Several ponies were running in multiple directions as they were trying to escape from Neighsay, who was fighting several of the guards and winning. He was hardly a physical specimen, but he was a master of the magical arts, especially in the realm of portals. This allowed him to attack many guards at once with magical blasts, injuring several of them.
Spike already knew why he was there from the start. As soon as he and Rarity had come back into town, he opened a portal in front of them and ordered Spike to step away from “that thing”. To put it lightly, he wasn’t excited to see his old professor again, but when he charged his horn to attack Rarity, he moved instantly to shove her out of the way, getting hit in the process.
Spike was lucky that the guards were able to react and move in to defend them, giving him and Rarity a chance to get some space between them and Neighsay.
Rarity was terrified as she saw where the blast hit her knight in shining armor. “Oh Spike…why did you do something so foolish?” She asked as she tore her dress to help tie off the wound.
“Well…I am a…gentlecolt…of course…I’d save…a Princess… in distress…” Spike said between breaths as his adrenaline rush was starting to fade away. “We…need to keep going…” Spike winced as Rarity tightened the makeshift bandage.
“But you’re hurt!” Rarity said as she was terrified for her friend.
“If I don’t get you out of here, you’ll be hurt too.” Spike said as he looked around the corner, still seeing Neighsay attacking the creatures there. “Let’s head to the school. We may be able to hide out there.”
Rarity nodded as the couple tried to start running towards the school, only to be cut off by Neighsay as he came through another portal right in front of them. “I will only say this once you siren, stand down before I ensure that you pay for brainwashing the Princess and the misguided Prince.”
Rarity’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the pony charging his horn again, clearly giving no mercy. “No…please…HEEELP!!!”
Before Neighsay could fire at her, he was suddenly hit by a bolt of magic. The chancellor turned in anger to see Kirouac approaching him, wearing his royal armor and holding a gold and silver bow in his magic. “You have assaulted several of my people. Stand down now, and I promise you a fair trial with a representative from your nation. If you continue, then you will not like the results.” Kirouac said firmly as his bow shifted into a sword.
Neighsay sneered as he faced the king. “You have brainwashed the Prince and attempted to do the same thing to his mother by sending this little witch. You will surrender your forces and your prisoners now, or I will ensure that your little army will fall before I am done with you.”
Kirouac showed a small expression of confusion as he tried to understand this pony. “I’m afraid that you are mistaken. Celestia holds no aggression with our nation, and there has been no brainwashing. Surely we can resolve this through words, not punches.”
“You freaks are not beings that can be reasoned with, and I will not allow your kind to overthrow our nation.” Neighsay said coldly as his horn charged forward to launch another attack.
Kirouac steeled his nerves, knowing that this pony would not listen to reason. “So be it.” He said, while turning his sword into a shield. He just hoped that the letter that he sent to Celestia would reach her in time.
Neighsay tried to use a trick that he had used on several guards by now, using a portal to redirect where the blast hit. However, he didn’t know that Kirouac had seen this trick a couple of times before he reached him, so when the portal opened up behind him, Kirouac was prepared to move the shield behind him.
Neighsay’s eyes widened at how well Kirouac predicted his moves, but he wouldn’t be deterred by this minor inconvenience as he kept his assault going. He had a clear advantage on his side as Kirouac tried to near him. Neighsay could easily make up for his lack of strength by using his portals to keep some distance between them, making the King stay on the defensive.
Kirouac found himself stuck using the shield, for the most part. A couple of blasts did manage to hit him, but Kirouac’s thick and scaly skin kept him from getting majorly hurt. “I have to change the tide of this battle before anypony gets hurt, including me.” Kirouac thought, as he desperately looked for a pattern in his style of fighting.
Neighsay used a portal to try falling back again, but he saw another guard there, and quickly went back through the portal again. Kirouac realized that these portals were two way, meaning that he could use that to his advantage.
Kirouac quickly shifted the shield back into a bow and charged at Neighsay using magical arrows, making Neighsay think that this was the perfect opportunity to attack him while he was exposed. As soon as Neighsay opened the portal next to Kirouac, the king quickly fired several magical arrows through the portal, hitting the chancellor a couple of times.
Neighsay recoiled from the sudden attack, losing focus as he was starting to feel the pain from those hits. Kirouac didn’t waste any time firing a couple more magical arrows towards Neighsay as his guard was down.
Neighsay was now getting overwhelmed, not used to heavy fighting or taking damage like this. He knew that the weaker his focus got, the harder it would be to cast spells, and who knew how many other guards were there?
As Kirouac was taking care of Neighsay, Light, Flash and all of their friends ran to Rarity, who was trying to help Spike walk. “Who is that guy? And why is he shooting at us?” Flash asked, wishing that he could help or something.
Twilight gasped as she saw him. “That’s chancellor Neighsay! He’s the head of the Equestrian school board. I thought he was out of my life now!” Twilight said, as she started to cower back in fear.
“Why is he here?” Flash asked. “And if he is from Equestria, shouldn’t he know who Spike is?”
“He does…” Spike said as Flash and Fluttershy started treating his wound. “He thinks that...you people...brainwashed me. I just ended up...taking a hit…for the mare…I’m hitting on…”
“Save your energy.” Flash told Spike, while he poured some cold, clean water over Spike’s wound.
“It doesn’t look too bad. It didn’t reach the bones or internal organs. Let’s patch the wound until the doctor can help him.” Fluttershy suggested, as she got out some gauze from the first aid kit.
As Flutter and Flash were treating Spike, Pinkie tried to help by wiping their foreheads. Dash and A.J. were consoling Rarity, and Twilight was wondering whether she should try to attempt a short range teleportation spell with so many ponies or just make a shield to keep them safe.
“They…will always come for them…to hurt them…”
Twilight looked concerned at Light’s heavy breathing. His wings were fully extended and his body actually seemed to be steaming.
“Um…Light…please don’t do something too brash.” Twilight begged of him.
Light didn’t seem to hear her, looking like he was in some kind of trance. “You need to protect your family…at all costs…and do what Luna never could…”
“Light…What are you…are you okay?” Twilight began to ask.
Light’s eyes opened suddenly, revealing them to be glowing brightly. They were glowing so bright that they didn't even show the greens of his eyes. Light turned to Twilight as his body was starting to glow as well. “Don’t worry Twilight. I’m going to put an end to this abuse of our kind.” He said in a voice that didn’t seem like his own.
“Our kind?” Twilight asked. “What are you talking…”
Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Light’s body shifting, becoming larger and more muscular. His mane was sparking with blue energy, along with some blue sparks coming off of his body. He looked like a fully grown alicorn, and he looked angry.
Twilight backed away, worried about her friend. “Light what…are you doing?”
“Protecting my people, and being the guardian they need.” Light said as he started walking towards the battle.
“Light?” Flutter asked while getting up with Pinkie, leaving Flash to take care of Spike.
Before the group could try to stop Light, the alicorn darted onto the field. Neighsay was firing a steady beam at Kirouac, trying to wear him out so he could take the King down.
Neither of them noticed Light approaching them.
“If you stop now, I’m sure that Princess Celestia could forgive you.” Kirouac told Neighsay.
“She’ll see your assault against the crown! And I won’t rest until freaks like you are put in your place!” Neighsay yelled back.
“You’re right about putting freaks in their place, but your definition of freak is off.” Both ponies turned to see Light walking towards Neighsay, only a few feet away from him.
“Light? Move back before Neighsay tries to hurt you!” Kirouac warned him, ready to run toward Light to save him.
“He doesn’t have the will to break my own.” Light said as the Chancellor tried to fire a single blast at him. Neighsay’s jaw widened as he saw that Light wasn’t even fazed by the blow. “Because my will is too strong for the likes of you!” Light barked, as he back-hoofed Neighsay, sending him rocketing into a building.
Kirouac was now more worried about Neighsay’s well-being than Light’s, as he saw the child delivering such a powerful blow.
Neighsay was gasping for air as he was writhing in pain, not expecting an autistic kid to snap like that. As he was trying to crawl out of the rubble, he felt a strong magical aura pick him up. “”Why do you enjoy the suffering of others? Are you afraid that you can’t control us? Do you think we are mere rats to be tossed into the sewer? Or maybe you just like breaking down ponies that you see as being below you just for the fun of it?” Light asked coldly as he brought Neighsay right up to him.
Neightsay was now more scared now, then when he was fighting the half dragon. “Um.. mister…” He tried to recall his name, only remembering him as the autistic pony. He came up blank.
“Call me Guardian, because now I am going to protect my people from the likes of you, and I’m going to make that point clear to the entire world.” Light said firmly, acting like he was an entirely new person.
Neightsay flinched and covered his face, ready for the worse.
“Light Heart, stand down!” The attention of the crowd turned to the Equestrian Princess being carried in on her chariot. As soon as they landed, the guards unbuckled and readied themselves to face the out of control pony. Shining and Book followed Celestia out of the chariot and pulled them back. “Light…you’re not yourself right now. You need to regain control before you completely lose yourself.” Celestia said, looking terrified at the sight of Light in this form.
“After what HE did?!?” Light shouted, making the bystanders wince in fear. “He attacked us!!! He always attacked us! Why? Because we are different! How many more of us have to suffer from monsters like him!?! How many orphans will be made like Applejack? How many babies abandoned like Spike, Dash, and Rarity? How many more good ponies will be banished for protecting the ones they love, like Luna?!?” Light asked angrily as he held Neighsay tightly. “I am not willing to stand aside while children cry in the streets, begging for mercy. I will not allow my family to suffer by your hooves!!!”
Everybody looked confused by this, namely Book. “Light, you aren’t thinking clearly! Celestia helped you! She did everything she could to help…”
Book was caught off guard when Celestia placed a hoof on his shoulder. “No… he’s right.” She said as she looked like she was tearing up. “I… I didn’t protect those ponies when I should have. I… I let my pride plant seeds of racism and hatred that I can’t uproot anymore. I… I should have listened and cared about my sister and her dream. I should have been better, but I became the mother of hatred, and I can’t change how my actions back then have twisted our nations. I failed you, just like I failed her.” She said as the crowd watched the tears running down her face.
As Light’s focus shifted away from the chancellor, he let the stallion go. Neighsay fell to the ground in shock, scrambling away in fear as he tried to understand what his princess meant. But Light quickly started answering those questions.
“It was you? You banished Luna to the moon? Your own sister?” Light asked as he started walking towards the princesses.
“Light, there are two side to this coin, and neither of us were on the right. I can explain…”
“Explain what?!? That you are the reason for all of the violence, all of the hatred?!? How could you?!?” Light screamed as he started storming towards her.
“Light! Stop it!” Twilight yelled as she grabbed onto Light. “Light, this isn’t the way to change things. Please, don’t make this any worse than it is.”
As Twilight was clinging onto the enraged alicorn, the rest of the six ran over to hold Light as well.
Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were both holding Light’s head, trying to make him look at their beautiful blue eyes.
“Come on Light. Nopony will walk away happy from this.” Pinkie said as she wrapped her long arms around him.
“Princess Celestia is sorry. We won’t gain anything from hatred.” Fluttershy pleaded, as she had tears running down her face.
“Light, I may not like Equestrians, but I don’t want other ponies to end up like me.” Applejack said as she was struggling to pull him back, even with her impressive strength.
“Yeah man. Think about your friends and family there. They wouldn’t want to do this!” Dash said as she was trying to grab his wings.
“She’s sorry. We can give her another chance.” Rarity pleaded as she was doing what she could to hold him back with her own hooves.
As Celestia saw the others trying to calm him down, she started to see a faint glow coming off of them. Each one was glowing off of their own color. She knew that nopony else could see it, but she could see the magic coming off of them and going into Light.
As the six mares were holding onto Light for dear life, the glow from Light’s eyes started to fade as he slowly realized what he was doing. His struggle lessened more and more as steam started to come off of his body once more. His body started shrinking back down as his anger turned to exhaustion and terror, seeing what he was about to do to Celestia, and who knows who else.
“I.. I…” Light looked at his hoof in both fear and horror, realizing the major step this was from the last time he lost control. “What did I do? I’m a monster.” He said before starting to cry. “I… I’m sorry…”
As Light was sobbing on the ground, both Futter and Pinkie said with him, while the others gave him some space.
“Light, it’s not your fault. I can explain what happened to you.” Celestia tried to assure him, looking at Light sympathetically, motioning the others to step back.
Rarity hesitated, but she then went to Flash to help with Spike. A.J. and Dash followed after her, glancing at the princess a few times as they ran off. They all were trying to make sure that Celestia didn’t see her son like this.
“Neighsay?” Celestia’s voice went cold as she turned to where the chancellor was.
Neighsay froze in place after he tried to both crawl and limp away.
“You don’t know how lucky you were. You always talk about how we should fear the other nations, but you just became the thing you feared. Look around at the fear and chaos you caused.” Celestia said firmly as she pointed to the injured ponies.
Neighsay looked around at all the none-ponies that were holding each other in fear, at Flutter & Pinkie that were petting the crying alicorn, and Flash, Rarity, A.J. and Dash who were trying to make sure that the Princess's son would be okay. “I...I’m sorry…I...I just thought...”
“No you didn’t. You repeated history out of your arrogance. Any other ruler would lock you away for triggering a potential act of war like this one, let alone for endangering her son’s life. But I am not that ruler. I want to give you the same second chance I’ve had. However, I believe you have a king to ask mercy from.” Celestia said as she turned to Kirouac.
Kirouac stood over Neighsay, menacingly.
Neighsay gulped as he lowered his head. “I… misjudged your people…and I am sorry for my actions against you.”
Kirouac scowled at him before quickly bringing his claw up in the air, before bringing it down to Neighsay
Neighsay winced, expecting him to strike him, but he felt nothing happen to him.
Kirouac had ripped Neighsay's badge off of him before throwing it onto the ground. He grabbed him with one claw, and brought him to where they were face to face. “Leave, leave and never return, EVER!” He yelled the last part in his face before dropping him onto the ground.
“King Kirouac, may I have a word with you before you make that official?” Celestia asked as she started walking over to her son.
Kirouac nodded before turning to Celestia, “accidentally” wacking Neighsay in the face with his tail, and leaving him behind. “Yes? Princess Celestia”
“I don’t want this story getting out too soon, or for this to be the impression that Neighsay walked away with.” Celestia explained as she started checking on her son.
“What do you wish that I do? Lie!?” Kirouac asked her.
“No. Show him the better side of MoonRacer. Keep him here for a while. Make him do some community service or something like that. Let him see who your people really are.” Celestia suggested.
Kirouac tilted his head to the side. “You want me to keep this violent unicorn, who hates half-breeds here?” He asked her sternly. “I hope you are planning to place a magic inhibitor on him and to strip his titles.”
“I’ll leave Book here to keep him in check, and I’ll also confiscate his artifact until further notice. I believe that there is hope of turning his opinion of MoonRacer.” Celestia said, full of optimism as she saw that Spike was going to be okay. The local doctors reached him, giving the others a reassuring look.
“As you wish.” Kirouac said while walking back to Neighsay, his horn glowing as he flickered his left claw as he walked.
“W…we don’t need to go back to violence…” Neighsay whimpered as he backed up.
Kirouac stopped in front of Neighsay before snapping his claw near Neighsay’s horn, placing a magic inhibitor on it.
Neighsay winced as he felt the magic inhibitor not only clamp onto his horn, but his magic and half his strength draining from him. “W…what?” Neighsay asked in shock.
“We have decided that you should do a bit of work to repay the physical and property damage you have caused. After all, this is an international incident. There has to be a punishment of some form.” Celestia explained before taking his amulet off. “I think a month or two will be good.”
Kirouac looked at him, then said, “You'll start cleaning the toiletries at 7AM, then you'll bring the gardening bags to their place at 8:30AM. At 11AM you’ll have your lunch break, then it’s back to work at 12PM.” He told Neighsay angrily. “You shall not talk unless you are spoken to. And you shall not be allowed to receive the benefits of any of our luxuries.” He finished with a scowl.
“I also requested that you would only be given the clearance to examine the creatures under guard. I would advise you not to interact with them until you are given permission. You will also be protected by the International Prisoners Act and will have those rights respected. I will explain to the board that you are staying here to learn more about international cultures, and I suggest that you stick with that story.” Celestia said as she tried to calm Kirouac down.
Kirouac took a deep breath before releasing it, smoke coming from his nostrils.
“Kirouac, may I request that a guard stays here to help insure that Neighsay remains healthy and has his rights fulfilled?” Celestia asked, wanting to make the reason for having Book here public.
Kirouac nodded before stealing a glance at Book.
Celestia smiled before turning to Book. “Book, I hereby assign you here to keep an eye on Neighsay, and try to see what you can learn here.”
Book’s eyes widened when she said that. “Um….what about my platoon?”
“I thought you didn’t like working with others?” Celestia asked.
Book shrugged when she said that. “Fair point.”
Celestia nodded before turning back to Kirouac. “I leave them in your care.” She told them before walking off to go see Light.
“Shall I show you to your rooms?” Kirouac asked both Book and Neighsay.
Book gave him a small bow. “Of course. I will show you the same respect I show Celestia as long as you respect the agreement between you two.”
Kirouac nodded before starting to walk off with Book. Neighsay was about to follow them willingly, but before he could, Kirouac waved his left claw in the air before snapping it, making Neighsay be pulled by the magic-inhibitor towards them, and forced him to follow them.
“I’d object to that, but he did do a decent job of beating up your people. I’m guessing he’s not much for a physical fight.” Book said before turning to Kirouac. “I do think he needs a medical check by the look of that bruise on his jaw. There may be some head trauma.”
“I’ll send a doctor to go see him.” Kirouac told Book before turning his head a bit more to look at Neighsay. “A half-breed doctor that is a Griffin-Zebra hybrid.” He told both of them.
“A griffon Zebra?” Neighsay asked in disbelief.
“Is this doctor trained in head injuries?” Book inquired.
“Yes.” Kirouac said. “She is the top doctor we have in that field. She is always called to watch over the Rugby, Hoofball and other contact sports being played. She knows what she's doing.”
“Sounds suitable.” Book said with a nod, knowing that he had to complete his duties of making sure that Neighsay was okay. “Also, may I make a personal request?”
“Yes, I can try to get you in the same sleeping quarters as your brother, but you may have to wait for one of the students to agree to move out.” Kirouac explained to Book, thinking that this was what he was going to ask.
“No, he’s a student, and I am a guard. My request was to get an update on his mental state, but I don’t think intruding in his group will help him any. I would like to sleep in private quarters, or someplace where I can keep close to Neighsay.” Book said with a deep breath. He knew that Light definitely was dealing with some mental struggles, but Book knew that he was hardly a shoulder to lean on. Book was brash, and not very empathetic. He was the last guy who should be rooming with Light right now.
“Oh, I understand now.” Kirouac said, before turning to look at Light. “You can see that he has two mare-friends that care for him very much. As for the sleeping quarters, I can offer you one of the rooms in the guard barracks that is open.” He let him know.
Book nearly chuckled at the idea of Light having two mare friends, wondering what his parents would say when they learned about them. Then again, with how crushed Light looked, he may need all the love he could get. “I’ll accept the rooming offer, just don’t expect me to be social.”
“From what I heard from both Light and Celestia, it would be a fruitless endeavor.” Kirouac said before laughing.
Book raised an eyebrow at this. “I see my name gets thrown around a lot.”
“Well, what other guard sticks out in Celestia’s guard?” Kirouac asked, relaxing a bit. “Plus, Light looks up to you, and it’s not because you’re a few inches taller than him.” He finished with a laugh.
Book gave Kirouac a sad look, then said, “I have been called stubborn, but Light calls me strong willed. I wish I could give him some confidence to help him.”
“Wel.l..” Kirouac turned to look at what Light was doing. “If this continues, he may not need you anymore.” He explained.
“If he doesn’t improve, I don’t think anypony can help him.” Book said bleakly.
Light was still crying his heart out, still frightened about what he had become. He was even more violent than before, and he couldn’t even control it. He was ready to cripple Neighsay, Celestia, and he would have possibly waged a one pony war against all of Equestria.
Flutter was still petting Light's head, trying to hide the tremble that she had in her hooves. Pinkie had to pet both of their heads to try to keep their morale up.
Light looked terrified as he saw Celestia walking towards him. “Y…you high…your highness…I… I’m…I’m…” Light couldn’t finish as he couldn’t control his emotions.
“At ease, Light Heart.” Celestia told him as she sat in front of him. “Please… tell me what you know and what you can recall.”
“I…I was angry…at what happened to my friends…and the people here…I…I wanted somepony to pay…I wanted justice…and when Neighsay attacked…I wanted to protect my friends at all costs…I was a violent idiot…I couldn’t even stop myself.” Light explained between sniffles
Celestia placed a hoof on Light. “Light...” She tried to find the words to calm him down. “What happened to you has happened before…and I am thankful that your friends were able to stop you before you were past the point of no return. It’s more than I was able to do for Luna.”
“So…you did know Luna…and you banished her?” Light asked curiously.
“You said things that were true, that had to be said….but…where did you learn them?” Celestia asked.
“I…found a place…where Luna once had an office or something. There was some stuff left by Daring Do…and I messed with a pair of old glasses.” Light explained as he hugged himself. “What happened between you two?”
Celestia took a deep breath before looking at Flutter and Pinkie. “I…I want you all to know. Can you please gather your friends who helped to stop Light?”
Both of the mares with pink manes nodded before bowing to Celestia, and then running off to get all of their friends.
“S…should they know?” Light asked nervously.
“They deserve to know.” Celestia said with a nod
They came back with Twilight, A.J., Dash and Rarity. “Did you want me as well?” Flash asked her, before bowing.
“Do you all trust him?” Celestia asked the group.
All the mares nodded, knowing how Light and Flash were best friends.
“Alright, you can stay and listen.” Celestia said with a nod.
Flash nodded before sitting next to Pinkie and Flutter. Light sat on their other side.
Celestia sat next to Light and draped a wing over him before she began to speak. “Luna is my… sister, my baby half sister.” She explained.
“Half sister?” Light asked, surprised.
Celestia nodded. “Yes, we have the same mother, but…her father was a thestral while my father, and my mother’s husband was a unicorn noble. My father is actually Blue Blood’s great great…grand-uncle.” She told them. “And just like you and Flash, Luna was born with Asperger syndrome. Though back then we didn’t know anything about it nor did we have a name for it. She was also bisexual and an idealist. She was the first ruler in Equestria's history who had the desire to unite the different pony races, not only the main three, but also the Crystal Ponies, Zebras, Thestrals and others, and even the non-pony tribes.” She wiped the tears that had begun falling from her eyes. “Like you can see, most of her dreams came true here.” She said while pointing to all of MoonRacer. “The nation is named after the nickname she got from her two loves, and I only know that a century after her banishment...” She started to weep in front of them as the memories came back to her. “I… I...”
“Your highness…what happened to her lovers?” Fluttershy asked nervously.
“I…I don’t know.” Celestia admitted. “All I know is that they stayed here, and made MoonRacer the place that it is today.”
“So… why did you quarrel with her?” Applejack asked curiously.
“We didn’t always disagree. In fact, we used to be the best of friends.” Celestia said as a weak smile crept over her face. “We became alicorns together, and had many adventures together. We were so young and free back then. I would be the voice of reason while she always did whatever it took to protect me. But when mom passed away and…everything changed…” Celestia said with a disheartened sigh.
“Became alicons?” Both Light and Twilight asked.
“Yes. We ascended like you and Cadence.” Celestia explained. “We were so young, but we represented day and night. In spite of our differences, we went together.”
“Is that…so?” Light asked, now worried that he was going to outlive his friends and new mare-friends.
“Well…after mom passed, Luna and I took the throne. I didn’t think Luna could handle being a leader, so I did the brunt of the work, leaving only minor duties for Luna. I thought since she was the…” Celestia paused as she tried to keep from crying. “The child of a lover, that I was the main heir to the throne.” Celestia said with a sigh. “Power can always corrupt ponies. It was what corrupted me back then. Even though I thought I was in the right, I only primed the world for something it wouldn’t recover from.”
Light gulped as he remembered what he saw. “Luna…went to confront you…”
“Oh, that was years after our reign began.” Celestia assured him. “She took the free time I gave her and put it into grand ideas. She saw the poverty on our streets, and saw the stress between mixed races, let alone the outcasts of other nations. So she thought up a new city where the unwanted and downtrodden can thrive.”
“LavenderDream and MoonRacer!?” Flash asked.
“Yes. LavenderDream was a place she made herself, the original model if you may. I tried forbidding her from doing it, fearing it may bring division…but I chose my words poorly, and Luna decided to take my advice and…act like a Princess. Her ambition caught the attention of a god…who is a pain in the flank.” Celestia said with a small shudder. “Discord…”
Flash paused when he heard this. “I…I have heard of that name.” He admitted.
