//------------------------------// // Running away // Story: A New Flame // by Lostsong //------------------------------// The sun was setting when I returned. Most ponies were playing or relaxing after a hard day's work. But if I knew Dark Fire as half as I hoed I did, he would be in the sky, and I would be at home waiting for him to come back. That is if he was still here... I didn't imagine he would be. I had told Applejack in my letter last week that part of the reason I had to stay in Canterlot was Dark Fire. She could've told him that I suspected him of being a mare-chaser. If she told him, he would've left and found some other mare's heart to break. I arrived back at my home and opened the door, expecting it to be dark. Instead, the lights were on and Dark Fire was pacing back and forth, Spike at his heels. "Sparkles!" he cried, running to me. I let him kiss me, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. It was our last kiss after all. "How was Canterlot?" "It was great," I said, keeping my head level. "I met an old friend. She said she knew you," "Who was she?" Dark Fire was getting nervous. "Just my best mare friend in Canterlot, Sparkling Water," the name sent beads of sweat down Dark Fire's muzzle. "She had some interesting things to say about you," I added. "Couldn't be anything too interesting... Come on, it's your first day back, we need to celebrate" He leaned in too kiss me again but I wouldn't let him. I had a feeling the celebrating he wanted didn't involve a party... I forced myself to move away from and shot him a glare. "Did you also 'celebrate' with Sparkling Water from Canterlot, with Vanilla Spice from Fillydelphia? Or how about with Amber Drop from Los Pegasus! Softfeather in Cloudsdale? What about Appleoosa; the name Caramel Apple ringing any bells? And let's not forget Sweetbreeze from Manehatten, who now has a young colt? Did you know about that Dark Fire? Is there anyone I'm forgetting?!" I screamed at him. "Sparkles..." He started. "Were you just going to leave me too...? Is that all I am to you, just another mare who's heart is waiting to break?" I didn't want to cry...That why I tried to wait before coming back. I wanted the one to be in control... But I had little control over the tears spilling down my cheeks. "Sparkles, listen to me!" Dark Fire half shouted. "I don't have to!" I cried. "I know what you do to mares. You make them fall head-over-hooves for you and once you get what you want, you leave. Well I'm not letting that happen to me. I'm moving back to Canterlot to protect myself from you. Spike," I said calmly, facing the little dragon. "Pack our things. We're leaving." Spike did as he was told, and we were ready to leave in half an hour. "Twilight Sparkle, will you hear me out? Yes, I screwed up. I messed around with other mares, but that was before I met..." "Save it for the next one," I spat. "Let's go, Spike. I'd like to say proper goodbyes to my friends" "But Sparkles-" "I'm leaving Dark Fire... This is goodbye" I sighed. But as I slammed the door behind me I swore I heard him mutter 'I don't give up easily' But if he did, I didn't acknowledge him. I stormed over to Mr. and Mrs. Cake's house, where I told the other ponies to meet me for an important announcement. The others were already there, Pinkie Pie jumping around as usual. "I'm moving back to Canterlot," I said. It was better to get it over with. Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing... "What!?" She stopped mid bounce. "You can't leave! This is your home!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "I was only here on business for Princess Celestia... You now this was never permanent" I sighed. "But I thought we meant something to ya," Applejack said sadly. "Are we the reason you're leaving? I'm sorry," Fluttershy looked down at the floor, tears in her eyes. "It isn't you...its Dark Fire." I said softly. "You can all come visit whenever you like," "You really gonna let that mare chasing buck up make you run away!" Applejack challenged. "He's not chasing me away," I replied. "He just made me realize that I need to go back to Canterlot." "Of all the worst things that could happen," Rarity began to cry. "This is the worst...possible...thi-i-i-iiiiing," Rarity fell to the ground, covering her face with her hooves and Spike ran to comfort her. "Don't worry Rarity... We'll... come and visit... And you will... " Spike suddenly launched himself at Rarity and exploded in tears. "I don't want to leave Ponyville!" He cried, not budging as I tried to yank him off Rarity. "Spike, we have to go now. I arranged for a chariot to pick us up." "I don't wanna go!" he sobbed. "Stop being ridiculous Spike!" I snapped. Spike finally pulled away from Rarity tears in his eyes. "Ok... But you promise to visit?" "Of course my little Spikey-Wikey!" Rarity smiled, nuzzling him with her nose. Spike looked satisfied and reluctantly walked over to me. "I'm ready," he said sadly. We stepped outside where the chariot was already waiting for us. "Twilight Sparkle?" The chariot puller up front asked. I nodded and a ramp lowered so we could walk up. As we pulled away I saw my friends waving goodbye, I heard Pinkie cry something about not even able to throw me a going away party. And Rainbow Dash writing 'Goodbye Twilight' In the skies with the clouds. I sighed... I was going to miss Ponyville... But I had to leave. Canterlot was the best place to get over everything. Besides, if I lived in the castle, Dark Fire wouldn't be able to find me...not that I thought he would look. He was probably already off to the next place, looking for the next mare to hurt. I shook my head... I did not want to think about that... All I wanted to do was get settled, serve the castle well... And learn as much as I could about everything I could. I was NOT here to think about Dark Fire. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX "I'm glad you decided to stay," Sparkling Water said from my door. I smiled and nodded to let her come in and she helped me move things around. With the castle so big Princess Celestia had given Spike his own room... Meaning I would be sleeping alone... Not that I cared. "You okay there Twilight" She asked me, and I forced a smile. "Just fine," I lied. "Moving in is just a little hard." "It always is. I remember when I first moved to Canterlot..." I pretended to listen as she rambled on... I wasn't really interested about her life story. I just wanted to forget Ponyville and start anew. It was nearly 2 in the morning when I was fully moved in Sparkling Water said her goodbyes and headed back to her own home. I hadn't gone to bed because I was afraid of where my dreams would take me. "So instead of sleeping I looked through my books. As great as my magic books were, there was one in particular I wanted more than anything. 'échase mageía' The book had every spell known to pony kind in it. It was the greatest of spell books and whoever possessed it would have the entire history of magic in their hooves... But it was lost centuries ago in a great war. Some say the great magician Spell Caster locked it away in a hidden realm before he died... Others say it was destroyed by the mi̱ pistós, a group of ponies who feared the power of magic. Some say it never existed, but any unicorn whom has ever lived senses the book is out there... They feel its magic in their hearts. To have this book would be a dream come true... But it was lost in time itself... I remember talking about the book with Dark Fire... I would go on and on about it and he would just sit there and listen to me ramble. He even promised to one day find it for me if I wanted it so bad... That silly colt. The book was gone. But Dark Fire was so confident he believed he could do anything, it was one of the things I loved and hated the most about him. He would- NO! I was thinking of him again! Was there no end to this pain... I had to stop. Besides, Dark Fire couldn't get me the book. It was lost. It had been lost forever, and a simple stallion couldn't find it on his own. I turned to a different book, a scrap book of me and my family. My brother... My mother and father. It made me feel... A little more at home. That I made the right decision leaving Ponyville behind. Once again though the thought of Dark Fire flashed through my mind. Sure he was arrogant and obnoxious… But he always was there when she needed them. He always offered her his shoulder when she cried over missing her family… Why was getting over Dark Fire so hard? Hard... Yes. But not impossible... I reminded myself. It would take time... But now that I live in Canterlot I'd have all the time in the world. Maybe I could even find myself a stallion that wouldn't use me. I could find someone who would actually love me. He wouldn't be anything like Dark Fire ether. He'd be smart, compassionate, kind, and generous. And he wouldn't call me Sparkles! Yes. I would fall in love again… And then Dark Fire will only be a forgotten memory.