//------------------------------// // Unfulfilled Needs // Story: Cursed Eclipse - Across Equestria // by AImostpure //------------------------------// “Wot? Jus' like that you found somepony who migh' know somethin'?” A rough, feminine voice spoke with a surprised tone. “Yeah. Practically fell into our laps. Poor fool had a ton of notes on him about the mark too. Think Mister Mine will pay more for it?” A stallion's voice replied to the feminine. The voices were originating from a burnt out shop front in Old Manehatten. It was the perfect hide out for bandits and thieves taken right out of a crime novel or comic book. This building laid smack dab in the middle of the slums. It was the cheapest place to find a home in Manehatten but with it came its fair share of crime. Not even the pizza delivery ponies bothered coming to this area. Unlike Fillyton, however, this area of Manehatten was not hidden away nor was it only for the washed out ponies. Many thrived to leave, achieved their goals, or used the cheap housing as a foothold to gain better things. The moon was lowering into the West, nearing the hours of the first rays of sunlight. Standing inside of the building, staring out at the road in front, the owners of the voices continued their conversation beneath an outdoor, overhead balcony. “Yea' I thin' I con git Mister Mine tah get a bit mor' bit' comin' yo way.” The female voice came from the pink feathered griffon, Handy Candy. In one front foot between two talons was a note pad, the other a bag of bits dropped down in front of a male pony companion. “ 'Ere's the first bit of bits for ya. 'Ow what 'bout dis pony ya got. Anythin' else he got on em? He talk at all?” The pony besides her was a pegasus. Quick on the draw, one wing lowered down to swoop up the bag of bits. “We got him roughed up in the room upstairs. He can take a beating I can tell you that much. Strangest thing though,” The pegasus spoke shaking his head, “He smiled real creepy like once I mentioned you were comin'. Oh that's right.” From beneath the wing opposite of the one that picked the bits, dropped down a golden symbol adorned with Celestia's mark. “He also had this in that coat of his. Think we could sell it?” Eyebrows quirked a confused motion. Why would a pony be happy knowing she was coming around? Handy Candy laughed it off until the clinking of metal to the cement beneath her feet lead her to stare at the crest below. These ponies had to be some sort of new kind of nitwit not to recognize Celestia's symbol, but Handy Candy did. “Wait a tick. You moron!” The griffin moved her fore hoof grabbing her pony companion by his throat. “It's a setup it is! It 'as to be! Do you know wot dat is!?” “You're out of your feathered head, Handy!” The pony spoke up placing his wings, and front hooves against Handy's feet. “There's no way it's anything like that. The pony can barely move after what he put him throu---” Words were caught off as above them the painful sounds of two bodies thumping, and muted cries broke through the building. Then came a sound nopony ever wants to hear. The thump of dead weight hitting the pavement, the cracking of pones snapping like twigs. Handy Candy and the pegasus were deliberately slow in turning their heads to the street. Much to their horror they saw the black haired, steel coat stained with red steaks, bruised and battered. A gash was torn into his right cheek. Left eye swollen and black. From lips turned in an amused smile, words were spoken to the pair. “Griffin. I believe you and I need to have a conversation. About your visit to the hospital, the robbery at the sheriff's office, and your involvement with these hoodlums.” Iron Mind stood on top of the body of a barely breathing, barely alive unicorn. He had used him as a cushion, riding him from the balcony straight to the street. “Do make this easy and give up. Also, you have two things that belong to me. Give them back.” A calm, cool voice demanded. The pegasus was the first to react. Hind legs kicked Handy Candy's stomach until release was finally granted. “Look, you can deal with that psychopath. I'm not gonna end up like my buddy over here!” Wings shot out, flapping hard to raise himself up, swooping out the store front's broken display window into the air for freedom. The coin purse, held beneath a wing, fell clattering to the ground. No mind was given by the fleeing suspect. Iron Mind glanced side long towards him. The pegasus wasn't that fast, and Iron Mind's magic was faster. Black energy surrounded a chunk of scattered wood lunging it into the air. A high squeal resounding from the debris caught up to the pegasus. His head turned in time to catch the material against his jaw. Consciousness fled from him while his body spiraled downwards contacting the top of the building with a resounding thud. Iron Mind smirked. By now Handy Candy realized exactly what kind of day she was going to have. A possibly homicidal pony, the very pony who was chasing her from the sheriff's station, standing before her prepared to do Celestia knows what to her. Pink feathers ruffled as a cold sweat dripped from her brow. Fore feet pushed downwards to the cement ground, still clutching the notepad. If she gave this up, Gold Mine would surely see her dead. An object twinkle in the corner of her visions. The Seal of Celestia coming into notice once more. Free foreleg reached down clutching it up against her palm. She did the only thing she could think of; she threw it right away in hopes of distracting Iron Mind. No amusement showed on Iron's face. A flat, dead pan expression covered his battered features while his horn glowed catching the seal in mid-flight. “Really? You witness me take down the pegasus and believe I would be foolish enough to turn away from you to run after the seal?” Finally, he stepped off the unicorn he had used on his decent to the ground. Despite the aches in his muscles and bones, the adrenaline fueling him kept the pain minimal for now. “Understand, Griffon, I am willing to let you fly away if you simply answer my questions. As much as I wish to repay you for potentially being the reason the Princess and I were lead into an ambush, and her wounding, there are more important things on hoof.” Tail swished behind him, then lowered down. His body leaned forward, his backside raised up. He prepared to traditionally pounce the griffon. Hold her own with his hooves to her shoulders if he must. Visions narrowed upon his target. Backing away, further into the burnt out room was her first choice. Even if she couldn't fly within the corridors to her full speed, out maneuvering the other was an option. Handy Candy went to move her hind legs to turn herself, but she was caught in the cold stare of the pony. She felt this kind of terror before. As if staring down the grim reaper and hoping that you would fade before its touch came for you. Each of her feathers moved by her skin and muscles standing on their ends. “By Celestia, you got his eyes.” Memories washed through her brain triggering every sensation that she needed to flee. Yet, years of torment crept in seizing her muscles with paralysis. “Yo're the boss' kid, aintcha? Dear Celestia... You got his eyes.” “Well, you answered one question I had. Now, give me the note pad and stay still.” He sprang forward, his hooves hammering the ground galloping full speed for the griffon. Panic took over for Handy forcing her weighted legs to move taking her down the hall. Forcing a chase may not have been the wisest of decisions. A wolf chasing a rabbit would appear tame compared to the cunning manner that Iron Mind stayed right behind Handy Candy. Talon feet reached down in front of her knocking whatever garbage or large objects she could down in Iron's path. Many of the emergency exits