Rainbow wasn't quite the same the next day. I offered to let her stay with me in my home so she wouldn't have to go back to the hospital, but she insisted on sleeping on the grass. I guess she wanted to see what it was like, and by now you know how she is; if she's set on doing something... she does it. At least I convinced her to take the patch right in front of my house. I stayed with her the entire night and slept in the grass right beside her anyway. I hear the doctor wasn't too happy about it - her leaving the hospital, and that he even complained to the mayor, but you could argue she's more powerful and influential than the mayor is anyway given her status as an element and best friend to the Princess, so there wasn't much they could do.

That night and the next day she was quieter than she usually is. To my disappointment, she didn't smile as much. She's usually wide-eyed and talkative, looking for fun in every corner of the land - but she was different. She was pretty unresponsive to the ponies around us. I knew she wasn't going to get over this instantly. If she did, I suppose that'd be a bit worrisome in and of itself.

She wasn't unwelcoming towards me though; on the contrary she seemed to be strongly appreciative of my being beside her, but she lacked her usually energy to be sure and it weighed on me. I had simply never seen her this way, except for maybe the short moment when my parents took me away as foal.

I couldn't know all of what was going on in her deep and thoughtful eyes. I asked her that morning if there was anything more she wanted to talk about, but she said no. I guess everyone has their own way of adjusting to bad news, or adversity, or anything like it. I just wanted to go back to the way we were before it came out- happy and laid back, basking in the joy of each other's company. I just hope she recovers quickly... I just have to do everything I can for her until she does.

"Sonic!" cried the voice of Rarity from behind us.

Rainbow and I were making our way to the train station around noon to send off Scootaloo to the Crystal Empire for the Thunderhooves concert. We were just about to step onto the platform when the white mare came running up from behind us, and we knew this could only mean an update in the investigation. We turned around and saw her trotting anxiously with a notebook floated beside her as her horn glowed blue. Her face was covered in exhaustion that made me feel both appreciative and guilty knowing what she was going through for me.

"Have you got anything?" asked Rainbow hopefully, and it echoed my feelings.

"I've interviewed close to fifty ponies the last twenty-four hours, and I have nothing conclusive yet I'm afraid," Rarity bemoaned over her heavy breathing. Rainbow and I traded soulful looks, but before we could say anything she continued. "But I'm getting on to something, my darlings. One mare, Flitter, said she saw Thorn standing very near Hoops and Dumbbell before the race, even though Dumbbell and Thorn denied talking to each other at all beforehoof and - oh! You should've seen how rude and uncooperative those three were when I tried to interview them! Hmp! Sonic, they are guilty and by heaven I'm going to prove it."

Rainbow raised a lamenting eyebrow at me.

"That's suspicious but it doesn't prove anything for these other numbskulls to believe," she said, and my heart sunk a little bit. Rarity was clearly working really hard, which made me feel bad.

"No, it doesn't," she replied sadly. "But get this; another mare, Sunshower, said she saw Hoops smirking at Dumbbell moments before the tornado fell apart. Another pony says he saw Thorn moving up to the area you were flying in that same time too! But they denied any collaboration."

I didn't know how to feel about it. Rainbow seemed to have confidence in her friend as she expressed to me earlier. I was definitely depressed to hear that Rarity couldn't prove anything yet, but Rainbow sent me a faint smile -faint, though deep - that was just enough to touch me.

"Look Rarity, if you need to take a break then by all means please do... and if you know anything at all in this world then please know that I'm really grateful for this incredibly generous thing you're doing," I said, and Rarity managed an appreciative beam.

"It's not a problem at all, sweetheart. You and Rainbow are beyond worth it. Please don't despair, though, darlings. The photographer took close to sixty photographs of the event yesterday. I'm headed over there to look through the developed ones... I will search every inch of every picture for anything to clear your name!" she said with extra drama and emphasis in her delivery. Just like that, she was gone in the other direction, leaving us standing beside each other as we watched her.

Rainbow sensed in me that as I looked at Rarity disappearing into the distance, I knew that those pictures would probably be my last hope. Odd and suspicious behavior would not be enough to convince this town of my innocence, which I wanted everyone to know for my sake but also if not especially Rainbow's. She would deny it of course, but I could see how it was affecting her.

