//------------------------------//
// Lucky Break 
// Story: Opposites Attract 
// by jsn2001 
//------------------------------//

	The train rumbled across the tracks, vibrating my body ever-so-slightly. I felt an uneasiness in my stomach I knew wasn't caused by the train, nor the horrid food they served. I feared for Holy Cross's life- a feeling alien to me. 
"You alright, cuz'?" whispered Lucky Fields, who sat in the seat next to me.
"I've had better days." I replied. "What the hell does '713' mean, anyways?"
"An address, I suppose. Not enough time to write down a street name. Icy must have a house there, though, since she was so certain where he was takin' her."
"You're probably right." I responded, keeping the worry out of my voice. I didn't want Holy Cross to die. I didn't want Lucky to die either. Because of me, they were both in danger. I could have prevented this...but that would have meant letting Icy Winds continue his abuse. That wasn't an option.
I found myself doing the unthinkable- praying to Celestia- often now. Did I "believe"? I wasn't sure. But I needed all the help I could get. 
"Don't worry, we'll help your little marefriend and that Icy bastard won't hurt no-one ever again." said Lucky. I growled.
"For the last time, she isn't my marefriend."
"Sorry." He replied with no sincerity at all.
"What about you? You have any mares waiting for you back in Canterlot?" I said. Lucky sighed.
"Hell, Canterlot ain't really my home anymore. Also, I ain't exactly...stuck on mares." he said.
"Could have fooled me." I teased. "It doesn't matter to me."
He smiled. "Thanks. Y'know, conversation relieves quite a bit of stress. I'm glad I tagged along."
"I'm glad you did too." was all I knew to say.
"Say, what you gotta do to earn a cutie mark like that?" he said, gesturing to my flank.
"I can read people," I replied. "I can read their emotions, I can see how they feel."
"Neat." he replied.
As the train rumbled along, I started to worry. We may not make it in time. He's a lunatic, he could kill her with no remorse. I reached into my pocket-
No jacket.
I hadn't packed anything, I remembered. No cigarettes, no weapons, no first aid. I was an idiot.
"We'll be alright." Lucky said.
I hoped so. The train lurched forward as it began skidding to a halt. The conductor spoke.
"Now arriving at Canterlot Gates!"
"Well, here we are." I said. Me and my cousin eagerly left the train. A giant gate stood closed in front of us, as to be expected. A group of guards stood in front of it, with a commander in front. He was a grey earth pony with a white mane.
I approached him awkwardly. "H-hello, hi. Uh, listen, me and my friend need to get inside, so if you could just-"
"Civilians are not permitted access into the city at the moment, due to the recent Changeling attack, unless they currently have a home or owned property inside the city. If so, please show your Citizenship Certificate granted to you by the Royal Guard."
His words were cold, dead, as if he'd said them billions of times. Like a broken record.
"We need inside," Lucky said. "Come on man, it's his love in there."
"Unless she comes to confirm this, we cannot grant access." he said.
It couldn't be over so easily. I braced myself. I had no choice but to fight- I had to save Holy Cross. Who knows if she was even still alive? Don't think like that...don't...
"They're with me."
Me and Lucky turned around to see a yellow pony wearing a poncho and a cowboy hat. He looked like a character you'd see in an old western movie. What was he doing in Canterlot? The pony held up his certificate. The big guard nodded, and the other guards opened the gate.
The strange pony looked at us. "C'mon fellas'." 
After we were a good distance away from that stone of a guard back there, Lucky broke the silence.
"Who are you? Why did you help us?"
The pony smiled. "I like helpin' people. What can I say?" He took off his hat and carried it on his back. His mane was a golden orange, it caught Lucky's eye quickly.
"Just call me Dusk for now." said the pony.
"Odd name. I'm Lucky, this is my cousin Hazy." Lucky shook Dusk's hoof. "Thanks for helpin' us, sir."
"Well," he started, "if y'all wouldn't mind, I could use something in return..."
After much bantering, we realized it was only fair that we helped Dusk with whatever he needed. Eventually it was decided that me and Lucky would part ways for the time being, with me going after Icy and him helping Dusk. 
"Stay strong, cousin." I said, hugging him. He nodded and smiled.
"Catch ya later." He said.
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731 Saddle Blvd.
