My experience with Coconut was a jarring buck to my head that enlightened to me a harsh truth. No matter how good ponies were willing to be, the past always came back to haunt us. We were doomed to repeat the mistakes our ancestors made. In this world, there was only one truth. Kill or be killed. Do unto others before they can do unto you.

I intended to hold fast to this truth. It was the only thing that was going to keep me alive in the trials to come.

I blinked. I had never actually used a memory orb before, so I wasn't totally prepared for the feeling of being disconnected from my body. In fact, it felt more like I was just riding along than anything. I couldn't see anything other than what the pony whose body I was riding could see. It felt strange.

My host was walking down a long hallway. Out of their peripheral vision I could see the city of Chicacolt through the windows. Sunlight streamed through onto the ground, creating a soft light that made the stonework gleam. My host's hooves clicked and clacked softly, giving me at least something to listen to as they made it to the end of the hall. A door with an equal sign on it sat there.

My host knocked. A muffled voice sounded from behind the door. My host sighed loudly, pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Ah, Crystal Clear. I was expecting you. Please take a seat,” the voice of the mare behind the desk said.

My host stepped forward and I got a good look at the room. It was lavishly decorated with what appeared to ancient artifacts and magical items of import. A bookshelf sat on the end of the room, stuffed to the brim with books of all shapes and sizes. My host faltered for a moment.

“Did I stutter? Please take a seat my dear. You're not in any trouble,” the mare behind the desk said.

My host's eyes met hers, and I finally got a good look at her. She was a unicorn, pink in color. Her mane was two-toned, a mixture of purple and teal. Her eyes glittered in the soft light of the room. She smiled.

“Sorry, Miss Glimmer. I was just... admiring your collection,” my host said. She slid into the open seat in front of the desk.

“Yes... isn't it lovely? Many of them are valuable artifacts from Equestria's ancient times,” Miss Glimmer replied. “But we're not here to talk about art, are we?”

“No, Miss Glimmer,” my host said.

“Please, call me Starlight dear. After all, here at Equality Incorporated, everypony is treated equally,” Glimmer said.

“Yes... Starlight,” my host replied. “You wanted to see me about something?”

“Indeed I did. I have a new job for you, my dearest Crystal Clear,” Starlight Glimmer said. She grinned widely. “One that I'm afraid to say, will take you from your current position. A temporary move, that is.”

“A new job? What is it that you want me to do?” my host said, shifting in her seat.

“The Ministry of Morale has need of able-bodied young ponies interested in doing Pinkie Pie's so-called 'good work,'” Starlight said. “I don't know how she's done it, but the Ministry Mare has gotten access to memory transmutation spells. I need to know how deep it goes. That's where you come in.”

“You want me to spy on the Ministry that spies on the rest of the populace?” my host asked hesitantly. “Won't I be found out almost immediately?”

“Oh, that's what I'm counting on my dear. Pinkie Pie is up to something. Something that impacts the work we’re doing here. In order to create an equal society free of the hurt of cutie marks, we must clear away the old world,” Starlight said. “When you are captured, you will deliver a message to Pinkie from myself. She will not be able to resist answering it. We were... friends once, you see.”

“Ma'am?” my host said. “Might I ask then, how am I supposed to return to work if I am captured?”

“I will handle all the details of your extraction,” Starlight said. She shuffled the papers on her desk with a flash of magical power and smiled as she handed over a manilla folder. “Everything you require should be inside. Your Ministry badge and report instructions. The Ministry building over on Filly's Pier will be where you shall be reporting. You are expected tomorrow morning, eight in the morning sharp.”

My host pulled a badge out of the folder and glanced at the full details of the mission. She grimaced, glancing up at the other mare. “What you're asking me to do... it's treason. What if I refuse? What if I tell everypony the truth?”

Starlight reclined back in her chair. A gleaming smile emerged on her face and she began to chortle loudly, nearly falling out of her chair as she did so.

“What's so funny?” my host asked. “I mean it. I'll go to Princess Luna with this. This isn't right.”

“Oh Crystal Clear, you are so funny!” Starlight said, her eyes narrowing. “That is precisely why I picked you for this mission. You aren't like the others. You're new here, you haven't accepted equality yet. I needed somepony with brains, somepony who wasn't just another yes-mare.”

“You're crazy. I'm leaving,” my host said as she made to stand up.

“Oh no,” Starlight said, reaching out with her magic. Two blue tendrils latched onto my host's forelegs, rooting them into place. “You're not going anywhere. Not until I say so. You see, I would not have picked such a strong-willed participant if I didn't have some sort of... incentive program.”

Her magic reached out again and flicked a button on her desk. A panel opened up in the wall, revealing a magical screen. On it, the image of a young foal playing with her toys appeared.

“R-R-Rainy?” my host stuttered. “What have you done with her?”

“Nothing... yet,” Starlight countered. “However, it should be clear now how this arrangement will work. You perform this job for me, and you will keep quiet about it. Or else.”

“I... I... alright, I'll do it,” my host said as she glanced back at the screen. She growled under her breath. “But so help me, if you hurt a hair on her head, I'll...”

“Thank you, my dear. That will be all I needed to hear,” Starlight interrupted. Her magic withdrew, freeing my host's forelegs. “Don't forget to dress nicely for your first day as a Ministry of Morale employee. Now, off you go. I must review these quarterly finance reports. This company won't run itself you know!”

The memory began to fade to black as my host stood up from the chair and began walking towards the office's entrance.

My eyes opened to darkness. I wasn't sure how long I'd been in the memory. Hell, I wasn't even sure what I'd just witnessed. Some pony named Starlight Glimmer who'd had a grudge against Equestria? Over what, cutie marks? It didn't make any sense. I just knew I felt bad for the pony whose memory it was. Clearly she had been blackmailed into doing whatever Starlight Glimmer wanted her to do, with a foal's life no less. It left me feeling disgusted.

My eyes adjusted to the light and I realized I was still in my shared quarters with Coconut. I could see her sleeping form across the room, breathing peacefully. Several machines were hooked up to her, sleepless sentinels monitoring her vital signs. I grimaced, cursing our luck. If we had never went into that building Coconut would be safe and sound and not in this mess she was in now.

I groaned as I shuffled off the bed. The dull ache in my shoulder was gone, but the bandage remained. The only pain left was soreness from laying down so long. I made my way across the room to Coconut's bed side. I sighed and looked down at her.

The medical ponies had put a breathing tube in to help her breathe. Her throat had been bandaged up where I'd had to cauterize my incision. I could still see the charred skin in my mind's eye. Now, it looked much cleaner. She made no noise as I stood there other than the soft rumble of her breathing. Likely they'd had her on some sedatives to allow her to rest. I was glad that she wasn't in any pain. Whatever that thing was that had been inside her throat, it was gone. She was going to be okay.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered. “I'm sorry we didn't get you out of there fast enough.”

No answer. I hadn't expected one. I hung my head low and breathed in deeply before continuing.

“You've always been there for me, Coco. I promise to be there for you now,” I said. “I won't let anything like this ever happen again.”

