Author's note: the story's rewriting has started, this chapter is obviously the first. Have fun rereading the improved version!
'Summer! At last!'
That was my first thought when I woke up. The early sun's rays had already moved out of my room, and didn't bother me while I was sleeping. Here I am. A proud pegasi colt. Tan coat, light-green eyes, royal-blue mane, and royal expectations about my breakfast.
"Zephy! Wake up! Breakfast is waiting you!"
I heard my mother's voice. Kind mare, but pretty strict at times... especially when I did something forbidden. But what else could I do when I was three and half years old?
"I'm coming!" I shouted downstairs, then jumped out of the bed, washed my face in the bathroom, and with a short glide above the stairs, I was in the kitchen.
Ma (as I used to call her) just finished making Prench Toast, and gave me the first slice.
"Sit down please, you have your place at the table." She said, then she brushed her mane back: her wavy blonde locks always worked their way before her sky-blue eyes. The contrast is interesting in her colors, because she had a red coat.
[she have a cutie mark, but I couldn't find a good picture...]
"Awww.. Fine." I said with a look of defeat, then I jumped on my chair.
'Now I can start, finally!' I thought, and then began to eat.
After finishing the breakfast I headed to our small garden. A single cherry tree was in it, and I wanted to climb to the top. After five minutes of futile attempts, I almost gave up. But then I saw the most red cherries, and where?
On the uppermost branch.
"I'll get you!" I said, and jumped from branch to branch, climbing like a young cat. I was happy because having my wings helped me with jumping. Pretty useful, huh? They were so close. I was almost able to reach them. I crawled closer to the edge of the branch, the cherries were just an inch away. And the I heard a crack.
The falling was fast. Unfortunately, I spinned upside down, facing the sky, so I fell on my wings. I heard another crack. And then I heard nothing.
The next thing I remember was a white wall with a window in it. I didn't know where I was, how I got there, or why I was there. I was just lying on my belly, and stared out the window. Then I started to look around. The next thing I saw was a lot of half-deflated ballons on the right side. I looked futher right... And I saw something horrible.
A white... thing was attached to me. I looked around in panic: on the left side too! And then everything came back: the tree, the cracking sound, the fall...
I started to cry, not because of pain (which I luckily hadn't felt) but because I knew this was more than serious. A nurse answered my teary call. She sat down next to my bed and tried to calm me down.
"Ssshhhhhh, little colt. Don't worry, everything will be fine!" Her voice was calming, so I tried to stop crying - with not much success.
"Wh-what happened?" I asked, still crying, but with a clear mind. I hate it when I can't stop crying.
"You fell down from a tree... and broke both of your wings, but you're lucky! They'll be fine!"
For a moment I had thought they would cut my wings off... then I sighed in relief after hearing the last part.
"H-how long do I need to be here?"
"A few more days Zephy, just a few."
"Where is Ma?"
"Your mummy? She just left for work. But she will be here soon, I promise."
The kind look in her blue eyes calmed me down, so I was able to take a better look at her. Blue eyes, as I had seen before, a light-pink mane and pure white coat - she was pretty, and, if I wasn't wrong, young too, as old as my big brother (who is 17 years older than me.)
After an eternity of waiting, Ma arrived. Her blond mane was a mess, and her eyes were bloodshot from crying.
"Oh, I was so worried about you! Why did you climb so high? I told you not to!" She really was worried, but as she always used to, she began to reprimand me. Why? I will never understand.
And that was how my third summer began: Detained in my own room, for a month, unable to use my wings for the rest of the summer. No gliding, no learning to hover and fly, no anything.
Authoer's note: the second chapter, and it's improved!
It was the day. The end of my freedom.
No!
More than 2 years after the accident, my wings were more than healed, I used to fly around, while the other same aged pegasi kids were just barely able to hover. This is my defeat, I have to go to Cloudsdale Beginners' Flight School... I couldn't believe it!
Why?
"Do I really have to go Dad?" I asked my father. He looked down at me, then jumped in the air, hovering.
"Do you want to fly like me?" He asked. He did a barrel roll, then with a burst of speed, he flew to a cloud and sat on it.
I just looked up to him: He was awesome. Glistening white coat, ice-blue eyes and short, greyish-blue mane. And I wanted to be like just him.
