//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: An Empty World 
// by The_Unnamed_Pawn 
//------------------------------//

Airheart skipped merrily through the marketplace in preparation for her big day. Today was her first day in her brand new home, and she was absolutely giddy as a result. To celebrate she had invited all of her close friends over for a barbeque. The pegasus had spent the entire day up to this point just getting ready for it.

In pursuit of her goal, Airheart had already purchased six Portobello mushrooms, two heads of lettuce, an extra-large bag of hay, a dozen apples, and five tins of potato chips; all of which was stuffed into her saddlebags almost to the point of breaking the cloud shaped clasp. This earned the pink mare a few glances from the crowd, but no more than she was used to for wearing her goggles everywhere. She never quite understood why that was. After all, a lot of mares with long manes wore hairbands. This was just a hairband with two functions: tying back messy brown hair and keeping raindrops out of her eyes.

Airheart smiled at the thought as she laughed internally at all of the uptight mares. She didn’t have too much time to dwell on it though. She still had shopping to do. After pushing the thought aside Airheart took another look at her list. All she needed now for the get-together was some buns and some barbecue sauce. The bread stand was somewhere near the middle of the market usually, so the pegasus took off and headed there. 

Airheart whistled a favorite tune and waved at the passersby as she flew. She paid no attention to them as they passed though; she was too excited to care about anything but preparing for her barbeque. It registered when they stopped passing her sure, but she didn’t care. In fact she didn’t even care that the market had emptied when she landed. All that meant to her was that the line for bread would be shorter.

The only moment that Airheart actually became concerned was when she discovered the stand itself was vacant as well. “Hello,” she shouted into the tent, “Is anypony there?” Nopony answered. That explained why there were no ponies left in this part of the market. Everything must have closed down. 

Airheart sighed and took off again. Her friends would just have to live without buns tonight. Still, if she could help it they wouldn’t have to go without barbeque sauce. Twinkle started whistling once more and flew towards the market edge. Those stands always closed the latest, so she might have a chance of catching it while they were packing up.

Airheart stopped a touch short of her destination in order to avoid a bolt of lightning. “Watch what you’re doing up there,” the mare screamed at the storm cloud above her. “What’s a storm cloud even doing in this part of town to begin with,” she mumbled as she stared up at the dangerous phenomenon. The cloud didn’t even seem to be manned. What was the weather factory even doing letting storm clouds wander around.

Airheart sighed and started flying toward the stand again. She stopped almost immediately, and for a remarkably similar reason. The tame cumulous that had previously housed Cloudsdale market had suddenly been replaced with one of the most vicious looking storm clouds that Airheart had ever seen. 

Airheart stopped to stare at the cloud for a few moments before another blast of lightning struck from above her. The pegasus jumped back as the streak flashed in front of her. She, like any pony with half a brain, knew it was best not to get hit by lightning. She also knew that it was a terrible idea to land on a cloud during a thunderstorm, and right now she was smack dab in the center of a city made of clouds. 

Airheart did her best to keep breathing steadily as she floated around and searched for a safe place to land, but she wasn’t doing well. This didn’t make sense. Cloudsdale had never been in a storm like this. Plus it set on way too quickly. Clouds weren’t supposed to work like that. The only way she managed to remain functioning was by keeping a clear goal in mind as she flew towards the Cloudiseum. 

The Cloudiseum had recently installed a spectator’s stand for unicorns and earth ponies to view its frequent events. Seeing as it was the only thing in Cloudsdale that wasn’t at least partially made of water, it was probably the only safe place to be in a storm like this.

It was only a few minutes before Airheart saw the Cloudiseum stands, but she didn’t see the rest of it. Only the stand itself remained floating in empty space. The pegasus felt her heart skip a beat as she realized what she was looking at. Normally as long as you stayed above the clouds you could still see a sun and blue sky during the day. Upon finally not having her attention focused on the storm Airheart realized she had seen neither since she’d avoided that first lightning strike. 