“He is a trickster god, sowing discord and chaos wherever he goes, mainly for laughs and giggles. However, when he saw what Luna was doing, he was tickled by the idea of a misfit kingdom. So he asked the gods to help bless a land created for misfits, calling it his good deed of the century.” Celestia said with a small sigh. “Although I am going off of what he told me.”
“And what did he do after that?” Flash asked with worry.
“The gods blessed the land we are standing on. Tell me, when was the last time MoonRacer had a famine?” Celestia asked curiously. “And why is it that a land this small is so abundant in natural resources?”
“I…I have a Theory, but I don’t want to say it.” Flash admitted.
“Go ahead. Even if you are wrong, it’s good to learn from it.” Celestia encouraged him.
“Well, I know for a fact that Gems are rare and valuable in Equestria, but there is an abundance of them here and they are super common in the dragon lands.” Flash started.
“Go on…” Celestia said, wanting to hear him out.
“And we have both Ponies and dragons that live here.” Flash added. “So the dragons go to the... Dragon Lands. They get some gems, come back to Canterlot, give them to the “normal” ponies, and exchange them for what is rare for them, but cheap and common for us.” Flash finished.
“That’s how it works in Equestria, but not MoonRacer. MoonRacer’s blessing is that they won’t face drought, famine, or lack of resources so long as the creatures work for it. Whether it is woodcarving or being a guard, every pony does their part, save the kids, elderly, and the disabled who can’t work… along with a few other exceptions.” Celestia explained. “That’s why there is no money here. The fruit of the earth is their payment.”
Flash exhaled, feeling relieved by the information Celestia gave. “Oh…phew...” He sighed in relief. “I'm glad that our lands are protected like that.”
“Well, Luna started the second kingdom, and it became more prosperous than the first. Things were going smooth as she built her dream but…it became more rough for the two of us.” Celestia said with a sigh.
“Did you get jealous of your baby sister’s success?” Flash asked.
“We started arguing about how our nations should be run. I was furious that she went behind my back, and she wanted to have her methods implemented. I…I called her many things that I regret. I thought it made me smarter than her. Our relations got more taxed as I refused to acknowledge or make accommodations for those who I considered to be her kind. I…sowed seeds of discord that even the god of chaos himself couldn’t accomplish in his wildest dreams. Even then, he always claimed that he never liked the whole prejudice thing, namely because there wasn’t an exact species he belonged to.”
“Based on what I heard about Discord, he is all creatures and none at the same time.” Flash said. “But surely you wouldn’t outcast your sister just because of her success and her viewpoints.”
“I…I wasn’t the pony I am today.” Celestia admitted. “Luna started spending more and more time in her hidden nation…and I became more and more indifferent to her kind. Light…what did you see when you wore those lenses?”
“Umm...” Light tried to think back and recall what took place when he tried on the glasses. “I… I saw her… in her true form, bat wings, eyes and all. She was talking with a griffin, she was about to go see you, and before she left she left behind a wooden toy sword.” He added.
“I…I didn’t know that Kirouac’s sword was once wood…” Celestia said thoughtfully before remembering the old toy that Luna used to play with. “It had to have been Discord’s idea.”
“Was it one of her favorite toys when she was young?” Light asked.
“Yeah…we played princess and knights.” Celestia explained with a small smile at the happy memory before she remembered her last memory of her sister and her smile faded. “We met in the castle of the two sisters…the one our mom named after us. We…argued like never before…and I…I said something that I could never take back…no matter how much I wanted too.”
Both Light and Flash placed a hoof over Celestia’s shoulders, before the others did the same.
“I…I said that she was never my sister…” Celestia said through her tears.” I…I was so stupid. I pushed my sister over the edge, and I made something…more dangerous than Light’s… Guardian…”
As Celestia cried, every pony hugged her. “C… Celestia…did she do what I did?” Light asked out of fear.
Celestia nodded. “She became Nightmare Moon. She…terrified me. She swore that my kind would pay, and that the foolish ponies blinded by my sun would live under her moon for the rest of time, and that I would be an example to those who would dare to stand in her way.”
Flash winced when he heard this as he thought of similar types of transformations he or his friends had experienced.
“I…I don’t know how she transformed into Nightmare Moon, or how Light transformed into a similar form. I don’t know if all alicorns have this…inner demon made of the best and worst of them…or if there is a spirit that possesses them, or if…there are other factors involved.” Celestia said, not wanting to jump to the conclusion that autistic alicorns are the only ones who experience this sort of transformation.
“Have you ever been upset before?” Flash asked. “Like Luna and Light were?”
“I…suppose…I am an old mare, and the angriest I ever recall being is before Luna became Nightmare Moon. Ever since then…I learned to hold my tongue and control my more volatile emotions.” Celestia explained.
“But did you let your emotions overcome you?” Flash asked.
“Maybe…I don’t know.” Celestia admitted with a shrug. “Maybe Luna’s fall stopped me…but I was never able to ask her. I had to defend myself from my enraged sister.”
“Well…it would seem that as long as you don’t get… an emotional panic attack, you’ll be fine?” Flash suggested.
“I don’t know.” Celestia repeated before turning to Light. “Can you tell us what triggered it?”
Light turned away from the group, looking haunted by the memory of his transformation. “I…I don’t know…and I don’t want to repeat it…”
Rarity could tell that the thought of the transformation was painful to Light, so she decided to turn the attention to Celestia once more. “So…you banished Luna?”
“Nightmare Moon, Luna…I banished them both. There were these artifacts that are more powerful than anything I had ever seen before. The elements of Harmony. The elements that harnessed the magic of friendship and used that magic in many powerful ways. My sister and I used them during our adventures together. They…connected us…and our friendship…before our falling out.”
“So any pony can use them?” Twilight asked curiously.
“No… they need to have a specific connection with them. Luna and I had a connection with them…and I used them as a last resort to stop my sister…”
Celestia wiped her eyes before she continued to speak.
“My last act with the Elements of Harmony…was breaking that bond we had.” She explained, as she ran a hoof over her mane. “My mane was pink before I banished her. I guess it was transformed by the magic of the Elements to forever remind me of what I had done.”
“So what happened then?” Dash asked eagerly.
“I…had a vision of my actions…which led to us falling apart. I was shown that this was my fault for losing the trust of my sister. I allowed my pride to destroy our friendship.” Celestia explained with a sigh. “The gods cursed me for using the Elements of Harmony on my sister. I spent a thousand years seeing the fallout of my actions without aging a day. The world got to see me as a shining example…when I was the one who tore it apart.”
“So…why did you take me, Spike, and Light in?” Twilight asked, looking worried for her mentor.
“Because I have been trying to turn the tide for a long time now. I have tried many things, but I could not find it in me to be the pony who ends up bringing our nations together…after I tore them apart. I have done my best to improve international relations, but I can’t get ponies to listen on an emotional level. I am a Princess who has been around for centuries. They respect my rule, but I can only give rules. I can’t change their hearts. So I try to help ponies who have the ability to help change those hearts.” She explained as she looked at Twilight and Light.
“So…that’s why Cadence was the first pony you took in?” Pinkie asked as she was sitting at attention.
“Yes. An alicorn who understood love. She was the pony who I believed would start the change, and then I wanted to make a habit of taking kids in.” She explained. “Spike was second. I couldn’t bear to see that child abandoned. So I took him in, hoping that he would give others the care he didn’t have at birth.” She explained as she saw Spike being carried to the hospital.
“And the other two?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at Twilight and Light.
“Twilight was an amazing magical pupil, and I saw something in her…that made me believe that she could help lay the path of the future.” Celestia said before looking at the ashamed alicorn. “And…I saw a bit of Luna in you, Light. I…I thought if I could help you…it would give me some insight on how I could have helped Luna…but…I guess I didn’t do enough to help you…”
“So.. you are stuck like this, unable to get older until you can undo what you did!?” Flash asked. “And were there other alicorns during your time?”
“There were a few, but none who took the throne. There were a couple of fighters that saved our nation in times of war, and a few healers. Some alicorns I’ve only heard of, but none of them were able to change the tide.” Celestia explained somberly.
Light felt confused, wondering why those alicorns couldn’t make the changes she expected him to make. It felt humbling to know that he was dragging the title of the alicorns to the ground.
Flash and the rest tried to think of anything else that they wanted to ask.
“Celestia…I’m sorry…but I am not the pony that you saw in me…” Light said as he weakly got up. “I…I’m too volatile. Who else will I hurt by not being able to control myself? I…I can’t be something I am not. I’m done with any training involving magic, and I can’t change the world. I…I’m sorry.” Light said as he started to walk away, keeping his head hung low.
“Light! Wait!” Celestia cried out. “This was just an accident…”
“Celestia…I thought I found my place here. I found mares who loved me, friends who accepted me, and I didn’t have to stress about being an alicorn. Now look at what I did!” Light said as he gestured to the battlefield around them. “I hurt creatures, and would have done worse if I wasn’t stopped. I can’t go back to Equestria knowing that I did this because I was mad at them. I probably lost every chance of having a life here either.”
“Light…please listen…” Celestia pleaded.
“No! I am unstable, and everypony around me is in danger. If I lose control again…” The group saw Light tearing up as he looked terrified of himself. “Then I will become a bigger monster than Nightmare Moon. I…I can’t put you all at risk. I’m sorry.” Light said as he started running towards his room.
Flash and Light’s pink haired mare-friends were about to run after him, but the rest of his friends stopped them. “We don’t know what Light’s going through right now. Maybe he needs some time alone.” Dash suggested.
“I…” Flutter held back her tears. “I want to be there for him.”
Pinkie hugged Flutter. “And I want to make him smile.” She told her while petting her head.
“And I am afraid of what he might do if he is left to his own devices.” Celestia agreed as she turned to the two mares. “Go talk to him, but be gentle.”
Both pink maned mares nodded before going after Light, Pinkie walking behind Flutter, wanting her to be the one to talk to him first.
As the mares ran off, Celestia lowered her head as she sat down on the ground. “I…I am sorry for everything, and I know that I can never fully repay everyone for what I have done.”
As Celestia cried, she suddenly felt a set of hoofs wrap around her neck, and hug her. “It’s okay.”
Flash was hugging her, whispering in her ear. “We may have lost Luna, but we can forgive you for the past.”
Twilight sniffled as she hugged Celestia as well. “You helped me become the pony I am now. I don’t care who you were. All I care about is who you are now. My mentor.”
Celestia smiled weakly as the rest of the friends walked over to comfort her.
Fluttershy and Pinkie ran into Light’s room to see Light panicking as he was packing his bags, only tossing in what he thought were essentials.
When Light placed one thing in a suitcase, Flutter would take it out with her Kirin magic, float it over his head and place it back where he took it from. It took Light putting the same hammer in his bag for the tenth time before he realized what was going on.
“Whomever is there, please don’t stop me.” Light asked firmly.
“L…Light! Stop, Please stop.” Flutter beged, Pinkie cheering her from behind.
“Flutter, what will happen if I lose control again? Who will I hurt next time? My family? You?” Light asked with a hint of fear. “This is the best option for you all.”
“Light, I… I… I’m not scared of you.” Flutter said boldly. “I know you, and you would never want to, nor let yourself hurt what you love.” She said, trying to be assertive. “Pinkie and I love you the way you are, flaws and all.” She said, taking one step at a time as she walked towards Light. “You…do you hear me!? I want to be with you.” She said, finally stopping in front of Light’s face.
Light looked at her, looking scared at the thought of hurting her or Pinkie. “Flutter, I do care about you, and I believe you deserve more than me. Please! If I lose control again…I don’t want to wake up to find that I hurt you in some way.” Light pleaded.
“L…Light! I can protect myself from you.” Flutter said boldly, trying to make her mane light on fire, but only managing to get the hair around her ears on fire.
“Fluttershy, you have to hate me in order for your mane to hurt me, and I don’t want to do that to you.” Light said as he closed his bag. “Just forget me and find a stallion who can give you what I can’t.”
“A good reason to make me actually scared?” Flutter asked.
“Somepony who isn’t a monster.” Light said somberly as he lowered his head. “If I hurt you or Pinkie, then I have nothing to live for.”
Flutter gently rubbed his cheek as she looked at his tear stained eyes. “If you leave, then we will never find a kind or loving stallion like you.” She explained as she got close to him.
“What if I lose control again?” Light asked out of fear.
“Then we will be there to keep you reigned in.” Fluttershy promised him before lifting Light’s chin gently and kissing him on his lips.
Pinkie joined in their kiss, going from his cheek to his ear and eventually joining at the mouth, making a three way kiss. Light was worried at first at the kiss, but he slowly relaxed as he accepted their embrace.
Both Flutter and Pinkie started to pet Light’s back and wings, causing Light to moan a little in the kiss before pulling away. “G...girls… please promise me something…”
The both nodded. “What is it?” They asked.
“Please stop me if I ever fall again by whatever means necessary.” Light pleaded with a longing look, clearly meaning that he wanted them to be able to stop him like Celestia stopped Luna.
They both nodded. “We will.” Flutter said.
“But I’m not going to stop you from falling for us.” Pinkie said before rubbing her back on Light’s, reminding him what he would lose if he ever broke up with them.
Light gave a weak smile as he rubbed his cheek against theirs. “I… I’m done being an alicorn. From now on I will be Light Heart, a toymaker.” Light promised them.
Both mares nodded before going back to a three-way kiss. Light wrapped his wings around them into a hug, promising that he’d never let them go, or lose control again. He knew what that meant. He could never go back to Equestria. He couldn’t allow his need for justice to overthrow his common sense.
They all pulled each other to Light's bed, cleared some room, by throwing everything down onto the floor, and just rested next to one and other for the remainder of the day.
Spike groaned as he started to wake up, finding himself on a hospital bed. His head was fuzzy, as he only remembered his friends hovering over him before he drew a blank.
“He…he’s waking up.” A Striped griffon in a lab coat said while monitoring Spike. “Tell me.” She began while flashing a light into Spike’s eyes.”How many claws do I have up?” She asked while showing three.
“T...three…what happened?” Spike asked as he was trying to rub his head.
“Well…do you remember Neighsay?” She asked, not liking to repeat the name of the one that would do something like he did that to a poor innocent defenseless student.
“Yeah…I remember getting hurt. Tell me what happened after my friends got there?”
“Well…how to explain. Light got mad and lost control of his power, Celestia showed up to help manage the situation, and now Neighsay is a…prisoner in our land?” The doctor tried to explain.
“Civil servant.” Book corrected him as he walked into the room in his uniform. “He’s going to work to make up for his crimes in a legal manner.” Book stated as he turned to the doctor. “I’d like an update on his medical condition please.”
“Well…he looks fine, I think.” The doctor said while looking at her notes, and at Spike’s medical file.
“Think or know?” Book asked firmly.
“Well, his normal should be a mix of what we should expect from a…Crystal Unicorn.” The doctor said. “And I take it that you’re Book, the guard assigned to watch over the “civil servant” yes?” She asked.
“Of course…” Book paused when he heard the last part. “Crystal unicorn?”
“Yes, Spike’s body isn’t like what we should expect from an “Earth Pony”. He has unicorn magic, but it flows through his bones and the rest of his body is like a Crystal Pony.” The doctor said while looking at Spike’s paper.
“Oh, I thought you were talking about Neighsay. So…that’s what the chemicals did to him?” Book asked curiously.
“Yes, well that’s what his medical report and what I can see is telling me. But it could have…dragon magic as far as I know.” The doctor admitted. “I would have to run some more tests.”
“Well, update the King and Princess Celestia when you get the chance. Now I have two questions for you; One, when will Neighsay be ready to start working off his hours? I do recognize that Light gave him the back-hoof of the century.” Book said, as he kept things professional.
“Neighsay is still conscious?” The doctor asked.
“Yeah, also silent, embarrassed and nervous even though he won’t show it.” Book explained.
“Make sure that he doesn’t fall asleep until I can see him and make sure that he reacts well to anesthesia.” She asked Book.
“I already have him in a bed, sitting straight up. I will be checking on him in a minute.” Book said with a nod.
“And, if you can find them, contact Light’s family. He may need to see them.” The Doctor told Book, not knowing that he was part of Light's family.
“His family will be unreachable for a while.They are on a camping trip, and I don’t think there is anything I can say to my little brother.” Book explained before turning to Spike. “Did the blood transfusion work well? Celestia and his friends are begging for updates on the young prince.”
“Yes, we have managed to make a blood sample that is similar and close enough to Spike’s current blood by mixing and extracting A.J. and Flash’s blood.” The doctor explained. “And…wait…what did you say about you and Light?”
“He’s my little brother.” Book explained bluntly.
“Oh…and he became an alicorn!?” The doctor asked while wincing.
“Yep, and he wasn’t good at magic to begin with. Makes you wonder what being an alicorn is all about.”
“And, you… you don’t seem to hold any jealousy.” The doctor said to Book.
“He has enough personal issues, and I have better things to do with my time than cry my eyes out because my little brother got wings.” Book said firmly. “I am a guard. I have a job to do.” Book said before turning to Spike. “I’ll let your friends know that you are okay.”
“Thanks…I think.” Spike said as he looked at where the bandages were. “So…how bad was it?”
“Well…your mare-friend was crying while holding you in her arms, while a white crystal pony wearing orange was trying to save you with the help of a yellow zebra with cloven-hoofs.” Book explained. “But you’re alive, so…”
“So, Rarity carried me in while Flash and Fluttershy were saving me. Was I hurt that bad?” Spike asked.
“You jumped into the way of a magic blast.” Book both told and pointed out to Spike. “What did you think would happen?”
“Well…either my skin got burned, I got a skin graph, my bones shattered, or I had organs damaged.” Spike said, remembering the injuries that were often recorded in history books.
“Were you trying to make your mare-friend into a widow!?” Books asked. “I don’t know if she could apply for the royal spousal insurance or if the treasurer would want to let her receive it."
“It was either her or me getting hurt, and I took the hit. Wouldn’t you do the same if it was Light who was going to get hit?” Spike asked the guard.
“I wouldn’t even hesitate.” Book said proudly, before pausing to think and ask himself if an alicorn would even get hurt by this.
“Well, that’s what I did for the mare I love, and I wouldn’t change a thing.” Spike said firmly before laying back again. “Also, she’s my marefriend, not my spouse.”
“Ya, but there are stories of non-married ponies getting their insurance.” Book said while trying to recall it.
“We don’t even have money here. What would be the point?” Spike asked him bluntly.
“There are other things like money, like…your comic book collection!” Book said.
Spike rolled his eyes. “Book, am I currently in a body bag?”
“No, but you should make your will before that.” Book told Spike. “It’s one thing about being a hero they don’t teach you about. The fallout.” Book explained as his gaze fell to the side, looking like he experienced it before. He then turned to the doctor and asked, “Do I have permission to assure Celestia and his friends that Spike is okay and then return to my post? I don’t want to leave Neighsay alone.”
The doctor nodded. “Yes, you can return to your post. I’ll tend to Neighsay now, Spike is in stable condition.” She said before turning to Spike and saying, “Just press the blue round button if you want me to call me back, the yellow square if there is something that is bothering you, and the red triangle if there is an emergency.” She told him before turning to the door.
“Doc, you never answered my question. How bad was I hit?” Spike asked sternly.
The doctor sighed as she faced him. “You lost a lot of blood, and you needed a skin graph. Besides that, you are fine.” She assured him.
Spike nodded before asking. “Can…can I get a visit from…” He blushed as he thought about the mares who cared about him. “My friends?”
“Um…sure…if you feel up to it. Would you like your mother here first?” The doctor asked him.
“I…if she’s close by.” Spike said before the door opened, and his mother, Princess Celestia walked in. “Aww come on! I know she’s royalty, but if she could just wait a minute I would get her.”
Book ignored the doctor’s whining and saluted the princess. “Permission to return to my post?”
“Permission granted.” Celestia told Book. “But, you now need to seek permission from Kirouac, now that you will be staying here until Neighsay’s sentence is over.”
“Already done. Rooming is already sorted, and I made it clear that he’ll be respected by me as long as he holds to the agreement you two made.” Book explained.
“I know he will.” Celestia said, trying to hide her blush as she made her way to her son’s bed. “Can it…can it be only the two of us?” She asked nicely.
“Of course your majesty.” The doctor said before bowing and walking away.
Spike did his best to give a smile to his mother. “Hi mom. Are Rarity and the others alright?”
Celestia nodded. “They…I can see that they care a lot for you, and love you.” She admitted with a smile.
“Yeah…they are great friends.” Spike said with a nod. “It’s…partly what’s keeping me here.”
“I…know, here they care about who you are, instead of what you are.” Celestia said with a small sigh. “I admittedly envy you.”
Spike looked confused when she said that. “Envy? Why would you envy me?”
“Because you’re able to let go, live in MoonRacer, and…BE FREE” She told him. “You can stay here, live, love and be around friends who actually love and care about you, instead of just being nice because of what you are or what others want from you.” She said with a second sigh.
Spike looked concerned when he saw how disheartened she was. “Is this about you never finding your special somepony?”
“I…ummm…” She blushed. “Can you keep a secret from your friends for me?”
Spike nodded before trying to lean closer to his mom.
“I…fell in love a few years ago…something that I haven’t felt in a thousand years.” Celestia whispered softly.
“Oh...that's good!” Spike said with a smile. “Who is this lucky stallion?” He asked.
“Um…well…”
“Mare?” Spike asked, seeing how hesitant she was to call her love a stallion.
“He is male…and charming too. He…is pure of heart… and I see a lot of the qualities I have raised you to have in him. A gentlecolt, a leader, a servant's heart…” Celestia gave a longing sigh as she thought about him.
“Who…is he?” Spike asked. “I would like to meet him.” He begged his mom.
“Oh…you have…a few times.” She said quietly.
“Who?” Spike asked. “FLASH!?” He asked, now scared at the idea of his mom dating somepony so young.
“What?!? No!!!” Celestia exclaimed, but not before earning the attention of Book.
“Is something wrong, your highness?” Book asked quickly.
“No no no.. I'm just talking to my son about how my day has been.” Celestia told Book.
“Okay…” Book said curiously before returning to the door opening. “False alarm! Get back out there and stand at your posts!” Book barked as he went back to his post. “Flipping newbies can’t tell the difference between shock and fear.”
Celestia turned back to her son. “It’s…it’s Kirouac, the king of MoonRacer.”
Spike’s eyes widened as he looked at his blushing mother. “Really?!?”
She nodded. “Yes, I…I love him and he loves me back.” She admitted.
“Really? Then why haven’t you two tied the knot and helped build a new alliance between our nations?” Spike asked with a big smile.
“But… she looked to the side. “Canterlot wouldn’t…let us.” She said with sadness.
“Oh…” Spike looked upset as she explained that. “Is that why you were okay with me staying here?”
Celestia nodded with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to be restrained like I am.” She explained. “I may have lived for a Thousand Years, but I haven’t actually been given the chance to live since I was your age.”
“I…see. Well…It looks like I’m still going to have to work on my side project.” Spike said with determination.
“Oh really?” Celestia asked him. “What is this side project?”
“I’m going to keep working with Twilight and Light on changing the world to get half breeds accepted.” Spike said with a smile.
Celestia nodded. “And I’ll do my best to try to help out, as much as I can.” She said with sorrow.
“Come on.We’re a team, and we have friends. I’m not taking impossible for an answer anymore.” Spike said, still not knowing about Celestia’s past, or Light’s outburst.
“Yes…I…I’m going to let you rest now.” She said before getting up, and starting to walk to the door.
“Hey mom, let the others know that I’m alright.” Spike said to her before she walked all of the way out.
Celestia nodded before opening the door and leaving the room.
Almost as soon as she walked out, Rarity ran into the room with Applejack and Dash, all looking worried about Spike. “Oh my heroic prince, are you okay? What did the doctor say?” Rarity asked as she was checking Spike’s head to make sure that he was cognitive.
Spike blushed as Rarity placed a hoof on his forehead. A.J. craned her neck, trying to look around Rarity to see Spike while Dash was hovering over them all. “Rare, you may want to let him breathe.” Applejack suggested.
“Yeah, and I’m fine. I’m guessing that I got lucky when I got hit. The doc said that I just ended up getting a skin graph.” Spike explained. “How are the others? The doctor didn’t explain what happened after the rest of you showed up.”
The girls looked at one another before turning back to Spike to tell him what happened. They went through all of the details of Light losing control, to Celestia banishing Luna. Spike had no clue how to feel about hearing this about one of his best friends, and his mother.
“I…I can’t believe that my mom would do something like that.” Spike said as he rubbed his head. “H…how long was I out of it?”
“Oh um…” The girls looked at each other. “Five hours.” A.J. told Spike. “I think you passed out after Light snapped out of it, and Flash and I offered to be blood donors right away. They kept you under for the skin graph, and it wore off before Celestia went in there.”
Spike nodded nervously. “Oh…anything else that changed while I was out?” He asked.
“Well, Light hasn’t left his room, but Pinkie and Flutters are still with him, so he may end up being fine.” Dash said with a hopeful smile. “Neighsay has…”
“I heard about him.” Spike assured her.
