//------------------------------// // The Crash // Story: Spellbooks, Dating and Why Humans don't like the Arcane // by Emerald Oracle //------------------------------// "Good Morning, Morgan!" A fully-dressed Morgan smiled in response to Twilight's cheerful greeting as she walked in to the Library's dining room. Morgan had slept in late this morning and Spike was at the stove preparing food with Twilight's help while Sterling sat at the table reading a book that had caught her interest the day before. Morgan joined Sterling at the table and tried her best to stay awake. The night before had been particularly rough. She warily rubbed her eyes in a vain bid to rid herself of the tired ache they held. When that didn't work she resigned herself to just resting her head on the table, her arms acting as a cushion. Morgan's actions caught the attention of Sterling Saber, who asked in hushed tone, "You didn't...?" A weak nod was the only answer Sterling got, and the only answer she needed. "This is getting out of hand. If this keeps up you're going to end up hurting yourself. We need to consult someone." "There just bad dreams, Sterling," Morgan quietly muttered back. "Once, I know that Kenny is safe back in Canterlot I'm sure they'll go away." Morgan sunk deeper into her arms and sighed deeply in frustration. "I don't even know why I'm so hung up about it. He's perfectly capable of handling himself." "Breakfast is served!" Morgan was broken out of her musings by the presentation of pancakes and eggs along with a large bowl of fruit salad to be split between the four of them. Once all of them were seated, they began to dig into the food. They talked about what they planned to do today while they ate. Twilight was going to get more flying practice from Rainbow Dash and Spike was going to watch. Sterling was going to give one last goodbye to Caramel before she left with Morgan back to Canterlot. Morgan listened to everyone talk, though she kept dozing off as she ate, barely catching herself before anyone could notice. This went on for several minutes, and it ended when Morgan's face smacking on the table causing everyone to leap from there seats in surprise. "Goddess above!" Twilight cried out. "Morgan! Are you all right?" Twilight assisted Morgan up from the table with her magic. She guided her out the dining room and onto a couch in the library. Morgan laid down and instantly fell back asleep. Twilight barely heard Sterling mutter a curse under her breath as she insured that Morgan's accident had left no permanent damage. "Do you have an idea why she's like this Sterling?" Twilight asked. Sterling sighed in resignation before answering. "She's been having nightmares on and off ever since Kenneth Lee left to Zebrica a week ago. It's gotten worse in the last couple days." Twilight's eyebrows furrowed in worry. She didn't like the sound of that, and the possibilty that the Nightmare might make a comeback was fresh in her mind. They roused Morgan from her sleep and Spike gave her a cup of tea to help keep her awake. Once she was stable, Twilight asked what was going on. "It's nothing," Morgan assured. "It'll probably stop once Kenneth comes back." "Are you really that worried?" Twilight asked. "He's seems very capable of protecting himslef, and Zebrica is a very peaceful country. I doubt he's in any trouble." Morgan easily waved it off. "Despite his brashness, he is a good friend and I worry all the same. Do not concern yourself with me." "It's my job to be concerned, Morgan," Sterling cut in. "And I thin-" Sterling's comment was cut off by Rainbow crashing through the library door, newspaper in hand. "Guys!" Rainbow Dash cried. "You need to look at this!" She held up the newspaper for all to see. In big black letters the headline read, "ALIEN AMBASSADOR SHIPWRECKED IN CANTERLOT!" Below it was picture of the smoking wreckage of the Harbinger lying in the remains of the dock. Morgan whisked the paper away from Rainbow while the others wore looks of abject horror. "Upon its return," Morgan began to read aloud. "The E.S. Harbinger, the latest and greatest in airship technology, has suffered a severe mechanical failure yesterday. Carrying our fair Princess Luna and the newly-appointed, alien Ambassador Kenneth Washington Lee, the Harbinger had been returning from it's maiden flight to Zebrica when, only a mile from port, the ship's engines ignited. The captain of the vessel quickly lost control of the ship and it crash-landed in the middle of the Canterlot Air Docks, causing an estimated several hundred-thousand bits in damage to private and public property. The resulting blaze took three hours