The night had spread out like a velvet blanket dotted with stars that twinkled softly, offering a spectacle of serenity and beauty. Peace seemed to reign in every corner, a calm that invited the inhabitants of heaven to rest and rejuvenate.

Night had fallen over Equestria like a velvet blanket, dotted with stars that shone with an almost unearthly intensity as they twinkled softly. The moon, a perfect silver disk, bathed the landscape in its ethereal light, softening the contours of the distant mountains and silvering the treetops of the Everfree Forest.

In the sky, clouds floated lazily, forming whimsical figures that seemed to come alive in the lunar light. The air was cool, with a light breeze whispering through the clouds, carrying with it the gentle scent of the night flora, permeating the atmosphere with an almost tangible stillness, broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl or the rustle of the wind through the leaves.

It was the kind of night that invited contemplation, a night in which the problems of the day seemed to fade away, carried by the night breeze to distant and forgotten corners of the homes of those who beg for the day to end to finally go to rest and prepare for the start of a new day.

However, the apparent calm hid a more turbulent reality, sometimes, the silence of the night can be deceptive, hiding the mental screams and whispers of disturbed souls who only want to escape from reality through their dreams, without expecting them to end up being nightmares. Tonight was no different

High above, three figures were urgently streaking across the sky, their silhouettes silhouetted against the moonlight. The Wonderbolts, known for their skill and bravery, now flew with palpable desperation, their eyes scanning every cloud, every shadow or noise that would give them a clue to the multicolored mare.

They had lost sight of Moonflower at some point in their flight, a brief moment of distraction after the heated argument they had witnessed in the castle corridors. Now, that moment of carelessness could have devastating consequences if they didn't find her soon.

The wind whistled in their ears as they flew, carrying with it whispers of worry and fear. Where was she? What had happened in those brief minutes when they lost sight of her? Would they find her in time? It was clear she had lost control of herself, silent screams cried out for help Could they help her?

Suddenly, under the blanket of the starry night, the calm was abruptly broken by piercing screams that pierced the air like sharp daggers, cutting through the tranquility that enveloped the scene

-" There!" - Spitfire exclaimed, her eyes sharp and showing a strained countenance, she pointed with impetus toward a lone cloud in the gloom, where a figure was moving erratically, as if to flee from the invisible cloak that shrouded the voice her sanity.

With cautious pace and racing hearts, they approached to contemplate the heartbreaking spectacle in the wake of the rapture. Moonflower, in the midst of a frenzied rampage, was furiously pounding the cloud beneath her hooves. The incoherent screams of the wretched figure came in bursts, mingling with the whisper of the night wind, creating a Dantesque symphony that chilled the blood in the veins of those intrepid spectators.

Fleetfoot, frowning in a gesture of deep concern, muttered in a halting voice - " She's really scaring me" - her two companions agreed, looking at the multicolored mare mournfully.

In a flash of tragedy that seemed to freeze time, Moonflower executed a final furious kick at the cloud that vanished beneath her hooves, plunging her into an abyss of no return. Quickly, her screams plummeted into terror, echoing into the night like an empty wail. Stunned, the three Wonderbolts watched in horror as the mare fell into the void, her body unresponsive to their signals to move. She was frozen, limp, like a rag doll.

• "Moonflower!"-shouted the three Wonderbolts in unison, called out in anguish.

In an act of instinctive bravery, Soarin didn't hesitate for a second and launched himself into a sharp descent. The wind whistled in his ears as he accelerated and approached Moonflower, closer and closer, but descending at a breakneck pace, falling at an alarming rate. His mind calculated distances and speeds with the precision that only years of training could provide.

Moonflower's mane waved wildly and uncontrollably, her eyes sealed in a gesture of resignation, her body lying in terrified silence. In the midst of the crisis, a fleeting, involuntary memory about Rainbow Dash crossed Soarin's mind, but was quickly pushed aside. There was no room for distractions at that crucial moment where Moonflower's life depended on one more flap of his wings.

Every second counted. The ground was fast approaching, and Soarin put all his being into reaching Moonflower in time. Just meters from the ground, he managed to catch her body just before they hit the ground, his hooves closing around her, feeling the warmth of her body against his. With a precise turn, he changed their trajectory, his wings fighting the force of gravity against his flying speed and the speed of the mare's fall, lifting her back into the safety of a nearby cloud.

The ground brushed past their tails as they soared again, Soarin's heart pounding and cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He could even feel Moonflower begin to react in his hooves, her body tensing slightly.