Airheart stopped in midair. “This can’t be happening,” she mumbled as she looked at the empty space around her and, more poignantly, below her. The storm was frightening and completely implausible, but Airheart had at least seen storms before. This was a whole new kind of terrifying. And it only grew worse once she realized that she hadn’t seen any ponies since the lightning strike either.

Airheart actually felt some tears start to fall from her eyes as she thought back to the party she was missing. “I wonder if my house is still there…” she mumbled sadly. 

Airheart floated there crying for some time before she became aware of a voice in the distance. It was faint, but she was almost certain that it was more than a figment of her imagination. Suddenly reinvigorated, Airheart glanced fervently around for the voice’s source. She eventually settled back on the stands still floating in the distance. Nopony was visible, but it wasn’t likely they would be anywhere else. 

Airheart’s hopes were reaffirmed when she got closer to the stands. She couldn’t quite make out the pony through her blurry vision, but the voice was becoming clearer. It was a really powerful and deep voice consistently yelling, “Get over here!” and, “Get over here you stupid pegasus!” The joy at seeing another pony alive was easily enough to keep Airheart from being bothered by the insult.

Eventually the voice quieted once Airheart got closer. She could make out the pony in the stands now. He was a light gray unicorn stallion with a long light blue mane falling down around his face. Because of the mane Airheart couldn’t make out one of his eyes, but the other one was clear. It was a deep green color. 

“Stop right there,” the unicorn shouted once Airheart got close. The pegasus obeyed and drifted to a stop a short distance from the stand. She probably would have had to anyway in order to wipe her eyes, but the fact that she was being ordered to do so did confuse her more than a touch. “Who are you?” the stallion demanded. 

“Umm…” Airheart mumbled as she wiped her eyes. “My name’s Airheart. I live in Cloudsdale.” Once the mare finished clearing her eyes she glanced back to the unicorn. “Who are you?”

“Lightning Flash,” the unicorn said matter-of-factly, “Friend or foe?” Airheart couldn’t speak for a moment. She just stared. “Friend or foe?” Lightning Flash demanded again.

“Friend,” Airheart responded hastily. Lightning Flash nodded and gestured for her to come into the stand. Airheart was pleased to be welcomed in, but just to be safe she made sure to enter a touch farther away from the unicorn than she had originally planned. The pegasus had to admit that her expected vision of uniting with a hug might have been a little out hopeful, but this unicorn actually seemed mildly frightening.

And the fear wasn’t lessened once Airheart entered the stand either. Not only was Lightning’s cutie mark, a bolt of lightning striking with a bright flash, a touch intimidating, but the unicorn was armed with a crossbow. Airheart wasn’t even sure where somepony would find a crossbow. “I apologize for the intimidation,” Lightning Flash said as he turned to face the pegasus, “But you can’t be too safe at a time like this.”

Airheart noticed that the crossbow was still loaded and aimed in her direction. “Yes I suppose you can’t,” she mumbled, refusing to take her eyes off the weapon. The pegasus felt another tear trickle down her cheek as she stared at the thing. 

Perhaps because he saw the tear, Lightning Flash lowered the crossbow a moment later. “So you’re not one of hers then? My apologies,” the unicorn said with a bow of his head, “I suppose that means I was wrong about the goggles.” 

Airheart wiped the tear away. “What are you talking about?” she asked.

Lightning Flash responded by pointing off into the side of the stand with a hoof. Airheart waited until she saw the stallion put his crossbow in a pouch tied around his waist before looking away from him. When she did follow the hoof she found that there was nothing but a pair of goggles where Lightning Flash was pointing. 

“Those belonged to a pegasus that attacked me earlier,” Lightning Flash clarified, “He was screaming something about how the queen wanted me gone.”

Airheart trotted slowly forward and picked up the goggles. One of the lenses was completely shattered. “Where is he?” she asked.

