When I awoke, I felt more refreshed than I ever have before. Like an entire weight that had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt good. Really good! I found the lyre still close by my chest and I had realized I had drooled a little. I slid out of the bed and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I studied myself in the mirror. I narrowed my eyes. I expected to see Din replace my reflection, but it didn’t happen. I smiled, feeling relieved that it hadn’t.

“It is almost time. Then the land will know true fire. Ponies will sing and the flames will dance!”

I shuddered. I couldn’t let that happen. Then, I felt a sudden urge to drink. I don’t recall after the last time, but I had apparently exposed Iris to a side of me that most ponies will only see in clubs and bars. I placed the lyre gently into my bag and adjusted my gear. After all that had happened and the failed attempt at getting answers, I felt like I needed one to commemorate another day to live and fight on. I trotted down to find my friends preoccupying themselves.

Comp sat on the circle bed looking bored as he organized some things that Goldenlee had bought last night. Goldenlee was talking to Star, who was helping her understand the principles of relic hunting, and made Goldenlee feel as if she was missing out on some action. But he told her that she is a surgeon and that she needed to be there to help other ponies. After that, things got awkward for them. I trotted down to see Brick digging into a bowel of Sugar Apple Bombs. Silver Iris was talking to Rex and trying to give him commands.

“Sit.” She said. Rex did. “Speak.” Rex barked. “Shake.” She held out a hoof and Rex took his paw and they both shook. Iris chuckled and petted his head. “Good boy.” I smiled and threw my hood over my head. I trotted to the door.

“Where you heading out to, Courier?” Brick asked. I looked back at him.

“Probably get a drink. Get into a fight or two. Who knows?” I smirked. “I’m weird when I’m drunk.” Goldenlee seemed shocked.

“You’re going drinking in the morning?” she gapped. “Courier, that’s unhealthy!” I shrugged.

“Never stopped me.” I said smiling. She groaned.

“Just try to stay out of trouble. And do becareful. The Pride is out looking for you.” I rubbed my chin.

“I guess you’re right. Be right back.” I said and trotted back up to my room. I threw off my duster and stable barding and pulled out the white suite with grey undershirt. I threw it on and was surprised to see that the tie was still tied. I smiled and looked at my gear. I figured I might as well take a few things. I levitated up the shotgun and Compassion. I glanced them over. A shotgun is nice, but it will put most ponies on edge. I looked at Compassion and smirked. Of course! No pony would expect a sword. I put my shotgun down and slung Compassion over my back. I looked ridiculous, but I rather not have to be walking around unarmed. I smiled and trotted back down to see my friends looking at me funny. “What?”

“That suit again?” Comp nickered. “You are such a tomboy.” I flushed and glared at him.

“It’s not my fault! It’s genetics.” I said. Star arched a brow.

“Being a tomboy is genetics?” he asked. I blinked and looked at him with a stern look.

“You, zip it!” I said. Why were they questioning about my looks? Honestly, the nerve of someponies. I can be a girl if I wanted too. But I prefer dirt and grime to be fulfilling for a hard day’s work, rather than worrying about the actual dirt and grime itself. Trust me. Some fillies in my stable were weird.

“So why the sword?” Brick asked. I looked at him with a questioning look.

“I rather not walk around unarmed. And I figure a gun makes ponies a little too on edge. They won’t expect a pony with a sword.” I said matter-of-factly.

“Have you’ve even used that thing?” Comp asked as he shifted through some junk in front of him. I blinked.

“Of course I have.” I said. Using it against myself meant I did. Didn’t it? I sighed and rubbed my face. “Look, I hate not being armed. If all else fails, I know how to use my hooves.” I said making a little boxing motion with them. I may not be good at melee much. But I had to learn quick. I found it simply satisfying to plant hooves in the face of ponies that either pissed me off or given the chance. Which is why I mostly like to start bar fights. And this little pony packs a punch as well as a kick. My companions nickered. I smiled and trotted out of the door.

“Wait! Hold up!” I looked back to see Silver Iris land next to me. “I’ll go with you. Need to hone my skills if you know what I mean.” She said with a smirk. I nodded. I never really thought about it, but I guess having a buddy to fight alongside you in a bar was twice the fun. And she was looking for some fun.

“You two are going to be the death of me.” Goldenlee sighed. We laughed as we made our way down the hall. Exiting the elevator, we were greeted with a surprisingly happy looking Al Capony. She saw us and flushed. I smirked and arched a brow.

“Good night?” I asked. She quickly recovered with a stern look.

“Not that it matters to you.” She said. She looked at me and bit her lip. Then she squeed and threw her hooves around me in a hug. “I’m getting married!” she said happily. Marriage? Wow.

“Congratulations.” Silver Iris said with a smile. Al Capony pirouetted on a hoof and landed elegantly.

“I have never been so happy in my life! Oh, I got to start planning the guest list. I need to find a dress. And I definitely need to find something divine for the cake.” She said. She looked at us with a studying look. Then, she beamed. “How would you two like to be my maidens of honor?” I cocked my head while Silver Iris looked surprised.

“Maidens of honor?” I asked. She looked at me and bit her lip before speaking.

“Oh dear. Don’t tell me you’ve never been to a wedding?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Never really known about the topic.” I said. I knew mom and dad were married when they had us. But I never really asked them how they married. They just told me how they fell in love. She then nickered.

“Oh, you stable ponies don’t know nothing.” She said. I blinked. Was that supposed to mean something? I’ll have you know I am perfectly well taught. Even Silver Iris was laughing at my confused look. I rubbed my head.

“Err… I’m not sure I’m following through.” I said lamely.

“So who’s the lucky stallion?” Silver Iris asked. Al Capony sang as she spoke.

“Bucky~!” she said swooning a little. Bucky?

“So Kingpin blessed him? Wow, again congratulations.” Iris said.

“Thanks!” she said happily. Then, she looked at my confused look. She sighed. “You are definitely a lost cause. Come on then. Girls day out!” Al Capony reached in and dragged me out. I didn’t know what to think. I let myself be pulled along by Al Capony with Silver Iris flying after us.

Honestly, I didn’t get it. We were trotting down the shopping districts of Las Pegasus. Al Capony and Silver Iris stopped to admire mannequins with Rarity designs. They commented on how cute that one looked and how gorgeous the other one looked. I frowned as I stared at one.

