The train raced down the track, wheels carrying just the barest of an unsettling rattling sound, no doubt from the strain of the armoured cars. Still, it beat traversing the open road in my condition, and the Guard being so kind as to provide a ride meant we had a car all to ourselves. Not only that, but protection was just one car away in either direction. Hopefully, we wouldn’t need it, what with our little civil war being over, the fall of the last of Summer Leaf’s posse and the Guard promising a fair settlement to Ivory’s situation.
Despite that, there was a part of me that couldn’t completely relax. Perhaps not enough time had passed since our battle amongst that ashen inferno. Or maybe it was the faint medley of iron and steel that seemed to be permanently infused within the firm grey cushions of the car. There was also the lack of weight around my neck, the empty sheathe like a missing friend. I supposed some of that stemmed from the guilt of letting a gift break—even though my parents would tell me that my still being alive means the weapon had served its purpose. Thus, the broken nub that attached to my wing sat in the bottom of my flight satchel. Next chance I had to go to Canterlot, I was going to see a smith about getting the blade replaced. If that wasn’t possible, I’d commission a new one, with the remains of my old one somehow integrated.
But for now, I was going back to Ponyville. It had been far too long since I could simply be home. I just wanted to go to the Seapony and spend a casual, stress-free night with my friends. With luck, nothing else would catch fire before the end of the week. In the very least, I wouldn’t have to worry about a surprise call from the Guard. My statement had gone over quick and easy, with any possible future testimony months off, courtesy of bureaucratic process.
I leaned back, the cushions squeaking a little as my eyes drifted away from the rolling plains. Beside me, Night smiled, that dopey grin lighting up his face. I met his smile with my own. It was good to see that his own testimony, recalling the horrors that had gone on in that courtyard, couldn’t keep his spirits down. That did remind me that I didn’t really know how he ended up there in the first place.
Sneaking a quick nuzzle, I asked, “Now that things are settling down, you want to let me know what happened on your side? Something about putting a hoof in Prideful Policy’s face?”
Night blushed a little, his face contorting a little as he struggled with how proud he should feel about that. “W-well, we found him watching the battle like it was some kind of sick show, and, um, then he tried to run away, so I had to stop him.”
Merri’s head popped up over the seat in front of us. Resting both forehooves along the top of the cushion, she grinned. “Prideful’s bodyguard fought us with bitter resolve, locking us in battle long enough for their master to make his escape. As he stood upon that hill, laughing and twirling his mustache, he flipped his black cape, cackling, ‘Muhahah! You will never catch me!’”
She brought her hoof across. “That’s when Night swooped down, standing tall and heroic! ‘Halt, fiend! In the name of justice, you shall turn yourself in and trouble this town no longer!’ With a gasp, Prideful tried to flee, but Night brought him low with the Hooves of Justice!”
As Merri brought both her hooves down upon the seat, Star appeared across the aisle, leaning over her own seat. “Sister, you were not even there for the decisive moment.”
“Shhhh! Neither were you!” Merri raised a hoof to her lips. “For all we know, that’s how it could have gone down! Besides, you know it’s how the bards would sing it~.”
“Or we could ask the stallion who was right there.” Star rolled her eyes. “And last I checked, you are not a bard.”
I laughed. “Perhaps it’s time for a career change?”
Icicle popped up beside Merri, giving her a look not unlike the ones Night reserved for me. “You know I’d be at every show.”
“Aw, shucks.” Merri raised her forehooves, pushing her cheeks up in mock embarrassment. “You know I couldn’t just leave poor Sis’ to do all the fighting by herself. Maybe I could take it up on the side, do it parttime, like those bards who embed in a platoon. Crossbow in one hoof, saxophone in the other.”
“Saxophone?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah! For smooth jazz~!” Merri grinned ear to ear.
“Um, how will you sing?” Night asked.
“Plus,” I added, “correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think smooth jazz is typical bardic fare.”
“Details, details.” Merri wiggled her hoof.
Leaning against Night, I smiled again. “How did it really happen?”
“Well, um, he did leave his guards behind and try to run away from us. But he didn’t stop to gloat and let me use any, um,” Night turned a little red and his voice momentarily dropped, “Hooves of Justice on him. It was all a bit of a blur, but I remember flying after him and tackling him, then I hit him and he went down. There wasn’t anything glorious about it.”
Seeing Night grimace a little, I decided that perhaps this is as far as this should go. Pressing into his mane, I said, “Regardless, thanks, Night. Things might have gone differently if we hadn’t had him at a disadvantage. Thankfully, we can rest easy now.”
---
The day was late into dusk by the time we arrived in Ponyville, the orange-purple ambience highlighting the lonely platform. I was more than happy to have friends there to walk it with me, though our departure wasn’t without good-byes.
