**Author's Note** Just giving you all a raven warning here. Another death will be present in this otherwise joyful chapter. Furthermore, the ravens won't appear in this chapter until after the deed is done. And yet, they remain as important as ever. I hope you enjoy.**

The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 39 – Surprise and Failure

As ponies often do, the citizens of the empire looked as if they wished to throw a party in celebration for Spike and Rarity for the magical events which took place. Several crystal ponies shouted in congratulations to them while a few even shouted some jealous remarks for each's behalf. "Ohhhh Spike! The Brave and Glorious! You don't need her, I could love you too!" Shouted a random mare from the crowd. More than a few of their friends laughed when they saw Rarity quickly scoop Spike up in her hooves to hasten their pace as they walked along.

Following this it was Twilight who publicly announced, “My apologizes to all but unfortunately my friends and I will not be able to stay for a party with you. As much as we would love to celebrate in your company, we have all had a very trying time in getting the Crystal Heart restored. What I think would be best for us is if we all went home to quietly recover from this ordeal.” Several ponies sighed in disappointment but with that explanation none of them felt that they could really object.

Meanwhile as their group began walking their way down the main street toward the train station, a certain black station rushed to catch up along side a certain mare in particular. “So, I heard that you were the big hero of the day who saved Spike and Rarity’s lives. Should I feel bashful now when trying to speak to you since you’ve become such a big star?” Rayne teased as he trotted along.

Starlight blushed and moved a hoof to try and waive off his antics. “Oh Rayne. Please, that is hardly the case. I’m nopony special. I just did what I could to help my friends. Sunburst is the real hero-”

“Sorry but I spoke privately with Rarity this morning and she told me the whole truth of the matter.” Rayne snickered as he popped the bubble of her phony argument.

“I see. Well I suppose as long as you keep it a secret, for his sake, then I don’t mind you knowing.” She said giving him a wry smirk after him calling her out on her bluff.

“Oh yeah? And uh, what do you say this information would be worth to you?” He asked which stopped Starlight dead in her tracks. He gave her a soft smile trying to show he wasn’t trying to be malicious. “Maybe a second date with me and my lips would stay sealed forever?”

“Ohhhh, so that’s what you’re after here is it?” She said to him as they started walking again. “Kind of a sneaky way to go about it, don’t you think? What’s wrong, not enough confidence in yourself to just come out and ask me?” She said coyly, genuinely being curious but having fun with the game of cat and mouse that Rayne was clearly playing with her.

“Aw, what? Surely even a pleasure pony is allowed to get a little nervous around a pretty face now and then.” Rayne teased, putting up the bashful front so as to not give his real intentions away.

Starlight shook her head while smirking at him. “You mister, don’t kiss like somepony who gets shy. So uh, uh. I ain’t buying it. You’re going to have to do a lot better than that if you want a second round to impress this girl.” Starlight was almost beaming to herself now, feeling proud that she seemed to have gotten the upper hand on him. But her joy was short lived as she saw Rayne look away to the ground in thought while they walked. Suddenly feeling as if she had gone too far in playing ‘hard to get’ she playfully walked her backside to bump into him gently. “So if you did take me on a date... what did you have in mind?”

Rayne smiled with relief. But to both of their surprise it was Celestia who flew in from above while saying, “You know, the view in Canterlot can be remarkably romantic during sunset...”

- - -

The mane six along with their accompanying friends had just started to depart from the Crystal Palace and make their way through the crowd. Seeing as the lot of them were instantly mobbed by cheering citizens, Luna had taken the less social route of flying into the sky and watching down from above. Bitterly the princess of the night looked on and huffed as the stallion she had sought to interrogate was now surrounded by ponies giving her no room to land beside. “Oh what luck! Now they will surely board the train whilst Celestia and I shall likely fly straight for Canterlot. It would not make sense for one such as I to have reason for traveling to Ponyville. But when else would I have such an opportunity to-”

“Dear sister?” Celestia called up from behind, flapping her wings to reach were Luna floated above. “What vexes you so? Aren’t you happy about the new union between our friends?”

