High Moon Ch. 6:

Winds of Time

“Spike? Quill?” The twins stopped dead in their tracks at the sound of the last pony they wanted to hear. Everyone looked over to the bushes on the left to find that Twilight, the rest of the elements, Celestia, and several guards emerging. Quill immediately placed a wing in front of Spike, glaring at each pony--and in Obsidian’s case--dog that was there while Wolf and the others looked onto the scene from a distance.

Twilight tried to take a step closer towards the twins, still shocked to find them so far out in Everfree, but Quill blew out a stream of fire on the ground in front of the approaching mare. All aside Obsidian, started to go for their weapons, and Wolf started to darkly growl upon seeing the tools.

Luckily, Obsidian was quick to defuse the situation before it happened. “I said no weapons, we’re here to let the elements and Celestia talk to them. Now put them away,” The dog roared, had been given full control of the operation by Celestia. All of the guards yielded to Obsidian’s orders, though Endive needed a glare from the princess before she too gave into the dog’s command.

Twilight tried again to take a step closer towards the two dragons, after using her magic to put out the dragoness’s fire, however she was again stopped by Wolf stepping between her and the twins while Blaze and Lily pulled them close.

Wolf’s gaze wasn’t even on the alicorn, or was it on any of the ponies present. The only one to be able to capture his full attention was the other diamond dog. Obsidian caught on to this, he knew that it was because he too was an alpha dog like Wolf, and returned the stare with full force.

An eerie silence befell the forest, a silence so dark that it drown the ponies in the dog’s engagement, but soon was broken by Wolf. “Hапустити, ‘Leave,’” He barked, using an ancient diamond dog tongue that is still thought to any dog raised in a den, however the way it is spoken between den and countries is slightly different depending on what type of region the dog is from.

Obsidian sighed, he hadn’t spoke in the ancient tongue for near ten years, and what he did know was somewhat sloppy. However he need to allow the elements and Celestia to talk to the twins. “Чекај ... хм ... мислимо ништа лоше, ‘Wait...um...we mean no harm’” Obsidian started, praying to Cerberus that he said the phrase right. “Ми само желимо да ... разговарам са њима. ‘We just want to...speak to with them.’”

Wolf raised a questioning eyebrow towards Obsidian, not for his sloppy attempt to recall the old tongue, but at how it sounded to him. “Морате бити планински пас, ‘You must be a mountain dog,” He started getting a nod from Obsidian. “Фино од планинског пса, шта је смисао ти доноси ове поније у мојој територији, ‘Fine than mountain dog, what's the meaning of you bringing those ponies in my territory,’” Wolf questioned, not liking this many ponies being near the temple or High Moon.

“Они су хтели да их донесе кући, или барем разговарати с њима, ‘They wanted to bring them home, or at least talk to them,’” Obsidian stated, waving his hand towards the elements and Celestia. “Молимо, близанци не морају да оду, али барем им дозволити оволико. ‘Please, the twins don't have to leave, but at least allow them this much.’” Wolf stared at Obsidian, the dog’s pleading looks along with the desperate looks of the mares behind him, was enough for him to consider the thought.

He knew that this day would happen at some point or another and the last thing Wolf wanted was to enrage the being powerful enough to control the sun. Also, this could be used as the twins biggest test of loyalty towards the pack. If they chose to stay of their own accord than he could take that as a sign of absolute trust they have for the pack, and if they leave, then it’s less work for him.

However, it the twins do go back, it may completely prevent them from properly growing, and cause them troubles later in life. After hearing how little the ponies know--or are willing to let them know--Wolf had became deeply concerned for the twins’ health, and seeing how much joy both dragons brought to the pack as well as how they somehow brought them closer in the short amount of time made Wolf want to turn the dog’s pleas down.

But it wasn’t his choice rather they stay or go, it was theirs, and they deserved that much. “Добро, ‘Fine,’” Wolf sighed after much weighted thought. He turned around to the twins as they watched in silence with Blaze and Lily during the dog’s private conversation. “Quill, Spike, these ‘nice’ ponies wish to speak to you, and I think after coming all this way in Everfree that they earned that much.”

Quill looked into Wolf’s green eyes with shock that he was turning them over to the very same ponies that didn’t know how to raise them but after locking eyes with him, she realized that he had no intentions of forcing them to leave. “Fine,” She started, breaking away from Blaze’s grip, and walking no further passed Wolf before she stopped to glare into Twilight’s eyes.

Twilight wanted to rush over to the dragoness to hug her tight and never let go, but a glare from Wolf told her that it wasn’t the best thing to do. “Quill, please come home we-”

“Stop,” Quill said, barely loud enough for anyone to hear, and turned her gaze towards the ground. “Stop it Twilight. I don’t want to come home, not because of what happened in Canterlot, but because of you.” Twilight’s eyes widened from the fiery venom in Quill’s voice, the mare could feel her heart cracking from Quill’s denial of her pleas, and tears started to form from the heavy blame that she placed on her shoulders.

“Quill, w-what are you-”

“I said stop it!” Twilight along with the rest of the elements flinched from the unexpected shrilling roar from Quill. Dark smoke clouds started to seep from her nose as two days of knowing that Twilight and Celestia could have been lying to her and Spike started to erupt. “Tell me the truth Twilight, do you really not know anything about dragons, or are you hiding something? Because someone would have thought the personal student of Celestia, a being that’s lived for generations, would have taught a little more about dragons if she was going to raise them.”

