Soren couldn't handle this right now. He told Luna, Nyra, and Pinkamena to make themselves comfortable and to get to know each other. Treating himself to some fresh air, Soren walked outside and took a stroll through town. Rainbow flew along Soren's left side and Chroma walked along his right.
"Soren, why does stuff like this happen to you?" Chroma asked.
"If I knew, I would answer your question. At least it's nothing bad this time." Rainbow chuckled in agreement.
"Well, you were complaining about not having a lot to do," she said.
"That's true. It's just that two of those mares are very flirtatious."
"Pinkamena and Nyra?" Chroma guessed. Soren nodded.
"Until this passes over, things are going to get awkward."
"Or kinky."
"Shut up. Rainbow, how do you feel about this?"
She shrugged. "Ehh, as long as you don't do anything stupid, everything should be cool. Be happy; Nyra's back! That has to make you so relieved."
"It does, but..."
"Buuuut?"
"I don't know. Nyra seems different; just slightly. Something is off about her."
"Soren, you barely know her."
"I think he's just not used to mares flirting with him," Chroma commented. Soren flushed.
"And I suppose you are?! Where's your girl fan club?"
"I never said I was used to it. Merely that you were not."
"Whatever. I suppose I should go back and make sure they don't destroy my house." Rainbow and Chroma nodded, so the three made their way back to Soren's house. Opening the front door, they stumbled upon Luna, Pinkamena, and Nyra sitting in a circle in the middle of the living room, conversing with one another. The three mares quickly noticed the trio.
"Hello again, Soren," Luna greeted. "We were just telling stories of crazy events that transpired for us." Soren gulped. Pinkamena, I pray you didn't tell them of your little attempt on me.
"One time I turned myself into a mare on accident," Chroma said randomly. Rainbow chuckled.
"I remember that. It was priceless! He looked so adorable~." She pinched Chroma's cheeks.
"Stop it! I did not!" He smacked her hoof away.
"You know..." Pinkamena started as Soren, Rainbow, and Chroma squeezed into the circle. "...I always wondered what it would be like to be the opposite gender. Soren, what would you do?"
"Oho, the second I'm alone..." Luna's eyes widened.
"Silence! We shall not hear such profanity!"
"Aww, Soren, I was going to say that!" Chroma whined jokingly. Everypony except Luna laughed.
"I was joking, Luna. I honestly don't know what I would do. Probably figure out what kind of songs I can sing as a mare. Probably look at myself in the mirror a few times." Luna groaned and shook her head disappointedly.
"Males..."
"I don't see what's wrong with checking yourself out," Rainbow said. "I would totally do that if I was a stallion. But let's be honest, I already know I would look good." Everyone laughed again, even Luna chuckled a little.
"Regardless," Luna started, "what shall we do for fun?" Everyone exchanged glances. Eventually, Rainbow spoke up.
"Well...we're preparing for Hearth's Warming Day. It's only two days away. We could set up the decorations first then figure out what to do tomorrow." The others mumbled in agreement.
"Question," Nyra said, raising her hoof. "Will there be that egg nog I hear a lot about?"
"Of course! It ain't the holidays without its signature food and everything else that comes with it."
"Yes! Let's do this! I can't wait." Nyra looked around the living room. "Where do you keep the decorations?"
"They're at Rainbow's house right now," Soren answered. He looked at Rainbow. "Let's go get them." She nodded. "We'll be right back, everyone." Soren and Rainbow stood up and walked out of the house. Once the doors closed and wing beats grew quieter, Luna looked at Nyra.
"I see you are feeling happier. It is a good change."
"Was she not always like that?" Chroma asked. The princess shook her head.
"After Soren gave her hope during the Battle of the Nyrs, Nyra lost her serious mentality. For the position she was in, leading an army against Canterlot, she had to be serious. With all of that gone, she was free to be normal." Luna looked at the bat pony. "How does it feel?"
"I feel like I can do anything. I'm so glad that everything worked out. Well...almost everything."
"What do you mean 'almost?'" Chroma asked.
"Soren. I looked into his eyes as he cried for me as I was dying. Me; the mare who was trying to kill him a few minutes previously. What enemy would do that? Cry for their fallen foe and hold them while doing so? It was that day that changed him drastically." Nyra hung her head, eyes closed. Luna tilted the mare's chin up to look at her.
"Don't blame yourself for Soren. He is a very kind and sensitive soul. We sensed it when he sang for us during his first few days in Ponyville. Tis why we accepted his...puppy love, as you call it. Not many stallions try to win the hearts of the princesses. They would be surprised how my sister and I would react." Chroma looked at Pinkamena.
"You've been awfully quiet." She shrugged.
"I'm learning more about Soren. Can't believe he dated a princess. What happened?"
