6.1
“What? You want me to train with you?” Blight asked, finishing up wrapping Spots in the blankets. Tucking him in in the safety of his box where he lay fast asleep from such a long night. He can sleep the day away, but we got stuff to do. Soul was not even tired. “Yes I do.” Besides, we spent all night with Spots, I think Blight may be okay with spending the day with me.

We had such a good time, it was a bit of a surprise. Hehe, I kind of liked spending the night with her. Blight probably liked it too. Oh who am I kidding, I know she did. That big smile she had all night long. No harm in asking her to fly with me. For both pegasi to be able to be able to do what Soul loved to do and that Blight wanted to do with her since day one. We have time now. But Blight hesitated.

Right? You want to still fly with me, right? Blight lowered her head. Sadly. “I should not” she said. “I will only hold you back.” Hold her back? But I… oh… shit, I did say that to her a long time ago. I just… wanted to get used to training again without worrying about somepony else. It took too many years for her just to establish her flight routine. In truth, I also didn’t want to look like a fool in front of her. But that was then, and Blight still remembered it.

No need to hold back. I got it all down now and would love to show another pony how to fly like I do. No worries. Soulblight had nothing to fear. Soul wanted her to know this. “You will not! Come on now, it’s been way too long since we flew together and I wanna show you what I’ve learned.” Blight wrapped the purple blanket up and over Spots’ head so that only his little face popped out from the coverings that were meant to keep him warm while they were out. Happy with her work, Blight simply walked past Soul. She caught sight of the black mare’s sad face in time before she glided by with nary a sound to head for the entrance. “You should train. I need to go finish up the house for Spots.”

6.2
Oh for Celestia’s sake. There she was going again. I’m not gonna sit back for this. Not this time. After all we did throughout the night and how much fun we had. Even if Blight did not feel as close, Soul would do anything to make her feel the same. Finishing up renovations for Spots. That’s a stupid excuse. The house looked great from what I saw and we have lots of time to spend together now.

I won’t let you be alone today.

Her wings pushed her forward. Shooting across Blight and Soul skidded to a halt in front of her. Blocking the way out of the cave. Staring at her, Blight was so surprised to see her do this. But it did not surprise Soul. Not like how they both acted last night. This was going to be their world together. If we are going to be friends, I need to make her see she doesn’t need to be alone. Do everything to make things right and introduce Blight into my life. Starting with my greatest hobby. But that was just short of the real truth she wanted to tell Blight. It evaded her words anyways. Too cowardly to admit it. So much that it shamed her while she spoke.

“Today’s a rest day for me, …so… I wanna train you instead.” She stomped her hoof into the ground. “I won’t take no for an answer.” Well she knew it was not entirely a rest day. She had plans for later on but for just a little bit. I have a lot of time to spare for her before that. No more running away from it. “You won’t take no for an answer?” Blight said shocked and frowning. Soul winced.

Wow, I… I actually expected her to swat my aside. No, I shouldn’t think that. Damn it. I’m being too blunt. I’m pretty much demanding her to do something. What if she doesn’t want to do it? But I need to be strong against her. I can’t let her push me away. No more. I’ll tell her what I want to do and it will be final. If she did not, then Soul braced herself for the Pegasus to yell at her again. Just like the other days and she did a pitiful job of hiding her fear.

Feeling her body begin to shake. Looked like it would happen. Soulblight sighed and shook her head.

Please don’t hate me. I just want us to…

6.3
“Then please accept my yes” Blight said. Smiling at her now.

Soul’s eyes lit up. She had to smile as well. All the fear and shaking disappearing. She wants to fly with me! Just like back then. After all that has happened, she still will do it with me. I’m… I’m so happy she didn’t say no.

Oh, but what to do? What training should we do? Soul hurried herself to think of something. No way she could allow herself to mess this up. Look like a fool in front of the pony she finally got to come around to her. Just like with Dash and the other ponies she had met. I need to show them all just how much I appreciate them. Soulblight did not wait though.

She scooched her way past Soul with her great, black wings extended and flapping. Ready to fly off. Leaving Soul behind but… the black mare looked back and nodded. Blight? Soul turned after her. She wants to go. Follow Blight. No! You follow me. Soul sprang into action, running past Blight with her own wings ready to fly. Still a little sore but not enough to keep her grounded. Actually, her wings felt a little more lively. Perhaps they were excited too. So excited that she giggled running past her new training partner. A partner who laughed too behind her.

“Would you want to take me to the mountains?” Blight asked. No way. I have a better idea. She shook her head. “We can train just outside the village” she said. No need for Blight to tire herself flying so far. Keep her around the village she called home. The wide and open plains of snow outside the houses offered plenty of room for Blight’s first training experience. An experience Soul still tried to come up with.

Soul’s wings beat once then twice, harder than before and she took to the air. Taking it a little easy on her wings so they could rest a little. Keeping herself low enough and at a steady pace that she was happy to see Blight behind her able to match them. The black Pegasus still smiling. But different. Soul caught her… with such a huge smile. The black mare staring down at the snow. Like she didn’t even know soul stared back at her. I’ve never seen her this happy before. I… I did good. That is the same mare I remember when… when we first met. The same happy Pegasus. Yes! I think I did it. I actually made her happy. Soul looked back towards the snowy plains ahead of her. Off to the village.

6.4
They both managed to land in unison on the thick layers of snow that made the entirety of everything that surrounded their village. Soul saw the specks of their houses rising in the far distance. Probably just a few minute’s flight for both of them. Being so close to something familiar, hope it makes Blight feel comfortable. I always felt comfortable when I trained at my old house… so long ago. I don’t want Blight nervous. I hope she isn’t. Training with another pony. But Blight has no reason to fear me.

They were all alone together with no crowd to watch them. No pressure. Not like what I got to go through all the time at flight camp. Ugh, I always feared performing in front of others. Took so long to beat that. Just the smallest mistake and everypony would see it. This will be much different. You and I, training together. And looks like she is actually excited to do this. Blight still had that smile on her face. Just standing, watching Soul. Waiting for her instruction.

That was right. She still had no idea what to do. Blight did not know, Soul was the expert. An expert at flying, not training another to fly. Don’t mess this up. I still don’t know exactly what to show her first.

“Should I do tricks or something?” Blight said, cocking her brow. Is that a joke? This early. No, not tricks. Even I know that stuff should be for later times. I don’t even have a lot of tricks down par yet. It all was in the form and skill. Always took such a long time for a Pegasus to master. Wow, thinking back on it, I really have come a long way. I… am kind of proud of myself. I was a big newbie. Wait, that was it! Do what I had to do when I first started high flying training.

Soul laughed over what Blight had said. The most fake laugh ever because Blight’s comments weren’t exactly funny. “No. I’m not gonna make you do anything hard for your first day.” “First day?!” Blight said. “Do you plan to train me on other days too?” Not exactly but that did sound good. Maybe I should do that from now on. Setting aside the mornings to do this with Blight and doing her more intense exercises later, or something like that. Until the day both of them could fly together doing the most daring of exercises. Do them alongside Dash. That sounded lovely. In a time when both pegasi escaped from this prison.

6.5
“We can, …if you want” Soul said. Blight just smiled and waited. No answer from her. Looks like she doesn’t even know what she wants. Well then, I’ll take over then. For this once, Blight as the one who had none of the answers. It’s all me. I know exactly how to start this. “Sit down” Soul asked her to do. It seemed to be an odd request from her. Soulblight hesitated to do it. Might have made her uncomfortable asking her to do that. I guess I could have been nicer in asking that of her. Tell her what she wanted to do. Still, after a moment, that black tail set down on the snow. Its hairs blending into the whiteness to disappear somewhere beneath just like the fur on her rear did when she planted herself.

There she waited. Sitting like a well-mannered student. Wrapping her black tail around herself to sway gently in front of her. “Thank you” Soul said. Happy that she actually did sit down. “Now… could you raise your wings up for me?” Damn, even I feel a little bad asking for that. Because I am asking her to do what I hated to do on my first day. Even if nopony else was here, I still am. Would that be too much pressure? Too embarrassing? It seemed not when those big, black wings rose high into the sky behind Soulblight. Extending far and wide to dwarf her entire body and cast a great shadow across the snow and touching Soul’s hooves. Like she wore a mighty crown over her head.

“Too high?” she asked.

“No, that’s perfect” Soul assured her. Now to make her feel comfortable, unlike I was when I had to do this. Something Soul would have said no to if she had the chance to avoid everything that made her so scared. “May I examine your wings?” Blight cocked her head. No sign of fear or surprise. She gave no reason to make Soul think the request was too much. It still was an odd one. “Why?” “I want to check them to see how strong they are. I need to know what they can do” Soul explained in the best way the memories of… of… Starry’s request for the same thing had served for him. I hope to give her the same treatment, to know she is good to go too, so she won’t feel pressured. Just like he tried his best to do for me. I’ve never been shown anything about wings, but… I tend to my wings enough to know what makes wings tick.

“If it will help…” Blight leaned forward a little, lowering her wings slightly so they would be at a perfect angle for Soul to look at them. “Go ahead.” Wow, Blight was really confident. The absolute opposite of Soul. Yeah my wins have gotten big and strong but… I’d still be a bit nervous having ponies gawk at them. Just like back then. Fear of them finding a flaw. Making fun of her over it. Blight had no problem in that. Openly inviting another pony to examine her. If only Soul wished she could be just as confident in her own body.

6.6
So Soul made her way towards Blight. Walking around her to find a perfect position to sit back there between both her massive, black wings. Blight made no indication of being uncomfortable. Sitting perfectly still. Only that tail moved. A little twitch of her ear. Yet those wings stayed still. Spread out before Soul so close like a flower in bloom. That’s exactly what it was. A flower.

So pretty.

