//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 Shrouded Paths 
// Story: Wayward Hearts 
// by SilverTopHat 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 16
Shrouded Paths

I still couldn't quite believe that Trixie had come all this way but here she is, sad, regretful and the most strangest that stuck out at me was how humble and soft spoken she became. She no longer talked in the royal third person and she often would get lost in introspective thought. And even though she helped around the house her tale still stung at her.

“I did find the Alicorn Amulet at that pawn shop and it cost all that I had but I spent so long searching for it, I couldn't just let it slip away.” She didn't seem to be talking to me but consoling herself in her accomplishments. “The moment I put it on I felt my power expand like never before, like I could move the sun if I wanted to. I did think about you, Michael, and your warning but I was still sore at Twilight and one little prank wouldn't hurt, right?” Shame flashed across her eyes at the memory and flinched almost if struck. I wish I could have somehow eased her pain but I knew that such inner wounds can only be treated, never cured. So I did what I could do; sit and listen with rapt attention and offer her a place to stay.
“I went to Ponyville and things quickly escalated, yeah I made a bet and looking back on it all now; it was a horrible thing for me to do. I should have went straight to you with it. I don't know how you knew it would be dangerous, I wish I just listened to your warning.” I didn't want to re-open old wounds and this event had happened a while ago, a week ago while.
“But the Amulet is no longer with you is it?” I asked gently.
“No, Twilight had it last. She tricked me with a phoney amulet and left with some zebra.” Trixie admitted. Fearbane insistently bothered me about that Amulet not even sleep escaped its demands but I couldn't just leave my job with the orchard. I had to plan and discuss with Braeburn that I needed to leave town on important business; I was surprised at how soon the days were set up that I planned to be gone. The Void clouds didn't go away and they rained at predicted intervals then allowed light to pass when they were done.
As agreed, and as appropriate, I was paid accordingly as my job entailed, with a little extra which he insisted as part of 'magical services' but it was money and I wasn't about to refuse a gift.

“Sapphire didn't react very well to it, said she couldn't hold my hoof through life and asked me to leave. And here I am.” Trixie finished.
“Is that all of it? Are you sure you're not leaving important details out?” I asked trying to figure a plan out, I've been planning for a little over two weeks now and I felt confidant about it. Get to Ponyville, talk to Twilight about that amulet and somehow convince her to give it to me. The only part that bugged the crap out of me was talking to Twilight, I gave a bad impression of myself and I needed her cooperation for this. I guess that was the only thing holding me up.
“You kept a detail out about your 'friend' do you even know what she is?” Trixie didn't ask menacingly or even mean, she was concerned and worried to the edge of being scared.
“Sapphire told you, did she?” I asked feeling the hairs on my head raise like tiny zombies rising from the grave. A tension rose within in myself but I fought with it to calm myself. Glitterlamp wasn't in the room she was out visiting a new found friend of hers to get some choice blocks of wood for her hobby.
“Yes, Trixie, I know exactly what she is. She holds no spell over me if that's what your asking.” I said with a snarl sneaking into my mouth.
“I see, you didn't seem to be duped, I mean you shrugged off those traps at Courage's Folly like it wasn't even there.” Trixie smiled and laughed disarmingly. “Well, if you don't think she is a threat, I'll trust your judgment.” And just like that the tension was gone, Trixie trusted me that Glitter wasn't a threat. Just like that. I don't know what happened at Ponyville with that Amulet but it changed her, not like how Fearbane changed me. But maybe it did, she no longer had an air of superiority about her but her humbleness borderlines depression and self accusation.

“Hey cheer up, you still have one thing over Twilight's head.” I said trying to be optimistic and trying to keep up with these mood swing that Trixie was prone to.
“What's that?” She asked smiling knowing that a compliment was coming.
“Twilight still hasn't summoned one of my kind yet.” A smile spread across her face and nodded her head.
“I did, but I stole you from your world.” She countered losing the smile in an instant. “I'm working on the spell that would send you back.” She sounded both wounded and sincere. Her eyes were filled with an unspoken apology.
“Glad you did, this world is a lot more fun.” I said leaning back. “Yeah, because of you I actually have some real friends. I was living with a mask on my face everyday, feels good to let loose.” I said lying down on the couch. “And sometimes all you need is to take a nap, try it. Take a nap. I think you'll be surprised.”
Trixie looked at me with a raised eyebrow but found a place to sleep.
“Are you flirting with me?” Trixie asked trying to see if I was joking or not.
“Nope, being literal. No nightmares will happen with me around.” I said soothingly already feeling my mind slip. “Glitterlamp will probably be a while, and she already agreed to have some fun in town before we leave. And you're welcome to join us on our fun as well.”
“Seriously? After what I've told you?” Trixie seemed surprised that she wasn't being called out on.
“Whatever you've done can't be all that terrible, violence isn't in your nature.” I said willing her to relax enough for this to work.

