//------------------------------// // Rainbow Dash? // Story: Cursed Eclipse - Manehatten // by AImostpure //------------------------------// (Author's note. The next two parts will be occurring in the normal story telling I've been doing and switching between a first person to fit one of the characters. I hope things do not become too confusing and I plan to try and fit it together. It'll hopefully make sense as you read. If this is your first Cursed Eclipse story I recommend reading at the beginning to know who Eclipse is. Cheers!) Celestia's sun hung in the mid morning sky when Eclipse finally woke. She stirred from her restless slumber to the sounds of nature. The bright glow shinned against her eye lids letting her revel in the reminder she was no longer in her prison. Each glowing eye opened, gradually to halt the sun's intrusive rays, until she could see all around her. The green of the trees and grass, the bright white of the flowers she laid upon, the birds, the bees, the fresh air, the sky, and most importantly, no Gold Mine. She was quick to raise to her four hooves. Not wanting to waste any time on her adventure, the exploration began. She rolled around on every patch of grass or plot of dirt she saw, smelled every different kind of flower, and nibbled on anything that looked to be tasty. Eclipse didn't bother to watch where she was going at first. Her head was too busy raised up glancing around the sky and in the trees. Twinkling mane ever persistent in staying over her left eye regardless of how often her head spun. Her cutie mark returned to its day time colors; white star, black orb, and white aura. A thought crossed her mind suddenly. Her left feathered wing raised up and curled at the ends to lift the flap of her saddle bag. Her magic powered from her broken horn wrapped around the three items inside. A quick check off to make sure they were still in there; her two dolls and the red rock. She was relieved they had not fallen out or been lost during her escape. Finally setting her eyes forward she noticed something in her path and below her. It seemed that her time admiring the captivating scenes around her had brought her onto a dirt road and a road marker in front of her. The path she had settled on split off into two directions going opposite of one another. The sign was faded. Time and rain had worn down the chiseled markings. Confusion registered instantly glancing down each path for some sign of which way to go. She had no place in mind anyway, but some idea of what towns laid in either direction would have helped. Eclipse came down on her haunches examining the ancient slab of wood when an owl landed atop the board. “Who.” It hooted curiously peering down at the unusual pony. “Who?” Cursed Eclipse asked glancing cautiously around her. “My name?” She asked in return raising her right hoof to her self. “Who?” Struck by surprise, Eclipse regained her self to quickly answer back. “My name is Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” She stammered out bowing her head politely to the unusual bird. “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” “Who?” “Cu..cu..cursed Eclipse.” At some point in the course of Eclipse's conversation with the owl, a group of five stallions came up the path behind her. The group consisted of one unicorn, two earth ponies, and two Pegasus. Each of them were of varying colors, each a stallion, and each wore matching outfits that consisted of a bandana the color of their coat, faux leather jackets, saddle bags with 'born to trot' printed over the flaps, and had tattoos over their cutie marks of dragons, skulls, or crossed bones. For twenty minutes they had watched Eclipse repeat two stuttered words after the owl hooted. They were becoming nervous at the display, giving a glance to each other before one of the Earth ponies took a step forward. “ 'Scuse me.” His gruff, scratch voice spoke up to her. Eclipse eeped softly watching the owl take flight at the noise. She waved a hoof in its direction hoping that it finally learned her name after her many, many repeated tries. Teeth sunk into her lower lip holding back a few tiny tears with the owl's departure. That was when she finally came to realize the group behind her. Not knowing how long they had been standing there watching her, and they not knowing how long she had been there talking to the owl, a quiet stand off proceeded. Eclipse ruffled her wings unconsciously..tilting her head to try and let her twinkling mane cover her broken horn. Finally, to break the stand still they had entered, the lead pony spoke again, “So, what's a nice little filly like you doing all alone in the woods like this?” ~*~*~*~*~*~ Ah what another glorious day to be a super heroine of Equestria! I knew today would be far better then the last two days. It didn't matter that I failed to save the cat from the tree or accidentally destroyed the bridge to the