//------------------------------// // X - The Question // Story: Frequency // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Chapter X The Question Over the past six months, things gradually achieved a sense of normalcy. Every now and then Vinyl found herself marveling that having an alien for a best friend could qualify as ‘normal,’ but there it was. Adi, now being an international sensation, gained a few new friends around Canterlot. It had to be Canterlot citizens, for nopony seemed capable of reaching her unless they were in or around the city. Many scientists and mages put forth theories behind this, ranging from anomalies in the planet’s outer atmospheric layers to an overabundance of magic in Canterlot itself drawing in the radio waves. Most of it was well above Vinyl’s head. Yet the point remained that only ponies in and around Canterlot could speak to Adi, and more than a few curious equines found ways to do so even with the princesses’ magical lock on the frequency. By now Adi was speaking to at least a dozen ponies with some regularity, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to have so many new friends. Vinyl didn’t mind; it gave her more time to do her day job and work on her new album – already close to completion thanks to Flash’s gift. Also thanks to the synthesizer, she was able to use the money she no longer spent on studio rental and music storage to get a better apartment closer to the castle, albeit farther from work. The best part of all of this was her time spent with Flash, although she’d never admit that in his presence. He’d been reassigned as a guard at the castle once the initial wave of excitement had died down, but even then he had become as regular to her life as Adi, if not more so. Neither of them even mentioned the word ‘date.’ They didn’t have to. Going out together had become a regular thing, and by now he’d brought her to every restaurant in the Upper District, except those that had dress codes. Vinyl eagerly awaited the day he’d bring her to one of those establishments. Visits to the castle were a weekly event now, in which Luna and Adi went through technical discussions regarding her progress towards Equestria. Sometimes Adi would have to adjust her ship’s trajectory, which was a curiously time-consuming process involving something called ‘solar sails.’ More space-age mumbo jumbo. Vinyl didn’t even try to understand the technology behind it. Twilight Sparkle would come by once every two or three weeks to ask more questions about Earth. Her initial queries centered around human culture; art, music, the sciences, whatever she could chronicle. Vinyl tended to bow out of the geeky bits, but the culture of Earth was fascinating. Of course, when they learned that Adi was omnivorous and had a taste for red meat… it took some time to get over the shock, to say the least. They all agreed that, since Adi had survived and remained healthy for so long without it, she wouldn’t need to eat meat in Equestria. Which, Adi claimed, was saddening. The fact that she was only half-joking did disturb Vinyl, but she tried not to let it get to her. In the past month, however, Twilight’s curiosity had shifted directions. She wanted to know all sorts of extremely technical details about Earth’s physics: air density, gravitational acceleration, chemical makeup, solar penetration and so on. Such details were lost on Vinyl, but Twilight took them very seriously. In the past week she’d been sending pegasi squadrons to fly as high as they could to run tests on Equestria’s atmosphere. Vinyl once watched as a whole squadron was tied to a hot air balloon so that it could float higher than any pegasus could safely fly in an attempt to get readings regarding Equestria’s upper atmosphere. She had no idea what Twilight was testing for, but it all made Vinyl nervous. Twilight had seemed deeply concerned the last time she’d come by, though she would say nothing save that she had some theories. So when she heard Twilight would be present at that night's meeting in the castle, Vinyl became very anxious indeed. Vinyl and Flash walked beneath a lone umbrella, soft but constant rain pattering all around them. They were close enough that her shoulders touched his armor, and neither had any inclination of moving apart. Vinyl kept her head held high as she studied the castle they were gradually approaching, her face locked in a somber frown. She refused to let her anxiety show. Flash nuzzled her. “Hate to break it to you, but your anxiety’s showing.” She glared at him from the corner of her eye. “Shut up.” His wing draped over her and began rubbing the small of her back. “Yep, tense like a taut rubber band. What’s bothering you so much?” “It’s nothing,” she grumbled. She was tempted to magically remove his wing, but couldn’t bring herself to do so. It did feel good to have it rubbing there, after all. “I just want this meeting over with.” “It’s not like you haven’t been to dozens of them already.” She