. As a result, she had soon lost her way entirely. She wouldn't last much longer like this. The more time she spent fruitlessly wandering, the more exhausted she became. And she was hungry. And thirsty. Breathing heavily, Starlight sat down, trying to collect herself. But it was hard to concentrate with her stomach loudly voicing its discomfort. Her ears shot up, and leapt to her hooves. What was that sound? It seemed to be coming from the passage behind her. As Starlight watched and listened, she could hear something heavy being dragged, and the yellow glow of flickering torches. Although it was not in Starlight's nature to go do down without a fight, she knew that doing so in the current circumstances would be stupid move at least five different ways. So she did the only thing she could: she hid. No sooner had Starlight hidden behind a large boulder, that several large, vicious-looking diamond dogs came striding out of the aforementioned passage, their harsh voices echoing off the cavern walls. "Typical!" one spat as he dragged a large cart behind him. "These stupid ponies never last long." "Go ahead and dump 'em here," one of the others - a brown dog with a scar over one eye. "We need to get back to digging for gems, quick." With help from the other three diamond dogs, the one pulling the cart proceeded to tip it over - and Starlight quickly turned away as several dead bodies spilled onto the floor. Dear sweet Celestia. They had actually worked those ponies to death! Starlight thought she might be sick. She needed to find a way out of this place. Now. Slowly, she began backing away from the diamond dogs, trying to keep her steps as quiet as possible. Then her rump came into contact with something solid. Whirling around, Starlight experienced a moment of terror as she locked eyes with a large, black diamond dog holding a stout wooden club. "Oh boys!" he called. "I think I just found us a new slave for the mines." That was the last thing Starlight heard before the diamond dog swung his club. The force of the blow was so strong, not only did he knock Starlight unconscious - he also snapped her horn in two. As blood trickled down Starlight's forehead, the diamond dog grabbed one of her forelimbs and hoisted her onto his back - with little regard for how uncomfortable Starlight would have found the experience had she been awake. He and the other dogs set off down the tunnel from whence they came - grinning with glee at their latest catch. And nearby, still and unobserved by any of them, Kyra stood behind a boulder on a high ledge. As soon as the coast was clear, Kyra leapt lightly down and followed the light of their torches down the tunnel, being sure to keep a safe distance. Getting Starlight out might be tad more difficult with the dogs to contend with, but Kyra wasn't upset. On the contrary, she saw this as a blessing in itself. Where diamond dogs gathered, usually there was a stash of gems hidden somewhere close by. In addition, rather than making her task more difficult, they had provided her with the means to earn Starlight's trust and had rendered her totally helpless when they'd broken her horn. Kyra smiled, and almost giggled. This was turning out to be easier than she'd expected. ..... The cell door clanged shut with a bang. Starlight Glimmer staggered inside, collapsing moments later onto the ground. Today had been another long, terrifying day at the gem mines, adding to the uncertain amount of time she'd spent in these damnable caverns. Turning over, she winced from the pain of her newly acquired whip lashes. Her mane was filthy. Her once bright pink coat was unkempt; her hooves covered in a layer of grime and blood from being forced to dig. She was thin too - her ribs were painstakingly visible, as were her hip bones. Forget about being fed at all - the diamond dogs rarely even bothered giving her water - and that was only if they felt like it. As she lay on the cold stone floor of her cell, Starlight felt the first hot tears form in her eyes. How had it come to this? How could she have fallen so far from the mare she once was? Before long she succumbed to despair, but she wept silently. If these diamond dogs saw her crying, they would no doubt subject her to another beating. Starlight wasn't sure how much more abuse she could take. A distant crash from above startled her, and she sat bolt upright. Was that them? Were they coming for her already? Oh Celestia, what would they do? Even more noises. Among them, Starlight could hear angry curses and yells from the diamond dogs as whatever was upstairs was clearly giving them quite the beating. But Starlight wasn't hopeful. On the contrary, she was terrified. Whatever was fighting the diamond dogs was probably even worse than they were, and she trembled with fear wondering what sort of horrible monster was currently wreaking havoc on the floor above. Then all at once, the noises stopped. Starlight remained motionless, blood roaring in her ears as she waited on pins and needles, every second of silence a moment of agony for the frightened mare. Finally, after what seemed like an hour but was in fact only ten minutes, Starlight heard footsteps on the stairs which led to the floor above. She sat still as a statue, eyes wide in the dark as the flickering light of a torch came ever closer. Moments later, Starlight experienced a surge of joy as she recognized the outline of a unicorn. As the figure came closer however, the momentary joy Starlight had felt at seeing another pony gave way to unease. Something didn't seem right. The mare before her was dressed in ebony armor and shoes, with a black traveling cloak and mask which concealed her muzzle. Her eyes shone a bright blue in the light of the torch she levitated, and Starlight realized that one was bleeding freely from fresh claw marks - likely made by a diamond dog. The two mares stared at one another for a long minute, before at last Starlight broke the silence with a hoarse whisper. "Who are you?"