“He vanished into thin air right after I broke the goggles.” Airheart nodded and threw the broken pair around her neck. When she turned back to Lightning Flash she saw that he was giving her a disbelieving glare. “What are you doing?”

“I can’t exactly make a grave now can I?” Airheart retorted sadly. 

Lightning Flash continued glaring for a moment, but he nodded when Airheart’s own glare made it clear that she had no intention of removing the goggles. “Very well,” he said, his gaze suddenly relaxing, “You don’t appear to be possessed, so there’s no harm done.” 

Airheart found a smile slip on to her face. The unicorn had just been concerned for her. She was grateful for that. In hindsight, maybe putting on the goggles hadn’t been the best idea after all. It was a good thing nothing had happened. “Thank you for your concern,” she said with a thankful bow toward the stallion.

Lightning Flash responded with a polite bow of his own. At least Airheart thought it was a bow. It was as close as somepony could get without actually lowering their head. “I am thankful for your understanding,” he said as a calm smile replaced his more stern expression. “Now if you don’t mind, I need your help, Miss Airheart.”

Airheart nodded. “I’ll do what I can, but I’m afraid I can’t do much.” The mare sighed and trotted back to the front of the stands. There was a good view of Cloudsdale from here, but it didn’t make the city look any better. “The city’s pretty wrecked,” she mumbled as she looked around a bit more, “and I can’t see anything else nearby.” The only thing she even could see other than the cloud city was a mountain far in the distance and in a completely different direction. There was no way she could make it there while carrying both Lightning Flash and her food. She probably couldn’t make it there just carrying the stallion alone for that matter. 

“Don’t worry, it’s the city that I need to get to,” Lightning Flash spoke confidently as he sidled up beside Airheart, in spite of the fact that the pegasus was now staring at him with complete and total disbelief. “I suspect that the queen that the pegasus was talking about resides there. She will most likely be able to explain what’s going on.”

“Cloudsdale is nothing but storm clouds,” Airheart interjected once she was fairly sure the stallion had finished, “There isn’t a safe place to land.” 

Lightning Flash smiled at Airheart. It was an annoying kind of smile. Prideful was the best way to describe it. “Don’t worry, Miss Airheart,” he said, “I can cast a spell to walk on clouds.”

“Oh that’s right you’re a unicorn,” Airheart said, surprised. For some reason she had been thinking of Lightning Flash as a pegasus. He was named like one after all. “That doesn’t solve our problem though,” the mare said turning back to the city. “You see, storm clouds are really dangerous to walk on. One particularly heavy step and you’ll be electrocuted.”

Suddenly Lightning Flash’s expression became a good deal more dour. “I’ve been electrocuted a few times before. It’s not so bad,” he mumbled. After that both he and Airheart were silent for a few moments. Eventually Lightning Flash broke the silence with a sigh. “Whether I like it or not I need to go there,” he said, “I’ll just need to be extra careful.”

“If you really insist on going I could fly you through it,” Airheart commented. “We may have to land every now and then, but I should be able to get you through the city.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I’d prefer to handle this on my own.” Lightning Flash was smiling his prideful smile again when he turned back to Airheart. “All I need you to do is get me onto the clouds. I’m good, but I can’t float myself that far.”

“Well I have no reason not to help you,” Airheart responded, mildly annoyed by the fact that the unicorn would even consider going off alone in this situation. “Plus I’m just as eager to find out what’s going on as you are. I may not have mentioned it but that’s my home over there.” Airheart noticed that her tears were running again as she spoke. Her voice remained steady however, if only barely.

“I can hardly keep you from putting yourself in danger.” Lightning Flash shrugged and put a hoof on Airheart’s shoulder. “All I need is a lift. After that, you can do whatever you want.”

Airheart nodded and floated out of the stands. After taking a deep breath and wiping her face once more, the mare turned around and reached her hooves out to Lightning Flash. “Alright, grab on.” The stallion nodded and wrapped his hooves around Airheart’s. With that, the pair took off.

