Back soaked, I floated, limbs spread out atop Luna Bay. A sense of familiarity washed over as I opened my eyes to a proper night sky. The crescent moonlight shrouded the region with its luminous smile. With my ears partially submerged, the rhythmic lapping of the water repeated while my mane and tail flowed free.

A curative feminine voice soon emerged from the countless multishaded dots. “I have never found it so difficult to enter one’s dream. Pray tell why that is?”

Bathing under the ethereal moon, I muttered to the animated nightscape. “You’re…”

“Please be aware that there’s no need for such formalities.”

Nonchalantly, I shot a rhetorical question. “Aren’t you retired?”

“I am, but it’s strange. This is the second time I find myself forcefully connected to you.”

“Then are you here to ‘help’ me with some problem?”

“I’m not sure why I’m here or where here is. Presently, I’m in a void of emptiness, thwarted by an impenetrable bubble. It divides me from your dreamscape, which I’ve never seen before. Surely, it most definitely has something to do with you. And my being here… perhaps my innate nocturnal summons could no longer disregard this ‘problem’ of yours.”

“Shouldn’t Princess Twilight be here too?”

“That doesn’t appear to be the case. Despite passing on that duty, I still harbor a strong attachment to that role. Your dream seems to have singled me out—the originator—for a reason. Where exactly are you, anyway?”

Peering back skyward, I glared straight into the crescent moon and gave my answer. “Don’t worry about that. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“What? Something is clearly wrong here. I can’t offer assistance if you don’t tell me anything.”

“Let me ask this then. Have you ever considered your purpose to be a burden?”

“Certainly… Because of it, I’ve never had much time with my sister. Over one thousand years’ worth of rememberings—gone. I’m currently cherishing the time I get to spend with her now. But make no mistake, I enjoyed aiding those in need through their dreams and nightmares. Nothing will change that.”

Out of nowhere, something solid bumped into my head while I stayed afloat. Without flipping over, I submerged my brows in the water. My eyes stayed above, viewing the heartwood of a log from upside down.

“Although I cannot witness your dream as of this moment, I can detect that it is not necessarily a nightmare. More like... an in-between state?”

Afterward, I gazed back at the ultramarine heavens—a crescent moon recreated on my lips. “Not for long. Thank you, Princess Luna.”

🌠

Gradually, the world itself seemed to blink in and out of existence.

“No, stop! I’m almost through—!”

“HUahhh…!” Startled awake, my chest heaved over and over. Sitting up in a bed with the sheets now disheveled, I glanced at my surroundings and patted my face. I was in a tidy hotel room. A steady shower echoed throughout from the nearby bathroom, soon coming to a stop.

Finally, my brain registered my identity, location, and reason for being there. In return, I stroked off the flakes of crust on my eyelids. At least I didn’t have to deal with my dad’s classic wake-up calls.

“Wakey-wakey, Thorn!”

“Meh...five more minutes...”

“You said that five minutes ago. You know what that means...”

“...”

“I get to throw a hot wet rag on your face! Hya!”

Tssss...

“AHHH!”

“Haha! I did warn you!”

“OHHH, DEAR CELESTIA!”

“Another morning saved—hey, what are you doing? No, don’t throw it back—!”

Anyway, the day had come for me to wake up in a city for the first time. Ice Whistle and I were roommates, sharing a hotel room, while Starry Vision enjoyed her own private space. Proper etiquette, my friend.

Yesterday, we spent our time indulging in the activities and city life of Baltimare. But now was our time to take things seriously. We came here for one sole purpose: to find Ice Whistle’s sister.

Supposedly, this was one of the cheapest yet well-reviewed hotels that could be booked. It was a nice, clean room with two twin-sized beds, a small television with channels nopony watched, a small desk with a coffeemaker, and a bathroom.

Still on the bed, I thought about making coffee or returning to slumber. Then, Ice Whistle stepped out of the bathroom and dried his icy blue coat and white mane with a towel. He then wrapped his grey and black striped scarf around his neck and put his matching beanie atop his head. Lastly, he positioned his hoof on a doorknob. “Hey, Thorn, when you’re ready, let’s wait out front for Starry Vision.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

After getting myself ready, we left our hotel room and knocked on Starry Vision’s door, letting her know we would wait in the front lounge.

“O-oh, okay! I won’t be much longer…” Upon hearing that, we left for the lobby.

Blank, I tried recalling something. Why was it so common not to remember our dreams, anyway? As we strolled down that narrow, freshly scented hallway, thanks to somepony using a fabric odor eliminator, I could not quite put it into words, but reflecting on it now really bothered me.

Reflect? No, it has nothing to do with Luna Bay.

The hotel’s lounge, down many flights of carpeted stairs, was full of cushioned chairs and sofas. Their soft fabric invited guests to sink in and relax. Some surrounded a glass table, and a long counter lined others with a pony working behind. A mouthwatering array of breakfast treats sat off to the side of the long counter, beckoning to be placed on a plate.