[Same incident with the cutie mark, I couldn't find anything fitting...]
"Yes, I want to fly like you, but I can fly like nopony else my age! Look!" I made a short run to gain speed, then jumped up, and flew to a good 2 meters high, where I began to hover. "See? I don't need a school to do this!"
After I said this I flew to a roof, and landed successfully. Dad was still on the same cloud, smiling.
"Okay Zephy, but you know about the pegasi who don't go to flight school?"
What? What pegasi? I made a worried face.
"What pegasi?"
"Oh, nothing, it's just the thing about the pegasi colts and fillies, who don't want to go to school: they never earn their cutiemark." He made a mischiveous smile. I was seriously frightened.
"Nonono, I can't risk that! Where is the school?"
He led me there.
A few months later...
It was a painfully boring day again. The sun was shining so bright, the birds were chirping below, and I had to stay in the school for half the day. In Cloudsdale. We just moved here not too long ago. It was beautiful, but boring like hay. And my new class was full of bullies. I don't know why, but they always find me. Right now, I have more important things to attend to than being bullied, but those idiots... uh, but there's no time for this.
The teacher just came in. "Today's lesson will be something called 'aerodynamics.'" I liked this word.
The teacher, who has a darkgreen coat and black mane, told me about these 'aerodynamics': everypony was asleep, except me.
I already know what I'll do in the next few days.
So, in the next days....
"Here we go!" I shouted then I jumped off the cloud I was standing on.
I had my newly made flying suit on: Ma was a good seamstress! The suit was as aerodynamic as possible, the teacher (whose name was Mr. Borealis) taught me everything about smooth flying. For Mr. Borealis' respect, I asked Ma to make my suit from a dark-green fabric. It was beautiful!
As I said, it was dark-green, with golden zigzags on its sides, and covered me everywhere expect the ears, eyes, mouth, wings, my mane and my tail.
AWESOME!
So, I jumped down. The suit made (almost) no resistance against the wind, I was falling much faster. Then I opened my wings and began to glide. After a few seconds I began to flap my wings and gain speed.
"WHOOOOOOO! This is more awesome than I expected! YEEEEEEHAAAAWWW!!!" I shouted to nopony, But whatever. I felt happier than ever before.
Some time later I reached my house and made a large circle around it: Ma saw me flying and came outside. I wonder how can she walk on clouds, she is an Earth-pony afterall... hm, I don't know. At that moment, I had a more important thing happening.
"Maaaa! Seeeee?? I'm flying like Daaaad!" I shouted to her, and she smiled to me.
"Just be careful!" She said, then she went back to do her chores.
Now I know what will I do when I grow up. Or maybe not, I'll see.
I can say, my classmates hated me in unison. I don't know why. They.... they just bullied me for no reason. I had already learned how to ignore them, but... AARGH! They never stop!
I tried everything... be friendly... be ignorant... even acting like a grownup and talking to them in the most serious tone... Nothing helps me.
Tomorrow will be the first day after the big summer break... and I don't want to go to school again. 3 years was more than enough from all of those idiots. Heh, here I am, 9 years old and already cast out from society. No friends, no social life, no.. anything!
The next day...
Oh, here they are again... grinning like idiots.. wait, they ARE idiots. Oh no, they saw me! Crap.
"Hey, look, it's Peppy!" The main bully hadn't seen me in months and had already began to drive me into depression and anger.
"Ha-ha-ha, very funny, get some brains and maybe we can talk a decade later." I said sarcastically.
"Oooh, he can talk now? Did you hear that guys? Heh, get his saddlebag!"
Ultracrap! RUN!
I tried to escape... but they cornered me, I had no chance to get enough speed and flee, my new flying style (I had a whole summer of training) didn't help too much...
Two 'catch-him' grabbed me. Then Jetster (the main bully) took my saddlebag. My brand new flying suit was in it. I had to take it back.
"Le-LET ME GO!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, this made him smile, satisfied.
"Oh look! A dress! Where did you want to go? To the Gala, huh?"
That's it. I reached the pont where nopony could stop my rage. Only if I beat him up so bad, so he had to be carried to a hospital.
