Octavia looked at me with confusion and shock from her seat across the room. “I... I can’t believe this.” I had told her everything Luna told me, though I did not dare mention my dream to anypony else. The way Luna made it sound, if this vampony heard I might survive not only would I be in danger, but the ponies I cared about as well.
As Octavia tried to understand my situation, I looked into the roaring flames of her fireplace. She was taking the news about as well as I had when I woke up only an hour ago. Despite my lack of sleep, I felt wide awake. Amazing how awake someone can feel when they are told they are going to die.
“I-I don’t understand though, why do you want to choose death? Wouldn’t you rather live?” I sighed in response to Octavia’s questioning. I hoped that a simple answer would be enough to satisfy her.
“Because I don’t want to become a monster!” As I said this, I turned and gave her a cold stare. Unfortunately it did not stop her from continuing her interrogation so I quickly turned back to the fireplace.
“There is something more to this you aren’t telling me. Why?” Octavia was pushing me into a memory I had locked away long ago. I craved a drink to remove the flashbacks I was now having but I knew she would not let me move until I answered her questions.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I licked my lips as I felt the urge for alcohol become greater. My parchedness only served to fuel my anger with the situation.
“Please Bronze, I just want to help. Tell me-” Octavia’s voice cracked slightly as she continued to speak but I wasn’t paying attention. Please Luna, shut her up! She went on and on until her attempts at reasoning finally peeked my anger and unfortunately she was who I released it on.
“IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS SO JUST DROP IT, OKAY?!” As I finished yelling, I saw that Octavia had been crying and I realized that she had been during her entire monologue. Damn it, I’m so stupid! I mentally bashed myself with a variety of words as Octavia looked away sobbing.
If there was one weakness I hated having more than any, it was how I couldn’t stand seeing others cry. Thinking on my hooves, I grabbed a blanket from across the room and wrapped it around her. I then took the seat next to her and put a hoof around her, allowing her tears to stain my coat.
I took a deep breath to make sure I had calmed down before speaking. “I’m sorry I snapped at you Tavi, I really am.” The time between her sobs slowed as I continued. “It’s just, I have never spoken to anyone about my past because... well there’s nothing good to say. You deserve an explanation after my outburst though.” With my apology done, she finally looked up at me, those beautiful eyes still moist from tears.
I took my hoof off of her as I looked back to the fireplace, trying to think how to start this. It took awhile but I finally found a way to speak my mind. “You know that I tend to drink a lot and because of this my memory isn’t great. No matter how much I have tried though, the one thing I want to forget I never can. You see, I became an orphan at a very young age.”
Octavia could tell I was the one who needed a soft touch now. She place a hoof on my shoulder as she spoke. “I-I had no idea. What happened to your parents?”
I sighed before stepping into my darkest memories. “They were killed, and I saw the killer. Though he was the most terrifying pony I had ever seen, what I didn’t know at the time was that he was a vampony.
“I was only six years old at the time...”
* * *
My parents owned a small apartment in Manehatten. Though it wasn’t ideal for a family setting, they made up for it with getting me a variety of toys and games so I could try many things to get my cutie mark. They also did well to fill the four rooms we had with family mementos such as photos and souvenirs.
My parents had been the greatest people in my life. I loved everything about them, and since most ponies in Manehatten tended to be snobby, our location only served to make them seem more like saints in my eyes. My mother had been a unicorn, my father a pegasus so I got the best of both worlds. My mother would often take time from her busy work schedule to help me learn magic while my father every weekend would strap me to his back and fly me about the city.
The lights of the city at night are a beautiful sight to see, especially when you’re sitting on a cloud.
Though I can’t remember anything specific about my life before they died, I can recall the day itself in perfect detail. I remember it being around sundown. I was in my own room working with some toy tools thinking that my talent might be construction. I was doing a poor job and was about to give up when suddenly I heard glass break and something crash to the floor. I was easily scared back then so I rushed to find my parents only the door to my room wouldn’t open.
After about ten minutes though, I managed to push the door open wide enough to see into the living room. The first thing I saw was a stallion standing on the other side the door. I assumed he was my father and called out to him, but I soon found evidence to the contrary.
As the stallion turned I saw that his eyes were not gold like my father’s, but blood red. As he stared at me, I saw animalistic hunger behind those eyes and just that fact alone quickly shut me up. The wings at his sides which had made me mistake him for my father were not feathered like a normal pegasus but seemed to be made of thin skin. Although I expected him to say something, this pony seemed to want nothing more than to stare.