bit her lip and eyed the castle some more. “This one’s going to be different.” “Different how?” “I don’t know.” She sighed and permitted her head to droop… a little. “It’s just a feeling, like there’s some bad news coming our way.” Flash sighed and pressed his body to hers. His armor was cold, but she didn’t mind. “I think you’re worrying too much. If something is going to happen, we’ll get through it.” She offered him a weak smile. “Well, aren’t you my knight in shining armor?” He chuckled and nuzzled her ear. The act had the predictable result of send a delightful tingle down her spine. “I try to be.” “Get off.” She shoved him with her shoulder just hard enough to make him step into the rain, which briefly resounding against his golden plates. “When I need a hero, I’ll save myself.” “You like it.” He grinned and moved in for another nuzzle of her ear. She ducked him. “Denial is a terrible thing, y’know.” “You just want to get your hooves all over me,” she countered, though she raised her head to tuck it under the curve of his neck. “Head out of the gutter, Bolt Butt.” He accepted her cuddle with a light sigh. “You don’t make it easy. Maybe if you weren’t sending me mixed messages I wouldn’t try so much.” “Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a pony can indulge.” For a while, only their clopping hooves and the rain on the wet pavement answered her. At last, Flash offered a very confused “What?” Vinyl stifled her laugh… barely. “Forget it, Bolt Butt, just a little something I read long ago.” She pulled away and offered him a charming smile. He considered her thoughtfully. “You used to do a lot of reading, didn’t you?” She waved a dismissive hoof. “I went through a phase as a kid, one I’m glad to have gotten rid of.” With a cheeky smile, he said, “Are you saying you were once a nerd?” Vinyl felt her face going pink. “No. I just read a lot.” She caught the wicked look in his eyes and pressed her hoof threateningly under his chin. “Keep your trap shut on this topic or I’ll shut it for you.” “Aww, come on.” He brushed her hoof aside and didn’t lose his grin. “I bet you were a cute nerd. Did you wear glasses and have braces?” “No.” Her cheeks burned as she glanced away, her ears lowering. “And yes.” He leaned a little closer. “So no to the glasses, yes to the braces?” She shot him a dark look and growled. Flash chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. You’re too easy to tease, Vinyl.” With a sigh, she returned the motion. “Guess I have it coming, after all the teasing I do to you.” “You’re darn right.” They shared a small chuckle, but Vinyl found herself gazing towards the castle once more. They would be at the front entrance soon. Why did it feel more like a looming fortress than a grand palace all of a sudden? Her thoughts turned to Adi and Twilight, and she realized she was chewing her lip again. “Twilight’s a nerd.” Flash gave her a quizzical look. “Uh, yeah. Nopony’s gonna argue that statement.” “I mean, she’s a smart pony, right?” Vinyl lowered her head to stare at her hooves. “What if she found out something bad?” “You’re getting paranoid,” he told her, draping his wing over her once more. “C’mon, Vinyl, what’s she going to find that’s got you so worried?” “I don’t know.” She pressed against him, her body steadily warming his armor. “I just… what if she finds some kind of problem? She’s been running a lot of tests lately. I’m starting to wonder if maybe Adi can’t live here after all.” “Why wouldn’t she be able to live here?” Vinyl shrugged. “Maybe the air’s not right or something, I dunno.” Flash bent down to nuzzle her ear again, and she shivered with a smile. “You’re worrying too much,” he said. “I think Twilight would have determined long ago if Adi couldn’t actually live in our world. Even if she couldn’t, there’s bound to be an answer.” She leaned on him, heart heavy as they approached the castle gates. A pair of guards stood in the rain, watching their approach with typical solemn expressions. It was like the water dripping off their armor and down their faces didn’t exist. Their stoic frowns didn’t soften as the pair passed by them. Flash gave a salute which they returned. As they passed by, Vinyl asked, “Is it some kind of rule that you guys have to look like jerks when on duty?” “I’m on duty,” he pointed out, “but I get your meaning. We’re supposed to be intimidating.” “Intimidating to what?” Vinyl gave him a hard look. “If there’s anything dangerous enough to threaten a princess, it would blow you guys away like a bunch of leaves.” “We protect a lot more than the princesses,” he countered with a grim frown. “There are tons of things in the castle in need of protection. The Royal Spell Library, for example. And even if a princess could defend herself with ease, that doesn’t mean she can keep a knife from finding her throat while she’s sleeping.” Vinyl cocked her head. “I guess I never thought of that. I still don’t think you guys need to look like jerks all