My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

44. Chapter 44:A Friend In Deed

Chapter 44:A Friend In Deed

He remembered how it started, five whole years after the loss of Luna herself. He walked down them stone steps and his grief exhausted and withered his mind to the core. Carelessness and misery took hold of Orion's entire personality, as he wondered through the Ever Free Forest. Stumbling and grasping his head with a trembling hand, his eyes burning from old tears. He slammed against a tree with a groan and a shudder, his weakness and failure haunting him.

"Luna… Luna…! No…! Cosmos…no…!"He groaned as he smacked against a tree and fell to his knees, grasping his forehead.

He groaned and yelled out in pain, tears leaking through his fingers from his eyes. They dripped upon the grass as the heart break overwhelmed him, the beating he gave Celestia was weighing on him as well. His rage finally evaporating into grief as he now knelt to the ground alone and broken.

"Nooo…! I failed my family…! Aaaaaaaaagh!"Orion's wails echoed like a haunting ghost throughout the Ever Free trees.

He let this wail of agony go on to chill the spines of those who dared to come near. Before lowering his head, letting the silver crown on his hip fall to the ground. A sign of his failure as a prince of Equestria, he simply looked away from it and stared at the dirt and grass beneath him. Before finally falling to his face and simply laying there, hope and desire drained from his body. He didn't want to get up, there was no point after losing his whole family to the actions of another.

Slowly he rolled over onto his back, covering his face and simply laid there. His body had given into grief, death would have felt like a gift after he had lost it all. This lasted for many hours, just laying in the dirt and waiting for something kill him, ending this crushing misery. He would prefer eaten alive rather than slowly rotting against the ground for ages to come. Even with the comfort of grass brushing against his skin so softly, death to him would still be the better fate for him.

"Death is the perfect punishment… For failures…"He thought to himself.

He sighed, the day that almost ended all days was now switching over to a solemn night. It left a bad taste in his mouth, for he remembered Luna's fate, and only one other pony could raise the moon. It tempted him to stand up and return to punish Celestia for daring to now steal Luna's duty from her. But the beating and her eternal loneliness needed to be the punishment. So he simply laid there, more grief torturing him while his blood boiled and mixed in with rage.

But his body immediately began to calm back down the moment everything went silent. He sighed, knowing that silence usually meant the approach of a predator, and this finally meant his death. So his breath was held, and he quietly listened for the approach, trees or bushes crunching, foot steps stomping. An Ursa, a Cragodile, a chimera, something had to be coming for his flesh. But then he did hear something, not the arrival of a hungry beast, but the innocent whimpers of a lost soul.

Slowly he sat up and listened, the crying and whimpering so soft and innocent. And it dared to travel into the most dangerous forest in all of Equestria, it was outright foolish. With a scoff and a groan, Orion stood up, his heart heavy to carry, but his loyalty to Equestria's people remained. He rushed deep into the woods, searching for the sounds of grief that mimicked his own. Then he heard the growls that sounded off, the growls he had hoped to come for him back where he laid.

"Who the hay would be out here in the forest…?!"He wondered as he made it to the clearing and got his answer.

He burst through a row of bushes, and found the outline of a mare with green hair. She was backed against a tree by an Ursa Minor, it was drooling, showing signs of hunger. Now it was about to make a meal out of the mare, and Ursas are known for eating their prey alive. Orion growled, shaking his head at such a petty mare stumbling into this deadly forest. But he went in, and leaped at the Ursa Minor, spinning and collecting red crystals all over his heel.

His flying round house made it's mark, smashing at the side of the beast's neck. The force made a loud and sick crack, before it's whole head went to the side till it was able to look at Orion. It's body trembled from the mother of all ugly broken necks before crashing on it's stomach. Blood leaked out of it's nose as it jolted several times before finally dropping dead. The blood began to pool around the Ursa's head as Orion stood next to it, ans looked to the potential victim.

"What are you doing here? This is the Ever Free Forest, not a vacation spot,"Orion slowly approached the mare as she covered her face with hooves that had holes of all things in them,"There are all matter of dangerous animals and hazards here. It was foolish to come here!"

She sat there, trembling and terrified against a tree, weak and fearful for her life. It took her a minute before finally uncovering her face to look upon the stranger that saved her. That was the moment he witness that it was no mere mare he saved, the fangs, the green eyes, the web like green mane. As she flickered her bug like wings, it was obvious that this was no pony, but a Changeling. He was shocked, to witness a changeling of all things all the way out here in Equestria.

Her voice trembled as she then stood up, she was so young from the looks of it. Too young to be of anything significant just yet, but female changelings were known for their impressive domination over males. They were meant to be queens when they came of age, so this was confusing to see one by herself.

"What are you doing here, Changeling? You are far from home, aren't you?"He questioned her being in this neighboring land.

"I…I-I have no home…I…was kicked out for being a female in a hive that already had a queen,"She finally responded as she explored and looked over the tall being that stood before her,"W-what are you doing here?"

"I needed to get away for a bit… You should leave this place before predators arrive to the sound of the scuffle…"He suggested and slowly decided to leave the changeling as she was.

"Wait…!"She pleaded, she was alone, so this changeling was desperate for help.

"What…?"He scoffed, and his defenses started to raise along with his magical aura.

Her eyes lit up, her own magic quietly sensing and nearly getting overwhelmed by the magic she felt from him. Such magic was unheard of in the bad lands, but now it was here in Equestria of all things. It was almost enough to make her drool as the changeling mare slowly stood tall.

"If you'd please allow me to go with you. All I will need is to find a cluster of bushes or trees, and I can return the favor for your selfless act,"She offered services in exchange for protection and company in the forest,"I can make us a place to remain for some time…! Until we…figure out what comes next for us?"

Orion turned around to face the changeling and her surprising offer to him, a clear sign of wanting to repay him for saving her. He crossed his arms, remaining silent and skeptical at first. But then a strange sense of ease and reminder of his current situation came to mind. He had nothing to lose at the moment, he had already abandoned the last of his family and exiled himself from their kingdom. In this time, it was best that he at least adopt some sort of company that could help him in this time of exile.

And besides, there was something about the gleaming green of her eyes, a sense of innocence. It brought comfort to him, it was like her very aura was calming his spirit in this time of grief. With a sigh he slowly nodded once, and turned to face the forest once more.

"Follow me…! And try not to fall behind."He responded and started walking back towards a deeper part of the forest.

"I won't…! I promise, you'll find me as useful as they come in my home land,"She promised and was slow to follow as her expression turned sharp at the sudden lust for his magic,"Just like you will become quite useful for me… I must see more of that…power…!"

"I should have just left her there… I should have let the Ursa rip her to shreds…!"Orion thought as he slowly came out of his day dreaming moment.

---

He shook his head and cleared his thoughts before he was back in the here and now. Looking up to the sky from atop the library tree branch, he let out a deep breath. After the recent activity with the Cinders working with the Changelings, it never stopped bothering the prince. After all, he was to blame for these sudden flourishes of changelings that now dared to plague the world. And he knew it, all because he dared to cross paths with who would in time become the queen of all changelings.

"Not looking forward to the day that she shows her mug in this town…!"He groaned before he lifted up at the sudden sound of music and singing.

He looked down to the ground below and spotted the one pony that was known for music and singing. Pinkie Pie, of course it was Pinkie Pie, the happiest pony in all of Ponyville. He wished he could be surprise, but Pinkie always had a thing for suddenly singing simply for the joy of it, as well as the joy of others. Her singing helped other ponies smile, even in the most bleak of moments. She was definitely the splitting image of her ancestor Precambria, the true embodiment of happiness.

Finally her singing stopped, but her friendly desire to make others smile did not stop with it. With her spreading happiness, greeting others and even helping others with their troubles. Even Orion found it hard to remain bleak just because of memories of an old annoying flame.

"Oh Rose, your calla lilies look even better than last year! I bet you'll take first prize at the flower show!"Pinkie complimented a mare as she strolled through town to spread the joy.

Orion finally jumped down and landed strong before deciding to joining Pinkie on her stroll. Just as the mare was given lilies for her friendly compliment and happily ate them. She moved on with the prince trying to catch up to her, finally she stopped to pay more friendly compliments to ponies.

"Looking fit as a fiddle, Mr Waddle. And you're wearing my favorite tie!"Pinkie complimented a stallion's tie and appearance.

"Aw, shucks, Miss Pinkie Pie. You flatterer."He was flattered by Pinkie's compliments to his looks.

"Well, happy birthday, Cheerlie!"Pinkie moved on and wished a happy birthday to Miss Cheerlie.

"Thank you, Pinkie!"Cheerlie responded in kind for Pinkie's Cadence.

"Happy day after your birthday, Zecora!"Pinkie then wished an after birthday to Zecora the zebra.

"What a lovely hi, Miss Pinkie Pie."Zecora was grateful in her own way with Pinkie's kind heart.

"And Miss Matilda, happy birthday… In one hundred and thirty two days!"Pinkie went above and beyond as she predicted Matilda the donkey's birthday and wished it for her before it was even half way there.

"Pinkie Pie? How do you remember everything about every pony?"Matilda decided to be the one to ask Pinkie the most obvious question.

"Cause every pony's my friend! And I like to see my friends smile!"Pinkie answered with full joy and spirit to the point that she broke into a song again.

She got moving faster, rushing around the town while Orion simply stopped. For once she was going, there was no stopping her till she made it to the next friend she saw. She sang and jumped, traveling around the town, speaking of dark days and rough times that do exist in this world. But Pinkie was that pony that would be the bright and shining face that made others smile. That was the purpose she knew to heart and trusted with her soul, making others smile was her purpose.

Nothing would stop her, she would smile no matter what, and help others smile as well. Making others happy made her happy, and that's all she could ask as she sang to all the ponies around town. Then finally she met a a new face that was old, experienced, and devoid of all smiles.

"I've never seen you before."Pinkie pointed out the obvious to what was an old donkey with a frown.

"Kid, you're smarter than you look."The donkey said in a deep gruff voice full of old experienced pain.

Orion stopped ten feet shy of the meeting, already picking up this familiar feeling. One that was well known in old Equestria, a feeling or sense of painful experiences, heart break, and loneliness.

"Thanks! I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name,"She asked, only to instead check his wagon and find the initials of the property inside,"Property of C.D.D… I'm guessing the last D stands for donkey!"

"Quick as a whip, kid."There was a hint of sarcasm in his response to her obvious statement.

"Now how about that C…? Hmm… Calvin, Calhoun, Caleb, Carl, Carmine, Carlo, Charlie,"Pinkie was doing her usual bubbly approach to guessing his name, but it was clear the donkey was no fan of it,"Chester, Chico, Claudio, Cletus, Clifford, Coraline, Cornelius, Cortez, Crank, Christopher-"

"Cranky! It's Cranky, alright!"The old donkey finally yelled out to get her rapid guessing game over with.