The flight to what was left of Cloudsdale was short but poignant, at least for Airheart. It all went by in silence as she carried Lightning Flash to the stormy shores of the ruined cloud city, so all she had to do was see just how ruined it had become. Most of the city was missing and what little was left was storm cloud including, as she discovered, Airheart’s brand new home. 

Airheart teared up again as she stared at the building. It wasn’t much; just a small little cloud house on the far edge of Cloudsdale. The building had still retained its shape, as far as the pegasus could tell from this distance, but just like everything else it had become black and was violently shaking. The main thing that pushed her over the edge however, was the water she had just realized was beginning to fall from the city. Her home hadn’t just vanished; it was going to vanish slowly. 

Airheart was too busy gazing into the distance to realize when she and Lightning Flash had managed to reach the city’s edge. The light prodding from below her was what prompted the pegasus to glance down and see the clouds below her. She didn’t make any effort to land just yet though. She was still nervous about putting Lightning Flash at risk. Airheart craned her neck downward in order to put herself face to face with the unicorn. “Did you cast the spell yet,” she asked.

Lightning Flash nodded. He was wearing the prideful smile again. “Put me down wherever,” he said.

Airheart glanced upward and resumed flying forward. There was a building not far from here. It was sports shop if she remembered correctly. Now that it was blackened, the sign included, it was hard to tell. “I think we should head there first,” she said. She didn’t give a reason, primarily because she didn’t have one. It just made sense to her to check a building.

“That’s fine,” Lightning Flash responded. He sounded somewhat annoyed now. “Drop me off at the front.” Airheart responded with a nod and lowered the unicorn toward the front of the store. Lightning Flash pulled his hooves away from her the moment that he could. As a result the unicorn had far from a pleasant landing.

Although, Airheart did have to admit she found Lightning Flash’s shocked expression and flails somewhat humorous after seeing his prideful smile not long ago. “Are you okay,” she asked once the shock had passed.

“Just fine,” Lightning Flash responded without turning back to the mare. Airheart had to get a look at his face anyway though, so she floated around to his front. What she saw didn’t cheer her up though. In fact despite the fact that the stallions hair was standing on end it wasn’t at all funny.

Most of it had to do with Lightning Flash’s expression. It wasn’t the look of fallen pride that Airheart had expected. It was closer to actual anger, and it seemed mostly to be directed at her. The pegasus actually felt as if his gaze was literally piercing her. 

“Did you need something else, or can I get going?” Lightning Flash asked viciously. Airheart couldn’t manage to do anything but shake her head in response. The stallion didn’t speak further once he’d gotten this response. He silently pushed his mane back down and headed into the building.

Airheart remained floating there for some time after that. She’d watched as Lightning Flash had walked into the store, but the glare from before had her feeling like it would be a horrible idea to actually follow him. It wasn’t until the door was slammed behind the stallion that she snapped out of it.

Even then though, she was hesitant to head inside. She wasn’t sure if Lightning Flash would actually be angry enough to attack her, but then again he did threaten her when they first met. On the other hoof, he was the only other pony she had met. She could hardly just let him leave her alone. Airheart took a deep breath, wiped her face once more, and steeled herself to enter the store.

Airheart pushed the door open gently at first. However, as soon as she had cracked open the door the mare heard crashing coming from inside. Suddenly realizing that the only other pony still in Cloudsdale might be in danger, Airheart tossed the door open and flew in. The resulting shock that came from treating a storm cloud door so roughly didn’t stop the pegasus from rocketing forward into the store. It did however keep her from seeing what was going on through the white light blocking her vision.

Thankfully the resulting skid across the store floor apparently wasn’t rough enough result in further shocking. Either that or Airheart just couldn’t feel it as much after the initial strike. It was probably the former however, as the pegasus did feel it when she smacked into the legs of a pony in her path.

“Was that you Lightning Flash?” Airheart asked as she pulled herself to her feet. Her vision was still spotty for a few moments after the shock. She couldn’t even see the pony she’d knocked over.