I stopped to move. Then I looked in his eyes. For a moment I saw the shadow of sudden fear washing through his face. Then everything went red.
I broke free with a kick to the face of one of the 'catch-him'-s, then dashed to Jetster, tackled him to the ground and stomped him in his chest.
Five of his 'friends' jumped at me a second later. I kicked one in the stomach, disabling him. Then I bit another on his forehoof, which make him scream. I felt a sharp pain in my back, an other idiot hit me, but in my rush of adrenaline, the pain was meaningless. I struggled a bit (they caught my legs) and made free my left hindleg, so I kicked one of them in the face. He dropped to the ground unconscious. At this moment, Jetster got on his hooves and fled to search an adult to help out his sorry butt! What a shame... This was my moment, only two idiots remain, I remembered a move from a wrestling-match, and used it on the left side idiot. I grabbed his right foreleg, and twisted around. He made a spin. That's it, I kicked him on his back, then shouted:
"Kick repaid!" He lied down in pain and rubbed the hit. Hah!
One last idiot remain...
The last ally of Jetster was a smaller pegasus colt, short jet black mane and tail, orange eyes and aquamarine coat.
I slowly turned my head and looked into his eyes. He made a shocked expression.
He released me, then began to stutter.
"I-I-I di-didn't want t-to do this, he forced me!" I can tell, he wasn't lying. Actually, he was a sympathic new guy, I hadn't seen him before, so I guessed that Jetster assaulted him to force him to join his herd or he would beat him... idiot.
"Okay. I believe you. You can go." I said in a friendly tone for his relief - he sighed and flew away.
'New friend? Maybe..' I thought. Then I grabbed my flying suit.
After I got it on and placed my saddlebag on my back, I flew off to the direction of the school.
I needed to go there after all!
After the school opening...
Everypony was jealous on me. My suit was truly awesome: The same design as my first one, just improved in every way. The visible difference was that it was made out of a different kind of matter what made it shinier. Awesome.
I almost reached the halfway between home and the school, when I heard Jetster's voice from behind me.
"This time you won't get awa-*cough*" He coughed some, then signed to attack me. Just about 15 minions were with him this time.
I had to flee as fast as possible. In a split second, I thought over what the possible ways of escape were. I choosed to make a nosedive to the ground. After a whole summer of self-training I was able to accelerate to a very high speed. Also, the training increased my turning, spinning, and other kinds of in-flight moves. They couldn't catch me midair.
So I made the nosedive. In the last second, I pulled up, avoiding the crash. For my satisfaction, I heard three loud smashes: 12 minion left. The suit worked very well: my resistance to air was the smallest so I won extra speed. Unfortunately not enough, while I tried to speed up and made some evasive moves, two minion got too close. They almost reached me. One in the left and one in the right. I saw their plan: when they get close enough, they would charge me from the sides, so I couldn't get out from their grip.
Hah!
In the last moment I dodged them with a massive break in my speed: They collided and crashed into the ground. Did I say before? This chase was 5-7 meters high above the ground... The evasion was successful, but they got closer. 10 idiots.
A possible plan flashed in. What if?...
I made a big circle to face them, then I flew through their group: Every one of them tried to catch me with no success. But my plan worked! 7 more crashed and weren't able to chase me. The three remaining minions were angry now, and I had to think out a better plan to escape... And I just realized.
The forest.
The Everfree.
If they want to chase me trough it, I could lose them. That forest is so dense, they will eventually crash into a tree or something. I headed to the forest and gave a final big burst of speed before I had to slow down and evade the trees. One of the minions stopped and gave up when he saw the forest. Clever choice.
2 left.
I was a good hundred meters deep into the forest when they reached the border of it, but I needed to go. If I stop, they will catch me. But I thought again. A quickly assembled trap could be my escape. I looked around and saw a medium sized branch.
"Perfect."
The two minions were at me a few seconds later. When they saw me, they yelled in anger and accelerated... Just to be hit by the branch I pulled back before, so it slammed them in the face.
"Heh. Nice try. Seeya!" I said to the semi-conscious minions.
And just in the moment when I turned around to fly home, Jetster appeared from nowhere and kicked me in the stomach.
"UGH!!!" I fell to the ground. This idiot is going to kill me.