Moonflower opened her eyes slowly, blinking several times in a row, as if emerging from a deep trance, blinking several times to adjust to the sudden change in direction her body had taken. Her eyes met Soarin's, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still for him. There was something in that look that transcended the superficial, a mixture of vulnerability and strength that shook Soarin to the core.

• "Soarin...?" - She whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind, confusion danced in her magenta gaze, like shadows struggling to come to light.

A shiver ran down Soarin's spine. There was something about the way Moonflower had said his name, a familiar sound, yet charged with a strange, unnerving melancholy that left him uneasy, that defied logic.

Dash, still trapped in confusion and residual fear from her recent fall, clung to Soarin with palpable desperation. She buried her face in his chest, inhaling deeply the steed's distinctive scent, a scent she didn't know she missed until that moment. The familiarity of his scent, the warmth of his body and the firmness of his muscles enveloped her in a blanket of security, a refuge that contrasted sharply with the helplessness she felt at that moment.

• "I... I thought that..." -she sobbed, her voice choked against Soarin's chest, unable to complete the sentence. - "Thank you..."

For Dash, the stark reality of what had almost happened hit her with devastating force. She had been so close to death, so on the brink of losing everything, of losing everyone. The most terrifying thing was that she had faced it in an identity that was not her own, at least not entirely. For brief moments, she forgot that her body was, to others, Moonflower's, and she reacted instinctively like the Rainbow Dash she had always been and simply clung to her savior, who, unbeknownst to her, was returning the favor of when she had once saved him from a fall.

Relief and fear mingled inside her, unleashing an emotional storm she couldn't contain What was happening to her? Had madness claimed her in such a short time? Was she really so emotionally fragile that she had lost control so soon? She wondered who she was now, and why she no longer resembled the Dash she had been only a few days ago.

Soarin felt Moonflower's body shudder against his, her choked sobs echoing in the silence of the air. A surge of protectiveness swept over him, and, almost instinctively, he tightened her embrace, offering silent comfort as they ascended toward the cloud where Spitfire and Fleetfoot awaited them. He inhaled deeply, taking his time to fly carefully, keeping a gentle pace that would allow the mare to calm down.

-"Calm down, Moonflower, you're safe now" - he said softly, tasting the name on his tongue, reminding himself who the mare in her hooves really was. Hearing that name, Moonflower lifted her head, as if those words could anchor her in reality.

What?, it wasn't his fault, it was unavoidable to relate. The vulnerability in Moonflower's voice was an echo of Dash's in her most helpless moments. Perhaps she had had many such instants, like any pony, but her temper and pride had limited his opportunities to witness a few.

But whatever, his rational mind insisted that it was impossible. This mare was not Dash, despite the eerie similarity in her physique, in certain mannerisms and outbursts that he was only beginning to understand. The only thing clear was that Moonflower needed help, and urgently it seemed.

Rainbow Dash, for her part, felt a surge of familiar emotions. The feel of those strong, secure hooves around her, the warmth of Soarin's body against hers, and, most of all, those green eyes that forced her to look away before they hypnotized her. The call of her new name sent a pang through her chest, but also a deep gratitude to him, for being there, for saving her, for offering her comfort even though, to him, Moonflower was practically a stranger.

As they approached the cloud where Spitfire and Fleetfoot waited, Soarin noticed that Moonflower was beginning to calm down. Her sobs had slowed to less agitated breaths, and her grip, though still firm, was no longer desperate. It was a sign that, little by little, the internal storm that had shaken her was beginning to subside.

Finally, when they landed on the cloud, Soarin placed Moonflower gently, making sure she was stable before pulling back a bit to give her space. Fleetfoot and Spitfire immediately approached, their worried expressions turning to relief that they were safe.

-"Are you all right Moonflower? What was that all about?" - asked Spitfire, her tone mixing concern and slight reprimand.

Moonflower slowly sat up, her body trembling slightly from exertion and pent up emotion. Her hooves sank gently into the cloud.

• "I... I don't know what happened" - she whispered, her voice cracked and barely audible over the soft murmur of the night wind. - "I didn't realize I was so close to the edge."

• "Actually you weren't, you were the one who caused the fall and... Ouch!" - Fleetfoot was abruptly interrupted by a nudge from Spitfire, which, though laden with sincerity and candor, felt like a scolding for her unsteadiness and recklessness.