mill. Those things happen when there is evil to stop. My wings beat against the air letting me hover high above the forest. My right hoof above my brow blocking the sun as I gazed down across the territory. I just knew that somewhere, some pony would need my aid today. Just as I believed my search would lead me no where, something caught me eye. From my height in the air I could see them. Five ruffians standing in front of a blanket with various foods and trinkets, and in front of that a young filly or mare! This was my chance to show what I could do. For I am Color Copy! I beat my hooves against my own head. Stupid, my name is Rainbow Dash. It is the heroine Rainbow Dash! I glanced back at my body to ensure everything was where it should be. My outfit was where it should be. I wore my self styled Wonderbolts outfit from green fibers, my blue wings were strong and flapping, my purple boots snug and comfortable, my orange tail danced against the wing, my goggles covered my eyes protecting them from the wind's dagger sharpness, and my groomed yellow coat looking perfect in this light. I swooped down just in time to hear the five stallions begin to laugh. What outrageous villains they were! They looked to be it too. Wearing the skin of a poor cow, and now stealing what looked to be this mare's bits and apples. I will make them pay! I fluttered over head so both could see me as I made my announcement, “Halt evil doers! For I am Rainbow Dash and here to punish you in the name of Cloudsdale!” I folded my forelegs across my chest standing in air proudly to display my powerful disposition. I could feel their stars upon me fueling my to go on. “Do not worry, my fair mare, I shall rescue you from these... hoodlums...” My jaw dropped once I was able to look down upon the mare I was rescuing. She looked up at me, obviously awestruck, with bright glowing eyes. Her eyes actually glowed! Her mane, an enchanting twinkling blue gray only made her beautiful face mysterious and alluring. Her body looked trimmed and firm in the proper places. Her flank was perfect... I mean her cutie mark was a wonder to my mind. What could a star, in a sun or moon, with something else around it mean? I noticed her wings next, how unusual for a Pegasus to have those. What was that on her forehead? A broken horn? Maybe it was some sort of jewelry to remember someone by. That must be it! I began seeing images of us together in my mind. Galloping down a white sandy beach, hoof in hoof. Cooking a meal messily with flour, flowers, and sugar everywhere. We danced at the Grand Galloping Gala taking the eye of everyone at the party. Our wedding would feature nothing but white from my super heroine costume to her wedding gown. I then saw an image of the two of us beneath white, silk sheets, hoof in hoof starring at each others eyes. My cheeks began to burn red and my body caught on fire with the final picturesque striking my thoughts. ~*~*~*~*~*~ “We gotta say you really surprised us!” The earth pony leader laughed rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. The five stallions had gathered their belongings from their saddle bags laying down a blanket between them and Eclipse, setting out extra food and some extra bits in offering to the mare. Each of them sat on their haunches in front of Eclipse who did the same. They had performed introductions; exchanging names with Eclipse and even told her what each did for work. “Most folks usually start shouting at us or thinking we're going to cause trouble.” The other four nodded and verbally agreed with their leader. “And thanks for tolerating those two fools for gushing over your wings.” The leader tossed a hoof back to the two Pegasi, “They just thought it's cool what you have there. Shouldn't try to hide them iffin you ask us.” Again, nods and agreements all around. Eclipse was genuinely surprised by the nature of these five. She had been told her entire life her wings and horn were things to be shunned and made her a monster, but these five were intrigued and drawn to them. She fluttered her wings once to the 'Oos' and 'Ahhhs' of the two Pegasi. A faint giggle leaving her as she pushed a hoof to her muzzle. The five had heard her stomach growling after they had asked her what she was doing out here. They offered her food and heard her short tale. She didn't give many details to them, such as the state of her horn or where she was from, just that she was lost and without food or bits. The ponies converged to talk on Eclipse's situation before each agreeing to give up a bit of their own to give to her. “I thank you a..a...again, kind sirs,” She spoke respectfully bowing her head down near her front hooves, “Your kind sh..sh..shows the beauty in your hearts.” The innocence of her smile helped push the arrow into their hearts as their cheeks inflamed. The leader looked back at his companions again laughing off the clear embarrassment