> Crimson Mare
>  by Sphinx_Herald
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> New Mare in Town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	She opens her eyes, there is a slight ringing in her ears. Flames climb the walls and block the door. Thick black smoke collects in the room threatening to choke the life out of anyone inside. Even through the smoke there is one scent she picks up that makes her sick. Flesh, the scent of burning flesh hangs in the air. She can hear the screams of many through the roar of the fire.
She scrunches up her nose and folds back her ears trying to block them out. However, the agony of the dead denies to be ignored. The screams grow louder and the scent more pungent. The flames begin to shift and warp. They transform into the tattered remains of one of the many unfortunate souls stuck in the fire.
Fur and skin burnt away leaving charred, black chunks of flesh. It’s ribcage is visible through the flame. It’s face is frozen with an expression of pure agony. It takes a step toward her and the screams stop. She stares in terror as it begins to limp it’s way toward her. As it gets closer it begins to whisper to her.
“Why?” it asks.
In a corner of the room a section of the ceiling falls to the floor. Flames erupt from where it crashes and soon another abomination staggers out.
“You did this,” it whispers to her.
“The pain,” whispers the other.
She takes a few steps back. Another section of ceiling falls to the floor. Soon a third abomination comes from the flames and makes it’s way toward her.
“Killer.”
“Monster.”
“Demon.”
“This is who you are,” they whisper in unison.
The sound of breaking wood comes from above her. She looks up in time to see the rest of the ceiling crush her.




She jolts awake, her golden eyes darting everywhere. No fire, no building, and no creatures. She looks through the trees that surround her as she calms herself. Her ears flick toward the soft crackle of fire. She narrows her eyes on the campfire she had made for the night. She gets up and with an angered scream she knocks the logs into the river. She walks up to the river looking down at the dying embers.
Her reflection stares back at her with sharp golden eyes. Her dark red mane comes down to her shoulders. Her coat is crimson reminding her far too much of the abominations of her dream. She scoffs at her cutie mark, a black magic circle. Killer, monster, demon, this is who you are. She jams her eyes shut in a vain attempt to rid her of the voices of the abominations. She sighs and looks up to the sky; the sun barely poking over the horizon. With another sigh she walks to her bags, throws them over her back and flies off.

The sun is high above the horizon when she finally spots Ponyville. She hovers in the air a few seconds examining the town. Looks nice... a bit too much pink trim though. She turns around and looks at Canterlot sitting on it mountainside perch. Let’s hope she doesn’t find out for a while.
A cold autumn wind blows past her sending a shiver down her spine. She staggers a bit, but manages to keep flying. Maybe I should have waited till summer… No, I’ve put this off for long enough already. It has to be done.
She tucks in her wings and drops into a dive. With a grin she watches the ground rush at her. She spreads her wings to slow her descent and land. She comes to a landing harder than what she wanted just outside Ponyville. “Oh well,” she says as she rubs her foreleg. She looks up at the town and her grin drops.
Balloons and streamers hang from roofs. She can hear music playing from somewhere inside the town. A large banner is attached to two roofs with the words, ‘Happy birthday Berry Punch!’ painted on it. Congratulations Nova, you’ve come in the middle of a party.
“Bucking wonderful,” she mutters to herself. She begins to walk along the path to the town. Soon she begins to hear music. A few ponies are milling about on the street, but the majority are most likely at the party. Eventually she spots a small stage with a large crowd gathered around it. More decorations hang from tree branches. A large table is set up in the middle of the clearing with mountains of food on it. A small growl from her stomach catches her attention. Nope, not eating there.
“Sounds like somepony’s hungry!” shouts somepony from beside her. Nova screams and jumps a few hooves away. She turns on the spot with wings flared to face the pony. A pink pony with a ridiculously puffy mane spotted with confetti stand next to her. A smile spreads from one side of her face to the other. She is bouncing for on her spot as if she has more energy than she knows what to do with. She has a party hat sticking out through the mane.
“Where did you come from?” Nova asks.
“Well, my mommy and daddy loved each other very--” Nova quickly shoves her hoof into the pony mouth.
“I don’t want a life history. I just want to know where you came from” The pink pony points to the party. “Okay… Can you point me in the direction of food?” The pink pony points at the party once again. “Right, point me in the direction of food that is not at the party.” The pony spits out a mess of sounds as she tries to speak around Nova’s hoof. Nova raises an eyebrow at her. The pony points to somewhere further down the road. “Thank you.” Nova takes her hoof out of the pony’s mouth and begins walking away.
“You don’t like parties?” asks the pony.
“No,” Nova says rather forcefully.
“Who doesn’t like parties?”
“I don’t.”
“Wait, I don’t recognize you, are you new here?” Nova continues to walk not bothering to answer the pony. “Oh, I should throw you a party--” She is cut off as Nova shoots her a glare. There is an audible gulp from the pink pony.
“I’m not in the mood to talk. So, can you please just let me be? I’ve had a rough day and I want to find something to eat.” Nova continues walking away from the pony. She begins scanning the buildings for something that looks like a restaurant. 
Why did I come here, again? she thinks.
To watch it burn?
She stops and stomps her hoof on the ground. Shut up! This is all your fault anyways! If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be in this mess!
Ha ha ha. She growls as the voice laughs. You should take credit for some of it as well. After all Trottingham wasn’t all--
“Shut up!” she screams.
“Excuse me?” say an elegant voice from further down the road.
Nova opens her eyes and sees a white unicorn with a flawless purple mane. “Sorry, I… I wasn’t talking to you,” Nova says hanging her head.
“Well, I certainly hope you weren’t,” she replies. She continues walking towards Nova. As she gets closer she starts looking around as though she's looking for someone.
“Again, I’m sorry. I’m just having a bad day.”
“Not much of an excuse to make somepony else’s day bad.”
“Yeah… Well, I hope I didn’t ruin your day,” Nova says. She starts walking again, looking back she finds the unicorn giving her a suspicious glare. Try not to talk out loud, Nova. She breathes a sigh of relief when she hears no response.

Looking around she spots a building with several tables out front. The building looks the same as pretty well every other building in the town. She enters the building and sits at a table in the corner of the restaurant. The inside is decorated by dark red wall with a cream colored line running along the bottom. A few paintings hang from the walls, mainly paintings of the sea. A bar sits in the middle of the room. The building is almost empty save for her and two other patrons sitting at a table. She lays her head on the table with a loud yawn. She shakes her head as a few memories of the nightmare come back. Can’t you let me have a good night of sleep?
“Hello,” says a waiter as he places a menu next to her on the table. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No thanks.” She flips open the menu and starts scanning over the pages. The waiter gives her a nod and trots off to tend to the other clients.
Not my fault if you have a conscience.
She closes the menu a little forcefully. You could at least try to sound a little concerned. No response. Yeah, I don’t care about you either.
The waiter is soon back with a smile on his face. “May I take your order?”
“Daisy sandwich and a fruitsalade, nothing to drink.”
“Right away, madame. Is there anything else?”
“No.” She watches him trot back to the kitchen. Looks like nopony here knows me. Good, the longer I stay hidden the more time I have. She looks around the restaurant. One of the other partons, a mint green unicorn is turned around in her seat looking at Nova. Nova huffs and looks away from the unicorn. A minute later the waiter returns balancing a tray on his back. Nova gives him a quick smile and starts eating the sandwich. She is vaguely aware that the unicorn is still staring at her and confirms it with a quick glance. She goes back to her sandwich.
She hears the door open followed by the frantic clopping of the waiter’s hooves against the floor. “Princess, what an honor it is for you to come eat here,” the waiter says. Nova’s wings tense up. She slowly turns around to look at the door.
A lavender alicorn stands by the door. Her mane is purple with a pink streak going through it. She’s not as tall as Celestia and she doesn’t wear a crown. Nova quickly turns back to the table as her wings relax slightly. Good job, you forgot there were four princesses. What’s her name? Gah, there are too many bucking princesses in Equestria.
We can make it three again.
Shut up, I’m not going to kill Twilight. Oh hey, I remember her name! Right, she’s one of the elements of harmony. Wonder if those things could get rid of you.
“Hi.”
Nova blinks a couple of times. Her eyes quickly focus on the alicorn she had been thinking of. She quickly looks around the restaurant. The unicorn is gone and Twilight is standing in front of her. “Uh, hey. Can I… can I help you?”
“Oh sorry, I’m Twilight Sparkle.”
“I know that, element of harmony and all that. Not to sound rude, but why are you trying to chat with me?”
Twilight is taken aback by the hostility. “Well, it looked like you’re new to town and you seemed to be in a bit of a sour mood. I didn’t know you wanted to be left alone.”
Nova sighs and brings the bowl of fruitsalade closer to her. “Sorry, I’m just having a rough day today. How obvious is it that I’m new?”
“No one recognises you, it’s pretty obvious.”
“So it’s that type of town,” Nova mutters. Twilight shifts her weight from hoof to hoof and looks around nervously. “Waiting for someone?” Nova asks.
“No, it’s just that I have this feeling… So, what about you?”
“Huh?”
“What’s your name, seems kinda unfair that you know mine but I don’t know yours.”
“Actually, it is fair since I heard about you from the news. My name’s Nova Hearthfire.”
“Hearthfire? That name sounds familiar.”
“Hearth’s Warming Eve special? Don’t worry I’ve heard plenty of jokes.” Nova finishes the fruitsalade and flips open her saddlebag. She pushes a photo album out of the way and pulls out a small bag of bits. She dumps the bag onto the table and starts counting the bits. Looks like I’ll need a job while I’m here. She drops the empty pouch into her bag and gets up from the table. “Well, it was nice chatting with you and all, but I’m gonna go find a place to sleep for tonight.”
“It’s barely noon.”
“Again, I’ve had a bad day.”
“Oh, how long are you staying in town?”
“No clue.”
“Hope to see you around some time.”
Nova spreads her wings and takes off out the door and into the air. She heads for the mountains to the west of Ponyville. No point in staying in the town. Safer for everyone if I just find a place to camp out.
She looks down at the countless trees of red, orange and yellow. She spots a large orchard some ways off from where she’s heading. She flies to a lower altitude and begins circling the mountain. Spotting a cave entrance at the base she descends and comes to a landing just outside.
The entrance quickly gives into a large chamber. Nova walks into the cave quite happy the only sound she hears is that of her hooves clopping against the cold surface. Content that nothing else is in there she walks into the middle of the chamber. It is all relatively smooth, a cave made by water rather than moving earth. She notices a small outcrop over to one side. Looks like a nice bed. She throws her bag to a corner of the cave and jumps onto the outcrop. She lays down, draping her forelegs over the side. “Back at the beginning,” she mumbles.
Goodnight.
Noon.
Whatever.
> Job Hunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova lets out a yawn, crosses her forelegs on the desk and lays her head on them. She looks up at the teacher at the front of the class talking about something or other. She picks up the words ‘Crystal Empire’ and ‘Sombra’, most likely talking about history. She yawns again and closes her eyes, trying to keep her ears focused on the teacher. She groans when she feels something poke her in the side. A light green unicorn smiles at her from the desk beside her.
“Not going to fall asleep, are you?” she asks.
“Don’t worry, Aura; I’m just a little tired.”
“I figured you’d be a little more excited than this, it is your birthday after all.”
“Yes, every filly’s dream is to be in school on their birthday,” Nova grumbles.
“You got me there, but still you should smile more, I like your smile.”
“Yeah, you’re right as usual. It’s just that… nevermind.”
“Then, where’s the smile?”
“When this class is done, kinda hard to be happy when--”
“Is there anything you two want to share with the class?” The two fillies look up at their teacher, they offer her a sheepish smile. The teacher gives them a stern glare, but walks back to the front of the class. Nova lets out a sigh and lays her head on the desk again. She feels another poke at her side. She looks over at her friend.
Aura holds out a hoof with a pendant wrapped around it. Nova looks down at the small blue rock in the middle. “I know this isn’t the right time, but I really want to see you smile on your birthday. Birthdays are supposed to be happy. It’s a mood necklace, it’ll let you know when you’re being too grumpy.”
Nova smiles at her. “Guess I could use something like that.” She reaches out to grab the necklace. As her hoof gets closer the stone in the middle begins to turn red. By the time her hoof is an inch the stone is a deep red. She grabs the necklace and examines it in her hooves. A crack shoots across the red stone, she frowns and looks at Aura. She jumps back in horror as flames race up Aura’s foreleg.
A blood curdling scream rips through the air. Aura jumps up from the desk and waves her hoof around trying to put out the flames. The flames catch on a nearby curtain and lights into a blaze in moments. All the while the fire continues up Arua’s leg and onto her back.
Nova rolls onto her stomach and lifts herself off the ground. Her eyes go wide as fires burn where her hooves touch the ground. She jumps back from the flames landing a few hooves away, more fire springs up from where she lands. Soon the room is filled with fire.
Screams penetrate through the roar of the fire. Nova crawls under a burning desk and rolls into a ball. She yelps as a body falls in front of her. She closes her eyes and puts hooves over her ears in a fruitless attempt to block out the pain. The screams warp into a terrifying impression of laughter and cheering and the flames begin to sing.
“Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you.”




Nova jolts awake in a cold sweat. She puts her hoof over her chest in an attempt to calm herself, but that plan goes up in flames as her ears pick up the all-too-familiar crackling of fire. The cave is ablaze, fires burn across the ground and up the walls. She jams her eyes shut and curls into a ball.
“No, no, make it all stop!” she shouts. The fire only roars louder in response.
“Please, go away, leave me alone!” The sounds of the flames begin to fade, but she stays curled in a ball. The fires die and the cave is plunged into silence. Tears sting at the corner of her eyes, but she dares not cry. “I’m sorry, Aura. I’m so, so sorry.”

Nova yawns while she duly looks over the noticeboard in the town hall. She slowly looks over the job demands. Another yawn escapes her lips and she rubs the sleep from her eyes. Might as well find something before I pass out. Her eyes drift along the papers looking for something to catch them. Weather team, help needed--
She rips the paper off the board and throws it into a nearby bin. Next, Post office… Carousel Boutique… Animal care giver… With a sigh she walks to the door and spreads her wings. Her wings flap a little trying to loosen the sore muscles instead all she gets is a loud snap. “Mental note to self: rocks aren’t as comfy as they look, make your best attempt at a bed tonight,” she mumbles to herself.
With a flap of her wings she takes to the air. She decides to stay well under the clouds and flies just a few meters above the houses. As she heads for the one furthest out. I really should try and get some rest.
And we know how well that’ll turn out.
I really bucking hate you. She lands on a small path leading out of Ponyville and toward a nearby forest. Lacking the energy to do any flying really she starts slowly walking down the path.
Soon a small building comes into view, the roof of the building is covered with grass and plants. Several birdhouses hang in the trees surrounding the house. Nova trots over the small bridge that spans and creek that runs in front of the house. She stops in front of the house and takes a quick look around, she spots a couple of animals running into nearby dens.
Nice place. She gives the door a quick knock and idly looks around. The sun still hangs low in the sky, barely poking over the horizon. Right… I woke up a little early… they’re probably not awake yet. The sounds of the creek calms her as she lies down at the base of a nearby tree. Pretty nice here…
She sighs, but it turns to a yawn halfway through. With a quick check she confirms that the door is still closed. I wouldn’t mind working here, this is a nice place, it’s just so relaxing. She yawns again and pulls her forehooves under her head. Her eyelids droop down a little, but she shakes her head and focuses again. Can’t fall asleep, I’ve had enough nightmares for today. Another yawn and her eyes slide down to the creek. But, I guess I can take a cat nap for a few minutes, I do need some rest. Her eyes close and she drifts off to sleep.

Fluttershy flutters around her kitchen as she prepares bowls of food for the many various animals that live in her house. She hums a happy tune as she chops some carrots into a bowl of lettuce and other vegetables. When she’s done she puts the bowl on the floor next to a white rabbit. “Now Angel, I want you to eat everything, not just the carrots like last time.” The rabbit raises an eyebrow at her then reaches into the bowl and pulls out a slice of carrot. He then starts slowly munching on it.
Fluttershy sighs and shakes her head. “I would like to see that bowl empty when I come back in.” She trots over to the door, she looks back at Angel as he takes another carrot out of the bowl. She steps outside and quietly closes the door behind her. With a few flaps of her wings she flies up to the bird feeder. She carefully fills it with seeds. When she turns to check the birdhouses she spots something red lying at the base of the tree.
She quietly makes her way down to, what soon becomes clear is, the sleeping form of a pegasus. She curiously looks down at the mare. “Um… hello?” she asks. Nova lets out a snort, she rolls onto her other side. “Hello? Are you… uh… okay?” Fluttershy asks. When Nova doesn’t answer she inches closer, she pokes Nova on the shoulder then quickly backs up. Nova stirs, but remains asleep. Fluttershy takes a step closer. “Are you hurt?”
Nova opens one of her eyes just a sliver. The first thing she sees is the yellow legs of the mare standing in front of her. Her eyes shoot open and she tries to roll onto her hooves, but she rolls too far and falls into the creek. Fluttershy yelps and jumps back when Nova shoots out of the water straight into the sky. A second later, Nova comes to a rough landing next to her.
“That’s one way to wake up,” Nova mumbles. She looks up at the sun which is almost at it’s peak in the sky. How long was I asleep for?
“Oh, sorry for waking you.”
“I should be the one saying sorry after splashing you. My name is Nova by the way.”
“I’m… Fluttershy,” she practically whispers.
“I, uh, I heard you’re looking for someone to look after your animals.”
“Oh, you’re here for the job?”
“Yeah.” Fluttershy looks back at the spot where Nova was sleeping a minute ago. “I’ve been having some, uh, bad nights lately.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I do need to find a job though.”
“Right, well come inside.”
Fluttershy walks over to the door with Nova in close step behind. She opens the door and walks inside, Nova closes the door as she comes in. All the animals look up from their meals, after a moment of pause they all run into their various dens and holes. “That’s unusual, they’re probably just not used to you, don’t worry about it,” Fluttershy says.
Fluttershy walks over to the couch, Nova stands by the door looking at the inside of the cottage. She looks over at the stairs, several animals look down at her from the upper floor. Looks like they know what I am… She turns to leave. “Oh, you’re going to leave? I thought you wanted to help,” Fluttershy says.
“Yeah, sorry. Looks like they don’t like me very much anyways,” Nova says nudging her head toward the stairs. “It’d be a little hard to look after them when they’re running away from me.”
“I’m sure it’s just because they’re not used to you, they’ll warm up to you soon, I’m sure.” She looks over towards the kitchen. “Angel, could you come here please?” A moment later the rabbit pokes his head around the wall. He hops up to Fluttershy. “Angel, this is Nova, say hello.” He simply glances at the red pegasus then runs back into the kitchen. A moment later her comes back with a carrot and gets between Nova and Fluttershy. He points the carrot at Nova as though he’s holding a small sword.
“I get the sense that she doesn’t like me,” Nova says as Angel jabs at her leg with the carrot. She pushes him away with a forehoof, but he throws the carrot at her head landing the shot squarely on her forehead. “Ow.”
“Angel! That’s not very nice. I’m so sorry, he doesn’t usually act like this.”
“It’s fine, seems like they just don’t like me. Well, I should get going if I hope to find something by the end of the day,” Nova says heading back to the door. “Bye, and good luck with finding someone look after that little angel.” She gives her a smile and leaves.
Well then, that didn’t work. Mental note to self, animals still hate me. She spreads her wings and takes to the air. She flies just over the tree tops. She looks back up at the sun now at it’s peak in the sky. Slept for quite a bit of time, didn’t you? 
You really like to talk to yourself, don’t you?
Shut up. She flaps her wings a few times to be sure that she’d clear the roofs of the first few houses. She lines herself up with one of the roads to the town square. She goes into a fairly steep descent as she flies over the edge of the square and comes to a rough landing next to the fountain. She looks around at the square is filled with ponies unlike when she was there earlier in the day.
She walks into the town hall again and back to the bulletin board. She quickly looks at the address on the next ad. After a few seconds she walks out the double door. She looks at the street signs around the square, but doesn’t find the street name she’s looking for. She sighs and turns to the nearest pony, a yellowish earth pony with an orange mane and a couple of carrots for a cutie mark. “Uh, hello, sorry to bother you but do you know where the Carousel Boutique is?”
“Oh, it’s just over that way,” she says pointing southward. “It’s shouldn’t be hard to find, just look for the building with the pink roof, blue walls and two pony figures near the top.”
Nova gives her a nod and a smile. “Thank you.” She flaps her wings a few times to hover above the roofs of the surrounding buildings. Even from where she is she can see the pointed roof the pony described. With a few more flaps she soars through the air toward the boutique. Her stomach lets out a growl.
Wonderful, hunger now. She stops at a hover for a second and looks over at the mountains in the distance. Should I go and scavenge something? She looks back at the boutique. I only have two stops, I’ve went longer without food. With that in mind she continues her flight. It takes her only a few more seconds before she lands out front the boutique. She stumbles a little as her hooves hit the ground, but she manages to stop herself from face-planting into the ground.
Saying the the roof was pink and that the walls were blue was a simplistic way of putting it. The roof has a checkerboard design of pink and a lighter pink. The wall has white paint curving off of the window and the six columns around the building. She gives the door a few knocks then stands back and waits.
“Coming!” she hears somepony say from inside. She sees some movement from the window on the door. A blue aura surround the doorknob and the door swings open. “Oh, it’s you.” On the other side of the door stands the white unicorn with the purple mane from yesterday. Once again her coat and mane are brushed to perfection. It looks almost as though her coat itself is shining.
Nova gives a nervous laugh. “Hi, uh, sorry about yesterday, I was just having a really bad… week.”
She studies Nova for a few moments. Eventually she looks away, but scans the horizon. “Well, we did give Discord a second chance. So, I suppose you deserve one as well,” she says with a smile when she looks back at her.
No, no I don’t. I don’t deserve anything of the sort for most of what I’ve done.
“I don’t believe we were properly introduced last time, my name is Rarity.”
“Nova Firehearth, pleasure to meet you,” Nova says holding out a hoof.
Rarity looks at it for a moment, but then takes it in her own and gives it a shake. “I’m guessing you’re not here to yell at me again.”
Nova gives her another nervous laugh. “No, I heard you were looking for help.”
“Oh, where did you hear that?”
“Town hall bulletin board.”
“Ah, those. I completely forgot about those.” She shakes her head. “I’m terribly sorry, but I’m not looking for help anymore. Sapphire Shores had asked for a request, but that’s long gone now.”
Nova takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh. “Well, thank you for your time anyways.”
“Well, wait one moment, I might be able to find something for you to do.” She brings her hoof to her chin as she thinks. It doesn't take long before her eyes light up and she gasps. “That’s a wonderful idea. I could use a model to show off a couple of my designs. I’m sure I have plenty of dresses that would go fabulously with your coat.”
“No thanks, I would prefer to, uh, lay low for a while. I don’t like crowds too much and becoming a model kinda contradicts that.”
“Oh, well that’s too bad. I don’t think there is anything else in that case. I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t help you more than that.”
“It’s fine, thanks anyways.” She turns to go when her stomach groans again.
“Are you alright, dear? You sound a little hungry. How about you come inside and I give you something to eat?” Rarity asks.
“No thanks, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
“I must insist. It is the least I can do after you came here for a job and got nothing.”
“It’s not that bad, honestly. You don’t have to.”
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind to have someone to talk with over lunch.”
“Yeah, thanks for the offer though.” Nova goes to leave stops when she thinks of something. “Do you know where the post office is?”
“Certainly, it’s in the town square, just opposite to the town hall.” 
With a nod Nova flaps her wings and flies into the sky. Moments later she lands just outside a brick building. A sign sits out front with the image of an envelope with wings. She trots into the building and looks around the inside. The walls are painted a faded blue, something similar to an overcast day. A line of chairs sits along one wall leading up to a counter, one other pony sits in the lobby, a cream colored earth-mare with a curly blue and pink mane.
Nova trots up to the pony at the counter, a grey pegasus with blond mane. “Hello,” Nova greets. She takes a steps back when the pegasus looks up at her. One of her eyes is focused on Nova herself but the other is looking somewhere or to the right. Even with her crossed eyes she seems happy and nice.
“Oh, hello,” she says with a warm smile. “How can I help you?”
Nova takes a moment to to compose herself before replying. “Hello, my name’s Nova, I’m looking for a job.”
“Okay, come by tomorrow and we’ll see if you have what it takes.”
“Wait, I’m hired just like that?”
“Not quite, but you have a fairly good chance. We could always use more pegasi and most pegasi are currently working in the weather team.”
Finally, some stray luck has come my way. Nova sighs with relief, she leans against the counter a little. “When should I be here?”
“About eight in the morning.”
Not a problem. She gives a quick nod. “Okay then, I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow?”
“Yep,” replies the pegasus with a smile.
“Thank you.” Nova turns for the door. Now, to find some food. Too bad I don’t actually have any money left I would like to get something from that restaurant. She starts playing over the events of yesterday in her head. The encounter with the pink pony and with Twilight. Well, I am here to pay my dues, shouldn’t be hard to find the princess. I’ll apologize to the pink one if I find her.
“Do you know where I can find Twilight?”
“Yeah, she should be at the Golden Oaks Library.”
She gives a polite smile. With a quick flap of her wings she flies out into the cool autumn air. It doesn’t take her long to spot the large tree sitting in the middle of the town. She quickly angles herself toward the tree, being sure to follow the road. 
A simple sign stands out front by the door with the image of a book. The ‘building’ itself has small outcroppings where the windows stick out slightly from the trunk. A balcony pokes out of the large clump of leaves. A thick branch stands above the leaves with another balcony on it.
Nova begins to glide down to the road skidding to a stop a few hooves away from the door. She walks up to the door and gives a quick knock. “I’ll get it.” She hears someone say. Doesn’t sound like Twilight, too young. Soon the door swings open and a small purple and green dragon stand on the other side. She takes a step back, but remains otherwise composed. 
“Hey,” says the dragon.
“Uh, hello, is Twilight here?”
“Yeah, come in,” he says. He steps to the side to let her pass. She gives a polite smile and follows him in. “Twilight, it’s for you.”
“Coming,” says the alicorn from somewhere upstairs. She comes walking down the stairs carrying a few books in her magical grasp. “Oh, hey Nova, feeling better today?”
“Yeah, I wanted to say sorry about yesterday.”
“It’s fine, I shouldn’t have bothered you.”
“No, no it’s not. I had no reason to talk to you like that. So, I’m sorry.”
“Well, thank you. It wasn’t that big of a thing though.”
“Yeah, but I felt bad just leaving like that. Bad habit of mine really,” Nova says the last part in a more sorrowful tone. She takes a deep breath and looks back at Twilight. “Well, I hope to see you around, cause it looks like I’m gonna be here for a while.”
	
> Lore
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova opens her eyes to a burning city. Flames rip down streets, and climb the towers reaching for the skies. The clouds overhead glow red as fire rains down like water. The red and orange flames dance across the white walls and golden roofs. Bolts of lightning arc from cloud to cloud until it blasts into one of the spires sending rubble and debris to the ground. She blinks her eyes a few times as she comes to her senses. She knows this city, the capital of Equestria, Canterlot.
With a flap of her wings she skids backwards avoiding being crushed under a pile of debris. She lands on all fours easily regaining her balance. Screams can barely be heard through the roar of the fire. What few screams she hears are occasionally blasted away by the thunder that resonates with enough force to cause the ground to shake.
“This isn’t real,” she tells herself. She takes a deep breath to calm her nerves, but ends up hacking and coughing at the smell. The scent of smoke and burnt flesh fill the air, the putrid smell of burning flesh. Another ground shaking bolt of lightning arcs across the sky and straight into the side of a tower. Burning rubble rains down around her. She jumps back when a body falls in front of her. After a few seconds, when she sees the body won’t get up she walks up to it.
The pony is nothing more than smoldering chunks of flesh clinging to the charred bones. The entire right half of the chest is gone, even the inside is burnt. Her eyes look at the head, no way to recognize who it is. For all she knows it could have been a pegasus or a unicorn, given that top half of the skull had been blasted away as well.
“This isn’t real.”
Then the fire speaks, the voice resonates with the same power as the thunder. We both know that’s not true. We know this is what you really are.
“I am no monster!”
The body glows as the ashes inside reignite. Fire and smoke pour from the hole in it’s chest. It’s broken legs move and twitch until all three find the hard ground. It lifts itself slowly to it’s hooves. The burning corpse fixes her with it’s eyeless gaze. True, the voice says, using the body as a puppet. You are far, far worse than any monster imaginable.
Nova charges at the corpse. She swings a punch at it’s remaining foreleg, which snaps off like a twig. The corpse falls to the ground, but it continues to move as it tries to get up. It’s head turns to continue looking at her. “This isn’t my future, I’ll show you that I’m not a monster.” Her forehooves crack down on the head shattering it onto the ground.
Her ears flick back at the sound of heavy wing beats. She looks up as a large pony flies down from the direction of the palace. A white alicorn with a flowing rainbow mane. A golden tiara sits atop her head and a similar golden necklace hangs around her neck. Nova takes a few step back from Celestia.
“Stop there, fiend! You have ended too many lives and now I must end yours.”
“Celestia, I-I didn’t… it’s not my fault, I--”
“Do you believe there’s any less blood on your hooves if it’s not your fault?” Nova flinches back from the princess’ words. “Your mother was pathetic.”
Nova’s eyes flash red, she turns to face the princess. Any type of fear gone from her features, in it’s place burns anger. “What did you say?” Fire burns along the edge of her wing.
“Your mother, she saw the corruption in you, but she still wanted to save you. She gave her life to protect something as worthless as you.” Celestia says.
Nova stomps her hoof into the ground, large cracks race along the street collapsing a nearby wall. “She was a hero!” A column of fire shoots out of the ground, the flames reach into the sky painting it  a blood red. “She died to give me a chance!” A nearby building explodes and another column of fires shoots out of it. “She was your friend, how can you say that about her?”
“She only killed herself so she wouldn’t have to deal with you, but then she forced you on to me.”
A column of fire shoots out from under where the princess is flying. Celestia is engulfed in the flames. There is no screaming, no begging, just the roar of the fire. After what seems like hours the fire stops, revealing the burnt corpse of the princess. It hang in the air for a moment as if it hasn’t realized it’s wings are long gone. But the moment passes and it plummets to the ground. Nova trails her eyes on it, finding an alarming amount of joy in watching it fall. Once it hits the ground there is no crunch of bones ramming into the hard surface, rather it all turns to pile of ash on the ground.
A flash catches her eye as the tiara bounces along the ground. It rolls up to her forehooves and stops. No, you certainly are no monster.




Nova’s eyes shoot open as she jolts awake. She doubles over in a coughing fit as she remember the scent of burning flesh. After a second she catches her breath. She swings around and punches the rock wall of her cave. “Buck!” She punches the wall three more times. “I’m no monster. I’m not a monster. I won’t hurt anypony else!”