I slipped into my slumber and watched the various streams flow around me looking for Trixie's. Soon enough a pale blue ribbon flowed around with subdued movements wrapped around my arm and pulled me into her dreams.

A large grand stage stood at the front of a large gathering of hopeful fillies and foals waiting for a show. Adults littered the crowd with less than hopeful faces and with a sudden flash of fireworks Trixie stood at the front lip of her stage as she bragged about her daring feats of magic. However, something kept interrupting her, twisting time back changing just enough to be noticeable until Trixie walked out for the seventh time with no bragging and no fireworks. 
Now she was being pulled around on a stage made of pure gold with the Alicorn Amulet around her neck and her eyes sparked blood red. Ponies carried out humiliating tasks for her amusement and she chortled at their predestined short comings. Despite all of this her eyes screamed with terror like a nightmare that she couldn't control, feeding off her own fears to fuel this hell.
Normally I thought she would have enjoyed this dream with all her might but now she didn't liked what she saw.
“Hey! Over here!” I called out kicking off the ground and flew until I stood right before her. Her shock cracked the dream making the world come to a stand still. Immediately I felt weary from this Dream Walk.
“How, what, what's going on!?” She demanded and with each word the Amulet flashed threateningly.
“So is this what happened at Ponyville?” I asked looking the crowd of weary sad faces. “I can see why you're not proud. But I'm here to make dreams not nightmares” I grabbed a hold of Trixie and fell backwards into my Void.

The first few minute of nothing terrified Trixie and only until we were placed in an open field of flowers did she stop screaming. Even then, it took her a while to get used to things. I set up her a stage and given her all the things she asked for to put a show on. In no time at all she was pulling off amazing feats of magic which left me smiling and cheering the whole time. It was really good to see Trixie smiling and enjoying her time here.
A wedge had slyly dug itself into my brow and it wasn't until she asked for me to come up and help her with an act did I realize how tired I was. It wasn't until after I took one step and fell face first into the soft lush grass that I realized I couldn't keep the connection going.

I woke abruptly as my head screamed for mercy against the skull shattering pounding that begged to be let loose. The pain became so great I put my head between my knees in efforts to control the drum which beat so loudly. I fell off the couch from the wracking pain which grew from my brow.
“Was it because I forced my way in!? Luna didn't feel like this!” I pleaded with logic trying to find how this was happening. “Because she doesn't dream like this and I pulled her into MY head!! No wonder it feels so full!”
“Hey are you OK?” Trixie ventured the question. I tried to answer her but only a low groan escaped my lips, I raised my head to face her and she screamed at what she saw. Trixie bolted out of the house as if hounds were nipping at her heels yelling, “Stay still! I'll be back with help!” I opened my mouth to force words to flow, to ask her what was wrong but copper slicked my mouth and my vision tinted red.

I blinked and the red was gone but my hands had blood on them, I tried to find the source of my wound but my pained head slowed my thinking process. I don't remember crawling to the bathroom but hoisting myself to the sink mirror I saw what had terrified Trixie: I was bleeding from my eyes, noes and mouth.
The horrid red mask stared unbelieving back at me as another hammer stroke wedged the spike deeper still forcing another gush of crimson life to rush forth. I ripped Fearbane from its cradle and screamed like a wounded animal at it.
“Fearbane! Help me!” Is what I would've said if my mouth worked. The eye blinked at me in response and a ray of light illuminated my face and the wedge seemed to slide out a little.
“Don't overfill again!” Fearbane scolded me but the pain diminished even though the blood and physical pain persisted. I wanted to know what it meant by over filling and an image of myself stuffing Trixie into my head flashed across my eyes. It was also the last image I saw before everything went black.