"Suffer, roach!" He said and kicked my ribs so hard I heard a crack.
This is it, the end. At least this soulless pony will go to jail. Jetster stood over me. He raised his forehooves to crash my skull. Cool. But something moved in a nearby bush.
"Huh?" He slowly turned around. Just to face a manticore.
The mighty beast roared to him. I swear, he peed himself.
'This is my moment!'
In the biggest pain I can remember, I stood up, and flew away. But my freedom was short. I heard Jetster scream, then he flew past me. And the manticore began to chase me.
WHAT.
It was much larger and slower than the minions of that idiot, but I was so hurt, I could just barely fly. For my luck, a new rush of adrenaline built up, and I slowly began to gain speed. The manticore got close, but I accelerated rapidly. Then I began to make the dodgy maneuvers. Yes! The creature, after three minutes of unsuccessful chasing and crashing into trees, finally gave up. It was finally over.
After reaching the outskirts of Cloudsdale I checked myself: every part of me was hurt, my saddlebag was nowhere to be found (maybe a branch ripped it off?) and my suit was a mess: Dirty, and torn on a lot of places.
Hm, Something was weird. I checked myself again. Nothing much than in the first check: pain, dirt, torned suit, the biggest tear was over my cutiemark.. Wait, WHAT?
I looked at it. There it was. I was the last in my class to get it, but whatever, I got it! It is a wavy, thinning blue arrow with a wavy line on the top of it and another one at the bottom too. The colors of it are interesting: it goes darker at the bottom.
I thought about it. Yes, the speed. And the evasion, the dodging. This is it. My satisfied smile was stopped by the sharp pain in my side.
I sit trough the classes, tried to avoid the bullying and waited to the aviation class.
The bullies, altough some of them was younger than me, never got tired of their boring bullying, the same things again and again, all day, all week, all month... how long I have to tolerate this? I'm 10 and 3/4 years old, when will they stop it?
It was almost midday when the aviation class arrived. The teacher, named Ms. Shiny Days was a young, late twenties aged mare with bright white coat, light-blonde straight mane and yellow eyes - with matching glasses.
I can say, she was my favorite teacher in all school. As I used to, I dashed down to the cloud level, and arrived first for the class. The 'others' were as lazy as possible, and it played on my hoof, I got my personal time with Ms. Days.
"Well hello Zephyr, how are you today?" She greeted me with joy: she knew that she was my favorite.
"Good day Ms. Days, weeeell, the usual, I try to survive, and I'm very excited about the aviation class.. what will we do today?" 'Now comes the truth!'
"Hmm, I tought about a field trip, we will visit a camp, the Racing Flight Camp by the name!" She smiled, still loking at me. That was the moment when three things happened.
First: my semi-idiotic only- and best friend arrived, Sunset Wreath, the new guy from the day when I got my cutiemark.
Second: all possible things raced trough my mind and I said a 'Yaaay..' without enthusiasm.
Third: Sunset was clumsy enough to trip in his own hoof, and took a nice close look from the floor.
I facehoofed. And not for the first time today.
Later, in the camp...
"Alright, class! I have to collate few things with the camp leader, so occupy yourselves in the meantime!" Ms. Days said in a happy tone and dismissed us.
The always ready herd of bullies immedietly began to bother the younglings, the others from the class began to search a place to nap in agreement, and me with Sunny (as I and his mother called him...) tried to find a quiet place to think and make flying tricks.
"You should really go to an acrobatics school Zeph. Ms Days is right, you can do anything you want in the air." Sunny stared me in his usual amazement, I just did all the same old tricks of mine: barrel-rolls, spins, etc.
"Yeah, whatever. I know I could... I'm just not interested... I totally respect Ms. Days and stuff, but I don't want to be a flying clown, that's it." And if I decide something to NOT do, then I wont. Never.
"Hm. As you choose Zeph... hey, look!" He pointed to a nearby flying field.
"Oh, what's this?" It looked like a.. race?
And it was! Three young colts... Wait a minute, two colts and a filly lined up to race. I saw a lot of similar races, but never from these young aged kids. Let's see what will happen.
A second filly waved the flag and they started. Well, I can say, not in the speed what I expected. They flown almost as fast as I used to, when I'm in a little rush.