The intricate patterns of white and black marble-like flooring caught my eye as I joined Ice Whistle on a green couch for two, savoring a crispy croissant. While our haunches rested, I considered a few things, like whether I wanted to try the honey-glazed croissants or why they had the confusing floor décor. “Ice Whistle, you know the purpose of these patterns?” Another distinct, crisp bite accompanied my question.

“Just for looks, like art. It can also inform you of each room’s exact start and end zones. The world of furnishing is quite imposing. You learn a thing or two whenever Mint Spring goes off on a tangent. In fact, even when she isn’t…” Ice Whistle’s head and ears drooped at the thought.

The frailty of my scrumptious bread lingered on my tongue as an elderly pegasi couple passed by. My mouth craved more. That was when we caught sight of Starry Vision trotting toward us, her purple saddlebag pattering along. “Sorry for the wait. I’m ready to go now.”

Opening the contents of his black saddlebag, Ice Whistle took out a paper with his mouth, which confused me. “Why not use your horn?”

Ice Whistle stopped, stupefied. “That’s right, silly me. Although I don’t want to become too lazy.”

“Excuses.”

“Quiet you. Unicorns can forget such things.” A magenta-colored bubble enveloped and unfolded the paper, making it float mid-air. “I’m sure she’ll be in class around this time. We can ask all the universities if they have a student named Freeze Breeze. If that fails, we can stake out her address.”

Now, with our plan of action made, we left the hotel to carry it out. No matter how many hours it took.

In my dorm, Mint Spring unexpectedly sneezed. “Achoo!”

“Bless you. Hey, maybe somepony’s talking about you?”

“As long as it’s nothing bad.” Mint Spring probably thought it was Splotch Wing mouthing off some nonsense again, or perhaps some students from her classes. Or maybe… “Better not be a certain trio off having fun in Baltimare…”

It seems she was still bitter about the last-minute news. “You’re still down about being left behind?”

“Agh, darn it all! If you’re going to talk about me, you should have brought me alonnng!” Mint Spring complained, rolling side to side on the cool floor. “Just wait until they get back. I’ll give them a piece of my mind!”

At that, I released a heavy breath. “Maybe you should think about that in your dorm?”

She pondered the notion. “Mmm…”

I guess I’ll have to move things along myself. “Or I can go and invite Splotch Wing?”

Mint Spring got off her backside and sprung to her legs. “I’m leaving.”

Thank goodness. Now hopefully things are going well for those three. I’ll happily await the good news on an old friend. “I hope things are going well for you, too, Freeze Breeze.”

At any rate, homework awaits!

Back in the harbor town of Silver Shoals and its stilted houses, the retired Princess Celestia entered her retirement home with levitated bags of groceries, Maretime Manor, shutting the door behind her. The walls were a pale purple-pink. Portraits covered them, including one of two alicorn fillies happily hugging each other.

Luna sat on a couch, specifically on the side overshadowed by half of a makeshift dark purple tent. Half the sofa had fabric hovering over it for Luna’s comfort, while the other half was normally exposed for Celestia. It was eccentric but oddly cozy. Luna lay on the shaded side, reading a levitated book about recent discoveries.

Closing said book, Luna posed a question. “Sister, do you recall the term for when a pony can ‘sense’ their calling?”

“Hmm? A pony’s glint? What of it?”

Luna stared at the ceiling of her bizarre creation. “Nothing. It just got me contemplating.”

“Contemplating? About what?” Celestia persisted, knowing something was irritating her younger sister.

“What if there were a pony with a troubling glint?”

“Luna, there have been many ponies over the millennia, and I’ve never heard of it posing too much of a problem. It might not be possible. And theoretically, if there were, don’t you think we would have heard of it many times by now?” Celestia interpreted as she walked to the kitchen with the floating bagged groceries. She remembered to put the frozen TV dinners in the freezer. Like the carrot-broccoli lasagna and her sister’s favorite for their Sunday night TV show.

Luna ruminated, then let out a breath of relief. “You’re right, dear sister… You’re right. But we shan’t forget the possibility.” Luna left the couch and helped Celestia put the groceries up, only for a sharp gasp and the return of her edict voice. “Aren’t these the discontinued Ratatouille Wellingtons?!”

“Make that continued,” Celestia smirked. “I may or may not have pulled some strings.”

“Splennndiiiid!!”

Even though Celestia’s ears desired to bleed, she could not find it within herself to not enjoy such moments. From her sister becoming the moon-entrapped Nightmare Moon to this, it made her laugh inside and out. “Splendid indeed.”

Much like Luna, Celestia’s majestic mane continued to flow to no end. Hopefully, days like these would too.