Being close like this, taking time to actually look over them, …they are… flawless. Left and right wing. They both may as well be perfect mirrors of one another. Not a single thing out of place on either of them. I wonder if they both have the exact same number of feathers. All those black feathers, hundreds, arranged in countless rows down the lengths of her spans. Thick and layered. No blemish or ruffle in their designs to the point where the spines themselves shone of glossy silver devoid of any taint. Bright enough to bring their light upon the black of the feathers and the fur of her spans. I know wings are a private spot for us pegasi but… I really want to touch them. Stopped only because she knew her body would simply fall through them. Shocked she thought such a way.

I never ever wanted to touch another pony’s wings.

They were too beautiful, the most beautiful wings I have ever seen. I have no right to touch them but… damn they must feel good. Blight, you lucky punk. Having such killer wings. I bet you’d get all the stallions.

She took her attention off those feathers and over to what counted. To her long wingspans. Long and thin appendages they were. That was the problem.

They were so thin.

Like they never had any prolonged period of intensive use. No presence of muscle anywhere. Just well-tended black fur coating what she could pick out as flawless skin hidden underneath going from where they joined her supple back to the very tips of each span.

Hidden under all that beauty and perfection was a pair of really delicate wings.

I guess it is easy to say now. No way would Blight be able to do the intense exercises I do. But that was good. Easier on Soul to think of things for her to do to get started. Something that began to happen now with a good picture of what Blight’s ability should be with wings like these. An easy start on the way to her being a great flyer too. Not a total disaster at all. Blight’s body could easily be worked with.

Taking one final look over them and down to the very bottom of her feathers hanging just above her thighs. But… she glanced down. Spotting something. Past her feathers and down to the mare’s thighs. Soul’s eyes widened.

“Oh, wow.”

Blight looked back.

She had to snap back up. Stop looking at what she had seen upon those flanks.

6.7
Soul stepped away from those gorgeous wings so she may walk back around to find Blight’s curious face. Her black wings instinctively going back down to fold up again. “Anything wrong?” Blight asked. Not at all.

Nothing is wrong, …with her wings.

Soul wanted to focus on her wings. That was the entire point of this. It would be mean to bring anything else up that she did not know how to handle. Her wings. Oh man, I feel giddy looking at them. Soul would even freak out now and fawn over them like a child. But no, I need to be the teacher here. “Not at all. Your wings are looking good but I’m guessing you never did any training for them?” Blight’s eyes fell. Her entire body bending down like it gave up or something. Even those wings fell a little. She was sad. There was no need to be. Soul understood. Not many pegasi do what I do. Some even waited till their adult lives to begin working on their wings. She recalled overhearing the mares in Cloudsdale talking about trying to get into shape and look beautiful. But that was just because they wanted to try and find a pony who would want a tussle in the bed with them. Nothing about having strong or great wings. But that was not like Blight. Her wings were weak but she clearly cared for them so much even being alone. She had no reason to feel like she failed in making them strong as well. She failed nopony. In fact, Soul was all the more willing to help her.

She doesn’t need to have wings like mine, but… someday I’d like her to have wings she can be proud of and not look sad about them. Blight must feel bad about not having incredible wings. Well, we have years and years to work together on that. She walked in closer to Blight. Leaning in so her face could peek in under that black mane to find the yellow dragon eyes hidden down there that soberly looked down at her. “It’s alright. I’ll do my best to help you.” But only if you want me to help you.

Soul leaped back up with a flutter of her wings. Landing back far enough to give her space to lift her hoof into the air in triumph. “It’s gonna be awesome!” Watching to see if her chipper attitude cheered Blight up as well, seeing the black mare raise her head back up with a tiny smile. “Very well. Just go easy on me.” Yes!

6.8
She had Blight on board. Excellent! Everything was going so well. This has to be the longest time we have spent together. I hope we get to hang out a lot more. Going easy was exactly what needed to be done to keep Blight happy. Soul had just the idea.

“Alright, I need to see your form first. Pretend you’re flying.” Soulblight did just as she expected, she looked confused. Probably questioning what the purpose of this could be. There was no purpose in this for Soul. The entire purpose was for Blight so she may see exactly what the difference was going to be between her flying and what Soul was going to teach her. She raised her hoof to Blight as a signal for her to get started which she did after a brief pause.

Those wings came back out again and began to flap exactly as Soul predicted her to do in this way. Their widths outstretched towards Soul, angled forward in a similar structure to how her back sat. Soul watched the beat of her wings, counting how many flaps she made each second, How smooth they were flapping, how much control she looked to have. It was a perfect flying pattern. Set to how a Pegasus would fly normally like on a leisurely flight. Well a little more than that because Soul did notice how Blight patterned her flaps almost robotically. Precise with no deviation. Some ponies may see that as weird. But… it’s kind of interesting. The coordination it must take to make both wings flap in perfect unison. None of the feathers even left the paths they took up and down. Easily able to slice the air. Very impressive for normal flying.

She raised her hoof back up. “That’s good. You can stop now.” Blight stopped. Confused as she had been, staring upon Soul with a lost look. I hope she doesn’t think my training techniques are weird. I don’t know any other way and this is how I was taught on the first day. How she taught herself. It would be really bad if somepony judged her way of learning. But that did bring up a question on how Blight may have learned to fly.

She never knew her parents. I have no idea about her past. How did she come to fly so well? Have such a perfect control over her wings. So routinely. Nothing akin to what Soul was to teach her though. Her own special way. “I’m gonna show you how I fly during training” Soul said. We’ll see how she does.

6.9
Soul stood up straight, keeping her tail and rear high with all four legs bent out like she were preparing to take off. Her wings reacted normally. Willing them on into the position she developed worked best for her. A little different from how other ponies flew, and only Dash got to see how I used to do it. But… not anymore. My stance is much better now. Perfecting it after so many years. Without even looking, she knew they were positioned correctly in her way, stretched out at her sides with their shadows right in the corners of her eyes which she kept glued to Blight. Watching to see how she will do it. If she could do it.

“Do just what I’m doing now.” Blight heard her request and reacted… flustered. Rushed. Soul’s razor-sharp sight caught how her dragon eyes quickly went over Soul’s entire body taking it all in. Clearly not paying full attention when Soul assumed her stance. But she did what she asked of her. Blight too stood up and bent her legs in a mirror image to how Soul did it, without her tail and butt raised anyways, and she brought her wings back up in the position Blight had her wings in normally. Not lasting for long though.

Soul watched her make little adjustments to her wing positions. Exactly how Soul had her own wings. Angling the spans past her neck so the feathers pointed almost out from her sides. Almost at a perfect level position. Completely straight, no bending or contours anywhere. Both wings completely symmetrical. Soul’s stance. Exactly. Angled in the way she found helped best at controlling the air flow around you. Prevent as much air resistance as possible. Blight did it with no effort. A slow start but taking it in fast. Soul was surprised at how she did that. Wow was her sense of perception amazing. It’s good that she can do that.

“That’s perfect!” Soul shouted. All the worry and confusion on Blight’s face disappeared. She looked so happy that she managed to pull it off correctly. “That’s how I keep my wings during high altitude flying.” “I think I understand how it works” Blight said. She looked over her shoulder to examine the stance her wings made. “The angle pulls the air up over the wings instead of into them and moves it around the wing before pushing it out behind me. All that wind pushes me forward, right?”

That… was exactly how it worked. Soul never got into the science of how it worked. She could care less for that part but still understood the basic workings of how she flew. Soulblight here, she broke it down into such detail. She’s telling me how I fly. Hahaha, Blight, are you some osrt of smarty pants? I like that. Smart and beautiful. Even if Blight was no perfect flyer capable of high-risk maneuvers, she had plenty more riding for her. She really was smart.

Perhaps that was her real talent. Soul did wonder.

6.10
“Remember that form” Soul advised her. “I expect you to fly with it today. …But first, we need to warm up.” Soul relaxed her wings, noticing Blight do the same right after her. Shadowing her moves. Like a good student. Time to really see what she could do.

Wings looked good enough. Form was good. Time to get them ready for a display of skill and Soul figured out just what to do. Exactly as she did to warm up but nothing as intense as she could do. Still, a tolerable number of them for wings as frail as Blight’s needed to be done.

“Drop and give me twenty” Soul asked of her with confidence and she was rewarded with Blight arching her brow. “Twenty what?” Okay, even I admit I sounded stupid when I asked her to do that. Why did I expect her to know what that means? The whole training thing seemed to be getting to her. Getting too excited over the fact that another Pegasus listened to her instruction and wanted to learn. This isn’t Dashie. I’m not training an expert.

“Sorry” Soul said. She moved her wings down far enough for her to feel them touch the snowy surface. The cold touch of it chilling the tips in a feeling she was familiar with. Every day, this was the same feeling, the same procedure she did as she assumed the form she did to do her wing-ups. Wings down, forelegs folded up, hind legs planted far behind her. No way would she ask Blight to do these wing-ups without the use of her hind legs as support. It even took Soul some time to be able to do them with only her wings being the sole things touching the ground.

“Wing-ups. Do just what I’m doing.” “I have no idea what these… wing-ups are” Blight said as she moved her body into position. Soon enough, in the same position as Soul was in with her black wings disappearing into the snow but nonetheless held up. Anchored somehow. Whatever would work to allow her to do this. “They’re meant to get your wings ready” Soul explained the best she could. “You keep yourself like that and just lower yourself down to the ground, then right before you touch the snow, push yourself back up all the way with only your wings.”

Blight gulped. Rushing to look back up at Soul. “And you wish me to do twenty of them?!” A quick nod being the answer. Maybe I am being a little too rough on her. Soul sat back to give a little relief to her wings which began to sting a little thanks to yesterday. Twenty may be too much for a beginner. They could just skip it and go straight to some flying. I have some easier things she can do to get started but, man, do I want to see if she can do twenty. I want those thin wings to prove me wrong but it could hurt Blight. Make her exhausted. Or she might hate me again. It took so much time to finally achieve a day like today for it all to be ruined by rushing things. Soul fell silent.