The race was over in a minute, but something happened... the filly. Her mane was rainbow colored. And she made a same colored explosion in the air.
'I read about this. In really-really old books. A Sonic Rainboom. It wasn't triggered in hundreds of years ago, everypony forgot this miracle.'
"Woooooowww...." Sunny's expression was a total success, I wish I had a camera to make a photo...
Even later, back to Cloudsdale...
We sat in the yellow contraption of stink, called 'bus' Sunny was still babbling about the Sonic Rainboom: "...and the explosion, and colors everywhere, it was soo awesomeehrgbrughhghuu..." -epileptic shock? I snapped him out of it with a light punch on the back of his head.
"Hey, why did you do that?" He asked with a shocked expression.
"You again... Uhforgetit." I facehoofed. Again.
"Zeph, we have to find that filly!"
"Don't get funny ideas, like the last time!" You don't want to know.
"Nooo, nonono, I just want to ask her! About the Sonic Rainboom! And hey, how do you know about it's name?" Oh not again....
"As I told you before, I read a lot. Old books as well. And I found about it in a few hundread years old book from the Cloudsdale Main Library. It was triggered... if I remember correcly, 740 years ago, the last time." I raised my right eyebrow, as the sign of unpatience.
"Oohh... Hm! We need to find her." Sunny began to stare the scenery, as he used to when he think about something. I sunk in my own toughts too.
'Yes, I have to agree, I need to know how did she do that.'
The bus stopped and everypony began to get out.
When I'm in my toughts, I move like a robot, my hooves and wings leading me, but no response from the world to me. The good old (I wish he disapper) Jetster have seen me in this autopilot mode, and tried to trip me when I hopped down from the vehicle. But his pathetic try drowned in fail (as it used to): I can't be tripped. By nopony. Ever. Instead of crashing in the cloud-ground, I spread my wings and made a five star sommersault.
"Hah, nice try Jetpuker, next time use your brain too!" I said with an evil smile.
'Oh, that look on his face...'
Sunny saw this and Jetster's face too. And got an idea.
"Everypony get down! He is gonna EXPLODE!!!" Sunny's plan worked, all the class looked at Jetster, who's face was deep crimson from shame and anger. I don't have to say, everypony laughed. Finally, a payback. So rare... And so sweet. This day was... eventful. All I have to do now is to search that rainbow maned filly and ask her out about the Sonic Rainboom. Hm, I wonder, how old was she? 6? Or 7?
I never really tried to do my best at school. For first, I know what I want to do when I grow up. Second, as long as I don't get any bad marks, I refuse to learn more than the bare minimum. So, thanks to the logic and intelligence that I was born with, I managed to get in to the Highschool type of my flight school with good points.
For the first few weeks of school, everything went smoothly. I missed Sunset Wreath (he went in an other school), but I made a new and real friend: Blue Breeze. Life was pretty good, but then, the bullies found me again and quickly set about performing their usual routines with sadistic pleasure. I swear they were trying to drive me insane.
The 6th month in the Manehatten Flight School...
I met Blue Breeze on the bus again. We always meet eachother in the bus, every morning. He lives in Canterlot, so he gets on the bus at the third stop along the 50 km route. He is a good friend of mine, maybe the only so far, and he has dark blue coat, lemon yellow mane and tail and dark red eyes. His cutiemark is a tornado, and it represents his talent with any kind of winds. Or something like this, his speaking was... Chaotic when he explained it to me.
[GIGANTIC PICTURE FTW!]
So, as I said, I met him again. He greeted me first as he saw me.
"Wazzup Zeph?!?" He was always this hyper in the mornings.
"Uh, just the usual... 3 hours of sleep... Nightmares... Ugh..." And that was me, dead to the world, in every morning.
"Dude. You are 14 years old! Get some sleep-pills from a pharmacy, you need it." He made a serious face.
"Oh, I would never ever think about this! Thank you Captain Obvious, the protector of the things we already know!" I stopped and inhaled deeply. "No Bluey, I don't need drugs to get myself into form. The onl-" I couldn't end my sentence. I never can, he always does this.
"Ugh, nonsense, you wont get addicted by a single pill!"
I glared at him. "So as I was saying... The only thing I need is sugar. A lot of it."
