Wings of Loveby Starry HopeChapters0 Prologue (Sweet Nightingale)1 10 years before I met you (Sweet Nightingale)2 1's and 0's the mare who changed my views. (Rage Quit)3 Shoppers of Rage, A Nightingales dream (Sweet Nightingale)Chapter 4 Darkened Stars (past) Starry Hope + (Present) Sweet Nightingale/Sunset MoonChapter 5 Thorns of Falsified Love (Dancing Thorn)The chains that lied to me6: A star in the sky (Sweet Nightingale)7: Distrustful flames (Crimson Bolt)Thank you7.5 From mom (Faithful Heart)0 Prologue (Sweet Nightingale)I watched as the stars filled the once bright sky that turned into the lunar darkness. I shook at the shivers on my skin from the chilly weather outside on the porch. Jeez, when did it get so cold? I muttered to myself as I wanted to go back inside to be warm, but instead I was outside freezing my flank off looking into the endless emptiness of space. "You're gonna catch a cold if you stay out here hon." I heard a male voice say in a more concerning voice and to my surprise I noticed it to be Rage Quit my loving husband. He looked at me without a coat on anything to keep himself warm and held in his hoof a coat. (How ironic he came out without a coat and had one for me) "Put this on, I don't want you to freeze." Rage said as he handed me the coat and I threw it on which helped the cold, but not really anything else. "What are you doing up? We got to get ready to head out for the celebration tomorrow. I can't believe we were able to make it to see the annual Crystal Empire celebration." I said ears perked up in excitement... but I stopped myself to avoid making too much noise and waking the fillies up. They have been asleep ever since we got here, traveling from Canterlot was quite the trip and by the time we got here. I almost had to carry all 3 of them (Including my husband which was quite the toll on me.) I just turned my head back into the stars and rested my hoof on the iron bar of the balcony and kept wondering on how much things had changed for the better. Though our children Lavender Song and Lilac Melody were still very young, they almost acted more mature than my own husband which sometimes made it good for bragging rights. "So, what are you thinking about?" Rage said as he put his hoof on my back and looked back at me. "You remember how we met?" I said laughing at it and even the old memories of it and even the days prior. Rage just bursted out laughing to my disapproval to where I stared at him with a stern face and he caught himself and kept from laughing more. Remember who has to sleep tonight. Keep it up and the couch or floor will be your bed. I muttered and he must've caught my words cause he turned his head away. "Yeah, those days were something. I still remember how much of a pain in the flank Dancing Thorns was. She must've kept her name true on how she acted. But I know meeting you." Rage said as he turned my head and stared me in front of my face with his emerald green eyes and held his hoof on my chin. "Was the greatest thing that I ever had." Rage said as he kissed me and I blushed at it and didn't back away and he chuckled and walked back inside and asked if I was coming in. "Give me a second dear, I'll be right there." I said in a quiet tone to avoid making anymore noise than I already have made and looked at the stars once more. Well, I must be the most lucky mare to meet somepony like you Rage. Thank the princesses that I would never trade anything else for what I have. I said to myself as I turned around and walked inside and noticed Rage already settled in bed and was resting his head. I just took the coat off and hanged it up beside my dresses and other clothes and then jumped into bed and rested my head also. Rage gave me a slight kiss on my forehead and then fell asleep. He snored louder than anypony in this room or even in all of the Crystal Empire. I just sighed and then began to drift off into the endless void of dreams. Though my story was all happy now and even peaceful, my journey and even Rage's was one of love, hate, betrayal and even distrust. But I knew that I would never change my life all those years ago for anything else. 1 10 years before I met you (Sweet Nightingale)BEEP...BEEP...BEEP My alarm went off to my disapproval and I just wanted to rest my head back down and sleep more. BEEP...BEEP...BEEP It just never wanted to stop, the alarm would never end. BEEP...BEEP.... BEE I turned it off as soon as the third time it rang and wiped my eyes groaning not wanting to get up. But I knew that it would be fruitless to argue with myself and just opened my tired eyes and got up leaning my tired head up off the so warm and comfy pillow. I looked at my room, messy and unorganized and sighed at the sight. The room was a mess, beyond anything I usually had it to be in prior times. Artwork was scattered everywhere, books were hanging in places that they shouldn't belong in. My clothes were scattered Didn't I JUST clean this room? I muttered to myself as I just got up and trotted over to the mirror in my room to dress myself up. (To the best of my ability) Upon getting to it I could see the disaster of my appearance. My mane and tail were scattered all around the place. The mane was all puffy and looked scattered all around the place. My tail was in the same condition but worse than my mane could ever be. I just tried my best in order to make it look better, but my attempts were as fruitless as a Earth Pony trying to learn to fly without wings. I just flattened the mane so it looked the best to my original mane design. For my tail I just did a twirled design around for it and even then some of the unkept parts stayed, but at least it was better than how it was previously. Well at least it's better than how it previously looked like. I muttered to myself as I stared back in the mirror again and at least liked how it was. I put down the brush and then made my bed up so it was at least decently done just liked how my parents used to have me make it. Cleaning my room was a chore to say the least but doing it at least made it easier to see my things or helped me keep my composure with my work. I didn't need much else to do after cleaning the things in my room, from the endless artwork ideas to my songs that I wrote. But then I saw out of all the papers on the floor and even my table was a white letter with a golden seal on it. When did I receive this? I thought to myself as I stared at it with curious eyes and opened it. Dear Ms. Nightingale. It's with great humble words that we speak that your submission for your admission to the Canterlot College for the prestige minds, has been reviewed and we are great to say that you have been approved. We have seen your hard work and commitment from your previous schools and jobs. We believed that you would be the perfect candidate for the Canterlot art program. We wish to see your presence during the orientation on the 5th of Windigo. Mystic Heart. Principal and administrator for the Canterlot College for the prestige minds. My heart dropped as soon as I read the letter and nearly fainted from the fact that I was selected to be apart of it. "I can't believe I did it!" I yelled at the top of my lungs and jumped up and down happy at it not wondering if ponies could hear me. But once I calmed down my mind and emotions I read the date one last time... 5th of Windigo. "Wait, that's TODAY!" I said and felt my heart drop a second time. I was way to worried about being late on my first day and jumped scrambling trying to pack my things, running into everything making my once clean room back into the mess it was. I'll worry about you later. I muttered as I kept grabbing things like my notebooks, art equipment and my bags to carry it. Once I finished I checked the time and noticed that I had some time left to get there before I was late... on my FIRST day no less. I opened my door, locked it and ran outside not talking to anypony and upon reaching a good spot, opened my wings tempting to fly there and scrape some extra minutes. But my books weighed me down and I just ditched that idea and galloped towards the college making it to the entrance by the skin of my tail. I quickly made it to class (After getting lost and having to ask a teacher to find my class) and right as I made it into the room, the bell rang. I quickly ran into a seat, sat down and threw my bag on the table and pulled out everything that I thought I needed. Then the door opened one more time and I saw a unicorn come in who either was a teacher or some administrator. "Good morning everypony, it's a great honor to see aspiring artist and eager ponies searching for aspiration here. But I want all of you to show me and this college responsibility and a sense of moral obligation. We want to provide you all with a great time here to allow you to learn, grow and follow your dreams. But we cannot do that when you do not show us the same." The pony in the front said as he made a bunch of scrolls appear in front of us. "Here is your rules and guidelines for the college. Take the time to read over them and once you sign this paper, come up here and deliver it to me and receive your student card. And also for everypony to know, my name is Astral Storm." Astral said as he laughed and sat down in his seat in the front and I grabbed my pencil and opened the scroll only to see just one sentence on it. Do you accept the terms and conditions of the following...wait, what terms? I muttered as I turned the scroll inside and out trying to figure out what is the terms to it or if it was some kind of very hard test. But as I sat down I noticed some ponies getting antsy and signing the page and then walked up and handed it. But the teacher simply turned his head and held the papers in the air and then put them in a folder and asked for them to head outside. Once they did and the door closed right behind him, Astral used his horn and the door seemed to vanish and walked back to the front. "Well now that we got the ponies who clearly failed their test... let us begin with the real orientation." Astral said and I watched as the scroll seemed to vanish in front of my eyes as I stared in wonder. "The terms and conditions are a mere way to worm out those who came here for fame and glory, the antsy never win any battles and usually are the first to go." Astral said as he used his horn one more time and handed us another scroll and upon opening it this time was only 2 words. I accept, I muttered as it stared straight at me and I didn't hesitate to write my name on it, but wondered if this was another test. "Oh for anypony who is wondering if this is another test, like you Ms. Nightingale. Don't worry about failing for signing this." Astral said with a grin and my ears dropped being called out like that. I looked at the page and hesitated on writing my name and I saw as everypony else did and he handed them their card and walked into another door and I never saw them again. Then there is just me... does this mean, I failed? I thought to myself and Astral just sat there with a paper in his hoofs reading something while I sat there waiting on something to happen. "WAIT FOR US!" I heard a male voice scream at the top of their lungs, the mere sound could deaf a filly in seconds. OW, my ears, is that pony insane? I muttered and Astral eyes and ears perked as 2 stallions came bolting inside. There was a greyish stallion with a blue coat on, mane and tail all scattered and wide eyes, he looked the most worried out the 2 of them. His cutie mark was a red flame in almost a lightning bolt shape and if he wore anything else, I wouldn't have seen it. Then there was a black stallion with a green mane and short green tail, exact same color. His cutie mark was a game controller and cause he wore no uniform or coat or anything. Seeing it was as clear and honestly the idea on what his destiny was with that, was quite the mystery. Mr. Astral didn't bother to stop them with magic or control the situation and just watched as the tumbled over one and each other until they were right in front of me. Were these 2 out of their minds?! Do they even realize how late they are!? I thought to myself as the sight of them being so incredibly late was almost unheard of. Class started at 8:30am and it was almost 12:00pm in the day. And this was the FIRST day of school, good way to make such a great reputation of yourself by being late. "Ah, Mr Rage and Mr Bolt. Fancy seeing you both, at this time." Astral said with a look that if he was facing me, I would've dropped down and almost would be to scared to talk. "I...uh, we um... kind of slept in." Bolt said (If that was his full name, I couldn't be sure.) and the apparent Rage the green maned pony just stared at me, opened eyes.Okay, that is kind of creepy. Would you kindly tilt your head and focus on your friend or whoever it is? I said to myself hoping that the giant nod with my facial appearence would show that I wasn't into whatever game he had, or I didn't want to be dragged into whatever crazy thing they had going for them. "Well, I can't and shouldn't be allowing late students to be able to continue the program, but because I have heard good news about you Rage. I'll let this slide once and only once. Pull a stunt like this again and I'll have you out this door faster than a speeding pegasus." Astral said with a stern look on his face. Rage and Bolt the 2 late ponies sat right behind me and I could feel as if they were watching me. I was the only mare in a room full of stallions, which either made me uncomfortable or very out of place. I signed the paper and gave it over to Astral and right behind me, Rage dropped his paper right beside mine. He laughed as Astral sighed and handed us our cards which were... blank? Wait, why were they blank? Does this mean there is ANOTHER test to complete? I muttered to myself to Rage's laughter and then Bolts looks of concern as we stood there wondering why this meant. "Head out the right door and hang a left once you pass the Celestia statue, use that card to enter and make sure not to lose it." Astral said and then out of nowhere he began to fade away. "What is happening!?" Bolt looked worried as he tried to fix the problem but Astral laughed. "This is merely a projection, I am home nice and comfy watching you all here." Astral said and with a bright light he was gone. "Hang a left at the Celestia statue, I don't remember seeing a Celestia statue?" I said and the other 2 stared also at me wondering hut decided to just to go ahead and try to find it. We trotted around for a good 15-25 minutes looking around for anything that was close to what we were suppose to find. But once we got to the main lobby we found the Celestia statue, positioned nice and beautiful like how a princess usually looks like. Then we looked to the left and found the door that held nothing to open it, no keyhole or even handle. "You think we made a wrong turn somewhere?" Rage said as I stared at the door that just never opened. I held out the card and noticed something on it that wasn't on it before. There was a picture of a door handle and when I held it to the door, either it was magic or some kind of spell but when I returned my eyes to it, the door suddenly had a door handle. Okay... what is going on?! I said to myself in complete shock. "Did anypony else notice that the door had no handle and NOW magically has a handle?" Bolt said still trying to comprehend the mystery that laid in front of us. But I didn't take the time to wonder curiously and grabbed the handle and then out of nowhere Rage had his hoof on top of mine. "Uh, oh sorry. I..uh, didn't mean to.. y'know, touch your hoof like that." Rage said with a awkward chuckle and I sighed and opened the door and noticed it to be a gym. There was students all lined up and even some who were looking quite agitated at something. "So those are the 3 final ponies, I expected some run on the mill mares who were more focused on looking all pretty than them." I heard a stallion mutter under his breath and I wanted to turn my head and get angry, but I just ditched it knowing that it would be fruitless to try and argue with him. We all stood there waiting for something to happen and then noticed that same pony again from the main classroom appearing. "I want to say thank you all for coming here and passing our main test. We are glad to see such proud and aspiring souls to join this journey we have set for you. To let you know, there will be NO more tests and upon taking your student picture, you can leave and head home right away." Astral said as he left, apparently in my theory this was the real one. Everypony was happy to finally be able to move or even get to leave the college for the day. I watched as everypony walked over to the front and took their pictures and I tried to look better than I did right now. But by the time I got there I was not looking the best and just sat down and the photographer looked at me with utter shock at how I look. "Are you sure you want this to be your student pic? You know we don't change it after you take it?" She said and I nodded and tried to look my best. At least I can just take the pic and never show it. Not like it will be burned into the college forever? I thought to myself as I stared at the lens and then out of nowhere. "WATCH OUT!!" A familiar voice screamed and out came a black coat stallion with a green mane. FLASH The camera went right off and I looked at what was Rage staring at me slightly chucking and I didn't know what to do. He was on top of me and I blushed at it. "Oooooh, look at those 2. Future couple everypony." I heard students muttering and others laughing and I just moved Rage and got up and redesigned my mane and tail once more and got up. What in Celestia's golden hooficure was that!? I thought to myself still shocked that it even happened. "Uhh, so here is your student card. Don't lose it alright." She said as she handed my card and I looked at it with utmost horror. There was I with a surprised face with a hoof in my face and Rage screaming as one hoof covered my face and the other hitting my face as he was leaning forward. I groaned and just walked away and Rage tried to catch up with me. "Ms. Nightingale I am SO sorry that it happened. You see Bolt pushed me and I.." He said but I stopped him and just kept walking away until I made it to the gym exit when I turned back. I saw Rage staring at me with a blank expression and didn't move, even if I tried to show a reason for him to leave me alone. He was committed and didn't move from his spot. "Y'know that if you want to apologize, then let me join your picture." I said and Rage's ears perked in curiosity and worry. He just nodded and agreed to the terms and he sat down and I was beside him. "Alright, well if we have 2 of then for this picture. Then I will write a note on the back detailing who this is." The photographer said and he nodded and I snickered.You're in for a REAL treat Rage. I said to myself not wanting him to know my trick I was gonna pull. As soon as the camera was ready I took my hoof and pushed it right into Rage's face and then pulled out my other hoof and rubbed his mane with it. FLASH The camera went off and upon it I could hear a burst of laughter coming from behind me. "Look at you face Rage, you should've seen it. OH wait lady show me his card I want to see it again." I heard Bolts voice coming from the back and when I turned my face to Rage he just smirked and got up and claimed his card and showed me it. "Now we know that we had not the best pic. Does that count as a apologie?" Rage said holding his hoof out for what looked like a shake of saying sorry. I shook his hoof and he laughed and then walked away with Bolt and then I walked the other way heading home. "See you in class." Rage said and I didn't turn my head towards them but let out a slight smirk and a chuckle as I opened the gym door and walked out of the college. Passing trees and endless paved roads I didn't expect much else to be interesting for me. My heart races 2 steps ahead and the thought of the 2 of them. No, get it out of your head. You're not friends, just ponies who met each other. I muttered as I kept walking but I just couldn't stop thinking about them. I walked inside my place (Fiddling with the key for a couple minutes cause my hooves kept shaking) I dropped my heavy bag full of my stuff on the ground and watched as all the stuff just fell on the ground and just left it there. But I just stopped moving from doing anything else and went into my bag and pulled out my student card and looked back at it. "Rage Quit is it? Well, your quite the stallion." I said then caught my head back from the fantasy I dreamed of. Get him out of your head. He's not for you... you're better than that Nightingale I said not wanting anything to do with him. Me with Rage, get your head out of the gutter. I muttered to myself and couldn't stop thinking of the 2 of them, Rage especially. But after cleaning things up and making the once messy place into the more cleaner room that I wanted it to be like. I tried to get the images out of my head but I couldn't, no matter how many times I tried. But I thought that maybe doing some artwork would calm my mind at all. Unpacking the new stuff that came previously prior to this, which was mostly a new canvas and art equipment. Staring back at the blank white sheet I held the brush handle in my mouth and stared at it not sure on what to draw.Maybe a phoenix... or a stallion staring at a sunset. Or maybe.... those 2.... AGH! I screamed as I threw the brush on the floor for the first time in almost 2 years. Why can't I get them out of my head? There just ponies i met in class, not like friends just regulars. I said to myself but the more I threw them out of my head. The harder they sticked. I just grabbed the brush from the ground and began to paint when I finished and after 30 minutes I stared at the artwork. There was 2 ponies sitting by a sunset on a cliff holding each other. But there mane and tails were blocked by the light of the sunset, which made the curiosity peaked for this artwork. I just held it up and put it by the others to sit and rested my tired head. Thinking about class, doing those tests and even... them, was more than my weak mind today could take. Maybe a day in class will throw them out of my imagination and I could go on living my life. Muttering to myself just made me sound insane but honestly, it did more than it could. I just sat down more and wrote in my journal for the start and drew Rage and Bolts cutie mark on the bottom and upon me noticing it. I erased it as soon as I did. I just wanted to sleep and even jumping in my bed and laying my head down also, nothing was curing this unease or thought in my head. Snap out of it Nightingale, your barn door doesn't swing that way. Just forget them. I muttered and then rested my head once more and then it came but I ignored the thoughts and FINALLY fell asleep. Author's Note Journal #1 "I think the hardest test today was JUST getting through signing my terms and conditions.Mr Storm was the most brutal teacher ever and having him as my main teacher has to be the most harshest pony ever, but he was kind when that pony came in... what was his name again? OH right, Rage Quit... such a strange name for him. But I guess we all are born differently than what we can predict. But when I met Rage for the first time I think I could figure out who he was from the first sight. He was one of those ponies already tail first in techy books and even trying to make some kind of video games (If I knew what it would do for a career, I would gladly say it.) But i think Rage saw me as some kind of very smart Pegasus and the way he was looking at me, though creepy... I didn't mind it at all. I do wish he wouldn't look at me like that all the time and would focus on his work. But I can't get their image out of my head and just the thought of it was quite the thing I had and I wanted to know why I had these emotions. I never loved them or considered them friends just students. So why do I have these thoughts? I just need to get over them and maybe just going back to class or drawling more, maybe I can forget it. Well time to rest my head and get ready for my first day of class tomorrow, hope things go well here. if things go correctly, I can finally achieve what I was always wanting to do. Sweet Nightingale (5th-Wendigo) 2 1's and 0's the mare who changed my views. (Rage Quit)"Dude get up, you're gonna be late!" I heard banging on my door as my brain slowly turned back on. I would rather just sleep, let me just sleep. I muttered as I rolled my head on the side and groaned as the knocking kept going on. "Alright Rage I ain't waking you up then. You can miss school then." The voice said and I opened my eyes already irritated on the fact that they woke me up already. Spending all night calibrating the newest game idea I had prepared which in a sense drained all energy or even strength I had left to just poof into dust. Getting off my bed I dead trotted over to my desk while avoiding the mess of game controllers, papers and even old tech equipment and my blurry vision, to grab a bottle of eye drops and held it up and then put 1 in each eye. I blinked with relief until my vision became clearer than a level in a game that was polished for 3 years. "You coming or what Rage?" I turned my head and noticed a grey stallion in my room looking at me all dressed up. His blue coat nearly buttoned up and almost didn't show his white sweater inside of it. His mane and tail all nicely done and it almost looked like he did something else to it, cause it looked even more fancy than how he usually looked. His name was Crimsonbolt, some writer that I had as a roommate. Though we bickered and fought almost everyday. He was quite the experienced writer and usually was always hoof first in a book or helping somepony and usually getting in trouble cause of it. "What time is it?" I said as I grabbed my brush and straightened up my not so long mane and tail. "Dude, don't you remember. Today is the first day of college, didn't you even read the message I posted on your computer?" Bolt said and I just turned my head back and looked at my computer that stared at me in a bright red icon facing me. Upon it I noticed a message written detailing the location of the school, times and even what classes. Bolt took it to a whole new level. Guess I shouldn't expect from the apparent star student of his classes. I muttered and just laughed afterwards ditching the thoughts and he walked away, leaving me to pack my things up and grabbing only my notebook and portable tablet for me to work on and my coat cause it was suppose to be cold today. Leaving the house and packing my thoughts of anything was harder, especially from what happened yesterday. Me and Crimson spent the entire night working on the newest game he wanted to make, some kind of adventure game he was jumping up and down like a filly on sugar. He even kept talking about it on the way to college while I constantly rolled my eyes with every idea no matter how big or small. To him as he would quote. Every idea is a good idea. There are no bad ideas only ideas that can go terribly wrong, if you got that mindset than nothing can stand in your way.. I said to myself and would always laughed at it but he kept a smile on his face. Though I knew his past and his pains... he still keeps his head up higher than the clouds, smiling even at the darkest of times. "OH SHOOT!" Bolt exclaimed as he turned his head to show his watch to read... "5 minutes till class begins!" Bolt screamed as his wings sprang out where I noticed him wince from the pain but didn't care and tried to fly up, only to fall on his face. Bolt.... I muttered as I watched him begin to panic and I began to worry if he would go into a trigger. Especially since he didn't have his calming item to keep him from losing it. "Dude c'mon, just lets run it... we should be able to make it if we bolt it" I said trying to laugh and he slightly smiled and after cleaning him up a bit, we began to trot slowly until he fully booked it. I followed right behind feeling my hooves slowly burning from the amount of exercise from it until we saw the college. Upon reaching the door I stopped for a break or even to catch any of my breath. But Crimson opened the door and told me to hurry up. He only cares about school huh...? I muttered and he didn't even noticed and continued to scan each room as he ran around like a mare with it's head off. My hooves were sore with every other step cause of how much we ran. Finally reaching the door I tried to open it but the door was shut, locked even. "We can't be late... can we?" Bolt said I turned back to him and smiled. His face looked with worry as I backed up a bit and ran to the door and smashed into it trying to bust it open. "DUDE! You can't go and break down doors!" Bolt yelled at me but I turned and smiled again. "You wanted to get to class, guess we got to fight our way in." I said with a smile and he laughed as he joined me. "Okay on 3. 