"She'll figure it out. I know she will," she said in a soft voice. Somewhere in her weariness I could see glimmers of hope. I tried to think of something I could do or say to make her day a little bit better. I wanted to tell her that my past didn't matter to me, nor the accusations against me regarding the failed reservoir lift. But they did matter to me because I could see that they mattered to her.

I sighed; just as I opened my mouth to say something the voice of a filly from the platform interrupted us.

"You guys are coming now?" asked a hopeful Scootaloo. The two of us whipped around and saw her galloping towards us. We stepped up onto the platform beside the train tracks and met her alongside it. It was crowded, especially with fillies and colts. Some ponies were getting off the train, but it seemed like no one besides little ones really seemed to be getting on. There were several ponies closer to my age there too that all seemed to be doing the same thing we were - talking to the little ones - which I took to be brothers and sisters sending their siblings off. I saw a few parents.

Scootaloo was excited to see us; she had this big smile on her face that pretty much forced Rainbow and I to cheer up. It lifted me a little bit to see all the other happy foals running around with not a care in the world. I remember those days.

"We might," replied Rainbow with a smirk. "It's awful tempting. We might just come anyway and I'll put up with the pain," she said looking back at her wing, and I have no doubt whatsoever that she was seriously entertaining the idea.

"That'd be really cool!" said Scootaloo, looking at Rainbow with an excited beam that quickly faded at a realization. "But wouldn't that just make your recovery longer if you, you know, like bumped it a million times?"

When Scootaloo pointed this out you could see in her face the thought of waiting longer to start flying again really deflated Rainbow's entertaining of the idea.

"The doctor said definitely not," I reminded her, raising my eyebrow her way though I would never deny her if she absolutely wanted to.

"Yeah... sorry squirt but I think I better stay here," she said, and Scootaloo lowered her head disappointed but her face said she understood. I wanted nothing more than to say something to cheer her up, but I couldn't think of anything. "Don't feel too bad though. We actually came to send you off, and to make sure you have a wicked awesome time without us," continued Rainbow.

"Wait... how did you hurt your wing again? During the reservoir liftoff or something?" asked the filly. Rainbow and I met eyes for a split second; I was actually thrilled to hear that someone didn't know this story, much less Scootaloo, who's love I admittedly crave. I wasn't sure how anyone *couldn't* know at this point, but I was beyond content.

"It's kind of a long story. I'll tell you about it when you get back. It involves dirtbags who I'm going to beat the snot out of when I'm healed," replied Rainbow, putting a proud hoof on her shoulder that seemed to shock and excite her at the same time.

"Ugh, there's so many young fillies and colts going," said Scootaloo quietly, looking over her shoulder embarrassed before staring back up at us with big purple eyes. "I'm gonna be like the oldest one there! Maybe I should just stay with you guys."

I had forgot how when you're a foal, you want nothing more than to grow up. Then of course once you get here, you want nothing more than to go back. You can't ever tell a kid that though.

"What?" asked Rainbow, somewhat shocked. "Come on, you're saying none of these young mares and stallions are going?"

"Right?" she replied, mirroring her disbelief. "They're just here with their siblings and what not... they're not going."

"But that's - huh?" blurted Rainbow, her mouth hanging open as wide as her eyes. "This is Thunderhooves! He's not just for fillies and colts!" she proclaimed, almost frantically. "Where's Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom?" she asked, shaking her head. "Why don't you three just go together?"

"Sweetie Belle is helping Rarity today with her boutique since she's busy doing something else, and Apple Bloom just went on a business trip with her family. They're taking apples to their distant family somewhere," replied Scootaloo in a voice that longed for her friends.

"What? Didn't they just go on vacation?" asked Rainbow in disbelief. "Applejack, what are you- ugh, whatever," she continued, facehoofing herself.

"I guess I'm gonna go. I mean this is Thunderhooves we're talking about," said the filly.

"Yeah. I mean, you gotta go and tell us all about it. Like if he uses smoke screens, and if ponies scream until their voices are gone, and if there's pushing and shoving so hard that ponies actually get hurt," replied Rainbow, as if that was exciting.