“So you know that we’ll be seeing him around.” Dash said before doing the gag motion with her claw.
“Yeah, but at least he can’t suspend me or anything like that.” Spike said with a chuckle.
“No, but this jerk can still be a pain in the flank.” Dash said, getting a nod from the others.
“Don’t worry. Book is watching him, and he doesn’t take attitude from others.” Spike assured them.
“The thing that Neighsay should know is not to harm Flash.” Applejack explained.
“Oh yeah, ScullCrusher.” Spike said with a small grin.
“Oh, he’s a teddy bear. It’s his mother that Neighsay should fear.” Dash said with a grin. “If he hurts Flash, then she will make sure that he won’t make it back to Equestria in one piece.”
“Or even back at all.” A.J. added before turning to Spike. “Is there anything that you want us to get for your room?” She asked him.
“My homework? I don’t know how long I’ll be stuck here.” Spike admitted.
“We can try to get Twilight to do it for you.” Dash suggested.
“Oh, our writing is very different.” Spike pointed out.
“But they don’t know yet.” Dash pointed out before hearing Book clear his throat from down the hall.
“They will, and if mom finds out, she’ll chew my ears out.” Spike pointed out before remembering to tell the other two. “By the way, she approves of our relationship.”
“All three of us?” A.J. asked nervously.
“Yep. Apparently she wants me to be with ponies who I love and who love me back without being restrained by royal politics.” Spike explained as he thought about all that his mom went through in the last thousand years. Maybe she thought she wasn’t worth loving?
“That..that’s great.” A.J. said before kissing his cheek. “Though, I should probably tell Granny.” She admitted.
“Yeah, and if she wants me to buck apples, ask her if I can wait until I finish healing.” Spike said as he looked at his bandages again.
Applejack laughed. “She may think you are too weak, my little Canterlot colt.” She told Spike before laughing once more.
“Hey, I’ve got a little magic on my side, and I am still an earth pony.” Spike said with a chuckle.
“An earth pony that was born and raised in Canterlot.” Rarity told Spike before playing with his cheeks.
“I’m on some sports teams.” Spike insisted.
“Aw…and here I was, wanting to convince you to stay next to me, while A.J. and Dash do all of the hard work.” Rarity said with a giggle.
“But I am a gentle colt. These bandages prove it.” Spike said with a grin.
“I know.” Rarity said while getting closer to kiss Spike.
“Yeah, you’re a bonafide hero.” Dash said as she and Applejack kissed his cheek while Rarity took the lips.
Spike wrapped his hoofs around their necks, being in complete bliss.
Celestia gave a soft sigh as she walked up to Kirouac in Luna’s old cave. “So this is it? Wow…she always did want a cave lair.” She said with a small giggle as she looked at the artifacts in there.
“Yes…and based on what I found she would have wanted to live here with her loves.” Kirouac told Celestia while she looked around the room that was once her sister’s.
Celestia sighed as she looked at the horseshoes. “If only I had the wisdom I now have.”
Kirouac draped a wing over her body. “Don’t beat yourself up over this again. Like a great philosopher once said, if you cringe at something you did in the past that means that you have matured.” He told her before kissing her cheek.
Celestia nodded before turning to Kirouac. “Do you mind if we give these to one of Twilight’s friends? I’d like some insurance for her friend.”
“Which one?” Kirouac asked while looking at what Celestial was holding.
“The mana channeler. Twilight talked to me about Flash, and apparently he has three things on his bucket list. To fly, to swim, and to be able to do magic. These will make at least one of them come true.” Celestia explained. “I’d like to give these to him with the condition that he makes sure that Twilight and her friends stay together as friends and safe.” Celestia explained calmly.
“You think it’s such a good idea.” He asked her. “And…do you want to be the one to tell him?”
“If you wish, but I think that it’s happening. I saw the elements in them. My sister shall soon be free, and the prophecy will be fulfilled.” Celestia said hopefully.
“There are only 6 elements, what are the guys going to do?” Kirouac asked, concerned for Celestia.
“I don’t know yet, but the world is about to turn upside down, and destiny is on the clock now.” Celestia said as she looked at Luna’s throne. “I can only hope that they are ready for this…” Celestia froze in place before heading back towards the forge. “Maybe I should also give Book those throwing stars…whatever they are?”
“If you think so.” Kirouac told her before grabbing her arm and stopping her.
“W…what is it?” Celestia asked, looking worried.
“Do…we you have to go now? He asked her.
“What do you mean?”
“Can…can you stay with me here…a bit longer, while we are alone?” He asked her.
“Oh?” Celestia asked with a blush. “And what do you want to do down here?” She asked with a small blush.
“Umm...” Kirouac blushed as well. “Be with you...”
Celestia giggled mischievously as she got close to him. “Well, in case something goes wrong, I want to be able to say I did this.” She said before giving Kirouac a peck on the lips.
Kirouac embraced Celestia’s kiss before wrapping his claws around her neck, feeling relieved by having a single moment of forbidden bliss. He pulled her close to him, causing him to lose his balance and falling over onto his back, taking Celestia with him.
Celestiua giggled as she looked into Kirouac’s eyes. “Oh, I’d give my kingdom up to be with you if I could.”
“And I as well.” Kirouac told her before kissing her on the lips passionately, adding his dragon tongue into her mouth.
Celestia moaned softly, wishing that she could have Kirouac at her side.
He broke the kiss before looking into her Magenta colored eyes. “We just have to find a worthy successor to take our place.” He told her before going back to kiss her.
“But…what about your kingdom? I… I still have Cadence, but who would replace you?” Celestia asked nervously.
Kirouac stopped his kissing before looking down at his side where his sword was. “Whoever can lift my sword shall rule in my stead.” He said with sorrow.
“Well…let’s wait for the right moment to do this. My fate is coming soon, and is uncertain.” Celestia reminded him.
“But my heart, my brain and my body yearns for you.” He told her before passing his tongue over the corner of her ear, making her shiver in pleasure.
“OH…” Celestia moaned softly. “H… how long will we be alone down here?”
Kirouac looked around before smiling at Celestia. “For as long as we want.” He told her before rubbing his horn on her.
Celestia blushed as she thought about it. “Well…I guess we can have a little fun, just in case we don’t get another chance…”
Kirouac smiled at that before he placed his claws over her body, and pulled her over his body.
Neightsay groaned as he was stuck on a medical bed, kept in an area away from the Prince. He felt grateful that the alicorn’s brother was taking his job seriously, but he still felt humiliated to be treated like a prisoner, let alone the fact that a Canterlot guard was keeping an eye on him.
“Stop complaining.” Book told him. “Be grateful that both rulers showed you mercy after attacking this peaceful country.” Book said while thinking about how everypony had been nice to him. “You should also be happy that there isn’t an angry mob after you.”
“Of course they wouldn’t go after me. I’m currently their prisoner.” Neighsay grumbled. “Either that or they have some ammature working on me.”
“I already looked into the doctor. She is one of the best neurosurgeons here, although a good part of the tech here is beyond me.” Book admitted as he looked around. “How’s that head of yours by the way?”
“Are you my doctor now?” Neighsay replied snarkily. “Are you going to give me a lollipop for being a brave little colt?” He asked before rubbing his head with his hoof.
“Keep in mind that your security is in my hooves right now. I am the top combatant in my class, and am only protecting you because of my orders. Now, one of my duties is to make sure that you are healthy, so how much does it hurt where my little brother hit you?” Book asked coldly, not putting up with Neighsay’s attitude.
“You don’t need to rub it in that your little brother is a little uncontrollable.” Neighsay said, angering Book.
“And he’s an alicorn who back hoofed you, a nut who just attacked his friends and injured a Prince. Frankly, I’m sure Equestria would like him back more than you.” Book said coldly.
“Oh yes, let’s put Celestia’s crown on him and have him cry in the corner when Canterlot needs him!” Neighsay said.
“Better than having you for a tyrant!” Book barked back. “It might be my job to protect you, but let me make it clear that my job is the only reason why I do so. Don’t swat away the hoof that is protecting you!” Before either one of them could continue the argument, Book heard a knock at the door. “Come in!” He said calmly before straightening up.
The doctor walked in, looking just how Kirouac described her. “I take it that he is my patient?” She asked, not seeming to be amused by the events surrounding the prisoner.
“Yeah, and he’s expecting a lollipop.” Book quipped coldly.
“Well I only have yellow and green ones left.” She said with a smirk. “Now tell me, where did he hit you?” She asked Neighsay with a hint of a patronizing tone in her voice.
Neighsay scowled at her. “I am not some mere child to be toyed with.”
“That’s what they all say.” She said while flashing a light in Neighsay’s eyes.
Neighsay winced at the light. “Is that really necessary?”
“Did you graduate medical school?” Book asked him with a rather annoyed tone.
“Please stop moving so I can see if your eye’s pupils expand properly.” She told Neighsay with annoyance.
“So, what medical experience do you have?” Neighsay asked, not thinking that she would have any modern medical knowledge.
She rolled her eyes before starting to name off multiple medical terms while doing her job of taking care of Neighsay, namely using her credentials to keep him silent and focused. She even went through her most complicated operation with him just to impress him. “...And I managed to do open brain surgery, removing both of the tumors before closing the head back only leaving a barely noticeable scar around the mane line.” She said with a huff as she was done with her check up. She got out a bottle of painkillers and a lotion and handed it to him as he was still staring at her in disbelief. “Take two pills right now, one after each meal for the day, and take this cream and rub it on wherever it hurts, especially where you have cuts.” She told him with a smugness in her voice.
“So, she’s smarter than you.” Book summarized with a grin.
She got up before looking Book over, making sure that he was fine too, much to his annoyance.
Neighsay looked rather irritated by this. “Figures… considering you were probably being fed this stuff your whole life.”
“Yes, I had the pleasure of living here.” She told him. “If you want to learn something, and you have free time, you can just go and learn it without losing anything, nor having to sacrifice.”
“Well, I worked hard to get into my position.” Neighsay said proudly.
“And yet nopony plans to make a statue of the guy.” Book quipped with a grin.
“Congrats, I managed to immediately start my medical school education, one week before my highschool graduation party.” She said proudly. “Instead of waiting to save enough to pay my way in, and only concentrate on my studies, I found a job between my classes to pay for my food.”
Neighsay looked confused by this. “How the hay does your economy even work?”
“We work to help each other out.” She said, recalling when she had to tell the Foreign students who were just there because it was the cheaper option how things in her country operated. “I don’t think of how I can selfishly enrich myself, but instead of how I can improve the life of everyone around me.” She explained. “Sorry, everypony around me.”
Book raised an eyebrow at that. “So that’s why Light likes it here…less pains in the flank.”
The doctor nodded. “Yes, it’s a country of cooperation, instead of greed.”
Book grinned as he looked at Neighsay. “Start taking notes smart guy. You may learn something, and I get to watch you do it.”
“Why, I thought he was the most prejudiced, not the smartest.” The doctor said with a small scoff.
“You’d think a chancellor would know better.” Book said, glad to get under his skin.
“Mhm...” The doctor said while looking at Neighsay, thinking of something.
“So, I guess I am free to go?” Neighsay asked sternly.
Book held back his laughter. “Oh no no no.” He said while shaking his hoof. “You still have more than a month here.” He explained.
“You mean to serve my sentence?” Neighsay asked, looking confused.
Book nodded. “Ya, it’s going to be a while before you can ever go back to Canterlot.” He explained.
“Y… you aren’t talking about me being stuck in the hospital for a month, right?” Neighsay asked, looking nervous.
The doctor pointed to the bars over the windows. “This is the medical center's cell room.” She explained.
Neighsay’s eyes widened as he realized it. “I… I didn’t know you had medical rooms for that…”
“Where do you treat your sick criminals?” She asked him.
“Well, you have a point, but it makes me wonder how often this place is used.” Neighsay said, trying to turn the tables on her.
“As much as the regular cells.” She told him. “So not much at all.” She told him with a laugh. “Right when you were stopped and the rulers decided to keep you here, the cleaners were asked to clean both this room, and where your sleeping quarters are.” She explained.
“I see…” He said, looking embarrassed.
“I got to see them finish cleaning it.” Book said before turning to the doctor. “Are we ready to secure him for the night?”
She nodded. “Yes, all of the doors are locked, and the only ones that are not are the ones that give us a straight path to his sleeping quarters.” She told Book.
“Alright. I’ll probably check in a couple times throughout the night to make sure he’s secured.” Book said with a nod.
She leaned towards Book’s ear before whispering in it, trying to make sure that Neighsay didn’t hear what she was saying.
Neighsay looked confused as the two ponies whispered to each other
“Should we go!?” Book asked the doctor as they finished with the whispering.
She nodded before placing her hoof on the door before unlocking it with a key that only Book and Kirouac had a copy of.
“Hey, you could at least have the common decency of giving me a name!” Neighsay called out to the doctor.
She turned back to Neighsay, after she was done opening the door. “You can call me, Doctor! Doctor Feather.” She told him. “Doctor Ruff-Feather!”
Light sat on her Royal throne, with her two lovers on either side. “How are matters with my subjects going, does our kingdom of MoonRacer please them?” Light asked her lovers.
“It’s so wondrous my queen.” Fluttershy said, petting Light with her soft and round hoof, while her normal zebra tail waged freely.
“Your people are thriving in this new land, and there is more harmony here than in Canterlot itself.” Pinkie said, before he clapped his claws together with a calm smile.
“That’s good.” Light said to her loves, before she opened her leathery bat wings up, and hugged her spouses.
“So, my queen, why don’t you stay here with us and help us start a family? Have a lineage of your own?” Fluttershy asked as she looked up to her with pleading eyes.
Light smiled at her, before kissing her on the lips, and sliding her hoof over Flutter’s bare back. “Love, I wish I could grant your wish of bearing my child.” Light said to her female love. “But I need to go and find others that will need the help of our Kingdom.” She told her before pulling Pinkie closer with her non-feathered wing, adding him to the hug. “Please promise me that you two are going to start a family even if I don’t come back from confronting my older half sister.”
“I…I do…but please, if it’s not worth the fight, walk away. There is no shame in stepping away in the name of peace.” Pinkie pleaded with her.
“If I don’t step up, then there will never be peace.” Light said firmly as she brushed her long mane back. “She needs to know that we have just as much worth as her.” She said before holding her necklace. “Listen, no matter what happens, we will always be connected.”
Her two loves nodded as they held up their parts of the necklace
They each brought their silver necklace pieces towards each other, connecting them into the form of a gold star with a sapphire crescent moon in it.
“United forever.” They all said before giving each other a kiss on the lips, making way for Pinkie’s beak.
Light took a deep breath before starting to walk to the entrance, getting a glance of her star night mane. “Time for the night to rise…”
Light gasped as he woke up with a start. It had to be early in the morning. He glanced down and realized that he had slept with Fluttershy and Pinkie again.
This time they had not taken the time to put on their P.J.s and slept next to one another.
Light felt rather bashful about being in a situation like this, but he felt comforted to have them next to him. But that dream was mind boggling to him. It was like he wasn’t even himself, but like Luna. He had no control over himself, like he was fixed on a course in that dream.
Pinkie stirred in her sleep, her paw grabbing his hoof. Light blushed as he felt her, giving a soft sigh as he laid back down.
His mare-friends did look strange in his dream, well… Pinkie did. Fluttershy was the same, but lacking any of her Kirin parts. As for Pinkie, she looked like a serious male griffon.
Then again, he felt the weirdest in the dream, sounding like a female and being taller than the others by a head. A part of him wanted to ask if that was a side effect of those glasses, but he was afraid of digging in any further.
But his reflection, he still had his colors but…but his body was a mare’s, but his feather wings were bat-like, just like… “Ah…sweet Luna...” Light muttered under his breath as it dawned on him.
Flutter started to stir when she heard his muttering.
“Whatcha groaning about?” Pinkie asked as she was waking up next to him.
“Um…nothing…just a bad dream.” Light lied, instantly regretting waking the others up.
“Really!?” Pinkie asked, her ears flopping down as she was hoping that he would have been feeling better by now.
Light looked concerned as Pinkie was staring at him. “I’m guessing that unnatural Pinkie sense of yours is sniffing something up.” Light said, knowing how well Pinkie was able to pick up things supernaturally.
“My tail was telling me that you were dreaming of us.” Pinkie explained.
“”Well… is that a bad thing?” Light asked, trying to play it off.
“And if you were dreaming of us, and it was a bad dream, that means that we’re a nightmare for you.” Pinkie said before her mane deflated.
“I wouldn’t call it a nightmare…more like a…I don’t know…a vision?” Light said with a gulp. “It was like…I was looking through somepony else’s eyes…and you two were following in the hoofprints of somepony else’s actions…” Light explained as he tried to think about what he saw.
“How bad could it be if we were with you?” Flutter asked Light before rubbing his shoulder.
“It’s just…I don’t know…”
“Unless we wouldn’t!?” Flutter asked with worry.
“What? No…it’s just…I think I am…I am haunted by the pony whose eyes I saw through.” Light explained as he was rubbing his head.
“Who was he?” Flutter asked Light, before laying her head on his shoulder.
“It…iit was a she…I was a she…with a stary mane and wings that felt smooth. Fluttershy…you looked like there wasn’t a drop of kirin blood in you…and Pinkie…you were a male griffin…I was a queen… and you two were my loves…and I was going to Canterlot…to confront my half sister…” Light explained, trying to think carefully.
Flutter blushed at that idea. “Oh…um..wow...”
“What happened? What happened?” Pinkie asked Light while hugging his arm. “What did you do? Did we kiss, did you win against your older sister?”
“We did kiss…and we each had a piece of a necklace…promising that even if I didn’t return, we’d be united.” Light said as he started to get up. “I…I woke up before I left…”
“Oh..” Flutter said while blushing as she thought about it.
“OH! Maybe it’s our future.” Pinkie told both of them. “And we are going to...”
“Um, he doesn’t have a half sister, and the species are wrong.” Fluttershy pointed out gently.
“I have the feeling that it’s somepony else’s past…” Light explained as he started climbing out of the bed. “And I think I know whose.”
“Really?” Pinkie asked, looking curious.
“I…I think I was looking at Luna’s past…before she had to leave. I already know that she was in love with a griffon general, and I also knew that she had another lover. What if those lenses I saw through had an after effect on my mind?” Light asked as he started pacing around the room.
“You mean, you are seeing parts of Luna’s past?” Fluttershy asked as she sat up.
“I…I think so. It’s either that or I’m losing my mind.” Light said, looking terrified at that thought.
“W…what are you going to do?” Pinkie asked.
“I'll tell Celestia and Kirouac…but my decision stands. No more magic lessons, and no more flying around for me. I’m going to just be a toymaker that will one day marry the loves of my life.” Light said firmly before giving them both a hug. “And I will never return to Canterlot.”
Both of Light Heart’s pink mane marefriends tried to hide their sorrow from him. They didn’t want him to stop accepting his body just because he was afraid of what it could do. But they also knew how emotionally fragile he was right now.
“Well…I understand some of it, but I don’t think a little magic would hurt.” Flutter tried to suggest.
“Levitation so I can keep making toys, and that’s all. I’m already bad at flying and magic, so I don’t have to worry about it too much.” Light said, not looking worried about not being able to do magic anymore. “Remember, I’m doing this to keep you two safe.”
Flutter turned Light’s head towards her before slowly nodding. “I.. understand.” She told him before kissing him on the lips, long and passionately.
Light relaxed as he returned the kiss. ‘Note to self, learn when I can get married to them.’ Light thought to himself.
Celestia stood outside of the castle. She finished giving her apology to the citizens while trying to hide any indication of what happened the other night. She was glad that this nation grew to be understanding, and was relaxed when the speech went more smoothly than she had planned. As the crowd turned away, she walked inside to see Kirouac and Book waiting for her. “Are the kids here?” Celestia asked, referring to Twilight, Spike, Light, and their friends.
“Well…all but three.” Book said, worried about his brother. “I…just hope his…marefriends are with him and helping.”
“I…understand. I can wait half an hour, but then I’ll have to go.” Celestia explained with a deep sigh before turning to Book. “Book, I need to talk to you about one more assignment while you are here.”
Book nodded before walking with Celestia to the side.
“I want to give you a couple of assignments, and I know that you may not like one of them, but there are reasons for it.” Celestia started to explain.
Book tried to hide his worry. “Yes, my Princess?” He asked boldly and with confidence.
“The first one will be taking place when you get back, but as for the extra duties I’m asking from you, and I expect you to excel as always, those will take place when you are able to return. I want to promote you to lieutenant.” Celestia explained, knowing how much Book feared the idea of being a pencil pusher.
Books eyes slowly widened. “W...what?” He asked, while a frown crept over his face.
“Let’s face it. You are as clever as Shining, but more independent. You are able to get assignments done without question on your own, and I think you deserve it. It’s also so I can get away with asking for this assignment. You saw the six ponies who stopped your brother’s rampage, right?”
“Yes, but why…” Book didn’t want to disrespect his princess’s wishes.
“Because I want you to make sure that they are protected. If somepony attacks them, protect them at all costs. The six mares need to be protected until I determine otherwise. I already talked to Kirouac about assigning one of his best guards to help and instruct you on how to do this assignment.” Celestia explained while looking at him seriously. “This is more important than my protection in any scenario. I’m not asking this of you. I am commanding you. Do you understand?”
Book nooded. “Y…yes, but can I ask what they need protection from?” He asked hoping it wasn’t his brother, or something more sinister.
“Anything that would threaten their lives or well-being. I can’t explain, but nothing can be left to chance. You can only talk about this with Kirouac and your partner. Is that understood?” Celestia asked sternly.
“Yes, and…who’s my partner?” Book asked her.
“A mare called Bat-mare. She works like you. Independent and efficient. Which brings me to the other thing I must give you.” Celestia said as she handed Book a belt with throwing stars slotted into them. “I am told that Shining majored in defensive abilities while you excelled in shadow magic, am I right?”
Book nodded. “Yes. Shining is more direct while I prefer going around and taking a more tactical approach.” Book explained.
“Well, these are ancient and infused with shadow magic. Keep this on your person from now on, understood?” She asked.
“I will.” Book said before bowing. “When can I meet Bat…” He turned around to find Bat-mare standing behind him. Book stepped back defensively as he realized that she snuck up on him so easily.
Bat-mare looked at her watch. “Mhm…it took you only one second to find out that I was here.” She told Book. “Most take more than two minutes.” She said, both sounding and looking impressed.
“Well…I try to be attentive…although I never met a mare like you before. I usually hear most ponies coming from a mile away.” Book said as he looked at the costumed mare. Her fur covered ears were twitching around, as her slitted eyes stared at him with conviction through her mask.
“I’m guessing that you are my new partner. Do all guards dress up like you?”
“Not the ones that you see.” Bat admitted, before she turned around. Her cape, which covered her back, moved with her as she turned.
.
“So…you are a special kind of officer?” Book asked, looking confused. “Along with being a thestrial of some kind?”
She tilted her head a bit to look at Book. “They say that I’m good, but that I’m not a normal guard. So...I’m asked to just scout the area and make sure that everyone is safe.” She explained. “I’m…no one important.”
Book raised an eyebrow. “So…you are a solo guard of some kind?” Book asked, looking skeptical.
“More like MoonRacer’s superhero.” Celestia explained, making Book’s eyes widen at this.
“You mean…like a comic book hero?” Book asked, not seeing Bat-mare as a professional anymore.
“If you want to call me that.” Bat-mare said. “Should we be gettijh to work?” She asked.
“What? Guarding Neighsay or acting like cosplayers?” Book asked with a scoff.
“Book, I would listen to her wisdom. She may be opening a door for you.” Celestia suggested.
“Yes but she is...” Book turned around to where Bat-mare was. “She is gone.”
“Let me help.” Book suddenly felt her leap onto his back and pin him to the ground. “I may be based off of comics, but I took the liberty of training myself to be better than any guard here. I probably would have handled Neighsay if I wasn’t asleep after my last shift.”
“Please don’t bruise each other.” Celestia begged them.
“Is that an order or a request?” Book grunted as he was trying to get free.
“I assure you that Bat-mare is one of the best, and will play well with your style.” Kirouac said as he walked up to them. “When you don’t have to watch Neighsay, you can work together with her to learn. If any major threats come up, then I will turn to you two to assess the situation and possibly defuze it. Is that understood?”
“Of course my king.” Bat-mare said, as she gave a salute with one hoof. This gave Book the chance to grapple her, trying to get some payback for being caught off guard like that.
When he tried to pin her down, she managed to kick him off, making him fly into the air. But he managed to land on his hoofs before getting in a fighting stance.
“Book! If you two want to spar it out, do it in a training room, but not right now, when I’m about to say goodbye to my pupils and their friends! Understood?!?” Celestia ordered sternly as the two fighters were staring each other down.
They both stopped before bowing to Celestia. “This isn’t over, Book.” Bat-mare whispered to him.
“Agreed. If I can beat Shining, I can beat you.” Book replied.