“That is a strong promise,” a mechanized voice said from the door.

I turned to see Rocky standing there. His eyes gleamed in the darkness.

“H-h-hey,” I stuttered. “What's up?”

“I heard movement,” Rocky replied simply. “I figured you must have been awake, but I was instructed to check just in case something had happened to either of you.”

I grimaced. “I'm fine. I... I was just talking to Coco. You were eavesdropping.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean...” Rocky said. He glanced down at his feet. “I will leave you alone.” He moved to turn away.

You idiot, I thought to myself. You're never going to get the courage to admit how you feel about him if you keep pulling crap like this!

“Wait,” I said, stopping him. “It's fine. You couldn't have known.”

“Did you mean what you said?” he asked, catching me off guard. “Your promise?”

I nodded. I was about to say more when a knock on the door interrupted me. Lightning popped his head through the door.

“Mom's asking for us,” he said. “All of us.”

My gaze narrowed at him. “Lead on,” I said.

I trotted past Rocky, the minotaur falling in line behind me. We made our way across the hall into Mom's room. She was sitting up in her bed, a stern look on her face. Envy and Lilith stood on either side of her.

“What's going on?” I asked.

“You should take a seat,” Lilith replied.

Lightning and I nodded and took seats at the foot of the bed. Rocky stood off to the side next to us. Mom sighed deeply and began to speak.

“I know you were hoping that this was going to be where I told you that everything was going to be alright, that I was all better, but both of you know that I've never tried to sugarcoat life,” she said. “The truth of the matter is that Envy can't fix my heart.”

My eyes widened. I glanced at Envy. “Why...?”

“The condition that your mother has was worsened, mutated by Xerves' poison. As skilled and knowledgeable as I am, I cannot fix it. The best I can do is slow the process down, give you time,” the zebra said.

“Time for what?” Lightning said. “I don't understand. I thought you could help us? Why did we find you if you couldn't help? Coconut would still be...”

“I never said that I could help you,” Envy said angrily. “I said that I would try.”

“Envy...” Lilith said.. Her wings flared. “Calm yourself.”

“Sorry. I am trying to tell them they still have a chance to save their mother,” Envy replied.

“Talk then,” I said flatly. “Tell us what you know.”

Envy took a moment to compose herself. She sighed loudly. “Like I was saying. I can use my knowledge of the poison to slow its effects on your mother's condition, but I cannot affect it with zebra magic. I doubt that I could even ever come up with a salve or potion that could cure it. But... I know of one who can.”

I grimaced, my ears pulling flat. “Continue.”

“There is a legend. A pony whose special talent was empathic magic dealing with the heart. They were so accomplished at it, they became known only as the Heartmender,” Envy said. “They can literally mend hearts, make them whole again.”

“Where can we find this Heartmender?” Lightning said. “I mean, if they're a legend, who's to say they even exists? It could be a wild goose chase for all we know.”

Lilith chimed in. “I am still putting together the intel, but our sources suggest that this Heartmender does exist. We believe that whoever they are, they left Equestria many years ago. But, they did pass through Chicacolt at some point. I am planning on taking a team to go find them.”

“No, Lilith,” Mom said softly. “If you leave, you will be leaving Theater without one of its primary defenses. With Gluttony busy with Danish and Star, we cannot afford to leave ourselves wide open.”

“What would you suggest I do then, Patch?” Lilith replied curtly. “Let you perish when there is a real chance to save you?”

“I'll go,” I said, interrupting them. “Rather, we'll go. Lightning and I.”

“We will?” Lightning asked, glancing over at me. He coughed. “I mean... yeah, we will.”

“I cannot allow that,” Lilith said. “If your excursion to find Envy has proven anything it's that you are not ready for what you might encounter in the Wasteland. We nearly lost you once; we cannot afford to lose you again.”

“And I can't afford to lose her!” I shouted, pointing at Mom. “Don't you understand? This is the only chance we have... the only way we can save... save her.”

“Starry...” Mom said. She glanced over at Lilith. “You remember how young and impetuous we both were when we traveled with Star?”

“I remember that we hated each other at first,” Lilith said coyly. “What's your point?”

“My point is that we've all done stupid things,” Mom said with a sigh. “I've made my peace with this, but they haven't. They need that closure, Lilith. They need to know that they did everything they could do. They are his kids, after all.”

Lilith grimaced, and for a moment there was a highly awkward silence in the room. Finally, the ashen pegasus broke it. “Okay. They can go. But they're going to need help. Just the two of them alone can't do this.”

“I will accompany them,” Rocky said from behind me. “I will not allow harm to come to either of them.”

“Rock Thresher?” Envy said, her eyes widened. “What about Xerves? What about your contract?”

“I'm sorry, Mistress, but I owe it to Starry for what happened with Coconut. If I can help, and find Xerves along the way I will,” Rocky replied.

“I'm... I'm coming too,” a weak and thin voice said from the door.

My head snapped back. Coconut stood in the doorway, shaking profusely. It must have taken her every ounce of her strength to stand. Her mane was matted and she looked like she'd been sweating heavily. Still, her eyes held a fire, a will of their own. She was determined to see this through, no matter what happened.

“Coconut!” I said, trotting over to her. “What are you doing up? You need to rest.”

“Starry, I'm... fine,” she whispered as she looked from me back to the rest of the room. “I’m fine… and I’m going with them”

“Absolutely not,” Lilith said. “In your condition, you become a liability. What if you're exposed to something that further damages your body? This mission is going to be dangerous.”

“Don't care...” Coconut managed to say. Her voice was barely a whisper, but in the silence that filled the room I could hear it clear as day. “I... I have to help.”

“Coco... Please listen to Aunt Lilith,” I pleaded. “She's right. You can't come with us. I promised I would protect you, and this is the best way to keep you safe after what happened.”

Coconut grimaced and her eyes met mine. That fire, that will was still there. She shook her head stiffly. “No. I don't... need protecting.” She strained to get the words out. “I... I need to help. I'm coming whether... whether you like it or not.”

I studied her for a few moments. Coconut was serious about this. She was not going to relent. What was she trying to do? Was she trying to repay me for what happened in that power station? That isn't what I wanted... I just wanted my friend to be okay.

“Alright,” Mom said, interrupting us. “Coconut may go with them, provided that she goes back and rests right now. This expedition will not be leaving for a few days anyways, so there will be plenty of time to regain your strength.”

Lilith glanced over at Patch incredulously. “You can't be serious, Patch. Look at the state she's in. There's no way she's going to heal up in just a couple days.”

“I am quite serious,” Mom replied. “While Envy here has the time, she will assist young Coconut in her recovery. She has knowledge of calming salves and other medicinal items that can help speed up the healing process.”

“Of course,” Envy said softly.

I grimaced. I didn't want Envy anywhere near Coconut. This was her fault in the first place, but I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on about it. I looked back to Coco and forced myself to smile.

“Guess you're part of the team,” I said softly.