Twilight bit her lower lip as the situation started to escalate into something she wasn’t prepared for. “T-that’s not true, Celestia wouldn’t-”

“And let’s not forget the many times that your ‘studies’ had me and Spike lock behind the library doors for days at a time. It took six months for half of Ponyville to even get used to us, you would think that the ‘number-ones’ assistants to Celestia’s student would at least get treated fairly, but no.” Years being either trapped behind the wooden walls of the Golden Oka’s library and of getting odd stares from ponies from Ponyville or from one’s that are merely visiting started to finally boil over.

“Now Quill,” Rarity started, tired of the dragoness’s sudden disposition, and no longer able to see her chew Twilight up like that. “You should know better than to blame poor Twilight like that, she been worried sick about you two, and so have the rest of us.”

“Can it Rarity,” Quill snorted, almost making Rarity faint from the rudeness in her voice. “Be honest, you don’t really care. In total now me and Spike had run away like five or six times now, each time you or some random pony finds us, and everything goes back to fuc- Freaking normal.”

Rarity started to waver from the dragon’s honest claims as she knew what she was really referring. “N-now that’s not called for-”

“Whatever,” The dragoness said in an uncaring tone as she waved her hand towards the mare. “Frankly I simply don’t care any more. I don’t care for being somepony’s pack-mule,” A sharp glare was thrown towards Twilight, making her look away from Quill. “I don’t care for somepony thinking that they can use their looks to lead me or my brother on, so you can get us to do things for you,” Another--much darker--glare was thrown to Rarity, making her gasp in horror. “And I don’t care to be lied to any more.” One final glare was thrown to Celestia, who remained unmoved during the whole conflict.

Quill shook her head at Celestia’s unemotional expression as she turned to walk over to Blaze but stopped halfway to glance back to the mares she used to call family. “That was my old life, now I’m the one who’ll make my own choices.” Without another word, Quill spared her wings, and took off into the setting sun. Wolf and the others recognized her flight direction as it was heading straight for the temple.

He look towards his unicorn lover as she had the same knowing look on her face as he did. It was painfully obvious to the group of Quill’s choice, all that was left for Spike to make his choice. “Blaze, go after her, and stay put.” Without saying anything, Blaze lit her horn and teleported to the temple to watch over Quill while things are being wrapped up.

Soon the group’s collective attention fell on Spike, adding to the bearing pressure he was already feeling, but now wasn’t the time for him to choke up. Pushing away from Lily, Spike walked passed Wolf, and stopped roughly around where Quill did--but still closer than her.

“Spike don’t-”

“Twilight, everypony,” Spike started, pausing a bit before continuing. He couldn’t stand the sadden expressions on any of the girls faces, Spike wished there was something he could do to make the situation better for everyone, but the way things were going that was far from reach. Spike took a shaky breath before continuing again, “I wanted you to know, that the time me and Quill spent with you all were the best time of our lives--since it was our entire lives--and that we’ll always cherish the lessons you taught us. But, we can’t keep living with you any longer, and we need to know more about dragons.”

Seeing the tears streaming down Twilight’s face, forced Spike to look away, but only to look back with a false smile. “We’ll be fine, I’ll make sure that Quill doesn’t do anything to get herself hurt, and I’m sure after a while that we could come visit. But until then, I’m staying here with Wolf and his pack.” Spike started to back up without turning away from the depressed looks on the elements’ faces and stopped when Lily wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry Twilight, everypony, but for now this is goodbye.”

“Spike please wait,” Twilight called out but was too late before Lily opened her wings and took off towards the temple with Spike in her arms. Twilight watched completely helpless as Spike soon became a tiny speck in the redding sky.

Everyone as well continued to watch as the last dragon abandoned the scene and their old lives to live a new one in hopes of learning more about dragons. However the two diamond dogs continued to stare at each other, only faintly pay attention.

“Mountain dog, I got a question for you,” Wolf started, gaining the attention of everypony beside Twilight. “Да ли је то оно што сте хтели, ‘Is this what you wanted,’” Wolf asked, using the same diamond dog tongue as before so the ponies wouldn’t know what they were saying.

Obsidian slowly shook his head, he did wanted the twins to be on their own, but he didn’t want their goodbyes to the elements to end the way it did. “Не, не могу да кажем да јесте, али нема много да урадим поводом тога. ‘No, no I can’t say it did, but there’s not much I can do about it.’” He knew it’ll be hard on the elements but not as hard as Celestia, even if she was acting unmoved during the twins’ choices, but after seeing her in the distort state she was in a few days ago, Celestia will be the hardest one to adjust. “Шта је са тобом? ‘What about you?’”

Wolf started to chuckle, he was upset at how Quill handled it, but it was to be expected he guessed. He turned towards the direction towards the temple and glanced over towards the defeated faces of the elements and some of the Solar department heads. Wolf didn’t want to steal the twins away from anyone but if they didn’t want to go back home with them and if they wanted to continue to live within High Moon valley, then it’ll be his responsibility to care for them.

He looked back to Obsidian, Wolf locked his dull-green eyes with Obsidian’s faded-silver eyes, and shook his head. “Само ће време показати, ‘Only time will tell,’ and until that time mountain dog…”

“May our paths cross again,” Obsidian said, remembering the phase from his father in the republics, and knowing that Wolf was going to use it.

