//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: On Track, Don't Look Back 
// Story: Spheres 
// by Neon Icy Wings 
//------------------------------//

The floating darkness of sleep swirled within the depths of Prism's mind. It swarmed, obscuring the few faint dreams from her memories as slivers of light pierced the darkness. Prism blinked the drowsiness of the early morning wake from her eyes. She stretched out her extremities and, once she was at least partially awake, was able to appreciate Discord and K allowing her a restful sleep.

As she was stepping out of her bed she winced as she was greeted by Discord speaking in her mind, ''Ah! You're awake!' Prism hummed groggily in recognition, the last vestiges of sleep commencing their final stand against her awakening mind. 'Indeed. I just wanted to jump you before K sticks his nose in. Since you'll be going to Ponyville today, I'd like it if you were quite careful while there. While I assume most ponies will be oblivious to even the most blatant evidence of our partnership, the Elements may prove an obstacle. One I'd rather avoid if at all possible. Don't want this little vacation of ours to be blown away before it's able to really set sail.'

Prism groaned, an indescribable feeling worming its way through her barrel. "What do you mean? Unless you freaks do something it should be simple- What's the catch?"

She could just imagine Discord floating before her, a single talon on the bottom of his lip in somewhat taunting fashion. 'What ever do you mean?' Prism's tired eyes glared at her wall, merely waiting for Discord to continue. 'Now don't you worry your little pony head, I'm just interested in seeing what a pony who willingly accepted my chaos will do and what will happen overall. I mean, is it so wrong to find interest in a first and more than likely last time event?'

"What? No crazy cults to endorse in the same way?" She said, an annoyed tone on her lips.

Discord let out a distinctive 'pfft' sound of disapproval. 'Please! Those types are always so unimaginative! Every time I ever looked into them they were obsessed with whatever I was associated with at the time -I guarantee you the latest craze is cotton candy chocolate rain clouds- and they never think up their own chaos or just go with their gut, like making a statue of a banana cauldron queen. Or a queen cauldron who presides over bananas. Nope! It's just silly idiots who 'aren't like other ponies!' Bleh! Anyway, I'll keep you informed if I see anything unusual happening with or around you!'

"I don't trust you, but 'kay." Prism said simply as she walked to her bathroom to splash some water on her face. She ran the water and used her wings to cup the water, enough to give her face a solid splash, partially soaking her mane in the process. She didn't bother to shake her head in reaction to the splash. She simply stared at her reflection, the alabaster pegasus form of K flashing in its place for a moment, his voice clear in more than just her mind, Surprise sunshine.

She strolled out of her bathroom, ignoring the memory and weird feeling in her stomach, instead heading towards where Storm slept. As she approached she saw the light rise and fall of Storm's side. He looked so peaceful. Prism practically headbutted his shoulder with her sopping wet head and mane.

Storm squealed and spluttered as he was hit by the cold, solidness of wet mane and face. "Whata gabah why?!" He propped himself up after wriggling in shock, staring at his friend's head that was still on his shoulder, trickling more water onto his person. "Prism! Why'd ya do that?!"

Prism's response came, muffled by his shoulder, "Stooooorm. I'm hungry."

He stared incredulously at the back of her head. "What's that gotta do with headbutting me and making me wet in bed?"

She shrugged, face planted on his shoulder still. "Don't knooow."

Storm groaned, shrugging his friend's face off his shoulder and onto the bed. "Huh, you've really become a morning pony haven't ya?"

Prism tilted her head up slightly. "Bite me." She flopped her head back down, only to raise it again. "Actually, get something for me to bite." Then the flop stuck.

Storm shook his head and stepped off the bed. "Fine, fine. Just let me dry off first!"

Finally, Prism lifted her head from the bed sheets. She stared with a smile after her friend as he stepped toward her washroom, her mind running wild of what the day could bring. What the life changing train ride would bring. The feeling in her stomach creeped back into her consciousness from those thoughts, much to her annoyance.

She rolled her shoulders, hearing the satisfying snaps and cracks from the motion, trying to get her head into a mindset better qualified to face the momentous day ahead of her. Drawing in a deep breath she started to mess with her mane, running her hooves through the dual colored mess, when K's voice came forth from the darkness of her mind like a bad dream, wiping her smile away before she could even enjoy it. 'Butterflies in your stomach?'

