private Sombra's Shadow

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Without thinking, Psych picked up a hooffull of rocks in his telekinesis and chucked them at the shadows, aiming between their eyes to deter them. "G-get out of here, you monsters! We aren't afraid of you!" He threw another barrage of rocks at them, not really looking at them, but hoping one of them hit their target.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt was shoving the cart with all his might.  He whipped his head back and slung Trivy, cloak and all, up onto the cart.  She landed with a hard THUMP in the back, and the two fillies onboard screamed in unison as she landed right on top of them.  Their heads poked out, and one of them said, "Miss Trivy, do something!"

 

Meanwhile, the old stallion continued to push the cart by sheer force alone.  He was paying no attention to his body; there would be time for that later... if there WAS a later.

 

"DAMMIT! C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon COME ON!!!"

 

He didn't even have a chance to glance over his shoulder at the oncoming hordes; he was too busy pushing and keeping an eye on the path behind the cart.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Trivy groaned as she didn't land softly onto the cart. She got of the two fillies as quick as she could. "Sorry, are you girls okay?" She said worried. The two fillies nodded. "It's okay Trivy, it wasn't your fault."

 

Trivy looked around and saw they were surrounded by shadows. "Hh..Harcourt? What.. what do we do?" Trivy said as they almost crashed into a wall of shadows. Trivy jumped of the cart in front of Harcourt, causing him to stop. "We can't crash into them remember? We will end up like them." She yelled. Trivy looked back at the cart, one of the fillies was wrapped into shadows while the other tried to save her. Behind her, the pregnant mare was grabbed by her hoofs, dragged across the floor by another one of the shadows. The wall of shadows fell apart and in a blink they were gone.

 

Trivy walked back to the cart. The filly couldn't save her friend and started crying. Trivy grabbed the filly in a tight hug. She then proceeded to sit down on the ground and cry with her.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt puffed and wheezed.  The effort he'd just made had been titanic, and he was far too exhausted to answer at first.  He saw spots in front of his eyes, and his heart was hammering at his ribs.  His shoulder had a large, ripe purple bruise from slamming into and pushing the cart, and his rear hooves were bleeding again.  He gulped in large gasps of air, trying desperately to catch his breath.

 

Keep this up, and your heart will burst; low and slow.  Low and slow.  Low and slow...

 

He forcibly began making his intakes of air even out, shutting his eyes and concentrating on regaining a more even breathing pattern.  After a few moments, he got to his hooves.  He surveyed the scene, taking in what remained of the group after the attack.  His eyes finally brought their gaze to Trivy and the young filly.  He stared for a moment; his face was covered in sweat, but his expression was stone cold.

 

"Group up.  Gather yourselves.  Resume formation.  You, Psych; up on the cart - we'll need your ears to keep a sharp scan for any further attacks coming our way.  From there, I believe you'll have a bit further range." 

 

He waited long enough for the party to assume their defensive positioning, then addressed them again.

 

"We have tonight's journey ahead of us, then we should reach our destination by tomorrow."

 

He moved to the cart, reached into the back and brought out a length of rope.  Though it would mean rough blisters and even more difficulty with the damned wagon of agony, but the straps were broken when he went to rescue Trivy; there was no other choice.  He began tying himself to the cart.  There wouldn't be a repeat of the earlier escape - if they were attacked again, Harcourt would be at the mercy of the cart... and he already knew how much mercy it had for him.

 

"Enough.  The sooner we move, the less chance we have of being caught unaware again."  He finished tying the last knot, and he looked directly at Trivy, no sympathy visible on his features.

 

"No time for tears."

 

He began to pull the cart again, continuing down the path.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@Randimaxis, @@Pucksterv,

 

 

With a rustle, Lilith dropped down from the trees, swearing under her breath. Not only had the distraction cost her one of her few remaining shadow arrows, she had failed distract more than a handful of them. That, and it seems that they had all disappeared. Still, she was surprised to see that they had only taken two- a young mare that was pregnant and a filly. What in the hell are these commander thinking? I understand that Sombra's power-mad, but does this mean that you freak them out and crush their spirits in order to win, especially when you could have destroyed them right then and there?

 

She hardened her heart as Trivy was crying with a small filly, although part of her wished to mourn with them. She paused, waiting for them as the cart trundled forwards, although it slowly plucked at her heartstrings. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore- she was curious about this one's utter despair. "Most ponies I have seen never cry at tragedy, and those I have mourn privately, when they are alone. Why... why do you mourn like this? Surely you must have lost ponies to these fiends before...?"