“One.”

6.11
Soul returned her attention to Blight in time to see her black wings unfold back out straight to propel her fully into the air, then buckle again to let her fall. A descent stopped by a quick lock of those wings to repeat the process. Up she went again.

“Two.”

She… was actually doing it. Slow but sure. Soul left in a daze as to the determination that was being shown before her. There was no real need to do this. Blight looked so terrified to do these just seconds ago. Why did she change her mind? Why continue it? Going on to her sixth repetition and soon enough came the tenth. It was that one that Soul saw her black wings begin to shake. Hard to see at first with how much they were moving but they were there, very subtle. They were getting exhausted. Soul knew that reaction well. Especially since Blight’s face grimaced badly on her eleventh one.

It still was amazing. Soul cheered her on within. I’m surprised. You looked so scared to do this. Way to prove me wrong. I’m actually a bit proud of her. How much she persisted. How she slowed down each time she pushed back up. Going onto the fourteenth one with a slight bend in the left wing from how bad it began to shake. So her left wing was weaker. Both of them not that strong. I don’t think she will be able to make it to twenty. As much as she hoped that she could pull it off. There was no telling how accomplished Blight may be upon finishing this. Still, it would not be a total loss. It was amazing to see a pony not give up and try to push herself. Do it for me. A lot more than what I would expect of a pony I wronged. Soul having no right to demand anything of her, anything uncomfortable or hard to do, and Blight still did it. Feeling happy over it even when Soulblight fell right down to the ground.

Her wings slipping out from under her and no more strength left to keep her up. Falling right after her seventeenth go. She lay there on her belly with both of those trembling wings set out beside her. Moving like she were about to raise her head. No, she looked away. Breathing so hard. Her back rising and falling so quickly.

“I failed you” she muttered.

6.12
“N-no you didn’t. You did seventeen, that was great!” Soul said. Her assuring voice doing well to hide how very terrified she felt. Blight did not fail me. Not at all. She impressed me. I’m not here to grade you or pressure you. Certainly not to make her feel like a failure. This was all for something else that would help both of them. Help them have fun together. If Blight was upset… upset like I was… when I was a filly. When I trained or… or flew for others.

Frightened.

Afraid that I will fail the others. Make them hate me.

…Make them… hurt me.

I don’t ever want Blight to feel like I would be like those ponies. I never will be. I won’t be like them. I would never mock her. “I think you did great, Blight. Come on now. Don’t feel bad.” Soulblight sighed again and looked over to face her instructor directly. Looking up at her with disappointed eyes. Sad with herself. Like she really was defeated. Like I used to sometimes think. No way in hell I’ll let her feel that way for long.

She leaned down closer, smiling at her. Putting her hooves close to Blight’s. “You know I did worse when I first started. It’s your first day and you’ve already done really well. So come on, don’t leave me to fly alone.” Even trying her best to ease the situation, there was no change. Blight still looked upset over her performance. Staring, breathing deep. But still able to stand back up level with Soul. Keeping those black wings folded. “Fine” she whispered. “What’s next?” Oh man… she sounds sad. I hope I’m not messing up. I don’t want to push her too hard. Making her do things that she did not want to do. I must be making her upset. But what could be done? I said I will train her and I can’t just walk away. Call it quits and let her leave. Not after how well they had been doing up to this point. All of it to be ruined by leaving her to be alone. Like I am telling her that hanging out with me is a bad idea. Proving what a terrible friend she was. Provoking Blight to hate her more.

There had to be some way to make this up. To help out the pony she wanted to be her friend again. Give her something to smile about. Stop messing up. No more tough stuff. Soul thought thoroughly on what could be done that could still be considered training without making her student feel bad. A student that was very observant. That was it.

Blight could do synchronized flying.

6.13
“How about we fly together now? I’ll do some maneuvers and you do them just as I do.” “Okay” Blight said with a nod. Alright, I have her still on board for this. But how to do it? There must be some maneuvers we can do that won’t exhaust a beginner. Which ones even would be exhausting for a Pegasus of Blight’s stature?

I really am not fit to be a teacher.

It’s kind of worrying.

Both their wings came to life. Soul flying up into the air while keeping tabs to be sure Blight was still behind her. A nagging part of her expecting her new student to just fly off. But she didn’t. A relief, but… also a problem because I still have no idea what to do for a beginner Pegasus. Those thoughts kept going till they both stopped at a tolerable altitude. Not too high but not too low. Just enough for them to be able to see the entirety of the village in the distance.

Hovering there within the flurry of the snow. The brush of the morning wind. Chilly and uncomfortable to Soul’s touch even if it was easy to ignore by now. She glanced over to Blight whom she found not much better next to her. The black Pegasus fidgeted with forehooves crossed over each other against her chest and how very nervous she looked to be. A state she abruptly rid herself of upon noticing Soul seeing her like that. Not quick enough for her teacher to catch it all.

She’s as nervous as I was. It is amazing the similarities we both have. When she was just a filly nervous about impressing others. About doing my best and never feeling like I had a pony there to look up to and rely on. Until I finally had a real friend. I want to prove to Blight that I am that friend for her. Their friendship will come back. I will be sure to be there for her.

Dash taught me well.

“This is gonna be fun. Nothing too tough, just stay by my side and do everything I do.” Soul flapped her wings hard to the side giving her enough momentum to glide over to a close hover with Blight. So close that their flapping wings nearly struck one another. Times like this, I would hug Blight to make her feel better. Feel more comfortable before our flight together. Show she can trust me. But no. All she could settle with was try her best to show she would be a Pegasus that will not leave her hanging and try her best to cheer her up. I won’t leave her side and will never say anything bad about how she flies. Never.

Soul smiled and winked at her flustered student. No.

Not student.

“It’s alright, …flight buddy.”

“…Flight… buddy?” she heard Blight whisper as she turned away to ready herself for their flight.

6.14
Luckily it was a beautiful day. Well as best as it could be compared to the usual weather this land experienced. With few thick clouds high up, it looked like it would be a good flight in the open sky. Basking in what little warmth the Sun gave while cooled by the chilly wind that let the snow flurry all about. Soulblight can get to see the type of flying I like to do. They really could go a bit higher.

“Keep up with me.” Soul readied her wings so they sent her off high into the sky. Doing it as easy as she could. Her wings hurt a little. Not too steep an angle as she ascended. Feeling the wind breeze over the lengths of her wings, her spans slicing the snow leaving small pieces of themselves behind to wet her fur and be flung off her with her flaps. This felt like a good speed. Soul glanced over to make sure. Exhilarated to see Blight keeping up right with her. Not even deviating in how close they had been to one another moments before. Beating her wings in the position Soul taught her with clear determination to keep up… and… am I seeing this right? Soul looked at her own wings to make sure. Wow, she’s flapping in unison with me? It took only a careful observation to see this was true. Those black wings moving in the same way that Soul willed her own wings to move. Soulblight too took a look over at Soul’s own wings before looking back over at her instructor.

Very well done.

“You’re doing great” Soul commented loudly hearing the wind blowing in her ears. Made worth it just to see her student smile. Soul brought her gaze back ahead of her. Letting her forelegs stretch free in front of her in preparation for what was to come. A move she saw those black hooves do right next to her.

“Get ready.” The thin layers of clouds came in. High above the world but so close to the pegasi that cleared the thick cloud cover that failed to block out the Sun. From this high up, the wind was strong. It was so thick you could begin to see the faint whispers of wind making a thin film beneath the flurrying snow. I wonder if Blight could see it too.

6.15
Soul counted to three. After three… looks like that would be too high for Blight. No, this is perfect altitude. They had plenty of time. Three seconds was good enough to avoid that layer and, on three, Soul made her move.

Tilting her wings so she may fall whilst pushing the air to do what she wanted. Not as fast as the Wonderbolts but she still felt the thrill of it. Falling at a steep angle while keeping her back to the horizon and her side to the ground. All the wind blowing against her belly and making her mane flop over her head. But all was under control. Spiraling down like this, head nearly to the earth, it was a true joy that made her begin to laugh. Even more happy seeing Blight right alongside her. Those black wings of hers doing very well in controlling her own spiral. But… she couldn’t keep her black wings in unison with Soul’s anymore. Not with these conditions. Spiraling down like this, this fast, that’s a bit much to expect her to be perfect now, Still, Blight laughed.

She’s doing it! Yes.

Soul levelled herself out with a quick kick of her hind legs that flopped her tail and whipped her wings back up into an angled descent towards the grey clouds. Falling fast. Just as their spiral was meant to do. Not a problem for Blight at all. She’s keeping up with me. Both of them cutting through the air in a total copy of one another closing in on one of the clouds.

“Hope you don’t mind it getting dark” Soul called out. Blight probably doesn’t know but… we are about to head right into…

Both pegasi shot right into the dark cloud they fell down into.

Poofs of the grey breaking apart around them. Wrapping around and falling to pieces with both pegasi going through it all. Carving a clean path through it. No way any Pegasus could see in this. No worries. Blight just needs to follow me. I’ve flown clouds enough now to know how to deal with it. Always turning out okay and letting her do some fun tricks with those very clouds. One I want to do with Blight. Even though it was dark, she saw the black shape of her new flight buddy keeping up beside her. The cloudy surface passing right through her but her wings still brushed bits of them aside.

So she can make her own gusts of wind. Great! It could be done and I hope this will be fun for Blight to see what we can do.

6.16
Soul kicked her wings down so hard. Sending her up into the cloud. Watching all the darkness shoot past. Very quick as to show how fast she was now going and she then turned again. Pushing her wings up. Not losing that pattern. Not too quick. Not enough to destroy the cloud but to do something else that now was set in motion just like it did when she first pulled off this move. A move I did so well but… now I got a partner for it. Her body spiraling back down and up again. Changing the course of her wings nearly every second and beating well enough to make enough wind to spiral with her.

