2.1
The Sun beamed in. Down onto Soul. Blinding her eyes so quickly that it made her groan and turn over to look away. It took so much effort just to open them back up. The idea of going back to bed, going back to that stillness in her mind. Such an empty night but anything… to ignore everything. But she can’t stay in bed. Today was camp, of course.

Camp. Again. Soul stared out to the closet door across from her bed. Laying upon her side. Shifting under her blanket with her wings gently stroking up along her sides.

Were they ready for another day? She sure wasn’t. Wow, it had been so long since she was so unwilling to even get out of bed. How long ago? Back when it was for the same reason. Wait a minute. Soul darted up. Looking down her belly to the blanket that swallowed up her legs and stomach, and the pillow to her back. Did I fall asleep like this? No… Soul remembered. She remembered crying into her blanket.

It felt so long. Not even remembering how long it lasted. Just coming back to this. Finding herself under her blankets and listening to the birds chirping outside her window and the slight gust of wind howling. I didn’t fall asleep like this. She turned her head over to her door. Still closed. Didn’t mean a thing. That’s why… I need to get up. Those two, that was so nice of them. Always so nice of them to do all the things they did for her. I wish I had been awake when they did. Soul looked down to the hoof she lifted up to her face. Staring at it. It would have been nice to be there… when they tucked me in. Running my hoof down their faces. It’s been so long. So long since I felt that feeling they gave me when they did. Now I’m just left here to wonder how it was they found me. I probably looked pretty silly. Not as silly as being carried in their hooves and settled to bed with both of them by her sides. Silly, wanting to be awake even so to see it happen. She sighed. They probably just wanted to be sure I fell asleep comfortably. Nothing more. Nice of them either way. Better than what she could expect of most ponies. I guess I can get up.

Soul looked outside to the Sun just rising over the great spires of the mighty cloud city sprawling all along the horizon. Looked like she would have to leave soon. Better get up before they come and get me out of bed. Anything to avoid Nimbus’ wake up singing. She leapt out of bed. Heading over to the door… stopping, stopping to look back. Can’t leave that. Soul grabbed hold of the hat off her bed. A new day. Where did all that hope go that I used to have? Hope for something good to happen.

2.2
Fresh and cleaned, Soul came out from the bathroom with a shine in her damp mane and actually eager to go downstairs and find out what that delicious smell was. See what it was those two were having and maybe get a hold of some for herself.

“Good morning, Soul” Nimbus greeted her as Soul came down to stand at the bottom of the steps. The mare was right there on one of the sofas leaning right over it. Happily waving her tail about behind her. She looked to be excited. “I was just about to come wake you.” “No, no” Soul said. “I can get up myself.” “Really? Aww, you’re all grown up finally” Nimbus giggled and she went back to lay back down upon the couch. Whatever. Finally grown up?

Soul went back to sniffing the air. Trying to figure out what it was but she couldn’t put her nose to it. Whatever it was, she wanted it. “I hope you left me some of what you made” Soul insisted as she headed over to the kitchen. Like her stomach reacted. Oh man, did it react. Rumbling so loudly that it almost hurt and made her wince with a sudden stop. Damn, she didn’t even know it would be like this to go to bed without food. She never normally wasn’t this hungry in the mornings. Please don’t leave me with cereal. That stuff wouldn’t cut it this morning. “I heard your tummy” Nimbus said out loud back at the couch. Making Soul blush a little. At least she wasn’t doing it in front of anypony. Making a fool out of herself… like usual. With nopony here to make fun of her or do anything mean to her. Quite the opposite, she could tell, when she saw the plate zip into view from out around the corner and Starry’s happy voice there to greet her.

2.3
“I hope you’re hungry” he said. Sifting the plate side to side in his mouth and he brought it over to Soul for the filly to see. To see, as he lowered his head and presented it to her, the unexpected. Her eyes lit up. What’s this? Did they?

Soul stared down at the plate and the stacks of food left on top of it. The stacks of pancakes. Steaming hot enough to make all the butter melt over it and into the syrup that Starry went to town with. Its smell told her that this is what she had come down to find. Not cereal, but something like this. “Is this for me?” she said in shock. “Yup” Starry said. “A special breakfast for a special morning.” Saying it like it was nothing. He just walked past Soul and brought the plate over to set it down upon the table where Nimbus waited for her at, leaning over the sofa. Both smiled back at her. What? They made this breakfast for me.

Soul glanced over to the plate again that lay behind both of them. “What’s the occasion?” Soul asked. Not like today actually was special. She already knew it was just going to be like any other. Soul still didn’t stop herself from slowly walking over to join them at the table. To get closer to that plate. Expectantly looking up to both of them. Her eagerness kicked in and her hooves clambered over the cloudy floor to get to them just at the thought of stopping her rumbling stomach. Starry stroked his hoof over her damp mane as she passed him. “It’s our congratulations to you, champ.” Congratulations for what? Soul threw herself up on the sofa. Leaning over to the plate and taking a whiff. “You did such a great job yesterday” Nimbus said. Sitting up next to Soul. The mare practically threw herself over to sit right up against the filly so their sides touched together. Soul didn’t move away.

“We wanted to celebrate with you but you went right to bed, we thought a nice breakfast would be good enough to make up for it. Do you like it?” Celebrate? What was worth celebrating? I didn’t do anything yesterday worth celebrating. Soul’s eyes fell off from the pancakes. Looking up to the steam that coiled out from it and spiraled into the air before it disappeared into the cloudy ceiling above. Like rainwater to come back down from that blue mass. Down upon her. She couldn’t bear to look at it any longer. Staring back down at the food. Food meant for her for messing up everything. I can’t believe I actually am wanting to eat this when there are so many others who are more deserving of it. At least those ponies tried their best to achieve what it was they wanted, unlike me. And I get to deal with it again today. …Right? “I have camp again today, right?” Soul asked. Blankly staring down at her pancakes. Waiting for whatever. “Yup, we got a special activity planned for today so I hope you’re excited” Nimbus confirmed. I get to deal with it again today. Go back to that place. To all those ponies who don’t know just how awful I am. The ones who do. Soul didn’t want to. She didn’t want to go back to them. To see those eyes of her own fur color that stared at her with so much pity. Sitting there and not even caring about what happens to me. She’s so cruel. All of… them… are so cruel. I don’t want to go back. “I… better eat up to get ready” Soul said. Nimbus clapped. “Yay!” The mare leaned in closer into Soul. Much happier than Soul would expect her to be in the morning or have seen her like this at all. She must really like my… enthusiasm. Hehe. The best I can do is try to make the most of it. For her and Starry. Today is not like today. Though it still feels like… its far worse.

“You’re going to have a blast today” Nimbus said blindly. I thought the same yesterday morning. Glad to see one of us thinks that. Soul came in at her pancakes with her mouth open. All I can do… is just hope for the best. Her teeth touched down. Holding her tears in.

I don’t want to go to camp today. Please…

2.4
Soul bit into her sandwich. Not the same as yesterday, she just got done wolfing down her bowl of strawberries as quick as she could. Hopeful to get her lunch done as soon as she could. Just like all morning long. Really wanting everything to get done as quickly as possible. But did the morning feel like such a long drag compared to yesterday. Maybe having something to do with spending most of it doing simple exercises such as stretching and strength building stuff she did on so many occasions at home. Except a bit less. Far less wingups than she was used to. A pretty easy morning if not for how boring it was.

Uneventful. Hoping to keep it that way, now that she was here with the two ponies she felt so much more comfortable being around. Amber and Breezy right there next to her, fighting over the last bit of a bag of chips it looked like. Breezy doing a pretty good job pinning it down under herself to keep Amber away from it as her older sister climbed on top of her. Saying something about making her breakfast this morning so she should get the chips. Strange that there wasn’t anything that made Soul want to step in. Their playing seemed so much more like just kid’s play.

A little laugh coming out every now and then until Amber started tickling her little sister. Enough to make Soul smile after all the worry she suffered through. So much like yesterday. Almost like the day had just repeated. Just waiting for something to happen in this boring day. She hoped for it to stay boring. Didn’t seem like it would be the case.

2.5
A special day? That is what Nimbus called it. Oh yeah, it had been special. Hours of nothing happening while Soul was hellbent on just doing her best to keep out of everything that happened. Some of the kids talked to her. Asked her some questions about how to help improve their flying. Nothing more. So relieved when she saw… him just pass by without even giving her an eye. More than happy to just get to lunch and her chance to hang out. Take a break from all the work.

Nimbus had been right, yesterday was an easy day. Today was nothing but work, easy, yet her wings felt so good at her sides. Blistering with pride in themselves with all the exercises she had them do today just to warm up for some sort of ‘trial’ run, which is what it was called. Something that would help them with coordinated agility? Soul didn’t know what that meant. Agility… maybe something she was already versed in. Letting the newbies catch up. She wished them the best of luck for whatever it was. She personally felt no worry. So terrible that the worry had shifted to something far more unnerving. Eating away at her. Making her constantly look over her shoulder every chance she could just fearing what could happen. The memories were so fresh, no matter how long ago they were. Like an open wound. She felt an itch on her wing. Refusing to scratch at it. Staring down at her sandwich.

“You okay, Soul?” Soul blinked down at it. How long was I staring at it? She looked back up. Amber had been the one asking her that with the bag of chips right in her mouth. Am I okay? “Yeah... I’m fine.”

She didn’t know if that was a lie. So much to be afraid of. When she really thought things would change but to feel this feeling again. I even skipped out on all the fun we had planned last night just because of this horrible place. In one day, so much had changed. Because I don’t see it as any different to what I am used to. Like I never left. Returned to something like this. And Nimbus said I could rely on her. That things would be different. Yes, they would be different if we had just kept doing what we had been doing and spend some time together doing something fun like I wanted. Then I wouldn’t be like this. …I can’t get mad at her. She had the best intentions. Doing so much to get me here and all the excitement in her face, more than she was used to. She really was happy being able to teach Soul here at the place she worked at so often. They even made me breakfast. Did so much for me lately. I really did impress them. But I just feel so broken right now.

Soul planted herself against the wall of the main building. Listening to the laughter and chatter of all the other ponies… just out there, out of sight. I impressed so much but I just don’t want to be near any of them anyways. Even if they like me. I’m just used to this. Still frowning around the two ponies who were the only ones who tried with her. Soul did her best to shake it away. “So I see you got your chips” Soul randomly commented to Amber. The filly happy to acknowledge she had overtaken her little sister who pouted to the side.

2.6
“Looks like you’re still stealing food from your sister, Amber.”

Both fillies heard. Turning to see, look upon the one filly who loomed out by the corner. Shadowed in it but her mane brightly glimmered in the colors of the earth. She made Soul’s heart skip a little. She didn’t even know that filly had been here. She hadn’t even seen her all morning.

Rainbow Dash stepped out with a bag in her mouth. Glancing over to the younger twin she passed by. Soul only saw it for a moment, that look of disapproval in Breezy’s face. “I didn’t steal from her” Amber said. Reeling on her hooves a little. Her face almost hit by the rainbow mane sifting so softly in the breeze. Stepping up to the older sister. That dead look in her magenta eyes. Like they beamed into the pony they looked upon but her voice came out so softly. “Old habits don’t die, huh? Oh well. As long as your sis is cool with it then you two can have all the fun you want taking food from one another.” Strutting past her, over to the one place Soul did not want her. Did not expect her. As shocking it was to see her here, but the filly came over to stand by her. So close, enough that Soul’s hind legs kicked in. Dropping her bitten sandwich back down into her bag and stepping up. Ready to grab her hat and bag. Just wanting to leave. I don’t want to deal with anypony else. Not even my ‘flight buddy.’

“Well it’s nice to talk to you too” Amber said to the filly, getting the hint from Soul that she was also ready to leave. Though they don’t know why. They can have their own reasons. I just can’t deal with this right now. This weird pony. Better to be with the few who actually bothered to try talking to me instead of ones like her. I can’t believe I have to fly with her here for the rest of the season. “Where are you going?” Soul stopped before her hooves even went. It made Amber and Breezy stop though, all of them turning back. Soul looking over to the rainbow maned filly staring off away from them. Clutching the bag in her mouth. Tighter. “Breezy and I got things to do before the next lesson, we thought Soul might want to come join us.” Nice save, Amber. Just them going off to eat their lunch elsewhere. Leave her behind.

2.7
Leave this pony who… grimaced hearing that. Dash’s wings twitched so slightly. The bag crumpling under her teeth, and the wrinkles in her nose. But she still spoke out.

“Oh… I don’t mean to keep you. But, I thought I could maybe talk with Soul about the practice we got this afternoon. Aren’t we flight buddies?” The filly glanced to Soul with an inquisitive eye. What the hell? Soul looked back to the twins. They didn’t seem to have something to say. Just looking to Soul for an answer. They expect me to have something? I’m just as confused. Really wanting to just get on out of here and leave this miserable pony to herself like she always wanted to be. Especially after yesterday, like she thought Soul had forgotten. It still hung. It still stung. That she could just leave me with those words yesterday, making me feel so pathetic when I really needed somepony to help me. She’s no better than anypony else that… Soul hated having to think of her like this. After she had seen something so bright in her yesterday. So different. As unique as her mane.

I really don’t know why I pity her after all that had been said about her and what she said to me. Except for that wince in her eye. Soul shook her head. “I’m gonna go eat with Amber” Soul said to her. Giving Amber her approval. I think it would be best for us to just fly together… until… I don’t know. Soul wasn’t sure at all what to do about any of this. Like a lost lamb. So scared. So few I can rely on. After just a brief moment of happiness. Such a shame it died off so fast.

“My name’s Rainbow Dash, …it’s nice to talk with you, Soul.”

2.8
That was what got her attention. All the fillies stopped in their tracks yet again. Centered on the rainbow maned filly sifting her hoof over the clouds. Waiting for Soul. “Just want to let you know that I look forward to flying with you for the fall” she said to Soul. Soul cocked her head. Rainbow sat herself down right where Soul had sat moments ago, letting her bag go and pulling out her lunch. Not bothering to say any further. Alone with herself like normal. That same pony… but so different from what she saw yesterday. What is with her? Did she expect me to forget?

Even crazier with why it was that Soul felt even more of that pity for her. That motion from when she looked into her eyes for the first time and saw something so deep inside. Like it called to her. Strong and waning. As much as another pony knew. So close to home. What am I doing, doing this right now? With her legs coming back over to the filly who sat by herself. Dash was the one who looked more surprised than anypony else.

“I’m gonna talk with Rainbow Dash for a little bit” Soul said to Amber. Really curious to know what it was the filly wanted, what with everything screaming at her to just leave her. But there was something with her. She was acting a little nicer than yesterday. Then Soul realized this was the most that the filly had said to her. I don’t trust her, but I can sit with her. “You sure about that?” Amber asked. “Yeah, you two get ready for the lessons” Soul left them to it. Not turning back to see them shrug their shoulders and leave her behind. Feeling their gazes coming back to her. Really worried for her. They shouldn’t be. Whatever happens, happens.

2.9
“You don’t want to hang out with them?” Rainbow Dash asked. Soul dropped her bag right back down again. Alongside her hat. The hat took Rainbow’s interest for a moment. Taken back when Soul sat down next to her. Keeping her distance, Soul felt a little comfortable. Not being nearly as close as she would let Amber near her. Close enough for her to feel like… she actually was eating lunch with Rainbow Dash.

Soul never answered her. Preferring to go about unwrapping her sandwich again. Slurp down the juice she loved. Not caring if Rainbow was watching her. She certainly was. Silent. Soul didn’t know what to say. Rainbow was the one who wanted her here. “Cut this silence shit.” Soul almost spat out her juice. She certainly did cough on it. Coughing into her hoof. Now that was the harshest thing she had heard anypony say. Said with a grin by the filly next to her. “We’re flight buddies after all, so feel free to talk to me whenever.” Rainbow offered a wink to her.

“I introduced myself, didn’t I?” Should I be any less amazed by such a strange pony? “Yeah…” Soul muttered. Coughing up the last of what was left. “I’m Soul Serenity.” Taking the cue. “Alright, so we know each other. Let’s eat!” Dash chewed into an apple. More than ready to get at it all, leaving just a filly with her in stunned amazement at the behavior she was witnessing. So down, so often. Soul couldn’t take her eyes off the pony. But acting like this. Shrugging it all off and talking to Soul like it was no big deal. Like she should just accept it all. No way.

2.10
“I really should get back to Amber” Soul pushed herself up. Not even a minute. So stupid. Of course this was dumb. This pony was such a jerk to her. Every moment around her… it just felt so uncomfortable. No better than anything else. Exactly as she’d expect from this place. As she should have since the start because things never die. I even thought I could go without anything to hurt me, until she got rained on.

“Wait!” Rainbow Dash scurried to her hooves, almost throwing her food off into the clouds in her rush to get over in front of Soul. Planting her hooves firmly down in front of her. Soul stared up to the filly looming over her. Where her messy mane shone brightly in the Sun. The shadow of her face so strong. Soul let her wings come out. Clasping onto her food and hat. Just wanting to get away. “I’m sorry for what I said yesterday.”

Rainbow placed a hoof onto Soul’s shoulder. Pressured. Trying to keep her down. Soul didn’t fly. She lashed away, back into the wall. Getting rid of that touch to her. Holding her bag close to her. Some sort of wall between her and Rainbow. The filly smacked her teeth, uttering the words again. But Soul… she didn’t understand how to take it. The low tone in her voice. “I’m sorry.” But Rainbow just walked away. Heading back to her food. Leaving Soul alone once more. Free to fly off. “Before you go, just want to let you know that… it’s not gonna get any easier from here” Rainbow said.

2.11
“What do you mean?” Soul eased her wings. She should have left instead. She had her chance. Rainbow Dash was so longing in her gaze down upon her food. Slowly but surely, she sat back down with Soul. “I did see what Aurora did to you yesterday. I’m… still sorry for what I said, and that I didn’t do anything.” An apology for that now, Soul didn’t bother to take it to heart. Kind of incredible at this pony’s guts to say it now. Especially after how she made Soul feel.

She couldn’t believe her. “We’re just flight buddies… you don’t need to help me at all. Most ponies don’t” Soul said. Should she have said that last part? How she felt. Talking with the pony who she knew didn’t really care. After all that was said. “Yes, we’re flight buddies and it was kind of a punk move of me to not say anything yesterday to you. I should have done something for you… but I just…” Soul waited for her to finish. Waiting for a while. The rainbow maned filly going right back to chowing down on yet another apple. Leaving it at that?

“Just what?” Soul asked of her. Dash swallowed. Sighing so hard. “I just didn’t want to get involved. I didn’t feel like I could do anything for you. Just get myself in trouble.” Oh this was a blast. It wasn’t often Soul got to hear somepony talk so selfishly. Not help her just because she was afraid. Afraid of Aurora? At least I would step in… if I saw somepony else having to deal with what I’ve had to deal with. If only she had stepped in. Maybe I would feel a little better. “Of course…” Soul muttered. “Remember I said it wasn’t gonna get any easier?” Rainbow said. “You kind of messed things up yesterday with that stunt you pulled at the end of your flight.”

That told her a lot. Rainbow Dash had seen it too. Yet no other pony did besides Aurora. No point in denying it to her. Soul nodded. She was well aware she messed up badly. Just to try and avoid this whole situation. “Yes, I’m a terrible pony.” Soul boiled inside herself. More and more upset with how it all turned out. Having to cry over it for so long last night. Just seeing how it was that nothing she ever did worked out in the end and now she was back to how things used to be. Back when… when Nimbus took me out of camp. After all that work, for it to happen again. Soul had no idea what to do. Just see how stupid she had been. Like Dash was just here to confirm it. Really her signal to just leave and deal with her later whenever she absolutely had to.

2.12
“Don’t say that, come on now” Rainbow leaned to her. “So you messed up. Doesn’t mean it’s all over. You pissed off one pony. Doesn’t mean you’re no less of a skilled flyer.”

Soul whipped her head up to look at Dash with alert eyes. Alerted at hearing her say that. It actually threw Dash off with the Pegasus almost falling on top of her with surprise. “What’s with you?” Dash asked. Backing up a little. Soul couldn’t let that be ignored. She called me a skilled flyer. That had to be the nicest thing she had heard come out of her mouth. Right after reaffirming her that, yes, she screwed up. So she was watching when I flew, seeing the whole point why I did it in the first place. To show her what it was like. She had no clue if she succeeded. “Nothing, I just didn’t expect to hear you say that about me” Soul said.

“Oh… well your coordination is pretty good and you do a great job at high speeds. If you had stuck that landing, it would’ve been perfect.” Thanks for reminding me again. “Look, I’m not that great of a flyer. It’s been pretty slow for me since the last camp I was at, but… my parents thought it would be good if I came here to learn. Since we’ll be buddies… can I…” Rainbow Dash glanced to her. “Rely on you to teach me a little? Just show me what I can do to improve cuz, oh man, I suck at coordination.” Soul could not say no to her. After what she just said. They were buddies. Buddies who talked to one another for the first time now about something so natural to them. Soul was sort of enjoying this. Not so much what Dash had to say about herself.

“I’d love to help you. But, I don’t think you suck. I liked how you performed yesterday.” Rainbow laughed. “Whatever you say, Soul. Hey!” she extended a hoof to Soul. “You can call me Dash if you want. Try to be gentle with me this fall.” The sarcasm in her voice was so hard. Even Soul caught it. Bumping her hoof into the one given to her. Surprised to find herself smiling a little. Dash laughing from the successful hoof bump and going back to her food. Soul went back to hers as well. Bringing the sandwich back to her mouth and her stomach still growled for it. Taking another bite, she tried her best to think about what to say to her flight buddy. “You ready for whatever we’re gonna do today?” Soul asked. “What even are we doing?” Dash asked. “Coordinated agility. Sounds like some sort of group effort or something, I don’t know. But I bet you and I will probably be flying together soon.” That sounded fun. It’s not often I get to fly alongside another pony. Much less one in training like me.

2.13
“But I need to ask you something.” “What’s that, …Dash?” Soul smirked. “Can you fly to the best of your ability? No crashing on purpose, but don’t expect me to do perfect.” Soul bit her sandwich again. “I won’t do it again…” she sighed. “And don’t expect me to be perfect either.” “I would hope you’ll try your best” Dash said. Perking Soul’s ears back up at what sounded like a demand. It sure did seem like it with Dash staring her down with those dead eyes again so lost of any light. Enough that it kind of frightened Soul. What is with her? “I don’t want you to be bullied again. You pissed off the wrong pony yesterday, so it’ll be best if you try to do what he expects.”

Her eyes trailed off. No less leaving Soul in a state of amazement at how deep that struck her. Do what he expects. Bullied? She hated to hear that word. Again. Much more making her shake at the idea of doing what he wanted. Just something not right in what Dash had said. She heard me yesterday, right? About flying for yourself. I do all of it for myself. Not for him, and I’m willing to fly accordingly to help Dash. She shouldn’t say things to me like that after what I’m willing to do to help her. “What do you mean the wrong pony?” Soul asked. “I’ll just say that Aurora Flash, all the pegasi here, they come from places where that whole crap about Cloudsdale is pretty important. I don’t think you’d want to bug them with faking your flying anymore.”

“What crap about Cloudsdale?” Soul asked. So very confused in how Dash was talking. More and more of a strange pony, but there was something deep inside what she said. Soul couldn’t quite put her hoof on it but she heard something so dark inside her voice. As dead as her stare. As quiet as she got the more she talked. Till her voice was nearly silent. “Pride in flying. Just be sure to watch your back. Not everypony will be like me to you. Most of them wouldn’t understand.”

2.14
“So you two ready for some practice today?”

Soul turned to a familiar voice, one she did not wish to hear. Losing Dash to see the Pegasus who had rounded the corner. His hooves stepping closer and his smile so deep, not at all enough to make Soul eased. Eased to see Aurora was with her… standing by her once again. The closest he had ever been, towering over her. With not even Dash there to say a word, not even move to look at who it was who joined them. Leaving Soul to deal with it, because that is what it felt like. No words to say. No answer to give, Soul just wanted to get away from him. Push her hat aside with a kick of her hind leg, sending it over to Dash. Right as she did her best to stand up and just leave them both.

“Wow, just some friendly talk before we all train” Aurora said. “Hope you fillies ate enough.” Soul gasped when her sandwich smacked up into her face, right after she saw the kick of a hoof connecting to her food. Spilling it all over, under the laugh the colt made. Staring pitifully down to see what it was that had happened, as fast as when it rained on her. All that water falling around her to puddle. Her lunch left asunder at her hooves. Falling into the clouds so slightly, never to be seen again. Leaving her with an empty stomach. “I’m sorry, didn’t see you there.” Soul stared down to the clouds. Not at all wanting to look up at the colt who made her want to tear up. Just wait. Wait for him to leave. Hoping he didn’t make fun of her. Her and her shaking legs. Or worse. “She’s not doing anything wrong, Aurora. Maybe you should go back and stretch to get ready” Rainbow Dash said.

Stepping over to Soul. The filly looking back up only to look upon her flight buddy standing by her side and keeping her vacant eyes upon Aurora. Her still eyes, yet not all of her was still. Soul wondered if he saw it, because she sure did, that Rainbow Dash was shaking on her hooves. She was stunned. Seeing her afraid. Soul leaned closer to her. Is she trying to help me? She didn’t care. As long as she had somepony near her. Keep away from any who would hurt her. With all those memories so fresh. Just go away.

2.15
“You say that like it’s a challenge” Aurora said. “Sorry, but I’m not one for losing… or letting fakers get the better of me.” Soul wincing at every accusation. Amazing that Dash didn’t even flinch or leave at all. She stared on. Looking past Soul to the one behind her. “I think you should just keep to your place and know where it is you belong. Isn’t that right, Rainbow Crash?”

That was what made Dash’s leg shudder. Twitch so quickly that Soul almost missed it. How could he say such a terrible thing to her? Crash? Soul wanted to turn around and tell him he was wrong. That Dash was not a bad flyer, just like how Dash had said such nice things for me. So why? Why am I so afraid to even move? To look him in the eyes and tell him all he is saying isn’t true. But to just deal with it. Soul listened to the hooves that walked away from them both. Waiting. Looking over to find the older colt had left them both. Both together with Dash silently rasping in her breath so weak unlike her boyish voice. Soul looked to her to do something. Rainbow just left her. Heading back to where she had sat. Tossing out what was left of her apples.

“Thank you, Dash” Soul whispered. “I can’t be there all the time to help you, Soul” Rainbow said from behind her long tail. Lifting up a bag in her mouth and bringing it over to Soul. Dropping it at her hooves. Leaving it there, just leaving all of it behind.

Dash walked away. Away from a Soul Serenity that had nothing she could say to her. Not from what had happened. What she had done. Leaving this bag with a sandwich poking out of it. Just for her. “Like I said, watch your back” Rainbow said. With Soul left alone to eat the gift her flight buddy had given her. Hoping she would not be hungry, and her shaking legs kept her still. Really wishing Dash had stayed longer. Had not left at all. Until she heard the whistle to head back and toss out their trash. Rushing over, she thought twice about it, looking down at it.

She decided it best to put her hat back on. Pushing it tightly down over her face. She ran off to join the others. Running and then… slowing… slow when she came closer to the group. The group who didn’t even know what was happening to her. If they would even care.

2.16
Neither Amber or Breezy knew of it though she never decided to tell them, finding the twins ready and happy to be together after a nice lunch. Soul avoided everypony else, not daring to look any of them in the eyes. Even the ones who she could tell somewhat adored her. Time to just get this day over with, weather all this crap and do her best to simply avoid messing up again. She sat with the twins, the only ponies she considered being with. Soul couldn’t avoid it.

“So how did it go with Rainbow Dash?” Amber asked, taking the time they had before the lessons as other kids still came back from their lunches. How did it go? Soul could put no term to it. She certainly was not at all what she had expected. A pony with such a beautiful mane and smile, though so inclined to keep herself looking a little messy, it never took away from her elegance. Something seen up close. Her mystery. How shocking it was to finally talk with her after what happened yesterday. She was quite different. But it dragged in her mind, keeping her silent. Just how it was that pony looked. She looked nothing like when they first laid eyes upon one another. Something so deep inside her. Something that scared her a little. Made her worry now that she was her flight buddy. Doing all that before… giving me her sandwich.

I don’t know what to say about her. How I feel. But the other two ponies with her leaned away, clearly uneasy when the sound of wings fluttering in their descent rushed over them and settled down next to Soul. Where Rainbow Dash had decided to take her place. Rejoining her flight buddy. Never expecting her to come back so soon or even… sit next to Soul with the group. Looking to Soul and nodding. Soul just stared at her, at this pony giving her fullest attention to their instructors. Soul took the moment to look around them. How all the other ponies in their group were. Breezy with Amber. …Aurora with Spitfire. All the ponies set together in pairs. All the flight buddies with one another, and here she never expected her buddy to be with her. For both of them to join with how all the others were. Yet it felt good, a little. Sitting next to the one I’ll be flying with for now on. Strange as she was, Soul was not like Amber and Breezy when it came to Dash. Whatever they both felt, Soul only felt like it was right to be close to her. That she decided to come to me, sounded like it all was real when they talked earlier.

Maybe she relies on me. She’s counting on me. So that must mean I should count on her.

2.17
“I see everypony is bright and ready for our afternoon lessons” Nimbus announced to them all. “All of us pumped up from our exercises this morning?” Some ponies agreed, others simply nodded. Looking like some of them were a tad sore. Soul’s own wings tingled with energy.

She wondered how Dash was holding up. “Now, we assigned you all flight buddies for the rest of the fall and today will be our first buddy-buddy lesson. We got a real special treat for you all that’s gonna be a lot of fun.” So just as she suspected. She will be working together with Dash today. So soon. Kind of strange that she felt not at all afraid to scooch herself a little closer to Dash. Seeing how all the other groups were so enthused at the news. Soul wanted the same. What happened between the two of them didn’t stop Soul from coming closer to her buddy and giving her a smile. Rainbow Dash blinked. Took her a moment but she returned the smile. A pretty weak face she gave. No, that wasn’t it. She was nervous.

“Flying is not all about how fast you can go or how impressive your moves are. Lots of times, you’ll need to fly in conditions that won’t be friendly and you gotta know how to deal with it” Nimbus said. “It all starts off with how coordinated you are when observing your surroundings. …Or if you all want a better reasoning, high flyer pegasi need to know how to be observational to pull off incredible moves for audiences or they’ll mess up badly.”

Soul knew quite well what she was talking about. They did do several activities about keeping an eye on everything as she flew. Somewhat good at it, kind of strained her eyes a bit to always be on a swivel but… if it meant being able to do what it was that Nimbus talked about. Either way, Soul felt confident already of what it was she may be going on about. Sugarcoating it as well, unlike what she did with Soul personally when explaining the consequences of messing up in observation. Enough to make Soul wince. Fearful of what could happen. So willing to teach hard, she began to see more of the teacher Nimbus she knew starting to pop out recently here. Unlike yesterday with that silly show she and Starry made. “So for this lesson, we’re gonna have all our pairs flying together, dodging obstacles. The beauty of it is… you’ll both be working together to watch over one another. Let each other know what to do to complete the flight and keep each other safe. For this, you’ll all be relying on your partner.”

Soul and Dash didn’t help but look at one another together. Both surprised to hear how Nimbus had put it. Rely on each other. Our first real lesson together and it’s something so inclusive as that. “I got your back if you got mine” Dash said. She’s got my back. Funny, she said something so different not so long ago. About me having to watch my own back. Soul would not refuse her now. She agreed. “I’ll watch out for you.” Both fillies smiled.

2.18
Nimbus directed all of them up to the big and open sky that had been set over their section of the camp. Kind of open, save for something totally unnatural. All the clouds that had… not even been there before lunch. Soul didn’t see them before. All lined up and arranged well up in the sky, going on for quite some distance. Like stacks of formations one would find along the side of a lake. Rocks surrounding a big, open area. Going far and wide.

“For safety, we’ll be using clouds” Nimbus told them all. Those big and fluffy giants no threat at all to any Pegasus. Everypony stared up in wonder seeing that all the clouds were no longer alone. So many other pegasi came in. Soul recognized them. The same mares and stallions who had helped set up the sky yesterday for all of them. Set up with their clouds. Floating with them and waving down to Nimbus and the kids. Some set their hooves upon clouds. Other reared their hind legs up and kicked at midair. Soul took a moment to realize what this was supposed to be. “Everypony will need to follow me while the clouds are sent right at us. All of you need to do your best to avoid getting hit by them. Remember, this is meant to help teach you all to rely on your own observations as well as others, so help your partner.”

“Nimbus” a certain colt called out. Weird hearing him sound so normal now and not talking to Soul. Aurora waving his hoof to Nimbus at the front of the group. “Sorry, but I wanted to know how fast we will all be allowed to fly at and, it sounds fun, but why do we have to fly so low to the ground? We all flew pretty high up yesterday.” What was he getting at? “I think it’ll be cool if we all could fly at high altitude with some extreme speeds” he went on. Some of the kids seemed to like this idea. Soul couldn’t lie, while he was an asshole, she liked his idea too. Always doing these types of dodging exercises at low level, she loved the idea of being able to fly more like she did yesterday for this. Many others seemed to agree with that too. Even Spitfire and the twins didn’t have a problem. Leaving Nimbus up there with a frown hearing the request and the approval.

2.19
Soul wanted to agree. Except… she noticed how Dash lowered her head in the corner of her eye.

The filly crumbling in on herself, rearing her wings up and over her body as she hid her head down. Frowning so deeply, not at all like… like she had been because this… this was her face yesterday after she had crashed. Staring down at the clouds. No happiness at all in her look.

Soul loved the idea, but she had heard it from this pony before. She thinks she’s not as good. No matter what she said, Soul saw different in her. She thought this filly was good, incredible that she was so afraid. Understandable. She was nervous. Nervous about messing up again. Much like another filly that Soul knew well. It was when Dash’s legs began to tremble when Soul shook her head. I was told to watch over my buddy and… she relies on me. Just like I have to rely on her. I hate to do this but “Nimbus!” Soul waved her hoof up. Stunned for a moment when all eyes fell on her. Along with the pony next to her. Glancing like she had no idea what to expect. But I’m doing this for her. Forget all the attention. I owe her for lunch. At least.

“I don’t think it will be a good idea for us to fly like that for something so risky. Somepony could get hurt.” It only made sense and Soul was afraid it could be her buddy who would get hurt. Or at least that her buddy was the one fearing she would get hurt. The best I can do is try to help her. Something rewarded by the shock in Dash’s face. Like she expected differently from me. Though none of the others seemed to agree. Lots of the kids groaning over the idea now that they were fired up. Shaking a moment when she saw Aurora up front shaking his head at her and turning away. Lost amidst the grumbling of disapproving kids. None of them even caring about how it may be that Dash felt, because she was the only one who knew it. At least Amber and Breezy did nothing over it all. Looked like they were down with anything.

2.20
“High flying, huh?” Nimbus rubbed a hoof along her chin. Taking a moment and then she looked upon her class. “Pardon me for a moment.” Soul found it an odd thing for her to say. Not expecting Nimbus to turn tail to the class and trot away… so carelessly. Enough to sway her tail to them, swaying before it reared up and… her mighty wings flashed out. Swooping out over the clouds she stood on. Baring her golden feathers in the first time the class got to see her wings in action. Soul could sense in them… the impression they had at seeing the wings Soul was used to. Ones Nimbus did so well to care for to shine bright in the Sun itself like eternally glossy. Roaring out over her body, baring her cutie marks set upon her flanks to them all. The very marks of her namesake… the ones Soul loved to liken to just how skilled the Pegasus was. Wrapped in clouds, an arrowhead darting forward into the sky, much like the pony those marks belonged to who blasted off into the sky with such a gust ripping out from where she had stood. Sending the clouds rippling and the air churning. Wind roiling over Soul and all the others. Though she didn’t care. Hoping the other kids could witness this, pretty sure what it was Nimbus was doing.

The mare, a shine of yellow in the clouds, ripping up into the sky. As clear as it was, nopony could not be able to see her. Impossible to not with all the noise she was making and how fast she was going. Soul sat back and watched the mare who made the air ripple the sky around her, a small dot flashing over them all in a hail of thunderous cracks that split the air. Trailing their distorted winds in her wake. Faster than most of the kids could even turn their heads to keep an eye on her when she zipped over them all, spiraling about and turning so sharply. So violently that the wind she made even breezed across Soul’s mane. It was odd, but she felt a little proud to hear some of the other kids sound out their amazement at how fast the mare went and how high it was she soared.

Not even caring with how many twists and turns she made up there. Zipping around with no aim or direction. Because that is what it was meant to be. Soul saw it. Like she was dodging things that weren’t there, coming at her. Not even losing grip on her speed or control. No break in the void of wind she sent out behind her. Nothing that told her she flew any less perfect than normal. It was just how Nimbus was. She could have been anything, Soul knew that. Yet she chose to be a flight instructor. Glad it was that she decided to show them all this.

It told Soul that she agreed with what Soul had said.

2.21
Not even her landing was without grace and perfection. The mare diving in and reeling her wings back up with gentle flaps. Sending the wind blasting back down and tearing the clouds asunder. Churning and swirling under her flapping wings, careful to land with the elegance of a dancer. All four hooves setting down as one, and Nimbus gave her wings one last flick before she settled them once more. Their job done. Her job done.

She looked back out to the group. “Now does anypony want to fly like that right now while dodging a hail of clouds?” Soul waited. Getting just what she expected. No more ponies there to groan over what Soul had said. They all fell silent. Some wings tucked in. Not one kid bothered to try and fight for flying like that right now. Nimbus got her answer, and Soul smiled. Thank you, Nimbus. You really helped.

Soul glanced back to Dash. The filly no different from the rest. Stuck in her stare at the mare who showed them what it was like. She gulped. At least she didn’t look down anymore. She wouldn’t be let down by Soul. “Good, so we’ll be flying mid-range at both altitude and speed for this lesson” Nimbus affirmed. Coming back over to join with the group.

Her wings fluttering so slightly at her sides. Clearly pumped from the adrenaline she undoubtedly got from such a short flight. So proud and strong. As good as she was, Soul never felt inferior to Nimbus. How confident and strong she was, still such a goof, but she was somepony Soul could see at the end of the day that she could call an inspiration. The best chance she had at reaching her goal. She always did admire that about Nimbus. Always willing to help despite her talent. Nimbus’ leg shook.

2.22
The group gasped, and Soul’s mouth dropped seeing Nimbus trip over herself. Fall right over on to her face. Burying her nose into the clouds. Soul almost stood herself up. Her hind legs kicking to their needs, but she held herself. Watching Nimbus tumble onto the ground and spreading those same wings out that had made her soar, now laid out on the clouds.

“Are you alright?” one kid asked. Some more cried out their concerns. Calling out her name. Soul wanted to get up and come to her. Not at all sure what it was that had happened. She just fell over. Why? “Nimbus” Soul called out to her. Joining with some of the others. Though none could see the concern in her voice. So sharp and pained. Soul, fearful but… she saw her to be okay. Nimbus scrambling up onto her legs. Laying upright, rubbing a hoof over her head. Ruffling her long mane so hard to make more spikes in it than normal. Groaning for a moment, she shook her head. Trying her best to look like nothing had happened. Soul hated seeing her like that. Nimbus was blushing at her embarrassment, still smiling like all was okay. Laughing at herself.

“Looks like I had a fall, haha.” Yeah, you did. None of them knew why. None of them could tell that Soul was… was used to it. She always hated when it happened. Seeing the mare shake or fall over. So rarely. Never knowing when she would do it. Surprised to see it happen to her now in front of everypony. Oh, I’m so sorry, Nimbus. Soul wanted to tell her that. Come up there and help her get back on her hooves. Not the first time she would do that. Always scary when it did happen. Nimbus always got back up after it. Changing so quickly back. Her blush fading, wobbling a little on her legs that tried to push herself back up. It was Starry who made Soul sit her butt down. The stallion running up to join with Nimbus. Whispering to her and clasping his hooves around her. She stood right back up. Starry helping as long as he could. Until Nimbus waved him off.

“I’m fine” she said to him with a smile. Starry smiled as well. Soul breathed deeply. If he thinks she’s okay, then I’m glad she’s okay. Still… I hate how it had to happen to her now. After that beautiful display she made in the sky. Doing all this just for the kids. She recovered quick. Quick… with one last tremble of her legs.

2.23
“I can take over” Starry said to her. Nimbus refused, waving her hoof to him. “No, I’m okay. We’ll stick to it.” She turned back to her class. “So… everypony up with me please. You’ll all follow me in your pairs, and remember to do your best to keep each other safe. Don’t fly ahead of me when we’re up there.” Everypony hesitated. Then they started getting up. Soul took longer, lost in a daze looking at Nimbus. Worried for what happened to her. Wondering. Just hoping she was okay. It always was so draining when she saw her fall over like that. It took Dash offering a hoof to her before Soul accepted it and got up on her hooves. Joining the others with her buddy at her side. Keeping to the rear of the group. Soul looked ahead of them all, surprised to see Nimbus lock eyes with her for a moment. She must have been able to tell.

Nimbus smiled at her and arced her brows. Letting her know nothing was wrong. Okay, Nimbus. Please be careful. I don’t even care that we will be flying together again in the same sky, as long as you’re alright up there. I’ll do my best for you. Soul assured herself. Broken from her thoughts when a hoof tapped her side. It was Dash, smiling at her.

“Thank you, Soul” she said. It was no problem. Dash had been told she could rely on me. We’re both flight buddies, after all. “I’ll have your back up there, and I won’t go too crazy” Soul told her. Arcing her wings up with a stretch. Their huge spans split out and then over her body, granting her some looks from some of the other ponies who readied themselves as well. Dash joined in. Stretching her wings out, so much smaller than Soul’s but so strong in their looks. So determined in her face. She was ready. Standing side by side with Soul. Looks like this gets to be our first flight together.

2.25
The other pairs took off one by one. Following after Nimbus who shrugged off what had happened to her and was quick to return back to her beloved sky. Not even close to as fast as she had been but enough for the kids to catch up with her when they all ascended up on their smaller wings. Dash looked about ready to join them. Soul was too, but she held a hoof out over to Dash. Right in front of her to keep her still. “What’s up with you?” she asked.

Soul didn’t expect her to know. But that’s what we’re here for, to teach one another and perform together. Soul already saw what it was they could do. Something different from the rest of the class as all her time training with Nimbus kicked in. This was going to be kind of different from the norm but it was agility basics for this type of flying.

“Give them a moment” Soul told her. Holding Dash and herself back as every other pair took off ahead of them. Following after one another and spreading out when they got up in the air. They looked to have the idea down as well except for what Soul felt would be best. Best for Dash. The filly could try her best to, but Soul saw that she was a little nervous about flying in this. Not necessary considering her skills but… Soul was not one to talk. All those pairs in the center of the flight formation up there were going to have a hard time with this, not something Dash should be a part of. So… Soul had a better idea than being up in a cluster, surrounded by all the other pairs no matter how far apart. Dash raised her brow looking up with her antsy wings worriedly wondering when it was they would fly. Left there, both fillies sitting back while more and more pairs took off ahead of them and even more readied up to join. Then Dash giggled.

2.26
“Now I see” she said. Soul gave her an affirmative look. “Get it now?” Soul asked. “Oh hell yeah, we’re gonna have a lot of room now. As long as you don’t make me do any crazy maneuvers, I think we got this.”

She had Soul’s word, no crazy maneuvers but… she did think of some things. Let’s not do a repeat of yesterday. Today, Soul would fly to the best she could. Confident in her buddy to pull it off as well. Since both fillies would stick to the back of the group, she bet Dash would feel much better. “Did you know about this trick?” Soul asked her. “I did but… thanks for reminding me” Dash smirked. Uh huh, Soul smiled at her. Pushing her hat down even harder, certain it will not blow off. Not at the speeds they would go.

She bent her forelegs along with Dash. Both fillies spread their wings out. Soul’s wing almost touching Dash’s and both waited for the rest of the pairs to take flight. One second passed. Soul counted. Feeling Dash over there wanting her to take the initiative. Stick with me and we’ll have this. Two, and three. Soul waited and pushed her hind legs back. “Let’s go.” Soul flapped her wings. Dash at the same time, and Soul was pleasantly happy to see her buddy going up with her side by side. Not a single difference between their flying. Dash perfectly keeping her wings in pace with Soul in what Soul could call a gentle flight even with the wind rushing into both of them. It didn’t stop her or Dash, her new buddy keeping her cool. Up and up, they rejoined the rest. Keeping a little way back from the closest pair of the cluster ahead of them. Soul peered on, catching sight of Nimbus at the front. All of them still heading up into the sky, soaring freely as one whole class. Together. That was the difference.

Soul glanced over to her flight buddy. Dash determinedly staring forward with her forelegs reaching out to the groups ahead of them. It wasn’t often she had another pony with her in flight being this close to her. Kind of natural looking for Dash. She wondered if Dash thought the same as Soul. Wondering how it was they got to get to this point. Excited at the chance of flying together with a new pony. Not certain of the other’s skills. If she was worried still about Soul putting her into a hard flight move. Just as Soul worried that her buddy was worrying. No need to, Soul had her back. Just have mine.

2.27
They all got to a point that seemed to be proper for a mid-altitude flight, with the sprawling courses of the camp well below all of them and the main buildings that had towered over them all down there now becoming tiny shapes dotting the clouds. From up here where they could all see the spanning towers and seas of clouds of the entire city reaching out to the far beyond of the camp, all under the shine of the massive rainbow rising over them all. The puffs of clouds churning out from the factories, all clouds so white and fluffy out and about around the city save for the huge clearing that only the camp could have for the kids.

Soul looked around their environment, turning back over to her buddy still so set on keeping sight of the others in front of her. Neither of them didn’t have much of an idea what to expect, but those lines and lines of clouds set out around their flight paths didn’t leave Soul easy. “Hey Dash” Soul grabbed her attention.

“So tell me, have you ever flown something like this before?” Dash shook her head. “Not once. …I’ll be honest… I’m a little excited for it. I’ve never flown with things being thrown at me before.” Yeah, who’s to tell when those clouds would start flying at them. She bet many of the other pairs were nervous. Not Soul and didn’t even look like Dash was much more intimidated. Different from yesterday. Was it because she was with me? I won’t let her down when the clouds start flying.

“I got an idea” Soul told her. Dash all ears for it. Anything to help with this first buddy lesson. “Let’s change up. You fly above me” Soul said to the confused Dash. All the other pairs were flying side to side. “Let’s do back to belly. You over me, and keep up. One of us keeps watch on one side and the other watches the other side.” “Now you’re speaking my language” Dash said. “I’ll take left side!” The cyan filly bucked her wings down and sent herself skipping up and over Soul. Casting her shadow down upon her buddy, Soul felt the cover of Rainbow Dash right over her. Looking up to her belly right above. Her tail whipping wildly so close to Soul that it looked like it may hit her. It wouldn’t. Dash looked to have it under control. “Then I’ll take right” Soul said. “I’ll let you know when something is coming” Dash chimed in on the plan. “And I’ll do the same.” Soul grinned. Certain the two of them would make a decent team at this. Even if they didn’t succeed, Soul felt like they may. Trying their best, this little buddy lesson was actually sort of fun for her. Fun enough for her to not have to worry about failing.

2.28
Whistles rang in Soul’s ears. Echoing loudly across the camp. All around them, all across the sky. One after another, alternating left and then right. Sounded like a signal to Soul. She kept her eyes set upon the whole sky to their right. Scanning wildly around as much as she could. Picking out any specks or changes. Watching the many pegasi who fluttered about the clouds, the same ones that would come at them. Soul didn’t bother to see how the other pairs coped with all this. Not even looking to see how Dash was doing above her. Flapping her wings so hard that wind came down onto Soul’s back. The others can deal with it as they pleased. To Soul, it was just her and Dash right now with plenty of room to pull this off.

“Stay still!” Rainbow called out. Gusting wind down upon Soul even harder and her wings beat her up away from Soul. So quick, Soul’s ears heard the sound of whishing wind and caught sight of the cloud zip right over her. Not even grazing her. Blasting past so quickly it tumbled and spiraled as it fell away from them having passed by where Dash had been moments ago. The little filly came back down to hover over Soul once more. Then it began.

All those pegasi bucked at the clouds, so sharp in their kicks to send them all gunning right for their group. Flooding the sky. Where it was clear seconds before, no more. Clouds crisscrossing the sky. Soul listened and heard the frantic chatter of the other pairs ahead of them. It didn’t keep her from keeping watch. Catching sight of it before it even happened.

2.29
“Dash, two hard flaps, go up.” Soul followed the opposite of what she said. Certain it will be good enough to dodge the mass coming right at them from the right. Soul ducked down with two flaps, listening for Dash to do the same, and both fillies curved around the cloud that passed in between them. Howling in its fury, unable to stop them.

So close, it’s mass almost grazed the tops of Soul’s ears. Probably almost hit Dash’s hooves. But both fillies made it and leveled out together. Banking up and down once more to dodge an even faster cloud that came in from Dash’s side. Oh crap! “Dash, up!”

The filly shot up, Soul confident she missed it, but she had to be the one to deal with this. Soul skidded her wings forward and almost threw her head out from the force of her stop. Just in time for her to tuck in her wings so close. Their flaps stopped for a moment to let them pass. Soul held her breath when the cloud skipped in front of her. Slicing across the edge of her nose with not even a feeling. Just as the wind rushed across her back from the second cloud that passed behind her. Sandwiched between them. Soul let out her breath, breathing into the span of the cloud. Eyes darting left and right so quick. Quick enough to see them both leave from her and barrel off. Free to let her open her wings back up before she even started to fall, the filly zipped up to rejoin Dash. Right in the same position as before. Dash laughed.

“Whoa! Are you okay?!” “Yeah” Soul said. Not a bit of sweat or fear in her. That… was nothing. Also, nothing she wanted Dash to deal with. A little curious to know if Dash could have been able to squeeze herself between two oncoming clouds and not even be thrown off by them. “No bigg…” “Down!” Soul did as Dash yelled of her to do. The sky shook when that cloud shot by over her. Coming back up with Dash again. She laughed. “Thanks.” “No problem, buddy” Dash grinned down to her from between her forelegs. Going back to keeping watch.

“We got this” Dash said.

2.30
Both fillies having to skip and halt so many times because those clouds started coming in so fast. So much more of them. Those pegasi on the sides must be having a blast sending all these at them. Not a problem, Soul and her buddy will get it done. Dodging so many more that came in at them. Passing by Dash in a spiral to get out of the way of a big one that almost hit her. Soul churned around her buddy and took position again under her. Listening to Dash’s warnings. She did the same for Soul’s.

Just thrilled that she heard many of the others having quite a time dealing with all this. Not these two. Soul loved this. Her heart not even beating hard, it felt so natural and lovely to fly like this. Like she flew by herself. Dancing in the sky as per her buddy’s warnings, avoiding anything that came at her. Dash being a perfect mirror. Like Soul flew alone. But she didn’t. It really was a little fun. Oh now I need to do some more coordinated flying with Nimbus.

“Soul, I got an idea” Dash said when she jumped over a cloud that came at her. “What’s that?” “Ever heard of a corkscrew?” A corkscrew? Soul thought. She couldn’t mean… “What about it…?” Soul very curious to find out what it was she was getting at. “I know I said no crazy moves but… let’s do this one. No cloud will touch us.”

Does she really know how to pull that off? Soul didn’t take her for the type. Surprising her that this filly knew about such a maneuver or even how to pull it off. But she sounded ready for it. Wanting it. …And no cloud will touch them. “Let’s do it” Soul grinned. “I’ll take left side” Dash called out, her voice trailing off. Soul could tell she was veering away. That means I got right. Playing it out in her mind, she believed she could see what it was Dash wanted to do. Not too advanced but good for some real fun. Oh yeah, her heart started racing now. I’m actually very happy she wants to do this. No boring flight for us. Soul curled her wings over and she listed to the right. Veering away from where she had been with Dash. Away and down, Soul plummeted downwards, arcing her belly to the side, she saw her flight buddy. Far over there, her belly facing Soul’s across a vast expanse of sky.

She was doing it. Dash spiraled down and dodged several clouds. Soul did the same much with the same result. Going down in the slow spiral, her back almost facing the clouds below. That was signal enough. Indeed, no cloud could hit her now when Soul banked right back in a hard turn. Shooting forward and giving herself a little spin. Not taking away from her slow turn back up into the sky, recovering from her downward spiral, she flew upwards now. Angling herself to slowly come in at that turn. She saw all the other kids far ahead of her. Bombarded with clouds, none to hit her or Dash. The two fillies alone together where no cloud could stop them. Soul flew herself back in to their original flight. Zipping in, she saw her buddy doing the same. So quickly. Coming right in at her and Dash passed overhead. Shouting out in cheers. Soul laughed. Happy for her to be so enthralled with this. It was fun. She loved it. Spiraling herself back down again, taking Dash’s place on the left side and Dash mirrored her on the right side. Belly to belly once more and both fillies pulled it off as one pony. Their turns and spirals not letting one single cloud get close. Except for one.

2.31
Soul let out a surprised sound when the cloud shot past her right when she spiraled herself back up and arced her flight path in a hasty turn to get back on course just in time to crisscross with Rainbow Dash again. Dash passing under her this time, leaving a ripple of wind behind her colorful tail, and the fillies funneled up and down. Soul banked her wings back left. Spinning herself, the clouds below turning around and she went upside down. Getting a quick glimpse of Dash doing the same across from her. She does it so naturally. It feels good. Soul laughed out into the sky.

It feels good! She dived down together with Dash. Both of them spinning slowly back up in a massive curl and they met together once more. Leaving it behind them. A path in the wind of streaks of air cutting a triple spiral in the sky. Two lines, formed as one. Soul cheered for them. More than happy to see Rainbow Dash laughing with her. Looking up at her smiling face, Soul loved that Dash was enjoying it. She needed it after how upset she had been lately. Like Rainbow was free of worry. “We just pulled that off!” Soul yelled at her.

“We should be performers for the camp” Rainbow laughed. Sounds good. Soul knew she was joking. Anything to keep her smiling. It was wonderful to feel so alive and free up here with another pony. So much she didn’t even realize she was more or less looking down at Dash with their bellies to one another, and Soul’s mane falling back down to the clouds below. Soul righted herself back up from flying upside down. Both of them dodging so many more clouds, their warnings working and their moves perfectly able to avoid them. Soul banked back up in front of Dash from a cloud her buddy had called out. Grinning down to Dash as she rolled over her buddy and Soul returned to her place underneath.

2.32
Her ears got the sound just in time, though. Soul was quick to try to dodge it and its whirring mass that barely grazed the tips of her hooves and jumbled her ever so slightly. Her wings caught her again, holding her upright just short of running into Dash and she steadied herself out. Blinking. That cloud came in so fast she almost didn’t know it was there… let alone… know which direction it had come from. Peering back over her shoulder, she saw the cloud fly off before falling to pieces in its wild tailspin. “What the…?”

“He did that” Rainbow mumbled right over her. He. Soul looked ahead of them. Looking across the lines of kids they followed after. There’s no way. But the sound in Dash’s voice and… no reason for clouds to come in from right in front of them. Unless it was because of the colt she got a glance of, his eyes looking over his own shoulders just for a moment. Soul had seen it right. He was glaring at her. Right before going back to flying off behind Spitfire. Behind the rest of the group… Soul looked all across them again. No. Everypony so focused on their flying. Not at all able to tell her what it was that had happened save for the one pony she was with. “Did Aurora do that?” Soul asked her. Looking up to her. Dash nodded. Not at all thrilled about it either. Soul was even less.

Why that scumbag. Why would he do that? Right when Dash and her were doing such a great job of performing so well. Dash was doing better than she expected and Soul was more than happy to help her along and fly so happily at the same time. Like they were meant to do this today. It was a true joy. Yet he had to try and ruin it. Soul hated to admit it, but her heart sank a little. As enthused as she was, now it plummeted. Like somepony had flipped a switch. It almost cost her.

2.33
Soul banked hard down to the right when another cloud shot in past her, not from Aurora, but from the side like normal. Shame… Soul hated it. Levelling out with her buddy again. Clouds coming in from left and right and Aurora set one right at her. Right at her face. She could already see how she would have panicked if that happened. No, she won’t let it affect her.

We were having so much fun, no way this would ruin it. She would fight for it. Not just for herself but also for her flight buddy. The buddy who glanced back down at her and they met eyes. Both nodding to one another. “We got this” Dash said. Yeah, we do. We’re gonna blow this lesson out of the sky and keep going to become an awesome flight team. All starting right here, and no way Soul would let that ever-beautiful idea die off in her mind now that she actually was getting Rainbow Dash to smile a little. Even enjoy herself. In these brief moments that made her enjoy it too.

“Yeah!” Soul said. “Let’s do this.” Putting her wings back to bare against the wind and shooting onwards with Dash. Determined to keep up what they had been doing. Until it happened again. Soul couldn’t believe her eyes, no idea that this is what she had to expect. Another cloud shot in, not at her. But the pony it did shoot at sure did find a way to deal with it. Soul only able to watch him barrel upwards just in time to avoid it. Just in time, but not enough to keep his hind legs free of it. The legs that kicked hard against the cloud he leapt over and burst at with a shot of his wings. It came right back at Soul from that kick.

2.34
“That jerk!” Soul shouted and ducked herself down in a dive. Dash didn’t even need to do anything. Not to avoid the cloud that went under her and across where Soul had been. Soul glared back up. Almost missing it. She tilted her wings and spun out of the way of the other clouds that came in from her side. Straining her ears to listen. Left.

Soul twitched her ear. What? She did it, knowing it came before she heard it. Cutting off Rainbow Dash yelling down to her “Are you okay…?” Soul let her wings forward and halted in her path, throwing her head and mane forward. Letting the cloud pass by from the left. Freeing her back up. She kicked her wings back into their pace. Quick enough to rejoin Dash with a scowl now on Soul’s face and panting furiously. Not at all happy over any of this. Here we were doing our best to fly perfectly and we were doing it. Then that asshole needed to do that and I almost got hit cuz of it. I don’t know what his problem is. I don’t care what it is. But he’s not going to mess up the fun Dash and I are having.

She didn’t need advanced warning to see it coming. Just seeing a cloud coming in at Aurora told her enough. I can do it. “Hang back” Soul said to Dash. Letting out one big flap from her wings. Going into a position she would not do for this type of lesson, but it will help with what was going on. She put herself right in front of Dash. At the same time that he did it again. I know what to do. I was finally having fun at a camp for once. I was making her smile. I need to be her buddy and help her enjoy her time even more. I won’t let our fun be ruined by that bully. The cloud came in at her. Powered by the kick of the one Soul was furious with. Too bad for him, Soul could see what was coming in from her front. Let’s see you try the opposite, hot shot. “Soul!?” Dash called out from behind. Got it.

No need to panic, Dash. Barreling right in at her face. Like no time was left. But Soul felt like she had all the time in the world. “Slow down!” Soul called back. The wind hitting against her back told her that her buddy was doing as she asked and Soul did the same. Tilting her wings down, letting her body curl up. She presented her belly to the oncoming cloud… and her hooves. Grinning with confidence. It never did look so hard when she watched the weather pegasi. Though she had no idea how to make it rain or anything like that, she was sure she could pull off something as simple as this. She beat her wings ahead of her. Gusting the wind wildly about with the fury of all that was left of her wings.

Just as she hoped. As long as she went in straight, it would work. All she needed was the wind. It was working wonders and did it perfectly with one final flap harder than any other. Striking back at the cloud just as it struck her hooves, and a big kick of her hind legs made her more than happy. Overjoyed with herself to see that the cloud did not burst into thousands of puffs at her kick. Instead… she got to level herself back out and fly alongside Dash again with a grin with that cloud shooting off away from them. Right back in the same direction it came from.

Weird, Soul smiled at Dash but she didn’t get it back. Her cyan buddy staring off with such a long face. One she shouldn’t have. Not when they got to watch Soul’s work.

2.35
So amusing it was when that colt turned his head to see it. Soul grinned. Aurora disappeared inside the cloud for just a moment, then reared out inside a puff of smoke from the cloud that exploded against him. Whipping his tail forward. Take that. A nice game of catch with you, and you lost. More than lost.

It happened so fast when his wings bounced from the force and he yelped in surprise across the group. Happening like that, Soul could not even frown in time. Be stunned at it. Just watch what she did unfold. I got him back… and then some. More than I wanted. Aurora tumbled headfirst into Spitfire. Plummeting right between her hind legs and sending her into a spin. The fiery Pegasus let her wings out. Desperate to stop her spin. She did, and looked like it hurt when she did, when her head collided right back down into Aurora’s head and both cried out in pain. Holding their heads to tightly, they could barely keep themselves aloft. Not able to fly with the group anymore, not with them hanging there crying out in pain. Rubbing their heads. Soul did just as they did. She stopped.

2.36
Soul hung back. Letting her wings slow down. Not at all trying to keep up with the group. Stopping alongside all the rest of them. All the ponies ahead of her who stopped with Nimbus just wanting to see what was happening. Concern on all of them. The clouds even stopped flying. Everything stopped flying, left to float in place. Soul held her forelegs close to her chest. Wrapping her hooves together, like trying to protect herself.

Oh no, I didn’t mean to hurt Spitfire. It happened so fast. One moment they were flying, the next… she had a hard time playing it all out in her mind, but she was well aware. What happened was not what she had wanted. Nopony even said anything. Nimbus flying over to tend to the two ponies who did their best to recover from that nasty collision. Hovering between the two of them, checking over their heads. Soul gulped. Oh no.

A tear went down Spitfire’s cheek. Looking up at Nimbus, letting her check her head. She cried so silently. Soul was just there, left to watch it. With a heavy heart. Tightening her grip on herself. Retreating back a little, though Rainbow floated forward a little more and held there. Staring on at the scene. She glanced back to Soul, shaking her head. Though she didn’t look disappointed. More of a face Soul knew well. She was afraid. Afraid as she should be, because Soul joined her shortly after when she heard the questions going across the group ahead as to what had happened.

“It was Soul!”

2.37
Said by none other than Aurora. Pointing a hoof right at her and rubbing his head with the other. “That jerk kicked a cloud at me.”

That alone shot Soul right through the heart. Left her in silence. To hear the truth come right out of the mouth of the one she despised. That she had been the one who did this, indeed. Not what she wanted but she got this anyways and now everypony stared at her. Turning to one another, shrugging shoulders. Nopony even sure what to make of it. Soul was no different. She had no way to make of it either. Except for the truth. That she had messed up… badly.

Messed up so much that now Nimbus herself was looking at her. Wonder in her eyes. Disbelief that she had done something like that… when she actually had. But I did it for a good reason. I wanted to get him back for being a jerk the past couple days. For making Dash have a hard time and… just so he would leave me alone. I just want him to leave me alone and stop treating me like I’m weak. Before… before anything happens… and here I am, making it happen by doing what I just did. I can’t believe it. …But I can’t lie. Not about this. Soul’s mouth quivered. Struggling to say anything. She wanted to, to protect herself and Rainbow Dash. So everypony can move on and just go along with the lesson. Go back to how fun it had been. Now she had to do this.

“I… I…” Soul murmured. Raising her voice with all her courage. “I only did it because Aurora was kicking clouds back at Dash and me!” Met with confused looks all around and the glare of the colt she spoke of. …And Spitfire who managed to give Soul a moment of her attention, and her teary eyes. She seemed such a tough girl, I can’t believe I hurt her like that. “I’m sorry, Spitfire. I didn’t want to hurt you. I just wanted him to stop doing that.” Spitfire looked off, sniffling a little. Shaking her mouth a little, she still managed to speak for a moment “I… I…” that was all she got out.

“I wasn’t even doing anything!” Aurora shouted. “That jerk is just jealous!”

2.38
Jealous?! Soul couldn’t believe the words she was hearing. Is he actually accusing me? No. I didn’t do it on purpose. It was because of him. Besides, why would I be jealous of him? But that was something for another time. She really wanted to shut him up about that… except for all the eyes looking at her. All the ponies who stared in disbelief. Disbelief over what he said about me or because of what I accidentally did? Really, all I saw was the cloud hitting his tail and ruffle his feathers a little. I didn’t want him and Spitfire to crash. Just something to get him to stop. To leave us alone. That was it!

“Dash saw what happened. He was kicking clouds at us” Soul turned to her buddy with a grin. Happy to see Dash look at her and she was still able to crack a small smile. One that fell off so quickly. “Right, Dash?” Soul asked her.

Asking her such an obvious question with an obvious answer. Rainbow Dash floated there. Looking away from Soul. Out at all the ponies that stared upon both of them. Waiting for them to say something. Soul saw them all before them. Eyes trained on Dash. No movement… save for the one Aurora made. Crossing his hooves, waiting for Dash to say something just like everypony else. Just like Soul now was… astonished that she hadn’t said anything.

She couldn’t. Not when Rainbow was there, her head fallen and her wings gently flapping till they nearly held still. Like it was only the wind that kept her aloft. The wind that carried away her words, before they graced Soul’s ears with their sting.

“I didn’t see anything.” …A tear went down Soul’s cheek.

2.39
Soul Serenity cried. Leaving them all behind. That’s enough! That’s it! I… I gotta do what I should have done so long ago. Because I knew this would all be a mistake. Nimbus lied to me. This would not be different at all. It was more of the same. It always was the same, just because nopony is ever nice to me. Soul flew. Beating her wings harder and harder. Not caring to see any more of it. Holding her hooves up to her crying face.

She really didn’t bother to try cleaning her face off. So many tears, so much pain. Flying over the entrance to the camp and leaving it behind. She just wanted to go home. Home was where nopony would be mean to her. Where she could just hide away inside her room and learn the way she wanted. Train the way she wanted. Forget friends. Forget that nonsense shit that Nimbus had told her. This camp was no different from the other one. Right when I thought that I had made friends. That… that I had met a pony who actually wanted to fly with me and be my… my actual buddy. My own flight buddy who seemed to enjoy flying with me. It was just moments ago. What changed? Why, Rainbow Dash? Why?!

Soul cried even harder thinking about it. Hateful of it. Unbelievable. But one thing was clear. I did so much to help her. I wanted her to smile and did my best to make things easier for her. I gave myself to her as a flight buddy and I wanted to help her get better. I don’t want to see her again. I don’t want to see any of this again. Forget making Nimbus happy. She was proud but… none of these ponies like me. None of them.

2.40
Soul halted so hard, almost running right into the shadow that swooped over her. Catching it in time to avoid it. Soul cried out. Not wanting to be near it. Whoever flew with her. She just hung there. Hiding herself behind her hooves. Crying into her fur. Please just go away. Leave me alone. I don’t want to be hurt anymore. I just want to be… “Soul” she peeked out. Only because she was more confident to show herself to the voice that spoke to her. To the pony in front of her. Starry.

Coming closer to her. His bright blue eyes shining in the sunlight… so different from what she would expect. Not an angry pony who didn’t like her. His eyes welling in sadness, and he held his hooves out to her. Giving to her. Soul didn’t care anymore. She would not pass out on it. She threw herself into his hooves. Letting her wings plop down.

Safe in his embrace. The only safety she felt right now. Away from all the others. With one of the only ponies she would ever allow to touch her. Hide herself away in his grip and stay there. That’s all she wanted right now. Some way to stay safe from all that she messed up on. That she ruined. All ruined now and no way to make it work. Just like last time… now reminded. Held in Nimbus’ legs to keep her safe… when she rushed Soul off… and the mare cried onto her. Begging her to be okay. Holding her tighter than ever before. As he now did, though no tears fell on her. But his hug felt better than anything else today. So much so, she wanted to tell him. Tell him in her sobbing voice. “I don’t want to go to camp anymore. Please.” Soul cried into his fur. “Please.” She whispered it. Hushing herself inside his embrace. Letting herself go when his hoof gently stroked across her mane. The only kindness she got in an endless sea.

2.41
It wasn’t often that Soul could claim to relate so much to the sight up above in that night sky. These thoughts usually never did cross her mind. Staring at it for so long, unable to get rid of everything that happened today. Today somehow felt like forever for her but so little happened to make her feel so badly. Worse than she had in a long time to be forced to just sit there and think over it over and over. Alone, by herself, she held her tail tightly. Not letting go for so long. The only sense of comfort she had since the Sun still sat just over the horizon, leaving her with just the darkness as the day died.

Good riddance to that day. Much better to be like this, a time Soul enjoyed a lot except for tonight where it felt so much more still. As the wind lightly howled over the deck that stood tall over the cloudy fields that reached far out to the stream of dormant factories and the glittering lights and streaks lining all about the coliseum beyond them. She let her wing do the work, lifting up the last spoonful of chocolate covered ice cream and leaving an empty bowl in its place. She ate without hesitation. Still enjoyable to the last bit. Still surprised when Starry gave it to her after dinner and that he was able to smile while doing it. At least he could, Soul could not even crack one as she stared up at the one thing that filled her mind with how much pain she felt.

2.42
In all of its splendor and beauty, somehow, still able to hold that taint of a pony etched right into its heart. The Moon she always looked upon every night and never wonder what it was like. See something in it that felt so familiar. Was it the endless thoughts of her hurting Spitfire. Making a total fool of herself in front of everypony. Or those terrible words she heard come out of the mouth of the very pony she did so much to help. Right when I thought we were supposed to watch one another’s backs and rely on one another.

Guess she was right, I should have watched my back. I should not have trusted her. Just go about expecting everything to be terrible and lonesome. Is that really how I’m supposed to feel every time I try to do something? I do wonder.

Soul blinked to the Moon. The dark crescent of the horned pony spanning all along its side. So different from the beauty of the Moon that she could only see in drawings, one free of that. That lonesome image. One that only reminded her of sadness and pain. Something she shared. I wonder what it’s like for you up there. Do you regret everything you did? Just like me. Where I just want to go to everypony and apologize to them. Let them know I didn’t mean them any harm. That I am a good pony worth their time without them hating me. Because I know I let so many ponies down today, but worst of all, I let myself down. By letting my hopes get too high. It always will be better for me to just be alone. Away from all the others who hate me. Just like you, but I know something. …You actually don’t want that.

2.43
It was still such a surprise that Starry did so much for her even after what happened. Flying her home, he even did all he could to ease her. Sit with her on the couch and just wait. Wait while Soul cried in his embrace. She still had no idea what it was he may think over it all. He said nothing to all her pleas, no words when she begged him to not let her go back to camp. Just took her home. Leaving Nimbus behind. I still appreciate all he did for me. But, I just hope he isn’t mad at me. He didn’t look mad. She wasn’t sure. It could easily be something else that she dreaded. Yet she had to do it. Let out her feelings. That she may have disappointed him, and that thought hung hard on her. Like the last time I disappointed somepony who was meant to care for me.

Please… please don’t let that happen. I promise I’ll be good… just don’t send me back. I won’t hurt anypony else or crush your dreams for me. Ruin everything you guys work so hard to achieve for me. I repay it like this? I’m such a brat.

At least he didn’t yell at me. Though she did flinch when he sat with her. Not expecting him to open his hooves to her. Not at all doing what she would expect when somepony didn’t like her. It felt good to fall into his hug. Feel that he may not be upset. There was another one now that she was more worried about. Keeping the Moon there to beam in her eyes, she didn’t need to turn around to know who it was that slid open the door and stepped out onto the deck with her.

Hooves much lighter than the stallion stepping down onto the wood. So she’s back.

2.44
Nimbus came up to her with steps that made her shake each time they fell. Soul had no idea what to expect. Nimbus was the one who expected the most out of me and I let her down. Such a fright to be left in the dark about how ponies felt.

A part of Soul wished that Nimbus had not found her. Just go to bed after a long day. She did stay back at the camp for a much longer time than normal. Another long night, unlike yesterday. Usually leaving her tired, not tired enough to stay away from Soul. So she must have something to say. The mare stopped beside her. Soul did not meet her eyes. Lowering her head as Nimbus sat down with her.

“Wouldn’t you rather be inside? It’s a little chilly out” Nimbus said. Soul shook her head. “If you’re mad at me than why don’t you just yell at me?” Soul blurted out, not at all feeling a mood for these stupid questions. Not when her mind was all aflutter with worry. Expecting what she deserved. Punished in some way. Do something like all the other ponies who deal with me, who I let down. Throw things at me, call me names, hurt me, …abandon me. Because this was all entirely my fault. Last time, I did nothing wrong. Then I try so hard to make things work and it all leads to this. I ruined things for myself this time. So be upset with me like I know you are. “You really want me to yell at you?” Nimbus asked. Soul didn’t answer. What could she answer with? She expected her to yell but… she didn’t want her to. She didn’t want any to be upset with her, just accept she made a mistake.

2.45
“Starry told me what happened” Nimbus made Soul cringe. Left wondering what part he told her in that long pause. That was what made Soul decide to look over to Nimbus. Find the mare had joined her in staring out to the Moon. Sitting much taller over her, her long mane of sunlight flowing down softly towards Soul. Her face so etched in the hurt of everything that happened.

“You really don’t want to go back to camp?” Nimbus asked. That part. Soul looked away. Oh no, I’m already getting to deal with that. I… I should have kept my big mouth shut and just told Nimbus herself… when I’m not shaking like some damn baby. Because this was certainly making her afraid. “Look Soul, I don’t know what happened, but… you need to tell me what it is you want.”

She sensed Nimbus looking down at her now. Judging her. Soul just wanted to curl up and hide away. Hide with her desires and leave all that had happened behind. Go back to a better time. But that was not what was expected of her. “I’m not going to yell at you over what happened” Nimbus said. “You and I have been together for so long now that I can tell… you’re afraid.”

Okay. “I don’t want to go back to camp” Soul admitted to her in a little whisper. That’s kind of what she wanted, except for the other thing that truly broke her heart. Suppressing it for so long. Thinking over all of it and remembering the feeling of when she flew today, it caught up to her. Made her curse what had happened. Hate that it didn’t go at all what she dreamed of when it felt like it could truly happen, and it was what Nimbus had wanted. I almost made it happen. Almost. It not happening, it made Soul tear up again. So upset with herself that she ruined it all and didn’t get the thing that sounded so nice to her and made her truly decide it would have been worth it to attend camp again after what had happened the last time.

2.46
“I only wanted a friend” Soul screamed. “You made it out like that was the place to find somepony who would like me and I thought I found it. Why does nopony like me?!” Soul threw her head back down into her hooves. Crying harder this time.

“I want a friend too.” Soul struggled to voice her despair. “If you wanted one, then what happened?” Nimbus said. “Soul, I just don’t understand what is wrong.” No, you wouldn’t. Of course not, because I’m all alone when it comes to all this. “Because you’re never there to help me! You keep giving me all this stuff and expectations of me, I can’t do it all. I’m always so afraid to disappoint you.” Soul threw down her hooves, tears flying out onto the deck, she stomped her hooves down after them. Soul walked away from Nimbus. Crying harder. Just wanting to leave her. It really did feel like her wings were ready to take flight and do as she expected. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it. I’m not that good girl you expect me to be, and I hated every second I was at camp.”

Soul stomped hard. “Every second!” No matter what was the truth, that is how she felt. As every moment fell away to be left with nothing but that heart wrenching moment at the very end. “Then why didn’t you say something?” Nimbus asked. Soul’s heart fell. Hateful of it, that she spat it out without thinking. “Because I don’t want you to get rid of me!”

Soul threw her hoof up to her mouth, crying streams down her cheeks and soaking the fur all around her hoof. Now it will. Oh, I’m so stupid. I ruined everything. I just yelled at her. All that fear so strong inside her heart. All because she just couldn’t live up to what she was supposed to do. After all the work I put in, I messed it all up in the end and now I’m yelling at her. Oh no.

2.47
Soul shook her head. Quick to turn around and look back at that mare with such a look of disbelief all over her face over what she just shouted. Soul quivered under her wings. “Please don’t get rid of me.” Ple… I’m seriously having to beg now. Is this what this day has done to me?

Just before, not long ago, I was so happy and pleased with everything. How did it all fall out of control? How did I manage to make it get to this point? But I’ll do anything. …Except… Soul didn’t want to go back to camp. If Nimbus didn’t accept that, she… she didn’t know what to do. Feeling so back up into a corner. Afraid and alone. “How can you think I would get rid of you?!” Nimbus yelled for the first time in such a long time.

The Pegasus stamped up onto all her hooves. No more disbelief. None more. She was angry. Angered… yet Soul held there. Holding on to her words. “I’m sorry” Soul whispered. “You seem to have forgotten, I brought you into the camp so you could make some friends” Nimbus said so sternly. More serious than she had been. So not used to hearing her talk like this, look like this. Her big wings flaring at her sides. Walking over to Soul. Soul turned away. Her wings held where they were. A feeling pushing her to try and fly off. She fought back. Not at all wanting to leave as much as she had been afraid that she would have to leave.

“Did I put some sort of demand on to you?” Nimbus asked. So close now. “I really did think you were having a better time, anything… because… you don’t know at all what it was like to see you so sad and crying in my hooves. I wanted to find some way to change that. I don’t ever want to have to see you like that again. It hurt me so much… because I care for how you feel. You were gone from me for days when it happened, and…” Soul couldn’t believe her ears. Nimbus was crying. “I cried every day you were gone. I missed you and was so afraid of what could happen to you. I guess you forgot how happy I was to see your face again and see you able to fly again. Why on earth would you think I would want to get rid of you!?” Soul turned to see her… her crying face. Tearing up so much, the most defenseless that a pony like her could get.

2.48
“I do so much just to keep you happy, and I’ll do anything for you Soul. It may not seem like it, but I will. I tried one way and… looks like it didn’t work. But I won’t stop doing everything I can to make you happy. But you… you also got to help me. You need to tell me how you feel. If something is bothering you or if it’s just not working out. Let me know and I’ll do everything I can. I didn’t put a demand on you with camp. I just thought it would be a good idea to try it one more time. But if you really do not want to go back… I can’t force you. Just never think I’ll get rid of you over anything.”

“Nimbus…” Soul whispered. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be sorry. Just know that I’m there for you. Starry is too. And all we want is for you to achieve what you want. Because you’re our little champ.” Soul didn’t need any invitation to do it, she fell into Nimbus. Wrapping her hooves around her leg, Nimbus sat down. Pulling the filly in with her wings. “I’m so sorry, I’ll… I’ll do better. I just want to be the best I can be” Soul cried out into Nimbus’ fur. “I thought I said don’t be sorry” Nimbus commented over her head. “Things just didn’t work out this time, but they will soon. I know it. You’re a special little Pegasus and I know you can do anything you set your heart to. Just don’t cry. Don’t cry over it. You’ll pull it off and you’ll have our help. You have so much time, so don’t give up. I know that it’s hard to talk to other ponies, to make friends. Trust me, Soul, it’ll happen. You just need to be the pony you always are. Don’t try to change yourself.”

And that’s what I did, I tried to change myself. I’m such an idiot. I had a friend for such a short moment, at least, I could have called her a friend. I fooled myself. I fooled all that I dreamed for. Wished for too much and did stuff I can only regret now. Even when I did my best to protect her. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to camp again?” Nimbus asked. “You can talk to me about it. I can help.”

All I want is to forget it all happened. Because all it does is just remind me of the good times that could have been. I hate to think of what it was I missed out on all because of my choices. “I don’t want to” Soul muttered. Left to silence inside of Nimbus’ hug. She held there, alone with the only pony who cared more for her than any other. Sad over it all and mixed with her joy of softly laying against Nimbus and listening to her heartbeat. Silence for them both to calm down. Soul didn’t smile at all, but she felt a little better hearing those words. That Nimbus cared for her enough to cry for her, she wouldn’t get rid of me. She kind of let it slip out. “I’m so happy you do all this for me.”

“How would you like to train with me tonight?” Nimbus sweetly asked above her. Not something Soul expected to hear, but that was the least surprising thing she had heard. After all that happened, Nimbus was still willing to train her. Such a long day, she still wanted me to be there with her for this. Soul let go of her. Able to smile a little up at her, it made her happy to hear. “Yes.”

2.49
Nimbus wiped the last of her tears away, a wing coming up and touching against Soul’s cheeks. Soul let Nimbus wipe her tears away too. Freeing Soul from her hug. Giving her one wing to invite her up and she spoke “Join me?” Nimbus held her wings out. Fully prepared to take flight. After all that happened, she still wants to fly with me. Soul would not refuse. Letting out her own massive wings and following close behind Nimbus as she took off. Flying deep into this silent and peaceful night where not one thing stirred in the air save for the two pegasi who now flew together. Soul kept close, wondering what it was they were to do tonight. Astonished they were even going to do anything tonight after such a hard day. Not like it looked like Nimbus forced it.

The mare looked as happy as ever, maybe happier with such a brilliant smile under her closed eyes. Darting on with no care in the world. But I know she cares. She cares so much about me. Guess I was stupid to think she would do something so mean to me. Nimbus always was there to guide her and help. She wouldn’t stop today. She would never stop showing that adoration Soul always saw in her eyes every time she looked at her, keeping her close. Nimbus dared not to even part with her. Staying side by side with Soul. Maybe even closer than normal to where their flapping wings came close to brushing. Carrying them off into the night sky. Soul looked away. Smiling deeply no matter how sad she looked. How sad she felt inside. By just hearing her be so nice to Soul. I’m her little champ. “I’m so happy we get to train tonight” Soul commented. Certain to let her know how much this meant.

2.50
“I told you today would be a special day, so of course I’ll be sure to spend some time with you doing our favorite activity” Nimbus said. “Count yourself important to me.” Nimbus banked a little to nudge a hoof into Soul’s leg. “Not many ponies get one on one tutoring from me.”

She said that almost like it was a big deal. Huh, Soul never thought of it that way. Were these little escapades so special to Nimbus? I always did enjoy them but even more when I got to train solely with Nimbus. I almost regret going to bed so early yesterday, and Soul was definitely feeling like doing it again tonight. Thank Celestia she didn’t. “So what are we doing tonight, …professor Nimbus?” She had no comment. More than happy to get right to the answer. “I thought it was about time I taught you something really special that…” she paused. Looking to Soul as if asking for permission to say more. Soul had no idea. “Sorry…” Nimbus muttered. “It had to do with today. Earlier.”

Back at camp? Soul admittedly lost spirit hearing that but… she wasn’t going to let it ruin this little moment she could get with Nimbus. She was a big girl, she could handle it. “What is it?” Nimbus sighed so hard. “The lesson at camp… it was meant to be a little early look into what I want to teach you.” Coordinated agility? Or flying with another pony? My agility is fine, and… I did see that… that there is some joy in having another partner with you. Somepony other than the one I had to work with. Soul more than happy to think she may do some sort of agility exercise alongside a more dependable pony like Nimbus who she could rely on to give her instruction. She never lets me down. “An agility lesson?” Soul put out the one she was less enthused about.

“Your agility is spot on for a filly your age. It has something more to do with a little trick I use when doing more troublesome flying or just when it’s hard to pay attention to everything and… react accordingly.” Wow, that sounded a lot like she was pointing out a little something that started to make Soul groan at her. Not at all amused to hear her talk about her ability to pay attention. Not when so many things were coming at her from so many directions. It’s not like I’m a master flyer. “So what else do I have a hard time dealing with, if you don’t mind sharing?” Soul asked. More than happy to hear whatever critique Nimbus had for her, if any existed. “Well your landings could use some work.” “I… umm…” Soul smacked herself. Much to Nimbus’ delight. What, did she even know that was a fake? My landings are fine. Though Soul would not dare admit she purposefully messed up yesterday just to… to try and avoid stuff that happened anyways. “You also need a lot more high speed and altitude training, which… I wouldn’t introduce to you just yet.”

“But high-speed sounds so much fun” Soul countered. “I’m good at mid-speed already. Why not go up a level?” “Rushing, huh?” Nimbus said. “I’m not sure why you’re rushing. You’re only nine and have plenty of nights to spend with me before you’re an adult. Lots of time to practice what it is I do want to start teaching you. Because any pony can do high-speed, high-risk flying, but it’s the talented ones that truly succeed and shine above the rest, and talent is not just given. You gotta work on it long and hard.” Soul hung her legs down, letting only her wings stay propped up and carry her along. Less than thrilled to hear she had so much more to do before she could do the more advanced stuff. Really wishing to have it now. “So what move are you gonna teach me?”

2.51
“You say that like you’re not happy about learning an advanced technique.”

The tone in her voice was sure. Nimbus sounded so confident in prying Soul’s mind to whatever idea she had, and it worked. The filly quickly turning to pay attention. “Agility is one thing, but it doesn’t solve everything. All pegasi are prone to accidents and… you’re no exception to the rule.” “I know” Soul muttered. Pointing out all the times she fell before. Always falling, but always getting back up. “Even I have made mistakes and trained hard to find ways to fly better than the rest.” Nimbus stopped. Soul took a second to stop as well. Turning back in wonder as to what the Pegasus was on about.

Both of them hung high over the cloudy fields. Nimbus turning her head about, letting her mane flow gently in the breeze. She shut her eyes. Craning her neck. Exposing her neck to the world around her, and her wings slowed. Glimmering in the moonlight. Not even a care written on her. Like she was totally at peace. Breathing deep the air. Speaking with such a long exhale. “My dad once taught me something that very few pegasi know. He loved the idea of passing it down to me, drilling it into my head until I got it. Could know what it was like. I was not much older than you when I understood and…” she giggled. “I admit, it did make me want to try to be what he was. Join with the ranks of those esteemed pegasi, so little of them who could actually do what he could do. He never did say I could teach it to anypony, but…” she whispered. “Let’s break the rules.”

“What are you going to teach me?” Soul said so anxiously. No longer willing to be left about with mystery. Her tail wagging in excitement over hearing the story and that she could see what Nimbus was talking about. “Lots of pegasi rely on their eyes and ears to perform stunts and fly at incredible speeds without the risk of accidents” Nimbus said. Hovering past Soul, the filly followed after. Both of them coursing off in the direction of that mighty structure in the distance so lit up to break the night sky in a light greater than the Moon may ever achieve. “Listening to the wind and the sounds of other obstacles around you, far better and reliable than using your eyes. A gift that all pegasi have.” “I know that” Soul said. “It was pretty easy to get down.” She tooted her own horn.

Her ears her most reliable method of flying. Paying attention to so many things. “And can you keep track of things coming at you from three directions?” Nimbus asked. “What about four… and above you? Keeping track of other pegasi you fly with while also worrying about running into a mountain right in front of you or caught in a gale?” Like she was trying to let her know that she messed up badly during the lesson today. Yes, I had a hard time keeping track of all that. Left and right and… that jerk throwing things at me. Having to watch out for Dash too. As much good as that did.

2.52
“What did you think about our little flight yesterday morning?” Nimbus asked. “I let you ride me and we had a nice flight.” “I really enjoyed it” Soul said immediately. No way she couldn’t. “Kind of dangerous too” Nimbus pointed out. “But I could tell it was safe to fly that way with you. I didn’t just fly into it, I had to make sure we could do it without you getting hurt. Only one way I could tell that.”

What is she going on about? Soul was getting confused now. Curious to know what it was she used to apparently know all that yesterday. “Us pegasi can use our ears to listen to the wind, but…” Nimbus stretched out her wings even further in their sways. Guiding the breeze in between her feathers. “What if I told you, that very few pegasi can actually read the wind?” “I’d say you’ve been reading too many unicorn spell books” Soul said. That’s what it sounded like. Reading the wind? Unless she heard that wrong. Now that sounded more magical than anything else. Like a crazy experiment she would be able to think of several ponies trying to achieve. It didn’t keep her from being fascinated though.

Her hooves were crossed and more than ready to just write it off. She didn’t. A little glimmer in her eyes actually. Stronger when she felt the breeze come over her too. Driving her to really think what it was Nimbus was going on about. “What?” Nimbus said. “You think unicorns have a monopoly on ‘spells’?” Flailing her hooves over her head for a moment. …Crossing her eyes. Soul laughed at her face. Nimbus was still serious. “It’s not a spell though. It’s actually something that can really help you tell what is going on around you.” Soul got quiet. Giving her attention back. She did want to know more. If Nimbus was on about something, it sounded kind of awesome to have.

2.53
“There’s always movement in the air that we fly in” Nimbus said. She turned, waving a hoof across the front of her face, and back again. Like she swirled the air itself. Nothing there for Soul to see, yet… she saw something so deep in Nimbus. The mare was nearly entranced. Focused entirely on whatever it was she swept. Eyes scanning over and up. Not at all breaking her perfect flight pattern. No loss in her grace. So entwined in her flying. Soul could feel tingles in her head watching it.

“Even on perfect days, the air is moving and it always sweeps over us. Covers us when we fly, and… it can tell us things if you just focus. Not listening to the wind or sounds, I mean actually just taking a moment. Letting it go through your wings. Staying still and just waiting for the feeling that it gives you, that tells you so much about the world around you. Where things are, how fast things are going or how much time you have to dodge or even letting you know when it is right to slow down or speed up. It can let you see things you could never do by just looking at them. Tells you all about them before you even know they exist. Your left wing is twitching.” Soul stared at Nimbus, that pony who didn’t even put an eye to her. Soul, however, glanced to see that it was true. Listening to this was giving her the jitters. “Sorry.” Soul settled down as best she could. Not easy at all from what she was hearing and seeing.

“You can see it all and learn from it. Get a sense very few other ponies can get to let you know the world around you and all it is doing to try and teach you. It’s a talent that takes a very long time to master and there are so few who can teach it.” Nimbus set a hoof to her chest. Closing her eyes. “Dad’s memory is with me, …and… I want you to know it too. So I know it won’t be lost.”

“You really want to teach me this?” Soul asked. Baffled that she was so willing to show her this technique. Nimbus nodded. Not letting go of her chest.

2.54
“But… is it even real? How can I even know if I’m doing it?” Soul asked. “If it wasn’t real, I would have flown you into the air yesterday much sooner and we would have hit the tailwind from a fresh batch of clouds from the factories, and some little filly would have fallen right off me.” Soul had nothing to say. Gulping. That… would have been scary. “I can’t tell when it is you will know it. It takes time and lots of practice, until… before you know it, it’s part of you. As natural as you flying. Most of the time, I even forget I can do it. It just happens because I’m so familiar with it. But you will know when it is you can do it. Not gonna say you’ll have the same experience as me, but… you’ll know.”

“I’d like to start” Soul said, giddy now at the chance of being able to learn it. More than ready to see whatever it was that will tell her she knew how to do it. Like, would something amazing happen? Oh, I’ll become a flawless flyer right off the bat. No telling what it was. She just came over to Nimbus. Presenting herself. Nimbus smiled. “What do you say?” She leaned closer to Soul with such a smile. One that was uneasy.

Soul groaned. Hating she needed to say this. “Please teach me, …professor.” Nimbus laughed. Soul not at all pleased. “Professor smart butt” Soul whispered. “Oh I can’t say no to you” Nimbus said. Pulling something out from between her feathers. So slick and thin, Soul missed it. It was a black ribbon held between Nimbus’ hooves. “What’s that for?” Soul asked.

“Hold still” Nimbus came close to her. Holding the ribbon up and shrouding it over Soul’s face. When the filly realized it was a blindfold. Oh crap. This again. She needed to wear one of these when doing hearing training. “Gotta make sure you don’t have an easy way to do this.” That was the same excuse for that other lesson years ago. Relying on flying entirely with her hearing to find her way back home. But that was on a day when the wind howled the correct directions to her. Kind of cheap, but… it taught Soul a lot. How different will this be as her entire world went dark?

2.55
Soul perked her ears up. Not daring to move from her hover. Waiting to know what she needed to do. “Already got your ears up?” Nimbus asked. “Don’t you worry, I’ll be sure to fly silently.” “What are we doing?” Soul asked. Really lost when she heard Nimbus would be flying silently. What was that even supposed to help with? “Calm down, Soul. Everything will be fine. But you need to take a second to breathe and just focus on your flying.” She felt something touch her hind legs. Pushing them together. “Legs still” Nimbus said, she was the one holding them in place. Letting go when Soul did as she asked. Then… “tail steady” a yank on her tail stopping it from swaying.

She grumbled in annoyance. Just for a moment. She said to focus. Soul no newbie when it came to that. All the same routine when it came to hearing training and then… huh, that became almost second nature. Soul got it then. Just like Nimbus said with this technique. “You won’t always need to prep like this to tell what’s going on around you” Nimbus said. “But for now, you got to figure out how to stay calm and focus entirely on the air around you. As time goes on, I bet you can pull this off just like I do. And you get to do it the same way I was taught.” Nimbus’ voice trailed off. Sounding a little further to Soul. Just over to her right. The mare was shifting positions.

“Listen carefully. This is just like any other flight. Smooth and calm.” Her voice trailing off to a whisper. “You have that sense of freedom that we always have when we fly. Because the sky is an open world for any of us to take for ourselves for a moment. You just got to remember that nothing is there to stop you, while there are still dangers that take over our flight at the same time. It’s that ability to stay calm. Breathe deep and envision that world in front of you.” Soul only cocked her brow once. But she did it. As always. That warm and soothing knowledge that she was here in her sky. Just as she always enjoyed without any fear that she needed to perform for somepony else’s expectations. As painful as it always was to try and do it for others.

She despised it. Only making her smile knowing she could fly however she wanted. That the vast air around the lush and beautiful world was hers to be among. A warm and gentle place. So much like home. Her home. Where nothing can go wrong. As long as she made it so. Times came when it can be challenged, but it’s up to her to stay calm and relax. Brave it and rely on her wings to keep her in the flight. Protect her inside that soothing embrace the air gave to carry her forward. Panicking was the last thing to do. It always was about this. This feeling she had of a still world ready for her. Her sky.

2.56
Soul took a deep breath. “Can you hear the air around you, hear it tell you where things go and how things are?” I do. Like always. That wind going over her, even gentle, it told much. Like it could tell her when something came right at her before it could hit. If she needed to turn left or do a hard roll just to impress some birds she flew over, short of running into them. Able to hear anything and all around her. …Save for one thing. That was when she twitched her ear. So smooth and gentle. A world held in place. Nothing different than normal.

But… was Nimbus even there anymore. Her wings… fell silent. But her voice went on.

“The air is like a foal silent and sweet, and it can break you when you’re not ready. But if you just let it know you are there, and feel what it is they can tell you… just by their touch, you can read anything that it tells you. Don’t rely on hearing, let the air touch you and tell you what it is that it wants to say. The quick changes in it, gentle and moody. Even the softest change in how it courses through your feathers. Because all things that occupy the air leave a signal. And you can feel it.”

Her wings were silent. Like Nimbus was no longer there. Soul could see her, the image of a mare left there like some light in the dark that held herself up on stilled wings. Opening her embrace to her. Accepting her to try and find that comfort that she provided. Floating around her. Though she didn’t know where. But so much time passed, and Soul breathed deep. Her lip quivered for a moment. Scared that she may lose it. No, stop thinking that. It was all about staying calm. Soul let her shoulders down, raising her wings higher. Lifted up, a chill going down her spine. Such subtle breeze flowing through the tiniest of breaks in her feathers. Tingling. She felt it all. For some reason, it felt good. Different. “Try to catch me” Nimbus whispered. “You won’t be able to hear me, but the air can show you where I am.”

Soul didn’t flinch hearing that demand. The air felt good. She felt good. Her wings more than ready to guide her with the flow of the wind as her ears became useless. She didn’t doubt herself at all. Happy to know that… she could do this with Nimbus. So special to learn this. It felt better than anything before. Soul took one final deep breath.

2.57
The ability to read the air. To feel the sky. Is that why Nimbus always flew so well? So much better than Soul could imagine ponies to be able to. Can I even do it? It sounded so much like something that only ponies who are insanely gifted could pull off. But… I thought the same when I didn’t think I could find my way around using only my ears. How fussy I was. Not this time.

Soul fully prepared to make Nimbus proud. Inside that dark embrace of the blindfold, she didn’t bother to panic or think too hard on it. Just stay there and figure out what it is that I should look for. Some sort of trick to pulling this off. A gust of wind and light breeze flowing around her. It felt so normal, no different from just being able to tell which direction the air flow came and adjust your wings accordingly. It did nothing to help tell her where it was she should be looking. Not even able to tell if Nimbus was on the move. Her wings so silent and she was so clever.

Soul hated that the breeze whistled high over any chance she had to rely on using her ears to listen for breathing. But that would be cheating. Not at all anything she could use to be able to tell if anything came at her from any direction or fly with perfect agility. It was proven today with how close she came to getting hit. Yet this remained a mystery. The entire world around her felt so still even with the moving air. An endless sky constantly churning around her. Allowing her to be there. Simply as a trainee being taught things only a master could know. What it was she could use to figure this out, how do I read the air? Nimbus had said so much but it sounded like so little to her. It still felt good to do this.

2.58
Such a cool chill going over her that barely made her body shiver, it felt wonderful to be shocked with that kiss of the air and the soothing, unwinding release of a gentle touch. Her fur rising to greet it. Stabbing at the air all around her. Everything in motion to course above her fur, seep around her skin. Yet it all was like nothing moved at all and she was there in that darkness able to feel like it truly was a sense of pure and unbroken calm drenching the air. Soul smiled. Holding a hoof out in front of her, not sure what she may find. Expecting to possibly feel something there.

Strange. Nothing but… something. It always was a fascination she had with how she was able to tell how the wind and sky was just by feeling it running over her. Even better when she flew so very fast, all that adrenaline it sparked. That peace of mind inside mixing with her undying love of being in the sky. A grace not many ponies could get. She often wondered how it was like to have the strength of an Earth pony or the power of a unicorn. Dreaming of it more than once. But it always returned back to the fact she had wings. Wings she never was sad about having, nor this ability to become one with the sky itself. Look down upon everything and see all. So many pegasi who see this ability as just another thing or something meant to be prideful over. She never did know if anypony else felt the same way as her about it, that love of freedom. Of feeling like the world was not there to stop you but to guide you. That only Nimbus being the one who shared that same idea with her.

To a wide-eyed filly just out of being a foal, learning for the first time how it is to fly with purpose in your heart and expectations in your head. That is my key. My love of the sky and my partnership with it. A mutual love. One that gives me so much back as long as I trust it to keep me safe. The calm of it all.

Flying and learning… everything from the sky.

2.59
Soul settled herself. Letting her hoof back down, she held her breath. The air still, and she felt so still too… even inside. To tell what it was her body could sense. The slightest changes in her fur, shifting slowly over her skin. Her feathers crinkled. More and more, that tingle rushed around her body. Do any other pegasi I see every day feel anything like this? This control. It felt amazing. Something that I can rely on, and it has the ability to tell me things. Telling me so much that… made her feel so soothed. Like she had no reason to be afraid, because she wasn’t alone. Nimbus is still here. Soul thought that. She felt it.

Her ear flicked. Wow… I can tell this to be true. Soul let it out without even thinking, and her words never broke that silent embrace she shared with the sky. “Nimbus, I know I’ve been a pain for a long time when it came to training. I know I’m hard to teach and I suck so much at trying to pull off all these hard things I think you want me to do. But… you let me know that… it really was stupid of me to expect the worst out of you. I’m bad at making friends and always worried. I’m gonna bet I wasn’t the easiest pony you had to deal with. Still… you want to do things like this for me. I never feel more happy than when I get to train with you and learn all these amazing things you have in your head. I thought I messed up so badly today and that you would be mad at me. It means tons to me that you ignored that and… now you’re teaching me this.” Soul knew just how important it was.

“Your dad’s technique. And it’s yours too. You’re gonna give it to me. I can’t even tell you how much it means to me. I don’t care how long it takes, but I’ll be what I want to be and… you’ll be the pony on my mind when I pull it off. I can’t wait for you to be there when I’m all grown up and show you just what your training did. Thank you so much.”

2.60
…The air trickled.

Soul inhaled again, her fur flicked, and her eyes opened up to the darkness within that blindfold. Rushing her, it tickled but she knew she felt something. Something swaying over her body. From something so small. Nimbus did a great job at flying silently but… Soul didn’t need anypony to tell her as her heart beat hard and her shock hit her. Just for a moment. I could barely tell. Anypony could have missed it. A silent wing. One that twitched at the end of her words. Whose feathers cut the air so differently than they had been. Soul did as her body told her, without pause. She spun about and darted right at it.

It was there. Just right there, so close to her. Too close, but far enough for Soul to believe she had it. In time to extend her hooves out to it and give it a hug. Laugh together because… I think I got it. So brief, but it must have been what Nimbus was talking about. Soul felt it no further, she didn’t need to.

Barreling right in at it. She stopped right where it was. Clenching her hooves close and expecting the warm touch of a familiar pony. Her hooves hit air. …What? Soul gasped. Shrieked when hooves came over her instead. Pulling her in from behind and holding her so tight and so warmly. A mare laughing over her head. Soul didn’t bother to go on with the training, she pushed the blindfold off herself and found that she was indeed deep in the hug of Nimbus, the mare right there behind her. Holding both of them up with her wings. Nimbus buried her nose into Soul’s thick mane and giggled.

“Oh Soul, you’re such a sweetheart.” That made Nimbus tighten her hug even more around the disappointed filly. Soul craning her neck to look up at her. “What?! But I thought I did it. I thought I found you. Did I mess up?” Damn, and it felt like she did feel something moving. Like it was told to her right through her skin. Her disappointment coupled with… actual amusement that Nimbus was being so very affectionate tonight. I didn’t think saying that stuff would make her like this. Hehe, calling me a sweetheart. Soul let her head back down and settled her chin down on Nimbus’ legs wrapped around her. Frowning but happy. “I didn’t say I would be staying still” Nimbus mocked.

Soul turned her head to the side, glancing up in amazement at the mare so sweetly smiling down at her. She winked. Filling Soul with elation. Her smile growing, so very pleased with herself. Even if Nimbus had not answered her question, she didn’t need to. Soul was well aware of what happened and… she felt so close. More than happy to forget everything else that happened. As long as it meant spending so many more days with a pony who liked her.

“Let’s try it again” Soul suggested. “Let’s” Nimbus agreed with a nod. Freeing Soul and offering the filly a flight out further over the fields. Soul went with her, flying off.

2.61
Soul could not fly. Her wings did all they could to beat against the wall but… only one moved. Flailing over her, trying so hard to get her up. Away from it. Knowing that she was in danger. But Soul could only cry. Cry over her wing that stayed still. Kept her against the wall. Held her back against her will to fly off and be free once more. It was never meant to be.

Such a stupid girl to think that it could lead to anything better than this after all the months she had to endure it. All leading to this. She never could have known that this would happen when she ate her breakfast this morning, dreading having to go back once again. Feeling like more bad things would happen to her. More things to make her cry just as she did now. Not from words or laughter, but from her fear. Begging for it to end. For the pain to stop.

She kicked her hind legs against the floor. Trying all she could to cry out. Her voice barely escaping as little gasps. Too much weight on her stomach. Too much pain in her wing as the feathers bent and crumpled beneath the thing that kept her wing lost from her, like it was nothing more than dead weight on her kept nailed to the wall. Dead weight that sent shock down her entire body. Desperately crying inside. Her tears did nothing to help her. They could not tell anypony to help her. No matter how many times she cried through the months, it never stopped. Even when it hurt the most, and now… now it hurt more than ever. For anypony to do this to me. Soul looked out at all of them. So many figures who just watched her without a care. Blank stares inside of dead shadows billowing across the room but they all shared one thing with her. A smile. As was always whenever she cried. I never could have been able to tell this would happen today. For me to be so afraid… not for myself. I’ve been taught that… I can’t care for myself. I’m not worth it. From so many ponies who are so willing to abandon me and leave me to cry and feel this lonesomeness I get every night. Alone every night with nothing but my dreams. I don’t care if I get hurt, just leave my wings alone. Please.

But the shadows didn’t care. Not any of them or the one in front of her whose hoof pushed deep into her wing. Standing over her like some titan, defenseless to stop it. To get it off her, laying over her stomach and enjoying it all. I didn’t mean any of it. Please stop. Please. I know I’m not the best flyer here, I don’t want it. I didn’t mean to be a showoff. Just don’t take my wings from me. I love them. Please.

“Please…” Soul whispered with all the breath she could let out. “I’m… sorry.” I’ll do anything if I can just keep flying. I’ll give up anything. Just don’t take them from me. “Soul!” A door slammed hard. Smacked right against the wall. She turned to look. …More than happy to see those red eyes welling of tears upon the Pegasus shrouded in the light of day rushing in. She dropped her clipboard hard against the floor. One that broke under her trampling hooves. “Soul!” …You came. Soul screamed. Feeling the pain in her wing. …A soothing feeling coursing over her then after. Blinding. …Rest in the warmth… of your care. …It always was lovely… because it’s the only thing that keeps me smiling…

When you hold me so near.

Crack.

“Soul.”

2.62
Soul flung herself up, screaming, nearly sending her blanket flying with her name still ringing in her head from the voice of that familiar mare. Not finding her at all. Not in her dark room. She could not begin to explain how relieving it was to find herself safe in her room. Just remembering all that. That horrible day, and she had not seen such a thing in so long.

Taking her a moment to realize she had a nightmare. One that left her clutching none other than her wing, no matter how much it stung to touch it, she didn’t let go of it. More than happy to find she could feel it. Still there to keep her flying and still there to give her great nights of training with Nimbus. Oh crap. She held a hoof to her mouth. Did that short scream of hers wake them up? Expecting somepony to fly right in through her door. Crying out her name once more.

“Soul.” Soul’s ears flicked.

A tap from behind her. Many of them muffled through to her just like her name. S-somepony was saying her name. Holding her wing even tighter till she had to loosen up before it hurt even worse to hold that sensitive gift to her, but she crossed her legs closer. Not at all sure if she should be afraid. She turned to see. Not sure what to look for in the darkness of her room broken only by the moonlight shining through her window and the… the shadow swaying in it. Almost sending her into a panic. Or it would have but she caught a little something about it.

There was somepony out there floating outside her window, and it was none other than… Rainbow Dash smiling at her so small and waving a hoof at her.

Soul didn’t even blink. Not sure if she was seeing things or still in a dream. “Hey” she struggled to be heard through the closed window. “Wanna meet me out front?” What the hell? Soul let her wing go. Kicking the rest of the blanket off her hooves and more than ready to ask what it was she of all ponies was doing here. Except that Dash was quick to fly off. Leaving Soul there more confused than she had been scared moments ago.

2.63
Rainbow Dash is at my house? What on earth is that jerk even doing… was she staring at me while I slept!? She had no idea how long she may have been there. It did make Soul feel so icky thinking about it. Shivering at it. Now she wants me to meet her out front.

Oh great, I should probably wake up Nimbus and Starry. Get rid of that filly because no doubt she would bug Soul for a while till she came outside. Sweet Celestia, just the thought that she had been here for however long never crept out of her skull. Whatever she may have saw. …I hope I wasn’t crying or anything in my sleep. I don’t need anything more that she could use to be a jerk to me about. Soul paused for a moment. Didn’t sound like anypony came. Maybe she didn’t wake them up with her scream. …Maybe I shouldn’t wake them up at all. Soul had to admit, she was no less upset with Dash than she had been earlier. More than willing to tell her off now that she wouldn’t see her again after this. Dash can have the camp for herself and deal with it for all Soul cared. Sounded good to her. The filly shivered once more. Remembering camp. When those memories had not hit her so hard for so long, she was so glad to leave camp behind. Leave Dash behind too.

Soul jumped out of bed. Coming over to her window just to be sure the filly wasn’t still hanging around out there. Not finding her at all, Soul opened her door right into the dark and silent hallway where only the white light coming in through her window shone a little semblance of comforting light to guide her. Keep her from being afraid of venturing out her room alone in the dark. More fueled by her anger than being afraid. So upset that she had to be bothered by that filly who shouldn’t even be here. Soul crept down the hall and headed towards the stairs. Whispering to herself “How the hell does she even know I lived here?”

Is she stalking me? The nerve after what she did. Soul was extremely relieved to see how much moonlight shone in across the living room downstairs, easing her a little more to keep going without anypony else with her. It wasn’t often she got to see her house so quiet and still. She hoped Starry and Nimbus were sleeping well in it. Soul could handle this herself. If anything, she didn’t want to bug them after all they did for her today. She came up to the door. On the other side, the front yard of her house. Where she expected to find her. Very annoyed that this was going on to begin with. Her door silently came open.

2.64
“Hey Soul.” Rainbow Dash giggled a little in her mouth and smiled so happily, right there on the other side of the door, there to greet Soul. Soul less than amused. Not at all returning it.

Of all the things to expect, finding a pony like this standing out on her front porch all alone. Looking so much like this was not weird at all and that nothing was wrong. Really, what is wrong with this filly? Can’t she just leave me alone? Soul kept her hoof against the open door, more than ready to close it on Dash whenever she wanted. Tempting to. “Sorry to wake you up” Dash said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Scare me? Yeah, that was what scared me. Not like Dash needed to know. Nor did Soul bother denying it. Staring on at Rainbow, that was when Dash finally let her smile go and she sighed. “Are you mad at me?” “What do you think?” Soul responded. “Oh sweet Celestia” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I’m coming all this way to see you and that’s not enough to get you to at least say hi, Rainbow.” There’s no way this pony can be real.

Soul shook her head. A dream. Nopony can be this stupid. Soul pulled the door back in. “Wait!” Dash stepped in with a flap of her wings, putting a hoof against the door. Frightening Soul from this sudden and pleading look on Dash.

“Look I’m sorry, I just wanted to come and see you” Rainbow said. “What is wrong with you?” Soul asked. Doing her best to fight with Dash and close the door on her. “Please don’t close the door on me. I feel bad about what happened earlier and couldn’t get to sleep. I… I was worried you probably were having a hard time sleeping too.” Worried? Soul let go of the door. Dash falling over when she sent the door flying back open from all that weight she had put on it. The filly plummeting on her chin with a loud thud into the wooden flooring of the porch. Soul glared down at her.

“Do you really think I care?” Soul said. “Go back home and deal with it yourself.” She raised her voice to the filly slowly getting herself back up. Rubbing her chin and getting what she deserved, sniffling a little from a small tear in her eye by how much it must have hurt to slam into the floor. Or from what Soul said, Soul didn’t care. As long as she left as soon as possible. “Seriously, how the hell did you even know where I live?” Soul demanded of her. No excuse for the filly to be stalking her.

2.65
“I… I tried to follow after you when Starry left with you” Rainbow said. Wiping her face off and trying to compose herself. “Because I wanted to say I was sorry. It was stupid of me to say what I said. But you were both gone before I could say anything. I just saw you two come here, I didn’t know you lived here too.”

“I don…” Soul stopped herself. Oh well, no point in denying it. It was obvious she lived here. Yes, this was her house. Congratulations, Dash. Now don’t tell me you’re going to bother me every night like this or follow me around. Soul smacked a hoof to her face, groaning. “And you decided to bug me in the middle of the night?”

“It’s a little past nine” Rainbow said. “You go to bed early, huh?” Past nine? So wait, Dash would stay up this late? Or… “And your parents let you out this late?” Rainbow rubbed a hoof over her leg. “I… snuck out. I told you, I just can’t get what happened between us out of my head.” “Well it wouldn’t have happened if you had told the truth” Soul raised her voice again. Forgetting that Nimbus and Starry were still asleep. “Seriously, what kind of flight buddy are you? I stick my ass out to help you and you ignore me when I need your help. I don’t know why you bothered coming, waste of my time. Jerk.”

Soul turned her tail to Dash. Stepping right back in. She reeled her hind leg up, kicking at the door to slam it on the filly. Wake up whoever, she didn’t care anymore. I can’t stand her. “I was a terrible buddy” Rainbow whispered. “I know it wasn’t right to ignore you, and I really do appreciate all you did to make that lesson more fun for me. Its why I feel so bad now, I really did enjoy being your buddy though. Not many ponies would stick up for me and I’m a total asshole for not doing the same for you.” “You’re right about that” Soul said. “I heard what you said to the instructor… you don’t want to go to camp anymore, is that right?” Soul let her hoof back down, shaken a little by hearing Dash saying that. Keeping the door wide open between them. Just how down… no, sad Rainbow sounded saying that. She sounded so broken. Another sniffle ringing out from behind.

Is she still hurt or… Soul turned around. Rainbow had sat herself down, staring down at the ground with her wings drooped as low as her gaze. Like some pathetic critter. “Would I not see you again?” Rainbow asked. That was the plan. I didn’t want to deal with any of you again. I still don’t, just like how none of you would want to bother with me. But why even be sad over it? You, of all ponies, are the one who hates me the most for leaving me to deal with everything myself. Soul didn’t answer her. Letting the air hang still between the two of them.

Dash grunted. “If you are gonna leave, can I ask you a favor?” “You want me to do a favor for you?” Soul asked, baffled.

2.66
“Can you fly with me one last time, so I can get the chance to at least show you how sorry I am?” Soul curled her lips. Her refusal right on the tip of her tongue, wanting to yell it at her and tell her just how mean she was for what she did. Dash flinched. Closing her eyes and reeling back a little on her hind legs. She ignored me when I was rained on, she gave me a cold shoulder so many times and worried me endlessly just for her to go around and show me she is a total jerk willing to throw me aside for no reason. Not stand there with me and let me be so afraid and sad. Why can’t I just say no to her? Bringing up the memory of flying with her.

She had almost forgotten just how happy and vibrant this filly had been flying alongside her, more than she had seen in her before. More than she thought Dash to be able to. I don’t know what it is, but seeing her fly so happily and free… it reminds me so much of myself and makes me so happy to see a pony come out of her shell and truly experience joy like I saw on her face today. How pathetic she looks right now, Dash really did want her to come along for one last flight, and wasn’t that my goal? To make her smile? Just like she did earlier today.

Am I selfish for just wanting to do this to prove myself better than her… or is it something else. Something in her heart that writhed seeing Dash like this. She felt so stupid for considering it. Even stupider for wanting to be the better pony. A little comfort for feeling like… deep inside, she could actually do something nice for a pony that didn’t deserve it. “Fly with you one last time?” Soul whispered. “How do you even see that happening?” She decided to pry. Wonder what the hell was inside that messed up mind of Dash’s. “I just want us to fly somewhere real quick, maybe for an hour. You and me.” Rainbow looked up from under her mane. “I’d like to show you something to let you know how sorry I am. Then we can go right back home. …And… go our ways.” So forlorn in that last line. She really didn’t like how she was tugging at Soul’s heart like this, but to see that filly left with one little shred of happiness in the end, just like me… with Nimbus. I would like for her to know what it’s like to fly freely. Still.

Oh Nimbus, is this how you felt when you decided to show me what it’s like. I don’t even know if I was this much of a burden. Did I pout and do bad things like Dash does? Or maybe I did something nice to convince you? Like Dash did… giving me her food. Letting me know how it is to fly together with another pony.

“Fine. I owe you for the sandwich.”

2.67
Like a switch was flipped, Dash’s spirits soared. Rising back up and giving Soul a tiny smile, so thankful in her face. Her little wings even twitched briefly. “Thank you… so much, Soul” she whispered. Soul took her first step out the doorway. Stepping onto the same porch as Rainbow Dash. “No more than an hour” Soul pointed out. “I’ll make sure of it. Oh, thank you.” Dash giggled, jumping back up onto all four and clambering right over to join with Soul. Stunning Soul with how much Dash was wanting to be near her.

“Thank you, thank you” Dash chanted, walking alongside Soul. Soul somewhat regretting her decision, somewhat perplexed by how happy Dash had become just by her saying yes to this. “We’re gonna have a blast” Rainbow proclaimed. “I got something so awesome to show you. I’ll make sure it’s worth it for you.” Rainbow went on, slowly creeping ahead of Soul with hyper hooves, and she stopped herself in front of Soul. Keeping the magenta filly in place. Soul backed away and almost protested when Dash reached a hoof out to her face. Slowly and gently. “What are you…” “Fix your mane up” Dash said. “You look like you just got out of bed.”

I did, smartass. Soul whipped her hoof away, doing it herself. Wow, I must have been tossing in my sleep. She just found out her mane was completely swept up and over. “I didn’t want to say anything earlier about it, but thought you might want to go out looking like usual” Rainbow said and she chuckled. “That was the first time I’ve ever seen you without your peek-a-bangs. It looked good seeing both your eyes.” “Is that so…” Soul muttered, ignoring her and putting her mane back down over her eye. “Sorry… I like it like that too” Dash retreated. Letting Soul walk past and onto the cloud yard. Kind of annoyed that Rainbow was saying this stuff. Not like how she was at all, that or she was serious and trying her best to make Soul feel a little better. Soul wasn’t sure what part was truth, but she had to admit she kind of liked hearing another pony say they liked her mane. When did we progress to talking about manestyles and crap like that? She wanted to mock Dash over it. Just letting her go.

2.68
Dash trotted back up to her side, splashing her hooves in the puddles and tiny streams coursing along the clouds and throughout the yard up to the waterfalls spilling over from floating clouds all about the house that Dash was increasingly fascinated with. She should see it during the day, when rainbows bloomed from atop those clouds and arched over the house. Very proud of it. Curious as to why Dash was so curious about all this if she was just here for one last flight with Soul.

One thing was clear, this was not the Dash she had seen in camp. She had never been this jumpy and energized with a smile on her face for as long as it had been now. Like hearing Soul agreeing to go with her was the best thing she had heard in a while. So very different. Intriguing Soul. Letting Dash walk as close as she was to Soul, headed over to a good and wide spot for them to stand together and stare out at the empty and starry sky. Soul glanced over at her. Waiting for Dash to look away from the sky with… with her big and… beautiful smile wrapped up in that sense of true adoration in her eyes. There is something off about her. What is she planning on doing tonight? “So, you’ll be leading” Soul informed her. “Where is it you want to go?” Dash took a moment to look back to her. She cocked her head and flashed her teeth. “Should’ve brought that Wonderbolts hat of yours” she said. “Too late now.”

Soul raised an eyebrow. Dash was ready to take flight. Silent and holding her wings out to take her into the sky. Nothing left to be said. Soul so perplexed and mystified. I did not think tonight would be like this. Never thought I’d see this pony again. But… there was some longing in her face that really did desire something true and free. To share with me tonight. Soul sensed her desire to take to that freeing flight. Maybe for just one small sense of comfort in this dreary and uncertain world.

I don’t know what she wants. But I’ll join her for tonight. Soul let her own wings out, dwarfing Dash with them. Flapping with her and both fillies took flight.

2.69
Rising over the house itself, Soul followed Dash right back to the very field she trained with Nimbus that night. Passing it all. Soul looked back to the dark face of her house drifting off in the distance, and the little bit of her window that she could still see. Was it right to do this? Soul wasn’t certain if she should regret doing this or have just stayed home. Yelled this filly off and never deal with her again. It was too late now. Forced to do as she said she would and follow Dash onwards across the dark and still sky.

Silent they were, though Soul noticed Dash take some quick looks back probably to make sure she was still there. Or maybe something else. Soul didn’t care. She wasn’t in much of a mood to talk. More or less preparing for whatever crap Dash had in store for her. If she was planning on being a jerk in the end. What things to say, indeed. Cursing she had to make the assumption this was going to turn out badly. If only Dash had not left her behind. But I’m kind of used to that, not really used to them coming back. Let alone leading her out here. Soul looked ahead, past her guide. Raising an eyebrow because... she wasn’t entirely sure what it was they were doing, but the sight ahead was still intriguing as they got so close to the lines of silent factories. The coliseum. Looming ahead and growing so tall over the spires and domes of the weather factories. Right in the heart of that vast expanse of clouds churning about it in an endless maelstrom to be lit bright by the many, many lights of blues and yellows shining all across the great coliseum, and the rays of lights that cut through the sky. Lighting up the night itself over it all. Those spotlights giving Soul a greater sense of comfort that she could fly with Dash in the dark, though they were the only ones up here. A little uneasy to be alone up here with this filly.

“I’ve actually been to these factories before” Dash said out of the blue. Breaking Soul’s attention.

2.70
The rainbow maned filly keeping up her flight but too busy looking back at Soul to care where she was going. Just straight ahead. Both of them gliding past the towering stacks so many times thicker than they were like titans that always churned out that shroud of blue mist every day and seeding Cloudsdale in the rain showers that always kept the city’s clouds so warm and wet.

Soul had been here before as well, not that she boasted about it. It was all so interesting to see how these buildings that spread out so far and wide within their cloudy embraces and spanning white columns could pump out all the weather systems she could imagine for the weather pegasi to work with, but it didn’t take her. She never wanted to be a weather Pegasus. “My dad works here” Dash pointed down to one of those massive buildings. “Cumuli workers. It was so awesome to get to see him work when he took me. You know, I actually would like to learn how to do that stuff someday.”

“Well I don’t know how to do it, can’t really help you there” Soul talked her off from this. Feeling even worse hearing this talk. Only reminded of how well she managed to manipulate a cloud today and that leading to everything else. Dash could grow up to be a damn goose for all it mattered to her. Quieting Rainbow up again. Pretty displeased she looked, when I’m the one who should be displeased. You wanted to fly with me one last time, and I… I don’t even feel anything like I did earlier with you. Did Rainbow get anything out of this or was this a waste of time just to get Soul out here to talk to about random things? It really did suck. We did so well together and I felt so alive… so different just by flying with you. Like I could do what I pleased without worry or distraction. Just enjoy what we could do together. Soul didn’t even respond when she saw Rainbow had backed up a little. Taking her time to even bother to acknowledge Dash was there next to her, wing to wing, inviting her.

2.71
“How about we do some tricks?” Dash suggested. “I got one.” The cyan filly tilted herself over and presented her back to Soul with her wings facing the ground and the sky. Some vertical glide. “Do this too, back to back. We can do some spins or something” Rainbow grinned from under her flowing mane.

“Come on.” So enthusiastic with her request. Sheesh, maybe I would. I’m just not in the mood to do that. I’ll fly with you but we aren’t going to do anything fancy.

Soul ignored her. Her silence getting across, Rainbow Dash leveled herself back out. Not at all happy. She just went back to her original place in front of Soul. Seeing that, Soul had to admit that no matter how much she was disappointed with this filly, she did feel a little tug at her chest seeing just how down Dash had gotten so quickly. Almost like when she crashed yesterday. That same look under her dreary bangs. Not at all bothering to look upon Soul again and just go on towards that sight ahead. Soul sighed, looking away from her and to the coliseum once more. Closer still for her to become ever more enticed as to what it was they were doing.

What surprise Dash had in store, not daring to ask. Certain the filly would not answer and just have an attitude. I’ll just see. But, oh man, that sound that made her ears perk up. The sound of cheering roaring across the sky in muted hushes. Growing more and more as they got closer, and the lights glowing stronger to where they shone so many different colors across the sky. Leaping high over the walls, those walls that grew taller. So tall that they began to dwarf the airborne pegasi. Not hiding at all what Soul could imagine was making all those sounds, and her wandering mind as to what it was that was going on. If what it was actually was happening. It stung a little in the back of Soul’s mind where she thought about the pony that had trained with her tonight. Is something really happening here tonight? Why are we even here? Soul’s excitement didn’t help but grow alongside her wonder as to if it could be true. If so, another question arose that she hoped was just her worrying.

Why did tonight happen then?

2.72
Soul held her place floating just above the clouds, her hooves skimming over it all. Unlike Dash. The cyan filly quickly ran off ahead of her. Frantically, even. Curious to Soul. She seemed almost worried in fact. Rainbow Dash had taken her right to the foot of the mighty coliseum where its great and vast wall rose so high over them. Bright and powerful. Its blues and whites so great that they even lit up Rainbow Dash herself. Made her look not at all like a rainbow maned pony anymore. Lighting up the worry in her face.

That filly charging right up to the wall and stopped in her tracks by the gates that shut out what Soul remembered as the main entrance. Right where she was years ago, waiting in line, only to be told she wasn’t old enough to go in and having to go back home with Nimbus so saddened that their day had not happened. Closed and empty now. Not a motion at all, save for Rainbow Dash. She practically barged her way right into the gate. Clanging it against her force and running a hoof down a bar. By herself.

Soul stayed back and watched her. Not sure if she should do anything or just leave. Disturbed and… then concerned when she saw Dash’s face contoured in such pain and fear. The filly ran along the side of the gate, banging at it all over. “Come on!” she yelled out. Nopony there to answer here except for… another cheer so vast. Louder than before like it could echo across the entire city. Seriously, what is going on? Soul had enough of being left in the dark over this. She settled herself down.

“Dash.”

2.73
Rainbow ignored her, calling back out to anypony beyond the gates. Wrapping her hooves around the bars and she tugged at them. Keeping her tail to the filly who walked up behind her, but Soul didn’t need to see her to know there was something so wrong with her.

“Dash, what is the big idea? Tell me now.” I could have gone right back to sleep. Though Soul would not tell her how frustrated she was getting and how very worried she was getting over what it was that may be happening inside that coliseum. Rainbow smacked her hoof against the gate one more time. Giving up, slouching herself against it. She let out such a groan. “And we can’t even fly over it. We’ll get in so much trouble.”

“Dash! What is going on?” Rainbow dropped back down onto all fours. Letting her wings sink with her head. Staring away from Soul, no nerve to face her. So much fear in her voice that left Soul shocked. “I’m sorry. I took too long to come get you. It’s my fault.” “Can you turn around?”

Soul had enough of trying to talk to her butt. After a pause, Rainbow did as she asked. Still not looking away from the clouds she stood on though. That was fine. “Now tell me, what is going on here?” Soul asked. Wanting answers now that another cry of joy blasted all across the stadium and the whir of wings rippling the air so swift and powerful. “You wake me up and then you take me for a flight and you take me here instead. Is this some sort of joke?” Dash shook her head under her mane. Even talking back, she didn’t face Soul. Her voice so quiet and longing. Somehow easing Soul just a little. “I did say you should’ve brought your hat. Well… it was for this.” Dash’s words making Soul’s eyes widen.

2.74
“I meant to get you earlier but I got lost, looks like I messed everything up.” “What… do you mean?” Soul asked still trying to come to terms with it. Her mind aflutter in the confirmation of what was going on inside. Such a spectacular and wonderful event that she had never got to see before and only able to hear about it through Nimbus and Starry. The two ponies who were more fans of these things than anypony Soul had seen before. Yet, Soul had not even heard about something like this today. Why? Why did I not know? Why…? Soul looked down to the clouds herself. Shocked. Left to wonder why it was they remained silent to her. “Soul…” Dash glanced up from under her mane.

“I wanted to show you how sorry I was for what I did. I snuck out to try and get you so we could see tonight’s Wonderbolts display together.” Soul was hit so hard. Even harder. Being told flat out that such an event was happening… and… Rainbow Dash… she wanted me to go with her? There’s no way. Soul met Dash’s eyes. Not sure what to say. Hoping Dash would keep going, because she sure as hell had no idea what she needed to do. Wanting some sort of guidance. “I’m sorry, so, so sorry” Dash practically begged. “I really thought it would show you I appreciated everything you did for me in camp today. Not many ponies would do that stuff for me. A stupid thank you wasn’t good enough, especially after what I did. I’m such an idiot, huh?”

Dash’s voice became so shaken. Trying to sound tough saying it, but she was just as weak as Soul was right now, though Soul would not admit why it was she was stricken. But she listened. “I’ll be honest” Dash said. She walked away from the gate. Back over towards where it was they had landed. “I wanted to do this so we could at least hang out since… since you… won’t be coming to camp anymore.” Dash looked back down. So sad over saying that.

2.75
“Hang out?” Soul muttered. Remembering what it was that was on her mind once more. “Yeah” Dash nodded. “We could do things together every now and then… look!”

Rainbow turned around, stretching her wing out. Surprisingly, a pouch fell out from deep under her feathers and right into Dash’s hoof. She bounced it up and down. “I even brought my allowance to pay for tickets for both of us. It’s… the least I could do.”

Pay for my ticket. Well… even if this had happened, if they had not been late, Soul was not sure how to feel. She just knew she was so lost and confused and so very upset with what it was Dash was saying. It just wasn’t right after all. “You embarrassed me in front of everypony at camp” Soul whispered. “You lied to get me in trouble. You ignored me when I needed help. After everything I did for you to make today a good one for you… you ignored me. What makes you think I would want to hang out with you?”

Soul let her wings out. Ready to take off. Her vast wings and confidence, no way this filly could catch her. …But… she stood there with the notion of… one last chance. Tell me why. “Tell me why.” Buying me a ticket would not be enough to convince me. You were nice to me before and that turned out to be a ruse.

2.76
“You’re right” Dash whispered. “I don’t deserve to hang with you. You gave me a lot and I turned my back on you when we were supposed to be flight buddies. But… I… I…” She held her tongue. Unnerving Soul. So agitated now, really wanting this over and her wings more than ready to make that first great flap needed to send her blasting away from this. “You what?” Soul demanded, she made Dash cower behind her hooves. “I was afraid!” she yelled in response, and Soul stopped in her tracks.

Wow… she actually is afraid. So afraid to admit that, saying it… it made Dash shake. “Afraid?” Soul asked. Her wings began to slow. “Yes! I was afraid” Dash said again. Putting her hooves over her head. “I wanted to stop you from doing it, but I was so stupid. I just let you do it and… and now you don’t like me because I was too afraid to get involved. I didn’t want the others to be mad at me too. I just wanted to get along with everypony.” That sounded… so familiar. Almost like… yes, I did put her on the spot. Right when… when I should have known.

It’s amazing. I can see so much from what little you said. I remember seeing that terrified filly so down and distant from everypony else and you got paired with me in the end, paired with a pony who was the same way of wanting to get others to like me, and I messed that up for myself. You were afraid of ending up the same way. Soul jerked up when Rainbow smacked a hoof into the clouds so loudly. The filly took the bag of her allowance in her mouth. Dragging her hooves along, she walked away. Headed over to… to the rows of stands strewn about in silence along the wall of the coliseum.

Soul did not go after her, she did not even keep her eyes on her. Stunned in her shock at what she heard and how much it hit her. I didn’t want to try and be a showoff to the others. You didn’t want to try and stand against them. Wow. Soul smacked her own face with her hoof. I… I should have guessed.

Would… would I have done the same? Soul did not think so. She did the opposite of what she should have done in the end anyways. Against all she wanted to do and it backfired so badly. Why should I expect Dash to do the same when she is such a sad, little filly? Everypony else talks badly about her and I’ve not seen anypony be nice to her. She’s just been trying her best. I guess… I see why it is she wants to hang out with me. I was the first one to give her a chance, wasn’t I? She gave me a chance too.

2.77
Rainbow Dash sat down with a loud plop right next to Soul and handed something over to her, held inside of the firm grip of her wing. She didn’t look at her, Dash just pushed the thing to Soul. Wanting her to receive it. “I messed up with the show so… I could at least get you this.”

She held an ice cream cone topped in many scoops crowned with… none other than a strawberry. Handing it right on over to Soul. Soul held her hooves and wings still. Staring at it. This gift to her. “You did a lot for me. You made the training easier for me and you still flew with me. You made it pretty fun. This is the least I can do after all I did” Dash said. “I know I sound like some sort of idiot but… I really did enjoy flying with you and I hoped I could have proven that I loved it. So we could still see each other. And… maybe…” Soul squinted her eyes to the ground till they closed. She couldn’t believe this. Believe all of this. So amazed how this turned out.

I… I don’t know if she’s serious but… I can’t help but feel so sorry for the pony that sounds so much like me. So afraid of what would happen to her if she made the wrong choice and so desperate for somepony else to be there with her. She wants me. Me to hang out with her. Am I stupid or is she? I don’t know. Soul Serenity sat down next to her. “Maybe we can still be flight buddies?” Rainbow asked.

“You gonna look at me?” Soul muttered as she brought her attention to Dash. Both ponies closing the gap between them, in their lonesomeness together, with their gazes. Under the cries of a cheering crowd and the lights that represented something that they failed to achieve for tonight, Soul still hoped they achieved something in the end. Now that she got Dash to look at her and to shut up. Soul accepted the ice cream in her wing.

2.78
“I’ll be your flight buddy.” Soul licked away at her gift. Happy with herself to give Dash that admission that even made Soul feel inside that she just said something so beautiful that must have truly made another pony happy. I just hope she will make me happy like she did today before all that mess. Soul did notice movement. Rainbow Dash scooched a little closer to her. She kept to her ice cream, she smiled underneath. Yelling at herself inside. Should I be happy or afraid? Afraid of the pony who turned against me. Or happy with the pony that flew with me and brought me that rare joy of having another with me to truly enjoy that freedom.

“Thank you” Rainbow whispered. Soul nodded. Not wanting to look away from her ice cream. Unable to summon the courage to look the pony in the eyes again. For what would she see? She did not want to know. Because I don’t know what I can look forward to anymore. Like how I didn’t expect for Nimbus to still want me and to train with me… for there to be a Wonderbolts event tonight. For me to sit together with Rainbow Dash again. I just don’t know anymore. “You still not coming back to camp?” Dash asked softly. That was something Soul did know the answer to. “No.”

I don’t think it will be worth it. That any of it was worth it. Yet Rainbow Dash accepted it. Not budging away from sitting with Soul or the small joy in her voice.

“I understand, and I’m still sorry I ruined it for you. But… it’s awesome we get to be flight buddies still. I… didn’t expect you to want to do anything with me again.” “I guess I’m just too nice” Soul said. Not entirely proud of herself for that. “…And…” Soul said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like flying with you.” “I liked flying with you too” Dash said. “And it’s not bad you’re nice. Not a lot of ponies would give me this chance. There’s a lot of jerks out there.” Yeah, and I saw you as one. Not sure if I still should. “But I’ll still love flying with you whenever you get the chance” Dash said. I guess… I can too. Soul nodded with a smile. Then she couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

2.78
“This is the first time we actually sat down and talked a bunch” Soul pointed out the thing that just came to her head. A lot of yelling and apologizing but they still spent more time talking here than any other time before. Enough for Soul to say they were actually having a real conversation. To which Dash agreed with. “I’d say tonight was different” Soul said.

Looking up at the Moon and wondering how much time had passed. She was starting to get a little sleepy again. Trying her best to finish her ice cream but she wanted it to last a little longer. Yeah, tonight had mostly been them arguing, well… Soul yelling at her. A little pleased that they ended up getting to this point. “I got a few more minutes” Soul told her, expecting them to be done when she finished her ice cream. “Anything you want to talk about?” Soul asked her.

Dash seemed so much more elated than she had been moments before. Like a better pony all of a sudden. Soul was more than comfortable spending some time to talk with her or whatever. “I was wondering” Dash started. Something was on her mind. “If you’re not gonna go to camp, how will you learn to fly?” I didn’t exactly need camp to learn to fly, more like… the reason that Nimbus had given her and she had gotten so close to that goal if not for her messing up. Or so it seemed. Soul had to admit, tonight was unexpected. Is it all because I decided to do it in the first place? Soul had no reason to lie about how she planned to learn since Dash knew a lot already. “Nimbus and Starry will be teaching me after they get back from camp. Those two have always been there to teach me for as long as I can remember. Everything I know is from them.”

“You… learn just like me?” Soul looked to Dash. Not sure what she meant by that. Dash answered for her. “My dad teaches me how to be a weather Pegasus but my mom has been teaching me all she knows about flying. She’s… not as skilled as Nimbus but… I think she does a good job at it.” Rainbow sighed. “They enroll me in these camps to teach me things that they can’t… which is a lot.” Rainbow giggled. “But no matter what, they’re always there… supporting me and telling me that I can be something great no matter what happens.” “What is it you want to become?” Soul asked. Intrigued by the filly. Not at all expecting to hear this stuff come from her mouth. How longing and loving Dash was as she spoke of those ponies. A little shine in her eyes.

2.79
“I did want to be a weather Pegasus, I still do… but then they took me to one of these” Rainbow pointed over her shoulder to the coliseum where the sounds of spectacle resounded. “I want to be more than just a weather Pegasus” Dash paused. She held a hoof to her chest. Proud in her look. “And my parents support me in my decision to be just like those ponies.” She looked over to Soul. Happy as could be. “I wanna be a Wonderbolt.”

Wow, after all I saw of her these past couple days… I never expected her to want to be just like those masterful flyers of which Nimbus was stock quality of. Even Nimbus’ father. I never met him but I can tell he was one of the best flyers to ever be among that group. All those wonderful heroes of Cloudsdale in their bright blue suits and blazing gold lightning bolts. To see Dash dressed up as one of them. To become one of them. I would say it was insane before… but… I see a fire in her eyes. A passion.

She’s so timid and mysterious, but I can tell she means it. That she is working hard at it. Is it that same desire I felt in her… the moment I first laid eyes upon her? Soul was speechless for the longest time. Proud to admit it when she could that “I’m sure you’ll make it. If your parents support you and you never give up, I know you can be one.” “Thank you so much!” Dash grinned. “What do you want to be?” Throwing that out there even with Soul still numbed by the idea of Rainbow Dash becoming a Wonderbolt. That she was sitting with a filly who wanted to do something so difficult and daring and… sounding so much like a fool’s dream, but she had to admit that there was something to it much like how Soul felt deep inside her when it came to her answer for Dash. “I always got to hear lots of stories about the greatness of ponies who flew in ways that earned them so much respect and fame. Where entire parties are thrown for them and they are loved by so many.” Envisioning the sight of such great flyers who wore that true blue suit to storm across the clouds. But there was always something different about them that Soul noticed. It was different, but so common. Not as common as the thing that made her eyes widen when listening to stories from Nimbus and seeing her cherished teacher in action. They were always so powerful in their flying and so skilled that they could perform perfectly for anypony else.

Indeed, I love Nimbus’ father in how he became a Wonderbolt and performed for thousands. But he… he did it for a reason so foreign to Soul and so intoxicating unlike anything she had imagined. A concept that made her forget for just moments that she had been so different from him… and failed to live up to the expectations of others. Until Soul tossed that aside. Listening to those feats from Nimbus. I may have been a foal naively drawn by those stories but I loved them. They drove me. I want to do the same for others. To prove to them all that you can fly the way they did and show them that there is so much more to flying than the glorified crap they put in papers. I want them all to see something so much higher and different. What it’s like to fly without anything to hold you back. To show just how it is a pony can rise over the harshness of life and truly be free. No matter how hard it is. I want to show that to them. “…Until you realize just how noble those ponies were trying their best to make others see that they can do anything.” Soul smiled. Just like the very pony who trains me.

“I want to be like them. I want to fly at a level so few can and inspire many to follow in that path. To chase after their dreams even when it’s tough. That freedom and joy that so few pegasi can feel. I want to be one of the best flyers of all…” and prove that I am not worthless. That I can be something so much more than what I was left behind all by myself with on that stormy night with nothing but the painful yells of a pony I no longer remember ringing in my head.

2.80
Soul held her hoof out, expecting to catch one of those raindrops again. It never came. Gone with that painful memory and replaced with her desire to toss it all away. So no other would need to feel that way again.

I’ll show them all that they can be anything. “Maybe someday… I hope to be able to fly for the princesses… for Luna. When she comes back.” Just to see that proof. When she will come back. A lot more than what this little filly was thrown aside with the expectations on what she would be able to do. Soul wasn’t angry, she wasn’t happy. Held in her thoughts.

“That sounds insane” Dash whispered. “But… you seem to have the right teacher for it. I was kind of jealous to learn you live with Nimbus and Starry. Tell me… are they…” Soul didn’t need her to finish. She had to answer this sooner or later. I can’t admit it. Rainbow Dash does not need to know. Nopony needs to know how it is. “They’re my parents.” Soul cringed saying that. Parents. My parents. Ones I could never call that with a straight face. Because it always hurt to say it. To know how things are. To always be reminded.

“Lucky…” Dash said. “Your mom is an awesome flyer.” “…Yeah, she is…” Soul agreed. Pained to hear somepony say that. Pained and envious because it never felt that way where I could actually call Nimbus my mom. My own mommy. Though I wish I could. For me to really have a family. Ones that I truly feel are my family. Nimbus, I wish you were my mom. Starry, I wish you were my dad. Because you two have given so much for me and tonight was no exception now that I know a Wonderbolts event happened. Rainbow didn’t even seem to know how much it hurt her inside. She stood up, letting her wings out. Clearly ready to go. “I don’t want to keep you out much longer. Let me take you home?” Soul nodded. Joining with Dash once she took the final bite of her ice cream. She ignored her ignorance. Soul appreciated this night even so. “Thank you so much for the ice cream and… for talking with me” Soul said. Rainbow Dash was more than pleased to hear that.

She did something so shocking. She touched a hoof to Soul’s shoulder. Stunning. Soul felt eased when she ran that hoof down her leg and let go. Turning off and glancing to her. “Would you still like to hang out with me tomorrow?” Dash asked. “Sure. After you get back from camp?” Soul said. She got her confirmation. Tomorrow afternoon then. After camp where Dash would get to deal with that crap. Soul admitted it, she hated it. But she remained silent. Flying off after the pony who took her home. Where they crossed over the factories once more and flew along the vast and empty fields shrinking under the glossy and great expanse of the mighty cloud city ahead. Right where Soul’s house lay before it all. Lonesome and dark. Still inviting the fillies to reunite with it. Neither of them said anymore words to one another. Soul still felt that there was something there connecting them… maybe from how close they flew together this time. She didn’t know. But she was more than happy to be with Dash for right now and she felt it may be mutual. Reassuring. She was able to sincerely wish her the words when they landed together “Good night, Dash. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “See you then” Dash said back to the pony who went on her way to the door that they had argued at before. How things changed. Now Soul looked back at her from the door and smiled. Waving Dash off. Hoping she could sleep a little better now.

I don’t know what it is about her, but she fascinates me. Soul creaked the door open.

2.81
Stepping back into her dark and silent house. Nothing there to tell her anything had changed since she left, though she looked around briefly to be sure before she stepped inside and closed the door with a small clank behind her. Rainbow Dash… what is it about you? Like something really is drawing me to you. I can’t even yell at you right now. Even when you do bad things to me, you still come back and manage to make me feel a little happier. Can’t say for sure if she was happy to have met her or regretful. One thing stood, she was excited to see her tomorrow. I only hope we get to fly together much like we did today. Keep flying. Soul wouldn’t be happier seeing that pony reach her dream of being a Wonderbolt. She doesn’t seem like she has the skill for one, but that was it, she had the spirit. The drive.

Reminds me of somepony else who once doubted her worth and she still does sometimes. Is that pony worth it enough to make Rainbow Dash happy? Soul questioned it all.

She stepped past the couches and across the carpet that softened her steps over the clouds. Following the moonlight that guided her on. Shown a bright light over any and all for her to see and to shimmer along the table. Soul stopped. Watching that shimmer. Heading over to the table between the sofas. This is… Soul set her hoof upon the stacks of papers set out under the metal clip holding them in where the Moon reflected off of it.

Nimbus’ clipboard. It held her attention. Not even daring to move it. So entranced by it. Curious by it. She had seen it so many times before but… it drew her so hard tonight. Because of how different it was. How different was the thing left out at the very top of the stack. Where the Moon shone brighter than anywhere else. Soul held her breath and any regrets turned to acceptance when she saw that Nimbus had done such a good job at displaying what it was this paper showed. The mare had drawn the faces of every child in the group. There was Spitfire. Amber. Breezy. Aurora. …Me. She even got my bangs down pretty well. Soul backed up a little because she was not entirely sure how to react to what she saw… with the lines that connected the faces together. …I have two lines.

2.82
Nimbus… she wanted to pair me up with… with Amber.

A line from Soul’s face to… to Amber’s face. Except for one thing. That had been crossed out. To form a new line. She… she changed her mind… seeing that line go to another face. Rainbow Dash.

After what Nimbus said… why pair me with her over Amber? Soul was so confused. So lost for words, but she wasn’t unhappy. I don’t think any other pony could have given me so much to think about than Dash had. I can’t say I despise her or even oppose her. She is truly a mysterious one. Why did you pair me with her? Soul set her hoof back on the drawings, running it along the lines between her face and Dash’s. Feeling along and then her hoof bumped over something. Something under the paper. Soul cocked her head. Lifting it up to see. More papers and… her eyes glowed.

I knew it. But why? Three of them. Nimbus had hidden them, and never touched them again. Never bothered. Three tickets… to the Wonderbolts. Soul’s eyes widened. She stepped back from it all. Leaving those papers where she found them. S-she had tickets all along, so… she did know about this. Why didn’t… we go? Soul’s heart beat so fast. She couldn’t bear to be among this anymore. Nimbus… what were you thinking? With all of this. Soul questioned everything. Nothing made sense anymore, and she had nopony there for her.

She went back up the stairs. Leaving those papers behind. Not even tired at all… just worried. Worried as to what it was that was going on. Soul stepped up and crept back over to her door. But she did have that desire in her to go to the next door down. So much to wonder about. I just don’t know. Soul pushed her door open.

2.83
“Welcome back.”

Soul nearly yelped in a startle but calmed down, only for her to be filled with fear when she saw that Nimbus herself was there reclining on Soul’s bed. Facing her… not at all pleased in her looks that broke out in the moonlight. “I was just about to go out and get you” Nimbus muttered. “It has been… over an hour unlike what you were saying how long it would take.”

What? She overheard us? Damn it all. I should have guessed she would be woken up by all that noise earlier. So stupid of me to think otherwise. So… now I’m in trouble. Soul well aware she had snuck out without permission. Nimbus did not look pleased. “I’m… sorry.” Soul prepared herself for whatever came. I need to explain myself. “Rainbow Dash woke me up and wanted to take me to see the Wonderbolts with her but… we were too late so we talked for a bit.”

“I hope you both had a good time.” Nimbus sat up on her bed. Stretching her forelegs up to the ceiling and letting out her big wings in tandem. Satisfied to stretch out. How long has she been waiting? Oh man. “But it was stupid of you to go out without telling me, especially at night” Nimbus said. “I was starting to get worried. Good thing Dash was with you.” “I’m so sorry” Soul admitted again. Sulking where she stood. Nimbus had nothing to say for that. The mare slid off the bed and proceeded to pull back the blankets and fluff up a pillow. She yawned so loudly.

2.84
“It’s late, we’ll talk about it in the morning but you need to get some sleep.” Soul couldn’t agree more. Nimbus’ yawn spoke volumes to her. I didn’t know I would keep her up waiting for me, I guess we both won’t be getting a lot of sleep tonight. …I’m not sure if I should sleep in. Soul so conflicted on what to think after all that she went through tonight.

Should I be worried or thankful? All I know is I’m in trouble later for this. Great. Thank you, Dash. She wasn’t mad at her. More upset at herself for keeping Nimbus up thinking about her. Soul accepted Nimbus’ invitation. Jumping back into bed and laying her sleepy head upon the pillow once more. Gladly accepting the blanket Nimbus pulled up for her. She settled in. Looking up at the mare. No matter how much she was worried, Soul still admired her.

I got to admit, it feels good that she waited for me. Even better that Nimbus spread the blankets out over her. Also ready to head back to bed with her drowsy face. “Sweet dreams” Nimbus whispered. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Soul hated to do this, but so many questions hung on her mind. “Wait.” Soul stopped her from leaving out the door. “The Wonderbolts… why didn’t we go.” That made Nimbus halt in her path. Shocked even.

“We had tickets, right?” No reason to lie to me. I saw them so why did we not go? Especially since you love the Wonderbolts so much and really want to take me to see them. It just isn’t something you would do to ignore them. “Why did you change your mind?” Nimbus was well aware of what she was talking about and she grimaced to the floor. Shaking in her hooves, the mare peered at her through her bedridden mane with locks so long to nearly blot out her eyes but not blot out the sincerity in her look. “I felt it was more important to spend time with you and only you. I just wanted to spend time with you.”

Soul shut herself up. Letting Nimbus go with another “sweet dreams.” The Pegasus softly shut the door behind her and left Soul to sleep. The filly lay her head back down, staring up at the ceiling. She gave up the Wonderbolts to spend time with me. What made today different except for… for the thing that made me cry. Nimbus… Soul’s mouth quivered. Shaken in the words she whispered. The feeling she had to be given such a lovely night turned from a bad day.

“Thank you.” Thank you for tonight and for… Soul needed to admit it because she wasn’t at all regretful anymore. For Rainbow Dash. I’m glad I get to spend time with her tomorrow.

…Perhaps… more time than that.

Sweet dreams.

Yes, sweet dreams knowing I have something to be happy about.

It will all be okay.

3.1
“Oh excuse me” Nimbus said to herself right after quite a yawn. Taking a shower had done nearly nothing to wake her up. Already dreading that she may feel this way for quite a while. I didn’t even think an hour less sleep would do this, wow I’m getting old. She joked to herself. No longer stricken with worry or regret with letting Soul go out so late last night, more relieved like she was to see her come home on time.

I really don’t mind that much that she decided to hang out last night, I just can’t stay upset with her. Though she sure was not going to let this pass. No way. Nimbus could not help herself but feel a little happy that it happened in the end. She had no idea what was going on. That Soul never did like telling her things that much. Such a curious filly from the first day she came to us. One who always was so independent for somepony her age. I really do wonder what happened for her to go out with Rainbow Dash. Such a one-off. Even though I’ll be going to the camp without my favorite little girl, I still feel a little proud that something came out of it. Happy that I made that decision in the first place to get her butt out of this house for just a little bit. Seemed like something did come out of it in the end. I hope. That filly needs some change in her life. So much so that… I let her leave last night. So glad I did. Though it likely won’t be allowed again, hehe. I’ll drag her back to bed myself if I need to.

It better have been worth it in the end to make these decisions, because I am so tired. So much that… Nimbus stamped her hoof down and caught herself before it could happen. I almost missed it. Nimbus stared down at her wobbly leg. The thing that almost made her fall right over again. Sheesh… it kind of stung this time. Nimbus held her hoof up. Relieving the weight off it. It already started to feel better. Give it a few. What a day this will be, it doesn’t act up like that in the mornings. She probably needed to see somepony again to settle her legs once more. It has been a while and it was not fun falling flat on my face. Especially in front of so many kids. So glad she caught it before it happened. Not a good way at all to wake up. Nimbus had to admit that just going back in the hot shower again for a little bit and then falling back asleep sounded so good right now rather than heading out again today. This did not feel good at all. Though she felt so tired but her wings were more than pumped. She beat out her own desires. What I do is a good thing, I just can’t stay away from teaching the kids. Such a shame that Soul doesn’t want to go anymore but… maybe it was for the best. Nimbus already planned on doing more extensive training sessions with her tonight.

She did well last night. I’m very happy for her. I can’t wait to see what she can do. Nimbus walked past Soul’s shut door. Longingly looking upon it, saddened once more, though she did her best to hide it from Soul yesterday, that the filly would not be coming with her. Back to the old routine again. I guess I can give her some things to do today for when she gets up. Or that would be routine if not for what she wanted to do.

3.2
Nimbus pushed the door open. Soul’s room transformed by the rising sunlight so that she could find the filly where she had left her. All snuggled up in her bed. The filly had tossed to her side, facing away from Nimbus. Breathing so gently under the covers that she held close to herself. Still asleep. Nimbus moved the door even more so she could walk in.

I can’t just leave today without saying something to her. Even though she was not going to come to camp anymore, Nimbus did not want to give up on that idea she had of being able to wake Soul up every single morning and greet her to a bright and new day. I guess I can’t really do that as much as I wanted to now, but I won’t leave her without letting her know that I’ll be thinking about her all day. Wish her a wonderful day until we see one another again. How I hate to part with her. But… it’s to make her happy. This sweet and innocent filly that slumbered so peacefully that Nimbus found under her chin as she bent over to whisper into her ear.

“Soul. Soul.” Pleased that those yellow eyes awoke slowly. Soul tugged her blankets closer, grumbling but she did not look away from Nimbus. Oh, she looked tired. Even more than usual when she just woke up. Looks like we both got a bad night’s sleep. As long as it was worth it. Nimbus ran her hoof along Soul’s blanket. Gentle and just wanting her to feel more at ease. Soul let out a groan that sounded a lot like she was confused at first, so out of it for a moment. She still rasped out “Good morning.”

Rolling onto her back. Soul rubbed her eyes. Blinking furiously to the piercing rays of the Sun. You poor thing. I won’t keep you up that long. “Just wanted to wish you a good day” Nimbus whispered. Certain to be calm and gentle in her voice to rock the filly back to sleep. “I’ll be heading out soon. Have a wonderful day, my little champ.” “Heading out to camp?” Soul mumbled right when Nimbus lifted her head back up not even able to leave her bedside. “Yeah, I’ll be back early in the afternoon and we can do things together.” Maybe I can slip out of work a little early as long as I don’t have tons of paperwork again and come home to you. To see your smiling face and your joy of being able to hang out with me. Something to look forward to. Nimbus dropped her hoof off the bed. “Sound good to you?”

3.3
“Don’t go…” Soul spoke out loudly.

Surprising Nimbus, even more when the filly flailed under her blankets and sent them flying off her. Frantic to sit herself up. Whoa… she woke up quickly. Something was clearly on the filly’s mind with how much her eyes pulsated and how much her legs and wings fluttered trying to get a hold of her bearings. She did keep Nimbus right where she was. “Soul?” The filly fell victim to her sleepiness again, rubbing her eyes once more. She did her best to voice out a determination. “Wait…” Soul shook her head. Clearing herself up. Nimbus stepped back, more and more perplexed when Soul slid out of bed and came to join her on all fours.

“I’ll go with you” Soul said. “Let’s… go eat breakfast. Can we?” What, but I already… “Uh, sure” Nimbus agreed. I suppose I can whip something up for her real quick. But I got to get going soon. “I got a little time before I need to go” Nimbus informed her. “But you should get back to sleep afterwards. You had a long night.”

“I’m not going back to bed.” Stopping Nimbus in her tracks before she could walk over to the door. Taken back by what Soul said. She stared back at her. Not sure what to say. Speechless with the fire in Soul’s eyes. “I thought a lot about it” Soul said. The filly stepping up to rejoin Nimbus. She stood side by side with her. Prepared to head out the door with her. Seriously, you need to get some sleep, was what Nimbus wanted to say to her. Damn her mouth that didn’t do what she wanted it to do. But nothing but joy for her heart when she heard it.

“I want to go back to camp with you.” …Cutting it a little close… maybe I should have woken her up earlier. My mistake… to be able to hear this earlier. Because it surely did wake Nimbus up now. This… this was no joke. Nimbus stared down at the filly and all the sincerity in her. She wanted to go back. I don’t know what happened last night, but it did something for you, I see. Enough to make you change your decision. Maybe now… now you will say something more. I can see the determination in your heart to make something happen, whatever it was. Enough to maybe make the filly finally come out of her shell. Just as I wanted. “Would you like to tell me what happened first?” Nimbus bent her legs and knelt before her. Eyes to eyes. She invited Soul into her embrace. Holding her softly, letting her know everything was alright and that her decision was accepted. Nimbus whispered to the filly she hugged.

“Tell me everything.”

3.4
Soul had not left Nimbus’ side ever since they left the house. She would not leave her now, not until she felt safe. It took all her courage just to admit everything to her, like it drained her and left her a frightened foal so worried about what was to come now that she was back at the very place she had not thought herself to come back to again. Every second that passed seemed to draw her closer. Sitting with Nimbus, moving herself so close till she nearly touched flanks with her, in a position well behind her wing. Hopeful nopony would spot her. Not at all certain what it was she could expect, but hopeful she made the right choice. Hopeful everything she did would be good for her. I’ll even throw myself in this position to make things work out.

Sitting in between both Nimbus and Starry while cowering behind the mare just to avoid any eye contact with any of the ponies who arrived. All the same faces she recognized and did not expect her to see again. None of them saw her. She wanted to keep it that way until whatever happened would happen. Pretty sure of herself that it was going to be something. Nimbus had been quiet, very quiet since she had told her everything. The mare had barely uttered a peep, and Soul felt the change in her. How serious she sounded when she uttered the lines ‘I’ll take care of it.’ Like a drop of a hat. She never changed since then, Nimbus stared out at the kids that arrived. Putting on a smile and waving at them. Letting all their parents settle them in. She did a good act. Soul could read her, after so many years with her. She could sense just when it was that Nimbus was truly and wholly mad.

I hated every moment of admitting it all to her, I’m so sure all I did was just remind her of that horrible day so long ago. The day that was the most frightening for both of us, and I also saw the dread in her face. I can’t believe I had to say it, the proof that her beloved camp was not the perfect picture she had painted and that Soul had truly felt nothing had changed. Up until the one thing Soul did not tell her. The one pony who she felt made it all worth it to do this. I thought a lot about it. I hope I made the right decision. I never came to anypony the last time this happened, so much that it made me have to leave camp for so long. I paid the price. I don’t want it to happen again. I’ll do anything to make this work. Even if it means telling on another pony, just as Nimbus had said I had the power to do. To come to her with any problem. I felt a shiver when I saw her face. Like it showed her outrage at hearing another pony had rained on me. Her acceptance that it happened. I was stupid to think I could fool her with saying I fell in a puddle.

But she did so much for me just to make this a better experience for me. She gave up so much just for me. It was wrong of me to try and quit after all that effort. It even gifted me with… last night. So Soul did not bat an eye when Nimbus made her move, standing up in front of her and standing there for a few. Keeping Soul right behind her legs and tail, but the filly peered out and saw she was watching that very pony. Aurora Flash with the stallion that always had dropped him off. Same mane as the colt. His dad. Soul caught sight of Nimbus nodding to Starry. The stallion patted his hoof upon the steps. Smiling at Soul. She did what she knew to do. Please may I have made the right decision.

3.5
Soul joined over with Starry… feeling so embarrassed that she was exposed once more. Not leaving him. She didn’t look at all. Just letting Nimbus do her thing. The mare stepped away from both of them, heading right over to the other stallion. No turning back. I’m doing this for her… and for me. I want both of us to be happy, as long as she’s happy, so will I. At least I feel like I have something to look forward to later. Soul glanced to them all. Not bothering with the other kids. Not sure if she should care. Nimbus talking with the stallion, …she did not at all look pleased. Almost scowling. She still got the stallion to follow her. …With a confused looking Aurora in tow. Confused and worried. Much like his father… so lost and with a raised brow under his glowing mane, they both went off with Nimbus. Wherever they went, Soul just wanted to think right now that it will work out. Starry patted Soul on the head.

“You did good. It'll all turn out alright.” I don’t know. Soul shifted her eyes to her hooves. I… I just refuse to let what happened at the last camp happen here. Not here… where I have another pony to look forward to seeing. I was so mad at her yesterday. Now here I am, wanting to see her. The only pony I feel a little safe being around here. Right there in front of me. I can’t believe it but I feel a little better seeing her. Soul didn’t know if anypony else had noticed her but Rainbow Dash certainly didn’t. Not able to hide anymore this scene Soul had not seen from her before. Rainbow Dash landing with another pony next to her. Well away from the others. Soul already didn’t regret coming to camp today… just to see the mare with the short mane of a bright sunrise give Dash a hug. The filly didn’t fight it, wrapping one of her hooves around the mare’s neck. Like she was writing it off… she looked like she still liked it.

So that blue furred mare that gave Dash her bag must be Rainbow Dash’s mother. Soul had to wonder, with how she was acting, did she know that Dash had snuck out last night? Just like Nimbus knew. I won’t tell on her. Nothing to ruin that sweet moment I never thought capable by Dash just the other day. Funny, after last night… I don’t feel confused at all seeing something like this from her. Not at all. Adding even more. Soul had to admit to herself, she was more than happy to see the filly again. Happy to know she came back as well and that they would be able to keep being flight buddies here. I hope so, after what I did for us, maybe things will change and we can hang out together more often. I’m so glad to see you again.

3.6
Rainbow Dash was the one who looked, not glad, but surprised. As Soul would expect. When she caught eyes of Soul with Starry. The mare who took her in, flew off, leaving Dash to rush over to where Soul sat. Too hard for her to form a smile, it looked. Pretty much stricken with amazement to see Soul. She felt it in her stare. Yes, I’m here. Soul nodded to her. Welcoming Dash to come up to the stairs to join them. The filly was not afraid to come close to them. “Good morning, Starry” she nodded to him… a little shaky. “Morning, Dash!” Soul too joined in with a low whisper. “…Good morning, Dash. I hope you slept well.”

Soul smiled. But Rainbow did look to be a little energized. Just like Soul. They had to be since today was going to be the start of another day at camp for them. Dash was not amused by that line she said though, and the sarcasm Soul was sure to put in it. She shook it off. “I’ll leave you two be” Starry chimed in and he stood up. Both fillies let him go.

By themselves. Looking upon one another in shock and… and in a small comfort of knowing the other was here. Rainbow could not hide it though. She could play the mystery filly all she wanted, she was definitely more than happy to see Soul here.
“I changed my mind” Soul told her. “You’re a real asshole” Dash said smirking. “Guess I worried about not having a flight buddy here for no reason.” I’m sure she would have had somepony to fill in for that position, but I’m alright with it still being me. After all, I made this decision not just for Nimbus but for Dash as well. I’ll give her one more chance, and I feel like it will be worth it. “Shame, guess you’re stuck with me” Soul said. Met with a hoof presented to her. Dash sitting there expectantly. Holding it out just for one purpose. Soul met her hoof with her own.

3.7
“Now this is how to spend camp” Dash said. Laying back with her forelegs crossed behind her head. Nice and comfortable on the cloud both of them found for themselves. Almost looked like she was about to fall asleep on the spot. Probably wanted to. She couldn’t, not with Soul going on with her exercises just across from her. Dash was sleepy, but she still felt like she should keep up with her preparations for whatever it was they were going to do today. Lots of stretches and Soul began practicing her long flaps and curvatures to catch any wind like she wanted to try and do spins while staying put on the cloud.

“How about you lay back for a little bit?” Dash asked. “We both got some pretty bad sleep last night.” “I’m alright” Soul answered. Testing out just how well she was able to keep both her wings in synch with one another, as perfect as always, and then going right back to her stretches and maneuvers. She could tell in the air that today was going to be another beautiful day, not a hint of rain she could smell and not a change in the patterns of the clouds that flowed across the sky.

Looked like a clear day to work with and another good night to practice after camp. “We’re free to do what we want, you know?” Soul reminded her. Both fillies had known exactly what to do with the announcement, leaving behind everypony else to fly as high as they wanted above the camp which looked so small all the way up here. All those courses and open fields like they were nothing now. Soul was kind of glad to be able to do this. Free time was not something she expected to have at this camp. Just allowed to do whatever they wanted as long as it involved flying, which Dash was not exactly doing right now. Soul didn’t stop her. She felt her flight buddy wouldn’t get in trouble and needed the rest.

Rainbow Dash sighed. “This camp is pretty lax. Past few days and I haven’t really felt like I got to learn anything. Like we’re totally new at this or something.” We all have problems when it comes to flying, Soul wanted to tell her. Not all of the ponies here were as skilled as others. Soul hated to admit it, but she herself was possibly one of the most skilled here all thanks to Nimbus. Another problem with the whole setup she had to deal with just for being in this camp. Dash had lots of issues too, but… Soul could say for sure that she was no novice. Here I thought she was going to be… something else when I first saw her. I’m not entirely sure what to expect from her anymore. She is still surprising me, and I’m kind of glad I decided to come back. Seemed like everything was starting to work out.

3.8
Rainbow Dash laughed a little where she lay. “Did you see the look on Aurora’s face. Priceless. That actually was kind of cool you decided to tell your mom about it.” Dash laughed even more. “His dad was fuming.” Yeah, my… mom did a good job. In fact, Soul wasn’t unconvinced that this whole free time was all because of what happened with Aurora. Not really sure what happened but something that turned him into a scared looking colt. Not sure if I should pity him. I don’t know. But Dash was unusually happy about it. Snickering when they both caught sight of him earlier after he stepped out with Nimbus and his father.

“As long as you get to stay here, I’m fine with whatever happens to him” Dash said. “No way I’d lose out on the chance to do more flying with you.” Geez, she was going to make Soul blush. Kind of was but that could be from the exercising.

That filly was much more happy than normal. Did seeing me come back really mean that much? She must have really liked flying with me. I could tell… that look she has. It was so cool to see her be different sometimes instead of being that mopey pony. “I thought a lot about last night” Soul said. “I still want to try to have some fun here.” Should I even tell her it was because of her? “Maybe give it another shot.” Soul wrote it off. It can be for that reason. It wasn’t a total lie. I want to give Dash another chance, I did last night. “Hope we still get to hang out after camp today” Dash reminded her. Of course. I just need to let Nimbus know after camp. The mare did want to do some training with her after camp but… we got quite a while later. Soul was sure Nimbus would be fine with her hanging out with Rainbow in the daylight this time for a little bit. “Yeah, I’ll still fly with you later” Soul assured her. Even more so now.

The filly was certainly glad to see Soul and Soul really did appreciate her being around her all day. Sitting with her and listening to instruction. Not every other pony sat with their flight buddies during it, Dash didn’t need to either. In fact, she didn’t seem to want to leave Soul’s side. Thanks to her, I didn’t sit alone today. Good since I felt so worried. So overwhelmed with all that happened. That I managed to tell Nimbus what was going on and how scary it was to make the decision to come back here. Remembering the stupid mistakes I did, and yesterday. No matter what good came out of it, Soul still felt uneasy.

Shifting her eyes around at all the other ponies. Where they sat with her the day before, none even made eye contact with her. Like she was all alone. Just a little greeting from the smiling twins and that was it. They probably all remember yesterday. Until Rainbow Dash came to join her. Sitting with her the entire time listening to those boring instructions from Starry. Well, they may have been useful to the others but they were a lot of the same things Soul already knew. She was not alone. “Good cuz today has been so boring” Dash said. “Seriously, sounds like we’re gonna be doing some resistance turns?” Dash sat up. “I learned all that stuff at home.”

3.9
Soul stopped her exercises. Intrigued by what she heard. She looked back at the filly. A little curious.

“Turns? …I never did ask you, but what kind of stuff does your mom teach you?” She did say she wanted to be a Wonderbolt. Such high skill flying, she did perform well in the course the other day but Soul couldn’t forget those mistakes she made. They seemed so easy to break off from but she still managed to ruffle her flying and leave Soul wondering why.

“I know a lot of mid-tier skills, some aerial maneuvers and flight control. She tells me I’m very good at using the wind to my advantage and takeoffs.” Rainbow paused. Weird, she looked a little confused just then. Like she spaced out. Soul wanted to ask her what was wrong. “But I just can’t get past any of that stuff” she said with her eyes lowering. “No matter how good I get at those skills, I still make lots of mistakes.” “Do you know any high tier skills?” Soul asked. Not entirely feeling like this was right. “I thought you were doing well with maneuvers and leveling when you ran the course. Until…” “Until the end?” Dash finished for her. “Yeah… probably should get used to that.” She looked off. “I make too many mistakes so don’t expect me to use any high skill flying anytime soon. Hope that won’t turn you off from being my flight buddy.” She looked back to Soul with longing eyes. “Would it?” Soul shook her head. “No way.” “That’s good” Dash smiled.

“My mom does a good job at teaching me so maybe wait for me to catch up? …What about you? Your mom is pretty awesome, what does she teach you?” Oh wow, somepony wants to hear how I’m trained. What should I even say? Soul found her training regimens to be very extensive and rigorous. They were extremely tough when she first started and, honestly, Nimbus was brutal. She did her best to make it fun but it always was stuff that made Soul so afraid and worried when she first started out. It was not an easy thing to talk about, but the results spoke volumes. So much so that Soul never lost sight on her dream.

“You really want to know?” Soul needed to be sure. “Lay it on me. How good are you? No lying” Dash told her. I have no reason to not trust her with my answer. She seems very curious and… she already knows I was fooling around when I ran the course. I can’t lie my way out of it. “Okay… you sort of saw it already the other day. My mom has been training me for a very long time and she shows me things that nopony here gets to see. Probably not till the later stages of training.” “Wait” Dash interrupted. “Does that mean…” Soul nodded and grimaced.

“I’ve pretty much mastered mid-tier flying. My mom is so supportive of my dream that she’s even introduced me to more advanced stuff. …Not to say I don’t still make mistakes” Soul pointed out trying to salvage herself. There’s been plenty of times she had a crash and even got flustered yesterday with all the clouds coming at her from so many directions. “But she’s trying her best to help me out.” “Wow…” Dash whispered. Leaning forward on her hooves like she was struck by something so divine looking upon Soul. “No wonder you’re so calm when you’re flying. Looks like I got a ways to go to catch up with you.” “Don’t worry” Soul didn’t want her to feel bad at the least. “I know you’ll be a great flyer too. Wonderbolt material for sure.” She said it with so much confidence, but she meant it entirely. I don’t know what it is about Dash, something is off with her, but it feels to me that there is something inside her that is bursting with that will to become a skilled flyer. Like it yelled out right now that she could do it, and Dash never lost a glimmer of her confidence. She almost sounded smug with a small smile. “I know I will.” “That’s awesome” Soul assured her. Widening her eyes when Dash leaned forward even more with that grin she had under her dulled eyes.

3.10
“And when I do, how about we have a friendly race? Just to see who is better. Plenty of time for us to prepare for it” she whispered. Soul had no words for a moment. She backed up just a little, shaken a bit from that strong confidence in Dash’s voice. Wow, she sounded pretty sure of herself for a moment. Is it wrong to feel like I could whip her in a race? I really shouldn’t point anything out. Just as long as we both get to our goals, that’s what mattered. “Sure… we can” Soul answered.

“That’s awesome!” Dash yelled out and fell right back. “Maybe you will get to eat my dust” she said so assuredly and strong… not at all giving Soul any reason to feel a little bit that this filly really was strange. Like she went right back to something else. “Or you could eat mine” Soul told her. “Whatever, but… man, I got to tell you, this camp has not turned out to be what I expected. They told me this was where you could learn awesome moves and how to fly like a professional. How am I expected to progress any further here when we do simple stuff like we have been doing?” “Looks like we get to just rely on our moms for right now” Soul told her. Soul did want to see how Dash’s mom trained her. “All cuz of that stupid ‘evaluation’ they’re putting us through” Dash said with a wave of her hooves. Now that sounded familiar. “Stuff we already learned” Soul said back. “Nothing but…” Dash chimed in with her and Soul felt so elated when she heard her words come out alongside Dash’s. “Entry level crap.” Both fillies laughed. “Now you’re speaking my language” Dash said. “Seriously, we got to do this basic stuff for the rest of the season. Then we get to move on. What a load.” “We just need to get through it, at least we got our moms to help us, and we can still be flight buddies” Soul said. That should be what matters.

3.11
Wings flapped. Breaking the two up. Here I thought it would be fine. Now Soul held her tongue when Aurora landed, catching his sound just in time to hold her tongue. Dash did the same.

Why is he even here? I told Nimbus everything he did and she took care of it. He wasn’t alone. Now Soul didn’t know what to do when she heard the other pair of wings. Both of them joined on the cloud by Spitfire as well. The filly hung back behind Aurora, and all went silent. Like the air itself went still. Soul kept herself close to Dash. She walked to her, standing by her side. She hated to feel so defenseless right now but she needed some comfort and she could tell Dash was not in a happy mood either to see them here as well. Like her entire demeanor changed with Soul’s. Forget Aurora, Soul was more concerned with Spitfire.

The filly looked so down behind the colt. Not even meeting her eyes. Like she didn’t want to be here… no, she was afraid. Soul felt terrible now. Aurora can think what he wants, but she felt bad for Spitfire, wondering where she had been all this time. How she may be feeling. Probably not good considering what I did to her.

“What’s up?” Dash spoke out. Far more confident than Soul was right now. The filly even leaned forward like she wanted to be the one in front. I don’t know what they want, but I’m afraid. I came back to camp, so now I get to deal with all this too. But Aurora got in trouble… and I feel like crap for hurting Spitfire. So funny how quick everything came crashing down right when she was enjoying a happy moment with Dash.

3.12
“Relax” Aurora said. “I’m not here to upset you or anything.” Now he spoke pretty damn lazily. At least he didn’t sound threatening. Soul kept her distance. Her spirits up when Rainbow Dash came to stand next to her. Two pairs, face to face. “Nimbus told me to come up here and tell you I’m sorry” Aurora pouted. “But I had an idea and Spitfire thought it was cool. You know, considering what you did to her yesterday.” You mean what you made me do, you asshole?

Soul grunted under her breath. “I think you also should apologize to her” Aurora said, motioning towards Spitfire. “You did hurt her, and now… now she gets to go without a flight buddy for a few days. Oh and thanks for the three day suspension.” Aurora bowed his head in a glare to Soul. Like malice took over his voice so quickly. Making Soul shiver. Scared even when hearing that Aurora would be getting punished. Punished and… damn it. I didn’t think Spitfire would have to go without a buddy. Wouldn’t she get paired up with another pony or something? Wait… there were no others. A team of three? Soul was concerned with what she may have to deal with.

If only Aurora had not done any of those things, none of this would be happening. But I did hurt her in the end. It was me that sent the cloud at them and made them bump their heads and now she was going to have to deal with being buddyless. Soul couldn’t help it. She felt bad for her. She had been nice to me before and I did sort of give her a hard time. It wasn’t entirely fair anyways. Soul looked between Aurora and Spitfire.

What should I do? How should I feel? Rainbow Dash didn’t say anything, but she kept close to Soul. A comfort that her buddy kept by her and didn’t leave her alone unlike the other times. I really appreciate that. I still can tell Aurora doesn’t like me. So stupid that he doesn’t just because of what I did. But I feel better having Dash with me. Forget Aurora, this wasn’t about him. I can still be the better pony.

3.13
Soul bowed her head. “Spitfire, I’m really sorry for yesterday.” Like the air lifted in an instant between them all. Soul felt a little relieved saying it. Even more so when Spitfire finally looked up and at her. She didn’t look that pleased, but… I hope she understands that I mean well. Soul kept her head down for her. “I didn’t mean it and hope you forgive me” Soul added.

We did hit it off a little well at the start. We can still all be good together, if not as friends in the end, at least we can be around one another without any hard feelings. Right? Soul could sense Dash looking down upon her. What was she thinking? I really wish they would say something because I don’t know if I’m doing this right, if I can feel like I’m doing the right thing to make us all happy. Spitfire’s hoof shifted. Making Soul twitch. Then again. Wait, Spitfire backed away. That was what made Soul look up and see her shake her head.

“I really thought you were a better pony” she spat with venom, and Aurora grinned under his mane. Shocking Soul. She could not even move. Not when her heart broke hearing it. “You really are terrible for what you did.” What is she talking about? Wait… Soul tried to stop her, but she flew off. Diving down under the cloud with the last sight of her flame colored tail being all that Soul had in her eyes. But… I’m sorry. Please, I don’t want us to be like this. “Oh well” Aurora said. The colt sliding away and slinking his head back to face her. “Guess she doesn’t like ponies who lie to her. I’m really surprised that Crash is staying with you even after you treated us all like idiots with your little stunt on the course. Better watch out, Crash. Soul might get you suspended too if you get in her way.” No, leave Rainbow out of this.

Soul stepped forward, she made sure to put herself between him and Dash again. Just seeing that his words made Dash shrink back a little in her silence made Soul want to protect her. You don’t need to do anything, Dash. I know you’re afraid. I am too. I am so afraid, because… his words hurt. They just remind me of everything I did wrong. I did lie to everypony, but at least you stuck with me, Dash. You didn’t ignore me. You even came back for me. I’d rather take all the abuse. “Let me give you some advice, Soul” Aurora said. “Don’t think you’re all high and mighty when you really aren’t. An arrogant flyer is a bad one. Either choose to fly like you mean it or don’t. Or ponies will walk all over you. Guess I’ll see you next week.”

The colt slid off the cloud and glided off. Leaving without even saying the apology. Nothing to make Soul feel any better. For now she shook on her hooves. It took so long for her to finally collapse and let out the longest groan. What have I done? Why is this happening? I can’t even feel good anymore. …They know that I lied to them. A hoof settled on top of Soul’s back. Soul looked up and was comforted to see that Rainbow Dash stood over her. Yes, at least you didn’t leave me. “I don’t want to get you suspended” Soul needed to assure her. No way. Why would I ever do that? I don’t know why it was he said that to us. “I know you won’t” Dash said. She stuck with her, even following her back down when the whistle sounded. Never leaving her side. So that’s why I’ve felt like this all day, as Soul looked around at all the other ponies who came to join.

None of them looked at her. Just like… they were ignoring her. What has he done? It all crashing down on her, trying to make her buckle under the pressure. But I didn’t think I did anything that bad. I just… lied to all of you and made myself look like a fool. What do I have to do to get ponies to just accept me? She wanted to scream it out at all of them. Get an answer because she sure as hell didn’t have one. But she couldn’t move. Held in place. Every muscle of her body didn’t want to do anything. “Soul, …is it true?” she heard Amber ask with a little tap of a hoof on her back. “You got Aurora suspended?” So that is it, huh? Here I thought I did the right thing.

3.14
She couldn’t believe any of this. Looking between the twins and Soul. All the while feeling that sting in the air. So familiar it was. Such like something that felt natural. Though it pained her to see that Soul was being ignored now. Right when she was the center of attention for her near perfect flying. All ruined because of that dumb decision you made, one that makes me wonder how true you actually are to those lines you spouted before. I still thought they were beautiful. I just wish that at least one pony would follow them, at least you could. But Rainbow Dash just got to stand there and watch what happened to her flight buddy. The very least, being able to stick with her. Because she needed it now more than ever. She wasn’t usually this generous, but she felt she could do something for her. Anything. What could I do? Just being there isn’t helping with how much the magenta Pegasus could not hide her terror. That she gets to go through this. Yet none of them know. None of them would care. As far as it looked, she was the only one who did.

She stepped in between the twins and Soul. Satisfied that her old flight buddy got the hint. Keeping away from Soul. The filly certainly didn’t need anypony to bother her over this, not now. “You two should go get ready.” Dash waved them off. The twins did so, with Amber looking back at both of them. So painful to walk away. Funny, you never felt that way before. Did you? Like some ruse. As long as I’m here, Soul will have all the comfort she needs… she does want to be something great in the end. It takes two to reach that goal. Something so similar. Rainbow looked upon her flight buddy with pity. Certain she needed to do something.

3.15
Soul could have sworn they were heading to her own house, until they clearly passed it. Good, it would have been pretty weird to tell Nimbus that they were going to be hanging out only to be just outside her own house, on top of having Dash around the pony she kept claiming to be her mother. Soul looked over her shoulder and back at her house that shrunk in the distance.

She needed to ask now. “So where is it we’re going?” “You’ll find out” Dash said ahead of her. Leading Soul once more. Kind of like last night, even leading Soul across the vast fields of clouds that blanketed everything outside of Soul’s house, and both of them flew off towards the distant inclines of snowy white clouds that towered high over the very edges of the vast cloud city. Like walls that circled the entire city. Towering high and over to join with the many clouds that ripped off them and spread across the sky. There were homes over there, not many but a small semblance that it was a part of the floating city. In an area Soul knew to be quite dense with the most beautiful of sceneries that Cloudsdale had to offer. All made from the very factories outlying it itself. Their excess clouds and endlessly flowing water that punctured the air in the lovely smell of a fall rainfall set out to make the gorgeous landscape itself. Like a snowfall. Rippled in layers. A skyline in its own rite.

Whatever it was, Dash insisted on going there. Telling her mom about it and more than excited to take Soul along. She made a good point to keep Soul in the dark about it. Further making the filly anxious as to what it was she was planning. Today had been bad enough without this constant feeling of just wondering what was always on Dash’s mind. She was just glad she made it through the day. Leaving it behind under the Sun that still hung high and warmed her back. She flew off even further. Staring down upon the ripples in the cloudlines that they flew over as they formed dense and rolling hills that spread far and wide. Splitting the path between many houses that were spread apart. The fillies free to fly over these large plots of land with their beautiful sceneries where even one house had a river running through its cloudy land. Peaceful, honestly.

3.16
Soul liked venturing out here on her own just to see the beautiful homes that were out here oftentimes. Colossal buildings with the most simple of pegasi who lived within. More than happy to always enjoy this landscape they got to live upon far in the shadows of the rising towers of clouds that the factories pumped out daily, and the titanic towers that dotted Cloudsdale’s horizon. Where the hustle of the greatest city in Equestria was at its deepest, while out here it was at its most peaceful.

Soul kept quiet. Watching all of it. Letting her wings carry her without much care and simply enjoying the moment she got to see something that didn’t make her have to think about camp or her problems though those things still pierced at her mind and made her dread the idea of having to come back to it all tomorrow. As long as Dash was still there with her like she had been all day. I take it back. It does feel good to come out here with her even if she wasn’t telling me where we’re going. Being able to see this all again. Worth it.

Soul loved seeing these houses out here with their vast and expansive white columns that draped down their sides and held up the vast domes of water and dripping rainfall that came down from their rooftops like they flooded the streams around those houses where fillies and colts could play. Watched over by their parents who sat out on their porches. One even so nice as to wave up at the two fillies who went over their home. Soul waved back. Happily flying above it all with not a peep, mindlessly going wherever Dash went off to like she was on autopilot or something. Trusting the enthusiasm in her flight buddy’s face. But… it doesn’t feel good that every time I look at her, I feel like I messed up somewhere. That things could be different. I’m not stupid, and know that she is taking me out here, cancelling our plan to fly together, because she wants to make me feel better. I wouldn’t need it if I had made the right decisions in the first place. I feel like a burden, though Dash insisted she really was looking forward to showing her this.

3.17
“There” Dash pointed to a landing on top of one of the highest points within the walls of clouds, where the fluffiest of them reached out around a large swathe of the sky and draped down and over the very face of the cloudy mountains. Right where a waterfall fell down from the highest point. Crashing down to the clouds below and braking through them. That must be one of the waterfalls that drenched the landscape of Equestria everywhere the floating city went. So huge and intimidating. Soul almost missed the thing that Dash actually pointed at.

It was beyond the landing, right behind that waterfall’s roaring descent. An entrance into the clouds. A cave? Wait, clouds didn’t make these caverns so sturdy looking. Soul had seen them do this before but it never lasted for more than a day as the clouds shifted. This cavern looked pretty big and its landing, she could see it, the landing was hoof made. Cut along the edges and formed up around the entrance. Pegasi made this?

“What is this?” Soul asked Dash. “Oh it’s something special” Dash teased her and led Soul in to land upon that landing. The fact Dash didn’t fall through it told Soul it was safe. She followed after. Looking around the place. Not sure what to make of it. Really enthralled with that giant waterfall that enveloped this entrance. Drops of water falling upon Soul and the air smelled of humidity thanks to all the rainwater that drizzled out from the cloudy ceiling over them and saturated the landing as well as Soul’s fur. Okay, Soul was curious evermore now. Enough to convince herself that dash might have something here that she would like to know about. Her questions sure as hell weren’t getting any easier to contain. “Just tell me what we’re doing here” Soul didn’t ask this time. Annoyed when Dash went on without her while she was looking around. Soul chased after her… right into the arcing entrance of this cloudy cavern that really kept making Soul wonder how it was this place existed.

3.18
It wasn’t dark inside. Surprising to see the sunlight broke right through the clouds above and shone its rays across a wide and deep path. A path that made Soul know for sure this was made by pegasi. There were stairs. Shaped to go down into another part of this down below that shone bright with light coming out of it. Soul was not afraid. Astonished that this place was so beautiful. Not an imperfection in the clouds and all shaped out to look like… like she was walking into somepony’s house. Rainbow Dash’s evident excitement told her there was nothing to be afraid of.

The filly took to the air again and flew over the steps. Facing down at Soul. “Alright… so I know today was… not so great” Dash said. She could say that again. “But I got something that can help us forget about it and just relax for a bit.” “What is this thing?” Soul asked. Rainbow proceeded to float down the steps without her. Soul hastily went after. Prancing down the stairs, admiring the rising walls that glimmered of water within their very interiors thanks to the shining sunlight. Clouds packed full of water that, as she got further down the steps, were released in small sprinkles from above. Making this whole place pretty soaked. It felt good. Soul kind of enjoying how damp her fur was getting thanks to how warm the water was. A lot different from a cold shower from somepony raining on you. I need to stop thinking about that. This is supposed to be something to help me.

Dash is trying her best and I appreciate it. She doesn’t need to do anything for me. I’m glad she is. “I think we’re the only ones here” Dash echoed from down below where she peered into the next room. Leaving Soul so much more curious. Why would ponies be here? Dash landed at the foot of the steps. Waiting for Soul to join her. Dash’s own fur and mane getting just as soaked from all the rainfall as Soul was getting to where her rainbow mane draped down over her face. She pushed it aside. Soul wasn’t fairing much better.

“Okay, so get this” Dash said from below. “My mom took me to this place a while ago and said I can come here whenever I want. Not a lot of ponies know about it except for those cloudside ponies. They built this place up and let me use it whenever I want.” So the ponies out here made this place? “Why do they let you use it?” Soul asked, whatever this place was. “Their friends with my mom. Hurry up!” Dash blurted out. Okay, okay. I need to see this anyways.

3.19
Soul rushed down the steps. Coming to join her at the source of the flowing light. …It was not what Soul expected. Somepony put a wall of clouds up right at the end. Dash standing by it proudly. It didn’t fool Soul like it would for some Earth pony, there was a lot of light coming out from so many cracks and breaks in the clouds. This was a door. Or what would pass for one in cloud form. Something Dash made an example of right there. “Come on, you’re gonna love this” she turned away and stepped right into the clouds. Rainbow Dash disappearing into them. Soul was hesitant, rearing her hoof up ready to take the steps to go in after her. The smells and the feeling in here, she was not afraid. I don’t think I should be. Soul pushed her hoof into the clouds. Stepping into that white embrace. Pushing her way through and sifting the clouds out of her way. Breaking free into the most bright and shining light she could see. So much so that her eyes burned for a moment. Blinding her from it. She shielded her eyes. Peering out and looking upon one of the most magnificent scenes she had ever seen out here. So this is what Dash wanted her to see. …A massive lake.

3.20
Water churning, inside the body of the clouds. Soul gasped. Mesmerized by its beauty where the Sun itself lit it up to a bright and blue hue so clear like it were crystal. Shimmering inside the clouds. Inside this massive break where she got to see the time it took to make something so beautiful. That somepony really wanted to make this place special.

An oasis in the clouds. Carved out, solitary. Fed eternally by the waterfalls that ran down from above and the dripping rainfall that tickled her skin and made her feel so good. So warm like the steam echoing out from the lake. A wonderful scene. All under a huge break in the clouds above where Soul could see the sky once again and the billowing orb of the Sun shining its rays down into this cloudy room and encircling the lake in its embrace. Rainbow Dash was right… as Soul looked around, they were all alone in here. Just them and this wonderful looking water that called out to Soul. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what this place was. Somepony had built a sauna here!

Was Dash really even allowed here? Soul didn’t question it. She didn’t care. This place was fantastic, and Dash knew it. The filly had flown off ahead to hover over the lake itself and stretch out her hooves to Soul.

“Tada!” she said. “What do you think? Told you I had something to show you.” …Soul gulped. Okay, enough being speechless. “So… what’s the catch?” Soul asked. Dash flew in back to her. Hovering over her. “What do you mean? Maybe I just wanted to show my flight buddy something cool and let her unwind after a hard day at camp.” Dash shifted her eyes. She held her hooves closer to herself. Not even able to meet Soul’s eyes with it, but Soul’s heart actually did something incredible when she heard it. “And… I wanna thank you for coming back.” Soul’s heart fluttered. I-is she happy? She actually was happy I came back. Damn it, Dash, you never showed it at camp. Or maybe I was so blind to not realize it. But it was true, the reason I came back. One of them, it was because of what happened last night. I can’t just abandon you. I’m not sure why Nimbus paired us up, but I’m glad she did and it had to be for a good reason. Soul’s mind wandered to everything that had been said about Dash by the other ponies. What is it you all want? Why give me Dash? Should I be proud to be her flight buddy? This pony that nopony else had anything good to say about. Yet… I see no reason to believe them. There’s something wrong with her. But I feel like I can trust her. Maybe, she will trust me. Because all I want is for her to smile. To be so nice to me.

Is it weird to think that I… I want her dream to be like my own? For it to succeed? Soul smiled. Taking to the air herself, she floated up to her flight buddy. More than happy to present her hoof for Dash to meet with. The rainbow maned filly noticed it. Hesitant, she came closer anyway. Touching her hoof to Soul’s. “Thanks” Soul said… and she grinned.

3.21
“Surprise!” Soul yelled and threw her hooves forward… around Rainbow Dash herself. The filly not able to react with all of Soul’s weight on her and those massive magenta wings overcoming her to push her onwards, right down into that warm embrace.

Soul fell into the water right behind Dash. Oh sweet Celestia that is warm. Soul didn’t even anticipate just how good the water would feel. Like it seeped into her very skin and wrapped around her bones to get rid of aches she didn’t even know she had. It made her even more happy than she was seeing Dash get all friendly with her. Dash kicked her hooves ahead of her. Soul did the same. Rising her head over the water and spitting out a stream of it. Soul laughed. Her long mane flopping down onto her face and matting onto her chest. Even reemerging out of the water, it was still so warm in here. Not a breeze to chill her unlike when she swam in the lake she was accustomed to. Now this was a lake she could get to love.

Dash didn’t laugh with her. Flipping her mane out of her eyes, she grumbled. “What the hell?! I wasn’t even ready to jump in.” “What?” Soul asked. “We were already soaked, what’s the harm in getting in?” “You’re an ass” water splashed over and right into Soul’s face from the smiling Rainbow Dash. Maybe I should have been worried about how she would react, whatever, Dash was clearly amused. That’s all that matters. This filly brought me here to help me, I’m glad she can enjoy herself too after all the stress at camp. Like nothing bad can happen here. Inside this embrace in the clouds, it really did feel like she was free to think without worry. Splashing the water back at Dash and both fillies laughed. Then a big wave smacked right into Soul’s face when cyan feathers rose up from the water.

3.22
Oh, so she’s gonna use her wings. That does it. Soul leapt forward. Throwing herself back onto Dash and pinning her into the water. The lake wasn’t deep right here at all. Much to Soul’s enjoyment. Able to play around in it without them going under, Dash struggling under her to get Soul off. No matter what, neither of them stopped smiling. Soul realized it, the filly she drenched in water was having the time of her life.

Holy crap, she looked more happy than I’ve seen her before. Can that be seen as an accomplishment? I don’t care. Just as long as she knows I appreciate it. Soul laid herself on top of the filly, keeping her half submerged in the water, her hooves not able to stop Soul from rubbing her own hoof into Dash’s head. Just like Nimbus does to me. “Stop it” Dash laughed. Pushing against her. “That tickles.” “You gotta make me” Soul informed her. Not letting up. Water splashing into her face and… wait.

Soul’s eyes widened. Seeing herself… actually with another pony like this. And I’m laying on top of her? Splashing in the water with her. We’re actually playing. Just like the kids I used to see outside my house or on the way to the store. This is… this is the closest I’ve ever been to another pony… just like me. Just like what they do. It stilled Soul’s hoof and made her forget for a moment. Enough for Dash to push her off. Soul rolled over. Standing back up and shaking the water off her drenched mane. Trying to get it out of her eyes. Hearing Rainbow Dash behind her moving through the water, not at all wanting to stop her enjoyment. Soul looked back at her. Astonished. To see that the pony she was with was happy. Looking back at her too. …Just like the other kids.

Rainbow Dash… Soul’s grin returned. I can’t stop looking at her. There’s something about her smile… she really is like a different pony now. Not at all the one I’ve grown to know. The way the others treat her… why, do they even know this side of her? I think… I like it. Enough to entrance Soul. Moved by her flight buddy’s laughter. As Dash threw herself back down into the water with a satisfied sigh, plopping her head on top of her forelegs till she was nearly submerged and closing her eyes with a smile, Soul’s own happiness soared. She let her buddy rest. Coming over to join her. Soul sat herself down in the water next to Dash. Sweeping her forehooves into the water and throwing a bunch of it up into her own face. Relieved to feel that warmth on her face again. She sighed too. Kind of feeling like all her troubles had… gone away.

3.23
Weird. Soul looked over at her flight buddy once more. So relaxed and not a care in the world right now, now that she got to do this. So unlike how we are at camp. How both of us are. There is actual joy in Rainbow Dash now. Enough that I can say we are exactly like those kids I see all the time. With no fear or no worries on their minds to keep them from playing together. Just like us. Splashing around in the water and staying here relaxing, it’s not something I get to do. Not even with Nimbus. This is something that only Dash here has done with me.

Soul grunted, looking out upon the vast and warm lake they got to enjoy and truly feeling like this place was not meant to have any feeling of dread in it. Yet it instilled a sense of wonder in her as to why it was she felt like this. I’m not meant to feel sad here, I can’t. Left just with her reflection as to everything that happened and how it made her feel, all of it drowned out by her being here with Dash. She had a question. “Why did you bring me here?”

“What do you mean?” Dash asked. “I thought you could use a refresh and some time to get your mind off things.” That was something Soul had found out on her own. It didn’t answer her question. After everything she had known about Dash in the past few days, this was not the Rainbow Dash she had come to know. Like a different pony now. So different from the one who left me to fend for myself. “I mean… why did you bring me here? I just don’t understand.”

Soul made sure not to let herself sound unnerved. Calm, because she was. That was the problem. She was too calm after all. By this pony above all others. Not even Nimbus can make me feel like this. Yet Dash did not answer. Finding the filly curiously looking at Soul with a blank look on her face. “You of all ponies didn’t need to do this for me. Why did you do it?” That made Dash sit back up. Staring down upon the water coursing between her hooves. She sighed so heavily.

3.24
“We’re flight buddies… and flight buddies look out for one another.” With so much reflection in her tone. She held Soul in her grasp, unable to look away from her. Listening carefully to Dash and how longing she sounded. “I know today was hard for you, but… I won’t make it any harder. I felt like it was the right thing to do… because, I don’t want you to be sad. After all, you’re supposed to be that great flyer, right?” Dash looked at her and smiled. “Maybe I want to see you reach that goal. You did tease me so much with the joys of flying, so maybe… maybe I want to see you do it.” She looked away, but… she did give Soul a little glance under her wet mane. Clearly hiding something from her. But Soul was no idiot, she knew exactly what Dash was saying. What she meant. I can see it in your face.

You are not doing this for yourself. You’re doing this… for me. That is what confused her, and she doubted Dash would ever admit why, but she was not obligated to protect Soul and help her like this. When I got the opposite impression, you actually want to help me reach my goal. To feel a little better. Funny, it worked. For a moment, you made me forget all my troubles. If only moments like this would last. “Thank you…” Soul said. “I want you to know something.” “What is it?” Soul met her eyes.

“Don’t ever give up, I bet you will become a Wonderbolt someday. I hope to help you as well.” Dash looked away, embarrassed. Oh yeah, I caught what you were trying to say to me. You softy. Too bad for you, I’m not that hard shelled either. “I’ll be there for you, if you’re there for me too” Soul asked of her. We were put together as flight buddies, just for camp activities. Let’s go beyond that. Forget Junior Speedsters, this is about us. Wherever it takes us.

“It’s not going to be easy” Dash said. “But I’ll be your flight buddy anytime… for whatever you want. I’ll do my best to keep you out of trouble. Do the same for me?” “You got it” Soul assured her. Soul leaned back, thinking over it all. Yeah, it won’t be easy. I made it so. But for now, she could think over it all without any fear in her heart but concern for what may be. I could not get what I really wanted out of camp. Now I get to deal with the consequences. “I just wish the others would not make me feel so bad.” “I know” Dash said. “I’d say it’d be best to just avoid them for now. I can help you, if you want.”

3.25
There’s a lot I need help with. I feel so trapped when I’m at camp now. Today was the most frightening thing Soul had experienced. To see them all turn on her. When things had been different. When she thought she had made all the right decisions and none of them turned out to be correct for her. I lashed out at others. I fell right into the trap. This… this is nothing like the last camp I was at. So similar yet so different.

Rainbow Dash is right, the best I can do is just stay out of their ways. So unfortunate. Soul laid back entirely, throwing her back right down into the warm water. All of this could have been avoided if I had just stayed true to myself. I never could have known this would be the outcome. But… neither could she had seen being able to have a pony here to talk to about it. “I just don’t understand, why is he so mean to me? I didn’t want anypony to feel bad because of me. I really wish Spitfire and the rest would see that I mean well.” Soul looked up at the cloudy ceiling. It had no answers yet its swirling patterns and endless motion made her feel like she could be at ease. Like she was back in the sky, her domain. The best place for her to be where not one care in the world could exist for her. Training and flying. Being the best she could be in the eyes of ponies who would care. Rainbow let out a heavy breath. Vacantly fixated on the water.

Soul turned to her. Joined by her when Dash also fell back to lay in the water right next to her. Relaxed so, her wing almost touched against Soul’s side. But she was so puzzled in her eyes. Puzzled and determined. Wanting to find something to say. But I know she has something to say. Anything to help me. She was the one who warned me in the beginning. I failed to follow her warning. “Rainbow Dash, …you know something. Don’t you?” She was silent. All the answer she needed. Tell me. If she had something to say, she needed to say it now. “Please, what did I do wrong? Why do they hate me?” Give me something, anything to make me feel like I’m not lost in the dark. “The best thing you can do is just avoid them…” Dash whispered. “Enjoy those fun moments in your life. You have a mom and dad who support you and they will help you. Just don’t let the bad make you lose sight on the good you want. …Trust me.” Of course. You wouldn’t know.

Soul couldn’t believe herself to expect Dash to know, because there was nothing anypony could do to know what it was she needed to hear for her to feel better about everything. Anything to let her know what it was she needed to do. Except for just herself. I guess I can’t make them all happy. Satisfy them all. I tried that and it led to this. She was foolish to think she could escape the normal that she was used to. She had no idea what the future held. What she could expect tomorrow or the next day, or the next year. But her mind swam with calm. I can’t cry. I can’t worry. Not when I do have ponies there for me. Dash was right, she had two who were there for her. Who let her know that she wasn’t this terrible pony everypony else saw her as. They even kept me when I disappointed them. I could not ask for more. But I did get more. She had to admit it, she enjoyed having Rainbow Dash with her. Was it a bad choice to give her a second chance?

Dash’s hoof touched down, laid on top of Soul’s shoulder and she left it there. The cyan filly closed her eyes. Leaving that touch between them, as time passed, and she breathed peacefully. Asleep. You’re so calm, yet you want to hang out with me. She had no reason to but she did it anyways. Soul could not thank her enough. I don’t regret it. I don’t regret going back to camp. Because it led to this. Maybe… maybe I can endure it. For Rainbow Dash and for the two she now called her parents so falsely. The only ponies she felt she could trust to support her, and she should support them. For all they’ve done. Even when… I feel like I am on my own. Soul tried to… to reach her hoof up. Looking down at it, her hoof hovering right over the one that laid on her shoulder. Ready to grab her and hold her. It never came, and Soul let her hoof fall back into the water. What… what is holding me back?

Why did I think about doing that?

3.26
Another night. Another time where Soul felt herself really pressed to impress. She was not sure how it was that she was meant to impress any other, but she felt she could impress herself. She was not supposed to impress another. She was supposed to learn. There was no way she could actually show she had done it, not until this was drilled into her head on how to do this technique, which Nimbus probably had more tests on. This was certainly not it. Staring down at the batches of flowers below. Scrutinizing them in her hover so close to them she could touch the petals of every orange, yellow and white flower spread out across the varying vases Nimbus set out for her. Another petal fell. Damn it!

Soul had missed it. She caught sight of it just as it happened. …Not before. This technique was so hard, much harder than it had been last night. She never could have imagined just how complex it was to read the air and be able to tell what it was that was going to happen. She held her tongue. She had thought about it, and the thought came again. To tell the mare who hovered next to her that she had seen the petal about to fall thanks to the shifts in the air… which she did not feel. That would be wrong to do. Nimbus is doing her best to teach me, and I can’t lie. Besides, she doubted she could considering Nimbus probably could tell.

Soul reacted too slow to the falling petal. Left to start again. Nimbus sent out another small gust of wind from her wings over the lines of flowers and made them all rustle once more. Sway and dance to Soul’s content. Guess how it would go? No. She observed carefully. Waiting to see if she could feel something in her concentration. This had worked last night. Why so hard this time? I feel it, but I just can’t react. It was starting to get hard to not rely on her ears. Forget eyes and ears, do it the way Nimbus taught me.

3.27
If I want to become a great flyer, I need to master things that only real masters know. I got to do it. “Anything?” Nimbus asked. “No, …I don’t…” Ah damn it all!

Another petal fell. “Why did you talk?” Soul asked her as politely as she could manage without questioning her sudden decision to interrupt Soul. She could have totally caught that petal before it fell off. “You think you’ll always have peace and quiet to work with when you fly?” Nimbus asked. Soul slouched. “No…” Nimbus was right, I rarely have any quiet when I fly. But it was so much harder to do this with distractions. Nimbus said this would be easier when she mastered it, well she hadn’t mastered it yet. Not even close. In fact, Soul wasn’t sure if it had been a fluke what she did last night. Though she needed to admit, there was something to concentrating and that tingly feeling she got when it was just her and the wind that beat against her body every time her wings flapped. “When flying through a storm, a Pegasus must remain able to keep calm or they will falter” Nimbus said.

“You need to know your environment and be able to judge what the best approach is. If you’re distracted, you won’t make the right decisions. It could spell disaster for you and others. So I expect you to be able to keep a clear image of your surroundings even when distracted.” Soul held her eyes still. Listening calmly to her. More and more intrigued with the way she spun this. Able to keep myself clear of all distractions. Total calm. This technique was really going to take some time. Sometimes, it left Soul wondering if she could pull it off. “It sounds so difficult” Soul said. Looking to Nimbus for reassurance. “Do you even think I can do it someday?”

“Soul.” Nimbus set her hoof down so gently on top of Soul’s head. “From all I’ve seen, you have proven you are able to overcome any challenge no matter how difficult it has been. You are a determined and talented filly who works so hard, I have no doubt you can do it. Even if it takes you years, you will pull it off but only if you set your mind to it. Don’t question yourself. It took me years to master as well. But it was so worth it, because you can learn a talent that so few can reach and, from there, you have limitless ability with your flying. You can pull off techniques like they are a piece of cake, you can stay calm in any condition and have total control over your flight. There will be times when it seems so hard, but it will be worth it when you reach your final goal.” My final goal. Now I don’t feel so bad.

Be able to stay calm at all times, if only I could do that during certain other times. A time that was coming quick. It was already night, tomorrow will be another day to come soon. There was such a storm in her mind so unlike the soothing and quiet night that echoed across the city. Even under the gaze of a Moon most terrifying in the deathly stare it had upon its face, Soul always used to feel so calm thanks to it. But she just couldn’t get her mind off of it all. What is it I should do? Not even Rainbow Dash had the answer. Avoid it all, that sounded like it was not going to work. But what else did she have? Nothing had worked so far. She would do anything to avoid coming to that same fate that stung in her mind the last time this happened. I don’t want to put Nimbus through another period of pain like that again.

3.28
Times like this feel so precious. She wished to make the best of them without the hardships that plagued her. I did my best, I pulled off something I never expected to get from camp. I feel like I have another pony out there now… one who can play with me. Does she see me the same way? How did Dash feel about her? As we both go down that road to our goals. Was she training right now with her mom, thinking about Soul?

Something tickled. Soul looked over her shoulder, readying a hoof to scratch at it. It left her. Quickly. What? It certainly did feel like something had been touching her back. Right in between her wings. She looked about with the last of her thoughts and then to Nimbus. Soul crossed her hooves. Hmm… she gave Nimbus an observant eye. She was pretty bad at hiding it, Nimbus smiling a little wider now all of a sudden. Did she touch me? “But you need to learn to avoid things that can keep you distracted from that goal.” “Alright” Soul admitted. Ready to get back to it. Looking back at all the flowers that stayed still with no breeze left to move them. “As a Pegasus, you are meant to learn much more from your environment and what to expect from it. Everything that moves makes a signal, but only the most keen of pegasi can sense it… before it happens. This is what separates some from others. Sure, you can go about and learn daring maneuvers and legendary abilities, but it is the pegasi who put in that extra effort to become great that will achieve dreams beyond any other. Being able to read the very sky you fly in can direct you towards anything that may happen and you can determine what it is that is worth your attention. A flyer needs to know how to block out useless motions and concentrate on the essentials. Things such as what other ponies plan to do, where they are, …where they will be. Everything that they can do, it can be applied to anything. Every object has something to teach you that can help you fly better.”

3.29
Soul hated that she got so close to feeling it last night, even a semblance of being able to read the air, yet she failed to anticipate what could follow. Nimbus assured her that she did a great job at it. But Soul knew better. She needed to practice way more before she could learn this amazing skill that sounded so much more lucrative to her every night. Indeed, like Nimbus was trying to sell it to her. She knew what she meant to do. Prove this is something worth working towards and, she could tell it was a true move on Nimbus’ part. She wanted to teach Soul. Raise her sprits. Convince her to keep trying. This is what made Nimbus such a wonderful mare. Soul may get annoyed with her a lot but she was truly a pony she could call reliable. Giving and kind. Heh, she even gave up the Wonderbolts just for me. Soul repaid her with hardships and worry that they both needed to endure at camp now. Maybe that was why Dash told her to avoid everypony. Is that filly looking out for us?

Ignore it so we can progress with my dream? Our dream.

Soul had always loved wanting to be an amazing flyer meant to inspire everypony else, but Nimbus was also there with pride in her eyes every time that Soul achieved something incredible. Maybe I should ignore it all. It certainly isn’t helping me. Not when I have ponies who do seem to care for me. I know Nimbus does. Does Dash? Maybe. Another petal fell. Soul groaned. Distracted again. Not even seeing that Nimbus had resumed with flapping her wings again to get the breeze going. The mare stopped and giggled.

“You’ll get the hang of it” she assured Soul. “I hope so” Soul said. “It sounds so incredible. Like I can learn things around me. Like some sort of genius.” “Oh yes” Nimbus said. “You observe everything so you learn everything. It’s a powerful ability. So… I hope you can see why so few pegasi know how to use it.” Learn everything around me. Everything I need to be a great flyer. It is true that she wanted the knowledge but… she also wanted more. She wanted other ponies who would appreciate her too. A feeling she got from the one who taught her, and recently, from a certain filly. We both have amazing futures we want to fight for. I think it is right for me to do my best and stand strong. Be a strong pony. I’ll certainly fight, no matter how many days and nights it takes. To think, I almost abandoned her. I won’t do that again. She left Soul and had come back. I’ll take your advice, Dash. I won’t leave you behind. Soul readied herself. Alright, bring it. “I’m ready. I’ll keep going all night.” “My, my, I love your enthusiasm” Nimbus said. “But… remember you have a bedtime, and you’re not staying up all night again.” “Right” Soul nodded. Well as long as they got to keep at it, that’ll be fine. Times like these, they make me feel inspired. “Speaking of being up all night again…” Nimbus said.

“No more dessert for you for a month.”

3.30
Rainbow Dash knocked on Soul’s door, not wanting to keep her company waiting, she did it loudly. Make sure somepony could hear it. Hopefully they were already up. Had to be. They had about fifteen minutes before camp started and a short flight ahead of them. She didn’t want to waste this good chance to… do a little something different compared to what she was used to. Not with them having only a few minutes to get going before somepony may get impatient.

“Soul!” she cried out. Finishing her knocking and sitting down to wait. Stopping there when the door actually opened up almost immediately. Where Soul stood in the open doorway with a frown. Not at all pleased, she had her bag in her mouth. Oh, was she just about to leave? Guess I probably scared her. It only lasted for a moment. Soul was indeed still pleased, and looked confused as to why Dash was here to begin with. Dash grinned behind the bag she also held in her mouth. “Morning, Soul.” “Dash…” Soul giggled. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here… already?” “Thought I would come and walk with you to camp today” Dash offered her her idea.

It sounded like a good one when she thought of it yesterday, what with how open Soul was starting to get with her which was quite different from what she would expect. Not an idea Soul seemed to want to shoot down. She got quite surprised right there. Even more when her eyes looked off to the sound of the hooves stepping forth from behind Dash. “Are Nimbus and Starry ready too?” Dash asked. Trying to look over Soul’s shoulder and into the house. “Dashie, don’t go looking into another pony’s house without permission” said the pony who came up next to her, her mother.

Celestia’s sake, I told her not to call me that around them. Dash already saw Soul starting to snicker. Writing it off. More intrigued that Rainbow had brought her mom along. Rainbow let her flight buddy and mom introduce one another. “Hi, sweetie” her mom said to Soul with her magenta eyes that matched Dash’s peering right into Soul. Leaning right over Dash, more or less trying to get her attention much to Dash’s annoyance. “So you’re my little Dashie’s flight buddy. Oh, I’m so glad to meet you. I’m her mother but you can call me Windy if you want.” Good cuz I wouldn’t want her calling you ’Rainbow Dash’s mom’. “Oh…” Soul said with such a pause. Guess she didn’t expect my mom to come along either. “It’s nice to meet you, …Windy. I’m Soul Serenity.” “Somepony at the door, Soul?”

3.31
Soul stepped aside and Dash got to see her own instructor, Nimbus, come out to join them. Wow, it felt kind of weird to see her outside of the camp… and so casual now. As opposed to that show she pulls off at the camp. She looked just as stunned to see Dash here.

“Rainbow Dash?” Soul back there, her eyes darting between them all. Rainbow was curious, this is the first we all get to meet. The first their mothers got to meet. The first the two actually laid eyes upon one another. “You must be Rainbow Dash’s mom” Nimbus said with a smile. “Yup!” Windy said with such delight. “Dashie actually wanted us to come and see if you all wanted to fly to the camp with us. I didn’t even know we fly right over your house everyday on the way there.” “Really?” Nimbus said. “You all want to go with us?” What was that? Nimbus just made some sort of look to Soul. Rainbow cocked her head. Whatever it was, Soul looked embarrassed. Nimbus… she looked pleased. “Why… that’d be great!” Nimbus said. “We were just heading out anyways.” She turned off to look back inside the house.

“Coming, Starry?!” Leaving Soul to walk out and join with Dash. It had only been a night, but Dash admittedly missed being alongside her flight buddy. Yesterday had been fun. Fun and interesting. But now came another day when the two would have to deal with camp. Some more joke lessons maybe, at least till they got to the next season. But Rainbow was more or less worried for how Soul was holding up. She did look so distraught yesterday and that didn’t escape Dash. I wonder how she’s feeling. No way to tell right now. The filly more distracted by this surprise. “You actually want to fly with us to camp?” Soul whispered to her, only when Windy had left to go join with Nimbus at the doorstep. Leaving both fillies alone. “Why not? Not a problem for us. Unless it’s a problem for you.” Soul sighed. “It’s not a problem… just… kinda soon for our parents to meet one another. …But… Dashie, really? What is that name?”

Rainbow stamped the ground, turning away when her face flushed. Oh damn it, she would talk about that, wouldn’t she? “I… I don’t want to talk about it.” Great so now Soul knows her goofy nickname her mom gave her. This is why I told her not to say that. She really likes messing with me. “What? I think that’s adorable” Soul giggled. She could say that, only because she bet Soul had no stupid nickname her mom gave her. I don’t mind her calling me that, but not in front of other ponies… because… I know its adorable. Didn’t stop her from groaning over it. Soul finally stopping her amusement. “Don’t worry” she said. “I won’t tell anypony.” Good because it’s not something I want others to have on their tongues all the time. Because then… it doesn’t mean anything to me.

“Please don’t” Dash said, finally turning back around to Soul. Both of them joined once more by their parents. Rainbow more than happy to get going in this situation where she could actually get the chance to fly with Soul’s family even for just a little bit. Something she felt they could do. Starry and Nimbus here with their daughter. These incredible flyers. Rainbow stayed silent walking next to Soul behind the three adults headed back out to the yard. Ignoring the chatter they all made ahead of them. I kind of like being around flyers like them.

3.32
She took off only when Soul did. Both of them following behind their parents with bags in mouth. To them, it only looked like another chance to fly. Dash watched the three adults. “My name is Windy” her mom introduced to them. All three getting into conversation about this meeting between them. Soul kept quiet too.

Rainbow looking over to her, saddened to find her flight buddy staring down at the clouds below them as they flew off into the sky. Her wings echoing a perfect chorus between the two of them that fought so hard against the fact that the filly was clearly not happy. Yeah, another day of camp. Made Dash wonder why it was Soul decided to come back. The real reason. It can’t be me. Or something. Did her parents force her to? It kind of worries me about what it is she can expect. Just like it must be worrying her. I know it is worrying her. But… she made the decision and now she got to endure it. I just hope she’s a strong filly. But Dash wasn’t going to leave her to herself through this. Something to get her mind off camp.

“Soul” she got her attention. Talking low to her. “We should do that flying together after camp. I got some ideas that I bet will be fun.” “Like what?” Soul asked. “Nah ah ah, just gotta wait. Maybe you can come up with some things too, or do I have to come up with all the ideas?” She said that jokingly. Funny that Soul was not that happy about her saying that. Not happy but… Dash felt such a joy out of messing with her for just a bit. “Well… whatever you want to do, I’m okay with it. I was going to do some more training tonight afterwards.” “Oh…” Dash started. Soul interrupted her right there. “Oh! Can we go back to the lake as well? My back is aching.”

“Rough night?” Dash asked. Interested when Soul had mentioned training. How often does she even train with Nimbus? The filly wanted to be so great when it came to flying that it left Dash with so many questions as to what this filly truly does behind closed doors. How far ahead she really is. If there’s something more to her that I should look for… for me to see. Something special like before.

3.33
“We stayed up a little later than normal and I slept badly. Don’t worry, shouldn’t keep me from flying with you.” Soul took a moment to flaunt her wings. Showing they were alright. That was good. Stayed up later? “Really?” Dash asked. “So did we. Mom kept me up with a bunch of dives and breaking tricks. We’ve been at that stuff for days now. Don’t feel like I’ll get to use them much at camp.” “Unless we plan to do tricks there…” Soul muttered. Lightening herself up once more.

“What did you do last night?” Dash asked. “Oh…” Soul paused. “We did a bunch of observation techniques and stuff.” “You mean like hearing?” Sounded a little bit like something Soul would not be doing if she was so far along. Not likely something a flyer like Dash had seen in her needing to do. “No… coordination to be able to do high speed flying without messing up.” That sounded cool. Dash really would love to see her train sometime. Just listening to how Soul talked about her flying ability always made her very antsy for figuring out just how well this filly could fly and how much she could expect out of her. If there was anything she should be worried about. Wasn’t often Dash got paired with such a skilled flyer. She hated to feel it, but she felt a little inadequate compared to her. Not at all something she would let keep Soul back. Smiling and nodding even right now when hearing Soul was doing high tier techniques. However far along she may be. If I could even have a chance to impress her someday. If it would be worth it. Or if it would just… just hurt Soul’s feelings in the end. I can’t tell.

“Oh and thank you for the other night, hope it was worth it” Soul said. “What?” Dash didn’t know what she meant. Worth it? “I thought it was worth it, but… just so you know, it cost me dessert for a month.” Wait, our little… trip without anypony knowing. Or so Dash thought. So that meant… it failed entirely. Damn their moms were good. “Welcome to the club” Dash told her. “Month for me too. But it was so worth it… even though, I won’t be getting any more candy apples for a while. What’s the damage for you?” “No more strawberry cakes or ice cream for me” Soul answered. “Hope that taught you a lesson, girls” both fillies turned to see their mothers both looking back at them. Wow, did they look proud of themselves. Neither filly acknowledged them. Their parents all laughing and going back to their flying. Like nothing happened, all so peaceful flying side by side for their first ever trip together. Soul sighed. Talking to herself.

“Yeah, I’m gonna miss them.”

3.34
“Do you like strawberry stuff?” Dash asked her. “I love it!” Soul blurted out. Practically salivating. “All my life. They’re my favorite thing to eat.”

Huh, so you like strawberries? Dash looked down her muzzle and to her bag where she held her lunch for today. “You’re allowed to have just strawberries though, right?” “Yeah” Soul said. “Just sweets aren’t allowed for a month.” That was good, Dash a little more confident for today. “What about you, what do you like?” Soul asked her. Another pony is asking me what my favorites are? Dash hated to be put on the spot but, whoa, that felt different. It left her confused. More or less trying to find the words to say on top of her happiness that another filly was asking about her. We don’t really know much about each other, do we? Didn’t even know our favorite foods. I just never thought I’d end up with a flight buddy like her. Did she think the same? I can still answer her.

“I love anything with apples, and carrots too. No pies, though.” “Aww, our little girls are bonding.” Dash smacked her face. “Mom!” she groaned out. Making Windy laugh up ahead.

Damn it, stop eavesdropping. Really damn amused. Though… Dash found something weird. Nimbus and Starry… they didn’t seem that amused, both of them didn’t even chuckle though they looked back at both fillies anyways. Maybe they didn’t want Soul to feel embarrassed. Dash sure was, but she only wished Windy would keep this stuff in private like they always did. Why is she being so open today?

“I’ve never seen Dash this excited to be with another filly” Windy said to Soul’s parents. “Flight buddies with the instructors’ daughter. They’re gonna be so good together. We’re all practically a family now.” She was getting excited again. Nothing she could do to stop her when she gets like this. Rainbow pulled her mane down over her face. Going on with her flying and ignoring anything she had to say. Happy that Soul made no comment, not sure if she was laughing inside. No, Soul was over there staring back off into space. Troubled… so troubled. Well… Windy was right with one thing, you are my flight buddy and we look out for one another. I’ll be sure to stick by you.

3.35
Dash had to. Since she stuck by me. Helped me. But there isn’t a moment that goes by where I’m not wondering if I can do my best to help her. With what it is she deals with. I plain hate seeing her sad and shocked. I wonder why. I always wonder why it is I do, and why it is you seem to care for me. How I feel. We get to go through it again today, whatever it was. It came too fast with Rainbow Dash landing alongside Soul, careful to pass away from any other. Though it didn’t stop Dash from giving Windy a hug.

“You’ll have a wonderful day today, sweetheart” Windy said. “Be sure to come home before dark, understand?” “Yes, mom” and Dash kept her hug up with her. That last semblance of care for the rest of the day. I remember the days when I used to cry when she left me at camp back when I was younger. Hiding it from all the others. I’m glad I don’t feel that so much now, since I’d have to hide that too from Soul. At least Soul got to be with her parents all day. That didn’t keep the filly from feeling down. Sadly walking off and parting with her mom and dad with a subtle exchange of ‘see you soons’.

Windy flew off and Dash ran after Soul to join her. Put their lunches away. Just a simple run, yet Dash noticed the change in the air. Smelled it. She glanced to the other kids, the few who were here, who ignored both of them. Or were they ignoring Soul? But she felt like something was amidst that she was quite used to. A feeling. One that seemed to be hitting Soul hard right now as the filly kept quiet. But she smiled to Dash anyways. Her way of saying thank you. I’ll stick with her, walking alongside her. Forget the others. Such a shame, considering how things were for Soul not long ago.

3.36
Probably had some more exercises today before some real lessons, though Dash doubted the lessons would be much use right now. None of it really, not until the winter. Just had to get through it. Really, to her, the best parts she had to look forward to were flying with Soul and lunch. Confident her mom had packed her something good today alongside what she saw. Felt like a lot was in her bag. She joined Soul into the building, stopping by her locker like always and tossing in her lunch. Excited to get a bite of it later.

“You know, we need to fly here together more often” Dash pointed out, heading over to join Soul over at her locker. Even if their parents would be there too, but they seemed to get along. Just like we are. At least, I hope she feels that w… Dash stopped in her tracks. Staring with Soul, for her flight buddy stood still before her locker. Dash shook when she saw her buddy lower her head. Dropping her lunch to the floor. Hit so hard by it. Not even Dash expected this to happen, not sure what it was she could do but her fury grew. As did her disbelief. That ponies could do this.

Garbage flyer spread across Soul’s locker. Written there with a marker. So dark that it practically roared out at them. Oh no, Soul… Dash looked to her. Walking closer and holding a hoof out to her. Wanting to touch the sulking filly whose eyes lay hidden beneath her fallen bangs reaching down to the floor. She held it back, angered with it all. Here I thought today may be better. That… she might have it better. The laughter said otherwise. Dash turned, not in time to see the ponies run off, leaving just their shadows behind in the doorway before they disappeared. “Hey! Come back here!”

Dash walked off after them. Whoever they were. What… what can I do? “Don’t, Dash” a voice whispered behind her. Where Soul was, glancing at her from under her bangs. “It’s okay, I’ll just clean this off and we can get to flying.” Soul stepped up to her locker. Soul.

Dash lowered her own head. I can’t believe what you have to deal with.

3.37
Though Soul looked to be handling it better as time went on. Rainbow looked all around them as they did some initial practice with the rest of the group. Dash stuck close to her the whole time. Letting her know that there was nothing to worry about. No telling if Soul felt that. She was unusually quiet now. Not leaving with that determination on her face to power through this. Not bothering to look and see what it was Dash did see. That all the other kids were indeed avoiding them. Some of them had to be the ones who wrote that horrible thing on Soul’s locker too, she couldn’t figure out who did it. Even if I did, what could I do? Not that any of these ponies would bother with me anyways. I can see it in their eyes.

But that won’t stop me from staying with Soul. They can think all they want about me. Because I feel I’m better than all of them for giving this filly a chance. I just wish I had taken the time to talk to her earlier than I did, then maybe she wouldn’t be feeling as bad as she was. Maybe she’d be more talkative to me. Soul still turned around and blew her away with deciding to come back in the end. I can’t make her regret that decision. We are trying to both become things that very few pegasi can achieve.
All these exercises really didn’t mean much. Wing-ups, stretches and practice takeoffs on top of doing some initial aerials that felt so scripted and so pointless to her and Soul. Maybe to others as well. So what? As far as Dash knew, they were the only two who had better practice to look forward to. Ha, too bad for them they don’t know just how skilled Soul is. …And neither do I.

Rainbow Dash finished off her own exercises. Confident in herself that her wings were more than ready for the day, get through this and then off to some amazing times with Soul and mom later. She wondered what her mom was planning to teach her tonight. Something new, she hoped. Alongside with whatever it was Soul had to look forward to. They just needed to make it through the day. Though, that looked to be hard with Dash so disheartened with how down Soul had gotten. What is on her mind? Was there even anything Dash could do? She just kept following her, side by side. Off to lunch, Dash didn’t leave her side when they went back to the lockers. She was worried what it was they may find again, luckily Soul’s locker was clean. Just as she left it. Back off to the usual spot where Dash sat herself down next to her and the day rolled by. Not fast enough.

3.38
Rainbow wanted to wince every time she saw her flight buddy stop eating and lower her head whenever any pony else passed by. No matter how innocent they looked, happily playing on their free time, she did the same thing for any of them. It was one moment when Dash caught her actually looking up from under her bangs and putting her sandwich down just to watch two of the other fillies run past with such joy on their faces as one chased after the other. Trying to chase down the pony who took her lunch.

So playful, as they both laughed, not enough to keep Soul calm. It was painful to see her become so antsy now. Regretful for not doing more earlier to maybe keep this filly being the happy one she saw with the other ponies. Nothing I can do now to change that except what I feel is right. Rainbow sat closer to Soul. Getting her attention finally off the other kids. She looked down at the magenta filly, giggling to let her know everything was alright. I’m so glad you mentioned this earlier, Soul. Dash brought out the bunches of strawberries she had for her lunch.

“Mom likes to put sugar on them so their gonna be awesome. Go ahead, take them all.” Soul looked down at the bowl-full of strawberries Dash pushed over to her, right in front of her legs. Sitting there waiting for somepony to go at them. Oh yes, that finally changed her look! Soul was pretty surprised to see Dash do this. Speechless as she looked at the generous gesture. “Aren’t they for you?” Soul finally said. “Really, I don’t need them.”

“Come on” Dash fought back. “I don’t mind sharing.” “I don’t know.” “Really, they’re yours. I’m not gonna take them back” Dash said. Rainbow already had enough in her bag anyways. Besides, Soul deserved something for all she was going through and for giving me another chance. Hesitant but she ate them anyways. Dash was just happy she didn’t fight back any more and accepted her gift. It’s really the best she could do right now, not with whatever it was that was keeping Soul so quiet and down.

I just hope she’s still looking forward to flying with me later. Before long, the whistle rang again. Just finishing up with their food, Dash and Soul rushed off to join the rest.

3.39
“Aww, come on” Dash whispered for nopony to hear but Soul when they heard what it was they would be doing today. More of that team coordination exercise with the clouds again. “You see, this is why we aren’t gonna get anywhere” Dash hinted to Soul. Trying to make her smile. At least Soul wouldn’t get anywhere since this type of stuff was so easy for her. I feel confident about myself too. But why do we need to do it again, just for the less experienced ponies to practice with it. This was why they should be in an upper level or something. Soul didn’t seem to care.

She put a hoof to her eyes and rubbed them. Just telling Dash right there that she acknowledged that yes, we get to go through this again. Dash didn’t mention anything, but she looked around and saw that Aurora was still out. Hopefully this would go better than last time. Last time had been a lot of fun up until the last point of it. We won’t learn anything, but Dash wouldn’t turn down the chance to enjoy herself. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. Except for one pony, it probably would be.

Aurora was not here, but Spitfire sure was. Was she still on Soul’s mind? The golden Pegasus sitting off to the right… all by herself. She did not look pleased at all. Paying attention to what Soul’s parents were saying, going over the instructions again. Didn’t stop her from looking pretty down. Much like Soul was. Wow, these two really have changed, and Dash felt like she was right in the middle of it all with no idea on what to do to make things better except by just keeping Soul happy since she surely did pity her above all else. She felt so sorry for her. The filly likely didn’t even expect this to happen. Transforming from that wide-eyed filly with so much desire in her look… into the filly sitting next to her right now. Letting out a heavy breath of her enthusiasm for all of this.

“You know what” Dash said to her. “After camp we are definitely doing some serious flying.” “What do you mean by serious?” Soul asked. “It’s actually going to be a cloudy day later, my dad told me. A good wind will be coming in. How about we try some cloud level flying?” Soul was intrigued now. Good. She turned to Dash. “You know that will mean a lot of wind will be up there. It might be hard for both of us.” Dash went on with her, ignoring the instructions being given out by Soul’s parents. Just the usual. Not like the fun Dash had in mind that could be a little different from normal. “Perfect practice for us.” Dash thought a lot like the obstacle course from the other day but with way more wind to deal with. She could see it now. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid or something. I’m certainly not.” “I’m not afraid” Soul said. “If you think it’s a good idea then I’m all for it.”

“Good. Then don’t be afraid if I try to get us to do some tricks while we fly” Dash pointed out. They did need to make it a lot like the obstacle course. Dash had to admit that the course had been fun but it could have been improved if she had more time to deal with it and… and not dozens of eyes watching her. Sounded like she could do it better without the pressure, and a little wind would be a good workout. Rainbow Dash was not shy of trying to overcome something and would not stop doing that around Soul.

3.40
Soul grinned. “Name the trick and you got it. So long as it’s something we can both pull off together.” Now… now that sounded kind of sweet to Dash. It made her laugh inside. Even when down, Soul still managed to make something sound fun for her. That was exactly what she had hoped for. For them to be able to do tricks together. Kind of like last time when they flew this very exercise they were ready for.

Let’s get through it together, Soul and we can get on to having some fun. Anything to get her mind off of camp and how horrible today had turned out to be for her. Rainbow Dash really did wish things would have turned around after Soul came back. Now that she was here to fly with her. I really felt they could have.

Another whistle went off and that was signal for the other pairs to start taking flight. If Dash knew it right, they just needed to do this and then they would get out for the rest of the day. Get out and be able to see Soul happy once more. Her to be happy and I can have a good time with my own flight buddy, she was so ready for it to be done. To go off into the sky with her and fly like they did before when things were so much more enjoyable. Because there was one thing Rainbow Dash did feel about being able to fly with this pony, the one who spread her mighty magenta wings out and hung them so tall over her to where the shadows cast down upon the cyan filly. So tall compared to her. So much more impressive looking. I really do wonder. But that time had yet to come. Until then, I’ll fly with her and see for myself just how far this filly can go. Go until I feel like I’m ready to join her in the sky. Not like now, or any other time. Something more. Something I saw when I looked into her eyes for the first time. Even though she failed to live up to my expectations at first. I still decided to stay here with her. Feeling it was a good choice on her part. For whatever she got to look forward to.

Soul whispered something softly in Dash’s ear right as she passed. She held Dash close so she could hear, so no other could. “I’m excited about later, flight buddy.” Dash nodded. Flapping her wings alongside her flight buddy. Waiting until all the other pairs took off into the sky. They held back for just a moment. Good. Rainbow didn’t think she would be able to take off properly with how weird it felt to hear another pony whisper something like that to her. She joyously. Saddened and down, Soul found a way to keep her joy about later. One might even say that Soul may like her.

“Me too” Dash admitted. Truthfully. Just like yesterday. Not at all what she was used to doing after camp, but she welcomed it. Soul took off first. Gusting out a little wind behind her and sending Dash’s feathers swaying across her spans.

3.41
This really did feel so similar. Dash took off behind her. Joining with Soul in their ascent to reach the others in their group behind Nimbus. The two of them held back. Soul didn’t need to tell Dash to do it, she did it anyways. Even assuming the same position they had the other day with her flying overhead. Taking to her respective side while Soul watched the other. It looked and seemed the same as last time. Dash had to glance down to her flight buddy. Checking to make sure she was alright.

The filly kept her eyes fixed. As fixed as her pace. As Soul did not even bother to do anything like the last time. That was what worried Dash, as they flew and the clouds started flying in, Soul kept to just calling them out and Dash did her best to react. Doing the same for Soul. Bobbing and weaving around the oncoming clouds with some breaks here and there. Such a simple flight. Like nothing was there to be felt. Calming. Enough for her to keep tabs on all the others, unlike the other day when she let her focus stay squarely on her flight buddy and ensuring the both of them stayed in the air. That was the problem. It was too calming. Much like all the other pairs up ahead, and the one pony up there that made Dash remember what it was that made Soul feel so bad.

What caused all this to begin with, and it must be worrying Soul so much. Spitfire was up there flying alongside Nimbus instead of her flight buddy with such somberness in her flapping wings. Dash looked down at Soul, just in time to catch her also staring ahead with her eyes glimmering. Before she looked away. Did she notice it too? Rainbow wanted to ask her how she may be holding up, but she already had her answer just from the flight alone. Soul stayed quiet. She made no attempt to do anything. That left Dash there with her thoughts. I probably shouldn’t ask her. Though Dash did want them to pull off more of those fun maneuvers they did the last time, something to break up how boring this flight was. She didn’t dare to. Sensing the tension in the air. That Soul would not want to. This is the first I’ve ever seen her fly so sadly. She knew she would have to fly feeling this until the end of the day. Dash only hoped that she would want to still have fun later. Enjoy a time when they can fly like they meant it unlike now where she saw for a fact that Soul Serenity was indeed afraid.

3.42
Oh good, Rainbow Dash had waited for her. The filly still where Soul left her sitting on the steps at the camp entrance. Right under the massive banners and archways that marked the majesty of the wall surrounding the camp. Lucky for her, her excitement had not worn off to bring the news to her. “She’s still alright with it” Soul let her know, running up to her flight buddy.

“You can come?” Dash stood up. Like her own spirits were lifted now. “Yup, just need to be home before dark.”

That was great news indeed and Dash looked to be just as satisfied as Soul was. Nimbus had almost seemed pleased to let her go off with Dash for the rest of the afternoon. Not even hesitating to say yes. It was such a relief to Soul, worried throughout the day that she may say no or something may come up. Now she got a chance to fly with Dash. Outside of these walls and without the others around. Leave that all behind, Soul sniffed the air and happily exhaled. It smelled like a good day to fly. None of that crap she had to go through today could even come close to satisfying her wings’ urges or lessen her desire to get out and have some fun. Really just powering through all of it just to prep herself for now. Soul stretched out her back and let her legs out. Shadowed by her wings that arched out alongside them. “Ah, yes!” Dash cheered. “I can stay out till dark too. We got plenty of time to hang out. You ready to ditch this place?”