I slept without sleep, weary and hurt I awoke feeling worse than what I blacked out at. Wounds made themselves known to me as my whole body nagged for my attention. I felt like I had overworked myself at the orchard again using every muscle in my body. Emotions ran freely all around me ranging from worried panic to carefully thought out deliberation. Glitterlamp's feelings I always associated with green but there was a new color around me and this one was riddled with soul cracking guilt hidden behind a wall of stoic temperament; it felt blue but sick.
“Start from the beginning again, somethings off. What happened?” Glitterlamp asked stiffly.
“I was talking with Michael about my problems and he told me to take a nap, I thought he was joking but he went to sleep. Then I had a dream where he was there and made things better.” Trixie spoke briefly and lacking in story telling. “Then I woke up and he was bleeding! I don't know what happened! That's why I got you!” She pleaded.
“He Dream Walked with you, and let me guess at first you saw nothing all around right? Like a starless night with no ground?” Glitterlamp explained and I felt both anger and sympathy mixed together both at me and Trixie.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Trixie asked really confused.
“Because he does the same with me but this has never happened before.” Glitterlamp spoke clearly and deliberately as if to point the fact out to Trixie.

“Fearbane told me,” the words stuck to the roof of my mouth making it sound awful and I would've just spoke with my mind but I felt Trixie needed to hear. “It was because I tried to overfill myself.”
“You tried to take me into your mind!” Trixie exclaimed startled at either the fact I was now awake or the information spooked her. I tried to open my eyes but they didn't obey me, a single touch told me that they were bandaged. “Very powerful unicorns can only enter dreams and are completely subjected to the one dreaming! Only Princess Luna has the power to enter dreams and manipulate them! How did you pull me?” Fear began to well within in her and my mouth watered in response, for some reason her fear tasted delicious. 
“Where's Fearbane?” I asked hoarsely. I stretched out my hand and suddenly I could see again but something was wrong. I was looking at myself from the corner of the room with my vision painted in various shades of topaz, just like Fearbane's eye. Trixie and Glitterlamp was sitting on separate chairs in the room and gave me plenty of distance but now they are up and focused on me. I moved my hand until it was pointing to me, erm, Fearbane and willed a tendril to come forth to grab it to me but no such luck happened.
On wobbly legs and sliding past or over Glitterlamp I retrieved Fearbane and held it with the blade pointing down to look at my companions.
“Stop right there Michael! You'll end up falling and hurting yourself, you can't even- did that blink!!” Glitterlamp jumped back as I used Fearbane to be my eyes, I guess just thinking about blinking makes it blink.
“I can see just fine now, I'm OK now. Just a little sore.” I assured her as best I could.
“Are you sure?” Glitterlamp asked firmly looking me over.
“What happened to you, you weren't like this before.” Trixie asked fear welling up in her, no, fear and guilt. It felt like she blamed herself for my condition and the power that inflicted such pain to myself. 
“I am stronger now,” I said as the fear wafted off of Trixie and into Fearbane. “Wasn't it like this when you summoned me? It hurt didn't it?” I said standing up straight.
“Whoa, I'm standing without hitting the ceiling? Favorite room of the house!” The thought blurted itself and silenced just as soon as it started.
“Yeah, a little but-”
“You looked just like me but it was raining and your blood just washed off.” I interjected. “I played with a power I didn't fully understand and wasn't aware of the consequences. It was my fault, not yours. Be at peace with yourself, let go of all that baggage, Ponyville and all of those problems are so far away now.” I spoke and with each moment of draining fear from Trixie the better I felt, energized, healthy.
I figured it was Fearbane feeding on the emotion and healing me with the energy. That made sense really, Sombra essentially made the Changeling race, he fought with fear and other such emotions, why should his weapons be any different? Thankfully I wasn't inflicting fear but taking it away. Already Trixie looked less tense and more relaxed; at peace with herself even but I knew there was a deeper wound that I couldn't heal as easily.
“Be at peace with yourself, no one died. Try to take comfort in that. If no one died everything else can be healed with time.” I spoke soothingly. “Just stop blaming and hating yourself, there's nothing good down that path.” I spoke softer as I reached up and began tugging at the bandages on my eyes.
“Why must everything I do end up with me hurting those around me, I couldn't care less about my own condition but when others get hurt to my recklessness, can't I do anything right!?”

