A/N: Here's the story that kept the other one from being updated more. I hope you enjoy! Please check out the other perspective on FriendlyTwo3's page. His is called 'Us Today.' Don't worry, though. I'll still try to update my other stories.

This one is Twilight's perspective. She has just moved back into her tree… house… thing.

Dying Rain

Chapter 1: A Visitor

Spike closed the suitcase and looked back up at me. He smiled and nodded as he wiped a bit of sweat off of his forehead. Whether or not it was possible for a dragon to sweat, I didn't know. Either way, I smiled and thanked him. He turned to head out the door but stopped and looked back at me.

"I'm gonna head out back for a bit. Put some of the plants back in the ground." I smiled and nodded. He headed downstairs right before I sighed. I looked at my empty suitcases. The return trip from Canterlot had been all but enjoyable, considering nothing much happened. It was boring to say the least.

The while I spent living in the castle was torture for the most part. It was fun to be around Celestia and Luna for a while, but all the rest was nothing but work. Royal taxes, politics out the wazoo, the regal duties a princess must perform every single day, and getting up at literally 4:30 a.m.… Every. Single. Morning. I was punctual, and I get up early… but it's not even daylight at 4:30! Even Celestia knows the sun usually rises at about 5:41 in the fall, but she still has to do other things before that! I was well trained in friendship and magic, but I think I need a tad bit more practice with being a princess. It felt good to be in the old tree again anyway. Less busy. Much more down to earth.

I wonder what it would be like to be the only Alicorn within hundreds of miles, though.

The door closed with an unintentional slam. I closed my eyes tight at this, but kept walking. I heard the train stop at the station in the distance. I decided I could do some kind of duty and greet some of the visitors. I headed over to the station. It was pretty close to a hotel, which I remember Rainbow Dash telling me was packed full, due to it being the Apple Cider season. I felt bad for anypony trying to get in. They would run in to some bad luck.

To my surprise, though, not too many new ponies got off the train. Just some familiar faces probably coming back from vacation or something. All except for one who caught my eye.

He was a dark blue stallion with a dark brown mane that came down to his nose. He wore thin silver glasses and a black hoof-watch. He was quite tall. His eyes were a dark electric blue. He had a thinned out muscular build. He had a cutie mark of a single flame. His hooves were a light grayish color. Something about this stallion wouldn't let me take my eyes off of him.

A loud squeal shook me out of my trance. I saw Pinkie Pie within a foot of this poor guy's face. She was bouncing up and down, saying things that were inaudible from my distance. The stallion tried to say something, but Pinkie kept talking. She suddenly pressed her eyes to his flank and studied his mark. She ran back in front of him. It made me smile to see Pinkie freak out a visitor sometimes. I walked a bit closer to try to hear what was going on, even though I had a pretty good idea.

The stallion had a few wits about him it seemed. He pointed in a direction and shouted "Is that a shiny thing I see?!" followed by Pinkie's high pitched

"Where?!" As Pinkie ran toward a brick building, the stallion dashed into the hotel. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the little display. I might as well let him know what just happened. I trotted into the hotel to find him sitting in a chair.

"Hi," I said nervously, "Sorry about my friend back there. She can get a bit…" my mind worked hard to find the correct term "…excited about new ponies." His response made me chuckle.

"Yeah, no kidding," he said as he pushed up his glasses. His voice was deep, yet soft. It had a sarcastic edge to it. I giggled nervously at his next statement. "I'm not too fond of get-togethers," It was then I noticed he had the slightest hint of a British accent.

"Heh… You're, um… actually going to have to go… Sorry. Pinkie's not exactly good at taking 'no' for an answer. It won't be too long. It's one of her 'lower tier' parties."

"She has tiers?" I couldn't help but smile at his extreme emphasis on the last word.