It seemed Scootaloo had forced some of Rainbow's old self back, if she wasn't quite as enthusiastic and excited as she'd normally be. At the sight of it, a warm feeling rushed through me that made it's way onto my face, and I loved Scootaloo even more for accomplishing it.

Just then, the sound of laughter from a few foals behind her making their way onto the train caught Scootaloo's attention and she whipped her head around. I saw an innocent love of fun light up in her eyes, before she sighed as though she remembered how young they were, embarrassed to still be "one of them". She's right at the age where she's almost ready to graduate from fillyhood if she's not quite there.

I wanted to tell her to cherish her time right now as she is, that she'll look back and wish she was here again. I know she can't wait to grow up and be like her hero Rainbow Dash. I had to say something to her before she went off though, since I hadn't said anything at all yet. I looked at her, loved her, and just tried to think of anything that might encourage her.

"Hey Sonic, can I talk to you for a second?"

She asked before I could say anything. I think Rainbow and I were both surprised. I looked over at her and she shot me an affectionate smirk as though to say she was happy for me; I had graduated to private conversations with Scootaloo. I was pretty happy about it, not to mention flattered. Feeling special I walked over with her so we were by ourselves on the platform. She looked up and spoke quietly, throwing an eye back towards her idol.

"Is Rainbow ok?" she asked. "I get that she's hurt and all, but she's been hurt before and it never bothered her this much. Maybe it's just me but it seems like there's something else too."

I didn't know what to say. At first I just kind of stared at her with an open mouth. I was astonished at her perception for one, I had no idea of where to even get started for another. She's upset, because, well... because of me? It sounded really depressing in my head, and I definitely didn't want to hear myself say it out loud. On the other hoof I was impressed with Scootaloo and how much she must care about Rainbow if she can sense something like this. I decided that was a good place to start.

"You were able to tell that just right here?" I asked her, impressed and in more of a whisper.

"Well, I saw you guys earlier today actually, but I don't think you saw me. It just looked like, I don't know... something was bothering her. Like besides her wing and all."

"You know, you're a lot smarter than I was at your age. Either that or you're just an awesome friend, but I'm gonna go ahead and go with both," I told her. It took a second for her to get it, but she smiled once she did.

Now that I told her she was correct in her presumption, I had to tell her why, or at least come up with something. I struggled to think of anything as I looked back at Rainbow. I saw the underlying heartache that laid just beneath her surface as she looked around at the children over the platform. Something stirred in me, seeing the whirlpool of emotions she couldn't hide from those who know her the best.

"It's kind of a long story, but, uh..." I heard myself say, as I turned to my heart for answers instead of my mind. "You know how she is, how she cares so much about you, and me, and all of her other friends..."

Scootaloo turned her head sideways as though she didn't quite understand what I was getting at, and I can't really say I can blame her. It was suddenly weighing on me as I searched for an acceptable answer. I didn't want to come to another pause, but I did. I didn't think thinking of the right answer could be so painful. At the risk of confusing the filly or leading her the wrong way, I finally came up with something that wasn't a lie.

"I think she's really upset that she can't go to this concert with you," I said with a sigh, breaking into an affectionate smile, though I felt a twinge of guilt knowing I had withheld the main reason from her. I think she believed it; her young face seemed to say she was deeply flattered to hear that while feeling bad about it at the same time. "Don't feel bad though, it's not like it's your fault."

"Nah, I I guess not," she replied, glancing her eyes back to Rainbow.

"So I guess she really likes you a lot, huh?" I added, and to my delight more flattery flashed across the filly's face.

"Really?" she asked, unable to hide her happiness.

"Oh absolutely. She talks about you a lot. You're her favorite filly, you're like a little sister to her," I went on. I knew exactly what I was doing, seeing so much of myself in her. Watching the wonder and joy light up in her eyes and catching a glimpse of the depth of their relationship was an indescribably lifting experience. A friendship with Scootaloo only deepens my relationship with Rainbow, though she's a unique and wonderful soul all on her own without Rainbow involved or not. I feel so connected to her because I see so clearly all of the same admiration and idolization in her eyes that resonate so strongly in me, for the same pony no less.

