Author's Notes. Well... I just want to say that you should never teleport bread. Ever. Bad, bad, bad idea. I have no idea how I survived. If you recieved any of my teleported bread, I suggest you either eliminate said bread, or vacate the premises with all haste. So that's been my week. How's everyone else's been? I certainly hope all has gone well, despite the fact that the summer is indeed coming to a close. Either way, I hope whatever kind of summer you did have was enjoyable, and I hope you all enjoyed reading "A Mending Soul" while you were at it. That has been my goal, after all. Now on to answering some reviews.

To SuperVegito33: Oh yes. My teleporter was REALLY broken. Needless to say I'm going to build a time machine out of the scraps of my teleporter so I can go back in time in order to prevent the construction of said teleporter from ever teleporting. Next time I send you guys gold fish, I'm going to use Fed-Ex. And yes, I'm glad you are excited for the fight scenes. I've already written them... And they are (in my own words) pretty darn awesome. I hope you will enjoy them when the time comes!

To Vibrant Sound: I've actually never gone shopping with my sister-in-law. But then again I almost never see my sister-in-law. About a four thousand kilometer difference between us, you see. However, I also know Anima's sister-in-law, and I can tell you that you do not want to go shopping with her. You ever heard of the Infernal Realm? Imagine that... But WORSE. And oh man, I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally have the Inquisitors and the Catalyst Corps run into each other. The end of that particular event reveals an extremely important plot point that will be hanging around till the very end of "A Mending Soul." It's going to be pretty great (in my mind, at least). And don't worry about how I know where to send your stuff. I just typed in "Vibrant Sound" into its terminal and it sends it off. Fool-proof right? I mean... I thought it was fool-proof. Until the bread. Damn that bread.

To xCrysis-x: Yes. Definitely. The Inquisitors ARE completely and utterly overpowered, and I know it. But remember, they have to be. They are in charge of hunting down and killing Dimensional Lords, the beings that can crush whole universes if called for. However, with every great power comes a small weakness that can bring the power-wielder down. The weakness for the Inquisitors is that they are NOT a team. They may stand in a similar radius and shoot at the same dudes, but that is the extent of it. Sunflower is the only one to show any semblance of loyalty to his "teammates" and even that will not hold the Inquisitors together. Only time will tell whether or not they will continue to stand together like the house of cards that they are. If they don't, we all know who will be the first to raise his hand in violence against his former friends. Oh, and where do I get my ideas for my OCs? Some of them I get from you guys (I used to get pretty much an OC a day from someone, it was pretty awesome). The others come from stories that I myself wrote a long, long time ago. "A Mending Soul" isn't so much a super-long story as it is a massive collection of things that I have planned years in advance, finally showcased to you guys. So I guess that answers your very last question. Yes! I do accept other people's OCs. I generally prefer if they are tailored toward "A Mending Soul" instead of a story they have personally written (as it makes it easier to avoid coordinating stories, but I actually have done that before plenty of times now, in fact I make a quick reference to another FF story in this very chapter), but if I'm given a character that is very unique, I will not pass up the chance to use them. That is why the Catalyst Corps are here. They were not part of my plan for season 2, but I couldn't stand not using them when offered.

To georgparka: Welcome back! I hope you enjoy what has been made in the time that you were gone! Let me know what you think when you catch up again.

To FocusedStream: YES. That is an AWESOME idea. I think I should make a non-invisible one as well, so that I can wear it and chuckle at the joke that only a couple hundred people will understand.

That is all for now! I have an important update in the Author's Notes below, so do not forget to take a peek at it when you've finished today's journey.

Dimension: Rerenhaw

Planet: Rerenhaw

Specific Location: The Platinum Terrace

Time: Four days after Lyric and Summer ventured into the Southern Jungle

"We've lost contact with the John 3 Inquisition team for over 24 hours now," stated Mattimeo, strolling to join Doxia, who was standing on the terrace, looking out from the incredible height upon a glorious dawn. The sun was peeking from the cold range of the east mountains, spraying long tendrils of golden-hue fire into the sky, curdling it into a crimson stew that frothed with creamy white puffs of vapor. The moon still had yet to retire, and sat like a displaced disk of redish gray upon the waking firmament.