I then made the mistake of glancing down.
On the floor just within my field of vision were two ponies, both of their limbs in uncomfortable positions. Both lied in shattered glass but as far as I could tell neither were bleeding. I turned my head slightly to get a better look at the mare of the two and found I was looking at my mother.
I cried out to her but she did not move. I called out multiple times, desperate to see her get up. I would have continued screaming at my mother’s corpse but the stallion standing in the room took a step toward me. My eyes darted back to him as he stared me down, slowly making his way toward me. I had never been more afraid of anyone in my life.
Suddenly I heard a loud bang as someone called out. The stallion took one look in the direction of the noise and then darted out the broken window. Police swarmed my apartment. It didn’t take long for them to find me. Though they tried to comfort me I didn’t react to any of their offers to help. I quickly entered a depression that to this day I have never truly escaped from.
Within a day I had been sent to an orphanage outside of the city. I never spoke to any of the other children there. Even when I got my cutie mark I didn’t smile as it reminded me too much of my past. No one would adopt me with my neutral attitude but I didn’t care. I didn’t think I would ever be happy again. Soon after leaving the orphanage I began drinking, and after a few years of wandering around Equestria I found myself in Ponyville.
* * *
“... I would have continued on as I normally did but I soon met Vinyl Scratch. She managed to convince me that it wasn’t worth moping for the rest of my life and we became fast friends.” As I finished my story, silence settled in the room. You would think that after telling such an emotional tale I would be crying, but no tears came just like every other day since that vampony ruined my life. As Octavia embraced me, I found that she was more than willing to cry for the both of us.
“I had no idea your drinking was tied so such a tragedy. I now see why you did not want to tell anyone.” Before I could respond, I felt a something jolt through my body, starting from my heart and spreading outward. Octavia gasped as I fell to my side. “Oh my, are you alright?”
I sucked in air through my gritted teeth as I tried to sit back up. My ears were ringing and I could feel little beyond the pain that was now slowly receding throughout my body. What... the.. fuck?!
I remained in this crippled state for at least ten minutes before I was able to move again. By this time Octavia had lay me down on the couch and done her best to make me comfortable. I turned my head to see her sitting in front of the fireplace, gazing at me.
“Oh thank goodness!” Her embrace made it difficult to breathe. Thankfully it didn’t last long. “It looked like you had a heart attack!”
“W-what? How could I-” I stopped speaking when I found that it only increased the throbbing in my head.
Octavia handed me a glass of water which I accepted. “I guess it has something to do with the vampony bite.” I had not even thought about that but I suppose that her smarts is one of the many things I love about this mare. We sat there in silence for a few minutes as I continued to recover before she spoke up again.
“So you don’t want to become a vampony because a vampony has been the source of all sorrow in your life, correct?” I nodded my head. “Are you sure though? We’re talking about life and death!”
“Tavi, I will not become that monster, and that is my decision!” She took a second to process my answer before moving. She slid next to me and lied down, her body brushing against my own. Our faces were mere inches from each other.
“But Bronze, just because you become a vampony does not mean you become a monster. Princess Luna said that there were vamponies still loyal to her and I’d imagine that they are in no way as evil as this one that bit you.” Despite her reasonable argument, there was still a large part of me that feared becoming my worst nightmare that I couldn’t overcome.
“I-I’m sorry Octavia, but I can’t choose that life. Even if that is true, the potential to become something terrible is there. I can’t risk you getting hurt, by me or anyone else.”
Octavia had a sad look in her eyes as I spoke, but after a moment she smiled. “Alright, I’ll respect your choice.” She looked like she was about to say more but she was interrupted by the cutest yawn I had ever heard or seen.
“You better go up to bed Tavy, it’s been a long night.” I got up and led her to the stairs. As she began to climb, she turned around and looked at me with sleepy eyes.
“Why don’t you stay here until morning? You have been through a lot tonight.” Although I had been planning on being alone with my thoughts back home, I had no argument to get me out of cuddling for the night.
“Alright” I yawned.
* * *
I dragged my hooves through the dark streets of Ponyville as I followed Octavia. “Remind me again why we are up at this unholy hour?”
