I wandered slowly out of the main door I had galloped through just several minutes before and out into the dark, stone streets of the city lit only by moonlight and the occasional street lamp. I was the last one out of the castle. Every step was slow, every lift of the hoof was heavy, and every breath was long, seemingly spending more energy then it provided. My destination was the Canterlot train station. As I had done so many times in my lonely youth, found myself gazing up at the stars and wondering what my fate in life would be, and also now what the fate of those children would be. If Rainbow and I could be together in the end, or if the journey ended here.

The only thing that matters now is getting those kids back. I tried hard to crush any thought or temptation to self pity, but I couldn't help but think at least for a moment how unfortunate our lives seemed to have turned out. After all that I went through I came so close to my dream life, only for it to be cut so short. At least I have some wonderful and happy memories with her. That's more than many can say. I lived a life thinking about her, with some great and heavenly times in there as well, and that makes it all worth it.

Certainly to some degree I believed that, but it was no use to dispel the crippling sadness that came with the thought of lost children. I thought about the few but wonderful moments we'd had with Scootaloo. The three of us clicked so well. The images of both of them were so full of light, and the happiness of the memory just seemed to intensify the horrible sadness that now came with the thought of her lost in the wilderness.

The thought of Scootaloo and those other innocent faces out there scared and alone is what bothered me most of all. I knew exactly what that was like and I would do *anything* to prevent a foal from going through it, much less one I know and love. The gut-check of horrifying feelings that struck me just caused me to be more angry with myself, knowing what Rainbow Dash must undoubtedly be thinking; how she can save them, and here I was despairing and thinking about myself. I can't play these self-pity games. I have to focus on getting those kids back... That's what Rainbow would do.

Whenever I felt like I could be tough like her the thought of some horrible thing just made me cringe with fear, and I hated myself for getting scared at things that would never phase her. I closed my eyes while the thought of battling snow, dragons, and other hostilities haunted me as an antagonistic voice coming from somewhere inside reminded me of my incompetence. That's what Rainbow would do, but that's exactly what you *can't* do... Pathetic loser... The same voice then tried to blame me for this situation; if I'd only not been shoved and ruined the tornado, Rainbow's wing wouldn't be broken. I shook my head violently and worked to dispel that line of thought. Stop it...

Suddenly I noticed the dark figures of a few groups of ponies on either side of me, three or four here and there, whispering at me as I walked by in the darkness. They seemed to be stretching on down the entire street of front of me, most of them congregated in the shadows just beyond the light from a lamp with a kind of serious and grave manor to them, like they knew exactly what was going on. Even though I didn't particularly want to hear what they had to say, my ears shifted in their direction as I made my way forward, catching bits and pieces of their murmuring.

"Princess has ordered a rescue team," said one unseen voice.

I was surprised that word had gotten out so fast, apparently. Were ponies lining up in the streets to whisper about the situation? If this was the case it was only a matter of time before word would get to Ponyville.

"-Wonderbolts, I don't know who the others are," said another.

Even in the darkness their eyes were uncomfortable; I could feel the lack of confidence in them as they stared at me.

"-don't stand a chance," whispered one cryptic voice.

"-sending them to their deaths," said another.

The crushing reality of the situation seemed clear to all the ponies outside of direct involvement. They don't think we can do it... I was more disappointed in myself for letting my ears turn their way and listen when I knew so well in my heart that they wouldn't inspire confidence. I took a deep sigh and pressed on. I noticed that not one of the ponies watching seemed to recognize me from the day I saved that foal from the runaway cart careening down the street in front of a late-day crowd and the Princess herself. It's dark, they probably can't see me... I could've used the slightest confidence boost, just a little nod of appreciation or something, but at this point I knew I wasn't going to be getting any extra help. What would Rainbow do? I need to find her now. I have to know how she's doing. I need her to guide me. I need her so badly.

Shining ahead of me in the darkness was a collection of street lamps in one spot, and I immediately recognized it as the train station at Canterlot, a train with it's end facing me was on the platform, steaming and preparing to leave while royal guards and other ponies worked to carry supplies on board, whilst Spitfire barked out orders to Wonderbolts. Some of them were already getting on the train, who's locomotive was facing north over the valley below, whilst a bright star twinkled above the distance of our destination. I walked up towards the platform meekly, looking around desperately for any sign of Rainbow. I saw standing near the train car on the platform a pony much taller than everyone else; Princess Luna, easily fitting right into the darkness. She looked in my direction and spotted me, and with a grave look she called out.