The bandages were tight but one only needed to pull in the right direction for the whole deal to slide off. Seeing through both my eyes and Fearbane's was still new to me, only with the Timbers did this happen. Or did it happen more than once and I merely didn't recognize it? I could feel the power leak from my eyes as gentle streams of yellow and orange. I brought Fearbane's eye up until I could see myself.
Everything looked to be in order except that my eyes appeared to be like bright white cue balls with yellow and orange pouring out back so it dissipated just over my ears. My skin around my eyes and noes was stained red but only enough to look like I was crying intensely, my eyes gave me an alien look about myself. Much like Glitterlamp's real eyes my pupils were bright and the rest dulled in brilliance.
“Am I slowly being turned into a Changeling?” A worried thought skittered across my mind. I checked my teeth to see if fangs were growing or not. A quick inspection showed that fangs were not as prominent but all of my teeth had grown just a little more sharper, just like those Fear-Beasts. 
“You're right, they'll forgive me in time.” Trixie intoned as if to taste the words and to see if truth rang within them. “Of course! How could anypony stay mad at the Great and Powerful Trixie!” And just like that her confidence and self worth had been re-sparked. “But, I'm still sorry for what I did and I have no cash to speak of. Is it still OK for me to stay here?” She asked plainly worried and still hurt from the dismissal of Sapphire.
“Of course.” I said with a smile, a half bow and a wide sweep of my arm of a welcoming gesture. “It would be rude do such a thing to my summoner.” Glitterlamp sent me approving feelings and Trixie felt overjoyed but hid it very well.
“Thank you,” she said it quietly almost as a whisper but the fact that she said it stunned me. After a moment I smiled warmly and nodded.
“You're welcome.” 
“But what happened, I thought you were hurt.” Glitterlamp asked confused looking me up and down. The question was a good one but I wasn't sure if even I understood the exact reasoning of my sudden health.
“I think I'm a negative emotion eater of something, I was feeding off of Trixie's negative emotions and now I'm better. I think Fearbane also had a hand in it.” I explained still feeling confused and wondered if that answer even came close to the truth.
“That's, wait.” Trixie was really confused now. “When did you get magic!?”
“Shortly after I got Fearbane.” I sheathed Fearbane and showed her the sword to which was the only thing we took from that fort. “Sadly anything extreme seems to take a rather violent toll on me, gotta learn my limits or something.”
“And this whole 'dreaming' thing, you two can do it without harm?” Trixie was hungry for information and was that, jealousy I hear in her voice? Nah, must be me.
“Yes, we can do it without any harmful effects.” Glitterlamp/Springdew said giving me a look and a feeling as if, “Don't tell her what she doesn't need to know.” Thing going on.

Soon Trixie and Glitterlamp were talking about the details since apparently this form of magic was a very interesting topic indeed but I failed to grasp the significance of it. I was just happy as a clam that I could float things around the room with my mind! Although I did hunger to do some REAL fun with it, like the things I can do in my dreams; shape the world and all that noise.
I started gathering a few things like snacks and a few bits for a hotel or whatever equivalent they have. Fearbane won't leave me alone till I have that amulet and I know where it generally is. Even though this world is strange and I really don't blame anyone or anything about the harm that seems to find me, of course if I played with electrical wires or with flammable canisters I would get hurt. Just gotta respect the danger and power which this world operates with and once I know how to safely handle such things, then I can be safe. 
Laughter and merriment came from the other room as I finished packing a knapsack of the things I felt I would need. Dang I miss my back pack. I wandered into the room where the laughing and laughter was taking place.
“Alright! Michael are you ready?” Glitterlamp asked me excited since this would be her first outing with me, and probably with anybody for a long time.
“Where should we go?” Trixie asked as we stepped into the warm afternoon air.
“Holy crap! How long have I been out?” I thought grimacing at the darkening horizons.
“Why the saloon of course! They have live performances there and really good pie!” Glitterlamp chirped and lead the way.
“Glitter, heads up. I've already talked to Trixie about this but she knows what you are, Sapphire told her. But she won't tell on you. Sorry if the timing is bad, thought that you should know.” Glitterlamp stiffened and shot me a fearful look but didn't show that she was worried. Soon we walked into the Saloon and I held my hand in front of my face in case of flying pies. Thankfully the rowdy crowd from that time wasn't here or wasn't causing trouble.
There was a sad song playing with a mare with soft features pronounced by the spot light giving her an air of fragile innocence singing about when will she find her true love. The whole crowd was enraptured by her silvery voice which almost gave her a haunting tune that would bring a tear to your eye. For all the beauty of her song and her looks it tasted sour in my ears, I hate sad songs. I tried to tune out the song as best as I could but the mare running the bar and which had the mouth watering apple pies was distracted by the song. Tears welled in everyone's eyes as they re-called asking themselves the very same question.
“Oh, Michael have you ever heard a sweeter singer?” Glitterlamp was so lost in the song leaning into me. The song grated upon my nerves like the sound of glass being fed into a wood chipper.


