“I cannot leave this alone…”

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Night gives way to the morning, despite it not feeling as so. Crimson and Moonlight have already awoken, laying together on her bed. The bliss of comfortable sleep has restored a good portion of their sanity, now basking in the aftermath of such powerful emotion. Both are mostly quiet and contemplative. The storm that arrived last night has yet to let up.

“Feels like it ain’t never gonna stop rainin’,” Crimson breezily comments, his voice low and lazy. Moonlight does not immediately speak up, letting him trail on further. “Was near the dam. Over by Salt Lick City. Was rainin’ like crazy over there. Didn’t wanna let up the few days I was there.” He feels her nestle her head against his arm, getting herself comfortable. “... Funny thing. Be lucky if I saw a full week’s worth’a rain in a year back at home.”

“... At Earth?” she speaks up quietly.

“Yeah. Rare as can be, crops would love it. Nearby rivers would too. So would I. Wished it rained more then… but now, feels like it won’t end.”

“Winter passed a little while ago… there’s going to be a lot more. Spring in Equestria is like a four month shower. There are more days with rain than those without.”

“Does the floodin’ get bad?”

She shakes her head, her pink and deep blue mane rubbing against his skin. “All of the rain gets absorbed by plant life and trees.”

“Just the green is good enough to stop the floodin’?”

“Mhm. They drink every drop. It’s very rare that Equestria suffers from flooding. About ninety years ago, during the Great War, when the dragons invaded the south and burnt every living thing from the Appleloosan Mountains to the Everfree… records say there was a flooding so bad that it repelled the dragons from setting up nests in the land they overtook. Almost like Equestria itself was fighting back against them. Once ponykind was able to drive them away, and the land was able to put itself back together, the greenery came back. The flooding stopped.”

“All thanks to every shard of grass and every sturdy bark.”

“Mm,” she nods, a small smile forming on her lips at his choice of words.

“That’s certainly a difference between Equestria, or… well, ‘Ee-kus.’ I say that right?”

“Mhm~”

“Equus and Earth. The plant life we have in my world won’t drink the water quick enough to stop rainstorms from causin’ havoc. I had a cousin who moved to central Texas, a state that was neighborin’ to mine. Before he died, he came back to New Mexico, my home state, ‘n would tell stories ‘bout how green it was over there. Totally different from the desert we lived in. Couldn’t really imagine what he was talkin’ about since I’d never seen it. Supposedly they’d flood every other week from how bad the rainstorms got. The rain was a blessin’ and a curse there. Earth, I mean. Seems like nothin’ but a boon here though. The green and the weather just… work in harmony. Complement one another better than they do in Earth.”

“You coming to Equestria… was that the first time you’ve seen so much flora and fauna?”

“Yeah. It… confused me, almost. Didn’t help that I was goin’ through a lot at the time, so seein’ so much green all around me when I woke up in the Everfree… couldn’t even think straight. It’s beautiful, but… almost overwhelmin’.”

“... I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“It’s okay, Moonlight. Besides, I’m used to it now. Mostly. Learned to admire the beauty.”

“I’m happy that you like it. Plants and trees have always been comforting… they’re like friends to me. When I saw how overgrown and untended my garden was, I felt… so terrible.”

Crimson falls into silence, his half-lidded eyes unmoving from the ceiling. “... I’m sorry.” She looks up to him, lifting her head to give him a disconcerted look. “... I took you away from your home. I should’a never done it. You were happy here, ‘n I took that happiness away thinkin’ I was helpin’ you. I was dead wrong doin’ what I did… and you had to pay fer it.”

“...” She gazes at him, a brief quiet breezing between them. She lays her head down on him, this time, on his chest, something he deems quite brave on her part. “... It’s okay, Crimson. I know you only wanted to help me break out of my shell.”

“The pain I caused you is unacceptable. If you don’t forgive me for it, I understand.” Moonlight lifts her head again to him, to which he finally breaks away from the ceiling to look back at her. “Matter of fact, I think I might prefer it if you hated me.”

Lining her lips, she shakes her head slowly. “... The only one I hate is myself. I shouldn’t expect you to act certain ways just for me, and that was something I didn’t want to accept.”

“It don’t excuse me fer treatin’ you the way I did. I made you a promise and didn’t keep it. I hold it in my heart that you forgive me, but… like I said…”

A small smile forms on her lips again, a sharp exhale of dull amusement comes from her nostrils. “Do you wanna know how pathetic I am?” Crimson lifts his left brow, visibly not liking the phrasing she used. “... I forgave you the next morning. I saw your condition first-hoof after you returned from Yakyakistan… and had my first heart arrhythmia. I woke up the next morning, and the only thing I wanted to do was see you again… but by that time, Celestia was already preparing the restraining order.”

“You’re not pathetic, Moonlight. You’re… you’re way too sweet fer this awful world. No one – nothin’… deserves you. Especially not me. I’ve done nothin’ but cause you harm since we’ve met. Yer love and affection are best spent with…” He trails off, letting his eyes fall from her. She keeps on gazing at him, waiting for him to finish. Once he knows what to say, he looks back to her with a meek simper. “Yer plants. Yer garden is the only thing in this world that deserves you.”

Moonlight giggles lightly, letting her eyes come close during. She looks at him again, pink tinting her cheeks as she readies her next words. “Maybe you’re right.” Now it is her turn to look away, her face heating up further. “... Unfortunately for both of us… it won’t stop me from loving you. I’m sorry that I do. It’s– … I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.” She chuckles trepidly and looks at him, tucking her chin shyly. “T-Trust me, I’ve… I’ve tried. Some time ago, when Magnifying was still lying to me and making me thing you left me behind, I really did try my best to forget about you. But… a lot of time spent alone, or with a pony I don’t really ‘love,’... it… it makes you come to terms with these things. Even if it’s for the worst.”

Crimson eyes her, leaving them in quietness as he does not follow up with anything. Moonlight feels mildly oppressed under his hazel eyes, but that oppression quickly turns to worry when his expression reflects that exact emotion.

Her ears fall to her head and she averts her gaze again, feeling a pit forming in her gut. “... I-I’m… sorry… I know you don’t find my kind romantically attractive, it’s… please, don’t mull on this too much. I’m just thinking out loud. I don’t–”

“Moonlight.” Her ears perk up. “The last few months I’ve spent here taught me a lot about myself. I say I’m a type stuck in his ways. … At least, I thought I was. I haven´t had too much time to myself, but in the occasion I did, I realized pretty quick that I was becomin´… someone else. Don’t know if this person is any better ´r worse, but I knew it was just… someone else. I wasn´t lyin´ when I said I wasn´t romantically attracted to ponykind. But… that’s just it. Then, I wasn’t.”

Her ears lift as he speaks, until they stand primly pointed - all the while her face reddens.

“If I said that now, well… I’d be the type of person I hate the most. A liar. Believe me when I say that… hearin’ you say this has made me happier than I’ve been in… a long time.” The last three words echo around his mind… the same words he said to a certain pegasus. As guilty as he feels in this moment sharing words he shared before, he does not retract or stutter. He knows this is truly what he feels, and he does his best not to deny himself, unlike before. He reaches both of his hands and places them on her lower back. The action brings chills across her body. “... What I’m worried about is lettin’ you down again. Givin’ us a chance, and ruinin’ yer life more than I already have. I’m afraid that if I let my love fer you take over my sense, you’ll be worse for it.”

Her eyes expand, her pupils become glimmering pools of black across her pink irises.

“... And I don’t want anythin’ bad happenin’ to you. Any more things, at least. Look how bad it’s gotten now.”

She feels her entire body fluttering, floating almost.

“... I couldn’t live with myself if your life became misery due to my company.”

“... You…” she speaks up softly, “... you love… me?”

Crimson grits his teeth tightly, finding only himself holding him back from speaking a truth even he might not understand. “… I do. With all my heart. You deserve the world, and I’d like nothin’ more than to try ‘n give it to you. I…” He trials off, wanting to say too much in such few words.

Before he can resume his thought, reservations become abandoned. Temptations become entertained. Astonishment pangs both Moonlight and Crimson – both that the timid blue unicorn has reached in and planted her lips upon his, and that she actually had it in her to do it. An urge that she had been holding herself back from for so long finally got the better of her.

His eyes come closed, just as hers. The experience quickly registers in both of their minds. The first to truly react is Crimson. His right hand glides across her robe which she still dons. He travels from her lower back to her upper back, to her shoulder, until he holds the back of her head. His fingers burrow into her wonderfully colored, silky mane, and pulls her deeper into the kiss. It takes no time for him to realize she has little experience with this, or perhaps forgot what she knew, so he takes the lead for her. He figures it is the least he can do since she had the heart to initiate first.

Lips locked, the sensation is just as surreal as before.

She moans as they become locked. Sparking minds and hearts, they feel each other’s breath upon their faces. Neither of them expected this to come across so naturally.

Six seconds feel like an eternity. The kiss breaks mutually. They come apart; their eyes lock immediately. Moonlight’s orbs tremble, the man’s gleam.