Like she needed to ask. Soul had been ready to leave since they got here. More or less, this was her only real reason for looking forward to today. I could spend some time with Dash and train with Nimbus, but being able to fly with Dash was the one thing that truly mattered. Where Soul felt more than happy to take to the sky. Eager to see her flight buddy enjoy the time with her. Rainbow Dash also looked to be ready. Stretching out her own smaller wings too. Pumped up and wanting to go.

3.43
“I think we can go right for the sauna, got a long flight ahead but let’s make it a good one. I’ve been dying for some real flying.” Soul was happy to make these claims. She could tell too that Dash was with her on them. We both train with a pony who puts their heart into making us better flyers, so how’s about we do what they train us to do, as we are meant to do it. That was what made Soul so happy. Just that they got to leave everything behind now that was holding them behind. The air, as she left out the camp, it practically smelled of freedom. An urging in her spine that sent her raring to go.

She walked out to the edge of the stairs, holding her wings out. Catching the breeze in their spans as it went through her feathers and… and made her shiver for a moment. It was not from a chill. She grinned up at the sky. The one that touched her so lovingly and invited her to fly. Some clouds and a small breeze. But the Sun shone bright through it all and lit up a sky so welcoming to any who would truly love it. Love it without thinking about anything else. Where she could leave her troubles behind. It made Soul giggle. Flapping her wings in place, as giddy as ever. Just thinking on what to do. Rainbow Dash was there with her, she was going to fly with her. She wanted to fly like it mattered. But I know the truth of the matter, and Soul did her best to figure out the best way for them to fly. Without Dash feeling at all afraid. Not any of that beginner stuff in the camp, maybe something a little more familiar to both of them. Something Soul could tell her flight buddy would be fine with doing.

“You alright if I take the lead this time?” Soul asked, confident she remembered the way to the sauna in the clouds. Listening for her answer. I think I can figure out something to make this a fun flight for her, as long as she follows me. She still hadn’t answered. Soul found Dash behind her… staring with a smile on her face. Like she was distracted. For just a moment. How she tried to recover herself told Soul that something had been on her mind. “Uh… yeah, that’s fine with me.” The filly trotted up closer to her with her own wings out now. Laughing for a moment. “You ready to go?” Dash wrote it off. Standing with Soul and telling her that she didn’t want to stay here any longer.

Strange, what was on your mind, Dash? Didn’t seem like she wanted to tell her. That was fine. She readied herself in the end and signaled to Dash, both of them leaving the camp behind and soaring up into that lovely sky once more.

3.44
Rainbow lost no speed, keeping right with Soul. Both fillies rising high over it all. Joining with all the other pegasi who flew across the city with them on their own business. Some more than happy to wave to both of them as they passed. Cleared of the camp, it really did feel like another world now. One Soul was familiar with but so happy to come back to. Where it felt like it was friendly to her. Where other pegasi were but did not do anything to make her feel like she did anything wrong. Up into an open sky like usual, one that was as open as the one she flew in earlier today but felt so less congested to her. So less suffocating. Like she was truly free to do what she wanted up here. Even flying higher than they had back at camp, with Dash not at all protesting it. In fact, the filly cheered next to her. Laughing at this soaring moment they got to have together.

Both of them together, side by side, high over the vast fields of clouds that made up Cloudsdale with the sea of buildings all below them. Growing smaller by the second as they got higher. High enough for Soul to look out over it all and see so much of Equestria. Beyond the gigantic plane of Cloudsdale, where the titanic towers of the city could no longer even hide the lush green fields and running rivers out in the land below the city. That entire world beyond this one. As free and open as the sky itself. This was the joy of being able to fly. One she loved every time she got to do it without the pressure on her back that plagued her all day. Like the entire world was at her hooves and she was there to glide over it with nothing to stop her. All around them were the other pegasi who flew in that same sky, and further below them all, were the ones who walked amidst Cloudsdale’s streets. With Soul not even sure if any of them truly did enjoy flying as much as she did.

How happy Dash was next to her, grinning widely at the sky ahead of her with one of her hooves held out to reach for it, she looked to be just as happy. I never got that sense of wanting to fly back at camp but now I want to. Looked like her flight partner wanted to as well. Reminiscent of the first time they got to fly together. Maybe now was actually the best time to do it. When Soul could feel it again. They were high enough, but not too high to where the clouds did not shroud the land below and a gentle wind pushed against both of them. Almost like it didn’t matter to Soul. Not sure about Dash, she seemed happy enough and wanted to fly in this, so Soul felt no need to hold that back.

“Still wanna follow my lead?” Soul called out to her. Getting Dash’s attention, her full attention. The cyan filly showed her determination in her face. Something that told Soul she was not going to let her down. I know she won’t. I won’t do anything that will make her feel uncomfortable, but she insists she has some experience with more advanced stuff and I’m still impressed with how she does manage to fly despite the flaws. “Let’s catch some air!” Dash said.

Alright. Show me what you can do. Soul held her wings back, just enough to catch some wind in them. Dash doing the same, flying back with her and then Soul let go of it. Slowed down enough to safely bank off. Soul slid down through the wind and arced herself right. Turning downwards and plummeting.

3.45
Now this is what she expected of Soul. She saw it in her flying. The filly banking off and then spinning downwards. Rainbow held back for a moment. Thinking to herself. Should I? There was just so much joy in Soul’s eyes. So much enthusiasm to fly for fun and love every second of it. After such a miserable day at camp for her. I shouldn’t do anything to make her feel upset. I don’t even know for sure if I can trust her. Not like she absolutely needed to. But I still feel like I can enjoy this so much.

Just the look on Soul’s face, she truly does love to fly. She truly does love the wind in her wings unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a pony. She says she wants to be one of the best flyers out there, enough to inspire others. Make them feel like they have a chance. Any of them. It sounded so crazy, to want to even move the princesses.

But how she laughed with such joy and the shine in her eyes. The flow of her flight, how natural she looked in it. Is it truly crazy? Not to me. I can say that… that I want her to succeed. I can never look down on another pony’s dreams, not even hers. I actually want to support them. If she would let me. After all I did to her. All she has to go through. Yet she still flies like this now, like nothing happened. Like she became somepony completely different. I can’t help but admire it. She’s a pretty cool pony.

Dash joined with her. Turning her own wings and shooting off after Soul. Falling down to earth with her and leveling back out right behind her. Keeping her eyes right on that violet tipped tail ahead of her that flapped wildly. Waiting to see what she would do next. Or should I wait? Dash laughed.

3.46
She let her wings do their own thing. This should be easy. She spun herself around, spiraling behind Soul, happy to see Soul catch sight of her and that let her know she could fly off. Rainbow zipped past her. Putting in just a little effort to get herself flying off ahead of Soul and barreled around once. Then twice. “Come on, slowpoke!” Interrupted when magenta flashed across the sky and Soul spiraled in right next to her, practically copying what Dash had done. Much to what she wanted her to do.

Even better, Soul flew right into the barrel roll that Dash pulled off. Joining her in it. There Soul was, right across from her, spinning in the sky in tandem with Dash like both of the made a massive circle in the sky together, and she looked to be having the time of her life. Three barrels. Then four. Soul kept with her in making these wide circles together. Dash smiled. That’s what I like. She’s doing it without any care or problem. Even far away from one another, she saw the look in her flight buddy’s face. She was happy. Laughing and having the time of her life.

That is the Soul Serenity from before. Like the last time we flew like this. “Not sure who you’re calling slow” Soul yelled out from over there. Prompting the air to ripple and roar when Dash witnessed the filly pull out of the spiral and shoot ahead of her. Tearing the sky in two in her wake, like the air pulled itself apart behind her, and not one fault in her flying. Dash leveled herself out, just able to stare off and watch her flight buddy become but a dot in the distance that rose high into the air. Whoa. I didn’t know she could fly that fast. Really, I am curious what it is her mother teaches her. Should I even try to catch up? Now? Or… she widened her eyes. Almost wanting to duck out of the way for fear she would collide but Soul cleared right past her. Flying over and turning back to rejoin Dash’s side. Flying there… upside down, with her forelegs crossed under her head and her wings keeping her afloat. Winking to Dash. Hehe, wow… didn’t expect her to show off. I’m kind of used to her not wanting to pull stuff like this off. Maybe… maybe I should consider myself special.

Still ruffled Dash’s feathers a little, didn’t stop her from smiling. She couldn’t feel upset over what Soul did. Her flight buddy was enjoying herself and, honestly, Dash was too. Maybe something else… Dash did want to try out stuff now that they had no audience here to bother them. No restrictions either. Just them and the sky. A cloudy day, Dash glanced over past Soul. To the swarms of clouds that flew so much lower than the thick cloud cover overhead.

3.47
“Wanna try those?” Dash pointed to the clouds. Getting Soul to turn over and spot them. “You wanna try? I’ll do it if you want to” Soul said. “Why not?” Rainbow thought it sounded like a better idea than having to fly through that tightly packed obstacle course the other day. These clouds were larger and more spaced out. Not a matter of dodging them. Soul knew that too. This was meant to be fun. She was just as eager as Dash was. More importantly, they could do this without any other ponies here. Something Rainbow was more than pleased with. Soul made the first move. Flying off with no pause at the clouds. Looked like she was going in low. Okay, then I’ll go in high. Rainbow left her flight and went off after Soul. Getting closer and then Soul disappeared under the first one. Dash’s ears perked up. …She’s… coming up over there.

Rainbow pulled out and turned off to the left, following after Soul and only waiting till she was right at it before she flew over the cloud with her hooves skimming over its soft surface, cutting a path across the white puffs and sending them flying off the hulk. Okay… I can do this. Dash squinted her eyes. Making sure she was going in at the right speed and angle. Kind of scared that she might mess this up, not because of other ponies, but from clipping Soul. Not even sure if Soul knew what she was trying to do but it’ll work out. I want her to have fun.

Rainbow turned herself with the curve of the cloud, keeping herself leveled over it and only waiting till she was sure before she made her move. She spun herself over, flying with her mane gliding over the cloud now. Just in time for when Soul zipped up over the cloud, her hooves facing the cloud. She did it right! Dash smiled when Soul and her crossed paths. The magenta filly laughing when she flew past, confident she was able to see Dash was sticking her tongue out at her. Alright. Dash brought herself upright again, keeping up her path along the cloud and finally leaving it behind when she caught the next one. The same one that Soul went towards now. Glad we got the same idea.

Rainbow kept herself to the side of the cloud this time. Same as she saw Soul do. Close enough that she was able to reach a hoof out and touch the soft mass. Keeping her wing just short of skimming it. Ears still perked. Surely Soul is skilled enough to catch wind of this, as the filly came up on her. “Down!” Rainbow called out. Just when Soul flew out from around the cloud and came in at Dash, …doing just as she said. Rainbow arced herself upwards and Soul went down clearing one another just short of running into each other. They pulled it off. Oh yeah! Dash was so pleased with her buddy. I knew I could expect her to pull these off. Stopping herself and hovering there to watch Soul fly off and go up and down so many other clouds like it was nothing. Not even losing her speed or her composure. Just what I want to expect from her. She loves flying and… and now I see she has a sense of daring to her flight. Enough skill to pull them off. Just like mom showed me. When she was proud of me to pull them off too. When no others would be. Was Soul? I don’t know.

All I know is I enjoy flying with her. I feel like I can fly with her. This is so much better than camp. Rainbow could tell they both had a well-deserved rest at the sauna soon. Soul left the clouds behind. Shooting back out into the sky and screaming Dash’s name out. Okay, I’m coming. Dash smiled. Going off into the light with her. Following her where Soul went.

3.48
“Glad you caught up” Soul said when Dash made it back to her. Picking up their speed once more like it was nothing more than the wind that told them that, yes, they are free to keep going. Not like Dash’s wings were getting tired. They wouldn’t from this. Of course, Soul was fine. Fine enough to keep up her enthusiasm. “Let’s do some dives.” Oh yes! That sounded great. Simple and easy, and it felt so great to pull them off.

“Try to keep up” Soul called to her. Taking the initiative and flying back down to earth below. Rainbow did the same, keeping on her tail. Smirking as the wind picked up and glided over her. “You talk a lot of trash” Dash pointed out. Not in a bad way, she actually was enjoying that Soul was motivated enough to talk about her flying in a positive manner. Besides… I know she’s doing her best to make it so I can keep up with her, and I really appreciate it. Unlike other times when ponies would leave me behind. Abandon me to deal with things myself. “What?” Soul said ahead of her. “You’re doing awesome. Aren’t you having fun?!” “Are you kidding me?” Dash said. Feeling all that wind hitting her. Making it harder for her to talk, but it felt good. It felt so good to be flying like this where both of them were falling right down to the clouds below. Angled in and so much pressure on her wings that kept her careening in and shooting down to the world below where she doubted nopony was there to even notice the two of them doing this. Care for it. Nopony to stop her from having this feeling. Where her mane flipped wildly behind her head and tears started streaking out from her eyes.

That rush she had. Like her wings were so pumped and her blood boiled. Not often I get to feel this, let alone never with another pony. Soul, you’re the first pony I feel like I can fly like this with. Dash could tell she felt the same. Soul’s own wings happily outstretched to catch the wind and the filly even did a little spin in her dive ahead. Falling out a little to keep out of Dash’s way. She’s so considerate. Always thinking of me. I don’t know why she wants to do this stuff with me, but I feel honored she does. Like we really are flight buddies.

“I’m having the time of my life!” Dash screamed out. So much rush in her when the city below came in so much closer. Like they would crash and at this speed. How fast they were going. She had chills. I really do feel alive. I really do feel free. Pulling up right with Soul, right when she did it. Turning her body to pull out of their dive together with the cloudy streets of the city just under them in a split second. Dash yelled out the truth. “So much better than camp!” It was a split second. So fast that Dash almost missed it, and her smile disappeared… in the time it took when she heard it before she saw it. She had been flying so perfectly. No flaw in it, yet she didn’t anticipate that Soul would do this. Why she would do this?

How? Stunned in silence when she saw her flight buddy tumble behind her and out of sight.

3.49
Dash skidded to a halt, all it took to stop herself. It took so much to cancel out all that speed she had, so much that she almost careened right into the streets herself. Left to hover, she kept her eyes glued on the buildings ahead of her. Flashing before her eyes. In a daze. She wondered to herself if she should even think this was real. Because Soul was no longer in front of her, she was no longer in the sky. Oh no, …Dash shook a little. Throwing herself back onto the solid clouds below her. Back on her hooves. No, no, no… that didn’t happen.

“Soul!” Dash turned around. Her eyes widened. Her breath short. Seeing that Soul was still here, left strewn out on the clouds. One wing still hanging high into the air with the other set out under her and her face planted firmly into the clouds with little puffs of cloud shimmering in the Sun, left to float around where she hit them. Cast off by her impact. Her impact. Dash was horrified. Oh sweet Celestia! Dash kicked herself to go, running over to where her flight buddy lay.

Oh no, Soul… how did this happen? Please be alright. She moved, oh good she moved. Soul let her wing finally fall and grumbled under her mane. Groaning loudly. Dash practically felt her smile come back so happy to see she was moving. That was such a nasty crash. One that left Dash just baffled as to why it happened. She was flying so well and now ended up this filly struggling to get up on her hooves. Falling back on her belly when Dash came up to her. Holding hooves out to try and help her up, only to take them back when Soul let out a horrible wail from under her mane. One that frightened her. That was truly a cry of pain.

“Soul!” Dash finally found the stomach to try and stop her from her pained moaning. She stepped up close, sitting down with her and made the hard choice to reach out to her. Slinking her hoof under Soul’s belly and the other towards… Soul’s hoof smacked it away. Just short of Dash touching the wing she went for, and the filly tried to get up again. Freed of Dash’s grip and she fell once more. Crying out louder than before and her hoof came free from under her body. One with a… a color so much darker than her fur. One that painted it in its disgusting hue. Making her hoof tremble… alongside her wing that lurched its way out from under her body. She had cut herself badly along her leg. Quite a hit into the clouds to cause that. She really had been going fast. “Soul, can you move? Where… where does it hurt?” Dash held her hoof out again, offering it to Soul this time. Then Dash felt the tug of her leg.

3.50
Soul wrapped her good leg around Dash’s and pulled herself up. Up on two and then… the third, the one that made her cringe in pain. Slipping off it, Dash couldn’t react in time to prepare herself from Soul falling into her. Laying against her, breathing so harsh and tears went down her cheeks.

She’s badly hurt. Soul, what the hell happened?! Dash looked up, seeing they were not alone, with all the other pegasi around them. Staring in amazement at what had happened. Stunned, none at all knowing what to do. Save for a few who did rush over. The adults who would come to help her, yet Soul… she did not let go of Dash. Burying her face into her fur. Crying into it. Keeping that limp leg of hers perched against Dash’s shoulder. She could almost see small streams of blood seeping down her fur from that long cut and coming close to her own cyan fur. She didn’t flinch. Only holding her close. Let her know everything was alright.

“My… leg. And…” Soul’s wing trembled again, scratching the surface of the clouds with her feathers. Feathers so bent and torn. Dash had not even noticed it. Not before, she wished she hadn’t. For she was afraid now, now that she saw her beautiful wing spread in its feathers and leaving many of them on the ground where she had crashed. Soul did her best to move it, it only made her screech. “Oh no!” Dash came close to it. “My… wing. It really stings.”

Celestia, she must have landed right on it. Looked like she bent the span a little. Ripped feathers right off. Rainbow Dash felt so bad for her, though she calmed herself, it was not as bad as she feared. Feeling bad for her because… that was not going to heal immediately. Right after we had so much fun flying together. Now we’re here, crowded around by ponies who offered help yet Dash did not acknowledge them. Saddened so much that… that they couldn’t play. That Soul was in pain. That her flight buddy had gotten hurt and I did nothing to anticipate it… when I could have. Flying this low… Soul must have freaked out. Something must have happened. I have no idea what, but I should have stopped us sooner. Damn it, Soul… I’m so sorry. Dash wanted to be sure. Reassure Soul at least.

“Can I check your wing?” “Don’t touch it!” Soul yelled out almost immediately. “Don’t…” The filly whimpered and fell silent. Crying into Dash’s shoulder. She did as she said, though hated she couldn’t be sure. To see if Soul could fly soon. For she knew the filly would be off this wing for a while. Right when this day was looking up. When we were going to make it better. I’m so sorry. But I’ll still be here for you, I am your flight buddy after all. With how we flew, I would even say we are as good as each other’s wingponies. Too bad… I failed to watch out for you. “Somepony… go to the Junior Speedster’s camp” she cried out to the ponies around them. Clutching Soul tighter. “Please… bring Nimbus Swiftshot. …Her daughter’s hurt.”

Great. Great, somepony ran off, a stallion more than happy to accept it with a rushed “I’m on it.” Leaving me to be with Soul. Because I didn’t want to go. I won’t leave Soul like this, and she didn’t want me to leave either. Clinging to Dash… she was. Even with her hurt leg left draped at the side, Soul held a leg tight around Dash. Nestled against her. …Are we… are we hugging? Dash blinked. Realizing now… how she had acted. I was afraid for her. Terrified. Now, now I can’t even leave her. She gripped her own hooves tighter around her flight buddy, not letting go. She didn’t know if Soul could tell, but she gave her a hug. Does she like it… because I want her to feel better? Stop crying and know I am here to keep her safe. She didn’t stop crying, but Dash felt her own heart soften when Soul laid her cheek against her neck and stayed there. Soul, I won’t let you go.

3.51
“I can… still work on it tonight.” Soul rushed herself out the deck doors and stepped out onto the wooden floors… but with only three of her legs this time. Keeping the fourth held up against her chest. Not daring to let it drop, hating she had to walk like this all evening. Not anymore, just to get out here, and defy what Nimbus tried to warn her off with. Soul flapped her wings… agh! It hurt for a moment just to move her right one. Feeling her feathers crinkle against her span, but… she kept trying and was more than thrilled to get back into the air. Letting her bandaged hoof fall back down from her chest. But… for how long? Soul winced more and more, every time she flapped her wing.

“Soul! Get back down now.” Nimbus ran out the door below her. Staring up with eyes so firm. Not at all faltering in her stern determination to keep her off her wings and legs tonight. “But I can still train” Soul powered through the pain. This day had been entirely ruined. We were supposed to have so much fun, she had looked forward to going to the sauna and then training tonight. Flight training or whatever, anything to get her mind off of camp. Something good in her memory now that she wasn’t going to be allowed to go to camp tomorrow… and to see Dash. Forget everything else. I need something fun today. “Young lady, don’t make me fly up there and get you” Nimbus said with no joke in her voice. Kind of scary how fierce she looked down there, even with her wings readied to fly after her. “I said no flying for the rest of the day. You’re not doing yourself any favors.”

Soul groaned. Hating that it hurt so much to flap her wing. But just hurt, it could have been so much worse. Not even able to imagine what could have happened. Not wanting to. Rather deal with the here and now. Though she didn’t want to deal with it at all. She would prefer to be getting home with a smile on her face instead of being carried by Nimbus and spending much of the evening being patched up and cleaned. It took nearly an hour for Nimbus to preen her damaged wing of all the broken feathers. A process that really hurt so much, not just from how sensitive her wing already was. Worse than normal. She did not want to end on that. Her mane still had yet to dry.

3.52
She had no choice. She couldn’t deny Nimbus. I can’t fly away from her anyways even if I was at one hundred percent. She will try to catch me, anything to… to do the right thing and keep me safe. That is what sucked. She knew it was the right thing to stay off her wing, but she really didn’t want to. Didn’t stop her from slowly lowering herself back down. Preferring to sit herself onto the deck instead of standing. Holding her limp leg up. Quick to fold her wings back and let them rest. She pouted. Staring out at the night sky and what could have been another night of training and getting better. Because… I really do need to… especially after today. All in the blink of an eye though she remembered it fully. All that happened, and she couldn’t believe she let it happen to her. “Can I at least do some training of your technique? I don’t need to fly for that.”

“Soul…” Nimbus stepped around her and joined Soul to sit and watch the Moon. Her voice so downed, as was her face. “You need all the rest you can get, it’d be best for you to go to sleep instead of spending the night just upsetting your wing.” “But I…” “But nothing, Soul.” Nimbus faced her. Authoritative, shutting Soul down right there. Too scared to speak out against her. “Besides, this technique is not something to joke about. Not something you should do with you being hurt.” “I can deal with the pain” Soul said. “All I need are my senses. No wings or legs. So what’s stopping us?” Nimbus shook her head. That told Soul right there she really had said something wrong. What did I do? She retreated back, shutting herself up. “I’m sorry” Soul whispered. “Try to concentrate as you know to do” Nimbus said in such a stunning request. Soul wasn’t even sure what it was she was asking of her. Puzzled entirely. “Try to feel the air” Nimbus said and closed her own eyes. “Tell me, what shifts can you feel in the wind. If you can sense any motions I make.”

Alright… Soul took her eyes off of Nimbus. Going back to how she knew to do this best and closed her own eyes. Breathing… though she was not in the air like she loved, she still felt like it was all around her. There to keep her cradled and safe. Warm her body with its humid weight and cool her with a loving breeze. Stuff that did little to help calm her pain. Pain that still kept making her wince for every second that passed. Pain that would not go away any time soon and kept her away from the happiness she felt of flying with Rainbow Dash and forgetting all her troubles. Only to breed more troubles. That she was not going to be able to fly for what felt like a long time. Even if just a day. I really don’t want that. But… I do know it’s best for me. Still hurts to know. That I won’t be able to fly with Dash again tomorrow. That I messed up today and just ruined it all.

3.53
Something touched her back. Opening her eyes in time to see Nimbus looking at her again. Not happy at all. Soul still felt the remnants of that soft touch against her back and… and she looked away. Disheartened. “You’re distracted… Soul, you can’t learn this technique while you’re being bothered. Even if we tried to train tonight, it would be a waste. You’d be better off resting.”

So that’s it… huh? Because I’m so stupid and let myself get into this pain. When I should have just ignored it. I can’t believe I fumbled so badly. When flying so well, until Dash mentioned… it, and reminded me. Those painful words that hit her so. Words that made her cry inside. Ones she tried to defeat only to crash in the end. Shame I didn’t crash on purpose.

“You can take a break from it, Soul” Nimbus gently touched a hoof down onto Soul’s head. Rubbing her scalp so softly. “Just a day or two, you don’t need to master it immediately. It’s best for you to get strong again first. …Don’t you think so?” Nimbus leaned down to her. Soul didn’t meet her eyes. She nodded. Saddened that she was accepting this. That she had indeed caused this. Now came the consequences. Both to her and to Dash when I can’t fly with her tomorrow. I just hope she won’t be upset. “Come on, let’s take you to bed.”

Soul didn’t fight Nimbus, letting her wrap her hooves around her small body and lifting her up. Flying the filly off to her room, regretting she could not do it herself. Reminded so much of another time like this.

3.54
Soul curled up in her bed. Keeping her bandaged hoof free of anything that may hurt it. Fearing pain when the blanket would touch down… it softly went over her wing, and it didn’t hurt. Breathing a sigh of relief. Laying still while Nimbus wrapped her up. Throwing up another blanket on top of that one as she hovered over her bed. Taking the time to put another hoof down upon Soul’s forehead. Soothed when she rubbed it, not daring to tell her to stop. Wanting some semblance of something that felt nice in this world where all she felt was worry. Hope I can fall asleep tonight. Soul kept her wing tucked in close. Wishing for it to get better soon. For her precious wings to be strong once more. For herself and for all the others. All the others she wanted to keep happy. Nimbus still smiled above her. No telling how she actually felt about all this.

“Good night, sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning before I head out.” The mare lifted her hoof off her forehead, silently flying off to the door. Leaving Soul alone with her regrets. “Wait.” Soul wanted to let something out first before Nimbus left. She shifted over to look over her shoulder at the mare who cared for her. “Thank you… and I’m sorry.” Nimbus waved a hoof to her. “Don’t be sorry, you did nothing wrong. Please… get some rest.” Her door shut behind Nimbus, and Soul was there in silence. Left with her last lines. Of doing nothing wrong. I feel I’ve done nothing but do things wrong. Soul laid her head down. Staring at her darkened wall and then the shining Moon outside her window. If I had been doing things right, I wouldn’t be like this. I wouldn’t have felt that way about camp… when I remembered it… all the terrible things that happened today and all the days before. This week was proving to be nothing but a test for her and she felt she was losing. Getting nothing out of it. Well… except for one thing.

Soul had to admit it, she was still amazed that… that Rainbow Dash had stayed with her. I’m not even sure if she noticed but… I loved it how much she was worried for me. I actually felt like she cared. She probably didn’t even know that Soul had been smiling when they hugged. She actually held me… and was so afraid for me. After all the crap we have to go through and now having to be without each other for a day… hopefully no more. She didn’t even seem to care about me before but… does she really? I think she does. It made Soul smile even right now in the dark. Hehe, was this the thing that Nimbus wanted of me from camp? This feeling. I got to say, I like it. Rainbow Dash… thank you so much. Thank you, Nimbus. For all you two are doing for me. It’s the only reason why I am still going back to that place. Forget all the others, all I want to do is please you two. Like I did when Dash flew with me today. She was so happy. Maybe everything will be alright. Soul closed her eyes.

Everything will be alright.

Sweet dreams.

4.1
Where was Rainbow Dash? Soul hadn’t seen her for a whole day and this is what she got to come back to. She had been waiting far longer for her flight buddy to arrive, so much so that most of the other kids had already arrived and departed from their own parents. No sign of Aurora, thank Celestia. That was certainly not something she wanted to come back to. Alongside that, she was more than happy to see none of the other kids even bothered with her. Nothing had happened. Just more of the evading eyes and lonesome frowns that told her that someponies were obviously not wanting to deal with her. That is what left her antsy. If Dash wasn’t here, who would I get to fly with? Who would stand by my side?

Soul held her hoof close, rubbing gingerly against her chest, sure to calm the tingles that still pressured on. Yet that hoof remained freed to the morning air with her fur clearly overlapping where the long cut had been. I just know I’ve kept her worried all this time. She hadn’t seen any way that Dash could know how she was doing, on top of being forbidden from flying all of yesterday. She couldn’t meet her. Let her know how she was. What she really wanted to do today. Get rid of that scary moment from Dash’s mind. Soul looked off when she heard the sounds of more wings, only to find another of the colts landing with his parents. Goodbye hugs and giving away of a lunch. All the more of what she was used to. Not so much like the group hug of three ponies who looked so similar to one another when Amber and Breezy joined in a hug with their mom right by the entrance to the camp wall. Both fillies stepping off upon the clouds and running with such laughter off to the lockers. Soul watched them go and listened for the sound of their mother’s wings to fall off into the sky to let her know to ignore it.

Every second made her frown grow longer. Sulking even. As long as nopony bothered her, which looked to be the case, she was fine. Fine for as well a word she could put being worried for how her flight buddy was and if they would get to play today. More and more wings flying in, more ponies for Soul to watch wander off to join with others, their own flight buddies and groups to talk and play. What little they could do before the morning activities started.

4.2
Until… there she was! Soul’s frown pretty much transformed right there when she saw the familiar rainbow tail met with the sound of wings coming in. That cyan filly dropping in right behind the others with Windy by her side. The larger mare towering tall over the filly yet they both looked so sweet together, just like being able to see Dash again. Soul was starting to get worried if she really would not be here today. Looked like Dash had been the same way. Soul was the first one she spotted. Both eye to eye from across the clouds.

That dumbstruck filly over there with her mom, paused and bewildered, but her smile came back. Baring her grin to Soul. She almost forgot to do one thing. Soul felt her own heart melt when Dash went back to hug Windy for such a long time, much longer than normal. Amid their very happy faces, so much stronger than what Soul was used to. Before they parted. Windy waving off to the filly who ran to Soul. “Have a good day, you two!” the mare called out and flew off. You two? She’s actually wishing that to me too? Soul didn’t know why, but she waved off to the mare who went into the sky. Leaving her with her flight buddy once more when Soul stood up and almost fell back. Back with widened eyes and the warmth so familiar to her when hooves went around her. Rainbow hugged her so tightly. Throwing her own mane into Soul’s face, laughing so joyously, just like Soul who returned the hug.

It took time to do just that, to realize she was actually getting a greeting hug from her flight buddy. Wow, we’re doing this? She wasn’t complaining though. She felt so much better just having the pony there to join her in the thing they shared before under worse conditions. Worse, but still so sweet. Enough for Soul to indulge in it, not caring if any other could see. Think what they want, Dash and I are flight buddies who look out for one another. Just like she did for me. I never forgot that, Dash. “Thank you, for staying with me” Soul muttered into Dash’s mane.

“What do you mean, you dork? Think I wouldn’t come?” Oh no, she didn’t understand. Or did she? A little joke in her voice. She said it anyways. “Thanks for staying with me when I got hurt. It meant a lot.” Rainbow loosened her grip, pushing away so she could look Soul in the face. “You think I would just go? After how epic you made this week? No way I’d leave my flight buddy hurt.” A lot more than I would expect. Soul admitted it, she would not have expected it from the Dash she met from the start. Now, I feel more confident with her. Not many ponies would stay with me. At least you stayed.

I’m just glad I finally got to thank her and let her know that everything was going to be okay.

4.3
Dash practically led Soul off back to the lockers, looking back so often… just to make sure I’m behind her. She’s so sweet. Though the eyes did follow and Soul felt them. Just for a moment, no need to pay attention to them. The eyes that did matter where the ones she payed attention to from the cyan filly she followed. Sticking with her to put lunches away, Dash slammed her locker shut. Almost jumping with joy. “I… am…” she turned to Soul in a start. “So glad you made it back!” So high that her raspy voice broke in a pitch Soul had never heard from her before. It made her wince.

“You gotta tell me, what did you do yesterday? Any intense training or trips you made? You and your parents do anything cool?” Haha, what does she think happened? I was injured. It was amusing to Soul. Flattered that she was so interested though her answer would likely not be what Dash wanted to hear. “Well… I tried to train but… mom yelled at me and I had to stay in bed the whole time.”

Soul giggled. Embarrassingly rubbing her hoof behind her head. “I didn’t really get to do anything except read.” “Reading?” Dash said. Raising one brow for a moment. She shrugged and went on past Soul, sliding a hoof across the filly just to tell Soul to come on with her. “Yeah… I guess it was nastier than I thought” she said and stopped Soul at the doorway. Both of them alone in here. Dash lowered her voice. “You really scared me back there, …you have no idea how cool it is that you’re okay. It uh…” the filly looked over her shoulder. “Hasn’t been the same without you.”

“Really?” Soul rubbed her cheek. Damn, Dash, why are you being so nice to me today? She must have really been worried. Another kid worried about me, this was something else. “This place is pretty sucky without you, and where’s a pony without her flight buddy?” Dash punched a hoof into Soul’s chest. Rough though Soul still smiled. I don’t think it’s much different without me, but thank you so much for thinking that way of me. Soul couldn’t express it in words. Glad that this day went like this. So happy to come back to Dash.

4.4
“How is your wing… and your leg?” Dash said, looking over Soul’s body. “My wing?” Soul flashed both of them out. Feeling as good as when she first let them both loose once more earlier this morning, so great to have them both back. Carrying her back into the sky whenever. Doing that alone made Dash shake in excitement. “It’s A-okay” Soul said.

She held her hoof up too. No way to tell thanks to her fur, but she showed it off anyways. “Cut is still there, but my leg is fine. It still hurts just a bit.” Dash was extremely happy. Bobbing her head off to the side, staring upon Soul. She stepped forward.

“As long as your wings are good, I don’t want to see you lose that dream of yours. Such awesome news!” The pony skidded over to Soul’s side, feeling her prying eyes upon her, Soul stepped over a little but didn’t lower her wings. She let Dash look over them. Shadowed in their massive feathered spans like no eagle could compare with. Feeling her satisfaction with seeing her wings both in top shape again. Soul kind of liked Dash looking at them so closely. See how well she tended to them and how strong she had made them over the years. For another Pegasus to appreciate them, she could tell. Dash was enthralled back there.

“Neither of us want these puppies hurt. I’ll be honest” Dash said. “I was so scared for you when I saw you fall. I was happy you were still okay, but… when I saw your wing, I sort of panicked.” “I understand” Soul said.

Our wings mean a lot to us. Nimbus had been right in the end, and Soul had accepted it. She needed to rest, take time off training, and focus on getting her wings back up. I’ve worked so hard on them to let them falter because I wanted to be stubborn. Even more ashamed… that I did falter all because of something so stupid in the first place. I should have never crashed. “Am… I allowed to touch them?” Dash whispered back there. What? Soul glanced back. She found Rainbow swaying left to right in a hover over Soul’s wing with her forelegs up, like she was begging or something. Her smile was so big. Cute, but… Soul shook her head. “Only pony who can touch my wings are mom.” Like how well she always tended to them when I got hurt. More than once. She only wished… wished that nopony else had ever ran a hoof over them. Maybe then… then nothing would have happened… and this tingle would go away forever. That sort of dampened Dash’s spirits. “Oh, that’s alright.” “It’s not you” Soul clarified.

Should I tell her? Sort of the truth… or… I don’t know. Rainbow Dash, should she know? I’m frightened to tell her the truth, but embarrassed to tell her the other truth. Which was better to make her feel better? “My wings have always been sensitive since I was a foal. They… really hurt when they’re touched.” Soul squeaked. Yes, I know, I’m a wimp.

4.5
“Why didn’t you say so?” Dash said. The filly lowered herself. Joining with Soul at her side. “Nothing to be ashamed of. Let me tell you, anypony that touches my wings is a dead pony.” Dash let one of her wings out, hanging it over towards Soul. For her to look upon her bright blue feathers and strong span so small compared to Soul’s. “So don’t feel bad about it, my wings hurt too when they’re touched.”

“Really?” Soul asked. Dash nodded. Bringing her wing back. Soul also lowered her wings. Staring at her flight buddy. We both have sensitive wings? Not something I normally talk about to other ponies but… I feel so comfortable talking with her. “Sorry I tried to touch them the other day…” Dash said longingly. When I fell? That was okay, I caught her just in time to keep it from happening. Didn’t need more pain than I already had. “It’s no problem. Just ask next time” Soul told her. Though the answer would likely stay no. Rainbow groaned.

“If only our wings were made of steel” she trotted back off to the doorway. “We wouldn’t have to worry about hurting them and missing out on playing together. It can happen to either of us. …Either that or…” Soul step back when Dash turned back to her with such a grin. Kind of weird to it. “Be like those pegasi whose wings feel much better when they’re touched… or stroked. If you know what I mean.” What? Soul took a moment to figure out what she was talking about and that made her gasp. Whoa, Dash was definitely different today. “You’re really gonna talk like that here? Get your mind out of the gutter. Really, what ponies do you hang out with?” Soul said. “Just one” Dash cocked her head to Soul and went off on her way. Really, she’s such a kid today. That was what Soul was loving, enjoying how happy her flight buddy now was. She followed on after her. Ready to go about with the day.

4.6
“Did you all do anything interesting yesterday?” Soul asked. Looking around the camp and the normal routine it was with so many adults floating about to push the clouds into place and form new obstacles and paths for fillies and colts alike to take. With the many kids of their group and even others she did not recognize milling about just waiting to start. Looked like more groups had joined the camp.

“Well… bet you can see the advanced activities have started up here. It was such a drag having to watch them do cool maneuvers and these intense looking speeds they flew at… while we just did some more trials and low altitude maneuvers.” Dash sounded bored explaining it. Not at all happy over it. “Probably will be the same thing today.” No doubt.

We are ‘beginners’ apparently. Dash had some problems with flying but she was no amateur. Soul had gotten that the other day. I hope she sees me as no amateur as well considering what I did the other day as well. It never should have happened.

“I got an idea” Soul said, remembering that day. “Can we go do more flying after camp today, do that sauna trip we missed out on?” Dash brightened up immediately. Really enthralled now. She almost jumped in place. “Can we? No need to ask me. I’d love to go. Need to ask your folks?” Soul shook her head. “Probably not, honestly, mom and dad said something weird on the way here.” “Huh, my mom also said something weird on the way as well” Dash chimed in. “Was it something like… telling you to…” “Have fun after camp?” Dash finished for Soul. That was it. Soul and Dash both came together with joy in their hearts. Patting a hoof to one another’s hoof. Windy did it too? What the hell? How did Nimbus and Starry have the same idea as Windy? We get to play after camp! Like a little reward for me for being cooped up in my house all day.

4.7
As happy as it was to know they would be able to do that, Soul still dreaded the sight ahead of all the other kids gathered about. The same ones she knew to not like her and, among them were ponies who really did fight so hard against everything Dash made her feel. It never left her mind, it only sat there and she knew that ponies knew what she did. If I didn’t have Dash here, this place would be a nightmare. Unlike how it is for others. Like none of those ponies had any worries. None of them had to deal with being afraid of the others and seeing the hurtful words that ponies had to say about them. Because none of them made mistakes. Mistakes so different from simply flying like a novice. Unlike me.

Soul was really stunned to see how much different this place had turned. Where I felt only fear… now I feel like I truly am alone, crushed under all the weight of this place. Oh, she could not express how happy she was that Dash had made it. This was going to be another day, as long as we stick together then nothing can go bad. Just to know you’re there with me. Soul was quite surprised to see how very different this place really was becoming to her. Forget the sight of it all, it was the ponies in particular that made her stop in stunned silence for she had no words.

“Junior Speedsters are our lives, sky-bound soars and daring dives!” Is that Amber and… Breezy? Dash stood there with her, Soul hearing her snickering at the twins who were out and about singing whatever that was aside from the other kids. Like nopony watched them. Going about doing a series of swoops and tricks that had no rhyme or reason to Soul’s eyes. Though both sisters did them in tandem. Like one pony… and so glad to do it. “Junior Speedsters, it’s our quest, to someday be the very best!” The twins cheered and found time between their dance of tricks to give one another a hug.

I have no idea what it is that just was. Soul staying quiet, she looked to Dash when she started giggling.

4.8
“Isn’t that quite a chant?” Dash said. “Apparently it’s this camp’s traditional song. Not sure why, but those two took up a habit for it yesterday.” “Looks like it makes them happier” Soul said. Admiring just how enthused the twins were even after doing such a silly dance and song. Something to it. She kind of liked that bond they were displaying. No matter what this place made Soul feel, she still saw the happiness in the eyes of those ponies who did enjoy it. From the very two who talked to her first. I remember just how nervous Amber had been, now look at her. She’s changed far faster than I have. Even got to be flight buddies with her sister and do that little dance with her of spins and loops while singing. Not one pony seemed to bother. A real display of cooperation between two flyers.

Soul glanced to Dash. The pony was more concerned with watching the twins. Didn’t look like she noticed Soul. Since Soul was a little intrigued. “Can you see us doing that?” Soul threw out there… then she blushed. I just asked that? Oh shit. Soul flipped her mane to the side and looked away from Dash. I didn’t even think right there. She bet that sounded a little weird to Dash. She didn’t seem the type of pony to do it. “Us chanting? Or dancing?” Dash asked.

Soul had no answer. Keeping her mouth shut this time. Though she tried to imagine what it would be like, what type of routine she and Dash could have. Should it be something like what the twins did or something simple. Different? Her mind raced with ideas. “I… um… don’t… am not into dancing and stuff like that…” Dash said. Really? That’s a shame. I kind of like dancing. Something about perfect moves and motions of two ponies together, it made her mind swim every time she watched it. Sometimes even flying felt like a dance to her. Like what we do in the sky together. Except for what the twins did, she wasn’t sure what kind of dance that was supposed to be. But that wasn’t the point.

“I was just asking because those two looked very… bonded in their flying.” No remark for that. Soul wasn’t sure what Dash was up to. How she reacted. Hidden behind her bangs. Is that what can happen to ponies who love flying together? Such beauty and bond in their flying that… that it makes me wonder what is truth when I fly together with Dash. How should I see that? I enjoy it so much and look forward to it all the time. This pony, admittedly less skilled than Soul was, was still the one pony she wanted to fly with. For what she did for me. How wonderful it is to fly with another pony that I feel can get me. Does she feel the same?

4.9
“I got an idea” Dash said. “What’s that?” Soul asked and answered right there when Dash waved her hoof to the twins in a move she had not seen the cyan filly do before. She called them over. “Amber! Breezy! You two wanna come join us?!” Even both of them looked just as confused as Soul was that Dash was waving them over, yet they both came over anyways. Much to Soul’s surprise. No need to run off or ignore them. They both looked to be quite alright with coming over despite the strange circumstances.

“Hi, Rainbow…” Amber said. “Hi” Breezy said from behind her older sister. Both of them didn’t do a good job at hiding that they were not so thrilled to talk with Rainbow. Soul never went at them or anything, just remembering what they said before. But are they justified? Soul didn’t think so. From what she had seen, Dash had been a good pony to be around despite the rocky start. They should have seen how her and Dash were when Soul crashed. Maybe then they would see her to not be as bad as they spun. Still unconvinced though, but they both were more uplifted to speak with Soul after quite a while.

“Soul! It’s great to see you came back” Amber said. Breezy ran past her sister. Wanting to be the one who came closest to Soul. Eager to ask. “What happened? We were worrying when we didn’t see you yesterday.” Soul laughed a little. Just to play it off as she admitted it. Holding her hoof up. “I had an accident after camp the other day. Hurt my wing and my leg. But I’m better now.” “Oh no!” Both sisters said in unison. Amber coming up to join as well. “How did you hurt yourself?” “I’d… rather not say” Soul told them. I made a lot of mistakes by allowing what happened the first day to happen, no need to let anypony else know that I crashed. No telling what they may think. Dash had taken it very well. She was the one to comfort her during it.

“I’m sorry, guess that’s personal” Amber said. “Well it’s still good to see you back. It was kind of different not being able to look forward to seeing you fly.”

4.10
“Different?” Soul asked. “Soul…” Amber stepped closer. Something about her smile. It was so warm to her, and her voice like something gentle to touch against her ears. It quieted Soul up, wanting to hear what she had to say.

“Don’t listen to what the others say. After what we saw the first day, you are something else to watch fly. Let’s say that you really did help Breezy and I feel more hopeful about ourselves. …Especially her” Amber nudged back to her little sister who was quick to show her dissatisfaction at that. “I can’t wait to see you fly again today.” Amber closed her eyes and smiled. Soul was without words. But her heart kind of trembled a little. Why are they all being so nice to me?

Did they all really miss me that much? Even after what went on every day here. I didn’t even expect me flying to do that for them, I wasn’t flying for real… except for before the end of my flight. Not even thinking anything special of it. None of these days had been anything special. Only when I got to fly with my flight buddy. I just did what I always do… save for the one time. Amber strolled away with her sister on her tail, leaving Soul to run a hoof over her blushing cheeks. Where Rainbow was in the corner of her eyes, staring at her. Sorry, I just feel so right. Like that was something I needed to hear. Not even trying to do my best, just what I feel when I fly. Escape for a little bit from the fear and worry that this place gives me every time I have to remember. See the problems I caused. Yet it’s enough to make those two feel… feel inspired. Feel hopeful. They like seeing me fly?

4.11
“Think I should ask them?” Dash whispered. “Huh?” Soul broke out of her stupor. “They like to see you fly, I think those two would be down with it.” Dash winked. That’s what she meant. Those two were the only other ponies here who made me feel more comfortable, I only regret not being around them more often. Here I thought they were like all the others. Maybe I was wrong. Soul nodded.

“Hey, guys!” Dash called after the twins before they got too far. Getting their attentions again. “Soul and I plan to hang out after camp. Do some flying and relaxing. Wanna join us?” “Really?” Amber turned around with a smile. “You want us to join you?” Soul did nothing to turn her off. She nodded with Dash, letting them both know that they were welcomed. Better ponies than she expected even after all that has changed since then. Gladly join us.

“Breezy and I need some good relaxing” Amber turned to her sister. Wanting her word for it. They would get it. All of them together at the sauna. I would love to see how well they can fly when no restrictions were in place too.

“Count us in” Breezy said. “This day can’t go fast enough.” The filly walked to go join with the group. Amber stayed behind. Just to say “We’ll meet you both at the steps when we’re all done.” She went off to join her sister. Soul more than pleased to hear their responses. That they were going to have company with them. Their own little group and with fillies so enthused for flying at that, enough to do their own chant. This should be fun. Soul didn’t need to say anything, she and Dash looked to one another and laughed. Telling one another how enthused they were for this afternoon.

4.12
“Everypony come join us. Lessons are starting!” Nimbus cried out to get every kids’ attention, all so eager to get the day started too, just like Soul. “Hope we get to do something different today” Dash commented. No telling. Nimbus didn’t even say anything to Soul about what they would be doing, she never did.

At first, Soul wanted them to sit with the twins until she saw both of them go right into the group. Beyond what she could see past yet hear them so happy to get started. Soul settled with the fact. She wouldn’t be sitting with them. They probably didn’t know. Know that she still could see it, that ponies did not like her after what had happened. Practically feeling the air go cold just by her and Dash coming to join the group. That and seeing that someponies glanced to them and were quick to look away. Almost falling silent when they had been busy chattering moments before. No way to tell them that they are all wrong about me. As long as I have some ponies to rely on, who cares?

She was used to it by now. As was Dash. Willing to sit with Soul at the back of the group. Away from everypony else. All she needed. Waiting and watching for everypony to quiet down before listening to whatever it was Nimbus had in store for them. Much to Soul’s discontent on what it turned out to be as she listened to Nimbus’ instructions to everypony. Joined by Dash in her frown.

4.13
A time trial? Individual time trial!? Soul looked with disbelief up to all the clouds hovering over the group. Hundreds of them if she could tell by how tightly packed and vast the swarm of clouds was. With so many more hanging in the back just waiting to join the rest. They had to try and bust as many as they could within a whole minute. Nothing more or less, though Soul already started seeing through it. This was some sort of trial to teach creativity. The same thing Nimbus had taught her on her own long ago. Creativity when flying in order to get out of jams. The most creative would be able to overcome most challenges from flying through foggy mountain ranges, as she recalled, or just busting clouds. Whoever did it the best.

But that wasn’t the problem. It was meant to see how each pony did it. Plain and simple, as Nimbus had said, that they were to do this solo. Making Dash and her look to one another so longingly. Saddened that this was not what they wanted, but… Soul liked that her flight buddy had the same feelings as her. She really did want to fly with me. Damn it, maybe we can do something together later in camp or… at the very least, after camp. Definitely. Though they had both been looking forward to more than that. Something to make up for the mess up that occurred the other day and ruining their chances to play together. Not a sentiment the other kids felt. They all were more than eager to get at it. Probably from the thought of destroying clouds for a lesson. Dash sighed. “Oh well…” she said unconvincingly. Clearly unhappy. “We got a whole day” Soul pointed out. “I’m not going anywhere.”

4.14
Soul didn’t really pay attention as each individual whistle blow went off and sent another little Pegasus up into the air to have at it. The cheers every now and then told her no reason to look, just thinking over it all. Still not shaking that she herself had lied about trying to be cheerful about it. She hated that she couldn’t fly with Dash for this. Oh wow… I don’t remember that.

Soul scratched her head. I used to not even think about flying with other ponies before. Now I really want to. What have you done to me, Dash? Off and off they went with nothing happening to draw Soul’s attention. Something else did.

“Not sure how well I’ll do at this, I’ll try to kick some ass” Dash said. Pretty confidently. Write herself off a little, though she let out this pride in herself. “Have you ever done anything like this before?” Soul asked. “Not often but mom makes me do time trials all the time, she always tells me how proud she is but… I don’t know. It still feels good afterwards, I always get better every time I try. …But those were always obstacle courses and timed races. Never cloud busting.” “You have any idea on how you’re gonna do this?” Soul asked.

“A little. Dad showed me a lot of cloud busting and taught me… never in a timed trial though. That was never part of being a weather pony. Kind of different from being a stunt pony too.” You want to be a Wonderbolt and a weather pony at the same time, Dash, probably should get used to these things. Find ways to combine them. I personally have no idea on how pegasi like her dad do cloud busting or any form of technique to it. Kick the cloud? At high speed and or power. That was it. Probably not as hard as me flying face first into the cloudy super-structure of Cloudsdale’s streets. No… these clouds looked a bit weaker than those. Ones she just now got glimpses of falling to pieces from each Pegasus who flew up to them. Practically assaulting them and tearing them apart. …I don’t need to be a weather Pegasus for this.

I already can see things I can do. She could only hope Dash did too, so she wouldn’t feel down, because Nimbus called out “Rainbow Dash!”

4.15
That was her cue. Soul’s flight buddy slowly got to her hooves. Hesitant to do so… Soul so sorry to see her have to go without her at her side. There to reassure her that they can do whatever it was together and pull it off. She was on her own. Just like the obstacle course. You may not be perfect, but that’s alright. I won’t see you any differently. Try your best. I’ll be right behind you.

“Kick some ass” Soul assured her. Dash nodded. Letting both her wings out and stepping forward. Away from Soul, into a clear area of the crowd where she stood center attention, waiting for the moment she needed to make her move. Tear them apart. Let’s get this day done so we can have fun together. You and me, and now, we have other ponies with us.

The fact Dash wanted to take the initiative to invite others to come, other ponies that Soul felt comfortable with, told a lot. She was certainly different. Not different enough to tell Soul she may not be nervous behind that mane of hers right now, but she didn’t shy away from it. Taking action when and only when the perfect moment came. Doing it with grace, right as the last kid landed… his wings closing, that was when Dash flapped her own wings. Perfectly. Tossing up the puffs of cloud sheared away by the force of her wings, enough to send her shooting up. Joining in the same sky that the other kids had been among, and soon, Soul would be up there too. With whatever it was she could do.

Thinking over it all, just hoping herself to pull it off well enough to be seen as good by the others. To make Dash proud. I just know I’ll be proud of her too. That pony up there who became a blur of blue light disappearing into the midst of the clouds, leaving only the sound of her flapping wings for Soul to listen for and the shadow of her path zipping across the maze that told Soul where she was. Something Nimbus was also relying on at the head of the group. That pony, holding her stopwatch in her hoof, craning her neck up to watch as well.

No doubt her perfect eyes could track everything Dash was doing up there. The eyes that only Soul could learn from. Making her smile every time she saw a cloud fall to pieces. Caught in the shredding blue light of the Pegasus who claimed the sky now and soared across it in only a way that made Soul feel happy to see and feel that same light flying next to her. The way she spiraled across the sky and dove down deep into the heart of the clouds, using only her hooves to punch right into each of them, then she did it. More than her hooves. Dash plummeted her entire body right into the clouds, changing and shifting her tactics. From front kicks, to rear bucks. Moving on with each cloud that she got rid of. That was it though, nothing more, which made Soul frown.

4.16
Something didn’t feel right watching her. Was it anything that any of the other ponies could catch on to? Even Nimbus? Maybe just Soul since she was the one who had been there every time with Dash when they flew. Enough to sense something from her, the way she flew.

Is that… Soul cocked her head. Spinning about to keep track of her flight buddy soaring fast and high and tunneling through the clouds with swift precision. Doing her utmost best to take down as many as she could. Though no cheers were thrown for her. Soul forgot to. Fixated on her. Curious as to what it was she was seeing in her flying. It was certainly different. Precise… accurate… robotic even. Like she had the entire flight set in her head and went about doing it. No obstacles or tight turns to make, no reason to worry, no need to make mistakes. Taking all her time to take down as many clouds as she could and perform this dance in the clouds that flying was all about to Soul. For it was always a dance to her, a majestic motion that she saw so capable inside of Dash. The other day.

Soul finally grunted. I am proud of her, she’s doing a good job at pulling this off and keeping herself cool, nothing flashy or intense, but there’s something she was seeing. Maybe she was just seeing things, nagging at her head. She couldn’t shake it out. Not after seeing how Dash flew with her the day before, and before she had crashed. All that joy we had doing that. Is that what it is? You really do want to fly with me. Because… this is the Rainbow Dash I remember from the first day, not the one who flew with me. You’re cold and driven in your flying. Pulling it off, unlike when we’re together.

You’re so free and open. Like a true child playing with her toy. A toy being made out of the sky. Every second that went by told her more and more that the pony up there, who did all she could to take down as many clouds as possible, was not at all satisfied with this. Oh Dash, you really do like flying with me. How happy you are when you do it, I guess it’s not an act. I’m so sorry I made you wait. But it was worth it just to see you fly like you did the other day, and to hug with you. Our own hugs… we’ve done it more… more than once. Soul shivered. Tingling down her spine.

It made her smile. Smile just as Dash went right through the patches of clouds just overhead. Taking them all down… and Soul saw her frown. In that flash of a moment. She saw it. Telling her right there. You enjoy me with you. …To think, it may have never happened if that line had not been redrawn to put us together. You really do want to be with me? I only wish we didn’t have to put up with this too. Rather it just be us together. As I learn everything about you and how you fly, and you do the same to me. Maybe I’ll be content with sharing it with you.

4.17
Soul accepted that she too would need to fly on her own, without Dash. Back to what she was used to. A sky to herself. Not sure how to feel on it. I like it, but don’t now that I have somepony else with me. Rainbow Dash landed amidst the clouds right when the whistle blew again and a number was called out.

“One hundred and forty-eight” Nimbus said. In one minute, not bad. Soul smiled… hearing some of the other ponies let out their admiration of such a number. No cheers. Nothing immense.

Soul wondered how good that was. Sounded good, no way to compare. Kind of regretting not listening to anything else, only having herself to compare to now. Though she was curious to see if she could. Who could beat the other. It made her smirk. Maybe that can make it more bearable. Don’t think on anything else. Just the goal. Like I will be flying with purpose again. It would be so when her name was called out.

Making her rise to her hooves. Spreading her own massive wings out. Both of them rearing to go after too long of bed rest. To end this gruesome time at this place and go to a better moment when she and ponies she felt truly liked being around her would be able to leave this behind for the day. Get through this. It’s just another flight on my own. I’m used to it. Didn’t mean it had no purpose to it. Something she saw in Dash’s flying just past. Show her what it’s like to fly… like I meant to do beforehand. With no need to be upset when we will be at it again soon.

“Great job” Soul made sure to say to the panting cyan filly who walked past her to take her place at the back again. Met with a nod. Sweating and tired, Dash made out a little voice. “Best of luck.” I won’t mess up. No reason to this time. Prepping her mighty wings once more for another flight. A nice return to the air after a whole day without it. This time, no holding back. She waited for that whistle. It came.

4.18
Take a breath and ignore it. That she was being watched once more as she flew. See it as nothing more than another trial to get through. That was what let her wings take her up in such a hail of power, one she felt and could tell was enough to send anypony near her in a frenzy to escape the force of her wings.

So much, she had barely any time to think. Though it was more than enough. As the clouds all shot in at her and the wind coursed around her body. Not at all able to stop her. Flying straight up into the sky, she steadied herself. Holding her forelegs out. Letting only her wings do all the work while her legs held out to guide her. More than that. Use them for the very purpose of this activity.

The wind was already howling in her ears. Piercing at her eyes and sending her mane whipping back down to earth. Not stopping her determination to home in on the target, a large set of clouds she had spotted since the start. Nopony had surprisingly gone for them. Probably because they weren’t sure what to do. Soul did. Those clouds were uneven in their stacking. Rising up to the heights of the sky and joining with the sea of clouds above, put together like some tower with plenty of space between them all. Enough room for her to fly up between them all, which is what she did. One. Two. Three strong flaps. Giving her the power she felt necessary to clear those clouds while doing this.

She kept her wings still. Held out as far they could stretch, and she felt the satisfying sensation of soft clouds warping around her wings. Her spans cleaved through them. Spotting each cloud split in two and fall to pieces in a spiral in her wake. The tips of her wings held firm. Keeping their pace and position to keep up the constant motion required to split them all. No speed lost. Nothing those clouds could do. Soul’s smile turned to laughter. Just knowing that she was doing it already. The power in her wings and the precision in her flight, nothing could stop her now. Now that she was in the air once more.

4.19
However many fell, she didn’t know. Didn’t care. She told herself that she did it perfectly. Clearing out from the fallen stack of clouds collapsed by her wings and plunging head long into the sky, past the fields of clouds and into open air so welcoming she had to do a little spin in the air. Soaring higher up. The air spinning about her. Until she held herself still, reeling her body back. High enough to do it.

She leaned back and twisted her body and wings back down, forelegs facing down at the sea of clouds she had passed, now far below. Not a problem. Under the gaze of the warm Sun and inside a sky with no hint of threat or worry. Nothing could stop her from feeling the truth in her flight. Even down there, she bet nopony could see her. Nimbus could. For sure. Maybe Dash. Whoever else, she bet it was few. As long as the ones who counted could. See the air ripple around her in that roar of the wind bursting apart behind her tail from a clap of her wings and a tear in the sky. Following behind her and she plunged back down at the clouds. Hooves held out. Going forth to spin again.

With nopony here for her to worry about, it was just her and her solo dance with the sky. Made true when the first cloud burst apart against her hooves and she went on into the field below. Into that shroud of white and blue so dense. No way anypony else could see through this maze. If they weren’t a Pegasus, that was. One who could hear her way through it. May as well close her eyes. Listen for the wind. Go forth with it. To churn the sky in her spiral. Rearing back up and down.

She cut across the swathes of clouds. She turned out of it. Headed left and shot off from the devastation behind her. So many puffs of white sent flying and mixing to fall apart again. Blasted away in a hail of wind from her wings when the filly shot off. One. Five. Ten. However many more. She felt the clouds stamp against her hooves. Till there was no more of them. Pulling back out of it. Do it with more grace. Not just a kick of her hooves, which she was sure to give to a pair of clouds she passed by and then went on to leave the swarm of clouds behind. Clearing out of them and passing below them all, into the open sky once more and free of that maze. For a moment. Just to pick up speed again with a downward dive and reel back up, her wings outstretched again and held up to cut across the bellies of the clouds and give them the same fate as the first ones.

Concentrate on the goal and pull this off without a hitch. She had no reason to rush or feel pressured. The only goal was to do this the way she always flew. To all, it would look like she was merely busting the clouds, to her, it was more of what she was used to. Simply flying. Every move she made like a quick brush across the sky even if clouds were there. Like none were there to her. None for her to feel. To care for. Letting her own flight do as it wanted of her. Pushing herself back up into the clouds, ripping through them with one fell ascent. Tiny puffs. Turned to smaller ones. None of the clouds that got in the way of her hooves could keep themselves anymore and then crushed by the waking gusts of wind following her. So many more fell. So many more for her to overcome and be nothing more than bumps in the air for her. Soul spiraled across them. Spinning in a wide arc around the funnel of clouds. Never losing sight of the open sky ahead of her. Flying towards it and maintaining a perfect spin. Her hooves kicking at every cloud she passed. Front hooves. Flipping her rear legs forward to crush them into clouds ahead of her. Chopping down at ones she passed by. She finally opened her eyes.

4.20
Wow, I really am going fast. Seeing the wind shooting past her. Like she flew through a cone invisible to all except for the pony to fly fast enough to catch it. That pathway in the sky that pegasi could see and lead them on like a road to everywhere they sought to go. For her, it went everywhere. Turning and coiling with every move she made. Those clouds were a mere after thought. Like her body did it on its own. While the filly was more focused on the here and now. Flying like she was alone. Though not alone. For she did this to impress the one pony she wanted to fly together with. To show the other ponies who she felt really did want to fly with her that she was more than welcoming to give her joyous love of the sky to any and all. A scripted and set goal for this activity to others. To her, it was another wonderful chance to spread her wings. Doubtful any other pegasi here felt the same way. Dash sure didn’t look to.

Everypony else cheered and swooned over this like some fun activity that children like them would see as playtime. This was no playtime. This was life. The life of any Pegasus. The very thing Nimbus spent years teaching her. All to see this. The sky that spun around her and reached out for infinity in its blue space. A big, open area for her to do any trick she wanted. Fly at any speed. Even more so now that she had nothing up here to worry about keeping track of. Just her and the wind. Carrying her forward. Getting rid of anything that may be in that path. Not at all certain if she was taking them down anymore, though she felt the bumps against her wings and pummeling her hooves made, shaking her body.

I can’t wait to fly like this with Dash later. Out of this camp and away from all these other ponies. They may all be watching me now, not at all sure what it is I feel about this. Not caring, as far as she could guess of them all. Because she was Soul Serenity, the pony who fooled them all and treated them like idiots. Who does whatever to get what she wants, even if it isn’t the truth. Even if it was also the truth, and those things she did backfired so badly. It really was a shame. I fly up here right now, like any other time. But I can’t be honest when I say I really enjoy it. Not until I can be free of this place and fly the way I want to, with another pony alongside me. That is when I can truly enjoy it. But every second here just reminds me of the mistakes I made and the results that hurt me so badly. They even made me crash. Enough to make her smile fade out even when flying like this.

Counting the seconds in her head and guessing the time was coming. Get it done and then sit through the rest of the group take their turns, eat lunch, do whatever else that was planned all the while worried that something may happen. Aurora was gone, but he did his job. Simply because of my mistake. I wish I could take it back and prove to all of them that I’m not a garbage flyer. That I do my best to fly and not try to trick others. I only did it the once to avoid… this very situation. Right now, …do they think I’m a bad flyer. Soul steadied her wings. Swooping back down to the thick clouds below to rejoin the others. Just in time when the whistle blew. Signaling her to come back. Come back down to all the ponies down there who had watched her. Wondered about her. Wondering about them. If they liked how I performed. If it was enough to tell them I am truthful to the flight we are given. They have their pride, but so do I.

I just can’t get it out of my head. I want to show Dash what it’s like to fly like you mean it, but I also can’t help but want to do the same for others, even if they don’t like me. The eyes watching her told otherwise. No cheers for her. None at all like the first day, the only day when they did like me. How much things have changed. Here I thought that… I did good. Soul slumped. Bowing her head and lowering herself down. …Much too fast!

4.21
Shit!

Soul couldn’t even blink. Not until the pain seared back up and one thought ran through her. She did it again. Her mind… blank. Soul closed her eyes, tumbling atop her hooves and slamming her head down against the sturdy clouds, flipping down along them. Once, twice. Before she fell on to her back with a sharp sting along the top of her head. A bump she could feel. She opened her eyes. Finding her hind legs above her. Hanging over her and her butt up to the sky, with her body curved up.

She lay there on the top of her back. Still feeling her wings flapping softly against the clouds under her. Then it stung, sending the filly to throw her legs back down and lay on her back. Gripping her leg. The same one that had been so troublesome before. Damn it, I crashed agai… Agh!

Soul held it close. Clenching her teeth. Hearing her name called out. Nimbus was out there. Soul struggled to regain herself, turning onto her side. Falling right down onto her leg again and that made her yelp. Crying out like a wounded critter. Forget it… I don’t need it. Soul used her wings to give a quick flap and got herself up that way. Kicking the wind so she could sit upright on her hind legs. Holding her foreleg close. Looking down upon it, she had opened it up again. Blood trickling down. Oh no, Nimbus will be mad. Thinking over it, sadly looking down at her leg. Hating herself for messing up right there. I should have been paying attention, come on, Soul. What is wrong with you. You never crash this often. You never… Soul’s ear drooped.

Hearing the chant rise up around her. A sound so bad. It had been such a long time, but there was a time when she last heard it. A bad time. In another place. Ponies laughing. Turning, seeing it was all the other kids. Hysterically laughing and pointing at none other than her. At the lone filly out there who held her bleeding leg, and her wings fell weak. As did her spirits.

4.22
Soul looked across all of them. Lines of all the ponies she had been grouped with since day one laughing. Mocking her with such terrible disdain on their faces. Like they really didn’t care. Laughing, some holding back. Fillies snickering under their hooves. Soul… she spotted so few who deviated from it. Seeing only the ones who did. All of them. Like her entire group was making fun of her. Singling her out, and her embarrassment hit so hard.

To crash in front of all of them. They praised me last time this happened, now I get this. This reminder… that… that I really am not liked by any of them. “Quiet down, kids!” Nimbus shouted. The mare held hoof and then rushed over to her. Soul didn’t care. Not when they kept laughing. Making her feel so small, her cheeks blushing and her eyes shimmering.

Like all the laughter came from around her. Walling her in and all the eyes that encased her. Inside this dark and sad place that just told her more and more that nopony liked her. None of them did. Enough that others hurt me… didn’t want me to fly any more. Simply because I was too good. Then I’m not good enough and it gets me laughed at. What? What is it they want? Soul held her hooves to her ears. Block it out. Ignore it. Ignore all the reminders of what happened so many times before, that made me want to leave ponies behind. Always made me cry. Soul could not stop herself from crying again. Sliding her hooves down from her ears, wiping her face. She hid herself behind them. Clenching her wings up. Shielding herself inside their feathers. But the laughter kept going. The insults and the hate that she remembered. So this is what it all leads to. I made one mistake, and now… now I have nopony here that likes me. I was foolish for thinking they all would be any different. In all her years, as far back as she could see, all there was was the ponies who didn’t like her. …Even her own mother. Please… help me, Nimbus.

4.23
A hoof touched her. Touched her shoulder and another slid under her chest. Soul lowered her hooves, seeing the cyan furred leg holding her. Cyan!

Soul looked up. Even with her teary eyes, crying so much, she still showed herself to the only pony who held her. Rubbing a hoof along her back. Who shared the same sadness as her. Rainbow Dash. Standing there as a wall between Soul and the others. The others who died down their laughter. Silent. Watching the cyan filly pull Soul up. Using her own legs to cradle Soul’s bleeding hoof. Her own strength to keep Soul up. Side to side.

Rainbow did not let go. Soul did not leave her side. Soul wanted to say her name. Held tight. Her tongue could not utter the name she wanted to say. Struggling to believe this was happening. That somepony had come for her. Other than Nimbus. She could see it in everypony else. Nimbus, who stood with both fillies, her eyes glowing in amazement down at them but she held strong and walked to them. The others who stayed quiet, their glares and shock. That another pony came to her. Amber and Breezy, both twins stepped out from the group. Coming forward… they stopped. Holding one another. Soul could see… they were so sad as well. Turning their heads away. They lowered them, unable to look Soul in the eyes with any pride. Only Dash did.

“I’m here, don’t worry, Soul” the filly said. Soul did not speak. She only cried. “You did wonderful up there.” “Of course it would be Crash that helps her” she heard a filly yell out. Soul payed attention only to Dash. Holding her closer when her flight buddy shuddered after hearing that name. But Dash did not let go of her. She said nothing. Just kept with Soul and Nimbus. “Let’s get you to the nurse” Nimbus whispered down to Soul. She didn’t fight back. “I’ll help you” Dash offered. Guiding Soul off. Away from the others. Away from all of them. Silence filled the air. Nimbus was the one pony to break it. Whispering behind Soul, like she spoke it to both fillies. “I’m sorry.” Soul wiped her tears. I’m used to it.

Two hundred and eighty-five. Congratulations, Soul.

4.24
At least the day went by fast, sitting in the bed all day. Getting herself patched up and waiting all with the sounds of laughter ringing in her head. Glad the nurse comforted her when she cried. Nimbus checking in on her and giving her food, though the mare spoke nothing of what happened. Choosing to sit across from her bed and talk to Soul about dinner plans and what to do for the weekend. Soul had nothing to say, not with her mind so filled with thought.

She barely spoke to Dash. Yet the filly still accompanied her as both of them went on their way together through the front gate. Together only, with everypony else leaving or gone. Good. Soul kept silent and away from them all. Just get out of here and do something that she could do to take her mind off things… that is if I don’t crash again.

Damn. I just can’t… Soul shook her head. Looking down at her stupid leg bandaged up again and limping on it. At least she could still walk… and still fly. Thankful she didn’t hurt her wings in her crash. Enough that she was still allowed to go play with Dash. As long as that can be done. I wonder why she isn’t saying anything. The cyan filly holding her own head down next to her. Not breaking in her steadily paced walk. I guess what happened really hurt her too. To see me do that again. I just… hope she doesn’t think I did it on purpose this time. No, she wouldn’t have helped me. But why even help me? I’m a wreck. Why even bother? She just got made fun of too. They’re so mean. You helped me, and that gets you called that horrible name. I’m the one who crashes. On purpose and by accident. Because I really am something else. Aren’t I?

Funny, I say all these things but so afraid to actually say them to her. Her silence was terrifying. Everything was. I just want to leave it behind. Fix it all. At least… Soul looked up… at least she saw the two fillies there at the steps just below the gate as they passed outside the wall to the camp. The twins sitting there atop the steps, kicking their legs. Neither of them speaking to one another. A shocker to see. I guess I will need to explain to them what happened. To all of them. But I’m so afraid to. Never mind that, the chance was there for the fillies to still have a cool time together after this debacle. Another one on this long list of crap that this camp was becoming for her. Just what she does to keep them happy, for those few moments of happiness where she didn’t need to think about how much pain she was in.

“Hi, you two” Soul muttered out. Kicking herself into gear with sounding so sad. She made her best attempt to make a smile. “We’re here.” The twins turned around. Wow, they did look pretty bummed out. Guess that was the first they got to see of what she had to go through. What her mistakes cost her. Not a bother right now. Let’s brighten things up. “How’s your leg, Soul?” Amber said with the smallest smile she could make. No way to play it out. “I’ll live. …But, hey, I can still fly. I’m raring to go. Need a good workout.” Alongside something to occupy her thoughts. Amber’s smile disappeared. She stood up. Followed closely by her sister. Breezy hug close to Amber, and Soul felt the wind rush between them all. A little howl. It sent chills down her spine. “Soul…” Amber said.

4.25
Soul stepped forward. Leaving a longing Rainbow Dash in her wake. All the tension in the air so thick. Soul could feel it. The harsh reality of what happened. “Yes?” “Soul… we, umm…” Amber fidgeted in place. Rubbing her hoof along her leg. Eyes to the clouds. Joined by her little sister. Rubbing off on Soul. She too felt saddened.

“We’re… not going with you guys.” …Is that right? Dash shook a little. Soul held her tongue. Nothing for her to feel from that. Except for one thing. “It’s… not you… it’s us” Amber and Breezy backed away. “After our last camp… we don’t want to be bullied too. We’re sorry.”

Her voice shook. The curly maned filly so distraught at saying that. So much so that a tear went down her cheek, making her run. The twins flew off. Amber’s sobs piercing the sky. Leaving them behind. With… with those words ringing in her head. Not because of me. I know… that’s a lie. So that’s what happens? Dash walked up to her. Stopping by her side. Soul didn’t bother to look. She could tell the filly was staring at her and exactly what she would say.

“I’m sorry, I’ll still go with you. Let’s have some fun.” Soul gulped. I know now. It is all a joke. That is what led to what happened to both of us. We were both made fun of. I’m so bad that other ponies are afraid to be with me. …Forget it. “No…” Soul muttered.

She had enough. Accepting that she can be made fun of. It didn’t mean others had to. If it was just so painful to be around her. To help her against this all. I’d rather not make you do anything that can hurt you to. It was right. Felt right to do, but it… it hurt so much. To see them fly away and to know that Dash was only hurt by being around her. You did tell me to watch my back. My own back. Damn it, Dash, I’m sorry. “I’m so sorry…” Soul wailed. Spreading her wings before her flight buddy even knew what happened. Casting her in the wind. Soul flew off. Getting away from it all. Going back into her sky. With tears flying off her face. “Soul!” she heard cried out behind her. Echoing away. I’m sorry. If it’s too much for you all, you don’t need to bother with me. I’ll just deal with it. It’s the right thing to do for all of you. Doesn’t make it any easier to stop crying. She could not stop it. Leaving a streak of tears behind her. Shimmering and wetting the sky. Falling to the clouds below like rain.

4.26
Soul sat there atop the sofa. Reading the same book, the same pages that her eyes skimmed over. Waiting for somepony to come home, which should be very soon. Break up this monotony. Give her something. These past few hours leaving her so reflective on what had happened. So much so that she pretty much could not remember what it was she read over. Holding the book in her hooves yet ignoring it. A monstrum that she liked to read over. This time, the words lost her. Going into her eyes and then escaping immediately as she forgot what it was she read. Not with her mind so conflicted.

She’d much rather forget all those horrible things that she had to hear and lose herself. Try to forget the words that Amber had said, and that look on Dash’s face. That I made her so upset. She probably doesn’t even want to talk to me right now. Much rather join with Amber and Breezy. Just leave her so she wouldn’t need to deal with any more of this because Soul sure didn’t expect it to get that bad. Nimbus even told them to stop. They didn’t listen. Much like another time when the mare was ignored and the pain that came to Soul could not be stopped. Endless pain.

She let out the breath she had been holding only when her ears caught wind of the wings flapping outside. She set the book back down. Perching herself atop the sofa, trying her best to look like she had composed herself with her chest pumped out and wings held strong to her sides. Though she could not fool herself that she had been crying for too long and her mind wandered so far. They couldn’t tell, when Nimbus came in through the door followed by Starry. Both stopping, staring at the filly who waited for them. Surprised to see her.

“Welcome home” Soul greeted them. Trying hard to keep her raspy throat from breaking when she spoke. Red raw from her sobbing. Confident she did a good job at cleaning herself up so she didn’t look like a wreck. “Soul?” Nimbus said. Handing her belongings over to Starry so he could put them away. She came over to Soul. “I thought you were going somewhere today.”

4.27
“I was…” Soul said. She gulped. Having to lie. Having to know everything had been ruined because of what she had done. “Dash… needed to cancel. Something came up.” Soul sold her smile. Smiling but her entire insides ached. Pounding against her. She couldn’t believe herself. Just how bad she had gotten. From making everypony hate her for her stupid decisions, they kept on going. It was too late now. No doubt, Dash doesn’t like me now. She seemed such a volatile pony with so much mystery behind everything she did. Trying to do something. She involved me in it and I proved to be a horrible pony for it. Dragging her into being made fun of and forcing her to hang out with me. Running away from her.

Why do I regret doing that? I’m such an idiot. Stop it, Soul. I can’t do this. She could already feel the tears coming back. Can’t let them run out. Not in front of Nimbus. Both of them. So much concern they both had. She saw they wanted to get to the bottom of it. Nimbus taking her seat next to Soul. Starry coming over to join. Oh no. Soul got up. Jumping from the sofa. The deck. That was it.

“I feel like doing some training” she claimed. “I can wait outside till you’re ready.” Soul did her best. Don’t concern them in this stupidity. They already sacrificed so much and did a lot to help her. If they knew… it’ll all be for nothing. I will suffer for nothing and they will too. After today, they got to see. “Soul. We want to talk with you” Starry said. The filly planted her hooves. Shaking. But I don’t want to. If they know just how much this means, they will know the truth. Then what? Everything I tried to make happen and suffer for will be for nothing.

“Soul, we are very worried about what happened back there. We want you to tell us what is going on.” Nimbus was so concerned in her voice. Soul was shaken. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I messed things up for Dash. I messed us both up. I don’t want to mess Nimbus and Starry up too. She knew exactly what would happen if they knew. Because it happened the last time a camp had gotten out of hoof.

4.28
“W-what do you mean?” Soul whispered. Her eyes shaking and voice cracked. Her mind running wild with how bad she had made things. How terrible it can all get. She felt trapped. With nothing she could do to get out of it. Rainbow liked me and I ruined it. They all liked me and I ruined it. There’s only two ponies left. The ones who gave up everything for me. Just to see me succeed with everything. The whole point of camp… was to make friends. How… how can I do that? When I messed it up? “Come here, Soul” a sweet voice whispered over her. Taking her back in those long, golden legs that crossed over her chest and pulled the filly off her hooves, back into Nimbus’ hug where she held her in her wings.

Soul lowered her head. Calmed by the soothing hushes of the pony over her. She held her tight. So tight that Soul wanted to just rest her head and fall asleep. She couldn’t. “I’m so sorry what happened back there. Just know that we are here for you. We will always be here for you.”

Soul shivered. I once had another pony there for me, but then I put her on the spot and messed it up for her. She was made fun of and suffered too. I want her to be the last. “It’s fine…” Soul said. “I’m… a tougher pony than you think. Trust me, I’m used to ponies laughing at me.” “They had no right to laugh at you. It was wrong” Nimbus pointed out. “You did nothing to deserve it.” Too bad I did.

“Come on, Nimbus. They’re kids like me. They laugh at that sort of stuff. It’s only… natural. …Can we go train?” Soul budged her way out of her hug. Going back on her way to the door. End it now. Please. “They made you cry!” Nimbus said after her. The mare got up. In a voice that she rarely used. Strong. Strong and weak at the same time. “Tell us what is going on, if something is wrong, we can help you.” I know you can, but this is not what you’re used to. This is something I am, it’s the same as last camp. Something that can not be dealt with. I feel like I’m against the world, because I am. “Of course, I hurt my leg” Soul dangled her bandaged leg up for them to see. “Sorry that it hurt so much. Sorry for crashing. Maybe if I train more I won’t crash as often.”

Soul walked off. “I want to keep training with that technique. I think I’m ready to make you proud.” Soul opened the door for herself. Happy they didn’t say any more about it. Just readying her wings for it. Thinking over how to work towards this skill Nimbus was working so hard to help her with. “You already have made us proud” the mare whispered behind her. Soul didn’t stop, but she shook inside. I know I have. I do so much to make you proud. Maybe for once, I can own up to my mistakes and not have to worry you so much like I did to Dash. I got what I deserved. I got laughed at over it. They always make fun of me… except for one. Rainbow Dash. And I ran off from her. From the one pony that I was starting to like. She’s a good pony. Too bad I’m not. So much that all those ponies abandoned her. Dash… she would not be too far off.

4.29
“I’ll help you train” Nimbus said as she stepped out behind Soul. “For a little bit, but afterwards… you should rest. I can give you a bath if you want.” Soul kept her mouth shut. Not denying it. She liked that very much. At least they could train. Her wings had been ready all day for serious flying. Something about how Nimbus walked was off though, she just went by with such disregard in her walk. Like she was bored. Her mind set on something else. Probably something Soul was well aware of. Never mind that, come on, Nimbus. Soul would prove to her that she was still that strong little Pegasus who would do all she could to improve herself. It’s simple. Really. Soul just took to the air. Hovering over the deck while Nimbus took a seat below her.

“You need to concentrate on your surroundings while not relying on your own senses. Rely on the air, its motions to tell you what things are coming. You know you need to stay focused until you can naturally tell what it is you are looking for.” I know. Just like the first time.

Soul closed her eyes. Holding her body still while only her wings slowed down to a soft pace that barely even swayed the air. So much that it all felt so still to her. Deeply breathing the air and resting her eyes. Imagine that she would be there flying in the air with the wind flowing through her feathers and gently caressing her body. Guiding her on like it always did towards a better place on that path to the one goal she sought out for, and prove to all that she was better than what she had been placed to be. When that comes, I will fly better than anypony before me and get rid of all the things that have made me feel so bad for so long. So that I know I am no failure. Not a nuisance on others. Even with… a friend by my side. Somepony who can fly alongside me in that wonderful wind so calm and gentle. That was the goal that Nimbus had put for me and it honestly sounded like a wonderful one. To fly with somepony else. Never alone. So I never needed to go through what she went through. To think that up. To see it. Soul saw her right next to her with her rainbow mane flowing in the wind and her smile piercing her soul. Her wings flittering so much that the wind grazed along Soul and rocked her. She could smile too… while her heart fell to pieces. Till Soul opened her eyes. Only after she felt the touch to her back. Knowing… she couldn’t stop it. Stop Nimbus from looking up at her with a frown.

Soul knew as well as she did that she couldn’t pull it off. Not even close. Soul was so ashamed. I did it the first time, why can’t I do it anymore? “Are you okay, Soul?” Nimbus asked. “Want to try again?” Soul quivered her lip. Shaking inside, just seeing that smile in her mind once more. Thinking of her by her side. Everything that happened. Nothing I can do. “…No… my leg hurts” Soul lied. “Come on” Nimbus whispered. She got up and took to the sky herself. Hovering next to Soul and offering her hoof for her to take.

“We can go do some mid altitude aerials instead. Something a little more calming. Then we can go give you that bath.” Soul nodded. Taking her hoof. Guided off to fly into the sky high above their house. Solemn and saddened that she was so lost on what to do. Backed into a corner. For the terrible things she brought onto herself and others. I don’t want to hurt Nimbus, not after all she has done. …Because only one thing was left that would ruin all the work they were doing. …Taking me out of camp. Like last time. Never see Dash again, because that filly would not be there for her after what she did to her. Soul’s leg did hurt, but she felt it against her chest. Rubbing her free hoof over it. My heart also hurts.

4.30
Soul had been quite unusual lately. The filly wasn’t often this open with her until lately. Asking for Nimbus to do this for her all weekend long since that Friday. End of the weekend already, the coming of another week of hard work, and Nimbus was getting to spend it giving the filly her nightly bath. Not that she had anything against it, it just really told her something was up. But that filly had been so distant from talking about it. All training. Mixed with these few moments that just came off as odd for Soul. For her to ask for them instead of the other way around.

She really did wish that Soul would just talk to her. But every time she tried, she saw the vacancy in her eyes. That something made the filly just so displaced. It was gut wrenching to watch for her. To watch her become so closed in. Certainly wasn’t helping her. Only able to look forward to watching Soul practically fall asleep like she did last night when washing her mane. The one moment of peace she could get from her. I can only hope for a better week for her. Anything to let her know that I am here for her and she can trust me with anything. So much like how stubborn she was when we first got her. Hard to watch, yet she could never shake those feelings that left her so sad all the time.

“You sure you don’t want to clean yourself?” Nimbus asked her. Soul looked up at her when she pushed the door to the bathroom open. Pausing in that threshold to the ceramic tiled room beyond. Another smile. So strong in her voice “I don’t mind. It’s really alright with me.” Nimbus accepted it. Not like she was a baby who didn’t know how to clean herself. But I’m not stupid. The way she acts when I do this for her, its calming. …I can relate. Calming for whatever was on her mind yet so scared to share.

4.31
“Alright, run the water and I’ll go get your towel” Nimbus said. Leaving Soul to go on her own. Nimbus turned back to Starry, who had been behind them. With that same look on his face, just knowing alongside Nimbus about it. That made them both stare in disbelief at this whole situation. For they both got to witness what Soul went through and both got to lay in bed together with no words to say and all the worry in the world. Yet he still did what he did before. Setting his hoof upon Nimbus’ cheek just to tell her it will all be okay. She held that hoof tight to her cheek. Nodding. Whatever it took to try and find a way to make that filly happy. They parted. Letting go of one another, and Nimbus went off to the steps once more, glancing back at him. Then her leg stopped.

Shaken, she almost tripped. Stamping out another hoof to catch herself with a loud thud. Startling her just as much as that feeling once more of falling that came over her, like her own wings had given up. Both of them outstretched as far as they could go that they touched the walls of the hallway. Damn. Nimbus grimaced… looking down at her legs and the trembles ringing through her body. Shaking her and sending the one leg that buckled into a quick spasm. Beyond that… was the stairs. That was what made her heart race. Just a couple more steps and… she didn’t even want to think about it even if her wings could have stopped it. Ugh, I just can’t predict when they’re gonna happen anymore. I got enough to worry about.

“Nimbus! Are you okay?” Starry slipped in beside her, sliding his head right under her wing and pushing himself into her. She allowed herself to lay against his side and let him help her back up. Finally, that sensation stopped running along her side. Like a flick of a wing ending it just as fast. Then Nimbus realized just how heavy she was breathing and how much… that had scared her. She felt so ashamed of that. “Let me help you down the stairs” Starry offered. Nimbus heard that clear. No. No. She freed herself out from his grasp just when she could settle her hoof back down on the ground with no problem. “It’s fine, I can…” Nimbus said as she turned to him… and saw her in the corner of her eyes.

Soul standing there in the doorway… watching. Her ears flicked down… and the filly gently slid back behind the door and out of sight. I can’t keep looking so weak in front of her… she always was supposed to be the strong one but, all this stuff that had been going on lately, Nimbus felt like the filly. Helpless and without anything to say. More and more making things so much harder on them all. “I can do it myself. Please…” Nimbus pushed Starry away to let him know she was fine.

“Can you get dinner started?” He didn’t move. Still so worried. “It’s fine” Nimbus took a hint from her still readied wings and just one flap brought her up to hover above him and gently sway her off. No need for her legs right now, just… “I’m fine.” But she sure needed to angle those wings well to keep them from constantly beating against the walls. Starry stepped under her, going down the steps and off to the kitchen while she went on to fly down the stairs.

4.32
Landing in front of the closet, pulling out a pair of towels. Fresh and warm from this humid day. She heard the water begin to run upstairs. Though she took a moment. Looking down at her legs. Holding the one up in front of her. Sadly unable to accept that it was getting so bad. Even more so, she looked back along her side. To where her wing held itself against her fur and covered her side up. It had been starting to hurt again. Picking up recently. Guess that was another thing on the list to do. Regretting she could not find time to do much of anything, now… getting time to get it checked again.

She had to smack herself to ignore it. Right now, give Soul a bath. Get her mind off of things. Just keeping that little filly relaxed, there was something relaxing to watching it. I think Starry would be fine with giving me a leg massage later. That stallion has been very giving with them lately. He has gotten good at relaxing me. Very good. Whenever Soul went to bed, then.

That was when she heard that knock at the door. Just behind her. Startling her for a moment with how loud it was and so sudden. She faced it. A visitor at this time? The Sun was going down outside the windows. “I got it!” she called out. Setting the towels down and trotting on over to the door. Hurried before another loud knock would ring out. Didn’t want to keep Soul waiting either. She opened the door up with a soft click and felt the warm air rush in and the sounds of a silent night soothing her ears.

4.33
…My, my… what is she doing here? Missing her for a moment, expecting to find somepony right in front of her on the other side of that door. Instead, it was under her. Little Rainbow Dash standing so small in her shadow. Nimbus widened her eyes. Speechless for a moment.

“Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?” More importantly, Nimbus looked up and around. She was alone. Where are her parents? “You shouldn’t be out here this late.” Dash giggled a little under her lowered eyes. The filly swiping a hoof along the cloudy surface she stood upon. Like she too was confused for a moment. Curious. Was she expecting somepony else?

“It’s alright, Mrs. Nimbus. My mom said I could stay out till bed time.” Is that so? Nimbus wasn’t sure what to believe except that Dash was certainly here for somepony and she bet she knew who. After how well those two have been with one another, now she’s coming by for house visits. Kind of cute. Nimbus wished she could know what this was like, yet… that’s just how young fillies are. Even if Dash was lying, I’m not mad. Then again, Windy and I seemed to have the same idea when it came to these two. But… Nimbus grinned. “Oh come on now, you don’t need to be so formal. Just call me Nimbus. Is there something I can help you with?” “Actually I wanted… to see if Soul was available” Dash said.

Not at all shocking. But… it struck Nimbus. Surprising her. That maybe it would have been something else, but this late? Rainbow Dash… I really wish you could have come to visit earlier. She never said a word, but all weekend long she expected the filly to arrive and want to play with Soul. Just making her worry even more. Until now. Relieved, actually. So nothing is wrong, right? But… I hate to be the one to make her feel bad.

4.34
“Well… um, Soul is taking a bath right now… and we have dinner getting made…” “Is she alright?” Dash interrupted. Breaking Nimbus from her rambling and finding a filly before her whose stare pierced right through those rainbow hairs that draped down her face and glowing in the dying light of the Sun. Deep. Troubling. Just looking at them, Nimbus was struck by it. “I just want to know if she’s doing okay” Dash said softly. Freezing the air with her chilling sentiment in the coldest of voice she uttered, so longing in its rasp. Like she was so afraid to ask it. Because… she is worried for her. Why? “She’s been alright” Nimbus said. “We’ve been flying a lot and just getting ready for the week.”

“That’s good…” Dash said so hushed. Lowering her head, …then she walked away. Nimbus was taken aback. Right as the filly let her wings out, she was leaving… but… “Wait a minute” Nimbus stopped her. “Did you… want to play with her? I’m sure she’d like to after dinner. Or maybe you can…” Nimbus put a hoof to her lip.

Would it be alright to invite her? I just don’t know how her parents would react. Eating over at another pony’s house. Would I allow Soul to do such a thing? They were both flight buddies. Close enough that Dash had come to see her… just to know how she was doing? I doubt that very much. “Soul actually has a few more hours before bed time, I can see if you two can…” “It’s alright” Dash said.

The filly looked back over her shoulder. Even saying that, she cracked a smile and a laugh. “I was just passing by and wanted to see if everything was alright. I gotta go get some things before it gets too dark anyways. Food and all.” Food, huh? Nimbus slackened her shoulders. Craning her neck to the sky and she sighed. Breathing out loudly to the warm breeze guiding over her with such a taste in the air that made her feel so uneasy. The feeling of unease indeed. It couldn’t be hidden. Right when I thought these two would always jump on the chance to hang out with one another.

4.35
“Before you go” Nimbus said right as Dash was about to take off. Stilling the air between the two of them. So much so, Nimbus could swear she could cut the air like butter. But she couldn’t allow it. If Dash wanted to go, fine, but she needs to help me. To end this.

“Soul said you had something to do on Friday that made you have to cancel. What did you have to do?” Dash held her place. Her back arched up. Got you. Neither of you can hide anything from me. I can practically feel the vibrations running down your back as you shiver. As Nimbus closed herself off from everything. With just her and Dash alone. I am not playing around anymore, and she knew it. Because we both want the same thing, and I can sense it in your voice as you speak.

“I… I… didn’t do anything” Dash said. Thought so… but it didn’t help to prevent Nimbus from lowering her ears in sadness. Being told right there… that things were not as they seemed. Soul, why would you lie to me? When we are all trying to help you. I vowed to myself that you would not go through the same things I went through. I failed last time, when I was too late to save you from that pain that made both of us cry as I was reminded of the pain to my own body. That makes me shelter myself in my wings at night. Unable to go a single night without a pony who loves me there to hold me and for me to hold as I feel so weak and defenseless. I don’t want the same fear to be with you too. I’ll do anything to help you. To keep you from it. “I see…” Nimbus muttered.

“Can you tell your daughter something for me?” Dash said. Perking Nimbus’ ears up for a moment when she said that, but she listened. “Tell her… she’s an awesome flight buddy.”

Nimbus wanted to say something when she saw that filly wipe her face behind her mane before she took off with a gust of wind billowing out behind her wings and she soared off. Leaving Nimbus with that last sound she made of a little filly crying. Just like a sound… she was so used to. Soul…

4.36
Nimbus set the towels down. Tossing them aside. More concerned with something else. Something that needed to be said. Through that door that separated her from the running water behind it. She brought her hoof down to it.

“Was somepony at the door?” the little voice said on the other side before Nimbus could even knock. Not surprised at all. I’ve had enough surprises tonight. “Rainbow Dash was here…” Nimbus said. Placing her hoof back down. She stood tall along the door. Taking all her strength just to keep herself from crying out. That long pause was dreadful to wait through. Soul… she was so silent. Right when the water stopped running, and she heard the patter of dripping water on the other side. The one sound to break out from that silence. As she waited for her to say something, because Soul needed to be the one. Does she even realize what is going on? I don’t think she does, and I can’t believe I need to be the one to let her know.

“What did she want?” Soul asked curiously. Nimbus set her hoof against the door. “Soul, why did you lie to me? Rainbow said she didn’t have anything to do on Friday. Why did you lie?” Drip. Then the sound of something moving through the water and plopping down in a splash. Do you have anything to say for yourself? Please answer me. Because I am trying my best to help you, but it’s not any easier when I don’t know what it is that is wrong. “I’m not mad at you… but… why did you decide to not play with her?” “She didn’t want to play with me in the end” Soul spoke out. “That’s not true” Nimbus stopped her. There was no point in saying that. Not after I saw the filly with my own eyes. Didn’t want to play with Soul. I can’t believe that, not when I can tell it is wrong. Not when I can see… the eyes so familiar to me of another filly so close to my heart who had the same longing to play with somepony else… when I looked in the mirror.

4.37
“I really hope you don’t think that… because it’s not true at all. You two work so well together and stick to one another. How is it possible that she doesn’t want to be with you?” Silence. Not even the sound of water. That only made Nimbus push her hoof even harder into the door, so much so that she thought she may burst it right through that wooden surface.

“Answer me, Soul.” “…I’m sorry I lied.” The filly made a noise that made Nimbus’ heart sink. She sniffled. Soul, if it hurts you so much, why? Why keep it from me, hide things from me? It is all meant to help you. Because I don’t want you to be that filly with no friends in the end. Because… “I know you’ve had it hard. But… I don’t want it to be any harder for you. Not when you have so much set before you, all you need to do is fly to it. Fly just like you always do. Towards that better place. Where you don’t have to worry about anything else that happened before. Soul, …I know it hurts…” the sound of screaming still echoing in her mind. Of her own sobs so loud that they drowned out the crying filly she held in her legs. “The past hurts, but you can’t let it hold you back. Not when you have so much you can look forward to.” So you don’t end up like I did. Like I am now, crying against a damn door remembering what it was like to go on without anypony else to rely on. You have it so lucky. Because I am here for you. “It’s why I chose you two to be flight buddies.” When I saw that same look… shared in the eyes of two very different fillies who both had… very similar problems. Ones that neither of you can see. “So you two can rely on one another. And you’ll both make it through. So what if it’ll be hard? At least you got each other.

More than what can be said for other ponies.”

4.38
Soul had nothing to say. Leaving Nimbus there to dry her eyes. Picking herself up from off the door and turning away from it. I don’t know what happened to you two and what is going through your mind, Soul. If it has anything to do with what happened on Friday. But I won’t leave you like this. I won’t let it happen.

“Rainbow Dash came by… because she wanted to play with you. But… it was too late… so she had to go.” Let that sink in, Soul. “She also wanted me to tell you something. Want to know what it was?” Soul had nothing to say in there. Nothing but more little cries muffled. I just hope you see that I’m doing this to help you.

“She said you are an awesome flight buddy.” That made Soul squeak in there. Shrouded under a light cry and splashing water. “I hope you see that… it’s not as bad as you think. You don’t need to tell me what it is that’s bothering you, but… you still have your flight buddy there for you. I don’t want you to think you are alone and that there’s no pony out there that wants to help you. Trust me, you got it good. At least you got ponies there to let you know there is more to life than being alone with yourself. You will always have a pony there for you… even if you least expect it of them.” “I just…” Soul muttered out in a soft cry that disappeared so quickly. Gone as she started up again in there, paining Nimbus’ heart to hear her let out her sadness.

This must be so hard for you. I understand. Nimbus didn’t leave her. Instead, she sat herself right down against the cloudy wall. Banging her head up against it and taking her place at the bathroom door’s side. For as long as it takes. I already know the answer to this. “Did you still want me to give you a bath?” Soul sniffed. Crying out even louder in there. Echoing in the confines of the room. She managed to speak out between it all. “I need time alone…” I know. But I’ll still be here. Nimbus would not go anywhere. You have another week ahead of you. Make the best of it. Despite anything else.

4.39
Maybe I really have been stupid, but it doesn’t make me any less afraid. Nimbus, I know you mean the best for me. You want the best for me. For Soul to not feel alone anymore. Just like on nights like this as she lay alone in her bed. Listening to the soft rustle of wind outside her window. Trying its best to drift her off to sleep. It could try its best, but just knowing that tomorrow was coming… it didn’t shake her of that feeling of being backed into that corner with no way out. Not one moment went by this weekend when she felt like she had done all this before. Having to face off against everything. Feeling so afraid while having nothing to rely on.

I can’t go to Nimbus for this. I can’t ruin her efforts. She wants me to have a friend. I want to make her proud. But I always feel like I’m alone. Left to venture out into this endless maze on her own. Always going between now… and the painful things she remembered. Back in another time when she was all alone and cornered. Fearful for herself. She had done this before. Laughed at by everypony, it was all too real for her. Quick to show that nothing had changed. That she was always meant to make other ponies upset with her and make it harder and harder for them to like her. Nothing had fixed it before. In the dark of the room, she stared out from her pillow to the corner. Seeing the flicker of shadow dancing in the moonlight cast off by her own head. The look of a pony all alone in that corner. One that looked just like her. Alone. Afraid. Even when she did nothing wrong to them, it still ended up the same. But for this one time. Soul replayed what Nimbus had said to her. For it to be true. To prove that she had indeed been so stupid. Seeing herself as that same pony she saw in the corner. There was one difference though. They were both afraid, both had no idea on what to do, both worried.

Except… that pony from before… she didn’t have something that Soul did have now. Since there was a pony out there… who really did think that she was awesome? She thinks that? I don’t know what to say except… thank you. Though I don’t think it will last long. Amber and Breezy… they both left me behind to avoid what I’m going through.

Rainbow, you hug me and tell me nice things like that. You do nice things for me. Really my only reason to look forward to every day. Yet I can’t help but feel so alone when I’m at camp. Like Dash was not really there… only afterwards. While she dealt with all these terrible things. She couldn’t help but wonder why… until she saw it. On that very day when they all laughed at her. The same reason why Amber and Breezy left, which was why she couldn’t be upset. Accepting that things were just going to be like this. With her always afraid of what was to come with nothing to look forward to until after it was all over. I’m trapped. No idea on what to do. But that’s the one thing I have different than what I’m used to. A pony with me.

I just really wish you could hold me more often like you did before. Tell Soul that all was okay. Too much to ask of her, after what she went through, Soul couldn’t ask any more of Dash. …Though, she really did want to. Anything to get rid of the terrors. Left with one small comfort. She held it tighter to her. Clasping her hooves around her other pillow. Holding its soft surface to her cheek. She sighed pleasantly. Imagining herself to not be alone. Like the one moment they shared together. Cast out in a sea of pain. One she loathed. I’m just not ready yet, but I hope you would be willing to accept my apology when I am ready. To hug you again. To keep you from leaving me too, just like Amber and Breezy did. Soul smiled.

“Dash…” she whispered. She brought all her hooves around to hug the pillow… just like we hugged except… I don’t know why I’m like this but… I can’t help it. Soul wrapped her wings around the pillow as well. Holding it tight to her chest. Keeping it warm like it did for her. “I miss your hugs.” I promise to be a stronger pony for you. I’ll keep taking it… if it means we can have each other at the end of the day. Keep taking it… a tear went down Soul’s cheek and wetted the pillow she hugged. But I really wish things were different. Even if I still… feel so lonely in the end.

Please keep me strong.

4.40
The training wasn’t getting any easier. Went about as well as expected, considering how every single day had been lately when trying to just figure this out. Holding her breath and just letting it all go for a moment exactly as she had done the first time and exactly how Nimbus taught her to do it. Just like how one flies. You need to pay attention to everything and know your surroundings. Feel the flow of wind around you and use it to your advantage. Soul never could imagine it still being this fussy with her. Unwilling to bend to her. Like it was alive. This was ridiculous.

She exhaled sharply. Opening her eyes back up and staring out at the bright and sunny day that shone over the deck. Ridiculous and weird. She now noticed her wings were still flapping, just like normal when she tried. Every time sort of like they weren’t even there until she stopped paying attention. Their noise and motion coming back to her when she opened her eyes. Weird because it was going much like the same way it did before. Ridiculous that… that was the extent of it. Gone with that ability to just be able to feel it all again. Nimbus was right, this is tough. Either that or she just wasn’t good enough. Not something she liked to imagine being true but every attempt made her feel so low.

Over and over today. No breakthrough. Leaving just a filly there to shake her head in disbelief. Nimbus entrusted this training to me because she believes I am capable of it. I know I am, I did it once. “How can I master it if I can’t do it again?!”

No answer for her. No pony with her to comment on better ways to do it or comforting words to reassure her. Only the fading words she heard each attempt before today of Nimbus doing her best for her. I am just a kid, I have plenty of years left to learn it. But I want to make her proud now. When everypony can see that she can do something so incredible to help her achieve that level of flying that so few can imagine or even work towards. More importantly, she wanted to make herself proud. Prove everypony wrong about her. Shame Nimbus wasn’t here to give her some advice. Soul scratched a hoof over her bandaged leg.

4.41
Yet does it always come down to that? Me always needing help. I hate how helpless I always am. She told me how to do it. Just do it! Soul groaned. Smacking both her hooves over her face. Fed up with it all. For now. No way she’d give up but… “I need a drink.”

Apple juice this morning would not cut it. She sure needed more of it. Settling back down to ground and trotting back through the open deck doors and into the much cooler space of her house. It still hadn’t warmed up. That’s what happens when they leave the windows open all night. Despite this rather warm day. Warming her good, though thirsty not from that. Not even thirsty, though she poured her glass to the tip and gulped it down furiously. Surprising herself that she downed half the glass at once.

Putting everything back where she found it. She looked out beyond the kitchen counters and across the empty and silent rooms of her house. Motionless. Nopony around her, so unlike what she was used to. Funny… she was so used to being alone. Not so anymore. So much has changed. To consider this weird. But this was my choice. More training in her near future. A long, long time of it just to get to that goal. I can’t give up, she couldn’t even tell if today may be the big moment she needed to realize that amazing talent. A talent so cool all thanks to Nimbus, …she bet it would lead to something amazing. Like a certain cutie mark on her flanks. She never thought of that! What if it would be something related to flying like Nimbus? When I figure out this skill? No telling what wonderful and beautiful mark may appear upon her flanks to show just what it was she was best at to all the other ponies. Return with a cutie mark… hehe. Soul rubbed her jaw, grinning. That would be cool or… maybe I’m just overthinking. Crazy even.

Besides… she bet her mark would be something even cooler than mastering this skill. Cooler than something related to flying. Whatever that could be. Very much looking forward to when she would achieve this skill and go on from there. High level training.

4.42
Soul jumped when such a loud knock rang out across her house, followed by several more. All from the door. Which took her a moment to figure out.

She stared across the room, over to where the door stood. For a moment. Another delivery? Nimbus hadn’t had one in a while. Always leaving Soul here to bring them in and always wonder what it would be until Nimbus would gladly open it up in front of her later. Last time had been a new set of torches for the deck. Of course, Soul was to be the one to get it. She moved over right when more knocks struck at it. Lighter than last time.

“Coming!” She went to a gallop. Taking to the air when she reached it, to do the normal thing. Looking outside the windows at the top of the door. Expecting to see the delivery pony. Or his daughter in training even. …Nopony floated there. Finding herself staring out at an empty porch. Nothing even there to move. Save for the few pegasi who flew across the cloudy streets beyond and the hundreds more crowding the skies further beyond. What? Soul landed. They normally stay. Maybe they had to get going. Soul reached her bandaged hoof up to the knob, pulling the door right open. Feeling the warm air once more coming in to strike her face. Alongside something else striking her ears.

4.43
“Morning, Soul!” said somepony she did not expect to find here. Somepony she couldn’t believe for a moment was in front of her. Seemed like it had been ages. Though… that wasn’t even the strangest thing about it to her. So many strange things.

Rainbow Dash smiled at her. The tiny filly leaning in across the threshold to the door just edging in to get closer to the surprised Soul. She… must have been hiding behind the door. If she is… wait? “R-Rainbow Dash?” “Surprised to see me, I bet” Dash giggled. “Well aren’t we both full of surprises. Didn’t know you had healing powers.” Dash pointed a hoof to the one that Soul used to hold onto the knob of the door. Turning it slightly, Soul let go. Hiding the hoof behind herself. No amount of fake laughs or smiles could convince the smirking rainbow maned filly otherwise of what she had seen. Guess the jig is up.

“What are you doing here?” Soul asked. “I should be the one asking questions” Dash said. “But…” she rolled her eyes. Stepping forward a little, close enough to push her hoof into Soul’s chest. “It’s good to see you. May I come in?” Huh? Soul looked over her shoulder. Dash wants to come into my house. Oh no, she didn’t know if that was allowed. Nimbus always taught her not to let other ponies in without permission… strangers. This was… Dash. The same filly she remembered from before… the one she flew off from. Who had come to her house last night. Am I even allowed to invite other ponies in? Or… well… maybe for a little bit. This was Rainbow Dash after all, I don’t think Nimbus would say no to her. Not after how well they got along. Didn’t make it any less awkward when Soul stepped aside and showed Dash in.

Watching the filly trot past her and into her very house, this same filly from before. It took a lot just to keep Soul from bowing her head. She did not meet Dash’s eyes. Closing the door behind her, turning and wondering what it was the filly wanted. Except that Dash had… she was rushing off into the kitchen. Head turning left and right with glee in her stride. “Hey, wait up!” Soul said. Flapping her wings and taking off after her. Quick to catch her. Finding that Dash had really gotten worked up. Her hooves were doing something she didn’t think possible on the filly. Dash giddily bounced in place. Excited to look all around.

4.44
“Wow, I’m in your house. This place is awesome. You even got a bar counter” the filly pointed over to the kitchen counters. “Now I need that in my future house.” Going back to looking all around. At all the décor of clouds and hanging rainbow shingles with countless little droplets of water running down the walls that made this place always have a touch of the sky with it. All split up by the Wonderbolts and Speedsters posters and portraits lined all around the house that Dash rushed off to look over. Moving faster than Soul expected a guest. Indeed, confusing her.

“Dash, wait a minute.” “Oh my gosh!” Dash slinked her hoof around the series of little pictures Nimbus had set up on one of the tables. “You have pictures of all of last year’s Equestrian flight champions. And…” she gasped. Running right over to the wall overlooking the doors to the deck where the vast portrait hung high over it. “A portrait of the last Best Flyers’ Competition.”

Rainbow took to the air, floating up to hover by it. Soul came to join her. Not to look, hoping for something else. “You even got it with Princess Celestia in it” Dash pointed out the large, white alicorn sitting atop the very tallest of stands in the crowd that overlooked the expansive stadium where it had all taken place. “How much did your parents need to pay for this stuff?” “Dash. What are you doing here?”

“Oh… sorry.” Both fillies settled back down. Dash rubbing the side of her head in embarrassment. “I got a little carried away. This is all stuff that my parents tell me stories about. I’ve never seen it before. Not what I came here for… I know.” Dash looked back down at Soul’s hoof. The one she did not attempt to hide anymore. “Guess you’re all better, right?” Soul heard it in her voice. She was joking. Well aware of what was going on here. Soul sighed. “Here I was worrying that you were still hurt” Dash said. “Nimbus told me that you stayed behind to rest your leg.” No point in hiding it now. Why Soul was home and not at camp.

4.45
“It’s… been fine for a couple days now. I just…” Soul said but Dash shrugged her shoulders. Turning tail and walking off towards the living room. Slowly this time, not running around anymore though she still looked around. “Don’t need to say” Dash said. “I know why you didn’t come in. …Friday still on your mind?” She didn’t know the half of it. Soul didn’t answer. I am still so frightened to go back, I just… I just need time. Not after what I had to go through last time. More so… Soul was even more ashamed. Ashamed that the other reason she didn’t go in today was right here in her house. The same pony she ran off from. Yet here she was. Venturing around Soul’s house.

“Awww….” Dash laughed over in the living room. Staring down at something on one of the tables. What is she… oh shit. Soul flew off after her. No! Dash was there laughing over the very thing she knew it to be. “You look so adorable as a foal” Dash laughed even harder. Still having the time of her life when Soul pushed her away with such force to throw her on her back. She stood in front of the picture of the little magenta foal… with all that damn food smothered all over her cheeks and a mess of her plate.

“Shut up” Soul said. “Bet you did the same.” “Oh come on now” Dash stood back up, calming herself down. Why did they need to put up a picture of that moment, of all the lousy moments? “I came because I wanted to make sure you were doing alright. I tried to come see you yesterday, but it was a bad time.” Soul stayed quiet.

Letting Dash say what she needed and Soul actually felt a little tingle inside. Because… was it true what Nimbus had said yesterday? It had been on her mind for so long now if it was right. Dash did come yesterday. Did she say those words though? Soul wanted to ask. Ask her if she called me awesome… Soul curled her lips. I… I gotta admit I am a little amazed she came out to see me. Just to see if I was okay.

4.46
“Even after what I did on Friday?” Soul needed to point out. “I… I’ve been regretting running off ever since. I really wish I had stayed and played with you.” You came to me yesterday, so… do you feel bad over it too? Coming today as well. This was not at all what she would have guessed to happen today. She needed to admit, she was kind of happy to see her come over. “It’s not your fault” Dash said. “I was also… pretty upset with those two for ditching us. After that day, I understand that you may have been upset” Dash said. She stepped closer and offered her hoof once more to Soul. “But I’m still here, flight buddy.”

You are. But why? After I got you made fun of and made things harder for you. After I left you. I… I was the one who ditched you. Would you not be upset with me? I don’t know why it is she is here, but I am glad she is. Even if I feel so uncomfortable with her being around and not just for seeing my foal pictures. Please… do not go into Nimbus’ room. Please, I don’t want to talk about camp or Friday. Anything about that day. I’d rather not remember that now.

I really just want to get back to training and forget that I made a total mess of that day. She didn’t know why it was she accepted Dash’s hoof in the end. Was it the feeling of it? Or just the offering of Soul’s continued commitment? “Would you like a drink?” Soul offered. Going back to finish off what was left of her juice. “Nah, I’d rather hang out if you don’t mind” Dash said. The filly turned away and continued on to look around the house under Soul’s watchful eye until she finished off her juice. Almost spitting it up when something hit her head. “Wait! How are you even here? Shouldn’t you be at camp?”

4.47
“Shouldn’t you be at camp?” Dash said. “Seriously, leaving me to fly by myself there.” “I’m sorry” Soul admitted. Having decided she was just too afraid. Let alone that Dash would make this move and come here out of the blue. “I wasn’t gonna leave you alone any longer. So… as far as everypony else knows, I came down with a cold last minute. Mom took me home and went off to work. I got till the evening before I need to get home or…”

“You’ll get in trouble?” Soul said. Met with a nod and quite a mischievous smile. Really? She’s taking quite a risk. Is she really willing to take that chance… just to hang out with me? I still don’t know why she wants to be with me right now. “Maybe you should go home, I don’t want you to get in trouble.” “No way” Dash refused. Flying up and over to the stairs. “I’m having too much fun here. Would you want to show me around a little?”

She hung by the stairs as if asking Soul if they could go up there. Soul accepted her answer. No way to convince her. As long as we remember, I’ll do my best to keep her from getting in trouble. Sure to keep an eye on the time today. “Okay, I can show you my room if you want.” “Sounds good” Dash said, following after Soul when she flew up the flight of stairs and into the long hallway above. “Just my room, mom will get mad if somepony goes into her room” Soul said. A lie. Nimbus would not get mad at all over that. Soul sure would for other reasons. Both of them getting to their hooves once more in front of Soul’s room.

“I can show you around but… afterwards, I think I need to get back to training” Soul said. “I took an off day, but don’t want to get rusty.” Thinking it over in her head while Dash widened her eyes. “Training! Seriously? Okay, I got to watch you.”

Training, yeah, but what? I suck enough at the technique, even more so with a guest here. One she was getting more and more worried about when it came to being around Soul. Hoping that Dash would have decided to leave since Soul wanted to train. The filly just so excited to be here now more than ever. Why? Not even sure what she had to gain from watching. Something Dash seemed to pick up on. “I would love to see how you fly when you’re outside of camp. Better techniques and stunts. Don’t worry, I’ll watch and you can do whatever it is you want to do. No worries.” I won’t turn her away. Not after Friday. If she wanted to watch, fine. At least I don’t need to worry. But what to train in? “Alright” Soul agreed. Pushing the door to her room open.

4.48
Letting Dash in first, the filly was eager to go around and see what she could find while Soul was more or less worried she may break something or be less careful than she would want. She found just more of the wonderfully ordained walls and décor that the rest of the house had save for that lighter shade of blue Soul liked the clouds of her room to have compared to the rest of the house, and no raindrops or streams flowing out from the walls. Many more of the beautiful portraits and paintings Nimbus and Starry had been sure to give to Soul to liven her room up. Those seemed to be the things Dash liked seeing the most before she spotted the bookshelves stacked all around the room and the many, many books set within.

“I saw these from out your window but… sheesh Soul, do you think you have enough books?” The filly ran her hoof across each of the ones that were aligned in one of the shelves. Skimming and looking so unimpressed. Much like she sounded. “I thought you may like them. They’re mostly about Cloudsdale history and flying techniques” Soul informed her. Among many other things that told Soul so much about the world outside of this mighty floating city.

Dash did end up pulling out one of them, opening it up and looking through some of it very quickly. Not at all sounding like she was dissatisfied though she put it back rather quick. “So that’s my room, probably should get going” Soul told her. Wanting to get an end to this tour. “Oh damn!” Dash rushed past her. Leaping up and making Soul shudder when she landed hard down onto her bed. So hard that she thought she may break it, instead not even making a sound. The filly sinking right into it, stretching her hooves out like she was making herself at home. Even closing her eyes, resting her head on a pillow.

“Wow, Soul” she muttered. “You got a huge bed. Damn, I love this.” Dash turned over and scurried on under the blankets. Out of sight. Oh she was making herself at home.

4.49
It was a big bed meant for two full grown ponies, as was its original use. Till it was given to her. Soul was sort of glad she had something nice to say about it. Rainbow really did seem to enjoy it. Popping her head out from under the blankets, running her mane wild. “Yeah…” Soul said. Signaling back to the door. “I think we should get going. Don’t have all day to mess around, you know?” “Please” Dash waved her hoof. “We got hours.” “Yeah, but I’m still worried they may come home and find you here… and know that… that I was lying.” “Well I’m supposed to be sick” Dash commented. “Be a dear and get me some soup.” She held her hoof up to her mouth, coughing into it. “Please…” she spoke even raspier than normal. “Before I pass out.”

“Alright, stop it” Soul said and made Dash laugh. The filly spun under the blankets back onto her belly and crawled out from under them. Laying back up on top of them. “Relax. I’ll keep an eye on the time.” “I hope so.” Soul turned away and went back to the door. Wanting Dash to follow her. No more of this time wasting. Dash could stay but they couldn’t just goof around. I took off today to train and… other reasons, but I don’t have anything against letting her stay here. “I need to get back to my training. Since my hoof is… hurt, don’t think I’ll be allowed to train later tonight.”

She heard the rustle of blankets behind her and the excited voice of a filly who came after her. “Can I still watch? I promise not to get in the way.” Soul closed the door behind them, walking off with Dash at her side, a filly with such a wide smile on her. Such enthusiasm in it. It kind of weirded Soul out. Dash was being unusually weird today. Still not even sure why she wanted to watch Soul. That sounded kind of boring. Wouldn’t she be better off doing something else instead of watching Soul fly? “I still don’t know why you want to watch me” Soul said. “Why not just go do something on your own? I bet that’ll be more fun.”

4.50
Dash set a hoof before Soul, stopping both of them at the top of the stairs. Bringing both of them to look over at one another. Dash so serious in her face. As were her words, no longer tinged in that sound of a fun-loving filly.

“All we do is fly those same boring courses at camp. Stuff you’re better than, both of us are. But… I’ll be honest.” Dash looked down, taking a deep breath. Perking Soul’s ears back up. The pause in her voice. So down. But she kept talking. “I know you need to hold back to let me keep up with you when we fly. You got lucky by having a master flyer teach you. I… I only want to get the chance to see how you fly for real when nothing is there to hold you back. Maybe…” she pressed her hoof into Soul’s fur. “It’ll inspire me.” She knew all of that?

Now Soul was truly surprised. Dash understood it all. She knows I’ve been holding back. Now she wants to see what it’s like when I don’t. I’m not even sure what it is she expects to gain from it… save for what she said. Saying it just for me? But it sounded so nice. It’s the entire reason I do all this. To inspire others. To show them what they dream for can be achieved no matter what stands against them. What stood against me, and how far I have gotten from it. What I had to overcome. Prove wrong. But it sounded too good to be true. Does Dash really want me to fly like that? I just feel like… it may not be the way she wants. That it may be something else than what I want. All my life, I’ve been disproven. Fly for her.

Soul gulped. Nodding her head. She didn’t know what to truly do, though she spoke out like it was instinct. To the one pony who, for the first time, wanted to see her skill. “Okay.”

Soul led her down the stairs. Taking her out onto the very deck where she did all her training. Out to overlook the gigantic field of clouds spanning out in every direction that made up this vast wilderness of Cloudsdale’s outer districts. A natural training ground for pegasi. Though Nimbus, Starry, and her, they were the only ponies who ever seemed to take this place just for the purpose of training. Changing today with a new pony to see something so few got to see here.

4.51
Dash gasped in amazement from the top of the deck. Walking up and leaning on the railings to look out at it all. “You guys are so lucky. You got a killer view here, and… well, it’s pretty much all yours.” It doesn’t belong to us, but we are allowed to use it for whatever we want. Expansive and empty with a constantly clear day hanging over it. So few clouds up there. With an autumn breeze coming over for the first time today. Breaking the warmth of the Sun.

“You get to train out here all the time?” Dash asked, looking back from her perch at the railing. The filly climbing up and settling in on top of it. Like she did ready herself for a show. My show. Something Soul had to run through her head ever since she agreed to do this. Whatever training she could do. But what would be enough? How much is too much? It made her so afraid. “Yeah. It’s always so lovely.” Soul stretched her wings back out. Stepping forward on her hooves and stretching her legs as far as could go till her back popped. It felt so good, readied herself for whatever it was she was supposed to do. She sighed out pleasantly. Flapping her wings a few times for good measure.

Pretend like I’m with Nimbus. But it was hard, doing the same readying routine as she did with her. Looking out at the same location they always trained in. Just one thing made this all different. Keeping her back. As her entire mind became a storm seeing the one pony she was afraid of disappointing in the same ways I have with so many others, let alone the pony I hurt so recently. Am I letting her stay just to inspire her, or is it to not abandon her like I did last time? Why did you come back? Why do you want this? “I’m not exactly sure what it is I should do. I don’t want to bother you” Soul said. “Bother me with what? …Are you still worried?” Soul nodded. Ashamed to admit it.

That settled both of them. Neither one talking. Soul staring down at the deck floor feeling Dash watching over her from across the expanse with such a cool and soft breeze flowing in over them. Soul grabbed hold of her mane, holding it in place just as the wind made it start to move. Also to hide just how much she was scared. For it was not something that Dash would understand. Not after last time I flew perfectly for anypony else. Just how badly… it hurt me. Why want it from me?

4.52
“What is wrong, Soul. Tell me. I’m your flight buddy.” Soul clenched her teeth hard. Almost grinding them. She hasn’t seen it yet. Oh, I’ll just tell her. “I’m afraid I’ll make you feel bad. I… I don’t like showing off. It… it hasn’t worked out for me before.” “It hasn’t worked out for you… huh?” Dash whispered. So soft as she said it, it made Soul lock eyes with her. Her vacant and lost eyes shimmering of magenta light. Before Dash finally blinked. “I don’t know why you think that… you fly so amazingly when you’re with me. All this time, it’s been obvious you’re better than that all. Hell, you even told me. I know you are a better flyer… yet I’m still here. I’m still wanting to see how you do fly. Is that not proof enough that I’ll be okay with seeing you perform to the best of your ability?” Yes… it does make sense, but… I just can’t shake this feeling off me. As much as I want to fly for you. Deep inside, I do. Though the pain is great along my wings. Along my fur. Practically stinging her mind. Remembering the laughs and the words spoken to her. Though not once did they come from this pony here. More than what she could ask for from this pony. Though she wished for more. So much more. Too much for her to say, too much for it to be real.

Yet she asks something of me, sincerely. She wants to see. None of the great flyers I know of have ever refused the chance. A chance to show others the greatness they can achieve. Soul nodded. “Show me some moves, Soul.” Soul let her wings rise. As did her stare. Up into the sky. So few clouds to work with. Not that she needed many. Settle on one thing. Now!

“I’ll do some mid-tier aerials and speed tests for you then” Soul conceded. “I was working with them last night so it’ll be smart to continue them.” “Blow my mind, Soul” Dash said. Giving her a grin of approval. I just hope you don’t feel that I’ve blown you away from me. Soul bent her legs. Stretching her hind legs out as far as could go to hold her tail high to the sky with both her wings split out. Flapping once and then twice. Always the third. Soul took a deep breath. Opening her eyes finally only when she felt her wings come up once more.

4.53
Hard to say she ever performed training for another’s viewing pleasure. Kind of weird to know somepony was here to watch her. Soul still managed to take off. Leaving the deck behind in a mighty flurry of wind and force set out by the final flap of her wings that sent her back up into the sky over the cloud fields. I can’t think of this as an aerial display for her. Even now, it was starting to creep in that she was essentially performing when she should be training.

Okay, none of that. Just need to imagine this was like any other night with Nimbus. Soul went over the routine last night. It was a simple and mandatory procedure that they had gone over many time before. Always changing in how she was supposed to do it but the outcome was to be the same. Just to get her comfortable with higher level flying and doing tricks and maneuvers in those settings. Also getting used to the speed that was involved in it. There as a primer for the harder stuff that would come after years of practice at this level. She didn’t have Nimbus here to guide her on what way she should do it today. That was fine. She didn’t need her here to think of how to do a procedure she was used to practicing. Just forget Dash for right now. Just forget.

Soul took a breath. Peering down at the fields under her for a brief second. Just to get a sense of the height she was getting at. She was making good time, ascending quickly to where the fields below looked to be getting smaller and her lone house on the edge of it all fell off in the background of it. So high up, she got the same view as before. Taking a moment to look out at the landscape. Looking all about at the city that went on for so far in every direction. Amazed how different things looked. At night, the massive towers and domes of the city center looming high and far in the distance were always so gorgeous to view at such high altitude. Shrouded in the light of the stars and the endlessly beaming colors of the giant rainbow that arced over the city and shone those towers in such series of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and violets.

It’s been a very long time since last she flew this high at day. When the towers below and the coursing streets and cluttered cityscapes of Cloudsdale all cast out their whites and blues amid the flowing rivers and churning thunderclouds pouring out from the city.

So high, she saw those very clouds get left behind. In the wake of Cloudsdale itself. Left behind by the city. Left to roam and venture across the land. So beautiful. Like normal, she had no time to fawn over it. She didn’t have all day. I need to see this as another training routine. Stop worrying about everything else. Just imagine Nimbus was here with her. Flying at her side like she did last night. Giving her instructions and reminders to keep her comfortable and confident. What would she say?

4.54
Level out those wings and don’t lose any rhythm to your flaps. You need to keep your wings in tandem with the wind. Fight resistance and let go when the wind let up. Keep her wings low. Soul held them down. Flapping hard but never letting them get too high less they catch the wind. Wind that came down at her even harder the higher she got. Normal stuff. She flew up against it. Reaching the height she needed to. Where she could tuck her hind legs in and reach out her forelegs.

The air shifted. That was good. Soul knew herself to be at quite a high level. Mid altitude over the city itself. Where all the rolling hills of green grassy fields and the massive lines of mountains could be seen as far as she could look. Where all of Equestria’s beautiful landscape was hers for the viewing. Wait for the air to get to where it’s at its least calm. Keep that level. I won’t show you where it is, you need to make that judgement yourself. First time she got to this level, Nimbus was harsh. She did not play around and left Soul to deal with lots of the conditions on her own. Not out of cruelty. Though Soul was hurt by her brash nature during their first time doing this, she understood it as time went on. I can’t rely on others all the time. Flying is something you need to work on and its meant to develop under your own skills. She was lucky to have her there to teach her anyways. Otherwise, Soul had no idea how she would be at this point. Where she was now to know that right… here was where she needed to be. This was perfect.

Soul leveled out her wings and turned off to keep her distance from the horizon where the wind would get at its most brutal. Just short of it. Enough wind here to give her somewhat of a challenge, her mighty wings kept her aloft and her nimble adjustments made sure none of the changing conditions blew her off course.

4.55
The higher you go, the worse the wind and weather gets. The harder it gets for you to stay calm. It puts a lot of force and pressure on your wings. You need to know your limits and be comfortable with it. Fighting the wind will not work. But you can’t let it control you. Use it to your advantage and use your body to adjust it to your liking. Your wings let you shift the course of the airflow around you. That was what was needed to pull off those fancy moves. Wings weren’t everything when it came to this, and Soul had done this enough now to see that the wind up here was blowing diagonal across from her and churning in a way that could let her do some stellar aerials as long as she did them at the right time. As much as it was tempting, she needed to do this the way Nimbus taught her. Stay comfortable with it. Test the wind and warp it to your own speed, only then does it change to do what you want. Where you can get to the speeds you need to fly at this level.

Gotcha. Soul banked off to the right. Falling down for just a moment, letting her wings hang out motionless, waiting to catch hold of the current she needed. Then she felt it as she fell further down. To where she could stop. Straighten her flight out. One kick of her hooves and a mighty lash of her wings, she rocketed off. Holding her wings out along the course. This was it. The wind struck against her face, fighting her but helping at the same time. Like running into a wall while a fan blew against her rear.

Carried on by her wings. So few flaps she needed to do. Alright, this was it. Soul held her hooves in front of her. Looking down their lengths and onwards to what lie ahead. The open sky and the spiraling cyclone of wind that guided her. Oh boy, this was going to feel intense. She didn’t know if she hated this feeling or not, always making her stomach lurch for a moment. Yet the resulting speed… it was something else. Something she never got to do at camp… or in front of Dash. Don’t think about her. Count the bumps in the air. Wait for a break. Even her wings waited for it. Flapping gently but their push was hard. Let the air guide you. Wait for its flow to stop and then pounce on it.

I know what to do, Nimbus. I’ve done it plenty of times. Though… when will I get used to this feeling. Soul shook her head when her stomach started to reel when she arced her body down and angled herself for a small descent. Worst was yet to come and then the best. It broke. Soul kicked her wings into high gear. Making her want to gag on the force of her power. Sometimes forgetting how strong her wings were. Strong enough to do this.

4.56
Soul’s head almost split when her ears rang from the sound of thunder cracking out across the sky. A near cloudless day up here. Not from any storm. It was her. Rippling out behind her in a sound so familiar to her. Where her wings cut the air away from them and churned it out on their own. The sky is mine now. Soul flew off. Striking her wings hard. Sent off in a blaze of air that near boiled around her from the force of her strikes and then calming into true bliss with the power of the thunderous shock she sent out being left in her dust. Leaving everything in her dust. At a speed none of the other kids had reached or seen from her.

Soul shot down through the sky.

How fast? How far have I travelled? Three seconds. I need to bank up soon. Cloudsdale came up at her quickly. Reaching up to that streaking light she left behind her to cut a swathe across the sky and paint it anew. Before that light died away from her. Dying with the last sounds of thunder echoing across the sky. Soul pulled up. A hard hit of her wings catching the wind once more and sending her back on course with such incredible speed, her mane blew out from her face and that same feeling that her tail may be ripped off behind her. Gliding into the wind once more. Far, far faster than usual. Shame there were no clouds around to really work with. One over there. One down there. Maybe I can use them. Not like those ones that saturated this sky for her to use as obstacles or proof of her control in this situation. She could still do it. Let’s just imagine it.

Soul closed her eyes for a moment. Try to make Nimbus proud. Like she is here. I’m going pretty damn fast. Pull some stuff off that would be so… so hard for others to do like this. Get a feel for it. Let it become natural.

4.57
Camp maneuvers? Pathetic. How about this?

Soul curved her body left. Falling off from her straight path into a dazzling sideways dive where her wings reached out to the ground below and the sky above. The stuff Nimbus would not train any of them at camp. Only me. For me to feel comfortable doing it. Keep falling. Soul did not let up at this speed and this sideways dive. Falling so far. Keep a hold on it. Her wings did not let up. Gliding her downwards. Pushing her forwards. One bump in the air. A second.

Soul kicked her wings back into it. Sending out another thunderous crack, pushing her forward even faster and then down she went. Spinning into a backflip that spiraled her down into a plummet. Another fall towards the ground. That was what made her heart race. Yes, I’m starting to feel it.

Soul smiled so wide. Glaring down at the ground. Confident in herself to do this. Every bursting sound of rippling air she let out kept telling her just what she could do when nopony was there. I’ll make you proud, Nimbus. Her descent coupled with a quick spin and a kick of her wings. Such a hard kick. So much that all that speed made Soul’s head whip. Not even her tail had time to flip forward with the impact of her sudden stop. Her speed keeping her up, letting Soul turn off back up to where she came… with her belly to the ground. It all spinning around her. Soul circled back up, recovering so fast from her stop. Sometimes, I even forget that I stop. The transition so clean. Going so fast one second, stopping and then shooting back off at the same speed. Like it never happened.

Can they do that? Those ponies that make fun of me. Have they trained all their lives to achieve this? Soul circled up and spun around the air. Looping up and over and falling back out into her descent to the ground once more. Soul laughed. More! She did it again. Another massive loop she made in the sky. Turning up in that loop and waiting till she faced the sky. Pulling out. She flew off. Straight ahead. Leveled once more with the wind in such a violent and dangerous force of impact her wings made that it scared her so much the first time she shot out from a loop like that. This is just the beginning. This is not what I want. Soul spun her body in a cyclone, never leaving her straight path shooting across the sky. Eyeing that first cloud. One day… Soul arced herself up. Her wings screaming in the wind. Howling. Like her body was the one that made all the breeze in the world. One day I’ll prove all the ponies wrong. That I can pull it all off. Achieve skills so few can get.

This is… Soul flew past the cloud. Looking past. Waiting. In the echo of the rippling sky, she watched that cloud get blown away in a quick swoop of wind behind her.

This is the start.

4.58
Soul looked forward once more. She did it, there was the next cloud right ahead. I’ve been taught control so many times. I can master it. I feel so confident. To when I can achieve the highest skills and pull off any maneuver. Even the Wonderbolts will be put to shame when they see what a pony who had nothing can do after doing all she can to achieve that for the ones she wants to make happy. Every other Pegasus out there who feels like they aren’t good enough. Look at me.

Soul leaned her belly at the oncoming cloud. Holding all four of her hooves to it. I’m no weather Pegasus, but I know how to use my wings, and I can use them like this. Soul beat them harder than ever before. Blasting out immense gusts of wind. You just need to control your environment. I can’t wait for when I can read it too. Every skill that I am taught will be used to achieve what I want. No matter how many months it takes. Years even. It took me four months for this. Soul didn’t even close her eyes when the cloud came in at her. So close to slamming into her coming hooves.

She did not relent. Her wings kept going. Pushing against the wind. Slowing her down just enough for, when her hooves touched the cloud, she did not even go through. Like she stood on solid ground. Her head hanging down. Her tail flipped back and dangling down her back as the filly stood on the side of the cloud. For less than a second. Soul kicked off it. One burst of her wings, the cloud served as nothing but a springboard for her to backflip off it. Pushing herself back, falling into the sky once more.

4.59
Soul fell through the sky. Eyes set on her target. It came at her so quickly. I was so high above the city, I can’t believe how fast I’m going. To think there are levels beyond this. It took all her concentration to pull out from her dive and fly at the level she wanted. Falling so fast, now… now her belly was just a mere leg’s reach from the cloudy surface of the fields that surrounded her house. Closer and closer, Soul looked all around at the clouds. Reaching up at her. Like little pillars that tried to stand in her way. She dodged and weaved around them. Keeping to the open spaces, flying straight over them. Wings like a chorus. Never letting up.

Are you watching me, Nimbus? Are you? It’s like nothing can stop me. This is what you want from me. Clear the sky for me and watch your little champ pull this off without flaw. For all the years it’s taken you to get me comfortable with this speed. I love it so much! Soul blinked. In that instant, the house barreled in on her. Coming in at its side. At the deck itself.

Oh I never tried this before. It should be no different than dodging through clouds. I can see them. The legs of the deck and the little spaces in between them. Alright… and… now! Soul turned onto her side. Flying sideways once more so she was at her thinnest. So her wings did not clip anything, and she passed by the first leg that held the deck up. Another passing behind her, and Soul careened through the underside of the deck so fast that it wailed violently down in that narrow space from the power of her speed. Another set of legs cleared and then… Soul flew out from the darkness of the deck’s underside. Back out into the sky once more.

She soared high into it. Carried on by her momentum. It pushed her on. Like she no longer needed her wings. She did not relent. I bet I can pull of so many more moves. Such speed like this. I want more. Soul sent herself flying up. Kicking up the rate her wings beat the air, and back up into the wind once more.

4.60
No need to be careful not with how fast she was now. Now… now she was the one who cleaved a path through the sky. Rising without any alteration in her speed. The ground below her. She closed her eyes and laughed. Cheering with glee. Overcome by the roaring wind and billowing cries of a violent sky that could not stop her. So short of flying through a storm. Soul did not give up. She kept going. Enthralled. Like this was her true calling. I can say it… I really do hope my cutie mark involves flying. This is my passion. This is what I’m good at. How far I have gotten. It all flashing before her like it did so often. Dreaming about doing this when all I had left were the words that made me cry. Crying tears that got lost in the rain while left all alone. That I could never come to something that was worth anything. That I was a failure. I hate feeling that way. I hate remembering it. But times like this, they make me spit at those words.

No matter how long it takes, I will get to something that few can dream of. Wherever it takes me. To the Wonderbolts, to Canterlot, to the heavens. Wherever. She had no clue on what it was. Just that it was true euphoria. Running through her body. Soul opened her eyes. Looking out upon a darkened sky and a loose grip upon her wings. The wings that flapped gently as she flipped back softly and looked out at the world below. That disc of Cloudsdale, a ring of clouds, so tiny down there. Amidst the mountains and the grasslands. From where she saw that gleaming white and yellow castle city looming out from the side of those mountains so far away. A land split by a massive river churning through towns and forests. One that was nothing compared to her now. For she was above it all. How high… even am I? She did not care. …It felt great to be this free in the sky. And I want it to last. For when I go beyond what I’m used to. Indeed, Soul was not used to this. Though she did it anyways. Soul looked down upon it all, reaching her forelegs back down to it. Ready to return to it all. Leave this sky of violet where the wind chilled her fur. So high up. I love it.

4.61
Soul… Serenity. Dash blinked. I still can’t believe what I’m seeing. There you were claiming to be at something more than what I claimed. I cannot believe… you are better than even that. So much… I can’t even feel bad. I can only feel like you are worth being showered in that love you don’t get at camp. Because none of them have ever seen you like this. Neither have I.

As she hung up there. That dot that was the magenta filly that streaked down from the sky so high, where the clouds flew away from her in a blast of power that sent shockwaves across the sky. Silent. No sound of thunder. As I watch you, I can’t help but think… how far you are ahead. Your technique and skill. Your control.

So… this is how you fly when nothing is bothering you. When you are truly free. Rainbow had seen her, when she flew past. There was a look on her face so much different than when she had taken off. Like she was alone. Confident. Not gripped by anything that held her back. To where she even cleared the deck at that speed. Dash was actually kind of scared for a moment, how fast can she get when… when she’s an adult? How skilled will she get? She makes mistakes now, even now… she’s not perfect. But Dash had to be in awe of her. Astonished. Scary how she could turn out to be. Though that didn’t stop Dash from smiling. From praising Soul under her breath. So happy to see her coming down from the sky at such speeds. Churning the sky behind her.

She had to admit it… more than once… she felt something from that flying. Like this was the flying of somepony who wanted to achieve everything when it came to the gift pegasi have been granted. To where she thought… she may perform a move out of legend. Can she do it? Why do I want her to? Her technique… it’s perfect. Perfect enough to go even further beyond to something that somepony else had her eyes set on. M-maybe… I should ask her. See just for sure what it is… that I can expect from her. If she is different from all the rest. To where I don’t feel any pain. Just relief for when they both would fly together.

4.62
Okay. Okay! I’m going a bit too fast. Soul held out her wings as far as could stretch. Careening in on the deck far below. This was going to take a lot of effort and surely it was starting to feel strong on her wings. All the wind pushing against them, trying so hard to stop her in her descent. Never even realizing just how fast she had truly been going. So very fast. Unlike anything before.

I got way too into it but… it was so worth it. Soul could not lose that smile on her face, her lips flapping from the force slamming against her face. That wind going all over her. Slicking her mane all the way back, her ears could not stay up no matter how hard she tried. Yet her wings were the only things that kept themselves composed. Fighting hard. Clenching her muscles and feeling that exhilaration of flying… this… fast!

Haha, this is just like when Nimbus first let me do mid-level flying. This adrenaline. This speed. Celestia, it feels wonderful. Like a shock going all along her body. Numbing her to the threat that barreled in at her in the form of the wooden flooring of the deck. Such a short stretch of landing to work with. But I can do it. This is no different than last time, except I’m going way faster than before. Proof that she had gotten too carried away. Too gripped by all this. This had turned from training into something else. Something so wonderful she did not want the feeling to stop. Stop blinding her from the reality that she was doing something for the first time. She was going faster than ever before, and that alone let her know that… that she truly was achieving more than what was expected of her. More than she could care to be worried over.

I crashed the first time I did mid-level. But that was long ago. Soul knew she was far more experienced now. Far more stronger. Her wings did not even dare to buckle from the attempt to slow herself down. Closer and closer she got, she held true. Confident in herself. The speed rushing over her. So fantastic. So invigorating. This is what it’s like to fly for real.

4.63
I know I can do this. Perfect it. Fly with grace and with strength. Unlike what they all see me for. I am better than what has been set for me. This is all I need to see that. This feeling. One that made her laugh. Laugh at the incoming deck. It came in at her too fast. I got this. Soul reeled her hind legs forward. Angling her body, ready to land on her hooves. Curling her wings up even further. Cupping the wind. All that wind slipping out from the cracks in her wings, sending her feathers to flip and fly wildly in their sockets. Not a single magenta feather came off. Not a single shred of determination left her. I pulled this all off so wonderfully, I can finish it. I can do it.

Do you see, Nimbus? I can do anything just like you want. Someday… I will achieve everything you want me to do. Become that masterful flyer I want to be. Hold those wings. Wait for it. This kind of speed was nothing to joke about, she bet none of the other kids could do this. None of them. None of them to know to do this.

Soul flapped her wings forward. Kicking back against the wind that came in to stop her. Blowing against it with all her strength. Right when the browns of her deck filled her vision. …Then they stopped. Soul breathed. Hard. Strong inhale, strong exhale set out in near harmony with the paced flaps of her wings to her sides. Eyes wide at seeing just how much power she had behind her. How dust and dirt flew off in a blizzard across the deck. Smacking up against the wall of the house… with furniture alike. Chairs and the table itself. The umbrellas sent off to hit the wall. Caught in the wind that came in behind her. Roaring like an angry animal. The wind left to twirl about the deck… making the dust dance and the deck door rustle. Till all went quiet and still. Till only Soul’s heavy breathing filled the air. Then a thud. As Soul let go, and fell onto the deck. Face first.

Ow, that kind of hurt. Soul lifted her face off the floor, rubbing her hoof over it… amazed that she just now started to feel even a little stress over her body. A little pain on her face. Feeling her wings trembling at her sides. She looked over at them. Wow, no wonder they couldn’t hold her up anymore. They were sent into a spasm. Slight tremors and she felt the jerky motion under her skin of her muscles freaking out. She really did push her wings to the limit.

A pretty bad landing. Soul knew that, all the while stepping back up onto all four hooves. Brushing herself off. Looking over the mess she had made. The mess her power had made. This is the speed I can do?! Forget the bad landing… that didn’t matter. Soul was thrilled. Her smile still had not even left her, even after falling on her face. It made her laugh. Laugh with such joy. No way! I did that. I flew so great. I did it for you, Nimbus… and for myself. Soul looked down at her trembling wings laying out over the floor. Holy crap, I don’t care what the result was… this feels amazing. Like a tingle running all down her spine. Electrifying her tail and making her shiver. Making her laugh.

4.64
“Soul…” a voice broke her from her laughter. Turning to see that cyan filly gripping the edge of the post she sat atop with such vigor and so much splendor in her eyes baring down on Soul. Dash? Oh… crap. I… I completely forgot. She… Soul lifted a hoof. Just as her smile began to shrink. That’s right. She was here to watch me. She saw all I just did. But that means… “That was… so… freakin awesome!” Dash yelled out. Not how loud she yelled that, it was what she yelled that surprised Soul and made her leap from the shock. The idea that she must have heard that wrong. No way… Dash liked it.

Soul felt that electricity running through her body once more. It made her shake again. Let out a spastic sigh from it. Sheesh… wait… I still haven’t recovered yet. She had to take a minute to breath. Figure this out. Dash saw me fly like that and now… “Soul, where the hell have you been hiding this?!” Dash said, she leapt down from her perch. Running back to join with Soul. Soul tried to back away. Shrieking when she saw Dash’s hooves go in to try and pick up the very wings that had flown her moments ago. Reminding Dash not to do what she wanted to, just marvel at them instead. Standing so close to Soul, starry eyed.

“I knew you were good, but this good… I don’t know many fillies who can fly like this already. Or even close.” Soul backed away. Giggling a little, more amused that Dash was actually freaking out. She was legitimately freaking out in front of her. No. She… she’s gushing over me. The glimmer in Dash’s eyes as she stared at Soul. This is the biggest she’s smiled. Why? I only flew… like that… “Th-thanks…” Soul muttered. “It was nothing special.”

“That’s crap. You were all like this, and then that and that.” Dash flung her hooves around, leaping into the sky and flying about her. Twirling and spinning all about the deck. Going on and on about what Soul had just done. While one thing sparked in Soul at seeing her like this. This was not the usual reception she got. This was something else. This… this was a Pegasus who loved her flying. It was her flight buddy, of all ponies. She likes it?

4.65
“I’m not kidding” Dash zipped back into Soul’s face. “You flew just as high as your mom did the other day.” Wait. Soul craned her neck. Looking up at the sky. As high as… she did? On that day when I stood up for this pony. I… there’s no way. I didn’t even know how high up I got. Until… I was so cold up there. I barely felt it. Barely noticed it but it was there. Looking down at a land so tiny.

Is she exaggerating? Is this real? Soul could not recount what she did. She flew so fast, so high. It had been scary and, at the same time, a blast. She had flown like that. “I… did…” Soul said. Looking back down at Dash. Her mouth wanted to fall to the floor. Shutting herself up with another shock of energy going down her spine.

“Alright, now I’m glad I came over. It’s not often I get to see another kid pull off that sort of stuff. Really… is this the stuff your mom teaches you all the time?” Dash was really determined to know. Soul didn’t feel threatened. There was no threat. Just a very enthralled Pegasus who was admiring her. Somepony admiring me. Soul had to laugh a little. “More or less” Soul admitted. “It can be kind of stressful and hard though.” “And you still do it, you’re like a prodigy!”

That was uncomfortable to hear that. Dash was mistaken. No, she can’t let her think that. “No, no. I’m no prodigy. It took a ton of training to get this stuff down.” A whole ton. Dash had no idea just where I was years ago. I was not the Pegasus I am now. Though she didn’t need to know. “Either way…” Dash said in a tone that grew softer. She settled herself down, landing back on the floor. “You sure can do a lot. I’m surprised you don’t fly like that often. …I would love to see you fly like that all the time.”

4.66
You really do want to? Soul felt her heart skip a beat. She likes how I fly. By how Dash looked, it was no joke. Her eyes glued to Soul under lowered lashes. A look she never got when she flew. Like… like there was a pony who was completely… in love with her ability. That was the sense she got from this. Dash liked how she flew. The same flying that hurt me so much in the past. This is a pony who got to see it first hoof. Something none of the other campers would get. “You really want to?” Soul whispered. She hated it. She was blushing. I… I don’t hear compliments like that. Damn, I must look so stupid now. Dash had no idea just how much that meant.

“I gotta say something” Dash said. “Stop me if it’s too much. Seeing how you fly all the time, I’m… kind of hoping to be like that someday. It’s been rough for me, learning how to fly and all. Seeing that you can do stuff like this. It’s inspiring.” Inspiring? “I want to be as good as you because… shit… wanna know a secret?” Soul did not dare interrupt her. Her ears so perked at listening to everything she was saying and she did feel her cheeks get hotter. Making her pull her mane straight down over her face. Whispering out from behind her bangs. “Yes?” “I want both of us to become something amazing so we can both do what we dream of. I want us to make that dream happen together. …Do… do you want that too?”

Soul peered out from under her mane, finding the filly shuffling her hooves across the floor. Not even able to look Soul in the eye when she said that, staring down at the ground. Smiling so hard. I can read her too… Soul noticed her little wings fluttering at her sides. She’s nervous. Why be nervous when I’m the one who should be? Dash just admitted to her, of all ponies else, that she wants to be there with her. To reach a dream that sounded too good to be true. Even after I ditched her. After all they had to go through. Their rough start. They have gotten to this. Soul didn’t know what to say. Except see that she felt true sincerity out of her flight buddy. She wants to be the best too. She wants Soul at her side. To reach a goal so far away but so sweet to taste. Soul could see it in her. She wanted it so much too. Both of them wanted it.

I… I have an idea. But… Soul looked up. “Dash, can I ask you something?” “Sure.” They both had a hard time looking at one another. Much time passed. Neither could stop smiling. Neither gave up to get the courage to look at one another as Soul spoke the words she wanted. “Did you say something to my mom last night when you visited?” Soul asked. I need to know now. Was it a lie? Dash’s smile grew wider. “I said you’re an awesome flight buddy.” Those were the words. Nimbus was not lying. You do think that. You proved it to me. Things may be hard between us but… I feel like I can do this for you. “I have an idea…” Soul said. “Wanna head out to the sauna?” Didn’t need to be asked twice. Dash nodded. “Do I? Let’s go!” “After…” Soul spat out and stopped the filly from running off with her wings all ready to take off. Dash looked back to find Soul was presenting the deck to her. “Could you help me clean this all up first?”

4.67
Looked like the sauna just always had this relaxing feel to it with how warm it always was. Soul stepped through the cloudy embrace of the doorway once more and stepped out into that beautiful scene from before. Greeted by the sound of running water roaring so loud from the many waterfalls dotting the ceiling and pummeling the shallow lake. Billowing of steam and lukewarm water droplets coming down to soak her. Not even stepped into the lake yet and she was already having to squeeze her mane out and flip it over her head. Shaking her body down just to keep it from getting too damp, much like her feathers were getting. Her poor wings felt pretty heavy. No matter.

Soul still loved this place. A huge refresher from the slight chill that was coming over the land outside. Rainbow also loved it. The filly rushing on ahead, not hesitating to leap into the lake. Landing in it at belly height and off to run about in the water. Thrilled to be here. Soul loved it. Like a huge weight was coming off them. Even more, she was excited.

Dash was not even close to as excited as Soul was. Her cyan flight buddy came here, the whole trip going on about the fun times they would have relaxing and playing in the water. Soul kept it all a secret from her. Should I tell her? Soul giggled into her hoof. She’s going to be so surprised. But after coming to me out of the blue and turning this dull day into something… more magical with words that Soul had never thought she’d hear from her flight buddy. Forget what she felt about Dash, anything that happened before.

Right now, she saw something so reminiscent in the eyes of that playful pony who said she wanted something that sounded… admittedly beautiful to Soul.

4.68
Soul looked about the vast and empty space of the cloud room. Loving the large areas they had to work with and… she sniffed the air. Smells and feels so nice. Literally everything about this place. Like something magical was to it. A little sanctuary that Dash had no idea about what Soul truly was thinking about it. “You gonna come in the water?” Dash called for her. Soul didn’t answer. Just excited. This is going to be fun. Soul unfolded her wings. Testing the air. Oh yes, this feels nice. A good shot of warm air running under her wings and doing nothing to her to say that she couldn’t do this here. She took off. Over to the lake. Where Dash ran off once more. Does she think I plan to jump on her or something? No way. I got something more special in mind.

“I’m not swimming, Dash” Soul told her from above. The filly down in the water just as perplexed as what Soul was saying. “You’re not?” “Not what I came here for” Soul said. A little harsh to say. Dash must feel weird for going along with this and not knowing what this was all about. All part of the surprise that she deserved. We may not see eye to eye that often and I know we have had a rough time since we first met. Hell, when we first did, I didn’t think we’d ever get to this point. You were interesting. You had this charm to you. Rough and so closed in. Yet Dash opened up to her. Slowly. Even if things still hurt, Soul needed to see this for what it was.

There was a pony here that she could honestly say wanted the same thing as Soul. Who was working so hard at it. She wants to be just like Soul just from watching her fly. Soul couldn’t help it. She felt her to be admirable in her goals. Just as she thought. This filly, Rainbow Dash, she can be a great flyer. She can be something and… she has blown me away. Better than what I would expect of another pony. Soul needed to fawn over her ambition. Her genuine determination to be that wonderful flyer.

I’m not sure if that’s why she’s sticking with me, but it was sweet of her to come visit me. Even if it was mostly spent watching Soul fly. As a good flight buddy, I can’t leave her alone in what she wants.

4.69
“There’s something else I wanted to do with you. After what you said… it got me thinking.” “Thinking about what?” Dash whispered. She stepped through the water. Coming closer to where Soul hovered. Eager to hear. Confused. “Dash, I know you want to fly even better than what we got to do at camp and that… you want to be this amazing flyer. Truth is… I think you can do it.” “You really think so?” Dash said, her spirits lifted. “I know so, in fact… I can tell you’ll become something great. I have no doubt in my mind that you will become the Wonderbolt you dream of.” “That… means a lot coming from you” Dash said. “After what I saw from you, you remind me of… of what it is I want.” “Tell me though” Soul said. “You really want to become a Wonderbolt?”

Dash sighed. She let her wings fall out from her sides and she fell back. Closing her eyes. She looked so serene right now. Happy and sitting in the warm water looking into the darkness of her eyes. Something that made her smile. I wonder what she sees.

“When I was six, my mom took me to my first Wonderbolts showing. At that same arena we both went to. The same one you got in that picture over your door. I was there! And… it was a moment that changed my life. Before… I had no idea what to do with myself. My flying was bad, and all I wanted to do was play. Honestly, I was a troublemaker back then.” You saying you still aren’t? “But then I saw them. The best flyers in all of Equestria. At that very showing. Wearing their bright blue uniforms and pulling off some of the most amazing moves I’ve ever seen without even trying. Stuff I could only dream of. Like I could never do them… until then. When I saw them all pull off their speeds and daring stunts, I told myself… why can’t I do that? Because I wasn’t like them. I wasn’t trying my hardest. Now look at me… no matter how hard it is on them, my parents stuck with me and now… now I can fly better than I ever could before. All because of the Wonderbolts. That’s when I knew it. I wanted to be like them. And nothing will stop me. I’ve been at it for three years, should tell you that it’s something I want.” Three years!? No way.

“You’re nine years old?” Soul asked. To which the filly proudly nodded.

4.70
Soul had to smile. “Rainbow, you’re the same age I am.” “You’re…” Dash paused. Slapping a hoof to her cheek. “Oh wow, I didn’t even know. And here I thought you were older than me.” “Nope, same age” Soul smiled.

Rainbow groaned. Slumping her head. Confusing Soul with how quick she was to change. “You’re the same age as me. Yet you’re far better than me.” “Hey now…” Soul tried to stop her. Stop her from thinking it was that bad. It wasn’t what she had been trying to get at.

“I don’t get it” Dash said. “Why are you so much better than me and…” Dash raised her forelegs. Holding her hooves up to her chest. Saddened. She whimpered a little behind those hooves. Rainbow Dash? “Why even bother flying with me… if I’m so much worse than you? I take it… you’ll want to leave me now that you know how bad I am at flying.” She got this way wrong. But, Soul hung speechless, she’s saying stuff like this. Rainbow, I’ve never heard her so down before. Just because she found out my age. After all we went through, no way she would leave her just because of that. I’m not like those jerk ponies. I’m not one to judge another on their ability. So long as they genuinely have the will to reach a goal. Just like Dash does. If you had told me a week ago that I would feel this way for you, I would have smacked you. But now, I can’t help it.

I do think you need me there for you. For me to offer that hoof to you. A hoof that Soul held out for her. For her to look up at and find the magenta Pegasus still there. Throwing out those stupid claims she had made.

4.71
“If you really want to get better, I’m the girl for you.” “What?” Dash said. Looking between Soul and her hoof. “I’m offering you something” Soul said. “Something super special that I think you can use to reach your goal. Because I want to be there for ponies who want to prove that they are more.” Just like how I will prove to all others. Wherever she is out there. Watching to see me pull off what she thought I couldn’t. “How well you fly is up to your parents, they’ve been there to teach you all this time and they will be there to support you. Just like mine.” “Yeah” Dash said. Crossing her forelegs together. “They’ve been wonderful to me. I just wish I could keep up with what they teach me.” “You’ll get there, but it doesn’t mean you need to do it alone.”

Soul let her hoof come closer to Dash. Confident when she saw Dash’s hoof shake and slowly come out. Edging for Soul’s. All she needed to see the determination she had. That she can trust me. “I can teach you something… something that can help you be the very best you can be.” Both their hooves touched. Soul joined by Dash who flew up with her, never letting go. “What… do you mean?” Soul smiled. “Think about it. I came here with you to a nice and secluded place where you can relax and not have to worry about anything outside.” “You mean… you’re going to show me…” “I’ll teach you a move” Soul said, and silence feel between them.

4.72
“My mom says this is something that separates the pegasi from the masters. Something that even the Wonderbolts themselves don’t use” Soul said to Dash, both of them sitting face to face at the edge of the lake. Looking upon the wide-eyed filly who listened. Nothing to even say. She could see in Dash’s face that she was astonished. As amazed as she was when she first heard of this. “We rely on our ears, noses, and eyes to keep aware of everything when we fly. But sometimes… that stuff doesn’t work. Remember when we were flying together for the first time and we had all those clouds coming in at us?” Dash nodded. “I was having a hard time keeping track of all of those. Not something we can deal with when we fly for real. There’s so many things that happen in the sky and around us when we fly that it’s hard to keep up with it all and be able to work around them.”

“Reading the air?” Dash whispered what it was that Soul had spoke to her of. Soul nodded. “How can that be possible? Sounds just like magic.” “You sound just like me when I first heard of it” Soul said. “But trust me, it’s real. You can tell what will happen in the air around you before it happens, you can judge the conditions without even thinking on it, see everything around you and learn anything you need to know to keep up your flight.” “I’ve never even heard of it” Dash said. “Yup, it’s rare. My mom can fly as well as she does because of it, but it took her years to master. As far as I know, the only other Pegasus who knew it was her father, one of the greatest Wonderbolts of all time.”

Soul reached her hoof out, holding it to sway through the very air that kept them warm. Feeling the density in it and how humid it was touching against her fur. Like her hoof swatted the water out the air and drenched her fur. But there was more to it. Something she learned all thanks to Nimbus. Something she knew was real.

4.73
“The air around us is always moving and changes when anything touches it. Even the slightest movement sends out a signal in it, and a Pegasus like us can sense it and know where it is we need to look. To where it is we can use to tell what is about to happen. It’s so hard that even I am having such a hard time figuring it out.” “You mean you haven’t even pulled it off?” Dash said. “I came close once on the first go. But it didn’t work out. I’ve been trying and trying since, it’s not easy… but I know it can be done. The very first time I did it… I felt something so strange. Like the entire world was still around me. Like the air was actually there as something I can touch. This weird sensation. Even thinking about it… I get chills.”

Even her feathers were starting to shiver in response. That creeping feeling. Something that told her there was more to it than a rare ability that sounded so close to being impossible. I remember how it felt. How it played out.

“I came so close, but I didn’t pull it off.” Dash asked the big question with that one. “How can you teach me it then?” No mockery or insult in her voice. The filly looked concerned. Understandable. But… “I know what you need to do to reach it. But it’s very hard and… it takes so much practice. My mom said you need to stay entirely focused on your flying and then it becomes natural to you.” “That sounds a little easy” Dash commented. “But it will take many years of practice before you get to that point when you can use it without even thinking. To where you will be beyond other pegasi who rely on their ears and eyes.” “How long did it take her to master it?” “She was taught when she was a kid too, it wasn’t till she was a mare before it was with her” Soul said. “And now she’s passing it on to me.”

“And you want to pass it to me too?” Dash said. Soul nodded her approval.

4.74
“Oh, I don’t think I should” Dash leaned back. “I mean, you haven’t known me for that long and… and you don’t need to teach me of all ponies.” Dash giggled under her breath though she frowned. “You should be the only one who has your mom’s gift.”

Nimbus never said what I could do with it, and I feel it’s the right thing to do. Rainbow Dash is the first pony to take me serious. The first pony my age, one that I can truly see myself being able to play with all the time just like those kids on the streets and the first time we splashed around together in here. You’re not perfect, but you are more than what I can expect. You’ve made me smile among the endless sadness.

Besides that, “Deep down… I can see you are a lot like me” Soul said. “You do?” “Yes, you and I have such great goals for ourselves. Goals that make us so happy inside and drive us. A goal you shared to me. To me! You actually want me to be a part of it and I want you to be a part of my goal too. It’s been very hard for us, but we can still be there to help one another out. I want to help you with this. Because I want to see if you can become that Wonderbolt.”

Rainbow Dash gulped. Flicker in her eyes so shiny that it almost blistered out in its own shine of radiant light. Amazed and moved, astonished she was. No doubt something she didn’t think to hear from Soul. It made her nod and accept it. “No matter how long it takes, I’ll learn what you want to teach me. And don’t you ever doubt that I will become that Wonderbolt.” All Soul needed to hear.

“I’ll show you, the rest will be up to you.” Soul waved her hoof up to the air above them and Dash did as she was told. Flying up there and, joined by Soul, set in a low hover above the lake. She was ready. She wants to do this.

4.75
Rainbow took her spot right where she was supposed to, in front of Soul. A steady hover and her hooves held up like some timid animal not sure what to expect. She had to show her exactly as Nimbus had. The only problem would be if she actually is worried or even intimidated by this. That won’t do.

“Calm down, I’m not gonna make it hard on you. It’s kind of easy to figure out what you need to do. Just… it’s all about how well you can control yourself.” “Right…” Dash said. “But what you’re doing is right” Soul said. “The best way to practice this is to stay completely still and the only way to read the air is when you’re entirely surrounded by it. When you’re flying. No way you can do it when your hooves are on the ground.”

Soul flew in closer to Dash. Looking over her. Left and right. Soul skimmed along her, Dash seemed to get that she was supposed to stay still. Not even turning, though she did look with a curious eye at Soul. Dash looks a bit tensed. Her wing muscles stiff on her softly swaying spans and a slight kick in her hooves… and her wagging tail. Ha, she reminds me a lot of myself. Trusting me just like I trusted Nimbus when she first taught me this. I am giving her this after all, the least she could do is cooperate as she did.

Soul flew around Dash’s back and took her position again to her right. “As the air goes around your body, it touches every bit of you and sends a sensation across your skin.” Soul did her best to explain how it felt to her. “Like somepony touching your fur and feathers and you react to it. Lets you know where things are that make motion in the air alongside you. Even things that aren’t even moving, things that block the air. You can sense it all. What I’m gonna do is position myself near you and you need to find me.” “Sounds easy enough” Dash said. “Eyes closed and no listening, only rely on feeling the air to find me.” That was enough to make Dash’s already risen confidence fall flat. Her face drooped. I think I can reenact what Nimbus did with me. A simple change in how you move your wings. Soul already started practicing it right on the spot and listened to find her very wings started to sound so much like they weren’t even moving anymore. “What you need to do… is simply to concentrate on the air around you. Don’t focus on anything else and only the motion that moves over your body. It will shift and change with every motion that happens and that’s what you need to look out for.” “How will I know what it feels like?” Dash asked.

That… was super hard to explain for Soul, even she couldn’t describe it. How it was when it first happened. Something magnificent. Something that made her heart soar and chills run all over her. Like something was trying to seep into her very body from the outside. “It’s when you know that you can sense something is different with you. I found it weird and… and exhilarating. As if it was pulling me to where it was I needed to go. Trust me, you’ll know it when it happens.”

4.76
Dash didn’t say anymore. She took a deep breath. Sighing softly, she opened her eyes up and peered at Soul under lowered lashes. Nodding her approval. Soul came in one last time. Dash did not fight back when Soul set her hoof upon Dash’s raised hooves. Doing as she did, Soul pushed down and Dash lowered them.

“Relax yourself” Soul advised. Pushing her hooves down to her sides. A quick tap to her spread hind legs to close them and, as if in repeat, she gave Dash’s long rainbow tail a tug. “Keep yourself still.” Dash stopped her tail from moving anymore. Alright, she looks ready. On the outside that is. It’s all up to her on the inside. Soul backed off once more. Giving her a wink. Letting Dash know she was ready. That was what made the cyan filly close her eyes once more, and she held them like that. This must be what it was like when Nimbus did this with me. Staring at a silent and attentive filly ready to learn what it was she had to offer. Another offering, but it felt right to do. Soul kept going with it. She wants to be an amazing flyer like me. She tries so hard. I have to pity her for all she does to do it, all her effort. Even if I never feel the same. I hope you appreciate this. I’ll do what I can for you.

Soul noticed it. “No ears either, stop relying on your hearing.” Dash groaned. “Come on now, not like I was using them.” “Don’t care” Soul said as she started to softly shift her position. Swaying sideways across from Dash. Finding a good spot to stay at and see if Rainbow could find her. Speaking to her as she went over there. “The point is to rely on your feelings. Like a sixth sense sort of thing. My wings make a motion in the air that changes it and your body can sense it if you just pay close attention to everything around you. Ignore everything else, only your environment.”

Soul found her spot. Just as Dash made another deep breath. I’ll let her try this, …I feel like… some part of me believes she will get this. I wonder how I will feel if she gets it. Would I be upset? I don’t know… I’m not upset right now. Anticipating her pulling it off. Because she’s not like me… always like this. Always messing up and afraid. I keep trying but I just can’t do it. I bet you can, Dash, since you’re perfect with nothing to keep you down.

4.77
Indeed, she started. Soul listened and knew her wings were silent. Oh yes, I’m a ghost now. Even if Dash relied on her ears, it’ll likely be the same result as when Soul attempted this for the first time. Like nothing was even there. All she had was the soft motions Soul made with her wings in the air. Gentle enough to make no noise yet enough to keep her aloft. She might have a harder time hearing anyways. Soul’s wings were not as big as Nimbus’… yet. So she has to rely on her feelings. Whatever it was… Soul was wondrous over the filly across from her with so much space between them. Enough space for a filly to shoot across and try to grab her once Soul had been found. If she will be found, but she needed to be patient. No idea how long it took her to locate Nimbus the first time. Felt like seconds, could have been minutes. Or even… hours? I hope not. Soul was a little discomforted at that thought. She got herself into this. Got to see it through at least until it was time to go.

But Rainbow did nothing to show something may be happening. Surprisingly… nothing at all. She didn’t even make a move. Only her wings did. Wow. So this is what it’s like to look at somepony who is concentrating. Was this how I was too? Soul had expected her to try and take a peek but Dash’s lids kept still and shut over her eyes. Sealed tight with no motion at all. Her ears left drooping on the sides of her head and no shift or turn of them to search for anything worth listening to. No part of her moved. That’s the way, Dash. Keep focused on your surroundings. Soul lowered her breaths. Slow and to a crawl. Nothing to disturb the sounds or motions of this place. Only the roaring sounds of waterfalls and dripping water to fill the air. Soul may as well fall asleep in here with how peaceful it had become. How serene and silent everything seemed to be. How gentle Dash looked over there no matter how much time passed.

4.78
I hope this is going okay for her. Dash still was pretty quiet and motionless. Long enough for Soul to watch the water dripping from her mane and in front of her eyes hundreds of times now. Glancing to it and then back to Dash. The cyan filly was getting really damn soaked under that perpetual rainfall. Though she still didn’t move. Not even when her wet mane fell down against her face and its hairs slithered across. Dampening her feathers. Nothing broke her concentration.

Amazing! She really is determined. Perhaps she was taking this serious. Serious with her claims too. Only a pony who did want to be something amazing would put in this much effort without pause. This much unceasing focus on her goal. This is just like Nimbus, isn’t it? Teaching me? You bring back a lot of memories, Dash. Of happier times when I could train without much worry or fear on my mind. Seeing your face now, I really was quite the calm and determined Pegasus. I’m still determined. I still am. Though even with you, I don’t feel like I can be like how you are. Not at all. Which is why you will get this. You will dart across the room and find me. Grab hold of me with a laugh as you become victorious. Victorious in overcoming my ability. As I get left behind with all my worries.

Strange. …I don’t usually get this way. Soul looked down at her hooves. Left dripping in water. Held tight to her chest. She looked back at Dash. What is wrong with me? Jealous of Dash, worried that I may be left behind. Maybe because she had not pulled this off. She could not get it. Not with how very much it hurt her to endure everything. Endure it while I watch you succeed. After all my efforts. No… Dash put in as much work as I have. She’s trying too. But it still hurt. To see how far behind she was getting all because of what had to start this fall. When she went to camp and now… now hanging out with this filly.

Who’s to say… she won’t be like all the rest. Even if she did like Soul’s flying. What is keeping her from running away too? Turning on her. Soul could not believe the thoughts going through her head. When she should be staying calm. She should be. I hate that I can’t stay calm. Don’t be mad at yourself.

4.79
Hard not to. I used to be so much better. Seeing Dash like this, it reminds me so much of how I used to be. How ambitious I was. Now look at me, hiding away and afraid so much that it keeps me back. Keeps me up at night. Makes me shake when around others. So much that… it made her wing tingle. Over the span where she could still hear that sickening sound from so long ago. Rainbow Dash has it easy. I was mean to her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she did leave eventually. Leave like all the others. Or maybe… maybe I’m just too nice. Too much for my own good. Soul forfeited herself to it. She made the decision. As she stared upon a filly so much like her. Reminding her truly of a pony who wanted to do her very best, she needed to sympathize. With a perfectly content pony. So unlike her.

Dash’s eyelids wrinkled. What? Soul watched. Waiting. Did she…? Her eyes widened, anticipating something. Anything that may show her that her expectations were true. A shout of victory. It was a shout. Rainbow shouted and gasped. Making Soul’s heart waver and writhe hearing it. She flew still like a stump.

Dash backed off, broken from her concentration. Completely broken. Holding herself with her hooves and her wings flapping harder. Then she coughed. That was what made Soul fly back over to her, getting Dash’s attention again. Watching her wide magenta eyes and mouth gasping for breath, though Dash had no idea how it was Soul felt right now. She hid it. Asking “what’s wrong? Did you feel it?” Dash coughed again. Looking down upon her hooves and… she shook her head. Short of breath. Soul just watched. Waited.

4.80
“I… I don’t know” Dash said with a bit of spit flying out. “It was like my entire body was being stung or something. It gave me so many chills.” The filly even ran her hooves up and down her body and shivered. Either warming herself or checking, her eyes going along her fur. Sounds… like something familiar. Soul rose a brow.

“I don’t know what it was but… it was intense. I couldn’t keep it up any longer.” So looks like you couldn’t get it on the first go. Strangely, I feel like I want to keep teaching you. Keep letting you try. Good. Maybe because I feel a little better. Even if you are fine, with nothing to worry about. Reassuring Soul. Thank goodness. That must mean this technique is much harder than I thought. I’m not the only one who has trouble with it. Soul smiled, laying her hoof upon Dash’s shoulder to calm her. At least you won’t leave me now. “Told you it wasn’t easy. Takes lots of practice.”

Dash nodded. Coughing once more. But she accepted the truth. This was going to be something that will take a lot of time to get down perfectly. A lot of time we have. I just hope it will last long. To prevent tomorrow from coming any sooner. As Soul felt the tingle going over her injured hoof. What it told her about tomorrow. When I get to deal with it again. When I do. As everypony leaves me. Save for Dash. Only if she wants though. Only if she wants.

“We can try again if you want” Soul offered. “I’ll find a new position and give you some more advice based off what I learned.” Wow, no pause. Dash nodded again. Ready to give it a try. Kicking herself back into form. Not giving up from that. Great! She does remind me of somepony. Soul backed off from her. We can keep going till it was time to go. Maybe I’ll learn something from her. Something to help me figure this out. Something to keep tomorrow from coming any sooner. But… “Hey Dash” Soul said as she looked back at her. Meeting her eyes. Though Soul hid everything. Hid how she felt and how much it was starting to hurt her just to think the words she wanted to say. “Yes?” “I’m still sorry for what happened on Friday. It was wrong of me to leave you. I hope you do forgive me” Soul said. Anything to make sure Dash knew. The cyan filly seemed surprised at first, quick to wave a hoof at her and write it off. “Oh Soul, I’m not upset.” “You aren’t?” “Of course not, we are flight buddies after all. Damn good ones” Dash said. “One little thing like that won’t change it. Especially with how awesome you have been to me. Always helping me out and... and now! Now you’re my teacher!”

Soul smirked, looking away from Dash and… she looked down at the ground below. Not at all happy inside after hearing the thing Dash had said… before that. “Thank you” she muttered. “It was a hard day and I know what Amber did upset you. It… it was a scary day” Dash said from behind her. “I understand why you left. Trust me. But… I won’t let that drive us apart. You can be sure of that.” She sounded so confident in that. Determined. Like it meant something. Soul was glad she wasn’t going to leave, truly she was. She had to thank her again. “Thanks, I’ll still love to be your flight buddy.” Flying off to a new position. I’ll be your flight buddy… but…

I wish you would be mine and do more to help… me.

5.1
It was nice while it lasted, yet Soul still could not believe that every time she saw this place, all it did was serve as just an example of why it is she was so sad. The first time she came here over a week ago. No way to tell this was how she would be now, feeling as she was now so quickly. Standing in the same spot. Looking up at the same archway overlooking the entrance to Junior Speedsters. Not even faking her hoof being injured again worked. Not this time.

It was good that Nimbus didn’t seem to realize that she lied yesterday or she may have gotten in trouble. Seeing right through Soul’s ploy this morning. Soul looked to the mare who was with her. Content and not at all showing that she may be troubled. Like she was ready to get back at it with Soul here to join her. Soul, more or less, ready as well… physically. No bandage on her this time. Nothing wrong with her leg. Surprised to find it had healed rather quickly which is what gave it away to Nimbus. That was the only part of her that was ready. Deep inside, she wanted to back away. Hide, for on the other side she did not know what it was to expect. She just needed to keep telling herself the same thing again. Just get through it. Fly through the exercises and get a good workout in. Keep to herself. For the most part. Of course, there was only one pony here now that she could truly say would be up for hanging out with her.

She hoped there to be more cooperative flying of some sort today. We didn’t really get to do any flying together yesterday. So much training and so much that made Soul sit there and realize just how much she was hurting inside. Being here again, it only hurt more. Much more. So strange, I used to look forward to things. Even if the days would be tough, there was always some sort of bright side that helped me. Today, I just feel like total crap. Like she had gotten little sleep. Her head aching and her eyes plagued by heavy lids. Even if she did sleep peacefully last night. Nimbus walked on ahead, eager to get inside and start the day. Just another day for her. I wish it were as easy for me.

5.2
“Psst” a whisper came out from beside her. From Starry, who kept up with Soul in her slow trudge towards the door. “You doing alright, Soul?” He spoke at a level head with her. Kneeling his neck down. Soul did her best to give a little smile and nod to him. But just wanted to keep going. So drained already. I’m not alright. I just want to lay down into a nice and warm bed and sleep. Get away from all this. Really the only thing peaceful she had any more. Already missing holding onto her pillow tightly. Burying her face in its softness and not letting go inside of her own little semblance of comfort. To hell with whatever was going on at the camp today. She didn’t care unless it was some sort of relaxing flight that could just let her get away with being alone with Dash. Or maybe just be alone. At this point, she didn’t know.

“Here’s your lunch, champ” Starry said. Pulling out the bag he had been carrying for Soul, giving it over to her. Soul accepted it into her mouth. “I packed something special in there for you…” Starry whispered. He edged in closer, close enough to whisper into her curious ear. “Don’t tell Nimbus, …I got you some chocolate.” Huh, but I thought no dessert for a month. Soul did want to ask him what was up… but she held her tongue. Understanding with his mischievous face. With quite a smile on it too. So Nimbus doesn’t know?

Soul looked over to the mare. She held the doors open for both of them to follow her in. Glancing to them. Then going back to what it was she was looking over inside her saddlebags. Soul held the bag tighter in her mouth. That… is nice of him. Starry rushed ahead on longer legs to join with Nimbus. Inviting Soul in. So this is a secret, huh? I’ll be sure to thank him later. Honestly, she needed that. A little something to look forward to. Missing so much the sweet taste of candies and chocolates. A month felt like it would be so long. Even just this bit right now would be like heaven for her. A little bit of something sweet inside this place. Soul passed in through the doors. Standing back inside of the large and open cloud fields of the camp once more. All so familiar. Like I’ve done this a thousand times now.

Another day here. Looked like she was among the first ones here. So few of the others kids were here spread out among the camp. Ones she recognized from her group. But there were many more she saw further off. Lots of ponies. Fillies and colts flying and diving. Swooping in alongside older pegasi who instructed them. The other groups. This place was starting to get more lively with the hustle of happy pegasi more than ready to get to flying. Learning all they could and heading towards their goals. So much that none of them even noticed her. I would rather keep it that way. After all, not like many ponies here even care to like me.

5.3
Soul was blinded when something came over her head and covered her eyes. Like her head was being cupped. So suddenly. She lifted it off her face. Running her hoof over it in her frantic effort to get it off her until she found out what it was she was feeling. Feeling the rim of it over the top of her face and the embroidered emblem over it. Along with another hoof lifting off it, belonging to Nimbus. The mare giggled. Standing with her husband and looking over her handiwork. Soul didn’t do anything to get rid of it. Keeping her hoof on it. She contemplated getting rid of it. But… no. This was the hat they gave me. Just like my first day on the first week. Like a total repeat. Confusing her. She looked to them for reason why. “Lookin’ snazzy, Soul” Nimbus winked. “Just thought you may want to wear it.”

Soul still didn’t remove it. In fact, she lowered her hoof from it. Leaving it atop her mane. “I… guess I can” she submitted. “Probably not when I fly, of course.” “Yeah” Nimbus said. “You just look cool with it on. Like our own little Wonderbolt.” Both of the pegasi laughed to one another, except for Soul. She blushed a little. Come on now, it’s not that big a deal.

“I’m not nearly as good as the Wonderbolts” Soul wrote it off. “Not yet…” Nimbus said. Confident in her claim. A claim that made Soul feel a little better about it. As long as I keep training, pretty sure I will be like a Wonderbolt. Better. Just like I want. “Just give it time” Nimbus said. The mare trotting past her, head held high in pride as she went off towards the courses. “After all…” she stopped suddenly. Looking down from under her wing. “You did pretty well yesterday.” That made a shock go down Soul’s spine. Silent. Watching Nimbus walk off. Leaving it at that. “What…? But I…”

5.4
“Don’t be afraid, Soul” Starry said next to her. “She’s not mad. Both of us were pretty surprised you flew as well as you did yesterday. We could hear you from all the way over here.”

Was I really that loud? Soul did not notice just how powerful her wings had been yesterday with all that noise she was making. And they knew it was me? That’s amazing and… frightening. A huge relief came over her though. Just when she thought she would be in trouble again. When neither of them knew her reasoning for not wanting to come here in the first place. “We’re proud of you, but… don’t do that again or you will get in trouble. Understand?” Soul nodded. “Yes. …I won’t.” That means… no more lying to get out of this. Those two were good. No wonder they didn’t fall for it this morning.

“Alright, you should go put your lunch away” Starry suggested. Pointing her over to the locker building. Right. Guess this is it. When she would have to part with them. Off into dealing with all this again. “And Soul” Starry stopped her before she left him. “You don’t need to wear the hat, Nimbus and I just wanted to let you know that we’re here for you. Always. And that both of us are very proud of you.” That was what made Soul’s wings fall a little. She did not meet his eyes. So he could not see how that was the thing that made her lower her head and meekly stare upon the ground. As she heard that thing that made her heart hurt. Starry leaving her with that.

She waited to hear his hoofsteps upon the clouds dim to a distant canter. Taking a deep breath. I don’t think you two can help me at this point. Really, the only thing left would be to disappoint both of you… and leave the camp forever. Ruin all the hard work you two have done and all the trust you have in me. It’s not that easy. Not at all. Even if I do want to leave. I don’t want you both to feel the same way I’ve made many others feel. As the ponies I can see there for me just go away. Slowly, they left her. Like she was now, alone. She decided not to stand there any longer. Heading off to do as she was told.

5.5
She was not alone. Not inside. As she stepped into the locker room. Where the benches split the two sides of the locker room apart, she saw another pony in there close her own locker with a loud slam. Rainbow Dash. That surprised Soul. She’s already here. Every day, Soul noticed her always got here just in time. Never early.

“Dash?” Rainbow’s ears perked up. She got her attention from Dash’s dead stare into her locker door. Startling her it looked like. “Soul, oh wow, I didn’t expect to see you here so early.” “That’s what I should be telling you” Soul laughed a little. She stepped down from the stairs, coming to join her flight buddy at her locker. Even if it’s just been a night, Soul still had to admit that she missed seeing her flight buddy. The one pony here she was sure wanted to actually see her. Dash must have figured out what it was Soul was getting on about. “Hehe, oh yeah.” Running her hoof through her mane. She jumbled a little in place. Looked like she was pretty excited. That’s good, guess she’s been having a good day.

“I got up a bit earlier this morning and did some more training while my parents were still asleep. So we were able to get here early.” Some more training? Oh, just like me. But… Soul didn’t even think that Dash would be one for getting up super early just to train too. Not in that chilly morning air that would make Soul’s fur stand up. That was still pretty cool of her to be that devoted. “Nice, what training did you do?” “Your awesome technique” Dash admitted happily.

Happy, except Soul… she was the one who no longer felt happy. Not inside. “Oh, really?” Rainbow is training in the morning for it? But… it’s better to do it with a partner, she’s doing it on her own. “Yup, I got as much time in as I could. Even did a little last night after my daily training with mom.” “Did you train with her for it?” Soul asked. “Nope, I want it to be a surprise for my parents when I figure out how to do this move. I can see it already, they’re gonna be so proud of me. And I got you to thank for it, Soul. You’re an awesome teacher.”

But I thought it would be something we do together. I… I want to figure out how to do the move too. I thought… that we could learn from one another. Though… I never did say that to her. I just thought it would be obvious, our own special thing to do. Rainbow went ahead and worked on it so much without her. “Well… I’m glad you got so into it” Soul lied. “I wasn’t able to do any training last night to keep up the whole injured leg thing.” But… I guess I can do some tonight. With my teacher. It pained her to think that. A kick in her gut.

5.6
“By the way, did we get found out?” Dash asked. For the most part “No, mom and dad don’t know what happened.” “That’s a relief” Dash said with a little shake of her hind legs. “My mom was surprised with my speedy recovery. Thanks a ton for letting me hang out with you yesterday. I think it was a ton of fun. We need to do it again.” “S-sure” Soul said. “Next time should probably be when my mom allows it.” Especially when she now knew Nimbus was not as easy to fool. Dash agreed. Hastily, she nodded and stamped her hooves a bit. That drew Soul’s attention.

“Look uh… you caught me at a bad time” Dash said. Kicking her hind legs again. Oh. “I need to pee, been holding it in all morning… so, please wait for me. I’ll be right back!” Turning tail and rushing off towards the hallways beyond the locker room. “Okay…” Soul called after her. Left with so much on her mind that she wanted to say to the rainbow tailed filly who flew off down the halls and out of sight. So much to say.

It left Soul disheartened when she replayed all she had heard. “I can’t believe she went on without me” she whispered to herself. Although… I never told her not to… just, I wish she would have waited for me. Because it’s what I wanted to do. Something special alongside her flight buddy. So we both can achieve our goals together. Soul didn’t like it, but she was disappointed. In herself more than Dash. Stupid to think it would be otherwise. She opened up her own locker. Placing her lunch inside. Longingly looking down at it inside that dark locker. Rainbow wants to become a better flyer, of course she would move on and try her best to achieve that goal. Except… she hated this sense of being left behind inside of her. What if… if she finds out how to do it before me?

Would she even need me anymore?

It wasn’t hard to imagine that Pegasus quick to leave her behind once it was all finished, so she would be far away from the pony who caused so much trouble for others. Because so many ponies leave me. It wouldn’t surprise me… if she didn’t want to hang out with me once I have nothing left to give her. Then I’d be all on my own again. I really have been an awful pony to her and… I don’t blame her. I don’t blame her for not being there for me too. Soul pulled the hat off her head. Letting her mane fall back down against her face. Covering up her eye once more. Staring down at it with her free one. Pushing it into the locker with her lunch. Setting it in and then… she didn’t let go. Hmm… Nimbus and Starry. The only two ponies I can rely on. But also… can’t rely on. Because they can’t rely on me to do what I need to do. I could ruin everything they’ve done for me and yet… they still stand with me now. With that threat looming. This little hint of a happy pair of pegasi who did like her. Didn’t leave her behind. When they took me in when nopony else did. I can honestly say that I appreciate all their efforts. I just don’t want to let them down too. I won’t. Soul brought the hat back to her. Holding it against her chest. You two had faith in me. So much that you train me to be a better flyer. Patient and diligent. Those two were proving to be the only ones she could rely on. They made her put that hat back on her head. Wear it with pride. Their little Wonderbolt. Their champ. Anything to keep her smiling. I’ll keep going. Soul closed the locker.

5.7
“Wow, Soul.” Soul shot her head up. Oh no. She pressed her hoof hard against the door to her locker, leaning back to peer around it. To where the stairs rose high over the lockers and where Aurora was standing at the top of them. The colt frowned. Curling his brows up in disbelief. As both of them looked upon one another. Soul’s yellow eyes cracked in tiny bits of red meeting with his bright green eyes, upon a pony she had forgotten about. For just a moment, yet he is back.

Here I was afraid of everypony else. Now here I am, alone… with him. Soul realized that. She was all alone with Aurora.

After a week without him. Without having to deal with him and having to deal with the crap he started. I can’t believe he’s back. She did not speak. Did not dare to respond to him with anything. Just hiding her face in her locker. Maybe I should just look like I’m busy, maybe he’ll leave. Or… did I look terrified when I saw him? I feel so terrified. She wished nothing had happened to make this go on. After what she had to deal with. But his hoofsteps sounded from the stairs. Walking down them, she knew he was coming towards her.

“I really don’t get you” his voice came out from the other side of the locker door. Stepping loudly over his voice, every miserable rotation of his hooves. Coming closer to her. Telling her that this was happening. That things were back to normal here. The norm when it came to camps for her. Just go away. Soul shifted her hoof along the bag that held her lunch. Roaming around on it and then pulling her hat further down her face. “Is that why you weren’t here yesterday?” Soul didn’t answer. Frozen when his hooves reached the bottom of the steps… and no more. Feeling, hearing him over there. Across the room. Watching her. Only her tail poking out from behind the open door.

5.8
“You two really do get along” he said. Soul edging her ears over towards him. Holding her breath. More wondrous as to why he said that. “So you both fly together when you’re not here? I get it… this place does suck when it comes to teaching more talented pegasi new things. I can’t wait for spring, so I can get in to the more advanced classes.”

Soul backed herself up a little. Fully awake now with her eyes open to their max, staring into the dark space of her locker with such confusion that came over her. Because of how he’s talking. What is going on? Like he’s saying that stuff like he thinks I’ll care about his feelings or plans. “What do you want?” Soul whispered. “So what if we hang out after camp?” “Except you both train together, right?” Aurora said. “That’s what I heard. Sounds like you both got some move you two are trying to learn.”

So he overheard us. Soul lowered her hoof off her hat. Scowling… she didn’t know why it was he was talking to her like this, but the question still stood. What did he want? “My dad teaches me a lot of moves too after camp” he went on. “It’s a lot of fun, because I want to be an awesome flyer to make my parents proud. Pushing yourself to be better, that’s something that pegasi are better at than other ponies. You may not be a good flyer, but… at least you’re making an effort to get better.” “I am a good flyer…” Soul protested from behind the door. “But why are you hiding it? You really like to waste your ability, and that’s not something I like about you.”

Hoofsteps resumed and the colt came closer. Echoing loudly across the room and she saw that he was coming closer from the shadows that flickered under her locker door. From the colt on the other side. Going on and on but she just wanted him to leave.

“As far as I see, you’re not a good flyer. And you never will be.” Liar, I am a wonderful flyer and nopony here is better than me. So what if I don’t show it, I’ve only been shown that nothing I do works. If it were up to me, I would leave this camp forever and pursue what I want without it. But that’s if there weren’t ponies that I need to keep faithful to. “Why don’t you just leave me alone?” Soul whispered to the pony on the other side of the locker door. “I think you should be more worried about other ponies, and that’s why I just don’t get you. A great flyer is supposed to be strong and proud enough of themselves to beat out any pony else who tries to stand in their way. But you let others step all over you, like that pony…”

5.9
Soul glanced over to the door. Where she knew the colt was on the other side. His steps having been so loud in his sudden stop. He was right there with her. There to tell her that. Where she held her mouth open for so long and finally licked her lips when she started to shake. Shake from hearing that there were words out there that did make her truly tremble inside. Being stepped on. I don’t know where it was he got that idea about flying but… I know I already am a great flyer. And I will become even better. There are none who step on me. Nothing holds me back from my goal. I’ll make sure of that.

“Just leave me alone. I got flying I need to do today” Soul said and she set her hoof back on the locker door. Ready to close it and leave. “You’re not the first pony” Aurora said. Stopping her in her tracks. “Even if I don’t like you, I feel so sorry for you that she’s messing with you like that. Looks like not even your own flight buddy is somepony you can rely on now.” What… did you… just say? “Didn’t Amber talk to you about Crash?” “Dash.” Soul corrected him. “Whatever, doesn’t change how she used to be. She’s playing you just like she always did with everypony else who had to deal with her.”

“Rainbow Dash doesn’t play me” Soul said. “She’s my flight buddy and we are wonderful teammates.” “Aren’t teams supposed to look out for one another? I’m just saying she’s gonna end up hurting you. Like she did to another pony before.” Soul perked her ears up. Why did those words sound like something that, …with a heavy heart, she admitted sounded like something so familiar to her. Deep inside… how she felt for a while now.

She couldn’t believe it made her actually listen to him.

5.10
“I went to the same camp as Dash did and I tell you that she sure did hurt a lot of ponies back then. She was a total showoff but man did her flying suck. Didn’t get much better no matter how hard we all trained. She didn’t get many friends cuz of it except for one. Another filly that always gave and gave and gave to Dash while Dash didn’t do anything for her even when her friend needed her help the most. Word was that Dash didn’t want anything more to do with that pony when she needed her help and even yelled at her. If you think I’m lying, you can ask the pony who caught her yelling at her old friend. She’s in this camp now, her old flight buddy, Amber. From what I heard, Dash really made that pony cry.”

“Stop talking about her that way” Soul said. “You don’t believe me, so you’re just gonna keep getting walked over. The moment you ask something from her, she’ll do nothing. Has she done anything to make you feel better?” Aurora asked. “Please… stop talking about her…” Soul muttered. Finding it a little harder to hold herself in. Because it all… all of it sounded so familiar to her. Because I wanted to ask her for… for something too. Something more than usual. Just to be my flight buddy. A true flight buddy. But he’s full of it. Rainbow likes hanging out with me and always wants to be near me. “She’s been the only one who has talked with me and played with me… you’re lying.” “You really aren’t gonna get anywhere” Aurora said. “I’m trying to help you, but… looks like you’re a weak flyer again. Dash will just keep taking from you and when the time comes, she won’t need you. Nopony here needs you anyways. After all, you are just an idiot and she knows it too. The time will come when she leaves you as well.” She won’t leave me. Shut up. Soul pushed her hoof deep into the locker door. Making it tremble along with her leg. “She’s not going to leave me.”

Then she heard him walking behind her. Feeling him behind her. Though she hid herself. Hid her emotions. As hard as it was not to start because of his words. Him walking off, she wanted to put her head into the locker and hide. Let it out in there. Rainbow Dash has been with me since the start and she always takes any opportunity to play with me. We both have the same goals. I want her to become something amazing. I want to see her be comfortable and happy with her flying and to feel like she has something to be proud of. I don’t want her alone. And I’ll do anything to keep her happy. Rainbow Dash would not do that to me. She would not hurt me. Even if her heart was already hurting. “She knows you’re not good enough and she’ll leave you when you can’t do anything more for her. Maybe, she’ll even yell at you.”

I don’t want her to, I’ve given her no reason to. I’m there for her to teach her and make her happier. Soul looked up. At that looming shadow of a filly inside the dark recesses of her locker. Standing there across from her. A shadow she wanted to reach out towards, and her hoof hovered to it. I want to give her so much. All I want is to make the ponies important to me happy and see that I am there for them. All I ask for… is the same back. So I don’t need to feel that way again. I don’t want it again. Where Soul could see it. The shadow that walked away from her in a dark and rainy alley. Leaving her alone. Growing dimmer and smaller. Please don’t go. I need you. I want to do anything for you… all I want is your care. So I don’t feel alone. Please don’t leave.

Don’t leave me, mommy.

5.11
“Rainbow Dash is no better than before.” “Shut up!”

Soul slammed her locker door hard. Closing it in on the disappearing shadow. Gone. Left with a loud clang echoing across the building and ringing in her ears. Her entire body trembling. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me. All I want is your care. I’ll give you all… just don’t leave me. The room fell silent. With the two ponies left in the dead of it all. Aurora’s eyes peering back at her. She felt him there wrapped in silence… and shock. With just the rustle of his mane as he shook his head. As much as Soul wanted to slam her hoof into that very head. The hoof that shook violently against the door to her locker. She stared at it. Nothing more except the sight of that shadow leaving her.

“As long as you let her step on you, you won’t get any stronger. You’re only giving her all she wants. She doesn’t do anything for you. She never will. Maybe you should move on and never come back.” He stepped away. His hooves leaving from the room and out into the camp beyond. With just Soul left there on her own. Never come back. Soul sighed. A haggard breath. So hard to think. So hard to do anything, not with it still there. There to be seen, all alone. As every pony leaves her behind. Because she knew that there was not much use she had to give to them. Maybe that was why… she never got anything from another pony to let her know that everything will be alright. As she gave up everything for them. Everything gone. She would give them all… yet they always left in the end. Is that why… you never do anything to make me feel better?

A tear went down Soul’s cheek.

5.12
Soul ran her hoof over her cheeks once more… and again she was so unhappy with herself for crying so much. So much that nothing she did could keep the tears from stopping. Nopony had entered or left. None to see her crying like this. Keeping to herself with only her own fur to hold. Only her own words to let her know everything will be okay. She won’t leave me. She does like me. I’ve given her so much and she has no reason to abandon me. I really do wish I had somepony to hold. Something more than what I’m always left with. Maybe the one thing that she did have left to give her some sense of comfort. Her hat. She scrunched it up in her legs. Holding it close from where she sat. Rubbing her cheek along it, no matter how rough the thing was. She didn’t care. There are ponies who like me. There are ponies who are proud of me. Who wouldn’t leave me… as long as I keep being the wonderful Pegasus I am.

I can never give up on my dreams. Never give up on myself when others do. When others leave me or choose to hurt me. I still have this. This reminder. Like the emblem on the hat itself. One she looked upon with teary eyes. That of something so much better. Better than wallowing around in misery. She just needed to remind herself that she still had her drive, still had her ability. As she was always left with. The one thing that always got her home. Always loved her. She loved it too. Always. She heard the hoofsteps. Oh no, the one reason she did not run to the bathroom to cry. Damn. Soul wiped her cheeks again. Putting the hat back on her head and hoping for the best. Just wanting to get this day over with.

Rainbow Dash was the one who stepped out from behind the corner with such glee in her smiling face. The total opposite of Soul. “Now that’s what I needed” she commented. Rushing across the room. She got closer and that was when she slowed down and stopped. Together with Soul and Soul edged away from her. Slinking away with her sulking face. Hide it. She doesn’t need to see it. See any more of it, that was. “Soul! Are you okay?” “I’m fine.”

Soul snapped her mane back down against her face. She doesn’t need to concern herself in any of it. All that mattered was getting this day over with. Soul was eager to do just that, hoping Dash was too. Get done with another day. “Something got in my eyes. It really stung” Soul said. “Did something happen? You know you can tell me” Dash said. Tell you? Tell you what it was that Aurora said about you. That he said what happened at the last camp you were at. I’m sorry, but I just can’t. Soul saw it now, words like those enough to make Dash angry with her. That was the last thing she wanted. Preferring to just go on with how it was now. For as long as it would last. Days being just like this. As she did whatever it took to keep what few ponies were left for her close. Prove that she was a strong Pegasus. One who would not disappoint or let anypony else down.

“I’m fine. Let’s just go join the others” Soul said. Already pointing her nose to the doorway. Waiting, until Rainbow finally stepped forward and off to the door. “Okay…” With that rainbow tail venturing off into the beaming sunlight shining in through that door and out into the world beyond. Soul hesitated, but she followed along with it. Like she always did. Always did… with the same tears that came down her face.

5.13
The night sky was still so beautiful, as perfect as always for training. Now that she was alone and her mom had gone in to read. Rainbow could get to it. No wind or even a breeze out tonight, not even a cloud. Just her and the Moon… and her thoughts left behind from the day. She just wished that Soul could be here too. The one pony out there she wanted to be with her. For this would be another momentous night. For tonight, Dash was ready to figure out that move that Soul taught her. No matter what it took, or how long it took. Well… until her mom called her in for bed. It left her pumped. Smacking her forehooves together.

“Let’s do this.” A silent and wonderful night for her to fly up into, hovering over her spot high above the cloudy yard around her house. Inside of a darkness that did not move. Yet it did. For she knew that there was always air around her that always moved. She had felt it. She had heard it. Someday, she would get as good as Soul was with it. Because that… that was a pony worth training for. Soul Serenity, so strong and so skilled. With wings unlike any other she had seen before and such kindness in her heart. Enough to give me a chance. It really does make her shine for me. Her heart is as beautiful as she is.

Maybe one day… one day I will show her that I am a pony that tries so hard. As hard as she does. Soul may feel that there are no ponies around that bother with her or see her ability but Rainbow will be the one who will always be there with her. She will be the one to prove herself worthy of flying alongside Soul. Dash closed her eyes and settled herself. Ready to slip into that moment once more. No matter how intense it may be, she will do it. For Soul. Soul is a pony who may actually care for me. For that, Dash would make her proud. She would prove herself to be a pony that Soul can stand proudly alongside and that Rainbow Dash was a pony who was worth flying with alongside. She took a deep breath and smiled.

5.14
Another silent night. Yet it was not calm. No way for it to calm her. Soul could not even try to keep herself calm for anything. More than glad that she was alone with nopony out here to see here like this. Though she tried so hard. Hovering high over the deck in the light of the Moon. Looking out upon it with closed eyes that shed so many tears that fell to the land below, shimmering in the moonlight.

She just wanted to concentrate. Just pay attention to the air. This is my peace. This was the best place for her to be, yet it wasn’t. Not tonight. As she flew within it all alone. All alone. With nopony else who wanted to fly with her. She was glad, because none of them would want to. Aurora put it right. She was a weak pony. A weak pony who tried so hard to be strong and that is why they left her. That is why she was left behind in that box long ago.

“I always fail… just like this. I just can’t get anypony to like me.” No, I can’t talk. Not when I’m trying to concentrate. She had to focus. Focus only on the goal. The end point when she could be that amazing flyer that all ponies looked up to and saw her for what she was worth. That she was not a pony who hurt others or stood in their ways. That she was a kind and sweet Pegasus who only wanted the best for others, and she only asked for their kindness in return. That’s all I wanted from you, mom. It’s all. I did so much for you… and for everypony. But I never could do enough to make you proud. To make anypony proud of me. So much so that it always led to the same result. To where she was now… alone, a solo Pegasus floating in the still sky under the orb that told her so much how it was to be alone. I feel it will end the same.

Nopony likes me… not enough to care about my feelings. And it hurts me so much. So much that her heart ached. Pounded against her. Fought against anything she tried to do just to prove she could pull off anything. So many don’t like me… what if… what if Dash was among them? Like all the others who would hurt her, as she did now. I gave you me, and… what’s to stop you from being like her or Amber? Afraid of being with me because there’s nothing more I can offer. When something will happen to get rid of Dash too. I don’t want that. I only want friends who care for me. Please. But there was always too much that drove ponies away from her. Far too much.

5.15
Dash broke from her concentration. So much sweat. So much of a rush going down her body. She looked down upon her hoof, out of breath. And I couldn’t do it anyways. This is not easy at all. You were right, Soul. But I just can’t shake it. I want you here with me. Give us both something to be happy about. Under this night sky, for both pegasi to train together. To reach that goal together. As hard as it is. Rainbow just wished for Soul to be happy too. As happy as Dash would be when they got there. But every time she tried to imagine it, …all she saw was that filly’s crying face.

She looked up to the Moon. Sweeping her bangs out from her face. Letting the cool air come over her. Somewhere out there, you are training to reach that goal. I hope you don’t leave me behind or think little of me. Because I want to love flying the same way you do. Soul Serenity. Dash smiled.

Soul huddled up on the clouds far below the night sky, hidden in her wings, she cried. “Please don’t leave.”
-----

5.16
The autumn air was getting crisper. A lot more chilly with every passing day. Something that really did serve as a nice wakeup call that winter was coming. Fast approaching as the days went on. But each day sure did feel like it was nothing different from any other to Soul. They went by fast while they also felt like they lasted forever. She did not know how that worked. None of these days was something to look forward to. Only eyes set on the end goal. Times like now, they were the best part of any day. Perfectly content with these conditions. Really, so what if it was a little chilly? The other pegasi who complained about it did not know just how magnificent it was to fly through air like this where the chilly breeze went through the smallest cracks in her thick bundles of feathers and lit up her wings in an icy touch. When both of them were spread out and she soared across the sky, forgetting for a moment that she was so tired this morning. A brief respite. Good.

She hated this morning, crawling out of bed and slinking down the stairs for breakfast while yawning ceaselessly. She’d much rather lay in bed for a few more hours than have to go anywhere. But duty called. A duty she wanted to reject. Save for the times like this. She loved flying like this. Swooping in with the strong wind that sent the clouds flurrying along on their paths. One of her two favorite seasons for flying, the other being spring. Because there was some charm to it. Flying amidst a strong yet calm and steady breeze that whistled softly with each pass. Even more beautiful when she would fly over the lands below. Seeing the vast forests with their swaying branches and the crystal blue streams with small waves splashing over to shore. No matter what she needed to deal with, she went on with the fact she always had this to do. Her flying was always by her side. Letting her see and do things other ponies could not. Even things other pegasi could not, for did they see the beauty of the world the same way she did when in flight?

5.17
Up here there were no problems she had to anticipate or any bit of reminder of anything else. Simply the drive she had to perfect herself and join with the air in a dance she always did see herself in every time she flew. The best things to stand beside her. The air and her two wings that always stuck with her. Flapping strong and proud in the breeze. Sending gusts of cold air up into her face that chilled her and cooled. Making her smile. Relief and then warmth when her mane fell back down on her face with every dive.

She didn’t care how many weeks would pass by with this same scenario, as long as she had the chance to fly, it was worth it. For up here was the beauty of the world. Almost like it wanted to approve of that by sending a stray leaf flying by with her, caught in the wind. Carried off from somewhere far off. Pretty beautiful. She bet the autumn leaves were coming over the land below with how red that leaf was. Not so dense the last time she looked out past Cloudsdale and to the world that surrounded it. She bet now the forests were thick with these leaves.

“Hey Soul, will you hurry up! Some of us still need to go!” Soul shook her head. Snapped back out of it. That’s right… for moments like this don’t last forever. She hated to see that she had been lingering up here so long, high above the cloudy fields of Junior Speedsters, where all the kids mingled about far below as little dots yet somepony’s voice rang out. One of the kids. She guessed she did must of lost track of what it was she was doing. Too caught up in the moment she had to fly without worry. Brought right back to the thing she hated to worry about. Whatever.

5.18
Just like that, she felt her entire mood dampen. “Right” she whispered to herself. Content with just finishing off the course and getting back to ground so the others could go. “Sorry.” Nopony would hear her anyways. Though none would care. As days went by, it became more or less the same. Do what she needed and then venture back off into the shadows so nopony would bother her, or she wouldn’t bother them. Anything to keep away from it all. Can’t give them any more incentive.

Soul put her wings back into gear and glided in at the last few remaining cloud hoops. A few quick clearances through them and then a pass by a series of clouds from where she spotted her target long ago hidden inside the formations. Grabbing hold of the flag embedded into a cloud deep inside the cluster and keeping it in her mouth as she descended back to join the rest. Prove she had done her task. Soul settled down with a hard smack to the cloudy ground. Lowering her head and out came the dozens of flags she had picked up. The tiny things falling spread out before her and she left them behind. Fifty flags as needed. She had recounted them all in her head and saw she had done it. Nimbus saw it too. Giving her a quick nod and smile. Soul glanced to her.

Alright, so that’s done. Guess since I did it, I can go off to lunch. She walked away from the start up. Passing by the rest of the kids who were getting ready. Ones who still needed to take the course while others frolicked off to enjoy their free time since they had finished up. “Took your sweet time. Some of us are trying to get to lunch too” a filly commented as she passed by. Soul didn’t look. Just seeing her in the corner of her eyes along with a couple others who looked just as dissatisfied as the first one sounded. Whatever. Like I care what it is you all want. I don’t at all.

Soul’s cheek flinched replaying the harsh tone in her head. That of a pony very upset with her. Much of the same tones she was used to. So used to. Funny though, wasn’t there a brief period when you all thought I was something great? How easy is it to change your minds? Camps and asshole kids all around. Really, it always proved to be much of the same no matter which direction she went. The same thing to deal with. At least I’m strong enough to do it. I bet none of you could handle feeling this down and this defeated all because of the stupid decisions you made.

5.19
Another strong gust of wind came in along with the sound of rustling feathers that told her another pony had landed. She bet she knew who it was. She looked. Rainbow Dash folding her wings back up and dropping off her set of fifty flags right next to where Soul had placed her own. She did take her time. But that was okay. Dash had taken off before Soul did but she still managed to almost finish at the same time as Soul. Getting her approval for a job well done for completing the course and she was right off to trot after Soul. The same carefree smile on her face. Soul tried to mimic it. Maybe I can actually be happy after camp when we get to hang out together. In the time I have to be with you.

Soul waited for her. Letting her catch up. Indulging in her frantic joy over her flying. “Nice! We finished together!” Dash said. “Yeah we did” Soul agreed, not at all mentioning a little fact that would shoot this all down if Dash was trying to brag about her skill compared to Soul. It was fine. Soul didn’t want her head to get too big, but a little playful banter about flying was really something she had to enjoy sometimes from Dash. Maybe I’m thinking too hard on it. Dash only mentioned them finishing together. Not like she’s bragging or trying to make me feel down. I got plenty who do that for me.

“I don’t know about you but I love how cool it is today. Fall air, so tons of wind and tons of clouds… I can’t wait to get to busting them at some point” Dash said in her stride alongside Soul. “You know winter is around the corner” Soul pointed out. “Do you look forward to that wind?” That was what made Dash hold her tongue and laugh like a dork for a moment. Clearly not anticipating any joy in flying through that.

“I hope there’s not another snowstorm this year. Those things suck to fly through. Almost clipped my wing during the last one” Dash said. “But let’s enjoy fall while we can.” “Let’s” Soul agreed. Leading Dash on back to the lockers and leaving all the others behind. I’ll try to enjoy it as best I can. Would be better if I could spend all my time flying and ever have to come back down to deal with any of this.

5.20
“You seemed relieved up there” Dash said. “Haven’t seen you so in your element lately.” “Oh, you know, lots of training these past few weeks and… and its always tiring but I’m getting there.” Soul looked back off. Laughing to herself. Holding in her need to just yell out, bottling it up with so much force that it made her almost croak. “Is it that?” Dash asked.

Soul stamped her hooves down. Stopping the pony behind her. “I did hear what that filly said. Don’t let her get to you. You flew pretty good and it was a relaxing flight. I think we both deserved it.”

“The autumn air is always so nice to feel when I fly” Soul whispered to herself. “Sometimes I just forget what it is I’m doing when I’m so relaxed in flight. No demands or anything. Just the wind and me. It’s lovely, isn’t it?” “Y-yeah…” Dash said. Soul looked back to her with a smile. “Then nothing to worry about. Not like they get to me.”

Soul continued on. Prompting Dash to follow if she wanted to. The sound of hooves on clouds let her know she kept up with her. Let’s just go eat lunch. I’d rather have a break and enjoy some peace until afternoon activities and then… then I get to do something actually fun when I leave here. Maybe someday I’ll leave her and not come back and just enjoy that free flying as long as I desire. The only thing I’ll have left when I fail everypony. When I show that I just am not strong enough.

“I hope they don’t get to you” Dash said. Making Soul groan inside. I don’t care. “You know, you’re pretty strong for still being so happy and relaxed. That’s pretty cool of you, Soul. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from you.” Why even say that? The way Dash said that. Kind of sounded like she was longing for something or even… reflective? Soul looked back at her. In time to catch Dash looking off in the distance. Quick to look back to Soul. Really stupid of her to say.

5.22
“I’d rather you not have to learn anything from it. I’ve got my flying and fun times to look forward to.” “I’m still having a hard time believing it” Dash said. “Why do you put up with it? You know I’m here for you and so are your parents. Can you really do this on your own? I just think it’s been a bit long now.”

Everything you just said… like it melted away. Telling Soul more and more that nopony would understand. Because you’ve never experienced the loss I deal with. Seeing how everypony turns against me. I still don’t know why it is you’re still with me. Look at me, I’m a loser. A pony like Rainbow Dash should not be with me, at least for as long as I’m still useful. “It’s fine…” Soul said. Glancing off to the ponies they passed by. All of them running by with such joy in their happy laughs. Playing together with nothing to worry about. One pony did stop as she passed. Leaning away, though Soul caught her worried gaze. Something that told Soul more and more that that pony was still afraid of her. I don’t know why you’re afraid to be near me, Amber. The curly maned filly stood there and watched Soul trudge off, while Soul forgot about her. The same things she needed to accept. Ponies don’t want to deal with me. Probably worried I’ll make bad things happen to them too.

“I’m just used to it” Soul admitted. “Once you know what to expect, you can just brace for it.” Soul grinned back to Dash. Finding the cyan filly sitting back with a long face and eyes glued to the ground. The filly let out a deep breath. “Soul…” she muttered. “Let’s go eat lunch” Soul said. She rushed off to the locker building. Expecting Dash to follow her, she did when she heard her distinct hoofsteps running up behind her. “I got strawberries in my lunch today and I’m dying for them” Soul said.

A long pause but… “I got chocolate today!” Dash said.

5.23
“So did you hear?” Rainbow asked the magenta filly who wandered off to the fountains across from the lockers. Rainbow rummaged through her locker. Finding her lunch plopped where she left it under the scarf and leggings her mom had given her… yet she didn’t need them. Eager to tell Soul. She held a happy grin on her face waiting for Soul to ask what it was. Oh she just couldn’t wait. Not since her mom had told her last night. This was the perfect time to tell Soul. All day long, the filly had been so down. She bet she knew what it is that would cheer her up. Only the best thing ever. “Hear what?” Soul asked over there.

“So there’s something special that’s gonna be happening in the winter. I think both of us can look forward to it…” Dash led her on. “What?” Soul asked again. “Okay…” Dash stepped down from her locker. Turning to face Soul. The filly busy taking a drink from the fountain.

“My mom told me there’s going to be a showing of the Wonderbolts on the day after Hearth’s Warming! All admissions allowed. She’s gonna reserve tickets. Don’t you think that would be an awesome way to finish off the camp semester? I was thinking you should come with your parents. Have a cool hangout with all of us!” “A Wonderbolts showing, huh?” Soul asked, stepping down from the fountain and licking her lips. “Yup, and it’s gonna be in Canterlot this time.”

If Dash didn’t know better, she would say the whole reason Cloudsdale was going to be hanging around the Canterlot valleys next season was just so the Wonderbolts could perform for the area. But that was only because the area was due for quite a snowing this season, according to her dad. Still though, she wanted to think it was only for the Wonderbolts. A group like that could cancel everything in Equestria just because of a showing. They really were just so awesome. “Well I hope they want to take me along. It would be my first showing” Soul said.

5.24
“Your first one? As in your first ever?” Dash asked. She had to have heard that wrong. “Yeah… I just never made it a point to really ask them all the time about it” Soul said. “Maybe I am too caught up in training.” “You’ve got to go!” Dash would not take any excuses. A flyer as great and wonderful as Soul, she expected her to have already watched the Wonderbolts. Seen just what it was amazing pegasi could become. But… to have never seen them. Dash would not allow it. She would be sure to insist it to Soul.

“Trust me, the stuff those ponies pull off is fantastic. When I watched you flying at your house, it reminded me a lot of them. I just know seeing them would inspire you to pull off some new moves. Or just be left in total awe for how awesome they are!” Dash flew over to Soul. Hovering over her. “You need to go. This December, Hearth’s Warming.” “I got it” Soul said. The filly smiled and waved Dash off. Good.

She watched her go back over to her locker. She didn’t sound impressed but… Dash wouldn’t be fooled. Soul looked eager. Like she did want to do it. Her parents would be cool and let her go for sure. Then all of their families could be together for a great event. Now that was something to look forward to. Deep down, Rainbow knew it was something Soul surely needed. These weeks had been pretty hard for her and so hard for Dash to watch… even though Soul fought back against her… she would still give her a good time. Such a showing, I bet you’ll get the same reaction I did when I first saw them. You’re going to be like a foal. Already seeing Soul squealing and cheering at the spectacle that it would be. Those very moves that Dash wanted to perform with that group someday. Just what Soul needed.

5.25
Rainbow flew back over to her locker. Setting her hoof upon the open door and… just staring in at the scarf that lay in there. Nothing special to any pony else… save for the emblem that was on it. An emblem very similar to that of something a certain other filly wore. The same Wonderbolts winged lightning bolt stitched into its fabric. The symbol of a wonderful flyer. Someday… I know both of us will be able to have that title. I want it to happen when I can fly in those same displays they pull off… however long it takes. Inspiring ponies just like they inspired me. Someday I will and… she looked over her shoulder to the filly who was with her. Not even noticing Dash staring at her. Smiling at her. I think you can pull it off too. Wherever you decide to go… I hope you can be there with me when I wear that blue uniform. If not there for me to thank you for all your help, …then… oh wow… Dash widened her eyes. Not believing she just saw that. Seeing Soul in that same uniform.

Oh man. That actually made her chuckle a little into her hoof. Now that was a cool thought. Maybe both of us being given the medal together. Soul was an awesome flyer, she can definitely be Wonderbolt material. Oh yeah, that settled it.

Dash had to get Soul to come see the Wonderbolts.

If she got to see them, what if that encouraged her to want to be one too? Another amazing goal to look forward to. I just know I would be worthy enough to be there with you. Rainbow smiled so widely. Opening her eyes and… shocked to find herself now hugging her scarf. When did I… she tossed it back in the locker. Soul opened up her locker at the other side of the room.

“Maybe ponies won’t be mean to me when December comes around.” How sad she sounded… like poison. Dash could not believe how quick her own spirits fell when she heard Soul say that over there.

5.26
I knew you were lying. Rainbow grabbed a hold of her lunch. Clutching it in her hooves. Slinking her head down between her shoulders. Hurt by what Soul had said. I just don’t understand, why is it you put up with all that? I really wish I could help you but… I… Dash shook her head.

Soul, she really has changed. From that Pegasus who spoke such mysterious things on that first day. When she saw Soul as that pony who really did have a light in her eyes for something more than any normal flying. With a goal that was beyond anything Dash had heard of for most pegasi. Any Pegasus. How grim she has gotten. How much things have changed, and through all of it… you’ve stuck with me. Would Soul be alright if I showed her? Dash glanced back at the pony, her silver tipped tail sticking out from the locker and facing back to Dash. She was nervous. So nervous. If the time would come or not. I’m just so nervous to show her. But… I have no idea if it would make her feel better. Enough that… I feel so highly about her to show her. That she may be the only pony I trust. I don’t know. I just want her to smile.

She did want Soul to come along for the showing and… her mom seemed to like Soul. Maybe… she thought for a moment. She would definitely need to ask her parents about this. Last time didn’t work out so well but maybe a second time would. She would certainly need to ask for a raise on her allowance then. That made her smile. Yes, she would love if I did that for her. Giggling to herself under hushed tones. Something to cheer up that filly standing over there… clearly sulking at her locker.

I want to make her smile again. It’s just so hard, like she didn’t even want to try and make things better. Standing there, staring into her locker, Soul was so much unlike the Soul she first met. I really wish she would just take my advice. It’s the best way for her to watch out for herself. There was nothing wrong with it. “I think you need to tell your parents about all this stuff you’re going through. I’m sure they will help you. They’re pretty cool, you know?” Dash grabbed hold of her lunch bag and shut her locker tight. “There’s nothing wrong with asking them for help.”

5.27
As much as the same, Soul was remaining silent. Unsettling Dash with how cold she was being. There is nothing wrong with it, it helps. But she’s just so stubborn lately. Watching her be like this, just a sad and sulking pony stuffed away into the corner with this eerie look upon her that made it like she was just always tired and lost, it hurt Dash to see her like this every day it went on.

Oh Soul, I really miss how carefree you were the day we first laid eyes upon one another. You were so beautiful back then. Such an awesome filly to be around. I should share some of my chocolate with her for lunch. Something to lift this bad mood that befell upon them. Rainbow did come over to join with Soul. Still stick with her just to know she would be there to keep trying. I will keep trying.

“I bet they can help you! It’ll all stop and we can go back to normal.” Dash smiled to her, standing side by side with the filly. Seeing Soul’s vacant eyes staring deep into her locker. Just seeing her, it was even more unnerving to see her so blank in her sight. So much so that she even looked to be ignoring Dash. Quick to make Dash’s wide smile disappear. Lowering her own ears as she got her answer that Soul was just going to keep this up. Guessing they could just go on to eat lunch and put up with more of that sad sight of a filly so wrapped up in sadness. I wish she would do something. She’s got it easier than… than most ponies.

“What is normal anymore?” Soul whispered. Freaking Dash out with how sudden it was. How direct she was in asking that. Eyes fixated on the darkness in her locker, not even bothering to turn to Dash to address her. Maybe even sounding like she wasn’t even asking Dash that question. Something to just throw out there. A scary tone to it. Rainbow wasn’t even sure why it was she couldn’t answer her.

What is normal? Why am I too afraid to say something about it? The harshness in Soul… it was so vocal in that question. So dim, something had changed in her.

5.28
“Here I thought it was already normal” Soul said. “Isn’t it? Where it’s always so hard for me and I can’t rely on anypony no matter what. As life has always been.” “What are you saying?” Dash whispered. It’s really not that bad, Soul… she was never this down. Never this defeated in her voice. Even her massive wings drooped down to hang on the floor. As did her ears fall too.

“You can rely on me. And you got your parents too” Dash had to tell her. We’ve been here for you. After how great you’ve been, you know you can count on me always. Dash could not wait for more awesome time they could spend together until they could get to those goals that had set out. She saw it clearly. Soul was the one she wanted to do them with. You and me. “No I can’t…” Soul spat. “Because… you have no idea… what it is I’ve had to deal with and… and all the bad things that will happen if I tell my parents. If I try…”

Soul gulped. Her cheeks flinching for a moment in her gasp for air. Shocking Dash… even more when she stepped aside, Soul showing what it was that was inside that locker. “My parents were the only ponies I had…”

Soul’s hat… Dash widened her eyes. Torn to shreds. So many scraps tossed aside and about within the locker like somepony had sent a tornado through it… but Dash knew what it was that had happened. “I can’t…” Dash couldn’t finish her sentence. Couldn’t even think with how shocked she was at what the other kids would do to Soul. Something like this. I’ve never seen ponies be this mean to another.

Soul… I’m so sorry. That hat… Dash looked to the filly cringing before it. Clenching her eyes shut, not able to look upon her hat there with that beautiful emblem left alone amidst the shreds and scraps. It meant… a lot to you. “Soul… I’m so…”

The locker door slammed hard. Pressed against by the magenta hoof that Soul held up before her shaking body. Closing away that sight. But it was there… right there in Soul’s face, she was furious. Under her gritting teeth. Soul…

5.29
“You think it’s so damn easy for me!?” Soul spoke, finally opening her eyes only to do something that made Dash want to back away. Never seeing this side of her. Soul shooting her a glare so wracked in the pain that Soul was under for so long. I didn’t know it was this bad. Soul Serenity. Dash backed away from her.

“I…” Dash tried to mutter out something. Anything to let her know that she understood. She did understand. That’s just what Soul wasn’t getting. She was there to look out for Soul and was sure it would work. It wasn’t a big issue for her. Not with her parents being how they were. They’re here with us. She can… I can’t even talk. Not with how scared she was of the pony in front of her. “Why don’t you try dealing with it then!” Soul yelled. Kicking another hoof against her locker. Reeling back and bucking at it once more. The filly stamped away from it. I… Soul… “Of course you won’t, because you’re always too busy just sitting back and watching it happen to me! You never do anything to help me and think I can handle it on my own. You’re so selfish, Dash. You’re the most selfish pony I’ve ever met.” “Soul I’m not…”

“Shut up! You don’t want to help me, but I do everything for you. I do so much to make things fun and happy for you and you don’t want to do the same for me. I thought we were supposed to be flight buddies.”

Soul was so loud, she may attract everypony else, though Dash didn’t care. Shriveling up behind her lunch bag. Closing her legs together and feeling once more the pain of fear. Fear of another pony. So familiar, and I thought I escaped it. Soul… what happened to you? Why are you being so mean to me? “Flight buddies are supposed to watch out for one another, yet you don’t do it for me. You just ignore my problems and focus on yourself” Soul whimpered. So sad yet her anger was true, while tears fell from her eyes. Dash sat there, watching her flight buddy fall apart before her. It was enough to make her eyes feel so heavy. So much pressure on them. That she thinks so badly of me. “I thought I could rely on you to protect me” Soul said. “But no… you just act like everything is good and don’t even care about my feelings. How hard it is for me. I can’t go to my parents. I can’t! But I thought I had you instead. I’m fed up with you ignoring my problems.” “I don’t…” Dash squeaked out. Shaking on her hooves.

Soul… please don’t be mad at me. Please. I didn’t want this. She couldn’t even blink. There like a stump listening to the filly yelling at her. While the shame fell over her. The fear coming back once more. That she had lost it all. “I think you just don’t care about me at all. Rainbow, …if you don’t care then…” Soul closed her eyes. Clenching her teeth amidst her tears. “Just leave me!”

Leave me. Leave me. Staring into those angry, yellow eyes. So like what she would expect. It made her want to… Dash felt it. A single tear coming down her cheek. She doesn’t trust me… Rainbow dropped her lunch. She doesn’t. Leave it, leave her… Dash turned tail. Going off to the one place she knew she could feel safe. She spread her wings.

5.30
Cyan feathers flew and left the last image of that pony in Soul’s head. The filly flying off. Leaving her. Left to quiver and shake so violently she… she needed to let go. Soul collapsed onto the floor. Spreading her wings out. Not caring anymore. For it was all over. She saw what it was that happened. She felt it all flowing through her. Just how mad she had been. Rainbow really thinks it’s so easy. Stupid. Soul cried onto the floor. So easy.

She doesn’t know what it’s like to be abandoned. To fear it. I don’t want ponies to hate me. I need ponies in my life. I have so few left. I just can’t disappoint them. I can’t expose… how weak I am. I’m just not strong enough to deal with it. Yet Dash thought it was so easy. All you have to worry about is what your next time would be to hang out with me. Watch me suffer and be upset all the time. Try my life for once, maybe you’ll see how hard it is.

Soul smacked her hoof against the floor. It stung to do that. She didn’t care. Not at all, about anything else. Only the ache in her heart. Looking back up… at the lunch bag left in front of her. Left alone with her. The last bit of Dash left behind. I don’t… want to disappoint Nimbus and Starry. I don’t want them to leave me… just like that hat… the hat that told me they were with me. Taken from me. I have them… and I have you, Dash. Yet I feel like it’s so close to being gone.

Those lunches we shared together, every day. All the time we got to be together and how much more I want. We barely knew each other not long ago, yet now… now you’re the one pony who has made me laugh more than any other in my life. I did all I could to please you. Yet I still feel you will leave me. Just like another time.

5.31
Deep in those shadows. Of that time… the moment I fear the most. Of a pony upset with me because I am not who I was supposed to be. Flickering and fading in the light. Disappearing and shifting back. Like it took little hoofsteps away from her. Leaving but a tail to face back to her. Leaving her behind. So many times, so many times I lost ponies. But this… this hurts the most. You left me because I wasn’t good enough for you. …And now, now I did it again.

Soul’s hoof tapped the bag. Running it up and down. Like a small bit of a pony left behind for her to remember what it was like to be able to reach out to another. Gone. Fading. You left me behind in that alley… now I get to deal with it again. I made it happen again. Rainbow Dash, I drove her away. Like with everypony else. Gone. Because she was too stupid to handle it on her own and too caught up in her own personal problems… that I hurt the only pony who was truly with me. I hate myself. So much. Hate how I keep doing this.

Dash is gone. The tears that came out, like so many other times. Like they never stopped, there from years long passed. Returned for the same reason. She couldn’t look at the bag anymore. Turning away, pulling herself back up against her locker door. Streaking it in her tears. Unable to stop crying. I still hear you. Those wings of yours as you fly from me. Leaving me behind. Like I’m meant to be. To always be alone.

I hate crying so much. I hate always being sad. I hate it. I hate it. Soul smacked her hoof hard against her face. Ringing loudly inside. But she deserved it. Her punishment. One for driving another pony away. As much as she would let it. No. I can’t. I can’t let her leave me too. Sending her back down on all four of her hooves. Turning to face the open doorway beyond. I can’t let it happen again. Never. Rainbow Dash! I won’t be that foal again. The foal sitting in her box with no idea what to do, crying for her mommy. I won’t cry for you. Because… I won’t let you get away. Ever!

Not another will leave me. Soul galloped past the lunch bag. Blasting through the door and back out into the cool and open world beyond. You’re not getting away. I’m not going to let it happen. Let that filly she saw flying away so far off get away from her. I’ll take to the air once more with you.

5.32
Soul sent her wings out and that was all she needed to leave it all behind in a gust of wind so strong she could feel her own power kicking back against her tail. Scattering the clouds behind her and clearing from the camp. Soaring high over the walls and high into the blue and welcoming sky once more. Unlike any other time, not for pleasure… no more.

I fly for you, Dash, and this sky is my road. Leading a path on to the filly that flew away. A mere dot in the sky that Soul could still hear. Her distinct wing flaps. Anything, I’ll do anything for you. Not caring if she may have frightened the other kids back there with her sudden take off. Her massive burst of speed carried on by the wind inside of a gale so strong that hummed alongside the beautiful strokes her wings took. Sending her across the sky with one fell shot of her wings being all it took before that same wind struck her face and the world below blew past her. As hard as she could fly. Soul wiped her tears away. No more crying. No more sadness. I’ll get rid of it all. This is the sky you and I are meant to fly together in.

The way we spoke about our dreams to one another and our goals in life, I want to be there with you every step of the way. We will overcome it all and fly together in this with no more fear holding us down. As long as I have you. But she will not let her get away without letting her know that. All those words she had said were not true, caught up in her own anger and so many weeks of pain.

So wrong to lash out at her. So wrong to blame her. I could have just asked her. But I blew up on her. I was wrong, so I will be the one to make it right.

Soul flapped her wings harder. Cleaving the wind around her. Billowing it all into an endless swirl about her feathers with a speed that felt familiar to her. Coming back to her with it once more. This is what I’ll do to fix us. Even if it hurts. The wind lashing at her face and tearing at her wings, like her own feathers may rip off. So be it.

5.33
Soul glided over the peaks and rooftops so high above it all with the last rocking and thunderous blast to echo across the sky from such a strong whip of her wings. Dash may not hear me. She didn’t care. “Rainbow!” she yelled out to the figure ahead of her. Wrapped inside of the churning maelstrom of wind circling about. Tearing through the chilly and strong autumn winds just to get to her. “Come back!” Nothing.

The cyan filly flying a clear path across the sky ahead, Soul kept up. Kicking her wings back into gear and shooting straight forward at her. I got to stop her, I got to let her know. I can’t let her leave me. No more ponies. I’ll fight for the ponies I need in my life. Anything it takes. Even starting to hurt her wings. They never stopped flapping. Those beautiful wings of hers knew as well as she did that this was too important, they would do any distance for this. Just to make her happy. For us all to have wonderful days together. More of those wonderful moments you and I share.

We can go to the Wonderbolts for sure, whatever you want. We can go to things I want to do too, together. Because we are a team and we will figure out what needs to be done to makes things work. Together. No skill or anything involved, she shot at her flight buddy. Closer and closer till that rainbow tail was flapping in the wind within her vision.

“Rainbow!” Soul came in with her. Holding her wings back to slow down, skidding to such a violent slowdown that she almost threw her neck out from the force. Finally back with Dash. Back with the pony she hurt. “Get away from me!” Dash yelled out. Not stopping at all. Keeping up on her flight, Soul would not let up. She stayed with her. Even when she saw the filly turn her head and… and she saw the tears streaming out from Dash’s eyes. Left behind in the wind. Just like that last tear I saw from her. I made her cry. So I won’t let her go on feeling like I meant all that stuff. “Dash, I didn’t mean that stuff! Please, can we just talk… I just…”

“Leave me alone!” Dash yelled once more. “You hate me! So why don’t you just go off leave me to be by myself. Isn’t that what you wanted all along!?”

5.34
Leave you to be by yourself? Dash, what are you saying. I wouldn’t leave you. I want to be there with you. Please.

“Dash I’m so sorry about what I said” Soul leveled herself out next to the filly, wanting to get closer. Close enough to touch her. Wipe her tears and let her know all will be fine. That is what she wanted them to be again. The last time they touched, when she held me. I will do the same for you. Because that’s what flight buddies do. They look out for one another. Not just in their flying… but for them entirely. “It was wrong of me, but I just want us to be strong again. It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have let things get so bad between us.”

Soul reached for her. “Take my hoof, let’s go back to how we were. You don’t need to be scared of me.” Rainbow Dash looked to her with teary eyes. Flowing endlessly. Her wings did not slow down. Quite the opposite and Soul had to keep changing her speed too. Just to stay alongside her. “You never trusted me… everypony always wants me gone…” Dash said. “That’s not true. You can rely on me. I’m here for you.” “That’s what they always say.”

Dash, what? I’ve never seen her this upset. This is my doing? I must have really hurt her. Whatever it is, I can be there to calm her. I want to be. So Soul never let her hoof drop, keeping it out for Dash. Waiting to take hold together. “You want me gone…” Dash said. Her wings flapping faster… and Soul did feel it. The wind shaking around her. Amidst the churning sound of rippling air cast out, not by her wings, but by another pair. So strong. So powerful. That Dash… Soul’s hoof left from her side. When the pony slipped away. “So just leave me!” Dash yelled in one last cry.

Soul blinked. Before it hit her.

5.35
Rainbow Dash was there and then… she wasn’t. Like light that zipped across her eyes and as quick as the wind striking her face, it dawned on her that the pony she was flying alongside had disappeared so quick within that brilliant flash of light and echo of thunder.

Faster than she could blink. But she saw it happen before her very eyes just as her lashes dropped. So many wonderful colors zipping across the sky. A path ahead of her going on forever and painting the sky in such radiance that Soul swore Cloudsdale had grown a new rainbow.

Billowing and shaking the world around her. All in the time it took for her to see that this rainbow trailed off from the pony with the tail to match it. Off into the sunny sky like a swooping angel so elegant and powerful to rock the sky itself in a hail of thunderous cracks. It sounded so scary and so empowering to all who may hear it, sounding within her the thing that made her cringe. Made her scared more than anything else that was happening.

Just leave me. Just leave me. Soul was not the one leaving her, she was the one leaving Soul. Leaving her behind in a trail of rainbow dust and the coming force she didn’t even know until it was too late. Soul screamed when the blast of wind came over her even stronger than any before it. Tearing across her with the sound of another crackling sound bursting out from Rainbow Dash’s path.

The filly was gone, out of sight. No longer able to see where she went as Soul tumbled through the sky. It all going through her. That Dash was leaving her. She’s going. And here I am, stuck like a rock. Locked in an endless loop at the amazing thing she had just seen. Just heard. Unlike anything she thought possible from the very filly who had been her flight buddy. That she may not be it anymore. Rainbow Dash was flying away, faster than ever before. Faster than Soul didn’t think she could even go. Is she really this determined to leave me? Leave her entire world spinning around. Plummeting down to the clouds below. A deadly spiral leaving behind only her own trail of tears that she no longer cared to hide. Only fixed on that rainbow that streaked the sky high above her.

Rainbow Dash, you really don’t want me near you. Pull off something like this… to get away from me. I had no idea it hurt that much.

But… Soul flapped her great wings up. Shining brightly down upon her in the Sun. All she needed. Glaring off into the sky with her teary eyes. I won’t let it hurt any longer. You are my flight buddy. We are both flight buddies. Together as one in the sky. No matter our problems. You were the first to stick with me. Soul caught the wind. The world stopped. Blazing the clouds below in such a great gust of wind beneath her wings. You’re my buddy. I won’t let you get away from me. Even if you try to run. All Soul had to do was follow that tail that always led her to better moments. A streak in the sky. Off into the distant cloudy horizon. Soul flew off after it.

5.36
She had only been to this place a few times, yet it still felt so weird to come here alone for once. Setting hoof upon the cloudy stairs leading deep down into the depths of the sauna she had always come here with alongside Dash. Relaxation or training, not today. Soul had to wipe away the last of her tears. Be strong, after what she did, she needed to. Seeing just how badly her feelings could affect another so dear to her. No way she would leave that very pony here alone. Down there thinking that Soul hated her, thinking that she meant the worst for her and never wanting to be together again. That is what Soul expected. For it would be such an appropriate punishment to feel that may be.