She strained to smile and reached out with her leg, bringing me into a hug. “Thank... thank you for what you did. I don't know...”

“I know,” I said, returning the hug. “Now go on and get back to sleep. I'll be in shortly.”

Coconut nodded and made her way back across the hall to our shared room. I glanced back at Mom, grimacing.

“I believe that is it,” she said. “In a few days, you four will leave and find this Heartmender. Bring them back here.”

Lilith shifted uncomfortably. “I still don't think this is the right way to go about this, but... I trust you, old friend. I must go and let the gate guards know,” she said. She trotted out the door and down the hallway.

“I must go as well. If young Coconut is to get better, I must create some healing salves for her,” Envy said. “Rock Thresher, join me. I wish to discuss this journey with you.”

Rocky glanced over at me briefly. We shared a nod and then he was gone, trailing behind the zebra. I looked back at Mom. Her good eye me mine and she nodded.

“You have questions,” she said flatly.

“The radiation in that building,” I said. I grimaced, struggling to find the right way to ask. “Coconut was so heavily affected by it, but the rest of us weren't. Rocky I get, he's cybernetic. Even Envy I can sort of see, some sort of zebra mysticism. Why didn't it affect Lightning and I?”

Mom closed her eye and sighed. “I suppose that has something to do with the circumstances of your conception and birth,” she said softly.

“Wait, what?” Lightning asked.

Mom shifted in the bed. “When your father and I... well, when you were conceived, we were still journeying with your godmother. There was a situation involving a friend of ours. We got stuck in a temple that was full of strange and powerful radiation.”

“What does that mean?” I said. “Did that have something to do with us?”

“Radiation has always worked in strange ways. It's magical in nature, we don't even really understand the limits of its effects, but ghoulism is one of the most common,” Mom said. “After we escaped from the temple, I... I thought that I'd lost you. I couldn't feel you inside me. At the time, I didn't know that you were both there.”

“You didn't know that you were having twins,” I said.

Mom nodded. “Your godmother, she did everything she could to get me to a doctor that understood pregnant mares. He was a ghoul in Manehattan, by the name of Dry Rot. During his examination, he concluded that the radiation down in that temple had somehow mutated the growing foal inside of me, splitting into two separate foals.”

“Wait, you mean we were originally supposed to be one pony?” Lightning said. His face contorted. “Eww.”

“Gee, thanks Bro. Love you too,” I said, sticking my tongue out.

“Regardless, I knew that there would be some potential side effects. My pregnancy did not last very long. Something about the radiation had sped up the process. You grew faster inside me than a normal foal would have,” Mom continued. “After I had you, I worried that somehow there would be problems or complications, but you seemed to grow normally so I thought nothing of it.”

“You think that being unaffected by the radiation is a side effect of that?” I asked.

“It is a fair possibility,” Mom said. “I'm not even sure what to say. I'm terribly sorry about Coconut, but I'm glad that neither of you were affected by it.”

I grimaced. I didn't begrudge Mom for caring for her kids. I was just glad to at least have some idea of what had happened down in those caves. My eyes widened as I remembered something else important.

“There's one more thing,” I said. “I didn't say anything about this before, because I wasn't sure how anyone would take it. There was a stallion on the radio. He's the one who told me how to save Coconut's life.”

“I wondered how that came about,” Mom said. “Skills like that aren't among the ones I taught you.”

“He told me that Lightning had found him and his crew, and that he gave Lightning Rad-Away for Coconut,” I explained. “He said that was how he'd found my broadcast signal.”

“Which never happened,” Lightning said. “There was no mystery stallion. I ran into a group of MMMM patrols and led them back.”

“I see,” Mom said coolly. “Go on.”

“He lied, but he knew my name. He knew things about me, about us. He even knew what was wrong with Coconut. He never even told me his name,” I said.

“Interesting,” Mom replied. “After you were knocked unconscious, did he attempt to contact you again?”

“No. It was like he had vanished,” I said. “It was the strangest thing. It was like he knew what was going to happen before I did.”

Mom stayed silent, grimacing. “If this mystery stallion contacts you again, I want you to attempt to get more information out of him.”

“Alright,” I said. “I will do my best.”

Mom nodded. She seemed rather undisturbed to this revelation. I thought it was a little strange. Why was that? What did she know that I didn't? Did she know the mystery stallion somehow? My mind wracked itself with ideas, trying to figure it out. My shoulder ached more, yanking my attention back to the real world.

“You alright, Sis?” Lightning said.

“Yeah. Just thinking,” I said. “If it's all the same to you, I think I'd rather retire for a bit. Need to get my rest if we're to be leaving again.”

“I believe that to be the best thing at this point in time,” Mom said. “Until you leave, you kids should come spend some time with me. I'm not going anywhere, after all.”

I smiled softly and stood. I trotted over to Mom's bedside and gave her a quick hug before making my way back across the hall. Coconut had already gone back to sleep, it seemed. I sighed. I was truly worried that something else was going to happen to her when we got back out on the road, but I knew that I had to let her do this.

I flopped into bed and groaned. The sheets had been changed while I was gone and they felt fluffier and more content than ever before. I flared my horn, bringing my saddlebags over next to my bed. Might as well get some organization done before I get to sleep, I thought.

I pulled open the bag and began sorting through things. The Wingboner magazines I set out to give to Rocky later. Despite his lack of a mouth, the expression he'd make would be worth it. Crystal Clear's memory orb was sorted back into the bag in one of the inside pockets. I was sure there was something there I was missing the first time I watched it. Why would somepony go to all that trouble to store that memory? It didn't make much sense.

The rest of my supplies were pretty bare, I realized. We were definitely going to need to stock up before leaving. I made a mental note to venture out in the morning and pick things up. A gleam of silver caught my eye at the bottom of the bag. I reached inside with my magic and lifted out the knife. The jagged one I'd picked up off the crazy zebra ghoul. How did...? I thought. I thought we got rid of this thing.

I grimaced as I grasped the knife in my magic. The only reason I'd picked up this thing was because I'd lost Justice. There was no getting it back. That angered me greatly for some reason I couldn't explain. I carefully lowered the knife back into the bag. As soon as I let go of it, I could feel my anger subside.

“What was that?” I muttered under my breath. I made a further mental note to ask Envy about the knife. While I didn't trust her, she was the most likely person to have some idea about this blade.

I finished reorganizing my bags, setting them back onto the floor. I yawned loudly and laid my head back on the pillow, letting sleep take me where it would.

I awoke the next morning feeling a million times better. My shoulder felt completely healed up, and I was able to flex it without any stabbing pains. I glanced over at Coconut. She was stirring awake herself.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” I said cheerily. “How'd you sleep?”

“Better than... the night before,” Coconut croaked. “Voice is still a little froggy.”

“Well, I'm sure with Envy's help, you'll get better,” I said. “You'll see.”

Coconut smiled. “Thanks. What are you planning on doing today?”

“I need to run down to the marketplace and pick up supplies. We're not going to get very far without proper medical supplies and food,” I said. “Mom always says it's best to be prepared. We didn't really do that right the first time out. This time will be different.”