“What are we doing?” she heard Blight call out. Soul had to look to be sure she was still keeping up with her. Any change would ruin it. Oh, I’m stupid. Of course Blight is with me still. Still able to keep her wings so very close to Soul’s. Keeping up. But she looked so nervous. Doing something like this really was not like what she was used to when flying. A good experience for her then. “You’ll see!”

How many rotations had they done? Twenty? No, it was twenty-four. No way to tell how it looked on the outside. Taking a lot of rotations to make it work and at much higher speeds. Maybe the addition of a second Pegasus had a better effect on it. No way of telling. Just need to keep it up. Turn over and over inside this cloud. Completely enthralled with the feeling of freefall that came upon her with how so very fast she was going. Looks like it’s good to fly up out of this. All it took was one little turn of her wings.

The Sun shone down upon her. Blasting out from the cloud. Free of the darkness and out into the vast and open sky once more. Hope it went well. We circled around a lot in there. It needs to go well. Blight might be unimpressed if it doesn’t. Wasting her time.

“Astonishing” she heard Blight say next to her. Her dragon eyes looking back at where they had been and drawing Soul to look as well to make sure they did it right. …And we did. Soul smiled with Blight laughing, both of them seeing their work taken form as what was left of the dark cloud spinning out of control behind them. Its surface coiling and circling like a funnel centering around an opening both pegasi had emerged from. Spinning violently to send sheets of its cottony surface jetting out in every direction with no rhyme or reason to their paths. Some of those pieces even spun themselves. All a part of the cloud tearing itself to pieces to a point where it was no more. Awesome! And that cloud was bigger than normal. Always keeping the skies over the mountains so clear for training.

“That was incredible” Blight yelled with a smile. She enjoyed it! I guess I am doing a good job. “Am I a great weather Pegasus or what?” Soul smirked. Sure as hell gets the job done. Forget busting them like those real weather pegasi do.

6.17
Levelled out now and back in the free air of the sky, Soul blasted off forwards in the direction of the mountains looming high and tall far ahead. Going so fast now but it was so easy to go this fast. I can feel all that momentum. Damn we flew so hard in that cloud. Enough momentum for some real fun as Soul spotted the next set of dark clouds. Coming in right at them so she adjusted her altitude. That seemed good. They had to make their adjustments fast to keep up this speed. But not fast enough… not like normal. No. I can’t see that tear in the sky. Though the cloud closed fast.

Upside down now. Soul beat her right wing very hard, no doubt sending a strong gust against Blight with no effect to her but sending Soul off to curve upwards off to the side. Bending her body and wings to glide herself onwards. Blight doing the same. Turning, and Soul’s entire world spun around, and stayed that way. With that funny feeling now setting in. Looking up to find the snowy ground above her and the sky below her. It really did feel weird up till one got used to it. Then it was fun flying upside down. Seeing how Blight was reacting, with her mane and ears pulled down to the ground below, she was frightened. Not at all used to something like this. Oh will she love it in the end. They both kept themselves fixated on the incoming cloud. Coming at them like it were below them. Sure hope my student isn’t feeling nervous by now. This type of flying is nothing. But I’m not gonna leave her worried. I know better.

We are going the right speed. Right direction. They’d be high enough and it will feel great. Then the entire land below them turned grey. Just like Soul planned. Feeling the soft touch of the cloud tingling the tips of her ears reaching down to it. So gentle and subtle it could easily be missed. But she felt it and heard the soft emptiness of a world within those soft poofs of cloud with no intense wind or snowfall to ruin it like it did deep within these clouds. Nope, she could just lay back and feel her ears cut the surface of the cloud. So close. Its bulk passing by fast and always a wondrous experience. Like the sky itself had changed to nothing but a cloud. If only Blight could touch it as well. Maybe she would like the feeling of it tingling her ears. But she just flew there next to her. Eyes just glued down ono it. She better be paying attention still or she will miss this.

The edge of the cloud came up and Soul reacted immediately. Letting her wings quit their glide and pushing the wind up from her. Turning like she did as a filly. Skidding right along the side of the cloud, going downwards. Careening to the ground below with the darkness continuing to scrape at her ears. Soulblight doing just as she asked earlier. Coming down with her and then turning again in unison to bring themselves upright under the cloud with a huge burst of speed coming along with them. The feeling came in. That thrill of going super fast. Exactly like I like it. Lots of speed from that freefall. Fast enough to pass by the underside of the cloud quicker than they had done going over it. Clearing its shadow to fly out into the sunlight. Space Soul used to glide herself up.

6.18
Rocketing straight up into the sky. Steep and fast. A great angle that would give them one hell of a ride. Blasting right up to the Sun above. Tearing apart the thin layers of cloud and mist with all that great speed building up to this point when the wind rushed down right into Soul’s face. I never hate the cold air when I do this. Times like this, I love it. Flying in it. I really love it. A cool and gentle kiss to her face making her ears flop against her head and her mane blow wildly in front of her. Feeling how much pressure was on her wings to try and force her back down and knowing how much she loved this thrill only helps pull this all off. Hearing her wings flap rapidly. Cancelling out to glide for a second before resuming. In pace with the thunderous flaps of Blight’s wings alongside the pants of her flight buddy. Even Soul’s own heart raced a bit.

Welcome to my new sky. A much colder, but gentle place.

One final spin. Letting the Sun warm her belly and the world turned around once more. Turning to face the white paleness of the plains below them. Far below. So far that the houses were the specks they should be at heights like this. Down below ready to welcome her back to the earth. She beat her wings once and let all her speed take over.

Coming down hard. Feeling something like she did when flying at incredible speeds. Speeds like this, always able to fly such massive distances in seconds with it. Just let her momentum carry her with her wings outstretched to guide her in. Coming in fast like the houses that grew. A true and total freefall. Oh Celestia, I love it! This feeling! Like my stomach is going into my throat. I love it so much. So fast that the oncoming wind could not even let her turn her head to see how Blight was doing. But that was what was fun about this. An experience few pegasi could have. To go so fast and feel so free at the same time. Free of the burden of working to achieve this and knowing that the beloved sky itself that all pegasi cherished was there to cradle them in their descent. A feeling I love getting out here. All the wind churning around her. Like a funnel itself that she fell through. Plummeting right down it to the welcoming Earth from the heavens she loved. Coming in very quick.

All of it a total thrill. Her heart beat furiously.

6.19
…And stop.

Soul brought her wings back to life. Turning them into an angle that let their entire widths shadow the ground flying at her. One great and final beat of her wings lashing down to the snow below. Feeling all the wind left in her wake rush past her body like a shower of water. Thundering so loud. It cracked in her ears.

Coming down fast while she screeched to a halt with hooves just above the snow. Snow that was sent flying. Wind howling and blasting in every direction underneath her exactly like her wings themselves made an explosion that drilled itself down into the snow. The beauty of nature. All the snow in sheets of white blasting out all around from the force. All it left was a huge crater in the snow beneath her. Ringed by mounds of snow built up by the flurries still flying about all around her.

Such a sudden stop. I really was going pretty fast. Haha! I love it. It’s like I’m a kid again. So fun! I always missed times like this.

6.20
A second explosion rang.

New streaks of light blasting over the wind and sending all the snow flying. All the mounds she created. Becoming but wisps in the wind to disappear together in a torrent of black.

Darkness everywhere. Soul flew up. Oh shit! Just missing all that black mist coming over the snow below her. Like the entire land was shrouded in darkness. What is… Soul looked over. Hearing it.

Blight hung there next to her. Surrounded in that darkness. Where all the darkness kept her floating. Churning and weaving around her… her trembling wings. The Pegasus hanging there… shaking in fear. Staring down at the ground. Is she… oh no.

That darkness split apart. Cast away into endless wisps of glimmering cinders to die across the snow. All of it dispersing so as to allow the Pegasus who summoned it to land safely in the snow with wings held aloft. Stuck in place high above her head. Their feathers swaying not from wind but from how violently her entire body shook. How terrified she really was. Soul was silent, landing next to her.

Her flight buddy held her eyes wide and staring past Soul. Panting so hard. Exhausted. But… all Soul could see was her dragon eyes pulsing. How bad her body was shaking. So timid looking and struck. No more fun, no. Soul felt her spirits plummet. Seeing Blight like this. Something was so wrong, and I think I know what it is.

The move we just did. So lost in how great it felt. Pulling off speeds and pulling off a trick that any stunt Pegasus loved to do. Soulblight was no stunt Pegasus, though.

We were going so fast and… I made her do something so dangerous. Fall right down at the ground at that speed… shit. My flight buddy is terrified.

Soul offered a hoof to her. “Blight, …I’m…” She received a shake of her head in return. Blight cutting her right off. “Oh no, …I-I-I’m okay.” Saying that with a shaky voice. Her body continuing to give off how absolutely terrifying that stunt really was to a beginner. Not at all easing Soul from what she just did to her. I was so focused on how much fun it was for me… I didn’t even think about her. So quickly at that. I really am a terrible friend to her. Soul remained speechless.

“I messed up.”

Soul looked right up at Blight. What? Blight thinks that was her fault? How the hell… no way. “I-I should not have used magic. I’m sorry, please forgive me” Blight pleaded of her. The magic she used to save her landing? That was not a problem. Soul shook her head. “Blight, …I’m sorry.” Come on, I need to say something. Something that will ease her. Why can’t I think of anything? No, her mouth just trembled. As bad as Blight’s body shook.

I messed up. I should not have made you do that. Please forgive me for forgetting how you may have felt. Say those to her! But her tongue curled in on itself. Terrified that she just hurt this pony again. Please no, did I just break her trust? What can I say? Soulblight broke that concentration with a whiff of air brushing against Soul’s cheek when her student walked past her. Head low, wings still raised. Passing with her tail twitching behind her.

