//------------------------------// // Reacquainted // Story: Soren The Alicorn Part 2: The Effects Of War // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// Dear Princess Celestia, After that scary incident with Soren's evil half, Cain, we were all happy he was safe. As he recovers in the hospital, Soren smiles in his sleep. As our friend slept soundly, the Doctor began explaining something to us while we were at the hospital in Soren's room. "I just saved Soren from being completely possessed by Cain," I remember the Doctor saying seriously. "Soren has been through too much over the past few weeks. He needs a break...from everything." The Doctor made us promise to show Soren how much we appreciate him by doing something small but meaningful with him. He also wanted us to make sure Soren took a long break from anything dangerous or threatening. My friends and l easily agreed. After that, the seven of us left the hospital so Soren could rest. At the time I am writing this, Soren has been in the hospital for a full day. Spike volunteered to stay behind so Soren would have company. Princess, I feel as though I should ask: why have all of these things happened to Soren? Your Student, Twilight Sparkle --------------- The Next Day --------------- Soren woke up feeling fantastic. He hasn't had a good nights sleep in a while. As Soren started rubbing his eyes and looking at the hospital room he was in, he was surprised when he heard Spike's voice near him. "Looks like the crazy alicorn is finally awake," Spike joked. "Heh, give me a break. I was almost possessed...again. How bad was I hurt?" "The doctors said you don't have any major injuries. You were just very drained." "Well that's good." A silence passed between the dragon and the alicorn. Eventually Soren wanted to ask Spike about something. "Hey Spike? You're never really with us when we go off on some crazy adventure. Don't you ever feel left out?" "Twilight asked me this before. I guess you can say I feel left out, but after seeing all the damage that those adventures can cause, I think I would prefer to stay in the library. I couldn't be that much help to you guys anyway." "Oh, don't say that. You can be plenty helpful! Wasn't it you who ultimately saved the Crystal Empire? That sounds like a very important dragon to me." "Haha, quit flattering me." As Soren and Spike continued to laugh, a doctor peaked his head into the room. "I thought I heard voices coming from this room," he said. "I see you're feeling fine now, Soren. Did that long sleep help?" "How long was I asleep?" Soren asked. "Only a day. Your caring friends brought you in two nights ago and you've been sleeping ever since. Luckily, you were simply exhausted. If I recall correctly, last time you were here, you fought the Nightmare Guardian." "It's been that long, huh? I suppose that's a good thing." "Anyways, since you are feeling fine now, I can tell you that you may leave whenever you feel like it. Hopefully you won't be back anytime soon." "We all hope for that, doc," Spike commented. The doctor chuckled then walked out of the room. Spike looked at Soren. "So how about we go see our friends?" "Yes, please. It's been way too long." Soren got out of bed, stretched his legs, and motioned for Spike to hop onto his back. Once Spike was on top of Soren, the two of them were out of the hospital. ------------- As they walked around Ponyville, Soren and Spike ran into each of their friends one by one. First, they ran into Fluttershy. She was on her way to Sweet Apple Acres to pick up some apples for her animals. After asking how the shy pegasus was feeling today, Soren and Spike accompanied her on her way to the farm. Next, the three friends arrived at Sweet Apple Acres only to be greeted by Applejack. For some reason, Soren had this urge to ask all of his friends how they were doing today. So far, Fluttershy and AJ were both fine, so Soren assumed the rest of his friends would be also, yet he still planned on asking every single one of them anyway. Soren asked AJ where the rest of their friends were, so she said he and Spike should check Rarity's place. Soren and Spike said goodbye to AJ and Fluttershy and ran towards town. They soon arrived at Carousel Boutique, and the two of them walked through the front door. Rarity was almost ecstatic to see Soren. The three of them were able to chat for a minute or two before Rarity said she was busy at the moment. Soren and Spike said their goodbyes and left the designer to her work. "Where else could our friends be?" Spike asked as they closed the door behind them. "I think the answer is simple," Sore replied. "We have yet to check Sugar Cube Corner." Spike stood on his back and shouted "Onwards!" Soren couldn't help but laugh. After Spike repositioned himself on Soren's back, the two trotted towards Sugar Cube Corner As the two came up to the front door of the shop, Soren asked Spike to be silent. "I hears voices," Spike commented. "Exactly, voices," Soren emphasized. "Do you think everyone else is inside?" "Let's find out." After they walked inside, Soren and Spike were happy to discover that Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash were all at the counter, talking to one another. Soren only took one more step forward before he was tackled by Pinkie Pie. Luckily, Spike jumped off of Soren's back in time. As she gave Soren a bear hug, Pinkie Pie was so happy to see him that she began to talk so fast that Soren couldn't understand her. "You were unconscious for one day and you already have mares all over you," Rainbow joked. Soren got out of Pinkie's chokehold and wiped himself off. "It's good to see you too, Rainbow Dash," Soren retorted as he walked up to her so he could give her a friendly hit on the shoulder. After that, Soren looked at Twilight. "How are you feeling after all that happened?" "It wasn't anything too new," she replied with a smile. Soren chuckled. "Do you think the three of us can get reacquainted since I have been gone for nearly a week?" "Of course." "Sure." "Yes!" Soren laughed once again before he and Spike sat down with the three mares. The conversation started, and Soren quickly learned that his friends haven't been doing that much since he left. Twilight explained that they were mostly focusing on how to find him. When they weren't focused on that, the six of them were thinking about what Rainbow Dash said about him. Now Soren became curious, so he asked about what Rainbow said. Twilight, Dash, and Pinkie looked at each other. Twilight explained that Rainbow told all of them about her feelings towards him. After that, they talked it over and everypony was wondering how he felt about her. "But I'm dating..." Soren sighed and looked down. "Luna." Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder. "Soren...the Doctor told us what happened to the princess." He snapped his head up. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. To you, I could only guess that it felt like she died." "I-I-" Taking a deep breath, Soren stopped himself from breaking down. "I felt very close to her. She was taken away from me because she wanted to save me. If only I held back on my studies-" "No, Soren! Don't start blaming yourself. It was her choice. She loved you enough to sacrifice herself just to make sure you were alright in the end. Just remember that although she metaphorically died in your eyes, she didn't physically die." Soren sighed again. "I know...but it still hurts. That's why it's way too soon for me to have any feelings towards another mare." Soren looked straight at Dash. "Be patient with me, Rainbow Dash. Give me time, and then I will give you an answer. Ok?" There was a silence after Soren stopped talking. Eventually it was broken by Spike asking a question. "Hey, Soren? Why don't you sing for the ponies in town like you used to?" Soren's face lit up. "That's a great idea, and I think I know the ponies that can help me do that. Rainbow, would you be willing to play guitar?" "Heck yes!" Soren also looked at Twilight. "Twilight, can you sing with me since Luna is..." "Sure." Once they were ready, the five friends walked out of Sugar Cube Corner and headed towards the ponies who can throw a great party: Vinyl and Octavia.