"Freaks in my head." She retorted, though after looking up and mulling it over added, "And butterflies in my stomach. Angry ones. Made of dark matter. Hoping feeding em something from Hotcake's will sate their hate." 

Prism could practically see K blink at her words. 'Okay I gotta know. If you're complaining so much, why'd you take us up on the offer in the first place?'

She let her head fall back to the bed for one last moment as she answered, "At this point I'm gonna rationalize it as me saving some other poor pony from having to deal with you. Or, Celestia forbid, some conniving noble seeking to grow more powerful only to lead to you and Discord coming back."

'Whatever helps you sleep at night.'

Prism glared in annoyance as she lifted her head for the last time, beginning to move towards her room. "With you three I'm going to assume my sleep is going to grow only more rocky from here." That actually got a chuckle out of K.

She slipped on her hoodie, it having grown a wrinkle or two from its time on the floor, just in time for Storm to exit the washroom. He stared at his friend, taking in her ragged looking two toned mane and slightly wrinkled hoodie, and groaned. "Pris... Have you no self respect?"

Prism grinned widely. "What ever do you mean? I don't work at the Castle anymore. I DON'T GOTTA PRETTY MYSELF ANYMORE ON FREE DAYS!"

Storm gave her a flat look, only tinged slightly with a small smile. "Well, all the girl power to ya."

"Freedom power!"

"You're a real bald griffon."

She gave a hearty laugh and put her hoof to her neck, working out a bit of stiffness. "Agh... Grab your saddle bags, I'll grab mine and throw some essentials in."

Storm gave a playful scoff as he stepped back towards the guest bed. "Oh, 'essentials'. I see. So essential you pack them at the last minute." Prism responded to his jab with a playful raspberry.

Prism didn't put much into her saddle bags, a few books from a hoof full of series, a brush in case her mane and tail got too out of control and a few nicks and nacks here and there. She debated taking her family picture, but eventually decided against it, fearing her not so sturdy saddle bags wouldn't protect enough for her liking.

Prism stretched lightly next to her door as Storm trotted towards her, seemingly having got everything in order. "Well, let's go! I'll turn in my home key and we can trot over to Hotcake's one last time!"

After they stepped into the hallway, Prism locked her apartment and made her way to the stair well. Storm cocked his head slightly as he voiced a concern. "What if Lock Key isn't there?"

The weight of the 'what if' fell heavily on Prism's face, the pegasus letting out a groan. "Honestly, if he isn't there, kill me to save me the shame of being wrong. And, you know, the universe itself seems to be wanting to torture me. Would be nice to be free of that."

Rather quickly the two found themselves in front of the apartments front desk. Very empty front desk.

Storm did his best to contain his mirth as he took in Prism's attempts at coping with the situation. "Pffft... So... ha-how would you like your death t-to go?"

Prism had practically slammed her head on the desk, ignoring her friends jab and the jabbing pain her face began to suffer. "How? How? He's always here. Always..."

Storm stifled another laugh and took a deep breath. "I mean, you can just leave a note and the key?"

Prism merely groaned into the wood. "Noooo.... I can't do that to Lock Key. He's been a big help to my family for years. I can't just up and leave. And besides, changelings. Might yoink key."

Storm's amusement dipped there, as he slapped his hoof to his face. "Ugh, I told you to do it last night!"

Prism turned her head slightly, a mixture of annoyance and some cousin of despair on her sad mug that stared at nothing in particular from the one eye not pressed against a wooden front desk. "He works like clockwork though! You sound like someone berating another for expecting Celestia to be on time with the sun rise! You don't bet against the trend if that trend has such a long lineage of success! It's like betting against the Wonderbolts in a flight competition against a group of newbies! Ugh... make my death swift Oh Luna."

"Or assuming the competition is over when you really just stepped in at a break time." Said a voice behind the pair of pegasi. Prism turned her head so fast Storm was a little worried for her neck, but turned as well to see the elderly, grey unicorn stepping through the front doors of his own establishment, an amused look on his face and abnormally long stick of chocolate in his mouth. How he spoke so clearly Storm would never know, or learn. "And no dying on my property. Bad for business."

Prism immediately perked up, smiling at the unicorn, who trotted back to his place behind the counter. "Oh, thank Luna you didn't just up and leave!"

