She doesn't remember the last time she saw her. The last time she felt the loving touch stroke her worries, her fears away was ages ago. She missed the silky feathers caressing her body underneath the Ash tree on a warm spring morning. Hearing her voice sing kind lullaby's in her ear brought more joy than praise from her teacher. How she missed those mismatched eyes staring longingly into hers.

But she can't. Not yet anyways.

It was a lie she told herself over and over again. She knew the last time she saw her, and she wanted to forget that faithful day. The day Canterlot burned. Her dreams reminded her every night with nightmares of the one she loved burning in the fire: calling out her name as she did so. Those haunting thoughts plagued her soul since the day she entered Camelot, the Capital City of Auro. Her roommate, Jade, would always complain about the noise she made every night. At first, she lashed out, mostly with tears streaming down her cheeks. How would Jade know how she felt or how miserable she was for all the mistakes she made? She knew nothing of what she gave up to save the one she loved! Of course, she didn't know. She could never know. Jade tried to give her something to confide in but at the end of the day. She always cried herself to sleep, feeling as though there was a hole in her heart that could never be filled again.

It was a sobering experience during her first few days in Camelot. The people there were far different from the villagers in Aurora. Of course, she knew the city folk will always be different. Growing up in a city taught her to trust no one but yourself, and Camelot was no stranger to that particular belief. Still, the constant support each individual in Aurora gave during her time there showed just how different she was to her. From the little gestures of affection to the warmth of accomplishing something great together, she missed it.

Nowadays as she eagerly waits for the portal to open, her time is spent behind a desk at Camelot Academy of Magic. At first, when she first arrived, she wasn't treated as anything special. She was just another step for the Nobility's children to step on to whatever false sense of grandeur they had. It was immensely annoying, at the best of times, but the worst led to fights that were... unavoidable.

The so-called "queen" of the school made the horrific mistake of challenging her to a duel. Her roommate Jade begged her not to fight with warnings of Cecilia's archmage-levels of strength in pyromancy. She snorted in contempt as a response.

When the fight began in the fully packed school arena, Cecilia threw everything at her all at once. Sunset could only laugh as her fire magic couldn't harm the real pyromancer. Sure, her clothes burned off, showing her flawless naked body to her opponent and the crowd before she coated herself in armor made of lava. The look on Cecilia's face when her armor solidified into immaculate obsidian made the bullying worth bearing. After that little show, Sunset retaliated with her heart-fire—The representation of a pyromancer's soul—And nearly killed Cecilia with a single fireball. That was two years ago.

Now she counts down the final days of the portal's opening with anticipation and fear. Anticipation to see her again, and fear to ask forgiveness for what she's done.

"Fuuuck me that was boring," mom yawned from her side of the carriage. I rolled my eyes as she lazily slumped down on the couch like a fat slob without a care in the world, while I sat up with perfect posture since everyone else in the car was staring. "At least you had fun from the commotion in the garden. I'm glad you and Cadence finally back on good terms. Speaking of Cadence: I heard she was going to visit Ponyville on the weekend. Want to make a bet?"

"Really?" I stared blankly at her. I knew Cadence was going to visit the farm as well as her family on the weekend, but making a bet with me was a horrible idea. Mom knew what was going to happen on Saturday: Ponyville panics, Pinkie and Octavia freaks out, stallions ask her out, and the guard attempt to keep her as far away from me as possible. That, and I will be dealing with my wolves at the Castle once I've finished dealing with Raven and Rexy. I might not have time to spend with her once all things were said and done. With everything going on in the background, I don't think I'll spend more than an hour with her until she has to go. I know I will always be there for her, but... I don't know. 'Fuck me.'

"Yeah!" Mom cheered with her iconic shit-eating grin. "I bet that Cadence will appear as you-know-who and completely throw everyone off."

'You-know-who? The only time I ever saw... oh! Her disguise. I forgot she had one. Well, I guess I can... no. If she came with her disguise, then she will most likely follow me. FUCK ME TWICE WITH YOUR RUSTY SPOON SALAD FINGERS!'

My once perfect posture fell victim to the ever legendary face-inserted-into-wall-A followed by hoof-implosion-mark-X. With Cadence coming to Ponyville as Pandora Bubblegum. All of my plans instantly became at risk for failure. Knowing Cadence for as long as I have, she will follow me around wanting to know how to live the small town girl life. She will want to dance at the club, drink at the bar, check out my.... job, and make friends with the locals. Also knowing that pink Alicorn, she would drag me against my will to each event and threaten me with tears and bawling if I don't. She is sweet but damn she can be clingy!

