//------------------------------//
// I've Been to the Mountaintop... 
// Story: Together And Equal…? 
// by Wolfe and WindSilver 
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It was stupid for me to ask Twilight if there was anything she could do. She'd given me a grave look and told me, in no uncertain terms, that necromancy was not something she planned on dabbling in. When she saw my eyes drift she added, "And nor will Discord."

"Fraid not," the draconequus said apologetically. "That would cause chaos on a scale that even I couldn't control."

To prove his point he summoned a weighing scale. It was so large that he could fit on the plate. The plate with him sitting on it lifted while the other side lowered, as if Discord himself was lighter than air.

"Not to mention,” he continued. “It has the potential to throw the balance of life and death completely out of whack! You have no idea what type of creatures could be released." He sighed and snapped his fingers, causing the scale to disappear. "I'm always up for breaking a few rules, but even I don't cross certain lines."

No Twilight was there for something different. She apologized profusely for everything that had happened, from day one, and assured me that she was working with Celestia and Luna to put laws in place to protect the changeling population.

Changeling rights were a few tentative steps away from being added to Equestrian Law. The royal sisters had begun to speak with representatives of the changeling community. Meanwhile, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was working to help the still hive bound changelings adapt to pony culture. 

Then, Twilight offered me the chance to have a part in it.

"What you just did? That takes courage. It wasn't the greatest of speeches, but your heart was in it. You were passionate, but respectful. I'm impressed."

Princess Luna spoke up. "We don't yet have a speaking representative for the changeling population. We would like to know if you would be interested in taking up the mantle."

Unfortunately I already knew what my answer would be.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, shaking my head. "But no. I'm no politician."

Luna nodded. "We understand. It's very taxing, both emotionally and physically."

"Not to mention all of the double dealing, double talking, double dipping, and so forth," Discord added.

"All I'm saying is, for as pompous and pigheaded as Blueblood is, you'd think he'd have a set of manners at least close to the size of his ego. And it was much more than a double dip." 

Twilight gave a groan of frustration. "30 dips for one tortilla chip. Do you even know how much bacteria could be spreading through that dip?





On the nights leading up to the funeral, I had nightmares. From lying next to Flame as we both died, to watching it again. Even in the dream it burned, it hurt, it felt like somepony had ripped my heart out and flung it into the fire.

Within my dreams, I screamed and fought. Running forward even as he was pulled further away. I knew it was a dream, but my mind didn't care. I did everything possible to try to get him back. Everything I wish I could have done. I fought with the rage of an manticore, but there were too many. They pinned me down and made me watch. I tried to fly over them, but they shot me out of the air with various spells. I ripped off my own medallion and turned into various monsters, but it was never enough to get to him.

Sometimes my dream would start in the fire. I would try to stand, to move away from the heat. But the flames suffocated me and made me weak. I tried to shove the burning wood away before the whole cart could catch fire. But the flames danced around, almost as if it were alive. Eventually, I just tried shoving Flame out of the wagon. But with each push the cart seemed to expand. Never letting either of us tip over the edge.

I didn't notice it right away. You know how dreams are, so illogical that your mind will accept almost anything that happens without complaint. In hindsight, it was obvious, but at the time I didn’t notice, or remember, being pulled from the fire. I didn't notice when the wagon disappeared completely, taking the flames with it. Nor did I notice the crowd dwindling in front of me as I fought to save Flame. It was when I found myself turning into a dragon, a feat that takes most changelings years to accurately become, that I realized that Luna was watching over me. She couldn't directly confront my demons, they were mine to defeat. All she could do was help to preserve my sanity, and send me hope.

It was something I would need.





I closed the door, ripping the tie from my neck at the same time. The funeral had been exactly what I expected. Sad. There was no better word for it. It was too quiet. Flame would have wanted some type of party, or celebration of his life. But we couldn’t celebrate.

I set the box on the table. I knew that inside of it were the letters he'd sent to me. Half of an archive of our conversations. Months worth of secrets, hopes, and dreams were inside of the box. His parents had given me the half I’d sent to him. They wanted to give me something to look back on. That’s all I could do… Look back.

On a much deeper level, they blamed me for not being able to save him. I could see it in their eyes. And they had every right to.

Robin looked broken. He wouldn't talk to me. Then again, he wouldn't talk with anyone.

Opening the box was one of the hardest things I had to do. After stalling as long as I could, I opened it. And read the first few letters.

He was going to be a hero when he got older. He was going to be the one to save Equestria from threats greater than Tirek.  He was going to be the next Element of Loyalty, the first changeling element bearer. "Dream on," I had replied. So cynical.

The next letters were more serious. He was applying to the royal guard's recruitment program. If he got in, he could join me in Canterlot. "Hooves crossed." I replied with a messy scrawl, and claimed that I'd tied my hooves to keep them crossed.

We talked about nonsense for the next few weeks. In this time I revealed that I had a crush on a stallion, and he grilled me for answers. Of which he got very few. 