1...2...3!" I said and we both charged into it, but then I heard the door unlock and before I could stop we tumbled through the door. "WAIT FOR US!" I screamed to anypony who could've saw me and bolt come flying through the room crashing and tumbling through the floor. When I finally came to, I looked up to see.... A mare, a beautiful mare staring at me with a look of confusion. My heart skipped 2 beats as I stared at her with a look of complete shock. She's... beautiful* I said to myself not caring on who would hear the words. "Dude, next time you decide to run into a door, DON'T change your mind mid run." Bolt said as I looked at him and how dirty he was from our rude entrance. "Ah Rage and Bolt... glad to see you 2 finally made it.... 30 minutes after class started" A pony said and when I turned my head after staring at the mare in front of me almost a little too creepy. I noticed a stallion standing there looking at us. "Uhh, yeah... we kind of lost track of time." I said trying to laugh through it, but I heard a slight sigh behind me and turned and nearly caught a slight smile from her. "Well, I should have you 2 expelled for the damages you did... but you cannot expel what hasn't fully entered yet." The stallion said and after getting our cards and disappearing like a wizard. (Really weird and if I was a Unicorn I would SO do that.) We all left for the photos.. As the mare walked in front of us, I barely couldn't take my eyes off of her... but she was in front so it looked like I was... "If your gonna stare at her flank all day, at least say something so you don't look like a weirdo." Bolt said and she turned around and I stroke a death glare to bolt the second the words came out of his mouth. Not the time bolt! I knocked his hoof and muttered under my breath. She continued to walk and I stared still, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. "Did you hear her name... apparently it's Nightingale, Sweet Nightingale" Bolt said and that name stuck with me. upon reaching the door I went to grab the handle but Nightingale grabbed it also and our hooves touched. Don't say anything stupid... don't say anything stupid. I said to myself as I tried to come up with a means to counter this. "Uh, oh sorry. I..uh, didn't mean to.. y'know, touch your hoof like that." She looked at me with confusion and opened it and walked inside. Bolt came and flicked his tail to my head. "Real smooth Romeo" He said as he laughed and I felt my stomach curl as I walked inside. Upon entering and being the last ponies inside we felt like complete outcasts and then I began to notice Bolt was starting to shake out of fear. I wanted to hold his head up and his say he was fine.. but he was more worried than anything. But he seemed to calm down thankfully and I sighed in relief. It's bad enough that we look like fools, it would be worse I said to myself as we listened to the final message and then we got our picture's. Even though Bolt thought it would've been a smart idea to push me right into Nightingales photo as a joke which made things even more... awkward. But when I offered her the chance to make fun of mine, she took it to a whole new level. Upon that we ended up walking home and Bolt kept laughing at me for how I was acting. "Dude you looked so confused today... you've should've seen your face." He said laughing nearly even choking on his breath. But when we did get home, he was inside his room working on Celestia knows what while I went into my room and pulled out my journal. I wanted to write inside my emotions or even what happened but it was like I had so many I couldn't find which ones made more sense. But over time I finally got something and reading back over it made me sound pretty crazy. At the bottom was a small little pony though badly drawn was suppose to be all 3 of us. Nightingale, me and Bolt. But then I could hear crying... no it was screaming. My eyes widen and I knew exactly what this was. Bolt... My mind raced out of thinking of Nightingale and ran to him opened his door and saw him on the floor screaming and kicking around, like a young filly scared of the dark.... cause he was. "Don't touch me!" Bolt screamed as he was begging for the lights to be turned on. I complied and turned them on and after a good 30 seconds of him breathing slowly and me comforting him by speaking to him in a light tone and not touching him. He seemed to calm down. "Are you okay?" I asked concerned as he got up and walked in circles in his room. "I can't get these nightmares out of my head. I thought that I could be healed by simply taking that horrible medication." Bolt said as he began to cry and I could feel the heart begin to crush inside from it. "I... just want to be free." Bolt said and I leaned in to hold his shoulder but he shook as I got closer so I distanced myself from it. "You'll be able to, remember you got a friend like me. Remember our promise?" I said with a slight tearful voice unable to bear that they did this to him. He nodded and got up and walked over to his desk and I followed behind him. "I just... thought about what life is gonna be like after this. Can I really heal, could I become somepony like you, one who doesn't get scared when somepony touches them, who can smile everyday?" He said slightly sniffling with every 5 words. "Would you ever forget me?" Bolt said and I knew this was the right time. I leaned closer and held my hoof to his heart and looked at him. "Hey, I ain't going anywhere. Your stuck with me forever, remember were the Raging Bolts." I said laughing and he chuckled and wiped his face from the tears. I can't leave him, he is a brother to me. One I cannot abandon" I said to myself and he walked back to his shelf and grabbed a little pony figure and handed it to me. "I forgot to mention, I repaired him... you can have him back now." Bolt said and I laughed seeing my old Calamity action figure from years back. I had gotten 2 but Bolt got none so I gave him one but he lost it when he left, so I finally gave him mine. Though it sucked, I wanted him to be happy. I didn't really do much after except for talking to Bolt about game ideas, level progress and even the final boss design. Afterwards he went to bed, I had to watch him until he was fully out before I even THOUGHT about bed. He was like a child to me, one who always was suffering cause of his pains. I went back to our kitchen grabbed a bottle of apple cider and went into my room and went into my coat and pulled out my student ID with Nightingale there, smiling and me looking shocked. Heh, your something Nightingale. I muttered to myself and finally caught myself. AGH! I can't have emotions for her.... this isn't right, NO it can't be.... is it? I said to myself as I put my card down and began to question things... I had... something for her, and it was the FIRST day.... I still had 279 days left of college and if I felt this way NOW, I was screwed. I just sighed... packed my stuff for tomorrow and decided to just leave it for tomorrow, if I could even sleep or even make it through the day. Author's Note Journal Entry 1 "Dear Mom, I know I haven't made these in so long, but I wanted you to know something. I started my first ever semester of college.... YAY! Bolt and I got accepted and he's been getting better. I haven't lost faith that he can heal from his past. The doctors told us the truth about his... sigh It doesn't matter anymore, so long as he is away from them and is free. I am happy. But I met a mare, her name is Sweet Nightingale... a wonderful and beauty to me... my heart shattered when I saw her in a good way. I think.... I, NO... that's not it. I just saw somepony that looked cute and it happened, I don't think it's true. I wanted you to know that I am doing better here and wanted to make sure you are happy where you are with dad. I'll come and visit one day when I got the time, maybe Bolt can come back and say hi. He's been able to talk to ponies and even sometimes lets me hug him or even hoofbump him which shows progress and even that he is able to actually get over some of the pains and heal.. But the triggers have been getting worse, he sometimes will breakdown from a simple thing like a leaf touching him. I need to be more cautious cause he's gonna be in classes where I am not gonna be there, we are gonna go tomorrow and find a custom item for him so he can use it as his stress relief, one that isn't a giant pony he has by his bed. How or WHY we even bought it was a mystery, but so long as he can heal... every bit helps him, cause I can't abandon him... I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did." Love you always Rage Quit 3 Shoppers of Rage, A Nightingales dream (Sweet Nightingale)For the past 5 days it's been the same story, the same tale. I go in, Rage is there.. we talk and I go home flustered and with these emotions in my heart. Like each day a different emotion, sometimes I would go home and my entire body got warm from thinking about him. Even when I go out just to grab groceries was hard, cause his eyes, love and even himself was always in my head. But the days were dimming, until the weekend hit on the final day of school for the week and I let out a heavy sigh from it. Just glad for it to be over and that I can continue my life without him... as I thought. But even as the seconds went by, I can't even get him out. Knock Knock The door rang from the sound of hooves hitting the door. I rolled my eyes and groaned wondering who in Celestia was bothering me today. "I'm coming." I said trying to put on my kindest voice. Opening the door, I was met with a mare, standing at me... looking with utmost care in her. Her light blond coat, dark green mane and tail and even her clothing made her look just like somepony who was just here to be a pain. "Oh Nightingale it's SUCH a wonder to see you again!" The mare said nearly jumping for me when I held my hoof out in confusion. 'Who are you and.." Before my words could get out my mouth, she looked shocked to my totally not shocking answer. "WHAT!? You don't remember me? It's me... Dancing Thorn" Dancing said I still couldn't recall her... but then she began to ramble on about the first day and being the pony she met before. I've never met you in my entire life I looked at her but I could at the same time swear I knew somepony almost identical to her. "Oh that reminds me. some of my friends are heading for shopping, near the heart of Manhatten. We would LOOOOVE to have you there!" Dancing said and I rubbed my ears from how much the sounds and how loud she was getting was slowly getting on my nerves. "I'm so sorry I can't... I..uh...I... got work to do for school." I said trying to come up with ANY excuse so she would just leave me alone. "Aww, well.. I think I saw Rage and Bolt heading there, I was unsure if you would want to talk to them." Dancing said and my wings nearly sprang open but I was able to force them down. Why does that name bring these emotions out!? I muttered and Dancing laughed. I knew being inside now with this would be pointless. "sigh, sure I'll take up on your offer Dancing." I said instantly regretting it when she jumped up and down without noticing how childish she looked. "Get your stuff packed, like what you usually have and even some bits if you want something. "Dancing said as she waited outside and I grabbed my art stuff, book and even a journal I had.. in which I was writing a song in the pages. Then before leaving I grabbed a couple Oh I don't know a hundred bits in order to pay for some things. Grabbed a drink and locked my door and Dancing helped direct me to where we needed to go. "Everypony was like, oh she is gonna hate it, OR don't bother her. But I decided that I wanted to bring you." Dancing said as I simply had my mind drifted again, But she kept walking and I took a sip from my drink and then she turned and asked me. "So what's going on with you and Rage?" PFFFTH! I immediately spat out all the drink out of my mouth firing it off to anypony in front or the grass in front of me. "AH, what do you mean!? Were just ponies in the same class." I said and Dancing looked at me and chuckled. "Oh Nightingale, you don't have to be so sour. I can see it from a mile away, you love him don't you?" Dancing said and I turned my head and scoffed but inside my heart was beating faster and faster. Get him out of your head, you don't love him! I said to myself but my heart didn't want to listen me. It was like without him, seeing his eyes and being around him, was like tearing me inside. "I just see him as a friend nothing more, my emotions are only cause SOMEPONY thought that we were dating." I said scoffing but inside that felt like I was stabbing myself with nails in my heart with every word I said. Dancing took one more look and then turned and sighed and continued to walk towards the station and after paying we met up with her friends. "Everypony meet Sweet Nightingale, that pony I was telling you about. Nightingale, meet everypony." Dancing and she introduced me to the 3 other ponies beside each other by the train entrance. There was the other Pegasus Lunar Dawn who was a painter and an artist, her coat was a light blue and her mane and tail were messy and almost looked like it had paint in it. I had to get her thoughts on my art cause I was lacking in words of inspiration. "It's SUCH SUCH SUCH a honor to meet another artist, tell me are you paper or one of those new digital artist!? Lunar said and I backed away almost terrified on what would happen if I spoke. Then there was another pony in the back who wore a dark black robe and looked almost like she wanted to tear into my soul or something. Her name was Sunset Moon a unicorn. Her coat was a dark red and her mane and tail was a dark black and the length was the shortest barely even reaching her body. She was apparently going to be a psychologist but based on her attitude she would scare more ponies than help. "Don't bother me unless you got a problem, even then I may not care." Sunset said and I felt a shiver go down my spine. For a pony studying to help ponies suffering with mental problems, she has a pretty weird way of saying it. Then there was the final one in the corner hiding behind Dancing a blond Pegasus who stared at me with almost fear in her eyes, her mane being longer than her body and had multi colors which made it almost intriguing to look at. "Oh and this is Starry Hope, she's... well shy." Dancing said and she moved Starry till she was right in front of me. "Hi, my name is Swee.." Before I even held my hoof out and went to shake hers, she got scared and backed away fearful.. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Starry screamed and my wings jumped in fear as Dancing walked to her and held her closer as Starry began to cry. This seems like how Bolt was with... Rage. I said to myself as Dancing held her whispering something maybe like. "Your safe, she's not gonna hurt you." Dancing finished whispering whatetever she was saying to Starry as she sniffled and came to me like a fearful pony and muttered. "uhh..m.m.m.my name..is... Starry... Starry Hope." Starry said and I looked with her and smiled. "Well nice to meet you Starry." I said smiling which was a shock and tried to speak in a light tone so she wouldn't get scared. "Alright, now that formalities are done, shall we get going." Dancing said clapping her hooves and I turned and saw Starry as she held Dancing's dress tightly and stayed close, not even moving a inch away. "Don't mind her Sweet, apparently Starry never had the best relationships." I turned shocked and jumped to see Moon staring at me as we walked. Where did YOU come from!? I said to myself and Moon looked at me. "You take long to think straight when your thinking about other. Psychology rule #56" Moon said as she walked away. Sigh, what have I gotten myself into? I said to myself as I prepared for whatever insanity I had coming. Getting to Manehatten wasn't hard or even a bad thing, I've been there multiple times to help shop for new art equipment even to grab new clothes due to the beauty that was here. Ponies around Canterlot called it the downtown Equestria, how or why was not my concern. "Lunar kept jumping and flying off to grab new items and laughing everytime Moon tried to come up with a joke. Starry hid behind Dancing and would whisper to her as she looked at me over time. "Moon, I need your help lifting this!" Lunar said and when I turned my head she a giant painting canvas beside her and nearly made my jaw drop. Is she THAT dedicated to art, like this in INSANE! I looked and said to myself as my ears dropped down and looked only in pure horror as they tried to get it out the door. "Where you even gonna put that in your place, you share a dorm?" Dancing said laughing and Lunar laughed back exclaiming that her Ponymate doesn't care so long as she keeps her work out of her work. I laughed simply at how chaotic everything was and nearly was gonna go and do some of my own shopping and then realized I had no idea what I wanted. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEY!" I heard a stallion's voice call out and when I turned my head I both blushed and stared in complete horror. Oh no, no,no,no,no.. this CAN'T be happening! I cried in my head but there was Rage screaming and waving his hoof in the air like a mad stallion, cause he was! Then there was Crimson who was simply looking at Rage and looking back with instant regrets. "Do you know them... or wait, it's Rage!" Dancing said and I groaned and covered my face with my wing as they ran towards us. "I didn't know you were here also?" Rage said laughing and I lowered my wing but the second I saw his face, my heart jumped. "Oh and who is this?" Lunar said and leaned closer to Bolt but he backed away. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Bolt screamed scared and I noticed Starry immediately perk up and look at him with almost like she knew what he was going through and I saw on the corner of my eye a tear forming from her eye.. Did she just cry cause of Bolts outburst? I muttered and Moon turned and put her hoof on my shoulder. "I'll tell you later, if Dancing or Starry doesn't tell you." Moon said as she simply walked away but I heard her sniffle from it. What are you all not telling me? I thought to myself as I turned my head back to all of them talking and Bolt slowly opening up, even Dancing and Rage talking and laughing. A sense of anger came in my heart and I knew what this was... jealousy. NO! I don't love him! I said to myself but my heart kept screaming otherwise till it was making this get old. I walked over closer and when Rage saw me, I noticed he was stuttering to come up with the right words to say. Was he... no, that would be stupid. I shook my head denying that he had feelings cause he was just weird and that was it. "So why don't we all split in groups, Let's see, Me, Starry and Lunar let's be group one, Uhh, Moon you like to be alone so you be group 2." Dancing said and I knew exactly what was going to happen. No, no no no.! I muttered to a pointless cause as she pointed to me and Rage. "And you will be group 3." Dancing said with a slight smile and I wanted to buck her so hard she would realize what she is doing. "I... want to go with Crimson." I heard a quiet voice and when I turned my head I noticed it to be Starry, finally 2 inches from Dancing. "Are you sure.. are you okay with that?" Dancing said and Starry turned and nodded. "Crimson, make sure to take good care of her, you can be group 4" Dancing said and almost treated Starry like she was her daughter. Crimson and Starry left not saying a word to each other, while Moon walked away slowly and upon reaching a safe distance opened a portal and was gone in a instant. Lunar and Dancing left not long after and then it was just. "Sooooo, what do we do?" Rage said and I let out a eep as he turned and was really close to me. He's WAY to close... but.. it feels nice.... My mind drifted slowly, but I finally came to the realization of it. AGH! I don't love it.... this is some nightmare, some cruel painful nightmare! I screamed to myself, but Rage just stared and then began to walk. "Well, you coming or not?" Rage said and I gasped and trotted to him, keeping a good distance from him to I didn't look like I was dating. Rage kept on ranting and raving about his apparent new game and his progress, but my heart kept enthralled in his walk and even his laughter. I felt... close to him. "Uhh, Nightingale, are you okay?" Rage said and by the time I snapped out of it. I was 2 inches from him, almost leaning on him. Ah! I screamed in my head as Rage turned and I expected him to back away, but he didn't even move. He blushed and I turned myself to just see himself simply in shock. Get yourself together Nightingale, STOP trying to think your dating him... this is got to be some kind of spell he is doing to me, there's no other way. I screamed in my mind and wanted to move but it was like my hooves couldn't. "Oh I just slipped and fell on you, sorry for that." I said and Rage stared at me with those wonderful eyes... he could stare at me all day and I wouldn't.... I immediately caught myself and pushed Rage away and shook myself off from these emotions. "Why don't we split up, I actually need to grab some stuff in the art sections." I offered but Rage after dusting himself off looked at me with confusion. "Were a team remember, so as a team we need to... stick together." Rage said and my wings sprang out and Rage nearly got a wing to the face as he looked with complete shock at me. I sighed knowing trying to fight to not be together would be pointless I just nodded and even HE looked shocked at my reply. He nodded and we simply walked, but neither one of us spoke or said a word to each other, even if one of us sneezed the other wouldn't talk. Well this is the most awkward shopping day ever. I said to myself and Rage simply looked in a daze like he was unsure on what to do. We walked down different shops and I would grab my stuff like new paint, brushes, canvases (That weren't the size of a Alicorn like Lunar did) or even some new clothes. Rage simply didn't say nothing still and I started to get a little uncomfortable by it. "So, what do you draw?" Rage finally spoke and I turned eager to spill everything not due to emotions but because I loved to talk about my art. But Rage turned around and noticed what looked like other ponies muttering so he stared back at me. "Why don't we go somewhere to grab a bite and then we can discuss more." Rage said and I took another glance and nodded and I finished up and he led me over to a little café near the edge of Manhattan. The name read, "Autumn's Blaze Café" with a nice blaze leaf mark behind it. The interior was pretty . There was not a single pony in here and looked almost barren and upon entering he simply told me sit down. "Autumn a regular and a classic for the mare." Rage said and the barista apparently Autumn looked and sighed and went into the3 back. Rage came and sat down on the other side and then we just looked at each other... not a word being said. The barista pony came brought him his drink and then handed me what smelled like tea. "Here you are, a coffee, 8 sugar 1 milk and a classic lemon tea." The barista said as she walked away smirking and I just looked at Rage shocked on how he could drink a coffee with that much sugar. "I just wanted to get us away from there... ponies don't like our type in there." Rage said and I looked confused to what he meant. "What do you mean, "Our type"?" I asked and Rage looked around and making sure nopony could hear us. "Ponies in Manehatten are all about putting your mind first to style and other things. If your not dressed pretty or acting like them, you'll be treated like a outcast here. Me and Bolt come here often to grab new gaming stuff and even gaming equipment and usually get looks like that before." Rage said and I just stared and wondered why ponies do that, but remembered that Canterlot does that also. If you didn't have the money, they would treat you like you were nothing. "But I really want to hear your art, I actually am curious" Rage said and my ears perked upwards and I began to get very nervous and started to blush. But I remembered that I packed some stuff and pulled out my old artbook and began to browse through the pages and showed him what I used to make. From old ponies together, backgrounds and even different art ideas for myself like mane ideas and even designs for my tail. "These are old sketches, they are pretty ba.." Before I could react or finish Rage grabbed my book and began to browse through it, scrolling through each art almost with a sense of enjoyment from it. He then stopped at the one I drew the day of college with the 2 ponies by a sunset and I believe he must've figured out that it looked like him, cause his face went red like a tomato. Quick hide it before he looks at anymore! I said to myself and I ripped the book from his hooves and stuffed it in my bag, not minding what it wrinkled up in there. "So, you draw yourself more?" Rage said and I gulped and nodded. But instead of laughing or even making a harsh compliment, he just began to laugh. "Those are so cool! The details, the emotions, the story. You are truly talented Nightingale." Rage said as he got louder and the Barista had to come over and knock his head so he would quiet down. "Oh come on, there's barely anypony even here!" Rage said and Autumn walked away and I laughed. "T..thank you, though I am not that impressive." I said as I took a sip and found the taste just right... almost perfect. "We'll you just have to keep trying right?" Rage said as I chucked and we ended up talking bout college and even our lives before all of this. "So your a game developer in training and you are working with Bolt to make a video game?" I said as I took the last sip of my tea and observed Rage who was on his 25th. How much coffee was that and also how is he even able to do that without going into a sugar rush!? I muttered at the end I ended up blurting out sugar rush. "Yeah, he wants to call it something cool like Equestrian Legends or something like that... I just don't do the whole name part so I left that to him." Rage said with a deep sigh that made me curious on why. "Do you mind me if I ask you a serious question Rage?" I said regretting what I am about to say but of course Rage asked me what's up. "Do you know why Bol...." Before the words came out I heard the door open and 2 ponies standing near the door. It was Bolt and Starry. Bolt was drenched and Starry was crying and looking very scared. "Are you 2 okay?" Rage said coming closer to Bolt and I got up and walked to Starry, being sure to be careful to avoid her from getting scared. "We... attacked, water... ran... safety, café." Bolt was going about something and I stared lost as Rage walked over to him and comforted while I saw Starry barely soaked one drop. "Why don't you both sit down, you look like you are cold." Rage said I helped him set up a table but Bolt didn't sit with us but instead with Starry. Why would he be more to Starry than his possible brother? I thought but Rage wasn't angry but instead smiled. "Y'know, this is the first time he's actually been able to be that close to somepony new when he is in a trigger." Rage said and the word trigger made me wonder what he meant. But I ditched the thought cause it most likely was some kind of anger thing. "So, how did you 2 meet?" I said and Rage nearly dropped the cup he has in his hooves and gave a pale look on his face. "It's none of your business how!" Rage said stern and my heart seemed to almost crunch up from being so foolish in that. Rage soon went to the bathroom from all he drank as by the time we reached the 2nd hour here. He had gone through 25 cups of coffee which made my stomach feel like I wanted to throw up cause on how externally reckless that was. Then I was alone at the table while Starry and Bolt just watched each other and even showed their cutie marks. I wish Rage and I could do that... The thought caught my mind and I shook it out. I grabbed my journal that was shockingly still in my bag and opened it to the next open page. I began a slight draft of what Starry and Bolt looked like as they sat together when I noticed Starry watching me, with wide eyes. Okay, that is just creepy. I looked at Starry and then she got worried and turned her head back to Bolt where I could see her almost smiling . Which was different from her sad face that she had since I met her with Dancing. She simply felt calmer like her aura was more happy where she didn't feel like she was suffering. We all sat there for around 10 minutes before Rage came back looking pale as the clouds. "Ugh, that is the last time I decide to drink that much coffee." Rage said and I bursted out laughing from it. Rage simply watched as Bolt laughed also and I saw as Starry just looked and was confused. "We heard what happened, who hurt Starry!?" A voice screamed and by the time I turned my head, Dancing, Lunar and Mystic were at the entrance and Dancing saw Starry looking and near Bolt and her expression grew angry from how her eyes narrowed and her hoof was shaking. "You get away from her... NOW!" Dancing said stomping her hoof causing Bolt to shake and begin to mutter to himself. Rage nearly shoved me away as he stormed right into Dancing's face. "You don't get to decide what happens here! You also will NOT raise your hoof OR voice so long as I draw breath in here!" Rage screamed making the entire place rattle from his voice and Dancing simply looked in almost fear. "C'mon lets get out of here Nightingale." Dancing said grabbing Starry and I could watch as Starry looked in fear as she and Bolt were separated. This is for the best, I am not in relations with him. This was just some cruel joke my body played... time to go home. I said to myself but my hooves wouldn't move. Why wasn't I moving, it was like my body was stuck between 2 lives. I turned to rage and my heart beat faster and my face began to blush and I felt myself begin to draw closer to him. I didn't even know what was happening until I felt something in front of me. Like fur, soft fur that made me feel happy.... giddy almost. "Uhh, are you okay Nightingale?" I hears a deeper voice speak and when my eyes snapped back to the real world and I looked up to see my face staring right into Rage's.... eyes. Those eyes... they could stare at me all day, the look... it was... amazing. "AGH!" I screamed as I threw Rage down and immediately ran out. I could hear the others calling my name and even ran after me, but I got flustered and opened up my wings and with one gust of wind, I was gone into the sky above. I flew faster and faster trying to get them out of my head, not caring or even wanting to look back. Upon getting home I opened and then slammed my door watching a photo fall onto the floor smashing on the ground and threw myself on my bed screaming into my pillow. "Why is this happening to me and only me!" I yelled into my pillow as I kept trying to release my fluttering emotions. No matter how much I yelled I constantly got even angrier at myself. I'm so stupid! Why didn't I just accept what was happening and leave it alone! STUPID emotions! I yelled at myself angry but then slowly calmed down over time until I began to cry as I wiped a tear from my face. But for every tear I wiped, 5 more appeared and by 15 seconds of crying slowly I was fully balling my eyes out. Why am I crying, I don't even care for him. I said to myself but that trick didn't work and I could feel my heart crashing like a bag of bricks. Why was I feeling like this, what proof showed my love to him. I muttered as my world span out of control from the cluster of emotions running through my head. I didn't love him, I never loved him... I didn't care for him! I screamed in my heart, but the words vanished and replaced with others. It got worse until I couldn't take it anymore and screamed at the top of my lungs and smashed the nearest thing beside me, that being... a portrait of my parents. I immediately looked in horror as the picture got soaked in water from the ground and paint that fell and my heart crushed from it. That was... my only picture. I cried inside as I said to myself and picked it up but the picture tore in half from the water that it absorbed. I let out the hardest cry I could ever let and fell to the ground. If it wasn't for the stallion, this wouldn't have caused this! I said to myself but there was no hiding it, not anymore... I loved him. My heart jumped 5 beats as I finally admitted it, but... why did I love him. I said to myself as I prepared to sleep, not throwing away the picture but instead carefully placing it to hang so I could try to recover it. But I had one final thing to do. I sat at my desk, prepping my journal... wait, where was it!? I looked in my bag, my saddle bag, the house and even outside...it was GONE!! No,no,no,no, NO! This CAN'T be happening! I screamed inside and wanted to fly all the way back to Manehatten to search for it, when I heard a knock on the door. "Nightingale, I know your home... open the door." A stern voice spoke and my heart skipped a beat. "I'm coming." I said trying to wipe my tears or to fix my mane but it was fruitless by the time I got to the door. Opening opening it I saw Sunset Moon staring at me, with those dead eyes. "May I come in?" Moon said and to my shock she simply looked at me and then let herself in. "Wait, what are you doing?!" I said and she turned around and said she was coming in. Wait, then what was the whole point in asking that question? I muttered and she turned again and said that she wanted to see if I was still mentally sound. I closed and locked my door and noticed her exploring my mostly dirty now destroyed house. "So it was that bad?" Moon said and I put my hoof down loud enough for her to notice me. "First off, why are you here. Second, what are you doing here?" I said and she sighed. "First off, you said the same question twice. Second, I came here to check up on you, you left in quite the hurry and it didn't seem good on you. " Moon said and I stared shocked at it. She used her magic and moved my chairs and even setting to a more pleasant atmosphere and then sat down on my couch and told me to sit down in the chair and I obliged curious on what is happening. "So I'm not here for therapy for you, I'm pretty sure you got the answers in your heart already. I came here to explain everything." Moon said and my heart jumped at how honest she was. "But why are you doing this? Why tell a stranger this?" I asked curious and she smiled, which made me shiver in my