Preparations

At Rips house…

Rip~ I'm worried about him. It's not everyday someone goes through what Dante went through today.

Rainbow~ I'm just as worried as you are.

Sunset~ Same, if only we could find Donny I know he could help him.

Rainbow~ It's just like what Dante said Donny is completely gone.

Sunset~ You guys don't think Donny was killed by Dante's mother right?

Rip~ I'm totally sure she would have let Dante know about it if she actually did kill him.

Rainbow~ Even if she did and we find out before Dante no matter what we can't tell him. The three of us saw and felt what happens when Dante is pushed over the edge.

Rip~ He wouldn't be the same again…

Sunset~ As much as it would suck to keep that secret from him you guys are right. But for now let's assume Donny isn't dead because we don't know where he is exactly.

Rip~ That's understandable, but Dante hates it when secrets are being kept from him. I mean he's in this mess because of a bunch of secrets his mother kept from him.

Rainbow~ As good a point you just made was, we all saw how he reacted when Jamie was killed, imagine what would happen if Donny died or was killed… it would destroy him.

Sunset~ But keeping a secret about it would destroy him even more. We can't keep secrets from him, after all that's the one thing he's tired of.

Rip~ I'm with Sunset on this. Sorry Rainbow but secrets are forbidden in my book.

Rainbow~ *sigh* Fine, no secrets. It's getting late so I'm gonna head home.

Rip~ You're better off staying here. If Dante's mother is out there she wouldn't mind finding another victim.

Rainbow~ I guess that does make sense since she killed Jamie. She might end up hunting us down.

Sunset~ Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Where can we sleep?

Rip~ There's an extra room with two beds across the hall. That room used to belong to my older sisters before they took off to college. You two can sleep there.

Rainbow~ Awesome, thanks Rip.

Rip~ *Yawn* No problem, goodnight girls.

Sunset~ Goodnight.

Rainbow~ Talk to you tomorrow.

Sunset and Rainbow left the room leaving Rip alone. Rip turns off the lamp light next to him and tucks himself in ready to go to sleep.

Meanwhile at Maggie and Laura's house…

Maggie was just about ready for bed until she heard what sounded like crying in another room. She left her room to investigate and soon realized the crying came from her sister's room. Maggie lightly knocks on the door to get Laura's attention.

Maggie~ Ummm Laura, are you ok?

Laura~ I'm fine thank you, now go away.

Maggie~ You don't sound fine at all, I can hear you crying from my room. Laura I really think you and I should talk.

Laura~ I said GO AWAY!

Laura threw a blunt object at the door in an attempt to scare away her sister. Maggie flinched away from the door but didn't leave like her sister wanted. She sat in front of the door trying to talk to her sister.

Maggie~ This is about Donny is it?

Laura~ Will you please leave me ALONE!

Maggie~ No I won't leave you alone. As your sister it's my job to be there for you when you need me the most. You don't realize it but this is one of those times.

Maggie enters the room finding Laura crying under a mountain of pillows and blankets. She also noticed how dim the room was and how cold it was. She had never seen her sister this hurt before. For all she knew Laura was as tough as nails to the point where she had never seen her cry, until now.

Maggie~ Laura…

Laura peeks out from her blanket. Maggie can see the sadness in her own sister's eyes. She knew she couldn't fix a broken heart but she knew she could help comfort that broken heart. Laura slowly reached out at her sister practically asking for a hug. Maggie gets Laura to sit up and they hug.

Maggie~ You know you can talk to me right? I'm always gonna be here for you.

Laura~ Is this how it feels… to have your heart broken?

Maggie~ Yes Laura everyone goes through it at some point in time. It's not easy to deal with even people with the coldest of hearts have this happen to them.

Laura~ Why is it so hard to handle…? I feel cold, empty, and dead. I've never felt this way before…

Maggie~ Yup that's how most of us feel when we're heartbroken. I promise you it will get better.