Derpy hums a happy tune as she walks along the path. A light purple filly unicorn walks next to her, she has a mane the color of butter. A bag sits on the filly’s back with a few papers poking out of it. “So, what are you going to be doing at school today?” Derpy asks
“Cheerilee said we’re going to be learning about the bat ponies, and we’re even going to meet some. And then the Crusaders invited me to hang out after school!” Dinky says excitedly.
Derpy smiles at her daughter. “That sounds like fun. I hear that they’re really nice, even the ones who are Luna’s guards.”
“Oh, I hope we get to meet one of the guards, that’d be so cool!” Dinky exclaims. The schoolhouse comes into view. Several foals stand out front talking amongst themselves. Some of the foals, an orange pegasus with a purple mane and a white unicorn with a pink and purple mane, spot the two coming and start waving at them.
“Looks like your friends are waiting for you. Have a good day, muffin,” Derpy says. She watches with a smile as her filly runs off to meet the others. The two fillies let Dinky into the conversation and walk off into the schoolhouse. I hope she has a good childhood, Derpy thinks as she reflects on her own. Pushing the memories to the back of her mind she continues on. 
Setting her view back toward the town she heads for the post office. The pegasus she had meet yesterday should be there in half an hour she guesses given the position of the sun. Then again she had never been the best at telling time. She stops for a moment to adjust her bags and hat before continuing.
Walking between the trees she passes a few more foals. One of them is a yellow earth filly with a large pink bow in her red mane. “Oh, hey there, Miss Ditzy,” Applebloom says.
“Hello, Applebloom,” Derpy replies. “Did Applejack come with you?” she asks taking a moment to talk with the filly.
“Nah, she said she had work to tend to. Do ya need her help with anythin’?”
“No, I just have a letter for her, if she was with you she could have walked to the post office with me to pick it up. It’s fine though, I’ll just give it to her when I go there later in the morning.”
“Alright, well, have a nice day,” Applebloom says walking toward the schoolhouse.
Derpy smiles and starts walking again. She has such great friends, she thinks. She shakes her head to get rid of the memories from her childhood before they surface again. I had better hurry or she’ll think I stood her up.
One of her eyes drifts up to the colorful leaves of the trees. The countless numbers of red, orange, and yellow leaves sticking out against the blue sky. Though, the leaves are blurry since her other eye is still looking the other way. “Such a nice day,” she mumbles to herself.
But suddenly the cover of leaves disappears and she is looking at the houses of Ponyville. Her eyes try to focus on the spire in the middle of the town that marks the town hall. It takes her only a few minutes before she arrives at the postoffice. To her surprise she sees the red pegasus from yesterday lying near the doors. Her tail swipes from side to side and her wings rustle restlessly. One of her forelegs is wrapped in bandages.
“Hi,” Derpy says.
Nova looks up and turns her head to look at the grey pegasus. After a quick yawn she lifts herself to her hooves. She groans when she puts some weight onto her injured leg. Derpy blinks a few times when she sees her eyes. Her eyes are bloodshot and dark bags hang under them. “Hey,” Nova says.
“Are you okay?” Derpy asks looking down at Nova’s bandages.
“Hm? Oh, I’m fine. I just--” She is cut off by another yawn. “I just sprained it.”
“Uh, okay then. Are you sure you’re okay, it can always wait til another day.”
“I’m fine, a little tired but that’s it.”
“Alright then,” Derpy says. She pushes the door open and walks in. “Well, let’s get you your uniform,” she says nudging her head toward the bags. Nova nods and follows her inside.
The inside is just as empty as last time she was here, but this time a lime green stallion stands at the counter. He smiles as the two come in. “I’ll go get your stuff from the back,” Derpy says. She nudges her head toward the stallion, “He’s Parchment, he usually works the counter.” She walks around the counter and goes through a door to a backroom.
“Guess you’re the new recruit,” he says.
Nova yawns and rubs her foreleg. “Not yet.”
“Well, we do need the help. With everypony trying to help with the coming of winter, and the messages we deliver between the weather teams.” His ears flick forward when he hears her mumbling something ‘weather’ and ‘clouds’.
She sighs and shifts her weight off her foreleg. “I’d be glad to help in that case.”
The back door opens and Derpy comes out with a hat in her mouth and another pair of saddlebags on her back. She comes up to Nova and puts the hat on her head. Nova takes a step back then pushes the brim of the hat up with a hoof. “There you go,” Derpy says with a smile. “Now you’re gonna need these too.” She carefully slips the bags off her back. With Derpy’s help me slips the bags onto her back.
“Thanks, uh… Actually, I don’t think I got your name yesterday.”
“Oh, right sorry. My name is Derpy Hooves, mailmare extraordinaire,” she says puffing out her chest slightly with a giggle. They start heading to the door.
Nova quickly glances at the dark blue bags. “I’m guessing we’re delivering mail?”
“Yep.” Once outside Nova leans against the wall of the post office. She lifts her bandaged foreleg off the ground and lets it hang for a moment. Derpy gives her a concerned look. “Are you sure you’re okay, that looks pretty painful.”
“I’m fine.” She puts her hoof back down and turn to face Derpy. “So, where do we begin?”
“In town, you won’t want to carry all that to Sweet Apple Acres and back, would you? Today you won’t have to worry about the addresses, you’re just going to get to know the route.” Nova give a quick nod. Derpy looks down at Nova’s leg again. She looks back up at Nova and smiles at her, with a few flaps of her wings she starts hovering a few hooves off the ground. “Well, we should get a move on.”
With a bit of effort Nova follows suit. Derpy’s smile falls a bit. “Uh…”
“I’m just tired, I didn’t have good night’s sleep… in the past week,” she mumbles the last part to herself. If Derpy heard it she doesn’t show. Together they fly just over the roofs of the houses, mainly due to Nova not going any higher.
Nova scans over the roofs, occasionally looking Derpy to make sure she’s still heading the right way. Quite a few ponies walk down the streets, to market stall or stores. Some of them pull carts of goods behind them. She sighs and looks up at Canterlot. Even from Ponyville she is able to see the gleaming white buildings standing against the blue sky.
Can’t wait to see her again.
Too bad you’ll have to, cause I ain’t going till I’m done with the debts.
We both know she’ll find out long before you even come close to paying those off.
Nova growls and looks ahead just as Derpy glides down to the street. She angles herself toward the ground. Derpy gets down to street level and starts trotting as she comes to a slow stop. Nova comes down to a far harder landing next to Derpy.
She yelps as her leg gives out. She falls to the ground and skids along to ground for a few hooves. “Nova!” Derpy shouts running up next to her. “Are you okay?”
With a groan Nova lifts herself into sitting position. She looks down at her side, a little marked up but nothing serious. Derpy holds out her hoof. Nova looks at it for a moment, she plants her good forehoof into the ground and lifts herself off the ground. “I’m fine.”
“That looked like it hurt.” She looks back down at Nova’s hoof which she is trying to keep off the ground. “Maybe you should get that looked to.”
“I’m fine, and yes it did hurt.” A few letters litter the ground, with a sigh she starts putting them back into the bag.
“Are you sure you want to do this? It can wait till you’re better, or you can try working at the office for a while.
“No thanks, I can’t stand sitting at one place for a whole day,” Nova replies. She finishes putting the last of the letters back into the bag and looks back at Derpy. “So, where are we supposed to deliver?”
“You weren’t listening? While we were flying here I said we were going to Sugarcube Corner. It has the best muffins you have ever tasted.” She points to her left. There stands a building, same walls as the rest of the buildings in Ponyville, it seems a little bigger than most though. However what sets it apart isn’t it’s size but rather it’s roof. It looks as though it is made from gingerbread with white frosting running along the edge and accenting the upper window. A section near the middle stands higher, made to resemble a cupcake on top of another.
Nova looks at the building a little longer just to be sure it is real. After a few moments she starts walking toward the door. In a second Derpy is by her side. “Sorry, I just… No, I shouldn’t make excuses. Sorry,” Nova says.
“For what?”
“When you offered to help me. I’m just not…” she trails off with an annoyed sigh. “No, excuses.” They get to the door and Nova pushes it open. Inside are tables with displays of pastries of all kinds. A counter stands opposite to the door with a blue earth pony standing behind it.
“Hey, Mrs Cake,” Derpy says.
Mrs Cake gives the two a quick smile. “Hello there, who’s your helper?”
“I’m Nova Hearthfire,” she says with a bow wincing a bit as she moves her hoof. “I’m going to be in town for a little while.”
“Oh, well that’s nice to hear.”
Derpy steps forward with a few letters she must have taken from the bag. She places them on the counter with a smile. “Some letters for you and your husband and there’s one for Pinkie.”
Mrs Cake looks down at the letters then back up at Derpy. “Thanks, would you two like a snack before you leave?”
“No thanks, maybe when we’re done,” Derpy says. She turns and starts heading for the door, Nova gives a quick bow and follows along. Derpy flaps her wings a few times as she waits for her.
“How about we walk from here on out?”
“But what about your leg?”
She takes a few step, but it still hurt to put too much weight on it. “I’ll probably break it if I try landing.”
“Alright then,” Derpy says. She puts her hooves back onto the ground. She points down a road leading further away from the post office. “The next one is down that way.” Nova nods and starts limping down the road with Derpy at her side.
It doesn’t take them long to get to the next house. It looks bigger than most of the other houses, but not be much though. The walls are a little more worn and dull compared to the others. The roof is made of shingles rather than thatched. It certainly seems older than most of the houses that surround it. An orange glow comes from one of the upper windows.
Nova sits over to the side and lifts her leg off the ground. “Looks like he’s here,” Derpy says before knocking on the door. The orange glow in the window dies out. Derpy looks over at Nova and nudges her head toward the bags.
“Huh? Oh right.” Nova turns around and starts fishing through the bags. “Whose name am I looking for?”
“Lore.” Nova stops for a moment. Lore… Oh, wait a sec, please don’t-- Her thought is cut off by the sound of the door creaking open. Nova whips her head out of the bag and gets a clear look at the stallion standing in the door frame. He is a tan brown earth pony. His mane mane is a mess of dark brown with a few black streaks running through it. His cutie mark is of an open book with a scroll on top of it and a quill just next to them. Oh for buck sake.
“Hey there Der…” starts Lore but he drifts off once he sees Nova. For a moment they simply stand there and stare at each other. Then a smile spreads across his face. “Hey Nova!”
Derpy jumps back as Nova tackles him to the ground in a not-too-friendly manner. After a second she quickly composes herself. “Nova!” she calls out.
“What are you doing here?” Nova shouts.
“Living!” Lore quickly replies. Derpy rushes into the house to pry Nova off of him. She pulls the red pegasus back putting about two hooves between Nova and Lore. 
“What are you doing?”
“We kinda know each other,” Lore says as he sits up. With a twist he rolls onto his hooves and brushes some dust off his chest.
“Well, that doesn’t give her a reason to attack you.”
“You’d be surprised,” Nova grumbles.
“Well… actually she doesn’t. Well, not this time at least. Anyways, I don’t blame her.” He turns to Nova with his smile still there. “I think the last time we met was in… Prance?”
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” Nova growls.
“And neither have you.”
Derpy lets go of Nova and looks between the two. “You know each other?”
Nova goes to answer but Lore cuts her off. “Yeah, we’re quite good friends actually, no matter how many times you tackle me into the ground. I have some good stories of our adventures, I really should tell them to you.” He catches Nova’s glare from the corner of his eye and quickly adds, “Another time, I should tell them to you another time.”
“Derpy, could you let me talk to my friend in private?” Nova asks.
“What about the--”
“It won’t take too long. It’s just been such a long time since I last saw him and I have to ask him a few things.”
Derpy looks over at Lore but he simply shrugs. “Alright,” she says before heading out the door. Nova closes the door and turns to Lore.
“What are you doing here?”
Lore continues to smile at her. “As I said, I’m living. This is my house, I live here, thus I am living. But, what about you, why are you back in Eques… Ah I see, the debts.”
“Those have nothing to do with you!”
“Not saying I do. But, why Ponyville? Why would the hottest pony in Equestria come to live in Pony-- AH!” He ducks under Nova’s hoof as it crashes into the wall leaving a fairly large dent. “Okay, bad joke, no need to punch my head in.”
Nova tears her hoof out of the wall. “Buck!” she shouts cradling her hoof near her chest.
“You should get that seen to,” Lore say taking a few steps back. She just shoots him another glare. “Right…” He looks at the hole in the wall. “You know, I didn’t really need a new window.”
“Buck you too.”
“I’m sure a lot would love to. Anyways, I have some cleaning to do and mail to collect,” he says the last part nudging his head at the bag on Nova’s back.
Nova reaches puts the bag down in front of her and finds three letters addressed to him. “Here,” she says passing them to him. He gives her a friendly smile and starts heading toward another room. “Lore?” He stops and turns to her. “Could you please not tell anyone. At least not yet. I don’t want to know what’ll happen if they find out.”
He gives her a quick nod. “I’ll try not to tell anypony… or more ponies. I may have kinda told a group of fillies from Manehatten about our little adventure in Prance.”
“Of course you did,” Nova grumbles. 
We could stop him from speaking ever again, the voice says.
“How about you come down someday you have a break, or when you’re feeling better? I would love to hear how you’ve been over a cup of tea.”
“Alright, I could use a familiar face. See you then.”
> Nightmares
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova opens her eyes slowly. The hallway is dark, the only light coming from a few torches on the walls. Iron bars are built into the walls on either side giving her an oddly comforting feeling. She can hear whispers and screams coming from the cells. Looking behind her, a staircase leads upward toward a sturdy looking door, light shines through the seams between the door and it’s frame.
Turning back, she is greeted with the same darkness from before. Actually, it is even darker if anything, the torches seem to have faded a little in the few seconds she turned her back. Sighing she decides to head down the hall, not wanting to know what’s making the light from upstairs.
As she goes further down into what is becoming more apparent as a dungeon the air begins to grow dry and hot. The screams from the prisoners grow louder and more aggressive.
“We’re all going to die!”
“Let me out, I don’t want to die in this place. I have a family, kids. Please don’t let me die!”
“Why did this happen to me?!” they shout, and more of the sort. Nova eventually decides to try and ignore them, to a very little degree of success. She folds her ears back in a mix of annoyance and anger, all the while she keeps telling herself, I’m not a monster.
Further down the screams and shouts are punctuated by coughs and the occasional sound of someone vomiting. A cloud of smoke forms on the ceiling of the hallway and even pours into the cells. Furthermore, the shouts are now directed fully at her.
“Why are we in these cells? You should be locked in here, not us!”
“Just kill us, stop tormenting us. Just end us!”
“How could you do this? What kind of demon are you?” The voice is so familiar.
She stops abruptly and turns to the cell to voice came from. There is nothing but darkness, but that doesn’t stop her from shouting back. “Shut up! Shut up already! I’m didn’t do any of this, and I never will!”
A light green unicorn steps out of the darkness, burns and scars cover the parts of her face that can be seen. Her horn is cracked and her mane is fully burnt away. But, Nova still recognizes the pony, her childhood friend, the friend she killed, Aura. “Didn’t do any of this?” the unicorn questions. “How could you have forgotten about me?”
Nova jumps back and closes her eyes hoping when they open again her ‘friend’ will be gone. Opening them again, she meets the gaze from Aura, an accusing glare from the eye she still has left.
Nova backs away and continues down the hall, now avoiding the cells as they all have faces. Faceless voices are so much nicer, she thinks glancing at another cell to her left, a stallion glares back. It’s when there’s a face that you can remember it.
Further down, is nothing. Silence, completely no sounds save for that of her hooves clopping against the stone floor. The smoke here is thicker than before, coming down to the floor. The smoke doesn’t suffocate her, though that is little relief given the smoke smells like burning flesh. And then a realization dawns on her, she can recognize the smell of burning bodies, and that the smell only makes her angry.
After minutes of silent walking she comes to a final door. This one is different from all the others, instead of iron bars it is made of a massive sheet of steel, magic wards can be seen shining on the door. A vicious red glow comes from the seams between the door and the frame, much like the door upstairs, but even the door itself glows red. The sounds of a raging fire can be heard coming from the other side, the door doing little to muffle it.
I’m impressed, says the voice. It comes from the other side of the door.
“Go buck yourself, asshole!” Nova shouts at the door.
You actually know them… that’s a lot of faces to remember… a lot of blood on your hooves.
“Yeah, well I can’t take all the credit. I’m not the real monster after all.”
The voice laughs, with each laugh the volume of the fire grows louder. We have yet to see about that, but it looks like you forgot one very important face. Wonder who is behind the door?
Nova glares at the door. Who could I have forgotten? She places a hoof on the door, the heat shoots up through her forelegs and into her shoulder. With a little push the door opens and a torrent of flame comes flooding out. She hears one thing before the flames engulf her, nothing more than a whisper, but is still heard painfully clear. 
“I’m not a monster.”



Nova screams as reality reasserts itself, the darkness of her cave already reminding her far too much of the nightmare. She coughs a few times, the scent of smoke still lingering in the air. After a few more fits of coughing she calms down a little, at least enough to catch her breath. Images of the tunnel come back every time she looks at the walls of her cave. Every so often she thinks she hears a voice begging for mercy or cursing her name.
After a few minutes she lets out a frustrated scream and flies out of the cave, not wanting to see the image of her old friend. She slams into the wall as she tries to leave, blinking a few times to regain her vision and starts running out not bothering to get into the air again. Once outside she slumps down against a tree in the dark of night. However, the images still haunt her while outside.
She tries find something to focus on, she finds the moon in the sky. A feeling of tired despair washes through her when she see that it still has a third of the way to go on it’s journey across the sky. How long has it been since I've had a good night of sleep?
Not my problem.
It is your problem if you don’t want me to die from exhaustion, she grumpily thinks to the voice. 
“Who,” comes a cry from nearby.
Nova jumps to her hooves and starts frantically looking around. It take her a looks and a couple of minutes of staring at a branch to eventually see the owl sitting on it. She sits back down to rub her eyes with her foreleg. “Who,” cries the owl again.
“Me,” Nova says with a little chuckle. Scared of owls now… perfect. 
The owl flaps it’s wings and starts preening. It stops for a moment and looks at her again. “Who, who!”
Nova sighs and leans back against the tree. She looks at her own wings, some of her feathers are bent or dirty. Haven’t been looking after myself too well have I? Pulling her legs closer to her she looks up at the night sky again. Great paths of light, made of star and nebulas, streak the sky, painting it shades of black and purple. The night sure has been more beautiful since Luna-- “Why?” Her thoughts are cut off by the single word. She looks up at the owl, which stares back at her with it’s unblinking eyes.
“What did you say?”
“Why?” The owl repeats itself. Nova flicks her ears back as though it’s the worst word she ever heard, but the cry still brings back the memories of the prisoners begging for their lives. She tries to shake it out of her head, but it doesn’t leave. Finding a rock on the ground she grabs it and throws it at the owl, it completely misses but it still scares the owl away.
With a frustrated groan she gets off the ground and starts walking toward the nearby creek. She neary trips several times while walking there, but she manages to find her way there. Her reflection stares back at her as she sits at the water’s edge putting one of her hindlegs into the water. Dark bags hang under her eyes making it look like she hasn’t slept in weeks, which isn’t too far from the truth. Her mane is a tangle mess, more so than usual, in a few spots her mane clings face from the sweat. Mess is a bit of an understatement.
Taking a few deep breaths she rolls into the water. The cold water shocks her nerves giving her a quick jolt of awareness. The coolness of the water leaves her feeling refreshed. Only when her lungs start demanding air does she surface taking a deep breath. She climbs back on the edge where she had been sitting and looks back down at the running water. The reflection that stares back looks no better than before, the dark bags are still there, and her mane clings to her face and neck, but at least she feels better.
She closes her eyes letting the coolness of the autumn night and the water seep into her. A shiver runs down her body, hate the cold, hate fire, I really should have waited till summer before coming. No, I have to do this. She opens her eyes and suddenly the night become much colder. Instead of her reflection the image of a broken and mangled Aura glares back at her. Nova simply stares back for what feels like hours. Eventually Nova closes her eyes again and slam her hoof into the creek dispersing the image.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I never meant to hurt you, I didn’t mean for any of that to happen to you. You never deserved any of this… you were only trying to be nice…” She breaks down into tears.

Nova stands fixed in one spot trying to figure out what happened to the town. Pumpkins line the street. Pumpkin shaped lights hang from cords spanning from one roof to another. Spider webs hang on walls, in the corners of the windows, and from the branches of trees. She takes a few steps forward and stares down at one of the pumpkins, a rough face carved into it’s side. Her mind slowly starts trying to put the pieces together. What’s all this?
Idiot.
“Hey, I haven’t--” she stops herself when she realizes she’s talking out loud. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a week. Give me a break. She goes back to focusing on the pumpkin. Uh… harvest?
No.
Oh, Nightmare Night, geez I’m stupid.
Then a voice brings her out of her thoughts. “Nova?” The mare in question blinks a few times then turns to her right and it doesn’t take her a second to recognize Twilight. One of her eyebrows are raised and there is a tone of concern in her voice.
“Yeah?” The word comes out slurred slightly.
“Are you okay? I called your name twice and you didn’t react, you just stared at that pumpkin.”
Nova slowly blinks at her. Then she yawns and stretches her back resulting in a few snaps. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just haven’t been sleeping well for the past… few days.”
“Looks like it too,” Twilight says pointing at the bags under Nova’s eyes.
“I don’t look so good, do I?”
“Looks like you might fall over at any moment,” Twilight says more concern creeping into her voice. “I think you should try to get some sleep.”
Nova shakes her head partly to to show she disagrees and partly to clear her head. “I’m one of those ponies who can’t sleep during the day no matter how hard I try. Also, I might very well pass out any moment… though I might actually get some sleep if that happens.” She looks back at Twilight and notices the saddlebags on her sides. “Going somewhere?”
“Huh?”
Nova blinks a few times then shakes her head again. “Sorry, I shouldn’t pry.”
“Oh, it’s not that, it was just a little hard to understand you. I’m going off to Rarity’s, she said she’d have my Nightmare Night costume ready. Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“No,” she quickly replies. I would like to go trick-or-treating though.
Good news, you’re already wearing a disguise.
It’s not a disguise… I’m just not telling them everything… or anything.
If it’s wasn’t, everyone would be running from you.
“Shut up,” she hisses. She immediately covers her mouth with a hoof realizing she had said it out loud to a princess. Twilight is standing back a bit staring at her with shock. Nova sighs and scratches the back of her head. “Sorry, just a bad memory… a bully I used to know.”
“Okay... Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine… my mind tends to wander when I’m--” her sentence trails off into another yawn and a stretch. “Yeah…”
Twilight raises an eyebrow at her, but doesn’t question it. Instead she tries a different approach. “Would you want to come with me? Maybe Rarity might have something that can help.”
“Sure, don’t have much to do anyways,” Nova replies with a shrug. With that they start towards the Boutique.
“Any idea why you can’t sleep?” Twilight asks
I have more than just an idea… “Been having nightmares lately,” Nova says hoping to pass the subject quickly.
“Nightmares? Of what?”
“I can’t remember, they’re always blurry and dark,” Nova says. A fresh wave of those memories flash through her mind. “General stuff, talking trees, mammoths, weird hairless apes…”
“Hm… I think I might know one way to help, but you’ll have to stay up for quite a while.”
“I probably wasn’t going to sleep anyways.” They walk the rest of the way in silence.

“You look wonderful, dear,” Rarity says to Twilight. They are standing in one of Rarity’s showrooms while Twilight is wearing her new costume. A dark purple, almost black dress wraps around her body, the edges are worn and ragged or, at least, made to look that way. A pointed hat, the same color as the dress, tops her head hiding her horn beneath. The brim of the hat is as ragged as the edges of the dress.
Nova simply looks ahead lost somewhere between the world of dreams and the world of the living. Her mind keeps going back to the image of her broken friend in the prison cell. I really am a mess, aren’t I? And here I thought returning would be a little easier than this. She drifts back to what Aura had said in the nightmare. “How could you have forgotten me?” I haven’t… and I never want to.
“Now for you!” Rarity exclaims snapping Nova out of her stupor. Twilight is gone, probably back to the changing room to take the witch’s costume off.
“Wha?” is all Nova manages.
“Well, we have to get you cleaned up before I try to find you a costume.”
Nova lets out an agitated sigh. “I know, I look horrible, I hav-- Wait, what was that about a costume?”
“Well, that’s why you’re here, correct? To get a costume for Nightmare Night?”
“Actually…” Why am I here again… Come on think, Nova! You’re here because you… uh. She narrows her eyes at nothing in particular. I think I’m here for help, but with what? Debts? I’m not that stupid even when I’m tired. Job? Think I already have one. Food? Not hungry. Well, a little hungry, but not enough to ask someone for food. Right, it was something about… gone again.
“Nova, are you okay?” Once again Rarity’s voice brings her back to reality, although slowly.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I just… What were we talking about?”
“About getting you a costume.”
Nova quickly shakes her head trying to jumble her thoughts apart from each other. But, it does little more than make her light-headed. She press a forehoof against her head, trying to dull the throbbing. “I need to step out for a moment,” she says heading for the door.
Rarity silently watches her leaves and lets out a shiver once the door closes. “Where is she going?” Twilight asks from behind her. She is now carrying a bag in her magical grasp.
“I think she needs some fresh air, thankfully. I don’t wish to sound rude, but there is simply something about her I do not like. Although it might have something to do with when we first met…”
“I know what you mean,” Twilight says. “I get that feeling around her too, I’m just not sure what it is though. The only way I can describe it is that she just feels like she’s bad news.”
“She certainly seems a little off.”
“Oh right, that’s one of the reason I brought her. She says she’s been having trouble sleeping. She’s been having nightmares and hasn’t been able to have a good night of sleep in a week. I was wondering if you knew of anything that could help.”
Rarity blinks a few times but quickly shakes her head. “I’m afraid I don’t. Maybe if you were to ask Zecora or Luna, they would have something.”
“I was planning on asking them tonight.” The bell over the door rings signaling the arrival of another costumer. “Well, thanks for the help. I should get going, still have a bit to do before tonight.”
“Alright then,” Rarity says. She gives her friend a smile. “Good luck helping her.”
Twilight nods and heads out the door, walking past a pink earth pony. Outside she finds Nova sitting under a tree looking up at the sky. She follows the gaze of the pegasus trying to see what she’s focusing on. A few clouds dot the sky, a few pegasi are playing on a cloud that she seems to be looking at.
Twilight ignores the uneasy feeling she has and starts walking toward her. As Twilight gets closer to Nova she thinks she hears Nova say something like ‘I wonder what it’s like.’ She walks right up next to Nova without so much as a reaction. “Are you okay?” Twilight asks concern clear in her voice.
Nova blinks a few times and her eyes seem to refocus. “Huh? Oh, uh, I’m fine…”
“Right, I have a few things to set up at the library if you want to help.”
“No thanks, I think I should just go home and try to get some rest.” She gets off the ground, staggers a bit but manages to stay up.
“Oh, well I hope you have a nice sleep. If you still can’t sleep how about you come see me tonight?”
“Sure,” she replies as she walks away not bothering to look back.



Nova walks down a hall. All is silent save for the clopping of her hooves against the hardwood floor. She pauses for moment and looks around. A picture of an aged stallion hangs on the dull orange wall, his coat is an orange that almost matches the wall and his wavy grey mane drop down the back of his neck and stops just before the shoulder.
Whispering further down the hall catches her attention. Turning toward the sound she finds a door in her way. She wastes no time and pushes it open with a quick shove. The door gives way to a dark room, brightly colored streamers hang from the ceiling and walls. A few balloons bounce lightly along the floor.
“Surprise!” someone shouts from inside the room. Nova jumps back as the lights flash on and ponies spring out from their hiding spots. A familiar light green unicorn come trotting out of the group of ponies and comes up to Nova. “Happy birthday!”
Nova relaxes at her friend’s touch. She looks back into the room, the same orange stallion as in the picture is standing among the group. Taking a step into the room she spots a table at the far end against the wall that holds a birthday cake, eight lit candles top the cake. “Thanks Aura,” Nova says smiling at her friend. She looks back at the group. “You really didn’t have to do this, I was kinda hoping for a quiet evening.”
“But, that’s so boring!” Aura exclaims walking toward the table. “I want to see you smile, not have you mope about all day.”
“The real surprise is that the street rat has a home,” someone whispers in the group. A wave of snickers passes through the room.
Nova ignores it. “I wouldn’t have been moping. I probably would have slept.”
“In a cardboard box somewhere,” says someone, another wave of giggles and snickers.
Nova shoots a quick glare at the group trying to find the offender. “Well, that’s no fun either,” Aura says stopping in front of the cake. “Now, make a wish and blow out the candles.”
“Probably going to wish that her mother didn’t abandon her,” the pony whispers.
Nova whips her head around and glares into the group again, no ponies stand out. With a growl she turns back to the cake and closes her eyes. She takes a few deep breaths to calm herself and nearly panics at the smell of smoke. It’s only the candles, she tells herself. I wish… I wish for no more fires. Opening her eyes she blows out the candles.
That’s cute.
A something snaps behind her followed by the crackle of fire. Slowly she turns around, dreading what has happened. Flames climb the walls catching on the streamer and turning it ash almost instantly. The balloons are gone having popped from the heat. A pile of bodies lie where the group stood. Her eyes go down to the floor next to her, the flaming broken body of a unicorn lies at her hooves.
The birthday mare always gets her wish.
“I-I didn’t wish for this!” she screams at the fire, but it only laughs back. A memory burns its way to the front of her mind.
-She’s standing in a classroom, the students are laughing and she is crying. A then she screams at the, “I wish you would just die!” And then, nothing-
I see you remembered this is exactly what you wished for.



She jolts awake. The air in her cave is warm and dry. The sun is starting to reach the horizon painting the sky outside a fiery orange. Nova quickly looks away. “I didn’t mean for any of this…”

Nova walks down the street toward the library, lacking the energy for anything else. Even with the sun hidden behind the horizon ponies walk through the streets. Stalls of games are set up near the buildings. A stage stands in the town center with a band preparing their instruments. All-in-all Ponyville seems more alive than it did that day.
A group of laughing foals run by her the last one being dressed as a monster. They each carry a bag to carry their candy in. Looks like fun, she idly thinks. 
A few minutes later she is standing in front of the large oak tree again. With the dark sky and the dying leaves the looks like it belongs in the front yard of a haunted mansion. Wonder if anyone is in there.... wonder if anyone is alive in there… Can’t really imagine a tree being a very good home. Well, neither is a cave to anything asides from a bear, wolves, manticores probably. Guess that doesn’t place me much higher than them. Wonderful now I’m comparing myself with a bear... not the worst--
“Hello?” She blinks her eyes a few times as she comes out of her thoughts. “You okay?”
“Maybe we should go get some help…” says someone else. The voice is gentle and quiet, a familiar voice. She turns to two pegasi standing next to her. One she recognizes as Fluttershy, though it takes her a moment to realize it because of her bat costume. The other pegasus, a sky blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, is dressed as a griffon.
“Uh… hello?”
Fluttershy yelps and hides behind the other one whom simply stands there. “Hey, are you okay? You’ve been standing there for like three minutes.”
“I’m fine,” she grumbles. She walks up to the door and gives it a quick knock. Really got to get this issue solved or I might get stuck staring at a tree for an entire bucking day. A pink aura surrounds the door and it swings open, Twilight is once again dressed in her witch costume.
“Hey there girls.” Her eyes settle on Nova. “Oh, hey Nova. How was your rest?”
“Same as every other this past week.”
“Oh…”
“Hey Twi, so this is the Nova I’ve been hearing about?” the rainbow-maned one asks. Nova lets out a frustrated groan. Word certainly does spread fast in this town, don’t it?
“Guess I must be. I’m Nova Hearthfire, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nova gives a little bow, but stands up as she starts to lose balance.
“Yeah cool, I’m Rainbow Dash, best young flier in all of Equestria, Element of Loyalty, maybe you’ve heard of me.”
Not in the slightest… She nods but turns back to Twilight. “You said you had an idea?”
“Oh, yeah, but I don’t think they’re here quite yet.”
“Oh…” Well, buck you too! I really hope princesses can’t read minds.
“But, you can hang out with us for a while.”
“No thanks, no offence and all. I just don’t think I’ll be much fun to be around. But, I’ll be at the square watching the shows if you happen to find whoever you’re waiting for.”
“Alright then, see you later,” Twilight says waving to Nova as she stumbles out the door. Once the door closes Rainbow raises an eyebrow at her.
“What was that about?” she asks.
“She says she’s been having trouble sleeping lately. I figured we’d talk to Luna after.”
“And she wants you to find her?”
“I don’t think she’s in the mood to do much of anything. I just really hope it’s not like the time we all had nightmares.”
Fluttershy gasps and talks a step back. “Do you think the Nightmare forces are back, but after her?”
“No, I doubt it. I think she’s just having bad dreams. But, there something about her that’s not right.”

The festivities have well and truly begun once she reaches the stage again. With the moon hanging over the town and all the ponies still running around Nova could swear she would have mistaken it for a thestral city. The square in front of the stage is filled with foals and adults, all waiting for the show to begin. Nova picks an out-of-the-way spot near one of the restaurants. She knows she won’t hear much over the sound of the sounds of the crowd.
A yellow mare is standing on the stage, a violin cradled in her forehooves. Nova thinks about getting closer to listen, but doesn’t move prefering to stay away from crowds.
A crack of thunder booms through the air followed by screams. Looking over Nova watches as some lighting arches through the dark clouds overhead. A few shadows fly across the clouds.
Twilight comes trotting into the town square, her back to the lighting and dark figures. She looks around the square, even flying a few hooves in the air to see into the crowd. Eventually she spots Nova and flies over to her.
“Hey,” Nova says as Twilight’s hooves touch the ground. “Solve the nightmare issue yet?”
“Well, I think I know somepony who can help. She arrived not too long ago.”
Nova gets back onto her hooves with a groan. “Alright then. I hope she can help…”
Twilight raises an eyebrow at her. “You can rest here if you want, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind coming here.”
“Bah, I’m fine with walking. Beside, I’m already up, it’ll take too much effort to lie down again.”
Twilight chuckles a little and starts leading the way out of the square toward a more forested area. Nova sidesteps a group of foals as they run by screaming in delighted terror. Looking up she spots a few more of the figures flying around. “So, you don’t come from Equestria?” Twilight asks after a moment.
“Hm?” Nova looks back at the alicorn who had paused for a moment to let Nova catch up. “Uh… kinda… I guess. I left Equestria a few years ago, first time back since.”
“Really? Where did you go?”
“Nowhere in particular.”
Another crack of thunder followed by screams further ahead. Three fillies come bolting out of a nearby bush and run past them. Before Nova has time to question it Twilight walks through the same bush the fillies ran through. Nova follows behind.
They come to a clearing where a same circular platform stands in the middle. Nova spots a few ponies moving between the trees. They have dark coats and bat-like wings. “So… where’s your--”
Lightning arches overhead and a taller pony crashes down from the sky. She has a jet black coat with a flowing mane of purple essence that resemble the night sky. She stands at least a head taller than Nova. Nova rears back with a scream from the midnight alicorn. She falls down onto her back. The alicorn starts laughing as Nova flails to get up. 
“I don’t think you’re going to get rid of her nightmares that way.” Twilight says. Purple energy surrounds the alicorn hiding her from sight, but does nothing to cover the laughing.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” say the alicorn once the sphere of energy dies down. Her coat is now a dark purple, with a spot that’s pitch black where her cutie mark is. Her mane still resembles the night sky, blue with white dots.
Twilight sighs and rolls her eyes. She reaches down and helps Nova up. “Nova, this is Luna.”
Nova stares at the new alicorn for a while. Luna… Luna… who is Luna? Okay, a cutie mark of a moon, mane that looks like night, an alicorn…. Oh shit. She takes a few steps back from Luna. What is a princess doing here? Well, Twilight’s here, but she doesn’t count since she doesn’t know me. Luna was banished when Celestia knew me maybe she doesn’t know.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess,” Nova says with a bow and nervous smile.
“Luna, this is Nova, my friend that’s been having the problems with nightmares.”
Luna smiles at Nova, still quite content with her prank. Her smile dies when their eyes meet, her eyes narrow at the pegasus. They stand in silence for a few long moments before Luna speaks again. “So, you’re the one who has been having the dreams of fire and death.”
Yeah, nope, not doing this. Can’t deal with a princess yet! Nova backs up again and spreads her wings. “Uh… I honestly think I don’t rate high enough for the help from a goddess.”
“I believe it is the matter of a princess when your dreams involve the fall of Canterlot,” Luna says.
“Wait, what?!” Twilight exclaims taken aback by the statement.
Yeah, buck this. Nova bows to her again. “Sorry, but I have to go, I have… a thing that I have to do.” Without waiting for a reply she shoots straight into the air. Once she’s above the trees she bolts toward the town.
Shit! She saw my nightmares! Well, now I can’t lay low. And, this is your fault!
As I said, not my fault.
Whatever! I can’t waste anymore time. I have to start getting rid of these debts.
> Burning Mare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova looks up at the building in front of her. Red and orange flames spill out of the windows and door. She can still see a pony stuck on the second floor as flames make their way toward her. Screams of agony fill the air as the ponies inside burn alive. The scent of burning flesh makes her want to vomit, but she can’t move. Her eyes are stuck on the burning building. Finally she’s able to pull her focus away from the house.
She looks around the rest of the town, all round her buildings are on fire and ponies are screaming. The thick black smoke from the fires block out the sun, leaving the fires themselves as the only light. She looks back at the building and then at the sign in front of it. It reads, Golden Oaks Library.
“This is all your fault!” She looks over at Spike, he is covered in soot, dust and blood. “You killed everybody!” His eyes are filled with anger and pain. Tears cut paths through the soot on his cheeks. He looks back at the library, there is no more screaming only the crackle of the blaze. “You killed Twilight.”
She follows his gaze to the burning tree. You don’t deserve this. Spike falls to the ground and starts crying. No one deserves this… She hears someone walk up behind her. She turns around and sees the princess of the night standing there.
“Quite a foreboding dream,” she says.
“No, it’s just another nightmare.” Luna’s horn begins to glow and the fire begin to die down.
“I assume this is the type of nightmare Twilight wanted me to cure you of?”
“No, she only thought they were nightmares, she never knew what they were of.” She looks back at the library. Even as the flames become smaller and smaller they warp into the shapes of faces. A figure moves through the fire. She quickly looks away. “She would have told Celestia if she knew…”
“These nightmares are troubling indeed. I’m sure my sister could--”
“Afford to not hear of this,” Nova says. “I would rather she doesn’t find out.”
“But--”
“Please don’t tell her. I’m nothing a princess should worry about. It just nightmares.”
"You'd be surprised at how dangerous a nightmare can be."
Oh please, we all know that these are so much more than just a nightmare.
Luna jumps back and looks around frantically. “Who’s there?!”
Of course she can hear him, she’s in my mind. She looks back at the library, a figure is standing in the burning doorframe.
“Who are you?” Luna asks spotting the figure.
“Sorry, Luna. But, he really isn’t someone you should meet.” She forces herself awake.