“When will I find you oh love?
Strong as the mountains, gentle as a dove.
Deserted and alone I stand, sadness and shadows linger here.
Please, bring me the light of the sun into my life.
I searched for you so long won't you come forth, my dear?
Don't let lonesomeness cut my happiness with its knife.
Fill my life with your kiss, your touch, your love!
Oooh!
When will you find me oh love?”

“And she wastes her voice on such a sad tune, rip my eyes out and sear my soul. Torture me now and don't let it end soon, I haven't payed my painful toll.” I spoke fiercely meaning it only for my close companions to hear but the song ended and everyone heard it. The ticking of a clock could be heard, the world seemed to scold me with silence for making such a comment. Everyone's eyes found me and glared disapprovingly at me and the singer looked at me with the most shocked eyes I've ever seen. Then I recognized the singer, it was Lilly Pond.
“Ah, crap. I said that aloud didn't I?” I said feeling the burning stares rip my body to shreds. And now, not even a half hour into our fun filled evening I managed to place myself in a saloon with angry ponies. Great.
“Ya, son, ya did.” An older stallion with a wobbly lower lip stated. My left hand reflexively slid up the blades feature until it rested upon Fearbane's hilt casually. 
“I don't like sad songs, I hate`em. She sings great but I'm not apologizing.” I tried to sound calm but my rising worry crawled into my voice. I turned to the bar-mare and asked how much the Apple pie was.
“Five bits.” She said flatly and looked annoyed when I did produce the money. Stern silence and the power of peer pressure assaulted my back as visions of shadows with knives poised mere inches from my back danced across my eyes.
“Michael,” Glitterlamp sounded surprised. “I didn't know you were a poet!” I wasn't in the mood for sarcasm and I was already up to my eyeballs in trouble as is.
“Only happens when I'm stressed, are you happy that I confessed?” I snarled at her and few hooves clapped then was quickly silenced.
“I did it again.” I thought getting angrier at myself.
“It's alright, everypony has an opinion right?” Lilly tried to diffuse the situation which seemed to work, the piano pony started playing a song and she sung a different song. Everyone still glared at me but became distracted by her voice at least. Soon the pie was brought out and I quickly left the saloon avoiding legs which tried to trip me. Stomping out into the dusty road I stopped only for a moment. The air felt tight and embarrassment caused the walls to slowly squeeze down on me.
“Enjoy the pie, I don't wanna get into a fight.” I thought briskly to Glitterlamp and continued my walking trying to ignore the cheers which arose from the Saloon.
“Yeah, you better run!” One voice called out. Anger spiking within me I summoned forth my tendril wings and took to the sky. Leaving Glitterlamp, Trixie and the saloon beneath my feet.

My wings didn't really flap but just sort of twisted in the air and I was being projected where ever I willed to go. The wings lit the low hanging clouds in golden hues as I passed by them. Even though I was angry and embarrassed I never let the town disappear from my sight, I really didn't want to get lost after all. Clouds lay scattered across the late evening sky blushing as the sun gave one last wink at the land before slipping underneath the horizon. I went to burst through a cloud all epic like most painting about flying things and it felt like a stiff wool blanket. 
“What the heck? Even the clouds aren't what they seem.” I thought as I failed to pierce the cloud. I gripped the infernal thing and crawled on top of it to rest. “I better not find a harp up here.” I thought whimsically while trying to enjoy the view, for what it was worth. The cloud was surprisingly comfortable and pleasant to sit on since it sank to fit my form while still being structured. 
“I guess the Pegasus just live amongst the clouds.” I looked around for such a city in the sky but found none in sight. I pulled at the wooly material and it came away from the main mass easily enough for me to examine. In my hand it looked like clouds normally looked like, all misty and insubstantial but something held it firmly together.