“Starry...” Coconut said with a frown.

“No, Coco. I meant what I said. I made a promise, and I'm going to keep it,” I said adamantly. “Besides, I'm not wrong. We do need supplies. Most of our stuff was taken by those Hellraisers.”

“Fair point,” Coconut said. She smiled slightly. It was good to see that smile. Earlier in the week it had felt like I would never see it again.

“Anyways. I'll let you be. If we're gonna be prepared, I'd better get going,” I said.

“Alright. I'll see you later then,” Coconut replied.

I left the room and made my way down the hallway and into the main infirmary office. I was a bit surprised to see Coconut's mother in the waiting room. She didn't say anything when she noticed me, just a glare. She'd always been resentful of our friendship, not to mention how she got boozed up all the time after Coconut joined the Rangers. Her mom hadn't been a part of her life for quite some time, so why was she here now? I didn't have the time really to ask, and even if I had it would have probably turned into a shouting match, so I guess it was kind of good that one of the doctors chose that moment to come out and sit down with her.

I pushed the infirmary door open and started into town. My first stop was to the security supply station, where I would try to put together some weaponry and extra barding for our trip. The mares there seemed happy to see me, and they wished Coconut well. They were able to provide everything I needed, and insisted I take a few bundles of apple grenades. They also arranged to have the bigger stuff delivered to our room.

My confidence high, I made my way through the throng of the busy Theater crowd towards “Horace's”, the bar in the rear of the settlement. Horace's was a place a pony could go to relax. The old pony Horace himself had long passed on, leaving the establishment in the hooves of his grandson. With Coconut's Mom at the infirmary and my errands almost completed, I needed to buy some time so I didn’t run into her there. That would be disastrous.

I trotted in and sat down at the bar, ordering a water to drink while I watched the crowd. Horace's was a standup place, and was in fact the most popular in the whole community. So of course, it was quite busy. The MMMM was doing well for its citizens, and it showed. Ponies laughed together, they sang, they drank. It was like the world had never ended.

“I'll have a whiskey, on the rocks please,” a feminine voice next to me said.

My heart froze. I recognized that voice. My eyes turned to the right. A unicorn mare stood at the bar just a few feet away from me. My gaze drifted to the holster on her hind quarters. My gun sat there, prominently displayed like some sort of trophy. I could see the word Justice engraved on the hilt. The mare's mane was a different color and style than before, but the voice. The voice was the same. It was her. Velvet Kiss. I knew it. What was she doing here? How did she get in? She was a Hellraiser! Unless... unless she was a spy!

I had to know more, but I couldn't confront her out in the open. If I was wrong it could delay our journey to save Mom. No, I had to follow her. Find out what she was up to. I waited calmly as I could, trying to not draw attention to myself as she downed her whiskey. She dropped a few caps on the bar in tip and then made her way to the entrance.

I made my move and paid for my water. I walked as stealthily as I could manage, keeping the mare in sight. She tried to blend in with the crowd, but I kept up with her, my eyes fixed on my gun the entire time. Did she know she was being followed? I couldn't tell. She finally departed the crowd, heading for a through way that there weren't any ponies at. I walked carefully and with purpose as she stopped dead cold.

“Who the fuck are you and why are you following me?” she said suddenly, turning about. Her horn glowed, illuminating the dark through way.

I growled under my breath. “You don't remember me? You stole my gun,” I said angrily.

The mare's eyes lit up as she took me in. A wicked grin appeared on her face. “The little filly. So, this is where you ran off to. You caused quite a ruckus up at the Pier.”

“What are you doing here?” I hissed. “This is MMMM territory, not Hellraiser territory.”

“Do I look like a raider? That's one of the best things about this job. I can go wherever I want, because nopony knows who I am,” Velvet said.

“Except for me. I know who you are,” I challenged. “I’d know your voice anywhere.”

“And what exactly are you going to do about that? It's your word against mine, and I have the perfect cover. I'm very good at what I do, after all. I was trained by the best,” she said.

I cocked my head. “What do you mean?”

“Rock Thresher didn't quite recognize me. I wiped his memory of my time spent under Envy. And well, I was gone by the time she showed up. My name wasn't always Velvet Kiss, either. That's just one of my aliases,” the mare replied casually.

I blinked. It seemed that there was no end to the number of ponies that had been trained by Envy. How many killers had she produced and nobody knew? I grimaced.

“You were one of hers,” I said. “A killer.”

“Envy really didn't know what she was doing. She thought that by passing on her skills, she could make a contribution to society. All she did was fuck up a bunch of young pony's lives,” Kiss replied with a smirk. “The only one she truly had under her hoof was Rock Thresher. Something about his misguided sense of morals, I think.”

“Rocky isn't misguided,” I spat. “He's better than you, than Xerves.”

“Ah, yes. The slut's kid. She didn't tell you that his father was someone she used and abused, did she? Xerves was produced from her highest quality breeding stock. The perfect killer for the the perfect mother,” she said. “How do you know him?”

“He poisoned my mother,” I said hesitantly. “I didn't know he was Envy's son until I met her.”

“You are far too trusting of the bitch,” Kiss said nonchalantly. “There are plenty of things that she hasn't told you. Despite her claims that she has honor, she still takes jobs to kill. Have to stay alive and put food on the table, after all.”

“Are you saying that she lied about Xerves' job?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. As angry as I was at Kiss, I wanted to know more. I had to know if Envy was responsible for Mom. If she was... I didn't know what I'd do.

“I'm not saying that she did. I'm saying that she might have told Xerves to do it so she didn't have to,” Velvet replied casually. “That's always been her M.O. Let others do the dirty work, so she can sit back and reap the benefits. She probably didn't even know it was your mother. She doesn't see others are ponies or whatever. She sees them all as marks, as targets.”

“Sacrifices,” I said firmly. I knew exactly what she was talking about. I’d seen it firsthand down in the caves below the Hoofwich. Envy didn’t treat ponies like ponies. She treated them like pawns.

“I see you've already seen what I've seen,” Velvet said. “Word of advice, my dear. Don't let her get to you. She'll turn you into her little worker bee, doing all the dirty work… for her.”

I grimaced. She was right about one thing; as soon as I got back I was questioning Envy further. I had to know before we left, because if she was responsible... I didn't want her there. I wanted her out, to make sure the MMMM knew where her colors flew. I glanced up, noticing that Velvet was walking away from me. She was trying to get away!

“Hey!” I shouted. “You're not leaving without giving me back my gun.”

Velvet stopped cold in her tracks and looked back at me. She wiggled her hips. “Oh, that. You want it, little filly? You gotta come get it.”

I growled under my breath and opened my saddlebag. The knife. It was still there. I lifted it out with my magic. I felt my anger surge as the knife slid into the air under my control. I wanted to kill this bitch. I wanted to cut her open. To see her bleed. She had stolen something that belonged to me! It was mine! I made that gun with my own two hooves!

“Give me back my gun, now,” I said.

