A Friendship In Darkness

"Are you sure these two are capable enough to accomplish the task that you have set before them, sister?" asked Princess Luna as she gave her older sister a inquisitive look. The two princesses stood inside a barley lit underground chamber under the throne room in Canterlot Castle. The room was filled with several file cabinets that each stood forty feet tall, each containing files of everypony in Equestria, living and dead. Celestia opened two file cabinets, one cabinet that had the letter B on it, and one with the letter I. She used her magic to levitate two files out, one from each cabinet, and she put them on a stainless steel table that indicated the middle of the large chamber. Luna approached the table and used her magic to turn on the single desk lamp. Princess Celestia joined her and focused the lamp on the two files that now lay on the table.

"They are the only two ponies I would trust for such an assignment like this." she answered, "They have had more experience with the outside world than we do."

"Why not have Twilight Sparkle and her friends do this task?" asked Luna, "They are after all the Elements of Harmony." Celestia shook her head.

"It is imperative that the Elements do not get involved with this assignment at all. We can't risk losing one of my most faithful students or any of her friends." she responded with a stern tone in her voice. Luna nodded and turned her attention back to the files that were laid out before her. She looked at the file that had an enormous B on it, and opened it. She examined the file and read aloud to her sister.

"Subject Name: Blitz, Eyes: Brown, Coat: White, Mane: Brown, Cutie Mark: Comedy & Tragedy Skulls. Strengths: Tough, Loyal, Great Actor, Persuasive, And Quick. Weaknesses: Extremely Jealous, Short Tempered, Cracks Under Pressure." Luna set the file down and moved her attention to the filed that had a large letter I on it. She opened it.

"Subject Name: Ironside, Eyes: Brown, Coat: Light Brown, Mane, Black, Cutie Mark: Locomotive. Strengths: Strong Individual, Talented, Intelligent, Great Mechanic, Calm. Weaknesses: Laid Back, Low Emotional Drive, Easily Depressed, Possibly Suicidal." She set the file down.

"Why these two?" she asked as she scanned at the two pictures of the pegasi, "Why include one pegasus I know?" Celestia then picked up Ironsides file.

"Like I said, Luna, Ironside and Blitz know more about the outside world than either one of us or any of the Elements." she said as she paced back and forth examining Ironside's file. Luna was a little worried about this idea. She knew Ironside had emotional issues and was worried the assignment would exacerbate his problem. She didn't want to depress Ironside to the point where it could cause harm to himself or to the other subject. She looked at the lone file sitting on the table.

"Do you know this one, sister?" she asked as she picked up the file and handed it to Celestia. She exchanged files and Celestia examined Blitz's file.

"In fact I do." she answered with confidence. Celestia smiled as she closed the file and placed it down on the table. "Me and him met up once during the play of "Bits And Bobbles" that played a few few months ago. He played the main role, and after we met up he said 'I made his day.'" Luna nodded as she moved a few strand of her mane out of her eyes. The room was now silent. The two princesses now just stood in place gazing at the files. They knew how important this assignment was and they knew that these subject could get it done. Celestia levitated the files off the table and trotted toward the exit.

"Sister." she called. Celestia looked back Luna. "Can you promise these two will return home safely?" Celestia looked at the ground for a moment and then turned her attention back at the exit.

"No," she answered plainly, "But if they do, they won't be the same." Celestia left the room leaving Luna in the spacious environment. As Luna turned off the desk lamp, she thought back to what her sister just said. She began to worry more about her friend as she realized that he was going to be in a very dangerous situation. She could care less about Blitz. Even though he was considered Ironside's brother she never really got time to actually talk to the colt. Finally deciding that there was not much for her to do, she followed her sister back to the throne room.

-*-*-*-*-

The open fields of Equestria were considered to be the most peaceful place in all of the land, and they were just seven miles outside of Ponyville. With the mixture of the small hills and the grassy fields and addition of the bright sunny sky, with no clouds in sight, made this the most beautiful landscape in all of Equestria. Many ponies of all types met in these fields to get away from the stress of daily life and to just enjoy themselves. Next to a flock of chirping birds and fluttering butterflies were some pegasus fillies that were playing catch with a bright red rubber ball. The two fillies were enjoying their playful moment as both of them were laughing and having so much fun with each other. Little did they know that there was something around them that they were completely oblivious to. When one of the fillies tossed the ball and it hung in mid-air, out of nowhere a train zoomed by and caught the ball in between its cylinders, as it speed off into the distance. The fillies watched as their joyful toy was stolen by a train of all things. One filly looked down at the tracks that each of them were standing aside from. The other filly looked at the train speeding off and stated, "Maybe playing ball across the railroad tracks wasn't such a good idea..."

