He was cold. So very cold. The hard floor gave no comfort to him whatsoever. And the heavy chains were starting to tire him. Dry tears stained his cheeks. Although he was not physically tortured, he watched helplessly as the master hurt the mare he loved. She was laying beside him. On him to be precise. Her head rested against his side. He used his wing to keep her close and warm. She had fell unconscious due to the blood loss and pain. He hated Flicker. The horrible things he did to her. And the worst part, it will never stop. Slashes were marked across her sides from the whips. Even her wings were in very bad shape. Feathers hung limply. Barely clinging onto her bloodied wing. He can only imagine the pain she was in. Physically and mentally. To be abused both through her mind and body. He wanted to protect her. To stand up for her. But he couldn't do anything.

The unconscious mare began to stir. Soarin slowly lifted his wing. Both the ponies' wings were untied. Flicker said that Rainbow would be too weak and Soarin wouldn't even try to fly if the threaten to kill the mare. Rainbow's eyes fluttered open. She slowly lifted her head and looked towards Soarin.

"How long was I out?" She croaked. Her throat sore and dry

"I don't know. About a couple of hours." Soarin shrugged his shoulders. It felt like they had been down here for hour, days. The two had been in the prison for about two days. And on both those days, Flicker would only hurt Rainbow. By whiping her, drowning her, everything.

Rainbow slowly nodded in reply. She felt weak. Even breathing now took effort. She couldn't stand up. She would collapse instantly. Usually, a master assassin like herself wouldn't give in to pain so easily.

"You're going soft. You're growing weak."

"I know."

"You'll be lucky to survive tomorrow."

"I feel so sore."

"Yes well, that's because he's only torturing you and not Soarin."

"I don't...I don't want Soarin to get tortured."

"He's the reason why you are in here!!"

"I know. But...but..."

"Rainbow! Open your eyes!! He's a disaster!!"

"My eyes are open. I see him. The stallion I'm falling in lo-"

"No!! Don't do this to yourself!!"

"I need to be with him!!"

"You can't Rainbow. He'll get snatched away!!"

"But he loves me. He told me."

"Lies. Remember hearing Twilight and Cadence two days ago. When you were supposed to be getting ready."

"...yes."

"He's just a tool. So you can give your guard. To see you weak."

"They wouldn't do that."

"You don't know that!! They could be on to this. They could be supporting the Lords."

"Shut up!!"

"..."

"If Soarin didn't love me, why did he save me? When Spitfire drowned me? Huh? Why did he hug me afterwards? Why does he act sweetly around me? When I just turn my nose up at him?"

"..."

"I love Soarin!! And he loves me!!"

"But...but what if the whole Thunderlane thing happens again?"

"It won't."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. Thunderlane wanted me to be happy. I've got over Thunderlane. Yes he was my first love, but my love for Soarin is stronger than ever. I feel...connected to him."

"You're sure you want to do this?"

"Of course!! I want to be with him!!"

"Fine. But if he walks out or dies, I won't help you."

"He won't die...he won't walk out..."

Tears streamed down the cyan mare's face. Her inner argument between her heart and mind. Her mind yelling no but her heart screaming yes louder.

"Rainbow? Are you okay?" Soarin asked in concern. He unfurled his wing and covered Rainbow with it. The assassin turned towards Soarin. He stared into her eyes. Her rose eyes that were now dull. That lacked that flame of confidence. But something else was there. Something stronger.

"Soarin....I never thanked you for saving my life. When Spitfire tried to drown me."

"It doesn't matter. The fact that you're still alive is enough."

"But...Soarin...." She turned away. "You've been there for me. Even when I was in the Academy. You helped me no matter what. You came looking for in the woods. You helped me face my fears of my past. And all I've done...is push you away."

The stallion sat there shocked. "Rainbow?"

"Soarin. I-I...I think....I." It was harder than she thought. To admit her feelings to Soarin. She needed to, but couldn't. Soarin smiled sweetly and turned her head towards him with his open wing. Rainbow stared into his emerald eyes. That were still glistening with love and care.

"I know what you are thinking Rainbow. You don't have to say anything. Just show it." Soarin edged closer to Rainbow. Both their snouts touching. The eyes connected to each other and never leaving.

"I love you, Soarin." Rainbow whispered. Soarin pushed himself forwards. Their lips meeting. The two pegasus ponies embracing their love for one another. Pressing themselves closer to each other. Their love that they had bottled up for so long, now burst into full blown passion. Soarin was overjoyed. He was finally kissing the mare he so dearly loved. A flame of passion, love and excitement lit up inside the two ponies. The world around them, blurring up as they concentrated on each other.

As their lips pull apart, a gentle breeze flutters over the flame extinguishing the desperate heat. Their breathing comes out in short, desperate gasps. The intensity has washed away. The rest of the world is slowly coming back into focus.

Soarin and Rainbow sat there, staring into each other's eyes as they regained their breath. Not saying a word.

~~~~~~

"We must do something."

"Rarity. There isn't anything."

"But..." The luscious white unicorn threw herself down. Next to her dear friend, Applejack.

"Ah've gotta agree with Rare. There's got ta be somethin. Somethin ta stop tha Lords an rescue Rainbow."

Twilight sighed.
"The Lords have already started attacking. Manehatten. Fillydelpha. Applelosa." The alicorn sat down on a fluffled up pillow. "They're using assassins as well."

"What?"

Celestia nodded in agreement.
"Their leader has gone. Now the Lords are the leaders."

"Oh dear." Fluttershy whispered. She sat quietly beside her brother. Who had flown from Cloudsdale. Fleeing from the Lords.

"There's nothing." Celestia admitted in defeat. Her musk pink eyes filled with great shame and sadness.

"Wow. For the great goddess of the sun, you sure give up quickly. But no need to worry, I am here. At your service." A mysterious voice. Stated. Everyone turned to the doorway. Yet again, there was a confident shadowed pony standing behind the light. While the others were confused over this new pony, Twilight grinned madly as the determined stallion stood proudly.

"Whatever his plan is, it better work. We need to save Rainbow and Soarin. And Equestria!!"

~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

<3

Awwwww.....Rainbow and Soarin. Have finally got together. Now it's a fight for their love.

And I think you know pretty well who is this 'mysterious' pony is. I mean come on. If you don't know, start actually reading the story.

Sorry if the story seems rushed. You guys wanted this chapter badly. And I needed to get it out of my head before it went.