Chapter 16pt1: Mountain Full Of Jealousy

By the time evening set in, Midnight and Lionel had lit a fire that we were all sitting around. Lionel had a cooking pot and was preparing something “Special.” I personally would like some food that didn’t come from a can. I was over wasteland food and would gladly eat the boring food back at the stable. Lionel however seemed to have fresh food and I had no clue where he had gotten it, not that I had asked him anyway.

“So Amethyst?” Brax asked, “Where to if this stable has no water talisman?”

“I haven’t thought that far ahead yet” I replied coldly. I saw Brax scowl at my answer. “I’ll know where to go once we have finished this stable first” I finished.

Lionel sipped the soup he was making, “S’almos’ ready” he said happily, “Probably needs just a few more minutes.”

Alyshia assisted him with preparing to serve while Brax, myself and Midnight remained by the fire.

“How’s your memory now Amethyst?” Midnight inquired softly.

“It’s pretty much back to normal” I replied with a sigh. I was exhausted after such a long walk and all I wanted was to eat then go to bed.

“You okay? You seem down” she said looking concerned.

I looked into the pretty pegasi’s face and felt my face burn. “I’m ok” I lied, “I’m just exhausted from today that’s all.” I felt the cold night air blow softly across my face and with it wafted Midnight’s scent. I breathed it in slowly and exhaled through the mouth.

“You sure you’re ok?” Midnight asked again, “Maybe you should go to bed?”

I snapped out of my reverie and shook my head “N-No I’m fine, really.”

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Once Lionel and Alyshia had filled our bowls with soup I levitated my spoon and began to eat. It was surprisingly good if only slightly vinegary but it was much better than the food I had been eating.

“Where did you get the fresh food?” I asked curiously as I put some kind of white flesh like plant thing in my mouth. It was soft and it broke away in my mouth.

“It ain’t really fresh, more like preserved in vinegar” Lionel replied. “The radigator is fresh though and the cold air keeps it cool at this time of the year.”

Alyshia gagged and spat out a white fleshy thing that I took to be some kind of plant. “You could have told me this had meat in it” Alyshia spat at Lionel.

“What?” I babbled, “Isn’t meat tough and salty?”

“That’s radhog Amethyst, radigator is more soft and tender” Midnight told me.

I gagged too and pushed my bowl away feeling queasy, “I think I’m done too actually” I mumbled placing my bowl next to me.

“Aww come on, that’s good food you fillies are wasting” Lionel moaned. “Ah spent a lot o’ time cookin’ that.”

“Well Lionel, Amethyst and I don’t eat meat, we’re ponies not griffons” Alyshia stated impatiently. “Thanks for ruining my appetite Lionel, now if you don’t mind I am going to bed.”

“Fuck” Lionel whispered under his breath.

Brax leaned over and asked quietly “You done with that?” He pointed a hoof at my bowl.

I nodded and he grabbed my food and ate it. Alyshia’s left over food was then consumed by Lionel.

“You two are pigs you know that” Midnight stated as they ate the leftovers.

Brax and Lionel looked at each other and shrugged, I facehoofed.

“Well I’m going to bed” Midnight sighed and with a flap of her wings she flew into the tent. I glanced at where she was sitting and spotted a single white feather she had left behind. I levitated the feather to me as both Brax and Lionel agreed it was time to go to bed as well. This left me by the fire all by myself. The feather still in my levitation field I raised it to my muzzle. I sniffed the feather. It still had Midnights scent on it, the smell was amazing but this left me feeling like some kind of creeper.

“What kind of pony sniffs discarded feathers” I mumbled to myself, “I’m so fucked up.” I dropped the feather to the ground and sighed before looking into the fire thinking about Midnight. Her touch, her smell, her everything made my mind jam. I would trade a thousand water talismans for her.

I got up and decided it was time for bed but first I needed to relieve myself. I turned my pipbuck light on then trudged through the snow to the creek nearby and weaved through the wooden trees. The sound of the bubbling water was very peaceful and it was then that I sat down without my bare haunches hitting the snow and listened to the sound of the water, the sound of insects and the rustling of twigs and leaves as the wind blew ever so softly.

I checked my EFS quickly then stood back up and trotted over behind a tree to relieve myself. I had only just finished when I heard a tinny voice say “Amethyst?”

“Fuck” I shouted and I nearly fell over as I came out of my squatting position. “Watcher, I was going to the toilet.”

“Sorry Amethyst, I didn’t see” he stated robotically. “Anyway what are you doing out here by yourself?”

“I was just going to the toilet before bed” I replied heatedly.

“Sorry” he said again. “How are your friends?”

I attempted to say good but it didn’t come and instead I felt tears build.

“Oh no, Amethyst what’s wrong?” Watcher said.

I took two deep breaths and said trying to not cry “Watcher have you ever been in love?”

Watcher took a while to answer but he finally said “Yes I have.”

I told him while still trying to not let tears fall. “Watcher, we have this new pony with us, his name is Lionel and he is weird and whatever but… I feel that he is… He’s trying to take my special somepony from me Watcher.”

“Amethyst I am confused” he said flatly, “This pony is a stallion. Is he gay or-?”

I shook my head trying to make him understand “No Watcher, I’m lesbian and I love Midnight, but he’s wooing her and I can’t, I love her Watcher.”

I walked over to the creek and looked into the water at my reflection; my face was so dusty that I couldn’t tell my natural coat colour was white. “Is she like you too?” Watcher asked.

I looked at the spritebot and sighed. “No.”

“I’m sorry Amethyst” Watcher said robotically. “I was in love, with a pony. She was the most beautiful pony, very caring. She wasn’t romantically in love with me.”

“W-why?” I asked very quietly.

“It doesn’t matter” Watcher said, “It was a very long time ago.”

I looked back at my reflection then closed my eyes. I felt sick, sick that Lionel was going to steal Midnight from me. I felt tears burn around my eyes. “Watcher?” I croaked.

“Yes?” He said clearly unsure what to say.

“Have you met any other mares in the wasteland that like other mares too?” I asked.

“Well, probably. It’s not like anypony parades who they love?” he responded. “I’m sorry Amethyst. I have to go.”

I opened my eyes and nodded looking into the water, my tears leaking down my face and falling into the irradiated creek.

With a pop Watcher cut out and that stupid tuba music started to play.

The spritebot drifted away leaving me next to the creek, the sound of water and the wind filling my ears. I wiped my nose and almost gagged again. I pulled off all four of my socks magically and washed them in the flowing water. When I was done I wrung them and placed them on the clean snow.

I placed my forehooves in the icy water and my pipbuck began to click. I washed my forehooves and rubbed my cuts to ensure they won’t get infected. I then dumped the spent bandage into the river and glanced at my cuts. The first cuts were healed save for thin lines that remained, the bite mark was gone and the single mark I made the other night was scabbed.