The sun painted the skies of Baltimare orange as it fell. We spent hours at universities, visiting various offices, questioning if Freeze Breeze was a student there. Crossing off the list one by one, we all reached the same conclusion.

”Let’s see… I see nothing in the records of a student named Freeze Breeze attending here…”

”Freeze Breeze? Look, I know and converse with all the students that go here, and not one of them goes by that name.”

”The name is a hassle, but I’ll look into it… Huh. Seems we do not. So sorry about that.”

”We have students named Easy Pease and Sneeze Freeze. Are you sure it’s ‘Freeze Breeze’?”

I realized why Ice Whistle visited the schools first. The anticipation of an encounter was a far more thrilling surprise than waiting outside her residence. Plus, enacting this plan the other way around made little sense. After all, waiting outside her residence could take all day when we could have caught her earlier in class.

It was hard for me and Starry Vision to see Ice Whistle—our pillar of ice—biting his lip, melting down from the enigma where he sat. “Dang it, big sis, what’s happening here? Where are you?”

The pain it evoked halted my thoughts. I hated it. I wondered if this was how Ice Whistle felt about my situation in Luna Bay a few years back.

Sitting on a black bench in a nearby park, we could hear delighted children playing and laughing – their parents soon arriving to bring them home. A grey fountain stood before us, its centerpiece a pony’s mouth from which water spouted and dribbled into the basin below.

Ice Whistle placed his head into his hooves and paced his breathing the whole time. His chest expanded and contracted. Starry Vision occupied the spot on his left, and I was on the right. We waited, rubbing his back, as Baltimare’s activity played out.

...

Until finally, his head perked up. “Let’s go. There’s still our last resort.”

Hope wasn’t dead.

There was a small log. There was no telling how long it’d been there. Despite being engulfed by the rushing water, that small, unremarkable timber log remained trapped in the sand.

Seemingly for eternity.

There was a harbor beyond the railing of a white fence down the street. Like miniature suns, the streetlights glowed orange, a soothful symmetry to the fiery sky. Seagulls squawked, accompanied by the swishing and bobbing ships of Horseshoe Bay. The sight held me captive as I stared in awe. Sparks ignited a sense of wonder – a familiar impression I had once before… But for what?

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Ice Whistle banged on the door of the apartment complex. One could enjoy a fetching view of the bay stretching from the residence. According to the address on the paper Ice Whistle held, this should have been Freeze Breeze’s home. Strange, but she must have wanted to rent a place rather than stay in the dorm rooms the universities provided. Or perhaps she had no plans to return to Luna Bay, fully accepting Baltimare as her new home. In that case, it was an understandable decision. However, there was still the fact that she hadn’t been in contact with her family. That, in and of itself, was a red sign.

After a few minutes, Ice Whistle banged again.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

While examining the harbor, a stallion expertly docked his boat. As he left, he looped a yellow rope around a bollard—helping to ensure it didn’t float away when he left it unattended. Seeing the sky ablaze with the colors of the setting sun and the unknown that awaited beyond, a wave of nostalgia washed over—resurfacing long-melted snowflakes I buried extensively beneath the snowy terrain of Luna Bay. No, memories I had deliberately ignored until now.

”Hey there, Ice Whistle. Another monotonous day at the Luna Bay Schoolhouse.”

”There you go again… about our lives being dull.”

“The last thing we’ll be doing today is learning about the geography of Equestria.”

“What about the outside?!”

“Hmm? We understand little about it. As a matter of fact, we’ll never need to. Don’t worry. It’s not something you’ll ever have to concern yourself with. I mean, just think about how treacherous the lands outside Equestria might be…”

My legs backed away from my two friends. From the apartment.

“You know, because our planet is an immense and complex system, full of life and wonder. Equestria is a small nation on a vast continent. Just a tiny speck on a monumental globe. It goes without saying that our planet comprises more than one continent. We’re far from being alone. The possibility of having many nations, each with unique creatures and personalities, doubled with strange yet beautiful lands, is… endless.”

I sneaked across the grass lawn.

Whoosh!

Then wind rushed past, brushing my coat, my mane swirling in the constant assault. My hooves pounded against the unforgiving cement as I sprinted down the street. Heart racing, adrenaline surged as I leaped over that stupid restrictive white fence! Landing firmly on the other side, I didn’t pause there. With rhythmic clops on the pier, I pressed on. A sudden impulse took root, and I found myself unable to resist.

“Woah—Hey!”

I ran past a bearded sea captain, commander, skipper, or whatever somepony called him! Unobstructed, I galloped down the dock, my legs propelling me toward a boat. My pace slowed, and I took the time to undo the rope.

“Hey! Is that your boat?!” another owner called out to me, discerning my odd behavior. I ignored him and jumped onto the eight-meter-long vessel. Now behind the helm, I needed to raise the sails, but the bearded stallion from earlier galloped toward me.

