//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Something New // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// The trip was coming to a close; everyone could feel it. Sure, they had one more stop, but the only thing they would probably be doing is relaxing. They were going to see giant waterfalls on a semi-cloudy day. It was also bound to get cooler by the falls. Unfortunately, no one packed for chilly weather. This month was scheduled to have warm to cool days, not Winter temperatures. On the train, Soren was once again looking at the landscape passing by. He had done this a few times on this trip, but he found it relaxing. Equestria was such a peaceful country, much better than Shayden's version. If it wasn't for the fact that ponies looked up to somepony named Faust, Soren would have assumed that that Equestria is their dreaded future. That...and some familiar city names were already present. Soren looked at his friends gathered around each other on the floor of the train car. Rainbow and Winter were attempting to finally show Shayden how to play Prodder well. He was determined to be an average skill player by the end of the trip. Soren chuckled at his friend's slight irritation. Shayden's face didn't show it, his eyes did. Eventually, Winter excused herself from the group and trotted over to Soren. "You've been spending quite a lot of time talking to me," Soren commented with a grin as Winter sat next to him. "Shayden might get jealous if you keep this up." "I am loyal to my partner, as are you. We're just having a fun time. Plus, I showed him how much he means to me a few days ago." Soren remembered that next morning well. "Was that your first time sleeping together?" She shook her head. "I don't mean to pry, but...have you two done it often?" "A few times at most. Since you are asking of this sort of information, what about you and Rainbow?" "Same as you. Not many. Our first time together was actually with other mares. Heheh." Soren rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. "And what caused that to happen? Isn't your first time supposed to be meaningful?" "It was. For both me and Rainbow. Tell you what, when we get back to Ponyville, go talk to Shayden's friend, Chroma. Tell him that I want him to explain 'that night' and what brought it on. It wasn't some lustful adventure. I actually didn't get a say in it. Haha. The mares bombarded randomly and things heated up from there." "Quite literally." "You have no idea. Anyway, enough talking about sex." Winter giggled. "Let's see how Shayden is doing." The two stood up then walked over to a disappointed Rainbow burying her face in her hooves. "Hey, Shayden. Want to play an actual game with all of us?" "I don't see the point," Rainbow replied. "He's understanding the game better, but he still can't do good." "Let me see for myself. Deal us in, Rainbow." The pegasus sighed then proceeded to toss cards to Soren, Winter, and Shayden. Rainbow wanted to sit out for now. Within the hour, the train would arrive at Neighagra Falls. The group spent that remaining time playing Prodder. Shayden came close to winning a few games, only due to him not remembering he could Fold. Winter wasn't much of a expert herself, but she still managed to win twice. When the conductor made the announcement that they were approaching Neighagra Falls, the group packed up the cards and gathered their belongings. The train came to a halt, and every passenger exited the train. Once the conductor was sure everypony had finished leaving or entering the train, it took off. Soren's group made their way to the Falls. It was a humongous and tremendous sight. The waterfalls were yards wide and many stories tall. The lake at the base of the falls roared and thundered from the impact of the water slamming into it with intense force. After getting as close as possible to the waterfalls, the group went to a viewing platform at a higher elevation. The noise was softer, which allowed them to comfortably relax and enjoy the sights. "Shayden," Soren started, "I've been meaning to ask you something." The dark unicorn looked at his friend. "Don't get mad, but when you aren't drunk, you're moody the entire time. Why? We're just trying to make you have a good time on the trip." "I'm just...I just want to be safe and secure at my home. With the dangers in my Equestria, exploring the world was begging for discomfort and the unknown." "Life is supposed to be full of mysteries that will drag you away from safety. Some are good, some are bad. It depends on your perspective." "Why do you want to seclude yourself in safety?" Winter asked her coltfriend. "Because...I've seen death and harm." He looked at Soren. "I've seen ponies break down because of death." Soren closed his eyes. "But I've also seen love, even if the two ponies barely know each other." Soren opened his eyes again. "Me and Nyra..." Soren realized as he smiled. Shayden nodded. "I'm sorry if I wasn't enthusiastic about this trip. I was merely nervous. I have to admit though...this was fun in the end." Winter hugged Shayden then kissed him. The two couples held each other in half-hugs as they all looked out at the waterfalls. Two hours later they would leave the tourist attraction and head to Ponyville with an uneventful train ride. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ----------------- Everfree Forest ----------------- "It was definitely a good time," Rainbow commented at the end of Soren's tale. Soren nodded. "Shayden had fun, Winter enjoyed meeting more of his friends, and I got to have a relaxing vacation for once." "Especially when you showered." Everyone laughed. Soren rolled his eyes but still smiled. He looked up at the dusk sky; the moon would be seen soon. "Looks like our camping trip is over. This was fun. We haven't had a chance to relax together in a bit. Too bad Rarity and Flutters couldn't make it." "We'll see them in Ponyville tomorrow," Twilight said. "For now, let's eat then get some sleep." Everypony nodded in agreement. ----------------- Soren didn't have much trouble falling asleep. He was annoyed at the fact that someone disturbed him and woke him up. He rolled to his side and cracked an eye open. Nyra was walking away from the campsite. He assumed she had accidentally woken him up. He decided to follow her to see if anything was wrong. She stopped at the nearby river and simply sat there, staring at the water flowing by. Soren soon sat next to her, slightly surprising her. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked before yawning. She shook her head. "Is anything wrong? You're not one who goes for a walk just because she couldn't sleep. Something else is bothering you." Silence. "Can you please tell me what?" He heard her whisper something. "Come again?" "...pony...life..." "Nyra." "You're the only pony I have in my life!" she finally said with frustration. It wasn't directed at Soren, though. "What?" "My dreams were toying with me. They showed me the truth that I wanted to forget. I'm just Nightmare Moon's magic that formed into a pony. I don't have a family. For some reason, I became a bat pony, but I don't know many of their traditions. I'm just a...a thing that...that turned into a pony." She hung her head. Soren tilted her head up with a hoof. He then smiled at her and wiped away a tear from her cheek. "You have a family, Nyra." Soren pulled her into a half-hug. "I'm here, and so are my friends. We don't hate you, we'd actually like it if you could stay here in Ponyville with us." She gave a small smile but still shed tears. "Thank you." "No matter what, I'll always be here to care for you whenever you need it." Nyra cuddled against Soren. "I love you." He froze. Should he say it back to not be rude? Then he though about how much she actually meant to him? Deciding it best to just comfort her for now, Soren responded. "I love you too. Ow! What was that for?!" When Soren repeated the words back to her, Nyra pounced on him and bit his neck. "That's one of the bat pony traditions I know of. When you care deeply for someone and the feeling is mutual, you give them a mark to show the bond you share. I won't forget who I bit, and you won't forget who bit you." "I guess it makes sense. That still kind of hurt." "Quit complaining," she laughed before standing up. "We should probably head back and get some sleep. We still have a ways to walk tomorrow." Soren nodded then followed her back to the campsite. He couldn't help but notice her hips were swaying. He silently smacked himself. Don't think about it, he thought to himself. ---------------- As he slept, Soren couldn't stop thinking about Nyra and Rainbow. He woke up blushing and slightly sweaty. He had to make up a dream to explain his condition to his friends. The walk back to Ponyville didn't help Soren's thoughts either. As with his dream, all he could think about were those two mares. When Rainbow noticed his strange behavior and asked him what was wrong, he told her that he would explain it when they were back home. Honoring his word, back in Ponyville and alone together, Soren told Rainbow about his talk with Nyra and about the dream he had afterwards. She didn't say anything until Soren wanted something from her. He asked if he could become closer to Nyra and care for her, while still dating Rainbow. She was irritated that he would even suggest that. However, when seeing how serious Soren was and with more pleading from him, Rainbow thought about the situation more. "Does Nyra mean that much to you?" she asked Soren. "I'm all she's got, Rainbow. I can't just shrug her off." "I can't say I'm completely for this idea, but...I am the Element of Loyalty. You want to stay with me while still caring for another pony that needs it. I trust you, Soren." "Thank you, Rain—" She raised a hoof. "The second I become jealous, though, you're going to have to stop." Soren agreed, thanked Rainbow again, then flew off to tell Nyra the news. One month later, the three ponies continued their two-way relationship. Throughout this time, however, Rainbow began to see how happy Nyra was with Soren and how glad he was to care for her. Rainbow started to have a mental battle with herself. One day, a decision was made, and she flew off to find Soren and to get him alone. "So what did you need me for?" Soren asked her. "I need to tell you something." Soren raised an eyebrow, not sure if this was a good or bad thing. "I was having doubts about this Nyra thing, but I realized something. She's a lot happier with you than I am." "What are you talking about?" "Soren, you share a deeper bond with her than with me. Both of us know that the only thing we do together anymore that couples do is what happened in the shower on our trip with Shayden. Other than that, we're pretty much just best friends. It hurts to say and it probably hurts to hear, but it's the truth and you know it." Soren sighed sadly, but Rainbow put a hoof on his shoulder. He looked at her. "I'm happy enough knowing that you have someone one to truly care for," she whispered while smiling at him. She kissed his cheek. "You belong with her, Soren. Not with me." "But—" She put a hoof to him mouth. "No. Go to her. I'll always be rocking out with you on stage. Soren, nothing is going to change for the worse when you think about. You love, Nyra; you still hurt talking about her death. You only talk her death and nopony else's. We're breaking up...so you can have a better mare for you." "Rainbow, I..." "I know you love me, but I know you'll love Nyra more. We'll always be best friends and the best rockers around. Do this for me." "Fine," he smiled. "I trust you." The two shared a hug. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash. Please don't hurt because of this." She felt his tears. "Are you kidding? You're the one crying." She sniffed and rubbed her eye.