As engine 2398 rolled down the line, he failed to notice the red rubber ball in between his cylinders. He was too concentrated on looking for animals that might have strayed onto the track. His engineer had never felt comfortable, because of the many animals he has hit over the course of his career. Inside the cab held the main operator of this great engine. His brown eyes looked straight ahead through the cab window with a blank expression on his face. His light brown coat was darkened by the huge amount of coal dust that was floating about in the cab. He had one hoof on the throttle and the other rested on his lap as he was just generally unhappy.

Standing next to the engineer was his friend, the white pegasus pony with the brown eyes and hair. In stark contrast to the engineer, the emotional level was completely different. This pegasus was extremely happy as he was bouncing up and down in circles around a small space in the cab. Even though the coal dust was very high in the small space, he seemed to be a whole lot cleaner due to his rapid and constant movement, which made the coal dust less likely to stick to him. The colts wings were, what looked to be, erect and stiff due to his massive excitement.

Finally the last of the company standing in the cab was the purple dragon Spike. The dragon loved working for the engineer considering that he and the engineer were really good friends.Twilight was completely fine with him working with him, because the two were friends also. Spike was covered in coal dust also but more so because he had been shoveling coal into the firebox box. His purple claws were now black, and he was exhausted by the manual labor. He was leaning on the shovel as he was wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. The light brown iron winger looked a little to his left and spoke.

"I still don't understand how you can be so excited about this, Blitz." he said as he directed his attention away from the tracks and to his white friend. Blitz stopped jumping and looked at him with a look of happiness.

"Aren't you super excited Iron?! Thee Princess Celestia has given us an invite for a special assignment! This is really exciting for me! Why do you seem so uninterested?"

"Because anything dealing with the human world I'd like to keep my snout out of."

"Sure, we might meet a few humans, but think about." he said as he trotted up to Ironside and put a hoof on him. "Us finally having the chance to meet our creators. Think about that for a change." Ironside thought for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be too bad. The thing is, Blitz, we aren't gonna be visiting any humans." Blitz recoiled. "And how do you know that? Maybe she does want us to visit what really made us. You don't know that." Ironside just starred at Blitz trying to find a agreeable argument, but when he had no other choice he just went back to looking out the cab window. Spike on the other hand went back to shoveling coal. Spike stopped after a few scoops and questioned Blitz.

"What exactly does the Princess want you guys to actually do?" Blitz moved to the other side of the cab and looked out at the grassy landscape.

"She wants us to go to the castle and listen to what assignment she has in store for us. I really don't know what the assignment is quite yet, but it involves our creators." Spike shoveled another pile of coal and threw it into the firebox. He looked a his partner.

"Why aren't you so excited about this, Iron?" he asked. Ironside still looked out the window as he answered his question.

"Because the humans have a..." he paused as he tried to look for words to describe the humans, "...awkward way of looking at us." Spike looked at Blitz, who was also looking back at him, both very confused.

"Awkward how?" the purple dragon asked as he turned his attention back at Ironside.

"If I went into any detail, it would probably make both of you guys sick." he answered. Blitz then trotted up behind Ironside and smacked him on the back of the head.

"They aren't awkward! They were pretty unique come to think of it. Your experience was probably awkward, but mine was totally fine. What humans were you around?" Iron looked back at the white pegasus with a look of distaste.

"I've come across a few humans that looked at us in a more different way. Ways that would ruin your mind..." he said as he smacked Blitz on the center of his forehead, "...And your mind." he continued as he looked at Spike and patted him on his head.

"Did you get raped or something?" Blitz questioned as gave a small chuckle.

"No," he responded "but if i stuck around any longer, I probably would have."

Just as Iron finished his sentence, Spike didn't look so good. She was on his knees, hunched over, and was making slight groaning noises. Blitz moved over to him and patted him on the back. "See! Look what you did, Iron. You made this poor fellow sick to his stomach. Your a real..." Spike belched and a magical cloud of smoke appeared, "...sometimes you know that?" Blitz finished. The smoke soon turned into a letter, and it plopped down on the floor of the cab. Blitz picked up the letter and opened it. He read out loud.

Dear: Blitz & Ironside

While I wait for your arrival I hope the traffic isn't too bad. I shall finalize your debriefing when you two arrive at the castle.

XOXO

Princess Celestia

Ironside recoiled at the last part of the message. "XOXO?" he asked hesitantly. "Seems like the princess has some extra special feeling for you, Blitz." Blitz smiled and laughed.

