The night was young. No stars shined in the black dome. No moon shed its light on the ponies below. It was still warm from the long sunny day. The capital seemed darker than ever before or so it seemed for Foxy. Ponies were having dinners in the open. They were happily making conversations about many various topics that did not include pain and death. Those were words not known in here. They cheered and drank wine and cider, unaware of the tragedy that fell on her heart.

Two silhouettes galloped on the dark illuminated streets. One carrying a white lifeless body on its back. They were like ghosts, who didn't belong in this world. Tirelessly they ran like the wind to unknown destination. The darkness shrouded the three, making them completely invisible to the joyful carefree revelers. Foxy felt, as if the entire world turned against her. Her strong heart suffered for ten ponies. Her mind was still engulfed by the rage, hate and hopelessness. Time seemed to move with the speeds of a snail. Despite giving everything she got, the mare felt like her legs barely moved. Tail wanted to go faster, faster than the speed of light to save her heart. While she was following the gentepony, to ease the hurt, her mind recalled the beautiful morning...

The sun was starting to climb the celestial stairway. Not a single cloud smirched the blue sky. The life in the big Capital started its daily routines. Shopkeepers woke up early and opened their shops. Mail was being delivered to many houses. Pegasi, who were in charge of the weather, were flying high in the air, preparing for today's duty. New guardians relieved the old tired ones from the night shift. The early risers were doing their usual walks around this magnificent city. Some went through the long paved streets to stretch their legs, others wanted to enjoy some nature and thus ended up in the park.

Foxy felt something beating her on the shoulder and her flank. The little creature was desperately trying to wake her because the poor thing was getting crushed by her weight. She did weigh three times more than him. Tail slowly opened her orange eyes. At first, everything was blurry. She couldn't remember where they were. There was green all around them, a brown thick stem on the right and a little bush with flowers next to them. The sun beams caressingly stroke her face. Then she remembered. Last night they had a real good time together. They felt alive and the world seemed to spin around them that evening. Inside her heart still resonated the explosions of feelings from then.

The hits became more frequent and powerful.

"Foxy, you are suffocating me!" Lucky tried to scream but was out of air.

"Oh!" Tail quickly moved, so that he could breath again. She had to be careful not to become his cause of death, if they were going to sleep together. Lucky's breathing normalized and when he was sure his body was not in danger, a big smile appeared on his charming face.

"Thank the Goddess, I survived one night with you! How are you feeling today? No regrets, right?"

"None. Actually I liked it very much. Was it your first time? I haven't done it before last night. And you?"

"Mine too. I've never thought that it can feel so awesome, though let's not do it again in the park."

"We were lucky that no pony saw us. On the other hoof, I'd have not hesitated." Foxy moved on top of him, but this time she made sure that her mutated body would not squash him and dearly looked at him in his lifeless eyes. The hints were readable in her stunning smile. "The first time was satisfactory. We must do it again! Care for another try?"

She did really took his breath away and now she wanted more from him? His cheeks turned in the color of tomato. The alchemy inside him was mixing again and the powerful rising feelings couldn't be resisted.

"But-But!"

Foxy forcefully kissed him like priestess of love. Their lips created again this unbreakable connection for their souls. It burned like the sun. Their little hearts were working on full potential. They left themselves to be carried by the tide of their feelings. Pure happiness, they felt. This was so narcotic that it should be banned. He hugged her tightly. Her coat felt soft. Few hairs from her mane fell on his forehead. Their tails intertwined.

There were hoofsteps coming to their direction. Then there was the outrage.

"Dear, Celestia! Don't you have some shame, you two? The park is for everypony and not your private quarters!" the unicorn shouted from the near pathway.

There was something wrong. Foxy wasn't sensing him. He should be looking at her, because she was on top of Lucky. Tail looked at the pegasus, who was still enjoying the kissing. Suddenly some red hairs caught her attention. From where did they come from? She quickly stood up and moved away from him. The latter was confused by her sudden change. The ninja looked around but there wasn't a pony with a red mane in their vicinity. And there they were, the red hairs were just in front of her again. She looked up but still there wasn't a pony.

"He must be behind me now!"

She almost instantly turned around but the only thing her eyes spotted were the beautiful trees and flowers. This confused her a lot. While the grey mare was doing her mambo jumbo, the gentlepony approached her. His earnest look didn't portend anything good.

"Young lady, what's the matter with you? Have you gone crazy out of a sudden? Did that stallion do anything to you?"

She stared in his blue eyes and tried to do her magic on him.