each of them had. “Also sorry about that guy over there,” The stallion motioned with his head to the other Earth Pony. The poor pony appeared to be bruised and smacked around. Though, while the four stallions knew what happened, Eclipse had been told that when she turned around a moment he fell over. “He wont go calling your wings ugly again.” The beaten pony nodded repeatedly in agreement, cowering back with his forelegs raised up to protect him self from anything else. “Halt evil doers!” The six ponies instinctively looked up to the shouting voice. “For I am Rainbow Dash and here to punish you in the name of Cloudsdale!” The confusion was amidst amongst the six ponies. A multicolored Pegasus had suddenly appeared overheard shouting about evildoers and Cloudsdale. A collective look of 'huh' decorated each of the ponies on the ground. The five stallions conversed quietly. They could not figure out if this character was being serious or was some sort of comedy act. “Look, she's ripping off the Wonder Bolts and even looks like she used some grandmare's quilt for fabric.” “And that couldn't be Rainbow Dash. Her hare, coat, and mane are all wrong.” “Wait? Rainbow Dash is real? And how would you know who that is anyway?” “Me and him live in Ponyville. You've seen her. She's always around these certain five ponies. And at the last Winter Roundup when some colt hit on the yellow one, she grabbed her and shouted, 'She's mine!' while glaring at the poor guy.” “She's a fillyfooler? Dude totally gross!” It was then that the two Pegasus, the unicorn, and the leader earth pony turned to their beaten friend. The leader looked over to Eclipse who still had her eyes on the floating Pegasus. The unusual character had been floating there in a daze for a good five minutes. Seeing Eclipse not looking at the five, they proceeded to reeducate their friend on being part of the Magic of Friendship. The lesson was stopped early when the rainbow mare's wings suddenly went erect and she plummeted face first into the ground. A comical manner with her flank stuck in the air, and her muzzle eating dirt. The six ponies converged on the fallen one glancing back and forth waiting for some pony to take the first move to make sure the crazy one did not hurt herself. “What happened to her wings?” Eclipse asked reaching a hoof out to poke each straightened limb on the fallen mare's back. “You don't know what wing boners are!?” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ My senses returned to me bringing the taste of dirt and grass on my tongue. Somewhere between my fantasies and my cry for justice against the evil doers I wound up face first against the ground. These treacherous ones will pay for humiliating me with however they got me to the ground. I dug my fore hooves against the ground thrusting my upper body to raise. My ascending back onto my hooves was stopped immediately with the words of the fair mare, and finding her face so very close to mine. I heard a song from my parents youth play in my mind. 'How do you talk to a Pegasus? How do you hold her hoof to where you are? How do you talk to a Pegasus? It's like trying to catch Celestia's star.' “Are you al..al..alright? That looked like it hu..hu..hurt.” Her voice brought me back to reality. My cheeks burned hot as Celestia's sun. I scrambled quickly to right my self back to a gallant pose, this time safely on the ground. Hooves danced moving me between the mare and the five stallion villains. “I do not know how you got me onto the ground but!” My words were cut off. “You got a wing boner and fell.” One of the Pegasus replied trying to hide his wicked laugh. I would never believe that my wings would betray my thoughts and fantasies as such. “I, Rainbow Dash, will not let you---” My words were cut off again. “You're not Rainbow Dash.” “That I am so!” “No, you're not. You may sound just like her, but you're not,” The one I assumed was the leader spoke. “We're from Ponyville,” He said motioning to the Pegasus who pointed out my supposed wing boners. “Rainbow Dash is light blue with rainbow mane and tail.” I bit my lower lip. This stallion apparently did know the other Rainbow Dash. I feared the possibility of being found out, so I went with my backup strategy. “I will prove to you I am Rainbow Dash! I will thwart you five with my Sonic Rainboom Punch!” My wings pushed me into the air sending me soaring skyward. I'd show them and I'd show them good. When I was high enough to satisfy the velocity I wanted to achieve, I turned back around to look down at the group. My hooves moved to my face adjusting my goggles to make sure the wind didn't seer my eyes. Tossing my back legs back, I lunged forward sweeping my wings to allow the maximum speed I could achieve. Sure I wouldn't actually do a true Sonic Rainboom but they wouldn't know the difference! My left foreleg curled against my chest while my right pushed a hoof forward. Right before hitting the ground I curled my body to fly at the stallions, scattering them left and right. For a moment I glanced behind me to marvel at the sight. My eyes came forward again and... Hey what's tree doing there? