Chapter 23:

'Something in Common'

Princess Cadence trotted along the hallway after another casual conversation with Shining Armor. Even though she had healed his wounds, she wanted to make sure he was doing fine before making her way back to the medical quarters of the castle. She wanted to check up on Starlight to see if he was awake yet, as she had something she wanted to ask him.

During her walk back to the medical quarters, she had walked by Magister Sky Shadow. She gave him a warm smile, but he kept walking, almost as if he wasn't aware of her presence. This caused her to stop and turn around and give him a confused look. He was still walking, the sound of his armour rattling with each step he took filled the silence in the hallway.

As soon as the Magister made his way around the corner and out of sight, Cadence let out a sad sigh and walked on, slightly hurt that Sky Shadow didn't acknowledge her presence.

The pink Alicorn made a mental note to speak with the Magister later and continued on. The medical quarters was just up ahead, however, just as she approached the door, she could hear a faint sound coming from inside.

She knew it was Starlight, as he was the only one who could've been in there. As she leaned in closer on the door, she was able to make out the sound much easier. It sounded like he was, crying?

Assuming something was definitely wrong, the Pink Alicorn wasted no time and gently opened the door with her magic before slowly walking in, closing the door behind her in the process.

Starlight was right there, laying on the bed. The sheets were up to his neck and he was lying on his side with his back facing the Alicorn.

"Starlight? What's wrong?" Cadence asked in a soft gentle tone.

No reply came. The red Earth Pony continued to sob into his pillow.

Cadence slowly walked over to the side of the bed and placed a hoof on his back. "Starlight?"

Starlight slowly looked over his shoulder at her. His eyes were all red from the tears that continued to pour down his face. Cadence couldn't help but feel sad at his expression and got up to sit by his side. "What's wrong Starlight? What happened?"

"I-It...it's nothing...it's nothing Princess." Starlight replied between sobs.

Cadence frowned a little at him. "First off, I told you, for the last time, just call me Cadence..." Her frown disappeared and was replaced with a worried expression. "Second, I know there's something wrong, you wouldn't be crying otherwise. Please Starlight, tell me what happened."

Starlight didn't reply.

Cadence sighed and put her hoofs around him, gently pulling him until he was facing her. "Starlight, I'm here to help you. Please tell me what happened. Please?"

Knowing he couldn't say no to the sad look she was giving him, Starlight sighed and sat up next to her. "It...it was Dusk...he..."

Cadence's expression immediately turned into one of rage. "What did he say?" She asked, her tone now filled with anger.

Starlight looked up at her and sighed. "He...he...didn't really say much...he..." He stopped as Cadence put a hoof on his face and turned his head until he was facing her again.

"What did he say Starlight?" Cadence asked, her tone was a little more calm now, but still sounded a little threatening.

Knowing she wasn't going to drop the subject, Starlight sighed and recalled his talk with Dusk.

"It's hard isn't it?"

"Huh?" Starlight looked at him again.

Dusk's expression remained cold and emotionless as he continued to glare at the red Pony. "It's hard knowing the one you love doesn't love you back. It's hard knowing that she'll never return your love..."

"W-What are you talking about?" Starlight asked.

Dusk narrowed his eyes a little as he continued. "You know what I'm talking about. The moment I walked in here, I could see what was going on between you two. You love Twilight Sparkle."

"I...I...I don't! I mean..." Starlight stumbled on his words as she tried to think of a thoughtful reply.

"Hmph." Dusk turned his back to the red Pony. "It's actually quite sad to be honest. You love her, and yet she doesn't love you."

A look of anger made its way onto Starlight's face. "She does love me! I'm her friend!"

Dusk looked over his shoulder at him. "Don't make me laugh. A Princess has no friends." He fully turned to face the young Stallion again. "It must be hard knowing that the one you love is getting married to somepony better than you."

Starlight continued to glare at the golden armoured Prince. He was tempted to jump out of the bed and beat the living daylights out of him, but he refrained from doing so, knowing it would be a fatal mistake.

"Hmph. Even now you're still trying to deny the truth. Why do you think she was so eager to leave as soon as I arrived, hm?" Dusk said.