What? She was leaving. Her path heading off in the direction of the village still visible in the far-off distance.

She had to be angry. Angry at me. Not again. I didn’t do this on purpose, I just lost control and forgot. Soul cursed her learning gap with Blight. Why does everything we do always end like this? Always. And it’s always because of something I do. Not again. Not another pony to walk away from me. Blight may as well just tell me right here that she hates me.

No, I never want that to happen again.

6.21
“Wait!” Soul called after. Kicking her hooves right after the black Pegasus. Sending snow flying behind her, not even allowing time for her wings to fold up. Their lengths cutting the snowflakes that she passed. Catching up to her student who stopped her walk but still did not turn to face how sorry Soul was. “Don’t go.” Soul rubbed one of her hooves over her foreleg. Trying her best to look over past the wings of her student to get a glimpse of her face. Hoping to not see how angry it may be. Grabbing her attention but no words to say. I need to say something. Please. I don’t know how to make this better.

Blight spoke instead. Catching Soul by surprise. “I’m sorry, Soul. I can’t fly the way you do.” Just because she used magic to save herself from something that may be dangerous? Soul thought it all over again. There is no reason to doubt Blight is a good flyer. So what if she could not perform a scary stunt? There was no way.

“That’s not true” Soul finally spoke out against her. “You really impressed me. Keeping up with me and doing all the same moves as I did. You can be a great flyer.” She walked up past Blight’s side. Creeping over to try and see her student. Those glimmering dragon eyes she found hidden behind her wings. “This was the first time you trained with me. It’s tough for any Pegasus.”

“Is that right?” Blight asked softly. Her face turning to gaze over at Soul directly. No longer gripped in fear but a frown beneath eyes caught in sadness. Solemn and longing. Even as she grimaced her face. Leaning in close to Soul. Stepping forward to close the gap, so close that Soul reeled back a step fearing they may bump heads. Blight’s voice became venom. “Perhaps it may have been a different story in the end were I to have the talent for flying. Right?”

W-why did you say it like that? You have talent, just not for flying. At least not right now. I see so much potential in her, even if it isn’t flying. Anything that she may do and show off. …And Blight should know it. She is good at a lot of things.

Blight lowered her wings. So low to touch down to the snow below her. Low enough… that Soul saw it once again. Again… as the black Pegasus turned around and showed it. No longer hiding. Her wings not there to cover it, and the Pegasus glared upon her.

“I know you saw it earlier.” I did see it. Earlier and now. Her eyes stayed on it… but… they shouldn’t. No. Soul looked away. So ashamed of herself. She is so angry at me. I’m sorry. I never knew you felt bad about it. I didn’t mean to stare earlier. At this thing Blight had upon her flank.

A blank flank.

6.22
“Well?” Blight yelled. “You saw it. Now you know I really am as much a freak as you claim.” Shaking her thigh to Soul a few times as if showing it off. Huffing with anger and turning her back on Soul. Eased off from her fright of how angry the Pegasus was just by how her voice slipped off to a whisper. One wrought in pain. “I have no talent. For flying or anything. That’s why I did so bad with you and why I can’t fly with you. Can’t do anything right! And you… such a damn goodie two shoes with your damn cutie mark and all your talent.”

Soul dropped her wings. My cutie mark. Down there on her own flanks that her soft feathers touched. Planted there on her. The day I got them. The day I hurt Blight. Her marks. As black as Blight’s own flanks. As black as that day. You’re wrong, Blight. I have a cutie mark. But… I… what’s the point? What is it when I don’t even know my own talent? My talent seems to be making other ponies mad at me. Like I did with Dash. With Celestia. …Now with you. Again.

I’m so sorry I made you fly with me. I’m so sorry I made you feel like a failure at flying. And I’m the one who gets the cutie mark even when I have no talent myself.

“So yes, I am that freak Pegasus” Blight spat. “One with no talent for anything, …nothing to make you happy.” I guess I deserve her yelling at me. I made her feel this way. Making her feel so bad about herself. No matter how untrue her words were. Because you did make me happy. You really did. And that’s why I can’t stand this.

“Shut up!” Soul yelled. Breaking her silence. No longer wanting to hear Blight’s sadness. Even making Blight jump quick. Soul ran up to her. Standing side by side. Her hoofsteps catching the black mare’s attention. Coming face to face with her instructor. So angry about this. Both ponies so angry at one another. Glaring back at the other. Neither could let it go. But I’m not angry at Blight. I’m so mad but… not at her. I’m made at myself.

6.23
“It’s not like I absolutely want you to be a great flyer!” Soul yelled. “Maybe that’s not your talent. After what you just did…” she pointed back to the craters both pegasi had made. One I made. But one… that huge one. I could never do that. That was done another way.

“And everything I know you can do, …you can be a master wizard or something for all I know. Hell,… a wizard Pegasus. You think that’s not something?” She shook her head. Turning away from those angry dragon eyes. No longer able to stand it. To believe she was making them even angrier. “Damn it, Blight! You’re even great with animals. Spots loves you. You take good care of him.”

“…You take… good care of me. Why do you think you would make me unhappy?”

Everything we went through together. How much we both hurt each other. So much pain. It’s like it’s been burned into my heart now. Years upon years of heartbreak and loneliness. Of failure. Pain. Sadness. All leading up to this day. The past night. That was the one time. The one damned time we both sat down and talked like nothing was wrong. Like nothing had happened. Feeling so much like the first time I met you.

“You made me happy today…” Soul smiled. Bringing all her strength to look back at her companion. Her companion for so many years. Whose anger had subsided. I have no idea why you have no cutie mark. You have so many talents. So many that this Pegasus should be proud of. Her intelligence and skills. Her beauty. I only wish I knew why you had no mark. Because I don’t want you to feel bad about not having one.

I hate seeing you like this.

“You are good at a lot of things. Don’t be sad about it. Hell, …I don’t even know what my talent is.” Soul patted a wing against one of her cutie marks.

“You don’t?” Blight asked of her. “Nope. It just appeared when I was doing nothing. I still don’t know what it means.”

Soulblight smiled. How bright it looked, even under all the black of her fur, so radiant. Soul sighed. See, I’m not so great too. But we both have things to be proud of. Cutie mark or no. It doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is for Blight to feel proud of herself. I hope she does because she is smiling again.

Blight brought her head just short of Soul’s. Looking down but keeping her eyes leveled to gaze out through that long mane. “Do you think I can fly alongside you someday?” “Yes, you will. You already got the wings for it.” She caught a glimpse of those wings fluttering at Blight’s sides like they were happy to hear her kind words. Soulblight laughed. Backing away to give them some space. Her ears fallen to the sides of her head and that beautiful smile never left. As beautiful as those wings. Really, it’s like every part of this mare was beautiful. Even inside her. No matter what, I will still see you as something beautiful.

“I really do like those wings of yours” Soul whispered. “I think they’re pretty.”

A tear fell from Soulblight’s eye.

6.24
Soulblight wiped her face. “I-I’m going to go finish up the house for Spots” she said. That was fine. We’ve done enough for today. It was best for her to rest. Soul accepted it. “Alright. I want to train for a little bit, …how about I pick up Spots as soon as I’m done?” Soul offered. I want to see that cute, little guy again. Blight got to be with him all this time, time for me to join in on it too. I want to help care for him.

“This afternoon?” Soul continued. “I’m fine with that.” Soulblight turned away. Soul still able to get one last glance of that smile before her companion walked off towards the village. Stopping short just a few steps away.

Soulblight whispered behind her long mane. “Why did you want me to fly with you, by the way?”

That was easy to answer. Just a little reason I’ve had for so long now. It had nothing to do with training at all.

“Because I wanted you to have fun with me.”

Blight didn’t turn to look at her. Soul saw no reaction. Not seeing Blight’s face again but anypony could tell, like Soul could, Blight was happy. Finally, we got to have fun together after so long. I… I actually made her happy. Blight didn’t need to say a thing. I can tell. The black Pegasus flapped her wings. Flying off.

And I’d love to have fun with you again.

6.25
I really should get to training. How long has it been? Even though I know I need to get back at it. Spending hours sitting on the mountain to watch out over the vast crater. Not lifting a wing since she got here. I just can’t stop thinking about today. Always getting in the way. No, not today. I just don’t feel like training.

It never really came to her this whole time. Just wanting to wait the day out, looking back at what had happened. Blight is something else. She really is. I… I only wish I had asked her to spend more time with me. Not for training or high-speed maneuvers. None of that, but just to fly. A gift she continued to think may be something that Blight could have as a talent. It wasn’t impossible. Her coordination and reactions were amazing. She flies well. Well enough that I want us to fly a lot more together. Besides… I can’t get it out of my mind. I really want to find out what her true talent is. Soul hoped it was flying. Something involving it. Something that the Pegasus failed to realize in her life. I really want to help her figure out what her talent is. Do something nice for that pony who has spent so long taking care of me. What better way to help that mare with that problem than for her to discover what beautiful mark could be upon her flank? Something to lift her spirits. I guess that has been on her mind for so long now. I never knew she was a blank flank. I don’t even know how long it may have been upsetting Blight. And all I could do was compliment her on how great she is.

But that isn’t enough. You and I really are the same. We both are so good at certain things but we never feel proud. Here I am with an actual mark and you have none. I’m so ashamed I ignored you for so long. I even called you a freak. Oh how terrible of me. After this passing night, this day. I see her nothing close to a freak. Even if you are an adult with no cutie mark. You are no freak. You are a gorgeous mare with so many talents. I only wish I could be like you. Really… Soul stroked her long mane. I want to be just as pretty as you. Just as great.

6.26
I think you are so great. And… do you think the same of me? I remember all the nice things you used to say to me. How kind and caring you were… and you still are. Do you think I’m great too? Good enough to want to play with me? Because I want to keep playing. I want to be with you. Tonight. With Spots. All three of us together. Then the next day, and the day after. Even after Spots was grown up and could go out on his own. When Soul was finally strong enough, and both pegasi could fly out of here together. Returning to Equestria to spend days under the warm Sun in a familiar land filled with ponies. All those days I want to be with you. All the time I want to spend with you.