“Hold it right there, thief!”

Time was scarce, yet I struggled to loosen my hold on the helm.

This is silly... I should just hop off and make amends—

Suddenly, a miracle happened. A wave of water formed from beneath and drove the boat into the middle of Horseshoe Bay. Seizing the chance, I wasted no time setting the sails, a satisfying flap of cloth as they caught the breeze and undulated.

The sedative orange and purple above and beyond accepted me, gifting me a sense of openness like never before.

The sky.

The wind all around my being.

The forthcoming sea.

At long last, everything was mine.

I didn’t just back away from the apartment complex and my friends. I backed away from everything. I displaced myself. And I loved it.

Click!

The apartment door finally opened. “Freeze Breeze—” However, the pony behind the door was not her. Something in my chest fell.

“Heh? Did ya say somethin’?” an elderly mare asked.

As I stood there, I realized something. Either I had been given the wrong address, or my sister had never been to Baltimare—like she didn’t exist. Knowing my sister, I had complete faith that she would never have given me inaccurate information written on paper.

Father… does he know anything about this? Either way, he’s the first and only pony I need to discuss this with. Or possibly even Chieftain Page Martinet.

As a shadow from the awning loomed over my face, the pony that lived here received my response. “…No.”

“Whaaaat? Hold on, let me fetch me hearin’ aids.” Since that was unnecessary, I shut her door. I turned around and faced Starry Vision and Nat—

Oh… that’s right. How could I forget?

Starry Vision turned upon seeing my facial response. She darted her gaze around the block. “Nature Thorn… He was right behind me a minute ago. I’m not sure where he’s gone...”

“Don’t worry about it. I know where he is.”

“You do?”

I nodded dourly. “Follow me.” After all, this went according to my plan—my gift. It was just far earlier than predicted.

As our hooves trampled through a horizontal strip of grass, a white fence obstructed our path to one of Baltimare’s many harbors. We could still hear the distant bobbing boats and crying seagulls, the orange and purple above looming ever outward. Toward the left heel of Horseshoe Bay, a lone boat ventured daringly into the Celestial Sea.

Starry Vision continued gaping, her eyes searching for answers. Eventually, she spoke up, realizing what I was alluding to. “You mean Nature Thorn is on that boat out there? I-Ice Whistle! What are we going to do? Er… I know... Together, we can use our magic to—”

Resting my forelegs over the fence’s pickets, I avoided eye contact. “No.” Warmth welled up and cascaded down my muzzle.

”Even though I’m home, I’m still lost… Why? How can that be?!”

Starry Vision’s voice stumbled, producing a faint sound before shaping confusion. “What?”

“Yeah, a Baltimare expedition. Let’s do it.”

I dug into the ground, plucked a rock, and kicked it to the side. “It’s okay. This is what he always wanted. His life here looked like my scarf. Black and grey.”

“What’d you do that for?”

“To be honest… It’s hard to say.”

“Always wanted…? But what about the school? Headmare Starlight? Mint Spring, Serene Snowfall, Splotch Wing? Luna Bay? His parents? How are we going to explain this?” Starry Vision asked, her voice hurried and full of worry.

“It just dawned on me, Thorn—no, it’s something I’ve always known but brushed aside. I briefly mentioned it once, but to further elaborate… My heart won’t let me tell you, even though you deserve to know. Last night, we promised to be more transparent toward each other, but I’m keeping some things from you. Details I’ll never reveal. Especially after I brought you to Luna Bay. Instead, I’ve come up with a plan.”

In a futile attempt, my face contorted and winced as I fought to regain control. “I... don’t know what you’re talking about. He just disappeared; end of story...”

“But, Ice Whistle...”

“Or maybe I’ll come up with something better on the way back. But for now, please, let me savor this moment.”

Starry Vision said nothing else that evening. She stood beside me, gazing at the scenery of Horseshoe Bay.

...

I wanted to stop him. I did… However, was that really the correct choice? If I got him to turn around, what then? Pretend like this didn’t happen? That’s selfish. Holding him back and keeping him in a glass sphere wouldn’t benefit anypony but those of us who cared for him. Doing that wouldn’t make a difference. It would be the same as back then.

I don’t know what, but something out there captivates him like nothing else.

As I watched the boat sail farther and farther into the vast ocean, I reconsidered. Did I want to go with him? Did I want to stay here? I could use telekinesis to lift myself over there, but faltered, knowing exactly why. If so, then that’s how it’ll be.

My pupils mirrored the somber, dying ember of the scenery. But considering his perspective, it was a false reflection.

“Seriously?”

“Since nopony has traveled that far, it’s hard to say. But no doubt, there’s much more out there... A whole other world.”