[Count Paradox 3,548]

His heart still pounding at a million miles an hour, he simply nodded and climbed up into the cart, sitting awkwardly amongst the supplies. Twitching his ears this way and that, he began listening for things that sounded a bit out of place. When no such noise hit his ears, he let out a sigh of relief and relaxed, his heartbeat slowing to a normal pace. It seemed that they were in the clear once again. "It sounds like the shadows have fallen back for now."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt nodded at Psych's words.  "Good.  Keep sharp."  He kept his pace steady, though the ropes that now held the cart to him were already starting to chap his shoulders and flank.  He spared a glance over his shoulder.

 

"We've not had an opportunity to speak, and now isn't exactly the best time... but I did wish to take a moment to tell you that your attempt to drive off the shades was duly noted.  I thank you for your help, even if it seems as if it were ineffective - it was effective enough to convince me of your usefulness, Psych.  Perhaps we can speak more of this later; for now, keep those ears of yours tuned to the world around us if you would, please."

 

Turning back to the road ahead, Harcourt showed no expression on his face whatsoever... but the voice in his head was being QUITE expressive.

 

Two more... Cornucopia Feast and little Shy Violet.  DAMNATION, I wasn't fast enough!  How will I ever be able to get these few to Baltimare in one piece, much less all the way to the Griffon Kingdom?  Useless, Harcourt - YOU ARE USELESS!  Your journey started with nineteen ponies; soon, we'll be into single digits!  YOU OLD FOOL!  EVERY loss is YOUR OWN RUTTING FAULT!  You have no business trying to lead them from this wretched land - YOU'RE GETTING THEM KILLED!  How will you explain your losses to yourself tonight, you stupid nag?  Will you use the 'I tried my best' excuse?  Perhaps a touch of the 'this is Sombra's fault and not mine' tango?  Or shall it be that old favorite, 'I still saved a few'?  

 

He could feel tears trying to come, but he didn't let them - wouldn't let them - because he didn't have time for tears... even his own.

 

You are still losing ponies - and as long as they keep putting faith in you, you'll keep losing them!  You're a washed-up old has-been of a criminal, trying to set your karmic balance right before utter exhaustion finally does you in... which would serve you right, wouldn't it?  By Luna, you're practically a MURDERER, trying to do the impossible and setting these poor souls directly in the way of the juggernaut that is Sombra!  You should leave them be - in fact, you should leave them TONIGHT; they would be FAR better off without your constant bumbling, wouldn't they?  Heck, Trivy makes a far better leader than YOU do.  Idiot!  Stupid!  Hackneyed old fool!  Rutting moron!

 

He could feel the first of what was to be many blisters begin to swell on his flank.  He dutifully ignored it.

 

Yes, you should leave them tonight... but you won't, will you?  No, you won't do it - you haven't the GUTS to go on alone.  COWARD.  You could spare them the suffering you'll bring down upon their heads, but it's far too difficult to do so.  You lazy, arrogant, stubborn old coward.  The shame you carry will be more painful to you than anything the rutting cart can do, won't it?

 

The corners of his mouth trembled, but he bit into his tongue and that helped him regain enough composure to stop himself from losing his demeanor completely, reducing him to a bawling colt.  A small trickle of blood rolled down from the right side of his lip; he absent-mindedly licked it clean and continued on down the path.

 

You should have died alongside your family, you useless pile of horseflesh.

 

He trotted on, never saying a word.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

 

 

"Most ponies I have seen never cry at tragedy, and those I have mourn privately, when they are alone. Why... why do you mourn like this? Surely you must have lost ponies to these fiends before...?"

 

"Sorry I had a weak moment. There is nothing that can make me cry... except for the tears of a child." Trivy said as she whipped away her last tears. She grabbed the filly and started walking, carrying the small foal on her back. "As Harcourt said, no time to morn. We gotta keep moving."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Psych simply nodded at his kind words, and went right back to surveying for any odd noises. When nothing out of the ordinary hit his ears, he relaxed for a bit. Concentrating was putting a bit of a strain on his head, and he laid it down, a bit dizzy from exertion.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

They traveled for a long time, keeping to the path and staying alert.  There was no complaining, no conversation, nothing.  Too much had happened to them in far too short a time.  Even the filly on the cart was quiet - no more songs for her; she didn't have a singing partner anymore.