skin. "Your the first pony that I actually have seen to open Starry than just forcing it on her. She saw you as a friendly face, she was muttering you 3 while we were heading home. I had to make sure you knew the truth so you knew what you are getting yourself into." Moon said and my heart began to ache from the possible pain that awaited me from what she was going to say. "Now listen carefully, cause I am going to say this once, and ONLY once. What you take is what you take, I won't hide anything back not to somepony like you." Moon said and my body began to shiver. "What are you trying to say Moon?" I said scared on the reply to this. She simply grabbed a box of tissues and gave them to me as she leaned closer and stared at my eyes with a almost death look. "15 years ago, Starry was...." Chapter 4 Darkened Stars (past) Starry Hope + (Present) Sweet Nightingale/Sunset Moon[Present[ “15 years ago, Starry Hope lived a horrible life, she was abused Nightingale, tormented… robbed of her life and even destroyed of any worth in her life.” Moon said and all I could do was stare at the eyes as Moon didn’t even blink an eye, It had to be a joke right? Like a ha ha joke to fool me…. Nopony would do that. But Moon’s eyes were dead set on this which made my heart crush like I could feel her pain. "Who, who did this to her?" My voice spoke but my fear caught up to me and I was only able to just sit there as everything was thrown at me like bricks. [Past] I watched as my parents looked in the mirror of my room, carefully seeing what was done to it... making sure it was clean. It's good.. they aren't gonna be mad. NO they will, you need to defend yourself! My voice muttered and my mother stared at me. "This room is clean, for once. Good job Starry." My mother said and then I felt a hoof come from behind knocking me to the ground, making my face smash into the concrete floor. "This room is pathetic! Look at the floor I can't see my reflection whenever I look down!" A male voice said and when I turned my head only to get another even harder I noticed my father standing over me with a blank stare. Why, I did everything you asked? I cleaned the floors with my bare hooves and even cleaned the beds and everything all by myself without anything? I said to myself hoping to explain why I was hurt... but it didn't matter, when he was angry... I was his target "Oh dear, stop.. you already made a mark, now how is she suppose to go and get us groceries.. or even my makeup?" My mother said and my stomach ached from it, they only cared about themselves, to them... I was the slave. I felt my body being ripped up from my mane which I winced and cried from in pain and felt myself being thrown a couple inches and then landed on the ground. "You heard the mare. MOVE!" My father said smashing his hoof on the ground and I ran out the door slipping and crashing into the grass outside our house. Why me, why am I always the one.... nopony cares for me. I said to myself as I walked over to the store to grab their stuff, knowing if I failed... I wouldn't be able to live in there another day. [Present] "Starry's parents were the main causes of her traumas. Her father Forgotten Legacy was a roofer, and a pony who only cared about himself even if it meant robbing everypony around him. Legacy was never home, he was always forced to stay out of the home where Starry and her siblings Artic Blaze and Lost Melody lived. But when he returned, he was abusing them, tormenting them with belts, whips, chains, locking them in the basement or even starving them. Starry was the worst as she was the second oldest and was treated as the mistake child. Her mother Stormy Melody was a performer and only cared about her public image, so long as she was given perfection and all eyes were on her, she didn't care who she had to stomp on to get it. She constantly was the one to deliver many of the verbal and emotional torture to her, always calling her some of the most horrid words that would crush anypony's heart within seconds. If Starry tried to fight back at ANY point in her life... sniff she would be lucky to live the next day." Moon said and the tears fell faster than the speed of how fast she spoke. How... HOW could a mother and father do this to their child... to ANYPONY!? My blood boiled but at the same time, it just hurt to hear this. "Is this why.. she is scared?" I said stuttering on some of the words and could hear my voice break from the crying and Moon nodding without saying a word. "Starry was forced to do everything, from laundry to cleaning the entire house or sometimes even to fake a illness in order for parents to get medical insurance without having to pay extra. If she ever failed at her task, she would get hurt, robbed of food or even locked out of the house for days... sometimes months." Moon sad and the tears flooded my eyes where it became harder to see. Why... WHY was she hurt!?" I yelled in anger and sorrow and Moon held her hoof out as she passed me something to drink to which I denied at first. But her expression, that blank stare made me realize she wanted me to drink to calm down, so I did and held the cup in my hooves and took a sip. It was a cup of tea... almost like how my mother used to make it when I was younger. "You need to understand Nightingale, Starry was not even supposed to be born, in their eyes... she is a forgotten child, a adoption they made and regret... a failure. That feeling, knowing that you weren't even supposed to be born, weighs heavily on a soul... it can also create torment on their soul for years possibly decades." Moon said and I only looked more in horror. Moon simply nodded and then turned and began to continue her story. [Past] Nightmares... it was always nightmares... no sleep, always scared... suppose to be their slave and never care. My mind raced further with each step there, ponies laughing being around others... where I had to cover up my wounds from the 2 ponies I was suppose to call my parents. Getting there was harder than anything, Sometimes I wished that my nightmare would end, either by the conventional way... or by running away and never going back. That dream became a fantasy over the long years of knowing that escape was something I could never achieve. Getting to the store that they wanted me to go was not far or even hard to get to, but watching ponies gawk and stare at me... the looks, they brought fears to my spine. Do they know, are they going to hurt me.... RUN... run and don't look back!! My mind said and when somepony asked me if I was okay, I yelled at the top of my lungs to get away and galloped away with speed that even a Pegasus would be jealous. They are always watching me, ready to torture me the second they get.... I need... no... I MUST be alone. Present "I must escape this tormented nightmare." Moon finished her next part and I lifted my hoof in complete anger and smashed it on the couch hoof rest which sent a shiver of pain through my body. But it didn't matter, the pain that I endured from hearing that, made that pain go away. "Starry would constantly be afraid of anypony getting near her, just for me and the others to even be hoofs distance to her took over 4 years. I once read her journal when she was asleep in order to get a better view of her mind... but what I saw, that horror, scares me to admit, broke even my calmness." Moon said and I clenched my teeth but she lifted her bag and pulled out a bunch of pages from it, which came floating towards me. "What is this?" I said angered and she stared at me, "Whenever my eyes are closed, the visions return. A hidden prophecy foretold." Moon said in a light tone compared to her stern voice and I looked confused. "Look at the pages. Lies told like the wages of the casino board." Moon said and I came that she wished for me to see the pages. The first page was exactly as her words spoke, there was a pony in black scratched out by the face and then beside it was another pony the same way, there eyes leaking a black ooze and then another pony lying down in the middle scared with bruises. Was this Starry's visions? NO, It had to be her nightmares. I held the second page and saw a paper beside casino chips while a picture of a birthday card looked like it was soaked in a red colour. This... why is there a card. No... they didn't abandon her birthday in order to spend the day with themselves than her? I muttered but the realization that it was true hit me harder. "When I cried, my tears dried up like the desert during the end of times." Moon said and I switched to the next page, to see a desert.. barren and without life. A pony in the middle crying without nopony else and the tears steamed up from the heat. No... I can't, these hurt. I muttered but Moon looked at me. "When I die, there will be nopony to ever say goodbye." Moon said and I shook unable to see the final page, she repeated it but I couldn't I just dropped the pages and they fell only for Moon to levitate them in the air. "The truth is like fire, we want to know it all... but we tire from the burns." Moon said and flipped the pages around to show a completed picture of Starry... burned all around her body. "This... is sickening! Why are you doing this!?" "Sometimes Nightingale, the world can be cruel, filled with darkness. Where we believe that it’s wonderful but is plagued by lies.” Moon said and my anger rose more to her. “But why me.. why show or tell me any of this!?” I said yelling and her eyes perked in tears. “Cause I believe you can help her.” Moon said and my eyes shot open and my ears fell down. (Help her… but why me?) the question ringed in my ears like fire… but at the same time I felt this pain like I could cry.. but no tears would fall. “I shall make my leave, but before I do… I want you to take this.” Moon said and threw me a book simply titled Desolation. “The truth Nightingale is hidden between these pages. For who the author that wrote this book. Well I believe you already know them.” Moon said and I turned the book to find Starry, with almost a fake smile scared out of her mind in the picture. Moon left after I told her I will do my best. “Our best is the greatest wish she can ever ask for.” Moon said and then something hit my mind. “How did Starry and Dancing meet!?” I screamed and she turned her head and walked back. “That Nightingale I don’t have the answer for. Apparently she accomplished her dream and ran away… but after that, she never speaks of it.” Moon said and I wanted to call out a lie, but her stern voice and cold eyes told me that this was no lie. Upon leaving I opened the first page of the book and stared at the pages that seemed to be different compared to other books. The wording was almost like it was hoofmade and there was no art, simply a black page with the words of the title on it. I stared at the contents in the book and cried heavily at the sights of what I was reading. [Past] My dream soon to be a reality, not bound anymore by the captivity of control. As the night began to rise I could hear their voices. The parents were sleeping and this was my time, there was no other time they came like this. Thankfully drugging ponies with sleeping pills helps a lot in keeping them out for the count. I held my bag on my wings wincing form the pain but didn’t care as I grabbed what I needed, bare essentials. Clothes, my books and some food was all I needed. Once I had it all, I turned my head to the door picking the lock and then with one click the door swung open. “Your really leaving?” A female voice spoke and when I turned my head I saw my sister Lost Melody staring at me still with the burn across her hoof. “You know I can’t stay here Melody, there is nothing here for me.” I said but the nightmares came and I winced from the pain dropping my bag to the floor only for her to levitate it in the air. “Then I will not stop you, I wish you the best Starry.” Melody said and I smiled wanting to hug her, but my body wouldn’t move and she nodded and stared and smiled as I opened the door and walked out. The fresh air, it felt almost welcoming to me… like I could breath without fearing of losing it. I quickly held my bag in my mouth and galloped away, as fast as I could go, not looking back or shedding a tear. Once I got about a good hour away, I finally dropped my bag and looked up. “The snow is pretty today isn’t it dear?” A voice spoke behind me and I jumped in fear and nearly collapsed. “Oh I’m sorry for barging, but you looked like you’ve never seen snow before.” The voice spoke and when I raised my head I noticed a mare looking at me, maybe around her mid elder years a unicorn somewhat almost like a older version of her. “What’s your name dear?” The mare said but my mouth wouldn’t move… like something taped it shut. “Would you like to come to my place, I got food and a warm place for you?” She said and when she lifted her hoof I screamed for help, crying and begging for her to not hurt me. All I saw from her then was my mother. “Go… go.. GO AWAY!” I screamed and she looked at me. “Do you mind if we go somewhere to eat?” She said and I wanted to refuse but my body ached from no food and I nodded somberly as she smiled and led me to a small little coffee shop. There were to many ponies… too many… eyes everywhere… they saw me… hurting me. Had to leave… had to leave. My mind raced further and further with each second they saw me. “Can I have 2 classics please and a bagel for the mare?” The woman who brought me here said and the waitress smiled and nodded while she picked a seat for us in the far back. “So you never gave me your name?” She said and my eyes keep looking for exists or what everypony was doing. She was grabbing coffee, the stallion won a lottery, the other stuffed a jacket into his bag. “S…Starry Hope.” I said and then eeped at the realization that not even 1 hour after I left, I already told somepony my name. Such a great runaway I am. I muttered and she looked at me and have a slight laugh. “Starry Hope sounds like a wonderful name, you must be destined to bring hope to the world.” She said while laughing harder which made my eyes grow dim. “Oh sorry for my rudeness, my name is Rosemary… like the plant.” Rosemary said and I liked the name but confused on why the name of a plant for a ponies name. “So why did you run away?” She said and I jumped up from my seat and looked at her angry. “What is it to you!?” I yelled and everypony looked confused and then I sat back down. “Look, I know something must’ve happened where you felt alone and broken to leave. But your young… don’t throw it all away. You have a future waiting for you.” Rosemary said but my anger for what those 2 monsters did made my blood boil. “You don’t know the half of it.” I said furious and then my back of my mind knew this was the first time I ever spoke more than 3 words. Rosemary looked at me once more and then sighed. “I can help you, give you a place to stay and even food and clothes for you. But that’s up to you, I wish not to continue this fight if it will result in needless arguments.” Rosemary said and I looked back at her as she began to write something on a piece of paper. “This is my address, if you ever want to come and visit and stay for a bit Ms. Hope you are more than welcome to. But I shall take my leave, it was a honor to meet you, I hope to see you at the top of the hill." Rosemary said and a slight tear fell down my face which I wiped quickly and she left. NO... I am better off alone, I am always alone. I said to myself as Rosemary left and I stared at the drink that seemed to not have cooled down, or even had reduced from the scolding heat that it came when the waitress brought it as. Did she use her magic to keep it hot knowing I wouldn't drink it? I thought to myself but ditched the ideas as I left the drink there and got up to leave.. I needed nopony, as I was alone before so I shall stay alone. Opening the door I was met with cold snow and freezing temperatures something that would freeze a young filly in seconds, but to me it was welcoming. I simply watched the snowfall hitting my light blond coat and the heavy wind blowing my mane around the place. I simply took one of my ties within my bags and tied my mane to the best I can and then turned my back away from the cafe and turned away to walk into my unknown future. [Present] "The days grew cold as I welcomed the unknown future... sometimes the wind was colder than the heart inside of my chest. But I know meeting her was the greatest....." I said as I finished the page only to find it unfinished and it ended on a mysterious note. Like who was this mysterious her and what happened after Starry left... the questions laid on my mind, just as I was about to sleep and lay my head down... I heard the last thing Moon told me. Cause you believe I can save her... I don't even know where to start. I just hope, she'll open to me enough so I can learn this truth that is hidden... her past lies the key to her salvation I muttered as my eyes grew heavy and with one last gasp of air I fell asleep. Chapter 5 Thorns of Falsified Love (Dancing Thorn)“HEY WAIT!!!” I screamed as I ran for Nightingale but by the time my words escaped my mouth she was gone into the clouds and who knows where else. I watched as Rage and Bolt looked at me and I gave a death look unwilling to see Rage for hurting Starry like that. He was going to pay if it was the last thing I did. “How DARE you hurt Starry like that, do you have any idea what I have done for her to even be like this!?” I yelled blood boiling as I stared at Rage who didn’t even move no matter how loud I got. It was like he’s seen this before. “What gives you the right to come in a sacred place for me and Bolt and treat it like you own the place!?” Rage yelled and as he stomped his hoof on the ground I could almost feel the ground underneath me shake from the force. The others looked scared from Rage's outburst and it made my heart drop from why he was doing this. It was almost out of character that it made the feeling any worse on me. Starry AND Bolt looked in utmost fear and I saw in Rage’s eyes a fire of hate towards me. But at the same not hate but more fear… but why fear? I scoffed as I left with Starry as Rage tended to Bolt and I watched him give him a almost brother atmosphere which made me sniffle a bit… NO, I shouldn’t be sniffling for him. What made him more special than me!? I just left and slammed the door behind me with my forehoof causing a loud bang which resulted in me shivering from the pain and startling Starry. “That Rage just made me so angry, what made him more special than me and you..?” I scoffed after finishing my sentence and Starry’s eyes seemed to look lost like she was broken from losing something. “That bolt was kind, why did you yell at them?” Starry said as she walked right beside me sniffling from finishing her sentence. I didn’t feel like I needed to explain why as the motive was obvious to even her, but I still felt it was right to. “Starry sometimes you find friends like Nightingale and then you sometimes find ponies like those 2. Those 2 are only there for themselves and that’s it.” I said but inside it felt more like a punch in the gut for me. “Oh, okay.” Starry said as she wiped a tear and then walked ahead of me her wings rubbing tightly against her coat. It’s okay Dancing you did the right thing, you got them out of your life. Just forget about them. I said to myself as I turned my head behind to see the café long gone, replaced by shopping houses and other things. Upon walking for around a good 30-35 minutes we arrived back at the station where the others were waiting for us. “That was quite the event, I heard what happened from Sunset Moon over there, though her method of it was different to other ponies:” Lunar said as she looked at Starry who was still feeling down ever since it happened. The mood change made the entire area feel more down than anything until Sunset cleared her throat. "If you all don't mind I got places to be and ponies to see." Sunset said as she turned her head towards me and then her horned glowed and then with one flash of light she was gone and then it was just us three. Lunar stared at Starry as she only could just stand there eyes barely moving and unable to speak much. "So I shall leave you two alone, I have to get unpacked and get ready for school tomorrow. We have a big day tomorrow huh Dancing?" Lunar said but no words came out of my mouth. I didn't know what was the best thing to say right now and I feared saying the right thing may not work for everyone else. But I turned my head and nodded and with one flap of her wings she was gone into the air and carrying all of her stuff which made my eyes widen from it. Then it was just me and Starry alone in the middle of the busiest section of Manehatten. I turned to her and decided to head home from all of this and with one glance to Starry, she knew what I meant and turned around and we began our journey back home in Canterlot. But Starry never stopped looking around like she was waiting for somepony, like something was on her mind. "So, how you doing Starry?" I said and it seemed to catch her off guard cause she jumped and lost her train of thought. "Oh.. yeah, right. I'm doing good, yeah yep... nothing wrong here." She said and it shocked me more that she spoke but more that she spoke more than 5 words. Train rides and groups of ponies were okay with Starry these days as she grown attached to me and had been able to study her coping skills from her "many" sessions. But when we arrived closer to home she began to shake uncontrollably. Are you okay? The words I said in my head but never came out of my mouth... why didn't it come out? I shrugged it off and opened the door and Starry trotted inside quietly and we took off our shoes and I hanged up my dress on the hanger beside the door and then we went inside more. "Were home!" I screamed loud only to be met with dead silence and no replies. "Were in the living room Dancing." A female voice yelled out and when I got closer I found it to be my mother "Withering Melody." She was laying beside my dad "Royal Orca," which when I turned my head more I noticed they were just sitting down and doing nothing. "Ah there you are, I was wondering how long you'd take. Manehatten square didn't give you any trouble did it?" My mom said and I said no but she got up and looked at Starry. Upon seeing the mess in her mane and dress her eyes grew in anger. "What did I tell you about getting your clothes dirty, you know how much that one of a kind equestrian royal silk costed me!" My mother yelled at Starry and I saw as Starry looked in complete fear. I wanted to say something, but the inability from the fact that this was my mother held my voice from speaking up to this as she yelled at Starry and I could see her slightly tear up. After the yelling that my mother gave her, I could almost feel the wrath my father had but I stopped it with a simple cough and then turned to Starry and told her to go and get changed for dinner. Is this all I can do, just pretend this isn't happening and roll on my back and lay down not say anything? I said to myself as Starry left but not until my father got up and called her name in almost a yelling tone which even caught me off guard. "We left your food in your room Starry," My father said and beyond I could even open my mouth Starry left upstairs in a frenzy. "Come dear, you must be hungry. Sit down and eat with us." My mother said and my stomach twisted with pain as I awaited Starry to return only to hear the door close upstairs and then for their to be complete silence for the next 3 minutes. I grabbed my food and noticed it to be packed with everything from rice to hayburgers and even a nice cup of apple cider. But I didn't eat and just stared at my food thinking about everything that happened today. I just got up and turned around and when my parents weren't paying attention I brought my food upstairs and then knocked on Starry's.. "door" which was just a bed sheet nailed above it. I opened the door and saw Starry laying on her bed doing nothing. Not a single peep or a whisper in her not even the sound of breath could be heard. I sat beside her and passed my plate and she stared at me curious and pushed it away. "I'm not hungry sis, besides you need to eat anyways." I said as I felt my stomach growl from it but I didn't care. Starry needed to eat and if that meant going without for a day, than it was worth it. "T..t..thanks sis." Starry said I instantly jumped out of my daze if you count rejecting my urge to eat as a daze. She just turned back to her books and from the corner edge a artwork that nor me or anypony else saw. I went to grab it when Starry jumped and grabbed it before I saw it. "What is that, whatever it is, it looked quite cool." I said as I tried to hold her hoof for her to let it go slightly, but Starry didn't even budge a centimeter. "Dear will you come downstairs please?" I heard my mom scream from downstairs and I watched as Starry's ears flopped downwards as I watched her walk away. Was this really alright? Was I ok with doing this, hiding Starry like some kind of.. of freak. I... I don't know, what if I forgotten that love tha I had for her when she and I met? I watched as I walked downstairs and then walked beside my mom as she talked schooling. "I know this is the right choice, she can't hide forever, that's WHY she took her in isn't it?" My mom spoke as I watched only in a curious look of what was happening. "Ah Dancing, could you get Starry for us?" My mom said as I called for her and within 3 seconds she was right in front of me. "Your father and I have decided to put Starry back in school. to hopefully finish her education." My mother spoke and I nearly dropped my mouth a I saw Starry's eyes in fear as she backed away. "But why, the doctors and I know she isn't ready for such a leap. She's barely able to keep calm in front of others and you want to throw her into school. Have you lost your minds!?" I yelled at them knowing if she went to school, she wouldn't be able to stay under control, especially with the fact that we are in 2 different classes. "That is not of our worries, we are here to only shelter here and then once she reaches the age of adulthood to let her out into the real world. Getting a education will help her with achieving A job and then a home for herself. This isn't up for negotiation, she'll start first thing next week." My father spoke as I felt my stomach clench and Starry grew scared as she left for her room as soon as she was excused. I ran right behind her only to see her crying, a first for me and possibly even her. They don't see it, she can't be outside like that. It already took a long time to just get her IN the community. Now they want to throw her into school!? I didn't even go into her room and ran into mine and slammed the door thinking of what Starry could be thinking of right now. I wanted to punch my wall but decided no on it, knowing it would hurt like crazy, and just laid on my bed. Is there nothing I can do, is this all I am good for? Just laying down and accepting whatever they decide for me or others? I thought to myself as I laid down and then with one deep breath, I feel asleep... thinking only of what will happen next week. I couldn't change what would happen, all I can do is change the future for her... and myself. The chains that lied to meBinding chains A unknown pain reattained. Forever alone, believing it will be betrayed Deny it’s glowing hope Rowing down the sea Of forgotten souls How did she never see the ties Believing she could keep the lie. Her thorns were meant to be alive But why do I feel like I was denied They tell me that the world isn't cold How come, I feel like I could never atone For the sins that, I burned from my heart The memories forgotten Till I am torn apart Separated between two lives One alive The other.. destined to die Never to be revived My story may never be seen But I can say what it's been Split between right and wrong Never shown what I was meant to see 6: A star in the sky (Sweet Nightingale)I felt my entire body feel more sore than anything ever in my entire life. Nothing felt right and just moving made my bones crack from the straining. I didn’t bother with it and just turned my head over to my alarm clock to check the time only to notice I had 2 hours before I even had to get up. talk about being early. I said to myself as I groaned and tried to fall asleep only for that to fail instantly. I just rolled my eyes and got up and decided to do some things that I pushed for later cause I didn’t have the time to do every morning. First thing was actually showering for a longer time then just a quick rinse then leave. The warm water from the shower made my wings and entire body shiver from the shock and I let the water wash over my mane as I thought about everything that went on these couple days. Pieces of stories untold and even, many mysteries. It’s been almost a full 2 weeks since Moon came and told me about Starry’s life and birth, what transpired and also why she’s so scared and shy. With each drop words flooded my mind until I turned the tap off and walked out. The humming sounds of a mare voice caught me off guard when I opened my bathroom door I didn’t see anypony there. “Hello anypony there?” I said confused on why I could hear sounds and then a mare walked out of my room. “You really got to take care of this place more often Nightingale. You know your father and I put a lot of money into this place for you.” It was my mother (figure out mothers name) standing in front of my room with her occasional cleaning outfit on and a bright smile on her face. When I poked into my room I was shocked and almost horrified at what had happened. All my books were neatly packed and my art supplies were barely found almost like they never existed. Reminder, lock my room door with a new lock next time she randomly pops in. I muttered and she laughed as she came and hugged me. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen my artistic daughter. How long has it been, 1 month or 5 months.” My mother continued to guess and I sighed and turned to her. “It’s been 2 years since we last spoke and quite frankly I’ve wanted too but school had taken most time away.” I said and my mother's first was shocked to know how long it’s been and then she pulled out a small notebook and once I saw the cover I knew what it was. “You’ve sure been busy, I was wondering who this Rage Quit is. He sounds like a cute stallion for you to be all giddy about.” My mom said with a smirk as I rushed and grabbed the notebook and buried it within my wing. She laughed as I chuckled embarrassingly as I watched her walk over to the kitchen and showed me a big breakfast. “Come eat, we’ve barely had time to talk, you got 2 hours anyways before class starts.. I already counted it and planned your route. I even got your backpack packed and easy for wing travel.” My mom said eyes glistening and I groaned as I felt like she never really got over the fact that I was a adult now, not a little foal. But I couldn’t deny it, I liked the help once in a while when I am overwhelmed with work and getting a extra pair of hooves to help around made my life even easier. “You know what day it is Nightingale?” My mom asked as she grabbed her tea and drank it and then watched her add a little more sugar to it to my shock. “It’s November 23rd, why?”