"Five minutes, Sonic."

I nodded wearily in acknowledgment and looked around the platform for streaks of colors. I saw many scared ponies working, but there was no sign of her anywhere. My heart began to pound, I felt like I was swirling into an truly unbearable abyss if I could not find her for one final word before I left, a brand new thought that would be the end of me if it came true. My eyes got more and more desperate in their search when finally I turned around looked behind me, sensing something. Standing just a few feet behind me was the mare herself.

Somehow beneath the exhaustion, the confusion, the heartache and the uncertainty that swelled inside her, was the undying will to keep fighting, despite all of the terrible feelings that had swarmed her in just the last couple of days. In an instant I was reminded in the fullest why my heart is forever enslaved to her, and why she dominated ten years of my thoughts and feelings. I knew then, if I ever did, that my fate is tied entirely to hers. Her happiness is my happiness, and her pain is my pain. That it would be that way until I die, and maybe beyond.

For this reason I was devastated to see all this happening to her. Especially because she had handled it all like such a champ. So much better than or anyone else ever could have. I desired with all of my strength and will to ease her pain, yet there was not a single word that came out of my mouth. Here I was, unable to say or do anything that could comfort her. The depth of sorrow hurled upon her these last few days (for which I felt partly responsible) and my frustration at my own incompetence spilled out of my eyes through which I apologized profusely to her.

Though I was unable to do anything else, she finally walked forward and the two of us hugged. For a quick moment our pain was lifted. There was just the soft warmth of our embrace and my heart was so grateful that she took comfort in me. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay there with her forever and feel this way, but we couldn't leave those foals out there.

"Sonic," she muttered anxiously. She withdrew herself and set her eyes just inches in front of mine. They were scared, and they were hurt, but they were determined and focused. "I'm going to meet up with you out there."

The anxiousness of my own attentiveness matched hers as I pondered what this might mean, as she couldn't fly and she couldn't join our expedition as the Princess would not allow it. I took this to mean she was going to disobey.

"I'm going to take the next train, then when they're setting up the camp, I'm going to leave them and I'm going to meet you in the valley, and together we'll bring Scootaloo and the others back," she continued. I could see she was dead-set on it, though she had some degrees of fear and uncertainty as well that she couldn't hide. For most pegasus, flying is an important and foundational part of their identity, for her flying was more than that. Now, when she needed it most in her life, it was gone. For the first time in our lives, I wasn't sure she believed in herself. But the difference was that she didn't seem to care about her own fears, or if anything else she was much better at not letting them bother her.

I glanced away. I wished she didn't have to come out herself. I wish I had the strength to do it myself, so she wouldn't have to do something like this. I knew I couldn't do it without her though.

Her gaze shifted to something behind me. Whatever it was, it caused a flicker of more fear and desperation in her eyes. I looked behind and saw Princess Luna's head hanging out from the train door, turned in our direction. It seemed everyone had boarded, and the way she looked at us was with a lot of pity, like she didn't want to split us up, but she knew she had to. She didn't call to me with words, but her sad and reluctant expression urged me onto the train. I needed more time with Rainbow. I needed her by my side, but here I was about to leave her again.

Suddenly I felt Rainbow's hoof as she grabbed my shoulder, and she brought herself in close to me. Her eyes were very intense, and they commanded the same intensity from me.

"Sonic," she muttered, with extra passion. "You have to lead them on until I get out there."

It was so painful to have to look at her in this state while I so sincerely doubted myself. I couldn't look away, either. I had no choice but to face her and tell her how I felt.

"I can't," I muttered, while my insides ripped in all directions.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because I'm not you."

I finally spoke the words that I'd known were true for some time now. At first she stepped back in a kind of amazed bewilderment and shock. Then slowly her eyes transformed into a sad and pitiful realization of the highest degree of emotions. I was finally able to tell her how I felt, no matter how bad I felt saying it.

"I'm not the leader that you are," I continued, and she continued to soften with every word. I took a deep sigh and owned up my shame, I reluctantly admitted what I thought we both knew was true. "I don't inspire others like you do. I haven't done the great things you've done. I'm simply not the pony that you are. So I can't."

"Sonic," she replied in an impassioned whisper. Whenever she says my name in such a way all of my feelings are suspended and my heart waits in desperate suspense for whatever she is about to say. Our depth of feeling at that moment was so great that at times it barely felt real. "Do you love me?"

"Y-yes," I muttered, moderately hurt that she even had to ask me. "With all of my heart."