Doxia, a little disgruntled that his quiet time had been disturbed by his best friend, snorted. "I've lost contact with my grandmother for over 24 quintillion hours and you don't see me complaining, do you?"

Mattimeo shook his head, still not one for Doxia's theatrics. "I do believe that they've entered a zone protected by a Phantom Device. The location they were planning on heading before we lost contact was the Skylock dimension. Intelligence states that it is in the claws of demons as of yet, so my deduction would make sense."

Doxia glanced at Mattimeo. "Right you are. Don't think we should invade it though, bro. The moment we show up with a billion ships blotting out the sky, the demons will panic and pack up, taking whatever it is the Inquisitors want with them. I don't trust Dark, but I trust August. Whatever they are after will definitely assist us in bringing down Harold Dellor."

That was all there was to say about that. The two old friends lapsed into silence, watching the sun continue to rise, rolling from its bed in the dew-cooled earth to the gloriously blue zenith above. Finally Doxia looked to Mattimeo and said: "You haven't talked to Summer in a while. Why?"

Mattimeo sighed. "I want to give her space. She has made it clear she wants to forge her own way. I may be over a trillion years old, but I will not pretend that I know what is best for her. The memories of her old family are entirely gone. Her brain has removed and replaced them. If she is to ever reconnect with a past that has been officially forgotten, it will be on her own terms, not mine. I will not play God for a young one that has made her own way and found her own love. She is safe with Lyric, I know that. I will watch and care from a distance."

Doxia smiled from beneath his helmet. "You are the only Dimensional Lord left sane enough to speak sense in a multiverse of chaos, my friend."

Mattimeo nodded slowly. Then he gave Doxia a side-long glance. "Why have you not gone out with the gray mare named Ditzy Doo? Why have you been deliberating?"

Doxia smacked his forehead lightly. "Oh noes! Mattimeo is asking me about my love-life again! Last time he did that was when Allison tried to chop off my arm and I kept her in a headlock for four days... Well, I can tell you that I'm still a little... Well... I'm still scared, Matty. I'm scared. Sure, the wounds of my poor Allison are old and faded, but the blow of watching her die still rings my skull like a bell of rusty iron. It'll not go away for a good time yet. But... But you're right. Derpy is one-of-a-kind. She understands me like no one else will... Aside from you, of course. She makes me feel alive again, and the ruinous shards of my mind feel at peace. But there is also fear. She is naught but a falling leaf to us, Mattimeo. If I connect myself to her, I will be sipping from a cup whose fluid will all but turn to ash in my throat. Parching my dry tongue and salting my old wounds. When I lose her... Not if, mind you... WHEN I lose her, I think that will be it for me. When she breathes her final breath, I will be by her side, as a mortal, breathing my last as well."

Mattimeo stared at Doxia for a long, long time. "So if you decide to be with this being that you love... You will give up your Dimensional Lord powers?"

Doxia nodded. "That's about right. I cannot keep doing this, Matty. I can't keep watching the Multiverse restart over and over and over and over and over and over again. I just can't. The only thing that has kept me at my post upon this Rock of Ages is you... And my duty to Kytax and the Amethyst Empire. But Kytax is gone, and the Amethyst Empire is a specter, a shade. The Earth Multiverse doesn't need us anymore."

Mattimeo gently patted Doxia's shoulder. "I understand. But my own time has not yet come. If you give up the mantle of power draped upon you in the trillions of years past, I will still be here. Do not worry for the Multiverse's future. I shall do that. You worry for your own future."

Doxia grabbed Mattimeo in a hug. After a moment Mattimeo eased a way. Doxia grinned, his usual vim and vigor returning. "Thanks, bro. But mind you: I'm not about to give up now. We still have a dumb H.D. to catch. In addition to that, who knows? The Maelstrom might come back looking for a second helping of butt-kicking. If that happens I surely won't turn away from my responsibility."

Suddenly Doxia's HUD blinked as he received a PM from Rerenhaw intelligence. He waved a gauntlet in an animated manner. "See? Look at that: I've just received a notification that something in some random alternate My Little Pony dimension somewhere needs a-checkin'! Looks like some Dimensional Traveler who is supposed to be dead has activated their Traveler's database. Probably Regal Crescent. I've been tracking him and two others for a little while now. Still weird though. Gonna check it out. I'll see you later!"

