The next day Vector and Spitfire were laying in bed together. Vector had fallen asleep early to wake up early enough to take Buttercup to the Lunar Guard event later that day. Buttercup was so excited by the news she practically bounced off the walls until she went to bed. Vector was happy that she was more pleasant after the fact but she could tell earning the young batponies trust wold be long and tedious. But family was worth the wait.

She paused rolling over under the covers to look over Spitfire who was sound asleep, snoring away. Vector wondered if she really did see them as her family? Was it wrong for her to think of them so? She then wondered if Buttercup would ever like her enough to even call her mother. She liked Trixie enough to call her momma. It was all so confusing to the mare.

She rubbed her head tenderly with her wing and sat up to stretch. Just then Spitfire shot up, her eyes closed as she seemingly mindlessly got out of bed and went to the bathroom like a zombie sleepwalking. It was the oddest thing Vector had ever seen. Old memories came flooding back in her head as she thought back to her school days.

Back when she first started dating Spitfire.

She rolled over to check the clock and saw it was nearly time to get up. Slowly she got out from under the soft warm covers and got herself ready for the day. Within ten minutes she was done and heading for the kitchen where she found Buttercup siting at the table with a bowl of oats and aflafa.

The batpony was bouncing on the chair humming as she ate. It brought a smile to Vector seeing her in such good spirits. She hoped today was going to be a god day. She hoped it would be a chance for the two of them to bond a little. Buttercup stopped chewing her food when the sound of an approaching pony caught her ears. She kept a smile on her face and waved to Vector without saying a word before returning to eating, eager to get going to Canterlot.

The blue pony looked over at the food she was eating and gave a sick look at it.

"What is that garbage you're eating?" she asked the young mare, pointing at the food.

Buttercup swallowed hard and looked at it. "It's honey oats and afalfa."

Vector gave the oats and plant a nasty look. "Why are you eating this prison food?"

"Prison food?"

"Yes, this is hardly a fitting meal for a growing young mare." she said tapping the bowl then sliding it out of reach. "Come on. We're going to get some real food."

The mare walked over to the door opening it. She stood by the entrance waiting for the younger pony to follow her. After a brief hesitation Buttercup nodded and followed her out of the apartment. The two left the Ivory Towers and headed deeper into the city. They didn't stop until they reached a small dinner at the edge of the city near the water.

It was a nice little dinner that sat on the water front. It was a two story building painter white with a large circular platform where guest could have a higher view of the water. Here Vector and Buttercup sat at the edge of the platform with a full view of the sun and the Manehatten Bridge off to the right of their view. Several flower bushes covered the walls with small vases every two meters apart along the length of the wall.

They sat at a small round table across from each other with the view of the ocean and bridge to their right. Seeing the morning sun rise and the smell of the ocean breeze with this beautifully designed place made for a very relaxing sight. The two mares sighed at the sight as they took their orders and waited not saying a word.

Once their drinks arrived Vector spared a look at Buttercup. She admired the young batpony mare, she was determined, bold, and very outspoken. She liked her moxie. In a lot of way s she was like Spitfire. The blue pegasus sipped her water as Buttercup watched the first train of the day leave. Its horn blew just loud enough to be heard as a trail of smoke trailed behind as it crossed the bridge heading out of the city.

Manifest destiny." Vector said to herself.

"Hm? Did you say something?" Buttercup asked sipping on her straw.

"Heh, no I was just thinking about how beautiful the view is here." she replied with a sigh, as she rested her chin and left arm.

The batpony looked out at the rising sun and had to admit, it was beautiful.

"Yeah." she placed her cup down and folded her hooves on the table. "Um. Vector?"

"Yes?"

"How did you and mother Spitfire meet?" the brown pony asked, fidgeting in her seat.

"Sigh... well I guess it was bound to come up eventually. Although I'd prefer that she was here to tell it not just me." she admitted looking over at the batpony. "If I tell you, you have to promise to listen and not get mad, OK?"

She waited for a response which came in the form of a quick but short nod from the teen mare.

"I mean it. You raise your voice once and I'll stop until you mother tells you." she said in a serious tone.

"I promise I'll listen."

"What I'm about to tell you may very well change how you see your mother." she warned the teen mare. "I'm serious, you may not believe it but I swear on my life it's all true."

"What happened?"

Vector sighed sipping her drink once more emptying the glass and set it aside. She gave the other pony a very stern look flexing her wing out.

"Do you know why I only have one wing, Buttercup?" she asked flapping it once.

