A Lost Friend

by Sirius Starshine

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Romance, Original Character, Rainbow Dash
Length: 35561

Dash has been waiting to find the pony she met long ago as a filly but will be the same?

Rainbow Dash has been waiting for years to find the pony whom she met as filly so long ago. However time changes all ponies for better, or for worse, and the stallion that she finds may not be the same as she remembers.

You can now find this story on my DeviantArt too http://siriusstarshine.deviantart.com/

Published 2012-01-30 06:38:29 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-29 17:25:16 UTC

Chapter 1

A Lost Friend

Chapter One

It was another beautiful day in Cloudsdale. The sun was shining, it was warm, and there was only a very light breeze. The weather pegasi wanted to make sure that the conditions were ideal for today’s flying lessons. There were many pegasi standing in line in front of the obstacle course today. They were all very young and none of them have even received their cutie marks yet. One pegasus in particular was extremely eager to have her run on the course. This one was a filly with a cyan coat with a rainbow mane and tail, and fierce pink eyes. Her name was Rainbow Dash. She had been looking forward to today for a while now; she always hated to be stuck in a classroom while the boring teacher went on and on about the theory and dynamics of flying, she just wanted to get out and actually fly. This was her class’s first practical lesson in flying, and she couldn’t wait to take to the air and see what she was capable of. The line kept on moving forward, slowly.

“Too slowly,” Rainbow Dash thought to herself. “Come oooonn, can’t this line go any faster?” she whined, flapping her wings in anticipation.

“What’s wrong Rainbow Crash?” taunted a young colt behind her, “can’t wait to embarrass yourself in front of everyone?”

Rainbow Dash turned around and glared at the two colts standing behind her. One was brown with a dark grey mane, and the other was black with a light grey mane.

“I told you to stop calling me that! And just you watch, I’m gonna finish this course in record time!” she said angrily.

“Yeah right,” the black colt shot back, “I bet you don’t even make it to the finish line Rainbow CRASH!” he replied with a mean grin on his face.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re up next,” said the black and white instructor pegasus.

“Prepare to be amazed,” Dash shot back at the two colts as she ran up to the starting platform. She then got her first good look at the obstacle course. It was a short, simple course set up for the young pegasi. The course was only a few feet above the clouds, and all the objects on the course were made of clouds as well. It started with a simple four post slalom drill, followed by two large round clouds perpendicular to the course that they had to go between and around them in a figure eight pattern. Then they had to touch another cloud pillar on the other side of them, and come back through the course in the opposite direction.

“Alright Rainbow Dash, are you ready?” asked the instructor now holding her silver whistle in her hoof.

“I was born ready!” Dash said with a fierce grin on her face. She then crouched down and spread her wings, readying herself to leap into the air when the instructor blew her whistle.

“Okay then, on your mark, get set, TWEEEEEEE!” The instructor blew on her whistle, and Rainbow Dash took off like a flash.

She shot forward onto the course, confident she would complete it with no problem. She weaved between the first three cloud pillars with no problem, but on the fourth one she clipped her hind leg on the pillar which caused her to lose control and slam into one of the large clouds. She quickly pulled herself off the cloud, berating herself, and continued around the clouds in the figure eight pattern. When she made it though the obstacle she flew around the last cloud pillar and brushed it with her foreleg and continued back around the two large clouds. When she exited the obstacle the second time however, she turned too sharp and caught her wing on the edge of the cloud causing her to lose her balance again. She shakily proceeded back though the slalom still trying to regain her balance, but couldn’t stabilize before the end of the course. She wasn’t able to bank hard enough around the last cloud pillar and ended up going through it. Her balance now completely gone she started to tumble through the air.

“Whoa, whoa, not good, not good, look ooouut!” she yelled as she kept tumbling through the air until she crashed into the instructor.

Both were completely dazed but Rainbow Dash recovered almost immediately. She stood up and shook her head. She then looked around and saw what happened and started apologizing to the instructor.

“Oh my gosh are you okay? I’m really, really sorry I didn’t mean to run into you,” Dash said to the instructor very quickly with an apologetic look on her face and blushing from embarrassment.

“I’m okay” replied the instructor still completely dazed.

“Hahaha! Wow Rainbow Crash you took out the instructor and half the course!” the brown colt jeered at her.

“Yeah hahaha” laughed the black colt, “that was the worst flying I’ve ever seen, Rainbow Crash! And you wanna be part of the Wonderbolts? Hahahaha!”

“I said don’t call me that!” Dash yelled back, tears starting to fill her eyes.

The two colts then started to chant the nickname they’ve given her. First it was just them but then the rest of the class started joining in until they were all chanting the name that she hated so much

“Rainbow Crash, Rainbow Crash, Rainbow Crash!” they all chanted

“STOP IT! STOP CALLING ME THAT!” she yelled at them, tears now streaming down her face. But they didn’t stop. They just kept chanting and chanting. Rainbow couldn’t take it anymore and she ran off crying, more embarrassed and ashamed than she’s ever been.

She ran all the way to the other side of the academy building to hide in her favorite spot on campus. It was a rainbow fountain surrounded by soft plush clouds offering a peaceful semi-private lounging area. She lied down and leaned against the largest cloud, and cried. She cried and cried from sheer embarrassment and disappointment in herself.

“They’re r-right,” she sobbed to herself. “I’m a horrible flyer; the Wonderbolts would never want somepony like me on their team.” It has always been her dream to one day become a member of the Wonderbolts, the best flyers in all of Equestria, but with her horrible flight today she didn’t think she was good enough to ever be considered to join them.

She kept crying until she heard the sound of hooves trotting on the clouds nearby. She didn’t want anypony to see her right now so she dug herself into the cloud she was leaning against, but she had been crying so hard that she kept hiccupping every couple of seconds.

“Hello? Is anypony there?” She heard a young colt say. “Hello? Huh, must be hearing things.”

Rainbow waited for a few minutes to make sure that the colt had left before she decided to come back out of the cloud she was hiding in. She cautiously stuck her head out first, her puffy, bloodshot eyes questing for signs of any other pony around. When she didn’t see anyone she slowly pulled herself out of the cloud, still sniffling, she went to lie back down.

“I was wondering how long you were going to stay in there,” said the voice from earlier. Rainbow jumped in surprise and turned to the source of the voice. It was a young colt, only maybe a year older than her. His coat was a shade of light green, his mane and tale a much deeper shade of green. The cutie mark on his flank was a gold colored crescent moon with a gold star inside the crescent with two more on the other side of the moon. He was lying on top of the cloud she had been hiding in. There was a warm smile on his muzzle and concern in his deep gold eyes.

“W-wh-who are you?” Rainbow asked nervously, taking a step back.

“I’m ........ …..,” he said, she didn’t hear what his name was, but understood what he said. He stepped off the cloud so they were on almost the same level, he being a little taller. “It’s nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

“Rainbow Cra- Dash, Rainbow Dash,” she replied embarrassed at her slip up.

“Well Rainbow Dash” the colt said with a slight emphasis on Dash, “Why are you here all alone and so upset?” He asked still with a concerned look on his face.

“I-I’m not upset, I’m fine, great even!” She said trying to show her usual bravado. However, the colt just gave her a dubious look. She tried to shake it off by staring back but his stare was better. “Sniff, well, I crashed during my turn on the obstacle course today.”

“That’s not so bad, everyone crashes sometimes.” The colt said.

“It’s not just that, I also destroyed half the course and knocked out the teacher when I crashed, and, sniff, all the other ponies started making fun of me, even my friends, and” her voice broke, and tears started running down her face again as all of the emotion from earlier came rushing back and enveloped her.

“Hey it’s okay shhhh, don’t worry it’s okay,” the colt went up and embraced her when she started crying again. She didn’t care she just cried into his shoulder sobbing every couple seconds. She eventually started to calm down again, and that’s when she heard it. He was singing to her. It was a calming song and the words helped her relax and made her feel a little better.

“…. … ……. ……..,” he finished the song. Again she didn’t hear what he was saying but she understood it. “You okay?” the colt asked.

“Yeah, I feel better now, thank you”

“Hey, Rainbow Crash! We were wondering where you ran off to!” A young colt’s voice rang out across the yard.

Upon hearing the voice Rainbow Dash stiffened and gasped, “oh no, it’s them.” She gasped again as she felt the green colt pull away from her and face the approaching group of pegasi.

“Hey, are you the pegasi who were making fun of her earlier?!” the green colt demanded, anger evident on his face and stance.

The group of pegasi was taken aback by the sudden aggressiveness that the colt showed, but they recovered quickly and continued walking up to the fountain. They stopped once they were only a few feet from Rainbow and the colt. Only then did they respond to the colt helping Rainbow.

“What’s it to you huh? This is none of your business so get out of here.” The brown pegasus said to the green one.

The green pegasus glared at the brown pegasus for a second then started talking, his voice full of anger and contempt at the pegasi in front of him.

“I’m making it my business. I think it’s wrong to make fun of somepony for any reason. It makes you nothing but a pretentious jerk that gets their kicks out of making some other pony feel bad about themselves just to boost your ego,” he then started walking side to side looking into every ponies’ eyes as he passed them. “That goes double for you who pretend to be a pony’s friend, but when they get shown in a bad light you ditch them so as not to be shown in the same light.” He spat on the clouds next to his hooves, “you disgust me the most. A true friend is loyal, and sticks by their friends through thick and thin, and supports them no matter what. That’s what it means to be a friend.”

Upon hearing the word “loyal” Rainbow Dash suddenly felt stronger, more confident, like something inside her had, not awakened, but stirred. It also made her realize that the ponies facing her were not worth the tears she shed earlier. The only ponies that mattered were the ones who were willing to be her friend, true friends, and she would never leave them and always be there to help them, just like …….. ….. was there for her right now. She then wiped the remnants of her tears off with her front leg and walked up and stood next to her friend. When he saw her walk up he looked at her and flashed a quick, fierce grin to her, then turned back to the other pegasi still standing in front of them.

“Well, if we’re all done here then you should all be on your way,” he said to the bullies.

The brown bully pegasus was seething with anger, it was evident that nopony had ever talked to him like that before. When he spoke his voice was brimming with fury born of embarrassment.

“I don’t know who you think you are but nopony, NOPONY! Talks to me like that,” he then spread his wings and readied himself to lunge at the pegasus helping Rainbow.

The green pegasus, however, didn’t even flinch. All he did was spread his legs a bit to gain a more stable balance and said. “Come at me colt, that is, if you’re not too scared to fight me one on one like a real pegasus.”

The two pegasi faced each other like that for a full minute. Then the brown pegasus slowly folded his wings and stood upright again. “Pfff, you’re not even worth the effort, not that it would be overly difficult to beat you in a fight, but I have better things to do with my time then to spend it with some self-righteous pony.” He then turned around and started walking away yelling to the others around him, “come on, let’s get out of here before Rainbow Crash try’s to fly again and destroys something else!”

Rainbow started to yell something back, but stopped when she felt her friend’s hoof on her shoulder. She looked over and saw him shaking his head.

“Let it go, we already won this fight, no sense in restarting it,” he said to her his smile back on his face. “Now where do you live? I’ll walk you home.”

Rainbow returned his smile and turned to her right and said, “Right this way, come on.” They started walking away, after a few steps she turned towards her friend, “uh, ……..?” she said, but no sound came out.

“Yes?” he replied as if she heard her perfectly.

“Thank you”

He turned to her, still smiling, “what are friends for?”

********

“What are friends for?” mumbled Rainbow Dash into her pillow. She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling of her room. She had that dream again, the one about the green pegasus colt she knew when she still lived in Cloudsdale. He was the first real friend that she ever had. He showed her friendship back then when no pony else would. He taught her to ignore the bullies who taunted her, and how to stand up to them when they shifted their focus to somepony else. That’s how she met Fluttershy. Rainbow saw them making fun of her one day, so Rainbow went over and stood up to the bullies for her, just like the green pegasus did for her. Unfortunately she had to do it by herself.

The green pegasus had left Cloudsdale only a few weeks after they had met. She remembered that his father was in the Equestrian Air Force, and that one day the green pegasus told her that he was leaving Cloudsdale because his father was being re-assigned to another outpost. She begged and pleaded for him not to go, that he could come live with her and her family, but neither of their parents would allow it. On his last day in Cloudsdale they met one last time at the fountain where he first showed her friendship. She asked him once again if he could stay, even though she knew he couldn’t. He just smiled at her and told her that loyal friends will always meet again someday. Then he flew away, and she hasn’t seen him since.

Rainbow Dash wished that she could see him again, if only one more time. She believed that if it wasn’t for him that she would have never learned about what it meant to be a loyal friend. That she would have never learned how to stand up and protect her friends and consequently created the first Sonic Rainboom. And, she believed, that she would have never learned what it meant to be a loyal friend and become the Element of Loyalty. She wished that she could meet him just one more time so she could thank him for everything that he did for her, and for helping her to become the pony she is today, but she couldn’t remember his name, or even the song that he always sang to her when she was feeling down.

She racked her brain for a few more minutes hoping that maybe she could at least remember part of his name, but to no avail. All that would come to her was the last thing he said to her, “friends always meet each other again someday.”

She then got out of bed and prepared herself for the day. She took a shower, brushed her teeth and hair, ate breakfast, and straightened up her house a bit where the clouds were starting to drift apart again. All the while her mind kept wandering back to the green pegasus. She wished she could at least remember his name, but the more she tried to remember, the harder it was to think of it. She finally got a breakthrough when she remembered that part of his name was a color when she heard a knock on her door.

“Now who could that be?” she thought aloud, “Oh yeah, Fluttershy was gonna help me collect some storm clouds so that I could practice my new trick!” She quickly rushed out her door to the pegasus waiting for her. When she went through the door she saw her friend standing a couple feet back so that she wouldn’t be hit by the door when it opened. When she saw her yellow friend she had a worried look on her face, but upon seeing Rainbow it changed to one of relief, then to her usual shy posture when she thought she was intruding on somepony.

“Oh I’m sorry Rainbow, um, did I disturb you? It’s just that, well, you said to meet you at the clearing outside Ponyville a while ago, and when you didn’t show up I came here to make sure you were alright,” Fluttershy said while she fidgeted nervously.

“Yeah, sorry about that Fluttershy, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just lost track of time is all.” Rainbow replied while rubbing the back of her head.

“That’s okay I understand. Did you still need my help preparing for your new trick?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes, that would be awesome if you could still help me out!” Rainbow said enthusiastically.

“Oh, of course I would be happy to, what are friends for?” Fluttershy responded.

Rainbow paused for a split second, remembering her dream again, before she responded “yeah, exactly!”

With that the pegasi took to the air to collect some clouds that have collected static electricity so they could create a small lightning cloud for Rainbow’s new trick. Rainbow let her mind wander back to the green pegasus for just a second before she put all her attention back to the task at hoof, and she thought.

“Some day.”

Chapter 2

A Lost Friend

Chapter Two

“Whew, that should do it,” Rainbow said as she and Fluttershy moved the last puff of cloud into position. “Thanks again for the help Fluttershy.”

“Oh, my pleasure Rainbow, but um, if you don’t mind me asking that is, what is this new trick that you’re working on?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well…” Rainbow rubbed her chin contemplating, “I wasn’t gonna tell anypony till I at least tried it first, but since you asked.” Rainbow said with a sharp grin lifting her face. “I plan on gathering the lightning in the cloud around me, then blasting out of the cloud, the lightning streaking behind me colored in a rainbow pattern! I call it a Rainbow-Bolt!”

“Ooh, sounds dangerous, I mean, there is a lot of electricity in those clouds that we gathered” Fluttershy said with a worried look.

“It’s no problem for the best weather pony in Ponyville,” Rainbow said with complete confidence.

“Well, do you want me to stay and cheer for you?” Fluttershy asked.

“Um, actually I wanted to be alone the first time I tried it. Like you said there is a lot of electricity in those clouds and, I’m sure I can handle it no sweat, but just in case. I don’t want anypony around in case some lightning goes astray.” Rainbow said, a slightly embarrassed look on her face.

“Oh, ok, I understand. Well this gives me more time to check on that family of moles who have been feeling under the weather lately, but are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You go look after those moles.” Rainbow said waving her off.

“Well if you’re sure, are you still going to join the others and I for supper at Rarity’s tonight?” Fluttershy asked.

“Absolutely!” Rainbow replied

“Ok, see you tonight then,” Fluttershy said waving goodbye.

“See ya, and thanks again for your help.” Rainbow said

“Anytime,” Fluttershy replied. And with that she flew off back to her cottage.

“Alright now with her safely away let’s give this a shot,” Rainbow thought to herself. She then entered the cloud; she felt the electricity tingling all over her body when she fully submerged herself inside the cloud. She slowly began to draw more of the electricity to herself, building up a massive charge. One she gathered as much as she thought she could handle she started moving it all to her fore-legs. The amount of electricity covering her fore-legs was almost unbearable.

“Now, let’s see how well this works,” She positioned herself so that she was facing down towards the ground at an angle. She then flapped her wings and she shot forward like a bullet, and right as she left the cloud she touched her fore-hooves together to blast the lightning towards the ground with her trailing it to infuse her rainbow effect to it.

However, instead of a bolt of lightning forking out from her hooves, the charged electricity exploded, violently. The force from the blast was so powerful it knocked her unconscious instantly, and sent her rocketing through the sky, away from Ponyville.

A pegasus was running down a forested path. He was naked just like every other pony usually was in Equestria, except for a dagger in a sheath he wore on his left ankle so he could easily pull it out if he needed it. He was light green in color, with a deep green mane and tail, both cut to military length and deep golden eyes. His cutie mark depicted a gold crescent moon with one gold star inside the crescent and two more on the other side making a triangle pattern. The mark on his right side however was marred by a long scar that went from his lower back then crossed diagonally across his flank. Every day when he woke up he would run down this path leading out of the town he lived in to a small lake a couple miles away, and then he would fly back the same way. Today he decided to take a quick drink at the lake before he flew back. When he lifted his head to breath he saw something smash into the lake.

“What the hay was that!” He watched the point of impact dumbfounded until he saw what caused it. He saw a cyan pony’s head bobbing in the water for a couple seconds before it sank into the depths of the water. “Horseapples!” He exclaimed and flew out to the point where he saw the pony go under then dove in after her. He used his wings as well as his legs to propel himself down as fast as he could. When he reached her he wrapped his fore-legs around her chest and swam back up to the surface. He then swam back to shore on his back holding her to his chest to keep her head out of the water. When he reached the shore he placed her on her back and checked her for breathing and a pulse.

“Nothing, come on don’t give up on me,” he immediately started chest compressions. “Come on, come on, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,” every compression he could hear and feel her ribs cracking under his hooves. He then exhaled two breaths into her lungs and did thirty more compressions, repeating the process. He did this for a few minutes before she finally coughed and stated breathing on her own.

“kkhhhhhh hack ack, huuuuuuuh gasp,” she coughed then started breathing heavily.

“Hey hey hey, stay with me, I’m gonna get you to a doctor, just stay with me ok?” the male pegasus said. She tried to say something but he couldn’t make it out said before she promptly passed out again. “Dammit,” he checked for vital signs again, this time finding that her breathing and heartbeat, while weak, were steady. He then pulled her onto his back and leaped into the air, taking her back to the village.

When he got back to the village he touched down in front of a two-story house with a sign over the door that read “Clinic” in front. He went up to the door and started banging on it calling for the doctor.

“Doctor! Doctor! I need some help here, it’s an emergency!” He kept yelling and banging on the door until it was opened by a pale teal colored unicorn with blue eyes, blue main and tail, and a stethoscope for her cutie mark. When she opened the door she had a slightly worried look on her face, but upon seeing the pegasi on her door step her face flashed to shock, then to a determined, expressionless mask.

“Bring her to the examination room in the back, quickly,” she said in a calm, but firm voice as she turned around and led them to the back of the house. When they entered the room she used her magic to gently lift the cyan pegasus and set her gently onto the bed. She then pulled her stethoscope out of a cabinet beside the bed and proceeded to examine her. “What do you know of her condition?” She asked the male pegasus.

“She fell from the sky and crashed into the lake at high speed. She sank down and I went after her and pulled her out. She wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a pulse so I gave her CPR for a couple minutes, so she has broken ribs, when she started breathing again I immediately brought her here.” He told her.

“Well it looks like she also has several burns all across her body, a mild concussion, and some minor whiplash. Oh you poor dear what could have caused this?” the unicorn said as she strapped a neck-brace on the cyan pegasus.

