//------------------------------// // Wanted // Story: Believe in the Heart of the Moon // by HeartlessSpartan //------------------------------// Wanted Blaze stood on the bridge with Luna in Ponyville. Small tears ran down her face, the moonlight illuminating them. She looked at Blaze, his honest hazel eyes staring back, reading the truth from her own, and telling her not to give up on who she is. It was comforting to see him again but it was still very difficult to believe that it is actually him after all of this time. It made a difference however in her choice, an ancient conflict arose in her heart of what is right, and what is safe. “I need time to decide for myself. Am I being haunted by a ghost from the past, or has an old friend returned from the binds of history itself. We shall speak again tomorrow if my heart no longer lies to me,” Luna said just before she began to walk calmly away, leaving Blaze on the bridge. Blaze watched as Luna left Ponyville walking down a colored path. The fields just outside of town on both sides of the path were full of white flowers, but with the moonlight, they seem to have a bluish tinge. A sea of blue like flowers set the scene of a whole other world for the night. It also reminded him that the world has changed very much since Equestria last knew of him, besides the occasional historian of Ancient Equestrian Lore. “I am sorry Luna, your heart as well as mine won’t lie, but they can die,” Blaze quietly said to himself. Blaze then made his way back to Sugarcube Corner since it was still the only shop open. It was still night, but dawn would come very soon. He doesn’t have too many leads to follow up on. The six Elements of Harmony need to be found, but the only one he wants to find first had left town in search of him. His promises are very important to him, and they are the first things he wants to hold true. “Hi there!” Pinkie Pie shouted, startling Blaze from behind. Turning to face Pinkie Pie Blaze was quite happy to see her. She had a giant smile on her face, and her hair hung partially over her eyes. She seemed rather excited that the alicorn was real, but her curiosity would soon spur a thousand questions. Blaze would have to ask first before her spree begins. At least Pinkie Pie is considerate enough to give him the opportunity first. “What are you doing out this late?” Blaze asked first, and curiously. “I was working late in the kitchen because Spike can definitely pile down some doughnuts! What are you doing here, we weren’t even sure you were real?” Pinkie Pie asked, giving Blaze her classic odd look when she tilts her head to one side. “I’m here to make sure you and your friends are alright,” Blaze said, dismissing the fact that Spike hadn’t said anything about Pinkie being there. Pinkie Pie crept closer to Blaze and asked, “Is there some kind of danger?” “There just might be, I have to make sure they are safe,” Blaze said seriously and calmly. “Well then I guess we’ll have to go get them then huh?” Pinkie Pie asked ready to walk somewhere, but not actually going in any direction. Blaze took a moment to think. Pinkie Pie remembered him from the dream as well, not to mention that she seems to accept his existence and for some odd reason there is an extreme amount of trust in her. It is Pinkie Pie however, she does try to be the best of friends with everyone and everypony she meets. She does manage the friendly first impression very well, and then tries five or so more times, unless of course she considers the dreams. Perhaps Pinkie Pie knows where the others might be. “Do you know where the others are Pinkie Pie?” Blaze asked nicely. “Rarity is at her boutique, she’s watching her sister and her friends; they’re having a sleep over. Maybe they’ll let us stay!” Pinkie Pie said happily, not quite considering how late it was. Blaze followed Pinkie Pie, who started skipping the entire way to the boutique. When they got there, the shop itself was closed for the night but the lights were on. Blaze could see through the window though. Rarity sat in the middle of a mess that was created by three fillies, spilling glitter and gemstones all over the fabrics they tore up and rolled out over the floor. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo ran about wearing capes that had CMC on the back of them. Rarity’s frustration looked like it was at its peek, but it also seemed forgiving. Blaze figured that his chances of having a peaceful encounter with Rarity would be stretched thin, but he may as well do it now. However Pinkie Pie had no thoughts of knocking and simply opened the door and trotted in, so Blaze simply followed her. He enjoyed the inside of the boutique for some reason, the cool and comfortable air, the smell of pristine fabrics, and the overall luxury décor brought back old memories of Canterlot; very old memories. Rarity looked up from the mess and her jaw seemed to hang open for a moment as she saw Blaze walk in behind Pinkie Pie. She immediately stood up, and at first it seemed as though she was awestruck and excited to see them, but she soon looked as though she was about to destroy them both. The three fillies stopped playing momentarily and sat in a row as they watched Blaze walk in. “Hi!” Pinkie Pie said with enthusiasm as she walked in. “Hello Pinkie Pie, as for your friend however I haven’t the power to utter one word more to him other than to leave,” Rarity said, pulling her head away as to not look at Blaze. That was expected, but if Blaze plans to help any of them in time he will have to gain their trust. She isn’t getting rid of him that easily, he has to try to settle things. The greatest