//------------------------------// // Another Day, Another Trip // Story: A Beautiful Night // by bakersong //------------------------------// She was flying as fast as she could, for according to some witnesses Song had been spotted heading towards Gouge City. Though she had her doubts because this information came from a Diamond Dog, and to top it off the city was one of their colonies. But she knew a lead, even from a distrust worthy Diamond Dog traveler was still a lead, she only hoped that it was one that was true. --- "So wait, are you telling us that some random pony sent you a letter saying that they were headed towards Gouge City?" Rainbow asked, still showing her disbelief. "Yes, and before you ask again yes I do trust it. I don't know why, but I just do." Twilight answered. "But isn't that city a Diamond Dog colony?" Rarity asked thinking about her run in with the local Diamond Dogs. "It is, but the ones that live there are supposed to be a lot more civilized than the ones we met." Twilight replied. "So, once we're there and let's say that both Luna and Song are there as well, then what? I mean why doesn't Princess Celestia go after them, especially if she wants us to return them to Canterlot?" Rainbow asked. "From what I could get out of her, something very important came up that she has to take care of." Twilight answered letting out another annoyed sigh. "But what could be more important than her pregnant sister?" Rainbow asked. "Feather, that's what." Onyx stepped in trying to relieve some of the questions off of his marefriend. "Wait, what about Feather? I thought she was in the palace safe and sound." Applejack said, which made Onyx look at Twilight who nodded a go ahead. "She was, until about a month ago. Now before you ask, no she didn't give to much detail of what happened, only that she was abducted by somepony during a meeting with the Minotaur Ambassador." He explained. "So, she's going to where she now thinks Feather is being held and that's why she couldn't go after her sister with us." "Oh," both Rainbow and Applejack said looking down in a bit of shame. "So, here's my question. I can understand you guys, but why am I coming along?" Quick asked. "Because, you're my coltfriend and I be a little lonely without you." Rainbow said, and then blushed deeply. "Ahh, ain't that sweet. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get this started." Applejack said walking onto the waiting train. "So, how long is this going to take?" Fluttershy asked, wrapping her tail with Rarity's. "Well, it should only take about two days on train. As for how long it would take to convince them, if they are even there, is anypony's guess." Twilight answered giving them a smile. "Okie dokie lokie, let's go bag us a Princess and her baby daddy. Oh, and when we get back we should so totally start a rock band, and we could paint our faces and have a rainbow streak in our hair..." Pinkie's rambling trailed off after she bounced onto the train taking her seat next to Applejack, who for her part silenced the pink pony with a light kiss. "Hmm, a rock band huh?" Rainbow said putting a hoof up to her chin in thought. "I do have a song that I wanted to try out called Shake Your Tail." "We can discuss it later, but come on already and let's get on the train." Quick Shot quickly pushed her into the train. "Are you ready Onyx?" Twilight asked turning towards him only to see that he wasn't listening. "Onyx, are you okay?" "Huh, what? Oh yeah, I'm fine Twilight. I'll be there in just a second, I have to go check on something." He said giving her a smile. "Oh, well don't take long the train's leaving in five minutes." She replied giving him a light peck on the cheek. "I know, and I won't be that long." He said watching his starred princess walk onto the train before looking at the almost empty stations to see a familiar looking filly. "Hey, looky here it's that star guy! Um, sorry but I forgot your name." The filly said as he walked up. "Don't worry about it, that kind of thing happens to all of us. But my name is Onyx, and your's is Night, right?" He asked. "Yup, that's me!" She answered with a big grin. "So, what are you doing at the train station? I thought you were staying with your parents." He said giving her a concerned look. "Oh, I am. But I like looking at the trains, I think they're pretty cool. Not as cool as looking at the stars though, but that's because looking at the star's is like playing connect the dot's! You can create pictures just as long as you look hard enough." She answered, though her smile somewhat slipped a little when he mentioned her parents. "So, what are you doing here Mr. Onyx?" "Well, uh, me and my friends are taking a little trip to Gouge City." He answered. "That sounds sooo cool!" She said a little excitedly. "Hey, do you really like looking at the star's that much though?" He asked. "Of course, like I said it's like playing a game of connect the dot's." She replied rolling her eyes. "Well, how about this. I'm the head Astronomer at the Observatory her in town, so if you want I could give you a free tour of it and let you look out of the big telescope we have." He said, and couldn't help but give a small chuckle as her eyes light up and he could have sworn he saw stars in them as well. "You really mean that?" She asked. "Of course, but you have to wait until I get back." He said giving the little filly a pat on the head. "If it means getting to look out of an actual telescope, then yeah I'll wait!" She said giving an excited squeal before running off. "Hey Onyx, come on the train is about to leave!" He heard Twilight call. "Last call for Gouge City!" The conductor called, making him give a little sigh. --- "Princess Celestia, are you sure it's okay for you to just neglect your duties like this? I mean we could do this mission on our own." Shining Armor said. "She is my fiancee, and I will do everything in my power to rescue her. I'm sure you understand that, being married. That and as for my duties, your wife can handle them. After all she is a Princess herself, and if I didn't have faith in her skills then she wouldn't be." Celestia replied a little coldly. "So, do you understand why I must do this though?" "Yes, of course Ma'am. But, why not take me along with you, after all I am still Captain of the Royal Guard?" He asked. "Because, I will be fine with the men I've chosen. That and you need to stay here and protect the city just in case there is another attack." She answered. "Alright, and I wish you the best of luck in finding Feather." He said saluting and started to walk off, but hesitated when he heard her mutter under her breath. "If they hurt her, even in the slightest I will destroy every single one of them." She muttered. "Are you still here? Go on, get back to your post." "Right away!" He said as he resumed his walk, hiding the slight fear he just got. "No pony takes the one I love and hurts them, no pony." She said looking at her now setting sun, tears starting to form as she looked away and walked her bed which now felt empty. "But why are you so special to me, I have been with many lovers in the past millennial. I know it couldn't be because you are baring my child, for I've felt like this since I first met you. But what makes you so different than the rest, what makes me really want to keep you in my arms for all eternity?" She kept quietly asking herself that as she cried herself to sleep, knowing it would be another restless sleep with how empty not only her bed felt, but how empty and broken her heart felt. But she knew she had to get sleep, for the next day she would be leaving to hopefully she her again. That was her only comfort for the night, the chance that she might be able to hold her beloved again.