“Giving threats now, I see,” Velvet said. Her horn lit and she lifted out Justice. “Your first problem was threatening me. I've killed more ponies than you could ever possibly imagine. Do you even think you have a chance?”

I gritted my teeth. Was she right? Probably. Did I care? Not really. My vision ran red. I charged at her, the knife soaring through the air next to me.

“That's your second problem. You brought a knife to a gunfight,” Velvet said. She aimed Justice and fired.

I didn't have time to move out of the way. The bullet struck my shoulder, the same shoulder that I'd been bit on. I felt searing pain throughout my entire body. I didn't care. I kept moving forward. I wasn't sure how I was shrugging it off like I was. Velvet's eyes widened as she realized she hadn't stopped me. She frantically re-aimed Justice, but it was too late. I was on top of her before she even realized it.

The tip of the knife cut along Velvet's chest, drawing a jagged line of blood that seeped down her chest. She tried to pull back and I followed, slashing wildly with the deadly implement. I caught her on the shoulder with it, sending her sprawling to the ground. Justice clattered along the concrete next to her. I stepped over, holding the knife tauntingly.

“How does it feel?!” I shouted angrily. “How does it feel to be the one not in control for once?!”

Velvet clutched her chest and shoulder. The blood dripped onto the ground beneath her. She glared at me bitterly. “Fine. Take the gun. I don't need it,” she said. “Just let me go.”

“Let you go? Like you let me go? No, I don't think so,” I said, waving the knife in the air. “You didn't let me go. You chose to keep me under lock and key. You don't deserve to be let go.”

“Oh look, the little filly has a grudge,” Velvet snapped. “Grow up kid. Life sucks. I took an opportunity in front of me. The Hellraisers, they make no qualms about what they do. They do whatever makes them happy. They pay well for it too.”

“Shut up,” I growled.

“Fuck off,” Velvet said as she pushed herself away from me. “You want to whine about what happened? Go whine to your mom. I told you already, you can have your gun back. You'll never see me again. That easy. Take it, and I won't tell anypony what happened here.”

I gritted my teeth and lifted the knife. I didn't care about the gun. I cared about what she did to me! She was going to sell me as some sort of sex slave! My blood boiled. Pure rage drove me forward as I brought the knife down into her shoulder blade again. The mare howled in pain as I twisted the knife.

“SHUT UP!” I roared. “I'm going to make you pay for what you did to me! To my friends!”

Velvet moaned as she tried to pull herself away again. I growled and took hold of her body with my magic, stopping her motion. Her eyes met mine and I could feel the fear in them. I could see it. She was afraid of me. I fed on that fear. I let it drive me. I pulled the knife free from her shoulder, her blackened blood soaking the awful thing.

“Starry!” a voice crackled to life in my ear. “Starry you need to stop this!”

My eyes widened. The voice. The stallion that had helped me save Coconut's life. What was he doing talking to me now? Was he nearby?

“No!” I cried out. “I need this! She's part of them. She belonged to Envy!”

“Killing her won't prevent what happened to Coconut, or your mother,” the voice said. “You can place the blame on her all you want, but it's not really you that's doing this. It's that knife you're wielding.”

I blinked, my eyes drifting to the knife. The knife was responsible for this? I couldn't believe it. It was just... just a knife! I growled. No, he was wrong! She deserved this! She deserved to die for the things she did! I glanced below me. My hold on Velvet had faltered, and she was scrambling to her hooves, clutching her shoulder. I roared and made ready to stab at her again when a jolt of electricity came out of my PipBuck, knocking me to the ground. I groaned as I watched Velvet exit the alleyway and disappear. The knife clattered out of my magic onto the cold stonework. She'd left behind Justice, the gun lying just within my reach.

“Sorry about this,” the voice in my ear said. “But I can't let you kill her. She still has a part to play. You have to trust me, Starry. This isn't you. It's the knife. It wants you to kill, it wants you to feed its anger.”

“What...?” I choked out. “What do you mean?”

“Feel it,” the voice said. “Can't you feel the bloodlust leaving you? You're not controlling the knife, it's controlling you.”

I blinked. I could feel the anger fading, just like he'd said. I didn't want to kill her... in fact... what had I done? I'd hurt her badly. All for what? A stupid gun? My eyes drifted to the knife. It called to me, beckoned me to pick it up. Begged me to go after her. But my shoulder hurt... I'd been shot there. I grunted through the pain.

“What... what do I do?” I said. I felt helpless against the pull of the knife's power. I was nearly tempted to pick it up again, just to end the searing pain in my shoulder.

“First of all, you need to get rid of that thing. The longer you let it get to you, the easier it's going to be for it to control you. You have to destroy it,” the voice said.

“How...?” I said weakly.

“Your fire spell. You should be able to use it to melt the thing,” the voice said. “You don't have much time. Do it now, or else everything is lost. Your mother, your friends, yourself. That's what it wants. It wants to use you to kill, just like it used that poor zebra it turned into a ghoul.”

I grimaced. The voice hadn't given me any reason not to trust him. Something in the back of my mind told me I could believe what he was saying. Something else wanted me to pick the knife up and go after Velvet Kiss. Go after her and finish what I started. Twist the knife deeper into the wound until she begged for mercy, and then bring the knife through her throat.

I shook my head and closed my eyes. No! I thought, pushing the thoughts out of my mind. That's what it wanted. What was it? Was it intelligent? I didn't know. I knew what I had to do, but I wasn't strong enough. The pain in my shoulder burned. I was bleeding.

“Starry! Stay with me! You have to destroy that knife!” the voice said, jarring me back to my senses.

“I... can't... too weak,” I said as I struggled to get up.

“No, you can do this. You have to. You can beat this thing,” the voice said.

I gritted my teeth and tried accessing my magic. I wrapped the knife in it, feeling the influence of its effects even more. I pushed through it, speeding up the flow of magic. I roared as the pain burst through my skull, the magic turning from flow to white-hot flame. It engulfed the knife in a blaze. I cut off the flow of magic and grunted.

The knife was intact. It hadn't worked.

“It... it didn't work!” I said, huffing. “The knife... it's still there.”

“Dammit. I hadn't counted on this. Starry, you need to get away from it. It's evil, pure and simple,” the voice in my ear replied.

“But what if... what if somepony else finds it?” I asked weakly. “I need to try again.”

I grunted and stood against the voice's protests. I flared my horn again and focused my will on the knife. Its influence shot back into my mind, drowning out everything else. I was stupid. There was no way I was going to beat this thing. Now that I knew it was influencing me, I could recognize it as a separate presence. It felt ancient, unyielding. It wanted me to use it, to kill. I had to find some way to get rid of it. My magic, as much as I liked to believe it was the best part of me, couldn't stop it. I couldn't destroy it.

I stopped my magic flow and reached out and picked it up with my bare hooves. I couldn't leave it here, and I couldn't touch it with my magic. It reacted to that.

“Starry?” the voice in my ear said. “Starry, what's happening?”