Quickly Luna’s expression softened and she smiled kindly before saying, “Oh yes, about them I am very pleased. They look so happy together. I will admit that it is an odd pairing but Equestria has never had need for any such laws to govern interspecies union's.”

Celestia glided slowly on the wind as she ran through her thoughts out loud. “I suppose that Ember didn’t seem to have a problem with it, else we may have had more difficulty getting our friends back safely. I suppose we could discuss it with the Dragon Empress at some point in the future. But right now I am more concerned with what has you scowling up here all alone?” That was when Celestia had no trouble following Luna’s gaze as she watched a dark stallion rush to catch up to Starlight’s side down below. “Ah I see.”

“No! It isn’t what you think! I’m not-”

“I don’t mind, nor do I feel the need to pry into my sister’s affairs when she has her eye on a stallion. Whether your interests are personal, or whether you simply wish to question him on his dreams are none of my business... as long as you remember that big sis is always here to help you.” Celestia said to her warmly.

“Thank you.” Luna replied with a smile. “And yes, you are correct. I had hoped to speak privately with the stallion but I fear our friends will continue to be surrounded by half of this empire all the way to the train station.”

“If to speak privately with him is what you want then it would be my honor as your sister to assist with that. Fly home Luna and rest. Allow me to take care of this and I will bring Rayne to you.” She offered kindly.

The two nodded and Luna flapped her wings to the southeast, feeling more than happy to depart from the roaring crowds. Meanwhile, Celestia had an easy enough time of flying down just behind and hearing that Rayne was doing a surprisingly poor job of asking Starlight out on a date. “You know, the view in Canterlot can be remarkably romantic at sunset.” She added, attempting to give the courting stallion an assist.

“Oh! Princess Celestia! I didn’t see you... up there... flying above us.” Starlight stammered, raising an eyebrow at the odd behavior for their ruler.

Dropping down beside them now, the princess smiled kindly and said, “Starlight, I was actually hoping that I might have your company for awhile in Canterlot castle?”

“Oh?” The unicorn asked in surprise. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong? Luna and you aren’t fighting again are you?”

But Celestia just chuckled. “Oh no, of course not. Well, I mean no more than usual. But I was simply wondering if you would like to spend some time together? Being the ruler of Equestria I have so little time to spend with actual friends. Needless to say that I will have an endless list of duties to attend to once I return which will likely keep me preoccupied until the evening. But maybe your friend here could accompany you for the day and then you and I could meet together afterward? Just us girls?”

Rayne didn’t quite know what was going on but as the situation had seemed to work in his favor he just beamed at Starlight encouragingly. “Well, I suppose that doesn’t sound too bad.” Starlight said, trying to not sound as excited as she really felt.

“Oh and of course,” Celestia added, “you two could have open access to explore the castle, the garden, or anywhere on the grounds that you wish while waiting for me. So feel free to have an adventure and then we can both relax with some quiet time later on.”

“Thank you Celestia, that is very generous of you.” Rayne said as he also was trying to contain a smile.

“Think nothing of it. It will be good to have some friendly company this evening. And it would also be my pleasure to offer you each a room at the castle for your stay until you decide to depart for home. Now, shall we all take a sky carriage together?”

- Not Long After -

Rayne and Starlight now stood together staring up at the breath taking white walls of Canterlot Castle. They had previously taken a brief moment to say good bye to their friends at the train station and then the pegasi of the Crystal Chariots had carried them to Canterlot in no time at all. True to her words, no sooner had they arrived then when Celestia was immediately called away to attend to a myriad of troubles. This however left Rayne and Starlight alone after the princess had spread the word allowing them free access to explore.

“Well then,” Rayne began. “Seeing as I have the pleasure of being your escort this afternoon, where would the lady like to go?”