"And your middle name?"Pinkie Pie continued to persist with the grouchy elder.

"Doodle…"He mumbled.

"I'm sorry?"She could not hear his answer.

"Doodle…"He went a little bit louder.

"One more time?"She requested, and got a sigh from him.

"Doodle."He finally spoke loud enough for her to hear.

"So you're, Cranky Doodle Donkey?"Pinkie asked and then dared to start singing.

"You're a Cranky Doodle Donkey guy. A Cranky Doodle Donkey. I never met you but you're my new friend,"Pinkie sang and the donkey wanted to simply die inside from this overwhelming joy,"And I'm your best friend, Pinkie Pie."

Orion shook his head, knowing where this dared to go if she continued to pester. He decided to rush in before Pinkie pushed too hard and got into some sort of trouble with the new comer.

"C'mon now, Doodle. Give us a smile!"She insisted, and the donkey finally lost patience.

"No pony calls me Doodle!"He yelled, and Orion immediately cast his left arm between Cranky and Pinkie.

The Donkey receded from his potential moment with the pink pony and looked up. Meeting the new comer that stood between him and her, and he immediately defused with a sigh. For he had heard all the rumors about who and what was known to be hanging around this town.

"I had a feeling I'd run into you… Eventually,"Cranky admitted and gave a respectful bowed to the tall prince,"It's an honor, your majesty… My name is-"

"Cranky Doodle Donkey… My friend, Pinkie here made that clear,"Orion replied before Cranky could introduce himself,"Try not to take her the wrong way, she just likes to be the first friendly face any new comer meets here."

"Well, she's trying a little to hard from what I've seen…"Cranky responded on the matter.

"I got things from here, Pinkie. I'm sure there's some pony else that could use your friendship."Orion turned to Pinkie and tried to get her leaving them to handle things a bit more low energy.

"But…"

"I got this…!"He insisted, and finally got Pinkie lowering her head and slowly leaving.

"What just happened there…?"She wondered on her departure, for this had never happened before.

"Thank you. She was starting to get on all my wrong nerves…! I did not come here to make friends."Cranky made himself clear on what his motivations were not.

"Then what did you come here for? Ponyville is all about friendly and hard working folk."Orion questioned and Cranky grumbled before starting to move again with his wagon in tow.

"I came here to wallow for the rest of my life in the old memories…"Cranky responded, and Orion barely manage to hear him.

"It was a lady, wasn't it? That broke you down? I've been there…!"Orion called out while Cranky looked away, then kept on walking.

He sighed, shaking his head, but understanding the old donkey's struggle all too well. He was nursing an old broken heart that he believed to have been toyed with by another. For whatever reasons could easily range from wealth, power, or simple popularity growth. Such needs will drive any black hearted vixen to use the hearts of stallions for such gains, tragically enough. The prince nodded, and chose to move on to hopefully find Pinkie Pie to explain himself to her.

"Wait…! It's almost noon,"He suddenly remembered something else that was meant to be done this day,"Shadow probably has Apple Bloom started on her exercises today…! I best get going quick before I miss another training day."

So he decided to save a time with Pinkie Pie for another day, and get to his student. So he immediately rushed through town then onto the dirt road to reach the property of Sweet Apple Acres. He slowed down, once he was on the dirt road, it wasn't much further to where they took Apple Bloom to train. So this became a nice place for him to relax and take in the farm land. Strong smell of grass, the growing apples of the Sweet Apple Acres fields of apple trees. It kind of made sense why farm life was good out here for the likes of the Apple family. Peaceful, and required down to earth work, but it was simple and easy so long as you had a strong back.

The peace and tranquility was almost enough to ease his mind about the new comer and his own thoughts. Until he heard the blast of dirt and force, something that only raw power could do. He smirked, only to then frown the minute he heard the cackles of one pony he preferred not to show interest in his apprentice. He was quick to rush down the dirt road, then make a jump over the fence. As he rushed towards the open plains of the farm lands, looking for any remnants of the blast from before.

It did not take too long before spotting a settling cloud of dirt in the distance. And once he got closer, he could also hear some yelling and insults getting tossed back and forth. Orion groaned, knowing exactly who was fighting with who, and Apple Bloom had to learn of such a volatile relationship.

"She's not eye candy! And she's not gonna be your next punching bag like Sombra was!"Shadow was arguing with none other than War Fire for his spying.

"Come now, you knew I'd be interested the moment I saw what she could do…!"War Fire remarked with a sly tone, getting under Shadow's skin.

"She's our student, not yours! Your intervening will not be acceptable again."Shadow warned, getting closer to the stallion that merely chuckled at him.

Apple Bloom meanwhile was standing off to the side after being told to stop and take a breather. She did not know what to think of this oddly serious and real tension between warriors. But Orion was at her side before much longer and patted her back for support.

"He told me to swing as hard as I could, and Shadow lost it on him,"She looked to Orion and immediately explained what happened,"Since when do any of y'all have that sort of issue with each other. I thought you were all comrades?"

"We are… But War Fire and Shadow have a peculiar history of issues between each other,"He explained the tension between the two that all started with the first student,"It all began when we first went to the Loubrim clan to terminate them all. War Fire was unmerciful when it came to the fiends, he didn't even spare children. His respect for my parents and country were too important."

"What?!"Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"Told you he was crazy."Orion responded to her shock and walked over to help break up the fight.

"Come now, don't turn this into the same fodder storm that occurred with Sombra,"War Fire mocked and showed that he's been catching up with the history,"Oh yeah, I caught up a bit with my history. So Sombra turned down towards the path of darkness, oh the irony…!"

"Shut your bucking mouth!"Shadow yelled, getting fed up with War Fire's calm but sharp insulting demeanor.

"I think I owe you and Orion something along the lines of… I told you so…!"War Fire mocked before a red pillar erupted between him and Shadow, just as she attempted a punch that deflected right off the crystal.

"That's enough! We're not here to fight over old and petty grudges,"Orion announced and turned to War Fire once Shadow gave a huff,"And what happened with Sombra is to remain among us, and what befell him is my fault, nothing more. I'd thank you to leave all mentioning of him with me…!"

"Oh sure… Sure… But at least admit it. Was I not right about him?"War Fire questioned, and Orion glared at him.

"If you're going to antagonize, you can leave."Orion maintained, remembering how he always dealt with War Fire's old antics.

"And miss out on another prodigy of yours…! That filly is something special,"War Fire pointed out, and desired to keep on persisting with his mischief,"Surely some pony that strong is worth while and deserves all the care and training she can get."

"The answer is no! She's not even going to be a warrior!"Orion closed the door on War Fire with outrageous info to his ears.

"What?!"War Fire exclaimed, taken back a bit from this development.

"What?"Apple Bloom was confused by this little revelation he gave to the pony of fire.

"Take her to the side for ab curls…!"Orion quickly commanded Shadow to take Apple Bloom away from the confrontation.

Shadow nodded and cooled down before rushing over to Apple Bloom. She took her hoof and walked off to leave Orion to explain something important in hopes of dampening War Fire's hunger for violence. Once they had given the two of them space, Orion was free to speak more openly.

"We are not training her to be a warrior. We're training her to simply control her powers,"He spoke a bit more clearer about their true intentions,"The life of a warrior is not a suitable life for any pony in this age. Apple Bloom was known for her big heart and ambition as a young Apple. We would prefer she stayed that way."

"Are you mad?! That is raw and insane talent! Those kind of hooves and muscles could shatter Tremoring's stone hide,"War Fire suddenly switched moods, his outrage was very much real,"You know what her power could mean for this world's future. A pony of her power would be perfect material for a new warrior!"

"I said…NO…! She's not the warrior type. And she couldn't even begin to understand what it means to be one of us…!"Orion was smart, and lowered his voice so they were not heard.

"But she can learn…! To not take this opportunity is a waste of talent, and it will leave our country weak,"War Fire argued, his disapproval was clear for not gaining a new warrior after two thousand years,"We can't last forever, but evil can! We need a new generation of fighters for this world!"

"No, WE don't! End of discussion!"Orion answered and immediately concluded the conversation.

Orion simply walked away, meeting with Shadow and Apple Bloom to continue the exercises. War Fire stood there, trying to hold back growls of true outrage that made his mane flare. He was slow to bite his tongue and resist the need for destruction or pain upon others. To be refused the opportunity to work with a pony with a gift that could rival the abilities of himself and his comrades. It was like finding a raw but large diamond, only for it to be stolen right out from under him.

He growled once more, then released a heated breath to quench his fires of rage. It took a shake of his head before the flaming stallion could cool his head and let go of this lost opportunity, for now. He gave a small look back to Shadow and Orion as they made Apple Bloom exercise her body in a tree. Before shaking his head and running off towards a far edge of the forest before entering. This allowed Orion to give a sigh of relief the moment War Fire eventually entered the forest.

That was the only way Shadow would cool down and focus more on Apple Bloom. Who was currently finishing her one hundredth ab curl using a tree branch her back legs were wrapped around. Orion gave her a nod, and now it was time to get Apple Bloom down.

"Come on down now, crisis has been adverted."Shadow gripped the filly's legs and helped her down from the tree.

"What was all that about? I thought you fellas were friends?"Apple Bloom stumbled but started to stand properly on her back legs.

"We are… In a manner of speaking. Doesn't mean we all have our issues with each other."Orion started to explain alongside Shadow Swirl.

"Think of it as the complex friendship between your sister and Rarity, but a bit deeper."Shadow added, and started nudging Apple Bloom towards a patch of trees that differed from the others.

"He mentioned, Sombra. Your student? He…turned towards the dark path? Is that true?"Apple Bloom showed that she was now full of questions, and these questions were touchy.

"That's…a story meant for another time. This is not the right place or moment for this talk,"Orion was fast to denounce the question while Shadow knocked on wood till she found the trees they wanted,"Now take a firm stance and pound away at the iron wood trees. You will do this without stopping for ten minutes…!"

Apple Bloom quietly sighed and did as she was told, throwing her average jabs and hooks at the first tree they pointed to. Silence took over for a solid two minutes into the never ending punches. Apple Bloom was starting to get drenched in sweat, before she finally had to offer up one more question.

"So… Am I training to be one of you, or aren't I?"She asked before she started panting a bit from some wavering stamina.

The two mentors looked to each other, they did not know how to answer that. Especially now that it was clear that she overheard Orion when he spoke with War Fire. It was immediately a solid wall between being encouraging with Apple Bloom or protecting her from the dangerous way of the warrior, and their fallen pupil.

