“Kyle! Get up!”
Kyle’s eyes flew open as a voice pierced through his sleepy haze. On instinct, he bolted upright, his sheets flinging themselves off of him as he sat up. His head snapped in the direction of the voice. “Wuzzat?” he half-slurred, rubbing his eyes. He opened them and saw Twilight standing in the doorway, tapping her hoof impatiently.
“Hurry up Kyle! Princess Luna is waiting!”
“Prin-wha? What’s she doin’ here?” Kyle asked, stretching his arms. He grunted as his back cracked, filling the room with a sharp popping noise.
Twilight winced slightly at the sound. “ She’s apparently got some really important news. If she’s coming to tell us face to face rather than using Spike’s letter-transport system, it must be major! Hurry up and get dressed!” Twilight bolted out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Kyle simply sat on the bed for a moment, allowing himself a moment to get his bearings. One of the Princesses was here to deliver news? “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” he muttered to himself, pushing himself out of his bed.
Kyle quickly changed into a new set of clothes and tied his belt around his waist. As he did so, he couldn’t help but remember the events of the day before. His worry about returning home was fairly minimal by now - there was very little he could do about it, and worrying about something he couldn’t change would only lead to despair. However, that was not what was bothering him.
Scootaloo. No matter how much he told himself that she needed his tutoring, doubt continued to worm into his mind. Yes, he was the only Monk in Equestria. Yes, she had made the quickest progress of any apprentice in recorded history. Yes, she needed guidance. But a little voice in the back of his head continued to whisper to him. Inexperienced guidance could often be worse than no guidance at all. Could Scootaloo do alright just learning by herself?
“Doesn’t seem like there’s a right answer.” Kyle sighed. I guess I already said I’d help her learn… He thought to himself. If nothing else, I don’t want to be called a liar. So… I guess I’ll keep teaching her. Kyle forcibly shoved his thoughts into the back of his mind. He ran his fingers through his hair to make sure he was at least semi-presentable before exiting his room and walking down the stairs.
Sure enough, seated in the main room of the library was Princess Luna, her astral mane billowing in the usual non-existent breeze. Sitting on a couch across from her was a nervous-looking Twilight. As he descended, one of the stairs creaked. Twilight’s head jerked upwards, and she visibly relaxed. “There you are!”
“Yeah, here I am.” Kyle replied as he stepped into the main area. “Where’s Spike?” he asked, looking around.
“He had a sleepover with the crusaders last night.” Twilight explained. “Of course, you’d know that if you’d not spent all afternoon in your room.”
“Sorry, I got a bit lost in my thoughts.” Kyle sighed. He looked over at Princess Luna and gave a weak smile. “So, what’s going on? I hope you’ve brought some good news.”
“I wish I could say that I did.” Luna shook her head. “I bring news that could possibly concern the Sha.”
“You mean you don’t know?” Twilight asked
“It likely does, but no, we do not know for sure.”
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Luna pushed herself up, straightening into a more upright position. “There appears to be a great disturbance in the Badlands.” She began. “Last week, my night guard spotted a small band of Changelings emerging in the desert, not far from Appleoosa. We suspected that they were attempting to infiltrate the town, but instead the band seemed to avoid it. Stranger still, they made no attempt to disguise themselves or cover their trail.”
“Weird.” Kyle murmured. “Do you know why?”
“We wished to find out.” Luna replied. “So we confronted them directly. As they approached the Everfree Forest three days ago, I and my ShadowGuard sprung a trap. They made no attempt to resist, and we quickly captured the group. They consisted of a dozen Changelings. However, they also carried with them two dead Changelings. When questioned, the surviving members claimed that they had succumbed to their injuries. Indeed, many of the survivors bore open wounds.”
“Any idea where these injuries came from?”
“They would not answer when we questioned them. They are currently being held in the Canterlot dungeons for further questioning. But… There’s something else.” Luna quickly glanced around the room, and her horn flashed with a quick blue light. “One of the Changelings claims to be royalty.”
“What?!” Twilight and Kyle exclaimed together.