"Well, I- I don't know what to-," she started, looking away with an embarrassed smile. Eventually though it faded into wishful thinking, as though there was more to be desired, and I wondered what that might be. "I just wish I was a better flier," she said, looking aside sadly. Her wings again? It was hard for me to believe that a filly like Scootaloo might have a confidence problem given her idol. I remembered she still needed to see me about them given I promised to help her develop them faster. But even so I had a more important thing to clear up first.

"Hey, do me a favor," I replied, sitting down beside her and putting my wing around her. I wasn't about to let her feel this way. "Look at Rainbow over there."

"What?" she asked, chuckling with amusement.

"You see her?" I said, smiling her way. She wasn't looking at the two of us at first as she stood silently on the other side of the platform, but eventually she glanced our way and met eyes with the two of us. Immediately she broke into a blush and turned her head. "You see the way she's looking at us? You think she cares about that stuff?"

"You know how bad of a flier I was when I was your age? I couldn't even fly straight. I was faster than lightning but it wasn't worth anything because I crashed into everything. I was waiting for Rainbow to dump me as a friend because I couldn't fly," I went on while her eyes absorbed it eagerly.

"You couldn't fly? But... I've seen you flying and you're awesome at it, how did you-? I've waited so long for my wings to develop but-"

"Let me look at them a second," I said, holding my right hoof up. Her left wing gently reached itself out to me and I just barely touched the quills in the back middle. Her wings are admittedly on the small side of a filly her age, but they were coming in. "Be honest with me now... you've seen a some improvement these last few months, haven't you?"

"Well," she said, mixing confidence and hope with wishful thinking, "I guess I have seen a little improvement now that you mention it, but I'm still not where I wanna be," she relented, but I could see I was gaining on her.

"I promised you the other day that I'd sit down with you and help you develop your wings even faster. I meant that. What do you say you come on over to my place tomorrow and Rainbow and I can work with you?" I told her.

"That would be awesome!" she proclaimed, and it seemed I had officially broken through. I wasn't quite done though, and rested my wing on her shoulders as I looked down at her.

"Remember this though," I said, and I felt my heart getting heavier and begged myself not to tear up or get too emotional, "-setting aside the fact that I think you have some real skills and potential- was that Rainbow Dash loved me when I couldn't fly. That's ultimately not important to her. I happen to know for a fact that she really loves you."

Her face filled with happiness. I wanted to tell her honestly that I loved her too even if we had only known each other for a short time, but I thought telling her that out loud might be a little too early.

"Alright, sap-fest," she remarked, peering away with a blushing beam.

"You two," I replied, shaking my head at how alike they are. "You two are the sappiest ponies I know," I said, chuckling. She looked up and smiled at me, and I saw for the first time that she really trusted me, and it made me very happy. "Such denial."

"Hey Scootaloo, who's your friend? He looks nice," said the energetic voice of a small young colt standing right behind her. He was a paint with white and brown splotches. He had a strange but very likable accent, probably from Trottingham I thought. He seemed full of life.

"Sonic, he's awesome!!!" exclaimed Scootaloo. I laughed with embarrassment, and saw Rainbow beaming at me from just a few steps away; she had walked up too.

"Pleasure to meet you Sonic! Pip Squeak at your service," he said enthusiastically. I loved him already.

"I am at yours," I assured him, nodding my head friendlily. "Are you coming to the concert too?" he asked with wide eyes, now standing right beside the filly. Just as I started to respond, Scootaloo spoke up for me.

"He can't, he wants to but he has to stay and - well, he just can't," she said, beaming at me. "But he loves Thunderhooves! And we're gonna hang out when he gets back."

Suddenly three more foals - a gray colt, a purple filly, and a blue filly - came running up behind them. Each one of them was probably a little younger then Scootaloo, but all three of them were beyond cute.

"Hey guys, you wanna play hide-and-go-seek on the train?" asked the blue filly to Scootaloo and Pip Squeak.

"No, we're playing tag," said the purple filly indignantly over the blue one.

