//------------------------------// // Chapter 28 // Story: Beyond the Portal // by Firestar463 //------------------------------// Bright light shined in through the large windows that encompassed the entire west side of the dining hall, flooding the room with the brilliant glow of late afternoon. The table, usually only used for meetings with important dignitaries, was occupied by far more Ponies than normal. Over a dozen beings sat around the table, eating their evening meals and discussing the events of the day. “... And we thought it was going to get away,” Shining Armor continued. “I mean, it was fast. Really fast. But then Mr. Slater here jumped it from around the corner and pinned it to the ground until we were able to take it to the dungeons.” “Impressive,” Cadence replied, her eyes fixed on Kyle as he took another bite of his salad. Her demeanor had changed from earlier, becoming far more formal. “Twilight told us that you were strong, Kyle. It looks like she wasn’t exaggerating,” “It wasn’t that hard, really,” Kyle shrugged. “The Changeling was distracted and had no idea I was there. Anyone in my position could have done the same thing.” “But how did the Changeling get in?” Twilight asked. “We don’t know. That’s what’s really bugging me,” Shining Armor growled. “It was just beginning its infiltration. We found it standing over one of the maids. Apparently it had just clubbed her unconscious and was taking her form as a disguise. Lucky thing we found it when we did, or it would have been much harder to track it down.” “Perhaps you should have your guards subject the staff, and each other, to random detection spells,” Luna suggested. “It’s certainly helped keep them out of the palace in Canterlot fairly well.” “Maybe…” Shining Armor trailed off. “In any case, our main priority must be to find out what this Changeling was doing here,” Celestia spoke for the first time since they had sat down for their meal. “If there is one Changeling, it stands to reason that there are more. Whatever they are doing here, we must stop them.” “Just send Kyle down to the dungeon to scare ‘em,” Applejack suggested. “Get ‘em to talk.” “Yeah!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “He sure did a good job with the ones in Canterlot. That Changeling will be shaking when he steps in there!” “You have interrogated Changelings before?” Cadence asked, her eyes locked back on Kyle. “The circumstances were far different,” Kyle explained. “These Changelings that we had in Canterlot had fled from Chrysalis and her new Empire, and were willing to help us overthrow her. This one is almost certainly working for Chrysalis.” “But you have gained information from them. Knowledge of their culture. Things that may help us with this Changeling?” “Not much, but I suppose a bit.” “Then I agree,” Cadence announced. “If we can get this Changeling to talk, then we can better prepare for their plans.” “Is this agreeable to you, Mr. Slater?” Luna asked, peering over the table at him. Kyle swallowed his mouthful of food and glanced back down at his plate. “Can I finish my dinner first?” he asked. “Of course.” “Then sure, I’ll rough him up for you.” The rest of the meal passed in silence. The sun dipped closer to the horizon as Kyle finished the last bite of his salad and took a swig from his glass. He glanced around the table and noted that everyone else was likewise done with their meal. “Alright. Everyone ready?” he asked. There was a murmur of agreement. They all pushed themselves out of their chairs, and Cadence lead them out of the dining hall, down the corridor, and towards the dungeon. As they descended into the depths of the dungeons, Kyle noted a few key differences between the dungeon here and in Canterlot. In Canterlot, the dungeons were clearly never used. Here, however, some dungeons appeared to have been disturbed recently, free of cobwebs and dust. As they passed one room, Kyle got a decent look inside. The room was square in shape, and had clearly not been disturbed in a while. It was completely barren except for a set of gruesome-looking tools that rested next to a wooden table. Even from a distance, Kyle could see that the table was covered in red stains. “I guess this place was ruled by a tyrannical overlord for Light-knows how long,” Kyle mused as he diverted his gaze from the torture room. “Probably used those rooms way too much…” He glanced over his shoulder and caught Scootaloo looking into the room as well. She quickly looked away again, the feathers on her wings bristling slightly. “Doing alright there Scoots?” he asked, dropping back to walk next to her.” “Yeah, I’m alright,” she replied, glancing back over her shoulder again. “Just worried about this whole thing.” “You and me both,” Kyle muttered, his gaze returning to the group they were following. “Hey Kyle?” Scootaloo