In all her years of running away from her problems. This was one she would not run from. No, she stepped to it.

Going down the steps and deeper into where the Sun barely came in through the small breaks in the clouds. Shimmering in the rain drops that soaked her. Like she did not walk at all, only the rain could be heard and no hooves dared to sound out over it. Like she truly was alone. Stuck with the echoing words of all she had said. I never had any idea on what to do to help myself. I never was the best pony for any others, I never have been a good pony. Doing stuff like this. So used to it. But not anymore. Rainbow, I’m here for you. No matter how fast you fly or where you go, I won’t let you get away while thinking I truly don’t like you. There is no way I would hate you. I only ask for you to not hate me. But that had always been her problem. She always expected it to be different. She never took those steps she made now.

Approaching that cloud doorway below, it had been so far. So close now. She set hoof upon the bottom of the steps with just a short walk between her and that cloud wall.

5.37
She knew she was on the other side. Rainbow Dash was in there. My one and only flight buddy. Wracked with everything Soul had said. Soul couldn’t even begin to think of what she should do. How hard it would be. Terrified that Dash may truly leave her. That she lost the only pony she could call her buddy. All from another mistake, I can’t make any more. No more today. No more after. Soul gulped.

“Rainbow…” she whispered. Not expecting any answer. Only her own small plea to herself to see it through for that pony. She made me laugh, she made me smile and played with me. The only pony who wants to fly with me. Here I thought she was only my equal in goals.

Rainbow Dash, unbelievable how fast you can go. If only to get away from me. For the first time, a pony that she was truly excited to call her flight buddy. Now more than ever, I understand why you are afraid of me. But it won’t stop me. Soul would not be afraid. She would be the bigger pony now. For the first time.

Soul’s hooves stepped forward. Pushing her onwards into that wall of clouds. Stepping deep into the steamy room within. Where the air hung heavy. So strong, it was hard to breathe at first. Not until she could truly take a deep breath of the humid air and embrace the cascading downpour of rain and thundering waterfalls. Piling down into the same pool she had swam in with Dash. Running in together, side by side. Two fillies splashing about and being able to laugh. So many weeks have passed since then. So much has changed.

I can’t believe how fast I changed. How badly I have gotten. That Soul felt uneasy just stepping into what used to be the most peaceful place for the two. Where she could say she had bonded with Dash. We’re not in this together. Now, we are separate. Something Soul did not want.

5.38
Soul standing at the wall while the other filly sat in the water. Deep in the middle of that shallow lake, where Dash was, back towards Soul. Though she saw the cyan filly splash water into her face. Her little wings left plopped into the water. Rainbow tail floating in it. As bright as the trail she had left with those wings.

Good thing Dash had not left. It was just Soul and her. Alone with nothing to stand between them. Weeks since we played in the water together. So long. Too long. A time with few worries. Can it even be like it now? Soul wanted to go back to it, go into the water with her flight buddy. Sit with her and soak in the warm water. An occasional splash before she would use her wings to pile water on to Dash. Those were things she wanted. Jumping on to her and laughing. Just like the kids in the streets. Torn away by all that has happened.

Soul couldn’t believe she let it get so bad. Let it get to her. Here we are now. Me hesitant, while I hear you cry over there. So much did Soul want to help her stop crying for nopony deserved this. None at all. Soul could not cry anymore. Only shame. Shame did not stop her.

Her hooves kept her going. Creeping along the cloudy embankment around the lake. Warm water swishing around her hooves. Though Soul did not go in. She stood there overlooking the pony out there. We’re so close to one another but you feel so far away. Not drawn like last time. Soul still did the scary thing. She set a hoof into the water. Rippling around it. Then another. Soul’s hooves fell into the water, looking out at the filly’s back. Soul let it go with no thought.

“Rainbow…” One name to travel and echo inside of the peaceful place. Like it were louder than the waterfalls, itself but a mere whisper. I’m here and I won’t let you go. They stood in this water together. One that once warmed them, now only cold between them. Soul just wanting to reach out through the silence. But Dash did not turn.

5.39
“Why did you follow me?” Dash’s raspy voice whispered. “You should have left me.” “I still came, I won’t let you fly away from me” Soul said. “No matter how fast you fly.” Just a little tremble that Dash made with her back still to Soul. Lowering her head. Dash’s hooves slinked along her sides, holding herself. “And I’ll keep flying away from you. Because you were right, I am a horrible flight buddy. Always have been. Didn’t even change with you. So you should just leave or I’ll leave.” “I’m not going anywhere” Soul plopped her butt down into the water. Sitting well behind Dash. Facing her back. Not letting her eyes leave her. As long as it takes. Soul will sit there and do anything to stop it. If you try to leave, I’ll do anything I can to stop you. No matter how much she didn’t know about this filly’s flying ability. Soul’s wings still shook with anticipation. If you run, I’ll keep after you. As far as Dash knew, she didn’t know how skilled Soul could be.

Until you calm down, until we both can be calm and talk to one another like we usually do. Soul would not leave. Not leave this spot. Even if she wanted to be closer. Sit right behind Dash and hold her. Lock her down so she couldn’t leave even if she struggled. But Rainbow Dash’s wings never moved. Quiet she stayed. “I came after you because I don’t want you to leave” Soul told her. Trust me, Dash.

If Soul wanted to leave then it would have happened. Like every other time. Soul ran from her fears. Rainbow Dash would not be another one of those fears. We will stay like this. “I’m so sorry for what I said to you, Dash.” Silence filling the air.

5.40
Like her apology kept sounding off inside this room. Soul heard echoes she never heard before. Like this place was always so silent. So calm just for these two to talk. “You’re sorry?” Dash asked. Her voice growing more and more shaky. “For what? I was terrible to you so you can be a total jerk to me. I’m… completely alright with it.”

Poor Dash, it sounded so hard for her to say those words. She doesn’t mean it at all. Soul saw the pony wipe her tears away behind her mane. Does she really believe that? Soul hated to think she had put these ideas into Dash. After she came off as such a strong pony, I’m supposed to be the weak one. After all, I was the one who let this happen. I shouldn’t have.

“Dash… I should never have said those things to you. You’re my flight buddy after all. But… I let my anger get the better of me.” “You have every right to be pissed” Dash said. “No, I don’t. I shouldn’t take it out on you. It’s just…” “Then why take it out on me?” Soul gulped.

I hate to answer her. Just… everything. It’s been so hard for me. Everything is too much. She had to put her face in her hooves. Groaning inside them silently. But she spoke through her hooves. “I’ve been so scared and so sad for too long. I hate being bullied… I couldn’t take it anymore. And then… then Aurora told me terrible things about you. That you were mean to other kids at your last camp and that you didn’t like me. I fell for it… I’m so sorry. It all got to my head. So much that I’m scared I ruined it for us. I want us to keep going as flight buddies… but it’s so hard for me to be happy.”

Soul smacked her hoof back down into the water, splashing her face. Water dripped down alongside her tears. Did she say the right thing? Rainbow Dash… she was silent. She really, really must not like me now. I must look so pathetic to her now, falling for that stuff to let it ruin us. I ruined our relationship. To where now both ponies were separated. Split between such a vast water that filled in Soul’s tears. Not able to shake her fears.

5.41
“I remember how well we worked together. We were perfect… like we were meant to be flight buddies. Each other’s wingpony, even. Doesn’t that sound cool? Wingponies?” Soul lowered her head. “All the fun we had together and all the time we spent. I threw it all away for nothing and now I’m so terrified it’ll all be over. I don’t want it over. I want us to keep going… remember our dreams? How both of us want to be there for one another to help. Seeing the Wonderbolts together. I want to do it all with you. I don’t want it to stop. Dash… please answer me.”

Stop being so silent. Stop ignoring me. I want us again. I’m so sorry. “It’s all a stupid idea now. After all…” Dash’s magenta eye glanced out from under her rainbow mane. Warped in the water of rain and tears to shine so eerily. “We’re messed up now.” “No we’re not!” Soul screamed out. Feeling her own heart plummet hearing Dash say that. No telling how painful it was for Dash to say it as she turned away with a cringe in her face so harsh that her body shook.

“Please don’t think that!” Soul said. “I can fix it. Because I’m so sorry. I will always be sorry. But I won’t give up on us.” There was just too much for both of them. Too much to give up on. Soul saw that they both had a great path to follow together. That same road into the sky that she always took every day. One that this other Pegasus had shared. Never knowing that those roads would cross. Change both of them. For the worst… or for the better?

5.42
“You and me, Dash. We always took to the sky together. M-mom put us together for a reason. I don’t care what it is because I also think we were meant to be flight buddies. Because… look at us.” Soul spread her wings out wide. Dripping water down in droves from her feathers. Hoping Dash would see.

“Do you know what we can do together? With you, I feel like we can be something awesome. Rainbow… we can be the best flyers Equestria has ever seen!” It can be so. All they had to do was not give up. After all, Soul had seen that it was possible. “Please don’t give up on it. I want you with me when it happens and we can’t let this ruin it.” Soul lowered her head once more along with her wings. Silenced from Dash’s silence. Only able to whisper. “I made a mistake… and I’m so sorry. Please, Dash… don’t leave me. I want to fly with you again.”

No answer. Nothing more. Just a cyan filly sitting ahead of her. Not even her wings moved. For all Soul knew, she may have just fallen asleep or ignored her entirely. Something that made it harder for Soul to bare this. It hurt so much, so much that she may lose this pony. They could be the best of all. Together. However long it took. When it happens, for both of them to do it together. Because they could. Soul saw it as fact now. All she needed was the strength to pull Dash back to her. There is a reason for us to be together and I think it’s something important. Maybe it has something to do with what happened earlier in the sky. Soul needed to ask her now. The burning question. “Dash, why… why did you hide your flying abilities from me?” Whatever it was, it was too much for Dash that she shook for a moment.

Soul heard her gasp. Just a little thing… but she was quiet. You can try to hide but I won’t let this go. Something told Soul this was meant to be. She could not let it slip. “I’ve never seen any other filly fly as fast as you did. I can’t help but wonder why you hid it. But I won’t let you hide it any more. I’ll be here until you talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.” They will be here together in this calm and soothing place torn by the pain of all that had happened. Soul would not abandon her, ever. Stay here with her. Even if it hurt to do so. Soul watched her. Keeping that frightened, little filly in her sight. Hoping she would turn around and finally talk to her. Anything to make this beautiful place peaceful again. Truly. All was silent. Soul waited. As long as it took.

Soul Serenity. Never give up. You both need one another.

5.43
We both need one another. Soul opened her eyes. Such warmth and comfort but her neck hurt. Leaning forward, she shot back up. Looking back out across the lake. Startled. Except… wait. Dash! She was gone. An empty lake. Oh no, I fell asleep.

Soul frantically jumped back onto her hooves, splashing about in the water in a hurry with both wings out and ready to take her off. No Dash over there, nowhere. She gasped… turning… finding Dash across the room. The filly walking away with her hooves just about to step through the entrance to this place. She’s leaving me!? No! I won’t let you leave me. Soul’s wings flapped hard. Sending the water behind her into a wave rumbling along the walls and the zipping of her feathers splicing through the air before the cyan fully knew what happened. Soul stopped herself. Quicker even for her own concentration, she found herself before Dash and the wall. Just short of her leaving. Soul held her wings out. Refusing to get out of the way of the stunned Pegasus.

I can’t believe you, Dash. Soul had been the one wanting to fix this. How can she just leave like that? After all the pain it was causing just to try to fix this, Soul could barely keep herself from crying at knowing her flight buddy just tried to leave her. Once more. “I won’t let you, Dash.” Flight buddies stick together. Forget the fight, now… now it was about them. Soul held her ground. Determined to do anything, whatever Dash tried to do. If she tried to run or fly off. Dash knew this too. So terrible when Soul finally saw her flight buddy scowl at her.

5.44
“I don’t want to talk to you!” she yelled at Soul. Trying to step aside but Soul still managed to slide over and stop her. Again from the other side. Soul kept her wings out. Hating herself for having to do this, but it needed to be done. For us. Even if Dash doesn’t want to talk… “Well I want to” Soul said. “Shut up” Dash yelled. “You’re no different from any other pony.” That was when Soul became afraid when Dash’s wings unfolded. “I was stupid to trust you.”

You don’t trust me. I understand. But… I can’t let that stop us. Even if you are fast, I will be faster. Though Soul’s legs shook in fear that Dash would try to fly off. After how fast she had been. I could lose her. No. Rainbow Dash always seemed too brash when it came to her decisions, but this was the most heartless thing she was doing. Soul would not take it. This pony did not deserve to say such things to her. Even if Soul had done something bad to her, forget that. Rainbow Dash, this is about you. You will not leave me as long as I stand, and you can’t think that way.

“Well how the hell can I trust you when you are the one always hiding your feelings from me!” Soul yelled at her. Like a hammer to steel, it sounded out loud. Ringing in her ears. As all fell silent once more. Soul stood there, glaring upon the cyan pony. Both their wings unfolded. Either of them ready to take off. One pair stayed open even as they fell. Rainbow Dash sat down. Only her mane faced up to Soul. Such a long and dreary pause. Soul did her best to do it. To stay strong. Facing down with her flight buddy. The one true moment. She could not be weak. She felt weak. Never show it. Never give in to her. Even if I have to yell. She’s my flight buddy and I will do anything for her. As long as it helps both of us. As long as we can talk. “I want to talk to you” Soul said. Able to calm down. Not letting up in standing before the bowing filly. Not sure if Dash was angry or not. But… the filly whispered beneath her bangs.

“You have every right to not trust me. Soul, I’m sorry…” Dash’s wings finally folded, and Soul joined her to sit before one another.

5.45
“I spent the last three years training very hard with my mom” Dash spoke out in a tone so calm and reflective. With such a gaze in her face as she told that which Soul had known. “She showed me everything from aerials to wing control and flight patterns. Pacing and senses. Even proper use of speed. I was always struggling with it all but she never gave up on me, even now… cuz I still am not so good. Anything to teach me to be the flyer I dreamed of when I admitted it to my mom. So she spent so many months teaching me. Every night usually. Even if we didn’t get much sleep. I did use to be a bad flyer but mom and even dad were there for me. Always there to make me feel better about myself whenever I failed their practices and taught me all they know. It’s because of them that I’m as good as I am now. And I won’t stop till I am better than everypony else. It’s the least I can do for all the long nights and frustration I put them through.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t see it before…” Soul muttered. Thinking over all the time she spent with Dash. Never had she seen any proof that this could be true. Yet, that speed she pulled off, it must be true. “Why did you hide it from me? We both have been so good this whole time, we could have flown however we wanted.” “You’re really gonna ask me that?” Dash said. She looked up from under her mane. Staring with disbelief. No clue though what it was she meant. Soul was her flight buddy, they should not hide their abilities.

5.46
“You did the same thing on your first day” Dash said. Leaving Soul silent. Admitting to herself she too had hid her ability. From everypony, even Dash. For the longest time. All for one reason.

“My flying always got me picked on before” Dash said the truth. The same words the resounded inside of Soul. It made her eyes widen. Astonished to hear the thing that made her feel so much more that Dash was no different. When she thought the opposite. Dash was picked on. This pony here, she suffered the same thing. “It was really bad… back at my old camp.” So hard for the filly to say. She had to look back down. Only to hide the tears that Soul had seen welling up under her eyes. “They made fun of me so much because I always made mistakes when I flew. I was a terrible flyer. Even when I started getting better… it didn’t stop. I kept trying and trying to make them stop making fun of me. To stop calling me names that… really hurt. But it kept going. They called me a show off whenever… whenever I tried to show them how good I was getting at flying. I felt like nothing I could do would stop it. That my flying was gonna get me in trouble. I couldn’t win. For the first time in my life, I felt…” Dash looked back up. Squinting tears away, wiping a hoof over her face. “Like a loser. Nopony liked me. They all left me just because of what I felt was right to do. So… I didn’t want to show my ability off to any pony ever again.”

“Dash…” Soul whispered. “I love flying… but nopony wanted me to show it. So much work my parents put me through and all the long hours I spent. But I couldn’t feel proud of myself. I couldn’t show it. …Soul… it always hurt.” “It hurt to hide it…” Soul said. She had no idea what it was that stopped her from reaching out and hugging this crying filly. This, the most that she had ever seen Dash so sad. She was not making this up. As she started sobbing into her hooves. Tears that sounded like they were much closer to heart for Soul. The same ones she uttered so many times. Coming from another pony. Rainbow Dash, I never knew.

5.47
“I lost all my friends…” Dash wailed into her hooves. “Nopony wanted to be near me. I had to deal with it on my own… and I didn’t have my parents there to protect me. Everypony was mean to me, even your buddy Aurora did it too… so… I’m so sorry for hiding it.” She looked up from over her hooves. Yelling now. “Because I didn’t want to be bullied at a new camp! Not again!”

“But Dash… we’re flight buddies… and you saw that I was being bullied for my flying too” Soul shook her head. Amazed by it all. Just wanting to stop all this and hug her flight buddy for as long as possible just to show they were still connected. Not so different. Not split like she felt between them. “And you know that I have the same goals as you! Why did you hide it from me?! Of all ponies. I am there for you.” “Because I learned never to trust anypony else!” Dash smacked both her hooves down on the clouds between them. Rustling her feathers, just her voice echoing in the room. “You don’t trust me?” Soul whispered.

“I learned to watch out for myself. That I didn’t need others and you proved that today. I told myself not to ever feel hurt like that again so I never wanted to trust anypony again. I don’t need them. I don’t need friends! They always turn on me… just like you did.” “You… saw me as your friend?” Soul whispered.

Dash turned away. Soul left to look at her back. She saw me as that? Soul never had another pony think that way of her before. She realized it there, how badly she had messed it up. Rainbow saw her as a friend this whole time. Something so much more than what Soul thought them to be. Something that made her heart writhe. Even more with how she had turned that very pony into this. Rainbow Dash was no longer the Rainbow Dash she had known. This was a new pony. Somepony she never could expect to call equal to her. In everything. Rainbow Dash relied on me and I turned on her. How bad it was. Soul could not let it go on.

5.48
“Dash…” she whispered to her back. “I’m not going to hurt you. You have no idea how much… it means to me that you wanted to be my friend. I… I never had a friend before. None that I could play with or be together with. I can’t forgive myself for yelling at you. After all we did together. It was wrong of me. I won’t be like the ponies who hurt you. I won’t turn my back on you. Can you look at me?” Dash did not. Not even to the sweetest voice Soul gave to her to let her know all was going to be okay.

“I only wanted you to help me more. Because I was always there to help you. I did so much for you all because I wanted us to be there together. You were the only pony I truly felt comfortable with. But… I never thought you may have felt the same way about me. You always hid your feelings from me. I just didn’t know.” “I didn’t know either” Dash said. “Because it’s not like I have ponies around who know what it’s like to look out for me. They all left me long ago. I feel you will do the same too. You just don’t understand.”

Rainbow… Soul looked down to the clouds. Sifting her hooves around their fluffy surfaces. Without the stomach to realize just how saddening it was to see her flight buddy talk this way and show her that things never had been what they looked like. She fooled me. Never looking to be nearly this sad. This alone. So afraid of Soul leaving. She just wanted to trust me. Same as me, I wanted to trust her too. I should start trusting her. “You really don’t want friends?” Soul asked. “Why would you not want that? A friend is something I want. Haven’t you ever been happy with another pony?”

5.49
“Not since I learned to fight for myself and myself alone.” You say that like it’s been a long time. Just how much pain are we both under? “There was a filly at my last camp…” Dash paused. Looking up to the waterfalls around them. Her shoulders lowered. “We used to talk and play together, not as good at flying as I was but… that didn’t stop us. That wasn’t what stopped us. We stopped seeing each other when I started getting bullied. Wanna know why?” Dash looked over her shoulder back to Soul. Goading her on. Soul obliged. Nodding her head.

“She didn’t want to be bullied too. Too afraid to be around me since she was picked on just for being with me. She was so pathetic. Only time she had any guts was when she told me… that she didn’t want to play with me anymore.”

That made Dash look away as her voice went to a whisper. “I yelled at her for leaving me… because she hurt me. I never want to see her or those ponies again. Nopony can ever understand me enough to help me. They don’t want to be my friend.”

You really think nopony understands? Soul held her breath. Looking across all the waterfalls and letting the soaking and soothing rain water be the one thing to keep her from breaking down as she remembered everything that she had to go through too. Shaking with chills at the thoughts. Dash doesn’t know at all. Dash never trusted me. I didn’t trust her. But neither of us told the truth. I can’t go on like this. Dash, I want you to trust me. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. I know it must have really hurt for ponies to leave you and… for ponies to be so mean to you for who you are.” “What do you know?” Dash said. Soul took a deep breath.

5.50
“Rainbow… I need to tell you. I can’t hide it anymore. Please just listen to me. There’s a reason why I don’t go to Nimbus or Starry… something I’m sure would happen since… since it happened before when I failed.”

Soul closed her eyes. Not able to keep in how hard it was to say this. The tears came out freely. Chilling her cheeks in the breeze. “I’m so terrified that they’ll leave me. That all ponies don’t want anything to do with me. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Like nothing I can do is worth it. Because it never mattered before. It didn’t matter when I was left in a box in… in a dark alley in the rain. I could barely even fly, couldn’t do anything to stop her from leaving me. The only memory I have of her is the shadow. She didn’t even say goodbye to me. I cried for her to come back… I didn’t want her to leave. But she ignored me. I was only a baby… but she didn’t care…” “Soul…”

“Nimbus and Starry… they aren’t my parents. I lied to you the entire time but I didn’t know if I could trust you. I never knew my real parents. I never knew if they loved me. If they saw me as anything other than a failure. They were never proud of me. That’s all I was left with. That I failed to be what I was supposed to be to them. All I had left were Nimbus and Starry. They took me in, taught me everything. Fed me and gave me a place to call home. They were the only ponies I had in my life so I didn’t want to disappoint them. I never want to. Not after all the things they did to keep me happy.

Rainbow, you think you’re any better than I was. That I don’t understand? It’s like life loved to just mess with me. Keep me miserable. Junior Speedsters wasn’t the first… but it’s so easy now compared to what I had to go through. Dash… they hurt me at my other camp. I loved showing my growing flying skills to the others and… and they hated me for it.” Soul held her wing tightly. No matter how much it hurt to do so, she squeezed it. Making her squeal. Never letting go. Hold it and care for it. Just having to say it. It hurt so much to do so. To see it happen once more. “The other ponies… they broke my wing. Hated me so much that they wanted to take away my one true love. The only thing I lived for. I had no friends or family. Nothing else but my wings and they stamped their damn hooves on it.”

5.51
Soul went out crying. Breaking all the words she had left to say, beaten out by her cries. Never letting go of her wing. Never letting go of her fear, and dash thinks Soul is the better pony. It all rushing back into her, Soul cried so hard. Burying her face into her wing. Soaking it over the rain water. “I was so afraid of showing off at a new camp… I was crushed when it didn’t work. But you were there. You were the only pony I could be with. We were flight buddies and now… I ruined it…!” Soul gasped. Blinking out her tears when her eyes opened once more, looking down the back of a cyan filly who held her close. Soul dropped her wing. Dropped her hooves. Dropping her head down onto the filly’s shoulder. Crying into it. Doing nothing to stop it. For she knew what it was and never wanted it to end. To get these moments back. The one pony she felt comfortable with doing this with. Rainbow Dash hugging her. Holding her against her soft and warm self with tightened hooves around her. Soul kept gasping. Pleading for breath. Not able to stop her tears. Her sobbing. It hurt so much to remember it. Like her heart will explode. Scarred so deep. She couldn’t bare it anymore. Choosing to be the weak and defenseless pony she was. Succumbing to Dash’s hug. She embraced it. Crying and laying her cheek down against Dash’s mane. Looking up to the sky.

“And I lost you. I drove you away. I don’t want to lose you too. I don’t want to lose anypony else.” Dash hushed her. “I… I… I want to be there with you, Dash. Please don’t leave me too. Don’t leave me like my mommy did. I don’t want to fail you too.” “Soul…” Dash whispered into her ear. “I understand what you’re going through, please don’t think I don’t” Soul said.

5.52
“I don’t” Dash whispered. “I’m so sorry, Soul. I never knew you needed me that much.” “I… I want to be there for you. But I want you to be there for me too…” Soul cried on into her mane. “Soul… I wish you had told me.” “I just didn’t know if I should. I was so afraid of everypony” Soul said. “I shouldn’t have doubted you. It’s just… I hate losing others.” “You’re not going to lose me. Stop being so hard headed… and I’ll stop too.” “It’s too hard… I hate having to deal with this all the time. So scared of everypony” Soul slid her own hooves up and she returned the hug that Dash gave her. “Not even my parents liked me. I was not the pony they needed me to be.”

“I think your parents were the ones who failed you. They weren’t the ponies you needed them to be. You don’t deserve what they did to you.” “Please don’t leave me” Soul pleaded her.

Forget her parents, whoever they were, they didn’t matter. Not now. Not when she needed the one pony who held her. This was the one she always wanted in her life. Somepony who understood her and hugged her when she felt bad. Told her things that sounded so lovely and made her spirits rise. Something beautiful. Anything to have ponies like that. Please keep hugging me. Be there for me and I’ll do the same for you.

“I’m not gonna let it go on any longer. You can rely on me, Soul. We’re gonna stop it.” Soul felt herself being pushed back. Letting Dash move her, holding her in her hooves. Both fillies looked to one another. Seeing that Dash was also crying with her. Placing a cyan hoof upon her chest. “We’ll stop it.” “How…?” Soul couldn’t understand what could even be done to stop any of it. She just wanted Dash to be there for her. Nothing about stopping the bullying. There was nothing she could do. “I only make things worse… I can’t stop it.”

5.53
“Soul…” Dash wiped her tears and then… Soul flinched when her hoof touched her cheek. Dash wiped the tears off of her. “There’s something we can do. You can do.” “I don’t want to tell Nimbus and Starry. Please. They’ll be so mad at me. They gave up so much just to bring me to this camp and then…” Soul squirmed at this thought. “They’ll take me out of camp and… we can’t be together. I don’t want them to take me away. I don’t want them to be mad. Please… I can’t ask them.” Not now, after we finally got to hug again. I don’t want to lose you for even a single day.

Soul put her head into Dash’s chest. Hoping she would understand. For them to be separated would break her heart. For her to betray Nimbus and Starry in their trust of her, it would destroy her. Not after her parents. Not after that. Please. “Soul, you need to… stand up for yourself.”

Soul looked up into her eyes. She was serious. “I can be there with you, but you need to take a stand. You… you need to do what I didn’t do. Stand up to everypony and prove to them you are strong. That… that is what makes a Pegasus.” “How am I even supposed to do that? I’m too afraid.” It’s me against everypony else. I did too much to make them all not like me. Rainbow, she did not stick up for herself, how can she tell Soul to do it? Like it was just so easy. If only it was. She needs to understand. So many weeks. So many years. I can’t just turn around like that. “Soul, you’re an amazing flyer” Dash said, placing a hoof to Soul’s chin. Lifting her head up.

“You have an awesome teacher and an amazing goal. I’m the only pony who knows that. You’re going to be a kick ass flyer someday and not many others will be able to stand with you… hell, I’m hoping I get to. After what I saw when we hung out at your house, you are the real deal. You need to show them.”

“What?” Dash’s smile went away. Looking deep into her eyes. Her voice dropped. Uttering that name. “Aurora… he was at my last camp when something bad happened to him. He is a jerk but… you can make him stop. He doesn’t like you because of why he didn’t like me. You’re choosing to be bad at flying. He is mean cuz you… I’m sorry Soul, you’re taking your flying for granted by hiding it. He knows you are a good flyer just like I could tell.” “Why would he be mean to me because of that?”

5.54
Dash’s voice grew even softer. Like the air went still. Silent. A calm and dead world. Soul felt the chill along her back. “Aurora’s mom got into an accident back when we were in our last camp. …She lost her wings.” Soul couldn’t breathe. A Pegasus without their wings. No way. It’s what makes us special and… Soul didn’t want to imagine what it was like. “I know this because we used to be neighbors” Dash uttered. “It made him decide to love flying. He went from not really caring about it to such an arrogant jerk over it so quick. But… I heard him one time. When he was talking to his mom. He said that… that he will fly for both of them and love it. All because she couldn’t.”

He’s mean to me because… I failed to be what he wanted. Soul couldn’t help but feel so sorry for his mom. Somewhere out there, a Pegasus without her wings. Yet she had a son who wanted to fly for her. She would call it sweet if she wasn’t so afraid. But she knew what she needed to do. Something so terrifying. After all the pains and agonizing moments of the past. All the failures and ponies who left her. Now… now she was the one who had to be strong and stick up for herself. Soul hated to admit it, she hated it. But she wasn’t sure she could. Yet it came anyways.

“You need to show him how good you are. You need to beat him at his own game” Dash said. …Prove everypony wrong. Even when it didn’t matter before how much she tried. Show all the ponies that she was a great flyer who loved her ability. Reach out for the final goal she had. Though so far away and so blurred. So much pain between her and it. It held her back. I failed so many times before. I ruined so much and almost destroyed what I had with Dash. For me to do something like this… I’m too afraid. Too afraid to lose. I don’t want to know what it’s like to lose. Lose it all. Her against everypony else. With only her wings at her back. Only her pride left to keep herself strong. Strong against the sadness. Strong enough to endure it for so long.

Rainbow Dash, how can you expect me to stick up for myself when even you were too afraid to do the same for yourself? You really think I am strong enough to do it on my own? Dash, you were always tougher than me. It’s not like being strong ever helped me in the end. It wouldn’t here. If I fail. No, I’d rather not. I’d rather… Soul let go of Dash. Parting from her. Standing on her own four hooves now. Leaving Dash there with open forelegs to her and sinking eyes. But she didn’t stop her. She didn’t do anything more as Soul wiped the last of her tears away and did her best to give the smallest smile. It will be okay.

5.55
“I… I think Nimbus is waiting for me at home now…” Soul said. “Mom… is probably waiting for me too” Dash said. Her tone so down. “D-do you still want to play with me and… be flight buddies with me?” Soul asked. After all that happened today. Soul hoped for her to still be okay with her. Now that she knew just how messed up she was. But… the feeling of her hug still warmed her. That they got to hug again. It meant so much to her. So much that she could smile. Even if they had to part. Dash hesitated but “Yes… let’s keep flying together. I want us to be there for one another. I promise.” Soul nodded.

“I’ll be there for you too.” If you accept me for who I am just like I accept you. So much so that it was so hard to leave. Not with all the pain on her mind and the desire to stay with the only pony who made her feel happy. But she needed to. Too hard to manage it all. Too hard to think when all was cloudy. Soul took a step away. “Will you think about what I said” Dash asked. Stopping Soul.

She looked to her. About what you said. I’ll try. But… right now, I’m just too scared. Soul would not admit it to her. Just another one of her own problems that she needed to figure out. To hide or not. Take the risk. Too much. Soul nodded. “Thank you” Dash whispered. “I’ll be there for you.” Dash stayed there. So hard to part with her though… they both could smile. Both could rest assured that the other was there. That they will be there the next day. Whatever that day met them with. Soul said to her “Goodbye, Dash. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “I’ll see you then” Dash said. “Please be strong.” Echoing in Soul’s head. She stepped away. Be strong. Be strong.

5.56
Soul set the tip of her hoof into the water. It was steaming, felt so good to her hoof and told her that the water was ready. A little ripple going across the entirety of the water from her touch and she saw her face staring back up at her. Morphed and shaking from the ripples. Gone when she swiped her hoof over it. Casting it away, she got off the edge of the bathtub. Rather not see herself like this.

She looked out across the wide tub filled near to the top with steaming water just how she liked it. Alone with herself amidst the bathroom so shrouded in the misty embrace of hot steam rising all the way up and along the walls. Making the tiles she stood on shine a vibrant blue sheen. Even being her bathroom, she could not see the difference. Cloudy walls on all ends with so much steam set out from a wonderfully soaking hot bath and only the sounds of running water. Wading through such shallow puddles that flowed off and got lost into the clouds.

Peace and warmth. No different from before. Like this place was just like the sauna. Except without another pony here with her. Such a shame though. She had wished to be able to get a chance to soak in the lake. Enjoy herself before dusk, though dusk came so quick. This was the best she could do. I wonder what Dash is up to right now. She hoped she made it home without a problem after such a long and hard day for both of them. She was probably training. That filly sure did know how to push herself. So much that she was such a wonderful flyer. Devout to her skills. Or was she like Soul?

She looked around her lonesome bathroom. Torn between now and then. As if she never did leave the sauna and was still here with Dash, wrapped in the memory of such a day and such words. She could hardly accept it all happened, yet it did. Rainbow Dash, how things have changed. Hopefully, the cyan Pegasus could rest easy tonight. Soul would try to as well. A good and hot bath would work wonders to help her just relax and think.

5.57
“Soul…” a knock struck the door. Turning her around back to where it came from. “Are you done running the water?” Nimbus asked on the other side. “Yes.” Soul slinked back over to the tub, sliding her forehooves up its height and perching them atop the edge once more. Ready to get in, just in case. How odd if Nimbus would come in and just find the filly standing here.

“Alrighty, I’ll go get your towel.” She listened close for the hoofsteps to walk away. A little relieved, a little annoyed that she interrupted her. Soul looked back out across the bath. So warm to her hooves. She couldn’t wait. She slid in over the edge. Loving every second that the sweltering hot water came over her and then she was in. Shaking with electricity running across her spine. She had to sigh her pleasure. Now that is good. Much hotter than the sauna could hope to be, and the steam already soaked her mane.

She didn’t know how long she wanted to stay in here. Anything went. She had a long time before bed and just wanted to relax for a bit. Best way to do that, she sifted through the neck deep water over to the edge of the tub, turning and she let herself fall back against the tub. Sitting down, she sighed even deeper. Laying back against the wall and that wonderful feeling of piping hot water soaking her fur and warming the skin beneath came over her. Now this is so much better.

5.58
Soul wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to skip on training tonight so she could relax, but now… now she could say it was a good idea. She could do this for hours if she pleased. Hehe, but she could see her skin being some raisin later. Did Dash take baths? If she did, did she take them like this? Maybe she was at home relaxing the same way, Soul sure could tell they both would need something like this. The only time today where Soul could say for sure that she was alright.

Strange how she wasn’t at all upset. She surprised herself. Looking down into the water at her hooves deep in the crystalline blue that surrounded them. None of them could shake. She didn’t have anything happen to her for the longest time as she told herself just how incredible today had been. Incredible. If only it was the type of incredible she looked forward to. What a mess.

She set her head back against the cloudy wall. Perking her ears up and closing her eyes. Listening to those lovely sounds of running water. All the tiny waterfalls streaming down the walls of the bathroom and flowing into the tub. The drips of a drizzle coming down from the ceiling and the single fall of water from the faucet. Like a roaring symphony of water much like where she and Dash had been. Today, yet it felt like ages ago. As if Dash had told her all that stuff long ago and just now went through her head. Because of how weird it was to hear the story of another Pegasus who felt the same way she did. Admitting to so much. Way too much. Soul still could not figure it all out. Dash had told her everything and it was such a big problem for her to understand. Understand how similar they were. Really, why did Nimbus put us together? Why were you the one that I got to know? When Dash had been such a mystery before. Such a strange pony unlike any other. Soul now saw why that was. Not such a mystery anymore. All the while… she had told Dash everything.

5.59
How did she take it? Learning Nimbus and Starry aren’t my parents. Does she think bad of me for being adopted? No telling. Rainbow Dash was the first pony to ever, ever learn that. And she hugged me. So warm, like the water that crept along her body. I lied to her and hid so much from her, she still wants to be there to hug me. Wants me to be strong.

Sheesh, Soul opened her eyes. Spotting the little things sitting along the edge of the tub and she smiled. Why not? She reached out, pulling her hoof over one of them and she pulled it in. A little, yellow rubber Pegasus with the tiniest wings and such a dorky smile on its face. Floating along the top of the water with her. Moving on its own. She let it. Soul watched it scoot along so slowly. Seriously, why did Nimbus buy this for me? Or any bath toys. How old even were they? It made her smile, watching the little Pegasus float along on its path. Bobbing and swaying in the water, turning to her and then back. Like it didn’t know where to go. It still went. Some goal in sight. Soul giggled. Flapping both her wings up out of the water, sending out a jet of water to splash against it. Watching it fly off across the tub and settle at the other end. Recovery and going back to its gentle trip along the water. Spinning and dunking under the water.

She kept her smile, putting her head back. Just not able to take her eyes off of it… or its eyes off of her. Its magenta eyes and its laughing smile.

5.60
What? Soul jumped up again. Sending water splashing out around her.

The little Pegasus kept going with its side to her. Beady, black eyes avoiding her. Did I just… Soul looked around her. No, she was alone. W-why did I just see her? Did I… Soul laughed.

She had to have been mistaken. Nothing in the steam and only her. She was the only one in the water. It’s just a little bath toy. No point in seeing it as anything else. But… why did she smile? Honestly admitting to herself that that had been a pleasant sight if only for a second. Seeing a cyan pony across from her. Laughing with her. Kind of like when we played in the sauna. When did I start imagining you?

Soul laid herself back once more. Taking a deep breath. Calm down. Dash is home, out there relaxing and recovering from a hard day like Soul was. One day that truly did wane on her mind. To think I almost lost her. So close. She didn’t see just how fragile they both were, how strained this had gotten. So stupid of her to have let it get to the point it got to today. Really, seems like as the weeks go on, it only gets harder. Close to where Soul could see that she had come close to losing the only pony she could dare to imagine being with right now. But it was just a toy, floating away from her. On its own path and leaving her to herself. Not the pony she hoped to see from now on. The one she came close to not seeing again. Who left her with one final request.

5.61
We both did a good job. Both pegasi did so good at hiding everything from one another and it almost ruined them. Almost tore them apart and Soul had only to blame herself for the events. But she at least got to be able to hang out again with Dash tomorrow. Let this blow over and go back to having fun together. We can keep going and flying together… oh wait! That was right, Dash showed her secret today. Soul giggled to herself. She’s just as good a flyer as me.

What if they could do some tricks together that Soul was afraid of trying with her before? Get done with another day and go together to fly across the sky with such intense purpose. Hours of it. Perfecting their craft… for months or even years. Go on together in this wonderful thing they shared. They could keep playing together. Keep… keep… Soul lost her smile. If only it were that easy.

Rainbow Dash being one to fly with her and be so open with her when she had been so afraid to admit to her for the longest time all because Dash didn’t trust her, and Soul didn’t trust Dash in the end. I know you want things to change, Dash, I want them too. But I don’t know how to do it. If I can even do it. Because one fact remained. Soul was still trapped. Trapped within so many walls that went on forever yet kept her inside this shadow that she… she couldn’t even tell anymore what to expect. If Dash would leave her again? No! She wouldn’t. She trusts me… right? I trust her. For how could Soul not trust a pony who gave her so much? Admitted so much.

Then again, I also lied to her for the longest. I wanted to hide everything. That… that has always been my problem. That is what hurt her. Trapped inside that darkness, yet only one hoof reached out to her to pull her out. One that gave her a choice. One she didn’t want to make. Not after all her decisions had made such bad things happen to her. How would this be any different? How could she know that it would be something worth doing? Rainbow Dash, you told me to stick up for myself. In my entire life, I just don’t think I can do it. Dash makes it sound so easy, but… she also ran away from her problems. Can I really be that pony who doesn’t? I feel like I can’t do it, that it will be a mistake. Soul to keep being that pony who hid in her room and hoped for the best. Without fear of what could happen if she just wasn’t the pony who could pull it off. If Dash was too weak and failed, how could she do it? How could she be strong enough to do it? I want to be strong. I want to…

5.62
“Soul!” The door swung open. Startling Soul to flail in the water. Almost falling in. She really did want to yell out something obscene but she stuck to peering through the steam at Nimbus, standing in the doorway proud of herself. Towels on her back. “Took your time getting the towel” Soul told her. “Get lost on the stairs?” She set herself back up. “Oh you’re funny” Nimbus said. “I can take your towel back if you want.”

Soul stayed quiet. More or less displeased that… that she didn’t even remember what it was she was thinking about. I’m so out of it. Dash, is your mom like this? Soul rubbed her eyes. Hearing the door close again. Kicked shut by Nimbus and the mare came across the room. Setting both towels down on the sink. Wading her way through the steam.

“Water warm enough for you?” she asked. “Yeah” Soul said. She smiled to Nimbus. The mare’s kind voice really was still pleasant to hear. Good to see she wasn’t mad about leaving camp earlier. Maybe she didn’t know what happened. Whatever it was, Soul kept her mouth shut. “Thanks for getting the towel, I think I’ll soak for a bit. Did… you and Starry have any plans for tonight?” “Nope, unless you want to train with one of us later.”

Nimbus sighed calmly. Breathing in the hot steam and looking very satisfied. “I’ll be sure to get dinner started when you’re done.” Soul just didn’t want to say yes to her. She had no drive in her to do any training tonight. Just kick back and enjoy a little time away from anything that reminded her of flying or work. Lay back and listen to the flow of water and even the gentle hum Nimbus was making. “I’ll be out later” Soul told her.

5.63
“That’s cool” Nimbus said. The mare standing by the sink, looking into the mirror and… she put a hoof up into her mane, doing something Soul had to raise an eyebrow at. A thin, red ribbon fell out and Nimbus’ spiky mane came down. Flipping it off of her face so it may go down her entire neck. Blue and orange hairs shining along her golden body and her red eyes peered over to Soul. Smiling like she was pleased with herself.

What is she doing? I… I didn’t even know she used mane ribbons. Soul had never seen her with her mane down. Always a short span of flaming hair sticking up over her head. She didn’t know it was actually long enough to settle over her shoulders and her wings.

“Mind if I stick around till you get out?” she asked Soul. But I was wanting to be by myself for a bit. But Nimbus still walked through the steam and stood tall over the tub. So close that she… oh wow, she looked beautiful with her mane down. Soul still had no idea why she did that. Let alone why she looked so thrilled. Staring at Soul with pleading in her eyes. Expecting something from her. Was she actually asking me if she’s allowed to be in here with me? Soul would want to say no to her, she couldn’t get her mouth to say anything. Geez, she always looked so boyish before, now… why is she looking like such a girly girl now?

Honestly, she did look cute like this. Unlike what it was she came to know from the Pegasus. She never saw her before in this light. Okay, so what is going on? “Why do you want to… stay here?” Soul managed to smile. Sinking her head down a little into the water. “I can wash myself tonight.”

5.64
“Don’t play dumb” Nimbus said. She put her hooves up onto the ledge of the tub. “Why do you think I brought two towels?” Two? Soul looked over at the sink. It was a stack of two. She didn’t even think of that. Especially with Nimbus tapping her hoof into the water and she showed just how satisfied she was with it.

“Ooooh, that feels nice.” “Are you actually wanting to…” “Yup” Nimbus said with no shame. “I’m getting in with you.” “Say what!?”

Soul couldn’t even blink before the Pegasus leapt high over the tub and then… a huge splash of water came over her. Soaking the walls and flowing out over on to the floor. Soul shielded her eyes. Coughing up a little water that got in her nose. But she recovered. Finding herself in the tub with Nimbus, the mare laughing in the water that barely came up to her stomach. Water dripping from her drenched feathers and mane. Having soaked Soul’s own mane too with that splash.

“W-what are you doing?” Soul asked. “Oh don’t be shy, Soul. We’re both girls after all. Not like you got anything to be afraid of with me.” A splash of water came in so quick. Soul yelped when it struck her. The mare proud of herself and using another wing to splash more at her. “Stop” Soul said. Holding her hooves up. “Okay, okay” Nimbus turned tail and waded on over to the other side of the tub. Her big legs making such big strides in the deep water that easily slowed Soul when she tried to walk through it. She couldn’t even understand what it was she was seeing to begin with. Why is Nimbus in the bath with me? And where does she get off splashing me?

Soul struck the water herself, sending a plume of water smacking against the mare’s tail. Shaking her for a moment. “Oh aren’t you sly?” Nimbus laughed. Giving her tail a quick flick and spraying a little bit of water back to Soul.

5.65
“Really, why are in here with me?” Soul asked her. “I want to take a bath with you, is that so bad?” No… it wasn’t bad, Soul had no real problem with it except for the fact that she was bathing with another pony who was also doing the same. Nimbus was the one who usually just sat at the outside of the tub and helped Soul wash her mane. She never was one who came in with her.

“I just wanted to relax for a bit, that’s all” Soul said. Admitting the least of it. Though, she was thinking to herself that she wasn’t that uncomfortable with the mare bathing with her. It was just a bit of a surprise. She didn’t expect it of her. “But… aren’t you a little old to take a bath with somepony else?” Soul asked her. “Who are you calling old?” Nimbus sat down in the water. Stretching her forelegs over her head. “Nothing wrong with doing this with somepony you’re comfortable with. You know… they got public baths in Canterlot where you can bathe with tons of strangers. Isn’t this better than that?” A bunch of strangers. Wow, those ponies must be crazy. Soul didn’t like the sound of that, but she did like the sound of what Nimbus had said before that.

“You’re comfortable taking a bath with me?” “Of course, so how’s about we relax together?” Nimbus said, she laid herself down and stretched her legs out. Sinking slowly into the water. Only her head and wings remained propped up over the water. Sighing so lovingly over it. “Now this feels good.”

5.66
Soul kept her mouth shut, more fascinated with keeping an eye on Nimbus. Watching her unwind like this. The mare closed her eyes. Leaning her head up and looked like she would fall asleep over there. Raising her huge, soaking wings out over the water. Placing them both down on the ledges of the bath. While wagging her tail under the water. Seriously, she looked like a kid now. It was amusing. Soul never did expect to share a bath with Nimbus, ever, not able to see it turning out like this. She couldn’t go back to laying herself down again. Not with another pony in here. Soul could curse herself for blushing over this. Why did it feel so different to have her in the tub with her instead of at the side? No privacy at all. Soul shifted on her hooves. Nervously looking about.

“You okay?” Nimbus asked, one eye open to Soul. “Do you want me to get out?” “No!” Soul said. She wouldn’t kick Nimbus out. Not when she looked so at ease over there. “I’m just not used to this.” Soul laughed a little. Hearing her own self play this off. It was more than that. She just never did see the mare like this before. “You’ve never taken a bath with me before.” “Strange, huh?” Nimbus said. “I probably should have long ago. Honestly, I did think about it before but I was always too worried to do it. Wasn’t sure if you would want me to. Are… you sure you’re okay with me taking one with you?”

Nimbus sat back up. Raising a hoof. “I can get out if you want.” “You can stay” Soul whispered. “I don’t mind.” That made Nimbus smile. “Even if I am older than you…” she laid back once more. “I still don’t mind doing stuff like this. There’s nothing wrong with two ponies who trust one another to do this, I trust you after all. Otherwise I’d be scared to get this way in front of you.” “I’ve never seen you with your mane down” Soul said. She looked out to the floor where the ribbon sat. “Why didn’t you tell me you used ribbons. Here I thought your hair naturally stood up.” Nimbus cocked a brow. “You really think I can keep my mane sticking up on its own? Nah, I just like to keep it cool in front of others, plus I don’t use crazy shampoo like others do, but… you can see how it really is now.” Sounded like she meant that like it was a special thing to see her like this. Really, it was too confusing for Soul. This was an entirely different pony. She trusts Soul with this?

“I’ll be sure not to tell anypony else” Soul said. “Better not” Nimbus stretched her wings and legs out with a quiet yawn. “Only you and Starry can know how I really am, tell anypony and I’ll put slugs in your dessert.” Soul would not dare anyways, she was surprised Nimbus had this secret. Really, she needed to keep something like this a secret. She looks adorable with her mane down. Such a self-conscious mare.

5.67
Soul and Nimbus could take the time to both lay back and relax. Enjoy the warm water together with silence between them. Rushing water getting louder like the waterfalls picked up speed and the slush of water spreading across the floor. Soul looked up into the night sky high over her through the small windows dotting the ceiling. Beautiful stars shimmering together that both of them laid under. Calm and warm. This was exactly what she needed. A nice and relaxing time to just clear her mind a little. Let alone doing it with Nimbus here too. The mare looked to be doing the same. But she giggled quietly.

“You know, I haven’t done something like this in years.” “Done what?” Soul asked. “Taken a bath with another pony.”

“You’ve done this before?” Soul said, intrigued at the reflective voice Nimbus spoke with. The mare staring up into the night sky. Lifting a hind leg up and down in the water, then she crossed her legs. Focused so much on the beauty above them.

“Yup, when I was not much older than you. I never took baths with anypony else, you’re lucky, I never even had any there to wash my mane and my back… such a pain. Never did want it, until my mother just came in all goofy and happy one night and wanted to come in with me. Said she wanted to spend time cleaning up her ‘little girl’” Nimbus put her hoof to her face and groaned. Still made Soul laugh a little at her. It must have been embarrassing. “Caught me by surprise but I didn’t say no to her. Not because she washed my mane for me… and it was something else with how good she could do a head massage. Maybe…” Nimbus grinned to Soul. “It’s for the same reason you let me come in?”

5.68
“I don’t know” Soul muttered. “I just saw no harm in it. But you did sort of jump in without saying anything.” “Oh…” Nimbus realized her mistake. Widened eyes and laughing at herself. Ashamed a little. “Well… uh, I’ll tell you what.” Nimbus sat back up. Opening her huge wings to curl around her sides and leaving a big space in front of her. “How about you let me wash your mane” she patted down in front of her with one hoof. “Come on… I don’t bite.” She said that with such a sinister sneer in her voice though it was obvious the menacing face she made was all a joke. “If you do, I’ll tell you why I let my mom do this for me.”

Soul waited for a moment. Eyeing the big and open space in front of Nimbus. Soul was more curious of why it was she wanted to do this all of a sudden. Really, this mare was such a loose cannon. She rarely had much incentive to her decisions and she changed so much. Yet she was still a happy Pegasus that Soul was not at all afraid of being around. She always washed Soul’s mane at the side of the tub, not much difference in doing this. Soul obliged. She stood up, wading over to where Nimbus sat. The mare shifted and gave her more room, where Soul stepped in between her wings and turned. Leaving her back to Nimbus as she sat in front of her. Nimbus giggled.

“I’ll try my best to recreate her head massage. Don’t be mad if I suck at it.” Soul felt her pouring shampoo in her mane up there and heard the water swash from the hooves that moved through it and came up to her head. Then… Soul tingled. All when those hooves buried into her mane and feeling them dig against her scalp. Slowly and gently rubbing along it. She… says she’s not good. This was surprisingly pleasant. No way to tell if this is how her mother did it. Whatever it was Nimbus was doing, it felt amazing nonetheless. Soaking her mane in foamy shampoo and softly scraping her hooves over her head. Soul could fall asleep like this. Forget the normal scrubbing she did, Soul wanted Nimbus to do this massage from now on when she washed her mane. It made her purr for a moment. Closing her eyes. Just as long strands of her silver mane fell against her face. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“Hope I’m doing well” Nimbus said. “Ye-yeah…” Soul groaned. Her hooves started to shake.

5.69
“I was pretty scared at first to do this with my mom, just for a moment, I never did anything like this with another pony but… I figured it was okay with her. Otherwise, I would have hid my body from any other pony. I was always so shy back then… just the thought of anypony else seeing me in a bath would kill me. But with mom, I felt I had no reason to hide from her since she was a pony I trusted dearly. And it was a good decision. I made my mom so happy when I showed I wasn’t afraid around her and… she admitted she was a bit nervous at doing this with me too.” “Really?” “Yeah, she was a scaredy pony just like me. But she still got over it and wanted to spend that time with me in a way we… certainly found to be unique for a change. I really did trust her because of that. I learned that if a pony is willing to share their secrets to you, then you have no reason to hide from them. That you can trust them. The ones who trust you will support you, that’s why I wanted to take a bath with you too.”

Soul lowered her ears. A pony who trusts you. Nimbus’ mom was actually afraid to bathe with her own daughter. It must have taken a lot of courage for them to get over their fears and learn to trust one another. Like… a certain pony Soul knew. It must have taken a lot of courage for Dash to admit those things to Soul. All bottled up, and… the tears she shed when she told those things. It hurt just as much for Soul. But they shared everything. I know Dash lied all this time and she suffered so much for her talent. She knows I am adopted and also suffered so much too for my talent. Could she really say that Dash was a pony she could trust now?

Does she trust me? And… Nimbus is bathing with me. Doing the same thing she was afraid of doing with her own mom. Soul didn’t know why it was she was all of a sudden so open to share these things with her.

5.70
“You trust me?” Soul asked. “Of course, I hope you trust me too. You know, you have nothing to hide from me. You can trust me and anypony else who works to comfort you. My mom did so much for me but it took a lot for me finally expose my body to another pony, one so close to me. After everything I went through, it takes a lot of strength for a pony to come out of their cage and show…” Nimbus’ wings came up and curled around Soul. Glistening in golden light as the water fell through their feathers. “Just how beautiful they are.”

Beautiful? Soul didn’t look upon her wings. Staring blankly across the tub. All the strength it takes for a pony to step up to something. Nimbus, why is it you’re doing this for me? Why… do I feel so close to Dash now? As Nimbus kept massaging her head, she felt only her confusion. Taking her away from what was going on. Soul held her wings close. I remember when I was afraid to show my wings off. How afraid I was to be myself. All because of what happened to me. Even with another pony there she could call her buddy, she was still too afraid to admit anything to her.

Dash, she was the one who admitted everything. She really is a strong pony and she wants me to be strong too. Does she really trust me?

“Is there anything you may be hiding from other ponies?” Nimbus asked, making Soul’s heart stop. Something I’m hiding. I… Soul had too many problems. Too many to count. Was this just Nimbus trying to get into her life once more? As ponies prodded her for the words that would lead to so much disappointment. “No…” Soul said. “You know, Soul. You have nothing to be afraid of. You have plenty of ponies who are there to support you. Rainbow Dash and I included. You can trust me. If there’s something you are hiding, I’m here to listen, and I won’t think any less of you. I’ll be there to help you.”

Nimbus’ words slithered like a snake through Soul’s head. Her whisper and calming voice. Speaking like she knew exactly what it was that plagued Soul. Why is she talking like this? This is not like her. Of all the ponies in the world to plead Soul for her secret so scary, Nimbus was not one to talk. Indeed, it made Soul lower her head. Not able to keep herself from scowling. She pulled her head away from Nimbus’ hooves. I can’t yell at her, but… why does she think she can know my problems? After all, she’s the one who will be affected by them. If I’m supposed to trust her, does she think this alone will let me know I can rely on her to be strong and… have to go through my pain again. Soul was not one to know and neither was Nimbus.

5.71
Soul’s words were calm and slow. But she had to say it. Even if it upset Nimbus.

“You expect me to trust you? But how can I trust you when you always hide things from me?” “What are talking about” Nimbus asked. She knows exactly what it is. All these months, years that Soul noticed. Treating the filly like she was stupid and that none of it was her concern. Believe it or not, Soul had some semblance of care for the mare, and seeing it happen to her all the time hurt her. Hurt her so much and Nimbus expects her to be able to trust her.

“I can’t trust you… because you don’t trust me with what it is you’re hiding” Soul said. “What I’m hiding?” Nimbus said shakily. Soul sighed. She stood back on all hooves, leaving Nimbus where she was. Preferring that since Nimbus was continuing to play stupid and treat her like she didn’t know a thing. It’d rather be where Soul did not want to be with her like she had been. Soul wanted to choose her words carefully, though… she couldn’t. Not when she bit her lip so hard that it hurt. Not as much as it hurt to be kept in the dark for so long. Lied to so much. Being told all was okay when Soul had seen something that told her it wasn’t. Long ago, when both of them swam together in water much like this. On a day where Soul learned she could not trust Nimbus since the mare was always so scared to tell her the truth. Soul turned to face her. Finally able to confront her with the questions she had for so long every time she saw this mare tell her all was okay.

5.72
“Why do you think I don’t want to know what it is that’s wrong with you? Do you think I’m not worth knowing? I bet Starry knows, but why can’t I? You always used to fall and hurt yourself. How much it’s been happening lately, I can’t believe you when you tell me you’re okay. It looks painful when it happens. Do you think I don’t care?”

“Soul, I…” “Trust me, it hurts whenever I see it happens to you. Maybe I want to know if you really are okay, if it’s something I can help with. Or at least why you keep falling and getting hurt. Why are you so afraid to tell me the truth?”

“Soul, I just don’t know if it’s something you should know about.” “So there is something wrong?” Soul caught her. Just as she always suspected. “I know you told me you were very scared about showing your body, but… it’s me. Soul. Your little champ. I look up to you and rely on you to take care of me and teach me. Maybe I want to know if you’re alright and try my best to comfort you. If it’s something, I’m sure you can rely on me to be there for you. Whatever it was that I saw when we went swimming long ago.”

That was what made Nimbus blush. Pomfing her wings up in embarrassment that Soul still remembered she had seen something back then. But it didn’t last. The mare lowered her head. Drooping her ears down hearing what it was Soul had to say. “You tell me to trust you, but you always lie to me about your problems. You’re the adult. If you can’t trust me with it, why should I trust you… especially if you’re trying to teach me to be the strong pony. Maybe it’s because it’s better to hide. …At least then… I don’t have to worry.” That must be the same with Nimbus. She didn’t need to worry about it at all. As long as she bottled it up and didn’t look to it again. Keep it her own problem. Because she didn’t want that burden to be on any other pony. Like I don’t want my burdens on Nimbus. Nimbus could tell what she went on about.

She was silent. She ran a hoof up from the water, looking down at it. Not daring to look at Soul. The filly took her place back at the end of the tub. Keeping to herself. As long as Nimbus wanted to play stupid, Soul could not dare. It was only right.

5.73
“You’re right…” Nimbus muttered. “I have been hiding from you. Ever since I was a kid, I was always afraid of showing my body to others. I stay very active and fit, I have beautiful wings and I love my fur. I love my eyes and have strong legs. I even think my cutie mark is awesome. But… I’m still afraid to show myself to others. I’m not really one to be self-conscious, right? Mom always did try to teach me to not be afraid of others and what they think. But it was always hard. I was unique. Starry calls me gorgeous, and I want to believe him. But I’m always held back.”

The mare quivered. Shaking. Running both her forelegs up her chest and holding herself. Taking a ragged breath. Soul could say the same about her too, she was gorgeous. Strong, too. A pure and powerful athlete that surpassed most pegasi. Why are you so afraid? “It was never easy at all. Because I wasn’t like the others. Lots of ponies didn’t like me for my problems and it taught me to stay away from them. Hide myself from them, and I never had a friend. I was always so afraid of them finding out. It was a miracle that Starry still loved me when he found out about my problem. From then, I knew I had found the stallion for me. The first pony outside of my family who did not think I was a freak. I loved him. He told me to love myself too. Spent so many years doing his best to teach me that, and I still have a hard time believing it. Not when I have a body like mine.”

“What’s wrong with your body?” Soul asked. “Is it really worth hiding from me? If it makes you feel better, I shouldn’t have wings like these at my age.” “And you were still afraid to show them” Nimbus added. True. She was. Soul understood. “Forgive me for being afraid of showing you. I just didn’t know how you may take it. But… you’re right. I should trust you. We’ve been together for years now and I’ve learned a lot about you. You’re that happy and ambitious filly with so much potential in her, so much that you often can’t recognize it. You let the world get to you so often, just like I did. But… you are not like the rest of the world to me.”

Nimbus sent water rippling from her, standing up on her tall legs and towering over Soul once more. Holding her massive wings out and down along her sides. So much pain in her eyes, yet she smiled. Shaking. Leaving Soul astonished at how she had gotten. “You are my little champ, Soul Serenity.” Nimbus gulped. One hind leg stepped forward so cautiously. Nimbus turned. Showing her wing to Soul, and she closed her eyes tightly. When she lifted her wing and bared her entire side.

5.74
Nimbus, …what happened to you? So much time had passed since she caught a glimpse of it. So short and she barely got a sight of it. Never knowing just what or why it was. Never being able to find out just what it was that plagued this mare. But for it to be this. Soul never could have imagined this mare having to suffer with this. No wonder she was afraid to show her. To show anypony. It must really take somepony so strong to show this. To have to endure it. To know their body had this.

Here Soul had been afraid of having abnormally large wings, Nimbus… she had this.

All along her side. From the base of her wing, to her flank. Never able to be seen when that massive wing covered it. Golden yellow was her fur, red was her side. It took so long for Soul to figure out what it was she was looking at. Nimbus had a huge scar running all across her side. Like… like she… she didn’t even know what it was that could make this. No fur at all over it, just a large patch of red flesh and torn tendons. Almost her entire side, never to be seen under those feathers. It hurt Soul to see it. To imagine herself having this. What it was Nimbus had to deal with. Rips in her flesh going down her side and even along to her neck. Coming so close to the arrow shooting through the wind that was her cutie mark. Having been there so long that the flesh around it had turned black. Pocked in small blisters all around. They looked so painful too. Like something of a pony in agony. Even Nimbus shook in fear with her eyes closed. Never lowering her wing. Keeping this massive scar that popped out from her fur visible. Could scars even get like this? Her skin had even turned green in a few small patches along it. Unlike any wound Soul had seen before, she couldn’t look away from it. No matter how unsightly it was, she could not. Sitting there seeing the pony who had to have this mark on her.

This rip in her skin. This terrible burden to have. Soul, she could not help but feel sorry. If she had this, she would want to hide it too. “Nimbus… what happened to you?”

5.75
“Oh…!” Nimbus squealed. Placing her other wing over her face. So ashamed to show herself. She didn’t cover the scar back up. “I’m sorry I hid it from you, please don’t think badly of me. I’m still me.”

Think badly? Soul looked away from the scar and to the cringing pony trying to hide behind her wing. Why would I think badly? Nimbus was the pony who gave her a home and cared for her even when she had such freakish wings. “Why would I do that?” Soul asked. Licking her lips and trying her best to calm herself. Never anticipating it being like this. Nimbus was so scared of this. “Please, are you hurt?” Soul asked. “Is there something I can do?” “No.”

Nimbus lowered that wing a little. She still stepped away. Keeping to the edge of the bath. At least she was able to look out from over her wing now. Looking at Soul with those lovely, red eyes once more. “So…” Nimbus lowered her other wing back over that massive scar. Done showing it off. “Now you know. Pretty ugly, right? Guess you don’t think I’m so pretty anymore.” “I don’t think that” Soul said.

The mare calmed herself. Able to relax her wings once more and stand in the water like a stump. Probably unable to accept she just showed Soul that. But Soul understood. A pony as beautiful as Nimbus with so much talent and kindness in her heart, held back by something as striking and terrifying as that. Yet she was able to move on, hiding it forever and going on with her goals in life. Still keep herself happy and vibrant. Entirely a different pony from the frightened one she had seen. “I don’t think you’re ugly at all” Soul said. One little thing like that would not change how it was Soul saw the mare. So many years together for them to get to know one another, Soul was just surprised she had kept this hidden for so long. Finally able to show her now. Years later.

“You take care of me and help me so much. I think you’re awesome for wanting to teach kids to fly, and doing everything you can to make me better. You’re very pretty inside, …and outside too.” Nimbus sniffed. “Really?” “Yeah” Soul said. “You actually look really cute with your mane down too. So what if you have whatever that was?” “Don’t expect me to start having my mane down all the time. I like my spiky hair.” “Okay…” Soul said. Happy to see the mare look at her and give her a little grin. “I’m… actually pretty to you?”

“Yeah, you are.”

5.76
“Aww… you cutie.” A jet of water went across the bath and struck Soul once more from the shaky mare. “Stop making me blush” Nimbus fawned.

Back to normal so quickly. Like nothing had happened. Nimbus really did like keeping this façade and pretending like there was nothing wrong with her. It must have been so hard to come out from that normal look she gave and show Soul what it was that was wrong with her. But she didn’t think any different of her. Nimbus settled down once more. Soul wanted to let her know. “You’re very strong for showing me. It must have been hard.”

“There’s not many ponies at all that I would be willing to show that to. Not after everything I had to go through with it. How much pain it put me through.” “Would you want to tell me about it?” Soul asked. “I’ll listen.”

Nimbus looked at her. Cocking a brow. She was surprised that she offered that. Soul sitting patiently at the end of the tub. Wondering what it was that Nimbus must be thinking, if this was something she was wanting to talk about with Soul. She sighed. “Can I sit with you?” the mare asked. Soul nodded. Scooching over for enough room for Nimbus to come over and plop herself down in the water next to Soul. Breathing heavy. The mare guided her eyes across the tub. Soul watched her curiously. The adult being the one very lost on what to do here. Stars in her eyes in such a glimmer. She held her mouth open for the longest time. Soul was patient. It took a lot of strength just to show it, Soul saw now that Nimbus was not one free from worry. Not one afraid to admit her problem.

5.77
What do you want to know?” Nimbus asked. Soul asked the burning question. “Where did you get that scar?” Nimbus gulped. “It’s not a scar. It’s… a disease.”

A disease! Soul shuddered. “You’re sick?!” “Not something like that” Nimbus said. “It’s not contagious, you won’t get it even if you touched it. It’s just something I was born with. Mom always told me it was a scar until she told me the truth that I had some sort of illness in my body. That was when I was almost a mare when she finally told me that it was going to be with me for the rest of my life. All the tests and treatments the doctors did to me, nothing got rid of it and I was left with it.” “Your entire life?” Soul asked. Nimbus nodded.

“There’s no treatment for it. Not even unicorn magic. Some unique disease. We couldn’t even find a name for it. It hit me so hard when mom told me all that. I went through my entire childhood hoping to be rid of it someday, so I didn’t need to hide it all the time. It broke my heart. I was so afraid that every pony I met would be sickened by me. Like all the kids at my flight camp were.”

Soul was shocked. Hearing that last part. She almost didn’t want to ask. Almost. It hung on the tip of her tongue. Nimbus was afraid of other ponies. Just like me. She didn’t need to ask. “One day, when I was a kid, the others found out about it and I became a laughing stock. Ponies thought I was disgusting, called me a plague pony. It destroyed me.” Even looking hard for the mare to keep herself from crying, but a tear went down Soul’s cheek. “I knew I would have to deal with it for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to be near anypony else because of it. And the thing just kept getting worse as I got older. I started getting spasms in my legs and it hurt a lot. I didn’t think it would get any worse. But it did. I kept trying to go to doctors to figure out what to do about it. So I wouldn’t need to be afraid anymore. Running tests on me. Anything to get rid of this horrible thing. But one test they did, …it… almost broke me.”

5.78
“What happened?” Soul asked. Sliding her hoof along the bottom of the tub. Wanting to hold the mare as she began to shake. Nimbus cringed and gritted her teeth, like she was angry for a moment. “This thing… getting me made fun of and losing control of my body was bad enough… but… Soul.”

She took a deep breath. Putting one hoof to her mouth. She sighed deep into it. Shocked when Soul wrapped her hoof around the mare’s back. Letting her know it was alright. She was here for her. Never seeing Nimbus so upset before. Soul had to cry for her. One tear welled from Nimbus’ eye… and then it fell.

“It left me infertile.”

Nimbus threw her face into her hooves. “I can’t have a baby…” That was when she sobbed loudly into her hooves. Soul didn’t care now, she slinked both her hooves around her. Placing her head against the mare’s wing. Listening to her hoarse cries and ragged breaths. Nimbus would not stop shaking. Soul could not either.

This thing did that much to you? Nimbus, I’m so sorry. No wonder you were afraid to show me. This thing that hurt you so much. “It was always my dream to have my own little foal. And it was taken away from me. I couldn’t even fight it. I was born with it. It’s not fair… I felt like the whole world was against me. I felt like my body was so ugly, useless. It couldn’t even make me happy. So I’m so sorry that I hid it from you. It’s my shame. You were right to not trust me, but please don’t think bad of me. Not after all I had to go through.” “It’s not so bad” Soul said. She tightened her hug around her as best she could. Barely able to hold her large body. Hating to hear Nimbus cry so much.

Oh Nimbus, you felt your dreams were crushed. You were hurt so much. I never even could tell. How did you walk away from it? You must be so strong to go through it all, and here I am not trusting you for being afraid to show me. Yet you did.

5.79
“You just told me more about yourself than you ever did before. But I don’t think you’re ugly. I don’t think anything is wrong with you. Nimbus, I’m so sorry I ever doubted you. I should have trusted you.”

“You were right to not trust me” Nimbus said. Soul would have none of it. “But you admitted it to me. I could never go through what you did, but you found a way and you’re still able to smile every day. Telling me about it. You’re the strongest pony I’ve ever known. I think you’re awesome. Even if you feel your dreams are crushed, don’t forget that you got Starry, and you have me too. I won’t think bad of you. You’re beautiful on the inside, and that’s what counts.” “I could never go a day…” Nimbus looked down to her. Her own hoof coming over and went around Soul. Pulling her closer into the soft feathers of her wings.

“Without either of you. I’m so glad that I have you, Soul.”

Soul buried her face into her wing. Wondering to herself just why it was that she was able to cry right now. Not tears that pained her, the tears of joy. For it to all lead to this, she could not guess what it was that would happen to her when this all began. She felt as though this mare was somepony she could truly call a friend. One that she really did look up to in all her strength. A magnificent flyer with a heart of gold and so much kindness to share to others. Never letting anything hold her back from her goal of helping all who needed her. She was so quick just to show Soul the one thing that had plagued her her entire life. That had caused her so much pain. For that, Soul envied her. She always envied her. She always should have. Frail and scared, shy and sad. None of that stopped this Pegasus from being so strong, like iron was her blood. I thought I was the one who had it worse. But… there are two ponies out there who I truly feel pity for. Pity and affection. Those were the ponies who were strongest for admitting to her what it was that ailed them.

For that, Soul knew exactly what to do.

5.80
All my life, I always thought I was weak. No more. I am a strong Pegasus. One that needed to fight for her happiness. She would destroy the things that held her back the most. Break from it and soar into the sky among freed wings. She would never be alone. Nimbus trusts me, I should trust her. I have nothing to be afraid of.

“Nimbus.” “What is it, my little champ?” Nimbus held her closer. Soul would not let go, she smiled into her golden feathers. Confident to ask her. Confident in herself to do what was right.

“Is it too much to ask you to delay tomorrow’s activities for a little bit?” She was so calm in her answer, not even any guilt. Nimbus was happy to tell her. Eager in her voice. “You got something special in mind before we start?”

Soul would not stop now. She had her goal and ponies there with her. Nothing could stop her now, now that she had her strength. “Yes, I do.”

Nimbus chuckled. Letting go of Soul, she looked to her. Patting a hoof down in front of her again. Soul did as she wanted. Moving over to sit in front of Nimbus. Letting her do what she wanted. More than pleased when her large hooves went up and down her back. The most lovely back massage she could ever hope for right now. Calming and soothing. Just like she was. Thank you so much, Nimbus. For everything. I promise that I won’t let you down. I’ll be so strong and prove to all that I am the best. Rainbow Dash. You. All of Cloudsdale, and that pony out there somewhere. Whose shadowy tail did leave Soul behind in that dark and rainy night long ago. Never able to see just who it was that Soul would become. She did fail me. I did not fail you, mom. Rainbow taught me that. Now, I see she was right. Tomorrow, Soul would show just how right she was.

“Give them a good show” Nimbus said. “You know I will.” Soul grinned.

5.81
She was sleeping peacefully. Nimbus was sure of it, that this was the calmest she had seen Soul been in her sleep for a while. Over there, snug in her bed, clutching her pillow with a big smile on her sleeping face. With the only light cast on her from the crack in the door Nimbus looked through. It made her so happy. Finally, knowing that Soul had come so far from that little filly she once knew. You are stronger than I was when I was your age.

“I’m so proud of you, Soul” she whispered. Closing the door gently. Letting herself see that sweet filly for as long as she could before she disappeared behind the door. Sleep tight. Nimbus set her hoof upon the door and smiled. Fluttering her wings. You really are my wonderful little filly. With so much there to help her become the best she could be. Whoever the mare was that left Soul, they were so foolish. So blind to not see who you would become. All you needed… was that little push.

Nimbus looked off to the wall. Somewhere out there, she knew another filly to be there. As hopeful as Nimbus was. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I did choose right. No other pony would come to me so late tonight and beg me to help Soul. You gave me strength to open up to her.

You really are her friend.

Nimbus could sleep well tonight.

6.1
It was the wait that was the hardest. Soul was already just too pumped and hated sitting here not sure if things will work out. But Nimbus had assured her last night she would have time today to do what she wanted, but something else was also needed. That was why Nimbus was over there with the rest of the adult instructors, keeping to themselves in their talks while Soul did her best to close her ears off to them. Just a courtesy. More wanting to keep it a surprise, whatever it was Nimbus would come back with.

Every instructor at Junior Speedsters for every group, dozens together in a mass with Nimbus and Starry amidst them all, taking their attention. It was an odd request. Which was why Soul was really wondering if it would happen. Nonetheless, she was more than happy to see their little scheme coming along nicely. Nimbus didn’t know. No others knew what it was exactly. It still didn’t stop it.

The other kids in her group really were happy to get their free time. Soul kept away from them. Letting them do what they wanted. A bit of enjoyment before activities started later. To them, it was just an early free time. To Soul, it was much more. All of the kids newly arriving and seeing that they could run off and be with their friends. Something that used to hurt Soul. Not today.

She didn’t care if they ignored her. If none of them wanted to be her friend. If they ran past without even batting an eye to her. Just what they portrayed of her being what kept them from her. That ended today. Because there was one thing, one thing that almost all pegasi prided themselves in more than anything else. Even more than flying. Something Soul was no exception to as she partook in it with Nimbus so often. Just as a way of training even if Soul wanted so desperately to succeed.

6.2
Soul looked to the sky. Observing it. Keeping track of it all morning since she left her house. Making sure it was well maintained for what she needed. Another autumn day. Such harsh winds coming in through the clouds and chilling her fur. Rumbling through the large assortments of clouds rolling in. Great masses of them rising high into the sky. Like monoliths that dotted it all. Spreading far and wide.

Truly it would be a bit of a challenge for more amateur flyers to try and tackle those things. Soul was not afraid.

She smiled. Could not stop smiling. Maybe that was why nopony even bothered to look at her. Could they sense her thrill? That she saw this was going to end. Nothing could keep her from being happy. Now that she had ponies she truly could trust. Soul will be sure to not let them down. She won’t. I am a magnificent flyer. I’ve spent so many years training and I am better than I ever hoped to be. None of the others here would understand that or even see that until today. No matter how harsh or cold the weather was getting. This was a sky she called her home. It would embrace her and be the thing she needed all along to be free. Go back to the one thing she always relied on.

Her huge wings stretched out far behind her. Arcing her back and she felt a pop. Loving the feeling. Bringing both those wings to her sides where she peered over them. Such strong and lovely wings. Bigger and better than any other. They were hers. Her pride and joy, even if others did not see them as special. They were prepared for what it was to come. Why she spent so long in the bathroom stretching them and fluffing her feathers to look as gorgeous as she could get them. Feeling so strong. To master that sky above. May her wish come, as Nimbus and Starry came back with all the other instructors breaking up behind them to go to where they were needed. Soul did not frown. Meeting their smiles with her own. She had no reason to be upset. She saw the glaring pride in their faces looking down at their little champ. She knew just from that that all had gone right.

6.3
“You have the entire camp to yourself, Soul. One hour only” Nimbus said. Good. Unrestricted access to the skies over the camp. All for her. All the courses and clouds she could use. Nothing could stop her.

She felt her joy rise up. Rise and kept in. Though a chill went along her. So the time was coming. “Thank you so much” Soul said.

She accepted the bag that Starry gave her. Her lunch for today. Bigger than normal. He packed it so much, it looked. She could already smell the scent of sweets among other things. Very unusual for her lunch. She knew what it meant. “Be careful” both pegasi rose a hoof up to her. Soul met them one at a time. Bumping her hoof into theirs. She took the bag in her mouth. Off to drop it off.

“Keep your eyes to the sky” Soul said back to them. Looking on to the locker building with such joy in her face. There were a couple fillies making their way down the steps. Stepping aside for Soul to pass between them and she caught their glances to her. Ones of confusion and disgust at her almost running into them. Left with only their hushed whispers behind her. Didn’t matter. She did not even listen.

Stepping into the room that held harsh memories. She looked across it. Where Rainbow Dash had stood before. She shook her head. Hard to believe that it happened just yesterday. Reminded once more when she opened her locker. Finding it all still laying there. Her precious hat. Tossed aside in pieces at the floor of her locker. How sad it had made her. Seeing ponies had done this to her. The only thing she thought she had to give her comfort. Now… now things had changed. She didn’t need the object that ponies gave her. She needed the ponies themselves. The one ponies who always were with her and supported her. How things have changed. I truly feel like I’m not alone. I can smile again. With them all at my side. Indeed, she wasn’t alone.

6.4
“Soul.” She looked over to the door. Shining in with the sunlight being the one pony silhouetted inside that shroud. The filly she needed. Rainbow Dash. Coming in to join her. Just how much she looked to be struck by seeing Soul here. A smile so beautiful. Such happiness in her heart. Soul wanted her to know just what it was she felt now. That all was going to be okay. Both fillies standing there face to face not able to take eyes off one another. The cyan filly lowered her head and smiled so wide to Soul. “Thank you for all you did yesterday… I needed it” Soul spoke softly to her. Not getting a response. Only her flight buddy’s bashful look. Amazing that Dash did not bother to try and hide just how flattered she was. That all that happened yesterday had been worth it. That they both had become strong after it all. To learn of one another. To know the other’s darkest secrets. Yet nothing changed. Dash was her normal self. Maybe even more happy.

“We still flight buddies?” Dash asked. Soul giggled. “Of course, always” Soul gave her hoof to her. Offering it just as Nimbus and Starry had done. A different response. Soul gasped when Dash’s hoof went around hers. Holding her tight. Not letting go. She looked up to her magenta eyes riddled in happiness unlike any before. Dash was truly happy to be with her. Soul felt the same. Because of her, she felt like this. Neither able to look away from the other, and Dash had to see it all. That Soul showed what she felt. So much pride and strength between them to see the pure fire inside of Soul’s sunset eyes. Billowing bright.

“Today’s the day, Dash” Soul said. “You mean…?” Soul nodded to her. Making her smile brighter. “Thank you so much for helping me figure out what I need to do. I won’t be a coward anymore. It’s better to try and make things better than to sit back and hope things will change.” “You know, Soul. I think you may be right.” Dash clenched her hoof tighter around Soul’s. “You are one helluva Pegasus. Maybe… I learned something from you too.” Soul nodded. I’m glad she did. For both of them to truly figure out what it was that needed to be done. Soul never wanted Dash to be the pony she displayed yesterday. Never again.

Rainbow, you are strong. Strong enough to kick my ass into gear. Quite a challenge that was. She would make the most of it. “Whip some tail, Soul.” Both of them packed up. Leaving behind every bad memory this place gave them before. Made only now into one of the most magical places they’ve had. For it all led to this.

6.5
“Looks like he just arrived” Dash said, pointing to the colt who ran off to join the others. Aurora Flash, the pony who had started this all. The one Soul could tell would not be able to resist. After all Dash had told her about him. Even if she pitied him for what he had to go through, this needed to end and there was only one way to do it. Standing over there with Spitfire among the other kids who frolicked and played. Like none were aware of the two fillies staring down at them from the top of the stairs.

Soul let out a deep breath. Looking to Dash for strength. The filly nudged her gently and smiled. Rainbow had her back. Staying close to her. Soul would not back down. Holding both wings out and arced down at her sides. Both ready to do what was needed, eager to do it. For this would end it all. All would see she is no coward. Even more so, they will see just who she was. Who she strived to become.

“Aurora!” Soul called out across the camp. Echoing and stirring. Like it rumbled from the clouds themselves. Shocking herself how loud and strong she could yell out that name. Harsh. But she kept smiling. Glaring down at him. When his eyes met hers and all of them turned to see the filly who outstretched her mighty wings.

“I challenge you to a race around the camp!”

6.6
Everypony gasped. All across the group. Eyes looking between her and Aurora. The colt backed a little with that. She could see it in his eyes. None expected her to do this. Not even him. The pony who always told her how weak she will be. That she will never rise to overcome the things that challenged her. Now… now she was the one who issued the challenge. One that he could not refuse. That no Pegasus could.

From the first day ponies could fly. Only in their blood to better themselves against others. For Soul, she will better herself. Prove that she was better than all that had been put against her. She was the strong one, and while all the other ponies could not even grasp that this was happening, she felt Dash beaming with pride next to her.

Funny. I would normally feel so afraid to be in this position. She felt so many eyes. Hundreds. Glancing across at all the ponies staring up at her and her mighty wings ready for a fight. Kids from her group. From others. Instructors in the sky and below. That a challenge was being issued here. By the mouth of this filly. She couldn’t even collapse. She was strong. She felt it. She loved the feeling. That she was filled with what she needed all along. That push. That drive. If she had not been with another pony, it may all collapse right now. Like Dash was the very one who gave her that strength. From the first day, I wanted to prove to her what it’s like to fly with freedom and passion. That takes concentration and determination. That takes power. That takes ambition. I will be the pony to have those. I will show her that I can be that pony. Rainbow Dash, never be afraid like I was to show who you truly are. That is what made her so happy.

6.7
“You want to race me?” Aurora asked over there. “Any other Aurora Flashes here? I’m challenging you!” Soul pointed her hoof to him. “My wings against yours. See just who is the better flyer.” “So you’re just doing this to stroke your ego” Aurora said. “I don’t think that’s the point of flying.” “No, it’s not.”

Soul knew what it was. All the teachings Nimbus gave her. All her readings. All the trials she had to go through. All to get to this point. “It’s to rise above any challenge that stands in your way. So nothing can be there to keep you down, and you can become free to choose what you want for yourself. That’s… exactly… what I’m doing.”

Soul glared at him. I will rise above my challenges. Aurora took it as such. Glaring at her too. The colt stepped forward. Center among all the others. “And you’ll fail just like you did before. Face it Soul, you’re a trash flyer. You’ll only mess up and prove yourself as a joke.” “Oh yeah!” Said, not Soul, …but the pony with her.

Rainbow Dash stepped up. “Well this ‘trash flyer’ is challenging you to a race. Maybe it can be an easy way to prove yourself right. Unless… you think you can’t.” “I know I can” Aurora said. “Well you’re weaseling your way out. What’s the matter Aurora Trash?! Afraid Soul will crush you? You should be afraid. Cuz Soul is a better flyer than you ever will be.” Rainbow.

Soul looked to her. Such fierce determination on Dash’s face. Staring down at the colt. She meant what she said. She’s here… with me. Soul felt her heart flutter. Yes. That’s… that’s what I wanted. Enough to make her want to cry. She couldn’t. “Come on, chicken!” Dash said. “What good are your wings if you aren’t gonna use them?” Dash held her wings out. Doing something that would really piss off any Pegasus. She mocked him with chicken noises. Able to just see the fury building up in the colt.

6.8
“Fine!” he said. “I’ll race her.” Soul grinned. Hiding her menacing smile from them all under her bangs. No matter what… I will beat him. He may have been good, but I know I’m better. Now the colt was right where she wanted him.

“But I get to decide the rules” Aurora said. Of course. Typical of racing challenges. Soul would take it on. “Bring it” Soul told him. She stepped down from the stairs. Coming down to join with all the other ponies. Holding her huge wings out with pride as they all stepped aside and let her pass. Pass to stand face to face with Aurora.

“Name your terms” she said. “No ordinary race” Aurora said. “I know another pony who’s been dying to get something back from you. A tag team race” he pushed his face into hers. “Spitfire and me. Standard rules. Teammate passes a flag to the other. First team to cross the finish line with their flag wins.”

A duo race?! Soul did not drop her determination. She showed no sign of her confusion and shock at hearing just what kind of race this would be. Even more when Spitfire walked up to join with Aurora. The golden coated filly with a mane of flames smirking with such anticipation to participate. It’s been so long. This pony who once complimented Soul, now here with malicious disregard for her. Though Soul understood. She did not fault her, and she will not back down. “Deal!” Soul said. “Find yourself a partner” Aurora said. “You’ll be racing me so you better find a pony who can keep up with Spitfire. She’s no joke.” Aurora pressed a hoof into her chest. Soul backed away from him. Offended he touched her. No matter how soft it was. The colt smirking with pride. He looked out upon all the others.

“Somepony get some flags, we’re having a race here!” Such a surprise that all the stunned ponies changed to cheering. All excited to see this happen. Soul was too. Though… she just needed one thing. “Who’ll be your partner?” Aurora asked.

6.9
Soul didn’t need prompting to look back behind her shoulder. To the pony whose hoofsteps sounded loud and strong. Stepping down from the top of the stairs. Rainbow Dash’s long mane flowed and went over the most impressive face she had ever made. One of courage. One of a pony who saw right in front of her what it was she needed to do. A pony Soul didn’t think would do this before. Until today. The pony she could trust. The only one here she could rely on to fly with her. Not for skill or strength. But for what it was she felt between them. She was here for her, and Soul stepped aside. Letting the filly step up next to her. Side to side. Both of them staring down at Aurora and Spitfire.

“I’ll be her partner!” Dash shouted with no hesitation.

“Flight buddies forever” Dash said to Soul and both of them touched hooves to one another’s. “You don’t stand a chance, Crash” Aurora said. “You’re no different from before. Hope you’re ready to be humiliated again.” Dash did not say a word. She didn’t even move. Not stopping in smiling alongside her flight buddy. Determinedly staring to the filly she would race with. The fire maned filly stared at her. Talented. Strong and skilled. Nothing mattered. Soul had the utmost confidence in this pony alongside her. All she showed her over the weeks that passed since she first laid eyes on her. This pony had transformed so fast. Into a pony Soul was happy to have with her. The one pony in this camp she trusted more than any other. Such joy in her heart that she was with her. At last. Flight buddies, pure and true.

“See you both in the sky” Spitfire said. Her and Aurora grinning and they both flew off. All the other kids cheering and flying off too. Leaving Soul with her flight buddy. Locking hooves together. Neither needed to look at the other. They both felt it. Soul was overjoyed. She was ready. They will end this together. “I’ll head to the start line” Dash said. Opening her wings. Letting go of Soul. “How long has it been since I raced another pony?” Dash asked herself.

Soul watched her walk off with fearless determination in her stride. “Tear the sky apart, Dash” Soul said after her, making her stop. “What?” she asked with surprise. “Don’t you be afraid to show them all just how talented you are” Soul said. “I won’t hold back. Neither of us will. No more. Today, we’re gonna leave it all behind.” “Soul…” “Don’t be afraid to be yourself” Soul told her. “Show them how a Wonderbolt flies.”

Dash held herself there. Her leg shook. But she smiled so wide. Flexing her wings at her sides. She turned away. Though Soul saw that face she made before. Confidence. “You taught me a lot” she said. “I won’t let you down. See you at the finish line… when you cross it first.”

Rainbow flew off. Soul sighed. She looked to her wings. I have these… and I have her. How can I fail? Today, everything has changed. She looked to the bright and loving sky. Her world up there. Joined now… with another at her side. Rainbow Dash.

6.10
A long time it had been. It never was like this. Surrounded by so many ponies all eager to see this go down. Ponies she didn’t recognize, from the other groups. From her group too. Sitting atop all the clouds spread out among the start line. That great, big banner stretching high above Rainbow Dash. Stood atop two big stakes pierced into the cloud she sat on. Every other pony had their own cloud to sit and watch. Dash shared the cloud that mattered with only one other.

The fiery filly standing away from her. Stretching her legs out over there. Flapping her wings. A head raised high. Such is what she would expect of a talented flyer. She must be fast. She must be talented. So few pegasi her age can have that look upon her like she already won. Rainbow didn’t bother to share the same face.

I never even saw this coming. Never thought I’d be the one up here with Soul. Helping her fight for her happiness. No way to ever think this would come about when she first met that pony. How far they would go. How much they would go through. It’s only been a hooffull of weeks and it already felt like years. Like she was doing this for a pony dearest to her for so long and not a pony like Soul. Strange how that felt. Strange how much she wanted to do it. Maybe it was just that Pegasus rubbing off on Dash.

She really was something else. Unlike any other Pegasus before. To find one like her in these camps, it’s a miracle on its own. One she truly felt like she was connected to. Proud to be with. When she felt so much pity for that pony not so long ago, and no desire at all to even want to get to know her. How foolish she was before. That pony was exactly who she needed.

6.11
No other time. None at all. None when Dash would be able to stand here on top of a cloud like this under the start line for a race course with the eyes of dozens watching her. Judging her. All of them saw her as just that alright flyer who performed alongside them all with nothing else to her flying. None of them knew. None of them could see what it was she had. Not even Soul did. I hid from everypony. I wanted to hide away forever and never come out. After all that I had to go through. But here she was now. Doing the impossible. Yet her legs did not shake. Her teeth did not chatter, and she felt no remorse or grief. Nothing like when she flew in front of them every other time. No fear in her heart. Just like Soul.

If Soul is not afraid, then I’m not. No more hiding. No more being that scared filly who kept to herself and wanted nothing to do with others.

Dash had reason in her life to be brave and she had reason to believe there were ponies out there who saw her for who she was. She’s teaming up with one of them after all.

Cheering ponies and excitement in the air, so much she could smell it. It was good. I may be flying against a great flyer in front of so many others but… Dash spread her thick wings. As far as they could go and stretched them with a loud pop and spread her legs. Raising both her wings to the air. Nothing will stop her from showing them all just who it was that was going to be racing and flying true for them all for the first time. No holding back. She expected the same from Soul with all that passion in the filly’s eyes for this.

Dash was so glad it worked out in the end. Soul had proven her wrong. She really did change. Yesterday was not in vain. Now that Soul knows my darkest secrets and I know hers. Didn’t stop Rainbow at all, while she looked off to one of the far-off clouds so behind all the others. Back where none of the other young flyers were around to watch her. But some ponies were there to watch. Sitting together on their cloud, with wings blanketing one another, Nimbus and Starry. They get to see us do this, and neither of them ever looked so proud before. Their eyes met and Nimbus waved to Dash. Like it was some way to convey what she wanted to say, and Dash felt it. She thanked her.

It was only the right thing to do. Dash was so happy that her efforts paid off, that Nimbus had convinced Soul to do this. She would never know how. She didn’t want to know. For Soul was out here with Dash doing something so incredible. Soul will do it for them. She was their student and, even if Soul did not see it as so, Dash still could tell she was their daughter. Make your parents proud, Soul. Dash’s eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat only with how much joy she felt. And I’ll… do the same.

For the ponies out there.

6.12
She saw her mom… and her dad, both pegasi out there. Settling down next to Soul’s parents. What are they doing here? Dash watched them. Hugging with Soul’s parents, more than happy to welcome both of them. All here to watch their little fillies. I… I don’t know what to say. Dash was… she was so happy to see her parents here. She didn’t care how this came to be, they were here… to watch her, their little filly show all just how great she was.

Mom, her coat as blue as Dash’s, with a heart so pure and all her determination to guide Dash. All the techniques she showed Dash, all the years spent drilling it into her head. Yet I never got to show them to others. Mom will be here to see her little girl show off all the teachings they spent nights and nights training together for. I won’t let you down.

Dad, with his short rainbow mane and violet coat, and all the love she could ever want, so glad he could be here to cheer her on. To let her know she was a winner and never let her feel like she failed. You’re always there for me. Both of you were, and I let you both down by hiding. No more.

Dash grinned. Meeting their eyes all the way across the sky between them both. I won’t hide just how awesome I can be anymore, because that’s not who I am. You both spent so long trying to get me to feel better about myself, all I needed was one more kick. Guess I owe you one, Soul. That was a pony who proved she was stronger than what she thought herself to be. Rainbow truly did learn something from her. For that, she will gladly fly. Not for herself. Not this time. Dash had another purpose now.

6.13
“That’s my girl, Dash!” Rainbow shuddered. It was her father’s booming voice… like… just like when he cheered during training. “You can do it! Take no prisoners! Rainbow! Rainbow!” Wooting for her and flailing his hooves around over there like a madpony, certainly getting all the other ponies to stare over at him. Him being the only pony cheering for her. In his… unique way.

Oh Celestia. Dash pulled her mane down over her face, chuckling over what he said. Could he maybe do it a little quieter here? We’re not exactly alone at home now. Much more how all the other ponies seemed to take a lot of amusement out of it, including Soul’s parents giggling over there. A bit too much attention for me. Dash shook it off. Whatever, I’ll still do this. She was getting what she signed up for by agreeing to this. All the attention was on her. Not running scared from it this time. Not when she had something more important to do for it.

“Those your parents?” she heard Spitfire ask across from her. The fiery maned filly giving her… a compassionate smile? Funny how she looked that way. Dash would not deny it. “Yup” what, did she have something to say about it? “And I don’t care what you think. Ponies like them are the reason why I can do this stuff in the first place.”

I’ll be sure to make them both proud. When she would return to them, she wanted the biggest hug they could give. Even better when she won. Maybe later… she hoped mom would kiss her forehead. Let her see just how happy she was that Dash could finally do this. She would not care what the competition thought about it.

“I can tell they see something special in you” Spitfire said. “I should know, my parents do the same for me. Maybe you can show me if you have what it takes to prove them right.” Dash glanced at her. Curious over her. Spitfire gave her a warm smile. Nodding to her. “I won’t hold back against you, Dash. You better not hold back against me either.”

Dash gulped. She almost let her mouth hang loose from that. Spitfire walked ahead, taking up a position at the start line. Walking, she winked to Dash and looked away. There to wonder why it was she felt so much courage in the eyes of that filly in what it was she had to say to Dash. Almost like… I won’t hold back. Dash would assure her of this. Determined to keep her promise and be a strong pony alongside Soul. This will be a serious race. Even if Spitfire is skilled, she would be better. She will make it so. Dash flexed her wings as strong as she could. No reason to keep them waiting any longer. She stepped up too. Standing next to Spitfire at the start line. Taking one very deep breath.

6.14
One of the fillies came in, Cloudchaser was it, flying over both of them. She was the one holding two bright red flags in her hooves. Offering them both to the fillies. “Alright, you two. You get to use the advanced course for your race” she pointed a hoof over to the scene before them all. Where the clouds churned and roiled around in such vast clusters that rose high and steady to the tops of the sky. Spinning about and circling one another, yet there was a meaning to it. All the clouds and obstacles formed a path, one which Dash had observed. One that Spitfire must have too with how confident she looked. Where the other groups would use this for speed and agility training, now they got to use it.

“Just follow the pathways and don’t run into anything. Carry your flag the whole way, if you lose it then your team is out. Both your teammates will be at the top of the course where you will give your flags over to them. They take it from there.”

Somewhere, high above all these clouds, Soul was waiting for Dash. She had to be the one to get there. Soul relied on her. Just as she wanted. I was the one always relying on her. Time to repay the favors. That was what Dash vowed. She will be there for Soul. She won’t fail. Nothing intense or scary would stop it. All she had to do was fly through the clouds and do it faster than Spitfire. Get to the top. I swear, I’ll do all I can to reach you first, Soul. Spitfire will eat my dust.

“Racers!” Cloudchaser yelled out. “Take your marks.”

Dash and Spitfire stepped up. Stamping their hooves down into the cloud. Neck and neck. They both peered out over the edge and on into the open sky ahead. Far to where the clouds rumbled. Welcoming them both into their embrace. Their goal. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m actually going to race. A flag was presented to her. Looking upon it in Cloudchaser’s hoof. The thing I need to bring to Soul. What she’s relying on me for. This… and to see me. See me of all ponies be the one to help her. I really am honored. Honored to take this. Dash took it into her mouth. Clenching her teeth around the pole. Leaving the flag to flow along the side of her face. Spitfire did the same with her own flag.

“Get set!”

Dash didn’t hesitate. Taking a deep breath. She pointed her tail up, spreading her wings as far as could go. Keeping her chin low to the cloud. Legs all ready to push her forward and let her wings do the rest. Out into the clouds beyond. Down the path she spotted. I really am doing this. Under all the cheering and excited ponies around her. So many here to witness this. Just now realizing how much this meant. This will be the day when all of Cloudsdale will see just how good she was. All the effort she put in. Years and years. I’m not some average Pegasus. I don’t want any to think I am again. Even if I’m treated badly, even if I am made fun of, I’ll never regret this decision. Since there will be ponies out there who support me. Thank you… so much. Soul Serenity. Dash let out her breath.

“Go!”

Soul’s ears perked up. She did not open her eyes. Up there on top of the clouds. She heard it and it made her smile. The thunderous roar billowing across the sky sent out by the wings she recognized.

6.15
Rainbow shot in at the closest clouds.

No words on how it felt. This feeling on going this fast. In front of everypony else. The ringing in her ears. Shaking and roaring from the many bursts of wind sounding out all around her. She felt her body shake. She saw the entire world around her shake. Rumbling in such violence that only speeds like these could cause.

Check it out, everypony. This is how fast I can go.

Rainbow shot after the fiery tail zipping away into the clouds. It disappeared into it all, leaving that rainbow maned pony behind. Behind, yes. Dash grinned. Flying in right after her. Not too far at all. Just as… her wings struck the wind.

Another crack sounded out from her and Dash soared up into the spiraling chasm within the clouds. Her wings screaming loud. Louder when she had to snap herself up to shoot up into the clouds. Following right behind Spitfire. The pony ahead went into the clouds, turning herself a hard right and onwards towards the pathway that Dash caught in time.

Deep inside the clouds, it was hard to see. Dark and dreary with endless streams of clouds walling around them like a tunnel. So many clouds everywhere. Dash didn’t even blink. This place was a challenge, a real challenge to navigate. It didn’t deter her. All of this darkness lighting up. She rumbled on in a blast of light. Taking the first turn around walls of clouds right in her path and following where Spitfire went. She was already going pretty fast.

Dash looked over her shoulder for just a moment, only to see her wings nothing more than a blur of motion lit up by… that beautiful rainbow trail streaking the sky from her tail whipping in the wind. Ploughing through the chasms in the clouds. Like a lightning bolt of rainbow shooting through it. Oh yes, this is more of what she was talking about. The exertion and strain on her wings. The thrill running through her body. What she was used to. She loved flying this way with her mom. To do it here, it felt no different. She turned her head.

6.16
Oh shit! Dash spun herself about, going up and over the cloud she almost ran into. Feeling the vibrations left behind from her speed pulsing off that cloud. Hearing it fall to pieces behind her.

She groaned to herself. Keep your eyes ahead of you. Never lose focus. This place was no ordinary racecourse. So many clouds all arranged everywhere. Piles of them. Stacked and spinning about. Going in to join with the walls of the massive thunderhead they flew through and even more coming out to take their places. A course inside of a cloud. Soul better thank me later, this was a race of agility in here. Dash had that proven to her when she had to make the split-second dodges to avoid so many sets of clouds all set out in the path ahead of her. Up and down. Around. Never losing sight of the pony ahead of her.

Spitfire went through the same thing she went through. Dodging them all so perfectly. Her wings so precise in their turns and pacing, streaking the air behind her in a blaze of yellow light. Like her own fur color was coming off her. Yet she never lost track of the dodges she needed to do. Going right under one cloud and she came up to go head first up into the sky, up the path that led above. Leaving that cloud to spin about in front of Dash from her speed. Headlong into Dash. No time!

Dash reached out her hooves. Touching them down against the breadth of the cloud, spinning it around with her, never letting her wings falter in their pacing. Keep them up. Don’t let go of it. She had to maintain this speed. Manipulate the motion of the cloud. Just like the wind. It was no different, that is what her mom had shown her.

Her hooves clutched to it. Spinning her around and over before she kicked her hooves against it and blasted off from the perch she had. Flying straight up into the clouds after Spitfire. Another cloud in her way and then more. All such a daring challenge to go around at her speed. Really, no amateur pegasi here could pull this off. This really was meant for advanced flyers. How did we even get a hold of this for our race?

Dash blew her mane out from her face. Why did I get the hard part?

6.17
She banked herself around the next turn.

Spitfire was getting away. That Pegasus had an easy time controlling her speed for every turn. Going around the clouds and onwards into the next series of cloudy shafts they had to fly through like it was nothing. Dash wondered if it really was as easy as she was making it. It felt exhilarating to do this, and intense. Worrying. But Dash pulled it off. Taking everything her mom taught her. Like this.

A bunch of clouds ahead. I’m not losing any speed over it. Dash shot right at them. Hellbent on drilling her way right through them all. No point in dodging over them. That’s what any other pony would think seeing her fly so recklessly at them all. Until she shifted her wings. Angling her body to the left. Putting all her weight to the side.

She spiraled around the first cloud. Upside down over it, she turned herself around it’s top. Going back down and spiraling around the next clouds.

The chasm ahead of her spun and spun as she did her spiral. Never stopping to keep kicking her wings behind her. Only using her legs to change her turning. Finally able to clear it all and fly off down the wide and open break in the clouds where the Sun shone in bright through the darkness around them.

Rainbow kicked herself into gear. Another big burst from her wings and she could hear the screech of wind sounding inside her ears. Wailing and piercing. She ignored it. Something she was used to. The honest truth, she loved this. The wind smacking against her face and going through her feathers. Coursing over her body with such a chilling and welcoming touch. Openly letting her fly through it once more. As a free Pegasus. No more pretending. No more tricks or hiding. Dash smiled. Eyeing the next tunnel into the thunderhead up ahead. Seeing she had little time left to enjoy this break in the course. Even if Spitfire was ahead, it won’t last for long. I won’t fail. She is fast and nimble, but she’s not doing this for the same reason I am. Besides, I’m fast too.

6.18
Rainbow pushed herself to get closer to the pony ahead of her. Before they had to get back into the obstacle course again. Many kicks into the pacing of her wings. The wind was laxed here, I can get a bit closer. The tunnel went straight and… a quick turn back upwards. Damn it. Dash gave herself one final push forward and then curved her wings out right when she entered the cloud once more. In time for her to be able to spin around and go up into the upwards path.

She blinked. There was Spitfire! Right on her tail. “You’re pretty fast!” the filly called back to her. “When did you get so good?” “I always have been!”

Spitfire dodged around one of the clouds in the pathway, leaving it for Dash to spiral over. Back onto Spitfire’s tail. Dash weaved left. Spitfire did the same. Rainbow growled. Reaching forward and pushing her wings even harder.

You’re not gonna get away from me. I’ll pass you. Hoof to hoof. Dash came in closer. For so long, I trained to go fast. To overcome any obstacle. Today will be no different. I’ll make my mom proud. Spitfire spiraled up, leaving the cloud she dodged there for Dash. What!?

Dash had to screech to a halt and spin herself downwards just in time to go under it. Shaking her head and seeing Spitfire shoot off ahead of her. She did the spiral! Oh no she doesn’t. Dash spun about and shot off after her. Leaving behind one last blast of thunder sounding off from her jolt of rainbow light that lit up the thunderhead. Then Spitfire made her sharp turn and disappeared into the next sets of clouds. Leaving Dash behind.

I’m not giving up. Rainbow pushed herself to the limit. Feeling her wings begin to shake. They didn’t stop. I’m used to this pressure. Hours spent each night with commands barked to her and no time to rest. Pushing herself to be better. This was no different. Sweat still went down her forehead and flew off into the wind. Her lips flapping from the oncoming wind striking her.

6.19
Another set of clouds going upwards, she flew up into them. Flying right through the first one with such fury that it fell apart from her impact. Doing nothing to slow her down. But… her forehead stung from it. Not believing it when she saw the other filly so far ahead, spiraling around the clouds in her way and then shooting off without pause in her speed. Rainbow Dash replicated it. But her heart began to plummet.

She’s so fast and her coordination is spot on. I don’t fly courses like this. Only relying on all the agility training she had with her mom to pull this off. But this was a bit more than normal. Careening down a narrow corridor in the cloud with so many clouds in her path. Another filly surpassing them like it was nothing. She did all she could to pass them all. Every cloud dodged. She never let up on her speed. Happy she was doing it, but Spitfire was doing the same and kept well ahead of her. Until… Dash saw the next beaming rays of sunlight coming down on her and she flew out into the open plane where no clouds were.

Spitfire turned herself up and flew high into the sky. There were no pathways out here. This was a pathway. One to their rise upwards where the clouds roiled furiously overhead. Dark and shady. So few rays of Sun shining through them. Another big obstacle on their path to the ones who waited for them at the top of the cloud. Rainbow was just scared that she will be so late to meet with the one who waited for her.

6.20
No! I can’t do that. I need to get to her before Spitfire gets there. I made a promise to help her, and a promise to myself. To show all I am not some second-rate flyer. No more hiding. Never again let the teasing get to her. She was the best!

Dash flapped harder. I got to catch up now while I can. Spitfire may be more agile but Dash was faster. Just like when Soul flew for her long ago, out here in the open skies, there were no limits. Nothing to stop her. “I’m coming for you!”

Dash zipped off. Turning her wings sideways and kicking her legs behind her. Smaller flaps and then two big ones and she went faster than before. The Pegasus zooming fast up into the sky. Keeping sights square on the fiery tail flipping in the wind ahead of her. Ignoring her own mane getting in her face.

Pretend like it’s when she had to catch her mom. That mare was so quick and agile and Dash never gave up on trying to grab hold of her. Don’t think about how fast your opponent is. Concentrate on you. Dash squinted. Barreling in. With the entrance to the clouds right in sight. Another deep tunnel of spiraling clouds and threatening paths. Not this time, this time will be different. Dash tilted herself. Just in time, in time for Spitfire to pass under her. Behind her, and Dash flew past her. Leaving her to eat her rainbow trail. Lost back there in the roaring echo of her flight.

Dash smiled wider. I passed her! I knew I was fast. You may be fast, Spitfire, but you’re not nearly as fast as my mom. Which is why… Dash had been able to catch her tail and get that congratulatory kiss to her forehead. “See you, slowpoke!”

6.21
Dash flew right into the next entrance to the tunnels within the cloud. Now I have the lead. I got speed at my back. Dash spiraled around all the clouds in her path. Dodging. Bobbing and weaving, not letting any of them stop her. Just little bumps in her path. Even going right through some of them. Not caring if it hurt. She had to do this. She had to maintain her lead.

Spitfire was more agile than her. She could not let her get in front of her again. Not when she could tell they were getting so high into the clouds. No telling how much further they had left to go. Lots of clouds easy to dodge, more than others. Even if she clipped her wing against them. Shakily flew true through it all. She refused to let up on her speed, kept that flag right in her mouth. Wind blasting in from the sides and chilling her fur. Striking her rear and sending her flying faster. Almost missed the dodge she needed to do for a large set of clouds. Going through those dark storm clouds really would have hurt. More than what she needed now.

Her wings were starting to ache. Flying so fast and this much at such a straight angle into the sky. She kept flying upwards, never stopping on her dodges. Keep her lead. She could feel Spitfire was back there. So close. She couldn’t tell how close. Not wanting to keep her eyes off what she needed to focus on. She squinted harder.

The path was right in front of her but it was getting harder and harder. Predicting how many clouds were coming and adjusting herself appropriately. To where it really began to hurt. She had to keep up her dodges, no more running into them. But Soul was counting on her to get there and she sensed that presence behind her. I gotta stay ahead, come on wings. They kicked at the air harder.

All my life, I was made fun of for not being good enough. I was mocked and told I will not be good enough for anything. Not even having any ponies there to rely on me. For me to rely on. That I really would end up being the shame of my family. A Pegasus with her dream and never being able to reach it. I never wanted to give up even when it felt like I should. Where it would be easier to hide away and not have to deal with others. I came so close to doing that. To think, just yesterday, I wanted to give up all because of what was told to me. But the same pony who told me those things gave me the strength to do this. I won’t give up again. I just won’t.

6.22
Dash gasped. Screeching her wings forward and kicking at the air to stop. Oh shit, no! She missed it. Right there, she passed by it. The path she had to take and… there went Spitfire.

A flash of fire left behind. As Dash plummeted right into the wall. A ringing pain going off inside of her. Her face slammed right into it. I wasn’t… paying attention. Dash fell off from the wall. Holding her muzzle and doing all it took to hold in her tears. No. This isn’t the time to cry. Shaking her head to get rid of the pain, she had to keep going. But I never thought it would be so hard. Why did I have to go up against a pony so much better than me at this?

She moaned to herself. Going back down and then she flew off as fast as she could back down into the path she needed to take, where Spitfire was well ahead now. We’re so high up now. I can feel it. And I’m so behind. I’m gonna give Soul a late start, she’s gonna fail because of me. I told her she can rely on me and here I am being an idiot. Mom, you always told me I was an amazing flyer who had so much potential. Why do I always feel like I mess up more than I succeed? Right now, Dash felt defeated.

A far better flyer ahead of her and not much left to this race. She was so behind. So inadequate. When she thought her speed was all she needed, no… it wasn’t. Dash was ashamed of herself. I like to tell myself that I am a good flyer. That mom is right, but times like this always hit me right back in the face. Especially when I always mess up during training.

6.23
Maybe it’s true. Soul can’t rely on me. We can fly together but what is the point if I can’t be the pony she can call her true flight buddy? She wants me to look out for her. Now Dash couldn’t help but see that she had failed again. Not able to pay attention and never able to perform the way she was expected. Now, all the ponies will be here to see her fail. Mom and dad would get to see her be humiliated. No! I don’t want that. I don’t want to let them all down.

Soul was out there, and she would prove to not be a good enough flyer and buddy to her. She’ll yell at me again. She’ll keep being bullied and take it out on me. Because I let her down. Dash didn’t want that again. No more ponies yelling at her. Please. I don’t know why it is I always fail.

Dash went around the next series of clouds. Trying her best to speed up, seeing that she was faltering. Her speed failing with every dodge she made, and Spitfire went even further ahead. Disappearing into the deep and dark cloudy chasm ahead. On her way up the path to the top. I have speed… but it’s not enough. I am faster than her, but it’s not enough.

How? How am I supposed to pull this off when it’s just like every other attempt I make to be better? Dash sighed. Mom always keeps training me. She never lets up on making me better. Even when I fall, she’s right there to hug me and comfort me when I cry in her chest. She’s harsh to me and yells so much to help me be better. But is always there to give Dash her goodnight kiss every night. Tell her how proud she was. Sweet dreams, my little Wonderbolt. Her voice echoing in her head.

She wants me to fulfill my dream. She will never let me give up on it. She will never let me go back to giving up on myself. Because she is the pony I can rely on. Finally, Dash… she had another pony out there… who relied on her. I cannot give up on her just like mom never gave up on me.

Dash glared to the pathway ahead of her. I may not be agile, but I have my flight buddy with me. Even if we are separate, I still know you are there with me. I am there with you too. We may as well... be flying with one another. For you to whisper the words I need to hear right into my ear. That you are there for me. Yes, Soul was. Dash closed her eyes. No more pity. No more sadness. Sitting there by herself not wanting to be with others and not wanting to be there for them. No more. Not when there was another who proved to her just what it meant to be strong and to be free from her past. From now on… it was just her and the sky. Her with her best buddy, flying together in it. I rely on you and you rely on me. You can rely on me, like I said. Dash would do all it took to fly for that pony. A calm and gentle sky for them both. For any pony who needed her. She would fly for them all. To join her in that big and open sky to fly freely together. Up into this sky. She would never give up on being there for others. Because they are so proud of me, and I will be faithful to them all. Is there no better reason…

To love flying than to be there for others?

It feels… so soothing.

6.24
As if there was electricity going along her. Making her want to jump, and then that calming touch to her body once more.

Soft and gentle hooves massaging her. Touching her wings though they did not hurt. Running along her hooves though they did not tickle. Any sense of it being as gentle as she would ever like to feel. Echoing and bouncing all over her in an endless dance of a soothing and loving caress. Such was what she would hope for from a touch by the sky.

For this one moment. Unlike any other, she could say that she really was a part of this big and open sky that Soul had fought so hard to bring to her. Without terror or sadness. No anger to be heard in her voice. Only the gentle melody of the wind whispering in her ears. Going all over her and letting her join with it.

Dash opened her eyes. Like the entire world stood still. All she could ever hope to see and hear around her, a part of her. Standing still for her to know. The endless cyclone of the air rippling and distorting around her. So beautiful. It’s blues and whites. Coursing all around her and reaching on to infinity ahead of her. Shaping around and it became her very own sky. Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened.

I can feel it. I can see it.

Soul and I were always meant to fly together in a sky like this. With nothing there that can hope to stand before them. Anything that would try would fail. Because the sky was their ally, and at this moment, it was her own personal friend. Speaking in her ear and telling her all will be okay. She believed it. Everything it let her feel. The shaking echoes and tingling sensations all around her. She welcomed them all.

We all fly together like this. All pegasi flew like this. Amidst the air with only their wings there to guide them. But there were those who could surpass that to where the air itself was the guide. Just like the Wonderbolts. The pegasi of legend. Though Dash was sure none of them could ever feel it being like this. Guiding her through the sky. She now was the sky, and everything it held was hers to see. This… this is the sky you tried to show me, Soul. The one we both worked to achieve. I can feel it. Because of it… we can win. Dash grinned. Nothing can evade my eye, as the sky ripped apart ahead of her and fell in on her. Her body shook.

This is how a master flies.

6.25
Dash beckoned her wings forward. A hard reel and they shot her off. There was nothing that could stop her. Nothing out here that will keep her back. Anything to fulfill her duty to the ponies who needed her. She will fly as fast as she could with the confidence she now had. There with nothing to possibly keep her in fear. Keep her in doubt.

The sky was her lesser now.

Rainbow barreled through the tunnel in the clouds. Her skin crawled. Wow, that was making the entire cloud shake with how fast she was going. Feeling it all behind her. Shaking and tearing down from the force of her speed. I can feel it all. I see it all! Nothing to keep her back. Dash’s eyes darted. Drawn with every tingle along her spine. Rippling along her wings. I feel so free!

Dash spun under the clouds ahead. Going under the first and up and down. She dealt with them like they were nothing. Zipping around them and all the power in her flight smearing the dark clouds behind her. Wiping them out.

Spitfire turned off into the next set of tunnels. I got her. Dash’s ears perked up. Just ahead and then… she spiraled around a pair of clouds and turned off just in time to make the turn. Going right after where the other filly had disappeared in to. Getting that fiery tail in her sights again. Right when it shot up into the next break in the clouds. Dash did the same. Keeping right on her.

A quick kick of her hind legs against the air with a flash of her wings to stop her, and then another jolt of power from them to send her flying right into the next opening. Dodging the clouds right in her way. Every turn she made, every maneuver, Dash saw that she was not losing her speed at all. Like she could see through the entire path. With every flap her wings made, another cloud she could see hiding behind the next. Then the next. She just zigzagged around them all. Floating up and spiraling to keep her belly close to the top of the cloudy tunnel and her mane left to whip down to the clouds below. Flying right over them all, clearing and then leveling out. In time to dodge the next set.

6.26
But none of this kept her from seeing the pony she sought to catch. The promise she sought to make true on. Dash gritted her teeth around the flag pole. I got this for you, Soul.

None of the many twists and turns she had to make mattered anymore. Her eyes caught them all. A lovely sensation running all along her. Pulsing off, her eyes met where she sensed it all. Her ears heard all the breaks in the wind she needed… just to know where the clouds were. Where everything was. Even… Soul!

She was up ahead. Dash was getting close, and so was Spitfire. With Dash getting closer to her. Catching the yellow filly glancing back. Dash heard her gasp inside the howling maelstrom of wind rippling around her. That’s right. I’m coming. You may be fast. You may be nimble. But I’m Rainbow Dash. The daughter of Windy and the next greatest Wonderbolt.

You’re up against everything I’ve been taught just to reach that goal. That goal… which did not matter here.

Dash smiled. She was doing this for a better reason. Something she missed for so long and never thought she would have again. It took so much to realize it again. To feel she was close to it once more. As close as Dash’s hooves were to the filly ahead of her. Closing and closing. The gap was disappearing. Every dodge and weave that Spitfire made, Dash did the same. Before Spitfire even did it. I see the clouds ahead of us. I know what I need to do, where I need to go. Nothing was here to evade Dash’s senses. Much like the joy she felt. The electricity coursing across her wings and back. The break in the air popping so loud that it made her shake. All of this was for that thing she found new reason in.

For friendship.

Spitfire spiraled under the next cloud, right as she shot up and into the path above them. Rainbow took a breath. Her wings rotated, as did her entire body. Dash spun sideways, rotating her legs up to leave her back to skim the top of the cloud she dodged. Clearing over it. Nopony can beat me. None will stand in my way. Inside this quiet and soothing place. This wonderful sky. Where all her years of training were all she needed, or so she thought. Turned out… she needed something more. The friendship she needed to pull this off.

6.27
Dash pulled herself back. The cloud she dodged over still there, there for her hind legs to come down on to. Her hooves planted themselves on it. Seeing it all fall apart under her. The force of her wings striking hard against the cloud. Her flooring. Falling to pieces.

She stood proud on it, craning her neck high up into the opening above her.

I was going so fast. So very fast. Dash could sense it coming in.

She let her breath out, holding her wings out to catch it. The wind struck against her back. Howling deep and loud through the tunnel. Hitting her back, making her tail flail, and it all went up along her curved wings. Pushing them up. The boost she needed.

The air thundered loud when she flapped them once more. Spitfire filled her eyes. That flipping, yellow tail being the last she saw of the filly when Spitfire dodged around the next set of clouds and up into the bright sky above. The sky that came crashing down on Dash. She rotated once more and barrel rolled around that last cloud, feeling the filly next to her. Didn’t need to see her. As both of them dodged the same cloud, one left of it, one right of it. It’s black mass between them. The final obstacle in this tunnel in the clouds. Rainbow cheered when she flew out ahead of it all. “Yeah!” “No!” she heard a cry behind her. Too late. Left behind in the rippling howl of her rainbow trail.

Soul I’m coming for you!

6.28
Up here where the wind was at its harshest. Where the cloud rumbled and shook beneath her. High above the camp. Soul only felt calm. Down below, Rainbow soared. Down below, her time was coming. She did not need to see. Did not need to pay attention to anything else. She smiled so deeply. Her ears perked and listened. Rainbow, you did it. You pulled it off. The joy that the filly must be feeling. Soul could only imagine. Did it feel good? Was it nice to be one with the sky? It felt so good when I pulled it off even for a moment, and now you’ve done it. Flawless. That must be what Nimbus wanted from me. You know what’s funny? I’m not at all upset. I can’t stop smiling. Up here, with her neck craned high to the sky above and her sealed eyes giving her relief from the warming Sun. Where the wind came in and blew across her. Sending her long and flowing mane to sail across the side of her face. She felt only passion for what it was the two of them achieved here. Rainbow Dash, you are an amazing flyer. You have to be. I never doubted you after you showed me. Dash was truthful in all she had said. She was that flyer Soul wanted with her. Forget skill or passion. Dash had something more. She had love for the thing the two of them wanted. Maybe now, she loves it more than me. But that’s okay, I’m not jealous at all. I’m so happy for her. Because now, now comes my time to join her in that sky. Together, forever. She is the pony for me. She is my flight buddy.

6.29
Soul opened her eyes. Standing up on all fours. Atop the great thunderhead, where the dark clouds her hooves stood atop shook so violently. She was not afraid. Not regretting her decision. For she never felt so confident before. Finding that Dash could do this, she could do the same. It was what let her spread her massive wings once more. Raising them up to the sky. Curling over her head and the tips touching together when the wind soared through her feathers.

She finally let out her deep breath. Another sigh went off. Aurora stood up across from her. Just a wingspan apart from one another. The colt raised his own wings. Thick and muscular. As beautiful as his mane. As confident as she was. Finally speaking the first words he said to her up here, while he glanced to her.

“I’m not going to hold back, don’t hold back on me.” What was that in his voice? Soul paused. Where every word he ever spoke made her cringe and angry. She was peaceful now. Was it how strong his voice was in asking this of her? No arrogance or cruelty in his voice. Just a request unto her. To do the same thing asked of Rainbow Dash. His eyes looked away from her. She didn’t bother to look at him. Standing side by side with him, here atop the clouds. The wind blew and strummed through their manes. Soul lowered her wings slightly. Running her hoof across her mane to hold against the wind. Both ponies left to stare out into the great and vast beyond. The big sky where the Sun shone bright down upon the great city of Cloudsdale out there. Home of so many pegasi who didn’t know this was happening right now. None of them needed to. Soul had what she wanted.

6.30
She could not stop herself from being happy. She truly did help Rainbow. Would she be this confident now if yesterday had not happened? Would I? She didn’t think so. From day one, she could tell this was meant to happen. For it astonished her what could happen from such a chance encounter. How strong they both got. To be able to walk away from all the pain of the past and go forward to become something new. A dreary past. A bright future, like the sunny sky.

Dash got to prove to all she was no joke. She was something special. Soul will do the same. Here, with Nimbus and Starry there to watch her. Watch her become a big girl once and for all. Who can leave behind her troubles. I’m not that foal anymore begging for a pony to help me. I have the ponies there to help me and I’m there for them. They all get to see what it is I can do.

“I won’t hold back. You can count on it.” Soul flapped her wings in place. She wasn’t sure, but under that fierce look the colt had, she could swear she caught a small smile. Far below all of this was the finish line she had to cross first. Rejoin with the rest of the ponies. Let them all see her be the one to cross first. Surpass this challenge. Out there in the windy sky with so many clouds floating about and such a harsh breeze striking her. We couldn’t have chosen a better day to fly. Harsher weather… Soul bent her legs… meant more intense flying. She raised her butt to the sky. Joining with Aurora to prep together. Holding their wings out and ears perked. Soul rotated her ear. She had so much reason to be happy. To be amazed at the pony she could rely on.

Thank you so much, Dash.

6.31
The air broke behind them. One burst of thunderous air and then another right behind it. Soul felt the wings she recognized. That was it! Soul leapt into the sky. Curling herself up and over, turning and finding the rainbow maned filly across from her with the flag in her mouth. Shooting up from the clouds below. It took all of Rainbow’s strength to halt herself just short of running into Soul. Leaving the magenta filly with what she needed to do. Wasting no time as Spitfire shot out right behind her.

“Here!” Dash spat the flag out and tossed it to Soul. Accepting it in her teeth. Reeling her head back and then… her wings curled and rose high in the air. Whipping her tail back to the one who she left behind. “Win this thing!” Dash yelled. She caught Spitfire just as she flew in to Aurora with her flag. “I got it!” Soul flapped her wings.

She flew off.

6.32
Dash watched her flight buddy soar off. Turning her head when the wind smacked hard against her and… shivers went down her from the smack of a thunderclap roaring out when the magenta filly shot off. Sweet Celestia!

Soul disappeared into the sky… then another crack of thunder. Aurora flew off after her. Both ponies spiraling down into the sky below. Out of sight in an instant. Dash exhaled hard. Settling down on the top of the cloud. Just falling on to her back. She couldn’t do this anymore. Not with her wings aching and all the sweat falling from her. I… did it. Wow, they’re both fast. Guess I did it, huh Soul? Dash had pulled it off. Please win. I know you can.

Dash looked over to the filly who settled down next to her. Panting hard. No better than Dash was. Dash could laugh. But she didn’t. Spitfire really was quite a challenge. Their time was done, now it was up to their flight buddies. Prove me right, Soul. “I totally beat you, by the way” Dash said. Spitfire shot her a look. “Shut it.”

7.1
Dash played her part, now it was Soul’s turn. As spectacular as she could have hoped. Here she was ready to prove herself the same to Dash. With determination in her face, Soul flew off. Spinning her way down the along the wall of the thunderhead and plummeting down to where it was she needed to go. Wind soaring, the skies roiling. She blitzed forth with all her might. Leveling out off towards the great and vast race course beyond.

Rows upon rows of arranged clouds all set out into a neat and tightly packed course that spanned all across most of the camp. Where all the more advanced groups would train, now it was her turn to use it. All of it like a maze built into the sky with so many checkpoints made out of circular clouds for pegasi to fly right through them. Set up to lead right back down the entire height of the thunderhead and then to the finish line beyond. Somewhere down there, Soul was eager to reach it. Under all these layers of clouds and harsh winds. Ripping off from the mighty thunderhead looming high over her. With only those checkpoints to guide her. Those little breaks in all the clouds beneath this beautiful day above her.

I won’t fail this. Soul was not intimidated at all. Obstacles like this were nothing. Gladly coming right in at the first checkpoint with so much speed that the wind broke into echoing blasts all around her that nearly split her ears. Could have even torn apart all the clouds surrounding the first checkpoint as she zipped right through it and into the world inside of it. Thank you, Dash, for giving me a head start.

Soul glanced back for not even a second and saw him filling her vision. Fierce and strong. His wings flapping so hard with his own flag tight in his teeth. I really do owe you and thank you for being the one to be my teammate in this.

7.2
The only thing about this was keeping track of all the checkpoints. Soul spotted the next one far below where the clouds barely broke under the rays of the Sun to expose it. She turned hard right, spinning down and going right at it. All the clouds filling her vision. Just like I practice all the time.

Soul dodged left and corkscrewed herself around the next sets of clouds. Spiraling with such power along their sides and letting them pass faster than she could blink. I wonder how Dash performed in these conditions. Hope they weren’t as bad as this. This being the blankets and blankets of clouds in her way along the path of the course. Coming in at her with such quick ferocity. Her speed was incredible. Almost too hard to control and, somehow, Aurora stayed on her tail.

He is quick. Well then.

Soul banked hard left and went around the first layers of clouds. Such a tough series of dodges and spins to get around all of them. She couldn’t blink at this point. Her eyes darting to keep track of all. Watch them all pass by her in an instant then having to quickly readjust for the next ones that came in. Such small breaks in these clouds and she took advantage of all of them. Only one thing stood out. Soul didn’t hear him. Those flaps of wings behind her. But… she took a quick look. Past all the many clouds she flew past. He was there.

Aurora plummeted down with her at the other side of all the clouds. Seeing his long mane flow behind him with every tiny break between the walls of clouds. Neck and neck. Oh no. Soul took to watching in front of her again. Gotta keep my speed up. Another big cloud came in. Just like I practiced. One!

Soul reeled her wings forward, reaching out with her hooves to land hard against the surface of the cloud. Listening close behind her. Here it comes. Two!

The cloud spun about under her weight, so big but it couldn’t resist. Not with all this power on it. Forcing it to rotate and then… three.

The wind came in. Carried in by all the speed Soul had put out and roaring to catch up with the one who made it.

7.3
Soul shot off from the cloud. Zipping right past where she saw Aurora. That’s more like it! Soul laughed. Her voice shrouded by the howl of wind coming over her. All of it soaring over her body, coursing through her wings. Like tender streams of cool water dripping between her feathers and feeling so very nice to enjoy once more. The wind along her ears and the air breaking before her. A blaze of bluish white opening before her.

She flew right through it all. Kicking her wings to flap hard once more and thunder ripped out from behind her. Breaking past the layers of clouds and she flew through the next checkpoint. Her wings came back up, turning and she spun herself upright. Flying off into the sky once more in time to avoid the clouds that were in her way.

Aurora came into sight. Flying off straight from the checkpoint and his fiery eyes came in at her. Joining with her. A mad dash along the straight and narrow path through the clouds. Where the rays of sunlight pierced through the top and warmed their backs. Wind rushing across and between all the clouds they both flew past. He is fast, but I’m not upset. Not upset at all. Soul passed by. Keeping her little lead ahead of him. Hearing the cheers of other ponies so quick before they both passed them in an instant. Soul couldn’t even take time to catch sight of them, though she grinned. Hope they enjoy this.

The next checkpoint was up ahead. Off where she saw many more kids floating about along the sides of the cloudy walls they both flew between. Peering down at both of them rocketing off so fast that Soul did not hear anything they said. Any noise they made. Only the sound of the wind in her ears. “You’re not holding back, I see!” Aurora yelled out behind her.

“Never will!” Soul said. She tilted her wings and arced herself so she flew sideways to dodge an incoming cloud. Aurora passing by the same way at the other side of it. His belly to hers. So close that their flapping wings could almost touch tips in their rotations. The checkpoint was coming in fast. Soul saw it, a sharp turn downwards after it. There was nothing but clouds after that checkpoint. “Glad to see you’re at least fast!” Aurora said. He leveled himself out next to her. Soul did the same. Spinning up to fly over him. Ready for the turn. Both ponies squinting eyes, not taking eyes off that tight turn. He’s gonna make a sharp turn downwards. From this angle… Soul smiled. I got this.

7.4
The turn came, both of them passing through the narrow checkpoint and into the tiny window they had before they would crash right into the clouds. Soul used them. She spun about. Putting her back to the earth below and angling her wings to face the oncoming clouds. Right when Aurora made his turn below her. Soul flapped hard. Sending all the wind she could use to gust out from her wings and strike the clouds she almost collided into. Such momentum. Pushing against her, Soul flew off from that turn. Perfectly. Faster than she expected. Though more speed was not bad. Not when she saw the colt pass behind her and getting her lead once more. Barely.

Sheesh, she didn’t know he was this good. Every chance she had to overtake him and it barely counted for much. The colt right on her tail. Really not liking how it was they kept going back and forth with their places. If this was just straight up speed, I would dominate him. But… this crap.

Soul dodged around the next sets of clouds in their way. Big groups of them she had to zigzag around just like Aurora did. But complaining won’t work. Soul would need to use all she had to do this. For Rainbow Dash and for the ponies who trained her. Another checkpoint straight forward between the clouds and then the next was another tight turn that Soul had to grit her teeth around her flag for just to prevent it from falling with how much it took for her to take that turn at such speeds. Almost threw her off when the wind came in and struck her during that turn. Bobbing from it and then leveling out. Kind of wishing that wind would have messed Aurora up. It didn’t. Too bad. But Soul would not let that get to her.

She didn’t even blink when she made the next turn and that colt flew in right next to her. I don’t know what it is you had to go through, Aurora, but you really do seem like you put a lot of effort into what it was you told your mother. I can tell it is true drive. Unfortunately, you’re up against me. Your goals give you power, but I have confidence in my goals. They are what let me fly this fast. Going from that pathetic and crying filly into something like this. A pony who soared high over the incoming layers of clouds that dotted the sky and barreled back down under them with a screeching plummet to the next cloud checkpoint. Falling headlong down the height of the thunderhead. Thunder cracked. Not from the cloud.

7.5
Aurora shot by in that mad dive down through the clouds. His tail whipping past and taking the next turn before Soul could. Damn it. You’re not getting away.

Soul made the turn. Rearing back up and shooting forward past a break in the walls of clouds. Soaring back up into the sunlight. Open sky once more. Aurora flew off ahead of her. The colt tilted his wings and flew off sideways. Falling down and flying off. Down to far below where the camp was. Soul did the same. Except. She did something first.

Nimbus taught me this. When you’re diving, it is hard to control your wings and you are more relying on gravity to carry you. But there is a way to use both to your advantage and gives you a ton of speed. That was what she did say. Soul carried it out.

Aurora plummeted. Soul curved herself downwards. Flying straight and down towards the clouds below… at an angle. Just enough for her to do a quick spin and readjust herself so she flew down in the same direction as Aurora, save for one little difference. Soul flapped her wings hard. Not falling straight down like he did, and Soul saw it. His wings held out still. Riding the wind. A good tactic. But… Soul didn’t ride it. She controlled it.

Flapping her wings with her angled fall down through the sky. Looking and seeing she may just do it. Fly right over Aurora. Towards the next checkpoint. Just don’t let up. But it was getting hard. Her angled dive fighting against her. So much wind striking her face like it was a whip. It almost hurt. A bump in the air hit her. There it is. The air was getting rougher. Choppy skies coming in the lower she got.

Soul tucked her hind legs in against her stomach. Holding her forelegs out. Flying right over Aurora. Before he could level out. She did it first. Thank you, Nimbus. Soul shot past him. Careening in past the checkpoint. An angled dive, that made it so much easier. Soul grinned with all this force behind her that she used to fly back up. Spotting the assortments of clouds far below the thunderhead they had left behind. Rising to the sky once more.

7.6
Up there, Soul could see more of the others. Peering out over their clouds in time to see Soul fly past them. Enter the next set of the course. “You’re not gonna win.” Aurora flew in. Sliding over her and keeping his position high above her. Sweat flicking off his face.

Soul glared. I will win. I fought so much for this chance. Had to put up with so much pain just to get this ability to feel this strong. I won’t lose it. A cloud broke up the two. Soul flew under it. Aurora over. Soul kicked her wings back into gear, putting as much pressure as she could to get herself flying back up to get around another one. Entering another huge field of them. Clustered so tight but it was in sight. Soul saw the next checkpoint. Hard to see behind all these clouds. Beneath the shadow of the thunderhead, both of them soared. Where no Sun touched them. Soul could still see it all. Dodging left and right. Spinning and weaving the same way that Aurora did. Like the colt did a mirrored move with her. Like they both danced together in the sky. Flying past one another and leveling out once more and then repeating.

Soul exerted her wings. They kept pumping. Flapping without pause. Fighting for the one they loved. No grievance or worry could stop them. Not with all she had to work with. All she had to fight for. It was worth fighting for. All these ponies will see how I truly am.

7.7
Both of them passed through the ring, circling upwards and off towards the next. Flying back up to where the thunderhead was. Fighting hard against the oncoming winds. Strongly hitting back at them. Barely slowing Soul down. She didn’t let it. All the power she could muster. Kicking her wings against it. She was used to flying in wind. This is nothing. She kept her eyes almost shut with how bad it was getting. Amazed she still heard Aurora next to her.

Dash, you had one hell of an opponent to race, but this guy is something else. It won’t deter her. It never would. Her wings buckled. Soul widened her eyes. Just as the stinging wind struck her face. She screeched a little. Skidding to a halt and holding her hooves before her. Right as the wind rushed hard against her. Coming in like somepony just ran into her. Not even her wings could flap against it. Taking so much just to keep herself aloft.

Thunder cracked from the massive, black cloud above. Oh no, looks like the storm is starting up. Pinning her down under that maelstrom of wind. She could only not panic just because Aurora sat there next to her. Shielding his eyes from the wind. Barely flapping his own wings to keep himself up. Not normal wind Soul was used to. This is stuff she’d expect full grown pegasi to deal with or pegasi more tuned with terrible weather. She couldn’t just sit here. She had a job to do.

The next ring was high above, rocking under the gale of wind. Inside of a big grouping of black clouds. Right underneath the foot of the mighty thunderhead. I came this far… Soul looked along it. All the rings placed along the bottom of the cloud. We get to fly under it. This was going to be something else. Flying with a thunderstorm. Soul will not back down. Grunting and keeping herself in place. All her strength needed so the wind didn’t send her flying away. She peered off. Looking along the sky. Forget this.

7.8
Soul spun about, finally making her wings flap and all her power sent her flying off across the sky. Hearing another flap of wings. Aurora followed off after her. Guess he’s getting the same idea. Forget flying against the force of the wind. We’re going around it. She flew straight along the width of the clouds above. Feeling the wind come down on her back. Trying to push her down. Right over all the layers of clouds they both had flown through before. High over the entire camp.

Soul kept herself fixed on the goal ahead. Getting out from the path of the wind. Her wings beat hard. Her breathing rapid. Finally getting her first bead of sweat coming off her face. Where is it? Where? Soul waited for the moment. Wait for the wind to let up and tell her where it was she needed to be. This was going to be hard. She needed to be precise. He was right there on her tail. I’ve never flown a race like this before. They are usually so uneventful and calm. Never this scary. But… it sure was thrilling. She loved it. This really was thrilling and to think she could do this now. At camp. In front of everypony else. They never get to see me fly like this.

The air rippled and another howl of thunder sounded off from the colt behind her, flying past her. Soul didn’t let off what she did. Her wings kept flapping. Harder. Even harder. A bump in the air, the feeling of wind going along her back. All this adrenaline that went through her. May as well be like she was at home training. This was the life. A crack went off behind her. Right as she turned upwards with Aurora. Right when the wind ceased, and both ponies flew straight up. Up towards the thunderhead. With a smile on her face. This was the life.

7.9
Soul leveled out with Aurora. Their straight rise into the sky. Side by side. Neck and neck. Nothing stopped the two in their dead tie with one another. Coming in at the sky of black clouds above them. The entire bulk of the thunderhead. How close can we go? I think Aurora knows as well as I do. The entire world was silent and still, Soul didn’t blink. Waiting for her opportunity. To get as close as possible. The first to pass this storm, they would win. Soul knew this to be true. With her wings starting to hurt and Aurora panting. This was coming close.

She couldn’t tell how much longer she could go, but it was a blast. She loved this so much! Soul spun back and straightened out once more. One last time. With Aurora next to her. Their last dash across the sky. The final go. How it was, she never could have seen herself being like this. Flying this fast to where she couldn’t even hear anything but the wind. Her back right to the foot of this thunderstorm where the darkness covered all she saw. A ceiling of black clouds as far as she could see. Like she could reach up and touch it with how close she was. But she wasn’t afraid. Light filled her sight. Shining bright over them. Lightning.

A bolt of blue coursing out from the cloud above them. Reaching out ahead of them and disappearing in an instant. Not afraid at all. This was not something worth being afraid of. Not at all. She clenched the flag. So tight, it may break under her teeth. Hard to control with how much she smiled. This. This is how I always saw flying. Surpassing any obstacle that presents itself and doing all I can to achieve that which is set before me. Where she needed to dodge and circle as lightning shot out around them. Never letting up on her speed. Because that is what is expected of you. You are expected to perform perfectly. To never let up on your ability. To always surpass everything that was in your way. As long as you get the thrill at the end. But it was not that thrill she wanted, for she had it now. That thrill was how she always saw flying. Before.

7.10
But that mare was wrong. She was always wrong. She was wrong in her expectations of me. She was wrong to leave me. Now, I leave her behind. Because I don’t need her. Everything was a lie. Soul could not see herself doing this if she was how she used to be. Skimming so close to thunderous skies. The wind so harsh and the sky frigid. Yet her wings went on. She did not give in, keeping with Aurora at her side. Both of them doing all they could to dodge the hail of lightning and wind. This is hard. So hard. So dangerous. I couldn’t expect anypony to see me go through this. They would see me as weak. Never able to do this. So many saw me as weak. That is how I was for so long. Now look at me.

Mom. Wherever you are.

I wish you could be here to see your little girl fly like this. Because she finally got the push she needed. How else could I fly like this in front of everypony? On into the horizon where she would be able to perform like this for everypony. All of Cloudsdale. Equestria. To know that nothing is out of reach. That a pony like her can become something amazing and overcome the real obstacles. The real storm clouds. Break through it all and find a much better place. I could only do it… because of the ponies who do care for me. Thank you so much Nimbus and Starry. Thank you for all the years. All your teachings. All your kindness.

Now, I do this for you… and for one more. I do this so she can see what it’s like to fly without fear. Without anything holding you back. The pony I can truly say has become the light of my life. None other could be there for her. Now Soul will do it for her. So nothing holds her back too. When Rainbow Dash will see what it is to feel this way. The rush in her body. The sensation running all along her. Like soft little touches that made her feel so soothed that she may just fall asleep.

7.11
“Soul!” A voice broke next to her. “How? How can you fly like this?” Aurora banked next to her. Doing all he could to pass her. Nothing stopped them from their tied flight. “How can you do this like it’s nothing?”

I can tell from the sweat on your face and the fear in your eyes. That reason why I can. It’s something he needs to learn. “Why did you hide it?” Soul smiled. Closing her eyes. Looking away from the world in front of her and joining only with that loving sensation over her.

Why? Same reason as it always was. Since day one. When she didn’t feel anything except for the one gnawing thing on her mind. Up until today. Right here and now. She felt even more. In the darkness that she saw, surrounded by the coursing wind and loving touch of the sky, she felt so much more. She was comfortable. After so long. Like the world was her own for just this split second. When the sky was the one who opened itself to her after all the pain that she felt. Yet it still loved her. Just like all the other ponies in her life. So few of them but she could not ask for anything better. The few she had, those were the ones that counted most. The ones she loved. Because of this, she could say it. That she truly felt that there was a pony out there who was her family.

Rainbow Dash, no other pony has done for me what you did. Not even my own mother. For that, I feel this way now. Free from that terrible feeling. “Because I was scared. Like I was for most of my life.” No more. How else could she fly like this over the camp with so many watching her? Like all of Cloudsdale could see her. Flying no different than she would with Nimbus. This is the way I dream of flying. This is the life. With a loving feeling over her and the air comforting her. She could calmly breathe and let loose a smile. As long as I have wings, I can be there to inspire other ponies. I truly can thanks to all that the ponies in my life did for me. Picking me up off the ground and helping me. I love them for that. I love you, Dash. That is why… “I love flying.”

The world fell still.

7.12
Soul opened her eyes. Tilting her wings and dodging. Feeling the trickle of a tingling sensation over her. She felt it. Felt it was coming. Running through the wind. Exactly what it was that she felt and she avoided it.

Lightning shot out. Separating her from Aurora.

The frightened colt yelping and left behind. Forced to stop before he would run into the bolt. One that Soul zipped away from. Rumbles in the sky. A ripple in the air. Soul did what she felt was right. It all came to her. Lightning shot out so quick. In front of her. More and more. Soul could not stop smiling. Nor could it stop her.

I feel it all. I can sense it all. Left. Right. None of them could get in her way. Soul dodged around them all. The last volley of bolts the sky had to offer and they were not the things that would stop her. Not with the sky like this. With the world like this. Where it all stood still for her to be the one to surpass it all. I feel so alive now. I love this feeling. I love flying. Holding her wings out. Letting that gust of wind roiling behind her catch up and slam right into her wings. Carrying her forward. No more need to be worried. Nothing left in her way. This is what it is that we were trying to reach. This sensation from before. The same one. Soul recognized it and knew for a fact what it was she had just accomplished.

I can feel it. I did it! Soul laughed. Curving her wings up. Right then when the great thunderhead above her was left behind and she flew straight up into the bright, blue sky. Up to the clouds and to where all were cheering. Cheering for the one pony who shot up in a hail of wind. Soul flew in. Watching all the clouds around her sway away from the power she let out. Her mighty wings holding firm. Skidding her to a halt. Only enough, that she could sense, to give her that last boost she needed to pass under that checkered banner.

Landing down on the cloud with a graceful tap of her hooves. Holding her wings out. She sighed. One last giggle.

I did it.

7.13
Cheering sounded out all around her. Like music to her ears. The most lovely sound. The thrill in the air and… they all chanted her name.

“Soul!” “Soul!” “Soul!” Enough to make her even want to shake in happiness. For once. Without fear. She felt she could cry right now with a tear in her eye. No point in it. She let it happen. Both tears falling down her cheeks. As she laughed. Her tears of joy. Listening to her name and all the kids around her. Perched atop all the clouds, from so many of the camp’s groups. Younger and older. Campers and instructors. Dozens or even a hundred. So many pegasi who flocked around her. Her, the winner of the race.

I’m the winner. I’m a winner. This… this was the happiest moment of her life. No more name calling. No more insults or cold shoulders. Everypony cheered her name and hovered around her. More than happy to be there with her. Landing on the cloud she proudly stood on. Kids she recognized and others she didn’t. None of that mattered, they all wanted to be there to see her. To make her feel so happy for what it was she had pulled off. Much like… the first day of camp. This is how it was. The same result. Now, it was better. Because all that pain that had been caused was now left behind. Lost in the wind and filling that void only with the happy smiles and joyful words given to her. All the ponies who gathered around her. “You did it, Soul!” “Wow, she’s so awesome!” “I wanna fly with her someday!” The fillies fawning over her wings. Even some colts blushing up on the clouds. Looking away from her.

This is far better than before. I can’t complain. I can’t be upset. Soul only congratulated herself. Loving what it was she pulled off. Going so far. So very far. From this morning. From yesterday. From all those weeks and all of autumn. I got past it all and came out stronger than before. So much so that she knew what it was she loved and who it was she had to thank for it.

7.14
Like something clicked, they all fell silent. All the ponies around her. Glancing off and getting the message. Something that went on along them all that left Soul curious of why the sudden silence and why they all started to part. Stepping aside. Giving her room. Just so Soul could see. She looked to her. The pony who stood across from them all. Who walked down across the cloud between all the other ponies. The only one here who could make her smile so deeply. Rainbow Dash.

“Dash.” Soul ran off. Running right into her. She couldn’t even stop it. Soul threw her hooves around the filly. Pressing her head into her chest. Holding her so tight. Dash closed her own hooves around Soul. Not afraid at all. Nothing stopping them both from hugging in front of everypony else. Soul didn’t care who saw them. Looked like Dash didn’t either. She set her own head on top of Soul’s shoulder. Whispering into her ear. “Soul, you did it. You won.”

“We won, Dash. We won.” Soul gripped her hard. Running her warm fur over her and crying into her chest. So very happy to do this with her. That they did this together. How far we both came. You were just that mysterious filly sitting atop a cloud with such a loving and longing gaze that left me so lost, and afraid when I had no idea if you were one to trust. If you were the one who would be that pony I needed. All that trouble we went through. All those moments we had. Some painful and some not so much. But it was all meant to lead to this. For us to succeed together. “We did it together.”

7.15
“You all hear that?” Dash said, lifting her head up. Gently putting a hoof around Soul’s chin and lifting her up to look upon them all side by side. Soul did not let go of her. Neither did Dash. “Soul and I are a team. You mess with one of us, you mess with both. Because she’s my flight buddy.” Dash. Soul smiled deeper. That’s so sweet of her. “You’re my flight buddy too” Soul said of her. “And nothing will stop us from being the best.”

They both got it now, all the ponies cheered for both of them. The two flyers who just beat everything that held them back. Even more than that. Soul did not care if they accomplished this. That wasn’t important. What was important was… they both could be there to reach that end together. The first pony in her life to cross that finish line with her. But the cheers were helpful too. Looked like Dash was loving it, glancing to all the ponies and smiling to herself. A big and toothy grin. So full of herself. She deserved it. Soul threw her hooves around her again. “Thank you so much for being there for me.” “Don’t thank me” Dash said. “It’s what I should have done in the first place. I should be thanking you.” She whispered under the loud cheers of everypony else, holding Soul and looking at her. Sincere in her voice.

“You taught me something today. I shouldn’t just fly for myself, I should do it for others too. Ponies like you. I’ll be that awesome flyer someday.” “I will too, I’ll keep training and we can do it together. We can be an awesome team” Soul said. Dash nodded. Her smile grew. “Promise me that, because I won’t stop till you and I are the greatest flyers in Equestria.” Soul widened her eyes. The greatest?! Together? That sounded like a tall order right there… but oh so sweet sounding. Even so, even if it was too hard to imagine right now, Soul had to admit. They did make a killer team. They were awesome together. Perhaps we really were meant to be flight buddies. More than that. Way more. “Only if you promise me one thing” Soul said. “Something a team like us should be.” “Name it” Dash said. “Can I be your wingpony?” Soul asked her. Forget flight buddies. No more of that nonsense. Dash and I are gonna be the greatest. So I’ll gladly be the pony at her side wherever it is the wind takes us.

“Only if you let me be yours.” Soul laughed. So happy to hear that. That wonderful offer. Of course! “Deal!” Soul and Dash struck hooves together. “We’ll be the best flyers in Equestria!”

7.16
“Alright, everypony” a voice came in over them all. The shadow of their great wings overcoming them all. Silencing all the many fillies and colts who had gathered. Calming it all. Nimbus settled down on the cloud. Her and Starry and… Dash’s parents? Windy and that must be her dad. Soul looked over both of them. Wow, they really do have such a likeness to her. Breaking up all the commotion but, none complained. Not with the care in Nimbus’ voice. How wide her smile was. She tried to put on a face of authority, didn’t work. Soul could see it and it made her happy.

Nimbus was proud. Holding her head up high, that joy in her voice. Trying to hide it. But she saw she had done a good job. They both did.

“Free time is over” Nimbus called out across the clouds. “I don’t want any of you to be late so let’s all clear out, okay.” She signaled them all to head off. But all four of the adults looked a bit impatient, looking around waiting. All the kids let out this displeasure. Groaning and complaining about having to go back to routine once again, though none of them fought it. Fillies and colts flew off in every direction. Going off to join with their groups. Guided away by the other instructors. Soul watched them all. Waiting and wondering if they should leave too. Lots of the kids looked back to her and Dash. So many smiles among them. A few waved back to her. Soul waved to them. Really feeling like… this was the change she wanted. They liked her now. They really did. All it took was to show I wasn’t a weak pony anymore. That and… she looked to the pony she didn’t let go of. To have one there for me. To stick up for me. We did this together.

“Soul!” That startled her. A familiar voice behind them. One pony did not leave. Hanging there in the air to hover over both of them. Really risking getting in trouble. Both of them were. Because she wasn’t alone.

7.17
Spitfire and Aurora. Both pegasi there. Taking a moment to land on the cloud with them. “Can we talk to them first?” Spitfire asked the adults. Nimbus nodded. “Only for a minute.” Spitfire smiled. The fiery maned Pegasus stepping forward to the two fillies who hugged one another. Shaking her head in amusement but she gave off that look. She was happy to see them like this. Nothing that made Soul feel at all like she had to run. No fear of this pony. After what happened before, it was good to stand with her right now. Face to face.

“Congratulations, Soul. You really blew my mind up there. You both did.” She turned to Dash. “Dash, expect a rematch sometime. I ain’t done with you yet.” “Bring it” Dash said with confidence. Warming Soul’s heart. Because both those fillies laughed with one another. Especially since Spitfire could say “Well done, you two. You both make an awesome team. Some of us can learn things from you.” “Thank you, Spitfire.”

Soul accepted her words and Spitfire did the same. Like nothing bad happened between them. Soul could say for sure… this was the Spitfire from before who liked her. Maybe I really did earn something here. I really did. Still, it hung on Soul’s mind. She had to be sure.

“I’m sorry for what happened before” Soul said. The yellow filly shook her head, quickly getting back into the air. Waving her off. “Ah, don’t worry about it. But maybe some other pony should apologize” she looked down to the colt with them. Aurora sighed. “You two really are something else, keep flyin’” Spitfire zipped off. That meant so much to Soul. A huge weight off her. Spitfire was happy. Happy for them. I thought she would be upset. Not at all, that filly congratulated her. She wasn’t so bad at all. Nothing to be afraid of. Soul hoped to be able to be there to see her and Dash race. It brightened both of them up. Only before they both had to look down to the colt standing before them with his head down and eyes to the cloud.

7.18
Aurora sifted a hoof along the cloud. Keeping his eyes beneath his bright mane, breathing harshly with what was left of how exhausted he must be. He put up a good fight but… too bad for him. Soul proved to be too much, and she hoped that got into his head. That she was no pushover. She was the real deal when it came to flying and no pain would stop her from reaching that final goal that she loved. The taste she got today. That she and the sky truly had become one. Something all young pegasi strived for. Something I know he does. After all, he promised that to another pony. But…

“I hope you see…” Soul said to him. “I won’t give up on reaching my dream. Nothing can stop me from it… because it’s what I love. I’m going to keep training and I won’t hold back ever again. I hope you can see that now and how wrong you were about me.” Soul looked down at him. “That’s why I beat you. It’s not just about the goal you feel is set out for you, it’s about doing what it is you love. Doing it how you want. I love flying, I’ll never give up on it. Now that I have somepony there for me.”

Soul looked to Dash. She did the same. This is what we both wanted from the start and we did it all for ourselves. Now, now Soul felt there was nothing that the two of them couldn’t do together. If they could come out this happy after all they went through, what could stop them? What could stop Soul from seeing Dash how she did now? More than just that rainbow maned filly. Much, much more.

Something moved in the corner of her eyes. The colt walked away, head low. Tail left to face both of them. Standing out at the edge of the cloud, he faced out to the sky. Grunting to himself. But not daring to look back at both of them. He couldn’t. Now that it was all over. But Soul heard him. His breathing. It calmed itself. “Soul, …keep flying. Don’t let anything take that from you.” His wings stretched out and Soul could only see him fly off, soaring down to the surface below and out of sight with one last line left to echo in the wind.

“I’m sorry.”

7.19
“Look what you just did” Dash said next to her. “You just got that guy to apologize. I’ve never seen him act like that before.” Not surprising. Guess nopony ever showed him that he was wrong. Soul was only glad she could get at least that out of him. But not just her. “We did it” Soul said. “If you hadn’t been there for me, I wouldn’t have been able to win.” “Oh… please…” Dash let go of her and put her hoof over her blushing face. “I didn’t do all the work. I just helped a little is all. Anypony could do it.” “Not anypony. Not all ponies are as nice and skilled as you are” Soul told her. She wouldn’t accept any write off of it. Dash was a monster flyer and she proved it today. All the ponies got to see it. Wait… “Everypony here got to see that for sure.” Dash shot a cold stare out to the sky. Mouth held agape. “Oh… yeah they did.” “And we’re all proud of you two” Nimbus said. Coming to join both of them. “You did it kiddo!” What?!

Soul couldn’t even react in time before two hooves shot out and grabbed hold of her. Pulling her deep into a hug… against Starry’s chest. The stallion ecstatic over her. So sudden at first. Soul wanted to pull away from it, only letting it happen when she got a second to breath. His wings coming over her. Sheesh, Starry rarely gets this way with me. He was always so reserved. Now here he was like some obsessed fanpony shrieking in amazement over her. “You’re even better than I was at your age. Maybe better than Nimbus too.” “Starry…” Nimbus said with annoyance.

Soul pushed herself up a little just to relieve the pressure on her from his tight hug. Not in front of… she looked. Finding that Dash was over there… smothered in hugs from her own father. The filly struggling to get free with all the “That’s my Dashie! Best flyer there is. I knew you could do it.” “Way to whip tail, honey!” Windy shouted over them both. “Mom! Dad!” Soul laughed at Dash. “I think you mean they’re both the best flyers” Starry chided in over Soul. Looking over to Dash’s father. “You know it! Our two girls are unstoppable!” Dash’s dad was so quick to go right back to squeezing Dash against him. I thought Starry was being rough. Soul did not want to be caught in that hug. Looked real bad with how much Dash was struggling to get out of it. Flailing her hooves around and yelling out “Dad!” Soul, she couldn’t care what they did. Right now… she accepted her hug. Loving that they were getting this from them. Really like they did earn something here. Starry doesn’t hug me that often. Soul liked it. Rubbing her nose into his chest. “Did I do good?” Soul asked him.

7.20
“Of course you did” Starry said down to her. Calming down so he could talk. “I’ve never seen you fly like that before. It was the best thing I’ve seen in a long time. You made me proud, Soul. Both of us are.” “We are so proud of you” Nimbus said with him. Joining them. Soul felt her put her nose against the back of Soul’s head and the mare laughed. Such joy in her voice. “Thank you so much for helping me” Soul told them. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Anything for Equestria’s future best flyers” Nimbus said. That sounded so beautiful. Dash and me. Future best flyers. I can just see us now, both of us being those amazing flyers that all can look up to and see what happens when you chase your dreams. Soul could say right now that it all started here. Today. This was the day. The day we joined together… she looked over to Dash who had now fallen into a warm and soft hug with Windy. No longer fighting. No longer worried. The filly happy inside her mother’s embrace. Like none were watching her. When we became wingponies.

“Soul…” Nimbus said next to her. Her voice soft and gentle. Like a switch was flicked. “You did it, didn’t you?” “Huh?” Soul cocked her brow. Making Nimbus smile. “It’s kind of hard to tell… but it became a part of you. I could feel it. When you flew. That last move you made. It was the same look in your eyes that I had when it first happened to me. You figured it out, Soul.”

Soul clenched on to Starry tighter. Looking away from her. Only thinking back over it all. That sensation that she had. It was just like the first time it happened. Something so intense in her. So strong and amazing. Where the world was just a little piece of the sky she was in, something she could reach out and touch. For only that moment, she saw it all. Felt it all. But it was there, she had sensed it.

7.21
“You mean…?” “I knew there something special about you” Nimbus said. “Even I couldn’t figure it out as fast as you did. I can’t even tell you how much you amaze me.” Nimbus looked up to Starry, then Soul was lowered. Pushed over to her. She accepted it, as Starry gave her up and Soul hugged Nimbus. Held deep in her warm and large wings where her legs held her tight and Nimbus put her head down atop Soul’s head. Whispering down to her. “Never, ever think you aren’t a good flyer. Never sell yourself short. Because you can even make a master like me proud of you. Someday, you’ll be better than me. And you don’t know how happy that makes me.”

Soul smiled. Burying her tearful face into Nimbus. Loving what she said. She loved it so much. To be told that. I really am special. After so many ponies made me feel I wasn’t. Soul could not be more thankful for this day.

“Keep on flying, champ. Keep on flying.” “I will” Soul said. Because I have ponies like these in my life now. Ones I can hug like this. A moment she wanted to last forever. “You really are lucky, Soul. Because you have another in your life who you can rely on. Don’t let her go” Nimbus whispered that to her and both of them glanced to Dash.

“You know, she did it too…” Soul told her. “Yeah…” Nimbus agreed. “Windy, Bow. You got a pretty amazing daughter right there” Nimbus said to Dash’s parents. All of them nodded to one another. Letting Soul and Dash go. Dropping from their hugs so both fillies could come join one another. Laugh to each other. Feel so proud of themselves. “You did it, Dash.” “We did it” Dash said. “Yes, you did” Nimbus said. Staring at Soul. “Guess training her my technique worked out in the end? Right?” Oh yeah… that’s right. Soul gulped. She didn’t sound too happy about it. But… it was to help her. We both want to be great flyers so… it just sounded right to teach her how to do it. Soul held her tongue. Both her and Dash looking at one another and then to Nimbus. “I didn’t know it was a secret” Dash whispered. “Neither did I.”

7.22
“I’m sorry” Soul said. “I didn’t know I couldn’t teach it to her.” “Oh Soul” Nimbus waved a hoof. Pleased with herself once more. “I never said that. I am a teacher after all so I shouldn’t be upset if you kids learn something.” “Wait, you’re not mad?” Dash asked. “Not at all, and I can think of no better pony to learn the technique than Soul’s very own wingpony.” “So we both get to keep practicing it?” Soul asked. Nimbus had no problem with it. Nodding her approval. That both of them could be the skilled wingponies they both sought to be for one another. Like a whole path was set forth for them. This was great! Dash and I both know how to do it!

“So does this mean we can both pull off daredevil stunts and do high speed flying?!” Dash blurted out. Windy laughed. Really loud. Confusing because all of the adults around them started laughing. What? Soul was also sure that they would be ready. Wasn’t that the point of this? All of the training for it? Nimbus walked up to both of them, calming herself down.

“You both have a lot of training to do before you both can tackle that type of flying. Strength training, speed tests and aerial controls. Plus you need to master the technique itself. You both know how to do it, but it takes a while before it becomes second nature. Masters aren’t made overnight.” She proudly arced her head high to the sky and walked past the two of them. Soul looked down to the cloud she sat on. At least the found out how to do it. Found just how wonderful that feeling was. She pulled off the first move of many. Soul’s ears flicked up. Right when something touched her back. Turning her around and finding Nimbus’ outstretched wing brushed against her back, and the mare grinning at her.

“You see, still haven’t mastered it yet.” That made Soul realize it. She still couldn’t sense when Nimbus would do that. How long will this take? Kind of depressing to think it wasn’t good enough.

7.23
“Don’t be so down, you figured it out. Faster than I did when I was your age. You really blew me away” Nimbus said. “I’m also very impressed Dash could figure it out too.” She looked to Windy. “You have a talented daughter.” Flattering, to all of them. Soul agreed. They both were pretty kickass. “Yay, more training” Dash said so low. Rolling her eyes and livening up her voice. “Well, at least we figured it out. Besides, I’m pretty sure being able to keep track of everything around me will come in handy someday.” Just how amazing that would be. They really could be the best flyers around. Soul couldn’t wait. Just how many years would she have to wait? It was frustrating. Just one small comfort, that they both got out of this together. Her and Dash. For them to give one another that final hoofbump right now.

Awesome flyers! Together. Soul loved it.

“Alright you two, we need to get activities started now” Nimbus said. “So time to join the others.” Something Soul had no problem with. But… “Nimbus, can Dash and I hang out after camp?” “I don’t see why not” Nimbus said as she trotted off. Taking to the air over all of them. “Be back home before dark though. I got a certain colt’s father to talk to after camp anyways.” Soul threw her hooves around Dash. Cheering in her joy. Loving it when Dash ran her hoof over her mane. Laughing with her. “Yeah, I think both of us need to get to work now” Dash’s parents walked past too. Taking to the air alongside Starry and Nimbus. Joining with them to look down at the fillies. It warmed Soul’s heart. To see all of them so happy for them. That she truly did make something right happen. She made the right choice.

“We are all proud of you” Nimbus said. “Never give up, you two. You’ll both be the best wingponies ever.”

7.24
They just made it. The Sun was almost set. Cutting it close with how much time they spent at the sauna but Dash and Soul made it, landing on the porch of Soul’s house together. Not even a bead of sweat with how fast they flew. How worried they were to not make it in time, except for Dash. Soul couldn’t understand why she was so calm. Offering to fly her home first. She didn’t have much time to get home herself. Yet she stood there, happy as could be. Coming up with Soul to the door. Letting off her sighs of exhaustion.

“Well… I made it” Soul laughed. “Yeah!” Dash looked up to her under her mane. Whipping it back up. Well relaxed from their hours and hours at the sauna. Even her mane was still damp. Their wings given such a good time to rest after a hard day at camp. Hard for all the right reasons for once. No more pain or fear from it. No more. Not one mean word. Not one harsh stare. Nothing bad. Like a new page had been turned. The drop of a feather. She actually felt respected and strong. Able to fly through everything with such ease and joy. Holding nothing back anymore. Like she planned to do. From now on, she had no reason to hide or pretend. Things that will go on until she finished this autumn at camp and go on to newer and brighter skies. In the end, whenever that will be.

But she didn’t need to do it alone, she finally had another pony with her for the rest of her time here… and maybe even longer as she was hoping. Barely able to keep herself from gushing inside over it. Just how great will it be?! Soul almost freaked out while relaxing in the lake. Really looking forward to doing more things with Dash. Maybe even hang out longer. Oh no… she couldn’t do that. Not this late.

7.25
“Well, I think you should be heading home. Your mom will kill you if you’re late” Soul advised her. “You really wanna get rid of me that fast?” Dash surprisingly said. Sifting her hoof over the wooden floor to the porch and smiling. Much deeper than she usually did. Actually a bit alarming to Soul. Confusing too. She’s definitely joking now. The Sun was almost down. “I’m only a few minutes’ flight away from home so… I have a little time” Dash said.

“Time for what?” Soul cocked her head. Right when Dash flashed her wing over Soul and… she tugged right when the cyan filly ran off. Pulling Soul with her. “Come on!” Soul planted her hooves, barely stopping Dash’s wing from pulling her along the porch. Both looked at one another. “Wait, where are we going?” Soul asked. “Come on!” Dash said, tugging her wing on Soul. “I wanna show you something. It won’t take long. Then I’ll head home, promise.”

You’re really pushing it, Dash. Soul shrugged her shoulders. Agreeing to it. Hesitantly. Just as long as Dash didn’t pull her. Soul walked with her. Then turning to a gallop, the fillies running off the porch and across it. Soul following Dash to the side. Past where the waterfalls plummeted in the yard and finding a place amidst the rain water gently dripping down the roof of the house. Like small pellets slowly dropping among them. Soul still followed her. Wondering what it was she wanted to show her over here. At a place under where the rainbows rose high above them and showered them both in that lovely light. “You really do have a beautiful yard” Dash commented about it. Looking around at all of it. Her entire cyan body shining the same colors as her mane now. As did Soul. Under that light they stood together with. Soul knew it was beautiful. Especially at night. “Is this what you wanted to show me?” Soul asked. Dash shook her head.

“Nope, just a quieter place.” “For…?” Soul asked. Pushing herself closer to Dash. The filly smiled.

7.26
“Soul, you and I did very well today…” “Yeah we did!” Soul said. A hoof rose to her muzzle. Dash whispered. “Please let me talk, just for a little bit. When I first saw you, I didn’t think much of you. Just kind of interested in that little idea you had about flying. And I was really worried when you didn’t live up to it. It was hard to watch you treated that way, I didn’t think much on it. I actually didn’t want to do anything to help you. Didn’t even think I should come visit you that night and take you to the stadium. But… I’m so glad I did. Because if I didn’t… I wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Soul fell silent. Still… when Dash’s hooves came over her once more. Wrapping around her back and holding Soul tight. As tight as she could. Soul felt all her strength leave… leave when that filly pulled her so snug against her warm fur. Like it was something new. Something different.

This… this hug… Soul looked over to the filly holding her head against Soul’s shoulder. Smiling deep into her mane. So soft. Such a warm and caring smile on her. Made Soul’s legs feel weak. But she did her best. So hard to raise her forelegs up to lock together along Dash’s back. Couldn’t even say a word before that sweet and loving, raspy voice whispered right into her ear.

“Thank you so much. Soul Serenity. You taught me to be happy again. Happy with myself. You were right from the start. There are ponies who accept me, just like you. I never thought you would be that pony for me.” A tear went down Soul’s cheek. “You were right all along. Thank you for being there. Thank you so much.” “Dash… it was no problem” Soul whispered. She tightened her own hug around the pony. “You helped me too. Helped me see I’m not weak. That I can do great things. I shouldn’t attack myself.”

7.27
“Soul, you don’t need to call me Dash anymore” Rainbow said. “Please, call me Dashie.”

Dashie?

Soul felt her heart leap. Something like that… but… “Wasn’t that what your mom calls you.” “It’s what I let the ponies closest to me call me. She calls me that, but… I think my friends should be allowed to call me that too.” Soul shuddered. Pushing Dash away from her. Holding the crying cyan filly in her hooves face to face. Their eyes locked. Soul couldn’t breathe. Looking at this sweet filly before her. Who just said something so strong. So great to her. The one word she wanted to hear from another. The one thing that she had sought out of all of this.

“Did you just call me…”

“My friend” Dash said. “You’re my best friend, Soul. Of all the ponies I’ve met, none are like you.”

Her best friend. Soul cried. Tears streaming down and littering the clouds they stood upon in shining puddles under the rainbow light. “I’m your best friend?” “Yes, …Soul… can I be yours?” Soul’s heart ached. Like it was hollow with how much she began to cry. But it didn’t hurt. Not that way. It felt so good. So lovely. She fell in love with this feeling, and the words she was told. There was no way she could say otherwise, except for the words she wanted to give to this pony.

“Of course, you are, Dashie. You’re my best friend.” Pulling her right back in, in to that long and loving hug they shared. Like so many more. Soul couldn’t stop smiling. In a world filled with ponies who tried to hurt her, she finally found the one to make her happy. One she can call her best friend. The pony to play with. The pony to fly with. Tell stories to and enjoy life together. Spend holidays together. Like all the ponies Soul had envied. She got her wish. Here and now. To do even more together.

7.28
“Dashie, I’ll gladly be your best friend. We can do anything together, anything… and we will both be the best flyers of all time. Together.” Making Dash cry even more as she put her head against Soul’s chest. Soul combed her hoof through that rainbow mane. Telling her all she wanted to say. “We’ll be there to help each other and be together. Be there when the other is down. I’ll always be there by your side. Just like you’ve done for me. I promise.” “I’ll… do the same for you. I promise too” Dash cried into her fur.

Then… it was set. A promise for their future. It took a long time for the filly to lift her head up and wipe away the tears. “I didn’t give you an answer before” Soul said. “But I’d love to go with you to the Wonderbolts in the winter.” “You’ll love it” Dash said softly. “The Wonderbolts are the best thing you can see.” “Really…?” Soul asked. Leaning closer to Dash. Liking what she heard. After all, she always loved listening about this. Even more so now, now that Dash was going to be one of them. Soul knew it. “I can’t wait to see you fly with them and…” I vow to be there with her for everything. It’s a promise I’ll make for myself, and… it doesn’t sound too bad. Especially with how awesome it would be to see it come true.

“I’ll be a Wonderbolt with you.”

That made Dash smile more. As Soul would hope. She wanted to. If Wonderbolts are meant to inspire, then that is what I should do. Now that I know I can do it. Now that I have another pony there with me. “We’ll be the best Wonderbolts. We already will be the best flyers.” Dash leaned back and offered her hoof. Met by Soul’s. “All the way!” Dash shouted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we get our cutie marks in flying. It’ll be so awesome.” She has the same thought? Soul wanted to see if hers would be about flying too. How great it would be for them to realize their talents together. Maybe for it to be the same thing. “It will be awesome. You and me.” “Together!” Dash said.

7.29
They both fell quiet. Soul peeling herself away to look at the downing Sun. Calm in her voice. “Looks like it’s time to get going.” “I really don’t want to leave” Dash said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dashie.” Rainbow chuckled at that. “It’s so weird to hear you call me that. I think I like it.” “Then I’ll keep calling you it” Soul said. “You better, but you need to do something for me in exchange for being allowed to call me that.” Oh come on, we’re friends after all, I need to do more. Soul wasn’t complaining. Really lost on what it was she wanted. “Okay… what is it?”

“This weekend, I want you to do something with me. Now that we aren’t playing around with flying anymore. I think we can do a little thing together… like a race?” Dash cocked her brow to her. Giving her a toothy grin. Such an arrogant grin. She wants to race me? Wow, Soul never expected such a request from her but… oh… that sounded too good. Soul found it hard to resist. After what she had seen from Dash, such a talented flyer. Maybe it can be good training. Or maybe a chance to whoop her tail. Is it wrong to be so eager to do this? Soul didn’t think so. “You’re on” she said. “I’d love to see which of us is faster.”

“It’ll be me” Dash said. “Whatever! I’m so much faster, plus I have more experience.”

“Well, we’ll see this weekend” Dash said. Going back to her happy self once more. They both laughed at one another. So satisfied they could do this together. I didn’t even think of being able to race with a friend. Soul welcomed it. It sounded so fun for her. A little special thing for them to do. But when I win, hope it will keep Dash motivated to keep training. Dash stood up and slowly walked past her, giving her a little glance. Soul watched her off. Going after her, knowing it was time to leave. Really wishing this day didn’t have to end, for them to have time to race now or do something else. For it to go on forever. It couldn’t. So sad. But we can sleep happy tonight. Both of us. Yet Dash still stopped in front of her. Looking over her shoulder and… she was blushing.

“Erm… I have an idea and... you can stop me if it’s too crazy.”

7.30
“Lay it to me” Soul said. “You… remember that goofy posing that Amber and Breezy were doing?” Dash asked. Soul remembered. Back when things had yet to get as bad as they did. It really was an odd dance those two did. Part of a Junior Speedsters thing.

“Yeah…?” “Stop me if it’s too weird” Dash went on.

“So since you and I are now wingponies, I was wondering if you would want to… have some sort of…” Dash hunched her wings up and grinned a goofy smile. “Pose we could do?” Soul blinked. A pose, huh? Soul never thought too hard on it. Though it was surprising that Dash of all ponies wanted to do something like this. It just didn’t sound right to Soul. Yet Dash kept up her pleading face like she really wanted to do this. Something for them to do together? Like in front of other ponies. If this had been before today, Soul would say no. “What type of pose were you thinking?” Soul asked.

“Really?! Okay, I was thinking something that totally shows how awesome we are together with flying” Dash spat out. So excited now. “Start with something that shows we’re a team and then something that involves flying… I got it!” Rainbow came closer to the perplexed Soul, sitting down in front of her. “Sit down” she said. Soul did it anyways. Curious of what she had come up with. “Okay so how about we clap our hooves together… twice! And then we can turn and lock our wings together! Oh wait, we should also call it something. No Junior Speedsters stuff for us… something about us.” Dash paused, really making Soul laugh inside. She was serious about this. “I got it! We’re gonna be the best flyers of all, so how about we both shout out Cloudsdale Wingponies!”

Dash leaned forward. Eager to hear a response to what she had. She got one. “You had too much candy for lunch” Soul said. “Shut up, I think it’s a good idea.” As silly as it sounded, Soul had to admit it did sound a bit unique for them to do. Just like the twins had something… she didn’t see a reason her and Dash couldn’t. It sure sounded fun to her. Good for a laugh… as well as the thought of them being close enough to get to do this. She wanted to.

“Let’s do it.”

7.31
“Really?” “Yup, wanna start it off?” Soul offered. Dash chuckled. Sitting back up and raising her forehooves. Soul followed. Reaching out and a loud clap when they both hit together. “And one more” Dash said. Ok. Soul clapped her hooves to Dash’s again. “Do it with me now” Dash went on, turning herself sideways to Soul, looking over to her to follow, which she did. So this is where we… lock wings.

Dash said it like it was nothing, Soul couldn’t believe they were actually doing this.

Dash’s wings spread open. Soul didn’t hesitate to do the same with her massive ones. Spreading her thick spans of feathers over to where Dash held out her own wing. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Nopony ever locked wings with her before. So amazing she could do it with somepony. To show just how close these two pegasi had become. When their feathers wrapped together and magenta overlapped cyan. Clasping tight. It really made Soul happy and Dash looked to be the same too. Proudly saying “Cloudsdale Wingponies!” up to the sky. Why not? Soul yelled it too.

“Cloudsdale Wingponies!” Right when a hoof wrapped around her neck and pulled her in closer. Dash hugging her. “And a hug” she said. “To finish it off.” Soul did it. Quickly wrapping her own hoof around Dash’s neck and joining her in this hug where their wings still clasped together behind them both. A few seconds… Soul enjoyed it so much. Kind of hard to let go. They separated. “That was so crazy” Soul laughed.

“But I liked it.”

“No, I liked it too” Soul said. “It can be our own thing… we can even do it when we become Wonderbolts.” “You know we will. Both of us will wear those awesome uniforms” Dash proudly said. She stood back up. Until that day came, we will be together forever. She’s my wingpony and I’m hers. Together to cross that finish line and blow everypony away. They will all see how far these two would go. But before that… the time had come to say goodnight as the Sun lingered on its last heights in the horizon, shining bright red over the spires of the cloud city and the mountains beyond. Witnessing both fillies touching hooves together in one last moment before parting.

“Thank you for today” Soul told her. “Don’t, thank you… for teaching me. I know what I need to do” Dash said. So happy with herself. Though it looked kind of hard for her to let go of Soul’s hoof. Venture off towards that distance she needed to go before flying off. Yet she looked so bright. So happy under this coming night sky. “Goodnight, Soul. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow” Soul nodded. “You know it, goodnight, Dashie.” For tomorrow was another day. Another on a wonderful path forward.

Dash flew off.

7.32
I got to make this quick. Before the Sun was down. Not much time left, though she had to do this, as Dash flew fast over the rooftops of the neighborhoods below her. Zipping past all of them and heading to where she last remembered it to be.

Soul taught me right. So I need to do this before anything else. Now that I know I can trust ponies. Dash could not let it fester any longer. Happy with herself when she found it, and she landed upon the porch to the house so familiar to her. She hadn’t been here in a while. Not since… then. She could only hope it wasn’t too late. Not too late to fix things.

Dash knocked on the door. Patiently sitting before it. Come on. I need to tell you something. She looked off to the dying Sun in the distance. Mom is gonna kill me. But it’s worth it. So worth it… as that door slowly opened before her and the pony stepped forward. Out in the light cast off from inside. Dash saw her. Recognized her. Face to face, after so long.

But Soul taught me I can trust ponies and… I should give my old friends a second chance. I should be reliable to them. After all, this pony did help her a little. That counted a lot. Why she could sit here before her and speak to her for the first time in so long.

“Hi, …Fluttershy.”

8.1
Yes!

It was a beautiful day after all. Surprisingly not too cold right now. A small chill getting through her fur, yet Soul was still happy with the weather she had to work with today. Cloudy skies with the Sun barely seeping through. Not bad enough to cancel today, she was worried it would be. At least she didn’t pack in vain, carrying her twin saddlebags atop her back. Spreading her wings out over them. It had been nice to have the entire week off to enjoy this weather, freed of camp activities. Now that the weekend came around, this meant that the adults would be able to come along. Because she had a surprise for Dash and, unfortunately, they needed somepony there with them. Though Soul did not expect this to be how it turned out.

“Alright, I’m leaving!” she called back through the doorway. “I’ll be home later.” “Have fun, champ! Say hello to everypony for us” Nimbus said, stepping out from behind the kitchen and waving her goodbye. “I will” Soul said. “And stay safe! Listen to what you’re told.” “I know!”

Soul rolled her eyes. We’ve been planning this for a while. Soul knew what to do. But Dashie sure wouldn’t know. Soul hoped she would have fun today. It was a little sad that Nimbus and Starry couldn’t come. Didn’t stop this from happening. Soul shut the door behind her, looking back out to the sky and taking a deep breath of the chilly morning air. Alright, she had her lunch and her towel. Some bits. Good to go.

8.2
Soul had the whole way memorized by now with how many times she got to come and get Dash for fun times and even getting to fly her home. Taking to the air and leaving her house behind, off to go to another house. Soaring high over the clusters of beautiful cloud homes far below with their lush gardens of thundering streams and cloudy décor. Spread far and wide. Where all the pegasi left them to fly off into the sky for another wonderful day.

Today was a special day so lots of these pegasi had to go about with their job to bring about that day. Not Soul though, but this was a special day for her too. More than what it was going to be to any other Pegasus. Another wonderful day she would get to spend with Dash, all the while they would get to enjoy the times that were coming.

All around Soul got to see all the pegasi flying with her in these skies. Carrying on in their duty, as this was once a year when this would happen. When all those factories in the distance went crazy during this time. Left off with all the pegasi flying overhead, ropes or clamps. Even hooves used to move clouds all along the sky. Across Cloudsdale and out into the open world beyond.

Soon enough, all of Equestria would be blanketed in snow for this winter season. Far more clouds than normal to make and far more ponies needed, especially on this day. She heard it from Dash’s dad, a major snowfall was due for this part of Equestria. But that didn’t mean Soul and Dash couldn’t have fun. Weather be damned. They were tough fillies and a little snow wouldn’t slow them down, they did endure worse together. Better than lightning striking down at her.

The excitement for today made the flight go quickly. That or it was because Dash literally did live just a few streets down through the rows of homes just outside of where Soul lived.

8.3
As beautiful as always, Soul landed down. Settling her wings and her hooves touched upon the soft clouds surrounding the house. Between two lovely homes where an even lovelier one stood before her. With its long and flowing rainbows cycling along the clouds that surrounded the house to light up its tall, blue walls and glimmer in the windows set under the shade of the cloudy outcroppings of the roof.

A humble house with nothing extraordinary about it. Soul didn’t care. It was an awesome home for the pony she was here for to live in. Scurrying off down the walkways upon the clouds and up to the door, lit up before her under the swathe of rainbow décor shining bright above the doorway. Hopeful that they were ready to go. She was too impatient to have to wait after having such a hard time falling asleep in excitement of today.

She banged on the door. Sitting down. Eagerly shifting side to side. I hope they managed to make this all work out. It would be such a bummer for it to not. Soul looked forward to this little trip for weeks now. Still, she looked back to where she had flown in from, she really wished that Nimbus and Starry could come. Nimbus too busy finalizing paperwork for the camp today while Starry had to work on the house.

The door creaked open. Bringing Soul’s head whipping back around. Brightening her smile when Dash came out through the doorway, just as happy to see her. That was a good sign. We get to hang out, looks like. So much training lately, they both needed this. “Morning, Dashie!” Soul happily said. “What took you! I was waiting so long” Dash shrieked out with giddy hooves excitedly bouncing up and down. “Were you? Or did you just wake up fifteen minutes ago again?” Soul asked. “Twenty…” Dash said proudly. Both of them laughed. “Good morning, Soul” Dash said. Exposing her side to Soul, where she had her own saddlebag slouched along her side. Raring to go.

8.4
Dash looked past her. “Where’s our instructors at?” “They’re busy” Soul sighed. “Lots of work to get done but they still are fine with me going with you all.” “About that…” Dash said. “Dad has to help with the weather today but…”

“Girls!” Windy shrieked when the mare slid into the doorway. Just the biggest smile on her face and even her wings fluttered at her sides. “I’m ready!” Windy stepped down and Soul had to brace when she gave her another one of those noogies she really was not able to get used to. Always messed up her mane.

“Oh Soul, thank you so much for this. I need some time out of the house and anything for my little Dashie to have some fun times with her best buddy.” “Mom!” Dash moaned behind her. Stepping in front and she rolled her eyes. Still, as she passed, Soul caught the filly smile. Oh she’s glad Windy is coming. The mare stepping out in her freshly worn orange sweater shining as bright as her mane. “So I’ll be joining you two, that okay?” she asked Soul. “Yeah!” Soul had no problem with it.

“Good, …because you two aren’t going out there alone” the mare shut the door behind her. Ready to leave with the two of them. “Your parents aren’t coming along?” she asked. She doesn’t need to keep calling them that, Soul settled that a long time ago. “No, they had things to do. But… thanks for letting us go” Soul said. “No problem! A nice off day for today but…” Windy turned her eyes towards Dash. Really changing, her eyes glimmering in a serious stare.

“We’ll be training twice as hard tonight to make up for it.” “Gotcha” Dash said, rushing off ahead of them with her wings spread out. “So let’s go, I’m wanting to see this place.” Soul rushed off after her, opening her wings back up and flapping to take flight behind the cyan filly. “Wait up, girls!” Windy zipped in with them, all of them joining together to fly as one.

8.5
Soul led the way. Flying high up into the clouds, well above where all the other pegasi flew on their tasks of carrying these clouds about. Looking back to make sure they were both still on her tail. Now she believed she remembered correctly where this place was around. But that was the thing. It was not in a very familiar area.

Cloudsdale was always on the move floating over the land and wasn’t often over this area. The place beyond the great Pegasus city, as all three of them soared off into the open sky high above the land of Equestria. Between where the vast and sprawling mountain ranges rose in the far distance both ways she looked. Off into this wonderful valley where the clouds hung low over it all and fresh blankets of white began to dot the land and all the lovely grasslands disappeared for the winter season that now came to the Canterlot valleys. This whole place was always beautiful.

Soul remembered the last time she ventured out into this place. Hasn’t changed much. As she hoped. The same beautiful horizon it had where vast hills rolled all across and broke between the great forest sprawls patched along every corner of these valleys where the trees barely held on to anything left of their greenery. With the lakes and rivers spanning everywhere on the last of their time before freezing with the coming winter. Over it all, Soul saw it. The very place where this land was named after to watch over it all atop its perch along the great mountains. Brimming in whites and golds shining along the rooftops and vast spires that reached high around the walls and gates. The castle city of Canterlot.

It didn’t look any different. Hadn’t even gotten larger than last time. Amazing to think that Soul was once again this close to a princess. For her to fly in the same sky that held over where that princess lived. The same one I wish to fly for someday. Her and… whenever the other princess would return. Come back to live in that same castle once more.

Soul looked forward to that day when she could enter the city with pride. However long that would be, she may be an adult by then. When she would be able to perform for them all, settling only with being able to watch others perform there. Soul couldn’t wait for the Wonderbolts show in that city. We all get to go then. Not too long.

8.6
Yet every day she got to spend with Rainbow was something awesome and this day would be no worse than seeing the Wonderbolts with her. Dash always was the one who had things for them to do. Always knew places to go and had all the fancy spots for them to relax or fly. Soul was glad she got the chance to find something for them to do. Before it would get too cold. Tomorrow was due to be when the winter weather will hit its hardest. So appropriate for what tomorrow was going to be. Wondering how her, Nimbus and Starry would spend the day.

Soul was so happy that these days had come. Really just so much fun she got to do and so much to look forward to. It made her fly faster. Zipping off over the high scaling hills and off towards the forests of the valleys. Right where she saw familiar scenes. This looked to be the right way. Many thick forests of sleeping trees that were so hard to see through even without their leaves all ringing around the grasslands and fields that spanned for so far.

She recognized this place because of the forests hanging far beyond these ones. The ones where the leaves were still standing atop their branches and covering all in a shroud of dark green and mist. Everfree. I’ll be sure to never have to go there. The sight of it always creeped her out. Of all the places in Equestria, the Canterlot valleys really did have their share of strange and unique scenery. Where else could you find such gorgeous beauty that surrounded her and yet have someplace so creepy standing out in it like a blemish? Thankfully not where they were going.

Soul banked right and led them both towards where the sleeping forests ringed around the fields further off. I haven’t been here in too long. I’m just glad to come back like this. Soul never could have guessed coming back to this place, not with Nimbus and Starry, but with friends. Her best friend. That still makes me smile.

8.7
They flew over the snow-covered fields. Soul looking around and turning off towards where the river coursed in towards the forest and split into two paths that went on to disappear into the forest. That’s the river I’m looking for. It was this river, where it split into two, that welcomed her with that wonderfully lovely little lake she would go to to swim. Plus it wasn’t even frozen over.

Yay, I found it. I remembered where it was. Looks like Nimbus had nothing to worry about after all. Soul could think of no better place to play than here. No other place that I know of. I really need to get out more. “Is that it?” Windy asked behind her. “Yeah, that’s the lake. Nimbus always takes me here.”

Soul lowered her wings and slowed down to a crawl before she hovered with both of them over the lake below. “But only when we’re in the area, still…” Soul smiled over it. “It’s as beautiful as always.” Glad to be able to share it with her new friends. “I didn’t expect us to come here” Dash said. “For a second, I thought you wanted us to go to the Everfree forest.” “Oh no, I hope this is alright” Soul said. “You kidding? Water and snow and a big open place, this is awesome. Believe it or not, Soul, I actually am alright with cold weather.”

Dash flew off down to the lake. That’s good to hear. Glad to see her only choice of location was not a bad one. The cold wasn’t an issue either. A little chilly. Not enough to shiver. Thank you, fur.

Soul went off to join Dash where the filly had landed down on the ground close to the lakeside. Where the snow had barely done much to cover up the soft grass. Rainbow was over there staring off at the water ahead of them and the walls of dead trees risen high above all of this. The face of the forest. Soul had never gone in there. Tried to once when she was younger. Nimbus got a bit mad at me. Never stopped her from taking Soul back here and even swimming with her. Water looked to be fine.

8.8
Soul dropped all her stuff and left it behind right as Windy landed with them. I hope it’ll be alright. Soul stepped up to where the water touched the lake’s edge. Crystal clear water softly skimming along the edge and coming close to where her hooves stood.

Ah, it is beautiful. The water was just as blue as ever. Like the sky. She could even see the entire sky shining along the surface of the water. Almost able to see the rocks at the bottom. Lovely. Summer to winter had no effect on this place.

Soul skidded a hoof forward and set it out to touch the water. Tapping at it. Oh! Soul brought her hoof back and slowly put it back in. Keeping it in the water this time. It was a bit cold. Seeping in through her fur and licking at the skin beneath with a chill. Alright it wasn’t too bad. This lake really was strange. As were all water in these valleys. More beautiful and warmer than anywhere else in Equestria. Like something magical was here in these valleys. A very special place. Shame she didn’t get to visit here more often.

“How’s the water?” Dash asked after her. Soul stepped her hooves into it. Just up to the tops of them and took a while before she could get herself together. A while before she started getting used to it. This is gonna be something when I get in. Never was a big fan of the cold. But, she had seen other ponies be just happy with swimming in cold weather. Something to it, she may as well try. “Um…” Soul thought for an answer.

“Let’s find out!”

8.9
The lake flashed forward at Soul right when she felt something rush against her back. Pushing her in and finding Dash’s hooves going around her and the filly giggling in her ear. No, wait!

The water came in at her. Wings flashed out. Too late to pick her up. They went under along with her body, and the lightning shooting all across her now. Like an explosion along her skin. Piercing right in and making her yelp in panic on top of her surprise of being pushed in. Soul struggled get herself back up, floating on top the water with her wings barely submerged and her entire body shivering. Oh Celestia’s sake!

Soul held herself. Shivering and kicking her hind legs and wings to keep her afloat. “Rainbow!” Soul struggled to yell out her name. The filly shot up from the water next to her, spitting some out and laughing. She’s so proud, huh?

Soul glared at her. The best she could but this damn water was pretty hard to get used to. Seriously, how is Dash so happy right now? The filly throwing herself back into the water and laughing at the top of her lungs. Half submerged in this water like it did nothing to her.

“Dashie…” Soul shivered and caught her tongue. Close to biting it. Right as she began to warm up a little. Letting herself swim with all four now, so great to use her thick wings to wrap herself up underwater. Keep herself a little warm. “Warn me next time” Soul said. “I’m not that great with cold.” “Then that would ruin the surprise” Rainbow swam over to her. “Do you need somepony to warm you up?” Dash opened her hooves up to her. Open and offering. Dash egged her on to come over and give her that hug. She’s as affectionate as usual. Quick to change herself to keep Soul happy. If it were real right now. Soul grinned.

8.10
Her big wings flashed forward along the water. Sending plumes of it right into Dash’s face and covering her up in a vast spray. Take that.

“Hey!” Dash called out from behind all that water. Soul quickly turning tail and a kick of her wings to skim away from her. Laughing at it. You surprise me and I surprise you. No complaining about it. This is great! It was so wonderful that Soul got the opportunity to be able to do this stuff with Dash. Really, two months ago, Soul will never forget it. What happened to allow them both to get to this. Every day to be like this. Where she could find opportunities to run away like this with so much laughter while Dash came after her with fierce determination to get her back for that. Yet Soul could see it, the same thing all the other kids got to do. She couldn’t be any more thankful to have somepony like this to share in things with. That I could bring her here. Finally able to bring a friend to go do something I want to do. Forget it being cold, this was alright. Alright enough to play in.

“Try and catch me, Dashie!” “I don’t need to try.” We’ll see. Soul swam off. Happily looking back at the pony right on her tail. …Also gaining right on her. Faster than she thought. Actually made her heart skip. But… Soul slid off to the side right as Dash jumped in to the water next to her. Coming back up and Soul flicked her wing. Splashing more water into her face. “You little…” Dash jumped on her. Pushing her back down against the water. Both fillies laughing as they got back up. Soul more or less so enjoying this little teasing they both got to share in so often. Dash was the master of it. “Slowpoke even in the water” she said about Soul. That was a lie. She could see it in her face. That was something she loved about this pony. Really did grow to enjoy playing with her like this.

“At least I’m faster in the air” Soul mentioned. “You have never proven that” Dash was the one who splashed water in her face. Soul held her hooves out to shield her eyes. Kicking her own wings out and sending water back at her. Waves and waves of them coming at one another and neither filly stopped. Nor did they stop enjoying it. Up until the water stopped flying.

8.11
What? Dash was gone… except… Soul saw it. The cyan filly jumped out from the water right in front of her with a roar. Landing on top of Soul and making her fall back down with her in the water. “Hey now, girls” Nimbus called out from the bank. Putting out their towels and storing away the bags. “Don’t be too rough out there.” Dash shot back up, wiping her mane out of her face. “Come on, mom! Jump in with us. Or are you too scared of the cold?” “What’s that, Dashie? Do I need to remind somepony who it is that likes me to hold her when it’s cold?” What…?

Soul giggled under her breath. Dash was so red from that now. Oh, but that sounded so awesome. No need to be embarrassed, Dashie. “I…I never do that!” Dash said. Hehe, honestly that does sound nice. Soul could see herself in that situation. Looking down at the water and her expectant face like she wanted that right now. Since winter was about to get to its worse. When the cold will really roll in. All thanks to the pegasi high above with their hauls of clouds. Up to where the vast cloud supercity hung high over it all and cast its shadow down upon the valleys.

“That actually doesn’t sound bad…” Soul whispered. Wondering if she should have said that. Dash’s ears did flick up when she said that. Then she scoffed to Windy. “I don’t do that!” “Yes you dooooo” Windy swooned over there. Really making Dash growl. Throwing her wings forward and that big splash of water flying across the sky. Not to Soul. Uh oh. Can she… it all came crashing down upon Windy. Do that?

The mare soaked in her sweater and leaving her mane slicked down on her face. Frowning. Forget that Dash was strong enough to send all that water that far, she really did something Soul would never dare to do like that. Is she gonna get in trouble? Soul looked nervously to her. Dash didn’t seem to care.

8.12
“Seriously?!” Windy said, pulling off her sweater and throwing the damp thing down. Having to push back her mane just to look back out at the two. Dash laughed. “Is it too cold?”

“Actually, it’s not that bad” Windy said. “So maybe I will join you… you little punk.”

Windy flashed her wings out. The mare took to the sky. Not at all what Soul thought her to do, let alone like this, when that smiling mare curved back down and soared in at… both of them. As fast as it took Soul just to blink. Before she shrieked when a flash of blue fur shot right in with them and all the blue blasted out all around. Plummeting right in, all the water splashed high and Soul backed up just a little. Her and Dash caught in it all. Not again. Seriously, I keep getting water in my nose. Dash was over there coughing. Hacking and still able to say “D-damn it, mom.” All the water settling once more.

She’s still underwater. Seeing the shape of the blue mare deep down there and swimming across. What do I have to do to be like these two, able to just jump right in to this water like it’s nothing. Really, they were brave. Even Nimbus was very picky when it came to how cold water could be. She would like the sauna. Maybe they could take her there sometime. Dash’s parents seem to like me, and Nimbus and Starry seem to like Dash. Really not any problem on us all being able to hang out. Windy rose back up. Rising between the two of them with a deep breath and her wings rushing out. “Boo!” Soul didn’t move. Letting Windy’s wing come in and… actually curve around her. Her and Dash. When the mare pulled them both in, that’s when Soul realized it. Right then as Windy held them both in tight against her soaked chest furs and her slick feathers of her big wings covering them both up. Dash, she didn’t even fight back. Neither did Soul.

In fact, all three of them laughed.

8.13
Windy leaned back, holding them both in her wings. Pleasantly sighing. Soul calmed down and seeing that… this was happening. Dash was right across from her, held in Windy’s other wing where she didn’t do anything but place a hoof against Windy’s chest and laying against her. They’re hugging. With Soul here, held in the same hug. I’m… Soul looked up to the mare. She kept her eyes closed, smiling so happily and like she loved being able to hold them both.

These two… they really are funny. Soul should be proud that they had gotten close enough to be able to do this. Windy’s hug was so nice. Dash seemed to be enjoying it, getting a little stare from Soul. Yeah, I can tell you love this. Dash rolled her eyes. Throwing herself against her mom’s chest and laying there.

Why do I get to be a part of this? It didn’t seem right. Somepony hugging me like this with… with my best friend. Something so new. So new in that it was Dash’s own mother who did this for her. The thing these two get to do all the time. I’m a part of it. Soul sort of liked it. Even if it was with Dash’s mother. She still set her head against her chest, staring face to face with Dash. Held above the water where only their tails could fall below the waves. “Oh you two… I’m so glad we could come out and spend some time together” Windy said. This is our first time doing something as a group. The first of many, Soul hoped for. Especially with how close they had all gotten. “So glad that you’re wanting to hug me?” Soul asked. Just curious still as to why they were doing this.

“Is it strange?” Windy asked.

“No… it’s just… you’ve never done this for me before.” “Oh… she’ll give you more” Dash said with such strain on her voice and a smirk. “Of course, I’d do this for you. Both of you. You’re Dashie’s wingpony and her best friend. You’re a part of the family now.”

The family? I’m… I’m a part of a family? Oh… she has no idea how much that makes my heart feel so weak. Don’t make me cry in front of Dashie.

8.14
“So mom, can I tell her the good news?” Dash asked. “About the event?” Windy asked and getting a nod in response. “Go for it.” So excited to give Dash permission. “Remember the Wonderbolts event I wanted you to come with us to?” Dash asked.

“Of course, how could I forget?” That was one of the best things to look forward to with the coming days. Three days left till it. After Hearth’s Warming Day. “You’re coming to it, for sure” Dash said over there in Windy’s wing.

“Yeah.” “It wasn’t a question, goof. I’m taking you” Dash said. “My parents and I.” That… that was great news. Soul was hoping to be sure it was happening. Her first ever Wonderbolts showing and she would get to do it with her newest friends, and with her wingpony by her side. She could see it now, both of them there to watch the same tricks and daring moves that they both aspired to do someday. At speeds they could only dream of reaching right now. I’ve always wanted to see it. Never did she think she would with a friend like Dash by her side.

“I… I’d love to go!” Soul said. “Not just you, Nimbus and Starry can come too. All of us.” Was Dash right? All of us could go? She was right. No joke to it. That was fantastic. I get to be with everypony. What a thrill. All of them able to go to Canterlot. Would they see the princess? Soul could not contain her excitement. Squirming in joy under Windy’s wing. “That sounds so awesome. I’ll tell them about it, I just know they would love to go. They actually have been wanting to take me to a showing for a long time now, but things keep getting in the way.” “They better come this time.”

8.15
Rainbow smiled proudly. Pushing her hoof out to press against Soul’s chest. “Because I’m paying for you and those two.” No, no that sounded like too much. Soul would not allow that. Pushing Dash’s hoof away.

“No, we can pay for ourselves, you don’t need to do that for us.” “How are you paying for it?” Windy asked Dash. Quite pleased with herself now, the filly insisted on putting her hoof back on Soul’s chest. “I spent a while getting the money just for it, so I’m paying. No question about it.”

“So that’s why you wanted to do more chores around the house” Windy said. “Aww… using your hard-earned money for your friend, you two are just so cute together.” Windy tightened her hug. Making Dash grunt. Soul didn’t care. More lost in what it was she was hearing.

Dash worked harder just to pay for me to be able to do this. Whatever chores they were, she did it for Soul. Not often she would hear such a thing. Actually not at all. Most ponies wouldn’t even bother. Rainbow, you really are something else. Such a lovely thing for her to do. “Dashie, …you didn’t have to. That’s so sweet” Soul said. “It was nothing, anything to help you out” Dash said.

Just look at how far you and I have gotten, Dashie. Now I need to do something for you. Hmm… Hearth’s Warming was just around the corner. Guess I have more reason to go get something. Something better than anything else. But what? But this was worth being happy about. How close they all have got over the months. Things really have changed for all of us. “Thank you, it’s gonna be awesome” Soul said. “You know it, Hearth’s Warming. Ah! It’s gonna be the best!” Yet they still had two days left before it. Felt like forever. “I only wish it would be sooner” Soul said. “It’s just two days” Dash said. “Yeah, but still… I wanna hang out.”

8.16
“How about this?” Windy started. “We got nothing going on tomorrow for Hearth’s Warming Eve, maybe you would like to come over and spend some of it with us. You’re always welcome to come be with us.” “Yeah! I like that” Dash said. “You can spend time with Nimbus and Starry, and then you can be with us too.”

Wow, I never did Hearth’s Warming celebrations with friends before. Soul actually being invited to them. So… I would be doing a party with new ponies?

Hearth’s Warming always was about togetherness and giving. Always being with Nimbus and Starry. They were wonderful ponies to do it with. Yet never came a time when another pony wanted to do it with her. Somepony different, even any of the holidays. Any celebration. Yet this has all changed and Soul could just sit there and be star struck at how lucky she truly was. How far things have come along. We get to do things like this now. Maybe this past camp semester truly was a blessing. The end of it now and the start of a new one later on. With so much she had to look forward to.

“I would love to join you all.” “Yay!” Dash cheered. “You get to come to my house tomorrow. We’re gonna have fun!” My first time in your house. First time doing a party with friends. I love the sound of all of this. After years of it being something else, Soul could not say no to being able to spend this time with her newly made best friend.

8.17
“I can stop by tomorrow afternoon and stay till I have to go back home.” That meant… oh wait! I have to get a gift tomorrow morning. That wasn’t a lot of time. What would Dashie want? She needed to show up with something to give because she bet they were wanting to give her something for coming over. That smiling filly over there who had been with her for so long now and always showed her to have a heart of gold. Always wanting to protect her and stick with her ever since that beautiful day. My wingpony who will be there with me when we become the best flyers of all. Maybe I do know what it is I want to get her. I’d need to talk to Nimbus first. Something that will make Dash the happiest.

“You’re welcome whenever you want, stay longer if you want to” Windy said. “I’ll make dinner for us all, got a nice feast planned out. A little something to celebrate my Dashie bringing home a friend for Hearth’s Warming!” Dash groaned.

“Alright, I’ll come. I think Nimbus will be alright with it.” “I know she will” Windy said. “Nimbus is so good to you. I think she’ll love her little champ being with friends for Hearth’s Warming.” She’s right, she will. Nimbus always was wanting me to have friends. So, sure, nothing stopped Soul from being excited about tomorrow.

A Cloudsdale Hearth’s Warming for her with the snow coming in. Today was going to be the last day before the snow would get heavy.

8.18
Windy finally let both of them go. “It’s settled, come by whenever you want” she said. Floating back and then laying herself out to float atop the water. Stretching her wings out and crossing her hooves. “I’m gonna relax for a little, …and Dashie… no splashing” she said while wagging her hoof in the air. That made Dash stop her wing just in time from splashing again. Disappointed that she couldn’t do it.

“How about you two go and play a while?”

Soul already thought of something they could do. Especially since the last time she was here. “I know what we can do. Windy” Soul said. “Can Dash and I go in the forest? There’s a bunch of paths in there that I want to show Dashie.” Windy looked up. Turning over to the forest that hung aside of the lake, where the rivers crossed in to and disappeared. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you two to go in there. You fillies in a forest?” She understood her sentiment, but it really wasn’t that bad. Soul was older now and she would have a friend there with her. Both of them could watch over one another, plus she really had something she wanted to show Dash. “But there’s something super cool in there I want to show Dashie, and it’s totally safe. Ponies use those paths all the time.” That was what Nimbus had told her. Though always was no going in alone. Something she tried to do before.

“I’ll keep Dashie out of trouble” Soul said.

“Like hell I need you to watch over me in there.”

“Did Nimbus say you’re allowed to go in there?” Windy scrutinized her. Umm… “She said I’m not allowed to go in alone.” “And what’s this thing you want to show Dashie?” No, she couldn’t tell her right now. Soul only hoped they could see it. Those little things that drew her into going in the forest the last time. She bet Dash would like it. “It’s a secret.” Windy hummed, looking back over to the split trees marking where the forest faced them and all the wide-open areas in there that the big opening in the trees lead to. “Tell you what, you two can go in there but only if you stay in sight of me. No venturing off. I’m sure you two can take care of one another but that doesn’t mean you two can go out that far.” It wasn’t like they were going to the Everfree forest or something. “Promise me” Windy said.

8.19
“We promise” Soul said right as Dash also joined her in saying it. Very excited to say it. “Go on then, you two behave” Windy laid back down. Leaving the two of them free to do what they wanted. Something Soul was so grateful for. Giddily swimming back to land with Dash at her side. “You sure Nimbus would be alright with you going in there?” she asked. “She used to say I could when I’m older and not alone, no better time than now” Soul said.

Both of them scurrying onto land and… now it was cold. With all the chilly water dripping off of Soul and soaking the last of the ground left before snow would come over it soon, and that wind coming over her. Made her shiver. Dash rushed right off under her towel. As good an idea as any. Soul grabbed her own. Both of them dried off, rushing to get that done and just to get warm. No matter how bad their manes looked afterwards. Neither cared, preferring to rush off together. Leaving their towels and stuff behind and fizzy fur all over them.

“What do you wanna show me?” Dash asked after Soul, the magenta filly taking the lead heading right off to where the trees broke and left the entrance open to any. Like a doorway into the forest. Where all the other trees were twisted and folded together so that none could come in through them. Just this one area where there sat a dirt path that both of them stood before and looked off into the distant, dead shrubbery. “I already said, it’s a secret. Though I hope they’ll still be around.” Soul walked off, being the first to step hoof to cross through the tree wall and walk in to the thick forest beyond. “You hope?” Dash hesitated but her hooves were quick to follow after.

8.20
Wow, this place was really not like she remembered. So… lifeless now. Back when all the tree sported such lush and thick waves of greens and browns that rose high above her and covered the world above to where even the Sun could barely get through.

Inside a silent forest where only the trees gave her some idea of this place being something. Yet now, so dead. Soul could literally see through the trees and find just how far off this forest was going. Off and off, with rows of dead trees lined up and coursing around one another until it grew too dark to see that far. Back then, as she would walk down this pathway, nopony could even see past the trees to her sides with how thick the vines and leaves were. Where anypony could hide in them. No more. The Sun could shine down from above now and light up the path. Far off, past broken branches and felled logs. Where the vines would be, left only with bits of green bushes along the path and onwards. Soul never did find out where this path went.

She looked down, yeah it was right at that fallen log up ahead where Nimbus caught her. Not able to go far at all in here. It really was magnificent how quick this place could change over the seasons. She remembered when her hooves would walk over this same dirt path and hear leaves crunch under her and hard to watch her step with how much greenery covered the path. So much that the roots that she could see now and leap over used to be covered. It does change a lot, making her wonder if she could even show Dash.

The forest was very silent. So still. Like nothing was in here. Maybe she could find something in here.

8.21
Dash kept up with her, Soul looked back to make sure. The filly off on her own thing looking around left and right at all that surrounded them. Stepping forth until the silence was broken when their hooves stepped over the snow that had been left behind here from snowfalls days past. Didn’t look that deep at all, been melting lately. Now it was all going to come back to these valleys with Cloudsdale’s arrival for the coming snow flurries.

Soul bet this place looked beautiful when it was drenched in snow. Just a little bit left hanging on some branches and the tops of some of the last remaining bushes out here. Walking down this forest path, Soul did a quick check. Trying to be sure she wasn’t missing anything. Nothing.

“This place looks kinda nice” Dash said behind her. “It’s actually a lot creepier in the summer. This place gets real dark when the leaves are up” Soul told her. “No going too far!”

Both fillies stopped. Finding that Windy was back past the trees, sat up in the lake and watching them. Waving her hoof to them. Dash groaned, walking off ahead of Soul all of a sudden. Taking her own charge to start looking around. Soul went after her. Joining side by side. Dash looked to be a little down all of a sudden now that Soul caught her. Is she upset over something that was said? Or was she not enjoying this trip? “What’s the matter, did you not want to do this?” Soul asked. “No, that’s not it.”

Dash glanced her eyes over and looked around when she stood still. Stopping Soul. Holding her hoof out to do so, right as she whispered.

8.22
“Soul, thank you so much for bringing me. And thanks for wanting to join us tomorrow. I don’t often have guests over for Hearth’s Warming.” “It’s no problem, you and I are best friends after all” Soul said. “Then as your friend, can I ask you a favor?” “What is it?” Soul said. Dash lowered her hoof. But… she actually smiled a little. “So I guess you can tell my mom is kind of goofy and… well…” Dash put a hoof to her cheek. Looking away.

“She really does love me.”

That was not at all hard to see. I rarely see a mother so huggy with her daughter. “I Just… don’t want you to think I’m weird or anything with how she is. I think she’s gonna be… well, herself tomorrow while you’re around.” I see what she’s saying. Very hard to hide it from me, Dashie.

“You know…” Soul said. “I don’t mind how you two are together. She’s your mom and… a mom is supposed to love her kid. Always. I don’t think anything bad about you two with how close you both are.” “She just likes to do a lot of embarrassing things and… sorry, guess I’m just being stupid about it” Dash said. Laughing it off.

Oh, Dash, there’s no need to feel that way. Not around me. Rainbow is my best friend and she doesn’t need to worry. This will be my first time in her house with her family, it would be wrong for Dash to think things will be uncomfortable. What can I tell her to make her feel better?

Dash wandered off like nothing happened. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”

8.23
“Dashie” Soul stopped her. “I really am jealous of you.”

That was what made Dash look back at her, so confused. Like she just heard that Earth ponies could fly now. That’s right, after all, I get to see how she is all the time with her mom and dad. It always makes me think about it. “I wish I had parents like yours…” Soul muttered down to the ground. Ones that didn’t leave me behind. “I love the idea of getting what they give you.”

Dash was silent. Looking back at her with hooves frozen in the air like she was ready to keep walking but frozen in time. Not even blinking. Only her mouth dropped a little then closed. Watching Soul sigh. I really do. Seeing how Dash is with them, I got unlucky. I really wonder what it’s like to have a mother that loves me. …To have a dad… that I can know. Should I even tell her that? …Or does she already know? Dash stepped up to her.

“I don’t think it’s weird of them to be that loving to you, I think it’s… sweet. Trust me, Dashie…” Soul looked up to her when she stood before her. “You’re lucky.” “I’m sorry” Dash said. “If you want, I can ask my folks to be that way with you, they both have grown to like you a lot. They trust you with me after all.” “You don’t need to do that” Soul said. “Either way, I’ll find some way for you to feel happy. …I know it was hard on you… what happened to you, Soul.”

Yes, it was. But… I got over it. I am over it. As long as I have my best friend with me, and… those small comforts she grew to love. “So… you won’t think weird of me over it?” Dash asked. Soul shook her head. No need to worry. Just focus on yourself. Doing what you all feel is right. I’m the guest after all.

“Oh come here…” Dash offered a hoof to her and opened a spot under her chin for Soul. Thank you. Soul walked in and felt that hoof wrap around her, pulling her in to Dash’s chest and the filly rested her head atop Soul’s mane. “I’ll make sure you have a great time tomorrow, promise” Dash whispered.

8.24
“Wanna know a dream I have, so you don’t feel like you have to worry about what I think?” Soul offered. Lost in her thoughts of all the time she spent in bed, holding tightly to that dream. Just imagining it and wondering what it could be like to feel that way. To be that close. “You don’t need to” Dash said.

I’ll tell her anyway. Nothing stopped Soul, because this was her best friend. The pony who always supported her. One she could trust. “I’ve always imagined being able to sleep with another pony. I never got to do that with my parents, and nopony ever has. I… sort of wish I could with Nimbus or Starry. But… I don’t think they would want to. Is it weird for me to want that?” Not that that could be any less embarrassing than whatever is Dash was worried about. Yet the cyan filly shuddered a little.

“Wow, really? I never took you to want that” Dash said. I don’t think it’s wrong to. It’s not wrong at all to be close to ponies you love. No need to be embarrassed. “I’ll let you in on a secret” Dash whispered into her ear up there. “Now, don’t you tell anypony. Okay?” “Okay.”

Dash cleared her throat. Pausing. “I like sleeping with my mom…”

Soul could swear she heard Dash’s heart jump when she said that. Even shivered a bit. It was astonishing because it also made Soul’s heart shudder. Just hearing her of all ponies say that. Dash let go of her, dropping down to face Soul once more and she flashed a hoof at her. “Tell none.” A clear demand. She shouldn’t be so embarrassed, but okay. Soul would keep that to herself. Yet it still made her see just how good Dash had it. Even if it was just to reassure her that there was nothing wrong with her desires. Maybe they will come true someday.

8.25
“I can’t wait to join you all tomorrow” Soul said. “I’ll be a model guest, no worries about me. “Thank you. We’ll make you feel at home, I think you’ll like being with us. We haven’t had a guest stay over in a long time. I’m glad it’s you” Dash said.

“By the way… I can’t help but wonder… have you ever asked Nimbus or Starry to sleep with you?” “No, I haven’t.”

Soul was just always so afraid to. Didn’t ever seem appropriate or right to do it. They wouldn’t want to. “Maybe you could try. They watch out for you and seem to really care for you. Don’t they call you their little champ?”

Soul flushed. A little giddy about hearing Dash say that line. The little champ. “Ye-yeah, they do.” “I bet they would love to sleep with their little champ” Dash said, really straining those last two words. “Really, how about you just go up to them some night and just ask them. They won’t think bad of you. Mine didn’t when I did.”

Trust her, Soul really wanted to try. Just… never doing it before. Kind of not knowing what it was to expect. But their hugs are so nice.

Soul always imagined being able to fall asleep in somepony’s wings. So she can feel like they loved her. Somepony that was proud of her and wanting to keep her safe. Soul hated to admit it to herself, but she was such a softy with this stuff. More perplexed in herself that she was now admitting all this to Dash. That Dash was listening and not even mocking her. No, the filly smiled at her. I know she only wants what’s best for me. I don’t know if I should try it. But… “Thanks, Dashie. I’ll… think about it. But thanks for not thinking I’m weird over it.” “Of course, I wouldn’t think it’s weird” Dash said. “Besides, I’m always glad to help. You helped me.”

The filly waved Soul on to follow her and they both went on into the forest. Passing by sickly twisted trees and leaping over their roots. Calmly listening to the sounds of this lovely place. The sounds of silence. Like the night itself.

8.26
“I wanted to let you know some good news I got the other day” Dash said. “All thanks to you.” “Thanks to me?” Soul wondered. She hadn’t done anything. But Dash sounded sincere. “I’ve been keeping it a secret from you but… I think now is a good time to surprise you. I talked to somepony a while back. It was for the first time in a long time.”

“Who was it?” Soul asked.

“You don’t know her but you know of her. She… kinda was the filly I… sorta yelled at at my first camp. But I decided to come and see her and I apologized to her.”

Wait, the same one that Aurora told me about? Dash’s old buddy. That was great news that she finally was able to go and speak with her. “How did that go?” Soul really wanted to know now. “She accepted my apology” Dash said with a big smile. “She was really happy to see me come back and she gave me some awesome news I want to tell you.” Dash giggled. Not able to contain herself.

“She’s gonna join us at Junior Speedsters in the spring!” “Really!? That’s great!” Soul said. “You’ll get to hang out with your old friend now.” “I know, and… I want you two to meet and we can all totally be friends. But she will be in the remedial group first so… we’ll only be able to hang out with her during free time.” That was no problem to Soul. In fact, she was more happy that Dash wanted them all to be friends. This pony sounded like a joy to be around with how she could forgive Dash and just by how excited the cyan filly was. “Two more weeks then!” Soul declared. “I know! Oh it’s going to be awesome.” Dash was so right. Now we get to do the harder courses and meet new friends.

8.27
“But when did you talk to her? What made you decide to see her?” Soul asked, which Rainbow Dash came up to her and pointed her hoof to who did it. “You are why.” “Me?”

“I talked to her the night we won that race together. After I left your house.” “How did I…”

Soul snapped her mouth shut when Dash placed her hoof to Soul’s lips. Hushing her. “Give yourself some credit” she whispered. “If you hadn’t shown me I could trust ponies again, I would never have tried to be your friend. I would never have tried to be hers again. So you did help me. Because of that, I’ll be there to protect both of you.”

Dash… Soul was teary eyed hearing her say that. It meant that much? Soul didn’t realize just how important it was for this pony. That she was able to convince Dash to make more friends. She didn’t know what to say. Just so proud she could do that and that Dash chose her to be her friend. Just giving off an amazed look. “That’s right, you can still rely on me. I promise to protect my friends, friends like you” Dash said, lowering her hoof and winking.

She sure knows how to make me happy. Perhaps I really do deserve some kindness from her, some help from her. If she really wants to, who was Soul to stop her? “Even if I have to kick their butts at racing, I’ll do it” Dash said, flaunting her strong wings. “By now, all ponies know just how awesome a flyer I am so they should know better than to mess with my friends.” Okay, Dash. Soul wanted to snicker. Really inflating her ego right there. Wasn’t bad at all. Soul liked that from her. Far better to see her this happy with herself. She was an awesome flyer. Always proved it. “I can’t wait to meet your friend” Soul said.

8.28
“Don’t worry” Dash said and led Soul on to follow her into the woods. “I’ll introduce you to her. Trust me, she is super nice. Just be careful not to scare her.” At this point, Soul should be the one afraid. Always so nervous to meet new ponies. But if Dash trusted her, she could give it a shot. “Let’s make these next two weeks the best ever” Dash said up ahead. Leaving Soul behind her to follow and nod. Grinning under her mane. They will be. Because… she loved how different the world has become to her. Where she could believe stuff like that. A bright day ahead. Every day.

It’s been so long since I was afraid. Since I was alone. I never want this to end. Broken when her ears flicked up to the sound of something breaking.

A snap in the trees. Turning her to look even when Dash continued on, unaware of anything. But Soul looked around. Knowing she did hear a noise out there in the trees. So close, like just there where the trees broke off from the path and formed the great and dense torrent of wood beyond. Soul was not stupid, they weren’t alone and that was what made her venture off from the path to go see. Such a tiny little sound, it had to be something and she bet it was what it was she was looking for. Hopeful to show Dash something beautiful out here. She did make sure to creep along so quietly on her hooves while she moved up to the wall of trees, past where the fallen branches and logs lay to coat the floor of the pathway and block off everything.

“Hey Soul?” Dash said from up ahead, looking back at her and making Soul come out with a loud hush to her. Confident that she had found something to show Dash. Something she would love. “Not too loud” Soul whispered. Waving her hoof for Dash to come back.

8.29
Rainbow walked over, loudly. “Slowly” Soul told her. Which she did. Rainbow grunted in annoyance but still slowed herself down and crept just like Soul was doing with her head low to the ground and legs bent. Wings tucked in tightly. Soul could sense her curiosity over all this, and Soul was curious too. Wondering what it could be. Certainly not what it was last time Soul was here. Unless it could hide behind the short logs that Soul barely stood tall over. The filly careful to peek around each one she passed and finding nothing. With Rainbow behind her.

“What are we doing?” she whispered. Soul wasn’t sure. Not wanting to ruin what this surprise for Dash may be. “Just stay quiet” she told her. Convincing her to keep following and then Dash joined her in looking around the logs Soul had just checked. Stopping when Soul heard another little crunch from up ahead that made shivers go down her spine, and she gave Dash a quick sign of her hoof to get her to stop with her. Silent and still. Because Soul was sure they weren’t alone now. Now she couldn’t startle it. But she couldn’t let it leave. Yet Soul was sure of herself that she could manage to make this surprise happen for her best friend. Give her something just to say thanks to her for all she was doing. However… “Stay here” Soul told her and really made Dash groan under her breath, but the filly didn’t move. Quick to chipper up again when Soul walked off slowly towards where she had heard it.

8.30
Over by the last bushes that still stood before the tree line. Keeping her wings tucked in so deep. Anything to show she meant no harm. “What is it?” Dash whispered after her. “Just stay there” Soul whispered back. She may spook it.

Stepping up to the bush and peering into it, not finding anything. But she didn’t give up. Slowly creeping along the side of it and keeping her eyes open, her legs bent so much that she almost crawled along it. Up until she did when she saw movement inside the bush. That was what made her drop and stay still, peering in. Some sort of little critter in there when she saw a shadow move. Turning its head. Something looking through the little leaves back at her. Yet Soul felt no reason to be afraid. Not like when she first came in here and saw that great creature walking through the woods. Tall with many firm antlers atop its head. It meant her no harm, no harm towards such a smaller filly back then. Only the sense of comfort at seeing how beautiful a deer could be. Her first time seeing one in person, up until Nimbus scared him off.

That was not what she saw. Something so much smaller in there with big ears raised and looking towards her. It didn’t run. Soul showed it no reason to be afraid. Little thing, so much braver than the deer from before. Soul was hoping to show Dash some deer but… this little guy was good enough. For she had never seen something like this up close before either.

I really am glad I was able to come out here again. Life in Cloudsdale did not allow for seeing little critters like these up there. Birds at best, making all those books she had seem so useless until she got to see the creatures they talked about and be able to share them with somepony else for the first time. Come on out little guy. I won’t hurt you. Soul made that so apparent, smiling at it. Slowly offering her hooves towards it. Patiently waiting for it to find the courage to come to her. I’m just so surprised there’s still something out here. Here Soul thought that she may not find anything, that they all would be off for the winter by now. Poor thing was probably late to joining in on the long sleep they all would go through while the ponies of Equestria were left to play in the snow they all slept away from. She was glad one stayed around for her. To be able to do this.

8.31
Soul smiled deeply when it came out. That’s right, no need to be afraid. Poor thing, all alone out here. Well we’re here for you. Little guy must be getting cold. Soul was sure to be gentle. Sure to be patient even with Dash left back there waiting. Seeing her trying to look over to see.

The little critter in its soft, brown fur and delicate paws that came up and touched down on Soul’s fur. Walking in, seeing Soul meant it no harm. The filly leaning in, doing one thing she would want done for her if she was afraid. Soul planted her nose gently against its head. The filly more than allowed to close her hooves slowly around it and pick the little bunny up. Held in her legs, she sat with it. Holding him close to her chest, gentle and careful. The bunny looking up to her, squirming for a moment and calming down. Soul loved how warm he was, small and frail.

She sat back with it, fully presenting the little guy to Dash, and Soul smiled to her. Letting her know it was okay to come over. Dash was over there with shock in her face. Probably not expecting me to be holding a rabbit. Well… “Surprise” Soul whispered to her. Looking back down at the bunny and nuzzling her nose along his head.

“A rabbit?” Dash asked. Taking it up to her to walk slowly over to join the two of them. Eyes glued to the little guy that Soul held. It was amusing. Dash looked to be intrigued with him and… also confused. So confused. “I can’t believe you’re… even able to hold him like that” she said to Soul. I can understand that. But…

8.32
“I don’t know, I was here a long time ago and the deer didn’t seem afraid of me either. Nimbus sure made them scared but, it did show me that… I do like seeing animals. I just wish I got the chance more often to see them.” “Is this what you wanted to show me?” Dash whispered, coming close enough to sit with Soul and look over her shoulder to watch the bunny rummaging around against her chest and finding a cozy spot to lay against Soul.

“I wanted to see if we could find something out here, I’m just glad we found this little guy. Looks like all the other animals are long gone for now” Soul said. Looking around to see it really was just the three of them with nothing else out there to make a sound. “He’s just so cute” Soul said, pushing her nose back down against his head. Happy to hear the little bunny mumble such tiny noises in his throat. Little things her ears picked up, looked like Dash heard them too. “Huh, you are pretty good with animals” she said. “Looks like he likes you.”

Dash leaned in to hover over him. Soul happy she was admiring him. Seeing that the filly had an adoring smile on her face. Watching the bunny curl up in Soul’s hooves, his ears twitching while he rested against her chest. Little guy looked so peaceful down there. Soul didn’t want to disturb him or let him feel uncomfortable. Like he could just fall asleep in her hooves. Like she could just take him home and snuggle with him all day long. Just like she dreamed of when she saw how cute the critters of Equestria were.

8.33
“I’m not that good with animals, this is actually my first time ever seeing a rabbit up close” Soul said. “So I’m glad I could see one with you.” Soul glanced over to Dash, the filly smiling up to her and then back to eyeing the little guy sleeping in Soul’s hooves. Such wonder and fascination in Dash’s eyes. But that didn’t hide that… Dash really did think he was cute. There was such a little glimmer of adoration in her face. Making Soul adore her a little. Wanting to be nice to her too.

“Would you want to hold him?” she asked. Making Dash reel back in surprise. “Me?” She pointed a hoof to herself. “Oh, I don’t know… I don’t think I’m fit for holding one and… I never got a chance to hold one before. I may mess up.” Grinning her teeth to Soul.

She was nervous, no need to. Soul would help her. “All you need to do is hold him firmly like I am, make sure he doesn’t fall out. But not too firm…” Soul looked down to him, presenting how she held him. So much space for the rabbit to move around in her hooves. Snug but not too tight. “Rabbits are very delicate so you need to be gentle with them. They don’t have much muscle to protect themselves so even one rough move can hurt them.”

Soul smiled to her… then realized that made Dash even more nervous. Oh no. “Just hold him enough to give him support and give him plenty of room. Don’t squeeze. He’ll snuggle against you if you do.” That was such a nice feeling too. One that Dash should know. It wasn’t fair for just Soul to enjoy this.

8.34
“You sure I can do this?” Dash asked hesitantly. “Yeah, just be gentle. He’s like a doll.” “A doll, huh?” Dash looked down to the rabbit. “You sure know a lot about rabbits, you really never seen one before?”

Oh, guess it did sound kind of strange. Soul should explain. “I spent a lot of time reading about animals, but I always wanted to see and do what those books said. Some silly journal on how this one pony raised a whole house filled with animals in Manehattan” Soul said. On top of many other books. “Published the thing, a journal about her animal farm.”

“You sure do read a lot. Never did take you for the type, but your room is like a library” Dash said and leaned back in. Staring down at the rabbit.

Looks like she wants to try. I bet she can do it. Dash just needs to believe in herself, which looked to be the case. The filly humming under her breath and getting that invigorated look in her like she was raring to try something new. We came out all this way, no problem in sharing this experience with her. It can be Dash’s first time holding a rabbit too. Though Soul really wanted to hold it for another minute or two. Or three. He’s just so soft! “I’ll try to hold him” Dash said.

She came in closer, sitting up like Soul was. Giving a big space for the rabbit. Soul decided to give him up, though she had better be able to hold him again when Dash was done.

8.35
“Remember to be gentle” Soul said as she gave him over to where Dash held her hooves out for him. Sliding the little guy through her hooves and down for Dash to gently put hers under his legs and another hoof wrapping around his back. Slowly taking him and holding him just like Soul had been doing. But she did look very nervous with her eyes glued to him and carefully readjusting her grip so often in just the time it took her to pull him in against her chest. She even looked to start shaking. Short on breath while she held him. Doing her best to hide it but Soul heard her.

Kind of cute how scared she is of hurting him… even more with how she held something so small and sweet against her. Like a mother holding her foal. More so when Dash calmed down and started to laugh softly seeing the little bunny she held squirming a little and laying against her where he finally stopped moving. Making himself comfortable. Finding Dash to be as welcoming as Soul had been to him.

She was doing a great job for her first time holding one. Then again, so did Soul. Just the look on Dash’s face told that she was loving this. She reached a hoof up from where she held him and actually gently stroked the tip of it along his head. “Hey little guy” she whispered down to him. Loving his tiny little twitches and how he closed his eyes with every stroke she made over his head.

8.36
Maybe I should let her hold him for a long time. Soul bet that Dash would be one for falling in love with little critters like this. Not something she took from her before, and how she was leaning down to him and smiling at him. Softly petting his head and cradling him. Dash may be such a softy. Though Soul didn’t dare to suggest it even as she laughed inside. Just enjoy it. Watching more and more how Dash pet him and didn’t move at all to let him get cozy in her grip.

“I think he likes me” she said. “I knew you had nothing to worry about” Soul said. “You just need to be gentle.” “Guess I never got a chance to do anything like this before so… I didn’t know how. Don’t judge me” Dash said. “But I think I like this. Mom never did give me the chance to be with animals like this before. I never thought much on it or cared.” “I’ve always wanted to hold one” Soul said. “I was always too busy with training and never could do much outside of Cloudsdale. Seriously…”

Dash looked over to her with a warm smile, never stopping her petting of the little bunny. “Soul, thank you for taking me out here.” That warmed up Soul’s heart. She sounded happy. Going back to give the rabbit some attention with little nuzzles of her nose against his head. So I did good. Soul was able to be the one to give Dash something cool to do for once. Quite a relief. Soul wasn’t sure what they could find out here with winter coming in, so lucky they found this little guy.

8.37
“Let me know when you’re done, I want to hold him again” Soul said. “Nah” Dash said.

The filly leaned over on to her side, keeping the rabbit firmly set in her hooves to lay down with her. Holding him to lay his belly against her chest. “I may just go to sleep with him, better not wake us up.” “Oh come on!” Soul dragged herself over. Seeing that smug filly pleased with herself. Not letting go of the bunny she let rest atop her. “Please give me a little more time” Dash said. “I never got to do this before.” Well neither had Soul prior to this.

Fine. Soul laid herself down next to them. Really wishing she could hold the bunny like this too. Just able to watch the two of them close their eyes next to her and Dash peacefully breathing like she may just go to bed after all. Just her silent breaths going off in the quiet of this forest where not even the wind could be heard. “I may want to take him back with us to the lake” Dash yawned. “I need some sleep.” “Shouldn’t stay up so late” Soul said. “Couldn’t help it, I was up late training with mom. No way I would sleep in and miss hanging with you. I would have missed this too. Thank you again for this” Dash rustled on her back and let her wings come up to go over the rabbit as best they could.

Aww… now that bunny could not be cold. Damn, Soul wished she had done that. The rabbit was certainly falling in love over there with how he started to fall asleep.

“I’ll take him back with us” Dash said. “We need to show mom.” “Is this before you sleep with him? Hope you’re not planning on taking him back to Cloudsdale” Soul said. “Maybe I plan to” Dash snickered.

8.38
“You can’t be serious.” “I’m joking” Dash admitted. Laughing down at the bunny. “We can’t take him up there. But I’ll take him to the lake and… he’s sleeping with me back there.” “Hey, you get to hold him so long out here, let me hold him too” Soul said.

She better not be expecting to have him all to herself back there. “Tell you what” Dash said with a sinister grin and a giggle. Leaning up to her with such confidence in her face. Soul so ready for whatever it was she had in mind. Seeing that look in her face, so familiar to her now. “We take him back to the lake so mom can watch over him…” Dash closed in. “While you and I have a race to see who gets to hold him.”

Not sure if that was fair. Soul thought that Dash wanted to hold him, and Soul was feeling confident in herself today. More so with how great this vacation from camp has been. She could tell that Dash was getting herself into a bad situation now, the time when Soul will show her just who it was that was better after all the goes they went at so many times now. “Just a race around the rivers, first one to get back to the lake wins” Dash said.

Sounded good to Soul. Her wings were aching for a good flight and Dash was always the best one to go to for a good workout. Much better than most of the stuff they went through at camp. Forget if it was for the honor of holding the bunny, Soul found herself more looking forward to just racing.

Always so blood pumping and always leaving her wanting more at the end.

8.39
“Deal” Soul agreed. “But get ready to give him up to me. I might be generous enough to let you hold him too.” “I might be as well” Dash said. Both fillies not fooling one another. They both knew the other would be willing to share in the end. Soul was just wanting to race.

“Alright!” Dash shouted right when she sat back up and… right when both fillies went into shocked silence when they heard the little patter of tiny paws atop dirt when the bunny slid off from Dash’s grip and… ran right off. Scurrying away with quick leaps towards the tree line and leaving Dash behind where Soul watched the filly jump to her hooves and run after him. “No, wait!”

She came up to those trees that the bunny jumped in to, jumped in and disappeared. Dash raising her hoof after it and then dropping it back down with her ears drooping. Sadly looking away. Oh man, Dash… the goof had scared him by yelling.

Soul came up to join her. Kind of sad that the little guy had fled from them. Lost now in those woods and no way for the two of them to find him in that thicket. Right when Soul was looking forward to being able to snuggle with him after kicking Dash’s butt in a race. “Ah man, what did I do wrong?” Dash pouted down to the ground. “Can’t yell out all of a sudden around rabbits. You probably scared him” Soul said. “Way to go, by the way.” “Shut it” Dash said. Sighing. Not at all pleased with herself. Probably frustrated. No, there was no need for that. “Hey now” Soul said, putting her hoof on her back between her wings. “I’m not mad, just be a little more careful next time. Little critters like that can get scared easy.” “Yeah… just wish I knew that before I yelled. Way to go loud mouth” Dash said about herself.

She looked back up to peer out into the deep and dense forest beyond.

8.40
“Come on now, it’s not that bad” Soul assured her. “Besides, we can still race. Right?”

Dash pursed her lips. Lighting up a fire in her eyes once more. So like her. The filly was always in the mood for racing and that was the best way to cheer her up over anything. Not like they needed a goal like a reward to race one another, as long as either of them got the chance to prove themselves to the other. That had been the glory in it ever since their first race and the feeling they both got when they won it together. The power they both felt in their wings and the confidence that soared from knowing just how skilled they both can be. To show all of Equestria just what both of them could do. Neither had anything against a little competition between wingponies.

“You still wanna race me?” Dash asked. “Of course. Around the rivers, right?”