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A collective wince occurred for each of the six ponies watching. The self proclaimed Rainbow Dash was now straddled around the tree, all four legs wrapped around the trunk. Eclipse trotted first to the mare and reached a cautious hoof to prod her side. She seemed to be stuck to the tree, unmoving, and non reactive. Eclipse again rested down but this time next to the tree straddled pony. She watched, curiously, to see if anything else would happen. The leader of the five ponies came over next, followed by the other four. They held no concern for the stranger, but focused their attentions on Eclipse. “Well, with this one having come here I think it's high time we went back on our way. Which way are you going, if you don't mind me asking?” “I don't know. I cou...cou...couldn't make out the sign.” The answer came with a turn of her head to the five. Her wings ruffled lightly readjusting themselves on her back when her saddlebags shifted from her head turning. “I wasn't sure wh..wh..where I was anyway.” The stallions exchanged looks once more. Even the rude one was showing concern for the filly. They knew they couldn't just offer to take her wherever she chose to go. They had lives they needed to get back to. “Well,” The leader began pointing a hoof down the path the group came from, “That way will lead you towards Phillydelphia.” He then motioning to the worn out sign, “Take the right path to go to Manehatten, and the left will take you through Fillyton, then Ponyville, and finally Canterlot. My buddy and I,” motioning to one of the Pegasus, “Live in Ponyville while the rest of these brutes live in Canterlot and another town near there.” Canterlot. The name was whispered to her self trying to remember where she had heard it. Eclipse set a hoof to her mouth until the memory surfaced. Canterlot was where the princess lived and also her brother. A shiver trailed down her spine. She couldn't go there. Gold Mine had told her that she would surely be executed for what she was there by her brother himself. “I'm going... to Man..Mane..Manehatten.” She finally stuttered out. “Well, alright then. If you ever come to Ponyville, find me and I'll make sure that our friend Pinkiepie throws you your very own welcoming party. Course, she's every pony's friend in Ponyville. One more thing.” The leader raised a hoof for the unicorn to do this thing. The unicorn used his magic to open his saddle bag pulling out a silver dollar sized badge. It was in the shape of the moon with Pegasus wings coming out of either side. The initials 'NMA' had been engraved over the surface of the moon. The badge floated over to Eclipse's right saddlebag attaching its self with the pin in the back. “This here,” the lead stallion spoke, “Is an official badge of Nightmare Moon's Angels. We're all members. Basically, we get together, go wandering around a bit to clear our heads, then go home relaxed. We have chapters all over the place. And with this badge, you're now one of us. If you need anything, protection, bits, food, just go to a chapter and they'll treat you right.” He gave a warm smile, accompanied by his friends doing the same, to Eclipse. “Now, keep the blanket, apples, and bits we gave ya and say safe. I wouldn't stay here along with that one around. She seems a might bit odd.” His head tilted to the false Rainbow Dash. The five gave a way to Eclipse, as she did the same, then departed on their way back on their journeys home. Seeing no sign that the Rainbow Dash was coming off the tree, Eclipse turned to the items that the five stallions gave her. She fit what she could with her magic into the right, empty saddle bag. Since it didn't have enough space a sit was designed for a foal, Eclipse folded the blanket to lay across her flank. Apples put into the right side, and the bits placed with her dolls and rock. When she came back around to see if this Rainbow Dash had moved at all, she finally witnessed her slow, humiliating slide down the trunk of the tree and falling back first to the ground. ~*~*~*~*~*~ Bark. Bark and leaves. I now tasted dirt, bark, and leaves in my mouth. The last things I remember before waking up with my back to the ground was a collision with a tree. Damnable tree. My wings flapped hard to rise me back up into a standing position. I swung around pointing my hoof in the direction I last saw the stallion five. “Hah! Now that I've showed you what I can... Hey where did every pony go?” My fore arms dangled in front of me with disbelief warping my face from once being heroic. The only pony I saw was the beautiful mare who I was trying to rescue. “They had to le..le...leave but I decided