had long been barricaded or sealed from the outside. Time felt extended but only mere moments had passed since this trivial pursuit began. “Jus' stay away from me! I ain't tellin' ya squat!” Ducking into a single room finally, the pegasus planted her body firmly against the door she shut behind her. Every bit of the room was taken in for a way out. The few windows were boarded up, the only door was behind her, but the single shining light to her escape was a large hole in the ceiling. She could not have hoped for a more obvious escape route. Then it hit. A heavy pounding against the door nearly knocking Handy Candy back. Iron Mind had given up trying to simply be kind and polite. He resorted to bucking against the door, as he would do to Candy, the moment he had his hooves on the griffon. “You could have made this easy. But now, I will make sure that you harm nopony else.” The final kick shattered the doors hinges forcing the large, piece of wood to crash down in front of him. The stallion charged in glancing across the hollow room only to find the griffon vacated. The hole in the ceiling the obvious path she had escaped from. Iron Mind wouldn't give up so quickly if he could help it. Back out into the hallway, and into the street, he gave a look into the sky for the griffin's flight path. Going upstairs would have been a waist, most of the roof was gone as it was leaving nothing to hinder her. No pink, no feathers, nothing indicated where she had gone. Disgruntled, Iron Mind sighed turning back to the building. He'd collect his coat, the seal, then make haste for the police station. A moment to stop and check in and he'd be to the train depot for Trottingham. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Octavia Philharmonica refused to leave the train station. Fraught with despair over losing their charge, she remained in the lobby of the Trottingham train station until word of what happened to Eclipse would be brought to her. Octavia had been here since the moment that Vinyl and her arrived. Refusing to leave even to take a shower at her parents. A seat, in a row of bolted down chairs, had been confiscated as property of the cellist. Warm blanket wrapped around her shivering body. It did little to combat the increased cold of the region. Styrofoam cups littered the immediate area around her. Some once contained coffee, others vending machine soups, and even others errant bits that ponies dropped believing her to be one of the homeless. The only times she moved was during manager shift changes or to check if any new information presented itself. It had been near two days since the separation. The staff grew accustomed quickly to seeing her waiting in the lobby. Those who recognized her asked her to sign records they purchased or took their lunch breaks conversing with the cellist. Onlookers and admirers gave their best wishes for hopes she would find the pony she was waiting for. Octavia could only give a smile as thanks less she broke down into tears. Vinyl, on the other hoof, attempted to pretend she was made of sturdier material. Acting as a go between, Vinyl took the luggage to Octavia's fathers' home. She relayed information to Octavia's parents and her own informing them of Eclipse's missing status and that her marefriend would not be leaving the train station. This spurred Octavia's fathers' to visit her, if only briefly, to try and encourage her to sleep at home. Their words fell on deaf ears and hopes went back to Vinyl to take care of their little cellist. “Octy, hey come on. It's been a few days you need to come back to the house.” Another trip to the train station, this time with fresh food for Octavia to consume. The DJ had settled herself on a seat across form her lover, watching through crimson shades the tired and worn pony devour several rose and avocado sandwich. The dressing spread used was a specialty of her daddy. The odd stallion of the relationship between her fathers, he was a short order cook at a local diner. Disbelieved and unamused described the look she gave to Vinyl. There was knowledge that Vinyl wasn't being cruel to their friend's plight, but Octavia couldn't feel a bit betrayed the DJ seemed to give up to easily. “Not until we hear something. Anything. You and I both know that she doesn't know what to do... she...” Her head had to turn lest Vinyl see the tears pooling. A hoof set to her chin in a vain attempt to calm the quivering muscles. “Even if it's just letting us know she received one of the messages we sent out, it's enough.” Empathetic to the emotions of her mate, Vinyl closed the distance between them taking a seat besides her avoiding the debris of used cups and plates. Foreleg moved wrapping around Octavia's quivering mass pulling her face against the white pony's chest. Her horn lit up pulling the blanket around them both. “Listen, I know what you may say, and no I'm wasn't rash or being thick. But I told both our 'rents about Eclipse.” Violet eyes raised to stare at Vinyl's face. Octavia wasn't sure if she believed her or if this was some lure to get her to come back to the house. “Why? Eclipse is scared enough as it is of somepony knowing about where she came from. Think about what it took for her to open up to us as it did.” “I know that.” The tone of her voice took a stern, but not angry toll. “But you remember as well as I do what happened the last time we had a major fight. She did some crazy things that I've never heard nopony doing. Now don't get me wrong,” She set a hoof to take a hold of one of Octavia's, “I'm not saying she's freaky for it or it's bad, but if she gets into that state again it could be loads of bad. My mom and your dad, the one with the freaky knife collection and obsession with horror movie reels, have connections in Canterlot. Which I think we should sleep in separate beds when we get to the house, your dad showed me a new knife he called the 'Marshmallow skinner' and I'm scared. But...” Vinyl exhaled through her nostrils sucking in a fresh breath through her mouth. “Even they found it odd Princess Celestia would actually want somepony dead. We'll have our folks send a letter to the castle and get it all figured out. Then, we go home and get back to our new organized lifestyle you like so much until I do something stupid to mess it up, we fight, and have makeup sex.” Vinyl winced feeling the hard jab of a hoof against her ribs. She had it coming and knew this. It only increased the daring smile she flashed down to Octavia. They embraced beneath the blanket, in the middle of the lobby on the joined chairs. There was the occasional pony who seemed to not care for the affection shown, but most didn't mind. The pair enjoyed the warm embrace of each others bodies until a stout stallion in a blue blazer and match cap came to approach them. “Miss Philharmonica? I have some news for you.” “Aw come on, dude, we just got a nice mood going.” An open groan from the DJ met with another hoof into her ribs. The pair stared hard at one another then broke into a smile returning to stare at the stallion. He was one of the train employees who Octavia often sought out during the past days. Helpful and diligent to answer anything that was asked of him. This time, he seemed to fidget in place tapping each hoof against the ground in a rhythmic manner. “First, it's time for you to leave the station. We understand your desire to stay but it isn't doing any pony any good for you to remain, including your self. Go home, take a shower, get some rest because...” His voice trailed off averting his eyes. He was not trained to give bad news but it was news to give. “I'm afraid no news will be coming from Appleloosa. After the last train, the train your friend boarded, arrived several miles of track between Appleloosa and Las