 

Trivy kept the map handy, pointing the way when needed.  Psych either napped fitfully or acted as a radar for any trouble that may have come their way.  Lilith kept more to the treelines, her Ranger training making her their first line of defense.  Harcourt, as always, pulled the cart.

 

The rest of the group was silent.  They'd seen the argument between Harcourt & Trivy, the introduction of the somewhat intimidating Ranger, the rocks thrown telekinetically by the mysterious Psych and the attack by the shadows - the tension in the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife and eat it... which, given the chance, the group probably would do exactly that.

 

Hours passed, until the darkness of night fell upon them all, its purple hues of dusk giving way to the blackness of night.  The lack of actual rest was beginning to grind down the entire group, and it was obvious that they needed both food and rest - either of which was in short supply, but with the shadows held at bay by the night, they had a while to possibly get in what they could before Baltimare's skyline would be in sight tomorrow.

 

"Miss Lilith, Psych... Trivy - scan the area and make certain we have room for making camp without unseen guests."  Harcourt's words made a few of the ponies jump; he hadn't spoken since the attack.  "We won't get to where we're going if we don't take a breather.  Everypony else, sweep the area clean of brush, and get rocks for a campfire ring.  We are stopping here for tonight, and that is that."  

 

Harcourt began untying himself from the cart.  The ropes were stained red where they had been touching him, but he showed no emotion.  He looked as if he had been literally whipped until he bled; he merely finished loosening himself, then took a scrap of cloth from the back of the wagon and dutifully (yet carefully) wiped his flank off.  Underneath looked no better, with open blisters running trenches across his worn body.  He finished wiping up, then set to setting out what food they had remaining for the group's consumption.

 

The lone filly on the cart turned to Psych.  "Mr. Psych... thank you for using your ears for us."  She gave him a quick hug, then hopped down from the cart.

 

One of the other ponies in the group trotted over to Lilith.  "I, uh... thank you for helping us.  I know it's your... your job as a Ranger... but thank you all the same."  He went back to join the group.

 

"Miss Trivy," the pony with the cracked glasses said as he approached her, "once we reach Baltimare, do we already have transportation to the Griffon Kingdom arranged?"  He looked genuinely concerned.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

 

 

"Miss Trivy," the pony with the cracked glasses said as he approached her, "once we reach Baltimare, do we already have transportation to the Griffon Kingdom arranged?"  He looked genuinely concerned.

 

"Well, I didn't make reservations if that's what you mean. Baltimare is the only city that isn't under Sombra's control. The city is protected by a wall of at least 20 feet. Well that's what I heard anyway. It's full of ponies who were able to escape Sombra's forces. Meaning it can take days, maybe even weeks before we can get out of there." Trivy sighed. "But don't worry, as I said before, gigantic walls, it's the safest place in all Equestria." She said with a reassuring smile. "Now if you don't mind sir, I shall return to my duties."

 

Trivy scanned the area for a bit before she returned towards Harcourt. "It's clear as far as I know."

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

Rave had made arrangements to travel to the guard tower that had been attacked. He was mostly concerned about the maps laid out there, although they held no information of military importance, they did show other guard towers and small guard outposts and also other paths that he did not want the rebels to know about (and then it was really just his obsession with maps). 

 

Everything was dark. Rave lit his horn and managed to light up the room he was. He was flanked by two pegasi Darkmane guards. They activated their torches and started replacing other torches with new torches on the wall. They were in the tower that had been attacked, but nopony had changed the torches that lighted up the place, the reason for the darkness. Rave started walking around, inspecting the place, ignoring the corpse of a Darkmane guard and checking the maps first. After looking over the maps that were stored on a shelf, he did not notice anything missing, then his eye caught something. He turned to look at the dead guard. There was something wrong with the armor. He understood that the armor of his guards were often dented and scratched from battle, mostly with each other these days as they had to fight each other to stay trained. But those did not look like any marks of battle, they looked more like carvings. 

 

He approached the body and looked at the carving on the armor. "FOR VYLIA" it said. Rave was now wearing a dark look on his face. "I killed them all.... they are all dead.... I KILLED THEM ALL" he said with anger as he flung a nearby table with his magic. If there was anything he hated, it was loose ends. He knew that this Blackwater would stop at nothing to try and get his personal revenge. Although he was both terrified, but also mad, the dark voice seemed to be pleased. 