“Because of the summer solstice celebration. Don’t you remember last year’s?” I didn’t tell her but the truth was I didn’t remember last year’s celebration. What I did remember of the solstice was that I had spent the day quite intoxicated in a bar. It’s a good thing Celestia is coming to Ponyville this year instead of last year. Hitting on one princess drunk is embarrassing enough.
“I think I slept in last year.” I had spoken with an obvious amount of sarcasm and was expecting a response about my drinking habits, but Octavia surprised me by simply nodding. I realized that since our conversation only a few hours ago she had not given me a hard time about anything, but I had assumed prior to this that she was just tired. Now I could tell she was holding back her sly comments on purpose.
Before I could ask her about it we arrived at the center of town. A grand stage had been built for the princess to stand upon. I thought it was overkill to have such a thing just so that the princess could do her normal duty, but anypony I had told this to looked at me like I was insane so I kept my opinions to myself. Query finally woke up and turned my thoughts in the opposite direction, questioning the differences between this celebration and the one made for Princess Luna.
Unfortunately I was too tired to get rid of him so he was free to do what he does. How come she doesn’t get a huge pedestal to raise the moon on for Nightmare Night? Does this have something to do with the vamponies and their disagreements over them? I’d be pissed off if my subjects so obviously favored my sister over me. What about-
“Attention ponies of Ponyville!” The sudden announcement shook me from my daze. Looking around, I realized that I had followed Octavia to a spot a few feet from the stage. We were at the front of a crowd that watched the stage eagerly despite how early it was.
The announcement had come from a royal guard on stage. As the crowd quieted down, he continued. “I am proud to present to you one of the four pony princesses, the being who raises the sun, the-” I lost interest as the guard continued listing titles. We all know what Celestia is, just get her plot out here to raise the sun!
“-and the ruler of the empire of Equestria, Princess Celestia!” The crowd cheered as their princess took the stage. I wasn’t hooting and hollering like the rest of the crowd mind you, I just stomped one hoof on the ground until the noise stopped. Though Octavia did the same, she did so with an energy that put my attempt at applause to shame.
Celestia opened her mouth to speak, only it wasn’t her voice that was heard. Off to the side I watched an all too familiar mare walk up completely hammered.
The first thing I thought was why is Berry Punch drunk this early? She may as well have just set the record for how early to start drinking. Of course my second thought was whatever she is drinking, I’ll take two bottles of it.
“Hey there prinshess! You’re looking really cute today!” Oh good, now I’m not the only one to attempt getting with a princess. Although the rest of the crowd was staring at the town drunk in shock, I couldn’t help but snicker as Berry Punch tried to jump on stage.
She fell on her back laughing during her third attempt to climb up. Princess Celestia however was not amused by Berry Punch’s drunken fun. I heard muttering in the crowd as people guessed what would happen to her. More than once I heard “sent to the moon” but thankfully the princess was feeling more lenient than these ponies’ imaginations.
“Could somepony please take this mare home? It’s clear she has had a little too much to drink.” Despite Princess Celestia’s request, no one moved from their spots. I was surprised by how the town acted toward one of their fellow townies, but perhaps the presence of royalty had put them all on edge. I decided it would be worth getting my friend out of that situation plus I was starting to feel the effects of my claustrophobia kick in.
“Come on Berry” I told her as I grabbed her mane in my teeth. Normally doing such would hurt but the only thing Berry did was exclaim at my “sudden” appearance.
“Bronze! Why are you here? Vinyl told ush you had plans with that snobby mare of yours!”
I swear, if you sober up before I die I am going to get you back for that.
The crowd watch us as I took her away from the festival. I was already mad at how they had treat Berry, but now I could see their hateful stares for myself. Fine, I didn’t want to be part of your fucking sun celebration anyways.
Once we were out of sight I leaned Berry up against a wall so that she could work on standing. This is not how I pictured spending my last day alive. Once she was on her hooves I thought she would take a break but I was wrong. Before I could react Berry had wrapped her forehooves around me and was licking my cheek. The smell of alcohol on her breath was so strong that even a long-time drinker like me twinged in disgust.
“Berry, get off!” I tried to make her release me without hurting her but my attempts only seemed to strengthen her grip on my neck. I even tried some magic but it seemed that my lack of sleep was affecting my strength. Soon she had moved up to one of my ears and was biting down. Hard. “Damn it Berry! I am not in the mood for your drunken flirting!” I pushed harder against her but stopped when she used her hold on my ear to keep herself anchored.