"Where is the pony with the red mane?! Answer me!"

The unicorn with the top hat didn't seem to be affected by her sorcery and answered without a drop of fear in his voice.

"Right in front of me and please, you are making a fool out of yourself by staring at me like that. Your mane is colored red and there wasn't anopony else with a red on his or her head except you. Are you sure you are feeling alright? I can call the Royal Guards to help you."  

Foxy touched her head and noticed a mild mane. Then she looked at her own hoof, which was not covered in black magical cloth. Tail then checked her entire body. There wasn't a dark spot to be seen on her coat.  Her cutiemark was shown for the entire world to see. An orange fox tail with a black end. Foxy noticed a reptilian skin on her tummy, thankfully the unicorn couldn't see it or he'd ask questions, which would be very difficult to dodge. Her tail was long and almost formed like the animal's, on which she was named to. Her mane seemed to be quite short. From this experience Tail learned one thing: she was completely naked and that made her feel very uncomfortable.

"What's going on, Ninja?" Lucky slowly approached them. Tail swiftly jumped behind him and tried to hide her body from the gentlepony. She seemed really frightened by what happened to her. "Foxy, what are you doing?" he whispered.

"Sir, you haven't poisoned her mind, right? She acts very strange and..."

"I assure you that she is fine. My friend is just nervous because you found us, when we were showing our love for each other."

"Pardon me, dear sir and madam." the grey unicorn took off his cylinder hat and bowed head. "Love is a beautiful thing but you should know where you can practice its arts. Try somewhere more romantic, where you can be alone and not in the park. For the sake of you two, never kiss like that in the open. Have some restrain for Goddess sake! Imagine if the Princess sees you two making out, what would She think of you? The shame! Think of how much shame you'll bring to yourselves."

Lucky silently nodded and said calmly:

"Thank you for your wise words, mister. We apologize for our inappropriate behavior. It won't happen again, we promise."

The unicorn smiled and then put his hat back on. His blue eyes turned to the scared grey mare, who was actually a beauty to look at.

"I'm deeply sorry for frightening you, young lady. I wish you two a lot of happiness. Have a nice day!" the unicorn then turned around and continued on his way. When his dressed in an expensive costume body disappeared behind one of the trees, Foxy felt some relief.

"So, are you going to tell me what is going on?" Lucky asked with a serious tone.

"Feel!" she grabbed his leg and moved it around her fur.

"Your cloths!"

"They are gone. I'm nude! We need to find something for me to wear! I can't let myself be seen like this." she sounded really worried, which didn't make any sense to him.

"Wait, I walk naked all the time and many others do, so what's the big deal? Ah-oh, now I get it. It's related with your ninja traditions, right?"

"Yes, a ninja can't be seen in public without her or his cloths. Everypony will know my identity just by looking at my cutiemark! I feel so exposed!"

"Huh, so that's another of your weaknesses. You've got to be really kidding me." Lucky thought.

"Listen, Foxy, without your cursed outfit you'll be able to blend in with the others just fine. By the way, if you do not have your cloths, does that mean the curse is lifted off?"

Tail sat and thought for a moment. She then looked again in her right hoof. The ninja lost some control, expecting to see the transformation but nothing happened. She did it one more time and again there was no sign of the claws bursting from her hoof. Then Foxy made some signs in the air but no magic came from the tricks. This was very strange for her. Never did the mare think that someday she was going to be stripped of her powers.

The ninja stared at Lucky, who looked concerned and rightfully so. Without a warning, she grabbed him by the tummy and lifted him up in the air.

"Uh, what are you doing?" he asked a little anxiously but the ninja kept her silence.

Foxy then hurled him upwards, which came as a thunder in the bright sky to him. Lucky couldn't use his wings because they were still bandaged. His white body flew high in the sky, way above the trees and then started falling back like a stone. He was barely holding himself from screaming. The pegasus waved his legs but it was kind of pointless to use them as spare wings. His mane and tail pointed up. His plot was just a meter from the ground, when Foxy jumped forward and saved his flank from being bandaged too. She then carelessly dropped him, which hurt his back.

"What were you trying to accomplish by making me temporarily air-born?!" he made a not-so-amused-face.

"I had to know if my strength and agility are up to par. I'm sorry for that."

"And?"

"They are. However, I lost my sense of magic. I can no longer do my tricks."

"What about the dragon form?"

"I can't feel the demon inside me. So, that means..."

"Your long life burden is finally over! Foxy, you can finally live a life without fear of harming everypony around you!"

