He sat at his desk, having laid the quill down, and within his head, the words continued to dance, mingling with residues of the dark dream which had tormented him. The heart was still racing with the memories of that twisted vision. It was hard to shake off the feeling something dark lurked inside him. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

In the quiet of his house came a soft knock at his door. The ears of Lighting twitched, and he swayed for a while, knowing not whether to answer or not. He had been avoiding them for so long, and now this seemed to give him anxiety in confronting them. What if they could sense the turmoil inside him?

"Bolt? It's me, Twilight!" called the familiar, comforting voice from the other side of the door. "Can we come in?"

His heart was racing. He wanted to call out, to tell her to go away and leave him well alone, but something in the warmth of her voice drew him in. He couldn't hide forever. Maybe she would help him find clarity and help him figure out what to do next.

"Uh, yeah, come in," he called back, his voice shaking.

Saying this, he quickly pushed the journal into his desk, hoping no one would find it. Certainly, the last thing he wanted them to see was his inner most thoughts, especially what he had just written.

The door opened and in walked Twilight and Applejack, both of them with concerned looks on their faces. Twilight's eyes lit up slightly at how the room was in disarray, but Applejack took a step forward, furrowing her brow.

"Hey there, Sugarcube," Applejack said softly. "We've been worried about ya."

"Yeah," Twilight added, softening her tone. "What happened last night? Why were you out alone?"

Lightning forced a smile over his face but it was more of a grimace, avoiding the question. "I'm fine. I'm managing."

Applejack crossed her hooves, a disbelieving expression on her face. "Sugarcube, you don't have to pretend with us. We're here to help, 'member?"

"Really, I'm okay," he insisted, even as the weight of his anxiety clung to him.

"Then what's got you all worked up?" Twilight pressed, her eyes searching his for answers.

He hesitated, wanting to pull away, but he didn't want to further worry them. "I've just been thinking about… my old home, before the changelings took over everything."

Twilight and Applejack exchanged a glance. "Is that it?" Twilight asked softly.

"Just... I don't know, it feels like I'm isolating myself and pushing my friends and family away," said Lightning cautiously. "I've just been feeling. homesick, I guess."

Applejack's face melted into a nod; she knew how hard it was to say. "I get it, Bolt. Being homesick can really wear a fella down. But just remember, you don't have to go through that alone. We're here for you, and you can always talk to us about how you feel.".

"Yeah, but it's hard to shake that feeling," Lightning continued, his voice cracking a little. "What if I drive you both and the others away? I just can't stand the thought of hurting the ponies I care about."

Twilight stepped closer, her eyes filled with understanding. "Bolt, we are your friends. And it helps that you are being open about it. You won't drive us away. Ever"

With a growl of determination, a spark of hope flickered to life within him, and he took another deep breath, wrapping himself into the comfort of their friendship like a security blanket. "Yeah, I guess it does."

"See?" Twilight chimed, the tone was a good-natured prod toward confidence. "And remember, we'll be right there with you every step of the way."

Then Twilight added, "I was also thinking that maybe you'd like to come over for breakfast?

Lightning felt a flutter of heat at the invitation. It was nice of her to try and include him, but the weight of his secret lay there in the back of his mind. "Okay, that does sound fine. Just give me a little while to get ready," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Of course! Take your time," Twilight smiled. "We'll see you soon!"

He just felt grateful, and anxious as Twilight and Applejack turned to leave. He wanted to enjoy his breakfast, but a nagging fear of giving away his true self loomed over him like an ominous specter.

He waited till they were all gone before taking a minute for himself to collect his thoughts. Just a few more hours, he told himself, knowing he could mask his fears among friends. Taking a deep breath, he started to prepare, mentally steeling himself for whatever the day might bring.

"I cannot believe I lied to them, and Applejack, the Element of Honesty, didn't catch it?" Lightning question to himself. He had this feeling that he may just get away with this, but knowing Applejack, if she knows something is off, she will get the truth out.

He took a deep breath, his heart racing with uncertainty. The thought of losing their friendship sent a shiver of dread down his spine. He couldn't bear the thought of losing them; they were his world, and thoughts of losing them freaked him out. Then he cleaned himself up, and while grooming his mane in the mirror, his Twisted self took over his reflection.

"You can't hide from me forever Lightning Bolt, it's only a matter of time before the others find out the truth. And when that day comes they'll see you for who you truly are." Twisted Lightning told him. Then, Lightning looked away from the mirror and said "No! You're not real, and I'm not like you!" He then looks at himself in the mirror again and sees his normal reflection.

"Perhaps I should go to Twilight's castle for breakfast; that may clear my mind," said Lightning as he stepped out of his house and walked in the castle's direction.

The moment he left the house, The mirror reflection reappeared, grinning this time, and said, "Soon I am going to break him, take over, and then no one would be able to stop me." A menacing cackle as King Sombra's distorted reflection takes form.

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter is very short but i feel its better to split the morning 2 on 1 chat and the breakfast to there own chapters.