“I don’t get it.” I said flatly. Al Capony looked at me with a sigh.

“A lost cause indeed. At least have a good time.” She said. I looked at her, rubbing the back of my head.

“Like… bar fights?” I was dying for one. And a drink as well. Al Capony looked disgusted.

“Eck. No! That is too barbaric. Why don’t we get a hooficure? Maybe then you will see that being a girl isn’t all that bad.” She said. I cocked my head. Hooficure? I imagined my hoof having a strange disease and a small droplet of a bottle that read ‘cure’ on it and my hoof instantly healing. Al Capony shook her head and dragged me along with Iris in tow. We reached the Aloe and Vera Spa building. When we entered, we were greeted by pretty mares. Okay, good looking mares. Not too bad. Oh no, it was horrible next. I saw Al Capony being covered in seaweed and had cucumbers put onto her eyes as she hopped into a tub full of mud. The mud looked welcoming. But I didn’t get the cucumbers. I took a couple and chowed down on them. Sweet and crunchy. I took another when one of the spa mares snatched the bowel away.

“Heavens, you don’t eat these!” she said horrified. I looked at her with a stuffed mouth. I chewed and swallowed before speaking.

“Why? Aren’t they just vegetables?” I asked. I looked over to see Silver Iris without her armor on and was leaning back comfortably with her eyes closed as a spa mare was rubbing away at her hoof with a metallic object. She definitely looked athletic. Her pretty looks and cool demeanor with that athletic bod. I felt my heart beat excitedly as I looked her down, taking in her figure. Then, my eyes glanced down to her flank. Her cutie-mark looked interesting. A winged looking silver thunderbolt. Her tail was as spiked as her mane. I looked her over again before the mare suddenly threw the cucumbers on my eyes and rubbed something around my face. I flailed helplessly as the mare finished whatever she was doing and I felt my hoof being held and something brushing against my hoof. It felt nice. Relaxing even. I eased and smiled as the mare did the same thing with the rest of my hooves.

“So, what do you think?” I heard Al Capony say.

“This is paradise.” I heard Silver Iris replied. Then, there was silence. I felt eyes on me. I blinked underneath the cucumbers. These things were starting to become annoying. I heard the mare move away and I took the opportunity to toss my head and chomp down on the two cucumbers and swallowed. I saw them looking at me with smirks. I flushed and rubbed the back of my head.

“What? They are vegetables. You are supposed to eat them.” I said. They both laughed as I still continued to not understand the meaning of ‘girl’s day out’. When we left, we had just finished after a thing called a massage. Feeling the hooves of the pretty mares against me made me squirm a little in the nether region. But I had to admit. I felt more at ease. My muscles weren’t as tense as before. I trailed behind the two mares as they began discussing something about stallions. I listened in with peek curiosity.

“So, what do you think of stallions?” Al Capony asked Iris. Iris rubbed the back of her head as she answered.

“Well, they are nice. But they could be better.” She replied. Al Capony gave an interesting look.

“Oh really? And how so?” she asked.

“Well, they are stubborn I’ll give them that. I had my fair share of stallions admiring me. But I only ever had one who I had even done anything with.” She said. Yeah, before he broke your heart and tried to force you to come back. Honestly, what do most mares see in stallions? I’ve heard plenty of them talk. Comp, Brick and Star are an exception, but the others made it sound like they just walk around hoping to get under some mare’s tail. It was kind of disgusting really. Almost a tad disappointing. Stallions were just no good. I had always been into mares. I had loved a mare. Until she broke my heart all the same. And after what had happened after that, I still focused on mares. I already had one colt done it. I don’t want it to ever happen again. I guess I hadn’t thought about it, but I think I’m utterly horrified by boys in general. But Brick and Shining Star aren’t that bad. I know they won’t hurt me. But I’ve never even taken interest in them anyways. And Comp is a colt. Goldenlee could be one. I mean, she is gorgeous, caring and knows how to handle a gun that is twice her size. Now if that isn’t a turn on, I don’t know what is. But when I was around Silver Iris, I felt funny. My heart would beat rapidly and I have no idea why? The way she acted. The way she spoke. And her bod. Oh yes, her sweet bod. And to top it off she knew how to kick ass too! But… why do I always feel funny around her?

I must have been too deep into thought as I realized too late that I had walked past the two and smacked straight into a bent stop sign. I fell back on my haunches and shook away the daze. I looked back at them as they gave me worried looks. I flushed and rubbed the back of my head.

“Err… sorry. Was just thinking things.” Goddesses I needed a drink. Al Capony shook her head.

“Lost cause.” She said. After getting up and dusting myself off, Al Capony treated us to lunch. We entered a fancy diner that was run by the Whitehoof Society. I shuddered as a mare in a white pre-ware dress and masquerade mask went over and asked for my sword. Again, I hesitantly gave her it. I hated being unarmed. A stallion in a white suite lead us to a table. As we sat down and the waiter gave us menus, Silver Iris looked to Al Capony.

“Aren’t you worried that the Whitehoof will know who you are?” she asked. Al Capony gave a hearty chuckle that caught the attention of a few ponies around us.

“Honestly, you don’t think The Family knows one another? I happen to be a favorite niece of Stiletto.” She said as she scanned the menu. Right, because they were all related in a sense. I scanned the menu and cocked my head at the fancy words. I wasn’t much for formality or fancy words, but some looked and sounded zebraish. There were a few others that were Istallion sounding and some that sounded just plain unnatural. So, being the smart pony, I scanned the pictures. I licked my lips as the fancy dishes looked very appetizing. But I figured I just go with the normal Daisy Sandwich and hay fries. With a Ranger Whiskey if they have it. I flipped the menu over and found the wine and beverage section. I frowned that they had no Ranger Whisky but weird sounding wines. I sighed in defeat. At least they have Nuka-Cola.

“So, what are you getting?” Al Capony asked me. I noticed one of the Whitehoof waiters was looking patiently at me.

“Daisy sandwich and hay fries please. Can I have a Nuka-Cola too?” I asked. The waiter said nothing but wrote something down on a pad before trotting off. I groaned. “I still don’t get it.” I said. I felt Al Capony pat my shoulder.

“In time, dear Courier. In time. We will make you a girl yet.” She said. I snorted and blew my bangs up as I levitated a knife and balanced it on its’ tip and spun it with my magic looking bored.