"A life without fear of being chased by my old clanponies." Tail looked thoughtful.

"Foxy, this is great! For you, it's a brave new world from now on."

"New possibilities..." she whispered. Her face looked like after seeing a ghost. Tail was utterly overwhelmed with thoughts of the future. She was not going to die young, she didn't have to worry about killing everypony by incident. Her mind was opened for many choices, which Tail had never thought about. She looked around them. Beautiful nature was all Foxy could see with some occasional conical purple roofs of the nearby buildings. Everything felt different somehow, the ninja couldn't put her hoof on it. This, my dear readers, was called freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of how she was going to live from this point forward. Her chains were broken and now she was able to fly in whether direction her spirit would choose.

Her eyes stopped at her love. He was standing perfectly still, though she knew that deep inside him raged a storm of feelings. What an irony. She was as strong as ten ponies, he was just one and blind. Without each other, they're lives would have been miserable. They were going to take care for each other, they were made for each other. Their love was pure because it was born by their spiritual needs and friendship. No force could separate them now, except...

"Lucky Eight, I'd like to be with you through life and death." the feelings in her voice were great music for his ears. He smiled and opened his dead eyes. Though they couldn't sense the light, they could perfectly see her standing in front of him in the blackness. This was the power of love that gave him this little gift, for which he was forever grateful.

"I am ready to enjoy the life with you, Foxy Tail."

Suddenly, this glorious moment was interrupted by weird vibrations that were coming from the mare's stomach. She never felt such a thing before. It was painful and the roaring sounds made her a little embarrassed.

"I guess somepony is hungry, eh?"

"I need apples!" she said anxiously.

"Nha, you can put them aside for awhile 'cause whole life you ate only that. I know a place, which will satisfy your hunger. It's time to meet the confectionery! However, I'll need your eyes to help us navigate. Come on."

She smiled and together they went to Doughnut Joe's famous pastry shop.

The memory faded away just like her love's life force was steadily dropping from him. Foxy didn't feel tired even though she carried a pony on her back, while galloping with full force. The earth pony in front of her turned around the corner of a street. When she was making the turn, out of a sudden a couple appeared. Tail had to do evasive maneuvers by jumping over their heads. Luckily the pegasus didn't fall from her back. The two unicorns ducked immediately and watched how this acrobat of war almost flew. Then warm red drops landed on them. They looked back at the galloping ponies and saw a bloody trail behind her. Though her back and legs were all stained in red, the pony responsible for this new color was the dying pegasus.

While they were passing by some home, a door opened between the two galloping ponies. Foxy tried to go around it but little too late and she slammed into it like a train. Wooden flinders went all over the place. Because the hit was so powerful, it sent her and Lucky on the ground. She fell flat on her face and on top of her landed the lifeless pegasus. That woke another recent memory from that morning...

Metal Eye sat in front of his favorite table in the Joy's confectionery that was next to the windows. Like many Guardians he liked to occasionally have a breakfast in here, where his tongue could taste one of the best sweats in Equestria. The pegasus was very fond of Joe's special doughnuts, which had white cream in the inside as well as the outside. This was one unhealthy pleasure but after a week of imprisonment, Metal decided that his lips deserved some love.

The yellow unicorn came to him. He was wearing a cooking white hat and a white uniform.

"What can I get you?" the chief pulled out a writing pad and a pen.

"The specialty, of course."

"How many?"

"Hmm, that's a tough one." he looked at the ceiling, as if the answer he was looking for was written there. The doorbell rang, two friends of his entered inside. Metal Eye had to turn to see the new visitors and now knew the answer. "Six, please."

"Be right back." the unicorn went to bring the precious doughnuts.

"Hi, Lucky and who are you?"

The mare tried to hide behind something called Lucky Eight. She was getting unwanted attention, which made her very nervous. The confectionery was a favorite place of many ponies and this morning business was booming. Because of her natural beauty, she was a sight for sore eyes of many stallions.

They quickly approached Metal, then sat in front of him.

"It's me, Foxy." she whispered.

The blue mane blinked several times. He couldn't believe that. Instead of the dark assassin, who always looked mysterious and very unfriendly, now there stood a pretty lady with soft facial lines, which would not indicate of her real nature. She was a belle and his heart was not ready for a sight like her. He tried to look at his friend, but his eyes won't let him.

"Why she seems to be trying to hide behind you?" Metal asked.

"Tail is afraid of being watched naked by others. She's been doing this from the moment we got out from the park. Is the little spy here?"