I picked up my socks in a levitation field and walked back to the campsite.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

When I got back to the tent I left my socks near the fire to dry and went inside the tent. Everypony was asleep. I snuck up to my saddlebags and levitated my knife out and a roll of bandages. Next to my saddlebags was Alyshias saddlebags, her left one emblazoned with the medical cross. I hesitated. I bit my lip and opened her medical saddlebag. Inside contained quite a lot of things; painkillers, buck, antibiotics, Radscorpian Antidote, high strength/waterproof bandages, tampons, five bottles of healing potions and a single extra strength healing potion.

I took a healing potion and closed her bag. I went back outside to the fire and held my right forehoof out and made three cuts. I gasped and tears leaked out of my eyes from a combination of initial pain, relief and grief. Once the pain had subsided I drank the healing potion in a single swig and watched the cuts I made mend. My first cuts vanished completely as did the one I made the other night. The three I just made healed to be just visible beneath my coat.

I then threw the vial and stopper into the fire which gave a soft pop. I then went back inside and collapsed onto my bed feeling guilty. I just wasted a healing potion, something I was completely against.

I rolled onto my stomach and pulled the sheets over myself magically, I then fell away into the darkness of sleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Midnight and I were in Midnights room in New Appleoosa, Midnight had said yes after I asked if she wanted to be my marefriend. We had only just returned from dinner.

“That was good” I said smiling.

“I liked how they cooked the apples” Midnight said with a grin, “very soft and tender, much like your tongue.”Midnight attempted to push me onto the bed, my hind hoof catching the hem of my dress which caused me to hit the side instead and I hit the floor. “Ops” she giggled, she then assisted me out of my dress. Midnight picked me up in her hooves and laid me down facing up, she then landed on top of me gently where her muscular yet feminine body pressed against my weaker yet just as white body.

She then pressed her lips to mine. I parted my lips slightly and she slid her tongue inside. I played with her tongue until she subdued it with hers; the taste of sweet apple whiskey filled my mouth while Midnight’s beautiful flowery yet musky scent filled my nose. I felt heat build down below as she kissed me passionately. Midnight broke the kiss and planted a kiss on my neck, her hoof reached down and rubbed my cutie mark causing the heat increase, she planted little kisses around my neck as her hoof trailed from my cutie mark and eventually to my…

I jerked awake and sat up, I went to reach my temple with a hoof but hit the tip my horn instead sending a chill from the tip into my brain. I felt myself deflate as I came to realise it was all but just a dream. It wasn’t me Midnight liked, I knew it yet I still followed her like she was on heat wanting her to hold me and make me feel loved. Somehow I didn’t think it was yet a lost cause. The warmth between my inner flanks ebbed away as I lied back down and closed my eyes. I mouthed the words “I love you Midnight” before falling back asleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

“Wake up sleepy head” came a voice from afar.

I jerked awake and Alyshia’s lavender face came to view.

I smiled and held my hooves out to indicate I wanted a hug. Alyshia leaned into the hug as she asked “How did you sleep?”

“Alright I s’pose” I replied untruthfully.

When we broke apart Alyshia looked at my forehooves. “I see that you have finally taken your socks off” she observed.

“Yeah they got pretty smelly” I told her. “I washed them in the creek last night.”

“Okay, that’s good” she said. “We might wash your flanker for you too before we go.”

I nodded wanting to get into the warm flanker, I personally didn’t like having a freezing ass all the time.

“Well then up you get hon, we need to get ready to go” Alyshia said backing away so I could get up out of bed.

I followed her out of the tent to where the fire had been restarted. Brax was breaking up some wood and Midnight and Lionel were sitting together next to the fire. I felt my heart clench and anger flare at the sight of him sitting next to my fillyfriend.

“You ok Amethyst?” Midnight asked, “You look horrible.”

I rearranged my facial expression and smiled a fake smile. “Yeah I’m great” I replied.

Midnight smiled and nodded before looking back into the fire. “Want to go for a walk?” Alyshia asked.

I nodded and Alyshia and I trudged through the snow towards the creek nearby, Alyshia filled her canteen with water and said “I will be boiling this.”

I nodded knowing what would happen if she was to drink the water. Alyshia then pulled out my flanker from her saddlebags and washed it. I sat on a rock nearby and watched. “Amethyst?” Alyshia asked.

“Yeah?”

Alyshia looked over her shoulder to look at me. “What were you doing last night? I mean you were gone way too long to just wash four socks.”

“I bumped into Watcher” I advised her, “when I was going for a pee. Did you hear me get back?”

“No I fell asleep before you did. What did you two talk about?” she asked.

“Not much really, just… About love” I finished.

Alyshia sighed and looked into the water, “Amethyst?”

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you look for some other mare other than Midnight?” Alyshia asked me.

I shot her an offended look but answered the question “I love her Alyshia, I don’t love any other pony.”

“Fair enough” she replied as she wrung my flanker dry, “Just don’t be surprised if she never returns your feelings.”

I looked down into the snow; will she ever share my feelings?

Alyshia then dried my flanker magically and passed it over for me to get into. Once it was back on it felt relieving to not have a cold ass anymore. As we walked back I asked the question “Alyshia?”

“Yes darling?”

I looked up into her face which was filled with attention “If you don’t like stallions anymore and you don’t like mares either, does that make you A-Sexual?”

Alyshia blinked then said “I guess maybe? I mean technically I still find stallions attractive, although I never want to be with one and my standards are not reduced to needing to have sex while not within a relationship. Why do you ask?”

“Merely curious” I replied, “You’re a pretty pony.”

“Thank you Amethyst” Alyshia said with a smile.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Once Alyshia and I were back; Midnight, Lionel and Brax had already packed everything up and the tent was no doubt back inside its tiny box can thing.

“Wha’ took you two?” Lionel asked when we joined them. “Havin’ a rump in tha bushes ‘ey Amethyst?” he said so only I could hear.

“No” I mumbled, “Fucking sleazy asshole” I said under my breath.

“Ready to go then?” Brax growled. “If we don’t get going soon it’ll be dark before we get to the top.”

“Yes, we’re going” I said impatiently, “Lionel… Just lead the way.”

“Righ’ you are lil’ miss” he said confidently as he adjusted his bandanna.

“Just need to boil my water” Alyshia said, “then we can go.”

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

It didn’t take long and we were traversing up the relatively steep mountain. I didn’t dare look up; my Agoraphobia would surely cause me to pass out.

As we ascended the mountain the snow became thicker and deeper and the path that lead up the mountain became thinner and more treacherous.

“Fuck” Brax growled as he slipped on hard snow, “I better not fucking fall.”

“You won’t I” I said casually, “and if you do I’ll catch you.” I could tell Brax was having the most difficulty traversing up the thin path; his large build coupled with his heavy armour seemed to put him at a disadvantage.