“Thanks, now please send the others in before you kill each other. After that, you two can start getting to know each other better.” Celestia said with a small sigh.
“Yes.” Kirouac said before calling everyone back in.
Twilight, Spike, and their friends walked in, making Celestia worried about not seeing Light and his marefriends there. “Thank you all for seeing me off. I know that my past hasn’t been easy for you to take in, but I am thankful for your understanding.” Celestia said as she feared that she wouldn’t see Light again.
“It’s…it’s ok.” Twilight said, still not knowing how to feel about all of this.
“Hold on a second!!!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she and Fluttershy ran into the room. “Sorry we were late. We were trying to help our little teddy bear.”
Flash looked around for Light. “Where is he...?” She was about to ask.
“I…I’m here.” Light said weakly as he came in, nowhere near the same pace as his marefriends.
“Light!” Flash said before running to hug his friend.
Light was still moving a little slow, but he hugged him back. “Hey. I’m sorry about the other day.”
“Ah...” Flash tried to wave it off. “It was hurting our friends, we wanted to stop him.”
“Yeah, and you may have kept my neck alive.” Spike said as he pointed to his bandages. “I’m stuck having to wait a couple of weeks before I can even do sports again.”
Light didn’t look comforted by this. “But I lost control, and I could have hurt a lot of ponies. I am staying here, but I am going to dedicate my focus on becoming a good citizen, not a powerful alicorn.”
“And what stops you for being both?” Flash asked Light.
“The risk of me losing control again.” Light said bleakly. “I am willing to stay here, but I cannot allow myself to become Guardian again.”
The group turned to Fluttershy and Pinkie for answers. But none of them felt that it was right to answer in Light's place.
Flash simply nodded at the news, trying to think of something that could help.
Celestia went to Light and softly placed a wing over his body. “If… that’s what you want.” She told him. “I take it that you aren’t planning to ever go back to Canterlot?” She asked him
“And risk becoming the Guardian again? I can’t. I… I’m fearing that I may be losing myself.” Light explained with a disheartened sigh. “I’m already having what I assume are visions of the past.”
Celestia had a concerned look on her face, before turning to Kirouac. “Visions?”
Light looked bashful as he turned to the side. “I…I had a dream that I was Luna, and Fluttershy and Pinkie were her lovers.”
Celestia looked back at Light quickly. “What were they? What race and gender?”
“Um…one was a male griffon, like the general from my first vision, and one was a female zebra. It was like Pinkie and Flutter’s races and personalities were adjusted for me to see this, but kept their colors.” Light explained.
“I… see.” Celestia said before giving a glance at Kirouac.
“Well, you said that you used the lenses in the cave, so it may just be a side effect of the artifact.” Kirouac suggested.
“Yes, or…” Light said with worry. “It could be a warning that if I go back on that path, I will suffer her fate. Either way, I can’t allow myself to become like her, no matter what.” He said as he hugged his mares.
Flash vowed to make a joke in the future about him having two loves like her, especially since one was a female zebra. “Tell me, Celestia?” He asked her. “Did Luna have any friends?”
“She had two ponies who loved her. I don’t know much about them since I…didn’t listen to her when she talked about them.” Celestia admitted, looking ashamed.
“So…it’s a No!?” Flash asked.
“I think it’s a strong maybe.” Celestia admitted.
“Well, Light has us.” Flash said before hugging Light, getting joined by the others.
“And you don’t need to worry about trying to put too much pressure on yourself.” Celestia assured him. “I just hope that you can find a way to find confidence in yourself again.”
“I… I know.” Light said while feeling the hugs of all who cared for him.
Celestia turned to Spike as she wiped her eyes. “Spike, I know that you will find your place here.”
Spike smiled back, as he was helped up by Applejack and Rarity. “Thanks mom.”
“Just make sure that you don’t lose these three.” She said with a small wink. “And keep being the gentlecolt I raised you to be.”
“Okay!” Spike said while being softly hugged by his mare-freinds.
Celestia then turned her attention to Flash. “I have been told that you have been a great help to my pupils and their friends.”
“Um…yes?” Flash said, trying to keep his excitement down and stay humble. Though a Princess praising you was making it hard.
“Well, Twilight told me that you had three dreams in life, am I correct?” Celestia asked him.
“Yes!” Flash’s eyes widened, trying to hold back his excitement, but ready to be granted the same gift that Light had been given. “I’m ready, I promise that I’ll use it respectfully and with care.” He said with confidence.
“Oh, did somepony tell you about what I was planning to give you?” Celestia asked, looking surprised.
“I, um no, but I know what my dreams told me.” Flash explained.
“Well, I can’t grant all of them, but I can grant one for you.” She said as she pulled out the horseshoes for him.
Flash paused when he saw it, his ear and even his eye behind his sunglasses twitching. “I…” He was trying to stay respectful as he was really wishing to have become an alicorn.
“These are powerful magic focus artifacts, made with the intent of being able to allow any pony to cast any kind of magic.” Celestia explained. “Just be careful when you use them. These are rather potent.” Celestia explained to Flash as she gently handed them to him. “They haven’t been used in forever, so they have quite a bit of magic stored up.”
“I…” Flash said while looking at his bare back before turning back to Celestia. “Thank you.” He said politely before getting handed the crystal horseshoes and feeling all of their power.
“Now we can study magic together!” Twilight said with excitement.
Flash smiled before glancing up, but then turned back to Twilight. “Yes…” He said before hugging her.
Twilight hugged him back, being glad that Celestia was giving him a gift like this.
Flash felt Twilight’s wings while he was hugging her. He tried to hide his jealousy, but at least now he could do some magic.
“Flash, I hope you are able to keep helping and leading the others.” Celestia said as she looked sincere about the gift she gave to him.
“I…I will.” Flash said with confidence, trying to stay positive.
“Thank you.” Celestia said with a nod as she looked at the group in front of her. “Even though it was a frightening incident that brought me here, I am glad that I was able to see you all. I believe that I am seeing the ponies that will change the world in a good way.”
“Um…thanks.” The group said before bowing to the princess.
“No, thank you.” Celestia said before bowing back. “You will be the ponies who will change the world, I assure you.” She said with a smile.
Some of them felt uncomfortable, and started to blush to the sight of the princess bowing to them.
As Celestia stood back up, one of the guards walked in. “Um, your highness? It’s time to go.”
Celestia nodded, she was about to walk off to head back to Canterlot, but she turned to the group instead. “I will ask you all to keep silent about this, but even though I would have wanted to see my pupils rule alongside her, I still plan to allow Cadence to rule in my place one day.” She said softly before looking at Kirouac.
A part of Light and Spike felt ashamed, but they both knew that they weren’t cut out for this. “We understand.” They both said in their own way.
“Don’t worry. I know that you will still find ways to help and inspire others.” Celestia smiled, before unfoldingher wings, walking off, letting her wing tip grase Kirouac before flying off.
Kirouac blushed before turning to the kids. “Hey…thank you for being understanding with her. It wasn’t easy for me either.”
“What do you mean?” Flash asked Kirouac.
“When I found the cave Light stumbled upon with my cousin, I was shocked to find Celestia tied to this, so I went and confronted her about it in private. She explained everything to me, even stuff I didn’t know. At first I was angry at her for the grief she put my people through, but then I saw the pain in her eyes. It’s the kind of pain that a pony carried for her entire life. I had to make a decision to either repeat the cycle of hatred, or to break it and find a new path.” Kirouac explained as he watched Celestia ride off in her chariot.
Flash nodded.
“Speaking of which.” Both Light and Dash turned to the King with a curious look. “So…Daring Do is a Griffin and is your cousin?” They asked.
“Half griffon. You forget that one of my parents was a pony. My aunts had an unique taste in “Stallions”” Kirouac said with a chuckle.
“I can see that.” Flash said with a small grin.
“So both your moms are sisters.” Dash asked. “Must make family reunions interesting.” She said while thinking of her own family.
“Well, she’s usually working, as am I, but we try to sneak in a visit every now and then. Although now I need a new place to hide her stuff.” Kirouac said thoughtfully.
Light looked shamefully to the side. “I…I’m sorry.” He said.
“Eh, if it wasn’t you, it would be somepony else, and I think once we clean it up, it would be nice to show ponies once the time comes.” Kirouac assured him. “I’m just glad that you didn’t mess with the more volatile artifacts there...”
“Like what?” Light asked with a hint of worry, hoping he didn’t accidentally touch one of them.
“Don’t ask.” Dash and Twilight quickly said at the same time, having read all of Daring Do’s books.
“Oh ok, so…What did she think when she found out that you became the ruler of this kingdom? Weren't you two born here?” Light asked, trying to get his mind off of the topic of his outburst.
“Yes, and she was surprisingly supportive, even though she constantly writes stories under an alias and hides her claws.” Kirouac explained calmly as they started walking towards the school.
“I…I can understand.” Light said, knowing about how judgemental the rest of Equestria can be to any pony that is different.
“So…there’s no jealousy between you two?” Flash asked.
“Nope, we even worked together a couple of times. How do you think I found the cave?” Kirouac asked with a grin.
“Are you in her book?” Dash asked, while flying next to Kirouac’s head
“Yeah, as a large and shadowy earth pony.” He said with a blush.
Everyone in the group looked over Kirouac’s body. “That’s the opposite of what you are.”
“And she is a half griffon who writes about being a pegasus. Your point?” Kirouac asked with a shrug. “She has many secrets that she keeps hidden from her readers.”
“Yes, but…” Dash tried to think of something to reason that her being genuine would make it even cooler.
“And if she tries to describe me too well, then we will both be in trouble.” Kirouac added.
“I think most would have a hard time believing that any of us exist.” Twilight told Kirouac.
“That's a good point, but I’m not the writer.” Kirouac explained.
“You’re just her cousin.” Dash said, trying to hold back her fangirl side. “What is she like?” She asked.
“She's Stubborn, determined, and a horrible singer.” Kirouac said with a chuckle.
“Oh, maybe you’re related to her.” Applejack teased Dash with a chuckle.
“Very funny.” Dash muttered with a sigh.
“So...where is Neighsay?” Light asked, wanting to avoid him.
“Pulling weeds with his teeth outside of the wall, under heavy guard.” Kirouac said, looking pretty smug about it. “He won’t be bothering any of you.”
“Oh...” Both Light, Spike and Twilight tried to hide their smirks when the mental image visited their minds.
“So, can I start tutoring Flash now?” Twilight asked hopefully.
“As you wish.” Kirouac said before turning the corner.
“And… about my studies…” Light said with a nervous gulp.
Kirouac turned back to Light. “Stay close to your friends and loved ones.” He told him while slipping a piece of paper that had the location of the therapist in his hoof.
Light wanted to simply avoid magic and flying lessons, but after his admission of the dreams, he guessed that this would be expected.
“Are there any other questions?” Kirouac asked them.
“Yeah…when am I going to be able to do actual hard work again?” Spike asked as he pointed to his bandages.
“That you would have to ask a doctor, not a King.” Kirouac told him before laughing a bit.
“Funny…and I still have a couple weeks.” Spike said, sounding disappointed.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be there for you.” Rarity said. “Right girls?” She asked A.J. and Dash.
“You bet.” They both said happily.
Spike smiled at that. “Thanks.” He told them.
Twilight was relieved to see Spike happy, so she turned to her friend who was putting on the horseshoes.
Flash was only trying one on already feeling all of the power. “Wow…” He said to himself.
“So…how do those things feel?” Fluttershy asked curiously.
“Umm…powerful.” Flash admitted before looking around at something soft to practice on. Having an idea, he pointed to a flower and got it to come to him quickly, before making it stop half way. Then he slowly started to practice making it move.
“Wow… that’s impressive for a first timer…” Twilight said, looking impressed.
“Yes, first time.” Flash said while looking at Light.
Light looked embarrassed. “Yeah…I learned how powerful those things were.I touched them and then left them alone.”
“Oh, that must be it.” Twilight said.
“Yes.” Flash said, hoping that Light kept quiet about the fact that he wasn’t an earth-pony.
“So…I’ll admit that I wish Celestia had the ability to swap who was the alicorn.” Light said with a sigh.
Flash didn’t want to show that he was envious, but he did nod. “Yeah…who would you want to give it to?” He asked, trying to act nonchalant, but also hoping that Light would pick him.
“Well, my top three would be Spike, Twilight, and you.” Light admitted. “Too bad it’s not something that is just given.”
Flash nodded. “Yeah…” He tried to hide his sadness.
“I don’t know.” Pinkie said. “Maybe if you feed us your mane you can give it to us.” She said.
“That’s not how it works. Nopony gave this to me. It just…happened.” Light explained, making the others curious.
“What were you doing at the time that you got your wings?” Flash asked out of curiosity.
Light looked nervous when that was brought up, knowing the truth about what he was about to do. “I…I was crying…on a hillside…”
“Crying?” Flash asked. “Was there a wishing-well that your tears fell in and...?”
“Nope. I was alone, and outside of town when it happened.” Light explained as he tucked in his wings. “And I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Ah…ok.” Flash said, trying to be nice.
“Well, we all have to work with what we’ve got.” Applejack said, trying to help ease things up.
“Yeah, and I’m sure that things will smooth over given time.” Dash said as she petted Flash’s back.
Flash nodded, looking to the side.
Twilight watched as Spike was walking with his mares, knowing that he’d be bugged by the fact that he wasn’t going to be able to help as much anymore. However, her bigger concern was Light, knowing that he was currently going through a personal crisis. She knew that Luna’s form took such a hold that the only option was to banish her.
Admittedly she was afraid of losing Light, but she had a strange feeling that Light was stopped, and possibly for good. It was hard for her to explain, but she felt something magical when they stopped him, even more powerful than Light was at the moment. She had no clue where it came from, or how it affected Light in the long run, but she didn’t want to fear him, even though he feared himself.
“So…Twilight, do you want to show me how to use magic?” Flash asked her.
“Oh, of course! What type of magic do you want to look into first?” Twilight asked as she snapped to reality.
“Well…I doubt you know zebra magic, and dragon magic may be too foreign for me right now, so…I'd like to learn some simple unicorn spells to begin with.” Flash suggested.
Twilight nodded with a smile. “That’s a good idea. Let’s stick with the basics.” She said as she teleported her spellbook to her.
“That’s cool.” Flash said while waiting for Twilight to start.
“Well, simple telekinesis is a must have…but you caught onto that naturally. Maybe you should learn a summoning spell”
“I…ok, what do you have to do?” Flash asked.
“Well, you may want to pick a specific set of objects for this to work.” Twilight explained as she looked at his hat and shades.
“What should I…” Flash noted what Twilight was looking at. “Ummm…let’s try one of my pins…” He suggested.
“Well…I was thinking about something bigger, since smaller items are harder to pinpoint.” Twilight explained.
“What are you suggesting?” Flash asked with worry.
“Well…I was thinking…” Twilight paused as she remembered how Flash reacted when he lost his hat and shades. “Y…your…coat?!?”
Flash slowly nodded before he tilted his head to look at the sun
Light looked at the sun and shrugged. “It’s a nice day out. I think that’s the one thing you wouldn't mind taking off.”
Flash got up and walked to the shade. He took his orange coat off, threw it to the side, then sat down.
“Good, now the more you use an item, the easier it is to summon it to you, so your coat should work well for this.” Twilight said as she sat down next to him, showing him the book. “Now, this is similar to teleportation, except it uses less magic and focuses on bringing that item to you.” She said, as she started walking him through the spell.
Flash looked at the book, which was made for unicorns with horns on their forehead, He tried to think of how he could do it with the Crystal horseshoe on his hoof.
“Oh…well…I guess this is going to be the hard part.” Twilight said as she looked at his hooves. “Okay, many ponies have their own forms of a magical focus, so instead of focusing the magic through your head, just focus and cast the spell through your hooves.” Twilight suggested.
Flash nodded before extending his hoof out, closing his eyes, and focussing on his orange coat.
“Remember. Focus on the object, and bring it where you want.” Twilight reminded him softly as she started examining the hooves.
Flash could feel his thoughts traveling down his head, neck, arm and hoof before going to the Crystal horseshoe.
Twilight watched in awe as the horseshoe glowed brightly. Suddenly the coat lifted off of the ground where he threw it before and appeared on his body, much to Twilight’s amazement. “Wow! Most ponies struggle with that kind of precision. You are a natural at magic!” Twilight said with excitement.
“Umm…thanks..” Flash said, not wanting to admit that it was hard and uncomfortable for him to cast the spell for the first time.
“So, why don’t we find a practice room and start experimenting more!” Twilight said with an excited giggle.
“I…ok.” Flash said while following Twilight to the safety-practice-room.
Light gave a soft sigh as he turned to his marefriends. “I’m going to go get some breakfast and maybe a dip in the pool. Then I have somepony I should talk to about my…problems.”
“Ok.” Flutter said with Pinkie. “Do…do you want us to join you?” She asked while holding Light’s hoof.
“Well…sure…until we get to the pony Kirouac wants me to meet.” Light said as they started walking off.
Flash had spent a good two hours working on new spells, managing to burn through most of the basic spells. He was glad that Twilight was being very instructive and helpful.
The remainder of the spells had somewhat worked, but not as we wanted nor expected. The shield and water spell were both unexpected, and nearly trapped them in the flooded room before he learned the reversal spell. Those horseshoes were extremely potent.
Luckily for them, the room that Flash and Twilight used was made to undo any spells or other enchantments when one walked out of it. This was good because Flash didn't want to go the rest of the day with burns, scratches, a soaking wet coat, or his tail being a snake.
“Well, that was an interesting session, and it goes to show how powerful your magic is.” Twilight said as she brushed her mane. “Let’s keep focusing on those cantrips until you can control your magic.”
“Okay…” Flash said while looking at the Crystal horseshoe that he was given. “What’s next?”
“Well, I think it may be time to take a break.” Twilight explained as she took a deep breath. “I want to meet with the others, but we can practice again tonight if you want.” Twilight offered.
Flash nodded before packing his things and making his way to the opposite direction of the living quarters.
He was quickly met by Earth, Shark and Sleipnir. “Oh, hey Flash. Is Twi here?” Sleipnir asked nervously.
Flash nodded. “Ya, she should still be inside.” He said before trying to walk past them.
“Hey, what’s wrong man? I heard you were rocking some magic now.” Shark said, looking concerned.
“I just need to...take a walk” Flash told them.
“Oh… okay…” Earth said, looking a little disheartened before seeing Twilight walking out. “Twilight!” She yelped happily before he ran to her and gave her a big hug.
Flash smiled at the sight before walking off.
“Oh hello Earth. What’s going on?” Twilight asked her.
“I’m just glad to see you doing better since the incident.” Earth said as she gave Twilight a kiss on the cheek.
Twilight blushed, trying to keep her wings to her side. “Oh thanks, and… you?” She asked. “How are you doing?”
“Better after we calmed her down.” Sleipnir explained with a blush.
“Let’s say that we learned more about our emotions for each other.” Shark said as he was trying to hide his own blush with his wing. “And we both see what you see in Earth.”
Twilight tilted her head. “Did.. did you guys do something together without me?” She asked them.
“Well…we were trying to comfort her, and it may have ended with a couple of kisses.” Sleipnir asked with a wince. “Please tell me you aren’t upset that our first kisses weren’t with you.”
Twilight gave them a look. “I already kissed her yesterday morning.” Twilight pointed out
“Yeah, but we didn’t know how you would feel about this.” Shark explained as he and Sleipnir were looking rather bashful.
Twilight smiled before walking to them and kissing their cheeks. “Well, it looks like I need to plan something romantic for us so I can have a chance to tell what your lips are like.”
“I umm…” Shark grabbed his wing and pushed it down.
“Hey, I think we may be able to catch Light and his mares at the pool, if you are interested.” Twilight asked with a wink.
“I…what are you planning to do?” Sleipnir asked her.
“Depends on if Light is wrapping up or not. If he is, then I may have a little idea of how to use a private pool.” She said with a mischievous giggle. “It’s a little something Rarity talked to me about.”
“Oh…ok..let’s go.” Sleipnir said before pulling Shark.
Twilight happily led them to the private pool Light took the girls to, thinking about Sleipnir and Shark. She thought about how muscular and strong Shark was, how slim Sleipnir the gentle-colt was, and lets not forget Earth’s mhm…body. Then there were their personalities. Sleipnir’s thoughtfulness, Shark’s determination, and Earth’s bashfulness. She happily thought to herself, while blushing.
“Twilight, are you okay? Have you heard anything we said?” Earth asked nervously.
“Oh…ummm…sorry.” Twilight apologized. “What did you say?” She asked.
“We were talking about Flash. He seemed pretty upset about something. Do you know anything about it?” Shark asked, looking concerned.
“Oh…um…I don’t know. Maybe he feels bad about Light losing control and getting depressed.” Twilight suggested.
“I think it’s more sensitive than that.” Sleipnir said thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.
“I…I don’t know.” Sleipnir admitted with a shrug.
“I’m sure Flash will be able to handle it.” Earth said, not wanting an argument to start.
“Oh..ok.” Twilight said. “Let’s go swimming.”
As they reached the private pool, they saw Light and his marefriends dressed and leaving the room. Light had a somber look on his face as he got ready to head to the place that he needed to be.
“Oh hey Light.” Twilight called out.
“Oh, hey Twi. Listen, I have to go somewhere now, but I’ll be back later.” Light said before walking off, not giving an explanation.
Twilight turned to Light’s mare-friends. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. We were having fun for a while, and then he insisted on having to go someplace.” Flutter explained as she had her towel wrapped around her mane.
“Did I do something wrong?” Pinkie asked. “I mean, was fourteen cannonballs too much?”
Twilight looked worried, but she had a small idea. “I think he’s going to talk to somepony else about what he’s going through right now.”
“Oh…” Pinkie said. “Who?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” Twilight said, looking a little upset by that fact.
“Well whoever it is, I hope that he talks with us after.” Flutter said.
“What are you guys and girls doing here anyways?” Pinkie asked.
“Oh, planning on going for a swim. Is the private pool you used free now?” Twilight asked hopefully.
“Oh!” Pinkie said with excitement.
Flutter just blushed. “Oh…my.” She said.
“Well, I was thinking about taking a private swim with these three. Do you want to meet for dinner?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, yes…” Pinkie was about to say, but she turned to Flutter. “On second thought, we’ll have to see how Light is doing after he comes back.”
“Oh…okay. We’ll see you later then.” Twilight said, as the group walked into the private pool room.
“So…what are we going to do?” Earth asked.
“Go swimming. What else?” Twilight said as she started taking off her clothes and the boys locked the door.
“Oh…” Earth said as she saw Twilight strip down in front of them.
The boys turned around right as Twilight finished undressing. “Woah…um…I think there is a room for changing into our swimsuits…” Shark said as he turned away respectfully.
“Well, I have been practicing magic with a powerful newcomer, and I don’t feel like summoning our swimsuits.” Twilight said before stepping into the pool.
“So…um…” Earth looked at each of the boys.
“Do…you want us to look away?” Sleipnir asked, wanting to be a gentle-colt.
“I…can I wait until you all get in before me?” Earth asked them.
“Oh, sure.” Shark said as he slowly started to take off his shirt and shorts.
Earth bit her bottom lip as she watched Shark exposing his ripped body.
Sleipnir did the same, letting all of them see his nicely kept body.
“Wow…you two are still hot.” Twilight said as she was watching the show.
Shark posed for a while, giving them a show.
Twilight gave a small whistle while Earth was simply staring at him
Earth was getting hot at what she was seeing, especially their toned muscles as they entered the water.
“Alright Earth, it’s your turn.” Twilight said as she watched her eagerly.
Earth took a deep breath before slowly taking her clothes off. She stopped when she was in her undergarments and looked at her three nude loves for support.
“Go on. Nopony is judging you.” Twilight said as she looked at her marefriend.
Earth smiled at them, before she finished stripping off her clothes. Then she made her way to the water, swinging her hips happily as the others were watching her.
“And who says you aren’t beautiful?” Twilight asked as she swam over to her.
“Society.” Earth said bashfully as she blushed at what she was doing.
“I don’t know who that pony is, but that pony is an idiot.” Shark said with a grin as he swam over to them.
“I…” Earth blushed at how close Shark was to her bare body.
“So, what are we going to do now?” Sleipnir asked with a blush before Twilight brought her closer.
“I’m going to show my appreciation for you.” She cooed before kissing him on the lips.
Earth bit her bottom lip before Shark looked lips with her lips.
Twilight held the kiss for a while before pulling away. “I knew I’d get to you and Shark soon.”
Sleipnir smiled before turning to Earth and smiled. “Aww. .”
The group giggled as they started kissing and enjoying each other’s presence.
Flash made his way to the office of Doctor Feelings, a changeling psychiatrist. He was happy that he was being able to use this new magic, but it just felt off to him, no matter how powerful he was. He gently knocked on his door, not wanting to bother him in the middle of a meeting, but still wanting somepony to talk this over with…
The door opened, letting Flash see Doctor Feelings in his soft color and his leather patches all over his tweed blazer.