the time.” He shrugged. “Take it up with the Captain if it bothers you so much.” The unicorn guards at the castle’s main entrance saluted Flash and opened the doors for them. Vinyl shook off the water from her umbrella, then offered it to a servant stationed near the door. The mare took it and departed for parts unknown. “I’ve got to report to the captain for today’s assignment,” Flash told her, pressing his cheek to hers. “You want me to go with you though?” She rolled her eyes but pressed back with a smile. “I’m a big filly, Bolt Butt. You go do your jerk thing.” He chuckled and saluted with a lopsided smile before heading for a side door. “See you later.” She watched him go, her eyes set upon his flank. She had to admit that she’d netted a real prize in that one. Now if he’d do a little more than just nuzzle on her ear every now and then. It was a long walk to the astronomy tower. The castle hadn’t yet shut down for the evening, and Vinyl often found herself having to dodge important-looking ponies going to and fro in the great halls. Vinyl plugged her earbuds in and listened to the latest rendition of her new songs as she walked, if only to serve as a distraction from her thoughts. She was relieved when she passed through the business-end of the castle and into the less public areas. Here things were quieter and she didn’t have to suffer the haughty looks of ponies who thought she didn’t deserve to be there. At last Vinyl reached the stairs leading into the tower. Months of climbing those stairs had given her some extra strength in her legs, so that now the journey wasn’t half as tiring. Even so, this time she climbed the steps slowly; even the incomplete music in her ears wasn’t enough to distract from her worries now. The stairs had enough room for three ponies to climb side-by-side, and yet tonight the spiraling passage felt claustrophobic. Images of Twilight’s concerned, focused face kept flitting through Vinyl’s mind. If she kept chewing her lip like this, she’d start bleeding. Every hoofstep felt heavier than the last, but Vinyl knew she had to face whatever bad news was coming her way. For by now she felt certain that bad news was coming. “Ah, Miss Scratch. Do come in.” Vinyl paused at the door. Celestia sat upon a large velvet cushion before the usual table that held the small, fancy radio. Luna and Twilight were also there, forming a triangle about the table. There was space left only for one. Her ears flat against her skull, Vinyl pulled out her earbuds and approached. Three princesses for a single meeting? Her heart sank even lower. “Is everything alright?” Luna asked as Vinyl took her place at the table. Vinyl looked to Luna, then to Celestia. They both held blank expressions, like they were prepared for a meeting with foreign dignitaries rather than some DJ. Her gaze went to Twilight, who was trying her hardest to imitate the manner of her peers. A valiant effort, but the concern in her eyes gave her away. “You tell me,” she said, gesturing to Twilight. “You found something bad, didn’t you?” Twilight flinched; a tiny motion, but still noticeable. “I think we’d better get Adi on before we start.” “Yeah…” Vinyl shrank in her cushion, her head dropped below her shoulders. There seemed to be a lead weight in her belly. She reached forward, but couldn’t make her hoof touch the radio. “Vinyl.” Celestia’s wing reached over to brush Vinyl’s shoulder. “Whatever may come of this meeting, remember that you are Miss Longstaff’s friend. She will need you to be strong.” Vinyl stared at her with her lip trembling. “Is it really that bad?” “It…” Twilight hesitated, but at Vinyl’s worried look she said, “It might not be. We can’t be certain.” “That’s not very helpful,” Vinyl replied, her voice almost a whimper. “Vinyl.” She looked to Princess Luna, who wore a warm smile. “This isn’t a time for worrying. I believe that you will shine brightly today, for yourself and for Adi.” At first, Vinyl was perplexed. Yet, as she gazed into those bright cyan eyes, a sense of clarity came over her. Her thoughts drifted to her father, and how important a mere voice on a radio had been to him. Now more than ever, Vinyl needed to be that voice. The thought gave her a renewed courage. She reached over and pressed the button atop the little white radio. Silence filled the room as they waited. After a while, Vinyl leaned over the table. “Adi, you there?” Seconds passed, and then the radio came to life. Adi’s voice sounded dull through the speaker. “I’m here.” Vinyl cocked her head. “You sound tired.” “I am.” Adi gave a long yawn. “There was a problem with one of the solar cells, so I had to do a brief space walk. I’m beat, and my stomach still hasn’t stopped rolling around in my gut.” “I see… I think.” Vinyl hesitated. “Um, I’m here with Twilight, Luna and Celestia.” “Three princesses? Aren’t we popular today.” A brief pause. “So what’s the special occasion?” Vinyl sat back with a shrug and looked to Twilight. “Good question; they