to wa..wa..wait for you.” The more she spoke the more adorable she became. I dropped to all fours and trotted to her quickly stopping in front of her and raising my goggles to get a better look at her. I was right. She was beautiful, she was young, and her horn was broken. Wait, broken horn? Wings? One wing looks odd too. I narrowed my vision glancing across her body. This was no ordinary filly. No unicorn I knew of had a bat wing, a Pegasus wing, and a horn. She mare backed off some when I took a fashion to look at her closer. “I'm sorry I'm sorry please don't take offense. Just your wings are really cool looking. So totally awesome!” I exclaimed pumping my right hoof. She edged a bit closer and I felt my cheeks burn more. I was embarrassed. It didn't matter any longer to me when I looked at her cutie mark, well her flank actually. My wings betrayed me just then, raising to the sky in an erect fashion. Red colored my cheeks as I scrambled back in a frustrated dance. So the stallions spoke the truth, my wings did cause me to fall. I was humiliated. I could hear her stifle a laugh. I knew this was going to be bad. I turned my self from her yet something about how she laughed told me something else. The laughing wasn't cruel and unkind, it was amusement. I had to face her, letting my legs turn me in her direction. What I saw nearly caused my heart to burst from my chest. Her left hoof was covering her muzzle as she tried to hold in her excitement. “That was so fu...fu...funny. I did not know that Super Heroines were supposed to make po..po..ponies laugh.” Her cheeks ran a pretty shade of pink over her cheeks. To me it was like roses in bloom. “But why wo..wo..would I be offended?” She didn't get offended? Did she not know what a wing boner was?! I did not know if I should be relieved or concerned that she maybe a bit naive. I spread my wings out like an eagle on display pumping my right fore leg to show off my flexed muscles. “Well, anyway, it was fortunate that I found you. Those ruffians were about to do something wrong and rob you!” “Oh no, they weren't. They actually gave me all those things.” She raised her bat wing revealing to me the badge of the vagabond gang 'Nightmare Moon's Angels' and I felt my face go pale. “They also told me I was part of them now, too. Very nice gentlecolts.” How could I have been so stupid not to check to see if they had any badges, buttons, or markings first. I face hoofed wanting to crater my brain in and end my suffering. Wanting to save face, I moved to the food items she didn't seem to be able to carry. “So, where's a nice filly like you going to? Even if those colts were nice you may run into strange ones.” “They had mentioned when you hit the gr..gr..ground that you were one of the strange ones.” I watched the filly place a hoof to her chin tapping at her gray fur. “I asked them what a wi..wi..wing boner was but none of them seemed to want to tell me.” She shrugged. So she had no idea what it was and the stallions didn't tell her either. It seemed I was in the clear for now. I offered my hoof to her, brandishing my brightest smile towards this beauty. “My name is Rainbow Dash.” She looked down at my hoof a moment then back up to me. I was sweating bullets. She raised her hoof to take mine for a shake. “A pl..pl...pleasure to meet you, Miss Rainbow Dash. Muh..muh..My name is Cursed Ec..ec..Eclipse.” She bowed her head then moved a step back to be at a proper distance. “I was go..go..going to Manehatten.” Buck! She was going the opposite direction I planned on it. I glanced around quickly. If I go with her then I'll miss out on performing for bits at the rodeo near Fillyton but this mare was one from my dreams. I looked back at her. Her glowing eyes were like nothing I'd seen before. As if someone harnessed the moon's glow and placed them for me to look at. Her hair, blue gray diamonds glowing from her scalp. I swallowed hard and spoke before my mind could convince me otherwise. “How about I go with you! A filly such as your self would be better off with a super heroine by your side protecting you every inch of the way!” “Are you cer...cer...certain? I would not wa..wa..want you to go out of yo..yo..your way.” Such a saint! She was hesitant to ask, glancing away from me timidly then back up to stare at me. I couldn't turn down those eyes even if I would have died saying yes. “I was going there my self! Manehatten is such a city that needs more heroine in it!” I announced striking a pose pointing at the sky with my right hoof. She only smiled to me and began walking down the path for Manehatten. When she passed by me and I watched her from behind, I stood straight up and shot my front legs back against my wings. I would not let them betray my thoughts this time! ~*~*~*~*~*~ It wasn't until the pair of mares had trotted for an hour that Rainbow Dash? realized how late in the day it was. She must have hit the