Starlight looked at him again, he tried to reply but couldn't find the words.

Dusk turned his back to the red Pony again and continued. "Besides, what makes you think that Twilight Sparkle would love you? She's a Princess, an Alicorn. She can fly and she has the ability to use magic. She's royalty to an extent. Look at you. You're just an Earth Pony. You have neither of those things. You're not royalty. You're nothing but a mere commoner, a weakling. Twilight Sparkle would never love a pitiful Stallion like you. She falls for those who are superior. Like me. I am of royalty. I possess magic that not even your precious Princesses can use. I have legions of troops at my command. My castle holds many valuable treasures that are impossible to find anywhere else."

Again, Dusk turned to Starlight. "You're nothing compared to me. Accept the truth. Twilight Sparkle doesn't care about you at all..." He made his way to the door and opened it.

"And she never will."

Starlight sobbed again as he remembered everything that Dusk had said to him. The expression on Cadence's was a mix of shock and anger. 'How could he possibly say such things?'

With a sigh, Cadence placed her forelegs around the red Pony and pulled him into a gentle hug. Starlight was surprised by her actions for a moment before returning the hug. "C-Cadence?"

"Yes?"

"Do you...do you think Twilight..." Starlight stopped for a moment and tried to stop his sobs before continuing. "Do you think Twilight really does care about me?"

Cadence looked down at him, surprised by his words. "Of course she does Starlight! She cares about all of her friends."

Starlight sighed. "But...but Dusk said-"

"Don't you listen to what that so-called Prince said. He doesn't know anything." Cadence interrupted before the red Pony could finish.

Looking up at her again, Starlight said, "Why...why does she have to marry him?"

Cadence shook her head. "We need his help to fight the Iron Empire. And he wouldn't help unless his terms were met. Sadly, Twilight marrying him was one of those terms."

"Can't you do anything about it?" Starlight asked.

The Princess shook her head again. "I'm afraid not. Princess Celestia or Princess Luna could, but even if they did, Dusk would just take his troops and head back to the Frozen North, and we'd be completely outnumbered."

Starlight looked away and clenched his eyes shut. Cadence smiled slightly at him as she pulled him closer. "You love her don't you?"

The Earth Pony wasn't able to hide it from Dusk, and hiding it from Cadence was practically impossible, so he decided to just be honest. "...Yes."

Cadence tightened her grip around him a little. "That's wonderful to hear Starlight."

Starlight wiped away his tears and sighed. "I loved her ever since I first saw her back in Ponyville a year ago. It wasn't long after she was crowned a Princess. I hurt myself after falling out of a tree, she was passing by at the time and saw me. She helped me and took me to the hospital, she visited me every single day and stayed by my side, she introduced her friends to me and brought me books from time to time." He stopped and let out a slight chuckle. "I wasn't really much of a reader, but thanks to those 'Daring Do' books, that changed. Rainbow Dash read all of the books with me, and it was during that time that she and I became pretty good friends. When I finally got out of the hospital, Fluttershy offered to let me stay at her place, since I didn't exactly have a home anymore. To pay her back for letting me stay in her cottage, I helped her clean up and take care of her animal friends and whatnot, it was the least I could do after how kind she had been to me. Every day, Twilight and I would spend time with each other. I was even considering telling her how I felt about her at one point but...I was too embarrassed at the time to say."

Cadence smiled a little and nuzzled his head. "You should tell her."

Starlight looked up at her. "B-But...what about Dusk...he-"

"You just forget about Dusk ok? He wouldn't know love if it came up to him and kissed him on the lips." Cadence said before letting out a low sigh. "I'll have a talk with him later too. He had absolutely no right to say all of those things to you, and I will make sure he regrets saying them."

Starlight winced a little at her tone. "I...I don't know...I mean, Twilight is going to be marrying Dusk, and I don't think it'd be a good idea for me to-"

"Never let anything get in the way of your feelings Starlight. Yes, it's true Twilight is going to marry Dusk, probably after this war is over, but don't let that stop you from telling her how you feel." Cadence said before putting her hoof under his chin, raising his head slightly until he was looking at her again. "Ignore everything that Dusk said, just follow your heart. I guarantee you that, despite her marriage to Dusk, Twilight will not push you away or get angry at you. Her response to your confession might even surprise you."