Nova blinks against the darkness of the cave, half expecting Luna to be hiding in the shadows. Once again the moon is far from setting, still high up in the sky. With a sigh she leans against the wall of the cave, a cool wind blows in from outside. Bastard, taunting a princess. You couldn’t have just stayed quiet.
What fun would that have been?
Nova groans and jumps off of the outcropping she slept on. She lands ungracefully on the ground, she gets back up and brushes herself off. She walks over to a small pile of rocks near the entrance to the cave. Pushing aside a few of the rocks she pulls her saddlebags out from the pile and walk back to the outcropping.
“Time to start facing the music,” she says not afraid anyone will hear her.
So, where are you going to start?
“Dodge.”
The voice chuckles in her head giving her a mild headache. Isn’t that where this all started?
“Not quite, it started when I met you. Dodge was the first place after Canterlot.”
Ah right, that place. It’s going to be nice to visit there again, old memories.
Nova huffs and tries to ignore him. She pulls a small, weathered notebook along with a pencil from the saddlebags.



Nova staggers slightly, almost falling to her face for the third time. She pause for a moment and looks up at the night sky. The moon is about three-quarters of it’s way through the sky. I really hate you.
It wasn’t my fault you woke up this time!
With a groan Nova continues down the path through Ponyville. The signs of the festivities from only a few hours ago are still easily present. Litter that scatters across the square, still a few games that are set up, and the occasional pony still walking about. Nova tries her best to avoid the latter.
I really miss when times were simple.
I don’t think they were ever simple.
Nova sighs and slowly shakes her head. “There were a few, not many, but a few.” The post office comes into sight. The building lacks the decorations that most of the others have, though the brick wall does look a little gloomy in the darkness. She stops at the door and stares at it for a few moments.
After a minute of mental squabbling she comes back to her senses and reaches into her saddlebag. She pulls a single piece of paper places it onto the door. Shifting the saddlebags the her left she turns to the train station.
Before she leaves she looks back up at the moon. “Celestia, give me strength.”



Twilight paces around the table in the main room of the library. Dark bags hang under her eyes. Books are sprawled across the table, open to seemingly random pages. Most talk about something to do with dreams and nightmares.
What does it mean? Why would she be having dreams of a burning Canterlot, Twilight thinks. She looks over at the books, but quickly starts pacing again. What was she so afraid of? I’m sure Luna could have helped with the nightmares. I wonder if she’s okay, she didn’t look so good last night. I would check on her if I knew where she lives. How could I not ask her where she lives?
A plate of pancakes is placed on a part of the table that isn't covered with books. “Calm down, Twi. You almost kept me up all night with your pacing,” Spike says, making room for a second plate of pancakes.
Twilight stops and looks at him. She blinks a few times then walks over to the table. “Sorry about that. I’m just worried for her. She didn’t look so good last night and that meeting with the princess didn’t make anything better. If anything it raised more questions!”
“She’s a grown mare, I’m sure she’s fine. Besides, wouldn’t anypony be scared if they met a princess?” Spike eats a large section of pancake in one bite.
“Yeah, but it felt like she was afraid Luna would find something out. And Luna told me she felt something unnerving about her as well, just like me and Rarity,” Twilight says. She sits down at the table, and starts cutting into the pancakes.
“She did say she’s from somewhere else, maybe she was afraid Luna would find out.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t explain why she would run. It also doesn’t explain the feeling. A lot of other ponies say they feel it too, something unnerving about her. And they’re all unicorns too, except Luna of course, it has to have something to do with magic.”
“Maybe you’re just overthinking this. She is new to town it might just be that that’s causing the nerves.”
“To only the unicorns? I doubt it. And then there’s the nightmare Luna told me about. The one where Canterlot is burnt to the ground.”
Spike looks up from his plate at Twilight. “Whoa, okay then. Maybe there is something about her, but how can it be magic related, she’s just a pegasus.”
Twilight stands up and heads for the door. “I’m going to go look for her. I have to make sure she’s okay, then I intend to find out what’s going on.”
“How do you plan on finding her?”
“I’ll ask around, it’s not like nopony saw her.”

Twilight sighs as she walks down the path to Rarity’s. Already she had been to the inn, the local apartment buildings, and to the few house in Ponyville being sold. But, Nova was at none of them, no one had even seen her since last night. How can someone just disappear? I really hope she didn’t just leave. Looking up at the midday sun she just sighs again and continues walking.
She knocks on the door to Carousel Boutique hoping that Rarity might know something. A green aura surrounds the door and it slowly swings open. Sweetie Belle sighs once the door is open enough for Twilight to walk through. She beams up at Twilight.
“Good job, you’re getting very good with your magic,” Twilight says petting her on the shoulder.
Sweetie’s smile grows wider. “Thanks, Twilight. I’ve been practicing really hard.”
“I can see that. Uh, I was wondering if your sister is home?”
“Oh, yeah, she’s upstairs. I’ll go get her for you.” Sweetie runs up the stairs. Twilight hears the clopping of little hooves above her followed by the sound of Sweetie knocking on a door. A few moments later she hears Rarity’s hoofsteps coming down the stairs.
“Hello, Twilight. How are you today?”
“Hey, Rarity. I’m a little tired, but nothing too bad.” A raised eyebrow from Rarity prompts her to continue. “I was up last night worrying about Nova. She ran off as soon as she met Luna. I’ve been looking for her all morning, but no one has seen her.”
“Oh my, do you have any idea why she ran?” Rarity asks bring a hoof to her mouth.
“No, no clue, Luna just mentioned something about Nova’s nightmares then she bolted,” Twilight says shaking her head.
“That doesn’t sound too bad. What were her nightmares about?”
“I don’t know about all of them, but Luna said there was one where Nova burnt Canterlot to the ground.”
“Oh dear, now that sounds bad.”
“I just want to find her to see what’s going on, and to make sure she’s okay. She was running on fumes yesterday.”
“Well, I wish you luck with finding her.”
“Thanks, I can use some luck. I don’t suppose you’ve seen her lately?”
“No, I haven’t. Well, asides from when she came here with you.”
“Alright then, I was just wondering. Well, I’m going to keep searching,” Twilight says heading for the door.
“Okay then, bye, Twilight.”
“Bye, Rarity.”
Twilight sighs as the door closes behind her. Of course, another bust. Where can she be staying? She looks back at the surrounding buildings. The pointed roof of the town hall catches her eye. Maybe Mayor Ma-- her thoughts are cut off by high pitched whistle coming from the train station.
Unless she left. With a few flaps of her wings she raises into the sky and starts weaving her way between the clouds. I probably haven’t found her because she’s leaving. I have to catch her before she goes. She sees a column of steam coming up from the other side of the train station along with the back end of a train on the tracks.
She lands panting on the platform. A nearby ponies look at her in confusment, but they all give her friendly smiles. Once she has her breath Twilight walks over to the ticket booth and the pony standing inside.
“Hello, princess. Want another ticket for Canterlot?” he asks.
Twilight smiles at him, but shakes her head. “No, not right now, but I want to know if you’ve seen a red pegasus.”
“Red pegasus... “ he taps his hoof to his chin, “Oh, I saw her walking off not too long ago. Just came back on the train.” Good, she’s still here. Wait, she came back? “I noticed her because she--” he doesn’t get to finish because she flies off again.
Twilight looks down at the ponies walking away from the station. But, there are too many ponies walking in too many directions for her to cover. This isn’t going to work. She’s about to double back when she hears a yelp.
Flying a few streets over she finds a rough circle of ponies. Three ponies stand in the middle. Fluttershy is cowering behind Rainbow Dash, Nova stands opposite to them.
“What’s wrong with you? She only wants to help, you don’t have to rip her head off!” Rainbow shouts.
“I don’t need any help!” Nova shouts back. She stomps her hoof into the ground, wincing slightly.
What’s going on? Twilight flies down to get a better look. Her blood runs cold once she can see them clearly. Nova is bruised and scratched, a particularly deep cut runs across her right shoulder. Her right foreleg is wrapped in bandages as well as one of her wings. The bags on her back are in better condition than her. Fluttershy is weeping softly behind Rainbow, keeping the cyan pegasus between her and Nova.
“Look at you, looks like you’ve just been through a boxing match! Just go ha--”
“I’m going home. Now, get out of my way.”
“Make me!” Rainbow shouts at her, she even takes a step toward Nova.
Nova snorts and goes to walk around, but Rainbow just steps in front of her. She flaps her wings a few times and lifts off the ground, Rainbow does the same. They fly for a few seconds before Nova’s wing gives out and she falls to the ground.
“What’s going on here?” Twilight asks, making her presence known.
“Fluttershy saw how hurt she is and said she should go to the hospital. And then Nova just started yelling at her!”
Twilight looks down at Nova expecting and answer. Nova just glares at Rainbow and uses the distraction to push her way around the pegasus. “I don’t want any help!”
Rainbow whips around to her. “Hey, come bac--” Twilight puts a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.
“Calm down, let me talk to her. You try to calm Fluttershy down.”
Rainbow looks from her to Nova then to Fluttershy, and back to Twilight. With a frustrated sigh she goes to the yellow pegasus. Twilight flies after Nova. She quickly catches up to the pegasus. “So, what was all that about?” Twilight asks as her hooves touch the ground.
“Nothing, I just don’t want any help.” 
Twilight looks at the bandages, but decides not to push any further. “I’ve been looking for you all morning.”
“I was in Dodge Junction.”
Twilight waits for further explanation, but none comes and they end up walking in silence. She’s not clearly not in the mood to talk about last night. “I don’t think you ever told me where you’re from. Before you came back to Equestria, I mean,” Twilight says after a few minutes of silence hoping the change in topic might improve her mood.
“I didn’t,” Nova says. Her voice is different than before, it sounds tired and sad. Twilight looks over at her, idly noting that they’re now outside of Ponyville. She looks the same, red coat, dark red mane, bags under her eyes, but now it looks as though there is no energy left in her. None of the energy for the fight a few minutes ago at least.
“Is something wrong?”
Nova’s eyes go cold and hard again. “No.”
Damn. Twilight looks away, now noticing the trees that stand on the right side of the path. Large rocks poke out of the ground every so often, and a large cliff face is the only thing she can see to her left.
Twilight looks back at Nova. She is trying to stand tall and strong, but she winces every time her right foreleg touches the ground. What is she so afraid to tell me? Well, might as well take the bull by the horns. “Nova, why did you go to Dodge Junction?”
“I was… paying off a debt.”
Twilight blinks a couple of times surprised that Nova gave a straight answer. Debt, what kind of debt involves being beaten? Before Twilight voice her concerns Nova turns to her left and goes into a cave in the cliff face.
She drops her bags onto the ground near the entrance and starts burying them under a pile of rocks. “What is this?” Twilight asks, looking around at the large chamber of the cave.
“My home,” Nova replies placing a final stone on top of the pile.
“Your home?! You’re not living in town? But, this is a cave! You can’t stay here it’s going to get too cold, you need a--”
“Could you please leave?” Nova asks walking to the middle of the chamber.
“No, I can’t just leave you out here--”
“I’ve had a long day. Can you please just let me get some rest?” her voice is once again tired.
“But--”
“Leave.” 
Twilight stares at her. With a defeated sigh Twilight walks to the entrance. “But, I want to see you at the library tomorrow.” Nova nods but doesn’t say anything.
Soon she is standing out in the cool autumn air. She can’t possibly stay in a cave. She looks back down into the cave once more then starts back toward Ponyville. What type of debt is so important that she came back to Equestria? What happened to her in Dodge? I’ll just ask her tomorrow when she comes over. But, why is she staying all the way out here? Might be money problems, she did barely have enough to pay for her lunch when I met her.
Taking a few deep breaths she tries to calm her thoughts. There’s a lot of questions and she doesn’t want to answer any of them. I’ll just let her rest… But why did I leave her? She stops in her tracks. How can she just leave someone who is clearly hurt? Nova needs someone there, might not want someone, but she needs someone. Twilight turns back to the cave. A large plume of black smoke billows out of the opening. 
“What the?” Twilight flashes back to her short memory of the cave. She doesn’t remember seeing anything that could burn, or really anything at all save for Nova’s bag. Twilight walks back to the cave. There is too much smoke coming from the cave for a normal fire. A growing sense of unease creeps down the back of her neck. Once she is at the mouth of the cave she can make out two distinct sounds coming from within, the crackle of fire, and crying.
Turning into the cave, a blast of hot air stings at her eyes. She closes her eyes for a few seconds before opening them. A orange glow comes from chamber inside, flames dance past the entrance. Twilight casts a protective bubble around herself and ventures back inside. Even from inside her shield she can feel the heat of the fire.
The crying becomes louder and with it comes another wave of heat. Twilight reaches the main chamber, trying her best not to flinch away from the fire. She almost drops her spell once she's fully inside.
Nova is lying in the center of the room crying into her arms, seemingly oblivious to the flames that surround her. Fire burns along her wings and down her back. Twilight almost runs over to her until she realizes that the fire is not hurting the pegasus. In fact, the fire is coming from her.
“Nova!” Twilight finally calls out.
The pegasus looks up, her eyes red and bloodshot, though it could be the fire giving them those colors. She lets out a little whimper and whips her arm across her muzzle. Then she sits up straight trying to look as strong as she can, and slowly the flames around her die down. Soon Twilight no longer needs the shield and she drops it, bearing the leftover heat on her own. “What? I thought I asked you to leave,” Nova says, focusing her golden eyes on Twilight.
“What was that?!”
“What was what?”
“You can’t just pretend that didn’t happen. Y-you were on fire, this whole cave was on fire.”
“Nothing happened,” Nova says. She walks over to an outcropping and jumps up onto it. She lies down with her back to Twilight.
For a moment Twilight struggles to find words. “Nova, how… how did you do that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t try to pass it off as nothing. We… we have to tell Celestia, maybe she’ll know someth-- Ah!” With more speed that what should be possible in her state Nova pins Twilight to the cave wall. Small wisps of steam and smoke snake up from where Nova’s arm presses down on Twilight's throat. The heat burns into her throat making it feel like it’s on fire. Twilight tries to say something, but Nova presses harder on her throat.
“No one is going to tell the princess anything!” she shouts, her eyes now shimmering a goldish-orange. Twilight tries to pry Nova off her, but only manages to stop Nova from crushing her throat any further. The foreleg burns hotter making Twilight want to scream if she were able to breath.
Twilight focuses her magic in an attempt to free herself. But, before she can do anything Nova’s eye go wide. She gasps and drops Twilight to the ground. She backs up into one of the corners, keeping her eyes off Twilight.
With a gasp Twilight fills her lung with fresh, although still fairly hot, air. She touches her throat, painful but no permanent damage. “I’m sorry,” Nova says, from the sound of her voice she’s on the verge of a breakdown, if she hadn’t reached it already. Twilight looks up to find the crimson mare cowering in the corner. “I didn’t mean it.”
Twilight gets up, she looks between the exit and Nova a few times. She takes a step toward Nova. “Stay away from me, I don’t want to hurt anyone else,” the last part is barely over a whisper. Twilight stops, but she doesn’t leave. I can’t just leave her, I don’t know what’s going on but I know she needs help with… whatever that was.
They sit in partial silence. Nova doesn’t move from the corner, she looks like she’s going to cry, but never does. Twilight uses her magic to heal her throat. “Nova, what’s going on?” she asks once her throat is healed.
Nova just sits there looking at her own hooves. She doesn’t make any move for a minute and Twilight starts considering about asking again. “Please don’t tell the princess,” Nova finally says, making Twilight jump slightly. “Please, I just… need time.”
“But, the princesses can help.”
“That’s the problem,” Nova says to herself a flame ripples over her wing. She thinks for a moment, "I promise I'll tell you what I can tomorrow so long as you don't tell the princesses."
Twilight pauses and think over the offer. Finally some answers! But, she won't be able to tell either princess. “Okay then, I promise I won’t tell the princesses.”
“I’ll answer what I can at Lore’s place.” Twilight doesn’t bother questioning the thought of going to his place, being too overwhelmed with current questions. She simply nods.
	
> Answers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nova looks up at the paintings and pictures that hang on the wall. One of her ears is pointed to the radio that sits on a table in the corner of the living room. Calming classical music plays from one of its various stations. She eventually takes her eyes off of a painting of a steep rocky mountain surrounded by a snow-covered forest, and takes in the rest of the room.
A coffee tables sits in the middle of the room, a couch to one side of it and a comfy looking chair to the other. The table is littered with books and scrolls. A large bookcase dominates the wall opposite to the door. About half the bookcase is being used to hold masks, pictures, charms, and other various souvenirs.
Her ears perk-up when a high pitched whistle cuts through the music. She turns to the kitchen door as Lore walks out with a tray holding a teacup and two cups balanced on his back. He nudges his head to the couch.
Nova gives him a friendly smile and curls up onto the couch, she shifts her position to keep the weight off her wing. Lore puts the tray onto the table and sits down on the chair with a content sigh. “I would say good morning, but I doubt that’s the case for you.”
She sighs and takes a sip from her cup, enjoying the sweet taste. Last night had been a sleepless one for her, having replayed the memory of attacking Twilight. “No, been having nightmares lately…” her sentence trails off as she takes another sip.
“I kinda figured, you didn’t look as bad when I saw you last, and you didn’t look too good then. The tea should help, recipe from the zebra homelands. Originally a sleeping potion, but I prefer tea.”
“Of course it is,” she says taking another sip.
“Might also help if you stopped burying your emotions. Not too healthy to just keep all that inside.”
“What makes you think I am?” Nova snaps back a more harshly than she intended.
“That. You out of anyone should have a lot of hate or sadness festering away inside you. Keeping all that inside might be one of the reasons you’re having nightmares, actually.”
“And how do I do anything about that without the princesses knowing?”
“I hear there’s a dragon cave at the top of the mountain,” he says. Nova snorts at him, a small stream of smoke flaring out of her nostrils. “Anyways, you plan on telling a princess today.” Lore smiles at her and leans back into his chair. “Actually I have a question about that, why talk to Twilight here? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with it, I’m happy you actually plan on coming clean, but why here?”
Happy for the change of subject Nova goes to answer, but memories of last night come back.  “I… I just needed a friend at the time.”
“That’s fine. You don’t have to depend on yourself for everything, after all.” He quickly empties his cup and starts filling it again. Looking up he sees her sour mood. Maybe a we should talk about something a little more cheery, he thinks. He puts the teapot down and leans back down into the chair with his cup in his hooves. “I guess that means you don’t know where Talon is if I was your first choice for a friend.”
Nova immediately perks up and looks at him with hopeful eyes. “You know where he is?”
“Canterlot, or wherever the heck he is. I met him when I came back from the Griffon Empire. He was coming back from an expedition there and we ended up taking the same airship back. When we got to Canterlot we stopped at Doughnut Joe’s and chatted for a while.”
“How is he?” she asks.
Lore chuckles happy to she her with a little life in her. “He’s fine, though I think he misses you. The last time you two met was in… the Griffon Empire, correct?”
“He came to visit me in Foalland not too long ago.”
“Hm… Well, I guess I’ll invite him over sometime in that case. Though I highly doubt he’d help you with that sleeping issue of yours.” Much to Lore’s amusement Nova blushes and starts looking at the images that adorn the wall.
She chooses to focus on a picture a lush looking jungle. Colorful birds fly in the air or are perched on the branches of the trees. A path cuts through the undergrowth, though is hard to see because of the thick vines draping across it. Further down the path, hidden behind the leaves, is what seems to be a temple of sorts.
“Where’s that?” She nudges her head toward the photo.
“Hm? Oh, that's from an island in the Carriagebean. It was an expedition where Daring Do was trying to get the Serpent’s Crown.” Nova raises an eyebrow at him. “What? Daring is a friend of mine.”
“Not questioning that, honestly at this point I’m used to you having basically every connection possible. What I would like to know is what the crown is.”
“Oh, it’s supposed to give the wearer control over mighty beasts from the depths of the ocean. It was made by ‘King’ Stormbreaker, a rogue griffon who went against the empire and Equestria during the war. Oddly, we never actually found the crown, only the temple. I assume that the sea-ponies took it given how it should belong to them in the first place.”
Nova gives him an unimpressed shrug. “Oh yes, how useful that must have been given that both Equestria and the Griffon Empire are both inland.”
“Yes, but it is useful against coastal cities. And, that’s kinda what mattered to him.”
Nova chuckles and continues to look at the pictures. “Never realized exactly how much you travel,” she says looking at a picture of a grassy savanna. Three zebras stand in the middle of the image, a child, a mother, and a father.
“You’re one to talk.”
“Yeah, but you just do it for fun, I’m busy trying to fix my mistakes.” She shifts her weight slightly to make her wing a little more comfortable.
“Trust me, you’re not the only one with mistakes, you’re just one of the few going out of their way to fix them. And you must have had some good times, I mean there was Prance.”
She laughs at the memories. “That was the most annoying thing…”
“But, it was hilarious to watch.”
Nova smiles at the comment, far more than used to hearing him speak his mind. She moves on the the next picture. A dark forest, the floor and branches are covered in fresh white snow. A few beams of light shine down through the leaves making the forest seem magical. A little distance away is a white tiger looking straight at the camera.
“Lore,” she says after a few seconds of silence. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
“Of course, telling Twilight is a great thing to--”
“Not what I mean, I’m talking about the debts. Do you think it’s right of me to come back here and open their old wounds. They might have put it all behind them, and then I come bringing the past with me.”
“This have anything to do with yesterday?” Lore asks.
Nova takes a calming breath as she recalls the memories. “When they saw me, all their anger and pain came back. I saw it in their eyes, all the pain… I just don’t want to hurt them anymore…”
Lore gives a supportive smile. “You’re still hurt by everything you did, right?” Nova glares at him, but nods wanting to see where he’s going with it. “Well, you’re still hurt, your wounds never closed. You at least deserve to be able to move on.”
“But, I don’t deserve anything!”
“Don’t say that. The one thing you don’t deserve is to take all the blame for what happened. All three of us know you’re not the only one in there,” he says pointing at her head. “Either way, they need to hear what you have to say, even if they don’t want to at the time.”
“But--”
“What’s the point of asking for me advise if you’re not even going to consider it?”
She stares at him. “Thanks,” she says after a little while. A knock at the door catches both their attentions. Guess Twilight’s here.
“Come in!” Lore shouts, clearly too comfy in his chair to move. The door is surrounded in a purple aura and it swings open. The lavender alicorn trots into the home smiling at the Lore, she looks at Nova and her smile dies, but she still tries to look friendly. Lore notices Nova wincing at the bandages wrapped around the alicorn’s neck. “You alright?”
“In fine,” Twilight says, her throat still very sore and raw. “Just, uh, tripped…”
Lore turns to Nova. “So, what did she say?”
Nova looks at the ground, avoid both their gazes. “She walked in while I was… crying. Said we should go see Celestia and I kinda…”
“I get it,” Lore says nodding. Twilight quickly shakes of the shock that came from him being able to get a straight answer. He gets up from his seat and heads back to the kitchen. “Doubt you want hot tea with your throat like that.”
With that he leaves Nova and Twilight. An awkward silence quickly fills the air. Twilight scuffs her hoof against the floor trying to think of how to begin. How to start? The wrong word and she completely shuts everyone out. This was so much easier on paper. “I’m sorry,” Nova says breaking the silence, she is finally looking at Twilight.
“It not your fault,” Twilight says with a reassuring smile.
“Yes, it is, I’m the one who tried choking you, I’m the one who burnt you, it is my fault.”
Twilight takes a step back. “I’m sure you didn’t mean it.”
Nova glares at her, Twilight takes another step back. A few wisps of smoke rise from the couch. “Didn’t mean it? I was about to--” Lore come back and dumps a pitcher of water on Nova’s head.
“Don’t burn down my house, and stop hating yourself. You and him are two different ponies,” he says. He ignores the glare from Nova and puts a glass of water on the table for Twilight. He sits back down into his chair. “She likes to take responsibility for anything that involves her.”
Steam rises from the pegasus. “Sorry.”
Lore shrugs and waves a hoof dismissively. “No trouble, I’m barely here anyways.” He looks at Twilight who is still standing and gives her a shrug as well. “Which is why I have almost nothing to sit on.”
“That’s fine,” she says. “So, uh, how are you, Nova?”
“I’m fine… Actually no, that’s a lie. I’m tired, sore, angry, and sad. I need sleep and to find someplace where I can’t hurt anyone… Guess you want to start asking the questions now?”
“Uh, if you don’t--”
“I said I would.”
Twilight goes to argue some more, but Lore shakes his head. Using her magic a notepad and pencil appear before her. “Alright then.” She flips it open and goes to the first question on the list. “How can you make fire?”
“I don’t know, I think it’s some type of magic, but I can’t tell you since I’m not a unicorn.”
Twilight makes a quick note in the pad. “Okay, so how come you have this power?”
“No clue.”
“You said you’d answer everything,” Twilight says.
“I said I would answer what I can, and I can’t answer that.” They hear a huff from Lore.
With a sigh Twilight move on to the next point. “How long have you been able to do it?” she asks hoping it doesn’t pry too far into the pegasus’ past.
Nova doesn’t say anything right away, rather she seems the questions over. “Ever since I’ve had my cutie mark,” she finally answers. Twilight takes a moment to look at Nova’s mark, and does a rough sketch of the black lines.
“Okay, so how do you control it?”
“I don’t. I can only stop it from burning everything down, and even that is a challenge sometimes. Why do you think I’m living out in a cave? That breakdown yesterday was relatively sedate compared to what I can do.”
Twilight makes a quick note not to make her angry… again. “Where were you before you came to Equestria?”
There are a few seconds of silence as she waits for the answer. “Neighpon.”
Twilight nods and pauses before the next set of questions. Right, time for the bigger ones. “Alright… Do your nightmares have anything to do with your power?” 
Again, another long pause. Finally Nova takes a deep breath. “Yes.”
For a moment Twilight goes back to the image of a burning Canterlot. While she had not seen it herself, Luna had given a good enough description to have an idea as to how bad it was. She swallows a nervous lump and marks it down on the notepad. Does she plan on attacking Canterlot? “Does your power have anything to do with the debts you talked about?”
Nova looks down at the ground, seemingly trapped in thought. Twilight thinks of passing the question, but Nova eventually talks. “Yes.”
Twilight quickly notes it down, also make a note that Nova is now only answering in one word. “What are these debts about?” She looks up from her notes to find Lore quickly shaking his head.
Nova’s expression changes from one of impassiveness to one of sorrow and anger. She blow a stream of black smoke out of her nostrils, and starts studying the picture again. “Can’t answer.”
What? But, she said it has to do with her power. She spent yesterday ‘paying’ it off and then comes back beaten and broken. She knows, she just doesn’t want to tell me. “Nova…”
“I can’t tell you!” Nova snaps. She blinks her eyes a few times in either surprise or shock then turns away again. Twilight refers back to her note and decides not to anger her further.
“Uh… why--”
“I’m tired,” Nova says jumping off the couch. “I’m going to go get some rest.”
“But--”
“I’m going to rest.” She walks past Twilight and out the door. “Good evening,” she says over her shoulder. Twilight goes to follow but a hoof on her shoulder stop her. She finds Lore smiling at her. Once Nova is gone he goes back to the table and starts picking up the cups.
“Don’t bother, you’re not going to get any further today,” he says.
Twilight shakes her head and looks back at him. “But she--”
“Promised to answer what she can, but she didn’t? Well, she couldn’t answer some of them for they’re either too painful for her or too dangerous.”
“And you know what she’s keeping?”
“Yeah,” he replies with a simple shrug. Sliding the tray onto his back he heads into the kitchen.
“Can’t you tell me?”
“No, it’s up to her. And before you ask, she’ll tell you. Not anytime soon, but she’ll tell you.” There’s a clatter as he puts the cups into the sink. “Sorry, but I can’t help you, no one can really.”
“What? Why can’t anyone help me?” Twilight asked shocked and annoyed at him.
“Because you can’t tell anyone. There’s no telling how everyone will react or how fast the news would spread. And before you start saying she’ll be accepted, she’s a freak of nature. She’s a pegasus that can use magic as powerful as what a destruction mage would have, but she can’t control it. You can’t tell anyone or you risk her disappearing.”
Twilight sighs and heads for the door herself. All this did was raise more questions than actual answers. How bad can these debts be? “Goodnight,” Lore says.