to drown, and by then had rendered the entirety of the docks unusable until repairs can be made." By now Morgan had gone into a frenzy and forsake reading for searching for another mention of Kenny's name. "God damn it!" She cried, "What happened to Kenny!" She eventually found what she was looking for and continued reading at a hurried pace, "The Ambassador, Kenneth Lee of Earth, has been placed in the Canterlot General Hospital for severe injuries and has not been available for interview since the crash yesterday morning." "Goddess, no!" Twilight quietly exclaimed, tears collecting at the corners of her eyes. Rainbow Dash and Spike looked on with dampened spirits and looks of sorrow. They were quickly broken out of their grief by Morgan throwing the paper away and quickly rising to her feet. "Sterling, grab your things and meet me at the Train Station, we're leaving now," Morgan commanded without even looking at the silver pegasus. "Morgan, maybe we shou-" "NOW!!!" Morgan's voice was venomous. Sterling gulped before flying up the stairs to pack her bags. Before anyone could stop her, Morgan left the library and teleported to the train station. She wasn't there long before Twilight and all her friends had arrived as well. "I don't care what you say, Kenny needs my help and I'm going!" Morgan's voice was still laced with venom, but it lacked the firmness from before. "Sugarcube, If'n yer thinkin' we're here to stop 'ya, ya'll gotta whole nother thing coming," Applejack commented with a determined smile. "Yeah!" Pinkie happily joined in with a beaming smile. "We're going with you!" Rarity nodded before adding, "Any friend of Morgan's is a friend of mine, Darling. Besides, he has a great sense of style." Fluttershy stepped forward to say, "You're our friend and your friend needs all the support he can get to recover." "And it's our duty as your friends to help out in anyway we can!" Twilight finished off. Morgan's protests died in her throat as she looked over the proud faces of the six ponies. She gathered them all in a big hug and whispered, "Thanks girls, it means a lot." She released them shortly afterwards. Once Sterling arrived at the station, they all boarded for Canterlot. "How is he?" Luna dejectedly looked up from her meal at her sister from her end of the table. She saw the concern clearly drawn on her face. Concern for Kenny or for me? She wondered. Perhaps both... Luna had been able to walk away from the crash the day before unscathed, but that was because she had been the one to ensure the crew were protected while Captain Stormfront landed the ship. Kenny had taken it upon himself to control the fire in the engine room with his powers. It had seemed fine at first, Kenny easily managing the flames, but when they landed the shock of impact caused the engine to explode. When they had pulled him from the wreckage, his clothes and body were covered in scorch marks. A single piece of shrapnel had punched through his mail shirt and into his chest. The sight had brought her to tears, and many onlookers as well. "He is... stable," Luna answered after a long and pregnant pause, refraining from looking her sister in the eyes while she spoke. "His armored cloak had protected him from most of the blast, enchantments were found woven into the fabric and mail. This alone prevented the explosion from taking his life, though it was not enough. He is now in a magically induced sleep until his more severe wounds heal, or else the pain would drive him mad." Luna heard Celestia heave a sigh of grief. What Luna didn't say is that the doctor's expected Kenny to suffer brain damage from the concussive force of the blast, but scans have proven inconclusive. "But he will recover?" Celestia asked. "With time, yes." Luna picked at her salad with a heavy heart. The worst part of this whole ordeal was the knowledge that there was nothing she could have done. If she had opted to protect him with her magic, the crew would be left to fend for themselves in the crash, the many more lives would be at the balance. It pained her to think this was the best outcome. "Have you checked on him since yesterday?" Luna shook her head solemnly, causing Celestia's frown to deepen. "It is probably for the best, seeing him as he is now would only breed more worry." "Indeed." Luna's voice was hollow. She bid Celestia excuse her and left the dining hall. She walked to her quarters and threw herself upon the bed, quickly falling to sleep, but not before casting a spell over herself. When sleep claimed her, she found herself in her perception of the Dream. The usually starry landscape was occupied by a sparse amount of