//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The next morning 
// Story: A Hero in need 
// by DrakeFang 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 4: The next morning


The next morning, Drake woke up rather early and had been sitting on a couch in the lobby for quite a bit. He looked tired. Apparently, he hadn't slept all night. Pinkie was awake early too, because she just knew Drake wasn't OK. The pink pony walked up to her friend, sitting down next to him. "I'm so sorry, Drake. Trust me, I know how unfair life can be." "I know that, Diane...", Drake responded with a sad tone in his voice. Pinkie tried a smile. "But come on, look on the bright side." Without hesitation, he answered her: "What bright side?" A short silence followed and Pinkie's smile grew a little wider. "Well, you live here now. I may not be Spectrum, but you've always told me you'd protect me, your best friend, right? Now that you almost live WITH me, you can always be ready to do so." Drake nodded. "I guess you're right on that one."

Meanwhile, a certain mare had been listening in on the story. All of her focus went to the part of protecting Pinkie, though. So the stallion that saved her didn't do it because it was Moonshine. He saved her because he considered her a friend. Only a friend. He probably wouldn't even notice her. Not like it mattered. She'd be returning to the bar she was working at soon anyway. Pinkie, who had developed a magic skill to read mind over time, smirked a little as she knew Moon stood there thinking these things. As Drake looked at her, she asked him: "So uh, about this mare you saved yesterday. Any reason you did so?" Drake shrugged. "Two reasons, actually." "Really now? Care to tell me which ones?" Her voice sounded playful.

Moon's curiosity only increased as well. She had to hear what he was going to say! Leaning slightly against the wall, she tried her best to remain unseen to the two. "Well Diane, one of the reasons would be that I have to. It's my duty to protect the innocent." Pinkie grinned at that. Other than reading minds, she had a great ability to 'see through' ponies. "Oh, she's innocent, alright. But I know that wasn't the only reason." With that, a small, hopeful smile appeared on Moon's face. Would he say what she think he would say. Pinkie continued. "I've seen the sparkle in your eyes yesterday. You like her, don't you?" Seeing as Pinkie was known as the Matchmaker Innkeeper at Sugar Cube Corner, a slight blush filled Drake's face. "Alright, you've got me. Yes, I may have a slight crush on her."

Moon gasped silently, blushing hard and smiling brightly. He liked her? He really liked her? She continued to listen. "But I'm not ready to move on yet, Diane. I can't let go of Spectrum." Pinkie nodded. "I know what it's like, Drake. Avalon had it hard as well when she decided to break up with Flare." Avalon was Pinkie's oldest daughter. She felt that her boyfriend and the father of their child wasn't exactly the right one for her. Indeed, Pinkamena Diane Pie was even a grandmother already, but Avalon was part demon, speeding up her aging progress. Thus, Diane was quite the young grandmother. "This is different, Diane. I didn't break up with Spectrum. She died and I failed to save her..."

As Moon heard that, her smile vanished. She didn't know he used to be married! However, what -or rather- who she knew was the red colt that came running to the lobby, laughing and chased by another colt of his age. Hot Shot hopped on the couch, chuckling and sitting between Drake and Pinkie. The other colt sat down at Pinkie's lap. "Hey Hot, Card." Hot Shot smiled at Pinkie and answered her in a cheerful way "Hi Pinks!", while Card simply answered "Good morning Diane, Drake" and nodded like an adult. For an 8 year-old colt, Card Trick was quite mature already. Not to mention he was blind, yet he could see, an ability he inherited from his father, Hat Trick. Hot Shot looked up at Drake, noticing he was still a little sad.

"Are you OK, Dad? You've been crying..." Drake nodded at him. "Don't you worry, son. I'm alright." He stood up and turned to face Hot, Card and Pinkie. "I should probably go to work, but I don't have a foalsitter for Hot. Diane, would you mind to-" His question got interrupted by Moonshine walking out from behind the wall she was hiding at. "Ah could foalsit yer son fer a bit. Ah used ta do so all the time when ah wus young." Drake stared for a moment and then smiled.

"Alright, Moonshine. I'm entrusting Hot Shot to you. Hot, you better be a nice colt to miss Moonshine, alright?" As he asked this, he ruffled the colt's mane, and Moonshine sighed at the adorable sight of father and son. As he trotted out, Moonshine walked behind him to wave goodbye. However, what she saw then shocked her in a very good way. Drake seemed to be on fire, flames engulfing him! When the flames died out, he suddenly stood there with wings. And not just feathered wings like hers. No, his were all leathery, like dragons would have. This was his DragonWing form, a transformation Drake had learned over the years.

Drake flew off quite fast, and instead of the common reaction of fright, Moon actually swooned, leaning against the door border. Above her head, imaginary hearts could even be seen. Yes, Moonshine was certain now. This was the guy of her dreams. She could only say one thing to that with a silly smile on her face.

"Wut a stallion..."