"That one we'll talk about after training day is over."Shadow made the quick save answer before patting the tree to keep her going.

Orion nodded to Shadow, once again she manage to save the both of them from an uncomfortable conversation. The warrior idea was one thing, but Sombra was a whole other story. They needed a more proper setting and time for such a story, there was already troublesome thoughts in their heads. So much so that by the time Apple Bloom tuckered herself out, Orion had a head ache. Thankfully, Apple Bloom had passed out after daring to go even longer than ten minutes, stretching it to half an hour.

She was out cold, and her hooves were bruised, raw, and shaking from the punching. Only two trees had fallen from some solid hits, but this was a good thing, she was learning how to control the power. And now that she was out cold, Shadow was carrying her home while Orion was able to leave. So long as Shadow was careful, they could just put Apple Bloom up for a nap. Narrowly allowing them to avoid having to talk about Sombra or the idea of her being an Equestrian warrior.

The prince was rubbing his temples, but was more relieved that they avoided an even more stressful situation. He let out a groan, trying not to think about Sombra, now that he was brought up. From the heart breaking break down Sombra had about his great mistake, to his tragic fall from grace. He started to rub them more, as he struggled to ignore the old memories. The sounds, the shocking wails and defeated freak out, Sombra's pleas for forgiveness, and his attempt to fix his mistake.

The rumbles… The thunder… The night that a darkness began to swallow and drain the Crystal Empire.

---

Orion was walking out of the Empire's castle itself, after Sapphire Joy had kept him company. They had even had a few drinks to loosen up their formal behavior a bit. While Sombra was currently doing another late night reading at the library, so it was up to her to entertain. They decided they would surprise Sombra since he tended to get deep into his reading. They were so excited for the surprise, and their lightly buzzed heads blinded them from the storm that was forming.

"So, no rest for the weary! Just always reading and studying new magic,"Orion laughed, not acknowledging the Crystal ponies scurrying for their homes around them,"I'd say he's all work and no fun. But it comes with the territory of being a king."

"Indeed… He works so hard sometimes…his determination, desire, and ambition. It's endless,"She agreed and her smile shortened a bit as Sombra came to mind,"It worries me sometimes… He looks up to you so much. He always tries to be like you. Though…I can see why."

"Really?"Orion grew more mellow, taking the flattery in stride.

"You're a strong leader, always knowing, always guiding, always knowing what's best,"She admitted some of the things that made Orion so inspiring to Sombra,"He'd give anything to be like you…"

"But…why not try to be like himself?"He questioned and finally had to stop to take notice of the sky changing.

"What do you mean?"She asked, curious of what Orion meant by such a thing.

"Sombra does not know it, but he has qualities I do not that make him superior in a way,"Orion insisted, in hopes of ensuring that Sombra was not sold short,"He's ambitious, he wants to make things better rather than just defend the same old things. He has so much he wants to give to the world."

Thunder began to rumble through the sky, black clouds covering the sky. Even when buzzed, there was an eeriness growing in the air as it thinned around them. He then looked back to Sapphire and cleared his throat before trying to brush it off as a simple storm coming.

"One of the most important things for us as warriors is to make life better, but… Me and my comrades have done no such thing,"Orion admitted a sin that has been ignored by himself and his team,"We have grown so attached to the old ways… We have grown neglectful towards the world's future."

"Orion… You don't have to defend him. Sombra has-"She tried to make peace with all he spoke of, but he stopped her with two fingers over her lips.

"Your coat…"His words made her blush, a sudden compliment sounded like it was coming her way.

"What…?"She responded, only to realize there was concern in his eyes, not friendliness.

"Your coat…! It's vanishing…!"He responded and gestured to her crystallized coat of fur.

Sapphire was confused, until she looked down to herself to see the shocking occurrence. Her fur that was once crystallized was now fading, the crystals vanished from her mane and fur. Just as the sudden storm thundered and finally covered up the sun, allowing for colder weather to start coming in. Orion felt the chill, shaking his head to wear off the buzzing in his head. There was no ignoring it now, this storm was not natural, it was made by a very dark presence that was making itself known.

He looked around, he could see the crystal clusters and pillars fading, their light growing dim. While other ponies were losing their crystal coats, as well as growing with fear. Some looked around to notice this sudden change as a foul wind blew across their spines. The more fearful ones ran for shelter as a dark laughter cackled through the ally ways and the very sky itself. It was familiar, but dark, and dared to shake old memories of old enemies free from the prince's mind.

"What's…happening…?"Sapphire continued looking at her fading crystal coat.

"The heart…! I need to check the crystal heart!"Orion concluded and immediately ran off towards the center of the city.

"What? Wait!"Sapphire was snapped out of her shock and tried to run after Orion.

His crystal vision raised, and his mind steeled itself as he rushed through the city. Passing the crystal ponies that were either in a panic or simply confused by this sudden storm. His eyes found the heart as it laid right under the castle, it's glow blinking and dimming, a very foreboding sign. It sensed a presence of pure evil, and it posed a great threat to the heart and the empire. Orion then took his eyes off the heart to search for Sombra, but instead he got a more easier answer to that.

An explosion of crystals and dust went off to his north west, it then went into a chain. Four more houses erupted into a mix of crystals and dust, and magic power was spiking. Orion growled, knowing it had to be Sombra engaging with a potential foe and bringer of this darkness.

"Sombra…!"With his pupil engaging the enemy, the prince switched back to the Crystal Heart.

The heart was in a literal sense, the heart of the Crystal Empire, and it needed to be protected. He did not realize it, but Sapphire bravely followed as the prince finally exited the ally ways. And entered the center square before the castle, and there he saw the blue crystal made heart. Floating right under the palace, flashing as it sent panic through the hearts of it's people. Orion stop for a moment to register the heart's light struggling against the darkness, before rushing forth to approach it.

"What's going on…? What are you trying to tell me?"He put out his hand and placed it against the Crystal Heart.

Immediately, the heart answered, flashing an image of a dark stallion, both familiar, yet different. It was Sombra, but not Sombra, his black mane flowing in the wind, his brownish gray fur messy. Fangs had grown in to make perfect canines, and his eyes were bright green, pulsing with dark purple shadow like magic. It shook Orion out of it, just as another house crumbled to pieces. Sapphire had barely caught up before they both witnessed Sombra soaring across the square.

Skipping on the crystal ground like a stone upon a lake on his face till sliding to a stop, right at his mentor's feet. He grunted, trying to quickly get back up, but his hooves were buckling and slow to respond. He was barely able to keep his eyes open as the king slowly manage to stand up. Blood leaked from the corner of his eye and his mouth as he looked forward to the heart. He witnessed the same foreboding glimmers, and gasped, feeling the heart's panic for what had arrived to the city.

That fear only grew once he realized his master standing before him, his look all too serious. Sombra took a step back, for he could feel the serious mood that swept over Orion.

"Sombra… What's going on…?!"He slowly questioned as Sombra stumbled and tried to force out the words.

"Mentor…! I…! It…!"Sombra stuttered, fear and responsibility fought for control over what came out.

"Sombra…? Do you know anything about what's happening?"Sapphire came forth, showing her current state, and showing the results of what he had done.

"Sapphire… Your coat it's… Every pony…! All your coats are,"Sombra shuddered, he even found it hard to breath after taking a good look around,"They're all…gone…?! What…have I done?!"

"That's what I want to know…! What the hay happened?!"Orion demanded an answer, before the answer walked forth with a phantom like echoing laugh.

"Come now, I came from you! I expected you to be stronger!"The dark voice mocked before stepping out from the shadows, revealing himself.

It looked to be another Sombra, but this one was different, it didn't even feel alive. All Orion saw and sensed when his vision immediately began to study, was merely a great mass of dark magic. It was somewhat familiar to that of the Loubrim's dark practices with magic. His face matched the Crystal Heart's description, the fangs, the flowing mane, the green eyes oozing with dark magic. The prince cracked his neck, understanding the outlines of what seem to be going on here.

"You toyed with magic that should never be witnessed by living eyes…!"Orion displayed disappointment for Sombra's ambition finally going too far.

"Mentor… Please…! I only wanted-"

"That's enough…! If you have any respect for me and yourself. Do not speak again,"Orion interrupted while starting to crack his knuckles to engage what he foolishly deemed to be a petty dark spirit,"Stand by the heart, and protect it! Can you do that much without endangering others?!"

"Mentor, I…! Yes… Please…forgive me…!"Sombra begged while slowly backing away towards the heart, but his legs suddenly gave out.

Sapphire was there to catch him, his back legs shaking as she helped him sit down. At first, she thought perhaps the damage he took before was the cause, but his breath was shuddering. His teeth were gritting, as he stared into his hooves that held the book that caused all this. For he had learned moments too late that he was to be a pawn in an old enemy's final chance at revenge. What that spirit told him in the library haunted him, and that destroyed him more than his mentor's disappointment.

"Sombra… Tell me what happened…! What went on in that library,"Sapphire snapped him out of his shock, and he turned to her with fear and shame in his eyes,"Talk to me, please…! What happened?"

"It…told me… That I have assured that…the Loubrim's avenger will destroy prince Orion…!"Sombra finally admitted that his conduct may have sealed the fate of his own master.

"The prince at long last stands before me…! What a lovely act of providence,"The dark duplicate snickered at the notion of finally meeting it's true intended target,"I have come… As the final act of the Loubrim clan to ensure your destruction. I will bring peace to their demise, by destroying everything you love before ending your very life…!"

"So that's what this is about? The Loubrim's final effort to have me killed,"Orion chuckled before he had blind sighted the foe with a punch so hard and fast that it sent his neck bending backwards,"I guess I need to be more thorough with wiping the likes of the Loubrim clean from this world."

"There's more to it than just that…! You'll see…! Until then,"The dark spirit stood firm and slowly grabbed his head to reattach it properly between his shoulders,"I'd more happy to cross hooves with you, but I have a more pressing matter to concern myself with…!"

"You should really be worrying about how you're going to die in a moment…!"Orion warned before engaging this hostile spirit.

This time, the spirit stepped side by side to avoid a one two before trying to hit Orion with two of his own. Orion dodged and finally stunned the spirit with a gazelle punch to the chin. As always, Sombra was sitting on the side lines, watching his master go to work and battle like the true warrior he was. As he caught a counter punch in both hands and hurled him over his shoulder. Slamming and cracking the crystal floor with the spirit's back as he got slammed back and forth.