“Um…hi Doc. Can I come in?” Flash asked nervously.
“Umm…yes.” Feelings said, before looking at the clock.” I have a rendezvous in a half hour, so what can I help you with?” He asked Flash.
“Well, I have these feelings about one of my friends…not romantic. I can always handle that. But I…envy this friend…greatly.” Flash started to explain.
“I see…well, come inside where we can talk in private.” Feeling said as he motioned Flash inside of his office.
Flash followed him in. “Yeah… so.” He looked for the resting couch before going to it, resting on it and then turning to Feelings. “Should I start?” He asked.
“Of course, and remember that I can always keep a secret.” The doctor said as he started sensing Flash’s envy. “So, who are you envious of?”
“Umm, well, have you heard of Light Heart?” Flash asked. “One of the new students.”
“The alicorn?” He asked before feeling Flash’s envy grow when he said that. “I’m guessing that I hit the nail on the head.”
“Ya.. like me… he has Asperger!” Flash said, feeling some joy at that fact. “And…well…just like Farmer, he doesn’t want to fly nor do magic.” Flash admitted. “At all.”
“I can sense your anger, jealousy, and envy. I am guessing that you are upset with Light’s refusal to accept his gifts and wish you had them instead?” Feelings asked, sensing the emotions coming off of him.
“I…” Flash started to cry. “I’m a terrible pony.” He cried out.
“I wouldn’t call you horrible. I can name many, many ponies who want to become an alicorn. I can understand some of this envy, but elaborate more on this.” Feelings asked as he leaned forward.
“I…ever since I was young, I wanted to help others, even by flying up to get something that is stuck up in a… let’s say a tree, or cast a spell to make it all better.” Flash explained. “But…” He pointed to his lack of horn and wings. “I can’t!”
“Well. Those horseshoes you were given seem pretty powerful. I saw sparks of magic coming off of them, so I think you are finding new ways to surpass your limitations.” Feelings pointed out. “But tell me more about Light.”
“I know that I should be supportive of what he wants, and happy for what he was given, but..but…” Flash placed his face in his hoof.
“You feel like he’s not living up to a potential that he could live up to, the potential you want.” Feeling said as he gave Flash a tissue.
Flash took the tissue and wiped his eyes then nose. “I’m a good pony? Right? Or at least was.” Flash asked Feelings. “I clean my room, eat my greens and help my friends.”
“You have always had a serving heart, and you have helped many ponies. You have always tried to be a good pony.” Feelings tried to assure him.
“So…why do I feel this way?” Flash cried once more.
“Well, that depends on the question. Why do you feel envious, why do you feel like a bad pony, why did Light become an alicorn and not you, or why can’t you surpass your limitations?” Feelings asked. “What questions do you want the answers to?”
“All of them.” Flash said before hugging his legs. “I should be supportive. I’m jealous of what others can do. I want to know more about how Light became an Alicorn, but he doesn’t want to talk about it, and the fact that I want to confront him about it makes me feel like I’m disrespecting his wishes. And on top of all of that, I also feel like I can't reach my full potential.” He pointed to his forehead and back. “Does that answer your question?” He asked.
“I see…well, I have learned about Light’s issues, and a lot of his restrictions come from fear and self doubt. Tell me, how do you think Farmer would feel if he was the King, but wanted to be a simple farmer?” Feeling asked.
Flash was still hugging himself while looking to the side. “That’s not how the sword works.” He said. “It can only be lifted by whomever shows good leadership and wants to.” He explained.
“But let’s say it did. Let’s say that somepony saw Farmer walk around normally and said, “Let’s make him a King!” What kind of pressure would he be feeling, being placed in a position that he doesn’t want?” Feelings said theoretically.
Flash’s emotions changed. He took a deep breath before saying. “He would be nervous, he wouldn't like the attention he was getting and I would try to respect his wishes.”
He thought this over for a few moments, as Doctor Feelings continued on.
“You would probably respect him but also recognize that he needs support. Farmer would probably fear his power, and be afraid of losing control of it. You’d realize that you can’t push him to do this, but you can help him along the way.” Feeling explained, as he tried to keep a neutral standpoint, knowing who his next patient was.
“I know…and I should respect what they want to do with their lives.” Flash said.
“Not everypony can handle that pressure, and Light has the hardest time from what I have heard. Haven’t you considered that?”
“I have, I have...” Flash said, beating himself up over it, feeling awful.
“Then why is it hard to accept Light’s struggles?” Feelings asked, not wanting to be too pushy.
“Because.. because…Light got his powers from the gods up above.” Flash said. “There has to be a reason.” He insisted, now feeling pressured himself.
“And do you know their plan?” Feeling asked with a raised eyebrow.
“N…no.” Flash admitted before flopping down in defeat.
“Flash, I have no clue why Light was chosen for this, but his destiny isn’t one for you to worry about. You are a helper along the way, not the one who determines things for him. So how can you help him without pushing him over the edge?” Feelings asked calmly. “How do we turn this frustration into support?”
Flash looked away. “I…I don’t know. Being there for him, doing what he doesn’t want to do for himself, and…letting it be?” He asked.
“Well that's a start, but I would give him some time, a lot of love and understanding after what’s happened to him. I would also recommend that you be willing to give him the option to accept lessons from you. Be a friend first, and then a mentor if he wants it. Now, let’s talk about your feelings. Are you perfect?” Feelings asked bluntly.
“Clearly not.” Flash said, hugging himself before rolling into a ball.
“Is Light? Is Kirouac? Am I perfect?” Feeling asked, wanting to make a point.
“Kirouac is!” Flash pointed out. “As for Light, I can see that you are trying to convince me that he isn’t, and as for you…do you really want me to answer that?”
“Well, it’s a no for me. I know that I struggle with physical tasks, and I will tell you that Kirouac isn’t as perfect as you think. If there is one thing I have learned in my many years as a psychiatrist, it’s that nopony is perfect. We all have little flaws that hinder us or cause us to make poor decisions. The question is do we allow our flaws to weigh us down, or do we learn from them?” He asked as he patted Flash’s back.
“But…I hate being limited by what I was born as, and what my body can do.” Flash admitted. “I know it’s not our motto, and that I should love the way that I was born, but…the reality is…”
“That you want to do more.” Feeling said, remembering their previous talks about the things he wanted to do.
“YES!” Flash cried out. “I want to be able to help the pegasus colts and fillies with their flying lessons, unicorn with their magic, jump into the pool with my friends and just be able to do…more.”
“Admittedly, all ponies have their own limitations, even alicorns have limitations of what they can do. Light hasn’t raised the sun, and Kirouac doesn’t have limitless magic. There were even legends that the mother of our nation was hindered with mathematics. All ponies are born with limitations, some are capable of being overcome, and others aren’t. It’s learning which are which, and how to handle those limitations, be it through overcoming or accepting.” Feelings explained.
“I…I know, but, why can’t we all have the physical capability to do everything?” Flash asked, wishing that everyone could be some sort of fire-breathing zebra-pegacorn-Diamond-dog clawed citizen.
“One, we live in an imperfect world, and nopony is exactly the same. Even then, if everypony was perfect, who would need your help?” Feeling asked him.
“I…” Flash thought about it. “Is that what I want?” He asked himself, then said out loud, “I wish no one needed help and were just capable of doing whatever they want.”
“It’s not a bad dream, but it’s an impossible dream. There will always be ponies with disabilities, different traits, and struggles. What’s important is that we are able to help ponies with their limitations and struggles along with handling our own. You are a bright pony, and you put a lot of effort into helping others, and that is good, but you need to understand that we can only do so much.”
“I know.” Flash admitted while rolling on his side. “I just hate when someone has the capability of helping but they don't do anything. Like...if they have extra food, they should give it to someone who is hungry. Or if they have some clothes that they don’t wear anymore, and they don't have a personal attachment to them, they should donate their clothes to those who need them.”
“Well, some ponies don’t think about it, or are simply too busy with their lives to be able to stop and consider the needs of others. Some ponies aren’t able to give that much, and some ponies want to lay down a foundation for their offspring. You have a good heart for wanting to do so much, but you have to understand that not everypony can have those same motivations. Tell me, who is the one pony who you can control in life?” Feelings asked gently.
Flash grumbled a bit. “Me.” He said.
“Then focus on how you can do better. You already have a great start, but you need to understand that change cannot be forced. It must be inspired. It’s like what I said about Light. You need to be a guiding hand, not somepony who forces him to change.” Feeling said as he looked at his clock.
“I know…” Flash said while getting up. “I’ll…I’ll let you be.”
“There was one question left, and I have time to answer it.” Feelings said as he looked at Flash. “Why aren’t you an alicorn? I think I have an answer for it.”
Flash paused in his tracks before turning to Feeling. “W…what is the reason?”
“Because you don’t need it in order to help and inspire others.” Feeling explained. “You already have the tools and heart to help make this world a better place. Maybe you still need to accept and understand your limitations and the limitations and flaws of others before you could be a good alicorn. Tell me, what would you do if you are an alicorn?”
“I… would probably go swimming with my friends first.” Flash admitted, feeling selfish.
“You’re holding back.” Feeling pointed out. “I mean with the rest of your life.”
“Then…give flying…rides to the little foals, and learn the magic spells that can help my friends and everyone else out.” Flash added.
Feeling sighed as he walked up to him. “I want you to tell me honestly, would you stop there, and do you think that magic can solve all of your problems?”
“I…I don’t know.” Flash admitted. “It would help, and not be bad…right?”
“My concern would be how hard you would push yourself. Tell me, has Celestia or Cadence solved all of the world’s problems with their magic?”
Flash crossed his arms. “No.”
Feelings patted Flash’s back gently. “Kirouac explained that alicorns are not all powerful, and they have their own limitations, but they get the chance to make a change and help others. I don’t know if the reason for you not being one is because you aren’t ready or because you don’t need it, but I think the best thing to do is to be willing to step back and realize what you can and can’t do.”
“I…ok.” Flash said getting back up and going to the door.
“Flash, don’t give up on yourself just because you have these limitations. You still are one of the brightest ponies I know.” Feelings said as he wanted to comfort Flash before he left.
Flash looked down. “I…I know.” He said before walking out.
Feelings took a deep breath as he poured himself a cup of water. “If only you knew who I was about to talk to.”
A few seconds had passed, maybe even a minute before Feelings heard a knock at the door once more. “Come in.” He called out, having a feeling that this time it was the client who Kirouac had asked him to see.
“Hello Feelings. How are you doing today?” Kirouac asked as he gave the changeling a pat on the back.
“Good.” Feelings said while hugging his old friend, sensing his love, joy and a hint of worry.
“That’s good to hear. So, have you been reading Light Heart’s file.” Kirouac asked as he sat down.
Feelings nodded. “I must say…his life is very unique. He is blessed to be an alicorn, yet fails to find his destiny.”
Kirouac nodded, now feeling more shame. “We all want to know why and how, when something happens, especially something as big as getting wings, strength and power.”
“And how is he recovering from his…outburst?” Feelings asked, looking concerned.
“Well, I did ask you to see him today.” Kirouac looked at the clock. “He should show up in a few minutes.” He said. “I just wanted to talk to you before you meet with him and ask you to be gentle with him. Right now he wants to give up magic and flying out of fear of what he may become.”
“I…know.” Feelings said, not letting Kirouac know who his previous client was. “So…is there anything that you want to talk about?” He asked, recalling the love that he sensed from Kirouac, he knew it wasn’t for him but another.
“Well…I feel like I may be nearing retirement from my duties as a King so I want to focus on building my family.” Kirouac said softly.
Feelings nodded, not expecting him to retire so soon, but knowing that every ruler had to step down eventually. “And is there…somepony that you have in mind, to be with?”
“Yes, and it is right now when I have to remind you about doctor patient confidentiality, meaning you are not allowed to repeat what I say to you in this office.” Kirouac said as he looked around the room.
Feeling did the act of zipping his lips. “I won't tell a soul. So…who is it?” He rested his head in his hoof like he was a teen girl gossiping. “Who is your love?” He asked.
Kirouac had a small grin on his face as he spoke. “Princess Celestia.”
Feelings gasped, placing his hoof over his mouth. “Noo…” He both asked and said, shocked at Kirouac’s response.
“Okay, I know what you are going to say about her newly unveiled past. But I have known about it for a while. She has changed so much since then, being so caring and understanding. She’s also having thoughts about retiring and letting Cadence rule in her stead.” Kirouac explained.
“But she’s so…old!” Feelings said jokingly. “And I already know about that.” He admitted.
“Hey, she’s got the body of a goddess that doesn’t quit, and I’m going to marry her.” Kirouac said firmly.
“Oh…Well congrats.” Feelings said, feeling very relaxed. “Did you already get a ring for her, and what about…?”
“We’re not ready to retire yet. I have no heir to the sword and Celestia has to break in Cadence. That, and she says that there is something that needs to happen before we can be together.” Kirouac said, sounding concerned.
“Mhm…I can sense that” Feelings said.
“Well, the best things are worth waiting for, right?” Kirouac said with a smile.
“But how much time is wasted just waiting?” Feelings asked.
“Well…I'll be waiting until the Summer Sun Celebration. Until then, it’s going to be forbidden love.” Kirouac explained calmly. “After that, she promised that we will be together.”
“Well I only wish you luck until you get…lucky.” Feelings told his friend, holding his laughter.
“Sure…but I had better be going. Light will be here any minute.” Kirouac said as he got up. “Good luck with him.”
Feeling waved his friend away with a smile on his face. “Bye!”
“I'll see you later!” Kirouac said, as he walked out.
Feelings started cleaning a few things in his office up, wanting it to be tidy before Light made his appearance. After about ten minutes, he heard one more knock on the door. “Hmm…ten minutes early. I guess he gives himself extra time to get someplace.” He said as he started walking towards the door.
Feelings took a deep breath before saying.“Come in!” He asked nicely.
He watched as Light Heart walked in, looking rather nervous as he kept his wings tucked in tightly. “Um…hi…I was told to talk to you…but if you are busy…”
“Actually, I’m open for the next three hours.” Feelings let him know.
“Oh, okay.” Light said as he looked around. “Should I sit down or…”
“If you want too.” Feelings said, while walking to his chair. When he sat down, he pointed towards the resting couch, a mat that was on the floor and an extra office chair.
Light looked rather awkward as he sat down on the couch, allowing Feelings to sense Light’s fear and anxiety. “So…I guess I'm here to talk about going nuts the other day.”
“I have heard about it.” Feelings admitted.
“Yeah…I guess that’s why I need a shrink.” Light said as he used his hoof to bonk his own head.
“Hey, don’t worry.” Feelings insisted. “Everyone here comes to a therapy session at least once or twice a year.” He told him.
“Did any of them freak out and nearly hurt a lot of ponies in a magic fueled frenzy?” Light asked as he laid on the couch.
Feelings paused to think back about it. “I'm not allowed to say.” He admitted.
“I’m guessing that’s a no, considering that I am the only nutcase alicorn here.”
“Yes…the only one.” Feelings said as he knew this was going to be a struggle. “So...tell me about your…childhood.” He casually began.
“Well…I was always the one who struggled. You know the story about the kid who was sent back to magic kindergarten?”
“I have not.” Feelings asked, feeling and detecting that this wasn’t the start of a joke.
“That’s me. I got pulled out of school after I was diagnosed with Aspergers and ended up being homeschooled for a while. I did find my talent in fixing toys at that time.”
“Well that’s good.” Feelings said, detecting Light’s fondness of that memory. “It's a blessing that you found what you are good at so young, many are still looking for their own special talents. And to earn their cutie marks.”
“And one of my friends can’t have one. It was…rough growing up as an autistic kid. I was always afraid of saying something dumb or making a big mistake. It became…hard for me…” Light said, as he turned away from the doctor.
“I know the feeling.” Feelings admitted before looking at his flank. “But… you’re no longer home-schooled!?” He asked Light.
“Not since I became an alicorn. I thought it was some mistake, but Celestia told me that I was chosen, and that destiny has plans for me. Some plan.” Light said, looking upset.
“MHM…yes” Feelings nodded. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to ask you to tell me about that day.” He said to Light, hoping that with this information he could help both Light and Flash.
“Which day?” Light asked, looking confused.
“The one when you got your Wings.” Feelings said Light, while feeling his anxiety about this.
“Oh…um…I was feeling down…and I went for a walk. When I came back, I had wings.” Light said, not going into detail.
“Light, Please give me details about what happened while you were walking, I can’t help you if you don’t let me know what happend.” Feelings insisted while feeling his anxiety rise.
“Well…I was down…and I was…having social problems…” Light was pausing and stuttering, looking scared about talking about this.
“Yes, and...” Feelings asked Light, feeling that his anxiety was changing into shame.
“And I…I wanted to be alone. I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere and that…I…” Light was starting to tear up as he was having a hard time speaking.
“Light…it’s ok to sometimes want to be alone.” Feeling told him. “You don’t need to feel ashamed about it.”
“I…I hated myself!” Light exclaimed as he started to cry on the couch. “I just wanted to be normal! I hated how dumb I was!”
“Yes, let it all out.” Feelings told him. “Now let's continue, what happened next?”
“I…I went up a hill…and I just…I... I couldn’t handle the pain anymore. I just couldn’t face myself in the mirror.” Light explained.
Feelings could sense that Light was feeling regretful, like he did something that he never could take back. “W…wait, what did you do?”
“I…I wanted to disappear…I wanted to walk off a cliff…” Light said, hiding his face in shame.
“Do…do you mean literally?” Feelings asked.
Light nodded weakly. “I…I just…lost hope in myself. I thought the world would be better without me.”
“W…why?” Feelings asked.
Light sniffled as Feelings could sense the shame coming off of Light. “I…I felt like a freak. I only had my family, and I found it next to impossible to make friends, and I constantly felt like an idiot. I didn’t want to bother my family with my feelings, so I kept it bottled up inside of me until I just broke.” Light explained somberly.
“So, what happened? Did you jump?” Feeling asked, now feeling very concerned for Light.
“No…something stopped me.” Light explained as his wings twitched a little. “Something…magical. There was a bright flash of light, and then I found myself in some…otherworldly plane.”
Feelings was now relieved, but also confused. “What was that otherworldly plane? What was there? What did you see?”
“Well…it’s hard to explain. There was nopony there…and yet I felt magic all around me. There was a haze of colors all over…and these…frames of my life that hung on nothing.” Light said, looking like he was struggling to explain it as best as he could.
Feelings nodded as he got up to look at this book of dreams. “And what else? What came after?”
“Well…I was walking by the frames…seeing the little things I have done with my life. Like when I got my cutie mark, or when I’d fix a toy or tried to comfort another kid. I…I didn’t understand what I was seeing, but I felt like I was being led forward.” Light said as he looked at his hooves.
“Yes…” Feelings told Light while looking into the book.
“And then I felt a burning sensation in my chest…where my heart was. It felt like something powerful was trying to escape. When I looked down, I saw that part of my chest glowing brightly before that light shot out of my body and started encompassing me…consuming me…and changing me.” Light explained, shuddering a little. “It was like a mix of pain and pure power surging through me for a few moments.”
“I…see.” Feelings said stopping in the book. “And then?”
“When I opened my eyes, I was back on that same hill, only with something new.” Light explained as he extended his wings a little.
“Ah, what was it?” Feelings asked, being a bit distracted by what he was reading.
“My wings. What else…” Light’s eyes widened as he realized that Feeling had his nose in a book. “Were you listening?”
“Yes, and I think I found out where you were.” Feelings answered.
“And where the hay was that?” Light asked as he sat up quickly. “Pardon my language.”
Feeling smiled. “It’s ok.” He told Light before showing him the book. “Look!”
Light looked shocked as he looked at the paintings describing the place. It looked just like where he was when he became an alicorn, save the frames that showed his life. “W…who wrote about this place? And what is it?”
“Queen LunaMoon.” Feelings said before starting to read. “And that we can, a land of the starry night, where we see our life pass by us. Show the good that we did, and how loved we are. Show our works and why we are blessed. When we came back to mortal land, thine night wings were covered with feathers, and thine horn were on our head. That was good, for we could bring our wings back to their Beauty. This is the fate that hath been bestowed on us.”
“Wow…so this is the same place that Luna went to when she became an alicorn?” Light asked, looking surprised.
Feeling nodded. “It would seem, did you ask Celestia and Cadence?” he asked Light.
“Um…not really. I didn’t like talking about it.” Light said with a blush.
“I think that’s what all Alicorns go through.” Feelings said.
“Oh…I see.” Light said, now feeling rather silly for hiding this.
“But tell me.” Feelings looked straight into Light’s eyes. “Who else knew that you were feeling... down before and...after you got your wings?” He asked him.
“N…nopony…I always kept it to myself.” Light admitted as he turned away.
“Light, that’s not a good thing to do.” Feelings told him.
“What am I supposed to say? Hey Celestia, I wanted you to know that I became an alicorn right before I tried to kill myself?” Light asked as he slumped back in his seat.
“I was talking about keeping your problems from your parents.” Feelings explained.
“I…I just didn’t want to bother them. They put too much care into me because I have the hardest time doing things.” Light explained as he started to tear up again. “I didn’t want to weigh them down more.”
“And you think that just keeping it to yourself as you look at the edge of a cliff is healthy?” Feelings asked Light.
Light gave a small shug. “I was too scared. When I was sent to Canterlot, I was afraid of messing up as an alicorn so much. Twilight and Spike made me feel more comfortable.They were unusual, but they were bright and friendly. I found them easier to make friends with.” Light explained with a sigh. “They kept me from going over the edge again.”
“Mhm…maybe that’s why you got your wings.” Feelings told Light. “Just so you could go to Canterlot, and meet Twilight & Spike?” He said, trying to comfort Light.
“And nearly attack Canterlot?” Light asked with a small scoff. “Some destiny.”
“Oh…please talk about it.” Feelings asked Light, looking worried about Light’s traumatic past.
“What about? About how I lost control because I got so mad at the idiotic ponies who terrorize anypony who is different to them?” Light asked as Feelings started to taste his frustration.
“Yes, say it, let it all out.” Feelings encouraged Light.
“I learned about the crimes of the other nations against innocent ponies! It was sickening! I was ready to just not return, but that unicorn dared to come here…attack our people…and hurt my friends…” Light’s breathing became heavy as his anger got worse before he remembered what he was going to do.
Feelings nodded, knowing how Light felt. He went to the punching-bag that he had in this office. “Go ahead; hit it, if you want.”
“No…no…I can’t lose control again…” Light said as Feelings sensed Light’s anger turning into fear.
“Light.” Feeling said before bucking the bag, the energy getting absorbed by the bag, before being transformed into electricity. “Even Kirouac can’t break this.”
“No…If I lash out in violence again…I’ll lose myself. I can’t lose myself again, not after last time.” Light said as he started to curl up in a ball.
“Light, you need to find an outlet for your emotions before your anger grows out of control.” Feelings told him.
“Through violence? Think of how many ponies I could have hurt. The lives I would have taken!” Light exclaimed.
“That’s why you should get it all out here, in this controlled environment.” Feelings told Light.
“And what if I lose control?” Light asked in fear. “What if I become the guardian again? Who will I hurt then?”
“There’s only you and me in this room.” Feelings pointed out. “I can leave if you want.” He said before starting to walk out the door.
“You don’t understand. I am afraid of being violent again! I am afraid of losing control and becoming Guardian again! I…I’m afraid of myself!” Light said, pleading to not use force with the doctor.
“And what, you just want to keep it all in, until it boils over and you lash out at others?” Feelings asked.
“I just get mad when somepony hurts my friends…yesterday wasn’t the first time I lashed out. I sent a pony to the hospital before I moved here because he attacked Spike and Twilight.” Light said, looking like he was getting ready to cry.
Feelings walked up to Light with a box of tissues. “Let it all out.” He told him.
“I…I’m just scared…of who else I could hurt. Celestia? My family? Who will my rage hurt if violence is the only way to let it out?” Light asked as he started to cry in front of him, covering his face.
“Maybe not violence.” Feelings told him. “That doesn’t need to be the answer. But you still need to find a way to get all, or at the least most of, your anger, frustration and sadness out.” He told him.
“But what if I can’t control it?” Light asked, allowing Feelings to sense an abundance of fear in him.
“It can control you, but only if you let it.” Feelings told Light. “Don’t give it the power to do that. Let it all out in your own way, until it has no more power.”
Light sniffled as he wiped his eyes. “A…are you sure?”
Feelings nodded. “Buck the bag, cry; do it all until you’ve let it all out”
Light started breathing heavily as he looked at the bag. “Can I have a minute alone…just in case?”
Feelings nodded. Before walking through the door, he stopped and paused. “Oh, and by the way, the room is soundproof, so yell and scream all you want as well.” He let Light know, before walking out. “Please come get me when you are done.” He asked politely.