Laura~ How…? How will it get better? Because the only way this could get better is if I was wrapped in his arms. Even though he doesn't want me, I want him. I don't think I can live without him in my life…

Maggie~ Laura…

Laura grabbed her blanket and threw it on herself. She soon started to sob lightly to herself. Maggie tried to slowly but surely take the blanket off of her emotionally distressed sister. As expected she failed to do so and tried to talk her out of the blanket.

Maggie~ Laura?

Laura~ Leave…

Maggie~ But-

Laura~ I SAID LEAVE GET THE HELL OUT!!!

Maggie was in shock after her sister blew up on her. She didn't want to bother her sister anymore so she left her alone to wallow in her own sorrow. She felt bad for her sister. After all, it was the first time her sister ever felt real love and was rejected by the same person she loved dearly. Maggie decided to call it a night and head to bed. She slowly got in bed tucking herself in and turning off the light next to her bed and in minutes she fell asleep but it wasn't long until she woke up. An hour had passed and she heard footsteps downstairs. She knew nobody other than her sister was home so of course what she heard sparked a red flag. She got up and slowly made her way downstairs with caution. She found an aluminum baseball bat and picked it up in case she needed to defend herself. Without hesitation she turned on the lights but found nobody in the hallway. Maggie then slowly turned the corner heading downstairs. When her foot touched the last stair she quickly turned on the lights, finding nothing in sight. She forgets about what she heard and heads back to bed. She's about to enter her room until she feels a tap on her shoulder. That's when she realized someone was in her house and she did hear someone's footsteps. She's hesitant but she slowly turns around seeing the one person she would have never expected to see.

Donny~ ......

Maggie~........

Donny~ I'm sorry if I scared you-

*SMACK*

Donny had received the hardest hitting slap he had ever received across his entire face. He was hit so hard he ended up falling all the way to the ground moaning in pain.

Donny~ Ouch! Your nails scratched me! I think you drew blood.

Maggie~ You have ten seconds to start talking or I'm gonna take this baseball bat and hit you exactly where you got stabbed.

Donny~ Ok ok no need for violence. As you know I disappeared for a while but for a good reason. Jamie was killed like I predicted and I wanted to watch every move my "mother" made. I had to go off the grid in order to do that because I didn't want you guys to get caught in the crossfire.

Maggie~ Do you know what I had to go through not only me but my sister? I had to take care of my sister who's crushed because of you. I tried everything to cheer her up and nothing worked. A day out, ice cream ( her favorite kind too), stuffed animals, I tried giving her time alone and nothing worked. We ran into Dante at the mall and she couldn't even look at him because he reminded her of you. This was mentally draining for not only her but for me too.

Donny~ Trust me when I say I apologize for everything but I had to make sure Rose didn't do anything suspicious.

Maggie~ I don't believe you for a second. There's another reason you disappeared and you're gonna tell not only me but you mister are telling my sister and the others including Dante himself.

Donny~ Who are you to tell me what to do?

Maggie~ WE WERE ALL WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! Dammit I'm calling everyone in the morning and you're explaining yourself.

Donny~ You know you were a lot less scary when you weren't full of rage.

Maggie~ TAKE YOUR ASS TO SLEEP NOW!

Donny~ Ok! Ok! I'll go to sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning.

Donny walks towards his room as Maggie enters hers.

Maggie~ I need to send Dante a text to let him know that Donny is back.

At Twilight's house…

Five hours after we fell asleep I woke up to a notification on my phone. I reached over to my phone on the nightstand finding out that I received a text from Maggie. It was weird because she was never really one to text me, normally I would text her but only when something happens. And it was really weird when I realized we don't talk much to each other at all so of course I was wondering why she was texting me at 3am. I unlocked my phone and read the text.

Dante~ "Hey Dante, it's me Maggie. You most likely are asleep but I needed to let you know that Donny came back tonight. He tried to explain why he was gone but I don't believe a single word he said. I'm making him explain himself tomorrow just head over to my house whenever I'm sending you my address shortly."

I was surprised, Donny reappearing out of nowhere after he disappeared out of nowhere was shocking. I didn't mind it much because I was too busy wanting to know why he was gone for so long without warning anyone. I soon turned off my phone and went back to sleep firmly holding Twilight in my arms. Fast forward hours later and it's morning the sun is shining, birds are chirping and the dew is glistening. I woke up before Twilight and checked my phone again. I saw I got another text but from my brother this time.