“Is she gonna be alright? Is there anything I can do to help?” The male pegasus asked.

“The best thing you can do is leave and let me work,” she said a little harshly. She paused for a second while she cut the dressing she was wrapping around the cyan pegasus’ head and flashed him an apologetic look. “I apologize but I need to focus on her to make sure she doesn’t go into shock. There are some bits on the table in the next room, go get some food for yourself and me, it’s going to take a while to stabilize her and dress her wounds.”

“Uh, ok I- uh, I’ll be back in a little while then” the male pegasus said and he left the room so the doctor could work without any distractions. He grabbed the bits on the table, and left the house to go to the restaurant down the road. “Who is that pony?” he thought to himself. He felt like he’s seen her before but for the life of him he couldn’t remember where. He knew she wasn’t with the Razorwings. Was she at the Academy with him? No, he didn’t believe so. Wait, now he remembered. She was that filly that he met in Cloudsdale, the one who was always being picked on. He took to the air and flew towards his house right outside the village, the food temporarily forgotten.

“I wonder if I still have that pin she gave me,” he thought to himself as he entered his house. He walked down to his basement where he kept all the things that he kept in storage. There were several boxes, but a few of them were separated from the rest. He went over to those and pull out the one labeled “foal-hood stuff” pulled out his knife and opened the box. He dug around for a minute until he found it. It was a small metal pin shaped and colored like the Wonderbolts symbol. It was given to him by the cyan pegasus the day he left Cloudsdale.

“Are you sure you have to go?” asked the teary-eyed cyan filly.

“Yes, I’m sorry but my dad is already reassigned we have to go,” the green pegasus told her.

“I don’t want you to go!” she wined as she buried her face into her chest.

“Hey don’t cry, you know I hate it when you do that,” he said as he gently placed a hoof on her shoulder and pushed her back so he could at her.

“I’m sorry, but I’m just gonna miss you so much,” She said.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he said smiling at her. “Friends always meet each other again someday,” he told her with a slight emphasis on “always.”

She sniffed and smiled back at him. “Here, I want you to have this, so that you can remember me,” she said. She then turned to her saddle bag and pulled something out and showed it to him. It was a metal Wonderbolts pin.

“But that’s your favorite Wonderbolts pin. I couldn’t take that,” he told her.

“That’s why I want you to have it. If you didn’t stand up for me that day I smashed the obstacle course I would’ve given up on flying altogether. I want you to have it, and I won’t take no for an answer.” She said with a fierce look on her face. “Besides, this way you can remember me everytime you see it.”

“Alright alright, I if it’ll make you feel better I’ll hang onto it,” he said chuckling.

“Promise you’ll take good care of it too!” she demanded.

“I promise,” he said solemnly.

“Good!” she said. Her eyes started to swim again and she embraced him once more and said “I hate saying goodbye.”

“That’s why I never do,”

“Huh?”

“I never say goodbye, instead I say ‘see you later’”

She looked up at him again and smiled a little when she said. “Ok then, see you later!”

“See you later Rainbow,” he said. Then he turned away and flew off to meet his family.

That’s right he remembered now her name was Rainbow… something, he couldn’t remember the second part of her name but at least he remembered part of it. He placed the pin inside his bag so he could set it on her bedside table, though, he wondered if she would even remember she gave it to him or who he even is. No, he can’t allow himself to get close to anypony again. He’s lost so much already he didn’t think he could handle anymore, but you can’t lose what you don’t have.

“It’s for the best that I stay distant from her just like everypony else. I’ll just return her pin and we can go back to our own lives,” he thought to himself. He then left his house and headed back the restaurant to collect the food. Once he got it he went back to the doctor’s house. He took the food back to the dining room outside the infirmary and unpacked it. There were a couple dandelion sandwiches, a small stack of apple tarts, and a jug of lime-aid. Once he got everything set he went into the infirmary to tell the doctor the food was ready.

“Alright food’s up whenever you’re ready Doc,” when he walked in he saw the condition of Rainbow. She was a mess. Her head was covered in a thick covering of bandages, her neck was wrapped in a brace, her chest was completely wrapped up, her left wing was braced in a splint. The rest of her body was patched in random places with small bandages, and there was an I.V. hooked up to her right fore-leg.

“Great, I’m starving!” the doctor said and turned towards the male pagasus. She then noticed the look of concern on his face, and the direction of his gaze. “Oh, yeah she was banged up pretty good,” the doctor explained. “In addition to the broken ribs and concussion she also sprained her wing pretty badly, and was covered in burns. It’ll take some time but she should make a full recovery, assuming there isn’t any additional neural damage, but since it’s only a mild concussion there shouldn’t be any.”

The male pegasus sighed, “well that’s good, thank you Loveheart.”

“Well of course, I couldn’t just let her go without any medical attention, but I am curious, is this somepony you know?” she asked.

“Not for many years, you should go eat the food is getting cold. I’ll join you in a second.”

The medical unicorn was going to say something else, but at the last second decided against it and walked out of the infirmary. The pegasus then walked over to the side of the bed and pulled out the pin he picked up from his house. He placed it on the bedside table facing her so she could easily see it when she woke up. He heard somepony knock on the front door to the house, but continued to stand there watching Rainbow sleep. A few seconds later Doctor Loveheart walked back into the room, however, she was followed by two royal guard-pegasi.

“Is this the pegasus you’re looking for Gentlemen?” Loveheart asked them.

The guards looked from the male pegasus to Rainbow,” yes that’s her one of them said. “What’s her condition? Can she be moved?” he asked.

“Not for a couple of weeks at least no,” replied Loveheart. “She has several broken ribs and a concussion, not to mention several other injuries that have exhausted her body even more.”

“Be that as it may, our orders from Princess Celestia are to return her to Ponyville as soon as possible. Set up a transport so we can move her within the hour” the other royal guard-pony said.

“But she may have further neural damage from her head injury, but I won’t be able to tell until she wakes up, if you move her now it could possibly worsen it” argued Loveheart.

The guards seemed to hesitate for a second upon hearing that, but the first one replied, “Orders are orders ma’am.”

“Seems rather odd that the Princess would send out search parties for one pegasus when she hasn’t been missing for even a day yet. What’s the deal?” asked the pegasus standing next to Rainbow.

For the first time both guard-pegasi placed their full attention on him. “Well not that it’s any of your business, but she’s one of the Elements of Harmony and one of her friends knew she was working with some lightning clouds and heard an explosion come from where she was at. Thus, informing the Princess who then sent several search parties out looking for her with explicit orders to return her to Ponyville ASAP.”

The green pegasus was surprised to hear that, “an Element of Harmony huh,” he thought to himself, “I thought that was just an old mare’s tale, but if these guards were sent by Celestia to find her they must be real,” these stallions though didn’t realize the seriousness of her injuries, however. They were willing to move her even though it could possibly do more harm than help to her. He needed to stop them before they have that chance.

“Did you not hear the doctor?” he asked rhetorically, slightly raising his voice, “if you move her now it could possibly do her more harm. She isn’t going anywhere until she’s conscious and has recovered enough to be moved safely.” He said with authoritative command in his voice.

The guard-pegasi were taken aback by the assertiveness of the other pegasus, but they quickly recovered the first one saying, “and who do you think you are Bub? We can arrest you for defiance to the Princess for that.”

The green pegasus glanced at their shoulder plates to see their rank insignia. Both guards wore a single brass bar on both shoulders, second lieutenants then, probably just graduated from the academy not too long ago. He knew the type, young officers convinced of their authority, wanting to impress the higher ups, nothing malicious in their intent, but still must be stopped before they unintentionally do more harm than good. He hated to do this, but it was the fastest way to resolve the issue.

Without another word he walked up to the guards and showed them his knife sheath. It was a standard issue Equestrian Military sheath and as such had two symbols emblazed on it. One to show which branch he served, a silhouetted hawk’s head over crossed swords to signify the Air Force, and his rank insignia, two silver bars.

Upon seeing the symbols both guard-pegasi immediately snapped to attention and saluted the green pegasus. He waited a long second before casually returning the salute. He continued to stare at them, a look of obvious displeasure on his face, while they stood at attention. After a little while he finally said, “Disrespecting a superior officer, that’s a serious offence men. In fact it’s enough to warrant a Court Marshal.” The two guard-pegasi gulped upon hearing that, but knew better then to actually protest the accusation, lest they make it worse for themselves.

“However, I know that you two are only doing your job, so I won’t report your misconduct. But that doesn’t change my previous order, she is not to be moved until she’s cleared by Doctor Loveheart here.” The unicorn in question had been standing in the background since he presented his sheath to the guard-pegasi. She was shocked at how he was handling the situation. She knew he was part of the military but she never knew what his rank or position was, and she had never seen him act with such authoritative command before. In fact she didn’t know very much about him at all. Nopony in town did.

She looked at the green pegasus and asked, “why me?”

“Because you’ve already seen her condition, treated her, and gave expected recovery assessments. Plus, I trust your judgment.” He told her and gave her a reassuring smile. She smiled and nodded at him before he turned to face the guard pegasi again.

“Permission to speak freely Sir?” asked the second guard-pegasi.

“Granted, and at ease,” the captain replied.

“Thank you Sir,” they both replied as they relaxed their stances. “Well as we said earlier, our orders came from the Princesses themselves. If we return to them, and we’ve failed to carry out their orders, we could be banished on the spot.” Said the first guard-pegasi.

“I understand that lieutenant, that’s why I will accompany you when you return to Canterlot to give your report. I have my own report to give to Princess Luna as well so this takes care of two clouds in one kick.” The captain said to them. He then started to walk out the room and back towards the front door. As he passed through the door frame he glanced back at Rainbow and paused for a second.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her, you have my word,” Loveheart said to him with a reassuring smile.

“Thank you,” he replied and continued walking again, “come on lieutenants……”

“Lieutenant Sun Stroke,” said the first one.

“Lieutenant Moon Beam,” replied the second.

“Ok, Lieutenant Sun Stroke and Lieutenant Moon Beam, we must stop at my quarters first so I can put on my uniform and collect my report. We will then leave for Canterlot.” He told them.

“Yes, Sir!” they both replied in unison, and the three of them left the doctor’s house, and flew off towards the captain’s house.

After a couple of minutes Lieutenant Sun Stroke asked tentatively “Sir, if you don’t mind, you know our names, but we don’t know yours?”

The captain waited a couple seconds, then he glanced back at the two guard-pegasi and said, “Captain Viridian Night.”

Chapter 3

A Lost Friend

Chapter 3

“Nnnnnnnngggggghuh,” Rainbow Dash groaned as she woke up. “How awesome did I look?” the last thing she remembered she was about to perform her Rainbow Bolt when something went wrong and it exploded in her face. She then had a dream where she was swimming and then was kissing a stallion pegasus. She tried to remember who he was but she couldn’t remember ever meeting somepony that looked like that, but he seemed oddly familiar. She chalked it up to just some weird dream and brought a fore-leg up to rub the sleep from her eyes.

As she did she noticed that it felt like there was something pulling back on her fore-leg a bit. She tried to look down at her leg to see what it was caught on, but found there was something around her neck to keep her head from moving. She lowered her hoof and brought the other one up to feel what was around her neck. While she was feeling her neck she noticed her left wing was stiff as a board. She tried to turn her head again only to feel it restrained again, she then realized that she was in a neck brace, instead she shifted her eyes as far as she could. She could only see about half her wing, but from what she could tell it was splayed out, but still slightly flexed at all the joints to allow blood flow, and was completely bound in medical wrapping to keep it from moving.

She was starting to get worried now. She looked around the dimly lit room around her not recognizing it. She had been in the infirmary in Ponyville a few times after she’d hurt herself either in training or when the weather patrol had to clear up a particularly bad storm, and while the room looked similar the view from the window was wrong. In the infirmary in Ponyville she remembered you could see the fountain in the town square through the window. Here, however, all she could see was a small garden and some trees.

Becoming more anxious by the second she sat up to get out of bed to try to find out where in Equestria she was. When she got up, however, the muscles in her torso tensed and blood rushed to her head. She cried out as she felt like she was struck by another bolt of lightning and fell back down on the bed. She just lied there in pain, barely noticing the hoofsteps rapidly approaching the room. She saw a pale teal unicorn with a red cross cutie mark burst into the room and rush over to her.

“It’s okay just stay calm, tell me what happened,” the unicorn said while watching her intently.

“Tried to sit up… head and chest hurt… a lot.” Rainbow said between clenched teeth and shallow breaths.

Without another word the unicorn used her magic to pull out a needle from a sterile package with a small amount of clear liquid in it. She gently inserted the needle into Rainbow’s arm and injected her. Rainbow continued to writhe in pain for a couple more seconds before the medicine took effect. She then started to slowly relax as she felt the waves of pain recede until there was only a shadow of it remaining, eventually even that faded as well until her entire body felt numb
.

“Thank you, I feel much better now,” Rainbow said, still a little short of breath, as she began to sit back up again.

“No, stay down, don’t move!” Loveheart yelled and she used her magic to push Rainbow back down by her shoulders.

“Why? Whatever you gave me helped a lot, I feel great.” Rainbow said, indignantly.

“Because that medicine I gave you completely stops a pony’s pain.” Loveheart replied, still keeping a cloud of her blue magic over Rainbow’s shoulders in case she tried to get up again. “It’s some water that I enchanted to completely alleviate pain, however, pain is usually the quickest and easiest way to determine what is wrong with somepony. I already know what your injuries are that’s why I injected you with it. It’s only temporary, but you can’t get up until it wears off because you could worsen your injuries even more and not realize it. Understand?”

Rainbow Dash, completely taken aback by the urgency in the unicorn’s voice and serious demeanor, lied there stunned for a second. She tried to nod to show she understood, but was stopped by the neck brace again and instead just replied, “yes.”

Only then did Loveheart relax and release the magic holding Rainbow down. She then asked, “right, well is there anything that you need? Are you on any medication, any allergies?”

“No, nothing like that” Rainbow replied, “but, this obviously isn’t Ponyville, who are you and where are we? What happened to me? The last thing I remember I was trying out a new trick with lightning and it blew up in my face.” she said.

“Lightning!? Well that would explain all the burns that I found on you. Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Loveheart, and I’m the local doctor here, and ‘here’ is Trotington. We’re a small village directly South of Canterlot. Nice to meet you.” Loveheart said to her and held out her hoof close enough to Rainbow so she could shake it without moving more than her arm.

Rainbow Dash smiled as she shook hooves with Loveheart. “So I take it you’re the one who patched me up then. ‘preciate it, my name is Rainbow Dash.” She lowered her hoof and continued. “But I’m from Ponyville, South-East of Canterlot, how did I end up here?”

Loveheart became contemplative while she thought for a second. “Well you said that when you were trying to control some lightning it exploded right? Then it’s my guess that the explosion sent you flying towards us because when you were found you had just crashed into the lake just outside of town. That also explains some of your injuries, namely your sprained wing, concussion, and whiplash. The pony who found you pulled you out of the lake you fell in and saved your life. He then brought you here and that’s when I treated you. If it wasn’t for him you’d probably be dead right now.”

“Who was it? I’d like to thank him for saving my life,” Rainbow said earnestly.

“He said you two knew each other years ago. Does the name Viridian Night ring a bell?” Loveheart replied.

Rainbow’s eyebrows rose a little upon hearing the name. “Maybe, what does he look like?” Rainbow said asked.

“He is a young stallion pegasus. He’s got a green coat and darker green hair, and a big scar over his flank.” Loveheart described to her. “He also left that for you.” She said indicating the Wonderbolts pin on the bed-side table.

Rainbow could hardly believe it, “can it really be him? After all this time could I have finally found him?” She moved her eyes as far as they could go until she saw it. She recognized it instantly, the pin she gave to him the day he left. “See you later,” flashed through her mind as she remembered that day.

“I can’t believe it, it’s him, I’ve finally found him! After all these years, just like he said, ‘friends always meet each other again someday.’” She had a huge grin on her face and her eyes filled with excitement. “Where is he? I gotta see him!”

*****

Viridian Night stood with the two guard pegasi-from earlier waiting for admittance to the Princesses’ audience chamber. He was in uniform now like the guard pegasi with the golden armor and mane fed through the crest in his helm. However, instead of sporting a blue star on his chest like the guard ponies, his star was white, signifying the Air Force. He wore two sheathed swords attached to his shoulder plates, sweeping from his shoulders back to his flanks, as is standard issue for the Armed Forces. He also had two saddle bags filled with charts of the night sky following different star groups and other astronomical objects, all with extensive notes and equations on their movements and trajectories. When Sun Stroke asked him about it Viridian told him it was his report for Princess Luna and left it at that.

Eventually another guard-pegasus cracked open the large door to the audience chamber and said, “The Princesses will see you now.” He then stepped back to admit the three pegasi into the chamber.

It was a massive room about fifty feet across and seventy five long, all black and white marble with several stained glass windows along the walls, and a red carpet leading to the princesses’ thrones. At the end of the room, on the left, sat Princess Celestia, and on the right sat Princess Luna. Celestia’s throne was made of pure white marble with yellow veins running through it. Whereas Princess Luna’s throne was solid black marble accented with blue.

When they were about five feet from the thrones they bowed. After a second Princess Celestia said “rise,” the three pegasi stood up and faced the princesses.

Princess Luna then said, “Ah Captain Viridian Night, we are pleased to see you. Do you have another report for us?” She asked earnestly with a look of anticipation plastered across her face.

Viridian smiled a little when he saw the surprised looks on Moon Beam’s and Sun Stroke’s faces. They must not have seen Luna’s ability to change her demeanor instantly like that before. He’d seen it several times before, and was used to it and stepped forward. He pulled the saddle bags from his back and placed them on a small table next to her throne.

“I have discovered a few more comets and asteroids, and I have reason to believe that the red and blue blinking star that I found a few months ago may actually be two stars orbiting each other, but I will need to study it further to be sure.” Viridian told Luna, proud of his work.

“Excellent! We look forward to examining your report in depth.” Luna replied excited, “And we also have something for you as well Captain,” Luna glanced at her sister and looked back at Viridian. “But it will have to wait till the end of the debriefing,” she said still smiling.

“Of course,” he said and he stepped back and joined the two guard-pegasi.

This time it was Celestia’s turn to talk, “Viridian, I am pleased to see you again as well. Have you given any more thought to my offer of a commanding position of mine and Luna’s personal guard here in Canterlot? We would even be able to set up some equipment so you would be able to continue your work for dear sister.”

Viridian sighed, every month Celestia offers him a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, and a position as a deputy commander of one her and Luna’s personal Air Force combat wings. “I appreciate the offer, but again, I must respectfully decline and ask that I may continue my service as I have been.” He could never command ponies again, not after that night, years ago.

Celestia looked disappointed, but lamented, “very well Captain, perhaps next month you will have changed your mind. Lieutenants Sun Stroke and Moon Beam, you said you have information on the whereabouts of Rainbow Dash.”

Sun Stroke and Moon Beam were startled when the princess addressed them. Sun Stroke was the first to recover and said, “uh yes, we found Rainbow Dash in Trottington Your Highness.”

“That’s good to hear, so I assume you made sure she made it back to Ponyville safely?” Celestia responded.

“Well, when we found her she was severely injured and unconscious, we were about to prepare her to be moved, but we were ordered to stand down by the Captain here.” Moon Beam explained.

“Captain?” Celestia asked.

“I witnessed Rainbow Dash’s landing in Trottington. She crashed directly into the lake outside of town, when I pulled her out she wasn’t breathing and had no pulse, so I proceeded to give her CPR for several minutes before she started breathing again. I then took her to the local doctor where she was treated for several cracked ribs, a concussion, whiplash, a badly sprained, almost broken wing, and burns that covered her entire body. In her opinion it will be very dangerous to move Rainbow before she regains consciousness and can be observed for a few days for any signs of further injuries. As such I ordered the lieutenants to stand down.” Viridian relayed to the Princesses.

“What did the doctor say about Rainbow’s recovery?” Luna asked.

“She said that it may take a while, but that she should make a full recovery.” Viridian replied.

Both princesses looked relieved at that. Then Celestia said, “Lieutenant Sun Stroke, Lieutenant Moon Beam, thank you for finding Rainbow Dash, you will be rewarded for your efforts, dismissed. Captain, please stay a moment longer, there is one more thing Luna and I wish to speak to you about.”

“Thank you Your Majesties,” the two guard-pegasi said and bowed to the princesses, then they saluted Viridian, which he returned, and they left the audience chamber.