That lit up Dash’s face for sure. The filly snapping back to attention and flexing her wings with pride. Really trying to show off to Soul with her strutting away. “Yup, first one back to the lake wins. I think you and I both know who it will be.” Rainbow was already setting up. Planting herself down and stretching those small but strong wings. Soul liked that about her. She loved the confident and strong Rainbow Dash. Really, these months have been the best for Soul. To see where things could go. For them to talk like this to one another. “You’ll see who that is when you get to the lake in dead last” Soul said. Stepping up to join with Dash side by side at this fake start line they had.

8.41
So much like it always was. No point in having an end reward like snuggling a rabbit. Not when Soul had this feeling. With her great wings held out to their maximum and stretching up to the heavens. The very sky that always welcomed her to fly through it to her heart’s content.

All these weeks have been so good to her and Dash. For them both to enjoy these moments together. As she saw in Dash’s face when they looked to one another. Confident in themselves, but Dash still smiled sweetly. Like she thanked Soul for this. So worth it. Soul would take any opportunity to fly with Dash, even if it meant racing her.

They were wingponies after all. Meant to be there for one another in the sky… and wherever they were needed. More so, that thing the two of them could do together, the one that brought them both together in the first place. Soul joined with Dash in stretching her legs and wings. Rearing her hind legs up. Stretching out and then feeling something touch the tip of her wing. Finding that Dash looked at her with her own wing out to clap against Soul’s. Soul gave it back.

“Thank you for wanting to race with me” Dash said. She took her position, ready to take off with Soul. “Really, I’m so glad I met you. No other pony is as fun as you and… I’m still very happy you want to come over tomorrow.” “What are friends for?” Soul asked. “I’ll always be glad to hang with you.”

As long as we are together, we will always be there to stand with one another. That is what Soul learned long ago from this pony. That is what she learned too. “Cloudsdale Wingponies?” Dash said. Her wings ready to get going and almost bouncing on her hooves in anticipation. No matter how small the flight, the pony was always happy to do this. Always happy to claim what it was both of them were. “Cloudsdale Wingponies” Soul said. You and I. Forever. Even after we both succeed at all we want to do. No matter what any outcome is, we will always be best friends. “Three” Dash said. Making both of them get back to staring out into the sky above them with their wings spread. “Two.” “One.” Soul smiled. No matter what.

“Go!”

8.42
Windy giggled to herself, right as the sound of rupturing wind broke across the sky and the entire forest itself rocked side to side with trees sent to scatter their branches about from the two streaks of brilliant light shooting out from within. Rising high over the forest canopy and seeing both fillies fly right past her. Past the lake and onwards along the river. Neck and neck.

Off on another of their races. The thing those two always partook in. Almost on a weekly basis now for almost any reason. Windy still found it cute why they did want to do this at first. Oh Dashie, you are my little sweetheart. You and Soul are so perfect for one another.

Never had Windy seen Dash so open about something like… like snuggling with an animal or even admitting to another pony what she got to do with Dash. That filly always was just so shy about it. Dash blushed so much when she first came to her and asked to sleep with Windy. Such a small thing back then. Yet she hadn’t grown up much since. Never did grow out of that habit of hiding just how much she loved this stuff. Soul, thank you so much. Windy watched the two of them circle back around at such incredible speeds that she felt the entire water she lay atop ripple and sway from the force of the wind that sent her mane flying.

Never has she been this open before.

8.43
It was not a bad thing. Dashie always was so afraid. Always was so timid. Never did believe anything I said about her being able to make friends or be accepted for who she was, and it was so sad to see her slowly lose her confidence. The one thing that kept her going towards the goal she wants. She always fought everything I told her… up until the day when you entered her life. Now look at her.

She actually wanted to hold a little bunny and told you everything. Nothing can escape these ears.

Her ears tracked to follow the path the two fillies took up there. Guiding themselves left and right while they followed the rivers coursing around the landscape surrounding this forest. Darting all across the sky so quick that any normal pony would never be able to spot them. Just the sound of thundering air coming from nowhere. Not able to see the two fillies flying together and laughing side by side. Exchanging their boasts. With Soul doing a quick spiral around Dash to get ahead right when Dash made a hard jump of her wings to send out a streak of so many of her colors behind through the air.

I really do wonder who will win this time. Maybe as surprising as when she first saw them race. The first time they met at the finish line and laughed to one another, before they hugged right in front of Windy despite the result. Letting her know way back then that everything had changed for her little girl.

8.44
Soul, you are a blessing and you will always be welcomed in our home.

After everything you did to bring back my little girl’s confidence. Bring back her love of flying and bettering herself. Bring back her heart. It makes me so happy to think you two will be together forever.

Perfect wingponies, no matter what you two do. Even as you compete with one another, weaving around the other in an endless dance at speeds that the wind could not match, Windy always saw them as those wonderful wingponies she remembered from the first day she got to see them become friends. I know you don’t feel like you have a mother to look up to, Soul, but I’ll try my best to provide for you tomorrow. Soul was as much a gem in her eyes as Dash was to her. Well… almost.

Dashie will always be my little baby and the one pony who will blow everypony else away. Get to that dream she gave me years ago. With somepony else at her side now. Oh it was enough to make her want to scream in joy and…

Windy screeched when she tumbled over on to her side. Flailing in the water with her wings from losing that balance she had and getting back up. Laughing at herself for spazzing out a little. Swimming back to land and stepping up onto the cold and firm ground with so much water dripping from her soaked fur. Another chilly breeze coming over her. But she didn’t bother to get her towel, only staring up in mesmerized silence to watch the two of them curve back in from far off and follow the river towards her. Just two little blurs dashing forth in the wind. Faster than she blinked. Until she spotted the spread of giant magenta wings come in.

Coming over Rainbow Dash, right as both fillies came in as fast as they could.

8.45
Then they slowed. Slowed when those giant wings caught the wind, making both fillies fall out from their low flight over the ground. Seeing that… Soul held Dash. Pulling her down with her to the ground with her big wings guiding them both.

Just watching her daughter tumble to the ground across from her. Held in the hooves of Soul and covered in her wings. While both of them reached the end together. Windy didn’t move. Waiting. But she smiled. Smiled when she saw both of them to be okay.

The fillies laying off from her, together. In the midst of the shallow snow. Covered in snow. But neither of them moved, not when Soul held Dash close to her, and she saw her daughter close her eyes and smile inside of that big hug that Soul gave her. Not caring Windy was right here. Neither of them cared. Enjoying the moment together when Soul also closed her eyes. Both peacefully left. Windy felt a tear come to her eye.

You two really are the best of friends. My little Dashie being hugged and held by another. Somepony she trusted. I was right in coming along with you two. I never would have seen this otherwise. Seen just how sweet you two are to one another and how far you both have come along. She still sighed. Amused at it all.

Neither of you can beat one another in a race.

Never have been able to. But that never got the fillies down. Because they always ended up with moments like these. That their friendship was bright and real. That my Dashie isn’t afraid of you anymore. Windy laid down atop her towel. Planting her head down in the grass with the little bits of snow down there to touch her nose. I just know you both will do great things. She couldn’t stop being happy for the two fillies sleeping over there, held inside those two magenta wings.

I’ll let them rest. You two have a big day tomorrow. A day for the two bestest of friends.

9.1
Rainbow needed to be sure that everything in the house was ready. It couldn’t look anything less than perfect. All the furniture nicely cleaned and the cloud floors trimmed. All the wooden flooring also polished. Squeaky clean and sparkling. Everywhere she looked, left and right, scanning across the living room at all the neatly placed sofas and tables shining brightly under the gleaming sunlight coming in through the open curtains. Nothing was out of place. All the things left on the shelves along the walls were well placed and flowers in the vases perfect.

Everything looked good out here. Spending all morning cleaning. But she had to be sure. “Did we get everything?” she asked. “Maybe I should go check the bathroom.” Dash leaned over with her hooves ready to gallop off towards the bathroom down the hallway.

“Sweetie, you already checked it three times. Trust me, it looks good” Windy said, strutting by with a duster in her mouth without any sense of worry in her face. I don’t know how she can be so calm all morning long. This will be the first time having a guest over. “Well maybe the pictures need straightening again. Or do you think my room looks good?” Dash floated up.

What should I go do first? We don’t have a lot of time left. The afternoon was already here so Soul had to be on her way soon. But… she did need to check her room. She wanted to hang out with Soul in there. She had a lot of stuff she wanted to show her friend. Need to make sure it all looks good.

9.2
“Dashie, you need to calm down” said the stallion stepping out from behind the kitchen. Bow gave her an amused shake of his head with that spatula still in his mouth. “Everything is gonna be fine. We went over the house and it all looks good for company. You did a great job on your room too. I bet Soul will love what you did with the place. Way to go” he winked to her.

I only hope she does like it. Didn’t make it any easier for Dash. Rubbing her hooves together with such nerve wracking thoughts. What if she doesn’t like what I did? What if she isn’t impressed with me?

I made my room look cool for her and made sure everything is ready for her. I can’t let her down. Sheesh, …Soul what have you done to me? Dash smacked a hoof over her face. I never got this nervous before. But Dash looked up from under her hoof. Peering around the sparkling vases and shining windows all around the living room and how bright her home was with all the Sun coming in. Even down in the hallway, and the intense smell of delicious food coming in from the kitchen. Dad hard at work on dinner.

I hope she’ll enjoy our feast. It really gave the whole house a lovely smell of frying vegetables and the sweetness of fruits so ripe that she could almost taste them in the air. Enough food for a lot of ponies. Gave the house a good vibe. A sense of being welcomed, and how nice everything looked. There really was this worry that Soul would not be impressed with it all. Even though Dash was always in love with how her house was. How she only wanted Soul to feel welcome and important that they did all they could to make this place look nice for her, and for everything to be ready.

She sighed. Groaning to herself. With Windy giving her that eye from across the room as she dusted along the window ledges. One that told her not to worry. All was going to be okay. Not that we have a lot of time left. Maybe I am worrying too much. This place looks really nice, better than normal. All the vibrant colors and lovely décor that she knew Soul would like. Not able to wait to see how much that filly will love it all.

9.3
“I’m gonna go look over my room real quick, can you let me know if she gets here?” “Of course, sweetie” Windy said. But the mare still rolled her eyes over her daughter’s worry. I’m not worried, just need to make sure.

Dash flew off down the hallway. Turning around past the bathroom, though she did make sure to take a peek inside that real quick. It was all still clean. She cleaned the sink earlier and was quite proud of how nice it looked. Then moving onwards towards the stairs around the corner. Up to where their bedrooms were. All the doors in the hallway up here. She flew past the first one, over to the second. Right before her parents’ room. Right between the two Wonderbolts portraits hanging to the side of the door along the cloudy walls. She set down inside, stepping hoof upon the wooden floor of her room that gleamed of her hard work.

Funny, she never was so self-conscious of her room before today. Looking upon it now, she was less concerned about how she thought it was awesome and now wondering if another would think the same. If they would love the roiling clouds her parents had put in along the ceiling. Such lovely things that changed from blue to black and then back to blue but always shining with the Sun reflecting off all the stars Dash had put up in those clouds. She always thought it looked cool. Having her rainbow light lamp shining bright atop the dresser just against the edge of those clouds and all her books and Wonderbolts training manuals and journals all set up neatly along the shelves under it. Anypony who would step in here would see just how much she loved flying. That’s what I want, Soul should like it. Dash loved to have plenty of Wonderbolts and pegasi portraits and pictures everywhere to look down upon any Pegasus who walked in. Nothing more awesome than that. So many of them lining the rainbow lined walls, maybe I should get Soul one for her room. Or I could give her one of mine. That reminded her.

9.4
Dash looked over to her neatly made bed.

Can anypony see it from here? Dash squinted to make sure, eyeing her rainbow pillows and just seeing if she could catch a glimpse. Nothing. Or maybe it wasn’t there? No. That’s dumb. She still wanted to go check it. Something she was looking forward to doing for Soul on this wonderful day, a day meant for this. She walked over. Checking all along her room as she did. It did ease her, seeing that everything was as she left it. Comforting that she still liked it as it was. Even better now that she cleaned it. Flaring it all up in rainbow stickers she had lying around. Placed all along the walls and her stuff. Her own little touch of herself to her room. I can never have enough stickers. Maybe mom got me some for tomorrow.

Dash looked forward to opening her presents, and also… for this thing. Dash lifted her pillow up. Finding what she left there was still there. A box snug under the pillow. Wrapped up in blue paper with the cutest white bow she could find. It took a while to figure out how to wrap the box, but she did it. It made her giggle. Later.

She couldn’t wait to see what will happen. Just knowing she made the right call on it when they went shopping last night after Soul left. Placing the pillow back down just as it was. Covering up her surprise, and she looked around once more. Able to smile over it. I think she will like my room. I hope she likes everything. From the house to the food to the good time she wanted to have with Soul. Plenty of reason for her to feel confident about ponies hanging out in here.

Today will be that day.

9.5
Do I have enough for her to do while here? For all of us? Dash was thinking of doing some flying. Eating food and celebrating Hearth’s Warming Eve with the ponies important to her. I’m sure we’ll find something to do. Dash had a killer collection of kickballs, and Soul loved to read.

She bet she had enough Wonderbolts stuff to fill a library. Forget the bookshelf, nopony had any idea what she had hidden behind the curtains of her closet. Go over techniques and practice them. Really anything was okay with Dash. She was mostly looking forward to just being a good host to Soul and making her feel welcome to her home.

“Hey, Dashie.” Dash yelped in surprise. Almost smacking against the bed and then realizing that there was no reason to be afraid. Except to be annoyed that he surprised her like that. Dad standing there in the doorway. “Dad, don’t scare me like that” Dash said.

She sighed and looked back around. “I was just checking my room. You think it looks okay?” She glanced at him for his opinion. “Of course it does, you always have a great room. I’m very proud of you for cleaning up.” “Yeah, I did my best” Dash boasted. “I like it now.”

Those stickers really did bring some life into all this. Never mind how beautiful it all looked with her efforts at cleaning and dusting. “I just wanted to mention something while you’re in here” Bow said to her. Dash was still quite happy. Easily announcing her pleasure with a shriek in her “yes, dad?” She turned to him. Finding her dad was looking around her room too with such a satisfied look on him. The violet stallion in his rainbow mane, looking at her with proud yellow eyes. Always giving off that love he always had for her. Even able to tell right now she had nothing to be afraid of from what he may say.

9.6
“You’re going to have a lot of fun today so please don’t worry about a thing. This is your best friend and she will love everything you did to show her a good time. Just remember, your mom and I will be here for you whenever you need us. We’ll be sure not to bug you that much.”

Oh, there was no need to say all that. I really didn’t do that much… but it still sounded nice to get some love over it. I know Soul will love it all too. She’ll see just how much I see her as my best friend. Still though… Dash gave her dad a comforting look.

“You two don’t need to leave us alone.” Especially since Soul said she doesn’t think bad on all the love I get. “I’d love for you two to join us sometime, help me keep Soul company. I just want her to feel like we are all family here.” “I know you will” Bow said as he walked in, coming up to sit down next to Dash. He offered his hoof to her.

Oh dad. Dash stepped in and let him wrap that hoof around the back of her neck and give her a hug. “We’re very proud of all you’ve done lately. Soul is lucky to have a friend like you, and we’re happy she is there for you. As far as your mom and I are concerned, she is like family. If you do want us to help, we can.” “I’d love that” Dash said smiling in the depths of that hug. “Just… tone it down a little on things… you know what I mean.” Bow laughed up above her. He knew. No need to play dumb. “Okay, okay. I’ll bring it down a little, but it will be hard.”

Dash believed he would try his best. Sometimes it was just too hard for the stallion to hold back on his cheers. Just hard to tell if Soul will be scared off by it. Whatever happened, Dash wouldn’t be upset. As long as she got to play with Soul and see just how close they all could be for the first time with all of us being together. Soul is part of the family… huh? I never did think that. My parents really do like you. I like you too.

9.7
“Dashie! Somepony is at the door for you. Better hurry!” Windy called out from below. Making Dash’s eyes widen and jut out from her dad’s hug. Right up into the air with a flurry of her wings. “Oh crap! I gotta go!” Dash zipped out from her room. “Knock ‘em dead, sweetie!” Bow yelled out from back there.

Dash flew down the steps, not leaving the air until she reached the door where Windy stood waiting for her, and a few knocks at the door. Ones that made Windy jump around with excitement. “She’s here, she’s here” her mom said. “I got it” Dash said, settling down on her hooves in front of the door. My friend, I get to open it! As all that worry left her so quickly and filled her only with excitement. I get to spend the rest of the day with my best friend. She didn’t even wait before turning the knob and starting to pull the door open to the chilly winter air.

“Hey Soul! Welcome…” Dash looked at what it was she was seeing and was more concerned with what she found instead of her best friend.

9.8
Soul stood there, a big smile on her face and her wings left unfolded at her sides. There to let her saddlebags be flaunted at her sides… as well as showing off what it was that was sitting behind her out on the porch. There was a big, red bag sitting tall right behind Soul. Bigger than she was and looked to be stuffed up to the top where the drawstrings split.

“Dashie! I’m here” Soul said, she ran up to her. Wait a minute. Dash couldn’t react in time before her friend threw her hooves around her while she still looked at that bag, then down to the filly hugging her. Giving that hug back. Still wondering what it was she had there. Saddlebags and this big bag? “Welcome to my house” Dash managed to say. But she cleared her throat and got Soul’s attention.

“Um, what’s with the big bag? You really need all this?” Or did she happen to… have a ton of presents for them?! Dash hoped not, maybe one or two would be cool. But she’d just feel bad if it was a lot. Since she couldn’t give as many. It made Soul laugh when she let go of Dash.

“I got great news, I hope you all will be okay with it. But… Nimbus told me something today.” Whatever it was was making Soul glow in happiness. Maybe something about our Wonderbolts trip soon. If something came up. “What is it?” Dash asked. “She just came to me and said that it would be alright with her if I…” Soul became giddy now.

“Wanted to sleep over with you.”

9.9
“Sleep over!?” Dash said. Hearing her mom say the same thing next to her. That made Soul slink away. Kind of dropping that on us a bit late now. “Sorry, I didn’t know until today. I brought all my stuff just in case. I’d be totally okay with just spending the day with you all.”

“She really said you could?” Windy asked. “Yeah, this morning. I brought all my bathroom stuff, blanket and pillow. Some other things for tonight.” Soul sleeping over. Forget how sudden it was to her, Dash made a huge grin. Lighting up her eyes.

“Mom!” she turned to Windy. “Can she stay the night? I really, really want her to stay. Please.” Dash made sure to give her the same begging eyes she had seen Soul making to the mare. I want her over. We can stay up and tell stories and eat junk food and no rules when mom and dad go to bed. This was an awesome surprise. “Of course you can spend the night!” Windy said. Just as excited as Dash was. “Ah, it’s always a pleasure to have Dashie’s friend over. You are part of the family, you know? Our house is yours.” Dash and Soul smiled at one another, all the joy in the world that they could do this. I get to have a sleepover! “Bow! Get Soul’s bag, please!” Windy said. The mare quick on her hooves and then taking to the air to fly off down the hallway. “I gotta get the spare mattress.” Making dad come out from over there in a gallop.

“Soul!” he said. “You’re staying the night?” “Yeah, Rainbow’s dad” Soul awkwardly said. I never did introduce these two. Dash was about to when her dad gave a hoof to Soul. “No, no. Soul Serenity, I’m Bow Hothoof, but you can just call me Bow.”

“Hey dad, can you take her bag to my room, please? I’m gonna show Soul around” Dash said. I don’t think I can even lug that big thing to my room, how did she even move that in the first place? “We’ll get you settled in, please come in” Bow said, giving space for Dash to lead Soul in while he stayed behind. Grabbing that big bag in his teeth and pulling it in after. But Dash had other things on her mind over showing Soul around.

9.10
I get to have a sleepover! My first one!

Dash never got to have any friend over that could even consider sleeping over with her. Just like all the other kids she saw, now she got to do it. I got a best friend for a sleepover now! Take that, everypony who made fun of me. Somepony as cool as Soul, never expected this. It made her mind race with ideas of doing more sleepovers and going to Soul’s house to for them and spending whole weekends together. Yes! “Dashie?”

Rainbow found herself shaking with Soul right in front of her. Staring like she had some problem with her. Oh shit, I freaked out there. Her hooves couldn’t stop jumbling though.

“S-sorry, I’m just excited” Dash said. “You’re gonna be my first friend to sleep over with me.” “Really?” Soul asked. “I didn’t think it would be that big. This will be my first sleepover too.” Well look at that, we both get to do this together. Far beyond what Dash had originally planned for today. Today, tonight and tomorrow. This is going to be so fun. “Your house is so beautiful, Dashie” Soul said. Rainbow checking to see her dad taking the bag off to her room and then coming back up to Soul to guide her in. That magenta filly looking all around.

Yes! She likes it. Dash couldn’t stop smiling. Who’s got the best house? Made her feel so proud. Soul following along with Dash, leading her to go see the house but she really wanted Soul to come back to her room quickly. Still though, Soul was enjoying it.

9.11
The filly looked around the living room and eyeing all the beautiful work that was done to the walls with the glowing rainbow swashes going all along and up to the cloudy ceiling. It may be a little better than Soul’s house, but she did have a lovely one too. Maybe just as much Wonderbolts merchandise as Dash had around. From the portraits to the posters and art they all picked up over the years to decorate the house underneath the glow of the starry sky inside that cloud ceiling.

Dash caught Soul staring at the statue her mom had set up in the living room with its effigy of a Pegasus in midflight wearing that signature flight uniform built entirely in marble. Cast in the rays of the Sun, it was always so beautiful. I’m glad she likes everything. Dash’s parents always did work hard to give this place a friendly Cloudsdale vibe. But Soul walked off to the dining room. Finding all the pictures they had set up on tables all around and really getting that enjoyment Dash felt when she got to see those images. All the same ones that gave off the sense of satisfaction over flying.

“Wow, you have some of the same pictures we have” Soul said standing in front of rows of them. Not daring to touch them. Leaving Dash behind to watch her scurry around the rooms just taking in everything. Really just like a kid. Like it was her first time seeing such a collection. Soul running off and stopping at the kitchen to stare inside, letting Dash catch up with her.

9.12
“Wow, you have a Wonderbolts themed kitchen?”

What else but the best? Not often you find ovens and cabinets painted in blue with streaks of gold lightning going across them with even more portraits posted over where the pots steamed over atop the stove. “Your parents really do love the Wonderbolts” Soul said. She was getting a good look at just how hardcore we all are here. However… “They like them but… you won’t believe how plain this place was before.” “What made them redecorate?” Soul asked.

“Me deciding to become a Wonderbolt.” Dash happy to say that.

“Let’s go to my room.” Leaving Soul to follow her now. Marvel at her house and how beautiful mom and dad made it. “They did this all for you?” Believe it or not, yes. “They did.” Lots changed when I finally decided what it was I wanted to be in life. So much so that her entire life was turned into the love of flying and the goal of being the best of the best. It’s all been so hard but I’m very lucky to have parents like them. “Let’s just say that they really support my decision” Dash said. I was so bad at embracing it, until you came along, Soul. Thanks to you, I feel like I made my parents real happy with me. I hope I never let them down again. I never will.

“You need anything, Soul?” Bow said when the stallion rounded the corner and managed to stop his hurry just to ask. Oh dad, Dash loved how nice he was being. “No, I’m okay.” “Alright!” Bow ran past them, off to the kitchen. Right where they could hear the water boiling over. “Your stuff is upstairs” he called back.

“Come on” Dash said. Leading Soul down the hallway. “Bathroom is here” Dash pointed out the open door they passed and leaving on to the stairs. “I can’t wait to show you my room. Do you have anywhere you want to sleep, exactly?” Soul took a while to answer her. Almost able to feel the bashfulness in her while they flew up the stairs. Into the hallway. “I can use the guest bedroom” Soul said.

9.13
No way! Dash wouldn’t let her sleep in no guest bedroom, mostly because… “Guest bedroom is off limits. Mom and dad don’t want anypony going in there. Not even I’m allowed in there.”

Really weird how they banned me from going in there. Dash always did try to get in that room the two of them passed, but it was always locked and the windows’ curtains sealed. They did a good job on hiding it. Probably some weird stuff in there. “And you’re not sleeping in their room.”

“I can take the couch?” Soul asked.

“No! Dummy.” Dash turned around and hovered with Soul, not going to allow her to downgrade herself. “You’re sleeping in my room tonight. I got lots of room in there.” “You don’t need to do that for me” Soul humbly said. The filly sifting her forehooves in front of her grinning face. No need to deny it, Dash could see Soul liked the idea. “It’s no problem. You’re my best friend, you’re totally welcome in my room all night.” I wouldn’t have it any other way after all you did for me.

“Well, if you’re sure” Soul said and Dash brought her onwards over to where her door left wide open and Windy stepped out from there. A little out of breath. “I got the mattress all set up. Nice and soft, I made sure to put it right next to Dashie’s bed.” “Mom…” Dash muttered. “You two get to sleep next to each other, such good friends.”

Windy laughed and flew past them both. Making Dash growl. “Stop doing that!” she yelled after the mare, and making Soul laugh next to her. It’s not like I asked for that. Well… looked like Soul had no problem with it. I don’t either. Dash smiled away from Soul. “Come on.”

9.14
Dash left the door open for Soul, letting her walk in first. More than happy to show off all the hard work she did on setting her room up for a guest. Where she did find the big mattress left out right next to where Dash’s bed rose high over it, and Windy even put another blanket on top of it. Side by side with Dash’s bed. Soul’s stuff was sitting on top of the mattress.

The filly stepped in in front of Dash. That wide-eyed look on her now and really struck just as Dash always was with how beautiful her room was. “Dashie… do you have enough of an awesome room?”

“Do you like it?” Dash watched her with much anticipation. Soul really did get an eyeful in here. Where the rainbow lighting shone deep across her magenta fur and reflecting off the silver tips of her mane and tail. Soul rushed right in, throwing herself atop the mattress where she just let her saddlebags fall off and she laid out on her back. Sighing pleasantly while she looked around. “You think you have enough stickers in here?” she asked. Dash closed the door. Not enough, there was never enough. “Nope.”

I actually want to put some Wonderbolts stickers on my bed sometime. Her room was good enough as was for a guest, and Soul seemed to like it. “I get to sleep in here with you?” The filly couldn’t stop gazing at all that Dash had set up in here, staring at the basketball hoop set upon the wall and she smiled. As long as she’s my friend, my room is her room. Anytime she wants to sleep over again. I’m so glad she gets to do this with me. This day is so much better than what I thought it would be.

9.15
“Make yourself comfortable” Dash said, coming over to join Soul on the mattress. Plopping herself down on her belly while Soul laid on her back. Both finally getting the rest they needed. “My room is yours.” “I don’t know what to say” Soul said. She stared up at those stars on the ceiling. But she was kind of making Dash flush a little. I really love having her around, and complimenting my room.

“I spent all day cleaning it for you. Hope you do like it” Dash said. That made Soul sit up. Staring down at the cyan filly. “You didn’t have to.” “I wanted to” Rainbow fought back. “Stop your worrying.” She quickly put her hooves up and around Soul just to pull her to lay back down.

Get a load off. We’re here to have fun, don’t worry about what I did. Glad to see that Soul did let it go and willingly laid herself back down. Exhaling so hard. “I tell you, I had a long day” Soul said. So did I. But… “Did you still manage to do something for Hearth’s Warming Eve with your folks?” That made Soul smile. Deeply. Right there saying she must have had a good time. “I ran around all morning getting ready, but we did manage to do a little celebration before… we all hang out tomorrow.” Soul winked to her. That means… “They’re okay with us all going?!” “On one condition” Soul said.

“They get to come with me.”

“Yes!” I knew they would agree. It’s just too good a time for them to say no. Dash couldn’t say she was surprised, just so happy that this plan, months in the making, was going to happen tomorrow. Everypony was on board with it. So that is what makes it complete. That was what let Dash lay back with the most happiness she had felt in a while. These days really will be the best. All of us together at the Canterlot stadium just as Dash had dreamed of. Tomorrow would not be able to come by any sooner. “So they will be coming too, for sure?” “Yup” Soul confirmed. “All of us will be leaving together tomorrow. They’re gonna come by in the morning for it.”

9.16
My parents will be ready. They were ready for a while now. All we needed was this. She’s coming along! “Hearth’s Warming and then Wonderbolts!”

Dash wanted it all to happen now. The filly hardly able to contain herself. Best Hearth’s Warming ever! “You still didn’t tell me if you all did anything today.” “Oh yeah” Soul said. She turned herself, laying on her side. “I did get a present today, but I get to wait till tomorrow for the rest. And we get to have our own feast tomorrow.”

“What did they get you?” Soul sort of got a little hesitant right there. Looking around as if searching for something. But no, she was embarrassed. Why? I’m all ears, she has nothing to fear from me. Dash even turned herself over and crossed her hooves eager to hear what it was she got. “You really wanna know?” Soul asked and got a nod in response. “Okay. They got me a scrapbook. Kind of weird, right?”

Actually no, maybe Dash should show her. She did eye over to her bookshelf amid all the Wonderbolts novels and manuscripts over there. “I got one myself” Dash admitted. Something that did catch Soul’s eye, but she kept going. “Well the one they got me was meant for something else. They want me to… sort of make a collection of…” “A collection of what?”

“Of pictures of my friends… and me” Soul finished.

That wasn’t weird at all. Dash thought it sounded kind of cool and already wanted to give her ideas. “We should totally fill it with pics of us. Like everything we do together.” Maybe one day, that book can have more photos of us doing all we dream of. Looking down at her hooves and imagining that blue uniform on her with bolts running along the hoof lines, and over to Soul with her having the same. Like when we graduate. Just like every other Wonderbolt who gets their photo put up for all to see when they graduate. What will ours look like? Would it go on a wall… or can we have it in our own book? I’d love to have it together. Both of us standing side by side. “Like when we become Wonderbolts” Dash whispered. “You really think you and I can become Wonderbolts together?” Soul asked.

The thing was that there was no doubt that they would. We have done so well together, I only want to stick with her and both of us can accomplish it in the end. “It’s kind of a big change for me” Soul said. “Like… us performing for others. I really wonder if the princesses would like me as one. If I can be one.” Dash stood up. Alright, enough of that.

“I want to show you something.”

9.17
Rainbow stepped over to the bookshelf, goading Soul to follow her over for them both to stand in front of it all and Soul could see with her own eyes just how serious Dash was about this. With all the dozens of novel sized books stacked all across those shelves, all with the same lightning symbol on the spines. But there was one in particular. Hidden in between two of those books that she kept well-guarded for none to see. Until now, because Soul was somepony she could trust.

A little memento Dash used to remind herself of what it was she wanted whenever she doubted herself. Now, Soul could see it. Use it. She made the decision to become one with me, maybe she should see just what it was like to be so devoted.

The magenta filly so wowed by all the books stacked in front of her. Like it was a surprise. “I do have tons of flight training books myself” Dash said. Stuff she never allowed others to see. Much less this. For certain reasons. She still managed to suck up her fears for this pony who had done so much for her. Reaching up and pushing one book aside to reveal what it hid. “I got a certain something, but… it’s kinda full now.”

Dash pulled it down and showed it to her. Showed it to be exactly what Soul had. With that one solitary rainbow sticker pressed on to the front cover. Nopony would ever know what it was until it was opened, and showed to Soul what it was that Dash had kept in it for many years. All these things that have been collected. Yet she felt no embarrassment of seeing that there was another pony in front of her looking over the pages that Dash flipped through. Joining her in looking down at it. “These are all the pictures that have been taken since I made my decision. All part of my parents’ support of me. They’re things I look at whenever I get down about myself. Gets me right back up to going for what I want.” Like the picture of the cyan filly on her first day to stand before the sets of cloud rings that mom had set up for her. Right next to the one of that same filly sitting between the two ponies who loved her. They took that right after I finished the course for the first time. I did a good job not showing my wings did hurt. The very first time I finished such a hard course after so many failures.

Then the next page, such a goofy photo. Mom riding on top of that cyan filly and all the sweat on that filly’s face. So much effort in her face to carry her along with only her wings. I can’t believe how much she weighs. Mom looks so small and thin but she weighs a ton. Could barely make it ten seconds like that. Or the one of mom guiding the filly through the clouds. Holding hooves and showing her that right way to determine which directions were safe inside an active cloud. Then the one of a proud Bow flying next to her when that filly made her first ever bolt of lightning shoot out of a cloud. Mom was lucky to get the bolt right as it happened. It took a lot of tries to kick that thing out of the cloud.

9.18
More and more pages. Like a trip through the past as it was every time Dash looked through it. That filly flying so fast and happy through any course or obstacle she was given and all of it put right here on these pages. The success in her face whenever she pulled it off, forever caught here. From the first page when it all started, to the later pages as time went on and she became something far more than that young filly fresh out of her foal years aspiring to wear the uniform.

“Awww…” Soul commented over one, one that made Dash have to turn away and smile. A little shaken by Soul seeing that picture. One of her dressed up. The one time when Dash felt she truly had reached her goal. Or what it would be like. Nope, just a filly wearing a Wonderbolts uniform on a trip to one of the shows. But she still closed the book.

“I got my own, maybe we should have our own book together. And, for the last page, let’s put a pic of you and I… graduating as Wonderbolts.” “You really want to start one with me?” Soul asked. “Of course. It will be the best one ever. Full of all the stuff we do to be Wonderbolts together. You and I.” Dash pushed her hoof against Soul’s chest. A light tap. Reassuring her. Soul looked down. Much more happy than before. “Our own memories, huh? I’d really like that. I never did think about being a Wonderbolt much before. Until I met you, you converted me.” “Yeah I did, welcome to the dark side” Dash said.

“You get to do something for me, though” Soul said. “Really? What is it?” Just from Soul’s look, looked to be serious.

9.19
“You remember my dream?” Dash did. Clearly. Something so insane sounding but it might just work with how good Soul was. Now that she knew just what she could do. “You want to inspire all ponies. Be the best of all.” “Really something to show others that… no matter what, you can still be something great. That nothing can hold you back if you try.”

Just like you, Soul. You really have come a long way. Hate to say it, but you rubbed off on me. Coming from what she was when Dash learned all about her and turning into this pony who had so much life in her and so much happiness and hope. She came to think that it can be possible for it all.

“What do you think?” Soul asked her. “Do you think Luna will come back soon?” What? That was something. Dash never expected her to ask something like that.

She really wasn’t one to know that. But, Soul… what was going on in that head of hers? How serious she looked all of a sudden. Like she wanted no jokes and wasn’t joking. She really did want to know. But Dash stayed quiet. Trying to figure it out. “It may take us a while before we become Wonderbolts” Soul said. “We’ll both be mares by then. Do you think she will be back when we get to that?” Banished for a thousand years. Always reminded by that image of a mare in the sky whenever the Moon was up there. The image of that pony long gone. For so, so long. How long has it been? Is it close? Dash was not sure, but Soul… she really was something different over this. It threw Dash off. This sense of optimism in the air.

9.20
“I don’t know” Rainbow said. “It’s been so long, but… is it weird to think she may be back by the time we grow up?” Honestly, I kind of hope she will be back. The same beautiful and loving princess she had heard of… before it all happened.

I really do want her back, so I can know how she is. So I don’t need to rely on pictures to see what she looks like. For all ponies to know her by seeing her with their own two eyes. “I feel for her” Soul said suddenly. Turning Dash away from her thoughts. Into the silence of the air between them both, to where even the wind outside died off.

“Even if I never knew her, I feel for a pony who has not known happiness. It must be terrible for her. To be alone for so long… a thousand years.” What? A shimmer in Soul’s eye. So small and tiny.

“She only has what was left with her. That ponies don’t like her. That she is hated. And having to be up there for so long thinking that. I hate to say… I think I know what she feels like. I feel so bad for anypony who does.”

Like it shifted the reds and yellows in her eyes. A tiny flicker… Dash saw it and… she felt sad. So short. Like it entranced her. Pulling her head back a little and finding that Soul was staring at her. With those churning, bleeding colors… all etched in her mind. Deep in those eyes fresh in her mind. Why? Why did it hurt? My heart… it’s racing. Then it calmed.

Soul… Dash stared at her. Nothing. No feeling. What was that? What was that feeling I got from looking at her eyes?

9.21
“…You okay, Soul?” Am I even okay? Why was I so weird for that? Is it normal… for Soul to talk like that? For me to feel that way? But… alone for so long… with only the thought that you are hated. I hate to say… I never felt that.

Rainbow, she always had her parents there to love her. Encourage her. But, Soul. Soul was a pony she understood to feel that way. No wonder she feels for Luna. After all you went through. Pain worse than what I could say I went through. Yet she was still here. …With a happy feeling in her vibrant eyes once more. How lonely you must have felt. For so long. Worse than me. Dash only wanted to comfort her. After that horrible feeling. So short. So horrible.

“I’m fine, I just… really wonder if you wanted to do something with me” Soul said. “What is it?” “But first, you must promise me something.” The filly stepped close to Dash. “Promise me, we will be friends… until the day we pull this off together. Longer than that.” Like forever? Dash wanted that. She really did. But Soul, she looked… afraid. All of a sudden. Such fear in her. Does Soul think we won’t be? Should I be afraid we won’t be? “I promise” Dash said. Sincere in it. No matter what, you’ll always be my friend. I’ll always come back to you. “Then… I was wondering if you wanted to do something with me” Soul went on.

“I want to perform for the princesses. Both of them. I want both of them to see that nothing can hold you back from what you really want. If I get so good, beyond anypony else. Enough to pull off things that I dream of, and both of them can see it. I… want you to do it with me.” “You want me to perform with you for them?” “However long it takes, even if we need to be Wonderbolts for it. Just something for when Luna comes back. I want to do it with my best friend.” Dash didn’t know what to say. This was what Soul had told her months ago. Her dream. She wanted to include Dash in it.

9.22
Soul, I know you are afraid. You worry that we won’t be friends. But I know we will. I am so honored you want me to join you. Whatever it takes. For both of us to give it our all. Together. Rainbow grinned. She will prove to Soul it will happen. Nothing can get in the way of when they could both achieve those goals together. No matter how long it takes. But, tonight… Dash would show her that they will be friends forever. She had ideas for it. Tonight. After dinner, for sure. Soul… I’ll do something for you. Something big. For now… “I will. I even got an idea, you got a portrait up in your house.”

Dash remembered it and it was always such a beautiful thing. The perfect way for them to perform for the princesses whenever the time comes. She wanted to hope for it to be what she envisioned it. Something to give Soul hope. Something so perfect. “When we grow up, you and I… we need to enter the Best Young Flyers’ competition.”

That perked up Soul’s ears. Dash’s too when they both heard Windy call out “Girls! Dinner is ready!”

The feast can wait. This is our time. Right now. One moment. Dash held Soul back, not letting her leave. Because she was serious about this. Let’s do this together. “The princesses always attended it to see us pegasi show our stuff. How about you and I just forget the competition, we can enter it… and we can do a performance. In front of all of Equestria. In front of the princesses. When Celestia and Luna will be there.”

“You’re serious?” Soul whispered. “The Best Young Flyers’ competition?” She placed a hoof to her lips. Amazed over it.

Only the most prestigious event for pegasi willing to show what it was they could do. Both of them together for it. Just like that portrait, when we can be a part of that. The princesses standing above all the others in the crowd and see the two pegasi who would prove to all just what could be done when you give your all. All the training we’ll have to go through. It will still be worth it. Under this roof, in this room, together. To make a promise. Dash and Soul placed their hooves together. Smiling to one another. It can be the show of that friendship, when they would show it to Equestria. Just how great they were together. Just what they can help the other accomplish. Whatever that accomplishment will be. “Deal” Soul said. “Then we will fly together for them. I promise” Dash accepted.
Dash let Soul go first, heading out the door. But she looked back… feeling the fur on the back of her neck stand. That one little glimmer of it. Of something. What was that feeling? So heavy. To make her fear. Like those eyes still stood there, watching her. Somepony else there. She couldn’t stare. Looking back to watch the magenta filly walk off to the smell of food. Dash stayed put. For just a second. Friends forever.

9.23
“Hope you two are hungry” Windy mentioned right as Dash came in behind Soul to see the table was all set. Spread out with that golden laced mat that mom liked to use for special occasions and the sets of candles all lit in the middle of it all. Those candles were surrounded by what smelled so good. All the dishes set out. Stacked to the top with food, more than what could even be finished by four ponies. Looked more like enough to last a whole week for a family. She hadn’t even seen what it was that her dad was making, but now Dash saw that he did go overboard. Like always. Soul didn’t seem to mind. She went right off.

“You really didn’t have to make dinner for me too. I could’ve made something for me.” “Oh don’t be silly” Bow said from across the table, he waved his hoof over the spread he had made. Stacks of fried greens and char-grilled vegetables with the hay burgers filled full of all that he could have stuffed into them. Salads and plates of fruits. Bowls of fruits as well topped in whipped cream. Hard to tell who would get what.

Rainbow already eyed the carrots and peppers grilled along the skewers in a shish kebab with steam still coming off the blackened crisps along those carrots. Made her mouth already water. “You’re a guest and it’s only right for us to feed you. Now sit down and fill your bellies” Bow said with enthusiasm and expectation. That’s right, Soul. The magenta Pegasus looked back at her and Dash nodded her head to a chair. Letting her know it was okay. This is meant to be a Hearth’s Warming Eve for us so she gets to enjoy my family’s cooking.

9.24
Soul went ahead and climbed up on to her seat, right next to the open one that Dash had hoped for. For her to also climb up on to and sit next to her. Side by side, with only the flickering candles between them and the seats where mom and dad would be. Where all the food was. Now Soul was the one who leaned forward, licking her lips. Scanning across all that they had.

I know I’m gonna pig out. Dash didn’t even bother with the napkin mom left for her. She never was one for wearing that thing. It all made her rub her forehooves together in anticipation. “Mom, what am I allowed to have?” “Whatever you want” Windy said, taking her place at her seat. “Just keep away from those strawberries, those are for Soul.” She pointed out a bowl filled with them and drowned in whipped cream. “And Soul.” Getting the filly’s attention before she could reach her hoof out and grab at whatever. “Leave those caramel apples for Dashie.”

What?! Dash looked over and found the bowl of them sitting behind Soul’s strawberries. Oh sweet, they made those for me! “Okay!” Soul said and then she glanced over to Dash. Seeing the filly wink at her.

No, no. You’re not taking my apples. Dash almost threw herself over to grab at them and… found herself laying atop the table with hooves around the bowl and Soul laughing right over her. Giving her that look. A look saying she never planned on taking them. “Dashie, try not to make a mess this time” Windy said. “I don’t make messes” Dash said, getting back up with her bowl. Don’t tell Soul about that. Damn it, she glared at the snickering filly. Were you just wanting me to be an idiot right there? Looked like it since Soul was careful in picking out her food. Ugh…

9.25
Dash rolled her eyes and brought over what she wanted. Including those delicious looking carrots skewered in the sticks. Holding one in front of her between both hooves made her eyes shimmer. She could just collapse right now from the overwhelming excitement she had, enough to make her giggle. I’ll just have one burger… while Soul was over there with… three on her plate. Taking the ones stuffed with hay too. She must be hungry. Had a ton of vegetables with her as well. Till every bit of her plate was filled and the filly looked down at it all.

“Wow, this all looks amazing” Soul commented. “It does…” Dash sighed without realizing she was drooling over the steaming carrots she held before her. “Aww I hope you both enjoy it, eat all you want” Bow said. The stallion put both of them to shame with how stuffed his plate was. “Thank you!” Dash said, and she heard that Soul said the same thing with her. Both of them looking at one another and smiling. Before Dash chomped away at her shish kebab. So good. It’s been a bit since I last had grilled carrots. The peppers are okay too. But she more preferred to go at the carrots instead. Taking her sweet time going through that all and finding just a stick left in her hooves. Eating fast was always something she did with this stuff but… somepony else put her to shame when she looked over at Soul and found that she was on not her first, but her second burger. Practically inhaling it and leaving Dash stunned. Is it really that good? I rarely see her eat like that, and all the noise she was making.

“It’s so good!” Soul said. “You know it is, I need more of this” Dash said and grabbed hold of another shish kebab. There had to be a dozen of them and Dash had every intention to eat them all.

9.26
Windy laughed across the table in the middle of her own food. “I thought Dashie would be the only one who eats like that.”

“Really?” Dash said, glancing over at her. “I don’t eat that bad.” Throwing aside her second empty stick. “Soul’s got me beat.” The only thing I will be willing to give to her. As long as she knows I will always be the faster one. At least… not at eating. “Sorry” Soul said. “It’s just so good. I can’t believe you all made so much for me. You really didn’t need to.” “Ah, Soul. You should hang with us more often on holidays” Dash said. “You’ll get to eat all you want. Dad is a beast at cooking.” “You know, I made those carrots” Windy said, raising an eyebrow with Bow goofily laughing next to her. Trying his best to not get involved. “Oh… well they’re awesome!” Calm down, mom, you’re a good cook too.

Windy was quick to drop it. “You know, Soul, after all that Dashie said about you, you are always welcome to join us for holidays. We’d love to have you with us at our feasts. Anything worth celebrating.”

“When you two become Wonderbolts, I’ll even make a feast for that” Bow chimed in. That’s’ right. You’re a part of our family now, Soul. Dash was always proud to think that. Best wingpony always has a spot with us. “You’re actually wanting to cook for me?” Soul said, and then her eyes lit up with a big and white smile growing wide.

9.27
“Mom and dad always make me food like this whenever I do amazing on my training” Dash said. Their own little way of rewarding her. For all her efforts that she had put in for years now. “If they want to cook for you, it means something big.”

Plus, any excuse to be able to have Soul over here was fine with Dash. Even more sleep overs. “Wow…” Soul calmed down. Looking back at all the steaming vegetables covered in sauce she had on her plate. “I get to celebrate with you guys?” “Of course” Dash answered. Mom and dad know everything about how I feel about this filly, there’s no way they would be against having her. Sometimes, they even did act like she was more than a guest. Because they really do appreciate all she has done. All we will do. We’re gonna kick ass together, and they know it. It made Soul laugh.

“Wow, I’m not used to this kind of treatment. I rarely get to enjoy feasts or have anything like this on holidays.” “You mean your folks never did stuff like this for you?” Windy shot out there with quite a bit of sudden worry in her voice. Even Dash rose an ear to that. That didn’t sound right to her. Or… are you talking about something else, Soul? “Oh, Nimbus and Starry do things like this for me. We do, it’s just… I never got to do it with friends before. Or anything that felt like a party.” Now that sounded very familiar, even Windy shot Dash a glance. One that she caught. Well that’s not the case anymore. Because now, her and I are together as best friends. “But…”

9.28
That broke everypony to look back at Soul and see how she frowned down at her food. Wait, I’ve seen that face on her before.

“Even with Nimbus and Starry… it never did feel like this. I’m actually happy to celebrate. Instead of being… jealous.” “Jealous of what?” Windy asked. Dash raised her eyebrow. Jealous? “I always did want to have a celebration like this” Soul said. Oh. No. Dash saw mom was about to say something more. Waving her hoof at her to shut it, and Windy held back. Sadly sitting against her chair and staring at Soul instead.

You’re talking about… what you told to me long ago. Nimbus and Starry aren’t enough. You… Soul Serenity, you want a family. Something you never got. I really wish I could understand it. Dash looked around at what she had. Her mom and dad sitting across from her. The ponies who loved her deeply and always held her and kissed her. Let… let her sleep with them. As far back as she could remember. The only ponies who had been with her for life. You want that. You want ponies who can give you what I got. Like back when you admitted it to me. How Soul looked so broken saying… saying she never knew her parents. Never got to know that love. That of a pony who will always be there to love you and support you. The ones who kiss me one my forehead at night and tell me the words I love to hear. Those three words.

9.29
Dash felt so bad over it. She never will get to know what I had. Will she? I don’t know. Can there be a pony out there who can do that for her? Can I do that? Can we?

Her family was the one who embraced Soul with open hooves. For the first time, letting her be here in their home and treat her as family. Getting to all eat together and sleep together in the end. I want her to be happy. Damn, I really hope what I have planned can cheer her up.

“Soul, you know you’re always welcome over here with us” Dash said to break the silence. “We’d love to celebrate things with you and make you feel like a member of our house. Tonight, you’re a part of us.” Soul sighed and turned to her. “I don’t want to be a burden.” “You’re no burden!” Windy said. “Soul” Bow finally spoke in on it. “Dash never told us anything about your birthday, Windy and I were thinking on us all joining with you to celebrate it.”

That… that made Dash feel stupid. I never asked her! She’s the same age as me so I should know when she will be turning ten as well. Damn, this fall was hard on me. Dash shook off her inner embarrassment. “Yeah, when is your birthday, by the way?”

Soul paused. Looked surprised to be asked that. Seeing them all expecting her to answer. They all wanted her to.

“It’s April tenth.” Four months away. “No way!” Dash said. “We’re so close to one another. Mine is in February!” So that meant Dash would be turning ten before Soul. It felt good to know she was the older one. Especially since she knew for a fact both of them were almost completely equal in skill. Almost. Not much of a gap now. “Dad, can she come over for my birthday?” “That’s up to her, sweetie.”

9.30
“I’d love to come” Soul said. Sweet! We already got things we get to do together. “We can have a huge feast again and play all day long and open presents. Then we get to do the same for your birthday.” “You want to celebrate mine?” Soul asked. “Yeah!” Dash couldn’t believe she asked that. The whole family was on board with that idea, mom and dad nodded with her. Letting Soul know that they will be there for her whenever she wanted. Soul’s birthday was worth celebrating for them, and looked like Soul knew that with how she was quick to smiling so wide and a tear came to her eye. “Oh…” she wiped it away. “You guys are the best.”

After all she did for me, anything for her. Dash was always going to be the pony who would be there to support her and make her feel better. Always be there to have fun with her. Starting today. First, Hearth’s Warming. Next, every other holiday and moment. Dash wanted them to give her that love she wanted. I want to do it for her. Tonight.

Dash smiled. Going back to eating her food. Listening to Soul give off a few little whimpers under her breath that her ears caught and she too went back to eating. Mom going on to ask Soul if the bed she set up was comfy for Soul and asking about how her day had been before coming over. Dash was happy that Soul told her everything that she had told Dash. Including the scrapbook. The one we plan to do together. Oh, wow these apples are good. Rainbow devoured them all. Happy to feel her belly was satisfied now… even if Soul had finished long before she did. That filly still had a lot of food all over her face which Soul licked off. But she was still glad that Soul had cheered up. She had a lot to look forward to now. We’re both best friends and we get to have so much fun forever.

9.31
“That was so good” Dash told her parents. She licked her plate clean. “Thank you!” “No problem, sweetheart!” Windy said with Bow. Both of them so happy to hear her say that to them. “Thank you too” Soul also said. “It was great!” “We loved having you two” Windy said. “Thank you for choosing us today.” Waving while both fillies got down from their seats, and Dash shook her head. Since when did we become a restaurant?

“Dashie, we expect a tip later. One hug” Windy mentioned. Ignore that she just said something like that at the worst time she could. I can trust Soul; the magenta filly didn’t seem to care. “Okay, mom” Rainbow agreed.

“How about you two run along and play?” Bow said. “We can clean up.” “Yes!” Dash reached out and grabbed hold of Soul’s leg. “Let’s go outside.” “Alright, if we’re allowed to?” Soul said and looked back at mom and dad. “Go on” Bow said, waving his hoof to them. I would normally help them clean but they both seemed to know this was my day to give Soul a good time here. We can go outside, maybe it hasn’t gotten too bad out there and we can find something to do. Yeah, we need something to do now that dinner is done. Something that would show Soul just how much they all wanted to include her, and mom and dad knew that very well. Dash pushing Soul along, but she gave them a look that they knew what it meant. Both of them nodding as a way of saying that they’ll let her know.

“Come on, I got something to show you” Dash said back to Soul, just to get her mind off things. At least until Hearth’s Warming Eve actually got underway. It made Dash give a mischievous grin behind Soul’s back.

9.32
She guided her over to the sealed doors to the deck, both double doors covered over in the windy patterned curtains draped over them. “What is it?” “Something you’ll have a lot of fun with. I bet you’ll love it.”

Rainbow leapt in front of her, eager to take the lead. But when she pulled open the door and revealed what it was beyond those curtains, that is when both their manes flapped wildly for an instant and Dash felt the chilling air of winter come over her. Take her and give her chills all down her spine and to her hooves and wings. Right as a burst of snow also came in through the doors and settled onto the floor before it melted in to join with the cloudy build of the house. It was… just a little cold.

Dash opened her eyes and shook it off. Finding that Soul was not at all held back by it but she did shiver for a moment, looking at Rainbow and giggling a little about it. Good enough for her. Come on. Dash stepped out over the threshold. Onwards atop where the wooden deck would have been. Now her hooves crunching down upon sheets of snow. So much worse than earlier. Like it all got so bad just over dinner. But out here in the open, with no walls to protect her from the cold or the weather, Dash still felt like there was nothing to worry about. That this was something she could handle since she had done it before. Many times. Happy to find that Soul followed her out.

9.33
She saw too it was nothing like when she arrived. Winter really has come to Cloudsdale now with all the perfectly placed clouds of grey all set up in layers above the flying city where they dumped all their waves of white sparkles across the cityscape. Lining the great spires far out in the distance in white laces that reached down to the bottom and disappearing inside of that thick snowfall that already was making a fresh and thin layer of snow pop up on Dash’s muzzle for her to lick off. Not much she could do for the rest of her body with all this snow coming down around them and dumping along her back.

“Wow, it really picked up.” “Is this your backyard?” Soul said next to her, not even phased by it all. More focused on what it was that Dash wanted her to see. Even inside of the grey and hazy sky of heavy snowfall, they could still look out and see the vast field reaching far out into the distance, far beyond where the fences and houses reached out to. But it was still there. A field of clouds spanning far out. “It all is” Dash confirmed.

Everything outside of the yards of the neighbors to their sides, that big and open plain that Dash got to see every day. That was all theirs and Rainbow was rather proud of it. Not nearly as big as what Soul had. No way. They got to have an entire damn countryside to themselves between them and the factories. This was just a stretch of clouds heading off to where the cloud towers rose and the center of the great city reached out towards them all. “Actually everything out there is ours.” “Everything?” Soul asked.

“What about the…?” “That’s what I wanted to show you” Dash said. Proudly directing Soul to what it was they had out there for all the neighborhood to be envious about since no other house around here had a setup like this. Didn’t look like much at first, but Soul got it just as Rainbow expected her to.

9.34
“Wait… those are all for you?” Dash nodded to her. All that. That being the scene that could rival even the scene at the flight camp. Everything the camp had to work with, like it all had been moved here. A spectacle that any aspiring Pegasus would kill to have. While Dash, Dash was so lucky to have a hold of it all for her to use every day.

A vast maze of clouds thickly packed all around the sky over the field. As low to the ground as they could go and as high up as where those white clouds met the snowy, grey ones. Just looked like a jumble of clouds until you saw how they were set up. “This is what I train with every day” Dash said. “And I wanna know if you want to fly in it. My treat.”

I know she would want to. Out there in that snowfall, flying through the jumble of clouds that was actually one hell of an obstacle course. Hoof made by dad himself with everything he was allowed to take back from the factory and shaped into this display that Dash got to test herself on all the time. Just like it was a course at camp. Spread out in so many thin lanes that allowed for so little room to maneuver and required you to fly with precision between checkpoints or tumble from a collision like Dash had done a lot. Where the hoops that you needed to fly through got smaller and smaller till your wings couldn’t even fit through them. Even her small wings. Needing to time her flaps perfectly for those. In better weather, the thunderheads dad put out would shoot lightning that you need to dodge as well. Crisscrossing over and over in an upwards spiral along the wide pillar that this course made up. With so many end points all leading to many more courses that got even windier and trickier, and the checkpoints became few and far between. So much so that Rainbow had gotten lost in side of those clouds many times before. Needing mom to come get her out of it. But that was all just for speed and agility tests.

9.35
Mom and dad assured Dash that they would be able to set up harder stuff as time went on and she grew up more. Anything to help guide her along her path to reaching that end goal. But she had this for now. Each night, training in warm up exercises and stretches before doing short dashes and stunts around in the open air. Then moving on to agility training inside of that thunderous course of endless clouds where one mistake would lead to her plummeting out of it and either recover herself with her own wings or a speedy rescue from mom. Each time. To the point where Dash was no longer as afraid as she was first time seeing it. Now that she knew she could rely on her mom to help her. Making her sigh.

The path to a Wonderbolt isn’t easy at all. Wonder if all pegasi who want to become one go through stuff like this. As far as she knew, Soul didn’t have a private course like this. That was why she wanted to do this.

“From now on, you’re welcome to use my course whenever you want. Even right now.” Give us a little something to do while we wait, which made Dash nod at her with a big grin as if telling her to go ahead. But Soul was more fixated on staring at it all. “I never even realized that belonged to you. Just looked like a mess whenever I saw it. That thing is your obstacle course?” “Damn right, it is” Dash said. But Soul gave her a glance.

“And how did you get it?” “Dad… got it for me for my seventh birthday” Dash admitted. “Being a factory worker has its perks.” Smiling with a squee.

9.36
Soul arced her brow. “You really get insane presents.” Dash hated to admit it, “Yes…” though she never asked for them. Mom and dad are just really involved in helping me. Not just cheering and comforting me. Training me to the best of their ability. Quite an ability. Sometimes, even mom scares me with how good she secretly is.

“Wonder what they’ll get you in two months” Soul said. Unfortunately, they weren’t masters of subtlety. “I… already know. They want to get me a mock Wonderbolts uniform.” “Like the one in that pic? Oh… you’re gonna look so adorable” Soul said. “Shut up” Dash looked away from her. “I hope I get to see you in that at your birthday” Soul said.

Sweet Celestia, she probably will. A picture was one thing, I’ll be wearing one in front of her. Why am I so embarrassed about that? Better yet, why didn’t she care? More focused on what it was that Soul was saying. What she meant.

“So… you really do want to come to my birthday party?” Dash asked her. Right when another breeze came over both of them. Chilling her fur. “Only if you want me to come” Soul answered. “Of course I do, and I want to come to your party too.” We meant what we said and that seemed to warm Soul’s heart over there. We are best friends and wingponies so that means we get to enjoy one another’s birthdays. Something… I never got to do. Soul, I can’t wait to tell you… but when it comes, she will be the first friend of mine to ever come to my birthday. Soul sounded sincere in wanting to go. She was welcome any time over here, anything to show her that she is a part of us.

9.37
Soul laughed. “A few more months, but we get to go through winter first.” The filly brushed snow off her back with a swipe of her huge wings. “Deal with it, it’s just a little cold” Dash said. Finding that a lot of snow also built up on her and had to be kicked off. “Oh yeah? How about we both fly through the course then? You and I.”

“No prob…” Dash paused when she saw Soul begin to laugh at her. “What?!” “You think I’m serious?” Soul asked.

Why not? Dash saw no problem in it. Even if the course had thin lanes, we could still find a way to fly through it. Keeping Soul behind her to stare at her butt the whole time and eat her dust for one. Dash actually did step up to the challenge. “I’ll fly.” “I’m not sure if I will” Soul said. Oh come on! Why is she so afraid now, it’s just a… Dash looked back up and… and then she realized it. Oh. “I don’t know about you” Soul said. “But… that’s a bit of a blizzard coming down.” She’s right. Could hardly see the course now, like it was getting worse by the minute.

Dash actually looked back at her and giggled over it. Oops. Hope she doesn’t think I’m stupid or something. But… “You sure you don’t want to try?” “Maybe we can go inside and hang in your room… where it’s warm” Soul said with a shiver. “I… actually haven’t been keeping up with perfecting our little ‘move.’ I don’t know if I can try flying through a blizzard.” Really? She hasn’t perfected it. But I thought she would be training in it a lot more than me. A lot more so that she would be the one to get there first… before me, since I sure am having a hard time with it. “Yeah, I haven’t either” Dash admitted.

9.38
“Okay, let’s go inside” Dash agreed. She opened the door back up for Soul to go in before her. Back into that warm and calm house that felt so lovely the instant they stepped in. Making Dash sigh. Quickly shutting the snow away from her behind her.

“Where was your bathroom again?” Soul asked. The filly heading off ahead of her into the living room to look around. “First door on the right, down the hallway.” “Thanks! I’ll be right back!” Soul rushed off on her wings and left a gust of wind to blow the curtains along the windows. Take your time. Dash looked to the floor. I hope she’s having a good time. Ugh, I’ve never done this before.

She heard the clang of plates and dishes to her right where dad was cleaning all of them in the kitchen. Taking his time to look over his shoulder and find her standing there. “Weather looks pretty bad right now” he mentioned. We noticed. The Canterlot valleys were getting their first real blizzard in a long time. We’re just in the middle of it with the Pegasus city floating over the fields and towns of the valleys. Too much for little fillies to fly in right now. Just to give one hell of a snow for the holiday. “Yeah” Dash said but her mind wandered off to Soul.

“I hope she’s having fun.” “Are you kidding? You’re an awesome host, Dashie. If she wasn’t having fun, I don’t think she’d be smiling as much as she has been.” “Hope you’re right, I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Dashie, she’s your best friend. Just treat her like you would any other time. You’ve been doing a wonderful job” Bow said. Rainbow believed him. Though she looked out to the living room and frowned. Hoping that things will change as the night would roll in. Soul, I’m so glad you get to sleep over. I got a special, extra special present for you. Something I want to ask you. Maybe it will help her see that she is a part of my family. Right as she heard a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it” Dash said and walked off to it. Good, right on time. I’ll show you that I’ll do anything for you, Soul.

9.39
Does Dash have a big enough bathroom? This house looks a lot smaller on the outside, but it’s like a mansion.

Soul really could tell that Windy and Bow loved their daughter so much, enough to make this whole place almost themed after her and her goals. But that rainbow striped curtain around the bath was cute either way.

She left the door shut behind her. Taking her time to look back over to where the stairs were and about to head over there before she heard ponies talking that let her know Dash was still back in the living room. A lot of ponies talking, for one. Which made Soul pause for a moment. Confused. She did think it may just be her parents talking at the end of the hallways but her ears recognized it, that’s not them.

Was Dash expecting company? She never said anything about it. A little worrying. Soul wasn’t sure if she should go and see or just go to wait in Dash’s room. What with the sounds of voices she wasn’t sure about over there, plenty of them… alongside Dash talking. Greeting them or something. Talking about the day and Hearth’s Warming. Along with a small draft coming in down the hall. That did make her hooves go on their own, Soul walking off towards where she heard them. Keeping to the wall, she was cautious, not sure if it was right of her to intrude but so curious to know who was here. Sounded like… other kids?

“Thanks for inviting us over, Dash.” Wait, but she never told me about something like this. What’s going on here?

9.40
Soul edged in to the corner of the hall, giving a little peek around the corner to see. Where nopony could see her, while Dash was busy there with her tail to Soul and standing in front of the open doorway where something stood to make Soul gasp. What are they doing here? She was right about it being other kids. But not these kids.

It was Amber… and her sister Breezy standing out there in the doorway under a hail of snow. Not even noticing her staring at them.

Both of the fillies shivering and quick to come in when Dash waved them along. Slamming the door closed only when Amber finished pulling in what looked like a big, pink box tugged along by a rope. A box? Wait, Soul got an idea. Really lost now, not sure what to think. Because these two were ponies she had not spoken to in so long. Neither of them had spoken to her. Not since when… they both hurt me.

Here they were under the same roof as Soul and Dash with what made Soul begin to think may be a box of none other than… their own things. Are they sleeping over too? Dashie, why didn’t you tell me? Especially since she didn’t feel right seeing these ponies here after so long. The first ponies at camp to talk to her and the ones who hurt her. Who never crossed her thoughts again. She had to confront them. No longer willing to be that pony who cowered. She had to know because she was not sure if she could sleep together with them too. It’s not like we’re much in the way of friends or ever were.

Soul stepped out.

9.41
That was what made them both cease their laughing and talking with Dash and find Soul there staring at both of them from across the room. Turning from happy… to frowning as the fillies all stood face to face with Dash there to stand between them all.

“Hey, Soul” Dash said like nothing was wrong. “Surprise!”

Surprise, huh? So that’s why she didn’t ever tell me this would happen. Not that much of a surprise. Not one she would consider a good one. I’m sorry, but after what these two did, I don’t know why it is she thinks I’d be so happy to see them. “Hey, Soul. It’s been a while” Amber also said. Doing her best but Soul caught her timid voice inside of her greeting.

Soul grunted. This day was going so perfectly to her, this was not needed. Because all it did was remind her. “Hi, so… I didn’t know they were coming too” Soul said first to the twins and then to Dash. Really annoyed as she said it. “To be honest, I didn’t think about inviting them at first. But I know you all got along before and thought that maybe you would like it if they showed up to have some fun with us” Dash explained. “I wanted to keep it a surprise for you.”

We did get along until certain things happened and now, now I don’t think they actually do think well of me. If they can ever be ponies I would want to be around all the time like with Dash. “Yeah! We thought we could all celebrate Hearth’s Warming Eve together” Breezy said with such hype in her voice. Even if it did sound like a nice and kind idea, Soul had a hard time accepting it. Just seeing both of them, made her wonder what this will all lead to. If they would hurt her heart once again.

9.42
“Dashie, I thought it would just be you and I having a sleepover” Soul commented. Making Dash wave her hoof at her. “No, no. They can’t stay that long. We just wanted to all hang out for the evening before they head back home. It’ll just be you and I tonight.” “Then what’s with that box?” Soul pointed at it. Thinking there was sleeping gear in it. Where both the twins put their hooves on it. Proud to display it to her. “We just brought a little something for us all to help celebrate. We wanted to share it with you two” Amber said. Both twins smiling alongside Dash.

Really? How much has changed? Dash, I remember her not being so friendly with these two and now she stood with them happy to have them over and wanting Soul to join in with them. But… it did sound nice to have a group to celebrate with. A group. Maybe not this group.

Soul still lowered her head, saddened at the thought that so much happened between all of them to drive them all apart and leave these feelings in place. To question if she should forgive them, since neither of them ever apologized. “I don’t know…” Soul said. “I thought it would just be a party for you and I, Dashie. Maybe if you had told me sooner…” “Oh…” she heard none other than Amber say with a whimper, the filly lowering her own head. Not able to meet Soul’s eyes anymore.

“This is about what happened before? I understand.” “We were pretty terrible” Breezy said to her sister. As if to let her know why it was that Soul felt this way. Conflicted on how to feel over them staying over.

9.43
“No, she’s right” Amber said. She stood back up with a straight face. “I guess we get what we deserve. After all, we never did say we were sorry and we never did do anything to help you, Soul. That’s why you got Rainbow. She proved to be a much better friend than we could be. Look…”

Amber stepped aside and pulled the box up to be front and center before them all. “There’s a cake in this box for you two. We’d like to leave it for you, our little gift for you both for this Hearth’s Warming. But… there is another thing we should give first.”

They got us a cake? Soul looked at the box and then across to where Amber pulled her sister to her side and nudged her. Both of them doing the same thing. Bending one foreleg and stretching the other before them as both of them did something she didn’t expect of them. They both knelt down in front of her. Eyes closed. Wings low. Neither dared to move when Amber said “We’re very sorry for what we did.” “Yeah, we’re sorry. Please don’t be mad at us” Breezy said. Shocking Soul to see them actually kneel before her.

If she should pity them or something else, it was so weird to see. While Rainbow was left at the side just there to watch this.

“Guys…” Soul started and was quickly interrupted by Amber. “No, we were wrong. We shouldn’t have left you. You were the one who talked with us at the start and we never did give you anything back. So please, take the cake.” Both twins stood back up. But Amber actually smiled. So close to Soul that she saw she was sincere in being happy. Like the filly let a massive weight off her shoulders. “Happy Hearth’s Warming. I’d love if we can all find a time to hang out… maybe without it being so sudden.” “You sure you guys want to leave?” Dash asked.

9.44
Amber answered her when both her and her sister turned tail and walked back over to the door. Back over to where the snow came down hard outside the windows, and both of them left that box behind as they said they would. Leaving it there with Soul. The magenta filly stepped forward with Dash. Watching them off.

“We’ll catch you both at something else” Amber waved them off. “No problem.” Yeah, all of us doing something else together. Not for Hearth’s Warming. But… Soul glanced down to the ground. Sighing softly to herself. I hope we do find a chance to hang out again. Some time when we’ll all be on better terms. When I’m not so worried about them. When I don’t think they will be anything like they were at camp. Soul did consider it, to invite them both to her birthday. If Dash was going to come, it wouldn’t hurt to have more ponies there. After time had gone by for her to trust them entirely.

Four months away. That should be plenty of time. While Dash and Soul would get to enjoy this holiday together, a holiday about togetherness and giving. Acceptance and friendship. The perfect holiday for these two. But also one that made her see that such a holiday did not just mean it was something the two of them should only share together.

“I accept your apology” Soul said after the twins. After seeing how serious they were with it. “As well as the cake. Thank you so much for it.” That was enough to make both the twins look back at her and she saw they were moved by it. So why not work on fixing all of us right now?

“How about you both join us in eating it?” Soul asked with a smile. Feeling all eyes come on her in surprise. “It’s Hearth’s Warming, after all. What better way to spend it than for all of us to be together?” That alone was enough to warm her when she saw just how happy it made all the fillies around her and the cheers they made… when all three of them rushed in and Soul found herself in the middle of a big hug. Stunned at first, then she wrapped her hooves around Dash, Amber, and Breezy. There, there.

Everything will be okay.

9.45
No matter how cold it was getting outside in the waning hours of the day. As night crept in and the chill got worse, it didn’t matter in here where it only got warmer. Inside this loving and welcoming home that Soul really did feel was as comforting to be in as her own house. But it never did get like this at her house where she could sit here atop the sofa and watch the tiny little flames flicker and dance in the dying light. Where the fire was the only thing that lit up the house. Burning bright inside of the fireplace. Where all the logs had completely disappeared in the time she spent watching it. Held in place just staring at the reds and oranges that warmed her up just by looking at them. Doing their best to make her want to fall asleep. Just too comfortable.

She never thought it could get like this where she could actually feel so safe and calm as to just drift off atop somepony else’s couch. Inside a house that was not her own. She loved it. Setting her head down against Rainbow’s cyan fur along the side of the filly’s head, both of them held tightly inside the blanket till both of them couldn’t help but… actually snuggle up against one another. Just leaning against her and her leaning against Soul, it didn’t help in keeping her awake. Like she could just do this for hours and sleep with her like this. Just so calming and peaceful inside this place. Sitting side by side with her… and even more so with none other than Amber laying down in a curl at Soul’s other side. The older filly covered up in the blanket and her little sister’s own fur with Breezy laying on top of her. All of them left their staring at the fire. Relaxing… just one more burp coming from Amber.

9.46
“Sorry…” she giggled. Those empty plates left on the table showing why it was she did that, and Soul too felt so satisfied after just too many slices of that delicious cake which Amber claimed to have made herself. She believed it. The icing had been messy and didn’t look like something from a shop. Still tasted amazing.

She actually went out of her way to make a cake for all of them. Something about that made Soul kind of appreciative. Kind of safe. Forget what happened between us long ago. Because this moment was like nothing had ever happened where all four fillies could be with one another under the same blanket. Laid out among the couch watching the fire and listening to the snow coming down outside. Small patters against the windows.

“I really hope we get to do more stuff like this” Amber said. “We should be able to” Dash assured her. No matter what, they could still all stick together. Rebuild all that they had before, Soul felt confident of it even if they would see less of these two from now on. Their long conversations about the future and what it held for all of them until Soul and Dash learned what would be happening. “Even if we’re apart, we can still visit and find lots of time to play together” Amber said. But each line still struck Soul. A little saddened that they would be seeing one another less. But it was for the best. Amber and Breezy were off to do what they wanted to do.

Transferred.

Not there to be with her and Dash for the next rounds of camp, not when both of them will be gone to learn to be weather pegasi at another camp… all the way on the other side of the city. So we never will have our own little group for camp. Still… “I wish we could still be camp buddies” Soul said. Making them all fall silent. All of them must feel the same way. “We can still be together outside of camp” Amber mentioned. “I know we can all find time between lessons to have fun. …Are Breezy and I still allowed to come to your birthday parties?” “Of course” Soul said. Followed by “Duh” from Dash.

“It’s not that bad” Breezy said. “We can find time to all goof around. Maybe we can play in the snow sometime. Amber and I love snowball fights.” “Soul and I would wreck both of you” Dash boasted. Even if we never did such a thing before. Still so funny how confident she was, and Soul was too. That sounded awesome. All of us having a little competition to see who was better, a little one sided. Soul hated to admit it, but… the twins had little to compare with how Dash and her were able to coordinate. It can still be fun.

9.47
“You know, Soul also has this killer spot down by the forests where there’s this lake we can all swim in too when it gets warmer” Dash mentioned.

She’s inviting them to join us for that? Wait, we’re gonna go back? Wow, all of us as a group. Soul smiled about that. “Are you talking about those forests surrounding Ponyville?” Amber asked. “By the Everfree forest, yeah” Dash nodded. “I know those forests get beautiful in the spring, we’d love to go. Wow, trees so thick we could play hide and seek in… and then going swimming.”

Sounded like a joy. We really have come a long way. Soul never did think about hide and seek in that forest. Not even sure if the adults would let them do that, unless they also participated. All of us together on a trip. All of us together. Like we are now. All the fillies able to finally sit down and talk to one another like nothing had happened. Where Soul felt there was some sense of… of friendship coming back. For all of them to be friends. With Dash here as her best friend. She remembered not long ago when she would sit alone on her bed, left to stare out at the moonlight in the darkness of her room, every night. Just left to look forward to the same thing every day. Training. Reading. Watching with envy of the other ponies. Hoping for something fun to do with Nimbus and Starry. Rare, it would be. So rare, but every day was mostly the same.

9.48
We sit here together, I’m with other ponies. Inside of a new house, enjoying this beautiful moment with others. Left to look forward to so many things. Wonderbolts soon. Birthdays and parties. Trips and play dates. Training alongside others and… and to be proud to fly with another pony at her side. To put all the skills she had learned to light and all could see how good she was, and for her to be loved for it.

She, Soul Serenity, had three ponies here with her that she could honestly see being her friends for a long time. Or even forever. Let the past be damned. Because they could fix it all. If tonight was any proof of that. That she truly had entered a new world where she could trust these ponies. All of them. That she had that life she craved for. The one Nimbus wanted her to have.

Nimbus, you didn’t have friends and were alone for most of your life. So much longer than anything I could try to do, and you wanted me to have something different. Now, now I have it. I reached what it was you wanted me to have.

I… I’m happy. Happy to have a pony here to hold her. To enjoy life with. So much that it brought a tear to her eye. Left to shimmer bright orange in the reflection of the flames and twinkle in her sunny eyes. That we get to do things like this. Rainbow Dash crawled out from the blanket and went off.

“I think it’s time” she said before she flew off down the hallway. Soul smiled, holding hooves to her chest. Such joy in her heart. I got to tell her.

“Dashie” she caught the filly before she flew off. “There’s a box in my bag. Can you get it for me? Don’t open it.” Rainbow nodded. Flying off to go get them. Go get what it was that Soul could finally do with another pony. Smiling to herself, and she felt the twins looking at her and happy for her. “I bet she’ll love whatever it is” Amber said. I know she will. And I will too. How could she not? This will be her first Hearth’s Warming to do this. None other than open gifts… with a friend.

9.49
Those presents came out held between Dash’s hooves with the little filly flying in, only her wings could be seen flapping behind the two boxes stacked up in her hooves. There was a blue one sitting under the yellow one that Soul knew to be her present for none other than Dash. So… did that mean the blue one was for Soul? Her heart raced a little. Always so excited for the chance to open presents. But maybe it was for somepony else. She still drooled over it.

“Is this the box you were talking about?” Dash asked. The filly flew in closer, having a hard time carrying it all with both boxes as tall as she was. “That’s it” Soul confirmed and took some of that weight away from Dash, taking the yellow box in her hooves. “Alright, present time!”

Dash was excited to sit back down between the fillies. Though Soul did feel a little bad when she saw the twins scooch in to sit with them and watch. Dash must feel it too, the filly joining her in ashamedly looking towards them. “Sorry, …you two. Uh, I didn’t know you would be staying… or even what to get either of you.” Soul nodded too. I didn’t even know they were coming.

“Don’t worry about it” Amber waved a hoof. “Letting us stay over for a bit is reward enough.” “Come on! Open your gifts!” Breezy leaned in. A huge smile on her face. If she insisted. It took Soul a long time to find the perfect gift for Dash, her first ever friend. In fact, as she looked down at the box she held, the first ever gift she gave to another. A secret Dash did not need to know. For it to be her own thing to know and be happy about, her own accomplishment. That is why this is so special. All of this.

9.50
“This is my gift to you, Soul” Dash said across from her. Both fillies sitting and staring at one another. Both boxes between them. With Dash nudging the blue one she held closer to Soul.

Dashie, you’ll never know that you’re the first friend who has ever given me a gift. Kind of pathetic to admit. Still though… is this why Soul almost shed a tear looking at that box?

“And this is mine to you” Soul also pushed her yellow one over. Such huge relief when that box left her hooves so slowly and cyan ones set themselves upon it to pull it over to Dash. Relief and worry. No idea how she will react, but Soul wanted to believe that Dash would love it. I spent so long yesterday trying to find it.

Soul pulled the blue one to her, but she didn’t do anything more. Watching her best friend of all tear the yellow paper off the box Soul hid inside. Pull with her teeth and toss aside with her hooves. As the time came near. But Soul could not take her eyes off it, no matter how much worry filled her. If she will like it or not, because this moment meant a lot to her. Right here, under the glow of the fire, with Amber sitting by Soul and watching with her sister sitting over with Dash. All of us here to see just how much you mean to me, Dashie. Our first Hearth’s Warming together. Their first day together to truly celebrate just how much they cared for one another. For them to be together. I finally… finally have a friend to do this with.

Soul never did think this would happen. But here she was. Right now, with thoughts of so more to happen. Just the two of them, to make Dash so happy with Soul… like she looked right now when the flaps of the box lifted open and Dash pulled it out. For them all to see what it was that Soul got. For Soul to finally see it in the hooves of the one she meant it for.

9.51
Dash was silent. Staring at her gift. Held before her, like a trophy.

“Soul…” “It’s for you” Soul said fidgeting in place. It was none other than a hat. One so familiar. Just the memory of what it meant, the perfect gift for the pony that Soul cared for more than any other. The same blue and white cap that Soul once wore like made anew, and Dash turned it around in her hooves. Seeing that winged golden lightning bolt gleaming in front. Shining so bright even in the dark from the flickering of the flames.

“I was able to find where Nimbus and Starry got mine, I thought it would be…” “I don’t know what to say” Dash cut her off. “You actually got this for me?” “Yes” Soul said. Pausing and… she saw just how little she had to worry. No more. As Dash’s smile grew and the filly held the hat closer to her. Giggling shortly but she never took her eyes off the gift. “I took up doing more around the house this past month and used up all my allowance to get that for you” Soul said.

Looked like it was work well spent. “Same hat I had except… there’s more.” All eyes came to her. This was the part that she was sure to be happy about. The one thing that made Soul decide to get this.

“Look at the back of it” she pointed out. Dash did so and saw it. Saw the little things stitched along the flanks of the hat. Like the hat itself had wings of its own back there set out in one thing that Soul’s hat did not have. A pair of yellow buttons wrapping a crimson Sun on each with wings extending out along the back of the hat. I only know what those are thanks to Nimbus. Dash however…

9.52
“These are symbols of the Wonderbolts captains. How did you…”

“Nimbus… knows somepony” Soul said. “They set me up with it.”

It was a long time she had to wait yesterday, but it was so worth it and every bit she had to pay. “You can’t even buy stuff with these” Dash said. She let out a big exhale. Shock in her shrill voice. Just ogling the pendants stitched into the hat. But one thing was certain. “I love it!” The filly laughed, setting the hat aside and leaping over to Soul in a surprise move that made Soul jump for a moment and then calm when Dash gave her a hug.

“You really got that for me?” she whispered in Soul’s ear. “I don’t know what to say.” “It’s all yours, take care of it” Soul said. “I’ll keep it safe. Probably my most prized possession now, nopony will touch it.” Dash tightened her hug. “Oh… thank you. You really didn’t have to.” “But I did want to. You’re my best friend and have done so much for me, it’s my gift to you. Happy Hearth’s Warming, Dashie.”

Rainbow actually did show something… that there were tears welling in her eyes, when the filly let go of Soul. Little pools that billowed of orange from the light and she wiped them away. Sighing pleasantly. “I still need to get a chance to say that too. Open your gift” Dash said.

No matter what your gift is, I’ll cherish it. I’ll be sure to keep it safe. Soul happy to look down at the blue box she held between her legs. Rainbow sat back and held her hat close. Watching Soul and waiting for the magenta filly to do the same thing Dash had done for Soul. I’ll do it.

9.53
Soul opened up her box. Peeling away the wrapping paper and finding a box inside. With all of them waiting on her to open it, she took one last breath. Loving she was doing this and pulled open the top flaps to see what lay within. What it was, surprised her. Really surprised her. Not at all expecting Dash to do this. So much so, it made her laugh.

Staring down at it. It was really funny, even Dash joined in. The cyan Pegasus running a hoof behind her head. Oh Dashie… I can’t believe you made this happen. Who else but us. Looks like great minds think alike.

Soul pulled out… that blue and white hat.

The same Wonderbolts symbol on the front. What the hell. Soul couldn’t stop snickering to herself. How did we both have the same idea? Except… when Soul turned it around, her eyes widened. Bare. No captain emblems. No nothing. A normal Wonderbolts hat.

“How did you both…” Amber started. “I really didn’t think she’d get me a hat” Dash said. “I kind of feel bad now… yours is so much better than what I got you.” “No…” Soul said. Looking down at it, turning back over the side where the symbol was. Dashie… this is a wonderful gift. As wonderful as the hat that I… that I once had. For a reason. To remember that which others do for me. You went out of your way to get this for me, as a piece of our friendship. This hat, it was more than what she could expect from others.

I had a hat just like this and I loved it. Before it and what it was were taken away from her. Given back to her anew… from the hooves of a pony most dear to her. Rainbow Dash’s gift. The reward for our months together… and many, many more. Such a plain and simple Wonderbolts hat, yet it was the gift from a friend. From her best friend. The one pony I can trust and rely on. Hats for both of us to wear together.

“I love it” Soul whispered. “It reminds me… of that day.” Soul put it on top of her head. Scrunching in her mane. Wearing it like she used to. That day so long ago. That led to when Soul could now look this filly in the eyes and… she could lean in and hug her. Pull her into her massive wings for Dash to disappear inside those lovely feathers. For as long as she could, Soul hugged her best friend. “Thank you so much.” Thank you for reminding me of what it was that brought us together. Everything that did. Even if it wasn’t her intent. But Dash smiled.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming” Dash whispered to her.

9.54
Soul felt her best friend’s hooves come up and hug her too. Once more. Even more when she saw the twins join in. Nopony resisted, and all four of them shared in this moment together. For them all to be able to enjoy it. No matter the past, because what mattered now was the future. A future so bright. So beautiful. Gone forever were those sad days. Forever. For us to have many more nights like this. Holding one another for so long. Soul embraced it.

“Hey, the snow is letting up” Amber said. “Look…” They all did. Letting go, though none of them slid apart from one another. All four of them sitting side to side with one another. Looking out at the scene beyond the windows. One of white and fire. The Sun disappearing in the horizon with only a faint shroud of red cast out over the world, shining bright over the calm Cloudsdale where the cloud mountains rose into the hazy skyline. Shining bright. Burning off from the shallow snowfall coming down. Coming down upon this dying day and the coming of a new one. A new day in the future, a future as bright as the Sun. Where darkness would rise, but the light would come back.

To think that light would never come, Soul was glad she never felt that way anymore. As nothing can keep us apart. Nothing. Hearth’s Warming Eve was ending and all of them would soon part. But Soul didn’t keep herself hesitant when she felt something touch her hoof and did as it wanted. Slinking her hoof around Dash’s and the both held tight between each other. Smiling out at the sunset.

A bright future with you. For both of us.

9.55
Everything had fallen quiet. A still house. Soul left the stairs and the darkness down there with all the lights removed down there, and everypony now upstairs. The filly still had her sleep over to look forward to. So close, she yawned. Hat left atop her head, the last piece of the day that was ending. Yet something did stop her. Heading over to Dash’s open door, where a little slither of light shone out from, her hooves stopped at the door before that one. The closed one that she looked up to. A guest bedroom, one she couldn’t use. Should she be lucky she couldn’t use it? Being able to sleep in the same room as Dash.

She still did wonder why it was she couldn’t use it. Each time she passed it, giving it a glance. If something special was on the other side. No matter how much she wanted to know, she never did. Still didn’t even as her hoof glided along the wooden door and she looked down. Thinking to herself. I wonder if Dash had a sister, …would this be her room? If she had more for her family, would this be theirs?

I did want to know why I couldn’t use it, but Soul’s hoof slid off it and she sighed. Another yawn coming out, bigger than the first. Curiosity drowned out by the voices inside the open room just ahead of her. But she waited there. Waited for it to end. Not wanting to butt in. Because she knew what it was that was happening in there. It made her frown only grow.

9.56
If another pony lived in this room… would they get the same treatment before bed? For somepony to come in and wish them good night. Read them a story or talk to them before bed. Let them know all was okay and how much they loved them. For somepony to come in and kiss Soul on the forehead.

She touched her forehead. Longingly staring still at the closed door. She’s so lucky. To have somepony like that. Breaking out of that only when she heard the hoofsteps and Windy stepped out from Dash’s room. Spotting the filly at the other end of the hall just standing there. That pony did come over to her.

“Soul, everything okay?” “Yeah… just waiting” Soul said, not giving her the real reason she did wait. But she couldn’t look at Windy, only at that door. She heard the mare stop right next to her. Looking down at her in wonder, but Soul spoke. “I was told I can’t sleep in this room, …why? What’s in there?”

Was it wrong to ask that? I really do want to know… know what it’s like to live… in another pony’s house like it was normal. Like all was normal. “I did catch you staring at it before” Windy said. When was that? Soul didn’t even notice if she had seen Soul before. “I made a promise to myself that nopony can go in there… not just yet” Windy said. “I can’t let you in.”

Soul nodded. But what was inside? What’s so important about this room? “Is it wrong to ask why?” Soul asked. “Not at all” Windy said. The mare stepped up and… Soul watched her smile as she placed her hoof against the door. Sliding it slowly. Even in the dark, she lit up as she spoke.

9.57
“This room will be a very special place. It will be there one day as a reminder for our little Dashie to see just how wonderful a pony she is and how much we love her. Someday… but not today.” “Remind her?” “Yes” Windy nodded.

“Can you do me a favor, Soul?” Soul stepped up and listened. She would do it. Whatever it is. It was the least she could do. “Someday, can you also remind her how special she is. I know she means a lot to you, maybe… any day she’s down, you can remind her how important she is to you. I know she’ll do the same for you whenever you need it.”

For me to remind her? Dashie, I always will care for her. “Okay, I’ll do that.” That made Windy happy. She looked down at the filly.

“This room is empty right now, but… because of you, it’s going to be something special for her someday. For all you did for her. You made her confident again. And…” she sniffled and Soul saw the mare’s eyes shimmer in what little light was up here. “You’ll both achieve your dreams together and… I’ll be sure to fill this room with everything you get on that path. Thank you, so much Soul.”

She wasn’t quite sure why, what to be thanked for. But she did know that… that things have changed. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here like this. Wondering what day it will be when she could see what it was Windy planned to fill this room with. The filly nodded. Concerned about the teary mare, but she walked off when Windy opened a hoof to present Dash’s room for her. Walking over to it. “Happy Hearth’s Warming, Soul” she whispered behind her. Soul stopped and looked back at the mare.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming” Soul said with such warmth inside. Happily wishing her “Good night.” “Sweet dreams.” Soul closed the door on her.

9.58
It really was weird stepping in to a bedroom like this. Really different. Not stepping in to sleep in her own room. A completely different room… with another pony in here. In this dark room, Soul still saw Rainbow in the light of the last flickering candle burning atop the table by her bedside, where the filly rolled over and found Soul stepping into the room to join her.

Looked like Windy had tucked her in with only Dash’s head above the covers. Looked to be pretty tired too. But she still reached a hoof out from under the blankets and waved to her. Yawning as she did so. It was not often she saw the filly worn out. Today really was a tiring day but it was just so fun. So worth it and many more fun days like this to come. For now, Soul was content with what she had gotten today. Now ending with her here sleeping alongside her best friend.

Soul climbed up on to the mattress set out for her. Lumbering over the thick blanket to where she could settle her weary head on that big pillow. Really soft to the touch. As was the blanket. They didn’t give her the old stuff to use. All of this looked as nice as what Dash had up there to sleep in.

“Did you manage to find everything alright?” Dash whispered from up there. The filly peering down over the mattress. “Yup…” Soul said. She slowly took off her hat, Dash’s present. Pulling it down with one hoof and looking at it. Staring, but she still adored it. Having to set it aside, safely placed down with her bag at the side of the mattress. “Today was a great day” she said.

I’ll have to find a special place for this hat. Or maybe she would wear it every day. Maybe Dash will wear her hat every day. Whatever she wanted to do, Soul would be happy. That wonderful hat was left by Dash to hang atop her bed post. Right above where her head lay on her pillow.

9.59
“I can’t wait for when we get to hang out again, I really like being with you…” Dash spoke with such a tired voice. Whenever she said stuff like that, it made Soul’s heart feel faint. That pony up there with her magenta eyes shining in the waning fire of the candlelight. All joy in those eyes. Watching Soul.

“Thank you so much for spending the day with me” she said. Soul pulled her blanket aside and found a nice spot to fall in to. Sliding herself down onto the bed, quick to throw that blanket over her. Ah… this feels nice. Rolling over so she could be face to face with her best friend up there. Getting herself comfortable. Pretty easy to do. This really was a nice bed she had gotten. Listening to the wind outside and hearing the faint taps of snow landing on the windows. Yet she wasn’t cold. Couldn’t be. Dash didn’t look to be either. Nice and tucked in up there all thanks to her mom.

“I really can’t wait to hang out with you again soon. You still want to go to the Wonderbolts?” Soul asked. “Of course, and you’re still coming “Dash pretty much affirmed.

I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Any chance for us all to hang out together. “We both will get to see the ponies that we are gonna be someday.” Rainbow’s confidence was always so lovely to hear. Listening to her go on about how wonderful the uniforms will be and wanting to try one on when they go, it made Soul happy to hear her. Blindly smiling up at her. I love listening to her. Rainbow being the most talkative pony she has known. The most confident one too.

All thanks to me… according to her mom.

9.60
“You okay?” she heard Rainbow ask. Seeing her staring. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just listening.” Soul shifted herself and found a very nice spot to lay her head down on the pillow. Sinking into it. “I talked to your mom before I came in. About that room next to yours.” “What about it?” Dash whispered. “Do you know what she wants to do with it?” “Yes, even want to install a door in here to go in that room. Easy convenience or something” Dash answered.

“You really do have awesome parents, wanting to always support you and remind you they love you. I really am jealous of you…” Here Soul was not sure if she should have said that, she scrunched up under the blankets. Looking away, but Dash still asked “Why?”

Soul paused. Really, this day had been awesome. Excellent. But… she kept seeing it. Just how very different things are between her and Dash. What she had and what Soul didn’t. “You’re as amazing as I am” Dash tried to assure her. Is it even right to tell her? There was so much that Soul felt seeing all that this family had and how happy Dash was. Even tonight, did Windy kiss her good night? Am I so lucky as to have anything like that… even… a pony to let me know how much I mean to them? Too much to ask for? Or would she understand?

“I want to know if… if I would also have somepony out there who would be proud of me. Just like your parents are. Do… do you think my mom would be proud if she saw me become a Wonderbolt? Wherever she is.” If she had never left, what would my life be like? Could she get a kiss or even compassion and comfort? Anything to let her know she was cared for by somepony so close to her. Her own family. But it will never happen.

She’s gone.

9.61
“I get it…” Dash whispered. “Soul… I know she would be proud, she would be right now. Look at you. You’re one of the best flyers at Junior Speedsters and you’re gonna be a Wonderbolt. You got a wingpony and skill. It’d be stupid for her to not be happy.”

Really? If only she had never left. Then Soul could go to bed tonight… with her there to kiss her good night and wish her pleasant dreams. Let her know how special she was. “You’re a great flyer and my best friend. You… you mean the world to me, buddy.” Soul looked down across the blanket. Shimmering eyes so faintly going across the darkness in the room and she could not shake that feeling. For her to mean so much to other ponies. Even just one. She had Rainbow Dash.

Is it wrong to want that family too? Even… even just one pony. One for her to hold and be held by. Who would kiss her and let her know she is loved. Rainbow Dash had introduced her to an entirely new world. One so free and open… but… there was still the bleak corners of it all where the darkness still hid.

What could be out there? What to look forward to? If things will stay the same, or if things will get better.

“Come on, Soul” Dash said. “One for tonight?” One? Soul knew what she meant. Turning her over in her bed and both of them facing one another. Soul still smiled. Even if she were wanting what it was that others got, what she could never have before, she still could end the day with something so bright and lovely. She nodded. Saying it alongside Dash. “Cloudsdale Wingponies!” Dash’s wings flailing a little under her covers and she laughed along with Soul. No matter how weird it was, they still had that little reminder of the day they became best friends. Something to end the day with. For a new day to come tomorrow.

“Good night, Dashie” Soul whispered. Tucking herself in. With only tomorrow to look forward to… when she would go home and… then what? Then what? What did she want? What is it that I want? Something special. That I should not be afraid of. Rainbow has it for herself, it’s not wrong for me to want it too. Stuck on her mind and seeing how it was with this family. I do want it too. For there to be a pony there for me. Looking forward to it.

9.62
“Soul…”

Dash broke out from the long pause and silence in the night, while the candle still flickered and danced. Nopony bothering to put it out yet. That pony up there who stirred under her blanket. Neither of them falling asleep yet. Soul could not. Feeling a little better that Dash couldn’t either. That this day could go on a little longer of her being with a special pony. “Yes?”

“I got something crazy I wanna ask” Dash continued. “Feel free to say no.” “What is it?” If there’s something on her mind, maybe we can talk about it. Both of them could talk until they could feel better and fall asleep. “About what we talked about yesterday in the woods, it’s been on my mind and… I wanted to know something about you” Dash said. The filly leaned over her bedside. Close to coming out from under her blanket. But she wanted to get closer to Soul. “If you’re okay with it.” “What’s wrong?”

Soul patiently waited for the filly to talk. Rainbow looking left and right, she couldn’t even keep herself still as she fidgeted under her blanket and her wings fluttered a little at her sides. “Since you’re my best friend… I was thinking about you and I doing something. Since we’re both here… how about… you…” she giggled a little. Taking a deep breath.

“Come on up here?” “What?”

9.63
Soul was confused, looking up at this pony. What it was she was asking. Sounded a lot like something familiar to her. What it was they did talk about yesterday. But… that was something different. This… what Dash was asking was between the two of them. But… she had heard right, and Dash looked serious.

“You’re gonna make me spell it out, huh? I want to know if you want to sleep with me… ugh!”

Dash threw herself back up on to the bed. Holding her forehooves over her face. Mumbling to herself. “Damn it…” she whispered. Her raspy voice breaking from embarrassment. But Soul was there and she heard it right. Rainbow Dash wanted to sleep with her. This… this was not something she had expected her to ask. At all. Of all ponies to say that, to leave Soul with those words. Rainbow Dash to be the one. Why… the only other pony Soul knew of to do that was… Windy.

She didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what to think. But there was another pony here asking her that question. Actually wanting her to. Or did she? “You want me to sleep with you?” Dash threw down her legs. “Yes. But only if you want. I… I don’t ask this of all ponies so… uh, you’re lucky. I want you to sleep with me.” Mumbling off on that last line. The filly turned over and left her back to face Soul. “Didn’t you want somepony to do that with you?” she asked back there. Somepony, yes. She never expected it to be this pony.

There were others she wanted to ask to do the same thing with. Always afraid of what they would think if she did. Never Dashie. This pony was the last she would expect this of. Does this mean… I really don’t have anything to be afraid of? Why are my hooves moving on their own? Pushing the blanket off of herself and pushing herself off the bed. Standing right up for her face to look over Dash’s bedside and wonder if it would be right. Where that big space that Dash left at her back with the blanket flipped open and room for… for another. The filly left to whimper into her hooves on the other side of the bed in total stunned silence that she asked this of Soul. But she was brave. Braver than Soul. Such a strong and confident pony who let go of her guard and… and asked me something so crazy. So crazy and… so sweet. Enough for Soul to shake her head and smile.

If she’s not afraid, why should I be? I’m her best friend. She’s mine. Of all ponies out there, this was the one Soul felt most comfortable with. Enough for her to do this.

9.64
Soul kicked the blanket off her hooves and actually stepped up to the bedside. Dash not even noticing, not until she turned over when Soul’s hoof stepped down onto the bed and she pulled herself up. Shocking Dash. Shocking herself, but she did it.

Soul stepped up to where Dash was. Looking down upon her and smiling sweetly.

“Can I?” she asked. Dash held her mouth open. Laying on her side but… she slowly nodded. Looking away. As she expected, Soul could tell the filly was embarrassed. So am I. But it’s not going to stop Soul. Because I finally get to know what it is like. To be this close to another.

Soul laid down. Going under the same blanket as Dash, setting her head down on the same pillow. So close to her… and her heart beat fast. So very close. To where Dash’s rainbow mane sat just at the edge of Soul’s nose. Where she could see her best friend shaking. So frightened. Even Soul’s wings trembled a little. But she still managed to laugh.

“We’ve… never done anything like this before, huh?” Closest they got to do was hugging. Nothing like this. Is it weird for us to do this? We’re best friends and all, wingponies and friends forever. I… I don’t feel weird at all. Indeed, Soul could admit to herself that she was actually starting to love this. Actually wanting more of this. For them to be so close in the dark together.

9.65
“Yeah…” Dash laughed. Fading out and the filly went back to trembling in terror over there. “I uh, never had a friend sleep in bed with me before. First time for everything” Dash said. “It’s kind of different.”

“Do you want me to get out. I can sleep back on my bed” Soul offered, about to get up but a hoof stopped her and Dash turned over.

“No!” The filly’s wide eyes settling back down just like her rushed voice. “No. Lie down.”

Dash pushed her back and Soul did as she wanted. Finding a place on the pillow once more. Where Dash joined her again. Keeping her back to Soul and she sighed. “I’ve only done this with mom so… I’m a little… um…” No need to say. This is new to me too. But, Dash was right about something. Soul did wonder.

“Why do you want me to sleep with you? I’m not your family or anything.” Though sometimes, I wish I had a family like this one. “It’s nothing that special…” Dash said. Stopping right there. The filly slinked under the blanket a little. Nothing special? But I thought… she wanted this. I really did wish she did see this as something. Honestly, Dash, you’re the first pony I’ve ever laid in a bed with. For her to lay down next to another as both of them drifted off into the night. She never felt it before. But was this what it would be like if she had a mother there to do this with her?

Is this what she had missed out on?

This feeling. It’s something so meaningful to her. So much so that she did want to say something about it.

9.66
“It’s Hearth’s Warming so I figured we could keep being together” Dash said. “Oh… okay” Soul whispered. Pulling the blanket over her a little and laying down inside the soft and warm bed.

I really don’t know why she wanted me to do this. Dash was so scared right now. If she had something to say, she should say it. Because Soul had something to say. “This must be what it’s like to have a mother to sleep with.” “No… it’s not.”

Soul couldn’t react when Dash scooched back, her rainbow mane filling her vision and coming over her. All those hairs falling on her face and… all the warmth coming over her. Feeling so close to her. Because they were. She could tell that Dash was laying against her. So close, and Soul… she had to move her hooves. Laying them down on Dash’s side and seeing right now that she held the filly against her stomach. With Dash’s little wings swaying against her belly and Dash’s back fur warming her. But she couldn’t believe it. Her heart pounding. So warm. So… soft. That she was holding her best friend under the covers. “This is what it’s like” Dash said calmly.

So calm now, and Soul listened to her beating heart. Laying her nose into Dash’s mane. Like a pillow. I’m actually hugging her like this? In bed.

Why… why can’t I even move? Only able to tighten her hooves around Dash’s body. Hold her tight against her stomach.

9.67
“I wanted to do this because you’re my best friend and I want you to be the pony I get to sleep with” Dash said. “I know you have felt so lonely for so long, but… I don’t want that anymore. From now on… I want you to know that I will always be there for you. You don’t need to be alone. Just please, never leave me alone. Promise me, Soul.”

No exaggeration. No smart ass tone. Dash was serious and Soul could hear it. Why else would she make me feel this way? For my heart to calm and my eyes to feel so heavy, breathing against her lovely mane. Not even the lose hairs tickling her face, only warming her. Closing her eyes against the back of her head. Not letting go of her.

Rainbow Dash has never shown me this side of her. For her to be this sweet, this open to me. Only… only her parents. She trusts me. She includes me. She is the pony who will always keep me company and… and I’ll never be alone. She’s here with me. So much that Soul could cry. Loving it so much. We are best friends, and you showed me a world I never thought I would have. Thank you.

Soul would do something for her. Keep her warm. All night long. Soul lifted her free wing up. Rising it under the blanket and sliding the feathers over Dash. Curling it down and pulling Dash in. Deep into her wing’s embrace. To where she felt all of Dash underneath that massive wing. You can have a special hug from me. All night long. Like no other. To show how much you mean to me. Dashie. You are important to me. You mean the world to me. I’ll never let you go. I’ll never leave your side, my heart won’t let me. Her heart driving her.

“I promise.” Leaning in. “I promise I will never leave you.” I hope this will show it, how much you mean to me. More than a wingpony. You are… my family.

9.68
Soul’s lips set down on Dash’s cheek. Going back and waiting… but nothing came. A small shudder from Dash under her wing and the pony fell still. Breathing softly. Leaving with the kiss Soul gave to her cheek.

Nothing more.

Soul put her face back into her mane, smiling… then fading. Listening to her friend breath. “Thank you… for today” Soul whispered.

Even as her heart felt shallow now… now that Dash fell asleep. She still remembered what Dash had said to her. It meant a lot. Though… I wish I could get a kiss too. I wish.

Soul closed her eyes. Remembering the soft feeling of fur against her lips. The first kiss… I’ve ever given. Given to you, Dashie. I’ll always be by your side. Please… be by mine.

Sweet dreams, Soul Serenity.

9.69
Rainbow waited, unable to speak. Like something stuck in her throat. Hard to breath. Fearing her pounding heart. Waiting for Soul’s breathing to calm against the back of her neck. The filly fell asleep.

Dash was so warm, so cozy under her best friend’s wing. Closer than anything else before. Held so tight. Another pony behind her who left a strange feeling on her cheek. She wanted to touch the spot. She didn’t dare or else wake Soul up. But it still hung there. That little touch to her cheek and… and how hot her face was.

As the candle died away and darkness came over her. Hiding how red her cheeks were. Leaving that feeling only to her and hidden from everypony else. Even from the pony who made her feel this way. Why? Soul.

Dash placed her hoof upon her own chest. How fast it did beat.

Why do you make me feel this way?

10.1
“Off to bed now, we got a big day tomorrow.” Soul did as Nimbus asked with the fall of the Sun upon the last moments of Hearth’s Warming day. Only the moonlight lit up her room and Nimbus was kind enough to lead Soul in. Standing by her side. A whole day together with the ponies she lived with and it wasn’t going to end yet. As she hoped for.

Today was not nearly as enjoyable as yesterday, anything she did with Dash, but it was special to her. Any time she had to stay inside and be with Nimbus and Starry. A break from training just to eat and watch the snow fall outside. Soul still dreaded the day ending. As time went by so fast and the days of her going back to camp drew closer. Close to the end of the vacation. Only a few days left. Yet she was afraid she had not been able to spend as much time as she wanted with the ponies important to her. It was all that she had to work with in the closing days of a wonderful vacation and, with a heavy hoof, she stepped up onto her bed. Slowly getting in. Not wanting it to end even as her eyes fell heavy again. Looking down at her bed, only reminded it was not the same one she slept in last night.

Not the same situation. That it was something else she was missing here.

10.2
“Do I really need to go to bed?” Soul asked. “Yes… unless you want to be sleepy all day tomorrow. Remember, we got to be up bright and early to meet with Dash” Nimbus said. The mare stepped forth from her spot at the door and came up to where Soul stood atop her bed. “Oh you…” she said softly. “I’ll fluff your pillow for you and help you go to sleep. I know… you had a lot of fun and you must be excited.” That was a reason. Not the main reason why Soul didn’t want to go to bed.

There was something else. Waiting for Nimbus to walk around and grab hold of her pillow. Doing her work to smooth it out for Soul and she looked up. “Did you want another blanket, it’s supposed to be cold tonight. Don’t want you freezing.” “I should be good.” Soul had weathered so much cold in the past, and these past few days have not been a cake walk. She could handle another night, not any reason to burden Nimbus with going downstairs and getting a blanket. The mare had enough to deal with. Soul already had enough on her mind for the mare. But she kept her mouth shut. Listening to the howling wind outside even as the snow came down so slowly under the blazing moonlight shining in through the thin clouds. “Come on now, lay down” Nimbus offered Soul a big spot in the bed for her to lay herself down in. Atop the big pillow and under the covers. Should I ask her? Last night was still on Soul’s mind. Hard to tell if she should. So hard to.

10.3
“Um… I just can’t wait for tomorrow. I don’t know if I can sleep” she used what Nimbus had reminded her of. Her stomach did have butterflies. Tomorrow was the day, the big day. When all of us can be together and see something amazing. I just hope I get to sit next to Dash. Have our own little spot together to watch. She didn’t doubt they would. I finally get to see what it is about the Wonderbolts that all ponies seem so amazed by. With my own eyes. No stupid newspapers or posters or words from others. I want to see what I will become.

“I know, Soul. But you have to. Come on, lay down.” Soul did as she asked. Finding her place to lay her head upon the pillow and waiting as Nimbus pulled the blanket over her. Keeping her warm. Not the same warmth. Soul looked over, feeling herself all alone in this bed. Just remembering the touch of warm fur along her hooves and holding somepony so close to her. She missed it. Now she was alone once more. Another normal night.

“You okay?” Nimbus asked. “Yeah.” Soul made herself comfortable. Frowning. Rainbow, what have you done to me?

Soul’s own hooves trembled under the blanket. Recalling the feeling. No matter how quick it was. Without anything being given back to her, she still loved it. What I gave her, it must be what her mom gives her. Was Dash out there right now, getting ready for bed and excited for the day to come. When both of them can be together. Calmed down by her mother. Like she saw. Like she learned. Being held the same way I held her. By a pony who loved her. But Dashie… I wanted that too. I really do. “Get some rest, Soul.”

10.4
“Wait.”

Soul wouldn’t let her say goodnight. Keeping Nimbus here at her bedside. I don’t want the day to end. I’m tired of feeling so alone in here. Maybe for tonight, I want her to stay and talk. I don’t want her to leave me in the dark again. Please stay.

“I… wanted to talk a little bit” Soul said. “About yesterday.” “You got more to say? Why didn’t you say earlier? I’d love to know more about your time over there” Nimbus said. “Really?” “Just a few minutes” Nimbus told her.

The mare stepped up. Setting her forehooves upon the bedside and leaning against it, listening. Um… what to say? I only want her to stay a little longer with me. But this damn frog in her throat. It made her tremble a little. No matter how much she told herself not to be afraid, just looking into those red eyes. They made her nervous. Like no other time before. With how kind she looked, how happy she was. “Was Dash a good host for you?” “Yeah… she actually let me sleep in her room.” “Here I thought you had the couch” Nimbus said. “No way. They set out a bed for me in her room and I had plenty of blankets.” “Good” Nimbus nodded. “My little champ deserves nothing less.”

They really had been nice to her and Soul kind of regretted not telling her the full story. Should she? Tell her she had more than her own bed. That I slept with Dash. Under the same blanket. That I got to see what it was like. Hell, her face started to feel hot just thinking of telling that.

10.5
“Dash really is a good friend to you. It’s so nice of her to pay for us tomorrow, but I can’t let her do it all. Do you think she’d fight me if I tried to buy us all dinner after it?” So we are going out to eat tomorrow. More and more, the day was sounding so much better. Soul wanted something really nice. “Dash won’t let you, you’re gonna have to insist. She’s pretty hardcore with wanting to treat us. Don’t worry about paying for me, I still have some bits.”

“You should save it. Use the money for the birthday party in a couple months” Nimbus insisted. “I can cover us. You should focus on your own stuff.” She saw Nimbus look past her. Over at the head of the bed behind her. “You are gonna have to come up with something to bring for it. It’s only right for you to not show up empty-hooved.” Soul knew she was looking at none other than the Wonderbolts hat that she had left hanging atop her bed post. Just like Dash had done with her own hat. The hats we both will be wearing tomorrow. Hoping lots of ponies will be jealous of Dash with her one of a kind hat. She deserved it, she deserved all gifts that Soul would give to her. Just like last night. She deserved what Soul had given her in bed. All the gifts, seemed like they were good at giving one another the same thing… up until last night when they fell asleep, but still. That moment was long past.

No going back to it. Leaving Soul just to think that Dash probably didn’t want to give her one back. “I hope she’s not planning on getting me the same gift for my birthday” Soul said. “How did you two manage to get almost the same hat for one another? That must be a skill.” “I don’t know” Soul said and then she laughed. Joined by Nimbus with her small giggle. The mare smiling at her. “Oh you…”

10.6
Nimbus slid off the bed. Back down onto her hooves once more, Soul realizing what was going on and her spirits dropped fast. “I think it would be best for us to get some rest now, we gonna have a fun day tomorrow?” She cocked her head and closed her eyes, expecting an answer. Soul didn’t care. Only hearing what she didn’t want to hear.

Wait. “You know… I told Dash about the scrapbook you gave me. She actually has one herself.” Nimbus opened her eyes. She looked confused. A little hesitant in her voice. “Oh really?” “Yeah, it’s full of Wonderbolts stuff and pictures of her training. All the pictures her parents took for her too… just to show her…” Soul looked down at her blanket. Still comforted by the effort Dash’s parents went through to give their daughter that love. “How amazing she is. It was pretty cool.”

“Pictures of her training?” Nimbus said. Amazed. “That’s a cool idea.” It really was. As was the idea that Dash and she had come up with. “I had an idea. Maybe you would like to help with it.” “Of course, what was your idea?” “Dash and I want to use the scrapbook you gave me to show everything we do together. Something to show our progress towards becoming Wonderbolts together. Something for us to… to look back to when we’re both mares.” A long pause. Nimbus stood there. Just a little twitch in her wing and then she raised a hoof to her mouth. So happy right now that… oh wow. Soul didn’t expect that. She saw a little shimmer in her eye. Was that a tear?

“When you’re both mares. Soul, that sounds so sweet. Oh you two must really love each other.” Grumbling happily and shaking a little in place. Like the mare was about to explode. It was actually a little funny to watch. Soul didn’t answer her. Nothing to say. Nothing at all. Just happy that they could be here together.

10.7
“I would love to help you two with that. I got the perfect idea. We need to get a picture of all of us at the stadium tomorrow. Start the book off like that.” Exactly! Us at our first Wonderbolts show. What perfect way to start off us on our journey to be Wonderbolts together. But Soul ended up yawning again despite her excitement. Making Nimbus giggle at her. “But that’s something for tomorrow. Looks like you’re pretty tired. Alright now, champ” Nimbus stepped back up and she… she put the blanket back over Soul once more. But I’m not tired.

What should I do? I really want to… but I’m so afraid to.

“We’ll take lots of photos tomorrow and put them in the book. Your first Wonderbolts show. I can’t wait to be there with you.” Soul grumbled. Sighing slightly, but she still managed to settle her head down on the pillow. Looking off, ashamed of herself. To Nimbus, this just seemed like any other night. But it was more than that. There was so much on Soul’s mind tonight. So much she wanted, and to want this night to be different than the rest. “Sweet dreams, Soul. I’ll see you in the morning.” That was all that Nimbus had to say. Like normal.

Nothing like what Dash has.

I want that. I want that from a pony, and… and you are the only one that I can think of… for me to ask the question. You are the only pony I can dare ask. Listening to the faint hoofsteps Nimbus took away from her as she left. She’s leaving. No. This could be my only chance. The only time Soul felt confident to do it. She spent her entire life wishing for it. After all that has happened, is it really enough to convince her to ask her? She was told not to be afraid. That she could get it. Dash was not afraid. She even… she even asked it of me. Because she trusts me. That has to be enough. It is enough.

10.8
“Nimbus.” Soul shot up from her bed. Almost throwing the blanket off her. Seeing the mare in the doorway, with the door almost shut. Open enough for her to look back to Soul with her worried red eyes piercing the darkness.

“Don’t go.”

Soul held the blanket up against her chest. Hiding herself. I can’t let her go, I have to be strong. Then the door creaked back open. So happy to see her come back in. “Soul, what’s wrong? You’re not yourself right now.” She’s right. This wasn’t Soul. This was the new Soul. All thanks to Dash. Not at all wanting to go back to who she was. “Are you okay?” Nimbus stepped back up to the bedside. Soul shook her head. Making the mare lean back up against the bed. I shouldn’t be afraid anymore. Nimbus was here. She was listening. Face to face. She is the closest pony I have. The one I want to ask.

Rainbow Dash should not be the only one who deserves it. Not when Soul had the chance in front of her all along. “When I slept over… Rainbow told me something. It got me wondering.” “Was it something mean?” Soul shook her head. This was so hard to do. Dash, how did you do it? Your first time asking. It must have been hard. Like Soul’s chest would explode. There was one difference, you asked your mother. Can I… can I even consider her even close to that? Can I? But… I feel so comfortable around her. I feel like I can do anything. We’ve been together for years. Just now, she was able to finally ask. She wanted to ask, but it hurt. Her entire body shaking and Nimbus could see this. She knows that Soul was nervous. No way to hide it. Any of it. “Please don’t tell anypony” Soul whispered.

“Rainbow… she does something with her mom at night.” Nimbus cocked a brow. “Does something? What? You can tell me.” Soul sighed. I was taught to be brave. I am brave. Such a strong Pegasus. Only because of what Rainbow taught her. Everything she needed to be better. All she needed was that courage. The same one that drove her to get where she was today. Soul, she could not see herself doing this a few months ago. Even if it hurts and frightens her, she knew what to do. What she wanted. What she always wanted.

10.9
“I want to do the same with you” Soul admitted. Almost curling her tongue saying that. But it came out. “We’ve been together for so long now, and… I just wanted somepony I can see as close to me. All the time. You two never did give me that but… I want it now. Just to know… what it’s like. To know what I’m missing.” “What is it?”

Soul gulped. Dropping all her guards, as the blanket fell from her. Exposing her to the air once more. I know what I want. I want to know what it’s like. Maybe someday, she would get what she always wanted. But it would take one more step.

“Dash sleeps with her mom.”

That is what I want. To get to that point. With another pony I can call family. Forever. And for them to see me as the same. Soul never got that sense from the two she had spent most of her life with. Was it time to change that? “You really trust me… that much?” Nimbus asked.

“I do.”

10.10
“Honey, is everything okay?” Starry set his book down up on the bed. “Yup, we just got a guest tonight.” Nimbus showed Soul in. Stepping through the open door and finding herself inside the one room she rarely went in to. But always as she remembered. With the lit candles at the bedsides atop tables where so many photos sat upon them underneath the large window high above the bed. Where the snow could be seen coming down outside. Right there, the massive bed she got to sleep in tonight.

It’s hard to believe I get to do this. It must be okay. Nimbus let her in. Just her, no pillow or blanket, and she closed the door behind them. “Soul? Is everything alright?” Starry said again. So confused. As was Soul. But she loved it. Embraced it.

For Nimbus to allow her to do this. Nimbus laughed. “Our little champ wants to sleep with us tonight.” Soul felt his gaze upon her from up there. It is shocking but it’s what she wanted. It must be such a surprise for him too. Just like with Nimbus. They can think what they want about why, Soul only wanted what she desired. With the ponies close to her. No more being alone. No more thinking she is meant to be forgotten and left behind. After what Dash taught her. She had the courage to step in and look up at the bed covered in velvety red blankets with bands of gold stitched into them. “Can I?” Soul asked them both. Looking up to Starry’s blue eyes and then over to Nimbus. The mare smiled at her.

10.11
“Of course” Starry said. “Come on up, Soul.” Really?! She looked back up. Starry scooted over under the blanket over to the far side of the bed. “Is there a side you want?” Nimbus asked. “No, I’d be fine with whatever…” so shy to say it. That they actually had gotten to this point. Things have changed. So much. She really did have nothing to be afraid of. “How about you lay down in the middle. Starry, dear, put away your book. I’m sure Soul is ready for bed.”

Soul put her hoof down upon the side of the bed. Impressed with how tall it was to her. Impressed with how soft it was to her touch. That she was touching it. I actually can sleep on this? It made her smile. Spreading her wings to take the jump up over the bed. Landing right down on that soft blanket. She couldn’t help but giggle a little. Just so happy. Like she really was a kid. This is awesome. She looked over at the big space there was by Starry, where the stallion put his book on the table and offered the many pillows set out for her. He looked so confused. Me too. But… we get to sleep together. We do! Just so excited over it. She didn’t hesitate to run over to the pillows and practically throw her face into one. Just a moment where she forgot how tired she was. “Whoa, careful. You don’t want to break the bed now” Starry laughed next to her.

The stallion sat up against his pillow, looking down upon her, and he leant a hoof out. Just a touch on top of Soul’s head and a gentle rub that made her smile. Calmed her down. If not for how soft it was, by how… he was doing it. Sweetly smiling at her. Accepting her like Nimbus did. “Are you okay with me sleeping with you guys?” she asked Starry. He laughed. Sorry, I’m just… it’s too good to be true. This is what I’ve wanted. This feeling. In the same room as these two. In the same bed. With ponies she trusted.

10.12
“Do you want to sleep with us?” he asked. She nodded on the pillow. Laying down on her side next to him and making herself comfortable. “All you needed to do was ask. You’re always welcome” he said.

“He’s right” Nimbus said. The mare over by the dresser, just getting done with getting ready and coming over with her mane back down and flowing gently along her neck. “You only needed to ask. You don’t need to be worried. You’re our little champ after all.” Does it mean that much?

Soul snuggled up into the pillow. Kicking her hind legs under the blanket. The filly, more and more, feeling like she truly was welcome. She actually was. In bed… with both of them when Nimbus climbed up to join them both. Taking the pillow right behind Soul. Where she now found herself right here in between both of them with her heart beating so fast. Is this what Dash does? What she gets to have whenever she wants? Nimbus and Starry had said it. I can do this whenever I ask. So… does that mean… She looked over to Nimbus. Turning over so she could lay on her back between both of them with her wings outstretched. So relaxed. Her feathers brushing up against both of them.

I feel so calm like this. Like its natural to her. Like she did this all the time. Like it was meant for her.

10.13
Soul could do this from now on. That made her smile deeply. I really didn’t have anything to be afraid of. These ponies care for me. They trust me and do all this for me. Was that enough for her to trust them? She thought it was, and she accepted it. Maybe… someday, we can be more.

I want what Dash has. She still couldn’t believe how far she had come along. Not long ago, I was afraid of these two. Now look at me. Wouldn’t trade this for the world right now. Except to maybe hold Dash one more time. She yawned. Already feeling how tired she was. Was that from how long the day had been, or from how cozy this bed was. Seriously, it was criminal for them to keep her from these blankets she went under for so long. How she sank into the bed. It was wonderful.

“Are you comfortable?” Nimbus asked. The mare pulled up the blankets, fluffing her own pillow before she laid down next to Soul. On her side and looking over at the filly with her mane draping along the pillows. Almost entangling with Soul’s mane. “This bed is the best!” Soul told her. “I probably… will never want to leave it.” “You better, we got stuff to do tomorrow” Nimbus teased her. Reaching her hoof out and tapping it gently against Soul’s nose. Silence coming over both of them. Over all of them. Listening to the wind outside. Her gentle heartbeat. The slightest movements under the covers. But Nimbus never stopped staring.

10.14
“What?” Soul finally asked. The mare smiled. “Oh… just remembering.” “I think I know what” Starry commented back there. Making Nimbus sigh. “What?” Soul asked again. Curious over it all. “The last time we did this” Nimbus said.

Soul rose a brow. The last time? But… wait… Soul thought. We did this before? Nimbus must have been able to tell how lost she was. “You were still a foal. Not long after you came to us. Oh…” she reached her hoof out to touch Soul’s own hoof. “You were so sick one day. You couldn’t even sleep in your own bed, and it was hard watching you cry. I couldn’t leave you alone at night like that with tears and all that snot coming from your nose.” “Nimbus…” Soul groaned. I don’t need to be reminded of what it’s like when I’m sick.

“But it’s true” Nimbus said. “It made me decide to let you sleep with us for a night. You passed out in the same spot you’re in right now. Like you weren’t even sick anymore.” Soul blinked. Thinking over it. How long ago was that? “I don’t remember that.” “You were still a baby and really out of it. I don’t think it would have been that memorable for you. It was just one of those nights, not like you asked me to sleep with us.” Sounded like it. Wow, I don’t remember. You would think she would but… it was gone. Lost to her. Like it never happened. For something that major. But… it wasn’t… at all like this. Like right now.

Laying here side to side, looking at one another so closely while… while Nimbus’ hoof stroked along Soul’s foreleg. I don’t remember that, but Soul doubted she would forget this feeling. Being so close to another pony. Silence between them all. Just them in the young hours of the night, next to the flickering candles. With Soul’s eyes falling. But she didn’t want to fall asleep. Not yet. “You poor thing, so tired” Nimbus said. “We really should be getting to bed but… I don’t want you to forget this.”

“Forget what?”

10.15
“It’s okay…” Nimbus said and… she leaned over to Soul. Shrouding her in her hooves, Soul couldn’t move. Didn’t even panic. Confused about what she was doing. Wrapping her hooves around Soul and… she pulled her off the pillow she lay on. Taking her off the bed. “Don’t worry.”

What are you… Soul felt herself pulled up atop of Nimbus. Where she now was. Laying there on her chest where the mare looked at her with such a wide smile. Holding the filly in her hooves to rest on top of her.

Nimbus… she’s never done anything like this before. Soul could feel all of her. How soft and warm her golden fur was against her own. The rise and fall of her chest, the big pony able to hold her completely. Like she… she was her bed. Soul didn’t know if she should leave. If this was okay for Nimbus. If she was okay with it. I’ve never even heard of this. Never seen this. Not from this pony. Nimbus was cradling her. Soul arched her head up, staring up at her. Unsure what to say. Just feeling the mare running her hooves along Soul’s back. Holding her tight against her chest.

“Nimbus…?” “It’s okay… it was brave of you to ask to sleep with us. Maybe… you’d be alright like… this? Make it a little more memorable than last time.” Soul looked over to Starry. That stallion grinning and then keeping to himself. Just between her and Nimbus… and she… Soul liked it. Enough to… put her head down upon Nimbus’ chest. Right down to where her mane touched against her chin and Nimbus’ mane licked along her face. Listening to her breathe. So soft and calm. Like a beautiful melody that Nimbus’ heart made, and Soul could hear her own heartbeat. Just as soft. She was happy.

10.16
I’ve never been this close to her before. She had never cradled her before. Soul would have remembered something like this. Now… she had it. This was beautiful. A feeling she never had before. Enough to make her drift. Slinking her little hooves down and holding on to Nimbus. Running her hooves along her side. Not daring to move. Because Nimbus was more comfortable than the bed. Warmer. So much warmer when… she gasped as Nimbus’ wings came over her back.

Those huge things taking her in golden feathers. Just like how I held Dashie. This is what… I gave her. Is this what Dash got from her mom too? Or maybe Soul was lucky. To get it from this pony. One she felt she could ask anything now. One that she trusted. Tomorrow will be a great day. Soul blinked slowly. Her eyes feeling so heavy as Nimbus hushed her. Stroking a hoof over her back. “Go to sleep” she whispered. “We’ll have so much fun in the morning, but sleep now.” With such care in her soft voice. Soul just stared at the yellow fur she lay on. Listening to her soothing voice. The only voice she heard. Her mouth trembled but… only one thing came out with a tear running down her face.

“Thank you, Nimbus.” This is what I want. I want more of it. This is what she missed out on. No more. She didn’t want it left out from her anymore. Maybe… she can trust these ponies with anything. Even… her own desires. “Sweet dreams.”

Soul closed her eyes. Remembering that soft feeling.

10.17
Nimbus listened. She’s asleep. It made her smile, looking down at the filly she had nestled against her chest. It was too hard… too hard to not shed tears over it. She had to wipe them away and then look over to her husband. Over at his loving face seeing her like this. I must look like something else for you, huh?

I’ve never held a little pony like this before. Nimbus tightened her wings around the slumbering filly. Breathing gently against her chest. Such a small thing. So frail. Like… like I’m the one protecting her. I am. Just like… I always wanted with a pony. Soul, you never did get anything like this. Not like what Dash has. You actually want… me of all ponies to do this for you.

“You really do make a good one” she heard Starry whisper over there. Nimbus looked at him. Thinking she knew what he meant. Cocking her head at him. Never stopping her hoof from stroking along Soul’s back. “A mother” he said. Damn, it’s already hard to hold in the tears. She exhaled hard. “You… say that like I already am one.” Like I am. I am a mother. Just like one to this filly… right now. The girl I’ve cared for for years now. The closest I’ve ever felt to her. Is this what she wants? Is this what I want? “Maybe… you could reconsider what I suggested long ago” Starry said. I know. I know what you mean. I wasn’t ready then. I didn’t think she was ready either. A sad and lonely filly. She’s not that pony anymore. I’m not that frightened mare anymore. Soul deserves the best. For all she’s been through. She deserves it. I…

I want to be her mother.

10.18
“I want us to be her parents” she said. “I’ll support it” he said to her. “Then maybe…” Nimbus paused. Hating it when she felt it and could tell that Starry noticed. With the shuddering blankets covering her. So embarrassed over it, but it’s not something they weren’t used to. Just having to wait for her hind legs to stop shaking. Another moment. As Soul’s hoof touched that tainted flesh Nimbus’ wing no longer hid. Her only shame. But she wouldn’t let that pain get to her. Ignoring her spasm. Shaking her head. It’s not going to stop me. I finally can have my dream. Because of this filly. I’ll give her what she dreamt of.

“Starry.”

“Yes, honey?”

“In the morning, …let’s ask Soul if it’s something she wants.”

Listening to the wind howling outside.

10.19
It is a beautiful scene. I do believe. Holding my brush up to the canvas. Yet… something is missing. As I look upon the world before me. All these rolling hills upon the valley under that vast city floating in the sky. Covered in the white of this snow, yet not enough to keep me away. Not cold to the touch. For what better moment than now to capture it?

A scene under the moonlight in the harsh fall of winter. It’s taken me so long… so very long to find a moment like this.

Clenching the brush in my teeth, I wonder to myself, what can finish it? The colors are perfect. The scene, breathtaking to some. Not to me though. Glittering starlight over a calm land so quiet in the night. At the edge of the frozen rivers leading into the forests. I captured the lake quite well. Perfect place for young ponies to play in. Even looked tantalizing now in the cold. Took a while for me to get the perfect hues of blue and white in to it. Shining the reflection of the moonlight. But… this is all the same. Each portrait like the other. A scene of beauty. Captured in the land of this world.

The lake would make a fine place for young ponies to play, yet none are here at night. None are here in the cold. None to capture into this image. For that is what I always lacked. Through my hundreds of paintings, I never could get that scene of emotion that ponies do show. Any emotion. Yet some reign stronger than others. A week ago, I wondered if it was right to paint a pony warped in her sadness. A frail mare, sitting alone under this dark sky. I don’t think she noticed me. I could have painted her… but… I walked away. Now, once again I stand here looking at my art. With my reflection in the shining dabs of paint showing my golden fur. Me alone once more. For that was the key.

10.20
Loneliness is never a good thing to have for any pony. Especially if they don’t deserve it. I regret not coming up to that mare and comforting her. Lonely ponies work well together. For something wonderful can blossom between them. That is what my scene lacks. Something other than loneliness. A world without it. Captured by my brush.

Do I paint it? Something like that? It would need to be special. One last moment. One of love. True love. What would make it work? For me to capture that scene and lead to something more beautiful. Without loneliness for any pony. For it can be marred by pain. My scene could be ruined. One mistake. Like a wrong brush stroke. Or even worse. For that love to be broken. Tainted by pain.

I blink and see it upon the canvas already. Horrified by it. That of a mare… dying. Dying from her own ravenous body tainted in disease… and the stallion she leaves who rejoins her soon through his own will. But… the pain after. Should I paint that? I don’t want to. Because… they’d leave behind the one pony who needs them most. Yet that stroke was already painted. Atop a hill. Under the moonlight. But that poor little pony, she doesn’t deserve that. Not when there is something better.

There is always something better.

10.21
Together in the night, in the shine of the Moon. Two lovers entwined. One last passion between them. Free of the pain that I do not want to see upon my canvas. It can’t be avoided. It can’t be altered. Just like any brush stroke. But it can be changed into the perfect scene. Without what I fear. The fear of two colors lost and separate. To disappear alone and leave behind the third. In such a cruel manner.

Wouldn’t it be so much better if I made those colors mix and flow? That of gold and that of blue. To share in one last moment together and then… they can fade away together. Not without meaning as it would be if I did nothing to change what was set, but with purpose. New purpose for the one they leave behind no matter the result.

Do not worry, young one. For this is meant to be how it is painted. For a scene… without pain in the very end. Then… I need not to paint any more after this last stroke. As the brush goes across the canvas. Make it so. It leaves my lips. Held out under the moonlight. Under the gaze of those crimson and azure eyes staring back at me in the paint. I blink. They blink. As the brush snaps in two. I don’t need it anymore.

The wind howls.

The forest falls quiet.

“The rest… will paint itself… thanks to her. Hehehehehehehehe.”

10.22

Soul. Soul. Wake up.

Come on, get up.

Aww, but it was such a good sleep. Was it really already time to get up? Nice and comfy in Nimbus’ hooves and wings while listening to her breath. Soul could swear she had not slept that good in so long, then… she was quick to yawn and feel just how tired she still was, as well as the fact that… she was shivering.

Soul shot up. Sitting up on the bed within the scarlet blankets surrounding her. Just the blankets. So groggy and out of it, but she knew this wasn’t right. I was sleeping with Nimbus. Why am I…? Wait. As the filly warmed herself with her hooves and wings, she found why it was she was so cold. No blanket… and no wings around her. Nothing around her. Nopony. Soul was all alone in the bed. The blanket left tossed aside before her, and she looked all over. So confused. Even more when she found the pillows all shoved aside and… even the mattress was left with deep dents where ponies had lay. That was all that was left of Nimbus and Starry. Inside this dark room where only the moonlight cast a white glow over all around her.

“Nimbus? Starry?” Soul got up to stand on the bed. Seeing for sure that it was still night. Still hearing the wind howling outside and the snow coming down. Alone in the empty and silent room, with the door still closed and the only thing that moved was her shadow.

10.23
What the hell? What are they doing up? Who woke me up?

Soul looked all around. Really, there was no reason for them to be up. Unless they were playing a prank on her. Not cool at all. Come on now, they were having a wonderful sleep. Soul wanted them back, no time to play around. It made the little filly growl under her lips. “Nimbus, come on now!”

She leapt down from the bed, still feeling a little wobbly in her legs and shaking her head just to try and wake up. “Where are you guys!?” Soul didn’t say it angrily, but with worry. She looked around the room with her hoof raised. Hesitant to walk away. Just thinking that… she was alone in the dark with no idea what those two were doing. Where they were. “This isn’t funny.” She took the step. Her hoof setting down upon the floor and it creaked. Her ears went up, almost jumping back. Not from the creak, but from another sound it took her a few moments to figure out.

That was… the front door closing downstairs. She had heard it plenty of times before. Is there a… no, wait a minute. Soul heard it. No doubt what it was, her sharp ears catching it fast. Making her turn back to the window over the bed. Right out there. Her wings were at least awake, taking her back up on to the bed and running over. Leaning up against the wall to look out. Out at the dark city of clouds beyond under the glow of the massive Moon shining a blistering pale blue so low in the sky. So low to where the towers of Cloudsdale itself shone in silhouette before it. Like the entire sky was cast in that blue. Deep out there in the gently falling snow. Alongside what it was she had heard. It only made her more afraid.

10.24
It was wings. Two pairs of them. Belonging to the ponies that Soul saw fly away into the night. Leaving the house behind. “Nimbus! Starry!” She pushed her hooves against the glass. Watching none other than both of them soar side by side. Away from her.

No, where are they going? Soul almost panicked. Pushing the glass and then settling back down on all fours. Wanting to try and find what it was she could do. They’ve never done this before. They always told me when they would be leaving. What pony would leave for a flight this late at night? Why would they? One thing was for sure, Soul did not like it.

How can they just leave? More importantly, why was she even considering staying here and waiting? Those two are up to something. They have never pulled a stunt like this before. Besides, they needed to be at the show later. With her. I got to go get them. They can’t be out late. They can’t… just leave me here. Without saying anything. Just like… she did.

No! I got the power now. After all we went through, they’re not going to just ditch me like this. No matter the reason. Soul extended both her wings. Spread feathers proudly displayed on her mighty wings. She turned back to the window. Up to the two dots flying away in the deep Moon. Whatever they’re doing, she wanted to know. A stronger push than before was what it took to send the window flying open and Soul took off, deep into the chilly wind blasting over her as she left her house behind.

10.25
Soul was awake now. No way she’d be tired when flying through weather like this where the wind licked her fur and seeped between her feathers to chill her spans. All the snow coming down in her face from the darkness above. But the Moon guided her way and her eyes saw them both. Two ponies with wings flapping. Two dots in the Moon.

Soul shivered. Rubbing her legs over one another while her wings kept up the pace. Not letting the cold stop her. This is nothing. When she was so afraid and worried over what it was those two were doing. So much so that she flew off by herself into the darkness over Cloudsdale where nopony else flew in the skies with her and the two she chased. High over the silent city. No light flickering in any building. No movement on the streets. Nothing but her shadow going over the rooftops as the lone filly took flight over the neighborhoods with a gust of wind sounding out from a flap of her wings. Her eyes glued on the two ponies leaving her behind, because they were not going to.

Nopony else will leave her behind. Not after all we have and all that was going to happen, those two aren’t going to leave her. Not without a reason why. For leaving me cold on the bed. It almost made her want to grind her teeth, biting down on her lip. Driving her wings to flap harder and both of them sent her off so quick over the rooftops. So quick for her to even bother noticing anything around her. Her entire self focused on those two.

You’re not leaving me.

10.26
Come on now, Soul, they aren’t leaving you. They wouldn’t. Not after all they did with me.

Those two assured her how special she was to them and how much they cared for her. Nopony else would cradle her like Nimbus did. Not even her own mother. There were no other ponies more supportive of her and what she wanted than those two. Besides, Nimbus, you showed me I could trust you. You trust me.

So why in Equestria would they leave me like that? Not one word.

They better have a damn good reason. Because of this… Soul felt a tear coming down her cheek. With all the thoughts, she had to get them out of her head. Follow after them. A relaxing flight together and they didn’t want to wake me, yeah. Didn’t bother saying anything. I hope. Sure did choose a great time for it because Soul was not going to have a relaxing flight in this weather and at this speed where she zoomed past the towers of Cloudsdale and high into the sky where only the Moon filled her vision, so much larger than ever. Burning of churning white and blue all along it and over the black print of the pony within its berth. Far into the falling snow where only the wind was the one thing she could hear with her. Going beyond it all and her worry grew. Growing when she saw that they were leaving… leaving Cloudsdale.

Where are we going?

10.27
Soul followed after. Not letting those two out of her sight. So far ahead, didn’t matter. She saw them and felt so confident in herself to catch up. Catch them high over the valleys of Equestria. All three of them now above the snow-covered hills and grasslands of the Canterlot Valleys. The same way that seemed so familiar to Soul.

She recognized it all. She was heading off in the direction of it. The thick wipe of black spines rising from the earth ahead and shrouding the land in darkness. Made only by the slumbering trees that it all was. The forests. Oh, where are we going? Soul didn’t want to find out. Picking up the pace, her wings beat so hard. Harder and harder. The little filly didn’t give up. Never gave in. Never let another tear come out. Not until she caught them.

She never thought they would return like this. The last time they came to this place, a time of excitement and joy. When her, Nimbus, and Starry got to enjoy the beauty of a nice, warm day. Flying together over the same winding rivers all leading to the same scene ahead of her. Where she had been just days before. The forest looming over the lake. Now they were back here, completely different. In the dead of night under a hail of cold, frantically chasing after them. Fighting back that terrifying thought in the back of her mind.

The two ponies passed over the lake. Soul passed over. Feeling the wind ripple around her. Another big flap of her wings. Till she could see the two pairs of wings closer. The dark silhouettes of the two pegasi far ahead of her. Closing in. “Nimbus! Starry! Wait for me!”

10.28
“Where are you…” Soul slowed to a crawl. Her eyes widening. Both her wings gently going through the air. Cutting it, that soft and gentle air.

What… had happened? Soul didn’t even blink at what had happened. Like… it all changed so quick. Because… she held out a hoof in front of her.

No snow.

Nothing fell around her. Nothing… came down from the sky. Falling into this empty and still sky. Just a giant Moon above her. Casting white light all along the forest below. It all almost made Soul forget… forget what it was that was happening. Not when… she felt tingles running down the back of her head and to her spine. Staring up at the Moon.

Why… why is it so frightening? Like something heavy on her. Like the whole air stung though that air was still. Not even a gust of cold coming over her. No wind. No snow. Yet she looked behind her. Back to Cloudsdale. Nothing. The entire snowfall had ended. “Where… are you… going?” Soul whispered. Turning back to where it was she had been flying towards. So lost in the gaze of that massive Moon and the calm of a dead sky so dark to her no matter how much light the Moon let out.

10.29
Soul didn’t even move. Floating there like a stump and just watching the two dots fly off under this terrifying veil of the darkness so still and dead. What is even happening here? Where did everything go?

Where are the clouds?

The entire sky changing like this. The entire feeling she had changing. Is this even her sky anymore? Not now. Leaving her rubbing her hooves together so slowly and sifting left to right in place… just watching the two ponies… fly off into the forest. Landing somewhere down there.

Down there. Down in that dark embrace of trees under this moonlight. It was something different. This was not the land she remembered. Like something was out here. But Nimbus and Starry… The two of them left her alone up here with so much worry. All the things that can be happening. She didn’t want it to be bad. She wanted to find them and talk to them. For… for Nimbus… she wanted Nimbus to hold her again. Even out here. She needed a hug, having flown all this way just to catch them.

Oh man, Soul gulped. Still having her wings flapping behind her and keeping her aloft. Her only friends right now. No Rainbow Dash with her. I can’t get her. I have to do this on my own. Dash did not need to see just how terrified Soul was of Nimbus and Starry… being gone. Leaving her by herself.

10.30
I’ve got to go after them myself. Soul fidgeted for a moment. Gulping and staring down at the forest. Just… have to remember where it was they landed. She knew exactly where. Near the edge of the forest. Okay. Her muscles felt so tight, even her wings started to feel weighted. Just seeing now that she had to get out of this. Get away… from that Moon looming over her. Even if it meant going after Nimbus and Starry in that forest. She had to do it.

She whimpered when she took the first dash down to the treetops. Happy her wings still worked and flew so fast down on it. Over to the break in the trees where she had seen them fly in to. Down in through that hole in the dead trees where the white light shone all throughout the snowy ground below the trees. Covering the grass and dirt. Shining bright. So much brighter. All the snow like the Moon itself. Drawing her in. Slowly.

Soul lowered herself. Taking a moment before her hooves landed in the snow. Leaving her standing in the middle of such a thick forest. The same one as before. She even found herself on one of the paths it looked like. Standing before a huge split in the trees that led on down into the darkness. So much darkness. Like only the place she stood was lit up with nothing but an empty void beyond. The forest was so much different. It made her shiver. Not from the cold at all.

That was what was weird.

10.31
Everywhere she looked, she only felt herself kept down right now. Everything was still. Like there’s nothing out here. Not even a sound. No branches falling or sounds of animals. Nothing making a peep. She held her breath and… all was quiet. Am I the only pony here? Maybe even the only thing here. But she could have sworn she saw both of them land here. Yet her ears just flicked and found nothing.

All of it so creepy and eerie. Underneath the moonlight with the great city of Cloudsdale still hanging high up in the distance beyond the trees. I know they’re out here. I’m gonna take them home. More importantly, Soul wanted them to take her home. But that meant one thing.

The little filly stepped forward. Going right down the path. One that would seem so calm and welcome in the daylight. Not like now where her skin crawled and her body felt so hot. Her wings left to tremble at her sides. They’re afraid too. I really hope I find those two soon. Of all the things they could do together, hunting them down in a dark forest was not one of them. Soul just wanted to go back to bed inside of Nimbus’ hug. But everywhere she looked, she only grew more afraid of what it was she was getting in to. She looked off to the left and then the right. Just trying to spot something. Only seeing the expanse of darkness where nothing moved in every direction. Stepping along the snow-covered path. Just days ago, it had been so clear. Where we got to play with a little bunny and race. Maybe it would have been better to bring Dash with her. All of this was almost too much for her.

10.32
Inside the same forest she was told would make good for hide and seek. Now that is exactly what she did. Half expecting something to jump out at her while she did so. This whole forest really did serve a good place to hide. Soul could see nothing. Just small breaks in the tree lines along the path and sometimes spotting the sight of the hillsides outside the forest lit up under the gleaming white moonlight. That was it. Yet… she was drawn to it. Going down the path and her eyes glued over to the hills she could see outside. Not sure where they may have gone, but… she just wanted to go this way.

But really, she began to panic. Nimbus and Starry could have gone anywhere and she had to look around a few times hopeful to spot anything. Into the trees or either sides of the path. Deeper into the forest while she went the other way.

“I shouldn’t be so afraid, right?” Practically laughing at herself in a hushed whisper. Eyes darting all around. This place was harmless every other time. Welcoming to her. The same forest as always, just… a bit darker, and so uneasy to walk through. Feeling the skin crawl on the back of her head. Ears trying to find something and her wings flicked open and shut again. Ready to take to the air. But which way to fly? No way to tell. Better yet, they were far better to use to fly away with. If Nimbus and Starry weren’t here and she could leave this terrifying forest. Even more so when she grew more desperate. “Nimbus! Starry!” She heard her voice echo all across the trees. Like hundreds of voices screaming the same thing and making her reel back a little.

10.33
“Where are you?” she whispered. Shooting her head over to stare down the right side of the tree lines. Thinking she may see something. Hear anything. Nothing, and she turned herself around to watch the way she had come from. Backing up from it. Feeling her soft tail licking along her stomach, keeping it between her legs, with her wings outstretched. Come on, where are you guys? I want to go home. Right when they had been having a beautiful night. Why leave?

Did I do something wrong? No. No! That’s not it. They have to be up to something. No other reason for them to leave. Something big. But what she would do for them to all be back home, under the covers together again. The most magical feeling she had in a long time. I don’t want them gone. I hope they don’t want me gone. Why did you two have to leave?

Soul turned tail once more and picked up the pace. Holding her wings out and running along the path. Headed off towards where she saw the moonlight shining in through the trees and to the wide, open plains and hills beyond.

“Nimbus! Where are you? Starry?!” She skidded to a halt. Looking up at the large trees looming high above her and blocking out the Moon. Over to where she stood before the last tree line. Blocking her from the hills ahead. Hearing nothing. Nopony answered. “Guys?”

She felt her spirits drop. Just looking all around her. Fearing they may have gone off somewhere else. No. I don’t want you guys to leave. I don’t know where you are. Don’t leave me like this. Soul didn’t want to have to go back home by herself. Wait for them. Not knowing what they were doing. Which could be anything. Including the one thing she feared the most. Never wanting anypony else to do to her. I can’t be without them or the ponies I love. I want you to keep hugging me and never leave. “Nimbus!” Don’t be like her… don’t be like mom.

All across the trees and along the hills. She looked all over. Stepping over to the last tree. Peering out. Out into the open fields beyond where the snow lay thick along the ground. Draping the grass and rising along the hills. Where her eyes went wide.

10.34
Two ponies. Up there. She saw them. At the top of one of the hills. Shrouded in the moonlight.

Such dark figures but… Soul didn’t waste any time. Just seeing anypony out here. She had to force her way through the trees and rush out. Getting her hoof caught and having to yank it out before she stepped up out of the forest and out into the snowy field. Drenched in white. Shining bright of blue and silver. Scalded by the Moon. That massive orb high over the hills. Where the two ponies sat together within its blinding sphere. She didn’t care who they may be. Confident she knew, and the filly rushed off.

“Nimbus. Starry.” That better be you. I don’t want to be out here any longer. Not with it getting colder. Like all that warmth drained away and her body settled once more. Leaving her tears behind in the snow with her hoofprints. That has to be them. Thank Celestia, I found them.

Two ponies sitting side to side, so close to one another up there. Up on that hill she rushed at. Wanting to join them. If it’s them, I need them. Soul wanted to run up to them and give them a big hug because she was starting to cry now. Please be them. Please. Hug them again and go home together so they can all get sleep and be ready for a wonderful day together. That was what we should be looking forward to. For us to be together. Don’t leave me behind like that. Getting closer and closer. Ready to scream their names as the Moon shone over them all and its light shifted. Slowly turning. Casting upon the hill she came to. To stand at the bottom of it. Looking up at the two ponies whose shadows came down on to her under a blistering white light, and she stared. Silent. Up at the two ponies who held hooves together, not even seeing her. Where she saw that both of them looked away from her, up at the Moon.

10.35
But… it was them. In that light, she saw it. The fiery mane draped down the mare’s neck and along her back to between her big wings where golden feathers came over those silver feathers of the stallion who held her. The back of their heads to her up there, and she heard her giggle. Nimbus’ voice.

It was them. Oh… what are you two doing? Soul placed a hoof on to the hill. Stepping up to it. Wanting to come join them. Show them how far she would go to find them. But so happy that she did. Only stopping when she saw them move. A subtle motion in the dark as her flame colored tail came up and twirled together with his blue tail behind them.

Oh… Soul stepped back once. Staring at them. Only seeing from behind but… she could tell. Maybe… I should. Soul looked back. Not sure what to do. If she should run up to them. Hug them or… yell at them. Show them just how upset she was inside. How could they just leave me like that just to go be alone together? The least they could have done was told me. Shouldn’t they know how afraid I would be. It wasn’t nice of them. Seriously, I should. But… Soul just looked at them both. Watching every move they made until… she did feel entranced. Seeing how Nimbus ran her wing along Starry’s back and the stallion held her tight with a hoof along her back, and their tails so lusciously flowing together like they were meant for one another as the colors of their bright tails came together. When Nimbus settled her head against his.

10.36
You two. I sometimes forget how much they love each other.

Soul stepped back a little more, not stopping till she finally settled herself down and sat. Watching them. One little piece of her wanting to rush up there. But… I shouldn’t. They wanted to get away from me so they could be alone. Have a little moment together. Without me. Was that why they did this?

Did I… did I get in their way tonight?

Maybe they… they wanted to do this but I messed it up by wanting to sleep with them. I hope they aren’t mad at me. I hope… I’m not a burden. It really would have been nice to just tell her. Not sure if it would be best to just fly home as she listened to Nimbus giggling like some filly up there. Running her head along Starry’s cheek. Where only a small sliver of the moonlight shone through between them. Cast upon her in their shadows.

She sighed. I should be happy for them. They deserve it. They cared for me for so long and comforted me a lot, but why do I feel so lonely now. The filly in their shadow. Left to watch them from afar. So lost on what to think. Certain that they would yell at her if she even tried to come up there with them. This was meant to be their special moment together. Without her there. After all, she had gotten in the way of it. That left her so sad. Even more so when she saw it.

When Nimbus’ lips set upon Starry’s.

So quickly, she couldn’t even react except for her heart which leapt for a split second when she saw the mare push into him so suddenly. Leaning into Starry, to where could now see her red eyes staring into Starry’s blue eyes. Until both closed their eyes. Leaving Soul to watch it.

10.37
Feel a shudder go down her spine and she gulped. Soul could tell her heart was racing watching this. They’ve… never kissed so long before. Nothing like this. She had never seen them do this.

Both pegasi wrapped in one another’s wings, holding so tightly and not letting go. With their lips locked between them. They really do love one another. Soul put a hoof to her own lips. Cursing her racing heart. Feeling… herself blush.

Is that what it’s like? To know that another pony loves you? Why… why am I jealous? Why when they get to kiss and love one another. While I… I’m left behind by them. Soul left to feel like this. A kiss like that. Or even… one to her… to her forehead. To her cheek. Like… like I gave Dash. I’m so stupid. To think I could get something like that. They wouldn’t even tell me that they wanted me to be away for a bit or to tell me that they were leaving me. Now… now Soul felt like that whole hug was nothing more than to quiet her down.

Did Nimbus even want to do that for me? Did she… would she ever kiss my cheek? Would anypony? I want to know what it’s like. For there to be a pony out there I can say that I love. Maybe this was supposed to happen. To show Soul what it is like. At least I know they didn’t run away without me. Guess they will be home soon. Soul drooped her ears. Still looking up at them sharing their kiss. Until their lips left one another’s and she saw both of them staring at one another. The biggest smiles she could see. I shouldn’t stick around or else I’d interrupt them.

Soul sniffled. Standing back up on all fours. I’ll just go back to bed… in my bed and see them in the morning. I hope they would be okay with me asking why they did this? Maybe if… she would kiss me where I kissed Dashie. I love these ponies. Do they love me? Soul stepped away. Taking one last look back at the two on top of the hill. Nimbus with her beautifully flowing mane wrapped in sunlight and Starry in his icy pale mane and shiny coat. Together like always. Just seeing herself maybe to be a part of them someday. She turned away.

I’ll head home.

10.38
The first wind in a while right as she turned around and the first sound to break the silent night. Striking against her face so harsh. So cold to the touch like it all churned around her and made her shiver. Shielding her eyes from it and turning away. Back to where she saw Nimbus and Starry. Covered in that shroud of icy wind and a haze of black. That which made her ears perk up right when both of them… disappeared before her in a quick lash of black.

What was that?! “Nimbus!” Soul turned around. Ignoring the wind. Focused right up at that empty hilltop with her eyes shaking. I just… I know what I saw. That darkness. Soul… she wasted no time. Nothing as she ran up the hill. Shouting out the names of both ponies. I know what I saw. Oh no, something… something grabbed them, and the filly didn’t care what it was. She had to make sure. It happened so fast. There one moment and then… pulled over the hill. Like black claws had come over them both. Torn them away from her. Now her wings spread out. Caught in the icy wind coming in behind her and she took flight.

“Nimbus! Starry! I’m coming!” Shooting up at the hilltop. Maybe they just fell over. I got to be seeing things. That couldn’t have happened. But what if they’re hurt? I got to save them. Just like they would do for me. Yet… Soul reached the top. Peering out over it all from where she hovered right over the snow-capped hill. Over the two spots in the snow left behind from the ponies who had sat there.

They’re… they’re gone.

10.39
All the places Soul looked, scrambling over the hill and looking all around where the ground went back down to the fields below. But, there was nothing. Nothing? No. I saw them. I really did think I would find them laying there at the bottom of the hill. Just a large wipe of snow everywhere was all. Oh no. Oh no. Soul lowered herself close to the spot she had seen both of them. Disappeared so fast in a blast of darkness. But she could only stare down at the spots in the snow. Where both ponies had sat.

I wasn’t seeing things. They were right here. Now… they left. No, where are they? Soul fluttered around over the top of the hill. Trying to find something. Anything. This empty hill. Nothing even in the snow. Like nopony walked away. Did they fly away, that quick?!

“Nimbus, you jerk. Stop playing with me.” Soul so terrified to tell her that to her face but her anger boiled and her fears… they made her shiver. Rubbing her forehooves together. Staring back at the spot they had been and all around. “Where did you guys go?”

I don’t want them to leave. Please, I only want them with me. All we’ve been through. This isn’t right to just play around with me like this. Soul landed atop the hill. Right where the two ponies had been and she sniffed. Resorting to smelling the air with her eyes darting every which way. This isn’t right. This isn’t funny. I… I need you guys. Don’t leave me alone out here. Even if she were to wait, she couldn’t imagine sitting at home not knowing where it was they had gone. Not when they kept running from her.

10.40
If only I had Dashie with me. She would know what to do. Soul hated herself for doing this on her own. Nothing here to make her feel better. I finally have ponies in my life and I still am doing all I can to be alone. To feel alone. But I don’t want that anymore. I want them with me. I want them.

Soul rubbed a hoof along her face and caught the tear coming down. So desperate to find them and her ears never gave up. Her eyes would not stop going everywhere just to find one little trace of them. For her to find them and then… then she would go up to them. Beg them to come home. That did it. I want us to go home together. “Nimbus… Starry.” Soul sniffled. “Where did you go? I need you.”

Don’t leave me alone. Soul trembled and shook. Not from her fear, when another gust of wind came over her. Over the land. Like a roar sounding out all over the fields. Blowing snow along. Cast up off the ground. Soul followed it all. Watching the snow move on its own… towards the forest. Where her ears twitched. Like it was drawing her… was it? When she heard the sounds of branches breaking from the wind. Where she saw the trees buckling and swaying. Around the break in the tree line. Is that… is that right?

Soul looked to the sky. Holding her hoof out. Like she felt the touch of something against her hoof. Chiming around her ears and coursing all around.

This sky… it’s never let me down before. She always had felt so close to it. But now, now it was like it actually did reach out and touch her. Soothe her and comfort her. Making her stare down at the hoof she had felt that chilly touch to and then… back up to the tree line. Where all the wind blew in to. “Nimbus, you always taught me to trust the sky.” Soul stood up once more. Staring forth at the forest. While her wings spread. I always did trust it just like you told me. It never let me down before. I want to find you. “Are you in there?”

10.41
Back into this forest that I wanted to play with them in for so long now. Never did get our chance. Maybe one day. Or maybe tonight we all can see just how beautiful the night is together. Soul took her step and then her wings flapped. Riding into that wind that showed her the way. Flying off to the break in the trees. To hover before it. She stared down that dark path beyond. Lit up along the sides by blistering shades of the moonlight reflecting off the snow. What was it about this place? She had felt so scared earlier. Now… now she couldn’t look away. Drawn to it. Confident she would find the ponies she wanted to find. That there was nothing to be afraid of. Because the wind… the air was not afraid. She shouldn’t be too.

They weren’t grabbed. They must have flown off into the wind. Inside of the forest. Did they run off to have alone time together in there… or did they know she was here? Are they playing with me? Wanting me to follow.

She blinked. Funny. How soothing this was. She listened to the wind howling across the trees. Where the trees going down the path danced before her and split to open so many paths… but one. One she saw that made her go in. Back into the forest. With no fear, and the trees surrounded her once more.

“Nimbus? Are you there?” She whispered it. Entranced by the soft humming along the forest. Singing in the wind. Like music rang out within the gentle melody it made and she followed it. This feels so weird. Like there is somepony here. Like something is right behind me. But there was nothing when she looked back. Forced to keep listening to the soft sound within the treetops.

10.42
Something yet I’m not afraid. Not enough to keep her from reaching that break in the trees and seeing what it was that drew her. Over all the paths, only one. One where the wind blew down. She listened to its howl. Passing by her and stopping with a shudder along the trees. No matter how dark it was getting, the little filly didn’t stop her gentle flight down the path. Following that subtle shift in the air. Feeling it tingle along her back. Shaking all over her skin and her fur standing straight up.

There is something out here. Soul looked all around, floating backwards to look behind her and never stopping her flight down the path. She could feel it. Like there was somepony on top of her. “Nimbus? If that’s you… please stop. I just… wanna talk. I’m sorry for following. I just… am scared.”

Soul rubbed her legs together. Letting only her wings do all the work. “Come on, Nimbus. Starry. You guys. We got a big day… you know?” Soul grinned to herself. “We get to meet with Dashie and her family and all of us get to be together to watch the Wonderbolts. It’ll be my first show and I want to do it with you guys. Come on, please.”

Soul’s eyes flew left and right. Shaking from the wind. “Let’s go home. I promise… I’ll give you guys space.” Even if that’s not what she wanted. Convinced they left to have time to themselves. But she wanted them to hold her and hug her. She wanted Nimbus to kiss her cheek. For them to have fun together for many days to come. She hoped they weren’t mad at her. “I’m sorry.”

Soul.

10.43
She stopped. Feeling it. She did feel that. Such a terrible shock against her back. When the wind snapped out, and… and the forest fell quiet. Completely silent once more. The only thing that moved was her wings as the filly stayed still. Listening. Shaking. She had heard that. Somepony called her name. So loud. Booming in her head.

Really, who was out here? Who’s watching her? Please leave me alone. I only want to find them. Soul looked off to the left. Thinking she would find something. Looking all over and fearing she may see a pair of eyes staring back at her in the dark. That something will jump out at her. Cursing herself for doing this alone. I can’t do this. They taught me to be strong. I learned to be strong. But… I need them. I need somepony. Please… Nimbus. Starry. Where are you?

Mommy, where are you?

Soul held her breath. Not believing herself. To remember that. When she said that. So long ago. Yet… it all was fresh. When I was held in that stormy night wondering where my mom was. Held by a pony shrouded in the dark. Handing her over to them. She had seen them from whoever that was, when she opened her eyes and found herself in the hooves of a mare staring down at her with red eyes and the biggest smile ever. Her mane glittering in the shock of lightning shooting across the sky. And I never begged for my mommy again. Not when I had her. When I had them to be there for me and to… finally hold me. When she led me down the hallway and showed me my room. Spending so many days making it for me and finally proud to show it to me.

I remember it. As Soul landed back down on her hooves. Staring over at the trees. Like a wall. With a door on it. Where Nimbus had stood and turned the knob. Pulling the door open and Soul could see she actually had a room to herself. She followed the mare in there. Hesitant at the threshold. Looking down at it and then back up to her. To the mare standing there waiting for her. It’s okay to come in. This is your room.

My room. All thanks to her. A place I can feel safe. Where I can step into and be there to see ponies who do love me. They do. It’s only right for me to give back to them. For me to run into that room and give that golden mare a big hug. Over to where she lay there waiting for her. Laying on the bed and wanting Soul to jump in so she could hug her. Her own bed! Finally. And it’s all thanks to you. Nimbus. Soul ran to the mare. Running to her laying there. Smiling until… until Nimbus closed her eyes, and the room… disappeared.

10.44
The walls to trees. The carpet to snow crunching beneath her hooves as they took one last step for her to stand there. Looking out upon it. She was laying on my bed. That day. Offering her hooves to me. I jumped in and landed on her. I was just coming out of my foal years. Still so tiny. Tiny enough for her to hold me under her hooves and I couldn’t even reach far enough to hug her back. I looked at her beautiful eyes looking back at me. But now… they were gone.

That pony who had laid there. She did not offer her hooves to me. Not now. Because… Soul couldn’t bear to think of that. Those moments. As her hooves shook and her eyes widened.

Staring out past the trees and out in the break where the snow patches were thick and nothing hid her from it. Nimbus. She did not lay on her bed wanting Soul to hug her. Wanting her to experience having her own bed and to know that a pony did care for her. More than any other pony. That Nimbus was gone. Left. Like she left me tonight. That is why she could not step over that threshold. Could not enter her room. She wanted that Nimbus. She wanted the past memories. She did not want this. To see her there, laying still. With her eyes closed.

Motionless.

10.45
“Nimbus…” she whispered.

Soul held a hoof out but… she couldn’t. She couldn’t cross the threshold. I can’t hug her. I can’t be comforted by her and know that I am cared for. I can’t hold back my tears. Because… no. No, Nimbus. Starry. Soul trembled. Looking out at them. The two ponies out in the middle of the snow. Laying together. His hoof over her chest and both motionless in one another’s wings. Soul almost squeaked. Reeling back. Rushing away. Terrified of making a noise. All of it happening so fast. Like she may just break down right here. Scream in terror. But the darkness moved before her, and… and she had to be quiet. Because she was not alone.

I’m not alone. I’m not… Nimbus… I need you. Please.

Soul shriveled up behind the tree. Peering back out over it. Just a brief moment. In time to see the shadows move past. The darkness pass on with its blistering blue eyes shining in the night and it hissed. Not daring to look any more. Soul just curled up. Hiding. Terrified.

This can’t be happening. I’ve got to be seeing things. I’ve got to. Soul’s ears flicked and listened. Hearing it hissing. Hearing the steps in the snow and the creaks in the trees. Then the silence. Complete silence when the sounds passed and Soul was left there alone. Trembling by herself. She didn’t want to move. Closing her eyes and feeling her fur getting soaked from tears. So hard to hold her sniffles in. But she had to stay quiet. Believe that none of this was happening. That she was not alone in a dark forest with something out here. Curled up and crying quietly to herself behind a tree while knowing that… that they’re right there.

No. No! No! Soul clenched her hooves over her mane. Pulling her hairs. Not caring if it hurt to the point where she may rip them out. That didn’t happen. This is a nightmare. Just a nightmare. I’ll wake up in Nimbus’ wings. Forget all of this. Yet her fur stood up and chills ran down her spine. Like it had been. Making her shake both from cold and from fear. Fear that the worst may be happening.

No. Soul didn’t want to look. Listening and making sure. Unable to keep her tears back. But I need to. I need to look. Because I don’t want to believe. I don’t want it to hurt. But it would hurt no matter what when Soul put her hoof back against the tree and she peered around it once more. Out into the open snow between the forest. Where nothing did move. No sound was made. Only seeing the two ponies out there.

Please.

10.46
Soul stood up. To cross that threshold now. Not feeling like it was before. To enter her room to Nimbus so happy. Both of them so happy. Leading to so many nights when she would come into her room and wish her good night.

We came so close. So close. But Soul didn’t feel it would happen anymore. For them to get to that point she wanted for so long. Not with this feeling as she stepped closer. Her eyes so wide. Her fiery eyes shaking. I’ll see you in the morning, Soul. But I won’t. Will I? Will I see you when I wake up? Will you both be there for me? Will you?

“Nimbus. Starry.” Soul’s hooves stepped upon the snow. The filly trudging through it. Her, alone, in the middle of this break in the forest. Over to where they were. Not caring anymore about anything else. Only focused on them. The two ponies she wanted to see. Wanted to find. To hug. Will they hug me back? Please.

Why aren’t you two moving?

“You guys.” Why won’t you answer me? They’re just laying there. Nimbus laying on her back with the silver wings of Starry draped over her. The stallion laying behind her with… with his face in the snow. What’s wrong? “Talk to me. Please.”

She kept whispering to them. Wanting them to respond. This is a joke, right? Stop making me think… please, answer me. This is just another one of their pranks. Soul was just thinking badly. This was another stupid joke, they’re going to spring it on her soon.

10.47
Yeah, they’ll pop out and scare her like they did before when she was younger. Remember, you two? I came home from the store with the milk and found the house empty. I looked all over for you two and got so scared. I feared you left me. I almost cried and then you both came out from the closet and surprised me. You both saw how bad that affected me and you both hugged me for so long. Until I stopped crying. Hushing me and letting me know you would never leave me. You both had to keep telling me that again and again.

Why are you pulling this on me now? You both know how bad it is for me. Please get up, stop this. But they didn’t. Even when Soul stepped up to them so close that she could see all the fur on them flowing in the wind. The only motion they made.

You guys? Soul reached out to them. Holding her hoof back. They looked so peaceful. Holding one another. Wings overlapped. Entwined. Together, like they always were. Even laying in the snow like this. Starry with his strong wings and bulky legs spread out. Laying on his belly across from Nimbus. With only her legs and tail uncovered by his wing. Along with… with a sight that made Soul feel her heart go up into her throat.

Nimbus’ beautiful face. Laying there. Staring up at the sky with closed eyes along her pale skin. So white along her eyes under that golden fur. With her big wings, so gorgeous, spread out along the ground and risen up. Along the side of her face. Like… she was still in flight. Even laying like this. She never stopped loving to fly. Never did. That’s why I want to be like her. I want her there with me, both of you. When I become an amazing flyer. The dream I told you both and you supported me the whole way.

Why did you have to do this? Why did you? Nimbus. Starry. Soul knelt down beside them. Placing her forehooves… over Nimbus’ still body. Staring over at Starry. Not able to hold her tears in from falling so much. When a pair of them landed on top of Nimbus. Then came her head. Soul laid down. Putting her face down into her warm fur turning cold. Right where… where she had slept. Against her chest. Never again.

Because… Nimbus.

10.48
She wasn’t breathing.

Good joke… guys. Come on now… Soul sat back up, keeping her hooves wrapped around Nimbus’ chest.

“Come on, …stop it.”

She held her. So still. Holding the mare in her hooves, doing all she could to tug on her and shake her. Trying to pull her up and bring her close. Anything to get her to stop but the mare was too heavy. Soul could only look down at her and then… slide her hoof along to touch Starry across from her. Pushing him. Trying to get them to wake up. Seeing just how still he was too. No movement at all. Just that silent face when she pushed him to roll him over onto his side. Staring back at the shaking filly.

“That’s not funny. Come on. Stop it.” Soul leaned back and put both hooves on Nimbus. Stop it. You guys aren’t funny. She did all she could. Pushing and pulling on her. Trying to move her closer. But nothing. Nothing. One last tug and her legs felt so tired. Her entire body so tired. Like her entire self was falling apart. She could hardly breath. Could hardly control herself and all the tears coming down to soak the mare she leaned over. “Nimbus. You guys can’t do this to me. Stop the pranks.”

Soul tried to shake her again but… she felt her legs shake and… she fell over onto her chest once more. Keeping her face there. Laying against her fur. The same soft fur she fell asleep in. The same comfort. She couldn’t fall asleep no matter how tired she was. She couldn’t knowing they were doing this. That this was happening.

No… it can’t be. It can’t. Soul felt the wind come over her. So gentle and soft along her back. Watching the golden fur she laid in sway in it. As gentle as she always was. Every time she was with this mare, always keeping her calm. Let’s just go home.

Please. “I want to go home” Soul whispered to them. Sniffling. Seeing all her tears streaming down and pooling in the fur around her.

10.49
This is just like they always do. Always messing with me. Since the first time they played with her. All throughout the years. These two always cared for her but always loved to play. I used to think it was so mean of them but… I grew to love it. Their own special way of bonding with her. For the filly who was always so alone, they always took time to play with her. Make her laugh. The most harmless jokes that made Soul feel like… they were just like kids. No different than her. That’s what I loved about them.

They always wanted me to feel happy. The silly faces Starry made when I was a foal. Nimbus hiding under my bed to surprise me when I got home. All your damn jokes. I loved them. But… this has to be the best one yet.

How are you guys doing that? How are both of them not moving or even breathing? Come on. They’re going to wake up. Wake up. Soul grabbed hold of her once more. Not using her legs this time. Her wings spread and flapped. The filly pulling the big mare with her… for just a moment. “Wake up.”

Nimbus slipped out from her hooves. Falling back down before her. Leaving Soul there above her with her huge wings risen above them and all her feathers shaking. The filly shaking her head. Feeling all of the pain rising up inside of her. No. Stop it. This is just a stupid, damn joke. Soul leaned back over to Nimbus. “Please. Wake up. Stop.” “S…” she almost choked on her own words there as the tears came down.

“Stop. Remember, I said no more jokes that scare me like this. You promised.” Soul reached her hoof down, underneath of Nimbus’ head. Picking her up and… just able to hold her against her own little chest. Staring down at the quiet and still mare. Her eyes closed down there while she lay against the magenta fur and Soul’s silver mane wiped over her mane. She held her tight. Like she did with Soul.

10.50
“I never did thank you for letting me sleep with you. Here…” Soul held her close. Curling up over her head. Where the moonlight shone on all her tears flowing into that fiery mane. “Maybe… you can sleep with me. I won’t mind… and we can get some sleep. Together. All three of us. Like…” Soul let out a small wail. “Like we were going to. A lot more.”

This isn’t fair. We should be together at home. Under our warm blanket and sleeping. Dreaming of a wonderful day. Not out here, trying to wake them up. To get them to stop. All while Soul’s fears and pain grew. That’s right. “We got to go home. We need to sleep. Remember? We have a big day. You even told me. Just open your eyes and we can go home. Please.” Soul waited for the pony she held to do that. Every second that went by… so painful for her. Her trembling getting worse until she squealed and hugged the pony against her face.

“I… I always wanted ponies with me to do things with. Ever since I was a baby. I wanted to have lots of fun and friends. I have that now. You both gave it to me and now… now I want us to do more things together. We are going to see the Wonderbolts. All of us. My… my first show. With the ponies I care for.” Soul sniffed. “You guys… gave me so much. I want to give back. But we can’t do anything like that out here. Let’s go home, sleep. I can’t wait for today. With both of you, and so many more days like it.” She pulled Nimbus’ cheek closer. Pressing her nose into it. Crying against her.

“Nimbus… I want so many more days with you guys. I… I can’t imagine where I would be. Without all your help. You both trained me for so long. Made me as talented as I am. Taught me everything I know. You gave me hope and friends. A dream. Everything my mom never gave me. You both mean so much. So please stop. Please. I just want us to go home together and have more days… more like what we will do today.”

10.51
Soul gritted her teeth. She had felt it. It almost exploded from her. But it hurt so much to hold it in. Everything hurt. It only got worse as she stared at Nimbus. Because of all she wanted to say. So little time before… before we go to bed.

Right?

“Right, Nimbus? We’re gonna have fun. I’m gonna see what it’s like and then… then someday I’ll be a Wonderbolt. With Dashie. And you two can be there when we get our badges for the first time. When you see me in that uniform. And then… then I promise I’ll do a private performance for both of you. To show you how much your training mattered. Then you can see me perform for all the ponies and show them that their dreams can come true too. Just… just like you did for me. I want you both proud of me. Watching me from… from wherever you’ll be. And then… I want to do something… Nimbus, Starry.”

She stared at both ponies before her. Looking over Nimbus’ mane to the stallion laying with them. You two. How much you mean to me. “I’ve always wanted to do something with you both. Some… some ponies may think it’s stupid. But not me. Because you both matter to me. You guys want to know?” She paused. They won’t answer.

They couldn’t and… she knew it.

“I’ll tell you. After… all my performances. I want to hug you both. And then I want to tell you both something. I’ve been holding it in for so long. I just want you both to know…” Since… they won’t wake up. Since this night had to happen, and Soul’s heart, after so many years, finally perished.

“I love you, mommy and daddy.”

10.52
All she could do was cry. Holding the ponies she loved. Now… gone. All she had left was what she could hold in both her hooves. Pulling Starry over. Holding them both so close in her hooves, and neither of them could comfort her. So many times, so many that they did. Not this time. Not anymore. Soul was left to cry on her own. For this was the one truth she had left. That she… was truly alone. Dashie was not here. Now, Nimbus and Starry… please…

“Please come back!” Soul sobbed against their fur. “Nimbus! Starry!” Choking one more time and she spat it out. So loudly. “Mommy! Daddy! Don’t leave me.” Don’t leave me like she did. Please no. All I ever wanted was love. It’s all I wanted. “Please no. I love you guys. I love you so much. I can’t lose you. I have nopony left.” You two were the only ones there for me and I was so stupid… so stupid to never treat you better. You were what I wanted all along. I never saw it. You were my family. It took me this long to see it. Now you’re gone.

You both gave me everything. I could have been left in that alley to starve and get sick from the rain. But you two were there for me. I love the day I came to both of you. I only wish I had been better to you.

I only wish I had been your daughter.

“I’m your little champ. I always was.” But that was never enough. I should have been more. I wanted to. After you held me. After all the love you guys gave me. I wanted to be something more. “I wanted to be your little girl.” Breaking down right there. She fell over with both of them in her clutches. With her huge wings coming over all three of them. Now I’m all alone. No! “I love you guys! Don’t go.” Don’t leave me alone. You’re the ponies who taught me to love this… the wind that came over her. Once more. So frigid and strong. To blow her ears and mane. I learned to love the sky because of you guys. I wouldn’t be me without you. “Nimbus. Starry. I love you.”

The wind howled once more. Pushing her forth and she finally opened her eyes. Her teary eyes to stare out beyond the two ponies she held. To the eyes that stared back at her.

10.53
As black as the night but she saw the two figures standing over there between all the trees. Cast in the moonlight. Her tears stopped and her heart stood still. Knowing she wasn’t alone anymore. Not with anypony she loved. No more. But with fear. Fear itself. Those vacant, blue eyes staring at her.

I… no… the same thing that… Soul held both ponies closer. Nimbus. Starry. Help me. A black hoof stepped forth. Bristled in spines. Gleaming silver from the Moon all along it. Out from the shadows, and Soul could only sit there and watch. Shaking in fear. She didn’t want to leave these ponies. I… I’m supposed to be strong for them. But I… she saw those glittering fangs between its eyes wrapped in black tendrils seeping down all over its body. Stepping on four hooves closer.

“No, get away. Please leave me alone.” Soul held the two ponies closer. The sound it made. Such a horrifying hiss. Slithering out on a forked tongue between those fangs. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want any of this. This has to be a nightmare. Stuff like this shouldn’t happen. Ponies… they don’t die. Nimbus and Starry won’t leave me. They’ll protect me. They always have. They wouldn’t leave me alone to face these things. The two creatures stepping to her on legs covered in holes that the moonlight was piercing through. Etched in so many deep scars along their black bodies. Riddled in pain and so much hate in those blank eyes. Those aren’t ponies. Those are monsters. They… they took them away from me.

I… I… Soul couldn’t move. Sitting there like a stump holding the ponies most dear to her. “I never get to be with you two again. I only wanted you to come home with me. For us to be a family.” Soul closed her eyes. I don’t want you both gone. “Please come back, please help me.” One last time. I need somepony. One that loves me.

10.54
The sound was so sickly when she heard it stomp a hoof upon the snow before her. Right before the ponies she held. The voice that came out. Wrapped in a sting to her ears as it hissed so slightly. Like a whisper, and she looked up at it. So close to her. To see what it was.

“We’ll help you. You get to go back to them.”

As it licked its lips and its fangs above her. You’re… this is… Soul couldn’t believe it. The two creatures before her. All that hate in their eyes. All the sickly scars and holes riddling their flesh. All along their legs and up to their wings and the ragged horn atop their heads. These weren’t ponies. Changelings.

Soul… she didn’t even move. Staring up at the two creatures that towered above her. Like it all left her. All the fear. But she didn’t stop holding the two ponies in her hooves. No. She would hold them forever. Even if that meant… because I can’t move. Her legs shook. Her wings shriveled up behind her. Like her body was not hers anymore. This… this should never have happened. None of this. We had a perfect life. Everything was happy. We had a great future ahead. Me and the ponies I love. Why did this night need to happen? Why did it need to be taken? A reason she doubted she would ever know. Crying to herself, unable to move. Only tightening her hug and pulling the ponies closer. For those manes of the Sun and the sky to brush against her face. One last time. I didn’t want any of this. I didn’t. Nimbus. Starry. Soul didn’t blink. Left there to watch the Changeling come closer.

“I’m so sorry” she whispered. So sorry for never telling you guys how much I love you. To never fly together again in the wind that came over her and brushed her mane with those of the ponies she held. So hard. The trees creaked. The snow flew from the ground. Howling away so cold. Nothing more came. Only that wind.

10.55
Soul braced herself but it never came. Only the wind sounding in her ears and the panted cries of something in front of her. The same raspy howl the Changeling had been making. Pained in its voice. That strong breathing going stronger and only able to listen to that. So she opened her eyes. What is it doing?

Soul shook. Terrified of it standing in front of her but it made no move. Just standing there with those beady blue eyes staring off with its fangs gleaming before her. Soul held her breath. Cradling all that she had left of the two ponies she loved. Face to face with this monster. But it wasn’t looking at her. No. She saw it. Looking at something behind her with stillness in its eyes and a gale of wind coming over them.

What are you doing? I… I can’t move. I’m so scared. Just do it. Stop teasing me like everypony else does. I don’t want to be alone. Soul closed her eyes once more and held Nimbus and Starry close. Resting her tired eyes against them. No more fun days. No more family for me. What do I have left? All I have… is what they gave me in their last goal for me. I have Dashie. But… I’m so alone, I can’t do this without them. I only wanted a family. I don’t… I don’t want to be alone. Alone in the wind.

Her fur stood up on her back. Hearing the trees break and branches fall. All the tingles running down her spine. It made her shake. Like something pressed against her from behind, and the Changeling let out a pained mumble. Opening her eyes between the two ponies she held. The Changeling stepped back. It’s black hooves crunching on the snow before she looked up and saw the fear in its face. Fear unlike any other. At something beyond. She saw the other one. Both Changelings stepping back with their bright blue wings spread out.

What are…

10.56
Both of them howled and turned away so quick. So quick she didn’t even realize it till it was already happening. Both of them flew off into the trees. Followed off by the wind. Coursing so violently that the snow danced around her.

All the tree beckoning before her. Into the darkness where the Changelings disappeared. The two things that had caused all this. Gone. Leaving her alone. Alone with the two ponies so important to her. All that was left of them. She didn’t want to leave them even as it got colder and the sound of moaning winds made her so afraid. Afraid because… she felt something behind her.

Does she dare turn to look? This whole night. A nightmare. She stared at the ground before her. Wanting to look. See what was behind her. Something that made her so afraid. Whatever made those monsters run away. But I can’t… I need to stay here with Nimbus and Starry. I want to always be with them.

Don’t. Soul chattered her teeth. So cold. So afraid. I’ll… I’ll take them with me. You guys. I won’t leave you. Soul never let them go. Her big wings trying so hard to unfold and rise to the air. I… I can carry them. I… she shivered so much. Not cold enough. Not for her. But the pain and fear running all down her body. Scorching her like hot iron. It stung. Something is behind me. But… in the darkness. She heard it. Her ears leapt up and she froze. Through the howling wind. Something to comfort her.

It will be okay.

It will be okay? It will be okay? Soul felt her shoulders slump. Hating herself. Losing all her strength and only able to watch the two ponies she held fall over against her. Leaving her there to lean over them and fear what was behind her. What it was that made her feel completely destroyed.

That was why she turned around.

10.57
I don’t think I can do this anymore. I don’t want any of this. Every moment of tonight was another terror. Nothing different. When Soul found herself looking out. Out beyond the trees that separated her from the open fields outside. Past the tree lines and through all the darkness to where the Moon billowed bright over the hilltops beyond.

Where she did see it.

The eyes staring back at her from up there. Atop the tallest hill. Where a pony did stand in the darkness. Beneath the Moon but so dark. So calm in the wind. Where the snow churned by. Where the night stood still over it. The long tail flowing behind it.

Soul was frozen. Like nothing else existed. Just her… alone with this pony. Staring up at it. It staring down at her. Whoever it was, she didn’t dare speak to it. Her eyes just glued. Feeling its gaze upon her and the terror inside her body. Wrapped in the color of those blue and red eyes it had looking down upon her. All… she could see, and… it made her feel. No matter how far it was. How dark it was.

There was something in those eyes. Burning bright of the light. Moon and Sun. Ice and fire. Blinking only once. Not making a move. It didn’t need to to make Soul afraid of it. Knowing that… she had to do it. This overwhelming feeling. Looking into those eyes. Crushing down on her. I can’t handle this anymore. I can’t! Nimbus. Starry.

A tear fell to the snow. Something broke. “I’m sorry…” Soul stood up. Backing away from it. She couldn’t do it for any longer, longer than a second to look down at the two ponies… she left behind. With those dark eyes staring at her.

The filly was destroyed. “I can’t…”

10.58
Gleaming light. Piercing out from the pony up there. From between its burning eyes, a smile was bared. From teeth so bright and… long fangs that it did show. Such a haunting smile. It made chills go over her.

It was too much for her. Too much for any filly. She wasn’t strong enough. Not enough to stay here and protect the ponies she loved. They had left her. All was gone. I… I…

“I can’t do this. Nimbus. Starry…” Soul wiped her tears. Her wings spreading wide. In the wind, they caught it and Soul flapped. “I love you.”

Soul flew off. Zipping off out of the forest. Leaving it all behind. All of this which had happened. She looked back. Back at the dark forest. Where her pain exploded in her and her happiness was left behind. She left those monsters behind. Those fears behind. And… I left them behind. I’m not strong after all. I’m not. Forgive me. All she could do was fly back… back to the city floating in the sky. Where the wind hushed. Where the Moon no longer shone bright over her, and all was still. Before the first snowflake came down. To touch down upon the tip of her nose and stay there.

She stared at it. A little star on her nose shimmering. Looking back at her and… she saw herself in it. That filly with tears running down. Before the flake fell off and more came down. Her only company in the skies over Cloudsdale. Left to just remember the times when she would fly home… together… with the ponies she loved all this time. Late at night, all alone now.

She went home. Back to the house she came to every day. The way she had left it.

10.59
Soul came in through the… through the window she left open.

Back into the chilly house. In the darkness. Only the moonlight could show her. Back inside the room. The same one she had slept in with… them. The red blanket was still tossed aside. The pillows were still a mess. But she hovered there over it. Her tears coming down upon the bed and she sniffed. I’m such an idiot. Here I was… thinking it was all a dream. I would come home and find them asleep. Waiting for me to jump in with them and cradle me. Like she did.

But the house was quiet. All was quiet.

The wind died off when she closed the window behind her and left herself… alone. In an empty house. With all that had happened back out there. Beyond. Beyond the city. Never to happen here. It may as well. It never left her. The pain. Her heart was broken. Looking out at the room. To the closed door, beyond where her room was and the house she had spent her life in with those ponies. Waking up every morning and coming downstairs to a nice breakfast that they made for her before they brought her to camp. We would talk about how my sleep was and Nimbus would ask if I got cold, then she would always bring me her blanket. So much warmer. They cared for me for so many years. Doing all they could. They would hug me, feed me, keep me warm and safe, reassure me, train me.

Soul could only come home now, to land upon the bed alone. Sitting in the middle of it with her tears being her only company. She stared out at the empty and silent room. So different.

10.60
She remembered when she came in here years ago in the middle of the night. So still and silent like now. But… she knew she had somepony to rely on in here to comfort her.

Did you have a nightmare? She was asked.

Both of them more than happy to comfort the filly and hold her. Let her cry on their shoulders. Until she was calm again. Then they took me back to bed and talked to me for so long before I fell asleep again. I fell asleep happy. What about now?

I’m so sad. I’m so broken. She gasped for air. Sobbing for a moment and then she calmed herself. Why did they have to leave? Why did they do that? We could have had so much. I wanted it. I wanted to come in here just now and they would hug me. Let me know it was all okay. It never happened. It wouldn’t. Soul knew it would never happen again. What am I going to do? Stupid… Nimbus. Stupid... Starry. Why would you leave me? You told me you wouldn’t. Especially with how I feel about you guys.

What do I have left? All I have left is… she looked over to the night stand. Right by where she had slept with… her. To the things sitting there atop it. All she had left. She reached over for one. Grabbing it and looking down at what she held between her hooves.

You guys… you guys are so dumb. You always did make stupid jokes with me and always did mess with me. But this… this has to be the worst. Because she couldn’t accept that it happened. She wouldn’t but she had to. Because now… now she was truly alone. Left to fend for herself. I got nothing left. Nothing but what you two gave me. All you worked for and these. These things you have left. Though… Soul may never want to look at them again. One last time. Because it was too painful to remember. It hurt so much inside her devastated heart. Feeling it writhe in her chest. Looking down at the picture she held.

A magenta filly held up between the two ponies she loved. All of them with smiles on their faces. Of happier times. No more.

The last time she wanted… to remember it. All of them. Soul hugged the picture. Holding it deep against her chest, and she curled up on the bed. Left to cry alone in the dark.

“Nimbus…. Starry.” “Nimbus! Starry!” She cried against the picture. Come back to me. Don’t leave me. I… I need you. I need my mommy and daddy. Her only regret was not saying it enough to them. Too late now. Too late. Wherever they are… she wanted them to know. Before she fell silent in the bed.

“I love you.”

You will never be alone.

11.1
What time was it?

Soul blinked. Staring up to the ceiling high above her. Same old ceiling. Wrapped in churning clouds that shifted and rearranged in a never-ending loop. Her eyes hurt. Staring up at it. Hurt so bad she needed to squint hard. Shaking her head before she rolled over onto her side. Over onto the side of the pillow and she looked over. Along the red sheets she laid on and then the golden laced blanket that surrounded her… yet did not cover her.

That’s right… I slept in their bed. When I fell asleep in her wings. Before… a new tear rolled off her lashes.

Before everything… so raw in her mind. It hurt. She couldn’t even move. Laying there like a rock. Because it hurt to do anything. Her head pounded. Her wings shook and her heart… it felt so empty. Like it clawed at her chest with a dull ache. Just to think about it. For so long. Did she even sleep? It seemed like it. Like everything had stood still while she felt the fur along her face soak her. Like a true nightmare. For was it all even that?

Soul sat up. Letting her spread wings plop along the mattress at her sides. I’m alone. The bed was empty. Everything so quiet. Even when she looked over at the window at the head of the bed, she saw the snow coming down yet all was quiet. Not a sound to stir. Nothing to comfort her. Out there in that snow where she had flown in. Flown through that window, now sealed. Under the empty pillows. She blinked again. Was it a nightmare? She rubbed her eyes. Standing up and hearing something hit the bed beneath her.

11.2
Soul looked down. She stared. Knowing what it was she saw between her hooves. It was herself looking back at her… along with… those two. Starry with his beautifully sky-blue mane and shiny silver coat smiling up at the filly he held atop his head, and the mare. Nimbus with her gorgeous mane of the Sun and golden fur. Fur that would be soaked from the tear that fell on her picture.

Soul sniffed. I held that. The thing to remind her, and she looked up. Up at the pitiful filly staring back at her in the window. Her magenta fur so beautiful. Gorgeous but… drenched. Blackened around the reddened eyes staring back at her with their needle thin veins pulsing. Yet no water they shed could soothe them. All she could do was squint again to relieve the pain and wipe away the tears.

A nightmare? She turned to the door. Not like it should be. Like normal. When Nimbus would wake her up in the morning. Not leave her to sleep for long. Bright and early for a fantastic new day. She loved to assure her. Not this morning? Soul stood still. Finally bringing her wings back up to her sides and folding them up. Everything hurt. Now that her stomach growled.

“Nimbus… Starry?” She waited. Looking all around the room that wasn’t her own. I can’t stop crying. No point in her even wiping them away. Not when she felt her heart scorching inside. So much that she placed a hoof to her chest. Breathing deeply. Only made it hurt more. Unlike any nightmare before. Nopony here to comfort me. Soul looked down. Knowing she had to move. It was a new day… and I should enjoy it. She laughed at herself. Already regretting taking the first steps off the bed. Opening the door. Open to an empty and silent hallway.

11.3
She looked all the way down. Down to her still open door to her room. To the stairway where she knew to go. I don’t even need to use the bathroom. Nothing. No feeling at all. Just that pain inside her chest. Walking along the hall. Her ears twitching. Her eyes low to the ground.

Was this normal? What is normal? She remembered hearing the sounds of dishes and talking every time she would walk down this hall in the morning. Now. Now it was like she was in another world. So quiet. She could hear her own breath. Her own fur ruffling as she walked. Even noticing the slight crunch her wings made before they unfolded and she took flight down the stairs. Down to the empty living room where she looked out. Out to see the curtains still closed. Little light coming into the dark space. Nopony waiting for her on the sofa. No hugs. No questions on her sleep. It made it singe inside her. Almost too hard to breathe now.

She clutched at her chest. “Guys?” She looked over to the dining room. Where the deck door was left covered in cloudy curtains, no chairs moved. Her nose wrinkled. Missing it all. Missing the days she knew were normal. But what to expect to be normal anymore? Nothing was right. Everything hurt.

11.4
There were no smells in the air. No food to greet her. Even when she insisted on making her own food, most of the time there would be a plate of something on the table for her. Leaving such sweet smells all across the house. It just smelled… like the cold. Empty. Her stomach rumbled. Drawing her to go look. Peeking into the kitchen and seeing it… empty. The dishes from last night’s dinner still sitting on the counter. Nothing cooking. Nopony anywhere. I’m home alone?

“Are you here?” Or are you… Soul whimpered. Putting herself back down on the ground. I can’t even fly anymore. Not when it stings. Hurts so much to move. She may as well just fall to the floor. Strange how her legs did not give out. She could only cry. None of this is normal. It never will be. They are always here for me when I need them. Unless I push them away. Did I push them away? Is that why they left me? Left me last night… “Like all ponies do…” Pushing her hoof into her face. Crying into it.

I never did want this. This nightmare. But… what is a nightmare? Soul sat against the wall. Pushing herself against it. Just to cry in her forelegs. Sob alone in her fur. It wasn’t a nightmare… was it? None of this is right. There’s no way that it would be like this. Mornings were always something of joy to her. Even the most frightening of days had something happy for her when she woke up to those ponies. All the ones she relied on. To feed her and comfort her. Reassure her when she was down. There’s none here to do that now. When she needed it most. So… maybe… it really did happen. Something so unreal. It can’t be. It just can’t.

What am I going to do? What can I do?

11.5
“Tell me. I’m just a filly. I don’t know what to do… I need my mommy and daddy.” I loved them. But they left me. Like all ponies! Why? Why did they have to leave? Maybe… because I just was too much for them. Too much of a burden. I should have never asked them if I could sleep with them. Maybe then they wouldn’t have left.

This is all my fault. But I… don’t want to feel this. Soul wanted to wake up to the ponies she cared about and cared for her. Eat with them. Talk with them. Train and go outside to the lovely city skylines for them all to fly in. Have so many fun days. We were supposed to. We were. They had come so close. Just when Soul had felt that things truly had changed. But she had failed again. Now they were gone and going to forget her.

Will I?

Will they become a shadow to her just like her mother? She didn’t want to. Of all the ponies, she didn’t want to forget the ones who had given her so much. They promised her so much fun and such a lovely life. All thanks to them. But… without them. What did she have? I have nothing. I only have… what they gave… me. Soul sniffed. Her ears leaping when she heard… a knock at the door. Like ten of them so fast and excited. Only… one pony is like that. That’s right… they gave me this. This day. But… how? Soul was afraid to stand up but she knew she had to. What to say? We were… all supposed to see the Wonderbolts. But that… she cried. That’s gone. It made her legs spasm. Smacking herself hard with a hoof. Damn it! What… what can I say to her? Is there even anything that can be said? A filly in this moment. Left on her own. Again, and she had no idea how to do this the last time it happened so long ago.

11.6
She put her hoof on the doorknob. Flinching when another knock hit the door.

Really so many questions on what she could do. She was on her own for this. I… I have to tell them. But how? Who can I rely on? Nimbus taught me what it is to have a friend but… this is something else. Really, what could she do? Soul was at a loss. We were all supposed to have our fun day today. I haven’t even eaten… hahaha, let alone… I’m all alone. It hurt so much to think that.

All these tears coming down. Should I even… she dropped her hoof from the knob. Holding it there. I… I… look so awful. There was no way she could explain this. Any of it. But she needed somepony. I am a part of their family. I have a place with them. Dashie… you were always the one I could rely on. You taught me that. Through such tough situations, she was there for her. Because of that, she knew she couldn’t walk away. Not from this pony who didn’t walk away before. She will listen to me. They all will. I just need a pony to comfort me. Someone she could have by her side to get through another terrible time. The worst time.

Funny… yesterday… I expected to greet Dash just like she did for me. Soul wanted to be there, ready with Nimbus and Starry. All of them to head out together. What even was left to look forward to? Besides a hug from the one pony she had left. The only one left from those memories. Nimbus. Starry. You gave her to me. You helped me find a friend. Those memories gave her strength to put that hoof back on the doorknob.

I don’t even care how I look. All she wanted was to do what would comfort her after all that had happened.

11.7
She opened the door. Creaking open. Where what little sunlight could shine into the dark house now and small flakes drifted in to touch against her soaked face and the cold chilled her. But no matter how cold it was, outside… and inside her, she still had something there to warm her. Really the only good thing that could happen. The only good thing left. The best thing in her life.

There was Rainbow Dash. Right on the other side of the door there to greet her with a big smile on her face and such excitement. Of course, she had no reason to think otherwise. This was going to be an amazing day and they all knew it.

Rainbow and her parents all there. Just as they said. Just as Soul had forgotten. How everything has changed. So much, indeed. That Soul could no longer share in their excitement. When they could see her and how she was, they too lost that excitement in a flash. “Soul?” Dash said. She raised a hoof up to her.

Not what you expected, huh? Sorry… I… Soul’s legs shook. “Oh, Celestia! What happened to you, Soul?” Windy came up past Dash. Eye to eye with the filly. Soul didn’t even think of anything about it. She didn’t know anymore. Not with her terribly mangled fur and bloodshot eyes piercing into the mare. She had no explanation. Because what could she say? She didn’t even know what to do. Except for… being glad that the one pony she cared for the most, whom she had done so much with, was finally here in front of her. A familiar face she welcomed above all others. Without anypony here for her, she sniffled. Shedding her tears in front of them, not even caring if they saw it. All three of them shocked to see her like this. She could tell. But they are the only ponies left I trust.

The only pony I know who is there for me just like I am there for her. With how much we like to tease one another, Soul was so happy she didn’t make fun of her for crying in front of her. No, Rainbow pushed past her mom. Just wanting to get closer. Be there for her like a good friend. Her best friend. But Soul could not smile. Not with her heart in agony.

11.8
“Dashie.” Soul tossed herself forward. Landing right into the surprised filly and putting her hooves around her. Finally… somepony to hold. So she didn’t feel alone. Dash was quick to hug her back. Accepting her in her hooves.

After everything that has happened. At last… I know I still have somepony. The one pony who was there for her in any other bad situation. Soul was ashamed. She almost forgot about her. Forgot that she had somepony so dedicated and kind to her. Who defended her and played with her. Who wanted to be there with her in the future. Nimbus, she was the one who wanted Soul to find a pony like this. She was so glad she did and that Nimbus had done all she could to make it happen. Soul wanted to thank her. She really did. But she knew she couldn’t and that made her sob against Dash’s shoulder. Crying so loudly in front of the three ponies she had been with not long ago. All she had left. The only ponies left to comfort her.

“Hey…” Dash whispered. Pulling Soul closer and Soul felt her hoof going along the top of her mane. Staring into the darkness with her eyes closed and her face buried in Dash’s fur. “Soul, what’s wrong? Come on… you can tell me.” Soul tried to speak. Cursing herself when her voice came out a squeak. The most pitiful sound she ever made. Wrapped inside of her hoarse cries. “Soul…?”

“Dashie…” she heard Windy whisper from behind and Soul felt such a gentle touch on her. Didn’t need to look. She could tell that Windy was the one who was wrapping her and Dash up in her wings. Those soft feathers she could feel along her. So very warm and safe from the cold. No matter if the mare hugged her from behind, the now silent Dash still hugged her. Never letting go. Soul just leaving all of them to wonder what it was that was wrong while she cried under the falling snow. The only sound that was made was Windy softly hushing her.

11.9
Soul did not know how. She couldn’t. She just couldn’t stop crying. Every heave she made was so painful inside her chest. Her stomach spasmed every time she did. It hurt so much just to breathe, and she had to so much. Huge breaths only to wail out once more the pain inside of knowing they were gone. The only ponies she could call… her parents. They’re gone. They’re gone forever.

Please… please let this be a nightmare. But it felt so real and that only made her cry harder. Constantly until she couldn’t take those deep breaths anymore and her throat felt raw. Reduced to this. To whimpering in Dash’s shoulder while… while Windy ran her hoof through her mane. All they could do for her. A total wreck. Not knowing what she could do anymore. Life… it was like a dream now. So unreal when she had so much waiting for her. That… she had to. She had to say it.

“P…please…” Soul held her breath. Feeling a big pain inside of her roiling and all of it rushed out in a deep cry.

This is too hard. She couldn’t even talk. Couldn’t even beg them to help her. Please save me. That was all she wanted. She hated to ask it of Dash again, but she had to. There were no other ponies left. Putting such a big burden on her. I was taught to be strong but I’m not. I can’t do this on my own. She couldn’t even deal with this alone. Really, was there any other worse pain than… than when she was left behind the first time? Soul sobbed. Left to her pain. No amount of comfort she was given could end it. Not when she felt her heart rip apart and the cold came over her once more. So cold. Inside.

11.10
“Soul. Where is Nimbus and Starry?” Windy whispered above her after what felt like forever. When Soul realized… she couldn’t cry anymore. Refusing to open her eyes. Nimbus and Starry? Mom and dad. Where are they? I wish they were somewhere I knew. If this was a dream or reality. Where would anything be? Inside this world that felt like it had just been turned upside down. Where Soul slouched her shoulders and her wings, and she no longer felt… that pain inside her.

Now. What was it?

What could describe it. Any immeasurable feeling. Settling over her. Like her insides had fled and her chest… empty. Her breathing soothed once more but tears never stopped coming. She couldn’t even move. Couldn’t even think. What to say? Is there even anything to say? Soul just wanted to wrap herself up under the covers and sleep forever. Leave this all behind. Give up… like I always do. Because this is always meant to happen to me. Hehe, right? Right, mom? You wanted this. You wanted me to suffer since I could never be good enough. I deserve it all.

After all, it’s my fault they left. I got greedy. Pushed them to do something they didn’t want to do. What… what could she even say without fearing more would come? If these ponies would leave her too. Would they? Mom would think so. Wherever she is out there.

But… I don’t want it. Even if this is all supposed to happen to me. Nimbus and Starry. What…? What did she ask? Soul paused. Where are they? That’s right. Any reason to answer? Soul may as well just keep crying. May as well just find that safe corner for herself. Where nopony else can hurt her. “They’re…” I should though. Even… if I don’t care. I still can say… I love one pony. The last pony for me. The one that she held. I never want her to abandon me. “Gone.”

11.11
Silence. Guess they don’t understand. When she said it, she felt Dash shift her hug. Placing her head down on the top of Soul’s head. With a little whimper in her voice. Strange. Soul wondered why she made that noise. Why did they even care? Rainbow Dash was the last pony left that Soul could truly call a part of her life as her heart closed in on everything else. The last thing I have left from what they gave me. My best friend.

She had never felt so cold inside before. So stricken. As the air stood still. Your truest friend. She always was. Soul could only hold her tighter. Guard her closely.

“Soul…” Windy whispered from above. “Can we go inside your house and look for them?” Soul didn’t care. She couldn’t say anything either. Just nodding. “Bow, dear. Can you check around for me?” “Of course, I’ll be right back” she heard Dash’s father say. Then his hooves as he walked into the house before them all. I don’t know why they want to. You won’t find them. I know it. This is no different than… all my other nightmares. Except for one thing.

“Mom, can you go with him?” Dash’s voice rang out. “I want to be alone with Soul. Please.” Soul wrapped her hoof higher around the pony she held. Yes. With you. Grant me just this. One good thing out of all that has happened. I need something to make me feel better. To warm her heart once more. Feeling the ice over her. The dull ache all over her body. Not even her wings could move. “Of course” Windy gave in. “We’ll be right back. Dashie…” As the mare let go of Soul and Dash’s hooves wrapped tighter over her. “Please watch her.” “I will.” Then she felt the filly’s head look down upon her. “Everything will be okay.” Should I believe her? Soul just stayed silent while she listened to Windy walk into the house as well.

11.12
The two fillies all alone. Like every other time they needed each other. Back to the same. Just like nostalgia. I feel we’ve done this before. The two of them together once more to face down any problem. Any threat. Just like before. But this was not like before.

Soul’s heart hurt so much. So much she just could not look up from where she buried her face into that cyan fur because she knew she would fall apart if she did. Like this hug was the only thing keeping her going. With the entire world crashing down around her. Yet only she could see it, no way to tell how to take it. What she should do. Except for fall into the comfort that Dash gave her. Pure bliss.

“Soul, what happened?” What happened? Is that even a real question? Soul wasn’t even sure how to answer it. Really, after what she had gone through, how can she be expected to answer what she did go through? To speak of such a thing. She was only a filly. Torn away from the only ponies she came close to calling mom and dad. I almost did. I wanted to. Soul remembered the comfort she had been given. It dripped off her tongue. “I did it, just as you said. I wasn’t afraid to do it… I asked them last night.”

Dash was silent. But Soul knew she was listening and sure Dash could tell what she was talking about. “Nimbus stayed in my room and… she talked to me. We had a nice talk…” Soul whimpered. Sniffling to regain herself. Because her body ached with each word she spoke. It really did seem like such a perfect night. The closest the filly ever got to the mare. “But she wanted to go to bed… and I stopped her. Because you taught me I shouldn’t be afraid to tell her what I want. And… I did it. I got to sleep with Nimbus and Starry.” Soul could feel Dash’s hoof run up along her mane with that admittance. Brushing her softly. I’m not at all ashamed to admit any of this to her. Just like she did to me. Because we trust one another. Soul was so glad Dash didn’t tease her over this.

11.13
“She held me in her wings… even let me sleep… on her chest. I felt like… like… she was more to me because of that. I have never been closer before. She gave me… what I always wanted from a pony.” “You really did want somepony to hold you?” Dash asked.

I always did. For so long. I never got it from mom. I expected it from you, Dashie… but nothing. Even though I held you. But that’s okay because now Soul saw what happened when she got her way. Because with Nimbus, she had the truth about her life. “It was a mistake” Soul spat. Feeling Dash shudder against her.

“Soul… what happened?” You really want to know? Dashie, you’ve been my best friend for so long now. We’ve shared so much together and done too much to the point where I see you as no different than me. Sometimes it’s scary what we’ve become together. Where Soul had felt close enough to kiss the filly on the cheek. For her fur to touch her lips. How close are we? Is it close enough for me to tell you anything? Even if it’s insane. I don’t even know what is real anymore. This entire thing was like a waking nightmare to her. An illusion. A dream. So euphoric at times and so crushing at others. But one thing was still clear to her. That she did not feel real anymore. Because it’s all my fault. All of it is. Even if I tell her, what difference will it make?

“Tell me.” You really do want to know? Fine… Soul cursed herself. With every thought, a new tear was shed. A new pain inside her. It hurt so much just to say “I made a mistake. It’s all my fault.”

11.14
“I should not have asked them. I didn’t think it would be bad but… I forced myself on them and they… I ruined everything.” Everything. When I came so close to calling them my mommy and daddy. I wanted to. But they didn’t want it. They never wanted me like that. So that was why… “They left me.”

So many tears yet… she couldn’t tell. Her heart, it hurt no more or less than it had been. Inside an empty pain within. But her whole body shook. “They left…” “They ran off!” Soul admitted. Remembering exactly what happened to her moment by moment and hating herself because nothing made her feel any worse. Like it was all set inside her now. Permanent. “Flew away and I chased after them all night. I wouldn’t let them go. But… I…” Soul croaked. Finally looking up over the fur she had her face buried in. Out to see the rainbow hairs drifting along her muzzle. Flowing in front of her reddened eyes and her tangled mane. Staring out into the sky. The same sky she flew in. I was always so fast. So precise in my ability. But… I failed. Another failure. I didn’t succeed.

“I couldn’t stop them.” I stood there useless. Watching them leave me behind in their own world. When I should have ran up to them and hugged them. Told them how I felt. Begged them. I didn’t. And I was punished for it. I am weak. They made you strong. No! It’s all lies. How am I strong when I have nothing left?

Except for her.
11.15
She glanced to the pony she held. Looking down her sleek back all the way to her tail. Where Soul held her hooves around her and came together between her little cyan wings. All I have left. The one pony who I love. The one thing left from what felt like a life leaving her. Falling apart. It just came out. “I watched them die.”

Soul was blank. They’re dead. It echoed inside her. Dead. Gone forever. She will never hear them again. Never get to see them. Never fly with them. Nothing touched her, no shock in Dash’s gasp. No cold. No snow falling upon her. She didn’t feel it. Just that echoing emptiness. As the two ponies she loved drifted away. Because it was no different. It really wasn’t. The same when this happened years ago. Just a memory. Though she cried. Cried so hard. Yelling at herself inside. When had she become so cold to it?

“They were taken and I followed them. I went after them to try and save them but it was too late.” Soul surprised herself with how pathetic she sounded saying that. What has happened to me? “I found them. Both of them. They didn’t move. Didn’t do anything and I hugged them. Cried. Begged them. But they didn’t wake up. I watched them die and leave me. Then I flew away. From the monsters that took them from me. If I had just not asked them to let me sleep with them, they would not have left the house. They’re gone because of me.”

Soul blinked, finally. I can’t believe how awful I sound. But she didn’t feel it. Even with her tears flowing out. Drenching Dash’s coat. There was absolutely nothing left. We were supposed to all be together today. One family. So happy. Soul’s and Dash’s families together. Or so she thought she had a family. No more. Rainbow came here to have a great day with her. It was gone. There was nothing more to be happy about. Except for one. “Please don’t leave me, Dashie.” She’s all I have left. But the filly said nothing. Nothing about what Soul had said. Soul wasn’t sure how the pony felt but she did feel her hooves coming over Soul even tighter. The filly pulling Soul into her wings. Silent.

She has nothing to say? Does she believe me? Soul couldn’t tell but she believed herself. Freed from a dream. This was how her life always was. So many ponies. They all leave. Please be the one who doesn’t. The pony whose nose wiped along her cheek and she heard her breathe in her ear. Whispering to her.

“Cloudsdale Wingponies… forever.” That’s all I need. Soul put her head down onto her shoulder and closed her eyes. The one soothing voice left in the world to her. No other ponies left out there. Thank you. Thank you for being that pony. The one left to comfort her with a loving voice for she would never hear those voices again. Of the ponies she wished for the most.
11.16
“Uh… did we miss something?”

Soul’s ears perked up but she did not stop hugging her even with her eyes wide open and her entire body now wracked in a chill running down it hearing that voice. Like she was hearing things. She really thought she had. There was no way. It was silent yet she heard it playing over and over in her head. Nopony talked. But they may as well with the haunting and chilling echo sounding inside.

She never could imagine that voice would make her shiver.

So she couldn’t believe it to be real… until Dash… her grip loosened and the filly looked over past Soul to where she had heard it. Where Dash had heard it too. But it can’t be. No! Don’t let go of me. Soul gripped her harder but Dash let go. A star struck filly staring over Soul’s shoulder because… it was true.

“Soul, umm…” Dash started but her mouth hung. She didn’t have to say anything. I know what it is. I can’t believe it. Even more so when she finally started to let go and… she did it without wanting it. Her body moved on its own. Turning over to look. How is it possible that her heart hurt even more now? Now that she saw this. Now that this world made no sense anymore. Since she saw right there on the walkway to the door. Before both her and Dash, the two ponies. As confused as Dash was. Not as shocked as Soul was. On their own hooves. With wings folding up at their sides. Vast wings of gold and silver feathers with their eyes stricken in that of the Sun and the sky staring upon the two fillies with such a ravenous motion in their look that made Soul feel like… like she was looking into the turmoil of her own spirits. Churning and spinning. An endless dance in those gleaming eyes. The ones she always saw as gorgeous until now. So strange for who it was they belonged to.
11.17
Nimbus and Starry.

“Soul. What’s going on?” Dash asked with such a drag in her raspy voice. The filly looked to her and then back to the two. Soul… she never looked away from them with her wings completely collapsing. Like she couldn’t feel anything. Couldn’t even think anything except for one word. What? “That’s what we’d like to know” Nimbus said. The mare stepped forward and cocked her head at the scene behind the two. “Why is the door wide open? You’re letting all the snow in, and why are you two out here all alone?”

“My mom and… dad are inside…” Dash said, and Soul caught her eyeing Soul for a moment with a raised brow. Soul didn’t know what to say. “They’re… looking for you” Dash finished. “Looking for us?” Starry asked. As puzzled as all of them were. Except for Nimbus who smacked a hoof to her face and groaned. “Oh no, Starry…” she looked at him. “I told you we shouldn’t have left.”

“Mom! Dad!” Dash called out. No. Soul shook her head. What is this? What? What could she even say? Nothing. As everything crashed in on her right there. Her heart burned raw and all the pain inside her… she couldn’t even stop with her tears. Stop with the billowing feeling inside her. I don’t understand. I don’t… “Nimbus!”

Soul raised her hoof in terror when Windy stepped out from the door. Looking at the shocked mare. None of them noticing Soul there. All of them all wrapped in the confusion while Soul… she didn’t feel anything but disbelief. I… Soul wanted to speak. Now that she saw Dash show just how… upset she was. The filly frowned. Not to Soul but Soul still could tell. But I don’t know what’s going on. “Soul said that you were gone and we went in to look for you” Windy said now that Bow came out to join her. “We found the poor girl in tears.” “Oh no! I…” Nimbus shook her head. “What a mess… Soul, we’re so sorry.” The mare looked down at her. That brief moment when her red eyes pierced into Soul’s, she felt her body shudder. Just forced to watch this all. With her mouth dry and… just not able to stop her shaking.
11.18
“She said you left her and that… she saw you both die” Dash whispered. Getting everypony to look at her.

“Saw us…” Nimbus put a hoof to her chest. Joined by Starry. They both could do nothing but lower their heads. Nimbus looking over at Soul. Her eyes never left. No matter how pitifully sorry they both looked. How Nimbus looked like she may break down. But Soul didn’t know why. She didn’t know anything anymore. Let alone what was real. When she felt so ashamed of herself. Forget the shock. I told her that these two were dead. What? What is wrong with me?

“Let me explain” Starry said. “I thought it would be a good idea for Nimbus and I to go out earlier this morning to get a little flying in together.” “I told you we shouldn’t have” Nimbus chimed in. “I know… but…” he looked up to all of them. “We both have gone through a lot of work lately and… I just wanted her and I to have a nice flight together like we used to do. I figured we should let Soul sleep in and we didn’t wake her. Guess I was wrong.”

“Soul, we’re so sorry” Nimbus said. “I should have stayed with you. I didn’t know you would have such a terrible nightmare. We’d never leave you like that. The mare stopped feeling sorry for herself. Coming up to tower over the filly with such a big smile on her face.

“We’re back…” she whispered and… Soul flinched when her hoof came down and stroked so softly along her mane. “I’ll never leave you alone like that again.” Soul said nothing. Sitting there like an idiot. With her eyes pulsing red and her stomach growling. She just slumped. Staring down at the snowy ground. A nightmare? But… she blinked… twice.

I thought that…
11.19
“We should go inside… I’m such an idiot leaving you like that” Nimbus let go of Soul and placed one wing over her, blanketing her as the mare walked towards the door and looked back at her. “How about I make you some pancakes? A lot of them with whipped cream and fruit, I bet that’ll be good.” “I’ll get started on it” Starry said and rushed past them. He looked so broken in his face. As down as Nimbus looked in her eyes. True shame. For leaving me.

Was it all a nightmare?

“So it was all a nightmare?” Dash said. When Soul looked at her and found the filly like this, shoulders down and looking off. So sad in her face. No telling how she felt. Please don’t be angry. Soul wasn’t even sure how to feel. This isn’t right. “But…” what can I say? Dash, Windy, and Bow. All three of them before her. She felt their eyes upon her. Staring her down like towering monoliths. Frightening. Reduced to just a shaking baby right there. For the first time, she felt useless. “I’m so sorry for that” Nimbus said to them all. “It’s all my fault.”

What are you…? Soul was frozen when that wing over her pushed her… pushing her back onto her hooves and she nudged forward. Stepping to the door with Nimbus at her side. “Come on, Soul… let’s get you out of the cold.” “But…” This isn’t right. Soul walked, pushed along by that big wing against her butt until she had to step over the threshold of the doorway. Walking into the house, looking back out at all the ponies. All of them looked so worried for her. Even Dash. But Soul, she felt like an idiot. In front of her best friend.

What more could she say? With her mind frozen and so much pain inside her. “I’m… sorry” she whimpered.
11.20
“It’s not your fault, I… let myself get carried away” Nimbus said. “Would you all like to come in for something to eat? Our treat for letting this happen.”

“We… were supposed to go to see the Wonderbolts” Windy pointed out. “The show is soon and we were coming to get you all.” “Yeah…” Dash said with such a hopeful voice. “We’re gonna all have fun today. Soul and I have been looking forward to this, I… I don’t think I can wait any longer.” The filly finally got up with joy in her face. “Let’s go. Let’s go!” She jumped up and down like nothing had happened. I wish I could feel that. Soul just frowned with her legs shaking.

I don’t feel good. I… she lowered her head once more. Why can’t I say anything? Why does it hurt? Not even able to say anything when Nimbus spoke. “That’s now! But… oh no, we didn’t know that.” Jumping around on her hooves. “We got to get ready and eat and I need to take a bath. Celestia, I’m all sweaty. I don’t know if we can make it.”

“But we talked about it!” After a long pause, Soul looked up. Up to the filly who had said that. Rainbow Dash stared at them in disbelief and… it made Soul feel herself collapse inside. Dash looked… sad. Desperate. When she finally realized what it was that was going on. “I can still go” Soul said. “But you need to eat and we need to get ready” Nimbus said. “How about we eat when we get there” Dash said. “Yeah, they got lots of food in Canterlot” Windy pointed out. That sounded good. Right? Soul smiled to Nimbus. Showing her approval. If only it was met.
11.21
“I won’t let Soul go to Canterlot without us. Starry and I have a lot to do before we can leave for the day. I’m sorry, I don’t think it can happen.”

That was when Soul’s entire self collapsed. Hearing those words, and she spoke out along with another voice. “No!” she and Dash said together. “Nimbus, dear” Windy spoke with such calm despite her anxious smile. “We already got the tickets and we can still all make it if we leave soon. I can buy you all food when we get there. Then Bow and I can help you with whatever you need to do after the show. What do ya say?”

“Please, Nimbus… I wanted to spend the day with Soul” Dash pleaded. So did I. What is going on?

“Nimbus?” Soul looked to her. The mare looked between all of them. Sighing. Such a long pause with only the wind howling over them all. Snowfall coming down between them, the only movement. Until Nimbus stepped up. Her hooves moved… into the house with Soul.

“Well then Soul should have told us when we’d be leaving. I’m sorry.” Soul just watched. Watched as her best friend gasped and reached a hoof out to her. One she wanted to reach for too and… her hoof stopped when the door closed in front of her. Silence. As the air stood still and the last bit of snow fell onto the floor. Melting away into the clouds under Soul. The filly left standing there with a hoof reaching out and her face frozen in terror.

When she realized what it was that just happened.
11.22
“Dashie…” Soul stared at the door. Left to herself. She just heard Nimbus’ hooves step away.

I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. What did happen? What even was that? Just when she felt her joy coming back, slammed shut on it. Nimbus and Starry back. All of us together. We could go to the Wonderbolts. Just like we wanted. Free of whatever this nightmare was. So much pain. She could already tell… Dash must be hurt. Yet Soul could do nothing. Like her hooves were glued to the floor.

What is this feeling? “Well I think we should go get breakfast started” Nimbus said as she trotted off towards the kitchen. “I bet you’re hungry too.” She didn’t care. Actually… it wasn’t hunger she felt. She finally let her hoof back down. Staring at the door and her wings folded up. She couldn’t feel her stomach ache as it growled. Didn’t feel the burning pain in her eyes. No that was not it. After seeing the two ponies she loved so much die, holding them in her hooves and crying for them. Leaving them behind. Waking up alone. Watching her entire world fall apart around her only for it to come back. Come back and now… she knew that Dash… Dashie wasn’t happy. I upset her.

We were supposed to have a fun day today and now none of us will. What of Soul? Right now, she felt like the one most upset now that her tears had stopped. All dried up. Just like her heart which writhed. Why do I feel like this? This… this isn’t like when she left me long ago. Soul lowered her eyes. Her mane coming down over her face. Like a shadow on her. She felt it looming. What have I done? What did I let happen? No. She no longer felt pity for herself. “You coming, Soul?” She looked over her shoulder. Over her flaring wings. Not like last time.

Soul was furious.
11.23
“What the hell?! Nimbus, how could you?!”

Soul leapt around. For the first time, baring her fangs. Of all ponies, the one who had cared for her for so long. But after all this, she didn’t care anymore. Nopony could go through all this and be expected to be happy. She actually wanted to hit Nimbus. Feeling her hoof itching. For all she did to her. This was not funny. None of this was right. How could she?

“How could you?!” That got her attention. Nimbus finally dropped her happy act. Acting like nothing was wrong. Everything was wrong. The nerve she expected Soul to let her come back up to her and try to place her hoof upon her head. Soul smacked it away. Getting back from her. “Soul, I…”

“Shut up!” Soul whimpered. Not believing how overwhelmed she felt. All of this coming at her at once. She already got to feel her heart break. Now… it felt like it was coming back again. That splitting agony inside. So many years together and Nimbus never did anything like this. She never made Soul feel this broken. I thought things were better since she held me. Proven wrong. That made her want to cry again but the tears, there were no more. “How could you leave me? You know I need you. Yet you’re just gonna leave me all alone.” “Soul, I didn’t think it would… we came back. We would never abandon you.” “But you did. You left… in the middle of the night. Left me all alone. I… I…” what to say?

Her feelings. Everything. None of this felt like reality anymore. She couldn’t even tell what reality was anymore. She was only a filly. But they thought she could do this alone. They both know better. Now that Starry stepped out from the kitchen. Looking over at them from across the room. Soul glared at both of them.
11.24
“That was the worst nightmare I ever had. But I woke up and you both weren’t there. You left me alone. I was just crying and wanting you both back. But you left. Like my nightmare had come true. Here I thought I could trust you both.”

I really did. After what you did for me. But this hurt her more than anything else. Right when she thought things would be better. Of course not. “I guess you both don’t love me.” “Soul, of course we do” Nimbus said. She didn’t dare raise her voice. Trying to lean towards the filly, but nothing more. Soul knew she wanted to reach out and hug her. No. Not this time.

“If you did, you would’ve been there for me. And now… now look what you did! I was looking forward to this. I wanted to see the Wonderbolts for so long now and now you kicked my friend away. My best friend! I… I must look terrible to her now.” Soul gasped.

No. Dashie. An inkling to run to the door and chase after the pony. I should just go by myself. Leave these two. That’s what I should have done. “It was going to be my last fun day before I go back to camp. Ruined.” Maybe she should run after them. Even though she wanted them to come with her. Until now. They just left me. What kind of parents do that. Parents… Soul looked away from them.

Maybe I was wrong.

“Soul. Starry and I know what we did was wrong. We both feel bad about it. After all we went through together, we both should have been there for you like we always were. I… I feel like a failure now. I should have been there to hug you and comfort you. If you… want… I can. I want to. I want you happy like I always did. Soul.” Soul just listened. Hearing the harsh wind outside. Striking the house. That chill. Like all the air wrapped around her and the wind was within her. So much so… she felt her fur stand up and her eyes wandered. Slowly looking back at Nimbus. So uneasy.

“Come on, we can have fun still. We can do some flying and we can go out together. Make our own fun. I know you wanted to see the Wonderbolts, but there’s always next time.” Next time isn’t good enough. I don’t know why you are trying to talk your way out of this. Nimbus broke her trust. For the first time. Not like her. Soul felt the chills. “We can still treat you… I love you… because you’re… you’re my daughter.” …My…
Daughter?
11.25
Soul widened her eyes.

Why is it so cold? Just then it got silent. All the fur on her back standing up and her mane crawled along her neck. A twitch of her tail and a flutter of her wings. That terrifying stillness between her and Nimbus. The pony who offered her hoof once more. Wanting to hug her. I should fall into her. Hug her back. For them to embrace like they always used to do. With new reason. Because… I’m her daughter? The words she always wanted a pony to tell her. …The words Nimbus never spoke. That was what made Soul back away. Flee from that chill. With both her wings spreading. She only shook her head. The words slithering out from between her teeth.

“Who are you?” Nimbus didn’t say that. She never did. “Nimbus… she doesn’t love me like that.” Soul was convinced. She wanted Nimbus to. Soul wanted to love her like a family. But… it never happened. After all, …all of this did happen. This is real. As real as that smug smile Nimbus had now. The mare looming over her. Keeping her huge wings to her side and… a calm look down upon the filly. It was unsettling how beautiful her voice was.

“You don’t know… just how much she did love you.” Coming out through Nimbus’ voice. With her mouth. With her tongue. But it was not her. Soul… she froze. When she realized the truth. But it was too late. All of it was.

This was real.
11.26
Everything that happened. Yet Soul, she didn’t even blink. Not with both of them approaching her. The two ponies she loved. Who had cared for her for all her life. But these weren’t those ponies. They didn’t wear their loving smiles. They didn’t have their vibrant care. They weren’t them and she saw them for what they were. Just a thought when she saw it all did happen. No.

Nimbus looked down at her. Not with her red eyes filled with life. But with blank eyes of the sea with not a single trace of a pony left in them. Just the eyes of the monster she knew them to belong to, that had stared at her when she lost both of the ponies she loved. Surrounded by all that was left of them. Nimbus before her and Starry with his blank eyes coming over. Pushed against the door, yet she didn’t move. Just lost. So lost… as to why she didn’t feel anything. Nothing more. Was it from all that she had went through? Or seeing the last trace of her loved ones left behind like this? Staring her down with razor fangs in their mouths and such horrible hate in their eyes. What was left of them inside of what she knew… were Changelings.

But all was silent. Even as she stared, watching saliva come down from their mouths. Like rabid animals. Her loved ones turned to this. Her last image of them. Only one thought came through her, locked in her frozen state. Like the entire world had stopped. She preferred that to be the case. Because then, this all could be what she hoped it to be.
11.27
“This isn’t a nightmare?”

Why? Why was that enough? As she saw those fangs close on her… and then stop. Nimbus closed her mouth. Not sure what she saw. Soul only seeing herself inside those blank eyes. That broken filly with her mane in tangled locks all over her head and reddened eyes. Where her fur was damp yet no tears fell. No nightmare. That’s… that’s me. What has happened to me? So strange. She looked so pathetic. So useless. Not the pony she came to see herself as. Like… this wasn’t the filly that Nimbus and Starry spent so long trying to make her in to.

She saw it. That’s…. that’s me. From long ago. That’s the filly she always knew herself to be. The one who cried inside of a box without her mother. Who feared everypony else and locked herself away to keep herself safe. Who didn’t expect to have friends.

This… this wasn’t the pony worth what Nimbus and Starry did for her. This pony… was a mistake. Now she was it again. Weak and backed into a corner. Left to fend for herself and fear everything. Yet, they didn’t come at her. She expected them to. Just staring at her. Why? I’m nothing now. She had nothing left. Like everything was empty. Nimbus and Starry are gone. Her love went with them. Because one thing was true.
11.28
“They did leave me. They did hate me… so they’d rather go and leave me behind than have to bother with me anymore. Of course… everypony does.” That was all that filled her mind now. Not even caring about these monsters before her. Both of them closing their mouths and looking to each other. What’s wrong with them? I lost everything. They never loved me.

It just seemed so fitting that Nimbus and Starry were here to back her up like this and make her feel so terrible. As they did before when they left her. They were no better than her mom. Them and these Changelings, they may as well be the same. They were the same. They all proved to her just how weak Soul was.

“They left me… because I wasn’t good enough.” Soul fell against the door. Letting her wings fall to her sides. It hurt. Hurt too much to do anything. She had enough. So weak. She couldn’t even move anymore. Couldn’t bear the gaping wound in her. I don’t want this. I want what I had. “I want them back.” She found herself questioning herself for looking up at those two in front of her. Nimbus and Starry. Yet them being those creatures of spine and thorns with skin as black as night who had taken them from her.

“I want what I had back. Why? …Why did you take them?” At least then she could have lived on thinking they loved her. Anything is better than this. But it was wrong. All of this was. Her asking them. The fact that they cocked their heads when she asked it. Pausing. Is what I asked too hard to answer?

“Tell me.”
11.29
“You really are a different pony than what we saw last night” Nimbus said. “Weird… you called them your mom and dad, and now you say they don’t love you?” Of course she was different. But she had nothing to say. Stunned that… that this one was actually talking to her. Towering over her with that comforting body she loved and the terrifying eyes she wished were not there staring down at her.

“You ponies and your feelings, so… malleable. It almost makes me shiver” Starry said.

“Honestly” Nimbus joined in. “How can you even think that they hated you? Are you really that insecure? Or just blind?”

I’m not. They would not have left if I had just kept my mouth shut and let them sleep together. But she couldn’t say it. Nothing. Just watching the two ponies pace before her. Looking at her. Like the gazes of the real Nimbus and Starry as they spoke their words… with their voices. “It’s crazy you think that. After all, those two gave us more love than anypony else. We could sense it. Smell it” Nimbus licked her lips. “Like no other. Oh… we never feasted like that before! We never imagined ponies could love like that, have such love for another. It was… divine.” Soul gulped. Almost sickened by what they said. Like she read in the books.

They… these monsters. They only see us as food. Talking about Nimbus and Starry like that. She wanted to scream. To hit them. But she had nothing left. Just to revile. Hate them. For taking that love away.
11.30
“I thought I had it, but I didn’t” Soul said. “So naïve” Starry chuckled. “She really is” Nimbus agreed. “Let me guess, something bad happened to you before and now it left you a total wreck. Grow up, kid.” She slithered a long tongue towards Soul.

“Maybe you should look at the fact that they did enough for you to… I don’t know, be your mom and dad. You clearly loved them. You really think they didn’t love you?” “I…” Soul shivered. Looking down to the ground. She really didn’t know anymore. She didn’t want to think they didn’t love her. But it all hurt. They hurt her.

“If they didn’t love you, then why was that love they had for you… so delectable?” Nimbus asked. She looked up to the creature. What did she say? “So much that we got so lost in it. So sorry they didn’t survive” Nimbus giggled.

“We can sense this type of stuff, those two harbored such a love for you” Starry said. Am I supposed to believe them? These beasts with fangs and murder in them. So much spit dripping from their mouths. Staring at her. She knew they wanted to do to her what they did to Nimbus and Starry. Why? Why are my wings not working? Why does it all hurt? Why did they leave me? “If they loved me, then why did they leave?!” A long pause. None of them moved.

Soul could only listen, her eyes closed. She could hear them. Their ragged breaths. Their still hooves. Her slow heartbeat. Wanting Nimbus and Starry to be here to answer her.
11.31
Nimbus spoke. “Because they were so happy over something. Must have been something big. Maybe they made a big decision. But we could taste it. They had something, something that made them so deeply in love and… it all centered around one name. Soul Serenity. It was a love we have smelled before.”

Soul opened her eyes. Seeing Nimbus right in her face. So close, she could smell the putrid scent of something foul in her breath. A love? “That of a love to a daughter.”

A daughter?

Soul blinked. “Really? Do you think they hated you? You were the only pony they did so much for. Felt so much for. I’m pretty sure they gave you lots. Lots to know they love you.” They… they did. Soul admitted it. Even if it was just basic care. Obligations to her. They gave her more. More than she would expect. They gave her something amazing. They gave her something her mom never did. A dream. One she could reach alongside the thing most precious to her. The best thing they ever gave her. One that she longed for. They gave her… a best friend. I would never have met Dashie without them. We would never be friends. Rainbow Dash. You… Nimbus, Starry… I’m so sorry.

She is all you have left of them.

All I have left. Dash is my world. She couldn’t believe it. There’s a pony out there that is that important to her. She is all I have now. “Rainbow Dash.” The best thing in my life. She taught me so much. I… I shouldn’t be weak. I need to be strong. A strong pony for her. Strong enough to stare down these two monsters before her with their mouths wide and fangs gleaming at her. Their slow steps towards her and their terrifying voices.

“Rainbow Dash has lots of love for you too. I bet she will be just as delicious.”
11.32
Soul. Run.

Run! I have to. For the pony I promised to be there for. My last love. The only pony to invite her to a party. The only one to step up to stand at her side. The only one she felt comfortable with holding… and kissing. To do everything with, just like we promised. That is our dream. Everything, we will do it all together. I won’t leave her behind. She gives her strength.

The strength she needed to flare out her wings and soar into the air. Not even turning back to look. She only heard the clamored and angered grunts of the two Changelings down below, and she didn’t look back. She couldn’t. She had to leave this behind. With it all ringing through her ears. The truth. Nimbus and Starry are gone, but they left me something. You need to protect her.

I need to be strong. They took my loves from me. But that last one was what made her soar. Zooming right past them. Through the house she had come to call her home. No longer. It may as well not be anymore. It wasn’t her home. No more. She had a new home and a new family. One that she was gifted. That was where she needed to be. For the pony she loved. Soul didn’t need to even try, just a quick lash of her hooves to send the deck door flying open and then… she was gone.

Zipping off into the sky.
11.33
Even if they are gone, I will do everything for Dashie. I promise this. Fly to any height and do any extreme to keep her with me. I won’t be that stupid filly who lost the two ponies who cared for her. Not again. I always just sat back and watched. I never did anything for myself to keep the ponies I love. But no more. She had no more tears to shed. No more pity in her empty heart. Just that ringing sensation. One she had long ago, when she decided to race for her own happiness. I will be strong again.

There was nopony left to hold her hoof. It was only her now. One filly. But she had all that was left of the two who loved her. A friend out there to protect. She will not let them hurt her. Hurt anypony else. They made fun of me and mocked what we had. I’ll show them. I’ll show everypony.

For the first time, she felt it. It wasn’t strength like she felt before. Or something beyond her control. She felt like she had it. Like it was her turn to control what happened. Finally. I will do it all. To protect her. That meant going to her. That is what Soul did.

Leaving behind that house she had lived in for years. Not looking back as she thundered across the sky and warped the air around her. Nimbus and Starry were gone. That made her sniffle but… she glared ahead. Going down the path through the sky she remembered. Flying with the determination and skill she needed. Something that Nimbus and Starry granted her. She didn’t even need to look to know she was safe. They may have Nimbus’ and Starry’s bodies, but they didn’t have their skill.

Soul was the last pony who had that. All their training so that no monster could catch her. Not even them. They would not stop her. I’m coming for you, Dashie. We stand together. Dash always had her fierce determination. Time for Soul to show it too. So strange. Even as her heart ached. As she saw her old world leave her. Never to come back. That all that love she had was gone. She wasn’t afraid. She still felt that drive like she did before when she decided to race alongside Dash months ago and changed everything. To protect the last love she had of the life she lost.
11.34
Off to the one life she had left. Flying high over the same neighborhoods as before yet all was so different. In an open sky that felt so heavy. Soul burst through the falling snow. Past all the other houses she had no business for. Only the one she spotted ahead with its rainbow encased lawn and the thick cloud monstrosity in the back.

She looked all around her. Just the sight of other pegasi flying in the sky with her amongst the clouds. Fillies like her playing in the falling snow. Colts alongside them. All of them together as friends. Something Soul could not do. Not again. That was what made her even sadder. Like she really did just lose all that. Left to make sure she was alone. Alone from… from Nimbus and Starry who she could not see.

One more tear but she furled her brow and dashed off to the one place she felt safe to go. She touched down into the cloudy gardens before the walkways. Rushing along it. The same steps she took not so long ago. So much happier then. No smile on her face. No bags for a fun night. Just her teary eyes and the fur on her back. Running up to the door. She took one last look back. Finding nopony there. None following her. Then she realized her heart was racing so fast it almost could beat out her chest. What has happened to me?
11.35
Soul didn’t hesitate. She slammed on the door. Over and over. Faster. Like she lost track of how many times she knocked on it with her head sinking and more tears streaming down. Until her hoof couldn’t do it anymore and fell away from the door. Damn it. All that strength gone and back again when she slammed her hoof one last time against the door. So hard, she startled herself with how loud it was. Fearing she may have made them upset. That is if… her fears weren’t growing over something else. The fact that she stood here and nopony came to answer the door. No. No.