Once he was slammed on his face, Orion twisted the arm to the spirit's back, and snapped it in two. Leaving the left forearm bent the wrong while Orion curb stomped the back of his neck. It retaliated by bending a back leg over his own back to strike Orion in the head, forcing him away. This allowed the spirit to twist his back and legs in unnatural forms till he was standing tall again. Before grabbing his forearm and simply popping it back into place like it was a mere dislocation.

"Right… It's a spirit made of dark magic. Not flesh and blood,"Orion reassessed and suddenly tackled the spirit like a wrestler,"Then you need to be destroyed entirely, not broken!"

With that, he held onto the spirit's back legs and slammed his top half upon the ground. Before slamming his foot down on his head, and stomping down viciously until the head gave out. It burst like a melon, purple and black magic gushed out in all directions before Orion grabbed for his front hooves. He viciously yanked them clean off the already headless body before tossing them aside. This proved to be a mistake, for the spirit had all the room and freedom he needed.

The rest of his body snaked under and out of Orion's grasp before needing to roll a bit to build some distance. He then began to recover his lost limbs and head while standing back up. His reforming head turned towards the Crystal Heart, for that was his target, and a big piece of a bigger plan. Sombra awoke, and his fiance became alarmed at the spirit's change of plan. Once his head had reformed, he ran for the heart, just as Orion turned around to give chase.

"NO! Stop him! He must not touch the Crystal Heart, Sombra!"Orion yelled while drawing his sword for more reach and damage.

His pupil shook his head, realizing the oncoming threat of the approaching spirit he created. He looked to Sapphire and gave her a shove away from the danger before drawing out his own sword. This was his opportunity to make up for what he had created in that library, a shot at redemption. Sadly, as he raised the crystal sword to his shoulder for a strong thrust, he hesitated. The very words this spirit spoke to him were haunting his mind as Sombra's body froze up.

"Sombra! Snap out of it, and take the shot! CAST HIM DOWN!"Orion yelled at his student to no avail, ultimately causing the start of the empire's downfall.

---

Thankfully, the thoughts ended as Orion slammed his head back into reality thanks to a random house. But it was not a house within the town of Ponyville, it looked a bit more like a cottage. It was out in the back woods a quarter of a mile from town, but it wasn't Fluttershy's cottage. And it certainly felt stronger than Fluttershy and Typhoon's cottage, proving that it was more recently built. He gave it a little knock, and decided to take a look around the new building and property.

Once he made it around to the front, there he spotted Cranky Doodle Donkey. He appeared to be unloading his wagon at long last before the house, and bringing his items inside. He let out a deep breath, and consciously decided to assist the donkey in hopes of getting his mind off things. Then Pinkie Pie showed up, it appeared that she was exploring and checking out all his things. He shook his head, and feared the worse to come if Pinkie continued to pester the donkey any more.

"Oh no… Pinkie…!"Orion groaned and rushed towards the front yard to enter the conversation she was having with Cranky.

"I'm not selling, kid. I'm unpacking."Cranky was currently talking to the pink pony that was scowering through his things.

"Well, why didn't you say so?"Pinkie asked while putting down a snow globe to find something else.

"I thought I already did…"Cranky replied, clearly growing tired of Pinkie's company.

"This is pretty, where did you get it?"Pinkie asked while balancing a snow globe on her nose.

"Manehattan, now put it down, gently…!"Cranky sternly demanded, while the prince cracked the door open to listen in.

"Really? What were you doing there?"Pinkie asked, and Orion's curiosity started to pique.

"trying to find a friend…"Cranky answered in a Somber tone.

"Ooh, I'm always trying to find friends, and today I found you. See how good I am at it?"Pinkie made conversation while following the old donkey around the cabin.

"This was a special friend…"Cranky added to emphasize the importance of his old search.

"Like me?"Pinkie chimed with excitement, and Orion palmed his face with cringe for Pinkie.

"No… You're EXTRA special, kid."There was clear sarcasm in Cranky's voice.

Orion pondered, his thoughts and assessments were spot on so far about the old donkey. He was searching for some pony or donkey, though it seemed obvious he was ditched by the special friend. He was quick to follow the conversation rather than interrupt them out of fear of what Pinkie may do. He got to a window and spied on them further, hoping to learn more about Cranky.

"Where in Equestria did you get this, Cranky?"Pinkie suddenly found a red Christmas light like ornament and presented it to the donkey.

"Fillydelphia."He simply responded.

"It's awfully pretty."She complimented, and Cranky lowered his guard for a moment.

"Yes, she was…"He hinted at what or who it was he was searching for.

"Huh?"Pinkie did not catch on, but Orion certainly did.

"I mean…it was! I mean…it is! Yes, it's pretty. Now put it down!"Cranky stumbled to recover from almost giving a secret away, and demanded that Pinkie released the ornament.

Pinkie did so, and Cranky decided to leave the room for a moment to collect himself. This gave her a chance to explore cautiously, and it didn't take long before she found something of interest. A scrap book of sorts caught her eye, it looked like a hard covered story book. Her own curiosity started to show as she opened it, and Orion saw his opportunity to take a closer look himself. His red crystal eyes sparked and narrowed their vision right to the current pages Pinkie was on.

A flower could be seen in one page, and the other page carried old photos. One of which certainly looked to be Cranky in his much younger years, then Pinkie turned the page. There he could see a female donkey's photo in the next page, Pinkie appeared to have not think too much. With her curiosity only growing more, she needed to ask the old timer more questions about the past.

"Hey, Cranky! Can I ask you about-"Pinkie called out, only for disaster to strike.

She stepped on a loose board, and the opposite end knocked the ornament into the air. It richochetted off walls till it hit a lantern and fell before smashing apart right on the book. Orion and Pinkie panicked, as the scrap book immediately caught on fire, then Cranky returned…

"Oh no!"Both Pinkie and Orion said in the moment.

"What did you say…ayayayaya?! What have you done?!"He exclaimed, seeing his book of memories burn before his eyes.

Cranky rushed in to try and extinguish the flames before his book was beyond repair. Pinkie was quick to find a flower vase full of water and dump it, flowers and all onto the book. The flames were doused instantly, but the damage was already done, pages and memorabilia were scorched and burned. A purely heart chilling silence took over as Orion quickly rushed back over to the door to enter. Knowing that there was going to be Tartarus breaking loose.

"There! Uh…all better?"Pinkie tried to tie a pretty bow around the matter.

"No, not all better! All soggy!"Cranky yelled and presented his mangled book to Pinkie.

"I'm sorry, Cranky!"She tried to apologize as she backed away from the raging donkey.

'Oh, you're sorry! Well then, everything is fine!"

"Uh…it is?"

"No! It isn't! Listen to me, kid, I will never be your friend!"Cranky insisted and made her back away right into Orion.

"Never, or never ever?"She asked desperately.

"Never, ever ever ever ever-"Orion finally let Pinkie out from under him before intervening by simply slapping his hand against the doorway between them.

"We understand, perfectly… I'll get my friend out of your…suddenly blond hair immediately,"Orion spoke calmly to defuse the situation,"I apologize for my intrusion, and all the trouble you've had to handle today… We'll be going now…"

"I won't even ask why or how you got here… Just… Get her out of here…!"Cranky demanded and shut the door on both Orion and Pinkie.

"How long have you been-"Pinkie was interrupted by Orion.

"Just go home…! It's obvious the old codger wants be left alone after getting stood up by some siren of a donkey,"Orion decided to finally let Pinkie in on the idea of personal space,"If you got any respect for Cranky, just leave him be… For now."

"He said…four evers in a row…! That's like…forever…!"Pinkie showed fear and distraught from failing to make a newcomer her friend, she finally ran off to get away from such failure.

The prince sighed and held his head, trying not to feel as disappointed about the situation. After all, he learned everything he needed to know from the scrap book before it's untimely destruction. The flower, the picture of an interestingly familiar donkey, it all came together. He nodded, and decided he had a little something he had to do if he wanted to make things up to Cranky. So he departed from the cottage and made his way towards Ponyville to set up the deed he wanted to do.

By the time he was done, the night was settling in and Orion was half asleep. Straying through town with Shadow Swirl's shadows watching every corner and ally way. The town was safe for the time being, but he knew there was going to be a dodgy time tomorrow when he aims to help Cranky. For now, he just wanted to get back into the library and go to sleep for the night. Thankfully, every pony and dragon was already asleep upon entry, and all the lights were out.

"Thank Galaxia… Please let everything go well tomorrow…"He groaned, kicking his boots aside, and crashing on the sofa.

He laid there face down for a solid half an hour listening to Spike snore innocently enough. It still felt peaceful around the library, regardless of the noises, then a thought came to mind. The thoughts of the apparent adventures Cranky must have had in his youth in pursuit of this special friend. He must have been desperate to find the one, the very one he could spend his life with. Instead he spent most of his life trying to find the friend he believed to be the one, the pain he must have felt on that journey.

Only to give up after traveling the ends of the world searching for her. It must have been pretty rough accepting that before he finally retired from his search. A girl can do that a guy after all, it's in the nature of some beings to be deceptive and use you till you're of no more use to them. Orion knew all about that, considering how everything went with the first lady he ever dared to intimately trust. His eyes closed, and he fell asleep, allowing the dark bug eyes of Chryssy to come forth to haunt him.

---

He now stood near the borders of the Ever Free forest with his new friend currently at work. He kept a look out, gazing through the trees in case of danger, allowing the lone changeling to make them a shelter of her own personal design. So far there was nothing, no issues at the border, no onlookers. The more important part however, was making sure his sister did not send out a search party. Chances are she would regardless of the punishment he gave her for the sin against her own family.

There's was no knowing what the guards or Celestia would think if they caught him with a changeling of all creatures. This made him grow tense with worry and anger if she dared to do so. Then his thoughts and focus were interrupted by a very repulsive sound that smacked in his ear. He immediately covered his right ear and turned back towards the changeling that hid pass some low hanging branches. He shook his head and rushed towards her to see what was happening.

"Do I want to know what you're doing to make this shelter of yours?"He asked without looking, his patience running thin.

"Probably not…! creatures of any foreign world beyond my own finds Changelings distasteful down to the last detail."Chrysalis called back and Orion crossed his arms to continue focusing.

"Try to do it a bit more quietly. That spitting or hurling you're doing is distracting,"Orion demanded as he kept a close eye through the dark forest,"It isn't just dangerous monsters that we should be avoiding out here. There's some ponies that may be looking for me…!"

"Really? A brazen thief that finally agitated some royal shrew…?"She asked while putting the finishing touches on their shelter.

"No… All you need to know is that I'd rather not be forced to return home…!"Orion emphasized before the changeling returned to his side with the news.

"Fair enough… The shelter is done. We can enter when you're ready."She offered, and he gave her a playful smirk in response.