I quickly altered my plans to take into account of Cadences clinginess and made sure to get everything done before then, however. I won't be able to postpone my meeting with the Wolves. I just hope Cadence will not follow me to Castle Everfree. I don't want to explain why I'm meeting up with five armed individuals in the middle of the most dangerous forest known to equine-kind. Speaking of ponies that I don't want to know of my second life....

"You alright kiddo? You kinda' left a dent in the wall," Mom said with a tiny portion of concern.

"I'm just as stubborn as you, Mom. I can make a bigger one if you want?" I mockingly replied as the town came into view.

"Please don't. I want that second house in The Shimmering Isle, and a four thousand Bit train wall won't buy it and speaking of money. How about that bet?"

"No."

"Oh come on!"

"Not going to make it."

"Chicken."

"Grow up!"

"I will be twenty-one forever!"

The train rolled into the station with a lot slower than I would have liked. Mom kept whining like a little girl cause I wouldn't make a bet with her, causing our fellow passengers to stare at her like she was a crack addict. It didn't help that she moved around in her seat in odd positions with some of them showing a lot more than I would have liked. Then again no one would have seen anything when she spread her legs quite literally in front of a few mares. Our bodies passively hide private bits by manipulating the fur down there. It's not freaky, or gross, or horrifying. Not at all. As long as I don't think about using that passive manipulation to stimulate my pussy, I can sleep without worrying about waking up to a soaked bed.

'Fuck me I'm thinking about it.'

'You're welcome!' cheered kinky thoughts.

'Go away! Come back later while I play True Apocalypse. I will need you for when I plow Nix on my throne,' I ordered kinky thoughts.

'You're no fun.'

I got off the train with Mom trailing behind. Her amber coat shone brightly in the afternoon sun. I gave her a nod and a quick "see ya' later," before going to do my own thing. She, as usual, gave me a peck on the cheek and flew home ahead of me. I let out a sigh. I didn't want to do what I was about to do. I wanted to hold off for a few days to collect my bearings but If I waited too long, then I would risk the safety of my home.

'Ready, Rose?' I asked myself.

'No,' was the answer.

One of the largest houses in Ponyville was home to the Steelwings. It sat surrounded by a large garden, flowers, trees, etcetera. A worn stone path joined the main gate and the front door, though it rarely gets used by the family that lives here. Birds can be heard singing their songs, while rabbits nibbled on a nearby daisy patch. I let out a sigh and adjusted my wing blades. Gauntlets scraped against the ground with each step I took. The black metal a stark contrast to the almost silver road. If the sun wasn't shining down upon me, I wouldn't have noticed the difference.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl once I reached the door: a simple, dark wood with a simple carving of the families coat of arms engraved on the surface. It has been a long time since I stood in front of this door. Back when I was a filly, I would wait eagerly wait for my brother to come out and play. He would always say "hello midget," and I would whine with a puffy lower lip in response. This always led to us roughhousing in the garden for a few minutes before the gardener got mad and sent us somewhere else.

I loved our relationship, but that ended a long time ago. No matter how much I came to the door with tears streaming down my cheeks, begging for Rexy just to say one word. Any word, just to know that he still cares for me. Even now I feel the urge to scream, kick, and cry just by being near this house, but now is not the time.

If Rexy wasn't going to ease my fears after what I learned from Night Blade: then I'm going to force it out of him.

With a flick of my wing, the door was opened, revealing an open foyer to the three story house. A red rug led up the center staircase where a maid stood frozen in place. The Earth Pony mare slowly turned around as I walked on in without a care in the world. When her eyes landed on me, she relaxed a little.

"Ah, hello lady Rose. How may I help you?" Puppy Smiles asked. I looked to my right and saw a few paintings that were there before, and to the right had a statue of Nightmare Moon. Both ends of the foyer had doors leading to other parts of the house, but the room I wanted was on the third floor. That's where Rexy's bedroom was.

"Where Is Rexarios?" I inquired as calmly as I could, but the venom in my tone-of-voice made Puppy's ears flatten.

"I-I haven't seen the young master all day," Puppy replied with a stutter. "And it has been a long time since you've visited. Would you like me to make your favorite tea while we wait?"

"Tell me where Rex is, or I'll kill you," I threatened with a show of my wing blades. It was overkill, sure, but her stutter told me that she knew where Rex is. I wouldn't actually kill her, but if she gets in my way intentionally with force? There was no saving her.

"I-I-I honestly don't know where the young master is," Puppy gulped. "He hasn't been home for days!"