I had just about given up on Berry ever letting go, but suddenly she turned light blue and had let go of me. I nursed my damaged ear as she floated away. Realizing that the sudden change in color had come from magic, I looked around for the source.
Vinyl Scratch stood a few feet away from us, her horn glowing. Though one would expect her to be smirking after seeing the drunken lovefest that had just happened, she actually seemed quite annoyed. This fact alone scared me as I had seen Vinyl get mad before and it often did not end well.
“Berry you idiot! You know Bronze is dating Octavia, even if you are completely drunk! Plus you made a complete fool of yourself in front of everyone, including Princess Celestia. And to top it off, not only were you trying to fuck everypony you saw, but you nearly tore Bronze’s ear off!” Berry’s only response was to kick at the field of magic that enveloped her as she mumbled something.
Vinyl sighed at our belligerent friend. “You alright Bronze?” I nodded still holding a hoof to my ear. Vinyl had not been over exaggerating about Berry tearing my ear off. Once she was safely a few yards away from anyone, Vinyl and I turned to see the sun rising.
After everything that had happened to me, I was starting to find it difficult to keep my curses to myself. “Ahh! Fucking sun in my eyes!” I shielded my eyes with a hoof as the crowd down the street cheered. I could hear Vinyl laughing at my unfortunate situation.
“Jeez Bronze, if the ponies in this town were anymore superstitious, they would think you were some kind of vampony.” Vinyl continued to giggle as I took in the irony of her joke.
The pain in my eyes and left ear was suddenly overtaken by a paralyzing jolt from my heart. The world around me seemed to disappear as I fell to the ground. Fuck... this again?! I could hear Vinyl Scratch calling to me but she sounded far away. My body, numb with pain, could feel very little though I thought I could feel myself being lifted and moved.
It felt like hours before I regained full consciousness, though it was actually about twenty minutes. As my senses returned the first thing I saw was three blurred ponies looking down at me worried. I could still feel dirt beneath me so I assumed I hadn’t moved very far. The faces came into focus to reveal Vinyl, Octavia, and a sober-looking Berry Punch.
I sat up as Vinyl began to speak. “What happened to you? You just suddenly fell over like you had too many drinks!” I sat there as I tried to come up with an answer but Octavia beat me to it.
“Bronze is photosensitive. That’s why he always has trouble adapting to the sunrise in the morning. The sudden change as the sun broke the horizon must have caused him to go into shock.” Oh, I was shocked alright, but not because of the sun. I looked at Octavia as I tried to figure out how she could have thought of such a perfect excuse.
Sweet Celestia I love this mare!
Although Vinyl did not look completely convinced, she begrudgingly accepted the excuse. Berry Punch didn’t do anything as she seemed to slip back into being a drunken fool. Thankfully she didn’t try biting anything else but I assumed it was because of Vinyl watching her closely.
“Well, if you’re alright now than I guess there isn’t much to worry about.” Vinyl Scratch turned to leave. “Come on Berry, we should get you back inside a bar where ponies expect you to be drunk. Have fun with Octy!” she pushed Berry with her head to get her moving as I turned to walk back to the sun celebration. However, both groups were interrupted.
“It’s alright Bronze, you go have fun with your friends.” Both Vinyl and I jumped around surprised at Octavia’s suggestion. I had thought that since this was my last day alive she would want to spend every minute with me. Octavia only smiled when I looked at her confused. “I want you to spend this day the way you want to, so go ahead and drink if you want.”
Before I could object Octavia pushed her lips into mine. The feeling of her lips pressed against my own was amazing. The sensation alone made me forget the world around me as I pushed back. It being as great as it was did not help alleviate the twinge of sadness I felt when she finally pulled away.
“Just come back by sundown alright?” I only managed to nod in response, still surprised by the sudden show of affection. As she walked away towards the fair, Vinyl was the one to break me from my trance as she tackled me in a hug.
“Alright! It’s time to get crazy!” Berry Punch cheered along with Vinyl, although I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in any language that existed. It started to become harder to breathe as Vinyl squeezed tighter around my neck. Ugh... what’s with people and hugging me today?
And so began the longest day of the year, and also the longest day of drinking ever! Once we returned to the bar that Berry Punch had stumbled out of, we found the rest of our drinking buddies. Though none of them knew that this was the last time they would ever see me, they would always drink like it was.