!” I asked as I looked back at the food trying to figure out where to begin. Layers upon layers of food from pancakes to some nicely sliced toast, some apples and fruits a salad and even some homemade bread covered my tiny table as I grabbed a piece of bread and ate it. “It’s soon reaching your fathers and I 25th anniversary. We would like for you to come and be there for it.” My mom said to my jaw dropping response as I put down my bread and looked. “You want me at your anniversary, I’m honoured but isn’t that for the lovers, not other family?” I said trying to understand the method of which my mother played with. But she didn’t reply back and gave me a card. “You can bring this card to anyone you want to come, sadly there’s only one ticket so please be mindful on your choice.” My mom said and within the card held 2 tickets one I presume for myself and the other was for a admit one. When I turned the card to see the place my heart exploded, the grand galloping gala winter ballroom. My eyes opened wide and my mouth dropped…This was insanity!!! I said to myself. “I shall get going, you don’t want to be late anyways. I also need to leave and get home before your father wonders where I flew off to. Love you dear.” My mom said as she hugged my still shocked body and mind as she opened the door and left. No words or emotions were said in the minutes that passed until I finally snapped back to reality. Holding the card I didn’t know how to say or reply back to such a giant honour on my hooves I just put it in my backpack and then decided I’ll find a way to give it to someone within the couple days or weeks or whatever. Upon packing the rest of my stuff cleaning up my room a bit and eating till I was stuffed I put my backpack on opened and locked my door and then with one quick sprint I opened my wings and flew to college. The trip wasn’t bad at all and I spent the time thinking again as moments where I’m alone or in areas or peace I can think truly. I thought about everything that I know of, from the previous couple weeks to a month that’s passed, everypony that I’ve met and also the emotions I felt. Before I could think anymore I saw the college and I descended downwards to see Rage and Bolt looking at me and smiling. Their expressions made my heart light up and I landed down smoothly as always as I walked over to them I saw Bolt talking to Rage and then pushing him closer to me. Does Bolt think we like each other? I thought about it but I did realize that I do show my emotions pretty easily. The sounds of other ponies plagued the area around us and we just walked over to our first class English and me and Rage sat down together... but actually we were still a little apart but by only 2 seats. As our teacher Dawn came in. The sounds of what could only be heard as papers rustling and the quiet breathing flooded the room until our teacher finally spoke. “Good morning class.” Dawn said and we all followed behind him saying back in unison “good morning.” Dawn simply wrote his name on the board as he did every time to remind us who was teaching us. “I have some amazing news, we have a new student who will be joining us. They are merely joining from another school and will be finishing college the same as you. You can come in now.” Dawn said as I stared at the door and then nearly lost myself the second I saw who it was. “Star..STARRY!!” I exclaimed as I shot out of my seat, as the chair fell to the ground hard. My eyes widened as she fell to the floor shaking and I caught myself before I did anything more rash… (if you can count making a complete fool of myself already something that was rash.) “There will be no screaming or breaking of school property while I am teaching Ms. Nightingale, is that clear?” Dawn spoke and all I felt in my stomach from then wasn’t shock or surprise for Starry being here like, how and why was she here? I knew she looked young but I didn’t expect her to be in this college also. I starred with a dead look as Starry didn’t reply to anyone or anything that and then sat in the very back right, which if I took the map correctly was right beside me. I didn’t even say anything or spoke a word and only stared at the shock that she was here. Starry was easy to notice with her multicolored mane and tail and her bright blue eyes. It was about as easy as trying to find a pony in a puddle. I didn't even comprehend the thought o seeing her after the last time, but I guess anything can happen from her being in our class. Rage and I sat there both jaws dropped but when I looked at Bolt he blushed and then instantly looked at Rage and then covered his face in his book. Where they... dating? No, they only knew each other for like one day. Snap out of it Nightingale, you can do this. I said to myself as I watched as Starry sat in the very far back left. Which was 5 seats away from me, and just sat there. "Alright, so Starry will be with us for the rest of this year, any students please be wary with her, as she has had some issues and may be quieter. This doesn't mean you can go lollygag and not bother doing your homework since we have a new student, homework is still due and I will be handing out marks today." Dawn spoke and I could hear the entire room groan, even Rage did. I could hear mutters, mumbles, moments of excitement and others of fear. When Rage got his he didn't even have a expression, he just sat it down and began to write in his notebook. When Bolt got his, I saw his face go pale as he didn't even talk, though did he ever. When Dawn got to me, he didn't speak. No words travelled his mouth as he dropped my paper beside him and I saw my grade. -0/100, see me in my office tonight at 4:p.m. My face lost color as I looked in utter horror at it, how did I get a 0? I worked hard, took the time, research properly and even found my own reliable sources when getting my data. I wanted to speak up, but I saw Rages' face on the corner of my eye which said to not even try and fight it. As the bells rang for the end of the day reached and I still sat in my chair. I watched as everyone who left going to whatever subject they had as late class, or even anything else. "You, got a message also?" Someone spoke and I didn't even notice as my mind raced miles way too fast. My ears raced with my own ringing as I shook the paper in my wing to the shock of someone's hoof on my shoulder. "Nightingale, you ok in there?" I heard someone speak again, to which I turned my head right hoping to see who spoke. I saw Rage looking at me confused at my lost expression from the message. "We got one also, so we asked if you had one also as you seemed lost. You also seemed well y'know defeated. Like the end of the world just hit you the flank harder than falling on it." Rage said as I continued to keep reading back and forth, looking at my paper and then Rage. "I don't get it, I studied, processed everything.... heck I even took my time making sure it was perfect. So how did I fail?" I said and Bolt walked to me holding his paper also which said the exact message and grade. "Bolt studied also, like he did it to points of insanity. Like seeing HIM fail was shocking to me and I had to make sure he didn't breakdown in anger." Rage said as I looked at Bolt who didn't say words, and based from his lack of voice anyways. I didn't bother with it and didn't even try to get him to speak anyways. But for a shock, I noticed Starry was gone, like hearing that she has social issues.. shocked that she was already gone. But I didn't bother much with it and all of us walked to Dawn's office, as we noticed him sitting down and sat in the chairs in front of him. I didn't notice it until I got used to the dimmed lights, and Dawn's chairs that I saw a 4th chair beside me which grew my curiosity. A, 4th chair.. but there is only 3 of us. "The 3 of you can come in now, sorry I can't provide chairs for you all." Dawn spoke and the door opened to all 3 of our jaws dropping. 7: Distrustful flames (Crimson Bolt)FAILED, how could I fail!? I.. I did everything right... so why? I said to myself as I looked back at the page, reading the front, back, edges and looked around for a note that would've fell saying Whoops, my mistake. But nothing, not even a note as I looked only in pure shock. I could feel my hooves shaking, my breathing becoming more erratic. I tried to hold my hooves still, but they shook as I began to mutter to myself. No,no,no,no,no... not again! NOT NOW!! I said hoping it would leave but no. I felt my mind split as I could feel a burning pain in my chest and wings, as I heard voices in my head. They screamed as I held my head down, while I kept shaking as I began to lose my mind.. again. "Failure, loser... never worth any life." The voices kept speaking as I turned my head to my brother as he looked only at the paper. I didn't even see him cry, not even one drop at it. He looked at me, to which I saw only a face of anger screaming the same words again, until I snapped out of it. I saw him nearly wanting to get up and I tried to give my laziest and most forced smile ever. Just pretend everything is fine, just pretend you are wondering for his scores. I muttered under my breath as I forced a creepy smile and he sat back down while watching me. I tried to suppress the voices and sometimes it was easier and others hard. But then I glanced at... her, Starry. She reminded me a lot of myself, so upkept, proper... and looked amazing. Rage saw my eyes look at her and then I could hear a clearing of the throat and I looked back at the teacher. "Alright class is dismissed, I will be seeing some of you after class. So don't be late." Dawn spoke and I heard my gut clench as I got up and began to walk away when a hoof touched my back which caught me by shock. "Where you going, you didn't show me your results?" It was Rage and I was already breathing heavily from the scare he just performed. I looked down and he apologized for it as I showed him my results. "Wow, you too... guess we both understudied... again." Rage said as he showed me the same thing I grew more curious as I decided nothing on such actions and watched as he went and talked with Nightingale again. Okay, officially they are getting it, like if they don't say anything about it. I'm gonna laugh here. I muttered as Rage spoke and then he turned to me and called for me to show my results. Yeah, if I didn't need any more destruction on my self confidence, then this will do it. I showed my results and Nightingale just looked as I felt my stomach run miles as I got up and walked away to go and look for Starry while I waited for Rage to come over and we would head to Dawn's office together. But Starry wasn't anywhere to be seen, she liked... disappeared into the void. Rage then called for me as we all walked together with Nightingale to Dawn's office, to notice him just waiting for us. I noticed the 4th chair and then.. we watched as 3 ponies walked in. I got spooked as I fell to the ground hitting the floor HARD and heard a slight chuckle from either myself or another. Inside came, Sunset Moon, Lunar Dawn and... "Dancing Thorn" I heard Rage mutter under his breath in anger as his eyes sharpened on her. "Ah, your all here, now I can give what I needed to say to you all. First off, I am sorry for the method of which I brought all of you here today. The school wishes for me to not be doing this as it would impact the rules of the school. But I believe you 6 would be perfect for this task." Dawn spoke again as I looked curious and confused at him as he opened the door beside his office and another pony walked in. "I wanted you all to be Ms. Starry's assistances with the newest class assignment due in a month's time. Considering you all have and or known her from somewhere. I believed you all would be great at this as I want you all to work together in general." Dawn spoke and no words, not even a single breath came out of the room . "So you want me to work with HER?" Rage spoke as his eyes darted for Dancing and her response was disgust towards him. "Don't think I forgot what you did last time you were with her. How can I trust an outsider, who doesn't know the life of popularity and classiness to handle helping her. Mr. Dawn, I speak of Starry but having those 2 would be dangerous for her. You and I both know her reactions to strangers." Dancing spoke on deaf ears as Dawn didn't want to hear any of it. "Your petty differences doesn't matter much to me in the long run. What I care for are results and everyone succeeding here and if having you all work together, albeit a risky move will grant that. Then I am willing to take that risk for all of you." Dawn spoke and the second the words left his mouth. I couldn't tell if he was being truthful, or just hated all of us and wanted to see us suffer. Like... everyone usually wanted me to. "So, you want us to work with her? I can see having assistance is useful Dawn, but in general we all have different classes AND on top aren't even in the same classes." I heard a voice speak and noticed it to be Sunset Moon, her face glaring with confusion at Dawn's plan. "I have my own methods to fix such errors and will be working around your times for this to work. For why I decided on you 6 is due to your personalities and set skills in general. Rage, you are well versed in technology, very charismatic and honest to the bone. This can be great to teach her some important things to pass her classes. Sunset, though you are more straightforward, act like a rock and focus on truth. You are easily the most knowledgeable in the study of psychology. That can be useful in teaching her some of the studies that are apart of this assignment." Dawn spoke as he looked at her and Moon didn't even smile. "Flattering" Moon said and I could feel the entire room shudder from the dead silence in that comment. When I looked at Nightingale, she looked down as Dawn spoke once more. "Nightingale, you are very.. well for ironically very sweet and gentle. Such personalities aren't found often these days, which can be useful in teaching. You and Lunar also have wonderful artistic skills, meaning you can help her in the visuals." Dawn spoke and then reached Dancing Thorn who didn't seem pleased with this whole "call out". "You Dancing are a mix batch of good and bad, but you know her the best. So I brought you to help her in general when the others can't." Dawn spoke and Dancing just scoffed blowing her mane from her face. "Now you Bolt" Dawn spoke and my gut clenched and I felt my hooves shake. "Though we have our differences in your constant outburst and endless appointments with the nurses. I believe you share a closer connection with Starry than everyone here from previous experiences and things I've seen. So I chose you to help with more emotional stresses during college here." Dawn said and I felt my heart drop as I sat in my chair, not moving or even saying a word. "Now to answer the whole assignment question. It's more a class piece where a group of 7 complete from different classes compete to win. Consider it a semi, talent show... make your class proud. At the school years end, the school gathers for it as each class shows off their skills. Since I know you all are apart of my classes in different times, I decided to flip the rules." Dawn said and all of our jaws dropped, "Wait, you want all of us to perform in front of the entire college in 8 months when we barely know or.. like each other?" Rage spoke as I looked down and began to shake slightly. Me...p..p...perform in front of EVERYPONY!!? Oh, I can feel my paranoia and stage freight coming back. I said to myself as my breathing increased and when Rage touched my back, I slowly calmed down. "Look, I'm gonna be honest with Bolt and his... reaction. None of us agreed and honestly, you never checked our skills and are putting lot of risk choosing us." Moon spoke again and this time we all nodded in unison. Dawn simply chuckled he passed us 6 new papers, to which I grabbed and noticed it to be 2 pages clipped together. One of them was a signature page for accepting the offer, he proposed and everything with it. The second was the test but with my actual grade. 89/100, but why... why hide this? I muttered as everyone else looked shocked and confused. "I'll give you till the end of the week, Bolt I would like to ask you to help Starry find her way around the college please. She had a hard time and I requested security to come and find her." Dawn said and Dancing's face grew red instantly. "Mr. Dawn I INSIST that you don't allow HIM to do it. He barely can even keep his composure with others. I can't trust him with someone like..." Dancing's voice was cut off to Dawn's clearing his throat, most likely annoyed with her outbursts surrounding Starry. "Ms. Thorn, do understand I know of her conditions and specified necessities, but to question my actions is to question yourself and Starry's choices as a whole. So please I ask that you all please think of what your choice is and I'll see you in a week. Starry and Bolt, you may leave." Dawn said and I quickly ran out as Dancing's glare nearly caused them to return. I snapped back as I told Rage I would meet him at the regular location. As we left Starry didn't say any words as I guided her around. "Uhh, here is the gym and over here is the library. Do you have any questions or concerns yet?" I said trying to keep a straight face, but I couldn't stop looking at her. Her face lit with either excitement... or despair, I wasn't able to tell. "So, why did you come to college, I know you weren't administered into here at the start. Your name would have appeared on the attendance from day 1. Just wondering... not being nosy at all." I said and then hit myself without her knowing. STUPID BOLT STUPID, now she's gonna think your invading into her personal life. I muttered as I didn't hear her talk back or even acknowledge me talking at al. "I.. I came.. cause, mom.. she said.. it.. ok for me to.. come to college" Starry said and I got caught off guard. Like even when we hanged at the cafe last time, she didn't speak and we just sat there. But she seemed happier than now, where the faint smile was gone. I didn't take anything of it until we walked back to the regular area which was the cafeteria, where I saw both Nightingale and Rage talking. "Ah, your done, I was wondering when you were gonna finish. I was just about to show Nightingale the thing we are working on." Rage said and I slightly smiled as I could see Nightingales face smile in intrigument. "Ah, Starry it's nice to see you again, I wanted to apologize for what happened last time, with the whole y'know.. fight. Truly, I do apologize for said action made towards it, I hope no resentment is made towards us." Rage said and a slightly smiled formed from my face, from his kindness. He was always kind, especially after... that day. Starry just formed a slight smile which I caught as I stared and then guided her to a seat as we sat down. "So Starry have you decided on if you wanted to take the option of participating. Me and Rage talked about it, and we would be excited to, especially with helping you in general with school work." Nightingale said and I smiled as Starry just looked down and slightly sniffled. "You..a..all, are too kind. Thanks, but.. I have to refuse, mom.. she'll be mad if I don't work... with her." Starry said and we all looked shocked. Her? Who would... be? I thought and then the cafe door swung open and Dancing, Moon and the others arrived. "Oh thank Luna I found you, c'mon we better get going or your gonna be late." Dancing said as she grabbed Starry's hoof which caught me as rude. "HEY! We're supposed to be working as a team and can't you see we were talking to her. Besides, we still have 30 minutes before we have to leave. Let us talk to her." Nightingale spoke up flustered and I didn't blame her. It was getting old of her cutting us off everytime we got some communication with her. "You don't get to say or do what you want with her as you please, you don't understand what she went through! THIS is why I didn't want to work with the 3 of you. All you do is cause more issues for Starry than good." Dancing spoke furious as the atmosphere grew anxious and tense. "Can't you all get over the petty differences and know we are here to help one pony, and to make our class proud." Lunar spoke as the area grew even more tense and I noticed Starry cowering away from everyone as she began to mutter to herself. This is like how I used to... back, when I... I thought as flashes of memories flooded my mind as I tried to suppress it again. The burns... the.. my wings, her face... the pains. But they came back, like wrecking balls. Everything... her.... the voices, the pains... I couldn't get it out. I fell to the floor screaming trying to remove them out of my head. I could feel them touching me, not Rage nor anyone... but hooves of the ponies I rid myself from. Screaming internally I began to scratch my face and skin, trying to rip them out. "HEY are you ok!?" Rage's voice screamed as I began to call for help as I got up and began to shake as Rage guided me to a chair. "SEE, this is what I warned you Dancing! All you care about is HER, not knowing your impacting others as a result of your selfishness! Let her choose for ONCE instead of dictating her choices for the thousandth time!" Rage screamed as I felt myself coming back slowly, as the voices faded away. Everyone was screaming and yelling at each other, some more intelligible than others. The rifts between us grew more distant, even if we weren't friends or enemies. "EVERYPONY STOP!!!!" Sunset screamed as she slammed her hooves down, silencing the entire room. "Don't you see we are fighting for someone else's choices.. we are destroying our friendships and one that can flourish for ourselves. Let Starry speak and decide her choice!" Sunset screamed her last part, as anger flooded her eyes in seconds. The cafeteria for once stayed silent as all our eyes jointed to Starry, who didn't have words. "I.. I.. I want to work, with Nightingale and the others, I want to do.. I want to be in... the performance." Starry spoke and my eyes and Nightingales and even Rage's opened. Dancing instantly tried to cover her words by stepping in front of her. "Starry don't be ridiculous, you can't work with them.. you know the promise what was made?" Dancing said and I finally pieced it together. "Your mother? She told you to work with Dancing didn't she Starry?" I said and Dancing eyes narrowed on me. "Whatever, it doesn't matter what promise or whatnot. We still have a week. Let's go Starry." Dancing said as Starry walked behind her and then ran to me and hugged me, catching me off guard. "Thank you, for helping me find my way and defending me last time. Sorry.. for this, but we may not speak again." Starry said quietly right in my ear where nobody would see it and then walked away as they left. "Well, we should... get going, but you have our supports to do the group project together, we shall be seeing you later." Lunar said as she and Sunset left, leaving just us 3 standing there, defeated. "What... just happened?" Nightingale said as she looked at us, who didn't even have any words. "I think, we angered Dancing... and most likely lost our chances on working on the project together." Rage said as I nodded softly, looking back at everything. "Wait, that reminds me, what did she say to you Bolt?" Rage said and I got caught off guard as I held back wanting to say it. "Oh, she just said she was thankful for the help." I said and Nightingale looked curious. "I'm just confused, you said mother... but she doesn't..." Nightingale spoke and then caught herself to which I caught on but I kept my mouth shut. I didn't bother speaking about it, cause it would reveal a lot that happened... especially that day in particular. "Well, we should be getting home.. OH I just found out Bolt that the college is giving you your own full room. I already moved your stuff this morning." Rage said as I stared shocked as one of the biggest thing I wanted was my own room. But right now I didn't feel like I deserved it, considering what just happened. Nightingale and Rage walked ahead as we decided to head back to our place, she reluctantly joined after Rage asked in a nice tone for once. But I stayed behind, thinking back to the flashes and memories that flooded my mind, what they meant and why they returned. I've considered myself a very normal stallion, if you can call having nightmares and flashbacks to my past normal. But I believed they were gone, considering the last major one was 7 years ago. But seeing them again, was a hard reality to face... knowing I will have to deal with them again. Upon reaching back, Rage and Nightingale... seemed to get close. Rage began to blush as he showed her his room, the gadgets he uses including his fancy computer he always brags about to me. "You 2 are very... secluded from society aren't you? Considering all the technology and well... equipment, you don't get a lot of visitors do you?" Nightingale said as I chuckled and Rage glared at me. HA HA, somepony had to tell him and who better than his apparent crush. I muttered and Nightingale looked at me. "I have to ask you Bolt something and this caught my attention throughout our experiences together, your trips to the nurses as Dawn said, your breakdown during the fight today. You suffer from something don't you?" Nightingale spoke and me and Rage kept our mouths shut. SHOOT! How did she figure it out!? Like, she can't know this... not now! I said to myself as I held my head in shock. "If I am crossing a line, please let me know. But I don't believe you just have a social problem Bolt, as many who do would express different symptoms. I think you suffer from traumas, where I can't be sure... and if this is true. It would explain so much that I and many others have seen. It would also help close in on why Dawn chose you to work with Starry as you share the same well experiences." Nightingale spoke and we were left speechless. "Hey Bolt.. you mind heading to your old room and finish packing up your stuff. I just need a minute with Nightingale and then I'll show you to your room" Rage spoke in a downed and defeated tone, compared to his cheerful and happy voice as I left "How much did you figure out..." Were the last words I heard from Rage before they were muffled out by me leaving. I walked into my old room and found a old box labeled From parents. I stared at it, curious from what the contents were inside, considering I never saw this box before. I didn't notice much of importance from old letters from mom and dad, to old game ideas and art and concept ideas I drew up. But then there was something in a dirty old letter labeled From mom. My heart slowly crushed as a tear shedded down as I saw beside it 2 items. One containing a old trophy that was won at the annual Appleloosa competition. The 2nd was a picture of Rage, mom, dad and... me. I opened the letter and began to read what it said. Thank you Before you read this story I wanted to put this as a thank-you to the pony who saved my life during the low points of my life, her mission and what this book means to me. When I was starting my other books like Daring Do and many other rough drafts and my story in creating a little series which did not succeed. I met Fluttershy1124 on Discord via a casting call she posted to be the artist for it and needing the help I accepted not knowing this one action would change my life. She joined and helped in drawing many characters and also my original OC before I changed to Starry Hope. But before I met her I was in a state of extreme depression and pains mentally and with my transition I grew into this state of a low point of my life. But when I met her she gave me hope and a sense of a future and even helped me with never laughing, helping me, calling me the right way and even gave me advice to my future and never abandoned me no matter what. As she left the project for her own life goals I felt that her mission that she did helped me and she never abandoned herself and was there to keep helping me. When I came out she was supportive and even gave me advice for many things. Even comforted me when I was scared of my parents and even provided me a sense of never losing myself and always staying strong and never losing myself ever again. When I wanted to never come back, she helped me come back and I hold her in my heart and never will forget her again. Though things may happen and could separate us, I will never forget what she did to me. This story is the thank-you that I could never give and with many names, ideas, characters this story holds a deeper message. It holds a past about many people and even a view into Fluttershy's past and her goals and her many things she did to help those around her. Though I never met her IRL, I do believe I hold her in high regards. Yes many characters that you see may get confusing but this is due to a greater story that shall come in the future. Wings of Love is a name about the wings she holds that will never lose the love she gives to many. From one to another this means more to me than anything I could never think of. Being a writer and a artist in training I believed this was the best thing I can do and draw a story of her and her life goals and her future in order to bring the thank you that will never fade away. Thank you Fluttershy1124 for what you did to me and how you made me become the mare and the hope to myself and to my future that I was suppose to be. Starry Hope. Now you can begin dwelling into the story of ----> Wings of Love. 7.5 From mom (Faithful Heart)My sweet Bolt It's been 8 years since we last spoke, 8 years since we had the ability to see each other. 8 years since I was able to hold you, guide you to the unknown when you were scared. When you needed somepony to hold while you took your steps to school, I was there to help you. I remember the day you arrived home, scared and all bruised up... wondering where, you had to go next, wondering who would be there for you. I remember the selflessness your brother did, defending you and helping you no matter who stood in your way. The times we had to head to the doctors to check you up, see therapists for your mind. We stayed with you.. as that's what parents do, what we do. One day we wish to be there, to smile with you when you finally are able to forgive and forget what transpired all those years ago. When you stand on the pillar of champions we will be there watching and knowing WE did our part in your life. When you and Rage left heading to college, we were scared for you... worried you may feel alone and broken. Knowing and thinking that you had nobody in your corner beside your brother to save you. But you have someone, you have us.. to watch you grow, to see your successes and your fails. If you ever feel like you are alone and scared, know we are a simple phone call away and willing to hear your issues. One day we will soon pass, leaving only our wisdom and memories, to which you and your brother will rely on one each other. We love you and will never betray you, never lie or forget you no matter what. Remember what we always used to tell you. The smallest action can have the biggest impact on someone. From giving them a high five or saying hi. We all need that someone who looks at us and says "Hey, we see you and know you are awesome. Even when you are down, having someone to pick you up. Changes the personality and attitude of another and yourself. Solidarity is granted to those who stand with others, friendships are made when we see each other not by race or sex or looks. But by the fact we are all human and want to be friends. Never be shy to say hi or give someone a smile, you never know what they might do in repayment. We will see you the next time we visit or you are in town... goodbye Crimson Bolt Author's Note THIS is a chapter made... as a way to show this letter, but also... in reality this letter was something that when I first moved into the college dorms for a week, I received a letter from someone I called mother before my adoptive family. the words in this letter are exactly her words she said to me... and the expressions Bolt expresses during the sight of it and the picture nad trophy... match my own reactions to it. I hope you all enjoy sniff it... and stay safe...