Starlight slowly looked away and thought about it for a moment. "You...you really think so?"

Cadence gave him a warm smile. "I know so."

Finally managing a smile of his own, Starlight hugged the pink Alicorn. "Thanks...thanks Cadence."

The two continued to hug each other and remained in that position for a good few minutes.

Finally, Cadence spoke up again. "By the way Starlight..."

"Yes?" Starlight replied, not opening his eyes to look up at her.

"What exactly were you doing climbing up a tree?"

________________________________________________________________________________________

Blitz Bolt led Lightning Dust around the entire castle, showing her everything from the library, to the armoury and the barracks, he even showed her Kickback's personal lab. The cyan Pegasus was intrigued a little by everything that the lieutenant was showing her, though she couldn't but feel slightly frightened and possibly intimidated by the amount of guards that they walked by. It didn't escape her attention that some of the guards had given her confused and curious glances, obviously it wasn't often a mare was seen walking around the place.

During the little tour, Blitz Bolt had asked Lightning Dust to tell him more about herself. She didn't really go much into her personal life, and she made sure she didn't leave out any of the details of her time at The Wonderbolts Academy. She explained everything, how she first got into the academy, to how she ended up winning at all of the tests and outdid all of the other cadets with ease. She included the parts where the cadets ended up getting hurt because of her stunts, something which Blitz Bolt couldn't help but be amused at. It was when she got to the end that she started struggling to finish. She explained everything on how Rainbow Dash had pretty much attempted to quit, only to be stopped by Captain Spitfire. Spitfire had stripped Lightning Dust of her Lead Pony badge and eventually kicked her out. Lightning Dust was furious and sad at the same time when she was kicked out, and she swore she would never forget that day, when Rainbow Dash ruined everything for her.

It didn't escape Blitz Bolt's notice of her tone, a mix of sorrow and rage. As the two reached Lightning Dust's room, which Blitz Bolt took her to earlier, they entered and closed the door behind them.

Lightning Dust flopped herself down onto the large bed and sighed.

Blitz Bolt made himself comfortable on a chair next to one of the windows and looked outside at the snowy mountains. Since they were in the part of the castle that sat on the other side of the mountains, all he could see was a blizzard.

Recalling everything that Lightning Dust told him, Blitz Bolt turned to her and grinned. "Rainbow Dash thinks she is the fastest flyer ever. Well, not anymore, that title belongs to me now."

Lightning Dust sat up and raised a brow at his words. "Is that a challenge? You wanna go outside and prove it?"

Blitz Bolt rolled his eyes and smirked. "Please...as fast as I'm sure you are Lightning, you wouldn't beat me in a race. When it comes to speed, there is none faster than I, not even my ally Cloud Hunter, and he's the fastest Pony I know." He leaned back on the chair and chuckled. "Don't get the wrong idea, I'd love to race you, but we're allies now, and we need to work together. Besides, we have more important matters to attend to." He looked at the cyan Pegasus again and grinned. "It's quite funny you know. When I think about it, we actually have something in common, we both hate Rainbow Dash. Ironic ain't it?"

With a sigh, Lightning Dust lay back down on her bed. "It wasn't just Rainbow Dash..." She muttered loudly, just enough for Blitz Bolt to hear. "It was Spitfire too. She was the one who kicked me out. She thought Rainbow Dash was better than me. It was complete and utter favouritism. She kicked me out because she was afraid that I'd end up making all of her precious Wonderbolts look pathetic. She was afraid that I'd end up proving myself to be better than even her. Rainbow Dash isn't the only one that's going to pay. I'm going to make Spitfire pay aswell."

Blitz Bolt smirked evilly at her. "Lightning Dust..." He said, getting her attention. "What would you say if I could help you get your revenge much sooner than you think?"

"I would say, let's get to it, right now." Lightning replied.