"Nuh-uh," she replied back.

"Why not both?" I asked them, chuckling.

"Who's your friend here?" asked the blue filly to them, pointing at me.

"Hey, I know you!" said the gray colt to me with wide eyes. My ears fell down in shame as I prepared for something nasty. "I know you! You saved the colt in Canterlot! You're a hero!" he proclaimed.

My ears shot back up in astonishment, then fell back down in delighted embarrassment. Remember that from, what, my third entry? I didn't think anyone in Ponyville beside Rainbow knew about that, much less remembered it. I barely remembered it myself even if wasn't that long ago. I sure wasn't expecting anybody to bring it up here.

"He did?" asked Scootaloo excitedly.

"A hero, you say? Tremendous making your acquaintance, mister!" piped Pip Squeak as they all huddled around me in undeserved awe and admiration.

"I-I wouldn't s-say that," I stuttered, looking to the side and rubbing my neck though I couldn't hide my smile at the sight of five pairs of adoring eyes looking up at me. "H-how do you know about that?" I asked the gray colt.

"My parents took me there for part of the end-of-summer festival," he replied.

"Oh, that was nothing, I just you know... didn't want anything happen to that poor kid, that's all," I replied again. I was just so happy to know them all right then, and I looked around at each one of them letting my expression say thank you. This kind of thing had never happened to me before... and this is what Rainbow has lived with since she was young.

"And Sonic's gonna hang out with us tomorrow, right Sonic?" asked Pip Squeak.

"Well if you guys want to, I'd be more than happy to," I replied as I caught Rainbow beaming at me in the corner of my eye, and to my euphoria and disbelief they actually cheered when I told them I could. "You guys don't read the papers much do you?" I asked more to myself as a joke though it was said out loud.

"Ah, newspapers are boring. That's stupid grown-up stuff," said blue filly. Certainly good enough for me, and the five of them except Scootaloo nodded their heads in agreement, who looked away with an anxious look as though the word struck some unpleasant experience with her. "Come on guys! Let's get on the train, it's leaving soon!" said the purple filly, and three of them followed her. Scootaloo hesitated, staying put as though saying goodbye to Rainbow and I one last time.

"What are you waiting for Squirt? It's just a Thunderhooves concert, you'll be back and we'll be here," said Rainbow with an affectionate smirk. Scootaloo's expression seemed to concede. "Tell us all about it, will ya?" she said, and I caught a little drop of sadness in her voice this time. I was standing a little closer to the filly than she was, who was right behind me. As she started to run towards the train I took a half step towards her.

"Hey... they'll need you to be their leader," I whispered, nodding confidently. I figured if she wanted to grow up, and since she was probably the oldest, it wouldn't hurt for her to see herself as their protector rather than their equal. I told her this with as much sincerity as I've ever told anyone, and she seemed to take it in stride. "Just do what you think she would do," I whispered again, flicking my eyes back towards our idol. She seemed to take it to heart and then was gone.

I was left standing alone alongside my crush, watching our little friends behind the train windows. I glanced over at her and saw her silently watching them in the train, full of emotion both good and bad. Now that Scootaloo had left us her hidden sadness that I felt somewhat responsible for was much more visible again. Though I couldn't know all of what she was thinking about, I saw enough of it. More than anything I saw so clearly that she has such a deep care for them, especially Scootaloo, even if she doesn't like to show it. All of that, coupled with my own feelings for those children, and my ever-intensifying feelings for her, and I myself had to look away for a moment.

"Come on," I suddenly heard the distinguishable voice of a young stallion say. I looked over and saw Whitewash standing near the train with a somewhat stern expression. His hoof was on the shoulder of a small colt, who was saying a sad and reluctant goodbye to his friends who were getting on the train. Whitewash edged him away from them, and I couldn't help but a draw a parallel to my own experience so many years ago, if this was not on a much smaller scale. I wondered why his little brother couldn't go with them. Whitewash wasn't altogether indifferent though; his face almost seemed to suggest he felt bad, and for a moment there was a twinkle of a deep affection. He turned his head up and looked my way, meeting my eyes. When that happened his expression hardened and he looked forward coldly.