Slowly, Moonflower ducked her head, her mane falling like a protective curtain, hiding a look replete with shame, how could she lose herself like that?

The silence became palpable, the wind, as if sensing the gravity of the moment, seemed to hold its breath, rushing through the clouds. The Wonderbolts exchange looks laden with concern and confusion, searching each other's eyes for some clue as to how to proceed without pushing Moonflower too hard.

Feeling trapped under the weight of their stares, Moonflower mustered the courage to look up. Her eyes, moist and shining in the moonlight, slowly scanned the faces of the three Wonderbolts. In each of them she saw concern and confusion. Dash couldn't help but think that, if they knew who she really was, they would surely also view her with pity and disappointment. She wouldn't blame them if they did; in fact, she'd be okay with it.

-" I..." - she began, her voice cracking like a twig under too much pressure. - "you really don't know how sorry I am..." - The words seemed to escape her like a pained sigh. Her voice was clipped, choked by a sob she struggled to contain.

Instinctively, she covered her face with her wing, hiding not only the tears that were beginning to flow freely over Moonflower's face, but also Rainbow Dash's wounded pride. The shame of having lost control and disappointment of not being herself enveloped her. Not only because of the spell, not only because of the sisters, but because she could no longer differentiate her actions and personality even in her moments of loneliness.

The three Wonderbolts, moved by a compassion that transcended their confusion, approached almost imperceptibly. Every gasp of Moonflower's breath, every tremor of her body resonated in the hearts of those present, awakening in them a mixture of empathy and a deep desire to understand and help her.

And, with a gentleness that contrasted with their usual rudeness, the three of them extended a wing or hoof, placing it gently on Moonflower's trembling back. Her tears flowed unrestrained now, but they were no longer just of shame or despair; there was a cathartic relief in them, an outpouring that released more than she would normally dare to show.

• "sorry" - she said between sobs, her voice muffled against her wing. - "forgive me, I didn't mean for this to happen" - Her apology was infused with heartbreaking honesty.

• "hey it's okay"- Soarin murmured, his voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the night. - "It's okay to not be okay sometimes."

Those simple words seemed to break a dam inside Moonflower. ¨He always seems to have the right words¨ Dash thought to herself.

She automatically leaned over and hugged them tightly. The close support of her three friends was like a shield protecting her true self, even when they didn't know it was her, they were there for her, it was incredible.

Slowly, Moonflower's sobs began to calm down. Her breathing, once erratic and ragged, found a steadier rhythm, as if the collective embrace restored her calm. When she finally raised her head, her eyes were red and puffy, but in them shone a spark that eclipsed the previous embarrassment, replacing them with gratitude, and perhaps a glimmer of hope. Noticing this sign, the Wonderbolts broke away from the embrace, observing his more serene countenance.

• "Thank you" - she said softly, her voice hoarse from crying, but firm. - "I don't know what I did to deserve your kindness and understanding, but...thank you."

Fleetfoot offered her a warm smile. - "You don't have to thank us, Moonflower. This is what friends do."

The word "friends" resonated in Moonflower's heart, and inside her, Rainbow Dash felt a bittersweet mix of joy and nostalgia. For a moment, the barriers between her two identities seemed to blur, and a spark of her former self shone in her eyes.

• "Thank you" - she finally said, her voice louder and clearer, as if each syllable shed a little more of the burden she carried, "I really appreciate it."

Spitfire, noticing the subtle change in Moonflower's expression, decided to approach the situation carefully. - "Moonflower"-she said, her voice mixing concern and gentle authority-"can you tell us what exactly happened? What led you to.... that situation in the cloud?"

Moonflower took a deep breath, her eyes roaming over the faces of the three Wonderbolts. She paused a moment longer on Soarin, finding in his gaze the strength she needed.

• "I..."-she began, her voice barely a whisper. She cleared her throat, searching for the firmness that seemed to elude her. "I've been dealing with a lot lately. More than I thought I could handle."

Fleetfoot took the word cautiously, each syllable carefully measured - "Does it have to do with what happened in the hallway with...?"

Spitfire interrupted her with a warning look. - "Fleetfoot!" - She said in a low but firm voice, her expression remained grave.

The question dropped like a bombshell in Moonflower's mind. Her eyes widened, a mixture of alarm and confusion crossing her face. - "What do you mean, you were there, what did you really hear?" - She asked, her voice tinged with barely contained panic, every word echoing with anguish.