Light nodded as Feelings closed the door. Feelings simply took a deep breath as he knew that this was the hard part for Light, but if Light could just vent enough to get his rage out, it may help Light be able to talk to him easier. As he started pouring himself a cup of tea, he noticed the light’s flicker brightly, something that he wasn’t used to.
“Mhm…he must be bucking the bag with irregular intervals.” Feelings told himself, while drinking his tea and just waiting it out, before hearing one of his bulbs shatter. “Either that or he hits like a train.”
After a minute, the lights stopped flashing, leaving a quiet room for another minute before he heard a knock on the door.
“Yes?” Feelings asked calmly.
“Sniff. You can come in now.”
Feeling walked into his office, seeing Light was still in his normal form, but looking emotionally drained. Feelings walked over to his chair, suddenly realizing that there was a hole in the punching bag.
He calmly turned to Light. “How do you feel now?” he asked in a relaxed voice.
“Tired…not as angry…but still upset in some ways.” Light admitted.
Feeling nodded. “Ok, that’s good. Are you still upset about the same thing?” He asked.
Light slumped down on the couch as he looked at the doctor. “I…I just want to understand why. Why do ponies feel the need to pick on others who are different from them?”
“Because they are insecure.” Feelings told Light. “Because they believe that the only way for them to feel good about themselves is to make others feel bad about themselves. They all think of themselves as the norm, and have preconceived ideas about what others should be like.”
“So why can’t they change? Why can’t they just change?” Light asked, hanging his head low.
“They can.” Feelings said before lifting Light’s head up to look him in the eye. “They just need a pony to lend them a friendly hoof and an ear to listen.”
“But how can I provide that? I already punched a hoof right into Neighsay’s face.” Light said, looking disheartened.
“Why couldn’t you provide that?” Feelings asked. “If I’m not mistaken, what happened was stripped off the record.”
“Do you think they will forget? Do you think that ponies will look at me the same way, knowing I snapped like that?” Light asked before looking at his wings. “Do I even deserve these things?”
“Whether you deserve them or not, you have them.” Feelings told Light. “You can either refuse to use them, or embrace them. Remember, there are two meanings of the abbreviation F.E.A.R. Forget Everything and Run. Or Face Everything and Rise. The choice is yours.”
Light looked at his wings for a while before sighing. “I need some time to think.”
Feelings nodded. “I understand. Talk about your feelings with others, don’t let them bubble up. Talk to your friends, you clearly have many ponies that care about you now.”
“I…I’ll try.” Light said as he started to walk out of the office.
“Do you want to schedule your next session right now?” Feelings asked Light. “Do you want to make this a weekly event?”
“Well…biweekly I have plans every other week.” Light explained before looking at the doctor. “And thank you…also, sorry about the punching bag.”
“Don't worry about the punching bag, I have another one. Which two days of the week do you want to see me?” Feelings asked.
“Two weeks from now.” Light explained as he checked the time. “We’ll work out the details later.”
“Oh, right...biweekly.” Feelings said, feeling embarrassed at his mistake. “Ok, see you then, and do remember to talk about..”
“Okay.” Light said with a nod as he walked out of the room, making his way to where his mare friends were probebly at..
(Nic go here)
Flash was walking back through the town, seeing several kids playing around the park. Flash winced as he saw a few of them flying, knowing that he was unable to join them.
He sighed before looking at the Crystal horseshoe that he was wearing.
“Hey Flash, wait up!” Flash turned to see CautiousFlight running towards him.
Seeing her light blue colored face, with Cyan head-band keeping her darker blue mane in the back brought a smile to his face. “Oh…hey Cautious!” He said before hugging her, feeling comfortable with this.
“I haven’t seen you since the incident.” Cautious said, as she patted his back. “The other girls and I were getting worried.”
“Oh..I’m…I’m fine.” Flash insisted, wiping his face with the hoof that had the crystal horseshoe on it.
“Oh, those look nice! Where did you get them?” Cautious asked curiously as she saw the magical artifact.
“Oh…um….Kirouac gave it to me.” Flash explained.
“Wow! He got you something this nice? That’s cool! Is it only decorative or…”
Flash shook his head before pointing his hoof to a small ball that was left on the grass. He made the crystal horseshoe facing it slowly roll the ball to him, then bounce around them.
“Kirouac gave you a magic focus? Wow! I knew you always wanted to do magic, but now you’ve got the best tool to do it with!” Cautious said happily.
“Yeah!” Flash said with a blush before seeing a young pegasus foal fly pass them. “Yeah…”
Cautious looked up and gave a small sigh as well. “You know, there are days when I wish I was up there too.”
Flash looked to the side, away from Cautious. “Yeah…I…I know.” He said, feeling ashamed.
“Well, at least I am down here with you.” She said as she started snuggling with Flash. “I’d end up missing a lot if I kept looking up there.”
“Yes, but…that’s where your parents work.” Flash said before hugging Cautious.
“I know, but I still have you down here.” She said as she kissed his cheek.
“Ywah…” Flash said, wondering about his relationship with Cautious and Twilight.
“So, do you have any plans for tonight?” Cautious asked as she looked him in the eyes.
“I…I don’t think so.” Flash admitted while looking in Cautious’s green eyes.
“Well, me and some of our friends are planning on heading out to dinner. Do you want to come?” Cautious asked as she placed a hoof around his sholdersneck.
“I…ok…” Flash said innocently.
She squealed in excitement as she hugged him. “Great! Let’s go!”
Flash followed Cautious hoping for a chance to get his mind off of the whole alicorn thing.
Twilight and most of the other students in her hall were all now sitting at a nearby restaurant that they started to go to frequently due to the wide array of food.
“Come on. I can still walk.” Spike whined as he was being carried by Applejack.
“Darling, you need all of the rest you can get right now, and none of us mind.” Rarity said as she and Dash were walking with them to the table
“Yes, but…It’s embarrassing.” Spike whined.
“Agreed, but you look cute that way.” Dash said with a grin.
“You’re rubbing off on Dash, Rare!” A.J. quipped with a chuckle before placing Spike down on a chair.
“I’d like to think that’s a good thing.” Rarity said with a giggle.
“Not funny.” Dash said as she rolled her eyes and picked up Spike’s fork.
“If you say that the pegasus wants to land, I’m breaking up with you.” Spike warned her.
“Alright, you all may want to calm down before a food fight breaks out.” Twilight said as she teleported the towel off of her mane.
“Hey Twilight, what happened?” Spike asked her.
“Oh…I was just having some fun…and learning new things…friendship stuff.” Twilight said with a blush.
“Oh?” Spike tilted his head. “Like what?” He asked, wondering why her mane was wet.
“Just some new swimming techniques.” Shark said, having a small smile on his face.
“Oh…ok.” Spike said as Sleipnir came back with some food.
“Now say Ahh!” Dash said with a grin as she tried to feed him.
“Say Whaaat!” Spike tried to say before Dash stuck the food in his mouth, much to his dismay.
Pinkie and Fluttershy giggled at the sight of that.
“And I thought it was fun when we did this with Light.” Pinkie said with a giggle.
“Yeah….” Futter said with a sigh.
Spike spit it out. “What did I tell and warn you?” He asked Dash.
“I said nothing about the pegasus landing.” Dash said with a mischievous grin.
“I…arrr…” Spike slouched back down in the chair.
“Now just relax and enjoy the pampering.” Rarity said as she gently rubbed his back. “If it makes you feel better, you can do it to us tonight.”
Spike raised an eyebrow to it.
“I’m guessing that is supposed to be one of those romance things that city ponies do.” Applejack said as she thought about it. “Admittedly it’s not my strongest subject.”
Rarity turned to A.J. before going back to Spike. “We can start with her first.” She said with a smile.
“Well…it may be better.” Spike said with a gulp.
“You can count me out.” Dash said with a huff.
“And yet you are still feeding him?” Applejack asked with a grin. “It’s either this or a spa day.”
Dash put the utensil down. “I… I don’t like others touching my…claws.” She admitted in a whisper.
“Oh really? What if Spike is doing it?” Rarity said as she scooted closer to Dash.
“I…we could see.” Dash said while blushing.
Twilight smiled as she leaned against Sheipnir’s body. “Well, at least we are all still together…I think…did Light ever come back?”
Flutter shook her head. “I…I don’t know.”
“He’ll cheer up in time. He has the master of laughter for a marefriend.” Applejack said, trying to comfort the others.
“But I am not with him now.” Pinkie said. “Well I am in the sense that I’m dating him but not in the…”
“Yeah, we get it.” Dash said as he rubbed her forehead. “He’s been through a lot lately, so maybe he just needs a little space to think and work things out.”
“I just hope that we don’t make it worse.” Futter said with sadness.
“He hasn’t hidden himself somewhere, so I think you’ll be okay.” Twilight pointed out.
“How do you know?” Shark asked.
“He wouldn’t have been with us this morning.” Twilight reasoned with a shrug.
“I um…ok.” Shark replied before seeing Light walk in, looking a bit more calm and thoughtful.
“Lighty!!!” Pinkie squealed before tackling the alicorn and attacking him with licks.
Light fell down while Futter softly walked to him. “Oh, I was so worried.” She said in a motherly tone. “Where were you? Where did you go?” She asked with a concerned voice.
“I…I went to a shrink to talk about what I’ve been going through.” Light admitted, looking embarrassed.
“Oh…that’s good.” Flutter said.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. We all do.” Pinkie said seeing how sad Light was.
“I just…have a lot to think about…” Light admitted.
“Remember, we are always here to help you.” Twilight assured him.
Light nodded thinking about what Feelings told him. “I…I have to…talk to you…about…things...”
“Sure thing! Tonight after dinner? I can make some cupcakes!” Pinkie offered excitedly.
Light nodded while hoping he wouldn’t chicken out by then. “So…let’s just relax for the time being.”
Pinkie and Flutter nodded before hugging Light.
“So…did any of you feel any magic when we…stopped Light?” Twilight asked, trying to be as sensitive as possible while curbing her curiosity.
Pinkie thought about it. “Well I did feel a big burst of something.” She admitted. “I think it was love.”
“I felt it too!” Flutter said while still hugging Light.
“I did feel funny when you all were holding me back.” Light admitted. “Did that count?”
“Darling, are you saying that something may have happened to us when we stopped him?” Rarity asked in shock.
“I don’t know…but I noticed that the little bit of dark aura that was around Light…isn’t there anymore.” Twilight said.
“I had a dark aura? I can shower!” Light said, looking confused about what she was talking about.
“No…it was like dark magic…but in your soul…attitude…whatever part of you that made you angry…” Twilight tried to explain calmly.
“Twilight…I think you should talk to a spirit-specialist about that.” A.J. told her.
“And now there is another shrink that I need to see.” Light said, no longer feeling as safe about his abilities.
“Y'all don’t worry about it, Light. It’s more a doctor for souls.” A.J. explained.
“I don’t have any problems with my…”
“And no, it’s not the shoe type of sole.” Applejack clarified.
“You know, you need to learn to chillax.” Dash said as she propped her hind hooves on the table.“ Just relax and take a load off once and awhile.”
“Yes…” Rarity said before pushing Dash’s hoof off the table. “Like a day at a spa works for me.”
“I like to sit under the tree, especially the apple ones.” A.J. told Light.
“You already know how a good book is for me.” Twilight said.
“Baking for me!” Pinkie cheered.
“Animals.” Flutter said with a blush.
“Swimming…” Shark said.
“Depends.” Spike said, clearly throwing everybody off. “What? Some days I like helping. Some days I do other hobbies, and sometimes I just like to kick back and read some comics.”
“Ya, and we can do that tonight.” Dash told Spike.
“After my new appointment.” Light said with a sigh as he rested his head on the table.
Flutter and Pinkie hugged Light ones more. “We’ll go with you.” They told him.
“Thanks…” Light said before noticing Twilight writing down on her notepad. “Um, are you okay?”
“Ya ya..” Twilight said while writing, not paying much attention to the others.
“What are you..” Sleipnir took the notebook from Twilight, keeping it away from her.
“Hey! I was working on some theories!!!” Twilight whined as she reached for the book.
Shark took the notebook from Sleipnir and started to read it. “Possible magical effect caused by several possibilities connecting to the six subjects...”
“What are you thinking of?” Light asked Twilight.
“I…I’m just trying to understand what happened to us.” Twilight admitted with a blush.
“I lost control and then you stopped me.” Light said dejectedly
“But what if there is more to it?” Twilight asked as she was in deep thought. “I…I just don’t fully understand it.”
“What are y'all thinking of doing?” A.J. asked Twilight.
Twilight sighed as she leaned back in her seat. “I can only research. Nothing else.”
Spike realized how stressed Twilight was about this, so he gently petted her back. “It’s okay. You can’t find the answers to everything.”
Twilight hugged Spike.
“But…finding answers to things is her Dragon Hoard.” Light said.
“Well, she can focus on another hoard.” Sleipnir suggested.
Twilight smiled before looking around. “Speaking of the ones that I’m dating? Has anyone seen Flash?”
“Oh, I think I saw him with his marefriends.” Earth said as she sat next to her.
“Oh…” Twilight said. “So..?” She asked.
“I think he’s having a date night with them.” Earth admitted.
“I see.” Twilight turned to the side. “I take it that he won’t be joining me for that second magic lesson tonight.”
Earth walked over to Twilight and patted her back. “It’s okay. You just have to remember that he’s been dating the others before you.”
Light looked worried as his attention turned to Twilight. “Are you two having your own problems?”
Twilight looked to the side. “I…I just don’t think he cares about me and my loves the same way that he feels about his marefriends.”
The group winced as she said that, feeling the pain in her voice when she said it. The mares didn’t know what to say, but Spike gently cleared his throat.
“Maybe you two aren’t supposed to be together? Cadence told us that not all relations end the way you want them to.” Spike explained with a deep breath. “You know that Shining was not Cadence’s first choice, right?”
“I know, but it feels just..just so..?” Twilight couldn’t find the words.
“Heartbreaking?” Sleipnir asked.
“Anticlimactic!?” Shark added.
“Disappointing?” Spike finished.
“Umm.. ya…” Twilight admitted.
“Well, it can be upsetting when somepony doesn’t show the same love to you as he does with others, but sometimes you have to accept that you can’t have everything you want.” Rarity explained softly. “Take it from a mare who has seen more breakups than you can count.”
Spike petted Rarity. “You could tell when they didn’t love you back, my love?” He asked her.
“Better than most…most at a critical moment.” Rarity admitted. “I explained to you how many stallions wouldn’t touch me when they learned the truth about me.”
Spiked hugged Rarity before kissing her on the lips.
Earth hugged Twilight before kissing her cheek. “You still have us, and you and Flash can still be friends.”
Twilight smiled before kissing Earth on the lips. “Thank you.” She said with a blush.
“Come on. Let’s have some dessert to drown the sorrow and pain away.” Light said, earning a small chuckle from Spike and Twilight. Light was a major eater, and he would often suggest eating some dessert after a hard day. It would help them relax and focus more on the fact that they were together
“So…can I ask you a question Twilight?” Sleipnir asked her.
“Sure.” Twilight said with a nod.
“Why did your parents call your older brother Shining Armor?” Sleipnir asked.
“Oh…I think it had to do with my parents' grandparents. I can’t remember those names too well though.” Twilight admitted.
“Oh…what about your..Grand-grandparents.” Shark asked from Twilight’s other side.
“Pureblood dragons and ponies. They encouraged our parents to do what they thought was right…even when their own parents didn’t agree.” Twilight explained somberly.
“Ok…but that doesn’t answer why your brother, who even if he doesn’t look like it, is a half dragon, and has a name that is mostly given to guards that fight dragons.” Sleipnir noted.
“Okay, you are lucky that Book didn’t hear that. Everybody expected him to be a librarian due to his name, and he ended up getting into a few fights with other recruits picking on him because of his name.” Light explained with a small chuckle as the waiter started to bring some desserts over.
“Oh…no.” Shark said. “I don’t think that’s what they mean by hitting the books.”
“More like the books hitting them.” Light pointed out. “The thing about Book is that he can handle blows and dish them out twice as well.”
“I believe you.” Shark said. “But back to Twilight’s brother.”
“A name means nothing. It’s what you do with it.” Light explained with a sigh. “Shining knows that. He’s a protector, not an aggressor.”
“Oh…ok. That’s…that’s anti-climatic.” Sleipnir said, now being the one who was disappointed.
“What? You thought he slayed a dragon or something?” Spike asked nervously.
“No, why would he…” Sleionir shook his head. “It’s just ironic.”
“That a pony born of a dragon would have a name of a slayer of dragons?” Twilight asked. “Maybe he’s one of those ponies who will help us turn the world upside down.”
“Hopefully yes, and not be the one to betray us.” Shark said with worry.
The group shuddered at that thought before all reaching for their sweets. “Now we definitely need dessert!” Light said as he started going through his treats.
They all nodded before they each started to eat their dessert. After a second they each looked at each other, and started to feed their love in a romantic fashion.
“See? I told you it would catch on.” Rarity said with a grin as she teazed Spike.
Spike placed his head in his hoofs. “I don’t know if I should call it an infection or an infestation?” He told her.
“It’s called love, now open your mouth.” Rarity said as she raised a cupcake to his mouth.
Spike turned to Rarity before opening wide, and taking the cupcake.
“ACH!!!” Book grunted as he was thrown on the ground again, having lost the last several sparring sessions with this mare in a costume. He was the best fighter in his class, and yet now he was being beaten like a novice.
“Are you holding back?” Bat asked Book, tauntingly.
“If I wasn’t, you’d be eating dirt.” Book lied as he got up, not wanting to continue the cycle of losses.
“Your heart says otherwise.” Bat said
“You question my will?” Book asked as he got ready for another round.
“No. But I question your heart rate.” Bat explained as she was listening to his heavy breathing.
“If I can be at the top of my class in fighting…I can beat you.” Book said firmly, refusing to back down.
“Which class were you in?” Bat asked him. “Kindergarten!?” She taunted him before laughing in his face.
Book gritted his teeth as his horn glowed darkly. “Let me show you…” Book muttered as his body faded into the shadows.
Bat smirked at this, before starting to whistle and move her ears around.
Book formed behind her from the shadow of a nearby wall, trying to catch her off guard, only for her to suddenly turn and knock him down again.
“You think darkness and the night is your friend!?” Bat asked the fallen Book. “I was born in it, raised by it.” She told him before laughing.
Book grunted as he got back up again. “You may beat me a dozen times, but I refuse to quit anytime soon.” He said as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead.
Bat went down to Book’s level. “Have you ever been told the definition of insanity?” She asked him.
“Is it supposed to be funny?” Book asked angrily.
“The definashing of insanity is trying to do the exact same thing one hundred times and expect to have a different result!” Bat told him.
“I never quit! I can never afford to give up…I’ll always get back up!” Book said firmly as he was trying to ignore the pain in his body.
“Then you’re more insane than the pony that came-up with that saying.” Bat told Book before taking her battle stance.
Book’s eyes were now glowing brightly as he was still facing her down. He was breathing heavily as he was now fixated on beating this pony at all costs. He couldn’t fail…again.
Bat started to taunt him by waving him over.
Book growled as he charged at the thestrial, giving his all as he pulled any stunt that he could to get an edge. He knew that his only major advantage now was magic, so he started firing several small blasts of magic at her. Nothing lethal, but enough to knock her back. As she started to get defensive, Book started laying the blows on her again to switch it up.
Bat once again continued to avoid all of Book’s blows until she found herself on a part of the foot that was uneven, causing both of them to fall down together.
“See? I grow the more I learn!” Book said with a grin as he finally got a win in.
“Well you know what they say if you can’t win?” Bat asked Book
“Wha…”
Bat suddenly kissed Book on the cheek, before flipping them over so she’s on top of him. “Cheat with a distraction!”
Book was frozen in place as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. “I…you…wha…”
Bat leaned over to Book’s ear. “You still lose.”
Book was instantly triggered by this. Without even thinking, Book suddenly pulled her into a kiss and grappled her onto the ground.
Bat blushed at this feeling, not intending to show Book how to kiss somebody. She felt like he just lost control, and that this was out of anger, but she couldn’t complain much, until she felt Book’s hind hooves wrap around her wings and body, holding her in place.
“Ah... it would seem like you won.” Bat said both nonchalantly and while seeming to be bored at the same time.
Book was now infuriated as he got up. “Come on!!! I’m sick of you mocking me without any instruction, especially when I win! This is why I don’t play well with others. You creatures NEVER have my back!”
“Creatures?!?” Bat asked angrily.
“Teammates! I am tired of being left high to dry! I’m working solo!” Book barked as he started to storm away.
Bat sighed before running after him. “Wait!” She yelled at him but could see that Book was too ticked off to talk back. “You can’t just kiss a mare on the lips and then run off.” She yelled angrily at him, not caring who heard her, before running after him.
Book wasn’t listening, feeling infuriated that she kissed him and just acted like he was some untrained welp. He believed that she couldn’t care less about him, and he had put up with too many ponies who didn’t care. Even as he was storming off, Bat was still chasing after him.
She didn’t know why she was doing that, was it because he was the only one that had stayed the longest in a fight with her, or because he was her first kiss on the lips. Whatever it was, she had to get him back.
As Book heard her near him, he allowed his horn to glow, catching her off guard as the part of the body she tackled turned into a dark mist before reforming with his body as she landed on the ground. Book stepped over her body as he spoke coldly. “Leave me alone. I work better that way.”
Bat wondered if she should let him have this one. “You have potential!” She told him.
“What’s new?” Book asked, not taking her seriously. “I beat up everybody in my class.”
“Only equines, right!?” Bat asked him.
“Unicorns, pegasi, and a few earth ponies. Also a hybrid.” Book said sternly. “And this has nothing to do with your race or nation. I just hate working with others.”
“I understand, and am willing to respect that.” Bat said. “But..have you ever fought a changeling, buffalo or even a dragon?” She asked him.
“Changelings, a couple. Besides that, no.” Book said sternly. “And I don’t really care about working with you. It’s clear that you could care less about me, just like them.”
“And what makes you say that?” Bat asked him.
Book instantly turned around, allowing her to see Book’s eyes shining at their brightest. “THEY ABANDONED ME, AND THUNDER TOOK THE FALL!!!”
Bat looked around, confused at what he was talking about. “Who’s Thunder?”
Book breathed heavily as he backed away. “The only teammate that I respected more than Shining…before I even met him.”
Bat got up. “What happened?”
Book started to calm down as a frustrated look came over his face. “Our squad was supposed to have been doing a training patrol that was set up outside of the city. A lot of our squad snuck off a few minutes in, leaving me and the fastest guard alive alone to complete our orders.”
“Oh, ok…” Bat said, managing to keep up with his story.
“Well, some yahoo in command who was unaware of our situation wanted to do a spot twister drill on us. With several unicorns and pegasi, it should have been simple. For two ponies, it wasn’t that simple.” Book said somberly.
“Oh…I see.” Bat said. “But…” she looked him over. “You clearly lived!” She told him before she remembered that there was another guy.
“Thunder did his best…but he got hit by debris in the twister. I…nearly shattered my horn to stop the thing.” Book explained as he sighed. “I recovered in a couple months. Thunder is crippled to this day.”
Bat froze in place. “I…” She didn’t know what to say.
“That’s why I don’t trust ponies with my back, especially ponies who don’t give five bits about the backs they are watching.” Book said as he started walking off.
“I…” Bat decided to give Book some time.
Book left her, feeling betrayed again as he decided to focus his efforts on Neighsay. That was the mission that mattered the most after all.
As Book was making his way to Neighsay, he was stopped by a pale rosy mare with dark red sprinkles on her skin, and a short blood red fire mane.
“So..you’re Light’s older brother?” She asked him.
Book sighed as he looked the pony in the eyes. “Who wants to know?”
“I do!” She asked him. “Now please answer the question!”
“Yes, and next time, say please.” Book said as he tried to walk around her.
She placed her hoof on the wall, blocking Book. “My son is friends with him!” She told him.
“Good, Light can use all of the friends he can get, now kindly move.” Book asked, being rather firm in his tone.
“That is the first male friend that he has ever had.” She told Book.
“Fine…so what?” Book asked with a raised eyebrow.
“So what should Flash do, should he talk about some kind of sports team or have lunch together?” She rambled on.
“Um…what are you talking about?” Book asked, now confused.
“I’m BloodCrosher, Sk… FlashTruth’s mom, and I want to know what to expect for my son!” She asked him.
“Well…Light is a nice pony, but he is straight if that is what you are asking.” Book said as he tried to move around her once more.
“MHm…what…so is my son.” Blood told Book. “He just doesn’t have any other male friends.”
“Really? I thought some of the boys I read about in Light’s hall would be friends of his.” Book said as he thought about the files of Light’s associates that he read about from Kirouac’s files.
“He…knows them, but….you know.” Blood said.
“Yeah…I know creatures like that.” He said, hiding the fact that he was talking to himself. “Look, they understand and respect each other, along with working together in classes and groups. They will learn about each other’s preferences and dislikes, but I think that respect for each other will most likely hold. Just don’t try forcing it.”