Pegasus, then Las Pegasus and Eastern Equestria vanished. No signs of it being dragged away or anything. Just gone. I'm afraid if we were to get a message there, it would still take several days. Even the fastest flier in Equestria can't fly for a full day and night without rest.” “Let's go to my parents' home, Vinyl.” The better mood Octavia obtained had vanished all at once. The gray pony felt her world turn from a momentary rainbow back into a dreary forecast. Hooves worked to remove the blanket from her and Vinyl's bodies being careful to fold it up into a neat square shape. Vinyl glared death at the station employee. Glasses slid down to the tip of her snout as she wished bloody death on him. It wasn't his fault that there was bad news to give. Nor was it his fault that Octavia's uplifted mood was suddenly shattered, but Vinyl wanted to blame somepony. “Thanks for that.” Mumbles hid the poison laced in her words. “We'll clean up the mess. Go ahead and go home.” There was no mind given to Vinyl's attitude. He would simply pass it off. A moment was taken letting the two ponies gather their belongings then leave. Others came with a broom, rag, and bucket to clean up the spot that Octavia had claimed as her home. There was hope that the next time they saw them, it would not be for reservations to sleep on their hard chairs. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mornings in Appleloosa tended to be quieter than the Wonderbolt captain was used to. Be it Cloudsdale or Canterlot, there was always constant noise from the higher populations just before the sun rose. Sure, the ponies of Appleloosa woke early to tend to their farms but most work didn't occur close to the city limits. The birds chirping was chirpier perhaps due to the fresh air. Sunlight through the window was clearer. Everything just felt more perfect in this small community. When Spitfire awoke, her front hooves pushing to the bed raising her upper half up, she turned her head to the window. Lips turned upright in a lazy smile. Today there was not supposed to be training nor any show. No small part being from the train's lack of use to give them this break. She had forgotten, if only temporarily, the drama of last night. Choosing instead to not deal with any disaster Spiral Flame may have caused. Spitfire's choice would be ignored by the hands of fate. Small pinging noises against the glass pulling her muddled head out of drowsy clouds. The warm embrace of her bedsheets and the lazy comfort of her mattress was abandoned in an attempt to learn what sound came against the glass of her window. The closer she came, the louder it became. Head tilted forty five degrees to the left, narrowed visions watching small object fall from above down onto the sheet glass. Finally in front of the window, Spitfire leaned her head forward and up staring at the sky. A shadow formed quickly from above. The sound of wood splintering and glass breaking was like an explosion on such a quiet morning. A heavy presence crashed against Spitfire's body slamming her back against the ground sliding her, and it, across the wooden floor. It was a miracle of Celestia and Luna that Spitfire remained unharmed, if not shaken, at the sudden battery. “Spitster!” The familiar voice cried out bringing the Wonderbolt Captain to openly groan. She didn't want this so early in the morning. “I need your help, man, it's the worst thing! The worst possible thing!” “Get. Off. Me. NOW!” Sprawled across the floor, her head pounding with a headache, Spitfire hadn't bothered to look up when she shouted. Spiral Flame sat on top of her, front hooves on the yellow pony's shoulders shaking her back and forth in her panic state. Through flame mane Spitfire turned to stare at the pony above her. She twisted her body enough to draw her hind legs upwards, set her hooves against Spiral's rump, and bucked sending the stunt pony against the far wall. “What is it you want this time?” She huffed pushing back to all fours. “What could possibly be so bad that you break into my room through my window?” The body of the amber pony smacked against the wall mimicking a fly against a windshield. Spiral's body slid down slowly along the wood wall following a high pitch squeak. Once her flank touched the ground, she fell backwards sending a thin layer of air blowing from beneath her. Eyes had crossed from the unexpected blow. She never knew Spitfire could react like that. Eyes were crossed watching the ceiling swirl in two distinct images. Hooves clopped further from her followed by the squeaking of a mattress. Spiral shot upwards as a fire cracker hunkering her upper half down near the floor, turning her head rapidly this way and that. She wanted to take in everything around her, re-associating herself for where she was at. Calm enough to speak, the amber pony stared at Spitfire who had returned to her bed sanctuary. “It's horrible! I couldn't do it. I took her back but didn't get anywhere. We slept. Only slept! Nothing else! At all! Not even a good night peck or good morning quickie!” Spitfire was once more rested back onto her bed. The sheets covering from her midsection down, she was raised sitting up pressing her back to the head rest of the bed. Forelegs crossed over her chest, she turned her head staring away from Spiral Flame seemingly at some invisible presence that was watching their actions, her eyes asking the question 'What is wrong with this mare?'. It was too early in the morning on such a beautiful day to deal with the hysterical ramblings of a lecher. “Where do I begin? First. I don't care. I warned you that there is something different about her, but you go ahead, slam my chin into a table, then dump empty glasses on me to escape with her.” A hoof pressed to Spitfire's face. “Now, when she seems to have no interest in you, you break into my hotel room seeking advice. Why?” Spiral Flame was near the bed now, leaping on top with her back first bouncing twice before settling. Spitfire used all her self control not to buck the mare away from her again. “Well, you and I do these contests so often I figure you must have been turned down after a win before, right?” She twisted her body moving to all four knees, eagerly waiting for some reply from Spitfire. “Actually, no. Once we leave I bid them goodnight. I am not some sex obsessed, horny, fillynizing, coltnizing, egotistical pony who needs a constant reaffirmation by bedding anything with four horseshoes.” What Spiral was doing now was any pony's guess. Spitfire lowered her crossed legs in preparation for anything this mare might try at this point. “And I also warned you, I'll say this again, that there is something different about the filly. Did you finally see that her horn and wings are not some earth pony costume? Well?” A lecturing teacher's tone lashed out. “Ever think that she maybe an alicorn? And thus, by some chance, royalty?” “Nah not a chance. One wings some bat thing. I poked it trying to wake her up during my hip sway dance I use if the pony's not yet interested.” She thumped one of her fore hooves against her chest in pride. “Works seventy five percent of the time.” Again, Spitfire looked away from Spiral at the imaginary being perhaps watching their exchange. A return to the other pony started with a sigh. “That doesn't matter. She said she boarded the wrong train. She's not even supposed to be in Appleloosa. Consider this, as well, how many ponies have bat wings? Luna's guards do, nopony else. ” Chestnut mane fell down across Spiral's face. Distance appeared in her eyes while her face emitted gloom. “None of that matters. I don't care if she turns out to be a princess. You gotta help me Spitster. I was so worked up and ready last night... Then to have her just fall asleep. I couldn't even bring my self to