“My reaction as well.” Luna nodded. “Yxia is her name. She claims to be the daughter of Grand Emperor Toxxys, ruler of all Changeling Hives. We do not know for certain what she is doing so far away from her hive, but we intend to find out. And we also intend to find out why she and her companions are so badly injured.”
“So… why come tell us in person?” Kyle asked. “I mean… you could have used Spike.”
“Besides the fact that Spike is away at the sleepover?” Twilight countered. “Even though Princess Luna didn’t know that, Spike could have been anywhere when she would have sent that letter. And with such sensitive information…”
“Alright, fair enough.” Kyle held up his hand to stop her. “So, where do we come in? I’m assuming you’ve got some plan for us to help out?”
“Something like that.” Luna nodded once more. “Yxia has heard of you, Kyle. She refused to give out details to us about her situation. She said she would only speak with ‘The Monk’.”
“What? Why?”
“Again, she would not say.” Luna sighed once more. “I’m sorry, but that is all I know.”
“I don’t like the sound of this.” Twilight grimaced. “It reeks of a trap.”
“I agree. But if it is, then they’re going to awfully great lengths to pull it off.” Kyle smirked. “Carting two of their own dead along with them to pull off a battered and defeated facade? If it truly is a trap, then I have to spring it. They’ve earned it.” Kyle pushed himself to his feet, and the Ponies rose with him. “So. When do we set off? And who all is going?”
“You two, of course.” Luna said, looking around thoughtfully. “And… the kindness-bearer. Fluttershy. She is a caretaker of non-pony creatures, correct? If this is indeed not a trap, perhaps she could help tend to their wounds.”
“How about Applejack?” Kyle asked. “I mean, if she’s not too busy. Having the Pony who killed the Sha of Deceit around might intimidate them. Make them think twice about any funny business.”
“An excellent suggestion.” Luna agreed. “We meet at the Train Station in one hour.” She sighed once more. “Twilight, if you will fetch Applejack and Fluttershy. I would like a word alone with Mr. Slater.”
“Okay…” Twilight replied, raising an eyebrow. When no further reply was forthcoming, she sighed and exited the library, closing the door behind her.
“Very good.” Luna said. “Now, Mr. Slater. I wish to ask you about what troubles you. Do not attempt to say nothing.” She added. “Your dreams last night tell me otherwise.”
“Wait, you can see into my dreams?” Kyle asked.
“Indeed. Along with any other Pony in Equus.”
“That’s… slightly creepy.” Kyle deadpanned. Luna stared at him as she waited for him to reply, but Kyle found that he had difficulty voicing his troubles.
“It’s Scootaloo, isn’t it?” She finally asked. “And her training.”
“Is there anything I’ve done here that you don’t know about?” Kyle asked.
“You training Scootaloo has hardly gone unnoticed. Even others around Ponyville, who do not have access to the Dreamscape, have noticed a change in her demeanor. One look into her dreams told me all I needed to know.” Luna replied. “But I digress. I wish to know what troubles you, Kyle. I find that giving voice to one's fears, confiding in another, often helps to alleviate those fears. I know it helped me as I reintegrated back into Pony society.”
Kyle was silent for a moment. “It’s just… I’m so young. So inexperienced. My own mentor was seventy-five years old. The youngest mentor I ever saw had already lived half a century. I’m afraid…” Kyle trailed off, finally sighing.
“You fear that your experience is insufficient to tutor her. That you will somehow lead her astray.” Luna finished. Kyle nodded, looking down at his feet. “You are young, Mr. Slater. This is true. But youth does not make one a bad mentor. I have seen your skills first-hoof, both in fighting the Timber Wolves and in holding yourself back from lashing out at Iron Wing at the conference. I have heard further tales of your prowess in fighting the Shas of Greed and Deceit. If I have seen and heard correctly, your youth does not hinder you. Far from it. It is a great boon.”
“So I can do what I was taught. Big deal. How am I supposed to teach another to follow in my footsteps?”