“Now Rayne,” Starlight chided him. “Come on, enough with the fancy talk with me okay? I already told you, I prefer the more laid back side of you.”

“Ha ha, okay. You’re right. Sometimes it can be difficult balancing when I feel the need to impress and how I really am when I can just relax. This place is kind of daunting so I guess I got carried away.”

“Soooo does all that extra fancy stuff actually work with other mares then?” She asked, looking to him curiously.

“Well, I could say yes... but talking about my time with OTHER mares while I’m trying to take YOU out on a date here feels kinda...”

“OH! You know what? You’re right. Hey, how about something simple? I think I see a tour being led in that garden over there. Want to go check it out?” She offered trying quickly guide them away from her social blunder.

“That sounds great. I’d have absolutely no idea where to go here otherwise so let's take a look.”

Sneaking up to the back of the crowd as if they had been there the whole time Starlight and Rayne giggled as they seemlessly joined as part of the tour group. The listened as they got a whole historical run down of the castle as well as getting an insider view to the public gardens. They spent their time giggling at funny names from olden ponies and marveling at the over dramatized deeds that they were remembered for. Eventually though, as the tour moved on Starlight hung back to put some space between them and the others. “So when are you going to tell me what’s bothering you? You’ve seemed a little too happy to spend time with me today. You might make a girl think that you’re hiding something.” She said but with a playful tone.

“Heh, I’m not going to be able to keep anything from you am I?” Rayne chuckled.

“Not if you want to keep taking me on dates.” She said with a wry smile and pranced around him trying to lighten the mood.

“Well, this is only our second date... Would I be seen as coming on too strong if I said that I was worried about you?”

Now she stopped and looked at him in surprise. “Worried? About me? About what?”

“Well, you know. About the whole dragon thing. You running off across Equestria for Rarity. You putting yourself in danger for the sake of saving you friends.” He said softly as he turned away to lean over a garden rail.

“What?! But Rayne, I was back safe from all that before you even found out that I was missing!" She laughed while leaning in beside him.

“Yeah I know. And don’t worry, I can tell you're able to take care of yourself. It’s not about thinking you couldn’t have handled it. But...” He trailed off, using his magic to pick up a pebble from the ground and tossing it into the flowers.

“But?” She questioned him curiously.

“Maybe I like you, okay? Like, alot. Maybe, me asking you out has nothing to do with me being a pleasure pony. Or even that I think you could use my services. Maybe it’s because... I could use... somepony like you in my life a little more.”

There was a silence between them as they both looked out at the flowers together. However Rayne was pleasantly surprised when he felt Starlight’s tail reach behind him and sweetly wrap around his own. “I like you too Rayne. You’re sweet. You’re a bit of a dork sometimes, but it’s cute.”

Now Rayne allowed himself to blush a bit and he turned to her giving a smile. “Yeah?”

She smiled back and nodded. “Yeah. Just, maybe I’m not quite there yet... but if you’re interested, keep trying. You’re having an affect on me, I’ll admit it. So don’t get discouraged if I tend to play hard to get.”

He smirked and nodded genuinely feeling better to have that reassurance from her. “So, do you think I’m far enough to steal another kiss from you?” He leaned in showing a bit of a playful attitude now.

“Oh you want a kiss do you? But we’re on a date Rayne. You haven’t even taken me somewhere to eat yet.” She responded, making a show of her feeling playful as well. She waited for the exact moment that Rayne turned away before leaning in and planting a soft smooch right on his cheek. She giggled at how he blushed and then she gave him a wink saying, “If you want another then we’ll just have to see how this date goes. Come on, let’s ditch this tour and go get into some trouble.”

Grinning now, Rayne looked around and said, “Celestia did tell us that we have freedom to roam wherever we want to. She didn’t give us any restrictions on that.”

“You’re right, that is what she said.” Then after looking around they snuck off and made their way up into the castle. Approaching a pair of guards on the way in they both slowed down to an inconspicuous trot but went by unaccosted. Then once they were inside they deviated from the public pathways to explore the deeper halls within.