“Right” he growled, “I’ll keep that in mind and if I fall to my death it’s your fault.”

“Okay” I laughed. At that point a snow flake drifted and landed on my nose. “Hey it’s starting to snow” I said happily noticing more snowflakes drifting from the sky.

“Not a good thing” Lionel said seriously, “Keep moving no resting.”

“Okay” I said flatly.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

By the time we were roughly half way up the mountain the snow was falling thick and fast, yet there was not a breath of wind. I was exhausted, as was Alyshia. “C-Can we stop?”  I gasped.

“No” Lionel said seriously, “If the weather turns we could die, keep moving.”

“Okay” I gasped. I looked at Alyshia and her face was sagging and she was gasping. It must have been the thin air and our lack of fitness that was causing our exhaustion. Lionel seemed intent on getting to the top of the mountain as soon as possible and hardly looked tired at all and Midnight just used her wings and therefore didn’t need to walk. Thirsty, I levitated my canteen and tipped it into my mouth, a few drops of cold water landed on my tongue but nothing else came out. “Hey what gives” I growled at my canteen. I shook the canteen and nothing. I looked inside and my water had frozen. My ears tilted back disappointed.

“H-Have some of m-mine” Alyshia gasped. Her purple field of magic grasped an object underneath her barding, my field of magic took the bottle as Alyshia’s horn went out and I tipped the water into my mouth. The water was warm from Alyshia’s body heat. I only drank a little so she didn’t run out and passed it back.

“Thank You Alyshia” I gasped, “You’re awesome.”

“N-no problem darling.” She put her water bottle back beneath her barding and wiped her nose with a hoof.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

“Not good” Lionel said in a raised voice as the wind began to pick up, “Amethyst is there a cave nearby?”

I brought up my map and looked. There was nothing to suggest that a cave of some sort was on the mountain. I highly doubted that stabletec would bother with placing icons of random caves on their pipbucks.

“Can’t tell” I said in a raised tone.

“Why not?” He snapped.

I facehoofed but didn’t bother to answer his question.

“Well?” Lionel insisted.

It was my turn to snap. “Do I look like the head of stabletec to you? I thought you knew what you were doing.”

Lionel whinnied but said nothing.

“Sooner he’s gone the better” I said to Alyshia in an undertone.

“I don’t really like him either Amethyst but you could at least try to get along with him” Alyshia suggested.

“Yeah, when hell freezes over maybe” I mumbled savagely. I glanced at the hindquarters of Lionel hating him. I could just grab his tail in a field of magic and push him slightly and off the mountain he goes, then I never need to worry about him again. I suddenly realised what I was thinking and scolded myself. That’s madness, I couldn’t do that.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I wanted to find shelter now; the wind was howling and made the walking all the more treacherous. Midnight had to land to avoid being blow away and we could no longer converse over the howling of the wind. I was cold, numb and my nose was now leaking, my eyes were also fogging up so often that my eyes were closed longer than they were open to blink away the fog.

I saw the path open up ahead and hoped that we could possibly set up Lionel’s tent and wait until the weather cleared. When the path opened up Lionel and Midnight stopped. I took a quick glance behind me, Alyshia was standing at my rear and Brax was still catching up, clearly the mountain was taking its toll on the elderly stallion. Lionel pointed a hoof at a cave, it was dark inside and completely void of any snow. We walked inside and the air was thick yet rather warm, the cave also seemed to be making its own low rumbling sound.

“Whats that noise?” Brax said in an almost inaudible low gasp.

“Prolly jus’ the cave” Lionel said. “We’ll wait it out in ‘ere then continue when tha’ weather clears.”

I looked into the deep blackness of the cave and trotted a little deeper inside.

“Amethyst where are you going?” Alyshia barked.

“Taking a look” I said casually. From here I could hear a loud rumbling. I was curious as to what the rumbling was from, it sounded like the cave itself was breathing.

I turned back and before my eyes hundreds, if not thousands of dim purple lights began to pop into view.

“Whoa” I gasped glancing at the purple lights. I turned my pipbuck light on and the purple lights dimmed, replaced by a tower of gems, all kinds of gems; from rubies to diamonds to amethysts.

On top of the pile of gems was a gigantic red monster with leathery wings and a huge tail that ended in bronze coloured spikes. I did a double take. It wasn’t a monster. It was a dragon. If I thought the blastwing was big, then I was wrong.

I took a sharp intake of breath as I fell to my haunches.

The dragon began to stir no doubt dazed by the light of my pipbuck. I decided to turn the light off and hoped to Celestia the dragon didn’t notice that there were five highly edible ponies in its cave.

I ran away from the dragon as fast and as silently as I could. When I reached my companions Alyshia was the first to notice that something was wrong, “Amethyst whatever is the matter? You’re white as a ghost.”

“D-D-Dr-Dr” I couldn’t say it.

“Spit it out” Brax growled.

“D-Dragon” I moaned pointing a hoof into the cave. Right on queue the dragon let off an almighty ROOOOAAAARRRR.

My ears perked back and I fell to my haunches. The dragon had seen us, I’m sure of it.

I saw the mighty dragon approach us, his face looming through the darkness. I remembered Spike from the memory and hoped this dragon was nice like him and not about to eat us.

“What are you ponies doing in my cave” He growled in a very aggressive and very intimidating growl.

“We… We…” I stammered.

“We came into your cave hoping for shelter” Alyshia said bravely, “We don’t mean you any harm mister dragon.”

“No Harm?” the dragon said angrily. “Why was this one snooping near my gems?” he growled pointing a clawed finger the size of my body at me.

“I-I” I couldn’t say anything, I think I had dragonphobia.

“We’re sorry Mr Dragon” Alyshia said, “Amethyst was exploring; we don’t want your gems.”

“Likely story” the dragon said dangerously. “And you just so happen to be climbing this mountain? What are you lot doing this high if you’re not after my gems?”

“We’re on our way to the top” Alyshia said trying to keep the talk peaceful, “We need something from the stable at the very top.”

“Stop making excuses” the dragon growled. “You’re after my gems, everypony who climbs this mountain is after my gems because there is no stable or any settlement that is on this mountain. Ponies have not settled this mountain and there is no population of ponies that inhabit it.”

“We’re not after your gems” I yelled suddenly.

“You pony” he growled, “You made my purple gems glow, you were using magic.”

“I didn’t I swear” I said shaking, “they were already glowing.”

“Do not lie to me” he roared, “my gems do not just glow by themselves, when I caught you and you ran the gems stopped glowing. You used magic, you little thief pony.”

“I didn’t” I pleaded, “Please, we’re not here to hurt you or steal your gems. We’re just ponies, we mean no harm. Please let us go.”