“I’d thank you if I thought for a second that was intentional.” Airheart’s ears perked up and she turned to see Lightning Flash walking towards her. She still couldn’t see him well, but the coloring and the voice matched up. “Now explain what you’re doing in here.”

Airheart rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times before responding. Once her eyesight was back to normal she could see that Lightning Flash once again had his crossbow drawn and loaded. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe,” she said cautiously once she noticed the weapon. 

Lightning Flash smiled cockily and put the crossbow away. “Well I suppose you succeeded,” he said with a gesture to the ground beside the pegasus. Airheart glanced to where he pointed and saw a pair of goggles nestled in the clouds. Without even thinking, she picked them up.

“Who was it?” Airheart asked as she stared at the goggles. It was a nice pair, almost identical to her set. The only noticeable difference was a single star emblazoned on its side. Again without thinking, Airheart tossed the pair over her head and around her neck.

“I don’t know,” Lightning Flash responded with a sigh, “All I can tell you is that she tried to kill me and screamed about the queen. Just like the other one.” 

The unicorn sighed again and took a look around the store. Airheart followed his lead. Most of the store was thoroughly trashed, but it seemed to have all of its stock still in place. The only exception was the display that contained the goggles. It was completely empty, and there weren’t any pairs in sight; save for the three that Airheart was wearing of course.

“I have to admit I was hoping I would find ta lead of some sort,” Lightning Flash continued as he trotted toward the store’s front door. After gently pushing it open he turned back to Airheart and showed off his prideful smile again. “Come on Miss Airheart.”

Airheart trotted up beside the stallion cautiously. “You actually want me to come along now?”

Lightning Flash shrugged. “I suspect you will whether I like it or not, so I’d like to keep an eye on you.” The stallion nodded and stepped through the doorway. “I’d prefer you not run into me the next time you charge through a door.”

Airheart accompanied him of course, but she was a touch more hesitant again once she remembered who it was she was following. She stood in the doorway for a moment as she watched Lightning Flash trot into the distance and looked deeper into the city. “You used to live here, correct, Miss Airheart?” he asked without so much as turning his head.

Airheart initially responded with a nod, but after receiving no reaction she remembered that the stallion couldn’t see her. “I do,” she said hastily upon realizing this. “Was there somewhere you needed to get to?”

“Town hall,” Lightning Flash responded matter-of-factly, “Or wherever your highest ruler stays.”

“It’s town hall,” Airheart responded, mildly annoyed once more. She floated up to get a better look at the town. She knew Cloudsdale well enough, after all she lived there. “It’s in the center,” she said while pointing in the appropriate direction. 

Lightning Flash nodded, but Airheart noticed he still wasn’t even glancing at her. He started walking again though, and in the appropriate direction. Airheart assumed he simply figured out where the center was based on what was left of the city. Still, she did have to admit that being ignored once again, particularly after being asked for advice directly, was quite annoying.

Still Airheart followed Lightning Flash nonetheless. Once again their journey was silent at first, but this particular journey was going to doubtlessly take longer thanks to the unicorn’s slow and careful pace as he walked on the volatile clouds. Because of this, Airheart found herself tempted to initiate conversation. However the only subject she could think of that might be raised comfortably was a practical offer. “Do you want me to carry you to town hall?” she asked.

Airheart would have continued by explaining why this was a good idea, the obvious increase in speed. However, before she could, Lightning Flash responded with a decisive, “No. I’d prefer not to get shocked again when you drop me.”

Airheart didn’t argue. She knew he was wrong, but, much as it annoyed her, the mare preferred the unicorn’s prideful smile to his hateful glare. Instead she decided to respond a bit more passive-aggressively. “I understand I suppose, but you know it will take longer.”