asked, looking up at him. “Could I come in with you?” “What? Into the cell with the Changeling?” Kyle asked. Scootaloo nodded. “Why would you want to come in?” “Well… I just…” Scootaloo began, shuffling her hooves. “I just feel like…l dunno. It just feels like something I should do.” “Why, though?” Scootaloo fell silent for a moment as the pair continued to walk. “Well…” she began slowly. “The last enemy we saw was the Windigo earlier today. Before that it was the Sha. We’ve only seen these monsters that we’re fighting. But I’ve yet to see one of these Changelings that serve the Sha. Surely there’s something to be learned by observing them directly.” “It’s going to be dangerous,” Kyle warned. “The Changeling is cornered, likely scared and aggressive, possibly hyped up on Sha energy.” “Coming here under the shadow of a Sha attack was dangerous,” Scootaloo countered. “You said it yourself - don’t let fear stop you. Besides,” She added, “You’ll be there too. And if it does turn out to be dangerous, two of us together will be better than one.” “Fair enough,” Kyle sighed. “Alright, you can come in. But only under the condition that you do as I say.” “Don’t I always?” Scootaloo smirked. “I’m serious.” “Alright, alright. I’ll follow your instructions.” “Good,” Kyle said as they rounded a corner. The group came to a stop outside of a solid iron door, guarded by two Crystal Pegasi guards. The walls of this particular cell were made of solid concrete. Kyle was unable to see either through to the interior of the cell, or the occupant within. Cadence walked up to the guards and murmured something to them. They nodded and stepped aside as Cadence motioned with her wing for Kyle to approach. He tossed his pack against the opposite wall and stepped forward, with Scootaloo right behind him. Celestia and Luna raised an eyebrow as they looked over the filly, but said nothing. “Remember, we need this Changeling alive and coherent,” Cadence warned. “Do what you have to to make it talk, but keep it alive.” “I’ll do my best,” Kyle promised as the door swung open. He and Scootaloo quickly stepped inside, and the door slammed shut behind them. The Changeling was already staring at them as they stepped in. Its eyes were wide with terror, and it was curled up in a corner, shivering. As the door slammed closed, it jumped to its hooves. “Stay back!” it hissed, its voice identifying it as a male. “I-I’m warning you!” “Calm yourself,” Kyle soothed, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. “We’re not here to fight. We’re here to talk.” The Changeling was unimpressed. “Get away!” he snarled, his fear replaced with aggression. Kyle blinked as the Changeling charged, not at him, but at Scootaloo. She was ready. As the Changeling drew near, her wings buzzed furiously. The Changeling leaped and pulled back one hoof, lashing out at her. Scootaloo reared up on her hind legs and took a step back, using her wings to keep herself balanced. She deflected the Changeling’s strike and hopped up, whipping her body around in a Blackout Kick. Her rear hoof caught the Changeling hard on the jaw, sending him spiraling against the wall. He slumped down to the floor, dazed but very much alive. Kyle held out one arm to catch his apprentice before she could retaliate further. “That’s enough,” he murmured. “I’ll take it from here.” He strode forward as the Changeling shakily pushed himself to his hooves, still spitting and hissing. He lashed out again as Kyle approached. Kyle easily caught the punch, tightening his grip on the Changeling’s hoof. “You attacked an innocent Pony,” Kyle said, his voice deadly calm. The Changeling’s snarl was replaced by a yelp as Kyle lifted him into the air until he and Kyle were face-to-face. “You attacked my apprentice,” Kyle’s voice was barely a whisper now. His free hand reached out, grabbing the Changeling around the throat. “You attacked me.” Kyle slammed the Changeling against the wall, pinning him in the air. The Changeling struggled feebly, his front hooves pushing against Kyle’s iron grip. Kyle leaned in close, his nose less than an inch from the Changeling’s snout. “You’ve made a mistake.” “W-what do y-you want with me?!” The Changeling spluttered. “Your mission. Talk!” Kyle commanded. “I d-don’t know what y-you’re talking about!” “Wrong answer.” Kyle’s free hand glowed green, and Jade Lightning crackled to life. “Luckily for you, you get a second chance. Now talk! Why did you come here?!” “N-no!” The Changeling yelped, hiss struggling becoming more desperate. “I-I was t-t-told that P-Ponies don’t t-torture for information!” “They don’t,” Kyle murmured. He brought his hand right next to the Changeling’s face, close enough for him to feel the heat of the lightning. “I am no Pony.” A bolt of lightning jumped from his hand, striking the wall right next to the Changeling’s