The dragon looked insulted and if anything even more angry. “You see the world out there?” he growled pointing a claw at the cave exit. “You ponies did that, I saw what happened. Your pathetic war killed my children, killed my family. The bombs killed EVERYTHING. Your kind are pathetic, you’re nothing but a virus on this planet that kills everything. You and those striped beasts.”

“We didn’t do that” I said hurt, “that happened two hundred years ago.”

“No… It happened one hundred and ninety seven years ago. I remember it pony, and if you think I’m about to let a group of gem thieves go you have another thing coming.”

The blip on my Pipbuck that was the dragon went from yellow to red.

“Now look here” Midnight began.

“Run!” I yelled as a belch of fire rushed towards us. I grabbed Alyshia and activated my shield spell. The shield took all the fire then collapsed.

“Thanks Amethyst” Alyshia gasped.

“Not now” I yelled, “just run!”

“Oh yes, right.” Alyshia ran out of the cave with me to where Lionel, Midnight and Brax had come to a halt, unsure which way to go. This was not good, the weather had turned and it was quickly turning into a blizzard.

“Up” I yelled over the roar of the wind. We took the path that lead further up the mountain, however this was hardly easy. The path was incredibly thin and difficult to traverse let alone to run.

I turned, perhaps if we went down? This idea was driven from my head as the dragon emerged from his cave. He stretched his humongous red wings and roared, fire belched from his mouth. This dragon was clearly pissed.

I pulled out my sniper rifle and took aim right for the left eyeball. I slid into SATS for a more accurate shot and to give me more time. I then pulled the trigger.

BANG

ROOOAAAAARRRRR

The dragon turns its head to me, its left eye was nothing but a bloody eye socket but it seemed to not daze it at all. Instead I just pissed it off even more.

“Amethyst no point in shooting” Brax yelled from above, “just run.”

The dragon set its sight on me. I turned and ran up the mountain with my companions. I slipped in my haste and almost tumbled off the side, if it wasn’t for my magic I would have fallen off the sheer cliff to the side.

The sound of heavy beating wings filled my ears followed by another ROOOAAAAARRRR. I turned my head towards the sound and the shadow of the dragon was visible through the thick snow fall. The dragon had taken flight and was pursuing us by air.

My companions had gotten away quicker than me and I was starting to lag behind. I slipped and fell into the snow.

ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRR

I glanced at the dragon just in time to see a wall of fire hurtling directly at me. Without thinking I wrapped my field of magic around a large amount of snow and threw it up in front of me. In the blink of an eye I was covered in hot water.

The dragon drew another breath as I heard Alyshia yell “Amethyst!”

I threw my shield up and next moment another surge of fire raced towards me. The shield once again took all the fire, the sweltering heat causing the water on me to evaporate.

The ground that I was now standing on was nothing but rocky mud. I tried to run upwards towards everypony else. However the huge scaly monster landed on the side of the mountain, his back foot blocking the path.

I turn tail and went to run down. Out of nowhere a huge red tail with massive bronze spikes smashed in front of me causing the mountain to quake. The dragon’s tail had caused the path back down the mountain to collapse, trapping me next to the gigantic red lizard.

“Help!” I yelled but nopony called back, the wind was too loud.

I saw the tail pull back and this time aimed for me. I threw my shield knowing it was no good. I prepared for bronze spikes to penetrate my body.

BAAANG… Btttzzzz

The dragon’s tail had struck the shield which sparked and arched purple electricity, the surface rippled heavily and the shield collapsed as the dragon pulled its tail back for another shot. Surprised I threw my shield up again.

BAAANG… Bttzzzz

The shield had once again taken the impact, purple electricity again arched across the impact point. The shield however collapsed again.

The dragon took a third aim, I tried to activate my shield but it didn’t go. I tried again and the shield tried to form but it couldn’t complete. It collapsed as the tail came hurtling towards me. At the last second I wrapped myself in levitation and jumped.

Next moment I had my forelegs wrapped around the dragon’s tail. I was stunned to still be alive that when the dragon pulled his tail back I was thrown onto its scaly back. The dragon had noticed that I was gone; it didn’t however seem to notice that I was on it.

“Amethyst!” Alyshia bellowed from above. I looked up at the mountain braving my vertigo and saw Alyshia about sixty meters above me.

The dragon looked up and saw Alyshia. It spread its wings and launched itself away from the mountain to gain height.

“Alyshia” I roared over the howling of the wind, “Can you pass me some grenades?”

I almost lost my balance as the dragon flapped its massive leather wings to increase its height. I saw two purple glowing balls fly towards me. I grabbed them both in my field of magic. The dragon attempted to take a swipe at Alyshia.

BAAANG

Alyshia had started to throw her grenades at the monster to keep it away from her.

BAAANG

The monster tried to land, however this part of the mountain was too steep and the dragon pushed away. I levitated the grenades and pulled the pins on both. I levitated the grenades and remembering Midnight’s skewered wing I placed the grenades at the dragons right wing joint.

BAAAANG

I felt the dragon tilt heavily to the right as it roared in pain. Unable to grab hold of anything I fell from the dragons back.

Next thing I knew wind was whistling in my ears as I pelted back down the earth. I looked down; all I saw was rocks covered in snow. I threw my levitation field around myself and attempted to stop. I had managed to slow my fall but I was falling much to fast still. I saw a large red something fall nearby. I threw my shield over myself and with a loud smack my shield hit the rocks and I smashed into the bottom of my shield which collapsed instantly.

Pain erupted throughout my entire body, I knew I was dead the moment I hit the ground.

My pipbuck was screaming alerts. I was however was still conscious. My left upper foreleg bone had skewered through the skin upon impact. I couldn’t move my other legs. I assumed they were broken too.

I discovered that I was finding it very difficult to breathe. I coughed and blood sprayed the snow as the copper taste of blood filled my mouth. I knew it. I was fucked and I was going to die. I felt blood starting to pool around my body, all my legs were broken and no doubt at least one lung had collapsed. I just fell over a thousand meters, I was lucky to still be alive.

I looked to my right and the dragon’s body lay nearby. At least I saved my friends. Here I could at least die and go on to where my father was. I started to cry, I didn’t want to die. I wanted to be happy with Midnight. Crying hurt because my ribs were broken, more blood leaked out of my mouth as I cried, a blood bubble grew from my nose and popped. I laid my head on the bloody snow my tears falling, wanting Alyshia to cuddle me and Midnight to kiss me.

My vision began to swirl as I felt myself leaving the world, the world that I hated, however that also meant leaving the ponies I loved behind. I didn’t want to leave the world, I wanted to live and be happy. Happiness was something foreign to me, something that I had never had. I wanted to experience happiness before I died. I wanted to be loved. I always envisioned dying together with my special somepony, as an old mare. Not here on the side of a mountain in a pool of my own blood.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I was in class; maths to be exact and I was sitting in my seat. I would have been twelve. I looked at the fractions we were doing and laughed slightly, the teacher gave us these challenges last week. I would ace this if it were a test but that didn’t worry me, if these appeared in the next test I would need to know them. I levitated my pen and sucked on the end thinking. This one was difficult, I couldn’t really remember.