With that, Doxia opened a interdimensional portal and hopped through, leaving Mattimeo alone with sun, the sky, and the mountains. The lone Dimensional Lord turned to look upon the glorious display of nature, feeling the might of the sun and the coolness of the dew bathe the land in the sweet mixture called dawn.

"Truly breathtaking," murmured Mattimeo to himself. "Incredible. But am I destined to stand sentinel over this all... For eternity?"

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Ponyville, Equestria

Time: Three days after Lyric and Summer ventured into the Southern Jungles.

The door to Mayor Mare's mansion swung open, allowing the guard outside to escort Starlight inside. Just down the hallway was the lounge, where Celestia was sitting patiently, awaiting Starlight.

Upon seeing Starlight enter, Celestia got to her hooves and nodded sagely to her.

"Starlight Amber," she said, "I am glad you were willing to come. We…"

Her voice trailed off as she spotted Desmond, who came walking in behind her. She looked at him curiously. Desmond went up to her and said, "Are you really sending my sister off to Equidor to guard some Stallion Empire swine?" There was iron in his voice, and he was staring accusingly at her. Though he was just a normal pony now, with no power, the authority granted to him by once being a glorious Dimensional Traveler still rang in his tone. Celestia may be his ruler, but according to him she was not his better. He had seen eternity; he had seen the void. He was the better.

"Desmond!" snapped Starlight. She rushed forward and attempted to shove her adopted brother back. He gave way grudgingly, giving her a sharp look. He wasn't happy, but he loved her too much to cause her TOO much distress.

"Princess Celestia, I'm sorry," Starlight said quickly.

Celestia bowed her head. "There is no need to apologize. I understand why Desmond is infuriated. This whole situation is taxing us all. The Stallion Empire is powerful, though. We cannot afford to anger them. Verily, we are still recovering from the reign of the Paradox, and since then there has been nothing but peace. Our military hasn't been called upon since the war with Equus and Irrum over a score of years ago. We need to prepare, but if the Stallion Empire attacks before then, innocent ponies will die. Desmond, do you realize this? Do you understand how important Starlight is to this operation?"

Celestia's voice took on the same iron that Desmond had used to address her, looking to him almost accusingly. Desmond did not back down, but his eyes did soften a bit as his brain ran the diagnostics on Equestria's situation. It was indeed dire. "Why Starlight? Why my sister? Wouldn't I be a better candidate? Or Bon Bon? How about Flaming Star or Discord? Those two still have their powers."

"You and Bon Bon are registered specialist agents, we do not want to make the Stallion Empire suspicious," replied Celestia, taking her time to carefully address each and every one of his concerns. "Flaming Star has been considered missing with Princess Twilight Sparkle for over a year now… And the duumvirate still does not trust Discord, not even now. He is too unpredictable."

Desmond didn't even blink. "Why my sister?"

"Your sister, though you refuse to acknowledge it, is one of the most dangerous individuals in the nation. She is skilled in countless weapons, and knows the nuances of every conceivable combat style… And despite that she gave it all up to teach the young ones in the town of Ponyville. If anypony knows the value of life, it is her. She will show the Stallion Empire that we will do our best to bring peace to every land. If all goes well… There will be no war. Between either us or the Equidorians."

Desmond snorted softly, and thought about what she said carefully. He was extremely reluctant to give up his sister, like a meal course on a silver platter. However, he knew Celestia spoke the truth. If anyone was qualified to help correct the failing negotiations between the Equidorians and the Stallion Empire without making Equestria a scapegoat, it was Starlight Amber. Desmond bowed his head slightly after a prolonged silence. "I suppose… I suppose you're right, Celestia."

Starlight sighed, not too loud, but loud enough that both would look to her. "I'm really glad that you both have faith in my abilities," she said quietly, "But I want to say that I cannot promise you anything. This is war we're talking about. If both sides are unwilling to yield, then there is nothing I can do. I will do my very best, Celestia, but I want you to prepare for the worst."

Faint fear shone in Celestia's eyes as she bobbed her head. "I know, Starlight. I know. Again, thank you for doing this."

Starlight blinked in acknowledgment. "When… When do I start?"

The fear in Celestia's eyes turned to pain. "Immediately."