When the doors closed behind the guard-pegasi the princesses turned their attention back to Viridian. Celestia said, “Well, Viridian Night, because of your knowledge of Rainbow Dash’s injuries, and because you already know her, we would like you to monitor her during her stay in Trottington, and to escort her back to Ponyville as soon as she is, at your discretion, well enough to travel.”

“How did you know I already knew her?” he asked taken aback.

“Well easy, you’re always so formal when you refer to other ponies, but you talked about Rainbow Dash in familiar terms, and I’ve never head you do that.” Celestia replied.

“Oh, well, we did know each other way back when we were just kids, but that was years ago, I’d be surprised if she even vaguely remembers me, if at all.” He said, “but I will, of course, follow your orders.”

Luna looked at her sister and asked, “Sister, may we tell him now?” Celestia turned towards her sister and nodded. “Viridian Night, we are happy to tell you that we were able to have the equipment you requested to be constructed.”

“Thank you Princess, this equipment will hopefully allow me to study the behaviors of the universe more accurately.” Viridian said excitedly.

“We are pleased that you are pleased Captain.” Luna replied, “however, in order to create the equipment to perform the tasks you required the engineers had to construct it larger and heavier than was first conceived. As such we cannot install it in your current location without building an entirely new building to house it.”

“So I will have to wait until this new structure is built before we can set up new telescope and scanners?” Viridian asked, he previous excitement dropping off slightly. “Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

“No, that is why instead we had the equipment set up in a different location; we found a structure that would be suitable to support the size and weight of all the equipment in an area that has the same conditions for your studies as your current location. Slightly better actually because there is less ambient light pollution there.” Luna told him, “That is why we are reassigning you to Ponyville. Do not worry, we understand your desire for privacy, so We had everything put together as discretely as possible. But, once you have escorted Rainbow Dash back to Ponyville you will be able to move in right away.”

Viridian Night was thrilled by this news. He finally got the equipment he needed to further his research, and he was going somewhere with even better observation conditions. He had to move to Ponyville, but that didn’t bother him, growing up in a military family a pony gets used to moving a lot. And it wasn’t like he had to worry about the ponies he was leaving and having to get to know some new ones since he kept to himself for the most part anyway. All he has to do is just make sure Rainbow Dash gets back to Ponyville as well, once the doctor clears her for travel, and he’ll be all set.

“That’s great news, thank you very much Princess Luna,” he said to her. “Is there anything else that you wish to tell me or have me do Your Majesties?” he asked, referring to them both.

“That is all that we have for you for now. Sister?” Luna said.

“I believe that’s everything,” Celestia replied.

“Then, by your leave, I will return to Trottington,” Viridian Night said.

“Fair thee well Viridian Night”

“See you next month”

Chapter 6

A Lost Friend

Chapter 6

“Hello, and welcome to Grassy Meadows. Would you prefer an inside table, or an outside one?” The hostmare pony greeted. She was a unicorn with a pale yellow coat and bright crimson mane and tail.

“An outside table please,” Viridian asked. “And do you allow smoking outside?” He asked.

“Yes sir we do, right this way.” The hostmare grabbed two menus and two sets of silverware wrapped in napkins with her magic and led the two pegasi outside. She led them to a small two-pony table next to a few potted plants. “Alright, here you are.” She placed a menu and set of silverware on either side of the table. “Thank you for deciding to dine with us today. Your server will be with you in just a minute.” The hostmare then walked away.

Viridian Night dug through his bags until he found the boxes containing his pipe and lighter and the jar containing tobacco. He started filling the bowl when Rainbow Dash, who couldn’t stand the silence anymore, decided to break the ice.

“So Viridian, what have been up to lately? You’re in the military right? What do you do with them?” Rainbow Dash asked trying to start up a conversation.

“I work for the research division of the Royal Air Force,” Viridian Night said. He pulled out his lighter and lit his pipe. He took a few puffs and said. “I help study Princess Luna’s night sky. What about you? What do you do?”

“I’m in charge of the weather team in Ponyville,” Rainbow Dash said, puffing her chest out. “I also practice my flying all the time so I can join the Wonderbolts.”

Viridian smirked at that, “Still haven’t given up your dream huh? Good for you, keep at it.” Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head as he said that.

“Rainbow Dash? Is that you?”

“You’re back!”

Rainbow Dash looked over Viridian Night’s shoulder to identify who was calling her. “Hey Spike, hey Rarity, what’s up guys?” She called back as she waved.

The white unicorn and purple-green dragon walked over to where the two pegasi were sitting. “We’re both well, but how are you darling? You look positively dreadful.” The unicorn said with a worried expression.

“I’m alright; I should be good as new in a couple weeks.” Rainbow replied.

“Well what a relief dear.” Rarity responded and she turned her attention to Viridian Night. “Now who is this fine stallion? My name is Rarity; it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said and gave a small curtsey.

Viridian Night pulled out his pipe and held it in one of his fore-hooves and replied, “Name’s Viridian Night, nice to meet you.”

“And I’m Spike! Ponyville’s resident dragon,” said the dragon and he held out one of his claws.

“Sup little buddy,” Viridian Night said and he put his pipe back in his mouth and extended his hoof to shake Spike’s claw. He took a few more puffs of his pipe but the tobacco wasn’t burning anymore.

“Here let me get that for you,” said Spike. He grabbed a chair and pulled it over next to Viridian Night and hopped up onto it. He then started exhaling at a slow constant rate, creating a small flame.

Viridian Night leaned forward and relit his pipe in Spike’s small flame. “Awesome! Thanks dude, that’s pretty nifty.” Viridian Night said.

“Aw shucks, it was nothin’ just a bit of dragon fire,” Spike replied while waving a claw.

“Hey, you two wanna join Rainbow and I for lunch? We haven’t ordered yet,” asked Viridian Night. “We can grab one of the other tables and put it next to ours.”

“That would be great! I’ll get the table.” Spike said and went over to the nearest table. He ducked under and tried to drag it by the middle post.

After a couple tugs on the heavy table it was encased by a pale blue aura and lifted above his head, along with the chairs, and was placed next to the pegasai’s table. “Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll take care of it.” Rarity said when she floated everything over. She then took a seat next to the blue pegasus while Spike, slightly put off by his failed attempt to impress the others, took the place next to Viridian Night.

“So what do you do Rarity? Spike?” Viridian Night asked as he started puffing on his relit pipe.

“Oh I own and operate my own fashion boutique here.” Rarity replied, “Actually I have been working on a new line of stallion semi-casual attire. Actually, I could use somepony to model for me.” She said batting her eyelashes.

“Er…” Viridian Night replied with an obviously uncomfortable look.

Before he could say anything else Spike jumped in, “I work at the Ponyville library with Twilight Sparkle. I’m her number one assistant!” he said proudly puffing his chest out.

“Hello, my name is Cider Rocks and I’ll be your waiter. Well I see we have two more guests today, welcome. What are we drinking today?” An orange earth pony with a black main and tail, both cropped short, and a black goatee said as he approached.

“I’ll have an iced tea please,” Viridian Night ordered.

“Raspberry lemonade for me,” said Rainbow Dash.

“A tropical berry punch for me if you’d be so kind,” Rarity ordered.

“Do you have ruby milkshakes?” Spike asked.

“Absolutely,” The waiter replied.

“I’ll take one of those then please,” Spike said.

“Alright, just give me one second,” the earth pony said and he trotted off. He came back a minute later with a tray on his back. He placed it on the table and passed out the drinks. “Alright I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your orders. Enjoy your drinks.” He said with a smile and trotted off. After he left the four diners heard a strange sound.

“Whoa, whaaaaaaaaah!” Suddenly something large crashed into a table nearby where they were all sitting. They were all so shocked by the sudden impact that nopony moved, and instead elected to just stare at the dust cloud that formed from impact. After the dust settled they saw a grey pegasus with blonde hair pick herself up and dust herself off.

“Hey Derpy, you alright?” Rainbow Dash asked being the first to react.

“Yeah I’m fine,” the grey pegasus replied. “I’ve got some mail for you guys so when I saw you I decided to give it to you in pony, but I guess I came in a little steep.” She said scratching the back of her head with a slightly embarrassed smile. With that the mailmare pulled out four closed envelopes and gave one to Spike, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. She held onto the fourth one and asked, “Hey do any of you know a Viridian Night? I’ve got a letter for him too but I’ve never heard of that pony before.”

“I’m Viridian Night,” the green pegasus said, completely perplexed at how he could have mail already when he’d only just got here.

“Oh, well here you go then.” The blonde pegsus smiled and passed him his letter. “Nice to meet you; I’m the local mailmare here. My name is Derpy Hooves,” She said smiling. “Well I’d love to stay and chat but I’ve got lots of other mail to deliver, but I’m sure I’ll see you all at the party. Bye!” She said and flew off, narrowly missing the umbrellas attached to their tables.

“Well… that was interesting,” Viridian said still a little shocked by the sudden crash then departure of the mailmare.

“Yeah that’s Derpy, really nice and all but a bit of a klutz.” Rainbow Dash explained.

“The poor dear could never fly straight after she ran head-long into a tree while helping to set up a storm several years ago. That’s also why her eyes tend to cross sometimes.” Rarity said.

Viridian nodded in understanding and turned back to his letter. He opened it up and pulled out a blank white card. He flipped it over a couple times and opened it up. “Gah!” He yelled and his wings sprang out in surprise, as an explosion of confetti shot out at him. He then started to read the letter out loud, confusion and disbelief filling his voice. “You’re invited to the ‘Welcome Home Rainbow Dash/Welcome to Ponyville Viridian Night Party’? Prepared and arranged by Pinkie Pie, being held tonight at five at… How the hay did she get my address?!” He exclaimed. “Nopony is supposed to know I’m even here! For that matter, how is she even holding a party in my house? I haven’t even been there yet. And how did she organize it so fast?”

“Generally when something involves Pinkie Pie it’s better not to ask.” Rarity said nonchalantly as she and the other two examined their own cards.

“I never asked for a party, nor do I want one. And breaking into my house and setting up all that stuff without asking me first! That is a complete breach of my privacy!” Viridian Night said furiously.

Rainbow Dash sighed. He still overreacts whenever somepony does something for him without asking him first. I’d’ve thought he’d’ve gotten over this by now. Rainbow Dash thought to herself. “Hey there’s more writing underneath where you stopped.” She said out loud.

“Huh?” Viridian Night said.

Rainbow Dash started reading her card out loud. “The reason I’m throwing this party is because a few days ago Rainbow Dash was practicing a super cool new trick and accidentally hurt herself and she was sent careening far away from Ponyville into Trottington. She was then rescued by Viridian Night who took care of her and brought her back to Ponyville safe and sound.”

“That doesn’t mean you can break into my house and throw a party.” Viridian Night thought to himself.

“So I want to thank him for taking care of her but Rainbow Dash is still injured because of how badly she was hurt so I want to make her feel better by throwing her this party.”

“That’s all well and good, but you could have it somewhere else.”

“Also, for a couple weeks, she won’t be able to fly so she can’t get back to her house or be able to practice her flying because her wing is still hurt really bad, and she also has lots of electrical burns and a concussion several cracked ribs so she can’t move really well at all.”

“So you could just have it somewhere on the ground.”

“So, because of all these injuries I’m throwing the party at Viridian’s house since Dashie’s already staying there and I don’t want to inconvenience her because of her injuries. I just want her to feel better and know that her friends are here for her and-”

“Alright fine, we can have the party at my house!” Viridian Night exploded. Everyone at the table recoiled at his outburst. “What time does it start again?”

“Uh, it’s about five minutes to five,” Spike said still pressing himself into the back of his chair.

“Then we should get going,” Viridian Night said. He stood up and placed a small bag of bits on the table and started walking towards the gate that lead back out to the main road.

“What was that about?” Rarity asked as she turned to Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, he’s always hated it when somepony did something for him, and he’s also really hated it when somepony invaded his privacy.” Rainbow Dash said. “I’d thought he would have chilled out over the years but evidently not.” She got up and started following Viridian Night. Spike and Rarity got up and followed after her.

Spike jogged, leaving the two mares behind him, until he was even with Viridian Night and said, “You know, if you need help finding the place I could help you out. I know this town like the back of my claw.” He stuck his arm out as if examining his aforementioned appendage.

Viridian Night was still aggravated to no end by Pinkie’s antics, but he couldn’t help but smirk around his pipe at the dragon’s exuberance.

“Alright, thanks buddy. We’re looking for sixty four Apple Tree Lane,” Viridian recited the address from memory.

“That’s on the edge of town closest to Sweet Apple Acres and Rainbow’s cloud house.” Spike replied visualizing the layout of Ponyville in his mind. “Right this way,” he said and took a left down Mane Street.

*****

Once the group made it to Viridian Night’s house it was a quarter past five. As they got closer to the house the green pegasus’ demeanor changed from one of anger and irritation, to that of reluctance. Viridian Night was looking less and less forward to the party for him and Rainbow Dash that he slowly but steadily retreated to the back of the group as they walked.

“We’re here!” Spike said as he reached the door. He looked behind him and saw Rainbow Dash and Rarity at his heels. Once he looked past them he saw Viridian Night about ten paces back with the look of ‘I really don’t want to be here right now’ plastered all over his face. “Uh, are you coming dude?” Spike asked.

“Uh…” Viridian Night stuttered as he shifted his weight from one hoof to the other. “Parties make me… uncomfortable, too many ponies. I don’t like big crowds.” He muttered.

Spike and Rarity gave him small looks of mixed sympathy and disappointment. Rainbow Dash, however, had an expression of utter confusion. “That’s weird,” she thought. “It’s true he never liked surprise parties, but he always got into the swing of things and enjoyed himself at regular parties and always enjoyed hanging around other ponies.”

Rainbow Dash walked over so that she was standing right in front of him. “Hey, what’s up?” she cocked her head questioningly. “You used to party down all the time.”

“Haven’t been to a party in years,” Viridian Night muttered.

Rainbow Dash could easily tell there was more to it than that. However, she didn’t want to pry and risk him closing down even more. Instead she decided to try the face she attempted on the doctor when she wanted to borrow the Daring Do book. “Please Viridian, for me?” she asked.

Viridian Night, who was avoiding looking at Rainbow Dash, risked a glance at her, and nearly choked on the puff of smoke he was drawing on the pipe. Rainbow Dash was giving him the sad pleading look with the big eyes and quivering lower lip, or at least attempting to. The resulting look made him burst out laughing, but with a mouthful of smoke it turned into a hacking cough. This gave him a perfect excuse to continue coughing to cover up his laughter at her comical appearance.

After a couple seconds Rainbow Dash dropped the attempted look of cute pleading and replaced it with one of concern. “Are you alright?” she asked.

“*Cough* hee *cough*, yeah, just *hack*, gimmie a sec, *snort* *ack* *hack*. After a few minutes his laughter, thereby coughing, calmed down. He wiped a tear from his eye and said, “Okay, I’m good.” He sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” His look of resignation hooked itself back across his muzzle, but he walked forward, now with determination in his stride, until he reached the door.

He stood there for a second just staring at the doorknob until finally Rainbow Dash’s patience ran out. She marched up and stood next to him at the door, put her hoof on its knob and said, “come on already let’s go!” She turned the knob and pushed open the door.

The two pegasai were greeted with an explosion of confetti and dance music. Rainbow Dash, used to Pinkie’s parties, didn’t react to the explosive welcoming. Viridian Night, though, was completely taken off guard and his wings shot out as he reared up on his hind legs and he went into a fighting stance with his fore-hooves ready to strike. He didn’t get the chance to, however, because two pink fore-legs, that were much longer than they should’ve been, reached out, wrapped around his and Rainbow Dash’s necks and pulled them through the doorway.

“The ponies of the hour have just arrived, now we can really get this party jumpin’!” Pinkie Pie cried when she pulled the pegasai through the door and displayed them for the entire of the occupants of the room to see. As the mass of ponies cheered Viridian Night took a quick glance around the main room of his new home.

The interior was lined with more of the dark stained wood that he liked. Several lights were built flush into the ceiling and provided plenty of light. In the center of the room was a large three-sided square counter made of the same dark wood as the rest of the room, one side was filled with an assortment of snacks; there was an opening in the back and shelves hanging from the ceiling a few feet above the countertops. There were also several evenly spaced stools built into the floor around the bar. There was also a staircase on the left side of the room leading up, and a door on the back wall and a door on the right wall. Was an old bar really better suited to support my equipment? Huh? He thought to himself. He also saw a few couches, chairs, and low tables set up around the spacious room. It took him a second to realize, “wait that’s my furniture! And if that’s my furniture, where’s everything else?”

He turned to pink fluffy-haired mare. “Pinkie I see some of my furniture here but nothing else. Where’s the rest of my stuff!?” he asked trying his best to keep his voice level but not succeeding entirely.

By this time Spike and Rarity followed him and Rainbow Dash through the door and Pinkie Pie shouted, “Yay, everypony’s here! Let’s get this party started!” She then zipped over to the bar and pushed a button on what must have been a stereo system in one of the overhanging shelves and music started playing.

Everypony just turned and looked at her with deadpan expressions. “Eheheh, sorry guys, wrong disk.” She said with an apologetic smile and click another button and the song changed. Almost instantly everypony caught the beat and started dancing. Spike immediately sprinted off to join everypony else on the dance floor, cheering along the way.

“Come on Viridian let’s dance!” Rainbow Dash said, excitement filling her voice.

“Just gimmie one sec, I need to ask Pinkie what she did with the rest of my stuff.”

“Oh okay then,” Rainbow Dash replied her smile faltering but only slightly.

“I’ll be right back,” he said and he walked off towards the pink party pony.

Once Viridian Night was out of ear shot Rarity leaned in and said, “Hmm gets a little too worked up about little things, but very well-mannered and caring, especially around you. Also a military stallion if that brash but elegant knife he has on his leg is any indication. I approve Rainbow Dash, very good catch indeed.”

“Wha-huh? What are talking about Rarity?” the rainbow maned pegasus asked quizzically.

“Oh come now dearie you can’t tell me you’re not interested in him.” The white unicorn said with a knowing smile.

“What!? No no no, me and him are just friends! We-” Rainbow Dash replied nervously but Rarity cut her off.

“Please, Rainbow, darling. Even if you don’t realize it yourself I can tell. The way you’ve been staring at him all day, how you became disappointed just now when he turned down your offer of a dance even though he said he’d be back in just a moment. And your reaction when he invited Spike and I over to your table earlier today.”

“What do you mean my reaction at lunch earlier?”

“Oh Rainbow I could see your desire to have some alone time with him plain as day, but it would have been very rude to decline his offer of lunch, and I don’t think I could have come up with a good excuse to convince Spike for us to leave on the spot like that.” The fashionista said with an apologetic look.

Rainbow Dash tried several times to object, her mouth opening and closing a few times, but the words wouldn’t come to her. Before Rarity could continue her obviously crazy accusations they heard somepony call their names. “Hey Rarity! Rainbow, it’s good ta see ya back. Y’all look like a mummy there sugar cube, you alright?” An orange earth pony wearing a brown Stetson walked up to the two mares followed by a lavender unicorn and a yellow pegasus.

Rainbow Dash turned and smiled at her other three friends as they walked over. “Hey Apple Jack, Twilight, Fluttershy, how are you girls doing?”

*****

Viridian Night walked up to the pink party pony behind the bar. “Hey Pinkie Pie, I need to talk to you,” he said with a slight edge in his voice.

The poofy haired earth pony dipped below the bar and popped back up instantly wearing a red bartender’s hat and vest with a white undershirt and a black bow tie. She was holding a glass tumbler in one hoof and polishing it with a white rag with the other. “Sure thing V-Night, I fully stocked up for yours and Dashie’s party. What can I do ya for?”

The green pegasus was taken off guard by the random pony’s antics for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Before he fully recovered he felt like he needed something to help him get through the night before he continued. “Uh, scotch and soda on the rocks please.” He asked as he sat down on a stool

“Coming right up!” She placed the glass she was polishing on the table. Then she opened a cupboard under the bar and pulled a small clear plastic scoop with crushed ice. She flicked the ice in the air, tossed the scoop back into the cupboard and closed it with her hind hoof. She slid the glass along the bar and caught all the ice she tossed up inside it. Next she pulled out a large plastic bottle of club soda and poured until the glass was half full. She put it back then pulled out a bottle of scotch. Viridian Night saw the name Jura across the label before she started flipping it around. She started off with a couple twirls around her fore-hooves then rolled the bottle over one fore-leg, across her back to the other hoof, then poured the scotch into the glass until it was filled to just below the rim. She then flipped the bottle up into the air and balanced it on her nose then slid it back into its place in one of the hanging shelves.