 

"This is an opportunity that should not be missed....". 

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"Tyes sir..." He stood, getting ready to hop off the cart, but then the young filly suddenly thank and hug him. He reflexively twitched away, seeing as he was not expecting it. However, he allowed her to give him the hug and go on her way, and it left him thinking, seeing as nopony had ever thanked him before. He hopped down, listening as his mind went over that.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@Count Paradox, @@Pucksterv, @@Randimaxis,  

 

Lilith bowed slightly from her perch in the trees. "It is no issue at all, sir..." but that was all she was able to get out before the apparently shy stallion rejoined the group with haste. She smiled almost imperceptively; it appeared that they were warming up to her. Slowly, but surely.

 

With a sigh, she quickly ran around the perimeter of the clearing, taking note of some of the odds and ends of the area, before approaching Harcourt again. "The clearing is roughly fifteen by twenty meters- a large enough space where we might be able to set up tents if we have any in our possession. There are several different locations well enough to scavenge, as well as to make a few poultices for healing purposes. The road ahead and behind are clear, and if there are any Shadow Beasts, they would have to have a ranger's knowledge of terrain in order to catch us before nightfall- as long as we set up a watch, we should be safe from ambush for the evening." She paused here and glanced at Trivy before continuing.

 

"In addition," she commented, "by the way you are looking right now, if you do not relax and let either me or someone in this group look at your wounds willingly within the next hour, I will have someone sit on you or request that Trivy restrain you with a spell while those cuts get disinfected and bandaged, at least so that they may heal a bit overnight. I do not wish for you to become a casualty by infection, and some of those gashes go to the bone."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt could feel every blister throbbing in time to the beating of his heart.  He had actually taken a stale roll, half an apple and the last hooffull of nuts from his hidden pouch, and had eaten them all within minutes.  It had been too long since his last actual meal, and though he wanted to make certain the others didn't starve, he knew better than to hold off any longer.  He already blamed himself for their losses - he refused to be more of a burden by needing to be either carried or buried.

 

He saw Lilith approaching, and was hoping for a good report of the area; if anypony knew how the lay of the land would be, it would be a Ranger.

 

"The clearing is roughly fifteen by twenty meters- a large enough space where we might be able to set up tents if we have any in our possession. There are several different locations well enough to scavenge, as well as to make a few poultices for healing purposes. The road ahead and behind are clear, and if there are any Shadow Beasts, they would have to have a ranger's knowledge of terrain in order to catch us before nightfall- as long as we set up a watch, we should be safe from ambush for the evening."

 

"Excellent.  I would prefer to have two ponies awake with Psych on first watch; considering that he spent the last few hours in the cart, he'll be much better rested than he was earlier.  Nudge Trivy awake with two others at half-night for the remaining shift.  Take watch as you please, Miss Crow - I'll trust your judgement."

 

"In addition, by the way you are looking right now, if you do not relax and let either me or someone in this group look at your wounds willingly within the next hour, I will have someone sit on you or request that Trivy restrain you with a spell while those cuts get disinfected and bandaged, at least so that they may heal a bit overnight. I do not wish for you to become a casualty by infection, and some of those gashes go to the bone."

 

He could feel his blood boil at the very idea that he would be spoken to like a small foal this way.  After all the abuse he'd given himself over the last few hours, he was nearly fed up with the idea of any more.  Even if it was good-natured, he was a cantankerous old pony whose pride felt like a good fight after all the insults it had taken from his own mind.

 

However, his age had also brought some wisdom with it, and he could still hear the actual sense in the Ranger's words.  He gave a single sigh, then looked at his still bleeding flank.

 

"Fine.  Make it quick, please."  

 

It was a chore to swallow the venom he felt rising in his throat, but he knew Lilith's words had merit.  He felt that it would be far better to use sense and not ego when it came to survival.  He had trust in the Ranger, and was certain she could - at the very least - ease the pain.  He felt like he should suffer for their losses, but he wasn't a masochist.

 

Trivy approached, and said, "It's clear as far as I know."

 

"Fine.  Good.  Go tend to the others.  They need you."  