wake her. That pony looked so tender and sweet, sleeping with these two toys I couldn't try to wake her to even kick her out for just going to sleep like that...” “Now you're sounding both pathetic and creepy.” Spitfire commented grunting at Spiral's selfish remarks. “Help me, Spitster. Take my desire away!” It happened all at once. What was a conversation about the stunt pony being turned down suddenly changed in a flash. Spiral's fore hooves reached forward, her hind legs kicking against the bed to launch her the short distance towards Spitfire. “If I can't have her I'll take you!” She shouted closing the few feet between the other on the bed. Much as before, Spiral wouldn't be ready for the reaction to her action. The door to Spitfire's hotel room was knocked right open by the flying stunt pony. The Wonderbolts Captain as not going to just let the other assault her without giving out a few pumps and bruises of her own. Therefore, she twisted her self to buck the earth pony out of her room with one, mighty kick. “Don't you dare try to come back in here without cooling off you ungrateful whelp.” The door was slammed closed as Spitfire rushed to it to keep Spiral from rushing back in. Spiral Flame was left, upside down smacked against the hallway wall. Her head tilted forward with the back of her neck resting at the corner between wall and floor. She was at an impasse. There had to be another pony she could seek for help with this. If she couldn't get relief, then maybe someone who knew rejection could lead her on the path to handle trying once more. Out of the Wonderbolts there was just one pony she could turn to now; Soarin. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In the hotel room between another Wonderbolts' and Spitfire's, moments before Spitfire's wonderful mood had been ruined, Soarin and Braeburn laid in each others embrace. Since the Wonderbolts' show ended, Soarin had whisked Braeburn away to the hotel. Neither held a care for anypony else in the world, only caring for the feel of fur and sweat. The glow of harmony radiated from their desire and affection. For hours they held a silence preferring to speak through movements. When the sun came to rise in the early hours, exhaustion finally set in but sleep only came to one. The hotel room had seen better days. Some furniture was overturned while others were a shadow of their former condition. Towels and blankets strewn about as if a tornado had ripped right through. Braeburn's vest had been tossed nonchalantly on top of a dresser. The corner of the headboard acted as a hat stand for the cowpony's signature attire. “Soarin?” Braeburn whispered poking a lone hoof against his lover's chest. With only mumble returned, the cowpony pressed harder to Soarin's light blue chest. “Soarin!” The name spoke up louder. By now, Braeburn narrowed his eyes with the lack of response. “SOARIN!” Voice raised higher than he had wanted it too. Red tinging his cheeks and Braeburn pulled the covers higher to his neck. Paranoid glances shot across the room expecting to hear somepony pounding against the walls for them to quiet down. “Mraw.. Whun.. Huh?” Tired eyes finally graced Braeburn with their presence. Soarin attempted to form words but only managed to sound drunk on something other than love. Errant hoof came brushing back the perspiration soaked mane from his face. “Whazzit up, Braeby?” Drunken laughter rolled from his throat squeezing his eyes closed. When his head hit the pillow, he began to lull back to the siren's call of slumber. “Wake up you Apple pie addict!” Hind hooves lightly bucked across the bed at the short distance between the pair. “We need to talk a bit before we have tah get out there. And it t'aint fair that you just go back to sleep!” Tail lashed beneath the covers conveying his growing sour attitude. “We need to talk.” 'We need to talk.' They were perhaps the most frightening four words to hear in sequence from somepony you cared for. If Soarin glared at Braeburn now he'd only find himself kicked out of the warmth of his bed. Worse yet, he wouldn't get any apple pie later. Crooked elbow raised a hoof to let Soarin's prop his head up. Even if he managed to say the right string ow rods now sleep would no longer come to him. “What's up, Braeby? Something bothering you, dude?” “Our relationship. We're together, but we're free to sleep with anypony. You and I,” Braeburn made it apparently who he meant waving a hoof between them, “Are in a relationship but allow ourselves to be with others. We both like mares. We both like colts. We even talked about finding a mare for us to have a foal with.” “Right, foal. Last time ya mentioned that you didn't even have a mare mind. That change at all?” Soarin knew better than to outright squash Braeburn's dreams. When the yellow colt looked away, a light blue hoof drew him back to his coltfriend's eyes. “Come on, dude, let me know.” Braeburn sucked in a tight breath of air. Partly audible sounds of glass breaking then shouting caught their attention for a brief moment. It sounded close, but not within their room. Perhaps next door? The cowpony went back to the task at hoof. Cradled by Soarin's hoof, he rested his head against the flat surface. “Well, she's an earth pony who works at the copper mill right on the other side of town.” “Can she cook?” “Always comes back to food for you don't it? Yes she can cook just fine. She's a fan of yers and thinks I'm sexy. So it works out. The pony seemed to like the idea of two gentlecolts at her beck and call. But...” Braeburn sat up as he shifted his weight to rest down against his flank. He pressed his back against the headboard of the bed, tilting to stare at the ceiling. “It all comes down now to us.” Soarin was no fool. He mimicked his coltfriend's actions sitting up besides him. His right leg curling over pulling Braeburn to his side. “I know whatcha mean, Braeby. I'm not ready to give up being a Wonderbolt. Appleloosa is your home. We make it work with you taking a week here and there to follow us on tour. Meeting on every other weekend in Las Pegasus and constant letters. These things work now but with a foal in the picture...” “I know. Asking ya to give up whatcha like just like that wouldn't be right.” Braeburn sighed resting his head onto Soarin's shoulder. “Should I tell her we can't and just keep it social between her and I? Or maybe just take a deeper talk into it...” The shouting next door came up again, this time the painful sound of a pony hitting something hard came from the hallway followed by the slamming of a door. The two colts glanced at each other now wondering if they should go see what it was. “Look, we know what the options are if we do somethin like that. We can't both marry her and she can't marry us. Ponies are accepting of a lot but actual marriage vows that unusual are still in the talks. Heck, you told me yourself that you still get hounded by someponies over datin me. But thanks to your buffalo friends always giving them a good ram of their horns for bothering you.” Soarin scoffed crossing his forelegs at his waist now. “I swear, there's always somepony who can't leave another pony alone. Oh! Speaking of pie.” Braeburn blinked shaking his head. Who mentioned pie? “You're gonna make me some pie before I leave, right?” “Real subtle to get onto a new subject.” No matter what he couldn't get mad. A bit of laughter Braeburn wiggled himself over to the edge of the bed. “Course I'm making you my pie. Every Apple in the Apple family bakes pie.” Ears flattened back against his blonde mane. “And I always make you pie.” “Thank Celestia. I love the smokey taste of your pie, but Caramel adds caramel to his and it's just not the same.” Scratching a hoof behind his head, it took Soarin a few seconds to realize what he