//------------------------------//
// Departure And Arrival 
// Story: Star-Crossed School Days 
// by mechafone 
//------------------------------//

Two months passed by quickly. Having given up the chase to confront his parents for now, Spark Storm put all his attention on Sapphire Snow. Over the weeks, the two grew even closer. It was evident even from how they looked at each other that they loved each other, as much as a five and six year old could.

When it was time for her to go, all her friends from class had gathered. Rarity, Lemon Hearts, Lya, Bon Bon, Ditzy and Spark Storm all watched as her family packed everything into the big moving carriage designed to move large furniture. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. Rarity made Sapphire promise to keep in touch, and of course to keep her informed of the latest fashions in Canterlot. Needless to say, she was a little jealous.

Lemon Hearts gave Sapphire a big hug and promised to write. Lyra and Bon Bon together gave Sapphire a box of hard candies, and some personally recorded music that Lyra had been working on. It wasn't that great; Lyra had only just gotten her cutie mark, and as sad as she was to see Sapphire go, it made her happy to share her talent with her friend.

Ditzy hugged Sapphire when it was her turn, and refused to let her go. The girls cried a little, making Spark Storm a little uncomfortable. He hadn't been paying attention when Sapphire walked into his line of view. They stared at each other for the longest time. It's not that they didn't know what to say; rather, it's that they didn't want to say it.

The two finally embraced each other, tears in both their eyes. The hug lasted longer than it did with Ditzy. When her mother finally called for Sapphire, she slowly eased out of Spark's forelegs. She was about to go when inspiration struck her. She leaned in and pecked Spark on the mouth.

Spark's cheeks burned, but for once he didn't mind the affection in front of others. He smiled, in a bit of daze as she waved to her friends one last time and got into the cart as it started off down the road.

As they disappeared down the road, the girls all glanced at Spark. Rarity had a look on her face that said she'd just witnessed the best dirt the town had seen in weeks. Lyra and Bon Bon giggled but kept it quiet. He just looked too cute all dazed like that. Ditzy just smiled kindly at him while Lemon Hearts said her goodbyes and trotted on home.

After a while, when the carriage could no long be seen from Ponyville, Spark Storm looked around himself. The others had long decided to go home. The only one left was Ditzy. He tried to be strong as the feeling the kiss had given him was giving way to sadness. He gave his friend a weak smile before he turned and started to leave.

Ditzy flitted over him and landed in front of him. Her eyes struggled to stare in one direction as she lifted a hoof to his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes. "Don't you go off crying by yourself." Spark frowned at her and pulled away from her. "Ditzy, you know I don't like cr..." He growled and trotted away from her when she landed in front of him again, even more determined.

"I don't care about boys showing emotion, Spark, and you shouldn't either." She gently pulled his face to make him look at her again. "Sapphire made me promise not to let you get depressed and sad all by yourself. If you need to cry, or a shoulder to lean on, you'll always have me, Spark. I promise it doesn't matter to me. I just don't want to see you be sad all alone."

Spark seemed to struggle within himself. He wanted to go cry by himself somewhere. He wasn't totally comfortable with showing his emotions around anypony but Sapphire. But...she was gone. Sapphire was gone and there wasn't anypony to...lean on? He raised his eyes to Ditzy's face, and then he fell against her, burying his face into her neck and sobbing.

Ditzy smiled gently and held him, smoothing his mane back and wrapping him up in her wings. Sapphire would be proud of her. She'd asked Ditzy to take care of him, and that's exactly what she would do.



Filthy Rich stepped into his father's mansion at four in the morning on a Monday. School was supposed to start up again today for the little colts and fillies. Rich was going to be working closely with his father on a new company merger in Manehatten, both working from home.

It was going to be a new learning experience for him, working on the sidelines. Usually he was out travelling, with barely more than a few hours at a time to visit with family. It was a long and trying affair, and it was constantly draining.

Even though Rich already looked to be in his late 30's, the young business pony was barely older than 22. His work was demanding, and many a night he wished he could just take a long, relaxing vacation and visit with his mother and brother. His father's cold and sometimes uncaring business sense made him unpleasant.

Moving quietly through the huge, sprawling home, Rich made for his brother's room. He slipped inside, intending to give his lonely little brother a surprise.

River's room was a mess. Every night the servants had a horrible trainwreck of a room to clean up. He left things everywhere. He had papers, pens and pencils strewn everywhere. Rich stepped over to River's writing desk, giving it a glance in the dim light of the moon.

Rich was taken aback at the violent, vulgar writing that River had written down. Thoughts of revenge, thoughts of violence. Something about a group of "vile, retarded Pegasi" and their insolent supporters. He had written out detailed plans on how to embarrass them, sometimes thoughts on how to hurt them, although all the latter had been scribbled out.

Rich looked over at his brother asleep in his bed. Under that innocent smile he wore, just what kind of unsettling thoughts were actually going through his head? Rich looked back down at the folder before pushing it shut. He had a lot of work if he was going to pull his brother back from the black abyss he was standing at the edge of.