“What’s the point?” I said flatly as I watched the knife spin.

“Well, the point is for you to enjoy the moment.” Silver Iris said. Enjoy the moment?

“Isn’t this Girls Day Out or something?” I asked with a blink.

“It is. Which is why you must enjoy it.” Al Capony said. I said nothing and just focused on the knife. I spun it, increasing its’ speed. I made it go faster and faster and faster till it was a blur. Then, I imagined small little fire-works flying out and making small quiet popping sounds as the knife spun and turned into a dove. I cocked my head at it and the dove followed me. I focused and made it fly around the room with an amusing smile as some ponies looked confused by the sudden white bird flying around the café. As I made the dove fly around, I looked at the spoon in front of me. I lifted it up to eye level and began spinning it just like I had with the knife. Another small bit of fire-works and poof, another dove went flying away to join the other. I watched and commanded the doves as they flew, twirled over one another and dove in between tables and over ponies that ducked their heads. I heard the oohs and aahs as the birds landed in front of me and both bowed before I canceled the illusion. The knife and spoon spun until they stopped. I sighed and put them down.

Illusion magic had its’ perks. The imagination can be poetic in a sense. I just created two doves out of spinning utensils and made them dance around the café. Two lovers that trusted one another. They soared and danced in harmony. They were happy. Happy to be with one another. I don’t think I could ever find that type of happiness, but a mare can dream can’t she? I blinked and looked to the two mares who looked at me, smiles across their faces.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” I asked as I wiggled my muzzle in confusion. Silver Iris giggled and Al Capony seemed impressed.

“Why, Courier. I didn’t know you were very poetic.” She said with a small sense of pride. I said nothing but looked down at the two utensils.

“Illusion magic is about the imagination of the mind. If you can think it, you can make it. But such magic requires immense concentration. If anypony were to attempt it without taking the necessary precautions, you could suffer burnout right away or have an illusion back fire.” I explained.

“Yet you can make copies of yourself without even thinking.” Silver Iris said with a smirk. I shook my head.

“That took me years to get right.” I said. I was only able to create two. And now I am able to create three. And let me tell you, what I just did was basic elementary illusion magic.” I focused and conjured another copy to stand next to me. She looked exactly as I do. The suit and tie. The messy mane that seemed to be groomed to the best of the spa mare’s abilities. But other than that, I was surprised to see my features looking young. Younger than I should be. That mud crème had worked its’ magic. My copy looked at me and smiled. “To even do one can cause immediate burnout. I can do up to three before I start feeling the burnout.” Al Capony rubbed her chin as she studied my copy.

“So, your copy is an illusion. So it shouldn’t be real?” she asked. To her surprise curiosity, when she reached a hoof over and touched my copy, she gapped. I arched a brow in amusement.

“Making solid copies however can be killer on the head.” I said with a smirk, hoofbumping my copy.

“Amazing.” Al Capony marveled. “And you can do three of them?” I nodded. My copy mimicked me. My way of teasing the surprised gang head. I faded my copy as our food arrived. I licked my lips at the sight of the neatly prepared sandwich and hay fries. I was about to dig in when Al Capony cleared her throat. I looked over to her in mid bite as she looked at me sternly. I blinked.

“What? I’m hungry.” I said looking at the tantalizing delicious sandwich.

“A lady must never scarf her face.” She said. I rolled my eyes.

“You remind me of Goldenlee.” I said. I noticed a steaming lobster placed in front of her and Silver Iris had some sort of glazed potato with herbs on the top. Al Capony used her own magic and took the sandwich away from me and placed it down neatly on my plate. She took the knife and fork and neatly cut one piece and put them down.

“That is how you should properly eat a sandwich.” She said as she cut into her lobster. I sighed. I still don’t get it. I looked over to Silver Iris who seemed to chew quietly. I narrowed my eyes and saw the speck of potato on her cheek. I reached with my magic and levitated over the piece and stuffed it in my mouth. I never had potato before. And my curiosity got the better of me. But I didn’t want to ask Silver Iris to hand her food over. So I figured I find some scraps. I beamed. Potato tasted good! I looked over to a surprised and flushing Silver Iris.

“Hey, that potato tasted great!” I said with a smile. She seemed to flush even more but said nothing as she took another quiet bite of her food. I arched a brow at her. What was wrong with her? Was she feeling alright? She did look cute when she was embarrassed. Embarrassed? Did I do something to embarrass her? All I did was sample a potato. I shrugged and subconsciously levitated the sandwich to me, only to have Al Capony give me a stern look. I sighed and took the utensils and cut into my sandwich. Girl’s Day Out was very confusing.

“Ugh, I’m stuffed.” I said happily. My tummy was full of yummy goodness. I was walking ahead of the two mares. We were heading to a Boutique to pick out a dress for us. A dress. The only time I ever wore a dress was to go in disguised as a ganger to get the delivery to the recipient. It was a cousin of the Whitehoof Society. I had to admit, when I put on the dress and looked in the mirror, I looked ridiculous. I swore never again to wear a dress. But I wouldn’t mind helping friends pick one out. It’s what friends do, right? I was happy to have Compassion slung over on my back. I felt naked without it. I left the restaurant feeling better than I had from the spa. I think I was enjoying this Girl’s Day Out.

I hummed one of Velvet Remedy’s songs as we reached the Boutique. We entered through the door and I flinched as the bell overhead rang.

“Welcome to Carousal Boutique.” A pretty beige colored mare with a light brown mane said with a nod of her head. “Is there anything I can assist you fine mares today?” Al Capony trotted up to one of the dress racks and begin scrolling through them.

“Do you have any wedding dresses that I could browse?” she asked. The mare beamed.

“Some lucky stallion’s day, eh? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have a fine selection of Rarity’s finest dresses.” The mare said. She led Al Capony to the back of the room leaving me and Iris to browse through the dresses. I frowned as I found nothing of interest in the colorful dresses. I looked over to a hat rack and beamed. There, in a glorious light, stood the most awesome looking fedora I have seen! Its’ white color seemed to shine in the light. A black strap circling around the base of a small folded lump with the crevice in the middle. I trotted over to it and levitated it. I put it on and frowned. Too big. I glanced on the hat rack to see if they had another one. I was happy that I had found one that seemed to fit snuggly on my head. I went over to a mirror and examined it. Now I was looking stylish. Though Compassion seemed to throw the style off a bit. But that was just me being nitpicky. I noticed in the mirror Silver Iris looking at me with a nervous flush. I looked back to her and she quickly adverted her gaze back to the racks. Did I do something wrong? Why was she being quiet around me?