“You have already begun.” Luna replied. “Your dreams are not the only ones I have visited. I have seen Scootaloo’s as well. She holds you in high regards, Kyle - almost as high as Rainbow Dash, who has been her idol for years. Her dreams speak highly of you as well. They are far less tumultuous and more peaceful than they were before you began teaching her. Though I will say, during her hospital stay they became dark. Very dark indeed. She was riddled with guilt for her failure.”
Kyle sighed again. “She’s not the one to blame for her possession by the Sha.”
“And who is?”
Kyle didn’t reply. He couldn’t.
“And thus, we have reached the heart of the issue.” Luna said softly. “You feel guilty. You feel responsible for the Sha possessing her.” Kyle stood still for a moment before nodding once. “I thought as much. You feel that you caused her to be possessed, and that you may end up hurting her again.” Luna pressed her hoof against Kyle’s chin and raised his head so that he was looking at her.
“You have nothing to feel guilty about. Despite what the Sha of Deceit may have told you, you had nothing to do with her possession. In fact, you likely forestalled it.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I recall correctly, the Sha tend to target those who are more emotionally volatile. If this is true, then Scootaloo was already highly susceptible to the Sha’s manipulation, as emotionally unstable as she was. Her meditation sessions helped to calm her. What she learned from you kept her emotionally stable. The Sha likely had much more difficulty in taking control than it would have otherwise.”
“You are the only one who can train Scootaloo, yes, but this is not your only qualification. I have seen Scootaloo dream of what you have taught her. As I said before, I have seen you in action first-hoof. You are very skilled at what you do, and Scootaloo is quickly developing many of the same mental skills that you possess. Continue to train her, and she will make a fine Monk.”
Kyle was silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. Luna remained silent as well. Finally, a small smile broke out across his face. “I… I guess you might be right.” he said quietly. “So… you’re okay with me training her to fight?”
“Not to fight, Kyle. You know as much as I do that you are not training her to fight, but to defend. To defend herself, to defend her friends, to defend others who cannot defend themselves. Just as you do. But to answer your question - Not only do I and my sister allow it, but we encourage it.”
Kyle’s smiled widened. “I won’t let you down.” he replied. “You or Scootaloo.”
“Excellent.” Luna returned the smile. “Now, go pack your bags. We have work to do.”
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Kyle approached the train station with very little accompanying him. His belt was adorned with four pouches full of brews, but aside from that his only luggage was a small briefcase with a couple of sets of clothes. He was kind of thankful Rarity wasn’t coming along - Light only knew how many bags of clothes the fashionista would bring with her. The image made him chuckle slightly as he rounded the corner.
Twilight, Luna, Applejack, and Fluttershy were already waiting for him. However, there was another pony among the group as well. “Hey Kyle. ‘Bout time you showed up.” Rainbow Dash smirked, holding out her hoof.
Kyle returned the grin and bumped his fist with her hoof. “Well this is a surprise. What are you doing here?” he asked.
“She heard Twilight here talkin’ to Fluttershy ‘bout what’s goin’ on.” Applejack explained. “Decided she wanted to tag along, too. And Celestia knows, when that mare gets a thought in her head, there ain’t no stoppin’ her.”
“Besides, having another veteran of the Changeling invasion of Canterlot can’t hurt.” Twilight agreed. “I asked Rarity and Pinkie if they wanted to come as well but Rarity is preparing for her big trip to Manehattan, and Pinkie… well, she’s being Pinkie. I think she said she was preparing for something - either a birthday party, or for a couple of chapters to pass.”
“A couple of chap… what?”
“Pinkie. Don’t question it.” Everyone answered in unison.
“Right…” Kyle raised an eyebrow, but questioned no further as the train pulled into the station. “Is this our ride?”
“Yep.” Applejack replied. “Got about ten minutes or so before it leaves, but we might as well get comfy.” She turned and walked towards the train, and Kyle turned to follow.
“Kyle! Wait!”
Kyle’s head snapped around towards the voice. Speeding around the corner was a small orange and purple blur. As it approached, it slowed down, and Kyle recognized it. “Hey Scoots. What’s going on?”