"No, he's probably still lying in his bed. So, Foxy, why you ditched the outfit?"

"I didn't. The curse was lifted last night, when... I guess, you would know."

"Ah, I see. Love was the answer." Metal smiled and then patted his friend on the shoulder. "I knew you had it inside you, tiger."

"Yes, love freed me. To think that my mother spent all her life searching for such a simple thing and never to realize that it was just under her nose."

"Well, history is history. Let's look in the future. We'll celebrate this great news with doughnuts! They ain't ordinary but the best of the best that master pastry cook can deliver with his amazing skills! I'll guarantee you that your lips will be satisfied to the max."

The confectioner placed a silver platter with six good-looking doughnuts. They were still warm and oh, the direful smell made them lick their lips.

"I see that you've brought friends. Holy Dough, are you Lucky Eight? I haven't seen you around here for some time. And who is this charming beauty? Heh, you three enjoy my beastly sweets and have a great time!"

"Thanks, Joe."

"So, you ready to taste something different than apples?" Lucky asked her.

"What if it tastes like ashes again?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Foxy looked at the delicious doughnuts like a frightened kitty. They were covered with white cream and sprinkled with chocolate sticks. Her appetite grew bigger, her stomach begged to get some of the ambrosial dessert. She took one from the plate and moved it closer to her mouth. The aroma was of pure awesomeness. For a moment Tail could hear it whispering a song:

"Eat me! Eat me! Eat me! I'm the holy pleasure of all taste buds!"

She opened her mouth, there weren't any sharp teeth. Her tongue was not snake-like. Tail precariously took a bite and began chewing. Then the great taste hit her like nothing before. For the first time, Foxy tasted something different. The experience was awesome and so satisfying, that she began eating it like a savage beast. Metal watched her devour it. He was quite stunned. Lucky just listened to the sounds of the hungry brute. Yep, the mare enjoyed it fully and when she finished, her hunger demanded more. The second doughnut disappeared quicker than the first one and yet her tummy was not satisfied completely.

"You are not gonna eat those, right?" she looked Metal in the eye and the latter knew that if he refused, only bad things we going to happen to him. Metal made a gesture that it was alright and then the mare took the last two, which very quickly found their way into her mouth.

"You are like a bottomless well." Metal dazedly noted.

"What? And I still can't get enough of these! I demand more to be served!" she slammed her hoof on the table, it instantly leaned towards her and hit Metal Eye in the chin. The pegasus fell on his back. Little yellow stars made circles in front of his eyes. The noise brought a lot of attention to them and that Foxy didn't like. She shrugged and tried to snuggle against Lucky. Her orange eyes moved from one gaze to another. Some of the customers were not happy to have their breakfast interrupted like that, others were curious of what happened. They all made her feel very uncomfortable. Without her black outfit, it seemed like she lost her tough skin.

Lucky hugged her to protect her from those all-seeing eyes. He felt no shame of her action and was ready to defend her name from every pony in the confectionery.

Metal jumped back on his feet and then quickly fixed the position of the table.

"Ha-ha. It was just an innocent accident. No pony got hurt, so there's noting to see here. Move along."

One by one the others turned their eyes to their breakfasts and steadily the place turned to normal again.

"Foxy, you might want to be more gentle next time. Also, you can relax, no pony is looking at you."

She sighed and did as told. This was quite strange to see this ultimate killing machine being so afraid of being watched.

"I apologize for my behavior, it won't happen again." she sadly looked down.

"Nha, you don't have to. If what Lucky said about you is true, then I understand you. It's like a whole new world just opened before you. It's hard not to get excited about everything. Speaking of everything, Lucky, you are a real stallion now, right?"

The tone at the end of the question made him to feel shameful. This sort of thing was too intimate, even between long time friends.

"Ha, Ha, ha... we didn't get to that part."

"What is this lame answer? Oh, well. I'll still brag in the Office about you being a legit stallion. The secret will remain between us only." he winked.

"Meh, I do not care. The only thing that matters for me is that I'm with her." Lucky boldly said.

"Well, well." Metal smiled. "Hm, I just got an idea. Why don't you two have a nice adventure around the Capital." a pouch with twenty bits was placed on the table. "I think this will be enough for a day. Go to the theater or check the zoo. Or take her to the racing. You choose!"

"That's too generous of you but..."

"No but. You'll return the favor, when you can. Do it for Foxy, bro. She has the spark of an explorer and she'd like to see and try a lot of stuff. Maybe later Foxy may grant you the path to stallionhood." Metal smirked.