Her face was significantly alarmed, that explained why they were present when she fell from the cloud, but, still, she could feel her heart pounding. Her mind worked at full speed, trying to rewind to the words spoken in the midst of her discussion with the sisters, seeking to make sure how to proceed now. A part of her calmed slightly; if they really knew the truth, they would have approached her from the start and wouldn't be asking her these questions, right?

Spitfire noticed the growing tension in the atmosphere as Moonflower processed the information. - "Moonflower, we only heard bits and pieces of the discussion, not the details, so calm down" - she said in a serene voice, trying to calm the mare down in order to inspire her confidence.

Soarin, noticing Moonflower's internal struggle, gently interjected. - "We're not here to judge you, Moonflower. We just want to understand and help if we can" - His tone was a balm, a reminder that she was not alone.

Moonflower sighed, grateful for the pegasus' understanding. She took a moment to gather and collect her thoughts before continuing, she felt the weight of the situation on her shoulders. - "What happened in the hallway..." - she began, her voice now firmer - "just another of the several discussions I've had with Shinning and Blooming" - she took a seat in her place on the cloud, prompting her three companions to do the same, forming a circle of trust.

Fleetfoot tilted her head, curious-" "Sorry to ask, but if you don't mind us saying, do you two argue all the time?"

• "Don't worry, I don't mind. And, well, let's just say that lately we do"-she confessed, remembering the altercations that had erupted since all this madness started.

• "Lately, how long have you two known each other?" - Soarin asked, intrigued by the complexity of the situation.

• "Oh not too long. Although it might sound like I said it as if we've known each other all our lives, the reality is that we met minutes before the gala" - she suddenly replied. The disbelief on the Wonderbolts' faces was palpable. She realized her mistake too late "Damn," she thought, her mind working at full speed to find a way to explain her slip up.

Fleetfoot, unable to contain her astonishment, interjected - "But... that was only a day ago. And yet you seem to have a rather... complicated relationship with the princesses and a close one with Prince Aster."

• "It must have been quite an intense encounter to forge such a connection so quickly." - Spitfire mentioned - "and more so considering you're going to be the one to help solve their kingdom's curse, as we understood this afternoon."

• "Argh of course, now you know" - complained the pegasus with low humor without further ado - "And yes, let's just say that... the circumstances of our meeting were rather unusual and unfortunate" - she said this last unwillingly and in a lower tone, though they caught up to hear it.

Fleetfoot, trying to connect more with Moonflower, asked softly. - "And before you met the royal family, did you have any kind of preparation for this kind of situation? What do you do for a living or where are you from?" - she tilted her head, intrigued - "I don't want you to feel like we're interrogating you, but you have to understand that the way it all happened sounds.... quite extraordinary" - said Fleetfoot trying to appease her questions.

Moonflower found herself in a challenging situation and her mind was working at full speed to come up with a story that would get her out of trouble. A sense of panic briefly came over her, but with determination she decided to keep her composure.

• "Oh, I... I come from Cloudsdale though most of my life has been spent in Canterlot." - she improvised, in a voice that tried to be firm despite her hesitation - "And truth be told I've never experienced a situation similar to this before since I'm dedicated to...." - Moonflower averted her gaze and shifted uncomfortably, searching for a plausible explanation - "being a tutor for defense training and air guard" - she explained very quickly, weaving Moonflower's life between a web of alterations and half-truths, constructing an altered version of her past.

As she spun her delusion, her mind drifted back to distant memories of her childhood. Her father, a respected royal guard, one of the best she dared to say, and her mother, a professional who practiced in the medical area of the castle in Canterlot, at times, working as a caretaker in the nursery for foals and fillies protected due to situations of abuse or neglect. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place in her mind, creating a story that contained glimmers of truth intertwined with the lies necessary to keep her identity hidden.

So in a way what she said was true, and it is "in a way" because the time she lived in Canterlot was not such a long period of her life and of course the profession she indicated does not really exist, it was actually "tutoring in spells of shields for defense of unicorn foals", where she had witnessed and learned about the magic that involved fundamental (and apparently basic) spells for the life of a unicorn, especially for those who since very young have lived very complex situations to understand and cope alone, like those foals she had seen practicing at the nursery where sometimes her mother worked.

The three Wonderbolts exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by this new information. Moonflower felt the weight of their stares, curiosity, confusion and surprise evident in their expressions. Inside her, Rainbow Dash struggled with the desire to tell them everything, to confide in her friends. But the memory of her mission, of the possible consequences, kept her on guard.