After the masterful performance Viridian Night was stunned for a few seconds. All he could think to do was clap as the crazy bartender slid the drink across the counter towards him. He took a sip of the drink and was impressed by the perfect balance of it. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Pinkie asked after taking a small bow at Viridian Night’s applause.

The pegasus snapped out of his state of shock and remembered why he came over here in the first place. “So Pinkie,” he started his voice much more even now. “Were you the one who set up all my furnature?”

“Yep! When I came over here to set up the party a bunch of movers came with all your stuff and I told them where to put everything. But don’t worry, we didn’t open any of your boxes, we put them all in the back room. By the way what’s the huge thing under the tarp back there?” She said all in one breathe.

Viridian Night took another swig of his drink and set the glass back down. He opened his mouth to answer but that’s when three young fillies’ voices cut through house. The source came from the back room, the door was ajar.

“Cutie Mark Crusader… Crusaders!”

“What was that?” The pegasus asked.

“Oh, that’s just Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Just three little fillies who are super-duper good friends; they spend most of their time going around trying things to get they’re cutie marks.” Pinkie replied.

“Then what do they mean by Cutie Mark Crusader Crusad… Wait they’re voices came from the back room where you said all my boxes were. Oh no,” Viridian Night’s face contorted into worry. He got up and started toward the door, but before he got there three fillies busted through the door. The orange pegasus was wearing his helmet with it tilted back so far the back of it was in the crook of her neck; the yellow earth pony was wearing his breast-plate with her head and hooves barley poking out of the openings; and the white unicorn was wearing the sheathes of his swords along her sides and the sheath of one of his spare daggers strapped to her leg. The dagger was held in her magic while the swords were held, ungainly, in the mouths of the other two crusaders.

“Well now that we have this cool armor what should we do?” asked the unicorn.

“Hmm, Ah’m not sure. What d’you think Scootaloo?” said the earth pony with the red bow around the sword.

“How ‘bout we… raid the buffet table!” she said almost dropping the sword from her mouth.

“YEAH!” the trio cheered and they sprinted off to the side of the bar full of snacks.

Viridian Night immediately ran to head them off, “No no no nononononono don’t run with those, put them down, those are extremely sharp!”

“Uh oh girls, looks like somepony’s trying to impede our conquest. Divide and conquer!” cried the orange pegasus. With that the three fillies split off in separate directions. Viridian Night went after the assumed leader with the helmet as she was the closest.

“Oh, horse apples,” the green pegasus cursed as he ran after the purple tailed pegasus. It wasn’t too hard to catch her, she was quick, but the helmet fell over her eyes and she ran into one of the stools. He quickly snatched up the sword and helmet and placed the latter on his head and the former in his mouth. He then swept the little filly pegasus in one of his wings with protest.

“Aw, we were gonna be careful honest. We were just seeing if our cutie marks involved fighting is all.” She wined.

Viridian Night ignored her and scanned the room for the other two. Everypony else was still dancing and enjoying themselves. “These three must do crazy things like this all the time,” he surmised. He continued scanning until he spotted the white unicorn. She was out by the dance floor looking away from them, trying to hide behind the other ponies on the dance floor. He started to sneak around the outside of dance floor to catch her from behind.

*****

“Hey Rainbow! We’re doing well, but are you alright? You look worse than you did when you were in the hospital after your last crash.” The lavender mare replied.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. The doc in the town where I crashed fixed me up,” Rainbow Dash replied waving her friend’s worry off with her hoof.

“Um, Rainbow Dash,” the yellow pegasus piped up tentatively. “I uh, uh… I’m sorry I wasn’t there when it happened! I should’ve been there, I knew what you were doing but I put the animals who could’ve waited an hour or two for me before you when I could’ve gotten back to them later. Then I could have stayed with you and been there to help, and, and...” The kind-hearted mare broke down and continued apologizing between sobs.

“Hey Shy it’s alright, you couldn’t know what was gonna happen. I didn’t even know what exactly could’ve happened.” The rainbow maned pegasus said as she put a comforting hoof around her friend. “Besides everything turned out alright; sure I’m a little banged up, but the doc and Nurse Redheart said I’ll make a full recovery in no time flat.”

“Really? Oh, what a relief.” Fluttershy replied wiping the tears from her eyes. “Oh I almost forgot, I’ve been watching Tank for you while you were gone.” As if on cue the tortoise slowly climbed out of Fluttershy’s pink mane and slowly turned to Rainbow Dash.

“Tank! Oh, I’ve missed you buddy!” Rainbow Dash cheered as she picked up her pet and hugged him affectionately. He returned the greeting with his signature slow smile.

“Rainbow, don’t forget to tell them about that stallion you brought back with you.” Rarity said.

“Uh…”

“Oh ho, ya mean ta say that our cocky little speed demon here found somepony to help keep her head outa the clouds,” the cowpony said with a smirk plastered across her muzzle.

“What? No! He’s just a really good friend of mine that I haven’t seen for years. He just happened to live in the town that I crashed in and now he’s moving here.” Rainbow Dash replied almost too quickly.

“So where is this mysterious stallion? I think we’d all like to meet him,” Applejack inquired.

“Uh, hey Big Sis,” they heard Applebloom’s voice. They all turned to the source and they all jumped back a step in shock, except Fluttershy. She leaped behind everypony else for protection.

In front of them stood Viridian Night; he was wearing all the arms and armor that the three little fillies nabbed, striking quite an imposing figure. Of the ponies in question, two of them, Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell, where each held under one of his wings. Applebloom was currently being held by his teeth by the nape of her neck.

“Appleboom, what in tarnation did y’all do this time?!” Applejack asked her voice full of anger and frustration with her face set to match.

“Well ya see, we found a box full o’ armor and weapons, so we was just trying to see if we could get our warrior cutie marks and we kinda got arrested.” the yellow filly replied with an apologetic smile that belied the fact she knew she was in deep trouble.

Before Applejack could continue with a lecture for the three crusaders Rarity chimed in. “Sweetie Bell you should be ashamed of yourself. You know better than to rummage through somepony else’s things, and to play with sharp objects.” The white unicorn glared at her little sister, and then turned back to Viridian Night. “I’m terribly sorry for my sister and her friend’s actions Viridian. I hope nothing was damaged due to their carelessness.”

Viridian Night gently lowed fillies to the ground, then took off his helmet and slipped it under one of his wings and replied, “It’s no problem; I caught them shortly after they started running around with my stuff so no harm, no fowl.”

“Well that’s a relief, I’m Applejack by the way. Nice ta meet cha.” the orange cowpony greeted.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle, how do you do?” the lavender unicorn said.

The mares then parted so that Fluttershy was in plain view. Once she realized her cover was gone she squeaked and pulled herself up. She hid her face behind her mane while she scratched the floor with her hoof and said, “Hello, my name is Fluttershy,” Just barley loud enough for the armored pegasus to hear.

“You must be the rest of the friends that Rainbow mentioned earlier. I’m Viridian Night, it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” He responded with a small smile.

“Well it is getting kind of late I think we should take the girls home and get them to bed.” Rarity said placing a hoof around Sweetie Bell.

“Awwwwww,” the fillies groaned.

“Yep I reckon Rarity’s right. Let’s go Applebloom, we can walk you home too Scootaloo. It was a pleasure meetin ya Viridian.” Applejack said.

“I’ll come with you guys! Catch ya guys later.” Spike volunteered.

The group left the house and went on their way. “Well what do you want to do now?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Just then a white unicorn with electric blue hair and purple sunglasses took Pinkie’s place at the stereo. She popped out the current disc and pushed in a new one. Immediately the base dropped and everypony was assaulted by a barrage of wubs. Viridian Night instantly went ridged and his eye twitched.

“Uh, maybe we should call it a night guys… Viridian really doesn’t like dubstep.” Rainbow Dash said with a nervous smile.

(TQP here one of Sirius Starshine’s prereaders if any of you have artistic talent I demand to see some art of applebloom in that armor)

(Sirius Starshine here btw it was my prereaders’ fault it took so long to get this next chapter up. Something about needing a sniper for BFBC2, oh also the song choices was their fault too.)

(This is the other prereader, I’d like it to be known that it was TQP’s idea for the first song link.)

Chapter 7

A Lost Friend

Chapter 7

Viridian Night woke up the next morning, early as usual. He strapped on his ever present dagger then exited his room which was still bare, like the rest of his house, except for his bed and the boxes Pinkie and the movers organized and placed around his new house for him. He walked through the hall and down the stairs to the perfectly clean main room. Evidently, in addition to the pink mare’s astonishing abilities of breaking and entering, organization, and throwing a pretty good party, she was also really good at cleaning up the aftermath.

The pegasus walked over to the bags that he left by the front door last night. He opened one of the bags and pulled one of his grey hooded sweat shirts out and put it on, threading his fore-legs through the sleeves and his wings through the holes in the sides. He then slipped out the front door, stretched out his legs and wings, and headed towards town with a brisk jog.

He ran around aimlessly for a while just getting the layout of the town. He passed by several small shops, including one that sells sofas and quills, the local library that was built into a tree, and the town square which held a large fountain. When he reached town square he saw that a few ponies were starting to set up several small shops around the square like a bazaar.

“Hey there Viridian, what’re you up to this early in the mornin’?”

Viridian Night looked around for the pony calling him and spotted Applejack and Applebloom setting up their own cart and headed their direction. “Hey, I’m just out doing my morning exercise and thought I’d check out the town some more. You settin’ up shop today?”

“Sure are! Anything I can get for ya?” The farm pony replied happily.

“C’mon Sis I helped you set up the stand. Can I go now?” Applebloom pleaded to her big sister. “Me, Scoots, and Sweetie Bell wan’ a do some Crusading before the show today.”

“Sorry, give me one sec Sugarcube.” Applejack apologized to Viridian then turned to her sister. “Alright, alright be patient.” She said as she took her hat off, pulled out a small bag of bits out and hoofed it to her sister. “Now that’s all you get. It should be enough for your ticket, and a couple of snacks. Behave yerself and don’t get inta any trouble y’hear?”

Applebloom took the bag and stuffed it in her bow and hugged her sister. “Thanks Sis I will! See ya later, nice seein ya again Viridian!” She gave Viridian Night a mock salute then she zipped off.

“Sorry bout that, now is there anything I can do for ya?” Applejack turned back to Viridian Night.

“Naw, I’m alright. Thanks anyway though.” The green pegasus replied. “I actually should get going, catch you later Applejack.” He said then he turned and started to trot off.

His run was interrupted again when he felt something hit the top of his head. He stopped and caught it on reflex as the object bounced and continued falling. He looked at it and saw it was a bright red apple. He turned back to the orange farm pony. She was still standing behind her stand, but her muzzle scrunched up and her eyes moving side to side.

“I know you threw this at me,” Viridian deadpanned to her.

Applejack gave up her façade and said. “Eh, y’all are new in town and ya look mighty hungry, it’s on the house.”

Viridian Night walked back over to her and held out the proffered apple. “I appreciate it but I don’t have any money on me and I don’t like taking charity.”

In response Applejack extended her hoof, but when Viridian met her hoof with his apple filled one she immediately shoved the apple back and into his mouth. The green pegasus was stunned by the orange cow pony’s abrupt thrust. “There, now I can’t sell it to anypony else so you’ll just have to keep it.” Applejack said with a smug grin.

Viridian dropped the apple back into his hoof with a slightly irritated look on his face. “I’ll pay you back for this later”

“You can try.” Applejack replied still with that smug look still covering her face.

Viridian Night resigned himself to his defeat and sighed. “Thanks Applejack, but I should get going. Catch you later.”

“Yer welcome, see ya later Sugarcube.” She said and waved as he left.

The green pegasus wolfed down the apple and continued his morning workout. He ran down a couple more streets until his legs were burning from the exertion. He then stopped under a random tree and did a few sets of wing push-ups. Once he was done he took to the air and flew hard and fast circuits around the town. After he felt the same burning sensation in his wings as he did in his legs he headed back to his house.

Viridian Night entered his house and pulled off his sweatshirt, which now had sweat stains on the underarms, around the wing holes, and on the chest, and hung it up on the coat stand next to the door. He went upstairs and peeked inside the guest room that Rainbow Dash slept in last night. Seeing that she was still asleep he slipped back out and went into his bathroom. When he saw the box labeled “bathroom stuff” was already there he just shook his head and opened it up. He pulled out a bottle of shampoo, soap, and a towel. He took a quick shower, dried off then pulled his toothbrush and toothpaste out of the box and brushed his teeth. He then headed back downstairs. “Well, might as well make breakfast,” he said to himself and made his way into the kitchen to see what he could find.

*****

Rainbow Dash woke up to the smell of pancakes. She wanted to stay in bed but her stomach moaned at her, insisting she get up now. She groaned as she rolled out of bed. She stretched as much as she could against the restraints of her brace and bandages and headed to the bathroom. After she freshened up a bit she went downstairs following the alluring scent of food. When she was halfway across the main room Viridian Night walked through the door to the kitchen with two empty plates stacked on top of each other and a third plate stacked high with pancakes on his back. Resting on top of his outstretched wings he held silverware and a large bottle of maple syrup.

“Ah, good timing, have a seat.” He said and brought everything to the corner of the bar that was closest to the mare. He placed the stuff in front of her and asked, “Go ahead and dig in. You want coffee?”

“Sure, thanks.” Rainbow Dash replied as she piled pancakes on her plate then proceeded to drown them in syrup.

“So, did you just get up?” She asked Viridian trying to make small talk when he poured her and himself each a cup of coffee from the pot that was set up on the bar.

The stallion took the seat on the side adjacent from her and grabbed a couple pancakes for himself as he replied. “Naw I got up about an hour ago and went out for a morning workout.” He took a couple bites of pancake and continued, “I ran into Applejack and Applebloom in town square. Applebloom was excited about going to see some show or something today with her friends, then Applejack tossed me an apple and refuses to let me pay for it.”

He continued enjoying his breakfast, but Rainbow Dash had frozen in place with her fork halfway to her mouth. Viridian Night took a couple more bites before he realized she wasn’t eating anymore. “You alright?” he asked.

Rainbow Dash blinked when Viridian Night spoke. “Did you say show?” she asked still staring into the middle distance.

“Uh, yeah, Applebloom said something about a show… why?” Viridian responded now getting slightly concerned for the cyan mare.

“What time is it?!” She suddenly exclaimed.

“Uh, a little after 10…” Viridian Night replied taken aback.

“We’ve only got an hour! We gotta go, now!” She cried. Rainbow Dash then grabbed Viridian Night by the hoof and dragged him out the door. On the way out he at least remembered to snag his money pouch thinking they might run into Applejack so he could try to pay her back.

“Wait where are we going?” The green stallion asked, caught completely off guard by the rainbow mare’s sudden exuberance.

“The Wonderbolts’ show of course!” Rainbow Dash replied. “It’s the only time they’ve ever set up a show this close to Ponyville; only a mile outside of town!”

“The W-Wonderbolts?” Viridian Night stuttered.

“Yeah I know, it’s gonna be so awesome!” Her voice cracked.

“Awesome, that’s… that’s a word.” He said, his hesitation completely lost on the sky blue pegasus.

She dragged him all the way out of town without stopping or slowing down in even the slightest. Try as he might he couldn’t get out of her grip or even slow her down himself. Where did she get all this strength and energy all of a sudden? He thought to himself. The rainbow maned pegasus finally stopped when they got to the ticket booth.

“Hey Viridian, hey Rainbow, how’s it going guys?” The two pegasai turned and saw Spike waving at them. The Cutie Mark Crusaders where standing behind the purple dragon wearing their trademark capes.

“Hey Spike, hey girls, you all here to see the show too?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah we wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Replied Scootaloo.

“We should all get tickets together.” Said Sweetie Bell.

“Yeah then we could all watch the show together.” Cried Applebloom.

“Sounds like a great idea, come on.” Rainbow Dash said and led the way to the ticket booth.

“Well I hope you all have fun I’ll see you later.” Viridian Night said as he waved to them.

Rainbow Dash turned back and gave him a confused look. “Aren’t you coming?” She asked.

“Well I’ve got all my stuff to unpack and some work to do and…” Viridian Night replied trying to shake off the invitation, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t buying it.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she said, “come on you can put it off for one more day.”

“I don’t know, I mean the Wonderbolts… Eh I’ve seen them a couple times when I was a kid and I think they’re a little overrated.” This was absolutely the wrong thing to say.

“WHAT?! Okay that settles it we’re ALL gonna see them right now!” She summoned her crazy strength again and dragged him up with everyone else to the booth.

“Wha, bu, uh,” his protests fell on deaf ears.

“Hello, six tickets for the show please.” Rainbow Dash asked the pony behind the ticket booth.

“Sorry, we’re completely sold out of tickets.” The beige unicorn mare behind the counter said.

Rainbow Dash’s expression fell instantly. “Are you sure?” She asked softly.

“Yeah I’m sure, sorry Hun maybe next time.” The ticket mare responded.

“Oh, okay then. Come on everyone.” The rainbow mare replied. She then hung her head and walked away. Spike and the CMC, letting out their own groans of disappointment, followed after her with Viridian Night trailing behind them.

As they walked away Viridian Night couldn’t help but feel relieved. Whew that was a close one. It would’ve been really awkward to see that pony again after two years. He thought to himself. He then looked at Rainbow Dash. He saw how much the fact that they were going to miss the show disappointed her. Her face was completely crestfallen with her head down; the wing that wasn’t bound in a sling was slack and dragging along the ground. “Come on Rainbow, we can always catch another show some other time.” He said trying to cheer her up.

“Yeah, I guess so,” she sighed without looking up.

The green stallion looked between the depressed mare and the ticket booth a couple times and he sighed with resignation. “You guys wait here one second, I’ll be right back.” He then walked back over to the ticket booth to talk to the unicorn.

Spike looked at Rainbow Dash and asked. “What do you think he’s doing? She said she didn’t have any more tickets.”

“I don’t know.” replied Rainbow Dash now watching Viridian Night with a curious expression.

They all watched the green pegasus as he talked to the beige unicorn. After a couple of seconds they saw her horn light up and she teleported out of the booth. Viridian however, stayed in front of the booth and about a minute later the unicorn flashed back and said something to him as she pulled out six objects that looked like cards with string attached to them and passed them to him. Viridian tucked them under his wing then nodded to her and he walked back to the group that was waiting for him.

“What was that about Mr. Viridian?” Sweetie Bell asked.

“Well I talked to the ticket salespony and it turned out she had some extra,” he pulled out the six lanyards, “VIP tickets.”

“Wow thanks Viridian!” Spike said as he grabbed five of the six tickets, kept one for himself and passed out the rest. “These must’ve been really expensive though, how’d you get these?”

“Don’t worry about it. You guys will find out soon enough anyway.” Viridian Night said with a small look of resignation that he covered with a smile so fast nobody even noticed that it was there. “Come on, let’s go.”

They made it to the VIP box a few minutes later. It had several seats right at the edge next to the opening in the box for everypony to have a great view of the show. There was also a table along the side of the box that was fully stocked with snacks and drinks.

“Oh my gosh this is so awesome!” Rainbow Dash squeed as she looked around the box.

“This is gonna be the best show ever!” Cried Scootaloo.

“C’mon everyone let’s go hit the buffet table. I’ve hardly eaten a thing today.” Said Rainbow Dash. She and the Cutie Mark Crusaders then went over to raid the table while Spike went over to talk to Viridian Night.

“So, not to pry or anything, but I noticed you were kinda reluctant to come to the show today. Any particular reason?” The baby dragon asked.

“Same reason I was able to get the tickets. Like I said you’ll find out after the show.” The stallion replied and he went over to grab a couple muffins from the table. Spike, deciding not to push the issue, went over to partake from the table as well. However, the three fillies lacking any tact started jibing the stallion.

“Hey Mr. Viridian, so how come you always carry that knife on ya?” Asked Applebloom.

“Yeah are you afraid of being attacked?” Asked Scootaloo.

“Oh is there somepony after you Mr. Viridian? We could protect you!” Sweetie Bell quipped in.

“Yeah, Cutie Mark Crusader body guards!” Yelled Scootaloo.

“Yayyyyy!” The three fillies hollered in unison.