I recalled the first time I saw his eyes spark. I didn’t know the real Nature Thorn. Upon seeing the true Nature Thorn, it became clear that he was a foreign presence in this setting. I realized he could not thrive as himself here in Equestria. So…

With a struggling grin, the taste of salt and liquid blurring my view, I rejoiced as the small boat became a tiny speck on the horizon.

Leave behind this same ordinary and seek that extraordinary you’ve been craving for so, so long.

Yeah. Against my own desires, I tried to bring us to this location. To do something for him nopony else would have sanctioned or considered, even if it hurt in return. And no, I didn’t want to hear, ‘Because of you, I can live my dream’ or ‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’ He should be thanking himself. My best friend. My brother. Nature Thorn. “Just… be safe… and have fun… will you?!”

It was like that one saying, ‘If you love something, let it go.’ I never believed in that. But for that one time—that single moment... I did.

Pit! Pit! Pit!

So I’ll be in Equestria, awaiting the day of your return. The day the real you tells me about your authentic self.

There was a small log. That small, unremarkable wood log was again quickly engulfed by the rushing water – and this time, for the first time, it swiftly disappeared into the vastness of the ocean.

Despite the sand’s best efforts, it could not hold on to it forever.

From the vantage point of a skyscraper in Baltimare, a strange figure of assorted animal parts loomed, creating a surreal distinction against the urban scenery. Earlier, he had clicked his tongue, causing a minor disturbance in intervening with a helmsman stallion’s pursuit. The boat, now no more significant than an ant, slowly disappeared from view as he focused on it. “Oh-ho-ho, quite the show. You haven’t disappointed me, Nature Thorn. However, I can’t help but wonder… The answer. Have you figured it out yet?”

Then, a voice as soothing as the fluffiest rabbit’s tail across Equestria cut in. “Um, Discord, I know you enjoy this sort of thing… I do, too.” She took in Baltimare’s cityscape. “But what are we doing up here? And what are you mumbling to yourself about?”

A tea set sat on a small table before a green armchair with a heart-shaped headrest—comforting the middle-aged pale-yellow mare who sat in it. She styled her long pale pink mane into a loop and secured it with a beautiful glacier blue ornament.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, dear Fluttershy. Indulge in the serenity of sipping your tea and appreciate the view!”

“Okay, but don’t forget. The Council of Friendship is meeting tonight about our return to teach some classes,” Fluttershy reminded.

“Whaaat? Total hogwash. Your Kindness and Critters of Comfort and Conflict classes are perfect just as they are!”

“That’s nice of you to say, but there’s always room for improvement. Now, if you would kindly bring us to Canterlot...”

Discord groaned, crossing his bizarre arms.

Hmm, let’s do this to make things more interesting. After all, after yours truly, this individual failed to accept something fundamental. I’ll be the one to start this trial and lend them this opportunity.

Snap!

Fluttershy stomped a hoof and gave The Stare.

Discord grabbed his face and stretched it as if it were rubber, the evening air carrying a heavy sigh. “Ffffine…”

With another snap of his tiger’s paw, they were gone. Yet before his departure, the draconequus could not help but entertain one final thought.

Ah, I wish I could join you, Nature Thorn, but I’m confident he will be out there. No need to mix apples and oranges.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” Discord said, leaving the remark to die atop the skyscraper’s setting.

Nighttime had fallen on me and Ice Whistle. The City of Baltimare continued to gleam as usual, and the sky was almost black, with a few small dots of light. Beneath it, a few distressed whimpers continued interrupting the harbor’s serenity.

Though I could not see it, a clear, wet substance like rain must have stained the grass below. Because the stallion I cared for, with an icy blue coat and a mane like Luna Bay’s snow, had made a tough decision.

Right now, his forelegs rested atop that white fencing. From a short distance on a black bench, I watched his back. The low light of a cube-shaped lamppost lit half my body.

“Oh, Ice Whistle…” My purple saddlebag lay to the side by the bench’s armrest. I figured we would be there until morning and rested my head, observing the weight his burden brought forth.

There was a small log and a shard of ice. They were nothing special, and they were not magical artifacts. The wood acted like an anchor, causing the water to swirl and eddy around it. It didn’t happen right away, but eventually, it took it in.

Sitting next to that wood, for as long as it could, was a shard of ice. The shard of ice slowly melted away, silently watching as the log was carried into the vast, blue yonder. Although the ice seemed eager to follow, the laws of nature prevented it from doing so...

With no clear path or direction, the log seemed to go on forever. And with no way of return, it went on into the unknown.

Up from the Celestial Sea, passing the skyscrapers of Fillydelphia.

”What did I do wrong? Why doesn’t my reflection show? What does it mean? How can I live normally when Luna Bay has no clue?”

Passing the alluring bright lights and the proud green Mare Statue of Manehattan.

”It felt like the answer was closer than ever…”

Passing the Griffish Isles, home of Trottingham. Then, under a giant stone aqueduct with train tracks connecting Equestria to Griffonstone.