“I can't... can't destroy it with my magic. I'm going to take it, find some other way to get rid of it where it can't hurt anypony else,” I said.

“Listen to me carefully. Too much has changed already. You can't keep that thing near you. It's going to cause you to do something terrible,” the voice said.

“It already did,” I said. “I used it on Velvet, remember? Why do you care, anyways?”

“Because I have to,” the voice replied. “Because I wouldn't be able to face your dad and tell him I failed my promise to him.”

My eyes shot wide open. “What did you say? My dad? How do you...?”

“I can't talk about it, Starry. I'm not allowed to. Just know that I'm here to help you, should you need it,” the voice said. “Someday, we'll talk about this when you're ready. But right now, you need to get back to your friends and get going on your journey. That’s the most important thing you can do right now. Besides, you're injured. Leave that accursed thing and go.”

I grimaced. Guess I wasn't going to get any answers anytime soon. My shoulder burned from where Velvet had shot me. I needed medical attention, or at the very least a healing potion. The mystery stallion did have a point about that. I pulled my bag open and dropped the knife inside.

“Fine. But I'm taking it with me. If I can drop it in some crater on our way out of the country, it's better off there than laying in an alley here,” I said. “Besides... do I have some way of even reaching you if I need help? I don't even know your name.”

The voice silenced. Great, I thought. Way to tell him off. Static burst on the other end of the earbloom.

“Sorry about that. Shitty connection. Look, I don't agree with taking that thing with you, but I can't really stop you from here,” the voice said. “As far as how to contact me, I've hidden the frequency to contact me inside your PipBuck. Don't ask me how I did it, I can't tell you. As far as my name, I'm Dusk. I… I have to go now. Get yourself to a doctor, Starry Night.”

I glanced around me as the transmission cut off. Nopony was around. I picked up Justice in my magic and holstered it. I tightened my saddlebags and threw a piece of fabric over my wound. No sense in alarming anypony over nothing, I thought as I slowly made my way back towards the infirmary. Every step I took burned. I couldn't tell if the bullet was still inside or if it had just grazed me. Given that it was the same shoulder that thing had bitten me on, I wasn't sure if I could even tell if I looked at it closely enough.

By the time I made it to the infirmary I was barely walking, the pain was too much. I pushed open the door and nearly collapsed inside.

“Miss Night?” the front nurse said. She stood and walked over to me, brushing aside the fabric hiding the wound. “We need to get her to her room, now!”

Several ponies lifted me and placed me on a cart. I was losing consciousness fast. The last thing I remembered was seeing Mom's worried face before I passed out.

My eyes shot open and I instantly knew I was back in my room with Coconut. This time, I was the one who'd been passed out, as Coconut was standing next to my bed. Lightning sat on the other side next to... Mom?!

“Hey...” I said, catching their attention.

“Starry?” Mom said. “You're awake. How do you feel?”

“Ugh. Like a ton of bricks hit me,” I said, my head pounding. “What happened?”

“You tell us,” Mom said. “The nurses said you walked into the infirmary and just collapsed.”

My brain processed the events from before, running all the way back to... “Velvet Kiss,” I breathed.

“What? You mean, that Hellraiser that kidnapped us?” Lightning said. “What's she got to do with this?”

“She's here,” I said. “In Theater. I... I confronted her.” My mind reminded me of what I'd done to her. “I attacked her.”

“You attacked somepony?” Mom said, her eye wide. “I don't understand. Who is this Velvet Kiss?”

“She was one of my students,” a soft voice at the door said. Envy stood just inside the door frame.

“You,” I said coldly.

“She may have changed her name, but I am smarter than she believes me to be,” Envy said. “Velvet Kiss was one of my most promising students, before she left me.”

“This mare was the one who kidnapped you for the Hellraisers?” Mom said.

Coconut nodded. “I remember her,” she said, her voice still weak sounding.

“She told me about you,” I said, directing my voice to Envy. “She told me about your prodigies. About herself.”

“Yes... I assume she would have,” Envy said. “She and I had some irreconcilable differences.”

“So what happened between you two? Why was she here?” Lightning said.

“She... she didn't say exactly. I nearly ran into her at Horace's, and I followed her... she still had Justice,” I said with a twinge of anger.

“You confronted her to get Justice back,” Mom said flatly.

I nodded. “I was... so angry at her about it. About what she'd done. I wanted to make her pay. She caught me off guard and shot me. I... I stabbed her in the shoulder,” I said.

Envy's green eyes narrowed. “If she is injured it should not be hard to find her. I will go to Lilith and ask her to search the settlement.”

“Fine, do that,” Mom said. “We can't let her go if she's some sort of spy for the Hellraisers.”

Envy nodded and left the room, leaving the four of us. I groaned as I pushed myself into a sitting position.

“There's... there's something else,” I said. “Velvet insinuated that Envy had something to do with Xerves' attack on you, Mom.”

“I guessed as much by your reaction to her,” Mom said. “That's why I sent her to get Lilith. Neither of us trusts her, really. Remember what I always told you about enemies?”

“Keep them closer than your friends,” I parroted, remembering the lesson well. My eyes widened as I realized what Mom was doing. Even in her condition she was still the same tactical mind that I'd grown up learning from. Compared to her breadth of knowledge I was still just a foal.

“Right. What else happened?” she said.

“I... I heard him again. The stallion on the radio,” I said.

Mom grimaced. “I thought as much.”

“He helped me. That... that knife that we brought out of that building, the place that Coconut...” I said. “It's cursed. Something like that. It wanted me to kill Velvet Kiss, to torture her. It was feeding off of my anger. He helped stop me from going too far.”

“Wait, that knife you lifted off that psycho zebra ghoul?” Lightning said. “It was in your saddlebags.”

My eyes widened. “It's still there, right? Nopony touched it?”

“No,” Lightning replied. “I just noticed it when I got the supplies out of there.”

“Good. I... I tried to destroy it, but it didn't work,” I said. I hung my head. “I'm not sure what to do, I couldn't just leave it there. I figured we might be able to find a place to bury it.”

“Aren't you worried it will get to you?” Coconut said. Her face looked strained. “I mean... you said it was influencing you, right?”

I grimaced. “There is that chance, yes. I'm counting on you two to keep me grounded. I just... I couldn't leave it somewhere where somepony could find it so easily. It's dangerous.”

“Don't worry, Sis. We got your back,” Lightning said, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

Coconut grinned and did the same. “Always,” she said. “Come on Lightning. We should let Starry rest. We should touch base with Rock Thresher and get our things together to get out of here.”

“Thanks,” I said, my gaze returning to Mom as the two left the room. “I just seem to be getting in all sorts of trouble lately. I'm sorry, Mom.”

Mom smiled and pulled me close to her for a hug. “It's alright. I'm just glad you're okay.” She lowered her voice so that only I could hear. “Did the stallion on the radio say anything else?”

“He... he said he knew Dad,” I whispered. “He said his name was Dusk.”

Mom's good eye closed and she sighed. “I was dreading this,” she said softly.

“Do you know him?” I asked.