"Pinkamena! You can't just ask why a relationship—"
"It is alright, Chroma," Luna interrupted. "I am willing to tell her. After Nyra died on that fateful day, Soren became angry at his friends and visibly threatened them with his magic. He showed his anger, but without so much as a thought of hurting them. He retreated to a cave to grieve, but he would soon find himself with company. The Doctor brought me to him.
"To prepare for the battle, Soren was learning offensive spells as if there were no tomorrow. His magic was bound to consume him at that rate, thus we had to take measures. Drastic measures. I had to erase Soren's knowledge of those spells...but at a cost. The window of spells we erase will also erase the general memories within that time frame. We were not willing to do that to Soren. He was needed...we were not.
"Soren was already heart-broken after Nyra's death. Instead of erasing his memories, we absorbed his knowledge of the spells then plunged the spells from our own memories, erasing our memories of him in the process. The spells would no longer corrupt Soren, and we protected him from even more punishment. We knew not of Soren for awhile; no knowledge of the fun we had, no knowledge of his personality, and no knowledge of our relationship. His memories were more important."
"Why?" Nyra asked, looking hurt. "You're relationship made him happy." Luna chuckled, confusing everypony.
"Ask Soren how long he has been with Rainbow Dash." Just then, the front door opened and in walked Soren and Rainbow, both carrying small boxes on each of their extended wings.
"Finally back," Soren said. "Sorta misplace a box or two. Found them all though. So what are you four talking about?"
"Just learning more about you," Pinkamena answered. "No wonder you were pissed at your friends being in danger. You've been through hell and back."
"You don't know the half of it." Soren and Rainbow placed the boxes against the wall next to the front door. "By the way, Luna, the sun is slowly starting to set."
"Thank you, Soren. My sister would appreciate some aid." Luna closed her eyes and used her magic to raise the moon while Celestia no doubt knew that now it was time to lower the sun. The princess' blue aura faded as she opened her eyes.
"I did not see the orange sky through the windows. I was focused on story-telling."
"Oh? What were you telling them?"
"We told them of...that day."
"Oh...at least they know." Soren looked at Nyra. He then turned to Chroma after the unicorn spoke up.
"Soren, how long have you and Rainbow been together?" The couple looked at each other then both gazed upward in thought, each making a different face of concentration.
"Uhh..." Soren started, "...almost a year. We started dating weeks after the Battle." Rainbow nodded in confirmation.
"I see what you're trying to tell us, Luna." Soren arched an eyebrow at the princess.
"Forgive us, Soren," she said. "We...I...was telling them to not feel bad for our relationship ending. Another had her eyes on you already." She winked at Rainbow.
"You knew about that?!" the cyan pegasus gasped. Luna laughed wholeheartedly.
"I can see anything during the night. I was especially curious about Soren leaving without me to protect Appaloosa."
"Well I didn't know Rainbow would do that!" he defended. "Plus, at the time, you were safer from Nyra in Ponyville. I was her main target at that point."
"Wasn't that the time I messed with your mind on the train?" the bat pony asked.
"I actually forgot that was you. Wasn't really important, even back then." He looked at Nyra, Chroma, and Pinkamena. "What were your reactions to Luna and I dating for a time?" The three looked at each other and looked at Soren. They proceeded to clap their hooves and nod. Soren couldn't help but smile and laugh.
Rainbow stretched and yawned. "I don't know about all of you, but this has been a long day. I'm going to turn in early."
"I think we all should," Soren said. "Luna, if you even sleep at night, the guest bedroom is upstairs, first door on the left."
"We only sleep when we need to, but yes, we will be resting." He nodded.
"Nyra, the couch is officially yours. Pinkamena...never got around to figuring our where you can sleep."
"I could just bunk with you."
"Or I could spend the night with Rainbow and you can have my bed."
"On second thought...Nyra? Room for two?"
"I guess. No funny business...maybe." Soren face-hoofed. I'm surrounded by flirtatious mares.
"Relax, Soren," Pinkamena said. "There will be no funny business. However, I can't promise there will be no fun business." Chroma gave one 'ha!' at the play on words.
"Fine. Do whatever," Soren said. "It's the easiest solution we have. Let's just get some rest for tomorrow. I have a feeling that'll be longer than today." Rainbow yawned again.
"I'm pretty sure this entire week is going to be long."
"I'll tell you what else is going to be long..." Pinkamena teased.
"Goodnight!" Soren teleported to the stairs while Rainbow and Nyra began laughing. Luna just sat there with a small blush on her face. What is happening right now? she thought.
"Oh wow..." Chroma said before he followed the laughing Rainbow Dash outside.
After Chroma and Rainbow left and the laughter died, Nyra and Pinkamena began debating on who would get the longer end of the L-shaped couch. Luna walked to the stairs after Soren disappeared into his room. She looked back at the conversing mares and back to Soren's bedroom door. She smiled, walked upstairs, and entered the guest room.