A new array of books are piled on the table. Most of them try to track magic outside of the unicorn race. Twilight is pouring over one of the books when Spike walks in. “Hey Twi, how was your day?”
“I can’t get anything from her! Everytime I try to ask her anything she just closes herself off and becomes more distant.”
Spike gives her a confused look, but that leaves quickly. “Twilight, stop obsessing over this, I’m sure it’s nothing wrong just someone wanting privacy.”
“But she can--” Twilight slams her hooves over her mouth remembering Lore’s warning. It’s only been a few hours and I almost gave it up. She notices Spikes quizzical look. “Uh… she can’t be hiding anything that bad. You’re right, it can’t be that bad.” She gives him a hug, ignoring her book for now.
There is a knock at the door and before either of them can answer Rainbow flies into the room. “Hey Twi, have a question.”
Twilight gives her friend a quick glare for barging in. “Yes?”
“Was there any volcanic activity in Ponyville recently?”
Twilight does a double take. “What do you mean?” Rainbow only points out the door. Looking outside she sees a large column of black smoke pouring out of the top of a mountain. Nova’s voice rings through her head. My breakdown yesterday was relatively sedate compared to what I can do. And she’s suddenly very glad she didn’t follow her.
> Trust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova lies on a bench in the park, enjoying the turn in fortune. For the past two nights she has finally had a full night of sleep. No burning cities, towns or bodies, although they were dreamless nights they are still better than the alternative. She lets out a content sigh as she looks up at the autumn leaves, or the few that are left.
The air is cooler than it had been last week. There had even been frost on the ground when she woke up. Winter is right around the bend… what am I going to do?
You could sabotage winter.
No thanks… maybe I can close up the entrance to the cave and add a little door?
I thought you weren’t delirious anymore.
“Still am, I’m talking to you after all,” she mumbles. Tilting her head she takes a sip of her hot chocolate, one of the first things she has been able to buy since getting her pay, a little in advance. A cool breeze blows across the park causing a shiver to run down her back. “I hate the cold,” she says around the straw.
She pulls her mailmare hat down over her eyes and pushes her head further down onto the bags. The other thing that had happened over the two days were that she got the job, and a pay. The job had become easier when she had finally gotten some sleep, turns out working as a mailmare on a few hours of sleep a week doesn’t work too well. But, the job is still tiring though. However, Nova won’t complain, the job helps her learn the names and places of this little town.
Her ears twitch and turn toward some nearby laughter. How can anyone enjoy weather like this? It’s too cold!
“Hey Nova,” Derpy says. A young filly runs around next to her chasing a butterfly. “Those bags are comfy aren’t they?”
Nova throws her head back and sending the hat off her head. “Anything is comfy when you’re as tired as I am.” She looks at Derpy, a large smile spreads across the grey mare’s muzzle. “And you do that every day?”
“You get used to it after a while.” She turns to little unicorn filly. “How about you go set up the picnic? I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Alright, mommy.” The filly runs over to a one of the clearings carrying a basket with her.
“Nice kid,” Nova says.
Derpy smiles. “Thanks, her name’s Dinky. Uh, would you like to join us?” she saks motioning to where Dinky is setting up.
Nova takes a moment and finishes her drink. “Nah, I’m not that good with kids.” She looks back up at the leaves. “Think I might head home and start preparing for winter.”
“Oh, alright then.” Derpy smiles at her again and heads off toward her daughter. 
Nova finishes her drink and rolls off the bench onto her hooves. She ruffles her feathers against the cold wind and heads off. With a couple of flaps from her wings she flies into the clear sky. 
A few other pegasi fly in the air as well, one of which she makes out as Rainbow Dash. She is pushing a cloud out toward the Everfree, but Nova can see her look her way every so often. She still hates me, Nova thinks remembering when she had a fight with her and Fluttershy. She looks over to where Fluttershy’s cottage is, a image of the crying pegasus comes to mind. I was really rough on her…
She takes off for the cottage in a burst of speed. Rainbow continues to watch her as she flies past. After a moment she realizes where Nova’s going and follows behind. It doesn’t take long before Nova comes down for a landing on the bridge. A few boards snap from the hard landing, but the bridge stays in one piece.
Shaking off the landing, and already planning on fixing the bridge, she walks to the door. “Coming here to break her stuff now?” Rainbow says from above. An agitated sigh escapes Nova’s lips and she looks up at the cyan pegasus.
“I came here to say sorry. She certainly didn’t deserve me yelling at her.”
“Oh, are you? How can I be sure you’re not just here to make her cry again?” There is anger behind her voice.
Nova sighs and turns back to the door. “You can’t because there is no way of knowing if she will. But, if it counts for anything, honestly I was a bitch and I shouldn’t have yelled at her for trying to help.”
“So, you admit that you were wrong?”
“No, I don’t need, or want any help.”
“Sound just like a griffon,” Rainbow says under her breath. “Everypony needs help once and a while, and you needed help. You can’t just say that you don’t need it.”
Fine then, I don’t want it. “Yeah, everyone does, but it’s just better for everypony if they just stay away from my problems.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to get used to it, everypony here would be happy to help anyone in need.”
“Not if they knew what they would be getting into,” Nova says barely loud enough for Rainbow to hear.
“Twilight sure seems like she wants to help, even after what you did.”
“Wait, after what exactly?” Nova turns back to her.
Rainbow holds her ground, or rather air, but hesitates for a moment before answering. “Well, after she saw you shouting at Fluttershy and she still went after you.”
Nova huffs and looks away again, which only makes Rainbow grit her teeth. “She only tried to convince me to go the the hospital.”
A quick rainbow streak flies past her view and lands between her and the house. “You nearly killed Twilight because she wanted to help?!”
Nova whips around to her. “Where did you hear that?”
“I didn’t, she just happened to have a bandage around her neck the day after visited you! I’m not going to let you near Fluttershy!”
“I’m not going to hurt her, I only hurt Twilight because… because I was having a bad day…” Damn, I am some type of monster.
Now you realize!
“Yeah, and I don’t want to take the risk of you burning her house down because you’re a little angry!” Rainbow shouts back. She quickly puts a hoof over her mouth, but it’s too late. They both stare at each other for a few seconds as Nova slowly picks apart what Rainbow said. A moment later her eyes narrow on the cyan pegasus.
“She told you?!”
“No, no, I just, uh, saw your breakdown the oth--” Before she can finish Nova blasts into the sky, completely destroying the bridge in the process, and a crimson streak shoots off into the town. Rainbow silently curses and flies after her, but soon finds her target moving surprisingly quickly.
The pursuit doesn’t last too long, with Nova coming down for a landing and skidding past the library. Rainbow swiftly lands in front of the door, once again getting in her way. “She didn’t tell me anything, I just--” Rainbow starts.
“Get out of my way!” Nova shouts stomping her hoof. It sparks against some of the rocks in the dirt road.
“Unless you calm down, I’m not moving.”
“Get out of the way!” She tries to push Rainbow out of the way, but with a few flaps of her wings Rainbow stays put.
There is a click and the door swings open. “What’s going on out here?” Twilight asks. Nova stops trying to push Rainbow and glares at the alicorn. Twilight gives her a nervous smile and takes a small step back. “Oh, Nova, what--”
“You told her?!” Nova snaps. Rainbow yelps and jumps back when Nova’s hooves begin to burn at the touch. Nova takes a few steps toward Twilight.
“Nova, I... it... I’m sorry, we were just talking and it kinda slipped out. I never--”
“Just slipped! She still knows, you still told someone! I don’t care how it--”
Twilight takes a step back from her. “Nova, p-please calm down.”
Nova stops for a moment as a wisp of smoke floats past her. She looks down at a small stream of smoke pouring out from under a hoof. Looking out the door she sees a crowd starting to form around the library. Nova, we don’t need another debt. Just leave before you hurt everyone. With a huff she heads back out the door and not wanting to waste another moment takes to the air.
Once Nova is little more than a dot against the sky Twilight lets out a sigh of relief. She looks down at the small burn mark on her floor. She walks up next to Rainbow, taking a quick look at her side. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about telling her, I guess we’re both pretty bad at keeping secrets.”
“It’s fine, we can’t change what happened. But, we should go after her and make sure she doesn’t do anything too rash.”

Rainbow and Twilight land in front of Nova’s cave. They go inside, but as far as either can tell she’s not there. “So, this is where Nova lives?” Rainbow asks while she idly pokes at an old scorch mark that covers the center of the camber.
Twilight walks around the room, eventually she finds Nova’s saddlebags and her mailmare uniform. “She was here, and she left her stuff here too, she must not have went far.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said she can make fire,” Rainbow says looking at the scorched black marks that cover the walls. “And this is something she does when she’s angry?”
A loud explosion thunders in from outside before Twilight can answer. Without another word the two race outside. No smoke fills the sky, no visible flames burning the trees. They look around, but don’t spot where the explosion came from. “You think that was her?” Rainbow asks.
“It was.” Twilight spreads her wing and flies just above the trees. “Come on, she can’t be far.” They start heading around the mountain trying to spot smoke or fire. Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Nova, Twilight thinks.
Once they come around to the other side of the mountain they find a large column a black smoke billowing out from a circle of burnt trees. They fly a bit lower to avoid the worst of the smoke and to see if they can spot the pegasus herself. Most of the trees inside the circle are blasted apart and are now flaming splinters dotting the area. Small pockets of fire burn inside the circle. All the trees surrounding the area are in a full blaze. Twilight silently thanks Celestia that none of those trees was the library.
Twilight takes a quick look over at Rainbow, the pegasus is clearly troubled by the level of destruction. “Are you okay?”
Rainbow snaps out of her stupor and gives Twilight a brisk nod. “Y-yeah, fine. But, that could have been me, or your house…” Twilight looks back at the circle and at Nova who is sitting in the center taking deep breaths. Each exhale is a stream of black smoke, and with each exhale the fires get a little smaller.
After a few minutes of waiting the smoke has finally dissipated enough the fly in. Twilight gives Rainbow a quick reassuring smile, takes a deep breath and flies into the blast area.
Nova doesn’t notice Twilight or Rainbow flying behind her. Damnit Nova! You almost destroyed everything. She looks at the burning trees and charred earth. You would have made a crater in the center of Ponyville! A long sigh escapes her lips and she sits up a little straighter.
“Hey, Nova, feeling any better?” Twilight asks. The fires once again burst to life with new vigor. Nova turns and glares at the two flying above her.
“No.” Nova gets up and spreads her wings preparing to find another place where she can get some privacy.
“Nova wait,” Twilight says before the pegasus can get too far. “I didn’t mean to tell Rainbow, it was just an accident. I’m not that good at keeping secrets. I’m sorry I broke your trust.”
For a few seconds tense seconds nobody moves. Nova simply stays put mid-step seemingly lost in her own mind again. Finally, after twenty seconds Nova folds her wings against her sides and the fires die down again. She sits down, but still looks away from them. “Don’t say sorry to me, I don’t deserve it.”
Twilight and Rainbow land a good distance from the crimson mare. Rainbow looks around at the ring of charred trees and suddenly feels like she’s not far enough away. She looks for any burnt animals, but thankfully finds none.
Nova turns around to face the two of them giving them a quick bow. “I’m sorry about that. I… overreacted. It was your choice what to do with… the knowledge of my ability, and I shouldn’t have acted as such.”
They stare at her in surprise, not quite expecting an apology from a mare who, moments ago, destroyed part of a forest. “It was something you trusted me with and I told Rainbow. You had every right to be angry.”
Another stream of smoke blows out of her nostrils. Are you sure you want these two to live?
“If you say so, princess.” She looks at Rainbow. “Well, since you now know what I can do, this is what happens when I’m angry,” she says gesturing to the burnt trees arounds them.
Rainbow eyes her wearly. “Good to know. So, are you magic or something?”
“Probably,” Nova says with a shrug. A gust of wind blows through the newly made clearing causing her to shiver again. She brushes some soot off her coat with her wing then turns to the line of trees. “It’s getting cold out here, think I’m going to go now.” Shooting a quick glare at the two she adds, “I would rather if you two don’t tell anyone else about what I can do.”
She bursts into the sky without another word. “She’s fast,” Rainbow says watching the quickly receding red dot. 
Beside her Twilight sighs with a mix of relief and disappointment. Looks like I might have to ask Lore how to get her to talk… But, why was she suddenly fine that I told RD? She had been on the edge of turning us into crisps, but then she just accepted it. At least she did, I would hate to think of what would happen if she didn’t. She turns to Rainbow, but finds a rainbow colored streak racing off into the distance. “Wait for me!”

Nova walks down into the cave, fire runs along her back and wings giving the place some light and heat. She couldn't even keep it a secret for five days! How long before she decides to tell someone else? Nova comes out into the chamber and sits in the center.
How much can I even trust this Rainbow? She doesn’t like me… for good reason though. I doubt she’s going to keep this to herself, chances are she’s as likely as Twilight to inform Celestia that I’m here. Maybe I should just leave.
They won’t tell anyone, they have both seen what you’re capable of, if anything they fear you.
They’re the Elements of Harmony, they don’t fear me. Actually, maybe the Elements can finally rid me of you.
They can’t.
Figured as much, besides it would involve telling them about you.
And telling them what you are and what you’ve done.
Okay then, I can probably leave before anyone knows that I’m even gone. But, I still have those debts to pay off… I guess I can live in the middle of nowhere. The problem is that it’s still--
“So, you’re still angry?” The voice cuts her out of her thoughts and brings her into the fire filled chamber. Rainbow stands at the entrance, keeping a good distance between herself and the flames. WIth a bit of focus the flames dim down a little but remain.
“Yes, that and it’s incredibly hard for a non-unicorn to use magic, takes a little more focus.” She walks over and jumps up onto the outcropping deciding to let the fires die down on their own. “Thanks for checking on me, but could you please leave. In case you can’t see, I’m a bit of a danger to anyone near me.”
“How can I trust you?” Rainbow asks. She takes a step into the chamber ignore the few fires that still burn. Nova only raises an eyebrow at the question. With an annoyed groan Rainbow continues. “How I can trust that you’re not a bad guy? When I met you, you were shouting at Fluttershy. Today, you would have ripped Twilight’s head off. I saw what you’re capable of, how can I be sure you won’t try to destroy Ponyville or something like that?”
Nova stares at her for a moment then looks up at the ceiling thinking over the question a bit. After a few seconds of thinking she looks back at Rainbow. “I live out here so I don’t hurt anyone, I blew up part of the forest instead of part of Ponyville.”
“For all I know you can be trying to keep a low profile.”
“Fine, how can I prove that I’m not here to cause trouble?”
> Fire and Rainbows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova picks another branch off the ground and brings it back over to the mouth of the cave. The beginnings of a very rough wall covers a small section of the entrance. The wall is made of branches she picked off of the forest floor and is mainly held together by sap and string. I’m going to need some actual tools, she thinks. She drops the branch into a pile. That’s enough I think.
Part of the wall crumbles to the ground. I’m going to need someone who actually knows how to build this. With a groan she turns around and heads for the creek. She hesitates at the edge of the water, afraid she’ll see the image of her injured friend again. Peering over the water, her own reflection greets her, the dark  bags under her eyes are reduced, though they’re still there. She is as much of a mess as usual, covered in dirt and sap.
She shakes off her momentary fear and slips into the water. She surfaces and pulls herself onto the bank of the creek just letting her hooves dangle in the water.
Lying back, she watches the clouds drift lazily across the sky as it slowly turn from blue to orange. Rainbow, I hope I can trust you.
Maybe we should kill her, just to be safe.
“Or maybe I can just trust her because she’s the element of Loyalty,” Nova she with a snort. She rolls back onto her hooves, flames ripple along her wings quickly drying them off.
Yes, but who do you think she’s loyal to, you or her princess?
“You don’t have to ask who I think she’s loyal to, you already know what I think. However, I do trust her to keep her word.”
*****

“I want you to race me, and mean race. I want to see what you’re capable of,” Rainbow says after a moment of thought.
Nova blinks a few times then narrows her eyes at the other pegasus. “Why?”
“Because you’re fast, and you beat me to Twilight’s. I want to see how fast you really are.”
“No, I mean why should I, and what would it prove?”
Rainbow steps back and thinks for a moment. “How about this? If you race me, I promise I won’t tell anyone about what you can do. No matter who wins I won’t tell anyone.”
“Okay, but what would this prove?”
“If you’re a good guy.”
Nova stares at her working the idea over in her head a few times. If I race her she won’t tell anyone, but on the other hoof she’ll be up against me… “No,” she says shaking her head.
“What, why?”
Afraid to lose, are we?
“No, I’m not afraid to lose!” Nova shouts.
Rainbow takes a couple steps back, not want to be near her after seeing what she can do when angry. “What?”
Nova blinks and looks at her. “I wasn’t talking to-- Ugh! I don’t want to race you because I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Oh please, I’ve fought the god of chaos. I think I can live through I race against you,” Rainbow says waving her hoof dismissively.
She’s right, she went head to head with a god and she’s still fine. There’s not much you can probably do to her. In fact, you shouldn’t race her, I mean she fought a god, want are the chances of you beating her?
A quick wave of anger pulses through her. As if, she’d stand no chance against me… Wait, I don’t need to win, I just need to race her.
Well, if you’re as fast as you think you are, then it would be rather hard for her to get hurt with you so far ahead of her.
She feels something rush through her, something along the lines of excitement. “Alright then, I’ll race you. Just promise you won’t tell anyone.”
Rainbow smiles and heads for the entrance. “Alright then, let’s go!”
“Tomorrow, I need to get some rest after today.” Rainbow nods and heads outside.
*****

Some resting you’ve done.
“Hey, I still need to get ready for winter. You hate the cold as much as me, so you can’t complain. Anyways, this whole race is your fault.”
You were the one who listened to me. Nova groans and jumps up onto the outcropping in her cave. Besides, I want something interesting to happen. It’s boring waiting for you to visit the next pony you pissed off.
“Good night.”
*****

Nova stands next to Rainbow looking up at the blue sky. A course made out of clouds is laid out in the sky. She looks down at a white line just before her hooves. She paws at it a few times, getting a small cloud of white dust to wisp up out of the grass.
“Trying to cheat, now?” Rainbow taunts giving her a poke in the side and quickly backing off to make sure she didn’t anger the red pegasus.
“Bah, don’t need to. I’ll be leaving you in my dust.” A flame ripples over her back going from the back of her neck down to her flank.
“That so?” Rainbow says with a chuckle. “Let’s see how well you can back it up.” She spreads her wings and crouches lower to the ground, ready to take off at a moment’s notice. Nova glances down at her then does the same.
“Alright then, ready?” Nova asks. 
“Set.”
“Go!” the two say in unison. Rainbow and Nova take off at breakneck speeds, sending a cloud of dust behind them. Nova takes an early lead, staying just ahead of Rainbow. Through the sound of the rushing air she can still hear the rhythmic beating of Rainbow’s wings not far behind.
Soon she sees the cyan pegasus out of the corner of her eye. She focuses ahead again and starts gaining altitude so she can fly above the coming trees. Below her a rainbow streak shoots in between the trees with ease. Nova watches in amazement as Rainbow takes the lead even as she twists and spins around the trees.
Nova snaps out of her stupor when Rainbow makes a sharp turn and rockets further into the sky. She snorts out a stream of smoke looking up at the cloud ring Rainbow is heading for. Enough gawking, let’s show her real power. 
A grin cracks her face as she feels the energy pulsing through her. The familiar crackle of fire catches her ears a flames fully cover her wings. Her golden eyes take on an orange hue.
An explosion blasts through the air just as Rainbow passes through the first ring. She flares her wings coming to a complete stop almost instantly. She turns and lets out a surprised gasp. A growing circle of black smoke churns in the air, entire cloud of smoke glows a dark red. Nova completely surrounded in fire bursts out of the cloud.
A wave of heat quickly washes over Rainbow as Nova approaches. Rainbow goes to start flying again, but Nova blasts past bringing a fresh wave of heat and a trail of fire and smoke in her wake. Flames roar in her ears and raw energy burns in her veins, all so familiar and exhilarating. But, a horrified scream from behind brings her out of her adrenaline rush.
She turns around in time to watch burnt body of Rainbow plummet from the sky and down into a burning forest. Nova unleashes an explosion of fiery energy and she drops into a dive to try and catch her. The fire surrounding her dies out once she catches up, she quickly wraps her hooves around her and tries to pull out of the dive. However, with her already poor ability to turn and the extra weight she plunges straight into the black, billowing smoking.
While the smoke doesn’t sting at her eyes or burn her throat it still stops her from seeing too far. Soon, she finds herself soaring past branches as they scratch at her wings. I’ve got to get out of this, she thinks as she still tries to pull up. But, before she can start gaining altitude a tree emerges from the black smoke.
There is a loud crack as she rams into the tree at speed. They fall out of the smoke cloud and crash down at the base of the burning tree.
*****

Nova jolts awake, breathing quickly and shallowly. Her eyes dart around her surroundings making sure she’s not in the burning forest. She freezes for a moment when she sees the cloud of black smoke looming above her and the orange glow of fire shines from over to the side. But, she calms down once she sees that she’s still in her cave with a few fires dotting the area.
She closes her eye and takes a few deep breaths to collect her thoughts. When she opens them again they shine with an orange hue. “Damn it!” she shouts and gives the wall a punch. Red glowing cracks spiderweb up the wall, steam and smoke pouring out of them.

Are you ever going to let me sleep? I mean a full, proper night of sleep. Ever plan on letting me have that, just once even? Nova thinks.
I keep telling you, I’m not making the nightmares! I’m not the one afraid for her life, or with a sense of conscience.
Nova lets out an annoyed snort. As if, the day I believe that is the day I can punch you.
“Is something the matter?” Derpy asks from her side. Nova blinks a few times and looks over at her. The two are sitting behind the counter at the post office. No one else is there except for the two of them.
She shakes her head to clear her thoughts. “Huh? Oh, uh no, nothing’s wrong. Why do you ask?”
“Well, your shift ended five minutes ago. You just seem… a little distracted and tired.”
“Oh… sorry, guess I am pretty distracted. Just another bad night of sleep.”
A concerned look crosses the grey mare’s face. She places a hoof on Nova’s shoulder. “Do you need any help? Because you’re tired pretty often.”
“Nah, just… getting used to Ponyville.” She yawns and gets up onto her hooves. After a quick stretch she head for the door. “Anyways, thank for snapping me outta my little daze. Guess I’ll be heading home now. Have a nice day.”
“Have a nice day.”
Nova smiles at her and goes outside. Once she’s out the door she spreads her wings and starts flying back to the cave. She flies well above the houses to give her some time to think. I’m supposed to race Rainbow today… What was I thinking when I made that deal?
I doubt you were thinking. Odd, given how noisy you make this place.
Clearly… I can’t race her! I can’t possibly risk hurting her. I can live with her not trusting me, she still might even keep my secret from Celestia. If I put her in the hospital, or more likely in the ground however… 
Oh come on, she fought a god. Do you really think she’s at much of a risk from you?
Don’t play innocent! We both know she’s never faced anything like… us.
Don’t worry about it, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
Nova sighs tired of arguing with him. Looking down she sees that she’s flying over the forest between the town and the mountain, though her cave is still a little distance off. She decides to watch the trees as she soars above them. Most of the leaves are off of the trees by now, leaving them barren and dead. Getting too close to winter.
After another minute of flying she finally arrives at the base of the mountain. She soars down to the ground skidding to a stop a bit past the entrance. As she stops she hears a yelp come from the cave. She quickly turns around and gallops to the cave.
Rainbow gives her a nervous smile as she stands in front of half of the way she had spent the better part of the morning building. The other half of the wall lays in rubble around the cyan pegasus. Nova raises an eyebrow at her. “I swear it broke on it’s own!” Rainbow defends.
“Well, I didn’t exactly expect it to hold up until I got back,” Nova says with a shrug.
“Oh… than why did you even make it?”
“I had nothing to do this morning, and I was hoping it would still be in one piece.”
Rainbow looks back at the ‘wall’ and scratches the back of her head. “Well, I’m sorry for breaking it than.” Nova simply shrugs. They stand in silence for a few moments, each waiting for the other to speak first. Finally, Rainbow clears her throat and speaks, “So, you ready to race? ‘Cause I’ve got the--”
“I’m not going to race.”
“What? But, yesterday you--”
“Yes, I did agree to it, but since then I’ve rethought my decision,” Nova says walking past Rainbow and into the cave. 
“What happened? What changed?”
“I realized it would be stupid to risk hurting you to earn your trust.”
“What, I thought we went over this, I’ve fought Nightmare Moon, Discord, and a changeling queen. What is a race compared to any of that?”
Nova stomps her hoof onto the rocky floor of the cave. “True, but you don’t know what I am or what I’m capable of. And trust me, you haven’t went up against anything like me!” Rainbow backs up as the air starts to heat up.
“That’s why I wanted to race you, to see what you can do.”
“Well tough! Quite frankly, I could care less about whether I have your trust or not, but I’m not willing to hurt anyone else! I’ve hurt enough ponies I didn’t want to, and I’ve had enough of it. Go ahead, tell Celestia about me, ‘cause I ain’t going to risk hurt someone.” Nova glares at Rainbow for a few moments before turning and heading further into the cave.
The cyan pegasus watches her walk away. “She’s as stubborn as AJ,” she mumbles under her breath. She sighs and heads inside, finding Nova over by her bags taking some stuff out and throwing other things in. Rainbow spots Nova pull out a photo album and pause for a moment before putting it to the side. “Fine, I’ll trust you for now. But, you owe me, and expect some answers as soon as you start giving them to Twilight.”
Nova glares at her again, but it softens quickly. “Alright, that’s more than fair. This time, I promise I’ll give you answers.” With that she goes back to the bag.
Rainbow shifts uneasily, not sure what to do now. “Uh… well since I don’t have any plans now, do you want to go hang out?”
“No, I’m… going on a trip tomorrow.”
“Oh, well have a nice trip. I’m gonna hang out with one of my friends than.”
	
> Hurt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash paces the floor of the Golden Oaks library. Twilight sits at the table in the center of the room with a notebook opened up in front of her. Once again her table is covered with books of various subject, though most of them are about magic and case studies of non-unicorns using magic. The alicorn finishes marking down a couple of notes before turning to the pegasus. “I don’t know. It sounds like she’d rather everypony know about her power than hurting someone. If she did come here for something evil then I doubt she’d care if anyone gets hurt.”
Rainbow continues to pace for some time. “I don’t get it, why can’t we just tell Celestia? I’m sure she has some idea what’s going on.”
Twilight sighs and closes the notebook. “We can’t because she doesn’t want us to. If we tell her and Nova figures out she could just disappear and then we’ll never figure out what’s up with her.”
With a frustrated sigh Rainbow stops pacing and stomps her hoof onto the floor. “So what are we supposed to do, wait for her to tell us everything?”
“No, that won’t work, I doubt she’ll tell us anything on her own unless something happens. All we can do is press her for information,” Twilight says.
Rainbow sighs and looks out a nearby window. “Well, sorry for bothering you, just felt like I should tell you about what happened. I had better get back to work, winter’s not going to come on it’s own.”
Twilight smiles at her friend. “It’s no bother at all, I want to figure this out as much as you.” Rainbow returns the smile and leaves.
Once her friend is gone Twilight flips the notebook open again and looks over the few notes she has. She looks down at them for a few moments trying to connect what little she has. Though Rainbow is right, this would be a lot easier if we could just tell Princess Celestia... Maybe I can get her help, I simply don’t tell her about Nova. Wait a sec, Nova only ever told me not to tell the princesses, she never mentioned about anyone else. Is she hiding from the princesses? “Spike!” she calls out. 
After a minute she hears nothing and remembers that he went to help Rarity. She sighs and shakes her head. Magic surrounds a nearby parchment and quill. Right, so keep it subtle and broad.




Dear Princess Celestia, 
I am researching a phenomenon that has caught my interest lately. I’ve read a report of non-unicorn ponies being able to use magic. I began to wonder what would cause this. So, I was wondering if you have ever known anyone with this ability. This knowledge would really help in my research.
Your faithful student,
-Twilight Sparkle




There is a knock at the door, quiet but still loud enough to catch Twilight’s attention. She puts the quill down and walks over to the door as she surrounds it in a magical aura. Fluttershy smiles at her once the door swings open. “Hey Twilight.”
“Fluttershy, how’s it going?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Uh… you said you’d come with me while I help my animal friends prepare for winter, that is if it’s still okay with you.”
“Oh right, sorry I was just a little distracted,” Twilight says rolling up the parchment and setting it on the table. A magic aura surrounds her bags and drop them down onto her back. She grabs a nearby scarf in her magic and wraps it around her neck and heads outside. The cold air send a shiver down her spine making her thankful she remembered it. “Right, let’s get to work,” she says and the two head off through town.
Quite a few other ponies walk through the street, a few vendors have their stalls set up along the street trying to sell the last of their produce before winter. “So, how have you been lately?” Twilight asks after a moment.
The two step aside to let Cakes pass by as they tow a cart behind them. “Quite busy, I’ve been helping most of the animals near my cottage, and it’s really tiring, especially the bears. Thank you for the help by the way, I really could use it.”
“Well, I’m glad to help. I’ve been wanting to hang out for a while, but I’ve just been caught up in lately.”
“I wish the others could have come. Too bad they’re busy. But, I thought at least Spike would come as well, is he sick?”
“What, oh, he’s fine he’s just helping Rarity out. Honestly, he would be devastated to be sick, he’s so looking forward to the Hearth’s Warming play that he’s already started practicing his lines,” Twilight replies chuckling a little at a memory of the little dragon standing in front of a mirror reading from the script.
“That’s good. I had fun during the play, but I not too sure I’d be able to do it again, with everypony watching me,” Fluttershy says shivering at the memory.
They continue walking, passing the time with small talk. They barely notice as they leave the boundaries of Ponyville and enter the nearby forest. Fluttershy stops on the path through the forest and looks around at the trees, there are no more leaves save for a few red ones that dangle off the branches. “So, where to first?” Twilight asks from slightly ahead.
“The chipmunks,” Fluttershy says point at a small family of them. The family scurries up to them squeaking excitedly to them. Fluttershy nods and turns to Twilight. “They said they weren’t able to find enough acorns.”
“Alright,” Twilight says and the two set about trying to find some acorns. Soon enough she has a small pile floating along behind her. The two work in relative silence, the only noises being those of the woodland animals. “So, do you have any plans for the winter?” Twilight asks after a little while.
“Oh, I’m going to visit my family in Cloudsdale, they usually have a party Hearth’s Warming Eve. What about you?”
“I think Shining Armor and Cadence are going to be inviting me and my parents over to the Crystal Empire. And then there’s the Hearth’s Warming Eve play. And all of the parties that Pinkie’s going to be throwing. This is going to be a pretty busy winter,” Twilight replies as she continues to make a mental list.
“Guess that means you won’t want to look after Angel while I’m gone? I can’t exactly bring him to a city made of clouds.”
“I might be able to, if I’m free at the time. Hm… I wonder if the cloudwalking spell can work on animals too?”
Fluttershy gasps and shakes her head. “Oh no, I don’t think I could do that to him. What if he’s afraid of heights? Or what if he falls through a hole in the clouds? Or what if the spell just wears off?”
“Okay, okay, I was just thinking out loud. If you want, I could help you find somepony to look after him while you’re gone.”
“I would like that, actually I was planning on…” Her sentence trails off and she slows down. She ducks down behind a nearby tree, she peers around the trunk looking further ahead. Twilight follows her gaze, and spots a red pegasus walking along the path further ahead.
“Nova!” Twilight calls. The crimson pegasus stops and looks over at her, she visibly slumps and continues walking. Twilight notes that she’s limping away, taking care to keep her weight off her right foreleg. She almost goes after her, but she looks back at Fluttershy, quickly remembering the fight. “Are you okay?”
“I’m… I’m fine, is she… is she hurt?” Fluttershy asks coming out from behind the tree.
“Looks like it. We should go check on her.” She looks back at Fluttershy, the pegasus shifts uncomfortably. “She’s not that bad, she’s just… temperamental. I’m sure she’s sorry for yelling at you.”
“A-alright.”
“Nova, wait up!” Twilight calls, the pegasus doesn’t slow down. Twilight starts trotting after her with Fluttershy following close behind. Twilight flatters for a second when she sees Nova’s right wing hanging limply at her side. “Nova, are you okay?” Twilight asks after a moment, Fluttershy stops next to her. 
“I’m going home to rest, leave me alone,” she says not bothering to turn around.
Twilight narrows her eyes at Nova, and starts casting a spell. With a flash and a pop she disappears and reappears in front of the crimson pegasus. Nova rears back in surprise, but that quickly passes and she just glares at her. Twilight gasps, seeing Nova covered in cuts and bruises. There are large purple bruises on her right foreleg and her right wing, which she can now see is clearly broken. “What happened to you?”
Nova snorts and starts limping ahead once again. “I’m going home.”
“But, you’re hurt!”
“Which is why I’m going to rest,” Nova calls over her shoulder. Twilight stares at her with her mouth agape. How can she be so stubborn? Why is she so dead set against going to a hospital? Twilight thinks. There is another flash and pop as Twilight teleports in front of Nova stopping the pegasus again. “I’m not in the mood to argue, please just let me be.”
Before Twilight can retort, Fluttershy manages to catch up to the two. She covers her mouth and gasps, catching Nova’s attention. To Twilight’s surprise she sees Nova soften a little when she sees the yellow pegasus. “W-what happened? Let me look at that,” Fluttershy says looking at the broken wing.
Nova shifts away from her, quickly looking away. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.”
“You’re not fine, you need to go to a hospital,” Twilight says.
Immediately, Nova’s eyes harden with anger and annoyance. “No, I don’t ne-- want a hospital.”
“Your wing is broken!” Twilight shouts back ignoring the heat emanating from her.
“So what, I’ve been through worse when I was on my own!” Nova shouts back stomping her hoof on the ground, making Fluttershy yelp and jump back. There is a quiet snap as Nova’s injured hoof connects with the ground. She screams and quickly cradles her foreleg, she huffs out a cloud of smoke from her nostrils forcing Twilight to step back.
If we keep this up she’ll end up hurting herself more than what she already is. I can’t just let her go home, she needs a doctor, Twilight thinks. “Nova, please calm down,” Fluttershy says slowly approaching them.
The crimson pegasus takes several deep breaths still cradling her foreleg. “I am not going to a hospital,” she says finally.
“You need professional help, you can’t just go home.”
“And I can’t go to a hospital,” Nova says getting back onto her hooves. She pushes her way past Twilight.
“Why can’t you get help?” Fluttershy asks. Nova stops for a moment and her ears fold back against her head. However, she continues walking without answering.
Come on, Twilight, you can’t just let her walk away. You have to do something! Twilight wracks her mind desperately to find someway to help Nova. She sighs and starts charging a spell on her horn. She hesitates for a moment, but eventually calls out to to her. “Wait, Nova… let me help you.”
The pegasus stops and groans audibly. She turns to face Twilight with a glare. “I don’t want--” Before she can finish a beam of magic shoots from Twilight’s horn and catches Nova just above the eye. Instantly, Nova’s eyes close and she falls to the ground snoring. Fluttershy gasps and rushes to Nova’s side.
“Why did you do that?” she asks quickly checking the broken wing.
“Well, we couldn’t just leave her, she clearly needs help. She would have hurt herself more if we tried force her. It was the only thing I could think of to actually get her to go to a hospital,” Twilight says coming up next to Fluttershy to see if she had hurt Nova more than before. “Let’s go get her some help.” A magic aura surrounds Nova and lifts her into the air.