 

He was still angry with Trivy for her earlier statements, and couldn't help but still feel both ignored and rejected.  Though his wounds were being seen to, the venom of her words still stung him deeply.  His words to her were terse, but they were considerably more tame than what he wanted to say.  He turned away from her, staring at the ground as Lilith began to work on him.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@@Randimaxis,

 

She dropped her bag and drew out some clean bandages, as well as a a small handful of berries, a half-filled jar of honey, and, after some thought, a tiny vial of a chemical that she was told was something called iodine. She used some on a gash on her hoof to clean it out, and she was doubled over, biting back screams as it caused a chemical burn that cleaned and sealed the wound from further infection. She resolved to not need to use it unless she needed to, but, looking at the state of his hooves, she knew it was inevitable.

 

Keeping this in mind, she quickly mashed the berries into a paste, using a generous amount of honey as both a germ-killing agent as well as to speed the healing. She quickly wrapped this in a seperate thin, clean cloth before binding it to his side with one of the bandages, allowing the juices to soak into the gashes and clean them out. She quickly prepared another poultice and bound it to the other side of his body before taking the first one off and binding the bandages tighter to prevent reinfection. After another moment, she repeated the second part on the opposite side.

 

"That solves your sides... now, concerning your hooves, your bent, old horseshoes will need to come off and stay off until they can be reforged, and I'm going to have to apply something mean and nasty to your hooves to clean them." She held up the small glass vial. "This is a devious chemical called iodine. I am unsure if it has become commonplace out in wide Equestria, but it was a breakthrough when I got it from another ranger, and I still have a small supply of it left outside of this vial, as well as the equipment to make my own should it run out. It is a medical chemical that will purge every single germ, virus, and bacteria from your hooves, and cauterize it simultaneously. However," she grimaced, "it'll feel like you are toasting your hooves in hellfire. After a single nights sleep, you will be ready to walk on them again, but it is going to hurt horribly for about fifteen minutes. But with the state of your hooves, I think you'll be happy with the results tomorrow." She shrugged, putting the vial back and picking up her bags. "However, it is going to take you off your feet for about thirty minutes, so if you have anything else you want to do before you sit down for a goodwhile, go ahead and do it now."

 

With a bow, she backed off. "I will go gather some of the edible plants I have located for dinner, and perhaps you could delegate someone to take the young filly and allow her to pick berries and talk a bit- there's a bush right on the other end of the clearing, and she probably wants someone to talk to before something bad happens psychologically. You might want to find something to bite down on without damaging your teeth, though- I meant it when I said it feels like toasting your hooves in hellfire." And, with that, Lilith jumped into the trees again, taking off through the branches to locate the edible plants she had located earlier.

 

With an afterthought, she pulled out the orb as she arrived to the first grove and whispered to it, "Mii-surklo ikra...," and the orb's dim glow vanished. With that, she quietly began harvesting the plants that she had located earlier, pondering what would happen that evening... if anything.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Iodine... roasting in Hellfire... well, maybe it'll help me to feel atoned for what I've been responsible for.  Couldn't possibly be any worse than pulling the damnable cart.

 

Harcourt searched around a bit, and eventually settled on a length of rope that wasn't covered in his blood.  It would do as a biting brace, as he was well aware of how bad pain could be - and he had no idea exactly how bad it would be, but he was rather certain the Ranger wasn't lying.

 

She's quite capable, this Lilith Crow.  It was extremely fortunate for us to come across her; I'd be worried that it was TOO fortunate, but she's proving more and more to be a true example of a Ranger.  I don't see any reason to exclude her from our group - in fact, she would make an excellent replacement for me, should I actually decide to step down from pushing this unit forward.  Mayhaps I should retire... after three more.  One down, three to go.

 

He relegated himself to a patch of ground near the campfire, and waited for Lilith's return.

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Psych walked up to Harcourt, his eyes closed as he concentrated. "I havent noticed any noises out of the ordinary, save for the shuffle of the ponies in our group." He sat down, across the fire from him. "Is there anything else i can help with? I may not be strong, but i can help other ways, such as scavenging for food."

Edited August 28, 2015 by Count Paradox

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt looked over the blind pony.  

 

"My dear lad, strength resides in one's mind, not their body.  Yours seems to be far stronger than your outward appearances show, and that is always something to take advantage of.  You seem nervous and hesitant - with where you've supposedly come from, that is quite understandable - but you should truly adjust your way of thinking to find what power lies within."