I will find some way to make it all possible. It is my turn to make things a little easier for Blight. For the pony who helped me make it this far in this wasteland.

Who saved me from myself.

I owe her that much. There was a way out, and all I need to do is keep on practicing. Just go back to training for a little bit. Not too much, that was something to do for tomorrow and not at all anything she looked forward to. I’d rather spend all night and tomorrow playing with Blight and Spots. It was so exciting. Nothing at all she imagined in the recent past. How great for Blight to love animals just like I do. Better reason to get the training done fast. Get out of here and go find that little fawn. Play games with him. If he’s good, I may even let him ride on my back. I’m sure Blight would be able to protect him just in case, but I’m sure I won’t let him fall off. After all, I’m not the filly I used to be. I’m a mare now and… I am damn good at flying.

How I would love to sleep in the bed that Blight has tonight as well. I bet I can get Spots to sleep with me. I’d love that so much! Wow, I really am such a sucker for cuties. The only thing missing would be Blight. Soul did like the idea of sleeping with Spots. Yet, …what if…

No… that’s kind of weird, isn’t it? I don’t know why I’m thinking that. Just… how I… held Dashie long ago In bed.

What if… Blight did that for me?

No more nightmares. No more loneliness. I… I want it, actually.

I should get to training. Because I sure as hell want to go home soon.

6.27
She stood back up, giving her legs a much-needed stretch after staying still for too long. No chafing in her wings. Not sore at all after all the stress from yesterday. Good, means there is nothing in my way of getting this done quickly. Then she may blast off to where Spots hid and surprise Blight by giving them a long evening of fun. All I need to do… is try out my old trick. It being her whole purpose for coming to the mountain in the first place.

So high up in the sky. Higher than earlier.

Blight, thank you for letting me fly with you. Our little flight… it gave me a good sign of how to do this. This time, I’ll do it so much higher. More height, more speed.

She looked up into the sky. So high up there, like when I was a filly. I… still know how to do it. Exactly like you showed me, Nimbus. The best way to get your speed going. Well, how about more than that?

“A dive is the best way to gain your speed.” That’s what Nimbus taught. Enough speed to give you the momentum for any stunt or series of tricks you wanted. And I always pulled it off perfect. How the wind would crack. Feeling all the pressure on me. Falling and falling from the skies above, and I always was so fast. So tell me, Nimbus, wherever you are. How do you think I can do now… with these?

Soul let loose her massive wings. Reaching high for the sky. All those hundreds of feathers fluttering so delicately in the wind. Blistering in the layers of muscles that years of work had created. Wings unlike any other. And it is true.

Nimbus, I used to always be so jealous of how great your wings were. I remember it. How they looked. Such lonely golden wings glittering in the Sun. Larger than even you were. Well-tended and tough. Strong enough to pull of any stunt. Wings that befit a master flyer like you were. So jealous of them, and I was so jealous of Blight’s wings too. But… let’s face it. Soul smirked.

I’ve put so many years into these wings. I took every technique and lesson you taught me, and I perfected them on my own out here. I had nopony left to help me. I did it all alone. Every day, I was left exhausted and aching. My wings were always in pain. I never gave them a break and always made it harder on myself because that is exactly how you would have trained me. I’m no longer that little girl anymore. No, Nimbus. I’m a mare now. I’m the woman I wanted to become. And now I have the wings… unlike any other. Flying is nothing to me now. No effort. No worry. No fear. When I fly, it’s like the entire world is nothing.

It’s why I believe I can do it now. I can do the unimaginable. That no other Pegasus can do. No matter how much practice it will take, I will reach a speed that no other can reach. Ever again. Because it is all for one simple reason.

Nimbus. Your training. Everything you told me. All the effort you put in from me. I never forgot it. And I still… love… you for it. So much that I did all this for you. These great wings I have now. I did it for everything you taught me. But most importantly, I did it… for what you gave me. A life to look forward to back home. I will fly into the sky… and I will reach a speed that no Pegasus can dream of. No matter how long it takes. I will do it.

Soul wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled. I really have become one with the sky now. I see what it is you tried to teach me. And I will go so fast that no storm can stop me. Like busting through the clouds, I will destroy all those storms. All by myself. Because that’s how it is. It’s all up to me to make it all right, and I will do it for the ponies that I love. Do it no matter how many times it takes, and the day will come when all three of us are together. Out there, beyond this world. Dashie… Soulblight, and me. Laughing together in the warm skies above Equestria.

Three pegasi as best friends.

I’ll make it happen. Soul soared into the clouds above.

6.28
I know I told Soul she would get to take Spots home but… I just can’t help it. I really want to see him right now. I’ll just stay here with him and keep him company until Soul arrives. Oh the look on her face when she arrives to see me waiting. After all, I know Soul wants to be the one to take him home. I’ll let her carry him. But, in truth, Blight wanted to do that too. Curse these legs that could not touch anything. But I think it will still be nice to spend more time with both of them. Ease the night away with them in my house. Under the glow of the many candles she left lit for house guests tonight. Even making a whole new layer of blankets of the exact make she did with the one she gifted for Spots and laying them neatly across the bed.

I can’t help but imagine it. It all sounds so nice. Making her giddy just thinking about it as she flew in towards the cave. I already know what Soul wants to do tonight. She wants to sleep with Spots. Haha, of course. It sounds so beautiful. Both of them sleeping so peacefully. I want to join them too. Maybe take turns holding Spots in my hooves. Keep him warm and cozy.

Again, impossible.

She sighed in disbelief. Soul gets that honor. But… it’s okay. Because I got something amazing today all thanks to Soul and what she did. Spots needed to know. I want to tell him everything we did this morning. Pass the time telling him stories until Soul arrived. Tell him that Soul was definitely not the Pegasus I’ve been saying such bad things about. Regretting every terrible word she spoke of her. Painting a picture of a cruel and unforgiving Pegasus for Spots. The fawn must have seen how wrong that all was when Soul cared for him so well last night, and he saw how wrong Blight had been. So very wrong.

6.29
She almost missed sight of the opening in the snow below her. Caught in time for her to make the quick adjustment to her flight and landing just outside the opening. Her wings settling and folding back up against her sides. The wings Blight felt more care for than ever before. Only because… hehe… they’re pretty. Blight… she blushed.

Oh Soul, you sap. I didn’t expect you to say that to me. I… I love to know that. I do spend a lot of time caring for them. I’m glad you appreciate them.

These wings, hehe, I don’t need to care for them. I honestly don’t care much for them. After all…

They aren’t my wings.

But… a Pegasus can make herself feel pretty every now and then, right? Her being pretty enough to get a compliment. Being wanted enough to be asked to spend time with another. It gives me hope.

Soul, she really is not like the others.

It made her smile so much. I have to tell him. Let Spots know everything I said was wrong. Soul was a kind pony. She was so nice. Maybe I do have a talent for animals. Like Soul said. I do care for Spots so well. Just like I really am his mother. He loves me and appreciates me just as much as Soul does. I find myself caring for both of them. I want that to keep going.

She lowered her head to crouch in through the narrow opening and into the dark cave within. Stepping in without a sound. Hoping not to scare Spots with how silent she was, she whispered “Spots, mommy’s here.” She listened. Perking her ears back up to their maximum. Hearing the soft drops of water in the cave, the wind outside. …A thunderous burst in the distance. Far off. Possibly the storms far beyond the comfort of these snowy plains. Unfortunately, she heard nothing else in here. She heard nothing at all. Just the drone of that thunder far outside. The rush of wind splitting the air all across the land.

Pretty loud thunder.

He must be sleeping. Such a silent little sleeper. He doesn’t even snore. I never even hear a murmur from him when he sleeps.

6.30
Blight turned the corner to where she left the little alcove for Spots to sleep in. His box placed gently against the rocky wall with all his blankets stacked up inside in a neat and sizeable space for him. Topped by the purple, heart covered blanket she made just for him. I have more beautiful ones at home just for him. All made from her inspiring moments of the morning.

Oh, he was sleeping. Such a cute little guy. She spotted the bulge in the blanket. Looks like he has been tossing in his sleep again. He may be a quiet sleeper, but not a still one.

“Spots. Wakey, wakey.” Blight crawled in low enough to avoid the ceiling. Moving onto his blankets, careful to avoid getting too close to where he slept. Not wanting to fall into him. Yet her magic instead went over the blankets. Coming over the entire bulge in the blanket. “I got our house all ready. You don’t need to sleep in this cold place anymore.” No more. We can all be a family together now. One with plenty of love to share. No more hatred or loneliness for anypony.

No more hatred from Soul.

It was almost too good to be true. So good that I actually cried after Soul and I parted this morning. It’s been so long, I missed feeling Soul cared for me. I… I want to give something back for her. Her and Spots. Because they both deserve it, and… I honestly feel I deserve it too now. Things really have changed.

She pulled the blanket back eager to tell him about all this. Removing the covers to find his little ears twitching underneath. She saw it, but her eyes froze…

From what she would have seen.

6.31
Spots?

He… he had been here. We left him here all wrapped up. I know we did.

She moved the blanket up and over, tossing it aside with a loud smack of it hitting the cold, hard wall with such force. Caring not at all of whatever may happen to the blanket she worked to make. It was useless. As useless as everything else in here. Get out of my way! Blight slammed the box over with a burst of magic. Tossing aside all the blankets and pillows. Frantically looking all over it.

It was impossible. No way he could be gone. No way.

She looked all over the blankets again and then behind her. All around the cave. “No. No. No.” Another blanket went flying. He must be somewhere in here. She readied her ears again, trying to catch any sound. Hiding somewhere. That must be it. He was playing. He’s got to be. Because… he wouldn’t want to make his mommy so scared… hehe. Don’t do it.