ground harder than she had thought or hugged the tree longer since it was growing dark. It would not be long before Luna's moon raised into the sky. Time since the Moon Princess' return seemed so short yet it was agreed upon her moon was much brighter with her at the reigns than Celestia. “So, where are you from?” There had been silence up until now. Eclipse showed no signs of being annoyed just pleasantly trotted. Eclipse showed signs of hesitation to answer. Her ears rested back, her head crooked over to glance at the oddly colored mare besides her. “I don't kn..kn..know.” She never learned where the Mine Manor was in the time of her captivity. If Canterlot was not in the same direction as Fillyton, she would have walked right down through the down without realizing she was going back in the direction of her burned down prison. “Miss Rainbow Dash?,” Eclipse's voice came across quizzically. “What is a Fillyfooler?” Rainbow Dash? felt the headlights brighten in front of her and she was the deer standing there. She kept moving, for the sake of staying calm, but her body felt like freezing in place. Sweat grew on her face soaking into her coat and beneath the mask portion of her uniform. “It's... You see it's something of an insult for some when two... Well see there are many types of love in the world and a fillyfooler is like a coltcoraller in the sense. Well, oh god do you know what a coltcoraller is?” She was scrambling to answer the question. Was Eclipse having as hard of a time with this as Rainbow was? “A fillyfooler is a mare who loves other mares as a stallion and a mare would love each other.” “Is that su..su..supposed to be a bad thing? One of the ponies earlier kept making these unusual co..co..comments to them. It was weird...” Eclipse momentarily stopped to ponder back the scenes. “Whenever he would make some sort of co..co..comment the other four didn't like, they showed me something and when I tu..tu..turned back around. He said he was run over by a rabbit. But I do..do..don't see anything wrong with love.” That was one thing that Rainbow Dash? liked about Nightmare Moon's Angels. You could have a difference in opinion but if you became abusive about it or shoved it down others throats, they made sure you understood there were ways to say things. What she heard from the filly caused her to become giddy. She couldn't suppress the happy giggles she had been wanting to do since she first laid eyes on the beauty. She received an odd gaze from Eclipse for her foal like antics. “Oh, so sorry, Eclipse.” Rainbow couldn't bring her self to say the Cursed portion of her name. It didn't feel right at all. Who would name their foal Cursed? Rainbow thought to her self. Again, Rainbow looked over Eclipse. She was smaller than most mares, even herself, but she couldn't have been that young. Rainbow her self was nineteen. She smiled inwardly shaking her head of the thoughts. This wasn't the time nor place to continue gawking over the beautiful mare. “Miss Rainbow Dash?” “Yes, Eclipse?” “What is a wing boner anyway?” ~*~*~*~*~ I managed to dodge the question and bring us back to silence for the next two hours. Right now, until I could think of a new subject, silence was best in order to avoid that particular subject from my school foal days. I had to wonder how much Eclipse knew of pony anatomy and what the different kinds of ponies experience. It didn't matter. The filly was far too cute as it was and anything that may ruin that cuteness would be a crime. There was a lack of inns and lodges between the different towns of Equestria. Thankfully for travelers like my self, Celestia had commissioned various rest and camping spots along the roads. These areas were cleared out of brush and had formations of rocks to setup fires. We came along one such spot with a sign indicating the halfway mark for Manehatten from Fillyton. “Well, let's camp here for the night. If we try to do anymore we'll just be stumbling off course. I'll get some wood.” I had assumed that if she was traveling by her self she would know how to setup camp by now. With several twigs in my mouth and looking back at her, I assumed wrong. Eclipse looked lost and confused glancing around the campsite. I rushed over near her laughing off my assumption. “Hey, never camped before? Didja grow up in a basement or something?” I joked aloud rubbing the back of my head with a hoof. The face of the filly grew dim. Her eyes brandished deadly weapons known as tears. I could see the little ponies that worked my brain begin to panic. They pulled emergency switches, threw out potential apologies to use, and killed the comedy section of my mind. The moonlit eyes simmered over as the warm tears flowed down her cheeks. Each one sent a dagger into my heart. “Whoa whoa!” I stammered out fast as I could. “I meant nothing by it. A joke just a joke!” A joke that apparently struck home for something. “Look, I'll