"Alright, lets see what a Changeling can do when it comes to making a shelter."He looked down for a moment and went under the branches to see the shelter.

He paused, and offered a look of disgust that he tried to cover up with great…surprise. It had a sphere shape appearance that looked like a bird's nest, all made with branches, sticks, leaves, and a substance. A substance the slowly dripped from it as it was suspended half way up a cluster of trees. The strange substance was almost clear looking, with a tint of turquoise and green. It made his stomach want to churn, it's obvious it came from her, and the thought of the stuff coming out of her made him want to ignore the curiosity even more.

"After you…!"She encouraged, and he twitched his head to resist the disgust he felt.

"Thanks…"He replied and walked to the sticky and slimy looking nest.

He stopped at the entrance that was just five feet off the ground, he was hesitate. The shelter was clearly wet, sticky, almost like a sort of mucus nest, it made him want to hurl. Either that, or he wanted to simply walk away and leave the helpless Changeling to the dangers of the forest. And little did this Orion know, he would go on to wish he did, but he sadly did not leave. He simply jumped up, and heard the squish of the slime under his feet upon landing, he groaned in disgust.

While Chrysalis giggled at him, clearly not familiar with a Changeling's natural home building ways. She flew up with a buzz of her wings, and entered with ease, clinging to a wall while Orion struggled. The stickiness made it hard for him to move around, the shelter was either hard or slimy. Full of little caverns and holes that any Changeling could make into a space for sleeping. This was still a bit new for him, he never had much contact with Changelings before this meeting.

He finally just sat in the main space, hugging his knees with his head down. Ignoring any of the holes that would have made perfect spots for a pony or Changeling to slumber in. He fell silent, and before long the the young female Changeling grew curious once she felt very little love within him. But she knew there was great power that needed to be witnessed, and to get to it, his love needed to show. So once she had picked out her spot in the shelter, it was time to get to know her new friend.

"Are you not tired…? You've clearly not been sleeping well for quite some time."She let her wings buzz as she hovered down to sit by this mysterious Equestrian.

"What gave you that idea?"He questioned with sarcasm, hoping his secluded mood would get him some privacy.

"Maybe the idea that you came from deep within the forest, then there's the fact that I sense no end to your magic,"She encircled him while slowly raising the all too familiar silver crown in front of his face,"And more importantly, I'm certain you didn't just BORROW this from some sort of royalty…"

"My crown…! When did you take this…?!"He quickly snatched it away and his it in his cloak, ready to show his outrage.

"When were you going to tell me you were royalty?"She questioned, and he growled in response.

He stood up and prepared to leave, refusing to be subjected to her ruthless questioning. He was finally finished, but Chrysalis proved cunning and sly with words.

"You're a run away prince…! And you had something to do with what happened with the strange day and night occurrence,"She quickly flew after him and quickly got in front of the entrance,"Care to tell me what happened? Was it you that caused the strange night fall?"

"No… That was the pony I was trying to save… Now move aside…"The prince demanded while trying to move around her to leave.

"Who…? I'd like to know,"She suddenly grabbed a shoulder, and the prince's chin to show a gentle and more trusting side,"All this pain came from somewhere…"

"I thought Changelings only sense magic and love, not pain…!"He swept the Changeling's hooves off his chin and shoulder to try and leave.

"We do…! But I alone can feel pain, all thanks to the queen herself…! I was lost here because of her,"Chrysalis attempted one last time to get him to open up with her by opening up to him,"She didn't see my worth, only how I threaten her rule. So she condemned me for just being another girl in the group!"

She tried grabbing at his shoulder, only for the prince to grasp her hoof this time. However, he held it for a moment, thinking about what she was professing to him about her downfall. It was somewhat similar to the downfall of Luna after her battle with Celestia, the sister that grew greedy of their people's love. Luna's worth was not seen by her sister, and she was neglected in turn. Orion was her only common company, but it was not enough, and she was banished for her final push towards love from their people.

Once he looked at Chrysalis, he swore there was some reminisce of Luna in her eyes. The innocence, the desperation to prove herself, the desire to rise to a more deserving role. With a sigh, he could not help but feel sympathy for the desperate Changeling, she was in a similar situation. The only difference was that she was not sealed away, she was merely banished from her home. With his mind growing weary, his hand slowly released her hoof, and he turned to face the Changeling.

"I lost my youngest sister, due to her desperation for acceptance. As well as the ignorance and greed of my other sister,"He decided to come clean since Chrysalis was willing to poor her heart out,"I left her beaten and alone for sealing our sister away in the moon… If my sister had to remain alone for simply seeking our people's love and acceptance. Then we deserve to be alone as well…"

"I'm…sorry to hear about this loss… Seems we have both been driven away by our families,"She noticed and slowly sat down to take the information in,"Apologies for pushing out the truth… I could not help but find desperation to know about my savior… Now I understand…"

"Indeed… Now is there anything else you need to bother me with, or can I just get some time alone…?"He questioned and turned away to finally depart, but the desperation in his own voice was all she needed.

"Are you sure that's what you need? That sounds like more abuse than you deserve,"Her horn glowed green as she began to speak of what she believed the prince needed,"After all, you were not the one who did such cruelties to your dear sister…"

"What…? I know I didn't do…anything…"He made that clear, failing to notice the fuzziness in his mind.

"But you seem to feel as if you did… Which is not true at all. So why should you be alone,"She questioned and walked behind Orion, whispering more into his ear,"Your mind is broken along with your heart. It deserves mending and care, not the same isolation as your family…!"

"But I failed them… I should have… Done more for…"The fuzziness grew, and his body felt as if it was growing heavy and soft.

"Nonsense… You've done all you could… Just…come back inside."She had him, but needed to keep this up with the encouraging words of a professional siren.

"But…why…?"He wondered, only for his body to do as she wished and return into the confines of the shelter.

"At least let some pony…or changeling mend your poor wounds…"She insisted and brought him inside, a laughter echoing in from the shelter, as the changeling now had the ultimate prize in her clutches.

"I should have been quiet… Never should have said a thing. Just leave her you weak minded-"Orion mocked and cursed his younger self, before his dream was once again broken away by chaos in the waking world.

---

Before he knew it, he awoke to the loud rantings of Pinkie Pie expressing her worries to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Shadow was sitting right in front of the prince's feet at the end of the couch. She barely caught wind that he was awake, and smirked before looking back to Pinkie. As she explained her troubles with Cranky, and Orion had to be the one to clean up the mess. He was quiet, he decided not to interfere and keep watching in secret, since he already had a plan in motion.

"I just can't believe it! Cranky said he would never forever be my friend! It was horrible!"Pinkie was finishing her rant and Shadow didn't need to think of it much to conclude things.

"Well what do you expect? You clearly burned an important relic of his past,"Shadow was blatant and honest, it was hard to support a pony as clingy and overly friendly as Pinkie,"Not to mention you constantly followed him around and chewed his ear off at every turn."

"What Shadow is trying to say is. I know this is hard for you, Pinkie, seeing as your friends with every pony,"Twilight tried to sugar coat the reality as best as she could for her friend,"But you just have to accept that Cranky is gonna be the exception. He just… Doesn't want to be bothered."

"Yeah, he doesn't want to be bothered by your over the top hyper active antics."Rainbow supported the idea of leaving Cranky Doodle alone.

"He's an old Donkey that has seen a lot of things, Some good, but a lot of it was clearly bad,"Shadow offered up what her an the other warriors grew to understand about elders,"He just wants to rest peacefully with his memories and come to peace with his time here before he eventually… Moves on."

"Shadow…! Rainbow…!"Twilight did not approve of their harsh thoughts on the subject.

"No, no, It's ok, Twilight. I understand what all of you are saying. And I guess… I can leave Cranky alone,"Pinkie finally seemed to agree with what they said, and understood what needed to be done,"Right after he accepts my apology!"

"NO! An apology will not be enough!"Orion finally made his awakening no with a demand for Pinkie.

"Orion…! Sorry if we woke you up. We know last night was-"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that I already have a plan for helping all mistakes be forgiven,"Orion slowly sat up in his bed and groaned, rubbing his eyes to wake up,"I already have a certain some pony or…donkey coming to his cabin. And chances are, either forgiveness come, or at least some closure will be the result."

"Who?"The three Elements in the room asked.

"That is for me to know, and all of you to learn if all goes according to plan…"Orion stood up to stretch himself out nice and easy.

"So… I can't even apologize to him?"Pinkie asked while frozen in a running stance from the prince's shout.

"You can go ahead and try. Chances are he'll go to the ends of Equestria to avoid you,"He answered while his mind already knew and planned for Pinkie to do this,"But before you go… Let me inform you of something."

He got up and casually walked to Pinkie Pie, she remained frozen until she was in the clear to go. But before hand, he bent down and started whispering something into her ear. And within a solid minute of whispering, Pinkie's eyes widened, and a great truth was gleaming through her thoughts.

"So that means… And she… And the book was… And his Crankiness was…!"Pinkie listed, and Orion nodded to all the realizations she was coming to.

"Now then… Unfreeze."He played it cutely and tapped Pinkie's shoulder before she cheered and took off.

"Cute… Now I guess that means you're going to take off as well to meet this friend of yours?"Shadow assumed correctly.

"But Spike has been slaving over some pancakes he thought we could all eat together."Twilight huffed at Orion skipping a breakfast her baby dragon was cooking.

"Sorry, I was very specific with my demands in this meeting. Breakfast will have to wait."Orion explained and started getting himself dressed.

"What?! Come on!"Spike peered out from the kitchen and pouted.

"Maybe another time Spike, but I got some lives to fix. I'm sure Rainbow will pick up the slack."Orion said as he got his books on and retrieved his cloak, before feeling a hoof on his arm.

"I hope you know what you're doing…"Twilight whispered while holding his arm, hoping for reassurance.

"Don't worry, I got this… Not my first time dealing with relationship issues,"Orion reassured as she hoped while slipping his garbs on,"I'll be back before sun down."

With that, he was able to finally leaving while hearing Spike shout at him from the kitchen. He never did like it when Orion skipped out on some of the dragon's home cooking. Once he was in town, he needed a second to remember where the cottage was before looking for the nearest exit. However, that was not the only thing that started coming to mind as he looked for a way out of the town. Not only did the dreams of Chrysalis bother him, but something felt off.

Some pony was watching him, but he could feel that it was some pony insignificant. It felt too weak, so he did not bother dealing with it until he was out of town, away from innocent eyes. He found the exit, and left the town with a sigh of relief before needing to find a grove. It was close to Fluttershy and Typhoon's cottage, once he found the grove, Cranky's home with in the middle of it. So it wasn't too far of a walk for him, so all that concerned him now was the stalker.

