AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm really sorry for the long wait. I had hardly any time for writing in the summer, but I'm back now.

And I will finish this.

Thank you all for sticking with me through this mess. Thank you so much. XD

Now, enjoy!

"So… Shadowflame, was it?"

Warpath's gruff voice sounded a bit muffled through the door. Heh, I know eavesdropping isn't allowed, but I was just too curious. So I stationed myself before the lock of Warpath's office and tried to catch up as much as they said.

I looked around, nopony was around in the hall. You could hear hoofsteps echo from around the corner, so that gave me enough warning to get out of here. The scratching of the quill, though, was a bit loud… I hope they can't hear it…

"…No, I don't know where Carbon or Wing is… I hope they're all right, though." The lighter voice of Shadowflame came a bit softer through the door, but it was still understandable. " I do have an idea, though; does Civviq have a personal item of Wing's? Maybe I can track him down with a tracking spell."

"I don't know… You'll have to ask her."

Do I have a personal item of Wing? I don't know… He hasn't given me anything, so I guess not.

"…Isn't there any other way, Shadowflame?"

"Well… Maybe, if their friendship is strong enough, they have a bond…"

"That kind of bond? I don't believe that. You can't track down somepony with that."

"No, wait. At the time I've been with them, I could almost… feel something around them. He's very

protective about her. He'll be there when she needs it, and she will also be there for him. Almost as if…"

"They're too young for that."

I don't understand. What are they talking about? Where am I too young for?

"No, they're just too young to realize. But it is there. Somepony really sensitive can feel it, and with the right spell, you can see it. The direction of the part that's visible – the part that's in the spell's range, so the part with her - will guide us in the right direction."

"Hmm… You will have to explain it all to Civviq, however."

"Well…" His voice became uncertain. "Like you said... She's too young… She won't understand…"

Hm. He's right about that.

"Hm. Are there any… side effects?"

"I… I don't know…" Shadow's voice trailed off. "I haven't really… tested it on anypony…"

Warpath groaned. I snickered; I could almost see him face-palm.

"You should tell her, nonetheless. She hasn't got any parents nor legal guardians, so she'll have to decide for herself."

"Yes… I'll do it right away."

"-wait…" I heard Warpath get up from his chair, and before I could move he had opened the door.

I tried to get away, but he captured me in his magic. He raised an eyebrow.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here."

I gulped.

Warpath carried me in his magic inside and closed the door. He put me down on the chair opposite of Shadowflame, behind Warpath's desk. He walked over to Shadowflame's side and stood there.

"How much have you heard?" Shadow asked. Suddenly, my hooves were very interesting.

"Hm?"

I bit my lip.

"Not much… just…"

"You're a terrible liar, Civviq." Shadow chuckled. "But it doesn't matter. Now we don't have to explain it to you again."

I looked up, curious. They're not mad?

Warpath rolled his eyes. "But you shouldn't do it. It's not nice to eavesdrop." Warpath said, his face turning stern again. I shrunk under his gaze. He huffed.

"All right, now." Shadowflame said, "Civviq. What do you say? Do you want me to try the new spell out on you?"

I shifted on my seat, still looking down to my hooves. I glanced up to Shadow, and back.

"Will… Will we find Wing… and… and Carbon?" I said, hopeful, looking up to Shadowflame.

"Well…" Shadow said, his face full of doubt, "There is a good chance we'll find him…"

I nodded, resolutely. "At least try."

Shadowflame smiled.

"Then, try we will."

We were all teleported outside by Warpath. Enerjack, Swift, Snipit, Shadowflame, Warpath and I were standing on a grassy field, on top of a hill. There weren't any trees, so you could look really far in every direction. The wind was a bit chilly on my coat, but my saddlebags kept my back warm.

"All right, Shadow," Warpath said, "Begin."

Everypony took a step back, except for Shadowflame. He was concentrating, his head low, his horn charging for the spell. Aimed at me.

I gulped, and for all safety, put my quill and book away, so I could concentrate fully on what was going to happen.