“Kind of. It's... it's a long story. One that I can't really tell you just yet. You have to trust me when I say that I will tell you when you get back. I promise,” she said.

I grimaced, but nodded. “Is it bad?” I said.

“No... But if you talk to him again, listen to what he says. He knows things, things that he shouldn't... but he does,” Mom said. “He'll help you.”

“Okay,” I said with a sigh. I was about to say something else when the door opened suddenly. Lilith stood inside.

“Both of you come with me. There's something you need to see,” she said.

I blinked. “Do what?” I asked.

“Come on, Starry,” Mom said. “Can you walk alright?”

I nodded, pushing myself off the bed. My shoulder still hurt, but it didn't hurt to walk. I walked behind Mom, following her and Lilith down the hallway. We stopped at the last door before the exit to the lobby. Lilith rapped on the door and pushed it open.

“Who the hell do you think you are keeping me here?!” a voice shouted from the room.

“Miss, you're hurt. You need medical attention and rest, please calm down,” the nurse replied.

My blood froze. Her. That voice. She was here?! I pushed past Lilith. Sitting up in the bed inside the room was Velvet Kiss. Her shoulder had been bandaged. She was shouting at one of the nurses. She stopped as her eyes met mine.

“YOU!” we both shouted in unison.

“Security, I demand that you arrest this mare! She assaulted me!” Velvet cried out.

“You shot me!” I shouted back.

“You stuck a knife in me!” she said angrily. “And twisted it around and stuff! I demand that she be arrested!”

“Calm down you two,” Lilith said. “No one here is getting arrested. Turns out, our friend here has a name for every occasion. Her identification says she's Uplifting Aria, a lounge singer of some accord, but she matches the description that Envy gave me. She was brought in by security after she was found passed out from blood loss.”

I grimaced, looking down at my hooves. “I...”

“Yeah that's right! She did it! That one right there! Arrest her and let me go!” Velvet shouted.

“Enough,” a voice said from the darkness. Envy appeared out of nowhere in the corner of the room. “We all know who you are, Polished Jewel.”

“I hate that name,” Velvet replied angrily. “What are you doing here? Don't you have some more youngsters to corrupt?”

“I am here to rectify a mistake I made, Jewel,” Envy said. “You have been causing quite the trouble in the city, young one.”

“I learned from the best,” Velvet said. “You taught me, or don't you remember?”

“I remember every one of my students,” Envy said. “You are no different. Ambitious, powerful, and ultimately foolish. Your power is not to be wielded in harm of others or for money, but in defense of those in need.”

“You take money for jobs,” Velvet said.

“I do what is necessary for my family to survive. We all do,” Envy said.

Velvet glared at Envy hard before turning to meet my gaze. “So what now? You've got me. What are you going to do with me?”

I burned inside. I knew what I had to do. It wasn't me that had driven home the knife into her shoulder, it had been the knife itself. It had compelled me to it. I realized that as much as I hated Velvet, I hated myself more for letting it control me. I hated that I had stooped to her level, and that if I hadn't been stopped by Dusk I'd have likely killed her. She wasn't much older than me. She was like me in a lot of ways, still a kid trying to grow up. I felt guilty suddenly. I'd nearly denied her the rest of her life. Even though she'd done some bad things, Mom had always told me that everypony deserved a second chance to do good.

“I...” I started to say as I made my way forward. “I'm sorry about... about your wound.”

“You're sorry? Really? That's the best you can come up with?” Velvet said. “It fucking hurt, you psycho!”

“Velvet Kiss,” Lilith said, interrupting us. “Are you or are you not a spy for the Hellraisers? Why are you here?”

“I'm not a spy for anyone. I look after myself. I do what I do to make money off everyone,” Velvet said. “So no, I'm not here to spy on you. I was here to sing, make a few caps, and be on my way.”

“What?” I said. “Then... why...?”

“Why was I so chummy with those Hellraisers? Because they're stupid,” Velvet said. “They pay very well to me, because I deliver. They're just too dumb to see that I'm using them for their money. It's not hurting anyone.”

“You have been making your money off the misery of other ponies, Jewel,” Envy said. “The intelligence of your clients notwithstanding, your work has been responsible for death.”

Velvet growled. “Stop calling me that! I'm not Polished Jewel anymore! I'm Velvet Kiss! I'm not a baby you can just coddle!”

“And you're not quite grown up, either,” Envy replied. She looked at Lilith. “If you would like, I will take her with me back to my compound. I do not think she will cause much trouble to you anymore.”

The silence in the room deafened. I looked up to Lilith. She motioned for Envy and Mom to join her in the hall, leaving me alone with Velvet. I looked back at her and smiled as I made my way to her bedside.

“Look... I really am sorry about what happened,” I said.

“Don't talk to me,” Velvet said angrily. “I just want to get out of here and away from all you crazy fucks.”

“Your name used to be Polished Jewel?” I said, ignoring her comments. “I think that's a pretty name.”

“I hated it,” Velvet said. “It was a stupid name. I was a stupid filly. After I left, I swore I would never be that name ever again.”

“Why? What's so bad about it?” I asked.

“If you must know, Polished Jewel was the name my parents gave me. They're dead now,” she said. “They died trying to protect me from raiders. I would have died too, if it wasn't for Envy. She saved me and started training me. At first I thought I'd found a new family. But Envy doesn't care about family; she cares about turning ponies into killers.”

I sighed. “I... “

“Yeah, I did some bad things. I turned lots of ponies into the Hellraisers,” Velvet continued. “I even sold a few to the Cult when they were still active. Shit, the Triad was one of the best buyers, until they collapsed. But I did what I did for me. Not for her. Why do you even care about this shit anyways? I thought you hated me.”

I grimaced. “I do. Believe me, I do. But that wasn't why I did what I did. I was... under the control of something powerful,” I said. “It influenced my anger towards you.”

“I see. Well, I'm not too fond of you either. You stabbed me and now I'm stuck here,” Velvet replied.

The door opened before I could say anything further. Lilith and the others made their way back into the room.

“We've made a decision,” Lilith said. “In order to keep an eye on Miss Velvet Kiss, in addition to keeping her out of further trouble, we've decided that the best course of action is to send her with your squad, Starry Night.”

“What,” I stated flatly.

“What?! You're sending me somewhere with her?!” Velvet growled.

“It's in all of our best interests. If you were to return to Envy's compound, you would just escape again. Your recent work has shown that you are trouble,” Mom said. “By sending you with Starry's team, your specific skill set will not only prove valuable, but they will be able to show you what it's like to be a part of something.”

Velvet grumbled under her breath. Her gaze met Mom's. “What's stopping me from just leaving? Skipping out when the time is right?” she asked.

“Oh, we believe that Rock Thresher will be able to keep you in line,” Lilith said. “You will be outfitted with a PipBuck. At all times, Rock will be able to track you.”

“Don't I get a say in this?” I asked. “Seriously. She kidnapped me!”

“You stabbed me,” Velvet said.

I growled. “You took my fucking gun! I wanted it back! Besides, you shot me!”