“By the Winds of Time, mountain dog,” Wolf finished the phase after not having to use it for more than ten years now. He started to walk towards the path hidden by a wall of bushes but not before saying, “Now, get out of my territory.” Wolf then disappeared from sight.

Obsidian had a feeling that Wolf had more than one reason with telling them to leave his lands as the time for Celestia to lower the sun quickly approached, so to does the real dangers of Everfree arises. “Alright everypony, you heard the dog. By diamond dog culture, we’re now trespassing, and he’s no longer required to lend a hand to us. So, Corporal Tempest, call for an air-transport to take us back to Canterlot.” A dark-blue pegasus stallion, dressed in light-armor so not to affect his flying, saluted the dog before pulling out a communicator to send out Obsidian’s orders.

“We’re done here.”

So, its really happening, Wolf thought to himself as he walked down the path towards the temple where the other supposedly were awaiting for him to return and get things situated. He knew that it’ll be a lot of work to get the twins able to properly care for themselves without any of the others to watch over them, also that they’ll be in a depressed mood for awhile, but in the long-run it’ll be worth it.

His only wish was that he didn’t had to see the sad looks on the elements’ faces, the looks of someone losing another that they hold dear to their heart, but what done is done. The another thing Wolf didn’t like was the unresponsive look on Celestia’s face, it was as if she didn’t care either way it went, and that the twins’ choices wouldn’t affect her in anyway.

Quill had already told him that it was Celestia that raised them when they were first hatched, so she acted as a mother for the twins, but yet she still didn’t shed a single tear during the confrontation.

However, Wolf didn’t have time to dwell on such thoughts. He had a pack to maintain, a pair of dragons to train, a mare pregnant with his cub to take of, and an entire valley to protect. There wasn’t time for him to be concerned whether the twins’ old caretakers remorse over their choice or not.

It’s going to be hard for everyone but I’m sure that they can do it, Wolf told himself as he came to the temple arcane-stone door and opened them with his arm-braces. Once the doors were out of the way, Wolf started to make his way down the stairs, and quickly made his way towards Blaze’s work area.

Once the final door was opened, Wolf was greeted to the sight of the twins arguing about something--most likely about the events that unfolded not too long ago--and the sight wasn’t a pretty one. “I don’t care any more Spike!” Quill stood over Spike as her wings flared out in rage and frustration. “For as much as I care, she is dead to me!”

“Who is dead to you,” Wolf asked, gaining the attention of Quill, and saving Spike from her anger.

“Princess Celestia, she didn’t say a single thing, and she was the one to raise us!” Quill couldn’t believe the pony she used to call mother showed no signs of their departure. Also, along with that fact, Quill still firmly believed that Celestia was hiding all she knew about dragons from them. “Then there’s Rarity, who does she think she is telling me what I can and can’t say?”

Wolf sighed, he knew that Quill would still be angry, but he didn’t think that she’ll be this angry. “Quill, I know, but you’ve got to calm down. Getting angry over something that you can’t control isn’t how things get done around here.” Quill closed her eyes as she started to slowly breath to calm her nerves, puffing out more dark clouds of smoke before opening her eyes again now much calmer than before. “Better?”

“Yeah,” She answered in a tired low voice as her cast became transfixed to the floor. “I’m going to bed.” Quill walked away from Spike without another word to him and started for the guest bedroom she slept in before. Everyone soon heard the door slamming shortly after she was out of sight and Wolf sighed again before turning to Spike.

“I’m heading back to the city ruins,” He said before Wolf could ask him anything, Lily followed Spike without saying a word, but still gave Wolf a curious glare.

Wolf merely shook his head as well waved a hand towards the mare. “Go on, we’ll keep an eye on Quill.” Lily gave a nod towards him and opened the arcane-slab door leading to the city ruins. Once opened, Spike, Lily, and the twins’ phoenixes left the room as they started to make their way towards the mansion for a much needed sleep.

The two lovers watched the four leave into the darkness of the tunnels until the arcane-slab rolled back into place. Once the tunnels were sealed off, Wolf let out a long sigh of exhaustion while Blaze walked up behind him, and wrapped her arms around his back.

“You think this is the right thing,” She asked after seeing how saddened the goodbyes made the twins and their old caretakers. “Don’t you think we could have done something else?”

Again Wolf merely shook his head, already having thought of several reasons why nothing else would--or could--work. “No, we can’t make their choices for them, but we can look after them and help them.” He knew that the twins needed to learn to live with the choices that they make and also learn that they need to start thinking how it’ll affect them in the long run. “Come on, it looks like we’ll be getting an early start tomorrow, and we still have a lot of things to do.”

Both Wolf and Blaze started for their bedroom for a much needed rest, for tomorrow is a new start, and the real first day for the twins. What it entailed was for time to tell.

Celestia and the elements, along with the five department heads, walked out of the transport after it had landed in Canterlot. Neither Twilight, nor Celestia had spoken the entire trip back, and all blame was starting to fall on top of Obsidian.

As he started to walk off the landing platform, the sound of a sword being drawn out from a sheath, and surprised gasp from Fluttershy stopped his movement. However he refused to turn around to the one that had drawn the weapon, already knowing who it was. “I hope you are happy mutt,” Endive asked with a sharp tone. “You have single-handedly killed those kids.”