0 Prologue (Sweet Nightingale)I watched as the stars filled the once bright sky that turned into the lunar darkness. I shook at the shivers on my skin from the chilly weather outside on the porch. Jeez, when did it get so cold? I muttered to myself as I wanted to go back inside to be warm, but instead I was outside freezing my flank off looking into the endless emptiness of space. "You're gonna catch a cold if you stay out here hon." I heard a male voice say in a more concerning voice and to my surprise I noticed it to be Rage Quit my loving husband. He looked at me without a coat on anything to keep himself warm and held in his hoof a coat. (How ironic he came out without a coat and had one for me) "Put this on, I don't want you to freeze." Rage said as he handed me the coat and I threw it on which helped the cold, but not really anything else. "What are you doing up? We got to get ready to head out for the celebration tomorrow. I can't believe we were able to make it to see the annual Crystal Empire celebration." I said ears perked up in excitement... but I stopped myself to avoid making too much noise and waking the fillies up. They have been asleep ever since we got here, traveling from Canterlot was quite the trip and by the time we got here. I almost had to carry all 3 of them (Including my husband which was quite the toll on me.) I just turned my head back into the stars and rested my hoof on the iron bar of the balcony and kept wondering on how much things had changed for the better. Though our children Lavender Song and Lilac Melody were still very young, they almost acted more mature than my own husband which sometimes made it good for bragging rights. "So, what are you thinking about?" Rage said as he put his hoof on my back and looked back at me. "You remember how we met?" I said laughing at it and even the old memories of it and even the days prior. Rage just bursted out laughing to my disapproval to where I stared at him with a stern face and he caught himself and kept from laughing more. Remember who has to sleep tonight. Keep it up and the couch or floor will be your bed. I muttered and he must've caught my words cause he turned his head away. "Yeah, those days were something. I still remember how much of a pain in the flank Dancing Thorns was. She must've kept her name true on how she acted. But I know meeting you." Rage said as he turned my head and stared me in front of my face with his emerald green eyes and held his hoof on my chin. "Was the greatest thing that I ever had." Rage said as he kissed me and I blushed at it and didn't back away and he chuckled and walked back inside and asked if I was coming in. "Give me a second dear, I'll be right there." I said in a quiet tone to avoid making anymore noise than I already have made and looked at the stars once more. Well, I must be the most lucky mare to meet somepony like you Rage. Thank the princesses that I would never trade anything else for what I have. I said to myself as I turned around and walked inside and noticed Rage already settled in bed and was resting his head. I just took the coat off and hanged it up beside my dresses and other clothes and then jumped into bed and rested my head also. Rage gave me a slight kiss on my forehead and then fell asleep. He snored louder than anypony in this room or even in all of the Crystal Empire. I just sighed and then began to drift off into the endless void of dreams. Though my story was all happy now and even peaceful, my journey and even Rage's was one of love, hate, betrayal and even distrust. But I knew that I would never change my life all those years ago for anything else.
1 10 years before I met you (Sweet Nightingale)BEEP...BEEP...BEEP My alarm went off to my disapproval and I just wanted to rest my head back down and sleep more. BEEP...BEEP...BEEP It just never wanted to stop, the alarm would never end. BEEP...BEEP.... BEE I turned it off as soon as the third time it rang and wiped my eyes groaning not wanting to get up. But I knew that it would be fruitless to argue with myself and just opened my tired eyes and got up leaning my tired head up off the so warm and comfy pillow. I looked at my room, messy and unorganized and sighed at the sight. The room was a mess, beyond anything I usually had it to be in prior times. Artwork was scattered everywhere, books were hanging in places that they shouldn't belong in. My clothes were scattered Didn't I JUST clean this room? I muttered to myself as I just got up and trotted over to the mirror in my room to dress myself up. (To the best of my ability) Upon getting to it I could see the disaster of my appearance. My mane and tail were scattered all around the place. The mane was all puffy and looked scattered all around the place. My tail was in the same condition but worse than my mane could ever be. I just tried my best in order to make it look better, but my attempts were as fruitless as a Earth Pony trying to learn to fly without wings. I just flattened the mane so it looked the best to my original mane design. For my tail I just did a twirled design around for it and even then some of the unkept parts stayed, but at least it was better than how it was previously. Well at least it's better than how it previously looked like. I muttered to myself as I stared back in the mirror again and at least liked how it was. I put down the brush and then made my bed up so it was at least decently done just liked how my parents used to have me make it. Cleaning my room was a chore to say the least but doing it at least made it easier to see my things or helped me keep my composure with my work. I didn't need much else to do after cleaning the things in my room, from the endless artwork ideas to my songs that I wrote. But then I saw out of all the papers on the floor and even my table was a white letter with a golden seal on it. When did I receive this? I thought to myself as I stared at it with curious eyes and opened it. Dear Ms. Nightingale. It's with great humble words that we speak that your submission for your admission to the Canterlot College for the prestige minds, has been reviewed and we are great to say that you have been approved. We have seen your hard work and commitment from your previous schools and jobs. We believed that you would be the perfect candidate for the Canterlot art program. We wish to see your presence during the orientation on the 5th of Windigo. Mystic Heart. Principal and administrator for the Canterlot College for the prestige minds. My heart dropped as soon as I read the letter and nearly fainted from the fact that I was selected to be apart of it. "I can't believe I did it!" I yelled at the top of my lungs and jumped up and down happy at it not wondering if ponies could hear me. But once I calmed down my mind and emotions I read the date one last time... 5th of Windigo. "Wait, that's TODAY!" I said and felt my heart drop a second time. I was way to worried about being late on my first day and jumped scrambling trying to pack my things, running into everything making my once clean room back into the mess it was. I'll worry about you later. I muttered as I kept grabbing things like my notebooks, art equipment and my bags to carry it. Once I finished I checked the time and noticed that I had some time left to get there before I was late... on my FIRST day no less. I opened my door, locked it and ran outside not talking to anypony and upon reaching a good spot, opened my wings tempting to fly there and scrape some extra minutes. But my books weighed me down and I just ditched that idea and galloped towards the college making it to the entrance by the skin of my tail. I quickly made it to class (After getting lost and having to ask a teacher to find my class) and right as I made it into the room, the bell rang. I quickly ran into a seat, sat down and threw my bag on the table and pulled out everything that I thought I needed. Then the door opened one more time and I saw a unicorn come in who either was a teacher or some administrator. "Good morning everypony, it's a great honor to see aspiring artist and eager ponies searching for aspiration here. But I want all of you to show me and this college responsibility and a sense of moral obligation. We want to provide you all with a great time here to allow you to learn, grow and follow your dreams. But we cannot do that when you do not show us the same." The pony in the front said as he made a bunch of scrolls appear in front of us. "Here is your rules and guidelines for the college. Take the time to read over them and once you sign this paper, come up here and deliver it to me and receive your student card. And also for everypony to know, my name is Astral Storm." Astral said as he laughed and sat down in his seat in the front and I grabbed my pencil and opened the scroll only to see just one sentence on it. Do you accept the terms and conditions of the following...wait, what terms? I muttered as I turned the scroll inside and out trying to figure out what is the terms to it or if it was some kind of very hard test. But as I sat down I noticed some ponies getting antsy and signing the page and then walked up and handed it. But the teacher simply turned his head and held the papers in the air and then put them in a folder and asked for them to head outside. Once they did and the door closed right behind him, Astral used his horn and the door seemed to vanish and walked back to the front. "Well now that we got the ponies who clearly failed their test... let us begin with the real orientation." Astral said and I watched as the scroll seemed to vanish in front of my eyes as I stared in wonder. "The terms and conditions are a mere way to worm out those who came here for fame and glory, the antsy never win any battles and usually are the first to go." Astral said as he used his horn one more time and handed us another scroll and upon opening it this time was only 2 words. I accept, I muttered as it stared straight at me and I didn't hesitate to write my name on it, but wondered if this was another test. "Oh for anypony who is wondering if this is another test, like you Ms. Nightingale. Don't worry about failing for signing this." Astral said with a grin and my ears dropped being called out like that. I looked at the page and hesitated on writing my name and I saw as everypony else did and he handed them their card and walked into another door and I never saw them again. Then there is just me... does this mean, I failed? I thought to myself and Astral just sat there with a paper in his hoofs reading something while I sat there waiting on something to happen. "WAIT FOR US!" I heard a male voice scream at the top of their lungs, the mere sound could deaf a filly in seconds. OW, my ears, is that pony insane? I muttered and Astral eyes and ears perked as 2 stallions came bolting inside. There was a greyish stallion with a blue coat on, mane and tail all scattered and wide eyes, he looked the most worried out the 2 of them. His cutie mark was a red flame in almost a lightning bolt shape and if he wore anything else, I wouldn't have seen it. Then there was a black stallion with a green mane and short green tail, exact same color. His cutie mark was a game controller and cause he wore no uniform or coat or anything. Seeing it was as clear and honestly the idea on what his destiny was with that, was quite the mystery. Mr. Astral didn't bother to stop them with magic or control the situation and just watched as the tumbled over one and each other until they were right in front of me. Were these 2 out of their minds?! Do they even realize how late they are!? I thought to myself as the sight of them being so incredibly late was almost unheard of. Class started at 8:30am and it was almost 12:00pm in the day. And this was the FIRST day of school, good way to make such a great reputation of yourself by being late. "Ah, Mr Rage and Mr Bolt. Fancy seeing you both, at this time." Astral said with a look that if he was facing me, I would've dropped down and almost would be to scared to talk. "I...uh, we um... kind of slept in." Bolt said (If that was his full name, I couldn't be sure.) and the apparent Rage the green maned pony just stared at me, opened eyes.Okay, that is kind of creepy. Would you kindly tilt your head and focus on your friend or whoever it is? I said to myself hoping that the giant nod with my facial appearence would show that I wasn't into whatever game he had, or I didn't want to be dragged into whatever crazy thing they had going for them. "Well, I can't and shouldn't be allowing late students to be able to continue the program, but because I have heard good news about you Rage. I'll let this slide once and only once. Pull a stunt like this again and I'll have you out this door faster than a speeding pegasus." Astral said with a stern look on his face. Rage and Bolt the 2 late ponies sat right behind me and I could feel as if they were watching me. I was the only mare in a room full of stallions, which either made me uncomfortable or very out of place. I signed the paper and gave it over to Astral and right behind me, Rage dropped his paper right beside mine. He laughed as Astral sighed and handed us our cards which were... blank? Wait, why were they blank? Does this mean there is ANOTHER test to complete? I muttered to myself to Rage's laughter and then Bolts looks of concern as we stood there wondering why this meant. "Head out the right door and hang a left once you pass the Celestia statue, use that card to enter and make sure not to lose it." Astral said and then out of nowhere he began to fade away. "What is happening!?" Bolt looked worried as he tried to fix the problem but Astral laughed. "This is merely a projection, I am home nice and comfy watching you all here." Astral said and with a bright light he was gone. "Hang a left at the Celestia statue, I don't remember seeing a Celestia statue?" I said and the other 2 stared also at me wondering hut decided to just to go ahead and try to find it. We trotted around for a good 15-25 minutes looking around for anything that was close to what we were suppose to find. But once we got to the main lobby we found the Celestia statue, positioned nice and beautiful like how a princess usually looks like. Then we looked to the left and found the door that held nothing to open it, no keyhole or even handle. "You think we made a wrong turn somewhere?" Rage said as I stared at the door that just never opened. I held out the card and noticed something on it that wasn't on it before. There was a picture of a door handle and when I held it to the door, either it was magic or some kind of spell but when I returned my eyes to it, the door suddenly had a door handle. Okay... what is going on?! I said to myself in complete shock. "Did anypony else notice that the door had no handle and NOW magically has a handle?" Bolt said still trying to comprehend the mystery that laid in front of us. But I didn't take the time to wonder curiously and grabbed the handle and then out of nowhere Rage had his hoof on top of mine. "Uh, oh sorry. I..uh, didn't mean to.. y'know, touch your hoof like that." Rage said with a awkward chuckle and I sighed and opened the door and noticed it to be a gym. There was students all lined up and even some who were looking quite agitated at something. "So those are the 3 final ponies, I expected some run on the mill mares who were more focused on looking all pretty than them." I heard a stallion mutter under his breath and I wanted to turn my head and get angry, but I just ditched it knowing that it would be fruitless to try and argue with him. We all stood there waiting for something to happen and then noticed that same pony again from the main classroom appearing. "I want to say thank you all for coming here and passing our main test. We are glad to see such proud and aspiring souls to join this journey we have set for you. To let you know, there will be NO more tests and upon taking your student picture, you can leave and head home right away." Astral said as he left, apparently in my theory this was the real one. Everypony was happy to finally be able to move or even get to leave the college for the day. I watched as everypony walked over to the front and took their pictures and I tried to look better than I did right now. But by the time I got there I was not looking the best and just sat down and the photographer looked at me with utter shock at how I look. "Are you sure you want this to be your student pic? You know we don't change it after you take it?" She said and I nodded and tried to look my best. At least I can just take the pic and never show it. Not like it will be burned into the college forever? I thought to myself as I stared at the lens and then out of nowhere. "WATCH OUT!!" A familiar voice screamed and out came a black coat stallion with a green mane. FLASH The camera went right off and I looked at what was Rage staring at me slightly chucking and I didn't know what to do. He was on top of me and I blushed at it. "Oooooh, look at those 2. Future couple everypony." I heard students muttering and others laughing and I just moved Rage and got up and redesigned my mane and tail once more and got up. What in Celestia's golden hooficure was that!? I thought to myself still shocked that it even happened. "Uhh, so here is your student card. Don't lose it alright." She said as she handed my card and I looked at it with utmost horror. There was I with a surprised face with a hoof in my face and Rage screaming as one hoof covered my face and the other hitting my face as he was leaning forward. I groaned and just walked away and Rage tried to catch up with me. "Ms. Nightingale I am SO sorry that it happened. You see Bolt pushed me and I.." He said but I stopped him and just kept walking away until I made it to the gym exit when I turned back. I saw Rage staring at me with a blank expression and didn't move, even if I tried to show a reason for him to leave me alone. He was committed and didn't move from his spot. "Y'know that if you want to apologize, then let me join your picture." I said and Rage's ears perked in curiosity and worry. He just nodded and agreed to the terms and he sat down and I was beside him. "Alright, well if we have 2 of then for this picture. Then I will write a note on the back detailing who this is." The photographer said and he nodded and I snickered.You're in for a REAL treat Rage. I said to myself not wanting him to know my trick I was gonna pull. As soon as the camera was ready I took my hoof and pushed it right into Rage's face and then pulled out my other hoof and rubbed his mane with it. FLASH The camera went off and upon it I could hear a burst of laughter coming from behind me. "Look at you face Rage, you should've seen it. OH wait lady show me his card I want to see it again." I heard Bolts voice coming from the back and when I turned my face to Rage he just smirked and got up and claimed his card and showed me it. "Now we know that we had not the best pic. Does that count as a apologie?" Rage said holding his hoof out for what looked like a shake of saying sorry. I shook his hoof and he laughed and then walked away with Bolt and then I walked the other way heading home. "See you in class." Rage said and I didn't turn my head towards them but let out a slight smirk and a chuckle as I opened the gym door and walked out of the college. Passing trees and endless paved roads I didn't expect much else to be interesting for me. My heart races 2 steps ahead and the thought of the 2 of them. No, get it out of your head. You're not friends, just ponies who met each other. I muttered as I kept walking but I just couldn't stop thinking about them. I walked inside my place (Fiddling with the key for a couple minutes cause my hooves kept shaking) I dropped my heavy bag full of my stuff on the ground and watched as all the stuff just fell on the ground and just left it there. But I just stopped moving from doing anything else and went into my bag and pulled out my student card and looked back at it. "Rage Quit is it? Well, your quite the stallion." I said then caught my head back from the fantasy I dreamed of. Get him out of your head. He's not for you... you're better than that Nightingale I said not wanting anything to do with him. Me with Rage, get your head out of the gutter. I muttered to myself and couldn't stop thinking of the 2 of them, Rage especially. But after cleaning things up and making the once messy place into the more cleaner room that I wanted it to be like. I tried to get the images out of my head but I couldn't, no matter how many times I tried. But I thought that maybe doing some artwork would calm my mind at all. Unpacking the new stuff that came previously prior to this, which was mostly a new canvas and art equipment. Staring back at the blank white sheet I held the brush handle in my mouth and stared at it not sure on what to draw.Maybe a phoenix... or a stallion staring at a sunset. Or maybe.... those 2.... AGH! I screamed as I threw the brush on the floor for the first time in almost 2 years. Why can't I get them out of my head? There just ponies i met in class, not like friends just regulars. I said to myself but the more I threw them out of my head. The harder they sticked. I just grabbed the brush from the ground and began to paint when I finished and after 30 minutes I stared at the artwork. There was 2 ponies sitting by a sunset on a cliff holding each other. But there mane and tails were blocked by the light of the sunset, which made the curiosity peaked for this artwork. I just held it up and put it by the others to sit and rested my tired head. Thinking about class, doing those tests and even... them, was more than my weak mind today could take. Maybe a day in class will throw them out of my imagination and I could go on living my life. Muttering to myself just made me sound insane but honestly, it did more than it could. I just sat down more and wrote in my journal for the start and drew Rage and Bolts cutie mark on the bottom and upon me noticing it. I erased it as soon as I did. I just wanted to sleep and even jumping in my bed and laying my head down also, nothing was curing this unease or thought in my head. Snap out of it Nightingale, your barn door doesn't swing that way. Just forget them. I muttered and then rested my head once more and then it came but I ignored the thoughts and FINALLY fell asleep. Author's Note Journal #1 "I think the hardest test today was JUST getting through signing my terms and conditions.Mr Storm was the most brutal teacher ever and having him as my main teacher has to be the most harshest pony ever, but he was kind when that pony came in... what was his name again? OH right, Rage Quit... such a strange name for him. But I guess we all are born differently than what we can predict. But when I met Rage for the first time I think I could figure out who he was from the first sight. He was one of those ponies already tail first in techy books and even trying to make some kind of video games (If I knew what it would do for a career, I would gladly say it.) But i think Rage saw me as some kind of very smart Pegasus and the way he was looking at me, though creepy... I didn't mind it at all. I do wish he wouldn't look at me like that all the time and would focus on his work. But I can't get their image out of my head and just the thought of it was quite the thing I had and I wanted to know why I had these emotions. I never loved them or considered them friends just students. So why do I have these thoughts? I just need to get over them and maybe just going back to class or drawling more, maybe I can forget it. Well time to rest my head and get ready for my first day of class tomorrow, hope things go well here. if things go correctly, I can finally achieve what I was always wanting to do. Sweet Nightingale (5th-Wendigo)
2 1's and 0's the mare who changed my views. (Rage Quit)"Dude get up, you're gonna be late!" I heard banging on my door as my brain slowly turned back on. I would rather just sleep, let me just sleep. I muttered as I rolled my head on the side and groaned as the knocking kept going on. "Alright Rage I ain't waking you up then. You can miss school then." The voice said and I opened my eyes already irritated on the fact that they woke me up already. Spending all night calibrating the newest game idea I had prepared which in a sense drained all energy or even strength I had left to just poof into dust. Getting off my bed I dead trotted over to my desk while avoiding the mess of game controllers, papers and even old tech equipment and my blurry vision, to grab a bottle of eye drops and held it up and then put 1 in each eye. I blinked with relief until my vision became clearer than a level in a game that was polished for 3 years. "You coming or what Rage?" I turned my head and noticed a grey stallion in my room looking at me all dressed up. His blue coat nearly buttoned up and almost didn't show his white sweater inside of it. His mane and tail all nicely done and it almost looked like he did something else to it, cause it looked even more fancy than how he usually looked. His name was Crimsonbolt, some writer that I had as a roommate. Though we bickered and fought almost everyday. He was quite the experienced writer and usually was always hoof first in a book or helping somepony and usually getting in trouble cause of it. "What time is it?" I said as I grabbed my brush and straightened up my not so long mane and tail. "Dude, don't you remember. Today is the first day of college, didn't you even read the message I posted on your computer?" Bolt said and I just turned my head back and looked at my computer that stared at me in a bright red icon facing me. Upon it I noticed a message written detailing the location of the school, times and even what classes. Bolt took it to a whole new level. Guess I shouldn't expect from the apparent star student of his classes. I muttered and just laughed afterwards ditching the thoughts and he walked away, leaving me to pack my things up and grabbing only my notebook and portable tablet for me to work on and my coat cause it was suppose to be cold today. Leaving the house and packing my thoughts of anything was harder, especially from what happened yesterday. Me and Crimson spent the entire night working on the newest game he wanted to make, some kind of adventure game he was jumping up and down like a filly on sugar. He even kept talking about it on the way to college while I constantly rolled my eyes with every idea no matter how big or small. To him as he would quote. Every idea is a good idea. There are no bad ideas only ideas that can go terribly wrong, if you got that mindset than nothing can stand in your way.. I said to myself and would always laughed at it but he kept a smile on his face. Though I knew his past and his pains... he still keeps his head up higher than the clouds, smiling even at the darkest of times. "OH SHOOT!" Bolt exclaimed as he turned his head to show his watch to read... "5 minutes till class begins!" Bolt screamed as his wings sprang out where I noticed him wince from the pain but didn't care and tried to fly up, only to fall on his face. Bolt.... I muttered as I watched him begin to panic and I began to worry if he would go into a trigger. Especially since he didn't have his calming item to keep him from losing it. "Dude c'mon, just lets run it... we should be able to make it if we bolt it" I said trying to laugh and he slightly smiled and after cleaning him up a bit, we began to trot slowly until he fully booked it. I followed right behind feeling my hooves slowly burning from the amount of exercise from it until we saw the college. Upon reaching the door I stopped for a break or even to catch any of my breath. But Crimson opened the door and told me to hurry up. He only cares about school huh...? I muttered and he didn't even noticed and continued to scan each room as he ran around like a mare with it's head off. My hooves were sore with every other step cause of how much we ran. Finally reaching the door I tried to open it but the door was shut, locked even. "We can't be late... can we?" Bolt said I turned back to him and smiled. His face looked with worry as I backed up a bit and ran to the door and smashed into it trying to bust it open. "DUDE! You can't go and break down doors!" Bolt yelled at me but I turned and smiled again. "You wanted to get to class, guess we got to fight our way in." I said with a smile and he laughed as he joined me. "Okay on 3. 