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.

Next Chapter: Part 1 Illusion - Act 11 Estimated time remaining: 41 Hours, 38 Minutes