A few tense moments passed before Obsidian let out a small chuckle in response. “Really, what makes you say that,” He asked without looking at the unicorn. “Is it because I left them in the care of another diamond dog? Or, is it because you didn’t get you way?” Even if it didn’t go down the way he wanted it to, or even the way he thought it would, the twins’ decision was still one he wanted them to make.

“Don’t toy with me mutt, what’s your game? You’ve been the only one to want them to say and I want to know why,” Endive questioned as she pushed the sword closer to the back of his head. Obsidian sighed, displeased with the mare’s stubborn attitude, and upset that she restored to violence to just talk to him.

Suddenly, Obsidian pivoted around on one heel, he pushed the side of the sword out of Endive’s hands, and sent it flying to the concrete ground where it became deeply embedded. “That’s why,” He said before anyone could understand what just happened. “You don’t learn the limits of yourself from being trapped behind a library. Also let’s not forget one simple thing, the twins are dragons, they tend to live a lot longer than ponies, and also tend to grow a lot more than them.”

“And what does that have to do with anything,” Rarity asked, not liking how Obsidian was treating the fact.

“Simple, one day they would have outgrown the library in more ways than one. One day, their desire for knowledge would have them pushed further than Everfree. And one day, this,” Obsidian waved his hands around the whole group as emphasis. “would have happened. At least now we know that they are safe and are in a place where they can learn more about dragons.”

“Ah don’t get it,” Applejack started after heavy thought. “Just why do they need to know about dragons, them things are more dangerous that a mudslide on a rock farm.”

“Again simple,” Obsidian started, turning away from the group, but didn’t leave just yet. “What if you were taken from the farm at a young age, any of you, what if you were taken from your homes, and raised by say…diamond dogs?” He allow the group to start thinking about the situation, knowing that it’ll be the best way for them to know what it feels to be in the twins’ shoes. “Diamond dogs live a very different life than ponies, just like ponies live a very different life than dragons. It’s only natural from them to what to know more.”

Everypony started to see the dog’s point and soon started to think that what happened was for the best. If the twins were living with the other diamond dog but one question weighed heavy on Twilight’s mind. “Will we see them again?” The very same question had all the other wandering as well, even the department heads--after investing so much time and thought into the matter--were asking the same thing.

All eyes fell on Obsidian, all speaking a different emotion or point of view about the matter, but essentially asking the same thing as Twilight. Sighing, Obsidian started walking off the platform, and refused to return the ponies’ collective gazes. “It’s like the old diamond dog saying, ‘Until time tells, may our paths cross, by the Winds of Time.”

Faster, I need to go faster. High above the ground of Wolf’s valley, Quill blazed across the early autumn sky as her and Spike’s training had become more intense and fierce during the two months after they made their choice to stay within High Moon.

It still was a few more days after the confrontation with the elements before either dragon could speak with each other after the argument they had. During that time, Quill started to push her body even further than before, and her efforts were starting to show clearly on her. Her head spines became denser as well as much sharper, her wingspan had grown close to twice the size as it was before, and her claws had became longer.

On top of that, her fire-magic had quickly started to develop much faster than Blaze thought it would, but the mare still was able to prove that Quill still had a long ways to go. Not like she didn’t minded being shown up by Blaze as she had quickly grown to respect the mare and also Wolf.

However, her fire training was on a short break because Blaze started to show slight signs of her pregnancy, and using too much magic was taxing on the mare’s body. When news of the mare’s pregnancy reached Quill’s ears, she became overjoyed for her while Lily and Spike also showed their support.

So when Blaze was unable to give a lesson on fire-magic, Wolf stepped in, and started to condition Quill’s body so she’ll be ready to start hunting bigger things than rabbits on her own. It was hard at first, and Wolf showed little mercy towards her, but through the daily three mile runs, sparring matches to sharpen her skills, chasing after deers and wild-boars, and even helping him push a few timberwolves out of the valley, Quill grown to enjoy the new life she was expected to adapt to.

Just about every waking moment during the last two months, Quill had spent learning new ways to use her fire-magic, studying more about dragons or other wildlife, or pushing her body to its bare limits with training. She was glad to do this though, it kept her from thinking about Twilight and the others, and allowed her to better adapt to her new life.

However, moments did occur where she’ll mistake something for her old life in Ponyville, and as soon as she realized this, Quill would head out to work on one thing or another. Even this morning--rather afternoon thanks to how much she sleeps now--she started to have memories flashing through her head about waking up in Twilight’s bed, only to find the guest/work room she sleeps in.

So right after she told Wolf and Blaze where and what she was doing, Quill took off into the sky to work on her flying, but really to push the unwanted memories away. Each beat of her wings, sent her soaring higher and higher, she even made a ‘game’ where she’ll push herself to go as high as she could before snapping her wings shut to enter a free-fall dive to the ground before flaring her wings out.

Now she was in that same steep inclined towards the top of the sky, straining her wings to push herself higher into the bluish sky. After she broke through another cloud barrier, Quill press her wings tight against her body, and being the sheep dive straight towards the ground.

