//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Promises // Story: A Life, for A Life // by Zinnia //------------------------------// Lily and I sat in the room sat in a serene silence for a few moments, and while lily gathered her thoughts, I took in my surroundings. Doughnut Joes was pretty decently sized, about a dozen tables were placed with generous space between them, with stools and chairs at each one. Behind the counter, sat a glass display of doughnuts and pastries of various types, colors, and sizes. Lily closed her eyes and took in a deep breath taking in the surrounding aroma, before letting it out and looking back at me. "I suppose I should start before I went to bed that night," She began, placing her front hooves on the table and leaning in slightly. "A few hours after we got home from our brunch.." Lily's eyes widened a bit, and she looked at me intently. "Speaking of which, how are you feeling? I hope it's not normal for you to pass out like that." I was about to say 'It's not', but after a bit of thought, I sighed and chuckled sheepishly. "Actually, it's kind of a thing that recently started, and I have a feeling that it won't be the last time either." I took a bite of what was probably my third doughnut by this point, I was probably gonna gain a few pounds but god these were good. "Nothing to worry about though, I'll be fine." Lily looked at me for a few more moments before nodding. "Alright, if you're sure. Anyway, before bed Fancy went to freshen up in the rest room, and I read a book while lying in bed." She closed her eyes and let at a long, shallow breath, as to prepare herself to continue. "After some time, I fell asleep because he was taking a while. I was asleep for about half an hour before I heard glass breaking and heavy hoofsteps.." I nodded along, clearly seeing where this was going. She had a pained expression on her face, and her eyes were shut tight, hooves clamping the table. I put a hand on her hoof to help her relax, and she seemed to appreciate the gesture, easing up a bit. "I got up to see what happened, and when I walked in the bathroom.. it was a mess." She opened her eyes and they locked onto mine, and what I saw in them were loss and dread. "The shower curtains were ripped and torn, like a beast's claw, both the mirror and window were shattered.. and.. and.." Lily started to sniffle, tears forming in her eyes. "There was b-blood.. so much blood.. I-I.. I.." I Instinctively got up from my seat and went over to Lily's side, and she immediately wrapped her hooves around my barrel, crying into my shirt. I held her, caressing her mane, trying to help her calm down. "It'll be okay Lily," I began when her sobs started to die down. "We'll get him back." I looked down at her with the most reassuring smile I could offer. Lily wiped away her tears with a hoof and looked up at me, her eyes now red and puffy from crying, and with a pleading look of hope. "Zale.. can I ask you something?" I tilted my head to the side. "Sure, what's up?" She looked unsure for a moment, as if contemplating something. "I'd like you to promise me two things." She stated, eyes narrowing. "One: Promise me that you'll bring back Fancy to me.. and two," She lowered her head, and nuzzled into me hand. "Promise me, that you come back to us too." my eyes widened a bit, and I didn't say anything for a moment. No pony should ever be exposed to such gruesome sights, it completely wrecks them on the inside, and I've noticed it. But then I smiled, and booped her after she finished nuzzling me. "I promise that we will bring him back, and we'll all come back safe, no matter what." She beamed at hearing that, and we let each other go. I went back to my seat, picked up a cream filled doughnut this time, and took a bite. "Thank you Zale, Fancy really means a lot to me." She smirked a bit, taking a doughnut in her magic. "And so do you." She took a pretty big bite of the powdered doughnut, and some of the power puffed up, causing it to cover some parts of her face. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, and she giggled too, until it was too contagious and we started laughing our asses off. ~ ~ ~ ~ > > < < ~ ~ ~ ~ After we were finished in Doughnut Joe's, Lily and I stepped outside where Twilight, Fizzlepop and 'Valkyrie' were waiting, all of them having sad smiles as they noticed us. They must of heard everything.. I turn to Lily and nudge her a bit, grabbing her attention. "Thank you, for telling me about what happened. I know it must've been hard for you." She smiled at that, and shook her head. "Don't mention it Zale, I only told you because I believe in you." I smiled back, giving her a little pat. "Thanks." Lily sighed, and began to walk off down the road. "I do believe it's time to me to go, I'll have to fill in for Fancy while he's gone so I'll be pretty busy for a while." I nodded in understanding, all of us waving after her. "Good luck!" She called back, before rounding the corner and disappearing from view. Our waves ceased, and now we stand there on the road in silence for a few moments. My eyes widened a bit as I remembered something, and I turn to Twilight. "Twilight, did that tracking spell of yours work?" I asked curiously. "Well, it didn't work in the castle, too much time went by between the attack and when the spell was cast, but," she said, smiling triumphantly. "It did work where Fancy Pants was attacked, and It seems our hunch on them being somewhere in the Smokey mountains may be true after all!" I beamed at that, I got so excited in fact, that I scooped Twilight up and spun around holding her. She seemed a bit flustered and slightly confused but she smiled all the same. "That's great! We'll find everyone in no time." I put an arm around Fizzlepop and put up a thumb. This was great news, we have a solid lead now thanks to Twilight. Now all we had to do with go back to the castle, get ready to set course, and come up with a plan. I let go of Fizzlepop and ruffled her mane a bit. "Thank goodness, we should head back to the castle now and get ready." Valkyrie stated. "We also can talk about the plan along the way, because right now we only have the location. We have no idea what could be in store for us up there." We all nodded in agreement and with that, we were en route back to Canterlot castle. I pulled out my phone and played a game or two while walking, while still being mindful of the surrounding area. I played a simple rhythm