“D-Dashie!” With another knock against the door. Damn it, no! Nothing. Soul spread her wings. I can’t let anything happen to you. She flew up into the sky, high over the rooftop of the house and around it. Over into a high hover above the backyard. Where is it? Where? She looked along the windows. Dash had… that one! A single window looking out upon the backyard compared to the two double sets alongside it. That was Dash’s room. Soul doing to her… exactly like Dash did to her on their first night together. If only it were the same.

She could only cry and float down to sit before Dash’s window. Where the Sun shone in to light it up the inside for her through the open curtains of cloudy blue and white. “Dashie!” she called out. Placing her hooves against the window. Looking inside at the room she recognized. Like nothing changed except only Dash’s bed was in there. Empty. A neat room. She even left one of her Wonderbolts books out on her bedside. But that was it. An empty bedroom and a silent house. All of that being what it took to make Soul even more terrified. She should have guessed. After all, I did bail on them. Last minute. She must have looked like a jerk. Now… she knew it. They were gone. Off to Canterlot. Seeing the Wonderbolts without her.
11.36
She almost did it. Smack her hoof into the window. Just short of hitting it. Left only to curse to herself. But we were supposed to see it. All of us. She… she had to get it out of her head. The longer she thought of it, the more it hurt. So much crying. It… began to hurt just to cry in her stinging eyes.

No more tears, Soul! She had to command herself. But. This. This was all too much. Just a filly left to become an adult right here. On her own. It’s not like I’m a mare. I need… I need somepony. She needed to be with Dash. The one thing left. But she didn’t know how.

Already thinking of doing it. Her wings readied themselves. Somewhere out in the valleys was the castle city they were supposed to go to. Far away in the mountains. Those spires and gleaming peaks inside the cliffsides. Inside the vast capital of the entire land. But she shrunk at the idea. Even with her wings ready, looking out into the sky past the giant towers of Cloudsdale, she didn’t even move. Frozen. No… how do I find them? Three ponies out there in a giant city. Where was the show even being held? She looked back at the house. Maybe they are home? She just needed to pound on the door harder or… maybe force her way in. Anything to protect Dashie. Unless they really are gone. Then what?

I got to go to Canterlot on my own. With no idea on where it was she was supposed to go. Who would… Soul looked up. Her eyes widened.
11.37
Nimbus and Starry.

She spotted them. Both pegasi flying across the sky. Side by side. Like no different than when they would fly together. Except it wasn’t them. If only it was. Looking around for her. Like they would do if she had gotten lost. No. Not this time. Not when she backed away and looked around. Hiding behind the house and looking out to nothing. Just left there fleeing from the two ponies she had loved. I just can’t. It hurt too much to do this. She had to go. She needed to find Dash. She had to go to Canterlot. Alone.

I’ll do it. She squinted her eyes. Spreading her wings wide and flapping faster. If she could cry any more, she would. All she could do was fly. Going right down and underneath the huge set of clouds that Dash’s backyard was covered in. She kept her eyes closed, rubbing at them. Not caring for anything. None of this.

Her eyes so heavy and stinging and like her body could collapse. But those wings kept going. Nonstop and she cleared the clouds, flying away from it all. Soaring off into the sky once more, no idea where. Somewhere in Canterlot. Somewhere far out there… that made her body shake and her entire self hurt. S-somepony can help me. That’s it. She would find somepony. They can tell her where it is. Yeah. That’s a great idea. Maybe then she would stop feeling all this pain. Be able to hug Dash sooner. It almost… made her giggle. After all, she was a helpless filly right now who needed her friend and needed to know she was safe. That’s all that mattered.

She knew… just where to go. Somewhere ponies can help. The only place left right now she could think of. A place… from happier times.
11.38
Those times were so missed. She could only rub her eyes as she flew and try to relive the pain in them, shaking her head and trying to look back out into the snowy sky she flew through. The same sky as always, though it was so much bleaker to her. Was it that she flew alone in it? No Nimbus or Starry at her side.

She could only tremble as she remembered and desperate to forget. Closing her eyes and holding them in her hooves when one little cry came out. She almost didn’t notice it till she heard the pony cry out and she looked back up with a start. Just in time to skid to a halt before she could run into the stallion flying before her, shocked that she had been coming right at him. Left to just float there in front of him and his unamused face.

“I’m sorry…” she whimpered. Holding her hooves close to her face. “You shouldn’t fly with your eyes… wait…” the stallion looked upon her but she only shrunk away.

“You okay, kid? You look terrible.” “I’m fine.” Soul only wanted to go. After all, looked like she only made this stallion upset with her. “I’m sorry I almost hit you” she came close to crying again and reeled back her wings. “Wait…” he held his hoof out to her. She wouldn’t have it. I just want to find somewhere safe.

Leave me alone. She banked herself right and dashed off away from him and the other pegasi she saw who noticed her little run in back there. All of them to see just how bad she was doing and then she couldn’t even notice it again until she felt it.
11.39
Soul shrieked and bucked sideways with a flash of her wings when she hit right into the icy cold clouds floating around them all. She couldn’t even think before her wing stung and she saw she had clipped right against one of the thick clouds packed with icy snow in her hurry, making her yelp and hiss with that left wing of hers waving wildly just to shake off the pain of running right into such a hard cloud.

With one eye, she looked out to all the pegasi who floated around and watched her do that stupid move. Some came closer. Offering their help. No. She held her wing in close, tired of letting her last wing do all the work and spread her left one once more with a stinging pain running down its span. Not enough to keep her from flying.

I look like such an idiot. I am an idiot. Sitting up here messing around. Nimbus and Starry were out here, and that fear of them finding her. It was real. Finding her before she could get to Dash.

Sweet Celestia, it hurt to move that wing, but she managed. Just another thing that made her shed a tear and she turned off to fly away from it all. That first flap so strong and it hurt the most. Almost making her gasp from the black spots that popped in her eyes and almost made her pass out.

“Wait kid!” She heard from behind. She didn’t. Only flying off over the houses of Cloudsdale and off to where she knew to be the last place she could go to try and find help. Running on nothing left, only the pain in her wing keeping her awake now as her stomach rumbled. She held it tight but never looked away from what was ahead of her. Off into the clouds.
11.40
But no matter how much she pushed, that pain did not cease. Felt like it was only getting worse. But what was it to her? Another thing on top of what she had to go through. It made her laugh a little to herself before she cringed in pain.

Smiling under her blood red eyes to the sunny sky piercing through the clouds. Not many pegasi could go through what she was. Maybe she was strong. If only it mattered. Nothing she ever did led to anything good. It only led to this. That was what she was convinced of.

May as well be this pain was punishment or even a trial while she flew the distance to where she wanted.

Off to the last place where she would fly together with Nimbus and Starry every day. When she would look over and see the smiling faces with her and they made her smile. It did that right now. Though it hurt inside to remember those times. But… when I rode on her back sometimes. Those times were great. I loved them. Nimbus was always so strong and always loved giving her rides. The filly couldn’t even slow her down. Just a chance for them to enjoy the sky together. Now she did it alone with no joy inside her. No happiness left. Just her blurry vision and the world spinning around her when a sharp pain ripped through her stomach from a growl.

Damn it. That pain made her leap for a moment and then she levelled out once more. Sticking her wings out and more pain from that. May as well be like she was being stung from all sides. Torn to shreds from within and nopony there to comfort her. Just a few ponies she saw in the sky that she passed who caught a glimpse of her failing in her flight. Right when she opened her eyes once more and saw it ahead.
11.41
The same place she would see every day. With its large, blue walls topped in clouds surrounding a massive plain for pegasi to fly free within all the vast setups of cloud courses and obstacles. Right there where the gate was surrounded by pillars where she would land at in the mornings side by side with the ponies she loved. Back in times when that was possible.

Today, she flew there alone. Nothing left in her except that aching agony to do what it was that she could to save all she had left. She had to keep going.

Zooming in on none other than Junior Speedsters flight camp. Past all the pegasi outside of it, past all the houses and open fields around it. Where she left behind the gate and flew over all of it. It was so different, it made her frown grow larger. The same place as before but so lifeless. So few ponies left here and… when she would come here and find so many. Damn it! She smacked her head. Stop it. Stop hurting.

I just need to… she looked and saw the ground coming in at her.

What!? Her left wing cracked. Froze up. With just a burst of speed from her right wing to turn her, she reared her hooves out and closed her eyes. Right as her left wing gave out.
11.42
Soul fumbled and her legs gave right as they hit the ground. Doing all she could with her last wing before it too could do no more and she fell over. The filly tumbling and falling on the ground with a loud thud and a crack of her wings. A noise so bad it would make her revile if she could bother without all the stinging pain coming over her.

Nothing more than a rag doll. Her body flipping over. Sliding along the clouds and digging a deep trench in the clouds. A scar along the fields of the camp she always came to. Where she would sit upon the stairs to the building before the gate and watch all the kids come in one by one. Back during dark days.

She never imagined becoming this when she finally skidded to a halt and laid there motionless. Crying to herself. Reduced to a broken mess before those very stairs. Like her entire body was ripped. Her insides torn.

She didn’t dare to open her eyes. Just hold herself and cry. Embracing even more. Terrible pain all over her body, she had no doubt she had hurt herself. But… did it matter? Coming back to this camp once more a shattered mess with hunger in her belly and her eyes stinging. But nothing, nothing came close to what she felt earlier. Why she could find a way to curse herself. Even with this agony. Nothing came close to the emptiness she had felt earlier.
11.43
For a second there, she really did think she had just done this in front of everypony. All the kids here to laugh at her once more. Dash to abandon her. Nopony helping her. Because she made a fool of herself.

Wait. That’s right, all the kids are at home. Hearth’s Warming break. She doubted anypony would care otherwise. They’d all laugh at her. Even with this terrible sting along her body that made her grip herself hard and yell out at the top of her lungs. Screaming when her wings spasmed and fell silent. On until her voice went ragged.

Please… why is nopony helping me? Soul opened one eye and clenched it tight. Rolling over on to her side and groaning before she screamed once more from the pain that came by just turning over on to her belly and sprawling herself out. Trying to push herself back onto her hooves. One. Two. She tried, then she fell back down. A little shriek from her being her reward. Get up. I got to… get help. Get… “Help!” She managed to scream with one faint breath.

Help me. She had to get up and find a way. If only… if only Nimbus was here. She would help her. Pick her up and fly her away. Soul wanted that. Through all this pain, she still wanted to be held by her. Again. Like you did before. Soul cried. Pick me up, mommy. Help me. Turned into a foal at this point left to cry by herself and slam a hoof against the clouds. Trying all she could. Lifting her wings. She tried so hard. But it hurt. Hurts just to move. It really is a trial. Like life testing her to see if she was strong enough to protect Dash. She is all I have left. I have to be strong.

Just… to do it alone.

So suddenly. More than any filly could do. All she wanted was some help. Once again. But she only laid there. Silently crying to herself. How… how am I supposed to find Dash? Not when I can’t even get up. She tried again. Again. Nothing. Then she tried again, and she gasped in shock when hooves came over her.
11.44
Nimbus? She looked up, up to whoever it was that picked her up. Upon wings that took her into the sky. So many wings, and her heart sank. Because they were wings she did not know. All of them.

Not rescued by the ones she loved, gone forever. Left to be rescued by a group of pegasi she did not know. None other than the stallion who she ran into earlier who was the one that picked her up, with so many other mares and stallions with him. She looked around at them all. All the concern upon their faces and shock at seeing her like this. Though none of them knew who she was. Yet they still came to help her. Is that more than what she could ask for? She would be grateful if it did not hurt so badly to be held right now with the stallion’s legs digging against her side… right where she had crashed on to.

“We better get you to…” Soul screamed before the stallion could finish and pushed him away. Slipping free from him and then… she had to do it. She flapped her wings and felt them scream inside just to keep herself from falling. That felt so terrible. No matter what kindness these ponies gave her, just touching her alone was too much.

“Get away from me” she yelled at them. Floating back on her hurt wings with all they could do to keep her aloft. The filly rubbing her side and looking over at it to where she could see how badly ruffled her fur was all along it with so many small scrapes blistering out through the magenta fur. Gently settling her poor body except for her wings. They could get no rest. Just a little… blood on her pooling down along her fur. Not nearly as bad as what she had gone through before. Certainly not enough to stop her.
11.45
“Kid, we need to get you to the doctor” the stallion said as he approached her but Soul backed away. Backed towards a mare who came in just as concerned.

“What happened to you dear?” “Is she going to be okay?” “Poor thing.” “Somepony get help, quick.”

All these damn voices around her ringing in her head. Really it takes me getting hurt to get others to help me? She put her hooves to her ears, drowning them out and cringing. So angry at this with her wings pounding behind her in agony. She just wanted to go back now to other times when ponies ignored her and let her do what she wanted. Not threaten to take her away to help her, not when she couldn’t do that. Screw her injuries. She looked up to the ponies before her. I’m not a problem. She didn’t want them to help her with this. With the ponies coming to help her, she flapped away further and shouted.

“Get away from me! I don’t need a doctor.” Just how closed in she felt made her want to fly away. With the entire world crashing down on her. This was not what she needed now. Don’t help me, help me help Dashie. “Sweetheart” a silver mare spoke out among the adults. “You need help.”

“All I need…” They can help me with something else. “Is to know where the Wonderbolts show is.” They all looked about as confused as she’d expect of them. Either way, she made it apparent she would not cooperate. Regardless of what she thought. Just keeping away from them with her wings ready. Knowing she could fly off if she wanted. If they didn’t want to help her. She no longer cared about herself.

Only one thing was important. “Please tell me.”
11.46
“Why do you want to go? You know the show started about an hour ago from what I remember” one mare said among them with a voice so soothing. Like they all just wanted her to calm down. Like they would believe me.

Haha, just tell me. Soul fought hard to hold back a snarl. Doing all she could to stay calm despite her stomach rumbling again and making her flinch. “I… overslept and… I want to go see. At least a little of it. Where is it?” Just then noticing she sounded like a total fool. Ugh, it hurt too much to bother. Right now, it took all her strength just to keep from snapping at them all. Just to keep a fake smile. Or they may take her to the doctor. Dashie, I won’t be able to help her.

Please just tell me, she came close to shedding another tear. The ponies looked to one another and the same mare finally answered. “It’s in the Canterlot Castle but…” Soul leaned in and listened. Yes. What is it? “I need to get there quickly, what’s wrong?” Soul pried from her. “You kind of need your parents to get in, otherwise…” the mare shrugged. “You won’t be allowed in.”

Wh-what?! But Soul could have sworn this event was open to any pony. What was she even saying, needing her parents? That can’t be. “Why do I need my parents?” “It’s sort of a more closed thing, dear. The princess herself is attending it.” “So… I need my parents to get in and…” she almost said ‘save Dash’.

She held her tongue which went dry and her spirits sank. “That’s just how it is this time, kid” the stallion said. That… Soul shook her head. They had to be lying. No. This must be some trick, something to keep her away. Even if the princess is there, …I should be allowed in. Without fearing guards would throw her out. Somewhere out there in the Canterlot Castle. When all I want to do is…

“No! You’re lying!” Soul accused them and felt a crick in her wing that made her shut up and gasp in pain. She almost fell right there. “Kid, you’re in no condition to go there. How’s about we find your parents and get you some help” the stallion said. “I don’t need help! Just… tell me how to get into the Wonderbolts show… please.” That was when Soul let out a tear. Something that I can do. Damn it, I’m just a filly. Why do I have to be just a filly?
11.47
“Hey now…” the stallion whispered and came a little closer before Soul shot backwards away from him even quicker. By then, the pain had dulled. Like it was not even affecting her anymore. Not like it matters. Not with the pain in her heart.

“Just show me and I’ll go…” Soul said.

“Soul, you’re not going there alone” a familiar voice spoke out.

Like all around her. Filling her ears and pounding inside enough to make her widen her eyes and gasp. No. No. Soul backed away. Almost in time, right when the mare came down to join them all. Nimbus flying in with her huge wings. Looking like nothing was wrong. Like all was good even if she looked so concerned for Soul. Right with Starry coming in and that was when Soul truly felt terror. Surrounded by all these ponies. All of them and what it was she now faced.

“You know you aren’t allowed to go” Starry said, with all eyes on him and Nimbus. What is this? Those looks in their eyes. Like they gave a damn. Like they did to Dashie. Damn liars. Even as Soul’s eyes twitched, she managed to bare her fangs. With all the fear inside her. All the silence in her. Such shock. Shock that they had found her.
11.48
“You know her?” the stallion asked Nimbus and Starry. “We’re her parents” Nimbus said with such confidence.

No, you’re not. Soul shook her head. I have no parents. Not anymore.

“Soul, you need to come back home so we can help you. Oh no… you had a terrible fall.” Soul hated how Nimbus looked so concerned for her. She despised it. Saying things she would want the real Nimbus to say to her. How dare her. How dare she make me cry, with tears streaming down. Every word she said, a lie through Nimbus’ teeth. You took her from me, and now she’s trying to be Nimbus. To me!?

Leave me alone. “Leave me alone, you’re not my parents!” Soul shouted. Turning heads. So loud was she. So much anger in her voice. She completely forgot how much her wings hurt as both of them flapped wildly. She could actually show how angry she was now that she was surrounded. Surrounded by so many ponies who didn’t want to help her. By the two ponies who looked so broken at hearing her say that.

“Soul…” Nimbus whispered.

“What’s going on here?” one of the mares asked. I’ll tell you what’s going on. Soul grinned. Feeling it sting inside her with how much she hated having to do all of this. “They’re monsters!” Soul pointed at Nimbus and Starry, both ponies taken aback by what she said. “They’re trying to hurt me! Get them away from me.”

Please help me. Now that she had ponies with her, for once they could do something for her. For once. Even as Soul backed away further, she did not let up with her angered glare at them. Anything to keep them away. Because they are not my parents. They are nothing, and they both had all the ponies staring at them.
11.49
“Soul, how can you say that… after all we do for you?” Nimbus asked. A hoof to her chest like she was hurt.

After all you do?! “Shut up! Leave me alone. You’ve done nothing for me” Soul yelled. The real Nimbus and Starry were the ones I loved. Not you. She felt her glare fade and that sadness inside well. She had to wipe her face. To come to this. It felt like she was yelling at Nimbus and Starry. I never want to say these things to them. But they’re gone… forever. They aren’t here to protect me.

“Is there a problem here?” The stallion asked the two fakes. Some of the ponies gathering around them. “What is she on about?”

“Oh… for Celestia’s sake” Nimbus said and put a hoof to her head. Shaking it. “I can’t believe this.” She sighed. Watching it all unravel before Soul. “Soul had a tantrum this morning, okay.” Nimbus groaned. “I kind of didn’t want this to happen but she insists on seeing the Wonderbolts even though she refuses to eat her breakfast. Ugh, I’m so embarrassed.”

“What!?” Soul yelled out over them all. Seeing all the other ponies looking to her and, among them all, Nimbus snickering under her hoof. That little… I can’t believe this. Me, a tantrum?! Surely they don’t believe this. “Oh… I think she needs to go to the doctor’s” the stallion said to them. “She had a bit of a crash.”

No way. Soul felt her entire body slump when she saw Nimbus agreeing with him and just how all the ponies backed away and looked to her. With only Nimbus and Starry there to try and come closer to her. Like they did care. Meeting her eyes with such comforting smiles as they offered to help her. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you patched up and we can get some nice pancakes.”
11.50
I can’t believe this is happening. They’re supposed to help me. But Soul only looked across them all and saw just the vacant stares of ponies who did not care. Even some… who shook their heads at her. But I’m… I’m not a bad kid.

Please, I need help. “Please…” she whispered. Her wings flapped and she floated away softly as Nimbus and Starry came closer. All I want is to help Dashie. But nopony is here for me. I really am alone. Dashie… how can I help her? She’s so out of reach. Out of reach of this filly holding herself and looking away in fear. Trembling. She closed her eyes and wept. Please stop. Stop this pain. It hurt so much. Inside her heart. “Soul, let’s go home.” None other than Nimbus said that.

I really wish I could. I really want to. But home was no more and Soul hissed her heart ache between clenched teeth. “Get away from me!”

Soul beat her wings as hard as she could. One final burst and she flew off. Off into those icy clouds once more. All alone. Nopony will help me. She no longer blinked. Just staring ahead of her with a trail of tears behind her flickering in the snow. I can’t even do anything.

Dashie… I need you. I don’t want to be alone. But she was. Flying off. Where to go? There was only one last place. Somewhere to hide. Until she could find her beloved friend and hold her once more. I’m so sorry, Dashie. I really am useless. I can’t do this alone. She soared off. One magenta feather left to float in grace behind her in the wind. Softly touching back down onto the city she left behind.

The world she left behind.

I know you can do it. You always did before.
11.51
The day didn’t make the snow any better. In fact, looked like it was getting worse. Worse for Dash to fly through. She had no idea how the Wonderbolts were able to pull off such hard stunts inside of this weather. Even doing a quintuple loop without losing any speed, with five of them side by side in perfect synch, really astonishing.

She just wished Soul had been there to see it.

That is what brought her down. No matter how much she smiled and cheered at the spectacle, there was always that knowledge that she was alone without the one pony she had wanted to come with her. She couldn’t be mad. She didn’t want to be. After all, things just didn’t work out with Soul and their instructors. Really no use in being too upset over it even if it did suck. A lot. But she believed she had gotten over it. She wanted to.

Since she had waited so long to do this with Soul and it didn’t happen in the end. Mom seemed to understand. She had been sure to give Dash lots of hugs throughout the day… even when Dash cried in her hooves. Soul, I really did miss you. Remembering all that just made her feel worse.
11.52
Yet Soul was nowhere to be found. She had hoped for the filly and their instructors to show up during the show, but they never did. Never saw a glimpse of them anywhere. Reminding Dash that Soul really was gone.

She had bailed. So this show… it wasn’t that great. Not without Soul.

It was just another Wonderbolts show no different than any other Dash had been to. She hated to admit she was in a foul mood. Luckily the falling snow calmed her as she flew through it. Away from the spires and vast setups of houses and rolling cloud fields that made up Cloudsdale. While her parents went home and let her go to fly on her own for a little bit.

Dash couldn’t place it but looked like Windy understood why when Dash asked to be alone and gave her one last hug and a kiss to her forehead as if saying all was going to be okay. Windy could have come. Could have helped her. But Dash figured it would be best for her to have some alone time. More of it, like she was used to.

Flying alone up here over the icy rivers inside the clouds and empty fields that the setting Sun came down over within the horizon patched red in bloody light. The Sun just barely able to peek out over the clouds and light up the glimmering snow coming down in a hail all around the land. Shrouding the cloud mountains in their hazy embrace. Dash flew right through it all. To a place she knew she could go to be alone. The best place she had to just sit down and relax after such a terrible day. A place she could see when she cleared the falling snow and fog and saw the landing perched out among the face of the cliff.
11.53
A good time in the sauna was what she needed.

She set down on the landing. Nopony here like normal. Seemed quiet, and she had nopony to talk to. No friend at her side to join her for this like normal. For now, it was just best to leave it that way. Take time to relax which she really needed. Sheesh, the flight from Canterlot is actually a lot longer than she thought, and sitting for hours in the cloud stands, her haunches chaffed. She had to stretch them out again before walking over to the opening in the clouds.

Stepping down into a world so recognizable. Where the clouds surrounded her and water drained down all around her. Chilly to the touch now, soaking her and making her shiver. Though she didn’t pick up her pace. Just a slow walk down the steps. Not even time to flip her drenched mane out of her face.

No. She couldn’t look up from the cloud ground she walked on. Just being in here, it kind of hurt. Was it a bad idea? Weird to ask that now that she stood in front of the door. Inside where it was warmer and more lovely than out here in the cold yet she hesitated. Enough to look back up the stairs she just descended. Yeah… nopony was with her.

So strange. It’s been so long since she had felt lonely. I should have invited somepony. Maybe Amber? Maybe… she should have looked for Soul. If the filly wanted to go with her. She sighed. What a day. A miserable day. She put a hoof out and swatted through the clouds until she stepped through it all and into a place far warmer to her.
11.54
Even in the dead of winter with so much snow falling outside, this place still managed to be a refuge from it all, such was the beauty of it. Stepping into it and she already felt the warm gust of steam come over her and all the cold from outside swept away. No way it could be in here. The whole sauna was filled with steam still rising from the lake in the middle and warm water coming down all around her. Not even the waterfalls streaming all over the walls had frozen over.

Just coming in here and she already felt a little better, like all her worries melted away slowly. Except for one gnawing thing inside her that no warmth could get rid of. She looked around her and remembered, this was where I made friends with Soul. When we learned to trust one another. Months ago. Yet this place hadn’t changed. No. Not at all.

Dash worried though if they had changed.

It hurt to feel so miserable. Dash had wanted both of them to come here together after the show to warm up. Play in the water together. Then let their day drift away inside this lovely place. The end of their vacation. In such a beautiful way. She didn’t get that feeling now. Just that hurt inside of her. So this is how our vacation actually ends. Well… not everything works out even if it made her sniffle to think that. Staring down at the ground with her ears flopped. What a way for it to end.
11.55
It took a while for her to decide to do anything. Anything other than stand there.

She trudged on over to the lake. Seeing that steamy veil over it like a sheet come over the air. Water flowing out of these clouds and pooling again from the waterfalls above in an endless flow, where the sunlight always shone in from above. Red light coming down from there. Glistening in the water. She stared down at the water. Seeing herself. That cyan filly looking back at her with her mane hung over her face and not even a smile left for her to give. No.

She looked away from herself for a moment, hating how she looked. Really, what is wrong with me?

She took another step and leaned down to take a deep drink of the warm water, lapping it up. So what? It was the only refreshing thing she had today. Hot water or not. A long drink before she reeled back and got the last shiver she had out. That actually tasted good.

Rainbow sifted a hoof through the water. Once then twice and then she put it in right before she stepped in entirely. Ooohh that feels good. The water going all the way up to her wings and warming her up. Sending ripples that finally got rid of that filly in the water that had looked back at her. I feel better already.
11.56
Rainbow sat down in the water. Letting her wings out and reclining against the wall of the lake till the water came up to cover all but her head. Ah, as good as it always was. Peaceful and relaxing. Really the best way to finish off a long day.

Today wasn’t a total bust. Even with that huge disappointment. Yeah. I saw the Wonderbolts. Now she could plan for the next show. Though she would need to get her bits back by then to pay for it. Unless… maybe mom would buy the tickets. I just wanted to do it this one time as a treat for my best friend. That turned out well. Maybe I should be more careful next time and make sure before I go and do something stupid like that again. That is if she wanted to ask Soul again.

Ha! That’s not what she needed, for Soul to do that again to her. After all the planning and effort they had gone through. All that anticipation. Months of looking forward to it. Dash didn’t know if she wanted to deal with that again. Or maybe Soul just didn’t like hanging out with her.

Could it be I did something wrong during our sleepover? Or maybe… this made her sad. So sad to think. That Soul maybe didn’t like her. That she did do something wrong all this time and Soul had enough of her. Or something else. Well… I would say I deserve it. Probably Soul getting back at her for all the mean things Rainbow had done to her in the past.
11.57
Now here she was, all alone in the water. The same water she would play in with Soul. Back when Soul wasn’t so crazy to her. When things weren’t so confusing. Now she had to sit here and wonder what it was that made Soul do this. Regret everything. She hated feeling this way.

Today was supposed to be our day. Soul could see what it is she wanted her and Soul to do together. I just… Dash groaned. Splashing her hoof into the water and bringing it back up to drench her face in a splash. I need to just shut up and deal with it. This isn’t the first time Dash felt this way. She really did hope it would be the last. The last in a long line of disappointments. For now, just take time to relax. Splashing more water in her face again and again till she stopped. Except the water didn’t and her ears perked.

Wait a minute. She heard the splashing again. Echoing inside the sauna. That’s not me, no. She looked over to where she heard it. Across the lake. Past where all the steam rose and filled the air in a misty gaze like it threatened to blind all from what could be seen around them… except for Dash who peered into it and saw the sight of a figure across the lake from her.

Somepony else where the splashes came from and she saw them throwing their own hooves up with water splashing on their face. Who is… looked like… a filly? Too small to be one of the adults. Like any adult would be out here now. Who in the hell is out here now?

Dash stood up.
11.58
She really didn’t feel like playing games right now. Nope, she quickly made sure to try and figure out who was with her because whoever it was better not be trying something.

“Who’s out there!?” Dash called out to whoever it was. Her own voice echoing with the sounds of running water. The pony out there sure did hear here when they stopped in their tracks and she saw their head flailing to look and see. The darkened figure quickly rose to its hooves in a start on the other side of that steam wall. Yeah… it was another kid. They looked so small. Suddenly, Dash felt a lot less worried.

“I can see you” she said to the figure. “Come on out.” They stood there for a moment but then…

“Dashie?”

Wait. Rainbow’s eyes widened. That voice. Like a bell ringing inside her. How was it able to calm her for just a moment? To know she was here. “Soul?” Their two voices met together inside of that veil of steam, not enough to keep them apart as both fillies stepped forward. Dash came closer, seeing her walk towards her too. Lifting the shroud between them slowly, she could see her. The shade of magenta fur in breadth of the steam along the filly who stared back at her… and the joy she began to see on her face. Where Rainbow could see her smile.

“Dashie, …it’s you.” One hoof came out clear through the steam and Dash felt herself actually able to smile. For just a moment.
11.59
Soul stepped out.

Not the filly that she remembered as Dash stood shocked at who it was before her. Soul, what happened to you? That same fright she felt long ago when she saw Soul hurt… she held herself back. Terrified. Not able to meet the happy filly with a smile. Just drenched silver hairs soaked down along her face… just barely able to see one blood red eye looking back at her.

Soul! It almost made Rainbow scream in terror of never seeing anypony look so bad before. So ragged where the veins in her eye pulsed and so much wear and tear along her face. She… she looks horrible. And… is that blood?!

Dash saw all the scratches and scars on her. Running all along her side and her wing. This… this wasn’t the same filly she knew. Looked like she just got out of a fight or something. You look awful. Dash shook her head. Realizing that her mouth was agape. She could finally speak. “Soul… what happened to you?”

“Dashie… it really is you. Thank Celestia” Soul whispered. The filly finally stood still only when Dash waved a hoof at her before Soul could run into her. Almost nose to nose and Soul coughed. Holding a hoof to her mouth and shaking it off to look back up at Dash with her bloody eyes and a smile. It sent shivers down Dash’s spine.
11.60
Even if she was mad, it hurt Dash to see Soul like this. Because she didn’t know what was wrong, even more since Soul was so blank right now. Like there was nothing in her eyes. Where… where had that beautiful light in them gone? Is this even Soul?

“You found me…” Soul said. Managing to do a happy laugh. “And you’re alright.”

“Soul, snap out of it” Dash put a hoof to her shoulder. Something to get her to stop. She didn’t know why it was things got to this, but she had to know. “Tell me what happened, you’re hurt.”

She eyed the blood trickling out along the small openings in Soul’s side. Tiny streams of it. Almost impossible to see in her magenta fur. For just that brief moment, it made Dash forget she was upset. So much like when Soul had gotten hurt long ago. I need to help her. No matter what pain Soul had done to her. “Oh… don’t worry about it” Soul said. “I just fell is all.” In a voice so cold to Dash.

“I’m kind of surprised to see you here” Dash said. “I thought you’d be home.”

What is with her? Soul just stood there staring at her for the longest time. Except she finally stopped smiling. Dropping that happy act because there was no doubt something was wrong. “I came here to wash up a bit, it’s really the best place I have left to be safe… and now you’re here. At least I know you’re safe too.” Soul turned and stepped past Dash. So close, the stunned cyan filly could see it. The dark haze in her friend’s eyes. Shimmering in shadow. Soul would not even look. Just going on past her. That haunting gaze on her. “I’ll keep you safe… just like I promised” she heard the filly whisper.
11.61
Why did she shiver? Just from hearing that. Like something clawed at her from behind in a frightening whisper to her. Piercing through her. Even with Soul there, like somepony else touched her.

All of it crashing down on her in that scary thing that Soul said.

Keep her safe? What are you on about? She wanted to ask Soul. But her mouth didn’t move. But… every time that Soul whispered to her, it always was so soothing and calming. A chill of the cool air to her that always helped. Able to even lull her to sleep. Not this time. What has changed? Soul was something… different. Much like she felt when she saw her for the first time today in her doorway this morning. That scared filly with a ragged mane and bloodshot eyes. Not the filly who made every day so warm to her just by being near her. No. I shouldn’t feel this way.

Dash followed her movements. The filly stumbled over her own hooves in the water and recovered, just keeping up her pace to go over to the edge of the lake and then look back at Dash. “We should go home, you can tell me all about today. I don’t know about you but… I’m up for a little flying. Something to get my mind off things.”

Soul giggled and tried… she did try to open up her wings but even Dash could sense the creaking inside them as those giant wings opened and then stopped midway. Making Soul flinch.
11.62
“I don’t think you can do any flying” Dash pointed out. “What’s wrong? Please tell me.” She came over to join her. Having forgotten her feelings all this time, but until now when she heard Soul say “Tell me how the Wonderbolts were. Was it fun?”

You mean… the same Wonderbolts we were supposed to see? She wasn’t even answering her question. But it sure did make Dash frown. This filly really trying to make it out like nothing was wrong. Soul was stubborn, but not to this extreme where it was annoying. “It went fine…” Dash spat. “Had a front row seat and everything. Got to see the princess and eat some good food while watching the very ponies you and I were supposed to see together. It went so well.”

Just saying that last part. She felt her heart bleed a little though no tears came. No, …she had no more to shed. Otherwise, it only hurt to try and cry. Pain in her eyes. Our chance went by. It’s gone, so now she knows. Unless she wants me to keep going. This filly with her dumbfounded look like nothing was wrong.

Soul was just blank. How? How can you be so heartless? Dash clenched her teeth. “They pulled off so many tricks. Lots of team tricks I want to do, I really wish somepony else had been there to watch them with me so we can do them together. But I had to sit there by myself for most of the show. I had a cloud just for the two of us… too bad I didn’t get to share it.” Until mom came and wanted to sit with me… but she wasn’t the one I wanted. I wanted the pony who held me. Who made me feel so… she growled in her mouth. I can’t even speak anymore, and like Soul couldn’t either. No. The filly stood there, staring back at her with eyes that just lost all their luster.

Soul finally blinked and she sighed. In the most chilling rasp she ever heard come out of Soul’s mouth. Like it wasn’t even her voice for a moment. Something deeper and scarier to her.
11.63
“I’m so sorry. I’m glad… that at least… at least you got to go. Make some good memories and now… Dashie, you better make sure you remember them. Those types of things, being with ponies who care for you, it’s stuff you should love forever. Cuz you never know when it will be taken from you.” All that did was send chills down Dash’s spine.

“What are you even saying?” She never heard Soul talk like that before. It sounded so terrible. “Maybe sometimes, you and I can make more memories?” Soul asked. “After all, I’m gonna miss all the stuff I had before. So… can I…” she looked back up at Dash. “Can I be with you? I can protect you, as long as you don’t leave me too. It’s all I ever asked of ponies.”

“Soul…?” “We’ve known each other for how many months now? All the memories we made together. When really…” Soul looked down at what Dash saw to be her own reflection. The terrible looking magenta filly looking back up at her before it was cast away by a splash of Soul’s hoof. “I never deserved any of what you gave me.”

She sounded so angry when she said that. But… it struck at Dash’s heart. You did deserve it. Soul was the one who did so much for me, the least she could get was somepony who cared for her when nopony else did. Does she really think she’s not worth it? It was true, this was not the same Soul she came to know, and Dash did not know why.
11.64
“You gave me my first flying partner. My own wingpony. So many hours of training… and you gave me a new dream. You gave me the confidence I needed to stand up for myself and you were there for me when I needed you most. You played with me and took me places. We got to see things together and we even got to sleep with each other. More… much more than anything I can say my useless mom ever gave me… or… or even Nimbus and Starry. None of them cared enough. Can I… can I ask you something?”

Dash didn’t know what to say after all that. This was… nothing she ever heard before. Because this was not Soul.

This was not her Soul Serenity. Just saying all that, Dash’s eyes hurt so much. She wanted to cry. She felt it. Nothing came out. It broke her heart to hear Soul say that stuff, and she thinks she doesn’t deserve it. Rainbow was the one with the question. After everything that happened today. She had one.

“Do you think our friendship isn’t worth it?” Rainbow asked. “Of course I don’t think that… it’s why I want to be there for you all the time now. Because you’re all I have left. The only pony who ever made me happy. Because you never ran away from me. Like everypony else did. But I need to ask…” Soul stopped. Sifting her hoof up and down her leg. Rainbow let her go. Watching her friend fall apart before her. A timid little child now. Shaking on her hooves. As if she was afraid. Afraid of who?

“Do you really want to be my friend? Will you just leave me?” So that’s why. She’s afraid of… me.
11.65
Soul was not that strong pony anymore. She was not the pony who raced alongside her to crush the competition. To prove to all that they were strong together. Now, now Dash felt it slipping. Soul was afraid and she did not know why.

“Why would you ask that? Do you really think I’m like your mom? Soul, …tell me what happened. Please.” Soul laughed. Startling Dash. Her laugh echoing all along the room. So loud that she could see anypony outside able to hear it, though it was a short laugh. One that left her speechless at seeing her friend almost give up in front of her and come close to collapsing in the water.

“You’re not my mom. Not even close. She hated me. Wanted me to die because I was not what she wanted. Putting me in a box in the rain, behind some old shop like I was just a stray. Hell, you’re even better than Nimbus and Starry. Those two didn’t even want to stick around to see what I could become. After all the training they gave me and all the hours we spent with them hugging me and telling me how proud they were, that didn’t stop then from leaving my life. Not like you. You were there for me. I want to be there for you too.”

“What did Nimbus and Starry do? Tell me.” Dash had enough. Something did happen and Soul needed to tell her. Those two ponies had been acting strange and they better not have hurt Soul. “I told you this morning” Soul said.

Yes, you did. You did tell me something. Rainbow frowned.
11.66
“Nimbus and Starry… they…” Soul paused. Blankly looking past Dash and then she gulped. Shaking like mad on her hooves. For just a moment. Soul placed a hoof to her chest, like something was wrong with her. Something inside. She didn’t stop. Even with her eyes so wracked in pain now as they trembled. “Are gone.”

Exactly like she said this morning. Before Nimbus and Starry showed up. Rainbow put a hoof to her cheek and rubbed it with her eyes clenched shut. I can’t handle seeing Soul this way. Let alone hearing her be this way. I don’t know what happened to you, but this was not cool. “You’re all I have left, Dashie.”

“Soul.”

“I thought they would be with me forever but I guess I was an idiot.”

“Soul…”

“Please don’t leave me like they did.”

“Soul! What in Equestria are you talking about? I saw them with you this morning before you bailed on our Wonderbolts trip together. Or maybe… you’re gonna spin that whole story again, right?” Dash scowled at her, making Soul shrink before her. The filly sat down and her ears drooped. Right there, cowering before Rainbow. That made Dash widen her eyes.

Oh no, I didn’t mean to… she looked down at her and then to herself in the water. What has today done to me? I just don’t… I don’t know if I can keep this up. After crying all day long and regretting all that had happened, this was not what she needed. Just a day of some quiet… for her to just relax. Maybe she could talk to Soul then. For now, she just wanted to walk away from this. Yet her hooves stayed in place.
11.67
“How can you say that? Do you think I’m lying?” Soul asked. “I watched them die in front of me. Do you know what that’s like?! To see the ponies you love gone. Nimbus… she held me, she let me sleep on her last night and now she’s gone. She was my m…” Soul stopped. Though Dash knew what it was she was about to say. But she didn’t feel the pain. Nothing. She just yelled at herself inside. “And now the Changelings that killed them are out there… and they… they want to take you from me too. I didn’t ask for this. Any of this.”

Dash wiped her face. “Soul…” But she just kept panicking. Practically yelling now.

“I was looking forward to today. But they had to leave and they’re gone now. I won’t let them take you too! I’ll do everything I can to protect you. You’re all that I have left.” How can you say that like I’m some damn prize to you? Shut up. Just…

“Shut up, Soul!” That did it. Soul backed away. She did as she was told, not another word came out. Turned back into that terrified filly that Dash hated to see, but she was too angry over this. Everything Soul was saying was just too much for her and she felt herself about to just break down. Seriously, stop. It hurt too much to try and cry. Soul couldn’t even cry anyways. Yet she thinks I can deal with this?! After what she did to me.
11.68
“I don’t want to talk about it right now. Soul! You hurt my feelings this morning. Don’t you care!?” Dash leaned in on her and Soul leaned back. “I do, Dashie…” she whispered. “Then stop treating me like an idiot. For Celestia’s sake, you really think what you did was cool? I spent so much money for this. I worked so hard and waited for so long to do today with you, but you bailed on me. For what? For this stupid story you keep telling me! Just shut up, Soul and give it a rest!”

Dash turned away from her. She could feel her cheeks red now. Like all the storm clouds in her were boiling and finally able to feel just how angry she was. How much she wanted today. But Soul ruined it.

After all I did for her. What kind of friend does that? No friend I ever had. Soul, you taught me what it is to have a true friend, why would you do this to me now? Did any of it matter? If you’re so desperate to be with me, so afraid of me, why even bother?

“So… do you… do you even trust me? I thought… we trusted each other” Soul whispered behind her.

Dash gritted her teeth. “That was before you lied to me, you jerk!” She stamped her hoof in the water. Turning to Soul. “You don’t want to treat me as a friend, then maybe I will leave!” Her answer to the question. Echoing inside the room. Before all fell silent and she saw Soul do nothing but tremble before one little motion caught her eyes.

Falling from Soul’s eyes.
11.69
Two little streams going down her cheeks. Wrapped in color they should not be. As Soul cried blood… inside eyes that were no longer her own.

So now she does… it hurt too much to watch. Damn it, Soul. Dash closed her eyes and she too felt it, the pain inside. Too much. She had to. Her wings spread and Dash took off. Leaving the water behind. Leaving Soul behind. I can’t do this anymore.

“No!” she heard the scream behind her. Not even able to sense it before hooves came over her. Soul fell upon her. The filly with her huge wings grabbing hold of Dash and… she couldn’t even do anything. Dash found herself falling. Right back down to the lake. Held around the flanks, she could only make one little scream before she hit the ground on her side. Tumbling down into the water with Soul next to her… and she heard the crack before she could even do anything. Dash’s eyes widened… with pain flushing over her and she cried out.

It all happened so fast. What happened to us? Dash looked over to her side, where her wing sat under her weight and she could see it bent. See her span pushed backwards… sickening. Crying out over it in a wail.

What did you do, Soul?! She just found the filly laying there next to her, looking up with shock in her bleeding eyes to see Dash in pain. Ah! Damn it. Dash rolled over. Just doing that hurt so much with her wing now freed and the other one frantically flapping in place. But it was true, she was hurt.
11.70
Rainbow cried out again. Moaning… letting herself be in agony as she stood back up to the best she could do. Feeling her wing limp on her side… before she moved it and felt the sting come over her. But… it moved. Enough for her to flap it. Flap it once and she limped forward with a stumble.

“What… what the hell, Soul?!” “No, …I… I just didn’t want you to go. I need to protect you, please” Soul frantically said. Rushing back up onto her hooves. “Don’t go.”

“So this… is how you do it?” Dash asked. “I just wanted time alone. We could talk about this all later. What made you think this was cool? You jerk.” Dash groaned once more when she tried to flap her wing again. Didn’t feel like she broke anything. Though… it scared her to think how close she may have gotten to breaking something. All because of this idiot.

“Please… stop it. I didn’t mean it” Soul said. “You’re my friend, I just want to protect you.” It hurt too much to hear that. It hurt because of all that had happened. What we have. So why? Why turn your back on me?

Like everypony… everypony else did to me.

She turned back to Soul. Face to face. The running water could not drown it. Soul’s ears perked. Rainbow’s voice lashed out.

“I hate you!”
11.71
I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

The words went on along the walls. Ringing in her ears. As the only thing that Dash thought. Glaring at the pony in front of her. Who cried those streams of red, and whose legs gave under her. With her wide stare, Soul did not even breath.

The words echoed all around. Even Dash could hear them. Even they were enough to hurt her. She could not imagine. But… it was too late.

“Please…” Soul muttered.

I can’t. No more. I don’t want to cry anymore. Dash closed her eyes. “I thought we were friends” Rainbow said, before she turned… and ran. Even with all the pain in her wing. The pain in her heart. Pounding inside… her heart screamed. She screamed too. Running on… past the same place… the same place where they became friends. She passed it all. Leaving it all behind with the wind howling over her.

Soul… Rainbow ran through the wall and left the room behind. Behind… where she heard her. The last sound of the pony she did love.

“I hate you too!” Going through her like a knife. That was what made it happen.
11.72
Rainbow Dash cried.

Her tears finally came out. Out in droves. Flooding the air behind her. Like little sparkles in the cold air as she ran out onto the landing, her tears turning to ice. A stinging pain in her eyes and in her chest, ones that made her sob. Running from the place where it all began… and where it all ended. Soul Serenity. It never happened before where Dash wanted to get rid of her. Even when she yelled at her before. She never knew it. The pain of being hated.

She wanted to fly away. Go back home. To the only place left where she was safe. To never see that pony again. The one she truly did love. I loved her. Soul, you were everything to me. Her wings opened up, running up to the edge of the landing. Out into the sky. Her wings stung but they would do it. She would fly away. Away from it all and never come back.

I wanted to be her friend. So much. My best friend, I left her behind. Friends no more. Like everypony I ever did love. But she was the best one. She was the greatest friend Dash ever had. All ended by three words she spat out of her own mouth. The words that came back to her. Ones she never thought the two would say to each other.
11.73
With all we could have had. Soul Serenity. You were the pony I wanted to fly with forever. The only one I felt comfortable with and could tell anything to. The only pony I could cry in front of. Confess my feelings to.

She always imagined it.

The two of them going on forever to become the greatest flyers side by side. The day they joined the Wonderbolts together. Perform together for all. We could go anywhere. I wanted to take her to so many places and her to do the same to me. Mom and dad saw her as part of the family and so did Dash. They did everything together, and our birthdays… so close. Even if she had missed it, we… we could go to so many Wonderbolts shows together. Dash opened her eyes. Skidding to a halt just short of the edge of the landing. Right over where she could look out upon the fields of cloud that the Sun shone over. Out in the hailing snow that danced all around like pegasi in flight. Like two fillies together in an endless bond within the sky. The bond we lost.

Lost.

I just lost the only pony I ever wanted. Why did this have to happen? She looked out at it all. All of Cloudsdale with her teary eyes. The city we would grow up together in and then go out into the world together. To make more friends. To know more about this world. While you are always the first true friend I ever had. Until the day we graduate… and our parents are there. My mom and dad. And the two ponies you think aren’t that… but they are.

All of them there to hug us as we wear our uniforms together. For the first time. With you, the one pony… I do trust. Trust enough… to have feelings for. To make Dash place a hoof to her chest. You’re more than a friend. You’re my wingpony. The best one out there.

The one I wanted… to kiss back.

Dash looked back. “What have I done?”

No!
11.74
Rainbow got on all hooves and rushed back. Faster than before. With her wings beating the air. Forget the pain. She galloped all the way back. Into the break in the clouds, rushing down the stairs once more. Screaming out her name.

“Soul!” The cyan filly ran in, blasting through the cloud wall and back to where it was warm once more. Stopping there. Where she found it. Herself, …alone. With nopony here but her. She looked left and right.

No. No… Rainbow Dash sat down. Her ears hung low. As did her head. Alone… as she wanted. As ever. With all she had left… of what Soul had taught her… about friendship. She could only leave it with the words she wanted to say to her, left to only be heard by the place… the place where their friendship ended.

“I’m so sorry.”

12.1
So what made the difference this time?

Why?

We were so close for everything else. Dash was right there to step up for Soul when she needed her most. Soul accepted it. She loved it. All this time, she really did think their friendship had been that strong. Maybe… just another lie. Another in this life.

How many lies had she lived through? She tried to recall. If there were any times when she truly felt like things had been different. Did mom ever love me? She may have at some point. It sounded right, right? Moms love their kids. She may have loved me at some point, or she may have just done what all ponies do and lie to her. Why else would she abandon her? Like she was taught that she had some reason to her life. Was that true? I’m supposed to make… ponies happy, right? That’s what she was told. By those lips she vaguely remembered so long ago. To be there to make somepony smile.

That was it. For what greater thing could she ask for? All her life, everypony hurt her. She did think it would just be the right thing to do to just be there for another. As she had done with mom, who she tried so hard to please. As she did with Nimbus and Starry. Doing all they said and living up to their expectations up until that happened… that wonderful moment when Soul truly did learn what it was that life meant to her.

Her only goal left, even if it had been shattered. It still lived on inside her.
12.2
She looked out over it. The house she once thought herself to be safe at. Her home away from home, with the glowing rainbows laced all around its yards and the clouds surrounding it. Where lights flickered in the windows for she knew ponies were home. The ones she had thought were here family. No more.

No doubt, Dashie would not want to see me. After what we did. Soul looked down at her hooves. The same ones she had used to… to hurt her best friend. Pulling her down and hearing her wing snap. How terrible. Not the first time they had fought… but maybe this time, it was proof. Proof that… things just aren’t meant to be. Even if it did sting to think so… she found it so strange that it dulled over time.

Crying as she flew over here just to see if, maybe, she could just knock on that door and apologize. At the very least. For she couldn’t bear it. Bear that she had said the words that rang in her head, but not in her heart. You can still do what you need to do.

It had grown so much louder.

Huh. Like a pinprick in the back of her head. But for what reason to even think about it anymore? To think she could even try to gain the courage, because it wasn’t worth it. That is why she just hung there in the hailing snow above the houses where ponies stayed warm while she shivered. Not doing what she had wanted to. To go up and beg the ponies who left her behind to forgive her. For one reason.
12.3
Rainbow Dash doesn’t trust me. After everything I did for her. With a stare as cold as the air settling down upon the night sky. She could not see herself but she could tell her eyes must look so bad from how much they stung. How hard her entire body ached and her poor belly that rumbled. She doesn’t trust me. Wasn’t it what I did that helped her see it’s good to have friends? Or does she just not care.

Maybe I was right after all. Long ago, when I thought that terrible thought. The one that almost ended our friendship, and now it did. You can always prove her wrong. Ugh. Soul put a hoof to her forehead. It hurt. Right as a shiver went along her.

It was getting colder. The snow piling up on top of her head. Why? Why even prove her wrong? That’s… never been my goal. I always was wanting to be there to protect her. I promised to be there for her when she needs me most. Even if she won’t do the same for me. Guess I’m just too pathetic for her. For all the ponies that left me. Now another. Gone blank in her mind. But I am there for Rainbow. I won’t leave her. Because… she was the first pony who gave me so much happiness. I know if I knock on that door, they would kick me away. Rainbow Dash. Will there ever be a day you will forgive me? A day when things are back to normal.

I… I still love our dream. Like the pain had died away or… just used to it, she didn’t know. Only that her wings were still at her sides to flap free as the only thing left out here in the falling snow. She got colder and colder from hours of being out here. Gone from the warmth of friendly faces. She just couldn’t. There was no way she could go to knock on their door. I miss you, Dashie. But… you hate me. But I don’t hate you. Not at all. I really am stupid, but not stupid enough to not see that you… you are a pony I want to make happy. Forever. Because I care. Enough that she could still see herself holding that filly under a warm blanket again. Not tonight. As Soul wished for a warm bed. I only ever did have one home. Soul looked back over her shoulder and sighed. This is the only one time I’ve dreaded thinking about this.
12.4
Soul flew over the houses. On a familiar path. The one she took back from Dash’s often. Spotting all the same houses covered in snow. Candles flickering in windows. Lights glowing bright that they shone over the snowy front lawns through the windows. Where ponies enjoyed themselves together. Families. Friends. From a time where Soul had to pause and remember when she had that. Looking down over the houses and then going on. Just seeing them all, she didn’t feel any more pain. Just the ripping sting over her body.

She always loved flying over these parts. So often. Going to Dash’s or the store. Going to camp or just flying for free time or training. She never did know how precious those times were. Faded now. I’m all alone out here. As she left behind the one pony in the world she could still see herself able to fly with. Just a ringing inside that she had to do something for that pony. Even if she never forgives me, I can’t. She would not be able to live with herself knowing that she failed Dash. Fail her on top of making her hate me.

Soul sniffled and whimpered, flying off. Can life just be turned back? Even to change just one small mistake. Any mistake. As one thing pounded inside her that she didn’t want to feel. For it hurt. The only thing left that made her hurt inside anymore. Everypony left me. Nopony likes me. My life is ruined. But she couldn’t live with one thing. That it was her fault. Though… what Dashie had said. Made her think that… stop it. Just stop. Please.

None of it is your fault.

I know. I… I wish I knew! Just… shut up. All she wanted was herself to shut up. To get just one moment of peace. Peace in the most unlikely of places, the only home she had as she spotted it over the rooftops of the houses and flew into the fields of clouds where just one house sat out there. Her home.
12.5
Swooping over the same fields she always trained over. Where all was silent. All was dark. With just the glow of the rainbows among her house being the sole light of this place. Casting greens and blues. Reds and oranges. Yellows and violets all upon the lovely clouds set all around. Dotting the walkways in colorful spots and shimmering within the waterfalls that plummeted upon the tiny rivers flowing around the yard.

A dark house. A silent house. Even though so much has changed, its beauty did not. Like nothing happened. It still sitting there as a beacon to the last pony left that this home welcomed. Didn’t look like anypony was home. Probably left the same way she had left it. Though… she had her hopes as she had flown in that maybe it was all a dream. That she would see the lights and proof that Nimbus and Starry, her loved ones, had never left. Not to be.

Though her spirits could not fall anymore. Why bother being sad? Not like they can be here to help me. I couldn’t help them. All she did was take and take from them, that went so far for her. I’m done begging for help. I’m just done. There were no ponies left to help her. None to go to. May as well come back here. The one place left where she could at least be warm.
12.6
Not using the front door. Soul actually went over. Flying to the back and hovering right over where her window was. Shades wide open, she saw her bed in there. With its thick blankets and comfy pillows. A little sense of calm to see one piece of her life was here. Even more pleased when she was able to pull the window open for her to float on in with the snow flurrying in after her and a cool chill brushing over her rear right before she could even close the window. Back into the warmth of a home to her. Like her first ever embrace today while she turned back and looked over it all.

Nope, her room had not changed at all. Not since last night. When… she spotted her door left open. When…. Nimbus took me to bed. Even left her bed a mess from a filly eagerly kicking off her blankets to rush after the mare. She still heard her hooves galloping after just as her hooves plopped down upon the floor once more. Silence.

The one noise that rang out so softly before she stood still with her ears up. Listening and that made her sad because she did hear it all. All which was nothing. When this house… it used to be so alive. Yet she was the only one to give it any love any more. But she knew, could tell, she was alone. Alone in a still and silent house. The one that had kept her safe and warm for so many years now. Giving it to her one last time, just for coming back. Her shivering stopped.
12.7
What time even was it? Time for bed? No Nimbus here to tuck me in. To wish me good night. Though she had no doubt she could pass out as soon as she hit the bed with how badly her eyes stung and her body ached, she didn’t even think of doing so. Just walking along on the tips of her hooves, to set one upon the door and gently close it with nary a sound.

Safe in her room. One she looked back at. So weird. So very weird to look out upon it and wonder what would it be like tonight, tonight if Nimbus was here for her? How today could have been. Just a dream now. A dream. But life was always the true pain to her. Inside this room where she had nothing left for herself. Just a thought… one for Dashie. A thought of seeing that cyan filly smile. Can I smile with her? Together.

She cringed. No. Looking upon her room with her eyes pulsing yet no tears. Stricken for the sight of the two happy fillies, the ones she wanted them to be. Can it even be? A time when Soul can close her door and turn around to find Dashie there with her for a sleepover. Not at her house. But in Soul’s own bed this time. She could almost hear their laughter. But it was just her standing there in what little moonlight could shine in.
12.8
Her bed did call to her. Feeling its allure, but her stomach roared and she held it tight. No… no time for food. Even if she was hungry, she never even thought of eating. Never thought of sleeping. Just doing one thing.

She threw herself on her bed. Falling upon her back and letting her wings and legs spread till her feathers draped down over the sides of the bed. That was all she wanted. To relax. For once, and her wings thanked her. Crying out in glee at being able to rest. Not enough to make her feel any better.

Staring up at the ceiling. Her blankets spread around her and pillows left asunder, just able to put her head down on one. A nice and quiet place. For her to just lay there and dream. Like she floated in space. Her mind so hazy. Then a little heave in her chest. Settling once more when she could feel her tears die away as quick as they felt to come. No. No more crying. It hurt to do it. Nimbus always taught me sometimes it is good to cry to let out all that pain. It wasn’t working. Felt like it only made her feel more pain. Like an endless bubble inside her that wracked and rumbled, wanting her to cry endlessly in a pointless attempt to feel better. There was only one thing that would make her feel better.

A smile.
12.9
Something she could only dream of. Lay upon this bed. She rolled over on to her side and wondered. Just for a moment what it may be like. Though it took so long. Her waiting. Listening to the pitter patter of snow hitting her window. The one sound of the world. Though it could be so much more, like laughter. Yes.

What if things were better? What if I do make her smile again? Can it… can she be here? Laying next to her, face to face as they talked about their day in the dark. Passing the time with laughing and stories. Before… Dash would reach out and… pull Soul into her wings. For Soul to settle her face into her soft chest and… to know what it’s like to be loved by another as Dash would lull her to sleep with her soft breathing… and a kiss to the cheek. Rainbow always was such a tough girl, but she showed me a side to her that she was afraid to. A side of love.

I felt I did earn her trust. Enough to think of that dream. What changed? What did? Just another pain inside her of the pony she wanted to protect. To see smile and happy again. With me. Happy with me. So I don’t feel like I was just a mistake to her. That it was all pointless.
12.10
Soul felt her cheek tingle. Just one little wipe along her fur, one that made her look to see. Peering up along the head of her bed to where… she recognized it.

It was the hat. Cast deep in blue and white to rise up against the dark of night like a star shimmering over her bed. Right where she left it. That made her roll over and get on all fours once more. To gaze at it. Level with her eyes. Upon the Wonderbolts insignia upon it. It’s golden hue. A little shine rolling across it for just a moment. A remnant of a beautiful time.

We were supposed to wear these, that’s right. Soul placed her hoof under it and brought it closer to her. So close, she almost hugged it. Dashie and I were going to wear these to the show. As a symbol of our friendship. Even if that wasn’t what Dash had in mind, it was what Soul did. But part of her thought that it may also have been how Dash felt. Because of what these hats meant. Our love for one another. Dash gave me this, to tell me she loved me. That she thought of me. That I matter to her. The first gift from a friend. My best friend.

I’d love to show up to her house wearing it someday, with a dorky smile. Or when we become Wonderbolts. Any time we fly. Any time we are together. My symbol for her, to never forget her. As a part of the life she had lost. Right here in front of her.

That reminded her.
12.11
Soul jumped off the bed. With the hat held close, she leaned down. Propping her tail up and sliding her head down under the bed to where she had placed it. Gently set there upon a box down there. Her secret place. One she had recently made. To keep her memories. Of which, just one was there. One she pulled out and put down upon her bed. It had a thick blue cover over it with plenty of space. Nimbus had told her they could find stickers to put over it to make it look nice. Something they never got to do. She could only imagine how beautiful it could have been.

Her and Nimbus there together at the table to decorate it together and even more, because the true beauty was what could be inside. What made her flip it open to the many empty pages within. Blank, clear pages. With little openings at the sides. Big enough… for pictures. Our photo album. Nimbus’ Hearth’s Warming gift to her. Stored safely for when the time would come for it to be used. To mark the start of her journey to her dream. But what it could be, what it could be. When a time can come for her to open it up and find something wonderful to look upon.
12.12
First page, all the photos of the time when Dashie and her could start on their journey together. Not Soul’s alone. This book, it was going to be Dashie’s too. Something for both of them to use to remember. Like… like Dash does.

Soul smiled down at it, flipping the empty pages. Thinking over it. When we’re mares and look at how we were when we were fillies. Us goofy kids having so much fun. Seeing all the training we went through and what it would all lead to. We trained together and got so much better. All thanks to each other. Rainbow had her Wonderbolts pictures. Soul wanted different. Just a book of the two of them. The bestest of friends. Forever. What made a tear fall upon the pages. Clear, like water. A tear… that did not hurt. As she smiled.

Nimbus gave this to me with the best of intentions. It was so sweet. Like this hat that Dash gave me. We all had something beautiful together. For once, Soul had forgotten her past. All thanks to them. Her only regret was not telling them how she felt. That was the one thing she could have done differently. Because then… she would have been strong. Like they all were to show Soul how much they loved her.

And I threw it all away.
12.13
I… was never a mistake to Dashie. That is why she gave me this hat. The one Soul hugged with both hooves. She wanted so much with me. She wanted our dream. And I got rid of it like an idiot. It is all my fault. Rainbow Dash did everything for me and I repaid her with the worst… the worst words I could tell her. The ones that made Soul’s eyes widen.

I hate you.

Such a lie. Such a horrible lie. One she couldn’t forgive herself for. Ever. Never again. I won’t. I won’t. Soul slammed a hoof down on the floor. I’ll never forgive myself. Not until she is happy again. For all that these ponies did for me. Even if Dashie hates me, I still love her. I always will, and I’ll do anything for her. For Soul’s best friend.

She needs you. No matter what she says.

Dashie does need me. Just like Soul needed her before and she got what she wanted, a friend out of all of it and the courage she needed to protect her. But Soul had failed, she failed to keep her promise. To stick with her best friend and be there for her when she needed her. She could only imagine how sad Dash must have been to see they would not be together for the show today. Soul will never know how much she cried. Will never see how hurt Dash was. That was why Dash hated her. It had to be. And all the stupid things I did to her. How stupid I acted. There has to be some way. Some way for me to keep her happy. So she can keep on smiling. Whatever her future was. Rainbow Dash was in danger. Even if she hated Soul, Soul would not abandon her. The least she could do was protect her. To make sure that pony stayed happy forever.

There is something you can do.
12.14
But what am I supposed to do? Maybe try to go and see Dash. Even if she would yell at her, Soul needed to try to talk to her. Nopony else wants to help so maybe the two of them could try to deal with this together. Together, there was nothing they couldn’t do. Like how Dash convinced her to stand up for herself and both of them won their first race together. I could go see her.

But… Soul stopped herself, she just couldn’t get that horrible thing out of her mind. That Dash would not want to see her. She didn’t believe me anyways. Right before she told me she hated me. When all I wanted to do was help. But Dash was right. Soul had been a horrible friend. Enough to make her hate me.

Really, what has changed? What changed so much to make us from such good friends to hating one another. Though I don’t hate you. Not at all. It is why she wanted to do anything for her. You really do love her?

Soul paused. Staring down at the hat she held. Am I asking myself this? How can I think otherwise? Of course I love her. There was no other pony she would want in her life now more than ever. Except for maybe the life she had before all this to come back. The dream I want is for all of us to be together happy and without pain. This hollow pain in her chest. For Rainbow, I’ll love her forever. For showing me a better life, even if it was short. Because we can get that dream back, right? Right?

Of course.
12.15
That’s right. All it takes is some effort. For me to be strong. I’ll protect her.

There’s a way you can. Do you love her enough? Do I love her enough? Soul wondered, what was it she felt for Dash? Is it normal for best friends to be as close as they had been? For Soul to want Dashie to hold her and send her off to her dreams at night. The only pony out there who could calm her and whom she actually wanted to spend so much time with. No matter what. That Soul could see them being with one another forever. Never to leave the other. Even now. There must be some way, something I can do to make it all right. No matter what happened to Soul, she only cared for her friend. For what she wanted. For her happiness. Only.

I do love her. I love her so much, she’s my greatest friend. The only pony who understood me. Rainbow Dash hates me, so what? I don’t… and I’ll still be there. Even if she wants me away. I won’t leave her side. I won’t. I won’t!

I just… Soul looked up, over to the pony staring back at her behind her bed. Upon the mirror along her wall. The shadow of herself in the moonlight with her red eyes shining bright and a streak of light over her soiled mane. With bits of fur tufted along her body in horrible tangles where she could feel the pain of her wounds. Such a pathetic looking pony. Not that amazing pony who wowed so many fillies and colts when she won her first ever race. Like this… I just don’t know what to do.

Kill them.
12.16
What? Them? The ones who want to hurt her.

I… I can’t believe I am thinking that. It… those words made Soul shudder. Rippling of electricity along her body in a haunting chill. She… had never thought of such things before. All your life, ponies only hurt you. Maybe you should not take it anymore.

But I never had a choice. I was just a little girl. Who only was able to mess up and make others mad at her. No matter how much they hurt Soul, she always proved to herself she was able to walk away from it. Like when her mom left her. When all other ponies ignored her. When the other kids broke her wing and left her to cry in Nimbus’ hooves. Bullied her for so long and made her feel so alone. When Nimbus herself left her. When… when her best friend told her she hated her. She walked away from it. I can take it.

Can you really?

Yes I can! It’s why I was able to go on this long. Soul turned from that crying filly in the alley with nopony there for her into… she widened her eyes. Looking upon herself once more. Upon everything around her. The dark room she stood in to listen to the silent flakes hitting her window and the gentle breeze outside. She felt the hat fall from her grasp as her hooves fell back down to the floor. Settling next to the last thing she had left in her life. The hat she had been clinging. Like the doll I clung to. She saw it there and it made her head sting. For how stupid she was.

Nothing has changed.
12.17
I’m still that lonely little girl with nopony in her life. Always getting turned on and beaten by the ones she thought she could trust. Beaten till now… where her heart felt like nothing more than ice in her. It was true. I can’t walk away from it. All her life, she had been pushed and hurt. Just now seeing that it just won’t change. None of it will.

You can change it.

But is it right? Soul gulped. Why? What is wrong with me? I’m actually thinking about it! I… no! I was taught better. All I want is love. I can’t hurt others. It’s not right.

What is the point of it when there are none to love you? You need prove to all that you are strong enough to be there. Be there for her.

I won’t. I won’t hurt anypony! I’m a good girl, I’m not bad. There is nothing bad about protecting the ones you love. I do love her. There needs to be some other way. Please. Soul looked back at herself with a start. Her entire body was shaking. That is not a pony who hurts others. The one who looked at her with bloody eyes. She doesn’t. But she is one who is there for the ones she loves!

“I know I am!” Soul slammed her hooves upon the bed and made it shake. Burying her face within the blankets. To finally experience silence as her room died. Her mind settled. In time to the peaceful sounds outside and the calm all around her. That her legs could finally stop shaking. She didn’t even know her wings were flaring out the whole time. They settled. As the thoughts left her mind and only her desires were left. Her fleeting desires. But they gave her a sense of comfort. To think about it all, about who she wanted to be.
12.18
I used to read a book that spoke about stallions who would do anything for the mares they loved. Little short stories inside of a big book. Every story different from the other. Even with different settings. One could be a time when ponies travelled in little houses that could be carried along in wagons. Times of great castles. Even from times of Canterlot itself. The stallions who would take up any challenge to save the girl.

Saving. That wasn’t probably the right word. Sometimes saving, other times it was more like changing them. Changing the mare to think better of herself. To think better of the world even. Something that led to an ending where both could smile. Free from a bleak world. Oh all the things those stallions did for them. Any challenge they took up, they fought hard to defeat it. From puzzles and riddles, to traps and dragons. Or maybe even changing the words that another pony had heard to make them cry. Turning those sad tears to tears of joy.

Those ponies were always strong. Even when some acted like total fools to Soul, she was still heartened when seeing them strong enough to make another happy. To see them able to change things. All for the sake of reaching one dream. To make another happy. That would make them happy. That’s what I want. I want to make another happy, it’ll make me happy. For her to change what it was that made all sad.
12.19
Is it really right? Her dreams were always so big. For better times. It had come close and left, leaving her to seek for it again. Like always. Like so many times before. Yet there was one truth.

This time, nopony hurt her. Rainbow Dash had not hurt her. For the first time, Soul realized she had hurt another. I hurt Dashie. I am the one who made her sad. Now here Soul was, wanting to be the one who would make her happy. With my own hooves, these ones she looked at across from her, she had hurt another pony so dear to her. I’m no good. I’m a terrible pony. Soul, there was no one else for her to blame for the end of her happy life than herself. I only have two things left from it. Soul sat up, looking down at the scrapbook open before her. Below her, between her legs, was the most precious thing she had from it.

I… I’ll never use them again. Those two things, they were for a life she had lost. A life she wanted back. Oh yes, I want it back. I want it now!

Soul gritted her teeth. Pushing herself back off the bed. I’ll keep it all safe. Soul rushed to grab the book and her hat. Putting them to the side, she sat down before her bed. Able to reach down and pull out a box that laid beneath the bed. Just an empty box. Opening it up, letting the dust trickle down. But it was a safe place. I’ll keep them safe. I promise. She held the scrapbook in front of her, for but a moment. Nimbus and Starry’s gift to her. Softly put inside the box.
12.20
She held up… the hat. It looked back at her. With a little Wonderbolts icon on it. Giving her one last gleam in the moonlight. I really did love it, all of this. I always will. Until I come back for them. But it was hard, hard to part with them. Even harder to set the hat down inside the box right next to the book. I… just can’t. Soul closed it. Pushing that box back where it came from.

I’ll be back for them. I will.

She just could not leave them behind for anypony to see. Hoping they will be safe. She just didn’t know anymore. Didn’t know anything except for the mind-numbing pain running over her. A horrible and ravenous feeling until… it grew gentle. Gentle when she looked up to the window. Up to the pony who shone inside that vast orb of the Moon. Like it stared down and judged her.

“What do you know? You’d sooner hurt those who love you. I don’t even know if you regret it. But I do.” Soul looked away from the thing that always kept her company in the night and closed her eyes. Turning her back on it all. She walked past it all, leaving behind the life she once had. Left in a box beneath the bed.

“I regret it all.” Soul opened her eyes once more. Glaring out upon a room that glowed red before her. Rainbow Dash hates me, there is only one thing left I can do to make her smile again. To give her that chance. Like the heroes in those books. It isn’t wrong at all.

You were right.

There is nothing bad about protecting the ones you love. Nothing wrong with doing the right thing. I’ll give myself… to it. As she opened her eyes, shining bright in red. Red eyes that were not her own.

Otherwise, all will just keep taking from you. Hehehehe.
12.21
You know, it’s been quite a while since I made myself breakfast. Soul had been afraid she would burn down the whole place. It was kind of strange. She used to be so good at it, but this time she had been so skittish and feared the worst just from making some pancakes for herself. She almost forgot about them too, coming back in time to save them and now had a nice stack of them she set down for herself at the table with the aroma of something so good in the air. She had to sniff it. Then she sniffed the food itself. Her stomach roared in response, so much that she had to grip it once more. Like it was eating itself down there.

Her first meal in over a day. She surprised herself with wanting to make something. Sitting around all night and wandering her house. Her hooves were tired from all of it. Her eyes burned. But none of it ever made her stop and decide to eat, not until now with the Sun beginning to shine over the horizon upon a land where the snow fell so gently now. Becoming a beautiful sight. So many clouds out there that she saw, but not enough. There was a huge clearing in all of it for the Sun to peer through. Casting its radiance upon the floating city flooded in white.
12.22
It was mornings like this that Soul appreciated. Kind of like it was… normal. Even her pulsing eyes… they no longer bothered her. A cry from within for sleep. No time for that. She needed to be up and about. Much like she would be by now on a normal day. It did bring back memories.

As she sat there on her same chair looking over her pancakes and then over to… the two chairs across from her. Empty. She could only stare. Even though she could hear it… the sounds of laughter of ponies familiar to her. I would be talking about how I slept. Talking about what kind of day I would be having. It... was something else. Something for her to sit here with nothing to say as she stared ahead of her. Alone.

Thinking there would be ponies there for her. No, it’s just myself. Only me this morning. Again. She could only frown about it. Her dead stare sticking to the chairs for the longest time as the sounds of the world played outside.

She heard some actual laughter in the distance. Probably other kids playing in the snow. Lucky. Just like the ponies she envied long ago. She wasn’t as envious anymore. Staring out her window at them. Afraid to talk to them and only able to watch them have fun. Before she would go off and cry by herself. No time for that.
12.23
Really, what is the point of being sad about them? I… I got plenty to be happy about. Soul was going to do what she wanted to do. Make another pony happy. I… that will be good for me. Good enough. It always was my dream, to make others happy. To give them hope. I… I can live with that. “Yes I can.” Soul giggled to herself.

“I bet if you two were here, you would be so proud.” She looked at the two empty chairs. Yes they would. They were the ones who gave me something as wonderful as Rainbow Dash. Sending me to camp and giving me the courage to step up to be Dash’s friend. They’d love me being there to help her. She had to laugh. Slowly and then it died down as she calmed herself.

Oh yeah. I just wish they were here so I could see them be proud of me. I wonder what it would be like. What today would be like if things were back to how they used to be. Would Dashie be here? A sleepover after the show. Oh I could make her breakfast and then we can go and play in the snow too. Something before our return to camp. She bet Nimbus would be proud to go with the two of them to play as well. Also to keep them out of trouble.
12.24
Those thoughts faded. Back to where empty chairs and a quiet house returned to her. Quiet but able to give her some comfort. Warmth and a nice smell of food.

I really should eat. Soul had it all drowned in syrup. Sadly, they had been out of strawberries. Nothing to put on top of them like she liked. Sad because she really did want something sweet. Something to take her mind off things for even a little bit as this wait she was in was a bit hard to deal with. Just sitting around, not knowing what to do with herself until something happened. Kind of made her wonder how things will be. How will it be? Will life become this?

Just sitting around. It’s not like she had anything left, or even the chance she would get anything. Nothing except for knowing Dash could be happy. If that was enough for her. While Soul was left… behind.

Maybe… I can figure out what to do with myself when this is all over. Find a new place for me. When she really didn’t want to. Looking around this empty house, she really did prefer to have something else. Another purpose after this. How long can it go on? She fiddled with her plate. She always relied on Nimbus and Starry. Always relied on others. Did she really need to do everything on her own? Will there be another pony out there for her?
12.25
Meals like this, they only reminded her of the times she wanted back. Left to stay here and wait to do something that would make her feel better. Because it droned in her mind. She really did have a question she wanted to ask. But there was nopony here to answer it for her. She just really badly wanted to know something so it would finally leave her mind and maybe she could feel a little better. All night long, since she realized what she had to do, it lingered.

While she had paced the halls and sat on the sofa staring out at the night. Looking over the old photos and portraits spread over the living room and the dining room. Sitting out on the deck and watching the land she used to train over. Hours and hours of this. She had no idea how many hours. Yet she still had to endure this. This horrible wait. A wait for them to return.

Soul shook when her fiddling of her plate made it ring out as it slid over something beneath it. But she settled back down. Not a problem. It… it’s nothing. It actually startled her, hearing such a loud clank all of a sudden, she thought it may be the door opening or something to tell her that they were here. Ugh, I should eat. So she did. Taking her sweet time doing so.

It never took her this long to eat before. Slowly leaning down and ripping away at her stack of pancakes and chewing no faster.
12.26
Such delicious food finally, but to her… it was nothing. Every bite she took no different than before and it lost all the meaning it had to it. Like how she used to devour all the good food that was made for her during breakfast. Something so satisfying to wake up to. She had no appetite now. Even if her stomach growled. It just tasted like… disappointment. Such a long disappointment and she found she hadn’t even eaten a quarter of it.

She sighed. Putting one hoof upon the plate and pushing it away a little. Not enough for the plate to fall off all the stuff that it sat on. No matter how good it smelled, it couldn’t convince her to eat any more. Much to her stomach’s pain. I just can’t. Making her fall back in the chair and stare up to the ceiling. I wonder how I used to do this. Being all alone with nothing.

Was I better back when I was in that alley?

She didn’t recall if she felt this bad. This yucky inside. Enough to be both confident and ashamed of herself. Confident in her purpose. Ashamed of her decisions. Whatever, not like it mattered. I know I used to starve a lot back then. Having to rush to find food wherever she could and oftentimes going without any. Just a struggle for scraps. Now she had food, but it wasn’t enough for her. It will never be enough. Not with knowing she actually was a terrible pony. Not enough to stop herself though.
12.27
She pushed the chair out and leapt off onto the floor. Standing for a moment just to make sure, as she watched the front door with her ears up. Her fur stayed still. I still get to wait. It was so hard to. With all these butterflies in her. From fear or nervousness? Who knows?

But one thing remained, she was excited to do what she wanted to do. So much so that it was a pain to wait. Maybe I could go outside. Watch the snow fall. Sometimes it was fun to see what nature could do. What patterns it could make in the air.

Or just to go out there to do something to feel any better. Knowing her, she would likely ruin all her plans if she did go out there. No, it was best to stay in here. So she did. Stay in the house she would always call her home. Where she wanted to have her own family in, and all the memories this place made for her that she had always taken for granted. Maybe I can… she looked back at the kitchen.

Yeah. I know what I can do. Something that would make Nimbus and Starry happy. Like if they were here. I would instantly volunteer. Especially if they made me food. Soul went over to the kitchen. Spreading her wings and holding herself aloft once more to reach the counter. Where she cleaned up.
12.28
Wiping all the mess she made making her food and cleaning up the dishes. Putting them away and making the whole place look brand new. Just a quick thing she could do while the others got ready for the day, to make things easier for Nimbus and Starry.

Then she went over and tidied up the dining room table. Finishing up and she looked back over at the front door. Expecting something. Still nothing. It agitated her even more. Not even able to crack a smile anymore. She almost was too violent in setting the table mats back out to where it made the table shake a little.

Ugh, no need to get angry. I’m just… making sure their spots look good. Soul put the mats back where she had expected Nimbus and Starry to sit down and eat. Nimbus never did want them to eat off the fancy mats they used. Just for decoration. Always putting them off to the side for food, Soul just moved them this morning. In case they wanted to eat with her. So stupid of her. Of course they wouldn’t. They’re gone. But she still wished it wasn’t so. For her to do all this stuff just to make them smile. Like it always was. That did remind her.
12.29
Soul flew off out of the dining room and up the stairs. Flying past the bathroom she didn’t even need to use since the other night. How long has it been since she had a good bath? No time for one last night. No time for that now. I got things to do.

Starting in her room where she darted back into. Oh man, that’s silly of me. She left all her blankets and pillows asunder. Like a storm went through her bed. Better get this done. Nimbus and Starry would have a cow if they found she left her bed a total mess, especially on a busy weekday. They will like it if I keep it all clean. She had the routine down. Fluff her pillows and put them side to side. Laying the sheets out above them and spreading them all over the bed right before she put that thick blanket on top so neatly tucked into the sides of the bed. Ending it all with folding her last blanket up on top of all of it. A lot of crap to deal with but it kept her warm at night during these winter times.

Haha, almost like I’m getting ready for a real day! I wonder what we could do today. Hehe, if only but… she could dream. The filly more than happy to smile over her work and pleased with herself like Nimbus and Starry would have been. Speaking of which, she did want to check again. Just to make sure. Before she did anything else. It could be possible.

So Soul left her room and went on to another room.
12.30
To where the door was cracked open to the room of Nimbus and Starry. Those two always closed their door for bed. But… yeah, that’s how I left it. Yet Soul landed in front of it and pushed the door open. Gently. Before she peeked in, and the words almost slipped out of her mouth.

‘Good morning.’

Stupid of me. So apparent it was when she found it all left exactly how she had left it. With pillows tossed aside of the bed and the scarlet blankets all jumbled up in a mess up top, where she had slept in them. But there was something off about it, only when she walked in. Soul didn’t usually come in here, but it felt so strange to walk in and listen to how quiet it was in this room. How still the air was in here like not even a particle of dust could float in it. Where she was the only thing that moved in here. Why is it that it feels so weird?

She liked to imagine how it would be if things were normal. She bet it would feel… like it did when she came in here to sleep with Nimbus and Starry. Something she had missed before. What was that feeling? Coming in here gave her a sense of it. Like all her troubles were gone, not anymore. Now, this room only made her sulk.
12.31
This room had been so comfortable to her, that was it. Stepping in it after so long to something so friendly and loving. Where… she held me for the first time. Let me sleep on her chest. Her warm chest and her soft fur that was like a cloud to Soul. I miss that.

There really had been no purpose to coming in here, not like they were here. Here for her to wake them up. They weren’t oversleeping. But she paused as she walked in past the side of the bed and saw something in the corner of her eye. She was still.

Maybe for a minute, looking over it. With her mouth wide open. Not even blinking. Before she reached out and pulled it close to her. For the scene to be right in front of her, as she held the picture in the heart engraved frame. One of many pictures in here. All of the same thing, but this one had been one to give her something. Like she felt a little trickle inside her heart for only a moment. The picture of her with Nimbus and Starry. Held between both of them atop their shoulders. With Soul up there, her wings spread, and such a wide smile on her loving face. When I was younger. This picture meant a lot to Nimbus. All of them did, as she looked all around her at the many, many pictures set atop tables and dressers. Hanging on the walls. Every one of them was the same thing, with that magenta filly in them.
12.32
I really do envy her, Soul thought as she looked back at the one she held. That filly in the photo. I… I want that. To feel it again, without having to know how life will be. I really did feel like all was good before. I should have learned my lesson. I always end up this way. Stupid, little filly. You never did fight to earn what you wanted. Now I got to do this. All on my own. Stupid.

Though she was gentle when she put the photo back down. Even if she hated the pony in that picture, there had been a pony dear to her heart that did not feel the same about her. Nimbus did love me. Until I let everypony down.

Soul closed her eyes, not letting go of the photo… until she heard the wind outside. It haunted her. Made her fur actually stand up. Like the wind itself went over her back and stroked her mane. Like how Nimbus… would rub my head. I miss that feeling.

Soul let go of the photo. She really did hate it. This room had been such a joy to get to sleep in, now it was nothing more than a memory. Like everything else. An empty, useless house filled with all the pain in her heart. A small squeak left her lips. I… I hate how I’m being.

Soul dashed out of the room. Slowing back down to a standstill out in the hall, and she looked back. I really am alone. There was nopony there to follow her back downstairs. I can’t believe I have to do this. But… maybe Dashie will forgive me, at least. She has no idea what I am willing to do for her. Nopony could suffer this way. Though Soul was not even aware of it. She only trudged back off to the stairs. Off on her go around of the house once more. All she could do in this incessant waiting. While her ears remained up the whole time, she felt nothing change.
12.33
She passed by her bedroom one last time, looking inside with dull eyes. Her lovely room. Where she always spent so much time in the past. Yet her heart ached seeing it. As she could see Nimbus in the same spot Soul was in right now, to open the door and wake Soul up. Or even more. For her and Dash to walk in through this door at the fall of nighttime. Both fillies so happy and laughing before Soul closed the door behind them.

The door did close, slammed shut as Soul pulled the door in. To get rid of that sight. I hate it. I hate everything that happened. These rooms only brought back to her the things she wanted again, and it hurt. Strangely, she didn’t leave. Soul sat herself down next to her closed door. Right before she lowered herself and spread out on the floor.

It will all be okay. Soul bared her fangs. I hate thinking that! Every time! It never is okay!

She put her hooves atop her head and buried herself under them. Folding her wings over herself too. Just shut up. Just shut up! Nothing ever turned out okay. Not when I was always an idiot. So stupid. I’m stupid enough to tell my best friend that I hate her. I won’t forgive myself, I won’t believe any of it. She glared at the darkness that her wings cast over herself. With so much time passing. She laid there, ignoring all the lies. Nothing is okay. If it was, I would be with Nimbus and Starry right now to go do something with Dashie and her parents. But now! Now Dashie and I hate each other. She hates me! And I have nopony left.

Though… I don’t hate her. That is what was too much. I still love her. Which is why I won’t be happy until I prove it to her. You are doing the right thing. I know I am. Rainbow Dash is in danger. Even if she hates me, I’ll do this to keep her from harm. Because its good. Yes. Such a good thing to do for her.

Soul’s ears flicked up, after so long of laying there, she finally lifted her head with her bloody eyes to peer out to the stairs ahead. Down below, where her fur stood up once more. A twitch in her ear, and a smile on her face.
12.34
Soul stood up. Atop her wobbly legs. Hehe, I already committed myself to this. For Rainbow Dash. I’ll do it. She almost stumbled over. Get a grip. Come on, Soul.

She looked back up when she heard the door open downstairs. Panting for a moment but she recovered. No, she let her wings do the work instead. Flying back up into the air. I… I think I know what I need to do.

She had spent all night planning it. Waiting so long for it to happen. Waiting since the night when they took the ponies I loved away from me. It just took her so long to see what she needed to do. So she did it. She actually went off to go and see. Because there was no turning back. Rainbow Dash is counting on me. One thing else was true. The only thing that made her go forward. Soul was indeed afraid and hurt so much. But her anger was too much to hold back now. Her anger at all that these past couple days had been. Time to end it.

Hehe, wish me luck, Dashie. I can’t wait to see you again. To tell you the news and for you to hug me when you hear it! You won’t hate me then.
12.35
But Soul did not leave. She hung upstairs, flapping her wings gently to lift herself up, but she did not fly down the steps. Only listening as she heard the sounds of hooves walking around downstairs. For sure now, there was somepony here. Even though she knew what it was she needed to do, having nowhere to go now, she still gulped. Her one last moment of fear before it all settled back down.

She breathed in deep and then let it out. Opening her cold and still eyes to the world once more to look down the steps and wait. Because it could be it was somepony else down there. Maybe Dashie had come back. That would be wonderful! So Soul would not need to wait to see if they could be together again.

“I’m tired, we can keep looking later.” No… that wasn’t Dash. In fact, it was a voice she really did recognize like it was meant to be here in this house because it was the voice of none other than Nimbus down there. Unmistakable. But Soul knew it wasn’t Nimbus. Otherwise, she would be ecstatic to hear her. They were never coming back. Yet for this moment, as she waited up there for some guidance, it kind of did feel like it were any normal day with Nimbus and Starry here with her.

It’s not them. They weren’t. As much as she hoped it to be inside of her, they never will be the ponies she wanted back. I get to meet them anyways.
12.36
The filly wanted to, it was just so hard to. Something she could do to stop this. I waited all night for this. Rainbow is in danger. I can’t step away now. Not like Soul had any way to step out of this. It would all lead to misery.

“They have a nice bed upstairs, I’m going to try it out” Nimbus said down there. “When were you fond of pony things?” asked the voice of Starry. Yeah… that’s not them. Not at all. Even worse with how they were talking. They want to sleep on… on their bed?! That’s Nimbus’ and Starry’s bed. The one I got to sleep on. No way would she be able to accept them using it. “I’m not but you have to admit that thing looked nice. …Don’t worry, I’m not growing fond of it. Besides, this house is just too dreadful to deal with” Nimbus said. “Better to spend the whole day wandering around this city?” “Maybe… a little better” Nimbus answered, much to Soul’s fury. She biting her little fangs down into her lip. Till blood trickled down.

You sons of bitches, this is the house I love. This is the house that the real Nimbus and Starry spent their whole lives building up to, just to give a home to Soul. Now those beasts were in here using Nimbus’ and Starry’s bodies while insulting their house. Maybe… it is right for me to do this.

Soul’s anger was just too much now. I’m done. Even if they look like them, they will always be the ones who ruined my life and want to hurt it even more. Besides, Soul still had her question she wanted answered, waiting all night for it. It all gave her what little courage left to actually do the unthinkable that no filly would do. But she no longer cared as blood trickled down her face and her eyes shone red. Soul flew down the stairs to meet them.
12.37
Those little moments flying down the steps being like a challenge on their own to her just to go down and see what it was she hated to see. Going right down these steps like any other morning, it felt very realistic. She had done this so many times before. If only it were normal, but oh… how lovely it would be for it to be real. For her to come downstairs as she did now, peering down past the rise of the stairway and seeing the living room shining in the sunlight that cast itself upon the two figures down there. The one standing by the door and another coming right towards her. Soul almost crossed paths right there, as she stared at her, with none other than Nimbus.

The mare looking back upon Starry and then… Soul felt a chill when both those familiar eyes turned to her… in shock. So I’m actually doing this. Her, all alone in the same room as these beasts, with Soul just hovering there above them. She didn’t even blink. She couldn’t.

Such a recognizable scene. Her here, together with the two ponies who had cared for her for so much of her life. Eye to eye like none of them no longer knew the other, for this was true. Their dumbstruck selves all together once more. Nimbus didn’t even look at all angry or scary. Just that mare with her lovely look and beautiful wings, standing before her. Such puzzlement in her red eyes. Yet no word was spoken.

Soul actually kind of thought it may be them for a moment. No. The real Nimbus would not be this way. She would be so happy to see me. Even more since I’m here to greet her from returning home. No, Soul only had another thing to say.
12.38
“Why were you two wandering around?” Soul really was curious, please. Perhaps it was something good. They all finally got to be in the same room once more and the filly had to ask that while she floated above both of them.

Nimbus finally cocked her head and then chuckled. Not even a scary laugh. She laughed like she was carefree. Just like Starry with his genuine smile. Pretty convincing of them. “We were looking for you, of course. We wouldn’t want you to be alone out there all night long. I’m actually kind of surprised to find you here.”

Soul shrugged at her and did something without even thinking about it. She flew past Nimbus. Over towards the dining room once more where she saw she had left the chairs pulled out and left her dishes laying there. She took time to reset the table but didn’t do that. She was slipping. “I’ve been here all night” Soul admitted.

She looked back at both of them before she did anything else. She couldn’t believe this was happening, but… she made no sound. Nothing to show just how utterly terrified and so broken she was inside. It was scary to her. Unlike anything she ever done before. To be so still and lifeless. All this time, like she was nothing more than stone. Not even a pony anymore, and how cold she felt inside. So much it gave her chills. She actually felt so nasty for speaking with such venom in her voice.

“I’ve been waiting for you guys.” “You were waiting for us?” Nimbus asked. Both ponies walking over to join one another. Standing there, like it was on purpose. Between Soul… and the front door. I don’t feel anything at all. No urge to run. I am staying here.
12.39
“Isn’t that nice of me?” Soul asked. She pushed in the first chair where she had sat for breakfast. Hovering over her half-eaten pancakes and the last dirty dish she missed. That looks better, she tapped the chair with satisfaction and looked back at the two ponies. She did expect something of them.

Why are they so quiet? Am I that weird? Not at all. I’m just doing the right thing like a good pony needs to do… to not feel like a bad pony. That feeling sucked. “Just been waiting in my house all night long hoping to see you two come back.” Soul said that with something else in her mind that these two did not know. She could practically sense Starry over there getting impatient with his frown coming over him and a small glare in his eyes. Twinkling like starlight. His hoof itched and fidgeted in place. “Yeah, pretty nice” Nimbus said awkwardly. “You seem different, Soul.”

Am I? It’s been a while since I looked in the mirror. “No, I still feel the same” Soul said. She went on over to the other two chairs. Much the same as she did yesterday. “I just wanted to be in the house I lived in for most of my life. It’s really the only nice place I have left. You know… that house that is so dreadful.”

She shot her glare at both of them, almost like it didn’t matter to either of them. Just a little draft in the air between them that Soul felt over her. Like it twitched suddenly, and then she caught it just in time. Spotting Nimbus shaking her tail for a moment behind her. Exactly like Soul did, nervously, at the same time. But even more.
12.40
Soul let her tail wag wildly behind her, dealing with the last two chairs. Glancing back at them and their horrible bodies. It was starting to get uneasy to just look at them. Just constantly reminding her. It made her wonder. But she looked up to the ceiling. Not to them. Just not able to bother with them what with all that was in her head. All the terrible thoughts and painful memories. What good there was only led to more sadness. Becoming a void… right where her heart should be. If she could say it like that.

It really did feel like an endless rip in her chest. A constant pulsing in there. Opening up to nothing. It really hurt.

“I really do love this house” Soul spoke out suddenly. “You know… I didn’t always live here.” She actually spoke to them. In time to see Starry starting to trot along past the table, slowly coming to join where Soul was, with Nimbus walking forth on soft steps. Soul only went on. Not even needing what they said to her.
“Really?” Nimbus asked. “I was actually brought here when I was a filly. Nimbus and Starry took me in and raised me. So many years… with them” she spoke reflectively on it all while she pushed in the chairs. Finishing that up. Starry stood across from her. Staring. Nimbus to her left. Soul didn’t care, not when she could see it all once again. How happy she was.
12.41
“I didn’t grow up with parents, they got rid of me when I was just a foal. But Nimbus and Starry, they put up with me and treated me like I was something special. They fed me and kept me warm. They taught me how to fly properly and even went beyond that. They taught me so much about flying that… some ponies actually think I am amazing. Even I think I can be something amazing. Like a great, world class flyer. How cool would that be?”

Was it strange that Nimbus was smiling? “I could tell they loved you a lot, don’t you see? Why else would they do all that? Weird though, here I always thought they were your parents.” Oh that’s another story entirely. Soul admitted that to herself. I would love for them to be my parents, hahaha. But that’s just stupid talk. What I want is always wrong. It’s all about what others want. I’ll do all I can for them. Like I should have.

“I really did appreciate all they did for me, sometimes… I wish I had done better at showing how much I loved it all. Just random, stupid stuff.” Soul flapped her wings. Flying over the table and over… to join where Starry was.
12.42
She stayed above him, almost feeling the timid side of her with being so close. But this was a time to be brave. Was she brave? Being this close to the two who had taken so much from her. She didn’t care. About any of her feelings. Just wanting to tell them.

“I did this a few times for them. But this whole thing right now, it sorta reminds me of it. Nimbus and Starry loved to go on morning flights while I slept on the weekends just to do some exercise. But I was always awake when they came back. Sometimes, I would make them breakfast while they were out and they came back, I’m there ready to eat. Got their plates out. They were both always so happy when I did that. Kinda weird, you two coming in here like this and me waiting for you. Kind of does feel like those times.”

“Well… I would never have taken you as the giving type like that” Nimbus said. “It’s a little funny. What if you had made us breakfast when we came back?” “Oh she made us breakfast” Starry said behind Soul. Feeling his malice behind her. It didn’t phase Soul. Not from seeing what she used to have.

“I did love them a lot” Soul said. “They were the ponies I wanted to spend the rest of my life around. Since they spent so much time training me, I wanted them to be the first ponies there to see me when I become a Wonderbolt.” “Sounds like you have big dreams” Nimbus said, the mare came a little closer to join them. Soul eyed the plate she left on the table and then looked back at Nimbus. Her fur standing up to Starry to her side. Surrounded by wolves, yet her calm somehow stayed for just a little longer… as she felt her heart writhe.
12.43
Each thing she said, like it was poison to her. She felt so terrible now. But… she couldn’t stop. “I was going to graduate for them. As a reward for all their hard work for me. Become one of the best flyers of all. So fast and skilled that nopony in all of Equestria could beat me. Well… except for that filly you saw yesterday. Rainbow Dash. She’s all I have left from what Nimbus and Starry gave to me. My first ever friend. The only other filly as good as me at flying. And she wanted to graduate with me. Both of us together with our parents there to cheer us on.”

“Really, what are Nimbus and Starry to you?” Nimbus asked.

That sank in. Sinking so deep though she did not answer her. Wildly set on everything in her that hurt. So much that the pain was becoming unbearable. I can’t even cry. She couldn’t even stop talking about it. Having somepony to talk to was good. Even if her hoof trembled for a moment towards the plate. Starry so close to her.

“Rainbow Dash was the first pony to ever teach me what it means to be strong and she gave me a purpose.” Such a great purpose. I need to do all I can to try and fix it, to live up to it. With what little was left. What little hope she had left in her. It drained fast. Each word she spoke only hurting her more. Till she really did want to just end it all.
12.44
“I got my own wingpony, my own future with her. My very own best friend…” Soul muttered.

“You love her a lot, don’t you?” Nimbus asked. “Yeah…” Soul said with her head down. “She’s the best pony in my life and was always there for me… until recently.”

“You had a fight?” Was that a fight? Soul still nodded. Didn’t seem like a fight to her. More like… the end of something great. Such a terrible end, with what little chance she had to fix it. How much she wanted it back. Deep inside. With Starry right there, she felt his breath upon her. Him looming over her. Nimbus in front of her. With a smirk upon her face. Soul held her breath and spoke.

“I told her… I hated her. But the truth is, I will always love her.” Like that alone was enough to make Nimbus smile and bare her fangs. “I do love her so much, so much that I’ll do anything for her. That’s why I stayed here waiting all night long. Because I want her back. I want my life back. The one that you took from me!” Soul’s ear twitched. All she needed to know… the harsh voice in her head.

Soul!

Too late… much too late to change now. Soul did what she had to do. I’ll do it! I will! Right as she heard Starry’s teeth coming to bare on her. Yet she was not afraid. Not enough to stop her.

Her hoof reached out, grabbing hold of the table. So she could duck down and grab. The plate tipped over. Pulling out what was hidden beneath it, between her teeth which gleamed white and shone in the reflection of the silver steel in her mouth. She closed her eyes. Just doing it. With nothing but instinct to guide her and a cold touch to her. The first time she ever felt so nasty and so terrible when she felt it touch against something, as she slashed.
12.45
Starry yelped in her ears.

Soul reeled back right against the table and shot her wings out enough to stop herself from falling. Just as something warm hit her face. She had to open her eyes. Turning back to face them with her hooves planted back on the ground.

I… I don’t even need to look. Down at the thing she held in her mouth to know what she just did. For the spots were all over the floor around her. Little drops… of red. Sprayed along, and she saw exactly what she had done.

Starry backed away, clutching at his throat with both hooves before he flew up on his big wings right back to Nimbus, where the mare ran forth and skidded to a halt. Shocked as Starry was. Both of them had no idea. Not even Soul did, she did not know what to do. What she was doing. Just knowing she had to do something. Her legs shook. Her wings flared out. Spread out, waiting for them with the large knife in her mouth. The same one Nimbus used to cut their food with, it always looked so big. Soul never thought of ever using it. Not for this. For doing the right thing.

For once, Soul was the one in charge. She was the one who could hurt. I’m not going to let them hurt me anymore. I won’t.

“You’ll never! I’ll never let you touch Rainbow Dash!”
12.46
Starry coughed but he let go of his throat, right where Soul could see the long cut along it. Where blood trickled out slowly.

Soul sighed. Glaring at them and angry at herself. Damn it. Not good enough. She hadn’t been close enough. I won’t back down. Even against these two. I’ll fight them. I won’t let them leave here to hurt my best friend. It’s the right thing to do.

She gripped the knife even harder with her teeth. Not caring anymore. All those stories she had in her mind left her. Just a single drive to protect the one she loved.

“Nimbus and Starry gave me the greatest friend I ever had. I won’t let you hurt her too!” Starry settled back down. Ignoring his wound. She faced down against both of them. With their fangs as long as knives themselves. Even after what she did, both of them only smiled. I’ll give you something to smile about. I’ll actually do it. I’ll do a bad thing because it’s the right thing to do. “My, my” Nimbus said. “The little filly has some fangs. I never would have taken you to be this way. You really have changed… a lot.”

“I’m just full of surprises… aren’t,… I?” Soul spat.
12.47
“You really are a crazy pony. A lot more defiant than any other. Really, what happened to you, Soul?” Nimbus said. “You were such a sniveling baby yesterday. When did you turn so cold?”

I’m not cold!? …I’m doing what is right. Soul angrily bit into the handle of the knife. Snarling at them. Louder than any other thing she could hear to where it frightened her. With her own voice. Like some sort of animal. I don’t care.

“I hate talking to you two. You’re… pretending to be the ponies I love. Just seeing you, it’s like hell to me!” “You won’t be seeing us for long for what you did” Starry told her. Rubbing his throat. Soul smiled so widely under her bangs. Glaring in the knife. Bringing it up to bare on them, for them to see it. Because it was funny. I won’t be seeing you two for long. Either… you die… or I die. One sounded a little better than the other. At least the other… she would stop feeling all this pain in her. But I need to protect Dashie.

You have to save her.

What is wrong with me? No, I won’t die to them. I’ll get rid of them. Forever! But… Soul wanted to leave them with one last thing. She still had… her question.

“You asked me a question” Soul pointed out. “What are Nimbus and Starry to me? Right? Well I have a question too.” “Do go on” Nimbus said. So much hate in her eyes to match that of Soul’s. Okay, I’ll ask. Because I need to know something. I really do need to. After all the years of this. Soul wanted to know why. “Why did you want to hurt me by taking them away from me?”

“Is that really all you want to know?” Nimbus asked. “Tell me now!” Ringing silence between them all. Nimbus took her time to say anything. The mare blinked. Grimacing like she was annoyed. Or even amused with herself. Her voice told it, she was amused. “Soul Serenity” she whispered. She gripped the knife tighter. What is it that makes others hurt me? Tell me now. These things that did the worst to me. Why?

“Because you are so weak.”
12.48
Soul didn’t move. Not from shock or despair. No, she was all out of that. All of it spent. The filly really had nothing left in her. Except for one thing. Just being confirmed. Yup, that’s right. Exactly as I thought.

Soul lowered her head. Her eyes still gleamed out under her bangs to the two ponies. Lost of all her feelings. Just… an unending sadness. That all of this was her fault. That is why nopony loves me. And now it’s why I have to do this. I was weak all the time and got hurt because of it. I want my life back so much. She wanted it enough to do this. To have the strength to laugh.

She laughed so hard. Cackling almost. So hard to hold the knife in her mouth thanks to it. But it was too funny. So funny to be right. That she was useless. Worthless to all the other ponies. That’s why. I have nothing for them… until now. I’ll show them all what I want. Even though… I know they’ll never love me like I do for them.

“Maybe I am weak. So much that I’ve been hurt so many times in my life. You’re right about one thing though.” Soul’s red eyes bore down on both of them.

Do it. Rainbow Dash needs you. “Hehehehehehe. I am cold… because of what you did. I lost Rainbow Dash. I lost my dream. Now I want them back. I want it all back. Especially the two ponies you took from me. So here’s what they mean to me. What they meant. I loved them so much… Nimbus and Starry. So much that… I wanted them to be my mommy and daddy. Yet they’re gone now.” Soul spoke with a darkness in her little voice. “I just don’t care… what happens anymore. Until I get my dream back.”
12.49
She really did think this was the bravest thing she had ever done. But it had all become too real to her when Nimbus leapt in the air so quickly. Coming right down on her with huge open wings and a mouth filled with fangs hissing out at her, so quick Soul barely saw it. She let out her own wings and her strength, quickly flying up over the table and just before Nimbus landed down on where she had been. Looking up at her yet Soul couldn’t even react before her ears caught it and she turned in time to see Starry darting at her too.

I’m… actually fighting them. Soul’s mind went blank when she leaned to the side and flew out of the way. Starry shooting right past her, where she did the unthinkable. She brought the knife out and down upon him. Every intention to do whatever this would do.

I’m going to… Soul gasped and cried out when she saw a jolt of darkness cut across her face. Where she saw and felt the punch to her face. Starry’s hind legs bucked into her face. Feeling it ring inside her. Like the knife vibrating so violently in her mouth, she didn’t even think on if it could cut her mouth like that. It really could have with how she saw it fling out from her mouth and fly across the room. Leaving Soul alone with the beast next to her, which she turned towards in time to see.
12.50
Soul backed off right as his teeth came down to try and get her. Hearing his fangs slice the air. That could have killed me. I… Soul snapped out of it. No time.

Where is it… she heard the knife clang down somewhere behind her in the living room. Over to where it lay by the windows. But she cursed herself for taking so long. Just staring at the two monsters that recovered and turned to face her once more. Ready to strike her. Ready to kill her. That was what shocked her, but why?

I… I didn’t know this… wait! She couldn’t even ask them to before both Nimbus and Starry came in at her. From above and below. Soul, you have to… Soul screamed and dodged away from it. I gotta get away. I’m fighting them and I don’t even have anything to do it with. I got to do this. I need to kill them first. Just saying that word inside made her stomach almost revile from it. It didn’t stop her from flying away as fast as she could Arcing over the sofas and going right at where she saw the metal gleaming in the sunlight. Until she stopped suddenly.
12.51
Something grabbed her and she looked. Finding Nimbus with her hooves around Soul’s tail. Pulling her tail in and she felt so much pain with the hairs being yanked so hard and the weight of that pony bringing her down.

Oh Celestia! What should I…? It shut her up when she saw Nimbus gaping her maw at her, salivating at the filly she held back and her giant wings flapped against Soul’s own wings.

“Let go of me!” Soul kicked hard with her free leg, without even thinking. It connected. Her hoof slamming right into Nimbus’ face and that was what made her let go and freed Soul to flee. Leaving behind the furious Nimbus and something more when she could hear the roar of Starry coming in on her. I got to end this fast. Already feeling herself out of breath, yet the rush pumping through her. Overwhelming. Not able to let her stop.

“I’m going to kill you, whelp!” she heard Starry yell after her. Nopony ever told her that before. Really it was not something anypony should ever hear. Yet here she was right in that situation with no way out. Almost like night and day with how much things have changed. So much so that Soul felt herself dreaming of seeing these two die before her. So disgusting that she thought that terrible thing. Yet she still smiled when she reached the knife and brought it up in her teeth ready for anything they threw at her.
12.52
“Just try me!” Soul tried to say as defiantly as she could but inside she felt her legs giving and the tingles in her belly grow stronger. What with seeing Nimbus rubbing her cheek and then glaring at her with such hate and Starry floating above her ready to pounce.

The stallion looked so strong compared to her. Both ponies did. While a lone filly stared them down and did all she could to keep herself from losing it. Could they tell? Soul hoped not. She felt like she may soil herself right there with all the fear inside her and all the strength she had now draining away at the terrible realization that… this was not what she ever wanted in life.

What have I done to myself? She couldn’t answer it, her eyes growing wide when she saw it. Not quick enough.

Soul screamed when that mass fell upon her. Knocking away the knife once more to land at her side and Soul fell on to her back. Her wings spread and legs pierced in pain. So sudden. Finding herself pinned down by the massive stallion. His hooves down upon her legs, and she looked up. Up into his blue eyes staring down upon her with such a horrible smile on him. So horrible. Striking the total terror of death upon her, to see just how helpless she had become.
12.53
Nothing she did worked. Soul wiggled and put all the strength she had to try and move her legs. It only hurt more. Such a heavy pony on top of them. A single cry coming out of her. Frantically pushing herself left and right, desperate to get out of this.

“No going anywhere” those fanged lips said to her when she looked back up at the pony leaning down on her. Rid of his blue eyes, nothing but a hollow shell of crystal where they had been. As shallow and dead as true terror was.

“Get off me!” Soul lurched up her body and fell back down to the floor. “Get off!” Soul screamed so loud. There was the knife. To her left, just… laying there by her outstretched wing. Her feathers wildly grabbing for it. Such a long wing yet not long enough to get it.

No, it was too far. No! I just wanted… Soul winced when saliva fell upon her face. From the same gaping maw that had taken… Nimbus and Starry from her. Now here she was. As helpless as they had been. I’m going to die. I’m going to end up like them. No! She really did think she could do this. Of course not. I’ve never been able to do anything right.
12.54
Soul felt such a pressure in her eyes. She held them closed. Not wanting to see. If only I could kick him. If only I could do anything. If I were strong, but not at all. I’m just a stupid filly. Trying so hard to protect the ones she loved. Protect them and now… this is going to go just as she feared. I’ll never see Dashie again.

“Get off me, please” she begged. “I just want my life back.”

One without this fear. Without any of this. Her life had been so pleasant. So lovely. With lots to look forward to and so much joy she had. Where every day had been like a dream come true. Taken from her. Turned into this. And now I’m gonna die. In this… very familiar moment.

Nimbus… where are you? Please. Please save me. Like you did before. Save me. As she heard that terrifying hiss upon her. Almost able to feel it.
12.55
I never was strong.

Couldn’t even last a minute in this. I was so stupid to try. Now, she had thrown her whole life away. Her dream was gone. Nimbus and Starry were gone. Now she could not be there to protect Rainbow Dash.

I’m so sorry, Dashie. I never should have told you I hated you. It was a lie. If only I had not been so mad lately. I just want to be happy again!

Tell me what it is you want. What will make you happy?

I always did think about that. It just wasn’t till lately when she realized what she wanted. Taken from her. Forget staring out at the other ponies and all the fun they had. Forget being sad about mom leaving her. Forget the fact that she drove everypony away from her and killed her own dream. Life always did this to her, it was always the norm. Something she really hoped to end someday. I felt like I was so close to being happy, but… showing how much I love ponies is not enough to make them like me. To make me feel like they like me. It always ended up like this.

I love Nimbus. I love Starry. I love Rainbow Dash. Now they are all gone. Now I can’t get what will make me happy.

What is it?

Soul opened her eyes. Ignoring the sight in front of her. What I want. In the final moments of her life.

I want somepony who loves me.

Then you have her.
12.56
Starry stopped. Like he and the world held still before it all shattered in the sound that blistered Soul’s ears and screeched through the air, before she screamed. Her scream was drowned out by it.

An explosion. One of glass, the window above her tearing to pieces. So much glass, falling like the snow. A snowfall in the house wrapped in red. The glass became one with it, the red falling like water. Like a lance of fire blasting forth and carving through it all. Destroying the window so the Sun may shine through and snow came in. Splattering the entire wall in it. Dripping and flowing. From the wall and from… Starry.

Soul could not even tell what happened. Just to see the stallion fall upon her. Motionless. His huge head falling upon her chest with his eyes buried into her fur, stained in the red that flowed from… the huge hole… where his head should be.

Glass fell all around her. Around the stricken filly. Her eyes wide. All of it missing her. Crumpling around her. Soul did not think she should look… but she did. She craned her neck.
12.57
That… that was the window. Right above her, upon the wall she lay against. With a huge hole in it. Blackened in glass falling all around and more shards left dangling. Nothing but red plastered all over it. A stream of it.

The same color that she saw… flowing out of Starry. Through his wide, cavernous hole in his head. Seeing it all… inside… and then Soul could tell. Tell just how much of it there was. Covering her. Turning all her fur red. Splattered in disgusting things she could not even describe. Now that Starry was nothing but a lump upon her. Covering her body.

His legs spread and wings limp. Not a single move he made.

Starry? What…? Soul moved her leg. His head rolled off her. His whole body slumped. Revealing the blank, blue eyes that stared off into space. Nothing left in them as the red water flowed upon them. Soul couldn’t breathe. That was… how…?

Oh my Celestia. Her breath slowly coming back and then becoming like wild fire. When her heart finally beat as hard as it could, and it all came to her.
12.58
Soul screamed. At the top of her lungs. Kicking her hind legs and bucking the stallion off her.

He’s… he’s dead! The pony fell away from her and laid there upon his side. All of that… that blood trickling down his head. I’m covered in his blood! Soul looked all over her and screamed once again. All her beautiful fur turned to that terrible color. All of it flowing down from her. She felt something warm soaking between her hind legs and so much relief down there. Just like the pools of blood forming beneath her. All the pools that were fed by the blood flowing from the wall.

What just happened!?

Soul flung herself up. Desperately trying to get on her wings but both of them spasmed and she only fell over. Close to slipping on the blood soaking upon the cloudy floor. But she had no time to think. No time to even do anything. Just all the fear inside her when she stumbled in front of the dead stallion. Seeing him again. Staring into his… his eyes. As blue as the sky, turned to stone. Lost of their light.

She didn’t scream. Nimbus did.
12.59
The mare standing across from them. She was actually afraid. A Changeling terrified. With her hooves to her mouth and that horrible face she had back to that of the mare Soul recognized. Where she could see true terror in her eyes.

I didn’t… Soul wanted to say it. Something. But there was nothing to say. She didn’t even know what happened. Not before Nimbus ran. Galloping on all hooves for the front door.

“Wait!” Soul cried after. I don’t… she looked back and then heard it… in an instant.

A blaze of bright red wind. Slashing forth through her ears and ringing across the house. Like metal grinding upon metal. Faster than she could blink. Could even cringe at the sound. Then the mare screamed and the sound of wood collapsing. Where Soul turned and saw that… the front door falling upon the mare. The frame cleaved in two.

Nimbus fell and disappeared under the front door. Singed and smoldering. Its berth fell right off its hinges.

I don’t even… Soul gasped. She saw movement rolling towards her, really thinking it had been wood from the door. Coming to her. Then stopped. Covered all over in the same red that Starry was covered in, except… the golden fur that managed to stick out in that blood. In all four of them.

Nimbus’ legs.
12.60
Her legs… Soul shivered. Backing away from the sight.

What just happened?! All those sounds. They still rang in her head. Then all of this. What… Nimbus, Starry. Starry was silent. Nimbus… gone. Under the door where she saw little streams of blood come from under.

Now, now the house fell silent. Only Soul was the one who made a sound. A little whimper. The only thing moving in this house save for the snow settling in through the open door and the huge hole in the window. Burned through it where blackened cinders smoldered and cooled under the snow. That was all the filly could do. She had nothing left. Nothing to feel. Even fear left her. The entire world had stopped. Stopped for her. She was left to collapse. Fall upon her rear and sit there in a pool of blood.

All of the blood smeared across the house. Painted in it. A shadow of what this place used to be. Where Soul had felt so much love and comfort here. Turned to this.

She listened to the drops of blood coming down from her body. Blood that was not her own. The first time when she felt this… the feeling of another’s blood. She hated it. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. Damn it. Her legs would not move. Nothing obeyed her. Nothing as her chest felt so much. The pain. The heartache. The weight lifting off it. Like something had left it. Released. Now… she felt it. The true pain inside her heart. With one last breath she made… before another cried out.
12.61
Nimbus screamed and the door flung off her with a flap of her huge wings. Revealing her. A panicked mare.

Her red eyes bleeding and blood dripping from her mouth. Coughing it up and then crying out again. She couldn’t move. It was true. …Nothing but stubs where her legs had been. All four gone.

Soul had never seen a pony without legs before. Never missing even one. She never had wanted to see it be this pony. To see her become so pathetic and helpless. Left to cry out for help and flail her bloody wings. A cry of pain. A cry of agony. Inside of the one voice that hit Soul’s ears and she remembered. All hitting her. This is not what I wanted. This is not what I wanted to ever hear. To ever see us become. Soul blinked. The wind roared once more. Hailed and screamed. The sounds of the air she had always loved. Drifting around her and drowning out the cries Nimbus made before they disappeared forever, and Soul’s last thing to ever remember her by… were her cries.
12.62
There was no way for her to tell what happened. When whatever it was burned through the air and scorched the ceiling. Just a spark of red. Gone before she knew it as it sliced forth upon the mare. More red liquid pluming out.

Soul’s heart skipped a beat. Blood splattered. So much of it. Ripping the air and flooding the walls. Turning the ceiling red. All of it from… Nimbus. The mare who fell forward and laid there. Still. Silent. Left… there.

Now… the house fell silent. Not silent to Soul. It echoed in her head. The screams of the ponies she had loved. Not sure what was happening to her. This pain… it never was this bad. Not since.

She held her chest so tight. Not since in the forest.

Nimbus. Starry. She looked up. Upon the corpse of Starry laying in front of her. Nimbus over there with both pieces of the door laying beside her and snow falling in upon her. Both of them torn to shreds. In an instant.

How did this… Soul cringed. Clinging on to her heart. So much pain. It hurts. It hurts so bad. Why?! I just didn’t want it to be this way. Why? Why did this have to happen?! Why did all of this happen?!

“Why!?” Soul cried out as loud as she could. Till her throat ran ragged. Her voice turned to rasp. Yet she didn’t stop. No way she could. When all the pain in her heart exploded.
12.63
What was it? Was it the sight of all the blood? The murderous cries in the air? What she had just seen? Whatever it was that made none other than a tear fall from her eyes. Not one of hate or pain. No. Soul, she felt… grief. Then another.

Soul sobbed. Just one look. She had to look away after, seeing that haunting scene. No! I don’t… she tried to run. Only falling over on herself. Looking back up to the walls. The walls she spent all her life in now painted in the blood of Nimbus and Starry. The moment when this, her home, was not her home anymore.

Everything was gone, and she just could not get it out of her head. With all the pain in her heart, none of it stopped. Stop it! I don’t want to see it anymore. But their eyes were in her head. Starry. Your eyes of the sky, as beautiful as a cloud. Shining of the stars. Ripped of all it. She would never see it again.

But… Nimbus.
12.64
She had the most gorgeous eyes. True suns. They always warmed her day like her golden body and lovely mane. Even if she had that scar. Even if Nimbus was so self-conscious. Soul always saw her as beautiful.

What was she now? What were they? Starry nothing but a body with his head… torn away. Nimbus. Your… your beauty. Not able to run anymore. The same slender back Soul had ridden on so many times, torn open all along its length. Blood flowing from the trench carved in her around… she saw it. Her charred spine.

…We were supposed to spend our mornings together. You guys wake me up. We eat together. Get ready and all of us get to leave to have fun. No matter what it was. Soul always loved it. Until her life changed entirely. When she made a friend. Like she really had a family. It’s all gone.

Nimbus and Starry. In the forest? Or here? Just left to remind her that they were gone. In the same house they always spent happy times in. Now she sat there crying to herself with the bodies of the two ponies soiled in their blood. Gone with the wind. Taken from her. So quick and without warning. She did not even know why. Why any of this happened. It was all over.

All gone.
12.65
Nimbus and Starry are dead. Her house torn apart. Rainbow Dash is… gone. It’s true. I caused all this. With the last of it gone, all the weight on her heart. Soul felt true pain inside her. One final cry coming from her mouth.

“Mommy! Daddy!” …Dashie… “Rainbow Dash!”

I love you all. It all slipped away. The cold was gone. Entirely. Her heart… felt warm. Even if it stung. I hate myself. No wonder everypony hates me. Even I do. I hate it. I hate it! I hate me! She should have never told Dash that lie, then none of this would have happened. It was wrong. And now they’re all gone. When all I want is a friend. When I don’t want to be sad. But that’s what life was to her now. It was true. Her life had finished. It was all gone now. Her dream… was gone.

All she could do was cry. Cry and miss everything. I miss it all. I miss everypony. I love them. Rainbow Dash was gone. Nimbus and Starry laid dead. All of it just to try and make Dash happy. Disappeared. All her chances. Like the last of the gusts of wind flowing through the house, the whispers of sorrow in them. The cold in her heart. Leaving just a small filly behind to deal with it all. To wish for the one thing she wanted too. Soul wanted to be happy as well.

I… I need to leave.
12.66
Soul wiped her tears. More just came. I don’t need anything else. She flapped her wings. They moved as she wanted. Taking her off the floor.

I don’t want to… she looked away from it all and flew right for the massive hole in the window, wailing and tears flowing from her eyes to rain upon the blood covered floor. Chilling in the winter air. Soul dashed out the window. Not looking back. Just ahead. Blood dripped onto her face from her drenched mane. She closed her eyes and ignored it all. Ignored the feeling. Ignored the blood.

…Ignored the ponies in front of her house. All the pegasi who she left behind, hearing their shocked cries until they disappeared.

Soul left them with it. She left it all behind. Never wanting to see it again. Never thinking she will have the strength to see it again. Doing what she always did. She fled. Fled for the one safe place she had. One place to feel like things were normal. Back when things were normal.

“I’m so sorry.” Goodbye.

I miss you all.
12.67
So… this is the place, huh?

Did not seem like it would serve what it now served as. So inconspicuous and pleasant. With the right amount of life in it. Vibrant colors and lovely scenery.

She looked out over the landing upon the clouds. Folding her massive wings back up from her flight. Just taking in the sight above it all and seeing this land out there. One so different now with all that has occurred. Like a veil had come over it. One only she had seen through the faces of the disheartened ponies of Cloudsdale and when she walked in. Past that destroyed doorway and got to see it all for herself. It would be best to forget it all. As much as she could. For now. It wasn’t right. Not something she should focus on when she needed to be strong enough to do this. For herself. For the city she looked out upon. With its vast and endless cloud expanses running to the horizon, torn through by the massive spires and towers of the great Pegasus city. Where the darker clouds hung high over it. A calm and beautiful winter day. Blanketed evermore in the snow coming down. That touched her back. A flake falling upon her nose. She ignored it. Ignored the cold.
12.68
So much grief inside her heart while looking out at it all. I come here so often, but I never knew I would ever come here feeling like this. To see the things I have seen. There it crept in again. Just so hard to forget it.

But I mustn’t get angry. Not now. This was not like any other situation. No. Not since I heard of it, I just can’t feel anger. It never came. Only pain in her heart. To see such tragedy befall the city. To see it effect so many. To see it effect the one she had a heavy heart for. No matter what she had heard. I just can’t get mad. She closed her eyes and looked away from the sight. Turning on towards what she had landed at. A break in the cloud walls surrounding the city. Where the waterfalls had turned to ice around it. A solitary hole that led down into darkness.

The ponies said this place was some sort of private sauna only a few were allowed to use. A place where pegasi could relax and have fun after a rough day of flying. Also… the last place she could think of now to look.
12.69
I’ve scoured this whole place for the past two days now. I’m so tired, but there is no time to sleep. I need to do this. This is one of the few places left from where everypony had said… she had flown off towards. A kind direction from the locals but she had to wave them off and say to them how she had to do this alone.

She was alone. Nopony around. None to join her as she trotted in through the opening and into the cavernous cloud sanctuary. She looked all around her. Stepping forth, amazed at this place. It was a lot brighter inside than it looked outside. Sunlight actually shone in. Following in her hoofsteps. Rays of light crisscrossing about her. Shining and gleaming along the walls and ceiling. Wait. No, that gleam was from… icicles. Hanging like long spears all along the ceiling. Like they threatened to fall off and skewer any below them.

She was not afraid. Intrigued. Really, this place must be beautiful. She could only imagine water streamed around here when it was warmer with how much ice was everywhere. Clinging to clouds all about. I really should come here to relax, but… she could tell, as she looked down the stairs that stood before her, the idea of it would be too much for her to handle.
12.70
This place made her feel more and more like… she was right. That made her gulp. Made her afraid. Down those stairs… must be something. A secluded place for ponies to rest. Safe from the wind and hailing snow.

So quiet. She heard her own breathing and her panicked whimper before she got the strength to step hoof down upon the stairs and she descended down into the depths of this place. Careful on the steps. Lots of ice. Though she could not stop looking all around her. Taking it all in. This place must be such a lovely thing for pegasi, even more for who she felt may be here. If she was here, this place must mean something to that pony. Something special. It really did feel safe down here from anything, and now she was here to break that calm with her heavy hoofsteps and flittering feathers upon her wings.

I just want this over, the pain is too much. Too much, she wanted to be there to do something. Something right… now that all the panic was strong in her mind. All the words she had heard, yet comfort still found its way into her heart. Enough to show it. Seeing the last step and the cloud wall below. Just as the pegasi had said. This place was an endless cavern of clouds. Walled in and few breaks in it. Yet there were places that one just had to look for. She was one of them. To find something more.

She pushed her hoof through and then stepped inside.
12.71
Incredible. It was so warm in here. Finding it truly to be a sauna. Even in the winter. Like she stepped into summer. Out of the icy air and into the bed of steam rising up and shrouding the air. Broken through from the Sun. One little ray of light coming down from high above, guiding her way. To step through the steam and look out onto a sight most wonderful. A lake, just as they all told her.

A lake inside of the clouds. Where it sat in endless warmth. So much, it felt even better than anything she had felt from normal saunas. A nice, warm and so very hospitable place for ponies to be. To relax and escape the cold. To see just how beautiful nature could be. I really wish I could come here more often. It only took her one quick look at it all to see how it was, and then staring forward to know for sure… this was one place she could never see again as her heart plummeted and all her fears were made so. All the sense of beauty in here… gone.

She lowered her head. Down to the banks of the lake she stood over. Listening to the water ripple and rock so subtly.
12.72
So it is true. It is all true. Just when she was starting to hope she may not find anything here. Anything this soon. Though it was bound to happen. Eventually, all of this would come to her and she would need to deal with it alone. But I have to do it. For all ponies… and one in particular. Most important to her after what happened.

A pony out in the water before her.

Deep in the steam. But she saw her. None other than a filly who sat across from her. Looking out upon the water that separated them both. Separate but not apart as both ponies stared out to one another.

She looked down upon her. The other pony looked up to her. As still as could be. A filly all alone out here. It had to be her. It had to be and her chest felt so much tighter. Forcing all she could to make a smile. To not show how broken she was. To watch any pony that she cared about become this.
12.73
What should I do? She must be afraid. Terrified after everything. I am probably not the pony she wants to see after it all. I wish I could be. Oh… but I must be.

Even as they both stood there motionless for so long. With the wind howling outside and waterfalls crashing down all around them. Both frozen in a scene together. She could not run away. She knew this. And I don’t want her to run from me. I want to protect her. To protect all ponies. No matter what. That is why she lent a hoof out towards her.

“Come now, young one. It’s all okay. I won’t hurt you.” Silence. So silent. But I need to be there for her. I can’t give up.

“I know you are afraid. I know everything that you have been through has been a lot. This is not something a young pony like you should have to suffer. Even for just a moment… would you allow me to be there for you? After it all… you are still my little pony.”

She sat herself down. Giving the pony… her first real smile in so long. Regardless of the situation, she is still one of my youngest ponies. I can’t help but see her as anything less no matter what others say. I am open to her. She opened her hooves to her. Pleased to hear the water shift.
12.74
The filly rushed forward. Panting behind the steam. Her shadow growing more and more. Coming right towards her. I’m not afraid. I can’t be. Not of the sweet thing that ran through the steam. A filly as innocent looking as any other she had ever seen before. Her magenta fur. Her silver and violet tipped mane.

You must be her. You are her.

She smiled for the filly. Holding herself still for when the filly did something she knew her to do. No reason to be afraid of her. Only to pity her. The filly hugged her. Threw herself right into her hooves and did all she could to try and clench her tiny legs around the large body she tried to hug. Even for a moment, I’ll be there for you. I promise, as she listened to the filly weep beneath her. Burying her face into her fur.

This must be the most comfort you have gotten in so long. I’m so sorry. I just hope… I’m not the last to be there for you. She wrapped her huge, white wings over the filly. Circling her hooves around her, careful to keep her adorning regalia upon her hooves from poking at the filly. She held the crying pony close. Hushing her. Staying like that for so long. I’ll give you the comfort you want. As long as you need it. But a time will come when we must go. Together. Back out into a world gripped in fear, yet she was able to feel all that fear leave her and warmth in her heart. A brief respite. From the most unlikely of ponies to give her a little happiness on top of the massive grief she felt deep down. Knowing what needed to be done. Later. For now, just rest.

She looked down upon Soul Serenity.

“You will always be my little pony” Princess Celestia said to her.
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Her head was pounding. That knocking sound, it rang so much, sure didn’t help it.

How drowsy she was, the entire world spun and her dizziness settled. Finally. Enough for Soul to see again. See the same sight once more. Nothing changed. Staring up at the pale white ceiling. Not a cloud in sight. So unlike anything like a Cloudsdale home. But that’s just how it was.

This just wasn’t Cloudsdale. Not anymore.

Yet every time she saw this, it only reminded her of home. How much she missed it. Waking up to it once more. In a room that was not her own. The ringing in her head died off. Slowly. Just a dull ping left from all directions. Her only company. The only sound that broke from the monotony. She closed her eyes. Opened them again. Nothing changed. Soul Serenity still found herself in the same world she had been in for so long now. The quiet. The loneliness. All of it came back to her. Revealing herself to be back inside a life she did not enjoy waking up to. As much as she hated to, she kept her eyes open. Laying against the soft pillow gently caressing her head. Awake to another. The day, as she had heard. Though she still did not know what it meant. She hardly knew much of anything about it all anymore. Just that her head hurt and her back chafed.
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Soul sat up. Slowly leaving that lovely pillow. Finding the golden blankets laced in fine black and red stitches there covering her up. Keeping her warm all night long in the winter chill of the land. Sometimes that cold got in and really did drop the temperature.

She was almost mistaken right there. For a moment, like so many other times, she thought this may be her own bed. No. Of course not. Wherever that was, long gone. This bed kept her just as warm. Just as soft. Yet she hated it. Luxurious and beautiful. It just wasn’t right at all. But that’s just how it was. How all of this was. Waking up, not in her own bed, to find herself in this room once more as every day that passed. Three walls of pure white. Combed in beautiful banners of blue to blanket the walls. Shining so bright. The sunlight hit her.

Soul covered her eyes for a moment and then she looked. Back out to a scene she missed. Out through the one window in its thick glass. To see the sky once more. My only friend. How I miss you. Soul sighed. I really just don’t want to. Her legs moved though. What else was there to do? Hard to do much when she felt this pitiful.
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She kicked her blankets off. Hearing something fall to the floor which made her jump and then calm when she saw what it was. A book. The one she had been reading before she passed out last night. Nothing special. Just another one of the many history books that lined the shelves of the bookcase at the far end of the room. Not like the flight books she so very missed to read.

She didn’t bother to put it back. She only fell upon all four hooves next to it when she dropped down. Hearing the clanging behind her when she moved. She didn’t care on it. Hearing it a million times now. Every time she moved. I just wish I wouldn’t need to hear it. Even for one day.

Soul frowned deeply. Just to get that feeling again. The one I want. The filly stepped forth towards the window. Always being her one source of comfort. Coming close each day to sit before it and look out at the sky. For hours. Just thinking. Just dreaming. It was a beautiful day out there. The Sun was shining deep inside the thick cloud layer up there in the giant skies that showed her their beauty, like their own good morning to her. The snow still fell. A lot. Some days it came down so bad that the window was blanketed in it. Most days, it did this.

Just a gentle fall. Enough to keep the outside fresh in a layer of snow, she bet… if only she could see what it was like outside. The window too tall. Locked in place, she found no way to even move its thick berth. Only there to show her the world outside like it mocked her.
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It really did, every day. Yet she always came here to sit before it. The most enthralling thing in her life. Even if she hated it. Just because it gave her that one little glimpse she wanted of the world she so deeply missed. One of open skies. One of freedom. For her to fly through once more. How long has it been?

That’s right… two months.

Two months since she last felt… that air out there. How it went through her feathers. Kissed her cheek. Give her some pride of being a Pegasus. Pride in her talent. I really want to again. Soul didn’t cry. It was something she cried so much over for weeks at first. I’m used to it now. Didn’t change that she wanted it. How I would love to spread my wings once more and enjoy that loving touch the sky always gave me. The one friend who never left me. Not like everypony else.

Instead, I left it. Until the day… Soul put her hoof upon the wall beneath the window. Looking up to it. The day I can fly in that lovely sky once more. I just don’t know for how long. For how very long. Her wings ached. Really wanting to stretch them. Exercise them. She still remembered all the techniques she had learned. But the chances of practicing them now gone, it ate at her.

It’s my punishment. Something Soul had grown to accept. Because she was a bad pony. Bad to all who had ever known her and bad to herself. That’s why I got these.
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Soul looked back upon what it was that clanked loudly when she tried to move her wings once more. The reminder that her life was not hers anymore. Not when she couldn’t fly. Not when she was held back. Both her wings held inside steel. The long brace that encased them entirely, never to be seen. It felt a little tight today.

Her wings really were hurting and her back was sore. Laying on this thing was not fun at all. Not being able to move her wings, it hurt too. Not so much physically. But it hurt so much. She hated to look at it. Hated to see it there. A constant reminder of her mistakes. Of her stupidity.

I deserve it. She tried to spread her wings once more and only heard them hit the shell inside. Its only right for my dreams to be taken from me. Even if what I did was right. Soul never let go of that thought. All this time. All the blood and fear. All the pain and tears. Suffering it all for something that was right even as it haunted her memories. Haunting so deep, it was all she had left of that terrible day. I… I killed them. I killed those two.

I did it for the right thing.
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What would be the point of going on if she knew she had failed? Failed to keep hold of what she vowed to do. To do anything. Anything for that one pony.

Soul looked outside once more. The one pony who was out there. Somewhere. Free. Happy. All because of me. Not a day went by when Soul wondered if that pony would be happy now if she had not done what she did. She gets to fly freely. Pursue her dreams. Make friends and live. Live with her family. Live with joy. While I stay in here. Because nopony listens. That’s okay though. I deserve this.

After all, I was a terrible friend to that pony. Something Soul will never forgive herself for. I threw away my life, my happiness, my family. All for her happiness. And I didn’t even prove to be a good friend to her.

Now, Rainbow Dash could live on, living with the last words Soul had told to her. That I hate her. Never the truth. Otherwise I wouldn’t be hurting for you. I wouldn’t sit here every day and wonder how you are doing. Are you awake now? If so, how long have you been? Are you out there training? Did Windy… give you a kiss goodbye this morning? The perfect family that Soul missed. The life they had that she was no longer a part of. As long as I’m stuck in here.

I made them all leave me. Soul was never wanted. Never loved. Dash said it herself. She hates me. She should. I hate me too. I mean, what idiot would force their own best friend to abandon them? Me. So that’s why I’m here. Soul looked past her wings and turned around. Facing the last and darkest wall of this room she had to herself. A constant reminder of her failures. Of her pain. Of how much she was hated. The thing that kept her from the world she missed so much and the life that was gone forever.

Bars.
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Locking her away forever.

Soul stepped back up to those same bars. These bars so tightly packed together, she could only stare out of them and into the empty hallway beyond. Where few came and went. None who would talk to her. Leaving the filly all alone in the comfort of her silent room. Soul sniffled. Staring down at her hooves. I really wish I had a friend right now. I really wish I had not been so stupid. This was her punishment. Well aware of what it was.

Imprisonment. Because… they all call me a murderer. When all I did was the right thing. Nopony will ever understand. It didn’t matter. I have nopony left for me. Everypony hates me and my best friend is gone forever. She will never get to know the life I have now. How so very sad she was. Deep inside. Where her heart ached every day, and Soul just no longer cared about anything else. Just focusing on that one pain inside her, greater than that of anywhere else. I go from a life of joy with ponies who love me… to this. Just shows… nopony ever loved me.

Soul looked up and eyed him. Especially him. A stallion trotted down the hallway towards her. Looked like he held a plate in his mouth. She knew what that meant. Really the only nice thing she could ever expect for herself anymore. To them all, to all ponies, I’m just something to hate. I should be used to it by now. Her own mother hated her. Rainbow Dash hated her. Still, she didn’t like it. I just want somepony there for me. No… I’m always meant to be a bad pony.
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Soul sat down before the bars and waited. Keeping her head low. Not out of pain. She was afraid. As the hoofsteps grew louder. Till they stopped before her. Nothing came.

She flinched. Anticipating something. Anything. Keeping her eyes closed. Truly becoming a defenseless filly as she always was. But it was true. Nothing came to her. No pain or hurt inside her. No insults hurled at her, words to make her cry. Nothing even struck her.

She just lifted her ears when the plate touched the floor before her. Scared at first of the sound. Sounded so close to when she was sent flying across the floor and left to cry against the wall with a scar on her forehead. Or was that another pony who did that? They all looked the same to her. They all did the same to her. How nice of them, Soul thought as she slowly opened her eyes once more. Nice how they do not do any of that stuff when… when she is around. Princess Celestia. Just… another pony she grew to know as no different from any other.

The princess hates me too. No matter how sweet her voice is. No matter how often she comes by and tries to talk to me about stupid things like life or books or even food and cakes. There was not one pony out there who didn’t hate her. She was so happy… to not be struck right now.
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Soul got her food when the plate that the pony had been holding was let down and pushed in through the bars for her. Soul only looked at it and then, with much hesitation, she looked up at him. Another one of the armored guards she always saw in this place. Every day, a new one each time. Though they all wore the same golden and black studded armor all along their entire bodies. Shining bright in the light and reaching up to their rimmed helmets where she barely saw his eyes looking down at her. Vacant eyes that just didn’t move or care with seeing her.

None of these guards really cared for her. She came to know that. Probably just want to see me hurt and sad all the time. “Eat” he said in a hushed voice and then he trotted off from her. Leaving her there alone to watch him leave, though she was still shocked that she had not been struck, and so very relieved.

Yet, as she looked down at her food, she bit her lip. Just a plate of food. She… she wanted to ask.

“Can…” a long pause. Rare did she speak in here, her voice was a little ragged and she had to clear it. “Can I have some water, please…?” I hate eating without something to drink… or having to go the past day without anything to drink. That question actually made the guard stop and look back. With the same unfeeling look she grew to accept from them.
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“Her majesty said for you to eat so you will only eat. Go on now. You have a big day, freak.”

I’m not… a freak. Soul lowered her head as he walked away. “I’ll be back when you’re done. The princess wants to see you” he called back to her. They are always so mean. All because I did something bad… but it was the right thing to do. None of them will ever understand. None seemed to anyways. Leaving only Soul there to believe that what she did was what needed to be done to save the one pony out there she still loved. She still missed. That I hope to see again.

I really want to leave this place, she looked down at her food. Eat the food I miss and… not this crap. But to eat with Dash once again. Like we did on Hearth’s Warming Eve. Such a long time ago. Felt like forever. But it won’t happen, will it? At least… I would love for her to come and visit me. Not the princess again. So I get to see her again today. Great.

I really don’t care anymore. About anything. Anything other than what she believed. I… killed those monsters for her. To save a pony. I just hate how everypony hates me for it. The one right thing I have ever done in my life. Still a mistake. Soul sighed so slightly. It’s not worth being sad over. Though she felt a little tear on the corner of her eye.
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I will always be this. A sad pony all alone in this place. Never to feel like anypony loves me. That’s all I ever wanted. It was enough to make her look lifeless. Sitting before the plate and then reaching down to eat the steamed greens and fruits she had been given.

Better than her normal food here but it was all the same to her. Eating alone, left in here forever. To always feel sad. To never smile again. Like it has been. For how could she ever be happy again?

She finished it all up and wished to have something to drink now. Well… at least the princess is coming. Maybe she would be nice enough to get me something. She always was giving to her. Until then… more of the same. Soul left the plate and went back to her bed. Having not even the strength to try and climb up. She just fell down next to the bedside and curled up. Hearing the rattle of the metal around her wings as it banged against the bed. All because she tried to cover herself up with them. Left to only use her long tail to wrap herself up and lay there for so long. Like every other day.

I don’t want to read. I don’t want to do anything. Not without the life she had lost. It's gone. Gone forever. How much I miss it. I just would like there to be a day where somepony came and hugged me. I want a hug. Right now. I want to lay in my own bed. I want to eat food that was made for me. From ponies that care about me. I want to fly again.

But most importantly, she wanted her friend again.
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Soul opened her eyes, thinking she may have whacked the metal brace on her against something, but no. The loud clank that startled her was actually… the bars… sliding open. Princess? Soul sat up. Finding not the princess, but two of the guards. Strong in their looks with such long horns upon their heads.

You’re… oh no, please don’t hurt me. They looked so strong to her. Such frightening stallions. Really… I just want to go home. I hate being here, always afraid. I hate it. Please. She heard them walk towards her from out her closed eyes and she backed against the bedside. Folding up again and hiding under her hooves.

“Don’t hit me…” she begged of them. I don’t like it. It hurts… please. Rainbow Dash, where are you? I want you with me again. The only time I didn’t feel afraid… was with you. I’d give up everything for you.

“Get up” she heard one of them say above her. Soul didn’t even get a chance to get up, not before two hooves slipped under her chest and forced her onto her hooves. That was what made her open her eyes once more to see the guard pointing ahead for her. “Time to leave.”

She eyed the open bars ahead of her and then a gentle nudge to her rump. Making her finally walk. Stumped as to why. Followed right after by both guards. But… why? What is going on? Soul stopped at where the room ended and hesitated to even set hoof outside of the bars. Am… am I being allowed to leave? Another push to her rear. She kept walking, then realizing she set hoof outside the bars for the first time since she came here. She was walked off. Into the hallway and away from that lonely room.

Wherever she was going, she did not know. To be honest, she didn’t care either. Sadly trudging along where she was sent off to. Thinking to herself just how much she wanted things back to normal. She knew that they never will be. Nopony wanted her. Everypony abandoned her. Her mind went blank. The first tear finally fell from her face. Rainbow Dash hates me. So really… all of this… I deserve whatever comes to me.

But I really don’t want it.

None of this.
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I really want none of this. Yet here she was dealing with it on a day she had not been looking forward to for so long. Since the day she had to bring the filly here to the castle. Just knowing that once the word got out, that things would all lead to this. In a scene she had not been a part of for so very long.

Within the glimmering throne room she had not had to use for such a thing for so very long. Except there was one big difference. Long ago, it was in another throne room. Not this one. But now, now this one got to see the same thing. Give her the same feel as it haunted her.

Princess Celestia looked to the high ceiling above the throne with its panes lighting the halls in the sunlight that pierced through the sheets of snow that began to reform over the castle. Like the Sun she had to look up to long ago for this same thing. Lacking that shroud of darkness eclipsing it. Gone full circle again. Those memories hurt. But she really did not want to do that. To repeat the same thing. None of this bode well for her. For her happiness.

Really, did any of them even know just how much this put on her? How much it made her upset. The ponies all spread about within the throne room. Atop the stands and booths all along the walls to overlook the open chamber below from which she presided over. Dozens of ponies. Talking among themselves. Shaking their heads and just exposing how much this all affected them. Such is the case for something like this.
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Just incoherent chatter. Ramblings of dignitaries and emissaries from all across Equestria. Filled with the same venomous tongue that made her flinch.

The air felt heavy in here. Noticeable, for this room she overlooked each day never had this feeling before. She couldn’t blame them all. All these ponies. Really… the same things she got to deal with for two months now. So many sleepless nights. So many harsh meetings and angry complaints. Celestia was exhausted. She did all she could to not show it. Keeping her luscious wings as vibrant as ever and her rapturous crown to shine perfect behind her horn. As golden as her smile she faked to every pony who passed her waved. Off to take their seats. To find their booths to watch over this decision to be made. Whichever one should be made.

They all had something to say to her. Weeks and weeks of demands and requests. Hitting at her mind and reminding her just how big a situation she was in now. Because this situation was unlike any other. Over something that had not been seen in Equestria for centuries. All from… a little girl.
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That poor and frightened thing. All I did to keep her safe and keep her company. Yet I know I can’t protect her forever. These past two months had been impossible to make that happen. Three guards now she had to punish for finding out what they did to the filly when Celestia did not look. However many more may still do it… she dreaded it.

All these ponies in here she could tell felt the same sympathy as those guards.

I just hate it. All the anger she felt daily from it and how sad she was to know what the filly was going through. She only wanted it to end for her. For ponies to see reason. It may be too late. “Well I heard her home was blocked off and nopony is allowed there. Quite a gruesome sight.” Celestia’s ears perked. Turning slightly towards her left where she could spot the ponies in the booth closest to her talking among themselves. “She honestly doesn’t deserve a home, the wretch should rot forever.” “That may be too kind for the likes of her.”

Really? Celestia lowered her head. This is what ponies come to… when fear takes them. As she had seen for so long now. Wherever she looked. Like she did now, staring across all the many ponies within the chamber and their roars and chatter rumbling the throne she sat upon. Ponies from all over. Manehattan. Vanhoover. Los Pegasus. No place was safe from the same fear and hate she had to deal with towards the filly as the news spread far and wide.

“If only it had not come to this…” Celestia whispered to herself. My own throne room to become this place where fear and hate flourish. Even she felt it. I just can’t get out of it. Despite all I tried to do.
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The great doors at the end of the chamber closed shut with a resounding bang. More of the guards quick to line up around that doorway in their stalwart lines. The ponies who had just came in must be the last of the dignitaries. No more will be allowed in now. The guard was on point. Surrounding the chamber now. The biggest lineup of guards she had seen the captains enforce. Like they turned her own throne room into a military parade. All for safety… apparently. No, she knew it was to keep the guests here feeling safe.

Terror can really grip powerful ponies. Especially when they saw the ghastly sights of the corpses… and heard what had been seen. Enough to make even Celestia’s stomach churn when… when she had to go to the scene itself. She had talked to so many. The same ponies lots of the other officials here had talked to as well. All of them learning what had happened, and… oh joy. Celestia frowned seeing him before her even spoke.

“Your majesty, oh I humbly thank you for hosting this little council” a stallion garbed in black over his shining scarlet coat said, none other than one of the two ponies she had the honor of accompanying together to see the sight themselves. The mayor of Baltimare. One of the many guests from across Equestria. Come to greet me before making me go through with this?

Celestia tried her best to smile to the stallion who came before her on his way to… what she hoped was his seat so he would be out of her sight. “Perhaps afterwards you and I can go for a drink to celebrate the decisions to be made here” he spoke as he passed. As cold as he had been when they had to be together to see the scene.
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“After all… I trust you will make the right decision” he grinned. “I wouldn’t want my son to inherit these problems. Or to live in the same land as a monster like that.” That did make her flinch. I hate that word. So mad she could not put him in his place now in front of all these ponies. Or she was just too tired to do so. She no longer knew. Only wanting it to be done.

“Greetings, sir” she tried to express any joy left in her. “I’m glad you made it and am flattered… but I will have to pass on that offer. Please take your seat.” He giggled. Headed off to his own booth. “Prove them all wrong… dear princess.” “My decision will be my own” she informed him. No matter… what you all think.

Even if this all had to happen. Even if I need to deal with it. I can at least still feel for her, which was impossible to lose. After all, she is just a little filly. One of my young subjects. No matter what is said, I can only feel pity. Even as I have to do this.

Celestia stood up off her thrown and came up to the podium before her. Atop that pedestal rising high over the chamber floor. Where her shadow came over it all, and silence began to fall with them all noticing her. She set her hooves down. There is where I must be… to make my decision. Normally, papers would be here upon this podium. None this time. She needed nothing to tell her what to say. Though she had no idea. So many voices. I feel I am right, yet he is right too. Really, what should I do? She looked to her side and wondered.

What would you do… sister?
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“Trust what you believe in, your majesty.” Breaking her out of her gaze. Finding it was not the voice she had thought it to be, but it was familiar. From a mare who stood before her. The last of the guests. None other than the other pony she had escorted too through the scene in Cloudsdale.

“Ms. Mare, I’m… actually glad you made it” Celestia said to the pink maned pony. “I wouldn’t leave you to deal with this alone” the pony said to her. Really, one of the few voices of reason she could listen to here. The few ponies who she could be around and not feel so broken over all this. She was happy to have the young mayor of Ponyville here. Always such a sweetheart even during tough times. If only we had time to talk.

“Thank you so much for coming, I really did need a friendly face for all this. Its… been tough” Celestia told her. “I can only imagine what it’s like, but you had to make these decisions before… just this time, you have a friend you can count on.” Ms. Mare placed her hoof upon the pedestal and then turned off on her way. Not before saying one last thing. Something that shook Celestia to her core. “Do the right thing instead of what fear tells you to do.”

You mean… like back then? So very long ago.

Decisions, decisions. Yet she had to make one. But would it be right? Either that… or what everypony else demanded her to do to a filly. A mere filly. I hate to make any choice, but I have to. For the ponies of my land. And… for her. Strange for the alicorn to once again feel some sort of comfort from the simple earth pony. Yet Ms. Mare always managed it. Even if it was a little unsettling. “Thank you, dear. I’d love to have a drink with you later” Celestia said after her. “I think we will both need it after this” Ms. Mare nodded back to her with a frown and went off to her booth. Yes. We do.

Like that, …it all fell quiet. The last pony to arrive. All knew their place. As did Celestia. The princess dreaded it. But… now that all were here… it could begin.
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Silence preceded the clank of heavy doors opening. All turned to it. Towards the doors that flooded sunlight in behind the princess. Behind the throne. Opening up this scene to a lone figure who stood in the shadow of the alicorn. Both of them reunited once more, though neither could smile.

Celestia turned away, unable to watch the filly gripped in terror upon her face. Then whimpering when the filly was made to move onwards by the guards. Neither could lock eyes. There were no bars to keep them apart now, but they felt so far apart. As she got to witness such a young and beautiful pony forced to step past her. Made to stand before all the ponies around here.

Poor Soul Serenity. Though I feel I am the only one here who feels that way. All the council she held with these dignitaries. All the meetings and inquiries. For her to see how much they truly did despise this sweet filly. Surprising how quiet the room stayed. So solemn when both ponies caught glimpses of the other as Soul passed.

Celestia there to see the pain inside that tired, young face. How pathetic she had become. With her wings chained behind her and damp streaks along the fur of her face. It made the princess’ own heart weep. That this needs to be done to her. That I need to do something for this filly. Something neither of us will like. I would much rather do something else. When Soul was herded in front of Celestia. Standing all alone as the guards left her. The filly in the middle of the entire chamber. Trembling on her hooves. The Sun upon her. All eyes surrounding her. Looking up to the princess. Like she begged for help. Not knowing what was happening at all.

I would much rather comfort you. Sit you down and read to you… like I did the first night she came here. Those times were all gone. Now, now both ponies were here. Not alone together in a room upon a cozy bed. But staring up and down at one another with the eyes of the land upon them both. A land that hated this filly.
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Months of review. Months of planning and talks. Of investigation and questioning. Some of the longest nights Celestia had ever dealt with. Why she was always so tired. So broken. The more and more she learned, the closer it came to this day. To this moment when the alicorn had to stop being the joy she wanted to be in this pony’s life and become the one who would stare down upon her. Where Soul was busy staring across the large chamber at all the ponies who stared at her. All these ponies she didn’t even know and Celestia just wondered if the filly could sense the harsh tone in the air like she could right now. Now that everypony got to see the one who they all had heard of. To see she really was nothing more than a child. All coming just to see whatever it is I decide to do with her.

Though I know exactly what they want me to do.

The question was, should she even let the filly know? For how else was she to… punish this pony? Like any stern mother who disciplined their child. She really wished it would be left at that, just a lecture of the child. No. It cannot be.

As Celestia slammed her hoof upon the pedestal and rang it loud across the chamber. Turning all to her but, most of all, making the filly jump to turn towards her. Back to where she felt heartbroken at seeing the pain in her face and the fear inside of her. Two long months. Finally leading up to this moment. I’m sorry.
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“Mares and gentlecolts of Equestria” Celestia sounded out over them all. Forcing any semblance of strength out in her voice. “I have brought all of you here today, as per your requests and the decision I have made for myself, to bring this matter that has shaken all of us to a close. In whatever way, it remains to be decided. Heeded by all your counsel and advise, I seek to make the final choice today.”

She looked out across all the many faces who looked upon her. From all over Equestria. From Ponyville’s Earth ponies. Canterlot’s unicorns, and the fellow pegasi from Soul’s own city. All walks of life. All across the land, as all of Equestria would know what it was that would happen here today. Along with the guilt inside Celestia that she kept hidden from them all of forcing this poor filly out in front of all of them. The little pony unable to even move. Like a defiant stand before her, if Soul had not been shaking.

No, all she could do was stand and wait for the princess. Not at all knowing what was happening, but she no doubt knew what it had to do with. Soul always had done a good job of appearing so mellow and lost whenever Celestia had seen her, but it was obvious there was a deep pain inside her. If only I knew what caused it. Soul just never would talk to her. Just know what it is and learn why it was you did what you did.
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Celestia paused for so long. Seeing that she was stalling. She stopped. Looking back up at them all. “It is my hope that… on this day, something right can be made out of all the wrong that has affected all of us. As your princess, I…” she gulped. Just unable to stare Soul in the eyes without feeling like such a cruel pony. Without even trying to. To do something right, not just for Equestria, but for the pony before her too. After all, this pony was one of her subjects.

“It is with a heavy heart… that I must carry out this process.” She spoke sadly. Able to hear a small chatter amongst the crowd now knowing her feelings on this. Very well. I need to speak my mind freely. I need to know for sure. As it was just getting too hard to make the right choice. What every pony wanted me to do. To a child. I… I just can’t… not yet.

She was always a quiet filly and so reserved. Even so, there being something in her that made Celestia always pause before leaving her to her cell. She slammed that hoof down again. The sound of metal from her golden horseshoe against the podium silencing all. Meant to silence them. Not to scare Soul.

Where Celestia returned to seeing just who it was before her. A defenseless filly with her wings tied behind her. Whom never did speak to her though the princess wanted her to. Now more than ever.

I want to know.
12.97
“Such a burden I feel to do this… I simply can’t without first doing something” she spoke to all. She cleared her throat. “On this morning, I stand before Soul Serenity of Cloudsdale and extend my hoof to her… not as her princess, but… as a friend who only wants to know the truth. Will you accept it, Soul and listen to me?”

The princess rose a hoof over the podium towards the pony down before her. So much silence as the entire land watched and waited alongside the princess in seeing just what it was that unfolded here. When today was meant to be a punishment, I seek only to delay it… or even to end this day another way.

Please, Soul… will you listen to me? She had no idea on what to expect. If the filly down there would walk up and even place her own tiny hoof to Celestia’s larger one. Some miracle out of all these days and weeks of misery. Yet I expect that out of a terrified pony who has lost everything and knows only pain in this world. This world she does not belong in anymore. Unless something can be done. For once. For you to tell me. I stalled this day for too long, now is the last chance I can give you. Soul did not move. The filly just waited and watched. Dumbstruck even. As expected. But she never let her eyes off the princess. Nopony spoke.

Do I have my chance to speak?
12.98
“We have all had to bear witness to the reality of what has happened to our land. Something that has never been seen for hundreds of years. Two months ago, two ponies were found slain in their home in Cloudsdale. Nimbus Swiftshot, a proud mare who headed the Junior Speedster’s flight camp’s young trainees. Along with her husband, Starry Veil, assistant and private trainer at Junior Speedster’s. A scene very few of you had seen, and a scene I wish nopony more would have to see.” Such as I.

“These two young pegasi had their lives cut short in the most dreadful of manners that Equestria had thought itself to be rid of long ago. Both ponies were beloved by their students and valued by all of Cloudsdale as champions of the youth and future flyers of Equestria. Wonderfully skilled flyers and kind souls. Kind enough to adopt a young filly into their home. Where they devoted themselves to training her, nurturing her, and giving her a path in life.” Like a truly beautiful sense of family Celestia had got from them from all the words she had heard. A dream life. Made her wonder so much how lovely the dream had been… now that it was gone. Cut so short.

She couldn’t believe it to be true if she had not seen and heard all that she had to lately. It took a toll on her. To see such tragedy befall her land. Reminded her so much of herself.
12.99
“Soul Serenity stands before me as that adopted filly. …Accu…” Celestia hated this so much. She had to finish this. She had to do this. But one last chance. I need to. I need closure for this pony. The one thing nopony else would give her.

“Accused of… taking the lives of the two who had… cared for her.” Her tongue rolled up after that. Looked like everypony noticed how hard it was for her to say all this. It was. Taking life. It just can’t be. But she had seen it all. All these ponies had heard of it all, and as much as they would like to see her deal with this, she would do this first. “I offer you the chance to speak to me… as I have wanted you to. To tell me what it is that is on your mind. What it is that bothers you. Why all of this happened. And what it is that you are holding back from me. Soul Serenity, I offer you the chance to speak for yourself in front of the land. But, most importantly, to me. As I am the one who sees differently.”

She addressed them all. “I came to you many nights and spoke to you. Spent time with you to learn more about you and, while you never spoke to me on it, I could see you were something more than what we all have come to see. I could see there is something… inside you. Something you are holding back. As the pony who wants to help you, I will listen to you. Tell me.”
12.100
That was what caused the uproar. So many of the dignitaries standing up in their seats to yell out at this. At what the princess wanted. To hear Soul speak. Celestia closed her eyes. “She doesn’t deserve to speak!” “You think you can trust her?” “She killed them!”

I really don’t know anymore. Know what to do. Who was right? So many ponies had seen Soul do it. Too many. A weapon had been found there covered in so much blood, and the unicorns had found it to be used by… this filly. But that was it. She was just a filly. Pulling off that… scene? That is what left her torn. To do what the land needed or… to do what Celestia needed. Help me decide, Soul. Help me ignore it all, even as Celestia drowned out all the noise and heard only the faint taps of small hooves upon the floor. Of a filly stepping toward her. One step, two. Then she stopped. Terrified. Celestia could tell.

“Silence” she spoke softly. Somehow reaching all their ears. Everypony slowly falling silent with only a few hushed whispers that too died off. It is my decision to make.
12.101
Opening her eyes once more to the filly. To turn to her and let her see that, right now, it was only her and the princess. Like every other time. No different. So please, talk to me and tell me what is wrong. What had happened? Without it, nothing would change. Even when I really want for her dream to come back. A dream that all young ponies want. Whatever hers is, I don’t want to take it. But all these voices. All this hatred towards the filly.

Help me calm it, Soul. So you may get that dream back.

Soul only slid a hoof over her leg. Staring down at the floor. Just seeing her little eyes looking out left and right upon all the ponies around them. I know it’s hard. She must feel it too. The hateful looks in here. How hard it was to breath in here. With such suspense in it all. She wanted to find the end of it as much as Celestia wanted. So please talk to me.

“It’s okay, Soul. It’s just you and I. You can tell me anything.” She only heard the filly whimper. A sound that made the princess cringe. Even worse than the tears she had seen on the filly before. Nothing more could make her pity the pony more than that. Extend her hoof out to her once more as time passed. Silence settling yet the storm in here did not die. Yet each moment was like a knife to Celestia’s chest. Till it became hard to breath without feeling the heaviness on her heart. Growing so as the filly stayed quiet.
12.102
“You can trust me.”

Soul turned to Celestia. Upon hearing those words, the little pony perked her ears. Where she could find that she really was not alone. Celestia made the choice. She stepped down from the pedestal. Away from the podium. Onwards down to stand with Soul. “I know you are afraid” she said to the filly. Stepping closer. Doing her best to show just how it was that she was calm with Soul. That Soul should be calm with her.

“I know things have been tough for you and you have gone through a lot. Trust me, I understand… what it’s like to go through so much turmoil.” I still feel the pain all the time. Though she always did a good job at hiding it. She wondered if the silent filly knew what it was she referred to. One last thing she wanted to show to the filly, to prove to all that we aren’t so different. She has every right to be afraid, and so do I. I don’t want to let her feel hopeless here. Hopeless while I feel so backed into a corner. A corner that grew tighter for Celestia as all watched her. Expected of her.

If only she had something to show them all. So Soul can go back to who she was. To what she had before.
12.103
“I lost my own sister. My little sister, the… the very pony who loved me so much. Who was always there to protect me and help me. My one and only family. We did everything together. We played and learned. We attended get togethers and dress rehearsals. Fought one another with food one time. We made quite a mess together.” She smiled remembering that all. “Such happy times that we had together. But… I still lost her. And it was my fault.”

Look into my eyes, Soul. Celestia looked down at her. Look and see just who it is that is your princess. Not something you should fear, but a pony much like you. I may have wings and a horn and status, yet I won’t let it make you feel fear. Right now, I am just like you. This last moment for us to have together. “I never even knew just how sad she truly was. My dearest sister… I miss her so much. So much.” Celestia fought back a tear.

So long. I only hope to see her soon. For me to apologize to her. “And it is all because of me that I feel this way. Even after everything, I still was the one who sent her away. And I regret it so much. Yet none seem to ever understand how it is I feel about it. Because nopony ever knew loss like I did. Except… for you.” Soul shuddered a little from that. Gripped by what Celestia said. As is my hope.

We are not too unlike one another. Can you trust me enough to tell me what bothers you… as I do for you? “I never forgave myself for it, not until I can apologize to her… I never will forgive myself. My dear sister. Maybe… you understand what it is like. For something to eat away at you. Like it hurts in here.”

Celestia placed a hoof to her chest. That is what made Soul’s eyes actually widen.
12.104
“Sometimes… it’s good to talk to another who understands” Celestia said, as she could tell Soul did. “Tell them all about what troubles you. Would you do that for me? Can you trust me now that I told you what bothers me?”

Celestia did it. She offered her hoof to the pony. So close to her. Close enough for Soul to reach out and touch it if she would. Where Soul stared at that large hoof. Then back up to Celestia with a look that told her something like the filly was asking if she may touch it. No matter how small you are, you are no different from I.

I will listen to you. Soul.

Celestia let her. Offered it to her. Under the gaze of all of Equestria. To see if she would trust her. I know how hard it’s been. But you can still trust one who trusts you. I will trust you, Soul. Then the pony looked back down. Soul lifted a hind leg. Like ready to step forward to Celestia. But… it held in the air. Before that hoof came back down to ground.

Celestia’s question was answered. Soul looked away. Closing her eyes and taking a step back. Away from the hoof given to her. I see. Though it hit so hard, and Celestia’s heart plummeted. Just like every other time. Soul does not trust me. Not at all. The filly shook. Even too afraid to accept what was offered to her. Shocked but also… angry. The filly shied away from her with all the hate and fear in the land laid upon her. As Celestia knew.
12.105
Whatever chance Celestia ever had to connect with her was gone. It had always been gone. The filly was the same as she had been when she first came here. Alone and afraid. But something more. That is what it was. Celestia just did not accept being unable to see what it was this filly was truly feeling. But she could tell one thing. Whatever it was, it hurt the filly.

Something happened to her. It had to be… to be enough to do what it was that she had done. Yet I will never know. Painful enough so that she never smiled. Never showed happiness. Celestia had to accept it. With all that had happened and all she felt around her, this pony… poor Soul, she will not be happy again. Much like another pony out there, far out there, that she too feared would not be happy again.

Soul no longer gave her a chance. Set before her, terrified. Shaking wildly. Seeing all the ponies around her and closing her eyes once more with a tremble in her meek voice. A little squeak from her. Then… something that made Celestia hurt even more. A tear fell from Soul’s cheek. Soul… was all alone. All alone in this, the end of whatever life she had.

I pity her.
12.106
“Soul” Celestia offered to her. The filly didn’t speak. She wept. Tears of true pain. Ones that made Celestia stop right there. Making those eyes glossy, the eyes of the Sun that turned to look back at the princess.

Just a brief moment. But Celestia felt it.

Something. Looking into those eyes looking back at her. The most brilliant of gold mixed in fire. Shining just like the Sun. Exactly. Without its warmth. No warmth in those eyes. Only icy cold. Never something to be seen before in those eyes. She had seen ponies cry before. She had seen children cry before. Never like this. She had never seen a pony cry with such pain and heartache in their eyes. Deep and intense. That she never wanted to see in the eyes of a child. For how could a mere look chill her to the bones? Seep deep down and tear open flesh. Getting at even her. Enough to make Celestia herself, of all ponies, shed a tear too.

It hit her hard. Those are not the eyes of a filly. Those were not eyes of a pony. No. Those are sadness.

Sadness so deep. It could never belong to a pony. They did not belong to Soul.

“Get rid of her!”
12.107
Celestia snapped out of it. Hearing the crowd roar around her. All around as ponies came from their seats and demanded the same. The same horrible thing they all advised her to do. That all expected her to do. Celestia looked all around at them. Still… so much pain inside her. Just trying to concentrate. But it still stared into her. Those eyes. The ones she looked at again, gone with that pain. Soul’s eyes. Pure and still before they closed once more.

Get rid of her? The pony who now backed away in fear. The distance growing between them. The gap too wide now. No, it cannot be reached. The filly was too far gone. After all that pain she had seen. Soul, she just could not go on. Not after what she did. Not after all that has become. The princess no longer believed she could. It had to be done. Something had to be done. If not for the land, but… for Soul herself. Though we are divided, I want to help.

I want to make everypony happy. Even you, Soul. But how?
12.108
It’s not right to do. Not right to do what everypony else wanted her to do. I can’t bring it upon myself to do that to a child who has lost everything. Who is all alone. I can’t do that to her. The last time I had to deal with a pony like this… I made… my choice. Because it was what that pony would do. That pony had been so merciful and so open no matter how immensely tough things had been. Even if she was younger than Celestia, sometimes, she was smarter. She was more ready to deal with things like this.

So how would she do this? The way she would before I hurt her so deeply.

My dear sister, Luna, you would make the right choice. Even when you turned on me. You made that same choice. Celestia looked out at the crowd who chanted. Out at this world that was no longer a part of Soul. One that was gone, and she saw it. In their faces. The same pain she had seen in Luna’s. What they wanted. What I want, though. What Luna would do.

Despite all of this, Celestia managed to breathe deeply. Opening her eyes and finding a friendly face. One kind soul who knew her struggle. Who understood. Even if Luna wasn’t here, she had reassurance. Ms. Mare among all the others out in the booths. The one pony who stayed seated, who nodded to the princess. Telling her to make her own decision. You are right. I have to, and I have. That is what Luna would do.

Luna would get rid of the pain, like she tried to do long ago. When she tried to get rid of me. So I must do… for another. I must do it for Soul. “So it shall be.”
12.109
The pain was washed away. All the fright in her heart. Drowned away in the warmth of the light that lashed out all across the room. Right from the pony in the center of it all. Atop her horn. That flush of power radiating through her. Shining across all.

Darkening the sunlight from outside. Enveloping it.

Her light was the one true one. The one that made all the ponies fall silent. She could not though. I have to do this. I must. For her own good. For her sake. Luna, was it as hard for you to make such a decision? To lose yourself to it. Like it feels like now. Celestia could feel herself tearing just from knowing she was to do this.

To do this… again.

The light burst out. A flash of gold and a shock of thunder rumbling all across the chamber. Shaking the walls. Making Soul’s mane fly. Exposing both her eyes to the princess. As it did to the princess. Her aurora mane flowing along her and breaking from the power atop her horn. So I stand here before this filly with so much sadness. Lighting the room, yet so much darkness filled her heart. Holding on to the last scrap of knowing this was right. Even if it hurt. Hurt seeing Soul so afraid in front of her.

The filly could not even move. Gripped in fear. As she realized what was happening.
12.110
“Soul Serenity” Celestia spoke out. “You have been found guilty of the murders of Nimbus Swiftshot and Starry Veil. As ruler of Equestria, I make it my duty to protect the ponies of the land from any threat. Outside… and inside. But even if I must protect the land from you, I… I still see you as a pony of my land. I still embrace you as one of us. And I always shall. That is why I must make a decision. One that I have made.”

Her light grew brighter. Rippling of heat and thunder across the length of her horn. Like soothing light inside her. Was that why she had enough to make this choice? She would never know.

For one moment, Celestia could think. For one moment, Soul stood still, and the two of them joined together in one last moment. Just the two of them. Face to face with only the light of the Sun around them. Nothing else.
12.111
Your life is over. The world you had, is gone. Yet I won’t leave you to know that as your last moment. Soul Serenity, I will get rid of your pain. Never fear hate again. Never fear others again. In this last time for me to see you… I still see the good in you. Cherish it forever.

Princess…
12.112
Celestia blinked. Hearing that last word in her mind. Echoing. It made a tear fall. From her and from Soul. But Soul, she… looked to the floor. Stared upon it and wept. Though she no longer ran. No longer shook. Only showed to her that she knew Celestia was going to do something. Not what all think I will do.

Soul Serenity, I will miss you. I will never see you again. But you will always hold a place in my heart.

“Never forget… the life you had and cherish the happy memories you have.” The light grew brighter. Bright enough to shine over Soul herself as the filly did one last thing. One last thing that shook the princess… forever.

Soul looked up at her. The most quiet and lovely voice she could ever hear.

“I’m sorry.”

Is it to me or to somepony else? Celestia closed herself to it when the light blinded all. Then it faded to dust. Where the princess… stood alone. I’m sorry, …Soul.

Soul Serenity disappeared.

1.1
One hour. Two. Then three.

How long has time passed? Seemingly standing still with the silence of the night that lay down a shroud on the room with only one flickering candle daring to move and shine its little light upon the desk from which it stood. Every window and door of the castle tower was sealed tight to isolate the lone occupant from the world and hide herself away. She refused to move, staring down at the stacks of papers the candle kept visible to her just as had been for hours now. Princess Celestia could not put any thought into the many thousands of text filling the papers, preceding a blank space for which demanded a seal. Her own.

Even though I have read through it all several times now, every word lost itself to me as soon as it was read. None of it could alleviate the anguishing pain that was all she could notice ever since the horrible moment that had happened so much earlier in the day yet felt as if she had just performed it minutes ago. That moment that caused a new motion to appear to the room.

The glowing shimmer of light reflecting from her face courtesy of the candle. The shimmer of her tears. One of which fell perfectly down into the inkwell laying beside the papers. It mixed in with the black fluid, disappearing instantly. The second tear soaked into the paper immediately next to the space for her signature.

Her eyes wandered up the page, not exactly reading but simply skimming. Soul Serenity. Her eyes widened. There and there. Her name placed about the text of the page as if mocking me. She could feel her gut tuck in as a throaty cough came out. She sealed her eyes.

“Why did this have to happen?” she whispered. A loud bang resonated through the room. Her forehoof trembled atop the desk, a light crack cut across the surface beneath the adorning regalia. Her teeth were bared. “Why?”

Her head sunk down further and further as light cries emerged from her mouth. Every time that name came up all she could see were those eyes. She could see them so clearly in the darkness of her sight. Those big, yellow eyes hemorrhaging tears and shining of feelings the princess hated knowing such a young pony had been instilled with all because of her. Feelings she could not put upon one who could carry out such horrors not seen in countless generations. Feelings of total loss and pain. Only for those eyes and the precious little Pegasus they belonged to to be snuffed out in an instant, sent away forever.

1.2
I hate myself. Hated how much anger she had felt being looked down upon that filly. For how she had so easily obliged in casting out a young pony even with what that pony had done. What could I have done? A filly who had killed so brutally, so very needlessly. Whose actions had brought about a day of fear for all Cloudsdale and even Equestria. Those actions that made so many ponies around Celestia demand for justice in more ways than one. They had been ways that made the princess cringe in desperation knowing just how terrifying and even cruel they would be to a filly.

The filly had to be punished. She had to be. Yet no punishment sounded any more appealing to Celestia’s mercy than the other. None that would sate the fears of an entire land and myself as well, along with showing kindness to one I felt needed it. Kindness sought after by those big, pleading yellow eyes.

“I could show such little kindness to her. I’m a horrible pony.”

Celestia wallowed in her regret. Regretting ever sentencing the filly as had been required. Knowledge that the filly’s life was over regardless of what punishment she could set forth. All she could do was make one horrible decision: which punishment would hurt the filly less? Give her one last chance for herself?

It had been a final punishment she had decided on, not lightly, but with a heart heaving pain. A punishment not foreign to her yet so very threatening. It was her ultimate decision. The first time she had willingly made such a punishment without… fearing for my own life.

“Soul Serenity.” Celestia’s horn let out a yellow glow reaching out towards the ink covered pen that now levitated to her side. Her head rose to reveal her reddened eyes. Eyes pulsating from the war of feelings in her mind. As she yelled at herself from within while assuring herself her punishment was merciful enough compared to the many others. “I’m so very sorry, … my little pony.”

The pen touched down and quickly scribbled across the blank space imprinting her signature on the document, ending the matter. Ending it only formally yet never within. The black of ink exactly like the taint upon her very heart as it writhed in agony. Another day. Another burden. Another deep scar to join the others. One final tear fell upon the paper. The last visible speckle of her passing day as a blast of her breath killed off the glow of the candle.

“Sleep well, Soul Serenity.”

1.3
“Hello?”

A tiny voice called out. Nothing answered it back. Only the sound of a strong wind with a flurry of snow out here to answer her cry. The cry from the little magenta Pegasus laying there amidst a blanket of snow.

Soul Serenity felt the chill of icy snow sending its touch up from her rump and along her spine. It made her curl her tail around her body hoping the hairs would work with her fur to warm the soft skin beneath. Already shivering, trying to figure out what just happened.

It was all so fast, fast enough that the tears all the ponies before her had seen now lay dried upon the fur around her eyes. All of them vanished along with the large white alicorn who had stood in front of her moments ago. They were gone. Am I back home? All the white and swirls of air left her mind wandering back to the cloudy structures and the world of her own home. But that cold the likes of which she had never felt before broke her out from her delusions.

This was not Cloudsdale, as if she had been delivered from the warm skyscape she knew and directly into the dead of winter. All her fur stood straight up in response. Her eyes had to take it all in, just trying to get rid of the princess from her sight. Only seeing the Sun above her in the deep clouds. Even with the rays of the Sun shining down on her, she wasn't warm. It was then she felt exactly just how cold she now was.

Her eyes widened. A pained yelp escaped her mouth as she lurched forward onto all fours only for her legs to give out and she fell deep in the snow. Soul could feel her little legs wobbling just as cold snow fell on her face. She quickly backed away in a fright freeing her face from the snow and falling back down on her rump. “Where… am… I?” Her voice shook as she shivered. No answer, no way to know from here even with all her best efforts to look around, hoping to find something to answer her. Nothing. I only know I’m… not home anymore.

Her head craned up to the sky. So open and vast with spirals and swirls of snow dancing over her in a hail. I can’t stay here. I need to run.

1.4
Soul stood up slowly, putting immense effort just to stand up on this icy ground. It took her nearly a full minute to stand straight, as high as she could. Confident in herself, she looked proudly in the sky as her rear legs folded ready to buck. Not that any strength was needed in her initial kick.

This snow will not keep me down or keep me away. A jolt of energy pushed her into the air as her legs pushed against the thick sheet of icy snow. Yet she did not ascend. She felt her wings stay still refusing to help her as she fell right back down in the snow. Soul coughed out the snow that found its way into her mouth and she looked back worried of why her wings did not move as she commanded. Then she remembered as she saw it. I can’t believe I forgot.

The band of metal that had kept her bound still sat there wrapped around her wings, still keeping them fixed together. They nearly insulted her. No guards stood around her. Nopony to keep her down as they had been moments before. Still this thing was here, all that was left of those guards.

Soul groaned and grunted from the strain of her wings trying to separate from each other with as much strength as she could put in them. Just as before, the bond would not budge from its tight grip. Soul realized it. I can’t fly. I can't fly and I'm out here... where is here?

The filly slowly looked around her. Nothing could be seen in any direction she looked, only an empty void of snow greeting her. Everything that had happened was now secondary in her mind with the knowledge that she was now alone and unsure of where to go. Her beloved wings could not help her. With that, something else came to her that she hoped would help her. Somehow. Hoping that pony was still close to her and able to answer her.

“Dashie!” she screamed. Dashie. Dashie. That name repeated all around her in a dying echo mixing with the sound of the wind. Soul shrunk in on herself with sadness gripping her face. “Rainbow Dash” she whispered before she sniffled.

All was silent. Too silent. So much that it was scary. A return of strength to her legs allowed Soul to jump up and look behind her thinking somepony would be there. As empty as every other direction. She backed away several steps and turned back in the direction of the Sun. The only presence here besides her. The one guide prompting her to slowly trot forward in its direction, her eyes gently looking upon everything hoping to see something to help her find where she was. She looked back at the Sun, it was covered enough to not blind her gaze yet still remaining visible through the snow. “Princess? …Where am I?” The Sun led her on.

1.5
The little filly continued her trot through the landscape of snow. She occasionally looked back hoping to see something may be following her, anything to assure her of where she could be but only her trail of tiny hoofprints in the snow greeted her. It reached far behind her reminding her of how far she was travelling following that orb in the sky. With how silent and empty everything now was, Soul could not care to pay attention to anything other than the Sun. There with her while so lost in her thoughts. With minutes passing by to her before she could even realize how quick time was travelling. With every thought, only one thing came in the end.

The magenta eyed face of her beloved friend.

The one lost to her. Who hated her. Whom she had saved. Now she was here. Disappeared to all the ponies she had found out were gone. The little filly was all alone.

Soul shivered and her teeth chattered. The shaking of her body sent a layer of thick snow falling from her back to lay at her sides. How long have I been walking? Enough for the Sun to fall greatly in the sky. She knew not how much daylight she had left. Her thoughts moving from the events of the day to thoughts of the darkness. Soul found her entire self filled with worry. The idea of walking around in this cold and in the dark. As much as she still hated to admit it to others, she was still afraid of being alone in the cold dark. Such thoughts kicked her legs into gear making the filly start to gallop sending plumes of snow up behind her.

This energy meant little to her. Where was she even to go? I’m not even in Cloudsdale, where can I go and hide? The Sun urging her forward in desperation to avoid what she could see as her being alone in the dark with no pony there to rely on. The light her only hope. Her gallop gained speed, wind coursing through her mane and chilling her ears. As much as she hated that cold, it was the closest she had to feeling she was flying freely back in Cloudsdale.

Her wings tried again and again to free themselves from the bond. She closed her eyes visualizing the blue sky before her. Her laughter coming out and memories of how she used to spend normal days just like that. She could see her forehooves reaching out in front of her towards the great sky that kissed her cheek showing as much love as she loved it.

A flash of cyan fur erupted in her vision. Soul’s eyes opened in a start. Just in time.

1.6
She planted her hooves deep into the snow, making her to skid to a halt from her gallop. Her body sat still at the precipice of a large hill. All that snow her hooves sent flying rolled down the face of the hill. She found her heart racing with how close she had come to tumbling down to the flat land below her. Glancing to her side seeing that this hill spanned for as far as she could see.

Her wings twitched again. It would be so great to have them right now as much as Soul hated the idea of climbing this hill or finding some other direction to wander. Soul set her sight back on the land below, as white and uninviting as what she had seen since whenever she had arrived here. Except for one thing.

Her eyes caught sight of something down there that stood out from the blinding white of everything. Something dark down there. Many objects. Her eyes squinted. The sheets of snow falling from above did to these objects just as they did with the Sun. Whereas she could not approach the Sun, whatever was down there became the most welcoming thing here. It elated Soul in the hopes of finally finding something to help her figure out where she could be and find her way home.

Her stubby forelegs tapped down on the sheet of snow laying along the side of the hill. A quick jab of strength buried those legs in snow now keeping her from falling down. Next came her rear legs, doing the same thing with them until she began an awkward walk down the hill.

Soul could remember the winters that Cloudsdale provided to the entirety of Equestria and how the chilling cold would often create a layer of ice upon the snow. So good there was no ice here on the fluffy snow that licked at the flesh beneath her fur. Another memory of home.

Soul found herself astonished at how much she missed the familiar sights and sounds that had been devoid from her for what she could assume to have only been a few hours, if not longer. Each step in the snow reminded her of the feats her fellow pegasi performed. She had never got the chance to do it before, but she always wondered how the weather pegasi so easily created such marvels as this. Nothing she had been able to study before due to flying being the priority over controlling weather. How much she wanted to use those nearly unmatched flying skills of hers again.

Many gently made steps later and Soul found herself at the foot of the hill; a look back showing the tall hill she had successfully climbed down.

1.7
The snow down here proved itself to not be thick at all as her hooves sunk deep within it. She had not taken any heed to it before but with how long this had now been going on, Soul realized how much she hated the feeling of walking through this snow. I hate my legs being so damp… and so damn cold. It seeped down her warm fur and drained down against her body.

Soul saw now just how cold she was. Her madly shivering body forcing her thoughts to thin out to a singular desire to escape. I gotta go! The objects ahead. Soul looked out to where she had seen them. With the hill behind her, they looked so very close yet still faded from sight in the snow storm.

Her shaking legs trudged forward, each step dropping snow behind her. Damn this thing. Her wings banged hard against the bond of steel. If her strong wings had just been free, she could clear this gap in no time.

Will… will my wings even be free again anyways?

Her mind swaying to those fears again. But what could be out here to remove this metal from her body? Something or somepony she hoped could be just ahead of her, and with it gone she could fly out of here. Soul smiled thinking this as her eyes dropped to stare at the snow below her.

What would she do first? Find something warm to wrap herself in to start with sounded good. Then maybe. “Das… s-s-s-shie.” Her teeth uttered in a spasm. If any pony may be out there to help her, it would be Rainbow Dash. She wanted to apologize, to beg her to forgive her. To hug her best friend again. They would be friends again despite everything that had recently happened. Especially since I was the one who saved her and everypony else. Avenged Nimbus and Starry, her family. As close as they ever got to that and now were gone. Oh how great it would be to hug Dash again! The only pony left for me.

She could feel it now. Her friend’s small yet strong wings holding her to guard against the very cold that surrounded her, just like in my dreams. Such a great thing to look forward to. Soul’s smile grew wider as she gleefully raised her head. Her nose exploded in pain.

1.8
Soul fell back with a cry, sinking back in the snow with her forehooves rubbing at her snout. Her teary eyes glanced down her snowcapped muzzle and back up. A wall of wood greeted her. She had run straight into it.

How did I not even see that? Any of this coming? Dark brown wooden beams set tightly together around what she could now see as a window. Yet it was submerged halfway in snow. She looked further up seeing a sturdy roof angled down to her with vast swathes of snow perched on it. A house!

Soul ignored the pain in her nose and was quick to regain her footing. Newfound energy in her excitement sending her legs to gallop through the snow around the entire house seeking anyway to get in it. Another window. A blank wall. A door.

Her heart sank. That energy willowed. The door was just as the windows, barely visible submerged deep in snow. Is this snow really that deep? Just when I thought… I had found something. There was no way she could get rid of so much snow before the cold would take its toll. She hated to admit it, but this house, an oasis in a wasteland, was useless.

With defeat on her face, Soul turned around to leave this scene but was welcomed by another scene. More houses. Left and right, dozens of them. The little filly found herself entering a village in the snow. Her eyes were wide once more taking in the near miracle she did not know of. It was not at all like she envisaged a village. Certainly no flying cloud metropolis, but to be so… empty. Nothing was here. Simply wooden structures standing as lonely obelisks amidst snow with nopony present. All was quiet.

With no reason to stay near this barred off house, Soul wandered off towards the others. They were all so similar to the first. Simple wooden structures with a hoofful of windows and doors more buried than others. Yet no matter how buried they were, Soul could tell she was not strong enough to dig them out. It was getting to the point now where the freezing cold actually made her consider spending an unknown amount of time trying to free one of the doors. Even if it may mean doing it till the night which terrified her. But what can I do?

A new blast of wind caused her to shiver violently in response. She couldn’t tell what it was but she could swear her ears were beginning to feel lost to her. “D-damn it. W-w-what do I-I do?” She could hear her voice soften as she spoke. She slowly turned her head to look back across the houses she had already checked. I already hate this place. All these buried doors. More wind came in, blowing straight against her tiny face, forcing her to turn around to protect herself. It was then she spotted a house different from the others.

Whereas all the others where simple little box structures, this one was one sporting what she could see as some form of shield hanging high from the roof and over its face and under it, was what looked to her like a dip in the wall of snow surrounding the house. Could it be… a porch? A porch meant... one thing that it must be hanging over. A front door. Piles of snow stacked atop the porch roof showed just how much it was keeping away from whatever door it hid. She wasted no time in her rush to get a look at what she hoped was awaiting her. No matter how cold she got, it seemed the filly’s body refused to fail her just trying to get out of this madness.

1.9
Soul forced her way over the snowy wall surrounding the house and peered over it. Thank Celestia, if I could thank her for anything anymore.

Down below she could see a floor of wood pecked in sheets of snow placed around a completely freed door beneath the porch roof that successfully protected it. The hill of snow between her and the door was nothing like the hill she had climbed down moments before. Just so happy to see it, she had to push herself over the ledge to gently slide down the snowy angle to the door beyond. A quick look back gave her an idea of just how much snow had piled up around these houses. The hill she slid down was several times her height! She could not imagine how long it would have taken for her small legs to dig out so much snow. She was so very thankful she had found this house freed of the icy tomb all the others suffered from.

She looked back to the door. Adding even further to her luck was the fact the door’s knob was well within reach. All she had to do was stand on her hind legs which she did not hesitate to do. Her forehooves gripped the knob, ready to turn it. Once inside she was sure she could figure out what to do. Somepony in there to free her wings and she could be on her way, hopefully with some warm clothing to fly through all this.

The door let out a satisfying click before her weight pushed the door inwards. Soul fell back on all fours letting the wind push the door for her. It was so dark within. No light was present besides what little light shining through the windows so covered in snow outside that only a small amount of the outside world could look through them. No light to show… anypony was here.

“Hello?” Her voice travelled across the darkness receiving no response. A new breeze blasted against her rear, causing Soul to jump and quickly gallop through the door. A kick of her rear legs sealed the door behind her. Even inside Soul could not stop shivering. It is so cold.

This house was surely nothing like the ones she knew whose walls and shape could weather the intensity of winter and keep families warm. The wooden walls were so basic that Soul could instantly tell cool air was creeping in from little cracks. It further disheartened her, but at least she was safe from the chilling wind that had nearly frozen her to the bones.

Soul shook her body to free herself of the thin layer of snow that had formed anew on her and send droplets of water off her fur. A quick glance of the flight of the snow showed that she was standing on a rug that spanned across the entire floor. It was ugly. Tanned and patchy, with entire sections of it ripped away or shaggy. Yet she was not alone with this rug. She could see a pair of chairs in the darkness tossed casually to the ground with deep chips in their wooden structure and right across from her, a bed!

Soul became almost too happy upon seeing this but her excitement wore off fast when she saw right there what the bed really was. It’s just a mattress! No blanket like she had wished for.

“Damn it” Soul whispered, slowly walking forward. She glanced to her left. Another thing to mock her hopes for any warmth: an empty fireplace embedded in the wall made out of some weird stones with a wooden mantle hanging over it. The mantle sported only a small box. The emptiness of the house did not bode well to her. “Hello?” she called out again. A similar response to the last time. I really am all alone.

1.10
Her hind legs were quick to collapse as she sat with a whimper of her voice. Nopony lives here. No doubt the same was true of the other buried homes. Nopony who can free my wings. No way to get out of here, wherever here was. Even with how cold it was inside, Soul refused to go back outside and wander aimlessly. She could feel new tears clawing out from her eyes. She sniffled twice.

“I want to go home. …Dashie.” She slammed her forehoof down upon the rug. “Where am I?!”

Her sulking gaze down at the rug showed nothing but her own tears falling to dampen the surface below. Now more than ever, she felt like she was in a prison. Walls of wood surrounding her to isolate her from the deathly conditions beyond. Her body still shivered. No ideas came to pass. Again and again her wings frantically twitched within the steel bond. Soul raised her gaze. Big yellow eyes slowly scanning the darkened room she occupied. Hoping to find somepony hiding from her. Nothing. …Nothing.

A pair of eyes looked back at her from the darkness. Soul almost jumped back in a start as did the figure beyond. The yellow eyes staring back at her blinked in perfect synch with her own. “Who’s there?”

It took some time for her eyes to adjust to the dark and see what was before her. It was her: that trembling little Pegasus sitting in her own sorrow. The sole thing in a mirror. The pane of glass surrounded by a sheet of rusted bronze. She saw her face but nothing else under it… like it was cut off at the bottom of the mirror. The glass there was missing, giving way to shattered edges of glistening glass whose missing parts lay scattered on the floor beneath it. Something had destroyed it.

Soul hated how she looked. Her normally messy and long mane completely broken and sad. Strands of silver and violet hanging loosely and jagged with obvious damp spots spread across both her mane and her ragged magenta fur. She would never want Rainbow Dash to see her like this. Only her yellow eyes were as she knew them, glowing beautifully and reflecting the light from outside ever more thanks to the tears bubbling in them.

Besides her, the mirror reflected that fireplace from behind her. How much she wished a fire could be there as well to dry her off. Her eyes took note of that box again still sitting on the mantle. She turned away to look back at it. Lacking anything else to hope for, all she could decide on was to see if maybe something useful lay hidden inside that little box. Thankfully, the mantle was not too high above but well out of her reach. Another instance where her wings would come in handy. Damn those guards. But doesn’t mean I’m helpless.

1.11
A shuffle of wood over rug. All from the filly shoving one of the two chairs up to the fireplace. Each push easier than the last. Kind of felt good to do something other than lay around all day. A clank of the chair to the stone fireplace satisfied Soul. She jumped atop it. Now with her new perch, Soul was nearly nose height with the box. Her forelegs reached out to grab it. It was so small and light, easily adjusting itself into her small grip. But she could feel something was in it hidden under the sealed top.

Soul brought the box with her back down to the floor and set it before her. Dust flurried around it the moment it set down. She was so very eager to see what was within. Maybe something to help her. Her hooves slid in under the flaps of the opening. “Oh please.” She opened the box.

What was this?

It looked just like a pony but … tiny. Soul realized what it was. Something she had never had for her own let alone desired, but don’t other fillies have stuff like this? Its fuzzy-looking brown exterior wrapped in the perfect crafting of every minute feature of it. It was a doll. A Pegasus thanks to the tiny wings it sported. A long, curly mane and tail and beady eyes.

Who would leave this thing here? Soul reached in and pulled it out between her forehooves as soft and caring as she could be hoping not to harm it. It was so tiny even compared to the legs that held it and, just as a real pony, it was soft. If not for the color, Soul could claim it to be a smaller her. But not seeing another friendly pony in what felt like forever to her, she was so happy to see anything resembling one. It made her smile.

“I wonder if you have something like this, Dashie.” It was a funny idea to her but nonetheless cute. Like Dash may have one hidden somewhere in her room and used it for whatever joy they may give. She had no idea how things like this worked or even their real purpose. Do other kids use them as toys or …maybe as little friends? Exactly what I want right now. Her best friend.

The longer she stared at it, the more she loved it. A love equal to the pony she could put a resemblance on it to. This little Pegasus doll reminded her so much of Rainbow Dash and reminded her just how much she missed her. She could feel herself crying again.

1.12
“Oh Dashie.” Her forelegs pulled the doll closer to her until it was firmly pressed against her chest. Cradled in her fur. She closed her eyes imagining the soft touch against her body exactly like that of when Dash and her would hug. Hug before everything that happened.

I hate you too!

That line pounded away at her. How could she have ever said anything like that? How could she have lied? Soul never ever hated Rainbow Dash. She had done this all for her. If there was anything she hated, it was her rushed and stupid decision to yell back at her friend. At the pony she needed now more than ever. Her only family. She wondered if Dash needed her as much as she did.

“I’m so sorry, Dashie” she spoke to the doll held beneath her chin. “I never meant to yell at you. I don’t hate you.” She wanted so very much for that doll to speak back at her in that childish and raspy tone she knew. She could not imagine it. All she could see in the dark void of her eyes was that cyan filly hugging her back, beautiful feathered wings wrapped around her body as they hugged each other atop the clouds. She could not hear her, but she could feel her. Almost like the dead of winter was absent and the warmth of her best friend’s fur and feathers welcomed her back to normalcy. A normalcy now gone and replaced by a crowd of angry ponies who all spoke to her with the same line.

I hate you. Despite that she had saved the pony she wanted to hug again. If only everything had gone away and she could be there again flying side by side with that goofy and competitive filly. “I don’t hate you. You’re my best friend, Dashie. I’d do anything for you.”

“And she gets to know that now. After all, you made the right decision.”

1.13
Soul’s heart skipped its beat as it jumped up in her chest and chills ran down her spine that pounded into her even harder than the chills of the cold itself. So strong, so powerful. A presence she could feel seeping into her back but her widening eyes revealed nothing to her. Yet she knew it had just spoken. No voice she knew and it still seemed to her that she should. So loud and so clear, like all around her.

I don’t even know if I should dare to look. Who would be here? A filly all alone in a strange place put with something that made her heart pound. Was this a joke? Did Celestia do something? Voices from without and within mixing with all her memories. Like it sounded to be a pony that had always talked to her. Maybe because it was. Maybe…

“Dash?” Soul’s heart calmed as slowly as her head rose. She wanted to turn but feared to in the end. Her eyes going up the scale of the broken mirror, up the reflection of her tiny legs and ruffled fur. As her gaze rose, she prayed to see the eyes of somepony she recognized alongside her own. Her yellow eyes betraying her excitement and wonder.

Yellow eyes. She blinked. They did not.

Holding their saddened gaze to reveal beading black pupils that were not her own. Pupils of a glowing hue split into black diamonds. Ones of a creature that was… was not a pony. Not her own. Soul realized those yellow eyes sat alongside her own eyes staring at her from behind. Somepony is… behind me.

Soul jumped forward with a shriek sending the doll flying. Her hooves scurrying across the rug kicking up puffs of dust as she darted to the mirror as quickly as she would if she had been flying. Fear pushed the filly to hide beneath its frame.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t hurt it” Soul pleaded back to whoever sat behind her, referring to the doll she had just held. Fearing perhaps she had been messing with the stuff of whoever those eyes belonged to. She lay silent, keeping her tail to the door and hiding her head beneath her forelegs. Shaking. Nothing happened much to her surprise. Was somepony actually there or am I seeing things? She could still see those eyes burned into her mind. It was not Dash or anypony she knew. Entirely different to her. They belonged to something yet the house was silent. She wanted to turn around to make sure but fear still held its grip.

The wind hit against the outside again and again. It was near to that of a sigh, almost too loud to hear something else. She heard somepony sigh.

“So small and frail and will love you no matter what. I see why you adore her as you do for her.”

The words came out very gently spoken in such deepness and calm that every word was like honey to Soul’s ears. “Don’t leave her all alone.”

1.14
Soul blinked. A smiling face right there returned her gaze, one pierced with tiny black eyes so close to Soul that just breathing swayed its fuzzy surface. It was the doll set right in front of her.

How did…? She reached out completely shocked as to how it had appeared to her like this. A touch of her hoof proved it to be real. Her hoof went around it, pulling it back under her chin. Soul’s breathing returned to normal. Fear flowed out of her mind.

“She wants to be with you” the voice said softly. Calm and collected, Soul felt confident to see who it was talking to her. For some reason, like it is somepony I shouldn’t be afraid of. They sound so nice… like this doll.

To see who those odd yellow eyes belonged to. Still clutching the doll, Soul crawled out from beneath the mirror to sit back up. She sighed deeply. Dash would not be afraid. She would not be either. Soul turned her head.

There the closed door sat shrouded in the darkness that most of the room fell under. A darkness broken by ever more darkness. Except it was too dark. So much so that it was so easy to pick out from the rest of that blackness. Like it was a moving shadow. Somepony is there. A sway of a leg, the droop of ears. Two ears fixed aside the pair of yellow eyes she had seen. They still stared back at her filled with a glimmer of distant emptiness ringing around diamonds that shone bright in the light. Those vertical slits pierced in black. Like coal? Soul could not tell.

A good look at them. Kind of like what I’ve seen in books. Creatures from those books. That was it! Those diamonds shaped something like what the beautiful and fearsome dragons she had read about would be pictured with. Those eyes easily fitting with such threatening creatures. Yet these eyes made Soul not afraid at all. Their gleam and glow almost invited her. She thought they looked …beautiful.

Seconds passed followed by minutes of silence. The thing did not speak. Both of them only watched the other. Soul’s gaze getting increasingly wider as her eyes adjusted to the darkness she stared at. I’m starting to see it. Never expected something like this here. Thought she would find a pony as vibrant as any other. But… this. A set of four legs barely hiding the shimmer of a dark tail behind them. A blink of its eyes fluttered its long eyelashes in synch with subtle movements of its long, curved ears.

It actually was a pony.

1.15
“Hel…” Soul hesitated mustering her failing attention in her amazement of finding somepony, especially one like this. “Hello.”

A tilt of those eyes showed how the dark pony cocked its head. “Nice to speak with you… finally” its tiny mouth spoke. Soul raised her eyebrow. Her ears perfectly catching such beauty in that mature voice. It was so hard to see this pony but she could see its slender physique. How she could tell it stood tall even this far away. She knew this to be a mare. Even a sway of its tail revealed how long it was. I just have never seen stallions with long tails. At least it’s a girl. She looked around the house again before returning her gaze to the mare.

“Is this your house?” The mare visibly shook her head. “Not at all. I just arrived here myself.”

A traveler? Or maybe a pony in a similar situation as her? Either way Soul was happy to finally find somepony to talk to out here. “Are you afraid of me?” the mare asked of her. Soul remembered her startled reaction to seeing this pony in the mirror. Not a good way to react to meeting somepony, especially one being as inviting as this one.

“I’m sorry. I’m not afraid of you” Soul said. The mare’s ear perked up. “I’m glad. Would it be fine with you if I sat next to you?” Sit with me? Nopony ever asks that. Okay. Soul could see no harm in it. Secretly, she loved the idea of being close to such a friendly pony. “Sure.”

The mare slowly trotted over to her. Each stride made her grow in size to Soul’s eyes. Each stride so silent. How odd. She’s so quiet. The mare’s eyes held their shine. Soul could tell the mare was making an effort not to frighten her. Soon enough the mare stood at her side, towering over her at nearly twice Soul’s own height. This close… she really is that color. A mare of pitch black fur. Wow.

She glanced down at Soul with what she could make out as a smile hidden in the dark void of her face. Soul looked back up at her as well. Soul could see she had a long ponytail hanging down the back of her neck with the mare’s so close to her. Long and majestic. I’ve never seen so much mane on a pony. Black strands hanging all down her face and neck, covering her eyes slightly. Just one eye looking over at her through all that black hair shining of silver streaks.

Soul was in awe at how beautiful this pony was. The light shone in from the window upon her, a silver sheen glimmering along the thick fur she sported giving some light to that coat as dark as the void. I feel kinda weird looking at her like this but… she is beautiful. Looking along the side of the mare, going along that gorgeous body. She almost missed the slight movement along the mare’s side. They were so easy to miss with how well they blended in but a flutter gave them off.

This mare had wings.

Dense bundles of jet black feathers folded perfectly in thin spans covering her sides. Soul smiled widely. “You’re a Pegasus!” Soul was so overjoyed now.

A fellow Pegasus pony out here. Finding somepony just like her made her feel such a connection with her. She always loved the idea of hanging out with fellow friendly ponies who enjoyed the gift of flying as much as she did. Ones who would feel her same enjoyment.

1.16
Soul giggled. “I’m so happy to find a Pegasus just like me.”

“A Pegasus.” The mare spoke with such lightness and the slightest hint of a stutter. She sounded like she was… confused at first. The mare looked past her now. She was silent. Soul’s smile faded. She looked around and saw the mare to be looking at none other than the mirror to see their reflections together. The mare stared at herself. Her mouth dropping its frown so far. Eyes glimmering of light so dull to Soul. Those eyes so intently fixated on herself as if they were boring through the mirror itself.

Soul became worried. “Are you okay?” The mare’s dragon-like eyes returned to life just as her smile returned. “Yes, I’m a Pegasus just like you, little one.” The mare turned around forgetting the mirror and she sat down next to Soul. “So I guess we both have something else in common at least, alongside being trapped in here” she said. Trapped.

“You’re stuck out here as well?” Soul asked. “Yes.” Soul’s curiosity grew. A pony trapped out here just like me. She knew not how it happened to herself but maybe this mare had an interesting reason. “How did you get here?” The mare looked down at her warmly. “I just arrived here out of nowhere. It was so unexpected.” Just like her! Soul felt even closer to this friendly mare.

“Where are you from?” The mare’s dark eyes constricted. Her demeanor softened as a small chuckle came out her mouth. “You’re a curious little one, are you not? How prospective.” Soul didn’t even know what the mare just said but smiled anyways seeing how adoring the mare was becoming of her. “I don’t remember where I came from. I’ve…” the mare trailed off. Her gaze falling down to Soul’s side briefly before returning to Soul. “Been travelling around for a long time until I found myself here with you all of a sudden.”

Soul’s eyes shimmered in amazement. The little filly wondering how she came to find a traveler like this. No telling how much this pony had seen. What she could tell her. But one thing seemed possible.

Had this Pegasus learned unique flying moves out there?

Maybe they could both fly out of here. Introduce this new friend to the others. She wanted to know more. She opened her mouth to speak another question but was promptly cut off. “Do you like dolls?” The mare was asking of the tiny pony Soul still held. “I never would have taken you to be one who would.” Soul stared down at the doll. She did not particularly like dolls but it just reminds me of somepony I know and makes me want to hug it, even in front of this mare. Realizing this did not make her loosen her grip. “Well, I like this doll. I think it’s a nice friend.” She could see those magenta eyes where the doll’s beady eyes sat.

“May I see her?” Soul’s daydreaming was broken by how loud her voice was, seeing that the mare had leaned down so close to her. Close enough for Soul to take in the true magnificence of those odd eyes.

Such vast yellow orbs near flawlessly beaming of an ever-heightening hue of beauty just like the Sun itself. The black diamonds cut between them adding something to those eyes Soul could call… cool. “Um, sure” Soul said breaking out of the trance those eyes had her in. She loosened her hug to allow the doll to slump into her forelegs freed from her chest that had warmed the surface of the little pony. It lay there in her legs visible to the mare and ready for her to take it. But the mare did not reach for it. Her dragon eyes locked down on the doll. Looking across the tiny wings, the curly mane and tail. Soul sat there waiting for her to take the doll from her grip but it never came. The mare’s smile grew bigger.

“She’s beautiful.” “Yeah, did you see the wings? She’s just like us!” Soul said. The mare humbly recognized Soul’s claim. “I bet she is a great flyer.” Her eyes fell back to look past Soul’s head and over to her back. “Just like you are.”

Soul followed the mare’s eyes seeing that she was looking down upon Soul’s shackled wings. “Talent that is locked away in such a small place, begging to be freed from the cruelty of the world around them” the mare spoke so strongly, so longingly. Soul could barely figure out what she had just said but knew the mare looked disheartened at how the filly’s wings were trapped.

1.17
That was right! Soul had entirely forgotten. So lost in how cool it was discovering a new friend in a place like this. She had found somepony. One who could help her. “I do love flying so much” Soul admitted. “I want to get rid of this thing so much so I can fly again.”

The mare slowly nodded still staring at the bond around Soul’s wings. Those wings bucked against the metal surface around them. “Do you know a way to get rid of this?” Soul asked. “No” came the response almost immediately. “I know of no way through any conventional means.” As had seemed to be the only purpose of the world lately, Soul’s hopes were crushed.

So there was no way they could remove this thing? Her wings were to be like this for Soul could not think of how long. She slinked down, muzzle grimacing in sadness. “I want my wings back” she muttered. Her eyes shifted over to look at the big wings of her new companion as they ruffled so gently seemingly in response to Soul’s pleas.

How many days had her wings been gone from her by now and how much longer would they be gone? Joining the ever-growing list of things that distanced themselves from her demanding her to fly back to them. She could feel her heart start to ache. Her nose let out a quick sniff. The mare heard it. She leaned over closer to Soul, her mouth a lick away from her ear. “Hush now, little filly.” Her voice a light whisper sending such tiny gusts of icy chill to lick her ear. Cold and so gentle, forcing the thin furs of her ear to stand up.

“You adore flying, this I know” she spoke softly. “I won’t allow you to be apart from that adoration.”

Soul’s curiosity piqued. She turned around to look back at the mare who stood up, softly striding along with eyes glued upon the steel shackle Soul wore. Soul wondered what she could be planning. Her gaze upon the mare’s face yielded something she could not fully describe. Something like worry or maybe confusion in the mare’s face. She sighed. Her eyes met Soul’s. “I can help you. But I need you to do something first.”

“What?” Soul said excitedly.

“I need you to sit straight and look away.” The mare pointed a hoof at the front door. “Look forward to that door and don’t move until I tell you.” Soul was puzzled. Was this like a doctor’s appointment? Holding still and straight. These requests were so weird to her. But maybe this friendly mare knew something cool. Following her instructions may free her wings. So she did not hesitate to comply, the door firmly in her sights and the mare hidden behind her.

Soul straightened her back out and waited. “Point your wings to me” the mare said from behind. Soul did as she said. As uncomfortable as it was, Soul managed to shift her wings enough to hold them high out in the direction she felt the mare may be. The weight of the shackle fought hard to keep them down yet the young filly managed to keep them up.

Soul waited patiently and eagerly. Her hoof tapping against the rug she sat on. All she could sense was absolute silence behind her. I hope she is still there. Not leaving me. The possibility made Soul start to turn her head.

“Hold still.”

Soul reverted back to her position, a sigh of relief escaping her mouth. Something touched against her wings. She could feel it grow. Something flooding across the skin of her spans and softly spreading the feathers that hid them. It was strange. Like whatever this feeling was went along her entire wings. Her muscles sent responses back to her. Her wings were moving… on their own. Pushing against the interior of the shackle that held them and spreading from one another. Whatever the mare was doing back there, she was being as gentle as possible. So much so that Soul could barely feel her touching her spans and pulling both wings apart from one another. She couldn’t see for herself, but she could feel her wings were shaped in a very tight V within the shackle.

Something really hot washed over her back right between that V. Suddenly.

1.18
Clang! Clang! The bang of metal on the floor sounded in Soul’s ears almost making her shudder in the growing tension the waiting had built up in her. “You can move now.”

Soul turned slowly. Just turning her head, she felt the cool air wrap around her wings at the same time. Wings she could feel so perfectly now instinctively falling along her sides.

There they were.

Her eyes widened, mouth agape in happiness. Her beautiful, large wings laying open on her sides free to the world and to her gaze. She wanted them to move. They did. She moved them again and again until she folded them perfectly along her sides. Her pride and joy was back to her! How I missed seeing them. Looks like they’ve grown or something since last I saw them. So light now. So weightless and free to the breeze flowing through their feathers with that metal now gone. The metal.

Soul looked down to the floor. Laying there to her left is where it sat. A crescent of metal sitting upright on the floor where it had fallen. It was no ring anymore. A look around presented the other part of the metal ring laying to her right. A crescent as well. Both pieces cut down the middle in such a straight and perfect line with no hint of a flaw in that line where the pieces had been broken from one another. Even more of a perfect cut than what she could remember for sliced fruit she loved to eat.

She looked back behind her tail. There the mare stood with a smile proudly displayed beneath those shiny dragon eyes. Soul could not pick out anything that the mare may have used to do such a thing. “How did you do this?” she asked. The mare smirked. “A Pegasus has her ways.”

Soul could not figure out any way she had been able to do this. Cutting through solid metal so quickly and cleanly. Maybe she had bitten it? Or was strong enough to break it with one quick jab of her hoof. So awesome. Soul wanted this pony to come with her. Somepony as talented and cool as this would be so great to come back home with and hang out with.

“Thank you so much!” Soul shrieked in joy, jumping up and down with the power of her newly freed wings. She took to the air. Flaps of her wings once again lifting the tiny filly back up to the realm she was at home in. I can fly again! Finally. It’s been so long. She dashed in at the mare, stopping just short of her muzzle. “Thank you, thank you, thank you Ms. …” Soul’s big smile faded.

That was right she had never introduced herself. She didn’t even know this pony’s name. How rude to not introduce herself to her elder.

“I’m sorry” Soul said rubbing her forehooves together. “My name is Soul Serenity. It’s so great to meet you! What’s your name, Ms.?” She extended a hoof to the mare who stared down at it with a frown. Her eyes faded their light. Soul wondered what was wrong. The mare’s mouth trembled very slightly. Her lips parting as if words tried to escape but could not in the end. She reeled her head back. “It’s so nice to meet you too, Soul. You do have a pretty name.”

With that, she wandered away towards the bed. That was it? Soul could not help but get irritated at the mare’s lack of giving her a name. Instead that mare stood there examining the lone bed. Taking in what could be a comforting mattress if it just had a sheet and blanket.

1.19
Soul zipped in in front of her, forcing her eyes to jump away from the mattress to the dissatisfied filly. She better tell me. I need to know what to call her. Soul crossed her forelegs. “I want to know your name.”

The mare turned her head. Soul was right in front of her again. The agile filly easily keeping herself firmly in the mare’s sight. No way to let her get away. “Tell me your name” Soul pleaded. “I can’t.” The mare quickly turned away, barely visible bangs of her black mane waving as she moved. How could she not? Soul was so confused. Every filly and colt easily learned the appropriate way to greet somepony new was to give your name. As if this pony had failed to know that basic knowledge. But that could not be it.

The mare fidgeted nervously, staring down at the ground keeping her tail to Soul. It had to be something else. “I told you my name. Do you not feel right telling me yours?” Soul asked this possibility. The mare’s ears perked up. “And you are correct in telling me your name, and…” She paused, peeking her face over her dark shoulders to peer back at Soul with those eyes churning of their celestial glow. “I wish to tell you my name.” Soul darted forward in anticipation.

“Tell me! Is it something cool?” The mare looked back away. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know if it’s cool?” As if it really mattered to Soul.

“No” the mare said painfully. “I don’t… know my name.”

That line echoed away in Soul’s mind. The idea of what she had just been told. Not know her name? Is she lying? I can’t even think of how somepony can’t know their own name. She could not make up a feeling to it. The fact that this mare claimed to not know her own name was impossible to Soul. How was it even possible for somepony to forget such a vital thing?

“How?” Soul whispered.

“How do I not know it?” the mare started. “I wish I had that answer. It’s not something I know how to explain.” She turned her attention to the pony doll that Soul had left standing upright on the floor. She was silent holding her gaze on that little toy. “I think I had a name once, just as you do now. That is certain to me. Yet it is lost to me.”

“So you forgot it” Soul proclaimed proudly.

The mare noticed Soul’s chipper response. Sorry, even if it sucks she forgot, it means something else for me. The mare turned back, not at all pleased with Soul being happy about it. The filly floated closer to her with a wide smile. “You helped me so I’m gonna help you remember your name.” “How do you propose that?” the mare asked. Soul flew over to the front door. “I bet somepony out there would know who you are. Now that I got my wings back, we can both fly out of here and go back to Cloudsdale. We can search together!” I’d love to help her.

The mare’s eyelids fell. Soul was not sure, but she may even be frowning in that dark face of hers. Like she was disinterested. Although Soul’s interpretation of her reaction may have been wrong because the mare willingly approached the very door Soul motioned for them to leave through. “I’ll fly with you” the mare said unenthusiastically. “Yet, I ask you to control yourself because I’m not as great a flyer as you.” My wings are pretty impressive but... I think she can. Still though, kinda weird that this pony knows I’m good at flying. Not like she ever saw me fly. “I’ll do my best” Soul assured her.

1.20
“Let me ready myself first” the mare asked of her. She did not wait for Soul to give her permission as she immediately unfolded her wings.

Soul nearly gasped.

A vast shadow fell down upon her and over the door she flew before. Soul had thought that the deep black coat her new friend possessed was truly beautiful yet the new scene she was gifted with made her eyes sparkle. All those black feathers bundled together spread out in a fan of hundreds lining along two vast spans. So vast. Her wings so big as to completely overshadow the pony they belonged to. Soul had seen many adult pegasi in her life yet none of them had anything on this one’s wings. Just how full and dense they were made Soul think they were just like blankets. Nothing like I’ve ever seen before. The comparisons were incomprehensible.

Soul quickly fell in love with the gorgeous endowments this Pegasus had. She… she cares for them so well. Soul couldn’t stop staring over them. “Your wings are so amazing” Soul said with a shock. The mare stretched them far out from her readying them for flight. No response came from her for Soul’s compliment. She could have even just been ignoring what she had said.

“How could you not be as great a flyer as me?” Soul asked. Wings as impressive as these could no doubt be such great companions in flight. The nameless mare shot down that idea. “They are mere looks. It doesn’t guarantee them to be as strong as yours.”

Her wings folded back in slightly, still stretched out enough for them to quickly take her into the air at a moment’s notice. She looked up at Soul. “It’s very cold out there so we must get flying as quick as we can. I’ll do my best to keep up with you. Shall we go?” “I won’t leave you behind” Soul said as she set her hooves upon the doorknob. This pony was going back with her, for the kind deed she did. That was to be sure. “We’ll get out of here together.” Maybe things won’t be so bad.

Celestia is gone and I can find my own way. To a place called home. She opened the door.

1.21
She kind of thought being inside could not be far better than being outside. I guess I was wrong. As the door opened, a frigid gust of wind smacked against her face forcing the filly to shoot backwards in surprise. She shivered from just that brief exposure to the outside winds. Through the door, it had become clear the Sun had lowered much further in the sky, casting a reddish hue through the thick cloud cover overhead. It had gotten very late and Soul thought it may have become colder than it was before she had entered the house.

She held her forelegs close to her body, swiftly rubbing them up and down herself in hopes of just warming up a little. She looked over. Surprisingly, her new friend had no reaction. She stood there in the doorway staring out into the white void beyond. She didn’t even seem to care. Each and every strike of wind not even moving the black fur along her body.

She looked back at the shivering filly. “Are you certain about this?” Soul was astonished at the strong willpower of the mare completely unwilling to let the cold get the better of her. Something I’m sure sucking at doing. She would not chicken out of this. A little cold won’t slow her down and she’d be back home in no time. She inhaled deeply.

“Let’s go!”

Soul entered that frozen torrent outside, her newly freed wings slicing right through all that falling snow. She was quick to take off out the ditch that the snow had built up around the doorway from which her new friend nimbly followed after her. Her black wings beating not nearly as fast as Soul’s were but, instead, they were pretty graceful. Her wings were silent with every pass they took. She joined next to Soul.

Looking all around. Every breath the filly took let out a jet of cloudy mist that disappeared in the wind. There was the hill Soul had slid down and that was it. Nothing was visible in this blizzard beyond the outskirts of this lonely village. No matter how hard she squinted her eyes, she could make out nothing. We have to get higher. With how cold it was, it would be insane to blindly fly around. They would not last for a very long time. Soul’s fur and feathers barely able to shield her against the frigid conditions.

Snow fell against Soul’s face. She motioned upwards to the mare. “Let’s get a little higher and see where we are.” Her friend nodded slowly and still wasn’t much caring about what was going on. So weird. Soul put great strength into her initial stroke easily fighting against the force of the wind to push her upwards. Not as easy as she could remember flying in perfect conditions but she could still do it. Not much harder than flying through a rain shower. The dimly lit clouds high above in the cloudy shroud of snow reached down to her. Every second she spent flying up just threw harsher and harsher cold that picked apart at her face. Her eyes began to hurt. Cold wind blasted into them. Just having to squint. I can’t believe how cold it has gotten.

She looked back down just to stop all that wind hitting her face. She could barely see the dark shapes of the village below. Right below her was the black mare flying right on her tail looking back up at her with worry. I know why you’re worried. But you’re worrying me. This mare could fly so easily in this. Wish it was so easy for me. She could not tell, but it felt as if her face was going numb now. How cold had it gotten? There’s even… snow on my wings! So much of it. Soul flapped it off. The snow was getting worse. Endless sheets fell down upon both pegasi in the grey embrace of the sky. Soul had never seen snow this bad before.

Weather pegasi never allowed a storm like this, or even able to make snow this bad. Snow this cold?! In Equestria?

The higher up she flew, the more she found herself in a state of wonder.

1.22
She could no longer see the village down below. She could no longer feel the tips of her wings. Didn’t even notice it but she was slowing down. Soul’s wings slowed down as quickly as her shivering body spasmed. The filly had to stop.

She sat there high in the sky with her stiffening wings gently keeping her in place against the strong winds and snow. “Are you alright?” The black mare hovered up next to her. Worry barely visible on her dark face. Soul stared at her, her teeth chattering in closed lips covered in the tiny frozen crystals of her own saliva. Soul actually had to hold herself with all four legs. “Its… s-s-s-so…” Soul heaved a hideous gasp. “C-c-cold.”

The mare shook her head. “This is too dangerous.” How the hell was she so calm in this!? Soul could not think straight to imagine how her friend was coping with the same conditions that hit her. All she could do was look around. Nothing but grey. The clouds of winter shielded whatever lay beyond in their dark shroud.

How could this happen? This storm was so bad Soul could barely see her dark companion next to her. One thing could only fill Soul’s mind. She desperately wanted to go back inside the protective walls of a home. Her home. Sitting in front of a fireplace wrapped in blankets, holding somepony else. That was a home she wanted right now. Like the last time.

What she could see in this darkness. A home in the middle of weather the likes of which she had never heard of to fall upon Equestria. Where was she?

“Soul!”

What is this weird feeling? Soul’s eyes opened wide. Her wings had given out and the vast expanse of grey nothing fell away from her. The small hint of black in the storm could show her new friend flying down after her. Wait, I’m falling!

Soul flailed her legs. Just as her wings came to life. Her descent slowed and then ceased. Catching herself in time. “Thank goodness” the black mare said as she flew before Soul. “Soul, we need to go inside! This is too much for you.” Soul’s back lurched. I just passed out. …Celestia’s sake.

Chills went down her spine. Soul thought back to what had just happened. All that she had felt was the heat she wanted to the point where she had entirely forgotten she was flying. Too muddled now. Can’t even think straight. This was not something she was used to at all. Nothing anypony would be used to. A winter storm that she was positive now, in the wake of her failing body, no Pegasus pony would ever be able to create in all of Equestria to settle in a cold that was unlivable.

She wanted to go home.

The black mare flew over closer to her. “Let’s go back. We can try again some other time.” She did not need to ask twice. Going inside sounded perfect to her. As painful the idea of waiting was, the little filly lowered herself down through the sky, her dark friend in tow.

1.23
Snow beat hard against the window. So much to block out all the light outside. Soul was sure to curse as lightly as she coul. Didn’t want the adult in the room to hear it. I’m not even sure if I can be so open around her. What little light had been shining through the window was Soul’s only real source of even any warmth to dry her soaked fur even faster than what she would want. It had been a relief to get back into the safety of the house exactly as it had been the first time. Well, the first time she could stay outside for a good long while, the weather that was now outside was so bad she could swear it had only been a few minutes before the icy grip began to take its toll.

The filly still shivered madly on her perch at the foot of the large bed. A quick look around proved to Soul this bed was meant for a full-grown pony. Bigger than her own bed. Its dirty and bare mattress spanned far and wide around her as if it would swallow her. The soft touch of the bed did what it could to warm her but what she truly wished for was a nice, comfy blanket. That or a hug from a pony of which she knew only one was here who could do that.

That very pony sitting patiently by the doorway glancing over at the recovering filly.

The more Soul looked at her, the more her eyes trailed along those huge wings folded along her sides. How nice it would be to be held in them. Like… like the last time I was held in somepony’s wings. How well that went. Soul felt bad… actually thinking about it… with this pony. What right do I have to ask her? As if this newly met mare would allow her. Maybe? I’m just so cold.

I hope it wouldn’t be too weird if I did ask. Soul’s ears perked up hearing the sound of newly strengthened wind slamming hard against the walls of the house. The wooden structure creaked and moaned.

“Are you feeling any better?” The black mare leaned in Soul’s direction. Not at all. Safety from the wind did little to free Soul of the still fresh feeling of icy chill over her. “No” Soul muttered.

“Is there something I could possibly do to help?” The black mare did something suspicious to Soul. Her left foreleg rubbed up and down the length of her right. She’s nervous. Her big wings fluttered. Soul was unsure, but it seemed this mare was wanting something. Something to help me.

Did she read my mind?

Whatever it had been, Soul felt a sense of safety in the shyness the mare presented. It’s just too cold to be afraid of asking, even if it’s weird. “Do you think I’m cool?” Soul asked. Really, I need to know. Not often I want to do this with anypony else. Only one time.

“I do. You’re really brave to be out here like this” the mare said. Soul liked that. Fine, I’ll ask her. Her shivering was too much now. “Well, there is something you could do but… please don’t make fun of me for it… or think I’m strange.” The mare giggled, not maliciously but sweetly.

“I promise. What can I do?”

Soul smiled. She leaped off the bed with a quick flap of her wings and slowly came up to the mare as much as her freezing legs would allow. She too sat down before her. Soul eyed a cozy spot right against her, and she looked up to her inviting face. Looks so warm. Maybe I can warm her up too.

The nameless Pegasus smiled so warmly down upon her. She truly was a friend. Soul could feel it now. She knew she could ask it of her. Trust her as best she could if it meant feeling better. No reason to hold back.

1.24
“Could you please hold me?” Soul said it. Oh man, even I feel bad asking that of this mare. I don’t even know her name. But… “Just for a little bit.” She had said it. I really miss stuff like that. Just… I want something. Even to stay warm, it would remind her of… of home.

A small laugh interrupted her thoughts.

The mare pulled herself closer to Soul, arching her body high to open up that big spot against her thin belly. “Of course you can.” She held her forelegs out to Soul and, as if by instinct, she unfolded her giant black wing. She actually wants to? Wings so big, looked so warm. Wow, I never thought she would want to. Soul didn’t even care about anything else. Just to fall in that and stop shivering for once.

Soul smiled up at her, she who returned one of her own. A smile Soul felt so loving. Like a… parent. She could not hold herself back from the idea. Soul jumped forward, her own forelegs reaching out to hug her. Closer she got to the black fur she knew would feel so heavenly. A touch she had missed so much after everything that had happened.

Getting closer, like time slowed, she felt those wings come down on her. Black feathers ruffling slightly in their trail. Darkness that grew until it fell upon her in a blanket of black.

Darkness. It was all she could see.

Something wasn’t right. Everything around her was dark. Like night. A bunch of mist and black all around her. Nothing else. I thought… I would feel warm. She felt nothing.

Soul blinked. The door shot out before her just as she fell onto the floor. Her forelegs still reaching out from her, not to the mare but to the door now.

“What?” Soul looked all around her. The wooden floor, the door and the wall. Where had the mare gone? What happened to her hug? She slowly pushed herself back up with only her forelegs. Sitting back up. Chills returned. Soul looked to her side. She could see a black wing hanging there. Soul turned around. There was the mare. Sitting where she had been with wings still stretched out. Her slender back right there. Soul could see her long and well-tended, black tail hanging high in the air still holding its excitement.

She was entirely still. Soul stood up. Her eyes held on the motionless mare as she gently walked around her. As soon as she was to her side, those big wings both folded in. No longer hidden, the mare sat there holding her forelegs out in front of those shocked split eyes. She would not look away from herself.

“What… happened?” Soul asked. The mare huffed in a rasp. She gulped. Her yellow eyes slowly moving to catch Soul’s gaze. Soul could see now that the mare was trembling. Her mouth shaking ever so slightly. Soul so uneasy.

A black hoof reached out to Soul. She could see it coming to her slowly, like she was about to jab her. Soul almost moved away. “Please don’t move” she requested. Soul did not. She stood there staring with confusion watching the mare’s hoof move over to Soul’s cheek. She could see it close in. So close. The black void filling her vision. What is she doing? Soul braced her cheek for the touch.

It never came.

Soul gasped in amazement as the black hoof melted in with her cheek. She had no idea what she just saw, just that it was… insane. That hoof turned to… to mist. Right against her cheek. Soul could not believe her eyes as the hoof came right back out of her cheek. A void of mist. Built together again. That black hoof held before her once more.

Her hoof had gone right through her face.

The mare reeled her hoof back, staring at it. Like she was one to be surprised. Soul actually went blank. This was… something else. Like this pony is made out of clouds or something. May as well. Her hoof was like one when it touched her. Like… like the stuff I used to read about. Is she…?

One thing came right to her as to explain what was going on.

1.25
“You’re… a ghost?”

The mare set her shaking hoof back down, staring off into space. “I… I…” she trailed off. Her mouth frowned in fear. Clear the mare was even more stunned than Soul was, can’t even answer. Shaking her head over it. Her body slumping.

Soul reached out to her closest black wing. Nothing changed. No feeling of something off as her hoof silently passed through the feathers she wanted to feel. So… is this why you aren’t even cold? Able to fly out there so easy. Her hoof just kept going through her. Again and again till the mare shot her a look. Okay, I’ll stop. Soul returned her hoof to the floor and stared to the mare. Sorry.

“Did you live here?” Was Soul in this mare’s house? Explaining as to how she had so silently appeared to her only after spending time here. The mare still stood there staring high into the ceiling of the house. Her ears gently falling to the sides of her head.

“No. I don’t know where I come from. This place… it is the first I’ve seen it. No different from you.” “Is there any chance you remember where you could be from?” Soul asked. The mare shook her head. Soul felt even more confused. She doesn’t know anything. I’m so confused. But one thing was clear.

“You’re lost then” Soul said. She stood back up and slid herself as close as she could without falling into the mare’s body, sitting side by side with her. “I’m lost too.”

Both ponies stared down at the floor with only the wind as their company. The mare eyed Soul, something Soul saw.

“How is it you are not afraid of me?” She asked bluntly. Soul wondered as to what she could mean. If she were a ghost or not, she sure did not act like one. She even offered her a hug on top of freeing her wings. A dragon-eyed black ghost mare. Never seen anything like this before. Wish I could tell the others if… if they even wanted to see me.

No, all I have is… is how she has been to me. So friendly. She even helped me. “Unless you start spooking me, you’re pretty cool to me. Thanks for helping me so much.” That crushing frown the mare wore quickly turning into a small smile.

1.26
A rumble broke Soul out of it, even made the mare startled for a moment. It lasted only a few seconds. Soul didn’t want it, but she saw the mare’s ears found where it came from. The filly knew exactly what it was and made her flush a little. She can’t hide it. She set a hoof over her stomach. Soul grumbled.

“I’m hungry.” With how old the house was apparent to her, doubt there would be anything to eat here. Maybe in the other houses? thinking if they were in a similar state to the one they were in. Soul could settle with a nice fruit salad or a sandwich right now. Anything better than what she had for so long now in Canterlot. Wonder if anything is out here.

The frigid air tortured her damp body. She shuddered with a ragged breath coming out hard from her mouth. Even tried to hold herself in her own wings. Those black wings were more attractive than ever.

Those wings rose above her. The mare stood up, looking ahead of her. She took a few steps away from Soul before looking back at her. “You truly are not afraid of me?” she asked. “Huh?” Soul started. “No. You’re cool just like I said.” Why should I be afraid? You’ve been awesome since the start.

The mare grunted. She bore her attention to the ugly chair Soul had used to reach up to the mantle earlier. Her hooves silently striding across the floor and stopping right at the foot of that chair. She sat back down. Soul watched on. The mare breathed deep. Almost like some rhythm to it. Soul thought she could see one of her legs shaking.

“I shall do something cool for you” the mare said.

1.27
Something creaked. Loudly. Quick and it grated on Soul’s ears. Ugh. Where is that…? She heard it then. Right behind the mare, the leg of the chair had been ripped, the wood torn and rending, turning to splinters as it pulled away from the chair. That was the thing.

It was pulled right off from the chair.

A second creak then a third, much louder than the first. One by one each of the legs followed suit to astonish Soul who knew not what was happening before her eyes. A tearing sound forced her the wince and the again as the chair collapsed on the ground. The four legs that had kept it aloft… they…

Floated

Soul had never seen this before. They hovered high over the mare wrapped in something strange. So dark. Like the mare was holding them but… no, she isn’t. That’s… that’s magic.

All the legs floating about in the dark embrace of the black clouds upon them all. Pinpricks of small silver coalesced in a dance within the black. Like it ate the chairs legs itself.

Soul’s eyes were wide. “Wow…” Her amazement making her grin at whatever this magnificent spectacle was. The mare actually glanced back at her now. She too smiled. All four legs were tossed into the gaping maw of the stone fireplace, all now freed of their misty blankets which immediately reappeared across more of the chair. A loud rip. The chair fell apart, pieces floating asunder from one another. Big and small, each piece joined with the legs making a sturdy pile of wooden. A new layer of darkness sprung to life in a sheet before the mare. Like a foggy cloud gently coming forward against the pile to push it further within the fireplace. Is she actually doing this? Soul wanted to walk up to it and see. This is unreal. Who is this? This mare?

That mare made a satisfied grunt and all that mist vanished. “What do you think?” she asked of Soul.

“That was awesome!” Soul shrieked leaning toward her. Her wings excitedly beat the air. That was too amazing. “How did you do that?” “It’s magic” the mare whispered. Soul’s eyebrow arched. Right when I thought I was going crazy. So it was true. That is what I heard Uincorns can do. Just like in the books. But… one thing though. She had to take a second look up on that pony’s head. Nope, …all she had were wings.

“Magic? …But you’re not a Unicorn. …Are you?” “As far as I can tell, no. I’m a Pegasus just as you are but, ...well.” She turned back to the fireplace. “I just can do stuff like this. I’ve always been capable of it.” She held out her hoof to the air around her muzzle. Out of nowhere, the tiny pony doll dashed in so fast that Soul couldn’t even see it in time, not before it floated over the mare’s hoof.

“Pegasi can’t perform magic, yet… somehow I can and it’s been natural to me for so very long.” “I thought you needed a horn to cast spells, just like how we need wings to fly” Soul said. Not that I need a horn to do cool stuff. Yeah, it’s cool that those horned ponies can do all that but they will never know what it’s like to fly as well as we can. But the idea of a Pegasus casting spells like a Unicorn, nearly ridiculous despite how cool it sounded to her. The thing is, now, do you really need a horn to do magic like this mare is doing?

“I have no idea why this has come to be” the mare said. “I have no horn, yet all I need is to want it… and it happens.” With that, the pony doll softly floated over to Soul to set down right in front of her hooves. “I’d love to be able to do that” Soul admitted. The mare giggled at her. “Is it not enough you are already an amazing flyer? I assure you…” her voice lowered steeply. Enough Soul could hardly make out what she said.

“…You are better off.”

1.28
Light roared to life across the entire room.

Shadows on every corner, dancing and waving as Soul watched this happen before her. A wave of fresh air flew into her face, sending all that fur flying. Such power. Wow.

This new light came from something Soul had a hard time believing had just appeared. Within the fireplace was a pillar of light. Oranges, reds, and yellows swirling in a whirlwind to give off small gleams of yellow fireflies to wander off only to die off in seconds. A glow so bright as to shine shimmers of orange in the mare’s distant dragon eyes.

Fire.

Ate every bit of the wooden pile she had made and the chair disappeared inside. It had been so sudden and so unexpected to her. Speechless. But the mare was just satisfied, looked like. She motioned her hoof over to Soul.

“Come now, I know you are cold. Sit with me.” I sure as hell will. Tired of being so cold. No matter how crazy this was, she could already feel the heat and came on over with the doll still in her hoof. The fire grew stronger as she closed. Something she could not have hoped to ever see in this dreary place that now gave new life to the dead of descending night. Not just the sight but the feel. Closer than before, it was hot. Like it was drying her fur right now, this is real fire.

Soul planted herself down next to her friend. Taking this all in. She really can do magic. Did it to help me. Soul could not help but smile. It felt great. Warm at last. No different from how she remembered the warming fires to grace her on chilly nights of winter or… huddling with her friends on Hearth’s Warming Eve.

I only have one pony here now to share this with me. I wish… she was here too. She held the Pegasus doll close to her, tears falling upon its head. Tears shed of the memory of times she felt long gone from her. Locked away from the rustle of wind tormenting the house and a cold that she still felt no matter how warm she got. I’m still… so cold. I’m tired of being cold. Tired of being stupid.

I hate you too!

I’m sorry, Dashie. Don’t even care if… if this mare was watching her.

1.29
How long could snow possibly fall? Never had she seen weather go so out of control as to snow for this many hours. Listening to the wind swirling around outside in an endless beating against the windows. The white of the snow shining off what light the Moon could give this place. So now, only the still roaring fire was left to light this house.

Soul would not dare to even move from where she was. Just not at all wanting to go around this strange house at night. It was scary for her to think of doing something like that. I could do that with my own home… not this. It was not a feeling her new friend had. She was off making a noise at the other side of the house. In the dark corners where the fire couldn’t reach. Going through something over there.

Whatever she could be searching through, Soul could not tell. Couldn’t even see her. So dark and such a dark pony. “Are you doing alright over there?” the mare’s voice called out from that void. This was the second time she had asked that since heading over there. Not annoying at all. Kind of felt good to finally have somepony around who cared. Mostly feeling slightly comforted knowing she had not left her.