"Do not talk like I'm not here!" the ninja stared at him like a predator.

"Alright, I'll take it. When I get my payment from Rose, which we left in Manehatten, I'll return you the due."

"We are grateful for the gift. And thank you for the breakfast." Foxy bowed and after that she turned to Lucky. "Would you like to go now?"

"Can I finish my doughnut first? I haven't taken a bite at all." he dismally looked at his untouched pastry.

"Fine."

The merry memory ended. She opened her eyes and focused. Time was slipping away and they still were not near the Canterlot Hospital. The gentlepony stopped and went back to help her, though the strong mare showed that she could stand on her own. Tail grabbed the white body of her friend and placed him on her back again. When she saw the earth pony coming back for her, anger engulfed her mind.

"What are you doing!? I didn't ask for any help!"

"I-I... am sorry." the guide began shaking from fear.

"Start leading us to the hospital! Now!" Tail ordered with the top of her lungs. The brown pony quickly turned around and they began galloping again. The owner of the broken door angrily watched them disappear in the dark streets.

Earlier that evening...

"Woaw, never in my wildest imagination did I think that I'd have so much fun doing activities with somepony. The museum, the race, everything we did was awesome! This was the best day of my life!" Foxy jumped in front of him. She was all excited and thrilled to have spent the time with him. Before her purification, Canterlot seemed like a very boring city, filled with nothing but dull ponies. Noting felt interesting to her, wherever she traveled. And now, after her senses were freed, the world around her suddenly looked, sounded and smelled exciting, fresh and full with wonders. Her curiosity grew with every moment. She wanted to experience everything this Kingdom could offer. Maybe this was so, because almost her entire life there wasn't a thing Tail would consider worthy of her attention.

"Foxy, you are on fire! I'm happy that you like our Capital so much. I've greatly enjoyed our time together." Lucky smiled. "Do you know what will make the day perfect? To see the last sun beams shine upon the world from one of the terraces. They have a gorgeous view of the land below and if it's not too dark, you'll be able to see Ponyville in the distance."

"That would be great."

"If I'm not mistaken, there should be one at the end of this street."

"Let's go then."

A few minutes later, they were at one of the many large terraces of this magnificent city. It was a lonely place, just for them to enjoy the beautiful scene. Mountains in the distance stood guard like titans, on whose shoulders the dark sky rested. The sea of forest below was mystical and beauteous to look at. Somewhere in the distance was the small town. Only the yellow roofs of the houses were visible. What a scenery it was. Foxy felt like her eyes were seeing the entire world.

"It's beautiful."

"I knew you'd like it."

She continued looking at the wonderful land of Equestria, when something behind the scenes was forming. Five black ponies moved like shadows in the dark city. They were invisible for the common Equestrian. The specters were on only one mission: to bring back their legendary warrior. They were searching for her under tree and rock non stop. Without her the ninjas couldn't return home. Endless shame would fall on their families, if they failed.

They used the roofs to have a better vision of the ponies on the streets. The watched those little unaware creatures going to their homes or to the nearest restaurants. Like predators, they assessed the situation and planed how to proceed with the search.  

The sixth member of the wolf pack joined them. He brought the good news from the scouting:

"Captain, I've found her!"

The tall ninja glimpsed at him with his green eyes.

"Are you sure it is her?" his voice was rough from the cough he was having the past week.

"Absolutely, sire. I followed her and the spy from this kingdom!" suddenly the brown eyes of the scout turned white and flashed. Black clouds appeared in front of their eyes, which then entered inside them through the pupils. Now they were under his absolute control. He pointed his hoof to the direction of the two victims. "They are on a terrace, negotiating for information about our clan. She betrayed us and she should be punished by the leader! Hurry now, before it's too late!"  

"You heard him! We have to stop her before she does the unspeakable and puts shame on our entire clan! Onward!"

The captain charged forward, followed by his sisters and brothers in arms. Their silent run echoed in the strings of time and Shadow Sun felt what was going to happen. There was nothing She could do to prevent it. The Princess of Eternity just patiently waited for the events to unfold from her space throne. The scout watched them nearing their target with delight, knowing that his plan was executed with utter perfection. Evil white grin appeared on the black mask, he couldn't stop laughing maliciously.

Lucky felt a bit nervous of what he wanted to reveal to her, so he waited a little longer. The sun was no longer on the horizon and night had officially arrived. Then the pegasus started with a quiet voice:

"Foxy, I was thinking. With the reward Celestia will give us and with the money from Rose, I'd like to buy a house in Ponyville. I've heard that it was quite lovely there. Quiet and away from the busy life of the big city. Beautiful nature around it. Friendly inhabitants." Tail turned to him. Her heart began to beat faster. "I have a dream. A dream of peace and a new beginning. You are a big part of it. So, I ask you this: would you like to live with me there?"