“Starlight?” Rayne asked as they quietly peeked around each corner before proceeding along a corridor lined with trophies and artifacts of various kinds.

“Yes Rayne?” She answered, as they both ducked behind a momument statue when they saw a guard patroling by.

“You’ve been here in the castle before, correct?” He asked, as they now looked over a large vase that seemed to have the historical tale of some passed war printed upon it.

“Well technically.” She answered, giggling at a suit of armor on the wall and wondering how any pony could have possibly fit into such a thing.

“So does that mean you 'technically' know where we are?” Rayne stopped to look at a series of tapestries hanging upon the wall, feeling curious about them because he didn’t recognize even a single one from the show.

“I have absolutely no idea.” Starlight laughed, looking at a strange metal contraptions upon the wall that she did not like the look of. However as she absentmindly backed away she bumped her flank into a display case which sent a commemorative shield clattering noisily to the floor.

“H-hello? Who’s down there?!” Called an old and haggered voice from further on down the hallway.

Starlight looked panicked but Rayne spotted another door not far away. “Quick! In here!” He whispered and pulled her along by the hoof. Without looking they threw it open and darted inside before closing the door behind them.

As their hearts raced and they remained as quiet as possible, finding themselves in a dark space that had the smell of old rust and varnish. Reaching out with their hooves they quickly realized that the space they were in was quite cramped and covered in shelves that held steel polish and fabric cleaners. “Um, Rayne?" Startlight began.

Sighing, already knowing what was coming he answered, “Yes Starlight?”

“I think you pulled us into a supply closest.” She stated flatly.

“Yes Starlight.” He said, feeling a little bit embarrassed as the two fumbled against one another in the dark.

That was when they both squinted as the door was pulled open and light flooded the small room temporarily blinding the two of them. In the doorway stood an old stallion holding a broom and wearing a rather dated workers hat. “Eh, well now whatcha’ two of you doing hiding away in here? This ain’t not place for ponies to be bumping and a-knocking stuff over. We’ve got pricely artifacts in these halls that need to be preserved! And you best becareful. Right there behind you'se in those cannisters are cleaning solvants that’ll burn the color right off your mane if’n it spills on ya.” The elderly pony said, sound more concerned for their well being than actually sounding upset at their tresspassing.

“Oh, uh, we’re... lost?” Starlight attempted, but didn’t sound very confident in her ruse to fool the castodial pony. “We were just looking for the... the kitchens?”

He just gave a gruff sounding snort and then rubbed the fur on his chin as if he didn’t particularly care one way or the other. “Well if it’s the kitchen’s that you’re looking for then you just keep on heading the way that you were. You’ll find a staircase to the right leading down. It should take ya to where yer wantin’ to go.” The two nodded quietly, just hoping that he would go away so they could be spared from this awkward encounter. But then matters were made worse as the elderly pony added in, “Oh uh, but if’n yer just wanting to stay in there, for, whatever you youngin’s are getting into, the guard walk down the halls just about every ten minutes roun here. I’d suppose you got yerselves another eight minutes before they walk by again. Well, have fun!” He shouted a little louder than they cared for and then closed the door on them.

Now they laughed together at how completely humiliating that had been. “Phew, haha, wow. Could you believe that? That old janitor thought that you and I, were in here because, well you know, he thought that...” Starlight blushed.

“Heh, yeah. I mean we were just hiding because you knocked that shield over. It’s not like I knew this was a closet or anything. It’s not like we were planing to, you know, hide away in a quiet spot in this castle, doing...”

