"Let's see, Elements of Harmony are in use again, so that means I need to have a talk with Celestia about recent events. But first, I need to get Snowflake" Hearts said to himself as he walked out of the hospital.
As soon as he said this the ground shook slightly and Hearts turned his head to the side to see that Snowflake had landed about fifteen feet from the hospital and was walking towards him, a concerned expression on his face,
"Are you okay bro? I knew we should have worn padding" Snowflake said as he fell into step with Hearts, both of them completely ignoring the looks they were getting from early morning shoppers.
"I'm fine for the most part. I had Bones patch me up quick so we could get about our business" Hearts replied.
"That's good, but I'm surprised you already know why we're here" Snowflake said as he tilted his head in a questioning manner.
"Well, I don't know the specifics yet, but I have a pretty good idea where to start. I've been informed that the Elements of Harmony are once again in use" Hearts informed Snowflake.
"Really now? That's rather interesting, what's happened since our last visit?" Snowflake asked.
"Luna was restored to normal and is back in Canterlot, the new Element Bearers have also managed to stop and reform Discord, remove the Changelings from Equestria, and apparently they aided in the restoration of The Crystal Empire" Hearts said as he pulled various newspapers out of his mane and read the headings.
"Well, we've missed all that, so that just means whatever is coming next will probably be as bad, if not worse" Snowflake stated flatly.
"Yeah, so you know what that means"
"Ugh, do we really have to go see her now?" Snowflake asked.
"No, I think you should probably meet the Element Bearer that has already taken a liking to me" Hearts said as he turned his head upwards, where a cloud could be seen slowly following them.
Hearts and Snowflake took to the air and closely followed the cloud. After a minute or so, they saw the back of a rainbow maned cyan head pop out of the bottom of the cloud.
"Dang it! How in Equestria did I lose them?!" Rainbow yelled loudly.
"Maybe you scared them away with all your screaming" Hearts said as he and Snowflake landed on the cloud.
Rainbow Dash quickly popped out of the cloud and landed on it, a slightly startled look upon her face.
"How the hay did you do that?" Rainbow asked incredulously.
"Skills that we learned a long time ago tend to help. When it's always survival, you know if something is watching you and you can also tell how large the thing following you based on irregularities in the surroundings" Hearts explained.
"But what gave it away that I was following you?" Rainbow asked as her eyes narrowed.
Hearts looked over at Snowflake, who had a smile on his face by this point, before he replied to her question.
"I don't know what you may consider normal, but I' pretty sure a single cloud in the sky that just happens to be following two ponies isn't exactly unnoticeable" Hearts replied.
"Yeah, I guess that is kinda obvious, isn't it?" Rainbow Dash said as a blush began to form and she rubbed the back of her head with her hoof
"Anyway, was there something we could help you with Rainbow Dash?" Hearts asked.
"No, I was just thinking we could hang for a bit, maybe get to know each other?" Rainbow said with a questioning tone.
"Hearts and Snowflake glanced at each other, clearly this wasn't the first time this had happened.
"I'd love to, but we have business to attend to. Perhaps another time?" Hearts asked.
"Yeah, that's cool I suppose. Where are you guys going?"
"I'm in need of an audience with Celestia" Hearts explained.
"Oh, do you guys mind if I tag along? I need to talk to her myself as well" Rainbow said with a flat tone to hide any emotion.
"Sure, we'll meet you at the train station" Hearts said.
"Yes!" Rainbow cheered quietly as she flew off towards the train station.
"You really need to stop getting all these mares hopes up. You know we keep moving on and you can't stay with them" Snowflake said once Rainbow was out of earshot.
"Dating a mare every now and then gives a sense of feeling normal. This job of running throughout time and space is weathering bro" Hearts replied.
"We could stop if you would just admit the truth about how wrong you were and we could finally be free of this nonsense" Snowflake said unhappily.
"But I'm not wrong. This is fun and the experience has been fantastic" Hearts countered.
"Pure Heart, I can tell you yearn to be able to have a real relationship. It's slowly wearing you down and you know it" Snowflake replied with a sad look towards Hearts.
"I could bring one with us and have a steady relationship" Hearts replied.
"You would never rip a mare away from her friends and family. I know you to well, and I know you're a great stallion. Please, for both our sakes, accept that you're wrong" Snowflake practically begged as they approached the train station.
"I'll consider it after this mission" Hearts finally replied as they saw Rainbow heading towards them.
"What's up guys? Enjoy your walk?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes, it was quite nice to see Ponyville again" Hearts replied.
"Agreed" Snowflake said simply.
"Awesome. Since we'll be on the train, we'll have some time to get to know each other after all" Rainbow said happily.
"You're quite a smart mare. You knew we'd have to take the train and you knew that the ride is long enough to get to know someone well" Hearts said as he gave Rainbow an appraising look.
"Thanks" Rainbow replied, almost with a hint of shyness in her voice.
"So Miss Dash, it seems that you have me for about two hours and twenty two minutes. Anything in particular you would like to know?" Hearts asked.
"Umm...how do you know that this train ride will take two hours and twenty two minutes?" She asked.
"Snowflake and myself have been on this train a myriad of times. After a while, you start keeping track" Hearts explained.
"Cool, but why are you leaving so soon? Is something wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Hearts and Snowflake looked at each other for a moment before Hearts answered, sounding a bit downbeat: "We have to go see Celestia. We have some things to discuss with her referring to some magical artifacts"
"The Elements of Harmony you mean? Why does that matter? We've been using them for nearly two years" Rainbow Dash informed them.
Hearts' eyebrows shot up at this information as he turned to Snowflake, whose face was showing equal shock at this statement.
"Two years you say?" Hearts asked.
"Yeah, we used them to help Princess Luna back to normal, defeat Discord, and we tried to use them on the changelings, but Princess Cadence and Shining Armor defeated them with love" Rainbow Dash said casually as she leaned back in the chair.
Snowflake turned his attention to Hearts again; whom he could tell was trying to process all of this.
Finally Hearts turned towards Snowflake and asked: "Do you think…?"
"I hope so, but don't get too excited yet" Snowflake replied.
"What are you guys talking about?" Rainbow asked.
"Come with us to Canterlot Castle, and you will find out" Heats said as he looked out the window to see how much farther it was to Canterlot.
"Are you guys okay? You're acting a little weird" Rainbow asked as she gave them a suspicious look.
"Never better, things are looking pretty good" Hearts said with a broad grin on his face.
"Then why are you all jumpy?"
"We've been traveling through time and space for what feels like a very long time. If what we think is true, we might be able to stick around for a while" Snowflake said sadly.
"Ah, okay" Rainbow replied sensing the sadness in Snowflake's voice.
"Oh cheer up bro, you'll get to see her for a little while" Hearts said joyfully as he stuck his head out the window, making Rainbow Dash giggle at the sight.
"We're almost there, approximately five minutes until we get there" Hearts said as he pulled his head back in and saw Rainbow Dash still giggling.
"Oh, you find that amusing?" Hearts asked, sporting a crazy little grin.
"Yeah kinda, but I've never seen anypony do that besides Pinkie Pie before" Rainbow replied, laughing at the memory of Pinkie sticking her head out the window and sticking her tongue out like a dog.
"Ha, you think that's something I have a whole act" Hearts said happily as the train whistle sounded, indicating that they had arrived.
"Time to go Snowflake, and you're welcome to come along as well Miss Dash" Hearts said as he stood up and was followed out by Snowflake and after a moment of thought, Rainbow Dash.