"I am sooo booored. Are we there yet?" Swift Spry was flying above us, upside down, out of sheer boredom. I was getting tired as well, we had been walking for hours now. The energy of the hope was fading, so I took out my quill to keep me from sagging.

Shadow´s spell worked. It was amazing! When he cast the spell at me, it hurt a bit. But that was just the impact. After that pain had ebbed away, a warm glow took its place. Nothing happened, but then my mind started to wander to Wing. Where would he be? Is he all right? And I remembered.

His outstretched hoof, ready to pick me up when I felt sad. His warm hooves around me, saying that everything will be okay when I had a nightmare. I remembered when we first met, he was so grumpy back then! Well, he still is. But I know better.

While the memories flashed before my mind's eye, some sort of rope appeared out of nowhere! It emerged from the red glow that surrounded me, Shadowflame's magical aura. It was made of gold and glowing the same reddish color. It pointed north, and stretched only a few meters before it disappeared. The rope itself only lasted a few seconds, but enough to give us a heading.

And so, we started walking.

Warpath sighed. "No, Swift. We're not there yet." He looked at Shadowflame. "Does the spell also indicate how far it is?"

Shadowflame thought for a moment. "I don't know." He looked at me. "Wanna try again?"

I hesitated. Though it didn't really hurt, it had really tired me out. I really did want to try again, though, so I put my stuff away. Again.

You know, this time it was a bit different. Now I know what to do, it was a lot easier and a lot less tiring. Besides, the impact hurt a lot less. The rope itself was a lot bigger this time. But it wasn't round, it was flat and wide. It also moved a bit, like the aurora, the northern light. But it was still gold.

So, it does indicate distance. But why was it pointing west?

Warpath sighed. "Now, let's get a move on."

[i]Log 39, entry 1

Morning routines. Salutations to our leaders, and with that our dark lord Mörk.

No pony shall doubt his ways.

No pony shall doubt his reign.

No pony shall betray him.

All ponies should be honored to serve him.

All ponies should be honored to live with him.

All ponies should be honored to die for him.

Log 39, entry 2

My son was still sleeping when I arrived at his tent. Even though the Lord does not approve of sentimentality… I could not help to feel a certain warmth when I saw him, lying there, peaceful.

It only lasted a moment. But it was still worth thinking of.

Log 39, entry 3

Also, last night I caught my son writing. It was a letter to his friend, Civviq. Though at first I frowned upon it, I couldn't help but read it through and wonder if she really was as vile as we all thought her to be…

But one should not question or doubt the way of the leaders and the Lord. I should confiscate his writing gear and talk to him about it.

For now, I shall lay it to rest.

Log 39, entry 4

New assignment: gather rain- and storm clouds. Wing shall help me gathering them.

Log 39, entry 5

Though work was finished in silence, his actions spoke clearly. He was anxious for what to come, just like in his letter to his friend. I did not know what to say to him to hush his worries. They will come true if he doesn't behave, but for now he's safe.

It does make me think, though.

Every time I look in his eyes, I see her. I see his mother, Chêne. Her beautiful golden eyes, her beautiful soul. Every time I look in Wing's eyes, I remember her. It hurts every time and every time I have to look away. Bit by bit, my memory returns. Happy memories, but they are all overshadowed by the fact that she is gone and Wing… he hates me for whatever I've done.

One should be honored to serve under the Lord. But if his fears come true… If he will be set against his friend, like a mindless robot…

Did I do something like that? Have I killed innocent, killed friends?

I… I hate to admit it, but I've got a bad feeling about this all… Maybe I should talk to him.

Log 39, entry 6

Noon meals were eaten in silence. We did not speak. When he was finished, he retreated to his tent.

Log 39, entry 7

Afternoon rounds and chores. Wing went with me once again, and again we did not speak.

Log 39, entry 8

Dinner. Eaten in silence. Not a sound.