When we got kicked out of that bar, we went to another, and when we ran out of bars we went to Vinyl’s house and had a party of our own. I must have drank more than I ever had in my life, but it wasn’t like I needed to worry about alcohol poisoning. Though my memory of what happened is only relative at best, it was definitely the kind of party someone would want to go out on.
By the end of it all I had completely forgotten about my terrible situation. The ground felt like it was moving below me as I headed to Octavia’s house. Despite the grumbles that came from ponies I passed, I cheerfully greeted everyone I met. I even gave a few of them hugs.
Ya, I’m a silly drunk.
When I got to Octavia’s I tried to open the door with magic but everytime my magic field would grasp nothing but air. I finally gave up and used my head to open the door. Once I was inside I kicked the door closed with one of my hind hooves and ended up falling on my face.
Once I finished laughing at myself, I called out to Octavia, only no one answered. Through the drunken haze in my mind I managed to find that strange so I stood up. My search for my marefriend was stopped early though when I found a trail of Octavia’s sheet music leading upstairs. Query was just as drunk as I was so he had no way of questioning why they were here so I just began to pick them up sheet by sheet.
I followed the trail until I was standing in front of Octavia’s bed room. I saw an eerie light leaking through the cracks in the door but with my mouth full of music I couldn’t call out again. Following my drunken instincts, I opened the door without even a second thought as to what might be on the other side. What I saw made me drop the sheet music all over the floor.
Octavia was lying in bed, looking at me with the most sultry stare I had ever seen. The light of the candles assorted around the room only served to accentuate the curves of her body. But what really made it hard to look away was the purple striped stockings she was wearing.
Only two words managed to come to mind as I stared at my sexy marefriend. Holy Shit!
I don’t know how long I stood in the doorway with my jaw dropped, but it was long enough for some saliva to begin leaking from my mouth. Octavia must have been able to tell I was having a hard time thinking straight so she helped me out a bit.
“Why don’t you come in and close the door?” she said in a voice to match her stare. I snapped my jaw shut as I did what she asked. Once I was standing next to the bed she wrapped her forehooves around my neck so that she could whisper in my ear.
“Since this is your last day, we’re going to have to make up for all the time we will lose.” At the mention of time, what little part of my brain that was still my own allowed me to take a glance at her alarm clock. 7:30? Oh sweet Celestia...
Those were my last conscious thoughts before Octavia pulled me into the bed and I lost myself.
* * *
Octavia was lying in my hooves, her gentle breathing music to my ears. Despite us having slept together a maximum of three times, she had managed to find every sensitive spot on my body, and she made sure over the past few hours to use everyone. She had tired herself out though and had fallen asleep a few minutes after we stopped.
I know I have thought this many times before, but I love this mare!
Although I couldn’t be happier in that moment, my heart sank as I looked at the clock. I had only a half an hour left before Luna showed up, and after the day I had spent with those I cared about I was more conflicted about the matter than ever before.
Looking down at Octavia, I decided it would be best if I left her to sleep. I slipped out of bed and wrapped a blanket around her, using magic so as not to wake her. Once I was outside I decided I had a bit of time before the princess arrived and turned in the opposite direction to take a stroll.
I breathed in the night air as I looked up at the sky. The moon was full and what space it did not fill in the night sky was taken up by countless stars. I couldn’t help but be in awe at the amazing work Princess Luna had done. This is so much better than the sun. I had never truly understood my fascination with the night, but I assumed that it was just a side effect of my hatred toward sunlight.
Once I was done praising the princess, my mind wandered to my decision. This morning I had been so sure of myself, and since then my attitude toward vamponies had not changed. I still saw them as vile monsters and nothing was going to change that. However throughout the day my friends had brought up so many positive emotions that I now wondered if it was worth becoming something I feared for the chance I could return one day.
I know Princess Luna had said I would be forced to leave. I assumed it had something to do with her lesson on vampony fledglings, and I knew she was right. If I became a vampony, I doubt the one who had bit me would just leave me alone. It was this fact doubled with my hatred toward the race that fueled my choice for death.
But on the other hoof Princess Luna had never said I couldn’t kill him, though the idea of killing another pony, no matter how evil, scared me. The urge to kill is a slippery slope. Another issue I saw was Princess Celestia. If she discovered me, not only would she roast me on the spot, but she might punish those around me out of fear that the vampony blood had spread to them. If she found out that she had failed to kill vamponies off, I doubt she would let them slip by again.