stars. This was as expected, each light was a dream and few slept during the day. Luna looked over the lights of the Dream, flashes of their contents dancing over her eyes. As she looked for Kenny's dream, thoughts of the crash kept returning to the forefront of her thoughts. She ran the events leading up to the accident again and again, so much that the vision in her mind's eye began to manifest around her. She recalled the resplendent dinner she and Kenny had shared, the last of the best Zebrican cuisine that had been sent home with them as a show of good faith and admiration for the new Ambassador and recovered Princess. She remembered curling up next to him in bed, falling into a deep and comfortable sleep. Then she remembered being woken by the shouts of the crew and the smell of smoke. She shook away the thoughts and the vision faded until she was once again back in the Dream. Focused once again on her true task, she located Kenny's dream among the sparse points of light in the dream. It was a dull and tiny, the brief glances she sees within revealing nothing. Luna entered the dream to find herself in a grey world. Dark, fuzzy, formless shapes moved around her, just out of the corner of her eye. She saw Kenny's greyed out form, a representation of his consciousness, standing with his back to her. She considered this a good sign, magically induced sleep does not usually allow for dreams to fully form. If Kenny's mind were damaged, he should not be dreaming at all. It made Luna's heart rise, knowing that at least one thing had tipped in Kenny's favor. With a flash of her horn, a dream was constructed from Kenny's resting mind. Trees sprang from the ground, their thick foliage covering the sky. Luna looked on in wonder as the sounds of unknown animals rang between the mighty trunks of the trees. Kenny himself was garbed in leather and fur. She left him to his dream and bade him good sleep. Morgan had entered the hospital so suddenly that the receptionist at the counter jumped at her entrance and scrambled to collect herself as the distraught human approached. She had only just managed when Morgan reached her and said,"Where is he?" It didn't take long for the receptionist to figure out what he was and burbled his room number out. Morgan nodded and left the counter. Only then did the receptionist notice the seven mares that had come in after Morgan. She went to ask what they were at the hospital foe when they all turned and followed the female human towards the wing where the Ambassador was being kept. When they reached Kenny's room Morgan found that she couldn't bring herself to open the door, afraid of what she may see on the other side. A gentle nudge from Sterling reminded her why she had come and she opened the door. Slowly they all filed into the room, catching the attention of a unicorn doctor that was checking up on Kenny. He went to tell them they shouldn't be in there but stopped when he noticed they were much to engrossed with his patient to pay attention to him. Kenny lay in an over sized bed originally meant to contain the Princess should she ever fall ill. His entire right arm and leg were covered in thick casts, and his torso, left arm, and head were wrapped in bandages. Little specks of blood dotted the white wrappings. His broken limbs were suspended in the air. A mask was shoddily taped over his mouth, the plastic misting over with each breath he released. Several wires trailed out from beneath the wrappings, leading to machines that monitored his health. His legs were uncovered, but it only served to show more superficial scratches and cuts he had as well as a patchwork of bruised skin.. They all stared at the prone form of a once happy and healthy young man, tears collecting in their eyes. Many of them didn't know him personally, but to see anything in such a mangled state was too much for them. Morgan fought back her tears and shoved away the doctor, who protested loudly but otherwise did nothing. With a faint prayer to the Light of Order, she went to work on healing Kenny's wounds. Her hands and eyes glowed with an unearthly and pure light as her fingers danced in the air above his sleeping body. The girls, especially Twilight, watched in awe as Morgan weaved the Light to her will, guiding it to restore his body. Hidden by his bandages, Kenny's injury's quickly healed. Cuts and bruises vanished, leaving smooth skin in their wake. Burnt flesh was forcibly shed and new skin replaced it. Kenny groaned in his induced sleep and shifted uncomfortably. His breathing became ragged as Morgan worked. Minutes passed and Morgan's own breath became short. She began to