"Staying in one place will be boring. Could we also travel around Equestria? I want to see more, experience more."

"Of course, my love. Your wish is my command!"

"Hear this: we'll go to Ponyville first and then where the winds take us! After we've seen the entire world we can get back and fulfill your dream."

"It's settled."

They hugged. Their warm repelled the night cold wind, protecting their little hearts from the darkness. Their manes waved like small flags. They made a magnificent sight to look at. Two tortured souls in a symbol of love. They felt each others hearts beating inside their chests. They were in rhythm. How they wanted to stay like this for eternity, expressing deep feelings of friendship and affection. Nothing could separate them... their ears quickly turned to the source of a very silent noise. The sound of fast flying edges that pierced the air.

Foxy opened her eyes just when the kunais pierced the back of the pony, who would die for her heart. The sound of the knifes impaling the flesh was the most horrible thing her ears ever had the misfortune of hearing. The metal blades struck deep in his white coat. Lucky exhaled painfully. He couldn't take a breath to cry because of the excruciating pain. He lost his grip, his legs were powerless and his body leaned against her. Tail was frozen like a statue, staring at him. Cold shivers, she felt on her back. Foxy couldn't believe that death followed her even in this peaceful place.

Five black silhouettes made a step towards them. Then the ghosts split up and quickly encircled Foxy and Lucky. They moved like one, they worked like synchronized clocks. The ninjas drew their swords and aimed them at her. The mare didn't react to this threat. Her mind was still blocked by what just happened. The captain was facing her from a safe distance. He knew of what she was capable and five of them were no match of the real dragon pony.

"Dragon Born, you've disgraced your name by shamelessly selling your clan! You'll come with us and face judgment from our leader. If you have some dignity left, you'll come peacefully and he may consider a lighter punishment."

Foxy was like a broken toy, like a doll, who tried to reach out to her master. Then something snapped inside her skull. The other ninjas noticed that and were on the high alert. Her pupils focused on the unicorn in front of her. That blood stare. The warrior felt like a defenseless prey. While they were under the spell, the ninjas saw her in the black outfit. They were not realizing fully what was going on, like puppets they played under the orders of the master from behind the scenes.  

There was an awkward silence. Everypony waited for her to make the first move. Who was going to die first?

Lucky painfully lifted up his head and whispered in her ear.

"Get... them!"

Foxy quickly removed her hooves from him and made room for his body to fall flat on the ground. She lighting fast punched the ninja on the right with such a force that the unlucky warrior was sent flying ten meters in the air and then he fell into the dark green abyss. The earth pony screamed like a baby on his way to certain death. The only black pegasus jumped after him. She was using her full rage, nothing could save them now. The next pony, who tasted her hooves was the one from behind. He swung his sword to make a cut on her back. Foxy kicked him in the jaws with her rear legs, sending the unicorn over the marble railing. His figure disappeared in the blackness. The only mare on the enemy side, backed away and joined the captain. Both had their sharp swords pointed at Tail. She was a demon of war, who's anger was like a forest fire, which couldn't be extinguished.

Her orange eyes saw only their doom. The two ninjas waited for her to attack. They were going to slice her on two sides and pray that she wouldn't stand up after that. Foxy charged them like a furious tiger. They simultaneously swung the blades but missed. Tail jumped high in the air and landed behind them. She kicked the unicorn with the force of a thunder, the unlucky one flew forward but managed to grab on the railing.  

The other ninja quickly dodge the next kick, turned around and made a series of fast swings. Tail evaded every strike, then hit the dirt and rolled to the right before the blade sliced the ground. The unicorn rejoined the fight by sending more kunais at her. Tail leaned to the left, absolutely avoided the knifes that were aimed for her center. The mare with the sword tried to cut her. Foxy jumped over the attacker and while in midair, she pressed a point on the her back, which rendered the possessed ninja completely useless. After her landing the mistress of combat slammed her in the head with her entire being. Blood splashed, staining the demon pony's hooves in red. The black body lifelessly hit the ground.

The unicorn used his horn to fire a powerful electric spell at her. Foxy was not able to move away from it's path. The pure energy hit her like a train, sending her on the other side of the street, where Tail slammed into a wall. The captain continued electrocuting her with more intensity, hoping that this would knock her out. However, that stubborn pony had Goddess like strength and resisted the magical surge like a rock.