I felt something soft hit the back of my head. It was a ball of paper, I looked at where it had come from and not at all to my surprise was it Glenda who poked her tongue out at me. I looked at her and rolled my eyes then looked back at my text book. I felt another paper hit my head “What?” I snarled quietly at Glenda.

“Nothing” she giggled.

I looked back down at my book again with my concentration lost. Just as I got my concentration back I felt another ball of paper hit my head.  I looked at Glenda again and she was looking at her books “Would you quit it” I whispered at her.

“Amethyst” Berry whispered, “That one was me?”

I turned to face my best friend, “why?” I whispered.

Berry passed me a note which I took in my magic; I then laid it on my text book so the teacher won’t get suspicious. I unwrapped it and it read;

“Do you like me?

Yes

No”

I blinked and looked around the class wondering who the colt was, I then looked to Berry and she pointed at one of the more popular colts in the class.

It was Cosmel, a white colt with a tuft of blond mane that was gelled into a “Cool” style. I looked at him and he waved, I looked at the note again. I never thought anypony wound like me, but I don’t know, he was a nice enough pony I just wasn’t really attracted to him. In fact I thought. I didn’t really find any of the colts in our class attractive.

Berry and I would talk obviously and she said she thought he was cute. I don’t really know what she means by the definition of cute but was it that I was just twelve and I haven’t really matured enough to like colts yet?

“Amethyst are you ok?” the teacher asked, I snapped my textbook shut and shook my head, “I-Sorry miss but I have a head-ache.”

“Do you need to see the nurse?” she asked kindly but I shook my head, “I’ll be ok” I responded, “the class finishes soon anyway right?”

The teacher left me and all I could do was stare at my textbook thinking. He was a nice pony but… I just don’t know, I mean Berry says he had cute flanks but I couldn’t really understand what she means by cute, all my thoughts all ended in the same track, I’m probably too young still to like colts.

When the class ended I approached Berry but Cosmel had come over obviously to see if I had an answer for him. “So?” he asked.

I stammered but held my composure, “I think… I think I need some time to think” I replied. “I’ll slip my answer into you locker tomorrow.” He looked a little disappointed but I will hold my promise to him.

“What the hay?” Berry asked, “Why didn’t you say yes?”

“I dunno” I replied, “I’m not really attracted to him.”

“Not attracted too?” Berry blubbered, “He’s hot” she babbled pointing a hoof at him walking back down the corridor.

Berry looked at me weirdly “You’re not like a fillyfooler or something are you?”

“What?” I said defensively. “I’m not a fillyfooler, that’s gross and I’m offended that you would accuse me of that.”

“Sorry” Berry mumbled, “Well… we had better get onto our shifts then and get them out of the way.

I nodded, Berry and I parted our ways, I headed down to the fourth floor and clocked in. I then looked at my list of jobs, there was only one of them and that was just to wipe all the terminals of data. Reimaging was an easy yet boring job that involved hooking my pipbuck and simply formatting the hard drive of each machine. I found that I was to do this to about forty machines.

I sighed and set to work, my mind on the colt who had asked me out, once again I tried to find something about him that made him attractive but I couldn’t. My mind then went onto what Berry had told me. I can’t be a fillyfoller? There was no way, Mother always told me that two mares or two stallions cannot be together, she called them “Vile’s of slime who live a disgusting way of life.”

I really shouldn’t be listening to what my mother says though; she’s such a negative pony. I plugged my pipbuck into the computer and hit ‘format.’ I then continued thinking as the process of wiping data began.

I thought of the fillies in my class instead, I mean there are some fillies in class who are prett and that could be defined as “cute.” I thought Berry was pretty? Somehow I felt that maybe Berry was right, maybe I was a fillyfooler?

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Once my shift was finally over I went around to Berry’s place before I went home for dinner. I knocked on the door and Berry’s cyan coloured father answered the door. “Hi Amethyst, Berry is just up in her room.”

“Thanks” I muttered as I galloped over to Berry’s room and knocked on her bedroom door.

“Come in” Berry said in a bored tone from within. I opened the door and entered my friend’s room who like me had adorned her walls with pictures of Sweetie Belle. “Hey Amethyst” she said brightly seeing me. I noticed she was lying in bed on her stomach clearly exhausted.

“Rough day huh?” I asked.

“Yeah a bit” she muttered, “What about you?”

“It was alright, just had a lot on my mind” I replied.

“You going to say yes or what?” she asked with a smile, “He’s cute, why wouldn’t you date him?”

I felt my blood pressure rise, “I… I still don’t know Berry” I told her, “I just don’t like him like that.”

I looked at Berry who shifted in her bed, my eyes drifted over her body and I looked back into her face. “Well are there any other colts you like?”

I thought of the colts in class and shook my head. Berry put a hoof to her chin then said “Hmm. Maybe…” Berry then turned around and pushed the mattress which was right next to the wall, she then stuck her snout in the crevice obviously looking at something, her ass was in the air and at that point I shook my head, for a second I thought her butt was nice, at least better than my own.

Berry re-emerged and floated a book over me, “look at this” she told me.

I took the book in my own magic and without looking at the cover I opened it, the pictures were of young stallions around the ages of eighteen to twenty.

“Well?” Berry asked happily, “How hot are those stallions?”

I felt nothing when I looked at them; they just looked like big muscular stallions that seemed to care for themselves more than the normal stallion. I shook my head and said “I don’t get it?”

“You-“she laughed, “You don’t think their hot? These ponies are listed as the hottest stallions to live, how?”

I shook my head and gave the book back to Berry. “Maybe I’m just too young?” I muttered.

Berry blinked as if I insulted her, “We’re not too young” she laughed, “We’re fillies yes but we are like almost adult.”

Berry flopped back onto her bed again lying belly up. She scratched her stomach before looking over to me, “I still think you could be a fillyfooler.”

“Don’t I have to be attracted to fillies to be a fillyfooler?” I asked nervously. I knew she was right though. I was attracted to fillies.

“Well… yeah” Berry answered, “I think you’re attracted to fillies.”

“What makes you say that?” I asked a little too defiantly.

Berry levitated her magazine back up and flicked through the pages at high speed trying to find something. “I know it’s in here” she muttered. “Got it” she said loudly, “Look at this.”

I looked at the magazine. My mouth fell open. It was an image of a young unicorn mare in a tight black vest, long red and black socks and the most gorgeous blue eyes, her flank was turned with her tail lifted in a suggestive way that made my neck grow warm.

“She’s pretty” I muttered. That was a dead giveaway, that picture was hot. I was a fillyfooler, no doubt about that.

