Note: The perspective change is back to Airborne.

Garble, Flurry Heart, and Airborne all witnessed the battle between Sombra, Twilight, Ember, Thorax, and Cadance. They wandered around in the streets to get to the hospital, which they eventually found. It was a tall crystal building with many floors. It like any ordinary building, however. Inside, they saw a room where crystal ponies were cowering. The room resembled a waiting room. It had many comfortable chairs, a desk counter where one would check in, and hallways leading to other rooms. The cowering ponies were 2 children and 1 adult that hid in a corner. Airborne wandered to them and asked, "Are you alright?"

One small unicorn, light pink and female, stepped forward. Her mane had shades of crimson and light red. The unicorn asked, "What's going on outside?" She appeared to Airborne as a young child. She could have been around 8 or 9.

Airborne responded with, "A battle between alicorns, a dragon, a changeling, and King Sombra is happening."

Garble came over and said to the cowering ponies, "Don't worry. As long as we stay inside, we will be safe. All of us."

The adult pony, who was a majestic, bulky pegasus, stepped forward to Garble. He looked at Flurry Heart while speaking to the red dragon, "Why is Flurryheart here? You need to get her to safety."

Garble responded, "Princess Twilight's orders were to protect her; that's what I'm going to do."

The pegasus looked at Garble saying, "Alright." The pegasus turned his attention to Airborne asking, "Who is this hybrid?"

Airborne, with discontent about the last word, responded, "I'm Airborne. Son of Dragon Lord Ember and Changeling King Thorax."

The pegasus shrugged. "I like your wings. They're cool."

Airborne examined his own wings saying, "Really? You think so?"

"Yes," answered the pegasus. "They're quite charming."

Airborne pridefully flapped them gently. He smiled at the compliment while still looking at his own wings. "Thank you," the changeling-dragon responded.

The pegasus said, "Are your parents fighting? I looked out the window recently and noticed a dragon and a changeling."

"Yes they are," replied Airborne. "They're strong creatures. My dad has changeling magic that allows him to use the same abilities of those he transforms into... well that excludes their use of magic to a certain extent. Like, he can't be Celestia and raise or set the sun. He can just shoot magical beams out of a horn."

The young female unicorn went to Airborne, "That's neat. Well, since we are all introducing ourselves, I'm Sage."

The pegasus said aloud, "I'm Rinehart."

The other child, who was another unicorn, stepped forward. He was light blue on his body and his mane was dark blue. He went to Flurry Heart asking timidly, "If you're an alicorn, why don't you fight King Sombra?"

Flurry Heart said, "I'm... not good enough. I can barely use my own magic without losing control. I just stay behind and watch."

Airborne went to Flurryheart saying, "Welp. You definitely need practice. I can help you gain control." His tone showed fear of Flurry Heart as her attitude changed with the first spoken sentence.

"What is that supposed to mean," remarked Flurry Heart. She sounded angry. "Do you think I'm faulty and am in desperate need? It's Alicorn magic! Something you don't possess."

"I just... I'm..." stammered Airborne. "But when you said you sucked, I thought you just needed practice."

"I never said I sucked!!" shouted Flurryheart.

Airborne cowered, walking back in fear. "I'm just gonnaaaaaaaa..." he backed away further in fear. "I'm just going to be right here."

"Mmhmm," the alicorn expressed in a sassy manner.

Garble giggled and said, "Airborne, what were you trying to say to her?"

Airborne said to Garble, "I don't know!"

Garble laughed. "You are something else, kid."

Later in the day, everyone was anticipating any further results of the battle in the waiting room. When the 4 children got hungry, Rinehart resorted to becoming watchful of them. Garble and Airborne explored the hospital looking for any food. They scoured the interior of the compound resultingly finding a cafeteria. The two looked into the kitchen of the room and found a large fridge which comprised massive amounts of diverse food: apples, cherries, hay, and bread.

Garble said, "Eugh... I wish they had more dragon food. I'd rather eat the floor and the walls."

"Well, you could try it," said Airborne. "I'm sure you'd like it."

Garble said, "Nahhh. My stomach requires the foods, meat or gems. I can't stress that any further." That was all he said. Garble grabbed some of the food. "Kid, you get the group some water from that sink over there." Garble's foot pointed to a sink in the kitchen as his hands were occupied with food.

"That's not very... sanitary," remarked the changeling-dragon.