face. “Talk!” he barked. “Or do I need to make you talk?” “No! I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” The Changeling yelled, covering hiss face with its hooves. “Just don’t hurt me!” “Glad we could come to an understanding,” Kyle smiled, releasing his iron grip around the Changeling’s throat. The Changeling slumped to the ground, coughing and spluttering as he tried to regain his breath. Kyle turned around and walked back to Scootaloo, who was staring at him with wide eyes. “You… you were going to… shock him” She whispered. “Hurt him for information?” “Of course not,” Kyle reassured her, a small gleam in his eyes. “I am no brute. But our friend here doesn’t need to know that, does he?” he turned his head towards his apprentice. “Sometimes the best deterrent for a fight is to threaten a fight yourself.” Kyle’s head turned back to the Changeling as he pushed himself into a sitting position, still staring fearfully at Kyle. “I’m waiting,” he said calmly. “Why did you come here?” “Okay okay,” The Changeling replied quickly, his voice laced with fear. “She sent me.” “Who?” “Grand Empress Chrysalis. She sent me here.” “Why?” “She wants it. The heart.” Kyle blinked. “The heart?” “Yes, yes, the heart. The Crystal Heart,” The Changeling glanced around nervously before turning his gaze back to Kyle. “The ‘toy of the usurpers’, as our new allies call it.” “The Sha.” “Yes yes. The ones who will lead us to our rightful place in this world,” The Changeling smirked, regaining some amount of confidence in his voice. “Just before stabbing you in the back,” Kyle retorted. “One of them is called ‘Treachery’ for Light’s sake!” The Changeling’s smirk faltered. “The Empress knows what she is doing,” he replied. It sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as Kyle. “‘Toy of the Usurpers’, eh?” Kyle mused, his gaze never leaving the Changeling. “Sounds like a Titan artifact.” His face hardened once more. “Why does she want it?” “Kyle, if the Heart is gone, then the shield will fall,” Scootaloo murmured. “And the Sha can get into the Crystal Empire.” “But there’s another reason, isn’t there?” Kyle glared at the Changeling, who gulped. “The Sha have d-demanded it,” The Changeling stammered. “I thought the Heart would repel all those born of evil.” “Only if it’s powered with love,” Scootaloo murmured. “Twilight told me about this once during a study session. If the Crystal Heart doesn’t have a steady flow of love going into it, then the shield vanishes, and evil creatures can approach it.” “I was sent to take the Heart,” The Changeling growled. “And I would have gotten away with it, if it weren’t for you!” “Thank you,” Kyle grinned. “You stupid Human! You ruined everything!” The Changeling spat angrily. “When I get out of here, I… I…” The Changeling froze, his eyes wide open and fixed on the wall behind Kyle. Kyle turned his head, but saw nothing. He quickly returned his gaze to the Changeling, who was now twitching. Suddenly the Changeling’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor. Kyle held out his arm as Scootaloo sprang to her hooves. “Wait,” he murmured. “Something’s wrong here.” An instant later, the Changeling’s eyes reopened. This time, however, they were not the light-blue, solid orbs from before, but were instead green with vertical slits for pupils. The Changeling pushed himself back to his hooves, an arrogant smirk on its face. “Ah, the famed Human of Azeroth. We meet at last,” The Changeling said. His voice was no longer his own, but instead very distinctly feminine. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Chrysalis, Grand Empress of the Changeling Empire.” “Too afraid to show up in person, coward?” Scootaloo spat. “You should be!” “Big talk from such a… small filly,” Chrysalis sneered. “Then let me do the talking,” Kyle scowled,stepping between Chrysalis and Scootaloo. “Our demands are simple. Recall your Changelings and leave Equestria, Chrysalis. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences.” Chrysalis laughed, a harsh, cruel laugh that held now joy. “You are in no position to be making threats, Human. We outnumber your pathetic excuse of a guard 50 to 1. The Windigos are on our side. The Sha have granted us power beyond reckoning.” “But we’ve got something that you don’t,” Scootaloo retorted, standing beside Kyle yet again. “Something the Sha will never be able to give you.” Chrysalis’s expression darkened for a split second before she cackled once more. “What’s that, little foal?” she cooed. “Friendship? Love?” Scootaloo grinned viciously. “Two Monks ready to kick your flank to Tartarus,” Chrysalis blinked, frozen still for a moment. Suddenly, she erupted into laughter. “You dare to call yourself a Monk?” she cackled. “You stupid foal! The Sha have told me about Monks. You will never become one!” “Silence