The emotions inside Moonlight assault her in a way she cannot understand, much less handle. Her ears fall to her head again, her eyes glimmer, and a desperate huff escapes her mouth. “I… I love you,” she murmurs. Once those words escape her, a tear from her left eye trails down her cheek. “I love you… so much…”

Crimson reaches out and takes her into his hold, resting her on his chest and hugging her. She begins to quietly weep against him. A small smile crawls across his face, one that he cannot stop. He gazes at the ceiling, returning the words warmly. “I love you too… darlin’.”

“T-Thank you…” she whispers, “... for loving me.”

A wave of clashing feelings strikes him profoundly, so much so that he realizes he cannot understand what exactly it is he is experiencing. Such sheer happiness and warmth from finally letting himself be true to his emotions, and having his love validated by someone who loves him in return… yet, it is all drenched in a thick melancholy. His smile slowly turns for a frown, but he does not let her see it.

He hates himself to an extent that knows no bounds. He hurt her and caused her so much harm when she deserved none of it. Even so, she still loves him and thanks him for accepting her love. It hurts him. He thinks that her unadulterated love and care is too pure for his dense, stubborn ways.

As he holds her tighter, she nestles her muzzle onto the side of his neck. He faces himself in his mental mirror, a man he hates and would enjoy nothing more than to see suffer. But the conduit of affection and warmth in his hold tells him not to fight the repulsive man in the reflection, but instead prove him wrong. To show him that he is capable of being a better man.

He will be a better man. He will indulge in hope. Even if the world stands in front of him.

The gift in his veins feels more alive now than it ever did.

‎

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After a tender moment with nothing but silent embrace, Moonlight’s emotions clear up until she is stable and comfortable. She comes off of Crimson’s chest and lays next to him, looking up to the ceiling just as he does.

She sniffles one final time to compose herself. “… I’m sorry you have to see me like this…”

“Don’t apologize, darlin’. I’d only be upset if you hide what you’re feelin’ from me. I wanna see every part of you.”

“… T-Thank you… ehe~” she chuckles once, smiling warmly. “I-I really like how you’re calling me darling. It’s… making me so happy.”

“I’m glad it does.” The arm which he has wrapped around her squeezes her gently. “You’ll find out pretty quick that I’m the affectionate type. Sometimes too affectionate.”

“You could never be too affectionate. If it were up to me, I-I’d never let you go…”

Crimson smiles at the ceiling, understanding perfectly well that the implications are somewhat unhealthy, but he could not care less. He may as well feel the same way. But this surfaces something he feels he should bring up now rather than later. He lets go of her gently and sits up, keeping the blankets over his legs. This prompts Moonlight to do the same, piquing her curiosity.

“… There’s actually somethin’ I wanted to tell you,” he begins, garnering her full attention. “And I know you ain’t gonna like it very much.” She begins to frown, but refrains from speaking until she knows what it is. “… I need to find someone. I have to go look for ‘em.”

“S-Some… one?”

“Yeah. It’s important.”

“… How long do you think you’ll be away?” she asks trepidly.

“I’m… not sure. See, I don’t actually know where she is. We got separated after the situation with Magnifyin’.”

Moonlight’s brows line the top of her eyes as she stares at nothing in particular. “She? After Magnifying? This… this sounds familiar. Why does it--?” Her eyes widen in eureka. “It couldn’t be. Were you separated from… Dahlia? Again?”

Astounded by her impeccable correlation, Crimson looks back at her with eyes just as wide as hers. “Y… Yeah, that’s exactly it.”

“You found her after the restraining order was placed?”

“I did, but as you can tell, I’ve lost her a second time.”

“Oh... I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope she’s okay.”

“Hope so too. I need to find her. There’s a few places I know to check, so I’m ridin’ my chances I find her soon. Still, I won’t know how long it’s gonna take. But I promise I won’t be out fer too long. If I don’t find her today, I’ll try again the next. I’ll be sure to come back to you every time.”

Moonlight shuffles lightly in her muse. She looks down at the sheets while she plays with them, patting them gently so they unwrinkle. “You must really care about Dahlia.”

The tone of her voice sounds unfamiliar to Crimson, one he has never heard from her before. It seems flat, and maybe a bit condescending. Whatever this inflection means, he could not know. It even intimidates him to a degree. “Yeah. Her and I been through a lot together. Just like you ‘n I.”

“Do you love her?”

Crimson turns his head like a sentry to her, brows furrowed. “I can say I care about her a lot.”

“Do you care about her more than me?”

“I—” He stops and frowns at her. “I care a lot about the both of you. Kinda question is that?”

“I’m… just curious.”

“… Is there somethin’ you wanna tell me, Moonlight?”

She stops patting the blankets. A small smile takes her lips before she speaks, still avoiding looking at him. “If you find her… would you still come back to me? Or… would you stay with her?”

“What? C’mon, Moonlight. It hurts you think I’d do somethin’ like that.”

“I-It was just a question…”

He lines his lips quickly, restarting with an easier tone. “I know, darlin’. I’m sorry. I care about her, and I care about you. I ain’t an expert at describin’ my feelings, but I don’t want you to misunderstand. I want both of you to be alright, and if I find her, I’ll bring ‘er here where it’s safe. I pray you two get along with one another.”

Moonlight simply nods in understanding to what he says. She starts patting the blankets again. “When will you leave to look for her?”

“Probably now, with the rainstorm goin’ on. More cover, less folks.”

Moonlight nods again, saying nothing further.

Her disposition irks him. He keeps his eyes on her, how she idly keeps herself busy by gently patting the blankets again and again. “Moonlight, if there’s somethin’ on yer mind, I’d like nothin’ more than to hear it.”

She glances to him once, frowns, then looks back at the blanket. “I hope you know that I’m not happy that you’re leaving.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “So you ain’t happy I’m lookin’ fer Dahlia, then.”

“No, it’s not that. I am-- … I’m looking forward to meeting her, especially since she’s so special to you. But I’m not happy that you’re leaving and going into the dangers of Equestria. You always end up hurt in some way or another…”

Understanding her now, he feels sour for letting himself assume against her. His arms loosen up and do not cross so harshly, along with his demeanor. “Ah… I get you. I couldn’t apologize enough fer my behavior then, and even now. I know my promises ain’t worth much to you, but I say this with my heart ‘n soul that I’ll come back to you. Not just that, but I’ll take damn good care of myself… because I want the same of you.”

“… Okay,” she relents, becoming visibly dispirited. “I just want you to know I’m still not happy about this.”

“I know, darlin’. You have every reason to contest the idea.” He delivers a caring smile before leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek. It startles her, she puts her hoof to the same cheek, and a deep blush encompasses her face.

Moonlight holds still for a moment, as to remember the feeling of the kiss before it disappears forever. A despondent smile takes over before she replies to him. “… Could you… at least allow me to make you something to eat? B-Before you go? The last thing I want is you leaving on an empty stomach.”

“You’re too kind, darlin’.”

Her simper strengthens. She takes the lead by coming off the bed. Crimson follows behind.

As they trek downstairs, Moonlight begins to advise him of the visitations set by the Canterlot medical staff to send a therapist and a nurse on a fixed schedule. To both of their relief, they were not appointed this week as it was marked a ‘setup’ period for her to reacclimatize to her home.

As Moonlight divulges this information, she prepares the only thing she can find in her kitchen that is still somewhat edible. She retrieves a dark brown packet with black wording from the pantry. She then sets a pot with water onto the stove. In a few short minutes, she prepares and serves a bowl of oatmeal and a spoon to Crimson, accompanied only by a glass of water. Once it reaches his grasp, he begins to scarf down with immodest vigor.

One spoonful after another of these partially stale oats complimented by nothing else, he chews without care of its flavor or texture, musing deeply. After swallowing his latest mouthful, he speaks up to reply to Moonlight. “In a word, that therapist is comin’ every odd day. No weekends?”

“Yes,” Moonlight confirms from the kitchen to the man sitting on the largest couch in the living room. “Just Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”

“… We can work with that.”

“For now. I hope later on I can convince them to leave me alone completely. I have a feeling it won’t be too long.”

“Don’t fret about makin’ it happen too soon. Don’t want them being suspicious about yer sudden change of heart.”

“Mm, that’s… that is very true.” She watches Crimson take another spoon of oats into his mouth, chewing very audibly due to the staleness. To this, she frowns and lowers her head. “Again, I’m sorry that there wasn’t anything else for you to eat…”

He swallows before speaking. “Ain’t gotta stress it, darlin’. This is good enough. Completely forgot to say thank you, so… thank you.”

She adjusts her glasses from the shyness that weighs down on her. “You’re welcome… love.” She blushes lightly at referring to him in this way. As she admires him from a distance, her eyes jumping between him and the bowl of oatmeal, she tilts her head slightly. “... I’ve, um… I’ve been meaning to ask you…”

“Mm?”

“... The collar around your neck. You told me you went to Las Pegasus to find a way to remove it. That’s a pre-development nullifier collar. How did you come across it? … And how did it end up around your neck?”