"Just do it. It's all we've got, kid" said Garble. His slight pushy attitude persuaded Airborne to walk toward the sink. He turned on the faucet and began rifling through the room for cups. He searched in available cabinets and drawers, eventually coming across a large, tin cup that would serve someone as large as Celestia herself. He came across two large cups thinking they would suffice the other children. He didn't include the Rinehart's hunger, nor his thirst until Garble mentioned, "Maybe we should get the pegasus some water, too. He could be thirsty." Airborne spoke the gravity incantation quietly on the cups. They both float into the air and remain still as they merely hovered. The changeling-dragon found a third tin cup, and he utilized the same gravity incantation on it making the cup float. As they were lifted, he filled each one with water completing the necessary amount. Soon, they brought the supplies back to the waiting room. When they reached it, they saw the blue unicorn and Sage huddled against Rinehart in comfort and safety. Flurry Heart only sat nearby in a chair. She noticed Garble and Airborne step in with supplies; she used her magic to take the food and water from them. Surprised by her own talent, she dispersed the food equally to everyone, including herself. The cups were set on the floor, but they hover once again.

Airborne said, "Desai." The cups of water fell straight to the ground which immediately they immediately spilled.

Flurry Heart face-hoofed. "Nice going, idiot."

Airborne said, "S-sorry. I... I didn't mean to..."

Garble groaned. "I guess we'll have to get some more water. This time, I'm handling the water. Airborne, you stay here and keep them company." Garble walked away.

The 5 who were left in the room began eating; they sat close to one another. Airborne looked at Flurry Heart the whole time until the alicorn noticed. He quickly turned back to his food. Flurry Heart said, "What's your problem?" in a rude tone. Airborne just shrugged. "Aren't you taking any of this seriously? There are ponies here who can't leave the city because of the battle. We have to stay focused, which you are probably not." Airborne turned his head away from her. "Well? Say something."

Airborne said, "No... I'm taking this seriously."

"I hope you are," she responded. A few minutes later containing silence, Airborne laughed a bit. He then ate his food more. "What's so funny?"

"I keep wondering," he started. "I wonder how long this battle has been going on. Shouldn't it have been over right now or..." he noticed Flurry Heart growing intolerant of his jokes. "I just... thought that with 4 against one, it would be over by now."

Flurry Heart thought for a moment and spoke, "You know what, you're right. What is taking so long?" She stood up heading to a door. She opened it and looked outside, but Garble immediately grabbed her yanking her back in. "Aaaaggghhhh! What did you do that for?!"

Garble shouted, "You were heading outside!"

"I was looking!" she shouted back.

"Let me go check then; you stay inside," the drake commanded. Garble walked outside the door and observed the battle. He noticed an approaching black haze which immediately caused him to rush back inside. He shut the door while locking it. "Don't go back out there. Black smoke approaches." Flurry Heart's heart sank with an overwhelming rush of fear. She walked back to the others shivering in distress.

"Are you alright?" asked Airborne. He walked to her slowly. Sitting in front of the alicorn.

"Why do you care?" asked Flurry Heart.

Airborne shrugged. "I can't stand to see you in pain," he said. "It hurts."

"Hurts how?" she asked. She yielded a confused facial expression.

"You being hurt gives me emotional pain," he responded. "I can't... stand to see you struggling."

Flurry Heart looked away. "Just stop it." She stared at the ground. Her hair fell in front of her eyes.

Airborne flapped his wings once making Flurry Heart's hair float up. "No can do princess."

"I'm not a princess," she sadly stated. She looked at hair. "I'm not going to ask you again to stop caring for me. If I were a princess anyway, you wouldn't be my subject."

"You're right," he replied. "I'm just a friend." Flurry Heart looked at Airborne angrily. "I meant... I umm... I want to be friends."

Flurry Heart sharply spoke words of resentment; "With friends, I am bound to fail them at some point. Friendships are difficult to keep. They do nothing good but hold baggage. I will never fail subjects, and that's all I want for now. Subjects! You've healed me earlier today which I am grateful for, but we will never, not a day in your life nor mine, be friends. Do you understand that, hybrid?" Her horn lit up in magic finishing her speech with, "Leave me alone or you will regret it."

Airborne stepped back in dread and walked away from her. Flurry Heart just watched Airborne walk out of the room. The changeling-dragon approached Garble nudging his red claw with his own head. Garble looked at Airborne questioning, "Are you alright?"

Airborne shook his head indicating no. "Flurry Heart doesn't want to be my friend."

Garble rubbed Airborne's head saying, "That's alright. She's just one person."

Airborne said, "No, you don't get it. She's carrying something in her heart against friendship."

"You sure about that?" asked Garble. "From what I've seen, she's stressed out."

"I think it's more than that, Garb," replied Airborne.

The 2 made their way back into the waiting room. The pale, blue unicorn walked to Airborne and asked, "Mister..." He was a nervous child. He seemed to be around 6 or 7 years old. "What's friendship supposed to really be about?"