A drop of water hit my muzzle and shook me from my daze. I looked up to see the stars and moon being blocked off by heavy storm clouds. It wasn’t long until it was raining very hard. I heard thunder all around me, and saw a few flashes of lightning to go with it.
Rain? That’s odd... The weather team had not scheduled a storm tonight, and even if they had it would never be one of this size. Such a storm could damage the town if left unchecked. I hoped that they knew what they were doing and continued walking, ignoring my now soaked coat.
Oddly enough, Query decided now of all times to pop out and say hi. Unfortunately for him there weren’t too many questions left unanswered so once they were gone he sulked and returned from whence he came. I smirked to myself a bit as I realized this was the first time ever I had truly beaten him at his own game. Just in time too...
I continued to struggle with my decision until I realized I had reached my designated meeting place. Just as I stopped at the entrance to town, I saw a flash of lightning go off in the distance. I wasn’t interested in it though, more the shadow of what I had seen when it had gone off. It had only been for a second but it was all I needed.
Princess Luna landed softly before me, her mane still flowing on an unnatural breeze despite the rain. Of course, Query took the arrival of the princess as an opportunity to ask more questions. How is her mane doing that? It doesn’t even look like rain is touching her! It seems my victory over him was short lived as I beat him back to clear my thoughts.
“Bronze Ember” Luna spoke quietly yet strong “The time has come for you to decide. If you do not choose before the final toll of midnight, then I’m afraid your choice will be made for you.” Of course she meant by then she wouldn’t be able to stop me from dying. After my walk through town I had finalized my decision, but before I could speak I was interrupted.
Bong!
I turned to look at the clock embedded high in the mayor’s office only to see what I already knew. It was now midnight. I didn’t care. I was in no rush to give the princess my answer as it would come either way.
Bong!
I glanced down from the clock tower to the street behind me. I felt my heart ache as I saw a grey pony standing at the other end of the street, an umbrella being held over her head by a saddle.
Bong!
Octavia stood there, watching me with a gaze that looked deep into my soul. Our eyes locked as we both stared at each other.
Bong!
I was about to turn away so that I would not have to see her cry, but before I could I saw her face of concern become a warm smile.
Bong!
I felt something in my heart snap and give way as my sight began to blur. Raising a hoof to my eyes, I realized what was blocking my vision. Am... am I... crying?
Bong!
A sudden wave of emotion swept over me as I realized what was happening. The sadness I had built up since that day all those years ago had finally been released.
Bong!
I was grateful for the rain as it hid my tears from Octavia. The rain could not hide my sobbing however, and Luna placed a hoof on my shoulder to help me. Unfortunately her kind gesture only served to bring more tears.
Bong!
Query came back, fueled by my surge of emotion. Instead of his bombardment though, he only gave me one question and it was all he needed. How could I have been so selfish?
Bong!
I hated vamponies for the things they had done to me, hated them more than anything in Equestria. But did I not care for my friends more?
Bong!
Does my love for Octavia not outshine the darkness in my past? Don’t they at least deserve for me to fight for them?
Bong!
“Alright” I said ending my sobbing. “I choose to live.”
Bong!
I looked up with red eyes to see Princess Luna smiling warmly at me. “Very well, then come with me.” She turned and began walking away. As I stood up to follow, another jolt tore through my body, this one causing me more pain than any other. Even after it was gone I could feel it had done its damage. I found it hard to breathe as a feeling of vertigo took over.
Was I too late? I thought to myself as I fell forward. I began to close my eyes and accept death only for my vision to be filled with midnight blue. As I felt myself be picked up off the ground, I felt my disabled lung start back up. The pain in my head receded as I landed softly on Princess Luna’s back. Although I no longer was floating, her aura still covered my body. I guessed it was the only thing keeping me alive at this point.
As the princess took off with me in tow, I glanced back to see Octavia watching me. I felt tears begin to form again but I blinked them away. No I thought No more tears. My life may have taken a turn for the worst, but I will not take it as I did as a child. This time I will face the darkness of this world head on as now I have something worth fighting for.
We entered the storm clouds above Ponyville and soon broke through the other side. I looked up to once again see the stars and moon shining brightly. A small smile broke across my face as I stared into the vastness of space.
I will return someday Octavia. I swear...