“It’s a long and unpleasant story. I’ll tell you about it sometime soon. Good thing you reminded me, almost forgot it was there. Hate to say I’m used to it by now.”

“You haven’t been able to remove it?”

“Couldn’t. Needs a special key, apparently.” She nods in affirmation to his claim. “One I had no luck findin’.” To this, she grimaces. “Tried rippin’ it off, but I wasn’t… strong enough then, I suppose.”

“L-Last night, when we were arguing… you almost tore it clean off.”

“… Yeah,” he says with a hint of guilt. “I would’a too, just… something about me is tellin’ me not to. Not yet, at least.”

“I-If you ask me, it’s really wonderful that you’ve preserved the collar as long as you did. Believe it or not, I’ve spent a really long time trying to find one of those so I could disenchant it. The self-reparation magic on that pre-publication series of nullifier collar is extremely powerful, and no other enchantment ever since has been quite like it. Would, um… would you allow me to extract the enchantment and learn its properties? I-I could make some very useful tools with it!”

“Well, hey, that’s a better deal than anythin’ I could’a conjured. One of the reasons I appreciate you, darlin’. Yer much smarter than I am.”

She blushes deeply and rubs her right hoof with her left, smiling happily. That giddy happiness turns into deep contemplation very quickly. “... Are you going to leave after you finish your food?”

“If I wanna take advantage of the storm, yeah. Don’t wanna risk it clearin’ up, though I suppose it won’t any time soon.”

“The weather can be very unpredictable.”

“That it can.” He runs his spoon in circles all across the inside of the bowl, scraping the remnants of the stuck oatmeal. With one more somewhat full spoon, he finishes the last of it and holds the bowl away from his chin.

“D-Did you want seconds?” Moonlight asks, maybe a little desperately.

Crimson snickers, still chewing his food. He again swallows before speaking up. “I ain’t gonna be gone fer long, darlin’.”

“With the Black Horseshoes and the Consortium, practically all of Equestria is trying to kill you. I just… I wish you would stay here, where you won’t be hurt.” Before Crimson can speak up to retort, Moonlight adjusts her glasses and continues. “But… I know she is special to you. She was there for you when you first arrived in Equestria. Like you said, you two have been through a lot together. And… I’m… I’m actually happy that you were able to find her again. Just… please. Please keep your promise and return to me. I…” her ears fall to her head, her eyes slowly become dilated as they stare into the abyss, “... I wouldn’t… be able to handle it if something… happened to you…”

Her reaction is causing Crimson to sit on the edge of his seat, worry paints him very apparently. Before he throws himself off the couch to comfort her, she shakes her head quickly and seems to restore her usual demeanor. The concern in Crimson does not leave him still.

“U-Uhm…” she hums before briefly glancing to her left, to the circular clock hung on the wall above the marble counter. She then looks to the window next to the clock, the one that peers into the backyard where rain falls unremittingly. Facing the clock one more time, she finally directs a haughty pout to Crimson, trying to look as serious and firm as possible.

The man cannot help but admire how cute she looks despite her attempts to look serious. This somewhat soothes the caution he was just feeling. He enjoys this display – seeing Moonlight putting up her heart instead of hiding it away gives him confidence.

“I-I demand that you be back by six!” she cries.

Crimson lifts his left brow at this adorable instruction, smiling at her in return. “Before sundown, then. What time is it now?”

“Almost nine thirty.”

“Right, that’s plenty of time. I’ll be back by six.”

“N-Not a minute later!”

“And not a minute later.” He takes the glass of water that was left idle and proceeds to chug all of it in a few swoops. He then rises from the couch and walks towards her. He places the cup, bowl, and spoon into the sink before crouching down. He levels his eyes with hers, a smile on his front. She pouts and tries to hold it up against him. “A promise is a promise. I, uh… don’t have a watch ‘r a clock to look at, but I’ll make it back well before it gets dark.”

“... Y… You better.”

“I will, darlin’. Now you promise me somethin’.”

Her ears stand at attention, her front drops the ‘hard act’ immediately. “Y-Yes, love?”

“Promise me you’ll be okay bein’ alone fer a spell. Don’t sit around ‘n do nothin’ the whole day, it won’t help yer spirit none by doin’ that. And for the love of all that’s right and mighty, please don’t hurt yerself. I think this’ll be a perfect time to tend to yer home. Give it a good sprucin’ up. Especially the bathroom…”

“Oh, w-well, that’s a great idea... but… well… I was planning on getting my umbrella and going into the city today to get groceries. I wish you could come with me, but I know that would be a very horrible idea. And I would feel guilty if I left you here all alone, so… I-I think it’s good you have this to do. I’ll go shopping while you’re gone.”

“… Goin’ into the city?” he questions with a lifted brow.

“I-Is something wrong with that?”

“More things I can count with both hands. Moonlight, I don’t want you puttin’ yerself in a stressful place, especially now. It ain’t more than three days since the incident at Canterlot. It’s better fer you to stay here ‘n decompress.”

“But-- But what about the groceries? I-I can keep my robe on! And I won’t as much as look at anypony!”

“Moonlight. I trust that you’ll do everythin’ in yer power to be safe out there. We both know that you ain’t never lookin’ fer trouble. But it comes lookin’ fer you. I don’t want that.”

“B-But I promise nothing will happen! I can translocate myself with my magic! I can get away to safety, as--!” She stops, as if hitting a mental wall of stone, “… as long as… nothing… stifles my magic…” Her words become breathy, her body begins to tense up and shiver. Her pupils shrink as her mouth hangs open slightly on its own.

Crimson brings his hand up and rests it softly on her cheek in reaction to her regression. Upon touching her, his eyes autonomously sheen with gold – her spirit begins to vent to him on its own. Just as before, a nest of self-deprecating voices barrage his soul. He holds onto her, allows his spirit to be battered by hers, until those voices are painfully managed, quieted down, and leave her be.

Moonlight slowly returns to herself again, shown by her lifting her hoof to hold his hand and press it onto her face harder, as if not wanting it to escape. Once she is confident in standing on her own, she retracts her hoof.

He lets his hand fall, holding a grim expression to the mare who looks back at him with depressive eyes. “… Stay here, darlin’. Please.”

“B-But I just… I just want food for you to eat better. The oatmeal is no good…”

“The one I want eatin’ well is you, darlin’. And as a matter of fact…” As an idea visibly strikes Crimson, Moonlight takes further hesitance. “… How ‘bout this. I’ll fetch us the food today. Where I’m headed, it’ll be an easy stop along the way.”

“N-No! No, Crimson! Please don’t show yourself in places where you’ll be caught!”

“Moonlight, trust me on this. I’m gonna be headin’ to the Everfree forest, there’s a lodge there where Dahlia used to bunk. It’s a good’a place as any to start lookin’ fer her. There’s a little town, Dodge. You remember it? It’s close by. Long as there ain’t a patrol stoppin’ by the train station, there ain’t no Consortium punks and no Horseshoe scum to worry about. Just honest folk with a single sheriff to lead ‘em. I’ll get food from there. All I need is money. Come ‘n gone like a ghost.”

“I beg of you, please don’t put this burden on yourself. I-I’ll just… m-maybe I’ll feel better soon, and I can—”

She stops herself when he suddenly reaches in and takes ahold of her deep blue robe. He begins to ravel it from her back to her neck, giving her the hint that he is trying to take it off. She assists him by ducking her head. With the leverage to pull it off comfortably, he does so – not before the sleeves upon her forelegs crackle and unstick from her coat due to the dried and stained blood. He pulls it off and sets it on the kitchen tile. The smell of iron becomes powerful. The red scattered stains on the blue coat of her legs brings a wince to both of them.

He looks into her eyes, where she refuses to look back at him for a moment. “Moonlight.” She puckers her mouth, her cheeks tint pink from a mix of embarrassment and frustrating hopelessness. “I’ve broken your trust before. The only way I can work to get it back is if you allow me to. Let me do this fer you.”

Her head lowers as her ears lie flat. It hurts Crimson to see her succumb to defeat when she is already backed by a hurricane of hurt and terrible emotions, but he holds out for the light which shines for them. With melancholic resignation, Moonlight sighs softly and begins to walk past him. The man stands back up and stays in place, simply watching her.

She moves to the hallway, her hoofsteps shifting from the clack of kitchen tile to the muffle of carpet, then again to tile when she reaches the hall. She stops at one of several dressers found against the wall under the staircase and opens it with her magic. She retrieves two items which jingle the sound of coins. She then opens another drawer, one located at the bottom of the dresser. She pulls something else out that Crimson cannot see, returning to him thereafter with eyes averted and head still hung low.

He now sees that she retrieved something that resembles another one of her Scribe robes, dark blue in coloration like the one she wore before. He is somewhat confused by this. She offers all three items to him. “One’a yer robes?”

She nods meekly. “Y-Yes, it-- … you can put the baggies in the pockets… since… I don’t think they’ll fit comfortably in… your…” she hints at his hips, where the thin pockets of his skin-tight suit are located. Like a light flickering on, he realizes she thought of something he hardly considered.