Viridian Night face-hoofed so hard it almost sounded like it hurt. “No girls,” he sighed, “Nopony is after me, I just wear it all the time out of habit.”

“Why’s that Mr. Viridian?” Asked Sweetie Bell.

“It was given to me by my father.” Viridian Night replied.

“Oh is he in the military too?” Scootaloo asked.

“What does he do? Does he do astronomy stuff like you too?” Applebloom asked.

“No he-” Viridian Night started but Spike came to his rescue.

“Hey come on girls let’s take our seats, the show is about to start!” The baby dragon said.

“Oh yeah your right.” Replied Applebloom.

“Thanks Spike, we don’t wanna miss a second of it.” Said Scootaloo.

As Spike led the Cutie Mark Crusaders to the seats he looked back and winked at Viridian Night. He returned the dragon’s wink with a grateful nod. Rainbow Dash then walked up to her fellow pegasus and said. “Hey come on, we don’t wanna miss the show either.” She then led him over to the seats where the dragon and fillies were. The stallion took the seat next to Spike and Rainbow Dash took the seat on the other side of the green pegasus.

They were just in time too, because a few seconds later the Wonderbolts exploded from the left side of the stadium. They were in a very tight six-pony delta formation with their captain, Spitfire, at the head of the group. They performed a large loop-da-loop halfway across the field then continued to the opposite end. Once there they banked wide left until they were center and perpendicular to the field. After they reached the dead center of the field they stopped, hovering in mid-air, and a megaphone was magicked up to Spitfire.

She grasped the megaphone in her fore-hooves and spoke through it. “Thanks everypony for coming out today, hope you enjoy the show!” She then dropped the megaphone and she led her team up into the air.

*****

Everybody had a great time during the show. Even Viridian Night eventually was pulled into the excitement of the crowd and the ponies and dragon he shared the box with. After an hour of endless tricks and death-defying feats, with a play-by-play of it all by Rainbow Dash, the show ended with the six Wonderbolts converging on the center of the field at break-neck speed. At the last second they pulled up, just inches away from each other, shot straight up into the air then diverged at the top in an explosion of their various flight trails.

“That was the best show EVER!” cheered Rainbow Dash.

“That was awesome how Spitfire and Soarin flew right at each other and rolled at the last moment to avoid crashing!” followed Scootaloo.

“An’ how they was all able to spin and stay in that triangle formation.” Said Applebloom.

From there it degraded into the three fillies and mare gushing about all the amazing feats and tricks that they just witnessed. A few moments later there was a knock on the door. Viridian Night walked over and answered it, on the other side stood the unicorn from the ticket booth.

“Hello sir, did you and your guests enjoy the show?” she asked.

“Yes we had a great time, thank you.” He replied. He could tell behind him everyone was looking at the two with curiosity, but he didn’t look back at them.

“My pleasure sir, I am here to inform you that you and your guests are invited to the Wonderbolts’ trailer, if you would follow me please.” The unicorn mare said and she turned and gave them a motion to follow her.

“Wait you mean we get to hang out with the Wonderbolts?! This really is the best! Day! Ever!” cried the rainbow pegasus as she ran up next to Viridian Night.

“Yeah… Great.” The stallion replied but Rainbow Dash was too excited to notice his reluctance.

It was a short walk to the trailer and when they got there the unicorn thanked them again for coming to the show and took her leave.

“Well go on Viridian, you’re the one who got us the tickets. Hurry up and knock!” Rainbow Dash urged.

“Alright, alright.” He sighed and walked up to the door and rapped it three times.

The door was immediately opened by Spitfire, still wearing her uniform, sans the mask and goggles. Upon seeing Viridian Night her face flashed a whole range of emotions from surprise, sadness, overjoyed, then settled on a mixture of relief and happy. “Good to see you, it’s been a long time. How have you been sir?” The yellow pegasus said, and on the word ‘sir’ she snapped to attention, saluted and her face shifted into a blank serious expression.

Viridian Night just rolled his eyes as he replied. “We’re the same rank now; you don’t have to call me sir. Besides we’re friends.”

“We both know you should be higher in rank by now sir.” Spitfire retorted, now with a small frown peeking through her blank demeanor.

Viridian Night sighed, but with a smile on his face, as he returned the salute and said. “As you were,” Spitfire returned to her original stance and expression and Viridian Night continued, “It’s good to see you too.”

When her salute was returned she walked down the steps of the trailer and embraced the green pegasus in a one-hoofed hug which he returned. Only then did the yellow pegasus notice the group behind Viridian Night, in particular the rainbow maned mare.

“Hey if it isn’t, Rainbow Dash right? I didn’t know you two knew each other.” She said.

Rainbow Dash, who was stunned by the realization that her old friend was on personal terms with a member of the Wonderbolts, was shocked back to reality when she was addressed directly by her idol. “Uh, yes, yeah that’s me; it’s so cool to see you again. Yeah Viridian and I knew each other when we were kids. You’re show today was totally awesome! It was the best one yet!” The cyan pegasus replied with an excited, ear-to-ear grin on her face.

“We try,” Spitfire said. She then noticed all the bandages covering Rainbow Dash and frowned in concern, “Hey you alright?”

“Huh? Oh yeah I just had an accident a few days ago but I’m fine. I’ll be good as new and back to practicing my moves in no time.” Rainbow Dash said waving off Spitfire’s concern lest she give the Wonderbolt the impression that she wouldn’t be able to join them one day.

“Well that’s good to hear.” The yellow pegasus said. She was then virtually assaulted by the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Wow it’s actually Spitfire, it’s so cool to meet you! I’m Scootaloo.” Gushed the orange pegasus filly.

“Name’s Applebloom, pleasure ta meet cha Ms. Spitfire.” Greeted the yellow earth pony.

“I’m Sweetie Bell. That was a great show today.” Said the white unicorn.

“Well it’s nice to meet you too, I’m glad you enjoyed the show.” Smiled the Wonderbolt.

She was then bombarded by the three fillies with question after question; to the point where she couldn’t keep up with what they were saying. Her face slowly shifted to a look of distress as the fillies continued to verbally assail her. Eventually, it was Spike who came to her rescue.

“Alright girls give her some space huh?” The purple baby dragon said as he moved in front of the Crusaders, cutting them off to the famous pegasus. “I’m Spike by the way, nice to meet ya.” He said, holding out his claw to shake.

Spitfire giggled as she extended her hoof to Spike. “Nice to meet you too,” she turned back towards the trailer and looked over her shoulder at the group, “well no use standing outside. Come on in everypony.” She walked up the steps, through the door and held it open for them. They all followed her up, Viridian Night in the lead.

As the green stallion walked through the door he glanced to the right where the “living room” was, which looked like it actually had plenty of room for all of them even with the other five Wonderbolts already spaced about. When they saw him they all immediately began to rise, but before they fully got up he said. “No, it’s fine, as you were.” At that the five stunt flyers paused mid-rise then sank back down in their seats.

He then walked over to a chair next to the couch Soarin was lounging on. It looked like the pale blue stallion was about to strike up a conversation with him, until the three fillies that followed Viridian Night through the door, squealed with delight as they rushed into the room to introduce themselves to the other Wonderbolts. They were followed by the only slightly more conserved Rainbow Dash who kept repeating “omygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” as she made her way over the rest of the group. She looked around and sat down on another couch by Rapidfire.

Spitfire moved over to the couch Soarin was on and had him move over so she could sit closer to Viridian Night. While Rainbow Dash, Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, and Spike were conversing with the other team members, Spitfire leaned over and asked. “So, what’ve you been up to these past two years Viridian?”

“Well I’ve been reassigned to Princess Luna’s new Astronomical Research Division.” He started.

“Wait, research? But you’re one of the best commanders in the Air Force. What are you doing stuck behind a desk pushing pencils for? I’ve heard on the grapevine that Celestia keeps offering some young captain a high up position in her and Luna’s personal guard. I know it’s you. Why haven’t you taken the position?” The fire maned pegasus replied shocked.

“You know why,” Viridian Night replied simply, “and I refuse to have this conversation.” He unconsciously glanced in the direction of Rainbow Dash and the kids. Thankfully they were all too enraptured in their own conversations with the other Wonderbolts to notice them.

Spitfire caught his line of sight and replied. “No you need to hear this, we can talk about it outside, or right here in front of everypony. It makes no difference to me.”

Viridian Night glared at her for several seconds not moving a muscle. Eventually Spitfire grew impatient and took a large breath of air and poised herself to start talking again, but loud enough so that everypony could hear her. Right as she opened her mouth, however, Viridian Night hissed at her. “Alright fine, you win. Let’s go outside.”

The two of them got up to leave but were stopped by Soarin. “Hey where’re you two going?” He asked his voice filled with simple curiosity.

“I just wanted to walk around and stretch my legs a little while Viridian and I reminisce about when we served together.” Spitfire replied.

“Ah, okay, just don’t be gone too long. You know how jealous I can get when another stallion is with my Fire-Pie.” Soarin winked as his face and tone filled with humor. Spitfire rolled her eyes and blushed slightly at the pet name. She then turned and led Viridian Night back out of the trailer and the two pegasai started walking towards the field.

Viridian Night, wanting to delay the inevitable, started the conversation on the subject of Soarin. “Nice guy, you two…?”

“Yes,” Spitfire replied knowing who Viridian Night was referring to. “We’ve been dating for several months now. Nopony’s made me feel happier.” She said with a slight whimsical look on her face.

“Good for you. I’m glad you were able to find somepony.” He said, genuinely happy for his friend.

“What about you? I’ve met Rainbow Dash a few times. She’s a good mare, talented flyer, sense of humor, huge goals, albeit a little arrogant. And she said you two knew each other as kids huh?” Spitfire said.

“We’re just acquaintances. I haven’t seen her since before she even got her cutie mark. We just happened to bump into each other a few days ago.” He replied emotionlessly.

“Oh. Have you seen anypony else from the Wings?”

“You’re the first.”

“Met anypony else? Anypony special?” The yellow pegasus asked with a hopeful smile.

“Nope, just been keeping to myself.”

At that Spitfire just stopped. Viridian Night took a couple more steps before he realized she wasn’t next to him anymore, and he turned around and faced her. She was just standing there, her head down, slightly shaking left to right. “Why do you do this to yourself? You did nothing wrong, you shouldn’t force yourself to carry that burden.” The Wonderbolt said with a small voice.

“I said I don’t want to have this conver-” The green pegasus started but was cut off.

“No, you’re gonna listen dammit!” Spitfire yelled as she lifted her head back up and looked him in the eye. “You did nothing wrong, and since you can’t seem to remember, you did do a lot of things right, including saving my hide, and a lot of other ponies’!”

Viridian’s brow furrowed. “Only because it was my mess to begin with in the first place, if I hadn’t been stupid enough to inspect that cave closer none of that would’ve happened!” He bellowed.

“You couldn’t have known that was going to happen. We were scouts; it was our job to inspect those things.” Spitfire rounded back at him. Her face then relaxed, falling into a saddened expression and her voice softened. “You have to let go Viridian. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I can’t lose anyone that close to me ever again.” Viridian Night said his voice barley a whisper.

“You can’t just hide from the world.” She said extending a hoof to Viridian’s shoulder.

He smacked the hoof away, the anger in his eyes returned. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. You only have the vaguest idea of what I went through that night.” He snarled at her.

“I’m just trying to help you.” She said, hurt in her voice.

“Well I don’t need your help. I’m doing just fine.” He snapped and turned around.

“Please Viridian.” Spitfire whispered in a small voice. It was enough to give him pause. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I don’t have to… No if I push everyone away then I can’t be hurt if they are. I can’t take any more pain and loss like that. He shook his head and spread his wings. I’m sorry old friend. I hope you can forgive me. He then took off as fast as he could without so much as a second glance.

Spitfire knew she could’ve caught up and stopped him. But she knew it would accomplish little more than to anger him more. “I always hate it when you do this sir,” she muttered out loud to herself. “You were always too critical of yourself. But now it’s just self-destructive.” She started back to the trailer. The least she could do was escort everypony else back to their homes. She knew small towns like Ponyville were fairly safe even at night, but maybe she could talk to Rainbow Dash about him. He seemed concerned that she would overhear what Viridian Night and Spitfire had just been talking about. Maybe she could get an idea of how he was doing by talking to the Rainbow maned pegasus.

When she walked back through the door to the trailer, everypony turned and watched her close the door behind her and walk over to them. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak. “Where’s Viridian Night?” She asked.

“Ah, he uh, left early because… he said he had some work he needed to take care of. Something about a comet shower.” Spitfire responded coming up with the story on the spot.

“Oh, okay then.” Rainbow Dash replied. “Hey Scootaloo, Scootaloo?” She turned to the orange pegasus and saw her snoozing along with the other Crusaders and Spike on one of the couches. “Well I guess it’s time to get these kids home. It is getting pretty late for them.” She said disappointed.

“Hey why don’t I walk all of you back?” Offered Spitfire.

“Really? Aw that’d be so cool!” Gushed Rainbow Dash.

“Well let’s get them roused and we can be on our way.” The Wonderbolts captain said. Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts nearest the kids woke them up and told them it was time to go. Surprisingly the three normally rowdy fillies didn’t even give a fuss. Rainbow Dash figured that it must be because they were so tired. All they did was repeatedly thank the Wonderbolts for a great time and for letting them hang out with them for the evening; as well as for all the free signed merchandise they were given. “Before we leave just gimmie one sec.” Spitfire said and she went down the short hallway into one of the trailer’s rooms. A few minutes later she came back out with her goggles in her mouth. She walked up to Rainbow Dash and placed them on her head. “Signed and everything,” she told the cyan mare with a smile.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Rainbow Dash gasped.

*****

Spitfire and Rainbow Dash were going to go to each of the fillies’ and Spike’s houses and drop them off, but Spike informed them that Rarity was generous enough to let them all have a sleep-over at her house after the show. Once they dropped the four of them off Spitfire asked. “Do you mind if I follow you to your house as well? There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Rainbow Dash gasped. “ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Yeah anything Spitfire, or should I be calling you captain?” She asked with a huge hopeful grin.

Spitfire gave a comforting smile. “No it’s not about that I’m afraid.” She watched as Rainbow Dash’s spirits plummet at the realization that Spitfire wasn’t talking to her about joining the Wonderbolts. “Hey it’s nothing personal, if it were up to me I’d’ve asked you for a tryout after you led the Ponyville pegasai in creating that tornado to collect the water for Cloudsdale, but regulations say you have to wait a few more years before you can tryout. Unless you were military. I actually want to talk to you about Viridian.”

Rainbow Dash perked up considerably at that. “So I still have a chance? And not just that but a really good chance?”

“Yeah absolutely.” Spitfire smiled.

“Awesome thank you, I’ll train even harder now so I don’t let you down.” Rainbow Dash cheered.

Spitfire giggled. “Well don’t push yourself too far. Don’t want you to get hurt any more than you already have.”

Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head. “eheheheh well you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll train harder but I’ll be more careful.”

“Good to hear. Keep it up and I’m sure you’ll be a shoo-in. Now which way is it to your place?” Spitfire asked.

“Well it’s the cloud house on the edge of town, but Nurse Redheart says I won’t be able to fly for another week, so I’m staying with Viridian. He lives this way.” She then led the Wonderbolt down the road to his house.

“This is working out better than I thought it would.” Spitfire muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Hmm? Oh, nothing, lead the way.” Spitfire replied and the two pegasai started down the road.

“So what can I tell you about Viridian that you don’t already know? It sounded like you two knew each other. You guys served together?” Asked Rainbow Dash her spirits much higher after the praise she received from the Wonderbolts captain.

“Well, we haven’t even seen each other in two years and he had to run off before we could catch up, so I want to hear about how he’s been from somepony who knows him before the team leaves early tomorrow morning.” Spitfire explained.

“Well I wouldn’t say we’re close really. We’ve only just ran into each other again a few days ago.” The blue pegasus began. “He’s pretty similar to how he was when we were kids. He’s still really nice and cool, but he’s also… distant now.” She said with a frown.

“How did you two run into each other?” Spitfire asked.

“Well I was practicing a new trick and it kinda, exploded in my face.” The rainbow maned pegasus said sheepishly. “Anyway, it launched me through the air to the next town over and into the nearby lake. Viridian pulled me out and took me to the town’s clinic. Once the doc patched me up she had me stay with Viridian who brought me back when he moved here.”

“Hmm, interesting. Wait, what was that about your trick exploding in your face?” Spitfire asked with a look of shock.

“Oh I was uh trying to mix my sonic rainboom with a lightning cloud. I call it the Rainbow Bolt!” Rainbow Dash said proudly. “It uh just has a few kinks to work out.” She said rubbing the back of her head again.

“Well you’ll have to show me when it’s finished.” Spitfire said with a smile.

“Ab-absolutely!” Rainbow Dash stuttered.

By that time they’d reached Viridian Night’s house. Rainbow Dash reached out with a hoof and opened the door for them. As they walked in they could see a light shining under the crack of the door on the opposite side of the main room before Rainbow Dash flicked on the main lights.

“Would you like anything to drink?” Asked Rainbow Dash as she walked over to the bar.

“Sure what’ve you got?” Replied Spitfire following the rainbow maned pegasus. The blue pegasus led the yellow one over to the bar to let her see the stock. “Ah I’m not surprised to see this here.” Spitfire said and pulled down one of the bottles of whiskey, Viridian’s favorite, which was sealed with red wax and had a tan label on it that read Equine’s Etch. “You know, I used to hate whiskey with a passion until a certain fresh, green, 2nd lieutenant squad leader bought his sergeant a glass in the hopes it would get her to lighten up.” She chuckled at the memory. She then pulled out a glass tumbler, broke the seal on the bottle and poured herself a couple hoofs of the bourbon.

“Wow, I knew you two served in the Air Force together by what you said earlier, but you and Viridian were in the same squad?” Rainbow Dash asked as she pulled out a beer from the mini fridge.

Spitfire took a sip of her drink and replied. “Yep, he was the leader of our flight’s fourth scouting squad, and I was his second in command, not as impressive as it sounds, a squad only holds four or five ponies. Though, it was his first assignment and I’d already had a good amount of experience so our leadership was more or less even in our squad for the first few months, until he got some experience of his own. Those were good times.” She swished the drink around in her glass while she reminisced then took another swig.

“I’d love to hear some awesome stories about your military career!” The cyan pegasus said with enthusiasm.

“Sure, hey, why don’t you see if Viridian is done with what he’s doing, and can join us?” Spitfire suggested.

“Okay, cool, be right back.” Rainbow Dash said and she went over to the door they saw the light coming from earlier.

Spitfire knew that he probably wouldn’t want to talk to anypony, especially not her right now, but it was meant more of a distraction so she could place the object she hid under her wing when they left the trailer. She was going to give it to Rainbow Dash originally for her to give to him later, but now she was going to hide it somewhere the green pegasus would find it later without anypony else knowing. She quickly pulled out a small white box with a small scroll tied to the top of it and placed it on the shelf, then returned the whiskey bottle to its original spot in front of the package.

A minute later Rainbow Dash came back with a frown on her face and said. “He said he’s too busy and to leave him alone. He didn’t even open the door.”

“Aw well, can’t be helped, but I’d still be happy to tell you a few stories.” Spitfire said and waved a hoof.

After several stories, most of them about her career before she met Viridian Night, and a couple while they served together, Spitfire decided it was about time she got going. “Well it’s gettin’ pretty late and we gotta leave early in the morning to get to our next show. It was great talking with you though, not many ponies care about my career before the Wonderbolts. It’s nice to talk with somepony about something other than the team all the time.”

“Seriously!? Those were some of the best stories I’ve ever heard! Are you sure you can’t stay just a little longer?” Rainbow Dash asked with a small look of disappointment in her eye.

Spitfire chuckled a little and replied. “Sorry but Wonderbolts gotta sleep too. Tell ya what though, I really appreciate you listen to me ramble on about my soldiering life so next show you can make it to tickets are free.”

“Really?! That is so awesome, thank you so much!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed nearly falling off her stool in excitement.

“Don’t mention it.” Spitfire smiled as she walked back to the door. She opened it and was about halfway through it before she turned and said with a sad, almost forlorn expression. “Hey, do me a favor and look out for Viridian. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but he carries a guilt that isn’t his; blames himself for something that he couldn’t control.”

“What happened?” Inquired the cyan pegasus.