“I heard about your big mission!” She exclaimed excitedly. “I wanna come too! I wanna help you with those mean ol’ chan - MMF!” She was cut off as Kyle slapped his hand over her mouth.
“Shhhh!” he hissed. He made sure she had finished talking before removing his hand from her mouth. “That’s top secret information there, you’re not even supposed to know about that! How did you find out?”
“Me and Sweetie Belle and Applebloom heard Twilight talking to Applejack. I wanna come too! Can I can I can I?!”
“Absolutely not.” Kyle replied. However, his voice was not the only one to answer. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed that Rainbow Dash was walking over to them.
“Sorry squirt, but you can’t come.” she continued as she stopped next to Kyle. “Besides which, you shouldn’t even want to come. We’re dealing with Changelings! Scary stuff. You don’t want to get involved.”
“Yes I do!” Scootaloo exclaimed. She turned her head towards Kyle. “You’re the one who told me true courage was facing your fears. I want to help with the Changelings. I want to be courageous like you!”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at Kyle, who sighed. “Ask me on the train. Long story.” he muttered before turning his attention back to Scootaloo. “I’m only courageous when I have to be.” he replied to the filly. “Courage means facing your fears, yes. It doesn’t mean that you go looking for fears to face. Or facing fears that you’re not prepared for. Your training has come a long way, but we have longer still to go before you’re ready to do something like this.”
“But I want to be ready now!”
“Hey, Scoots, look at me.” Rainbow Dash said softly. She got down on her front knees to look Scootaloo in the eye. “I’m not sure what he means by training, but I’m guessing you’re working towards something big. So look. I’m the fastest pegasus in Ponyville. Probably the fastest in the world. But I didn’t get that way overnight. I had to train hard to get where I am. Greatness comes to those who put in the work. The quick and easy path leads to failure.”
Scootaloo sighed and looked away, her ears drooping beside her head. “Hey, Scootaloo, think of it this way.” Kyle added. “We’ll probably be gone for a few days at least. If the Sha come knocking while we’re away, you’ll be the best suited to protect Ponyville. I need you to hold down the fort while we’re gone. Can you handle that?”
Scootaloo’s ears perked up. “You bet!” she exclaimed.
Kyle couldn’t help but chuckle. “Good. I’m counting on you. Now go on and play.” Scootaloo bounced in the air once before running off, her wings buzzing furiously.
Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow at him once more. “Do you think the Sha will attack Ponyville while we’re gone?” she asked.
Kyle chuckled and shook his head. “I doubt it. Pinkie and Rarity are still here. But it makes Scootaloo feel important, and I spoke the truth when I said that she would be best suited to defend Ponyville. Not that I think that she’ll have… to…” Kyle trailed off as a strange figure entered the station. It was vaguely Pony-shaped, but it was difficult to know for sure due to the oversized trench-coat covering the figure.
As she rounded the corner, Kyle leaned over towards Rainbow Dash. “Any idea who the guy in the coat is?” he asked.
“No idea.” she muttered back. “Apparently he wants to keep it that way.”
“Clearly.” Kyle murmured, squinting at the figure and examining it more closely. A small lump underneath the hood of the coat identified the figure as a Unicorn, for it was clearly too small to be an Alicorn. As the figure turned, the coat shifted slightly. A small patch of fur over the figure’s chest was briefly exposed, revealing a mint-green coat for a split second.
“By the light.” Kyle sighed. He relaxed slightly, but brought his hand up to his face nonetheless. “I think that might be the Unicorn that’s been stalking me for the past two weeks. Can’t seem to shake her.”
“Really?” Rainbow Dash muttered. “That’s creepy. Go tell her to buzz off or something. But make it quick. The train leaves in five minutes.”
“I won’t be long.” Kyle replied as Rainbow Dash trotted towards the train, leaving only Kyle and the Unicorn still on the platform. Kyle returned his attention to the Unicorn, who was now staring directly at him. He frowned and walked over to her. “Hey. What’s the big deal, following me everywhere?” he demanded, pulling the hood down and revealing her face.