"Sugar? Are you serious?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Yes. The only thing our brain eats is sugar," I explained, "So if I eat something what contains a lot of it, my brain will spin up to normal speed. Oh, and I will be fat, so I'll need to do twice as much flying."
Bluey just shook his head in disbelief. "Alright dude... do whatever you want! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some serious napping to do!" He leaned back in his chair and tried to get his usual sleep before arriving.
Later....
The bus has arrived as usual, 7 minutes and 40 seconds before the end of the recess.
"*yaaaaaawnn* What day is it again?" Bluey asked me, his eyes still closed.
No answer.
"Zeph?" Now he became suspicious.
Still no answer.
Finally he opened his left eye.
"THE DAY YOU DIE!!!" I shouted at him, inches from his face. To make it better, I wore false fangs too.
"AAAAAAAGAHAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!!!!" He flopped out of the chair into the floor of the bus, landing on his head.
His reaction made everypony in the bus laugh riotously, since they had all seen me getting ready for the prank.
"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY ZEPHYR!"
He lay there gasping like he had run a marathon. I just made a satisfied smirk, and popped the fangs out of my mouth. After a moment, I leaned down and helped him back onto his seat. By this point even he was laughing at the prank.
Even later....
"Ughhh... I'm gonna fall asleeeep...." I said, blinking slowly. I was really on the edge of falling asleep. Bluey poked me on the ribs.
"He-he-hey, don't do this again! I barely saved you last time. Mr. Long Beard will punish you if he sees!" He whispered.
"Fine..." I leaned back to get out from the influence of falling asleep on my table.
Mr. Long Beard, just if he had a sixth sense for this, stopped his speaking and looked around. Thanks to my best friend, I was saved from his anger.
Didn't I say before? My class was chit-chatting always. Every single class, doesn't matter what kind. Always. The teachers mostly ignored it, but the ones like Mr. Long Beard couldn't resist punishing somepony if he was upset enough by the continous background noise of talking. Hm, why is he called Long Beard? He doesn't even have beard at all!... I think he explained it once but i can't remember... anyway...
"Class! Tell me what I was just telling you over the last two minutes!"
Nopony answers.
"Nopony? Alright! Fine! I hope you will enjoy your essay about it!" I totally saw flames in his fire red eyes. I wonder if he is born to be like this, or assembled to be red in every option. As I said, flame red eyes, light red coat and short, burgundi mane and tail. It was like he could get on fire in any second now.
Any second now....
Everypony made sad faces, or angry ones, and a chorus of groans was heard. Bluey just sat there with his dumb smile on his face. I looked at him.
"You are crazy." I said slowly.
"What?" He asked if nothing had happened before.
"Tell me, were you here for the past minutes... Bluey?"
Blinks.
"Oh Celestia..." I facehoofed.
In the following recess...
I was just packing my stuff into my saddlebags when I saw a shadow on the floor. I already know what this means. Allow me to explain. Bluey was down in the canteen, for his early lunch (at 9:30, he is a serious eater). Most ponies stay away from me since I am constantly targeted by bullies, and that means only one pony would come to my table.
Jetster.
Wherever I go, he follows me. Summer camps, holidays with my family, even in the visits at my Grandma! And it's same in the school. When he heard that I go to the Manehatten Flight School, he assigned himself as fast as possible. Seriously, what. The. Buck. Is. Wrong. With. Him?!?
In the previous years, he tried everything. Some of his bullying worked, but most of them was futile. Looks like he is never gonna give it up. Here, in this school, he gathered all of the less inteligent but more muscular students around him, making the ultimate doom for me. Just to make an example: Once they began to chase me after school. I had to hide in a trash container to escape from them.
And this went on every day...
He stood above me. I looked up, just in time to see him grab my pencil case and throw it in the trash can.
"Whoops!" He said. "I almost missed it!"
Six months. Six months of suffering. Every day something terrible. And every day is worse than the one before. Why did I mentioned Bluey before? Because he was the only one who stood by my side and defended me from his terrorizing. But he wasn't here obviously... and my Anger'o'meter ran off the scale. All rational thinking was gone.
"Now you die." I said coldly.
He raised an eyebrow and made a bored expression.