your tongue, witch,” Kyle growled, “lest I deem you unfit to possess it anymore.” “You fool, you cannot harm me!” Chrysalis cackled. “Not through my ‘loyal subject’.” She returned her focus to Scootaloo. “Honestly, you call yourself a Pegasus?” she sneered. “You can’t even hover for more than two seconds! What kind of Monk do you think you’ll be if you’re handicapped in such a profound way?” “Shut up!” Scootaloo snarled. “Does the truth hurt?” Chrysalis mocked. “Perhaps your ‘mentor’ should have been more honest with you. Here’s the cold, hard facts - You never had a chance! He chose you out of pity! Pity that you were so alone, pity that you could not control yourself. Pity that you cannot fly, and never will.” Kyle took a step forward, ready to silence the Changeling with his fist. A rush of air breezed past his leg as an orange blur rocketed forward. A loud thud echoed through the room as Scootaloo pinned the Changeling against the wall, slamming its head against the cell. “SHUT UP!” she roared. The crackle of electricity filled the room, and the Changeling screamed as Jade Lightning surged through Scootaloo’s hooves into its body. “Scootaloo, no!” Kyle yelled, running forward. He grabbed his apprentice around the midsection and pried her away from the Changeling. “Stop!” Scootaloo struggled against his grip, fighting to get back at the Changeling. As Kyle dragged her away, her body suddenly went limp. He set her down gently on the other side of the cell, kneeling down to look her in the eyes. “Scootaloo, listen, I -” A small drop fell from Scootaloo’s cheek, falling to the floor with a plop that shattered the silence in the cell. Without another word, she turned and walked away, her head hanging down in front of her. Another tear fell as she reached the door and exited, slamming it behind her. Kyle stood up and strode over to the Changeling, fury filling his eyes. “You… you bitch,” he hissed. The Changeling laughed, opening its eyes. “Ah how easily broken you Ponies are,” Chrysalis cackled. “SHUT UP!” Kyle snarled, punching the Changeling in the face. Chrysalis’s laughter intensified as Kyle felt the Changeling’s snout break under his fist. “Yes. Give in to your hatred,” she hissed. “It feeds us.” Kyle closed his eyes, his fists clenched into tight balls. Slowly, he forced himself to relax, forced his anger and fear and hatred aside. “Peace,” He thought to himself “Find inner peace, and she will have no sway over you.” Slowly, Kyle opened his eyes. Blood dripped from the Changeling’s nose as he stared Chrysalis in the eyes. “No,” he murmured. “There is no hatred. There is peace.” “There is no peace,” Chrysalis retorted. “Only the calm before the storm.” “We’re done here,” Kyle announced coldly. “Release your Changeling.” “So that he can divulge all of our secrets?” Chrysalis snorted. “I think not. You’ll not have this one… alive.” The Changeling’s eyes closed once more, and he collapsed to the ground. When they opened, they were once again solid orbs of blue. His eyes suddenly snapped wide open, fear and horror clear on his face. “No… Please, no!” he begged, scrambling forward. “Please, help me, she’s going to -” His eyes flashed white, and a silent scream was torn from his mouth. Jets of black energy erupted from his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears, forcing Kyle to scramble backwards to avoid being caught in the blast. And just as suddenly, it was over. The energy faded away, leaving nothing behind. Smoke leaked from the Changeling’s nose and ears as it collapsed to the ground, its eyes completely disintegrated by the energy. Nothing remained but empty sockets, staring off into nothing for all eternity. Kyle prodded the Changeling once. No response. “Despicable coward,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “No one deserves a death like that. Not even Garrosh…” Kyle pushed the cell door open, stepping outside once more. Everyone was crowded around, waiting for him. “What happened?” Cadence asked. “We heard some yelling, and Scootaloo ran out, and then some more yelling, and then -” “The Changeling is dead,” Kyle said quietly. “Chrysalis took possession of his mind, and then slaughtered him once she was done. Burned from the inside out by Sha energy.” Celestia’s face grew grim. “She is beyond help,” she murmured. “I had hoped to reform Chrysalis, much as we reformed Discord. But if she is so callously throwing away the lives of her own subjects, then her hatred has grown too great. There is no hope for her to reform now. She must die.” There was a murmur of agreement as Kyle took a deep breath. “The Changelings are after the Crystal Heart,” he continued. “If they can steal it, the Sha can get into the city and destroy it. And… the Sha want it for something. I don’t know what, but it can’t be good.” “Then we must make sure that