had said. He had spoke of something he swore to himself he didn't want to bring up until he had to. There was no need to face Braeburn to begin feeling the tinge of suspicion. “When did you have Caramel's pie?” Soarin felt disaster quickly approaching. “Wait... You're the pegasus that Caramel kept yapping about last time I was at Cousin AJ's farm!” Braeburn came right across the bed nearly leaping on top of the pegasus. His fore hooves pushed down against the light blue pony's wings pinning him against the bed. “Dang it, Soarin! We made a promise that if we happened to get with each others kin at anytime we'd tell the other! This is gonna cause an uproar like you've never seen!” Braeburn was boiling over. He had seen it happen enough times at family reunions. Kin attempting to steal another kin's mate only to end up breaking family apart. Teeth ground together trying to decide if he should push down harder against the sensitive appendages or begin smacking his coltfriend from here to Canterlot. “Li...listen to me, Braeburn. It was an accident! Honest!” The line 'He came onto me' brushed his thoughts but feared what such a proclamation might draw out. His wings. Such a sensitive part of the pegasus created shivers through his body. If only Braeburn knew what this kind of play was doing to him right then he may have taken a different approach. “I was.. hoping the.. three of us could make.. pie together...” Breathing became labored, his words drawn out between each pant. He tried to stay focused but the play to his wings only caused his legs to squirm beneath him. There it was. Braeburn had been stunned to silence. There were two ideas that planted seeds in his mind. Soarin could have meant either and either did not turn over well for him. The Apple Family was notorious for being proud ponies. Each of them knew better than to try and but into the kitchen if one was cooking something. There were a few exceptions but they were far between. “By pie, t'aint mean...” The shocked expression of his coltfriend did little to stop his brain from sending signals out to stop his words from leaving his mouth. “I was thinking maybe Caramel, you, and me could do some baking sometime when we all get together. Ya know an Apple Family Pegasus pie.” It finally struck him what he had just done wrong. Soarin found himself unable to look at Braeburn's face. Growls took the blue pegasus back to stare at the pony above him. “Soarin... You idiot...” Shadows from Braeburn's mane darkened his face keeping his expression hidden. The pressure of hooves down on Soarin's wings changed from pleasure to a sharp pain as the edges of horse shoes sunk against the flesh. THUMPThe noise was a blessing for Soarin as it took Braeburn's focus from him to the door of their hotel room. It was loud and focused solely on the door. The two ponies looked away, to each other for some sign that the other may know what caused such a strong blow. THUMP. Again. It happened, this time both ponies jumped in surprise landing side by side at the top of the bed. THUMP Fore legs tossed around one another holding close. Braeburn and Soarin's bodies began to tremble. There had been horror reels of what laid behind doors where such sounds came from. These two ponies were brave, but the uncertainty and unknowing chased their nerves right out the window. It was day out, broad day light, yet something pounded on their door. “Soarin!” A cry came just as the door gave way. It split down the middle, horizontally, sending the two large planks crashing down on opposite sides of the hotel's floor near the bed. Hind legs first, Spiral Flame had launched herself with the last buck against the defense from intrusion. For an earth pony she managed to fly across the room landing squarely between the two hugging lovers breaking them apart. Hooves kicked and scraped the sheets of the bed as she scrambled to right herself between them. “Soarin! I need your help. Spitster was useless.. Now you're my only hope!” Spiral had turned to him with her hooves onto his quivering shoulders. Neither colts had managed to recover from their initial scare. Awkward silence filled the room like an enigmatic fog. Every second felt like an hour until Braeburn's throat clearing gave a reprise from the stand still. It took the cowpony to finally break the monotony. “ 'Scuse me, miss, but what pray tell are you doing... Barging in here, landing on the bed with us, and now demandin' Soarin help ye with somethin'?” Spiral shook Soarin a few more times while disregarding the other for now. When the light blue pony began foaming at the mouth, she dropped him aside and twisted back to Braeburn. “He's broken. Maybe you can help. See, last time I brought this filly back to my hotel room.” Without so much as Braeburn asking if he could help, and having his questions ignored, she began her tale. This time she placed her hooves to his shoulders, ignoring the clear and present intrusion she forced on them. “Flank so firm you could eat off of. Glowing eyes... Weird freaky hair, betcha it holds on real nice when you're...” Spiral winked jabbing a knee against Braeburn's ribs. “Yeah, you get what I'm saying.” Her eye brows wiggled in a suggestive manner. “Spitster thinks she's some sort of alicorn but anyway...” Braeburn twitched then froze up. His left eye went wide, but the pupil and iris shrunk down to pinprick size. Right eye shrunk and his lips parted as the bottom trembled. This twisted reaction of mix-mashed emotions only gave heed for Spiral to shake him harder till Braeburn finally uttered out, “This here pony... Her name happen to be Eclipse?” “Whoa? Are you a wizard?” Spiral laughed giving a hard smack to Braeburn's shoulder. “Yeah! I got her to come to my room, but she fell asleep before we could do anything.” She suddenly wished she had a bowl of ice cream as she withdrew from Braeburn and moved to pull the covers over her body. She remained still, between the pair, now crossing her forelegs loosely in front of her. “So I came to Soarin here on how to handle rejection. You wouldn't believe how many fans end up shying away when they run out of pie and he just asks for more!” She chortled obnoxiously. “But seriously,” Spiral spoke up to Soarin, “Snap out of it and give me some pointers! I wanna bag this filly before the rodeo ends here!” There was silence from the two colts. Soarin was gradually returning back to a stable focus. “Hey, shut up, would ya, Spiral? And get out of our bed!” Wings flared up in an attempt to appear larger than the muscular mare next to him. His hooves smacked down onto the matress bouncing the three of them up a hoof. “I don't care about your problems!” What happened next had both colts' faces painted red. “Oh ho ho! I see two ponies giving me a salute.” Spiral spoke up pulling the sheets up enough for her to peer beneath. Her other fore hoof went to her forehead saluting down to what laid beneath the covers. “So that's why you want me to leave, huh?” Spiral rubbed Soarin's ribs with her knee while roaring with laughter. He couldn't take anymore. It came back to him so suddenly, the pony he had promised to help but forgotten about. He went to Soarin the day prior in hopes of getting her with the Wonderbolts to get home. If anypony could leave without the train it would be them. Sadly, as it did every time they met, Braeburn was swept up by Soarin and pulled away right to the hotel room when the show ended. Now, he scrambled to leave the bed, Soarin, and the crazy mare behind. “Which room is yers?” The question as barked out with urgency. “Well, it's at the end of the hall... Not the end with the stairs but the other side. Why? Not trying to steal my catch are you?” Spiral and Soarin watched Braeburn leave the bed, snag his hat with his mouth, then gallop