1...2...3!" I said and we both charged into it, but then I heard the door unlock and before I could stop we tumbled through the door. "WAIT FOR US!" I screamed to anypony who could've saw me and bolt come flying through the room crashing and tumbling through the floor. When I finally came to, I looked up to see.... A mare, a beautiful mare staring at me with a look of confusion. My heart skipped 2 beats as I stared at her with a look of complete shock. She's... beautiful* I said to myself not caring on who would hear the words. "Dude, next time you decide to run into a door, DON'T change your mind mid run." Bolt said as I looked at him and how dirty he was from our rude entrance. "Ah Rage and Bolt... glad to see you 2 finally made it.... 30 minutes after class started" A pony said and when I turned my head after staring at the mare in front of me almost a little too creepy. I noticed a stallion standing there looking at us. "Uhh, yeah... we kind of lost track of time." I said trying to laugh through it, but I heard a slight sigh behind me and turned and nearly caught a slight smile from her. "Well, I should have you 2 expelled for the damages you did... but you cannot expel what hasn't fully entered yet." The stallion said and after getting our cards and disappearing like a wizard. (Really weird and if I was a Unicorn I would SO do that.) We all left for the photos.. As the mare walked in front of us, I barely couldn't take my eyes off of her... but she was in front so it looked like I was... "If your gonna stare at her flank all day, at least say something so you don't look like a weirdo." Bolt said and she turned around and I stroke a death glare to bolt the second the words came out of his mouth. Not the time bolt! I knocked his hoof and muttered under my breath. She continued to walk and I stared still, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. "Did you hear her name... apparently it's Nightingale, Sweet Nightingale" Bolt said and that name stuck with me. upon reaching the door I went to grab the handle but Nightingale grabbed it also and our hooves touched. Don't say anything stupid... don't say anything stupid. I said to myself as I tried to come up with a means to counter this. "Uh, oh sorry. I..uh, didn't mean to.. y'know, touch your hoof like that." She looked at me with confusion and opened it and walked inside. Bolt came and flicked his tail to my head. "Real smooth Romeo" He said as he laughed and I felt my stomach curl as I walked inside. Upon entering and being the last ponies inside we felt like complete outcasts and then I began to notice Bolt was starting to shake out of fear. I wanted to hold his head up and his say he was fine.. but he was more worried than anything. But he seemed to calm down thankfully and I sighed in relief. It's bad enough that we look like fools, it would be worse I said to myself as we listened to the final message and then we got our picture's. Even though Bolt thought it would've been a smart idea to push me right into Nightingales photo as a joke which made things even more... awkward. But when I offered her the chance to make fun of mine, she took it to a whole new level. Upon that we ended up walking home and Bolt kept laughing at me for how I was acting. "Dude you looked so confused today... you've should've seen your face." He said laughing nearly even choking on his breath. But when we did get home, he was inside his room working on Celestia knows what while I went into my room and pulled out my journal. I wanted to write inside my emotions or even what happened but it was like I had so many I couldn't find which ones made more sense. But over time I finally got something and reading back over it made me sound pretty crazy. At the bottom was a small little pony though badly drawn was suppose to be all 3 of us. Nightingale, me and Bolt. But then I could hear crying... no it was screaming. My eyes widen and I knew exactly what this was. Bolt... My mind raced out of thinking of Nightingale and ran to him opened his door and saw him on the floor screaming and kicking around, like a young filly scared of the dark.... cause he was. "Don't touch me!" Bolt screamed as he was begging for the lights to be turned on. I complied and turned them on and after a good 30 seconds of him breathing slowly and me comforting him by speaking to him in a light tone and not touching him. He seemed to calm down. "Are you okay?" I asked concerned as he got up and walked in circles in his room. "I can't get these nightmares out of my head. I thought that I could be healed by simply taking that horrible medication." Bolt said as he began to cry and I could feel the heart begin to crush inside from it. "I... just want to be free." Bolt said and I leaned in to hold his shoulder but he shook as I got closer so I distanced myself from it. "You'll be able to, remember you got a friend like me. Remember our promise?" I said with a slight tearful voice unable to bear that they did this to him. He nodded and got up and walked over to his desk and I followed behind him. "I just... thought about what life is gonna be like after this. Can I really heal, could I become somepony like you, one who doesn't get scared when somepony touches them, who can smile everyday?" He said slightly sniffling with every 5 words. "Would you ever forget me?" Bolt said and I knew this was the right time. I leaned closer and held my hoof to his heart and looked at him. "Hey, I ain't going anywhere. Your stuck with me forever, remember were the Raging Bolts." I said laughing and he chuckled and wiped his face from the tears. I can't leave him, he is a brother to me. One I cannot abandon" I said to myself and he walked back to his shelf and grabbed a little pony figure and handed it to me. "I forgot to mention, I repaired him... you can have him back now." Bolt said and I laughed seeing my old Calamity action figure from years back. I had gotten 2 but Bolt got none so I gave him one but he lost it when he left, so I finally gave him mine. Though it sucked, I wanted him to be happy. I didn't really do much after except for talking to Bolt about game ideas, level progress and even the final boss design. Afterwards he went to bed, I had to watch him until he was fully out before I even THOUGHT about bed. He was like a child to me, one who always was suffering cause of his pains. I went back to our kitchen grabbed a bottle of apple cider and went into my room and went into my coat and pulled out my student ID with Nightingale there, smiling and me looking shocked. Heh, your something Nightingale. I muttered to myself and finally caught myself. AGH! I can't have emotions for her.... this isn't right, NO it can't be.... is it? I said to myself as I put my card down and began to question things... I had... something for her, and it was the FIRST day.... I still had 279 days left of college and if I felt this way NOW, I was screwed. I just sighed... packed my stuff for tomorrow and decided to just leave it for tomorrow, if I could even sleep or even make it through the day. Author's Note Journal Entry 1 "Dear Mom, I know I haven't made these in so long, but I wanted you to know something. I started my first ever semester of college.... YAY! Bolt and I got accepted and he's been getting better. I haven't lost faith that he can heal from his past. The doctors told us the truth about his... sigh It doesn't matter anymore, so long as he is away from them and is free. I am happy. But I met a mare, her name is Sweet Nightingale... a wonderful and beauty to me... my heart shattered when I saw her in a good way. I think.... I, NO... that's not it. I just saw somepony that looked cute and it happened, I don't think it's true. I wanted you to know that I am doing better here and wanted to make sure you are happy where you are with dad. I'll come and visit one day when I got the time, maybe Bolt can come back and say hi. He's been able to talk to ponies and even sometimes lets me hug him or even hoofbump him which shows progress and even that he is able to actually get over some of the pains and heal.. But the triggers have been getting worse, he sometimes will breakdown from a simple thing like a leaf touching him. I need to be more cautious cause he's gonna be in classes where I am not gonna be there, we are gonna go tomorrow and find a custom item for him so he can use it as his stress relief, one that isn't a giant pony he has by his bed. How or WHY we even bought it was a mystery, but so long as he can heal... every bit helps him, cause I can't abandon him... I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did." Love you always Rage Quit
3 Shoppers of Rage, A Nightingales dream (Sweet Nightingale)For the past 5 days it's been the same story, the same tale. I go in, Rage is there.. we talk and I go home flustered and with these emotions in my heart. Like each day a different emotion, sometimes I would go home and my entire body got warm from thinking about him. Even when I go out just to grab groceries was hard, cause his eyes, love and even himself was always in my head. But the days were dimming, until the weekend hit on the final day of school for the week and I let out a heavy sigh from it. Just glad for it to be over and that I can continue my life without him... as I thought. But even as the seconds went by, I can't even get him out. Knock Knock The door rang from the sound of hooves hitting the door. I rolled my eyes and groaned wondering who in Celestia was bothering me today. "I'm coming." I said trying to put on my kindest voice. Opening the door, I was met with a mare, standing at me... looking with utmost care in her. Her light blond coat, dark green mane and tail and even her clothing made her look just like somepony who was just here to be a pain. "Oh Nightingale it's SUCH a wonder to see you again!" The mare said nearly jumping for me when I held my hoof out in confusion. 'Who are you and.." Before my words could get out my mouth, she looked shocked to my totally not shocking answer. "WHAT!? You don't remember me? It's me... Dancing Thorn" Dancing said I still couldn't recall her... but then she began to ramble on about the first day and being the pony she met before. I've never met you in my entire life I looked at her but I could at the same time swear I knew somepony almost identical to her. "Oh that reminds me. some of my friends are heading for shopping, near the heart of Manhatten. We would LOOOOVE to have you there!" Dancing said and I rubbed my ears from how much the sounds and how loud she was getting was slowly getting on my nerves. "I'm so sorry I can't... I..uh...I... got work to do for school." I said trying to come up with ANY excuse so she would just leave me alone. "Aww, well.. I think I saw Rage and Bolt heading there, I was unsure if you would want to talk to them." Dancing said and my wings nearly sprang open but I was able to force them down. Why does that name bring these emotions out!? I muttered and Dancing laughed. I knew being inside now with this would be pointless. "sigh, sure I'll take up on your offer Dancing." I said instantly regretting it when she jumped up and down without noticing how childish she looked. "Get your stuff packed, like what you usually have and even some bits if you want something. "Dancing said as she waited outside and I grabbed my art stuff, book and even a journal I had.. in which I was writing a song in the pages. Then before leaving I grabbed a couple Oh I don't know a hundred bits in order to pay for some things. Grabbed a drink and locked my door and Dancing helped direct me to where we needed to go. "Everypony was like, oh she is gonna hate it, OR don't bother her. But I decided that I wanted to bring you." Dancing said as I simply had my mind drifted again, But she kept walking and I took a sip from my drink and then she turned and asked me. "So what's going on with you and Rage?" PFFFTH! I immediately spat out all the drink out of my mouth firing it off to anypony in front or the grass in front of me. "AH, what do you mean!? Were just ponies in the same class." I said and Dancing looked at me and chuckled. "Oh Nightingale, you don't have to be so sour. I can see it from a mile away, you love him don't you?" Dancing said and I turned my head and scoffed but inside my heart was beating faster and faster. Get him out of your head, you don't love him! I said to myself but my heart didn't want to listen me. It was like without him, seeing his eyes and being around him, was like tearing me inside. "I just see him as a friend nothing more, my emotions are only cause SOMEPONY thought that we were dating." I said scoffing but inside that felt like I was stabbing myself with nails in my heart with every word I said. Dancing took one more look and then turned and sighed and continued to walk towards the station and after paying we met up with her friends. "Everypony meet Sweet Nightingale, that pony I was telling you about. Nightingale, meet everypony." Dancing and she introduced me to the 3 other ponies beside each other by the train entrance. There was the other Pegasus Lunar Dawn who was a painter and an artist, her coat was a light blue and her mane and tail were messy and almost looked like it had paint in it. I had to get her thoughts on my art cause I was lacking in words of inspiration. "It's SUCH SUCH SUCH a honor to meet another artist, tell me are you paper or one of those new digital artist!? Lunar said and I backed away almost terrified on what would happen if I spoke. Then there was another pony in the back who wore a dark black robe and looked almost like she wanted to tear into my soul or something. Her name was Sunset Moon a unicorn. Her coat was a dark red and her mane and tail was a dark black and the length was the shortest barely even reaching her body. She was apparently going to be a psychologist but based on her attitude she would scare more ponies than help. "Don't bother me unless you got a problem, even then I may not care." Sunset said and I felt a shiver go down my spine. For a pony studying to help ponies suffering with mental problems, she has a pretty weird way of saying it. Then there was the final one in the corner hiding behind Dancing a blond Pegasus who stared at me with almost fear in her eyes, her mane being longer than her body and had multi colors which made it almost intriguing to look at. "Oh and this is Starry Hope, she's... well shy." Dancing said and she moved Starry till she was right in front of me. "Hi, my name is Swee.." Before I even held my hoof out and went to shake hers, she got scared and backed away fearful.. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Starry screamed and my wings jumped in fear as Dancing walked to her and held her closer as Starry began to cry. This seems like how Bolt was with... Rage. I said to myself as Dancing held her whispering something maybe like. "Your safe, she's not gonna hurt you." Dancing finished whispering whatetever she was saying to Starry as she sniffled and came to me like a fearful pony and muttered. "uhh..m.m.m.my name..is... Starry... Starry Hope." Starry said and I looked with her and smiled. "Well nice to meet you Starry." I said smiling which was a shock and tried to speak in a light tone so she wouldn't get scared. "Alright, now that formalities are done, shall we get going." Dancing said clapping her hooves and I turned and saw Starry as she held Dancing's dress tightly and stayed close, not even moving a inch away. "Don't mind her Sweet, apparently Starry never had the best relationships." I turned shocked and jumped to see Moon staring at me as we walked. Where did YOU come from!? I said to myself and Moon looked at me. "You take long to think straight when your thinking about other. Psychology rule #56" Moon said as she walked away. Sigh, what have I gotten myself into? I said to myself as I prepared for whatever insanity I had coming. Getting to Manehatten wasn't hard or even a bad thing, I've been there multiple times to help shop for new art equipment even to grab new clothes due to the beauty that was here. Ponies around Canterlot called it the downtown Equestria, how or why was not my concern. "Lunar kept jumping and flying off to grab new items and laughing everytime Moon tried to come up with a joke. Starry hid behind Dancing and would whisper to her as she looked at me over time. "Moon, I need your help lifting this!" Lunar said and when I turned my head she a giant painting canvas beside her and nearly made my jaw drop. Is she THAT dedicated to art, like this in INSANE! I looked and said to myself as my ears dropped down and looked only in pure horror as they tried to get it out the door. "Where you even gonna put that in your place, you share a dorm?" Dancing said laughing and Lunar laughed back exclaiming that her Ponymate doesn't care so long as she keeps her work out of her work. I laughed simply at how chaotic everything was and nearly was gonna go and do some of my own shopping and then realized I had no idea what I wanted. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEY!" I heard a stallion's voice call out and when I turned my head I both blushed and stared in complete horror. Oh no, no,no,no,no.. this CAN'T be happening! I cried in my head but there was Rage screaming and waving his hoof in the air like a mad stallion, cause he was! Then there was Crimson who was simply looking at Rage and looking back with instant regrets. "Do you know them... or wait, it's Rage!" Dancing said and I groaned and covered my face with my wing as they ran towards us. "I didn't know you were here also?" Rage said laughing and I lowered my wing but the second I saw his face, my heart jumped. "Oh and who is this?" Lunar said and leaned closer to Bolt but he backed away. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Bolt screamed scared and I noticed Starry immediately perk up and look at him with almost like she knew what he was going through and I saw on the corner of my eye a tear forming from her eye.. Did she just cry cause of Bolts outburst? I muttered and Moon turned and put her hoof on my shoulder. "I'll tell you later, if Dancing or Starry doesn't tell you." Moon said as she simply walked away but I heard her sniffle from it. What are you all not telling me? I thought to myself as I turned my head back to all of them talking and Bolt slowly opening up, even Dancing and Rage talking and laughing. A sense of anger came in my heart and I knew what this was... jealousy. NO! I don't love him! I said to myself but my heart kept screaming otherwise till it was making this get old. I walked over closer and when Rage saw me, I noticed he was stuttering to come up with the right words to say. Was he... no, that would be stupid. I shook my head denying that he had feelings cause he was just weird and that was it. "So why don't we all split in groups, Let's see, Me, Starry and Lunar let's be group one, Uhh, Moon you like to be alone so you be group 2." Dancing said and I knew exactly what was going to happen. No, no no no.! I muttered to a pointless cause as she pointed to me and Rage. "And you will be group 3." Dancing said with a slight smile and I wanted to buck her so hard she would realize what she is doing. "I... want to go with Crimson." I heard a quiet voice and when I turned my head I noticed it to be Starry, finally 2 inches from Dancing. "Are you sure.. are you okay with that?" Dancing said and Starry turned and nodded. "Crimson, make sure to take good care of her, you can be group 4" Dancing said and almost treated Starry like she was her daughter. Crimson and Starry left not saying a word to each other, while Moon walked away slowly and upon reaching a safe distance opened a portal and was gone in a instant. Lunar and Dancing left not long after and then it was just. "Sooooo, what do we do?" Rage said and I let out a eep as he turned and was really close to me. He's WAY to close... but.. it feels nice.... My mind drifted slowly, but I finally came to the realization of it. AGH! I don't love it.... this is some nightmare, some cruel painful nightmare! I screamed to myself, but Rage just stared and then began to walk. "Well, you coming or not?" Rage said and I gasped and trotted to him, keeping a good distance from him to I didn't look like I was dating. Rage kept on ranting and raving about his apparent new game and his progress, but my heart kept enthralled in his walk and even his laughter. I felt... close to him. "Uhh, Nightingale, are you okay?" Rage said and by the time I snapped out of it. I was 2 inches from him, almost leaning on him. Ah! I screamed in my head as Rage turned and I expected him to back away, but he didn't even move. He blushed and I turned myself to just see himself simply in shock. Get yourself together Nightingale, STOP trying to think your dating him... this is got to be some kind of spell he is doing to me, there's no other way. I screamed in my mind and wanted to move but it was like my hooves couldn't. "Oh I just slipped and fell on you, sorry for that." I said and Rage stared at me with those wonderful eyes... he could stare at me all day and I wouldn't.... I immediately caught myself and pushed Rage away and shook myself off from these emotions. "Why don't we split up, I actually need to grab some stuff in the art sections." I offered but Rage after dusting himself off looked at me with confusion. "Were a team remember, so as a team we need to... stick together." Rage said and my wings sprang out and Rage nearly got a wing to the face as he looked with complete shock at me. I sighed knowing trying to fight to not be together would be pointless I just nodded and even HE looked shocked at my reply. He nodded and we simply walked, but neither one of us spoke or said a word to each other, even if one of us sneezed the other wouldn't talk. Well this is the most awkward shopping day ever. I said to myself and Rage simply looked in a daze like he was unsure on what to do. We walked down different shops and I would grab my stuff like new paint, brushes, canvases (That weren't the size of a Alicorn like Lunar did) or even some new clothes. Rage simply didn't say nothing still and I started to get a little uncomfortable by it. "So, what do you draw?" Rage finally spoke and I turned eager to spill everything not due to emotions but because I loved to talk about my art. But Rage turned around and noticed what looked like other ponies muttering so he stared back at me. "Why don't we go somewhere to grab a bite and then we can discuss more." Rage said and I took another glance and nodded and I finished up and he led me over to a little café near the edge of Manhattan. The name read, "Autumn's Blaze Café" with a nice blaze leaf mark behind it. The interior was pretty . There was not a single pony in here and looked almost barren and upon entering he simply told me sit down. "Autumn a regular and a classic for the mare." Rage said and the barista apparently Autumn looked and sighed and went into the3 back. Rage came and sat down on the other side and then we just looked at each other... not a word being said. The barista pony came brought him his drink and then handed me what smelled like tea. "Here you are, a coffee, 8 sugar 1 milk and a classic lemon tea." The barista said as she walked away smirking and I just looked at Rage shocked on how he could drink a coffee with that much sugar. "I just wanted to get us away from there... ponies don't like our type in there." Rage said and I looked confused to what he meant. "What do you mean, "Our type"?" I asked and Rage looked around and making sure nopony could hear us. "Ponies in Manehatten are all about putting your mind first to style and other things. If your not dressed pretty or acting like them, you'll be treated like a outcast here. Me and Bolt come here often to grab new gaming stuff and even gaming equipment and usually get looks like that before." Rage said and I just stared and wondered why ponies do that, but remembered that Canterlot does that also. If you didn't have the money, they would treat you like you were nothing. "But I really want to hear your art, I actually am curious" Rage said and my ears perked upwards and I began to get very nervous and started to blush. But I remembered that I packed some stuff and pulled out my old artbook and began to browse through the pages and showed him what I used to make. From old ponies together, backgrounds and even different art ideas for myself like mane ideas and even designs for my tail. "These are old sketches, they are pretty ba.." Before I could react or finish Rage grabbed my book and began to browse through it, scrolling through each art almost with a sense of enjoyment from it. He then stopped at the one I drew the day of college with the 2 ponies by a sunset and I believe he must've figured out that it looked like him, cause his face went red like a tomato. Quick hide it before he looks at anymore! I said to myself and I ripped the book from his hooves and stuffed it in my bag, not minding what it wrinkled up in there. "So, you draw yourself more?" Rage said and I gulped and nodded. But instead of laughing or even making a harsh compliment, he just began to laugh. "Those are so cool! The details, the emotions, the story. You are truly talented Nightingale." Rage said as he got louder and the Barista had to come over and knock his head so he would quiet down. "Oh come on, there's barely anypony even here!" Rage said and Autumn walked away and I laughed. "T..thank you, though I am not that impressive." I said as I took a sip and found the taste just right... almost perfect. "We'll you just have to keep trying right?" Rage said as I chucked and we ended up talking bout college and even our lives before all of this. "So your a game developer in training and you are working with Bolt to make a video game?" I said as I took the last sip of my tea and observed Rage who was on his 25th. How much coffee was that and also how is he even able to do that without going into a sugar rush!? I muttered at the end I ended up blurting out sugar rush. "Yeah, he wants to call it something cool like Equestrian Legends or something like that... I just don't do the whole name part so I left that to him." Rage said with a deep sigh that made me curious on why. "Do you mind me if I ask you a serious question Rage?" I said regretting what I am about to say but of course Rage asked me what's up. "Do you know why Bol...." Before the words came out I heard the door open and 2 ponies standing near the door. It was Bolt and Starry. Bolt was drenched and Starry was crying and looking very scared. "Are you 2 okay?" Rage said coming closer to Bolt and I got up and walked to Starry, being sure to be careful to avoid her from getting scared. "We... attacked, water... ran... safety, café." Bolt was going about something and I stared lost as Rage walked over to him and comforted while I saw Starry barely soaked one drop. "Why don't you both sit down, you look like you are cold." Rage said I helped him set up a table but Bolt didn't sit with us but instead with Starry. Why would he be more to Starry than his possible brother? I thought but Rage wasn't angry but instead smiled. "Y'know, this is the first time he's actually been able to be that close to somepony new when he is in a trigger." Rage said and the word trigger made me wonder what he meant. But I ditched the thought cause it most likely was some kind of anger thing. "So, how did you 2 meet?" I said and Rage nearly dropped the cup he has in his hooves and gave a pale look on his face. "It's none of your business how!" Rage said stern and my heart seemed to almost crunch up from being so foolish in that. Rage soon went to the bathroom from all he drank as by the time we reached the 2nd hour here. He had gone through 25 cups of coffee which made my stomach feel like I wanted to throw up cause on how externally reckless that was. Then I was alone at the table while Starry and Bolt just watched each other and even showed their cutie marks. I wish Rage and I could do that... The thought caught my mind and I shook it out. I grabbed my journal that was shockingly still in my bag and opened it to the next open page. I began a slight draft of what Starry and Bolt looked like as they sat together when I noticed Starry watching me, with wide eyes. Okay, that is just creepy. I looked at Starry and then she got worried and turned her head back to Bolt where I could see her almost smiling . Which was different from her sad face that she had since I met her with Dancing. She simply felt calmer like her aura was more happy where she didn't feel like she was suffering. We all sat there for around 10 minutes before Rage came back looking pale as the clouds. "Ugh, that is the last time I decide to drink that much coffee." Rage said and I bursted out laughing from it. Rage simply watched as Bolt laughed also and I saw as Starry just looked and was confused. "We heard what happened, who hurt Starry!?" A voice screamed and by the time I turned my head, Dancing, Lunar and Mystic were at the entrance and Dancing saw Starry looking and near Bolt and her expression grew angry from how her eyes narrowed and her hoof was shaking. "You get away from her... NOW!" Dancing said stomping her hoof causing Bolt to shake and begin to mutter to himself. Rage nearly shoved me away as he stormed right into Dancing's face. "You don't get to decide what happens here! You also will NOT raise your hoof OR voice so long as I draw breath in here!" Rage screamed making the entire place rattle from his voice and Dancing simply looked in almost fear. "C'mon lets get out of here Nightingale." Dancing said grabbing Starry and I could watch as Starry looked in fear as she and Bolt were separated. This is for the best, I am not in relations with him. This was just some cruel joke my body played... time to go home. I said to myself but my hooves wouldn't move. Why wasn't I moving, it was like my body was stuck between 2 lives. I turned to rage and my heart beat faster and my face began to blush and I felt myself begin to draw closer to him. I didn't even know what was happening until I felt something in front of me. Like fur, soft fur that made me feel happy.... giddy almost. "Uhh, are you okay Nightingale?" I hears a deeper voice speak and when my eyes snapped back to the real world and I looked up to see my face staring right into Rage's.... eyes. Those eyes... they could stare at me all day, the look... it was... amazing. "AGH!" I screamed as I threw Rage down and immediately ran out. I could hear the others calling my name and even ran after me, but I got flustered and opened up my wings and with one gust of wind, I was gone into the sky above. I flew faster and faster trying to get them out of my head, not caring or even wanting to look back. Upon getting home I opened and then slammed my door watching a photo fall onto the floor smashing on the ground and threw myself on my bed screaming into my pillow. "Why is this happening to me and only me!" I yelled into my pillow as I kept trying to release my fluttering emotions. No matter how much I yelled I constantly got even angrier at myself. I'm so stupid! Why didn't I just accept what was happening and leave it alone! STUPID emotions! I yelled at myself angry but then slowly calmed down over time until I began to cry as I wiped a tear from my face. But for every tear I wiped, 5 more appeared and by 15 seconds of crying slowly I was fully balling my eyes out. Why am I crying, I don't even care for him. I said to myself but that trick didn't work and I could feel my heart crashing like a bag of bricks. Why was I feeling like this, what proof showed my love to him. I muttered as my world span out of control from the cluster of emotions running through my head. I didn't love him, I never loved him... I didn't care for him! I screamed in my heart, but the words vanished and replaced with others. It got worse until I couldn't take it anymore and screamed at the top of my lungs and smashed the nearest thing beside me, that being... a portrait of my parents. I immediately looked in horror as the picture got soaked in water from the ground and paint that fell and my heart crushed from it. That was... my only picture. I cried inside as I said to myself and picked it up but the picture tore in half from the water that it absorbed. I let out the hardest cry I could ever let and fell to the ground. If it wasn't for the stallion, this wouldn't have caused this! I said to myself but there was no hiding it, not anymore... I loved him. My heart jumped 5 beats as I finally admitted it, but... why did I love him. I said to myself as I prepared to sleep, not throwing away the picture but instead carefully placing it to hang so I could try to recover it. But I had one final thing to do. I sat at my desk, prepping my journal... wait, where was it!? I looked in my bag, my saddle bag, the house and even outside...it was GONE!! No,no,no,no, NO! This CAN'T be happening! I screamed inside and wanted to fly all the way back to Manehatten to search for it, when I heard a knock on the door. "Nightingale, I know your home... open the door." A stern voice spoke and my heart skipped a beat. "I'm coming." I said trying to wipe my tears or to fix my mane but it was fruitless by the time I got to the door. Opening opening it I saw Sunset Moon staring at me, with those dead eyes. "May I come in?" Moon said and to my shock she simply looked at me and then let herself in. "Wait, what are you doing?!" I said and she turned around and said she was coming in. Wait, then what was the whole point in asking that question? I muttered and she turned again and said that she wanted to see if I was still mentally sound. I closed and locked my door and noticed her exploring my mostly dirty now destroyed house. "So it was that bad?" Moon said and I put my hoof down loud enough for her to notice me. "First off, why are you here. Second, what are you doing here?" I said and she sighed. "First off, you said the same question twice. Second, I came here to check up on you, you left in quite the hurry and it didn't seem good on you. " Moon said and I stared shocked at it. She used her magic and moved my chairs and even setting to a more pleasant atmosphere and then sat down on my couch and told me to sit down in the chair and I obliged curious on what is happening. "So I'm not here for therapy for you, I'm pretty sure you got the answers in your heart already. I came here to explain everything." Moon said and my heart jumped at how honest she was. "But why are you doing this? Why tell a stranger this?" I asked curious and she smiled, which made me shiver in my skin. "Your the first pony that I actually have seen to open Starry than just forcing it on her. She saw you as a friendly face, she was muttering you 3 while we were heading home. I had to make sure you knew the truth so you knew what you are getting yourself into." Moon said and my heart began to ache from the possible pain that awaited me from what she was going to say. "Now listen carefully, cause I am going to say this once, and ONLY once. What you take is what you take, I won't hide anything back not to somepony like you." Moon said and my body began to shiver. "What are you trying to say Moon?" I said scared on the reply to this. She simply grabbed a box of tissues and gave them to me as she leaned closer and stared at my eyes with a almost death look. "15 years ago, Starry was...."