Airborne looked at the child saying, "It's about... well... being there for someone through thick and thin whenever they need you. I think of friendship as a way of connecting to others and healing the wounds they have."

Flurry Heart bitterly asked, "Are you talking about me, Airborne?" She was sitting in a chair somewhere far away from the rest.

Airborne responded to Flurry Heart, "You're not the topic. I respect your decision and I won't talk about you."

"Sure seems like it," she replied.

"I'm not, Flurry Heart," Airborne assured once again. He turned his attention to the child. "That's how I see friendship though."

The child asked more, "Can I be your friend if the princess won't?"

Flurry heart shouted at the child, "I'm not a princess, you dumbass!"

Everyone in the room turned their attention to the alicorn; they all were in shock, except Garble. Airborne was afraid to speak to Flurry Heart, as he looked away from her. The child, however, was in tears. Sage walked to the blue unicorn and hugged him. "There there, Alder," she comforted. When Airborne noticed the tears falling from Alder's cheeks, he marched to Flurry Heart.

"What?" she asked harshly.

Airborne said, "Listen up, you spoiled, cold-hearted, heartless witch! You can insult me all you want, but you made one of your future subjects cry! And he was a child too. Do you have anything to say?"

Flurry Heart shifted away from him saying, "What does it matter? The kid should grow up and stop crying." Airborne walked around the chair she sat in to stare her in the face. The girl persisted on turning her head refusing to acknowledge him until she stopped. "Get out of my face before I blast you." Her horn charged with magic once again.

Airborne said, "Go back to hell. Hope nobody misses you when you die." At that, he walked away. She just watched him. Soon, she curled up in a ball on her chair and silently cried. Airborne joined the other 2 children but glancing back at Flurry Heart filled him with regret soon enough.

Much later throughout the day, Airborne was napping in a chair. Flurry Heart went to him gently nudging the changeling-dragon to wake up. Airborne's eyes opened looking at Flurry Heart's eyes. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I need to tell you something," she said remorsefully.

"Go on," he calmly commanded.

The Alicorn dripped more tears from her eyes. She wiped them saying, "I'm sorry. Okay? If that's what you want to hear, then I am very sorry. Please forgive me."

Airborne squatted on his chair standing on it with his 4 legs. He shifted his tail to encircle them. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

Flurry Heart looked down responding, "I know. I'm waiting for Alder to wake up too."

Airborne questioned, "Why did you do that, anyway?"

"I don't know, okay?" Flurry Heart answered.

"Yes, you do," replied Airborne.

"Then what do you want to hear?" she asked disconcerted. "Do you want to hear me weep and leave you forever or what?"

"I want to know the truth, Flurry Heart," he started. "You are hurting and I know it. What's bothering you?"

Flurry Heart kept a long silence. Airborne awaited a response. She told him, "I hate my cutie mark." Airborne giggled a bit. "What's so funny?" she asked in a concerned tone.

Airborne inquired, "What does your cutie mark represent?"

Flurry Heart said, "My cutie mark is a dove. It represents purity and peace. However, I do not understand my destiny. Am I supposed to be at peace all the time or what?"

Airborne just looked at the mark. "Your mother is the alicorn princess of love, so what if you're the princess of peace?"

Flurry Heart questioned Airborne's answer to her question. Airborne simply shrugged. "Do you think so?" she asked.

Airborne said, "Well, any kingdom demands peace unconditionally. Without it, there is war." Flurry Heart thought for a moment of her role as a princess. "I think there is more to why you hate your cutie mark. Why is that?"

"Because..." she commented without a conclusion. Her words jumbled in her thoughts trying to assert her reason. "I'm expected to be as great as my parents in the Crystal Empire. Even so, I can't do it. I don't believe I am intended to be a princess."

Airborne asked, "Is it because you fail to understand what your cutie mark?"

"It's more than that," she informed. "I used to think that being a princess meant smiling, giving handshakes to people, and just making demands. Now I understand that I have to serve their subjects. In fact, I think I am failing at living up to those standards. If I'm supposed to be a traditional princess, I've already failed at it."

The changeling-dragon climbed down from his chair and stood next to her. "I'm a prince, but I don't act like one. In fact, I have no clue on which kingdom I will reign over one day. It would most likely be the changelings because of my dad's inheritance. If I wanted to rule dragons, I'd be forced to fight other dragons over the Dragon Lord's scepter. However, I don't even think the dragons would want me in charge, nor the changelings."

"Why?" asked Flurry Heart.