Suddenly the spell ended. The unicorn was out of juice to continue frying her. There was a black spot on her chest where most of the energy was concentrated. Tail seemed unharmed by the attack. Her orange eyes angrily stared at him, his fate was sealed. She made one step forward, when the great pain in her heart almost brought her on her knees. The unicorn knew that he had to use this window of opportunity and charged with a sword in his mouth.

She slowly looked up and saw the incoming ninja. Foxy wanted to get away from the attacker's path but her legs wouldn't move. She didn't feel fear, if this was her final moment then her soul was going to accept it. Her heart couldn't beat without her love, who was lying alone in his own blood. He looked calm. Tail wanted to be with him. To help him. Then there was an extremely powerful surge from within that gave her the needed push. She rolled to the right, when the blow arrived, which only scraped her flank. A red line defaced her cutiemark. Foxy then jumped on him with the her entire body, knocking him down on the ground. The sword was dropped from his mouth and slid away from him. The unfortunate captain tried to make a stand, but it was futile. She stood up on her two rear legs and made the most fearsome battle cry, he ever heard in his short life. Then the hooves of judgment landed on his neck like two hammers. There was an awful sound of cracked bones. Hoofprints stayed on his deformed throat. The unicorn died on the spot.

The mare was breathing hard. Her sadistic eyes spotted movement on the terrace. The pegasus brought the earth pony on the terrace. She wasn't able to save the other unicorn, who had smashed somewhere down on the mountain. When they saw what happened to the rest, fear quickly found its way into their hearts. Tail quickly grabbed the cold steel from the street and threw it at the pegasus. The blade impaled her dead in the center of her body, emerging from her back. The black pegasus coughed blood. There was so much pain in her eyes, it was difficult to look at. The ninja collapsed on the railings and started shaking.

The earth pony stood in a defensive position but this didn't help him, when he had to face the charging mare of destruction. The fear of death was in his blood like disease, which stained some rock in the mountain below the white Capital. After Foxy ended the agony of the last ninja, she sat next to Lucky and removed the knifes from his red back. Tail took him in her legs. Their eyes met. He was barely holding.  

"I guess..." he coughed blood on her dirty face. "... the forth time will be too lucky of me."

"No. I'll find help. Just breath and don't let death lure you in her cold hug."

"Foxy, I'll love you after death." he coughed again. "Don't cry for me!"

Her eyes couldn't look at his pain. Behind her warface great sadness took over her being. Her heart began to fill with so much pain that she almost lost her mind. Tail didn't know what to do. She didn't want to leave him alone, not in his dying moment.

"You'll always remain in my heart. No!" she angrily shook head. "This is not your time! You can't leave me! Fight it like a warrior! Don't be slave to the power of death! If only I still had the curse, I'd have saved you!"

"No, you are better without it. I do not want you to die by a stupid spell." he said with a quite voice. "Don't be mournful. Today I finally saw your brightest side and I do not want you to lose it."

Then something caught her attention. It was approaching with a moderate speed. Hope.

"I hear steps. Help is coming!" she turned to the approaching gentlepony, who just noticed the bodies on the ground. "Help!" she screamed. "Where is the hospital?!"

The earth pony was shocked by the sight and needed few seconds before he could speak.

"Wha-What happen in-in here? Are they dead?"

"They are! My friend is dying and needs help! Show me where the darn hospital is!" Tail's voice was full with pain. She stood up, shouldered Lucky and began walking towards the innocent bystander. The stunned citizen couldn't remove his sight from the warm bodies. Never in his life did this witness see death before his eyes. She stood in front of him and shouted in his face: "Lead me to the hospital immediately or you'll follow their fates!"

The scared brown pony snapped out of the frozen state, quickly turned around and began galloping in the direction of the healing place. Foxy put Lucky on her back and followed him.

"Don't be so loud. You'll scare everypony..." he mumbled something, which Tail didn't hear. Her entire being was focused on one task: getting to the hospital as quickly as possible. They left corpses lying on that terrace for everypony to see. Their silhouettes disappeared under the cover of night. Somewhere in space, the daughter of pure dark energy was not happy by the events. The thread of time was cut and joined with another end, which was not going to lead in the direction She wanted.

It was a quite large white building, with a red cross at the entrance. It stood like a beacon of hope in the darkness. The gentlepony broke through the door and found himself in the bright reception, all shaking. One of the nurses near the desk looked at this unexpected visitor and asked:

"Are you feeling alright, sir?"