Dante~ "Hey it's me I know we don't talk much but I really want to meet up with you asap. When you wake up make your way to my address"

I didn't want to keep my brother waiting so I kissed Twilight goodbye not before leaving behind a note letting her know where I was going. The sun had just risen so it was still really early. Everyone was most likely still sleeping at this time which was why it was the perfect time to meet up with Donny early. I quickly made my way to the address and knocked on the door. After a few minutes my brother slowly and casually opened the door and allowed me to enter the house.

Donny~ It's been a while hasn't it?

Dante~ Yeah, the last time we talked you were on the rooftop of the hospital.

Donny~ And you were looking for me.

Dante~ Yeah good times. Anyway, why did you want to meet up with me so early?

Donny~ I'm aware of what's been happening lately. From Jamie's death all the way to the ritual.

Dante~ But how? You were nowhere to be seen.

Donny~ Dante as your older brother it's my job to make sure you're safe and to pay attention to what's been going on in your life. I know mom is not gonna do it so I have to.

Dante~ Huh? This is a completely different side of you. What's up?

Donny~ I've changed Dante. I'm not the badass rogue who doesn't care anymore. I'm still a rogue but I'm a reformed rogue.

Dante~ So you're an Owl like me?

Donny~ Dante once someone dedicates their life to being a rogue there's no turning back. I choose to be a rogue so I have to live with it forever. Which is something I think you need to know. You have a gift Dante you don't have a choice because it was made for you when you were born. You have the instincts and mind of an owl but the power of a rogue. Something like that is unheard of.

Dante~ You mean I'm both a Night owl and a Rogue?

Donny~ That's exactly what I'm saying. Believe it or not this is good. Nobody has ever heard or seen anything like this. Imagine how much power someone could have if they had the mind of an Owl but the power of a rogue, the possibilities are limitless.

Dante~ Wow, this is a lot to take in.

Donny~ I understand but know it will all be ok.

Dante~ Are you sure?

Donny~ one hundred percent you'll be fine. To make sure of it I got you this.

Donny held out my old chain necklace. I despised that necklace because my mother gave me that necklace saying it would help but was doing the opposite.

Dante~ No thanks bro.

Donny~ Look I understand this is the last thing you would want from anyone but trust me on this one.

Dante~ All it did was do the opposite of what it was supposed to do which was nothing at all.

Donny~ That's not true actually. Mom may have lied about a lot of things but there was one thing she told the truth about. This necklace was to help you control your emotions and it did just that. You need this Dante especially at times like this… please just take it.

I was hesitant but I couldn't ignore Donny's words. I grabbed the necklace and wrapped it around my neck. Instantly I felt like taking it off and throwing it away, but I can only imagine the trouble Donny went through to get it. I look at Donny in sadness because of the memories I had with this thing.

Dante~ I don't want this around my neck…

Donny~ You need it Dante.

Dante~ No I don't I'm perfectly fine without it.

Donny~ let me know when you won't let flash's words get to you then you can say you don't need it.

Dante~......

Donny~ That's what I thought. I hear Maggie and Laura upstairs you can wait here for the others while I go make things right between Laura and I.

Dante~ She's still hurt huh?

Donny~ Really hurt, I could hear her crying from my room last night. She tried to keep quiet but failed miserably.

Dante~ Are you going to give her a chance?

Donny~ No Dante, I'm not the kind of person to love anyone in that way especially after how I was before I changed.

Dante~ I guess that makes sense. Ok I'll wait here, you go ahead.

Donny headed upstairs to Laura's room while I sat downstairs waiting for the others to come. It was still a bit early so I didn't expect them to be here anytime soon. It was by the time I checked my phone to see what everyone was up to and Maggie came downstairs and sat across from me.

Maggie~ Good morning.

Dante~ Good morning, how did you sleep?

Maggie~ I slept ok. It wasn't the best sleep though.