“It’s not my place to say, just keep an eye on him for me would ya? He needs somepony, and it looks like you’re the only one who’s managed to get close to him in the past two years.” The yellow pegasus said.

“You can count on me!” Rainbow Dash replied, but still confused by Spitfire’s request.

Spitfire smiled and nodded. “Thanks Rainbow Dash, I appreciate it. I’ll see you around.” And with that she left, closing the door behind her.

Immediately after Spitfire left, Rainbow Dash got up and walked over to the door Viridian was behind and knocked. After a minute with no response she knocked again and tried opening the door. She found that it was locked, and, after a few more seconds of waiting for a response she decided to give up. I guess he was serious when he said he didn’t want to be disturbed while he was working. I’ll just have to talk to him in the morning, she thought to herself then retreated upstairs to the room she was staying in and promptly went to sleep.

A while later, Viridian Night slowly cracked open the door to see if anypony was still in the room. Seeing that the coast was clear he passed through the door, locking it as he closed it. Knowing that he wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight, with what he and Spitfire talked about still fresh in his mind, he walked over to the bar. He pulled down a clean glass and the whiskey bottle Spitfire had opened earlier. He gave a snort of mixed annoyance and humor at the bottle’s broken seal, knowing who most likely opened it, and then he poured some whiskey into the glass. As he leaned back his head to drink he noticed a box with a note attached to it in the space behind where the bottle was.

He reached up and pulled it off the shelf and placed it on the counter in front of him. He placed his glass to the side, momentarily forgotten. He detached the note from the box and unrolled it. Inside it was a hastily written note.

Viridian,

It was really great to see you again, you know I, all of us, have been worried about you. Nopony from the old Flight has heard any word of you since that day. We all hoped you were doing well but now I see that you’re still beating yourself up over what happened. IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT; you’ve got to stop blaming yourself for what happened. There was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it from happening. Remember that you did stop it when nopony else even knew it was possible. You’ve got to remember what you did do to finish it, and stop dwelling on how it started. It kills me to see you destroy yourself like this. If you don’t forgive yourself then I’m going to take up my old duties as your sergeant and knock some sense into that thick skull of yours. Please Viridian, it wasn’t your fault, forgive yourself. Inside the box is something that me, and the rest of the flight that I could get a hold of, thought that you should have. I’ve been holding on to it in the hopes I’d be the one who found you first, and as luck would have it I was. Again, please take care of yourself; I can’t stand to see you like this.

Your Friend,

Spitfire

P.S. When you find this it’ll probably be your birthday, I hope you remember it as that.

Viridian Night set the note down and picked up the box in his fore-hooves. He pulled the top off then upended the contents on top of the note. A large, heavy coin about an inch and a half in diameter and an eighth of an inch thick fell out. It was made of bronze and had a highly stylized crossed pegasus wings with blades attached to them emblazed on the face. He picked up the coin and flipped it over. On the back was some writing engraved upon the surface that read.

To the best officer we could have asked for in a crisis, and a true testament to the Razor Wings fighting spirit. Thank you Viridian Night.

He stared at the coin for a few moments until he flung it across the room, not paying attention where he was aiming. He then took the note Spitfire wrote and crumpled it up and threw it into a nearby trash can. He glanced up at the clock built into the bar and saw it was a few minutes past midnight. He then took the glass in one of his hooves and muttered. “Happy birthday to me.” And he slugged the drink back in one gulp.

Chapter 8

A Lost Friend

Chapter 8

The next morning Rainbow Dash woke up groggy as usual. Her first thought was to look around for Tank since she didn’t see him at all yesterday. Not finding the tortoise in her room she left and went downstairs to look for her pet. She searched for a couple of minutes until she noticed a piece of paper on the bar. She looked at it for a few seconds deciphering what the sloppily written note said.

Hey Rainbow, took Tank for a walk, should be leftover pancakes in the fridge from yesterday.

-Viridian Night

Relieved that she knew where Tank was she decided to go raid the fridge. She then remembered what Spitfire told her last night and decided she’d talk to Viridian when he and Tank returned. She found the pancakes and syrup in the fridge and brought them over to the bar. She didn’t mind cold pancakes so she just dumped syrup over the fluffy discs and proceeded to devour them. She was through most of them when she heard a knock on the door.

“Now who could that be?” She wondered aloud as she walked over to the door. When she opened the door she saw that Rarity was standing on the other side. “Hey Rares, what’s up?” The cyan pegasus greeted.

“Ah good morning darling, how are you today?” The fasionista replied.

“Good as I can be with all this junk still on.” Rainbow Dash answered with an irritated glance at her sling. “What brings you by?” She inquired with a curious look.

“Oh, Twilight asked me to come fetch you and Viridian. She’s getting something in the mail that she wanted to show everypony. Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie are all already at the library.” Rarity explained. “I also wanted to ask Viridian if he would be kind enough to come to the boutique tomorrow. I’m working on some new designs and I need some male perspective on them, so I’d like him and Spike to be there to lend me a hoof.”

“Well Viridian is out walking Tank right now and I’m not sure when they’ll be back so let me just take a moment to write him a note telling him to come to the library.” The rainbow maned mare said and she walked back to the note sitting on the bar.

“Of course dear, take your time.” The white unicorn said.

Rainbow Dash flipped the piece of paper over and found a nearby quill and hastily wrote a note telling Viridian where she was going and asking him to meet her there. With that done she walked back to Rarity, left the house, closing the door on the way out, and the two walked down the road to Twilight’s house.

Once they got to the tree library they went inside. “I’m back everypony, and I brought Rainbow Dash with me, but it seems Viridian Night is out right now. We left him a message however so he should be by later.” Rarity said to the other four mares gathered in the library.

“Great, now if Spike would just hurry up. What could possibly be taking that dragon so long?” Twilight replied irritably.

“Where’d ya send him off to?” Applejack asked.

Twilight sighed in frustration. “I sent him to the post office to pick up a couple packages this morning, one of them containing what I wanted to show everypony, but he should be back by now.”

“What is it you want to show us, Twilight? If you don’t mind telling us that is.” Murmured Fluttershy.

“Well it’s a new magical device called a dream-catcher.” Twilight said, excitement showing through her irritation at her assistant’s tardiness. “You put it around a pony’s neck while they’re asleep and you can see what they’re dreaming about.”

“Oh Twilight, I’m sure he’s just being super-duper extra carful cuz he knows how important it is to you. I bet he’ll be here any second!” Pinkie Pie said with her usual exuberance.

A second later they heard something thump against the door. “What was that?” Twilight asked slightly shocked by the sudden impact. A moment later her question was answered when the door opened. Viridian Night walked through the door with Tank resting on his head and Spike riding on his back holding a couple short but wide packages in his claws. They were followed by a fuchsia earth pony mare. The strange thing, however, was that the baby dragon was wearing a lampshade on his head, and the green pegasus’ eyes weren’t quite focused as he swayed from side to side while being steadied by the fuchsia mare.

“Spike, there you are! Where have you been?” Twilight asked, happy to see the dragon was back. She then turned to the fuchsia mare. “Hello Berry Punch, what are you up to this morning?” She asked.

Berry Punch replied with a smile. “Oh, I’ve just been keeping an eye on this party animal.” She told everypony and nudged Viridian Night in the side with an elbow.

“Hey Viridian, you alright? Rainbow Dash asked.

It took a second for the stallion to focus on the rainbow maned pony talking to him. “Huh? Oh hey Dash, yeah I’m fine, I just saw my buddy Spike here carryin’ some stuff so I thought I’d lend him a hoof.” He said lispfully, his response barley intelligible.

“Sorry it took so long for me to get here Twilight.” Spike said. “I was just on my way back from the post office when I saw Viridian coming out of that club Vinyl Scratch owns. She was closing it down for the day and I saw Viridian talking with her and Berry Punch. He then saw me and rushed over to ask me what was going on and if I needed help carrying these.” The baby dragon explained. When he finished Viridian Night nodded his head.

“Hey where’d you get that neat-o lampshade Spike?” Pinkie Pie asked as she stared pointedly at the object resting atop his scaly head.

“Oh this? Viridian was wearing it when he walked over to me.” He told Pinkie, he then said to Viridian, “You were partying hard last night huh?”

“Yep! I got it at Scratch’s place at some point while I was there and she said I could keep it.” Viridian’s thick voice now laced with giggling. “But I thought it’d look better on you.” He then pulled out a large glass bottle from under his wing, Rainbow Dash recognized it as the one Spitfire opened last night except it was almost empty now, and took a swig from it completely draining it. “Aw, I ran out.”

“Have you been drinking all night?” Rainbow Dash asked with equal parts concern and surprise.

“Yep!” Berry Punch answered. “It’s kind of a funny story actually.

*****

Berry Punch was enjoying a nice evening to herself at home, just enjoying a few drinks, when she suddenly thought to herself. Hmm, I haven’t been to that bar on the edge of town in a while. Wonder how everypony there is doing, I should stop in there and hang out for a bit. Berry Punch was a little tipsy as she aimlessly walked down the moonlit street. After traversing the route she remembered, while only knocking over a few trashcans and tripping over her hooves once, she made it to the bar. She kicked open the door and called. “I’m back everypony!”

She looked around and saw only one pony in the whole place. He was a green pegasus stallion, sitting at the bar with a glass tipped over to the side, and a half-full handle of Equine’s Etch in his hoof. He was staring at her, surprise freezing him on his stool.

“Wow, it’s really dead tonight.” Berry Punch said as she made her way over to the bar, taking a seat on the stool next to the stallion. “Hi, I’m Berry Punch, nice to meet cha.” She said holding a hoof out to him.

The pegasus shook his head, his initial shock gone and met the earth pony’s hoof with his. “Viridian Night, nice ta meet you too.” He replied, his voice thick and his eyes a slightly glazed. “What are you doing in my house?” He asked confusedly.

“Wow you must be really hammered buddy. This isn’t you’re house, this is one of the best bars in Equestria.” The fuchsia mare said, chuckling at him. “Hey do you know where the bartender is? I could use a drink.”

“Like I told you this isn’t a bar anymore, it’s my house.” Viridian said sternly.

“Wait you were being serious? Aw man, this was my favorite bar too.” The fuchsia mare said now looking disappointed. “But hey, I know I wanna do some more drinking tonight, it doesn’t look like you’re done yet, and it looks like you’re fully stocked, mind if I join ya?” She asked hopefully.

The pegasus picked up the tipped over glass and poured some bourbon in it and swished it around for a couple seconds. “Sure, I’m tired of being alone with my thoughts anyway, help yourself.” He said with more emotion behind the words than a usual pony would, but Berry Punch decided it was probably just the alcohol.

“Thanks, buddy!” She said and she went around the bar. After paroozing the selection for a bit she decided to make herself a white Stalliongrad. Once she poured the mixture she looked around for something to blend it all together. “Hey, you got any stirrers or anything to mix this with?” She asked.

“Sure, uh, let me look around.” Replied Viridian as he looked around from his seat. Berry Punch just rolled her eyes when she saw him looking around aimlessly. “Oh, I think Tank has some!” He said as he looked down at the stool around the corner from where he sat. He then reached down and picked up a tortoise that Berry Punch didn’t see there earlier.

“Um, why would a turtle have-” The fuchsia mare began but was cut off by the green stallion.

“Hey, he’s a tortoise!” Viridian Night retorted angrily.

“Okay, tortoise, jeeze sorry.” Berry Punch said with her hooves up in a mock surrender. “But I still don’t see why, why…” She stopped when she looked back at the tortoise in the pegasus’ hooves. In his mouth he was holding a cocktail stirrer. Dumbstruck she took the stirrer from him and said. “Thanks, but where did you get this?” In response, Tank retracted his head back into his shell, and when he came back out he had another mixer in his mouth. Berry Punch just stared. “Huh.” She then walked back and sat back down next to Viridian Night. “So when did you move in here?” She asked.

“Only about a couple days ago.” The pegasus replied.

Gasp “There’s a really awesome club I gotta take you to then! It’s run by the best DJ pony in all of Equestria, and she has some of the best alcohol and funnest drinking games to get you smashed. Come on, you’ll love it!” Berry Punch said excitedly. She then grabbed Viridian Night by the hoof and started dragging him off his stool.

Viridian Night was taken completely off guard by the fuchsia mare’s sudden exuberance. “Uh, okay I guess, let me just leave a note for Rainbow.” He looked around for a second. “I need paper and a quill… Oh, thanks Tank!” He said when he saw the tortoise with paper and a quill in his mouth. “Is there anything you don’t keep in your shell?” He asked, but he didn’t wait for an answer as he quickly scrawled out a note, then placed the shelled reptile on his head.

“Great, let’s go!” Cheered Berry Punch and she pumped one hoof into the air and led Viridian Night with the other.

*****

“The rest you already know.” Berry Punch said as she finished her story. She then looked up at the clock on the wall and her eyes shrunk to pinpricks in shock. “Oh no, I didn’t realize how late it was. I gotta get Pinchy to school. It was nice seeing you girls. We gotta party again sometime Viridian! Kgottagobye!” She said rapidly then rushed out the door.

Viridian Night, who looked like he was lost in his own world during the fuchsia mare’s re-counting of the night, snapped out of his reverie and said. “See ya Berry. So what’s in the boxes anyway Spike.” He said as he turned to the purple dragon.

“Oh some magic thingy and a book Twilight ordered.” He replied.

“Viridian I think you should lie down, you’re really drunk.” Rainbow Dash said worriedly.

“Naw I’m fine, don’t worry about me, I just wanna know what’s in the boxes.” Viridian Night said waving off the cyan mare’s concern. His attention was immediately caught by something on the second floor. His wings shot out and he flew up to the second floor, narrowly missing a few bookcases on the way up.

“Whoa!” Spike yelled with a mix of surprise and thrill.

“Viridian, what are you doing?” Twilight asked, distress filling her voice.

The green pegasus, shakily, landed on the second floor in front of a telescope that was facing out a window. “Just checking out the new telescope you got. It’s the new Pegastellation Precision telesope that came out a few days ago right?” He asked as he started examining the telescope. “You’re settings are off though, let me fix that for ya!” He asked, and without waiting for a response he started adjusting the various knobs and dials.

Twilight, worried that the drunken stallion might break her brand new telescope grabbed him in a magical field and started pulling him away from it. “No stop! That’s what I got the book for!” She cried.

“Hey!” Viridian protested as he felt the magic field wrap around him. Before Twilight could get him out of reach he adjusted one more dial and proclaimed. “Perfect!” He was then unceremoniously dropped back onto the first floor. Worried for the baby dragon that was still riding on his back and the tortoise on his head; he turned his head and yelled. “Spike, you alright little buddy? Tank? Spike?” Once he saw the purple dragon was absent from his back he reached up to his head and felt the tortoise still there. He pulled him off then set him on the floor. Looking around again he called. “Spike, where’d you go?”

“Right here dude.” Spike replied in a calm voice above his head. Viridian looked up and saw him encased in a pale blue aura as he was carried over and placed on Rarity’s back.

“Come over here Spike. There’s no reason to stay with him while he’s in that condition.” She told the baby dragon.

“Hey don’t judge me!” Viridian replied indignantly.

“Viridian, just go sit down!” Twilight ordered. “Now I have to try to fix whatever you did to my telescope.”

“I just fixed it for you. Your calibrations were way off.” Viridian said but did what he was told and sat down on the floor in front of the tortoise.

Twilight grabbed one of the packages opened it up and pulled out a thick, hard-bound book with a picture of her new telescope on the front. She marched up the stairs and went over to the telescope and opened up the book. She held the book up in her magic and started flipping through the pages and glancing between it and the telescope, but didn’t touch any of the dials. After a minute of this she closed the book and walked back down the stairs, glaring daggers at Viridian Night.

“They’re perfect, all the calibrations are perfect,” she said. “How did you know how to do that? That telescope’s only been out for two days.” Viridian’s wings hung loose, and his head was down so she walked up closer to him to make sure he was listening to her. “Hey, you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah, just need a drink.” The green stallion replied.

“I think you’ve had enough.” Twilight deadpanned.

“I can handle myself. You, you’re not da boss o’ me.” He said.

“Well I’m still not getting you anymore alcohol.” Twilight told him sternly.

Unbeknownst to anyone in the room, while Twilight and Viridian were talking Tank had retreated into his shell, and had pulled out a small bottle of Equine’s Etch and offered it to the green pegasus. When Viridian noticed the proffered bottle he cheered. “Tank, yer da best tortoise ever!” He then took a swig from the bottle as his mood soared back up to where it was earlier.

“Tank! Don’t encourage him, why would you give him that?” Rainbow Dash berated her pet.

“…… … ….. ………” Tank shrugged.

Viridian Night took another swig from the bottle and looked back at Twilight. “Now, to answer you earlier question,” takes another swig, “I knew how to fix your telescope because I’m the pony who designed it.” The pegasus stallion said nonchalantly.

Twilight Sparkle giggled in response. “You really must be drunk Viridian, Star Bright, the famous astronomer designed it. The same pegasus pony who’s written a couple other books about several discoveries he’s made regarding space.

“Yeah, he’s me.” Viridian Night replied with a proud grin on his face while he placed his free hoof over his chest.

At this point Twilight Sparkle was getting irritated with the drunken stallion again. She changed her tone and posture like she always did when she’s about to lecture sompony. “Now see here Viridian.” She said as she opened up the back of the book she’d been holding in her magic, and held it up to the green pegasus, revealing a picture of a white pegasus stallion with a fiery mane that was combed back and neat. “THIS is Star Bright. He’s the one you actually designed that telescope, and you look nothing like him.”

“Oh, perfect!” Viridian Night exclaimed and he grabbed the book with his mouth and pulled it out of Twilights magical grasp.

“Hey!” The purple mare yelled in equal parts protest and indignation, but was ignored by the target of her exclamation.

Viridian Night opened the book back up to the back, but he wasn’t looking at the picture, he was looking at what was written on the inside cover. “Good you’ve got one of the copies I’ve autographed. Does anypony got a quill and paper? This’ll prove that that’s me.” He looked around hopefully but nopony responded except the diminutive green and purple dragon.

“One quill and paper coming right up buddy.” He said and he jumped off Rarity’s back and jogged over to the writing desk, grabbed the items and brought them over to Viridian Night.

“Thanks pal.” Viridian Night said and gave Spike a noogie when he brought the items over. He then scribbled something on the page, closed the book over it and offered it back to Twilight.

As she picked the book up in her magic and brought it back over to herself she asked. “What did you do?”

“Just wrote something down that should prove that that pony is me.” He said as he took another swig from his bottle, a smug grin across his face. It then switched almost instantly to a look of curiosity and he looked back at the tortoise in front of him. “Hey what else you got in there.” He said indicating Tank’s shell.

The unicorn rolled her eyes but opened the book anyway. When her eyes fell on the book they grew wide, and rapidly shifted between the book’s back inside cover and the piece of paper Viridian wrote on. “But, but, how, why, huh?” She stuttered.

“What’s the matter Twilight?” Her number one assistant asked.

“… They match.” The utter disbelief evident in the purple unicorn’s voice.

“What match?” Spike asked.

“Both of these signatures match perfectly!” Twilight said and she turned the book and page around with her magic so everyone could see. Everyone moved closer so they could get a good look, except for Viridian who was now trying to stuff his head into Tank’s shell to look inside. “No, this can’t be!” Twilight said and she used her magic to grab two books off a shelf behind her and levitated them in front of her with them opened to the back as well.

“Let me have a look at that darling, I do have a keen eye for detail after all.” Rarity said when she walked up to the book the purple mare was still holding so the others could look at it. Twilight released the three books she was holding, as well as the page Viridian wrote on, into the fashinista’s magic so she could adjust them as she needed. After the alabaster unicorn examined all four signatures for about a minute, scrutinizing them from about every angle she could, she passed everything back to the purple unicorn.

“Well?!” Twilight asked.

“They all match perfectly.” Rarity announced.

“Hoo-wee Viridian, you must be one smart pony to do all that, but why don’t ya credit yerself for it?” Applejack asked.

“Well Princess Luna insisted I publish my work, and I insisted that it be done an- annon- anony-” Viridian Night slurred.

“Anonymously?” Spike chipped in.

“That one.” The green pegasus replied.

“But all this stuff you’ve done is amazing! Why wouldn’t you want credit for it?” Twilight asked staring in disbelief at the stallion before her.

“Don’t deserve the honor.” Viridian Night replied simply.

“What?! Why not?” Twilight asked.

“Because of something that happened a couple years ago.” He responded and took a long draught from the bottle, nearly finishing it off.