pant in exhaustion and the color left her face. She began to feel faint, and her glowing eyes fluttered. She felt a hoof on her arm and turned to see who it was. "That's enough sweetie," The doctor said with a comforting and caring smile. "It's clear you need rest after what you've done. Why don't I get a nurse to bring you to the mess hall and get you something to eat? I'll watch him while your gone." Morgan nodded weakly, the glow receding until her eyes returned to their natural color. The doctor called a nurse over who lead Morgan out and away from the room, Sterling dutifully following behind. The girls looked on in wonder as Morgan left, stunned by the power she had displayed. None new how to describe it, but they had felt the power spent on Kenny's healing. It had left them reeling and staring after her through the door way. "Goddess above....!" The sound of the doctor's voice returned the seven mares' attention to Kenny. The doctor had removed the bandages around the top of Kenny's chest, revealing smooth skin where there was once burnt flesh. The only sign any damage had been done was a long, shiny, dark scar that swirled down from his neck and around his chest. It ended in a curl on his right pectoral. A second scar traced a path from his left shoulder before ending in a loose curl across the left pectoral. As The doctor unwound the bandages on his arms, several more of the same scars revealed themselves. They wound across his arms like snakes, varying in both thickness and length. They wound most tightly around his hands, his left was completely covered in the new tissue while his right was restricted to only another swirl on his palm. Finally, the doctor removed the bandages across his head. He, like the girls, was eager to see what Morgan's spell had done. When they finally fell away, the room went still. The burn that had traced it's way up Kenny's neck had stopped at the bottom of his left eye. His right eye bore a similar burn, though it only extended down as far as his cheek. "My word..." The doctor whispered. "We thought he'd lose his eyes." He carefully used his magic to move the eyelid out of the way of his left eye. It revealed an untouched and completely functional brown eye beneath. "That girl's dynamite!" The doctor quickly looked over Kenny's formerly many injuries while the girls all whispered among each other. They all stopped when a commotion was heard outside. It was quickly followed by the entrance of the two rulers of the land, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Celestia's eyes settled on the six mares and she gave them a reassuring smile, though her eyes betrayed the worry she felt. Luna ignored all except the body that still remained unconscious. "What has happened Dr. Grey?" Luna asked in earnest, looking to the doctor for an answer. "Uh... Well, your highness," Dr. Grey stumbled, getting his thoughts together. "The other human, the female, came in just a little bit ago and used some spell to rectify most of the damage to Mister Kenneth Lee here." Luna's eyes widened at the news. She turned to Kenny once more, her expression betraying none of her emotions. "Where is she now?" Celestia asked. "She was tired after casting the spell, so I had a nurse help her get some food in the mess hall." Luna turned her hard gaze back to Dr. Grey and he stiffened. "In her credit, the missus has performed admirably. Almost all of the injuries I have looked at have completely healed, only the worst may need additional work. He could be out of here in a couple days as opposed to months." Apparently, Luna wasn't quite convinced because she asked, "Have you performed any scans for internal damage?" "No, your highness." Luna snorted in disapproval and lit her horn awash in pale blue magic, running it over Kenny's form. Once she was satisfied nothing was out of place she cancelled the spell and promptly left the room without explanation. Celestia hesitated, even going as far as looking to Twilight and her friends with a look of worry before following her younger sister. "I'm sorry to ask, but may you ladies please leave?" Dr. Grey asked. "I need to perform a couple more tests, and it would be in my patient's best interest that he has some privacy." The girls nodded and left the room. Once everyone was gone, Dr. Grey slumped on a chair next to Kenny and sighed deeply, a hoof pressed to his temple. He looked past his hoof to Kenny and said, "Son, you have caused more drama in one day than I've had in a lifetime." Kenny's only response was a particularly loud moan. "Explain to me what exactly you did to Kenny." Luna had found Morgan eating a hearty vegetable