"No. The princess is just writing that to show her thanks for us participating." he looked off outside the cab again and said in a low tone. "I hope..." Ironsides then started to hum to himself. Spike giggled at the humming for he knew what Iron was humming. Blitz listened closely and the words seemed to form in his head.

"Blitz and Celestia sitting in a tree. F-U-C-K-I-N-G."

"Hey! Shut the hell up! I'm not royal enough for that mare." he said as he lounged on the side of the cab and let the wind blow on his wings. Ironside and Spike chuckled to themselves. As Blitz was gazing at the ground, he saw something out the corner of his eye. He looked to see what it was. Two fillies were flying as fast as they could after the train.

"The ball! Please, give us our ball back!" he heard one of the fillies cry.

Blitz look over by the front of the engine and saw a red ball that was stuck in between the cylinders. He proceeded to fly down to the front of the engine and he wrenched the ball out in between the cylinders. Blitz then flew over to the fillies and handed one of them the ball.

"Thank you." said the filly as she received the rubber ball. Blitz nodded.

"Your welcome. Now stay away form the tracks." he answered as the colt turned around and flew back to 2398.

As Blitz landed inside the cab, Ironside question him. "What was all that about?" he said confused. He was totally oblivious that Blitz went in front of the train to retrieve a "stolen" ball.

"There was a ball stuck in the cylinders, I guess. Didn't your train sense tell you that?" Blitz answered sarcastically. Iron was stunned.

"Huh. I never noticed that we picked up a rubber ball. I'm too busy trying to watch the tracks."

Spike spoke up. "Well keep on doing that. We have a while until we get to Canterlot." Iron nodded and proceeded to drive his train all the way to Equestria's capital.

-*-*-*-*-

"So, what assignment is Princess Celestia assigning you two?" asked Cadence as she trotted beside Blitz.

"I really don't know what the assignment is, but by the time we get there, I'm pretty sure that she will explain it all." he answered as he skipped along side her. Our heroes were now being escorted through Canterlot Castle by Shinning Armor and his wife, of course Spike was riding on Iron's back as the two were behind the pack. They all were now going up a spiral staircase, which only had a little light illuminating at the top of the stairs. There were no ponies in sight and it all seemed to be to quiet, in fact the only thing that could be heard was the hoof steps that the four ponies were taking.

"I wonder why it is so empty;" asked Blitz. Cadence smiled.

"There was another massive party that Pinkie Pie was hosting, and I'm guessing that everypony is still there wasted out of their damn mind." she said with a chuckle. Ironside snapped.

"Damn it." he muttered under his breath.

"Why are you two joining in on this? Are you doing the assignment too?" Blitz asked hoping for a yes. Cadence shook her head.

"No, we are just here to escort you to the princesses." Blitz took notice in what Cadence just said.

"Wait. Princesses? Just not Celestia is giving us this assignment?"

"Princess Luna is on board with this but she is pretty reluctant about it."

"Why is Luna so reluctant about it?" asked Iron.

"She is worried about what Celestia is about to throw you guys into. It may be more than you two can handle." she answered. Blitz nudged Cadence and laughed.

"Maybe more than we can handle? Oh please me and Iron can handle anything the princess throws at us. Remember that time we stopped that Manicore attack on Trottingham?"

"Yeah. The one where you almost lost your wings and almost made me lose both my forelegs." Ironside answered in a sassy tone. Blitz looked back at Iron and gave a small look of disgust.

"But! We saved Trottingham, dumb ass, and that is all we need to do and we got it done."

"Well, I hope you two can handle this task, and not lose you sanity." Cadence added as she turned Blitz around with her magic. Ironside chuckled and added, "No promises."

It was quiet after that moment. Blitz thought back to what Iron said. No promises were usually said by him when he really thought something was a bad idea. He did, after all, say that line when they were about to save Trottingham and they both almost died in the process.

"So. What do you two know about the humans?" asked Shinning Armor as he looked straight at Blitz. The white pegasus shook his head as he got his "Deep Thought Mode" out of his system.

"What isn't there to know about these humans?" he answered.

"But I mean how did you get to meet one?"

Blitz just looked straight ahead and with a sigh he answered, "You don't wanna know your imperial and royal highness."

Shinning Armor looked surprised after Blitz addressed him as "your imperial and royal highness". "You don't have to call me to such a formal title." he answered, "If anything I'm just the prince consort."

After Shinning Armor made his statement the group finally arrived at the entrance to the throne room.