issue here is that in the dreams that Rarity had between herself and Blaze were elegant and had a theme of royalty. Alicorns are often royal, and marrying one would put somepony who isn’t into that status. Being an Element of Harmony, Rarity was self-aware and in control of her dreams. This meant bad news for Blaze, he fell right into her traps, in her dreams of royal marriage. She was the only one who resented him when he said he couldn’t marry her, it just wasn’t right. “I’m sorry that it didn’t work out the way you initially dreamed, but it wasn’t real,” Blaze pleaded for some ground to stand on. “You said you didn’t love me!” Rarity said sadly with her own manipulative whine attached to it. “I said I couldn’t love you, my heart is elsewhere,” Blaze said calmly, hoping to gain some ground here. “That doesn’t change what you said to me, I have feelings in my dreams as I do now,” Rarity said, flicking her hair back in a manner that said, ‘I’m mad at you.’ “If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Blaze pointed out, talking in a soft and calm tone. It was true, he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t care about their safety. He still didn’t tell them why they were in any kind of danger. At the moment he is focused on helping Luna but that will take time. Blaze still has to do his job and make sure that harmony is still in balance, and the only way to do that in these times is to check up on them. The Elements of Harmony are no longer Jewelry, they are embodied by this group of six friends and they are more powerful than ever. It still seems like they have much to learn however, they may not know what they might have to go through in the future. These six young mares might not know their destiny. “What are you here for then?” Sweetie Bell asked, breaking the silence from the three fillies. “I’m here to make sure that Rarity and all of her friends are safe, I’m trying to find them so I can check up on them,” Blaze said honestly. Sweetie Belle looked at her sister, Rarity continued to pout and look away. She knew her sister well enough to know that she will remain as stubborn as always, and she’ll continue to hide things that she is unwilling to admit. If this random alicorn is concerned by her safety; and all he is looking for is either trust or forgiveness. She will trust him. That will get her sister to take her head out of the air and pay more attention to the fact that somebody she has never met, legitimately cares about her and her friends. “Twilight will be back from Canterlot soon,” Sweetie Belle said, getting an attentive look from her sister. “Rainbow Dash will be back from Cloudsdale too, as long as Fluttershy doesn’t take too long,” Scootaloo chimed in. “Applejack is on a train going to Appleloosa, it leaves in the morning, maybe you can still catch it,” Applebloom added in. Blaze didn’t quite expect the three fillies to help him, but now that he sees them, he can tell they have bright futures ahead of them; even if they don’t have their cutie marks yet. It is what separates you from the others, or what you all share together that makes such a special group of friends. Blaze is an alicorn, but he still felt honored that they would trust him like this, it made him happier. That was even more reason to protect them from whatever danger might be coming soon, unless he can put an end to it before. “Thank you, I should really find Applejack before that train leaves,” Blaze said thankfully and with a sense of urgency. “Before you go, what danger might we be in?” Rarity asked, breaking out of her pout. “I don’t know for sure, but it’s my duty to prevent any of you coming into harm’s way. Perhaps next time Rarity we can speak on more reasonable terms,” Blaze said in a purposefully regretful manner. Rarity turned to look at Blaze if even for just a moment, she became less stubborn over the fact that he bothered to care about them as strange as he seems. If they really were in any danger it can only help to have somepony watching out for you. While it seemed he was confident and determined to help them, it also seemed like he didn’t have much control over whatever it was he was trying to find or solve. Rarity began to question the origin of this alicorn again, trying to place him into a line of royalty, but his name nor his attitude fit any well known attributes of Equestrian royalty. For what reason would he go through this then? “Why are you here Blaze?” Rarity inquired curiously. “I am here to help, as I always was and have been for a very long time. It is my purpose to, and it is the reason for my very existence. You’ll have to excuse me Miss Rarity I have a train to catch,” Blaze said with nobility, watching as Rarity’s expression changed with her opinion of him once again. Blaze nodded to Pinkie Pie and the three fillies before he opened the front door and left to go to the train station to find Applejack. The boutique remained silent for a moment as the girls inside collected their own thoughts and opinions. The fillies immediately disregarded the encounter and resumed their play. Rarity stepped over to Pinkie Pie to ask a question before she undoubtedly would join her sister and her friends in making a mess. “What do you think of him Pinkie Pie?” Rarity asked. “I think he’s nice, he seemed kind of silly wearing Applejack’s hat though,” Pinkie Pie said, accompanied by her classic giggle. “While he may be rather charming and good looking, I don’t think I can come to trust him,” Rarity said worriedly, receiving a tilt of the head from Pinkie Pie, whatever that means, then she got a large smile and couldn’t help but smile back.