Lock Key chuckled at Prism's little melodrama. "And why, pray tell, would you be worried about missing old me?"

"Cause I didn't wanna just up and leave without telling ya, pony to pony!"

Lock Key tilted his head in confusion. "Eh? Whatcha mean? what's with all the upping and leaving?"

Prism rubbed the back of her head with a wing, a tad nervous all things considered. "Well, I'm moving out." Lock Key let out an unfortunate gasp. Unfortunate, because all the gasp accomplished was send the long stick of chocolate down his throat, beginning poor Lock Key's chocolate demise. The voices in Prism's head found it a laugh riot, but Prism herself was borderline horrified by the display of chocolaty evil. "Oh, Luna I killed Mr Lock Key."

Storm shared her disturbed look, and while Prism fidgeted back and forth he muttered, solemnly, "Should we help him?"

Prism bobbed her head in uncertain worry as she glanced around Lock Key in subdued panic. "I don't know! I don't wanna make it worse and accidentallybreakthechocolate!"

A mere moment later and Lock Key stiffened, Prism and Storm's faces straining with more indecision and horror which quickly softened into relief as the unicorn landlord's horn glowed and slowly removed the offending chocolate before gasping down air. "Haaaaah... You can't just... hah, drop a bombshell like that Miss Spectrum! Making me almost break one of my own rules like that! It's bad for my health. For whatever reason are you leaving? I hope it isn't my managing."

Prism shook her head lightly, attempting to move on from the near choke situation as quickly as the nearly choked. "Ah, no, no. Just... things and life, with a dash of looking for something new on top of a bit of opportunity calls. It not you. It's more Canterlot and me feeling like I can get more out of life elsewhere." She rambled.

Lock Key adopted a small, almost sad smile, while warily placing the chocolate on his desk. "Ah, leaving the nest at last, eh?"

Prism let out a quiet and embarrassed laugh as she held out her apartment key. "Um, uh, something like that I guess."

Lock Key nodded in understanding, taking the room key from her feathery grasp. "Well, don't you fret even a minute! You run along, spread your wings and fly and all that, and I'll handle all the tedious little things for you. Though... this being such short notice I assume you haven't moved your belongings out yet?"

Prism's embarrassment multiplied under that question, it becoming evident upon her face and even her wings, which twitched lightly. "Uh, no, not really. I do have some plans in place! And I am willing to pay until everything is moved out and settled." She said, trying to placate any worries Lock Key may have had.

Though it appeared that her worries were unfounded as Mr Lock Key's face held only understanding, tinted by amusement. "Oh-ho, it's of no worry. Though, my inner business pony is quite thankful for your continued, if absent, patronage."

Prism let out a sigh of relief. Even after years of knowing Mr Lock Key she just couldn't shake the fear he would take something she said or done badly. Simply hearing his support was a blessing, and really, she could afford to pay for the apartment for a while longer, more than that honestly, but at least until she'd moved everything out at least.

She rolled the tension out of her shoulders. "Heh, it's nothing Lock Key. I couldn't really just expect you to hold onto an apartment for any amount of time for free. It'd just be rude!"

Lock Key smiled and waved his hoof. "And I thank you for that. But, I believe you and Storm probably have places to be and I don't want to keep you up. Just stop by once in awhile! Don't be a stranger!"

Prism and Storm exited the apartment building, saying their goodbyes, and as they trotted down the street Prism could almost feel her eye twitch as her mind played the events back. "I swear, that's the closest I've ever been to a roller coaster."

Storm let out something that some could call a chuckle and shook his head lightly. "Tell me about it. It was like that emotional stage chart; bargaining, despair, relief, fear, relief again and then acceptance." He turned to Prism and smiled teasingly. "Hey! It's like you're already in Ponyville!" 

She met his smile with her own smile, though it was tinted with a bit of apprehension at the thought of normal social interactions injected with bouts of stress being the norm. "Don't say such scary things Storm." They stopped their trotting for a moment or two before breaking into light laughter before continuing their march on towards Hotcake's, putting the somewhat odd chat behind them. 


__________


A short trot later, done under the early morning light, they entered their dear diner, not as loudly as they had before so as not to bother Hotcake's other, more normal, customers.  The two friends took seats at the bar, Prism gave a small wing wave to Hotcake, who did her part by being ever present behind the bar. "So, ya two actually came! Ya know, a part of me was beginnin' to wonder."