The only 731 I could find in Canterlot, thanks to the Visitor Center Address Lookup. I dashed through the streets of the city, looking for the place.
I hated splitting up with Lucky, but we didn't have much choice. I just hoped what he had to do for Dusk wasn't too bad.
Eventually, I found the house I was looking for. You'd expect something like a big, menacing tower being hit with strikes of lightning, but it look surprisingly mundane.
I burst open the door with my hooves, finding the entire house empty.
"FUCK!" I screamed. Nobody was here. I had just about given up hope when I saw another message from Cross- written in blood.
"CHES-"
The last letter had been hastily scrawled, I couldn't understand it. Chess? Chest? What the hell did she mean? I looked around, eventually finding a large chest with a lock on it. The key was laying on top, and I opened it.
She was inside. I quickly lifted her up, and not gonna lie, I cried a bit. She was unconscious but breathing, and the only noticable wound was a cut on her forehead and a few bruises.
That's when I realized something. He locked her in the chest, so she couldn't have made that message in blood. Icy had to. That's why he left the key on top- he wanted me to find her.
I held Holy Cross close to me. She couldn't hear me, but, I just wanted to talk to her. That was all I wanted.
"So...this isn't necessarily easy to say, but...I...I think I love you. That sounds weird out loud...but, I mean it. I think. I've never felt this way."
I let her rest for a while. A few hours later, she woke up.
"...Haze....you found me..." she said, smiling weakly.
"I'd never let anything happen to you." I said, firmly but happily. "You must be starving. Let's get something to eat."
We sat at the reasturaunt, and I explained the whole trip as she scarfed down her daisy sandwiches.
"Have you heard from Lucky?" she asked.
"Not since we parted." I replied. "Hey, listen..."
"I don't know where he is. I really don't." she said, nearly starting to cry. " I want to leave, and never see him again. I don't want any more fighting..."
That was all I needed to hear.
"Hazy Dreams?" asked an unknown voice. Behind me stood a mail pony, holding out a letter. I took it and nodded at him.
"What is it?" Cross asked, and I shrugged. I opened the letter.
"Dear Haze,
So, me and Lucky got caught up in something, and well, he 'helped' me quite a bit more than I had anticipated. I owe some favors. So, I asked around, and this Icy WInds feller you're chasing seems to be hiding in an old barrel warehouse about 12 miles out from the city. Me and Lucky'll be staying at the Seven Stallions hotel over on Buffalo Street. Come find us after you save your damsel in distress.
Love, Dusk.
P.S. If there's a sock on the door, knock."
I rolled my eyes. "Let's go see Lucky and Dusk."
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I knocked at the hotel room door, and Dusk came to answer.
"Oh, heya. You found your girl?"
"Is this the Dusk person you mentioned?" Holy Cross asked.
"Yeah, that's me." replied Dusk.
"Where's Lucky?" I asked. Dusk gestured towards the hallway and Lucky stepped out. 	
"Thank Celestia! It's great to see you, Cross!" Lucky said. Holy Cross smiled.
"You too, Lucky Fields."
"Dusk, do you still owe us any favors?" I asked.
"I really hope this isn't going where I think it is."
"Answer the question."
Dusk sighed. "Yeah. I think. I don't know."
I pulled Dusk into the hallway, alone.
"Come on, man..."
"Calm down," I said. "Nothing like that. I need you to get Holy Cross and Lucky to Ponyville. It isn't safe here anymore, not with Icy Winds around. Can you do that?"
"Just as long as that's ALL you need." He added.
I nodded and walked over to Holy Cross. "You guys are going back to Ponyville. I'm staying to tie up some loose ends."
Holy Cross shook her head. "Please, don't..."
"I have to. He can't hurt anyone else."
Cross hugged me, realizing I was right, I hoped. Lucky sighed and nodded. Things were going well.
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I was all too familiar with the train, and was personally glad I wouldn't be riding it again. The train rumbled as it slid into the station. Dusk stepped on and gestured for the others.
I hoof-bumped Lucky. "Good luck, man." He said, and I nodded.
Holy Cross gave me another hug. I smiled and held her close. She whispered.
"You know, Haze, I...I think I love you too."
I froze. She let go and stepped onto the train. The doors closed, and that was it. She was gone.