haven’t told me yet.” Adi’s tone was deadpan. “Well that’s not very nice of them.” Celestia leaned forward just slightly. “Are you feeling well, Miss Longstaff?” “I’m fine, Princess.” Adi emitted another yawn. “I’m just really missing coffee right now.” Vinyl blinked. “You actually have coffee? Like, caffeinated black stuff?” “And you know what coffee is.” Adi chuckled. “Will the similarities never end?” Luna spoke, her tone firm. “Miss Longstaff, I am afraid we have some very important news to convey to you.” Silence. The air suddenly seemed thick with uncertainty. Vinyl shifted and glanced at Celestia, then at Luna, but neither of them betrayed any emotion other than solemnity. She looked across the table to find Twilight fidgeting. When Adi next spoke, she had lost her droll tone. “You have my attention.” All eyes turned to Twilight, who shrank back. She chewed her lip and straightened herself with a calming breath. “Adi, Twilight. As you know, I’ve been doing a lot of research and tests about Equestria’s upper atmosphere.” Adi said nothing. Twilight’s ears lowered, but after a moment she pressed on. “We need to go over the specifications of your ship again, just to be sure, but if my calculations are correct… well, there might be a problem.” “Stop beating around the bush.” Adi’s tone had been harsh, but Vinyl detected the tremble in her voice. Twilight flinched and glanced to Celestia, who nodded. She rubbed her forehooves together as she continued, “Earth and Equestria have very similar atmospheres, and if you were here you could almost certainly survive in our world. But there are certain differences in composition and density, especially in the upper atmosphere. Simply put, there’s a higher friction in the outer layers.” Vinyl cocked her head. “I have no idea what that means.” “It means…” Twilight averted her gaze. “It means that… How to put it?” “What it means,” Adi said, her voice quiet, “is that The Journey won’t be able to survive re-entry. It means I’ll burn up and die if I try.” “Not necessarily,” Twilight hurriedly added. “The differences aren’t huge, the ship might be able to take it. We need to go over the specifications again.” “We’ve gone over them countless times,” Adi whispered. “One more isn’t going to change the results.” Twilight faltered, her lips moving soundlessly. Her eyes darted about as she struggled for some kind of argument. Celestia leaned forward, a hopeful tone in her voice. “Understand that the nature of our atmospheric studies are very new and limited. We need to perform more tests. The results above Canterlot may not be same in other parts of the world.” “I… I guess…” Adi tried to sound hopeful, but Vinyl had been talking to her long enough to catch the uncertainty. Twilight rose over the table, her face determined. “Celestia’s right! This was just after a half-dozen tests. We could be off. Way off. We’ve already contacted meteorology stations around the world to ask them to repeat our experiments. The ones we did over Canterlot may be egregiously abnormal.” “Abnormal as in way better than reality,” Adi grumbled. “That would be just my luck.” Luna tapped Vinyl’s shoulder with a wing, and the two shared a long, calm look. Vinyl’s heart collapsed into her stomach, which felt like it was imploding. Even so, she managed to nod to the princess. She turned to the radio. “Adi… you’ve gotta have hope.” “Hope?” Adi laughed, a bitter sound. “I just found out I’ll never see grass again, or sunlight, or… or…” The crying started. “Oh G-God. Why won’t anyone just wake me the fuck up?” Twilight shrank back at the curse. “H-hey, there’s still a chance. That’s what we’re trying to—” Vinyl raised her hoof. The princesses remained silent, and they all listened as Adi’s crying grew more intense. Her breath coming in slow, long gasps, Vinyl closed her eyes and focused on a grey mane, a purple face and an exasperated smile. It was such a calm, controlled expression. She did the best she could to channel that same level-headed focus. She could do this. She opened her eyes and took the radio in her telekinetic grasp. It floated close to her face, and she gazed at its smooth white surface. “Adi… do you remember how we met?” “W-what?” Adi had to fight down sob. “Yeah.” “I didn’t believe your story, right? I thought it was some kind of practical joke.” “I r-remember,” Adi whispered. “I was so afraid…” “Do you know why I came back?” Adi made no attempt to answer. Vinyl glanced at the princesses gathered at the table before letting out a long, deep sigh. “I came back because I realized that you were in trouble. It didn’t matter whether I believed you or not, I knew I had to help. I wanted to save you… like somepony saved my father.” “Y-your father?” Adi sucked down a deep breath, but it didn’t stifle her hiccups. “What does he have to do with it?” Vinyl felt tears in her eyes. The words resisted her; her throat constricted and her heart hammered, but she reached inside and forced it out. “My