game for a few minutes, and then moved on to a turn based RPG, nothing special. When we rounded the corner and went up the hill, I saw an icon pop up at the top of the screen. Apparently, a new app had been installed. Curious, I opened it up to see what it was. The application's name is 'Play With Me!', and when I opened it, a saw a variety of simple games like tic tack toe, go fish, checkers and chess, you name it. I picked tic tack toe to give it a go, but when I saw who the second player was, a small smile touched my face. Looks like Harmony just wanted to play, that explains the application name. So we played for a little while as we went on down the road. ~ ~ ~ ~ > > < < ~ ~ ~ ~ As we walked up towards the castle gates, we were met by a pair of solar guards, standing at attention as we entered. "Mister Chase, Miss Twilight." One of the stallions greeted. "Her royal highness requests that you seek an audience with her as soon as you return." We both nodded in thanks, and made our way inside. We went up the all too familiar staircase and rounded the hall towards the throne room in silence, and opened the doors. We went inside and walked towards the throne, where Princess Celestia, Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood, ears perking up upon our arrival. Celestia trotted towards us with a welcoming smile. "Welcome back everypony," Celestia began, looking in Twilight's direction. "How was the investigation today? I hope the turn out was satisfactory." Twilight nodded, beaming. "It was, but Fancy Pants's foalnapping wasn't a pretty one though." Twilight noted. "The tracking spell worked in that area, and all signs point towards the Smokey Mountains!" "Alright!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pumping a hoof in the air. "Great job Twilight, I knew you had it in ya!" "Of course," Applejack added. "If anypony could figure it out, It'd be Twilight." They all nodded in agreement, and Twilight chuckled sheepishly with a pink tinge on her cheeks. Spike walked up towards Celestia poking her leg with a claw, grabbing her attention. She smiled, and nodded at the little drake, turning back to me. "I've called you here for two reasons. One, These two ponies have a few things for you." Various items appeared in Celestia's magic, and she levitated them over to me. There was a jar with a small cloud in it, a few books with the title 'Daring Doo' on their covers, a coil of rope and saddlebags with one of the bags containing all sorts of apple related products. I raised an eyebrow and looked between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "This little guy," Rainbow began, pointing at the cloud. "Can be used for all sorts of stuff. I used it mostly for pulling pranks and stuff, but he can actually be pretty handy." She tapped a hoof on her chin, hovering in place. "It can store water inside and it grows depending on how much you put in it, it can create small lightning strikes if you rub on it to charge it up give it a wack, and it's great to nap on." She finished, nodding. "Oh, and the books are from me, just in case you get bored or something." "This here rope and apple sack is from me," Applejack chimed in. "Ya never know when a trusty rope'll come in handy, and since it'd take a few days or so to complete your mission, I'd figured y'all would be hungry along the way." She chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. I smiled at that, stretching a hand out to offer Valkyrie the saddle bags. As I did so however, I noticed the the bags themselves were slightly modified so that they were facing sideways, it almost looks like a utility belt with comically large pockets. "Rarity took the liberty to modify the bags to be more accustomed to your body." Celestia explained when she saw my confused look. "She as well as the others are currently asleep in their guest rooms, so I don't think they'll be seeing you off." "Ah, alrighty then. Makes sense." I said as I put on the modified saddlebags, wrapping it around my waist like a belt and strapping it on. As I looked down I eyed my hoodie for a bit, and I remembered something I was supposed to do. "Say, can you tell Rarity i said thanks for the hoodie she made me? It really means a lot to me." Celestia smiled and nodded, and then turned to Spike. "My other reason is because Spike, the brave and glorious wants to go with you." My eyes shot up in surprise at that, and I looked towards him, cocking up an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to?" I asked carefully. "It won't be easy, and we don't exactly know how long it'll take." Spike nodded, a defiant look forming on his face. "I know that, but I want to help! Besides," Spike said, stepping to Twilight's side. "Wherever Twilight goes, I go." He crossed his arms and help his head high. I couldn't help but respect his resolve, but I looked at Twilight, nodding Towards Spike. "Well? Is it okay if he tags along Twi?" I asked her curiously. Twilight looked worried, looking at the little drake with caution. "Are you really sure Spike?" Twilight asked again. "It will most certainly be dangerous, especially if we run into that monster again.." Spike nodded without hesitation. "I want to help you Twilight. I am your loyal assistant after all, aren't I?" Twilight smiled, looking back towards me. "Well, it looks like Spike is sure about this, so I say we let him." Twilight ruffled Spike's scales with a hoof. "I can't leave him here alone after all." Spike beamed at that, pumping his fist in the air. We stood there for a moment in silence, and Celestia smiled solemnly at us. "Well, this is it." Celestia stated, closing her eyes. "You have everything you need for your journey, and your goal is clear. To bring everypony back to us." We nodded in understanding. I started at Celestia for a few moments, before walking up to her and taking her in for an hug. She returned the embrace immediately with a wing, with the others joining in afterwards. "We'll bring them back, safe and sound." I stated with a firm resolve. "I know you will." Celestia replied with a small smile. "I wish you luck on your mission." I let off a salute, turning back to the others. "Well.. Let's get to it." I stated with finality. They all nodded, and we walked out of the throne room, Fizzlepop standing close to my side. "We can do this together." Fizzlepop said, a smile touching her lips. I nodded at that, a smile of my own forming. "Right. Let's do it, Together."