Storm gave a dramatic sigh. "Oh, we'd never want to disappoint you, oh dear slave driver Hotcake." 

That witty response got a laugh from the kitchens at least, Hotcake turning with an amused smirk. "Har har, laugh it up Coldplate, better pour the mirth into making delicious food!" A muffled response came and went with Hotcake just shaking her head. "It might have been for only a few days ya two came back to comin' back here, but I'm gonna miss ya two."

Prism ducked her head slightly. "Uh, sorry about that, by the way."

Hotcake just waved Prism's words off with a good natured smile. "Bah! It's no problem. No fun to force friends into things or so. But, we can talk more in a sec. Whatcha two gonna have?"

Storm thought for a moment before turning to Prism. "Pancakes?"

Prism nodded enthusiastically. "Pancakes!"

They both turned back to Hotcake, quite happily.

"Pancakes."
"Pancakes!"

Hotcake chuckled, dotting down the simple request. "Alright! Be right back. Don't disappear on me!"

Prism nodded as the mare walked away, glancing around the diner a bit. "... Wish I hung out here more..." She said, quietly.

Storm fidgeted a bit before extending a wing over his friend's back. "Well, you'll just have to make it up later, eh? Spend a train ride back up here from time to time for some Hotcake dining!"

Prism let out a short, dry chuckle, though at least shared a genuine smile with Storm, letting the atmosphere of the diner steep into her mind. It was a better course than moping about past un-acted acts, she thought, better to enjoy it while she had it than let her last regular visit be one of regret.

It wasn't too long after when Hotcake came back, placing two places of large, fluffy pancakes in front of the two pegasi, the speed of the bountiful flatecakes appearing before them almost surprising Prism. Coldplate had always been able to pour out food at ridiculous speed, but Prism and Storm could have sworn that pancake delivery had to be some kind of record.

"So, let's start off simple like. Whatcha two got up to after leavin' my diner last night?" Hotcake asked, leaning against her counter.

Storm shrugged, holding off on devouring a bite of pancake to answer. "Eh, not much really. Just checked outta my hotel so me and Prism could head her right away." He snickered, almost dropping his fluffy bite of pancake. "Thought, Prism almost killed Mr. Lock Key while she was turning in her apartment key."

Prism grumbled through a bite of pancake while Hotcake's face held a look mixed with confusion, worry and a bit of shock. "Uh... He is okay though. Right?" She sighed lightly as Prism nodded. "How the heck did ya almost kill ya land lord?"

Prism grumbled through her bit of pancake, not liking the fact she had to relay the tale so soon, "I jusht wanted to hoov over mah key!" With a gulp, she continued, "Well, he wasn't there at first and I got worried. Didn't wanna just blow him off and not say good bye ya know. Luckily he came back almost instantly with a stick of chocolate in his mouth, which he... promptly inhaled whole and almost choked after I told him I was moving out. I... was too at a loss to be of any help... Too worried about making it worse, ya know." She finished a bit lamely, stuffing another bite of pancake into her mouth.

Hotcake merely tilted her head. "Uh, is an occupant of his establishment moving away really such a shocking thing?"

Prism shrugged, a bit of embarrassment seeping into her expression. "It's probably just that my family lived there for years, my parents then me. So, me leaving after all these years might be just a bit shocking to the old guy."

Hotcake chuckled, shaking her head lightly. "Well, at least your journey didn't start with an out of the blue death right?"

Prism groaned, the only thing stopping her from letting her face meet elevated placement surface once again being her delicious pancakes she didn't wish to maim with her mug. "I fear it to be an omen of things to come more than anything."

Storm laughed, giving Prism a friendly slap to her back. "Aw, come on! I'll make sure nothing bad will happen once we get to Ponyville, and I'm sure other ponies will do the same."

Prism shrugged once more, turning that movement into a roll, relieving a bit of tension from them. "Eh, well that's just part of the journey ain't it? Just need to learn not to let it get me I guess."

Storm smiled lightly, readying more pancake to enjoy upon his fork. "See? That's the spirit!"