He takes the robe first with a careful smile, feeling very grateful that she is not only trusting him, but willing to prepare him as well as she can. In his eyes, she portrays instincts that only a mother could have. This pushes an adoration into his heart that makes him feel as light as wind.

He brings the robe to his waist, being much too small to actually wear, and ties it using the sleeves. He then takes both coin purses and pockets them one on each side. Not being too heavy, he does not fear the coin bags sagging or stretching the robe.

Once he is situated, he notes that Moonlight is now gazing directly up at him. He looks at her in return. He tries to keep his smile to encourage her. “Since I don’t got the cover’a night right now, I wanna be sure. There’s no other folk around, right? I can just fly up from the backyard?”

“Nopony else lives around here, nor does anypony come through. It’s why Celestia deemed it a good place after my… first seclusion.” Remembrance gleams in her eyes. “Oh! Except the postal pony. They’re the only visitor I ever get. But even then, I don’t think Canterlot has updated the UEP with my return here yet. We won´t have anypony to worry about until Monday, when the therapist arrives.”

“That gives us a few days. Perfect.” Crimson takes a step to her and crouches down again. He reaches in and hugs her, to which she immediately comes into his embrace and hugs him back. Once they break apart, he leans in to give her a quick kiss on the lips, where she tries to match it and peck back at the same time.

She was a little slow on the draw. He chuckles lightly, garnering further embarrassment from the little unicorn.

He revels in her awkwardness full heartedly. For only being in the first hour of them illustrating their physical affection for each other, he personally thinks she is doing very well. At least, better than she would have done when they first met. He sees it in her eyes, her recent tragedy has made her considerably more brave. Maybe for the better, maybe for worse. He figures time will tell. He knows full-well that trauma is a good teacher, but he also understands to treat her with care until the bleeding wound turns into a scar.

He simply stares at her for a moment, admiring her adorable form. She seems content doing the same, ogling him in return.

Crimson falls into his muse. With how unapologetically cute she is and what atrocities she had to endure, it is the same depressive contrast he feels when he gave prolonged stares to Dahlia. She did not deserve anything she had to endure. Neither of them did. The fire that burns in his heart will ensure that all parties involved in their suffering will pay dearly. But priorities first. The mares themselves is more important than a self-enacted revenge-trip on their behalf. Return to her safely. This is what he must keep. For both of them.

“I’ll be back soon,” he says as he comes to his full height. He turns and walks towards the sliding glass door. Moonlight tails behind him, though she stops at the threshold rather than following him into the backyard where rain begins to strike him. He looks back to her, to her wide, timid orbs that stare back with anticipation. His smile widens slightly.

She beams back as best as she can against her nerves.

That smile is all he needs. His form combusts with golden fire. It surrounds him like wisps of gold wind. His eyes become pockets of light, his wings and halo piece together immediately.

Moonlight’s heart beats in her ears, feeling something very intimate quiver with delight.

“Before sundown. I’ll be back,” he repeats before looking up to the rainclouds above. He crouches down, puts his hands in the robe’s pockets, furls his wings, and bolts like a blur into the air once he flaps and jumps simultaneously.

Moonlight quickly reaches her hoof to keep her glasses from being blown off her face. Her mane and tail, and the flora around, are brushed aggressively from the powerful wind caused by his jump. By the time she adjusts her glasses and blinks her eyes, the golden light he produces is marred and faded out by the dense rainclouds high above.

She stands still for a moment, looking up to the sky that hides him. “... You promised.”

‎

---

‎

She damns her internal clock, for it is the reason she cannot return to the solace of sleep. In her cement hideaway, there is no clue of the sun’s ascent, no singing of birds, just the grueling pain of her own thoughts catching up to her. She feels too greyed and depressed to want to get up, but too rested to sleep any longer.

Her eyelids come apart slowly, the first thing her adjusting vision sees is the dark grey cloth of the duster she firmly hugs. Having fallen asleep with his clothes in her hold, she feels mild comfort in letting them be the first thing she sees. Maybe it is good that she did, as it now gives her the encouragement to lift her weary head and haul her sluggish body up.

She shimmies to sit on the edge of the bed. She brings the duster with her to continue holding it, glancing over to the clock perched upon the concrete wall of the bunker. Seven forty AM. No better time to struggle through life than early in the morning, she guesses.

She mentally prepares herself for the tasks ahead. Her mind’s eye glazes over the map she is laying out for herself. As she idles at the edge of the bed, a barely audible sound demands her immediate attention.

She glares at the ceiling latch of the bunker, having heard it be lightly disturbed. It goes silent for a moment. She wonders if she was simply hearing things, but it happens again shortly after. It was louder. Perhaps more confident. She tensely assumes that whoever is trying to open the latch is having some trouble lifting it.

Dahlia jumps off the bed and enters a defensive stance. Her glaring eyes watch as the slab is bothered once again, and this time, it comes up. Her teeth grit as she lowers her body, ready to dart in any direction.

“Hello?” a barely audible voice calls over the deafening waterfall.

Dahlia is stricken by its familiarity. Just as she puts a name to the voice, a yellow and pink head pokes itself in. She now finds herself locking eyes with the thing that stares back at her.

“… Strix?” the tan pegasus questions over the noise. When the intruding mare in question notices that Dahlia’s guard drops significantly, she smiles happily.

“Can I come in?” she asks, but it is drowned out by the waterfall.

Still, Dahlia reads her lips. She chews on the idea of having a visitor for a little longer than she should, as Strix’s expression becomes disquieted. Not a moment too soon, her mind is made up. With the motioning with her hoof, she signals Strix to come in. The yellow mare adheres immediately through a gasping smile, crawling in through the ceiling hole before grunting to get the slab back into its place. The awfully loud noise from the fall outside comes to an abrupt end.

Dahlia retreats to the bed again and sits on the edge, not removing her magenta orbs from Strix the entire time. Strix herself lands a few feet away from her without a sound, save for the gentle clanking of her silver armor.

“Hi, Wisp,” Strix bashfully begins, rubbing her left foreleg with her right hoof. “Sorry to, like… bug you outta nowhere like this.”

“It’s… whatever, I guess. Really didn’t expect any of you to come back, honestly.”

“No?” she asks with the tilting of her head.

“Not really. Figured you were all done having business with me.”

“Aw, but that wouldn’t be very nice.”

“Aaand… you’re trying to be nice to me… because…?”

Once again, worry overtakes Strix’s front. “Well, it’s ‘cuz, like… I feel like… you’re going through a lot right now. And if I was in your spot, I’d like somepony to talk to.”

Dahlia sets herself down in her own mind for a few seconds, gauging and internalizing the pink-yellow pegasus before her. She mentally repeats the sound of Strix’s voice in her head, her mannerisms, and even the way she stands – how she leans most of her weight on her two left legs. “… You’re here because you feel bad for me or something?”

Strix’s lifts her pink orbs to stare up at the ends of her own mane wonderingly. “I do feel a little bad, but… only because of what happened to Crimmy.”

Dahlia’s ears stand at attention at the mentioned name, before her entire demeanor deflates severely.

“I, like, saw it on your face, Wisp. The whole time we were watching him. Everything we saw was totally cuckoo… and it was really hurting you.”

Dahlia’s depressive state eases slightly at the empathetic notes of Strix’s voice. But before she allows anything else to break through her stone heart, she glares with squinted eyes to the yellow pegasus. “… Why are you the only one who showed back up?”

“Oh! Like, because BP is guarding the throne room. And captain went to go do royal business early this morning. I haven’t seen her since. My big sis isn’t much of a talker, but she told me to tell you that she ‘wishes you the very best.’ Everypony else would have come to see you again if they weren’t so busy. I’m lucky because my shift hasn’t actually started yet.”

Although Dahlia does not verbally acknowledge Strix, her fallen gaze speaks understanding.

Another terse quietness dances between them. With hesitance, but wrapped with sweetness, Strix speaks up again. “I don’t wanna bug you or make you upset, Wisp, so if, like, you want me to go, I’ll leave you alone. But I wanted to say that what BP said is totally true. If you want to talk to us whenever, just ask for at the Castle’s front desk.”

As Strix humbles herself and prepares to leave, Dahlia finally lifts her eyes from the ground to the mare. “… What did you wanna talk about?”

At being presented an opportunity, she smiles warmly. “Just about, like… how worried I am about you and stuff.”

Dahlia lines her brows. “Worried? About me?” Strix nods twice slowly. “… Why? You don’t even know me.”

“It’s true we don’t know each other too good, but I felt it deep down in my heart… I felt the hurt you were feeling when we were watching all of that Horis stuff happen. I was super happy when Crimmy was able to get away, but I couldn’t ignore the ugly feeling I got from seeing your sadness. I’m really sorry that, like, you two were separated because of that terrible stallion Magnifying...”

Dahlia deflates once more. The echoing depression in her heart and mind chants louder. These emotions are keenly caught by Strix, who in turn also feels this rooted sadness. And just then, in this brief moment, Dahlia gauges Strix again. She witnesses a gut-wrenching frown take ahold of this lively yellow pegasus’ face.