soup with a large chunk of cornbread. Once Morgan had eaten her food, Luna quickly leaped on the opportunity to get some answers. "I used my powers as a Priestess of the Light to heal him." Morgan's voice was weak and tired, though the food had returned the color to her cheeks. Celestia, seated next to her sister, levitated a cup of orange juice over to the table and placed it next to Morgan. Celestia was curious and asked, "And what is the 'Light'. What is its purpose?" "In layman's terms, the Light is a sentient energy that exists in all things. It is the force that promotes order and control in the universe." Morgan stopped to take a sip of her orange juice. "It strives to destroy all that is unnatural and chaotic. It rights the wrongs." Luna was now interested in this new subject. "How does this Light determine what is unnatural?" ` "It is unknown to us, the Light is not like Kenny's spirits. It does not, or can not, communicate with us. It is eternal, it cannot be created or destroyed. It defies all understanding of arcane magic and largely remains a mystery. Regardless, it is far more powerful than normal magic when utilized correctly and can accomplish far greater deeds, as you have seen with Kenny." "You would trust in such a mysterious and powerful being?" Luna asked. "It is no being," Morgan corrected. "We believe its sentience is unlike ours, and beyond our own comprehension. It spans entire realities, and so must have knowledge of all things. It's power has always destroyed evil and rejected the unworthy. A power that naturally defies darkness is hardly something to fear." "May the guiding Light will reveal the path to truth in its incandescence and banish all evils that block your way," Morgan spoke. "A prayer of the light, you understand. The Light is as much a faith as it is a source of power." Celestia smiled warmly at Morgan before saying, "We understand, Morgan, just as we hope you understand that we were simply curious of the nature of the magic that was able to heal Kenneth. Now that you have been as gracious as to comply to our prodding, as well as the sudden recovery of Kenneth's health, I do believe some celebrations are in order." Celestia waved over a passing cook. "Three slices of your finest chocolate cake, and, if you kindly could, prepare six more to be delivered?" The cook nodded hastily before bowing and heading off to complete Princess Celestia's order. "Luna?" Luna looked over to find Morgan was giving her a look of morbid curiosity. Luna knew exactly what she wanted before Morgan had a chance to ask. "It was an accident," Luna carefully explained so as to assuage Morgan. "Investigators have connected the engine fire to an oversight in the ship's design. After making such a long trip twice in succession, the heat generated by the more powerful engines had damaged various pipes in the ship. This resulted in an uncontrolled magic emission that ignited the engines." This new information did caused a brand new emotion to rise: anger. "That's it!?" She cried. "A mechanical failure?!" Sterling quickly tried to sooth Morgan, but she was furious. Her words were silenced by Morgan's rant. "My friend nearly died, and the best you could do is chalk it off to engine problems!? At the least you should confront those who designed the ship!" "Enough!" Celestia hadn't raised her voice, but the stern tone had silenced Morgan all the same. "We understand that you are upset and you have every right to be, but that does not make it okay to lash out at us or anyone involved in Kenny's accident. You are far from the only one hurt by this unfortunate event, but Kenneth is safe and he is healing. The worst has passed and, thanks to you, we can breath easy." Morgan visibly calmed, but Celestia failed to see that anger was still buried deep in Morgan. The cook arrived with three slices of chocolate cake and delicately placed them on the table before giving a short bow and leaving once more. Celestia eagerly dug in while Luna and Morgan didn't even bother touching their pieces. When Sterling went to ask if Morgan was okay she was cut off by Morgan sliding the piece of cake over to Sterling. Luna did the same with Celestia. Once all the cake had been eaten, and a whole cake divided into six pieces was delivered to the six mares in the waiting room, they all left for the castle. The carriage ride was occupied by an uncomfortable silence, made worse by how Luna and Morgan refused to make eye contact with each other the entire trip. It didn't help that Sterling also refused to make eye contact with either of the princesses, though that was out of respect for her rulers and