*I woke up with a start. What was it now?

"...Are you awake?" Apple Bloom whispered while poking me.

"I am now..." I grumbled. She made an innocent smile.

"What's so important?"

"I just...wanted to make sure of something," Hm. That was very vague. It must be very personal, or else it could have probably been able to wait until morning.

"Well? Spit it out!" I was in a cranky mood, and you could tell. It wasn't helping her say it at all.

"Can we make a promise? A Pinkie Pie Promise?" It was a very low whisper.

"Okay,"

"I'm very serious right now,"

"Okay," The earth pony made a sigh before continuing.

"We'll always be together, right? Always?" That was it? What a dumb question! Of course, of course, why would I say no?

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." I said nonchalantly, doing all the right gestures and movements. She looked as if she was relieved, desperate almost.

"Th-Thankyou...Good night,"

"Night," Was what I ended the conversation with.

  In the cold night stood a lone figure. She maneuvered through the vastness of it. Babs opened the large barn door, which caused a creaking noise to be heard. It echoed throughout the barn and its walls. She stepped further. Suddenly, she heard a glass break. It dropped from the hooves of a familiar pony. Her eyes widened, and Babs did the same.

"Apple...Apple Bloom? Is it really you?" The orange pony whispered, feeling her bow, which was placed on her simple hair. The same style as before...before any of this.

  "H-Howdy...partner," came an accent only a real farmpony could muster. She was ba-

"You're back! You're back!" Babs exclaimed. She was shushed by Apple Bloom, whom was looking around.

"Shh, It's bad enough I broke that expensive wine glass they gave me. Are we even allowed to drink wine yet?" She wondered, until she shook her head and dismissed the thought. She hugged Babs.

"I never left. They just made...threats if I didn't join them. I've decided to leave today." Apple Bloom explained as she pointed a hoof to some bags and luggage. So, together they ventured once again into the bitter night.

Once home, they lay on their beds, exhausted. Babs looked at Apple Bloom and started to speak.

"I want to make sure of something..." She said, surprising the cream pony slightly.

"Uh, sure."

"I feel like this is déjà vu, but... We'll always be together, right?" After this simple question, silence hung in the room. The answer was obvious, but sometimes everypony needed some kind of reassurance.

"Of course. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Apple Bloom replied with a warm smile.  

"Always,"