The ceiling was white and smooth compared to the steel skin of the Stadium I last remembered. I gazed to my right to pull a window out in the background and another pony standing aside. Blobs of colors sat on the table next to me. Where am I? I rolled my cranium to the left to see with improving vision a door, a painting, and finally my armor put aside. I am at the palace in my room? How did I get here? "Hello there" I turned back to the figure next to the window to realize that it was a life-sized plush of a unicorn, it was a life-sized model of me. "Well hello there, you are looking mighty nice today!" I joked to myself. "Where did you get that mane done it is a fantastic style and color." There was tag left on the right ear and I moved slightly to realize that I was not going to be getting up anytime soon as powerful wave of pain surged throughout my body originating from my right shoulder. "Well looks like I will be staying here," I laughed to the plush. "Are those flowers for me?"

"yes" a squeaky voice made who was revealed to be Lightning.

"I do not sound like that!" I protested. Lightning smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"Alright besides for the busted up shoulder I guess. How long have I been here?"

"Three weeks."

"Okay three weeks that is not too bad.... THREE WEEKS!!" I screamed. Lightning nodded to provide assurance. "How does one sleep for three weeks!"

"Well let me see, how does one sleep for three weeks? Well I guess if you stop a eight-point-seven magnitude earthquake, extinguish a plethora of raging petroleum fires, get hit in the back by a sharp piece of metal all beforehand that virtually slices your shoulder and right foreleg off, and live to tell the tale then I guess that is how."

"I do not remember getting injured." I declared.

"I am surprised you don't, I guess that is the power of adrenaline. I sometimes do not realize I injured a wing during a storm when I was a weather pegasus until I finally laid down upon clearing the storm."

"I guess so... so which one of you weirdos made a replica of me to replace me with?"

"You know we could never do that!" Lightning chuckled. "I would miss you too much already for that!" Lightning pulled up the tag and read over the name. "Says it is from Speranza; however, I talked to the others and we have no idea who that is. Looks really realistic does it not."

"So he is finally awake," Armonia spoke to me in a gentle voice. "I was worrying about you Bladz, promise me you will not get hurt again."

"You know I cannot promise things like that!" I replied in good faith. "Anyone else I should know about who is here?"

"Not that I know of; Carnivorous is at the Eastern base right now checking on a lieutenant of his. Your family was here for three days after the incident; however, had to return to their workshop."

"How was Cristalla taking it?"

"She was the one who wrapped your arm initially and brought you to the hospital so you could get the proper stitching. She did not leave your side for a week after the incident and she refused to eat anything pretty much while she was here."

"I hope she is doing okay." I muttered. "She does not need to worry so hard for me."

"To be honest, we all were worried about you, she just took it the hardest." Armonia admitted. "Captain Lightning, will you be so kind as to travel to Cantardash and inform Bladz's sister Cristalla that he is awake and doing fine?"

"I would be honored to do so my Lord," Lightning bowed before turning and flying out through the open window trying to catch high velocity.

"I am privileged to have that stallion as a captain." Armonia declared.

"He really is more than a captain isn't he." I proclaimed smiling.

"Yeah, how is your arm feeling anyway?"

"Sore but like I said I will manage."

"Are you able to get up and get into a wheelchair? I have something to show you."

"I can try but I cannot make any promises."

"I can get it for you!" Armonia determined using magic to pull back the sheets and pick me up and place me in the wheelchair.My right forearm and shoulder were wrapped tightly in bandages as slight movment reminded me of the pain. "You good?"

"Yes I am fine." I responded as he began to push me.

"Mari has been worrying about you as well; I found out how to use that device and I told her about it when she was asking how you were and you were not responding because of you condition. Anyway, the main thing I want to to point out to you is the door of the second floor. I think it is the same color green that you used in Cantardash." Armonia explained as he carefully motioned down the stairs trying to assure that I was not injured any further. "What the?" Armonia proclaimed as we arrived at the second floor to find the aura that was protecting the door had disappeared as we found our way inside the door and upon the second floor.

"About time you two appeared" A voice proclaimed as all the lights shined on revealing a light yellow youthful mare with a glistening green, yellow, and pink mane. The mare's horn was proportionally larger in size than what seemed natural; however, this aid in her gracefulness. "Your shoulder looks like it's improving," she comforted to me stretching out a set of wings that were on the verge of challenging Lightning's in size."

"You're an alicorn? I thought was only a legend?" I directed towards the newly discovered figure. "How did you get in here?"

"I walked in just a few minutes ago expecting you two to be here but meh, was just a tad ahead of the game today I guess." she explained. "I am surprised Armonia here did not inform about princesses as we all are alicorns."

"Who are you?" I questioned with both eyes wide opened.