“I can live with that.” This response was less decisive and slightly more mocking. Airheart didn’t even bother trying to speak again after that. She did momentarily consider abandoning Lightning Flash admittedly, however to leave him alone struck her as foolish. As survivors they needed to stick together. Instead, she simply decided that not talking was the best way to continue.

The pair continued on like this for some time before their routine was broken again. This happened when Airheart noticed the Cloudsdale markets come into view. The pegasus’s first thought was that it was surprisingly time consuming to walk everywhere. The second thought that hit her was the actual memory of what she had been doing when this had all happened. 

Airheart paused and glanced at her saddlebags, then to a nearby stand. It was her favorite condiment stand. Curious, the mare trotted toward the booth and peered inside. Nopony was there, but there were still various bottles stacked high in the back. Airheart glanced around, nopony was here but Lightning Flash and her, and Lightning Flash was trotting away at the moment.

Airheart teared up a bit more as she snatched a bottle of barbeque sauce and threw some bits on the counter. Once again she wasn’t sure why she was doing it. Maybe she was just kind of hoping this would go away. She thought of it more like the goggles though. Except this was her memorial to her friends. After all, even if there were more goggled pegasi flying around, what was the chance that all of them would be her friends?

“Airheart is that you?” Both Airheart and Lightning Flash jumped at the sound of the voice that came from a nearby fruit stand. Lightning Flash took the extra precaution of drawing his weapon, Airheart simply floated toward the stand. Seated behind the fruit was a yellow pegasus with a curly red mane. Airheart recognized her as one of the pegasi that had helped with tornado duty last year, but she couldn’t remember her name. 

“It’s good to see somepony else is still here” Airheart said thankfully. She almost moved in for an embrace, but before she could she was abruptly reminded of the unicorn she was accompanying.

“Why are you wearing goggles?” Airheart glanced back to see that Lightning Flash was still armed and ready to fire at any moment. When Airheart looked back to the now frightened pegasus in front of her, she noticed that she was indeed wearing a pair of goggles on her forehead.

Despite her apparent fright, the pegasus did answer fairly calmly. “Please don’t shoot. I’m not one of them.”

“I thought you said you were wrong about the goggles,” Airheart interjected after turning her attention back the unicorn.

Lightning Flash sighed and lowered his crossbow.  “I’m not sure now. Everypony that’s attacked me has been wearing them.” 

The pegasus behind the stand nodded. “I understand. I’ve had to deal with them too.” With that she smiled and extended a hoof for a shake. “I’m Strawberry Sunrise,” she said, “Please call me Strawberry.”

Lightning Flash approached cautiously and gave Strawberry’s hoof a firm shake. “My name is Lightning Flash. Now would you care to answer my question?”

“I’m Airheart by the way,” Airheart chimed in as she extended her own hoof for a shake. The result of her action was a pair of ponies staring at her; one with a charmed smile, and one with an annoyed glare.

“I know that, dear, you’re one of my favorite customers,” Strawberry responded before breaking the hoofshake and turning back to Lightning Flash. “Now to answer your question, sir: I’m wearing these goggles because the pegasi won’t attack me while they’re on.”

“So the goggles are a symbol?” Lightning Flash asked. Although he sounded more like he was talking to himself than either of the other ponies present. 

“Yes, but I don’t think they’ll work for you,” Strawberry continued, “I have a feeling they’d find a unicorn suspicious. Luckily, I don’t think you’ll need them though.” Strawberry’s smile widened as she turned her head to the side and looked past Airheart into the distance. “The edge of the city shouldn’t be far from here. Just a little farther and we can escape.”

Airheart passed a nervous glance to Lightning Flash. The stallion didn’t respond though, he had already started walking away. That left it up to Airheart to explain the situation. That was a shame; she had no doubt that Lightning would do a better job of being blunt. 

With a sigh, Airheart landed in front of the stand. Strawberry’s smile had departed now. She was clearly concerned. “I have some bad news, Strawberry.” Airheart was already beginning to tear up when she first spoke. The mare dissolved into sobbing before she could fully explain how the outside was empty. However a bit of comforting from Strawberry Sunrise pushed her onward.