straight for the doorway and out. He took a moment to glance back and forth before choosing the proper direction. In seconds he was out of sight of the two ponies still in bed. Soarin growled flapping his wings lifting him from beneath the covers and comfort. “Dang it, Spiral! I was enjoying a good time and you came and ruined it again.” He snarled at the confused stunt pony before dropping down in front of the bed. “Braeburn! Wait!” He called forward chasing on his hooves after his colt friend. Spiral set a hoof against her chest. There was no explanation why she felt a ping of pain there. Something in Soarin's words, how he appeared seemed to cause her normal, tough mare attitude to wither if only temporarily. Spiral was finding a common trend. She'd make her arrival which should be welcomed by all ponies but end up with them shouting. Shaking her head she deemed it that they were simply not good enough for such a high esteemed pony as herself. Smirking, she disembarked from the bed to follow behind the other two. Little time was wasted breaking into Spiral's hotel room. Well, it would have been breaking in if the door had been locked. After his encounter with the stunt pony moments ago, the way she spoke of 'bagging' the filly, and her overall abhorrent attitude, he wished not to leave Eclipse in her care. “Look, lil' missy, I'm terribly sorry about last night. I didn't mean tah just leave you there like that.” Braeburn blurted out his apology before it occurred to him that the room was empty. Standing in the doorway while scanning the room gave nothing to tell him where the pony had gone initially. The bed was made and set on the pillow a parchment set out for whoever found it. When Braeburn ventured within to collect the letter, he heard three voices speak up from the hall. He recognized them all; Soarin, Spitfire, and that annoying earth pony. “The hotel manager came to talk to me about the problems you're causing, Spiral.” “Yeah, she busted into my room just a moment ago!” Soarin scoffed glaring at the amber pony. “Hey, it's not my fault you can't lock a door.” Spiral countered back poking a hoof to his chest. “It was locked! You broke it down!” Angrily, he knocked the pony's hoof away from him. Both now set into a death glare, butting their heads together. Recognizing only a problem, Spitfire forced herself between the pair and spread her wings to separate them. “Calm down the both of you! First off, Spiral you are going too bucking far!” The pegasus twisted herself to face the earth pony. “You caused a still unknown amount of damage and all you care about is a bit of tail. Grow up and back. Down. NOW!” The shout came with surprise to Spiral. All she could do was stutter. This was the third or forth time in two days she had to deal with Spitfire yelling at her. She clenched back what she wanted to say, instead glaring into her bedroom. “Hey! Get away from that bed! Whatever she left is mine!” Braeburn counted down from ten to cool his head. Just listening to the stunt pony left him fuming hotter than watching Soarin flirt with his fans. “Listen, all it says is that Miss Eclipse is going to the train station to wait for a train. Little Missy has no idea that the train ain't comin for maybe months. T'aint right to leave her there, so I'm going to go and talk to her again.” The note in his mouth, the cowpony returned to the door dropping the parchment down in front of Spiral. Cold stare was set upon Spiral. “She even graciously thanks you for being so kind as to let her sleep with ya while she was scared about finding a place. Somepony like you doesn't deserve that kind of regard.” Braeburn scoffed, removing his attention from the stunt pony. “Hey Soarin? Think you and Spitfire can come with me? I wanted tah ask you two iffin you could help with 'er.” “Course, Braeby, just lead the way.” Soarin pounded his own chest with his hoof while flashing a charismatic grin. Spitfire nodded waiting for the two colts to go ahead. She turned a moment giving a side long glance to Spiral. “Unless you plan on doing something other than trying to get the filly in bed, just stay here or go to the saloon. You'll be in the way of doing something rare for you. Ya know, helping somepony.” Lightly kicking the ground, she turned on her heels stepping to follow behind her two companions. Pain struck Spiral in her chest. It wasn't a familiar feeling but it was the second time today it struck her. Spiral dropped back onto her haunches watching the ponies leave her behind. Spitfire was supposed to be her friend but she had just reprimanded her twice and even talked down to her. “Now just hold on! I'm coming to!” She shouted out raising up to all fours. Speak to her like she was worthless? This wasn't something Spiral Flame was going to just let stand. She took off after the other three ponies. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ There were not many ponies at the train station. Knowing that the trains would not be running for estimated months, they chose to spend their time in other places to wait. The rodeo wouldn't be affected. The ponies involved were already going to be here for several days. Eclipse made a beeline path to the train station stopping only to acquire breakfast with the few bits she had in her saddlebags. She hoped that the letter she had left would be sufficient in relaying her thanks for aid rendered. There was guilt that she was too hasty in leaving, but with how upset Spiral seemed to be over her lost lover. Hanging onto somepony else wasn't an option either. Eclipse needed to return to Octavia and Vinyl lest they worry too much. There was something peaceful, though, being out here. Eclipse rested back on her haunches occasionally wiggling her flank to readjust her saddlebags. Each turn of her head brought a sway to the chain that the pepper spray was attached to. The few workers still remaining gave Eclipse a wide birth to move around. They warned of the train track's condition again, but she only smiled and went to wait by the boarding dock. From this place she took, the desert was visible and wide spread before her glowing eyes. Everything could be taken in with a careful turn of her head. Many pony argued that this was nothing but a desolate wasteland where nopony should try to survive. Eclipse saw something more then that. So much more was to be seen. Where there appeared to only be death and dying, there was the subtly of life. The desert tortoise and the desert hare seeking out shade and sparse locations of food. Cacti and small plants grew their roots deep underground to gain access to the moist depths below. The clean air did wonders for Eclipse's feelings, as it felt to have a rejuvenating effect on a weary soul. She was saddened to be away from her friend. Naught three days past she felt homesick for the musical mares and the bed they gave to her. There was longing for the late nights at the clubs or the class and dignity of the lunches with the orchestra. She hadn't known the life for long but she loved it all the same. Before, Eclipse knew only the faded walls of the cellar. Now, she saw sunlight every day, and stared at the stars and moon every night. Even with her sadness she felt glad to have gotten lost. Eclipse would never had the chance to see the desert if she hadn't. She giggled faintly placing a hoof to her lips. Leaning her head back, her wings extended letting the wind hold her up. Deep breaths filled her lungs with the sweet air. Thank you, everypony for these gifts. Rainbow Dash, the kind Nightmare Angel ponies, Miss Octavia, Miss Vinyl. Tears brimmed on the bottom of her eyes. Such gladness flowed through her. Momma would always tell me how much there was to see. But, she's not here to see it with me. Just as her elevated mood had lifted