“Fine…” Blood said. “So, you’re moving here as well?” She asked him.
“I’m here on assignment, and I have a prisoner to check on.” Book said before getting curious. “And just for the record, what is your name again?”
“Blood, BloodCrosher!” She told him.
“Nice name, and it explains Flash’s birth name. I’ll remember that. Now if you excuse me…” Book tried moving around her again.
Blood stopped him once more. “Wait, how do you know my son’s birth name?” She asked him. “I thought all of his paperwork had been changed!?”
“Yeah, but there is a birth certificate. I am protective of my little brother, and Kirouac allowed me to do some reading. Now, kindly move before I go around you. I am on duty.” Book reminded her as he tried brushing past her.
Blood looked angrily at him. “You did what?” She asked him
“I had permission to go through several records, now leave me alone while I do my job of watching Neighsay.” Book said as he was now tired of arguing with her.
“I…ugh!” She punched the wall, causing one of the “bricks” to come loose before she stormed off.
Book stared at her for a second before summoning a black book. “BloodCrusher, hostile local. Simply avoid contact. I now hate this place.”
Flash was with his 6 mare friends, his 6 first and only friends, excluding the ponies and non ponies in the Asperger group. They were all joking around as they were eating in a more romantic restaurant.
“And then Boom, I actually got a win on Applejack. Now she wants a rematch.” Bubbly said proudly as the others were giggling a little.
Flash was laughing as well, forgetting his worries.
“I have one better.” Honest, a changeling with her mane in a bun said. “So I went into the library and asked for a book about the history of the griffon foundation. The librarian told me…” She shifted to look like the librarian. “I don’t know if that's a good idea.” She said in her voice before changing back to her normal self. “I tell her I still want to see that.” She changed once more back into the librarian. “You can’t handle the truth.” She reverts. “Mmm I don’t know what Flash has to do with anything, but I can handle him very well.” She told her friend before laughing.
The group all chuckled before Zizard turned to Flash. “So, how is your new friend?”
“Ha ha ha..huh?” Flash stopped laughing. “Which one, Light?” He asked her.
“Yeah. I mean, you get along with the other guys in your hall, but you seem to be connecting to Light rather well.” Cautious agreed.
“Well yeah. We are the only male members of the Asperger group.” Flash pointed out.
“Yeah, but you two seem to have gotten along very well, considering that first impression you gave Light.” Scorpioette said with a giggle.
“And that would be…?” Flash asked with a bit of worry.
“Let’s not talk about it.” Zizard said firmly before turning to Flash. “I’m just glad that you have found a good friend.”
“Thanks.” Flash said before hugging Zizard.
“So…how is he doing now?” Bubbly asked with a bit of concern.
“Well…he’s…he never wants to fly nor do magic ever again.” Flash explained.
“That doesn't seem like fun.” Marerian said sadly. “I’ve already been making toys with him, and it could put him in a bad…well…it might hinder him…and anyway it would be fun to fly and do magic like him...”
“Hinder? That’s crippling himself! Who would give something like that up?” Cautious asked as she looked at her wings. “I’d give almost anything to fly.”
“Well, some creatures don’t like the forms they are given, and may want to stick with what’s natural to them.” Honest said as she pointed to her changeling form. “You don’t see me using a lot of magic or flying around in some alicorn form.”
“But Light was a unicorn. It’s like if I stopped bodybuilding.” Bubbly said as she flexed a little.
“I don’t understand his reasoning myself. Some ponies strive to better themselves. That’s why I used a magic focus like Flash when I was younger.” Zizard said as her necklace glowed softly. “It seems like Light is afraid of stepping up and being something more.”
“Hey, if the guy wants to do this to himself, it’s none of my business, and I could care less.” Scorpioette said as she leaned back in her chair.
“I.. there must be a reason for him to be worthy to become one.” Flash said, mostly to himself. “And he wants to throw what he can do away.”
“Well, that sounds like a problem for him to deal with.” Scorpioette said bluntly. “And it may be a good thing since that little outburst of his the other day.”
Bubbly gave Scorpioette a soft slap in the back of the head. “Not the time, read the room.” She told her.
“Well, I guess that event was traumatizing to him. Maybe he needs some time to think?” Zizard suggested.
“Ya…I suppose.” Flash said.
“So, I guess it would be wiser to just help him out and be supportive. Who knows? Give it a couple weeks, and Light will be able to get over it.” Marerian suggested.
Flash nodded. “So…how is… life for you?”
“Well, SweetLine and FireArm had an argument with each other that I had to settle, and Sparks learned how to breath fire for the first time, so it’s nice to relax for once.” Cautious started, describing the events from daycare that morning.
“Oh…ad I wasn’t there to see.” Flash said, while playfully pouting. “What was it about?”
“They both wanted to play with the teddy bear. Thanks to the alicorn, they have risen in popularity.” Cautious explained.
“So that’s why everybody and their neighbor wants one.” Marerian said as she gave a small giggle. “I need to ask him to work with me in my toystore.”
Flash giggled. “Remember when we were their age and we all wanted to have leather jackets so that we could be like Mc-Cool!” He asked them.
“Well, some of us don’t have a job yet.” Honest pointed out. “I can’t start being a lawyer until I graduate.”
“Same for me.” Zizard said. “I get to watch teachers do the job I want to do every day.”
“And I’m limited on the drinks that I’m allowed to make.” Scorpioette said with a huff.
“And I can’t play around with meals ever.” Bubbly said impatiently.
“Well, everybody has a time when they can soar, and hopefully we can start soaring soon.” Flash said hopefully.
“Ya…” Cautious said before looking at her back.
“Oh, my bad.” Flash hugged Cautious’ waist.
“So… I guess we should talk about the new mare you want to add.” Bubbly said as she actually looked nervous.
“Mhm? Oh you mean Twilight!?” Flash asked.
“Is there another mare?” Scorpioette asked with a grin.
“Well there's her mare-friend, Earth.” Flash pointed out.
“Let alone her boyfriends, Sleipnir and Shark.” Bubbly pointed out.
Flash nodded. “Yeah, I don’t know…it hasn’t clicked…yet.”
“You mean between her and you? Or the others and you?” Cautious asked curiously.
“Umm…both?” Flash admitted.
“I see…well…who knows? It may just not be working out.” Zizard suggested.
“And you have yet to introduce us to Twilight.” Marerian pointed out as she refilled her drink.
“Oh, Light didn’t talk about her while you two were making toys?” Flash asked. “Those two are like brother and sister.”
“Talking about her and meeting her are two different things.” Marerian said as she looked at Flash expectantly.
“Well...she’s a half dragon from her dad's side, like our king, and half unicorn from her mom's side, but this time no pegasus DNA. She’s a bookworm and brilliant at magic.”
“Flash, you are dancing around it.” Scorpioette said as she looked at her boyfriend. “We want to meet her.”
“Oh…ok.” Flash said while looking around. “But I don’t know where she is.” He admitted. “If we are done here, we could look at the library.”
“Well, let’s meet up at a scheduled time. We did want some personal time with you.” Bubbly reminded him as she petted his hoof.
Flash blushed, he always felt safe in her hooves. “Ok, how about one or two hours?” He suggested.
“Yeah, tonight, when we will know that she’s in your room.” Marerian agreed.
Scorpioette giggled at that.
“Not in that way!” Flash said firmly.
“Yeah, just in the hall, and we knock before entering this time, okay Scorpioette?” Marerian asked, having experienced her mischievous nature before.
“Sorry, but the door wasn’t locked.” Scorpioette pointed out.
“Funny.” Zizard said as she rolled her eyes.
“Can we please talk about something else?” Flash asked.
“Yeah, how are you doing? You seemed rather upset earlier.” Cautious reminded him.
“Oh…I…I just came back from the therapist.” Flash said calmly.
“I didn’t know you had one scheduled today.” Bubbly said curiously. “I heard Light had his first appointment today.”
“How did you know?” Zizard asked curiously.
“He asked me what the therapist was like.” Bubbly explained as she finished her drink.
“Oh, really?” Flash asked. “He must have come before me!”
“I couldn’t say. I didn’t stick by him today.” Bubbly admitted.
“But back to the topic, I didn't. I just went when he had free time.” Flash admitted.
“Oh…well, what’s bothering you? It can’t be Light’s little traumatic experience, right?” Scorpioette asked kiddingly.
“No, well…it’s…my jealousy!” Flash said.
All of the marefriends were silent when he said that, thinking instantly about how Light was an alicorn, and he seemed underqualified to be one. “Yeah…I can understand anypony feeling that.” Scorpioette admitted.
“I know I shouldn’t be, and that I should be happy and supportive of him, but…a part of me thinks that I’m failing to be a good pony. Like…if there is the possibility of becoming an alicorn, I haven’t proved myself to be worthy of becoming one. You know…?” Flash said before flopping his head on the table.
“Hey, we can’t all be perfect.” Marerian tried to comfort him. “I mean, would you call any of us perfect?”
Flash was too much of a nice gentle-colt to say anything bad about his mare-friends. But if he had to criticize, Scorpioette was too brash. Marerian had her head figuratively in the clouds. HonestAvocado was sometimes a stick in the mud or one up his flank. Zizard was a bit too concerned about wishing that her adopted unicorn parents were her blood parents & would overexert herself. Bubbly-Biceps was bold & stubborn. As for CautiousFlight…Flash couldn’t think of something specific for why wasn't she an alicorn? And if she became one, would her wings get fixed?
“Flash, why worry about being an alicorn? If you stress out about it every day of your life, then what will it be worth when you do have it?” Cautious tried to ask him.
“Be.. because it would validate that I’m a good pony, and I could now do more to help out.” Flash admitted.
“Maybe it’s not about being good, but for some extra duty or something. Even then, you don’t need to be an alicorn to be a good pony.” Zizard assured him.
“Yes…but it’s like when you don’t get a gold star on a test.” Flash compared. “I just wish we wouldn't be limited by what we are born with, and we could do what we want.”
“Yeah…I feel you.” Cautious admitted as she looked at her wings.
“Well, I think it would be boring!” Bubbly said bluntly. “If you are the best that you can be, then you can never improve yourself.”
“I didn’t say that I wanted us all to immediately start as an expert in everything. I just wish that…if you wanted to, you could learn magic without needing a magic conductor, or if Zizard wanted to go on a cloud, she would take some flying lessons and get there by herself someday.” Flash tried to explain.
“Well, we can’t all have what we want. Light did tell me that he didn’t want to be an alicorn.” Bubbly pointed out.
“Yes, I know…which makes it a bit more confusing.” Flash admitted before bringing his head down.
“Well, sometimes your version of perfect doesn’t apply to others.” Zizard explained.
“Even then, aren’t we better than a horn and wings?” Marerian asked as she kissed Flash’s cheek.
Flash blushed a bit, feeling good when they were around. “You’re…you’re...” He just hugged them.
“So, what do you want to do now? We’re done with our food.” Bubbly pointed out as the mares were all looking at him expectantly.
“I…! Flash tried to think about it. “I’ll let you girls pick.”
The girls all grinned as they looked at each other. “I think we have an idea.”
“Oh, what is it?” Flash asked.
“You’ll see.” Bubbly said as she picked Flash up.
Neighsay was sitting in his cell, waiting, finding it strangely nicer than what he was expecting. The only thing that was missing were pillows.
As he was getting rather used to this room, he heard the door open. “Alright Neighsay. It’s time to start working.” Book said firmly, being accompanied by a couple guards. “It was decided that you should have an easier start, so you will be mopping the hospital floor.”
“Ok...” Neighsay said while getting up, the magical rings on his horn and four legs stopping him from jumping too high or walking faster than a trot.
He noticed that Book looked rather frustrated as he handed him a mop that was in a mop bucket.
“This place is getting to you as well?”Neighsay said, hoping to turn Book to his side.
“That’s none of your business, now get to work!” Book ordered as he shoved the mop into Neighsay’s hooves.
“As you wish.” Neighsay said while mopping half-assedly.
“And do it right!” Book barked as the guards were even shocked by Book’s reaction.
“Book, I know what he did wasn’t…good, but there’s no need to yell, he’s “locked” up.” Barry told him. “Look.” He said before passing his hoof over Neighsay’s legs that were bound up. “You see.”
“I know my job, and I am in a bad mood, so don’t tell me how to do my job, and I won’t tell you how to do yours.” Book said with a scowl as he stood his post.
Barry took one step away from Book while keeping an eye on Neighsay, who was back to mopping, better this time.
“Nice to see you on your hooves.” Neighsay turned to see the doctor walking up to him.
“No thanks to them.” Neighsay grumbled. “What are you back here for?” He asked.
“Well, apparently somepony forgot to assign somepony to make sure you get food, so I volunteered.” Doctor Ruff-Feather said as she gave him a couple sandwiches.
Neighsay looked at the inside of the sandwiches before looking concerned at Ruff-Feather.
Ruff feather sighed as she looked at him. “I’m guessing that I didn’t pick something that was suited to your diet?”
“There’s meat!” Neighsay said.
“So, it’s white! Equines can eat that..” Ruff said.
“Most Equestrian ponies don’t eat meat.” Book explained before Neighsay could bark at her. “What he’s saying is that he’s a vegetarian.”
“You need your protein.” Ruff said while taking the meat out.
“Ponies can live without ham.” Neighsay said firmly.
“And some are allergic to peanuts.” Ruff said.
Neighsay rolled his eyes as he ate the sandwich. He was surprised that it tasted rather good, even if there was a small taste of meat in it.
“Does this satisfy you?” Ruff asked him. “Does it meet your Canterlot standards?”
“Well, this has a small meat taste, but it’s otherwise satisfactory.” Neighsay explained as he looked at the mare curiously.
“Well…sorry.” Ruff replied, noting how Neighsay was looking at her. “Is there a problem?”
“I’m just wondering why you of all ponies would volunteer to feed me.” Neighsay admitted.
“It’s either me, or bring a new one in, and I already have seen and know your medical file.” Ruff pointed out.
“Fair enough.” He said as he started to go back to work.
“Please do a better job.” Ruff asked nicely. “It needs to be cleaned enough to eat on.” She explained.
“That's not a bad idea.” Books said before levitating Neighsay’s food out of his hoof. “After you’re done cleaning the floor, you’ll eat your food, ON the floor that you cleaned.”
“I didn’t mean it literally.” Ruff said firmly. “You are clearly angry at something and it’s clouding your judgement. Why don’t you let me handle telling him how clean it needs to be and you watch him?” She asked Book calmly.
“How about you do your job and make him better, and I’ll do my job, making sure that he doesn’t commit any crimes again.” Book told her.
“Actually, it’s the crown that decides the punishment, and you are supposed to help supervise. In some jobs a pony that works in that position is allowed to instruct and supervise, which is me today. So will you kindly let me do my job while you supervise?” Ruff asked firmly as she crossed her hooves.
Neighsay wanted to get away from this fight, so he started to mop away from them, while being followed by Barry.
“Tell me, has Naighsay experienced any personal trauma growing up? Problems with parents, anything like that.” Neighsay heard the halfbreed ask.
“Like he’s going to open up to anyone.” Book said,
“I refuse to believe that he’s incapable of sympathy. Bitterness has to come from some form of upbringing or pain.” Ruff insisted.
“So…you’re a shrink as well?” Book asked Ruff.
“Not professionally, but doctors are supposed to care for their patients. Neighsay may have attacked our city, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t care for him. As for you, I can tell something else is ticking you off, and you are taking it out on him.”
Book looked away. “Where is Neighsay?” He asked while looking for him.
“Right here, mopping the floor.” Barry said bluntly. “You know, I don’t think that anything exciting is going to happen with him.”
“We still have to watch him!” Book pointed out.
“I am watching him! It’s you who is slacking.” Barry sighed as he kept his eyes on Neighsay.
Ruff giggled before walking to Neighsay, to make sure that he didn’t have any problem walking.
Neighsay sighed as he kept working. “So, why do you want to know about my past?” He asked Ruff bluntly.
“I want to know why anyone, sorry, anypony would hate a place they never want to, especially a place that is known to be peaceful.” Ruff said.
“I don’t know that much about this place besides the fact that there are a lot of powerful hybrids.” Neighsay admitted.
“Well, it looks like you need a teacher.” Ruff said as she sat down on a chair next to him as he worked.
Light seemed to be in a daze as he was walking back to his room with his friends. “I was possessed…I was actually possessed…”
“Then we would have had to tie you up on a bed, and tickle you until you were exorcised.” Pinkie said while jumping around Light as he walked.
“Pinkie, the fact that the guardian was some kind of entity isn’t something that should be taken lightly.” Twilight said as she was still trying to recover from the doctor’s explanation of what happened to Light when he went on a rampage, let alone that the spirit was expelled from him.
“So we already exorcized Light-y-poo?” Pinkie asked. “Or should I call you Light-y-wikey?” She asked Light.
“Funny, but I think Light may need a minute.” Spike said as he felt rather embarrassed that she was making variants of his nickname. “Then there is the question of how he was exorcised.”
“Love?” Flutter asked. “Or…friendship?”
“I don’t think we feel as strongly about Light as you and Pinkie do.” Dash pointed out.
“But, what about as a friend?” Pinkie asked.
“That’s in the field of friendship.” Applejack explained.
“So…maybe all of our friendship saved Light.” Pinkie said before hugging Light’s neck.
“I don’t know, but I definitely want to do more research now.” Twilight said as she was writing down countless notes.
Light looked to the side, as Pinkie and Flutter tried to make him smile. “I…I need some time to process this.” Light admitted as he walked up to his room.
“Okie dokie lokie.” Pinkie said before following Light into his room.
“Um, I think that means that he needs a night alone.” Fluttershy said as she gently grabbed Pinkie.
“Aww…” Pinkie pouted before looking at Flutter.
“Yes Pinkie, you can stay with me tonight.” Flutter said while petting Pinkie’s head.
“Sorry girls, I just need to…” Light stopped as soon as he opened the door, quickly shutting it behind him as he turned back to his marefriends. “On second thought, I’ll sleep with you two again.”
“Really!” Pinkie asked with a smile, before hugging Light’s neck.
“What’s wrong?” Flutter asked with worry.
“I think Flash has staked his claim for the time being.” Light said with a deep blush.
“What is he doing?” Pinkie asked.
“I’m not sure, but he’s most likely doing it with six other mares.” Light explained as Shark and Sleipnir were blushing deeply.
“An earth-pony, a unicorn, a pegasus, a changeling, a zebra and a buffalo?” Pinkie asked Light.
“Yep.” Light said with a nod.
Everyone else nodded, but Twilight looked down.
“Ah…”
“Um…maybe you and our boyfriends can sleep at my place? I have my own house due to…preference.” Earth offered with a blush.
“Oh, you wouldn’t mind?” Twilight asked.
“Not at all.” Earth assured them.
“Thank you!” Twilight said before hugging Earth, and kissing her.
“Well, I need my PJs. So we need to make him take a break.” Shark said bluntly before knocking on the door. “Hey loverboy, I need my stuff! Take a break for a minute so I can come in!”
They all heard a stumboled, then some whispering before hearing Flash speak up. “Just wait.”
“Sure thing.” Shark said, looking used to having his room confiscated.
Flash came to the door, opened it slightly to pass Shark his P.J.s. “Anything else?” He asked.
“A pair for Spike and Light maybe?” Shark suggested. “Since you and your marefriends are doing one of your…sessions…Earth is letting me, Sleipnir, and Twilight stay with her for the night.” Shark explained.
“Oh...” Flash poked his head out of the door. “Hey Twilight.” Flash said nervously.
“H…hey…” Twilight said as she turned away, looking embarrassed.
“Wait Twilight is here?” The mares in the bedroom asked before pulling Flash back and closing the door. “Just a second! We’ll be out in a second.”
“Oh…okay…” Twilight said as the group looked awkwardly at each other.
Flash walked out of the bedroom, with his orange coat and hat back on in a messy way, with his 6 mare-friends..
“H…hi Flash…I was wondering when I’d meet your other marefriends.” Twilight said as she waved at them bashfully.
“Oh, a dragon this time!” The big gray earth-pony with short blue and copper mane said.
“This time?” Light said as he looked concerned.
“Yeah.” The gray earth-pony said. “Look at us. We are each a different race, but none of us is a dragon.” She explained.
“I see…” Light said as he didn’t look comforted.
“Hey…” The soft blue and cyan pegasis said before waving at Twilight.
“Hello. I’m guessing that you are…Cautious?” Twilight asked, trying to recall all of his marefriends.
“And I’m Bubbly-Biceps.” The Gray earth-pony said. “The Red unicorn is Scorpioette, the White & Yellow Zebra is Zizard, the changeling is HonestAvocado, and you already know Marerian.”
“Yeah, we work together in the craft’s class. The only student with her own business.” Light said as he was still looking at Flash.
Flash was feeling nervous about how Light was looking at him. “Hey Light.”
“Just how many marefriends do you have, and how many have you hit on?” Light asked, more focused on Twilight’s well-being.
“Well they are all in this room.” Flash admitted before looking at Twilight and the six other mares.
“And do you hit on all of the mares?” Light whispered softly.
Flash looked at Light. “Noo.”
“Um, Flash…I think we need to talk about…us…” Twilight said as she looked increasingly uncomfortable.
“Yeah...” Flash said before rubbing the back of his head.
“Well…I have been thinking a lot about us…and…well…how do you feel about me…in a relational term?” Twilight asked as she was growing more nervous at the second.
“I…as a friend.” Flash told her, trying to make it sound nice.
“Yeah….and I…agree…” Twilight said, looking even more nervous.
“So…you have your 3 lovers, I…have my 6 very good mare-friends.” Flash said awkwardly.
Twilight winced as he said three. “So…I guess you know where I’m going with this.”
“Yes?” Flash asked nervously.
“I…I don’t think we can be anything more than friends.” Twilight admitted, looking ashamed to have said this.
Flash nodded. “I understand and respect this.” he told her.
“So…are we good? Can we still study together?” Twilight asked as she looked at him hopefully.
“I think we can!” Flash said with a smile.
“Okay…and…thank you…for understanding.” Twilight said as she didn’t know how to feel about this situation.
“It’s ok.” Flash insisted.
“Okay…I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow?” Twilight asked as she started to calm down.
Flash nodded before looking at the rest of the group, especially Light.
Light looked embarrassed as he walked off. “I’ll…leave you alone.”
“Um…Light wait.” Flash wanted to say.
Light paused for a moment, just wanting to hear what he had to say.
“I…can we talk, please.” Flash begged.
“Flash…I know what went wrong now…and…I’m still trying to process this.” Light admitted as he was trying to keep calm.
“Oh…?” Flash asked.
“I…went to a doctor…and he said I was possessed by…something that I was corrupted with…but it’s gone now.” Light explained with a shudder.
“Oh...” Flash said. “And… what else?” He asked.
“I… I don’t know… I may try magic and flying again… but I need time right now.” Light admitted as he looked at Flash.
Flash nodded. “That’s good!” He told Light with a smile.
“So why do you want to talk to me?” Light asked as he looked worried about what he was going to say.
“I…I wanted to wish you luck on your flying and magic.” Flash told Light.
“Yeah…I’ll need all the luck I can get.” Light said, sounding disheartened as he walked off towards Pinkie and Fluttershy’s room.
‘And…I’m jealous.’ Flash said softly to himself, as Light walked away.
Shark, Sleipnir and Twilight walked after Earth to her place.
“So…are you going to be okay?” Spike asked Flash before he could follow his marefriends.
“Y.. ya…” Flash insisted before looking at his mare-friends. “I’ll be good.”
“Okay, just let me know if you need anything.” He said as he went to join his loves.
Flash nodded before walking back to his mare-friends, ready to bunker down for the night.
Book groaned as he was done with his shift, ready to just go asleep and forget about Bat-Mare altogether.
As he made his way to his sleeping corder, he passed all of the different raced guards in this Country.
The guards looked at the outsider curiously, wondering why Kirouac was allowing this royal guard to sleep with them. Nonetheless, they didn’t disrespect him, wanting to leave a good impression on him when he went back to Canterlot. Too bad Book didn’t seem to care.
Just before Book opened the door to his sleeping quarters, the door next to him opened, and out came Bat-Mare.
Book sighed when he saw her. “Bat.”
“Yes?” She asked before turning to Book.
“Nothing. I was just acknowledging you. I don’t know who outranks who, so saluting didn’t seem right.” Book said as he started to walk into his room.
Bat thought about it. “There’s the Sargent, Blood, me, and a few others, so maybe you would be just above the other new recruits.” She told him.
“I’m technically a lieutenant, meaning I am an officer.” Book reminded her as he leaned against the doorframe. “And the saddest thing is that I hate lieutenants.”
“Senior, Junior or Subordinate ?” Bat aske Book. “And why?”
“Full lieutenant, and Celestia gave me a field promotion for our joint assignment of making sure that the main six, as I have classified them, remain safe at all costs.” Book whispered to her softly
“Thanks, but I was asking why you don’t like Lieutenants?” Bat asked him.