Berry raised her eyebrow. “Amethyst, do I look stupid?”

“No” I murmured looking at Berry.

I looked at the green mare lying on her bed spread, her body was nicely shaped and she had a cute butt. She was my friend however and the thought of being attracted my best friend would make things really awkward.

“Berry if I was a fillyfooler would you still be my friend?” I asked worried.

Berry laughed. “Of course I would still be your friend, I don’t care who your attracted to, I could even help you find a filly if you are.”

“I think I’m a fillyfooler” I finally told her. “I think fillies have nice shaped bodies, I think a mares butt is nice, that picture in that magazine is hot. I’m not like in love with you or anything” I added truthfully, “I’ve never been in love.”

Berry blinked then she smiled and gave me a hug. “Well at least that’s out of the way. You were brave Amethyst for telling me.”

I felt a little flattered but releaved.

“What am I going to do about?” I said feeling butterflies in my stomach. “I’ve never rejected anypony before and I don’t want to make him sad.”

“Just tick no and if he asks tell him that you don’t feel that way about him” she said.

“What don’t tell him I like fillies?” I said nervously, “shouldn’t I tell him the truth?”

Berry facehoofed. “Trust me Amethyst, just because I’m ok with you liking fillies doesn’t mean other ponies will. I think you should keep it quiet.”

“Oh right” I muttered, “If Glenda found out?” I shuddered at the thought. “What about my mother?” I asked, “She’ll find out sooner or later.”

Berry raised an eyebrow, “Yeah, tell your mother and get your flank kicked out of your house” she said.

“Right, yeah” I muttered.

I heard a knock on the door and Berry’s mother called through, “Berry hon… Time for dinner.” She poked her green head through the door and saw me, “Oh hi Amethyst, would you like to stay for dinner?”

I shook my head, “No thank you, I had better get back home.”

Berry’s mother closed the door and I got up. “Could I have that picture please? The one of the mare?” I asked embarrassed.

Berry nodded a smile on her muzzle. She wrapped the page in a levitation field and tore it out of the book. She passed it over with a huge smile.

“Why’re you so happy?” I asked as I took the page.

“No reason” she said clearly holding back giggles. “Have fun.”

I was confused, what did she mean by “have fun.”

I looked at the image again and felt I almost drooled. I shook my head and folded the image. I waved to Berry and went back home.

When I got back mother had just returned from work. I approached her with my heart pounding. “Mother?” I asked nervously.

“What?” she said looking at some work notes.

“Is it ok for two fillies or two colts to like each other?” I asked innocently. I knew my mother’s stance on same sex couples. I just wanted to know if this would be the same if her daughter would be an exception.

She blinked and looked at me “No” she said, “fillyfoolers and coltcuddlers are bottom feeders of society.”

“Oh” I muttered.

“Why do you ask?” she inquired.

I brushed a hoof through my mane and said, “What if… Hypothetically, I was a fillyfooler. What would you do?”

“Probably beat it out of you” she said matter-of-factly.“Why-?”

“Just curious” I lied.

I then went to bed without food. I felt trapped now, I felt horrible. I can’t be a fillyfooler. I just can’t, if anypony finds out I’ll be meat, meat that my mother and Glenda will use against me.”

I began to cry silently. I felt scared, scared of what my life faces. Berry and I always talked about our dream colts and now I feel all alone all alone because I’m not attracted to colts, are there any other fillies who could like me? I imagined myself with another filly and it felt right, it felt just right. The thought of kissing another filly made my heart swell, unlike the thought of kissing a colt which made my stomach squirm.

I looked at my posters of Sweetie Belle who was my idol. Sweetie Belle made beautiful music, not only the music she made was beautiful but she was also a pretty pony. I really liked her mane especially.

Was being a fillyfooler really bad like mother says it was? Does it really matter who I like? I could end up married to a stallion to please everypony around me, but leaving me with somepony I can’t be with. Or for me to marry a mare and to be happy with the pony I love but lose my mother and to have to put up with the prejudice that goes with it.

I levitated the image of the unicorn and unfolded it; my eyes looked over her pretty frame, from her tail to her flanks to her muzzle. I felt an unusual sensation develop between my hindquarters. I ignored it and placed the image in my drawer.

I sighed and rolled onto my back the unusual sensation waning. I stroked my belly with a hoof and dug it into my belly thinking. I finally rolled over and pulled out the piece of paper Cosmel gave me. I made my decision, I was my own pony and I want to be happy with my life. I levitated the pen and ticked the “No” box and wrote a little apology on the bottom. He doesn’t need to know why I said no. I then tucked it back into my school bag and went to sleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

My body felt spent. I felt sore and every fibre ached. For a moment I thought I was dead, but if I was dead how could I feel? I became aware that I could breathe and from that I gathered my sense of smell, I could smell dust mingled with blood.

My eyes flew open and I felt a hoof press to my chest. I saw Alyshia above me, her horn lit. “Shhhh” she hushed. Alyshia bent down and hugged me. I tried to move my forelegs but couldn’t. That didn’t really matter. Alyshia hugged me and that’s all I wanted, I wanted her embrace. My heart swelled, Alyshia’s love filling me up with happiness.

“A-Alyshia” I moaned, “How am I still alive?”

“Never you mind darling” she replied softly.

“Where is everypony else? Are they ok?” I asked worried.

“Everypony else is ok” Alyshia muttered, “Now Amethyst, im sorry but it’s time to rest.”

Alyshia’s horn went from white to purple. Sheer exhaustion struck me and I fell asleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I awoke again but this time my body felt less sore and this time I could feel my legs. My eyes shot open and my ears picked up a conversation.

“Is she going to wake up?” Midnight whispered.

“I’m sure she’s fine Midnight” Alyshia assured, “She woke up a few hours ago but I put her back to sleep.”

“Is she still alive?” Lionel asked.

“Of course she’s still alive” Alyshia barked.

“How are our medical supplies?” Midnight asked.

“Exhausted” Alyshia muttered. “I have no healing potions left, I’m low on bandages and my own bandages need to be replaced soon as do Amethyst’s.

My heart constricted. Alyshia got hurt and we ran out of healing potions. I wasted one the other night. I felt guilt starting to plague my insides. The fact is that if I didn’t use the healing potions, Alyshia would have found my self-harm cuts. I was lucky I dodged that bullet, but dodging that bullet had also meant denying somepony else from being healed.

“Amethyst, are you awake yet?” Alyshia whispered from nearby.

“Yes” I muttered.

“How’re you feeling darling?”

“Sore” I muttered, “but otherwise lucky. I’m not sure how you did it Alyshia but you’re awesome.”

“You’re lucky to be alive” she told me. “I sometimes surprise myself. I had to cast spells that I’ve never used before.” She lifted a book that contained extremely difficult medical spells.

“Sorry” I muttered.

“Don’t be” Alyshia said. “You did nothing wrong.”