At this, I couldn't help but sort of hang my head. Suddenly though another recognizable voice also from out of nowhere, this time just to my right, spoke up.

"It's not really his fault," whispered Thunderlane. I whipped my head around in surprise. He was standing just a few feet from me, and his hoof was on the shoulder of a young colt as well, a gray one with a black mane. "I'll tell you about it later."

"Well hello," I said, turning and facing him. "You going?" I asked him, impressed.

"What, to the concert? Nope. We're just here sending off this guy's little friends. Rumble, this is Sonic- one of my best friends. Sonic - Rumble, my little brother," he said, patting his little brother on his shoulder. He looked like he was in a much lesser mood than his older brother; he had a sad expression on face that I couldn't help but feel really bad for as he stared up at me - it was almost identical to the one Whitewash's little brother had.

"Hey buddy... are you ok?" I asked him, worried.

"Yeah, he's alright. This guy can't go because he's grounded," Thunderlane replied with amusement, attempting to comfort his brother by patting him on the shoulder again. There was certainly nothing I could do about that, but I felt a little bit better knowing that was all.

"I'm sure your brother will take you to another concert here pretty soon Rumble," I said with wink, smirking at his older brother. "Who knows, maybe they're a little overrated," I said, reaching desperately for anything to try to comfort him.

"Hey listen, we should do this again real soon but I gotta get back and take a nap," he whispered to me with the utmost confidence I would completely understand.

"Sleep well," I mused, and the two of us shared a friendly parting gaze.

As they walked away, I turned to talk to Rainbow when yet another sight caught my gaze; down the platform in the crowd I spotted Merry May and Blossomforth standing side by side, talking back and fourth and staring affectionately down at a filly who stood between them. I couldn't know what they were saying, but what struck me was the love that all these fillies and colts had, and the closeness of the families in this town.

Looking down the platform I saw another sight that caught my interest; the engineer - a scruff, younger chestnut stallion with a black mane - had gotten off the locomotive, looking anxious and walking towards the station. He met a middle-aged gray stallion walking out in the middle of the platform. He had some kind of shirt on that indicated he was some kind of official, maybe a train official of some kind. Just then the door opened and a frustrated conductor (another middle-aged stallion) exited the train walked right by, heading straight for the engineer and the official who were discussing something that looked work-related. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the train official was pointing down the tracks and explaining something to the engineer, and then also the conductor when he walked up.

Suddenly curious, I found myself walking slowly towards them. I couldn't hear anything over the noise from ponies on the platform. Looking in the train I saw no adults - only foals in the windows. I didn't really know what to make of this, other than that maybe they should have someone older with them. As I walked closer, the official kept explaining and pointing something while the other two - especially the engineer - listened attentively.

Finally, just as I got close enough, I caught the tail end of something.

"Twice, actually, since the Crystal Kingdom was restored," said the official.

"Ok then," said the engineer, as he turned away from them and walked swiftly back towards the engine before climbing up into it. The conductor too turned around quickly and headed for a passenger a car, getting in. The official started to walk back towards the station building, I was guessing he worked the control desk facing the tracks; I could kind of see it in a glass room of sorts. I had missed all the relevant parts of their conversation, but I'd walked this far and was curious.

"Everything alright?" I called to him from behind. He stopped, surprised, and turned his head around and glared at me.

"Yes," he replied, still standing. My expression begged for a little bit more just to make sure everything was in fact ok. "Snow storms worse than usual in the northern plains and around the border," he continued, though his face before seemed to say that it was none of my business. "Got a radio report, they'll have to take the back way in, that's all," he said, presumably referring to back way into the Crystal Empire. Without any response from me he turned away and walked back into the station building.

"All aboard!" I heard the conductor yell from behind me. I turned around as clouds of steam burst around me and before I had time to think or practically breathe the train was gone, heading north down the tracks. I lingered on the platform, watching the train shrink. I knew the conductor had to be telling the truth. But some strange and unsettlingly powerful feeling loomed around me on the platform, where it came from I'm not entirely sure. I wondered for a moment if it had anything to do with the odd feelings from the day before, but before I had any real time to ponder it, Rainbow was right beside me.