“I have to admit I’m not sure what to say about that,” Strawberry said once Airheart had finished. Her voice struck the Airheart as strangely happy. However, she suspected that it was nothing more than a front to keep her from losing herself again. “So what was it that you and Lightning Flash planned to do then?” Strawberry continued.

“We were planning on moving to town hall.” Airheart turned in surprise to see that Lightning Flash was still nearby. He had stopped trotting away after only short time. He was distant, but still close enough to hear. 

“You’re still here?” Airheart blurted out. She was genuinely surprised, but she had little doubt that it came out sounding incredibly rude. Lightning Flash’s expression removed what little doubt there was. It wasn’t quite as angry as she’d seen it before, but it was clear that he was insulted.

“I couldn’t leave you alone,” Lightning Flash grunted. His visible eye was primarily locked on Strawberry before he turned around and got back to walking. Airheart took her own look at her fellow pegasus after the unicorn turned his back.

Strawberry smiled and nodded before joining Lightning Flash in his trot. ”I didn’t check there,” she said, “I was too busy trying to get out of here to try.” 

Airheart floated up beside the pair a few moments later. Neither of her companions spoke for another minute, so the mare decided it was safe to begin talking again. “So Strawberry,” Airheart said as she floated a touch closer to her fellow pegasus, “How many of those crazy ponies have you fought?”

“I only fought one,” Strawberry responded, her tone still strangely happy, “The other I just ran from.” With a smile the mare turned back to Airheart and pointed at her goggles. “I got these off of him during the brawl. After they fell on my head, suddenly nopony else bothered me.” Strawberry sighed and turned away. “After that though, I just decided it was best to get away. I figured I would be able to contact the princess or something. I guess that’s kind of foolish in hindsight.”

“I’m surprised you’re adjusting so well,” Airheart commented. He gaze was locked firmly on Strawberry Sunrise. She only looked ahead occasionally in order to make sure she didn’t run into anything. 

“Well you seem pretty put together yourself,” Strawberry said with another smile at Airheart. “After all, you seem to have taken out no less than three of the things.”

Airheart felt herself tear up again as she thought of her memorial. She hastily turned away from Strawberry and back to Lightning Flash, who was still trotting in front of her. “I’m only still moving because of him,” she said. She made sure toward the unicorn as she spoke.

Strawberry nodded and smiled towards Lightning. “Are you two a couple then?” she asked.

Airheart shook her head; less violently than she would have wanted to though. The idea repulsed her when she thought about Lightning Flash’s glare, and she was sure that it put him off no less. Still she felt if she shook her head too vigorously all it would cause was more tears to fall. “No,” she said, “I just met him a little while ago actually. I’m not sure why I’m following him.”

“Well I suppose we survivors have to stick together.” Strawberry laughed once she’d finished, as if she had just told a humorous joke. 

“That’s not funny,” Lightning Flash said suddenly. 

“It wasn’t a joke,” Strawberry replied.

Lightning Flash’s response this time was to turn around and pierce Strawberry with a glare that Airheart found all too familiar. Though, interestingly, it was much less frightening when it wasn’t directed at her. She managed to keep floating. Strawberry on the other hoof, froze in place.

“Then don’t laugh at it,” Lightning Flash said sternly. After that he turned around. Airheart was positive he heard him mumble something. “Why would you laugh about brainwashing?” was what the pegasus decided it was. This made her tear up and shoot Strawberry a look of her own; a sad look.

Strawberry’s smile returned in full force however once Lightning Flash had turned away, and it didn’t dim even slightly when she saw Airheart looking at her. “I’m sorry,” she said as she resumed trotting, “I suppose I’m not allowed to mourn the way I like.”

Airheart didn’t have anything to continue the conversation after that. Luckily though, she didn’t have too. Less than a minute after Strawberry’s disturbing joke, the trio was ambushed.