The stone barricades crack. Light shines through. While still too tough to let her emotions naturally slip out, she tries her best to muster a heartfelt thought. “… Thanks, Strix…” she clenches her teeth briefly before finishing, “… that you… care, and stuff.”

Strix is spurred again by her willingness to give her a chance. She takes it. With great bravery, she walks closer to Dahlia, slowly enough to be protested and deferred.

Again, her glee is given fuel when Dahlia does not push her away. She reaches the bed and sits on the edge of it with her.

All Dahlia does in reaction to this is shift her eyes towards her, then back towards the ground.

The room is still for a few seconds, until Strix smites the silence. “… I care a lot about Crimmy too, just like you do. When we first met, he was so fun and easy to talk to. He had a bunch of random questions about Equestria. He didn’t get to talk about himself too much, but I think he’s a super interesting guy.” Strix’s meek smile of waned glee finally loses its strength. She sighs lightly and continues with an expressionless front. “But what I did learn about him from the get-go is that he gets himself into trouble a lot. He even said he has a tendency to get hurt.”

Dalhia gives her full attention to the speaking mare, trying to keep a smirk off her face. “… Guess he’s the same everywhere he goes. What’d he do in front of you guys?”

“He had a little kerfuffle with the Guard on his first day. His first day!” She exclaims with emphasis while putting both hooves on Dahlia’s shoulder. “Punched one guard, kicked another.” A beam of light travels across Dahlia’s head, but she does not verbalize it. “Then a few days later, he goes and fights the first lieutenant and the captain in the sparring pit! He got himself hurt for, like, no good reason!”

While it was not intentional, her mannerisms, physical contact, and gestures put a lopsided simper on Dahlia’s face. “Preaching to the choir, sister. Trust me when I say that I know trouble better than anypony, and he’s definitely it. But I think that’s why I feel sorta understood by him. I get in trouble a lot too.”

“Is it the fun kind of trouble? Or is it the Crimmy kind of trouble?”

Dahlia chuckles lightly, tilting her head away. “Weell… sometimes. It’s fun on occasion. Most of the time, it’s the ‘Crimmy’ kind of trouble. The kind that’ll usually get me killed. Sometimes the two go hoof-in-hoof.”

“Ooo. Do you like living a dangerous life?”

“Uuh… sorta, I guess. I didn’t really pick it, it just kinda decided itself.”

“Mmm~” Strix hums melodically, very obviously thinking about the implications. But soon after, a new idea spurs visibly in her eyes. “Wisp?” she says while putting a gentle hoof on Dahlia’s shoulder again, “what was meeting Crimmy like for you? How did you two bump muzzles?”

Dahlia’s mildly warm attitude drops for lukewarm nothingness again, causing Strix to shrink slightly. “There’s a word I like to use when I think about how I met Crimson. Fate.”

“Like… if it was meant to happen?”

“Yeah. It feels that way each time I think about it.” She pauses briefly to reminisce. Her line of sight meets the ground once more. “Caught wind of an unraided temple in the southern Everfree sometime in the winter last year. Waited until the end of January so all the weird stuff with the forest calms down.”

“Wow. A temple in the Everfree?” Dahlia nods in confirmation. “Was it really big?”

“Underground, yeah. But topside, it’s just a rock and a door hidden in the brush. Easy to miss.”

“Oooh. That’s probably why I haven’t seen it.”

“Few ponies have.”

“Mmm… and this was early this year. That means…” The realization dawns upon her. “That means you met Crimmy before he came to Canterlot.”

“Yup.”

“… And you found him again after he left?”

“We have a winner…”

“Woaah. To think you and Crimmy, like, already knew each other before all of this.”

“Yeah. Things have been interesting to say the least. Anyway, it was a normal day like any other when I decided to prep and get to tackling the temple. I get there, and I find Crimson laying in front of it…” Strix’s eyes open slightly wider from their naturally half-lidded state. “… Almost dead.”

Strix gasps with both hooves over her mouth. “That’s horrible!”

“Yeah. Doofus tried to open the door to the temple. Got stuck with a paralysis dart. Sucked out the poison myself. Mouth was numb for a few hours, but it went away by the time I dragged him back to a lodge I was staying in further west. He was out for about three days before he came to.”

“My goodness, three whole days?” Dahlia nods in response. “Mmm... well, maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. Crimmy has lived through a lot of awful things that would normally kill other ponies.”

“… Ain’t that the truth.”

Strix takes a moment to glaze over Dahlia’s physical language. The tan pegasus feels her pink orbs taking in her details, but she bothers not to comment or return the stare.

“… You really, really like Crimmy, don’t you, Wisp?”

Dahlia’s body tenses lightly, as if briefly shocked. “W-Well, yeah… duh. Thought it was obvious.”

“Mm,” Strix shakes her head, leaning closer to her. “I mean, like… reaaally, really like him~”

Again, the tan pegasus freezes for a second. “Gh—Wh-- … What? Why are you saying it like that? What’re you trying to say?”

“Well, to tell you the truth, Wisp…” her faint smile strengthens just a bit further, “… I really, really like him too.”

Her previous shock now turns into a bolt of lightning. Dahlia’s very coat stands on its toes as she glares back at Strix in disbelief. “Waah?”

Strix giggles at the face Dahlia makes, but nods earnestly. “I thought about it a lot, actually. And it, like, all made sense to me. Crimmy is really big and really strong, but he doesn’t use his strength to hurt or steal from innocent ponies. He used his strength to protect me and my friends. That makes him really awesome in my books. And, like, what really make me realize he’s special, is that he’s an easygoing and super genuine guy. I really like that. Plus, he’s really patient. Like, when we were in the Guard, Banter was being a meany to him but Crimmy didn’t let it bother him. And, he wasn’t even angry at us for our really big fail in Yakyakistan. If we were as patient as he was with the yak prince, he would have probably given us the belt… without Crimmy coming home in… twists and pieces…”

Dahlia’s brows furrow deeply. “… Yak prince? Yakyakistan? You’re telling me that you guys went all the way out there for that stupid-ass belt?” Strix warily nods twice. “And what do you mean Crimson came home in twists?”

A remorseful sigh makes it out of Strix’s mouth. “We tried negotiating with the yak prince for the belt, but he didn’t want money. He wanted, um… I guess, ‘proof’ that we were worthy. Crimmy offered to do his ‘trials.’ But the prince didn’t wanna stop giving him more trials after finishing the first ones. The trails started to hurt Crimmy, and he didn’t mind… but we did. So we dropped the deal and demanded they give the belt over. The yak prince got… angry. He ended up putting on the belt, and he tried running us down…”

“Oh, shit…”

“… And Crimmy stopped him head-on.”

Dahlia exhales sharp enough to cut the air in front of her, mentally fitting the puzzle into place. “… Oh my stars…”

Strix fights to put on a smile, doing her best to avoid the heartache and gloom. “But, Crimmy survived. He saved us, and he survived. H-He wasn’t even mad at us when we saw him again.” Her cheeks tint pink as she recalls specific memories. “… I was drunk as a skunk with BP when I saw him again. It’s so funny too, because me and BP started drinking so much because of how guilty we felt from Yakyakistan. I… really, really regret getting drunk that night, because… I couldn’t even talk to Crimmy right. All the smart things I wanted to say didn’t come out. Then I fell asleep. I didn’t wake up until after he left for Las Pegasus… and I didn’t hear from him again…”

Dahlia finds herself unable to add to the conversation after Strix’s hard-fought smile finally falls. As if her melancholy was her own, the tan pegasus bites her lower lip and stares at the floor of the bunker.

Though, it is not more than a few more seconds before Strix smiles tenderly again, joining her in staring at the ground a few feet in front of them. “… It’s super weird, I think.”

Dahlia furrows her brows, giving the yellow pegasus an incredulous look. “What is?”

Strix closes her eyes peacefully. “Me really, really liking Crimmy. I know why I do, I just don’t know how it happened.” Dahlia’s inquisitive look only strengthens at the vague statement. “Because, like… I’ve met a lot of really cool ponies and stuff. Really nice ponies too. But I, um… like… haven’t felt this way about them. At least, not like this…”

Again, Dahlia remains unspeaking. Her mind is alight with more burning thoughts than she would like, all in due to the uncanny parallel she is drawing from the mare who speaks to her.

The bubbly Strix continues speaking. “The weird thing is, I like making new friends. And, like, there’s so many great ponies in the Guard and stuff. I think a lot of ponies like talking to me, and I like to talk to them too. But at the end of the day, I only ever like to hang out with my big sis and BP, and sometimes the captain when she’s free. I haven’t felt like… hanging out with anypony else. Maybe it’s my fault? Do I make you feel like I’m not ‘hangout-able?’”

The tan pegasus cannot help but crack a wry smirk at the non-word. A strangely honest piece of her mind breaks off and finds its way out of her mouth. “I barely know you, but you’ve somehow got me talking about stuff I don’t normally talk about. If that’s not a sign you’re 'hangout-able,' nothing else is.”