“Wait a minute. What about the clouds I had made?” I didn't look far to find the unusually low hanging shifting, shimmering, star speckled cloak of darkness over the orchard. I flung myself off my cloud and almost regretted the reckless, near suicidal action until my wings caught my fall and brought me to my destination.
“Why on Earth do I stay inside all day! This is amazing!” I thought enjoying the whistle of wind in my ears, the cool air playing my shabby clothes and flinging my unkempt hair as I fell. The Void cloud stretched as if lonely arms searching for a hug to catch my descent and I rolled around in the fuzzy, tingly, almost existent, almost gone fabric of the clouds. 

I don't recall how long I spent like this flying cloud to cloud enjoying my new found winged freedom I only experienced in my dreams. The moon hung high in the sky casting a pale light on everything and I felt tired of my fun. I even tested on how fast I could fly kicking up sand as I flew too close to the ground. The freedom of flight was such a rare jewel and I treasured it for every second pulling off daredevil stunts then to rest on a cloud only to perform another stunt soon after. 
“Why was I out here again?” I thought to myself as I descended in front of my house. Hours had passed and a half moon gazed tiredly down upon me. “Ah crud, I was supposed to have a fun filled afternoo- oh, right. THAT's why I was up in the clouds.” No lights were on in the house and no one seemed to be at home.
“Maybe its best that I disappeared for a while, get to Ponyville on my own and think things out.” I turned away from the house and crouched to kick off and fly. “But Glitterlamp would wonder where you are and you did say we'd go there to find this amulet.” The thought left me kneeling in front of the house as I tried to figure out what to do. For every reason I made for leaving another reason for me to wait for Glitterlamp was made.
“You've already ruined this evening since you couldn't keep your damned opinions to yourself, apologize, sleep on it and figure it out in the morning.” The thought was solid and held wisdom and reasoning no matter how painful it would be. Mr. “Smooth” strikes again.


I stood up only to crumple back to my knees as a mental dagger buried itself within my heart filling me with a near lethal cocktail of emotions anger, worry, confusion, betrayal, worry, sadness, expectancy, worry, wondering, hurt, have I mentioned worry yet? Because it was the biggest nail piercing my body. I couldn't cry out since my jaw locked up and my lungs could only take in only so much air.
I didn't think I over stressed myself with flying, I know I didn't! Was this Glitterlamp?! The dust from the ground got into my eyes effectively blinding and choking me. Even though the pain wasn't physical it still caused my heart to feel as is an iron maiden had closed around me.
“There you are! The Great and Powerful Trixie has been looking for you all evening!” Trixie spoke sternly to me as I tried to control the bouts of unbridled emotion assailing my mind and stand at the same time.
“Hurt, so hurt.” Was what managed to pass my lips. 
“What you said was pretty mean, of course everypony was hurt! Glitterlamp was in tears and ran out to try to catch you but you flew off! When did you get wings!” Trixie kept talking but I didn't pay attention.
“I let my emotions get the better of me again, what happened to my barriers? I used to be so indifferent to things but this world is so hard to ignore with all of its beauty.” Soon the assault of emotions changed as I was brought into the house then hooves took me down to the ground again.

“Where were you!?” Glitterlamp's voice shook uncontrollably her eyes were red and puffy. Her disguise had been ripped to tatters and continued to deteriorate as she gripped/hugged me making sure I stayed and listen. The emotions changed slightly worry was no longer one of them. Relief, anger, hurt remained but forgiveness was in there as well. “Don't ever do that to me ever again, I was so worried!” Her fangs pressed gently against the skin of my neck. I returned the embrace knowing she wouldn't really bite me. But the reasons to which I ran wasn't going to cut it because excuses are for the weak. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her body was wracked with sobs. How the hell do I have such an affect on her!? Does my absence truly hurt?