The batpony looked it over and to her other side seeing no wing. For the first time since they met she had never seen the mares cutie mark or her 'wings'. She only ever saw one but thought the blue pony liked using just the one. Now seeing for the first time ever that there was only one she wondered how she never noticed before. Then again Vector almost always wore her coat even at home. It made her wonder.

"I lost my wing because of you mother Buttercup," she looked down hiding behind her mane. "I lost it because I pushed Spitfire too far once. It's why I always scold her for hitting you and yelling at you." She waved the waitress pony down who took her cup to get a refill. Vector waited for the newly filled glass before continuing. "Spitfire told me what she's told others and what Soarin says. Have you heard either story, from either of them?"

Buttercup shook her head. "No, I haven't."

She'd never once heard about how her mother met Vector. Although all hints from what Spitfire and Soarin say does indicate there was bad blood between them. But she never learned the details.

"Most of both stories are true, but I'll tell you what happened from my perspective. Now sweetie listen to me," she reached for the brown ponies cheek rubbing it gently. "I want you to hear me out. OK? Feel free to verify with your mother but I swear what I say is 100% the absolute truth."

Buttercup held the mares hoof with her own and smiled. The touch on her cheek was so simple, yet something inside her heart changed in that moment. She felt her cheeks warm up at the touch. So, gentle. She thought as Vector withdrew her grasp. She wondered if she was actually beginning to see the mare in a new light. That or was it her anticipation to hear about how she met her mother?

In either case she was listening, determined to take in everything she was about to hear without fault or error.

"It started years ago when I was attending Canterlot University."

*Rockyshores*

Maud was tending to her families rock farm while her parents were out for the day. Several other earth ponies were hard at work rotating the rocks from one field to another.

The sun was just rising over the horizon and inside Maud's house in her room on the floor lay two unicorn mares cuddling side by side in each others embrace. Trixie and Solarflare. Over the last several weeks the two had become nearly inseparable having formed a tight sisterly bond. This morning however, Trixie was kicking and thrashing about while the red mare slept soundly beside her.

Trixie accidentally broke away from her embrace and rolled over in her sleeping bag sweating as her nightmare intensified. She dreamt about a large blue cosmic bear, an Ursa Major, chasing her through the forest. Soon the scenery changed as a loud howl echoed through the world shaking it to its foundation. Still running the scene changed to a open field with a building on fire.

Five faceless ponies stood in a circle around a small fire as blood drops poured around them. Trixie came to a skidding halt and looked at them. Two were silvery grey one big one small like a filly each with a spoon like cutie mark. Another was tall like the first but dark grey with a darker grey mane with a clef cutie mark. They were clearly mares. The other two were male one colt and one stallion. The stallion was lighter brown with a dark black mane with a journal as a cutie mark and the colt was a blank flank with a lighter brown coat and a dark orange mane.

As Trixie walked over to them, she realized they were humming holding hooves swaying back and forth in the circle around the fire.

"Hello? Who are you?" she asked the group.

They simply ignored her and continued humming among themselves. She reached for the colt, just as she made contact with him he dissolved into a pool of blood as did the rest of the group as a booming mares voice echos as the world shattered making Trixie fall into black oblivion.

"Ancient sins of long since past, come forth this night and day and rest the third. For doom looms and nightmares reign."

"Who are you?! What do you want?!" Trixie cried as she fell into nothing.

"I am a monument to all sins of the blood. Hear me Lulamoon and don't fear the dark, but fear the light. For those who fear the dark have no comprehension of what the light is capable of." the voiced warned.

Trixie felt her heart race as the black turned to a bright light blinding her. She covered her eyes as she tried to see what was around her. Everything was white with a bright light shining all around her. Soon she heard another voice, humming a child lullaby as she became suspended in place. She was no longer falling but instead felt like she was standing on nothing, but standing none the less.

The voice belonged to a mare, and it was one she felt she knew but wasn't able to determine who's. She felt something then , a presence. It was malevolent, cruel, pure evil. She looked at her hooves as she realized a shadow loomed over her. Turning she saw a rotting corpse of a yellow mare with a cruel smile a black voids where her eyes should have been. Her body formed from the white nothing and she had a disheveled fiery mane. The mares smile twitched as she bared her jagged teeth as red lights appeared in her eyes.

"Welcome home, hon."

Trixie awoke screaming. Beside her Solarflare bolted upright screaming loudly too. She quickly looked over towards the mare beside her wide eyed and irritated. After realizing it was just Trixie, she checked the clock seeing it was early in the morning. A moment later and the blue mare was calm again but panting.

She glared at the blue pony.

"Trixie! What gives?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

The blue unicorn shook her head getting her bearings. She found herself in Maud's room. Desk with a variety of books on geology and rock related topics(Check). Window with a rock frame. (Check). Large king size bed with an angry mare beside her. (Check).