She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the rushing winds passing past her scales and the old clothes that Blaze allows her to wear. The beating of the winds, the flapping of the clothes, and the pure feeling of peace she somehow felt from the dive. The rushing feeling she got was the same where she would every time she had the chance to race Rainbow through the skies above Ponyville. However, it was only similar, the free-fall dive was much more...thrilling to her. Each time she would perform the dive, Quill will wait a little longer before she started to count in her head. 1...2...3! Quill forced open her wings, something she found a challenge to do the higher she went, to ride the sudden up-wind of air right before she crashed into the ground.

Leaves from trees were ripped off by the dragoness’s sudden incline as she soared back into a leveled flight before coming to a stop on top of a cloud. Quill landed on her back, heavily breathing from the intoxicating thrill, but still manage to giggle.

She placed a hand on top of her eyes, forcing them close, just so she could recapture the moment where her wings took her rocketing from the bone-shattering ground. However once the pure high was gone, she started to feel somewhat hollow, as if there was something missing, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t figure out what it was.

“It’s not enough, I still can go higher,” She whispered to herself, gazing flatly towards the blue sky above her head, and causing at herself for not being able to go further. However, she couldn’t pull another dive off again as each one too more out of her, but she didn’t feel like heading back to the temple just yet.

Quill slowly got up from the soft cloud, thinking what could be something she could use to pass the time. “I could hunt, but Wolf said that we already have enough meat for the winter, and that we need to let the animal population grow back.” She walked over to the edge of the cloud, high enough to oversee majority of the valley, and parts of Everfree she knew lead back to Ponyville. “Guh, I wish something would happen.” Quill continued to gaze over the valley, spotting a rushing stream of water, and a few other landmarks that Wolf taught her to remember.

During her lazy gazing, Quill spotted the bright colors of something moving into a clearance. Thinking that it was some new threat to the valley, Quill grabbed onto the cloud, and flapped her wings to get it moving towards the clearance.

Once above it, Quill took a better look towards the ground to find that the bright colors belonged to no other than the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but she didn’t move from the cloud. Quill waited until she knew why the teenage fillies were wandering around in Everfree. Great, their most likely here for another attempt to get some cutie marks. Quill moved the cloud lower to the ground to better eavesdrop on them.

“Come on Sweetie Bell, we got to keep pushing through,” Scootaloo said towards Sweetie as she was falling far behind the group. Quill quickly took note that she wasn’t the only one who had grown slightly during the last two months. Scootaloo--albeit still had the smaller chest size that the rest of the group--had grown slightly taller as well slimming out more. Quill also found that it was humorous that she was starting to dress like Rainbow Dash, wearing nothing but a pair of tight orange training-shorts that had Rainbow’s cutie-mark on it, and a pale-purple sleeveless pull-over with her wings behind her.

“Give her a break Scoots,” Applebloom jumped in Sweetie’s defense. Just as Quill had guessed, Applebloom remained the tallest of the three, but still wearing hand-me-downs from Applejack. However unlike Applejack, Applebloom was more willing to show off her growing chest more than the mare. “We’ve been walking around for hours, don’t you think that we should rest?”

“No, no it’s fine,” Sweetie Bell finally spoke up. Quill had to take a moment to recognize Sweetie as she somehow grow much taller--not taller than Applebloom--and of the three had a larger chest size than Applebloom, which was trapped behind a white jacket with a purple dress underneath--not doubt made my Rarity.

Quill started to subconsciously lick her lips at the wide variety of eye-candy right in front of her but she forced those thoughts away when Sweetie’s words started to reach her ears. “We need to keep moving anyways, I don’t know how much longer I can stand to see Rarity like the way she is.”

So their here to try and bring us back, Quill silently thought to herself, already knowing that the mares wanted to try and convince her and Spike to return to Ponyville. Sorry guys, but that life is over. Just move on already. Quill stood up on the cloud and started to walk away but stopped when Applebloom continued Sweetie Bell’s worries.

“Yeah, Ah even heard sis talking about Twi being all down in the dumps.” Quill glanced back towards the group of mares, suddenly becoming interested in their conversation. “From what I’ve heard, she hadn’t left the library in over a month,” Typical “and no matter what anypony does she refuses to come out.”

Hm, she can’t even go a whole month without shutting the world out huh? Well, maybe now she’ll know how it feels to be trapped. Quill still harbor cold feelings towards Twilight from the many years she’s been lying to her and Spike’s face without second thought. Now trapping herself in the library seemed poetic justice to Quill but she knew that if the mare’s found Spike and told him this information that he’ll view it in a different manner.

Can’t let them find reach Zecora’s hut, Spike and Lily are still there, and if they thought about heading near there to look- No, not going to happen. Quill hopped from the cloud, onto a nearby tree branch, and back to the ground behind some bushes. Once Quill regained her balance, she turned towards the CMC’s--who was still arguing--and started to walk from behind the bushes.

“We need to keep moving,” Scootaloo yelled, far too impatient to wait for Sweetie to catch her breath while Applebloom was too stubborn to let Sweetie push herself too hard, and was going to answer back until Quill made herself known to the trio.

“Or you guys can just go home,” She said, leaning against a tree, and scaring the CMC’s. The fillies looked towards Quill with a slight caution gaze, seeing how much she had change in the last two months, and neither had thought of them what to say to the dragoness. “So are you guys going to listen to me or not,” Quill asked, breaking the silence, and glance into each of the young mares’ eyes.

Looking over to the still shocked looks on her friends’ faces, Scootaloo stepped forward. “Quill, sup? You’re looking...great,” She said, trying to act as if the dragon’s new appearance didn’t scare her a little. Which it did.