Then, finally, I passed by the Yaket Range Mountains on the left and the Bug Bear territory mountains on the right. I had reached the vast ocean, gigantic sea stacks within view.

My idea of a proper night sky had been so inaccurate that it made my stomach churn. The sky took on its most natural, correct color—black, with a tinge of blue and purple. In the absence of light pollution, the night sky revealed its true splendor, leaving an indelible impression on my eyes—even more so than Luna Bay ever did.

Taking it all in, my eyes dilated in awe, and an invisible force tugged at my heart.

What else could there be? Sights like this are what we kept behind the curtains of beyond. Why does Equestria never talk about it? Maybe I’ll be able to find out.

I lay sprawled in the boat’s center, surrounded by calm waters, listening to the waves lap against the hull. My head had my forelegs crossed behind it. I gandered skyward, my pupils reflecting all its glory. Many nebulas became known as enormous clouds of gas. Like foggy fireworks, they seemed to explode in odd, vibrant colors across the heavens. It was like an influx of magic swept across, molding everything above into unique universes.

“I… can’t say I have one.”

“You can’t say you have one? Or are you afraid to admit you have one?”

“Latent aspirations, is it? You’re a great pretender. Alas, we aren’t so superficial. Hmm, of course... Night dreams may break down to dust, but pony dreams do not.”

“That’s where my dreams led me, so yeah. I chose Baltimare. Don’t you see? Even if it’s not some starry sky, the view this city has to offer boasts its own dormant beauty. And sometimes, you’ll have to make tough decisions for yourself. Or maybe they’ll be easy. Or perhaps… both.”

“I bid adieu, Nature Thorn! Whatever your dream may be, don’t be afraid to give chase! Just be sure to remember where you came from and the ponies who helped you become who you are today! Baltimare is fantastic, no doubt… But it can never shine alongside that starry night!”

Hollow Shack was right. There was clearly nothing like it.

Sometimes, our dreams and homes could never coalesce in harmony, no matter how hard we tried. For ponies like us, something had to give. And our most latent aspirations could not be ignored. It wasn’t fair, but we didn’t have the power of choice.

”If you’re ever strugglin’ t’ understand the meanin’ of your cutie mark, please consider other possibilities. It really could mean anythin’.”

Trouble Shoes had a fair point. Consider our situations and peer at them in a different light to see if we are the ones in the wrong—not the other way around—not our flanks. Us.

”So, getting straight to the point, don’t be afraid to be yourself for anypony or how to be the pony you want to be.”

Diamond Tiara opened my heart with her words. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough to shape the pony I aspired to be. I just stood there and let Luna Bay sap that hope away. So I gave up on finding my purpose altogether.

I no longer wanted to be that pony. I no longer am that pony.

“Oh-ho-ho! A round of applause is in order! I mean, the answer is so obvious! Luna Bay, I must commend you for your outstanding work!”

Tsk! I still don’t know that ‘obvious’ answer, Discord...

Far in the distance were more mountain profiles, but that was a place I could see from the northern border of Equestria. I spun the helm to the right, causing the rudder to react in tandem.

Straightening the rudder, I was now on track, embarking on a journey to an uncertain horizon. I glanced back toward Equestria one last time, its silhouette still flaunting.

An unfettered shout unleashed, the cry dying in the boundless all around. It was my song of relief.

Despite not owning a ticket, I continued eastward—altogether freed of the concept.

After checking the rest of the vessel, I found some leftover provisions. The previous owner had left condensed biscuits, canned vegetables, and a full canteen.

Canned veggies? Guess I can’t be picky about food anymore. Now that I think about it, I was about to sail off without bringing food. I can’t afford to make foolish, hasty mistakes like that. Not where I’m going.

Ahead of the bow, the unnamed ocean continued to stretch out. I had no right to, but I gave it a name I saw fit: Ice Whistle Ocean.

Right now, all I have are the dreams you instilled. They’re all I need. They’ll keep me going.

With a shooting star whizzing by, I found my way back to my resting spot in the boat’s center—feeling the sea vehicle’s buoyancy from my back. Simultaneously, I watched the grand above for what could have been hours.

I caught sight of my flank, still empty, like my reflection back at Luna Bay.

“Maybe a little, but it’s not so bad because I harbor zero regrets. The decision to follow my dream was the second most awe-inspiring thing to ever happen to me. Even if it meant further angering my father and leaving my hometown.”

“Second? What was the first?”

“Experiencing my glint.”

A risen bubble of an idea popped. I believed I understood what Hollow Shack meant by that.

A pony’s glint?

If so, reality was cruel.

Laughter erupted as every silhouette disappeared from view. A burst of amusement that festered from deep within. A laughter I have never experienced before. My stomach twisted in agony, something cool trickling down my cheek, leaving a dampened trail. Why that was, I hadn’t a clue.