Chuckling, Blitz Bolt said, "Calm down now, you'll get your revenge. First thing tomorrow morning Lightning Dust, I'll gather some Iron Guards and we'll head to The Wonderbolts Academy. Once we get there, you can kill as many as you like."

Lightning Dust winced at the mention of killing. Blitz Bolt continued. "We can even make things more interesting. Once we take the academy, you can cut Spitfire's head off in front of all of her Wonderbolts."

Again, Lightning Dust winced. The thought of executing Spitfire in front of the entire academy would be most satisfying, but at the same time, it didn't seem right.

"I assure you Lightning Dust, everypony who treated you bad or didn't respect you, everypony who didn't admire your talents, will all pay. I bet you can't wait to pick up a sword and plunge it into your first victim. Eh?" Blitz Bolt said.

Lightning Dust faced him and gave a nervous smirk. "Y-Yeah..."

Blitz Bolt raised a brow at her. "You don't exactly seem excited. Don't you want to get revenge?"

"Of...of course I do! This is all...this is all just a first for me. I could wield a weapon no problem, I've just never actually been involved with warfare." Lightning Dust replied in all honesty.

After looking at her for a long moment, Blitz Bolt turned away and sighed. "That doesn't surprise me, after all, with all the information that Vanisher delivered to us when we first arrived here, it's no shock that the Ponies here in Equestria are not the warrior type. This is after all, a supposed land of peace and harmony." Blitz Bolt shivered a little. "It's a little TOO peaceful for my taste."

"How did you find out about the Elements of Harmony anyway? In fact, how do you guys know anything?" Lightning Dust asked.

Blitz Bolt chuckled at her words. "I just told you. Vanisher delivered us all the information we needed. Before we arrived here to Equestria, Vanisher was already here a few months earlier, and he pretty much spent those few months watching everything and everypony, Celestia, Luna and the Element wielders included. Once the rest of us arrived, he showed us everything. That's how we know who the Element wielders are, that's how we know quite a bit about Equestria, and that's also how we know about the previous threats to Equestria, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra."

The silver Pegasus leaned back in his chair again, letting out a loud yawn before continuing. "Of course, all of those 'threats' were defeated by the same Ponies."

"You sure Metal Wing won't be added to that list?" Lightning Dust asked with a smirk.

Blitz Bolt glared at her. "Watch what you say! Those fools are nothing compared to lord Metal Wing! He is the most powerful being in existence! Nopony is a match for him! He has defeated every foe that has stood in his path and Celestia and Luna will be added to the list of those who he has defeated!"

Lightning Dust rolled her eyes. "Ok relax, I get it..." She chuckled. "You really admire him don't you? Despite how...intimidating he can be."

"Of course I admire him! It's..." Blitz Bolt stopped and looked at the stone floor. "It's...because of him, that I'm still alive to this day."

Noticing the change in his tone, Lightning Dust sat up again and said, "What do you mean?"

Blitz Bolt looked at her for a moment before looking away. "It...it's nothing...forget about it."

Letting curiosity get the better of her, Lightning Dust got off the bed and made her way over Blitz Bolt. "I can't forget about it now, you've got me curious. Tell me what you mean."

Knowing she wasn't going to drop the subject, Blitz Bolt sighed and satisfied her with an explanation. "I was born in the Dalkia Republic. A land faraway in the North. Years ago, the Dalkia Republic was ruled by the Alicorn, King Grande. He was the walking definition of evil and destruction, he was ruthless and cruel, and he ruled with an Iron Hoof. His corrupt rule went unchallenged, he was so powerful that nopony dared to rise against him. Until one day, he showed up. Lord Metal Wing."