Hotcake let them enjoy a bit more of their breakfast before continuing their conversation. "So, whatcha gonna do once ya get to Ponyville? Gonna relax for awhile I assume, but are ya gonna get a job at some point, and if so whatcha gonna do?"

Prism blinked, mouth open, stopped before her syrupy prize. "Uh. Huh, hadn't thought too much there. But yeah, probably gonna relax for a bit, then I might badger that there Rainbow Dash about a weather job. A small town like Ponyville should be easy enough to help with the weather."

Storm was then the one to hesitate to eat his pancakes. "Uh, yeah. Usually. We did have to cause a major storm to keep schedule once though. Lots of complaints from towns ponies on that one. But, yeah, usually calm but can get kinda crazy on a whim."

Prism tilted her head with a hum, her mind drifting a bit to what helping manage the weather would be like. "Hm, doubt it'd be too hard. I mean Canterlot's gardens got a bit crazy at times, and weather control is kinda like gardening, just with fluffier watering cans."

Storm snorted a light laugh around some pancake. "Guess that's kinda accurate!"

Prism quirked her head, happy to make her friend laugh, and sharing a smirk with Hotcake who nodded, pleased with Prism's answer. "Well, glad to know you're not just runnin' off without much of a plan. Now I can get Coldplate to stop plannin' a rescue mission." The two pegasi scoffed, their faces holding amusement and curiosity. "Now don't ya two go asking Coldplate. She'd just be insufferable!"

"You merely deny me my brilliance!" A voice called from the back.

Hotcake rolled her eyes, turning to the kitchens. "Yeah, sure! Brilliance wrapped within stupidity! Three drafts of the plan involved faking a bachelor party to sneak in inside a cake! We can't afford to just waste the ingredients on a giant cake unless it's something quite dire!"

Storm was forced to stifle a laugh a that particular piece of information. "W-wait. Does Coldplate, like, do this often?"

Hotcake groaned as she resumed her leaning pose against her bar. "You have no idea. She's always cooking up something, an if it ain't in an oven it sure as Tartarus in her head. 'Gotta be prepared, just in case' she says."

"Sure as Tartarus helped the diner durin' that bug infestation Canterlot had going few weeks back!"

Hotcake looked a little more than a bit tired at that comment. "She has been using that as an excuse to cook up crazy scheme after crazy scheme, double time like, ever since those dang changelings burst through the roof." She grimaced and shook her head, the affect of Coldplate's madness beginning to shine through on her face. "Wake up in the night hearing just the weirdest things at times." She glanced back towards the kitchens before leaning towards her two patrons and whispering, "Now, don't ever mention this, but I've been gettin' more than a bit worried about her this past week or so."

Prism and Storm both gave Hotcake looks of sympathy, Storm saying, "Won't leave my mouth."

Prism herself added, "Well, all the more reason to come visit ya sometime in the future. And, hey, feel free to send a letter anytime, even if it's just for some small talk."

Hotcake smiled at Prism's words, expression holding appreciation . "Heh, I may just take ya up on that offer. Gonna need somepony to talk to that isn't partially crazy."

Prism snorted some laughter. "Oh, trust me, we're all crazy here."

Storm gave a chuckle of his own. "Oh, you'll definitely fit in at Ponyville."

Prism's expression suddenly strained at Storm's words, a thin smile letting out the muttered word, "Stop."

Storm's chuckle escalated into a laugh. "Aw, don't worry! It'll be better than you think."

Prism's strained expression softened to one more legitimate. "Here's hoping. It'd be a nice change of pace. Then again... it's a lot of changes really fast. It's kinda scary."

Hotcake smiled softly at the pegasus. "Scary or not, your friends got your back girl, and from what I've heard that 'ville you're going to is a friendly 'ville. And if anything should happen... well as much as I hate to admit it Coldplate would rush in to help ya and me along with her."

Prism returned Hotcake's smile, just as warm. "Thanks Hotcake, means a lot to me."

Hotcake nodded happily. "'s what's friends are for! But I think you should get going here soon, don't want ya losing your train on my count."

Storm sighed as he stepped off his stool. "Ah, just been here for such a short time. Really gonna have to visit again sometime."

Prism quickly mirrored her friends movement, Hotcake giving a sigh of her own. "Hope it goes well and hope to see a soon-ish!"

Suddenly Coldplate's voice rang from the back, "Don't forget the juice!"