Then there was a silence between them as they could both feel the breath of the other upon their snouts. Even in the dark Rayne could almost see it as Starlight tossed her mane back. “Okay fine. But just for five minutes and then we have to get-”

Rayne didn't hesitate now as he threw his hooves around her and suddenly they both were mutually losing each themsleves in the other’s lips. Rayne reached out with a blind hoof feeling for a part of the wall that wouldn’t hurt Starlight’s back with a shelf and then gently leaned her against the stone siding. She moaned happily as she stuck her tongue into his mouth and ran her hooves through his mane. “J-just kissing.” She whispered as Rayne half lifted her into his arms against the wall. He nodded against her snout and she hungrily wrapped three of her four hooves around him while moaning into his mouth.

By the time the next guard rotation sent a patroller walking casually down the hallway, the two of them had only just darted back out of the supply closet but were blushing and giggling like foals. Racing ahead to avoid detection they finally stopped when they found the staircase and the red visitor carpet down below. “Ha ha, okay now that was fun.” Starlight exclaimed as she had to stop to catch her breath.

“Phew, we cut that pretty close. But maybe let’s head down and get something to eat. I think that’s twice that you've brought up food. I wouldn't be a very good date if I let you stay hungry.” Rayne offered, trying to be considerate to the clues she had been dropping.

“That sounds good. I like being adventurous but I think I’m set on the trespassing for one day.” Realizing that she really had been having a good time she carefully did a hair flip to tease the stallion but she then felt concerned realizing his attention was drawn down the hall instead of towards her. “Um, Rayne?” She asked but he seemed to have almost not heard her.

‘What is that?!” He said almost breathlessly, bypassing the staircase to the kitchens and proceeding to a wooden door that had been left ajar. Looking within, something dark and shimmering could be seen beyond the door. Believing he recognized what it could be Rayne felt compelled to investigate.

“Hey, what are you doing? The guards are going to come by soon. We should get out of here!” But then as Rayne pushed the door open she gasped seeing the stone figurine that stood before them.

“What is this doing here?’ Rayne asked in disbelief. Before them a series of broken obsidian stones hung in support ropes like some fossil display setup in a museum. A thin window covered in painted glass and steel bars was the only light in the dim room that held the solidified remains of the once feared Storm King.

“I honestly don’t know. Maybe they felt it would be safer to have this locked up near Celestia than left anywhere else?” Starlight guessed. “Why is this door unlocked? Shouldn’t this be better guarded?”

Rayne nudged her in the side and pointed down to a half swept floor. “That janitor from earlier, he was probably cleaning here when we distracted him. The old geezer probably just forgot.” Then he looked up to the angry face of the what Rayne could only suppose was some sort of evolved yeti. Rayne scowled disapprovingly as if the stone had insulted him somehow until he felt a gentle tug to his mane.

“Rayne, I want to leave. I want to leave right now. I’m not enjoying being here around this. Plea-” But she was stopped when Rayne placed a hoof on her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

“No, you’re right. I’m sorry for bringing you here. That wasn’t a very good date move on my part. Let’s go.” He said before walking her out and using his magic to lock the door as he closed it behind them.

- - -

The rest of their late afternoon was spent in pure delight together. They ate a hearty meal, laughed about Starlight’s recent adventures, and spent more than a few moments stealing quick kisses from one another. At the end of their night Rayne kissed Starlight on her hoof just outside the doorway to Celestia’s chambers. “Thank you for a wonderful day Rayne. I really enjoyed myself.” She smiled and held onto his hoof. “If you’d like to ask me out again I would like that. Maybe... maybe I’m not so shy around you anymore.”

“Maybe?” He chuckled at the reverse mirroring to the start of their date. She rolled her eyes and nodded. “I would like that too." He told her reassuringly. "I’m sorry but I have to head back to Ponyville early tomorrow so I might not be able to escort you home. But you’ll see me again probably sooner than you think.” After sharing one more intimate kiss they separated from each other with Starlight heading in to visit Celestia and Rayne making his way back through the castle.

However no sooner had Rayne found himself alone than when he suddenly changed to a very different state of mind. “Alright Luna, let’s have that nightfall. I’m going to have to find someplace to lay low for awhile. I wasn’t expecting phase five to just be laying around for me... but I don't mind skipping a few steps.”