Desmond was not too happy about that. "No. No. No. You can't make her leave now. Our mother is about to give birth and you just want to-"

Starlight held up a hoof, silencing Desmond. She closed her eyes and sighed one more time, loud and long. "Okay. Okay. I'll go."

Celestia bowed deeply to Starlight. "Thank you, Starlight Amber. Thank you."

Starlight closed her eyes and began to breath in and out quietly, her frame shuddering as she spent a second trying to get her emotions under control.

Celestia gave Starlight a look of anguish and then walked slowly away, her hooves almost dragging in denial. She had no choice but to send Starlight immediately. The negotiations between Equidor and the Stallion Empire had deteriorated into almost nothing. If Equestria does nothing, war would be certain, and the duumvirate was painfully aware of it.

Desmond put a hoof gently on Starlight's shoulder. "Hey, hey… Look at me. You don't have to do anything she tells you."

"No," mumbled Starlight, "This is about duty now. I've seen the reports. I know the situation. Equestria needs a voice in these negotiations now."

Desmond looked away for a moment as he thought for a way out of this predicament. Nothing came to mind. "I understand. But I'm coming with you."

He looked determined, but Starlight knew that that was not for the best. She gave him a pained look, and said, "I'd like that, you know that, but… But you have your own duties… And by the grace of Kytax we need at least one of us to be here when the baby is born. Damn, I am such a terrible daughter to mom and dad."

Starlight sighed, looking at Desmond with large eyes, sparkling with tears.

"No. You know they would be proud of you," Desmond replied evenly. After a pause he said, "And I will stay here for mom. But that doesn't mean I won't come and join you once the baby is born and my own duties have expired."

At this moment a guard promptly entered the room. "Miss Starlight Amber," he said stoutly, "The private train is at the station. If you would follow me, please."

Starlight sighed loud and long a final time, and then straightened up. With one final look back at Desmond, she followed the guard, who led her out of Mayor Mare's mansion, through Ponyville, to the train station. As Starlight followed the guard through the town, she only paused a couple times to stop and wave to a couple of her old friends, and tell Derpy to tell Sunset Shadow of the sudden development when he finally woke up if Desmond didn't carry through with his promise and promptly vanished again on yet another top secret mission.

"Some family we turned out to be for dad," muttered Starlight bitterly. Though she didn't look too fondly on her past (she had always been a rather feisty filly), she could not help but wish for it again. Life had been so much simpler back then. She would wake up, go to school, and then play with her friends while looking for her cutie mark (which ended up being yet another infinity sign, marking her as a relation to a great Dimensional Traveler). Then she would meet up with Desmond and they would go on an adventure in the outskirts of the Everfree forest. They would pretend to be Dimensional Lords, fighting the nasty demons of the Infernal Realm. Nowadays Desmond was always missing, doing his very best to get himself killed during one of his missions to protect the inside of Equestria from supernatural threats. And then there was her, a schoolteacher that was constantly called upon by the government to do extremely stupid things because she had trained to be a killer when she had been younger.

"Neither Desmond nor I deserve dad or mom," said Starlight to herself, silently. Her parents had always been there for them both, despite the shenanigans they pulled off. Those two loved her and Desmond unconditionally, and all they did was go run off for what they insisted was "duty." It wasn't. They just didn't love the quiet life that Sunset Shadow had built for them. And so they were missing almost all the time, and yet Sunset Shadow and Fluttershy waited patiently for them to come home; staunchly believing in a lasting peace at the end of all things. At least during her foalhood she and Desmond could go home each night and sleep in their own bed, looking forward to a new exciting day.

She was still thinking wistfully of the days gone by as she entered the shiny bullet train that awaited her at the train station. It stood out like a sore (yet shiny) thumb; a gleaming, streamline piece of technology, shimmering and steaming right beside the rustic and quaint train station of Ponyville. Above the metal sliding door that she entered was an LED strip that projected the words: "TO EQUIDOR."

Starlight walked into the spacious, lush interior of the private train and lay down in one of the satin couches. At least these were comfortable. It would take over twenty-four hours nonstop for the train to make it to Equidor. It would be a long ride.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Somewhere between the Unicorn Range and the Frozen North; approaching the Yolk Pass

Time: Four days after Summer and Lyric ventured into the Southern Jungle.

"Staarrrrrryyy… Wake up."