The two pegasi friends tilted their heads in confusion while Hotcake slapped herself lightly. "Gah! Can't believe I almost forgot it! One sec you two."

Prism leaned against the counter as Hotcake went to the back. "What do you think that's about?" She asked, turning her head towards Storm.

Storm shrugged a bemused expression on his muzzle. "A Coldplate tracking crystal?"

The two feathered friends shared a chuckle as they awaited Hotcake's return, and once she did she carried with her two long cylinders. As she placed them on the counter Prism quirked an eyebrow. "A thermos?"

Storm let out a soft gasp. "I-is this what I think it is?"

Hotcake laughed, a bit gruffly as she patted one of the thermoses. "Yup! Some signature Hotcake Spicy Cider!"

Storm picked one of the thermoses up gently, mouth slightly agape. "You're not seriously giving us these, are ya?"

She nodded energetically. "You bet I am! A little going away gift, if ya will."

Prism all the while had been holding her own thermos, a happy smile beholding the cylinder as nostalgic memories passed her mind's eye. Looking up from the thermos, she turned her smile towards Hotcake. "Thanks Hotcake. It's been forever since I've had some of this."

Hotcake returned the smile. "No problem Pris'. Don't go drinking it all away right away!" She gave a sultry wink to the two. "Save 'em for some time special!" Prism rolled her eyes while Storm shook his head, at least until Hotcake continued, "Liiiiike if Snowy shows up."

"Bye Hotcake!" Prism said, placing her thermos in her bag and beginning her exit of Hotcake's diner, Storm following behind her, laughing along with Hotcake who waved Prism farewell.

The two pegasi walked in simple, if slightly amused, calm away from the diner, all the way to the Canterlot Railway station.

Luckily, they got there with plenty of time to spare when it came to their train to Ponyville arriving. It wasn't even that crowded a morning for the station, though any Canterlot savvy pony would know that would change, if only slightly at times, when the tourists and sightseers would invariably disembark.

Prism gave a light sigh, torn at the fact they might be forced to wade through a tide of exiting ponies that would inevitably pour from the train cars she at last saw rumbling its way closer. Ponyville might have been a known location, but it was never a place many ponies would go, not in large packs at least. That is where the other tear of Prism's mind came in, as the large tide of leaving ponies would leave their train car, hopefully, not crowded, perhaps even granting them a cabin to just the two of them.

The train cars rumbled to a stop in front of the two friends with the screech of metal and hiss of steam. Prism and Storm rose from their seated positions, just in time to see the decent amount of multi-colored bodies leave the various train cars. They let the wave of color disperse well enough before finding an opening for themselves to enter the train.

Once the path was clear of the fleeting visitors and sightseers the two friends made their way to get acquainted with their train accommodations, just in time to hear the train conductor yell, "All aboard! Next stop Ponyville!"

While it would be a bit longer until the train disembarked, Storm and Prism allowed themselves the time to get comfortable, placing their saddle bags down and took the window seats, the visage of the green and grey mountainscape greeting their eyes.

Prism sighed, a mix of content and something else she couldn't place. Storm gave a simple smile in response. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. ... Won't say perfect though, but fine."

Prism snorted in amusement at Storm's words. "I guess that's fair. You'll be with me step by step. Making sure I don't become public enemy number one on day one."

Storm nodded, amusement of his own shining within his eyes. "Besides, it'd get pretty boring if everything went perfectly, right?"

Prism pumped a hoof toward the ceiling at that sentiment. "Got that right!"

Not long after the train began to rumble to life once again, shifting a moving along the tracks, taking Prism the Pegasus away from the place she'd called home for so long. From her seat, Prism saw the city shrink away, slowly becoming engulfed by the green and grey of the mountain.

As she zoomed off, away from her old life and towards her new, once more the feeling in her stomach wormed its way into Prism's mind. She felt conviction in her choice to move on, but she couldn't shake the feeling that nothing would quite be the same again.

'And what fun would "the same" be my dear?' Discord rang through her mind.

Prism gave a wry smirk, perhaps Discord was right. New was what she was looking for, right? Even if new was unknown, even a bit scary, she needed a bit, maybe even a lot of new in her life. Though, that did not mean she lost everything, she thought, as she took one of her books out of her saddle bags. After all, she had a long train ride ahead of her.