“Yes” she replied briefly. Soul felt no different than she had the entire time she had sat with the mare watching the flames as they dried her off. Lucky for her all that water soaking her was gone. That fire was the only thing she watched right now. One source of light to guide her away from the darkness.

She watched as the fire trickled its light across the fireplace. How amazing that mare can make this. So much time sitting in front of it and she had no more doubt it was real. Not a trick of her eye or delusions. The work of a Pegasus who could do things she could never tell would feel like. How it would be to make incredible things like this?

She slowly brushed a hoof over the curly mane of the Pegasus doll still held against her chest as she watched the fire. Soul left to just enjoy the cinders floating around. Twirling and looping all around the flames. She watched their dance carefully. Their flight like that of free flying pegasi like she remembered in Cloudsdale, who would swiftly arch across the skies and clouds bringing in the first snows of winters. Each Pegasus tending to the lovely weather and raining a light snowfall upon the ponies below. Not once had she seen snow come down so hard and long. Not enough to bury homes. I hope this is all one big prank. It was never allowed to be this bad.

So what is this all about?

A winter so brutal that she could not even stay outside and forced instead to sit at a fire all alone. Reminds me. Sitting in front of a fire as snow came down. Where had those times gone? I’m all alone now… nopony here to hold me. Seemed like not that long ago. Then all this had to happen. I would love to do this with Dashie again. Would such a thing be possible again? Soul could not be sure if Dash would ever forgive her for what she had done to her and what she had said. I just want to leave this place and find her. But how long could this weather last? Where to go? Soon, I hope. Soul didn’t want to spend so long in this place. Not like this. Not at all.

1.30
Something set itself down upon Soul’s back, pressing her wings down and flattening her mane. Felt it right there. She yelped in surprise. Something lay all over her. She felt even warmer now. Because she just saw what it was.

“Do you like what I found?” the mare asked. That pony snuck up on her. Happy with herself. A big smile on her dark face. She actually found a blanket. Wow.

Soul grabbed hold of it in her mouth and pulled the whole thing around her. A soft and warm blanket… just like the one she and Dash had shared. Of course, I like it. “Thank you.”

She looked up finding a frown on the mare’s face. “I apologize though.” She slinked down. “I could not find any food.” A heart wrenching thing to hear and Soul’s stomach rumbled in response. Soul did not expect any food to be found in this old shack called a house but she had been hopeful anyways. Wasted. At least I have a blanket. Not so cold now. Something for this old bed.

“You should get some sleep soon” the mare said right then. Sleeping. Soul touched the mattress. Not her own. “I will” Soul said but would not move from her huddle in the blanket. The mare sat back down next to her and joined in watching the fire. Soul said nothing. She couldn’t.
Sleeping here. In this house. How long has it been? Been since she slept somewhere she could call home. A shine from tears building in her eyes. The howl of a strong gust of wind blasted in from outside and Soul could feel a slight cold breeze find a way into the blanket and make her shudder. Her stomach growled again. Made her want to whimper. She wanted to go home most of all. Somewhere that is home. To find a way out of this place she did not know. This unknown place of snow.

“Where in Equestria are we?” Soul finally asked.

Her new friend seemed talented in so many ways and knew some things. If she is, then tell me. Find out so I know where to go. I have to rely on her. In her brief time of knowing her, to believe she could help her find their way out of here. What better choice did she have?

A long sigh came from the mare. “I see no reason in hiding anything from you for you will figure it out soon enough. I can tell you are starting to do just that” she said. Stop wasting my time and tell me; Soul wanted to say that to her. Almost bitter. Her stomach roared.

“Soul…” That mare leaned closer and found a place next to Soul. Her dragon-like eyes looking down deeply at her. She looked so serious now and… Soul’s heart plummeted. Already knowing. Soul had an idea all along. That face was all she needed.

“Soul, dear…”

“This is not Equestria.”

1.31
I’m sorry.

What had the princess meant? An apology before Soul who felt more regret than any other before a crowd of glaring eyes.

This is not Equestria.

A beam of light. A shredding of sun-capped cloud homes amidst an open blue sky to give way to an endless veil of white and grey that bit her hard with frostbite. Ice to wrap her in an everlasting cold. Only snow and wind for as far as the eye could see reaching far and high. So cold. Her tears turning to ice. Right on her muzzle. That is what it is she gets to deal with now. That is why the princess apologized?!

Can’t even cry anymore. Just dying off like all the stars in the sky. This dreary sky. No longer the land she knew. The last tears for it. She could only cry for herself, what was left of it. In this cold land now. There they fell upon the ragged rug. She couldn’t stop it. Her heart ached.

“What?” Soul squeaked as her legs trembled beneath the blanket. “W-where are we? What happened to me?”

The black mare’s ears rose higher and twitched to face over to Soul herself. She hesitated to answer, staring down at the floor beneath Soul’s legs. Tell me!

The mare sighed quickly as her eyes closed. Her head shook as she turned to face away from Soul. Her faded mane flowing quick as she turned. Soul could not see it but she could tell her new friend hid away her own pain.

She knew.

Soul didn’t need to be told the mare knew something. But her answer came out not as Soul expected. “I think that you are aware of what happened. It is why you are crying.” Soul did know. It was the same thing that had happened to the last pony who did something horrible. Who had made a mistake. Just as she had done to and for Rainbow Dash.

“Celestia… sent me…” Soul’s head fell and she heaved a cry. Her eyes sealed tightly. “Away.”

1.32
Soul could only cry. Watching the old and ugly rug of this cursed place get soaked in her own tears. She was gone from her home.

Banished.

That was it. This can’t be. Soul went over everything she knew of her life. All the beauty she had learned to embrace like a wide sky welcoming her to fly its majesty. All her talent. Everything she wanted. I want it all back! Flying alongside the… the one pony I wanted to. Enjoying everything… together. Eating food with her friend, laughing with her. No worries like she taught me to not have.

Was it all gone now?

Rainbow Dash left her. Celestia herself got rid of her. All she had wanted was to help, to protect those dear to her and she had done just that. Taking pride in herself for doing what nopony else would or could only for everything in her life to now be stripped from her and replaced by… this. What was this for her? A lonely village in the middle of wherever the hell this was. Freezing in here! She wanted to be warm. I want it all back. I want the life I… I fought for back. I did ruin it.

Can I even go back? If it even could happen.

She cried harder and harder. Sobs echoing in the house. “No!” she screamed. “No.” Her voice fell to a whisper just as she fell to the ground. Her hooves clamped around the pony doll. “I want to go home. I want to go home.” It’s all I wanted after this.

The filly curled beneath the blanket. A new rumble escaped from her stomach pounding away at her with emptiness. So much pain, a loud cry set loose from her mouth.

“Soul” she heard the mare whisper above her. I don’t want to look, don’t look at me. She could feel the pony standing above her. Why are you even there? Will you hurt me too like all ponies did?!

“Soul” she said again anyways, closer now. “I’m so sorry.” Her voice was right there in her ear. Like… somepony sweet. Who would whisper to her just to say that all will be okay.

Soul peeked her head up.

1.33
Dragon eyes met hers. So close to her. The black Pegasus lay flat on the floor with her. Wings open to her. Like the entire floor covered itself in black feathers. A small glow of bright yellow beamed from the suns that were her diamond eyes.

So quickly, the blanket came down on its own. Soul couldn’t do it herself, no… it was the mare who made it do this. The blanket wiped Soul’s tears. Like the blanket itself did this for her. No, just magic.

“You didn’t deserve this, you sweet girl” she said to Soul. Despite her efforts to wipe them away, Soul’s tears only returned back to soak her fur. You think I’m… I’m not a sweet girl though. Nopony thought that. Not even my own mother. Not even my best friend. Why would you? Even if… I want to hug you for saying that to me.

Soul could feel her hind legs push herself forward pressing her over to the pony she held her forelegs out to. Darkness. Another total blackout as she could feel herself fall through the pony and hard onto the floor. She could see again, see her hug failed. The black Pegasus looked back at her. Must look like an idiot, huh? Too bad I can’t hug her.

Soul looked back up at her weeping. “I know you want to hug me” the black mare said. Her wings rose out to Soul but stopped short. “I don’t wish for you to be like this.” Soul sniffled. “I was banished” she cried. “Everypony hates me.”

“Shh shh shh” the mare hushed her. “That’s not true at all.”

Soul couldn’t believe that. Rainbow Dash hated her, as did every other pony. Just like how ponies made fun of her and how she was always abandoned in the end when love was all she ever wanted. Rewarded like this.

It hurt so much.

A new tear fell to the floor. Not from her but from another set of yellow eyes. The black mare wept for her. Soul was stunned. The mare actually cried for her. Like acid. Mist of black steaming from the ground with each tear to land on it. “Your friends don’t hate you.”

“Yes, they do!” Dash said so. “It’s why nopony wants me now. They don’t want me around.” The black mare pushed herself up in a surprise to Soul as she lurched down over her. Her long mane reaching down to her from above just as those dragon eyes did. “Stop it! I don’t hate you. You have no idea just how much I want to hug you right now! If only I could… to prove to you that, at this moment, I care for you.”

1.34
Soul heard the sincerity in her voice. This pony wanted to hug her? But what would that prove? It did not mean the ponies out there felt the same. It did not change that Celestia herself hated her so much as to get rid of her, a filly who wanted to be around others. This only caused her to cry more.

“Please stop crying” the mare said. Such a low voice, she pushed herself forward closer to Soul. Soul could feel her right there. Finding the pony laying next to her. Spreading her great wings and legs out. That black fur close enough to touch Soul but falling so short. “Stop crying. I’m here for you.”

They both sat there like that, Soul held herself. Ignoring the black mare laying with her. Wind blew against the house. Soul kept crying. My eyes hurt. I’m so tired of this. Of feeling like this. I was banished!

She lay quietly beneath the mare’s chest. Her life really was gone. She mumbled underneath the blanket. “Shhh” the mare silenced her again. Soul did so. Can’t even feel anymore tears left in her. “I hate this.” She sniffed hard. “Celestia is so mean.”

“Calm down, little one.” Soul did as she asked. All she could do anymore. With her thoughts of everything. “So mean.” Soul fell silent again lost in what little warmth the blanket and fire could provide to her as the house grew colder. Only her heavy breathing and sniffles could be heard. I’m so tired.

She fully awoke hearing her dark friend speak to her anew. “You are indeed so heartbroken. But I can assure you that Celestia is no different.” “Why?” Soul asked. “She had to do what she did but such a decision would wrench her heart so much it would ache. I know because it’s how I would feel. I bet, right now, you are the only pony on her mind. The memory of what she did now a blight on her own soul.”

1.35
Soul didn’t care. Knowing she had been banished being the only thing she could focus on. I was banished by that jerk. I did the right thing. Dash is safe now. Just because of that made her doubt if Celestia really did feel bad about this. So she stayed quiet. I don’t feel like fighting. She had saved Rainbow Dash when nopony else would yet the princess still punished her. It sure did not seem she felt regret. None of that… what had she said?

Blight on her soul?

I have a hard time knowing what it is this mare says sometimes. Fine, I’ll talk to you. Anything to stop crying. “What does blight on her soul even mean?” Soul asked. “You wish to learn?” the mare asked in surprise above her. “You talk so weird” Soul whispered. “So of course I want to know what you mean.”

Soul stopped herself immediately. I probably should not have said that. Damn. Hope she isn’t mad. Her head lowered expecting some sort of punishment. Another punishment.

The mare unexpectedly laughed. “I do talk funny, huh?” she said. “My apologies. I’ll gladly tell you what I meant. Sending a sweet filly such as you away would certainly hurt Celestia… the blight of her soul. Actions that leave a deep black void across the kindness of her spirit.”

Uh… okay. I didn’t think she would be alright with that. But fine. Soul nodded anyways. Glad that she didn’t get in trouble. It was actually interesting to her. It sounded to her like regret. Celestia felt regret just as Soul did? Soul didn’t know nor could she guess. All she had were her memories of the fateful moment that seemed like long ago as she stared into the alicorn’s eyes, and now everything was gone. All her friends and her life. Lost and all she had left was a strange mare. Now her only companion.

Soul looked up at the black fur all along that pony. All her beauty in her shiny coat and wings. Her gorgeous smile. This really was the only pony who was being nice to her. Is she really the only one who likes me? A black ghost with no name? A dark spirit. The best I got. May as well be exactly what the mare was talking about, some black soul is all she… is. Wait.

Something hit her mind. Eyeing the pony. The blight of her soul, huh? Soul actually had to giggle a little when she thought of it.

1.36
“Soulblight!”

Soul could see the mare actually held her breath for a moment. Surprised?

“What is that?” she asked of Soul. “I don’t like not knowing what to call you so I came up with a name.” Soul said as her ears drooped. “You don’t like it?”

“Did you come up with that just off of my explanation?” the mare said. Soul went ahead and nodded her head. Best I could do with what you gave me. Hope you like it. The mare was silent. Looking all over her. Looked like she was stunned. Why? Is it that bad?

“Aww” she heard the mare say. “That’s so sweet of you.”

“You like it?” Soul asked again, brightening up. “I do. I wouldn’t mind you calling me that, you creative little sweetheart.” Soul felt the blanket tug itself over her head and roughly rub against her mane. It didn’t hurt not at all like how she used to get these noogies, but Soul knew the mare was doing her own version of one to her. It made Soul giggle a little, and that even made the mare she could now call Soulblight laugh with her.

Their laughter was interrupted by another rumble of thunder from Soul’s stomach, this one worse than every other so far. It made Soul cringe and curl up against her belly. “Owww.” Soul moaned again. “We don’t have any food?” she pleaded. Now Soulblight backed away to no longer loom over the filly and sit down in front of her. “I checked everywhere.”

A burst of magic pushed the Pegasus doll back in between Soul’s forelegs. She held it in her hooves, all she had. “I know it’s tough to handle but we can look around the area tomorrow for something to eat. I believe it’s too dangerous right now” Soulblight explained. …Soul would not argue. Not much of a choice. Going out in the dark terrified her even with the company of the older Pegasus, but that damned cold truly haunted her.

“But I can’t fall asleep hungry” Soul said.

Soulblight left her gaze on Soul and looked over to the abandoned bed. “You should sleep. It shall be day time before you know it and we can be that much closer to getting you something to eat. I can help you fall asleep, if you wish.” Well that was true, just sleep and be done with this day. So much closer to food then. How hard would it be for her to fall asleep though? …For both of them?

“Aren’t you hungry? How would you be able to fall asleep?” Soul asked.

Soulblight chuckled looking back at her. She looked proud of herself over something. “Come on now, you think I need food or sleep?” Oh, that’s right… hard to get used to this. Oh how much Soul envied her. Wonder what it’s like, to be like her.

1.37
She made her way to the bed anyways. Soulblight stood up as well and followed right behind her, who dragged the blanket with her, over to the bed. Soul did not need to deal with the blanket anymore. Nope. That magic grabbed hold of it once more and tossed it up on that bed. Just a flick of her wings and Soul flew up there.

The bed was pretty soft. Thought it would be hard. She wasn’t sure what to have expected with how old everything in the house seemed to be. Good thing it was soft to her hooves’ touch. She found a nice, open spot at the head of the blanket that she lay herself down on. Stretching herself out on it. Finally, some rest.

“At least this feels nice” she commented. Her stomach rumbled again. Everything felt nice except for that. The harder her hunger hit her, the more Soul doubted on if she could fall asleep. Yet there was no food.

Wait a minute. It was too cold for her, …but not for Soulblight. She was able to fly around out there easy. “Wait!” Soul grabbed her attention. “Do you think you might be able to find some food since you seem to be more… gifted than I am?” Soul gave her a big, pleading smile. Please. Soulblight smiled at her as well.

“Excellent idea. That weak weather is nothing to me.” With that, she turned around and silently trotted over to the door. For some reason, she still smiled and her voice sounded almost joking to Soul now. “I shall be going. It may be some time before I can find something for you sooooo…” She looked back over at Soul with an arched eyebrow. “Would you be alright being by yourself for a couple hours?”

Soul’s heart sank. I… um… maybe not such a good idea. She could see it now: all alone hiding under her blanket in the dying light of the fire. Her body shivering from both cold and… all this loud wind rocking the house, almost scared her right now. With nopony around for her to reach out to.

Wow. Soul found herself astonished as to how Soulblight’s knew that. Whatever it was, Soulblight actually looked pleased with herself. “You still wish me to leave?” “No!” Soul yelled, jumping from the bed and almost falling off.

“I… I can wait till morning, I guess.”

Soulblight walked back over to the bed still smiling at the filly. “It’s only been half a day. Just be a little more patient and you shall be better soon” she said. “It’s time for bed.”

1.38
Soul’s heart calmed itself. Thankful she isn’t leaving. No way could she do this without Soulblight here tonight. It allowed her to fall back down on the bed, laying on her side as comfortable as she could be. A bit hard to feel right. This wasn’t her bed. Been so long since she could sleep in a bed she knew. Didn’t help it was cold too.

“Would you at least want to lay on the bed with me? There’s plenty of room” Soul asked. Keep me some company in this strange place. She was answered quickly with a black hoof falling upon the mattress only for it to disappear before her eyes, going straight into the white of the bed. Soulblight brought her hoof back up. “It seems I can’t” she said disappointed. That sucks.

Soul felt a little relieved for Soulblight since the mare didn’t need to sleep at all. She could not imagine having the Pegasus sleep on a cold, hard floor while Soul gets the bed. Well it looked like the bed truly was for Soul tonight. Though it would be nice to share it with the larger pony. Been so long since she ever got that chance again, not since last time… the last time she could sleep with another pony. All she had was the blanket. Soulblight grabbed hold of that blanket with that black mist again. Pulling it up. It fell upon Soul, covering all but her head. Soul felt some touch running along her as the blanket tightened around her. Moving on its own, the blanket kneaded itself deep under Soul’s body and wrapping around her leaving just enough room for her to be able to move around in. It felt much warmer than it did before. Soul figured out now that the pony had tucked her in.

Felt a little warmer, though she still missed sleeping like she used to. She still smiled with how pleasant it all felt, all thanks to Soulblight. She could feel her eyes fall slowly as she watched the kind, black Pegasus watch over her with the glow of the still strong fire flickering behind her.

“You’re not gonna leave me, right?” Soul asked. Had to be sure. No way to fall asleep if it were otherwise. Soulblight shook her head. “I’ll be here watching over the house. If you need me, I’ll be right with you.” “Thank you” Soul said.

“You’re really nice.”

Soulblight’s smile grew wider. “Hush now.” She reached her head over the mattress closer to Soul. “You still want me to help you fall asleep?” “How?” Soul wondered. Something that can help. Soul’s poor stomach rumbled again.

“Hmmm.” Soulblight looked to the mattress before returning her gaze to Soul. “Have you… ever had anypony sing for you?” A song? I didn’t expect her to offer that. She had never been sung to sleep before. Nopony ever offered it to her nor had she ever needed it. Damn, how Rainbow Dash would likely laugh at her by how she was now thinking of accepting the thing Soulblight offered her. Even if… Dashie may have had her mom sing her to sleep.

She wondered how Dash may be right now. Was there an off chance she needed her parents to sing to her just for tonight? After what I did to her, she probably needs it. I hurt her so bad. Did she lay in her bed at this very moment like Soul did, sad? Sad but with her mom and dad like normal. Or did she even care? Forgetting Soul like everypony else did, not like the black Pegasus. Soul’s very own pony to stand over her and ease her mind.

1.39
“You have a nice song for me?” Soul asked. “I know one and I would love to share it with you” Soulblight started rubbing her hoof along the back of her mane. “If you want, that is.” Soul nodded. She could swear Soulblight’s eyes lit up. “Okay. Get cozy.”

Soul slid the side of her head deep into the mattress. Laying against her own mane. So much softer than the mattress. Already sleepy and watching the mare. How Soulblight rubbed her chin and thought.

“I’m unsure if you’d like my singing voice so I don’t want you to not laugh at me” Soulblight requested. “I won’t” Soul whispered. Never. Not to you. Soulblight silently cleared her throat and leaned forward closer until she was just short of Soul’s ear. Close enough for Soul to see small strands of silvery mist spiral out from her black fur falling down to harmlessly poof away against the filly’s own fur. So close once more. Looking into just how beautiful and lovely this mare was. Fur so dark but she could see how soft it all was. Gentle like her smile.

Soulblight closed her eyes. Soul listened.

“My lovely pony, know not of fear. Rest in the warmth of my care.”

Those words came out slowly and so naturally. Elegant. Soul felt tingles hit her just from that. She was awe struck. The voice that so gently sang each individual word was completely different to how she had heard from Soulblight up till now. It was a softness the likes of which Soul could not believe to be possible for any pony at all to speak with, rolling from that black tongue with grace. That’s what it was.

How is this pony so beautiful? In every way.

Soul… she couldn’t help it. Her eyes felt heavy. Wanting to just listen to that lovely voice go on. Words sung so slowly. “Sleep my sweet pony, I’ll hold you so near. Cradle the love we’ll always share.” Those last words stuck in her head, sung softly in the last breath Soulblight gave in her song, and Soul saw it just as her eyes fought to stay open.

Soulblight… she cried under her closed eyes. Why are you crying? Soulblight…

Soul wanted to reach out and hold her. If only she could. To know why… why the mare cried. I’ve never seen a pony cry from their own song.

“That… was… beautiful” Soul managed to slip that out at least. So cozy, she couldn’t do it anymore. Even without her bed, without anything that she knew. Without her room and with all that had happened. So long without it all, she could still fall asleep in peace.

“Sleep well, Soul Serenity.”

1.40
Soul burst right through all those clouds. The shredded bits of once elegant clouds cut to shreds by her wings. Back to the sky again for her first time of the day. Soul had missed her open sky even with just having to sleep a whole night before she could do this. She felt so energized and ready for the day. Having to laugh about it.

No change in the wind. Nothing that she felt would keep her from having a good day. Nope, clear weather for today. This would turn out well. A perfect and quick dash through the open sky and going to find the rest of the ponies. Hopeful to find Dashie there. Soul could see her best friend wanting to try and show her up with something the first chance she would get, can’t wait to see.

They were supposed to practice synchronized spins today in the middle of this breezy day. No challenge whatsoever for Soul and her number one wingpony. Only allowing the other slowpokes to catch up while giving them a show at the same time. May as well throw in some spirals to spice it up. Anything went now that… we finally get to practice tricks at camp.

Like the sky itself reminded her of her best friend out there. A massive rainbow arch rising high over Soul and descending far off in the distance to the landscape far below. Its assortment of colors coming down in a mix with the greens and browns of the wide-open landscape whose vastness could only match the same openness of the sky that coiled around the titanic super city of Cloudsdale. The city’s perfectly tended and patterned cloud buildings shrinking in size as Soul left it far below her. Nearly every white and blue home specked in tight marks across the clouds barely visible to Soul’s eyes with only the waterfalls of rainbows and wafts of newly birthed clouds floating about left to show Cloudsdale still down there. So high up. A distance closed between the great pegasi city and Soul by the gigantic rainbow cast off by the city itself.

1.41
Soul would not return to the city hopefully for the rest of the day to relax at the sauna… but only after some more flying around the city with Dashie. Maybe the two fillies could go to the forest or even the lake. That is what she hoped for. Soul couldn’t hide her excitement, grinning all the way to where she could see the place to be.

Dozens upon dozens of clouds annihilated in her wake. Soul loved going this fast. Any reason to get there faster and to give herself some warmup for today. Her incredible speed brought her that much closer until she could see them right ahead. Found you all.

She could see all the fillies and colts up there in the clouds and spotted a cloud for herself. Nice and wide open. A nice, big cloud the specks of several kids flew around with nopony on it. No chance of an accident. So she darted forward at it.

“Wait for it” she whispered. Under and over. In the cloud came, growing bigger and bigger in her sight within mere seconds. Now. Soul sent her wings forward and held them in place with all the strength of her muscles fighting and winning against the massive force of air pushing back against them. Her wings did not buckle and her feathers held strong. Quickly slowing the filly down in time for her to fly right under the dark spot of the cloud, just fast enough, not too fast but not slow enough to rid the thrill of her daring flight. Soul kept her eye on the shadow around her, watching the rays of the Sun flowing down around the cloud. She was pinpoint. A strong down flap of her wings just as she passed back into the sunlight free of the cloud’s shadow. There we go.

Soul curved up along the side of the white cloud, close enough for puffs of free floating cotton to rip apart against Soul’s back. She flew free of the cloud’s touch. Down below her she could see it, a big spot atop the sun-drenched cloud that she went right for with just one flap. Soul came down on it. Spinning over that cloud and… she let her hooves out. The cloud’s top poofed around her hooves as she set down from her completed spiral.

Ha, I still got it.

1.42
“I’m here, guys!”

She looked around. But she held her breath… because of this response.

All the kids of her group were here yet nopony seemed to have even noticed her arrival. A hoofful of them finally glanced back over to her. They seemed surprised to see her and certainly said nothing. Like they didn’t care about her move. “Hey, Soul.” “Hi.” They said back to her before going back to whatever mingling they had been doing.

Soul’s high spirit hit the curb. Everypony had not even noticed. None of them smiled at her, none of them congratulated her. She could only see them smile at one another as they talked to their fellow flight buddies while they stood on clouds or flew around them. Soul grumbled under her breath before slowly walking along the cloud with her head down. Of course. I wish they had seen it.

“Show off.” Soul’s ears perked up. She turned in the direction of whoever said such a thing. Recognizing the voice of the pony she didn’t want to see today. Hoping her would have gotten sick or something to keep him away. There floated, of all ponies, Aurora. The lavender colt in a hover with a few other colts with his forelegs crossed and looked as displeased as always.

Typical for that jerk to say that. Well at least somepony had noticed her… much to Soul’s discontent for who it was. So she did as she always did, ignoring him as she walked by. He still can’t get over that I beat him. He’ll do anything to try and make me feel bad.

She could hear a hoofful of quiet snickers uttered by the colts just as she would have expected. “Thanks for noticing” she said without looking at him. “Asshole” she whispered confident he had not heard her. He gave no hint that he had.

Soul went back to keeping her head low to the clouds and moving to join the rest of the pegasi. She took a deep breath and let it go as her heart beat fast from the warm up she had given herself. A pointless warm up she felt as all the ponies seemed to instinctively ignore her. It would have been nice if somepony cared. After all, Soul just recently saw she could finally be herself around them all.

Maybe Dash had spotted her pull it off somewhere else, she hoped.

“Hiya, Soul” a voice said to her. Sounded a lot happier. Practically lifted Soul up right away. Looking up, she found the curly maned filly. Amber! She came over right with Soul, happy to join her. A friendly face. Soul smiled for her.

1.43
“Hi, Amber! You ready for today?” Soul more than happy to talk to her. Always great to have Amber there to join them for flying. No doubt flying alongside her sister, Breezy. “Yeah! I had a great breakfast and I’m raring to go” Amber said. Soul could see her smaller wings flutter at her sides. Soul had to giggle a little.

She really is always so fun to be around. Always like this. I’m… glad we all hung out last Hearth’s Warming. Wouldn’t be able to even talk like this if not. “I expect Breezy and you to give me a show” Soul happily said. Confident in them.

Amber looked off to her side, keeping her eyes square on Soul with a look of something Soul couldn’t place. Is she shy? She sure sounded shy with her response. “Oh, …well I’m not with Breezy today.” She rubbed one of her forelegs over the other.

Soul was amazed by what she was hearing. Did Amber have a new friend, finding a new partner for today? Perhaps Breezy was doing the same. Soul could not help but feel happy for her.

“Really!” Soul shrieked. She bounced right up into her face. I got to know the details. All of them. “You got a new friend? Who is she?!” Amber laughed this time. She smiled at the expectant magenta filly.

“Well… it’s a he” she said.

No way. Soul wanted to smack Amber if she was just pulling her leg. All this time, I never thought she would want to fly with a colt. Never came off like she would. Amber was the last pony Soul would expect to do that, especially since she had Breezy. Soul didn’t even need to respond. Her face told it all to Amber. The filly frowned at her.

“Hey, I’m not lying. He wanted to practice with me and I said yes. Breezy told me to go for it.” Soul gave up on her disbelief of Amber’s words and accepted them as truth. Amber was getting a new friend, and a boy at that. Lucky.

Soul nodded at her. Her forehoof arced out and gently punched against Amber’s shoulder. “Good for you! Make me proud.” “You know I will” Amber said as she turned around and stared off over at somepony else. Soul caught him too. Some grey maned colt with long strands of hair over his face. Soul could see him wave over at them and Amber even waved back. That has to be him. I don’t even know his name. Just another stranger in their class to her. “Don’t get too jealous of me” Amber smirked before flying off.

“What!?” Soul yelled.

Damn teasing. Soul had not for one bit felt any jealousy over her hanging out with new ponies or boys. Not like I need boys, I got my flying to perfect and all… though she did find herself a little down by it. Amber is lucky. So easy for her to make a new friend. I had a hard time just trying to get ponies to notice what I can do. Speaking of which… “Wait a minute” she called after Amber. “Did you see my trick?” No answer came back. Amber was well away with that colt. “Damn” Soul said.

Guess I should see Dashie.

1.44
There she was. Just a couple clouds off she could see that long rainbow tail facing back at her. Dash over there with the other fillies and colts. Just who I want to see. Soul jumped right off the cloud and leapt over to the next. Her wings gliding her over and over them all one at a time, just a short way over to where Dash was.

Nopony noticed her landing with them and as she walked up behind them. Soul couldn’t care. Everypony she saw were nameless to her that she never cared to meet. So she approached the one pony there she truly knew. Soul kept expecting Dash to turn around and greet her but it never came as she listened to another filly talking about something. Soul could only pick up a few words and not enough for her to figure out what they may be talking about.

“Dashie!” she screamed.

Just as she wanted, Dash’s tail frizzed up and she actually shook a little from shock. Yes, I surprised her. Soul just loved seeing that look on Dash’s face. She smiled proudly. Dash turned her head back with a frown that slowly came up to a small smile.

“Oh, what’s going on?”

Soul heard it right there, Dash sounded displeased. I overdid it. Dash was certainly less than pleased being scared like that in front of the others and the fault was on Soul. “Sorry for yelling. I was just playing. It looks like you’re ready for today” Soul said. Dash turned around now to face her.

“Don’t do that again. That wasn’t very nice, you know?” Soul couldn’t really smile anymore. She backed off a step feeling ashamed over how much her tiny prank affected Dash. She glanced past Dash to the other pegasi standing behind her who were also staring at her. All across them, none smiled at her, not even Dash. Soul realized she truly should not have yelled. Even she would consider it as rude to have been interrupted by somepony just as she had just done. But it made no sense. Dashie always liked it when I pranked her, she always got me back in the end. Maybe she really is afraid of doing this stuff in front of the others.

Soul tapped her hoof against the cloud with her head down. “I won’t. I’m sorry.” Soul regretted it. I need to find some way to make it up to her. Dash sighed. “Don’t worry about it. …I’m totally ready for today. You look good as well.” Soul liked how her friend returned to normal now sounding exactly as she knew her to be. Maybe she had noticed her trick earlier. Soul went off that assumption. “Thanks a lot! Did you happen to see my landing when I got here?”

Dash placed her hoof behind her head, rubbing slowly with a smile. Yes?

“Uhhh …no I didn’t, sorry” Dash admitted. Soul sighed. So it was all for nothing then. Damn.

1.45
“Yeah… don’t worry. It was nothing special” Soul lied.

Soul had to admit to herself that it was kind of heartbreaking. She kept her head low to the ground faking her smile, none knew how disappointed she was. Feels a lot like how the early days here felt. None of it mattered. She would have time to feel better later on as she trained with Dash and have loads of fun. So she went on to it.

“I’m excited to fly with you today. We’re gonna do great, I know it” Soul said looking up at Dash. “Oh. Right” Dash slowly said. Her smile let out a small laugh. It sounded weird to Soul. Like it was a fake one.

“Uh, Soul” Dash said to her. “I’m actually pairing up with somepony else today.”

Soul actually felt her own stomach churn hearing that.

Dash was not going to fly with her?

How could this be? “What?” Soul whispered. “But… we always fly together.” “I know, but Breezy needed a partner and I offered to fly with her” Dash said. So that was who Breezy would be with now that Amber had found a new partner and now… Soul realized she had no partner. But… Dashie, you’re supposed to be my partner. My wingpony. Who else could ever be my partner?

Her eyes scanned across the other ponies standing behind Dash. All strangers to her. No, she did not want to ask any of them. She wanted her friend. Almost as if it were mocking her, Breezy flew in behind Dash. The younger filly smiling away over this. Dash actually smiled at her and not at Soul.

“Dash! We’re heading out so hurry up” Breezy said. Dash started to turn away. “Coming” she said with no hesitation. “No, wait!” Soul yelled after her, making Dash turn back in surprise to Soul’s outburst. Even more surprised to now see a tear coming down the magenta filly’s cheek. Soul could feel her mouth quiver in sadness with how close she had seen Dash nearly leave her with no explanation about this. Hell, not even caring about how mean it was to leave her. We need to fly together.

“I want to fly with you, Dash. I got nopony else to fly with” she pleaded. She felt this to be true with fear coming over her still thinking she would have to approach somepony she did not know. What if they didn’t like her or made fun of her like they used to do? It was not a fear she had with Rainbow.

“Go ask around then. I already got a partner” Dash said in such a harsh tone. Stunning Soul with it but even more so by what she was asking. Dash, more than any other, should know I can’t do that. She is the one I want to always fly with. She knows this. How could she suggest this? Soul slinked her head down slowly shaking, thinking over it. “But… I don’t want to. I’m too afraid” Soul whispered.

1.46
Something breathed against her forehead. It was strong enough to force the filly to look back up and see a pair of magenta eyes staring down on her with Dash’s face right there in her face.

“Well that’s not my problem.”

The words coming out like a knife to her heart making Soul tremble. They cut so deep against her. Soul repeated the line over and over feeling these sudden cruel words of her friend. Soul hated to… to do this, but tears came down. Couldn’t even control them. Dashie, I… I want to only fly with you. Don’t leave me. Don’t do it like everypony else did.

Small laughs sounded out to her. Past Dash, she could see the other kids laughing at her hiding their mouths behind their legs as if she wouldn’t see it. Don’t laugh at me. She knew she looked so defenseless now, pushed down by the cyan Pegasus and cornered by those words that made her cry in front of everypony. Surrounded by their laughter. “D-d-d …Dashie” Soul muttered with what little strength she could put out. With that, Rainbow Dash backed away looking back at her now with disgust.

“What a baby” she turned back to look at the others. “Why would I ever fly with her? A waste of my time.” The laughter grew louder to Soul. She could clearly see everypony else finally laughing about it. Just like they did when I fell. How can they do this? Laugh at this. How she was abandoned by the pony who smirked at her. Even Breezy laughed behind Dash. Soul looked around at all of them. Not one pony showed her any care. Pegasi hanging around other clouds laughed at her from the distance. She could even pick out Amber among them. Like this really was funny. Funny to them all… and she was the only one who could cry over it. Why? Why?

Soul backed away from them all. She wanted to go home now, forget the class. Knowing how pathetic she must look now. Pathetic in front of everypony and in front of her best friend. Even with what Rainbow had said, Soul had to reach out to her. Her little hoof moving to touch her friend’s chest. “Dashie…” she whispered again. Dash did not meet her touch. Soul’s heart ached as she watched her friend turn around with her head shaking. As she turned away, Soul caught Dash glaring.

“Buzz off.”

Soul saw it come right at her. Her face stung right when that rainbow tail whipped right at her. A pain that could not yell any louder at her than the pain in her heart. All she could see in her hazy sight was a streak of rainbow hairs flashing across her face reaching from the rear of the cyan Pegasus. Striking so hard. So hard… Soul blinked. So hard that she felt nothing. Nothing else but the pain that made her step back and then… her hooves fell off.

1.47
Dash left her sight, as did all the other ponies. All she could see was the sky falling away from her just like when I would fall all the time during training. Right before they left me. All the time Nimbus and Starry trained me, gone in an instant. Just like all ponies in my life, falling away from it all. Everything left her. The sky left her, and only a single feeling could grip upon her body. Soul only felt her pain. Her wings dangling up desperately clawing back to the clouds she fell from. She could not reach out to them. The echoes of laughter entering all around. Stop it!

Her heart ached so much. Rainbow Dash… hated her. Doesn’t even want to fly with me. What is the point then? No point at all. Flap. Flap. Those wings did nothing to stop her fall. They were useless.

The clouds shrank ever more and the wind cut deep against her back as she fell. Clouds burst apart to make way for her. Little puffs of white all that were in her wake. Soul reached a hoof out. It came before her vision. A small magenta hoof reaching out for where she last saw her. For the life I want back. Give it back! Please. Rainbow. “Dash…shie. Don’t leave… me”

I hate you!

The wind cut deep. Falling through it all. Just a little reach for the sky she fell from. Soul left it behind. Cast out from it, Soul pulled her hoof back in. Coming to touch… where Dash hit her. It hurts. So much. Didn’t need to see it, just knowing by the red she saw on her hoof. A deep cut on her face. She hit me. Why? Red droplets fell from her hoof up into the sky. All she left behind in her fall.

It hurt. So much. Her face stung as badly as her heart did but she would not reach away, still clinging on to the last sight of that dying cloud high above her in the sky that died along with it. The blues and whites shining in the great embrace of the yellow Sun staring down on her, burning all that sight away. The last light of day gone.

It’s so dark. Falling from the sky. Soul could feel it. Coming down on the forest that lay below it all.

Dashie.

Silence.

1.48
Soul gasped.

The only sound to break the darkness. Gone was the sky, the clouds she could not reach for. Staring up at some ceiling. It left her muddled. Hearing some ringing. Laughter. She just realized she was panting. Her hoof rubbed against the rough mattress.

No, this wasn’t her bed. That was right.

She remembered everything looking up at the wooden boards of the ceiling and a glance to her right showing the ugly window stuffed near to the top with snow that worked hard but failed to block out rays of sunlight to try and shine through the house as much they could. This sanctuary from the snow in a world devoid of the hatred and betrayal her mind flourished around with what was left of what she now knew was a nightmare.

The most terrible nightmare in a long time. She moved her head a little across the mattress. The blanket buckled along her body, freed of the tight wrap it had her in as she remembered it used to be. Tossing and turning. Such a rough night.

Felt like… her entire face was damp. A cool touch along the back of her neck. The mattress was wet where her head lay, soaked. I can’t believe it. Thank Celestia nopony could see how miserable, even pathetic, she looked.

Except for… “Soul…blight?” she whispered, turning her head slowly to where she remembered the fire to be, where the black Pegasus had stood over her lulling her to sleep. Her eyes deeply hung on the fireplace. Amazingly, the fire still burned. Its blossom of sunlight rippling in a wave along what she could pick out as new stuff in it to keep it burning. Whatever they were, she could not make them out with how charred they had become to keep the house warm for her. It looked like Soulblight had kept busy overnight to keep her warm, and she had indeed waited for her in the night.

1.49
There along the wall far off from the foot of the bed, Soul picked out the dark figure of the mare sitting there and nearly blending in with the shadows of the poorly lit house. Her yellow dragon eyes looming down on the dirty rug placed out on the floor before they rose to finally meet Soul’s gaze.

So Soulblight must have seen me… crying. Soul didn’t want to say anything. Just getting up out of the bed. Her long mane made into a mess and hanging over her eyes. Kept them well hidden. Seeing her tail was also a total mess too. Soul knew she had a nightmare for sure. I must look terrible to her.

I’m just glad it’s over. I feel much better now. So glad she got sleep and was free of that terrible nightmare. Even felt rested for once. Better than she ever had. Maybe because her heart was still pounding. Yet, Soul noticed immediately she felt …energized.

I’m not tired at all. Like that was the best sleep she had in months. So wide awake now. She leapt right off the bed. No need to drag herself out of bed this time. With new space to work with, Soul stretched her legs and wings out, ridding the kinks from her muscles. It felt good. Clean away of the feeling of free fall still fresh to her and making her uneasy. It was so much better to have her hooves firmly planted on solid ground right now as she stretched her legs ahead of her. With a small grunt, she straightened herself back out heaving a sigh of relief.

She turned back to the mare and gave her a smile which the mare returned back. “Good morning, Blight.” I uh… wow, kinda slipped out with that name she just called her. Soul put a hoof to her mouth. “It’s nice to see you again, sweetheart” Soulblight said.

She… is okay with it? I don’t know why I’m so afraid. She felt so uptight. Even feeling her body still shaking. She even called me a sweetheart? Come on now, I’m not that sweet. No need to say that to make me feel good or something. Still made her smile. Maybe she does like me.

1.50
Soul caught sight of something laying on the ground a few steps away from her. The Pegasus doll, standing right there. Oh man, I left it there like that. She had left it alone all night long. A little, defenseless thing. Even after doing such a thing, the Pegasus still smiled at her with forgiveness. I’m sorry.

She made her way over to it and wrapped one of her forelegs around it. I’m not leaving her right here. Its soft touch a welcome feeling against the skin hidden beneath her fur. So soft but… she looked down at it. It’s just a doll. Some toy, but it’s leaving me like this. Soul looked and saw Blight was still over there watching her. Completely forgot about her. Why am I acting like this? She looked down at it again.

“You seem livelier this morning” Blight commented. “…Do I?” Soul remarked as she walked back over to the bed. I sure don’t feel it.

“I do believe I like this side of you. It’s cute.” Soul could feel her cheeks heat up hearing that all of a sudden. Somepony just called her cute?! What? Why was Blight even talking like this to me? Sheesh. It’s kind of flattering. Better than what all the other ponies say to me. Even so, she kept her face away from Blight. Hide herself and just go about putting that doll up on the bed. Reaching out to set it down, Soul looked down on her foreleg that came up along the bed.

It was the same leg as before.

She stared at it. Wanting to try and see if it would happen again. That hoof came closer to her face. Is it there? Just a second. Just to make sure. Though she hoped it wouldn’t be so. She touched her cheek. Right where she had felt the pain. It felt fine, it looked fine. Pulling her hoof back. No blood. Soul couldn’t place what this meant. She remembered it and how it felt. Like it was still there. It was so intense. I really thought there was something there. Some wound on her. How painful it was even outside of it all. Like she had indeed been scratched while she slept, but no blood, no wound. She wanted to get rid of that memory. It was just a nightmare. Nothing more.

Nothing at all.

Dash would never do that to me. Never. She isn’t mean.

She slowly left her gaze from her leg and back to the doll she gently tucked into the blanket. A more fitting spot for her to be while Soul would venture with Blight in search of food just as the older Pegasus promised they’d do. But upon remembering that promise, it hit her. Things got weirder to her as she discovered something. Soul set a hoof down upon her stomach. Nothing answered. Had anything answered so far? No discomfort the likes of which had pained her last night. Gone.

She found herself not hungry one bit!

1.51
Soul rubbed her stomach looking down at it. She wasn’t certain if she should be surprised or relieved she was free of that pain from hunger right now. Even so, she still wanted to go out and at least look around for something that she could dig into. Anything that would give her an excuse to get out of here. Leave that bed right now. Away from all those mean ponies. Rather hang out with a nice one.

A pony that kept her promise to her and had not left her all night.

“Thanks for staying with me overnight” Soul said to her. She locked eyes with Blight. The mare didn’t even need it, waving a hoof at her. “It was no problem.” “Was last night okay for you? Hope you didn’t get bored.” Found some way to keep herself occupied since she didn’t sleep. Whatever it was, she gave no specific answer of what it was. “It was. Thank you for asking.” “Good” Soul said as she made her way back to the burning fire. It felt nice, as did the house. Much better than yesterday but a small chill still hung. Still cold out.

“But do you wish to talk about it?” Soulblight asked from behind her.

It made Soul freeze. She could feel the fur on the back of her neck stand up reacting to the fact that the black Pegasus had walked up stand behind the filly. Talk about it? “Uh, a-about what?” Soul asked. Did she know something or… she did give her a show all night long. She looked back seeing Blight had sat down next to her. She insisted on it. “You were crying all night long. I even tried to wake you but you would not budge. If you want, you may talk to me about your nightmare.”

Damn, she’s spot on. There was no way Soul could hide she had a nightmare with how obvious it had been she was crying in her sleep. It was nice of her to offer it, more and more like a real friend would. But the truth in the matter was that she did not know if she wanted to talk about it. Just remembering how cruel Rainbow Dash had been in it almost made her start to tear up. I don’t want to remember. It hurts knowing that I pushed her away so much… so much that she would hurt me. What good would it be for Blight to know?

No, Soul did not want to cry anymore and not in front of this pony. Not in front of the others. The Pegasus still sat there expectantly waiting for Soul’s answer. It was just a nightmare.

1.52
“I…” Soul looked off away from Blight. “I don’t wanna talk about it. Please don’t worry about it.”

“I see you are not ready. Alright, you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. But know that I’m willing to listen to you” Blight said. At least she didn’t press. “You hungry?” Blight asked her next. “Actually no” Soul admitted the strange fact. “I feel alright for now. Weird, huh?”

“Hmm …yes indeed” Soulblight said looking over out the window. She smiled slightly. “It’s a little better outside now if you still want to look around.” A little better? I wonder how much better it could have got. Weather so bad she could not even hope to go searching around for any food or even a way to get out of this winter wasteland. But she found no reason to doubt Blight. If she said it was better than it should be. We can go look around. She quickly walked over to the door before Blight had time to even react to the filly’s excitement. “Let’s go!” Soul called after her. Soulblight happily trotted over to join her at the door. Soul did not need to be the one to open the door this time as that burst of black magic from yesterday rushed over the knob and pulled the door open on its own.

A flood of light rushed in, blinding Soul momentarily until she could finally look out and see what it is she had missed all yesterday. Soul could actually see the Sun itself high above the hills with only small, faded grey clouds blocking it a little. None of the thick clouds from before were around and only a small amount hung around to give off a small sprinkle of snowflakes to gently come down upon the world below.

Soul used her wings to pull herself up to the top of the snowy ditch their house was buried in with Blight doing the same in kind. Soul had to smile. She found herself freed of their prison and out in an entirely new world of fluttering snow gracing a calm landscape of pure, white snow reflecting the glow of the Sun as far as she could see. If she hadn’t known any better, she could place it as a scene straight from a postcard made even more beautiful by how she… she could actually see what it was that towered high in the distance. Mountains. Mountains going forever in a line spreading that bright horizon. Capped in snow. Just like the mountainsides of Equestria she had seen long ago. Soul thought it was beautiful.

1.53
Taking in the scenery made her almost miss the feeling. It was cold …but she did not shiver. It felt near to the weather she knew so well to fall upon Equestria with the coming of winter. This weather felt a bit better for sure. Soulblight was right.

Soul leapt forward and turned to face the mountains again with a bright smile and her laughter to greet the gorgeous weather. Snowflakes landed upon her. Oh the weather is much better today. Maybe now we can actually go out and look for some way out of here. She turned back to Soulblight. The black mare herself taking in the scenery. “Now this is flying weather!” Soul proudly declared.

Soulblight laughed as the filly took to the air. Her flight not hampered by heavy winds or freezing cold, Soul hovered high over the house steadily taking in everything from up here. Snow as far as the eye could see below her and flooding the land in every direction like an ocean that could only be broken by the mountains and their village itself. All the houses below having their roofs also covered in that white blanket. This place really is nothing but snow. No telling just how long it had to have been falling. It made it all look beautiful.

This is so much like Cloudsdale in winter. Nothing but white, so gorgeous though. Those times she missed. I never did get a chance to play in it in the end. Soul inched her sight over to the black mare standing not far off from the house, staring up and waving a hoof at her. I wonder if she would be up for it.

Hmm… Blight looked a bit close to the house and all that snow on top of it, as Soul glanced over the mare and all that snow. I really did want to play in the snow with somepony else. I don’t know, just… feels like Blight would want to. After all, she was so nice to me. I’d love for her to enjoy this. A little something before we spend the whole day looking around. Knowing they would do that considerable amount of flying today, didn’t sound like a bad idea for her to ‘warm up’ a bit. Hehe, at least what Blight would see.

1.54
“Hey, Blight!” she called down. “I’m gonna loosen my wings up with a few tricks. Could you maybe watch me?” I think I sound innocent enough for her. It seemed Soulblight did as well. “It would be my pleasure.” Bingo.

The black Pegasus sat herself down on the snow, and she did that weird thing again just from her butt sitting down on the snow. Like there was black smoke coursing out around her. Just for a brief moment. What is that? Soul arced her brow for a moment at it, seeing Blight never cared about that mist. The mare just watching her. I’m the center of her attention, while Blight was the center of Soul’s attention.

That mare was pretty weird. In a good way. Soul turned away from her. Well, what can I do for her? I think I got a quick trick I can use. She only needed enough speed to pull this off. It would look like a warmup.

Soul craned her head up, basking her face in the glow of the Sun and not even feeling much cold over her anymore. The beautiful winter sky coming down upon her as she reached up to it with strong bursts of her wings. She extended her legs out, all four reaching for the sky. Right as she shot up at that sky. It won’t take much. One. Two. Soul looked down, the village was way down there.

What I would give to do this stuff again with… with Dashie. I really want to find her out there. Wherever we are, find some way out of it. How long has it been since I’ve seen her? Soul twisted around up there and flew right back down to the earth below. She fell down with the snowflakes spinning around her and blown away by the wind jetting from her wings as she picked up speed. Even in this moment of wanting to have fun, she still felt it in her heart. She felt empty. Even with Blight here.

Flying so fast like she used to do with Dash. Plummeting down to earth towards whatever goal. I hate doing it alone now. Soulblight, I need to thank you for putting up with me so far. She saw the mare right down there and coming in fast. Soul felt all the wind in her mane. Coursing over her. So strange, it all felt weird to her.

It’s been so long since I got to fly like this. Feel any speed. She could feel her heart flutter. The world moving so fast. All around her. Almost too fast. But I should be used to this. I should be.

How I missed flying. It’s been too long.

Soul could see the house ahead of her, coming in fast. Descending down on it as quick as she could even when her wings began to wobble. Maybe it would be too much to ask Blight to fly with me. This just didn’t feel right anymore. Not having Dash with her. All so fresh. Alone in the sky. I gotta do this trick on my own. As much as she could remember how to do it.

But she had to do it fast. Too fast! Soul gasped right when she noticed it coming in at her. Shit! I gotta pull up. Her wings caught the air. Turn! Soul leveled herself just in time, in time to kick herself forward. Right at the roof full of snow.

I really miss playing with Dashie. Soulblight, I want to play with you. Because I really miss doing things with other ponies.

1.55
The filly cleared the roof just in time, blasting over it. Soul smiled. She could hear the wind in her ears and saw for just a moment how it sent all the snow flying off that rooftop. Blasting past that roof and off towards… where Blight was. Cleared of this house, Soul went right at the next one. Weaving around the village and going right at where she knew Blight to be. Her wings beat hard to push the filly higher. She could not think on this. It had to be done fast. Because… she could tell her wings were getting too wobbly.

She tried to adjust it. Too late! I’ll hit the damn house if I keep trying. She only went right for the rooftop she aimed for. So she made her move, pushing her wings forward and up now. Heading right over the house she almost slammed into. Cleared of it and off towards the next one and the next. Until she saw the house she had slept in last night and, beyond that, Soulblight. Soul saw the mounds of snow that decorated their house square in her sight. I think I’m going fast enough to do this. She was lined up perfectly. The force would do the rest. Soul needed only now to make one last move to complete her little trick.

Her speed still high, Soul had to make that move now. Her wings let go of their beating. She held them both out, desperate to catch as much air as possible. Slow herself down enough to finish this. Just as she did that, Soul used every muscle in her body to flip herself in midair. Her hind legs going right at the snow atop the roof. The hooves at their tips reaching out at the snow. Her speed did the rest.

Soul flew right into the snow, so hard. Satisfied to see she was going fast enough, right before her wings gave out, to take that snow with her. The snow was sent flying off the roof. The chunks of white baring down upon the black mare below. Soul catching the tiny moment she had to see just how stunned Blight was. Wanting to see it happen but… she fell.

Soul careened off the roof. Screaming.

I really am rusty. Soul knew she should have been able to pull that off easy. Just fly in at a bunch of snow as quick as possible and make it all fly. Shouldn’t even make my wings do this. Oh man, this is gonna…

Her face slammed right into the ground. Buried in snow. The filly flipping and landing hard on her back upon the icy snow before coming to a stop. Couldn’t even get the chance to admire what it was she had done. Her face hurt.

“Oww!” she cried out in the snow. Felt like a sting going along her face. Almost like… old times. Unfortunately. Man, it’s been so long since I hurt myself. Soul really was back in the fray again. Felt good to fly once again, just without the pain.

1.56
Soul lifted herself up. Finally taking a breath. She tried to look up but stinging pain along her face pushed her back down. She gently set a hoof on her face and rubbed at the place that hurt the most: her chin. It hurt quite a bit, that fall doing a number to her.

I really hope… it wasn’t for nothing.

She did her best to look up and see where Soulblight was. Oh what!?

I really thought she would at least be neck deep in snow by now, but all that snow had found something else to do. It hung in the air.

Dozens upon dozens of large chunks of snow sitting completely still right above the ground. Soul couldn’t even figure out what may have been happening before the answer revealed itself. A burst of black energy shot out at her, making her fur and mane fly like they were in a gale, that very gale sending every chunk of snow flying back at the house where they all exploded into tiny splatters along the wall. All of them thudding so loud, each thud just made Soul more and more upset with herself. Soulblight was there completely untouched. Her face unflinching and not at all amused. She certainly had reacted fast enough to Soul’s attempted prank, sadly meaning that this pain in Soul’s face was all for naught.

The mare was way too quick to fall for that. “Soul!” She cried out. Soulblight kicked her legs hard and actually galloped over to where the filly sat, sat ashamed of herself. So upset over it. I can’t believe it. I thought I would get her. She kept a hoof to cover her chin.

Soulblight reached her and stood tall over Soul who kept her head down. I don’t often fail when I fly. Soul, she hated knowing she had completely squandered this whole thing. Pouting over it and now Blight was here. Staring down at her. Not having any of Soul’s sulking at all.

1.57
As diligently and soft as she could manage, Soulblight spoke down to her. “Are you hurt? Please let me see your face.” Please go away, I really don’t need for her to see this. None of her stupidity. But the mare would not leave. Just like she was some sort of caring mother about this. Really, there was no reason for her to care. She really isn’t going to leave. Soul sighed. Actually letting her hoof fall from her face. Soulblight was really quick, almost like she didn’t look over her. She sighed in relief. “You only have a small cut on your chin. Thank goodness.”

A small cut? Soul placed her hoof back to her chin and felt along it. There it was. She could feel the slight bump in the smoothness of her skin. How subtle and short it felt. Really was small. At least nothing bad had come of this in the end. Soul looked back up at Blight. Her careful and soft gaze had left her. Soul’s eyes widened a little.

She had thought nothing bad had come of this.

She looks pretty pissed. “Soul Serenity” she said sternly. “That was a really dumb stunt. You obviously aren’t ready for such flying right now.” Soul hated this. Getting lectured. I know, I know, I haven’t flown in a long time. Her aching wings told her that. I’m not ready for extreme flying at the moment. I just wanted to play with her is all. It’s been so long since I got to do that with another pony.

I don’t know why I want to cry. I’m getting yelled at, scolded. It’s… been so long since I’ve flown and so long since… since I had a pony actually care about me like she is right now. Kind of like…

Nimbus.

I can’t believe I upset her.

Soulblight sighed. One of her hooves stepped closer to Soul. “I’m not mad at you. I only want no harm to come to you, just be more careful.” Soul was quiet. It may have been scolding, but it was something to her that sounded almost pleasant. Why is Blight so concerned about me? It’s not like she needs to care. Truly she may be the only pony who cared for her. Such a strange pony. Even with the black pony looming over her, it was like… she guarded her. Protecting me. That made her smile down at the snow.

1.58
Yet more snow came, not from the surface she stood on, but blasting right into Soul’s face. She saw it. Too late. It surprised her enough to make her heart jump.

Soul rapidly wiped a hoof across her face. All that snow fell clear. “What the hell?” she spat looking up in the direction the snow came from. Soulblight was already off. She hung further off with her huge, black wings keeping her aloft… and she was laughing.

“You also should be more subtle when trying to surprise me. Looks like I’m superior in that regard.” Did she seriously throw snow at me? It made the filly finally jump right back up on her hooves. Oh now I’m mad. “You jerk!” she called out at Blight. But the mare only responded with more laughter. Soul frowned. She had done it now.

Soul looked back down at the snow which she buried both her forehooves into with a slight push. A mound of snow came up with her hooves. You think you’re safe all the way over there? She only needed to shape it into a proper snowball and her strength would do the rest. She looked back over at Blight smiling with her intention. A snowball formed, not in Soul’s corner but in Soulblight’s. Wrapped in a black mist, hovering right in front of the black Pegasus and… that’s meant for me. Then it shot forward.

It was fast. The gap between both pegasi closed fast in the snowball’s path right at Soul’s face. Soul dropped her snow and quickly leapt to the side with one quick flap of her wings. That snowball smacked right where she had been almost immediately. “That was close” Soul commented looking back at where it struck.

Another snowball hit its mark, smacking right into Soul’s cheek that she kept facing Blight for the brief second she had looked away. “That’s two for me!” Blight yelled. Soul had to let out a small growl looking back at the celebrating Pegasus but she was quick to cheer up. If she was keeping score than this was a challenge now.

“You won’t keep that lead for long” she called back. Soul took to the air at a low hover with the ground just low enough for her to grab a hooffull of snow. A rounded snowball now hung ready in between her forehooves. Soul took the hint from how Blight had hit her the second time and knew she would need to trick her to land a hit. Easy enough, Soul had speed on her side.

1.59
Soul shot straight at Blight. Alright, so you’re better at this than I thought, well I can trick you. I’ll come right at you. Full frontal. Blight came in right at her. Closing in, and her wings readied. Those huge, black wings filling Soul’s eyes. “I got you!” Soul claimed. “You wish” Blight said. Soul reeled her forehooves back ready to send the snowball at her, but… she held it.

Her wings skidded to a halt. Soul turned and shot around right towards Blight’s side. Keeping her eyes on the mare. Unfortunately, those yellow dragon eyes watched her as well. Those huge black wings ready to dodge. Nope, this wouldn’t work. I gotta find some way to get her. Even if I am out of practice, I am still fast. I’m still no different than how I was before all this. The filly froze her wings and burst them forward now. Flapping hard ahead of her. Just enough to send her flying backwards in an instant. Right back where she had been.

Snow exploded in the air behind her with all that wind almost thundering around her. Soul almost heard it. Her ears catching the faint sound of air rippling violently around her. Damn, I’m almost able to do that again. But it was good enough. Fast enough. Soul circled back around quicker than she had before, …quicker than Blight could turn.

“Gotcha!” Soul made a hard stop and tossed that snowball. It came in at Blight faster than she could react, right at her side. Soul grinned. Still the fastest.

1.60
The ball landed right in the snow… in the snow behind Soulblight. It did nothing and silence fell back over both pegasi. Soul slumped.

Just like… her body had done yesterday. Damn, that’s right. Soul remembered. How stupid! That’s not fair. I’m trying to have a snowball fight with this pony of all ponies. This pony having abilities she had never thought possible for anypony. It really did seem like… like life had gone back to normal for just that brief moment. Like I could have thrown that snowball at… at Dashie of all ponies. It felt like it could have been. Turning into that black Pegasus once again. Soul whimpered…

It’s not how it used to be.

“Looks like I forgot that as well” Blight said after regaining herself. “So perhaps I win.” As if I can beat her now. I can’t even hit a pony like this; but how the hell can she claim she wins!? Teasing me like that. She still felt a need to call out that claim. “Only cuz you cheated” she said, slowly getting rid of that sadness in her heart.

“Come now, I didn’t mean to seize the advantage. You still managed to trick me” Blight said. Well at least Soul had that. “Yeah, I would’ve gotten you good.”

“That was fun” Soulblight said. “Did you have fun?” Soul could not deny it, I liked remembering how this was like. Playing with another pony. Besides, I know I won. She did manage to enjoy herself. In the wake of an entire day of constant disappointments and sadness. After a nightmare still lingering on in her mind with how much it hurt her. Soulblight still managed to make Soul smile with some friendly competition just like old times. How rowdy. It made her happy.

The filly hovered closer to Soulblight until she was close enough to be in her shadow. No matter what total crap this mare had said to her about winning, Soul had to admit she did love this. Enough to actually fly with her, look up at her where the mare’s darkness covered the Sun and looked down at her with her blazing yellow eyes. Soul could feel the gentle brush of air flowing over her from Blight’s flapping wings.

1.61
“I did. I feel better now.”

Blight sealed her eyes and smiled brightly, happy to hear it. Blight needed to feel better. Anything to heal the fact she would have lost otherwise. Blight needed everything she could get. Soul wanted to actually reach out and touch this pony. Like how she and Dash would do stuff like this after moments like this. Like when I threw myself on her after the race. Because I loved playing with her. Soul found herself almost about to touch her hoof to that black, misty body. Stopping herself. It wouldn’t work. Not with this pony. Showing Blight how much she liked playing with her, never to happen.

She looked away, Soul caught sight of the lines of towering mountains walling off the vast sky out there. The only deviations in this land of snow besides their village. Soul felt her gaze fall off slowly to look back at Soulblight’s wings rhythmically beating air against her.

Maybe she did have some way to show how much she enjoyed playing with her. She grinned. Mist simmered around Soul’s hoof as she tapped a forehoof against the dark layer of fur making up Soulblight’s chest. Something we can do. Like what I saw the other kids do.

“Tag!”

Soul exploded out in the thunder of wind her wings let out with one quick flap. “You’re it!”

1.62
Those mountains were certainly a good place to start if Blight and her were to start looking for something out here. Either food for later or a way home. Preferably both. So Soul kept her eyes set on the tallest of the mountains rising high over dense groups of mountains far more numerous than what had been visible from the house, and as her wings rocketed her closer, the more exciting it became to see such a great feature in what she thought just yesterday was nothing more than a land of snow.

Such gorgeous mountains!

All that snow sunk below her the higher she angled herself up to touch down on that mountain looming down on her with all its snowcapped ridges. The Sun shining over all of it. It was gorgeous. Soul only hoped that Blight was as happy as she was to see such a sight from wherever she was back there, eating Soul’s dust.

She looked back over her shoulder to be sure. The village was nothing more than some dots in a sea of white with snowflakes rushing past her towards those specks. But with all these tiny dots, Soul could see the black Pegasus back there. Way back there. Hahaha not so quick. You’re not gonna win at this. I’m too fast for her but… there was something else to this.

She was still wanting to do things with Soul.

Blight would never catch me but, as Soul looked back to the mountains, I just want to do this with her. It really does feel good to have somepony with me again. One as playful as she is. As nice as she is. It’s been so long since I got this feeling. I don’t know why she wants to be with me. Everypony else left me, yelled at me, made me feel terrible. They all hate me. So much that they got rid of me. I’m so glad I met this Pegasus. It was crazy how easily everypony else would abandon her easily yet this pony she had only known for a day was proving to be… a true friend. A reliable guardian and a playful friend. Almost like what I wanted to see the ponies who abandoned me as.

Like family. And a slowpoke.

1.63
The mountain had closed in so quickly. Soul was certainly going to be the first one to the mountain top and shut that mare up, no way she can talk trash anymore. She could imagine the feeling now and it would come soon enough. Just like old times, haha.

Coming right in at the mountain top. She was so high up by now. Just glancing down and she could only see the hazy white landscape slowly disappearing under the clouds she flew over. These mountains so tall over this land. With their tips reaching high to the sky. Large enough up here for her to be able to land on. She slowed herself down. Coming to a stop, she had to look back at the land she left behind.

Wow. Nothing but white. She had never seen an entire land of snow before. Never able to imagine such a sight, but up here, she could. Hills and endless valleys going on forever under this snow. Nothing at all she could see down there besides the wild snowfall and thick clouds beyond. Not able to take her eyes off it even as she set all four hooves down upon the mountain top.

Soul sighed. Panting. Not able to take her eyes off the world below. This mountain standing tall over all the others, a massive mountain range. Just like ones she had seen Cloudsdale fly over. Mountains buried in snow with heavy snowfall coming down upon them all. Every way her eyes looked across. This really all there was out here? But… she stopped.

Seeing something down in the breaks between the mountains. Like little poles or something. Trees? She stared. Those are trees but… they made her breath stop.

What happened to them? Like the whole air held still. Looking down upon the many, many trees that poked out in the foggy snowfall. They’re all dead.

She cocked her head. How weird. Just how all the trees were bent backwards. Bent away from her. All of them. With their barren branches held loosely from them, dangling in the wind. As if the trees were afraid of her. Reeling from her. All dead. Seeped in such a darkness because… they got black bark. Huh. Soul squinted. Still waiting for Blight though she had forgotten about her for just this moment. Entranced by the sight of these dead trees.

Trees scorched in black.

Burned.

Wow.” Soul backed off and turned around to see what may lay behind her. If more were behind her. The little filly had to take several steps to raise her head high enough above the surface of the mountain top before she could see what lay beyond the range.

1.64
Soul gasped. Holding her breath.

She had expected to see more mountains or the off chance of a clear path out of the winter world. There were indeed mountains, but… there they sat, far off.

Lines of mountains spanning wide across the horizon much like this range did from their house. Except the new mountains were even further off and almost fazed out in the grey clouds set upon the earth. She could see them but she could not tell how far away they were. Almost so far that she could not see them in the fog. Whatever it was, Soul knew it may take a long time to reach them. She looked all around. More mountains, to the left and right all connected to the ones straight ahead and curving in towards the mountains she sat over. Hundreds or even thousands of heights all arranged in a… circle!

They circled a sight Soul had never even imagined. Every mountain facing inwards of the circle sloped down into a deep land of white snow far below her. It all curved down. Even from so high up, Soul could see what it all was. A titan of a world enclosed within the mountains hollowed and drilled deep down. Just like a lake. Empty. An empty crater in the mountains.

I still… can’t breath!

It felt… heavy. The air. Soul almost panicked. Stumbling back. Just looking out at this, she forgot to even take a breath. That first one she made stung. Like every breath she took staring out at this crater pained her lungs just to attempt to inhale. Whatever this place was, it scared her.

1.65

What is this place?

Soul walked away from this haunting sight far below her just as a ruffling sound from behind almost made her shake from fright. She looked back seeing that Soulblight had joined her on the mountain. The mare panting hard. Not even caring how Soul was.

A new snowball rushed at the filly and struck her square in the chest. “You’re it!” Soulblight excitedly said with a smile. Soul was lost. Wait, …that’s right. Soul looked back at the crater and then to Blight. I can’t believe I forgot what I was doing.

“Sorry, but I won” Soul said. Soulblight was taken by surprise. Obviously some sort of casual when it came to games. “What? I tagged you, did I not?” She pointed a hoof at Soul. That was it. She certainly had no idea what we were doing. Soul tried to calm down a little. Still feeling her heart rush with the sight of that crater still in her mind and… she could feel the deep air scalding her throat.

“You were supposed to catch me before I got to the mountain.” “What!? How was I to know that?” Blight asked. “…and catching you? You know that’s unfair.” Unfair. Just a while ago Blight had claimed to have won because of a little advantage of her own. It was fitting for the tables to be turned. Soul looked back in the direction of the immense crater. “Guess it's my fault I didn’t tell you the rules. Sorry.” She could hear Blight sigh behind her. It was clear she had no idea of the sight beyond the mountain based off how she gave no reaction to it. Soul wanted to show it to her, but first Soul needed to say something first.

“So perhaps I win.”

Blight scoffed, raising her eyebrow and shaking her head. Her frown, though, quickly turned to a smile and a small laugh. “I guess so.” Just as another snowball struck Soul in the side. “Enough with the snowballs” Soul said. Soul lost all her joy, just thinking about the world beyond. Wanting Blight to see it. At least I’m not alone here.

“Hey! I got something you need to see.”

1.66
Soul directed Blight with her hoof back to where the great crater sat hiding behind the mountain top they stood upon. “Ooh let’s see” Blight said as she trotted past Soul and reared her head to tell Soul t come along with her. So Soul followed feeling more at ease with somepony else being with her. Still a little worried. She wondered what Blight would think of it.

Both pegasi made their way to the edge of the cliff. Blight’s eyes widened just as Soul expected when they both stood out to look upon the vast world below together. “This is… amazing.” Soul shivered. Looking back out on this desolate and eerie sight made her feel a trickle of fear running down her spine. She could not figure it out. Something about this place made her not feel right. As odd as the patterned rhythm that the air itself swirled in every direction across this place. Almost… haunting.

“This truly is something else. Thank you for showing me this.” Blight hung her head over Soul’s own. Remembering she was not alone anymore made Soul feel a little better. Enough for her to sit down with Blight to look out at it all. Soul made sure to sit as close as she could to her, not caring if Blight would notice or not. Soul glanced over at her.

The black Pegasus stared out at the land beyond. Such a smile on her. Her fur swaying in a misty embrace circling in tiny clouds about her skin just like her long mane flowed in the wind. Blight was so impressed with it all. She looked so happy to be here. This mare… she looked at peace, warming Soul’s heart. Like in an instant, all her worries faded away. It almost made her confident.

Until.

Blight’s smile slowly turned. Dropping down to frown upon the landscape as her head seemed to sink. Those eyes that took in everything beyond glimmered and sheened to Soul. What was that?!

Soul caught it for a moment.

She could not be certain as to what she saw staring up into Blight’s eyes. Something flickered in her eyes. So quickly. Inside those yellow eyes. There had been something. Something else in them. Like it did not belong to them. A small glint of… red? Orange? Faded away so fast. Soulblight?

The mare was still.

“This place is weird, huh?” Soul asked of her. Blight glanced back down at her. That spark of light gone in her eyes now. “Does it scare you?” the mare finally said something. Soul told the truth. She shook her head. “No. I was… but, until you came. I’m happy you are here with me.” Even if you leave me wondering all the time. How strange you are. How frighteningly still the world was when Soul stared into her shallow and burning eyes. Something still was there to keep Soul staying with her. The reason was hanging on Soul’s mind.

I’ve only known her for a couple days… but I feel like I have known her for years. Her soft and caring voice. Keeping me happy. Keeping me confident. Keeping me company. “Just like she is fam…” Soul shut her mouth hard.

She could not believe what had almost come out of her mouth.

I’ve… when do I talk out loud?! I… Soul looked, seeing the mare staring at her. Shit, I almost said that.

How awkward could it have been to call Blight that? Even if she felt she wanted to. Damn it, Blight. Why are you so weird? Why do you make me think of you like that? It wasn’t right. I barely… know her.

Feels like… I do.

Like she is somepony I can trust with anything. Soul never thought she could meet a pony like this. Who she actually wanted to talk to. To be with. I’ve never known anypony to be like her. I really wish I had. Like this soft feeling in her head. As soft as a gentle touch to her. Soothing her. Calming. This pony is all I have.

1.67
“I wanna talk about it now. My… nightmare. You did want to talk to me about it, right?” Soul reminded Blight.

“Are you sure?” Blight asked. “Would it be painful for you?” “No, …I don’t know. Maybe. But I need to get it off my chest.” But what Soul really wanted now were words of encouragement from a pony like Blight. A pony Soul felt cared. Who I care for.

Blight leaned in close to her. Her black tail coiled around Soul without touching her. The wind died down and all became nearly silent for the pegasi sitting high over the crater beyond.

“I’m listening.”

“I… dreamt I was back home. Back at Cloudsdale.” She stared up at the dark clouds over them. “The clouds, the sky, it was all so beautiful. I was flying through all of it to do one of my favorite things: flying with my friend.” Those beautiful times I used to do that. When we would play together. All the flying we did together, it’s what led to us becoming wingponies. How much has changed since then?

Too much.

“Nopony even noticed me. None of my classmates wanted to talk to me. But… I’m used to that.” She looked back over at Soulblight who was fully attentive to her. “I’ve always had a hard time making friends because… I’ve never been lucky enough for ponies to like me. I only had one friend. We were the best of buddies. We were the best partners and I loved flying with her. She loved flying with me too. Because we were… the bestest of friend.” Best friends. It hurt to remember. What we used to be. Dashie… you always made me so happy, now… now Soul could only cry. Cry in front of Blight.

“But… imagine what it felt like… when I found out she didn’t want to fly with me anymore. When she didn’t want anything to do with me anymore. She abandoned me… and… she laughed at me. They all laughed at me. Everypony hated me in the end. My best friend… even hit me.” All her tears came out harder.

She hates me.

Rainbow Dash, I know I wasn’t a good friend to you. But I did all this for you.

She stared at Blight further, this time with blistering eyes. “Do you know how much it hurt?” she asked. Soul planted a hoof to her heart. Her eyes squinted. I gave up everything for you and you hit me! Rainbow… how can you be so mean? “It hurt so much. I… was… alone.” Soul wailed. Her cries echoing across the empty chasms surrounding them and joining the subtle wind above. The filly fell on her belly, putting a hoof down upon her muzzle and shielding her wetted eyes. I fought for you! I got hurt for you! I lost my life for you.

I ended up here protecting you.

Rainbow Dash hit me.

1.68
“You still think you were abandoned after what happened yesterday?” Blight whispered.

Soul cried. “Soul” she said as gentle as she could. “Calm down. It’s okay.” Soul did as she said. She bit her lip to hold in the rest of her sobs. That’s all she did. Soul would not lift her head back up. “You’re still so very heartbroken. I will not pretend to know what you are going through, for it must be very hard. You need to stop thinking everypony hates you. Your friend meant so much to you, and there is no doubt you meant a lot to her. It’s unrealistic for her to feel any different of you. She still cares for you… as much as I do.”

That is shit!

Soul wanted to yell. Cares for me?! Dashie said she hated me. She left me and never came back. How could she care? “How do you know if she cares for me?” Soul demanded.

“Because it makes sense” Blight responded from above her. “Why did your friend like you? The same as I. Because you are nice, gentle, and so very playful. It hurts me seeing you think otherwise. You are no different than you have ever been. It hurts because… I do like you just like your best friend does.”

Soul’s ears perked up. What did she just say? Soul could not have heard that correctly. Soulblight liked her? Or is she just saying that to cheer me up? Lying to me. But it was obvious to her that Blight did have some sort of affection for her. It was a constant thing that she loved being given by her and these words were no different. It felt so nice to be told that you are loved by somepony and by one so close to her. It made the filly reveal her head back up to look at Blight with beady, tear filled eyes.

“You like me?”

Soulblight lay herself down next to her. Even down on the ground, she still rose tall over her. Soul had wanted to be close to her and now it was showing that Blight wanted to be close to her as well while she nudged her nose close to Soul’s ear. She almost touched it to the point where the fur on Soul’s ear stood up. “I want you to be happy, Soul. A beautiful little filly like you should not be sad and it is why I promise to help make everything work out for you in the end. You will have your happy ending.”

I[‘ve never heard anypony tell me that, like something out of a storybook. Yet… she liked it. It actually made her smile a little. “Thank you” Soul said. “I do like you, Soul” Blight said.

Soulblight…

Soul wiped her tears. Smiling. I can’t believe a pony like this said that to me. What did I do to deserve somepony as nice as her? “I like you too.”

“I’ll always love you and Rainbow Dash will always love you.”

1.69
Dashie still loves me? And… so does she.

It all sounded so nice. It was true her and Dash had a lot and… no way she would hate me after all that. Even after what she had done to be sent away like this, maybe Dash still at least felt for her. Dash did like her for all the reasons Blight had mentioned and even more. We had so much together. No way it could all be forgotten. All the darkness we both had, until we met. Dashie, you were the best pony in my life.

I did save you.

You mean the world to me. Is there any chance I still do for you? If the filly was out there somewhere thinking about Soul. I gave up everything for you. For you to be happy. Both fillies had gotten out of it.

I still want to apologize to you.

One chance… for us to be friends again.

Soulblight… you know us so well. She was right about Dash. Dashie would not hate me. I’m still her best friend. Rainbow Dash did love me, just like you said. Because… that was who Dashie was. She had to be. Blight told her so.

Blight told her so about…

Rainbow Dash?

Wait.

Soul backed her head away slightly so she could take in the sight of the mare. She frowned in response to Soul’s arching eyebrow. She had said Rainbow Dash. …Blight knew her name? How could this be?

“H-how do you know my friend? How do you know Dash?” Soul asked of her. Soul thought back over the time she had known Blight. No, I never told her about her. Soul went about thinking of how this could come to pass, for this mare to somehow know of a pony Soul had never told her of. She watched that proof that something was wrong as the black mare placed a forehoof to her misty lips and she turned away.

You know her.

“How do you know Dash?” Soul asked of her again. Soulblight’s ears fell. Something was certainly wrong. It made Soul stand up and press herself forward to try and get a glance of Blight’s hidden face. She did not need to see to know the pony was troubled now.

“Have you met her? Do you know how she is?” It had to be because there was no other way. This pony… where did she come from? Tell me how you know her.

“No…” Blight paused. Her pause was very long. It seemed as if she would not speak more. “Please, how?” Soul asked in as low a voice she could make. Her pleads forced Soulblight to look back at her with such longing eyes. Her yellows in those eyes fading. “I know her… from...” Blight bit her lip.

“You.”

1.70
“What?” Soul said. “But I never told you about her.”

Soulblight still did something so shocking. She giggled.

“Rainbow Dash. The cyan, rainbow maned filly with an appetite for perfection unlike any other. Brash, easy to rush, and irritable. Yet… determined, strong. Open and loving to those who gain her trust… like she is to you.”

Soul stood silent listening to these words the likes of which she could not see being uttered by Soulblight who claimed to know all these same things about Dash that Soul herself knew, …and Blight knew them all from her.

“And you love her for that. For she is so much like you” Blight said. “Black and white, seen through your eyes that you accepted to make that beautiful friendship and a bond that can’t be broken no matter how far you two may be apart. I saw those same things through your eyes as well. That is how I know her.”

Soul was lost. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, Soul.” Blight sounded of despair now. Her voice tormented by the very things she was telling the filly. Such torment in her. The mare sighed to herself. Somehow able to look the filly in the eyes with the air growing colder, the silence getting worse. Soul shivered looking at her. “I know you and Dash have a bond for I knew it by our bond. It is why I am here for you; here with you. You two fillies share a bond of friendship but you and I share a deeper bond. You never even knew of it… but this time would come eventually. I could not hide it from you forever. You would find out that I was with you through it all.”

What is this shit she is saying? This is insane. Who is this pony? This is not the Soulblight Soul had come to know, how terrifying she was getting.

She knows Dash. She knows so much about us. She was with me through it? Blight had never been with her before. She had never known her. It was too much.

“You’re lying” Soul accused. It made the filly back up from Blight. This is not the pony I’ve come to know. Soul… she was afraid of her. “We’ve never met before. Who told you about Dash? About me?” “I met her with you because of our bond.”

“We have no bond! Stop lying to me” Soul yelled.

“But we do.”

Soul shook her head. “What bond? What do we have?!” What are you talking about?

1.71
Blight’s wings flared up to send a gust of snow blasting out from behind her in the flail of silver mist whipping amongst her feathers. “We’ve been together for years!” She yelled for the first time. Her voice carried far across the veil in an echo. The outburst made Soul shiver a little, bent back away from the now angry Pegasus. Yet that anger subsided as fast as it came on. But something else hung.

Soulblight… she was terrifying. This heavy veil over the air. Like Soul’s heart felt that pain she heard in… in the mare’s voice. The fear between them. The Pegasus darker than ever before.

Blight’s wings folded back up and her head sunk. “I knew I would never be able to hide this from you. I told you I don’t know where I was from, but I do know one thing.”

She looked at Soul. Her voice low and solemn. Almost lonesome.

“I came from you.”

Soul would not yell this time. The thought of seeing Blight angry again scared her. But the question still hung. Like the pain ringing in her ears. “How?” Soul whispered.

“It was dark. Very dark” Blight muttered. “I could see nothing. Hear nothing. Darkness and silence was all I had. Until a moment came that I could not anticipate. The moment when all that dark was cast away and I could see it. A world outside. And I was afraid. Afraid when I saw those ponies standing over me. Like they wanted to hurt me. The first thing I ever saw… but it was not me they wanted to hurt. Because… I heard you… scream instead.” What? Soul held her breath.

“I wanted to hurt them back. When I learned what had happened. To see those ponies hurt another. After all the loneliness, that was the first thing I got to see. Even if I tried to reach out, I could do nothing but cry for the pony they hurt. I cried for you. That was when I first saw you. You, such a beautiful filly with so much pain in sadness in her… and I learned. I learned all about you. I could tell just from the way you cried that you were a pony… I could care for. Ever since, I tried my best to comfort you.” Her voice became more saddened. “I tried and tried yet you would not answer. I could only listen… and watch everything happen to you. I could only envy you. Seeing what you could do. I was happy when you were happy. I was angry when you were angry. …I was violent when you were violent.”

Soulblight put a hoof to her chest. “I hated… so much seeing your world taken from you. I hated it.” Her words like venom. Whispering them. “I decided to do anything to save you. I will help you. Help you because I never want to see you suffer again. Don’t you see, Soul? That is our bond.”

Soul could not believe what she was hearing. What is she saying? Soulblight… how the mare bare her teeth saying those things. How she smiled. It was scary. She is scary. Soul had never seen anypony so scary when saying how much they hated something. Blight still holding that grin on her face. She knows everything… she does.

This bond? With this pony?

She tried talking to me. She had watched me. She felt for me. Somepony talking to me.

Soul blinked. All this time…

1.72
“It was you” Soul uttered.

“You… were the one talking to me.”

A voice talking to her. Somepony always there. Comforting her. Talking to her. Letting her know all was okay. Telling her what was needed to protect Dash. A drive to defend those she loved to lead to what had happened to her and to Dash. It could not be. Soul backed away from her. It can’t be. You… you can’t be real.

Yet Soulblight rose her shoulders looking down in shame. “I’m sorry for not making it clear sooner. I spoke to you so everything would turn out well for you.”

That was all she needed.

This mare, this ghostly mare has been with me all this time. Blight… she has been the one with me. She isn’t lying. A pony with such hate. Such terror. Soul’s eyes widened. Her breath short as she slowly looked the mare up and down. Into her dragon eyes burning with the Sun, her vast wings, the trails of mist coiling about her. A being unlike any other. I never thought stuff like this could be real… until… until I lost Nimbus and Starry… and my life. I’m so mad. I’m so afraid. This pony… she is real. Everything she said is real. You were the one this entire time.

Soul gulped.

“You. You made me kill the Changelings.”

Blight paused. She nodded her head very slowly. “Nopony would help you. I made the commitment to take up that responsibility. I helped you carry out what you needed to do to protect her. Those beasts had to die.”

That was enough. Soul didn’t want to hear any more. Hearing this made her skin crawl. This is disgusting. This creature… Soulblight was part of her? She could imagine her being within her. She felt so violated. “I would not let you lose all you worked to achieve” Blight said. “I decided to do all to protect it even if that meant you and I doing something those fools are all too afraid to do themselves… but not me. Anything to protect you.”

Soul could see the air flurry about Blight as her very eyes glowed brilliant yellow. “I am the one who killed them. To save you and the life you loved.”

1.73
Soul jumped back. “Get away from me!”

It had all been wrong. I can’t believe it. Soul started crying. She made me do that. She made me… Soul almost felt nauseous. She killed them! She had every right to be afraid this entire time. Blight… she was terrifying. A pony who killed. Happy to do it. I knew I was wrong for wanting to do it. It’s all her fault. She destroyed my life.

Soulblight… she was never… never there for me.

“Get away from me.” The filly shook her head so violently, running her hooves over her head. She felt sick. Tears ran anew to soak the fur around her face. “…You got me banished” she whispered. “I lost Dash because of you. I lost everything because of you.” You murderer.

“Soul…” Blight reached a hoof out to her. Soul would not hear it. She backed away further out of Blight’s reach. Her fur standing up and wings readied. So afraid of the black Pegasus now. How broken she felt. She was scary. Now all she could think was how much of a lie everything had been. Blight had lied to her. She betrayed her. She betrayed me. The idea made the filly almost miss that Blight had moved a little closer trying to close the distance. Soul took to the air this time, flying above the mare with frantic flaps of her wings.

“You liar!” Soul screamed. She is no different from all the others. I knew it. Nopony cares about me. I… I’m so tired of this. Soul gritted her teeth. Looking down at the mare and then she could do it no more. Soul flew off.

I’m supposed to be alone.

1.74
Soul cried. Tears streaming out from her eyes and caught by the harsh wind blasting against her by how fast she flew. She reached a hoof back to wipe her face but only sobbed more. She could not care where to go. Just away. Away from all of this. Somewhere she could be alone. That was all that really mattered now in this world. Loneliness was all she needed, all she was allowed. Because all ponies do this to me.

Soulblight was no different. Just as Dash and everypony hated her. All because of her. That bitch Soulblight. Princess Celestia hated her, Dashie hated her. Even Blight did. Enough to cause all this. It made her heart ache badly with every heave she made in her heavy crying. Nopony cared for her. Now she really was all alone with nopony around she could rely on in this place. They all left me.

All she wanted now was to be alone and away from all the ponies who sought only to bring her heartbreak.

She opened her eyes up enough to watch where she was going now. The filly weaved left and right to avoid the many mountain tops that had surrounded the high point she had sat upon. All these mountains had more than she did. Together for all time. I hate this. I want it too. I just want a pony to care for me. Soul would love it. She wanted it yet nopony would ever be there for her.

She kept flying and flying far away from wherever she left Blight. For how long, she could not tell. Her sadness and crying being the only thing she could manage to the point where she could cry no longer even though she wanted to. The tears on her face drying quickly from the cool air. She could see another mountain with a nice, flat peak she could sit atop. So she did. She didn’t want to fly anymore. There was no point in it anymore.

I’m alone in this world.

The filly skidded down upon the mountain top. Snow was sent flying as she landed hard onto the peak, her wings and legs dragged along the surface until she came to a stop. Stopping and then… she finally let go of herself. Soul tumbled down onto her side. Laying there. Her wings still. Trembling. She curled up, hiding her face under her legs. Her large wings being all she had left to cover herself up from seeing the snowy world around her. Shield her from the truth. Her world was truly gone.

1.75
She sniffled remembering everything Blight had told her. She could not believe the mare. How could she have done this to her? Why would she do all this to me? Soul had never done anything mean to her to deserve that.

I can’t believe I saw her as something. Even for just a moment. She had seen her as… family. She knew she had felt something. Never able to tell what it was. I really thought we could be friends. It had all been a lie. A lie from a pony that wanted her to be alone.

“Soul” a voice whispered.

Soul felt her heart sink. The filly leaned up from under her hooves. Her glare wrapped in anger at the black Pegasus that stood off by the edge of the mountain top they both shared now.

Soul had thought she lost her. How did she find me? Blight can’t keep up with me. “Why are you here? Leave me alone” Soul said putting her head back under her hooves to keep Blight out of her sight. Probably wants to hurt me again. “I can’t leave you. I won’t. I will not leave you for as long as we are bonded, we are supposed to be together” Blight said. Oh, just shut up!

Every time she reminded Soul of this stupid bond, it made her want to throw up. She wanted it gone. “I said get away from me” she requested again. “Soul, please listen to me.” “Get away from me! Get out of my life!” “I will not!” Blight yelled again at her. Both ponies finally screaming at one another. “I want you to leave me alone and leave me like everypony else does” Soul yelled so loudly this time. “Even if I knew how, I still would not” Blight said.

“If I left you, you would die.” As if. Soul would not die out here. She refused to. There will be a way out of here and a way to return to the home Blight took from her. Gone with this icy waste and this mean pony as well. Blight spoke almost immediately. “You will find that there is no easy way out of here. It is too dangerous for a little pony like you. Besides, if I left you, you would starve to death before anything else.”

Soul was still not hungry. With how talented and fast she was, she could find a way out of here before she would get hungry. Soul believed this. It’d be better to fly out and try to find a way home than to stick around here. She did not need Blight to survive, she didn’t need her at all. She would not… starve to death? I’m still not hungry. Why… why do I get the feeling that that is because of her too? Soul glared at the mare.

1.76
“Was that you as well?” Soul asked.

“Why you woke up without hunger?” Blight asked this time. “With us being together, yes, that is me. There is no food out here and that is obvious.” That made Soul wince. “So I shared to you my gift because I refuse to see you starve. I am going to protect you after all.” Blight never got hungry and now I can’t. Soul realized what this meant. She used magic on me. How can I never get hungry? There was really nothing that could be said. Just more of seeing just how powerless she was with this mare and how… how she keeps doing this stuff to her. Soul wasn’t sure how to take this.

Never getting hungry? Starving in this winter waste. Was this a gift in Blight’s eyes? Soul having to go without any food. There is none… out here. She let out a strong sigh beneath her hooves. What would it be like now? Never needing to eat, I can never have my favorite food. There is nothing out here for me to eat. Soul would not take this. She refused to. Looking up at Soulblight with disdain in her eyes, she would not stay here with her and listen to this crap. She would leave all this behind and find her own way back to… to something that made sense again.

The filly stood up and slowly walked towards the ledge. Her stride passing by the taller pony who watched her pass without Soul even glancing at her. Upon reaching the ledge, Soul spoke. “I’m going home.” “I hope you mean the house in the village” Blight said behind her. Soul believed she had said home. That ramshackle hut was not her home.

“I’m going back to Equestria.”

“Soul! You don’t know where to go. Even I don’t know how you could get back.” “Well then I’ll just keep flying till I find it. There’s nothing here for me anyways.” I won’t go hungry anyways, right? Nothing to stop me. She would do anything to get that life back. She unfolded her wings.

“Soul! This is insanity. It is way too dangerous. Even if you were to make it back, what makes you think anything has changed? You were banished and Celestia will not allow you to return.” Soul huffed in anger. To be told about her banishment and its effects by Soulblight herself. “Oh I wonder who it was who made that happen” she spat. “Then I shall come with you and speak to the others myself. I’ll explain everything” Blight said. You think I’ll let you talk for me?! I will never go back with her. She only messed things up. Soul would have none of it.

“I don’t want you with me. You’re a killer. You only want to make everything hard for me.” “You blame me for everything?” Blight said. Her hoof touched to her own chest as if pointing at herself. “You agreed to kill those Changelings. They would have harmed the one dearest to you if not for me convincing you. They were evil and would kill Dash.” Soul had it now. She turned around in a snap. Her forehoof pointed right at Blight.

“You’re the evil one! You took everything from me. I hate you!”

Both ponies fell silent with Soul flying off, on her own, with nopony she could call friend. Off towards the mountains and the howling crater beyond, leaving Soulblight all alone atop the mountain peak to watch the filly join the falling snow.

Soulblight blinked softly. “Evil?” she whispered. Looking down upon the ground, she slowly held her gaze upon the snow laying around her. “I… I’m sorry, …Soul.”

1.77
The Sun was setting. Its heavenly glow casting such huge shadows down from the mountains. Almost as dark as the clouds gathering all across the sky above. The snow had gotten stronger because of it. Not nearly as heavy as it had been yesterday.

Soulblight’s dragon eyes tilted down watching the snowflakes touch down around her and join with all the rest. She tilted her head. The fur of her forelegs brushed against her chin. She found a comfortable place to lay her weary head upon her forelegs. Her eyes staring. Witnessing each and every flake disappear into her legs and landing somewhere underneath them as they did across her entire body. Nothing changed in this instance since Soul had left. Just laying here watching the snow for hours silently listening the song of the wind.

I think it’s been too long now. Should I check in on her? How long since I last did? A couple minutes. Too much time had passed. Soul was out there… alone. Her ears flicked up. She sighed in relief. She could hear the tiny sound she wanted.

A small pinprick of a sound beating in an endless melody that came to her so softly. So soft… almost something she could miss. But she could tell what it was. Soul was still flying. She was still okay. Nothing about her changed except maybe getting tired, what with flying for so long like a fool in this weather. That is what it told her. Flying for hours like this would surely tire out the filly no matter how strong of a flyer she was.

I should go after her. Try to stop her. I really should. It’s what would be right. But something kept her own wings still. It was ringing in her head. Listening to it. The last words she had been told. Soul… she hates me. I… I really hope not. I only wanted what was best for her. If only things had been different. So she wouldn’t be afraid to try and talk to the filly. “I’m quite bad at talking to others.” No, she could only listen to be sure the little pony was in no danger as she headed off to whatever she hoped would get her out of here.

1.78
Blight hated to admit it, but the filly was not going to find her way home. No. This realm, this endless land of snow was not something a little Pegasus like her could leave. She could not leave on her own.

More and more it only ate away at Blight. What have I done to her? I’m so sorry I got you into this. But was it not right? She kept questioning this. There was nothing else we could do. No, killing was the right thing. Those beasts would not take it away. They would suffer for trying anything to harm it. That beautiful life Soul had. I won’t let anything else ruin that filly. Blight stopped herself.

She sighed in relief. Burying her head into her forelegs and grumbling beneath them. Thinking like that. It had been that mentality that caused so much harm in the first place. Rainbow Dash was alive. Soul was as well. But that bond between the two was so hurt now. I took it from them. In the end, she had hurt somepony’s life. I… never wanted this. She does hate me.

Oh… what is wrong with me?

“Am I actually cruel enough to deserve her hatred? Maybe…” She recalled what had been said. “I am evil.” She shuddered. It hurt to think that. “I…”

You’re the evil one!

She felt a tear drop down her cheek. “I’m… not... evil.” Or am I?

I do what is right. I will never let her suffer again. Not again. All the years of watching her cry and I could do nothing. Then… then I finally could do something. Only for it to be a mistake. I… didn’t think this through, I guess. Now the pony who gave her …a name, she was the one out here paying for it.

“I’m not evil.”

She rose her head. “I’m not evil, Soul!” The filly would be back. She could not make it alone and would make the right decision. I will be here for her. “I will prove it to you. You still mean something to me.” She only needed time and, when the time came, Blight would do anything for her. It’s what I should do. After all…

She showed me the world. I should give her world back.

For it is what Soul deserved. She continued listening.

1.79
This was becoming too much. It had not looked as wide from the mountains. Flying over it proved otherwise.

Soul had been flying for what was like an eternity and was just now seeing that she actually was getting closer. A flight that had not been easy. The cold was getting worse by the hour with all this damn snow. If only the weather had been what is was earlier. Not until she entered the wide-open air over the crater did it take a sudden turn. It was mysterious to her. All the more how it became ever more unnerving to fly over it.

Soul squinted her sore eyes. No more tears, not now. They all dried on her face. Another pony… another who hates me. I gotta get out of here. She would not rest. Never stop. Even if she wanted to. All it would be is spending a bunch of time out here in the cold. Her wings began to hurt. Soul did her best to ignore it, ignore all her pain. She was used to it.

I’m tired of this nightmare. I really thought she liked me. But she did all this to me. Soul only wanted to go home and get her life back. Forget everything that had happened and not cry again. So she pushed on. Looking up at the massive mountains rising over her, all she needed to fly over to escape this damn place. No time to rest now when the goal was so close.

1.80
Closer she got, flapping her wings harder and harder with pain beating back at her. Those wings showing how much they demanded of her to stop. But with the mountains coming closer, that would not happen. Come on, we gotta keep going. We can’t stop. Not now.

It was all getting worse. With how close she was getting, it seemed to be getting colder. Her thick fur felt so useless right now and the wind blowing strong to flutter her feathers. Cold indeed. Along with a mountain growing high over her to block out what she had been able to see as the last rays of the sunlight shining in its silhouette to light up the crater. The mountain’s shadow blackening the land beneath it and, as she looked up, a layer of such thick clouds high over her. Barely any sunlight could get through. Pathetic. That won’t stop me.

Just fly over this mountain. Back to Rainbow Dash. I’m gonna beg her to forgive me. I will get her back, just like I should have done. Then hope Celestia would listen to her admit the truth. Some way to make it all work. Anything to get away from this.

She finally saw it. Soul flapped hard and shot herself upwards. Rising up with the mountain. The snowfall was getting worse. Coming down on her in a shower. Flying up into the snowfall made it no easier. “This is nothing.” Her wings put out all their strength to keep her flying upwards. Passing smaller peaks and rockslides covered in snow. Closer and closer with the tip just ahead. She came in close enough. Her forehooves reaching out at the peak while her wings did the rest. She touched it. A small pull of her legs and a push of her wings sent her careening up and over the ledge.

“Dashie, I’m coming!”

She rose over the mountain. Wind greeted her. Blasting head on against the filly to send all her fur swaying backwards and she had to close her eyes against all that. Soul peeked out.

What did I want to expect? When it seemed things… would change.

I… I just want to go home.

1.81
Nothing but clouds. Grey and shimmering black layered upon one another… everywhere she looked. So many clouds. Mountains of them roaring high over the land and reaching into the darkness above. Rumbling. Exactly like what she would see in Cloudsdale. But never this big.

A massive thunderhead. It was too cold now. Soul exhaled violently and tried to breathe. She couldn’t. The intense wind blowing so hard against her. I can’t breathe. The filly panicked, stumbling backwards and clawing her nose to the air. Her mount wide open. Finally, like a miracle, she took in a new breath. But it stung. Soul coughed so hard. That is so cold. She never had breathed in freezing wind like this before. Because… this storm is… I’ve never seen anything like this. Soul coughed hard.

So much wind and so much snow hailing down on her. This terrible weather… was something she would have to fly through? There was nothing but this terrible storm ahead of her. Beyond all the mountains. She looked back. The faded mountains of the other side still stood there with Soulblight somewhere back there. No.

She didn’t want to go back. Go back to that house protecting her from weather like this with a nice, …warm fire. Soul moaned looking down at the flurrying snow she stood on before turning back to the darkness beyond. A loud sound banged from it. Her ears perked up. Was that… thunder? A storm like this out here? I’ve never even seen storms this bad. As black as Blight was. Filling the entire sky beyond. As scary as it was, Soul did not want to run from it.

It was just another test. I’m not afraid. Flying through storms was not something new for her. I was taught to be strong. I was… when I flew through a storm just like this to show all the ponies that I am not weak. I won in the end. Getting a little wet from rain was nothing. Except it was snow this time. Soul would prove how strong she was. She craned her head. Wind blowing her mane and fur wildly.

“You’re not gonna stop me.”

1.82
This had been enough of a rest. Even with her wings still sore, the filly was not gonna waste any more time. She unfolded them. She had not even taken to the air and already the wind struck hard again. She could feel her precious wings want to fold back up. Terrified of the horrible wind. It took all she had just to keep them open and ready to fly. I got this. She reared her butt to the sky and readied herself. Ready to fly. I’ve been weak so much in my life. I will not do it again. No matter how scary this is, I won’t run away. I want you back, Dashie.

So she kicked. Her wings catching the air. All the felt before it all escaped her. Soul gasped. She fell backwards, hard! The wind sent her flying right back where she had been. Not even able to try and stop it. No! I won’t let you. Soul flapped her wings. Opening her eyes and… saw her wings were still! Oh no, they’re locked! I… I can’t fly. Soul tried. So very hard. Putting all into just trying to move her wings. Too late.

The world spun around her. The hazy sky. The layers of snow in the crater. The rocky cliff face descending down to the mountains. Each sight changed as she tumbled in the air, flapping desperately. I need to fly. Come on, stupid wings! You were always there for me before. Don’t give up on me now. I want to go home, I want to… Soul slammed straight against the side of a large slab of rock.

Soul lost her breath. Not again. Feeling a her mind go blank and pain in her back. Able to do nothing. Nothing but watch herself fall down to the ground below.

The filly pummeled down in the snow. Buried in it. Inhaling as hard as she could, she finally managed to breathe again. Coughing rapidly, she cringed her entire body from the sharp pain exploding in her back. She actually spat out so much from her coughing and then she screamed. Falling right over. “Owwww!” Her legs moved. Trying to push her back up but gave way to let her fall back on the snow. I need… to get… “Ow owww.” It hurt to move.

I need to get up. Please. Don’t do this to me. Just being forced to watch the snow fall around her. Laying on her side. Thoughts of flying out of here, they all disappeared. Because her wings would no longer move. The wind coming in over her and she listened to it. I… I love the sky. I always did. Why? Why did this happen? This is not the sky I know. This is not the world I know. I… I can’t even fly. I just want to go home. That’s all I wanted. But it hurt so much. Everything hurt. I need to… I need to move.

1.83
Her legs actually could still shake. Really badly. Just from trying to stand up. They shook violently, barely able to just push her back up. Get up. Get up. Soul fell right back down. “Ahhhhh!” Soul smacked a hoof against the snow. Opening her eyes once more. Dark clouds were above her. Slowly moving along up there. Just the darkness and snow coming down. Not a little bit of Sun was left up there. Uh… oh no.

It was getting dark? The Sun was setting. I’ll… I’m all alone out here. No. No! I will get out of this… now. She used all her strength to pull herself back up and sit straight up. “Dashie.” I wish you were here with me. I don’t want to be all alone in the dark. Not out here. Especially when it was getting colder and she shivered. Did she really want to do this? The more she thought of it the more she really didn’t want to. I’m so cold. I want to go home. Please.

The remaining light would not last for too long now. She sighed. Looking back in the direction of the house… and Blight. I really can’t do this. Ugh, she felt her back stinging. Rubbing it a little. I have to go back. Deal with all that again. I don’t want to. I just want Dashie, nopony else. If I go back there, Blight will be there. Another chill hit her hard. She sat there. Taking in the freezing cold and all this pain running over her.

Soul sighed.

1.84
I really wish I could feel how this is. Blight held her hoof out, trying to catch one. Snow was coming down so hard. Of course not. The snow did as it always did. Just falling right through her hoof. It really is like this. I can’t even grab a single flake. Blight smacked her hoof back down. This really is all I can do.

What kind of day was this? Just watching the snow. Staring out at this empty world and wondering what can I do. For so long. I can’t even do anything with this world. Not with; she looked down at her hooves. Not with this body. Almost like nothing has changed. This world was still so silent to her. Like nothing happened for her. Not at all. All I can do is wait. Wait and watch this world out there. All that endless snow going far and wide. Freezing cold. Terrible out there. A place that nopony should ever be, but Blight found herself out in it.

The wind certainly had picked up in the coming of night with new clouds rolling in bringing this weather with it. At least the clouds could not black out the glow of blue-white light flooding in by the Moon over her. Its shine all she could see that lit up the white of the land beyond. She stopped. Looking up to the house she had shared with Soul the past day just ahead of her. It had been a long flight to get here. Must have been. Having to fly all the way back from the mountains and back here. Not something I would ever want anypony to have to do, not in this weather. I know… I know that poor filly has it bad right now. I really am sorry that you had to fly in all this.

Soul had been mad before. Oh how awful she could be now. However she was, Soul was inside well away from Blight. In there staying warm by the fire or bundled up in the blanket. Something to help her rest. I need to keep that fire going for her. As long as possible. I just hope I won’t run out of things to burn. I’ll use anything. Blight eyed the other abandoned homes. Even the houses themselves. Soul, all you deserve now is at least to be warm… but… I wish I could give you more than that. Like… a friend. Somepony you want. Because I know you don’t want to see me.

Even if the filly would not accept it, Blight wanted to at least keep her company tonight. Soul still hates me, all alone in there. You really don’t deserve to be alone tonight. Not after I saw you alone for so long, I hate knowing you’re alone right now. If only Dash was here for you. But no, it’s just me. Blight looked up to that Moon high above the world. That glowing orb. That pony etched in it. The pony planted firm in its surface. Up there, all alone.

“How do you handle it?”

1.85
She cared not to listen. Not like she would bother to answer me. No, I got to do what I feel is right. What she felt was right ended up making her go to the front door. Gliding silently down the hole in the snow that thankfully left the door open. She questioned how it was this was the only house in the village with a roofed porch to protect from being buried. Maybe all the others had the same at one point butno more. Lost forever. Perhaps. Buried now in the snow out of sight. It fascinated her in wondering what may have happened to this village. I’m just stalling, aren’t I? Because she stood before that door with the filly all alone on the other side. As much as Soulblight knew Soul would be less than happy to have her around, she could not deny what she wanted. Blight wanted Soul to have somepony with her. I guess that has to be me.

She looked at the rusted knob of the door. With a quick thought, the knob turned and the door was pushed open to send in a small flurry of snow to disappear into the filthy carpet. Well it was good to see nothing within had changed. Light still shone across the room from the fireplace and, as she walked in, she spotted a small glimpse of magenta to her right.

Blight looked over at her as she walked in. Her yellow dragon eyes met the yellow eyes of Soul. She sure does look surprised to see me. Soul didn’t even move underneath that blanket she had wrapped herself in. The very Pegasus doll she had left on the bed earlier in the day lay huddled inside her forelegs. Besides that, Soul looked… awful to Blight. Her mane a terrible mess with countless silver and violet strands just shredded and sticking up. Even having her mane covering up both her eyes now. How could she even see?

Her fur looked no better. All of it just filthy and messy. May as well be a carpet just like the one that was spread across the floor. The poor thing still has that cut on her chin. Soul did not look well at all.

She also does not look happy to me.

1.86
The filly was angry now. Felt nice to walk in here and be met by her glare. So nice. She did not speak at all. I know I’m not welcome. Blight still walked in. Silently. Saying not a word. Another thought and the door sealed shut behind her. All I can really do is just try not to upset her. Felt so weird doing this. We got along so well yesterday, not I have to just avoid her. Blight hated the feeling. Soul wouldn’t even talk to her. Don’t worry, I’ll just stay away from you. I just… don’t want you to feel alone tonight. Even if it has to be with me.

Blight trudged on over to the fire. Away from the bed. Checking on what burned inside. It looked like there was still a good enough amount of wood, blackened and charred, inside to keep wrapped inside the fire. It would need more later to keep Soul warm. An good amount of wood still sat in a pile at the far corner from an empty bookcase she had silently torn apart while Soul had slept the prior night. Not much for her to do overnight so she had made a point to search the dark house since Blight had been all alone last night while Soul slept. A lot of really useless junk. No food or anything to help keep Soul warm. The best use would be as firewood.

Blight sat down in front of the fire while keeping her back to Soul. It bothered her that the filly said nothing. So unlike what we had been earlier today. Just this morning. So much has changed. A shame. Blight really liked Soul being an energetic and playful filly. That glimmer in Soul’s eyes when she would look up at her. Almost like she did like me. It’d be nice to see that again.

She finally heard Soul mumble behind her. Almost like some little whimper. Blight had to look back. Soul was still there but… she was staring down at the bed. Sad about something. I really do pity her. Not sure what she was feeling. It does hurt me because… I did cause all this. Poor Soul.

1.87
“Are you alright?” Blight asked her in the most calm voice she could make. Soul whispered back to her. “Don’t talk to me.” That stings. Really does hurt hearing her talk to me like that. She could not let this stand. Even if the filly didn’t want her to talk to her, she needed somepony to be there for her and I refuse to let her stay in here by herself.

“Are you cold? I can go find more blankets… or stoke the fire…” She reached one of her forehooves closer to the roaring fireplace. “Maybe?” She smiled a little hoping to get something from Soul. She must want something. The filly didn’t say a word. No. She only grabbed the blanket and pulled it over herself. Hidden away under there. The filly moved a little under there and then fell still. I guess… she is going to bed. If only that was the case. So… this is what it’s like to be ignored. Blight frowned. Was it literally just last night when she let me sing to her? I really thought she liked me. I really do miss thinking she does. I don’t want… to be alone. If only we could do what we did last night again. Hmm… Blight looked over at where the filly disappeared. Should I tell her?

“Soul, you don’t have to sleep” Blight let her know.

“What?”

Soul spoke! To me. That’s right, you don’t need to sleep. “I knew you had a terrible nightmare the other night. So I made it so you don’t have to sleep just as I do. Just like with the food, anything to help you, you know?” Blight said before proudly admitting “No more nightmares.” All it had taken was a mere thought. Seemed throughout the day that it worked. Even so, the filly did prove to be able to sleep like a rock last night. Soulblight shaking her and giving Soul this gift… nothing had woken her from that dream. After what you told me, it broke my heart that you had such a nightmare. So… maybe, you would like to never have it again. Blight smiled as best she could.

1.88
The filly did react to this news. Soul reaching a hoof out from under the blanket to push it down so she could bare for a brief moment the pained face she had. She had almost said something. Nothing. She shook her head before falling back in under the blankets, the back of her head again facing Blight. “I’m going to sleep. Nothing to do anyways.”

The filly fell silent. Her body moved a little under the covers and soon enough, she lay motionless. Soulblight could not tell if she was asleep or not. She made no attempt to find out. Just letting out a sigh and going back to staring at the fire. Not even happy about what I did for her. Blight didn’t want to admit it but Soul actually did hate her. But… I still like her. So much that she worried so much now… now that Soul was going back to bed. What if she has another nightmare? What if… I have nopony to talk to again?

She rose her forehooves up to her face. Staring down at the misty fur. The paleness, how incorrect it was. She cursed this body. One incapable of touching another. No matter how much Soul despised her now, no matter what pain was between them after the mistakes, Blight still found herself thinking back to Soul’s request the previous day. Would it be possible now if she had a body to work with? Blight could almost cry thinking what Soul truly wanted now: love. A filly and she really did have nopony left to love her. Except… Blight wanted to.

She could imagine it now holding the tiny pony against her chest, wrapping her up in her legs and thick wings. The filly crying into her black fur. Exactly what she also imagined a lonely child wanting. Exactly what she knew Soul had wanted for so long. But would it even happen were it possible? Would Soul want to hug me? Soul did seem to not like that I tried to help her get rid of her nightmares. Blight heard a sound from behind.

She only glanced back. Still seeing Soul hiding underneath the blanket. Yet, her head bobbed gently. The sound came back again. A sniffle among her steady breathing.

Soul was crying… in her sleep.

Oh no, she had to be woken up. No more suffering. Blight stood up and came over to the bed. I need to wake her up.

Would she yell at me? No, no. I don’t want that. She… she would yell at me. Damn it, Soul. Why did you go to bed in the end? I told you you didn’t need to. I bet she would try to smack me and yell at me if I wake her up.

No, she would want no hug. Even if it were possible. Soul would want nothing from her and sooner leave her before anything. Hate her.

Everypony did.

1.89
Blight made the hard decision. She stepped back from Soul. Soul had to be left alone. The decision belonged to her. Blight had no right to deny that decision. I get to sit here and watch her have a nightmare. Keep the house safe even if Soul didn’t care. Just like my kindness always gets me in the end. Why bother now at all?

The wind howled hard outside. Blight’s ears perked up to listen. Sitting before the glow of the fire, It’s not even warm. Not to me. Not warm or cold. But… I feel so empty. So hurt. Blight let her wings go and wrapped them both around herself.

I see things have not changed. I do the right thing. I help ponies. I did so much to make sure she could be happy and safe. Even saved her best friend. Yet she wants to hate me. Like nothing I do is good enough for her. I feel so alone. Holding herself in her wings, Blight laid down. Curling up her legs and burying her face into her feathers. Listening to the wind and to a filly crying. Alone again.

I don’t want to be alone again.

2.1
The other houses of the village certainly were very dark within. Soul and Blight had been lucky to find a house of their own whose windows still had not been entirely buried in the snow. The house Blight explored no longer had windows exposed to the outside world with piles of snow sitting on the other side of each of them. It must’ve been freezing in the house due to this and how dark it was. Blight could not tell.

It had to be her to allow light to finally grace the interior of the room. The morning sunlight shining in as a thick ray through a wide hole bore straight into the roof above her from which faint snowflakes fell in to flutter about before disappearing on the floor below. The chunk of circular wood that had been cut out sat off to the side. A perfect circle. Even so, this new light could do little to light up the house. No problem for the black Pegasus as she found herself able to easily see every little thing laying about in this mess of a home.

It had not the furniture of the house she shared with Soul. Not even finding a bed in here. No chairs. A fireplace boarded up in the corner by somepony who had time to nail the planks in place. Those very planks rotted and dark much like the tan carpet spread out along the floor with enormous holes eaten away by the passage of time in the ground. But this house had something their house did not: cabinets left behind by whoever lived here before filled mostly with junk. Looking around, these were the only things that could catch Blight’s eyes.

Yet all I’m finding is junk. Junk such as rusted silverware, cans of what could be determined as food that smelled rancid to her nose, broken or old glassware, and wood carvings of objects she could not figure out. Maybe they were toys… or a hobby? Whatever they were, makes me think of what the owner used to be like and why they are so messy just throwing things in these cabinets. Some of them even had sealed boxes within that she had put off to the side for later. That time came sooner than expected as the cabinets were giving her nothing… besides kindling for later.

So she floated back down from the cabinets. Her wings silently landing her next to the few boxes she found.

2.2
With a whoosh of air and a flash of brilliant red bursting across the room, Soulblight left a long and straight cut along the top of the first box to get rid of the tape sealing it. Small bits of glowing orange embers flared up and cooling along the neat sides of the cut in the cardboard. I really wish I could just grab this stuff. This really is the only way. Guess I lucked out.

Her dark black mist cast over the box and tearing the sliced top wide open with a very loud rip echoing in the house. She poked her head inside. Nothing?! How was the box empty? Such a disappointment. What pony seals a box with nothing in it? Really?

That box buckled hard against the wall with a quick toss. As the minutes went by, so did the number of boxes sent slamming into the wall and join the first box. This is starting to get stupid, all these empty boxes. Her angry glare met the next box. Slicing it open, she expected it to have results just like all the others. Make her even more upset with whoever used to live here. But she was pleasantly surprised.

There was a circular object with a deep imprint down its entire innards. Exactly like the crater she had seen yesterday. It was a basin. Made of solid stone it looked. Some parts of it were chipped along the sides but it looked to be in good condition. Examining it, looks like it can hold a lot in it or maybe even fit Soulblight herself. Maybe it can be used. She decided to gently pick it up with her magic and set it down under the hole she had entered through. Maybe she could use it to hold things in, perhaps things for the fire or to carry stuff in if they were to set out on any journey. Organization in the least. Something the prior owner lacked.

She went back to her work. Another box gave her an assemblage of empty bottles and cans. More useless garbage. That was all most of these boxes gave her. Garbage. But another box gave her something unexpected. Opening it up, her breathing stopped. Her eyes wide. It was astonishing what she had found. She even wanted to reach down to it and touch it to be sure she wasn’t dreaming. She even tried to do just that with her ghostly foreleg reaching in before reeling back.

She found a pillow within.

Large, rectangular with a white case around it covered in thin layers of dust. Her magic brought it up to her face. Floating before her, she watched the dust gently fall off as the pillow stretched and spread with every pull she made. It looked soft. In good condition.

But that wasn’t it. Back in the box was a second pillow! Of the exact same build as the first. What a find indeed. Remembering how uncomfortable Soul appeared to be as she slept. Maybe she can be a little happier now that she can sleep with these. For however long they would be here, at least Soul can be cozy.

2.3
The filly had woken up from her sleep not long ago. Not a word was spoken from her to Blight even as Blight looked at her from the side. Soul had just lied there underneath the blanket, staring off into space with empty eyes covered in tears. Didn’t tell me what kind of nightmare she had this time. But it surely was something terrible for it to leave the filly like that. Nothing I can do for her, may as well go search around the village. Still be here close by in case she needs me. Maybe the filly would feel comfort knowing somepony was nearby to her even if it was Soulblight. Just so, Soul may feel appreciative of her finding these pillows. That thought made Blight more enthused to search around this house for anything more that could be of use.

Out of boxes now, she flew off to linger among every nook and cranny that could hide something. There really is a lot of junk in here. All stuff she just threw aside until something loud made her flinch. Blight looked down upon the dresser she so violently pushed out from the wall and left face down on the floor. Nothing was inside it, and nothing behind it as she now saw. Oops.

As much as she wanted to find it, no food could be found. Soul did not need it but Blight could imagine the filly’s face lighting up upon seeing something delicious. Alas, nothing more could be found. Somepony had clearly ransacked the place before Blight had got here. She cursed at that. This house was now useless with only the basin and the pillows being all it could give. At least Blight had an entire village still left to search. Another time though. For now, Blight wanted to go show the filly what she found.

At least she had not left.

2.4
Blight took off for the hole in the ceiling. Upon reaching it, she looked back to be sure her magic was doing as she willed it. The large basin and both pillows floated close behind her with a black aura around them so dark that it was able to easily stand out in the darkness of the house. Satisfied, she flew out the hole. Flying right past where she left burns marks all along the cut she made into the roof. She was cautious to prevent her haul from touching the embers as they floated out with her. These small bits of flame would not last. They sizzled and flickered with every drop of snow to melt into their forms.

Finally out of that murky house, Blight could take a moment to look around at the beautiful scenery. Much like it had been the previous day. A gentle wave of snow slowly descending down upon the village from the cloudy sky and the deeply bright Sun giving its gift on the two inhabitants of this wasteland.

The weather of this place was very strange to her. The day time gave a world that any pony could claim as a winter wonderland ripe for children to play in and pegasi to fly the cool, breezy skies. Now two nights in a row had given something entirely opposite. Deathly cold winds apparent by how Soul reacted to them and torrents of thick snowfall replacing whatever snow had melted during the day and then some. Is this place always like this? It may have been by how incredibly deep the snow was. That Celestia sure did choose such a nice place to leave Soul. More and more it made Blight wonder as to what the princess may have been thinking upon doing it.

If only I could know what

I just hope she did it for the right reason. But… still, I can’t help but be disgusted. If only she had been there to stand between Soul and the princess. The outcome would be entirely different, …and maybe Soul would like her. She had to settle with the pillows for now.

2.5
Where was that filly anyways? If she were still lying in bed then she really needed to get her furry butt up. Come outside and enjoy this beautiful day. It’s not so bad out and anything can beat being alone in that ugly place they had to live in.

Looking back over at their house, Blight quickly caught sight of Soul. Not inside but out. There the magenta filly lay atop the roof of their house. She looked worse than Blight thought. Her fur was a total mess last night and now her entire body was out from under the blanket. Every bit of fur ragged and tangled. Soul’s normally wild, long tail was even worse than Blight could imagine with locks of silver and violet wrapped and linked together in thick curls, and her beautiful wings. From this distance, Blight could see how terrible they were.

Laying unfolded at her sides with her thick layers of feathers propped apart from one another and torn. No longer did they have their gorgeous rows. She didn’t care enough to fix any of it up.

The filly was silently staring off in the distance with sadness gripping her face. Her head propped up by her crossed forelegs. She could have easily done this in the bed by the warm fire but… she wants to be out here. Even sad, she still loved the open air. It was too unfortunate that she had to be sad. You really do want Dash back. She wanted her friend. Soulblight hated that she could not fill that role even though just yesterday morning they seemed to be able to be close enough for both ponies to care for one another. Even more she hated she could do nothing to bring Rainbow Dash and Soul together.

That cyan filly was somewhere out there. Beyond this snow. A realm the filly could not leave from yesterday… to go and find you. Something had to have happened to cause it. This land was too dangerous in the end for a lone filly to venture out in. Along with giving the filly the pillows, maybe Blight could inch her way into warming Soul up to the idea of both ponies going out together to find a way home. I need to try.

2.6
Soul doesn’t even seem to notice me. Blight flew in closer and the filly did nothing. Right by her side and then the mare needed to fly in front of Soul. It took her a moment to look up at Blight. She doesn’t look pleased to see me. Not even enough to say a word to her. Up close now, Blight could see the filly to be worse than she thought. Small specks of dirt lodged into her fur and mane. Grey rocks and brown dirt spots just muddying what had originally been a beautiful coat the filly sported. Something bad really did happen after Soul had left yesterday. Left to only what she could hear, she must have had an accident.

Her fur was also messed up by how bad she slept lately as well. Blight loved Soul’s admittedly adorable eyes, but after everything that had happened, her yellow eyes were so red. Bloodshot eyes really don’t suit this poor filly well. I can’t believe I am thinking this about her and I know Soul would be annoyed if I told her this.

Soul needed a bath.

The poor thing. She looked so beautiful the other day. It was heartbreaking to see her like this. As to how she could be cleaned up, Blight was left at a blank. There was literally nowhere around here to do it. We don’t even have soap or anything. That was certainly something that needed to be done if they found some way home.

2.7
“What are you staring at?” Soul’s less than lively question woke Blight up from her stare.

“You, well… don’t look so good” Blight admitted. Soul groaned a little before looking away from Soulblight. “Oh wow” she muttered. “I wonder why.” It would be nice to think the reason being because of bad sleep if only that could be possible. As terrible it was, I know you are like this because of me. If only I could just help her. I just don’t know what to do like this. The filly won’t even talk to me.

“Well I looked around one of the other houses and found a few things for you.” She had to bring up the pillows and basin wrapped in her dark magic just for Soul to see. Floating at Blight’s sides. Soul’s eyes lazily looked over to see. Blight kept watch over her. Soul was so interested in the pillows, looked like. Just as Blight suspected. Even if Soul did not get any happier, just the fact she was gripped by the pillows was proof enough she liked them. I hope she will be happy.

“Why would I need those?” Soul asked.

The pillows? Were it not obvious? “They’re for whenever you want to sleep. I thought it’d make you more comfortable.” Soul became angry. Her eyes glaring upon Blight and a curl of her lip revealing the slightest bit of her white teeth. “You think I plan to sleep here any longer? I’m going back home… today.”

“I know you want to go home, but we have no idea how long it may take for us to find a way out” Blight said. This land was vast. As far as could be seen was nothing but snow and rugged terrain under constant siege by inhospitable storms whose appearance was too dangerous for Soul to get caught in. Whatever forced Soul to return to the house last night should have taught her that the land would not reward reckless behavior. But it’s not Soul’s fault. She was just a child. A scared and upset child.

2.8
Soul just laid her head down looking off to the distance like she just wanted to ignore Blight. She sighed deeply.

“Why don’t you just leave?” the filly quietly asked. “Just leave me behind so you can be happy and not bother with me. Leave me… all alone.”

“Soul, I will not leave you.”

Soul shook her head. “But I want you to. Just leave me alone like…” She buried her head into her forelegs. “Like everypony does. We both hate each other.” So Soul was still under the mindset she had yesterday. One that made her hate me. An angry outburst that mistakes led to. Even if she deserved some scorn from Soul, being told that she hated her… it really hurt. I hope she doesn’t actually hate me. After what she did, Soulblight should be hated and it was something she needed to accept even if it made her unhappy to hear Soul say it.

But Soul thinks I hate her? That could not stand. She would not hate the filly that she wronged. Now more than ever, Soul needed somepony there for her.

Blight landed down on the roof with Soul. Sitting a leg’s reach from her. Of course Soul pushed herself away a little. A clang was let out from the stone basin setting itself down upon the snow-covered roof, throwing aside her finds just so Blight could talk to her. Because it was needed. Enough of this, it’s lasted long enough.

“Will you please stop putting words in my mouth?” Blight spoke as gentle and considerate as she could. “I don’t hate you. I want you to be happy again because it’s unbearably painful to watch you like this. Just yesterday you were so energetic and joyful that it was inspiring to watch you.” “If that’s the case then why did you take everything from me? …You took Dashie from me” Soul said.

I know I did that. Her true shame that made her slink down. “I made a mistake. I just went with the first thing on my mind and placed it upon you because… I thought you may have lost Dash if nothing was done. Yet, you still lost Dash in the end. That is why I want to help you get her back. Please let me help you.”

Soul glanced at her. The deep yellow in her eyes glimmering outside all the blood in her eyes. She blinked softly. Even beneath her horribly broken eyes covered in the strands of her messy mane, Blight could still see the childhood innocence which made itself known every moment both pegasi played together. Soul was still Soul despite her sadness. At least there is that.

2.9
Soul was actually looking at the stuff Blight found for her. “What’s with the bowl?” “Oh that. It’s…” What can I say it is for? For carrying stuff? Or something else... I wonder. Blight looked over at the filly. Soul needs something better. The basin looks big enough for her.

“It’s your bathtub.” Soul raised her eyebrow. “I don’t need a bath.” “Considering how filthy you are, yes you do. Besides would you actually want to appear before Dash like this?” Blight asked. “I can find some way to get water for you. I’ll help you clean up.” Because of how terrible her mane and tail looked, Soul certainly would need me. Surely Soul will like that I want to help her. She did always seem to like whenever that Nimbus girl did so for her. Soul may like it.

The filly stood up now and wiped all the snow off her before she just trotted right past Blight. Her hooves crunching the snow loudly as she went. She left her wings dragging in the snow a little. Blight eyed that. Worried. She really shouldn’t be doing that to her precious wings. Just about to mention them to her before Soul brought both wings to bare. As she went past Soulblight, she stopped.

“I’ll clean up later, but I want to be alone right now” she said without looking back.

No. Blight didn’t want her to be alone. Soul continued on to the edge of the roof with her wings readying for flight. Hang on. Blight reached for her. But she stopped trying to grab for her. Because… she still doesn’t like me.

“Hey, Blight.” The mare listened with the filly actually looking back at her and… and how she sounded. Not angry, sarcastic. Her voice something Blight could call… relaxing.

“Thanks for the pillows.” The filly took off to join the snowy skies leaving a tiny little magenta feather to gently float in the air. Curling and swaying in the wind to land on the snow before Blight’s hooves. For that little moment, Blight gave a tiny smile staring with care down at the feather.

“I’ll be here for you, Soul.”

2.10
What the hell was that about?

Soul could hardly believe she just offered to help give her a bath. Seriously, does Blight really think I’m a foal? I’m not even that dity. Not that she took any chance to look at herself lately, but surely it wasn’t that bad. Some ruffled fur here and there. It was her wings that actually concerned her. The only part of her body that took her attention. Those very wings flapping every now and then and then she glided along the sky. Even now, she looked back over at both of them. That stupid crash I had… and having to fly in all that.

Those beloved feathers, normally kept very well-tended by Soul herself, no longer present in their normally straight and thick plumage. Nopony will be impressed with these. If anything needed tending anytime soon, it was those feathers. So that means… I have to preen? Agh, out here of all places. I’d have to do it myself since there’s nopony that would care to help me anymore. It’s really going to hurt. Unfortunate it was like that. Yet the suffering always gifted her in the end.

Blight was right about that. If she were to return to Dash, there would be no way she would appear to her with wings such as these. Proud and high flying pegasi would never look kindly on this mess. With the weather so clear today, maybe I can try to find a way out of here again. So she flew on out into the wide-open snowfields. No going back to the mountains this time.

She figured enough time had passed for her to put some distance between her and Blight. Firt she hurts me. Now she wants to give me a bath. Like she thinks I’d trust her with that. Such a weirdo. In truth, she no longer knew what to think of the black mare. Soul just wanted some time to think.

2.11
Soul touched back down on the ground. Her hooves carving a trench into the snow before coming to a complete stop. It felt great she could fly again. All that pain she was in yesterday. Made it so hard just to even try to fly. Thankfully, her back had healed nicely. All Soul felt was a small tightness in the muscles back there.

Soul arched her entire body, pressing all her hooves deep into the snow and stretching her legs out with her back. Both her wings stretched to their fullest lengths. It feels so amazing to stretch now. Enough to make the filly groan under her breath and keep her eyes closed. She sighed her relief returning to straighten herself back out. She opened her eyes. Both of them burned. The same feeling that greeted her when she woke up that morning from another awful nightmare much as the same as the first one. How she had cried. How so very pitiful she had felt. What is wrong with me? This just isn’t right.

Two nightmares in a row.

Such a thing never happened before. Just as lonely and sad she felt yesterday morning. As sad as she was all morning. She could feel a tear in her eye. If by how bad she felt or the pain in her eyes, she did not know. It could be both. She rubbed a forehoof against both her eyes but that didn’t help. They still hurt so badly. Not nearly as much as the pain she wanted to forget. All of this just from some stupid nightmares. But I used to have them. These ones… I hate them so much.

…Dashie

They were just nightmares. All they were.

2.12
She shook a little and ignored it. Wanting to just look around. Even with the weather so nice compared to last night, thick clouds still hung and cast such darkness down on this land, couldn’t even see anything in the distance. Even the mountain range was difficult to spot with only their peaks reaching their way out of the clouds. Soul would have to fly further to be able to look around in those distant lands.

To her left were the hills from which she had first arrived to stumble across the village. Whatever was past those hills were a mystery as much as everything besides the mountain ranges. Really no telling where I should go. Guess I’ll just fly somewhere. These were open plains extending far and wide to disappear far into the cloudy skyline. They could go anywhere.

Soul could not determine for how far she would want to fly. Her hope was not for too long if she happened across a way home. Something she could use. But not as long as yesterday. No way will she allow her wings to be sore again. I’ll fly for a bit but… I guess I’ll have no choice. If she found nothing, she’d have to go back.

She had plenty of places to look around. Soon enough she would find a way home back to Dashie as she hoped for. It at least livened up her hopes to see her again. Yes. She would prove to Soul that she still loved her. They were still friends. Yes. Yes, we’re still friends. Dash would prove those nightmares wrong as well because they were wrong.

Just, maybe as well, they could be happy again.

2.13
Doesn’t take anything to do stuff like this. Pieces of boards were tossed aside. Split in two by her magic. Many tiny splinters of wood also scattered around them. Breaking this part of the bookcase being a messy project. Just making the boards of it smaller, they could easily fit into the fireplace which Blight gave pieces of the case to. They landed loudly among the already charred and ashen objects still fueling the fire that she had to keep going. Funny how the flames were buried under the boards and then those same flames quickly ate them away.

Soulblight watched as the flames found their way around and over the new planks of wood with tiny new flames forming here and there. That oak brown wood quickly changed its color growing darker over the minutes until black sears scorched it with tiny bits of white popping and crackling. She went ahead and threw more in. Just wishing she could feel what it was like. This warmth that it may cause. I have magic… but it’s so useless for just helping me feel what it’s like.

I got one use for this magic. At least I don’t need to get close to the fire. The black mist was all she needed to toss wood in there. Soul… she would have to use her hooves just like other ponies, besides the unicorns though. The same powers they used and I have them too. Guess that lot isn’t so gifted after all… hmm, a Pegasus with magic… I’d love to see how those ponies would react.

At some point all the stuff she found in the other house would disappear in the fire. But the fire had enough wood to keep it going for a while at the moment. The new pile was simply for later. Blight felt satisfied seeing the fire start to grow and intensify its Sun-like glow upon the house. The light it gave was better than that given by the Sun itself through to the few useless windows their home provided. That damn snow doing its worse in attempting to block up the windows like that other house suffered from. But I need to try and keep this house looking okay for Soul to live in. Soulblight made a point to go out soon and dig that snow away, just to clear the windows for the filly. Soul would like to have more light in here. I’m sure she’d appreciate being able to look outside better.

I would like to make this house a true home for us until Soul could return to her real home.

However that could happen.

2.14
There is one other thing. I need to find some way to do it. I’d love to redo the doorway to this house. It’s just a pain to have to fly through that tight hole down into the porch Blight barely was able to fit the basin through it and bring it inside. Thinking of that, she had an idea.

Would it not be lovely to give themselves a nice pathway up from the door to the outside above the tall snow? It’d give their little refuge from the weather a more inviting look. It was entirely possible. With how cold it got at night, the snowfall during the day always turned into ice. Fluffy and soft snow coming down every day over the icy sheets before it too turned to ice at night. An endless cycle. Icy pathways, guess that’s the best I’ll have. Something to do later.

I wish I could give Soul back a little taste of her home. Too bad I can’t make the paths out of clouds. Something more familiar to her. If only I knew how. If only I could.

All I have is letting the filly take a bath in that big bowl. Blight turned to look over at where she left it right next to the doorway. All that soft snow accumulating over the day gave her enough to keep a nice pile of the snow filling the entire interior of the basin. It looked like none of it melted at all. Maybe the house wasn’t as warm as she thought but enough to keep Soul from freezing. I’ll melt it. Her magic pulled the basin along the floor, brushing softly on the carpet until it sat next to Blight. She took a moment more to look over everything. No cracks or openings at all along its shell. Reliable enough. So she gave it one last push to set it just outside the opening of the fireplace.

It’s all I can do. Let the snow melt and… I hope the fire can warm the water up a little.

2.15
From a bath to bed. That’s how Soul used to do it. The filly still wants to do it. She has a gift now and doesn’t even want to use it. She must miss her life. Doesn’t want to stop sleeping. Whatever the real reason was, all I can do is support her. Especially with the pillows. Make a nicer bed for her.

The blanket Soul used to keep warm was left draped over the bed’s side with countless wrinkles and crevices marking it and a corner of the blanket left folded in on itself. She grumbled. Why did Soul even sleep? How terrible for her to have slept in the end and wake up with those bloodshot eyes. Whatever nightmare she had could have been avoided.

I really wish you would stop sleeping… just so I don’t need to watch you suffer.

Blight sighed. If she wanted to sleep then so be it; it wasn’t as if Blight could force her to change her routine even if it were bad. The least could be done was making it a little more comfortable. These pillows could help. With a little willing of her magic, both pillows floated up to present themselves to Blight and she made them fluff themselves. Just a little softer after so many years of them sitting around. They looked good enough now. Soulblight brought them over with her to the bed. Angling herself over the frame, she found something.

“Oh, Soul…”

“Why did you have to sleep?” Her eyes holding on the sight on a patch at the head of the mattress. A spot left darker than every other part of the mattress. The only thing left behind by Soul as her eyes gushed so many tears last night. She could only hope that they could get out of here sometime soon. Return her to the nice dreams Soul sweetly slept through. A time she deserves after all she had to go through. I want it for her.

Soulblight set both pillows down next to one another to cover up the wet spot before her magic pulled the blanket up to cover them as well. It came a little bit closer to a normal bed. Something Soul would be able to compare more to what she was used to. Two pillows for more comfort. Two pillows, …for two ponies if only it could be. Soulblight replacing Rainbow Dash for just one night to help ease Soul to sleep in somepony else’s warmth. Be that friend to her that she needed. It’d also be nice to know how nice these soft pillows feel. Those thoughts left her. I really shouldn’t think this way. I just… it hurts… too much now.

Which it shouldn’t.

Soulblight reeled back as hard as she could. Wings flared out. Her eyes stared off at the doorway. Her mouth agape. What is this? She felt it, feeling that pinging running across her head and flaring her nostrils. It made her want to scream and her mouth made attempts to do so releasing only raspy breaths. Screaming… and…. fear? But she was not afraid.

She was not the one.

Something else felt just way too wrong. Like she always feels… “Oh no.”

2.16
How on Earth could this be happening?

There was no way this could be. Soul thought it was a fluke. This world… whatever this land is, how can it actually do this?

There could be no way she could turn her wings like this. Yet they did, as hammered into her skull by the very force that hammered her wings. Made them incapable of even moving with how they were sent flailing out of her control. Flap down. The wind forced the opposite. The wind is too much. Damn it!

I can’t give up. Please. Not with her falling once again. It made her scream for them only to be drowned out by the howling wind. Fly! She looked up. The sky wrapped in a deep darkness just like a scene she had seen recently. Just yesterday. With a blink, she could see the white sheet of the ground far ahead. Tumbling down at it. Fly!

Her wings did nothing to stop this cycle. Her world twisting around in an endless spin. This really is not the weather I’m used to at home. Her wings burned. Their tender flesh torn asunder by wind so strong, impossible for pegasi to fly through it. I’m so stupid.

In her revolving sight, she could spot small traces of blood rushing by her in tiny droplets to disappear in an instant. Yet it was just a small burn. All she could feel of it. Even with how much blood rushed by. The occasional feather launched away to be lost from her wings. No, I only want to fly. To reach back up to the sky that forced her out its realm and keep her down and trapped. No response, even with the ground coming to her faster. “No! Damn it, no!” Her cries lost in the wind. This was going to hurt.

This was going to be so painful and it frightened her as to how bad it may be. Please stop. The last time had hurt so much, I don’t want it again. Just being flung into a rock. Now she had so much time. As if the world was in slow motion to prepare the filly for pain she wished to not come. It was enough to make her reach a tiny hoof out. But… nopony grabbed it. For Soul to be falling just because her wings… I thought they would be strong enough. They always had been before. Not this time. And nopnoy is here to help me. Save me.

For a pair of cyan furred legs to wrap around her own.

For wings not belonging to her to lift her back up. None came.

Her eyes widened. The snow filled her vision and revolved once more. In came the dark sky once more rolling to meet her sight. Darkness she did not welcome. In this moment, for a brief second, she made one wish to spat out and fade into existence. I wish she was here. For it to be dark wings as black as this sky to come and save her.

“Help …me.” Did those wings come? Soulblight...

2.17
It made her gag. Soulblight had to bite down on her lip just to fight the sharp pain. Seconds passed by yet they felt like days to her. Each moment she just had to whimper between her ragged breaths. So much pain and it’s in my wing. Just exploded out there all along her span.

She gripped herself so hard to try and ignore the sudden pain. Now it’s getting worse. This is worse than… whatever happened yesterday. Agh! Just stop it. Then she found herself bashing her own head against the wall again and again. Yesterday didn’t feel so bad. This time… it hurt so bad whatever Soul had done.

“D-d-d-damn …it, …S-Soul.” She gasped hard. “What did you do…!?” Her voice broke on the last word, coming as a terrible shriek. That crazy filly. Whatever foolishness she did last evening was an annoyance to Blight. Now, this was something beyond stupidity. This hurt too much and, with every passing second, the pain was all she could feel. It was terrible to her. For brief moments, she wanted to remember how very afraid she was for Soul once this pain came in. She couldn’t focus on it. She wanted to.

“Ahhh! I must …get to her.” It was like her entire wingspan was on fire. It almost made her collapse; the world around her almost hazed to white for it to come back to her. That experience made her heart race. She screamed horrendously. Her cries so loud that it almost split her own ears.

She calmed herself. Unfortunately, that wing did not. Its intensively growing agony flaring and pulsing to make her muscles tense and the bones within to creak on her attempts to move it. I have to move. Get over it. Just get over it. Her wing roared back against her. No! Her stupidity won’t get the best of me. I must help her.

She attempted to move her wing. Something pinged. The sound banging across her entire innards until it reached every thought she had. Booming hard in every corner of her ears. She coughed up spit. “Damn it!” That sound droned on. The pain went on. But it won’t stop me. Just readjust her wing. Force the pain out. She blindly felt her wing begin to move up to the point she could feel it herself. It hurt way too much now. Enough to begin to make her afraid. But she slowly brought that wing back out and unfolded at her side. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Only stopping moving her wing right when it started to really hurt. She willed it with no idea of what to do. Didn’t help that her vision was so blurry. Just a little more.

2.18
A crack sounded within the house. Soulblight’s eyes widened.

She screeched.

Its agonizing sound blaring right into her own ears to the point she could even grow weary of hearing it. She wanted to stop screaming. Her pain proving too powerful. Powerful enough that she just fell right to the floor, letting her wing spread out on top of her. She felt it beating against her chest. Her screaming went on. It went on for so long that Soulblight herself found herself putting her face deep within her forelegs to shield her own ears as best she could from those cries.

How long could this last? Please stop. She sealed her mouth. Can even feel so much spit on my mouth. Just flowing out on to her fur. “Please stop.” She spoke it to two different things. The unbelievable pain in her wing and the ringing in her mind that still persisted. What is that? “What is that!?” She roared out a new scream. Then, the black Pegasus collapsed. Her screaming silenced to turn into slow sobs as tears fell onto the rug. All her feelings still mocking her… along with that damn sound. What was ringing? Where was it?

I’ll kill it.

It seemed as if the sound responded. Becoming more intense and louder within her mind. Soulblight was astonished. She couldn’t believe that this sound was getting to her more than the pain in her wing that still stung deep into her. Hurt her head. She was under attack everywhere now. Soul. Stupid Soul. “Stupid. Stop hurting yourself.” That ringing grew worse. “Stop hurting me!”

Her ear perked up. What was that sound? Something… different. Something …wait. The ringing was gone. Her pained wing being the only thing getting to her but could not hold her attention. Something else did. She listened carefully. It was so hard to pick out. But, there it was. She understood it.

Something… was laughing.

Laughing… at me? It sounded like… some girl. Younger? Almost like a filly perhaps. But it was no less irritating. Who was laughing? She looked up from under her forelegs. Nothing. Nopony was in front of her. Her eyes darted all around trying to pinpoint where the laughing came from. It got worse and, as it did, just getting her more angry. She could feel her brow sinking. Her teeth baring and drilling into her lip. “Shut up” she yelled. But it did not listen. “Who is laughing!?” She looked around again. It made her infuriated not finding who did it. “Stop laughing at my pain.”

All of a sudden, making her ears twitch in response, the laughing stopped. Silence. It made her cease all her movements. At last.

2.19
You deserve it.

There! I see it. A faint movement in the corner far into the shadows. Almost dark enough for her to miss it.

“Shut up!”

A blaze of light. A flash of deep red. Lighting up the entire house in its bloody glow for a split second even as the accompanying sound went on longer as Blight watched with glee as a great arc of brilliant crimson light cut its way out from her, rolling along the floor that dared to stand between her and the shadow. With every bit of ground it covered, the sound of rending metal and searing cinder was so pleasing to hear.

That arc of light, its bladed edge, struck with a mighty blow into whomever laughed at her from within the shadows. Now die. She knew just how to finish it. The magical arc reeled itself up and sliced the entirety of the corner itself, leaving behind a smoldering black line scorched deep into the wood as it hit the ceiling. Like a wave against a rock, the light exploded into nothing upon striking that very ceiling.

Soulblight smiled at her work. Her efforts leaving behind a long and smoky line bored deep into the floor, perfectly straight and bending up into the very corner whomever mocked her resided. How dare they say I deserved it. Upon thinking of this, she blinked. She did it again. This time so confused. Finding herself baffled as to how things now were. Her pain was gone. Entirely. Her right wing laying still against her side with a comforting softness descending upon it. It felt calming to her as her mind also calmed down. It had the opportunity now that all was silent. That laughter gone and only the sound of the wind outside could be heard.

She gave a sigh of relief before her smile grew larger. The mare giggled looking back over at the corner. Her laughing ceased. What? The shadows had subsided as quickly as her pain disappeared.

There… was nothing there. Only the anger induced result of her magic left in that well-lit corner.

“What? But…who was…?” She looked all around. In every corner, in every dim spot she could find. Nothing. She could feel her heart racing. What happened to me? Her eyes came across the mirror at the far end of the room. Even from this distance, she could make it out and she wished she had not. Staring at the pony in the reflection laying down just as she did; Blight’s breathing stopped.

It was her. Jet black fur, mighty wings and a misty aura, but …she drew a blank. That emptiness in her mind led to a feeling… was it fear, for what she saw. Her eyes… they made her afraid. All the Sun stricken yellow she knew entirely replaced by a whirling red. Blood. The disgusting liquid coiled around her own pupils. Inside my eyes. Those are my eyes. Both diamond pupils split into needle thin lines running down the center of her eyes. She looked like a beast. Enough to startle her.

“Oh no.” Her forehooves rubbed against both her eyes with darkness taking her sight. No, she mustn’t see me like this. Soul was a priority once again and she wanted to reach out to her but there would be no way she could come to her like this. Go back to how they had been. Soul would be terrified of seeing her eyes, and she was terrified of showing them. “Calm down. Calm down” she begged as she did not let up on rubbing her eyes. She revealed them to the mirror again. Dizzy and disoriented. Taking several seconds to clear up.

Soulblight saw her eyes again. Yellow.

The black diamonds were back. The eyes Soul knew were back. She smiled her satisfaction. Thank goodness. A few more blinks gave no indication those reddened eyes would come back. She gasped.

“Soul!” I must get to her. That pain was from her!

She finally stood back up to turn her back to that mirror and to the evidence of her intensive anger. Soul was not too far off. I can find her easily and get there right away. Just need to get there. She concentrated but, for a brief second, she stopped. Looking back at what she had done and all around the house. Nothing moved or made a sound. Turning back to face the direction of the filly, she spoke softly of the dead laughter.

“What was that?”

2.20
“Hello!? Somepony help me!” Soul cried out as loud as she could with her voice carried on by the wind to disappear in the thunderous storm. Leaving her alone. All alone laying in the trench she had carved in the snow, with the blood speckling the snow around her. She looked around for a moment till the stinging pain within her right wing made her wince. It was not as bad as it had been moments ago, enough to make the filly roll uncontrollably as she screamed at the top of her lungs while her wing spasmed. It still wasn’t enough to stop the pain in it. Stop it from twitching at her side. She absolutely hated seeing it do that.

Looking away, I just don’t want to see it. But then she saw the blood on the ground. Oh man. I want to just get out of here. She tried again to make her wing flap. It barely even left its rest upon the snow before it lashed out at her with quick pain making the filly settle it back as quick as the pain had come.

Soul grunted. “This sucks.” Looking off in the direction she could tell had to lead back to the house due to the mountain range off to her left. Still, the houses of the village were nowhere to be seen. I flew so far. Am I gonna have to walk back? Please no. Barely spending any time walking up to this point all the while her wing forced her to rest often. “Soulblight!” she screamed. Her voice slipped to a whisper. “Somepony?” The wind screaming over her, snow coming to rest upon the top of her head. The weather made her feel more helpless.

Her eyes turned over looking back at the thick walls of dark clouds behind her. The realm she had managed to escape from after it threw her from the sky. Its wind strong. Flashes of light rupturing across its dark berth in the blink of an eye. That storm was getting worse, and it was getting cold. All the more reason for her to push herself back to safety.

Her knees pushed her back up. Her wing forced her back down, the sudden movement riling up the damage within again and making the poor filly cringe. So she lay back down unable to move. Her legs trembling. Why? Why won’t anyone help me? Why and how could this be happening? Another storm. Just like yesterday. It was just like it! The same damn wind that sent her falling out of the sky. For what? For trying to find her friend? For Rainbow Dash? She could do naught but to see it as another thing working hard to hurt her. To take her down. Just… more things trying to ruin my life. It would not win in the end. It couldn’t.

“I won’t let this stop me.” Not this. …not …Celestia, or any other pony… “I’ll come home” she spoke softly down at the snow. One of her tears surprised her and landed on that very snow.

I will.

2.21
She stood up again. Taking it slow to try and ease all this pain. She let out such a terrible wail. Her muffled cries not able to stop her from standing tall even if she did wobble a little. “I can do this.” She took a step forward. That was all it took.

Her wing exploded just as bad as it did when she crashed. May as well have just slammed the wing against a wall right now. Enough to lose any footing those wobbly legs gave her. Screaming loudly, Soul fell forward with her face slamming into the snow. Her mind went blank. She could only scream and howl into the snow.

She kept yelling. Again and again, her throat was sore by the end. Sore enough to finally quiet her down and she lay her legs out to rest once more. Panting. All the pain now making Soul cry slowly. Still nopony helped. Her eyes gently looked around. Looking for any hint of the black Pegasus she wanted to desperately see at this very moment. She could care less for what happened earlier. Soulblight was the only pony here that could help …and she was gone like every other pony. Just like Nimbus and Dashie. They aren’t here for me anymore.

Nopony in sight. Leaving Soul all alone with this insurmountable pain. Just like …I left Dash… all alone. “Just like this” she said stammering. Was this the same pain I made her feel? Flying off and leaving her friend behind on the ground with a hurt wing. Just like my wing. Guess I get to see what it’s like since nopony wants to help me.

Soul calmed down. No. I can’t just lay here and think that. “I didn’t hurt her on purpose. I’m sorry.” She looked back at the storm. As if her words mattered. I just want to find her and apologize. But I just can’t. Can I? This stupid weather.

So many words spoken between both fillies only for the last words to be ones that could not be taken back. With every failure making her feel that to be true even more. These past days being constant disappointments, constant anguish. All because of me. “Because I left her… like… this.” She sank her head deeper into the snow. More pain pounded in her injured wing. “I’m terrible. I deserve this.” Soul cried. Her tears flowing out all across the icy snow. All alone in the snow, broken and hurt like I always used to be. Nothing has changed.

2.22
A terribly loud crack rang out all around. Soul screeched from it. That was terrifying how loud it was. She finally rose out from the snow and looked back at the storm, the source of the sound which rumbled and lasted for seconds on end right as lightning shot out. A thunderstorm? The thick and massive clouds just like how she would remember them in Cloudsdale. Just how loud it had been made Soul whimper and shake. Alone out here in this and I can’t even fly.

“Dashie” her voice so low, so silent that she could barely hear herself. “… Help me. I’m sorry.” Begging for that pony she had pushed away, harmed, and owed everything to. “I want to be your friend again.” Even if I don’t deserve you. Don’t deserve any friend. The sky let loose again. Such loud thunder rippling from the storm. Soul had to turn away from it. Terrified. “No!” she yelled. The sounds so loud and so close, she couldn’t take it. Dealing with it all alone. “I’m sorry” she cried out again.

If only I could fly. If only something can go right. She really did think things would be better once she was sent away from Canterlot. Free from it. Free to go back home. No… this is my home now. It’s the only home I can go back to now. To that stupid shack. Soulblight would be there. All she wanted was to have somepony with her.

Then came a new sound.

That’s… not the storm. Her ears listening closely. Something is… close. It was not thunder. It sounded more like a crunch. Something pressing hard into the snow. It came again and again like some pattern. Was something… walking?

“Hello?” she spoke turning to see what it was. Her eyes widened. Black hooves and four legs. Soulblight? No. It was something much more different. No way. I never thought I’d see anything like this here.

A deer, standing a stone’s throw away looking over at her with beady black eyes. Such gorgeous brown fur and even had a white tail. Beyond that tail stood yet another deer, taller and stronger looking. Both of them looked almost the same. Except for one thing. Soul was drawn to the incredible antlers the second deer had. Mighty and strong with many jagged ends reaching to the sky and so tall, looked like it would be tough carrying those around. The other deer, plain with nothing atop its head.

It was a doe and… must be her male friend. Soul couldn’t believe to see these creatures. Standing there without making a single move, both of them keeping Soul square in their sights. Are they even afraid of me? I don’t think so. Not that she would harm them anyways and… I’m not afraid of them. Beautiful deer like the ones and many other wildlife to grace the gorgeous landscape of Equestria. Frolicking in the lush grasslands under clear blue skies. Quite a different setting for these two.

Huh, what is the doe looking at? Soul eyed her. The female was looking down. Down? At where? She thought for a moment. Maybe… she followed what it was seeing.

She was looking at Soul’s own wing.

2.23
So they know. She didn’t like having these deer stare at her injured wing. Like their gaze was enough to make her tremble so nervously. The idea of looking so pathetic to them, she hated it. She had to bring her good wing up and over. Bringing it all along her chest and against her side. The sheets of thick magenta feathers doing as she wanted and covered up her right wing as good as they could. Shielding the sight of it from the deer.

Soul grumbled sitting there. Not the pony she wanted. Not anypony she wanted to come and help her. So now I have an audience? The doe really did want to take a look at her wing. It did not appreciate Soul covering it up. Not at all. So much that… it walked towards her.

Soul was not afraid. More amazed. I didn’t think a deer would want to ever come near a pony. They tended to flee more often than anything no matter how good natured the pony would be towards it. But here this one was, a hoofful of steps out and closing in, slowing down as she got closer to Soul. She could see the doe’s nostrils flare as it got closer. Its ears twitching and shifting, listening close. How good could its hearing even be? Even able to listen to the filly’s breath.

Soul watched carefully. The doe just steps away. Close enough to tell it was much taller than Soul was. Maybe even taller than Blight as well. Thin and its fur looking very soft. She could see nothing to be afraid of it for. Soul even thought the way its eyes gently blinked, whose wide and black pupils glimmered the faded sunlight, looked sweet. She won’t hurt me. Soul looked past her. Looked like the doe’s friend didn’t think Soul would hurt them either. The buck holding back completely calm about this.

Standing a hoof’s reach away from her, the doe bent its head down to her. Soul watched those dark eyes come close to her face up to the point where the doe was at head’s height of the filly. The filly had to hold her breath. I’ve never seen one this close before. Wow. This is kind of amazing. She was so close that Soul could feel its breath on her. Cute, little grumbles in the doe’s throat. So close but… I am not afraid. Even though this was the first time this had ever happened.

“H-hi” Soul said to it. She spoke softly. Any louder might scare it off. It was not afraid. Soul heard its breathing turn to loud sniffs, and it turned its snout down to Soul’s chest and all around. Sniffing the filly yet it never got too close. Soul didn’t pull back from it. What is she doing? Smelling me all over. I don’t know what its looking for. Or if the doe would think bad of her smell. How long had it been since she bathed?

No, it didn’t care. The doe only went over to sniff the wing she had covering her hurt one. Soul could do nothing in time to get the doe away in time before she bared witness to something she never would have expected a wild creature to do. The doe quickly pushed the tip of its nose straight into the layers of feathers her wing used as covering. Soul yelped. “Hey, wait a minute.” She could feel the doe’s nose brush against her feathers, the motions softly felt along her wingspan but it did not hurt. Not at all like how it would hurt if she touched her own wings too harshly. It just felt… relaxing. But it didn’t last. The doe actually reeled back and stopped.

2.24
Those large, black eyes looked at Soul. Looking over at her own eyes. As if it were asking something of her. Expecting something. The doe glancing back over to Soul’s wing and at what Soul knew exactly what it wanted. I get it. A smart deer? Not to mention what it was the deer wanted. She wanted to see.

The strange thing was that Soul did not feel worried about it. Something about it, she felt herself lowering her guard. I’ve never known animals to be mean… they never have been afraid of me. In the rare times she would be able to see any. But they all proved to be the same and these deer were no different. This doe was harmless and… as much as she found it hard to believe, it expressed concern over her. Even out here, they can still be nice to me.

But why would she?

“You want to help me?” Soul asked. The doe lowered it’s a head a little more and only snorted. Maybe that was a yes. The deer refused to leave despite Soul’s hesitation. Perhaps it did want to help. “But why?” Soul asked feeling uneasy. What if she did something to scare off this deer? Just another who would leave me. I… I don’t want her to. It feels good knowing they cared. “I don’t want to disappoint you as well.”

The doe breathed hard onto her. Its front legs bending and its snout reaching back towards her feathers. But it didn’t do as it did before. It held its muzzle just short of touching her left wing. Soul moaned.

“Fine.”

It took her a moment but Soul bit her lip and did it. She lifted her wing up for the doe to see. The bloody, distorted span of her right wing fully visible once more. Its feathers jumbled and bent making it look even more ugly, and the deer knew it to be so now. It was shameful. Soul feeling exposed with this ugly wing right before the deer, but it was too late to cover up again. She sunk her head in defeat upset with how the doe stared at it. Is it really so bad? Did I mess up that bad?

Soul gasped. Something touched her injured span. She turned quick to find the doe pressing its nose up against a spot just short of where her span bent so unnaturally. That leathery feeling of its nose piercing through the fur and touching the sensitive skin beneath. Wait a minute… stop. Yelling in sudden terror as quick as the feeling of being touched came upon her. “Sto...” she paused. Soul holding her mouth wide open. Stop. Soul stopped herself.

There… was no pain.

How the hell? Soul staring at the doe stroking its nose against her wingspan. It hurt so much whenever she moved the wing, how was it possible that it being touched didn’t hurt? No. It felt good. Relaxing like when it touched her other wing before. It made her smile. Soul only wanted to watch her seemingly massage her wing. The droning pain sort of died off. Soul could only focus on how nice it felt in the end. Wow, this is awesome. I… I’m loving this.

The doe rose her head slightly and moved over to a new spot along her span. Soul expected her to massage that spot. It didn’t. Instead it did something Soul never expected anything to do to her. The doe licked her fur!

This felt… great. Was this how doe’s showed affection? That’s so sweet of it. It nudged its nose back against her wing a little more. Helping it feel so much better. Just a small touch was all she needed. Like she really cares for me. It… it’s wonderful. I wish I could have more of it.

2.25
Soul blinked. The doe released its touch on her wing and brought itself back up to look directly into Soul’s face. Soul smiled at it seeing only innocence inside those beady eyes. “Thank you” Soul whispered to one she could see as a buddy to her even if it were a deer. Still something, and the doe must have felt the same about Soul. She licked the tip of Soul’s nose. Ha, that tickles.

Soul giggled. “Hey” she spoke to it. “Would you want me to be your friend?” Everything this doe did… so much more than what anypony else would do. Especially lately. Since everypony hates me. Not this doe though. It made her feel better. Something a friend would do. Like I am actually gonna be friends with a deer. What a story for other ponies, having a deer for a good friend. The doe looked like it didn’t mind. Those long ears perched atop its head angled down before picking themselves high up. A lick of its lips. Must mean something. Something good. Especially since the deer had not left her, not like all other ponies.

Aw, thank you. I wish I could do something to thank you. Something it would understand. Well, nopony is looking. Maybe I can do what it did for me. I think she’d like it, right? I want to try. It’s just me and her. Soul leaned a little closer. Quickly but not quick enough to surprise the doe. Even so, the doe did not show fear from the filly getting closer to her. Good. No reason for Soul to fear her either. You’re so sweet to me, even if we just met. Here you go. Soul licked her nose just as the deer did for her.

It tasted like nothing. Even so, it was a pleasant feeling that made Soul smile. Better yet, as she opened her eyes again, looked like the deer liked it. It took a step closer, bowing its head down close to Soul’s chin and it grumbled. Oh man, she must be happy. Soul placed her hoof upon the doe. “I’ll be your friend” Soul whispered down to it. A friend out here, at last.

2.26
The deer laid itself right against her chin. So happy that the filly was happy. Soul laughed. Oh, this deer is so nice. I’m glad we met. May as well be a pony. Soul even set her head down in between the doe’s ears. It was warm. Something welcomed in the winter. Yet even with the fire roaring in the house giving her relief from the cold, there was just something more about being this close to something that liked her. It felt much nicer. More safe. Yay. She wants to be my friend. I’ll never leave her. She will make sure of it. I left Dashie… such a bad mistake. I won’t do it again.

Soul slowly lowered her eyes. It was like she would fall asleep like this, but she couldn’t. So hard not to. It just feels so great to have something here for me. Lifting one of her hooves up to reach for the deer and wrap it over its neck. The brown fur atop its neck touching the fur of Soul’s leg, the first time she’d hugged a deer. Such a soft touch. I love it.

A brush of fur sounding in her ear. The wipe of a sound that whished across the air and rang in both her ears. Yes, something brushing. It sounded weird to her in the brief moment she had to listen.

It wasn’t from them.

Their ruffling fur against one another. Like the air itself split apart beside them and echoed with thunder. Then… a cry.

Soul opened her eyes and found herself falling forward. She caught herself with sturdy legs in time to see what had happened. The deer was gone. It was for only a moment but, Soul saw it. A blast of red, like a wall cutting across the world itself, slicing deep against the snow by her and curving into the distance leaving a sizzling trench running in the snow before it disappeared into nonexistence. Like fire ate it all away in an instant. The steam bellowed. Plumes of heat dancing in coiling up to the air. So hot. She felt her own skin blister.

Soul glanced down. There the trench bore deep in the snow next to her with something more. Her eyes saw it.

Pools of red, blood.

As haunting as it ever was and she trembled seeing it. More than just getting hurt. It couldn’t be with how much there was. Soul looked back up in shock. So dazed. What happened? She just couldn’t get the ringing out of her ears. She saw her. The doe stumbled back away from her. Its hooves pushing deep into the snow and, in their attempts to lift back up, she almost tripped over herself. But it still managed to gain its footing and turn itself away. All it needed to do was turn. Soul’s eyes widened. So much more blood.

Blood dripped all along its side. Down from… a horrible gash. Cut all along its side. From leg to leg. She didn’t get enough time to make everything out now that the deer hid its side from her and left its tail to face her as it ran off leaving trails of blood on the ground. Its crying sounding loudly and all that was left was the doe’s whimpers. What? She’s hurt?!

A black hoof stamped down in the snow.

2.27
Blight really wanted to kill this creature right about now. Her entire body boiled in anger. How dare that animal touch Soul. How dare it harm her. I can’t even imagine what would have happened had I just been a little later, and I had to come here just in time to see that beast trying to go for Soul’s throat! Right after hurting her wing. How could it care so little for a young pony? Blight felt no obligation to feel any care for it. I should kill it.

I should.

Blight held herself. No, not… not in front of Soul. The poor filly has seen enough. There was enough blood to make her point. The brown furred creature galloping away towards the second one with so much pain it cried out in. Trails of blood following in its wake. Blight could see that gash burned into it. Not as bad as Soul had it though.

I need to look over Soul, her wing looks really bad. The filly was silent. She must be stunned by all this. I understand. The filly was actually staring down at all the blood on the snow. A terrible sight for her, but not one Blight could prevent. Left behind by the one she saved Soul from. Even some of the blood splattered on her face. Just a small amount unlike the horrendous amount soaking her right wing. Just like my wing. Those beasts hurt her… they hurt me! How dare they?! I wish I could… ugh no, I need to tend to Soul. So many cuts and large wounds all over the wing. It needs to be treated. The way blood trickled down from those openings and tainting the magenta fur. All her fur a horrible mess now more than ever. Torn feathers and… oh no, her wing was bent. The bone. It was damaged.

“S-sss…” Blight stopped herself from speaking. Shit. This could not be. Her eyes widening thinking just how serious this could be. No, it could be saved. It could heal. Now that she took a moment just to think clearly. Painful for a time, yes, but Soul would have to stay off that wing for a long period. She needs plenty of care. Blight really hoped that would be it. It certainly could be worse and she would not allow it to be made worse. She had to be protected.

“Soul, I’m here.” Blight stepped in front of the pony, knowing right there she was between Soul and those creatures who watched over the two ponies. You two won’t get through me.

2.28
Why are they still here? Was my message not clear for them? She glared over at both those animals. The smaller one that had been attacking Soul standing hidden behind the larger one who seemed to do the same thing Blight did, protecting it. All she could see was the small one’s head hiding back there. It was shaking. Terrified. The other one making an attempt to look protective. How amusing. These fools had no idea. I have to hold back for Soul. All she could do was bare her teeth and stare angrily upon them.

“Blight” she heard a whisper behind her.

“Soul” Blight said back glancing over to her, being sure to not look angry to her. “I won’t allow them to harm you.” She caught a motion in the corner of her eye. The larger creature moved its leg. Was it trying something? Don’t even try. She turned back towards them.

“Get out of here!” she screamed. Hearing even herself booming loudly over the thundering storms and howling winds. Blight threw out her magic. Seeing all the waves of black lash out at those animals. A wall of darkness shining in silver striking along the snow and cutting the air. All she needed to send the snow laying around them flying in massive sheets. No doubt such a sight would scare them off. So it did. More snow rose, rising from the kicks of both the creatures fleeing away from the pegasi.

Blight watched carefully, making sure they did nothing more and only run off. Seeing their white tails bouncing with their steps until those very tails disappeared with the creatures themselves upon them merging with the dark weather beyond.

Soul was safe.

Blight felt proud. Finally I helped the filly! She must be so happy. I got to tend to her wounds. She wanted to, turning around to Soul. The filly sat there scowling at her.

What? Blight held her breath. She… she has never looked this mad before. Her cheeks twitching from how hard she furrowed her lips and show off the whites of her teeth. “What the hell!?” she screamed at Blight. “Did you just… attack her?”

Her? That creature? IT was female? How does Soul even know this and why does she care? Did I do something wrong? But it was hurting her, it had harmed Soul. Careful with her words and tone, Blight responded. “You’re safe now. Never would I allow those creatures to hurt you further.” She pointed out Soul’s injured wing. Soul stomped one of her forehooves deep into the snow. “I fell and hurt myself! You think a deer would do this to me? Idiot.”

2.29
What is a deer?

So those things had a name to them. Soul thinks they won’t harm her. But how could she be sure? She fell and was helpless. She would be vulnerable. “But what was it doing to you?”

“She was helping me! Because she was my friend!” Soul said.

Blight stayed silent now. It was… her friend? Helping her. Doing exactly what Blight wanted to do to help Soul. It was tending to her… and I… She gasped. Looking down upon the thick blood pools sinking deep into the snow like water to soil. She cursed what she just did. I really thought she was in trouble. I did. I… I was hurting so much… I just wasn’t thinking. Oh, I really have no excuse.

She looked back up at Soul. The filly was crying now. Anger still gripped her even with how pathetic she came to look. Seeing her like this, shame was all she felt. I couldn’t have attacked her friend. I just couldn’t. No. Please. I just didn’t know. She could think of nothing to say or do to try to make her feel better. I don’t want her upset. No. Could this be made right?

Blight turned herself around back in the direction both of those deer ran off to. She looked hard. Listened hard. It was impossible to spot them out in that weather. No more sight of their hooves tearing a path in the snow, just their pats far… far away. They were gone. This couldn’t be. She had to go after them. She wanted to, I have to “Oh no, come back” she called out hoping they could hear her. “I’m sorry!” Please.

Her ears flopped down. “So sorry” she whispered hoping to see them walk back. She heard something walk.

She turned around. Soul galloped off in the deep snow, dragging her injured wing at her side. “Soul!” Blight called after her. Her black wings carried her up. Blight hovered over the filly. Just wanting her to stop. Soul was still crying. Panting hard.

“Soul, I’m so sorry. I did not know.” This is really the best I can say. I feel so ashamed. What can I do to make this right? If anything could make this right. She patiently waited for Soul’s response, hovering low next to her and only flapping her wings every now and then to keep up with the filly’s slow run until Soul stopped. She looked back up at Blight. “You got rid of another friend of mine. I hope you’re happy.” She looked away from Blight. “I guess I don’t deserve friends, huh?” Soul whimpered this time. Focusing on the way back to the house which she continued her path towards. But Blight didn’t follow her this time.

I… I don’t take your friends from you. Give me a chance. I just… I have nothing to say. I… damn it! What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you? She stared down at the snow. Down at the Pegasus in that snow who looked back up at her in its shining surface. The black mare down there looked so sad, so pathetic. Even more than Soul did.

“I want you to leave me alone” Soul said up ahead. “You’re a monster.”

The filly walked off. Blight made no attempt to follow. Staying put listening to the raspy waves of wind going through her wings. Only listening. Time passing by with the filly getting further and further away leaving a small trail of blood behind. Gone.

She thinks I’m… a monster? She hates me. She really does. It hurt. No pain present along her body. Nothing close to the insurmountable pain thanks to Soul’s own wing. That word she called her echoing all over her. Like a void within her. It was so cold. Empty. Like… like it all hurt inside. Blight clutched her chest. This feeling… like there is nothing. I… I hate it. I hate being called that. “After everything I did for her” she muttered deeply but low enough that only she could hear it. She clenched her teeth. “Everypony makes mistakes, Soul.”

“Everypony.”

2.30
“I’m not a monster because of it.” Well?! What do you have to say for yourself? Blight glared down at the black Pegasus in the snow. Idiot. I’m so… so mad at everything. When she was the one who messed up. She wanted to lash out at something. Anything. Preferably at the reflection of the stupid black Pegasus below her just as it wanted to do the same to her. Blight stopped. Realizing she was growling. I’m growling and yelling and attacking Soul’s friends in front of her. This… this isn’t what I should be doing. This isn’t right. She calmed down and told herself too. “Calm yourself.” She said it down to the other Soulblight in the ice. That black Pegasus down there with her eyes… those eyes boiling in red shining all across the snow. Her dark pupils as thin as the cut she had left behind in the snow painted in the blood that had been covering it. As long as Soul could not see how awful they were like this, she couldn’t care to rid herself of that red. Red like blood. The blood she had spilled and pushed Soul away with. No, she needed to stay calm. No more anger. No more blood. All it was doing was making things worse.

Soul needed to be left alone. She needed to be alone even if I don’t want her to. At this point, I don’t think it’d be right for me to be there with her. Not after what she said to me. “This monster, …she will leave you alone…” Her eyes slid off to catch the ever-fading image of Soul still walking in the distance. Her bloody gaze holding onto her.

“…Soul.”

2.31
It sure looked like it’d be cold right about now with how brutal the snow and wind was under this night sky. How fortunate for Blight to not feel it. It was the only reason she could sit high above the land below on top of the roof of one of the other houses watching out at the emptiness surrounding this place. Storms had come and gone. So much snow fallen upon this land. With only dark clouds all that was left under the shining moonlight.

She tapped the tip of her hoof into the snow covering the roof only seeing her hoof just go right through it all. Can’t even feel the cold. Spending hours like this ever since she last saw Soul. Just up here, wanting to know what this all felt like. Doesn’t even feel like I’m sitting on anything. Like she was floating. So very strange. Not a familiar feeling at all.

It has been an uneventful night. Watching out over everything. She took another look at the house across from her. Where Soul was. The fire’s glow flickering in the hazy windows. With night fallen upon them, she could catch a shadow here and there rippling in the window. Maybe it was Soul or something else. All alone like she wanted. I know she wants to be alone, but it is hard to not think about her. Worry for her. I don’t even know if she is comfortable or tending to the fire. Hopefully Soul was doing the right thing and feeding it with the stuff Blight had left behind for that very purpose. Maybe she had taken a bath at that. She doubted it.

“I hope you sleep well tonight, …Soul.” She would not be there for her tonight. No, I’ll be here. Listening to the empty world. Maybe listen for anything more beyond, and watch for visitors. Deer, Soul had called them. What if they were to come back? That would be nice. Find some opportunity to apologize to them. Maybe they would forgive me. She really had nothing better to do.

“Such a dreadfully boring night for me.” She stayed silent and listened. The wind and the drops of snowflakes softly patting down and joining the ones on the ground. A lengthy howl managing to get through the rough sounds of the storm and reach Blight’s ears. She perked them up to listen to it. Soft and faded. Sounding very far away. Something was out there. Blight didn’t know what could be making the sound. No, didn’t sound like the weather. Nothing like what she was used to out here. Something else. Did deer howl? I wish I knew. No way she would leave to find out.

So other things live out here. All the more reason… I can’t leave Soul. I can’t leave the filly alone in this village. She would keep her distance from Soul but no way will she leave Soul to fend for herself. It’s the least I can do. Waiting and watching, patting at the snow. Listening to the world. Beyond the wind and all the storms, somewhere else far off. It felt so very far off, out of their reach.

I hear them all out there. Out in the night. None of them had any worries. Nothing to fear. They all slept in peace.

How I envy those ponies.

3.1
I hate waking up like this! Like her heart was trying to beat out of her chest. She could not get used to this. Waking up to a room not her own, her body and mattress covered in her tears. I can still see her. Soul blinked. Again and again until that sight left. Until she no longer saw the rainbow mane. Her cruel words. Her cruel glare. The anger she felt. I hate feeling it. So pointless.

She set her head back down upon the pillow. Calming down slowly. Her dulled eyes slowly crossing over the wooden ceiling above her. Watching the wisps of chilled air floating about. This pillow sure was comfortable. She rubbed the back of her head over it, feeling its soft touch to her own alongside the damp spots in it. So warm. But I still want my own bed. Something that feels better. Nothing could be done about that. Not now. Not until… I can see that rainbow mane again.

The warm blanket covering her slid off, pushed down by her hooves and there she saw what it was that kept her warm last night. There lay her right wing, draped over her stomach. It had not moved a bit in her sleep. Better place than any other to let her rest that wing. She looked down on it. Feeling a little more comfort seeing how it came to look over the night. Its span still bent, many feathers torn and shredded, yet the cuts and wounds… they looked better. No more blood seeping out to coat her wing. Thank goodness. She… she still felt sick remembering seeing all that blood covering her wing. It was all dry now. Maybe it doesn’t hurt anymore.

Soul moved just a little.

Oh yeah… that hurt.

3.2
It took a lot just to sit upright. This is gonna suck. Her wing moved a little. That was all it took for it to sting. Come on, I’m used to pain. It was a lot of it. Just by moving her wing down to her side. Time to see if she could fold it back up. I hope it can. A night of rest and she could still move it.

It slowly moved up. Soul grunted. A short cry slipping through up till the point that her wing took to the air fully stretched out before returning back down towards her side. The feathers coming into one another and her bent span folding in on itself. “Owww!” Soul shrieked. More pained noises made by her. Just a little more. Her wing moved. Coming down more and more and shrinking in size. Not as bad as yesterday. Ugh, it still hurts. Suffering so much… so much but it finally stopped. Fully folded and looking exactly like her left wing, save for the dried blood. It’s over. She exhaled hard.

Those stupid storms. This awful place with nopony to help me. None she could rely on. Her thoughts floated back to the doe. Long gone. Certain she would never see her again. She being the only one who even tried to care for her injuries. Driven away. I really hate this place.

With her wing safely folded and at ease, worrying about pain could not stop her from getting out of bed. Her hooves touched the carpet. The air was so cool in here this morning. Cold and yet, the fire still roared. Throwing some of that wood in before going to bed worked in keeping it alive. That was good. Soul stepped forward. One idea on her mind. Really the only thing she could keep doing. Find a way home.

The first step she just took she knew being the first of a lot today. No way her wings could carry her right now but that would not stop her. I’m gonna get home somehow. Away from all this… and from her. That cruel Pegasus who only sought to make life difficult. An evil pony. What else could it be? What pony would do what she did?

All Soul could see was that poor doe… and all the blood covering it. Such a sweet thing and in so much pain. All because of a pony who likes to hurt others. This is really my only company now.

Soul walked right past the basin that was left there. Just wanting to go for the door. Leave this house. Hopefully forever. Because this place only gave her chills. Such as this thing here. The thing she stopped before and stared at. Something no pony could ever do. Still no way of telling what happened here, but it was a horrible thing to look at. Just something that happened… and it must be because of… her. A blackened trench cut across the floor. Singed deep in ash.

3.3
A horrible black cut, burned across the floor and right under her very hooves. It ran so long. It was hard to believe this could be made by something. How it went all across the house and ending right against the furthest corner. Soul knew this was not here before, a nice greeting when she came back last night. Something just like what Blight left behind in the snow when… she hurt the doe.

This had to have been her. I really am in the same village as a pony like that. It’s like she likes to do this stuff. “What a freak” she muttered. Such a violent mare. And… she likes to hurt me. This is my only company now. Until I can leave this place. I just don’t want to have anything to do with her anymore. Not when she does stuff like this. Hurting things. Causing so much pain. With stuff like this… the deep cut she stared at in the carpet. To think a Pegasus can do this. Some freak Pegasus. Can… can unicorns even do stuff like this? Soul reach one hoof out. Was it even real? The tip of her hoof touched upon the edge of the crevice just short of it going into the wide gash. She pressed it, rubbed it. Looking down her leg at the small bits of ash she picked up. Caught by the small gusts of air entering through the cracks, ash floating up like petals to stick to her fur all across her leg. As dark as the ash that the fire left behind.

She brought that ash covered hoof up to her face. Not able to take her yellow eyes off it. Nothing moved. Nothing but the ash that trickled down her fur like water. Trickling. Flowing. Feels like I’ve seen something like this before. And… and I want to leave it. I hate seeing this. But… where to go?

Would Dashie even want me back?

After all… Dash was the one who did… that to me. Soul stared upon the ash. The ash? Wasn’t it ash before? Or is it… it’s like water now. Water running all along her leg. Just from a soft touch to the place that hurt. When I looked down at what it was that happened to me. How much it hurt, how ugly it was to see all that… blood on me.

Why did you hurt me, Dashie?

“Why…?”

It doesn’t hurt anymore. Soul blinked.

3.4
It was gone. Just her in this house, alone. Still covered in ash. She saw it all again. No… I’m back here, I’m… I’m okay. No more blood on her beautiful fur. She loved seeing her fur back the way it was meant to be. No pain anywhere. No pain… just the memory of what she had seen.

Last night.

She set her hoof back down. No pain. None where she remembered. Just on her wing and… her eyes. They felt damp. But she could not take her eyes of her leg. Her mouth trembling. “Is this… really all I… deserve?”

One more tear falling next to her hoof.

“I hate this.”

3.5
“Careful” Blight said, not taking her attention off it. Taking so much care to keep her dark magic in check as it went up and down the side of the figure she was busy making; made entirely of snow. In the shape of a pony at that though lacking any wings or a tail. It took a while to make the four thick legs it had planted deep in the snow atop the roof. She had spent most of the morning working on this. Lots of attention being paid just to get the body right to make a tiny replica of a pony standing in front of her.

The face certainly proved to be the hardest part. Sculpting the snow to make a nose and a hint of a mane. It even took using such a tiny sliver of magic just to carve a face into this thing. Something to smile at her. It would be nice. Now she needed to get these annoying pockets of snow bulging out on the cheeks and sides of the muzzle and how… ugh, how they made it look like the head was about to fall off.

How to do the wings was still a mystery to her as well. None of this made sense. I still can’t think of how to do them. Hopefully I can finish it. Her snowpony would look fantastic. At least that’s what the kids had been calling them. That’s what they had been calling them this morning. Sounded like it would be fun. They sure all did think so. The happy sounds of excited fillies and colts doing what she could guess as playing in the snow so far out in the beyond. It made her laugh when she would hear one pony, sounded like an adult, trying to settle some kids… until they also joined in on the fun. Adults play in the snow too. It actually sounded beautiful to Blight as she listened to it. It sounded fun.

So ponies enjoy this same weather that we are in. Like it made it all bearable. Enjoyable. It was all that that had made life such a pleasure for Soul. That life out there in the distance, beyond the winds, that the filly missed. In the very least, I want to try and bring some of that here. Listening closely, she could hear one filly out there. One who could be no older than Soul building one of these ‘snowponies’ with her parents. So heartwarming.

A family.

One that actually was together. Those ponies wanted to build one of these with their own daughter. It sounds lovely. Something to do with a certain young filly. If she were so inclined to get up.

3.6
What time even was it? Late morning. The Sun high overhead in its shroud of grey clouds giving off their endless snowfall. Soul really did need to get up. She would certainly enjoy this. This type of stuff was a lot like the world she would remember. Plus, I… I really need her help with this. Now more than ever as she worriedly moved her magic around trying to stabilize the face of it as she shaved off stray snow. Something was certainly wrong. It should not be wobbling so much and with every bit of snow she got rid of to flatten the cheeks, the head sank a little further until… “No!”

Oh damn! The head fell right off. And it really had to break apart!? Just a crumbled mess on the rooftop now. Ruined. That head took hours. “Son of a…” she spat. Her shoulders sulking down. I got to do this all over again. Something she really did not want to do alone this time. So she dispelled what little clouds of black magic she had left floating about to nothingness.

If only Soul would wake herself up.

A door clanked open.

Soul’s door. Well, well. Blight looked down, over to the house just across from the one she sat atop all night and morning to see the door peeking out over the snowed in porch. It opened and then closed. She waited patiently for the magenta filly to rear her head out over the snow and see… the little gift I left her overnight. The poor filly has an injured wing, I think she would need this now more than ever.

A moment passed. “I suppose she appreciates it” Blight whispered. Soul must be admiring it. Then came the filly. Soul ascending up from out of the snow, walking at an angle to step forth onto the snowy landscape that surrounded her buried house. So she did use the ramp! As long as she kept off that wing, it was worth it.

Soul stared out towards the distant skies ahead of their village. Still… a sad looking filly. Even from over here, it hurt to watch her. Even more when she turned and looked up at Blight. Truly miserable.

3.7
But Soul did not look away. Blight staring down at her as well. Soul looked no better than yesterday. Still a mess. Reddened eyes. I would hate to tell her that… she looks broken, to be honest. Soul frowned at her. Briefly glaring at Blight before breaking their locked stares as she began to walk towards her.

Towards me?

Does she want to talk? Even if it were not particularly nice, I would be glad just to get the filly to say something to me. I sure would like to talk to her. Looked like she did want to come over. Holding her hope the filly wanted to talk. Broken once Soul turned to round the closest corner of the house she slept in and began walking off. Walking in the direction opposite the one she took yesterday. A new direction. Looks like she still wants to try and find a way home. Ridiculous. Not like searching would come to anything. It really is reckless now. If only she would just work together with me.

If only I could figure something out.

Those little ‘barriers’ still persisted. Every direction from what I can hear. No difference. All one needed to do was listen. Twice now she got hurt and Soul still did not learn. What a waste of time.

“Soul!” she called after the filly. Surprisingly, Soul stopped trudging off. Immediately after her name was called. Her hooves planted firmly. She glanced back at her. Those bloodshot, yellow eyes showing how very unhappy she was in being stopped. That didn’t stop Blight. Something a little better than just leaving me with no word. “Would you want to help me make this snowpony?” Blight asked motioning towards the pitiful looking thing next to her. “I’m a bit bad at this. I’m wanting to see if you’re any good at making one.” She smiled inside, I bet this sounds fun to her. Wouldn’t it be better than wandering around? I know the filly loves having fun. A charming part of her. Both of us working together and enjoying the day. Just like those kids.

“Shut up.”

Blight’s mind calmed itself. Her body froze. One thought after another destroyed hearing those two words completely end all her visions of putting a smile on Soul’s face and being only left with the filly’s angry face. A cold shoulder being all she could get now until Soul continued on. Stomping away with her long tail dragging along the snow behind her.

She told me to… shut up. She really doesn’t want to have any fun with me. Sharing nothing but those two hurtful words and nothing more even after both pegasi had not seen one another in half a day. She only wanted to keep pursuing this stupid fantasy of a lone and small pony making it out of this. She had to learn on her own. She only wanted to be alone and leave Blight… all alone. All alone. Her spirit dropped.

Left behind by another. Another tail walking away from her. Another pony who wants… wants nothing to do with… me.

I’m too nice. Too nice…

3.8
“I’m used to this” she said softly. Softly gripping her chest. She winced when she heard her voice break. “I’m used to this yet… why am I…” She set her hoof back down. Glaring over at the broken snowpony she worked hard on.

It glowed red. Red from her stare.

She hissed. “…so angry?” Dark and deep. Ringing in her own ears, her voice.

She heard it. I… I don’t sound right. As much as she felt. She watched that glow of red in the snow fade as she lowered her lashes. This is my only friend. The only thing I have here. Just feeling it and seeing it before her. The coils of black and… the red magic. How it coursed and snaked before her. Churning in the air. How very bright it glowed.

“I hate this.”

She hates you.

The snowpony disappeared. Soulblight watched it all, all the snow fall away. Sheets of it as the snowpony burned away… in a hail of red.

“I caused this. I deserve this. Yet… it still hurts.”

3.9
Another day, another storm. Soul standing high atop one of the great mountain peaks. All the thunder rumbling in the distance. Her eyes staring upon the sight so familiar to her by now. Yet another wall of deep black clouds coiling and rumbling in the horizon beyond the mountain range. Lightning. Heavy winds blowing against her face. Nothing different. Every day. It looks no different. I… I just can’t stand this anymore. Like the storm never moved. No matter what direction she ventured or how high she flew. It was always there.

Her little legs walking forward and then… stepping back. I can fly now and I’m too afraid to. It had been such a long time being without her wings. All the pain she felt upon trying to move them and having to walk everywhere. It was never fun to be without your wings. Not able to fly, it made the days go by so slowly. Those useless days. This day was no different.

I really wanted this day to be different because… it’s supposed to be special.

Maybe a break in the storms. Maybe a friend to talk with her. To love her. Wishes she made every day and… today was supposed to be different, please. Just once, I want things to change. Yet it never came to be granted. She had only a single wish given. As if she had only been given one without choice. The only good to happen to her in so long. That wish being her own mighty wings set at her sides. Her right wing as strong as ever.

No pain. No more struggling to fly. Going up to fly the skies and try once more to make things change. It was not enough to make her happy. This day, among all the others, a disappointment.

And I used to think this day would finally become special.

Wanting to hear somepony important to her speak her name again. She sighed.

3.10
“Should I try?” Her foreleg made a step forward. Her wing stopped her, begging her to look back at it, still covered in broken feathers and the small splotches of red still managing to stick to the fur along the straightened span. It tickled a little. Like it wants me to stop. It had just fully healed. Two falls in a row was enough and the storm today looked as terrible as ever.

“But… I want to go home.”

Home. Back there, when I thought this day would mean something. I… I still remember it, Dashie.

I looked forward to it.

I used to never have ponies around who would want to be with me for days like this. Until… she promised me. “I want to go home.” She took another step. Her eyes stung. Shivers running down her entire body. Her right wing twitched. “I… I…” Her wing began to ache. I feel it. I don’t want it again. She could feel the pain in her wing. The pain of hurting them, losing them. Again.

“No” she whispered, sitting down. “No.” She unfolded her right wing, lifting it high into the air and softly placing the feathers against her chest. The most beautiful part of her body. I won’t let it get hurt again. Not again. The filly held her wing close, softly. Placing her hooves against it. She missed being able to move it like this. To touch it. Even with the feathers torn and ravaged, she still could not deny how soft it was. How great it felt to know it was back to normal. She would not let it happen again. She couldn’t. That was the thing.

Every day ended like this.

It was despicable. Having to do this, forced to back away yet again from these storms like she was helpless. I am helpless. Backing away from… from the place she wanted now more than ever. Taken from it.

When will this damn storm end? Soul stood back up, letting her wing lower down to her side and join with her left. Fleeing from the storm. Running away from it to the only place in this land where she felt safe.

I’m so pathetic. But maybe... “I’ll… try again… tomorrow.” Strange, seems like I keep saying that same thing.

Soul flew off.

3.11
I get to go back to the house. Back to the mock home acting as a replacement to the comfort she dreamed to walk in again. Empty and secluded with just a fire being the only thing left for her there. Just to keep me from freezing to death. For times like this, it served merely as a flicker of life for her. Mesmerizing. The only light of this land. Sitting in front of it to watch its dance and even whispering to it.

I like to tell it things. Tell it how I feel. I’ve never imagined fire being the thing I have to rely on… haha. And it crackles back to me. Like it talked back. Not wanting Soul to feel all alone. Hearing noise spoken from it like a pony would talking with her… but never matching what she truly wanted. No voices familiar to her. None left. All it does is keep me warm. She didn’t need to think that as much as she didn’t want to. It was warm enough, well except for the nights. All the days leading up to this day just felt a tiny bit less cold. Getting a little warmer with every day she counted in her head from the last day she remembered back… back in the world she missed.

Sometimes I forget what days I am on. Thank goodness she could place herself right again and then… figure out that she had reached this day. Yeah, today was supposed to be the day. Now all she had was the fire to look forward to. Its warmth all she had inside the walls, as long as she didn’t have to look out at the snow. I’m sick of snow.

She looked all around at the gently falling snowflakes flurrying about her as she flew. Their fall becoming more gentle with every second she spent flying around the peaks and flat bridges connecting the countless mountains as she got further away from the wind till she could feel no chill down her spine. It all looked the same as she flew. Looking over the large buildups of earth sitting between the mountains like tiny valleys of snow from which her little shadow glided across. Some of the same ones she had flown over earlier just to get here. A path through the mountains as opposed to flying over the vast crater. Yeah, the crater would be quicker to fly over but… the filly refused to fly over it again. Maybe it is better to fly the mountains instead. See something different. Take the long way around the crater. Besides, the mountains had more than just snow.

There were a lot of dead trees out here in the range. All of them as blackened as the rest. Even witnessing a rockslide when she flew here. It was quite a sight. Being the first time she saw something like that. How many hundreds or thousands of small rocks they could have been tumbling so loud that Soul could swear she was watching an earthquake with how much it shook.

3.12
Flying back was different. Nothing happened.

Soul looked down at the world below her, didn’t even need to look to fly around the incoming rock spires. Well, at least I have some of my skill left. There were some of the trees she saw earlier. Flying by, she caught a quick sight of how they all had that charred look to them. As black as ash, nothing different from any other. Except for one. One had a deep scar carved in its side, catching sight of it easily from all the way up here. The same tree she took note of when she flew in the opposite direction.

She was on the right trail.

Flying the mountains were always like this. Flying and then retracing where she had been. It had almost become second nature now. Ha, this is my life now. It was almost amusing to her. So much that she could remember the exact mountain she always started from just by its looks. Then you can stand atop that mountain and look out to find the village far beyond. The clearer weather letting her see it from up there earlier. Flying onward to see that sad place again.

Soul.

3.13
The filly stopped. Her wings beat so hard that she came close to flipping forward from that sudden halt.

She hovered there. Listening. She looked all around her, going up and down every peak, every crevice and rock. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing was out there. But I… she looked behind her. Nothing. S-somepony just said my name? But she was all alone. Nothing was out here. Looking all over desperate to see or hear something again. Only the small gusts of wind could be heard. Listening hard to hear that voice spoken out of nowhere. Like an echo. All it was. Going all around her despite how small it was. Small. Soft. Like a tiny voice in her ears, so soothing.

She could not believe it. I’m the only one out here. No, it couldn’t be possible. Nothing else could be out here. Nothing but the wind. That had to be it. A trick of the wind. Yeah. It had to be. What pony would be out here for me? None would. Nopony would be out here to call her name. A name that… they all forgot, because nopony came for me. After all this time, all I have is myself.

But she wanted to hear it again.

A small voice just for her. So she listened. More and more, the wind screamed about her. A rock falling here, the crack of something buckling over there. The filly all alone, hovering there above the mountains in the dead silence of the land. As it always was. How it made her so sad. Soul frowned. No, there is nothing. Of course there is nothing.

It was pointless. Looking up to the vast sky once more. All alone… up here… in the sky I once called my home.

Soul.

3.14
Was that her shadow?

No.

It moved. That very moment, hearing that little voice again, I see it. A small flicker of darkness going over the face of the mountainside ahead so quick that she almost missed it by blinking. There… there was somepony! Somepony was out here! They’re here for me! It made her smile.

“Hey! Wait!” she called out, blasting off again, chasing after the small thing she had spotted. Stopping to hover above the mountainside and look over it. Every rocky gap and burrow lining it. Looking for anything. Anything to show the way. Where was it? Where could she be? Soul went up and down, floating all about desperate to try and find whoever it was. She could find no sight of something.

Why was she hiding? Soul meant no harm. She only wished to talk. There was no reason for anypony to hide from her or run from her. Say my name again. Say it, please. She frantically looked back over her shoulder at all the other mountain slopes. Maybe she had moved. Oh please don’t move. Please don’t run.

“Wait! I just wanna talk to you!” She looked back down to the snowy land below and gasped. There you… no, the darkness she saw. It was her shadow. Those wings far below flapping at the same time as her own. Listening close again. Darting her eyes about. How many minutes passed by? Just to hear it again. Too much to bear, I want to find you. Please, just hear you.

Hear you say my name… Dashie.

Tell me… tell me what I want to hear. What you would say to me. What I wanted you to say to me on this day. Oh, please say it. Please. Soul could feel herself begin to cry. Cry at the silence and how nopony would heed her wish.

“Please tell me… the words. It’s all I want” she whispered.

“To be loved.”

Soul didn’t care if she started to fall. Just letting her wings do their thing, more wanting to just wipe her tears before she even bothered to slow herself down and gently touch down upon the snow. Her rear slowly sitting back into the snow making naught but a sound and only her wings giving of a tiny little whish of feathers cutting the air. They set down upon the snow themselves. Not bothering to fold them. Not caring. Only caring to hear what she wanted. Her crying eyes looking all around the world before her. Not seeing a shadow. Not hearing a thing.

She was alone.

3.15
All that could be heard were her own cries. There was nothing out here. There never had been. Nothing out here to know her name and be there for her. No friends. No family. They all left. They are all gone. I’ll never have them with me again. I’m all alone out here. Like it was what the world wanted.

I… I remember when I could look forward to this day. I really… really wanted to. Nimbus and Starry had always been there for me and then… she wanted to as well. She said she wanted to be there for me today. It made me feel so special. Like she actually liked me. Like I had friends who would be there on this day just like all the other ponies did. So it was a lie. I wasn’t going to get it. Only other ponies do. So that they felt important and not me.

“Please say it.” Soul set one of her forelegs out onto the snow. She slowly slid down. Laying on the snow. It was so cold to lay on. She didn’t care. Didn’t even move. Just lying there with her wings draping the ground and one hoof held out to the mountains beyond. She gasped. Sniffling so badly. “Please. …I hate being alone.”

Nothing moved and only her cries could be heard. This day… today… was meaningless. Meaningless to all others… but not to her. At least… at least I can say it for me. All she did was plant her hoof deep in the snow and dug away. Pushing the snow aside with every stride she made with the hoof. Like she drew with it in the snow. All around. Seeing what it was she did with it and the words that it wrote down. The words she wanted, the ones she thought she would hear others say. One last plea from under her crying breath as the world fell still.

“Say them. Say them. Tell me the words.” Until her head slinked down. Nose firmly planted into the snow.

“Rainbow Dash… please.”

She stopped. She fell silent. Crying into the snow as the Sun continued its slow glide in the sky above her. Her only company to see just what it was she had written in the snow. With total silence and only the wind brushing by in her ears to sing their song of ease for the crying Pegasus.

A flap of her wings beat the air. The little filly flew off. Her wings left it behind. One feather that slid away from her and came back. Back to land upon the snow next to what it was she left behind. All that was left of her.

One little wish. One she couldn’t get. Taken away. Because nopony loved her.

Happy birthday, Soul.

3.16
This village again. If only its snow-covered rooftops could be the gorgeous cloudy tops of Cloudsdale’s buildings built of the same sky blue they resided in. Home to all the fellow pegasi Soul learned by now to love even more than before. An everchanging cloud metropolis eternally graced as the comfortable life any Pegasus wanted.

It was such a nice life.

Soul found herself wondering how the city looked right now as she flew in to land among the lonely houses of the village. It had only been a few months since she last saw it but she could be certain that, by now, all the little homes and mightiest of weather factories could have no more snow. Not like this place. Rooftops bare to the warm Sun in the spring weather all the many pegasi at home enjoyed. Flying free and happy with one another in it. Possibly on their journeys to bring the miracle of the refreshing weather to the rest of Equestria, out to play with their cherished friends or even getting something nice to eat. Oh what they could be eating right now. Soul wanted to know. To know all the delicious foods of Cloudsdale again. I would love to have an apple juice right now.

All those ponies were so lucky.

Thinking back to how she would always get a cold bottle of juice or water. Drinking it down in long gulps while somehow taking plenty of time to still remember what it tasted like even now. How beautiful it was. How lovely it was to enjoy after such long days and nights of training.

Walking around the side of one of the empty houses, Soul had no chance of finding any such drink. No juice. No cold water packed with ice. She sighed. Having to settle with something else not as good. I’m so thirsty. All this flying around for no reason. She took a moment to pause her heavy breathing to lick her lips a little, looking down at the snow at her hooves. Just checking to see if maybe she shouldn’t try. There could be something wrong with the snow. No. The snow looked clean. Pure white.

She knelt down on her forelegs, sitting just over the snow. All the snow so close to her face giving off a chilling touch to her fur, and with one big snap of her mouth, all she could od was eat a large pile of snow. So cold. So very cold like always. The icy snow swished around in her mouth for mere seconds before she felt it quickly melt away. The water did not taste as good as the water she loved drinking out of a cup she could hold between her hooves, but it was something. That sure had been a lot of snow. It even took a moment for her to swallow it all. She breathed hard. Still, it tasted good enough after flying so much.

3.17
That’s all she could do, eat piles of snow. Best thing out here. She wiped her mouth. Well nothing more to do now. That really does suck. Nothing to do. How boring. Maybe the fire needed some more wood. She had made an idea earlier in the month to try exploring some of these other houses for stuff she could use, either for the fire or… just to kill time. That’s the best a pony can do out here. That idea came back a lot since then. Every time just… just didn’t feel like doing it. No point in trying to even dig those doors out of the snow. Not today… again. The fire had enough. There were still pieces of wood from an old cabinet she found outside her house one day just sitting under the roof of the porch. No doubt left there in shambles by a certain black Pegasus she knew.

I would still like to go inside those houses someday. She thought this as she looked into one of the dark windows of the closest house. The half-buried window supposed to be a way to peer into the world within but the darkness inside was so much that she could make out nothing within from this distance. Not even her reflection came out clear. She could see only an outline of herself in the glass. Strands of fur here and there sticking out. Sometimes making her think they may be part of her very long mane until she realized what they actually were.

Soul brushed the bangs of her mane out of the way of her eyes. Not liking there being this much hair in her face. It seemed to get worse every day. Soul took a step forward, her eyes still glued to the window a moment longer until she summoned the strength to look away from the sad outline of herself. Stumbling through the deep snow, walking past house after house. Each one looking no different than the others. All built of rotted wood with stakes hanging about from where they fell off. Windows gone in the snow alongside missing doors. No way to get inside. A silent ruin. With only the sound of Soul’s steps able to be heard. The filly slowly walking silently.

I’ve done this so many times in this terrible place. I don’t even want to look at any of this. Better she just keep her head down and stare at the snow. Already knowing which way she should go. Having passed this way so much over the months, it was second nature by now.

“Welcome back.”

3.18
Soul looked up. Of course, there she was again. Passing by the house neighboring her own, Soul stared up to the rooftop seeing the same figure sitting up there as every day. Soulblight, still and unflinching, sitting at the very edge of the roof above her. The black Pegasus staring out into the distance without even looking at Soul as she welcomed her.

She was such a freak. How could she do this? Every time I see her, it was like she had never moved a muscle. Always in the exact same position. Just… staring out at the empty horizon with wide eyes and huge wings out. Like she was a perched bird or something. Sometimes she would even blink but never bothering to even look at Soul. Like she deserved to be fussy. It had been her who hurt me so much.

Indeed, she rarely even spoke to Soul lately. Just so focused on doing nothing up on that rooftop. It had been a few days since last she spoke to Soul. She remembered the words clearly.

Flying off again?

That had been when I took off to find a way home. Flying back at the storms, only to come back here. Just like today. Soul had ended up saying yes and, for some reason, Blight had rolled her eyes. Like she disapproved of her attempts. Whatever. The Pegasus never could get much of anything from Soul, just like now. She could care less of what Blight said. Soul frowned deeper, looking back down to continue walking over to her house. Leaving the black Pegasus behind to her business so she could get back to her doing much of the same in the boring hours of the day.

She turned the corner, going around the mounds of snow towering over her at the front of her house to find the ramp of snow between the mounds going all the way down to the familiar door below. She could still see some of the boards of wood stacked up beside the door. She could probably bring a couple of them inside.

She set a hoof down on the ramp; a little piece of work, obviously some work of Blight’s that she had to keep open often. Every day it was kept clear of snowy buildup. Blight was always on that roof. So she leaves it when I’m not around. Why’d she even bother? I can just fly to the door anyways.

“Soul! Wait” she heard Blight calling after her. Oh what does she want now?

3.19
Soul went ahead and looked up from behind the snow, looking back over at where Soulblight was. Except… Blight is looking at me. She actually took her eyes off the sky to talk to me?

“What do you want?” Soul asked her, already irritated with the Pegasus. It didn’t look to bother Blight. She kept looking at her. Moving her mouth momentarily like she wanted to say something but kept silent. So she didn’t have anything to say? Why pull her aside then? Soul just wanted to go inside. Get away from this snowy world. All it does is remind me of what I don’t have.

Soul gave Blight a few more seconds to say something. Any day now. Each moment, all it did was make Soul scowl.

Enough of this. Soul turned back to go down the ramp.

“Happy birthday.”

3.20
What?

Soul’s eyes opened. There was no way that had just been said. By who? She must have misheard that. Rainbow Dash wasn’t here. None of her friends or family were here. Nopony could tell her such a thing. But it had just been said. By Blight?

Soul had to step back out and face Blight. Her eyes wide, not able to scowl anymore. The black Pegasus still watched her with brows risen now. “Did you… say something?” Soul slowly asked. The wind blasted in. Soul’s ears and fur tossed wildly in the brief seconds it lasted whilst Blight remained unmoved. Silenced till the wind left them and only small flakes of flurrying snow danced about between their gazes.

“It is the tenth of April, your birthday” Blight said. “How old are you?”

She… she knows my… birthday? She knew it and she actually spoke out about it. But how did she know it? Something else that she learned about me. It was odd. Blight actually acknowledged it. Blight did, of all ponies, and not any of the others who likely already forgot today was her birthday. Not a single pony even wanting to say it to her. Except… her. Why her? Of every pony in the world, the only one to say anything about it being the one who wanted her to be miserable. What was the point in her even doing that? She had nothing to gain. Let alone in wanting to know her age. Why do I feel like telling her? Maybe because she had nopnoy else who even tried to care.

“I’m ten.”

Blight smiled. It actually sent a chill down Soul’s back. A tingle in the back of her head. Especially with how soft she spoke back. “Congratulations. …You should go clean up a little. A birthday girl like you should be the loveliest in the world.” Yeah she did make it a point to look a little beautiful on her birthdays but there was no point in it now. It wasn’t like anypony was going to come. Rainbow Dash doesn’t want to spend it with me. Nopony does. She didn’t need to clean up. What, another attempt by Blight to bathe her? Freak. Like she knew everything or something.

Soul scoffed. “Maybe I would clean up if there was a pony who would want to see me. So why would you care?” Blight blinked. Her head set back a little and her smile disappeared. Going back to that nonchalant face she had most of the time. She had nothing to say. Like Soul thought. There was nopony out here who would care how she looked and none she wanted to care. They were all outside the storms. Sure, she’d clean up… only if Dash and her friends could see her.

“I only care about what the ponies important to me think of me.” She paused thinking back to her life outside this prison. These damn walls. All because of Blight who pretended to care for her. I just want to leave and go back to them all. After all this time, I miss them. I want them all back and just want to leave everything that happened behind. She hoped they cared for her. It’s like every day that passes… they’ll all forget me. That was terrifying. Will Dashie forget me? When I just want to find her and show her I’m still her friend. That she didn’t hate her.

3.21
“I want my birthdays back” she scowled at Blight. “So tell me… one thing. If you know it. Tell me, how do I get out of here? Tell me if you care so much.”

Blight paused. Continuing to stare at her. Her wings slumped a little and then she looked back off… into the horizon beyond their village. Watching the Sun slowly going down behind the thick clouds building up out there. Their grey masses merging and swelling, growing darker. More chilling with the rays of light barely finding ways to pierce through and light up the faces of the houses. Say something.

“I am so very sorry, Soul” Blight said slowly shaking her head. Those dragon eyes glazed in the light of the Sun falling as she spoke. Just like how Soul’s spirit dropped hearing the sadness in Blight’s voice. Like a sad ring. Knowing what she said was not what she wanted to hear. Not what she ever wanted to hear.

Don’t say it. Please don’t say it. Soul found herself also shaking her head. Her eyes felt like they would swell as her cheeks rose. Tell me how. Please.

“You can’t leave. I don’t know how you can.”

Soul’s heart dropped.

3.22
The door slammed behind Soul. Kicked hard by her hind legs. Even more noise as she threw the planks of wood off to the side with her mouth. Wow, the inside of the house sure did warm up over the day. There still was a chill lingering but the fire does a good job at keeping this place from freezing over. Ah that fire. I sure love it. Tiny little embers floating up from it and disappearing into the chamber above while the shadows inside the fireplace waved with every move the fire made. Like it was greeting her. It sure was nice. A nice greeting and a warm house. No more chilling wind and seeping cold attacking her. All the more making her appreciate that she still had this fire going. She was able to crack a small smile.

“Thank you” she whispered at those flames. Soul looked around the room. Across the piles of garbage set out around the fireplace alongside that large basin she shoved aside. The broken mirror and her bed. What could she do for the rest of her birthday? It made her wonder what she could do if all her friends were here. What would we have done? I really was looking forward to this day with them.

She could see it now. A brightly lit room with a soft carpet underneath her hooves and those beautifully colored balloons above her. So many balloons all wishing her a happy birthday and even saying how old she was. Eight. Nine. …Ten. She loved it all. She loved how it would have been. Knowing that they were all little gifts by others that were now long gone. No matter how few they were, they were all still so important to her and did so much to make her smile. She wanted them here to make her happy. The ones who always were there for her even when they didn’t need to be. But they took me into their home and… and I loved them. Just as much as Dashie. The ones she missed so much and hated to know they were never going to be there for her again. Never happy because of her. She wanted to be happy, feeling the desire deep within even though she smiled. Smiling down at the floor. At that ragged rug that was not the one she wanted.

“Thank you, guys…” she sniffed. “For everything.” What if they would be here for her? What gifts would they give her? She wondered how happy she would be to see the gifts no matter how small or big. Just knowing both of them and even… her friends took the time to give her something making her heart flutter. It always was a good surprise. Soul never knew what gifts she wanted, never knew what to ask for. She still did not know what gifts she would love her friends to get her for her tenth birthday. They would have surprised her with something awesome. Like I would have for them.

3.23
She thought over it all. Gently strumming one of her hooves along the dirty carpet. Trying her hardest to smile remembering the birthdays she had. How she would get her own plate of cake. A nice strawberry or two sitting on the icing she wanted to lick off. That’d be nice. There would be no cake this year. No cake. If there had been one, she’d want it to definitely have strawberries. Sitting right here on the hoof she held out before herself.

She could only look over the empty space around her hoof. Oh man, she never noticed all the cracks in her hoof. When had those happened? My hooves never get this bad. This place, it sure is rough. Hell, even the fur on her leg was so long, the stuff was draping over her hoof. Filthy fur. All the dirt stuck inside that ragged fur. There’d be no way she would ever go to her own birthday with dirt covering her. She looked back to what Blight had told her. Maybe she had been right. Maybe I do need to clean up.

“I… look terrible” she admitted. It had been a while since she last saw her reflection. I never even knew I looked this bad. Her legs so bad but maybe her mane as well? The damn thing had found a chance to dangle back down in front of both her eyes. It was annoying. I… I can go check in the… I almost said bathroom. No, I don’t have that anymore. Just that mirror sitting over there. Soul looked over at its face staring back at her from the other side of the room. She could see the shadowed image of herself in it, only able to really pick out the yellow of her eyes and… some red inside that yellow.

So she stepped forward. Not the same mirror I always cleaned myself in front of. To be sure I look good. No. Not this time. She approached a mirror that was not her own. Each step revealing more and more of the pony she was as she stepped out from the shadows and she could see what was in that glossy surface. She didn’t stop. She didn’t want to. Slowly trotting close enough until she was a hoof step away from running straight into the mirror. I see. A little Pegasus. A sweet and innocent thing blinking with bloodshot eyes hidden behind the thick strands of silver hair coiling down from her mane. So many strands running down her head. My mane is so long now. So very long. All the way down to her side. Draping over her face. Just like her once beautiful fur. How I would spend so long cleaning this all up. Look at me now. Haha, I got dirt all over me.

She did look terrible. Blight had been right. Looking like this, Soul could not accept it. She smiled at her reflection and that led to a little giggle she made to it. Seeing herself like this. She really let herself go. It would be a nice joke for others. Making them laugh as well. “I think I should get cleaned up, huh?” she asked her reflection. Such an obvious answer. Give her some sort of funny answer which seemed possible because of how it smiled back at her.

“It’s my birthday. Everypony would freak out if they saw me like this. They… would.” Wouldn’t they? Right? She reached out to the pony in the mirror. Stepping forward.

3.24
Something cracked. Cracked and crackled repeatedly. What is that sound? Sounds like… it’s below me. Couldn’t even look to see before… she gritted her teeth.

The pain.

Her hoof. It stung. Soul winced and yelped quickly. Reeling back away from the mirror and then she fell backwards. Tripping over the carpet and landing hard on her butt. It was starting to really hurt then. Soul found it not nearly as bad as when she hurt her wing. Soul still cried. Hissing over the pain. She looked over to her forehoof, the little thing held in the air and waving it around. Just trying to make it feel better. Eyes set upon that hoof, she caught sight of something beyond it. It caught her eyes easily with how it shined in the glow of the fire. How did that get there? All of that. It made her eyes widen.

How did I miss those?

It was those that had cracked. Dozens of large shards of glass laying all around the underside of the mirror, all parts of the shattered lower half of the mirror. Those shards were huge. Cut into indescribable shapes edged in a gloss that shone so bright. And they look so sharp. So much that just looking at them made her cringe. One of those shards was shattered entirely on top of the others. Tiny pieces of glass turned to pebbles spread out.

I stepped on that. She turned her hoof around to look at the underside. There it was, a tiny sliver of glass stabbed straight through her hoof, forced in under the weight of the filly with thin strands of blood dripping out along the sides of that glass. It was such a small piece but enough to do this. It was actually amazing to Soul. Even more with how the pain began to fade. That was quick. Thank goodness it was. I think I’ve had enough pain lately. Such an ugly wound but so nice that it didn’t hurt.

“Oohh” she moaned. “I hurt myself on my birthday.” Maybe somepony would help her with it. Her birthday didn’t have to be ruined. She could get Blight. Go back outside and ask her for some help. Or… maybe go further out and ask her friends. If only her friends could be right here. They could be here. They needed to be. For her. Make her feel better and continue to celebrate her. “Please help me… feel better, Dashie.” Soul’s little smile disappeared.

She stared down at her injured hoof. She trembled just looking at it. Her hoof shook. I want Dash here with me. She would be the pony to make it all better. All she had to do… was go find her. Back… out…. there. She stared down at her bloody hoof. Her little tears coming down. She heard them hit. Landing right in the blood soaking in the carpet. Soaking her hoof in that ugly red color. Another drop fell. Soul began to cry. She could feel all of it coming. So much. It hurt so much. Not my hoof. But everywhere hurts. Everything hurt so badly… inside.

All I want is for Dashie to be here again. She was always there for me when I got hurt. Always made me feel better. If that did not happen then… “I’ll come to you Dashie. I… want to… I want to come to you…”

“Because I want you back so much… and I’ll never see you again.”

Soul only laid down. Curling up before the mirror. Cradling herself in her own wings with her head buried inside those feathers. The shadows blacking out everything in front of her and the flames the only light she had.

Soul cried alone. Softly. Lightly. Hiding underneath her wings. Nopony came to her.

3.25
These scars really did seem to hurt with every step Soul took but only when she stepped down. Only with the one hoof she had hurt. Even if they all should hurt. Listening to the sounds of crickets all around but she could not turn away from the blood that was left on the ground. Painting the grass red underneath her forehooves. All because of these.

Soul hated it. Seeing herself looking like this. Always getting hurt. The scars she could see in the fur of her legs.

Like every step made them bleed a little more. Trickling out and down her legs. These cuts and wounds… I am so ugly. I hate seeing them on me. I hate getting hurt. She moaned seeing them bleed so badly already. She just got done cleaning herself off just a little ways back. Well at least there were more trees. Plenty of them.

Soul edged off from the open, grassy path to close in on one of those trees. Leaning her side against the dark brown bark leading all the way up to the great canopy of leaves all arranged in a massive layer with very few openings for the starlight high above to shine through. How those stars made eveyr tiny drop of water in those leaves shine so bright. So bright just like daybreak. She lay against the tree, able to bring her poor legs up one by one. Looking over each of them, reviling in the thought of doing this again. But it had to be done. No way can the others see me like this.

See what she does to me.

I’m supposed to be strong. I shouldn’t have to worry so much about stupid injuries. I… I get hurt all the time. They just needed to stop bleeding. Soul set her tongue onto her fur. Right onto where blood pooled and soaked her magenta color. Such a soft feeling to lick her own fur but that was all. The only feeling much like it was before. It felt no different even covered in blood.

Ugh, it still tastes awful. She felt her stomach churn again. Knowing there was blood pooling on her tongue. Anything to get rid of it. That was all to it. Every time she did this, it left her amazed as to how she just couldn’t get used to it. I keep doing it. Why can’t I just suck it up and deal with it? I have to.

It was so disgusting to know she was eating her own blood. She closed her eyes and squeaked. Push through it. Just some empty feeling in her mouth, upon her tongue. Licking all over her foreleg. Thoroughly putting great effort into getting as much of it off as possible. Doing the same with the other leg. Just going between both of them. Going on until she had made the fur so damp. May as well have showered. There’d be no way that would last as it never did. Any other time. Putting so much effort into cleaning herself only with it ending in it getting worse and worse with more of this terrible blood. They won’t heal. No time soon. Not like the ones she used to have on her face… on her chest… on her stomach.

Just keep hiding… how I feel.

3.26
Her leg still hurt but at least the bleeding had ceased for right now. She could pick out those scars well inside of her fur now that most of the blood was gone. Thin blemishes tearing across her fur with so much of her delicate, pink skin pulled out and over the small bits of red liquid spilling out from within in a slow trickle. Just keep hiding all of it. Keep it well hidden and clean. It’d all be alright. Just as long as she found where Rainbow Dash was hiding out here. Once she was out of the way, the others would be easy.

Dash was so good at hiding. And I got to stay clean for them too. I don’t want them to see any of this. I don’t want Dashie to yell at me over looking bad.

No. Dash will be okay with me.

Just find them and then I get to hide. Oh she had the perfect spot planned out too. A tree she found a ways back, leaning upon that one just as she did this one, with a large hole just around its roots that had to be a burrow for some small animal or maybe a family of them. Nopony was home when she checked it. I think I can hide in that. Looked big enough. She would be the one to win that ice cream in the end. It made her smile knowing she had this in the bag. But she had to get moving.

So she did. Continuing on along the open path within the trees. Wandering slightly off the path just to check around. Nope, not behind the overgrown roots of one tree, not inside a pack of large bushes. They had to be somewhere in this tree line. The fillies never ventured far off from one another playing these games. So they must be close by. Soul’s ears listened all around while she looked up and down the heights of each tree and deep into the darkness beyond the trees, out under the night sky. Nothing.

Damn, it sometimes worked for her to just listen. One of her friends maybe making a mistake that would help her find them. A cough. Brushing against the wood or rustling some leaves. No, they were quiet now. Hopefully I can find them.

3.27
Something made a sound. Out in the dark. It even made her almost trip on herself just giving her the jitters. Listening to that sound before… she felt embarrassed when she saw it fly off and land upon one of the branches. It had been a hooting sound. That was just an owl. She grumbled at herself. Calm down, we’ve been in this forest a lot lately. It’s safe. Soul turned around, looking up, remembering exactly where she had heard the bird call out. She couldn’t help but look and watch that bird fly up into the dark canopy above. An owl coated in feathers letting it blend in so well. I didn’t even notice it. Could’ve come at me if it wanted. Lucky no owl will go after a pony. Nope. It only sat up there. Staring down at her with its own bright yellow eyes. Completely harmless. Like the forest always was.

Soul was so relieved. Nothing to be afraid of. At least I can go back to finding Dash and the others. “I’m gonna find you guys. You can’t hide from me!” Her voice carrying far. Such an echo ringing across the trees and down the dark path. She continued down it. Right up to where there was a bunch of rocks and bushes with just a small clearing in them. Maneuvering herself and tucking in her wings so not to rub against the rocks, especially avoiding hitting her legs against them. The gentle touch of leaves atop her back. But that was not a problem. She stopped. Staring at what she found after it.

There were trees on the path. No. That wasn’t it. Soul saw that the path ended here at these trees beyond the bushes. Pitch black darkness and the silence of night deep inside that line of trees sitting in her way. But the path shouldn’t end here. It was supposed to be longer. She could not have been on it for that long. She stepped forward. Approaching the incredibly tall trees looming high over her and blotting out the night sky, casting dark shadows on her. She tried to peer in between the tightly packed trees hoping to see a way around. Wow it sure was dark back there. Almost everything beyond these trees was impossible to see and only the faint silhouettes of more trees behind these ones visible to her. How could the path already end?
That isn’t right. This is already the end of the path? But I could’ve sworn there was more to this. Walking all this way and finding nothing, like she missed her friends. She had looked in every hidden spot and listened well but found nothing. Did they… go into the forest?

“Alright you guys” she yelled out. “That’s not funny, we’re supposed to stay on the path.” They had to do that, Windy told them so. Besides, I don’t want to go out in the woods. It’s so dark out there. I don’t even think I can go out there just to find them. Yet none of them responded to her call. Did they actually expect her to go into the forest when she never even tried to do such a thing before? Dash should know I wouldn’t want to do that. Of course she would, and she really is going to hide out there just to keep me from finding her. That is such a jerk move.

She listened as careful as could be. Hoping to find some signal that hopefully they were closer to her than she thought. None of them let her know as to where they were. Oh man. Just come out. Did they really want her to say it? She took one more moment to look all around again trying desperately to catch any glimpse of her friends hiding in the shadows behind the trees surrounding her. Going out there was not going to happen.

“Fine, you win” she admitted. She yelled that out, but she whispered after. “I’m too scared.”

The sound of leaves crunching. Of course, so now they’re gonna come out. Somepony walking behind her. She turned her head eager to see Rainbow Dash and the others emerging from wherever they had been hiding. They better not have been easy to find. I’m already mad. Especially… since I chickened out. The bushes that she had stepped through to reach this tree line parted and broke. Leaves pushed aside for a shine of gold to light up the dark. Like a bright star setting down to crush the grass.

3.28
That was not Dash. The gold-plated hoof complimented by a second emerging to reveal the white furred alicorn stepping out from behind the bushes.

Princess Celestia!?

Those violet eyes so lovingly staring at her, glowing under the starlight shining in from above. Glittering like the skyline her cool colored mane reflected upon the very ground she walked upon. She looked so beautiful even in the night. A night Soul found herself amazed she was sharing with the princess herself. Never expecting to find her out here. Awake and venturing the world with her to stand out here across from one another. One pony Soul felt… better to have here. Better than being alone.

“Princess Celestia?”

The princess stepped up to her. That angelic flowing mane and tail waving all across the air, like that was all that was needed to light up the world. Even with the Sun set, she still shone like it across the forest. It almost warmed her up much like the sweet smile the princess shared with her. “Greetings, Soul” Celestia spoke to her gently. “What is a filly like you doing all alone out here? It’s not safe.” Well not safe if she went out too far. The path was always safe enough for a group of young ponies. Windy was also nearby too.

Maybe the princess could get the others to come out. See if they are okay. “Well I think my friends went out into the woods, but I’m a little too scared to go out there” Soul told her the truth. Pointing out at the dark forest beyond. Celestia stared out at the woods. Clearly just as worried as Soul would be knowing they were all out there. Softly blinking. Breathing so gently. “Oh dear, they should know better than to go out there.” I can’t speak for the others, but Dashie… nothing would stop her from trying to win. She’d rush out into the woods for sure.

Celestia took a few steps towards the tree line. Her stride and flowing tail leaving Soul behind. “I shall go look for them. You should stay here, little one” she said back to Soul. Stay here? But I don’t want her to leave. What if she too got lost out there, then there’d be no way I can find them. She’d have to go after them. All alone. I’d have to find them all. That would not be something Soul would want to happen to her. What? She almost missed Celestia just about to step into the forest. “Wait!” Soul cried after making the princess stop dead in her tracks and glance back at her.

“May I come with you?” Soul asked. Celestia raised an eyebrow. Frowning over at the reluctant filly left in her shadow. “This is not a place I want you to be in. Just stay put, I shall find your friends.” But why? Celestia was here. Why should I stay here? We can go out together and find them. I wouldn’t be afraid then. The great alicorn shining bright like the Sun casting away all fears Soul could possibly have wandering out there. Staying here, I’d not know what to do. When I’d see you all again. At least going out there with Celestia would be better than sitting around.

“But…” Soul started. Staring down at the ground with the princess watching over how pathetic she began to look. “I don’t want to be left alone right here. I hate feeling alone.” Alone. All by herself in the middle of these dark trees. Her mind running wild with what could go wrong if she stayed here. They may never find me! I’d be left alone. No way to find them out here. Worst of all, I’d not know if they were all okay.

I don’t want them to leave me.

Damn it. She should not think lie that. Dashie would not leave her like that. She couldn’t. But what if they got lost!? Everything that could happen, it was terrifying. She didn’t want that to happen.

“I understand” Celestia said. More than accepting of Soul’s worries. It lifted her spirits. “I get to come with you!?” Soul asked excitedly. Certain she would be allowed. “Of course not” Celestia said giggling. “But I know a way you won’t feel lonely out here.”

What? Soul cocked her head. But there were no other ponies out here with them. None to keep her company and show her that they would all be okay. No, I need to go myself with the princess. I won’t sit here and wait. I’m their friend, I will be there for them.

Celestia stamped both her forehooves down, cocking her head down and exposing the entire length of her mane set atop her head. Casting a sharp glow from it down on Soul. Without that mane, Soul would be placed in total darkness because of how great a shadow Celestia’s spread wings would bring across the grassy plain that Soul could find refuge in the walls of trees. Seeing Celestia loom over her like this… it was… scary. What are you doing? Barely able to hold a small smile.

“You won’t feel lonely” Celestia whispered.

So bright. Soul gasped. Like the Sun rose before her.

3.29
It was blinding. Celestia disappeared. Lost in that blast of starlight burning from atop her horn. Blowing away the leaves and twigs laying about and swaying the branches all around until they too became shrouded in the light.

Her eyes burned. But she could not look away.

Feeling all her fur plastered to her skin and all the wind… how it sent her mane flying. In the blink of an eye. Till it burned.

Everything faded. Everything went silent. Soul could see nothing but that light.

So hot… then… nothing.

It all became calm.

3.30
Soulblight kept on listening. All those kids far out there, how happy they all sounded. Actually it made her laugh a little at how incredible it was and how lucky she had been to be able to know something like this had happened.

Exciting what ponies could do when they put effort into it.

But she was more happy for the filly who made all the others cheer. All the way out there, past the storms and snow, Blight couldn’t believe that pony had pulled off something like that. What had Rainbow Dash called it?

A sonic rainboom?

Such a cute, little name. And Dash was the one who could do it. How amazing. If only Blight could see what it looked like. Leaving her only to her imagination as to what kind of amazing thing Dash had done. Sounded like she had been going very fast. I wonder how you pulled it off. How much would Soul have liked to see it? Something incredible, that made the air crack and thunder. So loud that it had even made Blight wince.

And you were the pony who could challenge Soul in the air?

She sure was talented and kind at that. Standing up for others, doing this to prove yourself to be stronger than the others. No wonder Soul liked her so much. Blight kind of did too. After all, Dash stood up for Soul.

I am growing to like that pony. Dash being one of her favorite ponies to listen to out there and learning more and more… one I would love to meet. She truly was the pony Soul needed now. I only wish that could happen. I wanted to meet you too. Not just watch you through another pony’s eyes. If only things were that easy. You are so fascinating.

Sometimes… I wonder if I should tell Soul about the things you do. Tell her stories about her best friend. If I should tell Soul about a little something I learned about you, Dash. The filly seemed to be under the illusion Dash hated her. You don’t talk about Soul… you say nothing out there. I even worried if you actually did hate her. At least troubled. You two were such good friends, I would think you would miss Soul, Dash. That is… what I did think. Until lately.

Dash, I know you cry in your sleep.

Such tiny little whimpers when the filly lay under the covers. It breaks my heart to know both of you suffer. That neither of you know what it is the other feels. For what else could you be crying over, Dash? You can’t fool me.

At least you are strong.

3.31
Dash was good at being happy out in the world beyond. Just can’t keep it up at night. I don’t even think Soul would believe me if I told her. Sometimes, I worry I am mistaken. If the filly is crying over something else. When Dash’s best friend… misses her. I don’t know what to tell Soul. I can tell her about what Dash dud today.

Knowing what her friend could do may just push Soul to accomplish more. Maybe. Or it could make her fly her mouth off on Blight again for bringing up Dash. No right for me to talk about her or something like that. Not that she pushed them away from one another on purpose. But yes, yell at me anyways. Even when I know it was the right thing to do.

She had to calm herself down feeling that she was getting riled up again. Ugh, thinking that even ruffled her own feathers a bit. Again. She really felt ashamed at how quick she got to getting angry with the filly. Because it is all my fault. I only did what I felt was right for the two fillies. I didn’t know it would lead to this. I wish I had. I wish I could help. Get rid of all the storms and weather boxing Soul in. Get her back home. I feel so useless. Just as Dash was out there flaunting her amazing talents with wings most pegasi could only dream of, achieving something so spectacular and unique that… that it even created the very mark of the rainbow maned filly’s talent.

Dash’s own cutie mark.

The symbol of her talent. I wish I had amazing talents. Her very gaze coming over those black wings she possessed, now calmly sitting on her sides. These wings. Black as night, large and packed in more feathers than she cared to count. So foreign. If only… if only…

They were normal.

Normal, then… then I know I can do anything to help Soul. If only. She really didn’t like how this came about. But that was something she could do nothing about. It was settled. She would tell Soul what Dash just did. A good enough story for Soul to wake up to and show her that her best friend could still do great things even after terrible events. Yeah, maybe that would make her smile. It would make Blight smile too; it is the best I can do. Still, if only I could be talented enough like Dash is.

There was a talent that she had, she was sure of it. Soul would have one too. Both of them would be able to flaunt it proudly like Dash did. Blight’s eyes went past her wings which lifted higher to uncover her own flank. Her eyes glistening looking at it. Imagining… what talent her flank had. Her own talent. One to be proud of. Something to help Soul.

Oh wow.

3.32
Then came that earsplitting scream ripping right through her head. That’s Soul. The filly had finally woken up. Blight looked away from her flank, over to the house she heard that scream come out from. Where she still screamed in. So loud. There had been no other time she had screamed so loudly. Another nightmare.

That alone made Blight glide down from her perch. Landing with vast, black wings, knowing she had to help. Poor thing, I can’t leave her alone. Not with such a terrible scream. She didn’t stop. Running past the snow and then leaping over the mounds and down onto the porch of Soul’s house. The filly still screamed inside. So loud now. That did not stop Blight. Open up. The door blasted open before her. Casting a mass of black mist over her to clash straight into the door. Slamming hard against it. Hard enough to slam it against the wall inside with dust falling from above. She ran right inside. Nothing holding her back from stepping inside.

The filly was right there, sitting atop her bed. Cradling the blanket to her chest and crying into it. Her face hidden. Her cries muffled. Only showing her back to Blight and such bad bedhead on her. She must have had such a rough night. Truly horrible looking, pitiful. I wish she would stop doing this to herself. She doesn’t need to sleep.

Blight shut the door behind her. None of the noise she made did anything to break Soul from her suffering. “Soul, what’s wrong?” Blight asked and only got cries as her answer. Not even lifting her head up. Forget our gripes, Soul needs help. This was the worse she had ever seen the filly. The most upset she had ever been. I’m afraid for her. Pushing her to quickly walk up towards the bed, placing herself right at Soul’s bedside. Looming her neck over the mattress and coming closer to Soul. So close, she listened to the filly cry inside the blanket. Blight felt almost sick listening to how Soul cried. It sounded so terrible. Like she struggled to breathe and ran her throat ragged. Such a painful sound.
“Soul” she whispered to her. I need to calm her. No more fighting. Blight even spoke to her with such care. Anything to make her feel safe. Hoping it may calm Soul down… hear the voice that she had once thought was soothing enough to fall asleep to. “Soul, it’s me. It’s Soulblight.”

3.33
She tried to come a little closer. Soul grumbled into her blanket. Turning her head quicker than Blight could put a smile on to see the black Pegasus standing next to her. Just her left eye peering out from the blanket, barely visible underneath a wave of tangled bits of her mane, but even that was almost unrecognizable. Like that eye did not belong to the filly she knew, even with what had once been eyes shining like sunlight growing more and more bloodshot. Now… now… there was no yellow. Such a horrific sight. What has happened to you, Soul?

Just a small, beady eye staring at her in a sea of red. No light shining on it. None of the glow that gave this sad pony a semblance of life. As if it hurt just to keep her eyes open. Like she truly did suffer. I never wanted to see her like this. Oh, Soul… what have I done to you?

Blight held her breath. I… I wouldn’t be surprised if she yells at me. Hoping she did not. Looking like the little Pegasus needed somepony by her despite any objection she made. It never came. Waiting there, nothing came. Soul only stared at her with one eye. Not even blinking. Almost… haunting. She just lowered her lashes and stopped there. More tears flowing through her lashes. Damn it, I wish I could… hold her. Blight’s own legs pushed into the side of the bed. Feeling nothing. I’m so useless. Can’t even touch anything. When she wished to be able to touch a hoof to Soul’s cheek and wipe those tears away. I want to. This poor filly, all the stuff she had to go through. If only she could have somepony… if only. I want to see that sweet pony she used to be, not like this.

Felt like so long ago.

Soul finally blinked. Sniffling right after. “Did you have another nightmare?” Blight asked. Soul’s ear fell, wincing with tears. Blight got her answer. Could it be anything like the first nightmare Soul had told her about? An awfully tragic tale by what she heard that left Soul so heartbroken, and every other nightmare from then till now doing much of the same to the filly. But… they had never been this bad. I’ve never seen Soul this hurt by one. I’ve never been this terrified. Soul actually scared her. There has to be something that can be done. Anything.

“It’s all okay. It’s over.” Soul actually raised her eye a little. Hunching her shoulders. Placing her head deeper into the blanket whilst her hooves gently hugged it against her. Rubbing it up and down. Just like a poor little foal. Trying to speak but only a little squeak came out, and then she coughed so hard. Oh man, her throat must be so sore now from all that screaming. Blight hushed her. Not wanting her to talk right now and just rest. Recover from whatever happened.

Of course the filly didn’t do what Blight wanted. She muttered a little, clearly trying to talk. Nothing came out. If she has something to say, I will listen. I won’t leave her. Soul has nopony left… besides me. Tell me what’s wrong.

Blight wished she had not asked for that.

“She killed me.”

3.34
What the hell kind of nightmare did she have? How… how terrible could it be? Blight was speechless. Killed? Soul even looked over at her. Dropping the blanket. Looking into both of Soul’s tear-filled eyes. Blood red eyes. Looking deep at the black Pegasus. A nightmare where… she died? Blight gulped. H-how can I help her with that? That question on top of hundreds more now.

Soul, you are so hurt. I never could have guessed how much. Somepony killed her.

“Who?” Blight asked. Could it have been Rainbow Dash in her nightmare? No, that’d be insane. Even if Dash… had been in that other nightmare, and she had hurt the poor filly at that. Does Soul really fear Dash that much? No way, don’t ever fear Dash. Blight wanted to tell her that. She almost did.

“C-c-c… Celest… stia” Soul said.

Blight didn’t know what to say. She dreamed about the princess. She had killed Soul. I… such wild dreams. It sounded frightening. What to do? Easy to see that Soul was so afraid now. Afraid. And I’m not the ponies you relied on to feel better. I’m just me. All I can do is tell you Celestia wouldn’t hurt you. But that wouldn’t matter. Not like I can do what… what Nimbus did for you. Not with these hooves.

I can protect Soul from any danger. Even the princess. But what use is that? None when the filly was so afraid. Wait, …that wasn’t even something to consider. Celestia would never be a pony to try and attack a filly no matter how hard she was pressed. No, not after… after how I saw her. How she treated Soul.

But Soul thought otherwise. Such terror in her eyes. Her mouth trembling before speaking. “She wanted to get rid of me… everypony else…. left me…” She paused long enough to cough out violently. “…for it to happen.” “Soul…” Blight said, stepping forward a little more. Her body even going into the bed, still not letting her hold the filly. Hug her so she could at least feel protected if she would accept it.

3.35
“It was only a nightmare. None of it is real. None of it will ever be real.” Soul looked off at her blanket, gradually nodding her head a little. Biting her lip at the same time.

“I know… but… I have these damn things all the time, every night. I’m tired of having them. They hurt so much” Soul said slowly. It was so hard to understand. Mostly because… I don’t know what a nightmare is like. I tried to help the filly. She doesn’t need to sleep. Ugh, why do you need to fight me? Blight never felt a need to bring it up. If she wanted to sleep than let her do it. But now, there should be no reason for her to continue her habit if it hurt her. “Nothing nice ever happens to me anymore. Not even in my dreams” Soul said. The filly looked back up at Blight. Tears in her pulsing eyes casting a glossy sheen from the glow of the fireplace. She stared deep into Blight’s eyes. So focused. Blight actually felt a shudder go down her own spine. Deep in the filly’s eyes… nothing.

“Do you ever dream, …Blight?” So calm and soft. Soul stared at her. Soulblight was flustered. No clue on how to answer a personal question like this. Asked by a pony she was sure hated her. But she wanted to know it… from her. I don’t dream. I don’t know if I can. But…

I feel like I did at one point.