“Aw, that’s really nice of you~”

“Uuh… y-yeah. I guess.” Dahlia stutters clumsily before letting herself sink into thought. She arrives at another station of muse, mulling ideas, and mixing them all in a mental bowl to create her assumption. “… If I had to guess… do you think you’re somehow preventing ponies from getting too close?”

Strix lightens, obviously impressed. Her brows raise and her eyes open a little wider than normal. “Yeah! That’s, like, totally it!—Um. At least, I think that’s why. I don’t like to think about negative stuff too much because it bums me out, but… yeah.”

“… Huh,” Dahlia hums, letting her mind wander briefly.

“… Do, um… do you feel the same way?”

Dahlia remains unresponsive for a second or two before nodding solemnly. “But unlike you, I know for sure that I’m the problem. Crimson was… kind of a victim of that.”

“Mm?” she tilts her head curiously.

“… Just… I was so mean to him because of what I had to go through when I was younger. Wounds that never healed, I guess. All Crimson wanted to do was go home after winding up in Equestria, and I kinda boned him over by selling his clothes and stuff. We made an agreement to partner up to try and get him home as some kind of compensation for me doing what I did. I normally don’t feel bad for doing shit like that, but… for whatever reason, I did with him. Just before we partnered up, we almost agreed to part ways and forget about each other… but before he did, he asked for my name… and thanked me for saving his life.”

Strix’s loose smile becomes wider and truer.

“… I don’t know why that meant so much to me. Other ponies have done more than just say ‘thanks.’”

“Maybe because he really meant it. Crimmy saw the best in you. There’s a lot of bad in the world, and, like, he knows that as much as anypony else. Even if you did something mean to him, he didn’t forget that you also did something nice for him. He’s like that. Heh, it might be me just being silly, but I feel like I saw it in his eyes. He looks at the best in all of the bad things because of how many bad things he’s had to go through. … And, like… I think… I think that’s maybe why I really, really like him too. It’s been a long time since I’ve met somepony as… I guess, ‘genuine’ as him.”

Dahlia’s eyes come to a squint. The further Strix continues to speak, the more her eyes glisten.

“I felt so sad when he left to Las Pegasus. Then he disappeared. … A part of me makes me think he forgot about us.”

Dahlia’s emotional roil hits a bump. In her heart-fueled haste, she lifts her head to gawk at Strix and call, “He didn’t.” Strix returns a look of concern and bewilderment. “He hasn’t.”

“… He hasn’t?”

“I-I didn’t… I didn’t ask him or anything, but… trust me. He hasn’t forgotten about you.” Her highly risen feelings simmer slightly, allowing her to slow down and pace herself. “… And I know this because… I felt the exact same way as you. After Celestia’s goons took him away from me the first time, he… didn’t come back to me. I tried searching for him. I spent almost all my money and two weeks of my life solely looking for him around Canterlot and places around it. … I couldn’t find him. And when I started hearing stories of the ‘glorious angel’ that started working miracles in the Guard, I was…” Her eyelids come closer together, squinting her phantom rage, “… I was so fucking pissed at him. I thought he forgot about me and kept living his great, grand life. … But like you guessed, we found each other. … Or better yet, he found me. On one random day, he just… showed up again. I tried getting him to buzz off, but he refused to let me go.”

The pink-yellow mare leans down slightly, ensuring that her softly smiling front is visible in Dahlia’s musing peripheral. The tan pegasus ends up giving her attention to Strix, unable to stave off a simper of her own.

“… So, even though it looks like he’s forgotten about you, don’t think for a second he has. I learned that the hard way. And judging by all the shit that’s happened, Moonlight learned this too.”

At the mentioning of the unicorn, both of their smiles transfer into frowns. “… Poor Moonlight,” Strix hums.

“… Yeah. That’s… it’s… rough.”

“Me and her were really good friends years ago. All of us were – my sis Swirly, BP, and even the captain. I still care a lot about her, even if it’s been a long time. Seeing what she had to go through, like, makes me feel sick to my heart and my stomach.”

Both mares bask in these painful feelings for much longer than necessary, only broken when Dahlia utters. “Friends. Moonlight, Crimson, you, the others… weird how it all works, huh?”

“Mmha,” Strix hums happily. “And you too, Wisp. You’ve got me thinking the same thing now. That maybe this is all happening because of fate.”

“Heh. At least somepony doesn’t think I’m crazy."

“No! Never! You’re, like, really down to earth and think about things super well. I’m really happy that you let me talk with you.”

“Yeah… not a problem… but, uh… Strix…”

“Mm?”

“… About what you said earlier. About you ‘really, really’ liking Crimson.”

“Mhm?”

“… You told me all of this even though you knew I feel that way about him too.” Her magenta orbs narrow very slightly, but just enough for Strix to obtain their energy. “… Is there something you’re trying to say?” As if stricken with whiplash, Strix pulls her head back with a shy frown. This reaction quickly begets a regretful expression from Dahlia, as she grits her teeth from the guilt. “W-What? What’s with that look?”

“Oh. No, it’s just, like, I totally get where you’re coming from, Wisp. I-I’m not, like… trying to take him away from you, if you’re… w-wondering…”

Dahlia’s mouth falls open.

“I was just trying to tell you what I felt so you could feel better about your feelings. I don’t mean to be pushy or weird, but… I feel like I see it in your eyes. You really, really like Crimmy, but aren’t sure what to do. I feel like your feelings are all over the place right now…”

A tick of pain shoots from Dahlia’s heart, finding great displeasure at being read so clearly.

“Um, like… me. I, like, don’t have a special somepony. And what I said before is probably why. And that’s okay! Life’s too crazy for these things, and besides…” She leans closer to Dahlia again and places a soft hoof on her shoulder. “… You met him first. It’d be super uncool of me to mess with that. I just want you to know that, whatever it is you feel or want to say, you should stick true to it. If you really, really like Crimmy, don’t let those feelings hide away. No matter what anypony says.”

The anxious surprise which was overriding Dahlia’s senses melts into her self-reproach. A longwinded sigh runs out of her mouth, accompanied by a loose slouch. “… I’m sorry if I sounded like a bitch just then, Strix. I’ve got a really bad habit of saying really mean shit before seeing the full picture.”

“Aw, no! You’re not being a bitch, you’re just trying to protect what you love.”

“Yeah, but I don’t need to be mean to do that.”

“It’s okay, Wisp. It’s one of those things you work on over time.” Strix glances away, resting her eyes down on her own tummy. “Um… Wisp?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re still planning on looking for Crimmy, right?”

“… Yeah.”

“Yay. That makes me a little happier.”

“Well… uh… I’m glad it does. I’d, y’know… ask you to join and help me, but you’re a Guardspony still. I don’t think it’d be a good idea.”

“Oh, no, you’re totally right about that. It would be a bad idea to go looking for him. Even BP agrees, and I know for sure that he would love to! And me too! But sadly, BP, Captain Snowfall, and me only have one day off a week, and even then, we’re still on call. My sister wouldn’t be happy with the idea either, with all of the ugly things happening with the Horseshoes and stuff.”

“I get you. … So. What did you really wanna ask?”

Not expected to be placed on this spot so quickly, Strix stammers. “Oh—uhm! Yeah! So, like, eheh... I was gonna ask you, y’know… if it’s not too much trouble for you. If you do find Crimmy somewhere… can you, um… please, let him know that I, like… um… miss him?”

Dahlia’s expression softens at the request. She rubs her lips side to side, avoiding Strix’s gaze until she is ready to answer. “Yeah. No problem, Strix.”

“Yay! Thank you!” Dahlia is thrown a curve ball when Strix brazenly wraps herself around her for a hug. The tan mare’s mouth puckers, her one non-smothered eye breaks open, but she does not fight it. The embrace is warm and tender, regardless of the cold silver breastplate. Strix opens one eye to stare at Dahlia’s, finally saying, “You’re the best, Wisp.”

Strix then parts herself from Dahlia, giggling before she finishes. “Maybe one day we can all hang out again! Just like Crimmy promised!”

“… Promised?” Dahlia counter-assesses.

“Mhm,” she nods, lifting her eyes as if staring up at her own low-hanging pink mane. “When we first met, Crimmy had promised me that we’d be able to hang out again. And, like, I don’t mean ‘hang out’ by, like, just being around each other. Because we did that a lot in the Guard on our missions. I mean ‘hang out’ by, like…”

“… Just chilling and stuff.”

A happy gasp comes from Strix. “Yeaah! Exactlyyy!~ You’re super smart, Wisp!”

A wash of heavy pensiveness catches Dahlia, but she tries not to show it overtly. “… Hmh. Interesting thing to make a promise about, but… I guess I can see it.”

“It’ll be so much fun! You, me, Crimmy, and all of our friends! We’ll be, like, one big happy family!”

Dahlia nods twice with little energy, obviously trying to keep a collected front. “Yeah, but I thought you said you couldn’t get off guard duty ‘cause you’re ‘on call.’”