"If that's true," she replied, pleading with me in her expression, "then you must believe in yourself, because I believe in you more than I believe in any other pony."

For so long I have desperately wanted to believe in myself but have never been able to. Right then, I saw just how desperately she wanted me to believe in myself. How desperately she needed me to. My conflicted heart, so eager to please her in all things, felt the call to throw away this doubt once and for all.

"I can't do this by myself, either," she continued breathlessly, gripping my shoulder tightly. "You love those kids, Sonic. I know you do. She's out there alone. They all are. You and I will bring them all back, with their help," she said, motioning back to the train. "I don't trust anyone on this journey with me but you."

Then she put it to me directly in the humblest and most desperate form I've ever seen her, absolute begging. "Will you help me?"

I saw that she had put every last drop of hope in my willingness to go on this journey with her, and it showed in the desperation emanating from her eyes in the last stop before despondent despair. Even if I was so scared, and even if my confidence in myself hung by a thread, I'd be damned if I didn't help her. Overcome with passion I interiorly vowed to do whatever I could for her and I put my hoof on her opposite shoulder and gave her my word.

"Yes," I whispered. "Yes I will."

The worn expression on her face finally broke into a smile and the grief and despair was replaced with hope and gratitude. An angelic happiness briefly enveloped me knowing I had provided it.

"Sonic," called Princess Luna.

"What would you have me do?" I asked Rainbow quietly, saddened to know that I was destined to leave her in a moment. She looked at me in a way that inspired confidence, like she was a proud and dedicated general addressing her loyal lieutenant.

"Lead them on," she asserted quietly. The concept of leading was foreign and uncomfortable to me, but I wasn't going to give up.

"H-how?" I asked her, trying sincerely to understand. "I don't know how, Rainbow."

"Just be yourself," she urged me in a whisper, a pleading tone while the gleam in her eyes penetrated into the depths of my soul. "Just think about what you can do to save the children. Think about what you can do to help your teammates. That's why you just have to be yourself, Sonic, because I know you'll do those things on your own."

I breathed in and out heavily, absorbing in as much of her advice as I could while trying to keep my stirring emotions under control.

"As soon as anyone spends any real time with you, as they're all about to, they'll see you for what you are, Sonic," she said, and leaning in she infiltrated my innermost being through her piercing gleam.

She saw me so differently than I had often seen myself, and I was hardly prepared for the wonder that was filling up inside me or for the fact that I had to leave her behind now.

Steam shot from the the locomotive and my heart dipped because I knew now I had to leave her. I had so much more to say to her, and so much more to resolve, but I couldn't because those kids needed me. I was going to try to believe in myself though and I was going to do what I could to save those kids and my teammates. Filled with longing I looked back at my beloved friend and uttered one final parting word.

"You've made my life worth it."

That seemed to get her, and I finally saw what I must look like when she touches me on the same level.

Though all of my feelings said stay, knowing I had no other choice I reluctantly turned around to approach the train. With my eyes closed I lifted my hooves onto the back of the last train car onto the little platform outside the door. I turned around for one final look at the mare who is my savior and my life. What I found though was her glowing eyes one last time, but they were right beside me and the back of the train car while she stood on the platform holding up a white cloth in her hoof.

I leaned over the rail and took it into my hoof. Sitting back I held the white cloth in my left hoof, bringing up my right one to unfold it. The train started its first lurch forward and I lifted the folded end of the cloth over. What I held in my hoof, wrapped in this white cloth, was none other than a small blue feather, torn and crumpled.

Beneath my hooves were puffy white clouds. When I looked up I saw standing just in front of me a small blue filly with a rainbow mane and the setting sun at her back. She was very sad, but this sadness that was the first real love anyone had shown me in my lifetime. I remembered then that the filly was my best friend, and that she was everything that I could ever admire. I ran my hoof over the soft feather and was filled with feelings I've never felt before, and I didn't know what they meant. But I knew when I looked back up into the filly's eyes that I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her. And that I would never, ever forget this.

I lifted my head and suddenly I saw ahead of me in the darkness beneath star and moonlight Rainbow standing at the edge of a platform shrinking into the distance while I got further and further away from her. Even in the distance at nighttime I saw the desperate need in her eyes. Without any hesitation I climbed up on the rail in front of me and jumped off, spreading my wings and darting through the air. When were finally together again on the platform we threw ourselves into each other and kissed. It was only after this that I finally flew back down the tracks after the train, but not without having left her with a gift of my own. A gift from my wing.