 

He pointed at the campfire.  "Fire, in and of itself, is just FIRE... but it can be utilized for many things, yes?  Warmth.  Cooking.  Offensive capabilities.  This makes fire quite varied in its usefulness; I would assume this would speak of your own talent as well.  Nopony worth their salt lick ever truly denounces fire.  Neither should you ever speak ill of what abilities you have been gifted with."

 

He kind of liked this one; he might be a good candidate for training... of course, Harcourt himself had no idea how to train his mental abilities, but mayhaps he could be trained otherwise?  He considered the possibility for later; right now, the poor stallion seemed too new to the gathering here to be comfortable doing anything of that nature, so Harcourt simply decided to let it go at that.

 

"At any rate, if you wish to scavenge you are of course free to do so.  We would certainly welcome any supplement you may add to our meager reserves.  You're quite the good lad, by the way.  Thank you for using your ears to our advantage.  Hopefully, we will get a chance to speak more later... you intrigue me, and not in a bad way.  Mayhaps we could even try a bit of training later," he said, then glanced at Trivy.  His face fell a bit, but he still spoke kindly to Psych.  "if this would be what you wish."

 

And if I feel like I am still worthy of doing such, of course.

 

"Please feel free to do as you wish, Psych; there are no chains here."  With this, Harcourt gave him the smallest of grins.

[Count Paradox 3,548]

He nodded. " thank you for the kind words." He got up to leave, but stopped. "If I may... I know that there once was two fillies with this group, as I could obviously tell by the earlier singing. But I can also tell something went wrong when the shades attacked. One of them disappeared, right?" His eyebrows furrowed into a worried look. "The filly that's left must be devastated. I understand what it's like being left alone, though... If you would like, I can go talk to her, give her company for a while. Allow her to get her feelings out."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt thought for a moment... then nodded sagely.

 

"It is not a horrible idea; I would most appreciate your efforts.  Be gentle with her - Lovely Wing grew up with Shy Violet, and now that Violet's gone, I'm certain she'll be far less... talkative... than she once was."

 

Poor Wing, he thought, I hope she doesn't lose her voice for singing; I'll actually miss the cider song.

 

"And thank you again; you're a fine fellow, Psych."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"I understand. I'll be kind with her." He spread his sight, searching for the young filly. When he spotted her, he slowly walked up, giving the nicest smile he could manage at the time. "Hello there. Are you Lovely Wing? I've heard a lot about you. Are you ok? Do you need anything?" He sat next to her. "I'm here to talk, if you would like that."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

It turned out that Lovely Wing was the filly that had hugged him earlier.  She looked up at him, her eyes still wet with tears and streaked with them down her muzzle.  She regarded him for a moment, not afraid... but by the look on her face, she seemed to be waiting for the very trees to jump at her and attack.

 

She stared for a moment more, then simply said, "If I let the shadows take me too, will I ever see Violet again?"

 

With that, what little composure she had melted, and she threw herself at Psych, wailing pitifully as she wrapped her forelegs around him.  She was shaking like a leaf on the wind, and her tears came endlessly from her squeezed-shut eyes.  Her misery was apparent in every sob, and Wing babbled incoherently between each gasp for breath.

 

She held onto Psych like he was the only thing that kept her from falling away from the world forever. 

[Count Paradox 3,548]

A bit surprised by her sudden embrace, it took him a moment to register what was happening, but when he did, he hugged her tightly back. "Shhh... It's ok... We'll get her back... I promise you'll be able to see her again. And don't ever think of giving yourself up to the shadows. That's a bad idea. Just... Calm down, I promise, everything will be ok." He spoke in a calming tone, one used by older siblings to calm the younger members of their families. He gently pet her mane, allowing her to sob into his coat. "And don't forget, we're here for you, too. Harcourt, Trivy, the entire group. Even me. I promise that we'll always be there to help you."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"There... th-th-there is no a-a-always... except th-th-the shadowwwwwws..." 

 

She snuggled against Psych, sobbing into his coat and leaving drops of her pain behind.  Lovely Wing was almost inconsolable... but after a few minutes, her sobs slowed, then became mere whimpers as she let her emotions out..  There was nothing more heartbreaking, yet more honest, than the tears of a child.

 

After a moment more, she looked up at him.  "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Psych... you're... you're so nice..."  She hugged him tighter, and even gave a small but weak grin.  "Thank you... would it b-b-be okay if I called you my big... my big brother?"

 

It would be extremely difficult to tell that earnest, pained face anything but yes.