MLPonyVania Orchestral of Sacrifice Interlude 03

Stage 2 Interlude
[DESPAIR WITHOUT RESOLVE]
~Following Shadows (Princess Cadence and SoulWind)

Above the lake in the moonlight, a shadowy winged pony sees this. It appears that someone other than the Princess of the Crystal Empire has been following our heroes. He appears a shaded blue Pegasus with artificial wings, yellow and black mane and sickle-shaped tail and a mirror on his forehead.

SoulWind: Huh. That was interesting. I come here for a change of scenery, and I see something like that. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. *Flies over to the next area* I wonder what’ll happen next!

Cadence: *Catches up from behind a hill* Who was that? Huh? Wait… *Remembers seeing SoulWind in the Canterlot Caves years ago*
[Flashback]

Cadence: Hmm? *Calls back out* Who's there?!

SoulWind: A friend! Who am I speaking to?!

Cadence: I will only say if you show yourself!

SoulWind: Okay, but where are you!?

Cadence: Huh?! Hmm… Good question.

SoulWind: *Flies around the corner and finds them* Oh! There you are!

Cadence: *Turns around and sees him* Oh! Hello. Do I know you?

SoulWind: *Flies down to the group* Probably not.

Cadence: Wait, I think I remember you from somewhere. Were you one of my Aunt Luna's subordinates? You look so much like him.

SoulWind:……

Cadence: Though you look a little different.

SoulWind: You have me mistaken for somepony else. *Looks down and away*

Cadence: Oh, I'm sorry.

SoulWind: Nonono! Don't worry about it! Speaking of Princess Luna, I have an important message from her. Princess Luna says to all civilians to stay down here while an incredible heat is both burning up and cooling down at varying times and levels. It's too risky for anypony to go outside for the time being. Canterlot is basically a hazard zone outside. It's best to stay here in the caves where it's safe until it's over.

Cadence: But what about them? What about Twilight and her friends? What about Shining Armor?!

SoulWind: They’re alright. I just got done helping them with Princess Luna.

Cadence: Very well, thank you… what was your name?

SoulWind: NightSl-er… SoulWind! Anyways, I have to go. Farewell!

[Flashback Ends]

Cadence: SoulWind?! What’s he doing here?!

SoulWind: *Flying forward over to the town and descends to the woods below, but gets stopped by Cadence* Huh?! Who’s there?!

Cadence: Calm down, SoulWind. It’s just me!

SoulWind: Huh? Do I know you from somewhere? And how did you know my name?!

Cadence: We’ve met before, don’t you remember?

SoulWind: *Looks at her carefully* Hmm……. You look a little like Princess Luna except you’re a lot brighter.

Cadence: She’s my aunt, actually. We met back in the Canterlot Caves. During the invasion! C’mon, you have to remember that!

SoulWind: Oh! Right! Now I remember. Sorry, that was a while ago and I kinda had a lot of things on the mind. But yeah, I remember you! Though I don’t think I got your name. I left after I gave you mine. Sorry, that was a little rude, wasn’t it?

Cadence: It’s okay. I understood that you were in a rush back then. Anyways, my name is Cadence. I’m the princess of the Crystal Empire.

SoulWind: Nice to meet you, Princess Cadence! Or rather, meet you again!

Cadence: Likewise! So what brings you here?

SoulWind: I came here just to have a change of atmosphere. Just a short trip away from Equestria to see if there was anypony I could help out or something like that. It’s the meaning of my Cutie Mark, after all.

Cadence: A torch? What would that have anything to do with helping somepony?

SoulWind: It’s the Olympic Torch of Strength. It’s what instills inner strength and valor into one’s heart like a flame! Inspiring them to never give up on becoming better!

Cadence: Oh! I see. That’s quite the Cutie Mark to have!

SoulWind: Thank you. It was a gift from a dear friend of mine. It’s my duty to pass it to somepony else in line. I was wondering if there was anypony around here that I could help out. Whatever is going on over there might be a sign for me to follow.

Cadence: So you were following that Earth Pony for that reason?

SoulWind: Well, when you put it that way, you make it sound like I was stalking him.

Cadence: Sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like that.

SoulWind: Relax, Princess. I’m kidding!

Cadence: Oh. *Chuckling* You know, for a dark looking pony, you have a nice sense of humor.

SoulWind: I really look all that dark to you? Ah, well. In any case, what are you doing here?

Cadence: I’m here to find somepony, actually. I heard a cry for help in my sleep and came this way to find her. She’s actually a Crystal Pony from my Empire.

SoulWind: Here to save one of your own, huh? Hmm. Considering the timing, it looks like that’s what he’s doing as well.

Cadence: I suspected that. I wanted to get a good look at his heart to confirm that, but he moves rather fast. I wish I could keep up.

SoulWind: Well, maybe I can help out.

Cadence: Him or me?

SoulWind: Both! If he’s after the same goal as you, then why not help each other out? I’ll go on ahead and see if I can get him to stay still long enough for you to get a good look at his intentions. Then we can make sure we’re on the same side.

Cadence: Funny. I was just about to ask you to do the same thing!

SoulWind: Heh! Then at least we know you and I are in the same boat! Alright! *Sees the town in the distance burst into flames* WHOA!!!

Cadence: AAH!!! That town! It just exploded!

SoulWind: That pony just went in there! Okay! You stay safe, Princess! I’ll go check it out! *Takes off at break-neck speed*

Cadence: Wait! I can *Covers her head from the wind as he takes off* help out…. How did he move that fast?!

MY LITTLE PONYVANIA: ORCHESTRAL OF SACRIFICE!