employers. When they arrived at the castle, Morgan left immediately for her room, Sterling in tow. Celestia and Luna instead took up residence in the throne room to begin the Day Court. Celestia noted as she listened and resolved the many issues brought to her that Luna seemed troubled by something. The court ended at noon, and Celestia and Luna relaxed as food was brought to them. Celestia filed through paper work, Luna still staring off into space. "What's wrong, Luna?" Celestia asked without any warning, not even looking up from her work. Luna was shaken out of her thoughts, surprised that she was suddenly being addressed. "What do you mean?" "I mean, you have been deep in thought ever since we left the hospital. Considering Kenny's very surprising and sudden recovery, one would think you would be more ecstatic. Yet, here you sit ignoring your food and have done nothing but think since. What has you so abstracted?" Luna wasn't forthcoming at first, but once she figured that her sister wouldn't let it go she asked, "Did you notice how distressed Morgan was?" "How could I not? If I didn't know better I'd say she loved the boy, why?" Celestia replied, though she quickly put the pieces together and asked, "You don't think...?" "I know I'm overreacting, but it worries me all the same. Does Kenny know? How long has she had feelings for him? Had she known about me and Kenny before?" Luna slumped on the table with her hooves over her face. "Are you worried he might leave you?" Celestia's voice was a little more tender and reassuring. "I would think he is loyal to you, especially if he was around her for four years and nothing happened." Luna raised her head and said with a dark look, "Was he really? What if something happened and he's hiding it from me?" Celestia quickly responded, a hint of indignation in her voice. "Banish such dark thoughts from your mind! Never once has Kenneth's admiration and affection for you wavered, why question it now? Even after all the things you put him through upon his arrival in our world, he was willing to attempt to become your lover. I would bleed to have a stallion as understanding and caring as him." Luna wilted underneath the might of her elder sister's scorn. "You are right, he has been the best a mare can look for in her special somepony. It is unfair of me to accuse of such things with little more proof than the affections of another. All the same, I fear Morgan's intentions. I can only hope she has no plans to move in on him." "It is natural to feel jealous, Luna. Just remember that you aren't the only one affected by all this." Celestia gave one of her signature smiles that would warm the heart of even the coldest creature. "There are two others to account for. Now, eat your lunch. The chefs will have a fit if they find your food untouched." Luna chuckled a little and did as her sister told. Twilight and her friends were all relaxing in one of the castle's many lavish sitting rooms, talking about anything that came to mind. Since their arrival, Morgan had locked herself in her room with only Sterling to comfort her. They were worried, as friends should, but recognized that she needed some time alone. With nothing else to do, they decided to take advantage of the situation and the cake Celestia had given them back at hospital. No matter the subject, everyone was careful to not mention Kenny or his condition. It was better to let some dragons sleep. As they talked, Twilight noticed a familiar face pass across the open doorway. Excusing herself, she ventured out into the hallway, barely catching a blue tail round a corner to her right. Quickly, she ran ahead to catch up to what she believed to be Flash Sentry. She had been worried foe his well being since she remembered that he was also on the Harbinger when it crashed. While they were at the hospital, she had asked the receptionist if Flash Sentry had been checked in as well, and was both relieved to find out he was not and distressed that she now had no way to find him. Luckily, she seemed to have caught him while he was in the castle. She rounded the corner and saw Flash Sentry in full armor walking down the hallway. She began moving to catch up to him, seeking to aid him in what would obviously be a time of woe, what with his best friend in the hospital and what not, when she saw him stop at a door. She stopped as well as he opened the door to reveal the gryphon princess as its resident. She pulled Flash in and closed the door, cutting off any chance of talking to Flash. She was about to dejectedly return to her friends when a spike of curiosity struck her. She found herself fighting the urge