“Hey Iris?” I spoke making her stiffen a little. “Is everything okay? You’ve been quiet since the restaurant.” Iris nodded as she spoke.

“I-I’m fine. Just, you know… being pretty cool.” She said with a small stammer. I smiled and looked back to the mirror. I saw her looking again before sighing and moving over to another rack. Now I was worried. Had I done something wrong to upset her? I mean, she is cool. And pretty. Pretty cool! So why is she avoiding me now? I began to panic slightly. Did I do something to mess up our friendship? I didn’t want to lose Silver Iris. She is a friend. A good looking and cool friend that I feel weird around. I gasped slightly. Was it me? Am I doing something to push her away? Karma, what have I done now? My ears twitched as I heard the door open and three well-dressed stallions walked in. None of them looked Omareta. I narrowed my eyes and pretended to busy myself by messing with the fedora on my head. I glanced to see Silver Iris noticing them as well and furrowing her brow as she scanned the racks. She must have caught the bad vibes coming from them as I had.

“Welcome to Carousal Boutique. I will be with you in just a moment.” The mare called back from the room. I saw the middle stallion smirk and look over at Iris. The brown and black striped suit pony nodded.

“Take your time.” He said, still giving a look to Iris. The stallions walked around the Boutique, scanning through the men’s area. I noticed a green plaid suite stallion with shades position himself by the door. I looked over to the other stallions in the mirror. Another green plaid suite stallion with a blonde mane in the form of a cow lick. Then the last one, the brown and black striped suite stallion with the combed black mane and tan hide made his way over to Iris. I knew Iris wouldn’t let him catch her off guard. I’ve seen her fight. Like I said. She is pretty. And cool. Pretty cool! But these stallions had trouble written all over them. “So, come here often?” the tan stallion asked Silver Iris who gave him a feigned smile in return.

“Not really. I’m just here with friends.” She said. I smirked and continued to focus on the mirror. Mirror… I got an idea. Smoke and mirrors.

“Oh yeah? Let me guess. That colt over there is one?” the stallion asked as I saw him look my way before turning back to Iris. Iris just smiled.

“Yes. She is.” She said. The stallion blinked and looked at me again. I pretended to adjust my fedora and make a face in the mirror.

“She? You mean that’s a mare?” he asked. I felt a twinge of annoyance. But I kept my cool and continued to play with my fedora. I heard the other stallions laugh. “I gotta see this.” I saw the stallion move my way. I smirked and focused on the mirror. With my magic, I imagined myself merging into the mirror. Stepping through it like water. I put a hoof out and saw the stallion blink a bit. I smiled and stepped into the mirror. Or so I had made him think. I peeked out quietly from the racks and smirked mischievously. When the stallion wasn’t looking, I had quickly and silently ducked into the rack and replaced myself with a copy. I looked over to see Silver Iris even surprised as my copy walked through the mirror. I saw the baffled stallions and Iris gape as my copy blinked from the other side of the mirror, turned around and waved at them. To mess with them even more, I made my copy go over to one of the racks and with my own magic, grabbed the same clothing my copy was looking through and moved in synchronization. Illusion magic for the win!

My mind began thinking of all kinds of things to mess with the stallions. And I was right about them being trouble. One had nervously reached for his submachine gun on his side. I could see a small hidden revolver inside the tan stallion’s suit.

“The hell did I just witness?” the stallion gapped. He turned to Iris. “Your friend is a freak.” Now I was really getting annoyed. So to get back at them, I slid out when they weren’t looking and acted like I had come back from the dressing rooms. They blinked at me. I smiled and tipped my fedora in a way that would make Bucky proud.

“Gentlecolts.” I said as I looked around and trotted over to the mirror. Now for phase three. I looked back at my copy and she smiled quietly back at me. I adjusted my fedora and my copy did the same. I could see the reactions of shock and horror at me.

“B-boss. What’s going on?” the stallion by the door asked nervously. I blinked at him and looked confusedly at the stallion. All those years maintaining a cold and straight face, I kept it well as my copy behind me began making funny motions and weird faces making the stallions lose their color.

“You guys okay? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost?” I said and looked over to Silver Iris with a wink. Iris smiled back. Now for act five. I turned back and my copy happily mimicked me. I looked at the mannequin in the mirror now. I couldn’t move from my position from the mirror. I had cast a spell that masked my reflection but not my copy’s. Moving away will spoil the trick. And this magician still has tricks up her sleeves. I focused on the mannequin that was next to the shaded stallion. I imagined putting strings around the joints and began moving it like a puppet. I winced as my head began throbbing, but I maintained my composure and twisted the mannequin’s head. I then lifted up the hoof of the mannequin and plopped it on the stallion’s shoulder. He yelped, making his lackeys and Iris to look over. I then focused on the second mannequin and with the two, I moved them off of their podiums and made them do a little waltz around the Boutique. I swear the stallion by the door could have wet himself.

I felt the sweat beginning to form on my head, but I kept going. The other green suit stallion reached for his gun and I quickly launched my magic out to the gun and jammed the bullet in place. When the stallion pulled the trigger on his gun, a small flag with the word ‘bang’ in a comically cartoonish fashion shot out and made a little squeak. I heard Silver Iris giggle. Now I wanted to show off. I wasn’t just scaring off ponies that were trouble, I was also impressing Silver Iris. I wanted to impress her more as I felt my heart beat excitedly as she giggled at the stallion rubbing his head in confusion. More sweat. The headache began. Wincing slightly in pain, I made the waltzing mannequins bow and Iris stomped her hooves in applause. I smiled as the stallions backed away from the mannequins. I walked away from the mirror and my copy faded from view as the mannequins distracted the three.

“H-hey you!” the stallion said. I stiffened and looked over to them. The mannequins were perfectly still and I arched a brow.

“Yes?” I said. In the back of my mind I was laughing hysterically.

“You have something to do with this, don’t ya’?” the tan stallion said, looking whiter than the snow. I rubbed the back of my head and looked at the mannequins and then to them.