they do not get it,” Cadence said grimly. “We will station heavy security around it at all times. No visitors to the Heart until the threat has passed.” There was another murmur of agreement as Kyle looked around the gathered Ponies. Doing a quick head count, Kyle noticed two certain Pegasi were not present. “Where’re Scootaloo and Dash?” he asked. Celestia and Luna exchanged a concerned look. “Scootaloo… was very… emotional, when she exited,” Luna began slowly. “She… ran off, without telling anypony where or why. Rainbow Dash agreed to follow her and make sure that she is alright.” “What happened in there?” Twilight asked. “Whatever it was, it really got to her…” “It did,” Kyle murmured. “I’ve got to go find her. Any chance you can find out where she is?” Luna closed her eyes, and her horn glowed brightly. “The twelfth floor terrace. West side,” she finally announced. “Go quickly, Mr. Slater. I fear time may be of the essence.” “No kidding,” Kyle murmured. He picked his pack off of the ground and slung it over his shoulder, making sure it wouldn’t get in his way before taking off down the dungeon corridor. A short time later, Kyle arrived on the twelfth floor. Though it had only been a few minutes, it felt like an eternity. Kyle hunched over with his hands on his knees, gasping for air to refill his burning lungs. Running from the basement up multiple flights of stairs to the twelfth floor was no easy feat. “West side…” Kyle panted as he slowly brought his breathing back under control. He glanced out of the window to his right and saw the light of the sun, drawing ever closer to the horizon. “That way,” he murmured, setting off again. As Kyle made his way to the large balcony overlooking the city, Kyle spotted Dash and Scootaloo next to the railing. Dash had her wing extended, wrapping around Scootaloo and holding her closely. Kyle slowly approached, drawing Dash’s attention as he drew closer. He sat down on Scootaloo's other side, his legs dangling over the edge of the balcony into open air. Slowly, Scootaloo turned her head towards him. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the fur on her cheeks was soaked with tears. A small damp patch on Rainbow Dash’s side indicated where she had been resting her head. Scootaloo looked up at Kyle and sniffled, refusing to meet his eyes. He said nothing, only smiling softly. Suddenly, she lunged forward, wrapping her hooves around him. “I’m so sorry…” she sobbed. “I… I lost control. I was just… I just…” “Shhhh…” Kyle soothed, wrapping his own arms around Scootaloo. “Peace, young one. I am not angry, nor disappointed. Your rage was justified. Very few could ever keep control under such circumstances. I know I was unable to.” “W-what?” “I broke his snout,” Kyle explained, deciding against mentioning the Changeling’s gruesome death. Silence descended upon the trio. “Did… did you really… pity me?” Scootaloo finally asked. “Is that why you chose me?” Kyle chuckled, a soft chuckle that said more than words ever could. “Of course not,” he murmured. “If I had pitied you, if I had not thought you capable, then I would never have begun to train you. You’ve always shown potential. Even that first night, when you attacked me in anger. I saw it then. That rough, unpolished rock that has now been revealed to be the brightest gemstone of all. No matter what Chrysalis said, you have always made me proud to call myself your teacher. There is nothing - nothing - that you cannot do.” “Except fly,” Scootaloo said quietly. Her wings unfurled and flapped feebly. “I’ll never fly. It’s hopeless.” Rainbow Dash’s expression grew sad, and she looked away. “I’m sorry Scootaloo.” she said quietly. “I’m so sorry… I always thought that maybe… Just maybe… Kyle, why are you smiling?” Kyle was indeed smiling as he pulled his pack off of his shoulder and deposited it on the ground. “Do you remember me telling you about my friend Christian?” he asked. “The guy who had his legs crushed and cut off?” Scootaloo nodded weakly. “Well, what ended up happening? He kept on going. He got new legs. And by the Light, he never gave up. He could never have done it without faith in himself… and a little outside help.” “But I don’t have any outside help,” Scootaloo muttered. “We can’t replace my wings with new ones. It doesn’t work like that.” “No it doesn’t,” Kyle agreed, reaching into his pack. “But all is not lost.” He pulled a large envelope out of his pack. “Sometimes, we just need to think outside the box.” Scootaloo’s head turned as she heard the sound of rustling parchment. “What is that?” she asked, looking at the envelope. “Open it.” Scootaloo looked up at Kyle, her eyes filled with confusion. Kyle smiled reassuringly and nodded, and she bit into the envelope, tearing it open and revealing its contents. Inside was a piece of parchment, covered from top