This box, damn thing, get out of my way! It flew off with another blast of black magic. Crumpling it against the wall. Sending the remains of his strawberries flying from the wind.

He was not here. Not in the bed. I… I…

I can’t even hear him. I’m the only one here.

Blight turned around back to face the entrance of the cave. Out in the sunlit world beyond it. “Spots!” She took one final look all around the cave. No, please no. I hate this feeling. Spots! Stop it, you’re scaring me. Her heart beating so hard she felt it like a swarm of butterflies deep within. I told him to stay in here where it’s safe. He never attempted to leave before… before…

I healed his leg.

He ran off.

6.32
She ran right back out to the entrance of the cave. Stopping short upon entering the sunlight. Staring out at the endless horizon of snow packed with waves of tight pockets of snow curling in droves all about within the sheets that came down. He can’t be out here. He’s just a baby. Nopony with him. Too cold for him, too empty. Nothing for him.

“Spots!” she screamed. Her echo carried on with the wind. Heard by her ears, still tracking everywhere. She focused as hard as she could manage. As far as she knew possible. Taking note of everything. I hear it all. I hear Soul out there flying. I hear the ponies beyond. Even further beyond that. I hear everything out here. But I don’t hear you. I should hear you. Where did you go? Why did you leave? Why…

Blight sniffled. Why are you making me cry?

Not again. Please not again. I never wanted this to happen again. Please. She looked all around. Unable to even breathe anymore. I don’t want this again. Please, Spots. Don’t leave me… like everypony does.

“SPOOOOOTTTTTSSSSSS!”

Her voice rang out upon the land. So loud. Blight’s throat stung. Ceasing her scream only when the pain in her throat grew too much to bare. Only able to whisper… and cry.

“Come back… to mommy.”

Her legs gave out. Her entire body giving out. She collapsed to the ground. Not even stopping herself. Only letting herself do one thing. She cried. Cried behind her long, black mane draping against her face.

Spots. Where are you? You… you left me. Don’t you see? Don’t you see what this is doing to me? H-how pathetic I look. I know you are out there. You have to be. See how pathetic I am. Please come back… take pity on me. She couldn’t stop crying into the snow. Leaving her wings and legs set aside. She managed to find the strength to even push her mane off her nose with a careful swipe. Freeing herself to see again. See something… right in front of her, in between her legs left sprawled on the ground.

Tracks.

A clean stride in the snow.

Blight jumped back up. Tracks! They must be from him. Follow it. Yes! Bringing her attention back to the entrance of the cave where she found the tracks started. Little dots pressed into the snow. Shaped like a few small dots around a larger one, arranged together to form a track she saw belonged to four legs. …And another.

…Another.

More.

Many, many tracks from the cave. All together. So many of them… Blight was silent. Staring at them all. All these prints… the exact same. What? All of them going out into the snow beyond. Disappearing out there in the wall of snow that shrouded the land.

“What?” She looked back down at the closest tracks. So many. Who made all these? All the same tracks. Are these even Spots’ tracks? I… I wish I knew. I never took the time to look at his hooves. I didn’t think I needed to. I wish I had. To tell which of these are his.

He did leave, he was gone. Left with others. Others… like him.

They came back for you. Spots… you went back to… your parents. Your family.

And right when you could walk again. All thanks to me. You left… right after we left you. Reuniting with the ones he loved. …The ones… “Who deserve his love.”

So that’s how it is? Is it? Wow. I never saw it before. But, it’s clear as day now. You leave me now. After all I did. Blight grinned.

I see now. Hahaha. “Hehehe.” I feel it. Like… I’m being bitten all over. Her tail twitching to strike at her buttocks, making her nose flare each time. Staring down upon those tracks. Not even blinking. This is what you leave me? You leave me feeling like this? And now I see that…

I am a “complete fool.”

6.33
Oh… how lovely. How great. She hissed. I want to get rid of it all. I want it all burned away. Burn away the lies that I was taught to believe in. Let it all go away in a sea of red. One so deep she saw it in her eyes. Turning back to do just that. Looking upon the entrance to the cave.

We spent so much time together in there. I was the only one who cared for you. You were the one who made me feel special. And now what? You leave me like this. I want it all gone. Taking the steps towards the cave’s entrance, and yet… she cried. Even with so much anger burning in her. Feeling it all rising back up after so long of it being gone. So very sad. Like… like I can feel my heart ripping. I don’t want this at all.

Not Spots. Not anypony else. I was abandoned.

She stopped in her tracks.

I don’t want to see it again. Crying so hard. I don’t want to be so sad. I don’t want to see it. …My… my gift for him. That beautiful blanket I made for him. Just for him. Even if it were to burn, just seeing it… I can’t. I don’t want to see it. Any of it. No more reminders of it all. No more. Another who would rather leave me than love me. You are no different. No different than all the pain inside me that it’s like a damn scar in my heart. I feel it writhing. All those scars… you are just another. You would rather be another to make me feel this way again. Alone.

I was not good enough… for him. He did not even see fit to say goodbye to me.

So yyou go back to you parents and your family and leave me like this!? This is how I’m repaid? You get what you want from me and then leave. And that is all that ever happens to me. I hate it. Giving so much. Wanting others to feel happy and getting nothing but hate in return. They pretend to like me. Such an insult. So very insulting.

You should not have given him the opportunity.

Why was that right? It was always right. No matter how much I hate to hear such things. How much I want to ignore it. Everything that made the past so difficult to deal with… and it was always right in the end. I am always wrong. I’m tired of being wrong all the time.

Why did he have to leave? Why must all leave me? Will Soul leave me?

Yes.

6.34
Please don’t leave me.

I don’t want my last friend to leave. Not again. You are my friend, right? I don’t want to be alone again. You’re out there in the snow, right? Training. You’re the last pony I can rely on. You want to be my friend? Right?!

Or… is it just because… of all that I do for you?

I always am just something to be used. No matter how nice I am, it never pays off. I never got what I wanted. Soul… that Pegasus, she is just like Spots. Everything that happened today. Just like now. You only did it because you miss your precious Dashie. That little bitch.

That’s all. Nothing more. Nothing to expect from you. And it will all happen again when I have nothing left to give. You will leave me too, and all I will have left is darkness once again.

“Spots… I love you” she whimpered. “I love you, …Soul.” She shook her head. “Why do you all not love me?”

Blight looked away from the cave. Not wanting to ever see it again. Walking away from it all with nothing left. Her mind a blank. All that there was left was sadness. As empty as this entire world. Crying endlessly.

These tears. The same ones I cried for so many… countless years… in the dark. Again.

You don’t deserve them.

6.35
The Sun had gone down quite a bit. Still hanging high though. At least it’s not too late right now. That was very good. Thank Celestia. I was scared I overdid it on the training. Just a few more tries. Oh… how many times did I tell myself that? Then a few more turned into so many more. Then dozens. I did it over and over again.

And I can’t be any happier with myself.

I did it for you, Nimbus. I hope you are proud of me. Because I am so proud. How much I improved. I just know I can do it now. Just need to keep practicing it and, soon, I will reach it. Hehe, I can’t believe how fast I’ve gotten.

She could still hear the ringing in her ears over the harsh wind coming in now. Loud but still able to hear. That move really was a pain to practice. Not bad enough to keep her grounded. Her wings felt better than ever. Stronger even after yesterday. I still feel so raring to go. Flying off in the direction she remembered her and Blight spent the night together with that cute fawn. This should be the right way.

I just know Blight will be happy to see that I kept my promise. Come home with Spots just as she said she would and not at all too late. Enough time to let Blight finish up the house, make it ready for their ‘little baby’ as Soul grew more fond of wanting to call him. Going over the hill lines as quick as possible without making too much of the thunderous noise she had quite enough of today, she neared the location she remembered. Easily missed by many ponies no doubt, but not her. Able to spot the tiny rising of rock where the cave’s entrance was all the way out here. Picking up a little more speed. Keeping her wings quiet as well. No need to scare him. Keep it steady. Making her wings slow down a bit when she came right up to the point she saw the entrance clearly.

A lot of snow sure has built up around here over the day. Deeper piles of it sat atop the rocks making up the entrance. She landed on that snow. Shuffling her hooves quickly and making bursts of the snow skitter away with the force of her landing. Not too loud. Not loud at all. Soul was happy with her good landing and hopeful she did not surprise him with that.

6.36
Right over the entrance, she looked down in there. Lowering her head. Low enough to not bang right into the rocks over the entrance. Looking into the dark cave within, no sign of Spots. Damn. I was hoping her would be there to see ol’ auntie Soul waiting for him. I imagined him being so excited. Welp, that’s not happening. Guess I got to go get him. If he was not roaming about the cave, he must be in the back alcove Blight made his bed in. Still sleeping. He had been up all night. Time to wake the poor thing up.

Soul dropped down from above and landed on the rocks at the foot of the entrance. Creeping in on the tips of her hooves as silent as could be while keeping her wings and head tucked in so as not to strike any of the rocks decorating the cave. “Spots” she whispered to let him know she meant no harm when she rounded the corner. “Auntie Soul is here. You wanna ride to your new home with me?” How exciting! We all get to have a new home now. I just know Blight will be happy that I want to help her take care of him. Even more happy when she hears the news that I might have a way to get us both out of this place soon. That will be a truly happy day.

She went around the corner. Finding right where they left Spots. Except… why was his bed destroyed?

All the blankets, old and ugly, the beautiful one with the hearts as well, all tossed asunder. One left draped against a rising in the rocks. Many others resting about at the feet of the walls. But it was his box that left Soul wondering. Flipped over and crumpled a little on the ground. …And no Spots. He… isn’t here.

“Spots” she called out. Looking back behind her and all around the cave. Wandering to and fro to check every part of this cave. Where is he hiding? Behind the rocks, under the blankets, nothing at all. Oh no. This… she looked back all around her. This whole place is destroyed. Did… did something bad happen?