Strix deflates once again, giving her warm and jovial air a cold wind. “It’ll be tough, ‘cause, like, we won’t be able to unless we all request a specific day. And I’m not sure Swirly would want to risk leaving Canterlot without a good reason. The Consortium is keeping a close eye on everypony now. Well, everypony in the more important groups, like the Royal Researchers.”

“Aren’t you apart of an ‘important group?’ The Elite or whatever?” she says, pointing to the yellow mare’s pristine armor.

“Oh yeah, but like, the Consortium put an official hiatus on the title since we haven’t had assignments for a while. Celestia said we’ve been ‘dispersed’ but she let us keep our armor as a ‘thanks.’ And since I’m just a lowly patrol sergeant, they don’t really look at me. But BP, captain, and my big sis might have a little bit of trouble.”

“Hm,” Dahlia sounds out her understanding. “I get’cha. Well… maybe one day we’ll all… hang out. And stuff.”

“I can’t wait!” Strix cheers her glee, going in for another hug. The tan pegasus once again accepts it but does not return it, draped over by mild embarrassment.

“And, uh… Strix?”

“Hm?” she hums as she still nestles her cheek on the tan mare’s.

“… Call me Dahlia. Not Wisp.”

“Oh?” she emits while finally breaking the hug.

“I don’t really wanna get into it right now, but… yeah. Don’t call me Wisp anymore. My real name’s Dahlia Do.”

Strix’s eyes gleam, giving sign to Dahlia that she acknowledges the implications. The peppy yellow mare nods quickly with an equally ecstatic beam. “That’s a cute name~ Dahlia Do,” she hums it to herself, hugging her own self and rocking left and right. “Oh! Dahlia Do! D, and D!” She gasps, shifting her gleaming pink orbs to those of deep magenta.

“… Yes, Strix. You can call me Deedee.”

Strix gasps, holding her hooves over her chest. “You read my mind! Can you read minds?”

“Heh. Only some of them. But,” she says quickly, trying to prevent the yellow mare from spurring further conversation out of her, “listen, Strix... a-as embarrassing as it is to say this… I appreciate that you bothered to come back just to talk to me. I don’t wanna hold you up from your Guard business anymore, and I should probably get going. Don’t wanna lose too much of the day.”

“I totally get you, Deedee. It’s no biggie for me, since all I have to do is attend a big ceremony thingy today. Then I’m free after that. Honestly, I know you wanna find Crimmy sooner than later, but I think it’s something you should see too. It’s, um, like… kinda important. To Equestria and stuff.”

“… To Equestria?”

“Yu-huh! It should be starting now,” Strix hops off the bed and spins while unfurling her right wing, using it to take ahold of Dahlia’s arm and pull her gently.

“Woah, woah, slow down, Strix. Need more info before I think about going to your thing.”

“Ehe~” she bashfully chuckles, “oopsie. I got a little excited. Yeah! It’s gonna be at the Canterlot Stadium. I think the whole thingy will last about two hours. After it’s over, the Canterlot Tram should be open for departures again, and they’ll offer complimentary tickets ‘cause of the event. You can start looking for Crimmy right after!”

“Oh. Cool. A free ticket sounds nice. And I guess this is an ‘open to the public’ event?”

“Yupperoonie!”

“What’s it even about if it’s so important?”

“I actually have no idea! But I was told by my command sergeant major that the Royal Armies General is going to be there, so it’s definitely gonna be something big.”

Strix continues to lightly tug Dahlia’s arm. With enough option-weighing and self-debating, Dahlia finally lets herself be pulled and comes off of the bed as well. Standing face to face with Strix, she declares, “alright, I’ll go to your thing.”

“You won’t regret it, I don’t think! Haha!~”

“Yeah. And like you said, I’ll get to looking for Crimson right after it’s done. That means… y’know…”

“Mm?” Strix tilts her head, still smiling jovially.

A golf ball of awkwardness is making itself at home in Dahlia’s throat. She tries twice to swallow it down, but her steeled nerves and apathetic tendencies are now clamping down on her.

“… Ooooh,” Strix coos in curious assumption. “That means we won’t get to say goodbye to each other, right?”

Like a wind of relief breezing through her soul, her shoulders droop and her tension eases. She nods twice, grateful that she picked up what was scarcely put down.

“Aww!~” For the third time, Strix dives in for an intimate hug. She nestles her head next to Dahlia’s, holding her tightly. “Mmm~” she hums melodically, savoring the embrace.

While Dahlia’s only external reaction is to lift her hoof to gently pat Strix’s back, her head and heart bask in the glow of the genuine affection the pink-yellow mare bestows.

Their hug lasts a fair few seconds, where Dahlia is the one who motions to ease it off. They come apart and exchange one more tender smile with one another.

“Let’s get hopping!” Strix beams. “The thingy’s gonna start!”

“Y-Yeah… right behind you.”

The pink-yellow pegasus takes a bubbly lead and ushers Dahlia to the ladder which leads topside. She flies up to the stone hatch, puffing her cheeks out to push it out. With a “pwah!” she gets it up and pushes it aside.

Dahlia uses her own wings to fly behind. Though, before she exits the bunker, she takes one more look towards the scattered belongings on the bunkbed – the duster, the boots, and the articles of clothing. Her gaze softens at letting them knock on her heart. Then, without further ado, she flies up to join Strix.

The duo trot to the right end of the fall, taking high caution not to be caught emerging. While Dahlia is surprised and somewhat worried when there is absolutely no one around in the Gardens or the orchard, Strix deems this normal and tilts her head to signal their continuance. The two hop out and begin flying towards the resonating ruckus quite far out – something that is barely in earshot.

Just as Strix mentioned, the Canterlot Stadium is alive. Loud booms, hollering crowds, and unintelligible speaking echo in the semi-cloudy skies.

Dahlia continues following Strix, flying deeper into the city to attend the boisterous event.

‎

‎

The Canterlot Stadium brims to the peak with ponies of the city. Their voices clamor and overlap, much distress finds itself among the crowd. Several figures are present at the stage located directly in the center of the stadium, prepping themselves. Most are sat in seats, there is an item covered by a teal blanket, and one stallion stands just before the podium with a magically-powered acoustics enhancer.

A burly stallion suited in a fine tan uniform with many ribbons and medals across his coat walks to the magically-powered blue bulb which transmits his voice. He clears his throat away from the mic before speaking into it. “A fine morning to you, citizens of Canterlot.” Once his deep, commanding voice echoes through the stadium, the noise of the crowd dies down quickly. “It brings me joy to see Equestria’s finest together like this. I welcome you all to this grand meeting on behalf of the Canterlot Castle, as we have the pleasure of informing you of the new and exciting changes happening here at your very home. I am General Terran, your military head.”

Cheers and whistles boom from every attending pony, some shouting at the top of their lungs, “I love you, General!” or “Please sign my son’s beret!”

The General smiles warmly, knowing that the hearts of the civilians are kept close. His strategy and leadership were able to save Canterlot during the Great War against both a changeling and dragon raid, and he has been honored ever since. “Thank you, everypony. Even in my older years, your reverence is what keeps me strong and able. There is a number of things we must discuss. Firstly, and most importantly, consumer changes. Because we all know a healthy economy is a healthy pony. I am pleased to announce that the Consortium will be decreasing all tariffs and taxes on imported goods by three percent. Home-grown produce will gain a tax break after seventy-thousand bits in revenue.”

Hollers of happiness shake the stadium. “No way!” “That’s amazing!” “Oh my stars, finally!”

The General smiles and looks around steadily, waiting for emotions to settle. “Along with this decrease in your rates, a new orphanage is being constructed in the yellow district. We have heard your cries and please, Canterlot, and we strive to tackle the rising homelessness for our youth head on.”

The crowd responds with nothing but positive chants.

“Now let us set sights on the staunch protectors of our fine city. There is both good and bad news I must inform you of.”

The positivity in the crowd presses down to seriousness.

"I would like to shine light on the events which transpired a week ago. Some of you may already know, but a terrorist attack took the life of one of our best Royal Researchers.” A mare standing behind the General on the stage uses her teeth to remove the teal blanket which was hiding something underneath. A monumental painted portrait of a grey and light blue unicorn stallion displays for all to see. “Magnifying Glass was a valued member of our research team, he was a great friend to many, and I know many of you had the pleasure of meeting him during last year’s Brightest Minds science fair at the Magic Academy. Any fathers and mothers out there who have received invitations to the Magical Institute undergraduate program for their children have him to thank for hosting the event. And in return for him, a sermon is being held tonight at seven in the evening, and we ask that you please attend.”

A heavy and morose air takes the stadium. The General stops speaking for a moment to let his words sink.

“And with this topic at hoof, I would like to address the rumors which have been floating amongst our population. Magnifying Glass was a friend to all, and his prestigious record precedes him. With the approval of the Consortium and the families involved, I shall recant the events of that night. Magnifying Glass and the Canterlot Head Researcher, which was requested by our leadership to remain unnamed, were working their graveyard shifts. Their routine work was abruptly interrupted when an assassin had infiltrated the Castle using technologies unknown to us. These technologies allowed the assassin to bypass our hawk-eyed Nightguard and the security systems we have in place. Rest assured, we are dedicating heavy resources to understanding this technology and reinforcing Canterlot’s protection from these foreign threats.”