to bottom in strange symbols, written in a glowing green ink. “What is it?” “Put your hoof here, and open your mind. Do not be afraid,” Kyle instructed, pointing to a hoof-sized circle in the center of the parchment. “And have a little faith.” Scootaloo hesitated for a moment, doubt clear on her face. She frowned, and nodded before placing her hoof onto the parchment. All at once, the circle she had put her hoof into flashed brightly. The runes covering the parchment glowed brighter than ever before, and tendrils of green energy surged out of the parchment, attaching Scootaloo’s hoof to the parchment. She yelped in surprise as the energy raced up her hoof, up her leg, past her head and neck, down her back, before finally surging into her wings. Her wings glowed bright green as energy continued to pour into them, making her feathers stand on end. Finally, the flow of energy from the parchment ceased. As the last tendrils flew into Scootaloo’s wings, the parchment fell from her hoof. The runes no longer glowed green, but were now a dull, lifeless black. By now, Rainbow Dash was on her hooves, her wings spread open defensively. “What in the hay was that?” she demanded. Kyle chuckled, watching as the green glow surrounding Scootaloo’s wings died down. “That, my friends, was a Glyph. A powerful scroll containing ancient magics. The power contained within them can modify your own skills, or even teach you brand new ones.” “And… what did it do?” Scootaloo asked, her eyes wide. “What happened to me?” “That, Scootaloo, was the Glyph of Zen Flight,” Kyle smiled. “Among the most ancient and powerful Monk Glyphs known to the mortal races, only learnable by those with a strong, innate connection to Chi. A stronger connection than even I possess. But you - you, dear Scootaloo, have that connection.” “Zen Flight?” Scootaloo tilted her head. “What’s that?” “The Glyph infuses the recipient with the power of raw Chi,” Kyle explained. “In doing so, it grants the recipient the power of flight.” Scootaloo’s eyes grew even wider as Kyle continued. “If possible, the Chi will supplement any existing flight-giving magic - such as the magic already naturally present in all Pegasi.” “So… So I can… I can…” “There’s only one way to find out.” Scootaloo looked over her shoulder at her wings. They didn’t look any different. They didn’t feel any different. She spread them open, watching as the tiny feathers spread apart. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She flapped her wings. She heard a deep intake of breath. “Sweet Celestia…” She opened her eyes. She was eye-level with Kyle, who was standing up straight. She looked down. Her hooves were not touching the ground. She looked back up at Kyle, who was beaming. “You did it,” he murmured. “I… I’m flying,” Scootaloo said quietly, looking back at her wings. They were flapping - not buzzing - and keeping her afloat in the air easily. “I’m flying…” She repeated, her voice louder now. A grin split over her face. “I’M FLYING!” Instantly, she was soaring around the balcony, laughing and shrieking in delight. “I can’t believe it! I’m actually flying!” she yelled, tears of joy pouring down her face Rainbow Dash just stared, her mouth agape as she watched the previously flightless filly zoom through the air. “Kyle… how did you do that?” she asked quietly. “Through lots of practice on Azeroth,” Kyle replied. “Must’ve spent a thousand hours pouring over old notes and memorizing different glyphs. Never thought it would pay off, but by the Light, I’d do it all again a hundred times over for this…” “You have no idea what you’ve done,” Dash whispered, a smile breaking over her face. “You’ve given her hope.” She reared up and wrapped her hooves around Kyle, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you.” “I didn’t give her hope,” Kyle replied, his eyes never leaving Scootaloo. “She chose this road. I’m just the guide.” Rainbow Dash pulled back away from Kyle and spread her own wings. “Hey, squirt!” she called out, drawing Scootaloo’s attention. “How about you and me go out for a flight? Maybe teach you a thing or two?” Scootaloo’s eyes lit up even more. “Yes!” she exclaimed, flying over to Rainbow Dash. The larger Pegasus flapped her wings and rocketed into the air, with Scootaloo flying close behind her. Together, the two soared off over the balcony, away from the castle and out over the city into the setting sun. Kyle watched as the pair swooped around. He quickly lost sight of them as the sun began to descend behind the horizon, blinding him with its glare. “So… it’s done,” he mused to himself. “She’s accomplished something that I’ve never done. It feels… bittersweet.” Kyle turned away from the balcony, scooping up the dead Glyph and crumpling it up. “But she’s earned it a hundred times over.” “Given the option, I wouldn’t change a thing.”