The brown pony only aimed his hoof at the white door. Then Foxy violently entered with Lucky on her back.

"I need the doctor, now!" she shouted from the moment her hoof stepped inside.

When the healer saw the blood on Tail and Lucky, she swiftly turned to her colleague.

"Get Dr. Cure immediately!" the nurse ordered. The white unicorn with a red snake as a cuitemark, went to Foxy and carefully helped her to take him off her back. The pink doctor came with two more nurses.

"My surgery knife! What happened to him?!" he looked closely at the pegasus. Then put an ear on his chest. He was not breathing at all. The unicorn checked for pulse, there was none. His horn flashed and he checked him from top to bottom. Dr. Cure frowned. When they turned Lucky on his side and saw four deep wounds on his back, the medics were shocked. "Where did he get these?"

The doctor looked at the gentlepony, who was too frightened to say anything.

"We were attacked by ninjas. Those are from knifes." Tail answered.

"Wait, what? A murder in the heart of our Kingdom? That's unheard of!"

"What?!" Foxy couldn't believe what her ears told her. "Can't yo save his life?"

"Unfortunately, I can't sense his life force at all. This pony is dead. There's nothing in my power I can do for him." then he darkly turned to the nurse. "Write this: moment of death 9:36, cause: four deep stabs, probably damaged internal organs, bleeding. Notify the Royal Guards about this incident."

Foxy was frozen solid. She couldn't think, couldn't believe the reality she was in. When finally destiny gifts her an opportunity for a better life, her curse had to steal it and remind her of the miserable path she had to walk for eternity, that was full with death and pain. If Only Tail could have one more moment with him. Her heart was shattered. Her soul darkened. How much she wanted to die, instead of him. Tears formed for the first time in her life but they didn't leave her eyes. There had to be another way to cheat death, maybe the most powerful being in Equestria could do the trick.

"Nurse get the..." Dr. Cure was tossed from Lucky's body. Foxy made the most demonic face she could do and warned with a very dark voice:

"No pony touch him. If you follow me, you'll die!" then she grabbed her lost love and made a run for the door. She exited with a bang and quickly disappeared in the dark streets. The thunderstruck healers couldn't do noting but to clean the bloody mess on the floor.

Princess Celestia was reading some old letters from her faithful student in front of the fireplace. The flames gave light and warmth to the entire quarters. It was a very enjoyable atmosphere. Her eyes moved from roll to roll, smiling at what Twilight Sparkle learned about friendship. After the long day of being a ruler, Celestia wanted some peace and the writings relaxed her quite a lot.

Suddenly there were loud hoofsteps outside the door. It opened, interrupting the Princess's relaxing reading. A Royal Guardian appeared in a gold armor. He looked like after a short battle and was out of breath.

"My Princess, I come to warn you of an intruder! She is coming this way and she is bringing..." he couldn't finish because a grey mare behind him pushed his sorry plot with a titan's force. The Guardian fell on the ground, shrugged like a little scared baby.

Celestia dropped the letters and stood up. She looked all mighty and Goddess-like. Her serious pink eyes scanned this rude violator of her rightful peace.

"Foxy Tail?! What's the meaning of this?"

The ninja carefully put down the body of her friend and then bowed.

"Please, Goddess of this land, save my love! I'll do whatever you ask of me! I'll serve you till my last hour! Just please, save him!" Tail begged from the the bottom of her heart. Celestia looked at the dead pegasus, her fears came to life. So, the prophecy was wrong all along or did She just misunderstand it? The alicorn came closer to Foxy and sat next to her. It was a little difficult to tell this broken mare the truth, but it had to be said:

"I may move the sun but I too am powerless to the power of death. I'm sorry, Foxy Tail, I can not bring him back to life."

Her calm mother voice confused Tail. The grey mare looked her in her sympathetic pink eye. Her gorgeous rainbow mane sadly waved. The great pain rose again. There was no hope. Her heart was condemned forever to feel the hurt of a life time. Celestia spread her long wing over her. Foxy couldn't hold it no more, the feelings fell down like a waterfall. The ruler of Equestria knew how painful it was for her because She too had lost many friends and closed ones in her extremely long lifetime. Celestia could only show her compassion to this broken heart, which felt the pain that no mare must ever experience. The guard understood and quietly left them alone. Foxy never in her life felt so miserable. This was a sad moment, she'd not forget. The moment, when death separated them with it's scythe. Next Chapter: Chapter 32: No Brave New World Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 32 Minutes