//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8: Yeah. Faith. Got It. 
// Story: Starlight 
// by ThePrinceOfTheNorth 
//------------------------------//

	August 2

I woke up for a start, stretching my wings in the cool morning breeze.

I had forgotten to close the door to the building last night, a fairly careless mistake, I know, but one I made, nonetheless. I mentally facehoofed, knowing that some wild animal could have come in and done away with me during the night. Thank Luna nothing horrible or....unnatural....had befallen me.

Well, not anything more unnatural than becoming a huge bucking pony. And yes, me, I'm using buck instead of the F-bomb. And no, me, you're not going crazy.

This time I really did facehoof, and did so hard enough to get my mind back on track.

Since there was nothing really to do until Double arrived from wherever the heck he was at that moment, I decided to do some exploring, which was, to be completely honest, one of the best choices I'd ever made.

I'd gone over to a nearby rail yard to look for some flatbed cars, something I could convert into a garden or something. So, looking through the yard, I turned a corner to see a line of cars with CAF marked on them in large letters. Looking up and down the line of cars, I began to wonder what the military might have left inside these cars. In the end though, it wasn't what was in the cars I found interesting.

At the very head of the column of cars was a single, small flatbed car.

"No way," I said as I realized what was on it, running over to it and pulling off a massive tarp with my teeth.

I let the tarp fall to the ground to reveal a tank. A bucking Abrams Tank.

"THAT could come in handy," I said with no small amount of glee as I ran and unhooked the car from the rest of them.

I'm sure I can find some....practical use....for a tank. Maybe that C4 won't be enough to remove other trains from the tracks, though I still doubt there'll be any.

After managing to get the rail lines set so I could take the flatbed car with me, I went back to the Prairie Dog Central. I had a few....professional touches....I wanted to make.





Teacup, as I though, was happier than ever to see me again. Double was just glad he'd been able to salvage anything from CFB Shilo. Still, he managed some high explosives.

That's not what the focus was right now.

"What did you do to the train," Double asked.

He was referring to the fact that even HE knew this trained was SUPPOSED to be the Prairie Mountain Central. Instead, it was called Starlight Express, and it's engine number was No. 1.

"Well," I said, "While I was waiting, I had the genius idea to rename the train after myself, as we ARE technically hijacking it."

"YOU hijacked it," Double amended, "So, does it run?"

"Of course it runs," I exclaimed, but a bit too quickly, "No. I haven't started it yet, but it should run!"  I put a forehoof to the back of my head.

Double just facehoofed.

"Hello?"

I looked at Double, and he looked at me. In that instant, we both knew we weren't alone. I was the first to turn around.

Standing about twenty meters away from us were two Unicorns, both of whom were rather taller than Double. The one I assumed to be a stallion was actually wearing a monocle. His fur was silver, and his mane and tail jet black. He had a cutie mark that mildly resembled a steaming cup of tea. The other was a mare, who looked strangely familiar to me. She had a white coat, and a ling pink mane and tail, both with white streaks, and her cutie mark was that of the full moon, but with clouds in front of it. She was staring right at me, almost as if the feeling was mutual. I noticed a smile crossing her face.

The Dream....

I decided to keep quiet for now, just in case.

"Who exactly are you two," the stallion said, obviously a bit on edge.

"We could ask you the same thing," I responded, "But I suppose one of us should start with the introductions. My name is Starlight Waltz. This Unicorn with me is Double Wub."

The stallion nodded, although it seemed a disapproving nod. "My name is Gerald Fenix. The young lady calls herself Starless Night. Seems she's about as looney as you two."

I deadpanned. "Well, we aren't exactly people anymore, now, are we?"

Fenix huffed. "Human or Pony, we must keep at least SOME standards, now, should we not? Still, I digress. I see you were able to....requisition this fine piece of equipment. I was curious as to if you could afford two passengers."

I nodded. "As they say, the more the merrier. Coach 103, if you please." I gave a mock bow, directing them to the cars that had already been attached when I'd arrived.

The duo hurried into the car, and I went to follow them, Double close behind.

"Teacup, go and guard the caboose," I instructed the do. He gave an affirmative bark, and went over to the still detached caboose, which wasn't on the same track as the rest of the train.

"Shall we get started?"





Thankfully, the engine worked flawlessly and, with Double's direction, we were able to hook up the flatbed car with the tank on it. I was rather amazed the mechanism fit, but decided to put it on the list of things not to think about. After that, we got the caboose hooked up, and Teacup put in there. He seemed okay with it. We also put the explosives in there, in crates so Teacup couldn't get at them.

I get the odds feeling that this lucky streak is about to run out.

"Well, looked like we're all ready to go," I said to Double, who was standing on the siding adjacent the train, "Hop on and we'll be off."

Double sighed. "I'm not coming."

I just stared at Double. "What?"

He sighed again. "Look, that broadcast at Baldy Mountain isn't going to keep broadcasting forever unless the electronics have proper maintenance. I'm the best one for the job, as I've worked with that stuff for the last decade or so. It'd be better if I stayed behind so that, if there is anyone, or anypony, our there, they can hear."

I had the feeling there was no way to talk him out of this, so I just resigned myself and sighed. "Fine. Just....be safe, okay? There's a forest fire that's on it way there. Be gone before it reaches you, okay? I don't want this to be the last time we meet."

"Don't worry, Starlight," Double said, "It won't be."

I sighed. "Well, I guess this is it, then."

"I suppose it is."

"Goodbye, Double Wub," I said, "I was a pleasure to have met you, and I look forward to seeing you again in the future."

"The feeling's mutual," he replied, "Goodbye, Starlight. Safe travels."

With out goodbyes said, I pushed the lever to get the train moving.

Shoosh.........shoosh......shoosh....shoosh......shoosh....shosh...shoosh..shoosh.shooshshoshshooshooshooshooshoo

I looked back at Double, watching as he waved.

Somehow, that goodbye felt like it was our last.

Somehow, I knew I'd never see Double Wub, the first pony I'd ever met in person, ever again.