Blitz Bolt looked at Lightning Dust to make sure she was paying attention before continuing. "He just arrived one day in the capital, and he saw how miserable everypony was under Grande's rule. He took it upon himself to rise up and defeat Grande and free us all so we could live in peace. That news, began to spread rapidly throughout the entire land. He assaulted King Grande in the castle tower, he couldn't finish him off though because Grande's troops drove him off. But when news of lord Metal Wing's attack on Grande reached the ears of everypony in the land, others were inspired, and began to rise up also. King Nazor of the city of Bale, King Shirai of Vulhaven, heck, even the Pirates of Endrum started gathering an armada of ships so they could launch a full-scale attack on the capital. Lord Metal Wing began travelling across the land, with us by his side, as he found and gained the loyalty of many Ponies, Griffins and Zebras alike. He formed an alliance with King Shirai and continued to build his forces, he wanted to make sure every single one of his troops was battle ready."

The silver Pegasus stopped for a moment to let Lightning Dust process everything he said. He waited for a minute before continuing. "Years later, his army was ready. The Pirates of Endrum told us that they would assist in attacking the capital and would keep Grande's Naval Forces busy, which was a major help in the battle. Prince Dusk was our ally at that time too, and his forces, combined with ours, attacked the capital together. The battle was long and hard, many innocent lives would have been lost if Cloud Hunter hadn't evacuated the city of all non-combatants. Suffice to say, he saved a LOT of lives back then. It was this act however, that inspired the capitals citizens to also rise up, and take the fight to the castle. With their help, our army managed to reach the castle, lord Metal Wing and Prince Dusk reached Grande and fought him. In the end, lord Metal Wing defeated Grande, and liberated the entire land of his corrupt rule. He became new the King of Dalkia, and under his rule, the land was able to rebuild, and everypony was able to live in peace. That was twelve years ago now."

Lighting Dust was at a loss for words. She was quite surprised that Blitz Bolt managed to live through such horrific events. He made Metal Wing sound like a hero, of course that wasn't exactly far from the truth considering what she just heard. But there was something she was still quite confused about. "Umm, so Metal Wing is pretty much a hero right?"

Blitz Bolt nodded.

"So..." Lightning Dust thought for a moment to find the right words. "Why exactly is he seeking to conquer Equestria? This land is already peaceful, what does he hope to gain by trying to conquer this land too?"

Facing her, Blitz Bolt said, "You should ask him that."

"I'd rather not." Lightning Dust replied immediately. "Still though, that doesn't exactly answer what I was asking about earlier. How do you fit into this?"

Blitz Bolt shrugged. "There's not really much to say on that topic. My parents died when I was still young, and I was taken to an orphanage. The orphanage itself wasn't exactly a good place to live in, other orphans tried to be my friends, but I pushed them away, I didn't need friends. When I was five years old, I ran away, I believed I was capable of taking care of myself. I ended up living in the cities quiet streets for a good while, stealing what I could to survive. It was a few days after running away from the orphanage, that I ran into lord Metal Wing. He took me in, kept me warm and fed, and it was then that I knew, he was the one...he was the one who could find a better life for me. During that time, he was just laying low in the city after his attack on Grande. Cloud Hunter and Vanisher were also there at the time, though, just like me, they were still just colts, Cloud Hunter of course was a bit older than us so he was usually tasked with foalsitting us. Lord Metal Wing gave me another chance at life, and for that, I will be forever grateful to him."

Lightning Dust's expression softened as Blitz Bolt explained his story.

Blitz Bolt sighed and looked at her. "Lord Metal Wing chose my life for me, he chose my path, and even if it was a path full of war and death, it kept me alive, and made me who I am today, I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for lord Metal Wing. Other than the few times when we just relaxed for a few months, our lives are pretty much filled with nothing but war and death."

"Whoa..." Again, Lightning Dust was at a loss for words.

Blitz Bolt chuckled a little. "Heh...I...I've never really spoken much about my past to anypony before...thanks..." He looked at Lightning Dust and smiled slightly. "Thank you for listening."

With that, the silver Pegasus got off the chair and exited the room.

Lightning Dust continued to look on at the door where he just exited, she could of sworn she saw a tear falling from his face as he left. She usually never really cared much about others personal lives, but after hearing Blitz Bolt explain the kind of life he grew up in, she couldn't help but sympathize with him. She pitied him in fact, that he and the others never got to live a peaceful life like the Ponies of Equestria did.

Which led to her wonder, are these Ponies really evil? Or...are they just looking for an end to their war-filled paths?