"Yeah…" I rolled my eyes out the door. Pinkie was still looking for her nonexistent shiny. I decided to move on with the conversation. "So. You're staying here?" I suppose it was kind of an obvious question, but for some reason I couldn't stay focused. I simply stared into his eyes. I subconsciously turned my body to the side a bit.

"Don't have anywhere else to be," he said, looking down and grabbing his suitcase again. I might as well tell him. I mean, has he seen how busy the place was?

"Good luck. This place has been packed full since Apple Cider season started," I said, chuckling a bit, "Ponies from all over Equestria come here every year. Princess Celestia herself would be lucky to get a room here," I said with a bit of sarcasm. I was making a joke, but I knew it was almost true. His next words darkened the mood a bit.

"It's either this or the street," he sighed. I could just barely hear him say 'again.' I looked at him with sympathy. What was his story? What did he mean 'again?' He stared wide-eyed at me. He was looking at my sides. "You… an Alicorn?" I smiled.

"Yeah. I just got back from the castle yesterday," and I tried not to sound too absorbed when I said, "I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle. What's your name?" I was suddenly reminded I didn't even know this stallion's name and I was staring at him like an idiot.

"My name is Dying Rain," he said with another sigh.

"That's a nice name. It's nice to meet you." He smiled a bit, but I could tell he had to force it. I felt so sorry for him! Nopony should live on the streets! Much less in a town like Ponyville! What should I do?! I can't leave him!

I suddenly had a crazy idea. What if…? I did have a guest bedroom… and we were certainly hitting it off…

"You too," he said, walking past me. I could see him cringe a bit at his words. "I'll see you round," he said, pushing the door open. I stared into oblivion for a moment, contemplating whether he was worthy of my trust. After a moment or two of thinking, I turned around and rushed out the door. I could see him walking away in the distance. I called out his name, shouting 'Wait!'

I ran up to him as he turned around. With each step I took, I thought my words over more carefully. "Look… I know we just met, and we hardly know each other," I stuttered, "But… I can't just let you sleep on the street…" I turned away from him, my cheeks warming up. He stared at me with a doubting expression on his face. "So… um… would you like to… I don't know… maybe stay with… me… until the hotel clears up…?" I slowly looked at him and waited for his response. He shook his head in disagreement.

"I'm sorry. You don't even know me. I don't wanna be a burden like that…" he turned to leave. Something deep inside me took control of me for a split second and made me jerk my hoof to grab his.

"Y- You won't be a burden. I have enough space at my house…" I resorted to all mare's hidden gift- the puppy eyes. "Please? I just wanna help. Plus… I'm a princess now. I'll always lend a hoof or two to help a friend." I stared into his blue eyes. I could tell by the way he opened his mouth that he was going to say no, but he closed his mouth and eyes and ducked his head a bit. He slowly nodded. I smiled at him and he returned it.

I led him down the street to the old tree. I looked back at him. He looked as if he were having a hard time balancing his suitcase on his back, so I decided to help him out a bit. I lifted his weight with my magic, prompting a confused and worried expression to appear on his face. He looked up at his suitcase in confusion and relief. I couldn't hold back a giggle.

"Why didn't you do this before?"

"N… No reason…" I chuckled at his blush. We continued to walk. We eventually reached the sidewalk that led to the tree. I heard him scoff to himself. As I looked back, his expression turned into a doubtful look as he looked at the tree.

We walked up to the green door. I looked back at him one last time as I pushed it open. His jaw was open wide. We walked in and he took in the sight. *sigh* Another big city pony.

"Y-you live… in a tree…?"

"A little old-fashioned, I suppose. But it's cozy enough to get me by," I said in mock oh well-ness. I led him up the stairs to the guest room. I didn't use it too much. Mostly when family visits or when one of my friends wants to stay the night. I was a little shocked at how close his head was to the ceiling. His horn was almost scraping the roof. He was tall, and this room was so tiny. I may have misjudged the scale of things.

