Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and the elements of Harmony all sat in a circle right outside of the cave while Fluttershy and Spike worked hard to help Salas.

Twilight was quiet, too quiet. She sat away from everypony, and Celestia had noticed she was incredibly deep in thought. So deep it would've been useless trying to pull her back from whatever train of thought she was on. The lavender alicorn looked down at the ground, her wings drooped to her sides.

"She's been quiet you know?" Rarity said quietly. "It's strange to see her like this."

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "Yeah...I hate to see the egghead like that." Rainbow Dash landed, taking in a few deep breaths. "Say Princess Celestia, what's up between them? You know, Salas and Twi?"

Celestia nodded. "I suppose I should catch you up. Salas Strike Wings, he is half pony, half dragon." There were a few gasps. "A long time ago, two days after Luna was banished, I ordered a unicorn called Hazel Sparkle. She and Crystal Wings, Salas's mother, were my students. Hazel was part of a guild I only found out about after she passed away. The guild had two unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. They have a very powerful spell blocking from anypony from seeing their past, or who they even are. However, I only found out their name through some intensive searching for a month. They all share the same last names of each of you."

"Say what now?" Apple Jack shouted.

Celestia nodded. "I understand your shock, I was shocked as well." She moved around a bit. "There was Wintershy, Clarity, Hazel Sparkle, Light Dash, Apple Pie, Black Jack."

"Appently they weren't good ponies either." Luna added.

"Yes...they killed ponies by taking them to far away places, binding them with chains and magic. This was all I could uncover." Celestia explained. "I saw Salas's...memory. He cried while he saw his parents defend him. They were placed in the same cave, Salas was put to sleep by a spell I tought to put creatures to sleep if they were angered. I suppose it was my greatest mistake of my life. I didn't know rivalry between two mares could be so strong. To end another's life to gain immortality..."

"So what Salas? What did you see in his memory?" Rarity asked.

"He only knows Hazel's name, luckily for you five, he doesn't about your past selves."

"A guild like that is or was banned from ever forming again. All guilds and parties must be accepted by Tia and I."

Celestia's words hung in the air. All but the wind made any noise.

Twilight stood, her face looked as though tears had dried on her face, and her eyes were red. She sniffed a few times, rubbing her eyes. Her wings were still unfolded, and her mane was a mess. Celestia walked over to her, but she was pushed away. Pinkie Pie was next.

Celestia sighed pulling the pink pony back. She looked down at her, shaking her head.

"Don't, she apparently is not ready to speak to even me." Celestia frowned. "I'm even like her mother, and she doesn't want to speak to me. I am worried for the both of them."

Spike ran out of the cave, smiling. Celestia turned around and approached him from the left. "How is Dr. Spike?" She joked.

The dragon chuckled. "I need some emeralds or peridot." He said. "He's a lot better now, but he needs to eat something."

Celestia smiled, nuzzeling the small dragon. "Thank you Spike, you were very helpful."

Spike waved his hand, slightly blushing. "Oh, think nothing of it..."

Rarity kissed Spike on his cheek. "Thank you Spikey Wikey for making Salas better. You are truly a kind dragon."

Spike fell backwards, smiling wildly. Rarity giggled. "What a cutie..."

Meanwhile in the cave, Fluttershy smiled, humming to herself as she rapped a bandage around Salas's leg.

"T-thanks...for helping me." Salas looked away. "Are you mad at me?"

"Not at all. Why would I be mad at you?"

"When I made fun of Rainbow Dash, for liking you."

Fluttershy blushed with a smile. "I liked her too...she's amazing. You actually helped us...thank you." She smiled behind her mane.

Salas smiled. "You have earth magic, do you not fly?"

"Oh, I can fly, but not that well. It takes a lot out of me when I fly." Fluttershy tied the ending of the wrap within the rest of the bandages. "All better...how are you feeling?"

"A bit better. It is as though your smile alone can heal."

"Oh, I'm just good at taking care of animals." She looked at at him, and for a moment her smile went away. "Why are you so mad all the time?"

"I don't like taking about it, if you don't mind Fluttershy."

"Oh of course, you don't need to tell me, but just smile. If you would just smile, everypony will like you. Pinkie Pie does, and literally everypony in Ponyville is her friend."

Salas looked away. "What is there to smile about?"

Fluttershy hugged his neck. "That you are here, now, and alive." She had tiny streams of tears running down her face. "I know, trust me, I know what it's like to hurt here-" She placed her hoof over his heart on the right side of his chest. "-and it hurts a lot. You can't tell everypony what makes you really sad, and it hurts you because you want to but can't. I never told anypony this, so please don't tell anypony...I had a very bad dad...he....hurt me..and I have this fear I just can't get over. I fear somepony will hurt me, like he did when I was little."

Salas felt his heart skip a beat, he took a deep breath in until his chest hurt then let it out. "I'm guess I have no choice but return this secret with another....I'm afraid if I just let this go, I'll never avenge my father. He was my hero...he protected me from a group of bad ponies. I was little, six, when I was bound in a cave with him and my mom."

"I promise I won't tell anypony." Fluttershy said. "I hope when you find it in your heart to forgive Twilight  that we can be friends, and you can turn to us when you need help."

"Then you are an ally..." Salas smiled. "Thank you for helping me recover."

Fluttershy laid down near Salas, but gave him enough space in between them. She had a warm smile on her face, as though she had completed a goal. She found somepony who felt her pain, and in return they shared their fears. It was as if a huge weight was lifted from the mare's back...

Next Chapter: Bonus: More on Salas Estimated time remaining: 20 Minutes