Weren’t there little stories my mind once showed me? Every time, she recalled how they left her happy. Enough to make her smile like a foal. Times she had very little recollection of but it was still true. “I …” she chose her words carefully. “have.” Soul sniffed. “What was the nicest dream you’ve had?” The nicest? Such a question. Soul was so strange. She wants to know… about me? That nightmare really did do something to the filly. Soul has not been this open to me in a while. I need to answer. The nicest? Something that made me smile. I feel I know it. I do know it.

I still… feel it. The time when I smiled.

As beautiful as the wonder in Soul’s reddened eyes. One image, one dream. I did dream once. So long ago. The feeling of it. It made me feel… like a pony.

For one moment… I was happy.

3.36
“It… was… a flower” Blight admitted. “Glowing bright like the flames themselves. I…” her eyes trailed off, trying hard to remember how exactly it looked. “I remember how its red and orange colors looked like they danced with one another across many petals. Petals colored bright in the Sun, falling so delicately upon the earth. Wind blowing those petals away to… land on me. With a gentle touch. It was all I could see. Those petals blowing about, above and around me, and… I could feel nothing. Nothing but happiness. Nothing sad at all. None of the bad things that made me cry… none of them could hurt me in that wall of petals. They protected me, flying all around the sky, the land, …the world. Until the darkness was all that was left… then… all I remember is…” Blight shed a tear.

“The cold.”

I… I didn’t even know I was staring at her this entire time. Sorry. Blight looked away from Soul. All those visions of red and orange still present and receding in the corners of her eyes. As if she had really seen it all again. Felt it all again. Enough to make her crack a small smile under her tears.

She saw Soul. Her eyes widened a little more also staring back at Blight. Unable to say anything. Blight understood. Everything she just said did sound a little too much to understand. Even I don’t understand. Understand why it made me happy. “That’s all I remember” Blight said.

“I had a really nice dream at one point as well” Soul said. “It made me… really happy. I was so happy when I woke up. It was nothing like what you just talked about. A little more simple.” Soul wiped some of the tears off from under her eyes. She actually began to smile. “I was just… eating ice cream. A whole lot of it.” Soul chuckled a little. Eating sweets? That even made Blight laugh just a little. “Were they good flavors?” Blight asked. Soul nodded. “Raspberry, …chocolate, oranges, and strawberry. They tasted good” Soul giggled again.

Soulblight loved seeing her like this. She didn’t know what those flavors tasted like but it was good that Soul was at least smiling remembering this stuff. It was almost miraculous. Now that’s what it was: a miracle as Blight saw the filly smile. Smile and then… it faded as she began to cry again.

3.37
“I miss having those dreams, they always left me so happy” Soul said. “You don’t need to worry” Blight said. “I’m certain those beautiful dreams will return.” Soul frowned. Closing her eyes slowly and putting her head down atop the blanket. Like she may be going back to bed.

“No they won’t” she whispered. Sadly. How sad her tone became made Blight even feel sad. “You said it yourself, I can’t get out of here. So… I guess I have nothing happy to look forward to” she began to cry again, the last few words she spoke barely able to escape her lips before she started weeping. Closing her eyes off from Blight. That was too much for Blight to bare. She felt too sorry for her and shame for herself. Why did I tell Soul the truth? Of course knowing that would hurt her. There was no need to utterly crush the filly’s hopes. Soul… she was giving up. No. I don’t want you sad.

“Don’t say that, Soul” Blight said leaning in closer. “Have a little hope that things will turn around. You just need to work towards it. Everything will turn out okay.” Soul shook her head. Wiping her tears to soak into the blanket. Crying harder and harder. So much she could hardly speak in response. But Blight was able to pick out what she was saying. “Just… more nightmares… no friends… nopony loves me.”

“Soul…” Blight started. She was cut off by a painfully long cry the filly let out. Soul threw her face back into the blanket. Such a horrible cry. Screaming her pain away. Blight held her tongue. Let the filly let it all out. So she let her cry for right now. Standing close by her bedside not wanting to leave Soul’s side. Hoping that maybe her presence would help to calm her. Unsure what dreadful thoughts could be in Soul’s mind and, in truth, she had nothing to say that could help. Would a story about what Dash did even help right now? She couldn’t think of how it would. It might just make it worse now. Make her angry with Blight again in this time: the longest Soul allowed the black Pegasus to stay near her in months. Blight could only listen.

Soul’s crying growing stronger and then dying down to a whimper, and then repeating. How pained her breathing became. It was too much.

Blight closed herself off. Turning away to focus instead on the fire, cursing herself for not knowing what she could do. I’m so stupid. If only I could do something. Other than watching this damn fire. She bever felt so angry at herself. Doing everything to push away those thoughts. Listen to her own breaths. Soft and gentle.

3.38
She stood there waiting. So long. So very long. All the pain of listening to Soul cry, it was hers alone. Until Soul slowly quieted down. Please… calm down, Soul. Listening to her whimper. Such a sad sound behind her and nothing that Blight could do. Nothing.

Soul stopped.

Blight didn’t dare to look at her. Continuing to watch the fire. Wanting Soul to calm herself. It would be better that way. I’m not the pony she needs to feel better. So she would stop feeling hopeless and lost. Even so… I should be the one to help her. I have to be. But I don’t know how. I’m an adult. I should know what to say to her. But this was too much. She had nothing.

I’m not the pony you want.

Soul sighed. Blight listened.

“Why did you do this to me?”

3.39
That was all that was needed. All the words she could bear to hear. I can’t believe it. After what I just did. To come and help you. Soul still hates me, and I still… I still can’t handle this. Blight could feel it again. She was angry. Angry at Soul.

Their little conversation was nothing. Soul still hated her.

Everything… is still my fault. Blight heaved a heavy sigh. Just need to calm down. Soul was very upset. She deserved to be, and having nightmares to reopen fresh wounds. It was natural. Yes. All her anguish and loneliness. Their fights. Of course it never would work. Not this soon. She will always hate me. Blight felt foolish to think she got anywhere with getting Soul to trust her again. I can never be the pony to make her happy again. She had nothing to say about it because there was nothing that could be said.

I should be happy, happy that we could talk for once. For a brief moment. But so quick. Soul will never forgive me. She did not want her around.

“I’m sorry” Blight said. Her voice coming out sadder than anything she could prepare herself to even make. Truly ashamed. She turned away from the pony she had harmed the most. “I’ll go.”

I want to stay. Please. She had hope Soul would call out for her. Something to stop Blight from leaving. Plead her to stay with her. But she didn’t. She does want me gone. Staying silent as Blight slowly walked back to the door. Head kept low to the ground. No more happiness left in her. The little joy she had of being able to talk with the filly.

She reached the door, swinging it back open with a burst of her magic and setting one hoof outside. The filly still remained silent behind her. Blight took one last look over her shoulder, seeing Soul back on her bed. Her back to Blight. She sniffed once and her wings dropped a little. Silent like the rest of the room. I’m sorry, Soul.

Blight left her.

3.40
Her hoof slammed hard into the snowy surface. She really wished she could feel what it was like to crush that cursed snow under her hoof. Nothing! No joy in it. Just wanting to unload. Nope, couldn’t even get that satisfaction. Now she was the one who needed to calm down. She slammed her hoof in again and again hoping for some result that never came all the while she scowled down at all the snow building up along the entrance of Soul’s house.

No… I’m so mad. Mad at what she said.

“Why did she feel the need to say that?” I thought... damn it. I came so close. So close to making her happy. The filly even smiled. I made her smile. But no. It made her blood boil. No matter what kindness she ever attempted it always led to this. Soul always will hate me; stuck in her own little fantasy that I’m… what? Some sort of evil creature out to harm her? So she wants to shun me.

“Does she not know those words really hurt me?” If only she would stop saying them. Just shut up for a moment. Listen to me for once and stop attacking herself. They could work together. Make this not so bad. Like we did before. Remember, Soul? When we had fun that one day. We had fun. We had hope. But no, she always pushes me away.

Because she hates you.

Blight exhaled hard. Shaking her head furiously and stopping to stare back down at the snow with ever more anger. If only all this would go away. This worthless snow and terrible weather. This terrible place. Then Soul would love me. We can be friend, yes. Friends who loved one another. To help this filly that… she harmed.

“Damn it” she screamed. She watched all the snow blow away from her, blasting like flames of black exploding out from underneath her hooves and getting rid of this useless snow. Blown away. Just a little. Sending all that snow flying and pelting the houses, smacking down upon the ground. Cast off in snowflakes all around her. Those flakes calmed themselves down, returning back to a gentle descent alongside their brethren to carpet the world anew. Work to get rid of any evidence of what Blight had just done. Refilling the crater she had just made beneath herself.

3.41
She breathed silently. Watching all those tiny flakes coming down. Landing upon the earth with nary a sound and only the subtle hint of wind giving any life to this cold and innocent scene. Like none of this could truly harm anypony with how these snowflakes touched down upon the others already making their home on the ground, so nicely. It looked calm to her. Watching it even began to make her feel better with all the anger in her heart melting away. Giving her a moment to just breath.

This snow was not at fault. This world was not at fault. Soul suffered, her loneliness too much for Blight to watch, her sadness great and it was the fault of one being.

It’s all my fault. She looked down at her forelegs. Watching the many thousands of fur strands swaying in a sea of pitch black coming down to cover a misty sheen of silver ringing around her hooves. These hooves. Looking up to see the falling snow once again, mixing and swirling with the remnants the dark mists sparkling like stars all around her. My magic. It was those very things that had hurt Soul. All carried out by my own will. I’m the one who killed those Changelings. I’m the one who did this to her. I’m so sad. Sad because I thought I did the right thing and now… she will never forgive me. I have no right to be forgiven. Soul…

You’re another poor life I have ruined.

A life filled with promise and happiness, left to cry alone in that empty house. I regret leaving her in there. Even if she hates me. But just having me around, all it does is make her sad. I don’t want her any more sad than she already is. She did not want to hurt anypony anymore. Too much pain. Too much heartache for her to bear.

I just want you happy again.

Blight began to walk. Rounding the corner of Soul’s house and scaling the steep mounds of snow built up all against the side of the wall until she reached it: the window, half buried. Still not tended to by Blight. But the snow had not covered it yet. Slowly looking through it. Peeking in at what was inside.

Right underneath the window, Soul sat there in the bed. Buried under her blanket. All Blight could hear was the muffled sound that pained her own heart. Soul crying. All by herself. Left to her sorrow under the glow of the fire and what was left of the sunlight to shine in over this cold and lonely land.

3.42
Blight couldn’t hold it back anymore. She felt so pathetic. A tear ran down her cheek. Ridding herself of this with a swipe of her hoof, but it could not rid the pain of what she saw. It hurt her. Over and over, I keep getting angry at Soul. How many months have passed now? How they fought with one another. And neither of us have been able to smile. When… when I remember you used to smile all the time, Soul. I… I loved it.

Bright and happy. A young Pegasus with so much happiness. If only that Pegasus could come back. How I want to bring it back. If only I did not get so angry all the time. If only she was not a coward. Stop hiding from Soul. Stop it. She is not my enemy. I shouldn’t be afraid of her, but… I am. She makes me feel… so useless. Powerless.

“I really am an awful girl.” She meant it. Hating herself for it. Only saying it because she was alone… alone. Of course nopony is here to pity me. Just to shun me.

Like they always used to do.

Soul is no different. When I thought she would be, it makes me cry. Holding it all in even as tears started coming back inside her eyes. But she would not cry like Soul did. She could not. I do not deserve to cry over this… because I deserve to feel terrible. I deserve to… feel alone.

The black Pegasus laid down. Holding her head tightly inside her forelegs. Huddling her entire body beneath the cover of her wings.

Alone… again.

3.43
“Why did I have to say that?”

Soul smacked her face so hard. Screaming at herself. Blight was actually being nice and I… I wanted to keep talking to her. The black Pegasus sounded so sweet talking to her like that. Listening to her, and she… listened to me. I didn’t even do anything to show her I liked it. No wonder she left.

Seeing just how much her dragon eyes lit up while she talked about that dream she had. It sounded beautiful to Soul. What kind of flower was it? Why did it make her feel happy? No, instead I got angry again. I made her feel bad. I hurt another pony.

She had driven Blight away when they finally got a chance to talk. Just being able to speak with her, I forgot the nightmare for a minute. Now she was gone. Just like Soul wanted every day prior to this one. This one, being the day she actually wanted another pony with her. She hurt Rainbow Dash, Celestia hated her, now Soulblight… another one to leave her side all because of her. Soul smacked herself again. Stupid. Angry at herself. More angry than she was with Blight over the months.

She lifted her head out from the blanket. Glancing off over to her left, over to the spot that those beautiful yellow dragon eyes had met her own. Empty. Like the forest. Was that why Dash left me alone in the woods? I did something terrible to her. It’s what I always do. Every single pony always leaves me. They want nothing to do with me. So… the princess got rid of me. Everypony got rid of me and I know why. I do. Because I… I can hear you. The sound of somepony crying. Outside the house. The voice she recognized… Blight. I make them miserable.

That’s why… that’s why… “Mommy left me. Why Nimbus and Starry left me… why Dashie left me.” They are all better off without me. Rainbow Dash was probably so happy now. She had to be. Soulblight would be happy as well. No need to cry any more. Blight was not the one who had to cry. I should be the one who should cry.

I don’t want Blight sad anymore. As long as other ponies were happy, she would be happy. They needed to be happy. That was why Celestia sent me here, right? Because nopony was happy with me.

3.44
Soul grabbed hold of one of the pillows, crushed in from her grip. Held between her hooves, she tossed it. Sending it flying across the room until it smacked hard against the dusty wall at the far end of her room. Feeling her anger slip away. Ease her back to placing her head back against the blanket once more. A comforting spot for her to cry again. Silently letting her tears.

I still remember that nightmare. Remember every nightmare. I feel so terrible. I was always a jerk to the ponies I loved. The ponies she will never ever see again and never get her chance to apologize to them for all the pain she put them through. They were all gone. I miss them all. I miss them so much. I miss… you, Dashie.

I will never get to tell you how much you mean to me. Never even got to tell her goodbye. Just like with mom. Just like with Nimbus and Starry.

Just shadows. All she saw. Flickering in the house. All that was left of them. Fading and disappearing. Never to be seen again. I want to apologize to them all. Show them I am better. Give her that chance, and she would be a good pony for them all. A good pony. All I ever wanted to be for them.

Soul cried.

Never letting go of the blanket. Rubbing her nose against it as it warmed her. The only thing left that could embrace her. Love her. She spoke into it. “I love you all so much. Your little pony loves you all.” All I ever wanted was… to be loved by you.

3.45
Deep in the blanket, looking into that darkness, she could still see it. All that was left of it. That tiny glimmer of yellow light blazing bright at her. Trying to grow stronger and cast out all the darkness but, ultimately, could not. If only she could touch that light. A little light casting it’s starlight down upon her. There was no touching it. No feeling it. But she felt something from it. Watching it blink on and off, trying to come close and warm her, it was soothing. I can feel it.

Soul stopped crying. Giving her a moment to lick her lips and breath. Opening her eyes again. That light disappeared. Only the darkness was left. Waking up from that warming light. Gone with its soft glow. The only thing she had seen in the dark. A dark that surrounded her.

One moment. She had felt it. Something different. Like when she last saw that blinding light. When I last felt… something different.

I felt it… before I woke up. Wasn’t it? Yes. It was… something different.

That light… I didn’t feel lonely.

“Celestia… was… right. I didn’t feel lonely… at all.”

I don’t want to feel lonely anymore.

4.1
Well this could be considered a find. It certainly was different from all the other junk she found throughout all the other houses. More and more of this crap that could be used for the fire, but maybe she could spare this stuff. She considered this staring at the item she held aloft before her face with just the faintest hint of her magic. It surprised her to find it and how familiar it was.

Another little pony doll. Much like the one Soul had found. That lonely little Pegasus she found hidden away in a box. Finally finding a friend in Soul. Blight wondered if that tiny Pegasus still kept her company. Give her some semblance of having a friend. Something to help her make it through the day.

This pony doll on the other hoof, left behind in this bleak and dark house, a lot different. Because the box it was in actually held dozens of them. Somepony had a hobby. Even if they were… kinda amateurs at this, I still wonder who it was that used to live here. What kind of time did they have on their hooves to do this and why did they do this? Was it actually a hobby or practice for something more? Perhaps they did it for a nicer reason. That very Pegasus may have been built by the pony who made these, a gift perhaps for some child who meant something to them.

Blight tossed and turned the pony, examining it all around. Given light for her to see thanks to the hole she cut into the ceiling. It really is the best way to get into these houses. She could see a lot of it. Very small pebbles used as eyes fastened tightly into the sides of its head that actually shined a little in the light. All the countless fibers well woven into place to give the impression of facial features on it including a cute little smile. Even well-trimmed patches of fur attached to it to make a mane and tail. No wings. Not like Soul’s. This was shaped into an Earth pony. Even some unicorns in the box. Strange… no pegasi. Weird.

I wonder what was wrong with whoever made these. Why no pegasi? Only the one Soul had. Oh well. This collection was good enough. They made her smile for once. It felt good to smile again. Days passing by with nothing but sadness. A sadness in her and even more. I still feel the pain in my heart. In Soul’s heart. Not one moment passing by where it stopped, and all the happiness she could tell happened on the outside beyond the snow. Happiness Soul longed to be a part of. I can’t bring it back.

How happy Rainbow Dash was out there only broken by those brief moments in the night when that rainbow-maned filly sadly cried under her blanket.

4.2
Maybe these little dolls could bring a little happiness to Soul. Ha, I bet she would love them. Act like such a kid with them. So far-fetched but it was nice to believe in such a fantasy. How Soul used to be. That extremely happy and carefree filly laughing and smiling at things I never thought were even interesting. Training. Food. Exploring. But there was a certain charm to it all. Just how happy stuff like that could make a child. Blight loved every moment of it. If only she could find some way to bring it all back. Seeing that little, happy version of Soul playing with these tiny ponies. Even if she would not do that in front of others, but someday being comfortable enough to want to be her true self around me. If ever. A beautiful dream.

She placed the doll she held back inside the box, sifting through all the unicorns and Earth ponies. So many of them. It really is incredible how… wait, I found one! A Pegasus at last. She had to pull it out from under all the other ponies. Huh, not that special. It was… just another Earth pony. Those wings it had were the only real difference between this one and the Earth ponies. Except, this one did have considerably large wings. Held up by wires to give the impression of it flying.

Flying like Soul.

Happily gliding through the air with nothing to weigh her down. If only she could fly like that again. Be free and doing everything she loved to do. Blight would do it all with her. …In some fantasy world where they could be friends. That was all Blight could do. Bringing another hidden Pegasus doll up from the box, holding it next to the other. Seeing that fantasy in the eyes of these two pegasi. One with large wings, the other with small ones. Both side by side together with a smile on their faces. Happy to see one another with no more hate. She could listen closely to it all. Looking at both these pegasi. I hear it. Laughter. She could hear the little laughter of a filly alongside that of a mare. A mare laughing in a voice she knew.

I wish I could laugh right now about. Just like I would if that dream could come true. How did Rainbow Dash say it? She recalled. A good interpretation for it all like how these fillies talked.

“That would be so awesome.”

Blight laughed at herself for saying that. A world under a glistening light where all was happy for her and for Soul. Why could it not exist like it should? Asking it to the happy world that shined bright in the beady eyes that stared back at her.

4.3
Soul could see the entirety of her world shining back at her. She saw this world all about her every single day but there was something different about seeing it in a reflection. Seeing her own face surrounded by the darkest and most dreary of surroundings with nopony around her. Only the darkness around her. She hated seeing this world. Where the only bright thing in it was the red of her eyes staring at her. Just a sea of blood surrounding her big, black pupils and they don’t shine anymore.

Why are they so red all the time? I’ve never seen them this bad. Maybe because I don’t want to sleep anymore. Haven’t slept for days now. Spending all the dark hours of the night sitting in her bed. Fed up with everything, and the days being much of the same.

She had not seen Blight in a while. What could she be doing? That roof she liked to inhabit remained empty every time she looked. Maybe she left. It wouldn’t surprise her. That would be best for the black Pegasus. She doesn’t need to worry about me. Everypony doesn’t need to worry about me. She turned her hooves. Her reflection grew longer. Better room to see her entirety and how greatly miserable she could now admit without hesitation that she looked.

“Wow… I look like crap.” Saying that actually made her giggle a little. She wanted to keep laughing. Force it out as hard as possible. It was a long laugh. Long and… it hurt. Her throat burned just to laugh. Just to speak. Hurt to laugh over nothing. Well aware she actually was not happy but it felt a little like something to know she was still capable of laughing. What if Dashie sees me like this? That would be something. Maybe she would laugh about it. Like I look like I just flew through a storm or something. At least then she’d put a smile on another pony’s face. But she was not. Oh how to make them all happy.

She looked back up to face the dark wall she set herself in front of. Tapping the hooves of her hind legs against it and joining that sound with that of her forelegs falling like logs on the floor, and she sat there. Staring. Bringing her hooves up once more before her and holding them close. She wouldn’t let go. I can’t let go of it.

Just listen. The sound it made as she ran a hoof over the thing she held. A little ping and a scrape. Ringing in her ears. I can’t get enough of it. I’ll never let it go. Holding it firmly between her hooves. She wondered if she should look at it again.

See her reflection in its edge.

She could laugh at herself again but, then again, all it would be was just an ugly and broken little Pegasus who needed her friends.

4.4
That was the entire point of it. I need them. I want them so badly. But they don’t need me. None of them, not Dashie, not Celestia or Blight. Nopony needed her. It was the truth. Why else does nopony try to make me happy? They only leave me.

All that time she spent with Dash coming in and leaving so fast like the wind, exactly what it was: the wind. It was not meant to last. I just hope Dash is at least happy now without me. Just like mom was when she left me. Along with Blight. Blight could move on and be happy without Soul on her mind, much like what she wished. They could all be happy. Soul wondered if Dash had new friends now. Were they pegasi or maybe she ventured out to other places and met new ponies? If they were pegasi, they were in for a rough ride, haha. Dash will probably challenge them to racing. No pony could ever surpass her in flight. No pony can ever be as good… as her.

I once thought I would be a pony worth her time. I used to be great. Now look at me. I was supposed to be strong, strong! For what? Strong enough to take all this? No. Dash was the strong pony. No matter what happened, Dash always found a way to surpass everything and prove herself to be successful. It was in her nature.

I never want her to know disappointment again. Feel she let others down even when they assured her that she had not, and I was the one who promised to be there for her. …Why did Dash never tell me how much of a burden I was on her all this time? She only needed to say something and Soul would gladly leave… leave her to be happy without her and be successful. Leave for every pony to be happy without her. Free from her mistakes, from her stupidity. Free from this weak pony.

They were all free now and I want to be happy for them. They deserved it, I don’t. It was the right thing for her to give any sacrifice to make them happy, …but it still hurt too much. All these days going by, disappearing in the blink of an eye leaving so much pain inside her and it never stopped. It hurt. Everything hurt. All these happy ponies in the world not troubled by her, leaving me alone.

If only it could be different.

She wanted to feel happy for them. With everything that had happened. All the heartache she left behind which was made right with her leaving. I still… would like to know one last time what it is like to have a true friend.

That calming touch.

4.5
Soul raised her hooves. Her eyes came down, doing everything in her power not to look at herself. Prying deep into the crystal-like thing she held. She gently glided the tip of her hoof along its side, careful not make any mistake and hurt herself. She was already in too much pain. Glancing around and over the many spider webbed cracks along its entire surface. Whatever struck this really did so very hard to cause so much destruction to this and every other that fell from the destroyed mirror. All the tiny pieces left laid strewn on the ground surrounding the few that actually were still whole. Of which, this was the largest one.

A thick sliver of glass near as long as her leg, tipped in jagged corners where it failed to hold onto the other pieces when the mirror was destroyed and many other spiny curves and thin cuts along its long edges. It sure looked sharp. Sharp enough to have caught her attention. Examining it for hours, turning it about in her hooves watching as the light from the fire shone like starlight on the edges and cast faint lines of light about the house. Touching and poking at it with a fascination for how strong this large chunk of glass was. It really was strong.

It felt sharp.

Confident it could easily cut. She could even imagine it being capable of being used to cut a cake. Like those big knives that would cut my birthday cake. What nice times. They were such small moments, but now… now I really miss them. They always made me laugh… and smile. It was not till now that she realized she never actually deserved those moments.

Remembering it, staring at this massive shard of glass, all she could see was one tiny glimmer of light as everything went blank. The wind outside, it stopped. Just looking at that shine in… in the glass. In the… blade.

I don’t feel afraid. It was all gone. I can see it. Haha, my birthday just as I wished it. So bright. Happy. With ponies there to finally be there with me. Oh how would it be like?

It would be her mother who would cut the cake. A father to give her the plate and pet the top of her head. …A sister… to play with her and be by her side at all times. Funny, I never thought like this before. Never imagined this. Me with a mom and dad, sure. A sister? I… I never thought about a sister before. Not till she looked into the gleam in the glass. A sister, a best friend. Closest pony who came to that was… Rainbow Dash. No, that wouldn’t happen. Never. She’s not a sister to me. She would never treat me like family. I want somepony to see me… as their family. Who would love me.

Wasn’t that my wish?

4.6
“Would that pony actually love me?” Whoever it would be. She would never know and that hurt more than anything else. Does my mom love me, wherever she is? Did Dash? I really wish I knew. Please be here to let her know she was special. Even if everypony hated her, even if they wanted nothing to do with her and would rather leave her all alone with nothing to hold on to, she still wanted them to at least let her know if she had any worth. If they could at least look past her countless faults and see a truly special little Pegasus who only wanted to be told one thing.

Am I a good pony?

I’m tired of feeling pathetic and useless. That really was the story of her life. “I would still love them” she whispered. Her head lowered. Soul felt her tears coming down. Tears falling into a damp puddle set in the carpet that had plenty of time to build up. She wanted to lay down. I want to go to sleep. Find some world out there that is better than this. As good as the one I lost. Something in my dreams. Where it was warm and nice. No more pain and loneliness. No more knowing that I am a failure. How I want it.

She held still. Feeling something cold against her throat. So cold. As cold as this land. But… warm. Was it warm because of the glow of the fire inside it? She couldn’t understand it yet, somehow, it felt comforting. Like a hoof rubbing under her chin. So, perhaps it would be like this in the end. A nice and comforting feeling left as all she could feel. It would feel better in the end. Just like in her nightmare. I won’t feel lonely or sad anymore.

No more heartache.

No longer being alone.

Just like Celestia said. I really won’t feel it. Just some brief moments of darkness and then… finally that little moment of relief. Nothing more to care about. Celestia was right, and when it was all over… I’ll feel happy.

So happy.

Soul felt that cold push into her throat. So smooth against her skin.

…I will not be sad anymore. Like I always wanted. But… I was never strong enough to do this. Never strong enough to do what is right. I hurt Nimbus, Starry, so many ponies. I hurt Soulblight. I hurt… Dashie.

I won’t make anypony sad anymore. Just like mom wanted.

How odd, it did not hurt.

I can’t feel it. Just… the cold. The smooth cold touching against her fur. Tugging her skin. An icy chill to her beautiful skin. She could feel it all against her skin. No matter how hard I push it… I don’t feel anything else. I never knew what it would be like to do this. I never thought of it. Because for so long… I never thought I would feel so… so sad.

I never… ever knew what it would be like…

…to die.

4.7
Celestia said I won’t feel lonely anymore. She would be happy… finally!

All the ponies could move on. They had to move on. I won’t be around to hurt them again. I won’t feel terrible for it again. There would be no more pain. It made her smile at the thought. Feeling something warm touch down against her hooves. Like water running in a thin trickle along her skin under a light rain. She wanted to see. See what was happening. Am I right? Will I never feel pain again? Just a glance. To see what she had done. To see she really had done it.

So much red. Tiny little streams driving paths along the shard she now saw. The shard planted under her chin. Red flowing along that shard, like a river. Dripping down upon the carpet below. Join with all her tears.

I’m bleeding.

It… was happening. The same blood I used to see so often. Ha, I’m pretty used to hurting myself… and then ponies would help me recover. Such good times. Everything always turned out good in the end when that happened. It all would work in the end now as well.

Soul pushed a little more. She could feel more. Something… inside her. Under her chin. …Just like they all wanted. No more pain…

So… why am I still so sad?

She could not stop crying. Even if this was the right thing for her to do, it was too much. She felt too sad. That feeling she wanted to get rid of. I just need to try hard and it will all be over. All the sadness would fade and die. Everything that made her cry would do the same. Like the greatest pain she had in her heart. Bursting harder and stronger than any other pain she could dare to feel. I know what is is.

Regret.
Her final feeling left. The last regret that I have left. Rainbow Dash.

If Dashie doesn’t want to see me, doesn’t want to love me… I want to at least see her as my best friend one last time. Tell her how very sorry I am for hurting her and not being the friend she needs. One last farewell. Just one last moment for our friendship.

I… want to hold her one last time. One final hug.

Together, for so long. Like nothing else was there. Never feeling cold. Never feeling alone. That is what I want to feel one last time… one last time. And I’ll never feel it again. Soul cried.

Her hooves pushed the blade in a little more. Just a little more… just a little more… and it will be over. Get rid… of this pain. Go away. Like all the blood streaming along her fur. Blood staining patches of the fur on her legs. All that was left of that fur she loved. Her beautiful wings. There for me since the start. The only things I had… but could not live up to what I wanted them to be. To be that symbol for all pegasi… no more.

I can’t live up to my dream. A lonely Pegasus… can never prove to others that she can overcome anything. Because I can’t. That dream died long ago. Long ago. My wings. My dream. My life.

Goodbye.

One more push. So many tears. So hard to whisper the words she had left. I regret never being able to tell them to you.

Soul smiled.

“I… I… love you, …Dashie.”

4.8
“I love you too, best bud.”

4.9
I thought I was awake.

All this time. Another dream. All the skies. All the towns. All the forests. Each one different from the last and always ending the same way. Could this be it? Another ending to a world unknown. Another one to mock her, to make her feel worse than she ever did when she would finally woke up. Soul wanted to believe that was the case. For this entire icy world to be simply another nightmare ending as it always did. With her, of all ponies, here to… make me feel worse. To hurt me.

But it did not come. She had heard it. Plain as day. From a pony behind her. In a voice she longed to hear say the very words that made her ears tingle. Like a cool breeze washing over the tiniest of furs lining her ears. Tickling and soothing in a way that only she could do. With those words.

It can’t be.

All it took to make Soul stop.

She looked down upon the shard coated in thin blood, slowly wandering away from her. Clasped between her hooves and shaking. All the pain that did not exist, only the feeling of the soft carpet on her rear… and another growing deep inside her. This can’t be real. When was the last time somepony said that to me?

That they love me.

It felt so long. It felt too good to be true. A wish of hers told… by the very pony she loved. She turned around.

Rainbow Dash.

4.10
Like the eyes of an angel that made Soul hold her breath. Staring. Looking deep, not able to look away from those glowing eyes. Wrapped in the shimmer of a bed of tears growing beneath those magenta orbs, her eyes… a sea in a sunset. Blinking. Watching Soul. From where they stood… across the room. In the door that let in the icy wind… yet nothing stopped the pony over there. Nothing stopping that pony from walking to her.

A little smile on her face.

Every step swaying that tail she thought to never see again. Coated in the many colors of the Earth shared with her mane propped in messy strands and loose bangs which betrayed how well she actually tended to her beauty just because of how perfect she was with her thick cyan fur and countless feathers set straight and shining along the wings folded at her sides. Wings that looked stronger than how she remembered.

It was her.

It was her voice that said she loved her, and she smiled. Like a true friend with so much care. Is this really a dream? This is… the Rainbow Dash I know. That I always knew.

She took several more steps to her, such a small filly bravely coming up to the magenta filly in the shadows. Standing in the glow of the fire. She lowered her head, never letting her smile go even as she wept. She spoke again in that same voice. …That same, raspy voice that she always had. Sounded so real. So familiar. Like nothing a dream would give her.

“I… really missed you, …Soul.”

“Dashie…?” Soul whispered. She blinked hard. Dash would not disappear. That lovely smile never went away. This pony… my best friend, she never left. This is her. The very Rainbow Dash who stood waiting for her to stand up after every fall and every mistake. When I sat in the street with a hurt wing… this was the Dashie that didn’t leave me there, and the entire world sitting still when she hugged me. Like a true friend. Who can make me forget all the pain.

Ignore the pain in her wing… the pain… in her neck.

Soul dropped the shard, looking down at her bloody hoof which slowly reached towards her and set itself upon her throat. Feeling the thin cut running along it pushed straight into… into her own soft fur. It hurt. Every second she touched it made it hurt more. Feeling a little more blood drip out onto her hoof.

So it did hurt.

I feel it all. The heat. The cold. My own hoof touching my neck. And all the pain. All the shivers running down her spine. It all felt real. This… was no dream.

No nightmare.

4.11
“Dashie!” Soul pulled herself together. Is this real? I… Soul stepped up. Getting up on her legs that felt like jelly. Rainbow… is it really you? I knew it… I always dreamed you would come for me… you did. Dashie.

Soul tripped over her own hooves. Falling back to the floor, her chin landing with a thud. Then it really stung. Soul’s eyes widened. Such horrible pain in her throat. All along her neck. It made her loose her breath, it made her scream. Lunging backwards onto her back with both her forehooves set upon the long opening she could completely feel across her neck. Holding it tightly and hissing her pain.

Holy crap it hurts. She couldn’t even think straight. Not anymore. Seeing all the blood on her hooves. Her own blood. Why does it hurt? It wasn’t supposed to. It wasn’t. Remembering how good it actually felt a moment ago. All the stinging pain blistering over her neck. Right now, and I can’t even think… agh. So… is this all a trick? Is any of this happening? She had to be seeing things.

Soul looked up.

Rainbow Dash. Staring down on Soul with her face stricken in worry. “Oh man, …that looks bad” she said looking down under Soul’s chin. Rainbow is… so close. She… she is right here. Soul couldn’t move. She could see every detail of her face. Her beautiful fur. Her gorgeous mane. She even smells… just like the rain. Exactly as she remembered it. That smell of freshly fallen rainwater. She never smelled like anything in my nightmares. Looking deep at whatever terrible wound Soul inflicted on herself with eyes buzzing all across her neck. Just watching Dash, like the pain was going away now. Soul could only watch the Pegasus, not able to say a damn thing. Everything standing still in an absolute dream. For Rainbow Dash to be here right now looking up and down at her.

The pony I want… she had come… all this way just for me? For them to finally be in the same room with one another. Soul began to smile. I… I can’t even tell what I’m feeling anymore. Seeing that rainbow mane again. Seeing those eyes that began to drop little tears down to her. Dash cried along with Soul.

“Lift your hoof” Dash said in such a pained voice. Soul did as she said. Setting her hoof down at her side leaving her neck fully exposed to Dash. Rainbow’s sad face returned to a small smile. She wiped a hoof over her own tears and sniffed. Smiling so brightly. Soul so happy to see that smile again. Lost in the moment as she lay there on her back, and Soul… smiled as well.

4.12
“Thank Celestia, you’re gonna be just fine!” Dash said. She cleared her face of more tears. She’s crying for me? Because she was worried about me? Dash was happy that Soul was okay? That couldn’t be it. But every single tear falling from the beautifully smiling face covered in relief. How Dash never left her side, standing there above her. Dash was happy. I missed being able to see that. I missed it so much. Like I actually made her happy. Just being okay was enough to make Rainbow happy.

Dashie is here for me.

Rainbow began to cry harder now. Letting out loud breaths with chilling tears falling from her closed eyes and onto Soul’s very body. “You damn moron” Rainbow cried out. “Why would you do that?!”

I tried… Soul’s eyes opened as wide as they could. …To kill myself. Right in front of Dash, the pony I always wanted back. The pony I thought hated me. But… she cares? Dashie wasn’t mad at me. She… the filly was so happy to see Soul was okay. She actually was caring for her right now. Making sure she was safe. Yelling at her not in anger. That is fear. Rainbow Dash was afraid for me… and I almost killed myself.

Soul touched her throat again. It stung. All her blood warmly seeping into her fur. Out of all their time together and all the injuries either one sustained, looks like I’m the one who hurt myself the worst now… and I did it on purpose. I’m… I’m so ashamed Dashie had to see me try to do that.

“Dash…” Soul started. Looking up at her friend’s sad face. Soul turned away, rolling her body over to lay on her side so Dash did not need to see her work or anything else wrong with her. I don’t want her to see how terrible I look. “I’m so sorry. …I…” what can I even say? There is no excuse. Only able to say what really made me feel this way. “Thought you hated me.”

Soul rubbed her cheek against the floor. Bangs of her violet mane fell into her eyes, touching the tears streaming down the side of her face and along her muzzle. Somewhere behind her, she heard the little steps Dash took walking around, coming closer to where her head sat. She could not see her, but felt like Dash was right behind her. The fur on the free side of her head stood up. A presence swirled around up there. Dash spoke softly into her ear, close and with care.

“I never hated you. Soul, …you’re my best buddy in the world.”

4.13
Soul turned her head over, seeing Rainbow Dash right above her… so close to her nose. The cyan filly hesitated to do so at first but leaned back to give Soul some space. Never stopping to smile at her.

“I’ll always love you, Soul.”

Soul’s ears perked up. Her heart skipped a beat and tingled so much. That tingle ran up Soul’s entire spine. She felt it well. She felt… happy. That was it.

Happiness. Nothing else.

Not even her tears could take root anymore and she could only smile as wide as she could. Both fillies smiling up and down to each other and neither could cry anymore. Rainbow smirked. “And I’ll always need you there to get crushed in a race.” There she was. She still insisted that she won their races. Oh but not for long. Sooner or later I bet I will finally win a one of our races. No more ties. That snarky Dash did not bother her anyways. She just laughed. Rainbow joined in.

Rainbow backed up a little, sitting down near the bed and letting out a sigh of relief. “It’s so great to see you again!” Soul pushed herself off the ground and sat up as well. Turning to face her beloved friend. Soul wiped one last tear still sitting on her cheek, careful she avoided putting any of the blood on her hoof to her face. But just so happy. So very happy. Rainbow is here with me!

“I missed you too” she said with her voice doing nothing to hide how truly happy she actually was. “You and you’re bullshit.” Dash laughed. “You know I always beat you,” she said back. Both of them laughed just like they used to. All the times I used to laugh with her. Nothing bad happening to us. Just the good times. Both fillies quieting down, calmly staring at each other. Soul lost in Rainbow’s smile. The same feeling she too felt. Still trying to piece together if this really was a beautiful dream or the real thing. Her throat pounded in pain. Rainbow Dash was here with her. It’s like nothing has changed. Dashie is actually talking to me. There were no more nightmares. No more sadness. Just her and her best friend together in this snowy land. To think I almost took this chance away. Dash, you’re an angel. Her first and greatest friend. And she will always be there with me.

“I missed you so much” Soul repeated herself forgetting she already told Dash that. Rainbow smiled wider. “Friends stick together no matter what. You couldn’t expect to stay away from me forever.” Rainbow found me. She found me because she wanted to. Soul could hardly contain how happy she was. Letting out a little huff hearing that being said. She had to do her best to hold in her tears. No more crying. She cried enough. She wanted Dash to see just how happy she really was. Nothing else. Even her need to not look messy in front of Dash still held firm. Using one of her hooves to gently glide along the fur of her other leg to try and even out that messy fur. With a little nudge of her leg, she pushed some of the bangs away still sitting on her face. Dash said nothing. Good. I look like a total mess after all of this.

4.14
“How on earth did you find me?” Soul asked of her. Dash actually brought one of her forehooves up just short of her own face. Slowly rotating it about before her as she stared with pride at it. She spoke with that very same pride. “I asked around. Some certain princesses get a little loose around sweets. Besides, …” She turned to face Soul and pointed her hoof right at her own chest. “You know how unstoppable I am when I want to be.”

Wow she really figured it out on her own? She did it all on her own. What an amazing Pegasus. Rainbow actually found a way to get to me… through all the storms. Through the snow. All that distance. That sounded impossible. There’s no way Dash could get through all that if Soul could not. “But how did you get through the storms? That was the reason why I could never come to you” Soul said admittedly. I just hope Dash understands that, I always wanted to find her. Please see… how hard it was for me to try. Dash snapped her hoof to point at Soul. “What’d I say? I… am… unstoppable.” Soul didn’t question it. Dash’s wings did look much stronger than how she remembered and nothing ever stopped Dash from achieving the impossible. Perhaps she did love Soul as greatly as she hoped. Strong enough for her to risk herself and push through the storm. However she managed to do it. It touched her deeply.

Soul had no words for how touched she was. She sniffed the last remnants of her crying. Shaking her head at how silly Dash was with what she was saying. I got to stop myself from crying again. Well if Dash could get through that storm, then so can I. We’ll go home together. Go back home to Cloudsdale and all the other pegasi. If Dash could accept her then the others could to. They could leave all this pain and heartache behind. Be together again. Fly through the clouds. Reach for their dreams side by side. I can have my dream back. Our dream.

Soul was going to break through those storms with all her strength no matter how hard it would be.

“Whatcha want to do when we get home?” Dash asked. Glad we have the same idea. They really were going to leave together! Soul was happy. Her mind raced with the possibilities on what they could do. So many things that they missed doing together over the months. They could eat ice cream. Play with the other ponies. Have sleepovers again. Maybe go to camp together. One thing shined over the others. If Dash wanted to do it, then she would get it.

“I just wanna race you again” Soul said. A chance for us to fly again. Dash burst out laughing. Almost falling back into the bed. “What…?” she started. “You think you’re gonna win?” Soul accepted that challenge. “Why not? Now that I’m back, …you’re not gonna have it so easy in the sky.” “Oh we’ll see about that.”

They were silent for a few seconds. Broken by both of them laughing just like the old times.

4.15
Rainbow stood up now. Taking a few steps over to the open doorway. Looks like it’s time, time to leave this place. I should find Blight, at least tell her goodbye. Thank her for keeping me from starving, I guess. Had Dash already met her? She hoped not. Blight certainly was an odd pony. Wouldn’t surprise me if she would be freaked out by her. I will still try to say goodbye. Find a way to keep Dash busy while she did so.

Soul tried to stand up to follow Dash but her friend shot her a glance and stopped her. “Hang on, buddy” she said. “I’m gonna go get some water. We should clean you up first, …you sorta got blood all over you.” Haha, yeah I think I do need to get cleaned up now. Certainly need to after this. It would be too weird to return home covered in all this. So much blood. So much pain. That injury still pulsed its stinging pain. Soul said nothing more, even if she wanted to admit… she wanted Dash to help her clean this up. Her friend probably wouldn’t do such a thing but maybe there was a chance. Rainbow was certainly that same caring pony she remembered her to be. A side that was missed deeply. Nothing like those terrible nightmares. All the Rainbow Dashes seen in each and every one of those heart wrenching moments that every single night gave. This is the real Rainbow Dash. I never want to see that mean one again.

Soul loved it. She loved her. Watching her best friend in the whole world head off towards the door with that beautiful tail wagging the happiness of a pony finally made real, I want to show her how much she means to me. I want her happy. To know I still care for her after all of this. After waiting for too many months, she could touch her best friend again and… and finally apologize.

Soul wasted no time in standing back up, running towards her rainbow tailed friend without her even noticing. Too focused on the snow outside the door to realize Soul was leaping straight at her. I want to hug you again. Catch me. Or not. I don’t care. Rather us fall to the ground together. Anything. Just to show you how much I missed you. How she longed to do this.

Her forehooves outstretched to grab hold of her best friend that she fell forward with a quick flap of her wings and Dash barely able to turn around in time to see Soul fall upon her. Right into her. At last!

“Dashie!”

4.16
Soul hit the ground hard, bashing her nose straight into the floor just short of landing right outside the door.

What happened? Soul blinked. Looking down her nose. Seeing the open door ahead of her. All it was. Wait… but… Soul winced at the pain in her nose. Laying there on her belly with legs outstretched, she groaned. “Ow…” She placed a hoof to rub her nose and rubbed it. Continuing to do that as she stood up. Did I just miss Dash? That was impossible. I went right at her. I was supposed to hug her.

I know… something is wrong. Turning around not letting her hoof leave her nose. There was Dash except…

Soul gasped.

What is this?! What am I even seeing. Like all the cyan fur was ripped away and floated about the air. Waves of it swirling and ripping straight from Rainbow’s very body. Flowing about and disappearing into the air exactly like smoke from the fireplace would do. That’s what it was… smoke.

Rainbow Dash fell apart.

She disappeared into the world around her, staring at Soul. All that was left of her, Soul watched… watched those eyes disappear before she could even breathe. That filly’s body churned and faded. Her stance broke. Her silence turned to a small sigh coming out strong. Not Dash’s own. Another voice. So disappointed.

This has to be a dream, some crazy thing in my head… no way this can happen. No way as her best friend… melted away into the air. Gone as fast as she could try to reach out to her. Seeing all the cyan and rainbows of her gorgeous friend bleed away into mist carried high and far around them both before popping out of existence itself. Blasting away in a slight breeze that made Soul’s own fur wave. All those colors disappeared. Everything I wanted… gone in the wind. That wind that flew away.

Dash was gone.

A black Pegasus standing where Dash had been. Soulblight.

4.17
She just stood there facing away from Soul. Head kept low to stare at the ground. She looked upset. Displeased. Over what? As much as I want her to say something. She would say nothing. Tell me now… because now… now I am seeing what you just did.

Tell me what you just did. Apologize to me. She had to apologize but Blight did not. Why wouldn’t she? Soul becoming more angry hidden under how shocked she was. There could be no other explanation: Blight tricked me. But it was Dash. There was no way it couldn’t have been. Every word she spoke sounding just like the filly. There was no difference in it. Talking to her just like she did when they played together. Yet… she was gone. A trick.

I have never heard of magic like this.

All from Blight. Because of this, her rage boiled. But she was surprised how it did not come out. She did not want to yell. She only looked back down to the same carpet Blight stared at. Seeing the few droplets of blood staining the carpet between her bloody hooves. Still lost in everything that had happened. Still remembering that soft and loving voice of her best friend.

“Do you not wish to yell at me?” she heard Blight say across from her. She glanced up still seeing Blight refusing to make eye contact. Soul did not say anything. It actually made Blight wince. “That’s a surprise for I can tell how mad you are at me.” That was not far from the truth. I want to scream at you. There are so many words I can throw at you. Finding it fit to simply stare at Blight sadly with none of those words able to come out of her weak mouth. Only one line could escape in a hushed whisper.

“Blight…, why?”

Soulblight shook her head. The black Pegasus so uneasy before her. If she was angry, she had no right to be. Tricking Soul with such cruelty. Those dragon eyes rose to meet her own eyes.

“Why?” Blight said. “You ask me why? Soul…” Blight backed away losing any semblance of her being angry. She turned to the fireplace. Sending her hoof out to cut the air until it pointed to something behind her. Soul followed to find the very thing she had dropped. That shard of glass still laying on the carpet with her own blood soaking it in the middle of a pool of red spotted right into the carpet. “Soul, …why would you do that?!” Blight yelled. “Do you have any idea what you tried to do?” I do… and… Soul stopped. Stopped when she actually smiled at Blight. Could feel herself smiling.

Her little smile even making Blight reel back a bit. Shocked how I really don’t care? I’m not disturbed. Disturbed over how… nothing had changed. So she said it. “I wanted to get rid of the pain.” Soul looked up. Anger blaring in her eyes even with her smiling. “So I could cause no more pain to others.”

4.18
Soulblight said nothing. Soul watched that damned monster as she stared wide-eyed back at Soul. Her brilliant white teeth, the only other deviation in her dark color, standing out in her gaping maw. Why would she even be shocked? Not like Blight cares. It was not like she liked her. Not at all. Nothing had changed. Rainbow Dash is never going to come for me and I was stupid to think she would, even if I really want that pony to come in for me, just like I just saw moments ago. Her actual best friend. Not a trick. No damn dark magic that could allow this beast to take the look of her friend. Take her voice, her personality. Take everything she wanted from Dash. Just to play with me like this. She really was a monster. But Soul’s heart paused momentarily from what her eyes caught.

She saw another little tear sparkle in the light of the fire. A sparkle falling through the air let loose by Blight herself. She was not angry anymore. Blight shed a tear out from the darkness and shadows of her fur. Through the silvery mist. Through her blistering eyes. Her lips curling as she huffed and sniffed. “Soul…” she said. “You tried to end your own life.” Her dark hoof slammed down on the ground. Going straight into that carpet and beyond with no sound at all.

“Do you… have any idea… how sad that would make me?”

Just another joke. I could see that. She could. But… those tears. Blight was actually crying for her. It was… just like the ones… I saw Dash cry out. The Dash that made me smile just a minute ago. The same tears. Standing above her examining the wound that was meant to take her own life. Blight, so you were the one crying. But she had done so much just to make Soul’s life terrible. She took Dash from her. All her friends and her life gone. There was no way she could care for her. Blight was wrong. She was a damn liar.

“Idiot!” Blight screamed. It made Soul jump with how sudden it was. “Think about Dash…” she wiped away her tears. I… I can’t stop myself from crying. Dash is all I think about, and she is why I wanted to do this. There would be no way she could ever bring happiness to the filly she loved. No way she could deserve it back. “Rainbow Dash is your best friend. You are hers” Blight said. “How do you think she would feel if she found out you were gone forever? That she may never have any chance to see you again?”

4.19
“She would not want to see me again!” Soul yelled at the top of her lungs. So loud that her voice broke. All her anger flooding out finally in that painful sentence. Dying down to a whisper. “It’s why she never came for me. …And I can never come for her. She doesn’t want to see me anymore.” Soul looked away again. Down at the bloodstains below. More appearing since she last saw. If only it were even more. Enough to end it all. So I don’t need to feel so sad now. Stronger than before. Building up so much that it hurt.

“Soul…” Blight whispered above her. Blight was there. So close now. Hadn’t even noticed her. Just a leg’s reach from her. Soul backed away till her tail was almost out the open door. Stay away from me. Don’t you dare come near. Blight did nothing more to come closer. She sadly watched the filly back away from her. She spotted movement behind the black mare. Deep in the shadows of the room but shining bright like the Sun. The glass shard. Floating on its own through the air. “You’re so selfish” Blight whispered. Nothing more, just the glass shard launching into the fire. Disappearing in that blaze with all the blood covering it. All the evidence of what she did. To crackle and break under the intense heat.

“I would understand why you think I don’t care for you. I understand why you think you are so alone… because I know you have not had a friend for most of your life. But I do not want you to die. …And neither would Rainbow Dash.” Soul watched the Pegasus wander over toe one of the windows. Standing between her and the fireplace. Staring out at the world beyond that half-buried window.

“Do you know how I was able to take on her appearance?” Blight asked.

Something with your weird magic. I don’t know, not like I’m a unicorn or a weirdo. Maybe this freak had some skill. Or maybe something like a Changeling? None of it made sense. “Because I know how she is all thanks to what you saw in her” Blight admitted. All I see… is the Dash I am afraid of. The one I hurt. All because of you, Blight. I don’t see the one I miss. The one who flew with me in the skies. Blight had replicated that pony exactly. Soul could tell.

That was Rainbow Dash.

“Every night, I listen to her” Blight said. Soul… couldn’t say a word. Because she just heard that right. What? Blight spoke. “Did you know that your best friend cries at night?”

Just like… me? Rainbow cried? I… I never could imagine her crying at night. Those beautiful tears. She wouldn’t cry at night. No. Dashie has so much to be happy about. She would never go to bed sad. Never. Blight is lying. She has to be. Right?

“You listen to her?” Soul questioned. Are you lying to me? Blight never took her eyes from the window. She nodded. Sighing so deeply. “You more than anypony understand me as capable of such a thing. I am a “freak” after all.” That was actually… hard to hear. Why would she call herself a freak? She’s never said that before. I… I never called her that… except… well…

She felt bad. I do call her that, but I would never call her that to her face. Yet… does she know I do think that of her? I’m… I’m sorry. I…

“But yes, …she cries at night. I listen to her whimper under her covers. Do you know why?” Blight asked. Soul slowly shook her head. “The same reason you cry at night” Blight said. Turning to face Soul directly now.

“Because she misses you.”

4.20
The world stayed silent as Blight continued to talk. Soul could not interrupt her. She won’t dare. Dashie cries for me? Blight...

“She wants to see you again… yet you expect her to find you!?”

“Rainbow is a child just like you. No matter how much she wants you back, you can not seriously expect her to find you on her own. That is why I want to help you. I truly do. Yet… here you are… trying to kill yourself.” Blight scoffed. Rainbow was a filly. A strong one but still a little girl… just like me. I lost all hope of being able to get out of here and see her again. Because of this damn land. If I can’t get through those storms… then… Dash could not find her either. “But I’ll… never be able to leave. I want to see Dash again” Soul said with her tears fighting so hard to flood out. “I can’t leave. You said it yourself.”

“Not right now” Blight said. The mare heaved a heavy sigh. Setting one of her huge wings down upon her chest. Softly brushing her hoof over the feathers she carefully stared upon. Like marveling in her own wings.

“Let me tell you a story, Soul.” She said still patting her wing. “Your friend, Rainbow Dash, is an undeniably amazing pony. So amazing and confident. It was because of that that she flew faster than she ever did merely a few days ago. Some move she called… a sonic rainboom.” A… a sonic rainboom? So Dash has started naming stunts. Whatever it was, it must be fast, and Dash had achieved it. Such a great filly. I wish I could be like her. I wish I could be there to see her do this stuff.

Blight continued. “She went so fast that I doubt anypony could ever hope to come close to topping it. A record that left countless ponies across Eqeustria amazed at her talent, and she was just a filly doing it all on her own… because she did not give up. Yet you’re standing in this house…” she pointed a hoof at the fireplace. At the shard tossed inside there. “Giving up all hope.” She stopped. Sitting down. Setting her wing back to her side and sighing deeply. Closing her eyes and not opening them even as she spoke. Soul waited. Couldn’t do anything. Just hear Blight talk about her best friend like this. Talk so passionately.

“I don’t want you to give up. I only wish to see you achieve what you want. Overcome this obstacle that fate has given you. If you choose not to, then you will never know how much Dash loves you.”

How much she… loves me.

4.21
Soul stepped outside. Her hooves going over the threshold of the doorway and right back into the cold of the world outside where the wind was always there to greet her. I can’t think straight anymore. I can’t… do anything. My neck hurts so much. That pain that never went away. But… I know what I should do.

She stopped. Looking back around the doorway to see Blight still sitting in her place. She looked so sad to see the filly leave. No need to be sad… at least… at least I want to tell you one last thing. She deserved that at least.

“I’m sorry” she spoke softly. Blight’s ears drooped down. “I just wanna be alone right now.”

Soul split her wings. Taking off. Leaving it all behind.

4.22
I really did think I had finally gotten through to Soul. Finally shown her not everything was dark and dismal. I came so damn close to stopping all this, so close. Then it all had to be ruined from one stupid mistake. How could I not tell Soul would want to hug Dash? It was natural. The filly longed to see Dash again. I’m an idiot. At least… she finally came back to that point for just a brief moment where she came close enough to hugging a pony she loved. But Blight could never fill that role no matter how much of a façade she could make to try and desperately keep Soul happy.

Walking outside the doorway, Blight stopped. Looking back down at what was left of the little filly who left her. Those tiny drops of dark blood stained right into the carpet. The highest point of a sadness Blight could not imagine Soul was going through. To think… just by seeing Dash, she lost all that sadness for just a moment. But…

If only I could make those dreams come true too.

There were no words to describe how much joy she felt seeing Soul happy after so much time. The last time being that distant memory of the two of them laying on the mountain top together. I really thought if I could just be that pony she wants, I would make her happy. But no, it was only her friend. Only Rainbow Dash. Because she still hates me even though I saved her life. Bringing some joy to her for a moment, even if it was just a lie. Still doesn’t appreciate it. No love. If only Soul had not left. I would be there for her. I will not leave her. I will be the one. To be her friend. But looking out and about. Far into the distant grey sky under a light cloud cover, she could not spot Soul. She could not call out to her or go after her because Soul would not want her to. She wanted to be alone even if Blight offered her company and help until the filly could finally go home.

That is why… I am so sad.

4.23
Soulblight wandered past Soul’s house heading back to the house she came to mark as her own. That dark and lonely house. Walking past, she spotted something out of the corner of her eyes calling her attention. That was right. I can’t leave that laying here. Best to just put it back in her house where it’d be safe, otherwise it would just get buried out here. The box of pony dolls, left sealed by the window on the side of Soul’s house. Left by her sitting atop a mound of snow.

She walked over to it. This box she never got the chance to give to the filly. That plan ruined when I saw her through the window doing… that. Ugh, if I had been a minute later. I should have paid attention to Soul, how unhappy she has been without Dash. I did a good job at being Dash, but… I can’t be her for sure. It was a good job of making Soul feel bad in the end, me feel bad as well. All I did was trick her. I can never be her best friend. As much as she wanted to. The gift of Rainbow Dash was not what she was. It was not what these dolls were. Dash was the only pony who could make things better. Not these dolls. So Blight wrapped them up in her magic, keeping them in tow as she trudged back to her house, head left hanging close down to the snow.

If only I could be her best friend. If only I had not made everything so difficult and destroyed any chance of being Soul’s friend. Finally make the filly happy and not feel so alone. She could not fill that role. Looking down at her black hooves gliding in and out of the snow. The hooves of a monster who only made things worse for an innocent child.

And all I wanted was… to feel loved by a pony.

I don’t deserve it… but why not? Walking past the dark wall of her own house, she stopped. Raising her head up to glance into the window giving vision to the darkness within. A darkness her reflection blended in with to the point where it were like she had none at all. But she could see her eyes at least. Blinking back at her. Each second, staring at that sight in her eyes. A boiling sea of red. All that red flooding where her yellow eyes had been all around needle thin pupils… my pupils.

Every time she saw them. Every moment when I feel like this. They make me disgusted. Sitting herself down to watch them coil about in the window. All that color that was not her own. Her eyes were not that of the very blood that Soul left behind. They were supposed to be beautiful little stars. I always thought myself to be beautiful. I… loved it when Soul looked at me. She looked at me like I was beautiful. A lie. Only because I was wearing Dash’s skin. She never earned such praise from the filly.

I won’t ever.

4.24
I want to be told I am beautiful too. I want to feel like it. At least… for Soul to think so. She could never match the beauty of a true friend. She brought her tail forward, holding it close to her side before she finally grabbed it with her hooves. Gently caressing the countless soft hairs that made it so long, long enough to near drag on the ground when she walked. Long enough to be so elegant. So black with the most tiniest of silver lines gleaming like moonlight.

These colors aren’t right.

They weren’t correct but… I’ll care for them anyways. Always keeping them thick and straight even if none of the earth could touch them to ruin her work. She petted her tail, loving it like none other. Loving her work that she put effort into all over. At least I think I am beautiful enough to be loved. Unlike what Soul thinks. Not at all.

“She doesn’t like how I am” she spoke down to her tail. Seeing that that black finish of her tail now shining red. Ha, must be from my eyes. Growing stronger and stronger like fire. “I can’t be one she would want to be around.” I know just how she feels about me and I really, really want to change that. Every effort she put in to make Soul happy if just for a moment was never enough to change that fact. The fact that… “She thinks that…”

How would you say it, Soul? Like this?

“Soulblight is a freak.” Hahaha, I sound just like her. I’m surprised. I can do a good Soul impression as well. A perfect replica just like my Rainbow Dash. Her own voice only coming back as a sigh of relief to calm herself. It was at that moment that she fully realized the weight of how angry she was. “I can’t be mad at her…” she said lifting her hoof up to her face. “Because I am a freak. I am evil.” It was all because of her. If she had just kept her stupid mouth shut than Soul would be home right now enjoying herself with Rainbow Dash at her side. Even if… in the end, I would never get this chance to speak with Soul. At least I wouldn’t have ruined her life.

Dash would be dead.

4.25
Was that really right? That is why I did all this in the first place. Everything that led up to Soul’s life being like this. All because I just wanted to protect their precious friendship. Soul knew that. She had to. She was the one who agreed to it. Neither of them saw any other way. I had to take over what she wanted…!

I had to kill and Soul allowed me.

Yet she wanted to put all the blame on me.

She hates you.

She hates me because I hurt her. Maybe it was the right thing to do but that did not make it justified. Rainbow Dash was gone anyways. Everything she tried to do was for naught. Their friendship was destroyed and now that little filly was all on her own to try and fix it. When I am supposed to be the one to do that. She had to be the one. It was the only way to make things right. Because Soul was just a filly.

That’s right. She was just a filly like Rainbow Dash. Neither of them could do anything to reach back to one another. They were gone forever, and so Soul tried to kill herself. She tried to do it because of all I did to hurt her.

She tried to do it because she’d rather not deal with you.

Blight stared deep down at the snow cast deep in such a horrible red shine. Not even from the Sun, haha. No… that’s all because of me. These damned eyes! My eyes. I.. I can’t even do this right now. I hate not feeling like I am worth anything to her. All her mistakes. This blasted body. The fact that I am not Rainbow Dash and never could be. She could not fill the void. No matter how much good she wanted to do, …it never did work in the end. All because she could never pull it off.

I guess that’s the reason why I am never good enough. Never good enough to earn love. Soul abandoned me. She abandoned me like everypony else.

They never loved you. They never needed you. She does not need you.

4.26
But why don’t they need me? All I ever did was try so hard to make things right. Oh please could Soul just come back? Just tell me how much she at least appreciates my efforts. All I’m doing is trying to make things comfortable for the filly. She could only do so much. Trust me, I wish every day that I can find a way to bring Dash back. Do something right. But no, I keep messing up. I do my best. My best to give Soul what she needs.

But I need Soul.

Yes! I need her. I want her. I wanted so much to be able to talk with her and now… now she hates me.

Then leave her.

I will never do such a thing. It is because of me that Soul is like this. Even if I get nothing out of this from Soul, I want to feel like I did all I can to make her happy. Something to make it feel like I have some sort of talent. Not caring what that talent to be, even if it were making others feel happy. I must help her.

Such a trifle never stopped you before.

4.27
I… will… never abandon her. I can’t leave her to suffer… I need her. I want her to be my friend. That is all that I ever wanted.

I spent so long. So very long wanting that. So long that it made my heart ache. Always the same in the end. They always left me alone. They always were the ones who hurt me. They always hurt me. That actually rang hard inside her. Made her silent. Made her still. Because… because Soul could do that too.

Please don’t leave me. I did everything. I helped so much. I saved the filly because she deserved to live. But… like always. It was worthless. She does not need me in the end, …even if I want to help her with all my heart. No pony ever needed her.

If she does not need you… then…

4.28
“Get rid of her.”

Blight heard those words. She could swear she saw them too. Saw them escaping in the window she stared upon. Let loose into the world... by her own mouth. Blight gasped.

I said that. Through my own mouth. The mouth she could see grinning back at her. Slithering out from her own tongue between those gleaming fangs. Her… fangs. As white as the snow that laid around her. Laid inside of a mouth that uttered such a sin. It froze her heart. To see those fangs… once more. Saying something so terrifying. So horrible. Blight stared. Stared until she could not look at herself anymore. Go away.

Go away.

Go.

Get rid of her.

“No!”

4.29
The Sun was beginning to set. It was getting colder. The wind began to blow harder. Made worse by how high Soul was sitting at the top of her favorite mountain peak. Staring down at the village. The tiny little dots of the houses in an endless sea of white. Not much had changed of this scene over the hours.

Soul’s mind laid still watching the scene. It actually kept her calm. This being the most calm she had been in a while. It felt kind of nice. Not having to think of any nightmares. No angry ponies yelling at me and nothing making me feel bad. Hell, sometimes I even forgot what it was I almost did. It tried its best to remind her, still stinging and drawing her attention to gently rub the wound. She no longer felt dirty now that the blood had finally stopped flowing. All the blood covering her body having time of their own to dry up and stain her fur. It was all quiet now. Quiet enough for her to finally be able to just sit back and watch the clouds pass by overhead. Stare in awe at the wide-open sky.

I never have taken any time to just sit back and look out at this sky, not like I used to do back home. Vast, blue and inviting. Even if it were bleak, this world had a sky. One that no other ponies but her could fly through. But it would be nice to still share it with Dash.

So somewhere out there, my best friend is still flying, huh? Flying high and far just like we did side by side together every chance we had. A sonic rainboom? What did that look like? There was no telling how amazing it could be. That really was just like Dash. Somewhere beyond all this snow was the pony she loved still working hard to carry out all her dreams. Soul really did want to be there to watch her do just that. See what this rainboom was and be there every step of the way to see her friend achieve her dreams. Dreams that we shared. Flying around out there with Rainbow Dash, really my only dream now.

But this world was a barrier. A barrier she could not think of how to get past. Probably can’t even get out of it at all. Just like she did before… the incident. The wind blowing over her reminding her of how dangerous it was. No matter how much she wanted to show how much she loved Dash it was that gnawing fear that kept her grounded.

4.30
Even if she could return, there would be no guarantee it would work. Besides, all those ponies probably still hate me. Celestia will try to get rid of me.

What if Dash still hates me?

That possibility remained. That would be something Soul could not imagine. Do so much to get back home and see that nothing changed. Sent right back to being all alone. Dashie still being mad at me. But… I can’t get it out of my head.

That Rainbow Dash that likes me.

A Rainbow Dash who tended to her wounds, who laughed and joked with her. Played with her and made everything seem like all was perfect. Exactly what best friends would do. Was that not how things were before everything that happened? There could be a chance that she was out there, her friend who still cared for her. The happiness she could bring. Even if it was all a trick, Soulblight did do one thing with her little show. It was a little thing that I forgot.

The feeling of being happy.

She was happy for the brief time she saw Dash, standing in the doorway of her icy house. She was happy at the idea of finally being able to do all the fun things they used to do. Hearing Dashie talk exactly like she did before they fought. She did… Soulblight did sound just like her. That was the Rainbow Dash she loved. Not the ones who make me cry at night… or the one who told me how much she hates me. Who would abandon me. There was a Rainbow Dash who did love her. She was out there. She would be out there every day and every night like the night that would be coming. Would she cry tonight?

If it were true, …did Dashie actually cry at night? Oh Dashie, do you… do you have nightmares just like me? Do you miss me? If only I could return home. I’d come back to you and fly right into your room. Anything to stop you from crying. I can already hear what you would say. To finally hear you say it again. “Soul.”

I may not even be able to stop myself from hugging you. Let you know that I am back. That I will never be mean to you again and beg you to forgive me. They could be friends again. They could live a perfect life again. Spend so many nights with each other. Be there for one another until the end of time. That is what I wish for. As much as I want you to be there for me. I will be there for you too.

There is a Rainbow Dash who wants to be there for me, I know it. The same Rainbow Dash from before.

Soulblight was right.

4.31
Soul stood atop the mountain. The wind blowing through her devastated mane, gently flowing along her neck. She followed the path of the wind blowing over her to where it went. To the crater behind her. To the walls of storms behind that whose darkness hung high over the mountain range at the far side of the crater. Somewhere at the other side of that storm that never ended was Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash out there working hard. The one who never gave up. Who always managed to achieve her goal in the end no matter how many things tried to stop her. The pony that I rely on. She was beyond that storm never letting herself give up.

…Soul felt it. She felt completely ashamed. Inside this world of ice, she had given up. That is where you beat me now. I never let you beat me at anything… but looks like I failed this time. I was the first to give up. Give up in a way that she now forced herself to call selfish. I am selfish. Dash is out there crying for me, and… and I actually tried to take myself away from her. If I died… how many ponies would I hurt? Even if there was a chance it could happen, in the wake of all the possibilities that Dash still hated her, Soul would never allow herself to even try and bring pain to a Rainbow Dash who cared for her by taking herself from this world. All because she had given up when Dash had done her best to teach her not to do that, and… it would make Soulblight sad too.

That mare saved me. Saved me from making a terrible mistake and I would have never known how bad it would have been if I did make that mistake. Soulblight was the one who had woken her up. “I’m not selfish. I’m not a coward.” I will do anything to prove I am not selfish. If it had to start with her showing love to the ponies who she cared for, then so be it. She would work for it. She refused to give up. If she did, Dash would win that contest. There’d be no way that could happen.

Soul whispered her little voice into the wind, letting it be carried to whatever ends of the Earth it may go for any pony to hear. “Thank you, Blight.”

I won’t give up. Never.

4.32
“I still love you, Dashie. No matter what!” She shouted proudly to the sky. Staring up at the chilly sky which licked her body with its cold. But… I don’t feel cold at all. I feel… warm. So warm. After so long. I… I feel so happy now. None of what happened today matters, I am still happy. Because Dash is out there for me. Then we can fly together in the big, open sky. That sky above her, opening up and she saw it. One little ray of sunlight shining through the clouds. A rip in the darkness. One little light… shining upon her.

I see it. Like the Sun itself was there for her. That light shining bright among the wind all around her. Disappearing just as fast as it came. Leaving Soul behind. Seeing what was left of that gleaming light in her eyes, remembering forever what happened this day. That I still love Dash. I always will. It felt beautiful. So much that it tingled all over. A little sensation flowing all about with all that was left of that warming light… and all that was left…

I feel… weird. Like… only my… my flanks!

I’ve never felt this before.

Warm and hollow. Calm and exciting. All at once. Flaring all along her hind legs. Such a brief feeling, like nothing before. She had to see what it was. That warmth along her flanks. The first time she ever felt that.

What is happening to me?

Soul looked. Over her shoulder and past her wings. Her eyes widened. Never expecting to see such light. Light glowing along her flanks. Burning bright in red. Beating and pulsing… swirling with the wind around the one part of her body she would never expect to see bring this light upon the world. Her flank.

So that’s… what it is?

Finally.

4.33
This village really was too quiet. Even more noticeable in the coming of night such as now. If only it did have inhabitants who could go about their daily lives and give it some sense of being like a city. Soul had to be the one who broke the silence. Landing with a crunch in the snow, she hummed a gentle and soft tune. It just sounds nice. A little bit of music to remember how things used to be because I remember this song did help me fall asleep once. But I only know some of the lyrics. Though she hummed it anyways.

Soulblight’s song. There is no way I can sing it like she did. Not a chance. I can’t even sing. But… it still sounded nice enough in her head. Soul did want to know where the song came from. Maybe it would be worth it to ask tonight.

Trotting to the front door of her house, she took a leap and glided down the hole to reach her doorway. Preferring not to use the ramp. She spotted something to her left. Sitting next to the door, on top of the concrete porch was a pile of wood. Freshly laid out with barely any snow on them. Boards to be exact. Looking like they came from some piece of furniture. Cut apart and left there. More firewood. Another gift of it from Blight. Maybe she was inside!

Soul hurried to push the door open with both her forehooves, landing back down upon the soft carpet within. The fire still kept her house lit and warm enough. Looking all over, she found only her room.

Empty. Save for the pools of dried dark red blood left to mark what would have been her greatest mistake.

I want to clean all that up. Get that crap out of my sight. I never want to think of that… that thing that would have broken Blight’s heart… and hurt Dash so badly. Soul would not want this blood to be here for Blight to see if she came into the house. Though, honestly, I would have liked her to be here already. I have something to say and to show her. But she was gone. Leaving Soul’s house behind. Maybe she really did not want to see the blood. It must have been hard to see me do something so terrible. Probably at the house she always was in.

4.34
Soul flew out from the doorway and straight into the chilly sky beneath the moonlight. Hovering just over the rooftops of the village, just looking down at the other house. The one next to her own. If only I could tell if Blight is there. A light perhaps. None. Well, shouldn’t be surprised. Blight never needed light. Never did anything normal. A lot of freaky things. Oh, …I need to stop thinking of her like that. Blight is different but she is still decent. She did save my life today.

Was there even a door to Blight’s house or was it buried? She normally did spot her going in and out of the house through a hole in the roof. Soul wanted to make sure. Might be best for me to use the door. She glided back down, close enough to see how deep all the snow was around the house. Nearly up to the roof with the remnants of a window here and there peeking out from above the snow. She flew around the house. Looking at every window. Couldn’t even see through them. It was too dark in there. Besides seeing the moonlight shine in there. It was not enough light.

Soul rounded the corner again, finding no door. Nothing. Just… the roof that she looked up to. I can’t be afraid, I need to tell Blight something. That would be good enough. There’d be no reason more to disturb the black Pegasus any further tonight. Not after what Soul did. Being mean to her and almost breaking her heart. I completely understand if she’s mad at me. Just peak in and tell her.

4.35
Soul stopped. Wait, what’s that? Just saw something gleaming. She turned to find it. It being… another window. Huh… it’s destroyed? But… I never noticed that. All the other windows were perfect. This is the first window around here that I ever saw destroyed. A big hole burst into it like somepony threw something at it. Lots of rigid and sharp remains of glass still jutting out from the sides of what was the window, all around that huge hole in it.

No going through that window. Looks like sharp glass, I’d hurt myself for sure. And… I know how bad that glass is. What a sad house for Blight to live in. With all these holes in it, it must be cold inside. It sure was cold out here. I really do hope she can’t feel the cold like she said. She had no way of really telling for sure.

She beat her wings to fly up over the roof and it was easy from there to spot the hole perfectly cut in up there. There really was a lot of snow on top of the roof. So much, anypony would slip on that. The filly had to gently set herself down on it. As slow as possible. Keeping her wings ready to catch her if she fell. Give it a few seconds. It was safe now.

She carefully walked over the icy surface until she reached the hole. From there she could finally peer inside. Leaning her head in, she spotted the circular body of moonlight cast on the carpeted floor below, and that was all she could see. Everything else was too dark. Sometimes it looked like something moved in the corners. She could not pick them out. Soul squinted, looking left and right and slowly walking all along the edge of the hole. Trying to spot anything. Nothing.

Is she even in there? “Blight” she called down in a soft tone. Something moved! She could barely catch it in time to pick it out from all the other dark shadows down there. She knew what it looked like. Looked like ears flopping up. Listening to her call. I… I can see her. A tiny shimmer of silver in the dark… connected to more of that silvery glow so small she could easily miss it if she were not looking so hard. There was a pony down there. Blight.

She did not respond. Didn’t even look like she cared. She could not see those yellow eyes of a dragon. Blight never turned to her. Never even said a thing. So she is upset. Upset with her. I feel so ashamed. I called her so many names… and she was only looking out for me. I regret being so stupid… again. I make a bad habit of it. Blight did mess up too but… I know that what I did today… it hurt Blight just as bad as she hurt me. Trying to kill myself. I hate what I tried to do.

She did not want to leave Blight empty-hooved like this. Even if she had no right to go down there, Soul could at least say something. Tell her the thing she wanted to say. Maybe it would make things a little better. Blight did not deserve to spend the entire night sad. She readied her wings to go back home so as not to overstay her welcome. But not before I tell her something.

Soul gulped. Saying it in the most sincere whisper she could manage.

“I’m sorry.”

4.36
Blight listened close to the sound of the filly’s wings flapping as she went back to her house. Continuing to listen. She was gone. It was safe. Blight opened her eyes, casting the deep glow of a bloody hue on the empty wall she sat before. Thank goodness Soul had not come in. I have no way of explaining why I look like this to her. There would be no explanation for what she had done.

Rubbing one of her hooves over the soft fur of her chin, then she felt it. Those things in her mouth. Long and sharp. Running down her face. That smooth surface ending in a point that hurt to touch, making her reel her hoof back. But couldn’t stop her from running her tongue all along the dozens of them. They were all still there. They had to go away. Blight could not go around looking like this. If Soul sees them… Blight hushed herself. Thinking about the frightened filly shivering in terror, hiding in a corner away from her. No way she’d want to talk with a pony who has all these… damn fangs.

No. No! I never want to see her afraid of me. Seeing me like this, nothing any filly should ever see. No she could not. Even if that apology was meaningless.

4.37
Even looking like this, I should be the one who apologizes. I have so many things to apologize for. Because I was wrong. Wrong in thinking she would be different. I did all this just…

Just so she could have that pony she dreams of.

It would be best to just leave the filly be. It was what Soul wanted. Nothing bad could happen in that case. Nothing.

I shouldn’t apologize. It’s meaningless. So meaningless, just like Soul’s little apology. Meaningless like if I were to apologize… to…

All the others.

Hehe, Soul really was a bad pony. No different from any other.

Funny, Soul would never accept my apology if she knew what I was thinking.

4.38
Soul wiped her face off to clean what was left of her tears. Rubbing her eyes. So dizzy this morning, waking up to the bright sunlight shining in. Took a while to clean away all those tears. All those terrible things she had seen. They hurt so much more tonight than they used to. Just… want to forget them, though it was hard.

Soul smacked her hoof against the mattress. The hit even bounced her head a bit against the tear-drenched pillow she slept on. Sad but now, now I’m mad. Angry that it happened again. She could not hope to put her hoof on why. That is not Rainbow Dash. It never was. But there was something about seeing her… her like that to me. Only in my nightmares. It hurts so bad. It did not make it hurt any less to hear her yell at her either.

“Stupid nightmares” she muttered. She kicked the blanket up with her hind legs to send it flying. Draping it down the foot of her bed. Raising her head, she could look back down at her pillow seeing the large spot darker than the rest of its white surface. I really want to stop crying at night. Stop waking up to this. It feels so terrible. This was not the day she wanted to feel terrible. This was supposed to be the start of something good. The time had come to see Dashie.

…A nicer Dashie… I hope.

4.39
Get out of this damn bed. Leave behind all the sadness and loneliness the night gave her. So Soul leapt out of it without a moment’s rest. Standing on all fours under the glow of the sunlight, awake and ready.

Today is a new start. I know what I need to do today. Keep going at it and don’t shy away. In the end, I know I will get what I want. I’ll prove it. Even starting with a nice stretch. Just loosen up her legs and wings. They had to be readied for today. Especially her wings. They would have a lot to do, and this always feels amazing to do. It was stupid of me to not do it for so many months. A nice return to it.

She breathed hard. Smiling about how good she felt. Wiping away what was left of her tears, she faced towards the fireplace. Still burning behind the large basin Soul had set out in front of it before going to bed. But it looked to be smaller than it should be. It needed more fuel. I need that thing to be roaring! She brought the pile of wooden boards inside just for this. They lay there propped up on their sides against the edge of the fireplace. Neatly set up by Soul before going to bed. Better than sitting around feeling like shit over the stupid things I did yesterday.

She walked over to them. Gently brushing her wing over the side of the basin, whose edge was as high as she was. Low enough for her to look in as she passed. Good! The snow had all melted inside it. All the hooffuls of snow she dumped into it all gone, doing just as she hoped. All night long, plenty of time for it all to melt. It looked to be enough. It actually made her pause. Curious to see how well her plan worked. Reaching one of her hooves high over it edge, she dipped it in. Part of me is scared it’s gonna be freezing cold water. Though she was not expecting a miracle. Nothing like the bathwater back home, how VI miss that. But it felt okay as it was. A mildly lukewarm feel to her hoof. As good as I can get it. In due time.

She continued to the fireplace right behind the basin. Alright this won’t be as hard as last night. Just pull them over and toss them in. No dragging them halfway across the room.

4.40
She tapped her hoof against the closest board, pushing until it finally fell over with a clank. Rushing over to the head of the board, reaching down and clamping her mouth down on the board’s tip. Pulling with all her strength and a tiny grunt to move the board, twice her size, in front of the fireplace. Whatever Blight got these from certainly was from somewhere new. These were the largest chunks of wood yet. Was this some sort of test? No, Blight was probably just running out of small stuff. I just hope we won’t run out of things to burn. That would be hell having to… deal with all this with no fire. Just hiding under the covers. No way.

Soul reached down with both forelegs, edging the tips of her hooves underneath the board’s underside until she was able to prop it up and slide her legs underneath. Like she was hugging it. She knelt down to firmly place her chest against its length and let her wings loose. Floating up with ease. No big board could beat these puppies.

Good enough. No need to go too high. A kick of her hind legs and the help of her wings, then she was able to throw the board in. Landing it right in the fire to bury beneath it what was left of the ashen wood already inside. The fire roared. Looks good.

She was able to toss in a few more boards, enough to keep it going for a while. And I’m getting tired of picking these damn heavy things up.

“Alright.” Turning her head back to the basin. She ran around it and set her hooves against it. Pushing hard to get it to move, which it did, slowly. It certainly was a lot of water. She kept pushing. Stopping when she heard it clang into the rock finish of the fireplace and could go no more. That should keep it warm. One last thing. I need a rag.

4.41
Ah, that’ll do. My blanket. She ran back to her bed. Pulling the blanket down, firmly placing both of her forehooves down on it and moving till she found a clean looking part of her blanket. She pressed down harder to keep it in place. Sorry, blanket. You have been serving me well, but gotta use you for something else. Her teeth grabbed hold of the corner of it. It wasn’t too thick and certainly was old. This should be able to work. Still keeping it planted on the ground, she reeled her head back with a hard tug. Strong enough… the blanket tore so loudly. There was a big tear in the threading now just below the corner she bit down on. This will work.

A good wind up and she tugged again. Then another. Each time, the blanket ripped further. Her legs readied for another big pull. Put her entire weight into it. One more time. She pulled hard. The rip was so loud. Oh crap! Soul stopped herself from falling back with the piece of blanket now torn clean off and dangling in her mouth. Ugh, finally got it. Soul shook her head. Breathing a bit fast. Man, sure has been a while since I did any work like this. Pushing and carrying and pulling all this stuff around. I haven’t worked out in a long time. That was pretty bad.

This piece of the blanket will do. Soul brought it over to the basin. Gently placing it down over the basin’s edge. Another test of her hoof proved the water had no gotten any warmer. That’s pretty bad. Please don’t be too cold.

4.42
Soul climbed over the edge. Be really careful climbing over it. It would still be a disaster if this fell over. Just like it was a disaster that this water wasn’t warm, stepping down into it. Oh my Celestia! That is cold. Almost made her leap out. Reeling back a little from the feeling. That was pretty chilly. But I’m not getting out. Already starting to get used to it.

Now… I need more than just my legs. It sounded terrifying to her. This was going to suck. But just at first. She knew this. What was a little moment of cold? Anything to get out of this whole mess. Time is here to turn things around, go back to how I know I should be. At least get clean first. Blight always did say how messy I am. All this blood on me… it’s true. There’d be no chance of going back to Cloudsdale a filthy, bloody mess. I’ll come back the same way I left so Dash will never see how bad I got. Like nothing happened at all. Alongside that, she would actually start to feel better. So just jump in.

Soul kicked her hind legs against the ground, pushing herself up and over the basin’s edge. Her entire body falling right in the water with a splash sending water to soak the carpet surrounding it. Not even fully in the water and that was hard enough. So c-cold. Enough to shiver and she gasped for air. Just the shock of it. Her whole body freaked out just like her wings. As if they were trying to take her out of the water. That was not gonna happen. Soul stayed put. Suffering through the almost painful amount of freezing chills coursing like electricity throughout her. Grinding her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut as her body shook, …then, thankfully it calmed down.

Soul sighed. Slowly opening her eyes. Feeling total relief that her body at last got used to the water. Very quickly actually. She actually sat down now. Dragging her tail down under and pressing her back up against the wall of the basin. Wow, it felt like it was beginning to warm up. Take a breather. Watch the water swish around her wings and shoulders. Silent. Peaceful. Then it came. She liked it now.

“Ahhh” she moaned laying back a little more. It had been too long. Too long since I took a bath. That lovely feeling such soothing water. It would be better if it were hot though. Sitting in this makeshift tub, only makes me want my big one again with all the steam and hot water. Like a sauna. It was awesome.

I really miss saunas. Stuff like that, it was all back home.

4.43
Soul splashed her hoof around. Lost in the motion of the water splashing and moving about with her. Watching in wonder at how all the small little pieces of dirt and debris lodged in her fur so naturally came out and left to float or sink in the water. Feeling cleaner already. She brought both her hooves together underwater, quickly bringing them up and splashing a wave of water right into her face. That cool touch making her jump a little. Feeling all that water rinse down her face. It still kind of felt good. A big shock of cold to her and then… like her face felt better. She splashed it up again, only to get her mane wet as well. Got to get used to how cold the water was. Close enough.

“Well, best get started” she said. She eased herself further in the water and slid sideways to lay on her side. Now she could actually reach her back. Taking that rag in as well. She clasped it with both hooves and went ahead scrubbing away. Not even a minute… she paused and stared. Wow. The water was almost brown now. Going back to scrubbing all along her side and to her wing. Going around her wing and getting every single spot. Her back proved to be difficult, but she managed.

I wonder, do I have to clean… that? It was still relatively new. It shouldn’t be dirty. But I have to get under my wings. Oh, I should clean it. I admit… hehe, I want to see it again. It made her so giddy. Just loving any moment she got to look at it. There’d be no reason to not be in love with it.

She raised her wing. Presenting the filthy fur tucked in down there alongside a patch that was as black as ash.

But that was no ash.

Seeing it in all its glory hidden from the world beneath her large wings, like a brand to her flanks. It is so beautiful. Soul smiled so wide down at it.

Her cutie mark!

4.44
I just love how it looks. No way this wasn’t her cutie mark. It has to be. It took a long time trying to figure out what it had been ever since yesterday. I never knew what it would be like to get one. That shining light and warm feeling. Then realizing what it was. She got to go to bed smiling last night.

That glow of red with the great black bursting across her whole flank. Looking down at it, seeing the beauty of her mark shining bright from three things deep inside the mark. Three bright, red hearts, one below the other two. Looked like they were in a triangle… but upside down. Burning bright upon her flank. Gorgeous and… surround in darkness. That is what she didn’t get at first.

Blackness all along her flank. So much of it flowing out of those hearts. It was even scary to look at at first. But now… now it looked so cool and… strange. Never thought she would have such a huge cutie mark. It went all the way down her thighs and even, a little embarrassingly, along her butt. Coiling and writhing like vines, …or maybe fire. No… it looked like thorns. It really did. Black thorns left in a trail around and behind the triad of hearts. It’s so weird. Hearts and vines? Red and black. And why is it so big?! My own cutie mark.

But none of that mattered because… it sure was cool!

I could not have asked for a better mark. The hearts looked so cute, sure, but… the vines. Black vines! So awesome. Yeah it looked cool but… she looked away from it. The problem...

That’s all I know about my mark.

Everypony always said you get your mark when you discover your special talent. But…

What is mine?

It just… appeared. What did I do special that day? Besides trying to kill myself. It was an eventful day. Yet nothing that happened fit with this mark. That was scaring her. Hearts and black vines? What the hell does that mean? What talent is that?

“What did I do to deserve you?” she asked of her cutie mark. Maybe the other ponies were wrong. Or not entirely truthful. This only happens once a lifetime. How am I supposed to know anything about it? Did I discover my talent? Or… it hurt to think about. I have nopony to explain this to me. She wished she knew. She really wanted to understand what the meaning behind this awesome mark may be. Have something to say to Dash when she showed it to her. Since Dash and I needed to still discover our talents. I finally got my mark, yes Dash would be jealous. But… I got nothing to say. Dash probably will already have her own mark too. Something cool as well. Finding her own talent. Whatever it is. I just wish… you would tell me what my talent is, she looked down at the mark. I want to know.

I want to feel special.

4.45
She gently scrubbed the rag over her mark. Being sure to clean it well and caressing the feel of it against the newly recolored fur of her flank. Keep it nice and clean. This cutie mark, even if it meant nothing right now, it still is important to me. She turned herself over, cleaning her other side as well as she did the previous. Lifting the wing on this side now to reveal her second cutie mark. A perfect replica of the one of her other side to mark her left flank. Putting care into cleaning this one as well. Two marks, no talent. Soul sighed. I was happy to get it and sad to not know what it was.

I need to go home, figure it out. The greatest moment of any pony… it’s mine now.

I have my cutie mark!

I’ll figure it out. I know I will. All ponies learn their talent. I will too. But… just need to get home.

That was the best she could do to clean herself. Just get rid of the dirt and move on. To her legs this time. She went over each one from thigh to hoof. Massaging her fur and scrubbing out all the blood stains. Get that crap off my beautiful fur. Next came her tail. Running the tips of her hooves through the many hairs and pressing down to try and straighten them. All she could do. Not like I have shampoo or anything I used to use. Just water. My tail will never look as nice as it used to.

The same had to be done for her mane, which she was well aware what she’d have to do. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and dunked her head down under. Just staying submerged for a few seconds to get her mane drenched and she lifted her head back out with a long gasp. Opening her eyes to find her violet mane left dangling down against her face. She flipped it back, running her hooves through it all to do her best to fix it up. Push some strands aside. Pull them back. Bringing some into a thick mess that she worked hard to straighten out and pull them forward. Happy to see some of her mane coming down in thick bangs over her eye just as she liked it.

Would be nice to have some conditioner!

4.46
It wasn’t perfect but… I feel so much better now. Looking up and down her fur and tail still soaking in the water. They were good looking at least, no dirt or blood. No tangles! That’s a relief. But now came the hard part. I still have to do that. I used to always leave this for later. Wait till I absolutely needed to do it. But… this damn place. It sure has done a number to them. I have to clean them.

Her wings.

This was going to be the worst. She could tell just by looking over them. All her feathers were a mess. Some even broken and in need of being pulled for new ones to grow. Then came the spans. Their fur as messy as the rest of her body had been and some hints of blood still sprayed across the right one. It all needed to be cleaned and settled.

These… these are my pride. The best parts of my body. I always loved them. Maybe loving these wings more than most pegasi or all of them, and I haven’t been taking care of them?! After all the effort to make them look good back home. Make other pegasi glitter-eyed. No excuse to slack off here. They need to be beautiful. Because they deserve it. No matter what.

4.47
Her right wing unfolded. Its great length reaching high out of the water and folding over to place itself before… before her mouth. So close. Able to see everything. All the feathers sitting there in the untended rows just waiting for her. Like the entire wing was begging her. Only one thing was holding her back. How painful this will be.

She looked all over it. Peering deep into the thick fur blanketing the tender flesh beneath. Soaking in the ‘tub’ had worked well enough. No dirt was left. Just glossy and wet fur. At least I don’t need to mess with those areas. Good news. One that did not last. Soul’s heart plummeted when she looked to examine the flesh on the underside of her span, right where all her feathers protruded. It was so red. Swollen. With tiny marks and blisters present everywhere. Some worse than others. Looking the worst just under some of her damaged feathers whose roots had been pulled or broken.

Oh why? Irritation and it had to be around the most sensitive parts of her wing. I always hated doing this. Even just soothing around a hoofful of feathers was tough enough. She literally could see dozens of feathers working together to irritate her skin. All these very same feathers needed to go as well with how damaged they were. The thought of pulling all of them, oh… sickening. She gulped. “Come on, Soul. You can do this.” Do it for Dash. Do it so my wings look as awesome as they used to be.

One moment. She breathed. Three more moments. Okay… here I go. She reached down a little more. Feeling the soft touch of her magenta feathers against her nose as she buried her mouth deep into their midst. She guided her way to the closest feather that had to be removed. Grabbing onto the feather with her teeth. Could already feel her mouth shaking in fear.

Just pull it out. Just pull. A second of pain is all it would be. She tugged a little, feeling the skin of her span rise up with the feather and warn her. Oh… man. That alone made her wince. Okay…

Do it for Dashie.

4.48
Soul shrieked in pain, her forelegs cringing and her wing twitched once. She let out a strong gasp and yelped again.

“Ahh!”

The broken feather fell out from her mouth and glided to land on the water’s surface. Silently floating. It still hurt. Dying down quickly but still there. Forcing the filly to keep her eyes shut and curling her lip. Until she slammed her hoof down in the water to splash some against her face as everything calmed down. The pain was gone. As if the stinging she was just feeling had been numbed.

“One… down.” No rush… to get… to the next one. So she guided her head back in to where the first feather had been rooted and began to gently lick the reddened skin. I remember how to do this. Took a lot of time to learn it. I used to suck at this as a foal. The only painful part of preening now was what she had just done. There was still some pain from her touch but not enough to make her stop as she softly glided her tongue to sooth the blemishes on her skin. If only a day can come when I can do this with no pain at all. Such stupidly painful preening. I miss how it used to be.

Nimbus… she was always the one who did this for me. She was so good at it that there was almost no pain. All because of how sensitive these wings are. But that mare did it so skillfully. Always trying to teach me how to do it but I always needed her in the end.

I miss her.

Doing this, it only reminds me of her. I have to do it all on my own now. Just trying to do it how she did it for me. Nimbus… you really were so nice to me. So caring.

I wonder how my mother would have been teaching me how to do this. Would she be gentle? Would it even hurt? No, don’t even think that. She’s gone. I’ll never have a mother to teach me. Never… she wiped a tear away. From the pain… or something else. All I can do is try to get home.

Another feather came out in her mouth. As awful as the last. Soul shook her head this time. Racking her brain to ignore the blaring pain so she could start licking the spot this feather came from. Her eyes glanced over down the rest of the length of her wing seeing all the other damaged feathers. It made her groan while she licked. Anything for beautiful wings.

4.49
Wish this would go faster. I always did suck at doing this. Just to have gorgeous wings. Hmm… gorgeous wings. I wonder. Does Soulblight preen too? She must have at some points. The black mare spending a lot of her time hiding away in her house, …or, well, me hiding from her all the time. Those black wings of hers, they are always so beautiful. I admit, when I grow up, I hope I have big and lovely wings just like those. Thick, always straightened and set in such curved edges that the feathers themselves looked like they could cut through wood. Soul could not recall any time when she spotted anything wrong with Blight’s wings. Like she tended to them often or something.

Wonder if it’s painful for her as well.

All pegasi were born with some natural sensitivity to their wings, her fellow black Pegasus must be sensitive as well. It was hard not to be jealous of pegasi who claimed it didn’t hurt them at all to preen. Saying it actually felt good. Hard to imagine such a damn thing. She would love to have wings like those. Where it could be fun to clean them instead of it being a chore. Making keeping them beautiful something she would look forward to doing a lot. Then maybe my wings would look perfect all the time.

Maybe Blight was one of those pegasi. She had to clean them often so surely they had to feel good to make her do that. So lucky. I need to ask her sometime, she may even know better ways for me to do it. Maybe learn a thing or two to get her wings like Blight’s. That was a nice thought. Sad though. It would have to be when she isn’t mad at me. Not after yesterday. Pull that shit off yesterday and then come to her for beauty tips, Blight would not be happy. I still can’t help but be jealous of her. Blight really was a pretty mare.

All I got is my messy self. Out came another feather.

4.50
This could not come soon enough. Finally being finished.

So glad the last feather was now out. I did well if I do say so myself. It took a while. Straightening out all the other feathers, bending and aligning them. Thickening them up. Both wings left to soak in the water a little with all those removed feathers just floating all around her. Stupid feathers, you were all such big pains. She took a moment to unfold both wings and hold them straight ahead of her face, lancing high into the air. Her eyes went everywhere. All along her spans, noting how all her flesh looked and how the red began to cool down now that they were freed of the feathers that caused all the pain. Each and every feather set one upon another in an unbroken pattern with no gaps and no way to tell that she was actually missing a lot of feathers. I did a pretty good job covering them up. Such a good job.

She smiled widely. Eyes glistening and she was lost in her love of her wings, brought back to their full glory. Oh, what the hell. May as well. She had to lean in and kiss both of them. “We made it, buddies” she said to them with her teeth bared in a grin. She folded them back up. I’m gonna get out. I feel good, I feel cleaner. As good as I can get.

She stood up, her body emerging and then rising up as her wings took flight. Lifting her up and over to set her hooves back down on the carpet. …And it was freezing. Soul shivered immediately. All wet inside this cold house. I forgot how cold it really was in here. I couldn’t even find a towel or anything. The blanket? Might be a good towel. But… oh… I’d soak the blanket. That would blow to have to sleep in a damp blanket when night came. Try to keep warm in… that. I didn’t think this out.

Soul cocked her head. Really? Is that the best way I have to dry off? She sighed.

4.51
“Do I really gotta do this?” This is the best way to dry off. I wish I had a towel. There looked to be no choice. If only we had found a towel or something in another of the houses. Soul stretched her legs out as far as they could go while keeping herself standing. Extending her wings the same way. Exactly like she were about to stretch again. One deep breath. Two. Soul opened her eyes and began to shake herself. Violently. Her entire body sent into a spasm that left a rain shower of water to fly out in all directions from her and soak the carpet and splatter the nearby wall. The fire sizzled with each drop that landed in it.

Soul finished up. Felt a little embarrassed to do that. Oh well. I feel a little drier. Still a bit wet. Looking around at how much water came off her and made a mess of the house. Whatever. Not like I’d do that outside. Going outside while soaked to the bone, that sounded more frightening than preening again. It got the job done. Just let the fire do its work for right now. Soul stepped over to the mirror. Careful not to step upon the small shards of broken glass still laying about underneath the mirror. None of them were big at all, …but they served as a reminder. Making her lurch a little. She shook her head and looked away. Not wanting to have to see them anymore than that. There was too much blood splattered on the carpet anyways to remind her.

She took a good look at herself. Raising her wings, turning her head about to look at every angle of her face in the mirror. Make sure her mane looked good. Everything looked good. She patted her hoof down on her mane to get rid of stray bangs. Even had that spiky look on top of her head. I feel normal again. I look normal again. Her long mane sitting back down over her shoulder and down her chest. Just like I used to look. It made her smile.

One… more thing. Another reminder but one she had to be sure of. I want to know how well it is getting along. She walked in a little closer and raised her head so that her throat was fully revealed to the mirror. Her hoof came up, sweeping aside tufts of fur under her chin till she revealed it. There it was. She could see her wound right there. Her first time seeing it. So this is what I did to myself yesterday. A very long cut dug deep along the entire width of her throat with red and black scabs formed over it. It looked so bloody yet no blood flowed.

This was supposed to make me not feel pain anymore? Looking at it, she felt only pain. Pain seeing such a hideous mark on her soft skin. Such ugly red to stand out in the middle of all that magenta fur. I want it gone. All because I never want anypony to see it. Dash should never have to see this. How long would it take to heal? For this blemish on her body, symbol of her stupidity, to go away. She could only do one thing for now. She hid it.

Setting much of the fur alongside the scar to lock and link until they covered it up completely. She did the same with the rest of her fur. Gliding her hooves along herself to pat down all the fur sticking up so they may all dry without looking like a mess.

4.52
She ended with the fur around her left cutie mark. Happy to see herself completely cleaned and like nothing had happened. Like a whole new pony! Just check one last spot.

She brought one of her forelegs up and examined it. Blindly peering down at the skin underneath the fur and then, …she frowned. “What?” I… I’m being stupid haha!

There… there is nothing on me.

That scar on my neck, that is the only thing I have. There is nothing wrong with my body. It’s just… she lowered her eyes. Still fresh on her mind. All those nights. Seeing all those terrible things. How much it hurt. I… I can still kind of feel it, staring at her leg. Last night.

My nightmare. That’s all it was. None of it… was real. Never.

She shook her head. Get rid of those terrible thoughts. Get rid of them. This was not the time for it. It was best to feel good about myself. I mean, look at me now. She stared at the mirror. She looked beautiful now with wings renewed. Back to the way they were that made the other fillies and colts wide-eyed, and now… now I can do my best to try to get my life back.

Today is the day. The start of it all. Start and keep going until I figure out how to get home. Just like she used to do. It all started with one thing. She turned to the door.

Smiling about it. Step outside as a new pony. She giggled over it. Her legs came to a stop. Planting down hard to make her skid to a halt. She stared dumbfounded at the door.

“That’s right…” I’m still pretty wet. Okay… I’ll dry off first before anything else.

4.53
“Why am I even doing this?” Soulblight asked herself. Wondering it but still not stopping me from doing it. This is my life. There would be nopony to impress with cleaning up these houses. Digging out all the snow keeping them buried. Like she was doing a service to the ponies who used to live here. Sure, I did have this idea a long time ago… not much reason to do it anyways. Soul could just fly down and out of the hole that the porch provided to reach her doorway. Blight had her rooftop hole, and not like we need to look out the windows. So why even bother?

Blight just kept asking herself this as she sent another hail of snow flying with a quick burst of magic, further removing the buildup of snow around Soul’s doorway. Not much of a hole anymore that led to Soul’s door. She spent a good portion of the early morning working on this. Throw all this snow about. Listen to the ponies waking up, I can still hear a lot of them out there. Some less than happy to wake up. Sometimes breaking herself out of her concentration on them to see what progress she made to the thing she envisioned. A staircase of snow leading down to a wide, open area underneath the porch. Wide enough, maybe even wide enough for some chairs or something.

Ha, why even make it look nice? I don’t know. Maybe the idea of having the only nice looking house out here. Something how I would want my own home to look. If I had any house like all those others ponies have. A big space maybe. A yard. Early morning and I got to hear lots of ponies out there going about tending to their yards and homes. Even heard some kids not too happy about cleaning. Sprucing up a house, not at all what a kid wants to do… Soul.

It made her laugh a little inside. How on earth would my own yard even look? Certainly some places to sit. Chairs? No, benches are what they called them. Large enough to sit multiple ponies it seemed. Set out under a tree in the middle of freshly cut grass. Laying there on the bench whilst listening to the sound of the unicorn fountain that shot water out in a geyser from its horn.

…These Equestrians had a unique taste.

I would probably have something more subtle in my own garden. She could not find names to plants thanks to these ponies, just descriptions. Not enough. If anything, I want those red and orange flowers. They sounded beautiful. Keep them well watered and spend time with them so they can grow strong and gorgeous. Look at me. I’m like some sort of giddy mare. Those ponies out there don’t help. Filling my head with this fun stuff. It’s so unlike me. But… I do like it. It sounded so simple. Fulfilling. I can’t help but envy what those mares have.

Someday, I don’t know, Blight smiled. Someday I can see myself like them. Sitting out on the bench and watching younglings play around in my yard. Sitting next to somepony else on that very bench. Just what those two ponies sitting on the bench tell each other. My, my. Whoever that other pony is, sure does sound important to those mares. Just the things I hear. Like they really do appreciate those mares. Stay by their sides. Never leaving them.

I wish I could have that.

Somepony by my side to not to leave me… and, well, to know that they will comfort me when I feel down. Let me know every day that I am special… that there is nothing wrong with me. It sounded… so normal. Something she lacked. Each time she thought of these ideas, each coming as one and making her smile, they were squandered because of who she was. I really… really want a pony in my life. Something like that. Maybe they can take care of Soul with me. Haha, Soul… our young one, oh how foolish. I’m no mother… but it does sound interesting. All of us spend time together… then that pony can take me to bed and… and we could kiss.

4.54
I am totally blushing now… ugh. But it makes me so happy to think that stuff. Even if it could not happen, be unable to feel what the sensation of another’s lips upon her own was like, let alone one able to tolerate her. There was still some sort of solace in the wishful idea of her finding a pony out there who could accept her enough, care for her enough, and actually enjoy her company enough to lead to them being able to kiss and hold one another. Make me feel special after everything. Be together and stand side by side through anything like those ponies did. Soul certainly had a pony out there for her who would do just that.

Being normal was so… easy.

All I can do is hope somepony will not find me too weird. Not try to kill themselves at the thought of being with me. Actually love me. Then I will gladly accept them. All these mares and normal ponies taking such life for granted. Those mares have no idea. Some of them seem too unappreciative. I know I would be the best mare for somepony. Because I will work hard to earn ponies that like me, not waving my tail around at stallions. But…

Whenever one came around to actually like me like that… Blight grinned naughtily.

Maybe I will let them caress my wings. Just have to earn it, they do.

She blushed again but had to laugh anyways. Laugh to ease away that desire in her to wonder what it would be like. Oh… it is hard to dream for things that seem so impossible. Especially after all I have done. What ponies see me as. A freak. Best for them all to leave me like they always do. It would be for their own good.

She kept laughing and laughing until the blush went away. Until all the indecent and hopeful thoughts left her. Just laugh at herself. Just get back to making the village look nice. She raised her head back up.

She saw the yellow eyes.

4.55
Soul was right there. Blight clamped her maw shut. Shutting up for the filly hovering in front of her. Shit, did she see how I was acting? Oh please no. Was I laughing in front of her? I hope it wasn’t too much. Maybe it was all in her mind. But Soul looked a little too lost if that were the case. I was acting like a fool in front of her, wasn’t I? So caught up in her fantasies that kept her going, focused so much on the idea of her having a life made possible by this world, Soul had completely slipped her mind. Not even able to hear her until now.

Soul actually seemed a little happier.

Well I hope she is happy. Took a lot to make her smile. Like making me sad. That really was all it took. Just the idea of leaving Blight behind and rejoining her real friends. Soul had even cleaned up for the occasion. Blight’s eyes going all over the filly’s body seeing just how different she was. Some dirt here and there but her fur was tidy again. A mane back to the way she remembered it. But what really caught Blight’s attention was her wings. Soul had fixed them.

When was the last time they looked so beautiful? All the feathers set back to straightened edges and placed neatly on one another. No more holes or breaks in their midst. Just perfected sheets of the lovely, thick feathers the filly sported. Soft and neat. Soul must have been awake for a while already to have found the time to do all this, and it was still early morning. She was clean, bright and shining with a little more cheer in every move she made. Like a happier filly.

A happy filly? Well… she reminds me a lot like the kids I listen to. Was Soul now like those children? Soul, a happy little filly rising bright and early to enjoy the day and spend it with her family and friends.

If only. It just reminds me… of what she had long ago. Able to wake up and… have something to look forward to. Friends, fun, family. So much has changed. I wish you can be like that again. I wish I could do something for you.

4.56
“Good morning, …Blight” Soul spoke softly. Blight looked up to her. Stunned.

She… she actually greeted me? This should be good.

I don’t know why she sounds so happy saying that to me. A good morning. Sorry but I find it hard to believe she thinks any morning nowadays can be good. Always seeing them more as a chore or an obstacle to get past every day prior to this one. Soul was even smiling a little. The filly still flew there just staring at Blight with that smile. She looked so innocent.

“…Good morning” Blight said back with much hesitation. Somepony want to tell me what is going on? Soul is never like this. Soul giggled. Making Blight widen her eyes. The filly setting back down on the ground right in front of Blight. Leaning forward with that little smile on her, looking up at her and Blight looking down at her but with a frown to meet her smile. Looking up and over her as her attention was drawn to how Soul still flapped her wings in little flutters. Fully presenting them to her. They really did look nice up close. The filly did an excellent job cleaning them.

I suppose she wants me to say something. About what? Her looks? Soul looked to be showing her wings off. Proud to show what she did. Why would she care what I have to say? As long as Soul were satisfied with her own work, it should be good enough. Dash would like it. But the filly did not relent. Still leaning in on her like she were trying to get a hug. Just for a compliment on her wings. Why?

It’s not like Soul ever compliments me. Nopony ever complimented me. I so wish to have a special somepony who would compliment me. Having friends who would appreciate me. That was what Soul wanted?

Her tongue moved against her commands. “You look lovely today.” Soul’s smile grew wider. Damn near ear to ear. Leaning back to normal and holding a hoof to her smiling face. She giggled into her hoof. Those wings standing straight up in pride. Blight still could not smile. Still not happy, but she had to admit it. She was warmed that Soul was feeling better.

Soul did not do this for me. She did it for others.

She did all this for ponies she thinks are worth a damn. Unfortunately, that’s not me at all. Soul made it painfully clear yesterday that my feelings don’t matter.

4.57
Soul folded her wings up, turning to face all the snow around her. Her curious look made it apparent she noticed that Blight had been doing something based off how much snow had been removed around the front of her house and all the new piles of snow laying everywhere. “What have you been up to?” Should I tell her about my fantasies of making all the yards around these houses look cute?

Soul leaned over the edge of the hole. Seeing that something was truly different in how wide it looked now. “I’m… making space” Blight said. Soul walked along the edge leading down to her doorway, running a hoof against the smoothed-out surface Blight had meticulously carved to make a perfect angle. Blight watching her pass by. Her eyes glued to the wings that fluttered mindlessly at her sides. Rising and lowering with the most subtle of care. Rising more. Really they are beautiful… what… Blight’s eyes widened.

The filly’s wings raised. I… I never noticed. What was that? I know I saw something there.

Something black.

Those wings lowered again. Wait… I… I wanted to see. Because… I, there is no way. I must have been seeing things. But maybe… maybe not.

Could it have been…?

“Wow” Soul said. She turned back to face Blight. “You gave me more space! So you’re trying to make a porch for me down there?” Blight looked up to her. Umm but I… she looked back past Soul and to her wing. Trying to see if she could see it again. No. Hidden so well under the feathers along her flanks. I really want to see. …Blight nodded her response.

Soul walked over to where the remains of the ramp were, buried in all the snow fallen over the nights and from where Blight dropped some of the same snow she removed from the sides. Her wings lifted her up so she could hover over the openings and look all around smiling. She was a little too cheerful. There was something about it that was odd. Did the idea of seeing Dash again really have that big an impact on her? Or actually cleaning herself up for once, both maybe? Wish I knew.

“I can see it now” Soul said still examining everything from above. “We could have stairs going up here” she motioned to where the ramp had been placed. “And then maybe find some furniture in the other houses, put them around the door. Oh! And a blanket overhead. Maybe a fire pit.”

Soul knows about this decorating stuff? Sounds like better ideas than what I had. Her excitement was amazing at being able to do this stuff. Like they really were trying to impress somepony or the satisfaction of actually turning these ramshackle houses into homes like Blight could see. Soul flew over to where Blight stood. “Do you think we could?”

“I see no reason why we can’t” Blight said. Soul calmed down. Her smile getting smaller, her eyes glowing. There was something wrong about her face. Or right. I think I have seen this before. Though this time it lasted for a second, it was etched in her eyes. Soul’s… adoration. Just like when we first met.

“Thank you” she said to Blight sweetly. “If you want, I can help you with your house.”

4.58
My house? You mean… that old thing I spend a lot of time in? Oh, that’s not… my house. Was there a reason to improve that one? It was ugly. Barren. Blight saw no reason in having it improved. Maybe a little… Wait.

Soul wants to help me?

I had to have heard that wrong. Never before did Soul offer her assistance in anything. “You want to help me?” Soul laughed a little under her breath before turning to fly off in the direction of Blight’s so-called house. Her eyes watched after her to see the filly land near one of the closest windows with wings outstretched. Baring her body. Baring it… and Blight looked.

She… she saw it.

No way.

It feels like my heart is in my throat. I never… never expected this. There it was.

Soul, she did have a cutie mark.

When did she get that?! Blight stared. Three red hearts and… so much black. All along her flanks. Clouds of black as dark as Blight’s own fur reaching and coiling about her flanks and across her rear. That… that is what a cutie mark looks like. I’m sure of it. Soul had one. Her unique imprint just like Dash had gotten. The sign that both fillies had… so Soul was growing up.

Soul… she must love it and… I didn’t get to see how she loved it whenever it first appeared. I never even knew it appeared. No, that filly just showed it off to her over there. Soul patting her hoof down into the snow that rose to almost cover that window entirely whilst keeping her wings out to expose her colorful flanks.

“Come here” she called for her. Blight did as she asked. Slowly trotting to where the filly waited for her, eyes set upon her flanks and marveling as she got closer to see them until she was in hoof’s reach of them. “See, look” Soul said to her once the distance between the two was closed. Her hoof scraping at the snow, making Blight turn her attention away from the mark, but not before taking one last glimpse of it. Taking it in.

Soul chipped down on the ice built up under the fresh white layer. “Your house is real dark. We gotta get rid of all this snow, open your windows up. You got all this ice on them too.” Her hoof scraped against the ice all over the window. Tiny chips of ice sent flying. Open them up? Well that ice would make it bothersome to lift the windows were they to even unearth them. “It’s gotta be stuffy in there for you. Let some fresh air in and some light. Then…” Soul cut herself short. Quick on her hooves, running past Blight and around the corner until she was out of sight.

Speechless, mindset on this completely different pony, Blight slowly walked after her. She too turned the corner to find the filly snooping around the front side of the house. Feeling her hoof around against the length of the wooden wall just underneath the rooftop. “Your door has to be around here somewhere” Soul said.

I need no stupid door. I do just fine with the hole on the roof. From which plenty of starlight shone in during the night. Even if more could grace her as she sat in there alone if she could have windows open to the world. …A doorway… would give it that little comfort of a home though. It sounded pointless to try and fix up this house, it’s not even my house. But… Soul, the way she acted, it was kind of charming. Like she was being the start to making some place Blight could live. Her thoughts went crazy, in love with what Soul may be suggesting. Even if it were unsightly, turn this ugly place into something else. Haha, it would be like I do own my own home.

“You can have a nice place to live” Soul said. It would be nice. I can even grow that garden if I could. Have the yard I want. Who knows? It could be fun. I know I can use magic to do something for all this. It had done so much in the past. Maybe it could make this dream a reality, and with Soul’s help. A nice inside with a table, chairs. A comfy bedside to lay herself upon… and sit in front of the fireplace… with Soul, sharing a blanket. Not let that filly be alone. Know what it is like again to feel like somepony is there with you. Just… like… she imagined before. Before all the loneliness both pegasi had gone through. We could still care for one another. Be together. Just like those hearts… the ones on Soul’s flanks. Big, burning hearts. Just like how Soul was right now.

This is… that loving filly I remember her to be.

4.59
“It does sound nice” Blight admitted. Looking down at the filly she approached. Watching with joy at the sweet innocence of the little one poking about at her house like an adventurous child. She really was a child again inside of a maturing body. Being kind to her? Do I even deserve this? Perhaps… I did do something right yesterday.

Soul sees that… that I do care for her.

So… we can be friends? She won’t be mad at me when I try to help her. Pretend to be like family to this filly.

Yes, Soul. I saw how you thought so highly of me back then. Back on the mountaintop. Blight found a semblance of comfort knowing she could perhaps be something to her. It was cute that Soul wanted me to be there for her. She could feel a tear go down her cheek which she rubbed away from her smiling face. A smile she was unaware she had. Proud of the filly who had changed so much both inside and out. “I’d love to have your help.”

Soul looked back up. Her mouth open seeing Blight’s face. Yes, I know, I am smiling for once. Soul… she smiled back.

Blight walked past her to look over the face of the wall. Trying to find where the door could be. Completely buried under the snow. I know I can get rid of all this in probably a day but… for Soul, I’ll make an exception and let her help. It did not matter how long it took as long as I can finally do something with this filly after so long.

She bent her knees to lean down at Soul’s height. Looking the filly in the eyes. “It could take some time to get rid of all this snow. You best not pass out on me while working and leave me to do everything.” Soul took none of that. So confident. Glaring up at Blight, matching her smile.

“I don’t give up. You’ll see.” Soul turned around to walk out towards the open snow beyond. Such a strong stride. I… I can’t help but feel so proud of her. She came a long way from yesterday. “I’m gonna get even stronger” Soul proclaimed. You will, and I’ll be there for you.

“Strong enough so I can return home.”

Blight felt empty.

4.60
Soul… returning home. Of course, that is what she wants. She wanted to go back to her original life. That was why… she tried to kill herself. Because she does not want a life with me in it. Being around a freak like me. Never what Soul wanted.

Rainbow Dash was her friend, not me. Not after what I did to her. I feel so much shame for thinking she would ever like me, so stupid to think I can get a friend. There was no way Soul would want me around in her life. It would not come to pass. Soul was going to eventually find a way to return to her original life and leave all this behind. They would not have a home together.

Not in Equestria.

Soul would have Rainbow Dash.

Better to choose her best friend than the one who did nothing but hurt her, even if… if I did try all I could to help her. Even if I was the one who saved her best friend.

Blight felt a tear come down. No, stop it. I have no right to cry. Even if all she wanted was for Soul to just see her for who she wanted to be. Stop believing there was no happiness until she found Dash again. I have so much I can do for her too. Not just Dash. The day would come when Soul would be free… no longer burdened by me. Free of the scars that plagued her, marking all the torment she had to go through just to be able to hug Dash again.

…I want a hug too.

4.61
It was so hard to hold in her tears. Just… just all that filly has done. It’s too hard. Finding her with a damn blade to her throat. Just like now. She felt it all again watching Soul walk out into the snow with her wings outstretched and her snout high up to sniff the morning air. She really is walking away from me. Of course.

Hide it.

Blight breathed deep and wiped her tears. Enough… to be able to speak without her voice breaking. “D-do you want to start now?” They could at least spend some time together. If Soul were actually inclined. She would not force her. She would not force her to be her friend. But maybe, just maybe they could be side by side for a little bit. Just for a little bit until… Soul does not need me anymore. When she was strong enough to fly away. Leave me and all the pain I always bring to ponies who know me. She could be happy then, for those brief periods. Couldn’t she? All these ideas making her cry so hard inside, underneath the fake smile she put on for Soul. Hide away all the sadness Soul was causing her. It hurts to do it but… so what. Let it punish me. Anything to make me see… that I really am an idiot. Just more sadness… and loneliness.

It’s what I… deserve. …She deserves to be happy.

Soul looked back at her. Still smiling, unaware of how much Blight wanted to scream. Seeing nothing wrong. So cheerful. “I can’t right now. I got to train today.” She flashed her wings ever more. Reeling them up and stretching them out. Their feathers blowing in the wind. “Need to get back in the routine.”

Training to go back home. Of course. Keep training until she could fly out and destroy the barriers to her life. That… that could be something we can do together. I can show my support of her wanting to get back to training. She could learn a thing or two from the filly and they could spend some time together.

Blight stepped up. Her will shared with her wings as they too rose and stretched out to cast a great, black shadow over the snow and down upon Soul. “I will come with you” Blight said, almost pleading. “We could train together, it will be fun.”

Soul, what’s she doing just staring at my wings? Come on, tell me you want me to come.

Blight could not hear the filly breathing, she held it in. Soul looked up to her, frowning. Looking almost sad. She did not need to be sad, I’ll be a good flight companion. I promise not to get in the way. Not to hurt Soul. But Soul shied away. Humbly rubbing her leg with a free hoof.

“Blight,… umm… I wanted to train alone.” Blight could feel her eyes explode.

4.62
“I don’t mean to be rude, but… you’re not as good a flyer as me. I don’t think you’ll be able to keep up.” Don’t say that. Don’t say that. There has to be a way to change her mind. Yeah, I’m not so great and yeah you will leave me in the dust, but… I can do other things. Make her laugh. Keep her company. Anything so I can be by your side…

For these last moments we have together.

Soul backed away, head low to the ground. Her eyes hidden behind half-closed lids. “We can do other things together. I just want to fly on my own for a bit.” She turned around. Her violet and silver striped tail slowly flowing in the wind between those two trails of black fire that gave Soul purpose. A feeling Blight lost more and more of the longer their distance grew. She wanted that purpose too. Purpose in another’s eyes that Soul never wanted to acknowledge. That sense of worth placed upon her body too.

“I promise we can work on the house when I get back, you should rest for a bit. Looks like you’ve been working hard all morning.” Her wings beat hard. Sending gusts of snow out to be carried away in the wind and Soul joined that wind. Rising higher above Blight.

I feel like… I’m about to cry my eyes out. She just watched her leave. Not saying a word which was not what she wanted. She wanted to call out after Soul with words left on her tongue under the tears she hid inside that began to escape. “I’ll be back” Soul yelled back as she flew off high into the sky. Turning into a little dot growing smaller the further she got as she left on her way to return… home.

The first step she took, leaving me behind.

I will never be allowed to join with her, not after what I did. Don’t go. Please don’t leave. Don’t fly away. Abandon me… like everypony else! I want to feel like I have worth. Please tell me I’m good enough for you.

She stepped out. Walking in the direction Soul flew. Her great wings held up for as long as they could and they slid to fall on her sides and into the snow. Laying limp just as her head gave way and tears fell down to the snow. Stop… hurting me.

And she shall leave you too.

No. Not like all the others. Please, …love me too.

Soulblight sobbed.

“Come back.”

4.63
“This seems high enough.” Soul came to a stop. Hanging high above the vast expanse of snow below with their village becoming tiny ants from this high up. It felt good enough.

She could feel the wind striking her harder than that pitiful breeze blowing through the village. Not nearly as bad as the wind of the great storms but a good enough mockup of them. She could definitely use it. Something nice to train with once again. Not too tough but… I can feel it will be tough enough to fly through.

Weather like this was nothing to strong pegasi. The Wonderbolts practiced in worse. Just like when I was taken out to train in flying through nasty storms and learn how to beat them.

It’s been so long. But… I know I can do it again. This wind now, it was doing nothing to her. Nothing to throw off her flight. Her newly remade wings doing very well, her muscles fighting back and winning. Even better was how the wind was coming at her from the very direction she wanted it to. Straight in from the mountain range. Every time I trained, I needed something like this. A good training ground.

Those mountains would do just that. Something for this training routine. Ones I have to come up with now. Nopony is here to train me. No, I need to do it myself now. Think of ways to pull this all off. Do a real workout just like I used to. I will train just like I used to. I will do it all again. Never give up.

Nimbus… you taught me well. Even if you aren’t with me anymore, I still remember all you told me. I… I promise to perfect it all. Every technique you entrusted to me. I won’t neglect it anymore.

You wanted me to have a friend… well, I will again. I will train just like you taught me and use everything to return back… back to my home. No light workouts. No fooling around. Out here, I will do everything. This world… it will be my training ground. It gives everything I need and then some.

4.64
She spotted the tallest of the mountains far ahead behind a veil of misty clouds. Its great, white peak rising high and strong over all the clouds. Just as she wanted it to do. I’m gonna fly in this weather to it. But that was not enough. More was needed. I know what to do.

“Two minutes.”

One hundred twenty seconds to get there. Yeah, that sounded like something I can do. It only seemed to be only like a city away. She could fly the expanse of Cloudsdale in less time. A longer distance, this weather, perfect.

Soul glanced back at her wings. Their elegance and beauty betraying how strong the muscles were that she spent years working on, and they would get better. Good enough to take her all the way home. So big and strong that no achievement Dash had done could allow her to talk any trash when they were home together.

Home. I will do anything to have my life back. I will beg Dash to forgive me… and then I will do the same for the princess. Explain everything and the princess would let me stay home. I will do it all with these wings. Her love for them as strong as ever. Her encouragement for them to do their best returned to do all they did back when she trained daily.

“Alright, gals. Make me proud.” Two minutes. Starting… now!

4.65
Soul blasted off. Straight ahead at the mountain beyond.

It closed in slowly. Soul watching it, trying really hard to keep her eyes upon its mighty expanse for she was really tempted to shut them. But she would not. She had to be strong even as the icy cold wind lashed her face with a tear sent out to disappear far behind her. Back in the great trail Soul left behind. Her wings flapping and pushing. Legs reaching out to the vast mountain far beyond. Cutting right through the air. She could practically see the clouds rip apart as she ran into them. With tiny snowflakes sent to pelt her fur and chilling water splashing hard over her, and she would not stop.

Ten. Eleven. Soul counted in her head. Keeping her mind set on those numbers and her eyes glued on the mountain which, had been far away to begin with but looked to be very slowly getting closer. A little worrying. It’s taking too long to get there.

No. There was no time to be worried. First rule of high speed flying: never get distracted by anything. Focus on the goal. The mountains, two minutes. Twenty. Soul spotted a group of clouds ahead. Darker and wider than all the others. Filling her vision while the mountain top rose up and behind them. All the snow coming down around them in a great flurry with even more snow falling from above by the thick blanket of clouds even higher than Soul was. Overcome it.

Soul ripped right into those dark clouds sending gusts of intense wind to tear apart the snow. She kept her concentration. Fifty. Her wings wobbled. Great blasts of wind spiraling like mad around her with every step she covered in that dark world within the clouds. No longer could she see the mountain or anything below. Just grey darkness of fluffy and soft puffs of cloud zipping by her. The sight of them swaying and listing as her wings struggled to keep her straight in all the intense wind. Almost like all this crap is trying to fight me. Trying hard to push her back. Yet Soul lost no speed. I can tell. Her mane whipping in her face harder. Wings pushing harder, and Soul readjusted her legs to straighten herself out. Fighting back against the wind. This was no worse than the storms back home. I can do this. She was stronger than before and her practice would prove it.

Soul squinted. Her wings and body fully adjusted to angle the oncoming wind simply over her and she tore in through the clouds in more and more. Ninety. Only thirty seconds left. Come on, wings. We can do this. Flying though continuous streams of cloud, staying on her path with no deviation in her wings which got used to it enough to begin flapping harder and the wind struck her face worse in response. Getting faster now. Keep it up! I can do it. Watching ahead to make sure nothing changed in her flight. Her hooves still firmly in front of her face piercing the clouds like lances. Until she could see light. She could do this!

Ten seconds left.

Ten seconds and… Soul could feel it. Oh no, my wings. They felt weak. Already! No, no, Soul pleaded them on. “Come on, buddies.” Keep doing your best. We never gave up on this stuff before. Fly like I always used to. Like we used to.

Her face lighting up as the clouds tore away to give way to the light of the Sun… and the mountain top sitting amidst its range…

Far away. Soul frowned.

4.66
The filly landed atop the flat surface of snow that marked the mountain. Her favorite mountain from which to stand upon and watch the snowfall on more quiet days. All four of her hooves gently set down with soft pats and her wings came to rest at her sides.

One hundred and eighty-six.

Soul finished counting. All that was left was to breathe. Breathe and shake her head. All that work and intense flying tuckered her out leaving the filly to fall back on her rear and pant. Tongue laying on her chin. A hoof to swipe at the sweat that was actually built up.

Now I remember how it is to fly in bad weather.

It sure was an experience and really worked wonders on the wings. Their spans beat from their workout. I swear though, I got too tired too quickly. I should never have gotten so sore that early. It really has been too long since she worked out. Long enough to fail in her goal. Her wings had failed. But she was not mad. Soul actually began to laugh.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” she screamed.

Oh Celestia, I can feel it again. The adrenaline. That rush. Like electricity over her bones. She missed this feeling. Damn near forgot how it was. Always loving it after all her training with Nimbus. That training the two pegasi always did leave her feeling just like this. Like I did something amazing. Even if she failed, she felt accomplished. Her wings were tired. Her heart racing.

Back in the saddle. Like I’m back in Cloudsdale. Just like her first time training as an incredibly young filly just out of her foal years. I… I’m back at it again. Hahaha, how I missed this!

I flew like this long ago. Like my first goes at flying. This feeling. And wanting to get better, I just need to keep trying. Just what Nimbus always told me. Her wings would get better. She’d be able to fly through bad weather like that with ease.

Soul stood back up, walking over to the side edge of the mountain looking out at the vast and dense expanses of giant mountains flooding out into the distance before ringing over to her right and joining with the mountains on the other side. This great ring surrounding the empty crater. So much open space in these mountains. So much potential. Some ponies could say this messed up looking place with all the stuff in the way and hard places to fly through was something like… an obstacle course.

That was it!

4.67
I have an idea. I can use them all for that. An open sky to train and a clustered course created by nature itself. She smiled giddily. Intense obstacle training just like the Wonderbolts. They had speed, yes. But Soul knew she needed more. They had more. All great Pegasus flyers had more.

I need to get my stamina back, for sure. No more tiring out so easy. Fly these mountains as the course they were to provide her with the same experience she would get twisting and dodging across a hazardous training ground. Wing control, precision, most importantly: agility. She could use all of that. Dodge the hazards of the great storms while her speed did the rest and not get tired till she reached the wide, open world of freedom. I slacked for too long.

“Endurance.” What did that? Soul thought of something.

She leaped back to a roomier part of the mountaintop, good enough to stretch her legs out before she did the same with her wings. Both of them falling and placing themselves upon the snow under her. Setting the tips of them firmly in the snow until it were like she had an extra pair of legs. That did not last as Soul’s forelegs curled up and she held them tightly to her chest. A Pegasus holding herself up by her wings.

Alright now Dash, we used to do fifty for warmups at camp. I’ll do sixty. Soul fell down to the ground, letting her wings buckle and she careened close to her chin slamming down. She stopped short. Her wings grew strong again and they pushed her back up. Then again. Again. Soul kept it up. Counting each time she pushed herself back up. Feeling the burn run across her wings and over into her back. Like a flood of hot water. It felt good. Each time she let go serving as a chance to exhale deep into the snow, and then inhale as she pushed herself up.

Good, old fashioned wing-ups. A real warmup. Those silly colts always doing this just to impress the fillies with such small numbers. I used to always do it alone. For this very feeling. Like my wings are strong. Like they also missed feeling this way. Pushing her up faster as each number went through Soul’s head. Fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty.

Soul’s last push stronger than the rest to send her body jumping up in the air and land back upon her hooves. Haha, I can feel it. Soul looked at her wings. Both of them shaking. Damn near pulsing. Working out after so long. That would not be the end of it. No more being lazy with them. Soul ran back to the edge, her intention to look over the mountain range being the one thing stopping her from leaping off into flight. Smaller ones there, large one there, very twisty turns all over. A piece of cake. It took Soul hours to fly the length of this range before, but that was just a stroll. Full power now. Back to the good ol’ days. Wings pumping at her sides ready to go. I can do this in no time. Get to the other side. Simple. Avoid all the mountains and keep on the path. Just like dodging clouds.

So Soul took off again with a smile on her face.

4.68
“Whoa!” She almost hit that mountain. Turning hard around the previous one had kept the next one hidden until she was right on top of it. Yes, I was able to sense it!

I still have it!

Her wings throwing aside incredible amounts of wind hitting the sides of every peak she passed around. Hearing snow fall from mountain faces behind her. Blasting by them and rumbling the earth. Every mountain she skillfully dodged around making her laugh. Turning the corner of a pair of tall peaks presented even more that she curled around, keeping as close to them as she could with her back almost licking the side of their snowy faces. Sheets of snow rippling and sent flying by the force of her flight.

Left. Right. Left. Left.

Soul maneuvered perfectly. Making only a few close calls that made her heart jump and turning that moment of fear to thrill. Thrill that made her cry out in excitement. Her voice carrying far and wide through the mountains. Like flying through clouds again. Dodge and dodge with none of the obstacles able to stop her. Mountains and then passing those blackened trees that dotted these mountain ranges. Her eyes quickly glancing over to her side in time to catch the trunks of them wobble as she passed. Another good obstacle. I am loving these mountains!

Soul looked back in time to spot another peak she was about to plummet right into. So close she could touch it, …plenty of time.

Soul’s wings skidded to a halt and beat hard on a rightward path sending the filly off on a sharp turn just short of slamming right into that mountain. It was too close. That turn coming soon enough as Soul could feel for a split second as the tip of her left wing scrape the side of the mountain. Its edge scraping away portions of rock to tumble to the earth below. Soul hugged the face of the mountain. Letting out a sigh of relief. That can’t happen again. Don’t get distracted. Just look all over constantly, never lose my attention for even a second.

Know… everything that is around me… like I did long ago.

Take it all in. Soul closed her eyes. Sighing.

I got this. All thanks to you, Nimbus.

But I was better once. I need to be that way again. No mistakes at all. Keep practicing, try over and over until she could do this with no error. Soul took a quick glance at the mountain she skimmed along. Not too close to it, …but I just know I will be as good as I used to be. Better. Good enough to fly these parts with no trouble. I can do it.

The closer she was, the harder to see what was ahead as she turned the corners. But she did it as is. Laughing with glee. Feeling truly alive and nothing could hold her back. Not even herself. It would not happen again.

4.69
She kept hugging the mountains. Going through so fast, there’d be no way ponies could see me fly by when I go this fast. It’s almost like how I used to be. The same feeling I used to have.

How I love this.

Flying high into the sky with a shriek of joy. “Oh yeah!” Her hooves stretching out, swaying in the air even as she turned her wings to circle her belly-up to the sky and come back down. Her face going right to the top of a mountain coming in so close. Looks like I would crash, ha… but I have this. Something to laugh about.

Coming in fast with her tail whipping in the wind, all her fur flowing like grass in a breeze, …and it all came to a stop. Soul’s wings tugged the air. Propelling her right-side up. Gently falling down with small flaps. Landing neatly on the snowy mountaintop as well as she did the previous one. Panting just as hard as she did back there. Accomplishing all of this with skill and grace. I did it.

I can’t believe… I still have it. After all this time. Nimbus would be proud. I’m proud. Proud even as she stared out past the mountains she stood among, past the open plain of white snow beneath the mountain ranges from where lightning crisscrossed the sky in a thunderous boom. All the black clouds ahead setting upon one another, weaving an endless veil standing between the filly and freedom. Soul laughed at it.

She laughed feeling all her pride with how great of a flyer she truly was. This being just the beginning. My wings feel so strong again. They were going to get stronger. Just that storm wait and see. I’m going to kick its ass. That storm will be no worse than the mountains I just beat. I just need to be perfect, and I will do it.

Her forelegs folded up again. From her new vantage point, Soul did her wing-ups. Sixty more. She counted, laughing in her head with a big smile on her face. Wind blasting over her and sending all the fur and hair of her body in a frenzy that could not stop her from her training. Never stop her again. I’ll never stop!

I will train every day again. I will get better every day. Until the day comes when my wings are so good that no storm can stop me. I will be the fastest… I will be the strongest. Just like in my dream. My dream. It never did die.

No matter how bad a pony can have it, they can always become the best. I will do that, I promise. I will do it for you, Dashie. “I’m gonna do it.”

Soul stood upon her hooves, looking out to the sky beyond. The sky… over this snowy land.

“I’m gonna do it! …No matter how long it takes!”

5.1
One window left and then the door. That door was found to be just to the left of the window she stood in front of. Soulblight dug up enough snow to reveal the very top of a wooden doorframe. Just a little more work and the snow would be removed from this window just as she did with the previous ones. Four she had counted. This making five. All these houses seemed to have that many. None of them had any more. A few had just one less. Every day revealing more about this village with a little bit of each house being removed out of mountains of snow.

Soulblight took her time with this house today, spending most of the afternoon slowly and diligently clearing away the buildup from a pair of windows. Magic was all that was needed to burn away the ice built over those windows. It would be nice to have some help. That had been the whole point this plan was made. Yet, it always proved to be a disappointment with Blight forcing herself through this task that gave her something to do while Soul was away training.

She still had not come back. Typical. She did this every day. Any time I want to spend time with her cleaning these houses, the Pegasus would keep herself busy in the mountains doing her own thing. The slow work and painfully dull conditions left each and every day feeling like an eternity. Just a stupid thing to get through as she waited for night to fall so she could look at the stars. Peering through what breaks in the clouds existed so she could see those tiny, twinkling orbs overhead. Like they winked at her. It always was tantalizing.

That would not be the case tonight. The Sun is setting. Looks like my plans today are ruined. At least that won’t be the case tonight.

Black lances of magic slashed away more of the snow, sending it flying to the sides to pile up with all the rest Blight made during the day. That was enough room.

5.2
Another slash of black. Several thick chunks of icicles fell from their perches hanging at the very top of the window frame and impaled themselves in the snow below before more of Blight’s magic sent them toppling down and away to clear a view of the window. Plenty of room to look through now.

She peered in against the glass. Looking inside to find a better angle from this new window. She could see the other cleared windows at the other sides of the house, shining in streams of sunlight and now… now she could finally see things inside. She could spot nothing to the left save an ugly carpet on the floor. That was not good. Seems all these houses have so few things I can use to keep Soul’s fire burning. No matter what Soul feels, I will keep doing my best to make life her comfortable. Everything had been running dry after so long of burning things away. Blight even considered starting to use the logs that made up walls of the houses. But there was nothing small she could use that did not involve her destroying the village. Although, I guess I’m also to blame. I kept using stuff to practice my magic on for a… certain task.

A little special something she had in mind for tonight. All she had left were some strips of leather stripped off from old, torn clothing she found and the pony dolls she kept close to her inside her house. She desperately needed that leather for tonight.

Her eyes went over the floor down below. Finding nothing. Well that sucks. She strained to look over the right side of the house. Much darker over in those corners. No windows present in the rear of the house to shine any light over there. But looks like something is there. Hard to see but she could pick out the outlines of square objects stacked up against the wall in the darkness. Perhaps more furniture. Something good that could be burned to keep Soul warm. Although I kind of hope it is some more furniture that I can use for my house.

She still anticipated living here for a long time. Having some nice furniture that could give certain ‘guests’ a comfortable stay will go a long way.

He deserved it.

All I need to do is free the door. Two things at once. Free the house and get inside to see what surprises may lay within, a break in the dullness of life. Blight could not wait. She did not need to, not like Soul would want to find the time.

5.3
Blight’s ears perked up. Great, I hear them. Striking in the wind. Rapidly bashing in a near endless repetition that cut the air and broke the clouds with a thunderous clap of wind behind them. She knew what it looked like the last time she saw it. A massive streak of white vapor bursting and expanding in all directions going across the sky. Like a knife carving right through butter as clouds were torn in two. She could not see it, not from this side with the houses of the village blocking her sight. One thing was clear.

She is back.

Listening to those wings close in as fast as Blight’s ears twitched and thunder erupted across the entire village. Almost shaking. With streaks of air washing high overhead and shaking the rooftops. Even some of the snow that sat on those very roofs slid and fell. So she came back anyways. Another day we could have spent together but she chooses to use it to get closer to her goal. A goal that kept Blight staring in agony at the sky during some nights. Not looking forward to the day I will be truly left alone and Soul no longer needs to deal with me. I’m not what she wants after all.

In she came. Soul Serenity walked around from behind one of the distant houses to stand in the snow-covered street laid strewn in the light of the setting Sun. Distant and dark but lit enough to keep that magenta Pegasus square in Blight’s glare.

Not at all happy to see the mare arrive.

5.4
I watched through the years… watching that sweet and sad filly go out every day to train. All the days that passed. And every time I saw her, she changed a little more. That filly who was not even up to my flank, …now she is this creature walking to me. The magenta Pegasus with her long tail and mane. Flowing in the wind as a sheet to cover the grey of the sky. Twinkling in shining silver hairs running long down her face with her gorgeous yellow eyes struggling to peer through and stare at Blight.

The closer she got, more and more, I see how much she has changed. It is amazing just how much has changed. Some days even feeling ashamed of their differences. With how Soul, who had cleared the distance and stood close to Blight, stood taller than her now on those long and thin legs. The gorgeous sunset shining behind her, and feeling the mare’s shadow down upon her. I’m not the tall one anymore. All I am… is the runt now. Soul, you grew tall enough to make me have to look up to you. To you, with the Sun shining over your head. Moments like this leave me with nothing to say. Just left to stare in amazement. Even if Soul was not my friend, I can still admit she had grown beautiful. A sight a mother would love to see of their daughter. Remembering everything there was about their little girl and witnessing the miracle of nature. Their child growing up. Even making Blight grow tears in her eyes on mornings she would see this mare sniff the air and stretch in the rising Sun. Tears she could feel from how immensely strong the pony became, and also knowing she was no longer that filly she met in the dark of the house whom she came to love if only for a brief time.

I just know Soul loved it more and more as she became the mare she wanted to be.

I can’t help but care. Especially when I see her smile. But Soul always left that care to die away because of times like this. That was why… Blight was upset to see her.

She walked past the Pegasus she loved, leaving what little was left of the snow covering the last window so she could press on to the doorway. Let’s just finish the task. I’ll have it done for tomorrow. But Soul stopped her. Her soft voice, still locked with that tiny twang of a young filly coming out from smiling lips. “Alright, I’m here.” Soul stepped up towards the house. Rearing up to clap her hooves together before landing back to the snow. “Let’s get to work.”

5.5
Blight looked back. Seeing that Soul glanced over at the windows of the wall Blight just left. The mare frowned. Coming back a little and slowly turning to lock eyes with Blight. Soul’s lowered her head, sadly, it looked. Blight wanted to scoff… I better not see you pretend to be upset.

“You… finished already… I see.”

Blight nodded. Of course I finished already. How many hours did I have? Maybe Soul should get in the habit of sharing some time for me during the day. Even more irritating how Soul sounded disappointed. That sad look on her face. I even asked her about us spending time together today and Soul even told me she wanted to. But it always ended the same. Just like when she first started training. Getting back home was her priority.

I have no place in her schedule. No place in her life.

All the years passing by, and I just see more and more how Soul thinks of me. Like she doesn’t care. Not at all about how… how sad I am. Sad and tired. Tired of crying at night while Soul ignored her. This will be a great glimpse into what it will be like when Soul leaves.

But not tonight. I won’t cry tonight. I have plans now. Like I do every night. No need to cry. But those thoughts were not something she could keep on her mind for long thanks to how angry she was. An anger left to boil in her mind. Why do you leave me all alone? She thought it yet would not say it. Something else came out.

“How was your training?” She saw Soul’s face light up. It enraged her. Of course she would be happy about training. All because it was going to lead to the day when she was free and the two of them would be apart.

“My wings are pooped” Soul said flashing her wings up. Seeing them again made Blight’s heart skip. They always were impressive. Even as a filly but now…

How can a pony get such massive wings?!

May as well be tree trunks blistering with feathers. Great and wide. Sometimes… I admit I want to touch them. I want to know how they feel, …all those muscles on them. I just… don’t know how these things are possible. I always thought I had big wings till Soul got these. They were the most treasured things Soul had. Years of work put into them to build them up to this point, Soul loved them. So much that Blight caught sight of the mare giving them a kiss before she went to bed a while ago. Sleeping with them while she cried under the blankets. Using her great wings to wrap herself up.

I admit, I am a little jealous.

It must be nice to have such amazing talent in one’s wings. Such… gorgeous wings.

“I did a lot of low altitude aerials; low angular thrusts to keep the wind guiding me along completely straight” Soul said while swiping one of her hooves across the air in a straight path cutting horizontally. She made a swoosh sound as well. “The wind was pretty tough today so I had to keep my wings perfectly level to ride it. I’m getting good with the weather… and that wind resistance today! Great training.”

5.6
Ugh, you really think I care for this flight jargon?. It is so boring to listen to her talk about this stuff. I always have to put on an interested face. Not like I should hurt Soul’s feelings and act callous to her favorite thing to do, even if Soul does that to me. She decided to egg her on as she examined the snow burying the door in.

“…And, did you manage to beat your speed record today?” Soul sighed. “No… still at four seconds getting back here.” Four seconds. Blight snorted in her head. That really was something. Doubt any other pegasi could fly that fast, …besides Dash maybe. Seems like that mare could fly as fast with how I sometimes listen to her out there.

I do wonder if I could ever fly that fast with these black wings. It’d be nice to try and see if I ever could feel whatever that speed is like. …But not like I have any to train me. Soul never wanted to fly with her. Each request ending the same as the first time until Blight all but gave up on asking her. Soul did not want to do anything Blight wanted to do and she did not allow Blight to do anything Soul wanted to do. It makes me so angry.

Days coming and going with Soul always making me feel this way. Sometimes I feel my hoof twitch. Because I want to smack her. If only my hooves could strike. But… if I did… we would never be friends, ever.

I… I don’t want to give up on that. The only thing that keeps me going out here. The only thing that keeps me from leaving Soul. No need for me to get violent even if she hates you.

Blight sighed.

5.7
“Looks like you still got the door” Soul said. She walked up beside Blight and leaned down alongside her at that door. “I can help you with that.” How generous. It made Blight grin even though she kept a hidden scowl at the snow. So nice of her to wait till the end of the day and we can spend what few moments we have left to do something. All they could do before Soul went to bed to rest from her hard day of training. It is like she wants to piss me off. Almost… condescending. Pretend to be nice to me just to save face when Soul knows she is wrong. I hate it. Every… single… time. They would always just spend an hour or less together, barely speaking while Soul dribbled on about everything Blight could not give her. Fun. Happiness. Freedom. A friend. Like Soul just needs something to do to get through the rest of the day. She always is so eager to part with me in the end.

So she must be eager again tonight. Get it done quick. I don’t you worry… I’ll get it done quick for you.

“Back up” she said to Soul and Blight herself stepped back. Trudging through the snow and feeling she cleared enough distance. Reluctantly and confused, Soul followed her. Coming to stand beside her. Blight’s long, black mane swayed to the side as she quickly turned her head to face Soul and then looked back. That mane flowing in all its glorious lengths to nearly swipe Soul. It all moved. The snow, every bit of it covering the front of the house’s wall moved with Blight’s head in a quaking rumble. Mounds of it all sent flying in sheets, pelting the open area between the other houses in hails of snow. Chunks as big as a pony or more.

Soul herself trembled watching this. Possibly scared of how loud the sound of piles upon piles of snow sent flying and landing at once was. Blight could not care. Just watching her work. The results of it. A great, open hole with inclines of snow going up and down at the walls. Deep enough and open enough to fully reveal the doorway that was hidden beneath. That looked good. Good enough for Blight to get in there and a fully presentable house made ready giving her that little sense of accomplishment she got whenever she finished unearthing one of these houses. Progress with the village a little more. A job well done.

Her wings clapped together at her back and she did her best to look and sound proud. “No need. It’s all done.” “Oh…” Soul said softly. Her head banking down and wings sinking. Blight did not want to stick around to hear anymore. The Sun was setting. Night was coming, a time when I at least will feel appreciated for all I do.

“You should rest” Blight said as she began to walk away in the direction of her house. Keeping a smile on herself. Knowing Soul was back there watching her. Blight’s ears caught whiff of a sound coming out Soul’s mouth. Just like she wanted to say something. But she stayed silent. Of course she does. Nothing to say to me again. More of the same. They had nothing anymore. But I still will at least have the courage to tell her something. Say something for the pony I once wanted to be friends with. The one I hurt, and now… now I guess it’s right for me to hurt now.

“I’ll be inside if you need me” she whispered. “…Good night.”

5.8
“Good night” Soul whispered. She stood there like a stump watching Soulblight walk off back to her own house. Say something. Oh… and I had a nice plan for us tonight. After so many days of me not being around to play, I wanted to take today to do something. Not hard to notice the black mare looked down, like something was on her mind. Soul really wanted to try and make her smile tonight. How she walked. How she snapped at her. It’s scary. I really hurt Blight’s feelings.

It was always too hard to talk to her. Blight was always angry… and she tried to hide it. Just like last week, when Soul spotted Blight sitting on top of the roof to her house in the dead of night. Staring up at the Moon. Soul could only watch from her window as Blight cried. But every single time Soul built up the courage to try and ask what was wrong, the mare would do something like this. Leaving Soul as she did now. Feeling like Blight did not want anything to do with her. That she really does hate me.

She never forgave me for what I tried to do.

She could never take it back. Every chance she thought of always being ruined. I thought tonight might help. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to spend the night with me inside. In front of the fireplace together. We could’ve talked about anything. I don’t know what… whatever Blight wanted. Anything to break the silence between the two. Earn Blight’s friendship again. But Blight wanted to be alone and that… that just ruined it again.

She kept her head low to the ground watching Blight’s black tail sway with her steps up till she disappeared from sight. Leaving Soul all alone again. “I guess I deserve that” she mumbled. “I was a jerk to her.” I never can do anything to show how sorry I am. Well… nothing that worked out in the end. Just like with tonight, wanting to spend time with her in her own house. Nothing to do now.

5.9
My wings are so tired but… I know I don’t need to sleep yet. Honestly, I don’t want to sleep. Her attention turned to the house Blight had uncovered, the one they were supposed to do together. Always did sound interesting to explore these houses together. Each one Blight would open up proving to be some sort of experience for her. She just wished to explore them with Blight. She would not want to though, Soul must be too hard a pony for the black mare to be around.

I understand. Lots of ponies have a hard time being around me. It would be wrong to force Blight to do something with me.

She approached the doorway. Using her wings to carefully glide down the hole to reach the bed of icy snow beneath where she stood face to face with the doorway. Blight carved it out well with whatever magic she used. The snow dug out all the way to where the foot of the door sat. There was the doorknob. A rusted little thing made of something with golden coloring only ruined by that brown and red chipping on it.

She jumped up onto her hind legs and clasped it with her hooves. Kind of hard to turn this thing. Very old and grinding. Fighting back for just a moment. Soul finally got it. It turned and the door pushed open. Wide enough for her to fall back on all fours. Walking in with the snow flurrying inside with her.

Wow. This house is barren. Light shone in allowing her to see a grey carpeting going over the floor and that was it. She stepped in, looking back behind the door to see if maybe something was hiding behind it. As empty as the rest. She looked around, walking to and fro.

Kind of lonely in here. I never find houses her completely empty. Somepony must have cleared it out. But there was something over there. A fireplace. Looked to be made of stone like her own. She walked over to it, looking into its gaping maw and finding the darkness within. Small bits of black ash left hanging on the walls inside and piles of it sitting around the stone floor. It did smell like ash. Ugh, disgusting smell. She backed off to breathe again. Glancing off to her right as she coughed. Her eyes widened.

Hey, there is something! Hidden away in the darkness at the far end of the house she could see hints of objects placed in the shadows. Whatever those are, they’re all that’s in here.

5.10
Wait, is that… it is! Wow, this is the first one I’ve seen in this whole village. Four legs, a back to it covered in dusty red cushions top and bottom and as wide as she was. A little sofa with a few boxes sitting on top of it. Am actual nice piece of furniture here.

Small boxes left open, their flaps spread so Soul could find nothing but empty space within. Somepony did clear this house out. Pillaging whatever had been inside these boxes. But… that sofa did look comfy. Soul swatted the boxes off. Oh crap, all the dust. It made her start coughing again. Old boxes but… the sofa though. The sofa was in good condition. Those cushions on it very thick. Like big pillows firmly set up.

She pushed it then kicked the legs. Sturdy. Seemed like a pony could sit on it. I have just the place for it! My porch. What a find. This might make my house look a little nice. Lots of these houses just had junk in the form of broken furniture. Years had passed and many ideas came up for how she would want her porch to look. She changed it often simply because she never found anything to help make it a reality. But how heavy was this find?

Soul set her teeth on the arm of the sofa, gripping down tightly and she pulled. The sofa budged in response. Coming out a little bit with her tug. Rather light. A pain to drag home, but… I have my wings.

She reeled her head back up and looked over her shoulder at the two limbs gently swaying in the air exactly like they were ready to do some work. Very good. These strong babies would make this easy.

5.11
Soul kicked the door to her house open. Breathing deep the warmer air inside. This comforting little house that greeted her every day she came back from a hard day of training. The best she could get. A nice welcome home hug would be the best. That was just another desire left at the wayside with everything happening. A little thing she imagined often. Landing in front of her house and resting her wings. Coming down to the porch where… somepony would be there waiting for me. Like things used to be so long ago. Well… there is one pony I would like to see waiting for me.

These days have been hard. Hard on my wings. But… I still would find a way to give a certain pony a hug with these wings.

Hold that black mare.

Give her that sweet Pegasus hug I miss so much. Spend time together. Play games, run around and talk. Anything more than what Soul would have to do now that she was alone. I’m so afraid of sleeping now. I can’t sleep at all. So many nights, spent awake. Just sitting there lost in her thoughts. Thinking of Dash, Soulblight, her training for the next day and going over what she did the current day. Everything. A very lonely time. Man, I miss the old days.

But maybe I have enough to make tonight a little different. She had a sofa out on her porch now and it was very soft. Maybe I can try something. That little thing I see Blight do all the time. There has to be something to it. Sit outside and watch the stars. The way the wind felt right now, might be good enough. Tonight would not be too cold. Ha, I remember when the cold used to be really bad to me. Soul smiled. Spending nights outside now. Even if it were lonely. I wish that wasn’t so bad to me as well.

Closing her door, she knew she would be alone again. Waiting in here for night to fall. If only Blight could be here.

5.12
Soul sat back against the side of her bed. Planting her rear in the soft carpet and resting her wings up and over the top of the bed behind her. Letting them feel some comfort rubbing along the soft mattress. Watching the fire at the other end of the house and softly sweeping her forelegs down across the carpet and she waited there. …Silently watching time go by. Slumping down more and more. Even forgetting to blink sometimes.

She sighed. Dropping her head back to recline on top of the mattress and stare up at the ceiling. “Oh Blight.” I wonder what you may be doing right now. Are you doing exactly what I am doing? How dreary. I know the mare is unhappy, always pushing me away but doesn’t stop me from wanting to help her. It’s a shame that my plan tonight is dead. If only things could be different.

Too many years had gone by. Both ponies so distant and Soul hated it. She had no idea if Blight hated it. Too often showing Soul she did not want her company. It felt terrible. Just like when Dash said that painful line still fresh in her mind. A moment I just can’t forget. I have to get home and apologize. That alone was a hard enough task.

No matter how much I train, no matter how much effort I put in, I keep trying to prove myself able to overcome this land… but I always end up falling flat on my ass.

Even getting hurt a couple times.

Those storms were still too strong and Soul had no idea how long she would have to wait before she could fly through them.

The day that Blight and I can leave.

Blight is so lucky that she doesn’t have to worry about the weather. Soul had to work, ... and how hard it was made her scared of how long it would take her to return home. Just to become friends with Dash again.

5.13
I can’t imagine how hard it will be for us to be friends again. Like when I was a kid. For those few days we weren’t at each other’s throats. But she could not blame Blight for being mad. I called her a freak. Made fun of her and called her names. Told her how much I hated her and… and I even tried to take my own life… when Blight wanted me to live. She did nothing but go against Blight.

But… I still have hopes of us being friends again.

If only they could play together. Soul’s mind cleared when she felt something. Her hoof hit something. Realizing it had ventured underneath the bed. Hitting something beneath. “What?” She fell to her belly to look under there. Deep into the darkness she found what she hit. It made her gasp.

Wings sitting on top of a four-legged body with a long mane between two big ears… and a big smile to greet her. Laying on its side.

“Oh my…” She reached in and dragged the thing out. Presenting it to the light to reveal it.

The Pegasus doll.

When did it get under there? I… I remember the last time I saw it. I lost it long ago… when I was a filly. I used to sleep with it until it disappeared. So long ago. So this was where she went. A welcome surprise for Soul.

She sat up holding it in her hooves. Gently petting the tip of her large hoof over the soft mane that was so small and fragile, she worried she may break it. She had grown so much, the doll much smaller than her own hooves now. All this time. I still want to show her love.

“It’s been so long. When was the last time I played with you?” She turned it so its smile could face her. It must have been lonely being under that bed for so long. Abandoned by her friend. That friend being… me. I feel bad. How could I leave it like that? Forget her. It was a tiny and innocent thing that needed somepony with her.

Still a little kid, a filly who needed her friends. Who needed love.

If this were real, I know she’d be mad at me. I’ve been too caught up, I didn’t even try to find her. She brought it close to her face and placed her cheek against the tiny cheek of it. Hugging it softly with the tips of her hooves set on its side and she rubbed its cheek. “I’m sorry, can you forgive me?” She held it back. Looking sincerely into its smiling face. Seeing the glow of the fire in its beady eyes. The smile made her smile.

“I love you too.”

5.14
Soul fell onto her back. Holding the doll up into the air with both hooves carefully holding it over her. Moving it all around like it was flying. She smiled, imagining it to actually be flying. Like a child. My own child perhaps. Teaching it to fly. Haha, wow… I never think that stuff. Maybe one day. The day when I finally have the skill and power to reach my goal with wings beyond any other. I could train many pegasi. Young and adults. Standing before Wonderbolts recruits and barking instructions on proper flight patterns. That made her giggle. Oh if only that day could come. I damn sure can be a great flyer they can look up to. At least I think so.

She had to settle with this little one whom she made roll again and again like she were doing tricks. She could see herself in it back when she first started. When she never got any praise for doing well by anypony. “Good job” she said to it. A pony who can pull off great things should be praised. Soul pulled it back down to her and pressed the soft doll into her chest. Giving it another loving hug.

“You have… great wings.” She set her head back down. Keeping the little Pegasus comfortable in her fur. That would be nice to be complimented on my own flying. I sure need it. I have great wings. I have talent. But nopony is left to assure me. This little Pegasus is so lucky to have me there to assure her, some ponies don’t get that.

Could somepony at least say how good I am doing? So I can feel like I am making progress even… even though I keep failing. I’m the only one left who loves my own wings.

Soul rolled over onto her side. The doll came up to face her, held in her hooves. Soul’s right wing came up. Curling the span so the feathers dropped down over the doll’s head. She stroked it with her feathers. “Do you like my wings?” Rainbow Dash would. Wouldn’t she? Did Soulblight? I keep them clean. Make them look very strong and beautiful. But they constantly failed.

How would it be if she did have ponies who liked her?

I would proudly show my wings to a pony who would appreciate the work I put into them. Wings like these… I already know how things will be. Those Pegasus mares, they’d all be so jealous and the stallions… I know they’d blush. I’d feel some sense of accomplishment. Some sense of love.

If only Soulblight could be the one who loves me. But she would not. Not after everything I did to her. I don’t deserve her.

5.15
Soul cleared her mind. Finding out she had been crying this whole time. I have to stop thinking like that. It could not be helped sometimes. This was not the first time she found herself slipping into sadness. Nights like this were always hard. I have to keep fighting. Don’t give up. No matter how many years it would take. I will find a way. When I will finally find somepony who will want to be around me. So I can feel good enough in their eyes.

Well, tonight I have somepony. Her hoof stroked the doll again. Its smile making her a little better. Like it was her who made the Pegasus happy. It will make her feel a little happy too. Soul curled her body up, bringing both her wings forward and casting a great shadow on the wall above the bed.

“Could you keep me company?” She didn’t wait for an answer. Pulling the doll deep into her chest and placing her chin on top of its head. Bringing those mighty wings in to curl over the doll and herself till her entire body wrapped itself in feathers and she could only see the doll in the darkness she hid her face in. Safe under her wings, she held it tight. Just as I want somepony to do for me.

“I’ll keep you company. We can watch the stars together. Together till I earn a friend.”

5.16
Soulblight could hear Soul breathing softly. Sounds just like the Pegasus was sleeping. It sounded a little different. Closer. Like… huh, could it be?

She creeped in the night towards the edge of the hole that led down to Soul’s porch. Listening closely, it sure did sound like Soul was asleep. Maybe that is the only reason I’m daring to even come close to her house.

The magenta Pegasus was there… on a sofa under the cover of the wooden porch’s roof. Where had she gotten that sofa? Soul was curled up along the length of the red cushions it sported with only her ears and a twitching hoof all that could be seen from under those wings. What the hell? Since when does she start sleeping outside? I can’t help but feel she is cold. No. The Pegasus was asleep. Her wings… they must be good enough to keep her warm.

Blight tried to step away but caught sight of something in the corner of her eye just before Soul would leave her sight. She looked back. A tiny tail jutted out from under Soul’s wings. I recognize that. The woven fabric. A doll. Just like the ones in my house. It must be the Pegasus one she saw Soul slept with as a filly. She still did that? Sleeping with it. It… was kind of cute. But…

I can’t dwell on it. No, it only makes me feel worse.

Because… I wish I could be good enough for her to… to keep me warm in those wings. Well, if I felt cold. Just shows me… there is no point.

It is best to leave. She backed away. I want somepony’s company too. At least… I’ll get it tonight. In my own way.

5.17
She came back to where she left her little gift for the one who did make her happy. Laying out on the snow, a wide and thick blanket woven of purple threads. Spruced up to Blight’s liking with golden squares patterned over it. Inside those squares were the bright red hearts laced in golden outlines that took a lot of effort to try and create. Almost like the ones Soul’s cutie mark had.

It looked so precious. Taking her the better part of the evening to make. Taking a lot of concentration and effort but it came out perfect in the end. Those leather strips did their job well.

Her magic grabbed hold of the blanket, lifting it high in the sky and pulling the corners out till it stretched itself before her. Giving her one last chance to look over it before setting off. Make certain nothing is wrong. No signs of lose threads, no mess-ups in the colors. She circled it checking rear and front, keeping it so still that the wind had no power to ruffle it. It looks great! So great that I actually want to touch it. If only. I know I would just fall through it. Still, it’d be nice to be able to snuggle up in it. I just hope it feels good enough.

Her magic folded the blanket up. Ready to hit the skies with her. Soulblight walked out into the open plain of snow. Readying her wings for flight. Keeping the blanket hovering just behind her open left wing. So close. Some way to protect it from all the falling snow. Coming down sideways.

She stopped. Freezing up. Because she heard it. Soul’s voice broke. A small whimper. Listening so closely. Her breathing still gentle, rhythmic, she still slept… but she cried. Another nightmare. More torment in the night.

“Please… don’t leave me” Soul whispered.

I… I hate to hear that. Every time she says it. Her heart beat hard and rose into her throat. She cries… just like I do. A nightmare where she was alone? They never did relent. I always feel so sorry for her. Very sorry Soul had none of her friends and they could not be friends. Not after everything they did to one another. Still… I… I would love to be the one to keep her company. Guide her through the night so it were not so hard for her. She only glanced back in the direction Soul slept.

Her wings kicked the air.

5.18
Soulblight shunned her ears away from the sounds Soul made. Rather pay attention to where she was going. To a place so familiar now. Over the hill lines.

She left the village behind. Flying over the steep hills that loomed over the houses. Funny, these are the same hills Soul arrived at on the first day. Neither of them came to use this area, up till now. Soul had her mountains. I have the open plains out here. They always were beautiful. Nights like this being rare when the clouds parted enough to bare the heavens down on the snowy world. All that glorious starlight making what should be white snow shine blue instead. A scene reaching out for so far across this wasteland.

A wasteland. One you would think would have nothing to it. But I know the truth.

She followed the starlight, the same light that guided her curiosity days ago. Flying low with the blanket kept close to her side. Swaying and dodging to avoid the wafts of snow sent flying in plumes from the ground thanks to how strong the wind was. Certain she would not run into that snow. Not to keep herself safe from it. Her only purpose being to keep the blanket safe. She listened all around. Slowly. Very slowly. Checking in every direction ahead of her to hear anything to tell her where it was. So much snowfall. Each time I come out here, it always looks different. Higher hills of snow. Worse ice banks. Impossible to know where you are. Except for me.

I can’t hear it. Sounds of wind and snow. Avalanches in distant locations. Sleeping ponies. Her wings pressed harder. Flying a little bit further in the snowy world with her ears kept open to any and all. Just trying to find the one familiar sound.

She turned. Wait… I think that is…

Blight smiled.

There he is. That little breathing sounding closer than all the others. The one that I know so well. She adjusted her flight. Flapping faster to disappear in the snow to break it with a little laugh of excitement. It’s pretty loud now. This must be it.

Skidding to a halt. Hovering above the open nothingness below. So empty and barren that anypony would easily be fooled by what wonders may be hidden. A wonder Soulblight picked out as a small sliver of darkness splitting the blueish white snow. That was it.

5.19
She came down closer. I can see it. That little sliver was actually it. An opening. A small opening of rock cut out through the snow with icicles hanging from the top of its mouth. Barely rising higher than the even ground itself. So easy to miss. I’m so lucky to have found it in the first place. No wasting time.

She landed with the blanket in tow. Hmm, the hole is still kind of narrow. Most ponies would need to kneel down to crawl in. Well, I don’t need to. I guess that’s the only advantage to… to being immaterial. Don’t need to worry about running into things.

She bent down and folded her wings in. Her hooves stepped in. Upon the hard, rocky surface inside. No snow at all in here. Beds of stone expanding out and around, going down at an angle to the dreary environment ahead. Dark but lit up enough by the moonlight shining in from the entrance. Blight could see all the grey stones that made up this little cave she came to know. So small that the back end of it was just ahead. An easy deception again.

She walked in. The blanket following, her silent steps pushing her on into the darkness. Her eyes set upon the wall to her right, just ahead of her. That was where it was revealed. A little alcove cut into the side, well hidden from anything that may peek into the cave. Having only to walk in and look to find something truly wonderful.

It lit up Blight’s eyes seeing that thing again.

5.20
A room she had built herself. Heaps of dusty, old blankets stacked on top and draping over one another making a comfy makeshift mattress like the one Soul slept on. These blankets rolling out from a large box. Laying on its side to keep the torn open top facing out so there could be a door into this little shelter to protect anypony from the water dripping from the ceiling. Like the little guy who lay inside right now.

There he was.

It always makes me smile. Her fellow four-legged friend with hooves just as her. Perky little ears and a tiny tail. But no pony at all. Blight recognized it the moment she saw it days ago. When it was laying in here with nothing but the hard ground poking into its tender body. A body covered in bronze fur with bits of adorable white spots running over its back.

This is the creature Soul had called a deer. Not like the ones I saw before. When I… attacked them. I have no reason to want to do such a thing to this little one. A youngling. Much too small to be compared to the adult ones. Thin fur and a small face. His sounds so subtle and light. He was just a child. A child Blight came to like.

“Hi, Spots.”

She was sure to speak to him softly. Gentle with him. Talking to it exactly as she would talk to a child much like she used to do with Soul. Hoping her little voice kept it calm. The deer she came to call Spots never feared her. I’m glad. He is comfortable being around me. Laying there watching her walk up to him. Placing his little head down on the soft bedding she made for him. Poking his nose out of the opening in the box.

Soulblight knelt down further till she nearly crawled across the ground. Pulling herself into the blankets Spots laid on. She couldn’t even move the bed, good thing too. Nothing to make the deer feel fearful. No, he likes me. I’m certain of it. She could come right up to him and, as she did now, place her nose down just in front of Spots’ own nose. So close. Enough that I could kiss that tiny nose of his if I could.

“I missed you.” Spots let his tiny tongue out like he tried to lick her nose. Not at all surprised to see that pink tongue go right through her nose before going back in his mouth. He missed me too! It made her giggle.

I still don’t know if he understands a word I say. I think he might. Sometimes, it looks like he responds to my words. If only I knew about deer. Do they talk? Maybe sometime in their lives. Maybe something they grew into. Spots had said not a word since she met him.

I can still tell what he may be saying to me. “I love you too.”

5.21
Blight laid down, keeping her head down so she did not tower above the tiny deer. Looking over his body. Taking note of his ruffled fur. Being sure he looked no worse than he did when first meeting him. He looked good. He looks like he is checking me out too. Sometimes glancing over past her. Probably can see my tail wagging back there.

“Looks like you fell out of your blankets.” He really needed to stop doing that. This kid sure was energetic. Refusing to stay in one place, protected under the covers of the blankets she tucked him in every day.

He had to stay in this cave. A good enough shelter from the hostile world outside. That did not mean it wasn’t cold in here too. The little guy was still smart enough to make this place his home where he sat in all alone away from the cold. Staying here to rest and unable to leave. Maybe he will like the new blanket. These ragged, old ones were not fit for him.

She presented the new blanket over her head and placed it right next to her for Spots to see. “I got you a present, I know you must be cold.” Spots twitched a little. Turning head around and lazily throwing it down on the blankets just to stare over at the new one. Too lazy to even turn his body. But Blight knew the real truth why he could not. She could see it in his eyes. A small shimmer of water filming over his black eyes.

He must be in pain. I need to check.

Her forelegs pushed her back up to sit over him. Her magic did the rest. Its black presence washing over the sides of the blankets. Pulling them out of the box, bringing Spots out with them. His forelegs kicked a few times for a moment. Settling back down when Blight hushed him. “Shhhh shhh, It’s okay. Mommy just wants to check.”

Oh it makes me feel so weird when I call myself that but… I like it. I probably am the best he has right now to a mother. I’m okay with being that for him. This precious little deer would feel the same as well. He needed his mom yet she never came back. Blight always finding Spots all by himself. I want him to know he is not alone anymore. I hope he does think that.

The blankets pulled him free of the box so he could lay sideways to where Blight sat. Presenting his bandaged left hind leg. A feat she pulled off using strips of cloth she set aside for this very purpose. He kicked that leg a little. Whimpering when he did that. Worrying.

“It’s alright” she pressed again. Whispering softly to calm him. “Mommy will be gentle.”

5.22
Her magic came over that bandage. Curling over it till it too created a new layer of color standing out from that lovely fur. Slowly and diligently untangling the knot Blight had fastened to keep the cloth in place. Happy to see that knot undo itself easily. The last thing she needed was to struggle or force the cloth off.

It became lose enough for her to gently slide the cloth off so she could see the injury beneath. A long cut starting at the bottom of Spots’ hip and running down the side to end at the start of his joint. Ripping away the fur and flesh. The poor thing still bled from there. Small pockets of it slipping out now that the bandage was removed. I still don’t know how this happened. It was the very thing that made her decide to care for him in the first place. Sad that he could not run or walk. Having a hard time standing up even. His parents just left him hurt. Abandoning him for reasons unknown to her so he could suffer all alone. Sadly, I empathize with you.

Her care helped him get a little better. At least he could move that leg again. It may take more time before he could walk on his own. I will be sure to help him heal, with all my power. She glanced over past the box. There sat the strips of cloth she left to serve as replacements for bandages. She brought a fresh one over to hover just above Spots’ leg. Nice and clean to help him along. She leaned down a little closer.

“Stay still, Spots. Mommy will be as gentle as possible.” He trusted her. Not reacting when a wash of Blight’s black magic grew upon his hoof and pulled his leg down. Straightening it as slow as she could go. She could feel her heartbeat. Very quick. Even made her nervous. I don’t want to hurt him. Like I always am when I do this for him. I fear ruining his trust in me. His leg just needed to be straight enough for her to wrap it again. Not too much. She still gulped. Feeling the tension over this. Silently watching her magic do what she willed it. Taking a breath only when his leg was unfolded enough to actually be able to do this now. She held it there. Bringing the cloth down upon his leg. Set out long enough to cover the wound completely.

She began to fold it. Wringing it around his entire leg once then twice. Three times. Gently tightening it so there would be enough pressure before she took hold of the threading sticking out of it to tie into a knot to keep it in place. She let his leg go and he brought it back up folded against his belly.

The deer looked up at her. Licking his lips. “See? No pain at all.” Blight brought her head down to his own. Smiling at him. “You were so brave. I’m proud.”

5.23
I really wish I could give him a hug for his bravery. Something about how cute he is to me. Some gnawing thing in her driving her to react like a star struck filly every time she saw him happy. But Spots needed to eat. He must be starving, …and this is the best chance for me to try out my new trick again before I start really going crazy with it.

First, she looked back into the box that served as Spots’ home. Checking to be sure he did as she asked. It was clean. He finished his food. She had been forced to leave him a meagre helping of some roots she pulled out from the ceiling of the cave the previous day. Leaving a painful feeling in her gut seeing such food as being a terrible substitute for a true meal for the child. It forced her hoof, being the only thing she could find to possibly feed him. No way would she allow him to starve. I need to make sure that was the last time he would eat that garbage. I feel like I can do it. Practicing just for this occasion. Her final attempt being so successful she was able to present the new blanket for Spots to sleep with. It was all thanks to those unicorns who are so generous with being vocal about their spells. A little trick they seemed proud of. I’m proud of it too.

Little did those unicorns know their magical tricks would be the thing that would bring happiness to this suffering baby deer.

She looked around the cave. More roots hanging from above. She winced seeing those ugly things. Feeling more shame she fed them to her precious baby. He deserved better. Then she saw something better. The rocks.

They floated over to her. Setting down on the blankets between her and Spots. A hoofful of them barely larger than Spots’ head. They would do. “I bet you’re hungry” she said to him. “Mommy has a treat for her special boy.” She smiled down at the rocks. I can do this. Just do what I did at home.

But what would work? That or that? No, not that. What can I do for this? Not certain what a baby deer would like. What would… she like? Now that as a dumb question that she tossed out. What would Soul like? So damn obvious. Every time I saw her eat back in the good, old days. I remember what she likes. Apparently, they were good. They sounded good.

Perhaps Spots would like them too.

5.24
Blight closed her eyes.

Ah… I can still picture those rocks. She took a deep breath. Exhaling. Twice more. Focusing on the image of those rocks. Feel the flow of magic just like always. Just like whenever I cast a spell. Yes, there it was. Just as I ask of it. It followed her every command. Just keep those rocks firmly planted in her vision. Do not let her eyes open. She had to do as she did before, just like what the unicorns did. Close out all distractions. Ignore the sounds of everything. From Spots’ breathing to the sound of the wind outside.

This was going to work.

Everything was working just like before. Nothing changed in her routine. Only let the rocks be the focus. Imagine them. Know them. Don’t let anything look different from how I remember them. …And then…

Remake that sight anew.

She opened her eyes. She smiled.

It had worked.

Days upon days of trying and she could do it at will now. So successful, I… I can’t believe how good I got at it. Almost making her want to scream in excitement. The rocks were gone. Left in their place were the leaf topped red orbs Soul taught her to know as strawberries.

Food, real food for her baby. All made possible thanks to those unicorns. The magic they called ‘transmutation’. A way to feed this deer now. She willed her magic to push the orbs closer to Spots. Close enough so he would not need to move too much to get at them. “Go on, eat up.” He sniffed at one of the fruits. Curiously picking at the leaves before… he bit it! Oh yes! Seeing him eat the leaves and then move on to chomp away at the fruit itself. He likes them. Eating the first one up and wasting no time to get at the next. Bits of juice left dripping from his mouth.

Finally he had real food. Just what my baby needed. I can’t believe I have the talent to do this. A trick she wished she knew earlier for when she could have fed Soul as a filly. Maybe then, that filly would grow up to like me. Just like Spots here. His constant companionship. He must like me caring for him. He’s gonna love me even more for feeding him.

One by one the strawberries disappeared. He kept going while Blight watched. Fascinated to see every reaction the deer had while he ate. How his ear twitched. A little chortle in his throat that sounded so sweet. Then he paused to look up at her. Locking eyes with Blight. Lovingly smiling back at the deer. She could see her own dragon eyes reflected in those shimmering black beads he had. Never at all afraid of looking at Blight.

5.25
Spots finished eating. Leaving just four behind. He is probably full now They were food for later then. Blight could not be here forever. I don’t want to go home but… I have to. Now that I know how to do this, I have work to do.

Make a real home for Spots.

My home may be just as cold as this cave, but I can make it so that he would feel more comfortable than inside a reeky hole. Now that he was eating well again, I hope he’ll get strong again soon so he can walk around the house on his own. When he may move without being in pain. Until then, I need to keep him here.

She placed the remaining strawberries into the box along with the old blankets, pulling them back in. Spots found himself safe inside the box once more. A strip of bedding reached up. Gently petting itself over the deer’s head. His ears fell down and he cocked his head. Blight loved it. He loves me for sure.

“Mommy loves you so much.” She brought the new blanket forward. “Let’s not forget your gift. Keep you nice and warm.” Her magic tucked the edges of the purple blanket into the box. Doing her best to fit as much in as she could and keep room for Spots. It curled over the back of the box. Going up and down. Essentially ringing the deer in the soft bedding. She brought it down over his body. Tucking it in under those little legs. Only his adorable face popped out. Nice and snug. He even yawned thanks to it. His voice squeaking just as he did it. The sound alone tantalized Blight’s ears.

“Aww are you sleepy? So you’re telling me you did not sleep all day? Not at all?” Blight pressed him. He blinked slowly. Keeping his little eyes sheltered beneath half closed lids. His answer. “Oh, alright. I’ll send you off to dreamland.”

5.26
Blight set herself back down on the blankets that still hung out from that box. Rolling over onto her side. Her head placed just outside the box so she could watch him drift to sleep. I love watching him fall asleep, especially when I help him fall asleep. The little guy needed his rest more than anything. What can I do to help him? Everything she did always sent him off. He listens to me sing and talk to him. He is a good listener. So quiet whenever I talk to him. It would feel nice to talk to him again about things.

Tell him about the day? What happened. I wish I had more to talk about. These boring days being so lost onto her yet he always kept himself awake to listen to her. Did he find interest? Why not?

“I dug out another house back at the village today” she started. “A lot more snow than the others. Even some of the windows were completely covered.” She made an impression of snow covering the opening to Spots’ box with her leg rising from below and all the way up to the top. Not knowing if he understood the motion. But she kept going anyways. “But this one had icicles. You know what icicles are? Weird little shafts of sharpened ice hanging from the house’s roof. Like it had fangs. I admit, I was kind of worried they may fall on me. But none of them did. I was even able to get the door cleared out too.”

She looked back at Spots. He had not moved. Keeping his head raised and nose pointed right at her. A twitch of his ear and a curl of his lip. “No, I didn’t get the chance to look inside so I’m not sure what was inside.”

She sighed. “Soul came at that time and… made me angry again so I had to call it a day.”

This is only the second time I’ve told him about Soul. He knew nothing about her. Just a name on a pony that I live with. One I never like to talk about with him. Even if he were a good listener he would have nothing to say about Soul. Nothing that would help Blight feel any better about the mare. But… he should know more about what happened today.

Soul was a better pony anyways. Not a freak like Blight with nothing good about her. Nothing worthwhile to say. I know this. I bet Spots would love to hear about her.

5.27
“Soul had a good day” she said. “She’s a Pegasus pony just like I am. Locked away here with me, away from all her friends and family. But she still has her wings. She trained today, trying to get better at flying or something… trying to get fast and strong… so she can go anywhere.”

Spots grumbled a little. Shifting that tiny head of his. Catching Blight by surprise with his reaction. Like he were saying something. She could only improvise. Continue to tell a good story to him. “No, I did not train with her.” Her left wing, free to breath the air unlike the opposite that was squished under her body, rose up to flaunt the massive length of it. All the brilliant black feathers as large as Spots was wide. “But it would have been nice. She doesn’t like me to train with her… or do anything really because I just get in her way. Nothing like we used to be when we were friends.”

Her eyes left those of Spots. I’m losing track of what I was saying. It easily came up. Every time I think of Soul, everything always comes back. All the pain and sadness. The life I could have had with Soul, now gone. It is so painful to remember how things used to be so long ago. How I wish for them again. Those few days when Soul and I were friends and we played together. Grown into a mare who only ignores me. I won’t earn that trust back after all I did to her.

Spots set his head down on the blanket with a little squeak coming from his closed mouth. His eyes strained up to look at her, and she looked back. Seeing herself in his eyes again. With yellow eyes shining thanks to tears. I never even knew I was crying. Wiping the tears away with a hoof.

“Oh Spots. We used to be so good to each other. Sweetheart. That’s what I called her. She even wanted me to be her family. I miss those days. Soul is such a kind girl; with so much love to give to the ponies she cares for. She works so hard to make them happy. She’s even training just so she can make her best friend happy again because she earned Soul’s affection. …I would like her to make me happy too. Like a whole different pony around me. Resentful, selfish. Leaving me all alone all the time because she has more important things to do. Leave me like every other pony. She even… makes fun… of me.”

Soulblight let herself go. Damn it, I’m crying in front of him. Feeling disgusting for acting this way in front of him. I have no right to tell him how I feel. Spots was the one who was alone from his family. A sweet and innocent little thing with his love taken from him by something he could not control. He had all the right to be sad… and upset with whomever… hurt him. Still Blight continued to cry. Holding her face inside her hooves. Don’t look at me.

But she heard a little sound. A ruffle of the blankets making her peek out over her legs. Spots had set his own leg out. Reaching out from his comfy coverings and out to her. Landing just short of being able to touch Soulblight’s nose. Close that her long mane even went through his hoof.

He still cared. After everything he went through, he still cares for me. Soulblight could just imagine if he could have reached. If things were different. He’d be petting me, wouldn’t he? I would love that. Something out there to love me and care for me. “Thank you” she whispered. Spots laid down. Keeping his hoof reaching out to her. The little deer fell asleep. Soulblight also laid her head down. Looking back down, down the length of her stomach. Free to the air for a moment. Her left wing coming down to blanket her own body. Seeing it perfectly. Watching down in the depths of her dark body.

So much room, I can certainly hold somepony in my wing. I want to hold somepony. Keep them warm while they slept. They would be smiling all thanks to me… just as what I wanted to do with Soul back when she was just a sweet little filly. Soulblight could still see it after all this time. She whispered.

“She does not know that I still love her after everything. That filly who made me smile for the first time.”

She lay there silently in the cold of the night.

5.28
“Nine hundred ninety-seven. Nine hundred ninety-eight. Nine hundred ninety-nine.”

Soul pushed herself for the final blow. All the strength in her wings welling up even if they had been exhausted to the brink of buckling on her. Looking like that may happen at any time. Just like always. Just shows I’m doing this right. Those wings were all that were keeping her up off the ground. The only thing doing that. All four of her legs she kept folded against her gut. Then… it felt so much better when those wings pushed her back up. Happy and confident she had the strength left to finish it all off. Her magnificent wings extending as far as they could go in this position to throw her back up.

“One thousand!”

She let go. Her entire body slamming right back down to the snow. So much snow flew up into her face when her wings plummeted to the ground as well. Breathing so deep. Almost panting. She had to lap up some of the snow in front of her. All of it melting right in her mouth. Icy cold. Tastes good. Gulping it all down over and over. This being her first water break since morning. Melted snow tastes like shit, but… so much better after these workouts.

The evening Sun already was out. Another long and strenuous day in the mountains. But no workout was too much. I failed too many times, so just need to work harder. Five hundred would not cut it. One thousand. Less water breaks meant more time for speed training in the middle of her bouts of aerial maneuvers. Today giving her the task of circling clouds fast enough to tear them apart. It felt good seeing those dark masses get shredded. Also leaving her a little dizzy. More go’s at dodging and going back and forth over the looming crater carrying a heavy boulder in her four hooves, refusing to let her wings tire out and keep her speed the same with every lap. All of it went so well.

She could finally reward herself by just resting. Rest atop her favorite mountain and watch the Sun. Panting hard to regain her breath and letting those wings lay still. Five minutes. That should be good enough, then I can go back home. I’ll have to see if I can beat my speed record this time.

5.29
Four damn seconds. To and fro, every time I try, my wings just can’t push me past that time it takes to fly back home. That was just not fast enough. It had been proven when she hurt herself testing out the mighty storm clouds, and it had to be improved. No more. No more nightmares. No more being all alone. I promised myself this.

Yet… I still fell asleep last night. Nice and comfortable on the new sofa watching the movements of the sky like it were some sort of lullaby. Damn things made me fall asleep and… and I got to do it all over again. Another night. Another nightmare

Rainbow Dash...

She doesn’t hate me. She didn’t. It’s just not true. Not how she would be. I don’t care if every other pony in the world hates me, but I can’t ever let Dash hate me. I will fight for her. The more I fail, the longer I will be away from her.

No, it won’t last long. I will return to her. Rainbow Dash. Soulblight. Even if both of them don’t like me, I still like both of them for all they did for me. Damn it! I did it again. No, they do like me. Stop failing. Stop feeling all alone. I was a jerk to both of them and need to earn their friendships again. An attempt she tried with Blight early this morning.

Right at the crack of dawn. Hoping to find the black Pegasus out and about in the village like normal. She was shocked to not find her at all. Not even in her house. Possibly out flying. Even though Blight would always be welcome to fly with Soul. Blight is a Pegasus just like me, she must need to satisfy that desire too. I never did find her. She must be avoiding me. Like Dash is.

I will do anything I can to be friends with Dash again, and with Blight. Soulblight will be home. She had to be by now. Once Soul got there, she promised herself during the day to ask Blight to fly with her. No tricks or training. Just a nice ride in the wind. Spend time with one another. There would be no way Blight would turn her down. Offering the Pegasus to partake in the very thing Soul loved to do the most. What a treat! Maybe she would be able to fly back home faster than her record too.

I just know I can do this. Two things in one day. All thanks to these awesome wings of mine. Already recovered from their workouts. They both seemed just as excited as she was. Both wings arcing out. I’m gonna it. Today!

“I’m gonna break my record.”

5.30
Soul stood back up. Ignoring the pain in her legs, what little discomfort was left in her wings. They could fly again. Just do a little more for today then they would be allowed a nice and gentle rest flight with Soulblight. She pushed them so hard all day long that one more flight would be such an easy thing. I’m a strong Pegasus. I can do this.

She stepped. Shrieking when one of her forelegs gave out. Oh crap!

Her wings caught her. A flap so embarrassingly strong she that she almost fell backwards with how much force she put into it. She saw that mistake, adjusting quickly to prevent it and getting back on her hooves again. Haha, oh man. That… that must have looked funny. I’m sort of glad nopony is out here. My wings are too strong. A good sign.

She walked back over to the ledge overlooking the vast plain of snow below from where her and Blight’s village sat tucked away. Way down there and so very far away. The distance alone, no Pegasus could look at it and think they can do it in a few seconds. Easy to scare them off. What babies. I will do anything for the ponies important to me. Even achieving these wings. Fly to Dash, fly with Blight. All possible thanks to these harrowing flights.

This vast expanse of snow between the only two things out here. I want to try and cut my goal in half. That should be fast enough to get right through those storms. Two seconds. Two and I can do it. With four seconds, I do better against the storms… until I fall right on my butt. Speed was not good enough. Her awareness not good enough. Constantly running into clouds so dark she could not see. Unable to stay on the narrow openings of the storms.

I need to keep training.

As hard as it may get. SI will do it. Bring myself and Blight to a better life than this. “I will do it. For my two friends.”

5.31
Her wings came right back up to life. Willed to do what she wanted. One last push for today she readied for.

Kneeling down prepared to push herself forward over the edge. With the wind striking at the back of her wings. Unmoving. Their intensely strong masses keeping straight until she wanted otherwise. Which would come… three.

Two.

One.

She kicked herself off the mountain. Those massive wings kicked in. Back into the feeling that she loved. All the wind and skies around her. The clouds before her. All the dreary sights of winter split by what little sunlight could grace it all exploded around her. Blasting past her faster than one would be able to see. Like no pegasi could experience. Not even when I was younger.

The clouds tearing to nothingness before her, sunlight warped so much it seemed to fall flat along her vision. As if the Sun itself was dying. Even the wind itself. She could practically see it. All the bands of blue and white coiling about in an endless scene going by so fast she could miss it if she blinked. Yet it was too exhilarating. Too much to be able to blink. All the sights and sounds of her immeasurable progress. Perfectly catching sight of every single flake of snow passing her by quick enough that they flew past her sideways. No more illusion of them falling to the earth. I can see everything. Nothing… nothing can escape my eyes and… going this fast, oh what a thrill.

The sound of thunder behind her. Booming loud in her ears each time she felt her wings flap. Like they were beating drums rather than the air. A boom pounding away in every direction she heard. Listening to it all like a powerful song as the village flashed in closer. Like it grew to life in front of her. Getting closer and closer and the air lost its dark hue with clouds freed of her path. Just seeing that blur of blue around the village. A village she saw entirely.

There was her house. Blight’s. Her porch and the sofa. She could even spot the doll she left to sit atop the sofa. So far away. Closing in faster than Soul could think of anything besides the numbers she counted. Coming clear as she forced her wings to a screeching halt. Ending the entire sight of a world of blue and lights. Angling her wings in a snap to come in for a landing right at the location she pinpointed in her flight.

Her hooves rammed so hard into the snow, sending sheets of the icy liquid flying about her. The earth shaking and rumbling. But Soul felt just fine.

One shallow breath.

An easy flight. Still didn’t make her any less angry.

“Damn it!”

5.32
Four seconds again.

And it was right as I landed too, like always. No improvement.

What was supposed to work? I’ve been training so much and did so much work. So many hours that I could have spent with Blight. Forcing herself through till the late hours of the day just to get past that damn number. I never can get to it. Like her wings were not getting any better than had been for months. …And they…

Soul winced.

Screaming loudly and almost falling to her knees. Keeping those very wings she worked on high in the air, trembling. Their spans twitching. Soul tried to clear her mind. Tried to. It failed and she hissed loudly. Her wings hurt so much right now. She felt all of it. A piercing sting going down her entire spans, not even noticing it till now. Celestia, they hurt just as bad as when I started training for the first time.

She had to let them calm down. Just run the course of it. Let them suffer through the pain for just a moment or two before she got used to it. This was nothing. I’ve felt worse in the past. It was still terrifying how bad it could get. Pushing them too hard today.

MY wings know I want to improve and they do their best. And I ignored them all day. Soul hated what she did to them and now they repaid her. Oh they are repaying me for sure. The pain was subsiding now, but… tomorrow. Soul shuddered at the thought. Just like before. It really was like everything was punishing her now. How great. I never give myself a break.

Soul shook her head. Ignoring it to the best of her extent. Slowly placing both wings back down on her sides, keeping them unfolded and laying on the ground. No flying or moving them for now. Just let them rest. She needed to find Blight first, that was the priority. Ignore the pain. I want to hang with my friend.

5.33
She wandered around outside her own house with wings dragging behind her, taking a peek in her window to make sure Blight was not holed up inside. Not finding her, she continued on to look all around her house. Looking over at every house in the village. All of them in plain sight from where her house stood.

Looked much like the same as she remembered. No new houses unburied. All of them vacant on the outsides. So Blight had not tended to any of the houses today? Weird. She seems to like doing that. She may be distant and angry a lot, but Blight did have a cleanliness side to her.

Soul glanced over to Blight’s house. Its snow topped roof over walls with fully uncovered windows. A scene reminding Soul of her first great disappointment. When she came back the first day of training to find Blight had already done what they were supposed to do together and no intention to do any further. Soul being left to fend for herself for the night and lay in her bed sad with nothing to do. Those windows… always leave me sad that I rarely do anything with Blight,

Tonight would be different.

Soul trotted over to Blight’s house. Going around the corner to where her uncovered door sat. The new opening for her house, replacing that ugly hole in the roof Blight patched up. Again without Soul. A door much like Soul’s own. These houses all really were the same. I still don’t know why mine is the only one with a porch.

Wandering past the window next to the doorway, her eyes glanced in. Just for a moment. That was all that was needed. She gasped.

“What the hell?!”

5.34
Soul sent the door flying open. Its wooden make slamming right into the wood of the wall, followed with the sounds of Soul’s hooves stepping onto… soft carpet.

Soul was speechless. Stunned completely at what she saw. Looking left and right to take it all in. Like a whole new world to her.

It… was pretty.

A house unlike any other she had seen in the village. Because none of these houses could look like this. Is that… a table? Set in the middle of the room, …even with chairs! Four of them! With padded cushions. More tables to her left. Smaller. Set about next to the sides of a rosy red sofa that was… huge. W-what? It’s big enough for like three ponies! Its surface lit in the glow of pairs of candles set on the little tables. Lit with tiny, flickering flames.

I… can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s like… I’m in a house now. A real house. There was so much in here. Empty bookcases, shelves hanging on the walls. Sitting behind the large table in the middle, …and was that…?

A chandelier?

Hanging right above all this from a chain in the middle of the ceiling. Soul backed away at the sight of that. Amazing… and, that’s a bed! A huge one. Just like where my bed is in my house, and it has blankets and… what the hell?! How did… where is Blight?

Soul felt dumb. There was Blight, right there by the bed. The black Pegasus set down with her eyes glued to the bed but she gave a little glance back to Soul. “A knock would be appreciated” she said. Saying it like this was normal. A knock? You sound so casual. How can you even talk like this? None of this was right.

Blight’s house always had been empty. A dark little room that always made me feel bad that Blight lived in it. This room, now it really was like something from back home.

Slowly walking in, she even saw the very carpet she walked on had changed. Reeling her head back in astonishment. Completely patched up, no holes in sight to blemish the tan color of it. It felt soft to her hooves. Soul just wandered past it. I just can’t believe what I’m seeing.

This was amazing. Soul actually wanted to smile about it. It was all too excellent. Like a little taste of home. The home she missed. Looking just like what real homes are like. This would be a nice place to live in. Even seeing the cushions of the chairs she walked by had little bows tied in the shapes of hearts to keep them in place on the chairs set in a black finish that matched that of the table they surrounded. All the furniture being black. As dark as Blight herself. Like a little piece of her in each one.

5.35
“What are you doing?”

Soul shook her head. Turning to look back at Blight whom she did not even know she wandered by. Blight looked a little concerned. I must have looked weird. Humiliated that she got caught up in the sights. Just talk like nothing happened.

“Blight, …where did you get all this stuff?” Blight did not answer immediately. She glanced her dragon eyes down. Oh no, I know what she’s looking at. Soul folded her wings back up.

“…I found them. You’d be surprised what things are hidden away in this village.” So this had been the rewards of cleaning up the village? Did Blight get all this stuff from the houses I didn’t help her with? That was terrible. Now I really regret not helping her. I should have pressed harder. Not run away from Blight whenever she got mad at me. Insist on staying and helping out. Even if they were to work in the night. What wonders they could find together.

Soul and Blight together uncovering the treasures of this village. Laughing in excitement together when they found a house full of valuables to them. I missed all of that. All that fun. No wonder Blight was always mad at her. Spending all that time together, wasted. Not anymore.

All this stuff in here, …surely there must be more in the village. So many houses still left buried in snow. We can work together and totally make my house look good too. But with what? I want a new bed. More blankets. A comfy and large sofa to put in front of the fireplace so we can sit on it together. Curtains with imprints of a skyline on them. That would look so nice.

“You found all of this? That’s amazing.” Soul walked away from Blight. Careful to step over a pile of fresh candles left on the floor for a place to sit. Coming back over to where the table was. She felt the cushions the chairs had. Feeling how soft they were. Poofy. Stuffed to the brim. Like she could bounce just by sitting down on them. “These are so nice.” She took another look at the heart knots Blight must have done. “These cushions are so cute. You’re such a softy, Blight.” “Umm… thanks” Blight said.

5.36
Soul walked past the chairs. I need to get a look at this couch. I gotta… Soul winced. Yelping suddenly. Another sharp pain in her left wing this time. Kneeling off to her side about ready to fall over if she had not caught herself. What was that?

Soul looked back down at her poor wing trembling at her side. Right there… next to the chair she had passed. She ran right into it. That was not going to be good. She had enough pain not to look forward to tomorrow. Hitting her wings would not help. She wanted to shrug it off. More so now that Blight was watching. No doubt seeing how much pain that strike to her wing caused.

“So your wings are hurt” she said.

Damn, she noticed. Please just don’t be too concerned about it. I really don’t need Blight worrying. I’m a strong Pegasus. I will get over it like I always do. Don’t let it get in the way of our fun. No, just ignore it and check out this sofa. “Never mind that” Soul said. “I love this couch of yours.” She ran one of her hooves over its length. It’s amazing how soft it is. Soft and large enough for her to even sleep on it. It really did feel as nice as it looked. Especially with how Blight put those tables next to it with their candles. Somepony could easily lay on it and read. If they had books. Maybe there are books hidden away somewhere! I’d love to kick back on this thing.

“It looks so nice. I never thought you’d be into fashion.” Blight must be blushing back there over that, I bet. Blight actually talked a little quick to that. “Yes, it is nice. I picked up a few things.” Well whomever it was who taught Blight how to decorate, Soul would be just fine having the black Pegasus tend to wherever she could live when they went back to Cloudsdale. I’ll help too. It’d be a nice thing for them to do together. Just like now. That was it!

5.37
“Hey Blight!” Soul said turning back around with a jump. Slowly wagging her tail just behind her large wings. “I can help you fix up your house. Add a little of my charm.” Whatever my charm is. Gotta figure that one out. But it would still be nice. We can finally do something together. Nothing spells a good friend like helping somepony fix up their house. I’ll totally help. Then we can go flying in the starlight together. I don’t care if my wings will be hurt, I’ll power through it. This opportunity could not be passed up.

Blight glanced down at her carpet. Not meeting Soul’s eyes. Her expression actually disheartened Soul. She looked upset. Like she had bad news. But…

“Soul, you injured yourself today. I think you should just rest for the night” Blight said in a low tone. Soul felt her heart also drop.

No, no, no. If only she did not notice my wings. If only I had not been stupid today. …Or maybe… Blight is pushing me away again. No, please don’t.

“I-it’s alright. I don’t need wings to help you” Soul stammered. “I just trained too hard, it’s no biggie.” They really weren’t. Even if they stung a little as she spoke, she could ignore it. Ignore it and Blight would not have to throw me out. Don’t get rid of me. I’ll be a good Pegasus like all ponies want of me. I’ll be good company for you. …I need her company. I don’t care. I’ll put up with it, anything to be a good friend for you. I just want to make another pony happy.

I won’t do to you what I did to Dash.

Soul eyed the candles still laying on the floor and walked over to them. Picking one up between her teeth. “I can help put these up. No hurt wings will stop me” she said. Looking all around to find a good place to put it. “Oh we can put some up on these shelves” she said pointing to the ones sitting along the wall. That would look good. Fly up there and make Blight happy with her work.

So she did. Bringing her wings back up no matter how much it hurt. Both of them pounding in protest to her moving them. Yet she still flapped them. Gradually getting off the ground and grunting with each move they made. Trying hard to get closer to the shelves above her.

“Soul” Blight said sternly. It made her freeze.

“Stop it.”

Soul looked back down at Blight. Her eyes gazing up at her and she frowned. Those dark dragon eyes and how disciplined her voice was sounding. Something about them. Soul felt worried of disobeying them. They… they scare me.

All the pain and worry, it all made her come back down to the ground.

5.38
“You need to continue your training” Blight said. “And I’d rather not have you act this way, it only interferes with your real goals.”

But my goal is to be with you.

“I know you want to work even harder tomorrow, and I can’t stop you, but your wings take priority over anything else. I know you love them very much.”

I do but not as much as friends.

“Night is coming, so just go home and lay down. Leave me out of your mind and focus on what’s important.” She was saying it all so sternly. Like she is demanding this stuff. Soul kept her head low to the ground listening, and thinking over it all. Over the truth in the matter. I’m being pushed away by her. Again. Just like yesterday. Yelling at her. Getting her back for all the mean things I did to her when I was a kid.

I hate it, but… I deserve it. All of what Blight has been doing to me. Because of what I did to her.

Ending the friendship the two had. Calling her a freak. Breaking her heart. I took her heart and stomped on it. I… I really was terrible to her. Destroying the beautiful relationship they had for such a short time. It was all my fault. It’s like nothing I do can heal it.

All she wanted to do was spend time with Blight. Dash could wait.

Everything bad that had happened to the black Pegasus. All the tears and anger. That great distance between the two. All of it is my fault. She deserved to be punished. Just like… with Dash so long ago.

Soulblight hates me.

5.39
“I understand.” Soul whispered. “I’ll leave.”

She slowly dragged her hooves along the carpet. In the end, I only got one thing out of all of this. Soulblight’s hate.

She doesn’t want my company, but I want hers. Even if I fail, I vow to keep trying. I will keep trying till I prove to her that I am here for her.

…But why would it not stop hurting?

Silent and lasting. Beating hard in her heart. Building deep within and unable to leave. She would not let it. Blight did not need to see.

She shut the door behind her. Walking back out into the snowy world that was her only companion. This… this is my world until the day I can prove to the ponies I love that I am there for them.

The ones who make me hurt so bad.

Soul cried.

Soulblight cried.

5.40
“Ah man I really screwed up” Soul said. Pacing all across the snow for the hundredth time. Leaving a hefty trail of hoofprints scattered along the thin snow layering the wood of her porch. “Why did I have to walk out?” I completely messed up what I wanted to do. Now night had already fallen and… and Blight was still all alone in her house, and I’m alone out here.

So what if my wings hurt? All I needed to do was insist. Let her know I could play with her and just ignore the pain. Rest the next day even. Anything to spend time with her. But no, I chickened out. I was a coward again! Now tonight is like every other night. Lonely. Failing again.

“I’m such a coward.” Even if Blight hates me, I just need to do anything to show her that I am still here for her. If she had to stay up all night to do that, so be it. Think of something, anything that would not leave Blight angry with her. But how? “What should I do?” She asked, turning around to face the one she hoped had the answers. Her Pegasus doll standing in the middle of the sofa. Quiet and just giving her back that same smile. Nothing to say.

“Yeah, …I got to do this myself.” She sat herself down, finally resting her legs after all this walking. Ugh, and now my wings hurt again. Both of them stinging all of a sudden. Able to be folded up again but no less in pain. They keep just getting sore so randomly now. It made her wince, …and angry. Damn wings. Why could they not succeed? The sooner they got stronger, the sooner I can make things right with Dash and I can stop getting hurt so much. It’s all their fault Blight is so upset with me. Blight must have been so mad I got hurt again and couldn’t play with her. I bet she wanted me to help her but of course I went against it.

Just like… when I betrayed Blight’s trust. …And now I can’t even trust myself.

How ugly. I can’t believe this stuff I’m thinking. My wings aren’t to blame. They were her glorious babies. She was just being too stupid. Not trying hard enough and being too reckless. Now those would never let her succeed in the Wonderbolts if she ever got the chance to join them.

I hurt my own wings. That is what ruined my chances to play with Blight. I’m so selfish to blame my wings.

5.41
Just let them rest for a while. Take it easier on them tomorrow because they were going to be even sorer when the Sun rose than they were now. An easy day of training. Haven’t done such a thing in a long time. Just practice her speed, nothing more. Besides…

I want to try that new technique I’ve been working on.

A little something from the old days when I used to fly super fast. I don’t know if it would make any difference now. Maybe I can still try. What’s the harm? Anything to try and escape. Escape to when she could find Rainbow Dash and prove all those nightmares wrong. Dash does not hate me. I will show her. I will do anything to make things right and Dash will be my friend again.

No more angry Dashes… making fun of me.

She rubbed a hoof along her other foreleg. Still feeling a little pain set deep in her heart. Maybe… it would be best not to sleep tonight. Just relax. Anything to avoid them. I’d rather train tomorrow with none of that crap on my mind. Nice and clear. Spend a few hours training and see if I can do something with Blight. Or… even better.

Soul had an idea. She doubted she could fly with Blight tonight… but tomorrow.

“I’ll train her!”

Blight wanted to do that in the first place. The first thing she asked to do with me when I decided to start training again. It could work. She has huge wings and all but… I don’t think she can do intense tricks. Not like I can do them too when my wings are like this. Just give her some pointers. Start her up and maybe she will be able to fly with me like a master in the future.

Alongside Dash and me.

Surely Soulblight will like that. There was nothing else to lose. Blight refused to allow Soul to partake in the things she liked to do, maybe she wanted to do the things Soul liked to do. She certainly needed to rest a little bit. Have her wings in better shape so as to at least impose the appearance of an impressive flight instructor rather than an injured rookie. She did just that. Jumping up onto the sofa and laying down along its length. Setting her little doll close to her, held against her side with a hoof. This sofa really was comfortable but not likely as much as the one Blight had. Still, it was hard to not want to fall asleep in it. Much like last night. The beautiful night sky and waiting for time to pass, did not help one bit. Tonight looked to be just as bad.

The night was so pretty. Looking up at it, Soul left her mouth agape at the lovely scenery the night imposed. With thin and dark clouds slowly passing by high overhead, clear of the gaze of the Moon. Its blueish white light given a chance to completely cast its glow on the Pegasus. It did look extra perfect tonight. The engraved mare along its berth shining bright blue in the shadow of a crescent surface shielded in white. It actually looked brighter tonight. Brighter than any other time, looked like. And all the stars flickering around it. Kind of like… the sky is smiling at me.

Maybe Blight will end up playing with me tomorrow. For a long time, I hope. Fly together till the next moonrise and they could sit below an incredible scene much like tonight. But what to do? What training would fit Blight? She was not fast and I have no idea if she had the skill to fly fast or pull off high altitude stunts. Or maybe just the basics.

That sounds so funny. Teaching an adult Pegasus the basics of flying. Like I’m Blight back into flight camp.

Now that would be cool. What if… that did happen? Soul thought. Soulblight… what if she had been a filly with me back at camp? That sounds funny. I’d love to see how she would look as a kid. How crazy she could be. It made her giggle under her breath.

Click

5.42
Soul silenced herself. Listening with raised ears at full attention. Did I just hear something? I swear I did. Sounded like a door being gently shut. Kind of loud. From Soulblight’s house.

She turned herself to face in the direction she knew the house to be. Hidden from her view thanks to the walls of snow grown around her porch. But she still saw it… high over the mounds of snow.

Soulblight.

The black Pegasus flying high into the sky, near blending in with the black of night. Her darkness shining silver in the glow of the Moon. Flying high… and away. She was leaving the village.

What, why is she leaving? She shouldn’t leave. This had not happened before. Blight never left like this. Oh no, did I hurt her feelings that much?!

No, she’s… she’s leaving me!

Leaving to find her own way out. She must have had enough of me. No, it couldn’t be. We still need to play tomorrow. I still need my friend! Not another one leaving me. No!

She leaped off the sofa and ran to the ramp. Coming up it to stand high atop the snow above. Watching after the dark figure disappearing into the night sky. Soul’s razor-sharp eyes still picking out the faintest hint of silver light. What can I do? I need to chase her, but… would she get mad at me? I can’t let her leave. I’d… I’d be in her way but… I don’t want her to go. Don’t leave me like… like mom.

“No, don’t leave me alone.” Soul took a step forward. Breathing rapidly. At a loss on what to do for there was nothing she could do. She had nothing to offer Blight in staying. My friendship means nothing to her. No enough to keep her here. But I still want her. I need her. Don’t leave me behind. Like they all did.

Don’t… I don’t want it to happen again. Her legs picked up, her wings spreading. She did not move, frozen. Her eyes shimmering in the light. Like when… I watched… her leave me so long ago. I stood there like an idiot, crying for her.

“I… I…” Soul knelt back. “I’m sorry.” She walked forward again. Halting. Stepping back. Keeping her raised hoof high in the air with nowhere to put it down. Go after her. Let her leave. Leave just like all the ponies in my life.

Just like Rainbow Dash.

“I don’t know what to do… to make you happy.”

5.43
Soulblight nudged another strawberry over the length of the blanket to nestle it right in between Spots’ legs where the little deer found it easier to nibble away at them. Still a messy eater though. Getting juice all over his face. She brought over another batch to set down next to him before she too sat down. Keeping herself close to him while he ate. Just like a protective mother, may as well be the case. Performing her new favorite magic in the corner of the cave as a way of hiding it from him. Give him a surprise when she turned around and he surely was happy. Surprising to see him actually jump around in the blanket when she presented the fruit. Like he were trying to stand up and run at them.

Sadly, she found his leg did not improve much over they day. In need of another bandage change soon.

“Eat up.” She pushed another one over to him. Again and again. Watching him eat each one. The food he needed to heal. Plenty of them too be able to last him the night and the coming day. But soon… soon I’ll bring you home and you can have a much nicer place to live in. “Mommy worked on our house today.” I’m so proud of how it is turning out. The transmutation was such a great spell, and I never run out of stuff to transform. Decorate and make it all look nice. But… I don’t know if I like it. All décor stuff, I know nothing about it. Luckily, there was a pony out in Equestria who did, and she was always so nice to overhear. Though she is a bit to descriptive with this stuff. Nonsense to me. Choosing to stick to a more simple design based of what she heard. Enough to make a comfortable home for Spots.

Finishing up another strawberry, Spots looked up at her. Licking his lips in satisfaction. If deer could smile he probably would right now. Happy hearing about all Blight was doing for him. She really was earning his love. “I even made a nice bed for us, these rags will not do.” She rubbed a hoof through the blankets they both lay on. Watching her hoof going within the threading themselves like they were nothing. All of these blankets besides the one she made yesterday were too ugly. Better to leave them here. Bring the nice one home when Spots could come home too. Then we can lay under the blanket each night and I can send you off to sleep myself. Because he is the only one who actually wants my help. I’d love to! Anything for a darling like him!

Oh, …I need to calm down, haha. Still though, I wish I could do a lot for him. Someday, I hope I’ll be able to actually touch things. I can’t hug him at all, not like this. No, I can only do so much. Stay by his bedside and sing him to sleep. Not very ideal.

5.44
She had nothing else to say about herself to keep him interested. Just not enough to really talk about. If only more happened in her life. In his life. Enough for him to talk about. Instead he finished up the last of the strawberries. But… today was a little eventful. Not in the way I would have liked it to be. Disappointing. All thanks to Soul who must have had quite a day. A day that… really got to me.

“Soul did some more training today. The fool hurt her wings yet again.” She really did need to stop doing that. How many times now was it that she got hurt. It always sucks when she does hurt herself. Hating feeling when Soul hurt herself, like that sharp pain I had earlier today in my wings. Of course it was Soul.

Spots took an interest. Leaning closer to her. Keeping his long ears up so she could see the long fur within them. Happy to hear everything she had to say. How kind of him. Unlike Soul. “Trying to get through that storm again today.” She rolled her eyes. “She keeps failing in reaching that goal of hers. Gets hurt so much yet she always recovers and tries again.” That was Soul’s temperament anyways. A trait I can never get rid of, even if I sometimes do want her to give up. Those huge wings Soul had being the evidence to how much the mare did not give up. Soon enough, those wings would accomplish it. That… is terrifying. “…But she will succeed eventually” Blight said sadly. You and I will be the only ones left in this dreary place. A nice buddy to have around and keep me company, but… he’s not the same. He’s not the pony I wanted to be friends with. A friend I saw long ago in Soul. What she needed from the pony. And that pony is going to leave me behind, I’ll never be her friend again. Leaving her as angry as she was now. Angry like she had been when she saw the proof of Soul’s attempt to leave her today.

“I don’t know what to do, Spots.” She lay down. Crossing her forelegs together. Keeping her eyes planted on the lonesome rocks set along the sides of the cave. Dark and rigid. Hardened. “She’s making so much progress and eventually we will be apart all because I can’t earn her trust.” She slid her head down onto her legs. “She’ll always hate me, until she forgets me entirely and I can’t think of anything to stop her. Stop her so we may start over.” Those wings of Soul’s are so much faster than me, I can’t catch up. Faster than I can even think, and they will do it. It will happen. Soul would be free of me and back home before I have any chance to show her I am there for her. Keep her around long enough to be able to change Soul’s mind about me.

Just weather her hatred.

Work hard to make everything right with her and it will all work out in the end. If only Soul did not ruin our chances. If only Soul did not hate me… and always do everything to avoid me, hurt me.

“What do you think I should do, Spots?”

5.45
The deer stared at her. Blinking once before looking over at the same rocks Blight had been staring at. His dead stare gave no answer. He would not know what to do anyways. I’m the adult here. “Yeah, …not really anything can stop her from leaving me…” Blight blinked. Looking back over at the rocks. Unmoved seeing them like this. Even as Spots shuffled in his blanket. He started mumbling. So what? I’d rather… not deal with him right now. As the cave glowed red. Disappearing whenever she blinked. “Nothing I can do…”

…Besides… clipping her wings.

Soulblight gasped. The red ran away from her sight.

What? No!

She shook her head. Get rid of the thoughts. Do not ever be that way. Not like before. I’ve gone so long without thinking that way. So many years passed by with no incident. Can’t let it flare up again.

Hurting Soul is wrong. It is wrong to think that way. Soul needed love and compassion. That was the only way to fix this. Even if the mare never accepted it, anger was not going to work. No getting angry at her. The only pony I need to be mad at is myself, I’m such a sick pony thinking about…

Cutting her wings off.

Blight gagged. Ugh, no. I can’t even imagine it. She calmed herself back down. Let all her anger go away. Instantly. It is not what I should be. Not what Soul wants in me. …But she had failed to hide it. Immediately noticing her dear Spots flailing in his blankets. Trying desperately to kick himself away from her. Wait, did he?

He had seen it!

“No, no. It’s alright” she whispered to him. Extending a hoof to the deer’s face. She hushed him. Smiling down at the baby deer and keeping calm. Get rid of all the anger and fear. Do a good job at showing him she was still the kindly Pegasus he knew her as. “Shhhh” she pronounced as her magic came to life. Grabbing hold of the purple blanket and gently bringing it forward to Spots. Wrapping the soft and warm bedding around his tiny body and covering him. Make him feel safe. Show him she still was his nice mother, and she waited. Don’t get angry again. Insisting on him to quiet down and assure him everything was okay. He believed it.

The deer stopped kicking and laid still. Setting his head down on the blanket wrapped around his chest. Looking back over at Blight. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not angry. It’s okay.” She exhaled hard.

A lie.

5.46
Blight let enough time pass for Spots to completely settle down. Feeling comfortable that he saw her as a good Pegasus again. I just hope he forgets what I’m like when I’m angry. Damn and my eyes must have looked that way again. Hope he just thinks it was my magic. Anything to not let their bond be destroyed. I don’t think anything bad happened. Spots was fine with her approaching him again. Bringing herself right back up to where he lay so she may lay down as well. He still liked her. So I can still tend to him. Make sure he never felt the same way she did.

“I’m sorry. Did you still want me to stay with you tonight?” He did not protest. That was why she loved him. He forgives me and wants to be with me… even if I can do so much to harm him and others. I will never let him know what I can do.

She placed one of her hooves close to the injured leg, left to jut out from underneath the blanket. It still had to be tended to and she needed to do whatever it took to keep his trust. “I’m just going to check your leg for you, make it feel a little better.”

Her magic came to life. The calm and soothing sights of her darkness giving no reason or feeling to cause him discomfort. Only there to help him. She went through the same process as yesterday. Careful removal and examination of his wound. Not much better. Blood still continued to leak out and drip down the fur of his leg. A continuous sad sight for her in how much pain he must be suffering from. What if he was thinking he may never walk again? I hope not. Much like the mothers in Equestria always secretly worried over their injured children no matter what reassurance they gave them. No matter how minor the injury. I feel the same way as them.

She groaned. “Oh… if only I weren’t so useless.” Spots reeled up to look at her directly. Like he were telling her not to say that.

…What did those mothers do for their hurt children?

That was right. Maybe I can try that. It sounds so silly, like really, what is it supposed to do? It just confuses me whenever I think about it. There just seemed to be no purpose. Well… maybe. I have an idea, maybe it is because… the kids like it. Would you like it too?

I think he would feel better if I did that for him. I don’t know but may as well try. What’s the harm? I can do it.

“Mommy will help you feel better.”

5.47
Blight came closer to the injured leg so she may bring her head down close enough to keep it right above the wound. Her chin fur nearly touching his own fur were it not for how her body was. That left her a little disappointed. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how it will be. This was for Spots. Not for me. The deer didn’t even struggle or move away from her. He did not care about her being so close to his wound.

Well, …here goes something.

She reached down. The sight of the blood and the ugly opening being plain as day in her eyesight. So close to see every detail. It disgusted her. Damn near forced her to feel sorry for him knowing his body being blighted by such a sight. He had to feel better. Do this just like those mothers. Does it even matter where I do it? Blight knelt closer and looked along the wound. Careful to not tower over him. Freak Spots out seeing just how huge she was to him. Coming closer till she stopped. Just short.

I guess… here?

The brown fur was so close. The bloody wound filling her vision and she did it.

Setting her lips down upon the cut. Give it her kiss.

I did it! Wow, I actually feel… good doing this. Glancing up seeing what she wanted. Spots himself staring over at her. Watching this miracle she doubted a baby deer may ever experience for a Pegasus like herself to kiss him just to make him feel better. It was nice. So nice Blight wanted it to last as she closed her eyes. Letting this go on and on in her mind with only the sound of dripping water and the wind still connecting her to the outside world. But she still had to let go. Hearing the small sound of her lips smacking slightly when she released them and lifting her head back up to smile at him. She could swear he looked a little sleepier now. Not upset at all. Nothing bad having happened.

I feel so good. I… I think I did help him. The silence of the night broke by a sound.

Blight looked down.

5.48
She looked back down at his leg. Horrified.

What was this?

I don’t… Blight gasped. Darkness all around that leg.

My magic!

But I’m… I’m not controlling it. I still have my magic. What the hell is it doing to him? I just...

A cloud of black mist warping over the entirety of the wound. Seeping inside and flaring out strongly to send the fur swaying. Oh no, I did something wrong. This had never happened before. Her magic never could do this. Yet here it was doing it. Defying her will for it to stop. Even no magic escaped her body to try and stop it. Speechless while it all spread over his leg till nothing but darkness remained. His beautiful fur gone and it made her cry in fear. What did I do?!

None of her magic responding. No way to stop it. No. No. No! I can’t let this happen. Blight stood tall over him, trying her hardest to take control of it again.

I have to stop it. That’s my magic. I can’t let it... it will kill him.

“No! Spots!” Blight came in. Roaring her wings out to bring a great shadow down on him. As dark as the disease spreading over his leg. Her own legs coming in and stopping to simply pierce through his body with no effect. Not even able to hug him. No way to comfort him. When all I want to do is show him how sorry I am. Because I can’t… stop this. Nothing. She could not stop her magic.

“No, I’m so sorry.” She looked down at him with tears in her eyes. Her massive body dwarfing his own like she were a tower over him. Trying to keep him protected from a threat she could not defeat.

She cried… but he was quiet.

Wait… he’s… calm? The deer blinked and stared at her. Not even panicking. No, just looking at her with those normal, black eyes of his. His cheeks rising.

What? Was that…?

The little deer gave her a tiny smile. So small she almost missed it. Smiling until the darkness dispersed.

Blight gasped.

5.49
It was all gone. All the wrong colors covering the deer’s leg. The darkness disappeared with no trace left behind. Nothing for her to feel out and believe it still existed. It really was completely gone leaving only the brown of his fur, …and only brown.

Spots’ wound was gone!

“W-what?” She had to look over and over. Going up and down the length of his leg. Nothing. It was gone. I have to be seeing things. Blinking rapidly to try and get rid of the trick. Gone. She backed away to give Spots some room. Sitting down lazily. Staring with disbelief that this happened. Then Spots did something amazing.

He rocketed up to stand on all four of his little legs. Letting the blanket fall right off of him so he may jump out and take a few steps to the entrance of the cave. His entire body shook like electricity took him. Wiggling that little white tail he had before he came right back over to Soulblight. Walking all on his own right up to her to try and touch her. His black nose setting itself to her chest only to go through her. But that did not stop him from trying to rub her. Me? The pony who cared for him and now… now I did something like this!?

Soulblight had to smile.

“Spots! You can walk!” He placed the side of his little body into Blight’s chest and he galloped right back to his blankets. Jumping happily on top of them. That injured leg itself more animated than all the others up to the point where it stilled itself so he may face her directly. Staring at her. Standing. Like nothing wrong had happened. So happy. Because… I did this for him. This was me.

Kissing him did do something after all. Nothing like what the mothers in Equestria could do. Is this really what I can do? My magic? She felt a hoof against her own lips. Rubbing them amazed at what they just did. I never did anything like this before. Kissing… did this? I’ve… never done this for another. I never knew my kiss can… do this. But Spots was right here completely healed. I really can do this. I did it for him. Finally something worthwhile! I’m not a monster or a freak. Haha, I’m this deer’s hero now. She had to laugh. That deer still jumping around her. He really does want to show it off now.

I’m so proud. Finally, …something. I can be a good pony. I have something good about me.

Her ears perked up. Spots’ ears perked up. A hoof struck the floor.

5.50
“So this is what you’ve been spending your time doing.”

This night just kept getting stranger. Stranger when Blight turned and saw… Soul. All out of breath. Exhausted yet still able to smile. Soul is… here? What… did she… did she see what I just did? Why is she here? I hope she didn’t see. I don’t know how to explain it. Soul even stepped in, coming up to her. No, all she did was make Blight look down. Please, I don’t want her to know. She… she would think I’m more of a freak. Don\t say it.

Soul walked past with a big smile on her face. Over to Spots. The deer himself standing still unsure what to do of this new visitor. Afraid of her or feeling lucky to have so many pegasi coming to meet him. Soul was as happy as he would be if that was the case. In fact, she even squealed in excitement. What? Soul just scampered over to Spots. Laying down before him. Like she did not want to scare him.

“Oh wow!” she said. “You found a little fawn!” She bent in closer to him, trying to bump her nose into his but Spots backed off a little and turned over to face Blight like he wanted her advice. I don’t know what to say. One question did come to her mind. “A fawn?” Blight looked Spots up and down again trying to make the comparison again. He did look like those two. “I thought you said these were deer.” Spots did not move when Soul’s hoof gently set down upon the top of his head. She laughed. “…You goof. Fawns are what the babies are called” Soul said. She slowly rubbed the top of his head. Blight entranced in how much care she did in petting him. Using only the tip of her hoof to scratch from the middle of his head and go down to behind his ear. Rubbing back there and making the ear twitch. Spots cocked his head. “Awww, …and you found such a cute one. I love him already.”

Soul knelt down till she lay on her belly. Opening up a space between her forelegs that she lightly tugged Spots to come too. As if the deer would do as she wanted. …But he did! I can’t believe it. Spots simply walked up to her and placed himself right into a cozy looking spot against Soul’s chest. The mare continuing to rub behind his ear and laughing. Soul, the pony I want to be friends with, she’s actually petting my ‘fawn’. The way Soul smiled. How much Spots liked her. Even more when Blight saw as Soul came in and kissed the top of his head. The fawn loved it. Wagging his tiny tail briefly when she did it. It looked beautiful.

No, I don’t think Soul saw it. Not when she is acting like this. It’s… lovely. She did not see hate in those eyes. The yellow of them portraying to her only love and compassion the likes of which she had not seen since…

Since Soul wanted me to love her.

5.51
She was at a loss of breath. Forcing herself to sit down and just watch the two enjoy each other’s company. Blight could not give the fawn the satisfaction of being loved like this, Soul herself filled in that void. So naturally. Did she come here just for this? To love Spots alongside me? If that were the case, she must have known about this cave for a while. “H-how did you know about this?” Blight asked.

Soul glanced over at her not wanting to stop showing attention to Spots. No ceasing her care for him. “I ran after you because I wanted to know what you were doing.” What? She actually cares about what I may be doing out here? Oh how embarrassing. I didn’t even know she would be curious. Ignoring her for so long. I forgot how Soul is.

Soul went back to Spots, still talking to Blight. “…I… was worried about you. I couldn’t help but be curious. Sorry….” Worried? Blight heard it correctly. She wants to know what I do out here? And she actually came after me. Was she even… scared for me? Worried that I could be in trouble or something. Now she is here, talking just like she used to so very long ago. Acting just like this. “I’m so glad I found you.” She’s… glad? A Pegasus who came in panting and exhausted from running, whose wings were injured. She should be resting tonight. But she didn’t. Just because she wanted to find me.

Blight was at a blank. Soul was not. She shot another look back at her. “Hey now… don’t try to chance the subject. …When were you gonna tell me about this little guy? What’s his name?” Blight managed to listen to her questions, even harder to answer them. She found a way to do it with everything that was happening. “His name is Spots.” “Spots!?” Soul said. She looked down upon him for a second. Taking a look afterwards across his back over the tiny white spots dotting his fur. Whatever it was made her laugh. “That is too funny. You gave him that adorable name? It just makes me love him even more.”

Her hooves wrapped around the fawn’s entire body, just able to bring both of them together at the back of his rear so she gently pulled him right into her chest with the biggest hug she could give him. Rubbing her chin along the top of his head beneath sealed eyes. “Who’s a little Spots?” she spoke exactly like some sort of baby. No. Like a mother to her little one. “You are. Ya cutie.” There was something about this that left Blight feeling… happy. I kind of like seeing this side of her. Hearing this and she could tell Spots did too. All that was left of the intense anger she felt earlier at the thought of an angry and condescending Soul Serenity wiped away in this moment of time seeing nothing but a loving and kind Soul Serenity. The Soul I love. It was weird for her, but something that felt like it… was right! …And for that, she laughed.

5.52
Some time passed. How much she had no hope of telling, hours maybe? Whatever it was went by quick. Time spent well in this cave with Soul and the deer they both loved leaving only both pegasi still awake. Soulblight keeping her gaze squarely on the sight of her beloved fawn doing something she cherished upon seeing. He slept, left to dream against Soul’s chest with her fur keeping him warm much like that of her legs firmly wrapped around his body. Holding him just like a baby. Like he was Soul’s baby. Sitting back against the rocky wall across from Blight carefully and softly stroking a free hoof along the top of the head she kept her long gaze on. Watching the fawn sleep snugly against her and she giggled at it.

“Shhh” she said as quiet as could be. “He’s sleeping.” Like them talking will wake him up. He did a good job staying fast asleep even with Soul petting him. But it still looked very cute the way she did that. The way she reacted to him. It is amazing how Soul is now. Like she is a different Pegasus. “I had no idea you liked animals” Blight whispered. Soul and her locked eyes. “I always have. They always seemed to like me as well.” Well Spots took no time in falling in love with her. Maybe that was true. Sounds like there is still a lot about you that I don’t know. A love of animals coming as a surprise. I never thought you loved them like this. You are always so shy and such a worry wart. You’re not shy around animals?

“Do you think Spots likes you as well?” Blight asked her pointing at the tiny fawn sleeping in her hug. Making Soul look back down at him and arching an eyebrow. She hummed for a moment. “Hard to tell. …Maybe not.” Both pegasi giggled. “It really is a cute name you gave him” Soul continued. Is it? I was worried it sounded stupid. I don’t know how to name things. Not like Soul who gave me my own name. But Soul thought it was cute at least. Maybe it sounds a little cute to me as well.

“Giving him such a cute name like a loving mother.” How incredible she made that comparison. Really, has she been spying on me out here? “I… have been taking care of him for a while” Blight said. “So you are his mother!” She set her head back down on top of Spots’ head. Gentle and slow. Not enough to wake him. “Well you did a great job making him like this. …Hey! Could I take care of him too?” What would possess the Pegasus to ask something like this? Blight was more confused now than any other point this night. There was just something really off with how Soul was acting. She isn’t talking to me like she usually does. She is talking to me longer than she usually does. She could catch it right there. Soul certainly was different. “I promise to be nice to him.” Soul looked back up. Rearing the side of her head over to Blight and winking at her. “Maybe I can be his aunt if you wanna be the mother.”

…What?

5.53
“I’ll play with him all the time.” She stroked his head further. Putting her attention back on the fawn she treated as her own family just like she hinted at. A family… with me. “And we can love him… like his… parents would.”

Soul… what are you saying? You never talk like this. You never act like this. What… what has gotten into you?

What is making her cry?

Soul’s tears went down her smiling face. Smiling, holding him close, and crying onto his head.

“Soul… are you okay?” “Yeah” Soul reached her wing over her own shoulder. Wincing momentarily but still able to use the tip of her feathers to wipe the tears away. “I’m just happy… we get to have a new friend we can both love.” Soulblight saw it in her eyes. Eyes that still swelled no matter what she did to dry them. She is lying.

You are sad out here, you will only be happy when you leave. Her future was going to be great… especially when I won’t be there to join her. So they sat there quiet. Both watching the fawn sleep and listening to the sounds of the wind outside. Some of it coming in and swaying Soul’s fur but not that of Spots. The Pegasus who saw herself as his aunt protecting him from the cold.

The wind died.

“Do you think he was lonely before we came?” Soul’s question was without a definite answer. There was no telling how he felt. I actually want to know how long he has been without his parents. I hope it was only for a few days. How lonely and sad may he be with none to be alongside him for a long time? If they had been gone long, it was easy to guess. “Maybe. I think …he could have been” Soulblight said looking up at Soul just when the mare looked up at her. No tears in her eyes. No sign of sadness. Only a frown. “Soulblight, …um…” Soul fidgeted a little. Uncomfortable. I am too. Because I don’t know how to take any of this. I don’t know what is wrong. What to do.

No, Soul was the one who broke the silence.

“Do you miss your parents?”

5.54
Blight’s world went dark. Something with that question… it rung hard in her ears. The words… how they played in her head. Her thoughts wrapped around it all.

My parents?

I never thought about such a thing. Soul, why ask me that? You know… as much as I do, that… I am not like you. Blight looked down. Because… it feels wrong. Out of place. Leaving her in the dark as black as her fur simply because she could not know. I never thought about such a thing before.

My… parents.

Who would they be? I never remembered them. Me having parents? Ponies who care for their child. Love them. Want them to succeed in all they do and stick with them forever. Me… having that. I’ve never heard anypony talk to me like… like the parents I’ve come to know out in Equestria. I’ve never been touched lovingly before. Tucked in and sang off to sleep. Show me that… that there are things to love about myself. Somewhere… I know… I have parents. Lost. Forgotten. Disappeared.

Who am I? What am I?

I don’t know anything except for when… the dark disappeared and I saw you, Soul Serenity, for the first time. I had nothing before that but… but did I? Parents. Two ponies. Birthed me. Raised me to become the pony I am now. Like all the parents out there do for their child. Just like every pony has experienced. Did I?

“I… never knew my parents.” She leaned her head down. I never knew them. I don’t know them. I don’t know of anypony out there who ever loved me like that. And now… now I miss it. Because… Soul, you made me think about it. What would it have been like to grow up with two ponies who loved me? Would they even be ponies? That is what hurts. There was nothing she could see to fit that image she wanted to imagine happening to her. All those lucky colts and fillies out there had that image going on for them right now. Even Spots had it. Me being his mother and he has real parents out there somewhere. Soul hugging him too. Both of us being his family now. I want that too.

I’ve never had a pony there to hug me.

“Blight” Soul whispered in a rasp. She caught the mare staring at her with wide eyes growing with tears. “I’m so sorry.” What… my face? I’m crying too. I… I don’t know why. I just…

Blight wiped her tears. “Why?”

Soul wiped her feathers over her face too and sniffed. “That’s what we have in common. Blight, …I also never knew my parents” Soul said. Soul, …that is what we have in common.

5.55
You have no idea how sorry I always felt for you. You were always so happy when I first saw you with your beloved friend. Like there was no sadness in your life. Your life, fresh in a world that you began to love with so few ponies there for you. But they always were the ones you needed. But I still saw it. Deep down. That longing you always had… for the two most special ponies in your life. It always made me cry for you.

I hate to know you grew up without parents. And I saw it for myself. I only wish things had been different for you. Soul, you always did a good job at hiding it to others, but not to me. It was all a good ruse. How very sad you were inside. Underneath that smiling face.

As sad as I am because I want to know what it’s like to have two ponies there for me to love me.

Blight said the same thing for her. “I’m so sorry.” Soul sniffed. Again. Wincing with a tear coming down and she could speak again. “My parents left me behind when I was a foal. I spent most of my life alone because of that even when I was taken in by my… teachers.” Your poor and lonely tears. How I hate to see them fall. How lonely. How sad. I never liked seeing you cry. And there is nothing I can do to stop it. If only… if only I had been there long ago. Do something for you. Not take all this time to come to you. If only… I would have stopped them from leaving you. What you had was never enough. You wanted more.

You wanted a family.

“Those ponies, …the Changelings hurt?” Blight asked. Hope she isn’t upset about me bringing that up. “My teachers. The ones who took me in” Soul said. “They always were there for me. Always supported me. Always came to me when I needed them most. Someponies even thought they were my parents.” Soul laughed amidst her tears. “I wish they had been. I wished so much from them. I wanted them to be my mom and dad. And now look… now they’re gone.” She shook her head. “I don’t even remember their names anymore. Funny, huh? So terrible of me…”

"Starry Veil and Nimbus Swiftshot?" Blight asked. Funny how I remember them. But is she telling me she forgot them? Soul paused... staring down at the ground. I guess she did.

I could tell they meant a lot to you. This dream you had for them to be more. I hate that it was taken from you. Enough for you to forget… after all these years. How much else do you suffer? How truly unhappy are you? It seemed impossible. Soul had been so happy. Happy enough to want to protect the one life most precious to her at all costs. She even let me take over to save the life of that pony.

“No…” Soul paused. Looking off at the dark world outside their cave. “You know Dashie really well. You know she is my friend?” “Of course I know.” “I love her so much. I always did since the day I met her, I saw something special in her and knew I had found something. Even though I have not seen her in years, I still love her.” Yes, you two are great friends. I know. Blight frowned. I only wish you saw me as the same. Look at me, indulging her.

“You two are really good friends.” “She is, isn’t she?” Soul said. “She’s kind and funny. Loves to play with me and joke around with me too. She accepts me. …And she was the first pony to ever accept me.” She brought her attention back to Blight. Crying deeply. “Dash was the first pony to ever give me the love I wanted for so long. My bestest friend back home.”