to spy on the both of them. It would be wrong to eavesdrop on them, they clearly want privacy... She thought. On the other hand, it would be valuable insight into what stallions like in a special somepony... The ever-seeking-knowledge part of Twilight won out once again over her common-sense-and-logic Twilight. She sneaked up to the door and placed an ear to it. Flash's muffled voice was first, "-didn't know you were here! I assume you heard what happened?" "Of course I heard what happened! Everyone's heard!" Twilight couldn't help but wonder how she heard, did they ship out the papers that quickly? Or was some other method used to spread news between world leaders? "I heard Kenny is in the hospital, how is he doing?" "Fine apparently, I just got back from the hospital. Morgan, the second human, used some crazy magic to heal him. He's doing great now," Flash said, a note of cheer coming through, "Though he has some pretty wicked scars." "You sound more jealous than concerned," The gryphon (Edith, Twilight remembered, Her name is Edith) said. "He was already big and intimidating, now he has all these dark lines over his body. He looks like a beast!" Edith chuckled, but then her voice became sultry as she asked, "So, I haven't seen you in quite a long time. What do you say we celebrate your survival with a little 'roll in the hay', hmmm?" Twilight's face instantly went beet red, but she made no attempts to move from the door. "...We need to talk, Edith." A pregnant pause followed that seemingly simple statement. "W-what about?" Twilight had only met Edith Grayfeather a couple times, but that was enough to know that she was not the kind of gryphon to stutter. "I think you know what about, Edith." Flash's tone was serious, and a little sad. "Edith, do you love me?" "Of course I do! How could you ask something like that?" "Really though? I'm sorry, but I feel like you don't. I'm not even sure if I really love you..." Edith's voice was a little edgy when she said, "What do you mean, Flash?" "I mean I think this relationship is wasn't we think it is. I think we've fooled ourselves into thinking that what we have is more than it really is. Edith, I like you. I like you a lot. You're a great friend and a better lay, but is that all this is? When we were at the Crystal Empire, I felt like all we did as a couple was bang. Even now, we've just met after around two weeks and the first thing you suggest is we do it again. I don't think this is what real couples do. If all we are is rut-buddies, I don't think its fair to try and make this work into something more. We've been together for what, a month-and-a-half? Maybe two? If it hasn't moved already I don't think it ever will, Edith." Flash's speech was followed by another pause, but this one felt empty and vast. Twilight was wide-eyed and attentive, Flash's words reminded her of Cadence briefly. She began to wonder if Flash had contact with her sister-in-law, but she did not get far before someone started speaking again. "As much as it pains me to say," Edith began, "You're right, and it isn't fair for you to be in a relationship you aren't satisfied with." She sighed. "I'm sorry I pulled you through this Flash, this is all my fault." "No it isn't." Flash calmly said. "Not anymore than it is my fault. At worst, we're both at fault, but that would mean this was a mistake. I don't know about you, but I don't think trying things out with you was a mistake." "Dang, Flash, when did you get so..." There was a short pause as she found the word, "Philosophical?" "Let's just say I know a guy who happens to be an expert on the subject," Flash's cheeky smile could be heard in his voice. "So, can we still be friends?" "Of course Flash, we can always be friends." Twilight's eyes shone with happy tears after hearing what was probably the sweetest conversation since she got a lecture from Pinkie Pie on the different types of frosting. She raised herself up from the door and happily trotted down the hallway, singing praise to the both of them of working out their relationship issues and keep on being friends. Then she remembered that Flash was single again. Flash poked his head out the door and looked down both ends of the hall and asked, "Did you hear that?" "Honey," Edith responded as she poked her head out the door as well. "I think my father could hear that, and he's back home." They both scanned the hallway before mutually shrugging and retreating back in. Meanwhile, Twilight was pressed against the wall around the corner of the end of the hall. She breathed heavily, desperately trying to calm herself while mentally lecturing herself over losing her cool.