“They are newbies pretending to know everything! They always want to leave a mark where it's not needed! You always get the dumbest decision from them until they get some real experience. Captains and Majors are alright. They are too far from the top to do anything crazy. Colonels are half and half. Some of them just want the job done right, and the others are doing anything they can to become general. It’s like they are hunting for those stars.” Book explained firmly, without any sign of remorse or hesitation.
Bat nodded. “But you’re not like them.” She asked playfully.
“I may be new, but I know better, and I’ll leave others alone if they leave me alone.” Book said coldly, reminding Bat of Book’s hatred of working with others.
Bat nooded. “Ok, but don’t forget that MoonRacer wasn’t built by just one.” She told him. “Nor do I think Canterlot was.”
“I don’t need to build cities. I need to protect it, and I can do it on my own.” Book insisted as he tried to walk into his room.
“Last words of many before they fell.” Bat said while Book walked into his room.
Book tensed up when she said that. “At least I don’t have creatures pushing me down if I do.”
“But you’ll also not have any to give you a hoof from the top side of the hole that you fell in.” Bat pointed out.
“LIKE I’D GET IT!!!” Book barked at her angrily as he stormed up to her. “WHY SHOULD I TRUST OTHERS TO HAVE MY BACK WHEN THEY COULDN’T WATCH THUNDER’S!?! HE’S CRIPPLED!!! AND I COULDN’T EVEN SAVE HIM!!! WHY DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?!? YOU DON’T EVEN CARE!!!” Book screamed as Bat noticed him tearing up out of rage.
Bat was down on the floor as Book yelled at him. ‘Because everyone was there for me in my time of need.’ She whispered to herself as Book stormed into his room.
As Book slammed the door, Bat heard another pony enter the room. “He’s not taking your methods too well?” Kirouac asked bluntly.
“My.. my King!” Bat said while getting up, then doing a salute, then a bow. “I…I…”
“It’s okay. Celestia warned me about him. Book is a skilled and clever guard, but he is brash and suffered from old wounds that haunt his mind. He buries his pain by pushing himself harder.” Kirouac explained calmly as he sat down next to her. “But Celestia and I wouldn’t have paired you two if she didn’t think that you could help him.”
“I know what pain is.” Bat said, recalling the night that her parents were killed, and how everyone on MoonRacer invited her in with open arms.
“And when was the last time you worked with somepony on the field?” Kirouac asked her.
Bat looked away, not wanting to be reminded of how out of the box she was.
“You are an incredible pony, and you have the uncanny ability to strike fear into the heart of criminals by being a symbol of justice. Celestia believes that Book can follow in your hoofprints and become Equestria’s own superhero.” Kirouac explained as he petted her back.
“Thank you.” Bat said before looking at the door of Book’s room. “But first he would have to open the door.”
“He needs a reason to peak out to see what lies before him.” Kirouac explained before he handed her a book that seemed to be about a decade old. “Have you ever heard of Sterling Silver?”
“I’ve…heard of the name.” Bat admitted.
“He’s one of the original sheriffs in Dodge City, and Book’s grandfather. There are many stories about the things he did to defend his town, and many times on his own. Compare some of his acts to what you strive to do. Being a symbol of hope to your people, and a symbol of fear to others. From what little I know, Silver was an inspiration to Book.” Kirouac explained with a small grin.
“And I take it that Silver did that all by himself?” Bat asked.
“At first, but others were inspired by him, and it became a foundation for the sheriffs and deputies, who are some of the best Equestria has to this day. Silver passed, but his legend lives on in others, and hopefully in Book.” Kirouac explained calmly.
“Ok, but that’s not going to help me to get Book to open up.” Bat told her King.
“You may be surprised.” Kirouac said as he stood up. “When ponies find a common ground, many find unlikely alliances.”
“What should I tell him, that I also saw someone I care about getting brutally hurt in front of me?” Bat asked.
“Exactly. Let him see you put down your guard and see how vulnerable you are. Show him your convictions, your beliefs. Let him see the eyes of one who has seen more pain than him, and spark that strong sense of justice that lies in his blood.” Kirouac said with a nod as he walked up to Book’s door. “By the way, your own cave is ready.”
“Really!” Bat asked Kirouac.
He gave a small nod. “It took us a while to find a good spot for it, but you have it, and all that comes with it.”
Bat had to use all of her strength to restrain herself from jumping onto her King’s neck and hugging him. “I…I…thank you.” She told him.
“There is just one thing that I want to say. It comes with a house, since I had to have a hidden place for it. There is also somepony I want you to live with for the moment.” Kirouac explained as he had a serious look on his face.
“Oh...” Bat asked with a blush. “Who…oh.” She frowned a bit.
“Trust me, when he walks in with you, he will see who you are and what you stand for.” Kirouac said as he placed a claw on her shoulder. “Are you okay with this?”
“I…I take it that I can’t get the cave and house without having to take him with it?” Bat asked her King.
“It’s not his house. It will be yours, and the cave is only for who you wish to see it. I can only ask you to let Book see your dream. I refuse to force your hooves on this choice.” Kirouac said, wanting her to have the free will to let Book into her home.
Bat took a deep breath. “I…I accept!” She told her King.
Kirouac smiled as he gave her a small bow. “Thank you. I know how personal this is for you.”
Bat was taken aback to have her king bow to her. “I’m honored!” She told him humbly.
Kirouac nodded before turning to Book’s door and knocking on it. “Book Knight!”
“Bat, Go away!” Book replied not noticing that the voice was different.
“This is King Kirouac! Pack your things. I am putting you in a different room for the time being.” Kirouac ordered firmly.
Kirouac could hear Book getting up and packing his things before opening the door. “Where are you sending me to?” He asked the King, Looking frustrated while avoiding eye contact with Bat.
“A selected house. It will allow you to be more accessible to the hospital while giving you better contact with our security. It will also give you other amenities that will make training more bearable and professional.” Kirouac explained.
“Good.” Book said with a cocky grin.
“Now, follow me, both of you.” Kirouac ordered as he started walking out the door.
Book looked concerned about what Bat had to do in all of this. Bat merely kept silent as she didn’t want another fight with Book.
Kirouac led them down the streets of the city before coming to a decent sized two story house. “There are plenty of rooms here, in case you have plans for the future, along with simply accommodating guests.” Kirouac explained as he led them to the doorway.
Book tilted his head to the side, curious what Kirouac meant by that, before walking in after Kirouac.
Bat gasped as she saw a large portrait of her parents when they were living hanging in front of the entryway. At the bottom of the frame was a plaque that read ‘Never forget…’. Bat had to pause, so that she could cry in front of the portrait.
Book looked confused as he saw her breaking down. “W…what is this?”
“It’s…” Bat wiped her eyes. “Let’s just say it’s my tragic backstory.” She told him.
“Your friend was crippled by the unwitting actions of people who didn’t care. Bat’s parents were murdered by criminals who care even less.” Kirouac explained somberly. “That’s something that Light learned before he lost control. Criminals prey on those who are weak and vulnerable.”
Book paused when he heard this. “I…I had no idea...”
“Not many do.” Kirouac explained with a sigh. “Tell me Book. What is the duty of a guard?”
“To…serve and protect the vulnerable and down-trodden?” Book asked Kirouac.
“And yet you have been confined to a post, in a place that doesn’t need just another guard.” Kirouac pointed out as he looked at Bat. “She suffered from the acts of others, and like you, she put her heart and soul into her training. Maybe that’s why she beat you? She knows pain more than you do.”
Bat blushed a bit at Kirouac’s complement.
“Some people are defined by a legacy.” Kirouac said while placing a claw on Book’s shoulder. “And others by the acts of others. Tell me, do typical criminals fear that your nation’s guards will dedicate themselves as much as you do? Do they see these guardians as something that is always watching them? Do they know that somepony swore in their heart that nopony will have to suffer like she did?” He asked firmly as he pointed at Bat.
“I…no.” Book admitted, knowing that the guards have become more relaxed in the past several years.
“That’s why Celestia picked you to learn from Bat.” Kirouac said as he got out the book from earlier and started reading from it. “I always found criminals to be cowardly. If the risk outweighs the reward, they will simmer down quickly out of fear. This is why I stand and plant my hooves firmly between them and the innocent. I give them something worth fearing, a symbol of justice.”
Book turned to Bat, who had one of her hoof over her heart.
“It’s a vow to protect the weak and the innocent.” Bat said, before wiping a tear.
“It’s…my grandfather’s vow…” Book admitted.
“Word for word.” Kirouac said with a nod before setting the book aside. “Sterling Silver made the badge a symbol of comfort to the innocent, and a symbol of fear to the criminals. Such symbols are made through various means. By words, by badges, or even by masks.” Kirouac said as he motioned the two ponies to follow him once more.
Book followed Kirouac, while walking next to Bat. “So…how…How long have you been here?” He asked her, now sounding nicer.
“B…been here?” She asked, looking confused.
“The background of the photo doesn’t look like it’s from MoonRacer. Logically, it had to have been from someplace else, most likely a major city.” Book explained gently.
“Oh.. yeah, I.. I used to live on the outskirts of Manehatten, just outside of it, my parents…they were killed in an alleyway.” Bat admitted while looking to the side away from Book. “I was found an hour later in a ball crying next to my parents deceased bodies. I would have been taken to any orphanage, if one of the carriers of MoonRacer didn’t find me and bring me here.”
“Carriers?” Book asked curiously.
“A group of MoonRacians who find others who are outcasts, homeless, and abandoned.” Bat explained.
Book took a deep breath as he lowered his head. “I…I’m sorry for yelling at you. I had no clue that you knew suffering too. I guess it makes me look silly, seeing how little my pain compares to yours.”
Bat hugged Book. “Don’t be, I did the same thing when I got here, yelling at someone that had never known their parents.” She looked down in shame. “I was lucky to have been helped out immediately when I was about to fall into despair.” She said with a smile creeping onto her face.
Book was shocked at being hugged, something that he didn’t feel in a long time. “I…I let out my frustration by trying to become better. I…I guess I just…couldn’t find it in me to trust somepony again.”
“Well, let me open the door to this possibility.” Bat told Book before pushing the door that Kirouac had passed through.
The couple saw Kirouac waiting for them in a study that had a few desks. He looked rather happy to see them together like this. “You see, Bat always worked alone, and Book, you have more fire in you than any other fighter in the guard. We both agreed that together, you two can climb to greater heights.” Kirouac said before he pressed a button under one of the desks, allowing a bookshelf to open up. “By the way, there are ten doors like this in this house.”
Before Kirouac could tell them where the other nine doors were, Bat stopped him. “Don’t tell us, we want to find them by ourselves.”
Kirouac looked curious about this. “Are you two sure?”
Book looked intrigued by the complexity of the doorway. “I think it would be an interesting challenge.”
“Well…ok, but if you can find them, what stops others from finding them as well.” Kiroauc asked them.
“Most ponies wouldn’t look.” Book said before looking under the table, seeing a cover that protects the button.
“They don’t know that they exist!” Bat pointed out.
“Fair enough, follow me.” Kirouac said as he motioned them to follow him.
Then both nodded before following after Kirouac into the dark and damp cave. “Wow, this makes me feel back home, with my parents.” Bat admitted.
“It really adds to the ambiance.” Book commented as he was looking around the dark stairway that led them further into the cave. “Admittedly, I am okay with playing in the dark.”
“Oh.” Bat blushed. “You’re going to fit well here.” She told him. “Many citizens here are nocturnal.”
“I just made it a point of having an awkward sleep schedule. There is a reason why Neighsay only gets to work at specific hours.” Book explained while noticing Bat’s blush. “And I didn’t mean the dark thing in that way.”
“Mhm? What do you mean?” Bat asked Book.
“Playing in the dark. I didn’t mean it in a…”
Bat was taken aback. “I wasn’t thinking of that…'' She told Book.
“Then why are you blushing?” Book asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I…” Bat was about to say more before Kirouac stopped their little debate.
“Okay, relax kids. I have yet to show you the whole place.” Kirouac said as they entered the main cavern.
“Oh, ok.” Bat said before running after Kirouac, trying to hide the blush on her face.
The two were impressed to see a large computer in the center of the room, along with a large table and Batmare’s armor kept in a case at the side of a room. “The computer you see here is the first of its kind, and quite possibly the most advanced piece of tech in the world at the moment.” Kirouac explained as he motioned to the large screen.
Bat went to the keyboard, with an extra size key for pony hoofs to type with.
“I think Short Fuze, my brother tried making something like this once. It was designed to hold information and make it easier to access. It worked for a few hours, before it short circuited and caught on fire.” Book explained as he looked at the device. “It wasn’t this big though. He’s going to be ticked if he finds out about this.”
“Well…if I’m not mistaken, I think the cooling system is made out of material only commonly found in non-Equestrian lands.” Kirouac explained, before going to the computer and typing, BookNightB@t, and getting it to start.
“Wait… you know about Fuze’s tech experiments?” Book asked in shock.
“No, no more than when Celestia knows about it, but I’m sure that your youngest brother wasn’t the first one to try this, nor is he going to be the last one.” Kirouac said, trying not to laugh at each time another country had just invented something that had been discovered years ago.
“Do me a favor, send him some notes.” Book said with a small grin. “Call it the mother of all heartswarming presents.”
“Well…if you want, you could…bring him here?” Kirouac suggested. “And he would have to share it with everyone, with no fee or charge.” He added.
“I’ll write home.” Book said as he looked around the room. “So, this is some impressive gear you have in here.” He complimented as he looked at the armor. “How the hay do you turn your neck in this thing?”
“You don’t.” Bat said. “You just move your whole body, and scare your opponent.”
“Not easy for a pony.” Book pointed out. “It loses function.”
“We’ll…we’re still fixing that.” Kirouac said with a blush, while scratching the back of his head.”
Book sighed as he looked at Kirouac. “Maybe I should let Fuze know about this. He’d jump at the challenge.”
“As you wish.” Kirouac said. “Do you want me to continue showing you around, or do you want to explore by yourself, or would it be the two of you?” He thought about it.
“Well, I would like to know the major stuff.” Book admitted.
Kirouac nodded before walking around. “There is a holding cell right under our own prison, an extensive library with any intel that you’d need for investigations, a magic cart designed to suit Bat-Mare’s style, just watch the steering on it. A meeting room, kitchen, workshop, plenty of storage, a lab, training room, and a few empty ones for you to fill in when needed.” Kirouac explained. “Luna would have been impressed by a base of operations like this in her day.”
“Yeah…” Bat said with a bit of sorrow. “What do you think Book?” She asked him.
Book took a deep breath as he looked around the room, namely at the table. “This place wasn’t planned for two ponies, was it?”
“Um…well, when it started to get built I didn’t really know you.” Kirouac admitted. “But there’s no reason why you two can share.” He told both of them.
Book raised an eyebrow at this. “You and Celestia had a plan.”
Kirouac nodded. “She has plans for the main six, but you two fall into a different plan. Celestia wishes to bring unity, but she also wants security for the innocent. As fearsome as it sounds, we both agreed that criminals needed something to fear. Bat-mare was the first to take on the hero idea, and your skill and knowledge can help grow this into something more.” Kirouac explained as he walked up to Book. “Eventually, we hope that other nations will join in that idea, but for now, we need ponies who pick up where the law leaves off.”
Book thought about it before turning to Bat. “A guild of some kind? That works in the shadows?”
Bat nodded. “Well, I have the skill and style, and you have your own talents that fit in very well, along with Equestrian knowledge. Would you like to try out the whole costumed hero thing?”
Book looked around the cave before turning to Bat. “Alright, show me what it takes to be a hero.”
(Nic go here)
Twilight was now exhausted after all that had happened that day. From the fun with her loves, to trying to learn more about Light and her friends. It was tiring to say the least. At least the others agreed that they were tired as well.
“So…where do we sleep?” Shark asked.
“Well, my house is over here, and I think I can find room in my bedroom.” Earth said as they walked up to her house.
“Oh...” Shark said before looking at Sleipnir.
“I’m guessing that we may be using sleeping bags.” He guessed with a shrug before turning to Twilight. “We’ll make sure that you get to choose before us.”
“I just hope they are heavy duty bags.” Twilight said while looking at her claws.
“Oh, don’t worry. I think the bed will fit us all.” Earth said, as she opened the door to her house. “I hope you all are okay with my place. I don’t get many visitors.”
They all looked around, seeing all of the potted plants she had, one of her rooms was literally an inside garden.
“Wow! It’s a very green place you have here.” Twilight complemented her marefriend while taking in a deep breath of the fresh air in there. “How do all of these grow without a lot of sunlight?”
“Oh that’s easy.” Earth said before pointing up to the glass ceiling. “And my lights are the sun-mimicking ones.”
“Like sun lamps?” Twilight asked curiously.
Earth nodded. “Yes, so they have extra sun when I get up to take a glass of water.” She explained before laughing. “Then I give them the water that I didn’t drink.”
“That’s amazing.” Sleipnir admitted, being impressed about the level of thought and planning that went into this.
“Please make yourself at home.” Earth insisted.
“Oh…thank you.” Twilight said as she was looking around the house.
Earth went next to Twilight. “Feel free to take some.” She said before picking a strawberry off of her plant.
“That’s alright. I…I’m just tired at the moment.” Twilight admitted. “Today has been quite the day.”
“Oh…I understand.” Earth said. “You want me to show you the room now?” She asked.
“That would be nice.” Twilight said with a small yawn as she leaned against her slightly.
Earth blushed as she leaned down to let Twilight get on her back.
“Oh, do you think you can carry me? I am… yawn… part dragon…” Twilight said as she was getting closer to falling asleep on her.
“And I’m an earth-pony.” Earth said while Shark and Seilpnir each got on either side of Earth.
“A…alright…I think that’s…a good…” Twilight slowly passed out on top of Earth as the two stallions helped carry her.
Earth took Twilight to her bedroom that was the center room of her house, with four doors, one on each side.
“Put her on my bed.” She told the guys while trying to hide the blush on her face.
“Oh okay.” Shark said as he opened the door for her to enter the bedroom.
The floor was covered with soft grass, her bed was carved out of a single tree stump that was still planted into the ground, and technically growing, and so was her night-stand, and two other trees for her cupboard and wardrobe.
“Wow…how did you make all of this?” Sleipnir asked in awe.
“My “dad” and grandfather were in the lumberjack business.” Earth admitted.
“Well, I think that explains how you have your own place, although I think this is pretty cool.” Shark admitted as they laid Twilight down on the bed.
“Ya, why wouldn’t I?” Earth said while making sure that Twilight was good and tucked into her bed.
“So…where do we sleep?” Sleipnir asked curiously.
“I..um…” Earth blushed. “I don’t really have a room set up for you guys.” She admitted.
“Oh…so…should we all share this one?” Shark asked as he tried to judge if they would fit or not.
Sleipnir nodded. “But I think we will have to sleep on Twilight.” He admitted.
“Oh…do you think she’ll mind?” Earth asked nervously.
“That her hord is sleeping on her, instead of her sleeping on it?” Shark asked.
“Well…sleeping on her in general.” Earth admitted.
“We can ask her when she wakes up.” Shark said before yawning.
“Fair enough.” Earth said as she gently climbed over Twilight.
“You take the top, Sleipnir and I will each take a side.” Shark said before snuggling next to Twilight.
Sleipnir nodded as he scooted next to her. “So, what do you all think about what she and the other mares did to Light?”
“Help a friend in need, or do you mean…?” Shark asked.
“The magic that may be in the six of them. I can’t think of what connects them magically.” Sleipnir explained.
“Are you afraid that she’ll dump us to make their female only six mare herd?” Shark asked, while lifting his head over both Twilight and Earth.
“No. They seem to be good friends…but what do you all think is going on with them?” Sleipnir asked.
“Destiny or Fate?” Shark said. “You should start living in the moment.”
“What did you think we did in the pool?” Sleipnir asked him.
“Swim with two hot mares, without any clothes on?” Shark said with a smile.
“In the moment.” He said with a small grin.
As the two guys laughed, they soon realized that Earth wasn’t laughing, nor saying anything. She was just looking at the wall.
“Earth, are you okay?” Sleipnir asked, looking concerned for his marefriend.
“Oh..I, um…I was just thinking.” Earth admitted.
“About what?” Shark said as he looked at Earth.
“If their power can take the anger and darkness out of Light Heart, what else do you think their power can fix in someone.” Earth asked.
“I…I have no clue.” Sleipnir admitted, looking confused by it as well..
“Do you think their power can…fix me?” Earth asked while pointing to her flat face and Almond eyes.
“Earth, you are perfect the way you are.” Shark assured her before giving her a kiss.
Earth blushed. “But..” She looked down. “I’m no…”
Before she could finish, Sleipnir gently grabbed her face and kissed her again. “Earth, you are one of the cutest girls I have ever known.”
“Even if I…” Earth circled her face.
She gasped as she felt Twilight’s wings wrapped around her loves. “We all think you are wonderful.” Sleipnir assured her as Twilight had a big smile on her face.
Earth wiped her tears. “But I..” She felt all three of her lovers kissing her at the same time.
“Earth, we love you.” Twilight whispered softly as she gave her marefriend another kiss.
Earth embraced them all. “I…I love you all too.”
They all fell asleep in one big hug.
Flash was on his bed, resting his head on his pillow, thinking. “Do you girls think it’s weird that I have only seven friends, six of them being you girls?”
“Marefriends, or friends in general.” Zizard asked as she was rubbing her head against his chest.
“But.” Flash admitted. “Until a week ago, you six were the only ones that weren't part of my family, that I didn’t mind getting touched by.” He explained.
“Really?” Cautious sat up in confusion.
Flash nodded. “Yeah, and you’re the only ones that have I ever had a hint of courage to ask out.” Flash said, recalling how it went.
“I recall you asking about twenty times if you added up how much you stuttered.” Scorpioette quipped with a small giggle.
Flash covered his face. “Yes, and there’s a reason why you were the last one to ask out.” Flash said.
“You had the hots for me, and the others put you up to it.” Scorpioette said with a grin.
“And he’s known most of us longer.” Bubbly reminded her. “And I was expecting that first date for a while before he asked.”
“Yes, and one by one, I managed to ask each of you out.” Flash proudly proclaimed. “While other ponies with asperger have a hard time asking another pony out, it only took me until my teens to ask the first one out.” He said before thinking about Light. “And now Light managed to get two mares in less than a week.”
“To be fair, they asked him out, not the other way around.” Honest pointed out as she was kissing Flash’s chest.
“Which makes it worse.” Flash said. “He just has to walk in and two mares are already swooning over him.”
“Why? Are we not enough for you?” Marerian asked as she gave him puppy-dog eyes.
“Of course you are, you are all enough for me.” Flash said before hugging Marerian. “Even if I lost 5 of you, I would still be satisfied with still having the one left.” Flash reassured them. “But.. why did Light act so…weird when he met you six? And ask how many creatures I've dated?”
“You’re dating his “sister” and we didn’t meet her yet. You’d be nervous too.” Bubbly explained.
“Guys have dated my cousin, I’m cool with this.” Flash said. “Until they break her heart.” He said with sadness and a bit of anger.
“See? There’s why Light is awkward.” Honest explained calmly.
“I would never do what they did!” Flash exclaimed.
“He doesn’t know that.” Honest said as she patted his shoulder. “There are times when certain parts of a pony’s nature outweigh others. Light’s protectiveness may have outweighed his trust of you for a minute, namely since he is in such a fragile mental state at the time being. I’m sure he trusts you, but he needs to regain control of his emotions.”
“I suppose…” Flash said before being kissed by Marerian.
“It’s okay. Just keep helping him, and he’ll get better.” She tried to assure him.
Flash sighed. “Ok.”
“So, do you think Twilight and her friends have some kind of awesome magic?” Scorpioette asked.
“Probably.” Flash said, trying to hide his jealousy.
“I wonder what else it can do.” Cautious said while looking at her back, where her flightless wings were, then down at her infertile body.
“It’s not like any unicorn magic I have seen before.” Zizared said. “Do you think it’s some sort of organized..chaos Magic? OR wishing magic!” She asked hopefully, before moving the piece of mane off of her face, where a unicorn would have a horn.
“And it’s connected to all six of them.” Honest added. “Their backgrounds are so drastically different that it makes finding a logical solution next to impossible.”
“They all have their own strengths that rise above others in some ways.” Bubbly agreed.
“So what makes these six so powerful? And is this really their full potential?” Marerian asked curiously.
“I don’t know.” Flash said. “Whatever it is, it needs all six of them in order for it to work. Maybe we should try and look into this as well?”
“Do you think we could use this power?” Cautious asked before kissing him.
“I…I don’t know.” Flash admitted. “But we should try to learn as much as we can, so that we can help them out if they ever do need us.”
“Yeah, we may not be in the spotlight, but we still have each other.” Marerian said as the other mares started kissing him around his face.
Even though Flash was being kissed by six mares who loved him for who he was, he couldn’t stop thinking about the three new ponies, and what they have and can do.