"I saw him enter the house five minutes ago," I growled, taking a step towards the trembling mare. She, in turn, took a step back, causing her rear hooves to clip on the rug and fall over with an audible "thud!" I took another step forward, angry that she of all people would stop me from confronting my brother. She was like another mother, always looking out for me and my adventures when Spitfire couldn't. Just listening to her lie blatantly on behalf for Rexy made my blood boil! I took a more aggressive stance, eyes narrowing. I was not in the mood for games, and if she was defending my potentially traitorous brother. Then I am going to kill her.

There is nothing in the world I hate more than betrayal.

"Now if you don't answer me, I WILL SLIT YOUR—!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH ROSE!"

"—Throat."

I froze, body refusing to move. The warm, soothing, deep voice that interrupted my threat came into view and stood in a protective stance above the sobbing, trembling mess that was Puppy Smiles. His fierce, crimson eyes stare into mine with a mixture of love and regret. His fluffy, dark gray bird-fluff looked as though it was recently brushed, while his sleek, pitch-black cat fur had a bit of dirt in random places. His silver talons gripped the rug below him while is lion's tail gently caressed Puppy's tears away. His falcon beak let out a sigh, head slumping for a moment, and eyes looked away from mine, but the most striking thing about him was how tall he was. Easily as tall as Celestia, Rexy was a giant amongst Griffons.

A giant, cuddly Griffon that I walked under to stay dry from the rain. His wings were like blankets that held me when I cried, and his razor-sharp talons made all my bullies go away. I struggled to find my words. I wanted to say so much to him, but nothing would come out. I wanted to run to him, hug him, beg him to hold me, but I couldn't. That's not what I was here for. Taking a deep breath in, I did something that I haven't done in a long time to calm my nerves and turned myself into an emotionless monster.

I hummed a song.

"Rose? Is everything alright?" Rexy asked with concern. Concern that I yearned for. I took a step forward, eyes closed, and activated my Illusion Ring to make my eyes appear normal when they would have appeared pure white with black runes tattooed on. Once everything was ready, I opened my eyes again. "You're starting to freak me out."

"Freak you out? Is everything alright? Rose, enough?" I hissed. "Is that all you have to say to your baby sister after treating me like I didn't exist!"

He flinched at the sudden volume.

"How about leaving a poor, lost, filly, sobbing next to her father's grave in the rain: begging for someone, anyone, to make all the pain go away!" I stomped my hoof in a fit of rage, forcing the Griffon before me to take a step back. "Or how about learning that her hero bombed a bunch of innocent people a few days ago! How about that Rexarios! Huh?! How about that!"

"I had nothing to do with that!" Rexy finally responded with a shout of his own. He took a step forward with a bit more courage while I shed one final tear, knowing the truth from my Mana Sight. "Please, Winny. I had nothing to do with that incident in Wingshire, honest!"

"Shut up!" I screamed, eyes turning into slits. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust him. I wanted everything to be one big fat lie, but that wasn't going to happen! 'Why can't anything go right in my life!?'

My wing twitched.

Eye's locked.

Heart raced.

Body tensed.

'First, it was Summer, then Zonya, Father, and Sunset. Now it's the Elements of Harmony, the Griffons, and my brother! I won't have it! NOT ANYMORE!' Grinding my teeth into dust, I slowed my breathing and calmed down. I was on the verge of another Blood Rage, and I didn't want to waste it on my brother. He took it as a sign that I believed him, but in reality. I didn't. The funny thing about Mana Sight aside from being able to see where magic flows in a spell is that I can also see something else.

A person's soul.

This allows me to tell if someone is lying, telling the truth, who is strong magic-wise, and who is in love with another. It come's in handy every now and again, but If I use it too much. Then I could go permanently blind to everything else. Funny how that works out when before that wouldn't have happened.

"Do you believe me?" Rexarios had the gull to say.

"The brother that I know was loving," I took one more step forward, wings completely outstretched and ready to strike.

"He was kind," I activated my gauntlets, causing a set of dragons claws to appear.

"He wouldn't have done the atrocities that label a terrorist what it was." He took a step back, the scent of fear wafting out from his form.

"And he died the same die my father died."

"Ha," I paused once more and raised a brow.

"Hahaha," Rexarios continued to chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

He paused, giving me a dangerous smirk.

"You. Are. An. Idiot."

"What do you mean?" I asked quizzically. He pointed behind me where another two Griffons stood, holding boards, chains, and cloth. All of whom were Griffons that I've never seen before. My eyes went wide. I didn't have enough time to react to the sight of one of the boards charged into view. All I could do was watch.

"TWACK!"

And the bright world turned black with laughter as it's music.

The laughter that I once considered beautiful.

Author's Notes:

Le gasp!