He simply walked towards the open fields where there was very little places to hide. He wanted to guide the stalker a good bit to make the stake out look like a success, but not too far. Leading a stalker towards the grove would put his plan for Cranky in jeopardy, he could not allow that. So he patiently waited, slowing down a bit while the very stalker was struggling to stay hidden. As the little changeling of the hour was currently forced to hide behind a rock barely big enough to duck down behind.

He gulped, fear gripping his chest as Thorax the Changeling started to worry. This seemed to be going too smoothly for a mission that involved stalking the father of himself and his brethren. Thorax was told an impressive amount of information about Orion, the one they called, The Father Of Them All. From his impossible to judge power, to his experience, and of course, his visual prowess. This would mean that such a stake out was a death sentence, Orion probably already knew he was there.

At least this did give him the up close and personal viewing of his queen's old flame.

"The father… Of us all…!"He manage to peep out before Orion froze, spotting the grove in the distance.

He looked out the corner of his eye, and Thorax was left trying not to quiver. It felt like an hour long minute before all was quiet, and the Changeling dared to take a peek over the rock. To his surprise, Orion seemed to be standing there staring at the grove, as if he was seeing something.

"Does he see Fissure…?"He thought, only for the atmosphere around him to change, and bring a heaviness to his body.

"No… But perhaps you can point him out for me…"Orion suddenly spoke from right behind the Changeling's head.

Ice felt like it was crawling up his spine to the back of his head, his eyes grew wide like plates. While he witnessed the Orion in front of him suddenly turning to red crystals and breaking apart. The real Orion was squatting down right behind the Changeling, gazing at him with no amusement. Thorax attempted to gasp, but he was even struggling to breath from the rising fear. Thorax's plan was to turn his head, and jump away at the same time, but instead, he could barely turn his head in time.

As his eye caught both of Orion's from the corner, a fist instantly met his muzzle. With a loud crack piercing his ears, Thorax felt his teeth rattle from the impact, and lacerations form in his gums as the force sent him smashing through the rock. Green blood splashed across the ground and all over the side of Orion's face. Thorax skipped like a stone while the side of his face was grinding in the dirt. He came to a slow stop right in front of the grove on his side, blood pooled from his mouth all around his head.

Everything was shaking in his head, his vision was blurry to the point that nothing could be made out. His whole view was even shaking, as he swore the prince was speaking to him. But even the voice was muffled out by the ringing shock in his right ear from the blow.

"I knew either one piece of scum or the other was following me. Kind of interesting to finally encounter a Changeling personally,"Orion stated, watching Thorax grovel and struggle to move,"The shame of my loins and manipulated mind… Standing before me. Chrysalis has been busy, hasn't she?"

"F-Fissure…!"Thorax manage to force out from his aching mouth that flowed with green blood that bubbled from his word.

"Nothing to say? How unexpected from the likes of Chrysalis's spawns,"Orion's right arm twitched to help a crystal sword unsheathe from his limb for him to use,"No point in letting you suffer any more than need be… I'll wipe out all you abominations one at a time…! And erase what I created…!"

His right eye was closing up, but the vision in Thorax's left eye was coming back to full view. And then he saw it, the rising red blade of the prince himself, aiming right for the skull. Fear spiked through his head, his heart beating strong, causing his injuries to throb.

"No…N-no…"He feared as the sword was reared back to thrust forth.

Thankfully, Thorax did in fact have a friend watching over him, and that was Fissure. The Cinder saw the mess, and a sudden force in his chest prompted him to explode from out of the grove. He reared back, and returned the punch Thorax was given, letting his hoof explode on impact. But it manage to bruise Orion's cheek and force him away with a grind in the ground. Fissure landed in front of Thorax, letting his hoof regenerate while Orion was quick to recover from the punch.

"He spotted me, and used his eyes to spot you…! Forgive me."Fissure asked for forgiveness, only to look to Thorax, realizing the state he was in.

His eyes widened, a sudden cold grip was squeezing his chest as he looked to Thorax. He was bleeding, his jaw clearly broken, his cheek and eye swelling up from the blow he took. He could barely move much, his eyes trembled from the sight, but Fissure held strong to look upon his foe. Before his head was shattered by a straight punch that forced him on his back. But he manage to grab the fist that slugged him and yank the prince forward before bringing his back hooves up.

They delivered a firm spit flying blow to Orion's chin before they both collapsed. He slammed on top of the Cinder, but he wasn't going to stay that way, with a grit of his teeth he raised up. With a lot of force, Orion ripped off the Cinder's arms just as his head finally regrew. As Orion threw off the fore arms, Fissure was quick to open wide and unleash a torrent of flames right at the face. The prince raised his arms to defend against the fires, this gave Fissure all the time he needed to grow back his front hooves.

"Thorax, can't you stand up!?"Fissure turned to Thorax, only to realize how injured the Changeling was.

His eye was completely closed, and he could barely move his bleeding jaw. Fissure looked back to the prince, as he slowly lowered his barely burnt arms with a look of pure death. As much as he wanted to fight, his body forced him to run towards his Changeling partner to help. It felt foolish to take his eyes off this deadly foe, but something forced him to run to Thorax to help him. He rushed to his friend's side, noticing a tremble in Thorax's body as he grasp the side of the Changeling's cheek.

"Your jaw… It's broken… We need to fix it, quickly,"Fissure widened his eyes and jumped when Thorax cringed,"Does it…hurt?"

Thorax manage to give him a nod, as Fissure slid his hoof onto Thorax's forehead. He did not know what it was, but a weird deep feeling of coldness was gripping his chest. Thorax had also began to feel a sense of comfort, as he saw what looked like true concern in Fissure's eyes. Then he saw the horrors behind Fissure, and tried to move his lips to force out a warning.

"B-be…beee…beeeehind…yo."Fissure made out the words, but he was to late as he saw the blade of Orion's sword slice clean through his right fore arm and shoulder.

He tried to react by twisting his body just enough to throw a hook with the left hoof. But Orion simply swung his sword back, slicing the incoming attack clean off the fore arm. With the very same hand that held his sword, the warrior crushed a solid jab that knocked Fissure into the dirt. Before he stepped over Thorax and started walking to the downed Cinder to finish him first. Thorax was quick to roll onto his stomach, and try to crawl after the prince, hoping to help in some way.

"F…Fiss…ure…!"He struggled to call out his partner's name, desperate to save the Cinder he made.

Though it became clear that he could not catch up to the prince in hopes of grabbing him. He needed to think fast before Fissure was slaughtered before his eyes, then it hit him. He knew what came to mind was going to hurt his jaw like Tartarus, but it was the only thing he could do. He felt tears sting his eyes out of fear for the pain that was coming, as he started hacking and gurgling as if to prepare a loogie. He then felt his throat bloating up before the mass that had formed in his throat, went into his mouth.

Then the pain hit him, it felt like his lower jaw was in a vice grip that only got tighter. But with a little determination to save Fissure, he manage to spew out a cloud of blood. Before a ball of changeling slime spewed out and manage to nail Orion's left foot, it grew solid instantly. It stuck strong like glue, and locked Orion to the ground, the warrior caught on quick to the trap. He looked down, recognizing the signature slime Changeling's were capable of spewing from their mouths.

Orion merely growled and yanked with just enough strength to slowly tear himself free. He then turned to Thorax, just as the Changeling panicked and desperately shot streams of magic at him. But his magic was mediocre compared to Orion's, it couldn't even singe his outfit.

"That's just pitiful… Your heart is in the right place. But a Changeling is a Changeling,"Orion stated and aimed the sword right between Thorax's eyes,"And the only good Changeling that's ever existed… Was a dead one…"

Fissure finally raised from the ground, still very much in the fight due to his limitless stamina and fire power. Then he saw his injured partner, once again staring down the prince's blade. An injured Changeling clearly meant nothing to Orion, he just wanted to kill what he considered his own mistake. However, it was clear that Thorax meant something to the Cinder. The threat of Thorax dying right on the spot, it suddenly invoked a burning sensation in his chest.

His teeth grit, and the fires around him grew, the heat mixed with the cold feeling. Fusing into a burst of courage and heart, as Fissure ran to the prince, while the cracks in his ashen body glowed. Fire enveloped his right hoof as he growled, trying to put all the power he possibly could into it.

"THORAX…!"Fear suddenly quivered in Fissure's voice as he swung with all his might.

Orion ironically was unable to fully turn his head before the hoof crushed against his left cheek. His jaw was strong, but the force was more than enough to burn the cheek before Orion felt himself lift up into the air. He flew like a dart before crashing into a hill, dirt cloaked Orion. As Fissure's hoof and entire fore arm slowly crumbled away and struggled to regenerate. But that was not his concern, his concerns remained with Thorax, who was barely able to sit up at long last.

The mission wasn't even a concern now, he just wanted to save his partner. So Fissure abandoned the mission, and made it to Thorax before picking him up in his hoof and half a fore arm. He looked to Thorax and let him rest up on his shoulder before turning around to leave. Only to be faced with the reality of who they dared to stalk and fight, as the prince finally stood back up. Other than the smoldering bruise on his cheek, the prince appeared to be in good health, and angry.

His skin had already turned red and his body seem to be growing as a growl sounded it. Fissure's eyes widened, the cold feeling finally overwhelmed the burst of heated rage. For the air grew heavy, and magic seem to be growing dense from around the Cinder and the prince. His black hair going deep red as he began to march over to the duo, forcing Fissure to start stepping away. The harsh reality of their victory being impossible snapped to mind, and all that came after it was simple.

"We need to retreat…! Primal sent us out here to our death…"Fissure looked to Thorax as he began to lose consciousness.

That alone decided what came next, and the Cinder was quick to act before great pain came their way. He took a deep breath in, and aimed for the ground before roaring out a wave of flames. Orion raised an arm and growled, taking the blinding flames head on as he grew near. But by the time he was on approach, the flames dissipated, and before he knew it, the two partners were gone. A quick look around with his eyes spotted the two quickly flying off and disappearing into the forest.

Once they were gone, Orion sighed, he felt a little disappointed that he failed to take the pair down. However, at the very least, he showed them the dangers of challenging himself or getting to close to town. So he took in a deep breath and relaxed himself to bring down the magic and muscles.

"What a random attack… Perhaps they're inexperience…. Or…there's trouble in paradise,"Orion thought about how strange the meeting went, only to realize the time,"Ugh… I'll think about it another time. I'm gonna be late to the meeting."