Were they of sorrow or pure joy?

It was a puzzling sensation. It left me wondering why I felt so light, as if a thousand-year weight had been lifted. I mean, I had been smiling for so long, that my cheeks burned—

Oh…

Reality was cruel once again. No, I was.

“Heyyy! Nature Thorn! Over heeere!”

“M-Morning… Ice Whistle and Nature Thorn.”

“Well, look who we have here on this exquisite morning. What brings you two out and about?”

“Hey there, Thorno. Are you also scouting for thy dorm? Hm? Is that so? Well, forget about that. Let’s look together!”

“Ah, there’s my boy! Welcome home, Thorn!”

“We’ve missed you. Welcome home, Nature Thorn!”

“Did you have fun today?”

My close friends and my beloved parents, what I’m doing is so selfish. But this is going to be my new ordinary, my extraordinary.

Schools? Jobs? Family? Love? Dull days? That same ordinary? Please, don’t make me laugh. I’m leaving that reality—real life—and heading towards mine. The everyday life I would’ve had. With all my heart, I won’t miss it, not by a long shot. Instead of earning my mark, I’ll make it. After all, this is me—this, is Nature Thorn.

“A little pony should never make the tread. They couldn’t! They would never make it far. Plus, Equestria is where our loved ones are. Our home. Which is all we need.”

“As a matter of fact, we’ll never need to. Don’t worry. It’s not something you’ll ever have to concern yourself with. I mean, just think about how treacherous the lands outside Equestria might be…”

You can’t stop me. Your deceptive words won’t decide my fate. Nopony but I will.

Before, I was just an ordinary background pony with an ordinary thought process. And unfortunately, ponies are destined to follow their purpose and unique talent, and this is a part of mine. All this time... that had conflicted with my ordinary mindset, spinning around like a hurricane, impairing my mentality. I was stuck having to choose between two impossible choices.

My home, where my family and friends are? Or the outside, where my heart so yearns to be?

Whether I deserve to, sincerely, I want to ask for your forgiveness. Except, I’m a pony of Equestria. I won’t disregard that anymore.

🌠

Before conveying the main point, for all these conventional years, while touching the moonlight and letting my eyes absorb the nebula-suffused heavens, my hoof reached for that shooting star I always wanted to grasp hopelessly.

“I won’t apologize for who I am.”

I guess it’s not the usual tale. It’s not one of some evil being suppressed. Nor friendship, harmony, or love prevailing. Well, they tried.

Hey, remember what I told you from the outset? When Ice Whistle and I got in trouble for interrupting Miss Scarlet Petals’ class?

An acrid char wafted through our noses.

The pony-like figure across from me mulled over my words, tensing her brows.

Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga!

Amongst the train’s rumbling, Ice Whistle and I began our journey back to Ponyville. On the way, we talked. Eventually, he opened up and disclosed details from three years ago. Upon hearing the things said, one especially caught my interest. “You said you looked into Luna Bay… What did it show?”

Never did he answer. All he gave in response was a closed-lip smile.

On the way back to Ponyville and the School of Friendship, Starry Vision posed a question. It made sense she wanted to know. I would, too. However, the answer was best left between me and Nature Thorn.

Luna Bay really is something. Honestly… what you showed me, was not fair.

“Ice Whistle. Do you regret looking into the bay? Seeing your future?”

Not at all. Don’t look back. Go and set your heart ablaze. Prove to everypony who you are by proving it to yourself.

Even then, I could smile. “Heh.”

Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga!

I had returned to my key role as Royal Advisor in Canterlot, working tirelessly alongside Twilight to the best of my abilities.

But this fine morning, I had just woken up and read through my daily personal letters from Ember and Thorax.

“You should come revisit the Dragon Lands sometime. I’m considering construction for a small city, and I could use some opinions from you and Thorax. Twilight, too, if she isn’t busy. —Dragon Lord Ember”

“Spike, can we please bring Lila to the next guy’s night out? Pretty please? With a cherry aphid on top? —Your best pal, Thorax”

If you want to see her so bad, why don’t you go see her yourself? You can even ask Discord to shorten the trip. Heck, you can ask him to bring her to you... Actually, I’ll reply with that.

It was so early my eyes were dry and heavy. In any case, the day had to go on. I left my sleeping quarters and approached a corridor with tall doors at the end.

Before I continued, a blue griffon walked by the intersecting pathway. “Hey there, Spike. I’ll be a second. Once I grab my armor, I’ll clock in for guard duty.”

“No problems here. Take your time, Gallus.” As I watched Gallus leave, a twinge of guilt washed over. Perhaps I was overthinking it, but I felt insensitive about my remark. There were most certainly problems here. And to think of the extent to which Gallus went and the toll it must have taken on his stress. How could I think otherwise?