"My name is Princess Amore Cinetica Speranza, but please, you can just call me Hope." she stated laying herself down in the middle of the first room behind a candle. "You see there are many things that are green in this world besides the color of nature; there is green with envy, green is used by some to describe anger or money, but green is used for another thing as well, Hope." she explained as the candle in front of her produced a green flame.

"What do you mean?" Armonia and I demanded.

"Bladz, you manipulated nature that day three weeks ago to stop that earthquake, to rebuild that ceiling, to fix that young pegasus' wing."

"Why could I not have used magic to heal my wound then if this potent nature manipulations you speak of could of helped the mare's wing?" I questioned.

"Nature is not a universal heal; she had a broken wing and over time the wing would of repaired itself naturally. You cut was not something that nature could have helped all by itself, medical attention was mandatory if you wanted to live and survive the event; if not you would of passed because of the large sum of blood lost."

"How injured was I?"

She stood up levitating the candle alongside her. "Let me just say it took a large sum of my energy to keep you from pushing yourself beyond your limits, but it would've been meaningless if your sister did not find the courage to face her fear of what she could have assumed when you crashed down."

"What you mean you used a large sum of your energy to save me?" I pondered as Hope realized she had said too much. "What do you mean!"

"I was watching you in the sidelines where I had concealed my identity so I could watch the celebration in peace and not draw attention to myself. The earthquake was horribly timed; however, I should of saw it coming."

"Why do you say that? And why do you sound familiar??" I replied jumping back in my chair putting too much pressure of my shoulder causing me to yip in torment. "It couldn't be."

"But it is, I was one of the alicorns in your dream. We exposed you to one of your seals in hopes that you would be able to develop over time a way to tame it; however, we made you vulnerable by doing so! We had aroused the seal without you having the time to suppress it so when you became emotional at the center it struck and caused the earthquake. I did the only thing that I could think of at the time! I used my magic to force the first seal to break! You were close to being ready but you were not completely yet! I could've killed you if you did not manage to take control of it!" The alicorn burst into tears that began to flood the flooring around her. "I was ignorant and I almost lost you! This is all my fault! I was the one who asked her to do it and I was the one who persisted after she denied until she finally let in! You weren't ready! You weren't ready!" Hope shriveled and collapsed to the floor in sorrow. "I am so sorry."

I did my best to move my wheelchair towards her as I stretched my left forehoof out and rubbed her mane. "A young mare so beautiful should not cry like that." She attempted to take in deep breaths and calm herself. "It is okay. I am fine and happy and I couldn't of been more grateful. We all make mistakes and I do not blame you because you realized your mistake and took the risk that could of saved all of those ponies lives at the center." I put my hoof under her chin and pulled up her face so I could look her straight in the eyes. They were strictly luscious in sight; two perfectly crafted emeralds that stood purer that even the gemstone that Armonia had supplied to me that I found shattered. "Your eyes alone are perfect and is enough evidence alone that you should not fret over the deeds that have been done. How old are you?"

"I am fifteen... You really think that I have beautiful eyes?" I nodded causing her to burst once more in tears, yet these tears were not originating out of pure sorrow. "Thank you Bladz" she whispered. "I see why..." she began to teel before cutting herslef off.

"Yes?" her face was full of concern.

"You are really kind you know that. No one has ever complimented me before to be honest."

"I find that hard to believe; how does an alicorn, a princess as beautiful as you go fifteen years without a compliment?"

"Ponies are not aware of my existence, I never wished to be seen because the power of hope that I work to provide is not something that should be considered originating for an external source when I need to provide that initial spark of hope to a pony," she explained freezing up after the last statement. "You two are the only ones outside of the house who are aware that I exist."

"Where is your home?" I spoke to her.

"When I said the house I was not referring to the tangible sense of the word; I have no real home," she admitted.

"Yes you do. You have a real home here!" I informed to her, who looked up in disbelief. I turned to Armonia who was unsure what to say after watching the entire conversation unfold and simply just nodded at the proposal.

"Bladz, you do not need my approval for what you just decided. You are showing something that is greater than anything of the principle of a student or a citizen, you just illustrated unconditional forgiveness in reason to a young mare who deeply cared for your well-being and has punished herself through her own remorse. You looked past her title and her struture and I can see that you valued her for her heart; demonstrating that you are more than deserve your title because what you just did is what should be expected of a true leader. This is your place too and your decisions are to be honored."

"Then it is decided Princess Amore Cinetica Speranza! You are welcomed to stay here in Serentia if you so decide to!" I commanded.

She dropped her head once again to the ground and waterfalled joy. "I would be honored... yes!"

"Welcome to Serentia!" I decreed smiling at her. I lost my authoritative voice and motioned myself as close as I could manage to her. "Welcome Princess Hope and thank you" I whispered joining her in contributing to the flooding.