She sighed contently. All was right with the world.

Taking a moment to compose herself she glanced over to the red mare shyly.

"Sorry, Flare, but Trixie was having a nightmare!" she cried theatrically flailing her arms up like a damsel in distress. 'It was horrible!"

Before the crimson unicorn could respond the door flew open and the two younger Pie sisters, still in their night gowns, were at the door wide eyed.

"Trixie! Solarflare! Are you two like alright?" Limestone asked as her sister checked the two in their bed.

Marble ran a hoof over Trixie's head seeing she was sweating slightly.

"She's really hot sis." Marble said looking to her sibling.

"I know Maud would agree with that!" Limestone giggled.

This made her sister frown. "Be serious! She could have been hurt or, like whatever!"

But the two unicorns gave her a warm smile sending her heart a flutter. She blushed at the mares smiles averting her gaze as Solarflare donned a cruel smile on her lips, while Trixie grinned mischievously at her.

Limestone saw this and wondered what the two mares were up to. A moment later Solarflare reached for Marble raising her chin with a hoof. Gently she guided the young mare's gaze to hers making the flustered grey mares blush intensify ten fold. By now Limestone was onto the mares game and left with a loud sigh.

Trixie got out of bed and quickly made her way to the bathroom leaving the two mares alone. The Solarflare looked over Marble, the grey mare was shaking not from fear but excitement. The younger mares tail swished to the side excitedly as she looked desperately into the crimson mares eyes. She thought of how beautiful they were. Flare then placed a hoof gently on her cheek rubbing it with tiny circular motions making her breath heavily.

"Marble?"

"Ye-yes, Solarflare?" she nearly screamed in surprise.

"Do you find me attractive?" Solarflare asked, bending her body as she lay on her side giving a seductive look.

Marble swallowed hard as her eyes ran down the mares flank. She paused as her eyes passed over her sun cutie mark. The red mare waved her hoof gesturing for Marble to look up.

"My eyes are up here, not on my flank, sweetie." she said in a sultry tone.

"So-sorry!" Marble yelped looking up at the mare.

The red mare leaned in closing the distance between them to where their muzzles were but an inch apart. Marble could feel her heart racing, her cheeks and forehead felt hot, and her eyes were beginning to dilate.

She felt so embarrassed at the moment. Then Soalrflare went in for the kill.

"Such a lovely young mare you are, Marble." she leaned in nipping her neck, earning a loud, 'eep!" from the grey mare. "Do you like me?"

"Yes." Marble replied weakly.

"Do you want me?"

"Yesss."

"How badly do you want me?"

Before an answer was given the door swung open revealing Maud and limestone beside her. The lighter grey mare pointed at the two ponies in the room accusingly.

"See Maud, I tots told you! She's seducing Marble again!"

Maud stared blankly at the two mares as Marble pushed away from Solarflare quickly. She hid behind her mane as the older mare behind her whistle innocently. Maud walked up to her and with her signature stare asked her one question.

"We're you hitting on my sister?"

To any pony else beside her and Trixie, Maud would have seemed intimidating, but after being with her and this family for so long the unicorns found themselves understanding Maud in ways no other pony could beside her family. The red mare smiled cheekily nodding to Maud's inquiry.

"Yes, I do like her, yes I was hitting on her, and yes I was also doing it to be mean to Limestone." she said grinning pulling Marble into a loving embrace.

"How Long?" Maud asked.

"About a month."

"Maud gave the slightest hint of a smile. "You better not hurt her," her voice went cold after. "Or else I'll destroy you."

"What? Why are you allowing this, sis? This is wrong!" Limestone whined.

Maud sighed turning to face her aggravated sister. "Ma and Pa, would like tots not be into this! Fillyfoolers are sick! And it's wrong!"

Now it wasn't uncommon for earth pony communities to feel this way towards same sex relationships or the topic in general. Marble liked mares, especially ones like Trixie and Solarflare, claiming they were strong and independent, and she admired them for that. The Pie family made their stance clear when she and Trixie moved in. No fillyfooling or coltcuddlers. Maud on the other hoof never said a word on the topic herself, but Trixie and Soalrflare both speculated she was bi but never asked.

But Maud's reaction to Limestone however suggested otherwise. She turned quickly and stared at her little sister. There was no exchange of words or gestures, only a stare. Limestone felt fine at first but soon afterwards she felt very uncomfortable by her sisters stare. Something seemed odd to her but she couldn't tell what. Before she could speak, Maud spoke out as if waiting to stop her.

"If you tell dad, mom, or try to get between them in anyway," she paused looking dead in her sister's shivering eyes. "I'll tell them about your relationship with your teacher. Understood?"

