The Midnight Dance 9

Family Bonds

Cauldron Bubbles: Thanks to Mischief, Blaze, and the triplets, we have enough wood to reconstruct ten houses 

Lightning rubbed his hoof against his chest and gloated  

Lightning Spark: Yep, we never leave our friends or anypony else hanging 

Fire Spark proudly: Yeah 

Sunshine rubbed her chin: Still, those Shadowbolts seem pretty sketchy, why would they try to recruit you if you've never even heard of them 

Lightning Spark: I know 

He then smirked: But you're glad we didn't accept their offer, right 

Cauldron Bubbles: That is true loyalty right there, you know, the only loyalty I ever see is when ponies are loyal to money, I mean, what kind of loyalty is that 

Mischief cast an aside questioning glance that suggested that she was loyal to money as well 

Flurry Heart smiled: I'm glad Mischief and the others showed heroism today 

Cauldron Bubbles: Yes. If they didn't help out with the fire and the wood, half of Hollow Shades would've burnt down to the ground and a ton of ponies would've been homeless for quite a while, come to think of it, some are homeless, but it's a few compared to how many others would've been, too 

Apple Blossom: But who would do such a thing 

Cauldron Bubbles: Hollow Shades is a hiding place for crooks, fugitives, and others who want to escape their lots in life, believe me, there's been arson before, but not as bad as this 

Flurry Heart shamefully: I think it's because of me, bad things are only happening in Hollow Shades because I'm here 

Nova Rose: But it's not your fault, you didn't steal the food or start the fire 

Blaze: She's right, it means someone's after you 

Nova Rose: It can't possibly be Skyla, can it, she's stuck on the moon  

Flurry spoke as she looked out a window at the moon and the four stars now seemingly inches closer to it 

Flurry Heart: And she's going to be free very soon 

Mischief remembered that Flurry was a princess and everypony had to protect her, even if he might never have a chance to be with her, the least he could do was keep her from harm 

Mischief: I'll take a scouting party to search the forest and Hollow Shades for suspicious characters tomorrow, we'll look for any signs of trouble or danger before it comes to hurt Flurry 

Cauldron Bubbles: But who will be keeping Flurry company 

She was hoping against hope that Mischief might change his mind and stay with Flurry so their relationship can grow 

Mischief: Blaze can 

Blaze was surprised to hear that. He didn't want to be separated from Nova again, not since they had something growing between them 

Blaze: Maybe I should go with you and Nova can stay behind 

Nova was offended 

Nova Rose: Why, you don't think I can handle myself out there 

Before Blaze can say anything, Mischief explained 

Mischief: I've seen how strong your magic is, Blaze, if anyone can protect Flurry from harm, it's you 

Mischief was about to leave the table when Flurry started 

Flurry Heart: Mischief 

Their longing eyes met each other for a few moments, Flurry saw in his entrancing green eyes that something wasn't right, Mischief tried to resist her dazzling blue eyes so he wouldn't grow fonder of her, but he couldn't, when he looked at them, he felt like he was looking at a normal pony, not a princess, no, he had to remember that someone of her rank would never marry a lowly creature such as him