It didn’t take long for them to arrive at the hospital. Twilight had opted to walk there, afraid of what might happen if she teleported the injured mare. Once they had arrived, a doctor and a few nurses had rushed Nova inside to tend to her injuries. 
Now, Twilight and Fluttershy sit in the reception area waiting to know how Nova is. Twilight checks the clock on the wall, it has been a few hours since she arrived and she has still not had much of an update asides from the news that Nova’s condition is stable. She turns to Fluttershy who is sitting on the chair next to her looking over at the doors to the recovery wing. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to, I know you have a lot of work you have to do.”
Fluttershy looks away from the doors and smiles at the alicorn. “No, no, it’s fine, I want to make sure she’s okay.”She looks back at the door, but Twilight can tell there’s something bugging her.
“Is everything alright?”
Fluttershy doesn’t answer right away, instead she takes a few seconds to think about it. “Actually, when we were out there I… I swore I saw her…” she hesitates and trails off. Before she can start again the doors to the recovery wing open and a greying stallion wearing a doctor’s uniform walks into the room.
“Doctor Stable,” Twilight perks up. “How is she?”
Stable hoofs a few papers to the receptionist and he turn to Twilight. “Lot of bruises, a couple of lacerations, a fractured foreleg, and a broken wing. She’s not in a very good condition, but she should make a full recovery.”
Twilight lets out a small sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear.”
“Agreed, but I was wondering. Do you know what happened to her?”
Twilight and Fluttershy share a glance and frown. “No, we found her like that. She didn’t want any help, so I had to knock her out with a spell to bring her here. I was hoping you could tell me what happened.”
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait for her to wake up before we can find out. When should your spell wear off?”
“Not too sure, can’t be that much longer.” But, she won’t tell us anything for a while… that is if she ever forgives me. Maybe Lore knows what happened. “At least she’s going to be okay.”
“If you want you can go see her,” Stable offers.
Twilight shakes her head. “No thanks, I think I should go get Lore, he’s a friend of hers.”
“Uh, I think I should go with you too,” Fluttershy says.
“You don’t want to stay?”
“Oh, uh… no, I think she’s going to be alright now that she’s here, and I would like to talk with you actually.”
“So, you’re both leaving?” Stable asks. 
“Looks that way,” Twilight says. “Sorry for just leaving like this, but I think her friend has a right to know. But, if she wakes up could you come tell us?”
“I’ll be sure to inform you the instant she wakes.”
Twilight gives him a smile and nods. She heads out the door quickly followed by Fluttershy. They head out into the cold air, and start going toward Ponyville proper. Twilight looks around, but no one else is walking on the path between the hospital and Ponyville. She looks up at the sky which is fully covered in clouds.
Looks like it’s going to snow soon, Twilight thinks. A cool breeze rushes past sending a shiver down her spine. Yep, going to snow.
“So, you wanted to talk to me about something?” Twilight asks after a few minutes of walking in silence.
“Oh, uh, yes… back in the forest I saw… does she... “ Fluttershy shakes her head and takes a deep breath. “I was wondering if she could have had an accident. Maybe we found her in the forest because she crashed into a tree.”
No, that’s just her way ‘home’, she thinks adding mental air quotes to the word. “Could be, but why wouldn’t she want to go to a hospital then? I don’t know, I just want to be sure.”
It doesn’t take long before the two are walking between the buildings of Ponyville. Everypony gives them a friendly greeting as they walk past. Soon, they are that Lore’s aged house. Twilight knocks on the door, she waits a few seconds but hears nothing inside.
“Uh, I don’t think he’s here,” Fluttershy says from off to the side. Twilight turns and finds Fluttershy looking at a sign hanging in the window. She sighs and walks up to it.




Gone to the Snowbound Republic
On family business. Will return in a week




“Of course he’s gone,” Twilight sighs.
"What now?" Fluttershy asks.
"I don't know, I guess there's nothing else we can do but head back and wait for her to wake up."
They hear the sound of hoofsteps behind them. They turn to see nurse Redheart standing behind them. Her usually well kept mane is a little frazzled and she has a bruise under her left eye. She frowns at them. "Your friend woke up."
> Choices
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Nurse Redheart, what happened to you?” Twilight asks trotting up to the mare. The bruise under her eye hasn’t started swelling yet, but still looks pretty bad.
“I was checking on your friend when she woke up. She started going hysterical and punched me with her fractured hoof. Since then we’ve had to restrain her to stop her from hurting herself or anyone else.” Twilight and Fluttershy wince at the thought “I think it’s would be best if you two come back and talk to her. No one else can get much of anything from her,” Redheart says.
“Sorry, I should have expected her to do something rash when she woke up,” Twilight says quickly charging a teleportation spell. With a flash and a pop the three of them disappear and reappear a second later in the waiting room of the hospital. The secretary behind desk yelp and falls out of her chair at their sudden arrival. “Oh, sorry to startle you,” Twilight says giving her an apologetic smile.
She frowns at them and gets up heading down one of the halls lined with doors. She goes into one of the rooms and a moment later she comes back out followed by Doctor Stable. “Twilight, good to see you,” he says as he walks up to them. “Your friend, she, uh…”
“I know, and I’m so sorry for anything she did.”
“Don’t worry too much about it, she didn’t cause too much damage asides from almost breaking her arm, and hitting Redheart,” he says gesturing over to the nurse’s station where Redheart is getting a pack of ice.
“Still, I’m very sorry, she’s not usually…” Twilight’s sentence trails off as her mind goes back to when Nova had pinned her against the cave wall. Actually, she might be just that aggressive.
“As I said, don’t worry about it. However, since the incident, we’ve been having trouble talking with her.”
Of course she doesn’t want to talk to anyone. “Let me try, asides from Lore I’m the only one in Ponyville that knows her.”
Doctor Stable gives a nod. “Alright, good luck. The nurse’s station is just down the hall from her room, so just yell if you need help. She’s in room three by the way.”
“Thank you. Fluttershy, could you wait out here for a moment?”
Fluttershy takes a few steps back. “Uh, o-okay, if that’s what you want.”
Twilight gives her a thankful smile and start down the hall. It doesn’t take long to get to the room, it being the second door on the left. She quietly opens the door and peeks inside. Quickly she spots the crimson mare lying on a bed.
Nova has her eyes closed and with her head facing the ceiling. Her forehooves and restrained to the bed, with her right foreleg covered in a cast. Another cast covers her wing. Bandages dot her body, covering the many cuts she has. A wire runs from her good foreleg to a heart-rate monitor next to her, which is beeping a bit quicker than a regular heart rate.
Twilight walks in closing the door behind her as quietly as she had opened it. “Nova?” Her golden eyes shoot open and quickly focus on Twilight, the machine starts beeping faster. Nova closes her eyes again and starts taking deep breaths. “You have to calm down.”
“You knocked me out?!”
“I had to, you wouldn’t come any other way. I couldn’t just leave you out there! It’s getting colder out there, you don’t have a house, and you’re hurt. If I left you, you could have died! Hate me if you want, but I wasn’t about to leave you.”
Nova takes a deep breath. “Listen, I don’t care right now. I couldn’t care less about what you did and why. Just get me out of here!” she shouts focusing her eyes on her again.
Twilight stares back at her, one of her eyes twitching ever-so-slightly. “Didn’t you just listen to me? I can’t get you out of here because you have nowhere to go!” As she shouts she can hear Nova’s heart rate increase but she continues anyways. “You’re still hurt, more now than before probably, since you hit Redheart! Even if I have to knock you out--”
“Shut up!” Nova shouts cutting her off. “You don’t understand!”
“Oh, I don’t, do I? How about we see if I do understand. You don’t want to be here because you don’t want anyone’s help--”
“I can’t control my powers!” Twilight stops yelling and just stares at Nova. “I-I can’t control them… not fully at least. The reason I live out in a cave is so that I don’t burn down anything, but… Twilight, I’ve done some horrible things, things that haunt my dreams, things that I live with everyday. I don’t want to add ‘burning a hospital down’ onto that list.”
Twilight falls back onto her haunches as she comes to understand what Nova is saying. “You have no control over it?” she asks quietly.
“Of course I don’t!” Nova shouts back. She winces and lies back down trying to remain calm. “Well, not much at least. I’m a pegasus, I have no way to control magic.”
They sit in relative silence, save for a few sounds coming from behind the door, no doubt the shouting match between the two of them attracted the attention of most of the employees. “If I do get you out of here, then what?”
“I don’t know, I just know that it’s better than the alternative.”
Sighing, Twilight looks over at the door. “I’ll… I’ll see what I can work out, just try to stay calm.” She quickly goes back out into the hall. Nurse Redheart and another nurse are by the door when she comes out.
“We heard some shouting, what happened?” Nurse Redheart asks looking at her expectantly.
“We’re fine. But, I need to talk to Doctor Stable. Could you make sure she doesn’t do anything rash?” Twilight heads down the hall. Why didn’t I think of that? Damn it, I knew she wasn’t… stable, but I brought her here anyways. She spots Fluttershy sitting on one of the chairs in the waiting room. Fluttershy gets up and walks over to her.
“Are you okay? There was shouting and I… I thought she might be angry with you for bring her here.”
“I’m fine, but there’s something I have to do,” Twilight says quickly. Then she heads down the hall the secretary had went down earlier. What am I going to tell him? If I tell him the truth I’d be destroying what little trust Nova has left in me. But, should I really lie to him? He wants what’s best for her… She finds a door marked with ‘Dr. Stable’.
Twilight knocks twice on the already open door to get his attention. “Ah, Twilight, come in,” he says looking up from some papers. “I take it that you had about as much luck as us? I heard you two arguing from here, not sure what it was about, but it was loud.”
“Well actually, that’s something I need to talk to you about. I think bringing her here was a mistake.”
From behind her Fluttershy gasps. The doctor leans back into his chair studying her a little closer. “Why do you say that?”
“She, uh… she’s afraid of hospitals. Her mother died in one when she was young and she has been afraid of them ever since,” she says deciding on the lie.
Stable leans forward and sighs. “Well, that certainly ain’t good. Is there any way to make her more comfortable, someone we can call?”
“I don’t think so,” Twilight says avoiding his eyes.
“Hm… having her in constant state of stress wouldn’t be good for her health. Do you know of anywhere she can stay?”
“Uh, she could stay at my place,” Twilight says hesitating for a moment.
“Do you have any medical experience?”
“No… no I don’t.”
Stable shakes his head. “I think it would be better for her to stay with someone who has some medical experience. There would have to be somepony that could help her in case something happens.”
“I-I could look after her,” Fluttershy says quietly from behind, Twilight whips around to look at her. “I have some medical experience, because of all the times I help my animal friends.”
“I suppose that could work, if we have no other choice. I’ll send over a nurse for regular check-ups.”
Twilight looks between the two. No, Fluttershy, don’t. She’s dangerous, just having her at your place is a risk. But, you’re her one hope, if you don’t she’ll be stuck here… There’s no good ending in this situation! “Is everything alright, Twilight?” Fluttershy asks.
“Uh, y-yeah, just a little tired.”
Fluttershy and Stable eye her, but don’t question her. “Alright then, we’ll get her ready, and give you a few supplies she’ll need,” Stable says.



Fluttershy tries her best at a friendly smile as the nurses help Nova into the wheelchair. “I can still walk,” Nova complains, earning an eyeroll from both nurses. She grumbles some more as she sits down, when she eventually focuses on Fluttershy she quiets down and looks away.
“Are you comfortable enough?” one of the nurses ask.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Nova replies. The nurses nod to Fluttershy, she walks over to the wheelchair and starts pushing it down the hall. Once they get to the waiting room they find Doctor Stable standing by the reception desk with a small paper bag. He smiles and walks over to them.
“Here are some painkillers and anti-inflammatories, she’ll need those,” he says giving the bag to Fluttershy. She puts the bag into a small bag built into the wheelchair. “If anything goes wrong just come and tell us.” He looks down at Nova. “And how are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.”
“Alright, I hope you feel better at her place. Well, have a nice day Fluttershy.” She nods starts pushing the wheelchair toward the door.
As the doors slide a cool wind sends a shiver down Nova spine. She tries pushing further back into the chair to get some shelter from the cold. Fluttershy notices and takes off her scarf and gives it to Nova. Outside they find Twilight pacing just off to the side, mumbling under her breath. “Are you okay, Twilight?” Fluttershy asks. 
“Huh, oh I’m fine just…” She looks at Nova, debating inside whether to tell Fluttershy about Nova’s power or not. “I’m just a little tired,” she says looking up at the sky for a moment. The reds and oranges in the clouds from the setting sun fills her with unease. “I… I’ll see you tomorrow, sorry I we couldn’t do much for the squirrels today.”
“It’s fine, Twilight, I’m glad we could just hang out for a while,” Fluttershy says with a smile. “Well, I guess I should get going and get Nova settled in.” She looks down at the pegasus who doesn’t say anything in reply.
“Alright, Fluttershy. I’ll come down to your place tomorrow to see how well you two are doing.”
“Okay, bye Twilight,” she says as she starts down the path toward her cottage. For a moment Twilight goes to follow, but she hesitates then heads home.
Fluttershy choses to take a slightly longer route that passes through some more wooded areas. Nova sighs as she’s pushed past the trees, no more leaves hanging from the branches. She looks down at the ground and the array of colorful leaves that cover it. Soon enough the hospital disappears behind them and they’re walking through a path in the middle of the woods. 
Nova looks back at Fluttershy walking in silence, she glances down at Nova but quickly looks away when she finds Nova’s eyes trained on her. “Fluttershy, I’m sorry,” Nova says looking back at the ground.
“Oh, it’s not your fault. Anyways, I don’t mind looking after you.”
“Not that, I’m sorry for yelling at you that day in town. I had no right to yell out you, you only wanted to help me. I’m sorry for hurting your feelings.”
Fluttershy stops and fixes her gaze on the pegasus. She works her mouth as she tries to say something. “I had almost forgotten about that… But, thank you,” she says giving her a smile. “I understand why you didn’t want to go before.” She starts pushing the chair forward again.
“You do?”
“Yeah, Twilight told us about it, I’m so sorry for what happened.”
What did she tell her? Nova thinks. “How much did she tell you, exactly?”
“She told me that your mother had died in a hospital. I’m so sorry for whatever happened, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. The doctors only want what’s best for you.” Nova stomps one of her back hooves into the ground. The chair is forced to a stop as Nova’s hoof digs into the ground. “Is something the matter?”
“No, not really.” With a groan she tries to lift herself onto her hooves.
Fluttershy runs around to face her. “W-what are you doing?”
“Going home, you shouldn’t have to take care of me, especially after the way I treated you,” she says.
“I told Twilight I’ll take care of you. And I’m not letting you go out there on your own while you’re still recovering.”
“Sorry, but I won’t--” she is cut off when her snout bumps into something. She looks back up to find Fluttershy only a few centimeters away, staring at her with intense ferocity. “Uh…”
“I can’t let you go. I can’t just stand around while I know somepony’s hurt.” Nova sits back down, quickly complying to her. Wait… why am I listening to her? Fluttershy smiles and nods. She starts pushing the chair again, but Nova’s hoof just digs into the ground. “Nova…” Fluttershy sighs.
“Why, why go through the trouble of helping me? Until now, all I’ve done is yell at you.”
“Because, I don’t like seeing anyone in pain. Even though you may have yelled at me, you had a reason to. But, you still apologised, you’re not as bad as what most ponies think.” Yeah, I’m far worse than what most think, Nova thinks. With a groan gets onto her hooves before Fluttershy can stop her. “Nova, please sit down, you’re hu--”
“Fluttershy, wait, I have something to tell you,” Nova says already channeling some energy through her good wing. “I have to tell you if you plan on taking care of me, because it’s not fair that you don’t know. Twilight lied about why I couldn’t stay there.”
Fluttershy takes a step back. “Why would she do that?”
“To protect me. Listen, it’s a long, complicated story, one that I’d rather not tell, but the short of it is that I… I have the ability to create fire.” To this Fluttershy raises an eyebrow and concern quickly takes her features. Nova sighs and flaps her good wing, while unleashing channeling some of the energy through it. A wave of fire follows the trail of her wing and sweeps across the ground before dissipating, leaving the ground scorched.
Fluttershy’s eye go wide as she looks between the burnt ground and Nova. After a few repetitions she finally settles on Nova and starts working her mouth to say something. Slowly her eyes roll back into her head and she falls to the ground. Nova walks over to her.
I think you might have killed her. Oh, wait, she’s breathing.
“Okay, I could have done that better, or closer to her place.” She looks down the path, but doesn’t see the cottage then back down at Fluttershy. “Shit.”



Slowly, Fluttershy begins to return to consciousness. As she lays in darkness she can hear an odd rumbling to her right somewhere. Through the sound she can hear the pitter-patter of small feet and claws on a hardwood floor. She takes a deep breath filling her lungs with familiar air, which smells like vaguely like the Everfree, with a bit hay, the smells of her home. She takes another deep breath as she really starts to come to.
Opening her eyes a small bit of panic catches in her throat as all she sees is darkness. She calms down and eventually her eyes adjust to the darkness. She finds herself on the couch in her house. Outside, the evening sun is gone, instead night has fallen and Luna’s star are out once again. As she continues looking around she can barely make out the shape of the wheelchair next to the couch. After a minute she spots the crimson pegasus snoring soundly in the middle of the floor. “Nova?”
The crimson mare snorts and rolls over. Fluttershy looks from the couch back down to her. Carefully and quietly she gets up and walks over to the pegasus. “Nova?” she asks again poking her lightly. 
Nova tries swatting her away with her fractured leg. Fluttershy jumps back causing her to completely miss and her hoof slams into the ground. A pair of golden eyes cut through the darkness as pain shoots through Nova's entire right arm. “Sweet bucking mother of Celestia!” she screams as she springs up into a sitting position. he brings her foreleg up and cradles it against her chest.
“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asks. She quickly reaches into the bag on the wheelchair and pulls out a bottle of painkillers. “Here, take these,” she says.
“What did I hit?!” she screams and quickly glares at the floor. She huffs out a breath of smoke, causing Fluttershy to scream and jump back.
“I-it wasn’t a dream?” Fluttershy asks keeping a fair distance between them.
Taking some deep breaths, each one coming with a small puff of smoke, Nova calms down. “Sorry, but no. That thing I did back there was real.”
Fluttershy tries recalling the past few minutes of her memory. Nova trying to leave, telling her Twilight lied, a small wave of fire, and then her fainting. “How did I get here?”
Nova points at the wheelchair. “I pushed you.”
“Oh my, but you’re hurt. Come, lie down you shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.”
“Nah, I’m gonna go home,” Nova says. With some effort she manages to her hooves.
“No, wait--”
“Fluttershy, you saw what I can do, but that’s what I can do when I try. I can’t control it, if I’m here you’re at risk of… being killed by me… That’s why I couldn’t stay at the hospital, and that’s why I have to go home.” 
Nova starts making her way to the door, but Fluttershy quickly cuts her off. “And if I let you you’re at risk of dying out there.”
“Do you understand what kind of danger you’re in while I’m here?”
“Y-yes… kind of, I don’t care. I’m not letting you go. I’m not just going to stand around while I can help. You said you couldn’t stay at the hospital because you thought you might hurt everypony over there. At least you can’t cause as much damage here.”
“But, I don’t want to kill you, I don’t want to kill anyone!”
“You’re not going to.”
“And how can you be so sure?” Nova asks slamming her hoof into the floor.
“Because, I trust that you wouldn’t.”
They both glare at each other, both trying to break the other’s resolve. Nova breaths out a couple clouds of smoke, but Fluttershy stands her ground. Ultimately, Nova takes a step back and look away. “Fine, where’s my room?”
> A Friend's Visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova yawns as she slowly wakes up. The early morning sun shines in through the window to the guest room Fluttershy had lent her. Nothing special about the room, it has a dresser, bedside tables, a closet off to the side. The only thing that’s off about it is the few medical supplies on the tables.
The cool morning air cause Nova to shiver and bury herself further into the blankets on the bed. Stupid winter… It’s too damn cold and early to get up. She shifts around a bit more. She yelps when she accidently puts some weight on her wing resulting in a sharp pain shooting through her shoulder and back.
“Dammit!” she shouts throwing the blankets off of her and quickly rolling onto her stomach. “Ow…” She cranes her neck to look at the cast that covers her wing. With a huff she lies her head back down onto the pillow. “I hate everything.”
Her ears flick back toward the door when she hears a gentle knocking come from it. “Excuse me, Nova, are you okay?” Fluttershy asks from the door. “I, uh, I heard you yelling…”
Nova groans and turns around to find Fluttershy already coming into the room with a tray of food with her. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just put a bit of weight on my wing.” Fluttershy sets the tray down at the foot of the bed and goes closer to her to inspect the wing. “What’s with the tray?” Nova asks already suspecting an answer. On the tray is a plate of toast, orange juice, and a couple of fruits.
“I didn’t think it would be good for you to be walking around so I prepared a breakfast for you,” Fluttershy says as she goes over the other injuries that cover Nova. She goes about changing some of the bandages while Nova just lies there looking down at the tray. Though she does it carefully, it doesn’t take Fluttershy long to change the bandages. “Is something the matter?” she asks noticing Nova hasn’t anything.
“Uh, yeah. It’s just that, why would you… nevermind, it’s fine. Thank you.” Fluttershy creases her eyebrows and gives Nova a concerned look.
“You don’t--”
“No, Fluttershy, I don’t plan on trying to leave, until I can walk that is.”
Fluttershy smiles at her and heads for the door. “Well, just stay there and rest up. I’ll be downstairs, Angel hasn’t had his breakfast yet and he’ll become grumpy if he doesn’t get it soon. I’ll be back soon to see if you need anything,” she says heading out into the hall.
Nova sighs and grabs an apple off of the tray. Why does everyone want to help me? I get that Fluttershy is kind, clearly. But, why me? She take a bite of the apple and makes herself comfortable again. It’s not long after that there’s somepony knocking at the front door. Nova looks out the window, though she can’t see the doorway, mainly she’s figuring out the time. Who in their right mind would be outside in this cold and this early in the morning?
A moment later the door opens and I can hear a conversation downstairs, but it’s too muffled to make out. Twilight’s probably here… Nova groans when she hears someone coming back up the stairs. “Nova, someone’s here to see you,” Fluttershy says from the door.
“Who is it?” Nova asks putting her back to the door and taking another bite of her apple.
“An old friend,” Lore says carefully stepping around Fluttershy and coming into the room. Nova whips around, wincing as she stretches her sore muscles.
Fluttershy takes a few steps back and paws at the ground a few times. “Well, I’m j-just going to let you two be. Don’t be afraid to call me if either of you need anything,” she says starting down the hall.
Lore smiles at her. “Thank you.” He turns back to Nova, drops his saddlebags on the floor, and takes a seat at the foot of the bed. “So--”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Nova interrupts before Lore can really begin. She turns her back to him.
“Don’t want to hear what?”
“How I shouldn’t be doing this. How all this is doing is hurting me, physically and mentally. I don’t want to be patronized right now.”
He smirks and takes some toast from the tray, earning him a quick glare from Nova. “Wasn’t going to. In case you forgot, I told you to deal with it however you want, so long as it makes you feel better. What I was going to ask was how you were doing.”
Nova sighs and rolls back over to face him. “I’m tired, sore, cold, sad, and angry,” she says bluntly taking the toast away from him.
“Not even a little happy to see me?”
A small grin crosses Nova’s face. “A little.” Lore gives a satisfied nod and leans back putting his head against the wall. “How did you know I was here?” Nova asks suddenly curious why he’s here. “I only got here yesterday night, and it’s… how early in the morning is it?”
Lore looks over his shoulder out the window. “Pretty early, I’d say sevenish.” He looks back at Nova who raises an eyebrow at him waiting for an actual answer. “Twilight told me, uh, well she wrote me actually. She sent me a letter saying what happened, when I got it I came right back.”
“But weren’t you in the Snowbound Republic for family reasons?” Nova asks making herself comfortable again.
He shrugs and takes a fruit from the tray. “Yeah, but you’re hurt, and you’re family, Sol understands. Either way, I didn’t go to the Republic for anything big, just a get together with my brother.”
She smiles at him. Carefully she scoots closer to him so they’re sitting next to each other, and gives him a hug. “Thanks.” The hug doesn’t last long and with her too tired to bother moving back just sits there. “So, how was your trip?”
“It was great, recently Sol finished his training, and he told me how that went. I told him about my travels, places I went to, things I saw. We debated philosophy, politics, religion, talked about some of our favorite books. But, it was just great to see him again.”
“Sounds like Twilight would have a blast with you guys,” Nova says elbowing in the ribs.
“Is that supposed to mean something?”
“Oh, no, not at all,” she says sarcastically. They both chuckle a little.
“That’s right,” Lore says seemingly remembering something he gets up and goes to his saddlebags. After a moment of searching he digs out a book and tosses it over to her. “If you’re going to be stuck here for the next while, you might as well have something to read.”
Nova rolls her eyes and throws it onto one of the bed tables. “Yeah, me read, like that’s gonna happen.” But I am going to be here for a while, she thinks looking out the window. A thin layer of snow covers the ground, making her shudder slightly. I’m going to be here at least until I’m better, but even then… “Lore?”
The stallion lifts himself back onto the bed and leans back against the wall. “Yeah?”
“Could you… could you check up on Scarlet, and let her know I’m doing fine. I would go visit, but I am going to be stuck here for some time, at least until Hearth’s Warming... “ Her words trail off and she looks down at the floor suddenly feeling more homesick than the past few weeks.
Lore reaches over and pulls her into a hug, being careful to avoid her obvious injuries. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell them. I’ll even bring them a present from you if you want.” She hesitates slightly, but leans into the hug.
“I think that would be nice.”
Lore pokes her in the side getting a little yelp from her. “Not starting to go soft on me, are you?”
Nova huffs as she settles back down using Lore as a pillow. “Please, I could take you even in this condition.”
“Guess that means you’re too much of a badass for hot chocolate?” Lore asks with a grin. Nova quickly looks up at him with wide expectant eyes, causing him to laugh. He rolls off the bed and goes over to the tray. “I’ll bring this down while I go get you something to drink.” He slips the tray onto his back and heads out into the hall. Nova listens to his hoofsteps as they head down the hall and goes downstairs.
She sighs and lies back down resting her head on the pillow. Sorry Scarlet, not going to be home for some time… Her eyes fall onto the book Lore had given her. The cover features an image of three soldiers standing on a cliff looking down on the badlands. An army of changelings can be seen coming over the horizon. Guess I will need something to do…
With that she reaches over, ignoring the pain in her shoulder and foreleg, and grabs the book. “Holding Tide,” she reads the title out loud, though still quiet enough to make sure Lore won’t hear from downstairs. She puts the book back down onto the end table and continues looking around for something to do. No sense in giving him the satisfaction of seeing me read, she thinks with a little smirk.
Aftera moment she realizes Lore left his bags on the ground. Peering over the edge of the bed she finds it on the floor. It’s rather hard to anything anything specific in it asides from a book or two. But, she thinks she sees a chessboard lying inside. The sound of hoofsteps on the floor catch her attention and she sits up again.
Lore walks back in with the same tray on his back, though this time it has two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. He sets the tray on the end table and gives her a mug. “Here you go, but be careful, it’s hot.”
Nova snorts and takes a quick drink. “You’re real funny.” Lore chuckles and grabs his own mug as he heads back to the bed. “Uh, actually, do you wanna play some chess?” Nova asks pointing down at Lore’s bags.
“Sure.” He sets his mug on the windowsill and set the board between them. “Always happy to play a quick game against someone,” he says setting the pieces up. “Which color do you want?”
“Black,” Nova says, never wanting to start first.
“So, I take it you haven’t talked to Twilight yet?” Lore asks setting up the last few pieces. Nova huffs out a stream of smoke and takes another drink from her mug. “I take that as no?”
“She knocked me out and brought me to a hospital! Can you imagine how bad that could have turned out?”
Lore shrugs and makes the first move. “Yeah, but you couldn’t have possibly expected her to know what could happen.”
“But, she knocked me out.”
“Yeah, but you choked her once as well.”
Nova goes to reply but stops, thinking back to when Twilight saw her having a breakdown. Her shoulders slack and she rubs her temples with her good hoof. “I have to forgive her, don’t I?”
“No, not yet. You can still be angry at her, but you do have to forgive her at some point,” he says as Nova moves one of her pawns.
“Well, in that case, I’m gonna stay angry a little longer,” Nova says with a smirk. They both laugh before silence settles on the two as they try to outsmart each other. Though, it becomes quickly apparent that Nova will win. Even still, Lore stands up as a good challenge, managing to take out Nova’s queen, rooks, and a bishop.
As Lore starts packing up Nova finds herself, pretty happy given the situation. However, a new thought comes the her as she reflects on Lore’s visit. “Lore, do you think I’ll be able to repay it all? Do you think that I can make up for what I did?” she asks as Lore throws his bags back onto his back.
He stops and looks up at her, a little surprised and a little amused. He sits down at the foot of the bed as he thinks it over for a moment. “Nova, you’re one of the most stubborn and determined ponies I know. That combination means there’s nothing that’ll stop you once you put your mind to something. But, honestly, I don’t think there’s a way to fully make up for what you’ve done. If there is, you’ll find it, but until then, you’ll just have to keep trying.” With that, he pulls Nova into another hug before he goes. Leaving Nova to think about what to do next.
	
> Hearth's Warming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy nervously paces the living room. A long list spans over the small coffee table between the couch and chair. “You’ll find the cheese in the fridge, just be sure the mice family get some before you go to bed. And don’t forget to feed Angel twice a day. Make sure he eats everything in his bowl because he’ll only want to eat the carrots. And… Nova, are you listening?” She stops reading off the list and looks at the crimson mare lying on the couch.
Nova sighs and looks up from her book. She blinks twice then looks over at the list. “Fluttershy, that’s the kind of list Twilight would make… Honestly, this all seems a little excessive. I’ve been living here for a month, I think I’ll be fine on my own for a day,” she says going back to her book.
“You weren’t listening? Nova, this is really important. I want to make sure my animal friends are well looked after until I come back. And, you’re still hurt even. Maybe I should find someone else to watch over my house…” Fluttershy says.
“Yes, I was listening, and I’m perfectly fine,” Nova says. She stomps her newly healed hoof on the floor twice for emphasis. “Trust me, everything will go great. Me and Angel will be the best of friends.” She looks over at the rabbit. He frowns, turns, and jumps away. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve, just go have a great day with your family.”
Fluttershy stops fretting and looks her over. Nova seems fine, asides from her still broken wing. She sighs and relaxes some. “I guess you’re right.” Nova smiles at her and goes back to her book. “Nova, are you sure you don’t want to come with me? No one should be alone on Hearth’s Warming after all.” She notices the crimson pegasus's shoulders slump down some. 
She closes her books and looks out the window, a frown pulling down the corners of her mouth. “Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t want to ruin your holiday either, anyways.”
“You wouldn’t ruin it, I’m sure my family would be happy to have you over.”
Nova huffs out a thin stream of smoke. “Yeah, I would… Trust me, I shouldn’t go to Cloudsdale.” She takes a deep breath and fixes Fluttershy with her gaze forcing out a grin. “I’ll be fine on my own, I’m used to it…”
Fluttershy sees the pain behind Nova’s gaze no matter how hard she tries to hide it. “How about I just stay--”
“Nope!” Nova exclaims jumping up from the couch. She quickly makes her way to Fluttershy and starts pushing the smaller pegasus toward the door. “You’re going to miss your family’s party if you argue with me any longer.”
“But--”
Nova stops at the door and shakes her head. “No, no, no, no buts.” She reaches over and opens the door then quickly shoves Fluttershy outside. “Have a nice party,” Nova says closing the door before Fluttershy can try to argue any further. Once the door is closed she sighs and slumps down against the door. “I’m used to being alone,” she whispers pulling her knees up to her chest. She takes a deep breath, a long stream of grey smoke flaring out of her nostril on the exhale.
She gets back to her hooves and heads into the kitchen then after a few seconds she comes back with a carrot. “Leave me alone for today, and you can have the entire lot of them,” she says tossing the carrot to Angel. Without waiting for much of a response she head over to the fireplace and and sits in front of the crackling fire. Angel looks at her for a moment. Ultimately he heads to his bed, but he keeps his eye on the pegasus.
“Sorry, Scarlet,” she says staring into the flames. “Looks like I’m not gonna be home.”
At least you’re not alone. The flames wrap and shift with the voice. Nova groans and immediately starts thinking about putting the fire out, but decides against it.
“If you’re referring to yourself, I’d rather be alone,” she says aloud. Angel gives her an odd look as she talks to herself, though Nova doesn’t see.
Don’t be like that, it’s Hearth’s Warming Eve! You should be happy. A face starts forming out of the fire.
Nova growls a little and grabs a poker from the side of the fireplace and stabs the figure roughly where the eye would be. There is a loud crack as the poker slams into the back of the fireplace and wedges itself in the chimney. “Shut up and leave me alone. If I can’t so much as see Scarlet, I don’t want to even hear you.” She doesn’t bother trying to pull the poker out, instead she simply lets it hang there in the middle of the fire.
This time he doesn’t answer, instead only the crackling flames fill the silence. Nova lays her heads with a relieved sigh as her mind drifts back her sister.



A filly version of Nova is curled in front of a fireplace. The house creaks and groans from the howling winds outside. She looks over her shoulder at window that looks out to the front of the house. Her ears fold back when she sees the wall of pure white outside.
“Are you okay?”
Nova turns to find Scarlet sitting next to her, her expression a little worried. She looks strikingly similar Nova where the only major differences are the lack of wings and the mane style. Looking a little closer would make it possible to notice that Scarlet has hazel eyes. “I’m alright, why do you ask?”
“You looked a little… lonely,” she says stepping closer, but Nova scoots further away.
“I don’t want to hurt you…”
“Nova, that’s no reason anypony should be alone on Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Nova looks back out the window putting her back to Scarlet. She frowns and takes a few steps closer. “You haven’t celebrated Hearth’s Warming much, have you?”
The pegasus frown and looks back at Scarlet. “I haven’t had much of family to celebrate it with,” she says with a little shake of her head.
Scarlet stares down at her, heartbroken for the filly. She tries once again the get closer, but Nova just backs away. After a minute Scarlet runs off to the kitchen, an idea starting to form in her head.
Nova goes back to watching the fire. Some cold air brushes against her coat causing a shiver to run down her spine, the fire flares up in response. Nova shuffles back a little hoping the fire would goes back to normal. 
She sighs and lays her head down on her crossed forehooves. In her peripheral vision she sees Scarlet going into her room. Well, hopefully I won’t burn this home down too quickly… She stomps her hoof with an annoyed huff. Stop it, Nova! You’re not a monster, you… you’re not bad. This time it’ll be different.
Sometimes I wonder who else lives in your head…
Shut up. I’m not going to ruin-- I’m not going to let you ruin their lives. She stops arguing with the voice when she hears Scarlet walk up next to her. Before she can move away a tray with two steaming cups of hot chocolate is place in front of her. A shadow falls over her as Scarlet covers her in a blanket. “I made us some hot chocolate,” Scarlet says wrapping herself in the blanket as well.
Nova tries moving away from Scarlet, but the blanket quickly stops her. “I don’t want to risk hurting you,” Nova says trying to shrink away.
“Too bad that’s not a reason to be alone on Hearth’s Warming,” the earth filly replies. She pulls the tray closer and passes Nova one of the cups. “Besides, you’re soft and warm and I’m cold.”
Nova tenses as the filly nuzzles her, but she ultimately relaxes. She smiles as they sit and watch the fire burn.



