Solar Beginnings

Chapter 43

The festival for Pharynx Jr. lasted for about a week. I was allowed to stay in the Changeling Hive for the duration of it. It was a good time for everyone, and as heartbreaking as it was to celebrate the death of a dear friend, no one was really sad. Everyone made the most of the tragedy.

I got on the train back to Canterlot with the few things I had brought on my back.

"Please come back soon, Summer. You're always welcome here." Pharynx told me.

"Alright." I said simply.

A group of Changeling children ran up to me and jumped on me. I shoved my stuff off my back before they did, and I fell to the ground when they did. "Come back soon! Playing with you is a lot of fun!" They yelled.

"I'll come back as soon as I feel ready to. But right now this place just seems... distant for me. A lot has happened here in such a short time... It's almost crazier than everything else." I said.

"We understand, Summer. Whenever you feel ready to, come back to visit. You've done a lot for my kind. We owe you a lot that cannot be repaid." Thorax said.

"I don't expect anything I've done to be repaid. I did my job." I told him.

"Still holding onto that. Some things may never change. Farewell, Summer." Thorax said, lifting my stuff onto my back with his magic.

"That's something I don't plan to change. Until next time." I said. I got on the train, set my stuff down, and looked out the window at the small crowd of Changelings gathered outside the train.

"So, what's it like to be Equestria's hero, Summer Flare?" A random pony sitting a few seats back asked me. I hadn't even noticed him before.

"It's not any different. I choose to make it that way." I replied.

"You ever wonder what you'll do if Equestria needs you again?" He asked me.

"No. I'll deal with that when the time comes. But hopefully Equestria gets a lasting peace now." I said. I had to get back to Canterlot. Something about this pony seemed off to me, and I didn't want to wait to stick around.