Golden Banner was kind enough to let Mint, Feather and Blaze escort Ivory out onto the platform for one last hug before we parted ways. Although, I had my suspicions that this was more of a favour to Feather than anything else.
As Ivory and I pulled away, she smiled at me. “Dusky, I… thank you. Again.”
I smiled. “Any time. Don’t forget, I’ll be waiting.”
“Yes, of course. I will look forward to tea time.” Ivory cracked a smile or her own and it was there, her coat dyed in the colours of the setting sun, that I realized she no longer seemed naked without her cloak. She didn’t need it anymore.
“I’ll be up to check in every so often,” I said, glancing at Mint, Blaze and Feather in turn. “If any of you are free when I’m in Canterlot, I’d be happy to meet up.”
“Hey, don’t think you’ll be the one putting in all the effort,” Blaze said. “Ponies think I have a knack for getting into trouble, but by Celestia, Dusky, I think you’re the one who needs ponies watching her back.”
I laughed. “Fair point. I assume that means you’ll be coming down every so often?”
“You’d better believe it.” Blaze puffed up proudly.
“I’m sure I’ll see you often, too.” Mint turned a sisterly smile upon both Night and I. “You’ll need help planning a certain festivity soon enough.”
Night nodded vigorously, just a touch of red showing through. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“And when tea happens, I’ll be there.” Feather glanced at Ivory. “That is, if you’ll have me.”
“We do have a lot of catching up to do.” Ivory smiled.
“Ahem.” The rapping of a hoof against the train car pulled all our attention to Golden Banner. I thought I caught just the edge of a smirk disappearing. “Time’s up.”
I watched them board again, waiting until the door had shut, and the train began to move again. I started to turn, but it wasn’t until the final car was out of sight that I completed it.
Until next time.
“Soooo, party at the Seapony~?” Merri asked, motioning to us from the staircase.
“Sister, we just finished a long journey.” Star stared.
“All the more reason to kick back and relax~.” Merri motioned again.
“I’d be up for it,” I replied. “After all this, having an ordinary evening sipping on a cider with my friends is all I could ask for. That said, we should give everyone some time to unpack and freshen up.”
“Oh, right, yeah.” Merri nodded. “Split up and meet there in an hour?”
“Sounds good to me.” I turned to Star. “That acceptable?”
Star shrugged. “If you are all willing to put up with Merriweather’s antics, I shall get by.”
And thus we departed, though not before Night offered to walk me home. I’d simply smiled and told him the danger was already past.
I was about halfway home, walking along Ponyville’s main street, when Terra’s voice rang out behind me, “Dusky Down!”
Turning just in time to see several pedestrians scattering before the approaching green blur of a unicorn, I instinctively braced. She stopped just shy of ramming into me, staring intently.
“Oh, hi, Terra,” I said.
“Don’t you ‘oh, hi, Terra’ me!” Her glare intensified. “I heard about what happened out there. And you just decided to run off into some war zone without telling your friends!”
“Sorry, Terra.” I gave her an apologetic look. “I wanted to make sure everyone was informed, but it was an emergency. You know I wouldn’t just ditch my friends.”
“Of course I know!” Terra frowned. “But it’s always an emergency. Somepony always needs saving from something or other. Every time you disappear, we never know if you’re going to come back.”
“I know… and I’m sorry. I know nothing is ever guaranteed. But you can trust me to try my damndest to come back. I’d never willingly leave you all behind. Just like I can count on you to stay alive over here, even should the whole of the Everfree stand up and rebel. Right?”
Terra sighed. “Fine. You’re right. But you owe me.”
“Owe you?” I raised an eyebrow.
“For being the way more frequent cause of worry. Do you know what it’s like being the one ponies keep asking, ‘Hey, where’s Dusky?’ and it’s not like I can tell them, ‘She’s run off to do dangerous things again.’ But I know it and feel it. Every time.” With that, Terra lunged, wrapping me in a hug.
Returning the hug, I let out a sigh. “Sorry, Terra. I know that must be hard. What do I owe you, then?”
“I don’t know… Make me your Mare of Honour.”
“Er, done.”
“And… you’re coming to the Seapony with me. Right now.”
“Right now?” I poked at Terra’s withers. “Terra, in case you didn’t notice, I smell like an armoury right now. I need a shower.”
Terra took a deep whiff and stepped back, wrinkling her muzzle. “Ugh, you’re right. Fine, we’re going to your place first.”
“‘We’re?’ Terra, I know how to shower on my own.” I stuck out my tongue.
“Yeah, but somepony’s gotta be there to make sure you don’t get whisked off by some other emergency.” Terra tried to give me a flat look, but only half a second went by before she cracked a smile.
“Okay, yeah, you got me.” I giggled. “You’d better come along to protect me from myself.”