Starlight didn't shift. She flicked an ear and mumbled something incoherent that sounded similar to "five more minutes." But that is all that escaped her lips. She shut her eyes tighter.

"Staaarryyyy… Wake up! We have caaakkkeeee…"

"Three more minutes," mumbled Starlight, rolling over to turn her back on the voice.

The voice quieted down for a minute, leaving Starlight to slumber, with the soft reverberant rumblings of train wheel over track and tile echoing in the spacious luxury car. Then the voice returned. It was clearly the same, but it was now trying to sound gruff and sinister.

"Hand me the syringe, Doctor Evilness. Starlight is in our clutches now. Hold the needles."

Starlight's eyes opened up. In an instant she was on the alert. She rolled over, and readier to tackle the speaker, but stopped in the nick of time: the speaker was Pumpkin Cake.

Starlight actually let out a long breath of relief. She settled down into the couch, lying with her belly facing the ceiling.

"By Kytax, Pumpkin. You scared the living daylights out of me."

"I'm sorry," said Pumpkin, doing her very best to not break out into giggles, and failing miserably to do so.

Starlight gave Pumpkin an almost baleful glance. "Really mature, Pumpkin Cake. How old are you now? Twenty-something? You're an adult! Act like one and stop giving young-uns like me heart attacks. You know I'm jumpy around needles."

"Alright, alright, alright… You've invoked me with a sense of responsibility," replied Pumpkin in a mock tone of authority.

Starlight was about to retort, but then thought better of it. Pumpkin thrived off of these kinds of situations. "Silliness aside, what are you doing here? And where is Pound?"

"Pound? He's reading a book. I thought it was best not to disturb you until we were far away from the Vanhoover train station."

"Vanhoover? Did we make a stop there?"

"Well, I'm guessing you weren't supposed to originally, but we convinced Luna to let us come with you!"

"You… Convinced… Luna to let you two come with me on a highly delicate political mission? Nice try."

"Hey. Giving the guards escorting us to the Vanhoover conference room the slip, giving the train false orders to make a stop to admit us, and stowing away in one of the cargo cars as it made said stop is quite similar to 'convincing Luna' if you don't think too much about it. One could even call them synonyms!"

Starlight closed her eyes and groaned. According to Pumpkin, she and her brother had managed to discover that Starlight was going to Equidor now, sneak away from being Luna's aides, remotely convince Starlight's train to make an emergency stop, and get on board without anyone noticing. Overall, it was quite impressive, but Starlight would only admit this to herself. "Great. Now I have to stowaways on the train. I can tell you now that this mission is already not going as duumvirate planned it."

Pumpkin threw herself onto the couch that Starlight way lying upon, causing Starlight to bounce in the air like an object on a trampoline.

"I bet you that this is what they wanted all along," said Pumpkin, giving Starlight a wink. "And even if it wasn't, did you think your two best friends would let you go on an adventure without any backup?"

"Pumpkin, this isn't an 'adventure.' This is a sensitive diplomatic mission that… That… Never mind." Starlight gave up. Pound was reasonable, but Pumpkin was not. And Pumpkin always got what she wanted, so there was no use arguing. Undoubtedly Luna and Celestia were aware of this change in plans, but it was too late to turn around. They had probably already lost time with the temporary stop at the Vanhoover train station, and they couldn't afford to be even a second late to the summit meetings in Equidor. Starlight decided to let her arguing simmer down to her just grumbling, which Pumpkin payed no heed to.

Pumpkin Cake looked very lively, and bounced up and down on the couch, looking outside the window of the car, watching the world outside pass by in a blur of gradient color; brown and green turning to white and gray. Suddenly she exclaimed: "Pound! Come in here! We're coming up on the Yolk Pass!"

A couple seconds later Pound was walking in. He gave Starlight what looked to be an apologetic smile before he joined his sister, almost crowding Starlight off of her sleeping spot. She gave up trying to be disgruntled and looked outside as well. The large cleft in the Crystal Mountains was clear, with the railroad slicing between the unforgiving rocks like a thin wire of steel. To either side now there were mountainous rocks, beginning to loom above them with sheer faces or stone and earth. If they looked hard enough, they could see rusting debris and metal scraps; ghostly leftovers from the Equus-Irrum war over two decades ago.