“I felt like I was in danger, I was scared and I didn't want to hurt anybody.” I said feeling the words turn to sand in my mouth. Trixie looked curiously upon us but gave us plenty of space. “I really hate sad songs.” I said as if it was a weakness.
“It's OK, everypony there was just so full of emotion. Braeburn organized a search party for you but we kept losing sight of you.” Glitterlamp tried to make things better. “It was just a bad time to say anything when you did.” I couldn't tell who was supposed to be the comforted. Apparently the minute I flew off everyone set up a search party but Glitterlamp had to hide here since she couldn't focus on her disguise. The fact that anyone from the saloon would even bother looking for me was disturbing, didn't they want me to leave anyway? Still wasn't going to apologize. Glitterlamp's grip on me might as well have been iron but the strength of it was comforting.
“It's alright, I forgive you. Just don't leave me like that again. My wings are still growing back.” Glitterlamp asked me trying to sound more cheerful. Her wings were no longer the stubs that I remember, maybe in a few more weeks her wings might be fully restored.
“You're right, I shouldn't have left you but you weren't the one everyone was angry with.” I reasoned back feeling guilty for leaving her. 
“Doesn't matter,” Glitterlamp said firmly. “Don't ever leave me like that again.”
“OK.” I said surrendering to her. 

Trixie had left the room to give us space but once the dust settled she came out. She seemed to fumble for what to say and after a few attempts she figured out what to say.
“I had fun, I mean, I got to meet everybody in town and I think they like me. And, uh,” Trixie fumbled again trying to test the mood that I and Glitterlamp was in. “They are really are sorry for running you out like that, um, is everything OK now?” I nodded my head yes
“What time is it?” I asked weary in both mind and body.
“We're gonna have to rush if we are still going to catch any train at this point.” Glitterlamp answered me.
“Well, let's see if we can catch the train. Spent too long planning this trip.” I said standing up and turned to Trixie. “Thank you for your trust, I'm still leaving you with the house and I already showed you were I put the money, bits, whatever it's called. I hope to be back soon, good night.” 
“OK, and if there are no trains?” Trixie asked.
“I'll have to try again tomorrow morning.” I answered sadly.
“We'll try again.” Glitterlamp corrected me. I had already packed for the trip so we left in a matter of moments as Glitterlamp and Trixie exchanged their farewells. They got along so well and they hardly knew each other, I wish I could get along with people like that but they always ask questions; and I can hardly find people who approve of the answers.

The half moon gazed tiredly down at the train station and thankfully the train to take us to Ponyville was still there. No sooner when we stepped on board the train lurched forward carrying us to our new destination. We found the container hiding the free apple pie slices and devoured in muted silence. Glitterlamp had a little smile on her face as she kept checking her satchels and smiled even wider at one package. I guess with other people they would wonder if I meant what I meant but since she had access to my thoughts she had all the assurance in the world. I shut off and blew out all forms of light source to get to bed. I sat down and watched the dessert roll by as I blamed myself about this afternoon.
“Here, I met a tailor in town that made these for you when you were sick.” Glitterlamp dumped a lumpy gift wrapped present into my lap. “Cheer up, its a present. C`mon! Open it! Open it! I wanna see the look on your face!” She squirmed and danced at the same time eagerly waiting for me to open the lumpy gift. The Large gift was not solid but squishy and the wrapping was shabby with ribbons holding it together, it was hand,erm, hoof wrapped and a lot of care was put into it.

I pulled the string apart careful of the yellow and green checkered wrapping to revealing a new shirt and pants. I held the new articles of clothing with wide eyes and Glitterlamp was congratulating herself at surprising me. The emerald green pants were made of cotton while a dark orange shirt made an odd color combination but when I put them on they fit, they actually fit! The sleeves didn't stretch too far or was too tight! The same with the pants fit exactly how pants should. Forget the colors! I'll wear just about anything that fits me!
I've always had problems finding anything that fit! They were loose on me but that left me to actually move in them. I snapped down and hugged Glitterlamp being filled with happiness.
“Thank you so much!” I gushed with glee.
“I knew you would like them! Don't worry about the cost like you usually do, she loves the challenge you give her.” She patted my back, like what happened earlier didn't even matter if she could give me such gifts. “Hey I know you're tired but,” Glitterlamp pulled out both the pillows and blankets. “Do you mind taking me to Courage's Folly? Once were done and all?”
“Yeah, we can go. Might even find some loot.” I yawned and tried to get comfortable. Glitterlamp crawled next to me and gripped me like I was a stuffed animal nuzzling me.
“Will you always do this?” I asked remembering all the times I asked her not to.
“Your heart belongs to me, doesn't it? And since my heart belongs to you, why is it weird?” She asked snuggling me a little bit more.
“Nothing at all.” I murmured as I fell asleep.