Log 39, entry 9

Evening rounds and chores. Our route went through the forest, where no pony could hear us. There is a severe punishment for ones who do not obey the Lord's commands, but I am willing to take a risk. I want to know what happened. [/i]

I am lying in my cot again, with a sheet of paper on my cushion. I have to write this down as good as I can, because something had happened of which I thought never would happen.

After dinner, me and father were scheduled to do rounds. Those rounds went through the forest. It was already after dark, and even darker because the leaves blocked out all the moonlight. My father was carrying a lamp with his wings, so I stayed close. There were… strange noises, but I kept my cool! I didn´t jump at every noise that sounded really suspicious! And I certainly didn´t run to my father every time! That´s just ridiculous!

Anyway. In the lamplight, I did see something strange with my father, but I didn´t know what it was –until he looked at me. Maybe it was just a trick with the light, but I could swear that the blackness in his eyes were getting lighter, almost to grey…

He wanted to talk, but he just opened his mouth, hesitated, closed it, and looked forward again, every time more frustrated than the next. I wondered why he did this, until he finally began to speak.

"What happened?"

He looked away after he said it. I was surprised, honestly surprised. I thought he didn't care. I told him that, too. But he looked at me again, and this time he was the one who looked surprised. Almost… afraid. I saw more grey in his eyes, almost white. I looked away and started telling, about my mother. How she was sick. How he left to get a cure… and how he never came back.

It was a long time before he spoke again.

"Maybe… the Lord's ways aren't as good as I thought to be…"

He closed his eyes.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but… tomorrow you will join the Lord's ranks."

"What!?"

"You need to escape before they do so."

"But… What about Carbon? What… What about you?"

He smiled and shook his head.

"Don't mind me. I'll be fine." His smile faltered. "Carbon… He hasn't been… changed yet. There's still hope he can escape, if we can get to him."

I nodded, but I still wasn't really sure. "What if anything goes wrong?"

Father looked me in the eye, and I saw his stoic gaze break into sadness and determination. "I promise that you will be far, far away by then. Maybe they will find me, but…" He took a deep breath and turned his head away. "but at least, you'll be safe."

As you can see, Civ, I was wrong about him. He isn't the mindless robot I thought he was. I see his regret, and I see… I see that he still cares about me...

I looked at him, he was facing forward again, but I could see him worrying. And for some reason, I wanted to take back everything I said to him. The black in his eye was getting lighter and lighter with the second, and at that moment I understood.

He wasn't himself. Ever since he left… he must've been forced by the black. He didn't do it on purpose. And now he was helping me get out! And before I could stop myself, I hugged him.

"Thanks, dad." I whispered.

He stopped, stiffened out of shock, but after a few moments he hugged me back.

"I'm sorry, son." Dad said, his voice choking. "I really am. I'm so, so sorry about leaving you and your mother. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. Can you… can you forgive me?"

I nodded in his fur, and he hugged me tighter.

"Thank you…" he said, and I could hear it was from the bottom of his heart.

He then leaned back to face me and smiled.

"Now, it's time to get you out."

At midnight, he'll help me sneak out! This might be the last letter I'm writing to you, Civ. Because, soon, I'll be with you again! Then, I can tell you all about my dad!

Goodbye! I'll see you soon!

Pffft. Westward, it said. It's the right direction, it said. Now, after a long, long time, we came to the edge of a dark forest. Even though it was an hour before sunset by now, it was totally dark in the forest.

"Are you absolutely sure we have to go through there?" Enerjack said, unsure.

"Ha! Are you a chicken?" Swift said. Enerjack scowled at him. I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm not a chicken, chicken!" he spat, "I just don't want to go through a dark forest if you don't have to."

Warpath sighed and rolled his eyes. I chuckled. Snipit just stared up to the tree tops, looking around if there is any way through. He walked up and down the edge until he found a good spot.

"Guys, over here." Snipit said. He waved at us to come closer. He lit his horn and disappeared in the forest.

"Hey, wait up!" Swift flew in, above the spot Snipit went in. Enerjack followed, and so did Warpath after lighting his horn. Shadow looked at me and smiled.