"Because I'm a hybrid, and they hate me for that," he responded. "However, I still have a purpose for being a hybrid. You do too even if you are an alicorn. You'll know what you're really meant to do with that cutie mark of yours."

The pony asked, "Was it hard for you?"

Airborne replied, "Yeah, it was. It's still hard to be myself around other people. I attend the school in Canterlot; there, I get bullied frequently. That didn't stop me, however. I found out who I was through it all, and this problem helped me figure it out even further. I'm supposed to unite all of Equestria to stand as one. With that, Flurry Heart, I know that you will find out what you are to do with your cutie mark's calling."

After she listened to Airborne's story, the alicorn walked toward Alder; the child was sleeping in a chair on the left of Rinehart. Rinehart looked at Flurry Heart with discontent.

"What are you doing?" he asked with spiked resentment.

"Apologizing," clarified the alicorn.

Rinehart snorted with fury. "That was my son you yelled at. You had no right to do that."

Flurry Heart said, "I'm only young with a foolish mind. And even with this conscience, I had no right to speak out of term to anyone, not even someone as your child. I am truly sorry for failing one of my subjects."

Rinehart's anger diminished to a still emotion. "You're forgiven." Those were the only words he said. Leaning his neck over, he woke up Alder with a singular nudge.

The child looked at Rinehart asking with fatigue, "What's going on, daddy?"

Rinehart responded, "Flurry Heart has something to tell you."

Alder gazed at Flurry Heart. The alicorn spoke, "I'm sorry for making you cry. I didn't mean to hurt you, Alder. I was only upset with myself and... I took it out on you."

Alder's eyes widened a bit more. He stood up and said, "It's okay, princess." He slowly reached out to Flurry Heart hugging her with open, welcoming hooves. "I love you."

Flurry Heart smiled with tears leaking out. She hugged back. "I love you, too."

Airborne watched all of this smiling at the sight of peace. "See why I said that you represent peace?"

Flurry Heart released the unicorn. "I do," she said walking back to Airborne. She sat in front of the changeling-dragon. "Thank you, Airborne."

Airborne said, "You're welcome, princess." The two giggled a bit.

"How old are you?" asked Flurry Heart.

"I'm 11. And you?" asked Airborne.

"11. I'm turning 12 in a few months, though," answered Flurry Heart.

Airborne said, "Nice. Same age!"His sentence was cut short as Twilight had penetrated through a nearby wall alarming everyone, even Garble who breathed flames out of agitation. Twilight crashed to the ground lying in pain. "Twilight!" he shouted anxiously. Everyone gathered near the fallen princess.

Twilight weakly said, "Help... King Sombra's... taken over... Ember..." She then fainted. Ember walked through the crashed wall with eyes entirely black.

Airborne gazed at his mother saying, "Mom! What's going on?!"

Flurry Heart said, "Airborne, get back! That's not your mother. That's a mind control spell!"

Ember blasted at Airborne with flames a fury, but Garble stepped in front and neutralized it with his own blast. "Go!" shouted Garble.

Airborne said, "I'm not leaving you!"

Garble shouted while putting on his coal gloves, "You need to go with the others. I'm the only one here who can fight your mother, Airborne." He lit the gloves in flames and moved into a fighting stance.

"But-" Airborne's sentence was cut short.

"Go now!" Garble shouted even louder than the last time. With that said, Rinehart put Twilight on his back. Soon, everyone made their way out of the hospital while Garble held off Ember. The dragons carried their battle inside the hospital. The group was in the street heading away from the castle and the hospital. Airborne stopped moving to glance at the building he just left. Soon, it collapsed with a large explosion inside.

"Noooooooooo!" screamed Airborne as he saw the hospital crumble.

"We've got to keep moving," demanded Flurry Heart. She used her magic to force Airborne to float and move. The group eventually made their way outside the Crystal Empire and back at the train station. They all turned back once they reached it and stood on the crystallized boardwalk. What they saw of the Crystal Empire horrified them badly. The Crystal Empire turned dark. It was transformed into a black and grey crystal capital. "It's... gone. My home..." Flurry Heart looked down sadly.

Airborne was let down to the ground. The first thing he did was a search for the book of unity he brought. Once he found it, he turned to the chapter of spells. "Flurry Heart... my mother and friend were in that building. If they're gone... Then..." He groaned releasing tears. "I..." he further stated making himself angrier and sadder. "King Sombra will pay." He looked for a spell that would help him search for a dragon signature within the kingdom. The child immediately spoke the incantation once it was found. Unfortunately, he searched for two minutes with no dragon heat signatures. Airborne gave up searching after a while of no results. He said, "desai" to end the incantation's power. As he knew it, Garble and Ember appeared to be gone.