her up from her ill feelings of longing, she returned to the dark passage of depression. Momma... No sooner had she lowered her wings, sat back down, and lowered her head, did she raised back up the sound of somepony calling her name. “Eclipse! Lil' Missy!” It was Braeburn's voice that took her attention away from the hounding darkness. Bright visions trailed from her hooves straight towards the galloping yellow pony. Behind him Eclipse would see three ponies more; two of which she recognized as Spiral Flame and Spitfire. “Oh. Mis..mister Braeburn. Ho..How are you?” Eclipse politely asked bowing her head forward once. Raising to all fours Eclipse moved to face the four ponies who quickly closed the distance between them. Partially out of breath, Braeburn skidded to a stop before the alicorn. “Are you alright? I'm dreadfully sorry I left ya in saloon to wind up with a lecher pony. Listen, I know you're in a might bit of trouble, so I asked my friends here for some advice.” Spiral scoffed at Braeburn's assertion of her being a lecher. “I met with a friend and he pulled me away before I could help. He can be a bit thick like that.” It was Soarin's turn to scoff. Peering back at Spitfire, to Spiral, then to the still unknown Soarin, Eclipse looked finally at Braeburn. “I do..don't want to trou..trouble anypony.” “Listen. It's no trouble at all.” Spitfire chimed in. “Somepony, such as yourself, probably shouldn't be out with no help, right?” Indeed, Spitfire, Soarin, and Braeburn, ignoring anything Spiral had to say, discussed Eclipse and her situation during the gallop to the train station. It was decided amongst them that if she was somepony important, getting her back home quickly was the wisest course of action. “But I'm curious, you were on the same train as I was, and that came from Manehatten... Shouldn't you be trying to go to Canterlot?” Soarin and Braeburn nodded their heads in agreement to the question. Spiral huffed at being left out. She was warned numerous times on the trip here to not do anything stupid. If she wanted to help, then she was to listen and think before opening her mouth to talk. For now she did just that. Spiral felt something whenever she stole a peak at Eclipse. The glowing eyed filly was something certainly special. A deep pounding in her chest surfaced, not at all like the usual lustful feelings she was used to. Reverently, Eclipse shook her head. She couldn't go to Canterlot, ever. There should have been knowledge that Gold Mine would have lied to her, yet the fear still held fast in her. “N..No. My frie..friends live in Manehatten bu..but are in Trottingham I be..believe.” She blinked a few times when the ponies, save for Spiral, brought their heads together to converse then broke out soon after. “Might I ask their names?” Spitfire inquired stepping up to stand besides Braeburn. “Octavia Phil..Philharmonica and Vinyl Scratch.” “Whoa! You live with DJ-Pon3!?” The colt that Eclipse did not know suddenly jumped in front of the group. Both of his hooves took a hold of one of her's with an erratic shaking. Eclipse did not give the reaction that Soarin would have hoped for. “Um...” Caution was taken, her horn glowed raising the pepper spray defensively. Spitfire remembered what happened to Spiral Flame the prior night and moved to pull Soarin back before his visions were clouded. “Sorry about that. I don't think you've met him, judging by the reaction. He's my second in command, Soarin.” Spitfire moved a hoof thumping it against the light blue pegasus' chest. “He can be a bit thick, as Braeburn mentioned earlier.” Soarin laughed nervously when Eclipse's magic released the cylinder to let it dangle from her neck harmlessly. “Anyway... Yeah I've heard of both of them. They've both played for the Princess at a few celebrations she's held. Good ponies if I ever heard of any.” Still, they were not royal attendants. Finding perhaps her line of thinking Eclipse to be royalty to be naught, she went ahead with her original plans. “Hear. The only way to get to Trottingham or Manehatten for that matter is by airship for the fastest travel. Even then it's two days carriage to Las Pegasus which has the only airship port close by.” “O..oh.” Ears fell back, cast down along her crystalline hair. She could not look at the four ponies while her mind drifted into thoughts. It all sounded terribly expensive, far more than she could afford even if she hadn't bought breakfast this morning. Spiral Flame felt a tinge of pain in her chest for the third time today. Something about Eclipse's sad eyes, her exposed weakness caused Spiral's own mood to falter further. She didn't understand any bit of it. Normally seeing somepony in distress would leave her to shrug it off and go back to her own loving life lifestyle. Errant hoof dug against the wood beneath her, glancing away from the four ponies. “But, don't worry. Being Wonderbolts gives Soarin and I a great deal of pay. We want to help a nice pony like yourself get home. We'll give you bits for the stage coach, and even give you bits for the airship. Think of it as us giving back to fans.” Spitfire could have pointed out that Eclipse wasn't a fan nor even knew who the Wonderbolts were, but the devil was in the details. “Staying in Appleloosa, while a great small town, wouldn't do good for somepony who doesn't want to be here.” “And this'll help make up for me abandoning ya like that yesterday.” Braeburn suggested trying to laugh off the foolish error he made. Looking between each of their smiling faces, Eclipse nodded her head. “Al..alright. I'll accept.” There was trying in her smile. She wanted to be glad that they were willing to part with so many bits in order to help her, but she felt wrong all the same. The filly raised to her hooves ready to follow wherever they would lead. “Perfect. Let's head over to the Stage Coach station and get you on your way home.” Spitfire smiled warmly to the filly. Finally able to proper appraise her, she was surprised by Eclipse. Mismatched wings were indeed real by the manner in which they twitched on occasion. The horn that parted her mane at her forehead was real, broken, but real. Spitfire wondered what sort of act caused that to occur. She was smaller than most full grown fillies, but couldn't have been completely a mare yet. Truly a mystery to the captain. “Wait!” Spiral Flame was known for random acts of brash acts. This moment was no different with how she shouted at the four ponies. What she would say would be different than anything Spitfire would realize. “I will accompany her to her goal.” She grinned broadly patting a hoof to her chest. Braeburn, Spitfire, and Soarin gave a sour look in Spiral's direction. It was only Eclipse who seemed to brighten at the idea. Spitfire clapped her hooves then made a quick movement pulling Spiral away from the group. She leaned in close, keeping her voice a whisper to the amber pony. “What are you doing? After what you did last night, and this morning, do you really think we'd trust you to take her where she needs to go? A blind, hungry wolf would be a better companion.” “But, I...” “Don't start.” Spitfire quickly snapped. “You and I both know what's going through your head. You'll take her halfway, try to weasel your way with her, then come right back. But I swear to Celestia, Spiral, I am sick and tired..” “Spitster...” Spiral began not wanting to hear what came next from her friend's mouth. Spitfire's wings flared up, her eyes burning as bright as her flame mane. “No. No more Spitster. I hate that name. My name is Spitfire. Not Spit, not Spister, it is Spitfire. Next, I am sick and tired of everything you pull. Those contests winning over some colt, stallion, mare, or filly? You know what I do when I win? I apologize and go home to bed. Alone. My