A series of three loud knock at the door snaps her out of her memories. She looks around in a bit of a daze. The fire burns low, little more than small flames and smoldering coals.. The sky outside is no longer morning, but that on midday. Angel lies happily in his bed, his stomach a little bulged out and carrot stems scattered around him.
Three more knocks draw her attention to the door. She yawns and stretches out before getting up.
“Good morning,” Lore says as Nova opens the door. He’s dressed in a rather puffy coat with animal fur lining the inside. Behind him is a small wagon, though the wheels were replaced by a pair of crudely made skis. There are a few board games, a carton of eggnog, and what looks like a few boxes of choco mix for hot chocolate.
“Lore, good to see you,” Nova says with a smile. However, her smile quickly dies as she starts wondering why he’s there. “Wait, shouldn’t you be celebrating the holiday with your family?”
The stallion grins and scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, I should be, kinda why I’m here actually.”
“With your actual family I meant. And please don’t tell me you want to waste you holiday on me.”
His grin only grows wider. “Everyday's a holiday to me, remember? Hard to waste something I have ample of. Besides, I heard you’re throwing a party today, how could I miss that?”
Nova narrows her eyes at him. “Lore, I’m not in the mood for whatever you have planned. Please just let me--” Her sentence ends abruptly as another pony walks into view. A young male pegasus. He has a royal blue coat and a black mane. Nova quickly finds herself smiling.
“You sure you want us to leave?” he says.
“Talon!” Nova jumps forward and catches the pegasus in a tackle-hug and they both tumble into the snow. She ignores the cold as she nuzzles him. 
"Well, someone's friendly today," Talon says nuzzling her back.
After a little while she decides, begrudgingly, that it would be better to be out of the snow. She picks herself up while helping Talon up as well. “Sorry about that,” she says giving him a hug.
Talon chuckles and gives her a kiss on the nose getting her to blush slightly. “Don’t worry about it.”
Lore coughs a few times and gets their attention. He makes an act of looking around for anypony else, but shrugs after a quick sweep. “Looks like we’re the only ones who got the invitations.”
Nova sighs and heads for the door. “Come on inside before we all freeze to death.” The two stallions chuckle and follow her inside, Lore drags the wagon in behind him. Nova spreads her good wing toward the fireplace. A bolt of fire shoots out from the tip of her wing and soars clear into the fireplace, reigniting the few dying embers. She goes over and drops a few logs in just to be sure.
“Kinda figured you didn’t want to be alone today. And since I couldn’t get Scarlet, I went for the next best thing,” Lore says untying himself from the wagon.
“Gee thanks… and here I was thinking that we were friends,” Talon says looking around the inside of the cottage.
Nova sits down on the couch, Talon sits down next to her. “I think I’ll go make something to drink,” Lore says heading into the kitchen with a box of chocolate mix leaving the two pegasi.
“Glad to see you’re back in Equestria,” Talon says, getting comfy on the couch. “I didn’t actually think you’d be here…”
Nova sighs and lies down, putting her head up on Talon’s lap. “Doubting my resolve?” Nova asks with a smirk.
Talon smiles at her and shakes his head. “No, never. I just didn’t expect you to be in Ponyville. Actually I was hoping you’d stay at my place when you decided to come back, though now that I think about it…”
Her expression drops some. “No, I can’t risk her knowing, not yet at least. Maybe later, once I’m done with the debts.” 
He frowns a little. “Still trying to deal with those? Well, hopefully they forgive you.”
“I don’t want forgiveness, they shouldn’t forgive me, ever. After what I’ve done, I don’t deserve it. I… I just need them to know I didn’t mean for it…” She shakes her head, hoping to dispel the thoughts for now. “Anyways, how have you been doing? Last time we met was back in Foaland.”
Talon raises an eyebrow at the change in subject, but decides to follow along to cheer her up. “I’ve been okay. Better now that I know you’re here and I can just come visit.”
“Yeah, well I don’t exactly own this place… I kinda live a little outside town.”
“That much I figured.”
Nova smiles and tilts her head back when she hears hoofsteps coming from the kitchen. Lore walks out of the kitchen with a tray of three mugs balanced on his back. He sets the tray down on the small table at the end of the couch then sits in the chair and grabs a mug off the tray.
“Thanks, Lore,” Nova says as Talon passes her a mug and she sits up to drink it.
“No problem, I just figured I get you two something while I made some hot chocolate for myself.”
She rolls her eyes at him. “I meant thanks for doing… this,” she says gesturing to the wagon and Talon. “I kinda need it.”
“What are you on about? As I said before, this is your party, all your idea. I had no part in this at all, none, no part.” He starts taking a long drink from his mug and looks away from her.
With a sigh, she accepts it and takes a drink of her hot chocolate as well. A content smile curls her lips as the warmth spreads through her body. “Thanks anyways. By the way, how’s Scarlet?”
“She’s alright,” Lore says facing her again. “I kinda told her you got hurt, so she’s worried about you, missing you, but fine. She’s actually spending the holidays with the rest of her family. Oh, and she wishes you get well soon.”
“That’s good, at least she’s alright.”
“Hey, you’re allowed to be happy too,” Talon says nudging her in the side. She turns and looks at him. He gives her a kiss on the snout.
Lore rolls his eyes and leans back into the chair taking a drink from his mug. “I see you’ve actually been reading,” he says nudging his head to the book of the table, the book which he had given her.
“Yes, I’ve been reading the book,” she says with a sigh. “Though, I’m only at the third chapter…”
He smiles and shrugs. “I didn’t really think you’d finish it anytime soon, no offence and all. Well, are you enjoying it?” Nova nods as she takes another drink. Lore nods and tilts his head back quickly finishing off his cup of hot chocolate. “Right, how ‘bout you two pick a game while I go make some more chocolate?”

Nova yawns, leaning her head on Talon’s shoulder. Lore sighs as he places the last game back onto the wagon. He looks out the window at the dark sky outside with the moon hanging low in the east. “So, Nova,” he begins as he turns to face the couple, “Seems to be night already.”
“Hm?” she glances out the window. “That late already? Huh…”
“Pretty dark out there, must be cold…” He looks at Talon and nudges his head at Nova.
Nova sighs and rolls her eyes, at the less than subtle suggestion. “You want to stay the night here, don’t you?”
“Wasn’t even thinking it. I know Talon there would love to spend the night in your bed. But, I have a house in town. I just have to walk through the freezing night while dragging that thing behind me,” he says gesturing at the wagon.
“Wanna sleep on the couch?”
“Thank you.” 
“So, where am I going to sleep?” Talon asks as he and Nova get up.
“Where do you think?” It takes a moment, but he eventually gets the hint and a smile quickly spreads across his face. Nova just rolls her eyes again and starts heading for the stairs. She jumps up the stairs a few steps at a time while Talon flies up. Once they get upstairs Nova opens the door to a closet. “My room is down that way,” Nova says pointing further down the hall. “I’ll be there in a moment, just going to get Lore some blankets.”
Talon gives a nod and heads off for her room. Nova grabs a few blankets and starts heading back down. She find Lore lying on the couch, using his coat as a pillow. He looks up at her when he hear the hoofsteps coming toward him.
“Figured you could use these,” she says tossing him the blankets.
“Thanks,” he says giving her a nod.
Nova smiles and turns back to the stairs, but hesitates. She turns back to the stallion. “Lore, thank you, thanks for this.”
“No need--”
“No, seriously thank you for this, I needed it.”
Lore smiles and looks her over for a moment. “No problem, what are friends for, huh?”
She smiles back and gives him a hug. “Goodnight,” she says. With that she heads back upstairs.



By the time Fluttershy returns the moon is high in the sky. Celebrating the holidays with her family for most of the day, and night, has left her exhausted. Now, she slowly descends to the ground outside her house. She sighs as she lands in front of her cottage, and the sheer fact that it’s still there.
She quietly opens the door and lightly walks in. Through the darkness all she can make out are the vague shapes of things, the stairs, doorway to the kitchen, back window. She can make out the shape of something in front of her. Though she can’t make out much of anything else. For a moment she thinks of turning the lights on, but then she spots something moving in the darkness. She shrinks back a few steps until she realizes that it’s just somepony sleeping on the couch.
Oh, Nova… I really wish she’d take better care of herself, she thinks taking a few seconds to let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Eventually, she can make out that the thing in front of her is a wagon, with several boxes scattered around inside of it. She looks at it confused and curious as to why it’s there. What exactly did you get up to?
She walks around it and goes over to the couch. “Come on, Nova,” she says gently shaking the pony. “Let’s get you to…” Her sentence trails off as her eyes continue to adjust and she sees that the pony on the couch isn’t Nova. Her heart stops for a moment, the idea of a stranger sleeping in her house quickly coming to her mind. She shrieks and scurries backward, her hindlegs run into the wagon and she falls back over it.
Lore jolts awake with a scream, he scrambles to get some footing. “I’m up, I’m up! What’s happening?!” He rolls over to land on his hooves, but he gets tangled up in the bed sheets and tumbles to the floor. There is a dull thud as he hits the floor. “Ow.”
Fluttershy quickly gets back onto her hooves and ducks down behind the wagon. “W-who’s there?”
“Fluttershy?” Lore calls out as he begins to untangle himself.
The two fall silent when they hear something hit the floor upstairs. They hear hoofsteps thundering through the hall upstairs. A moment later, a crimson mare bounds down the stairs, landing neatly on the floor crouched and ready to fight. “Whoever broke in better damn well--”
“Nova, Fluttershy came back.”
“Oh…” Nova relaxes some and glances over at the wagon the pegasus is hiding behind. She can roughly see a pair of eyes peeking over the wagon.
Fluttershy slowly comes out of her cover eyeing Lore carefully. “Uh, Nova, why is Lore sleeping on the couch?”
> Everfree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova sighs as she lays her head back down onto her pillow. She reaches over to the book Lore gave her and flips it open. Her right ear twitches slightly as her futile attempt to distract her mind quickly fails.
It doesn’t take five minutes before she’s up and pacing the room again. Eventually, she ends up at the window looking down at the ground. Small patches of grass poke through the snow at some spot. Large, muddy puddles dot the ground as the snow slowly melts. The snow has even started falling from the trees to reveal the bare bony branches. “Melt faster!” Nova shouts with a stomp of her hoof.
Someone seems a little impatient.
She huffs out a puff of smoke, which quickly gathers on the ceiling. “That’s one way to put it. I’ve been stuck here for the whole winter. I need to do something to burn through some energy. Once the snow is gone, I can get outside start flying, working. Start fixing those mistakes… again.”
Keep this up and you may yet burn this place down. That’d be something interesting.
“Yet another reason to be outside,” she mumbles as she slumps down onto the bed again. “I hate winter.”
Well, at least the snow’s starting to melt. 
“Still cold outside.”
A gentle knocking comes from the door. Fluttershy looks in at the crimson pegasus concern etched on her face. “Nova, are you okay? It sounds like you’re arguing with someone.”
Nova glances over at her, and tries to ignore the voice. “No, I’m fine. Just a little… anxious to get outside.” She glances over at the window and scowls as water slowly drips from icicles hanging above it. Far too slow.
Fluttershy takes a step back, put-off by the agitation in Nova’s eyes. “O-okay… Uh… Well, I have to go. Rainbow wants start training early for the Equestrian Games. Do you think you’ll be okay on your own?”
We’ll burn down your house.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Nova says still scowling at the icicle dangling outside the window.
“Um… alright. I’ll be back later today. Take care,” Fluttershy says as she heads back out into the hall. Nova nods keeping her eyes fixed on the window. Two minutes later she sees Fluttershy walking down the path toward Ponyville, a scarf wrapped around her neck. A few minutes later she disappears around over the small hill.
Nova huffs out another breath of smoke then falls back onto her bed. “Gotta find something to do or I’m gonna lose my mind.”
And yet you say that to yourself as if you are sane.
“Fair point,” she admits. She sighs and reaches over for the book again. “Just gotta keep busy, it’ll warm up soon enough.”

Nova’s golden eyes blink open to the sound of urgent knocking at the door. She yawns and rubs her eyes some. The book is laying next to her open to the page she had been reading. Must have dozed off, she thinks stretching out some and jumping off the bed. A loud banging downstairs quickly snaps her out of her slight daze as someone knocks at the door again, hard.
She heads over to the window, all sees of the pony at the door is a blonde tail swishing back and forward. Sounds like they’re gonna rip the door off. “Keep your horseshoes on, I’m coming!” Nova shouts. She trots down the hall and simply jumps down the flight of stairs. Opening the door she notes the rather large dent in it. I ain’t gonna fix that, with that thought she focuses on the pony on the other side.
Just outside is an orange earth-pony mare. Her blonde mane and tail are tied at the ends by red ribbons. She wears an old stetson hat, and has three apples for her cutie mark. Her cheeks are flushed and she is panting as if she just ran a marathon.
“Is Fluttershy here?” the mare asks as soon as the door opens. She speaks with a thick southern drawl, something of a farmer’s accent. 
Nova blankly looks at her then pokes her head outside to see the sun, the sun isn’t quite to its halfway point. A cold shiver runs down her back from the air. “No,” Nova replies looking back at her and going back inside slightly.
“Dagnabbit! Uh… where is she?”
Nova shrugs. “Don’t quite know. Something about rainbows, games and a train, I wasn’t exactly paying attention. Actually, who exactly are you, and why do you want to know where she is? Is she in any kind of trouble?”
“What, no. Mah name’s Applejack, Ah’m her friend. Ah just need ta find her ‘cause ah need her help. Listen Ah don’t have time fer this, if she comes back tell her ta find me in the Everfree,” Applejack says as she turns away.
Oh, right the element of harmony. Truth, or something like that… “What do you need help with?” Nova asks before Applejack can get very far.
The orange pony turns around and hesitates. After a moment she concedes to any inner conflict she was having. “Ah need ta find mah sister, Applebloom. She and her friends went runnin’ into the Everfree shouting somethin’ about ‘monster huntin’. Before Ah could stop her she was gone.”
Nova takes a few seconds to process what Applejack told her. “The Everfree is that dangerous place out back, ain’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s why Ah have ta find her and can’t waste mah time.”
“Alright then,” Nova says. She head back into the cottage and quickly grabs the scarf from the winter set she had gotten. She quickly wraps it around her neck and heads back out. The cold air still grips at her neck and back, though it’s not quite as bad. It’ll have to do. “I’m gonna help.”
“Now wait a sec, Ah don’t wantcha gettin’ inta trouble too. Ah just need ya to tell Fluttershy. She knows that forest better than anypony Ah know.”
“Do you want to waste time arguing with me, or are you just gonna accept my help?” Besides, gives me an excuse to actually go outside.
Applejack pauses for a moment, but quickly nods at her. “Alright then. Let’s go.” The two take off in a gallop toward the forest looming a little further ahead. However, instead of going into the forest, Applejack turns and runs around the edge of it, Nova follows just behind. They continue around the forest until they eventually reach a sort of orchard. “This is where they went in,” Applejack says stopping at a trail of small hoofprints. Not wanting to waste more time, they follow the prints into the forest.
“My name’s--,” Nova starts as they enter the forest, but she grinds to stop almost immediately as soon as they’re surrounded by trees. She jams her eyes shut, as her magic energy burns, and pulsates in her chest, yearning to be unleashed. A throbbing pain beats into her head, and the edges of her vision begin turning red. A thin stream of smoke wisps up from her nostrils as she does her best to repress the energy, and her vision returns to normal. The heck was that?
“Y'alright?” Applejack asks having stopped for her. Concern very obvious in her features, though Nova simply puts it to the fact her sister is in trouble rather than Applejack actually being concerned for her.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine. I just… I’m fine.” She gets back onto her hooves. She takes a moment to take in her surroundings. Even though the trees are mostly dead, the forest gets dark quickly the further in they’d go. Not abnormally dark, just slightly. Snow covers the ground, though it’s not very deep. “What was I talking about?” she asks as they start galloping into the forest again.
“Yer name.”
“Right, my name’s Nova Hearthfire.”
“Yeah, ah know. Fluttershy, and Twilight told us about ya. Plus most of the town’s talkin’ about the new pony.”
A another chill runs down Nova’s back, though it’s not from the cold this time. She falters for a step and almost trips, but she quickly regains her composure and make up the little ground she lost. “Really, what did they say?”
“That Fluttershy’s looking after ya while yer wing heals. By the looks of it, yer wing looks pretty good now.”
“Yeah, well, I still ain’t that good at flying,” she mumbles to herself. They continue in silence, a of eerie silence. Even though they’re in a forest, completely surrounded by trees, but there’s little sound. The crouching of snow under their hooves, snapping of twigs, and dripping of water from snow melting on the branches.
They stop after several minutes of galloping, coming to a large patch of grass where the snow had melted. The trail of hoofprints lead into the grass, and quickly disappears. Applejack looks around frantically to find some other clue to follow. “Applebloom!” she shouts stepping onto the grass.
Nova scans the area, but sees no other tracks or anything to follow. “So, what am I trying to see?” she asks looking back at Applejack.
“A yellow earth pony, an orange pegasus, and a white unicorn. Applebloom!”
“Oh great, I’m sure trying to find someone white in this mess will be a breeze,” Nova mumbles shooting a glare at the snow.
We could get rid of it all.
Yes, and I’m sure that’d go great for the fillies if they’re gets caught in it. “Sweetie!” She scans the tree for a few moments before flying up above the trees to get a better view. But, she comes back down a few seconds later, realizing she can’t see much through the branches and between the trees. “Why would they come out here to hunt monsters?” Nova calls down, still hovering a few feet off the ground.
“They’re tryin’ ta get their cutie marks. They’d do anythin’ ta get their cutie marks, and they don’t always tend ta be the--” She stops abruptly, her ears perking up and turning to the left slightly. “Did ya hear that?”
Nova tucks her wings to her sides as she lands. She swivels her ears in the same direction as Applejack’s but she doesn’t hear anything. “No. What did you--” Before Nova can finish Applejack takes off in a sprint. Without wasting a moment Nova gives chase. It takes a little while, but Nova eventually manages to close the gap between them and runs next to her.
Through the thundering of their hooves, and their panting, Nova manages to pick out what sounds like shouting and screaming. “They’re in danger!” Applejack shouts trying to go a little faster.
As they dodge and weave between the trees Nova spots several figures a little further ahead. Low to the ground, several long, thin spikes sticking out of their shoulders and back. Clearly canine in shape, but everything seems off. They seem to be surrounding a tree, or at least trying to get at what’s in it. They bark and growl at three fillies that are cowering in the tree. As they get closer they notice an odd stench lingering in the air. Applejack falters in her steps, but manages to stay up. “Timberwolves!”
“Wha--” Nova starts, but stops when the branches to her right start moving. She skids to a stop and ducks down when she sees a row of spark wooden stakes coming at her. A few inches above her head the wolf’s jaw snaps, snagging a few strands of her mane in the process. Digging her forehooves into the ground, Nova throws her head back and straightens her legs. The back of her head slams into the wolf’s jaw with a loud crack and sends it crashing back into the brush.
Pain pounds at the back of her head, but she quickly fall into a combat stance and turns to face the prone beast. Now, she can see it is indeed a wolf, though made of branches and logs. The ‘spikes’ from earlier are branches and twigs poking out of the wolf. It is covered in a little frost, either from the actual cold weather, or simply being knocked down into the snow.
The timberwolf gets back onto its feet and lunges at Nova. With a flap of her wings she moves out of the way. As the wolf lunges past, Nova delivers a blow to its neck, earning a sharp crack as the wood making it snaps. The wolf shatters into a pile of branches at her hooves. “The heck? What happened to it, what is it?” But, Nova’s questions goes unanswered as she finds Applejack charging at the rest of the group.
Shouts and cheers follow as the fillies see the orange earth pony. Nova pushes the questions of the back of her mind, as well as the dull throbbing in her head. She flaps her wings a few times to get into the air and quickly follows suit.
The rest of the wolves, five, notice the two ponies, though not before Applejack slams into one of them with her shoulder. The wolf stumbles back dazed from the surprise attack. Applejack spins around, putting her weight onto her forehooves and brings in her hindlegs. She unleashes a buck at breakneck speed which connects solidly with the wolf’s chest. The kick sends the wolf slamming into a tree a few feet away. A small chorus of cheers comes from the fillies in the tree as the wolf falls to a head of twigs and logs.
The other four wolves start spreading out and begin to surround as they move in on her. Before any of them get within striking range Nova bursts out of the brush, flying as quickly as she dares in the forest. Without slowing she rams into the first wolf in her path. A sharp snap comes from the wolf’s shoulder as Nova feels the wood giving way under her forehooves. She flares her wings coming to a quick stop and leaving the wolf to slide across the slick ground until it runs into another wolf.
Nova continues flapping her wings so she hovers just off the ground. She looks around, making sure she’s between the majority of the wolves and the three fillies. A grin curls her lips and her golden eyes take on an orange hue as they focus back on the wolves.
Finally, we get to fight something.
This’ll be fun. Though, I still have to take it easy, fillies are too close.
I doubt we need anything more to win.
Damn right, Nova thinks flying a little higher up. She stops and starts hovering, though just below the branches this time. The wolves look at one another, then glare back at Nova, taking a few steps forward.
They look scared.
Well, if they won’t take the first shot… In an instant she angles herself at the largest of the timberwolves, and charges with a steep dive. The wolf acts quickly, but barely manages to jump out of the way before Nova crashes into the ground. The impact makes a small crater and raises a cloud of dust around it. The wolves move to surround her, however they quickly find they can’t match Nova’s speed.
With a flap of her wings she shoots out of the dust cloud and toward the leader. She flies a few feet into the air so she can be just above the wolf. It tries to snap at her, but its jaws only catch air. Once over the head, Nova comes down with as much force as she can muster from that height. She comes cracking down onto the beast’s back, just below the shoulders. It holds for a moment, but ultimately the wolf’s back shatters into stick and logs, and the rest of the wolf collapses.
She tucks her wings back in and turns to face the other three as they run at her. She turns her side to the first one and crouches low to the ground. She glances over at the other two, gauging their speeds and distances to make sure she has time. She figures the wolves will be at her roughly at the same time. Within seconds the first timberwolf closes the gap between them, lunging at her aiming for the neck just as the others arrives.
Nova spreads her wing, getting it under the wolf. She quickly stands up and twists her body, moving with the weight of the timberwolf and starting to lift it off the ground. A shiver runs down her spine when she hears the wolf snap its jaws centimeters from the back of her head. Before it can get the chance at another bite she flings the wolf over her shoulder. It tumbles end over end before crashing into the second one, leaving them in a dazed pile.
Her eyes glow a golden-orange as she swings around to the third one. Once again, she spreads her wings, using them as counter-balances to stand on her hindlegs this time. She brings her hoof back, preparing a punch. It jumps at her, jaw wide, fully intent on ripping her throat out. With a twist of her body she swings her punch. The wooden teeth scratch and cut her leg as she plunges her hoof down into its throat, but the pain barely registers. Even as it tries to bite down, it doesn’t slow her down. The wolf’s eyes go wide as it realizes Nova doesn’t plan on stopping. Nova’s hoof connects with the back of the wolf’s throat, it starts biting down harder trying to get her to pull her hoof back. With a final push, there is a sharp snap as Nova’s hoof bursts out the otherside. The rest of it disintegrates into a pile of branches and twigs.
She turns to the sound of growling, just in time to see a set of wooden fangs bearing down at her. Acting on instinct she jumps to her right, just out of range of the wolf as it bites down on the air. Seeing an opportunity she swings back around, slamming her elbow into the side of its face. It staggers back in a daze, but Nova grabs it by the shoulder before it can get too far. And, keeping up her momentum, she drags it into the path of the other. The second wolf’s paws slip on the slick grass as it tries the stop, and careens into them.
The magic holding the first wolf together falters under the impact and the wolf shatters into the individual sticks it’s made of. The second one manages to stay intact however, and tumbles into Nova. She rolls back, sending the wolf over her. Branches dig into her shoulder and back as the wolf crashes down onto her. Ignoring the pain she kicks out with her hindlegs as they roll, kicking the wolf off her.
Quickly shifting her weight around Nova comes out of the roll on her hooves facing toward the wolf. Though, the wolf also managed to land on its feet and is now crouched low to the ground ready to fight.
Alright then, let’s see how you deal with this, Tinder. She flaps her wings and shoot off toward the wolf at full speed. She flies low to the ground, aiming just off the side of the wolf. It tries to bite her as she flies past, but as earlier it simply can’t match her speed.
Just before flying past Nova swings out her arm, hooking it around the wolf’s neck. A sharp yelp cuts through the air as all the force slams into the wolf at once and it’s dragged along with the pegasus. It tries twisting around to get free or, better yet, bite her. But, before it can so much as dig its claws into the dirt, it starts falling down from under it as Nova goes into a steep climb. Soon, the wolf is looking down at the trees and snow as it begins to wonder whether it should try to make her let go.
But, once high enough, Nova simply lets go on her own. With one more flap from her wings she flies above it, building up speed in a corkscrew sort of movement. She kicks out one leg and it slams into the wolf’s back with a painful sounding crack. The kick sends the wolf plummeting down, and slamming into the ground at a speed that would be dangerous for pegasi.
A grin crosses Nova’s face as the wolf simply shatters. She looks down at her foreleg as she descends to Applejack and the fillies. Quite a few long, not-too-deep cuts, nothing a bandage roll can’t fix. Well, that was fun, she thinks landing next to Applejack as the mare helps the fillies out of the tree.
A little, but we’re still cold. You should have burnt them, they’re nothing more than tinder anyways.
Once down one of the fillies, an orange pegasus, runs up to her. “That was so cool! You took them all on by yourself. You were like bam, boom, crack!” she shouts jumping around and making little fighting stances with the sounds. “It was so awesome! Almost as awesome and Rainbow.”
Sounds like you have an admirer.
Shit. She decides to ignore the pegasus, hoping she gets the hint or loses interest. Instead, she looks over at Applejack and the pale yellow filly. The filly paws at the ground an ashamed look on her face as her sister scolds her. The last filly, the unicorn, tries her best to hide behind Applejack by keeping the mare between her and Nova.
Pain stabs through Nova’s leg as the adrenaline begins to subside. She looks down at her leg again, and the blood oozing from the cuts. Should deal with that… She looks around for something to bandage it up for the time being. After a few moments she remembers the scarf she brought. Sorry Moon, she thinks as she takes it off and wraps it around the wound. Once she’s done the makeshift bandage covers most of her foreleg up to the elbow. It’ll do for now.
By the time she’s finished the three fillies are standing a little ways in front of her with Applejack standing behind them. The fillies look down at the ground and shift around uncomfortably. “Well, go on,” Applejack says nudging the yellow one forward a little.
“Thank ya, miss…”
“Nova,” Applejack says from behind her.
“Nova, Ah… Ah’m sorry for this. Ah never meant for any of this ta happen. Ah’m sorry ya got hurt because of us,” she says. The filly looks around uncomfortably unsure of what to say next.
Nova shrugs and stands back up, testing her leg to see if it can still support her weight. “Don’t worry about it, just don’t go hunting monsters again.”
The filly looks up and finally meets her eyes. “Yer not mad at us? But, it’s because of us that ya got hurt in the first place.”
“No, not really. Just glad you’re alright and that I could help.”
She looks at Nova with a mixture of confusion and happiness. “Well, thank ya. Oh, and mah--” The filly freezes suddenly the color slowly draining from her face. The other behind the filly also go a little pale.
The sound of rustling branches behind her reaches Nova’s ears. She turns around expecting to see more wolves, however she finds something quite different. All the logs and sticks from the beaten wolves floating in the air, a sickly green glow coming from them. “They can revive themselves?” Nova asks taking a step back a preparing to fight again.
“Ah, don’t think it’s revivin’ itself,” Applejack says from behind her. The sticks start floating together forming into a single large pile. Everyone jumps when the tree next to them snaps and begins floating toward the pile. Several more trees from the area snap out of the ground and head for the pile as well. Slowly, the trees, logs, and sticks begin forming into a body. As more pieces join the puzzle eventually it becomes clear that it’s a giant timberwolf.
I don’t think I can punch that thing to death…
Luckily, we can do a little more than simply punch.
Not burning it. I’m pretty sure I can outrace the thing.
You think the others can too?
Nova snaps back to reality a turns back to the group of scared fillies. Applejack stands her ground, though it’s clear she’s afraid as well. Damn, you’re right. Fine, I’ll turn it into a pile of ash. “You guys get out of here,” Nova says turning back to the still-forming wolf.
“What? Now, wait a minute, I ain’t gonna just leave ya here ta fight that thing,” Applejack says.
“Don’t worry, I’m only gonna distract it long enough for you guys to get away. I can easily out-pace it if I fly out of here. Besides, the fillies aren’t gonna stay here, and someone needs to make sure they get back in one piece.” Applejack hesitates and looks down at the three fillies. “In all seriousness, we don’t have the time to argue. Leave now, and I’ll explain everything later.”
Applejack goes to asks what she means, but stops herself realizing Nova’s right. “Come on Y’all,” she says turning and shepherding the fillies away.
Once the group is beyond the first couple trees focuses back on the wolf as it nears completion. She grins and flies up to what would be eye-level with it.
You seem eager.
I have a winter’s worth of energy to burn, and it’s been ages since I last had a real fight. The wolf’s green eyes open and immediately lock onto her. It rears back for a moment before letting loose an unearthly roar. Small twigs and sticks whips past carried on the beast’s retched breath. Too bad Tinder won’t last long enough for me to burn all that energy, she thinks as she begins to channel energy into her wings.

Applejack skids to a stop when the roar rips through the air. She whips around, easily spotting the massive wolf lumbering through the trees. It swipes its massive paws through the air trying to swat Nova out of the air as she flies circles around it. She’ll be fine, she tries to convince herself.
“Um, shouldn’t we keep running or something?” Sweetie asks nervously glancing back at the fight.
“Is something the matter?” Scootaloo asks.
“N-no, everything’s alright,” Applejack says giving a fake smile. She looks down at Applebloom, who is also looking back at the fight.
“We can’t just leave her,” she says stomping her hoof. “She came here to help us, we can’t just abandon her!”
“She’ll be alright, look, the timberwolf can’t even get close to her,” Applejack says gesturing toward Nova. Indeed, every swipe, bite, and lunge the wolf tries hits nothing but air and trees.
“Plus, she took on four timberwolves at once. I’m sure one is nothing for her,” Scootaloo adds.
“Yeah, but those were normal timberwolves. She can’t possibly fight one that’s ten times her size!”
“But, Twilight beat an Ursa Minor, and those are way bigger.”
“She had magic!”
“Applebloom, we don’t have the time fer this. If we’re still here by the time she leaves the wolf will come after us,” Applejack says nudging her sister down the path.
“Uh, girls, any idea what she’s doing?” Sweetie asks catching their attention. They all look back at the fight as Nova bursts through the branches and flies out into the open air, well above the trees.
“Come on, girls! She’s probably leavin’. Let’s get outta here before the wolf comes.”
“I don’t like this,” Sweetie says taking a few steps back, but still watching Nova. The pegasus simply hovers in place, seemingly looking down at the wolf. Oddly, her eyes seem different almost as if they’re glowing. Suddenly, a burst of red light comes from Nova, and several fiery bolts shoot out from her wings heading straight at the wolf.
The bolts rain down on the wolf, each one impacting with an explosion of fire that simply blasts through the wolf. It yowls in pain as the bolts literally rip it apart. And, as suddenly as it started, it’s over. The wolf still stands, amazingly, though barely. Flaming craters dot the area around, and under, it. Still burning holes go clean through its body in most places. Slowly, the wolf starts crumbling apart, no longer able to hold itself together. Flaming debris rains down from it, simply fueling the fires under it. And finally, the magic holding it together gives out and it crumbles entirely.
The group stand in stunned silence, watching the column of smoke billow up from the remains of the wolf. “D-did she just…” Applebloom starts, but trails off as she searches for the right word. But, even without it Scootaloo and Sweetie nod.
“What is she?” Sweetie whispers backing up a little further.
“Let’s get outta here now,” Applejack says urging the fillies to start heading away from the burning pile. Before following the group Applejack looks back, but doesn’t manage to see Nova through the smoke. 
They run as fast as they can toward the edge of the forest. Eventually, they reach their prints from earlier and start following them back. They begin to relax after a few minutes of running and no sign of any other monsters, asides from billowing smoke from further in the forest. A few minutes later they come out of the forest and back into the Apple Family Orchard. However, they come skidding to a stop when they find the crimson mare waiting for them. The fillies shrink back behind Applejack.
Nova smiles up at them from her spot by the base of a tree. “Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure I lost the wolf thing… What exactly were those?”
Applejack snorts and narrows her eyes at Nova. “That’s what Ah should be asking ya. What exactly are ya?”
“Huh? I’m a winged pony, what do you think I am?”
“Ah don’t know, but ya sure as heck ain’t a pegasus. We saw whatcha did back there.” She points back over at the column of smoke.
Her shoulders slump down as she sighs and looks away from the smoke. “You saw that, huh?”
“Yeah, now what are ya?”
Nova looks back at her, but says nothing for a minute as she searches for words. “I can’t say.”
“You burnt that timberwolf! You shot fire--”
“I know, but I actually can’t tell you. Not because I don’t want to, but I don’t know! I don’t know what I am. I’m part pegasus and that’s as far as I can get.” Applejack scrunches her muzzle, little less than satisfied with the answer. But, before she can ask anything else Nova speaks up. “Applejack, I don’t think this conversation is for the young,” she says looking at the fillies.
“Alright then, you three get back to the house, we’ll talk about what you did later,” Applejack says nudging them off down the path.
“Hold up a sec,” Nova says getting up and walking up to the three who shrink back from her. Applejack takes a few steps forward, ready to act if Nova does anything. “I want you three to keep this a secret. Don’t tell anypony about what I can do. Don’t even talk to each other about it. And if you want a reason to keep it a secret, you’ve seen what I can do, imagine how bad I am when I’m angry. Clear?” The fillies nod their heads in unison. “Good, get going.” At the order the fillies take of running.
“Ah swear, if ya so much as hurt mah sister, even that fancy fire trick of yers won’t save ya from me.”
“Good to know, but I don’t exactly plan on following through with the threat. It’s just easier to make ponies keep quiet if they’re afraid of you.” Nova turns back to the farmer. “Alright, shoot. If you have any questions, threats, or something of the sort, now’s the time.”
Applejack stares at her mildly surprised at her willingness. “Who else knows?”
“Lore, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow, a few other ponies you probably don't know.”
“How did this happen?”
“Can’t say.” 
Immediately the surprise wears off as she realizes Nova’s only willing to listen to the questions. “That ain’t too helpful.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know the answer to that either,” Nova says with a shrug.
The farmer rubs her temples, realizing that their entire conversation is most likely going to go in circles. “Alright then, what are ya?”
“I think you already--”
Applejack shakes her head and cuts Nova off. “Ah don’t mean it that way. Back there, against the wolves. Ya fought four of them, and came out almost unharmed. Ya know how ta fight. What are ya, military, hunter?”
Nova blinks a few times catch a little off guard by the question. “I’m, uh…” Damn, she figured that out from my fighting? Ultimately, Nova relents deciding to give her a straight answer. “I’m military actually.” Applejack nods, but doesn’t say anything more. “Is that all?”
“One last thin’. If ya so much as dare to go near those fillies, or hurt any one of my friends, Ah’ll buck you inta next week. Yer fire, and army trainin’ don’t scare me, and ya’ll need more than that to save yerself from me.”
	