“What do you mean?” I asked. Silver Iris gave a silent nicker as the stallion tapped the mannequins.

“You have to be. No way that this is happening. You are a unicorn. You have to be.” He seemed to turn slightly red in anger at me. I looked at them in confusion. Trick six. I poked my horn that was protruding out of the fedora.

“Unicorn? But this is just a hat with a unicorn horn on it.” I said as I took the fedora and saw my horn on the hat. I rubbed my head where my horn had previously been. My head was killing me now. But I ignored it as I continued to impress my audience. The stallion now lost color even in his suit. Why weren’t they leaving yet? I was starting to reach my limit. I had to do something to get them to leave the Boutique. I darted my eyes around the room. I saw the belt section not too far away from them. I put the fedora back on right as the magic vanished over my horn. I was also losing a bit of my color too. As much as I wanted the stallions to leave, I also wanted to impress Iris. She was enjoying it. She giggled and nickered at my tricks. It felt nice to have to show off. Especially to a pretty cool mare like Iris. I reached out with my magic to the belts and imagined snakes. Lots and lots of snakes.

The belts hissed and slithered around the Boutique. That had done it for the stallions. They quickly retreated out of the store, yelping as a snake (a belt in disguise) hissed at the trio. I released my magic and the snakes vanished, the belts back in their original place. The mannequins quietly floated over back to their podiums and I let out a sigh of relief. My head was pounding. I tried levitating a small pencil on the counter to see how badly I was going to get it. It wavered. Yup, this was going to hurt. I stood up and wobbled. My head and ears pounding and the sweat dripping my face. I winced as I walked over to Iris and smiled at her tiredly.

“So… fun time?” I asked. She smiled at me.

“Fun time.” She said. Then she gave me a peck on the cheek. I felt my heart flutter now. By Goddesses, whatever I was feeling, I hope it didn’t stop. But I still don’t know why I was feeling like this. I looked at her with a smile and she smiled back. Then her smile changed to a worried look. “Are you alright, Courier?” she asked. I tried saying something, but my headache wouldn’t let me. I wobbled and fell to the floor. Silver Iris helped me up as I groaned at the pounding.

“I hate burnout.” I rasped. Now I felt sick. Burnout was always nasty in the end for a unicorn. You pretty much use too much or all of your magic and you can’t do anymore and just feel sick in the end.

“Burnout? Why did you keep going then?” she asked giving me a concerned look. I breathed heavily for a bit before speaking.

“I uh… wanted to be… you know… pretty cool.” I said with a weak smirk. She blinked and flushed. Okay, what happens next in a burn out? That horrible gut wrenching feeling. I groaned and fell to the floor, clutching my stomach with my hooves. After that, came the fever. Al Capony and the mare had finally come back from the browsing and noticed me pathetically on the floor.

“Is she alright?” Al Capony asked.

“Burnout.” Silver Iris said worriedly. “I think she might be sick from it too.” Al Capony sighed and shook her head.

“A lost cause indeed.” I don’t remember anything else after that. The blackness felt calming.

The clouds overhead darkened and I felt myself standing there in the middle of it all. Compassion was unsheathed and at my side with my magic. I waited. I looked up at the clouds. Something I knew that was going to happen. And what was going to happen would be bad. From the clouds descended a gigantic looking ship. And with it the thousands of Enclave that followed it. I didn’t move as a group of the Enclave landed and face me, energy weapons drawn and aimed at me.

“You’re time ends here, Savior.” One pegasus said. I smirked. “Open fire!” before any pony could get a beam going, I quickly zipped up to the one and with my shotgun drawn, I blew the pegasus’s head away. I quickly ducked as a beam went over my head and I galloped up to the next pegasus, Compassion sang as I swung through the pegasus with ease. More beams. I easily avoided them and took out the last two from the group. I looked over to see more Enclave fly towards me. I smirked and aimed my shotgun.

“Bang.” I said. I didn’t pull the trigger. No. Somepony else did. As if on cue, one of the pegasi fell from the flight pattern. The leader of the group looked confused. Then, he was struck and the last one fell with him as well. I looked back and smiled to Goldenlee up on the hill in the distance. I saw her smile and wave before moving on to the next target. I slung my shotgun over and galloped towards the descending ship. I looked next to me to see Comp on the back of Rex running beside me.

“Need a lift?” he asked. He reached out with a hoof. I smiled and took it as I boosted myself up over the neck and took hold of the handles over Comp. I steered Rex as the Enclave began firing at us. But the failed FEV showed them that their aim was crap. I didn’t really have to steer. Rex was his own master now. But his loyalty knew no bounds. I could feel it. He would gladly fight by our sides. I held with Comp as Rex zigzagged to avoid the beams. I saw something being shot into the sky inside the Enclave that were firing at us. I loud bang and the zapping of electricity traveled between Enclave to Enclave. The pegasi jerked and began falling to the ground. I looked as we passed by Brick, who fired another pulse grenade into the swarming Enclave. He nodded to us as we passed by. I smiled more. My friends were right. It was time. I had found my virtue. The only problem was, I didn’t really know what it was. But I have. And I felt more confident as we raced deep into the Enclave swarm. I saw other ponies now. Ponies I don’t know, but they were fighting with the Enclave in gun fights. It was all out war. Rex reached the base of a tower. The ship hovered over it.

“Go help the others!” I said to Comp as I hopped off.

“Becareful, Courier.” He said as he turned with Rex and with a long howl, charged back into the fray.

“You too, Comp.” I said. I turned and galloped into the tower. I was to meet with Star inside. I don’t know why I had to. But I just did. I rushed up a flight of steps, taking out turrets that had popped out of the walls and ceilings. Reloading a fresh drum, I reached a room. I looked in and saw Star typing something into a terminal. “Is it ready?” Star looked at me.

“Not quite. I need a little more time.” He said. I heard hoof steps somewhere down below us.

“Better make it quick. More are coming.” I said as I conjured up, to my surprise, five copies! We took positions to the door and across the hall. Enclave rounded the corner and we open fired on them. Two of my copies got disintegrated, but we took out the Enclave right as Star finished.

“I’m in!” he said.