“Bitch! You were coming at me with that knife! What did you expect me to do!”

“GIRLS!” Mom roared. “Both of you stop right now!”

I stopped and glowered at Velvet. “She did it.”

“Nuh uh,” Velvet replied, sticking her tongue out.

“Seriously, can we knock it off?” Mom said. “Starry, I'm sorry, you don't get a say in this. Velvet's skills are... unique. Trust me when I say you can use them.”

I cocked my head. “What skills? Being an insufferable bitch?”

“Starry!” Mom said.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. I continued to glare at Velvet. I didn't like this. Who's to say that we weren't going to wake up one morning in chains and being carted off to Goddess knows where? I didn't trust her.

“Jewel, I think it's probably time that you show Starry what we mean,” Envy said.

“Stop calling me that,” Velvet said angrily. She huffed. “Fine.”

Velvet's horn glowed a sickly green, a crackle of flame surrounding her body. In a flash, her entire form changed. She had a different coat and mane color, and were those... wings? My eyes went up to her brow. Her horn was gone!

What the fuck? I thought she was a unicorn! She's a pegasus now?! I thought.

“What the...? How did...?” I stammered.

Velvet rolled her eyes. A second crackle of green flame whooshed up around her, revealing a black body covered in what looked like armored plates. Velvet's head was insectoid in nature, her normal eyes replaced with round multi-faceted ones. A pair of beautiful gossamer wings sprouted from her back. She opened her mouth and several clicks and buzzes came out of it.

“What... what are you?” I said.

The green flame whooshed again and Velvet was back. She grinned. “I'm a changeling. Master of disguise, that whole bit. I can change my form to look like whomever I want.” She changed again, becoming a perfect copy of me for a brief second and then back to her Velvet form.

“Velvet's unique skill may be of some assistance during your journey, should you find yourself in situations that require it,” Lilith said.

“I'm also proficient in all forms of your weaponry, so there is that,” Velvet said with a smug look on her face.

I grimaced and turned away from her, facing the others. “If it's all the same to you then, I'd like to get back to my room and get some rest. If we're leaving soon, then we all need to be rested up for the journey ahead.”

I stood and trotted out the door past Mom and Lilith. I met eyes with Envy on my way out. Just how many? How many ponies and zebra and changelings have you turned into heartless, psychotic killers? I thought. I made one final glance at Velvet, who mostly looked confused, and then left.

I made my way back down the hall to my room and stepped inside. Coconut and Lightning were still gone, so there was only one thing to really do. I plopped into bed and let sleep carry me away.

I awoke the next morning feeling a thousand times better. My shoulder had healed enough that it didn't feel like it was burning all the time, so that was good. I craned my neck and stretched out, popping all the kinks out of my back. It was time. We had to leave today. If we didn't, who knows how much longer Mom had. It had to be today.

I pulled my saddlebags out and reorganized one final time. I left the knife in the very bottom, not even daring to touch it with my magic. I still wasn't sure what I was going to do about it. I was clearly incapable of destroying it. There had to be something out there that could do it.

I strapped my barding and bags on and looked down at my holster. Justice sat proudly there, gleaming in the light. I smiled softly. We'll find this Heartmender, Mom, I thought to myself. I swear it.

I left the room and made my way down the hall to Mom's room. No one was there, but there was a note that said to meet in the Theater Commons, one of the public meeting areas of the settlement. I trotted out of the infirmary, thanking the nurses for their time and efforts before I left.

The Theater Commons wasn't too far from the infirmary. As I neared there I could hear raised voices. Coconut and Lightning.

“Why does she have to come with us?” Lightning said loudly. “She's a spy for the Hellraisers!”

“I'm not...” I heard Velvet say.

“I agree with Lightning,” I heard Rocky reply. “It seems too coincidental that she would show up so soon.”

“Yeah,” Coconut said.

I trotted into view. Mom, Lilith, and Envy stood next to where Velvet was. The changeling was stammering, trying to defend herself against the barrage of my brother, Coconut, and Rocky. Thankfully, my presence seemed to deflate things a bit as Rocky caught a glance of me. He motioned, and the others followed.

“Hey,” I said.

“Starry! You're up! Are you feeling better?” Coconut said, coming over to me and giving me a hug.

“I'm fine, Coco. Can't keep me down for long,” I said confidently. My eyes met Velvet's. “I see you guys have met our newest member.”

“This has to be some sort of joke,” Lightning said. “Right, Sis? She isn't seriously coming with us, is she?”

Velvet looked apprehensive. I could see the PipBuck around her leg. I very nearly felt bad for her, if she wasn't such a crazy bitch. Still, none of us had much choice in this matter. Mom was right on the money about enemies, after all. I couldn't help but think that had something to do with this. Another test for us to learn.

“She is,” I said. “Velvet is going to be part of our team. We should treat her accordingly.”

Velvet breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank... thank you,” she said.

“Oh, I'm not finished,” I said, trotting over to her and leaning in. “I'm going to be very clear about this. You try anything, anything at all that hurts my friends, and you will meet the barrel end of Justice. I meant it.”

“Starry? Everything alright there?” Mom said.

I grinned as I watched Velvet glare at me some more. “Just fine, Mom. Looks like we're ready to get going. Just doing some last minute checks of things,” I said.

“Where exactly are we going, anyways?” Velvet said.

“Yes... you will need the route information,” Lilith said. She lifted her hoof and flipped open the cover on her power armor, revealing a PipBuck. She pressed a few buttons. “I've transmitted the last known coordinates of the possible route that the Heartmender was last seen on, based on our research. We don't know if it's accurate, really, but it's the best information we have on them.”

I glanced down at my PipBuck's screen. The automap function had engaged with route details. “This leads not just out of the city but out of Equestria,” I said.

“It is likely that the Heartmender has left the country, yes,” Lilith said. “Sightings of such a pony are quite rare, and our research was based on a lot of hearsay.”

I nodded. I knew deep down that I was going to do whatever it took to find this Heartmender pony. I had to. I wasn't about to let Mom die. I trotted over to her and gave her a hug. Lightning joined me.

“Don't worry, we'll be back soon,” I said.

“I know you will,” Mom said with a smile. “I have faith in both of you. You'll find your way home.”

I smiled, tears in my eyes. I wiped them away and nodded.

“Alright, let's go!”

Author's Notes:

Woo! Chapter 6 down and out! This one was a bigger chapter than the rest have been. It was a bit necessary to be able to properly introduce Velvet Kiss, our new changeling friend! We now have a fearsome fivesome on their way to find THE HEARTMENDER!!! Who is this mystery pony who can heal hearts? You'll just have to keep reading to find out!

Also, another cameo from our good friend Dusk! Yes, he has a name!

Much thanks to Heartshine, McMesser, and last but not least Wirepony for all their work on helping me edit/pre-read this stuff.

Super duper thanks to the folks that are helping support on me on Patreon! If you like what you're reading and you want to support me, check it out! It's super easy to do, and helps support content creators like myself!

- V