- About an Hour from Midnight -

All was quiet in Canterlot that evening. Other than two personal guests of the princess, there were no dignitaries to worry about. The castle had been in a low state of alert and several guards had chuckled, gathering together in the courtyard at the sound of merriment that came from Celestia’s window. Having it be such a rare occassion that their ruler got to enjoy herself, her loyal guards smiled at hearing how she laughed with the mare visiting from Ponyville.

However this made things all the easier for Rayne as a shadow wafted by unnoticed through the private hallways of the castle. “Like taking candy from a baby.” A formless voice mused to itself as it passed effortlessly below the base of a locked door. Suddenly four large paws padded soundlessly upon the stone floor. Bright feline eyes reflected the low light of the window, allowing the beast to see in the closed off room. A rumble came from its heavy lungs as the oversized panther purred quietly in delight. “Aww how fitting when the pathetic are rendered as helpless as they deserve.” Long claws extended from a dark paw as Rayne reached out and withdrew the obsidian skull from where it hung on the wall.

The open stone eyes stared out angrily as the panther gloated at the misfortune of the villain who once commanded an army. “You were unworthy of your power.” Contempt flowed from Rayne’s fangs as he spoke, staring menacingly at the face in his grasp. “You were weak and ignorant and obnoxious as could be. Truly the saddest excuse for a villain this land has ever seen. Really, Storm King, you were just the worst. All of your power, all of your might, it was all from those who were under you. What power did you truly command on your own? But still... There was ONE thing that you knew how to create that I suppose was somewhat worth while...” Rayne looked back to the yeti's broken body while clutching the skull tighter. “I know you still live, frozen in that stone. And there lies the last bit of usefulness that you will ever have... in this life or any other.”

Rearing forward Rayne placed both of his paws on each side of the petrified creature before stretching his jaws open wide. A yellow light formed around the obsidian, developing slowly as if the petrification were slowing the process. But with enough effort a billowy mist departed from the body of the Storm King and disappeared into the cat’s jaws. Pulling back Rayne blinked slightly and then grinned. “Yes!” He growled happily to himself, looking about to find a nearby wooden crate and blasting it with magic as it suddenly became encased in obsidian. “I did not expect to find your remains so soon but this will CERTAINLY make my future efforts much easier! Now... I suppose all that’s left is to clean up here.”

The panther grinned sinisterly before using a claw to swipe the yeti's pieces to floor. He watched as the broken shards scattering about haphazardly. Then Rayne raised the Storm King’s head up high and slammed it to the floor crushing it to bits. After first dusting his paw off Rayne then took several steps back away. “In this land, beings petrified by obsidian can be revived...” Opening his jaws wide, a glowing beam of healing magic shot out and a red mist suddenly splattered itself across the floor. "...But now, you will never be.”

Being careful to not step in the bloody mess that coated the stone floor Rayne leapt over to the wooden door that held the room closed. “Almost done...” Taking a deep breath he rammed his body forward once, twice, then a third time until the wood was sent splintering out into the hallway behind. “HELP! GUARDS! SOMEONE IS BREAKING INTO THE CASTLE!!!” He shouted after changing back into his pony form.

Racing quickly now before any ‘help’ could actually arrive, Rayne stopped beside a sizable window leading to the main courtyard outside. He waited patiently for the sound of hoofsteps to come racing through the halls and then started cackling as this was all going far too perfectly for him. “Thank you Sombra, I couldn’t have done this without you.” Rayne’s horn glowed as suddenly several shadows appeared upon the wall of creatures that no Canterlot soldier would soon forget.

Sending them racing back to the doorway he had just destroyed, Rayne laughed quietly to himself as he heard the gasps of many Canterlot guards. “Storm Creatures! What are they-” “Sir! That is the door where the Storm King’s remains are being kept! They’ve broken in!” “Stop them!” “Wait, where did they go?! You, soldier! Inspect the room! You lot, follow me!”