No, that could not be it. It can’t be. There is nothing here. Maybe… maybe he just made a big mess of his bed. Or he was a very feisty deer and played around with his blankets. Yeah, that had to be it. He is a playful guy. Still likely having so much energy in him being a baby and all.

…But where is he?

He’s not here.

Did she…

6.37
“Damn it, Blight.” Did she really come and pick him up? I was the one who was supposed to do that for her. I want to help too. Anything to show I have her back and she can rely on me. Did she really just steal that from me? Now she had to think of something else. I got to think of something new to do for her. Maybe… maybe food? Why not? I can go search for any plants that Spots would like. Let Blight take care of him while I do the hard part. Yeah! I got killer eyes and speed. I’m sure I can find something even if I have to dig up all the snow in this land. Anything to show Blight that I am a good friend. Something that she can praise me for.

Why did Blight have to make this harder for me? Like it was some kind of test.

Soul reeled around and scampered out the cave, nearly bumping her head into the against the low lying rocks. “Damn it” she said one more time before taking flight. Blasting away with such a strong flap of her wings. So low she saw the snow on the ground sent flying underneath her. Clearing the hills and taking but a measly few seconds to clear the distance between the cave and the village. Right upon the houses she came to know now… except… something was wrong.

6.38
She landed right between the houses. Staying there… staring.

What is this? I feel… weird. Something isn’t right here. Like… it’s kind of like… Soul looked all about the village. All across the houses. These homes where the wind flew over and churned the snow. Yet… it was heavy. That’s how it felt. Such a heavy feeling out here in the air.

The entire village was quiet. So quiet.

I… I never noticed how eerie this place can be. Weird. The way the wind blew over right now, going over her ears and stroking her mane, barely any noise to it at all. A mere whisper. Whispers going over and around every house. Chilling. Haunting her. Making Soul tuck her wings tightly against her. Covering her back and sides up in those huge feathers. Striding slowly towards the entrance of Blight’s house.

This was too weird. Everywhere she looked, the village felt so… off. Like… just the way this feels, it’s like I’ve never been here before. Like I’m being watched.

I’m being watched.

Soul looked back. Nothing.

I swear, like somepony is behind me. Like I’m… I’m afraid. It’s…

That’s what it is. Soul stared down at the snow she stood on. This deep and cold snow. Lifting her hoof up and watching the snow fall from it. This terrible feeling. It’s just like how the crater feels. I can never get used to it. Even when I train. That was it. It’s so strong. She looked back up to the house in front of her. So strange. Does Blight know what’s going on? I need to ask her.

Soul stepped up to stand before the door. Gently tapping a hoof against it several times. Just a tap? Soul smacked the door now. Why was I being so afraid just to knock?. Don’t be so afraid. This is our village. Blight and Spots are in there waiting for me. Waiting to have lots of fun. Enjoy the rest of the day together. With my new friends. All three of us together in a new home. Like a family.

6.39
“Blight?” she asked knocking the door a little louder. “I’m back.” No answer. Is she even here? Maybe clearing away one of the other houses or playing with Spots out in the plains. No, I know I would have noticed her. Everything being much too quiet. Maybe they were resting. Spots sleeping in there after a long night and Blight must be frustrated that I’m… I’m banging on the door. That shut her up.

Soul grabbed hold of the knob with both hooves and pushed the door open. There was Blight’s house. Much the same as when she saw it yesterday. Not any different actually. Did Blight even do anything? None of the candles were even lit. Actually it’s so dark in here. Kind of creepy when she stepped inside. But… she looked in and saw…

Soulblight!

Except… it was her back. The black of her fur rising and lowering with each breath she made. Her face hidden with those beautiful wings of hers raised high like she was ready to take flight. An odd thing for her to do while sitting. Sitting in the center of the room between the table and the bed. Making not a sound. Not a move. But I can hear her breathing.

Soul waited. Is she okay? Blight? Soul cocked her head. She isn’t even turning around. Not even when Soul placed a hoof down upon the floor and heard the boards creak beneath the carpet. Soul spoke out. “I… finished my training. We got the whole rest of the day together.” Soul smiled. Smiled but… I… I feel so weird now.

There was something wrong. Blight did not move. Didn’t even speak in response. Nothing. Is she ignoring me? I didn’t do anything. Did I? Maybe she’s busy. Oh no. I hope I didn’t wake him. Her knocking must have woken the fawn up, …now Blight must be mad. Maybe trying to put Spots back to sleep, holding him behind those vast wings the mare had out.

Soul wanted to see. She stepped forward a little. Eager to see the sight of that precious fawn lulled back to sleep. I need to help as well. I can try to sing to him. Yeah. Or something. I don’t know.

“Is Spots here?”

6.40
She stopped. Blight moved. Her ear, …it twitched. Just once right as she asked that. Soul raised her ears. Blight?

Soul widened her eyes. Is that…? I hear her. I hear it. That little sound behind those big, black wings. Crying.

Soulblight was crying.

What did I do? Soul looked around. At the bed, over at the furniture. The house was empty. Empty. Is…? Spots? He’s not here.

“Blight…” Soul whispered. Nearing her head over towards Blight. Not moving at all, keeping her distance. Because now… she felt it. Afraid of something. Not of the feelings of terror building back up over her, but of what she saw at the cave. Of Blight sitting here crying. It made her legs shake. “Where is Spots?” Blight’s wings twitched. Soul’s eyes jumping immediately to them when they did. What is…

“He’s gone” Blight said softly from behind her wings. “He decided to leave me.”

What?! He’s gone? When did that happen? I… Soul shook her head. No way. Spots had no reason to leave. He has both of us to play with and look out for him. He has no reason to leave. “What… wh…” Soul lost her train of thought. All the feelings of grief coming. Spots could not be gone. She looked down. He can’t. Did Blight even look for him? No, don’t ask that. Stupid. Of course she did. Blight likes that fawn as much as I do. No, she likes him even more than me. Caring for him. Seeing herself as his mother. All the mess back at the cave. That must have been Blight. Looking for him. Running out and looking all over. Now here she is, crying in front of me. So silently. Soul wanted to cry too but couldn’t manage it. I’m not sad. I’m… so angry. At myself.

I should have been able to spot the little guy. I should have gone out looking for him myself. This is all my fault. Damn it. If only…

If only I had not taken so much time training.

I could have caught him before he left. Stupid, stupid idiot. Once again, I failed again. No. Please, no. Don’t tell me I failed Blight again. I made her sad again. No. I can’t let this happen. I’m going back out there and finding him. That will work. Soul did not care about anything else. Run out there and fly. Fly until I can’t fly anymore. Search everywhere.

She motioned herself to do that, prepared to run outside. Stopped short when she heard the voice behind her. “Did you train well?”

6.41
My training? That was not important at all. Spots needed to be found. What the hell was wrong with you, Blight? What is… I know. Losing Spots, it really did hurt you. And I hurt you to by not keeping Spots safe. I can tell in your voice. You’re about to yell at me. Just a happy and carefree Pegasus enjoying the day while another so close to her suffered without her knowing. So selfish. I am so selfish and now she hates me again. Just like I did… with Dashie.

Y-y-yes” Soul muttered. Lowering her head. Terrified of whatever Blight may do. Feeling her own legs begin to shake. Just ignore it. Focus on whatever it will take to make Blight happy again. Leave. Leave and find Spots. Leave and make them happy. Do something other than focusing on myself. I need to show her and everypony else that I care. Why can’t I move? My damned legs can’t stop shaking. Her whole body trembled. Not when she watched the black mare in front of her. Blight glanced over. Like trying to look over her shoulder to see Soul but stopped by her own raised wings.

All she did was giggle.

A chill ran down Soul’s spine. Soul froze. Her shaking finished. Just hearing that giggle. That softness in Blight’s voice. “That’s good… I guess it’s all working out for you. …How nice.” Soul saw it. A bit of black. What the...

6.42
The chair smashed into the floor in front of her. Soul jumped back with a cry of fear. Barely clearing the splinters of wood and flying cushions wrapped in the remains of the magic that belonged to Blight. The whole thing tearing itself apart from the impact. How hard that thing struck the ground. How fast it came at her.

…And Blight did it.

Soul looked back over to the black Pegasus. Terrified. Not scared of her own stupidity anymore. Soul was scared of Blight. She… she just tried to... That chair and all the fury it was delivered in.

Soulblight hates me.

The black wings she loved rose higher. “Then you can leave!” Blight screamed. The fury in her voice. The pain. How bad it broke while she yelled it. Hitting her so hard.

Soul stepped back. Shaking. Whimpering. Hearing it in her voice. Like she heard it in Blight’s voice. I hear it. No. Please… don’t get rid of me. I didn’t mean to… no, don’t be like Dashie and Nimbus and… mom. When I failed them all. “Blight…”

Soul gritted her teeth. Slamming her hoof down onto the remains of the chair. Hearing it crack under her, and her tears fell. No. Please no. I don’t want this again. I… another pony hates me.

Soul closed her eyes. Not looking at the mare again.

She ran off. Not wanting to turn back. I don’t want this again. I don’t want to feel it again. I’m… I’m such an idiot. I don’t want to see another pony who hates me. Blight… you’re just like Dashie.

Soul ran out into the snow again. The only thing left. The cold embrace of an unforgiving world. All that was left. I have no friends. All I have left is this. I’m such an idiot.

It’s just like I remember. Just like that day… when you abandoned me, Dashie. I get to live it again. Now I see. I see it now. What Celestia did. What Nimbus and Starry did. What you did. This is all to punish me.

Such a painful truth.

Soul ran. Ran to her home. The last place left that was safe in this lonely world.

Next Chapter: Part 2 Entwined - Act 7 Estimated time remaining: 28 Hours, 35 Minutes