Chapter 4 Darkened Stars (past) Starry Hope + (Present) Sweet Nightingale/Sunset Moon[Present[ “15 years ago, Starry Hope lived a horrible life, she was abused Nightingale, tormented… robbed of her life and even destroyed of any worth in her life.” Moon said and all I could do was stare at the eyes as Moon didn’t even blink an eye, It had to be a joke right? Like a ha ha joke to fool me…. Nopony would do that. But Moon’s eyes were dead set on this which made my heart crush like I could feel her pain. "Who, who did this to her?" My voice spoke but my fear caught up to me and I was only able to just sit there as everything was thrown at me like bricks. [Past] I watched as my parents looked in the mirror of my room, carefully seeing what was done to it... making sure it was clean. It's good.. they aren't gonna be mad. NO they will, you need to defend yourself! My voice muttered and my mother stared at me. "This room is clean, for once. Good job Starry." My mother said and then I felt a hoof come from behind knocking me to the ground, making my face smash into the concrete floor. "This room is pathetic! Look at the floor I can't see my reflection whenever I look down!" A male voice said and when I turned my head only to get another even harder I noticed my father standing over me with a blank stare. Why, I did everything you asked? I cleaned the floors with my bare hooves and even cleaned the beds and everything all by myself without anything? I said to myself hoping to explain why I was hurt... but it didn't matter, when he was angry... I was his target "Oh dear, stop.. you already made a mark, now how is she suppose to go and get us groceries.. or even my makeup?" My mother said and my stomach ached from it, they only cared about themselves, to them... I was the slave. I felt my body being ripped up from my mane which I winced and cried from in pain and felt myself being thrown a couple inches and then landed on the ground. "You heard the mare. MOVE!" My father said smashing his hoof on the ground and I ran out the door slipping and crashing into the grass outside our house. Why me, why am I always the one.... nopony cares for me. I said to myself as I walked over to the store to grab their stuff, knowing if I failed... I wouldn't be able to live in there another day. [Present] "Starry's parents were the main causes of her traumas. Her father Forgotten Legacy was a roofer, and a pony who only cared about himself even if it meant robbing everypony around him. Legacy was never home, he was always forced to stay out of the home where Starry and her siblings Artic Blaze and Lost Melody lived. But when he returned, he was abusing them, tormenting them with belts, whips, chains, locking them in the basement or even starving them. Starry was the worst as she was the second oldest and was treated as the mistake child. Her mother Stormy Melody was a performer and only cared about her public image, so long as she was given perfection and all eyes were on her, she didn't care who she had to stomp on to get it. She constantly was the one to deliver many of the verbal and emotional torture to her, always calling her some of the most horrid words that would crush anypony's heart within seconds. If Starry tried to fight back at ANY point in her life... sniff she would be lucky to live the next day." Moon said and the tears fell faster than the speed of how fast she spoke. How... HOW could a mother and father do this to their child... to ANYPONY!? My blood boiled but at the same time, it just hurt to hear this. "Is this why.. she is scared?" I said stuttering on some of the words and could hear my voice break from the crying and Moon nodding without saying a word. "Starry was forced to do everything, from laundry to cleaning the entire house or sometimes even to fake a illness in order for parents to get medical insurance without having to pay extra. If she ever failed at her task, she would get hurt, robbed of food or even locked out of the house for days... sometimes months." Moon sad and the tears flooded my eyes where it became harder to see. Why... WHY was she hurt!?" I yelled in anger and sorrow and Moon held her hoof out as she passed me something to drink to which I denied at first. But her expression, that blank stare made me realize she wanted me to drink to calm down, so I did and held the cup in my hooves and took a sip. It was a cup of tea... almost like how my mother used to make it when I was younger. "You need to understand Nightingale, Starry was not even supposed to be born, in their eyes... she is a forgotten child, a adoption they made and regret... a failure. That feeling, knowing that you weren't even supposed to be born, weighs heavily on a soul... it can also create torment on their soul for years possibly decades." Moon said and I only looked more in horror. Moon simply nodded and then turned and began to continue her story. [Past] Nightmares... it was always nightmares... no sleep, always scared... suppose to be their slave and never care. My mind raced further with each step there, ponies laughing being around others... where I had to cover up my wounds from the 2 ponies I was suppose to call my parents. Getting there was harder than anything, Sometimes I wished that my nightmare would end, either by the conventional way... or by running away and never going back. That dream became a fantasy over the long years of knowing that escape was something I could never achieve. Getting to the store that they wanted me to go was not far or even hard to get to, but watching ponies gawk and stare at me... the looks, they brought fears to my spine. Do they know, are they going to hurt me.... RUN... run and don't look back!! My mind said and when somepony asked me if I was okay, I yelled at the top of my lungs to get away and galloped away with speed that even a Pegasus would be jealous. They are always watching me, ready to torture me the second they get.... I need... no... I MUST be alone. Present "I must escape this tormented nightmare." Moon finished her next part and I lifted my hoof in complete anger and smashed it on the couch hoof rest which sent a shiver of pain through my body. But it didn't matter, the pain that I endured from hearing that, made that pain go away. "Starry would constantly be afraid of anypony getting near her, just for me and the others to even be hoofs distance to her took over 4 years. I once read her journal when she was asleep in order to get a better view of her mind... but what I saw, that horror, scares me to admit, broke even my calmness." Moon said and I clenched my teeth but she lifted her bag and pulled out a bunch of pages from it, which came floating towards me. "What is this?" I said angered and she stared at me, "Whenever my eyes are closed, the visions return. A hidden prophecy foretold." Moon said in a light tone compared to her stern voice and I looked confused. "Look at the pages. Lies told like the wages of the casino board." Moon said and I came that she wished for me to see the pages. The first page was exactly as her words spoke, there was a pony in black scratched out by the face and then beside it was another pony the same way, there eyes leaking a black ooze and then another pony lying down in the middle scared with bruises. Was this Starry's visions? NO, It had to be her nightmares. I held the second page and saw a paper beside casino chips while a picture of a birthday card looked like it was soaked in a red colour. This... why is there a card. No... they didn't abandon her birthday in order to spend the day with themselves than her? I muttered but the realization that it was true hit me harder. "When I cried, my tears dried up like the desert during the end of times." Moon said and I switched to the next page, to see a desert.. barren and without life. A pony in the middle crying without nopony else and the tears steamed up from the heat. No... I can't, these hurt. I muttered but Moon looked at me. "When I die, there will be nopony to ever say goodbye." Moon said and I shook unable to see the final page, she repeated it but I couldn't I just dropped the pages and they fell only for Moon to levitate them in the air. "The truth is like fire, we want to know it all... but we tire from the burns." Moon said and flipped the pages around to show a completed picture of Starry... burned all around her body. "This... is sickening! Why are you doing this!?" "Sometimes Nightingale, the world can be cruel, filled with darkness. Where we believe that it’s wonderful but is plagued by lies.” Moon said and my anger rose more to her. “But why me.. why show or tell me any of this!?” I said yelling and her eyes perked in tears. “Cause I believe you can help her.” Moon said and my eyes shot open and my ears fell down. (Help her… but why me?) the question ringed in my ears like fire… but at the same time I felt this pain like I could cry.. but no tears would fall. “I shall make my leave, but before I do… I want you to take this.” Moon said and threw me a book simply titled Desolation. “The truth Nightingale is hidden between these pages. For who the author that wrote this book. Well I believe you already know them.” Moon said and I turned the book to find Starry, with almost a fake smile scared out of her mind in the picture. Moon left after I told her I will do my best. “Our best is the greatest wish she can ever ask for.” Moon said and then something hit my mind. “How did Starry and Dancing meet!?” I screamed and she turned her head and walked back. “That Nightingale I don’t have the answer for. Apparently she accomplished her dream and ran away… but after that, she never speaks of it.” Moon said and I wanted to call out a lie, but her stern voice and cold eyes told me that this was no lie. Upon leaving I opened the first page of the book and stared at the pages that seemed to be different compared to other books. The wording was almost like it was hoofmade and there was no art, simply a black page with the words of the title on it. I stared at the contents in the book and cried heavily at the sights of what I was reading. [Past] My dream soon to be a reality, not bound anymore by the captivity of control. As the night began to rise I could hear their voices. The parents were sleeping and this was my time, there was no other time they came like this. Thankfully drugging ponies with sleeping pills helps a lot in keeping them out for the count. I held my bag on my wings wincing form the pain but didn’t care as I grabbed what I needed, bare essentials. Clothes, my books and some food was all I needed. Once I had it all, I turned my head to the door picking the lock and then with one click the door swung open. “Your really leaving?” A female voice spoke and when I turned my head I saw my sister Lost Melody staring at me still with the burn across her hoof. “You know I can’t stay here Melody, there is nothing here for me.” I said but the nightmares came and I winced from the pain dropping my bag to the floor only for her to levitate it in the air. “Then I will not stop you, I wish you the best Starry.” Melody said and I smiled wanting to hug her, but my body wouldn’t move and she nodded and stared and smiled as I opened the door and walked out. The fresh air, it felt almost welcoming to me… like I could breath without fearing of losing it. I quickly held my bag in my mouth and galloped away, as fast as I could go, not looking back or shedding a tear. Once I got about a good hour away, I finally dropped my bag and looked up. “The snow is pretty today isn’t it dear?” A voice spoke behind me and I jumped in fear and nearly collapsed. “Oh I’m sorry for barging, but you looked like you’ve never seen snow before.” The voice spoke and when I raised my head I noticed a mare looking at me, maybe around her mid elder years a unicorn somewhat almost like a older version of her. “What’s your name dear?” The mare said but my mouth wouldn’t move… like something taped it shut. “Would you like to come to my place, I got food and a warm place for you?” She said and when she lifted her hoof I screamed for help, crying and begging for her to not hurt me. All I saw from her then was my mother. “Go… go.. GO AWAY!” I screamed and she looked at me. “Do you mind if we go somewhere to eat?” She said and I wanted to refuse but my body ached from no food and I nodded somberly as she smiled and led me to a small little coffee shop. There were to many ponies… too many… eyes everywhere… they saw me… hurting me. Had to leave… had to leave. My mind raced further and further with each second they saw me. “Can I have 2 classics please and a bagel for the mare?” The woman who brought me here said and the waitress smiled and nodded while she picked a seat for us in the far back. “So you never gave me your name?” She said and my eyes keep looking for exists or what everypony was doing. She was grabbing coffee, the stallion won a lottery, the other stuffed a jacket into his bag. “S…Starry Hope.” I said and then eeped at the realization that not even 1 hour after I left, I already told somepony my name. Such a great runaway I am. I muttered and she looked at me and have a slight laugh. “Starry Hope sounds like a wonderful name, you must be destined to bring hope to the world.” She said while laughing harder which made my eyes grow dim. “Oh sorry for my rudeness, my name is Rosemary… like the plant.” Rosemary said and I liked the name but confused on why the name of a plant for a ponies name. “So why did you run away?” She said and I jumped up from my seat and looked at her angry. “What is it to you!?” I yelled and everypony looked confused and then I sat back down. “Look, I know something must’ve happened where you felt alone and broken to leave. But your young… don’t throw it all away. You have a future waiting for you.” Rosemary said but my anger for what those 2 monsters did made my blood boil. “You don’t know the half of it.” I said furious and then my back of my mind knew this was the first time I ever spoke more than 3 words. Rosemary looked at me once more and then sighed. “I can help you, give you a place to stay and even food and clothes for you. But that’s up to you, I wish not to continue this fight if it will result in needless arguments.” Rosemary said and I looked back at her as she began to write something on a piece of paper. “This is my address, if you ever want to come and visit and stay for a bit Ms. Hope you are more than welcome to. But I shall take my leave, it was a honor to meet you, I hope to see you at the top of the hill." Rosemary said and a slight tear fell down my face which I wiped quickly and she left. NO... I am better off alone, I am always alone. I said to myself as Rosemary left and I stared at the drink that seemed to not have cooled down, or even had reduced from the scolding heat that it came when the waitress brought it as. Did she use her magic to keep it hot knowing I wouldn't drink it? I thought to myself but ditched the ideas as I left the drink there and got up to leave.. I needed nopony, as I was alone before so I shall stay alone. Opening the door I was met with cold snow and freezing temperatures something that would freeze a young filly in seconds, but to me it was welcoming. I simply watched the snowfall hitting my light blond coat and the heavy wind blowing my mane around the place. I simply took one of my ties within my bags and tied my mane to the best I can and then turned my back away from the cafe and turned away to walk into my unknown future. [Present] "The days grew cold as I welcomed the unknown future... sometimes the wind was colder than the heart inside of my chest. But I know meeting her was the greatest....." I said as I finished the page only to find it unfinished and it ended on a mysterious note. Like who was this mysterious her and what happened after Starry left... the questions laid on my mind, just as I was about to sleep and lay my head down... I heard the last thing Moon told me. Cause you believe I can save her... I don't even know where to start. I just hope, she'll open to me enough so I can learn this truth that is hidden... her past lies the key to her salvation I muttered as my eyes grew heavy and with one last gasp of air I fell asleep.
Chapter 5 Thorns of Falsified Love (Dancing Thorn)“HEY WAIT!!!” I screamed as I ran for Nightingale but by the time my words escaped my mouth she was gone into the clouds and who knows where else. I watched as Rage and Bolt looked at me and I gave a death look unwilling to see Rage for hurting Starry like that. He was going to pay if it was the last thing I did. “How DARE you hurt Starry like that, do you have any idea what I have done for her to even be like this!?” I yelled blood boiling as I stared at Rage who didn’t even move no matter how loud I got. It was like he’s seen this before. “What gives you the right to come in a sacred place for me and Bolt and treat it like you own the place!?” Rage yelled and as he stomped his hoof on the ground I could almost feel the ground underneath me shake from the force. The others looked scared from Rage's outburst and it made my heart drop from why he was doing this. It was almost out of character that it made the feeling any worse on me. Starry AND Bolt looked in utmost fear and I saw in Rage’s eyes a fire of hate towards me. But at the same not hate but more fear… but why fear? I scoffed as I left with Starry as Rage tended to Bolt and I watched him give him a almost brother atmosphere which made me sniffle a bit… NO, I shouldn’t be sniffling for him. What made him more special than me!? I just left and slammed the door behind me with my forehoof causing a loud bang which resulted in me shivering from the pain and startling Starry. “That Rage just made me so angry, what made him more special than me and you..?” I scoffed after finishing my sentence and Starry’s eyes seemed to look lost like she was broken from losing something. “That bolt was kind, why did you yell at them?” Starry said as she walked right beside me sniffling from finishing her sentence. I didn’t feel like I needed to explain why as the motive was obvious to even her, but I still felt it was right to. “Starry sometimes you find friends like Nightingale and then you sometimes find ponies like those 2. Those 2 are only there for themselves and that’s it.” I said but inside it felt more like a punch in the gut for me. “Oh, okay.” Starry said as she wiped a tear and then walked ahead of me her wings rubbing tightly against her coat. It’s okay Dancing you did the right thing, you got them out of your life. Just forget about them. I said to myself as I turned my head behind to see the café long gone, replaced by shopping houses and other things. Upon walking for around a good 30-35 minutes we arrived back at the station where the others were waiting for us. “That was quite the event, I heard what happened from Sunset Moon over there, though her method of it was different to other ponies:” Lunar said as she looked at Starry who was still feeling down ever since it happened. The mood change made the entire area feel more down than anything until Sunset cleared her throat. "If you all don't mind I got places to be and ponies to see." Sunset said as she turned her head towards me and then her horned glowed and then with one flash of light she was gone and then it was just us three. Lunar stared at Starry as she only could just stand there eyes barely moving and unable to speak much. "So I shall leave you two alone, I have to get unpacked and get ready for school tomorrow. We have a big day tomorrow huh Dancing?" Lunar said but no words came out of my mouth. I didn't know what was the best thing to say right now and I feared saying the right thing may not work for everyone else. But I turned my head and nodded and with one flap of her wings she was gone into the air and carrying all of her stuff which made my eyes widen from it. Then it was just me and Starry alone in the middle of the busiest section of Manehatten. I turned to her and decided to head home from all of this and with one glance to Starry, she knew what I meant and turned around and we began our journey back home in Canterlot. But Starry never stopped looking around like she was waiting for somepony, like something was on her mind. "So, how you doing Starry?" I said and it seemed to catch her off guard cause she jumped and lost her train of thought. "Oh.. yeah, right. I'm doing good, yeah yep... nothing wrong here." She said and it shocked me more that she spoke but more that she spoke more than 5 words. Train rides and groups of ponies were okay with Starry these days as she grown attached to me and had been able to study her coping skills from her "many" sessions. But when we arrived closer to home she began to shake uncontrollably. Are you okay? The words I said in my head but never came out of my mouth... why didn't it come out? I shrugged it off and opened the door and Starry trotted inside quietly and we took off our shoes and I hanged up my dress on the hanger beside the door and then we went inside more. "Were home!" I screamed loud only to be met with dead silence and no replies. "Were in the living room Dancing." A female voice yelled out and when I got closer I found it to be my mother "Withering Melody." She was laying beside my dad "Royal Orca," which when I turned my head more I noticed they were just sitting down and doing nothing. "Ah there you are, I was wondering how long you'd take. Manehatten square didn't give you any trouble did it?" My mom said and I said no but she got up and looked at Starry. Upon seeing the mess in her mane and dress her eyes grew in anger. "What did I tell you about getting your clothes dirty, you know how much that one of a kind equestrian royal silk costed me!" My mother yelled at Starry and I saw as Starry looked in complete fear. I wanted to say something, but the inability from the fact that this was my mother held my voice from speaking up to this as she yelled at Starry and I could see her slightly tear up. After the yelling that my mother gave her, I could almost feel the wrath my father had but I stopped it with a simple cough and then turned to Starry and told her to go and get changed for dinner. Is this all I can do, just pretend this isn't happening and roll on my back and lay down not say anything? I said to myself as Starry left but not until my father got up and called her name in almost a yelling tone which even caught me off guard. "We left your food in your room Starry," My father said and beyond I could even open my mouth Starry left upstairs in a frenzy. "Come dear, you must be hungry. Sit down and eat with us." My mother said and my stomach twisted with pain as I awaited Starry to return only to hear the door close upstairs and then for their to be complete silence for the next 3 minutes. I grabbed my food and noticed it to be packed with everything from rice to hayburgers and even a nice cup of apple cider. But I didn't eat and just stared at my food thinking about everything that happened today. I just got up and turned around and when my parents weren't paying attention I brought my food upstairs and then knocked on Starry's.. "door" which was just a bed sheet nailed above it. I opened the door and saw Starry laying on her bed doing nothing. Not a single peep or a whisper in her not even the sound of breath could be heard. I sat beside her and passed my plate and she stared at me curious and pushed it away. "I'm not hungry sis, besides you need to eat anyways." I said as I felt my stomach growl from it but I didn't care. Starry needed to eat and if that meant going without for a day, than it was worth it. "T..t..thanks sis." Starry said I instantly jumped out of my daze if you count rejecting my urge to eat as a daze. She just turned back to her books and from the corner edge a artwork that nor me or anypony else saw. I went to grab it when Starry jumped and grabbed it before I saw it. "What is that, whatever it is, it looked quite cool." I said as I tried to hold her hoof for her to let it go slightly, but Starry didn't even budge a centimeter. "Dear will you come downstairs please?" I heard my mom scream from downstairs and I watched as Starry's ears flopped downwards as I watched her walk away. Was this really alright? Was I ok with doing this, hiding Starry like some kind of.. of freak. I... I don't know, what if I forgotten that love tha I had for her when she and I met? I watched as I walked downstairs and then walked beside my mom as she talked schooling. "I know this is the right choice, she can't hide forever, that's WHY she took her in isn't it?" My mom spoke as I watched only in a curious look of what was happening. "Ah Dancing, could you get Starry for us?" My mom said as I called for her and within 3 seconds she was right in front of me. "Your father and I have decided to put Starry back in school. to hopefully finish her education." My mother spoke and I nearly dropped my mouth a I saw Starry's eyes in fear as she backed away. "But why, the doctors and I know she isn't ready for such a leap. She's barely able to keep calm in front of others and you want to throw her into school. Have you lost your minds!?" I yelled at them knowing if she went to school, she wouldn't be able to stay under control, especially with the fact that we are in 2 different classes. "That is not of our worries, we are here to only shelter here and then once she reaches the age of adulthood to let her out into the real world. Getting a education will help her with achieving A job and then a home for herself. This isn't up for negotiation, she'll start first thing next week." My father spoke as I felt my stomach clench and Starry grew scared as she left for her room as soon as she was excused. I ran right behind her only to see her crying, a first for me and possibly even her. They don't see it, she can't be outside like that. It already took a long time to just get her IN the community. Now they want to throw her into school!? I didn't even go into her room and ran into mine and slammed the door thinking of what Starry could be thinking of right now. I wanted to punch my wall but decided no on it, knowing it would hurt like crazy, and just laid on my bed. Is there nothing I can do, is this all I am good for? Just laying down and accepting whatever they decide for me or others? I thought to myself as I laid down and then with one deep breath, I feel asleep... thinking only of what will happen next week. I couldn't change what would happen, all I can do is change the future for her... and myself.