It has been a simple flick of his horn for Rayne to make the shadows vanish at just the right time. Then turning back to the window he grinned before preparing to magic himself down. “Heh, flawless victory...” But then stallion paused, suddenly feeling nausea overtake his senses so much so that he became disoriented by it. “Wha- wait. What the hell is wrong with me? ...Whuuoh... ...” In an instant Rayne leaned forward over the courtyard below before his entire field of vision seemed to twist in two different directions. No longer being able to move or even think, the last thing Rayne saw was the ground coming at him very fast before everything went black.

- - -

Luna stood angrily in the doorway of a guest bedroom that looked as if it had not even been visited. “Where is he?! Did my sister not promise that both Rayne and Starlight were to visit the castle? Did he not stay?! The hour is late, where could he hath gone?!” Luna slammed the door angrily and marched down the hall away from the guest rooms. “I will find that stallion if I have to search this entire castle down to the foundations! He owes me answers and I shall not allow myself to be hindered from speaking to him again!”

She was surprised with herself as she flew down to the front castle gates to ask the guards if any black stallions had made their leave from the grounds. She did not know why she was becoming so angry about this. As she surveyed through the kitchens and the dining gallery she wondering if she might be projecting her past anger regarding Hot Streak onto this new stallion she hardly knew. “I must endevor to watch my tone while speaking to him. As far as I know he hath not done wrong so there needn’t be any reason to speak criminally to him.” She now flew atop the castle courtyard trying to get a better idea of where to search next from the skies.

"Cawww!" Luna was startled in the air as a large black bird flew directly passed her face.

"What?! A raven?! At this hour?" She questioned. But then her eyes peeled back wide as she looked to the eastern wing of the castle and saw the rooftop littered with the ebony birds. "Ravens... my sister's vision... SOMBRA?!" She shouted to herself in panic as she raced to fly in that direction.

That was when she noticed several of the guard all rushing off from the courtyard into that same direction. “Intruders! There has been shouting of intruders in the castle! Hurry!” They called as the lot of them all made their way to the east wing.

“What’s this? Intruders plural? Not Sombra then... Oh it’s probably just Celestia being caught sneaking pies again.” She thought to herself while floating down to the direction the guards had run. “Wait, no. That is the trophy gallery they are running toward. Are there now thieves in our glorious city that would dare steal from their gracious rulers?” She balked in disbelief, glancing toward one of the nearby windows hoping to catch the perpetrators between herself and the guards who would be coming up from the other direction.

That was when she saw a sight that made her freeze. “What are those shado- OH NO! Storm Creatures! Perhaps it best I alert my sister instead?!” Now looking back and forth between the window and the royal chambers, Luna hesitated just long enough to see a new sight she did not expect. “Is that... Rayne?! What is he doing there?! Oh no, he looks injured! Don’t tell me he tried to help to stop those beasts alone?!” Luna’s eyes went wide as she watched the stallion keel forward in pain over the open window. Flapping her wings as hard as she could she raced to catch him as he started to fall. Just feet from the ground she reached for him, as in her deseperation she overcompensated and missed; feeling her heart sink at the brutal sound of an unconscious body colliding with the ground behind her.

Author's Notes:

Dun, dun, dun! Looks like Rayne has just found himself between a princess and a hard place. And it had all been going so well for him too.

So first of all, what did everyone think of his second date with Starlight? She's really coming around while still taking things slowly with him. And it looks like maybe a third date might be promising, assuming Rayne survives the night that is.

So back when Rayne killed Tirek there had been a flock of ravens who bore witness. When Sombra was attacked it wasn't quite clear what was happening with them for a reason. But now there was an army of ravens who were here for the Storm King's murder. Could this detail be escalating?

And finally, Rayne thought he had it all figured out. His plan was solid. Everything went just how he had figured it would... with one exception. The Crystal Heart had nothing to do with him fainting outside the castle. He has overestimated his control over his new powers and now he is paying the price for it.