“Do it.” I replied. He pressed a key and we heard it. A bell. Loud and clear a bell rang. It rang across the war zone. It rang out across Equstria. For a moment, the fighting had stopped. They heard it. Equestria heard it. Now it was time for the next step. Star and I raced up the stairs and fired down as more Enclave began flying up to us. We had to reach the top of the tower if I was to enter the ship. Why did I want to enter the ship? I don’t know. But I had to. I bashed at the door with my shoulder and nearly tumbled down the sloped roof of the tower. I looked up to see the ginormous ship over us now. I could make out more Enclave surrounding it. A bad pony is up there. And I need to stop whoever that pony is and the ship. The bell finally stopped and I looked down to the battle field below. Bullets and energy beams covered the floor as far as I could see from the tower. I looked up to see Silver Iris zip and flip, taking out Enclave with her energy weapon and using her hooves in the mix as well. I smirked as an approaching Enclave got a face full of hoof by Silver Iris and spiraled down to the battle field below. She was leading a few other pegasi with some griffins and looked at me.

“Ready then?” she asked. I nodded. She flew over and wrapped her hooves around me. We took off and I felt the vertigo as she zipped and flew with me dangling beneath her. But I knew she wouldn’t drop me. If she did, she would catch me. I would do the same. We trusted one another. We were one. I smiled as we got closer to the ship. An Enclave pegasus with two others flew up and hovered with us on the other side. The helmet retracted and I saw the pained expression of Cloudwing.

“Iris. Why would you do such a thing? This is your home! You have to stop this! Come back to us! To me!” he said. I furrowed my brow at the pegasus, but it was Iris that spoke.

“You’ve already made it clear, Cloudwing. I’m a free mare. Neither you nor the Enclave can change that!” She smiled at me. “I’ve moved on. I found someone else. One I know who won’t toss me away. One who will be there for me!” she glared at the pegasus. “It’s over, Cloudwing.” I felt amazingly happy by this. I was even happier that Cloudwing looked on the verge of tears. He bit his lip and his helmet tracked over his head.

“Fine. If you want to die, then so be it.” He said. Silver Iris looked at me, then to the griffin.

“Get her to the ship. I got personal matters to deal with.” She said. I looked at her with worry.

“Will you be all right?” I asked. She smiled and kissed my head. My heart beat excitedly.

“You know me. I’m pretty. I’m cool. I’m pretty cool.” She said. The griffin tossed me on her back and took off. I looked back to see Silver Iris tracked her helmet over her and the two flew towards each other, wings sharpened to kill. The clouds covered them as I looked back. She will be alright. I know she will. The griffin led two other pegasi that I don’t know, but somehow knew, flew toward the giant ship. When we broke through the clouds, we were instantly being fired upon. But the griffin and the pegasi quickly took evasive maneuvers as I held on for dear life. One pegasus got hit, but countered with his own fire.

“Hold on tight kid. We are heading in.” the griffin said. I had no idea who she was, but I could trust her all the same. She flipped, dove, spun and zigzagged as she skillfully made her way past Enclave, the pegasi behind her doing the same but firing skillfully as we zipped through Enclave. The griffin took a sharp turn up into the thundering clouds. The weather was being created through dark magic. The ominous sign of the end of the world. But that was what me and all these ponies were here for. To put an end to it and save Equestria. To end a pointless war that had started two centuries ago. We reached the top of the ship and a large deck came into view. Our target to destroy the ship was a giant lighting rod that protruded to the thundering clouds above. Lighting cracked around the ship and the clouds around us. The griffin landed softly on the deck and I hopped off.

“Thanks. Now go do what you always dreamed to do.” I said to the griffin. What dream? Why did I know I could trust this griffin? I just knew I could. The griffin smiled.

“Good luck, kid.” She said before taking off and diving back into the clouds. I looked up at the giant lighting rod. The bell has rung. Now it was time to put an end to this. Making sure I still had my shotgun and Compassion, I galloped across the wide open deck to the rod. I skid to a halt as I saw the clouds around me twist and twirled and landed in front of me. I had my weapons drawn. From the dark twisting clouds emerged a demonic grey stallion. His red horn curving up dangerously as it glowed. His eyes had small dark tendrils flailing in the corner and he grinned evilly at me, showing me his fangs.

“Are your dreams always this amusing?” Sombra asked with a small chuckle. “Quite the paragon. I thought you spent your entire life trying to hide your family’s lineage.” This wasn’t part of the plan. So this is a dream. Why did it feel so real though? But I had to answer that later. Sombra has appeared in my head again. He chuckled. “And an amusing set up too. Almost makes a battle more interesting. But I’m afraid I have to end this fantasy. It is time. Time for you to free Din.” He said. I shook my head and quickly aimed my shotgun at him.

“I’m not going to. I’ve seen what she does. And I won’t let it ever happen again. Now get out of my head.” I said. He chuckled more as his horn glowed. A dark crackle of a lightning bolt shot at my shotgun. I gapped as the gun was blown into smithereens. I bit my lip.

“Tis a pity. And Shining Armor put his life in that weapon. The boy was a fool to begin with.” Sombra said. Then, I drew Compassion. Sombra narrowed his eyes. “However. I can sense that weapon being a nuisance.” His horned glowed again and this time I was ready to move. But there was no lightning bolt or dark magic. Well, except for one that Sombra did. He swung his head to the side and the horn was enveloped with magic and grew into a sharp blade. “Yes. I believe this is a perfect set up you have. Now to see if you are worth my time.”

“We are going to stop you Sombra! Me, LittlePip. Eveypony will stop you!” I said. He chuckled again.

“Ahh, a mare can dream can’t she. Yes, LittlePip is also a likely nuisance as well. But in time, she will fall as much as Equestria did. Din is the only one who has fully woken. Now it is time for me to claim her powers.” He arched a brow slyly. “And your brother won’t be around to save you this time. I made sure of that myself.” I bristled.

“What have you’ve done with him!?” I hissed. Sombra rubbed his chin, then grinned.

“That is for you to find out yourself.” He took a step forward, his armor shaking the deck. “En guard.” We circled the deck. I narrowed my eyes and he narrowed his with a wicked grin. We stopped. Lightning struck the tower, causing sparks to fall around us as we charged and collided. I had to admit, Compassion sure as hell is durable. The horn sword Sombra had hadn’t even touched me and yet, it still tapped my cheek and I could feel the blood trickle. “Yes. This reminds me of that time.” He said. He swung his head with my swings. The blades sang and sparked off of each other. “Celestia showed the exact determination to end me.” I gritted my teeth as Sombra swung down and I hopped away from where the horn landed. I gapped at the mark it made. Definitely sharp. He grinned wickedly and his horn glowed.