-"Very interesting Moonflower, that explains your flying and combat skills," - commented Spitfire. - "But I still don't understand how you went from being just another guest to being involved in royal matters" - her sharp gaze evaluating every word.

Fleetfoot nodded in agreement to Spit, but couldn't help but ask- "How can they be sure that someone who, a few days ago was nothing more than a stranger, can help them save their kingdom from a rather complex curse? Did you do or say anything that would make them think you might be the one for this?"

Moonflower exhaled deeply, her gaze fixed on the cloudy ground, as if searching for answers among the clouds. The Wonderbolts were silent, giving her the space she needed to gather her thoughts.

• "It's... complicated, I don't even know the answer exactly" - she began, choosing each word carefully. - "But, that's precisely why the discussion was-" Her voice trembled at first, but gained strength with each word that followed.

• "What exactly do you mean?" -Soarin asked, leaning forward, his interest evident.

Moonflower hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of her own uncertainty, but then continued - "It's just, sometimes I feel like the weight of what's expected of me is... overwhelming, and worse when I can't be sure they're sure about my role in all this" - she mentioned, remembering her earlier discomfort, the feeling of being her own intruder - "I feel like they don't fully trust me for this mission and that they fear I might take advantage of them as soon as I get the chance."

The sincerity in her voice echoed in the air, and the Wonderbolts exchanged glances, understanding the burden she carried. Spitfire was sympathetic, prompting her to follow and better understand her reasons - "It must be hard to carry that uncertainty" - she said wanting the mare to dig deeper - "your role sounds like a huge responsibility for someone who has just entered their lives."

• "Exactly!"- exclaimed Moonflower - "And the worst thing is that they make decisions that directly affect me without even consulting me, like, for example, telling you about the situation in the unicorn kingdom and asking you for support. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that you now know, but..."

• "But you feel left out of simple but important decisions?" - Soarin interrupted gently, his tone sympathetic.

Moonflower nodded at the steed's interruption, feeling relieved that they were on the same page. - "Yes, it bothers me that they didn't consult me or even warn me that they planned to tell you" - she continued, feeling the words she had kept silent begin to flow, giving her the air that flight, on this occasion, could not provide her with

• "And it's been that way since we met. Apparently, they only have me in mind for what's in their best interest, without thinking about how it makes me feel to be sidelined on things they think or want to think I don't care about. And yes, I do care about them, at least enough to recognize that I deserve to have a voice too." - Moonflower finally finished.

The Wonderbolts exchanged glances again, sensing that there was much more behind those words than Moonflower was willing to reveal. The helplessness and indignation in her voice was evident.

Fleetfoot leaned forward, his expression curious and sympathetic. - "We understand your frustration Moonflower, but have you tried talking to them about how you feel, just as you are doing now with us?"

The blue pegasus shook her head hesitantly. - "Honestly, not at all" - she confessed - "since, in most cases, we ended up arguing as you could notice."

• "Well yes, but, it's also important to try to see things from their perspective" - Soarin mentioned - "just imagine the stress of seeing your home, your loved ones, under the terror of a curse they still don't understand. They are probably acting from a place of fear and desperation, although sometimes impulsivity can play against them".

• "That must be very hard and we recognize that the matter is delicate" - Fleetfoot interjected sympathetically - "but that doesn't mean they treat Moonflower as just a tool" - Moonflower felt something loosen in her chest.

• "you know, I think you should try talking to them one more time. This time, without discussion, just expressing how you feel and listening to them too." - Spitfire added in a more relaxed posture- "Communication is key in any team. And now, whether you like it or not, you're part of a team with them."

Moonflower sighed, but a small smile formed on her lips. - "Thanks, I guess they're right. It's just... there's so much at stake and I'm afraid that, if I make a mistake, or I'm not the right pony, it'll all fall apart and it'll be too late to fix it."

• "Well, whatever it is, remember you don't have to face it alone. Even the best flyers need a support team from time to time." - Soarin added with a tiny smile.

• "Exactly" - confirmed Spitfire. - "And from what we've seen, you're an amazing pegasus, Moonflower. You have the strength to handle this, you just need to learn to communicate better with them."

Moonflower felt a surge of gratitude at those words. For a moment, Moonflower's mask slipped, and Rainbow Dash's characteristic determination shone in her eyes. - "Thank you again," - she said, her voice louder and clearer. - "I really appreciate it. More than I can express."