"You best light up your horn to. You can do that?"

I nodded and he smiled. I lit up my horn and entered the forest. I heard him walking behind me.

We walked for another hour or so and it had gotten completely dark. I couldn´t see a thing behind the circle of my horn´s light. Swift was walking in front of me, completely silent. Then came Warpath, Enerjack and Snipit in front.

Whoa! What- Why have we stopped? Where are the other lights?

"-shut the light! Turn the light off! Now!" Swift whispered frantically, wildly flailing his arms in the air. I quickly turned off the light and so did Shadow behind me.

"What? What's the matter?" Shadow said, worried.

"There´s somepony else out there!" Swift whispered back.

And yes. When my eyes have adjusted a bit to the darkness, a faint light shone through the trees. It came closer and closer.

"…That is how we're going to do it, remember?… Now shush, there's a guard close… If anypony hears us talking about it, we're dead – I mean, in deep trouble. Understood?"

"Uhm.. Yes."

My ears perked up by hearing that voice. Was it… no way…

"…Dad? What about Carbon? How will we let him escape?"

[i]"Wing Noir! [/i]"

… Before I could stop myself, I jumped up and ran at him, stumbling over the uneven forest floor.

[i]"Civviq!" [/i]

He jumped as well and ran towards me, tripping a few times. When he reached me, he pulled me into a hug.

"Civ… I missed you so much…"

"I missed you too…"

[i]"Shush you two!"[/i] Warpath said, half-whispering. "Somepony might hear us."

Another stallion came walking towards us, cautious.

"Who're you?" he said in his deep voice. He looked a bit like Wing.

"This is Civviq, my best friend!" Wing said enthusiastic. I couldn't help but smile. He had weird eyes; what was supposed to be white, it was grey. At that moment I realized I was staring at him. I looked away, blushing.

Warpath stepped forward.

"And who're you?"

The stallion looked up.

"My name is Aile Noir. I'm Wing's father."

Warpath looked at him skeptical.

"Aren't you a follower of Mörk?"

He shrugged.

"Not anymore, I guess... I mean, I'm helping him to get out of here. Now, let's get a move on, another guard will come soon… I'm surprised nopony had come at this ruckus we're causing right now."

Warpath huffed. "Can't agree more. Come on."

"But wait!" Swift said. "What about Carbon?"

Warpath sat down, sighing.

"Mister Noir."

"Call me Aile."

"Aile. Where is Carbon?"

"He's in the middle of the camp. Extremely hard to come by, under everypony's sight. They're preparing the ritual now to turn him to Mörk's side…" He explained quickly what that meant, "…and I believe that they'll start even before dawn. But we've got the time."

Warpath thought, stroking his claw under his chin. He nodded.

"Hm. Yes. Aile, is it okay if Wing and Civviq stay here with Enerjack and Swift? They'll go back to the edge of the forest where they meet up with us."

Aile nodded, hesitantly. "Yes… Once you're outside of the forest, you'll be safe."

He looked at Wing. "I… guess this is a goodbye."

Wing flew at him and hugged him. "Bye Dad. See you soon."

"Yeah. Have fun." He smiled half a smile. Wing smiled back.

He returned to me, Enerjack and Swift. The rest joined Warpath and Aile to make up a plan.

Swift pouted. "Why can't I have some action?"

Warpath huffed. "You'll have enough on your claws by keeping them out of trouble. Keep a close eye on 'em, will you? Kids these days." Muttering, he turned around.

Wing poked in my side. "Hey, Civ! Look!"

He pointed at a little white flower, a bit off the place they were sitting. It glowed softly in the shade of Aile's lamp. We stepped closer.

"Wow…" I stared at the little flower. "It's beautiful!" I looked around a bit and spotted a lot more. "Hey, look! There are more of those over there!"

He grinned and we both ran to the open place, rolling in the little flowers.

When I came to a stop, I noticed another pony coming at us.

And it wasn't Swift.