“What do you mean by that Viridian?” Rainbow Dash asked concernedly.

“Something that gives me bad dreams.” Viridian Night yawned. “Hey does anypony know where I can get some coffee? I’m gettin kinda tired. Oh, and some ice cream, I could totally go for some ice cream right about now. We should all go out and get some ice cream! Hmm, I wonder if…” He then picked Tank back up and tried looking through the hole where the reptile’s head usually comes out of.

“I’ll get you some coffee Viridian.” Spike offered. “And ice cream does sound good right now. Mmmmmm.”

“No I’ll get it; I could use some coffee myself anyway, how do you take it?” Twilight said and she made her way to the kitchen.

“Black.” The pegasus stallion replied.

“I doubt Tank keeps ice cream or coffee in his shell Viridian.” Rainbow Dash giggled as she walked over to him. “Now hoof him over, I don’t want him giving you any more booze.” She said and held out a hoof.

“Aw, okay.” Viridian said and he hoofed over the tortoise to the sky blue mare.

Rainbow Dash then held the reptile up so they were eye to eye. “Now no more giving him booze, he’s had enough.” Tank’s expression then slowly shifted to an apologetic look at his owner’s words. “It’s okay buddy, just, if a pony’s already dunk, don’t keep giving them more to drink okay?” She said with a small smile that tank returned with a slow nod.

At that moment Twilight walked back into the room, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee in her magic, and floated one over to Viridian Night. “Here you go, one black coffee.” She said.

“Awesome, thanks.” Viridian Night yawned again. As the mug of coffee was floated over to him he stood back up on all fours and took the mug in one hoof. He took a long sip and sighed. “Mmmm, that’s good.”

“Glad you like it. Now why won’t you tell us, why don’t you want ponies to know it was you who wrote those books?” Twilight asked holding her own mug in her magic.

Viridian Night walked over to the nearest wall, miraculously not spilling any coffee while he listed from side to side, and leaned up against it. “Because, I don’t want anypony to know who I am, or where to find me; It’s a bunch of attention I don’t want or need.” He said then took a big swig from the mug. He yawned again. “Y’know this coffee isn’t helping much.” He drained the rest of the mug and set it on the ground. He then started snoring.

“…Did he just fall asleep standing up leaning against the wall?” Applejack said dumbfounded.

“Twilight what did you do to that drink?” Rarity asked.

“Nothing, it was just decaf,” Twilight replied. “I thought he should get some sleep, but I didn’t expect him to fall asleep against the wall. How is that even comfortable?”

Pinkie Pie stepped in front of Viridian Night and waved a hoof in front of his face and prodded him in the chest a couple times. “Wow, he’s really out.”

“Well, I guess we should at least move him somewhere more comfortable.” Twilight said. She then picked up the green pegasus with her magic and floated him over the nearby couch and gently set him down.

While the green pegasus was being floated through the air Rainbow Dash’s eyes flashed between him, and the second, still unopened, package that Spike brought with him earlier. After Viridian Night was set down on the couch Rainbow Dash trotted over to the package, ripped it open and pulled the magical device out. “Rainbow, what are you doing?” Twilight asked, her tone mixed with confusion and irritation at the cyan pegasus open her packages without asking.

Instead of answering right away, Rainbow Dash trotted over to Viridian Night, and slipped the large loop of string attached to the dream-catcher around the stallion’s neck. “There’s obviously something wrong with him, and I wanna find out what it is. He doesn’t talk to anypony about it, and he said he dreams about it, so I intend on finding out.” The rainbow pegasus finally replied.

“Oh, but Rainbow, that’s a horrible breach of his privacy. Don’t you think it’d be better if-” Fluttershy started to say but was cut off when the dream-catcher pulsed with a faint white magical glow, and a smoky white tendril of magic curled up from the center of the device and rose a few feet above Viridian Night’s head. It then formed a circle a couple feet in diameter which the inside then began to fill with color.

“Well it’s too late now.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed as she turned back to the color filled disc and watched as the colors started to settle and form distinct shapes.

Chapter 4

A Lost Friend

Chapter 4

Rainbow Dash was disappointed when Loveheart told her that Viridian Night was in Canterlot, but her spirits were lifted again when she told her that he should be back later that day. However, she didn’t take the last bit of news very well.

“Three days! I’ve been asleep for three days!? I need to get back to Ponyville, everypony must be worried sick, and Tank! Gasp! I hope Fluttershy is taking care of him! I gotta get back and let them know I’m okay.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed and she started to raise herself out of bed again.

“No, no no no no no.” Loveheart said as she quickly used her magic to keep Rainbow Dash from moving again. “If you would let me finish,” she said as she forced Rainbow back down into her bed. “That’s why Viridian Night went to Canterlot. After he brought you here a couple pegasi from the royal guard came here looking for you, they said royal guards everywhere in Equestria were looking for you, on Celestia’s orders. They wanted to take you back to Ponyville immediately, but you’re in no condition to move yet so Viridian Night ordered them not to until they’ve reported to the princesses on your condition. He went with them to help explain the situation.” The doctor unicorn said as she lifted the magic holding Rainbow Dash down when she saw the pegasus wasn’t resisting any more.

“The guard-pegasi also said that the reason they were looking for you so diligently was because your friends sent a message to Princess Celestia stating their belief that you may be injured, and also since you are one of the Elements of Harmony, the princess wanted you to be found and returned as soon as possible.” She said as she replaced the blankets back over Rainbow Dash.

“But, I still gotta let my friends know I’m okay. I don’t want them to worry.” Rainbow Dash said, worry still etched in her features.

“Well, I’m positive the princess will be sure to let your friends know that you’re safe and sound as soon as possible.” Loveheart told her with a reassuring smile, “Is it really true? Are you really one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony?” Loveheart asked hoping to get Rainbow’s mind off her concern for her friends and calm back down.

“Uh yeah, your lookin’ at the Element of Loyalty,” Rainbow Dash said proudly, holding a hoof to her chest. Then suddenly her stomach growled loudly, demanding sustenance. “eh heh heh heh, and also the Element of Hunger, do you have anything to eat around here Doc?” Rainbow asked, slightly embarrassed.

“Absolutely, I’ll be right back.” Loveheart left the room and came back a couple minutes later holding a bed-tray in her magic. She placed the tray in front of Rainbow Dash who gave an undignified face when she saw the contents of the trey.

“This is it?” She asked in a disbelieving tone. She was looking down at the tray which had a small dandelion sandwich, a small bowl of applesauce, and a glass of water with a straw.

“Well yes,” Loveheart said matter-of-factly. “You’re still recovering from all the injuries you’ve sustained, and if you try to eat something heavy your body won’t be able to handle it and you’ll become sick.”

“Hey, I’m not a filly you know. I think I can handle myself.” Rainbow Dash said indignantly.

“And when you’re throwing up because your stomach gets shocked from having something in it when it’s been empty for three days; I’m the pony who gets to clean it up.” Loveheart said with very stern look. Rainbow Dash meeped at the sudden change in her demeanor. “Now it’s either that or foal food, your choice.”

In response Rainbow Dash immediately took the sandwich in her hooves and took a bite out of it and ate. She was much weaker than she thought because the simple sandwich felt heavy in her fore-legs and her hooves felt unsteady. She was able to finish the sandwich without too much of a problem, but eating the applesauce proved more of a challenge. After she dropped her spoon three times, while trying to scoop the mashed fruit into her mouth, she gave up on it. The doctor was proven right anyway, Rainbow Dash was full after the sandwich and small amount of applesauce. She was grateful Loveheart placed a straw in the glass of water so she had no trouble drinking at least.

“Are you finished?” Loveheart asked. She left the room when Rainbow Dash started eating so that she could go have her own breakfast.

“Yes, thanks Doc, and you were right that sandwich filled me *Yaaawwwn* right up.” Rainbow Dash said feeling tired now that she had a full stomach.

Loveheart used her magic and lifted the tray from the bed and pulled the covers up to Rainbow Dash’s neck to keep her warm. “You’re welcome dear. Now try to get some sleep, the more rest you get the faster your wounds will heal.” She said in a comforting tone. She then closed the shades over the windows and the room darkened, not a very dark, but enough to offer an easy nap.

“No problem D-Yawn-oc, napping is one of my specialties,” Rainbow Dash said stifling another yawn. “Hey, could you do me a favor though?” she asked.

“Sure, what is it?” Doctor Loveheart replied as she turned her head back.

“Could you wake me up if Viridian Night gets back before I’m awake?”

“Well, you really should get your rest,” Loveheart began, but then she saw the hopeful look in Rainbow Dash’s face and she couldn’t bear to tarnish it.

“But I guess three whole days is a good start. I’ll be sure to wake you up when he gets here.” Loveheart said with a reassuring smile.

With her eyelids weighing a ton, each Rainbow Dash mumbled, “Thanks Doc, I appreciate it.” before she fell fast asleep. Loveheart tip-hoofed the rest of the way across the room and quietly closed the door behind her so she didn’t disturb the sleeping pegasus.

*****

Rainbow Dash didn’t sleep for very long. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she looked at the clock on the wall across from her. The hands read just a little past twelve ‘o clock, only a few hours after she fell asleep. She lied there for a bit trying to fall back asleep but she just wasn’t tired at all. After several minutes of just lying there she eventually became extremely bored, and began calling out for the teal unicorn.

“Loveheart! Doctor Loveheart are you here?!” she called out hoping the unicorn wasn’t out doing errands or anything. She was relieved when she heard the sound of hoof-steps a couple seconds later approaching the door to her room.

“Are you alright? I thought you were still sleeping.” Loveheart barged through the door, concern plastered to her face.

“Yeah I’m fine. I just can’t sleep anymore; is there anything to do around here?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Hugh, you really should get your rest; you need to conserve your strength if you’re going to make a fast recovery.” Loveheart responded.

“But I can’t sleep anymore.” the cyan pegasus argued. “I need to do something, anything.”

Doctor Loveheart sighed again, “you pegasi are all the same, just can’t bear to sit still for more than five minutes,” she said not completely without humor. “Alright, but you’re not getting out of bed, let me see what I have that we can do.” Loveheart then went over to a cabinet standing against the wall. She opened it up and started pulling boxes out. “Let’s see, I’ve got a couple decks of cards, Griffins and Ponies, Ponyopoly, Battlepony, Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Ponies, checkers…” she listed off the games she had.

“Oooo, I haven’t played a good game of checkers in a while,” Rainbow said when Loveheart took a breath.

“Well I gotta warn you, I play a mean game of checkers!” the unicorn said, a smirk forming on her lips.

“Oh yeah? Bring it on!”

*****

It was an intense battle. Neither pony giving the other an inch. They’ve both lost a fair amount of pieces, but still had plenty left in play, both even had a few princesses on the battlefield as well. They kept playing for a few more minutes until Rainbow Dash finally asked the medical unicorn about the pegasus she couldn’t take her mind off of.

“So, how is Viridian Night? What has he been up to, what’s he like now? Is he, um, seeing anypony?” the pegasus asked, the last question accompanied by a nervous chuckle.

Loveheart paused for a second, contemplating Rainbow’s questions before she replied, “… Well I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a marefriend, if that’s what you were asking, but honestly, I don’t really know much about him, in fact, nopony here really knows,” Loveheart began. “He moved here only about two years ago, and, well, he’s not the most social pony I’ve ever met; especially for a pegasus.”

“How do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.

The teal unicorn took a sip of water she brought for herself and Rainbow before she responded. “Well, he usually just keeps to himself in his home right outside town, and he only comes into town maybe once a week for groceries and such. He doesn’t come to any parties or celebrations, however, if he sees anypony who needs help with something he always offers a helping hoof to them, especially fillies, he’s always very kind to them, but as soon as the job is done he continues on his way. We know he is in the military because he flies to Canterlot once a month in uniform; we’re not sure what he does though. Some ponies have asked and all he’s told anypony is ‘I study the night sky.’” Loveheart then had a thoughtful look on her face and said, “Although, I have had to keep him here over night a couple times because he was completely drunk, only times I’ve ever seen him like that. It was actually around this time of year both times.”

Rainbow Dash frowned at that. She knew he was a very helpful and caring pony even back when they were both kids, but back then he was always talking to others and making friends. She had never seen him act reclusive or cryptic to anypony. It made her wonder what could have changed him like that.

“So, you said you knew him back when you were fillies in Cloudsdale right?” Loveheart asked, “What was he like back then?”

“Well he was very kind and helpful to others even back then. He taught me how to stand up to bullies and what a true, loyal, friend was.” She smiled as she thought of that day so many years ago. “I don’t think I could’ve become the Element of Loyalty if it wasn’t for him. He was the most awesome colt I’ve ever known.”

“But…” the smile on the rainbow-maned mare faded, as a small mixture of confusion and sadness took its place. “I’ve never known him to be so cloistered, he was always very cheerful and open. He’d always go around trying to meet new ponies and bringing me along to show me how. I wish I knew what happened to have changed him.”

“Well, hey!” Loveheart cheered and smiled trying to lift the depressed pegasus’ spirits, “now that you’ve found him maybe you could help him open up again, since you knew him when he was like that, so he won’t be alone anymore.”

“That’s an awesome idea! But if he doesn’t want to be around anypony, how will I be able to do that?” Rainbow replied.

“hmm… Oh I know! I could tell him that I can only keep you here for critical care, and since you’ve become stable I have to release you, and because he’s the only one here who knows you, he’s the only one I can release you to until you’re well enough to move on your own.”

“That plan is awesome!” Rainbow cheered.

*****

Viridian Night was taking his time flying home from Canterlot so that he would have time to mull over the thoughts running through his mind. He was ecstatic that he was finally getting the upgraded equipment that he requested. It meant that he would have to move again, but he’s done it so many times that it hasn’t bothered him for a long time. What bothered him though was Rainbow Dash. He didn’t mind that he was tasked with monitoring her and escorting her back to Ponyville; the issue that was bothering him was that it would be the first time he would be around anypony with whom he had a personal relationship with in years.

He had spent the last several years avoiding getting close to anypony since that night, and he wasn’t sure how to handle this turn of events. He felt a twinge of deep pain and sorrow as the memories of that night dredged themselves up from his subconscious, but he viciously pushed them back down.

All those thoughts were still rattling around in his head when he landed in front of his house late that afternoon. He went inside and removed his armor and swords and placed them neatly back in the closet. He then went out to the doctor’s house to check with Loveheart on Rainbow Dash’s condition.

When he got to the clinic he gently knocked on the door and waited for somepony to answer it. He only had to wait a couple seconds before the teal unicorn answered the door.

“Oh Viridian, I was wondering when you were going to be back. Did you have a good trip?” the medical mare asked.

“Oh yeah, nothing eventful happened. How’s she doing?” Viridian replied, wanting to get right to the point.

Loveheart stepped back to let the green pegasus in as she said, “she’s doing great! All of her vitals are completely stable. She woke up early this morning, and I performed a full checkup on her and she has no brain damage from the concussion and everything is healing as it should.” She said proudly.

The military pony breathed a sigh of relief, “that’s excellent news, thank you Doctor.”

“Well there’s just one thing however,” Loveheart said, “since she’s completely stabilized I can’t keep her here anymore since there is so little room; I need to be able to care for as many patients here as possible in case there’s an emergency.” She told him, remembering the plan Rainbow Dash and her came up with earlier.

“Well if she’s well enough to be released then that means she can travel, right.” Viridian stated more than asked. “Then she and I can make our way to Ponyville tomorrow, once I get everything squared away with the moving ponies.”

The unicorn was taken aback. ‘Moving ponies?’ what does he mean by that?

She must have thought out loud because Viridian replied, “Oh, the princesses have given me orders to move to a new location where there is better equipment and conditions for my work.” He put on a lopsided smile, “I’m gonna miss this town though, it was nice and peaceful here.”

Loveheart was dumbstruck for a second by the sudden news but quickly recovered. “So soon? But you’ve only just moved here recently.”

“Eh, that’s military life for you, usually aren’t stationed anywhere for more than a few years.” He said with a shrug.

“Well we simply must give you a proper send off. I think a ‘farewell party’ would be-”

He cut her off, “No, I appreciate the thought, but, I don’t want there to be any ruckus just because I’m leaving.” He said.

Loveheart was about to protest, but when she saw the seriousness in Viridian’s eyes she decided against it. Instead she said, “A lot of us are going to miss you around here,”

“I’m gonna miss y’all too” he said using a term he picked up when he was a colt and his family was stationed in Hoofstin. “This is one of the nicer places I’ve lived in.”

They stood there for a moment, neither of them knowing what else to say. After a couple seconds went by Viridian asked, “so is there anything I need to do to get Rainbow out processed?”

“Oh, yes, uh give me one sec I just need you to sign some paperwork.” The doctor said and went over to a filing cabinet and pulled out two sheets of paper. She placed them on the small desk next to the cabinets, pulled out a pen from a cup on her desk, and motioned Viridian to come over.

“Okay you need to sign this one here, stating that you are taking guardianship over her until she has recovered enough to take care of herself again.” She pointed to the paper on the left, “this one actually releases her from my care.” As she moved her hoof over the form on Viridian’s right.

Viridian Night took the pen she offered in his mouth and quickly scrawled his signature across the bottom of both sheets. He placed the pen back in its cup and slid the forms back to the unicorn. “So, can she spend the night here, or does she have leave the clinic now?” he asked.

“Well since you signed everything I can’t keep her here any longer, so she needs to leave as soon as possible, but she should move as little as possible so you’ll need to carry her in one of my bed carts,” the teal unicorn responded.

Loveheart saw a look of apprehension flash across the pegasus’ face, but he quickly shook his head and the expression faded from his features. “Give me a sec. I’ll be right back,” he said and went back out the front door without shutting it.

A couple seconds later something white and fluffy began floating through the doorway. It took a couple moments for Loveheart to realize it was a cloud. When Viridian Night passed through the doorway, pushing the cloud, she asked him, “why are you bringing a cloud in here,” completely perplexed.

Viridian Night pushed the cloud towards the door leading to the sick beds and said, “It’ll be easier for me to take her back to my house on this than anything else, and it’ll be a smoother ride for her.” He said matter-of-factly.

He opened the door and pushed the cloud through and set it next to the bed Rainbow Dash was lying in. All of the wires and tubes have been removed, although she still was heavily bandaged and braced. Despite all this she was sleeping peacefully, a small grin on her face, and the rhythm of her breathing gentle and regular. He stood there watching her sleep for a few moments until Loveheart came up next to him.

“You know, she practically begged me to wake her up the instant you got back if she happened to be asleep.” She whispered in order to not wake the cyan pegasus.

“I’d rather that she wasn’t disturbed,” replied Viridian Night. “Would you be able to move her over to the cloud without waking her?” he asked.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Loveheart told him, almost giggling. “She sleeps like a log.” She then backed up to the foot of the bed, motioning for Viridian to follow her, and started pouring magic into her horn. Once it lit up she then projected the energy around the mattress under Rainbow Dash. She then slowly, gently, lifted it and her up off the frame and over the cloud Viridian brought in. Once the mattress was positioned was over the cloud she just as slowly and gently lowered the mattress down until it passed though the cloud. Rainbow Dash being a pegasus of course, was supported by the cloud with the blankets still over her, passing though the cloud at their edges. Rainbow barley even stirred during the whole process. “Piece of cake!” Loveheart said.

“Thank you Loveheat, for everything you did for her, and for everything you did for me.” Viridian said.

“Oh thanks aren’t necessary,” she replied blushing a little. “Taking care of ponies is my special talent after all.”

“Well all the same, thank you anyway. I wish you the best in your life.” He said and started pushing Rainbow Dash back to the front of the clinic.

“Uh…” Loveheart said, but too quiet for Viridian to hear. She spoke up a bit louder and asked, “um, will we ever see you again? Will you come back to visit?”

“Who knows? Maybe someday,” he said and left the clinic and headed back to his house to settle Rainbow for the night, and to get everything ready for the mover ponies tomorrow morning.

Chapter 5

A Lost Friend

Chapter 5

Rainbow Dash slowly re-entered the realm of consciousness. However, she kept her eyes closed. She groaned softly in irritation, she always hated waking up in the morning. She rolled around trying to get into a more comfortable position, but the braces on her neck and wing were making it difficult. In the process of tangling herself within the sheets she noticed the bed was softer than the hospital bed she was in when she fell asleep. She also realized that the room smelled different. It was a sweet-smoky scent with earthy tones and hints of nuts.

