//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16: In His Blood 
// Story: When Snow Falls 
// by Prophet Of Doom 
//------------------------------//

     Foxtrot and Midnight walked through the castle gates' towards the hustle and bustle of Canterlot city.
The rest of the meeting with the princesses went a lot smoother upon their return, mainly because the worst part was over.
It was mostly trivial from that point on. The only things of note were promises of immediately inform them of any developments in regards to the Crystal Mirror. There was also an offer from Celestia for private tutoring in the skills of magic.
After all was said, the two departed from the castle and heading slowly back to Hoofly.

Once they were several steps outside the gates' Midnight turned to Foxtrot.
"All in all' today's been a bit of a bummer so far," He chuckled. 
She smiled at him softly, placing a hoof on his shoulder.
"It is ok to cry, you know," She reassured.
"I don't want to cry," -He shook his head- "What I want to do is scream my head off, then find the creature known as fate in whatever shape it takes and violently stomp its face in." 
Foxtrot raised an eyebrow to this aggressive stance.
"But' seeing how that is not a realistic option," -He looked up smiling-  "I shall try to laugh it off, as silly as that may sound."
"No, it doesn't. Just don't try and bear this on your own," Foxtrot smiled' before ruffling up his mane. 
Midnight giggled and the two continued in the direction of Hoofly. Making their way down a main street, they were passed by a troupe of royal guard. Recognising Foxtrot' they exchanged pleasantries before they moved on with their patrol. Once out of earshot' Midnight brought up what they called Foxtrot.

"Maniac!?!" He said.
Foxtrot blushed slightly' rubbing a hoof to her neck.
"It's a nickname I've had for a while," She said. "Because of my resemblance to a comic book villain."
She spotted a bookstore at that very moment and manoeuvred them to its window. In the shop's front display was a poster for the Power Ponies, which showed the heroes collapsed at the hooves of Mane-iac, revealing in her evil.
A broad smile grew on Midnight's face as he saw the resemblance before he burst out laughing.
"It's not that funny," Foxtrot chuckled, enjoying the laughter Midnight produced. 
"I humbly disagree," he replied still laughing.

Midnight then dodged a playful slap from Foxtrot but backed into another royal guard. Midnight immediately turned and apologised to the guardspony, who looked like he was about to fly into a blind rage. However, the guard regained his composure with a deep breath.
"That's alright, citizen," Steel Wall stated. "Just be more careful please."
"Will do, sir," Midnight replied.

 Why is he so familiar? Nightmare Moon thought.
From inside Steel Wall she watched Midnight Snow' now being given a noogie by Foxtrot. It was by no means the first time she had seen him. She knew who he was' the only survivor from the crash. She knew what he was, the flimsy disguise didn't fool her. Despite being an alicorn, he being  male and one winged made him all but useless to her.
But this was the first time she had been this close to him and felt something deep in his blood. Something so familiar that it nearly made her burst out enraged, but she could not say as to why.
No matter She concluded, watching the two walk down the street. I have more pressing things to find out.