Dante~ What makes you say that?

Maggie~ It's Laura, she was crying herself to sleep last night. I felt really bad for her because I wanted to help but she wouldn't let me.

Dante~ guessing it's about Donny huh?

Maggie~ I'm afraid that she won't ever let go of the past. That's my sister going through her first heartbreak and it kills me to see her like this. It reminds me about the time I got my heart broken for the first time. This was a few weeks before you and I met, I was gonna ask a guy out. This guy was everything I ever wanted in a guy, he was cute, funny, kind, and generous. I thought I found the one I was looking for.

Dante~ What happened?

Maggie~ He changed… everything about him did a whole one eighty on me. When I walked up to him and confessed how I felt he dug deep into my heart and tore it apart. I was told that I was a joke to him and that any guy would run from me because of how ugly I looked. I knew he was only saying it just to say it and hurt me but I took what he said to heart. I ran away that day, thinking that life was completely over. I was so sad and I ran so far away that I couldn't even comprehend why I was even sad in the first place. My sister was searching high and low for me and she found me in the woods crying my heart out. Just like my sister I was going through my first heartbreak.

Dante~ What happened after she found you?

Maggie~ Laura tried to cheer me up but just like her I drowned in my own sorrow… it was after that day she devoted her life to making sure that as her sister that I'm ok and safe not just physically but emotionally and mentally.

Dante~ But now the roles are switched but her case is worse than yours huh?

Maggie~ Pretty much, I want to help her but nothing I do works. You rarely see it but she smiles almost every day at home but she hasn't even smirked at anything ever since Donny went missing. She's hurt by Donny's words and can't move past it.

Dante~ Is there anything I can do to help her snap back into reality?

Maggie~ I need you to help her in any way possible. Help her realize that just because one guy denied her that it's not the end of the world.

Dante~ I'll do it but right now I think it's best we focus on the real reason why I'm here.

Maggie~ Right, Donny has to explain why he left without telling any of us. When are the others going to get here?

Dante~ Twilight was still sleeping when I left but chances are she's up now. Rip normally wakes up around noon and it's only thirty minutes until then. I don't know about the others.

Maggie~ if you can please send a message to them I'm going to go check on Laura.

Laura~ DAMN YOU DONNY! GET OUT!

Dante~ Might want to do more than just check on her.

Maggie bolts upstairs, leaving me alone in the living room. I sent a quick text to the others and it didn't take long for them to let me know that they were already on their way here. I decided to go upstairs and see what everything was about but damn I should have sat my ass down. The second I entered her room I immediately saw Donny getting beat with a heavy backpack and Donny trying to take the bag away from her along with Maggie. I gain everyone's attention as I slam my fist into the door.

Dante~ What the living hell is going on here!? I'm surprised the cops haven't shown up yet.

Donny~ I wanted to make things right but I ended up making things worse between Laura and I.

Laura~ You purposely put me through all that pain and suffering and for what, Just to have no reason why you did it?

Donny~ it's not like that at all please listen.

Laura~ Why should I? So you can hurt me even more than you already have and leave just like you did the first time?

Maggie~ Laura please stop, this is getting out of hand. You're literally harming the one person you love the most with a heavy backpack and aren't holding back because of this. You need to face reality.

Laura~ What reality?

Dante~ That you can't dwell on the past. We understand you're hurt but you have to realize that it's not the end of the world. There are plenty of guys that would give you a chance, you just have to keep your head up and let them come naturally.

Laura calms down a bit and puts the backpack down. The doorbell rings and Laura walks out of the room in complete silence. We followed her into the living room and a few of us sat down as Maggie opened the front door. Soon after Maggie invited everyone inside the house trying to hide what had just happened upstairs in Laura's room. Everyone gathered together wondering what was so important that they all had to meet Donny as soon as possible.

Donny~ I'm glad you all could make it here.

Rip~ Damn you'd better be glad it was a hassle trying to get here. You guys have a lot of people in this neighborhood that don't know how to drive.

Twilight~ Ummmm Rip, you don't know how to drive either.

Rip~ It doesn't take someone with a license to see a terrible driver.

