//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9: Play It Again, Wulfric 
// Story: Starlight 
// by ThePrinceOfTheNorth 
//------------------------------//

	"It's beautiful," Luna said.

That night, I again was visited by Luna, once again meeting high in the clouds. This time, though, we weren't in Equestria, but were on Earth. We were above a city that Luna said reminded her very much of a place in her own world, the Crystal Empire. It was a circular city with a tower at the center that was actually a castle. The city below us looked a lot like it, save for the fact that rail lines spread out from at every point of the compass.

"Blacklight," I said, looking down at the city, "My city."

Luna looked at me, "Come again?"

I looked at her. "I've been going over that dream I had the day I woke up. I recall so many details I missed at first. One of them is a picture of a city that looks just like this one called Blacklight."

Luna looked down at Blacklight. "Humans really do aim for the stars."

"That we do, Princess," I replied, "No sense doing something if it's not worth overdoing."

Luna turned to me. "Is that a metaphor?"

I shook my head. "I saying I came up with. I've always felt that if you find doing something worthwhile, you might as well go above and beyond to make sure you do it to the best of your abilities. That way, you can work hard at doing something you enjoy."

"Huh," Luna said, "It seems a sound philosophy to follow."

"It is," I answered.

For the next long while, Luna and I just sat there, up in the clouds, talking about what I had seen and done, and what I planned to do. She seemed greatly interesting, often commenting on how Equestria had steam locomotives, putting wind under my wings to keep this idea I had from dying. It wasn't for what seemed like hours before THE question reached the forefront of my mind.

"Luna," I began, "Whatever happened to all the other people?"

Luna looked away. "That is something I would sooner tell you in person, Starlight."

The way she looked told me it wasn't something she'd want to talk about otherwise, so I nodded. "Okay, Luna. I think it would be for the best, too."

Luna smiled. "I appreciate the understanding."

"Think nothing of it," I said, waving a forehoof and smiling, "I'm an understanding mare."

It was then I noticed the sun was rising.

"I enjoyed our talk again," I said, "Never a dull moment."

"Agreed," Luna said, "It might be awhile until I can chat with you again, but I will."

"I'm going to hold you to that," I said, smiling.





August 3

Later that day, and after passing though many empty towns and abandoned stations, and had passed the tracks to Thunder Bay when I spotted something ahead on the side of the tracks.

A pony.

Immediately I slowed the train to a near stop, and pulled on the whistle. The pony turned.

Another Unicorn, I though, somewhat grumpily, Why not an 'Earth Pony', as Luna calls them? Or another Pegasus like me? Nope, now I've got three Unicorns, excluding Double. I hope he's okay.

The train finally came to a stop right beside him, affording me a good look at the pony.

He was a stallion, with a silver mane and tail. His coat was dark grey, almost black, and his cutie mark resembled a piece of sheet music.

Fenix poked his head out of a window of his coach.

"WHY HAVE WE STOPPED, YOU FEA-," he started, only to notice the Unicorn on the tracks, "Oh."

"Don't mind him," I said, "Someone stole his lolly when he was a foal."

Fenix made a face at me, then pulled his head back into the coach.

"Anyway, to whom do I owe the pleasure," I said, hopping down from the engine.

The pony was obviously stricken by how tall I was, but soon collected himself and replied. "My name is Wulfric Amadeus Geraldo."

"How about we just call you Wulfric, or Griff," I suggest, to which he nodded.

"Wulfric. It seems shorter," he stated professionally, "And much easier to pronounce."

"Before you board," I began, "How did you come by such a....unique name?"

Wulfric rubbed the back of his head. "My parents were really into classical music. I ended up like it, too."

I nodded. "I'm into that kind of thing, too. Hop in the coach with Fenix and Starless. I promise they don't bite.

He nodded, and went over and into the coach. I leapt back into the engine, and we were off again.





After we stopped for the night, I went and fed Teacup, who was ever so happy to see me, before sitting down and talking with Wulfric.

"So," I began, "What did you do before....all this happened?"

"I was a composer," Wulfric replied, "I wrote songs and posted them on Youtube, not that any of that is still around anymore."

I nodded. "It may be gone, but I did download a lot of songs onto my computer before the....Event? Or whatever."

"Really," Wulfric began, "Music that WASN'T lost with the Cloud? Well, this is something you'll have to show me later."

I smiled, nodding. "I don't have much, but what I do have beats having nothing."

"Amen to that, sister," Wulfric said, "Amen to that."

"So....can you still play?"

"What," he questioned.

"The piano," I asked, "Can you still play the piano?"

"Oh, sure," Wulfric replied, "As soon as I get my horn thingy to work."

"Your magic," I correct.

"Yeah, that," he said, "I do miss playing the piano, you know?"

I smiled and nodded, hiding the sadness that statement caused me. I've always wanted to play the piano....