I learned about his family's struggle in leaving the hive. The new council tried everything they could to force his family to stay. Fearing what type damage it would wreak on the image of the newly formed system. One of the downsides about being a well off family, when you wanted to leave, everyone wanted you to stay. And most would do just about anything to get what they wanted.

While searching for a town to stay in, he got into a few fights. Usually in defense of Robin. He never really learned to curb his aggressive side. And it got him into more trouble than he could get himself out of.

"I can take care of this 'Stormdinger’ guy. Just give me the word." I could picture him grinding his teeth.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle this easily. Besides, the worst I've gotten are a few words and shoves."
"... Alright, I'm on my way."

I laughed despite myself. My reply likened him to Wolfe, and I insisted that they would have been good friends.

The next letter had only three words on it, written so big that they occupied the page. "I. Got. In." My reply consisted of a few million exclamations of joy and congratulations. He replied immediately, telling me that his parents were letting him come visit me in Canterlot as a gift. He would arrive the day before my birthday and spend some time with friends, hopefully snag a room from them to use during training, and then meeting up with me. The he'd head back home to finish school.

The tears kicked in as I read it. The last letter. The last one he sent me before all of this. I screamed and kicked at the stack of parchment on the floor. Sending paper flying everywhere. It wasn't fair. He was not supposed to die. We were still young. We were still growing. We were supposed to die at an old age. He would attempt some heroic sacrifice and loose a hoof. Then he'd be discharged and living with his wife and kids who'd call me "Unca' Mask". I'd visit every other weekend, with whoever I ended up with, he'd make jokes that flew over the heads of his children. He'd tell us the same war story about four times an evening, changing how many foes he fought with each iteration.

"That's how life works!" I yelled. Only now realizing that I was near-hyperventilating.

I growled and began stuffing the letters back into the box. Seeing nothing but red now, I almost didn't notice it. The single napkin sticking out in a pile of parchment. I'm not completely sure why I picked it up. I may have been aiming to start destroying my mementos. Or maybe I wanted to see what this unfamiliar note would say. Either way, the first line caught my attention immediately.

To Wolfe,

I blinked, surprised. The writing was easily recognizable as Flame's. As to why he was writing to Wolfe...

Hoping that I'll get talk to you face to face, but I might be busy. If we don't get the chance to meet before I start my training I'll make sure to send this to you.

 According to my cousin we're pretty alike, if that's the case then you should be able guess the word I'm thinking of. Answer will be on the back. If you can do it then I know my 'cuz will be in good hooves. 
______________

Speaking of which, that's the point of this letter. I want to make sure something is understood. If you hurt Mask, I will break you. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. You may not be a bad colt, and I may not know that much about the whole drone on drone stallion on stallion drone on stallion dating thing, but I know what love looks like. And my cousin has it bad. And I hear you're feeling the same way.

(On a side note, how dense can you be? He's a changeling, we read emotions remember? He knows you like him, hook up already. Actually, don't worry about it. When I show up I'll make sure that the two of you get together.)

Back to the threatening you part. I'm joining up with the royal guard, so you don't want me on your bad side. I can make you feel like you're living in Tartarus.

Of course, if you make him happy I'll back off. Personally I think he needs a good guy in his life. He carries a lot of pain around, and refuses to show it. That's one of the reasons they started calling him "Mask".  

But when he talks about you, it's like watching someone being happy for the first time in their lives. (Plus, if you two get together I can stop listening to him ramble about how great you are.)
He's told me about you sticking your neck out for him on multiple occasions, and that is something I commend. This guy makes it impossible to do something nice for him because he always wants to find a way to one up you. In short, you've stumped him.

Great now I'm the one rambling about you. See what he does? Anyway, I'll tell you all of this in person anyway so I think I'll catch some sleep before I get there tomorrow. See you then.

Your (Probable) Friend,
Flame Strike

I tried to sift through the range of emotions that raced through my body. Childish indignation, mature indignation, sadness, longing, anger. Too many to count. So I focused on the one emotion that would keep me sanest. 

The laughs sprung forth like water until I'd replaced the mourning tears in my eyes with mirth. I fell on my back, gripping my sides. The image of my cousin, menacing a larger Wolfe was too much to handle. The idea of him shouting at the pegasus from a couple of inches was hysterical.

It felt good to laugh again. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last laughed. In fact, it hadn't been since he made that stupid joke about me. Maybe that's why I laughed so hard at the letter, because it felt like he was continuing the joke. It was almost like talking to him again.

Why did he have to be dead?

Why did the universe need to claim living creatures?

Why couldn't it claim something stupid, like a rock? 

He had an entire future planned out. He was already on his way there. He was kind, he cared about everyone, he was putting his life on the line to protect changelings and ponies. So why...

I mentally slapped myself. I couldn't lie there wishing things were different. It wouldn't make it any better. That was enough mourning for a little while. It was time to stand on my own hooves again. I wouldn't be moving on, I couldn't. But I could start looking forward.

This mentality helped me in the coming weeks. Especially that time I woke up in a hospital bed.