"This was the place where Flaming Star attempted to bottleneck the Equus-Irrum wartrains that had begun to invade Equestria," stated Pound in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. Naturally he was the one who remembered all the important points of this location. Pumpkin just grinned wildly as Pound continued. "However, the Equus-Irrum armies had been weaponized by the evil Paradox, so they were able to blast their way through. See the deep scars in the mountainsides? You can still witness the blast marks of that skirmish. Fortunately Flaming Star was able to derail the trains, effectively stopping the assault."

"That must have been an amazing time," said Pumpkin. "Dimensional Travelers running amok, Dimensional Lords and Archangels descending from the sky in burning pillars of light. So many beings of power; all of them living here in peace and harmony… We were just foals then, and Starlight was newborn."

"It must have been an amazing time," agreed Starlight. She found it hard to believe that both her brother and her father had been beings of such power. Now Desmond was just crazy, running insanely dangerous missions in countless locations… And her father was, well, her father. Spending most of his time in one place, enjoying life. It seemed like the best lifestyle possible, really, but she knew it was not for her.

"We'll be coming out of the pass and into Bray," said Pound softly, breaking her from her deep thoughts. "We should be in Equidor by the end of the day. Right on schedule, if my calculations are correct."

"The sun is almost at its zenith," said Pumpkin pressing her face up to the glass like she was a foal staring at candy bars from behind a shop window. "We have pleeeennnttttyyy of time! Wanna explore?"

Starlight rolled her eyes. Out of the two Cake children, Pumpkin Cake had definitely learned a thing or two about being overly hyper from their Aunt Pinkie Pie.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Equidor International Train Station

Time: Four days after Summer and Lyric ventured into the Southern Jungle.

The sun was just starting to set in the ranges of the west as the train pulled up to the Equidor international train station. With an exhausted sigh, the streamline bullet of a train came to a stop, with a small shuddering shake rocking the cars as it finally stopped moving. Steam shot from the sides, clouding the boarding platform in mist; and the air was filled with the tangy smell of hot oil and burning fuel. Starlight rubbed her eyes and peered out the window. Through the steam, she could see the train station itself. Large stone pillars suspended a massive domed roof above, decorated with ornate carvings that celebrated the cultural history of the Equidorians. The train track stretched beyond the platform, slicing through two double doors of solid iron that undoubtedly led to a train shed and repair shop. Arching exits of stone and steel branched off from the platform like a spider web, with carpets of crisp velvet and brass barriers. At this point Starlight spotted two ponies dressed in dark suits and shades standing just beyond the boarding platform, standing beside one of the barriers that led to an exit. They were the only inhabitants visible, as the station seemed almost entirely abandoned otherwise. One of the ponies turned to look at Starlight. Though he did nothing other than stare, Starlight was pretty sure he was beckoning to her. Sighing, she pushed away from the window and signaled to Pound to wake up Pumpkin, who was snoring loudly on one of the plush couches, exhausted from a day of running aimlessly through the train "exploring."

"Pumpkin… We're here," murmured Pound, shaking her gently.

"Already…? Weird…"

Pumpkin groaned groggily and rolled off the couch to lie on the pressed carpet. "Is it too much to ask for five more minutes?"

Starlight just gave her a reproachful look, so Pumpkin groaned again and climbed to all fours. She smacked her lips and looked around blearily. "Next step?"

Starlight shrugged. "I see two stallions outside dressed in suits. I think they're waiting for us."

"I think you mean 'you'," corrected Pound nervously. When Starlight gave him a curious glance, he elaborated. "We're technically not supposed to be here. Stowaways, remember?"

Starlight blew her mane up in frustration when she remembered. "That's right. One more complication to deal with. Well, I suppose there is no use sweating it out here. The worst they'll do is send you home."

"Oooohhh no. They're NOT sending me back," snorted Pumpkin. "I've spent way too much time in Ponyville. Pinkie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow and your mom may be perfectly fine with sitting on their hindquarters in that small town, but I think it's about time I saw the rest of the world! I mean, you saw stuff when you were younger, right? Explosions and things!"

Starlight just gave Pumpkin another reproachful look, reminding her that she was overstepping her bounds. "I don't want to think about my past. It wasn't good. Come on, let's go and see what we can do."