father could have died, Adi. He came very close to it. Then… then he heard a voice on the radio. The voice saved him, it helped him believe that there was hope.” “V-Vinyl?” She took the radio in both hooves, gripping it as a renewed fortitude came over her. “I’m that voice now, Adi, and you’re my father. I didn’t believe you, and that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. So I’m asking you — telling you — to believe me. Have faith. I will not abandon you, you hear? You have to have hope.” Silence filled the room, save for the pattering of the rain on the cool floor and Adi’s quiet sniffling. Vinyl kept her focus on the radio, hardly noticing the looks the princesses were sharing amongst themselves. Her teeth ground together as the quiet lingered. “Vinyl… I had hope. You gave it to me when you came back. It meant so much to me.” “I know.” Vinyl smiled weakly. “I didn’t get it until I went to Luna, but I do now.” “No you don’t,” Adi whispered. “You have no idea. You can’t imagine how happy I was to hear your voice again.” Vinyl bit her lip and kept quiet, rubbing the moisture from her eyes. “You gave me the most precious gift I’ve ever known.” Adi sighed, a long, resigned sound. “The least I can do is hold on to it. I’ll try to keep hope.” “That’s the spirit.” Vinyl relaxed, a smile spreading across her face. “We’ll see one another someday. That’s a promise.” “I… I believe you, Vinyl.” Vinyl beamed as she set the radio back on the table. It was only then that she noticed how all three princesses were watching her with warm smiles. She gave a little cough and crossed her hooves. “Oookay, so don’t you mares have some directions to give Adi or something?” Twilight chuckled and took the radio in her magic. “Adi, are you up for a course correction?” A long, resounding sigh emitted from the radio. “I’d really rather get some sleep, if that’s okay. Besides, I… have a lot to think about.” “That’s fine,” Twilight replied with a small nod. “Just remember, we’re going to get you through this.” “Right.” Adi’s tone made Vinyl flinch. “Um, I’ll have the specs ready for you next time, okay? One more check can’t hurt.” “Sounds good.” Twilight let the radio drift back down to the table. “Good night, Adi.” “Good night, all of you. And Vinyl?” Vinyl leaned forward, her ears perking. “Yeah?” A long pause. “Thanks.” The speaker went dead. Vinyl heaved a sigh and pressed the small button, turning the radio off. “Well, that could have gone better.” “On the contrary.” Luna smiled her way. “You did wonderfully.” Her ears perked. “I did?” “You didn’t let her give up hope,” Celestia said, her smile mimicking Luna’s. “You’re being a great friend for her,” Twilight added. “It’s exactly what Adi’s going to need at times like this.” “And it’s exactly why I wanted you to be our liaison with her, instead of just taking over communication entirely,” Luna concluded. “Okay, stop it.” Vinyl ducked her head, her cheeks burning. “You make me sound a lot better than I really am.” Celestia tsked. “You do yourself a disservice. You showed that you can be there for your friend. That’s something worthy of praise.” “I’m just offering a bunch of dumb words,” Vinyl countered with a huff. “It’s you ponies who will actually be helping her.” “Don’t discount your contribution!” Twilight’s smile faded and her tone became lecturing. “Sometimes all a pony needs to get through things is some positive reinforcement. Adi needs you now more than ever.” “All the positive reinforcement in the world won’t matter a can of beans if Adi can’t get here.” Vinyl looked to each princess in turn as she spoke. “What are we going to do help her? You just said she would die if she tried to come to Equestria.” They exchanged uncertain looks. It was Twilight who spoke. “We don’t know how accurate our readings are. We need to wait for the meteorology stations around the world to get back to us with their results, and that could take weeks or even months.” “But you’re princesses!” Vinyl threw up her hooves. “Can’t you, I dunno, fly up there and thin out the clouds or something with your super-awesome alicorn magic?” “Even alicorns can’t fly that high, Miss Scratch,” Celestia noted. Vinyl thrust a hoof at Luna. “She went to the moon!” There was a pause before she blushed and ducked her head Luna’s direction. “Err, sorry.” “It’s alright,” Luna muttered, though she held a tight frown. “One does not simply fly to the moon, Vinyl. I was transported there and back near-instantly. They are not the same things.” “And we can’t just try to modify the upper atmosphere to let Adi’s ship in,” Twilight added seriously. “Do you know the kind of damage that could do to Equestria as a whole? I’m not sure it’s possible in the first place, but even if we could form a relatively small opening for Adi’s ship, we have absolutely no idea what would happen.” “I do, actually.” Celestia passed a hoof through her mane and averted her eyes. “There’s a reason the Badlands are so inhospitable.” Twilight’s