“Save it Scoots, I know why you guys are here, and I want you all to go home.” Quill didn’t wanted to sound cold to her old friends, since they weren’t responsible for any wrong, but it was still too early for Quill to deal with the aftermath of her and Spike’s choice. “It’s getting late and you should be home anyways.”

“But Quill,” Sweetie started after the shock was gone. “Everypony misses you two, Rarity hadn’t been herself,” Sweetie Bell started with a slightly teary eyes, no longer being able to stand to see her older sister in such an automatic state. I don’t care.

“Pinkie hadn’t thrown a single party since,” Scootaloo added in, thinking about how the usually happy pink mare had been acting strangely normal--which is sad for her--and how her puffy pink mane had been falter than usual. Unfortunate, but less noise on everyone’s ears.

“Fluttershy had been crying her eyes out every time someone even mention you two,” Applebloom added, remembering the last time she seen the mare crying. What’s new?

“No one had been able to talk to Rainbow Dash in a long while,” Scootaloo added again, haven’t seen a single sign of Rainbow Dash in weeks along with the rest of the town. She properly doing the same thing I am.

“Applejack has been working her hat off.” To this Quill snorted, countless times before has she seen Applejack working too hard, but like always she knew that the stubborn farm-mare will have to take a break. Again not new.

“And Twilight been blaming herself this entire time.” ... “Quill you and Spike have to come back,” Sweetie Bell continued as tears started to make their way down her face while the others hoped that Quill was listening to them. “Please Quill, everypony misses you two, and I don’t know how longer everypony can last like-”

“I don’t care Sweets,” Quill interrupted, pushing off the tree, and walking towards the three. “I simply don’t care any more. It’s been two months now, they should have gotten over it by now, and moved on with their lives.” Hearing that the elements had been greatly affected by the twins’ absence did make Quill want to smile--seeing how much of an impact she and Spike had on them--but what irritated her the most was that they unable to continue to live their lives because of it. “If they can’t do that, then though. You know what? I want you all to tell them to get off their flanks and move on.”

The three teenage mares filched from Quill’s cold tone, shocked that she was unsympathetic turns all of her old friends that raised her. Quill didn’t wait for any of them to think of something else to say before she turned around and flared out her wings, kicking dust and dirt towards the CMC’s, and taking off.

Applebloom looked through her arm as she and the other used them to shield their eyes and quickly thought of something that would allow them to talk to both dragons. “Quill wait,” She shouted to the dragoness, who--for reasons unknown to herself--stopped her ascent, and floated in the air with her back turn towards them. “Ah um...Ah’m having a camping trip soon and Applejack and Big Mac said Ah can bring anyone Ah wanted, and Ah was wondering if you and Spike wanted teh come?”

Quill floated in the air for a moment in thought, she--nor Spike--had anything against the CMC’s or much of Ponyville, and she was sure that Wolf wouldn’t have a problem with it so as long as she asked. “Fine, I’ll see if Spike want’s to come, and we’ll meet you right outside of Everfree near Sweet Apple Acres. No elements or trying to get us to come back.”

The young farm-mare smiled brightly at her quick thinking. “Sure, it’ll just be us, and some other fillies from school. Nopony else.” Scootaloo was going to speak but Sweetie was quick enough to cover her mouth before she ruined Applebloom’s plan.

“Alright, I’m serious about no elements Bloom, and how does two days sound,” Quill asked, looking forward to hanging out with her old friends, and catching up on what they have been up to.

Applebloom nodded her head, glad that Quill was still somewhat the same. “Sure sound good to me,” She said before Quill took off without another word. The CMC’s watched as she flew off into the horizon much quicker than they remembered she could. “Come on guys, we got a trip to plan for.” The three young mares left Everfree forest shortly after, already planning on how they can head out on a trip like this without the elements knowing.

Stay focus, stay focus. While Quill was out doing whatever she does when she leaves the temple, Spike used the tip of his tail to sit in the center of Zecora’s hut, and continued to keep his eyes closed as he used his newly developed water-magic to maintain a hold on a large sphere of water.

While Quill had grown into a more hunter-like body, Spike’s body had grown out to become more lean along with his spines becoming longer, rounding out up at the tip, and a longer tail that he found to be more useful than it used to be, but even with all this Spike was slightly shorter than Quill.

Days after his disagreement with Quill, he focused all of his attention towards to his water-element, and assisted with the reconstruction of parts of the city ruins. His training had him waking up each morning to walk to the small lake near the mansion and practice on honing his capabilities with his water-element.

Finally, after weeks of struggling and failures, Spike was able to start bending the water to his will, and everyone showed their respective support in their own way. However, Spike didn’t waste any time celebrating before he was practicing the skill every waking day.

Soon after that, Lily and Spike ventured towards Zecora’s hut to begin his potion-making training, and also see if the zebra had anything else to add to Spike’s training. As it turned out, Zecora--even if she didn’t fully understand dragon-magic--knew of a technique to aid in Spike’s focus called Zen Meditation.

The technique required one to balance upside down on top of a wooden staff with one leg pointed towards the sky while the other one is bent at an angle while their hands were pressed together. Spike didn’t believe the position could be done, however when Zecora showed the technique to Spike, he became intensely impressed with the mare’s ability to balance.