This reminder put a pep in Orion's step, forcing him to rush off and into the grove. It took a few moments and nearly get lost before the prince finally found the cottage. From the looks of the place, Cranky still had yet to return from his day out, and knowing Pinkie, she was going to take him on quite a trip. Thankfully the friend of interest had just showed up a little late herself. And that friend was Matilda the donkey, after a solid matter of piecing together clues from the scrap book, he figured it out.

Thankfully she was late as well to this meeting, so Orion no longer needed to worry. So he quietly began to approach, just as Matilda sat down on the steps and waited for his , the wait was not needed as he stood at her side and put a hand against the wall of the building.

"So you were the missing link in all of Cranky's adventures around Equestria,"Orion was straight to the point, as Matilda gasped at the surprise choice of words,"You're the special friend he was looking for all this time…"

"I suppose I was… All this time I never realized he had finally come to Ponyville after so many years,"Matilda admitted, while a part of her was lost in the nostalgia from merely hearing Cranky's name,"I thought he had decided that I was not worth the trip and simply moved on…"

"But he didn't… He went to all the ends of Equestria itself to find you, but found nothing,"Orion crossed his arms and put his back to the wall with distrust in the mature donkey,"Nothing but a few friends and a lot of heart break…"

"I left a note for him. I had hoped he would have found it so he would come find me in Ponyville."Matilda justified by insisting that a letter was in fact made to Cranky.

"He must not have received it. Or he was hoping to find some pony or donkey else, other than a note…"

"Do you not trust me?"She picked up the skepticism in Orion's voice.

"I don't trust any lady that puts a pony, donkey, or anything through the hardships that Cranky endured,"Orion admitted this from sympathy and his own experience with ladies,"You should have just told him…"

"I know… I realize that. But I never meant him any of this harm, I in fact hoped for the day he would return."

"He only returned here because he gave up on his search for you..."

"Oh… I suppose that's a lot of heart break that came to my home."

"So what are you going to do now that he's going to be home soon and full of questions about where you've been?"Orion was done with the smaller talk, and got to the important question.

"Well… There's clearly a lot of time I need to make up for. After all, he did go to the ends of the world for me…"

"Really? You're not going to leave or cower away, not even offer simple closure?"He was surprised by her sudden commitment to make things right.

"Of course! You may not believe it, but I really did love him… I still do as a matter of fact,"Matilda's nostalgia brought her to the moment she first met Cranky as a young thing,"The dancing at the Gala, the charm he had, his affection. And the…simple touch he offered to my more complex way of living."

"Hmm… Right…"

"I take it you were thinking I'd be some sort of vixen that merely played with his heart for personal gain?"

"Some of the signs about Cranky pointed towards the notion, but apparently that's not the case."

"You don't have any good experiences with ladies, do you?"She dared to pry for insight on Orion's experience with mares.

"You could say that. Last one I was with tried taking my magic and became a psychotic queen of-"Suddenly, right as the conversation turned interesting, the moment he was waiting for arrived.

"Really really really really really really really really really,"Cranky was fearfully running for his life as Pinkie chased him, begging for forgiveness,"Really really really… Sorry!"

They passed Orion and Matilda before he made it inside and locked every lock Cranky had on the door. Pinkie stopped straight at the door, and desperately knocked in hopes of giving her apology. Then Orion cleared his throat, getting her attentions, and signaling her by simply showing that Matilda made it to the party. She gave a more mature and understanding smile, and turned back to the door.

"Cranky… Please, please accept my apology! I'd do anything to make it up to you."She begged for just one more chance..

"There's nothing you can do! You ruined my book! You destroyed all I have to remember her by!"Cranky yelled, reminding Pinkie of her great mistake.

"You mean…your special friend?"She asked and looked to Matilda and Orion for support.

"Go away, Pinkie…!"Cranky demanded and sighed, wanting to just be left alone.

Orion nodded, and gave Pinkie a push to give it one more go just to get the old timer to open the door.

"Cranky? It's me again. I understand that you don't wanna be my friend or accept my apology,"She at least admitted that much about the situation between them,"Before I leave you alone forever… I have something to at least try to make up for ruining your book."

"No, I don't want it, kid! Anything you would give me is sure to lead to some sort of disaster!"Cranky snapped, and that was the moment that Orion nudged Matilda to do her part like she said she would.

She took a deep breath, readying herself for what needed to be done, and spoke,"Goodness, you really are Cranky."

A faint gasp sounded from behind the door, her voice was all too familiar to Cranky. It was a long time ago, but her voice was a voice that one could never forget hearing. He was frantic as he unlocked all the locks on his door and quickly opened the door to see if he was hearing things, or if this was real.

"It can't be… Is it really you?"Cranky could not believe his eyes, but the donkey of his dreams truly was standing before him.

"It can… And it is."Matilda simply responded in a lady like tone.

"Matilda! But how?"Cranky was deeply confused.

"Pinkie and our prince here."She answered and looked to both Pinkie and Orion.

"But… I never told either of you about her…!"Cranky swore that he kept such information to himself.

"Didn't need to… Both me and Pinkie put two and two together after we got a good look at that book."Orion decided to be the first to explain how this was made possible.

"What?"The confusion still remained.

"Well, when you were talking about your souvenirs, you said something about trying to find a special friend,"Pinkie was willing to help explain everything they had come to know,"And ya know, I wasn't just born yesterday. Nu uh, my birthday isn't for another seventy five days!"

"Pinkie… Lets not get off topic."Orion reminded her to explain what had been done to make this possible.

"Oh yeah…! In your scrap book, there was also a flower, an old ticket, and a menu from the Grand Galloping Gala,"Pinkie admitted while Matilda slowly puled out a similar but more lady like scrap book,"At first I didn't recognize them, but thankfully. Orion did and told me where these were seen before!"

"And to answer your next question, we saw the very same things in another scrap book. That's how we recognized them,"Orion joined in and stood off the wall, nice and tall,"And I'm certain you can guess who owns that very same scrap book."

"That would be me! I also have them in my scrap book."Matilda showed him her scrap book full of all the same memories.

They could see it, Cranky took a good gander at all the memories, he was experiencing them all as if it were only yesterday.

"Oh, Matilda. The night we met at the Gala was the most magical night of my life."Cranky closed his eyes and remembered the moment, a young Cranky met a lovely young Matilda.

---

His memories dated to the Gala itself, the first time he first laid eyes on the donkey of his dreams. They hit it off immediately, dancing to the music for hours, never letting go of one another. Then Matilda needed to go back to her room, but made sure Cranky knew where he could find her. It was so obvious that he was in, and perhaps he had found the one he was destined to be with. But once a new day arrived and he decided to go to her room, there was only heart break and misunderstanding to be found.

"I couldn't wait to see you again… But when I came to your room the next day, you were gone."He recalled the heart breaking moment of her disappearance.

"Didn't you get my note?"She asked him of the note she put against the door, that fell off and was never received.

"No…! I never got it. Ever since that day, I've gone from town to town to town,"His words spoke truth, as Cranky walked and ventured to all of Equestria's reaches for decades in search of his love,"I searched all over Equestria for you… Until I finally gave up, and came to Ponyville to retire from my search."

Cranky sighed, the memories left a flow of tears in his eyes, from both the good memories to the bad ones. Matilda frowned, Orion's words to her now grew with merit, now that she knew Cranky's story. All this time, all these decades he spent looking for her, enduring pain, doubt, and mental struggles. Till he got to the final end of the world, and finally gave in to a hopeless search. This was as much her fault as it was his own for not noticing the note, he suffered because of the both of them.

---

"Cranky… I was here in Ponyville the whole time…! If I had only known…! I would have,"She stopped herself before she would accidentally stutter, her heart ached for Cranky as she nuzzled his cheek, hoping to bring peace to his of broken heart,"I had hoped that some day… I would have been able to see you again. If it had been me…I would have gladly gone to the ends of Equestria for you as well… Doodle."

"Uh… Matilda? He doesn't-"

"He does… If it's Matilda saying it."Orion interrupted Pinkie with a hand to the shoulder.

It took the old stallion of a donkey a minute before his eyes dried, and he could nuzzle Matilda. And at long last, he could smile with the peace he was given for his hardship. Pinkie had much that she wanted to say, but this moment grew all the more curious for Orion. It should not be interrupted, so he patted her back, knowing she made all this possible just like he did.

"After decades of sorrow and pain… It washes away in what looks to be real love,"Orion admitted, now that he could understand the difference between real love, and the toxic love he shared with Chrysalis,"I was wrong to doubt you and assume you were like other ladies I knew… Forgive me…"

"There's nothing to forgive your majesty… You… And Pinkie both found Cranky all this time, and now we're reunited,"Matilda brushed off any need to give forgiveness for an understandable skepticism,"We have only our gratitude to give to you… Both of you."

"So… Is there any chance you might be willing to accept my apology, Cranky?"Pinkie now asked one more time for Cranky's forgiveness.

"Yes, Pinkie. I accept your apology, and I'm honored to call you a friend."He gave her the answer she had hoped for, and looked like she was ready to explode.

"Woo hoo! This is just fantastic! Ooh, now we can hang out together and chat and sing songs and party! Oh I have to throw you guys a big party! It'll be called the… Welcome to Ponyville, found your lost love, I'm BFF's with Pinkie Pie party,"Orion let her go, as she exploded with confetti and cheer, before finally elbowing her, getting the party pony to remember what this friend was all about,"Or… Maybe something less over the top and not so super hyper…"

"Pinkie, we're eternally grateful to you. But… Matilda and I just want to spend some time together in peace and quiet."Cranky insisted that they were given space to rekindle with each other.

"Sounds good… I still have quite a day ahead of me as well. Come Pinkie,"Orion agreed and hoped to easily get Pinkie out of the grove without issue,"I'll buy us drinks and muffins even."

"Thank you… Both of you…"Cranky offered one last heart felt show of gratitude for what they did for him.

"No problem, Cranky. We're still friends, right?"Pinkie asked, and Orion had enough and started pushing her away and out of the grove.

"Ok, ok, He already said it once before. Now lets get out of here and celebrate."Orion demanded while taking her and himself out of the grove to give the donkeys the privacy they needed.

"Of course we're friends… Pinkie…"Cranky spoke before they were gone from the grove.

After this long day, Pinkie came to a great few understandings about friends. Even Orion along the way found peace and understanding about knowing the good mares from the bad ones. They had quite a lesson to write down, and even though Orion's was not a friendship lesson in specific. He at least thought it be fair to show that he had moved on from Chrysalis, and remembered what a good mare looked like. At least then, it would put them at ease about his past with the queen.

Dear Princess Celestia,

there are many kinds of friends, and many ways to express friendship. Some friends like to run and laugh and play together. But others just like to be left alone, and that's fine too. But the best thing about friendship is making your friends smile.