Indeed, it was the same Unicorn that he had seen following him. Her expression was a mixture of shock, excitement, and nervousness as she stared up at him. “Uh… h-hi…” she stammered.
Kyle sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look, who are you? And why have you been following me around town for the past two weeks?”
“I’m uh… My name is… uh… Heartstrings. Lyra Heartstrings.” The mare finally managed to stammer out. She tried to speak again, but only a few incoherent noises escaped her lips. Finally, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Sorry… I’m just so… nervouscited.”
“Nervouscited?”
“Yeah, nervouscited. It’s what Pinkie calls it when you’re nervous and excited.”
“About what?”
“You’re talking to me.” Lyra explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“And how does this makes you nervousci… whatever?”
“Well, ever since I was a little filly, I… I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of aliens. Life from other worlds.” Lyra explained. Her expression fell slightly. “Everypony always told me I was crazy. That Equus was the only known planet capable of supporting life.” Lyra’s ears perked up, and her grin returned. “But then Princess Celestia announced that you had arrived! An alien from another world! I knew we couldn’t be the only planet with life on it, and that day I was proven right!”
“And you started following me around town… why?”
“Well, I wanted to meet you. To be your friend. But whenever I tried to approach, you were always surrounded by other Ponies, and I got scared. For a while, I just gave up. Until I learned that you had saved a bunch of Foals from some monster! Then I knew I just had to meet you!”
“So you decided to start stalking me again.” Kyle deadpanned.
“No! Well, I mean… That is, I…” Lyra stammered. Kyle raised an eyebrow, and Lyra took another deep breath. “Look, Maybe we can just… start over? Maybe get together and talk? Get to know each other a bit better?”
“Well uh… Maybe some other time.” Kyle replied, glancing over his shoulder. “But I’ve kind of got a train to catch, and it’s leaving any minute, so if you’ll excuse me…”
“Oh… Okay. Maybe we can go out for dinner when you get back?”
“Yeah, mayb…” Kyle froze in his tracks, glancing back at Lyra. “Hang on. Did you just ask me out on a date?” he asked.
“Well… I uh… I mean…” Lyra stammered once more. Even through her fur, Kyle could see a faint pink blush on her cheeks. “Uh… yes?”
Kyle sighed and turned to face Lyra once more. “Look, I’m going to lay it down straight, alright? Maybe we can hang out at some point when I get back. Maybe. As long as you stop following me around everywhere, ‘cause that’s a bit creepy. But I’m not interested in a date. With you, or with any other Pony.”
“Oh… do you only go for… Human mares?” she asked quietly.
“Uh… well I’ll admit, I wouldn’t mind dating a Night Elf.” Kyle rubbed the back of his head. “But… well, I prefer a girl who’s a bit… taller. Who stands on only two legs.”
“But I can stand on two legs!” Lyra replied. Suddenly, she reared back on her hind legs. Kyle hastily stepped backwards as Lyra wobbled around for a moment. Finally, she managed to balance herself. She grinned as she stood on her rear hooves, her front hooves splayed out awkwardly to the side. “See?”
Kyle sighed and shook his head. “Sorry. Doesn’t count.” he replied. Lyra’s expression instantly fell, and she fell back onto all four hooves. “Besides the fact that we’ve only just met, not having hands is kind of a deal-breaker. Sorry.”
The train whistle blew from behind him, causing Kyle to jump. The train started moving slowly, and a door opened. Twilight’s head poked out of the train. “Kyle! Hurry up!”
“Sorry Lyra. Gotta run!” Kyle exclaimed, running towards the train. He reached the carriage and hopped in just as the train pulled out of the station, beginning its long journey towards Canterlot.
Only one pony remained on the platform, staring off after the train. Lyra watched as the train continued down the tracks, until it rounded a corner and disappeared into the foothills of Canterlot Mountain. Bon Bon was right. She’s always right. She thought bitterly as she turned away from the tracks and began to make her way home. I was crazy to think he’d go for me. A small tear ran down her face and fell onto the road with a soft plop.
After all… I’m just Lyra. That strange mare that nopony else talks to. Nopony will ever love me…