"Uh-huh, like in th-" He was stopped by fast punch in his stomach.
My position had its advantages; I could reach his weak points. But my attack just started. I leaped up from my chair, throwing everything in various directions. I left him no time to recover as I jumped on the top of him, pinning him to the floor, and began to punch his face as hard and fast as I could manage. This went on for I don't know how long, all I can see was his blood on everything around us. I'm sure I heard a 'crack' or two, when something jumped at me, shoving me away from Jetster. I was surprised and confused at the same time, the world stopped existing while I punched the soul out of him. Then my brain began to work, and in a split second, I understood what happened.
Mr. Long Beard stood next to Jetster.
His face was not angry or mad in any rate. He was sad. Jetster was just lying where I 'left' him, twitching sometimes, and still bleeding from the injuries on his face. Both of his eyes were swollen shut, and several of his teeth littered the ground. I looked around. Everypony in the class just looked at me, then at Jetster and Mr. Long Beard, in total shock and silence.
"Zephyr. Please come with me." His voice was even sadder than his expression.
I just stood up and followed him, leaving a trail of bloody hoofprints behind me.
Author's note: the improving is continuing, let's see chapter 6!
My life got a spin when I almost killed Jetster. Everypony avoided me. Nopony wanted to talk to me again. The teachers always had sad expressions on their faces when they saw me alone, in the recesses.
And the list of bad things doesn't ended here. Altough I was exempted by the court, and I haven't seen Jetster again, my best and only friend, Blue Breeze was moved out to an other city, with his family.
I was all alone. Dead to the world.
My previous plan about what to do was to sign in the Canterlot Royal Guard Academy, but I had no real prospects for my future. I was really surprised when I finished the Flight School's two years and the Academy sent me a letter, with scholarship, if I joined them.
Maybe somepony watches me from 'above'...
In the Academy, first day.
I walked through the enormous gates of the Academy. Wow. It was bigger than any gates I had ever seen before. I froze in my walk when I saw the gigantic building of the academy. This lasted until I heard somepony's cheering. I looked at the direction of the sound. It was a young unicorn mare. She was half head shorter than me, she had long, straight and dark purple (almost black) mane, pink-ish white coat and yellow eyes. Her cutiemark was a shiny amethyst gem covered in a glowing aura. Something with gems, I think?
She trotted to me, grinning.
"Hy! My name is Radiant Gem and I'm so happy to see an other new student here! Welcome to the Cantelot Royal Guard Academy! And do you know why I'm happy? Because I will throw you a PAAAAR~TEEEYY!!!!! *ghaaaaaahhh*"
Mother. Of. Mercy. She said this all with only one breath. And so fast I almost wasn't able to follow it. What the...?
"Uhmm... Hello, name is Zephyr Verve, nice to mee-e-e-ugghhh!!!" She grabbed my right forehoof and shaked it violently, then she hugged me like a bear. "...I can't breath..."
That was the only thing I could say. I began to see little stars around. She suddenly released me.
"Ooooh, sorry, I lost my mind again, are you alright? Can you forgive me?" Sudden change in personality, and it looks like she is getting started...
"Yeah... But I wont forgive you... Huhhh..." I took deep breaths while her expression went from joy to sorrow. "I won't forgive you because there is nothing to forgive."
Like a lightbulb, her face lighten up in bliss and she hugged me again.
"Sooo.. What are you doing here Gem? Hm, can I call you Gemmy?"
"Oh, sure if you want and I'm a student here just like you! The Academy sent me a letter with a scholarship if I join them."
I hope she will be more 'normal' later...
"If I'm not wrong, they only send their letters to a student, if the student have a 'special ability'.. sooo, what is yours?" By the look on her face, she likes my half-scientific speech. Good start.
"My special ability? I use gems to concentrate my magic into a beam! It's like a laser-weapon!"
"What?... coooool! Uhm, by the way, do you know where should we go now? I think there is a chance that we can get in the same class!"
"Hmmm, no. I just arrived a few minutes before you."
"Then we should go and search the school.. Shall we?"
She nodded, smiling. We trotted in the main building.
"Hmm, Zephy, what is your speciality then?"
Zephy? What?... Oh, well....