The Wonderbolts nodded, recognizing the sincerity in Moonflower's words, though numerous unanswered unknowns still lingered.

For a moment, Rainbow felt as if she were in Moonflower's body and not Moonflower in Dash's body, she felt nostalgia and renewed determination. Rainbow Dash, in the back of her mind, felt comforted by the words and support of her friends.

-"Moonflower, we appreciate you sharing all this with us, but there is something that still troubles me" - Spitfire expressed, pausing meaningfully as her amber eyes rested on the blue pegasus' injured wings. She noticed a slight tremor in one of Moonflower's wings, betraying a silent pain that she was trying to hide.

Moonflower tensed visibly, her eyes following Spitfire's, straying to her injured wings. An attempt to move one of them was interrupted by a grimace of pain crossing her face. - "I'm fine, really" - she stated with determination, fighting the instinct to show weakness in front of the Bolts, even though her numb body reminded her of the fragility of her condition.

All three rolled their eyes. - "Please, you're in no condition to fly," - Fleetfoot declared with a frown, standing up and spreading his own wings. - "You definitely need rest, so don't be stubborn. You know it would be best to take you back to the castle." - Moonflower opened her mouth to protest, but shut it immediately, the determined expressions of the Wonderbolts made it clear that they were determined to see to her well-being. Deep down, Rainbow Dash knew they were right.

• "I... guess you're right," Moonflower finally admitted in a barely audible whisper, resigning herself to the evidence. The three Wonderbolts smiled triumphantly, as she rolled her eyes, though she couldn't stop a nostalgic smile from escaping her lips.

Fleetfoot slowly approached Moonflower - "Soarin might as well charge back to the castle" - she suggested gently - "We're not far away, and there's no point in forcing yourself now. Besides, we're here to help you, not to let you hurt yourself more."- she proposed matter-of-factly - "If you agree, of course" - she added, looking at Moonflower.

The proposal was met with a reflexive pause from Moonflower, whose eyes sought Soarin's reassuring gaze. Which, of course, he gave her

-There's no problem for me, so don't worry. I'll be careful" -he added, his calm and serene tone resonating with a confidence that seemed capable of dispelling any doubts. "So him" thought Dash.

Moonflower inhaled deeply - "It's okay" - she finally said, nodding with a hint of resignation in her voice - "Thank you indeed. I appreciate the help."

Soarin approached her with a gentle expression in soft steps. He positioned himself next to Moonflower, bowing slightly to facilitate the process- "Come on, I'll help you up"- he offered with a kind smile.

Without the need for additional words, Soarin gently bent down, allowing Moonflower to carefully settle on her back. She placed her front paws around his neck, seeking to maintain some distance, though closeness was inevitable in that gesture of mutual aid. Fleetfoot and Spitfire approached Moonflower and gently helped her settle onto Soarin's back, making sure she was comfortable and safe before setting off back to the castle.

• "Are you comfortable?" - Soarin asked, turning his head slightly to look at her. His green eyes shone with concern and something else, something Moonflower dared not name. The warmth of the scene and the attention to detail showed the deep care and respect they had for Moonflower.

-"Yes, thank you," - she replied, struggling to keep her voice steady. Her hooves instinctively clung to Soarin's shoulders, with slow movements, she settled into his back, feeling the firm support of his wings, the way his body adjusted to hold her carefully.

Spitfire and Fleetfoot exchanged a look, a mixture of concern and something that looked like amusement dancing in their eyes. - "Well, then" - Spitfire said, spreading her wings - "let's head back to the castle" - Spitfire declared with determination, majestically unfurling her wings in preparation for the flight back to the castle. - "Soarin, be careful of the air currents, you know how they start to get at this hour."

Soarin nodded, his wings opening slowly, careful not to disturb his passenger. As Soarin flapped his wings, she instinctively clung to his neck, feeling the strength of his muscles under the soft fur. The wind played with her fur, caressing her skin and her senses, enveloping her in a sense of freedom, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the sensation of flying without the effort of doing it herself.

The sky was a deep dark blue, dotted with stars that were beginning to shine brightly. Clouds, like soft cotton pillows, drifted below them, and the fresh air brought with it the scent of grass and night flowers blooming in the castle garden. As they ascended, the murmur of the city faded, leaving only the sound of the wind whistling around them.