I didn’t see what had hit me, but I was suddenly flying across the deck and slid on my side to a halt. My face stung. I blinked and looked to see what had just hit me. A dark tendril slithered where I had been just seconds ago. I stood up, only to fly through the air again as another whipped me from below. I was glad this wasn’t real, but I could imagine the pain I was feeling. The next tendril shot out and wrapped around my torso. I yelped as it brought me down hard onto the deck. I gasped and coughed. Dammit! Sombra is a cheater! I gritted my teeth, took hold of Compassion in my magic and stood up. Sombra removed his horn from the ground and walked over to me.

“Is that really all you have? Do you think you can save your brother with the strength you have now?” He reached back and tossed a key to me. It clattered in front of me. “Do it. Unlock the power of Din. I’ll be generous and you can borrow her powers to save your brother.” I looked at the key in thought. I did want to save my brother. I truly wanted to. I wanted to save him more than Equestria. He is my Equestria. And he was taken from us. I didn’t believe Din one bit. Why would Lyon just give himself up like that? Then I remembered LittlePip. Sacrifice. Lyon sacrificed his ties to his family to protect the entire land. He did it to protect every pony so that Sombra wouldn’t gain control of the power. But Sombra said he had done something to him. Or was he lying? I swung Compassion to my side.

“I won’t do it. I won’t let you hurt ponies.” I said. He laughed now.

“You think I have hurt ponies? Really now, have you even looked yourself in the mirror?” I cocked my head, but kept my look. Lightning struck the ground in front of me and a mirror stood with my reflection back at me. Only, it wasn’t my reflection. It was me, but wasn’t me. I looked dead. My expression stared coldly at me. I was covered in blood and gore. I gasped as I saw the millions of silhouetted ponies behind my reflection. “You will hurt more. And it won’t be through Din. It will be through your own actions. Are you a Savior or a Destroyer, Courier? You claim to be the savior, but look at what fantasy you have created to be that paragon.” I bit my lip and looked around. Dark clouds. Lightning. Thunder. And I was all by myself. Alone. I looked back at my cold reflection. Was this really how I was going to turn out? I thought I would be a better pony. I had to be a better pony! I knew I would.

Not everything is about you, Courier. The winged pony made me gasp. I was alone. I stood at the peak of the battle below and I was alone. No friends by my side. Only me and my wits to protect me. And for a second, I was scared.

“Do you see now, Courier? You claim to be a savior. But in reality you will become the destroyer. Ponies will cower in fear of you. Those who oppose you will be slaughtered by your might. And you will come out in the end as Equestria’s fate. LittlePip and her friends will die by your hooves. Your so called ‘friends’ will cower in fear. You have always been alone, Courier. And you shall remain alone. But do not fret. For you are truly never alone. I will be there. To guide you along the path to Equestria’s fate.” I began to shake. I dropped Compassion and sat down on my haunches as the lighting overhead crackled. I couldn’t be. I won’t believe it! I am a better pony! I have friends now! Friends who are doing everything they can below to make sure I come out victorious. I gritted my teeth and took up Compassion again. I took the butt of the sword and swung it with all my might, shattering the mirror.

“You are full of it, Sombra!” I growled. Sombra sighed.

“So naïve. But you will find out in due time.” The key beneath me lifted up before me and then vanished. “But it seems I have no choice but to discipline you for your choice.” I readied myself. In a blink of an eye, Sombra was suddenly gone. I gapped and felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and felt something cold slid into my chest. I stared wide eyed as I saw the back of Sombra. I looked back to see a bloody horn protrude from my back. I coughed up blood. I was now fully scared. This isn’t fake pain. This was real. Sombra had made the pain real. But I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t speak. I was helpless as my magic left Compassion to clatter to the floor and I felt myself being lifted up over the stallion. I clapped my hooves to his horn and tried pulling away, but Sombra chuckled as I slid down more on his horn. I could see my blood trickle into his mane and drip onto his demonic face. “I will speak to you again, Courier. When you are fully ready, you know where to find me.” He said as he walked over to the side of the deck. I gurgled and with a flick of his head, I went sailing into the clouds below, my blood falling away from me as the deck of the ship was covered in clouds. The pain was real.

So this is what it felt like to die.

I lurched and leaned over the bed and puked into a conveniently placed bucket. I coughed and gagged. I put a hoof to my chest and felt to my relief that there was no wound. But I groaned and sobbed as the pain he dealt came back to me.

“Courier? Take it easy.” I heard a voice say. I wiped my muzzle and looked over painfully at Al Capony sitting in front of a mirror above a sink. She had a comb brushing her mane. She definitely was looking pretty now. I quickly looked to the bed side to see three health potions. I took one and chugged it greedily, swashing away the taste of vomit. I gasped for air after pulling away the bottle and coughed again. Al Capony sighed. “You are really a lost cause.” I blinked and looked around. I was in a clinic.

“How did I get here?” I rasped as my head ache came back. The pain stayed as well. Al Capony took a perfume bottle and sprayed it on her.

“Silver Iris carried you here. You’ve been out for a good thirty minutes.” She said. I blinked. Thirty minutes? My dream felt like hours. I put a hoof to my chest. The feeling of being stabbed. This was different from the torment from back then. This was sheer killing intention. I had experienced the feeling of death through a dream. And it came with me to the real world. “Poor dear is worried sick about you.” She finally said, turning to me. My pounding head made it hard for me to think straight.

“Who?” I asked rubbing my head. She sighed.

“Again. You are a lost cause. How oblivious can you be?” she said. I said nothing but blinked at her. “You did your best to impress a girl and you had succeeded. But you were stupid to go above your limit. Now look at the state you are in.” she tapped her hoof. “If you are to be one of my maidens of honor, you have to change the way you act and dress. I can’t have a pretty mare like you walking around like some tomboy. You’ll embarrass me too.” Pretty? Embarrass? Impressed a girl? I felt strange being called pretty. Goldenlee had said I looked cute. And now Kingpin’s own daughter called me pretty. This was so weird. Next thing. Embarrassed? What was wrong with the way I dressed? The way I act? Was I that bad? I thought I had changed. I made friends. That’s what she means right? Lastly, impressed a girl? It’s true that I enjoyed seeing Silver Iris enjoy my display of illusion magic. I cocked my head. She definitely made me feel and now act weird around her? I never tried to impress anyone before. When I had thought of the mare I had a crush on, I don’t think I had even done anything to get her attention. She took notice of me because we were taking the same lessons. She was pretty too. Not pretty cool like Iris, but she made me feel happy.