"How did you know?!" the light grey mare exclaimed.

"I hear things." Maud replied with a nod. "So, what will it be?"

"Fine! I won't do anything just don't tell anypony about me and Mr. Hardwire!"

"Agreed. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get back to work." She looked at the other two who didn't say a word. "That goes for you two and Trixie as well."

She glanced around seeing the blue mare was missing. "Where is Trixie anyways?"

Meanwhile, Trixie was happily trotting along down Slate Ave. after sneaking out of the house. Ponies waved to greet her happily, especially the stallions, much to the chagrin of the mares nearby. Many were envious of her. She skipped along the way ditching her morning duties heading deep into town. She arrived at a small restaurant where she was planning to dine.

Aside from the bar she and her friends frequented this was her favorite place in the town to dine. Taking her favorite seat by a small river she prepared herself for a feast when she was met with the gaze of a young colt, staring up at her.

The colt was dark brown with an orange mane and had a pair of dark black saddlebags on him. Trixie sat there in awkward silence as the colt continued to stare at her. Finally tired of the staring contest she blinked and gave the colt a hardened expression.

"What?!" she yelled at him. "Why are you staring at Trixie?"

"Miss Trixie?" another voice asked from outside her view.

She shot her head up looking around until her eyes laid on a stallion who was a lighter brown than the colt and had a slicked back black mane. She stared at him before she looked at his cutie mark which was a journal. He smiled as he worked his way over to her from inside the restaurant waving at her.

"It is you! So good to see you again!" he happily greeted her with a hug.

The blue unicorn pushed the pony away appraising him as he took a seat beside the younger colt.

"Who are you and how do you know Trixie?" she asked looking between the two.

They each gave the other a perplexed look. The colt walked up to her standing on his back legs to raise his height like a cat reaching for its master.

"You saved us a long time ago Miss Trixie. Don't you remember?" he asked looking at her pleadingly. "I'm Sketchy, and this is my dad Scribble. Don't you remember us?"

Trixie looked down at his saddened face, but tried her best to keep a smile. "Sorry, but Trixie-I don't. I lost my memory a while ago. I don't remember."

The two earth ponies looked at the broken mare who was now on the verge of tears. She couldn't believe it. A part of her life, her past was here in her face and she had no idea what to do. For the first time in a long time she felt utterly powerless. But to her suprise she felt the colt jump up on her lap an d hugged her. Suddenly her head hurt and a rush of memories from her previous life came back. Thousands of thoughts and flashes of her life pasted before her eyes.

But just as quickly as they came they were gone. But through all of the displaced memories and thoughts one thing remained. Spitfire.

She knew the famous Wonderbolt Captain as did most of Equestria but something in the back of her mind was nagging at her. She knew Spitfire was important to her she just didn't know why. To find the answers she'd need to find her. But for now she wanted to get re acquainted to her two friends. She set the colt on the chair beside her and the stallion sat across from her.

"Please, enlighten Trixie on how we met." she asked pleadingly to the stallion who gave her a warm smile.

"Well, now let me think. Guess it all started at the Flightless Pegasus Inn..."

*Ivory Tower Apartments*

Spitfire awoke with a loud yawn. She rolled on her back in bed and reached over her head with her arms stretching her arms and legs out. Her stiff body cracked loose and she felt looser. She then got up and went to the bathroom to get herself ready for the day. She took a quick glance at th e clock while she brushed her teeth and combed her mane.

She had arranged to meet Soarin and Fleetfoot at Pette's Pie Bar later in the afternoon. Being with Vector she decided it was time to tell her closest friends the truth about her blue pegasus... friend?

She stopped her brushing and held the toothbrush in her mouth. She clamped down with her teeth chewing it thoughtfully. What was Vector to her now? She still had feelings for Trixie, but she was slowly losing hope of ever seeing her again. Part of the reason she setup this meeting in the first place. True she didn't know if her feelings for Vector were genuine or not but more like something she needed, like a drug.

She felt bad thinking of the mare like that.

"Ponies aren't things." she scolded herself continuing to brush.

After she finished she went into the room down the hall seeing Peanut was still fast asleep. His tiny wings buzzed as he exhaled making the cutest little snore/buzz she'd ever heard. She leaned in kissing his head and gently shook him.

"Peeaanut. Time to wake up." she sang into his ear.

The changeling stirred under his blankets covering his face with his pillow. "Ugh, five more minutes mommy." he whined.

"Now sweetie, we're going to be late if you don't hurry." she said tugging the pillow and blankets away from him. He shivered from the sudden cold trying to cover his body with his arms.