In the air, Spitfire led the way, his wings slicing through the air with grace and precision. Fleetfoot, just behind, kept a watchful eye, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign, just in case. Soarin, in the center, felt light, despite the extra weight on his back. While Moonflower found herself fighting the urge to bury her face in Soarin's mane as she knew he liked Rainbow Dash to do, but at that moment she wasn't her.

As they approached the castle, its imposing towers rising on the horizon, Moonflower felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Soon she would have to face the reality of her situation again, but for now, in this brief moment suspended in mid-air, she allowed herself to feel the warmth of the safety and security Soarin offered her.

• "I think we're close" - Soarin mentioned to her, his voice barely audible over the whistling wind - "How are you feeling?"

• "Better than I expected," - Moonflower replied quickly with great honesty, honesty that the steed did not expect and that she did not perceive. He shook his head, as if processing the revelation, and continued on with the flight, keeping his focus on the road ahead.

As they flew, Soarin's gentle sway and comforting warmth began to envelop Moonflower, like a warm blanket on a cold night, unknowingly affecting her. Her eyelids became heavy, and her grip around Soarin's neck loosened slightly. The accumulated fatigue, along with emotional stress, finally caught up with her, dragging her into a state of relaxation she had silently longed for.

Slowly, her head bowed, resting gently against Soarin's mane. He tensed at the contact, a tingle running down his back. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax completely, her breathing becoming slow and deep. The steady rhythm of Soarin's flight cradled her like a serene melody, and before she could resist, sleep claimed her, taking her to a peaceful haven to Luna's kingdom.

It was several minutes before the Wonderbolts noticed the change. Soarin was the first to notice, feeling Moonflower's limp weight against his back, her soft snores muffled by the wind and the fluttering. He turned his head to watch her; the soft sound of her breathing and the way she snuggled against his neck filled him with unexpected tenderness. In that instant, he realized that she had fallen asleep, and an involuntary smile broke out on his face.

He paused-"Girls"-he uttered loud enough for Spitfire and Fleetfoot to hear, but without waking his passenger-"I'm fear she has fallen asleep."

Spitfire looked back, an expression of surprise mixed with resignation crossing her face. - "She must be exhausted," - She commented quietly.

Fleetfoot let out a soft chuckle, carefully approaching his companion, as did Spitfire. - "You know, I'm surprised she didn't do it sooner, with everything that's happened today." - Her gaze softened as she looked at Moonflower.

• "But now we have a problem. We don't know where her room is," - Spitfire stated, frowning, - "I highly doubt it's where we left it when we came back from the fight in the small town square. You saw it had nothing on it, and it was unexpectedly accommodated so she could be taken care of."

Fleetfoot nodded, frowning slightly. - "You're right, should we wake her up?"

Soarin hesitated for a moment, feeling Moonflower's calm breathing against his neck. - "I'd hate to have to do it, but we need to know where to leave her."

With a resigned sigh, Fleetfoot approached carefully. Delicately, he placed a hoof on Moonflower's shoulder, rocking her gently. - "Moonflower" - she called softly - " Hey we need you to tell us where your room is."

Moonflower stirred slightly, her eyes opening heavily. Still half asleep, she looked around in confusion. - "Hm? What...?" - her voice still trailing the weight of sleep.

• "Your room, Moonflower" - Spitfire repeated in a firm but patient tone - "Can you tell us where it is?"

In her drowsy state, Moonflower's mind intertwined with Rainbow Dash's. Without really thinking about the implications, she lifted her head and scanned the high castle walls, looking for the area where her room was located and, with a hoof, pointed towards a specific section of the castle, where she remembered being taken by the royal sisters a night ago.

• "Over there... How do you not remember?" -she muttered, a tone of annoyance seeping into her voice as she was awakened- "By the royal rooms." - With that, she sank back into her sleep, covering her head with her wing and snuggling back into the nape and mane of Soarin's neck.

The Wonderbolts exchanged surprised glances, processing what they heard. - "Are you sure?" - Spitfire asked, disbelief clear in her voice. - "There's no way we can remember something we don't know."

Moonflower nodded weakly, her eyes already closing again. - "Mmhmm" - was all she managed to say before falling back into a deep sleep, her breathing becoming calm and rhythmic again.

Soarin, feeling Moonflower relax against his back again, looked at his companions with a mixture of confusion and concern. - "Well, I guess that answers our question," - he said in a somewhat hesitant tone. - "Although your answer was rather unusual."