Twilight~ I guess that makes sense.

Dante~ You two are worried about the wrong thing.

Sunset~ To be fair we don't know what to worry about anyway because we don't know why we're here in the first place.

Donny~ The reason why you're here is because I want to explain why I was gone for so long without letting any of you know.

Maggie~ Well explain away please.

Donny~ Before I start I wanted to let you all know that I'm aware of what's been going on lately. The death of Jamie, Dante's power becoming too much for you all to handle, I know it all.

Rainbow~ How do you know about all of this?

Applejack~ You haven't been anywhere in sight, there's no way ya know about this.

Donny~ It may not look like it but I have eyes everywhere. It's a rogue ability. It's something we use to keep track of our enemy.

Rainbow~ Hold the phone, that means you could have been helping us this whole time!?

Twilight~ Yeah, we needed your help the whole time and you were nowhere to be found and now you're telling us you were there the whole time. What is wrong with you Dante has needed you ever since Rose was confirmed to be a rogue and killed Jamie.

Dante~ Twilight, Rip, let him finish please.

Donny~ Thanks brother, I wanted to tell you guys that not only I've been keeping track of Dante I've also been keeping track of our mother and things got a little close and personal.

Rarity~ Darling you don't mean you came face to face with her do you?

Donny~ I did, and she knew I was tracking her because she was tracking me. She wanted me to help her kill the wife of the man she killed.

Applejack~ Why would she ask for help when she was able to do it the first time?

Rarity~ Obviously she would have been prepared the second time she paid her a little visit. It's what everyone would do if someone killed someone close to them they take the extra precautions.

Dante~ Sounds accurate to me.

Donny~ It is because that's exactly what happened. I agreed to help her and we paid her a visit but let's just say someone didn't get what they wanted. Mom was gonna kill the woman but I stopped her last second and got the woman to safety and her daughter. Mom was pissed when she found me afterwards but I was able to expose her for who she really is that night.

Dante~ That's why I haven't seen her lately, she's been hiding.

Donny~ She's finally on the run and they won't stop at anything to find her. That of course doesn't mean we can't find her ourselves and kill her.

Maggie~ Kill her?

Fluttershy~ I'm sorry but don't you think that's a little extreme.

Donny~ If she continues to live then killing her would be the least extreme thing anyone will ever hear about. This woman is pure evil, she's sick and mentally ill. We're talking about a woman who tortures her "play things" for fun and then watches them bleed as they gasp for their last breath.

Pinkie Pie~ She sounds really scary.

Fluttershy~ More like terrifying.

Sunset~ Dante what do you think about all of this? Surely you have to have second thoughts about this.

Dante~ I do but honestly even if she is captured no cell will keep her locked up I just know it.

Maggie~ Are you actually considering killing the person who gave you life?

Dante~ I guess I am, after all she's really dangerous to just be roaming around the area or the land as we know it. She could cause more trouble than she already has.

Rip~ True but is killing your own mother really the best solution?

Donny~ It's the only solution. Unless you have a better idea then I suggest keeping your mouth shut.

Rip~ Well damn rude much?

Donny~ Anyway I want you all to know that she can be anywhere and you all need to stay alert. If you see her, don't go after her. Dante and I can handle her while you all stay safe.

Twilight~ But what if you can't? You might need our help just in case.

Donny~ No, that won't be necessary. She's a Rogue like me, it takes a strong Rogue or Owl to stop Another Rogue or Owl.

Maggie~ Look we may not be Rogues or Owls but I know we can help even a little.

Donny~ I'm not gonna put my friends in danger knowing I could have kept them safe.

Rip~ Friends?

Rarity~ Darling I understand where you're coming from completely but at least let Dante express how he feels about this please.

Donny~ *sigh* Dante, what do you think should we let them help or keep them safe?

Dante~ As much as I know you all can help even i highly advise we keep you all safe. Trust me when I say this is possibly the best option.

Everyone gave each other a look of assurance, trusting everything I told them.

Rip~ *sigh* You know I hate watching from the sidelines… but if you think we should stay back then I'm all for it.