For all our sakes, I hope things are going well for Flash Sentry.

Gallus knew he had to go on with his life. She would have wanted that, even if it meant beating it into his head. And just like Gallus, I knew I had to move on too.

I continued down the hallway, passing artistic stained glass windows and reaching the half-opened tall doors. Out of that entry’s slit, familiar voices breached outward. As Royal Advisor, I was more than welcome to enter, but I couldn’t find it within myself to intrude. So, I listened in on the problematic conversation.

“Starlight, are you certain?”

“I am, Twi—” Starlight paused, then recorrected herself. “Ahem~Princess. A student from the School of Friendship has gone missing.”

“Another disappearance…and it’s only been ponies? Is this a coincidence or something more? Starlight, what was the student’s name?”

It was as if a flung boulder struck me out of my body upon hearing the answer.

Wha—!

The shocking revelation weakened my claws, causing me to drop the clipboard from my grasp. A brief clamor broke out, which must’ve garnered the attention of the two mares.

But before I could find out, a royal guard member rushed past me through the chamber doors, which revealed my presence.

“Princess! There’s been frantic panicking from the Ponyville National Park!”

Twilight’s apprehensiveness seemed to have vanished when she recognized me. Still, she had to keep her mind on the task. In doing so, she laid her eyes to the side in thought. “Ponyville’s National Park? But that’s where…”

That one piece of bitter news earlier had already been enough. What else could have gone wrong? Of course, I never should’ve asked.

“That’s right, Princess. Part of the monument…” The royal guard’s pause only amplified the tension. Soon enough, the royal guard caught his breath. He opened his mouth. Everypony present gulped as his voice boomed throughout the throne room. “Has gone missing!”

Everpony stood lifeless. We could only hope that the news ‘at large’ did, too. For good.

Softly, only few words could escape the pony I’ve known longest. “Which part?”

The royal guard’s lips moved once more, imparting the pale-inducing words.

Memories have a tenacious hold like superglue. They aren’t physical, yet they can bind us to where they were perceived. Memories... are dangerous.

Which is why I had to—

“Leave?”

Crack!

“Yeah.” In the shroud of night, a wavering blaze danced on four little obsidian mirrors, each reflecting a different aspect of my past. “It’s a story of suddenly tearing away from clingy emotions. Now I question whether it was by my will, or because—”

“‘You’re a pony of Equestria’?” After mockingly cutting in, half of those mirrors found steel. “Are you serious?”

Solemnly, I nodded.

“Blegh, you make me sick. Boohoo. That’s it? That’s how you went from being a markless ‘wonderer’ to a markless ‘wanderer’? Hmph, what a stupid story. It’s not even a story! It’s a load of malarky driven with melodramatic crap! Ugh, never in my life have I despised a pony more. News flash, your so-called ‘purpose’ is as shallow as your flank,” she bickered, chuckled, then flatly added, “An unorthodox tearaway piece of trash is more like it. You’re nothing but a fool. An unusual dreamer with some rootless alibi…”

The sable figure gave a forlorn side glance and concluded with a faint voice, the swaying beat of life in her eyes. “One who has no reason.”

“No reason, huh?” The pops of charred wood continued as I double-reflected. “That last part is much like you now.”

Audibly, a smidge of her contempt made itself known. Tsk!

Breast and up free of broken grey stone, she scowled. The flame lit her sour expression amid the murky climate of resilient trees, where the air was heavy with the odor of decaying vegetation, musty earth, and the background music of unseen critters.

Crrraaack! Crack! Crack!

Finally, along the ebbing, blistering bursts, we both hardened our gaze and spat our resolve.

“You’re wrong.”

Crack!

Author's Note

As mentioned in the last AN, I'm leaving my last thoughts for the Epilogue. But in this chapter, many beats came back as flashbacks. Like Ice Whistle's 'gift.' Plus, another mystery that can be solved from the given context. It may require some serious thought or perhaps little. I can't really say since the author can't be as blind as the readers (usually). It feels a bit messy to me now, but I tried to make it work.

Everything regarding Nature Thorn's feelings is also revealed. Mostly clear from Chapter 10's ending and Hollow Shack's analysis, Thorn has been holding these thoughts back. Like the creature he conversed with at the end of this chapter says, he's a fool. Perhaps the biggest fool in Equestria. But he doesn't believe that (or could that be yet another lie?). Will he be able to prove to all of us that he's right? I'm not sure. And like Ice Whistle stated, one thing's for certain: Nature Thorn will be able to express his real self.

How will this affect other characters? We'll have to see in the future...

Ah, I wish I could join you, Nature Thorn, but I’m confident he will be out there. No need to mix apples and oranges.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” Discord said, leaving the remark to die atop the skyscraper’s setting.

Who is Discord talking about?

Whatever. Onto the Epilogue!