handle the work. Why dontcha pull out some of those apples and go rest by the rocks!” I laughed putting a hoof to her shoulder. “Not every pony is meant to camp or know how to rough it so it's fine!” She went to the circle of stones and I skipped up to let my wings carry my faster in my stick collecting. Once satisfied with the pile I went to work trying to find some flint stones. Travelers often left them after use around the camp sites... Ah! Once found I caught them in my mouth and rushed back to join Eclipse. The filly had sat down besides the pile of stones. Her saddlebag and blanket laid besides her with the left flap open. In her arms I noticed two dolls; one of Celestia and one of Nightmare Moon. Well, I assumed I twas Nightmare Moon. It looked like the decorations during Nightmare Night. I dropped the flint from my mouth and took one into each hoof. Desperately, I began to crack and rub them together to get a spark going. I should have been watching what I was doing but I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. “Those are neat dolls. The Celestia one is limited edition, right? Where didja get em?” The silence after bringing her to tears. “My momma gave them to me wh...wh...when I was little... I think I was five. She went aw..aw..away a few months after.” She hugged her dolls tighter. For the first time since I met her earlier today there was no cheer nor smile. She looked to be in pain perhaps from a loss or some pony hurting her. Well, I think her broken horn was an indication that some pony hurt her. “What happened to her?” In inquired while I still struck the stones together. Somewhere inside I knew I should not have asked the question. Eclipse didn't respond. Her body quaked beneath the starry night. I about wanted to reach over to hold onto her when I smelled something burning. Well, it didn't smell like wood burning either. Why was it so hot? My eyes shot down to my forelegs. “Fire!!” I shouted a loud. Somewhere between starting the fire, staring at Eclipse, and thinking to my self I managed to catch my costume on fire. I shot up onto my hind legs then dropped to the ground. I tumbled back and forth smothering the flames. Somewhere when I finished rolling around I laid on my back blowing on my hooves. My forelegs were not burned but portions of my costume were ruined. I sniffed back some frustrated tears yet my ears caught onto something that made it all worth while. Laughter. “I'm so te..te..terrible sorry to laugh.” She was hugging her stomach perhaps hurting her self holding in stronger laughter. Her wings ruffled up causing the fire to dance away from her a moment. I sprang back onto all fours. “See! My plan to get you smiling again worked perfectly.” Yes, it was my plan to set my self on fire. And any pony who thinks or says other wise is a bucking liar! I settled back down across the fire from Eclipse. She offered several of her apples so I took a share to eat for dinner. The rest would be best left for breakfast. Seeing her yawn after she finished eating, I absently rubbed my blue wing with my exposed yellow hoof. Blinking I realized the blue had rubbed off and turned the bottom of my hoof green. Bah! Stupid cheap dye. “Maybe we should get some sleep, Eclipse, ya know sleeping next to each other will make things warmer too.” No, I don't have an ulterior motive. “We can sh..sh..share the blanket then too.” I took this moment to raise back from my seat to come over to her. She settled down first laying on her bent legs tucking them carefully beneath her. I did the same coming blank to blank, side to side with the precious little filly. My heart was going off like a rocket. She looked to be absolutely fine doing this but I was more nervous than I had ever been before. Eclipse used her magic to draw the blanket the stallions gave to her around us. I placed my right wing down and around her as well. Nope, still no ulterior motive. I watched her fall asleep quickly. Her head laid down in front of her. She looked so peaceful when she slept. Her hair bobbed down covering her left eye. I inspected her horn. It was shattered at what might be the middle. I had heard that unicorn horns were some of the strongest things ever. It took either intense magic to break them or... Intense hatred. Unicorn magic comes from deep within the pony. So it made sense that another feelings deep within would affect it. Who hurt you Eclipse? Who would want to hurt you? I closed my eyes then laid my head down. I felt the warmth of her breath against my muzzle and my eyes shot open. Her lips were mere inches away from mine. I could kiss her and no pony would know I did it. But I couldn't I am a heroine of justice! Yet I could get away with it. No, heroine here! A heroine deserves a reward every now and then. Great now I sound like some perverted colt thinking he deserves something for buying dinner. I wasn't going to sleep at all tonight.