Applejack~ Same here, I'm sure the two of you have things covered.

Rarity~ Well I'll have to admit that it's better to stay safe than be sorry.

Fluttershy~ I would have chosen to stay safe in the first place.

Pinkie Pie~ Wait so we can't shoot rainbows at her? That sucks but I'll stay safe anyway.

Sunset~ I think most of us agree that it's better to not interfere.

Maggie~ The question now is what's the plan?

Donny~ Rose most likely knows who you all are and where you all live.

Dante~ It would be best if we relocate you all to a place we know our mother can never find you all, the question is where exactly?

Fluttershy~ Um I have a penthouse apartment rented out for the summer we can all stay there for the time being. It's got rooms and showers for all of us.

Dante~ Any chance you could let everyone else stay with you?

Fluttershy~ No problem and the best part about this place is that it's in a completely different city. It's far from our current homes but it's somewhere where Rose can't find us.

Donny~ Sounds like a plan, Everyone go home and start packing your things to get ready for a long drive in the morning. Chances are you won't be returning back home for a long time.

Maggie~ What about you and Dante? Where are you two going to live?

Donny~ Actually we don't have to worry about finding a place to stay. Anyway Dante I need you for a few minutes. There are some things I need to teach you before we start searching.

Dante~ No prob I'll see y'all before you leave in the morning.

I followed my brother outside wondering what he wanted to teach me.

Donny~ First off I need to ask you a question. Do you think you need to sleep every night?

Dante~ Well yeah we still have human qualities don't we?

Donny~ Yes and no sleep is not really important to Night Owls because they can last for days without sleep without losing your ability to think critically or see hallucinations. I can do the same but me being a Rogue we can't stay up as long as Owls because we focus on strength and IQ.

Dante~ So me being able to stay up for a long time without side effects will give us an advantage?

Donny~ Exactly but even night owls need rest at some point. The average human can only go about two or three days until they experience a loss in critical thinking and see hallucinations. That's not a problem for you because you can go twice as long without experiencing anything. I want you to use that to your advantage to help find mom okay.

Dante~ Got it.

Donny~ Awesome.

Dante~ Alright I'm gonna go help Twilight pack up I'll be ready for the search tomorrow morning.

Donny~ Alright see you tomorrow.

I left my brother to go help Twilight with her stuff. When I got to her house I could see velvet loading up the back of their truck. I figured Twilight let her know what was going on and had her family pack their things as well. I walked into the house and made my way to Twilight's room. I found Twilight sitting on her bed with a sad look on her face.

Dante~ Hey, what's up? Do you need help?

Twilight~ No I don't need help packing. I don't need much anyway.

Dante~ Oh, I also see your family packing their things. I'm guessing you let them know what's going on.

Twilight~ Yeah they're heading to the same place as we are but they rented their own penthouse for the time being. It's just in case I ever need them I know they won't be far from me.

Dante~ That's awesome!

Twilight~ Yeah… Awesome.

Dante~ Twilight what's wrong? And don't say nothing is wrong. I've been with you long enough to know something is up.

Twilight started to shed a few tears as she balled up her hands into fists. I sat down next to her and wrapped her in my arms to keep her as calm as possible.

Twilight~ I'm scared of losing you Dante. I'm scared that you might not survive… What if she captures and tortures you? what if she takes the one thing that makes you well… you? Or worse, what if she kills you and I never see you again? I can't, l just can't.

Dante~ Twilight, I can't predict the future but I can promise you that I will be ok. Remember that I'm always with you in spirit and my spirit will never leave even when I'm dead.

I lifted Twilight's chin up and looked her in her purple, glistening eyes. I gave her a light kiss and hugged her.

Dante~ I love you Twi.

Twilight~ I love you too Dante.

Dante~ I'll stay here with you if you'd like.

Twilight~ Yes please.

Dante~ No problem.

Twilight packs up the last of her stuff before she falls asleep in my arms. It was the night before the search was to begin and I wanted to spend this last potential night with the person I loved the most. Soon I fell asleep and the night shone as the morning was slowly coming.