Unfortunately the wooden staff proved to be too small of a point for Spike to balance on his top spine, so Lily proposed that instead of using the staff that he use his tail, and also stay up right so he could double the training with some water.

While the drake was focusing on the difficult meditation, the two mares were in the other room, and took the time to catch up with current events. “I see, an unfortunate matter surely has befell,” Zecora started after Lily finished going over the events of the last few months. “What of Wolf and his dwell?”

“Wolf and Blaze are apparently having a cub in seven months time,” Lily said, still can’t believing the news after hearing it several weeks ago. “He’s also been helping Quill with hunting skills while Blaze have been teaching her about fire-magic.”

Zecora nodded her head, glad to hear--and see--that the twins are doing just fine with Wolf and his pack in High Moon, and also surprised that the lovers will be bring a cub into the world soon. “Yes it seems that he has been busy,” Zecora noted, knowing Wolf was always trying to keep the valley safe, and now more than ever. “But I must ask, what has he plan of the city?”

“He and the twins has been helping me reconstruct some of it, what we can’t rebuild, Wolf planned to find a way to safely tear down, but until then we can’t really do much.” Efforts to rebuild the city ruins had been slow for the most part as not having the proper resources to fully fix what’s broken prevented them from moving onwards out of the mansion and archives. Also none of them having any real carpeting skills, aside from Wolf being able to craft a few things with his claws, made it even more difficult to rebuild.

“I see, aid I would hand if only I had a plan,” Zecora said, knowing that she’ll wouldn’t be any more help with it than the twins are.

“It’s fine Zecora, this is pretty hard, and dangerous work. So how have you been,” Lily asked, seldom does she have the chance to simply talk to the mare, and now with Spike’s training it seemed that she’ll finally get that chance.

While the mare’s continued their talks, Spike did his best to tune out them so he could put more focus on to balancing on his tail, and keep the orb of water in the air. Spike kept his breathing slow and drawn out so to keep his mind clear of any distracting thoughts. During the two months of meditation, Spike had taught himself that if he pictured a calm image in his head that any other thoughts would fade away, and he thought it was fit to picture a massive lake expanding outwards in all directions.

He imagined himself standing on top of the center of the lake with his eyes closed in the same position as he was in Zecora’s hut. In the lake, time held no power, winds did not flow, and sound became deaf as Spike continued to reach a state of peace. He could see why meditation was an important thing for him, he started to quickly grasp any new concept that came his way, but like most things in his life some unforeseen annoyance threatens to end his short-live peace.

Sneaking into the hut through the opened window, Quill hid behind a small table to spy on an unsuspecting Spike, and quickly took the opportunity for some much needed fun. After figuring out the best way to approach him, Quill rushed from behind the table, she slid underneath Spike, and kicked his tail from underneath him with the slide.

All imagery of the calm and peaceful lake was obliterated as Spike was sent to his back on the hard dirt ground and also getting splashed with the orb of water after losing his grip on it.

“Haha...you should see the look on your face,” Quill said before bursting into a true prankster's laugh, even doubling over from it, but still helping Spike to his feet.

In all honesty, Spike didn’t mind the water dripping off his scales, but was upset that the serene image of the lake was now lost to him because of Quill wanting to toy with him as usual. “And hey to you too sis, is there any reason you felt the need to do that?”

“Oh come on bro,” Quill waved off, wrapping her arm around his neck, and pulling him in with her stronger grip. “I was just picking.” Spike rolled his eyes at the obvious reason, he had noticed that Quill had been more touchy lately, but thought it as her growing closer to him. “And besides, you literally shut the world out when you're meditating, and you won’t guess who I’ve ran into today.”

Spike raised an eyebrow towards Quill, he knew she was talking about somepony they both know, but he at least hoped she didn’t meant the elements. “No, who?”

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Quill answered much to Spike’s immediate dislike. “They came looking for us, apparently the elements aren’t the only ones missing us,” Do you have to remind me? “and Applebloom is having her first ever camping trip without the elements of harmony with her.”

“And I’m assuming that she wants us to be there too,” Spike asked, already knowing what the answer was. Quill nodded her head with a slight smile. “And you want us to go too?”

“You know it,” She quickly answered, letting his head free, and spinning around on her heel. “Come on, I’ve already told them no funny business, and it could be fun.” Spike started to consider the idea, as many times the crusaders had dragged him into a sticky mess, he actually did miss them somewhat, and if the elements aren’t going to be present during the trip then there’s no harm in it. Right? “And just so you know, Sweetie’s body had really grown out in these two months, and she did always had a crush on you.”

“Fine,” Spike sighed with a small hint of a blush. “When and where are we meeting them?”

“Two days from now, right outside of Everfree near the apple orchard,” Quill answered again as she started out for the door. “Well, I’m going to head back to the temple to do some reading, and you’re cooking tonight right?”

Spike shrugged his shoulders, he did find it enjoyable to cook, and after a few times experimenting with different spices and other ingredients he did find a way to make meat taste better to the three carnivores of the pack--though Wolf hated to wait while Spike was cooking. “Yeah I guess, see ya there in a while Quill.” Quill nodded her head before leaving out of Zecora’s hut and heading back to the High Moon temple.

Spike sighed, knowing that the trip would be a very awkward one for him and the other, but still looked forward to it. He pierced the ground with the spear-like tip of his tail and resumed his meditation. Spike soon found peace in the image of the tranquil crystal-blue water of the massive lake with in his mind.