“I must be in his house, Loveheart’s plan worked. I never took him for one to pick up smoking though, but it does have a nice scent.” She thought to herself. She slowly cracked her eyes open. Careful not to tweak her neck, she turned her body so she could get a full view of the room. It was dimly lit, only a small amount of light filtering through the heavy drapes covering the room’s window. The walls were made of a dark stained wood, with one wall taken up by a large bookcase stained the same color as the walls. The shelves were only half full of books of various sizes. The other half was filled with several different glass bottles, jars, and cups. The jars were filled with shredded, dried, flakey leaves with colors ranging from tan to black. The bottles were filled with various shades of amber liquids, and the glasses were empty.

On the opposite wall was a built in fireplace. On the mantle above it sat a couple picture frames. One contained what looked like a college diploma; the other held a picture of two ponies. One was a pegasus stallion with a green coat and dark green mane and tail, but with ice blue eyes. He was wearing military armor with a white star embedded in the breast plate, and a matching white cape. The other was a unicorn mare with a magenta coat, and indigo hair, with deep golden eyes, and she was wearing a sleek black dress.

“Oh yeah, those are his parents,” she thought as the picture jogged her memory. She stopped and turned towards the door as it slowly creaked open. A green pegasus stallion walked in, holding a tray with a plate and cup on it. She saw his cutie mark, now marred by a long scar, but instantly recognized it. She just stared at him, hardly daring to believe that it was him.

He placed the tray on a cherry wood table next to the futon she was lying on. “I was just about to wake you up,” he said to her. “We’re going to need to leave as soon as you’re ready so that we can get to Ponyville this afternoon. How are you feel- urk!” Rainbow Dash had waited until he moved right next to the futon and grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a bone crushing hug.

“Viridian! How’ve you been? It’s been years since we’ve seen each other. What’ve you been up to?” she exclaimed as she attempted to choke the life out of the pony she waited so long to find.

“C-can’t… ack… breath…” Viridian greeted.

“Oops, my bad, you alright?” Rainbow apologized as she released the death grip on his neck and shrank back into a sitting position.

“Yeah, I’m alright.” Viridian said between a few deep breaths and rubbing his throat. “Geeze, that’s some grip you’ve got.”

“Eheh, yeah sorry again, I forget my own strength sometimes.” Rainbow said as she sat up, rubbing the back of her head.

“Don’t worry about it,” the green stallion said once he was sure his windpipe wasn’t crushed. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked her.

The cyan pegasus’ stomach answered the question before she could even open her mouth to speak. “I could go for something to eat,” she said sheepishly.

The green pegasus grabbed the tray he brought in with his jaws and lifted it off the small table it was sitting on. He used one of his fore-hooves to unfold the short legs beneath it and placed it so it was sitting over Rainbow’s lap. On the paper plate was a couple pieces of toast with peach jam, and a small mound of steamed dandelions. The plastic cup next to the plate was full of cold milk.

“There you go,” Viridian said when he lifted his head back up. “But how do your injuries feel? Do you feel any pain, anything start bleeding again?” He asked as his eyes flashed over the numerous wraps and bandages that covered her.

“I feel alright, except these braces on my wing and neck are killing me.” She said as she tried to rub her neck through the brace. “Do you know if I can ditch these things yet?”

“I’m not sure, but we can go to the clinic in Ponyville when we get into town and ask. Loveheart gave me the information on your injuries, so we could give them to the pony in charge there. I think she said it was a cousin of her’s, Redheart I believe.” He said as he looked up as if trying to spot the memory on the ceiling.

“Oh yeah, Nurse Redheart,” Rainbow Dash chuckled “she’s really cool. She’s patched me up plenty of times” The rainbow maned pegasus said.

“Okay well I have to pack a few things in here, so you go ahead and eat. You’re going to need your strength today.” He said as he walked over to the room’s closet.

“Pack? Does that mean you’re going to be staying in Ponyville for a while?” Rainbow asked.

“No, not just staying. I’ve been reassigned there so I will be living in town. Now go on and eat your food before it gets cold.” He told her without looking back.

With that news a huge grin grew on Rainbow’s face and she started eating. She wanted to be done as soon as possible so she could start talking to Viridian again. However, she remembered what Loveheart said yesterday and fought to eat slowly so she didn’t vomit all over Viridian’s house. As she ate she watched him as he went about packing his things.

He pulled a pair of plain brown saddlebags from the closet and started placing objects into them. First he grabbed a small black bag, which looked like it had some things already in it, out of the closet as well and placed it in one of the brown bags. He then pulled a couple grey hooded sweat shirts out and placed them into the bag. She watched him walk over to the shelf she examined earlier and pull down a couple of the jars containing tobacco and one of the bottles filled with whiskey and placed them into his bags. He then walked over to the small table next to the plush chair. On the table sat an object with a long wooden stem with a small wooden bowl at one end. He opened a drawer under the table and pulled out long box and placed the pipe into it. He also pulled an intricate gold lighter out of the drawer and placed it in a small box and placed both boxes into his bags as well.

He was closing the clasps on his bags when there was a knock on the door. “One second,” Viridian Night said and walked over to the door. When he opened the door there was a brown earth pony with a black mane and tail with a wooden crate cutie mark.

“We’re ready to pack everything up for you, sir. We just need the address for where to take everything once we’re squared away.” The earth pony said in a strong Hooflyn accent.

“Good, just give me a moment to grab the address.” Viridian responded and walked back over to the small table and picked up a small piece of paper that was sitting on top of it. He brought it back over and gave it to the moving pony. “No rush or anything, just make sure nothing gets misplaced or damaged.”

“Not to worry sir, everything will be delivered in tip top shape, I personally guarantee it.” The earth pony said proudly.

“I appreciate that, thank you. We’ll be out of your mane soon.” The green pegasus said. With that the earth pony walked away and Viridian closed the door behind him. By this time Rainbow Dash had cleaned her plate and cup. Viridian Night walked over and threw the paper plate and cup away, then folded up the tray and leaned it against the side of the futon. He then looked at the injured pegasus and asked her, “Do you feel well enough to get up, or do you need to lie down for a bit longer?”

“Naw I feel great! A few scrapes like these can’t keep me down.” Rainbow said, her usual bravado coming through. She then started to slide herself to the edge of the futon. When she got there she pushed her back legs off the edge and placed them on the ground. She then walked her front legs to the edge. She started sliding the first hoof off the futon, but it slipped and she started falling to the ground face first. However, Viridian was right next to her and caught her right after she slipped.

“Whoa, take it easy there. You alright?” He said as he helped her back on her hooves.

She stood there and took a couple deep breaths and said, “Yeah, no problem, I got this.”

“Okay, just give me one second to grab my bags,” the stallion said. He went over to where he put his saddlebags down and threw them over his back, all the while keeping an eye on Rainbow Dash in case she started to fall again. He then walked back over to her. “Alright, ready to go?” he asked as he positioned himself next to her. Ready to support her in case she started to collapse again.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head in response and the two pegasi started walking out of the room, the green pegasus leading. From the room they entered a hallway decorated much like the room they left and preceded down it. Once they reached the end of the hallway it opened up to a large central room. The room was filled with cardboard boxes and there were a couple other moving ponies marking the boxes to help keep everything organized. The two pegasi continued to a door at the other side of the room and waked through it.

Rainbow Dash had to squint at the sudden light that assaulted her eyes as they walked outside. The sun rested just over the trees of the nearby forest in a cloudless sky to the East. A few feet ahead of them was a large chariot with ‘Taxi’ written on the side, and two pegasi attached to the front ready to pull. One, a stallion was black with yellow mane and tail, while the other, a mare, was yellow with black mane and tail. Viridian Night and Rainbow Dash continued walking towards the chariot.

When they were near it the mare taxi pony asked. “Got any other luggage, or are you set to go?”

“This is everything. We’re ready to go whenever you are.” Viridian Night responded.

“Alrighty then, where abouts are we headed today?” The yellow mare asked with a cheery smile.

“Ponyville please, to the hospital there if you would.” Viridian Night said as he got Rainbow Dash and he situated on the large softly padded bench seat and closed the door.

“Not a problem,” she replied and turned to her companion, “Ready?” she asked. The black stallion nodded and the mare said, “Okay, on my mark. Three, two, one, mark!” On the last word both pegasi started pulling the chariot and beating their wings. Once they gained enough speed they took off from the ground, hauling the chariot and their fare with them.

“Well,” Viridian said as he turned to Rainbow, “It’ll be a few hours before we get to Ponyville, and I was up all night working and making sure my things were ready to be moved so I’m gonna catch some shut eye. You should get some sleep too. You need your rest.” He then leaned his head against the side of the chariot, and closed his eyes. Rainbow Dash really wanted to keep talking. To catch up and find out what he’d been up to and how everything was going for him. However, she didn’t want to pester him and possibly aggravate him. Plus, she was feeling exhausted even after such a short walk and realized that she was still weak from her injuries and needed to conserve her strength.

“Besides, he’s moving to Ponyville anyway. There’ll be plenty of time to hang out and catch up.” With that thought in her mind she lied down, Viridian had left her most of the room on the bench seat, and went to sleep.

*****

Viridian Night was awoken when the chariot touched back down. He stretched and yawned as he looked out the window. Outside he saw a gently rolling landscape with a short path leading to a small colorful town. Out the other window he saw that the chariot had landed directly in front of the main entrance to a large hospital. He looked down at Rainbow Dash and saw that she was sprawled out across the bench seat they shared, snoring gently.

The yellow pegasus came around, opened the door and said cheerily, “We’re here!” Then upon seeing Rainbow, “Oops, sorry, I didn’t know she was asleep.” She whispered.

“No worries,” Viridian replied. He then started gently prodding Rainbow Dash in the shoulder. “Hey we’re here, time to get up.”

“Huh, wha?” she replied as she raised her fore hooves to her eyes and rubbed the sleep out of them. “Oh.”

Viridian Night then stepped out of the chariot and helped Rainbow Dash out. Once she was out he leaned back in and grabbed his bags and placed them on his back. “So what do I owe you for the ride?” he asked the yellow mare.

The yellow pegasus pulled out a small notepad and pen from under her wing and jotted down a couple notes. After a few scribbles she looked up at Viridian Night and said, “Well since you’re part of the Royal Military forces we just charge them directly so all I need is your name, rank, and branch and we’ll be all set.”

“Oh, that’s convenient. My name is Viridian Night, rank Captain, and I’m part of the Royal Air Force.” He told her.

As he related the information to her she quickly jotted it down on the pad. Once she was done she tucked the pen and pad back under her wing. “Thank you very much sir and I hope you two have a great day.” She said sincerely and trotted back over to the harness and buckled herself back into it. She turned to her companion and said, “Come on, if we hurry we can still make it to Holly Driver’s party.” With that the two taxi pegasi took off.

Viridian Night then turned back to Rainbow Dash and asked, “Alright ready to go?”

“Yep, let’s go get this over with.” She said with an excited look. She was really glad to be back in Ponyville again, and was looking forward to going around and letting everypony know that she was home and alright. “Afterwards we can go around and introduce you to my friends! I bet they’d be thrilled to meet you!” She told him.

Viridian Night nodded in response and looked up at the entrance to the hospital. He saw a pink earth pony with saddle bags walk out of the hospital’s entrance. She turned and looked in their direction. Viridian Night looked at her and blinked. Once he reopened his eyes, the pink pony had somehow moved thirty yards from the hospital entrance to directly in front of him and Rainbow Dash.

“Dashie, you’re back! We were soooo worried about you!” The pink pony cheered and embraced the sky blue pegasus.

Viridian Night reacted immediately, grabbing the earth pony and pulled her off Rainbow Dash. “Hey be careful, she’s still badly injured and grabbing her like that could hurt her.” He said, scolding the overzealous mare.

“Hehehe, it’s okay Viridian,” Rainbow Dash chuckled weakly. “She didn’t hurt me at all. What are you doing at the hospital anyway Pinky?” she asked as she turned back to her poofy maned friend.

“Oh, the Cakes are pretty busy today so they asked me to bring the twins in to get their booster shots.” Pinky responded and turned so Rainbow and Viridian could see what she was carrying. Viridian Night now realized that the bags on either side held a foal. On one side was a pegasus colt, and on the other side was a unicorn filly. Both were rubbing their shoulders and had very disgruntled looks on their faces.

“So who’re you? I’ve never seen you before, and I know everypony who lives in Ponyville.” Pinky turned and asked Viridian Night. He was caught off guard by her sudden interest in him. He recovered quickly however and was about to answer when Rainbow Dash beat him to the punch.

“This is my foalhood friend Viridian Night, he’s the one who helped me get better after I crashed in Trotington. He’s also moving here to Ponyville.” Rainbow said.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Viridian said and held out his hoof to shake. Pinky, instead of retuning the shake however, released a huge gasp. Viridian was astonished by how her gasp seemed to lift her several feet off the ground. Then she zipped off like a bolt of lightning. Viridian just stood there with his hoof still raised; after a second he looked down at his hoof, then back up at the spot Pinky just occupied. He then looked back at Rainbow Dash and asked, “Was it something I said?”

“Bwahahahahaha, that’s Pinky Pie for ya, she’s so random! Heeheeheehahaha” Rainbow Dash laughed.

Viridian Night waited for a couple seconds for her to elaborate, but was only rewarded with continuous fits of laughter whenever Rainbow Dash looked at him. Once her laughter finally died down Viridian asked, “Are you ready to go now?” wearing a slightly dead-pan look.

“yeah, hehe, sorry but your face was priceless.” She chuckled. “Ow, now my ribs hurt,” She cringed. Now that her laughing had stopped she could feel how much it had irritated her cracked ribs. When Viridian Night saw her cringe he went up next to her so she could lean against him for support.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She gasped “yeah, I guess I shouldn’t’ve laughed so hard. I’ll be alright, just gimmie a sec.” she told him while taking slow easy breaths. After a couple minutes the pain subsided enough for her to breath normally again. “Okay, I’m good.” She said.

Viridian Night nodded and started leading her towards the main entrance to the hospital, careful to keep next to her to support her if she needed it. They passed through the doors into a reception area. Behind the counter there were two mares, one a dull pink, the other stark white, wearing nurse hats and chatting with each other.

Upon seeing the two pegasi enter the building the two nurses looked up and the white one said, “Welcome to Ponyville Hospital. How can we help you today?” Both mares put on friendly smiles, but after a second the dull pink one recognized the rainbow maned pegasus and gasped, “Rainbow Dash are you alright? What happened to you this time?”

“It looks worse than it is, nothing to get worked up over.” Rainbow said, waving a hoof.

“Long story short, she crashed all the way over in Trotington and sustained several injuries. She was treated by the doctor there and was released yesterday after she was deemed stable. All the details…” Viridian explained to the two nurse ponies as he opened one of his bags with his wing and fished out the medical records Loveheart gave him earlier. “…are written down here.” He laid the forms down on the counter in front of the pink nurse.

Rainbow Dash, remembering what she and Loveheart talked about turned to the white mare and said. “Oh, by the way, your cousin Loveheart says hello. She was the one who patched me up.”

“Oh my word you really did take a beating didn’t you dear.” The other nurse said as she skimmed through the document Viridian gave her. “Well the paperwork seems to be in order. Redheart, would you care to take Rainbow back and perform a checkup on her? According to your cousin’s notes she should be okay to at least have the neck brace removed.”

“Of course, right this way dear. You’re welcome to make yourself comfortable while you wait…” Redheart looked at Viridian Night.

“Viridian Night ma’am, and thank you.” Viridian then turned around and walked over to a coffee pot and poured himself some into a Styrofoam cup and sat down. At the same time Redheart grabbed the document and led Rainbow Dash down a hallway next to the counter and into an examination room.

“Alright hop up onto to bed and sit up normally.” Redheart told Rainbow Dash when they entered the room. She then closed the door and pulled her stethoscope from around her neck and into her ears. She breathed on the end to warm it up and placed it over the pegaus’ chest. She followed through with a routine checkup, occasionally jotting down notes on a clipboard.

“Alright everything seems to be in order, now let’s check out your injuries.” She said and contemplated the document her cousin made. “Well I can see her writing hasn’t improved.” She said with half irritation, half humor. “Wow you really did a number on yourself; concussion, whiplash, cracked ribs, and electrical burns. Well let’s check your concussion and work our way down shall we?” She said more than asked.

“Uh sounds good to me. How much longer is this gonna take?” Rainbow Dash asked, starting to get a little impatient.

“This won’t take much longer. Now I’m going to need you to lie down on your back while I check your head and neck.” Redheart replied and walked over to the head of the bed. Once she was down Redheart took off the bandages around her head and started gently rubbing Rainbow Dash’s scalp, “Do you feel any pain or dizziness?” Redheart asked.

“Yeah it still feels tender where the thick wad of bandages was.” Rainbow Dash replied.

“Hmm I thought it might, your concussion is better but still there so I’m going to put some fresh bandages on.” The nurse said and placed a pack of gauze on the spot and gently tied it down with some medical wrap. She then took off the neck-brace and said, “okay let’s have a look at your neck.” She then took the sides of Rainbow Dash’s head and slowly started turning it to the left. “Let me know if this hurts at all.” She told her.

“Okay.” Rainbow replied. She was feeling no pain at all, then she heard pop, pop popopopopopopop.

Redheart was expecting that and asked, “how did that feel? Any pain at all?”

“…that…felt…..AWESOME! Do it again!” Rainbow Dash cheered, she didn’t think her neck had ever felt any better.

Redheart chuckled a little at that, “alright I’ll do the other side now.” She then started moving Rainbow’s neck just as slowly back the other direction. Once she passed the point her neck would be straight she kept going and heard another cacophony of pops from the pegasus’ neck.

“That was great.” Rainbow Dash said once Redheart was done with her neck.

“Well you obviously don’t need the neck brace anymore, now I just need to check your burns, your wing, and redo the bandages around your torso for your ribs and you’ll be good to go. Now roll over onto your stomach for me please.” Rainbow Dash obliged and Redheart removed the brace from her wing and started flexing it and feeling the bones and feathers. Every so often a hiss of pain would escape Rainbow’s mouth when Redheart would flex her wing.

“Okay I’m going to put your wing back in the brace. It’s still sprained and I don’t want you making it worse by trying to fly.” Redheart said as she redid the straps on the brace.

“Awww I still can’t fly? For how much longer?” Rainbow Dash whined.

“For a few more days, then it should be well enough to do some easy flights like up to your house, as for your usual antics you’ll have to wait at least a week.”

“Aw man, a whole week? That stinks!”

“Well it’s either that or you reinjure your wing and it’ll take even longer to heal.”

Huff, “Fine.”

“Now sit back up please so I can redo the bandages on your burns and torso.” Redheart said as she pulled out a large roll of medical wrap, scissors, and tape. She quickly and expertly removed the old bandages, threw them away, and rewrapped all the burns that still hadn’t healed completely yet and around her torso to support her ribs. “Alright you’re set to go. Just come back in couple days so we can check everything out again.”

“Cool, thanks Redheart.” Rainbow smiled as she was led back out to the reception room.

Once they were in the room Viridian Night looked up from the magazine he was reading and walked over to them. “So, how is she?” he asked.

“Fine, she just needs to stay off her wing and take it easy for a few more days with her ribs and concussion.” Redheart told him, “I see that you have also taken attorney over Rainbow’s medical decisions when she was unconscious until she is well again. Viridian nodded in response and Redheart continued, “Since Rainbow lives in a cloud house and she can’t fly for at least a few more days she’ll need someplace on the ground where she can stay. Since you do have her medical attorney it would be best if she stayed with you. Would that be an issue?”

For a split second Rainbow Dash thought she saw a conflicted look cross his face, but she must have imagined it because faded instantly. “Sure, that won’t be a problem,” He smiled.

“Great then you’re all set to go. Make sure to bring her by in a couple days for her checkup.” Redheart said.

“Will do,” Viridian Night said. He then walked over to Rainbow Dash. “Ready to go?” he asked.

“Yep!” she said, “hey we should totally stop by my friends’ places. I’m sure Pinky has already told everypony I’m back, but I would like to see them myself and let them I’m alright.”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind meeting your friends.” Viridian replied, and then his stomach grumbled. “But we should get something to eat first.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled, “hahaha, sounds good to me. There’s a restaurant I like to go to, and it’s on the way to my friend Twilight’s house. I’ll show you the way.” With that the two pegasi left the hospital and headed down the road.