"Sorry…" I said with a guilty giggle, "I-it's not very big. It's… my only guest bedroom." Rain smiled at me.

"Twilight, you could tell me to sleep in the closet and I'd still be grateful. Thank you." He sounded genuinely thankful. I closed my eyes and smiled.

"Anything to help a friend," I said. It was a bit stuffy, due to me not ever using the room, so I walked to the window and opened it. "Dinner is in an hour," I said as I faced him again. A cool breeze flew into the room. I felt a bit of tiredness hit me. It certainly was a long day.

"Thanks," he said, sitting on the bed, "I'll start looking for a job here tomorrow." He unzipped his suitcase and laid out his things. There weren't many big things, but there were a lot of small things. I tilted my head a little.

"Why don't you use magic?" I asked. He sighed a little.

"Alright… I…" I moved closer to him a little. He ducked his head and I could see him grit his teeth. His canine looked a little odd for reasons I couldn't explain. "I never learned… how." My eyes widened. He doesn't know any magic? But… he's a unicorn! How can a unicorn go without learning magic all his life?

"That is so sad! That's, like, the first thing a parent should teach their foal!"

"They… couldn't…"

"Why not?"

"I'd… I'd rather not talk about it." I sat down next to him and smiled.

"That's fine," I said softly. "I shouldn't have asked."

"At least I know you're different from everyone else," he said with a long sigh.

"What do you mean?" I asked with another tilt of my head. He looked down again. He paused for a while. He looked like he was thinking.

"In school… everyone made fun of me because… I didn't know magic…" That's just worse! I felt so bad for him! His childhood was a mess just because he didn't know magic?!

"Really? That's so sad… I can't believe anyone would make fun of someone for not knowing something…" I put my hoof on his shoulder. I could hardly see his eyes behind his long mane. He sat up straight an inhaled a massive amount of air, followed by a a clearing of his throat.

"Anyway… Thanks again for letting me stay here. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Y'know what? Tomorrow I'll take you on a tour of the town. You can look for a job afterwards." I paused. His big blue eyes stared into mine… and I had no problem with it. We stared into each other's eyes for a bit.

"I'd like that," he said softly. We sat in silence for a moment or two. Or silence was broken by a sudden loud voice.

"Twilight!" I jumped a little and chuckled. I grabbed his hoof and helped him to his feet.

"Let me introduce you to my assistant. He lives here too. His name is Spike," I said in a cheery voice. Spike called out to me again.

"Twilight, you here?!"

"Be down in a minute!" I turned to him again when I'm reminded of Dying Rain's inexperience with our… oddities. "Just a heads up… He's a little… different."

"He can't be that bad," Rain said with a chuckle. I smiled to myself as I led him down the stairs.

I could see Rain's shock when he saw my little dragon. He maintained his composure, but he still looked surprised. I introduced the two.

"Spike, Rain'll be living with us for a few weeks."

"Cool," Spike said, "It's about time something new happened around he-BUUUUUURRRRPPP!-." Rain jumped back a ways as the letter appeared in front of me. I opened the letter.

"My dear Twilight Sparkle,

I'm sorry for this sudden calling. I have sensed an odd disturbance in the atmosphere. One that I've not felt since Queen Chrysalis attacked Canterlot. I know you have just left us, but if it is not too much of an inconvenience, please come by tomorrow so that we may discuss this feeling.

And please be on the lookout for a suspicious colt or stallion. I've sensed something odd about him too…"

"Celestia wants us to come to the castle tomorrow," I said. "Y'know…" I started, examining Rain, "…Now that I think about it, you're about as tall as her sister."

"Oh… er… cool…"

I looked back at the letter. "She says she wants me to look around town for a certain pony. She says she sensed something odd about him."

"Who're we lookin' for?" Spike asked, jumping up and down trying to look at the letter. I read on.

"If my senses are correct, this stallion should be an Alicorn. He shouldn't be too hard to find.