Armonia did not attempt to stop either of us and content with the situation retreated upstairs where I heard moments later a set of hooves touched down above me. Muttered voices could be heard just faintly upstairs as the two must of conducted in a haste, yet decisive debate as the hooves stomped again before Lightning apparently took flight and was gone once more. Hope was obviously not used to crying because throughout the entire endeavor she was resisting it and wearing herself out in the process. I comforted her mane once more as she stood up and hugged my neck being careful not to affect my shoulder and closed her eyes taking in the moment. Blissed with the situation I closed my eyes as well and attempted to readjust my head to provide better comfort to her causing for a brief moment for our horns to touch. The emotions must of been getting the best of both of us because our magic was sparking off; however, in that brief moment I understood the essence of hope and I could feel that Hope has just experienced probably her first real understanding as well of her name judging for her reaction.

"I have a room that you are more than welcome to occupy; would you like to see it?" I soothed to her.

"I would be more than happy to see it." she smiled. "You can only begin to understand long long I have needed this."

"Hate to get off topic here, but I might need a little help too," I pointed towards the wheelchair; she was amused by the statement and my attempt to brighter her mood was effective.

"I guess I could help you out," she rolled her eyes mock-seriously as she grabbed hold of the handles behind me and brought me towards the third floor by trying her best to use magic to slowly bring me upwards.

"So what was the plush for?" I addressed to her, who was taken back in shock.

"I... I..ahh...I just felt sorry for what I did and I wanted to do something to make up for it... I know it was a petty attempt for comfort."

"Do not say that Hope," I stopped her. "I loved it, thank you." She hide her embarrassment as she pretended that she was not blushing which I found cute. "No need to be shy," I joked to her, "it was a very thoughtful gift."

"Which one of these is mine" she questioned as I speculated about the floor layout.

"I guess that one would be fine," I stated pointing to door directly across from my own. The room was essentially the mirror image of my own room, except this room was bare essentially except for a nicely placed bed and dresser. "A little bare but that is nothing that I cannot fix for you."

"I respect your hospitality; however, you are still injured and you do not need to strain yourself. Promise me that you will not do that will you?" she asked of me. I responded with a simple nod of the head and was rolled back to my room, where she pulled back my sheets and helped me lay down providing special care to my shoulder. Hope closed my blinds and pulled the plush she brought closer to the side of my bed within reaching distance. "Rest now, you need it Bladz!" she declared using her darker green magic to pull my sheets upon me, smiled, and then turned off my light and closed my door. "Thank you." I heard her whisper.

I woke up to find my arm in a more comfortable position as I attempted to wiggle it to find no pain. What the? The ceiling had dyed a lighter shade of grey and the floor was onyx in nature as I placed myself on my feet and continued to the door. "Hello? Anyone here?" I hollered down the hallway jumping in remembrance of the spot where I initially saw the figure of darkness. Bladz you really need to stop having these crazy dreams.

"I would not call your dreams crazy."

"For the love of," I screamed jumping backwards, "does everyone have to sneak up behind me nowadays?"

"Sorry about that," a navy blue mare stated to me in a sense of laughter. "Thank you for what you did."

"What did I do that you are thanking me for?" I questioned in confusion.

"For what you did for Princess Speranza; forgiving her ignorance and taking her into an actual home." the mare informed me stretching out her wings for a moment before quickly retracting them again.

"It was not really of a decision that was a yes or no; she seemed like she needed a home and who am I to deny her of that? Also, are all the mares I am going to met from now on going to be Alicorns?"

"No, even though it may seem like that to you at this point." she cheered. "It takes a special stallion to not become affected by a princess' title and treat Hope like an actually pony with her own feelings and aspirations, and I can only thank you for that. You know how young she is and I am worried about her; my sister and I find it difficult to give her the attention she needs and until now she has refused to open up to anyone else."

"How come she decided to open up to me? And was it your sister who was the third one I saw the other night?"

"Yes my sister was the one who you saw last of the three of us, I actually did not expect her to say anything, she told us that she was only going to sit back and watch while we did the talking to you." she exclaimed plopping herself on the bed. "I do not understand her sometimes but she means the best for us."

"Where is she now?"

"Busy, daytime is a very busy time for her; also I am here naturally, not magically today."

"What you mean by magically?"

"Oh excuse me for not explaining that! I have the power to enter the dream realm and bring others along with me. I take over my sister's work at night, but night is such a boring time you understand, so I aid ponies in their sleep and make sure everyone is okay."

"So you prevent people from having nightmares?"

"No, nightmares are useful as they allow us to indirectly overcome our fears, I only offer a little advice here and there when needed. I used to cause nightmares, but that was in the past and that was a different me to be honest consumed by jealousy," she determined tossing a pillow into the air that landed awkwardly on her face causing her to burst into muffled laughter.

"You never explained to me why Hope opened up to me?"