I nodded, my guilt spreading further into my body.

“How are you Amethyst?” Midnight said as she came to my side.

“I’m ok” I said faking a smile.

Midnight leaved forwards and hugged me. “I thought you were going to die Amethyst. When I saw you I thought you were dead.”

I fell into the hug, Midnights aroma drifting through my nostrils. “I’m alive” I told her. “I didn’t want to leave you guys behind.”

Brax grunted. “I- uhhh. I thought you were going to die too.” Brax was not in his armour and he looked uncomfortable.

I gave him a wry smile. Brax seemed to care for me. Lionel was the only pony that didn’t have anything to say.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

After a while everypony except Alyshia had left me on my own. I wanted to try standing so I shifted.

“No Amethyst, you shouldn’t be getting up yet” Alyshia told me.

I shook my head. “I need to get up. Sorry Alyshia.”

I got up onto my hooves and stood still for a few seconds. My muscles, tendons and bones ached but nonetheless I was able to stand ok.

“You okay dear?”

“I’m ok Alyshia” I responded. I looked at myself. My barding was blood caked as was my coat. My left foreleg was encased in bandages, as were both my hind legs.

I looked at Alyshia and her right foreleg was encased in bandages too.

“What happened Alyshia?” I asked pointing my bandaged forehoof at her leg.

“I got hit by the dragon’s tail” she replied. “It only just got me.”

I sat on my haunches and out of exhaustion I collapsed back in a heap on the dusty ground.

“Amethyst!” Alyshia cried.

“I’m fine Alyshia” I muttered, “just exhausted.”

“Oh” she said with a sigh of relief.

“Where are we anyway?” I asked noticing that we were in a dank and dark cave.

“Midnight found a crack in the mountain and we brought you in here. No stable door in here though.”

“How high are we?” I asked.

“Just below cloud level” Alyshia replied. “I’m going to go over with everypony else, I think you should get some rest.”

I nodded and with that Alyshia trotted away leaving sleep to grip me once again.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I awoke with a feeling of being watched. I looked around and saw Lionel lying nearby; he was awake and looking at me.

“G’mornin’” he said with a smile. “Ya’ll mighty cute when you’re asleep.”

“Watching ponies sleeping is rather rude” I replied in a calm tone.

I looked around and nopony else was nearby. “Ya do know wha’ happened yesterday was entirely your fault” he said matter-of-factly.

“You don’t think I know that” I said seething.

“I’m just making sure you’re aware” he stated. “Anyway Midnight said it herself, she said that your jus’ a silly filly who makes idiot mistakes.”

“Midnight wouldn’t say something like that” I said starting to feel pissed off.

“Doesn’t matter though does it” he said. “Ah think Midnight is warmin’ up ter me, if ya get ma’ drift.”

I felt my heart pulse and jam. “What do you mean?” I asked trying to not sound concerned.

“Ah mean it won’t be long till ah mount tha’ lil’ white pegasus an’ tap her cute lil’ flank, she’s mighty cute an’ ah get why yer attracted to ‘er. She fuckin’ hot.”

I felt my blood boil. “What are you trying to make me jealous?” I spat. “It isn’t going to work Lionel.”

Lionel smiled. “Ah ain’t tryin’ ter make ya jealous. Ahm just makin’ sure ya know where ya stand.”

“Midnight’ll never date you” I said venomously.

Lionel snickered. “Ah think we’ll see ‘bout that, ahm up to tha’ challenge.”

“Who said anything about a challenge” I growled. “Midnight deserves ten times what you can ever offer her.”

“Doesn’ matter” Lionel laughed. “I ‘ave more than you can offer her.”

“Like what?” I growled.

“How ‘bout you use yer head Amethyst?” he snickered, “Ahm a stallion, nuff said baby.”

I felt anger pulse through my body, I wanted to hit him. Instead I called “Alyshia! Can you change my bandages?” I used this as an excuse for Lionel to get away from me, my bandages needed changing anyway but nonetheless I had never hated Lionel more than I had now.

Lionel got up and walked away smirking over his shoulder.

“Hey Amethyst” Alyshia said brightly, “how did you sleep?”

“Yeah I slept ok” I murmured.

“You ok?” she asked, “You look off colour.”

“I’m fine” I said with a smile. “I just… I’m ok.”

Alyshia’s horn flared and she levitated a fresh roll of bandages out of her saddlebag. Alyshia then gripped my left foreleg and unwrapped the bandages. The smell beneath was quite horrible, the coppery smell of blood was quite strong. Underneath the bandages was my coat stained maroon as well as a long yet mostly healed gash that ran across my foreleg.

“That won’t scar will it?” I asked rather concerned.

Alyshia shook her head. “No the healing potions and the bandages can heal these wounds without scarring. It’s magical weapons like Brax’s that causes scarring.”

“Thank Celestia” I sighed with relief.

Alyshia proceeded to wrap my leg up in a new bandage. “We’re leaving soon as well Amethyst” Alyshia mentioned as she wrapped my leg. “Midnight’ll be carrying you.”

“I can walk” I told her. “I’m fine.”

She looked at me in a serious yet motherly kind of way. “No” she said simply. “Midnight is carrying you. Even if you could walk you would slow us down. We need to get to the top before afternoon.”

I shrugged. I guess being carried by Midnight would mean spending quality time with her, time that I could use to try and get Midnight to like me over Lionel. I knew Lionel didn’t care about Midnight, didn’t care about her wellbeing or how she felt. I wanted Midnight to be happy, happy with me.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

It wasn’t long until I was secured to Midnight. Alyshia had insisted that I be harnessed so I didn’t fall. Midnight found it unnecessary but after what happened yesterday I allowed Alyshia to strap me to Midnights back with rope.

“You all good Amethyst?” Midnight asked.

“Yeah I’m good” I said brightly. I felt elated to back on Midnights back.

Midnight looked over her shoulder at me and smiled, “Just like good old times isn’t it?”

I giggled. “You mean the part in the tunnel where I shot you?”

“That hurt” she said with a grin, “but yeah. Actually” she put a hoof to her chin. “I can’t believe how far you’ve come Amethyst.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well…” Midnight seemed to be trying to find the right words. “You’ve grown, I mean… You stepped out into the wastes as a silly filly. You’re growing into a young mare. I think.”

“Thanks Midnight” I said brightly throwing my forehooves around her neck.

“Too hard’ she gasped.

I slackened my grip and blushed. “Sorry.”

I saw Lionel looking on nearby. I made sure nopony else could see. I then stuck my tongue out at him. His expression didn’t change but I didn’t care. I felt elated that Midnight thought I was growing, that I wasn’t just a silly stable filly.

Deep down though I knew I wasn’t a growing mare; I cut myself to help me deal with my problems, I stole a healing potion to cover my cuts. As much as I denied it Lionel was getting under my skin, I was still concerned he was going to try and take Midnight, more so now that he openly admitted it.