Back in Canterlot, the news of the twins’ choices of not returning home stuck Canterlot by storm, but like all news it soon became a thing of the past as the ponies returned to their daily lives as if nothing had ever occurred in the first place.

Most of the Solar guards soon came to terms with the news, some still having wishes to bring them back, but time moved on none the less. Everyone continued to follow their orders as life returned to normal.

Even now Celestia was holding a meeting with a group of nobles that wanted to push trading connections with the neighboring Lunar Republics, which were currently being ruled by Luna and Nightmare Moon, however Celestia wasn’t paying the meeting with much attention as an adviser did most of the talking.

While the meeting progressed, Celestia’s thoughts remained on the fateful day that the twins. They have for the last two months.

Even if she knew that the twins were safe, each day felt like the same one being repeated, and it was getting to the point some of the guards were starting to notice the princess’s cycle movements. One guard in particular was quickly becoming the scapegoat for Celestia’s depression.

“Motion carried, this meeting is over,” The adviser proclaimed to everyone aside Celestia, who was still too busy in her own thoughts to hear the stallion’s words. The nobles started to leave the room, all noticing Celestia’s inattentive gazes, but thought best of questioning them.

Soon the room was cleared of all nobles, leaving the solar goddess, and the guards in the room. However, Celestia didn’t move from her throne as she continued to stare towards the large golden doors, and the few guards in the room started to become worried with each passing second.

“Should…should we,” One of the guards asked over to the commanding officer in the room, which was the same guard to be blamed for Celestia’s blank expressions.

“No, you two head on,” Obsidian started, rubbing his hand through his black hair, and sighing from seeing the blank looks on Celestia’s face once again. “I’ll go and ‘wake’ her up, you two are dismissed.” The two guards saluted the dog before they left out of the throne room. Obsidian soon turned around when the doors were closed and started to walk over to the distance mare.

It’s my fault anyways. He knew that the twins’ absents would affect her, as it would any mother, but this was far more than Obsidian would have thought it would--or could. As he walked up the solid marble steps to the throne, Celestia still failed to react to any sound or movement he made, not even the loud sounds of his steel toed boots could snap Celestia out of her two month long daze.

When he reached the side of Celestia, Obsidian started to shake the mare’s shoulder to bring her back into the presents, but it seemed the past had a firm grip on her mind. “Princess, princess Celestia.” Even the dog’s loud voice, that carried to the rest of the empty room, could bring Celestia out of her thoughts.

Obsidian sighed, this was starting to become a daily thing, and he knew it couldn’t be healthy for her. I’m going to catch hell for this but… He raised his hand towards Celestia’s horn as he held his middle finger bent underneath his thumb and released.

The sudden and sharp impact on Celestia’s horn from Obsidian’s clawed finger, sent a spark down from the tip to her head, and was enough to break through her. Celestia jumped slightly in her throne from the sudden shock, she look towards Obsidian, and was going to question him before he started to speak.

“Princess, the meeting is over, it has been for ten minutes now.” Celestia blinked a couple of times as though she didn’t know where she was but she soon look towards the room that was filled with nobles to be empty.

“Ah, well yes. Thank you Sargent Obsidian, now if you excuse me, I must be getting some paper work done,” She said in a rushed voice as she tried to leave but was stopped by Obsidian. “Is there something Sargent?”

“Princess, please sit down.” Celestia furrowed her eyebrows at the dog’s request but did as he asked. Obsidian took a moment to breath, he knew that he was going to bring up a touchy subject, but he needed to know the truth from the mare herself. “Princess, you know its been two months now, and I think you are not dealing with you feelings the best way.”

Celestia started to giggle a little at the dog’s claims, only further worrying him. “I’ve already told you Obsidian, that when we are alone you are allowed to simply call me Celestia, and there’s nothing for you to worry about.” Her voice sounded the same to the dog, gentle and sweet like any mother’s voice, but her words carried less truth than Obsidian would have liked. “Yes it has been two months now, hasn’t it, but you mustn't concern yourself of my well-being. I am fine, just tired is all.”

“Are you sure? I know I’m not the only one to catch you sleeping with your eyes open,” Obsidian said, getting Celestia to laugh, but not knowing why she was laughing. “Celestia I’m not joking.”

Celestia tried to cover her mouth as she waved a dismissive hand towards the dog. “No, no...it’s just that. That actually would be a good joke.” Obsidian’s eyes started to widen as his hands started to shake.

“When I’m not trying…” The dog’s expression was enough to get Celestia laughing some more, which was something that was becoming a rarity around the castle. “But seriously Celestia, you must realize that they had a point, and it wouldn’t be much longer before they did leave.”

Sighing, Celestia nodded her head, but it wasn’t for the intentions that Obsidian thought they were. “I do, just wish I’ve could have spent more time with them,” She said, knowing a much darker secret than Obsidian could think of.

Still thinking the mare was talking about the lose of the twins’, Obsidian placed a hand on her shoulder, and smiled. “There’s still time, Spike said it himself, they may visit every now and again. Just give it time.”

Time, “I will Obsidian, now if you’ll excuse me, I really must be going.” Obsidian removed his hand to allow the princess to walk down from the throne, her mind going back to the dark place it was once before, and the same distant stare returned to her face. Time is something not all of us have Sargent.