Skeptical muttering can be heard all across the stadium.

“Our detective marshal deduced that the goal of this terrorist was to assassinate our Head Researcher, not Magnifying Glass. In an act of bravery and courage, Magnifying Glass was able to save the Head Researcher and buy the Nightguard enough time to surround the assassin. Unfortunately, Magnifying Glass did not survive the encounter.”

Much of the crowd takes on sadness or agitation. “Kill the bastard!” one of the crowdponies shout indiscriminately. The crowds cheer at this crude calling.

The General lifts his hoof to ask silence from the crowd. “This is where complications arise, and where your cooperation will be needed. I must address the first rumor, one which many of you are familiar with. A name which brings concern, and sometimes fear, the Black Horseshoes.”

Gasps and widened eyes flow through the crowd at the name being spoken.

“Magnifying Glass has been accused of having close ties to this gang.” His serious, squinted eyes shift left and right among the crowd. “These rumors are true.”

More frantic and dramatic gasps strike the crowd.

“But understand, my fellow ponies, that the Black Horseshoes are not our enemies, as many have thought. Magnifying Glass gave his life to protect one of ours, and the tax reductions being implemented are in due to their generosity and financial backing. We, of Canterlot, are looking to expand this relationship. Do not mistake this as working for them, but instead alongside them. We shall remain independent, and our jurisdiction stays the same. The Great War has caused tremendous suffering, and the effects it has had on our economy are still seen to this day. Our interest is in you, my fellow ponies."

“WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY CHILDREN!? WILL THEY BE SOLD AS SLAVES!?” a mare shouts from the stands, her voice amplified through the stadium’s receivers by a Guardspony, who levitates a smaller blue orb to her. This question causes others to start shouting questions, but they do not receive the amplifier. It is retracted by the guard once the crowds become agitated.

“Worry not, my beautiful citizens,” the General smiles at the direction of the voice, “we shall hold a brief question and answer at the end of our meeting. Please save them for then.”

The questions and shouting die down slowly at his promise.

“Thank you all for your continued patience. The Black Horseshoes certainly have a reputation that many could find negative, repulsive even, but do not let it taunt your vision of the future. The Black Horseshoes strive to improve Equestria’s quality of life. Even through uncivilized means, the fruit of the burden will become greater than the toil. The same regards cannot be said by other, much more despicable gangs that plague our lands. A rival gang employed the assassin. If your hatred should be dedicated towards a faction, it must be the Sleeping Talons. Their self-interested, continued acts of terrorism cannot be overlooked. This leads us to our final topic of discussion. It pains me to say that we may have terrorist sympathizers here in our beautiful city of Canterlot. Because of this, we have made several arrangements to our leadership team, and we would love nothing more than to show to you who is now commanding your Royal Guard. Please put your hooves together for your new Head of the Royal Guard: Captain Banter.”

Cheering runs through the crowd. The stallion in question rises from the chair he was sitting in, exchanging a quick word with a mare to his side, then walks to the podium. He has a few cards tucked under his left wing. The General steps back and allows him to take the bulb and podium.

Banter sets the cards discreetly down on the podium, remembering what he was taught. He tries not to look at the cards too much and glazes his eyes through the crowd with a smirk. “Good morning, Canterlot. I am…” he glances down at the card, “pleased to have your acquaintance this morning. Just as the General has said, with…” he glances down, “great pleasure, I will now assume the role as Captain of the Royal Guard. It’s an honor to lead such a powerful and talented force of ponies, all to protect and serve you. We have become complacent, and we allowed this… preventable tragedy, to come about us. Lay your… heads, easy now, knowing that we will never rest in keeping you safe. Effective next week, we will have alternating patrols among the city, ensuring everypony’s safety. We are also reworking our training, nutrition, and education regiments to better prepare our troops for the task of protecting you all. We are here for you. Do not be afraid to approach a Guardspony and say hi. There is… nothing more that we want, but to build a f-… favorable relationship, with you all. We also ask that you report any suspicious activity immediately to the patrols, so justice may… act swiftly. Also, to… a-‘accommodate’ our rising… safety, standards, we will also increase our staffing force by… sixty-five percent. So! If you know any strong and determined ponies interested in a career with many benefits and an excellent retirement plan, send them my way to enlist in the Royal Guard today!”

His pep sounds forced at the end, but the reception seems to go well. The crowd cheers and claps their hooves. Banter looks back to the General, as if looking for approval. The General nods once proudly. Banter faces the crowd again and smiles.

“Thank you all again for coming out today, and I will see you at the sermon tonight!” His enthusiasm sounds a bit more genuine and he waves to the crowd. They continue to cheer him on as he backs away from the podium and returns to his seat. The mare he sits next to reaches in and hits his shoulder gently. He responds with a chuckle and some words.

The General reassumes his position in the podium, addressing the crowds once again.

‎

---

‎

Storm clouds hang high above the dewy morning, but the rain has finally stopped in southern Equestria. Atop the Appaloosan Mountains, the mansion which once belong to the Doyens still sits.

The solid oak doors which lead into the great chamber come open by the hooves of two servant ponies. Heads lowered, posture humbled, they look into the immense room, towards the stallion who sits in a brand-new throne made specifically for him. Banging can be heard, the sounds of construction are next to him.

“My lord,” one of the servant mares speaks up, “may we enter?”

Horis looks bored. He rests his head on his hoof as he reclines back with little interest to the ponies which make their presence known. He beckons them with his other hoof, bothering not with a verbal reply.

“T-Thank you, my lord.”

The two servants enter the chamber timidly. One of them glances to the left towards the racket. Three stallions wearing toolbelts and thick shirts are working to repair the incredible hole caused by the violent encounter which happened last night. The rest of the chamber appears to already be repaired and in mint condition, with many new personal touches which include more green-colored fixtures.

The two servants stop at the base of the staircase that leads up to his throne. Together they bow to him.

“What news have you?” Horis asks his servants sternly.

“A letter of reply, my lord,” the same servant replies.

Horis takes interest and sits up promptly. “Finally. I was beginning to think I would need to pay her highness a visit in-pony. Let me see it.”

The servant trepidly reaches into her saddlebags and retrieves a tan letter wrapped with a pink ribbon. She ascends the staircase step by step until she greets him at the top. She bends down, puts her flank up in the air, and offers the letter.

Horis channels his magic to take it, unravel it, and read it. He mumbles the words to himself aloud.

To Horis,

Greetings from afar. I hope this letter finds you well. Finding a starting point will be difficult; there is much to discuss. Firstly, I thank you for bringing to light the recent events regarding the Horseshoes. I welcome your return with open hooves, words cannot express my shock and awe. Your comrades would be jealous of your success. I never once doubted your abilities.

Next, I would like to discuss your proposition. I understand that you wish to move quickly, but please understand that Equestria is being forced through many changes, including the aforementioned state of affairs with the Black Horseshoes. You have my word that our forces will unite, and soon you will have access to Consortium resources. Though, as it stands now, I cannot allow your forces to publicly quarter in Canterlot. Not with the unrest caused by the death of my researcher. Despite this, we have executed the first half of this agreement – our unwilling volunteer has stepped down from her position as captain. A new captain who is comfortable volunteering has been placed. I will follow up with you on the latter half of this request in due time.

Onto your next request, the Consortium has already enacted and issued the bounty for the angel. Strictly to be taken alive, at your request. I understand your concerns, but I cannot expend the resources or pony-power to hunt him down and hold him captive. As agreed, our scouts are supplying a constant relay of information which will be sent to your subordinates. Your units may use this information to find and detain him in the event he is spotted.

For your final request, and as mentioned prior, our volunteer is in place and making preparations. I ask that you ensure his health and safety in order to prevent further turmoil in between Canterlot and the Horseshoes. Your first request will likely hinge on the success of this project. The volunteer is scheduled to accept your visitor tomorrow evening. By the time you receive this letter, it should be by tonight. Please make preparations of your own, your visitor will return with all of the information and the results of the experiment the following afternoon.

I am very excited to work with you again, Horis. We will synergize as beautifully now as we did during the Great War, but with flourishing of life, rather than bloodshed and death. My best regards.

Yours truly,

Celestia

“Hmh,” the stallion huffs with a slight smirk. “I sense indecisiveness from you, princess. Little do you know this is only the beginning.” He ravels up the letter, levitating it back to the servant which gave it to him. “Advise the bookkeep and ready the mage. Allot any appropriate resources for her trip to Canterlot.”

“At once, my lord.” The mare closes her eyes and lowers her face before rising quickly and carefully taking the scroll back. She hastily trots down the staircase and exits the chamber with the other servant she came in with. They shut the heavy doors to the chamber, leaving Horis with the construction ponies.

The stallion rests his head of his hoof again, a slight grin rests on his lips. He takes in a deep breath before exhaling and whispering to himself. “Do not disappoint me, Celestia.”

‎

---

‎

“I will be here… always…”

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