> On Her Own Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy watches quietly as Nova packs her things away into a few bags. The bags have an copy of her cutie mark embroidered on them. “A-are you sure you want to leave? It’s still pretty cold outside,” she asks as Nova slides her book in next to a chess set.
“Well, I’m fully recovered.” Out of the corner of her eye she sees Fluttershy raise an eyebrow at her. “Mostly recovered,” she corrects herself. She unconsciously shifts her weight off of her leg that was bitten. “Point is, I’m well enough to walk. And, I don’t want to be anymore of a bother than want I have been.”
“You haven’t been a bother.”
“I scared off most of the animals, broke the door, almost burnt down your kitchen. I let my friend, and coltfriend sleep here without bothering to ask you…” she lists off.
“Okay, so you might not be the most, uh… pleasant pony to be around. But-- yep!” she yelps as Nova turns to face her. “S-sorry, I-I didn’t mean--” she starts thinking she upset the crimson mare.
Nova chuckles and throws her bags onto her back. “It’s fine. Honestly, that’s what I’ve been trying to say.” She gives Fluttershy a smile and walks over into the hall. “Well, I best get going. See you around.”
“Where are you staying?” Fluttershy asks as she follows her to the door.
“I, uh, I’m staying in town. Don’t worry, I’ll see you around.” With that Nova heads out the door and into the cool spring air. Back on my own… again… She sighs and starts down the path to town. A few stops are needed before she heads back home.
She idly looks up at the branches as she walks. Green dots the branches as the leaves and flowers beginning to bloom. The green hue around the branches briefly reminds her of the timberwolves. A grin pulls at her lips, but she pushes the memory aside trying to convince herself that the whole fight was a bad situation.
“Maybe I should head back there sometime and burn off some more anger.” She mulls over the thought glancing back at the forest as it disappears in the distance.
Sounds like a great plan, but I think we should start at the cottage, then make our way to the forest.
“Nah… Fluttershy would have my hide if I burn down the forest. I swear, that mare can probably kill somepony with that stare of her’s.” She chuckles a little at the thought.
Soon Ponyville comes into view. Even though it’s rather early in the morning quite a few ponies are out on the streets getting on with their business. A thought buzzing around Nova’s head brings her to a stop. What if the fillies told someone… What if Applejack told someone, she can’t exactly lie.
We should get rid of them, just to be sure.
Nova snorts out of annoyance. Yeah, I’m sure that’d go well. She sighs and starts back up toward the town. Well, only one way of knowing. As she walks into the town only a few ponies stop, even then most of the ponies that stop smile and wave at her. Well, at least they can keep a secret, for now. She huffs out a breath of smoke, hoping the ponies looking simply think it’s vapor from the cool air.
Most of the ponies outside are busy ‘wrapping up’ the last of winter. A term which she heard from Fluttershy over the past few days. Winter Wrap-Up had happened the day before last, but Nova does mind that she missed it. Even though it’s apparently a large event for most of Equestria. She simply glances over at the working ponies as she walks past. 
After a few minutes of walking she arrives at her first destination. She stops just outside the post office. The brick building stands the same as last time she was here, though that was before winter. Nova looks up at the sun, figuring that the building should be open at this time. With a final sigh she trots inside.
A small bell above the door rings as she enters, catching the attention of the limegreen stallion at the counter. He blinks a few times as she walks over, after a few moments he smiles at her. “Hey Nova, still in town?”
“Yeah. Uh… can I talk to Derpy?”
“Oh, she’s not here right now. She’s out doing the mail run, but she should be back in an hour or two. So, you can come back then.”
Nova lets out a snort and heads over to the row of chairs. “Thanks, but I think I’ll wait. I have nothing to do anyways.” She dumps her saddlebags onto the ground by the furthest chair. As soon as she sits down she reaches into the bag and pulls out her book.

It’s an hour and a half later when Derpy walks into the post office. The little bell above the door rings, welcoming her as she enters. She immediately notices the red mare sitting in the lobby. “Nova?”
Blinking a couple of times Nova looks up from the book. She drop the book onto the chair next to her and gets up onto her hooves. “Morning, Derpy,” she says giving her a hoofshake.
“You’re still here? We kinda thought you left when winter came.”
“Nah, I was just pretty badly hurt,” she says holding her bandaged leg up. The injury is only a day old, but it still gets the point across.
“Oh, what happened?”
Nova shrugs and sits back down. “Ran into a tree.” Punched a timberwolf, ran into a tree, not that far off from the truth.
A chuckle comes from Derpy and she shakes her head. “You might be almost as bad as me when it comes to that.”
“Sorry about not telling you, I’ve just been bedridden for a while.”
“Yeah, that could have been helpful. It’s a little too late now, we gave your job to someone else, and with the holidays over, I’m afraid we don’t really need anymore help.”
Nova just shrugs again, having expected as much. “That’s fine, I deserve as much.” She gets up again and puts her book away. “Just came by to make sure. I’ll have the bag and hat back to you tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry about that, if we knew you--”
“Nothing to be sorry for, I should have been the one to tell you.” She slumps the bags across her back again and heads for the door.
“Sorry, Nova. I hope we can still be friends.”
Nova freezes just in front of the door. You consider me a friend? She sighs and opens the door. “Have a nice day Derpy, maybe we can hang out sometime.” She goes outside, letting the door close behind her. I really shouldn’t try making promises I won’t keep… She pushes the thought aside and heads off to her second destination.
“Well, now I have to figure out a new source of income,” she mumbles to herself. She thinks back to the bulletin board at the town hall. “Yeah, guess I’ll give it a check… Tomorrow though, today I have to get back to my home… cave.”
That's one thing I'll miss about that shy one's place, the bed was nice. You should get a bed.
“What does it matter to you? You live in my head. But, you do have a point, I’ll need to make the place more… homely. Well, then again, I don’t plan on staying there forever.”
As she walks past Sugarcube Corner she takes a whiff of the freshly made pastries inside. She pauses and looks inside, her eyes topping a little too long on the pies and cakes on the counter. “That’d be a nice place to work… if I could bake.” She goes to continue on her way, but sees a pink mare bounce in from the kitchen. “I recognize her, she was there the day I got here.” She stays and watches for a few seconds before continuing. “Perhaps I should introduce myself to her at some point.”
I thought you didn’t want friends.
“Of course I don’t, but I vaguely remember being rather rude to her. I really should apologize.” She shrugs and doesn’t bother stopping, instead she notes it down on her mental ‘to do list’. 
After another minute or so of walking she comes to Golden Oaks. The tree stands baren, like all the others. Though, its bright colors still give it some semblance of life. She looks up at the budding branches, finding herself smiling at the memory of the wolves. She shakes her head and walks up to the door. Before she has a chance to knock she hears voices from the other side. She freezes while she debates what she should do in her mind, that is until she hears her name being mentioned. She presses her ear against the door, catching the last part of a sentence.
“...don’t know what she is either?” It’s Applejack’s voice, a little muffled but still easy to pick out the country drawl. Nova waits a moment for the answer, but she doesn’t hear anything save for the scuffling of hooves.
“Well, she’s not that bad. Yes, sh-she’s easy to upset, but she really doesn’t want to hurt anypony.” To Nova’s surprise it’s Fluttershy’s voice. Not a surprise she’s here talking to Twilight, rather a surprise she can hear Fluttershy through the door. “She’s just so afraid she’ll hurt somepony.”
“Makes sense, she’s a pegasus, I doubt she can control her powers too well,” Twilight says.
“It sure didn’t look that way in the forest. It looked like she had pretty good control of it while she was blastin’ that timberwolf ta bits. Sure looked like she was enjoyin’ herself while she was doin’ that.”
There is a sharp gasp from the other side of the door. “S-she d-did that to--” Nova takes a few steps back, not wanting to hear the rest of Fluttershy’s reaction. I probably should have told her about that… She sighs and sits off to the side.
They’re trying to figure out what we are.
Let them, they won’t get far before I’m done.
And if they do?
They’ll figure it out eventually. One of them is a princess has a close relationship to Celestia. And they’re the Elements of Friendship, or what-not. I already know they'll figure out, if they find out sooner... it won't change anything. She waits a few minutes, simply to avoid arousing their suspicion of her, though it’s probably useless. Once she figures she let enough time pass she knocks on the door.
The door swings open to the small purple dragon. “Hello, how--” he freezes once he realizes who he’s talking to. “Uh, Twilight, it’s… it’s for you.” The lavender alicorn turns around to face her, as do Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow, who apparently had been there for the conversation. Whatever conversation they were having dies immediately. Fluttershy refuses to look her in the eyes, while Rainbow and Applejack scowl at her.
“N-Nova, it’s good to see you this morning. How are you doing?”
“I’m well, glad to finally be outside. But, there is one issue, I’m still pissed someone knocked me out a few months ago,” as she says the words Nova glares at Twilight, her eyes flaring to an orange hue.
Twilight give a nervous smile, though it only lasts for a brief time before she takes on a more serious look. “Well, I’m sorry, but you were hurt, I wasn’t going to leave you on your own.”
“I’ve been on my own until now, I would have been fine.”
“You would have died! You were living in a--”
“And you put everyone in the hospital in danger. Trust my life ain’t worth that much.” Twilight opens her mouth to say something, but Nova cuts her off. “Just don’t do it again, ever.” She turns and heads back to the door. She slows as she gets to the door, until she comes to a stop just outside. “By the way… thanks for telling Lore about me getting hurt, it was… thoughtful. I’ll be seeing you around.” With that she closes the door behind her and walks away.
So, you’re not mad at her? 
“What?!” She catches herself, and quickly glances around to make sure no one heard her. Of course I’m mad, I’m pissed. She knocked me out for buck’s sake! I’m just… I’m just a little grateful she got Lore to come. She sighs as she turns down the road toward the mountain. Finding no sense in walking there with an injured leg, she takes to the sky.
A couple of minutes later she’s flying above the path through the forest in front of the cave. You didn’t think about landing, did you?
Yeah, kinda forgot about that. She angles her wings downward and quickly starts dropping in altitude. She lands down hard, though her leg manages to hold out against the impact. However, the slick grass underhoof sends her skidding past the entrance to the cave. Luckily, she comes to a stop not far off with few injuries. She groans and heads back to the cave entrance. Gotta learn how to land…
“Home sweet home,” she mumbles as she comes closer to the entrance. Nothing remains of the wall she had attempted to build before winter. Small patches of ice glaze over parts of the rock wall, leaving thin streams running down the mountain face.
She walks in to find the cave pretty much the same as how she left it. Her outcropping/ bed sticking out of the wall on one side. In the corner of the cave is a pile of rocks, where she had buried her last bag, and where her things still should be. She mentally scolds herself for having forgot all of her things while staying at Fluttershy’s. She drops her new bags onto the floor and heads over to the older ones.
A sigh escapes her lips when sees everything is still there. Her photo album, a worn black cloak, her empty bit pouch, and a few other miscellaneous things. She starts putting them away again, until she gets to the photo album. She sighs and heads over to the outcropping and starts looking through the old photos.
	
> Generosity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova takes a deep breath as she walks through the forest. Anger burns in her veins, though she can’t quite recall why. The scent of smoke wafts up to her nose as she leaves a trail charred hoofprints through the forest. Every few seconds a flame flares up on her wings or back, or a small red bolt of electricity arcs across her feathers. She doesn’t know where she’s going, she doesn’t care.
The leaf covered branches block out most of the sunlight making it almost as dark as night. Even through the darkness she can catch glimpses of something moving between the trees. But she ignores it, if it’s smart it’ll stay out of her way. 
Eventually, the sounds of running water reaches her ears. After a few more seconds of walking she comes to a thin creek cutting through the forest. Nova sits down letting out a sigh she touches she cool ground, though it quickly heats up. The tree canopy is thicker here, making the surrounding area even darker. Oddly, the river seems extremely clear, to the point that she can see the reflection of the trees in the water. 
She takes a few more deep breaths to try and calm down. However, her anger just flares up again, fires spring up around her and more bolts of energy spark across her fur. When she exhales, a stream of black smoke rushes out of her nostrils. She shakes her head and walks up to the creek.
Her reflection stares back with startling clarity. No demon, no ghosts, no monsters, just her. Her crimson coat a bit cleaner than she remembers as is her dark red mane. Her eyes are sore and a little puffy as though she has been crying lately, but she can’t remember. However, her golden eyes glare sharply back glowing with an orange hue, anger burns behind them. 
Though now she can place it, she tell what she’s angry at, herself. She can’t stand the sight of her own reflection.
She scoffs at her own reflection, a few embers floating on her breath, and turns away. “Why can’t today just end?”
“What’s wrong, Birthday girl?”
Nova whips around to face her reflection again, which simply grins back. Her anger flares again and fires burst up around her. “Everything! Everything is wrong! Everything about today is wrong, and I just want it to be over.”
“Since when does a monster like you deserve anything?”
“I’m no monster!” Nova shouts back stomping her hoof. Red cracks spread out across the ground from where her hoof struck, but she doesn’t notice.
“I doubt Aura would say that. I doubt Celestia would say that. You don’t even think that’s true.”
“Don’t you dare bring her into this! If you mention her again--”
Her reflection just chuckles back. “What, you’ll do what? You’ll kill me, like some monster?”
Whatever was holding Nova’s anger at bay snaps. “Just leave me alone!” she screams. A ball of fire forms around her, burning bright and hot. In an instant the sphere expands with a blastwave of destructive energy pushing it along. The fire roars and rips across the ground, flinging the chunks of rock and dirt away from the center. The blast quickly dissipates in the open area, turning the pressure wave into a wall of flaming at the edges of the newly formed crater.
Nova sits at the center of the crater for several moments, taking deep, calming breathes. She opens her eyes and looks around. Even though she sits in the center of her newly made clearing it is darker than before, the large plume of black smoke blocking out the sun. She spots movement around the edge, something moving through the fire. Before she can investigate the remains of the creek cuts through the flames and starts running down into the crater. It flows over the rough, charred ground going around the large boulders and rubble the explosion had blasted loose.
She watches it flow downward until it starts pooling at her hooves. Now, she can’t see anything, as if any sort of life the creek held is now gone. She sighs and gets to her hooves, but before she can leave she notices something gleaming in the water halfway up. Curious, she approaches it, forgetting about the creature in the fire. 
In the water is a small box that had managed to survive the blast. It is a simple metal box, no ornate designs or decorations. While the box had survived, it seems that the blast had snapped the clasp that held it closed. She goes to pick it up when she hears something moving along the lip of the crater. 
She looks up in time to see what can best be described as a bat pony leap out of the fire. The creature is pony shaped, though it’s hard to see it thanks to its dark coat. Two large bat-like wings spread out to its sides, the fire wrapping around them. Before she can react, a row of sharp teeth tear into her throat.



Nova gasps in the hot dry air as she jolts awake. It takes her a moment to realize she’s still alive and that it was a dream. After a minute she manages to compose herself to the point where she’s breathing normally. She looks out toward the entrance, the horizon is starting to turn orange as the sun begins to rise. He killed me?
It seems I did.
Why did you kill me?!
She feels what she can only describe as a ‘mental shrug’. I don’t know, that dream was all you. More importantly, I hope you like sleeping on rocks.
She blinks a few times as her barely-awake mind works to interpret what he said. She looks down at her cloak, which she had been using as a blanket, and finds it is now nothing but ashes.

Inside the town hall the bulletin board stands in front of Nova. She rolls her right shoulder as she looks over the job offers. Her eyes close and she twists her shoulder slightly more, getting a loud snap out of it. Her mind flashes back to the nightmare, something about it was... wrong. Shrugging off the uneasy feeling she opens her eyes and starts looking over the job offers. 
Her ears flick to the side when she hears someone come in, but she continues to look over the offers. Farm hoof at the Apple orchard, I doubt she wants me working anywhere near her home.
“Nova?” She turns to the voice, to find the little purple dragon standing next to her. 
“Hello, uh…”
“Spike, my name is Spike.”
Isn’t that a dog name? Is he a pet or something? She shakes the thoughts out of her head and looks back at the bulletin board. “Alright, hey Spike. How’s Twilight?”
“She’s alright, she just went to the Everfree Forest actually.” He follows her gaze to the board. “Looking for a job?”
“Yeah, kinda. You know, I doubt you came here to talk with me, so maybe you should get on with whatever you came here to do.”
Spike huffs and crosses his arms. “Well, actually I did come here looking for you. Rarity wanted me to ask you to go see her.”
Nova raises an eyebrow and turns to face him again. “She did, why?”
The dragon shrugs and starts walking away. “Sorry, but you want to get rid of me, I wouldn’t want to distract you any longer.” He pauses at the door and turns back to look at her. Nova groans and starts heading for the door.
“Fine, sorry for trying to get rid of you, now what did she want?”
Spike shrugs again, turning to fully face her now. “She didn’t tell me, sorry. But, she did say it was important.
Nova rolls her eyes. Well, that’s helpful. “Guess I’ll ask her when I go see her in that case. Thanks for telling me.” With that she heads out the door, closely followed by Spike as he heads back to the boutique as well. 
Thankfully, on her few mail routes she did before winter she had managed to memorize the path to Rarity’s. The two walk in silence, Nova doesn’t mind it as she is mostly trying to ignore the dragon. Soon the blue building comes into view, and Spike runs ahead of her. He heads inside as soon as he gets to the door. Nova walks in behind him, looking around at the many dresses that glitter throughout the shop. She closes the door, ringing the small bell above it. 
“~Coming~,” Rarity calls from one of the other rooms. She walks in from one of the back rooms, one that seems to be where she makes her designs. The unicorn freezes and seems to pale slightly when she sees Nova. She glances behind her shoulder and out the window before looking back at her. “Hello, dear, thanks for coming,” she says forcing a smile.
“No problem,” Spike answers from next to Nova, in a slight daze. 
Rarity blinks a few times, as if she’s just realizing he’s there. “Oh, uh, thank you Spike. Um, would you mind giving us a moment, dear? I wish to talk to Nova in private.” She gives Spike a smile, a real smile.
“Sure thing?” he says uncertainty and heads over to the kitchen, casting a few glance behind him.
Once he’s out of sight Rarity turns back to Nova. “Again, thank you for coming.”
“Yeah sure, wasn’t exactly doing much anyways,” Nova says with a shrug. Probably wouldn’t have gotten a job anyways. Rarity shifts uncomfortably and looks back outside like she’s expecting someone. After a minute Nova clears her throat. “Uh, not to sound rude, but why did you want to see me?”
Rarity sighs and looks at Nova again. “Well, my sister, Sweetie Belle told me about what happened in the forest.” At the words Nova’s eyes become sharper, more aggressive, but she doesn’t say anything. “She told me about how you fought off those wolves and gave her and her friends time to escape.”
Nova relaxes some, relieved that the filly didn’t tell her sister the whole story. “Oh, that. Honestly, it was no problem, just glad I could help,” she says trying to hide her injured leg a little.
“That may be, but I still wish to thank you for what you did. And I absolutely must repay someway.”
“Well, thanks, but really I didn’t do that much, it was all Applejack.” She starts trying to make her way for the door, but Rarity quickly cuts her off.
“Not from what I heard, fighting four timberwolves at once can’t possibly be something easy. You saved my sister, I insist on repaying you. I know! How about I make you a dress, free of charge of course?”
A nervous laugh escapes Nova’s throat and she scratches the back of her neck. “I, uh, I don’t think I’d anywhere to put one back home. But, it’s a nice--” She stops when she sees Rarity’s shining eyes. Something about them just tell Nova she won’t accept ‘no’. Guess I could just send it to Scarlet, I’m sure she’d love a new dress. Nova takes a deep breath and let her shoulders slump down a little with the exhale. “Fine.”
Rarity smiles and trots over to the back room, ushering Nova to follow her. Nova enters into the room filled with fabrics and threads of all colors and textures. Mannequins along the far wall, two of them wearing unfinished dresses. “So, is there any particular color you’d like it in?” Rarity asks as she trots up to the shelf of fabrics.
“Purple?” Nova says, not too certainly.
The unicorn look back at her, an eyebrow raised at her. “Are you sure?”
Nova shrugs, “Yeah.”
For a moment Nova thinks she hears her mumble something under her breath, but she simply ignores it. Rarity looks over her fabrics for a few more seconds before levitating a tape measure off her desk. “Alright, I have an idea, but I’ll need to make some measurements.”
Nova tense, but stays still as Rarity starts taking measurements of Nova’s proportions. “Quite the interesting cutie mark you have,” Rarity says as she measure the length of Nova’s hindlegs. Nova looks back at the pentagram, a small circle running around it with what appear to be letter written inside. She scoffs and focuses back ahead of her, at nothing in particular. “May I ask how you got it?”
“No.”
“You don’t like your cutie mark?” Rarity asks. She continues her measurements, but soon realizes Nova doesn’t plan on answering. She sighs and decides that a different topic would be better. “You must be rather brave to fight four timberwolves at once.”
“Didn’t really have much of a choice, I didn’t know what they were until they were trying to bite me.”
“Still, that doesn’t change the fact that you choose to stay behind and fight them while Applejack and the others got to safety.”
To Rarity’s displeasure Nova simply shrugs. “Well, I wasn’t going to let them get eaten. Besides, the wolves weren’t that bad to fight.”
“But, surely you must have been afraid while fighting the big one.”
Again, Nova shrugs as if it was nothing. “No, just more challenging.”
“How so? I’d imagine it would be rather hard to hurt it.”
“Didn’t need to, it was slow, I only needed to fly circles around it for a while.”
Rarity bites her bottom lip and glances over at the door. She sees Spike standing patiently outside, looking around idly at the dresses on the mannequins. A blue macial field covers it and swings the door shut. Rarity sighs and sets the tape measure down beside her. “I suppose there’s no point in trying to trick you.”
Nova turns around and furrows her brows at the mare. But, doesn’t say anything and lets Rarity continue. “My sister told me what happened out in the forest, what really happened. She told me that you didn’t run from the last one, that you shot fire at it. Later, I asked Applejack and she told me the same. So, is it true?”
Nova takes a step back, not quite expecting anyone to ask her that bluntly. But, it lasts for only a brief moment before it wears off. She sighs, finding herself more annoyed than angry that they told Rarity. For a moment she thinks of simply lying, but what good would it do? “Yeah, it’s true.”
Silence falls over the two, neither one too sure of what to say to the other. Rarity glances back at the window then the door again. After two or so minutes rarity speaks up again. “So, what are--”
“I can’t tell you. Trust me, the rest of your friends want to know as well.”
Rarity nods thoughtfully. 
“Let me guess,” Nova says. “You used the dress as an excuse to see whether or not they were telling the truth?” Rarity nods in response. “So, you don’t actually plan on making me anything?”
“Well, of course I do. I don’t care what you are or what you can do, you saved my sister, and for that I’m eternally grateful. The least I can do is make a dress.”
Nova stares at her, a smile creeping over her mouth. For once, perhaps she can take pride in one of her actions. Well, at least not everyone hates me. After a moment a thought comes to Nova. “Do you know any fire-proofing enchantments?”
Rarity looks at her slightly confused, but quickly catches on. “Uh, I’m afraid I don’t, but I believe Twilight does.”
“Okay, in that case I have a better idea than making me a dress.”
	
> Foreboding Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“You look like shit,” Lore says leaning back a bit and taking a sip from his cup of tea. He and Nova sit inside small café near the train station. A couple of bags sit on the floor next to their table. With a sigh he sets the cup back down and glances around the café. The walls are something of an off white, or rather a cream color, with dull red accents. Only a few ponies sit at the other tables. Still, the scent of coffee and muffins fills the air. Eventually his eyes come back to Nova.
She looks down at her cup of hot chocolate which she has barely touched. Her shoulders slouched, forehooves crossed on the table. Her eyes are tired and distant with dark circles under them. Her mane is messier than usual. “Nova, you still in there?”
“Huh?” Nova mumbles. She sits up in her chair with a groan as if she has just been woken up.
“I was just saying you look lovely today,” he says with a sarcastic smile. Nova glares back at him.
She takes a drink from her cup, keeping her eyes on Lore. “Gee, thanks,” she says when she puts the cup back down.
“Having trouble sleeping again?” he asks, though he suspects there’s another reason. Nova doesn’t answer, instead she just looks back down at her hot chocolate. He stares at her and briefly wonders if he should leave her like that, but decides against it. “Nova?” he says in a louder voice. A few of the other customers look their way, but go back to their own business a moment later.
Still, it snaps Nova out of her daze as she blinks a few times and looks at Lore. She rubs her temple with another groan. “Sorry, haven’t had much sleep lately.”
“Nightmares?”
“No not… well… kinda. Ty has been bothering me a lot lately, and the nightmares have been back since I left Fluttershy’s. They’re all… all about my...” Her words catch in her throat.
“Don’t worry, Nova. It’ll pass. There’s not much I can say that’ll change your birthday for you. Honestly, I doubt it’ll ever be a good day for you, really the best you can do is just make it ‘another day’. However, I can make you some tea, that should help deal with the nightmares.”
Nova shakes her head. “You’re going on trip in a couple of minutes.”
Lore shrugs. “So, it can wait. I can always catch the next train.”
“It’s not gonna wait, you’re not going to put your trip off for me, I don’t deserve it.” Lore opens his mouth to say something, but Nova holds up her hoof. “You’re the one who’s paying for me to simply eat. I already owe you for that… and for Hearth’s Warming, I’m not going to owe you anything else!”
He smiles at her, happy she’s not devaluing herself for once. “Alright, just be sure to take it easy, don’t worry about the past repeating itself.” To this Nova frowns and looks back down at her cup.
For the next minute or so they sit in silence. Lore enjoys his tea and tries to relax, though the creases forming on Nova’s forehead concerns him a little. Once he finishes his cup of tea, he decides it’s time to bring her back to reality. But, before he can snap her out of her train of thought she speaks up. “So, why are you going to the Griffon Kingdom, again? How many times have you went there?”
Lore shrugs and waves his hoof dismissively. “I lost count of the time’s I’ve been there, and why should I bother counting? It’s a nice place, the griffons are nice, if not a bit gruff at times. All their buildings are large and impressive, there’s some much to do there. Besides, I doubt I’ve been there more times than any other place.”
A sly smile creeps over Nova’s face, fake but at least it’s an attempt at being happy. “I bet there’s someone there that you like. And I don’t mean friend, I mean a ‘special somepony’, or in this case a ‘special somegriffon’.”
The laugh from Lore catches the attention of the other customers, getting him a few odd looks. For a brief moment her smile becomes real. “Well, I ain’t gonna tell, if you want to find out you’ll just have to come along.”
She rolls her eyes with a snort, but falls silent quickly after. “I hope you have a nice trip.” A sad smile crosses Lore’s face. “Now, don’t you go feeling sorry for me,” Nova shoots before he can say anything.
“Why would I feel sorry for a fire-breathing--” A sharp glare from Nova cuts him off. “Uh, yeah, sorry, forgot about the whole public thing,” Lore says with a sheepish grin as he scratches the back of his head. Nova just shakes her head, she stops abruptly lost in thought again. Lore sighs and looks out the window facing the train station. It’s impossible to keep a conversation going with you. Several other ponies stand on the platform, supposedly waiting for the same train as him.
“Do you think what I’m doing is right?” Nova asks after a few moments.
Lore smiles reassuringly. “I told you, the debts are how--”
“Not that, I mean… hiding. Is it right that I should be hiding from Celestia?”
The questions catches him a little off. He stares at her for some time as he thinks it over. With a sigh he shakes his head. “No, it isn’t. Even with your history I’m sure she’d be willing to help you.”
“But, that’s the issue, I don’t--”
“Deserve the help?” Lore cuts her off, having heard it enough times. “I won’t argue that you do, but what I am going to say is that Celestia should know. You two were… ‘friends’ in vague sense of the word. You never got closer to her than that.”
“I’ll tell her, just not now.”
“That’s good, because if you don’t tell her she’ll find out another way, and we both know that won’t turn out well.” Lore looks at her as she seems to think over what he said. But, before long a train whistle cuts through the air closely followed by the sounds of a train coming down the tracks. “Looks like my train’s here.”
Nova looks up from her cup and out at the coming train. She doesn’t say anything, but gets up and Lore with some of his bags. They head outside, Nova leaving behind her half-empty cup of hot chocolate.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Lore asks over the screeching of the train as it comes to a stop. Soon ponies start pouring out of the train and onto the platform.
“Yeah, I’ll be… actually, no, I don’t know. But, I’ll try.”
“Okay then, guess that’s better than nothing. Take care, and take it easy,” Lore sighs.
“I will, see you in a week.”
Before he turns to leave he pulls Nova into a hug. She tenses up, but doesn’t move to push him away. After a few seconds he lets go and heads for the train. “See you in a week,” he calls back.
Too bad he won’t be here for the party. 
Nova huffs out a thin stream of smoke and starts heading off. This is gonna be a long week. She walks down the street back to her cave, too tired to bother flying as well as giving her time to think. She glances over her shoulder at Canterlot, standing on its mountain perch. 
I don’t see why you’re afraid of her. I bet you we could take her in a fight.
She huffs out another breath of smoke, but she disperses it with a flap of her wings quickly after. Shut up, I’m not in the mode to argue, Ty. Better idea, don’t talk to me over the next week. With that she starts back down the street, though a part of her mind stays focused he had said. Why am I afraid? It’s stupid, I shouldn’t be afraid of Celestia. She’s kind, nice, just. She won’t execute me on the spot, at least I don’t think so.
I could help get rid of that fear.
Shut up, she thinks back harshly. A flash of agitation passes through her, but she suppresses it, for now. Time passes slowly for her as she walks. Thoughts and memories swim through her mind, nothing specific just flashes and images. This is going to be a really long week.
Bah, don’t worry, I’m sure your birthday will be fun.
Another prick of agitation passes through her, she pushes it to the side. 
Little less than half an hour later Nova arrives at the edge of Ponyville. She comes out of her daze of thoughts to find herself standing on the path just outside the Everfree Forest. A wall of dense trees spans before her, most of them now covered with leaves. It seems a little darker than it should given that it’s midday and there’s still enough gaps in the branches for light to shine through. She looks around in confusion, wondering how she took the wrong path. The forest spans for quite a while in either direction. Fluttershy's house if not far off from where she stands now.
A moment later she finds herself staring at the forest again. She can feel an odd energy coming from the forest, drawing her toward it. “There’s something wrong with that place,” she mumbles. She stares at it for another moment before turning away and finding a path the leads to her ‘home’.
Coming from you that means something is really wrong with it.
“I thought I told you to not talk to me.” She doesn’t bother looking to see if anyone heard her. The only pony that would be nearby would be Fluttershy. As she walks away she glances back at it, the odd energy still trying to draw her in. She scoffs and tries to ignore the feeling. Something in there wants me to come… 
Well, why don’t we go in and see them. It’ll be just like your other birthdays.
“Shut up already.”
We could even invite Twilight.
Anger flares up in Nova’s chest. A few flames burn along her back and wings and the smell of smoke reaches her nose. “Shut up! Just shut up and leave me alone.”
I’m sure she’d love it, just like how Aura loved the last one.
Nova freezes, the memory of her friend flashing back into her mind. “Don’t you dare mention her!” Nova shouts as she lets her anger loose.
	