Spitfire chuckled at him as he glared up at her. "Don't you want to see aunt Fleetfoot?"

His head shot up and in seconds he was out the door rushing to get ready with renewed energy. Spitfire shook her head at him. A moment later she felt a warm tuff of fur at her legs. Link was slinking between her legs like a cat looking up at her. She picked the timberwolf cub up and nuzzled his muzzle with hers making him pur.

"I bet you're hungry little fella?" she asked him.

He barked once in response.

"Well good thing cause I am too."

She walked out of the room with the cub following her. He was chasing after her orange tail as she playfully swung it back and forth while he jumped for it like a cat. She then walked over to the kitchen where Peanut was sitting in his batpony form bobbing happily in place with a silly smile on his face.

After making a small bowl of food for Link and filling his water dispenser bowl she took Peanut and wrapped a scarf around his neck and put little boots on him. After putting on a scarf herself, Spitfire paused and went back into the room where she kept her pictures of Vector. Inside she had a single door closet.Opening it reveled a single piece of clothing, her old leather flight jacket from her school days. She took it off the hanger and ran her hoof along the leather and around the furred collar. She sat there for what felt like hours, but in reality it was fifteen minutes.

She sat in the darkness wondering about the choices she made in her life. She hugged the jacket close to her chest as another familiar item came to view. Trixie's suitcase. That damned thing tormented her into many sleepless nights, yet now it was a constant reminder of what she lost hence why it was stored away in here. She reached for the dirty suitcase and ran her wing over it to wipe the dust away. She thought about all the times Trixie abused her with it and found she really missed it.

She knew Trixie never meant any real harm, and deep down she liked the abuse. She got off on that kind of thing.

She sat there now wearing her jacket and holding Trixie's suitcase in her arms wondering about the choices she made in her life. What if she never left Vector? Would they still be together? Would she have adopted the kids? What if...

"Momma?"

She jerked her head up see Peanut standing in the doorway. The light behind him shone making him a beacon of hope in the dark depressing room. She wiped her eyes making sure she looked tough for him, she hated the idea of her children seeing her cry.

"What's wrong baby?" she asked waving her hoof beckoning him.

The changeling sat beside his mother. He buzzed his wings sadly as he looked at the suitcase and pulled a picture of Trixie and him out form his scarf. Spitfire recognized it. It was from a week before the invasion of Canterlot when Trixie took him to a county fair. They sat on a bench together, Trixie on the bench with Peanut on her lap. She wore a pink bow on her mane and he was wearing a fedora smiling at the camera.

Spitfire smiled at the photo wishing she was able to go with them but had to go back to the Academy to deal with some rowdy recruits. She rested her head on his pulling him close to her. Peanut heard the steady beat of his mother's heart. It made him relax knowing she was there for him. He placed the photo on the suitcase and the two sat there staring at it holding onto each other.

"Momma?"

"What's wrong, hon?"

"Do you miss momma Trixie?"

"Of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?"

"He buzzed irritated at her. "I know you like Miss Vector, momma."

Spitfire rubbed her arm looking away from him shamefully. "It's complicated."

"Why?"

"I-It's just... sigh. Long ago Vector and i use to hate each other." she said rubbing his shoulders gently. "I use to be really mean back then. I beat ponies up, I stole from them, I made fun of them."

"You were a bully?" Peanut asked bluntly.

The fiery mare cringed at her son's frowardness to this, but deep down she could not deny it. She was a bully. A thug. A menace.

"I was once." she said still rubbing his shoulders. "Did I ever tell you what happened between me and Vector?"

Peanut shook his head. He never once was told or heard anything concerning the past between Spitfire and vector. All he knew was it was a rough life for them and that was all. He looked up at his mothers eyes. "What happened momma?"

Spitfire sighed reaching into her jackets pocket and pulled out a photo of her and Vector. Vector was in a beautiful white silk dress, looking like a princess, while Spitfire wore her jacket and glasses giving her tough attitude look. Peanut took the photo in his hoof and looked at it then to his mother.

"It was rough for her and me, but this is what happened. It all started long ago when I was back in flight school..."

Author's Notes:

And here we are again my dedicated fans!

For your time I present to you this TI 83 image of Vinyl Scratch! Someone is either really good at math or has way too much time on their hands. Maybe both. Eh.

So now were getting close to the truth!

DUN DUN DUUUUN!

After all the hype and waiting I'll finally be revealing the truth about Vector and Spitfire's past ! But what is truth and what is fiction? Who was right and wrong? Was Soarin really telling the truth or was Spitfire? Is either really true? And what was it that really drove Vector way? Well, the truth will be revealed...

Next time!