Dear Celestia And Luna,

I have a lesson that I have learned this day. I know there's nothing I can say that keep the both of you from wanting Chrysalis's head, but at least know this. I have been just as ignorant, not always able to trust the hearts of mares, when I looked at them and saw how they portrayed love. It made me fear for the sake of stallions for the future, but one old donkey showed me that there is hope for love to thrive. For it now thrives with her, it makes me look forward to seeing Cadence again. We may never forgive the queen for her actions, but lets never allow her to hinder our outlook on love itself.

Orion,

With there lessons memorized, they looked forward to a swift return to Twilight's to write them down. Before they'd celebrate what they learned with drinks and sweets, all of Pinkie's favorites. In all the good fortune and friendship making, as well as rekindling love for two donkeys. Orion's out of the blue run in with the Changeling and his Cinder was swept under the rug and forgotten. But that very duo certainly did not forget what happened, Thorax had the injury to keep it alive.

---

It had taken them an hour to get back to the cave after they had entered the forest. Fissure carried Thorax the whole way after losing consciousness half way back to the cave. He was also growing weary, his one hoof just then grew completely back the moment he stumbled to the mouth of the cave. With a deep breath, he was able to relax and look at the out cold Thorax in his forearms. His eyes narrowed, while the cold feeling of fear crept into his chest, forcing him to move on.

He quickly ran into the cave, his back hooves causing an echo through out the walls. His fire lit the way, jumping and dropping without disturbing Thorax, and fighting these weird new feelings. Rage and thrills of battle were common for Cinders, but these other feelings were alien to him. He hoped there would be some sort of help or assistance with these feelings as well as help for Thorax. Then he finally saw the collected fire lights of numerous Cinders in one spot, and entered safety.

He was greeted to the sight of Changelings flying around, and fighting with Cinders for training. Pharynx was watching over the training to ensure that there was no foul play among them. Conveniently enough, Pharynx was the one Fissure wanted to see first to get Thorax some help. As he rushed to the big brother of his partner, just in time for Primal Pyro to return with two new victims.

"Pharynx! We need your help! It's your brother,"Fissure yelled so suddenly when he had meant to merely call to him,"We were attacked, and he is injured greatly! Pharynx!"

This alarmed the red eyed Changeling, as he swung around and gasp at the first sight of Thorax laying unconscious in the forearms of Fissure. He ran to Thorax and placed a hoof to his little brother's head. He then looked to Fissure with the very same look of fear that he once had in the heat of the fight.

"What happened…?"Pharynx questioned, before a laughter sounded from Primal, as he chained up a mare and her colt.

Fissure looked to Primal, as he already began whispering his words of hopelessness for the mother to hear. Fissure's eyes furrowed, for it was Primal's scouting demands that got him and Thorax into a losing fight. With a growl and a strange form of rage brewing within his chest and head. He began to walk over to the sadistic beast of a Cinder.

"Get him some medical treatment… I need to speak with Primal."Fissure simply replied as his walk grew faster and more aggressive.

He shoved aside some Cinders and Changelings that were training on the ground. This roused their interest once they all watched where he was going, it looked like he has some words for Primal. But as he got faster, curling his right hoof that had freshly grown back. He was then close enough to hear the words Primal spoke to his victims as he sleeked his tongue across the mare's neck.

"You pray to your princesses… But do they answer or come to your aid,"Primal questioned while dangling a sun and moon fused necklace that belonged to the mother,"No… I highly doubt they do….! Because they are afraid. Just like you…!"

"Mom…!"The colt whimpered for some sort of reassurance from his broken mother.

"Heh… Look at that…! That's cute. This is a cute son you got here. Very innocent, very hopeful,"He chuckled, failing to see Fissure approaching and reeling back a punch,"You know what my master says to that…? hope and innocence is the best dessert you could ever want."

With that, Primal grabbed the colt's neck and turned his head to the side. Ready to sample the dessert he hoped to receive by simply going for the colt's ear, but it was then interrupted. As he barely heard the growls of Fissure before a hoof, smashed against Primal's cheek with full force. The shock made his claws sprout before his body was sent flying, his claws tried to grip for anything. Only to accidentally slice clean through the chains that held the mother and son.

Primal finally crashed through two pillars and drilled into the ground, losing half his face from the punch. Before he came to a grinding halt against a cave wall that crack against his back. The sight caused chaos, and Cinders started scrambling to grab Fissure and hold him back. He wanted another piece of Primal, but Changelings even joined in to help hold the Cinder back. This was the chaotic miracle the two victims needed before they were able to sneak away through the crowd.

"Run son…! I remember the way out. Just run and don't look back…!"She prompted her son to run with her and escape the cave.

They never bothered chasing the victims, the chaos and confusion was strong for the Cinders in particular. None of them has ever demonstrated such hostility towards one another or dared to strike one of the disciples. The reason for this was unknown, but that was the least of their worries. For Primal had finally manage to get off his back and slowly stand up with a deep growl. His face slowly grew back as he bared his teeth and glared at the one that dared to slug him in such a way.

Once his eyes locked onto the prey that manage to escape the cave, he turned his eyes back to Fissure.

"That was my dinner and dessert you just freed… I like my dinner and dessert,"Primal slowly walked to Fissure with his meat hook claws sprouting in anger,"I don't like it when I lose them because of an insubordinate!"

"Yeah? Well I don't like the idea of Thorax and myself being sent to our deaths to stalk the prince,"Fissure shouted in outrage, and Primal paused at the accusation,"You knew the prince was going to be the first pony to leave the town! You knew he would easily find us and kill us without hesitation!"

"Really? And what if I did? The experiment went quite well in all honesty."Primal chuckled, revealing that he did in fact send them out there knowing they would easily die.

"Experiment?! You put our lives out there just to test the prince's demeanor?! You pile of litter!"Fissure tried to swing at Primal, only for Primal to get held back as well.

He roared at Fissure as he was restrained and yelled at by other Cinders to demand control to the chaos. It looked like a wild dog fight ready to happen between Cinders, but thankfully order was restored. As Primal once again felt the heavy pulse of pain and heaviness in his chest. The Cinders dispersed as Fissure was hugged from behind into a big bear hug by Iron Black. This restrained Fissure while Moltorious walked pass Black and towards Primal to bring him under control.

"There will be no fighting among each other! The Changelings are one thing, but Cinders wanting to kill each other is out of the question,"Moltorious warned and stood tall over Primal to show authority over him,"Black! Take him back to his injured partner! I will discipline him once Primal has been given his own."

"Of course… Lets go you…!"Iron Black demanded and started dragging Fissure away from the scene.

This left Moltorious to stare down the ferocious predator that now laid on his belly. He growled and slowly looked up to the leader as Moltorious slowly lowered his head and sharpened his look. Ready to give out some punishment as the dark burning heart of Primal was pulled out of Moltorious's head. Before they knew it, Fissure and Black could hear Primal screaming and shrieking. Torture was clearly being given while Fissure was carried back to Pharynx.

That very changeling was currently at Thorax's side as he laid on a stone table. The lower half of his head being covered in a slime to start the healing process for his jaw. Thankfully, Thorax manage to wake up after having a momentary touch and go with his injury.

"If it means anything… You did pretty good taking a punch from the father of us all."Pharynx had his hoof on his brother's forehead again, trying to give words of encouragement.

"I would have…. Been killed without Fissure… He…fought for me…"Thorax still struggled to talk, but he was able to at least form words and light sentences.

"Good…"Pharynx found comfort in knowing that Fissure was looking out for Thorax.

He then looked along with other Changelings to see Fissure returning in the forearms of Iron Black. He was dropped to his hooves like a child before silently leaving Fissure. Allowing him to meet with the brothers and assess Thorax, his fear was able to fade away once he saw Thorax awake and healing. He was able to give out a noticeable breath of relief that made Pharynx most curious. The genuine concern was very different than what he expected from any Cinder.

"He tried sending us to our death. The prince proved a formidable foe beyond our strength."Fissure broke a moment of silence with information on the mission.

"I know… Even your master Moltorious wasn't strong enough to beat Prince Orion,"Pharynx understood that much, while his resentment for the other Cinders grew,"My brother's gonna get killed… We should have never partnered up with War Fire and his anarchism."

"He fights to purify the land of the weak doesn't he…?"Fissure questioned, though the question was more for himself.

"Right… The weak… There's all sorts of weakness in this world. Just look at Thorax,"Thorax looked to Pharynx with a sigh that he was once again getting picked at,"He'd have to die… Heck… Even I'd have to die. My weakness is that I don't want him to die."

"But don't you fight harder and better because you don't want him to die?"Fissure asked again, and Pharynx closed his eyes.

"Yeah… So you gotta ask yourself. Is it really some pony being weak, or is it some pony being stronger than these chumps,"Pharynx whispered as he noticed Moltorious flying down to approach them,"It's all up to you to decided what's true weakness, and what's true strength…"

"Primal has been dealt with… Now it's your turn…! Come with me, grunt,"Moltorious demanded that Fissure followed him to the appropriate punishment that was picked out for the subordinate,"I have something more effective for you."

"Yes sir…"Primal understood and turned around to leave with the disciple, only for his hoof to be grabbed.

He looked to see Thorax grasping his hoof tightly, he did not want to let go of the Cinder. After the bold fight to save his life, he felt guilty that Fissure was going to be punished. It surprised Fissure immensely once the thoughts had forced Thorax's eyes to fill with tears. He tried to maintain himself, but he was full of fear for the friend that would suffer for his weakness.

"I'm sorry… I should have been stronger… For you. I'm sorry you have to suffer now…!"Fissure was taken back by Thorax's pleas for forgiveness, and continued looking at the hoof.

"Grunt! That's enough gossiping with the bugs! Lets move!"Fissure closed his eyes and gave Thorax's hoof a light squeeze before nodding.

He then released Thorax and silently walked to Moltorious to be guided towards his punishment. While Thorax finally felt his tears running down his cheek, as he watched Fissure walk away. It was like watching a friend leave, fearing that once he left, he would not return as the same pony. Pharynx also held some hope for Fissure, for this Cinder was proving to be something different. He only wished there was some way to save his brother from this torment, and the Cinder always came to mind.

He could only hope that this war ended soon, or the opportunity of a life time would allow them to escape…

We still got quite a way to go before this season ends, and with the FIM series itself finally ending. As much as I sort of don't want it to end, I'll have a full map out of how the series will go. And I'll be able to write just a little better for this story. And as for a serious question that came forth twice in the reviews. Yes, yes I will continue this generation, even when the series end. Friendship Is Magic will always be my favorite mlp, and I will continue to write for it till I have no other stories to write. So rest assured, I'm here to stay. Stay pony every one.