Starlight trotted to the streamline door of steel that kept the separated this "lap of luxury" of a train car from the rest of the world. It opened with a gentle hiss, causing the wisps of steam remaining in the air to twist and turn in swirly patterns about the edges of the exit. Starlight got down onto the platform self-consciously, finding herself checking the state of her coat and mane to make sure it was in order. She was followed by a very nervous Pound and a very indifferent Pumpkin. The two stallions trotted up to her in a business-like manner. However, they stopped when they spotted Pumpkin and Pound.

"Who are they?" said the one to the left. His common tongue was pretty clear, but there was definitely a foreign hint that slurred his speech.

"There are my two compatriots," replied Starlight evenly, staring hard at the pony as if she was trying to melt through his dark shades with imaginary laser vision.

"We were told no one else would be with you," added the one to the right. His voice was much deeper and sharper; like a trombone, still slurred with lingering remnants of his native tongue.

Starlight turned to him and treated him with a "Fluttershy Stare," one of the things she had inherited from her mother. As she visually ground him to fine dust, she slowly said "I'm the one in charge of the mediation between Equidor and Equestria. I make my own calls. You were simply misinformed."

The one to the right turned to the one on the left and spoke to him sharply in Equidorian. It was a question. The one on the left replied quietly. He looked to Starlight and said "Please wait here while we consult our superiors for our next steps."

They turned away and pulled out a phone. As they did that, Pound beckoned for Starlight and Pumpkin to draw near. They huddled like football players before the play.

"The one with the deep voice asked him what he wanted to do," Pound said slowly. "I think they are two of Equidor's federal agents from the way they are addressing each other."

"You can speak Equidorian?!" spluttered Pumpkin. She grabbed Pound and immediately attempted to give him a knuckle sandwich, but was stopped by Starlight. She rolled her eyes and playfully shoved him instead. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Keep your voice down," muttered Pound. "I didn't tell you because you never asked. And didn't you see all my Equidorian books lying around my room when you raid it for candy?"

Pumpkin was about to say something else, but Starlight quickly interjected "That's all well and good, but I think we should talk about that later. Pound: Keep your knowledge of the Equidorian tongue a secret. This will give us an edge on them if they become careless. What did the other one say in answer to the question?"

Pound closed his eyes as he recalled the minor details. "Uh… He said that nothing had changed. They would… They would simply ready two more rooms and talk to you about you escorting Harvest Snowfall."

Starlight had to stifle a sigh of relief. She had been really worried that the mission would be comprised because something had gone off schedule. Fortunately it had not. So far so good. She turned around just in time to see the two agents put away the phone and turn back to her. She immediately tried to look like they she had been doing nothing but engaging in casual talk with her friends. To her relief both Pumpkin and Pound did the same.

Not a single emotion or telltale sign was given to her from behind the dark shades of the agents, though. They simply looked at her in silence for a minute. Finally the one on the right said in his deep voice: "All is well. We have prepared two additional rooms at the Ambassador's Hotel. It is right across from the central government building. Come: We have a limousine waiting. Your bags will be moved in a separate vehicle. You will find them in your rooms when we arrive. Follow my compatriot. I must go now."

He left hurriedly, leaving Starlight with the other agent. He nodded to her in an almost amiable manner. He then beckoned to her and her friends, turning around and taking one of the exits. Starlight glanced at Pumpkin and Pound and then followed him with unsure steps.

Author's Notes. Oh, I will mention at this time that I will be adding a new addition to the guide soon! So please keep an eye out for it!

Now, I will admit that despite my love for Summer, Starlight is one of the coolest characters ever as well. Expect a whole lot more of her (and a whole lot more of Summer, coincidentally) in the future. Now allow me to elaborate. Despite me finally getting comfortable with this posting schedule, I am planning to add a whole set of intriguing flashback chapters to the mix (per SquirtlePWN's suggestions). A lot of them. It is going to be rather exciting if I do say so myself. Don't forget to leave a review! I am particularly curious about how many of you are interested in having a set of flashback chapters. A lot has stuff has happened, I think it is about time I focused on what I have missed.

You know, I think I might try this time machine idea... Tell you what. If you leave me a review, I will go back in time and give a past version of you some gold fish. And so, after writing a review, if you suddenly remember that you had gold fish sometime within the last decade, you can know that I made good on my promise.