Then, she turned her back on me. I thought she was my friend. I thought I was going somewhere with her. And she had tricked me. After that, I never spoke to them and them to me. And now, I had impressed Silver Iris with my magic? Why? What is this feeling I get whenever I am around her? Al Capony tapped my head, making my eyes cross slightly.

“Are you still not getting it? My Goddesses, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pony this oblivious in my life.” She turned and trotted to the mirror. “Have you ever heard the term love?” I blinked at her. Then quietly nodded. She turned to me. “Then why are you not getting it?” I looked at her.

“When I was a filly, I had thought I loved another once. She made me feel happy. I didn’t have to do anything to get her to notice me. She instantly went over and greeted me. We were taking the same lessons. I tutored her and she tutored me. For the first time, I felt happy. Happy that I was noticed by her. Happy that I could be around her. And she would do the same.” I bowed my head and put a hoof to my chest. “Then she broke it.” I ignored the look of concern from the gang head and continued. “She tricked me. Her and others. She led me to the atrium. Said she wanted to tell me something, but no pony needed to know about.” I darkened my look. “It was there she broke my heart. Her and a few other foals pushed me. Taunted me. Bit me. Hit me. And then one colt scarred me for life.” I felt a tear run down my cheek as the immense pain the colt had inflicted upon me returned. And he laughed at me. He laughed at my pain. “And the filly I had thought was a friend. Somepony I could love, laughed as the colt hurt me.” I sighed and looked up at the shocked looking mare. “But Silver Iris said something to me. ‘What happened, happened.’”

“I… I’m sorry.” Al Capony said, her eyes darting in concern. I waved a hoof at her.

“You weren’t the one who done it. After that, I just couldn’t help but only love myself and my siblings. Screw other ponies. I didn’t need them.” I sighed. “That’s was before I met Comp. Before I met Brick. Before I met Star. Before I met Goldenlee. And before I met Silver Iris. I couldn’t trust them at first. I didn’t know what they would do. I acted like I could when I met them. And then Bud happened.” I looked over to Compassion, the sword in the sheath leaning against the corner. “After that, I felt like I needed to do better. I needed to trust them. But I couldn’t. Then you took me to Mother Dandy. She helped me come to terms with myself. I was scared.” I remember Goldenlee telling me about them catching glimpses of my memories that I didn’t want to remember. “Goldenlee said she and the others caught glimpses of my unwanted memories. I had opened myself to them without realizing it. But when I came to, I felt like I could trust them. I knew they wouldn’t hurt me. And I was right. We already went through a lot in a short amount of time. But we came out okay in the end.”

I took another health potion, feeling the pain of death coming back. Al Capony seemed to ponder this. “So, sorry if I don’t understand any of this ‘girl’s day out’ stuff. I’ve always been doing my job. I’ve only ever focused on my job because I loved it. I had goals to reach. Family to take care of. I had no time to waste with love for others other than myself and my family.” Again, I put my hoof to my chest. “So why is it that I feel… weird around Iris? I never went out of my way to impress somepony. She told me about her life in the Enclave. She had a pony who she loved once. Just as I had. And he broke her heart with another mare.” I looked back up. “She told me that she would stick to herself and only herself. Maybe it was because we had something in common? Is that why I feel strange around her? Or is it because of some other reason? I started feeling that way even before befriending her. And you know what? I am happy. Happy that she told me about herself. Happy that I can show her a fun time. But I’ve closed my heart to others. I don’t trust anypony with my heart. Never again will I be a tool. I won’t be tossed away.”

“But I won’t do that.” A voice said. We looked to see Silver Iris in front of the door. How long has she been there? I flushed. Oh Goddesses. I had just opened myself again. And Silver Iris heard. I wanted to die right then and there. But then her comment had me blink.

“Huh?” I looked at her. She gave me a small smile and trotted over to me.

“I won’t do that to you. I didn’t think it first either. I know I had loved a stallion. But after what he had done, I couldn’t open my heart to any pony else. I was like you. Only love myself and pray that ponies would just leave me alone. But at the same time, you had a true reason to do that. Me? I guess I was being…” she bowed her head. “Selfish.” She looked me in the eyes. Her beautiful silver eyes. They looked hurt. I could see that she truly felt like that. I wanted to do something. To help her stop the hurting. To stop the pain.

“W-what do you mean? Are you okay, Iris?” I saw tears began to flow. I had to do something. A friend was hurting. I had to do something to help her. Isn’t that what friends do, right? I smiled and wiped a tear that had fallen loose. She took my hoof and held it there. I felt my heart beat more. The fluttering feeling rising higher than it ever was. She looked me in the eye.

“Courier. When I met you, I thought you were just any other pony. I saw the way you looked at me. And I just wrote you off as another admirer. But… after spending more time with you. The way you did things. It made me feel like I was free. Free to do whatever. I wanted to see the world. And you agreed to let me come with you to do that.” She smiled. “I had never felt so happy to hear that. And yes, I have been with a stallion. But love is strange. So Courier, what I guess I’m saying is that…” she bit her lip. “I love you.” I gapped. She had said it. Those three words. I wanted to say that to the filly I had a crush on, but not even gotten the chance. I had pushed away ponies. I had only myself to love and my family. Was that what I was feeling for Iris? Love? I smiled. I was happy. No, I am happy!

“I love you too.” I said softly. I could say it. And I could mean it. This pony won’t hurt me. And she knows I won’t hurt her. We are one. We trusted each other without realizing it. And it had brought us together. The eyes of gold and the eyes of silver. Two ponies. Both with broken hearts. Being mended together again in this moment. And I truly did feel happy. I pressed my lips against hers and she murred a little as she returned it. I am happy. And to have to share this very moment with a pretty cool mare. I could never have been happier.

Footnote Level Up!

Author's Notes:

Yes, it does seem strange to have them be in a relationship, but it is all the more relevant as to why.

We still have a road to walk.