The chains that lied to meBinding chains A unknown pain reattained. Forever alone, believing it will be betrayed Deny it’s glowing hope Rowing down the sea Of forgotten souls How did she never see the ties Believing she could keep the lie. Her thorns were meant to be alive But why do I feel like I was denied They tell me that the world isn't cold How come, I feel like I could never atone For the sins that, I burned from my heart The memories forgotten Till I am torn apart Separated between two lives One alive The other.. destined to die Never to be revived My story may never be seen But I can say what it's been Split between right and wrong Never shown what I was meant to see
6: A star in the sky (Sweet Nightingale)I felt my entire body feel more sore than anything ever in my entire life. Nothing felt right and just moving made my bones crack from the straining. I didn’t bother with it and just turned my head over to my alarm clock to check the time only to notice I had 2 hours before I even had to get up. talk about being early. I said to myself as I groaned and tried to fall asleep only for that to fail instantly. I just rolled my eyes and got up and decided to do some things that I pushed for later cause I didn’t have the time to do every morning. First thing was actually showering for a longer time then just a quick rinse then leave. The warm water from the shower made my wings and entire body shiver from the shock and I let the water wash over my mane as I thought about everything that went on these couple days. Pieces of stories untold and even, many mysteries. It’s been almost a full 2 weeks since Moon came and told me about Starry’s life and birth, what transpired and also why she’s so scared and shy. With each drop words flooded my mind until I turned the tap off and walked out. The humming sounds of a mare voice caught me off guard when I opened my bathroom door I didn’t see anypony there. “Hello anypony there?” I said confused on why I could hear sounds and then a mare walked out of my room. “You really got to take care of this place more often Nightingale. You know your father and I put a lot of money into this place for you.” It was my mother (figure out mothers name) standing in front of my room with her occasional cleaning outfit on and a bright smile on her face. When I poked into my room I was shocked and almost horrified at what had happened. All my books were neatly packed and my art supplies were barely found almost like they never existed. Reminder, lock my room door with a new lock next time she randomly pops in. I muttered and she laughed as she came and hugged me. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen my artistic daughter. How long has it been, 1 month or 5 months.” My mother continued to guess and I sighed and turned to her. “It’s been 2 years since we last spoke and quite frankly I’ve wanted too but school had taken most time away.” I said and my mother's first was shocked to know how long it’s been and then she pulled out a small notebook and once I saw the cover I knew what it was. “You’ve sure been busy, I was wondering who this Rage Quit is. He sounds like a cute stallion for you to be all giddy about.” My mom said with a smirk as I rushed and grabbed the notebook and buried it within my wing. She laughed as I chuckled embarrassingly as I watched her walk over to the kitchen and showed me a big breakfast. “Come eat, we’ve barely had time to talk, you got 2 hours anyways before class starts.. I already counted it and planned your route. I even got your backpack packed and easy for wing travel.” My mom said eyes glistening and I groaned as I felt like she never really got over the fact that I was a adult now, not a little foal. But I couldn’t deny it, I liked the help once in a while when I am overwhelmed with work and getting a extra pair of hooves to help around made my life even easier. “You know what day it is Nightingale?” My mom asked as she grabbed her tea and drank it and then watched her add a little more sugar to it to my shock. “It’s November 23rd, why?”!” I asked as I looked back at the food trying to figure out where to begin. Layers upon layers of food from pancakes to some nicely sliced toast, some apples and fruits a salad and even some homemade bread covered my tiny table as I grabbed a piece of bread and ate it. “It’s soon reaching your fathers and I 25th anniversary. We would like for you to come and be there for it.” My mom said to my jaw dropping response as I put down my bread and looked. “You want me at your anniversary, I’m honoured but isn’t that for the lovers, not other family?” I said trying to understand the method of which my mother played with. But she didn’t reply back and gave me a card. “You can bring this card to anyone you want to come, sadly there’s only one ticket so please be mindful on your choice.” My mom said and within the card held 2 tickets one I presume for myself and the other was for a admit one. When I turned the card to see the place my heart exploded, the grand galloping gala winter ballroom. My eyes opened wide and my mouth dropped…This was insanity!!! I said to myself. “I shall get going, you don’t want to be late anyways. I also need to leave and get home before your father wonders where I flew off to. Love you dear.” My mom said as she hugged my still shocked body and mind as she opened the door and left. No words or emotions were said in the minutes that passed until I finally snapped back to reality. Holding the card I didn’t know how to say or reply back to such a giant honour on my hooves I just put it in my backpack and then decided I’ll find a way to give it to someone within the couple days or weeks or whatever. Upon packing the rest of my stuff cleaning up my room a bit and eating till I was stuffed I put my backpack on opened and locked my door and then with one quick sprint I opened my wings and flew to college. The trip wasn’t bad at all and I spent the time thinking again as moments where I’m alone or in areas or peace I can think truly. I thought about everything that I know of, from the previous couple weeks to a month that’s passed, everypony that I’ve met and also the emotions I felt. Before I could think anymore I saw the college and I descended downwards to see Rage and Bolt looking at me and smiling. Their expressions made my heart light up and I landed down smoothly as always as I walked over to them I saw Bolt talking to Rage and then pushing him closer to me. Does Bolt think we like each other? I thought about it but I did realize that I do show my emotions pretty easily. The sounds of other ponies plagued the area around us and we just walked over to our first class English and me and Rage sat down together... but actually we were still a little apart but by only 2 seats. As our teacher Dawn came in. The sounds of what could only be heard as papers rustling and the quiet breathing flooded the room until our teacher finally spoke. “Good morning class.” Dawn said and we all followed behind him saying back in unison “good morning.” Dawn simply wrote his name on the board as he did every time to remind us who was teaching us. “I have some amazing news, we have a new student who will be joining us. They are merely joining from another school and will be finishing college the same as you. You can come in now.” Dawn said as I stared at the door and then nearly lost myself the second I saw who it was. “Star..STARRY!!” I exclaimed as I shot out of my seat, as the chair fell to the ground hard. My eyes widened as she fell to the floor shaking and I caught myself before I did anything more rash… (if you can count making a complete fool of myself already something that was rash.) “There will be no screaming or breaking of school property while I am teaching Ms. Nightingale, is that clear?” Dawn spoke and all I felt in my stomach from then wasn’t shock or surprise for Starry being here like, how and why was she here? I knew she looked young but I didn’t expect her to be in this college also. I starred with a dead look as Starry didn’t reply to anyone or anything that and then sat in the very back right, which if I took the map correctly was right beside me. I didn’t even say anything or spoke a word and only stared at the shock that she was here. Starry was easy to notice with her multicolored mane and tail and her bright blue eyes. It was about as easy as trying to find a pony in a puddle. I didn't even comprehend the thought o seeing her after the last time, but I guess anything can happen from her being in our class. Rage and I sat there both jaws dropped but when I looked at Bolt he blushed and then instantly looked at Rage and then covered his face in his book. Where they... dating? No, they only knew each other for like one day. Snap out of it Nightingale, you can do this. I said to myself as I watched as Starry sat in the very far back left. Which was 5 seats away from me, and just sat there. "Alright, so Starry will be with us for the rest of this year, any students please be wary with her, as she has had some issues and may be quieter. This doesn't mean you can go lollygag and not bother doing your homework since we have a new student, homework is still due and I will be handing out marks today." Dawn spoke and I could hear the entire room groan, even Rage did. I could hear mutters, mumbles, moments of excitement and others of fear. When Rage got his he didn't even have a expression, he just sat it down and began to write in his notebook. When Bolt got his, I saw his face go pale as he didn't even talk, though did he ever. When Dawn got to me, he didn't speak. No words travelled his mouth as he dropped my paper beside him and I saw my grade. -0/100, see me in my office tonight at 4:p.m. My face lost color as I looked in utter horror at it, how did I get a 0? I worked hard, took the time, research properly and even found my own reliable sources when getting my data. I wanted to speak up, but I saw Rages' face on the corner of my eye which said to not even try and fight it. As the bells rang for the end of the day reached and I still sat in my chair. I watched as everyone who left going to whatever subject they had as late class, or even anything else. "You, got a message also?" Someone spoke and I didn't even notice as my mind raced miles way too fast. My ears raced with my own ringing as I shook the paper in my wing to the shock of someone's hoof on my shoulder. "Nightingale, you ok in there?" I heard someone speak again, to which I turned my head right hoping to see who spoke. I saw Rage looking at me confused at my lost expression from the message. "We got one also, so we asked if you had one also as you seemed lost. You also seemed well y'know defeated. Like the end of the world just hit you the flank harder than falling on it." Rage said as I continued to keep reading back and forth, looking at my paper and then Rage. "I don't get it, I studied, processed everything.... heck I even took my time making sure it was perfect. So how did I fail?" I said and Bolt walked to me holding his paper also which said the exact message and grade. "Bolt studied also, like he did it to points of insanity. Like seeing HIM fail was shocking to me and I had to make sure he didn't breakdown in anger." Rage said as I looked at Bolt who didn't say words, and based from his lack of voice anyways. I didn't bother with it and didn't even try to get him to speak anyways. But for a shock, I noticed Starry was gone, like hearing that she has social issues.. shocked that she was already gone. But I didn't bother much with it and all of us walked to Dawn's office, as we noticed him sitting down and sat in the chairs in front of him. I didn't notice it until I got used to the dimmed lights, and Dawn's chairs that I saw a 4th chair beside me which grew my curiosity. A, 4th chair.. but there is only 3 of us. "The 3 of you can come in now, sorry I can't provide chairs for you all." Dawn spoke and the door opened to all 3 of our jaws dropping.
7: Distrustful flames (Crimson Bolt)FAILED, how could I fail!? I.. I did everything right... so why? I said to myself as I looked back at the page, reading the front, back, edges and looked around for a note that would've fell saying Whoops, my mistake. But nothing, not even a note as I looked only in pure shock. I could feel my hooves shaking, my breathing becoming more erratic. I tried to hold my hooves still, but they shook as I began to mutter to myself. No,no,no,no,no... not again! NOT NOW!! I said hoping it would leave but no. I felt my mind split as I could feel a burning pain in my chest and wings, as I heard voices in my head. They screamed as I held my head down, while I kept shaking as I began to lose my mind.. again. "Failure, loser... never worth any life." The voices kept speaking as I turned my head to my brother as he looked only at the paper. I didn't even see him cry, not even one drop at it. He looked at me, to which I saw only a face of anger screaming the same words again, until I snapped out of it. I saw him nearly wanting to get up and I tried to give my laziest and most forced smile ever. Just pretend everything is fine, just pretend you are wondering for his scores. I muttered under my breath as I forced a creepy smile and he sat back down while watching me. I tried to suppress the voices and sometimes it was easier and others hard. But then I glanced at... her, Starry. She reminded me a lot of myself, so upkept, proper... and looked amazing. Rage saw my eyes look at her and then I could hear a clearing of the throat and I looked back at the teacher. "Alright class is dismissed, I will be seeing some of you after class. So don't be late." Dawn spoke and I heard my gut clench as I got up and began to walk away when a hoof touched my back which caught me by shock. "Where you going, you didn't show me your results?" It was Rage and I was already breathing heavily from the scare he just performed. I looked down and he apologized for it as I showed him my results. "Wow, you too... guess we both understudied... again." Rage said as he showed me the same thing I grew more curious as I decided nothing on such actions and watched as he went and talked with Nightingale again. Okay, officially they are getting it, like if they don't say anything about it. I'm gonna laugh here. I muttered as Rage spoke and then he turned to me and called for me to show my results. Yeah, if I didn't need any more destruction on my self confidence, then this will do it. I showed my results and Nightingale just looked as I felt my stomach run miles as I got up and walked away to go and look for Starry while I waited for Rage to come over and we would head to Dawn's office together. But Starry wasn't anywhere to be seen, she liked... disappeared into the void. Rage then called for me as we all walked together with Nightingale to Dawn's office, to notice him just waiting for us. I noticed the 4th chair and then.. we watched as 3 ponies walked in. I got spooked as I fell to the ground hitting the floor HARD and heard a slight chuckle from either myself or another. Inside came, Sunset Moon, Lunar Dawn and... "Dancing Thorn" I heard Rage mutter under his breath in anger as his eyes sharpened on her. "Ah, your all here, now I can give what I needed to say to you all. First off, I am sorry for the method of which I brought all of you here today. The school wishes for me to not be doing this as it would impact the rules of the school. But I believe you 6 would be perfect for this task." Dawn spoke again as I looked curious and confused at him as he opened the door beside his office and another pony walked in. "I wanted you all to be Ms. Starry's assistances with the newest class assignment due in a month's time. Considering you all have and or known her from somewhere. I believed you all would be great at this as I want you all to work together in general." Dawn spoke and no words, not even a single breath came out of the room . "So you want me to work with HER?" Rage spoke as his eyes darted for Dancing and her response was disgust towards him. "Don't think I forgot what you did last time you were with her. How can I trust an outsider, who doesn't know the life of popularity and classiness to handle helping her. Mr. Dawn, I speak of Starry but having those 2 would be dangerous for her. You and I both know her reactions to strangers." Dancing spoke on deaf ears as Dawn didn't want to hear any of it. "Your petty differences doesn't matter much to me in the long run. What I care for are results and everyone succeeding here and if having you all work together, albeit a risky move will grant that. Then I am willing to take that risk for all of you." Dawn spoke and the second the words left his mouth. I couldn't tell if he was being truthful, or just hated all of us and wanted to see us suffer. Like... everyone usually wanted me to. "So, you want us to work with her? I can see having assistance is useful Dawn, but in general we all have different classes AND on top aren't even in the same classes." I heard a voice speak and noticed it to be Sunset Moon, her face glaring with confusion at Dawn's plan. "I have my own methods to fix such errors and will be working around your times for this to work. For why I decided on you 6 is due to your personalities and set skills in general. Rage, you are well versed in technology, very charismatic and honest to the bone. This can be great to teach her some important things to pass her classes. Sunset, though you are more straightforward, act like a rock and focus on truth. You are easily the most knowledgeable in the study of psychology. That can be useful in teaching her some of the studies that are apart of this assignment." Dawn spoke as he looked at her and Moon didn't even smile. "Flattering" Moon said and I could feel the entire room shudder from the dead silence in that comment. When I looked at Nightingale, she looked down as Dawn spoke once more. "Nightingale, you are very.. well for ironically very sweet and gentle. Such personalities aren't found often these days, which can be useful in teaching. You and Lunar also have wonderful artistic skills, meaning you can help her in the visuals." Dawn spoke and then reached Dancing Thorn who didn't seem pleased with this whole "call out". "You Dancing are a mix batch of good and bad, but you know her the best. So I brought you to help her in general when the others can't." Dawn spoke and Dancing just scoffed blowing her mane from her face. "Now you Bolt" Dawn spoke and my gut clenched and I felt my hooves shake. "Though we have our differences in your constant outburst and endless appointments with the nurses. I believe you share a closer connection with Starry than everyone here from previous experiences and things I've seen. So I chose you to help with more emotional stresses during college here." Dawn said and I felt my heart drop as I sat in my chair, not moving or even saying a word. "Now to answer the whole assignment question. It's more a class piece where a group of 7 complete from different classes compete to win. Consider it a semi, talent show... make your class proud. At the school years end, the school gathers for it as each class shows off their skills. Since I know you all are apart of my classes in different times, I decided to flip the rules." Dawn said and all of our jaws dropped, "Wait, you want all of us to perform in front of the entire college in 8 months when we barely know or.. like each other?" Rage spoke as I looked down and began to shake slightly. Me...p..p...perform in front of EVERYPONY!!? Oh, I can feel my paranoia and stage freight coming back. I said to myself as my breathing increased and when Rage touched my back, I slowly calmed down. "Look, I'm gonna be honest with Bolt and his... reaction. None of us agreed and honestly, you never checked our skills and are putting lot of risk choosing us." Moon spoke again and this time we all nodded in unison. Dawn simply chuckled he passed us 6 new papers, to which I grabbed and noticed it to be 2 pages clipped together. One of them was a signature page for accepting the offer, he proposed and everything with it. The second was the test but with my actual grade. 89/100, but why... why hide this? I muttered as everyone else looked shocked and confused. "I'll give you till the end of the week, Bolt I would like to ask you to help Starry find her way around the college please. She had a hard time and I requested security to come and find her." Dawn said and Dancing's face grew red instantly. "Mr. Dawn I INSIST that you don't allow HIM to do it. He barely can even keep his composure with others. I can't trust him with someone like..." Dancing's voice was cut off to Dawn's clearing his throat, most likely annoyed with her outbursts surrounding Starry. "Ms. Thorn, do understand I know of her conditions and specified necessities, but to question my actions is to question yourself and Starry's choices as a whole. So please I ask that you all please think of what your choice is and I'll see you in a week. Starry and Bolt, you may leave." Dawn said and I quickly ran out as Dancing's glare nearly caused them to return. I snapped back as I told Rage I would meet him at the regular location. As we left Starry didn't say any words as I guided her around. "Uhh, here is the gym and over here is the library. Do you have any questions or concerns yet?" I said trying to keep a straight face, but I couldn't stop looking at her. Her face lit with either excitement... or despair, I wasn't able to tell. "So, why did you come to college, I know you weren't administered into here at the start. Your name would have appeared on the attendance from day 1. Just wondering... not being nosy at all." I said and then hit myself without her knowing. STUPID BOLT STUPID, now she's gonna think your invading into her personal life. I muttered as I didn't hear her talk back or even acknowledge me talking at al. "I.. I came.. cause, mom.. she said.. it.. ok for me to.. come to college" Starry said and I got caught off guard. Like even when we hanged at the cafe last time, she didn't speak and we just sat there. But she seemed happier than now, where the faint smile was gone. I didn't take anything of it until we walked back to the regular area which was the cafeteria, where I saw both Nightingale and Rage talking. "Ah, your done, I was wondering when you were gonna finish. I was just about to show Nightingale the thing we are working on." Rage said and I slightly smiled as I could see Nightingales face smile in intrigument. "Ah, Starry it's nice to see you again, I wanted to apologize for what happened last time, with the whole y'know.. fight. Truly, I do apologize for said action made towards it, I hope no resentment is made towards us." Rage said and a slightly smiled formed from my face, from his kindness. He was always kind, especially after... that day. Starry just formed a slight smile which I caught as I stared and then guided her to a seat as we sat down. "So Starry have you decided on if you wanted to take the option of participating. Me and Rage talked about it, and we would be excited to, especially with helping you in general with school work." Nightingale said and I smiled as Starry just looked down and slightly sniffled. "You..a..all, are too kind. Thanks, but.. I have to refuse, mom.. she'll be mad if I don't work... with her." Starry said and we all looked shocked. Her? Who would... be? I thought and then the cafe door swung open and Dancing, Moon and the others arrived. "Oh thank Luna I found you, c'mon we better get going or your gonna be late." Dancing said as she grabbed Starry's hoof which caught me as rude. "HEY! We're supposed to be working as a team and can't you see we were talking to her. Besides, we still have 30 minutes before we have to leave. Let us talk to her." Nightingale spoke up flustered and I didn't blame her. It was getting old of her cutting us off everytime we got some communication with her. "You don't get to say or do what you want with her as you please, you don't understand what she went through! THIS is why I didn't want to work with the 3 of you. All you do is cause more issues for Starry than good." Dancing spoke furious as the atmosphere grew anxious and tense. "Can't you all get over the petty differences and know we are here to help one pony, and to make our class proud." Lunar spoke as the area grew even more tense and I noticed Starry cowering away from everyone as she began to mutter to herself. This is like how I used to... back, when I... I thought as flashes of memories flooded my mind as I tried to suppress it again. The burns... the.. my wings, her face... the pains. But they came back, like wrecking balls. Everything... her.... the voices, the pains... I couldn't get it out. I fell to the floor screaming trying to remove them out of my head. I could feel them touching me, not Rage nor anyone... but hooves of the ponies I rid myself from. Screaming internally I began to scratch my face and skin, trying to rip them out. "HEY are you ok!?" Rage's voice screamed as I began to call for help as I got up and began to shake as Rage guided me to a chair. "SEE, this is what I warned you Dancing! All you care about is HER, not knowing your impacting others as a result of your selfishness! Let her choose for ONCE instead of dictating her choices for the thousandth time!" Rage screamed as I felt myself coming back slowly, as the voices faded away. Everyone was screaming and yelling at each other, some more intelligible than others. The rifts between us grew more distant, even if we weren't friends or enemies. "EVERYPONY STOP!!!!" Sunset screamed as she slammed her hooves down, silencing the entire room. "Don't you see we are fighting for someone else's choices.. we are destroying our friendships and one that can flourish for ourselves. Let Starry speak and decide her choice!" Sunset screamed her last part, as anger flooded her eyes in seconds. The cafeteria for once stayed silent as all our eyes jointed to Starry, who didn't have words. "I.. I.. I want to work, with Nightingale and the others, I want to do.. I want to be in... the performance." Starry spoke and my eyes and Nightingales and even Rage's opened. Dancing instantly tried to cover her words by stepping in front of her. "Starry don't be ridiculous, you can't work with them.. you know the promise what was made?" Dancing said and I finally pieced it together. "Your mother? She told you to work with Dancing didn't she Starry?" I said and Dancing eyes narrowed on me. "Whatever, it doesn't matter what promise or whatnot. We still have a week. Let's go Starry." Dancing said as Starry walked behind her and then ran to me and hugged me, catching me off guard. "Thank you, for helping me find my way and defending me last time. Sorry.. for this, but we may not speak again." Starry said quietly right in my ear where nobody would see it and then walked away as they left. "Well, we should... get going, but you have our supports to do the group project together, we shall be seeing you later." Lunar said as she and Sunset left, leaving just us 3 standing there, defeated. "What... just happened?" Nightingale said as she looked at us, who didn't even have any words. "I think, we angered Dancing... and most likely lost our chances on working on the project together." Rage said as I nodded softly, looking back at everything. "Wait, that reminds me, what did she say to you Bolt?" Rage said and I got caught off guard as I held back wanting to say it. "Oh, she just said she was thankful for the help." I said and Nightingale looked curious. "I'm just confused, you said mother... but she doesn't..." Nightingale spoke and then caught herself to which I caught on but I kept my mouth shut. I didn't bother speaking about it, cause it would reveal a lot that happened... especially that day in particular. "Well, we should be getting home.. OH I just found out Bolt that the college is giving you your own full room. I already moved your stuff this morning." Rage said as I stared shocked as one of the biggest thing I wanted was my own room. But right now I didn't feel like I deserved it, considering what just happened. Nightingale and Rage walked ahead as we decided to head back to our place, she reluctantly joined after Rage asked in a nice tone for once. But I stayed behind, thinking back to the flashes and memories that flooded my mind, what they meant and why they returned. I've considered myself a very normal stallion, if you can call having nightmares and flashbacks to my past normal. But I believed they were gone, considering the last major one was 7 years ago. But seeing them again, was a hard reality to face... knowing I will have to deal with them again. Upon reaching back, Rage and Nightingale... seemed to get close. Rage began to blush as he showed her his room, the gadgets he uses including his fancy computer he always brags about to me. "You 2 are very... secluded from society aren't you? Considering all the technology and well... equipment, you don't get a lot of visitors do you?" Nightingale said as I chuckled and Rage glared at me. HA HA, somepony had to tell him and who better than his apparent crush. I muttered and Nightingale looked at me. "I have to ask you Bolt something and this caught my attention throughout our experiences together, your trips to the nurses as Dawn said, your breakdown during the fight today. You suffer from something don't you?" Nightingale spoke and me and Rage kept our mouths shut. SHOOT! How did she figure it out!? Like, she can't know this... not now! I said to myself as I held my head in shock. "If I am crossing a line, please let me know. But I don't believe you just have a social problem Bolt, as many who do would express different symptoms. I think you suffer from traumas, where I can't be sure... and if this is true. It would explain so much that I and many others have seen. It would also help close in on why Dawn chose you to work with Starry as you share the same well experiences." Nightingale spoke and we were left speechless. "Hey Bolt.. you mind heading to your old room and finish packing up your stuff. I just need a minute with Nightingale and then I'll show you to your room" Rage spoke in a downed and defeated tone, compared to his cheerful and happy voice as I left "How much did you figure out..." Were the last words I heard from Rage before they were muffled out by me leaving. I walked into my old room and found a old box labeled From parents. I stared at it, curious from what the contents were inside, considering I never saw this box before. I didn't notice much of importance from old letters from mom and dad, to old game ideas and art and concept ideas I drew up. But then there was something in a dirty old letter labeled From mom. My heart slowly crushed as a tear shedded down as I saw beside it 2 items. One containing a old trophy that was won at the annual Appleloosa competition. The 2nd was a picture of Rage, mom, dad and... me. I opened the letter and began to read what it said.
Thank you Before you read this story I wanted to put this as a thank-you to the pony who saved my life during the low points of my life, her mission and what this book means to me. When I was starting my other books like Daring Do and many other rough drafts and my story in creating a little series which did not succeed. I met Fluttershy1124 on Discord via a casting call she posted to be the artist for it and needing the help I accepted not knowing this one action would change my life. She joined and helped in drawing many characters and also my original OC before I changed to Starry Hope. But before I met her I was in a state of extreme depression and pains mentally and with my transition I grew into this state of a low point of my life. But when I met her she gave me hope and a sense of a future and even helped me with never laughing, helping me, calling me the right way and even gave me advice to my future and never abandoned me no matter what. As she left the project for her own life goals I felt that her mission that she did helped me and she never abandoned herself and was there to keep helping me. When I came out she was supportive and even gave me advice for many things. Even comforted me when I was scared of my parents and even provided me a sense of never losing myself and always staying strong and never losing myself ever again. When I wanted to never come back, she helped me come back and I hold her in my heart and never will forget her again. Though things may happen and could separate us, I will never forget what she did to me. This story is the thank-you that I could never give and with many names, ideas, characters this story holds a deeper message. It holds a past about many people and even a view into Fluttershy's past and her goals and her many things she did to help those around her. Though I never met her IRL, I do believe I hold her in high regards. Yes many characters that you see may get confusing but this is due to a greater story that shall come in the future. Wings of Love is a name about the wings she holds that will never lose the love she gives to many. From one to another this means more to me than anything I could never think of. Being a writer and a artist in training I believed this was the best thing I can do and draw a story of her and her life goals and her future in order to bring the thank you that will never fade away. Thank you Fluttershy1124 for what you did to me and how you made me become the mare and the hope to myself and to my future that I was suppose to be. Starry Hope. Now you can begin dwelling into the story of ----> Wings of Love.
7.5 From mom (Faithful Heart)My sweet Bolt It's been 8 years since we last spoke, 8 years since we had the ability to see each other. 8 years since I was able to hold you, guide you to the unknown when you were scared. When you needed somepony to hold while you took your steps to school, I was there to help you. I remember the day you arrived home, scared and all bruised up... wondering where, you had to go next, wondering who would be there for you. I remember the selflessness your brother did, defending you and helping you no matter who stood in your way. The times we had to head to the doctors to check you up, see therapists for your mind. We stayed with you.. as that's what parents do, what we do. One day we wish to be there, to smile with you when you finally are able to forgive and forget what transpired all those years ago. When you stand on the pillar of champions we will be there watching and knowing WE did our part in your life. When you and Rage left heading to college, we were scared for you... worried you may feel alone and broken. Knowing and thinking that you had nobody in your corner beside your brother to save you. But you have someone, you have us.. to watch you grow, to see your successes and your fails. If you ever feel like you are alone and scared, know we are a simple phone call away and willing to hear your issues. One day we will soon pass, leaving only our wisdom and memories, to which you and your brother will rely on one each other. We love you and will never betray you, never lie or forget you no matter what. Remember what we always used to tell you. The smallest action can have the biggest impact on someone. From giving them a high five or saying hi. We all need that someone who looks at us and says "Hey, we see you and know you are awesome. Even when you are down, having someone to pick you up. Changes the personality and attitude of another and yourself. Solidarity is granted to those who stand with others, friendships are made when we see each other not by race or sex or looks. But by the fact we are all human and want to be friends. Never be shy to say hi or give someone a smile, you never know what they might do in repayment. We will see you the next time we visit or you are in town... goodbye Crimson Bolt Author's Note THIS is a chapter made... as a way to show this letter, but also... in reality this letter was something that when I first moved into the college dorms for a week, I received a letter from someone I called mother before my adoptive family. the words in this letter are exactly her words she said to me... and the expressions Bolt expresses during the sight of it and the picture nad trophy... match my own reactions to it. I hope you all enjoy sniff it... and stay safe...