“Alyshia?” I asked noticing that I wasn’t wearing any socks. “Where are my socks?”

“Oh” Alyshia facehoofed, “Sorry, I didn’t say. The set that you were wearing were destroyed when you fell. I mean, they were no longer wearable. So we destroyed them.”

“Oh” I said a little deflated. I had more in my saddlebags but the ones I wore were best for the cold weather.

“Sorry” Alyshia said in a small voice.

I waved a hoof. “It’s okay, I can still buy more. Anyway I have others in my saddlebags.”

“Amethyst?” Alyshia said, “I don’t think you should be wearing socks until you’re healed.”

“Okay” I muttered.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

When everypony was ready we squeezed through the tight crack in the mountain wall to the freezing cold outside air. It wasn’t snowing and there was not a breath of wind in the air.

“Wow” I gasped, “Quite different from yesterday afternoon.”

“You have no idea how hard it was to get you here” Midnight said grimly. My ears perked back at hearing this.

“I cried all the way up the mountain” Alyshia admitted. “You were on Midnight and I had no idea what was going to happen. Midnight had to find someplace to put you then fly me up here. Brax and Lionel had to walk.”

“Oh” I mumbled. I was beginning to feel bad for being such a burdon.

“I was crying as well to be honest” Midnight sighed. “I thought I was carrying your dead body, but Alyshia said you were alive. I thought differently.”

“I’m sorry” I muttered feeling quite horrible at the thought. “I didn’t mean to get hurt. I didn’t mean to make you guys worry.”

“Don’t be sorry Amethyst” Alyshia told me, “the thing is. You’re alive.”

I felt a rush of affection for both my mare friends. I loved Alyshia and Midnight so much yet so differently.

“Are we going to go or what?” Lionel barked.

“Yeah, yeah hold your horses” Midnight laughed. “But really we should get going” she said spreading her wings. “Alright back there?” she added looking back at me.

“Ready when you are” I said wrapping my forehooves around her neck. Midnight lifted off the ground and flew at walking pace with everypony else behind us. As Midnight flew I could feel her wing joints move against my breast and my bandaged hind legs dangling on either side of her body. After flying silently for a few minutes I decided it was time to start a conversation, “Midnight?”

“Hmm?”

“What age did you learn to fly?” I asked awkwardly.

She looked over her shoulder and laughed “I was eight, same day I got my cutie mark. How old were you when you cast your first spell?”

I blushed. “I was almost ten” I mumbled. “I was very late, I got my cutie mark first and I was late at that too.”

“Ahh well.” Midnight said with a shrug, “Being late isn’t a bad thing.”

“Yeah I guess” I muttered. Unfortunately for me, being late meant being teased and laughed at for being a failure.

“Watch your head” Midnight warned. I looked up but all I saw was a huge amount of mist. When Midnight flew through the mist, freezing water began to bead on my body and on my barding.

“So these are clouds” I said looking into the white mist. I looked back and saw everypony else trotting through the thin snowy path.

“Sure is, just water” Midnight said simply, “Just hope none of them are on the other side.”

“None of what?” I asked.

“Just the Enclave, I’m not allowed above cloud level” Midnight stated.

“Why?” I asked confused as to why Midnight isn’t allowed high up.

“I’m a… well… I’m not allowed that high because I was raised from the ground” she stated, “Only pegasi from a pegasi city is allowed.

“Why?” I asked stupidly.

“You know Amethyst. I ask myself that same question every day” Midnight sighed.

I didn’t want to press the matter so I remain silent as Midnight drifted further and further up the mountain.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I was now cold and very damp. We were still drifting through the clouds.

“Mother of Celestia” I muttered, “How thick are these clouds?”

“Quite thick” Midnight mentioned, “The enclave keeps the clouds thick.”

“But- why?” I asked once again. I was starting to feel like a four year old filly who kept asking ‘why?’

“I really have no idea” Midnight said. “The wasteland hasn’t seen sunlight since the war.”

“Oh” I said. “The pegasi up there don’t sound very nice.”

I saw Midnight look at me looking quite upset, “I would have to agree with you Amethyst. It makes no sense.”

I felt bad, I had made Midnight upset. “I-I’m sorry Midnight, I didn’t mean to-“

“No” Midnight sighed, “Don’t be. You’re just curious, I understand. I had the same curiosity myself. The thing is, my race does not make sense, the way the other pegasi work. I wish I could be proud to be a pegasus.”

“But we don’t mind” I told her, “We love you for who you are.”

“Amethyst, I have only seen like two other pegasi since my mum and dad-“Midnight stopped and continued her voice shuddering slightly “Ponies always think I’m from the sky.”

“You’re not from the sky” I told her, “You might be a pagasus Midnight but you are like us, like unicorns and earth ponies. I don’t know what the pegasi are doing but they don’t sound nice.”

“I know, I’ve been telling myself that for years” Midnight mentioned. “The other ponies think the same thing though and automatically assume I’m covering the sky in clouds and making their life worse.”

“Don’t worry about them” I told her. “You can’t please everypony.”

Midnight grinned. “Yeah I know.”

It was at that point we broke through the layer of cloud and for the first time in my entire life my body was bathed in warm sunlight.

“Whoaaaaa.” My mouth fell agape at what I saw. Rolls of white fluffy cloud for as far as the eye could see. It almost caused my vertigo to return but the beauty of it prevented it from occurring. The sunlight reflected beautifully from the surface of the clouds. I could see an occasional mountain top peaking through the fluffy clouds. I looked into the sky and a vast blue covered the sky, a bright orb that was the sun radiated down upon all of us.

Midnight landed on the clouds and gripped some in her hooves. She then flapped her wings and lifted so she was now floating on a bed of clouds.

“So fluffy” Midnight giggled.

“Can I touch?” I asked.

Midnight shook her head, “Unicorns and earth ponies can’t touch clouds.”

“Oh” I said a little crestfallen.

“What are you two doing” Lionel yelled, “keep moving.”

“Right you are” Midnight said loudly. With a flap of her wings we started ascending again though with Midnights little bed of cloud below her.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

After about an hour we reached the summit of the mountain. We knew we were in the right place. An old rusted “Fallout shelter” sign was perched nearby.

“So where is it?” I asked.

“Very good question” Lionel muttered. The summit of the mountain was quite rocky and likewise covered in snow.

“Maybe we should spread out?” Alyshia suggested.

“Good Idea” Midnight said. “Everypony spreadout.”

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

After about twenty minutes of searching, it was Brax who found the cave. “In here” He growled from nearby.

A grey slate door was found that had camouflaged into the mountain that lead into what appeared to be a ponymade cave…

To be Continued

-No footnote as chapter is not complete. Chapter 16 part 2 will contain the footnote.