"What was that about?" she asked, nodding towards the stallion in the station building, the train director.

"He said something about storms in the northern plains," I replied, and her head turned with mulling interest. "Snow storms. He said that train would have to take the back into the Crystal Empire."

"Snow storms? But there's always snow storms in the northern plains," she said, looking confused. "It's always been way out of pony control."

"Well, he did mention something about worse than usual," I added, and she raised her eyebrows in thought, glancing over at the train official.

"Hm. I guess that makes sense," she conceded.

I looked around the platform. Now that the train had left, ponies were starting to leave. As she made her way towards the steps down to the ground alongside the tracks, a couple pegasus mares our age whom I recognized from the reservoir lift passed me and shot me glares that said enough about their displeasure with seeing me. There was nothing at all that I could say to them, nothing I could do but accept that they didn't want me there. The feeling of unworthiness was suddenly all too real again, and a disapproving glare from my past long ago appeared in my head. Come on... not here... not right now. This one had a particular sting. With a concealed sigh I glanced over to Rainbow to see if she'd seen it, and thankfully she hadn't.

While my heart began to ache my head began to turn, and I looked down the tracks one last time, the train already a spec in the distance. Oh, how I love those kids. I have always strived to love rather than be loved, but I could not deny the feeling when I saw the wonder in their eyes directed at me and trusting me. There wasn't the slightest bit of judgment on those innocent faces. They hadn't heard or cared about any of the stuff that these other ponies did. They simply loved. It was a truly unique experience for a stallion that spent a lot of his life on his own and wasn't exactly used to being admired. They would never know how much it suddenly meant to him in a hard time, and his heart filled with something so overwhelmingly appreciative that it spilled down from his eyes as they disappeared into the blue horizon.

"So are you trying to replace me as Scootaloo's hero?" asked Rainbow, but she couldn't have been serious given her half smile.

The two of us were on the path towards my house, walking very slowly; in fact we were almost there, as it was just up the path from us. It was just before sunset and the sky was bright orange to the west, a little darker to the east. She clearly wanted to spend most of the day away from other ponies, so from the time we left the train station up until this point we spent most of our time walking up and down the banks of the river to the south of town. At one point before we settled here, she started to take me to Applejack's apple orchard but on our way she decided that my first visit there required a tour from the farmer herself, so we turned around.

She was just starting to warm a little bit and talk more. I wasn't used to her being so quiet, and I was a little disappointed that she wasn't more talkative. I had never seen her lost in such deep reflection before, and she was keeping most of it to herself so I had spent most of the afternoon trying to think of some way I could relieve the both of us from this unspoken sadness.

But I took this playful jab as a good sign, and my mood lifted a little bit as I glanced warmly at her.

"Heh," I chuckled amusedly. "I think that's why she and I click... the god of our idolatry is the same."

Instead of coming back with something like I expected her to, she laughed gently, and I could tell as her eyes went from me to the ground that she was genuinely flattered. I was waiting for her to start a back and fourth but to my surprise she remained quiet. At least I love seeing her laugh like that so I said to myself I'll take it. Following a brief pause I took a deep breath and looked at the ground for a second myself.

"You seem like you're feeling better," I remarked again, and she smiled very lovingly.

"I'm sorry it took me so long," she remarked, though she genuinely looked happier.

"You know, for Nightmare Night I could be your loyal dog," I said, encouraged enough to experiment with silliness.

"What?" she asked, laughing.

"Oh sure. Or if you want we could both go as golden retrievers... Rarity would make the cutest costumes ever," I went on, and she laughed even harder.

"You're dead serious aren't you?" she said, and her joy was contagious. "You know... I was so sad yesterday..." she said, and she put her hoof on my cheek. "But the more I learn about you, the more deeply in lo-"

Before she could finish, everything was cut short by the sound of thundering hooves. Two royal guards appeared seemingly out of nowhere, running straight to us.

"Rainbow Dash? Sonic Rain?" one of them asked. The two of us looked at each other, all of our emotions suspended. "The Princess requires your presence in Canterlot. Immediately."