The city was quiet, eerily so. Even with the streets filled to the brim with Canterlot shoppers trying to get their last overpriced gifts for the holiday season, it was: Quiet. Not in the sense that there wasn't noise, there was plenty of that from the clip-clopping of hooves walking about, no, the air was silent. It was like the earth had become still. Like if Mother Gaia was afraid to make even the smallest noise.

This strange silence lasted for as long as it took the carriages to arrive at our destination. The sudden jerk of the carriage stopping told all aboard that it was time to exit and begin the submit.

"Here we are," Luna said solemnly as the door opened, revealing the central courtyard of Canterlot Castle. Her body tensed at the sight of the golden, ice-covered towers looming over the city like jutting spires pointing down from the roofs of unexplored ice caves.

"Yep," I replied, with a light squeak. Even I had a hard time controlling my emotions at the state of the castle. The once radiant walls, inviting and safe, now menacing of what misery held within. I gulped and stepped onto the snow covered driveway. Rainbow Dash followed right after with her three friends.

"You can turn back ya' know?" Rainbow said from behind, her voice a lot less fearful in tone than mine. I shook my head and proceeded to the entryway right behind Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor with Celestia in the lead.

"Not going to happen, Rainbow. I came this far. I'm going to end it," Rainbows wing rested on my back as the warmth of the interior cast away the cold from our bodies.

"Be careful," She whispered.

"No promises," I replied once more.

'No promises. Right.' I use that phrase whenever a promise is about to be broken. The look that Luna gave me tells enough that she knows it as well. I use those two words a lot in my life. I promised Spitfire that we were going to spend Hearths Warming Eve together. Luna promised me that everything was going to be fine. Rainbow promised that she will stand by my side to the very end for reuniting the family. Our family.

'The family I don't deserve.'

So many promises and all of them are going to be broken in a single night. 'How did it come to this?' I wondered as I followed in silence behind Luna.

Of course, I knew how it started. It started with me waking up in a cage in a ravine. It was on that day that I flew for the first time, yet I don't know why. 'Why?' Why did I fly that fast on that day? You can't just do a Sonic Rainboom within one hour of getting off the ground. I learned that in flight camp, So how did I do it?

When I think back on it, and all the feelings and emotions that flowed through me, I still shouldn't have flown. There was no physical, magical or random way that I didn't get help, and if I did get help, then... who helped me? Who helped me that day that pushed me into the custody of the Captain of the Wonderbolts and towards the mare that I call: Mom.

To be honest? I might never know. It could have been Discord, could have not. In any case, I'm glad it happened. Even if it sent me down a path of pure chaos, I probably wouldn't have made my friends, found my soulmate, and met my family.

'Right. My family.' The family that was shattered from miscommunication on all ends. I wondered what would have happened to Spitfire? Would she have left the Wonderbolts? Would she have finally settled down with Feather Flight? Would she have met her own mother and her long-lost sister again?

Thinking about the "What if's" does help keep my mind from focusing on the important, but...But I can't help but think that I ruined her life. If I didn't enter it on a Sapphire Comet, would she still be living her dream? Would she be happy without me?

I've been such an asshole to her! Yet she still came when I needed her most. When I needed to cry. When My life needed to be saved. When I needed the love I never thought I would get.

I don't deserve, Spitfire.

I don't deserve, Nightingale.

I don't deserve, Summer.

I deserve to be, alone.

A single tear met my cheek as we were lead into a large room. The center of said room had a large, stone table with a map on it. Surrounding the table were plenty of seats to accompany the group and more. In the far side of the table was a small throne where the Princess sat. Each wall was barren except for the white paint that covered it, and the far wall had a door that looked like it was meant for an easy escape or just one for the maids.

Everyone took their spots around the table, leaving me with the choice of where to plop my cute ass down. With a quick survey, I sat down directly opposite of Celestia right next to Luna and Twilight. Both of whom were a little nervous of the Windigo Princess freezing her red, velvet, cushion.

Cadence and Shining Armor didn't seem to notice this detail, while the others kept quiet. Possibly fearing the growing wrath held within the mask of the Princess. I didn't bother to question it either, I had more important things to think about. Cadence spoke first.

"So now that we are all here, how about some tea?" she smiled warmly. Just as she said those words, the door opened and a pony walked in with a cart with an assortment of treats, including tea.

"That would be lovely!" Rarity said with a more cheerful smile. The Butler walked around to her while everyone else got settled in and took a cup of tea from the pony.

"Um...Yes, please?" Fluttershy asked next, followed by the others, but in mutual silence.

Within moments, a simple cup of Black Tea founds its way into the hooves of everyone. I knew it was a trap, but I might as well. I needed confirmation of what Celestia was planning before I could do anything.

"Is it to your liking, Miss Rose?" Cadence asked softly, never taking her gaze off of me nor Twilight. I took a quick sniff of the concoction before letting the warm liquid flow past my lips, sealing my fate and surprisingly, it was good.

'With a hint of Misty Vale. Huh, a sleep potion? Never thought of that one before. Thank Lucifer I took some tests with Luna about poisons. At least I can stay away longer than it takes to knock someone out.'

"It's alright, but let's not take our time with pleasantries. What do you want Celestia?" I asked calmly as I could, but after watching everyone in the room but Luna take a sip, that was near impossible.