> No More Hiding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Pinkie smiles as she hoofs the cashier a few bits and sweeps the streamers into her bag. It falls in next to bag of balloons, small stack of plastic plates and some party hats. She waves and heads outside, briefly stopping under a tree to scratch the last item off of her hastily written list. Done shopping to restock her supplies back in her ‘Super Party Planner Room’ now she can enjoy the rest of the day, and greet everypony in town.
The hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and a cold shiver runs down her spine. She looks around, having only felt this Pinkie sense on a few occasions, and sure enough she spots Nova walking further down the road. Ever since their first meeting Pinkie always felt something was off with the crimson pegasus. A feeling that something about her is nothing but trouble.
Over the past few months, really since Nova’s confrontation with Twilight at the Library, rumors of Nova have spread. The main one being that Nova has it out for Twilight and the other Element Bearers. While most ponies try to look for the good in others, it’s rather hard to ignore those types of rumors.
Pinkie follows Nova with her eyes as the pegasus walks past, she’s also aware of a few other ponies looking at Nova, mostly unicorns. Nova looks angry, or at the least very annoyed. She doesn’t seem to notice anypony as she continues down the road out of town. The slight scent of smoke lingers in the air behind her, the scent sends another shiver down Pinkie’s spine.
What’s wrong with her? Pinkie thinks. A part of her wants to tail Nova and see what’s going on, see what all the mystery surrounding her is about. Yet something in the back of her mind warns her, tells her, not to go. She pushes the feeling aside, dons on a disguise, and starts following at a distance.
A few eyes glance at Pinkie as she dives behind bushes, and the corners of buildings trying to stay out of sight. Soon enough everypony just smiles and goes back to business as usual. As they start to approach the edge of town Pinkie realizes they are on the same road that leads to Fluttershy’s. It’s not long before grassy fields dotted with a few trees replace the houses and gardens. Pinkie sticks to the trees and bushes, trying to stay in cover like they do in the spy stories.
They continue walking, Nova still unaware of the pink mare following her. Her mood doesn’t seem to be improving, in fact her mood seems to be worsening as they continue walking. And as her mood worsens, Pinkie becomes more and more wary of her, worried of what she’ll do. 
Eventually, they come to a path that lead off to Fluttershy’s cottage, but Nova simply walks past, heading straight for the Everfree. Why would anypony go to the Everfree Forest? Pinkie thinks as her curiosity is once again peaked. A little ways beyond the path the Everfree comes into view. A dense wall of large trees that seem to come out of nowhere. Abruptly, Nova stops just shy of entering the forest and Pinkie jump into a nearby bush to avoid notice.
Nova looks up at the trees, then starts looking at her surroundings. She seems confused, as if she didn’t even know where she had been walking. After a few seconds her eyes go back to the forest.
Pinkie watches with her head sticking out of the bush, she hears the pegasus say something, though she can’t make it out. She sees Nova starting to turn around. Quickly, she ducks back down into the bush and tries to see between the leaves without making too much noise. As Nova slowly approaches she hears her say something.
“I thought I told you not to talk to me.” For a moment Pinkie thinks it’s directed at her, but when she looks she doesn’t see any signs that Nova even knows she’s there. Is she talking to herself? As Nova walks past she glances back over her shoulder at the forest, stopping for a brief moment next to the bush. After a heartbeat Nova looks forward again and starts down the road. Pinkie lets out a quiet sigh of relief.
Then the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end again, and a shiver runs down her spine. She feels a growing feeling of dread in her gut, something's very wrong. “Shut up, already,” Nova says, a sharp edge to her voice. What’s going on? Is she arguing with her-- The thought quickly dies when a few small flames ignite along Nova’s back and wings. “Shut up! Just shut up and leave me alone!”
A mix of fascination, terror, and horror spreads though Pinkie. The flames, although small, burn bright and seem to only being growing. However, Nova doesn’t seem bothered, or doesn’t even seem to notice them. Then Nova freezes, just stops mid-step, and Pinkie’s instincts begin screaming at her to run. "Don’t you dare mention her!” Nova shouts stomping her hoof down. There is a bright flash and and the loud crack of an explosion as the flames grow and a cascading wave of fire flows out from her.
The force of the blast slams into Pinkie knocking her back. Pinkie groans her ears ring and eyes water. The air is hot and dry, dust and smoke linger in the air. With some effort she rolls onto her stomach and lifts herself up. A dull pain throbs in her shoulder, quick check shows she has only a few scratches and bruises, but nothing serious. She looks around, luckily it seems the bush she’s in didn’t catch fire, a few broken branches but that’s it. She does however, see the glow of fire coming from the road.
Looking out of the bush, she sees Nova standing in a shallow crater. Flames lick at her sides, but she doesn’t seem bothered by it. The ground under her, and a good few feet around her is scorched. Several fires dot the crater, and a tree next to the road is now ablaze. Nova breaths out a long stream of dark smoke from her nostrils and starts scanning the area. Her gold-orange eyes pass over the bush Pinkie is hiding in. Once she’s fairly certain no one saw that she continues down the path, smoke trailing along behind her for a few feet.
Pinkie just sits there, trying to process what she watched. Several ponies come up the road from town and gather around the crater to see what happened. After half-an-hour Pinkie notices the crowd and decides it’s time to go. And she takes off in a run toward the library.
*****
A sigh passes through Twilight as she flips to the next page in her book. Her eyes quickly scan down the page. With a frustrated groan she closes the book and opens a different one. “Are you alright?” Spike asks poking his head out from the kitchen.
She looks up from the book happy for the interruption. “I’m fine, just feels like I keep hitting dead ends. None of my books, or the new ones from Canterlot have any mention of the of the Tree of Harmony, let alone the chest. I just wonder what it means…”
“Twilight, you’ve read all these books hundreds of times. If there was anything in them about the tree I’m sure you would have found it by now.”
“I guess you’re right. But, I still can’t help but feel like I’m missing something,” she says scratching the back of her neck. She smiles down at Spike. “Thanks anyways.”
Then an urgent knock at the door catches their attention. “Twilight, Twilight, there’s a problem!” Pinkie shouts from outside, continuing to knock on the door. 
Twilight and Spike glance at each other, a mix of confusion and concern, then head for the door. Twilight opens the door with her magic and Pinkie bursts in not waiting for the door fully open. Her coat is spotted with soot and dust, and she has a few bruises on her back and side. Twilight freezes when she sees her friend, but regains her composure almost instantly. “Pinkie, what happened?” Twilight asks rushing to her friend’s side and checking is she’s okay. She levitates a chair over to them for Pinkie to sit on.
“I-it’s Nova, she… she caught fire. I don’t know how, but she caught fire and blew up.”
Great, what did Nova do this time? “Okay, calm down, everything’s alright. What do you mean she blew up?”
“I don’t know, one moment she was shouting at herself and then the next there was a ball of fire where was she was standing. But, she was fine, she just walked away as if nothing happened.”
She pats Pinkie on the back. “Alright, how about you head home and get some rest? I’ll go have a chat with her, see what she has to say.” She had better have a good explanation for this… With that she turns and heads for the door.
“Twilight?” Pinkie speaks up once the door is open. “Be careful,  I don’t know what she is, but my Pinkie senses tells me she’s bad news, she’s dangerous. We weren’t far from Fluttershy’s when it happened, any closer and… Just be careful, okay?”
“I will, I promise.”
Twilight heads out the door and takes to the air heading toward Nova’s cave. A little way off to the side she sees the faint trail of smoke hanging in the air. That’s actually really close to Fluttershy’s, but Nova wouldn’t have hurt her, right? As she thinks this her hoof goes to throat, where Nova had burnt her. No, she is dangerous. She has threatened me, put my friends in danger. And the longer I try to find out her secrets the more ponies that are put in danger. Either I get answers, or I take action. If she does run… it might be for the better.
A few minutes later she lands at the entrance to the cave. A wave of unease passes through her as she looks into the cave. Taking a deep breath she heads inside. The air inside is hot, and only grows hotter as she walks through the short tunnel. 
Further in, Twilight sees Nova sitting on the ground in the center of the chamber staring out at one of the corners of the cave. Twilight pauses when she sees her, pushing back another feeling of unease and trying to get over the growing feeling of dread in her gut.
“I never meant for any of it…” Nova mumbles. Twilight’s ears perk up at the sound, she can barely make it out. It was quiet, almost as quiet as Fluttershy.
“Nova?” Twilight asks.
The pegasus doesn’t move, doesn’t anything else, just sits there staring at the corner. Twilight sighs and heads around her so she can, at the very least, look Nova in the face.
“What’s going? What’s with the crater outside Fluttershy’s house? And I don’t want some half-ass excuse, tell me what is really going--” She gets in front of Nova and stops. Nova continues to stare, her eyes slightly glazed over in some sort of daze. It’s as if Twilight isn’t even there.
“Nova?” Twilight asks, it’s not unusual to find Nova in a daze, but this seems worse than usual. She reaches out and shakes Nova slightly. A response, Nova shuts her eyes and shakes her head. Her golden eyes open, quickly focusing on Twilight, going from a confused gaze to an annoyed glare. She feels the temperature raise a few degrees. Once again, a feeling of unease passes through Twilight, but she remains unfazed.
Twilight sighs, “I’ve had enough of this, Nova. The secrets you keep trying to hide, the danger you put everypony in, the danger you put Pinkie in. I want answers, now. I want to know what you are, why you can use magic, why you’re here. You promised me answers, it’s time to--” 
Nova turns and walks away. “Please leave me alone, I’m not in the mood,” she says, her voice tired but still with a certain edge to it.
“No!” Twilight shouts stomping her hoof onto the ground. Nova stops and faces her again. “You’re never in the mood, you’re always angry or sad. That’s not getting you off the hook this time. Ponies saw the crater you left outside Fluttershy’s, Pinkie saw you make. You could have seriously hurt her. You can’t possibly believe you can remain hidden much longer, soon everypony well know what you can do.”
Silence hangs in the air for a few moments, then Nova turns back to the outcropping letting out a long sigh. “Please leave me be.”
“No, I’m not leaving until I get some answers.”
“Leave me be,” Nova say again. The air in the cave is starting to becoming unbearably hot, but Twilight can’t leave, she still needs answers.
“Not until I know whether I can trust you. While you’re--”
“Just leave me alone before I hurt you too!” Nova shouts turning around and stomping her hoof on the ground. A sharp bang echos off the walls, causing Twilight’s ears to ring. Several small red cracks radiate outward from Nova’s hoof, steam and smoke wisping up from them. “You can’t trust me, and now you know. Now, leave me.” With a huff of smoke and steam she heads back to the outcropping.
Twilight watches her walk away, she considers staying and pressing some more. She can’t just let Nova off, not this time. Something’s wrong, I need to find out what. But, she turns and walks toward the entrance, her eyes sting from the heat, and the air burns in her lungs. If Nova won’t talk to her, there is always another option, one that should have been taken a long time ago.

She paces the on the carpet in front of the large double door. The pristine white walls of the palace are familiar to her, but they do little to put Twilight to ease. How do I explain this to her? I’ve known Nova for six months, but I’ve never mentioned her so far. Where do I even begin? This was a mistake, I should head back and… no, I need answers and Celestia is the only one who’d answer them.
After a few minutes she finds her hoof rubbing her throat, a dull pain throbbing there. For a moment her mind flashes back to when she first found out of Nova’s power. The rage and fear that burnt behind Nova’s golden-orange eyes.
Thoughts continue to pester her until she notices the doors to the throne room open and a noblepony walks out, somewhat disgruntled. Twilight sighs and head into the room.
Celestia smiles as her pupil walks in. “Thank you for seeing me, Princess Celestia,” Twilight says giving her mentor a quick hug.
“Of course, though the letter you sent was a little… vague about what you wanted to talk about,” Celestia says returning the hug in full.
Twilight sighs and scratches the back of her neck. “Yeah, sorry about that, it’s been a rough day.” Once again, she rubs her throat.
“Is something the matter, are you hurt?” Celestia asks her voice edged with concern.
I came here for answers, I suppose it’s time I stop avoiding the subject. “Well, do you know anypony by the name, Nova Hearthfire?”
	
	
> Backfire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Nova paces along the cave floors, smoke and a few flames wisp up from under her hooves with every step. The ceiling of the cave is covered by a cloud of smoke as the wisps gather. She shakes her head trying to rid herself the images, the memories, the voices of the past. I don’t want to hurt anyone, I never meant to hurt anyone. But, everyone just gets too close… I get too close to them… A brief image of Aura flashes through her head.
She huffs out a stream of smoke which float up into the cloud of black smoke on the cave’s ceiling. It’s all my fault, every burn, every death, the entire path of destruction I’ve left in my wake. I could have ended it all, stopped it before it began. 
‘Do you need help?’ The question comes as little more than a whisper, but it’s more than loud enough in the silent cave. Nova turns to the corner it came from, but nothing’s there just the darkness. Just the ghosts…
And that’s supposed to be comforting?
Who said that it was supposed to be comforting?
‘What’s your name?’ The voice comes from another empty corner of the cave. They were all so nice to me, and yet I just burnt them all. Nova’s ears flatten against the back of her head, once again guilt and anger eating at her. She turns and start pacing again trying to draw her mind away from her memories. Trying to lose the image in the darkness of her cave, and trying to drown out the voice with the sound of her hooves on the stone.
And yet, the voices grow louder, the images cut through the dark, and the memories press to the front of her mind. The memories of fire and smoke, of ponies trying to help and burning because of it.
‘I thought I was your friend.’ Nova freezes, a cold shiver runs down her back. That familiar voice, that oh so painfully familiar voice. Slowly she turns to where the voice came from.
A shape stands at the far side of the cave. It is too dark to make out anything save for the eyes. The eyes which cut through the dark, which scream of betrayal and anger, which glare at Nova. Eyes which used to be so happy.
Keeping her eyes on the phantom, the memory, Nova starts backing toward the exit. I have to get out of here. She quickly breaks eye contact to find the way out, a little ways to the left. She doesn’t bother looking back and sprints out of the cave.
She skids to a stop outside panting heavily. Her ears pivot around to listen to anything behind her, however she hears nothing but the birds in the trees and the wind blowing through the branches. She turns around fully expecting to see the figure following, instead she finds the darkness of the cave. Nothing had followed her, not the voices, not the images, not the memories. She breathes a heavy sigh taking in the fresh air and trying to calm her nerves.
“Aura, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did, and I’m trying to make up for what I did, but please--”
‘Don’t forget me.’
*****
Celestia takes a half step back, eyes growing a slight bit wider at the name. The reaction alone is enough of an answer for Twilight, so they do know each other. However, it only lasts for a moment before Celestia collects herself. “Yes, I know her. Have you met her, do you know where she is?”
“She’s been staying in Ponyville for a few months, she made me promise not to tell you. Celestia, who is she?”
“Can you take me to her?” Celestia asks seemingly unaware of Twilight’s own question.
“Celestia please, I want to know who she is. She won’t tell me anything and you’re the only pony I really know you seems to know her. I need to know who she is because I’m afraid she might be becoming more dangerous.”
This makes Celestia pause for a moment. “Dangerous… I see. Very well, it’s best if you know, though I don’t know much myself.” She takes a deep breath before continuing. “She’s the daughter of a friend, Faith Hearthfire. Faith was a talented mage, she was a royal guard until we decided her talents were best used as a court mage. She married the Captain of the Guard, Blitz Ironguard, the stallion who held the post before your brother. Nova was their daughter.”
Celestia shakes her head trying to push the memories to the side. “Her mother would often bring her to the palace. There’s not much to say about her early years, she was loved and well cared for. However, when she was barely two she just disappeared. We never found out what happened to her. Her parents were crushed, but they continued on searching for her. It was a few years later when they finally found who had taken her.”
“They found her being held by a group of fanatics. And, her rescue was unfortunately a bloody one, as the captors simply wouldn’t surrender. But, eventually Nova was freed and was reunited with her parents. However, Faith had been injured rescue… and passed away soon after. What’s more, when we got Nova back it was apparent that the group had done… something to her, as she now had her unusual abilities.”
“You mean how she can use fire magic? What did they do?” Twilight asks.
“Yes, I am referring to how she is able to conjure fire. Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened that allows her to do so. When we arrived they had burnt all their notes, and the deed had already been done. Blitz tried his best to look after her, but Nova’s power quickly grew more and more unstable. One day she just broke down, and a guard got too close and died. With that, she ran away, and I haven’t seen her since.”
“She killed someone?” Once again Twilight’s hoof absent-mindedly rubs her throat. And she’s in Ponyville.
“Yes… though I believe it was an… accident. She had no control over her power and the guard was too close.”
They both sit in silence for some time thinks of what to ask. While she now has a few answers, she’s still far from knowing what’s really going on. “Is that it? You don’t know what causes her magic, how she got it? Do you know where she ran off to?”
Another sigh escapes Celestia as a look of frustration crosses her face. “Not really, the only way I had to track her were reports of fires. As for her magic we knew it was closely connected with her emotions, if she was angry or sad her magic was particularly volatile. And while we didn’t know the cause, we thought it had to with some sort of… entity inside her.”
“Entity, what do you mean?” Twilight asks.
“When she was still in Canterlot she talked about a voice she heard. As I said, I’m afraid I don’t know more than that.”
A voice, a voice gives her magic? Well, at least it’s not entirely a dead end.  
“You said she’s dangerous?” Celestia asks breaking Twilight from her thoughts. “If I may, what exactly happened?”
“As you said, she just seems… unstable, and she doesn’t seem to be getting better. She almost hurt Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy today.”
Celestia stay silent for a moment as she thinks. “It may have something to do with today being her birthday, as it is also the day she ran away. Could you bring me to her, perhaps if I talk to her? I would like to say that we were close, however that was several years ago and she was always rather distant.”
“I don’t know,” Twilight says. She thinks back to when she first mentioned Celestia to Nova, the fear and anger that had burned in her eyes. “She specifically said not to talk to you, maybe if you talk to her it would just make things worse. But, something has to be done or she will hurt--”
Before she can finish her though a wisp of smoke flies in through in the window. The smoke makes its way to Twilight before coalescing into a rolled-up parchment. Her magic quickly surrounds the parchment and unrolls it.
“Is something the matter?” Celestia asks as Twilight finishes the letter. 
“They want me back at the library, you should come too.”

Rainbow paces the library floor impatiently. Standing next to the window is Applejack as she looks out at a column of smoke rising into the air. Over at the table Fluttershy and Spike sit watching Rainbow. “P-please calm down, I’m sure Twilight will be back soon,” Fluttershy says. 
Before Rainbow can reply a bright flash fills the library an instant later Twilight and Celestia are standing in the middle of the room. Everypony’s attention quickly snap to the two princesses.
Rainbow sputters for a moment, but quickly manages to compose herself. “Celestia, what are you doing here?” she asks bowing.
“Twilight thought it would be best if I came to help deal with Nova. I have a bit of history with her.”
“What happened?” Twilight asks taking a step forward.
Applejack motions to the window taking a step to the side. “Take a look fer yerself. Ah was out in the orchard when Ah saw the smoke. Don’t know what’s wrong with her, but it seems close to mah farm.”
Twilight walks over to the window, in the distance is a column of black smoke. It is coming up from a spot in the forest pretty close to the apple orchards. Quite a few ponies are standing on the street looking out toward the forest. She turns back to look at Rainbow and Fluttershy. “Do either of you know what happened?”
“I’ve only seen her do something like that once before. So, no, I have no idea what happened to her,” Rainbow says.
“I only saw her like that once when she got angry, but it wasn’t as bad as that,” Fluttershy says pointing out the window toward the smoke.
Rainbow glances at Celestia then back to Twilight. She walks over to the lavender alicorn dropping her voice to a whisper. “I thought we weren’t supposed to tell Celestia.”
“Nova didn’t leave me with any other options. She’s growing further unstable and I needed answers,” Twilight replies, though she doesn’t bother whispering.
“Did you find out anything helpful?”
Twilight looks back out at the plume of smoke then turns to the rest of the ponies. “I’ll explain on the way. Come on, we have to stop her before she causes more damage, or hurts somepony.” With nods and murmurs of agreement from everypony around the room Twilight charges the spell, and in a flash of light they disappear.
With a flash the five ponies, and one dragon, reappear at the base of the mountain, the entrance of a cave nearby. A shiver runs down Twilight’s spine, a sense of unease already gripping at her throat. She glances over at Celestia and it’s clear she feels it too. The scent of smoke blows in the wind. Checking the sky quickly confirms that the blaze is further into the forest off to one side of the mountain. Taking the lead Twilight starts making her way to the fire. While they walk Twilight recounts her meeting with Celestia and the bits of information she had uncovered. 
“She lost her parents, huh? Ah know the feeling of not havin’ parents there for ya, but that can’t be all there is to it. Her anger can’t come from just that, can it?” Applejack says. She quickly glances at the forest around them. There’s a haze in the air, and the scent of smoke is far more pungent.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Celestia says. “I haven’t known her for over a decade, I haven’t the slightest idea as to what happened during those years.”
“I sure hope no animals were hurt,” Fluttershy say looking at billowing cloud of smoke. The smoke is coming for a far larger area than she originally thought. “Oh, I should head back home and get some supplies in case any animals got hurt.”
“Fluttershy, Ah don’t really think there’s time to head back. ‘Sides Ah’m sure they got away before it got bad,” Applejack says.
Rainbow flies overhead, circling them before coming down to land next to Twilight. “I can’t see anything through the smoke.”
Every-so-often the group spots a pony sneaking through the forest trying to catch a glimpse of what’s causing the fire. She won’t be able to keep this a secret, Twilight thinks seeing the mix of confusion and concern on most of their faces. 
Through the trees they can see the orange glow of fire and a few flames, though not nearly as much as they though. Eventually they see a clearing through the trees. A few of the tree around the edge of the clearing still burn, though the flames don’t seem to be spreading. Rainbow motions to one of the bushes still intact enough to hide them, and far enough away from the fires to stay out of danger.
Thick black smoke billows up into the sky, ash hangs on the air. The ground is a patchwork of black and dark greys. The burnt husks of trees dot the area, on some of them fires still burn though they are little more than dying flames now. Ash and charcoal cover the ground all that remains of several of the trees. And through the smoke, lying in the center of the fire-blasted area is Nova as she watches a few of the fires burn through what remains of their fuel.
“Oh my!” Fluttershy gasps looking out over the charred ground.
Twilight looks over at Celestia, and it’s clear she wasn’t expecting this either. She stares out wide eyed, mouth slightly agape.
“Well, it looks like whatever was going on is done now,” Rainbow says pointing out toward Nova. 
She doesn’t look angry, it looks like she barely has any energy left. Nothing but a dull sorrow now lies behind her eyes. Even the fires around the area are dimming as they run out of energy. “Guess she burnt through all she had.”
“Well, that still doesn’t mean there’s nothing for us to do. We still need to figure what happens next. We can’t just let her stay, she could burn down a third of Ponyville,” Twilight says. But, she still doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she went out of her way to go further away from town. She sighs and turn to Celestia. The princess is still sitting there staring wide-eyed the crimson mare. “Celestia, are you okay?”
“That’s… that is Nova… My how she has grown.” She takes a deep breath quickly composing herself. She looks at the scorched area, the few remaining flames burning around the edges where the area meets the forest surrounding it. Fortunately, the fires don’t seem to be spreading to the rest of the forest too quickly. “And clearly her power has grown as well. It’s hard to imagine this is the sweet Nova I used to know.”
After a few moments of silence Celestia stands up and starts heading onto the scorched ground when she suddenly freezes. However, the feeling of unease she’s been feeling for the past several minutes morphs into one of danger.
Nova jumps to her hooves, a sudden rage burning in her eyes. The fires around the area burst back to life with renewed energy. The embers under her burn brighter, a few flames coming up from them. “Don’t! Don’t say that, don’t remind me of her, just shut up!” she shouts at the air around her.
There’s no reason to be mad, just saying Aura--
“Shut up!” she shouts again.
“What the buck was that about?” Rainbow asks. “Who is she talking to?”
Nova’s ears perk up and turn towards the bushes.
Sounds like someone’s here. 
“Who’s there?” Nova shouts as she whips around toward the sound, her golden eyes immediately find Celestia and freeze. The remaining fires falter, blinking out for a moment before continuing to burn. For a moment a silence hangs in the air the only sounds coming from the crackling of the fire, even the voices seem to be quiet. “Celestia?” Nova finally manages after what feels like an hour of silence. But then, like everything else, the silence silence goes up in flames.
A face flashes before her eyes, a young stallion with flames ripping away at flesh. It’s a face from a memory, an old one, but still far too vivid. His scream cuts through the roar of the fire joining with the voices and screams in her head. Her ears pin back against her head and she jams eyes shut vainly trying to block out the noise and visions. Why is she here, who brought her? No, Nova don’t think of that, stay calm.
Oh, I remember her, now this’ll be interesting.
“Nova, calm down, it’s me,” Celestia says. 
But, her voice only makes all the screams, shouts, whispers just grow louder. No, please, please just be quiet, just make it all stop! She opens her eyes, quickly focusing back on Celestia. At some point Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack and Fluttershy had joined the princess and now stand beside her. Nova’s eyes pause on Twilight for a moment before going back to Celestia.
She told Celestia, I told you you couldn’t trust her.
“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asks taking a step forward.
Nova huffs out a stream of smoke and turns her back to them. “Leave me alone.” She starts making her way to the far edge of the clearing. The crackle of fire grows louder as the fires around the area burn brighter, stronger.
‘It’s no fun to be alone,’ one of the plethora of voices says. Nova doesn’t bother trying to pick out where it came from, or who’s voice it is, she just pins her ears back again trying to keep it out.
Guess they don’t want to listen to you.	
It was to everyone, that includes you! A spark of anger burns in her chest, she quickly pushes it away, trying to smother it under everything else. Stay calm, don’t hurt anypony else, just leave.
Celestia steps forward, though her voice carries easily over the sounds of the fires. “Nova wait, if this is about what you did, about the guard, I don’t hold--”
Before Celestia can finish, Nova turns around and faces them, an orange glow seeping into her eyes. “It has nothing to do with that.” Even as she says it though, the memory pushes to the front of her mind. The screams of the guard as he was engulfed in flames, her horror as she couldn’t stop it. “Can you just leave? I want to be alone.”
“We can’t do that Nova, not this time,” Twilight says. She motions to the burnt trees and to the ash covered ground. “Look around you, you’re too dangerous to be just ‘left alone’, you need help.”
Once again faces flash before her eyes, the faces of those that came before, of those who had tried to help once upon a time. The charcoal under her hooves smolder and begin to glow red. “I don’t need help.” 
“I want to help you. Nova, you’re hurt and I can’t stand to see you like this,” Fluttershy says trying to keep pace. She ignores the heat radiating off Nova.
Ah, that’s sweet, she wants to help you no--
Shut up! Just shut up. She takes a deep breath trying to center herself. He’s just trying to get to you. “Stop following me and leave me alone.” Irritation is starting to make its way into her voice. As she says that she feels something tug on her tail holding her back. Swinging around she finds a familiar white aura surrounding her tail. She quickly focuses on Celestia and her glowing horn.
Celestia releases the magic once Nova turns to her. “Please Nova, calm down. I just wish to talk.” She looks at Twilight and her friends then back at Nova. “We won’t follow, we’ll stay over here, but can you at the very least talk to me?”
Nova stands glaring at them for a moment. The embers under her hooves still glow red. With a huff of smoke she takes a few steps back, but stops soon. “Fine, I’ll talk, just leave me alone afterwards.”
You remember what happened last time you talked with her, right?
The image of the guard, fire ripping away at his flesh, flashes before her again. His screams still echoing in her ears. She quickly shove the memory to the back of her mind with all the other whispers and screams. Don’t start with me!
I’m not starting anything, I just want to watch you end it.
For a while the two stand and stare at eachother. Celestia’s soft and caring gaze meeting Nova’s sharp and angry glare. “Why did you come back, where did you go once you left Canterlot?” Celestia asks after a few seconds of silence.
“Paying off old debts.”
Maybe we should take this moment to repay Celestia.
She feels the flames burning around her hooves grow hotter. Shut up, she thinks as she pushes the anger down.
Once again silence settles over them as Celestia waits for more of an answer. When it becomes apparent Nova doesn’t plan on explaining she speaks up. “What part of these debts involves burning down a forest and putting lives in danger?”
Nova flicks her ears back when the voices start coming back. “I… I’m having a bad day…” 
And you keep saying you’re not a monster. You have a bad day so you go on a rampage, that’s a monster.
Shut up! If it wasn’t for you I could be normal, I could be happy! I’m a monster only because--
“Nova, what’s wrong?” Fluttershy’s voice cuts through her thoughts snapping her back. She finds herself surrounded by a ring of fire with flames as tall as her. Celestia, Twilight and the rest have backed up a fair bit, each with a varying amount of concern on their face. With a deep breath Nova tries to suppress her anger, the flames fade and diminish but still burn around her.
“I’m fine,” she says starting to pace. There’s something oddly calming about walking over the ash and charcoal covering the ground.
Celestia gives her some time to calm down a little further. “What are these debts you have to pay off?” she eventually asks.
Nova comes to a stop and turns to face her again. There’s a moment of hesitation before she replies. “I’ve hurt a lot of ponies, I burnt down homes, sent ponies to the hospital, killed some… None of them deserved it, they tried helping me and I burnt them, killed them, left them with nightmares. I need to find a way to pay them back, to make it right. All they wanted to do was help me and I burnt them…”
Just like Aura, huh?
Once again rage sparks in her eyes as they burn with a golden-orange hue. Shut up! Don’t you dare use her name! She looks around, focusing particularly on the growing fires. I’m done here, she thinks turning and starting off toward the far edge of the clearing.
“You can’t blame yourself for what happened. You have--”
She huffs out a breath of fire smoke and swings around to face them. “Then who is? If I’m not to blame, who is? We can’t exactly blame it on some voice in my head, you can’t throw the voice in prison, it has to be someone’s fault. You can’t make a voice in my head pay for everything that’s happened, for everything I did!”
So, you finally admit that it’s your fault Aura died?
Celestia eyes the dark smoke billowing up from around the pegasus. It’s been so many years and yet her anger is as easy to read as ever. “Please calm--” In a flash the air around Nova catches fire. The blast wave washes over them as it carries the hot dry air which stings at their eyes and lungs. 
“Shut up!” Nova shouts at Ty. She sees Celestia say something but can’t make it out over the roar around her. Her ears pin back against her head as she looks at the fire around her. Nova, stop this before somepony gets hurt, a small part of her pleads, but it too is drowned out by the fire. 
Why? Aura died at your hooves, you wanted her dead.
“SHUT UP!” Nova shouts bringing her hoof down on the ground as she lets her anger loose. Fire erupts from her, easily completely engulfing the pegasus, a moment later there is the thunderous boom of an explosion as a blastwave radiates out from her. 
Acting on instinct Celestia, creates a forcefield between them and Nova. In an instant a white wall of energy separates Nova from the group. The blastwave slams into the walls with a shuddering impact with a shuddering impact, throwing smoke and ash into the air.
In a moment all Nova knows is the blinding light of the blaze around her and the roar of the flames. The same flames that have taken so many things before. And yet, through it all the voices keep talking, whispering, screaming. “She was my friend, I never wanted to hurt her! If it wasn’t for you she’d still be alive!” Nova shouts into the fire.
True, but you can’t forget that if it wasn’t for you she’d be alive as well. 
A wave of energy radiates out from her feeding the fire and kicking up more ash and dirt. “Shut up already! You’ve ruined my life enough, just let me be!”
Or what? You’ll burn me, beat me, crush me? I’d like--
“Why don’t you just shut up!” she shouts with a stomp of her hoof. Red cracks form out from her hoof and spread across the ground around her. Another wave of energy blasts out from her though she no longer cares.
Because I want to watch the world burn. And you do a great job of lighting the spark.
“Nova!” The voice cuts clear through the crackle and roar of the fire around her. It’s a familiar voice, quiet and gentle, it sends a shiver down her spine and causes the flames to falter for a moment. She turns to the voice only to find smoke and fire. But the voice is still familiar… Fluttershy’s voice.
“Oh no,” she whispers to herself as the realization of what she’s done dawns on her. Where is she? Where’s everyone else? Did she get caught in the blast? How many did I hurt? She starts walking backwards as panic fills her. “No, no, no, I-I didn’t mean to… I never…” 
Would you look at that, the second pony you’ve murdered in front of the princess. 
“I-I didn’t want to… I… She was a friend.” She glances at the fire around her, the roar of the fire being the only thing she can hear once again. Her wings slowly spread open, the flames catching on them and dancing through her feathers. I have to leave, I need to get out of here.
She continues to back up for a moment, keeping her eyes in the direction where Fluttershy and the group were, hoping to see some form of life. “I’m so sorry…” With a flap of her wings and a quick blast of magic she takes of at a breakneck speed into the sky leaving a trail of smoke in her wake.
*****
Twilight watches silently as the pegasi work putting clouds into place to rain down on the remaining fire. It has been about an hour since Nova left in a literal cloud of smoke, and after she had left the fires had quickly burnt themselves out. Still, she had simply ran away, and it doesn’t sit well with Twilight. Fortunately no one has been seriously hurt, though Nova did leave a sizable portion of the forest burnt down.
How could I have let her stay for so long? She thinks looking at the destruction. What if this had happened in the middle of town?
“How are ya holdin’ up?” Applejack asks walking up to her.
“I’m alright, I was just thinking.”
“‘Bout what?”
“I was so wrapped up in figuring out her past, and trying to find out how she could use magic that I ignored the danger she posed,” Twilight says with a sigh. Her eyes drift over to Fluttershy who is at the edge of the clearing helping tend to animals. “I put so many ponies in danger for the sake of my own curiosity.”
“Yeah well, it wasn’t like she was willin’ to talk to start with,” Applejack says putting a reassuring hoof on her friend’s shoulder.
Rainbow flies down from the clouds, with the fire under control rest the of the pegasi can hald the rest. She lands next to her friends, her hooves crunching on the charcoal covered ground. “I still think we should have went after her.”
“How? Nopony would have been able to follow her through all the smoke.” She looks up at the dark, now overcast, sky. “Besides, I doubt that’s the last of her we’re going see.”