self esteem isn't built on how many ponies I buck.” Now Spitfire was frothing with rage. All the pent up malice she held for Spiral seemed to come out in blood dripped whispers. “Now, you expect me to let you go off with some innocent pony who actually has spoken well of you in a letter? Just because she fell asleep before you could do anything? Like bucking hell I will.” Then Spiral felt it. A direct stab right through her heart. Never before had she felt such anguish pour into her. It was beyond anything she could even speak into words. For her entire life she was, or thought she was, accepted by everypony. Nopony hated having her around or wished her to be gone. Something about since she met Eclipse opened her eyes to this. “But... You three are helping. I should to. My main shows are over. I can get my stuff shipped back on a coach later. Okay, she went back to my hotel with me last night after I went to far as to nearly knock you out.” A sudden idea flourished. “How do you think she'd do trying to get home all by her lonesome?” Spitfire hadn't thought about that. A quick look to Eclipse, who was talking merrily with Braeburn and Soarin, put her self in a position that she could be responsible should anything happen to the pony. Flinching and growling, Spitfire spit out, “Fine.” Now, both her hooves moved to Spiral's neck pulling the pony until their noses touched. “But, if you force her in anyway, abandon her, use her, or do anything unbecoming, I will make sure that your future is in the trash. I will make your agent drop you, every venue cancel your shows, and you will never perform along side the Wonderbolts again.” There was honesty in Spitfire's hate filled eyes. Spiral swallowed her nerves, nodded her head, and when Spitfire moved a foreleg around Spiral's haunches, walked with her back to the ground. “Well, Eclipse, looks like I'll be going with you after all. Wouldn't want you to get lost. Ehehehe.” The amber pony brushed her chestnut mane from her eyes with her free hoof. The looks Braeburn and Soarin shot to Spitfire, and Spitfire shot back, seemed to put them on board with the idea. “Tha..Thank you. First you let me sleep with you, now this. I am in all of you..your debts.” Fore ankles crossed, she bowed deeply then raised back up. Eclipse's words, coupled with her tranquil smile, had the three ponies once again staring at Spiral. Each of their eyes were daring her to try something, anything at all. Spiral only laughed shaking her head wanting to feel the burning glares away from her. It took two hours for preparations to be made, Spiral to prepare her saddlebags, and for arrangements to be underway to have Spiral's bike and other equipment sent to Canterlot later on. Soarin and Braeburn were let in on what Spitfire told Spiral giving them a piece of mind for Eclipse on her trip. Eclipse gave a hug to each of the three ponies before boarding the four pony pulled stage coach. “Remember. I will make you pay.” Was whispered to Spiral from Spitfire before the stunt pony boarded the coach with Eclipse. Final waves were given out the window as the pair departed from Appleloosa. It was the start of the next leg of Eclipse's return to Octavia and Vinyl. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It was an hour after their departure, Eclipse brought her legs beneath her body, belly to the couch cushion. Her head leaned near the window watching the scenery begin to flow by. Spitfire told them there would be two stops before Las Pegasus, one at a rest stop and the next at a small town called Oasis. Yet, as Eclipse stared out across the desert, her eyes saw something entirely different. In her visions, she watched the sands turn to green grass, trees sprout up everywhere, as the memories of another time over took her mind. Spiral, on the other hoof, simply watched mesmerized by the filly across from her. Just in this day alone she felt emotions she never believed she was capable of having. Staring at the pristine gray pony, there was something else. A fiery feeling, no longer pain, flooding her heart and mind. It would be a long trip for Spiral Flame. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Rhythmic click clacks of the train running over the tracks played as a soft serenade for the passengers. A north bound train heading to Trottingham from Manehatten. It held an assortment of ponies from wealthy to destitute leaving the city for any number of means. Few of the train cars held cargo, this was primarily a passenger train that moved solely between the two cities. Iron Mind laid, in his own private room on the train, out on a sturdy cot attached to the wall. The events of the day played out through his thoughts piecing together what was relevant and what was to be ignored. Details he had gathered were recalled and analyzed even without the help of his notepad. Right then, he decided to go over what occurred the morning till now. After he rid himself of his captors and lost sight of the griffin, he returned to the police station to have a letter sent to the Princes and prepare for his departure. The chief would not have it and saw him to a hospital. The staff found him to have two broken or cracked ribs, a sprained hoof, and light internal bleeding. He ignored their insistence of remaining there a night and instead left to go to his hotel. He checked out, gathered his suitcases, and made a stop at the post office. A letter had been sent through the Police Department to Celestia, and a letter addressed to Fancy Pants requesting his airship to dock in Trottingham but now he had a more important letter to send. Dear Electrical Conduit, Father is sorry he could not come home for your science fair. I had hoped that this assignment would have ended far sooner. This letter will arrive with a package for you. I hope you still like the kind of experiments mommy does. It's a Smarty Pants Chemistry set you had asked for once before. I miss you and your mother terribly. There isn't a night I wish I could tuck you into bed, kiss your forehead, and wish you sweep dreams. Stay strong for me until I get home. Take care of your mother and see to it that she doesn't get lonely. You're the stallion of the house until I can come home. And when I come home, the three of us will take the longest vacation imaginable. Everypony will be envious of the places we'll go. I love you son. Please, forgive me for being away. I will be home soon. And if this letter you still find yourself lonely. Just take my old guard helmet as you use to. Keep it with you to keep the monsters in your closet away. I love you. Iron Mind fought back the tears as he thought of his wife and son. He hated being away as long as he had but this matter was now something he could not just give to another pony. Shaking away his gloom, he returned to his previous thoughts. Trottingham was the next place for the investigation. He had not the time to meet with the Police Chief properly, instead there would only be a short talk to learn of the whereabouts of Miss Octavia Philharmonica. Octavia was a pony he knew, and of one of her fathers. They both performed at the castle beautifully. If recollections were correct, Octavia was a well mannered, upstanding pony who had the disgrace of playing a song brought by one of the Elements of Harmony at the most amusing Gala he had attended. In this evening hour, he had finally concluded all that could be figured out. Despite pain through his body, Iron Mind would find some sleep. What rest he got on the train would have to suffice until the safety of Octavia Philharmonica and this Vinyl Scratch was ensured. The last reports he had on Gold Mine put him in the very same town. If the griffin did reach Trottingham before he then there was no telling what danger laid ahead or the ponies.