¨Familiarly unusual¨ Soarin finished in his head as he and his companions resumed their flight in the direction the mare had indicated, flying silently through the halls of the castle. The night was quiet, and the only light came from the crystal chandeliers that emitted a soft glow, creating dancing shadows on the walls.

Finally, they reached the section Moonflower had indicated, the area where the royal family's rooms were located, also the area where they had separated Dash the night before.

Soarin landed carefully, his hooves touching the ground gently so as not to wake the sleeping mare on his back. Fleetfoot and Spitfire landed beside him, looking around with curiosity and a bit of bemusement.

Spitfire reached over and softly shook Moonflower, waking her up once again. - "Hey, Moonflower, we're here" - she whispered, trying not to sound too overbearing. Moonflower let out a groan, still drowsy and unwilling to clear the haze of sleep that overpowered her. -"Moonflower" - Spitfire repeated, shaking her gently - "You need to wake up to get into your room."

Moonflower's eyes opened slowly, blinking several times to focus on her surroundings. - "Hm? Oh, yes...that" - she mumbled, her voice hoarse from sleep, as she clumsily lowered herself off Soarin's back, the latter carefully leaning over, allowing Fleetfoot and Spitfire to help steady the sleepy pegasus who was wobbling on her axis. - "...Thank you" - she said in a slurred voice.

• "Don't worry about the thank-yous now" - Fleetfoot said with a gentle smile. - "There'll be time for that tomorrow. For now, just concentrate on going to rest." - she received a sleepy smile from the mare in response.

With shaky steps, Moonflower made her way towards one of the doors, her mind clouded with sleep. Yawning, she was about to turn the knob when Fleetfoot's voice stopped her by placing a hoof on her shoulder - "Wait, Moonflower. That's Rainbow Dash's room" - Fleetfoot said, frowning slightly. - "We were here last night, maybe tiredness is confusing you. All the doors look the same, after all."

Moonflower froze for a second as she processed what Fleetfoot had just said - "Oh... yeah... right" - she stammered, faking a smile as she tried to look clueless - "Sorry, I'm so tired I can't even think straight."

The Wonderbolts exchanged glances, but said nothing. They were too concerned about her well-being to notice the small inconsistencies in her behavior, so they stood patiently waiting for her to choose the right door. Moonflower, aware of her mistake, looked at the other three doors, knowing that behind them were the rooms of Aster, Blooming and Shining, but having no idea which was which.

Finally, she decided to take a chance. She chose a door at random, praying internally that it would be Aster's, where she would not have to explain anything, there would be no confrontation or questioning, or maybe yes, very light ones that would be easy to get rid of. She just wanted to rest, so it would be easier to convince him that she missed her room and assign her one, or simply tell him that she got confused and go back to the corridor to her room.

-"This is it" - Moonflower said, forcing a tired smile that barely hid her inner turmoil. Her voice trembled slightly, trying to sound convincing. - "Thank you really, for everything. See you guys tomorrow." - Before they could respond, she opened the door and rushed in, closing it behind her with a dull thud.

She leaned against the door, closing her eyes and exhaling with relief, letting her body slide across the cool surface. The floor greeted her, and in that instant, the silence was broken by a voice that permeated the silent gloom of the room.

• "What are you doing here?" - echoed a voice, laden with surprise, concern and confusion, silhouette which was observing her and approaching cautiously towards her.

Author's Note

uff I loved doing this chapter, I had it planned for a long time and finally it had the opportunity to see the light hahaha.

But anyway, just as I said, two chapters, quite long in fact. I was planning to make the story shorter, in general, but as you can see, I got inspired, and I like it, although I don't like the short time I have. However, as in almost everything I'm passionate about, I look for a space of my time even in the early hours of the morning, hours in which inspiration and imagination abound, I don't know if it's because of sleep or because at that time thoughts resonate so much that ideas flow by themselves, or as I say, the characters begin to use you as a writer and start writing their own stories, it's crazy but I love it.

As a final point and as always, I can not be more grateful for the support and ideas, the next chapters will be calmer and fun (I hope), to some extent. Of course, I like the tension soo, what can I tell you hahaha. Jblaser had already told me an idea and I was finding the time to use it, so you probably already know what's coming, but here's the spoiler.

I like to create a good basis in a story of this magnitude, that the characters are memorable and yes, I know, I'm missing several to deepen, among them Aster, the hooded, the tour, new characters, love triangles, among other little things, but everything in time my dear ones, I couldn't let you down, not now.

I appreciate you very much and see you soon, thank you veryyy much.