jaw dropped as all eyes turned on the Princess of the Sun. “You never mentioned anything like that before.” “We all have things we’d rather forget about,” Celestia muttered. She turned her gaze upon Vinyl, who shrank a little. “Believe me, Miss Scratch, that magic will not solve this situation.” “So we do what? Just hope for the best?” Vinyl looked to Twilight, who averted her gaze. “Is there nothing we can do?” She cast her gaze upon each of the princesses, her heart sinking a little more as she found no answers. Slowly, she leaned against the table and set her head in her hooves. “That’s not fair…” She felt Luna’s hoof on her shoulder. “We have a year-and-a-half to think of something. The brightest minds in Equestria will be up to the task.” “The important thing now,” Celestia added, “is that Miss Longstaff has hope. If she succumbs to despair, none of our preparations will matter. She needs the courage to try.” Twilight nodded. “And you’re the only one who can give it to her. As long as you don’t surrender, neither will she.” Vinyl sat up and stared at the radio. She thought on Adi, alone in some ‘tin can’ forever, having nopony to talk to for years. She couldn’t imagine having to be in that situation for the rest of her life. The very idea left a cold feeling inside of her. “Okay.” She managed a weak smile for the princesses. “I’ll do my part. Adi deserves to have some hope after all she’s been through. If that’s all I can do for her, I’ll give her hope in spades.” Celestia beamed. “Very good, Miss Scratch.” “We knew we could count on you,” Twilight added, sharing the expression. A quiet moment passed as Vinyl thought on the future. Despite her earlier doubts, she was feeling… good. Somehow, she knew things would turn out alright. Adi needed her, and she would answer that call. “I think that’s enough for tonight,” Luna said. “We all have things we need to do, and not just for Miss Longstaff.” “So says you.” Celestia stood and tossed her head with a smirk. “I’m off duty as of now.” “We’ll get through this, Vinyl,” Twilight said as she made to follow her mentor out. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to think up a solution.” Luna, however, didn’t move. Vinyl waited for her to get up from the table, growing more and more anxious by the second. The door closed, leaving them alone. Vinyl wondered if she wasn’t meant to leave too… though she had hoped to take this moment to think for a while. Then again, this was Luna’s study, wasn’t it? At last Luna spoke. “I wanted to ask you something.” Vinyl flinched. “O-oh yeah?” The princess smiled softly. “Do you believe that hope is worth it?” “Worth it?” Vinyl scratched behind her ear as she thought. “I don’t know what you mean.” “My sister is an optimist,” Luna said. “Twilight will follow wherever she goes. I, however, am more… prosaic.” Now Vinyl cocked her head. “You’re ordinary?” With a small huff of a laugh, Luna shook her head. “Direct.” “Oh.” Another scratch of the ear. “I still don’t get it.” Luna sighed and turned her eyes to the radio. “Celestia and Twilight are determined to believe that Adi will make it to Equestria alive, but I prefer to acknowledge and prepare for the alternative.” Vinyl’s heart sank. “So… you think hoping is pointless?” “On the contrary.” Luna’s wan smile turned back to her. “Hope is a precious and very important commodity. Without hope, I never would have made it back to Equestria from the moon. You see, Vinyl, though I had become a monster in the form of Nightmare Moon, deep within me was always a secret acknowledgement, a desire – a hope – that my soul could be saved. Had I lost that tiny flame within myself, I am sure the Elements of Harmony would only have sent me back to the moon for another millennium rather than save me from the corruption within.” Vinyl stared at her hooves and said nothing. She didn’t feel like it was her place to speak on this subject, certainly not to Princess Luna. Yet, as she thought more and more on her words… “What I am asking,” Luna said, “is whether you believe that, regardless of the outcome, the hope is worth the trouble. If Miss Longstaff were to die trying to reach Equestria, do you believe that is a better fate than her giving up and spending the rest of her life floating through the empty void?” “I… I don’t know.” Vinyl looked up into Luna’s eyes. “Maybe?” “Think on that subject for a while, Miss Scratch.” Luna arose and turned for the door. “Think about Adi. Think on yourself. Think on your father and mother. When you’ve formed an answer, only then will you truly understand that yours is the single most important task of all.” Vinyl watched her go, her mind running through the question over and over again. All alone, she tried to make sense of what Luna was saying. She turned her eyes to the faint rain and listened to its endless pattering, only to marvel at the realization that this was a sound Adi hadn’t heard in years. Suddenly, it seemed like a precious noise.