Your teacher friend,

Princess Celestia."

I looked up at the wall for a moment. An Alicorn in Ponyville? I thought I was the only one…

"Odd. She say she wants me to find an Alicorn. In Ponyville? That's weird." I reread the letter to make sure I wasn't misreading it.

It certainly said that there was an Alicorn here. My eyes widened as I heard the door creak open. I turned my head quickly too find Rain, his flank halfway out the door. His eyes were wide as Spike and I glared at him.

"Where are you going?"

"U- Uh…" He slowly moved further out. "I'm… just getting some… fresh… air…?" My gaze intensified. It was only now that I noticed the unusually long patches of fur on his sides.

"Come here," I said, narrowing my eyelids. At this, he began to sprint out the door, but I caught him just before he escaped my sight. His body was slightly turned in the purple aura that held him. He gritted his teeth as I held him in the air in front of me. He smiled a nervous smile.

"Uhm… About this…." I grabbed hold of his sides with my magic and felt his wings. They unfurled themselves, showing me that they were odd, thin, bat-like wings. Spike and I both gasped. I mouthed the word 'You…?'

"Fine… You caught me…" He sighed a long sigh, "I'm… I'm the Alicorn." I moved closer to him.

"Why didn't you tell me? This is important!" He stuttered a bit. I sighed. "Just tell me." He looked up at me one last time. His brow furrowed.

"I was… I was born too be evil!"

Seriously?

"What, you don't believe me?!" he said. His tone became aggressive. "You know Queen Chrysalis, right?"

Chrysalis. That witch… "How's that relevant?" His next words shocked me.

"She's my mother! I never learned magic because she was defeated long ago! I never even had a father, either!" My shoulders sank. I looked him over again. Nothing about him resembled Chrysalis… But… Chrysalis was a Changeling…

"Chrysalis is… your mother?"

"Yes! Look at my eyes. I mean, seriously look into my eyes!" I gazed into his eyes again. It was only now that I realized that they were ever so slightly slitted. My eyes widened. I heard Spike gasp a bit as well, followed by a silent 'Whoa…'

"And look at my teeth." He presented his canines to me. They were long, vampiric, pointed teeth. They were razor sharp.

Very much resembling Chrysalis's teeth.

I sat in utter disbelief. It couldn't be… Chrysalis never had a son… It was never in the records… Of all the books I've read… I've never heard of an heir to Queen Chrysalis. The closest I've ever come was a journal from a Changeling worker. The only thing that sounded close was something labeled 'Project Chrysalides.' It couldn't be him… could it? Rain continued to glare at me.

"Need more proof? Watch." My jaw dropped as a green mist surrounded him. It circled him. The room lit up an electric green for a moment. Out of the mist emerged… me.

It was an exact copy of me. No sharp teeth, no slitted eyes… Just… me. I set him down. He continued to glare at me before changing back.

"So go ahead. Arrest me. I guess I've been running long enough." I looked up quickly.

"You have a warrant?"

"For being me, yes. Why do you think I came here in the first place?" It all made sense now.

Filthy discrimination! First the magic, then for simply having the genes of a witch? Does nopony see that he's a good guy, no matter his flaws? I slowly put my hoof on his. A faint blush appeared on his face.

""I'm not turning you in," I said softly, "Just because your mother did some horrible things doesn't mean you should have to pay for it."

"I still want you to take me to Celestia. I want to meet her face to face," he said, turning away and moving his hoof away. He put his hoof on his head. He started to look dizzy.

"Sure. We'll see her tomorrow," I said comfortingly. He shook his head a little and stood up.

"I think I'm going to turn in early. I'll… I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said as he began up the stairs.

"Goodnight." For reasons I can't explain, I hoped for a response. I got none.

I let out a long sigh and sat down. Spike sat down next to me. "Still want me to invite everypony over for breakfast?" he asked me.

"Yeah. It'll be fun."