5.56
Soulblight flinched. It’s amazing how strong the love between two ponies can be. So great between you two that… sometimes I thought it was more. Your greatest love is back home, not here. It is what made you happy. All the terrible things in life, that was the one pony who made you happy. And to think… I was considering taking you away from her forever. When it is my fault you two are separated. Soul’s greatest love. Dash’s greatest love. More than you two know.

No wonder you hate me.

Yet I am so lucky that you actually want to talk to me now. Are you alone and need somepony to talk to? You choose me to tell these things to. After taking something so precious from you. I know I would hate anypony who took such a love away from me. I would hate them deeply. It’s why I’m so ashamed.

But Soul isn’t yelling at me.

No, Soul… she is smiling. At me. Why was she smiling? She did not need to. There was nothing to smile over. Being around the pony who hurt her. Blight widened her eyes. Seeing Soul extend her hoof to her. “I know you must be as sad as I am. We’ve both been so lonely, and you don’t deserve to be sad. I bet you want exactly what I want.”

I… I…

I do.

But I don’t deserve it. Not from you. Not after everything. But I so deeply want it. Find some way to earn it. Let it happen so I can finally feel what I have always wanted after so… many… countless years in the dark.

“I want a best friend too” Blight muttered.

Spots moved. Both pegasi seeing the fawn begin to wake up in Soul’s hug, gently kicking his legs and reaching up to lick the bottom of Soul’s chin. It made her smile even more. A smile she shared with him and then too Blight.

“I think you don’t need to look far, Blight.”

5.57
The entire cave lit up. Cast in the glow of a great white light shining in from outside. The glorious streaks of light blistering among the snow outside the entrance. So bright. So intense. Making Spots leap out from Soul’s grasp and walk over to the entrance before he ran out! Out into the snow beyond. Both pegasi called out after him. “Spots!”

Soul wasting no time in coming to her hooves and running out after him with Soulblight taking off behind her, keeping that violet and silver striped tail in her sights. We need to catch him. I won’t let him get hurt. She readied her black wings. No way will I let him venture out into that dangerous world. A world they both ran out into together… where Spots sat by himself. Waiting.

Cast in the same shine of white light that lit up the entire world. So bright as to rid the darkness itself. The snow glowing as it fell and even the mountains shone bright in the distance. A light he ignored as Spots looked up. Both pegasi looked up after him. Into the night sky. Soulblight stared in awe at it all. Wow.

Neither of them moved. Both watched this world above. A world where the heavens split in the lights of blues and whites streaking across the endless dark. Not even the clouds could cover it. Nothing could prevent them from seeing this marvel. I’ve never seen this before. Great streaks of light running over them. High in the stars themselves that shined as bright as them. Hundreds of them were still. Hundreds were not. Moving fast above them with their eyes watching each one fall upon the world beyond. So very far beyond. Going across the black of night to light up the horizon behind the veil of darkness. Out into another world far away from our grasps. But I know… both our worlds get to see this wonder together. Hundreds to thousands of them lighting them both up. Cast bright… from the Moon itself.

The Moon glowed. Shimmering. Wrapped in that brilliant silver light that blinded the world below. The Moon could get so beautiful? No…

I know what this is. I… I can feel it. I can feel… her.

Darkness.

5.58
The Moon was dim. Barren. Empty. With nothing but the light of its blue covering it. Nothing more and its reflection of the stars dying off with the last of them falling far and beyond. Out of sight to the world I know Soul wants to return to.

The same world another now returned to.

I hear it. I feel it. All the things I have heard about it and… how different it is. Would Soul even understand? She looked to the mare staring off into the distance beyond. I don’t know. I remember you used to think yourself no different from that pony. You are wrong. You, Soul, as I listen to that pony cry far beyond, you are nothing like her.

You don’t know the pain.

“The Moon” Soul said. Her neck craned as high as could go so she may watch its empty surface above them. Its tiny shine enough to bring a ray of blue upon them both. Both to experience together while they sat down next to Spots. Next to each other. Blight closed her eyes.

“Your princess is back.”

She could feel Soul look at her. Amazed. But it is true. Even out here, you still got to see it happen. I got to see it too. But both of them still managed to smile. Looking over at one another. Together as darkness fell upon their world once more beneath the glow of the Moon that shone so very high in the sky.

“Do you think she will have a friend to make her happy?” Blight asked. Soul looked off in the direction that the stars had fallen. Somewhere far out there.

“I think she will.”

I hope so. Because… you don’t know… what it is I feel from her.

6.1
“What? You want me to train with you?” Blight asked, finishing up wrapping Spots in the blankets. Tucking him in in the safety of his box where he lay fast asleep from such a long night. He can sleep the day away, but we got stuff to do. Soul was not even tired. “Yes I do.” Besides, we spent all night with Spots, I think Blight may be okay with spending the day with me.

We had such a good time, it was a bit of a surprise. Hehe, I kind of liked spending the night with her. Blight probably liked it too. Oh who am I kidding, I know she did. That big smile she had all night long. No harm in asking her to fly with me. For both pegasi to be able to be able to do what Soul loved to do and that Blight wanted to do with her since day one. We have time now. But Blight hesitated.

Right? You want to still fly with me, right? Blight lowered her head. Sadly. “I should not” she said. “I will only hold you back.” Hold her back? But I… oh… shit, I did say that to her a long time ago. I just… wanted to get used to training again without worrying about somepony else. It took too many years for her just to establish her flight routine. In truth, I also didn’t want to look like a fool in front of her. But that was then, and Blight still remembered it.

No need to hold back. I got it all down now and would love to show another pony how to fly like I do. No worries. Soulblight had nothing to fear. Soul wanted her to know this. “You will not! Come on now, it’s been way too long since we flew together and I wanna show you what I’ve learned.” Blight wrapped the purple blanket up and over Spots’ head so that only his little face popped out from the coverings that were meant to keep him warm while they were out. Happy with her work, Blight simply walked past Soul. She caught sight of the black mare’s sad face in time before she glided by with nary a sound to head for the entrance. “You should train. I need to go finish up the house for Spots.”

6.2
Oh for Celestia’s sake. There she was going again. I’m not gonna sit back for this. Not this time. After all we did throughout the night and how much fun we had. Even if Blight did not feel as close, Soul would do anything to make her feel the same. Finishing up renovations for Spots. That’s a stupid excuse. The house looked great from what I saw and we have lots of time to spend together now.

I won’t let you be alone today.

Her wings pushed her forward. Shooting across Blight and Soul skidded to a halt in front of her. Blocking the way out of the cave. Staring at her, Blight was so surprised to see her do this. But it did not surprise Soul. Not like how they both acted last night. This was going to be their world together. If we are going to be friends, I need to make her see she doesn’t need to be alone. Do everything to make things right and introduce Blight into my life. Starting with my greatest hobby. But that was just short of the real truth she wanted to tell Blight. It evaded her words anyways. Too cowardly to admit it. So much that it shamed her while she spoke.

“Today’s a rest day for me, …so… I wanna train you instead.” She stomped her hoof into the ground. “I won’t take no for an answer.” Well she knew it was not entirely a rest day. She had plans for later on but for just a little bit. I have a lot of time to spare for her before that. No more running away from it. “You won’t take no for an answer?” Blight said shocked and frowning. Soul winced.

Wow, I… I actually expected her to swat my aside. No, I shouldn’t think that. Damn it. I’m being too blunt. I’m pretty much demanding her to do something. What if she doesn’t want to do it? But I need to be strong against her. I can’t let her push me away. No more. I’ll tell her what I want to do and it will be final. If she did not, then Soul braced herself for the Pegasus to yell at her again. Just like the other days and she did a pitiful job of hiding her fear.

Feeling her body begin to shake. Looked like it would happen. Soulblight sighed and shook her head.

Please don’t hate me. I just want us to…

6.3
“Then please accept my yes” Blight said. Smiling at her now.

Soul’s eyes lit up. She had to smile as well. All the fear and shaking disappearing. She wants to fly with me! Just like back then. After all that has happened, she still will do it with me. I’m… I’m so happy she didn’t say no.

Oh, but what to do? What training should we do? Soul hurried herself to think of something. No way she could allow herself to mess this up. Look like a fool in front of the pony she finally got to come around to her. Just like with Dash and the other ponies she had met. I need to show them all just how much I appreciate them. Soulblight did not wait though.

She scooched her way past Soul with her great, black wings extended and flapping. Ready to fly off. Leaving Soul behind but… the black mare looked back and nodded. Blight? Soul turned after her. She wants to go. Follow Blight. No! You follow me. Soul sprang into action, running past Blight with her own wings ready to fly. Still a little sore but not enough to keep her grounded. Actually, her wings felt a little more lively. Perhaps they were excited too. So excited that she giggled running past her new training partner. A partner who laughed too behind her.

“Would you want to take me to the mountains?” Blight asked. No way. I have a better idea. She shook her head. “We can train just outside the village” she said. No need for Blight to tire herself flying so far. Keep her around the village she called home. The wide and open plains of snow outside the houses offered plenty of room for Blight’s first training experience. An experience Soul still tried to come up with.

Soul’s wings beat once then twice, harder than before and she took to the air. Taking it a little easy on her wings so they could rest a little. Keeping herself low enough and at a steady pace that she was happy to see Blight behind her able to match them. The black Pegasus still smiling. But different. Soul caught her… with such a huge smile. The black mare staring down at the snow. Like she didn’t even know soul stared back at her. I’ve never seen her this happy before. I… I did good. That is the same mare I remember when… when we first met. The same happy Pegasus. Yes! I think I did it. I actually made her happy. Soul looked back towards the snowy plains ahead of her. Off to the village.

6.4
They both managed to land in unison on the thick layers of snow that made the entirety of everything that surrounded their village. Soul saw the specks of their houses rising in the far distance. Probably just a few minute’s flight for both of them. Being so close to something familiar, hope it makes Blight feel comfortable. I always felt comfortable when I trained at my old house… so long ago. I don’t want Blight nervous. I hope she isn’t. Training with another pony. But Blight has no reason to fear me.

They were all alone together with no crowd to watch them. No pressure. Not like what I got to go through all the time at flight camp. Ugh, I always feared performing in front of others. Took so long to beat that. Just the smallest mistake and everypony would see it. This will be much different. You and I, training together. And looks like she is actually excited to do this. Blight still had that smile on her face. Just standing, watching Soul. Waiting for her instruction.

That was right. She still had no idea what to do. Blight did not know, Soul was the expert. An expert at flying, not training another to fly. Don’t mess this up. I still don’t know exactly what to show her first.

“Should I do tricks or something?” Blight said, cocking her brow. Is that a joke? This early. No, not tricks. Even I know that stuff should be for later times. I don’t even have a lot of tricks down par yet. It all was in the form and skill. Always took such a long time for a Pegasus to master. Wow, thinking back on it, I really have come a long way. I… am kind of proud of myself. I was a big newbie. Wait, that was it! Do what I had to do when I first started high flying training.

Soul laughed over what Blight had said. The most fake laugh ever because Blight’s comments weren’t exactly funny. “No. I’m not gonna make you do anything hard for your first day.” “First day?!” Blight said. “Do you plan to train me on other days too?” Not exactly but that did sound good. Maybe I should do that from now on. Setting aside the mornings to do this with Blight and doing her more intense exercises later, or something like that. Until the day both of them could fly together doing the most daring of exercises. Do them alongside Dash. That sounded lovely. In a time when both pegasi escaped from this prison.

6.5
“We can, …if you want” Soul said. Blight just smiled and waited. No answer from her. Looks like she doesn’t even know what she wants. Well then, I’ll take over then. For this once, Blight as the one who had none of the answers. It’s all me. I know exactly how to start this. “Sit down” Soul asked her to do. It seemed to be an odd request from her. Soulblight hesitated to do it. Might have made her uncomfortable asking her to do that. I guess I could have been nicer in asking that of her. Tell her what she wanted to do. Still, after a moment, that black tail set down on the snow. Its hairs blending into the whiteness to disappear somewhere beneath just like the fur on her rear did when she planted herself.

There she waited. Sitting like a well-mannered student. Wrapping her black tail around herself to sway gently in front of her. “Thank you” Soul said. Happy that she actually did sit down. “Now… could you raise your wings up for me?” Damn, even I feel a little bad asking for that. Because I am asking her to do what I hated to do on my first day. Even if nopony else was here, I still am. Would that be too much pressure? Too embarrassing? It seemed not when those big, black wings rose high into the sky behind Soulblight. Extending far and wide to dwarf her entire body and cast a great shadow across the snow and touching Soul’s hooves. Like she wore a mighty crown over her head.

“Too high?” she asked.

“No, that’s perfect” Soul assured her. Now to make her feel comfortable, unlike I was when I had to do this. Something Soul would have said no to if she had the chance to avoid everything that made her so scared. “May I examine your wings?” Blight cocked her head. No sign of fear or surprise. She gave no reason to make Soul think the request was too much. It still was an odd one. “Why?” “I want to check them to see how strong they are. I need to know what they can do” Soul explained in the best way the memories of… of… Starry’s request for the same thing had served for him. I hope to give her the same treatment, to know she is good to go too, so she won’t feel pressured. Just like he tried his best to do for me. I’ve never been shown anything about wings, but… I tend to my wings enough to know what makes wings tick.

“If it will help…” Blight leaned forward a little, lowering her wings slightly so they would be at a perfect angle for Soul to look at them. “Go ahead.” Wow, Blight was really confident. The absolute opposite of Soul. Yeah my wins have gotten big and strong but… I’d still be a bit nervous having ponies gawk at them. Just like back then. Fear of them finding a flaw. Making fun of her over it. Blight had no problem in that. Openly inviting another pony to examine her. If only Soul wished she could be just as confident in her own body.

6.6
So Soul made her way towards Blight. Walking around her to find a perfect position to sit back there between both her massive, black wings. Blight made no indication of being uncomfortable. Sitting perfectly still. Only that tail moved. A little twitch of her ear. Yet those wings stayed still. Spread out before Soul so close like a flower in bloom. That’s exactly what it was. A flower.

So pretty.

Being close like this, taking time to actually look over them, …they are… flawless. Left and right wing. They both may as well be perfect mirrors of one another. Not a single thing out of place on either of them. I wonder if they both have the exact same number of feathers. All those black feathers, hundreds, arranged in countless rows down the lengths of her spans. Thick and layered. No blemish or ruffle in their designs to the point where the spines themselves shone of glossy silver devoid of any taint. Bright enough to bring their light upon the black of the feathers and the fur of her spans. I know wings are a private spot for us pegasi but… I really want to touch them. Stopped only because she knew her body would simply fall through them. Shocked she thought such a way.

I never ever wanted to touch another pony’s wings.

They were too beautiful, the most beautiful wings I have ever seen. I have no right to touch them but… damn they must feel good. Blight, you lucky punk. Having such killer wings. I bet you’d get all the stallions.

She took her attention off those feathers and over to what counted. To her long wingspans. Long and thin appendages they were. That was the problem.

They were so thin.

Like they never had any prolonged period of intensive use. No presence of muscle anywhere. Just well-tended black fur coating what she could pick out as flawless skin hidden underneath going from where they joined her supple back to the very tips of each span.

Hidden under all that beauty and perfection was a pair of really delicate wings.

I guess it is easy to say now. No way would Blight be able to do the intense exercises I do. But that was good. Easier on Soul to think of things for her to do to get started. Something that began to happen now with a good picture of what Blight’s ability should be with wings like these. An easy start on the way to her being a great flyer too. Not a total disaster at all. Blight’s body could easily be worked with.

Taking one final look over them and down to the very bottom of her feathers hanging just above her thighs. But… she glanced down. Spotting something. Past her feathers and down to the mare’s thighs. Soul’s eyes widened.

“Oh, wow.”

Blight looked back.

She had to snap back up. Stop looking at what she had seen upon those flanks.

6.7
Soul stepped away from those gorgeous wings so she may walk back around to find Blight’s curious face. Her black wings instinctively going back down to fold up again. “Anything wrong?” Blight asked. Not at all.

Nothing is wrong, …with her wings.

Soul wanted to focus on her wings. That was the entire point of this. It would be mean to bring anything else up that she did not know how to handle. Her wings. Oh man, I feel giddy looking at them. Soul would even freak out now and fawn over them like a child. But no, I need to be the teacher here. “Not at all. Your wings are looking good but I’m guessing you never did any training for them?” Blight’s eyes fell. Her entire body bending down like it gave up or something. Even those wings fell a little. She was sad. There was no need to be. Soul understood. Not many pegasi do what I do. Some even waited till their adult lives to begin working on their wings. She recalled overhearing the mares in Cloudsdale talking about trying to get into shape and look beautiful. But that was just because they wanted to try and find a pony who would want a tussle in the bed with them. Nothing about having strong or great wings. But that was not like Blight. Her wings were weak but she clearly cared for them so much even being alone. She had no reason to feel like she failed in making them strong as well. She failed nopony. In fact, Soul was all the more willing to help her.

She doesn’t need to have wings like mine, but… someday I’d like her to have wings she can be proud of and not look sad about them. Blight must feel bad about not having incredible wings. Well, we have years and years to work together on that. She walked in closer to Blight. Leaning in so her face could peek in under that black mane to find the yellow dragon eyes hidden down there that soberly looked down at her. “It’s alright. I’ll do my best to help you.” But only if you want me to help you.

Soul leaped back up with a flutter of her wings. Landing back far enough to give her space to lift her hoof into the air in triumph. “It’s gonna be awesome!” Watching to see if her chipper attitude cheered Blight up as well, seeing the black mare raise her head back up with a tiny smile. “Very well. Just go easy on me.” Yes!

6.8
She had Blight on board. Excellent! Everything was going so well. This has to be the longest time we have spent together. I hope we get to hang out a lot more. Going easy was exactly what needed to be done to keep Blight happy. Soul had just the idea.

“Alright, I need to see your form first. Pretend you’re flying.” Soulblight did just as she expected, she looked confused. Probably questioning what the purpose of this could be. There was no purpose in this for Soul. The entire purpose was for Blight so she may see exactly what the difference was going to be between her flying and what Soul was going to teach her. She raised her hoof to Blight as a signal for her to get started which she did after a brief pause.

Those wings came back out again and began to flap exactly as Soul predicted her to do in this way. Their widths outstretched towards Soul, angled forward in a similar structure to how her back sat. Soul watched the beat of her wings, counting how many flaps she made each second, How smooth they were flapping, how much control she looked to have. It was a perfect flying pattern. Set to how a Pegasus would fly normally like on a leisurely flight. Well a little more than that because Soul did notice how Blight patterned her flaps almost robotically. Precise with no deviation. Some ponies may see that as weird. But… it’s kind of interesting. The coordination it must take to make both wings flap in perfect unison. None of the feathers even left the paths they took up and down. Easily able to slice the air. Very impressive for normal flying.

She raised her hoof back up. “That’s good. You can stop now.” Blight stopped. Confused as she had been, staring upon Soul with a lost look. I hope she doesn’t think my training techniques are weird. I don’t know any other way and this is how I was taught on the first day. How she taught herself. It would be really bad if somepony judged her way of learning. But that did bring up a question on how Blight may have learned to fly.

She never knew her parents. I have no idea about her past. How did she come to fly so well? Have such a perfect control over her wings. So routinely. Nothing akin to what Soul was to teach her though. Her own special way. “I’m gonna show you how I fly during training” Soul said. We’ll see how she does.

6.9
Soul stood up straight, keeping her tail and rear high with all four legs bent out like she were preparing to take off. Her wings reacted normally. Willing them on into the position she developed worked best for her. A little different from how other ponies flew, and only Dash got to see how I used to do it. But… not anymore. My stance is much better now. Perfecting it after so many years. Without even looking, she knew they were positioned correctly in her way, stretched out at her sides with their shadows right in the corners of her eyes which she kept glued to Blight. Watching to see how she will do it. If she could do it.

“Do just what I’m doing now.” Blight heard her request and reacted… flustered. Rushed. Soul’s razor-sharp sight caught how her dragon eyes quickly went over Soul’s entire body taking it all in. Clearly not paying full attention when Soul assumed her stance. But she did what she asked of her. Blight too stood up and bent her legs in a mirror image to how Soul did it, without her tail and butt raised anyways, and she brought her wings back up in the position Blight had her wings in normally. Not lasting for long though.

Soul watched her make little adjustments to her wing positions. Exactly how Soul had her own wings. Angling the spans past her neck so the feathers pointed almost out from her sides. Almost at a perfect level position. Completely straight, no bending or contours anywhere. Both wings completely symmetrical. Soul’s stance. Exactly. Angled in the way she found helped best at controlling the air flow around you. Prevent as much air resistance as possible. Blight did it with no effort. A slow start but taking it in fast. Soul was surprised at how she did that. Wow was her sense of perception amazing. It’s good that she can do that.

“That’s perfect!” Soul shouted. All the worry and confusion on Blight’s face disappeared. She looked so happy that she managed to pull it off correctly. “That’s how I keep my wings during high altitude flying.” “I think I understand how it works” Blight said. She looked over her shoulder to examine the stance her wings made. “The angle pulls the air up over the wings instead of into them and moves it around the wing before pushing it out behind me. All that wind pushes me forward, right?”

That… was exactly how it worked. Soul never got into the science of how it worked. She could care less for that part but still understood the basic workings of how she flew. Soulblight here, she broke it down into such detail. She’s telling me how I fly. Hahaha, Blight, are you some osrt of smarty pants? I like that. Smart and beautiful. Even if Blight was no perfect flyer capable of high-risk maneuvers, she had plenty more riding for her. She really was smart.

Perhaps that was her real talent. Soul did wonder.

6.10
“Remember that form” Soul advised her. “I expect you to fly with it today. …But first, we need to warm up.” Soul relaxed her wings, noticing Blight do the same right after her. Shadowing her moves. Like a good student. Time to really see what she could do.

Wings looked good enough. Form was good. Time to get them ready for a display of skill and Soul figured out just what to do. Exactly as she did to warm up but nothing as intense as she could do. Still, a tolerable number of them for wings as frail as Blight’s needed to be done.

“Drop and give me twenty” Soul asked of her with confidence and she was rewarded with Blight arching her brow. “Twenty what?” Okay, even I admit I sounded stupid when I asked her to do that. Why did I expect her to know what that means? The whole training thing seemed to be getting to her. Getting too excited over the fact that another Pegasus listened to her instruction and wanted to learn. This isn’t Dashie. I’m not training an expert.

“Sorry” Soul said. She moved her wings down far enough for her to feel them touch the snowy surface. The cold touch of it chilling the tips in a feeling she was familiar with. Every day, this was the same feeling, the same procedure she did as she assumed the form she did to do her wing-ups. Wings down, forelegs folded up, hind legs planted far behind her. No way would she ask Blight to do these wing-ups without the use of her hind legs as support. It even took Soul some time to be able to do them with only her wings being the sole things touching the ground.

“Wing-ups. Do just what I’m doing.” “I have no idea what these… wing-ups are” Blight said as she moved her body into position. Soon enough, in the same position as Soul was in with her black wings disappearing into the snow but nonetheless held up. Anchored somehow. Whatever would work to allow her to do this. “They’re meant to get your wings ready” Soul explained the best she could. “You keep yourself like that and just lower yourself down to the ground, then right before you touch the snow, push yourself back up all the way with only your wings.”

Blight gulped. Rushing to look back up at Soul. “And you wish me to do twenty of them?!” A quick nod being the answer. Maybe I am being a little too rough on her. Soul sat back to give a little relief to her wings which began to sting a little thanks to yesterday. Twenty may be too much for a beginner. They could just skip it and go straight to some flying. I have some easier things she can do to get started but, man, do I want to see if she can do twenty. I want those thin wings to prove me wrong but it could hurt Blight. Make her exhausted. Or she might hate me again. It took so much time to finally achieve a day like today for it all to be ruined by rushing things. Soul fell silent.

“One.”

6.11
Soul returned her attention to Blight in time to see her black wings unfold back out straight to propel her fully into the air, then buckle again to let her fall. A descent stopped by a quick lock of those wings to repeat the process. Up she went again.

“Two.”

She… was actually doing it. Slow but sure. Soul left in a daze as to the determination that was being shown before her. There was no real need to do this. Blight looked so terrified to do these just seconds ago. Why did she change her mind? Why continue it? Going on to her sixth repetition and soon enough came the tenth. It was that one that Soul saw her black wings begin to shake. Hard to see at first with how much they were moving but they were there, very subtle. They were getting exhausted. Soul knew that reaction well. Especially since Blight’s face grimaced badly on her eleventh one.

It still was amazing. Soul cheered her on within. I’m surprised. You looked so scared to do this. Way to prove me wrong. I’m actually a bit proud of her. How much she persisted. How she slowed down each time she pushed back up. Going onto the fourteenth one with a slight bend in the left wing from how bad it began to shake. So her left wing was weaker. Both of them not that strong. I don’t think she will be able to make it to twenty. As much as she hoped that she could pull it off. There was no telling how accomplished Blight may be upon finishing this. Still, it would not be a total loss. It was amazing to see a pony not give up and try to push herself. Do it for me. A lot more than what I would expect of a pony I wronged. Soul having no right to demand anything of her, anything uncomfortable or hard to do, and Blight still did it. Feeling happy over it even when Soulblight fell right down to the ground.

Her wings slipping out from under her and no more strength left to keep her up. Falling right after her seventeenth go. She lay there on her belly with both of those trembling wings set out beside her. Moving like she were about to raise her head. No, she looked away. Breathing so hard. Her back rising and falling so quickly.

“I failed you” she muttered.

6.12
“N-no you didn’t. You did seventeen, that was great!” Soul said. Her assuring voice doing well to hide how very terrified she felt. Blight did not fail me. Not at all. She impressed me. I’m not here to grade you or pressure you. Certainly not to make her feel like a failure. This was all for something else that would help both of them. Help them have fun together. If Blight was upset… upset like I was… when I was a filly. When I trained or… or flew for others.

Frightened.

Afraid that I will fail the others. Make them hate me.

…Make them… hurt me.

I don’t ever want Blight to feel like I would be like those ponies. I never will be. I won’t be like them. I would never mock her. “I think you did great, Blight. Come on now. Don’t feel bad.” Soulblight sighed again and looked over to face her instructor directly. Looking up at her with disappointed eyes. Sad with herself. Like she really was defeated. Like I used to sometimes think. No way in hell I’ll let her feel that way for long.

She leaned down closer, smiling at her. Putting her hooves close to Blight’s. “You know I did worse when I first started. It’s your first day and you’ve already done really well. So come on, don’t leave me to fly alone.” Even trying her best to ease the situation, there was no change. Blight still looked upset over her performance. Staring, breathing deep. But still able to stand back up level with Soul. Keeping those black wings folded. “Fine” she whispered. “What’s next?” Oh man… she sounds sad. I hope I’m not messing up. I don’t want to push her too hard. Making her do things that she did not want to do. I must be making her upset. But what could be done? I said I will train her and I can’t just walk away. Call it quits and let her leave. Not after how well they had been doing up to this point. All of it to be ruined by leaving her to be alone. Like I am telling her that hanging out with me is a bad idea. Proving what a terrible friend she was. Provoking Blight to hate her more.

There had to be some way to make this up. To help out the pony she wanted to be her friend again. Give her something to smile about. Stop messing up. No more tough stuff. Soul thought thoroughly on what could be done that could still be considered training without making her student feel bad. A student that was very observant. That was it.

Blight could do synchronized flying.

6.13
“How about we fly together now? I’ll do some maneuvers and you do them just as I do.” “Okay” Blight said with a nod. Alright, I have her still on board for this. But how to do it? There must be some maneuvers we can do that won’t exhaust a beginner. Which ones even would be exhausting for a Pegasus of Blight’s stature?

I really am not fit to be a teacher.

It’s kind of worrying.

Both their wings came to life. Soul flying up into the air while keeping tabs to be sure Blight was still behind her. A nagging part of her expecting her new student to just fly off. But she didn’t. A relief, but… also a problem because I still have no idea what to do for a beginner Pegasus. Those thoughts kept going till they both stopped at a tolerable altitude. Not too high but not too low. Just enough for them to be able to see the entirety of the village in the distance.

Hovering there within the flurry of the snow. The brush of the morning wind. Chilly and uncomfortable to Soul’s touch even if it was easy to ignore by now. She glanced over to Blight whom she found not much better next to her. The black Pegasus fidgeted with forehooves crossed over each other against her chest and how very nervous she looked to be. A state she abruptly rid herself of upon noticing Soul seeing her like that. Not quick enough for her teacher to catch it all.

She’s as nervous as I was. It is amazing the similarities we both have. When she was just a filly nervous about impressing others. About doing my best and never feeling like I had a pony there to look up to and rely on. Until I finally had a real friend. I want to prove to Blight that I am that friend for her. Their friendship will come back. I will be sure to be there for her.

Dash taught me well.

“This is gonna be fun. Nothing too tough, just stay by my side and do everything I do.” Soul flapped her wings hard to the side giving her enough momentum to glide over to a close hover with Blight. So close that their flapping wings nearly struck one another. Times like this, I would hug Blight to make her feel better. Feel more comfortable before our flight together. Show she can trust me. But no. All she could settle with was try her best to show she would be a Pegasus that will not leave her hanging and try her best to cheer her up. I won’t leave her side and will never say anything bad about how she flies. Never.

Soul smiled and winked at her flustered student. No.

Not student.

“It’s alright, …flight buddy.”

“…Flight… buddy?” she heard Blight whisper as she turned away to ready herself for their flight.

6.14
Luckily it was a beautiful day. Well as best as it could be compared to the usual weather this land experienced. With few thick clouds high up, it looked like it would be a good flight in the open sky. Basking in what little warmth the Sun gave while cooled by the chilly wind that let the snow flurry all about. Soulblight can get to see the type of flying I like to do. They really could go a bit higher.

“Keep up with me.” Soul readied her wings so they sent her off high into the sky. Doing it as easy as she could. Her wings hurt a little. Not too steep an angle as she ascended. Feeling the wind breeze over the lengths of her wings, her spans slicing the snow leaving small pieces of themselves behind to wet her fur and be flung off her with her flaps. This felt like a good speed. Soul glanced over to make sure. Exhilarated to see Blight keeping up right with her. Not even deviating in how close they had been to one another moments before. Beating her wings in the position Soul taught her with clear determination to keep up… and… am I seeing this right? Soul looked at her own wings to make sure. Wow, she’s flapping in unison with me? It took only a careful observation to see this was true. Those black wings moving in the same way that Soul willed her own wings to move. Soulblight too took a look over at Soul’s own wings before looking back over at her instructor.

Very well done.

“You’re doing great” Soul commented loudly hearing the wind blowing in her ears. Made worth it just to see her student smile. Soul brought her gaze back ahead of her. Letting her forelegs stretch free in front of her in preparation for what was to come. A move she saw those black hooves do right next to her.

“Get ready.” The thin layers of clouds came in. High above the world but so close to the pegasi that cleared the thick cloud cover that failed to block out the Sun. From this high up, the wind was strong. It was so thick you could begin to see the faint whispers of wind making a thin film beneath the flurrying snow. I wonder if Blight could see it too.

6.15
Soul counted to three. After three… looks like that would be too high for Blight. No, this is perfect altitude. They had plenty of time. Three seconds was good enough to avoid that layer and, on three, Soul made her move.

Tilting her wings so she may fall whilst pushing the air to do what she wanted. Not as fast as the Wonderbolts but she still felt the thrill of it. Falling at a steep angle while keeping her back to the horizon and her side to the ground. All the wind blowing against her belly and making her mane flop over her head. But all was under control. Spiraling down like this, head nearly to the earth, it was a true joy that made her begin to laugh. Even more happy seeing Blight right alongside her. Those black wings of hers doing very well in controlling her own spiral. But… she couldn’t keep her black wings in unison with Soul’s anymore. Not with these conditions. Spiraling down like this, this fast, that’s a bit much to expect her to be perfect now, Still, Blight laughed.

She’s doing it! Yes.

Soul levelled herself out with a quick kick of her hind legs that flopped her tail and whipped her wings back up into an angled descent towards the grey clouds. Falling fast. Just as their spiral was meant to do. Not a problem for Blight at all. She’s keeping up with me. Both of them cutting through the air in a total copy of one another closing in on one of the clouds.

“Hope you don’t mind it getting dark” Soul called out. Blight probably doesn’t know but… we are about to head right into…

Both pegasi shot right into the dark cloud they fell down into.

Poofs of the grey breaking apart around them. Wrapping around and falling to pieces with both pegasi going through it all. Carving a clean path through it. No way any Pegasus could see in this. No worries. Blight just needs to follow me. I’ve flown clouds enough now to know how to deal with it. Always turning out okay and letting her do some fun tricks with those very clouds. One I want to do with Blight. Even though it was dark, she saw the black shape of her new flight buddy keeping up beside her. The cloudy surface passing right through her but her wings still brushed bits of them aside.

So she can make her own gusts of wind. Great! It could be done and I hope this will be fun for Blight to see what we can do.

6.16
Soul kicked her wings down so hard. Sending her up into the cloud. Watching all the darkness shoot past. Very quick as to show how fast she was now going and she then turned again. Pushing her wings up. Not losing that pattern. Not too quick. Not enough to destroy the cloud but to do something else that now was set in motion just like it did when she first pulled off this move. A move I did so well but… now I got a partner for it. Her body spiraling back down and up again. Changing the course of her wings nearly every second and beating well enough to make enough wind to spiral with her.

“What are we doing?” she heard Blight call out. Soul had to look to be sure she was still keeping up with her. Any change would ruin it. Oh, I’m stupid. Of course Blight is with me still. Still able to keep her wings so very close to Soul’s. Keeping up. But she looked so nervous. Doing something like this really was not like what she was used to when flying. A good experience for her then. “You’ll see!”

How many rotations had they done? Twenty? No, it was twenty-four. No way to tell how it looked on the outside. Taking a lot of rotations to make it work and at much higher speeds. Maybe the addition of a second Pegasus had a better effect on it. No way of telling. Just need to keep it up. Turn over and over inside this cloud. Completely enthralled with the feeling of freefall that came upon her with how so very fast she was going. Looks like it’s good to fly up out of this. All it took was one little turn of her wings.

The Sun shone down upon her. Blasting out from the cloud. Free of the darkness and out into the vast and open sky once more. Hope it went well. We circled around a lot in there. It needs to go well. Blight might be unimpressed if it doesn’t. Wasting her time.

“Astonishing” she heard Blight say next to her. Her dragon eyes looking back at where they had been and drawing Soul to look as well to make sure they did it right. …And we did. Soul smiled with Blight laughing, both of them seeing their work taken form as what was left of the dark cloud spinning out of control behind them. Its surface coiling and circling like a funnel centering around an opening both pegasi had emerged from. Spinning violently to send sheets of its cottony surface jetting out in every direction with no rhyme or reason to their paths. Some of those pieces even spun themselves. All a part of the cloud tearing itself to pieces to a point where it was no more. Awesome! And that cloud was bigger than normal. Always keeping the skies over the mountains so clear for training.

“That was incredible” Blight yelled with a smile. She enjoyed it! I guess I am doing a good job. “Am I a great weather Pegasus or what?” Soul smirked. Sure as hell gets the job done. Forget busting them like those real weather pegasi do.

6.17
Levelled out now and back in the free air of the sky, Soul blasted off forwards in the direction of the mountains looming high and tall far ahead. Going so fast now but it was so easy to go this fast. I can feel all that momentum. Damn we flew so hard in that cloud. Enough momentum for some real fun as Soul spotted the next set of dark clouds. Coming in right at them so she adjusted her altitude. That seemed good. They had to make their adjustments fast to keep up this speed. But not fast enough… not like normal. No. I can’t see that tear in the sky. Though the cloud closed fast.

Upside down now. Soul beat her right wing very hard, no doubt sending a strong gust against Blight with no effect to her but sending Soul off to curve upwards off to the side. Bending her body and wings to glide herself onwards. Blight doing the same. Turning, and Soul’s entire world spun around, and stayed that way. With that funny feeling now setting in. Looking up to find the snowy ground above her and the sky below her. It really did feel weird up till one got used to it. Then it was fun flying upside down. Seeing how Blight was reacting, with her mane and ears pulled down to the ground below, she was frightened. Not at all used to something like this. Oh will she love it in the end. They both kept themselves fixated on the incoming cloud. Coming at them like it were below them. Sure hope my student isn’t feeling nervous by now. This type of flying is nothing. But I’m not gonna leave her worried. I know better.

We are going the right speed. Right direction. They’d be high enough and it will feel great. Then the entire land below them turned grey. Just like Soul planned. Feeling the soft touch of the cloud tingling the tips of her ears reaching down to it. So gentle and subtle it could easily be missed. But she felt it and heard the soft emptiness of a world within those soft poofs of cloud with no intense wind or snowfall to ruin it like it did deep within these clouds. Nope, she could just lay back and feel her ears cut the surface of the cloud. So close. Its bulk passing by fast and always a wondrous experience. Like the sky itself had changed to nothing but a cloud. If only Blight could touch it as well. Maybe she would like the feeling of it tingling her ears. But she just flew there next to her. Eyes just glued down ono it. She better be paying attention still or she will miss this.

The edge of the cloud came up and Soul reacted immediately. Letting her wings quit their glide and pushing the wind up from her. Turning like she did as a filly. Skidding right along the side of the cloud, going downwards. Careening to the ground below with the darkness continuing to scrape at her ears. Soulblight doing just as she asked earlier. Coming down with her and then turning again in unison to bring themselves upright under the cloud with a huge burst of speed coming along with them. The feeling came in. That thrill of going super fast. Exactly like I like it. Lots of speed from that freefall. Fast enough to pass by the underside of the cloud quicker than they had done going over it. Clearing its shadow to fly out into the sunlight. Space Soul used to glide herself up.

6.18
Rocketing straight up into the sky. Steep and fast. A great angle that would give them one hell of a ride. Blasting right up to the Sun above. Tearing apart the thin layers of cloud and mist with all that great speed building up to this point when the wind rushed down right into Soul’s face. I never hate the cold air when I do this. Times like this, I love it. Flying in it. I really love it. A cool and gentle kiss to her face making her ears flop against her head and her mane blow wildly in front of her. Feeling how much pressure was on her wings to try and force her back down and knowing how much she loved this thrill only helps pull this all off. Hearing her wings flap rapidly. Cancelling out to glide for a second before resuming. In pace with the thunderous flaps of Blight’s wings alongside the pants of her flight buddy. Even Soul’s own heart raced a bit.

Welcome to my new sky. A much colder, but gentle place.

One final spin. Letting the Sun warm her belly and the world turned around once more. Turning to face the white paleness of the plains below them. Far below. So far that the houses were the specks they should be at heights like this. Down below ready to welcome her back to the earth. She beat her wings once and let all her speed take over.

Coming down hard. Feeling something like she did when flying at incredible speeds. Speeds like this, always able to fly such massive distances in seconds with it. Just let her momentum carry her with her wings outstretched to guide her in. Coming in fast like the houses that grew. A true and total freefall. Oh Celestia, I love it! This feeling! Like my stomach is going into my throat. I love it so much. So fast that the oncoming wind could not even let her turn her head to see how Blight was doing. But that was what was fun about this. An experience few pegasi could have. To go so fast and feel so free at the same time. Free of the burden of working to achieve this and knowing that the beloved sky itself that all pegasi cherished was there to cradle them in their descent. A feeling I love getting out here. All the wind churning around her. Like a funnel itself that she fell through. Plummeting right down it to the welcoming Earth from the heavens she loved. Coming in very quick.

All of it a total thrill. Her heart beat furiously.

6.19
…And stop.

Soul brought her wings back to life. Turning them into an angle that let their entire widths shadow the ground flying at her. One great and final beat of her wings lashing down to the snow below. Feeling all the wind left in her wake rush past her body like a shower of water. Thundering so loud. It cracked in her ears.

Coming down fast while she screeched to a halt with hooves just above the snow. Snow that was sent flying. Wind howling and blasting in every direction underneath her exactly like her wings themselves made an explosion that drilled itself down into the snow. The beauty of nature. All the snow in sheets of white blasting out all around from the force. All it left was a huge crater in the snow beneath her. Ringed by mounds of snow built up by the flurries still flying about all around her.

Such a sudden stop. I really was going pretty fast. Haha! I love it. It’s like I’m a kid again. So fun! I always missed times like this.

6.20
A second explosion rang.

New streaks of light blasting over the wind and sending all the snow flying. All the mounds she created. Becoming but wisps in the wind to disappear together in a torrent of black.

Darkness everywhere. Soul flew up. Oh shit! Just missing all that black mist coming over the snow below her. Like the entire land was shrouded in darkness. What is… Soul looked over. Hearing it.

Blight hung there next to her. Surrounded in that darkness. Where all the darkness kept her floating. Churning and weaving around her… her trembling wings. The Pegasus hanging there… shaking in fear. Staring down at the ground. Is she… oh no.

That darkness split apart. Cast away into endless wisps of glimmering cinders to die across the snow. All of it dispersing so as to allow the Pegasus who summoned it to land safely in the snow with wings held aloft. Stuck in place high above her head. Their feathers swaying not from wind but from how violently her entire body shook. How terrified she really was. Soul was silent, landing next to her.

Her flight buddy held her eyes wide and staring past Soul. Panting so hard. Exhausted. But… all Soul could see was her dragon eyes pulsing. How bad her body was shaking. So timid looking and struck. No more fun, no. Soul felt her spirits plummet. Seeing Blight like this. Something was so wrong, and I think I know what it is.

The move we just did. So lost in how great it felt. Pulling off speeds and pulling off a trick that any stunt Pegasus loved to do. Soulblight was no stunt Pegasus, though.

We were going so fast and… I made her do something so dangerous. Fall right down at the ground at that speed… shit. My flight buddy is terrified.

Soul offered a hoof to her. “Blight, …I’m…” She received a shake of her head in return. Blight cutting her right off. “Oh no, …I-I-I’m okay.” Saying that with a shaky voice. Her body continuing to give off how absolutely terrifying that stunt really was to a beginner. Not at all easing Soul from what she just did to her. I was so focused on how much fun it was for me… I didn’t even think about her. So quickly at that. I really am a terrible friend to her. Soul remained speechless.

“I messed up.”

Soul looked right up at Blight. What? Blight thinks that was her fault? How the hell… no way. “I-I should not have used magic. I’m sorry, please forgive me” Blight pleaded of her. The magic she used to save her landing? That was not a problem. Soul shook her head. “Blight, …I’m sorry.” Come on, I need to say something. Something that will ease her. Why can’t I think of anything? No, her mouth just trembled. As bad as Blight’s body shook.

I messed up. I should not have made you do that. Please forgive me for forgetting how you may have felt. Say those to her! But her tongue curled in on itself. Terrified that she just hurt this pony again. Please no, did I just break her trust? What can I say? Soulblight broke that concentration with a whiff of air brushing against Soul’s cheek when her student walked past her. Head low, wings still raised. Passing with her tail twitching behind her.

What? She was leaving. Her path heading off in the direction of the village still visible in the far-off distance.

She had to be angry. Angry at me. Not again. I didn’t do this on purpose, I just lost control and forgot. Soul cursed her learning gap with Blight. Why does everything we do always end like this? Always. And it’s always because of something I do. Not again. Not another pony to walk away from me. Blight may as well just tell me right here that she hates me.

No, I never want that to happen again.

6.21
“Wait!” Soul called after. Kicking her hooves right after the black Pegasus. Sending snow flying behind her, not even allowing time for her wings to fold up. Their lengths cutting the snowflakes that she passed. Catching up to her student who stopped her walk but still did not turn to face how sorry Soul was. “Don’t go.” Soul rubbed one of her hooves over her foreleg. Trying her best to look over past the wings of her student to get a glimpse of her face. Hoping to not see how angry it may be. Grabbing her attention but no words to say. I need to say something. Please. I don’t know how to make this better.

Blight spoke instead. Catching Soul by surprise. “I’m sorry, Soul. I can’t fly the way you do.” Just because she used magic to save herself from something that may be dangerous? Soul thought it all over again. There is no reason to doubt Blight is a good flyer. So what if she could not perform a scary stunt? There was no way.

“That’s not true” Soul finally spoke out against her. “You really impressed me. Keeping up with me and doing all the same moves as I did. You can be a great flyer.” She walked up past Blight’s side. Creeping over to try and see her student. Those glimmering dragon eyes she found hidden behind her wings. “This was the first time you trained with me. It’s tough for any Pegasus.”

“Is that right?” Blight asked softly. Her face turning to gaze over at Soul directly. No longer gripped in fear but a frown beneath eyes caught in sadness. Solemn and longing. Even as she grimaced her face. Leaning in close to Soul. Stepping forward to close the gap, so close that Soul reeled back a step fearing they may bump heads. Blight’s voice became venom. “Perhaps it may have been a different story in the end were I to have the talent for flying. Right?”

W-why did you say it like that? You have talent, just not for flying. At least not right now. I see so much potential in her, even if it isn’t flying. Anything that she may do and show off. …And Blight should know it. She is good at a lot of things.

Blight lowered her wings. So low to touch down to the snow below her. Low enough… that Soul saw it once again. Again… as the black Pegasus turned around and showed it. No longer hiding. Her wings not there to cover it, and the Pegasus glared upon her.

“I know you saw it earlier.” I did see it. Earlier and now. Her eyes stayed on it… but… they shouldn’t. No. Soul looked away. So ashamed of herself. She is so angry at me. I’m sorry. I never knew you felt bad about it. I didn’t mean to stare earlier. At this thing Blight had upon her flank.

A blank flank.

6.22
“Well?” Blight yelled. “You saw it. Now you know I really am as much a freak as you claim.” Shaking her thigh to Soul a few times as if showing it off. Huffing with anger and turning her back on Soul. Eased off from her fright of how angry the Pegasus was just by how her voice slipped off to a whisper. One wrought in pain. “I have no talent. For flying or anything. That’s why I did so bad with you and why I can’t fly with you. Can’t do anything right! And you… such a damn goodie two shoes with your damn cutie mark and all your talent.”

Soul dropped her wings. My cutie mark. Down there on her own flanks that her soft feathers touched. Planted there on her. The day I got them. The day I hurt Blight. Her marks. As black as Blight’s own flanks. As black as that day. You’re wrong, Blight. I have a cutie mark. But… I… what’s the point? What is it when I don’t even know my own talent? My talent seems to be making other ponies mad at me. Like I did with Dash. With Celestia. …Now with you. Again.

I’m so sorry I made you fly with me. I’m so sorry I made you feel like a failure at flying. And I’m the one who gets the cutie mark even when I have no talent myself.

“So yes, I am that freak Pegasus” Blight spat. “One with no talent for anything, …nothing to make you happy.” I guess I deserve her yelling at me. I made her feel this way. Making her feel so bad about herself. No matter how untrue her words were. Because you did make me happy. You really did. And that’s why I can’t stand this.

“Shut up!” Soul yelled. Breaking her silence. No longer wanting to hear Blight’s sadness. Even making Blight jump quick. Soul ran up to her. Standing side by side. Her hoofsteps catching the black mare’s attention. Coming face to face with her instructor. So angry about this. Both ponies so angry at one another. Glaring back at the other. Neither could let it go. But I’m not angry at Blight. I’m so mad but… not at her. I’m made at myself.

6.23
“It’s not like I absolutely want you to be a great flyer!” Soul yelled. “Maybe that’s not your talent. After what you just did…” she pointed back to the craters both pegasi had made. One I made. But one… that huge one. I could never do that. That was done another way.

“And everything I know you can do, …you can be a master wizard or something for all I know. Hell,… a wizard Pegasus. You think that’s not something?” She shook her head. Turning away from those angry dragon eyes. No longer able to stand it. To believe she was making them even angrier. “Damn it, Blight! You’re even great with animals. Spots loves you. You take good care of him.”

“…You take… good care of me. Why do you think you would make me unhappy?”

Everything we went through together. How much we both hurt each other. So much pain. It’s like it’s been burned into my heart now. Years upon years of heartbreak and loneliness. Of failure. Pain. Sadness. All leading up to this day. The past night. That was the one time. The one damned time we both sat down and talked like nothing was wrong. Like nothing had happened. Feeling so much like the first time I met you.

“You made me happy today…” Soul smiled. Bringing all her strength to look back at her companion. Her companion for so many years. Whose anger had subsided. I have no idea why you have no cutie mark. You have so many talents. So many that this Pegasus should be proud of. Her intelligence and skills. Her beauty. I only wish I knew why you had no mark. Because I don’t want you to feel bad about not having one.

I hate seeing you like this.

“You are good at a lot of things. Don’t be sad about it. Hell, …I don’t even know what my talent is.” Soul patted a wing against one of her cutie marks.

“You don’t?” Blight asked of her. “Nope. It just appeared when I was doing nothing. I still don’t know what it means.”

Soulblight smiled. How bright it looked, even under all the black of her fur, so radiant. Soul sighed. See, I’m not so great too. But we both have things to be proud of. Cutie mark or no. It doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is for Blight to feel proud of herself. I hope she does because she is smiling again.

Blight brought her head just short of Soul’s. Looking down but keeping her eyes leveled to gaze out through that long mane. “Do you think I can fly alongside you someday?” “Yes, you will. You already got the wings for it.” She caught a glimpse of those wings fluttering at Blight’s sides like they were happy to hear her kind words. Soulblight laughed. Backing away to give them some space. Her ears fallen to the sides of her head and that beautiful smile never left. As beautiful as those wings. Really, it’s like every part of this mare was beautiful. Even inside her. No matter what, I will still see you as something beautiful.

“I really do like those wings of yours” Soul whispered. “I think they’re pretty.”

A tear fell from Soulblight’s eye.

6.24
Soulblight wiped her face. “I-I’m going to go finish up the house for Spots” she said. That was fine. We’ve done enough for today. It was best for her to rest. Soul accepted it. “Alright. I want to train for a little bit, …how about I pick up Spots as soon as I’m done?” Soul offered. I want to see that cute, little guy again. Blight got to be with him all this time, time for me to join in on it too. I want to help care for him.

“This afternoon?” Soul continued. “I’m fine with that.” Soulblight turned away. Soul still able to get one last glance of that smile before her companion walked off towards the village. Stopping short just a few steps away.

Soulblight whispered behind her long mane. “Why did you want me to fly with you, by the way?”

That was easy to answer. Just a little reason I’ve had for so long now. It had nothing to do with training at all.

“Because I wanted you to have fun with me.”

Blight didn’t turn to look at her. Soul saw no reaction. Not seeing Blight’s face again but anypony could tell, like Soul could, Blight was happy. Finally, we got to have fun together after so long. I… I actually made her happy. Blight didn’t need to say a thing. I can tell. The black Pegasus flapped her wings. Flying off.

And I’d love to have fun with you again.

6.25
I really should get to training. How long has it been? Even though I know I need to get back at it. Spending hours sitting on the mountain to watch out over the vast crater. Not lifting a wing since she got here. I just can’t stop thinking about today. Always getting in the way. No, not today. I just don’t feel like training.

It never really came to her this whole time. Just wanting to wait the day out, looking back at what had happened. Blight is something else. She really is. I… I only wish I had asked her to spend more time with me. Not for training or high-speed maneuvers. None of that, but just to fly. A gift she continued to think may be something that Blight could have as a talent. It wasn’t impossible. Her coordination and reactions were amazing. She flies well. Well enough that I want us to fly a lot more together. Besides… I can’t get it out of my mind. I really want to find out what her true talent is. Soul hoped it was flying. Something involving it. Something that the Pegasus failed to realize in her life. I really want to help her figure out what her talent is. Do something nice for that pony who has spent so long taking care of me. What better way to help that mare with that problem than for her to discover what beautiful mark could be upon her flank? Something to lift her spirits. I guess that has been on her mind for so long now. I never knew she was a blank flank. I don’t even know how long it may have been upsetting Blight. And all I could do was compliment her on how great she is.

But that isn’t enough. You and I really are the same. We both are so good at certain things but we never feel proud. Here I am with an actual mark and you have none. I’m so ashamed I ignored you for so long. I even called you a freak. Oh how terrible of me. After this passing night, this day. I see her nothing close to a freak. Even if you are an adult with no cutie mark. You are no freak. You are a gorgeous mare with so many talents. I only wish I could be like you. Really… Soul stroked her long mane. I want to be just as pretty as you. Just as great.

6.26
I think you are so great. And… do you think the same of me? I remember all the nice things you used to say to me. How kind and caring you were… and you still are. Do you think I’m great too? Good enough to want to play with me? Because I want to keep playing. I want to be with you. Tonight. With Spots. All three of us together. Then the next day, and the day after. Even after Spots was grown up and could go out on his own. When Soul was finally strong enough, and both pegasi could fly out of here together. Returning to Equestria to spend days under the warm Sun in a familiar land filled with ponies. All those days I want to be with you. All the time I want to spend with you.

I will find some way to make it all possible. It is my turn to make things a little easier for Blight. For the pony who helped me make it this far in this wasteland.

Who saved me from myself.

I owe her that much. There was a way out, and all I need to do is keep on practicing. Just go back to training for a little bit. Not too much, that was something to do for tomorrow and not at all anything she looked forward to. I’d rather spend all night and tomorrow playing with Blight and Spots. It was so exciting. Nothing at all she imagined in the recent past. How great for Blight to love animals just like I do. Better reason to get the training done fast. Get out of here and go find that little fawn. Play games with him. If he’s good, I may even let him ride on my back. I’m sure Blight would be able to protect him just in case, but I’m sure I won’t let him fall off. After all, I’m not the filly I used to be. I’m a mare now and… I am damn good at flying.

How I would love to sleep in the bed that Blight has tonight as well. I bet I can get Spots to sleep with me. I’d love that so much! Wow, I really am such a sucker for cuties. The only thing missing would be Blight. Soul did like the idea of sleeping with Spots. Yet, …what if…

No… that’s kind of weird, isn’t it? I don’t know why I’m thinking that. Just… how I… held Dashie long ago In bed.

What if… Blight did that for me?

No more nightmares. No more loneliness. I… I want it, actually.

I should get to training. Because I sure as hell want to go home soon.

6.27
She stood back up, giving her legs a much-needed stretch after staying still for too long. No chafing in her wings. Not sore at all after all the stress from yesterday. Good, means there is nothing in my way of getting this done quickly. Then she may blast off to where Spots hid and surprise Blight by giving them a long evening of fun. All I need to do… is try out my old trick. It being her whole purpose for coming to the mountain in the first place.

So high up in the sky. Higher than earlier.

Blight, thank you for letting me fly with you. Our little flight… it gave me a good sign of how to do this. This time, I’ll do it so much higher. More height, more speed.

She looked up into the sky. So high up there, like when I was a filly. I… still know how to do it. Exactly like you showed me, Nimbus. The best way to get your speed going. Well, how about more than that?

“A dive is the best way to gain your speed.” That’s what Nimbus taught. Enough speed to give you the momentum for any stunt or series of tricks you wanted. And I always pulled it off perfect. How the wind would crack. Feeling all the pressure on me. Falling and falling from the skies above, and I always was so fast. So tell me, Nimbus, wherever you are. How do you think I can do now… with these?

Soul let loose her massive wings. Reaching high for the sky. All those hundreds of feathers fluttering so delicately in the wind. Blistering in the layers of muscles that years of work had created. Wings unlike any other. And it is true.

Nimbus, I used to always be so jealous of how great your wings were. I remember it. How they looked. Such lonely golden wings glittering in the Sun. Larger than even you were. Well-tended and tough. Strong enough to pull of any stunt. Wings that befit a master flyer like you were. So jealous of them, and I was so jealous of Blight’s wings too. But… let’s face it. Soul smirked.

I’ve put so many years into these wings. I took every technique and lesson you taught me, and I perfected them on my own out here. I had nopony left to help me. I did it all alone. Every day, I was left exhausted and aching. My wings were always in pain. I never gave them a break and always made it harder on myself because that is exactly how you would have trained me. I’m no longer that little girl anymore. No, Nimbus. I’m a mare now. I’m the woman I wanted to become. And now I have the wings… unlike any other. Flying is nothing to me now. No effort. No worry. No fear. When I fly, it’s like the entire world is nothing.

It’s why I believe I can do it now. I can do the unimaginable. That no other Pegasus can do. No matter how much practice it will take, I will reach a speed that no other can reach. Ever again. Because it is all for one simple reason.

Nimbus. Your training. Everything you told me. All the effort you put in from me. I never forgot it. And I still… love… you for it. So much that I did all this for you. These great wings I have now. I did it for everything you taught me. But most importantly, I did it… for what you gave me. A life to look forward to back home. I will fly into the sky… and I will reach a speed that no Pegasus can dream of. No matter how long it takes. I will do it.

Soul wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled. I really have become one with the sky now. I see what it is you tried to teach me. And I will go so fast that no storm can stop me. Like busting through the clouds, I will destroy all those storms. All by myself. Because that’s how it is. It’s all up to me to make it all right, and I will do it for the ponies that I love. Do it no matter how many times it takes, and the day will come when all three of us are together. Out there, beyond this world. Dashie… Soulblight, and me. Laughing together in the warm skies above Equestria.

Three pegasi as best friends.

I’ll make it happen. Soul soared into the clouds above.

6.28
I know I told Soul she would get to take Spots home but… I just can’t help it. I really want to see him right now. I’ll just stay here with him and keep him company until Soul arrives. Oh the look on her face when she arrives to see me waiting. After all, I know Soul wants to be the one to take him home. I’ll let her carry him. But, in truth, Blight wanted to do that too. Curse these legs that could not touch anything. But I think it will still be nice to spend more time with both of them. Ease the night away with them in my house. Under the glow of the many candles she left lit for house guests tonight. Even making a whole new layer of blankets of the exact make she did with the one she gifted for Spots and laying them neatly across the bed.

I can’t help but imagine it. It all sounds so nice. Making her giddy just thinking about it as she flew in towards the cave. I already know what Soul wants to do tonight. She wants to sleep with Spots. Haha, of course. It sounds so beautiful. Both of them sleeping so peacefully. I want to join them too. Maybe take turns holding Spots in my hooves. Keep him warm and cozy.

Again, impossible.

She sighed in disbelief. Soul gets that honor. But… it’s okay. Because I got something amazing today all thanks to Soul and what she did. Spots needed to know. I want to tell him everything we did this morning. Pass the time telling him stories until Soul arrived. Tell him that Soul was definitely not the Pegasus I’ve been saying such bad things about. Regretting every terrible word she spoke of her. Painting a picture of a cruel and unforgiving Pegasus for Spots. The fawn must have seen how wrong that all was when Soul cared for him so well last night, and he saw how wrong Blight had been. So very wrong.

6.29
She almost missed sight of the opening in the snow below her. Caught in time for her to make the quick adjustment to her flight and landing just outside the opening. Her wings settling and folding back up against her sides. The wings Blight felt more care for than ever before. Only because… hehe… they’re pretty. Blight… she blushed.

Oh Soul, you sap. I didn’t expect you to say that to me. I… I love to know that. I do spend a lot of time caring for them. I’m glad you appreciate them.

These wings, hehe, I don’t need to care for them. I honestly don’t care much for them. After all…

They aren’t my wings.

But… a Pegasus can make herself feel pretty every now and then, right? Her being pretty enough to get a compliment. Being wanted enough to be asked to spend time with another. It gives me hope.

Soul, she really is not like the others.

It made her smile so much. I have to tell him. Let Spots know everything I said was wrong. Soul was a kind pony. She was so nice. Maybe I do have a talent for animals. Like Soul said. I do care for Spots so well. Just like I really am his mother. He loves me and appreciates me just as much as Soul does. I find myself caring for both of them. I want that to keep going.

She lowered her head to crouch in through the narrow opening and into the dark cave within. Stepping in without a sound. Hoping not to scare Spots with how silent she was, she whispered “Spots, mommy’s here.” She listened. Perking her ears back up to their maximum. Hearing the soft drops of water in the cave, the wind outside. …A thunderous burst in the distance. Far off. Possibly the storms far beyond the comfort of these snowy plains. Unfortunately, she heard nothing else in here. She heard nothing at all. Just the drone of that thunder far outside. The rush of wind splitting the air all across the land.

Pretty loud thunder.

He must be sleeping. Such a silent little sleeper. He doesn’t even snore. I never even hear a murmur from him when he sleeps.

6.30
Blight turned the corner to where she left the little alcove for Spots to sleep in. His box placed gently against the rocky wall with all his blankets stacked up inside in a neat and sizeable space for him. Topped by the purple, heart covered blanket she made just for him. I have more beautiful ones at home just for him. All made from her inspiring moments of the morning.

Oh, he was sleeping. Such a cute little guy. She spotted the bulge in the blanket. Looks like he has been tossing in his sleep again. He may be a quiet sleeper, but not a still one.

“Spots. Wakey, wakey.” Blight crawled in low enough to avoid the ceiling. Moving onto his blankets, careful to avoid getting too close to where he slept. Not wanting to fall into him. Yet her magic instead went over the blankets. Coming over the entire bulge in the blanket. “I got our house all ready. You don’t need to sleep in this cold place anymore.” No more. We can all be a family together now. One with plenty of love to share. No more hatred or loneliness for anypony.

No more hatred from Soul.

It was almost too good to be true. So good that I actually cried after Soul and I parted this morning. It’s been so long, I missed feeling Soul cared for me. I… I want to give something back for her. Her and Spots. Because they both deserve it, and… I honestly feel I deserve it too now. Things really have changed.

She pulled the blanket back eager to tell him about all this. Removing the covers to find his little ears twitching underneath. She saw it, but her eyes froze…

From what she would have seen.

6.31
Spots?

He… he had been here. We left him here all wrapped up. I know we did.

She moved the blanket up and over, tossing it aside with a loud smack of it hitting the cold, hard wall with such force. Caring not at all of whatever may happen to the blanket she worked to make. It was useless. As useless as everything else in here. Get out of my way! Blight slammed the box over with a burst of magic. Tossing aside all the blankets and pillows. Frantically looking all over it.

It was impossible. No way he could be gone. No way.

She looked all over the blankets again and then behind her. All around the cave. “No. No. No.” Another blanket went flying. He must be somewhere in here. She readied her ears again, trying to catch any sound. Hiding somewhere. That must be it. He was playing. He’s got to be. Because… he wouldn’t want to make his mommy so scared… hehe. Don’t do it.

This box, damn thing, get out of my way! It flew off with another blast of black magic. Crumpling it against the wall. Sending the remains of his strawberries flying from the wind.

He was not here. Not in the bed. I… I…

I can’t even hear him. I’m the only one here.

Blight turned around back to face the entrance of the cave. Out in the sunlit world beyond it. “Spots!” She took one final look all around the cave. No, please no. I hate this feeling. Spots! Stop it, you’re scaring me. Her heart beating so hard she felt it like a swarm of butterflies deep within. I told him to stay in here where it’s safe. He never attempted to leave before… before…

I healed his leg.

He ran off.

6.32
She ran right back out to the entrance of the cave. Stopping short upon entering the sunlight. Staring out at the endless horizon of snow packed with waves of tight pockets of snow curling in droves all about within the sheets that came down. He can’t be out here. He’s just a baby. Nopony with him. Too cold for him, too empty. Nothing for him.

“Spots!” she screamed. Her echo carried on with the wind. Heard by her ears, still tracking everywhere. She focused as hard as she could manage. As far as she knew possible. Taking note of everything. I hear it all. I hear Soul out there flying. I hear the ponies beyond. Even further beyond that. I hear everything out here. But I don’t hear you. I should hear you. Where did you go? Why did you leave? Why…

Blight sniffled. Why are you making me cry?

Not again. Please not again. I never wanted this to happen again. Please. She looked all around. Unable to even breathe anymore. I don’t want this again. Please, Spots. Don’t leave me… like everypony does.

“SPOOOOOTTTTTSSSSSS!”

Her voice rang out upon the land. So loud. Blight’s throat stung. Ceasing her scream only when the pain in her throat grew too much to bare. Only able to whisper… and cry.

“Come back… to mommy.”

Her legs gave out. Her entire body giving out. She collapsed to the ground. Not even stopping herself. Only letting herself do one thing. She cried. Cried behind her long, black mane draping against her face.

Spots. Where are you? You… you left me. Don’t you see? Don’t you see what this is doing to me? H-how pathetic I look. I know you are out there. You have to be. See how pathetic I am. Please come back… take pity on me. She couldn’t stop crying into the snow. Leaving her wings and legs set aside. She managed to find the strength to even push her mane off her nose with a careful swipe. Freeing herself to see again. See something… right in front of her, in between her legs left sprawled on the ground.

Tracks.

A clean stride in the snow.

Blight jumped back up. Tracks! They must be from him. Follow it. Yes! Bringing her attention back to the entrance of the cave where she found the tracks started. Little dots pressed into the snow. Shaped like a few small dots around a larger one, arranged together to form a track she saw belonged to four legs. …And another.

…Another.

More.

Many, many tracks from the cave. All together. So many of them… Blight was silent. Staring at them all. All these prints… the exact same. What? All of them going out into the snow beyond. Disappearing out there in the wall of snow that shrouded the land.

“What?” She looked back down at the closest tracks. So many. Who made all these? All the same tracks. Are these even Spots’ tracks? I… I wish I knew. I never took the time to look at his hooves. I didn’t think I needed to. I wish I had. To tell which of these are his.

He did leave, he was gone. Left with others. Others… like him.

They came back for you. Spots… you went back to… your parents. Your family.

And right when you could walk again. All thanks to me. You left… right after we left you. Reuniting with the ones he loved. …The ones… “Who deserve his love.”

So that’s how it is? Is it? Wow. I never saw it before. But, it’s clear as day now. You leave me now. After all I did. Blight grinned.

I see now. Hahaha. “Hehehe.” I feel it. Like… I’m being bitten all over. Her tail twitching to strike at her buttocks, making her nose flare each time. Staring down upon those tracks. Not even blinking. This is what you leave me? You leave me feeling like this? And now I see that…

I am a “complete fool.”

6.33
Oh… how lovely. How great. She hissed. I want to get rid of it all. I want it all burned away. Burn away the lies that I was taught to believe in. Let it all go away in a sea of red. One so deep she saw it in her eyes. Turning back to do just that. Looking upon the entrance to the cave.

We spent so much time together in there. I was the only one who cared for you. You were the one who made me feel special. And now what? You leave me like this. I want it all gone. Taking the steps towards the cave’s entrance, and yet… she cried. Even with so much anger burning in her. Feeling it all rising back up after so long of it being gone. So very sad. Like… like I can feel my heart ripping. I don’t want this at all.

Not Spots. Not anypony else. I was abandoned.

She stopped in her tracks.

I don’t want to see it again. Crying so hard. I don’t want to be so sad. I don’t want to see it. …My… my gift for him. That beautiful blanket I made for him. Just for him. Even if it were to burn, just seeing it… I can’t. I don’t want to see it. Any of it. No more reminders of it all. No more. Another who would rather leave me than love me. You are no different. No different than all the pain inside me that it’s like a damn scar in my heart. I feel it writhing. All those scars… you are just another. You would rather be another to make me feel this way again. Alone.

I was not good enough… for him. He did not even see fit to say goodbye to me.

So yyou go back to you parents and your family and leave me like this!? This is how I’m repaid? You get what you want from me and then leave. And that is all that ever happens to me. I hate it. Giving so much. Wanting others to feel happy and getting nothing but hate in return. They pretend to like me. Such an insult. So very insulting.

You should not have given him the opportunity.

Why was that right? It was always right. No matter how much I hate to hear such things. How much I want to ignore it. Everything that made the past so difficult to deal with… and it was always right in the end. I am always wrong. I’m tired of being wrong all the time.

Why did he have to leave? Why must all leave me? Will Soul leave me?

Yes.

6.34
Please don’t leave me.

I don’t want my last friend to leave. Not again. You are my friend, right? I don’t want to be alone again. You’re out there in the snow, right? Training. You’re the last pony I can rely on. You want to be my friend? Right?!

Or… is it just because… of all that I do for you?

I always am just something to be used. No matter how nice I am, it never pays off. I never got what I wanted. Soul… that Pegasus, she is just like Spots. Everything that happened today. Just like now. You only did it because you miss your precious Dashie. That little bitch.

That’s all. Nothing more. Nothing to expect from you. And it will all happen again when I have nothing left to give. You will leave me too, and all I will have left is darkness once again.

“Spots… I love you” she whimpered. “I love you, …Soul.” She shook her head. “Why do you all not love me?”

Blight looked away from the cave. Not wanting to ever see it again. Walking away from it all with nothing left. Her mind a blank. All that there was left was sadness. As empty as this entire world. Crying endlessly.

These tears. The same ones I cried for so many… countless years… in the dark. Again.

You don’t deserve them.

6.35
The Sun had gone down quite a bit. Still hanging high though. At least it’s not too late right now. That was very good. Thank Celestia. I was scared I overdid it on the training. Just a few more tries. Oh… how many times did I tell myself that? Then a few more turned into so many more. Then dozens. I did it over and over again.

And I can’t be any happier with myself.

I did it for you, Nimbus. I hope you are proud of me. Because I am so proud. How much I improved. I just know I can do it now. Just need to keep practicing it and, soon, I will reach it. Hehe, I can’t believe how fast I’ve gotten.

She could still hear the ringing in her ears over the harsh wind coming in now. Loud but still able to hear. That move really was a pain to practice. Not bad enough to keep her grounded. Her wings felt better than ever. Stronger even after yesterday. I still feel so raring to go. Flying off in the direction she remembered her and Blight spent the night together with that cute fawn. This should be the right way.

I just know Blight will be happy to see that I kept my promise. Come home with Spots just as she said she would and not at all too late. Enough time to let Blight finish up the house, make it ready for their ‘little baby’ as Soul grew more fond of wanting to call him. Going over the hill lines as quick as possible without making too much of the thunderous noise she had quite enough of today, she neared the location she remembered. Easily missed by many ponies no doubt, but not her. Able to spot the tiny rising of rock where the cave’s entrance was all the way out here. Picking up a little more speed. Keeping her wings quiet as well. No need to scare him. Keep it steady. Making her wings slow down a bit when she came right up to the point she saw the entrance clearly.

A lot of snow sure has built up around here over the day. Deeper piles of it sat atop the rocks making up the entrance. She landed on that snow. Shuffling her hooves quickly and making bursts of the snow skitter away with the force of her landing. Not too loud. Not loud at all. Soul was happy with her good landing and hopeful she did not surprise him with that.

6.36
Right over the entrance, she looked down in there. Lowering her head. Low enough to not bang right into the rocks over the entrance. Looking into the dark cave within, no sign of Spots. Damn. I was hoping her would be there to see ol’ auntie Soul waiting for him. I imagined him being so excited. Welp, that’s not happening. Guess I got to go get him. If he was not roaming about the cave, he must be in the back alcove Blight made his bed in. Still sleeping. He had been up all night. Time to wake the poor thing up.

Soul dropped down from above and landed on the rocks at the foot of the entrance. Creeping in on the tips of her hooves as silent as could be while keeping her wings and head tucked in so as not to strike any of the rocks decorating the cave. “Spots” she whispered to let him know she meant no harm when she rounded the corner. “Auntie Soul is here. You wanna ride to your new home with me?” How exciting! We all get to have a new home now. I just know Blight will be happy that I want to help her take care of him. Even more happy when she hears the news that I might have a way to get us both out of this place soon. That will be a truly happy day.

She went around the corner. Finding right where they left Spots. Except… why was his bed destroyed?

All the blankets, old and ugly, the beautiful one with the hearts as well, all tossed asunder. One left draped against a rising in the rocks. Many others resting about at the feet of the walls. But it was his box that left Soul wondering. Flipped over and crumpled a little on the ground. …And no Spots. He… isn’t here.

“Spots” she called out. Looking back behind her and all around the cave. Wandering to and fro to check every part of this cave. Where is he hiding? Behind the rocks, under the blankets, nothing at all. Oh no. This… she looked back all around her. This whole place is destroyed. Did… did something bad happen?

No, that could not be it. It can’t be. There is nothing here. Maybe… maybe he just made a big mess of his bed. Or he was a very feisty deer and played around with his blankets. Yeah, that had to be it. He is a playful guy. Still likely having so much energy in him being a baby and all.

…But where is he?

He’s not here.

Did she…

6.37
“Damn it, Blight.” Did she really come and pick him up? I was the one who was supposed to do that for her. I want to help too. Anything to show I have her back and she can rely on me. Did she really just steal that from me? Now she had to think of something else. I got to think of something new to do for her. Maybe… maybe food? Why not? I can go search for any plants that Spots would like. Let Blight take care of him while I do the hard part. Yeah! I got killer eyes and speed. I’m sure I can find something even if I have to dig up all the snow in this land. Anything to show Blight that I am a good friend. Something that she can praise me for.

Why did Blight have to make this harder for me? Like it was some kind of test.

Soul reeled around and scampered out the cave, nearly bumping her head into the against the low lying rocks. “Damn it” she said one more time before taking flight. Blasting away with such a strong flap of her wings. So low she saw the snow on the ground sent flying underneath her. Clearing the hills and taking but a measly few seconds to clear the distance between the cave and the village. Right upon the houses she came to know now… except… something was wrong.

6.38
She landed right between the houses. Staying there… staring.

What is this? I feel… weird. Something isn’t right here. Like… it’s kind of like… Soul looked all about the village. All across the houses. These homes where the wind flew over and churned the snow. Yet… it was heavy. That’s how it felt. Such a heavy feeling out here in the air.

The entire village was quiet. So quiet.

I… I never noticed how eerie this place can be. Weird. The way the wind blew over right now, going over her ears and stroking her mane, barely any noise to it at all. A mere whisper. Whispers going over and around every house. Chilling. Haunting her. Making Soul tuck her wings tightly against her. Covering her back and sides up in those huge feathers. Striding slowly towards the entrance of Blight’s house.

This was too weird. Everywhere she looked, the village felt so… off. Like… just the way this feels, it’s like I’ve never been here before. Like I’m being watched.

I’m being watched.

Soul looked back. Nothing.

I swear, like somepony is behind me. Like I’m… I’m afraid. It’s…

That’s what it is. Soul stared down at the snow she stood on. This deep and cold snow. Lifting her hoof up and watching the snow fall from it. This terrible feeling. It’s just like how the crater feels. I can never get used to it. Even when I train. That was it. It’s so strong. She looked back up to the house in front of her. So strange. Does Blight know what’s going on? I need to ask her.

Soul stepped up to stand before the door. Gently tapping a hoof against it several times. Just a tap? Soul smacked the door now. Why was I being so afraid just to knock?. Don’t be so afraid. This is our village. Blight and Spots are in there waiting for me. Waiting to have lots of fun. Enjoy the rest of the day together. With my new friends. All three of us together in a new home. Like a family.

6.39
“Blight?” she asked knocking the door a little louder. “I’m back.” No answer. Is she even here? Maybe clearing away one of the other houses or playing with Spots out in the plains. No, I know I would have noticed her. Everything being much too quiet. Maybe they were resting. Spots sleeping in there after a long night and Blight must be frustrated that I’m… I’m banging on the door. That shut her up.

Soul grabbed hold of the knob with both hooves and pushed the door open. There was Blight’s house. Much the same as when she saw it yesterday. Not any different actually. Did Blight even do anything? None of the candles were even lit. Actually it’s so dark in here. Kind of creepy when she stepped inside. But… she looked in and saw…

Soulblight!

Except… it was her back. The black of her fur rising and lowering with each breath she made. Her face hidden with those beautiful wings of hers raised high like she was ready to take flight. An odd thing for her to do while sitting. Sitting in the center of the room between the table and the bed. Making not a sound. Not a move. But I can hear her breathing.

Soul waited. Is she okay? Blight? Soul cocked her head. She isn’t even turning around. Not even when Soul placed a hoof down upon the floor and heard the boards creak beneath the carpet. Soul spoke out. “I… finished my training. We got the whole rest of the day together.” Soul smiled. Smiled but… I… I feel so weird now.

There was something wrong. Blight did not move. Didn’t even speak in response. Nothing. Is she ignoring me? I didn’t do anything. Did I? Maybe she’s busy. Oh no. I hope I didn’t wake him. Her knocking must have woken the fawn up, …now Blight must be mad. Maybe trying to put Spots back to sleep, holding him behind those vast wings the mare had out.

Soul wanted to see. She stepped forward a little. Eager to see the sight of that precious fawn lulled back to sleep. I need to help as well. I can try to sing to him. Yeah. Or something. I don’t know.

“Is Spots here?”

6.40
She stopped. Blight moved. Her ear, …it twitched. Just once right as she asked that. Soul raised her ears. Blight?

Soul widened her eyes. Is that…? I hear her. I hear it. That little sound behind those big, black wings. Crying.

Soulblight was crying.

What did I do? Soul looked around. At the bed, over at the furniture. The house was empty. Empty. Is…? Spots? He’s not here.

“Blight…” Soul whispered. Nearing her head over towards Blight. Not moving at all, keeping her distance. Because now… she felt it. Afraid of something. Not of the feelings of terror building back up over her, but of what she saw at the cave. Of Blight sitting here crying. It made her legs shake. “Where is Spots?” Blight’s wings twitched. Soul’s eyes jumping immediately to them when they did. What is…

“He’s gone” Blight said softly from behind her wings. “He decided to leave me.”

What?! He’s gone? When did that happen? I… Soul shook her head. No way. Spots had no reason to leave. He has both of us to play with and look out for him. He has no reason to leave. “What… wh…” Soul lost her train of thought. All the feelings of grief coming. Spots could not be gone. She looked down. He can’t. Did Blight even look for him? No, don’t ask that. Stupid. Of course she did. Blight likes that fawn as much as I do. No, she likes him even more than me. Caring for him. Seeing herself as his mother. All the mess back at the cave. That must have been Blight. Looking for him. Running out and looking all over. Now here she is, crying in front of me. So silently. Soul wanted to cry too but couldn’t manage it. I’m not sad. I’m… so angry. At myself.

I should have been able to spot the little guy. I should have gone out looking for him myself. This is all my fault. Damn it. If only…

If only I had not taken so much time training.

I could have caught him before he left. Stupid, stupid idiot. Once again, I failed again. No. Please, no. Don’t tell me I failed Blight again. I made her sad again. No. I can’t let this happen. I’m going back out there and finding him. That will work. Soul did not care about anything else. Run out there and fly. Fly until I can’t fly anymore. Search everywhere.

She motioned herself to do that, prepared to run outside. Stopped short when she heard the voice behind her. “Did you train well?”

6.41
My training? That was not important at all. Spots needed to be found. What the hell was wrong with you, Blight? What is… I know. Losing Spots, it really did hurt you. And I hurt you to by not keeping Spots safe. I can tell in your voice. You’re about to yell at me. Just a happy and carefree Pegasus enjoying the day while another so close to her suffered without her knowing. So selfish. I am so selfish and now she hates me again. Just like I did… with Dashie.

Y-y-yes” Soul muttered. Lowering her head. Terrified of whatever Blight may do. Feeling her own legs begin to shake. Just ignore it. Focus on whatever it will take to make Blight happy again. Leave. Leave and find Spots. Leave and make them happy. Do something other than focusing on myself. I need to show her and everypony else that I care. Why can’t I move? My damned legs can’t stop shaking. Her whole body trembled. Not when she watched the black mare in front of her. Blight glanced over. Like trying to look over her shoulder to see Soul but stopped by her own raised wings.

All she did was giggle.

A chill ran down Soul’s spine. Soul froze. Her shaking finished. Just hearing that giggle. That softness in Blight’s voice. “That’s good… I guess it’s all working out for you. …How nice.” Soul saw it. A bit of black. What the...

6.42
The chair smashed into the floor in front of her. Soul jumped back with a cry of fear. Barely clearing the splinters of wood and flying cushions wrapped in the remains of the magic that belonged to Blight. The whole thing tearing itself apart from the impact. How hard that thing struck the ground. How fast it came at her.

…And Blight did it.

Soul looked back over to the black Pegasus. Terrified. Not scared of her own stupidity anymore. Soul was scared of Blight. She… she just tried to... That chair and all the fury it was delivered in.

Soulblight hates me.

The black wings she loved rose higher. “Then you can leave!” Blight screamed. The fury in her voice. The pain. How bad it broke while she yelled it. Hitting her so hard.

Soul stepped back. Shaking. Whimpering. Hearing it in her voice. Like she heard it in Blight’s voice. I hear it. No. Please… don’t get rid of me. I didn’t mean to… no, don’t be like Dashie and Nimbus and… mom. When I failed them all. “Blight…”

Soul gritted her teeth. Slamming her hoof down onto the remains of the chair. Hearing it crack under her, and her tears fell. No. Please no. I don’t want this again. I… another pony hates me.

Soul closed her eyes. Not looking at the mare again.

She ran off. Not wanting to turn back. I don’t want this again. I don’t want to feel it again. I’m… I’m such an idiot. I don’t want to see another pony who hates me. Blight… you’re just like Dashie.

Soul ran out into the snow again. The only thing left. The cold embrace of an unforgiving world. All that was left. I have no friends. All I have left is this. I’m such an idiot.

It’s just like I remember. Just like that day… when you abandoned me, Dashie. I get to live it again. Now I see. I see it now. What Celestia did. What Nimbus and Starry did. What you did. This is all to punish me.

Such a painful truth.

Soul ran. Ran to her home. The last place left that was safe in this lonely world.

7.1
How many of these sunrises did Soul witness ever since coming to this land? It’s been so many years. So many and yet… they never were something to get used to. How bleak and dreary the winter sky always was as it shadowed the glow of the Sun when it crossed over the horizon. Where the light was not out, even in the mornings. The mornings always did seem so very dreadful.

These winter conditions grew to be dreadful. No matter what season it may be, it was the same. Just a little warmer but not at all comfortable. Even having blizzards run through the land in the dead of summer. How many summers even did pass since she arrived here? She lost count long ago. Lost track of time too often. Sitting on her messy bed and staring out the window next to the door. Wondering how long this has happened. Whatever month it may be. It had to be some time in spring right now. Remembering the summer Suns that passed twice since she last saw Blight. Twice did the icy chill of winter come. When the land was so cold that it was a risk just to go outside and search for fuel for the only thing left that kept her alive. It was not the life she remembered, from before it happened… and before she arrived here.

How I miss that life. So long gone. Untold years passing. Even if just two had passed, it felt like an eternity to her building up on the long years prior. A time of nothing but disappointment and loneliness. Endless failures. Her flying proving useless much like her attempts to make things right. Finally have somepony in her life. She missed Spots. Not as much as she missed Soulblight.

Every night passing by she would hope to hear a sound letting her know everything was okay. To hear her door open while she stayed awake every single night since then. Turning and finding the black Pegasus smiling at her in the doorway. Only for it to be mist disappearing with all her hopes. Never deserving that forgiveness. Not for hurting her so much. How much she must hurt as Blight had, not once, even left her house. Only an occasional glow of candles in the night shining through those windows let her know she was still around. She never had the courage to go in and check.

Now that is all I have learned lately. How much of a coward I am. A selfish coward. A title that made her cry many nights. Her tears no longer born of her nightmares that she feared so much. Born now all because of herself. Wanting so much to go in and let Blight know how much she meant to her. Only going far enough to just knock on her door and flee after a short moment of waiting. Too scared to make things right. Even abandoning her search across the snowy wasteland which served as her only reason for leaving the village.

Soul’s wings felt too tired for her. As tired as she was. Barely able to keep her eyes open while she watched the sunrise of the morning. Wanting to sleep just to pass by another useless day. Too much of a coward to do so. Not even wanting to go outside, just stay in here and hug the Pegasus doll she held to her chest. The only companion that was left. Talk to her and cry with her for another day. Not like anything else mattered. Besides, I’ll never succeed at anything. Failing over and over when I tried to escape from here so long ago. When I failed with my friends and all the ponies I miss. With Blight.

These years that passed. They served no purpose. And all I see… is that I am no longer the Pegasus I used to be. When I lived back in… in Cloudsdale. No more.

Rainbow Dash was a winner. A success.

7.2
Looking over to the fire with weary eyes, holding her doll close, she shuddered at the sight of the fire beginning to die. Something that had happened too often and Soul just able to prevent it in time. Knowing she needed to do something about it yesterday when she started to see its flicker begin to fade. Dying down to nothing more than stray flames amid a bed of cinders berthed along the remains of her last haul. Another indication that Blight did not leave her house.

Soul had to be the one to keep her fire going.

That fire that continued to burn no matter how close it got to fading. That must be because of Blight.

She sighed. “Guess I should get going.” Looking back outside, seeing the Sun still rising. The jets of snow flurrying about. Hearing the faint howls of wind. A cold day. Evident by how cold it was inside, making Soul shiver a little before calming it by wrapping herself in her giant wings and falling beneath the covers. It would only get colder the longer she waited. Not wanting to go outside, but her fears were greater over not wanting the fire to go out.

Soul looked down at the doll she cradled, turning it up so it may face her with that stitched smile. If only I could smile too. “I’m gonna go outside for a bit. Watch the house for me?” The doll was always inclined to do so. Soul set it down atop her pillow, letting it stand atop that pillow and it didn’t fall. She jumped off the bed. Not caring to stretch, not bothering to do anything special. Just stride over slowly to the door. Dragging her hooves along, she was surprised when she struck something. Her hoof digging down into something.

Oh… that again. The black trench. Going along the length of the floor all the way to one of the corners. The other thing Blight did so long ago. Deep and thin. Good enough for the tip of her hoof to slide right in. She brought it back out and continued on her way. Leaving behind that thing. That horrible thing.

I guess I’m lucky… Blight never did any worse to me.

7.3
Soul opened the door. Greeted immediately by a blast of chilly wind running all over her. Sending chills down her spine. Her wings already coming up to cover her. Doing their best to shelter her from the cold. Mornings always were so terrible. The aftermaths of frigid nights.

She recovered. Mustering up what little courage she had to bring her wings back out so they may lift her up to the snowy land above her dark porch. The ramp that went up from the porch was gone now. Buried under snow as deep as the rest. Untended, much like her porch. Even the sofa had a sheet of snow on it. It left her feeling a little sad each time she saw it. Remembering the comfort that thing brought to her when laying on it at night. Back when the cold seemed so much more tolerable to her. Gone were those days.

Soul looked back around… the same world as always. Nothing different. This cold and empty world. Never anything to see. She only sighed and left it. Heading off into the heart of the village. Taking care not to look when she passed by Blight’s house. Keeping her head low. So low that her long mane reached down and dragged on the snow. Damn, and my wings are dragging? Soul fixed that. Bringing them back up to cover her like some sort of blanket. Her soft feathers did serve that goal well but not as good as a nice blanket… or somepony there… to hug me. How warm that felt. How much I miss that. The fire was all she had to warm her. The doll her only friend.

Soul walked past many of the village’s houses. All looking the same as the other with only varied amounts of snow burying them. Allowed to build up these past two years. With nopony left to tend to them. Soul being the only one here to even try and unearth each individual house in search for things she could use. One house she passed she recognized as the last house she cleared out. Not long ago at that. Keeping the door free up till a few days ago. She found that door now had enough snow piled in front of it to go up to her knees. No point in clearing that out. Soul and Blight gave up on that plan of keeping the village beautiful long ago. I only do it for one reason now.

7.4
She came up to that very reason. The current house serving her as source of things to burn. Its door had so much snow in front of it. A lot but not enough to keep her from walking up to the door. She pushed the door open with a slight turn of the knob. Opening up the dark room within. With the only light being what came in from the doorway. Soul’s shadow rising across the floor amid the bask of the sunlight. A good amount for her to see all the remaining boxes she left strewn on the floor. Many opened, empty. Devoid of their contents all thanks to Soul. Her last batch being a collection of old gardening equipment among stuff like empty picture frames and dishes. It makes one wonder who used to live in this village long ago. What ponies made this place their home? If only the frames had pictures in them. I wanted to see if I could find any pictures of the ponies before. Maybe even see… a family.

I always used to love seeing stuff like that. A mother and father. A sister. Friends even. Like… like the pictures I still remember at my… my past home. So long ago. Now I see, I hate remembering that. All I can do is burn those frames. Throwing them in with the wooden handles and parts of the gardening equipment she tore apart. Removing the rusty metal that fell off so easily. Equipment that told her something more about this place. About a time when this place had land that could be tended to. It broke Soul’s heart having to burn away all this remaining history of the village. Memories gone and forgotten.

Sometimes, I wonder what happened to all my stuff back in Cloudsdale. It’s been so long. I had a room. I had my own stuff. And I know there are things I’d love to see again. But would anypony ever see them? Memories to be forgotten, as was she. Does any Pegasus even remember me? Maybe they will… I don’t know. But I miss it all.

Sometimes, when I look around these houses, I wonder what may have happened to that special stuff I hid away.

All I have left… of better times. And I can’t even get to them. It won’t happen. No time soon. No… time… soon.

Soul spotted the boxes she left on the side. Sealed. Still untouched with whatever may lay inside for her to use. She walked over to them. Keeping the door open behind her so light could still shine in, and she sat down in front of the boxes. Keeping her great wings raised behind her to shield her from the wind blowing in. Chills still coming over her and making her shiver. Her wings shaking. Their muscles struggling to keep warm.

7.5
Soul grabbed hold of one box and brought it up to her face. Shaking it once then twice. It felt a little heavy and something jumbled around within. Well that was promising. She angled her head down to plant her teeth right down onto the tape sealing the box and she pulled. Piercing it with her teeth and ripping it away with such a satisfying sound. Pulling until the tape was well clear of the box and the top flaps rose freely. Like they wanted her to see what could be inside.

She opened it up. “What’s this?”

Flower vases. Several of them. Neatly stacked up inside. Ones made of ceramic. Stone even. …And wood! Oh yes, I can use these.

She set the box back down, getting rid of the stone and ceramic ones. Letting them fall to the wooden floor beside her. Keeping the wooden ones inside the box so she could carry them over to her house in it. One, two, three, four wooden ones. Big enough. Some bits of dust on them. I think these can last all day but… not good enough. I need to find more. Furniture would be nice. Something big she may tear apart. She could only settle with the little stuff. All she found in the past few houses among ones completely empty.

Soul lost her attention. Caught by something else in the box. I didn’t even see that. Only because it lay beneath all the vases. I guess I should have expected to find something like this with the vases. Rummaging inside, she was able to bring it out clasped between her hooves. Its glow so brilliant in the light of the Sun. A Sun sharing its colors. A bouquet of flowers.

Several stems tied together with a little band. Their green stems propping up the shine of a series of Suns held atop them. Orange and red mixed flowers. Little bulbs within them on thin strands, their petals gorgeous and flowing. I don’t really know anything about flowers but I think I recognize these. Aren’t these blossoms? Yeah that was it.

They look so beautiful. Feeling her hooves over the stems and up to the soft petals. They feel so weird. They’re fake. Decorative ones. How sad for somepony to have left them here. Whoever had them probably liked to make their house look nice. Maybe like some sort of reminder of the beauty of the land they once lived in. Gone forever to the snow. Give them some sense of happiness on lonely nights as it kind of doing for Soul. Soul felt a little warmer seeing these flowers. Like… like Blight did.

Orange and red flowers. That little dream you told me… I think I get what you meant, Blight. All those years ago. It was small, probably not at all like what Blight experienced, but these flowers do mean something. The only beautiful thing I’ve seen in this shithole for years. Hard to put a hoof to it, but she felt her heart flutter a little seeing these. Brightest colors in the land.

She set the flowers down in her lap. “I think I can find some use for you guys.”

7.6
Another box, another set of junk. Soul doing the same thing to each one she pulled over to her. Ripping them open and seeing what it had inside. Not finding anything as unique as the flowers she found. Just more stuff to burn, thankfully. Another box of vases, wooden bowls and plates, books so old that when she skimmed them in hopes of finding something interesting she found that the words had been faded to nonexistence. Completely unreadable. More stuff to burn anyways alongside some papers and tools.

Drawers pulled out of a desk and left hidden away. She threw aside all the stuff she could not use, keeping the rest tucked away in their boxes to be left for later. Another box she ripped open. Feeling another blast of cold wind come in and making her shiver. Like the weather itself was telling her to hurry up. Fine, last one then.

Soul pulled the flaps open just to find even more dishes made entirely of wood and some of porcelain. She just threw the brightly colored ones aside. Leaving just the wooden ones inside, finding something else underneath them. Oh wow!

She shifted the dishes around to get at it. Is this…? What in the hell? It really is.

A racquet.

Made entirely of wood with a thin netting webbing the inner ring at the top of its handle. Just like the ones the other kids would play with at home. Pegasi just preferred to fly while doing it. I used to see how they all played this. Never had a set for myself but I did sometimes want to try it. I wonder if Dashie has any. I never asked her. But if she did, would she play with me? I think she would have… long ago. Those were much happier times. It actually made her smile a little. Oh… the times we used to play together. There were even three more racquets just like the first one. Like a set for a family, and under those three was something else.

Soul cocked her head. Pushing aside the stuff covering it so she could grab hold of it. Setting her hooves upon its red surface and puling it out. The thing just dangling down from her hooves. What is this thing? Soul turned it all around. It had a bunch of patterns on it. All around the round shape. The little nozzle jutting out from its side.

This… this is a ball. Deflated completely. I guess it’s for the racquets? Soul glanced over at them. No, this ball is huge. She stared at it. It’s as big as my head. Oh… it’s a kickball. I see now. There was a day when I saw some kids playing with one. Kicking it all over the place and trying to get it from one another. Damn, another thing. I wish Dash was here right now. So many things we could do together. I just know you would accept my apology, …right? You would, right? Then we can play together. Because I hate just having myself. As much as she wanted the doll to serve more. She really was all by herself.

Seeing this ball. How sad it looked. How lonely it was to not have anypony to play with it for years. It made her sad. Surely it must have seen better times, just like me. Well, I’m here now. I can give a good home for it. Hopefully, you won’t be so lonely anymore. Even if I want there to be another pony who will play with me. She sighed. Something… different.
Not a bad haul today.

7.7
The fire crackled followed by a pop when the wood broke apart along the length of the vases Soul threw in. Each of them quickly covered up in a sea of flames. Bursting and roaring, already getting warmer in here. Quickly getting rid of her shivers. The house really did feel colder than it did when she left it. So great that was changing now. Soul hovered above the fireplace. Happy to see her efforts paid off. But not enough yet. It needed to be kept going for a while.

She flew back over to where she left the boxes filled with her haul. Coming down to grab hold of a good number of those dishes in between her legs. Hugging them close to her chest so as not to drop them while flying them over to the fire. Throwing those in too. Feeding it more. One bowl missed it. Bouncing right off the burning pile. Just short of falling out and onto the carpet with its cinders. Stopped thanks to the little rising of stone in the entrance to the fireplace. Serving its purpose. But now that bowl was not even in the fire. Stupid thing.

She landed close to the entrance. Very close. A bit uneasy to be this close to the roaring flames and how hot they were. Too hot no matter how cold she may be. She could even feel sweat beginning to run down her muzzle. Just get it back in there. She looked over it, finding a decent area lacking any flames or cinder. Good for her to place the tip of her hoof against it. Reaching right into the fireplace and all its heat. So very hot. I’ve never been this close to fire before. Come on, just do it quick. Gently pushing the bowl back in, slow to be sure when it was becoming too hot for her hoof. She gave it a quick push. Sending the bowl sliding right back into the midst of the flames. Disappearing inside of it.

Thank Celestia. That has to be a good amount now, enough to keep it going till night fell. Then she had even more stuff tucked away in the boxes ready to go. Except one thing. Soul came back over to those boxes where she left the deflated ball sitting draped along the top of one of them.

7.8
It looked like it could give her something to do. I can have some fun with it. A little thing she lacked a lot of in her life now. But really, what to even do with it? I really don’t know. This is why I wish I had somepony to play with.

It had a little nozzle on it. A dusty little thing that she wiped off with her hoof. Holding it up to her mouth between both forehooves. Falling to her rear as she picked it up. It would suck if this thing had any holes in it. She had checked it over twice now and found no problems. Still, it would suck if one was hidden. A little surprise for her to find out. Damn it. I need to stop thinking that. It will work. The nozzle went in between her lips and she blew. Taking steady breaths and blowing in slowly. Watching it come to life before her. So it was working. Actually inflating. Wow. This really is like a ball I would see back home. Like this was a relic of the past. My past. This is something that belongs to a normal life. Not this life. This life of not being able to eat, sleep well, play or have fun. Have any friends. But this was a good glimpse.

Filling it up completely, she sealed the nozzle quickly. Holding it atop her hoof. Perfect. Incredible. It’s like… like I am seeing something so normal now. It’s right on my hoof. Just a normal ball. Red with lots of white stars all over it. This is something I could do little competitions with. Haha, I wish I had found something like this long ago. Oh how I miss the old times.

Soul let it go from her hoof, dropping it down between her legs and surprised at how it bounced right back up to her with a rather adorable sound to her. Going right back down and repeating the process again. Slowing down and stopping when Soul placed her hooves down on it. Holding it firmly to the floor. It was kind of fun to watch it do that. Really bouncy, maybe good for smacking it back and forth… between two ponies. Like with the racquets, just bigger. See who may be first to miss it. How… annoying.

Soul turned back to the Pegasus doll she left standing on her pillow. “I don’t suppose you wanna play with me.” It just smiled. Of course not.

7.9
Soul brought the ball over to the bed with her. Sitting down against the frame, holding the ball under her foreleg and sighing. Tired eyes set on the empty wall. This empty house. Just how very lonely this all was. If only there was somepony on the other side, staring back at her. Play a game with me. Two years going by so slow with no fun. Nothing to make her smile. I bet things would be so much better if somepony had been there all this time. Having friends who were willing to even be around her. I never even got a year with a friend. So few ponies in my life. Even fewer now. None to play with.

It’s so strange. Why do I even feel like this now? I was starting to think this ball would make me feel better but the damn thing is only making me feel worse. It only made her more sad. Just remembering all the truth in the world. Of how lonely she was. It’s all just like long ago. When I was alone… in that box. In that dark alley. Things really have not changed. And I’m a mare now! What is wrong with me? All because nopony ever gives me a chance.

They always left me.

Is that why I can only play with myself? Because I make it that way. Damn this thing! She tossed it at the wall. Oh crap! It came right back at her. Quickly and filling her vision in red. She raised her hooves. Nothing.

She heard it. The red ball striking the bed frame itself. Landing right next to her. Well out of reach of her hooves. Bouncing a few times in place before it rolled itself back over to her. Coming to a rest against her thigh. The red of its exterior joining with the red hearts of her cutie mark.

7.10
Soul glanced down at it. Sadly watching the poor thing stutter and lose steam. Staring at it. It really is just like I remember these things to be like. What is wrong with me? I shouldn’t be so scared of the thing. And… I even thought it was going to hit me. I should be better than that. Her legs feeling as tired as her wings. As tired as she was. Even now she only wanted to just go back into her bed and lay down. Watch the Sun pass by outside with her memories being all to accompany her. Hold that doll. Even though I wish it was somepony else. But it will always be a damn doll. These days are just so meaningless now. Everything was meaningless.

Here she was, she saw herself. A magenta Pegasus with yellow eyes sitting against the bed in the mirror she looked off to. That’s not even the Pegasus she had seen in that mirror before. Her eyes going over the dark patch dried in the carpet by that very mirror. Back then… which Pegasus is more pathetic? Me back then or me now?

Two years like this. I’ve been doing this for two years. Two! I just want to... she slammed her hoof hard into the side of the bed she lay against. Looking away from herself in the mirror and down to her own cutie mark. I am so mad at myself. Seeing all this pain I put myself in. All because I make ponies want to leave me. And that’s the same pain that… that almost made me do that... She glanced back to the patches in the carpet. Can’t even look at that for more than a second.

Now I got a second chance from that and I am doing this! Why even get a second chance if it led to nothing? She hit the bed again. Feeling it shake behind her. Might as well break the thing. I bet this damn bed hates I got that second chance. Then I wouldn’t be hitting it. I should have never gotten a second chance. All I did with it was… hurt Blight.

Soulblight, you’re the one who gave me this chance. Why? Why did she do this? Why do you care for me?

7.11
Soul rubbed her thigh. This cutie mark. What may it be like to never know it? Never to know what it meant. It was a miracle I even got it out here. I would have never got it if not for what Blight did for me. And I want to do the same for her. I want to see what beautiful mark could be on that black fur someday. Whatever it will be and all the happiness it brings. When Blight discovers her talent. When I can finally know my talent. A good one. Something that will make me feel good. Just like when I became an excellent flyer. As good as it is to know I have a power that no other Pegasus can get. These wings.

Her hoof going up along her side and caressing the feathers. How weak they felt now. Why did I do this? Soul wanted to cry. My gorgeous and strong wings. So long did they miss the feeling of intense flying. How lonely and bored did they feel. I haven’t kissed them in so long. I haven’t told them how important they are to me. Keeping them locked in this house with me. Were they even strong anymore? Years of building them up. So much work and sweat. So much pain. To make them as large as they were now. I love them so much. They are who I am. These wings. Beautiful and delicate, hiding how strong they really were when given a chance. How much happiness they could give. Given so much time to make them better and I failed them.

I failed myself.

“Why did I give up?!” Soul put her face right down into her hooves. Holding herself so tightly. Hiding the world from her and wrapping herself in darkness. “I’m so lonely. All because of myself.” All I can do is blame what I did. I was given everything to make a better chance for myself. A new chance. I got these wings because of that second chance. Throwing it all away. That’s twice I’ve thrown it away. Twice that I’ve thrown away all that another pony does for me. Another pony who needs me. Even if that pony may hate me, I still want to try and show them how much I appreciate what they did for me. At least show that I am still that Pegasus that I used to be.

Do that.

Because I adore the pony who did it for me. Soulblight.

Hidden in her home, as alone as I am. I won’t let it go on. I need to be strong for her. Strong enough to get through these terrible and boring days, for what? For no reason, now. Nope. I wasted these days. This gift that Blight gave to me. A gift that Blight put so much into and all I did was spit on it.

I need to be strong for her… and for Dash.

That’s what I want, anyways. I want to make them happy. I know it. Since I was a kid. I always wanted to make others happy. Now… it’s your turn, Blight. You gave me this second chance.

The ball! Soul grabbed it. Standing up with it held firmly under her leg. I’m gonna be a better pony.

She ran off, ball held against her, careening through the door and rushing off to the snowy world outside.

7.12
Here we go again.

I say that every time. Same thing. Always when I try to see how she’s doing. Standing in front of her door like she did now. Bare and revealed. Not much trace of snow blocking it, as if somepony did a good job of keeping it cleared. Blight has to be the one doing that even if I never see hero outside. Well it made things easier for her. Being able to step right up to the doorway was a luxury hard to do with all the other houses.

Soul leaned in to step into the clearing of snow, stumbling a little over the mounds left about around it before she reached solid ground or whatever it was underneath the layer of snow before the doorway. Soul set the ball down. Keeping it in place under her hoof and just listening. Waiting. This should not be so hard. But it always was. Well, I’m doing better than normal. I haven’t run off yet. Just walk right up. But it’s kind of scary to think about knocking on it. I hate being so afraid.

Soulblight is a good pony. She helped so much and did so much for me. Be a little more comfortable than this. Don’t be so afraid. But it still made it no better. There is no way to tell… if another chair will try to hit me. If the black Pegasus would even show forgiveness after all this time. If she still wants me gone. Just like she told me to do two years ago.

But that is the same Pegasus who flew with me. The one with the most sweetest smile ever. Even were it so rare. Just good enough to know Soul was the one who made it happen when it did. Blight deserved it for all she did.

Soul lifted a hoof up. Listening closely and watching the door that she brought that hoof closer to. Bringing it to a stop just a hair’s length from striking. It was silent inside. Soul heard nothing. Saw nothing to give any form of life to this house, as dead as the village. As the land. It really must be terrible. Being inside this house, in silence with nopony to talk to. Nothing to do. …Just like me. It pained her. And I really let this go on for two years. I left Blight all alone for two years. Such an idiot.

Will she even forgive me?

Soul heard a faint knock.

7.13
She looked up.

Damn it, why did I hit the door!? Finding her hoof right on it. Making her reel it right back. Spacing out like that. I did not even think. Ah man, I didn’t try to stop myself… and that knock. It must have been loud enough. Too late now.

Knock again. Knock on it. Just do it. Bringing her hoof back to bare. I won’t run away again and Blight will see I really am the pony she can rely on. She exhaled deeply. Firmly bringing herself back and ready to do what she needed to do. Soulblight needed a friend and she needed Soulblight. For some fun, like old times. Before this and before the fighting. How long ago that really was. When this leg she held up was as thin as a twig.

Soul knocked on the door again. Louder this time. Just to let the pony inside know she was still here. Not good enough. Do more. Don’t be afraid of failing at this again. She was pushing herself on. Easy, just talk to her. That was easy because I know Soulblight. She is a pony I can trust after all the good things she did. “B-b-b-blight.” Soul cursed herself. Really? I know what to say and what to do. I was preparing for this and everything. And I stutter. Wow. No doubt an amusing thing for the Pegasus inside or maybe something bad. She probably thinks I’m afraid. Not far from the truth. No matter how much she pushed herself, she found it hard not to be afraid. A terrible impression.

Soul cleared her throat. “Blight, are you in there?” Good, no stutter. “I wanted to know if you… wanted to play with me.” Soul gave the ball a gentle nudge to knock it into the door with a subtle tap and it rolled right back to her. Like a diligent pet coming to a rest against her legs. “Like old times, right?” Soul smiled. Smiled at the door. As if anything could see her. I actually did it. Even after what you did, Blight, I still am not gonna give up on you. Just waiting there for a response, nothing else came to mind. Not like the old days when I always had something so great to say to Blight. Freak. That was a good one. I always was so nice. She sighed. I wonder if Blight thinks that about me. Right now. Am I a freak? I act like such an idiot around ponies. On top of being a jerk to Blight. Just how timid and fearful she was right now, impossible to mask, just shows that I’m not a strong Pegasus and just a weirdo who is afraid of the pony who saved her.

I used to call her that same thing. It must have been hurtful. Really making Blight hate her more. Something she regretted and it seemed to be the case. The wind blew by.

“Blight?” Still no answer. Could it be she was gone? Left a long time ago and I don’t even know? No. Soul shook her head. Get rid of those thoughts. That would be terrible. Blight was here. She had to be. That… that would be so terrible if she left. Knowing she was the one who drove a pony off. Well, …another pony at that. One that became so meaningful to her. Just like another pony I know. And it would hurt… I hate to think you would be gone too.

That silence in there. Soulblight was still angry. Angry because I left her alone for so long. She did not deserve that feeling. Anger and pain, it is so painful to think such a good Pegasus always felt those now. “Answer me, Blight” Soul muttered. She hated how she sounded. Like her voice changed in an instant. Like a defeated filly crying for her mother. But she really was sad. Thinking over it all, sad for what was happening to both of them. “I’m worried about you.”

7.14
The silence was agonizing. As was seeing how the door did not open to her pleas. Her impatience really getting the better of her as was her fear of whatever Blight may be going through. “Blight.” Soul groaned pathetically. Really not wanting to stay here waiting with no idea on what to do. Soul stood up. The windows were still free. One of which sitting to her right not far from the door. I need to see. The chance they could see one another. I want to see her. She’ll see too. I’m not gonna give up on her and leave her alone in this house.

Soul lifted herself back up into the air, keeping the ball held between her hooves. Her wings carrying them to the window where she leaned against. Standing on her hind legs, able to see within. It sure had been a long time since she looked in. Surprising to her to find it looking the same as she remembered. The bed was almost right in front of the window. One of the few things inside she actually could fully pick out. Much too dark in there. The sunlight just managing to creep in and illuminate some of what lay within but not what she wanted to see. No sign of her.

Soul looked off to the left. Oh no. Don’t panic. She felt herself begin to tremble. Looking all over trying to pick out the faintest hint of the pony inside. Every angle gave much of the same. No. She looked to the bed again. Maybe she was sleeping? Some way she found to be able to hide herself under the blankets. No, it looked firm. No bumps or wrinkles in the purple blanket laying over the mattress inside. Maybe she was hiding. Going over every bit of the room and finding nothing changed. There was no Soulblight. She was not in there.

“No” she whispered. Blight did leave. Here I was really thinking she was still with me all these years. Still able to put up with her presence in this village. Wishful thinking. Am I really that insufferable? Not even Soulblight, a pony who cared so much for me, wanted anything more to do with me. Not after how bad of a pony I proved myself to be. No, I need to find her. I can’t let this happen. I’m not going to have another bad memory. Fly out and find her. Let Blight know I’m sorry. It will work out. It must work out. Yes.

Soul’s wings flurried hard against her shaking back, ready to take her off. Already breathing so hard as her heart pounded against her chest. Her wings buzzing hard behind her. Soul pushed herself off the wall and back on the ground. Gotta get into the air. Find her and beg her to come back to me.

She turned around to face the open plains of snow… seeing darkness.

7.15
Soul shrieked.

Oh my…! Is that Soulbl…? She groaned when she fell down upon her back. All the grey clouds and the snow they let go falling right down onto her face. Buried in the snow chilling her back. Her wings still beating and then finally slowing down, and it all came to her.

The black Pegasus. Oh my Celestia… she scared me. Soul lifted a hoof to her cheek. It felt warm. Am I blushing? Or… maybe because I’m so happy to see her. The black Pegasus standing over her. Looking down on her with those dragon eyes. Soul almost did not recognize her. It had been too long. Much too long and this is what I do to greet her. Soul curled her legs up. Still rubbing her cheek to try and clear up her blush.

Face to face, but I am… so afraid. Feeling her entire body shaking. Terrified. Blight… you scared me so much and… I didn’t even know it. So scared to never see those eyes again. …And she came back to me. No matter how much terror there was that ran through her and made her shake, all that panic, there was still something.

She was happy.

“Are you okay?” Soulblight asked her from above. More than okay. You really have no idea, Blight.

It’s been so long since I heard your sweet voice. Two years feel so long. I finally am hearing her talk to me. “Y-yes” Soul said. Relieved her wings had settled down. Just able to lay there and look up at Blight. Aww man, but… Blight didn’t have her sweet smile. She only frowned. Every bit of her face indicating to Soul that she was not the happy Pegasus she remembered after they flew. Is she not happy to see me? No, that can’t be. She actually came out to talk to me. Maybe she wants to play.

“I heard what you said” Blight said. She looked off to something above Soul’s head. Soul following her to the ball laying in the snow right against her mane. “You want to play?”

Soul nodded.

7.16
She rolled around back onto her belly. Able to stand up now, face to face with Blight. I would smile if… if only you would smile. Her displeased face letting Soul go. Didn’t do anything to ruin how great it was to see her again. So close to her. Again. Just like we did before she yelled at me. It does feel almost like nothing happened. I’m so happy to see you. But I just wish you felt the same.

We didn’t leave each other.

I was stupid to think she left. No, not after all she did for me. She… she would never. Soulblight is not like the others, and she actually wants to play with me. Soulblight looked back at the ball and then at her. “What did you want to play?” Please don’t think it’s so boring. I know it isn’t the best thing to do for our first time together again. Not even close. Hell, if it were possible, I’d totally jump on you and hug you. Maybe the black Pegasus would like that and even return her hug. She heard a sharp breath come out from her. Times like that were so few for her. So rare. Not even enough for her to remember what it was like. Having to settle with something like this.

Soul reached back to bring the ball over to sit between both pegasi. …She smiled. Soul felt herself smiling. Was this really happening? It did sound trivial at first, but we are actually going to play together again. Her smile, as little as it was, brought nothing out from Blight who just stared down at the red ball.

“You wanna pass it around?” Soul asked. Blight grunted. Almost like she didn’t want to. That wasn’t the case at all. The mare nodded. “Sure.” Alright. That’s great. She wants to do things with me again. Just like old times. Truly a great pony to be so forgiving. Most ponies would have left by now not wanting to deal with me.

She grabbed hold of the ball and walked off to the open area between her house and Blight’s. Big enough for the two. Soul looking back to be sure Blight was following. She was. Right on her tail, eyes going around the village and coming back to Soul almost the moment Soul looked back. Following her the entire way even up to the point where Soul took her position. Patiently waiting for Soul to say something. It was a little funny to her. Soulblight must not know how this works.

Soul pointed her hoof back to Blight’s house. “You can stand over there, and I’ll be here.” Blight looked a little puzzled glancing back at her house. Accepting the instruction anyways. “Alright.” She turned back and walked over to her house. Soul widened her eyes. No way. Blight just… she actually glanced back at Soul. Just for a split second but those dragon eyes came back to meet hers. Like she was watching Soul. What does that mean?

Blight did nothing more for her, just walking on back to her house, …walking… sadly even. Occasionally dragging her hooves. Oh, poor girl. I feel so bad for her. I thought you would be angry. But you seem so sad. Even the first few words she spoke came out so solemn before returning to normal. “So… we are simply passing the ball between us?”

7.17
“Uh…” Soul cleared her mind. Let’s just focus on this right now. Blight wanted to play and that was something. A good break in the loneliness with a little game. Even if Blight didn’t know how to do it. “We’ll toss it at each other” Soul explained. “Keep going till one of us doesn’t stop the ball in time.” A nice competition. I think Blight will win. I… I’ve not been on my game lately… in anything. Whatever. As long as Blight had fun.

“So don’t allow it to pass me, essentially?” Blight asked.

“Yes.”

Blight nodded her approval. Readying herself a short distance away from where Soul stood. Eyes firmly set on the ball Soul held up on her hoof. So she’s probably going to use her magic to do this. If she is then that means I can use my wings. Both of those wings felt great actually. Like life breathed into them anew. Both held aloft and ready to fly.

Soul grabbed hold of the ball and reeled back as far as she could, looking around Blight for a good place to aim it. Over her head. Sure. Soul threw it. Watching the ball fly through the air not too fast. Slowing down thanks to how light it was. Even the wind started to effect it but it still managed to fly in close to where Soul aimed. A trajectory Blight followed perfectly. Showing she was not rusty with her magic unlike Soul with her wings, when a lance of black came straight out of nowhere. Like it came from behind Blight to curve up and strike the ball just as it went above her head, sending it right back at Soul. A rather gentle strike despite how she did it.

The ball came back just as fast as it had been going. Soul kept her eye on it. Definitely going to a point well out of her reach. Her wings came to life. Soul shot up to it, quickly closing the distance until the ball was right in her face. Hitting it right back with a swat of her hoof. Soulblight did the same as she did. Her dragon eyes kept glued to everywhere the ball went and her magic working its wonders sending it right back for Soul to do the same with her wings in kind.

How many times now did they pass it? This had to be like a dozen times now right when Soul hit it back again. It felt good. Letting herself smile with how great it was to move around like this. A real purpose to do it. Darting up, down and all around the width of her house doing well to prevent the ball from flying past her and striking that wall. Pinpoint perfect. Going on for a while. I can’t even get it past her. She can’t even get it past me. Looks like I’m not that rusty. I can still tell where that ball is going. I can still feel that drive I always had when I flew. Exhilarating.

7.18
Her eyes never left the ball… except for a moment. Blight. Blight was not even paying attention anymore. Her eyes no longer cared for the ball and just looking down at the snow below. Rubbing her hoof along it.

She is no better than when we started. She isn’t even having fun. Just smacking the damn things back at me anyways. That magic going out on its own as if they were the thing paying attention to Soul’s attempts if she did not know better. Still able to track the ball like that. Soul would feel outright amazed if this display was not telling her a little thing about their situation. Soulblight was not having fun.

She still was troubled. It has to be about me. I know I’m not a great pony to be around. Why was she even doing this then? I’m not forcing her to play. She could leave. Speak out against doing any of this with her. Soul’s entire spirits plummeted. Just going on with it. Watching here and there for what the ball did and reacting to it.

So this really was just a waste of time. Really, what can I do to make this right? Even just wanting to hang out together wasn’t working. Nothing was working. Nothing ever worked. It’d be nice to have Rainbow Dash here right now to help me figure out what I can do. She was such a natural at showing ponies a good time. She always had something great in store for us. Soul just couldn’t fill that role for Blight. So why even do this? Even if it was nice to see the black Pegasus again. But not able to see that adorable smile again. Not earn it again. I can tell… now I don’t even feel good playing this anymore.

The ball flew at her… so slowly. She struck it. Going right at Blight’s face.

Oh no.

The ball stopped. Just moments from flying through Blight. Held aloft by a layer of black mist.

Holding it. We aren’t supposed to do that. Blight did not send it back to her. Instead, the ball fell to the ground. Bounced in place a couple times before coming to a rest at Blight’s hooves, and she sighed.

7.19
So she must have had enough and here it came. I guess she’s about to start yelling at me. Or ask why we are even doing this. I don’t even have an answer for that. Not one she would likely care to hear. I did it to help Blight feel better and show her we can still have fun together. Didn’t work in the end. Maybe I should just go back home. Go back to being alone and… and cry this all away. It pained her heart to think of doing that again. Her wings did nothing to make that happen. Keeping her held aloft. She wanted them to fly away. They would not. Not even budge. All Soul could do was stare down at the black mare.

No longer caring about the ball or even if Blight was just using this as a ruse to get an advantage on her. The ball never came. Looked like their game was over much to Soul’s disappointment. Not lasting long at all. Not as long as she wished. Probably longer than what Blight wished. But the black Pegasus didn’t do anything. Just waiting there. That beautiful Pegasus stood glancing up and watching the wind fly past both of them. Just subtle movements of her body. A twitch of her ears. Her eyes flickering. I see it all. Maybe it is time.

She landed back down on the ground. I should just let her have more time for herself. I need to just tell her that. I’ll tell her I’m going back inside. And to say that I’m sorry. I should apologize for everything. Those words almost came out. Her mouth opened but her voice did not speak.

Soulblight spoke.

“Soul, I’m sorry.” That was what froze the magenta Pegasus. Soul stayed put. Looking off to the plains of snow, stopping any attempt of hers to walk away. Baffled. She really did just hear that. “What?” Soul asked. She was sorry, I’m the one who should be sorry. Blight looked so desperate right now. Coming closer to Soul. Slumping her head down hidden behind her mane. True shame.

“Please” Blight whispered. “Don’t make this any harder. I should not have yelled at you. It was my fault that Spots left.” How could it be her fault? Blight was an extraordinary caretaker for the fawn. Easy to tell by how happy Spots was around her. It was my fault for not finding him. Never being able to find him. The poor thing wandered off and got lost and I failed to find him. Failing at something else so early. Just a day after pledging herself to help care for him and she already botched it up.

No, I should be yelled at.

7.20
“Don’t be hard on yourself” Soul said. “It was my fault for not being able to find him. I should have been the one to help you care for him and I let you down.” Soul’s own head went down as well. It always hurt to say things like this. Anything was worth it just to make Soulblight feel better. Because after all the nice things she did, she should not feel upset. Not anymore.

“What are you saying?” Blight asked. “You did nothing wrong. It was my fault.” Oh shut it. Soul shook her head. I just want her to listen to me. Soulblight had different plans. She was the one who did something. Getting right into Soul’s face. Making her step back with that shadow coming over her. Forced to listen. Too afraid to say anything with this Pegasus standing tall over her. Blight raised her voice. “Were you thinking it was your fault this whole time? I was the one who was to care for him. I decided to become his mother, and I was the one he left. Soul, …he left because he did not like me. It had nothing to do with you.”

No way. I don’t believe it. Spots would not leave because of Blight. She did a great job of caring for him and was such a sweet pony. Sure she was a little off at times, not enough to scare away one who loved her as much as Spots did. Blight was his friend, his family and she made sure he knew that. How terrible for Blight to think such a thing. It almost made her stomach churn, and Blight just kept going with it.

“I was not good enough for him. He knew I was not a good pony. So he left.”

“But… Blight.”

“Get it through your head.” Blight said closing her face in on Soul. “You did nothing wrong. It was all because of me… and I took it out on you. …Oh, Soul…” She turned her head away. Reeling back so quick, too quick for Soul to recover from such a confrontation, and she almost fell backwards.

Blight actually ran off a few steps. Refusing to look back at her. Shaking her head and whimpering. What? What is wrong? Soul stood back up. I need to make her feel better. None of this is right. Blight was not a bad pony. I like her. Spots did too. Even when I was afraid to talk to her, I still liked her just as much as I did before she yelled at me. Knowing that was not who she was. That Blight was just troubled for losing her beloved friend that she saw as a son. Troubled all this time.

I feel terrible. I really did leave her like this for two years. Never trying to let her know everything was alright. All because I was a coward. No.

I made up my mind.

7.21
Soul stepped up. I’m not going to cower anymore. That’s not who I vowed to be. I am stronger than this and was strong before. I need to be the strong one. Right now, even as Blight began to cry in front of her. Whispering to herself like Soul was not even there to hear her. “I miss you, Spots.”

“I don’t think he left because of you” Soul said trying to get her attention. “He had his reasons but none of them involved him not liking you. Spots loved you.” “Then why did he leave me?” Blight cried. Not even bothering to turn around with Soul right on her tail. “Spots was not going to stay forever. He has a life out there, and you were the one who made sure he got it.”

Soul walked over to her side. Standing next to her. Happy to see Blight did nothing to avoid her. Her teary eyes kept forward. Looking out at the snowy emptiness beyond. I’m not so sure what I’m saying is true but… I do know a thing or two about animals like Spots. They are just like us… but… that also means that they always will remember and love the ones who cared for them. Like me.

Somewhere out there, he is happy for what Blight did for him.

“Wherever he is, I bet he misses you, and he still loves you. Nopony could ever hate the one who cared for them.” Blight sniffed. Her head came round and gently lowered itself close to Soul. Coming so close to rubbing against her chest with her cheek. Perhaps that was what she wanted to do. Like how we used to be. But… I was the one who wanted to rest my head on you… when I was a filly. I looked up to you and wanted you to help me… even for a short time. Now, looks like you are the one who needs that help. Just like Spots once needed from you.

“Were you mad at me for… for attacking you?”

I was more terrified than mad. But understanding now of why it happened. In truth I deserve it now more than ever. I was such an idiot leaving you like this for so long. After that, I need a good clobbering over my head. But she could not tell Blight that. Not how scary she had been to her. “I understand why you did it. I… am also one to throw a fit when… well when bad things happen to me” Soul assured her.

Blight came closer. Almost rubbing her entire body now against Soul’s.

“I’m sorry” she muttered.

“It’s alright. I’m just relieved you’re okay.”

7.22
Blight wiped her tears off. Taking a deep breath and standing up straight again. Trying so hard to make it like she never was crying. A cute ruse. I like that about her. She still likes to see herself as the adult here, like she always used to do. Covering up how she felt. Even sounding a little more like herself. “So you were worried about me this whole time?”

Oh so she did hear that. Yeah, I have been and… now I feel even worse about you. Damn, you were all alone like this. Soul nodded. “Do you feel better?” Soul asked. Then she saw it. That little thing she missed seeing since when they last flew together. It sprouted right up. Soulblight smiled. So small but way too sweet. It even looked like her eyes wanted to start crying again. She was so bad at putting up these strong pony displays. I like to see her be strong and all, but sometime… just stop trying to act so invincible, Blight. Just like me. I’m not invincible too.

“I do.” Blight smiled on, coming a little closer. That’s good. If I could, I’d put a leg around her right now and hold her close. She could only settle with helping to close the gap. That gap formed for so long and so quickly bridged. It was a miracle to her. I’ve never seen a pony able to forgive me so well. Able to look past the stupid things I do. All the bad things we went through in the past. Blight is something else. That’s why I want to be the one to take care of her. Not just her taking care of me anymore.

“It’s gonna be okay, …you sweetheart.” Soul hoped that Blight noticed that little thing she added off the top of her head. That beautiful title that same black Pegasus put on her long ago. It fit well with Blight as well. Because she was a true sweetheart. I wish I could tell how Blight felt right now. If everything was truly better. If all that pain was starting to feel better now. Well, that’s not my talent. If only my cutie mark meant I could read minds or something. But I think I can tell she is feeling a little happier. It left her happy as well.

“I was worried about you as well” Blight said in a line that really made Soul happy. She went back and smiled at Soul. “You little sweetheart.” She… called me a sweetheart? It sounds just like how she used to say it. Did… did that mean… she wasn’t mad? Not anymore? It’s too good to be true.

I… I feel like we are back to how we used to be.

I’m so happy now. Almost breaking down right on the spot. Was Blight the same way? Does she think we can be back to how we used to be long ago?

“Oh…” Soul managed to squeak. “Don’t be worried about me.” They stood there together. Waiting in that falling snow. I’ve got nothing more to say. Nothing. I’m… proud of myself. Blight is smiling again. I made another pony happy. She deserves it after all the great things she did for me. I missed feeling like a pony likes me.

7.23
Blight sighed. “It’s a beautiful day today, huh?” Sure is. A day like this… it can’t be any more beautiful now. No matter how cold it was, or how much she complained about it to herself, she still admitted it. “Yeah…” Weird that Blight even brought that up. Screw the weather. It’s not even that great. I just would like to go inside with Blight and spend the whole day with her.

…Or maybe… does she want to fly with me?!

That had to be why she was changing the subject. How exciting. Blight must have warmed up to that passion. I knew a Pegasus like her couldn’t resist it. It made her ask Blight “Do you wanna fly with me today?” Soulblight shook her head.

What? Oh come on, does this have to do with how it was the first time we flew together? Not this time. Just a nice flight. She was about to point this out before she found herself face to face with the bottom of Blight’s black hoof pointing right at her. “I think you should go flying” she commanded. “Huh? But why?” It made no sense. We can do things together, why do you want to send me off? Soulblight glanced down past Soul to look at what she guessed were her wings. My wings. How weak they felt now. Devoid of practice for so long. Oh no.

…She didn’t.

“Looks like you need to practice, …you slacker.” She did. So she can see I’ve put nothing into them for a while. A little thing she was not at all happy about. Terrible to have it pointed out. Felt like she was naked right now. Nothing capable of being hidden. Really, I am so stupid neglecting them for so long. But that was no problem right now. Soul pushed the point further.

“How about you practice with me? Or… you could just come along. I can show you some of my sweet moves.” Soul couldn’t hide that she was just making excuses now. Blight putting her hoof right back in Soul’s face again to stop her, and it worked. Blight giggled. “You’re pretty funny” she said. “Looks like you’re going to force my hoof.” She brought that hoof back down. Still smiling at her… and her tail was wagging.

What… so she was still happy. This is ridiculous. Let me stay.

“Just go and train for a little bit, …I… well I have a surprise for you. Just give me some time.”

A surprise? Is she actually… no way. There is no way she has something for me. It’s just like… what a friend would do. What could it be? Soul’s mind went wild with ideas of whatever Blight may be cooking up. Maybe she had a game planned and needed to set it up. She has something in her house for me? Fix it up perhaps. Or maybe… Soul gasped! She knows a way we can get out of here!

It left Soul as giddy as a filly. “A surprise!? Really?” Well if you insist! Soul flew up into the air. “How much time do you need?” Soul asked flying right over to hover in front of Blight. Her wings just as excited as she was with their strong flaps sending out huge gusts of snow. Blight laughed at her. Come on, tell me. You just made my day by telling me this.

“Just a few hours maybe. Trust me, you will love it.” That’s all I need to hear. Blight wants to still make me happy and care for me.

Does this mean we’re friends now?!

Don’t question her. Just go along with it and do as she says. Soul lifted herself off to hover right above the village. Still in earshot of Blight. “I’ll be back then. I promise you!” Able to see Blight there waving up at her and smiling.

“See you soon… and…. thank you.”

7.24
Blight watched Soul fly off into the grey sky. Continuing to watch until she was nothing but a speck cutting across the sky off towards the mountains. Not taking any time at all. Well, at least she was still fast despite slacking on her training. She had better not come back too soon and ruin the surprise. Especially with how excited Soul did look.

So cute. Just like a kid again. I will treat that kid well. For everything she did.

Today, I am so happy to do this. All that happened.

Soul likes me?

I rarely hear such kind words. Never. Maybe she was right. Spots never did leave me because he hates me. It sounded like a nice idea. I… I love that idea. After all these terrible months. …And Soul never left me either. She had years to and she just stayed here… because she… she was worried about me. Soulblight thought long and hard on it. I’ve never known what it’s like but… this must be what a friend would do. That friend that was Soul.

I have to show her how much she means to me. How lucky that it is on this very day, and looks like Soul doesn’t even know. Goofball can’t keep track of days anymore. Welp, I may as well remind her. Just for her. My true friend.

Soul will never hate me again. She will never leave me.

She will always hate you.

Blight slammed her hoof hard into her face. Feeling the bones in her muzzle rattle from how hard the impact was. But… she was used to it. Anything to shut it up. Shut those cursed thoughts up. They didn’t matter anymore. Just get rid of them.

She hit herself again and again. Going until… she felt calm. Until her face hurt. Ignore the pain. Ignore it. Because it was wrong. Soul does like me and I’ll prove it. I can finally be accepted into her life. Just concentrate on making this work. After two years of leaving Soul feeling like she was the one at fault, I need to do everything I can to make it all right. I know just how to do it. Time to make it so.

Blight walked off towards Soul’s house. Mind filled with ideas on how to make this surprise look just right to be perfect for Soul.

7.25
Soul landed in one of the nice, open clearings that this mountain range had so many of. Nestled well within the shadows of several of the great peaks. Calm and protected from the harsh winter winds. It no longer blew so hard. Not out here behind the mountains. Really one of the better places for her to train that did not involve her staying in the frigid wind for a very long time. For a few hours at that… and she had to stay here for that long? Find some way to occupy the time. That… was quite a mistake, now that I think about it.

Standing here in the falling snow. All alone out here for a few hours. Right after I asked Blight what she was up to. Now I know. Just great! Her wings couldn’t even stay still. Whether or not that was because of her excitement or the burst of energy she found herself under was hard to tell. But this excitement was just too much to contain.

“I have to wait to have fun with her?” The mountains’ silence gave her the answer. Ah I should have never tried to figure it out and just go with it. Now I get to be out here waiting. Waiting for some surprise. Something awesome. I hate having to wait. I want to see what it is right now.

“Damn it all. What am I supposed to do?” Train? What should I even train on right now? So stupid. I used to be so good at figuring out what kind of training I will do, and two years without doing any… wow it really did take its toll. Besides, I don’t even think I can train right. What Pegasus could work while knowing something cool is waiting at home? None that I know. Oh I want it right now. After two years, Blight and I, we can finally have something to do together. What is it?

7.26
It needed to keep going. I need to keep showing Blight that she can trust me. Make everything right because… I feel like she will be my friend.

Such a good friend even. A pony like that, I couldn’t ask for anything better. I…

I want her to be my best friend. Or a little something else… perhaps.

How I want that. I will do anything for her to show that I can be a good friend. Best thing to do for that now was to, unfortunately, follow Blight’s request. Training. How tiresome. I really just don’t feel it right now. Not with all that happened.

What if Blight and I can leave soon and I can introduce her to everypony back in Equestria?

Damn it, focus. I need to train. That’s the only way I can make it happen. All because… six seconds! It took me six seconds to get to the mountains this time. If she was going to perfect that move, she needed to perform better. Do it better for Blight. For Dashie and all that was waiting back home. Still want to know what that surprise is.

Soul let out a very displeased sigh. Best to get started. Who knows. Maybe it will go by faster once I get into it. No point to wasting time on any basics again or strength training. I should just go right back to practicing that ‘one’ move. I still remember how to do it. Get back into it. That would be the perfect way to get back into the grind. Hope that grind doesn’t take too long. Soul looked over her shoulder, checking her wings left to right. Keeping both of them unfolded to examine their lengths, the feathers, her muscles. Testing how they reacted to her commands. They did all they were supposed to. Nothing wrong with them at all. Even still pretty pinpoint in their moves. Even some practice flaps felt perfect to her. Plus, they still felt extremely energetic. Kind of like they used to be. They must be as happy as I am. After all, we could get a new flying buddy out of this… and a friend. Both of those wings cheering her on. I really do love them. I’ll be sure to clean them up after all this is done. Too long deprived of any real care.

I take it back. I am excited to get back to training. Doing it, I feel just like the Pegasus I always was. I just love this feeling. This energy. There is no better feeling for a Pegasus.

Soul let her wings fall down to the snow. Curving them so the spans planted themselves straight into the ground and pushing them so deep into that snow. This felt right. Like it used to. Soul curled all four of her legs up into her body leaving just those wings left to keep her held up. Well, let’s do this.

7.27
Soul started her warmup. Watching the mountains going up and down in front of her. Those wings really going back into it already from something she had not done in so long. It never was the best part of her training. It actually was the most boring part. But Soul really did miss doing these wing-ups. They kind of helped her feel powerful. Just like she did now when her counting passed fifty. Not doing so much. It might be asking too much to try and do those incredible numbers she used to do. Just do enough for her to start feeling the burn so to speak and it had yet to pop up. Her wings felt just as strong as they did when she arrived. A return to glory for them. All thanks to Blight.

Soulblight has no idea just how much I like her. I am so glad to have that pony back in my life. It gave her wings that drive again. They told her it just by how the persisted on no matter how much time went by that they were deprived of these workouts. If flying isn’t my talent, maybe it’s being so stubborn, hehe. If only. I wish I was more stubborn. If I was, I wouldn’t be in this place. Blight would never need to keep doing all this for me. She gave so much even when Soul was a jerk. Astonishing that Blight still had anything to do with her after all those mean things Soul did to her. Someday, I’ll figure out a way to show her that she means a ton to me and thank her so much for all she did. Leave all the bad things where they belong: in the past. Blight will never be mad at me again. Soul will make sure of it. She’ll see. We will have an awesome life waiting back in Equestria.

One-hundred and fifty. All this work I’m gonna do will show Blight all I want to do to make our lives better again. I’ll do it for us. We’ll return to Cloudsdale, I will beg Celestia for forgiveness. The princess was not all bad even if she did do… something as cruel as sending me here for doing the right thing. It was the right thing. What Blight did was right. She made it happen.

She saved Dashie. Blight just does way too much for me. It was just scary to think that Pegasus might never be able to get past all the pain these past years had caused. Two hundred.

7.28
Soul could see it all now. Being back under the warm and sunny skies of Equestria alongside her two best friends with so many other ponies who would welcome her. For them all to make more friends. To reach our dreams… I know I can reach mine. My wings… all this training. What Nimbus did for me as a filly. I know I can do anything in the sky. And then…

Funny. It’s been so long since I last thought about doing that dream with Dashie. Joining the Wonderbolts. How did Dash used to put it? Oh right. It still sounded cool. Doing these tricks and more that she learned for the enjoyment of all of Equestria. Showing everypony how talented of a Pegasus she was. How much of an accomplishment it really was. Pegasi always wanted to improve on flying to feel that accomplishment. That sounded nice, but I still remember what I want to do.

I still remember what Dash said. How the Wonderbolts made her feel. I want to do that for ponies too. I want to still be that pony who will show all that nothing can stop you from being the best. What better pony than me? I bet… nopony would think much on me right now. I bet they all forgot. No… they will remember. They will all see just what it is I can become. I will still become a Wonderbolt. I will fly alongside Dashie.

I will show Blight that all she did for me helped me reach that dream.

Or even Blight may be able to join the Wonderbolts as well! All three of us together. Oh my Celestia we will be one hell of a team. Then we can all eat together after practice and shows. Relax together. …Go to the sauna together. Oh… I miss that. That all sounds so good. Well… only after all the fanponies would leave us alone. That made Soul chuckle.

I can even get my own home. Having them all over or going to their houses. Seeing Dash amazed at Blight’s sense of style whatever her home may be. Playing together.

…Finding love together. Whatever pony they may be.

Just a warm and simple life for a Pegasus. A life that I really did want for so long… I never gave up on it. It was out there, she just needed to be the one to work on it. Make all the mistakes she did in the past right again. It will happen.

Two-hundred and fifty.

7.29
Soul’s wings felt pretty ready now. A little bit of weakness coming over them when she decided to stop. Her muscles pulsing and burning. Brought back to life so they may do great things. Soul put herself back on her four legs again. Bringing those wings back up to crane into the air. Proudly displaying them to the air she was prepared to soar in once again. Warmup over. Practice now.

How did it go again? Soul thought hard over it and recalled her technique. All the tricky maneuvers she performed to try and perfect it. The slightest adjustments and how close she got each time to feeling like the really was on top of the world. Like she was the best flyer of all. Except, maybe this time I should try to do it from much higher up. She looked up to the sky. All the clouds blowing by high overhead with great speed now that the wind was picking up. A cool environment she no longer felt. Her exercise working wonders on her body. Not too bad of a day. A good opening in the clouds was present and even more openings on the way. Looked to be a straight shot down once she found a high enough point.

“Alright, …here I go.” Soul looked back down with her wings reaching higher. Ready to let loose their first mighty flap and she felt it coming. Her wings almost let her go, but she stopped. She needed to.

Because she saw it there, her eyes square on it, and they could not look away.

…How…? How did I not notice that? Right there in front of her. Was? Was it watching me this entire time?

Soul saw it. Unable to believe it. Because nopony could believe it. Out here, all alone in the mountains… no loner alone.

Together… with the dark shadow in front of her.

Almost impossible to see. Not even moving, but she picked it out. Staring at it and seeing how curvy its ears were with tiny strands of hair rising messily about between them on top of its body with… she looked hard. Four legs… and a tail! Its tail is just as messy as… she looked back up. The mane!

This was not an it. It was a girl.

A mare.

Standing right in front of her on top of the far-off rocks. I… Soul stared. I can’t even see her. Who is that? A pony in the darkness. Why? The Sun is out but… it was so dark… over there. Not even any eyes blinking at her. Who are you?

Soul brought her wings back down. Letting their excitement die off as did her own. Completely curious as to who her audience was. Was it Blight? I wonder. No. That can’t be. The mane was too messy. Soul took a step forward, eager to see. “Hello?” she called out to her. Awaiting some sort of response. The pony stayed quiet.

I have to be seeing things. Just stop messing with me, eyes. She rubbed them so hard. Looking back and… she was still there. This was a mare and she wasn’t moving. Just watching her. So still, so calm. It actually was a little scary. Soul stepped closer to her. She… she could be a pony who actually lives here. Like Spots and the other deer. A pony here as well. So slim. So confident, didn’t even run from Soul. She may be friendly.

A new friend! I should try and talk to her. “Hi” she called out louder. Continuing her walk to the pony sitting on the rocks. “My name is Soul, what’s yo…”

She heard it. Freezing her. That giggle.

The pony laughed so quickly, so suddenly. As sudden as she turned around and jumped off behind the rocks.

“Wait…!” Soul called out. Her eyes going wider when she saw them. Right before the black figure disappeared, falling behind the rocks with her, wings. A Pegasus! One who continued to giggle so sweetly even when she disappeared.

Wait… that laugh. Soul cocked her head. It sounds so… familiar.

7.30
“Wait up.” Soul took to the air. Her revived wings set forth with so much power and renewed energy, pushing her off right at the rocks from which the mare had been. Not even hesitating to look over the rocks. Hopeful to find the Pegasus right behind them waiting for her. Like she was playing hide and seek or something. But Soul found nothing. A rocky lowland of snow hidden behind the rocks. So many rocks out here. Her eyes going all over them wanting to see a glimpse of that shadow again. But she could be anywhere out here.

Piles upon piles of fallen rocks set between the two mountains rising high next to her and beyond. Even the rocks were making new mountains of their own with plenty of snow peaking them. How could anypony run around in this mess? Or… she was flying? I hope that pony didn’t fly off. I don’t want her afraid of me. There was no reason to be afraid. Or maybe she wanted to play. That was it. There’s really a pony out here who wants to play with me, wants me to chase her. That must be why she was laughing. A game.

Soul smiled. “Ready or not, here I come” she yelled. Her voice echoing across the mountains. Easy for the Pegasus to hear her, and she did. Soul’s ears perked up. Laughing. I hear her. Her eyes darted off to the left. Over there.

Soul flew off to the raisings of rocks built up in the snowy surface, looking all over the area to find any hint of the Pegasus. Just knowing the laughing was coming from this direction. …And it kept going. This pony, whoever she was, really was having a good time messing with her. Soul following the laughter wherever it echoed. Rounding the rocks and passing by great openings in the many spires that made up the larger mountains surrounding her. It sounded so weird. That laugh. Not at all scary. Like a kid that was having fun. Soul was mesmerized by it as she followed it. It was so inviting. So carefree. So familiar. …So strange.

I don’t get it. Soul listened to it. I hear her… but… I can’t tell where she is. Soul focused on all of it. Even with all that I know. All my training… why can’t I…

The laugh stopped.

Soul continued flying. Reaching a huge heap of rocks left like rubble fallen at the foot of the mountain and landing on it. Looking all around. Keeping her ears open. I think it was coming from over here. I think. For what good her ears were doing her. Oh don’t stop laughing. It will be too hard to find her in this mess. Soul examined every huge pile of rocks set about around the gap in the mountains. Past the blackened and barren trees rooted in between large boulders topped in snow. Frantically turning to her right to look over everything in that direction. Much of the same. This place was a junk heap of rocks. So uneven and mismatched. Ones of many colors. So easy for any pony to hide. It made her groan.

Soul sighed. Okay… she kept her wings out. Her feathers out… to the wind around her. You can’t hide from me forever. Not from a pony like me. I still remember how to do it even after two years. Not even hearing her own breathing. No. Just… listen to what is around me. Feel what is around me.

I will find you. Like nothing can escape me when I fly. And I can still sense… where you are.

She looked behind her.

7.31
A little shadow so quick and faint moving past one of the trees. A tail. Disappearing behind the boulders. Shouldn’t have moved! Big mistake!

Soul followed after her. Landing on top of the boulder with a skid of her hooves so sharp and slippery to let her slide all the way to the edge of the rock. She peeked down over the side. “Aha!” she cried out. Nothing. More rocks. Damn.

She looked back up. Intently listening to everything. Listening well. Hoping her razor-sharp senses would pick her out again. Another laugh. Behind me? Soul turned around.

There she was. Sitting on top of the rocks. The same rocks I was just on. Giggling at her in the dark of the mountain. IS she making fun of me? Not a nice way to play. Or is this some sort of challenge? This mare better know who she’s messing with. There’s no way she can keep away from me. “Howz about you stop running and give up” Soul asked of her. Only for the shadow to disappear of into the rocks to the right.

“Oh no you don’t.” Soul’s wings beat as hard as they could. Sending her off rocketing right over to the rocks she disappeared behind with a single flap leaving a plume of dust and debris blooming behind her. The snow itself shook off the rocks when she snapped to a halt above the rocks that bore them. Looking all over the cracks and following a trail set out in the middle of this maze of rocks. Where she saw the figure dashing out from and behind the boulders that lined the cliff to the far right. Clearly flying when she did it. So quick. But I’m much quicker.

Soul flew off after her. Right to where she saw the pony turn the corner around those rocks. Right on her tail. Going around the corner herself and... what the hell? She was gone. Nothing. How is she doing this? I can’t even tell which way she is going now. How…

How did I sense her the one time? What is going on?

There was something about this. That laugh. I need to know why… why that laugh is so weird. Why it sends shivers down Soul’s spine. Constantly hearing it in her head. I can’t let her get away. She’s flying, but I can fly better.

She took off into the air. Bringing herself high above all the risings and clusters of rocks below. Joining with the mountains high over this land below. Looming above it all. Where no crevice or crack was out of her sight. Just a quick look was all that was needed. Where those eyes could see everything down below in that maze of rocks. Quickly looking into the shadows of each and every boulder to be sure nothing moved in them. The same with the crevices and trenches. Everywhere a shadow was, she saw them all. Listening very well for any hint of that mocking laughter.

7.32
There she is! A quick movement at the side of the opposite mountain. Flashing by so quick but she made out the image of wings flapping before vanishing with her behind all the rocks in a small clearing in the sunlight. Soul zipped over to it all. Hovering above all those rocks. Close enough to look over them all and see that every single area behind those rocks that anypony could possibly hide behind was empty. As was the rest of the clearing that she found here. Like the Pegasus simply disappeared into thin air.

How the hell is she doing this!? Who is this mare? Every single time I think I have her, she just disappears. No way.

Can it be…

This pony is as fast as me? Faster?

Somepony like that… living out here in this wasteland. No way. I really wish that Blight was here helping me. This is starting to get kind of scary. I need to find out who this pony is. Who can fly this well and… why are they doing this to me? This… her body shivering. Shaking. A pony who can fly… faster than me? Disappearing yet again. Completely gone and Soul looked everywhere to try and find her. Back to where she last saw the mare. Over at all the boulders lumbering about the maze. At all the trees and even along the mountain sides. I need to get high up again, I can spot her. I know I can.

Laughter.

What? Soul swung her head around. There she was sitting on one of the boulders, a boulder… I was just looking at. Her black shape shimmering in the darkness. The little movements she made. Is she…? Behind the pony. Soul could see it. She’s wagging her tail? Well so good to see she is having fun. “Get back here” Soul said, about to fly off at her with a strong burst of speed before the Pegasus leaped off the boulder and flew off behind all the lines of rocks and debris lining around her perch.

Soul stopped herself for a split second. Wait a minute. She was flying off to her left somewhere behind those lines of rocks. I think… Soul looked over to where the Sun basked that lines of rocks. Over there. An opening in the lines of rocks. I can cut her off! Soul was quick to get over there. Forcing her more than warmed up wings to beat the air with one mighty flap that was all it took for her to burst off over the rocks with a swarm of sunlight coming down on both her and the rocks the mare was flying behind. Not even a second… Soul shot past that opening in the rocks. Rounding the corner.

Got you. Now I…

7.33
Soul gasped.

Her wings stopped. Everything stopped.

The entire world fell still. Cast in the darkness of the shadows. Where the Sun barely shone. She sat there… watching that pony. The one who flew right past her. Just short of them running into one another.

Soul blinked. Turning her head and watching her pass. No…

No way. It’s impossible.

Just seeing it right there as it passed. The tail that brushed past her face. Bright in the sunlight. As bright as Soul’s eyes that saw it… and…

The rainbows running along it.

There… there was no way. R-R-Rainbow Dash?!

Soul couldn’t even turn in time before that tail zipped behind the rocks beyond. All that she saw left… just those colors that bore into her eyes and… the laugh the pony left behind

I see now. That… that is it. That’s why… that laugh it’s hers.

Blight. Is… that you? Are you the one doing this?

Soul hung there. Not able to move. Staring off to where the pony disappeared. Is she impersonating her again? Is this supposed to be the surprise? Blight… you know how much I want to see Dashie again. How… mean of you.

No, Blight would never do such a cruel thing. She couldn’t. Soul shook her head. That’s not what she would do. Blight, she did such a perfect replica of Dashie She even has her voice down. But… no… I can see it. Blight… after how you were when I flew with you, this can’t be you.

This pony is flying too well.

She’s outpacing me. The only pony who ever could hope to do that… Dashie.

Is she really here? She’s here and playing with me. Like she’s testing my ability to fly. Like a real flight buddy. My flight buddy. Me wingpony. She is back. She… she came all this way for me! And I… Soul let a tear drop. Drop from her smiling face.

It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.

I’m not gonna give up. Never. I’ll catch up to her. I need to know for certain. I will catch her, I will show her just how great a flyer I am now. “Dashie!” she yelled after the pony. Putting as much strength as she could muster to send herself blasting off at the boulders and rounding them. Nearly feeling the earth itself shake beneath her hooves as she flew low above the rocky surface. All the snow covering sent flying. Forcing her to lick her face when some blew up on to her nose. Flapping her wings nonstop while she went down the narrow trench of rocks and snow that she knew Dash had flown down through. I’ll catch up with you no matter what.

7.34
Rainbow made it no less difficult. Every corner Soul turned trying to find where she went ended much of the same just as she did approaching a break in the rocks at the far edge of the mountain. Coming to a low hover by a pair of desolate trees whose bark creaked and cracked by the force of her flapping wings. Looking everywhere to try and find something that would show where Dash had gone. Wanting to hear that laugh of hers. Feel that pony who flew in the same sky as her.

How skilled she must be now… I can’t even sense her.

Soul came up higher to get above the mess of rocks she was flying in, finding herself flying over a huge parting of snowy land in the center of a series of rocky walls all coming together at this one point. Like a crossing of some sort leading to countless trenches and crevices going all over the place. I… I can’t feel her. I feel… rocks falling. The snow. Is that… no. That was a rockslide far away. Not one thing that felt like wings hitting the air.

She looked down every pathway. Gliding closer to the many branching crossings in the rocks. Maybe she will fly past me. Maybe. Come on, Dashie. You’re making this as hard as you can. Damn… Dash has not slacked on her training at all. She is literally just flying circles around me now. If only she was… there!

Soul caught the last glimpse of cyan bursting into the rocks in the corner of her eye. You’re not getting away. Readying her wings to fly ahead to the rocky gaps to her right where Dash must have been flying towards. What the…? Soul saw her again. To the left? Going so fast she was but a blur passing between the rocks going in the total opposite direction she had been going… and so far away at that. Is she really this fast? I don’t even think I can pull off stuff like this. It’s like… this place doesn’t even slow her down. All the rocks and winding paths through the rocks. Nothing slowed her. I regret slacking on my training. I gotta catch her.

Soul rushed off to fly into the gap that she saw Dash disappear into, prepared to go in with a huge burst of speed so strong that the snow and even the rocks were sent flying by the force of her sudden stop.

“Soul.”

Soul’s eyes widened. Rainbow Dash? She turned around following the sound of that gentle and ear tingling voice. No way. There she is. She was at the other side of the gap. Standing on top of another boulder so far away under the rays of the Sun… and I see her.

I see her. Rainbow Dash!

The most beautiful pony. Like no other she had seen in so long. That is her. The same cyan furred Pegasus… Soul turned to face her. Face that pony… the one I always dreamed of. The one I always wanted to see again. Here you are… right in front of me.

Rainbow Dash.

The pony who held a hoof close to her mouth. Giggling over on that rock. Soul flew a little closer. The pony didn’t move. Dash sat there. Laughing into her hoof, having the time of her life. Like the most radiant thing out here with her gorgeous mane sitting over her face. The most lovely laugh… such a carefree laugh. She is having a good time. It… it made Soul smile. It made her laugh too.

This is just like old times. We… we really are together again. Even racing together… we always had fun. We always laughed and found so much joy in what we did. All those good times. All those wonderful things we did together. And they always led to hearing you laugh. Just like now. Rainbow Dash, it’s so great to see you again, and I will still show you one thing.

Soul felt her wings build up their strength for a quick dash at the pony laughing at her. All the power she had. She felt it all in her wings. I’ll show you I didn’t get worse. I am still the Pegasus who used to play with you.

7.35
The air shuddered and shook when her wings sprang to life so hard as to nearly cleave the air itself. Watching it all break and whish by her with Dash centered in her vision. Still laughing. Not even reacting. Fine with me. Just a blink of an eye. Soul closed in on her. So close… to wrapping her legs around that pony hidden under her mane. So fast and the cyan Pegasus filled her vision.

A blur. Dash zipped away.

“What…!?” Soul slowed herself down, doing her best to make a hard left in the direction she saw the pony disappear to. Flying off somewhere behind the lines of boulders and debris that Soul now nimbly flew up and around, narrowly avoiding slamming right into them. Keeping a good eye on everything as well as an opening in the trench far ahead. Dodging and weaving around the lines of rocks sent flying by the blast of her wings alone. Spreading her feathers so far… and waiting for the feeling.

Dash made a mistake, finally. I can feel her wings. I feel them.

This line of rocks. The one she flew past at such speed. Rising high over her. She looked to them.

Dashie… you’re on the other side.

I’ll do what I did earlier and I will cut you off. No more running. I got you.

All the breaks in the rocks. But one… she saw it. Seeing it and she felt it. Just how happy she was. Because… I can tell. I can sense you now. I’m going to catch you. There was a break in the rocks just big enough to fly through. Fly through and I’m going to run right into you. I don’t care.

Turning that corner in a flash, feeling those wings beating just on the other side. Coming closer. So what if we collide? It’s the best way for me to finally be able to see you again, for me to reach out and hug you as we fly into one another. I’ll catch you… and I’ll finally hold you, Dashie. After all this time.

I’m coming, Dashie!

She turned the corner, seeing all the rocks and empty space right on the other side. All the rocks…

But not that cyan fur she wanted to see.

She blinked, just in time to see it… but she couldn’t stop. Could not stop from seeing that sheet of rocks in front of her. Wait.

Soul blacked out.

7.36
“Oww. …Owwwww.”

Darkness. Oh Celestia! Soul heard it. The ringing in her head. Can’t even see. Son of a… Soul tried to scream. I want to scream. Nothing came out. Nothing but a little squeal.

It hurt so much. Like a thousand smacks to her face. Exploding all across her head. “Owww!” She rolled over. Feeling her back come over a hard surface puncturing at her skin. Who is… pinching me back there. Wait. No, that was the rocks.

It all came back to her. Just now realizing her eyes were closed. Taking so much effort just to open them back up. Every second spent slowly opening them seemed to make the pain hurt more. But it worked and she saw it. A huge rock set right above her, hinging out from the wall of boulders like some deformed mutation to them. That… was that what…? Oh... wow and I really thought I was nimble. I’m the most agile Pegasus? Ha… I couldn’t even avoid running into that. Soul groaned. Rubbing her head. Shaking from the pain. Calm down. Calm. Agh!

She felt her wings beating hard against the rocks. Like the pain ran all over her body. She screamed. Kicking her legs into the air. The worst agony. I ran right into that thing… how hard? Agh, how hard to make it hurt this much?

She blinked. Staring… begging for the pain to end. It hurt so much. Right under her mane, and… she looked at her hoof. Blood. A small splatter of it dabbed on the tip of her hoof. Oh man. I did it again. Again! How many times is this going to happen? It’s like this entire place wants to hurt me. Always messing her up… like now. But… can’t even care. Soul lay on her back. Watching the sky. Feeling her heart beat so fast. Was that normal? Is this? …My eyes… it’s kind of blurry…

She blinked again. Oh thank Celestia it was clearing up, unlike the ringing in her skull. No way to catch Dash like this. So funny, Dash wins, finally. Beat me. She finally beat me… and all it took was me slacking off. Soul laughed… it hurts to laugh. Even made her vision blur again. So hard to see… so hard…

I didn’t even notice her… right there.

When did she get here? Standing right above me with that smile.

Rainbow Dash. She stopped for me. How nice of her. But, come on now, Dashie. Do you really need to laugh? I don’t think this is so funny. It really hurts. But I’ll forgive you just this once. Because you are here for me. You actually came and stopped for me. Now I can see you…

I can see that gorgeous smile. The pony who stood there above her, Rainbow Dash. Blotting out the Sun. That lovely mane reaching down to her from above. Soul try to reach up. I want to touch it… reaching up to the most beautiful mane she ever saw. Wanting to push it aside to look upon the eyes that they hid beneath. Oh Dashie. Soul’s leg fell to her side. Giving up on trying to reach for her with pain swelling all over her. Her wings felt weak.

I’m so glad to see you.

7.37
“Are you okay?”

That voice. That beautiful voice I wanted to hear. Close and right in her ear. A whisper in the wind spoken by the Pegasus above her. So gorgeous. You always were so gorgeous. And now, I’m so lucky that I get to see you again. If only I could see straight. So dizzy. If only your mane didn’t cover you up… I want to see you again. I can’t even speak right.

“Y-yeah, yeah… but not the… best way for us to… meet again” Soul whispered. Rainbow understood. Nodding. Her lovely smile never leaving. She looks so happy. Is it because she won or is she happy to see me too? As happy as I am to see you. To finally be reunited with you. It made her laugh, just a little. Her head started pounding. “It’s so good to… to see you… D-D-Dashie. So good to see… that smile.”

Celestia, I can’t even talk. That rock… it hurts so bad. She wanted to shake her head clear and tried to do just that but it hurt to move. Her head pounding… and the world spun.

I don’t think it sounded so bad, right? Not at all. Dash is still smiling. Dash had fun with me. We both had a lot of fun flying together. Flying together. Just like we used to do. We can finally do it again. We did do it! But looks like I hurt myself again. Haha.

I need to rest. Like you let me do… long ago. When I crashed. You let me rest in your legs and your wings. You took care of me. I think I can rest now… now that you’re here. I feel so…

Sleepy.

The wind… it was gone. I can’t hear it. Gone. Gone like everything else. All I see is you, Dashie. Finally. The one voice left for her. Listening to it. Like a lullaby easing her to sleep. She couldn’t even talk. Only able to hear her, with her useless mouth just trembling. “You need to stop trying so damn hard to make me happy, best bud.” But I have to. To prove I am worth your time. So you know I don’t hate you. That it was a lie. I… love… you.

Love how nice you are, how beautiful you are. Silly Dashie. Not even able to say any of that.

It was too dark. Too much. To stay awake.

“Another pony needs you right now, …much more than I do.” What? Somepony… needs… me? Who? I don’t know… I… need to help you. I promised to be there for you. I want to make you happy.

Who is it that needs me?

Rainbow… she leaned close. “Please help her. For me.” So close. The Pegasus… she raised a hoof. All that was left in the darkening world. To see her push her mane aside and look down upon Soul. Staring at one another. “I’ll be waiting for you in the end. For now, just sleep.”

“Sleep, Soul Serenity.”

Such beautiful eyes. Such a talented pony. When did you… you learn how to do that? When did your eyes change?

Soul stared. Only able to see what was left of the world. The face of a pony who smiled down at her. Those eyes… so gorgeous. Staring deep into those eyes; one as blue as the icy sea, one as red as the bleeding Sun. Both of them blinked at her… and that pony giggled. I never knew how beautiful your eyes could become, Dashie.

For you, I’ll help.

7.38
Soul woke up. The Sun. Right above her. High in the sky shining in right over the closest mountain towering at her hooves… and… it hurt.

Soul yelped. Hissing loudly as she brought her forehooves up to clutch at her forehead. Sweet Celestia it hurts so much. Not even able to think. She felt it. Feels like a big bump right under her mane. When did that happen? How did that happen?

Soul shook her head. Clutching tightly at her head. Feeling the hairs of her mane embed themselves in the warm feeling of blood pooled on her head. I… was I sleeping like this? What the hell is wrong with me? I would never do this… and these rocks. She turned herself over with all her might to lift herself up. Just able to sit up on her rump and freeing her back from the terribly painful surface she lay on, leaving a good soreness along her entire back. I actually fell asleep on this? Oh wow something must have happened for this to happen.

Try to remember. Able to think now. That intense pain already started to clear up. Can’t really complain about it… not when all this is happening. Last I recall… I was training. For that special move to get out of here. …And…

Soul looked up into the sky high above her. Open with just a few dark clouds above, nonetheless dropping a hail of snow on her. She looked down at herself. Her stomach going down from her to her hind legs set on the rocky surface… and her wings draped at her sides. Covered in snow. A bit of it. T-that is right! I remember!

“I fell.”

How terrible. I tried to do the move again and can’t even pull it off still. I guess this is what I get for rushing I, and for not training in such a long time.

7.39
Soul looked all around at the wind-swept rocks she lay inside of. All of them surrounding her in a trench going far at either end. Such a desolate place. So lonely… and I was sleeping here this whole time. Oh for how long? I’m kind of worried now. She looked back down on herself. All this snow on me. The Sun was different. Is it… lower now? A lot lower?

“Shit.”

I passed out. Why on earth would I let myself pass out? Especially with…

Blight!

Her surprise. I was supposed to meet up with her. Soul ignored all the pain she was under. Forcing herself back up on wobbly legs making her feel like she was just going to fall back down. Her wings beat the rocks below. Instinctively trying to get her back in the air. No time to recover. Damned Sun, if only you had not changed. Blight has been waiting for me all this time. For the surprise.

Soul’s vision blurred a little. “No. Stop it.” She smacked a hoof along the side of her face. Feeling the pain rattle badly in her head but her vision cleared. That worked. Good. She needed to get going. No time to slack around. Blight was waiting. She needs me. I need her. I’m not gonna make her wait any long. Her wings spread and reached for the sky. Casting their shadows upon the snow around her.

“I’m coming, Blight.”

7.40
I have to get to her. If only I could fly much faster.

How many seconds did it take?

I was not even… damn it, I didn’t even count. It felt like forever. Definitely longer than normal. It was even hard just to land, almost stumbling on her own hooves as she set down upon the snow… and… ugh. Soul clenched a hoof to her belly. Feels like I’m about to… she gulped. It went away. As well as being so afraid she may black out again. Not as scary as disappointing Blight again. Stop wasting so much time.

She took a quick look around the village. No sign of Blight anywhere. Just the flurrying snow all about the village. Doesn’t look like she’s around. I didn’t even see her when I flew in. But she did notice something peculiar. Right outside her house. The hole leading down to her door. Soul scurried over to it. Surprised to see this here. The snow was carved out, leading down to the thinly veiled wooden porch beneath with a staircase! Did Blight do this? It looked really good. Multiple well-cut steps of solid snow as thick as Soul was wide that she tapped a hoof at to reveal how sturdy the snow was. That was so kind of her to make this. How did she even make these to begin with? I never understand how she does this stuff. I never get to see just how her magic works. Though, as nice as it was, this couldn’t be the surprise. I think she just did this to be nice to me. I… like it. Besides…

I think I know where she is now.

If you’re in there, this will be the first time in years I get to have you in my house. You get to be my guest. Like you were back when I was a filly. I hope we can be that again… that brief time when we were both there for one another… so long ago.

Soul tested the steps again. Satisfied with how they reacted and she made her way down each one with delicate strides so as not to disturb how straight the sides and edges of each stair was until she reached the door below. I really hope I’m not late. I really do. I have no idea how long I was out for. Hope I am still a little early. Please.

Soul reached out and opened the door. Doing her best to put on as good a smile as she could to hide just how worried she really was and there certainly was a surprise that almost made her smile fall off.

7.41
Soulblight.

H-hey… Soul couldn’t even talk. Just by seeing it… that face that greeted her. Soulblight right there, sitting before her. Like she had been waiting in front of that door. Waiting with a glare on her face. That was all that was needed make Soul’s heart fall.

Soulblight. Her face stricken in anger. Such deep eyes shimmering in the new sunlight cast in through the doorway. Soul saw it. How angry she really was. So much… the black mare’s cheek twitched. It made Soul want to back off. I know that face, I’m about to be yelled at. I really did mess up. Please don’t yell at me. I’m sorry.

I did make her wait.

Please forgive me. I know it was wrong of me. Just please don’t let it ruin us. Please… Soul lowered her head before the pony. But she knew, she could tell. She could feel it. The anger in the air. It made her want to cry. I was late. So late. I can tell. I can’t even look her in the eyes. She didn’t dare to. Not wanting to see those eyes. Only wanting to ask. “Did I keep you waiting?” Saying it with what little energy she had left. What little effort she could even make to try and speak to this pony. All she could do was listen. Listen and shiver when she heard the mare breathe deep and sigh so lightly… so gently. Speaking in just a whisper.

“Two… days…” She… she almost sounds emotionless. Like no joy could exist in the voice that said it. “Two days” Blight said closer to her head. Soul dropped down further. Almost kneeling. Feeling the pony right above her. Glaring down upon her. Not able to do anything. Just still and silent… in the shock of hearing just how angry the black Pegasus was.

I promised her. I promised. Look at what I did. Not even able to keep a promise. How can I ever make friends with this pony… with any pony, when I can’t even keep a promise anymore. No wonder Dashie left me. No wonder Blight is mad at me. So apparent in how painful her voice was. How dark her shadow was looming over her. From that pony that she was so happy with not long ago. Now… now too afraid to even look at her. Shivering in fear.

Stop it. Stop, you useless idiot. …S-s-stop.

“I’m… I’m so very sorry” Soul found herself whimpering.

7.42
Laughter. Soul froze. Soulblight’s own laugh. It made her look back up to see how it truly did look. Soulblight… clutching her own chest with so many tears in her eyes. Baring her teeth with such laughter. Soul widened her eyes… taking a step back. To see just what it was she did to this pony; what have I done?

“You’re sorry” Blight shrieked. Darting her eyes right at Soul’s. It was so unsettling how it looked. She was like a whole other pony now. How her eyes trembled. Her own mouth chattering. I’ve never seen her like this. I really did make her mad. I… never wanted this.

“You’re sorry!” Blight yelled again. “No. No, Soul.” She shook her head so hard… so hard that her long mane flew. Back and forth till it finally went still once more and the pony stared upon Soul. “I’m sorry. Sorry for wasting time. Both of our times.” What is she saying? Soul could not even move now. Like that terrifying gaze was pinning her down. “Here I was thinking you left. Finally leaving to go back to the life you want. But no, you simply wanted to avoid me. Well congratulations.” Blight stood up. Rushing right at Soul. I...

I never thought I could do this to a pony. I never wanted to hurt anypony. I never did. It… it’s my job to make other ponies happy. The thing that I always wanted since I was a filly. Rainbow Dash. Nimbus and Starry. Now you… you, the pony I want so much. I made you think this way. I did this. I did this to the pony now staring me in the face.

Blight planted her own face so close to Soul’s. So close. Close enough that Soul could feel her breath. All the rage in those dragon eyes coiling like veins of red bulging and bursting around the slits of her pupils. As if the Sun itself were exploding. An entire realm of anger inside those eyes. Of betrayal. Of suffering. That I did to her.

She whispered to Soul. Quiet and still. A razor-sharp dagger to her ears.

“If you hate me so much than how about you stop teasing me and just leave me like everypony does.”

Soul gasped. Feeling it. The worst pain she ever felt… right into her heart. She felt the tear come down her cheek. More pain than her pounding head. The most agonizing tear she ever let go… hearing those words… the ones of a pony who she hurt so badly. That pain even worse… then being sent flying by a burst of black magic.

Soul flew into the door. Finding herself laying there on her side with wings limp against her, watching the black Pegasus run past her and out into the snow until… she was gone.

7.43
If I hate her?

Those words stung. She didn’t even care that she was laying like a broken pony. That her back hurt so bad. That she could feel blood coming down through her fur. Being thrown so hard, it was nothing compared to hearing those words. Hearing them scream again and again inside her head.

Why? Why did this happen? I was so close. I was going to be her friend. She was going to be mine. Now… now she hates me. Just like Dashie. Everything… I ever do… always makes ponies leave me. I did it to Dashie. I did everything for her… but I could not live up to the pony she needed me to be. Her dearest friend. And I can’t do it for Blight either.

Where are my tears? They came no more. Like her eyes were about to explode. So much to burn like those horrible words. I should have never left to go train. I should have never even left. There are so many things I should have never done. To all the ponies in my life. It hurts so much! I hate this feeling.

Soulblight did so much for me and I did this to her. I made her wait two days for me. Two days since I broke mt promise. No. Please no.

Soul stood back up. Feeling all the cold, all the pain all over her body. From her head to her back. A punishment. I am being punished… because I never knew exactly what I was doing to Blight all these years.

Soulblight was the pony who waited for me. Not… not for two days… but for years.

I understand. I do now and I’m so stupid to have never seen it. You think I hate you.

She walked on. Going right into her house. Looking off to her bed and seeing the first thing that showed how great a fool she was. My bed. Soulblight did this for me. A bed… the same one she always slept in… not the same anymore. To find it like this. With so many pillows all over it. So many. She stared at it all. All of them so neatly placed and covered by the blanket… a brand new blanket. Blight… how did she get this? Why did she do this for me? Soul couldn’t help but come over and run her hoof over that purple blanket. As elegant and gorgeous as Blight was. With golden hearts stitched all across it. And Blight left this for me. It’s so soft. The pillows and the blanket and… she looked upon the last thing that sat atop her bed. It made her gulp. Looking upon the brightly colored box. She knew what it was. She did all this for me. Soul looked on…

A table. A new table sitting there in front of the fireplace. Soul came up to it.

7.44
It was amazing. Standing over what Blight placed for her on the table. So small but so satisfying, enough to accompany that box on her bed. Was all this really for me? Blight did this?

Sitting on a plate. With words written on top of it. She made this for me. She wrote this for me. Writing it in icing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MY BEST FRIEND
SOUL

The words written right in the middle of a brown cake. It was a cake. Just as Soul remembered it. Rounded and topped in so much chocolatey icing.

Best friend.

She even remembered the candles. All of them lit with tiny little flames flickering like the freshly roaring fire that warmed the house all thanks to so many boards thrown in the fire. How many? Soul counted them. Her teary eyes going over each and every one of them. She even put them in a circle too. It’s so beautiful.

Twenty-one.

Is… is that how old I am?

Twenty-one candles. For me, and I actually forgot just how old I am. But Blight remembered. She watched me grow from a nine year old filly into a pathetic and sad twenty-one year old mare. A mare who can’t even so what is so damn obvious. That I was always somepony else’s best friend. Blight wrote it right here. She gave me this. A beautiful little cake. On top…

Strawberries…

She made this for me. All of this is for me. My birthday. A day that Blight remembered. From a cake to a colorfully wrapped present sitting on top of her bed with a lovely red bow on it. This was the surprise and I could never ever ask for a better one.

Soul finally let them go. All the tears as she finally wept.

“Oh, Blight.” She fell onto the floor. Get all of it out of her sight. All of the pain. She placed her hooves right over her face. Crying so hard into them. “Blight... I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” I really am a fool. The biggest fool. For not realizing this till now. Blight said it so well and it hurt. But I know it can’t be as painful as it is for Blight… she had to spend years with me while I ignored her and was mean to her… and she never stopped loving me. I’m her best friend? She saw me as her best friend this whole time and I spat on her.

“Blight, I don’t hate you.” I don’t… but I see now… that you hate me. After what I just did. After so many years of you loving me and I did this to you. You loved me all this time. You took care of me and are the reason I am still alive… because you were always my friend. I had a friend. I had one.

I finally had a friend.

No wonder you did so much for me. That dark pony was always so much more. “You’re my friend too.” I want to be your friend and I will do anything to make it happen.

There must be something. Something I can do. Soul cried harder and harder into her hooves. I don’t deserve to be happy right now. You do. You, the pony who loved me and took care of me and saved me, you deserve to be happy.

I know… I have to do it. I will be the one who will make you happy like I was supposed to. Like I should have done since the day I first met you. When I learned you… you saved Dashie. You saved my best friend. You saved me. Soulblight, I see now just how important you are to me.

No time to even recover. Still crying as she stood back up and stumbled off to where she last left it. Eyes set on it, where it was. Please still be there. I have to make this right.

7.45
So it was like always. Used again. Left to be alone. Just another existence. No different, and proven wrong once more while it was always right. Oh I should have listened to it and just avoided this whole thing from the start. “Stupid, stupid filly” Blight said of herself. Smacking her face once more as punishment. It really did hurt no matter how many times she did it. Anything to drown out the pain in her heart. Because that was all she was meant for. To just be in pain.

So much loneliness, if only it would stop. If only ponies would just stop making me so sad and care for me for once. To be cared for. Such a damn lie. A lie that persisted for so long. Well then Soul can just go and find the care she deserved. Not like I am the one to give it to her. Soul doesn’t need me. She only needed her sweet Dashie.

Just like it said. She still hates me. Soul will always hate me. A freak can’t have a friend. A monster can’t have love.

She does hate you.

No doubt. Going through so much to make her happy, make her comfortable. Left alone to be forgotten in the end. So why even try? Blight looked up at the dark wall she sat before. It was really red. Shining bright of the color she knew well. Following every subtle move her eyes made. Such a lonely color. Such a lonesome place such as her house and she will always be here like this. Once Soul left. Go away and stop tormenting me. Stop pretending you like me and then doing stuff like this. Stop treating me like nothing. I want to be your friend, I want you to be my friend. My best friend because I still love you. That is what made her so mad.

No matter how much I care for her and give for her, she will be like everypony else and give nothing back. Soul never wants me to be happy. She only wanted it for herself. So understandable. I never deserved it. All I can remember, I never got it.

“All of those useless ponies…” who hate me so much. Never able to look past my mistakes. So what if I ruined Soul’s life. The ungrateful fool should be satisfied with everything I have done for her just so she can survive out here. Not at all obligated to do any of it.

7.46
But Soul is the one who made me smile. For the first time in so many countless years. I hated going so long without actually feeling like there is a pony I can love and who may even care for me. To be given happiness. Happiness for Soulblight, for the pony that I am known as. I have a name. Soul gave it to me. It was so wrong to hate a pony who gave me my own name. The first pony to talk to me for so long. No matter how short it was, it was still the most amazing experience in her life… and now that pony was going to leave. The pony deserved friends and love. Going through so much hardship in her life, so much loneliness and I was the one who hurt her so badly in the end. She was going to leave.

Especially now… I threw her against the wall.

That was so wrong of me to do. It must have hurt. Poor, poor pony. Poor, poor Blight. “Poor, poor me.”

I bet it did hurt… but she has no idea how much she hurt me. She doesn’t know real pain. Such a simple and small life. So young and fresh to never have experienced true torment. She wants to torment me too just like all the others I’ve ever known… and she wants to leave me after that? Pretend none of this happened. That we have absolutely no bond at all anymore. Such a coward. Such an irresponsible pony. When she never deserved to feel those ways.

Soul… she used to be happy. Why not just go back to it? Go back home and be happy. I can deal with it. What is more lonely years for me? I can do it all over again. Alone… again.

But… I just know I… I can stop it. “I can stop it. Hahahahaha!”

Just clip her wings.

Blight punched herself as hard as possible. Sending her entire body flying off to the side from the impact. Shut up! Shut up! She winced. Her face really did hurt now as she sat back up again. That was wrong. It was so wrong. Stop thinking that. Even if it does mean Soul will never be able to leave me and will be with me forever… shut up!

“Shut up!” Those thoughts alone made her fangs itch. Made her whole body writhe.

7.47
Soul needed her wings. They were the most precious things to her. Her prized possessions that she worked so hard to obtain. Beautiful and luscious, perfect symbols of the truly talented flyer that Soul was. How very sad would Soul be without them?

Those wings are her.

As much as she was as her loving nature was to the ponies she cared for. No matter if Blight could not get that love. I must never take those wings from her. I must not hurt her again. She’ll never forgive me.

She doesn’t forgive you anyways.

No. She will. Hurting her won’t work. I hurt her so much already.

And what is a little more?

Soul was strong. She was such a dedicated Pegasus with so much love to give. Love she… she can give to me once… she is with me forever. Love I can finally feel again. A nice hug.

A nice hug from a flightless Pegasus.

Blight burst out laughing. The irony. She hurts me and then I hurt her and that is what will finally bring us together. With everything made right. No running away. No leaving so I can be the pony she can rely on forever. I’ll never be alone again.

…Or she can just join the rest.

No more hatred. No more sadness. No more loneliness. Blight laughed. Hearing herself like this. It was too much. Too funny. A complete circle is what life is. How very amusing to hear this again. It was all so simple.

She felt her hoof tremble. What’s that? That twitching hoof, I know what it is. You think it’s wrong? And it was wrong. Her hoof flew right up into her face. Punching herself again. Twice. Three times. Hearing how terrible it sounded for the hard shell to slam against flesh and bone. But it felt better. So much better to stop it. To shut it up.

“Just shut up. Just shut up.” Stop. I can’t hurt her.

I love her.

7.48
“Blight.”

Blight’s ears shot up.

No. Soul. No. She can’t be here.

Soulblight blinked again. Seeing all the red washing over the wall in front of her. The daggers inside of her mouth. So sharp. Not her. Not the pony Soul knew. Not the loving and caring Pegasus that wanted what was best for Soul. She can’t be here to see this. But she was.

She heard her hoofsteps enter the house behind her along with a gentle shut of the door. Her breathing. A little sniff. Has she been crying? I have been crying. We both get to cry together. No more of that. Shut up!

But it was Soul. All the same sounds she made. Walking closer behind her. She’s coming to me. It was absolutely terrifying. This was not happening. Not while I can still see it. Why does it make me want to laugh? Get out of here! Not while I still have it in my mind! A wingless Pegasus.

A wingless Soul Serenity.

All it takes is a swift cut to stop her. No, stop it. I can’t be that pony.

“Go away” Blight demanded of her. Hoping the anger in her voice would scare that coward off. “I will not.” What? She sounded so sincere. So authoritative. Soul like this? That defiant imbecile. Now is not the time to be stubborn. Just go and leave me. Fly away before it’s too late. You love your wings. I love them too. I don’t want you to lose them. I want to say all this to you. I have them on the tip of my tongue. Damn it. I can’t. I can’t do it without scaring you. As terrifying as she was now that Soul saw her with Blight looking over her shoulder and seeing the shadow of the Pegasus in the dim darkness of her house. With just the sunlight coming in to fight with the red glow Blight cast on the house. But Soul was not stopping.

She is still coming towards me. Ever closer as to slowly reveal more and more of herself in the light. So that Blight could see her beautiful eyes. Her wings cast in shadow left out like wanting to hug her with them.

Those wings, they were the ones.

Go away. Please. Blight turned herself around. “Go away!”

7.49
She gasped. No.

When? When did it happen? Why… why are you doing this? As red as her own eyes staring upon Soul. Bursting and bubbling. Like blood. Blood made of her magic… and Soul just walked towards her. Unaware.

She doesn’t know… of the thing behind her.

She has no idea how dangerous I am… I… I want to do it. Blight looked at Soul and then to the thing behind the pony. The pony did not know of the magic that curved behind her. Hanging over her. Gleaming so bright in its blood red. Waiting for me. My magic is waiting for me to do it.

It knows what I want to do.

Haha, Soul… your wings do what you want them to do. My magic is the same for me and it wants to do what I want. Exactly what a blade shall do.

All it takes is one clean cut.

The fool even has her wings out for me. Begging for it. She wants it! She wants it. But…

I can’t do anything.

I’m afraid. I’m so scared… I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to see Soul suffer. I can already see her. Blight’s eyes trembled. No.

Soul… laying on the ground. Bleeding from her back. Crying. Crying right in front of me. And I just stand over her… staring like… like a beast. With all those magenta feathers left to float among the two of us.

You will be with me forever. But… how painful it will be to see you like that. Why did it not stop? Why? Why am I not doing the right thing anymore? Go away, Soul. Go away. Please, run! I don’t want to hurt you.

It was coming down closer. Ready to do it. Moving with the Pegasus as she came into the rays of sunlight shining from the windows. So close to Blight. …And she saw it happen. Like a swoosh of light cutting the world itself. Showering it in red. Silent. Unknowing. Coming down in a hail of red… just like…

Like what Soul set down in front of her.

Blight stopped.

With so much silence that Blight could hear her own heart stop upon seeing it laying there in the sunlight, dropped from the mouth of the Pegasus she loved. Blight stopped it all. Seeing their colors. Shining like her own magic and like the Sun itself. Left at the hooves of the pony who put them there.

“They’re for you.” She heard Soul say it with a sad little voice. So small while what she left their spoke so large.

Flowers.

7.50
An entire bouquet of them tied together at the stems is what it was she saw Soul drop from her mouth. Gleaming and shiny in the colors that made Blight’s mind freeze as much as everything else in her world. They… the most beautiful things… I have seen. They glowed so bright. From the Sun or is it… from my magic that hangs over both of us… waiting for me to tell it what to do? They looked so nice. So happy to her with their oranges and reds embedded in so many delicate little petals, and Soul nudged them away with a tap of her nose. Sliding them a little closer to Blight.

Not able to do anymore. Her magic, her anger, her hate. Blight stared at them. I feel… something…

Seeing such flowers.

“I’m not going anywhere without giving you these” Soul whispered from beyond the rays of sunlight crossing between the two pegasi. Exactly like a wall that those flowers crossed, wanting to come closer to Blight. Each and every time that Soul nudged them along the floor. Oblivious of everything. Unlike any other time that this mare has ever acted. Like she didn’t care about anything but this. But giving me these flowers? They are mine? So beautiful and Soul is giving them to me. She stopped pushing them along. Looking back up at Blight.

No way. Soul… she was smiling at her. But why? She… she finally gets to see what I am. She sees me like this. She must be in so much pain with all the cruel things I did to her, and all the terrible things I wanted to do to her. For Soul to not look back and see exactly what Blight wanted to do. What she had wanted to do. It was lost on her. As lost as her magic that did not leave. Just like Soul did.

I don’t understand. Seeing this. Seeing Soul happy even with all this. With all the pain and suffering. Was Soul even aware of what was behind her? Did she even care? I want to tell her to run. Plead her to avoid any more harm. Because Soul deserved none of it. None of it anymore. For making Blight so happy… and she admitted it.

7.51
Watching the magenta Pegasus reach back down to take the flowers back up into her mouth. Those flowers that crossed the barrier between the two, now Soul crossed it too. Striding past with small steps towards her. So close. Blight saw the red mixing with her fur. Could see up close how the Pegasus smiled at her to the best of her ability with those lovely things she carried to her. For me. What to do? What to do? What can I do for this Pegasus who is before me? How she doesn’t run from me.

No way, no way can I ever hurt her. I mustn’t. Hurt such a kind pony. One so kind to me and she actually wanted me to smile… all this time… for me to feel this way now. Staring at those flowers.

Soul, you should not associate yourself with me. You should not let something like me into your life. So why do you work so hard to do this stuff for me? For me, the pony you want to make happy and you truly did. You… you are beyond anything I could wish for. Just sitting down in front of her with those flowers held in a muzzle so close to Blight’s own. She could see all the tiny furs along her nose swaying with every small breath she took. If only she was able to feel what it was like to have her breathing so close to her. Having such a friendly pony with her who actually did not revile in being this close to her. Her huge wings, held out, found their place.

Blight gasped. Soul… her wings. Those massive wings came over Blight… surrounded both of them. They twitched so lightly. Is she… Blight stared at them. Looked all around her at those wings that came over both pegasi. It’s like… they’re protecting me. Blight looked back to Soul. And I wanted to destroy these wings.

“Take them, Blight.” She heard the little whisper say to her. Soul pushing her nose a little closer to Blight’s. She looked down at it. Like it were about to touch her own nose. The face of the pony she cared for right in her own face. Being so close. Together like this. Impossible. It was never believable and here it was happening to her. Never before. Never. I can still feel them. My tongue going over all those things… those knives in my mouth… and I can see it. I can see it! In Soul’s eyes. I see it.

A black Pegasus whose eyes glowed of blood and not of the Sun.

Soul is not running from me. She isn’t leaving me. Even when I told her to. Even seeing me like this. All the reasons. Because I am the monster she thinks I am. Why stay with me? So stubborn. So loving.

“I know they make you happy” Soul said. They do.

7.52
Blight grabbed them with a gentle tug out of Soul’s mouth, holding them aloft between the two with the smallest bit of black surrounding them. Right above her eyes that she looked up at them with. Seeing the tiniest of bulbs held on little threads between those petals. Looking down on her. Filling up the darkness of the world above in their light. A light to make her happy. Just as Soul knew. Just as she remembered.

The dream.

I am not the only one who remembers it, but… Soul, Soul you remember… what it was that made me happy.

I don’t feel them anymore. I don’t feel the fangs in my mouth. I... Blight saw it in Soul’s eyes. Seeing her own eyes again. Lost of their blood. Sharing the same color as Soul’s eyes again. The same tears that Soul shed.

“Soul…” I want to tell her. But what words? None fit the call. I don’t know how I feel. My heart is hurting and… I can feel it fluttering… and I can’t breathe. Soul hushed her. Coming a little closer to her, her nose coming right in at her. What… are you…?

Blight blinked. Soul went down into Blight’s chest. Her wings burst out higher. So high and shadows came upon both of them to hide them away from the world. The two pegasi alone… under those great wings. All that was left of the world. Together. Together in the darkness…

Another pony… with me.

Blight looked down upon the pony. Her violet mane raised in front of her. Down there… crying against me chest. What would it feel like? Now that she… Soul is together with me… and resting her head against me. Like some sort of child again. This… this is what I wanted to do for you for so long. Ever since you were a kid. I wanted to be there to keep you safe. I wanted to be the one you relied on… that you rested your head upon. You are the first pony I ever wanted to do that for. Now… now I can do it. Soul, you really were the pony I wanted to keep safe. A pony who made me happy. Who I care so much for. And you feel the same for me.

I’ve never seen you do this for anypony before. The life that existed before me. I’ve never seen you like this. Like… like…

Blight froze. Soul, this is what you always wanted. You always wanted a pony you could trust to be with… one you could call… your family.

Her defenses collapsed, as did her magic, as did her anger. Soulblight cried.

7.53
“Shhh” she heard the Pegasus say under her. “It’s all gonna be okay. I’m here for you.” No, don’t say that. I’m not the one who deserves your pity. Not after everything I did. She still was here. Continuing to be like this for me. You are showing me the love… I know you always wanted to give to another. I am not the one who should get it. You should give it to somepony else. Please… don’t.

I am the one who needs to give this to you after all the mistakes I made. After I ruined your life, took away your home, your dreams, your best friend. I took it all from an innocent Pegasus who had so much fear in her life, and now she is doing this for me? Soul was not selfish. Soul was not the wrong one.

“Soul, I am so sorry.” “Don’t say that.” Soul looked back up. Getting right back into her face with so many tears rolling down her cheeks. You’re crying as much as me now. Don’t cry, you’re not at fault. Don’t tell me what I can’t say. What I must believe for it all to be made alright. To justify my wrongdoings. I need to be punished. So punish me. Leave me.

“Leave me…” she pleaded to the Pegasus. “You don’t belong here.”

Soul shook her head. A magenta hoof reaching up from below to set itself against Blight’s cheek. She looked over at it. Oh how good it may be to feel that touch. Please, don’t stop. Please hold me. No, I don’t deserve it. Nopony like me should get such a gentle touch from you. With wings such as Soul’s being able to hold her tight and Blight to do the same to her. None of it must happen. End it now. End the pain. End Soul’s pain and let her fly free from her past. From me.

“I will never leave a friend behind.”

A friend?

7.54
It rang. Pounded. Silence in everything else.

No longer even hearing herself cry. No longer hearing herself yell upon all the terrible things she did.

All because it was meaningless.

It, now more than any other, was useless to think.

When did a such a thing ever spoken to me before? There were no ponies in all of time and existence. So far back. A friend. Children playing together in the dimmed streets beneath a sorrowful Moon newly risen, beckoning them to leave her to her torment as those children left with their friends. Playing together. Holding one another as they slumbered. Never before given to her.

A friend.

A friendship that broke between two that had been so close and now so far apart. Both of them so desperate to be the other’s friend again, and I never thought I could know what it was like to want such a friendship for myself. To hear the cries those two ponies make for one another at night. The love they share.

A friend.

Just voices lost in the whispers of a lonely gale. Sweeping well over the trees of the Earth and the running waters of the streams where no pony may ever tread. Devoid. Lost. Empty. Only I know them. Only I keep them. Those cries you two make for one another. I can feel the love you both have… but now… I feel more. I feel… that same love… for me now.

She is your friend.

I am her friend.

She cares for you.

I… I love her. Was it all meant to be? Even after so long without it. A pony with me, holding me. The pony who sat in front of Blight… staring deep into her eyes. Silent and smiling under those teary eyes. The pony who said a thing I’ve never heard before. That I am…

Her friend.

Tell it to her. Soul needs to know. Let her know how much it hurts. Let her know what I want.

Because you need somepony to care for you too.

I do. I do. I need her. I need Soul. She is my friend. The bestest friend I’ve ever had.

Soul…

7.55
“Please don’t leave me. Soul!” Blight wailed at the pony in front of her. Desperate to fall into the pony’s clutches. Just collapse into that magenta furred pony. Admit to her. Show her how much I need her. Damn this body. Damn everything. Curse the world and be rid of it if only for the chance to be held by her. By my best friend.

“You’re my best friend, Soul.”

She brought herself down anyways. No longer wanting Soul to hug her. Blight placed her own cheek against Soul’s chest. Not at all caring that she simply let her flesh and body slide gently into that pony’s chest. It didn’t matter. Just as long as Soul may see it. See how truly pitiful I am. I’m not strong. She may think it but I can not. I will never believe it. Because I need to be cared for just as much as she does. Don’t leave me.

“Don’t leave me behind.”

“Blight.” Please don’t. A shadow came over her. Those great wings of Soul’s closing in all around her. Wrapping Blight in darkness. Just glancing up seeing her friend’s glowing yellow eyes trembling down at her with countless tears falling. “I’m never gonna leave you. I never was going to. Please, Blight. Don’t leave me either.”

I won’t. I promise to never leave you. Just don’t leave me. I care for you and I want you to care for me too. No matter what. We can be happy together. Together as best friends. “I won’t, I won’t” Blight mumbled. “Don’t leave me. Don’t abandon me.” “I promise that I never will” she heard Soul say right in her ear. Her voice making that ear throb. It was like honey. So soothing. Please, say more. Say more for me. “You… you are my friend, Blight. I don’t hate you, I promise.” So… beautiful.

“You don’t hate me?” Blight looked up in the darkness at the Pegasus that warmed her heart. The Pegasus who was nothing like what she had seen her to be. Like the impossible really was possible. So possible for a pony to like her, and forgive her. An innocent pony that she hurt, her friend. She is my friend. Please say it… for me, sweet Soul.

“I will never hate my dearest friends. You were the one there with me for so many years. So yes, we are friends. I am your friend, Soulblight.”

7.56
She forgave me. Soul forgave her and she fell quiet. Soulblight had no strength left. Not even enough to cry. Just stay like this. Held inside the dark and quiet that was Soul’s embrace. Never knowing what it may feel like to be held like this. What it may feel like to be touched like this. Untold years before any of that may happen. Never happening. Never knowing Soul’s touch. Dumb. Just stay like this. Listen to her. Listen to Soul who was her friend. Be there with the pony that was her friend and be there for her. No more protecting, no more raising. Take all of that and become Soul’s friend. The one that I always wanted Soul to be to me.

Soul still sounded so sweet even as she kept whispering in her ear. “We’re gonna stick together from now on. I’ll be there for you. …And I want you to be there for me too. I want you to be with me wherever I go.” It sounded so sweet. So relaxing. Like somepony was truly saying how much I matter to them. Exactly what that was. I matter so much to her that… that… she wants me to go with her?! Is that…

“Come to Equestria with me, Blight.” Saying that exactly like she knew what Blight was thinking. That… that sounded too good. Soul, why would she want somepony like me coming with her back home? That was impossible for it to really mean what it sounded like. Soulblight was being invited into Soul’s life. Go home together. A new place together. A new happiness. This must be a dream. Some sort of trick. Soul never needed me in her life before. She could easily just go back home and return to the happiness she had before all of this. So was that not good enough? She really wants me of all ponies to come with her?

“Really?”

“Yes” Soul answered. “Come home with me. Friends stick together.” Oh… Soul. You want me in your life. We can return together to the life I destroyed. Soul didn’t seem to even care anymore about that final part. Us just going back home together like it was so easy. No, I made it so hard for that to happen. But we can try to find a way. I will go back with her. I will make it all right. Soul, just continue to comfort me. Let me know it is worth it and I will do anything for you. No matter how hard it is. We will have a life together. Whatever it may be.

Blight knew one thing so clear about this Pegasus who held her. It did hurt to know it, but… so what. I have her as a friend. My best friend. Even if my fantasies pound, that’s what they are: fantasies. You are not the one to sit on that bench with me. I am fine with this. Because… I can tell deep inside and in the world beyond, there is another for you. Your deepest fantasies… that you always tried to hide. You will see them through, and I will do the same someday. To carry out that dream of a perfect life.

So funny. So Soul shall be the one I will sit there and watch grow up. A life together as friends. As long as it meant that their dreams can both come true. Fine. Just comfort me. Be my best friend. We can still be so happy together in the end. Go home with her and forge her life anew.

Even if Soul thought it may be easy. So naïve. But that was cute of her. Ambitious and never giving up. So I will not give up either. “I love that idea. I’ll go back with you.”

7.57
The sunlight shone. Never even saw it shining. But I see it. The shining light as Soul let her wings fall off of Blight, and there… there she could see her. Soul and her big smile. She brought it back out. No longer pained in sadness hidden beneath it so deep. Not at all. Blight saw something true and pure in it. A smile just like the ones that Dash brought to her.

Did I do that?

So amazing. We… we are actually friends. So unlike everything I thought would be over the years. But it is true. Soul is my best friend now. Willingly. Best friends making one another happy. Maybe we really are meant to have a life together in the end. It is all just so possible. Soul was so close to realizing her goal. Equestria was just beyond these storms. We can do it. Together. I will be there for her and support her in all she does. Anything to redo the wrongs I did in the past. Because Soul really does deserve men, unlike all the other ponies. She is the one and only who I shall care for.

So possible. Almost like the sky was the limit. A limit we could break together even with everything working against us. Yes, we will return home. “We won’t need to wait long” Soul said. “I just need you to cheer me on, please.” “Of course, I will” Blight told her.

I will support her training. Watch her grow to an amazingly talented flyer able to circumvent any obstacle. It gave it inspiration. If Soul can overcome anything than so can I. Like I always wanted to be. To change. Just like Soul has done.

I will finally be a good pony.

Do it for Soul and do it for the life we will have. “I’m glad” Soul smiled. “I need my friends.” She pointed a hoof to Blight. “And I’ll be there for them when they need me.” So sweet. That little sweetheart filly I remember from so long ago. She was back. Such a beautiful creature unlike any of these ponies. Such an accomplishment. Yes, be there for me too. Be there and I’ll always love you. Let me know I’m important and not a monster.

Never again. Never.

7.58
“We can have so much fun together. There’s so much to do in Equestria. So many ponies, and I’ll be there right with you” Soul said.

That sounded lovely. “Maybe you’d want to meet Rainbow Dash? I bet she will like you.” Oh… Rainbow Dash. That was right. There were ponies in Equestria. The one I know so well now. She was out there and, …we will meet. That sounded like… something. Blight couldn’t put her hoof on it. Whatever this feeling was. Like… doesn’t Soul feel this way? I would think Soul would worry about this for herself.

Would Dash like me?

Soul, she is my friend but after so long and so much pain... what if… would Dash not like me? Will she see me? I… I’m not stupid. Soul… it is so easy for you to think she will like you, but me? You have no idea. It was scary… what if they find out I’m… no!

They mustn’t ever know.

But to meet a new pony and one so close to Soul. It was going to happen, and I know it. This was just all happening so fast. Soul really is just so determined to have her life back now. So much to change, so many things to look forward to. I can’t fault her for wanting to get me to meet Dash. It did leave her feel a little off though. She perked up to attention when she saw Soul cock her head.

“Is something wrong?” She asked it to her like a terrified child. Can she see how scared I am? Oh no, it’s not her fault. Please don’t think that may be the case. She had to let her know. “No, no. It’s nothing… just…” Blight paused. Oh this was not at all like before. It really was bad to have had time to calm down, so much easier to just let things like this slide over and forget about them when she was being held inside Soul’s embrace. To just ignore the world and bask in her affection. Not at all what she was feeling now and she needed to admit it. To let Soul know nothing was her fault. Say it.

Say it.

“Alright, …I’m a little shy about meeting her.”

You understand, right Soul? I know you are just as nervous about meeting ponies. Always putting up a strong appearance to try and hide that fact, but I don’t know if I can do that. Blight just now noticing that she had been rubbing her foreleg along the other one. Stopping it immediately. Looking back over at the Pegasus she wanted to understand her. Dash was Soul’s friend. Both of them knew each other so well. I bet you two can be friends again. It will be alright. As long as Soul is my friend, I don’t really need any more friends like Rainbow Dash. Another pony like all the others to think I am a freak. Well… unlike Soul.

“I understand” Soul said. “You can take your time and stick with me until you’re comfortable.” Soul is actually gonna… she understands? In-incredible. No other pony ever… Soul, you are my best friend. “Thank you.” “But I guarantee she will like you.” Maybe she will. Maybe… she won’t. Whatever it was, I can just deal with it… for Soul. Because her life is now my own once again. Like I always thought it would be.

7.59
All the same problems… are now both of ours. Oh damn it, I left so many shambles behind for this pony. So… many. How on earth can I make them all right? I… I should be able to figure this stuff out. I always was the one who tried to help Soul. Her problems are my own. What to do? What to do?

Then make it work. Stop being worthless.

I’m not worthless. Not in my eyes. Soul likes me. She’s my friend. I’m her friend now and I need to help her work it all out. But how? Her mind raced with ideas. Anything that can make it possible to make their lives together a reality. One stripped of the past. Of all the mistakes she made that hurt Soul.

“Hey Blight.” She caught her attention. Soulblight rid herself of all her worries, only intended on being the good friend that Soul needed right now. “Do you like the flowers?” Soul asked her. Blight brought them back down to hover between the two ponies. The sole focus of both of them. I don’t really… see them as much of anything right now. I don’t know… just… they seem so trivial now. I still like them. Yet so much. So much has happened. Like a dream, a dream come true. Too much that it was unbelievable. Things like these flowers were nothing.

“I do. But I like the pony who gifted them to me more.” That must have really hit the sweet spot with how very much that apparently lifted Soul’s spirits. Her cheerful little smile, can’t even hide how happy she was. Blight shared it too. Both of them together. It will be like this forever because of how possible it really was. Just forget all the bad things they went through. Soul made it so clear. We were meant to be friends. We will do anything and…

I will be the one she asked for so long ago… when she had none other. Forever and always.

I’ll do it. It was only right. And I think Soul will do the same for me. Like she did when she gave me these flowers. They would look lovely in a vase on my table. For later.

She sent them off to lay them atop her bed. Soul’s gift to her. Just like Blight did with the gift meant for Soul. “Did you like my gift for you?” she asked of Soul. I hope she got to see what I left in her house. Surely she must have, but… please may she not have opened it already.

I waited two days because I wanted to celebrate with the birthday girl.

Soul smiled and lowered her head. A little smug look on her. Interesting. “Did you still want to watch me open it?” She knows what I want. Thank you, Soul. We really can have a party together. Yes! “I’d be honored” Blight accepted. Just like true friends.

She stood back up and came close to Soul who waited for her. Walking with her new friend to the still open door with an entire world beyond it. Not one of snow and grief. Not anymore. All I see are so many new chances. All the new opportunities to truly be a friend to a pony for the first time in my long life. Not just birthday parties. We could do anything now. It was all possible. All my dreams. They needed to work.

I promise to never let anything go wrong again. Don’t ever mess up again. Make her love me… forever so she will never hate me.

7.60
Soul let Blight go inside first, holding the door open for her and following right after her black tail into the warm interior of her house. Closing the door immediately. Can’t let any of the warmth out. All thanks to the fire still going strong, feeding on so many boards. Thick ones at that. Another of Soulblight’s gifts. She always knew where to get this stuff. I really am thankful to have a pony like her to watch over me. Doing kind things like that. Just like with this amazing birthday.

Everything was just as Soul left it. Except now, now there was somepony else here to be here. The one pony who made it all possible. I have no idea how to thank her. Just letting her be here, pitiful, and flowers were never enough. If only I had so much more to give her. After all the cruel things I did to make Blight think I hated her. So terrible it must have been. So many years thinking that way. Thinking something that… that I never want another pony to feel. No other pony.

Blight, she really was a courageous pony to admit such a thing. A fear of being left all alone. I’m never gonna leave her. I never can.

Blight, I am so glad you can be the first friend of mine to join me for a day like this. It… it almost made her heart beat so hard. It’s amazing. I can’t believe this is happening to me. Soulblight gets to be my birthday bud! I… I dreamed of this day for so long. I always thought it was gone. I’d never be able to do it. But you are here. Soul watched that pony walk off. Watching and Soul smiled, holding a hoof to her chest. I… I don’t know what this feeling is. But… I like it. I like it so much that… I think I may have felt it before. Did I? Long ago?

Blight was the one who actually waved Soul on to join her at the cake. This was all just too impossible. It’s like… like how nimbus and Starry used to do these for me. Blight… I don’t know why you are doing this all for me. “Do you want to eat the cake first?” Blight asked. “I made it myself.” You even made that for me? How?! How did… I can’t… I won’t question her. Anything for the pony who did all this for me.

7.61
She stepped up to the table. Looking down upon the thing that was still like a dream to her. Like all dreams, it shouldn’t be real. A miracle. But it happened. She took a good whiff of it, taking in all the chocolatey smell seeping out from the icing. Even little drips of… was… was that fudge? Oh my Celestia it is! So much of it melting out from inside the cake. It looked like it. Smelled like it. This… this is exactly how I remember chocolate to smell like. Oh wow.

All the icing placed about it in so many beautiful patterns. Rings around it and little hearts and flowers drawn in on its top between all the candles. Nothing compared to the thing that made Soul’s eyes tremble. Her entire body filled in excitement at seeing them again. All the strawberries placed within the icing, sticking out the top like icebergs in a chocolate sea. They… they look so damn fat, so ripe and juicy. I can’t believe there are… some right here… in front of me. How did…?

…Of course, Blight seems to know everything about me. She did all of this. A real cake. Real chocolate and strawberries. Really, how do you have no cutie mark, Blight? You are so damn talented. Incredible. I never even knew she could bake. Baking… out here.

“How did you make this?” Soul said in true bliss of the cake. Damn near salivating at this point. Food and no way to make it. There is nothing out here to make a cake. It had to be fake, but it smelled so good. Her entire body remembering the smells of sweets like this. She was shaking in anticipation now. “I made it, in my own special way” she heard Blight say. Own special way?

Soul turned. “So how does…” A chunk of firewood hovered between Soul and Blight. Held aloft by the black magic that coiled and writhed all across it like some sort of disease. One that shifted and changed.

What is she doing?

“Watch” Blight advised. Watch? She lost all focus on the cake and all the amazing smells filling the room when she saw the magic was becoming so very dark around the board. Was it even there anymore? The wood was completely gone now. Disappeared inside the blanket of black that blinked and flickered. The most mesmerizing colors. Sparkling even. Stars in a black night. Exactly like looking into the sky. Swirling about where the board was and then… gone. Gone with the board. …And…

7.62
A plate? That’s what it was.

A plate, circular and white with intricate designs she saw speckled around its rim. Vines it looked painted blue twirling in on each other and going around the entire edge of the plate. It went off towards the table.

What the hell? She followed it. There was no way. No way that just happened. This must be some prank. But it rang. The plate making a quick thudding sound soft and sharp. Sitting down right before her face. Ready to serve her.

“The unicorns call it transmutation” Blight said about it. Breaking Soul out of her shock at what she just witnessed. Trans…muta…tion? The unicorns? So this really is Blight’s magic. Unicorns could do this too? Another powerful thing they could do. Sometimes I kind of regret not hanging out with other ponies. Witnessing something like this… it was beyond anything Soul imagined. Nothing Cloudsdale witnessed on a daily occurrence. Nothing I’ve ever seen before. Okay, forget Blight learning how to be an amazing flyer. But she can change things into something else! How are you so talented? Those unicorns would be so jealous. I admit, I’m a little jealous too. But it did explain a lot. So she made this cake with magic. Probably the table and chair too… and whatever else.

“When did you learn to do that?” “Two years ago.” Of course. So that must be another bad reason for leaving Blight alone for so long. Never seeing her develop this power. I know that could have made things so much better for both of us. All the things Blight can make. Like, what the hell else can she make? Aww, if only I had been able to see.

“So is this actually real?!” Soul pointed to the cake. She got a nod of approval. It called to her. Soul rushed over to drool at the sight of the food in front of her.

This is real!

Food!

So many years. So many. I even miss foods I hated. But a cake! Oh sweet Celestia. Out of nowhere, literally. This really is a cake for me. My birthday cake. I… I have nothing to say. There are no words. Nopony could ever wish for something better out here. Soulblight… you are the best. You are the best.

“Thank you so much!” “Now you get to make a wish and blow out the candles… is that how it works?” Blight asked. Huh? She knew about that stuff? Somewhat. But, yeah that was fine. Twenty-one candles, I bet I can make a damn good wish. A nice wish. I remember Nimbus used to have me do this too. I never believed in it. I don’t care anymore. How many years did I go through feeling like a day like this would never come? My dream to have a friend with me for my birthday. I think… this is all like a wish. All because of you, Blight. I have just the wish for it.

Putting all those candles in her sight with an immense breath Soul took ready to put them all out in one move and make her wish come true. If anything is out there that can hear me wish this, please… make it come true.

I wish to always be there for my friends and for them to be there for me.

Rainbow Dash, Soulblight, whoever else. They all deserved it for bringing me times like this. Soul let her breath go and watched in so much glee when each and every candle went out almost instantly. As if they too beckoned her wish to succeed. Please. I want it to happen for the ponies who care for me. The ponies I love.

7.63
“Here, allow me to cut off a slice.” Blight’s magic came back to life in front of her. Surrounding the cake in its dreary color with just the tiniest of red she saw bursting about in the dark of it. It seemed the cake sure didn’t like it and willingly gave up an entire slice that slid right out perfectly to place itself upon the plate right under Soul’s drooling muzzle. Finished off with a light flick of Blight’s magic carefully pulling the pair of candles left on the slice out. Sitting there, all ready to be eaten.

All the fudge inside it, Soul could see it all inside. The smell intoxicating. The taste… oh what would it taste like? It’s been too long. Can I even eat anymore? I think I can. Blight was outright giving her the slice. Please don’t be a tease. “Can I still eat food?” Soulblight giggled. I know, …I’m asking too many questions. Everything, all of it was just to awesome. Too awesome to be true.

“I made it so you don’t get hungry” Blight said. “You can still eat.” No need to tell me twice. I’m gonna destroy this cake. I missed this feeling so much… her mouth drooling, licking her lips. “Thank you so much.”

7.64
Soul’s tongue got the first go at it. Just licking the edge. That was all she needed.

Soul sighed. Holding her cheeks. Oh… sweet damn, I’m in heaven. The taste…

Chocolate...

Fudge and chocolate. I remember it. This is exactly like the ones at the Cloudsdale bakeries. No, this taste. No… it is so much better! Like true perfection. So sweet. Such great sweets. Ahhhh! I missed them. Ecstasy and divine. Oh no, no, no I can’t wait any longer.

Soul licked her lips more, staring at the cake.

She bit down hard into the slice. Feeling all the sweetness like before. Just a lick before. This was something beyond. Like a thousand different parts of her trembling at once. This… this is the first in so long! Ahh. Celestia, yes! To finally taste it again, food! This was incredible. Truly remarkable. Tasting every bit of the bite she took, and all the fudge. Blight stuffed this cake. That overachiever. Did she do this on purpose? I don’t care anymore. I got to have more.

Soul came down on the slice. Ripping off another bite and then another. This is great. This is so great. All of it felt as good as the first bite. So much deliciousness. The feeling of eating again and something so delicious. Not even over yet. Licking her lips in anticipation of all the rest of the slice and the crown of her piece: a fat and shiny strawberry set at the edge of the slice.

Oh ho ho, I’m gonna take my time with you.

She already imagined it. Making her knees go weak. Either that or was it the cake? Giving away at the taste of eating this, just like her entire body was covered in the most tantalizing trembles. Soul took two more bites, getting closer to the prized strawberry awaiting her. It’s been too long since I had one. Not even caring about eating messily. Even seeing bits of fudge sent flying across the plate with every greedy bite she took. Blight will understand. Just showing I love her food. I know I’d love to see a pony eat my food like this, …if I knew how to cook stuff like this.

I don’t just love this, this is a miracle. Soulblight is a true miracle. She heard the black Pegasus laughing off to her right. She must be enjoying the show. Whatever. More cake.

Soul continued inhaling it. Feeling so much chocolate building up on her muzzle, licking furiously to taste all that too alongside the mess on the plate before going back to devouring what was left of her slice. “You must love it” Blight said. Soul finished up eating her current bite, looking back over at the Pegasus who wore the most amused look on her face. Haha, she has no idea how much I love this. She swallowed it all down. Nodding her head happily.

“It’s the best! You need to try it.” I would love to see how funny Blight would be just wolfing down food like this.

Oh… wait.

That’s right. I completely forgot. “I can’t” Blight said. “Don’t worry, I can tell it’s just right based off you.” I’m glad she’s not mad at me for saying that. Still, Blight should have the chance to eat something. Just a little cake. It must be hard to not be able to eat. I know just how hard ti is to miss food and never have any.

“It sure is great! I bet this strawberry will be to die for.” Soul leaned in on it. The last bit of the cake hidden under the great, big fruit that made her salivate in her mouth. Just how the sunlight shined off it. How real the cake tasted. This… this strawberry… it was the same real deal. I can’t hold back. I feel like my heart will give out. I can’t wait.

Soul leaned down right to it and bit the tips of her teeth down along its sides. That alone, she felt all the juice gushing out and sprinkling her tongue in… oh wow it’s so sweet! She needed to devour it now. Bringing it right up with her and lopping it right in.

“Oh my…” She put her forehooves to her cheeks, shrieking in satisfaction. It is so sweet. This is the sweetest strawberry I’ve ever had. It’s sour but… so much juice. It’s to die for. This is the best thing I’ve had. Better than all others. Now, now I truly remember why I love these things more than anything else in the world. Blight outdid herself. She really needs to take up baking when we get back home. It would totally work. Even if magic played a role in it. I guarantee no unicorn can just make something this good out of thin air.

She needed to eat the rest. Several more strawberries and enough cake for a few more slices. Don’t hold back. She threw herself at it.

7.65
Soul sat back down and had to let out the loudest burp, and it felt so good. Patting her stomach. So long since this had been felt. Like my stomach is happy now. Damn, haha, it’s been so long since I felt a good burp. Everything just felt so good. She leaned back against the table, sighing such pleasure. Not caring how she looked. I just ate the best food in such a long time, maybe the best of all. Manners be damned. After so long without food, this was the most satisfaction she had felt in years.

Soulblight burst out laughing across the table. Staring down at Soul. Soul laughed as well. Both ponies could not get enough of how great this was. I don’t think I’ve been this happy for a long time. MY stomach sure hasn’t as well.

“You’re such a pig” Blight commented, laughing her way off to the bed. Please, I can easily work this all off with some hard training. Right now, I have all the right to be a pig. Besides, Blight can’t hide it. That mare enjoyed the whole show. Soul smiled. “Your cakes are the best… oink.” They both burst out laughing. “Oink, oink.” Soul fell down on her back. This is just the best feeling. Watching Blight over there, keeping a hoof to her mouth with her quiet laughter, and Soul could not stop either. There is no way, not when everything, all the pain, it was like it never happened. Just for this one moment. Sharing it with another pony. Looks like my wish is coming true.

I missed being this happy. Soul settled down. It’s like a dream. A miracle like that cake was. Times to change so much. I never thought I could eat them again. Strawberries. So many strawberries. Such sweetness. She licked the fur along her mouth, picking up the remains of fudge and crumbs left behind. Still so good.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You still need to open your present.” That very present set itself down right next to where Soul sat. The same one from the bed with the cute bow on it atop a box covered in magenta wrapping paper and red strands going up and down to meet with one another at that bow. Blight made her way around it and… she sat next to Soul. Looking over at her, the black mare smiled and nodded to the present. She really wants me to open it. Why I… I don’t know what to say. This is so amazing. Blight is doing all this for me.

Whatever could it be? No way she found something in this village. I… I would have found it by now. Maybe she used that awesome magic of hers to make something. It literally could be anything. Does Blight even have an idea on what to give me for a present or did she just make a guess? Even if she had asked me, I would not know what to ask for as a birthday present. Not anymore. The surprise was agonizing. I ned to find out.

Soul sat straight up. Already feeling her stomach roar from having to move already. So full of cake. Oh calm down now, we have a present to open. Opening a birthday gift. This really is just like a birthday party that I always wanted. Nothing too crazy or fancy. It’s what I wanted long ago with Dashie. I get to enjoy this with such a great friend, and I know… I know I mean so much to her. She made all of this. She made a cake out of my favorites and she is even sitting with me just to open her present to me. Blight really does care about me. I hate how I treated her all these years. I won’t ever do any of that again. I’ll be there with her always.

Please, no more thinking I hate you. No more. I hope all this is not her just trying to get me to like her. For one reason. I already like her. Nopony bothered to ever come to me for my birthday and I bet they all forgot it, all except for Blight. Maybe Dashie remembers… I don’t know. But Blight… you never forgot.

7.66
Soul reached for the present. Pulling it right in between her legs. Feeling the sturdy design under all that wrapping paper. Like it was a box under it. Or maybe something big and solid. Soul literally could come up with no ideas on what it may be. Just building that curiosity as to what it was that Blight had found. What did she do? What did she make? Only one way to find out.

She took one final glance at Blight to be sure the pony was watching her before she went down and grabbed hold of a corner with her teeth. Pulling the wrapping paper into her mouth clean of whatever was inside so she may begin to start tugging it off. Hearing that paper rip from her effort. It sounded so nice. Ripping open a gift. The sound of the wrapping paper. I can’t believe I am doing this again.

She kept going, being extra gentle when removing the bow. Not wanting to destroy the adorable little heart shape that Soulblight made out of it and letting it flow softly down on her hind leg while she threw the wrapping paper out to the side. Until she found it was a box inside whose top flaps were left forced apart. Only a little tape left over those flaps. The only thing that kept the box closed.

Her hooves glided in between the flaps, lifting them right open so the sunlight could shine in. So Soul could look in to find… Soul’s heart skipped a beat. Maybe two.

This… these are…

They’re… beautiful. So many of them. So familiar. “Happy birthday, Soul” Blight whispered to her. It is a happy one. Blight, you softy… I never knew how much of a softy you can be. All my time here, does she know that… I like this? The only pony in the world who knows I do. This gift. Soul pulled out one of them. Letting it stand on top of her hoof. Small and fragile exactly like the little Pegasus doll she held every night, a doll just like the one she held and all the others in the box below. The same make, all of them, with the exact little smile that her Pegasus doll had to smile right up at her beneath little dots for eyes. It’s cute, little mane and tail made of soft thread silk given a purple color, all the many colors each tail had. Pegasi, unicorns, Earth ponies.

Every single pony… it’s an entire collection.

Soul held the Earth pony, staring at it. It’s so different from me but… it’s so like me. Blight, where did you even find these? I didn’t think I would see something like this. They all must have been lonely in the village with nopony here. Well, they won’t be lonely anymore. They have us now, and I have Soulblight. Friends.

I have friends. Ones that like me. I feel like it could be true. True that Dash is out there somewhere. That she still likes me. Just like these ponies do. The smiles on all these dolls. They were so assuring. Just like they were in showing that she did have a real friend now. A true friend. She gave me this. Such little things but she knew that I would like seeing these. To see so many ponies smiling and happy because of… me. I… I really do love them. I…

Soul hugged the one she held.

I don’t care anymore. Soul let it out. The feeling she had. All the joy at what she had seen. A little tear that came down her face. These little guys all like me and Blight likes me too. All this time. I had a real friend. The most unlikely of ponies. A little fact she never may come to just months ago. Days ago. Having a friend who accepted her. Not caring at all for her faults. Sitting with her, leaning in to her so their sides may shimmer together. A black shoulder flowing in her own shoulder like measly wind. She could not feel it, but could feel what it meant. Seeing her new friend joining her in the joy she really felt for the first time in years.

All thanks to you. “Thank you so much, Blight.”

7.67
“You know, a lot of the kids I grew up with would make fun of me for doing stuff like this. I bet they would.” Soul thought over the idea as she cared for the dolls she held in her legs. Stroking their manes and tails. Adoring every bit of them. That stuff never did happen. I remember though. Just how all those kids were. They saw me for something else. Not for this, especially when they all loved to be jerks to me. Just the idea of doing this in front of them, it was too easy to imagine it. All the looks and jokes that could be heard under hushed breaths. It is so unlike me. So strange. But I am okay with it, even with Blight right here with me. That black mare sitting right next to her. Doing something incredible.

Blight combed that black magic over the pony’s mane. So dark and soft, doing Celestia only knew what to it. Making some sort of style to it that Soul failed to pick up on right now. Mostly just fidgeting around with it. Looked like Blight had no idea how to do this. Still I never took her to be one to do this with me. Nothing like the authoritative and strong pony she thought Blight to be all these past years but this day was just a boatload of surprises. She’s a mare who actually wants to do this kiddy shit with me? One hell of a mare, at that. She is always surprising me.

I wonder, what would she be like if she had been in camp with me? There with me when I was a filly. I still imagine her as a filly too. A funny idea but she liked the sound of it. Soulblight being just like this as a child. Hehe, sounded like we may have been the best of friends back then. Sticking with one another. Forget those other kids and what they may think. As long as I can also have Dashie there to be our friend too. Two of the best ponies I’ve ever known, there as my friends. Such a silly thing to think, just like hoping the other kids would be nice for once and not just see the faults in me. The adults too. And all they did to me. I don’t know, I may never meet any of them again.

But what id they did? They would all see it. They will see that I’m a mare now with the best flying skills they will ever know. A Pegasus who was built by work. Who will become the greatest Wonderbolt of all. I’ll be such a great one, nothing they think about me will change how I will be. Besides, can any of them claim to have a pony like this there to support them? Soul looked to Blight.

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“Do you not feel weird doing this stuff?” she asked Blight. The black Pegasus looked up without her magic stopping doing what it was doing to the doll’s mane. But she didn’t say anything. The reason was lost on Soul. Does she understand? It is a little bit of a weird question. “Like something you imagine yourself to do when nopony else is there to hate you for it?”

Soulblight let out an intriguing grunt. Going back to look down at her doll. “I…” she started. Pausing in what felt like an eternity with Soul eagerly awaiting her answer. “I did not, not at first. I never had stuff like this to know what it may be like… but now that I do…” Her wings flared a little. Staring upon the pony she held between her legs and the magic that seemed to reflect in her eyes. “I care little for what random ponies may think of it.” She looked back up at Soul. Complete curiosity in her face. “Do you feel weird?” She asked this time.

Around Blight?

No. There is no way I can around you, not after seeing just who you truly are. All the nice things she does for me and how sweet she is. I feel like I can do anything around her. Even if she did make mistakes, I can see she has good in her. She is something more. And she is my caretaker. Something I haven’t felt in so long. A pony who makes me feel like I am something important.

“As long as I’m with you, no, I don’t” Soul said. “Why is that? You really think us doing this is not weird?” Blight presented her doll to Soul. With something she failed to notice till now. That Blight had finished while they were talking… and wow, what a finish. Soul stared at it. At its silver threaded mane.

Blight… that is amazing. She… she made it look just like… it’s Blight’s mane! All the threads and fibers held perfectly together that none of it fell out of place. Long bangs running down the right side of her face to almost cover up her eye with many more coming down to her neck. She actually did it. Soul stared at the last part. How did she do this?

Blight even gave it a long ponytail. Just like the one that Blight had hidden so well behind her head. So lost in its darkness. But to see it shine one the silver threads of this doll. The long and luscious hairs. So perfectly set. You made a mini you.

Blight, it’s beautiful. You are the one who made this? Made something so beautiful? It’s like a whole different side to Blight. Soul couldn’t take her eyes off it even as she tried to speak. “It’s not weird at all. I… am alright doing this with you.” She looked up to Blight. “I hope you feel the same. We are friends so you don’t need to hide it from me.”

A friend like you, I’d never feel bad about doing anything together. Even this. Even watching you make amazing manes for these ponies. Hell, you sure do have an amazing mane.

“Interesting” Blight said. Putting her doll back down between her legs. A longing look set upon her face just in an instant, but Soul saw it. What was Blight getting at? Is she uncomfortable? Oh Blight, if only I knew what troubled you.

7.69
“So did you have a nice birthday?” Damn. I wanted to ask her if something was wrong. Turning this complete one eighty in an instant. She doesn’t need to hide anything from me. I will understand. I’m her friend. She can count on me to be there for her. Or maybe I am just freaking out over nothing. Just seeing something else that just wasn’t there. Still, I can’t get it out of my head. You crying, Blight. Like an inner wound so deep finally crying out in just a small burst pleading for Soul. I want to prove to her that she can trust me. Please, may it just be my imagination.

“I did. Thank you for it” Soul said as well as she could trying to hide her own worries. Patting the mane of one of the unicorns she held, bringing it close to her in a little hug for it. “I loved it all.” She heard the Pegasus giggle a little. Blight staring off at the table where that filthy plate still sat and all the chocolate smeared all over the thing. Smiling at it, but Blight meekly glanced back to her. “I hope it was good enough for you. I’m not good at planning parties.” She just grinned so wide about it. It’s like she wants to hear something from me. She doesn’t need to beg for it. This party was all I could ever want. What was better?

After so many years, over twelve of being all alone out here. Feeling like there was nothing good left for her in the world too many times, cleansing those thoughts only for it all to come crumbling down again. Living in a falsehood about the pony she now saw as her friend. What Soul had now was all that could be wished for. Good times, happiness and laughter. Simple things. Ones she missed. Sharing it with one good friend. Something she’d gladly trade anything for to have. It was just like what I wanted for a birthday party with Dashie. Just like it. What I always dreamed of one to be like. And Blight was the one who did it for me. If I could, I’d hug this pony right now for all she did.

“You did great.” Soul’s voice softened. Hearing her talk like this, she thought herself to sound like some sort of lover to her mate. I’m too sappy. “This was all I could hope to have.” She extended her hoof closer to Blight. Offering it to her as a symbol of how much she appreciated her. “Thank you.” That seemed to touch Blight’s heart.

“You’re welcome” Blight was so happy to say that. Like a cheerful pony now. A good ruse. Soul saw it. I know she loves it. Blight is so full of herself now. Yeah, yeah, get your pats on the back. You did good, my friend.

“Anything for the birthday girl.” Soulblight sighed. Looking past Soul. What are you looking at? She looked into Blight’s dragon eyes. Seeing a sparkle of light shining in her now sun-caked eyes. “Twenty-one years old” Blight said. “Two days ago. So much has happened since you were just a nine-year-old filly.”

Those were the days. Days I never want to go back to. To the times when everything seemed so miniscule compared to now. All the years between then and now, such a pitiful time. Too long. Too long since this feeling. Sometimes, I just want to go back and change it all. It sucked to think about it. All the birthdays we could have had together. For me and for Blight.

All the time we could have been together.

Blight right there at my bedside when I sleep. Protect me from nightmares, sing to me. Wish me good night. A waste. All because of how stupid I have been. How terrible of a pony I really am to the ponies who need me.

…Huh, when even was Blight’s birthday? Probably the same answer as everything else about her life.

7.70
“Now look at you” Blight pointed to her. “Twenty-one years, you old girl.” Oh whatever. Did she really just call me old? Ha, such a thing, and from the pony who is old enough to be my mother. “Shut up” Soul mocked. “I’m not old, you fossil.” Soulblight laughed away. That even made Soul laugh. So nice to laugh together. Play with one another. Damn it Blight, stop reminding me of Rainbow Dash. Stop reminding me of… myself.

“Well at least we got a chance to celebrate it” Blight said. Almost though. As happy as their jokes were, that joy ran dry once Soul heard her say that. We did almost miss the chance for this. All because of me. I am so lucky I woke up when I did. So regretful of passing out. I broke my promise and left Blight alone for two days, and she didn’t even know what happened to me. How worried she must have been. How scared. Building up into the Soulblight she hoped to never see again, right before Soul could finally hold her. That terrible darkness. I never want to see Blight like that again. Those eyes of hers. I could see the pain in them… such bloody eyes. No matter what it meant, those two days, her almost missing this beautiful time together, they did hurt Blight so badly. A horrible experience for the black Pegasus, it must have been.

What if Dash never showed up for a birthday I threw for her? What if… Soul felt it in her heart. Like I haven’t been able to do for years now. I already can feel it. Just thinking about it. It hurt. And there would have been a chance… I never could have been able to hope to be there for her birthday. Not even able to do my own birthdays. Washed away in the red from her own throat.

Why did you need to say that Blight? Don’t make me think about it. What could happen to you if I... Soul hated feeling this. But she could see it. Her sad face in the mirror beyond her friend. That mirror. “I’m so sorry for breaking my promise. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” Flowers were not enough. Good times can’t be enough. I need to do a lot to make it up for this pony who has done so much for me. Even remembering my birthday when nopony else did.

Soulblight dragged herself closer to Soul. Laying right with her till their hooves almost touched together. “Oh Soul, don’t say that. I’m not angry, …only glad that we could do this.” She leaned in closer. “Are you not glad?” There were too many things Soul was not happy about. Oh where to start and how long it may take to say it all. One thing was clear to her though. “I’m sad that I broke my promise. It must have really hurt you. I don’t like hurting other ponies.” She saw a little flicker in Blight’s eyes when they came closer. Like she had that little bit of happiness left in her eyes. Coming close like she wanted to hug. So close, Soul only wished to be able to hug her.

“Soul.” Soul paid attention. Not able to stop a little sniffle from escaping. Feeling like she could cry.

“Can you show me why you were late?” Blight’s question, it was so direct. So strong. Like… did she know something was really up? She wants me to show her what I did. What good would it do? But I shouldn’t say no to her. Soul lifted her hoof up. Bringing her head down in shame.

7.71
Soul’s hoof set itself upon her mane, pushing away the long bangs covering the left of her face and she felt the cold air blast the temple of her head. It pinged in pain. Like not wanting to be exposed. She heard Blight gasp.

“Soul! What happened!?” Soul looked at her friend’s horrified face. Wrought in so much worry and fear. Mouth trembling twice. Was it that bad? Soul looked past her to the mirror. Keeping her mane held high, she saw it too. A nice and wide gash cut straight across the width of her forehead. Bad enough to be so apparent even in the depths of her thick fur wracked in dried blood splattered just around where the wound was. From the looks of it, it seemed to be healing. Certainly since the blood stopped flowing and the pain had dulled. But it was an ugly sight. Something she was not shy about keeping hidden under her mane which she did now. Not wanting to see it any longer. The proof of her failure.

“What happened?” Blight asked again. Calmed down enough now to sound… just like how she sounded when Soul was a filly. She’s like how she was when I hurt myself. When she was so worried I hurt myself when I fell. She was so caring. I feel so safe around her. “I fell and passed out while training.”

“What!?”

Soulblight stared at her. She looked absolutely taken aback. Did I say something wrong? Does she think I’m lying? As terrible as it was for her to do it, it happened. Soul passed out. “Here I was, …thinking you left me…” Blight whispered. Her voice pained and hitting Soul’s ears like pins digging right to the core. “When you were laying out there in the cold. …Soul, please forgive me!” She leaned in closer, placing her head right in between Soul’s outstretched forelegs.

Is she… bowing?

“I never knew, …nothing I can do can make it up to you. …I was mad at you when I should have been scared. I was only scared that you left me. Please forgive me.”

“No, don’t say that” Soul pleaded of her. Looking down upon the pony begging in front of her. Please lift your head. Please look at me. I hate seeing you like this. Never ever wanting any friend of hers to feel like they needed to earn her forgiveness when she was the one at fault. She only needed to be more careful and none of the heartache would have happened. They’d have had their party two days ago. Been friends for two days by now and Blight never will have known that sadness.

She is the one who has been begging me. Crying for it. I had to watch her do it under my wings… and now here, again. “Do you forgive me?” Soul asked. That finally made Blight lift her head back up. Looking up into the eyes of the pony who asked something so important of her. “You want… my forgiveness. Why?”

“I’m the one who broke a promise. Broke one to a pony who needed me when nopony else was there for her. I understand why you were mad, I’d be mad too because it’s not right to do that to a friend.” Soul let her heart out. Really wishing to actually earn the forgiveness of a pony who meant so much to her. She needed it. I want her there for me, no matter what mistake I make. I don’t want to lose anymore friends. She is the pony for me.

I need to be the pony for Soulblight.

“Breaking promises is mean.” I would be better off just telling her that I don’t care for her over breaking such an important promise to her. I can’t let that happen again. “Breaking promises…?” Blight said. Gliding her eyes off to the left. Her face going blank. A bit of a shine in her black color streaming about her misty face. A paleness reverting back to the shadows. “I’ll never break any promise to you” she continued. “I forgive you, only if you forgive me for being mean to you.” That went without saying. “Of course, I forgive you. You’re my friend and I’ll do anything to keep our friendship.”

“…And I’ll do the same.”

Soulblight’s hoof touched Soul’s own hoof. Going right into her magenta coating. Can’t even feel it. But I can feel what you want. Both their hooves together. A true touch. After so many years, I feel like I am truly able to touch you for the first time. My best friend. Thank you… for forgiving me. Thank you for this. I’ll do anything for you. Even bring you to a home you will love.

7.72

“As long as we’re friends, we can do anything” Soul said. Keeping her hoof connected with Blight’s. Both pegasi refusing to let go. So many things to do with her. I’ll prove to her I am there for her. No more of that hell she had to go through. I want her to be a part of everything now. Maybe, someday, we can even fly and do tricks together. Coming back to a home together after that. Kind of like right now. For my best friend, I’ll even do this for her. I would love to make her a cake. I’m sure this old mare would love to eat some. What pony would not? I got to find out what she likes. Maybe strawberries with lots of chocolate and some smoothies too. That sounds so good to have.

All those days we can spend together. When it will be like these terrible times in this land could become a distant memory. Nothing to remember, not when Soul could return to that life. One she imagined once more. Of finally joining the Wonderbolts. That old dream. Training and practicing with them, all to become the best. But… with Soulblight there. There to cheer her on.

She could watch me. Support me. Maybe even pick up a thing or two from me, enough to be able to one day join me.That day can not come soon enough. A fellow Pegasus as wonderful as Blight, I would want her to be my flying partner sometimes. Spending birthdays together, especially Blight’s own whenever that was. Hearth’s Warming together. Going to the beach or just sitting together under the falling leaves of autumn trees listening to the wind. That really made her giddy.

“Oh! So much to do when we get home!” Oh. Did I just… yell that? Blight sat there, surprised. Well that must have piqued her curiosity. “Sorry” Soul said, rubbing her free hoof along the back of her head. “I’m just excited to have so much fun…” She pressed her hoof further into the cloudy hoof of Blight. “…With my friend.” Poking her other hoof right at Blight’s face. “You.” Soul admitted with a happy squee in her smile.

7.73
Soulblight grunted. “I hope so” she said bleakly. Even her head downed as much as her voice did. “Come on now, Blight. We’re gonna have such a great time back home. Equestria has so many fun things to do and so many places to see. You’ll love it.” There still was no sign of her cheering up. Geez, Blight. What is there to worry about?

“I don’t doubt that” she said back. “I just don’t…” She turned away. Mouth frozen mid-sentence and trembling as if it may be fighting itself on what to say. Whatever it was that may be holding her back from truly having fun with Soul and enjoying the idea of returning home. Just tell me what’s wrong. No matter what it may be, we can work it out together. No matter the challenge, I’m up for it. Wait and see, Blight. I will do anything for you.

“Soul, how can you forgive me?”

Why even ask that? I just told her I forgive her. It’s not hard to at all. All I want is for you to stay that loving pony I came to know you as. That caring pony. It’s what I really love about you. No need for any more forgiveness.

“I ruined your life.” Soulblight stood, sending the pony doll she tended to flying and startling Soul with how strong of a gust of wind her flailing wings made upon her rushing off to where the table sat. Walking away from her.

What do you mean? Soul glanced to the doll sitting at the foot of the wall, where it had struck. There is no need to be upset. I don’t want you sad. Having to see Blight over there all alone at the table. “You didn’t ruin my life.”

“Lies!”

Soul held her breath. Blight turned around. Such fierce anguish. Soul could feel it. See it. All in the glare of that pony. Looking like she were about to yell but her voice stayed low. Reverting back to a calm and gentle tone. “Soul, …did you really forget? Forget why you were banished?”

I can never forget. I made such a terrible mistake. I have to live with it every single night and… I just want it all to go away.

My greatest shame.

But… it’s one we did together, you and I, Blight.

“Blight, I’m not made about that anymore. We can still make everything better.” Soul stood up this time. Determined to stay close to Blight. Coming right up to her where she stood at the table. “I’m the one who messed up, not you. So don’t feel bad about yourself.”

“I suppose you don’t know what I mean. How I feel about myself means nothing since I am the one who got you banished in the end. Banished for a horrible thing that I convinced you to do. Even if it was right…”

“No other pony sees it as such. Soul,… they really do think you were the one who killed Nimbus and Starry.”