//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11: Home Is Where The Heart Is  
// Story: Sciros 
// by Sapphire Rose 12 
//------------------------------//

  Soarin blinked. Wait, blinked? He looked around as the landscape blurred in.

He looked and saw Canterlot Palace glimmering in the distance under the sun shining brightly. It was the Equestria he knew. He was home.

Soarin was confused. What about the curse? Then, he remembered. Rainbow Dash had kissed him before the last petal fell. The curse had been broken. 

He stood up and looked around. He caught sight of a pond rippling nearby. He looked in the pond and saw a shocking sight. The cuts on his face had completely vanished. It was as if he had never been cut in the first place. 

He flew up into the air and shouted, "Yes!"

He caught sight of a group of royal guards coming after him. "There he is!" Flash Sentry exclaimed.

"Flash, buddy!" Soarin whooped, relieved. 

Flash Sentry slapped him and Soarin said, "Oh!"

"Where have you been?!?!" Flash Sentry asked, frantically.

"Oh, my face," Soarin said. "I just got healed."

"Sorry," Flash Sentry said immediately, realizing that wasn't the best move.

"It's fine," Soarin replied.

"But where have you been?!?!" Flash continued. "We were all so worried! Everyone was looking for you for four days straight!"

"Just another town," Soarin said. "But I'm glad to be back!"

"Welcome home, Soarin," Flash said with a smile. "It hasn't been the same without you."

Soarin followed Flash back to the ponies had to see.








Spitfire looked at the poster of the Wonderbolts had sighed. She wished she hadn't yelled at Soarin before he had disappeared. Even though he had messed up the routine, Soarin was the best co-captain Spitfire could ever ask for.

The door opened and she saw a familiar face. "Permission to enter, ma'am?"

Spitfire grinned. "Yes, Soarin."

Soarin entered the room. "I'm sorry I messed up the routine," he said. "And didn't show up for the performance. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

"Having you back is enough," Spitfire said. 

Soarin felt his spirits rise. The captain wasn't mad. 

"There are some other ponies I have to see, ma'am," Soarin told her.








Soarin's friends sat playing games. However, they just couldn't enjoy themselves. They had lost their friend who always made every game interesting.

Then they heard the door open. They knew only one stallion walked into Orange Breeze's house uninvited.

"So, games?" Soarin asked, as usual.

His friends were overjoyed and ran to hug him.

"You're back, dude!" Orange Breeze exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

"All that matters is that I'm back, right?" Soarin asked, avoiding the question.

Soarin's friends laughed and agreed. 

They went back to playing games like they were, except this time they had Soarin around to make them laugh.

Soarin looked up at the clock. He had been playing for 5 hours. He almost forgot there was one pony he needed to see most.










Rainbow Dash had given up hope. It was the fourth day of searching. She would never see Soarin again. 

She was full of regret. She had yelled at him for a small mistake before he left and she burst into tears. 

Then the door opened slowly.

"Don't cry," Soarin said. "It'll be alright."

Rainbow Dash ran to Soarin and embraced him, tears still running down her face.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," Rainbow Dash sobbed.

"It's alright," Soarin said. "I know you didn't mean it like that."

Rainbow Dash was just glad her husband had forgiven her.

Soarin sat down with her on the couch.

"Now, let's wipe away the tears and race," Soarin said. He knew Rainbow Dash loved to race.

Rainbow Dash wiped her tears and smiled. "Good luck."

They rushed out the door.

"No fair!" Soarin puffed. "You got a head start!"









Soarin's life was back to normal. All of his friends had told him he hadn't messed everything up and that they missed him when he wasn't around. 

Soarin's heart sank when he saw a familiar unicorn watching from the bushes.

Storm Whirl walked over to him. "Well, you did it."

"You... I..." Soarin gulped. He couldn't find a reply.

"Maybe my talent could be showing ponies how much they may actually be loved after all," Storm Whirl said smiling.

Soarin looked at her. There had been a glimmer of change in the mare's eye. He wondered if his love for Rainbow Dash really had been enough to change her ways.

Storm Whirl pulled her cloak back over her mane, threw a potion on the ground, and went back through to Sciros.

Soarin looked through the portal and watched her go through. He smiled, knowing Sciros would be safe at last. Rainbow Dash, from Sciros, was probably heartbroken once more, but he knew that she had friends who would help her through.









"Alright, Wonderbolts!" Spitfire announced. "Prepare to fly!"

He soared off into the air. He knew he was home.

He looked at his friends who waved in the audience, cheering loudly and shouting his name. He looked at Rainbow Dash who flew right ahead of him. He looked at his captain who smiled and gave him a nod. He knew was home. Home really was where the heart lied. With his friends, family, and the one he loved.

He was no longer afraid of messing everything up. Because he knew he was Soarin. The one who had set everything right.