"I think it might have to do do with what happened in Tempeoca; Princess Speranza left to provide a spark of happiness to a depressed youngish mare by the name of Mari who I believe you are aware of. Anyway, I think she took an interest in you because when you arrived there you gave Mari unconditional compassion even though you barely knew her."

"That happens everyday though?"

"Actually is does not happen as often as you think, even though it happens more than scarcely; however, I think she found connection with Mari and you helped Mari. You see it is easy to help the ones that everyone loves, the ones that everyone knows and cares about; but it is harder to help those that no one knows because those that are unknown will not provide a social reward or benefit. What it will provide I personally see as something greater than social recognition, something that a young mare about your age explained to me after long years of seeking retribution for what was irrational to condemn; kindness to those who are unseen builds the foundation of long-lasting friendships!" the mare smiled in bliss. "Not to mention Bladz that there is something about you that grabs our attention; you are not blinded by the physical reality of things and can envision the metaphorical nature of your surroundings allowing you to understand and learn from the world in a way that many others do not find useful."

"I guess I could see some similarities between Hope and Mari," I exclaimed.

"You do not need to be sleep all day Bladz though, you have the world out there waiting on you!" She jumped from the bed pointed onwards. "Also tell Hope not to worry because I would of not given in if I was not one-hundred percent sure that you Bladz could have handled it, even it did not work out how we planned; however, it worked out in the long run," she smiled before beginning to depart.

"Oh wait! I never caught your name Madam!"

"You will figure it out when you need to, I know you will!" she instilled before spreading her wings and dashing away.

"Excuse me Sir but there is a mare downstairs with both horn and wings that is attempting to burn down the kitchen? She claims that you know her? This correct Sir?" Lightning declared to me the moment upon awakening.

"How is she planning on burning down the kitchen?" I inquired.

"She is attempting to make what she said was... toast?"

"Do I even have to get up?"

"No but that reminds me! The doctors say you will be good as new in about a week or two and you will be able to walk on it gently until then. They gave me these narcotics to ease the pain while we wait for the injury to dim so that you can continue to operate a normal lifestyle." Lightning informed me.

"Do I need to take one now then?" I started reaching my left foreleg out.

"No need, the doctor came by about fifteen minutes ago from what Armonia informed me to check on your shoulder and upon request gave you a mild dose of morphine." I wiggled my right arm to find the pain absent.

"Okay in that case let us see what Hope is doing!" I exclaimed pulling myself out of bed and onto the floor finding an unusual, yet effective balance. "Well this is not too bad I believe" I declared trotting around a little bit.

By the time we had reached the second floor I had become aware of just what Lightning was referring to as the smell of ash enlightened the atmosphere. Armonia must of never reached downstairs while this was occurring because the smell intensified as I approached the dining area that the Palace held for large social gatherings such as the Gala of the Three Tribes. Entering the dining hall Lightning and I noticed a line of platters containing a plethora of creation that revealed no other color but black. Well at least we know she is not a alicorn because of her cooking abilities.

"You want me to deal with this?" Lightning inquired.

"Yes and no to be honest; Ask her to come here please, I would like to talk to her." I motioned to Lightning who strolled through the push doors into the kitchen area. I few moments later a yellow horn and two rich green eyes poked out in greating.

"Bladz!" she proclaimed charging from the kitchen. "I made you something to eat for once you woke up!You are walking that is good to see!"

"Ahh... you are aware that food is not supposed to be burnt to blackness right?"

"Oh it is burnt? I knew that it did not look right compared to what the chefs constructed." she blushed trying to hide her disappointment.

"It is fine," I laughed. "Well at least you were not trying to kill us all; would be afraid of how that may have turned out." Hope lowered her realizes that she had failed; however, handed her a glass of juice of the table before her emotions could get to her. "I applaud the effort. but I do not think cooking is your thing."

"I do not think either!" Lightning quickly interjected causing a small hint of a smile to appear between Hope's checks.

"Here have a..." I questioned holding a hardened black brick towards her before pulling it away. "Well actually nevermind; how about we clean this up and later we all will find somewhere else to dine seeing how this is your first night here."

"Well to be honest Bladz, this if really only your third actual night here, you have been essentially a living coffin for the last three weeks." Lightning responded.

"Well I would enjoy that offer; however, I think I am going to have to take a raincheck on that!" Shadow announced from beside the door. "And I think your new friend is going to also."

"What are you saying Shadow?" I demanded from him.

"There is someone here who wants to talk to you two, I did not understand what she was referring to until I got here. Captain Lightning you remember this mare right?" Shadow announced as a tall white mare walked in beside him with a flowing colorful mane that was constructed out of some sort of magical aura like the one the mare had in my dream except was not blue in design and was larger in size.

"Hello there Bladz, it is an honor to finally meet you after all I have heard about you!"