"My special ability? Dodging. At high speed. And speed itself of course. If I hadn't wanted to come here, I would be in an acrobatic's school."
"Awesome! Hey, we should practice with eachother!"
"What do you mean?"
"I fire mah lazer at you, and you try to dodge it while flying! Totally FUN!"
"...."
"What?"
"Okay, we will try it later!" I said grinning.
"Whooooo!"
She is so weird!
Five minutes later, somewhere in the maze like corridors of the Academy.
"Gemmy, I think we are now officially lost." I said with a concerned expression.
"Uhmmm, maybe if we go to left and then left again and again..."
"Yes, we are lost. *facehoof*"
"Hey, I hear something!" She stopped in her tracks and began to search the source of the sound.
"I can't hear anyt-" I was silenced by a hoof in my mouth.
"This way!" She said and began to gallop to a far door.
At the door.
"Heh, it's music! Somepony is singing!"
"Should we peek in?"
"Yes, I want to know who is singing." And with that, I opened the door. The scene was... astounding.
A tall (taller than me) unicorn stallion sang, he had burgundy coat, metallic grey, almost shoulder-long mane, and golden eyes. His cutiemark was an iron shield.
I listened his singing with Gemmy. She almost couldn't hold her laugh.
The stallion holded a female manequine in his hooves dancing and singing to 'her', all of this in that empty classroom with a record playing in the corner.
Due to completely unnecessary copyright issues, this part which was to show the scene of a comedic dance, is deleted and stored on my pc. For anyone who reads it, thank it to an anonymous bastard. For the bastard: You should be ashamed of yourself.
He heard us rolling on the floor by laughing. That was it, run or die!
Or none of them.
He came out from the room and greeted us grinning.
"Hi! Did you like my production?"
I recovered first and answered him.
"Yeah.. Yeah.. hehe, you are awesome! Name is Zephyr Verve, what's yours?" I raised a hoof to him.
"Iron Will at your service!" He said, posing majesticly and still grinning. "And who might this little lady be?"
"*still giggling* My name is *snort* Radiant Gem! Haaahahahaahaaaaa!!!!" She errupted in a fresh burst of laugh.
"Uhm, yes, we are new here, can you direct us to the main hall?"
"Sure, follow me. Hey, do you two want to meet me again later?"
"Yeah, sure!"
"I think, this is the beginning of a good friendship!"
I hope so too!
First day, It hadn't even started, and I already have two friends! Awesome.
Author's note: it continues, I make the improvement.
Being the student of the Academy was the best two years in my life. Also, the funniest things happened in those two years.
It was outdoor practice again. Will, Gemmy and me were in the same training group as ever. I thought about them: Gemmy was the oldest of all of us: she was a whole year older than Will, while I was a month older than him. Oh, when this happened I was almost 18.
The teacher, Mr. Black Shine or Coach as we called him, was napping again, so all of our classmates were training like the three of us, or they were at the pub next to the Academy. Whoever built that there, was a clever pony. Coach's classes was the best, but he was awesome too: his coal black coat was so shiny it sparkled in the sunshine. His long and well kept mane was sun yellow, and his eyes were orange colored. Weird combo, but whatever.
So, as I said, we trained.
"Hey Gemmy, here is a new crystal for you, it's flawless. I hope you like it."
I said and gave her the flawless diamond. It was her birthday a month ago and I told her that I want to give her something special. All of my savings went into that gem.
"Woooooooww, Zephy, you really shouldn't...." She run out of words and began to stare the perfect diamond.
"Can I be the Best Stallion?" Asked me Will, grinning ear to ear.
"What."
"You engaged her, so I want to be your Best Stallion in your marriage!"
Mental facehoof.
"Will!... This is her birthday present! And wash that grin off from your face or I will."
He began to grin more. All of his face was just a big grin, nothing more. What the hay? I rolled my eyes and poked Gemmy in her flank to stop her admiring the diamond. That always works.
"Ow, Zephy!" She said, then she grimaced. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!" She jump-hugged me.
This found me unprepared so I fall on my back while she faced me. Her mane hanged to my face as she smiled at me. I blinked a few and then I felt my face burning. This moment was disturbed by Will, he began to whistle and shout: everypony looked at us. Soon laughter could be heard from everywhere, mixed with cries like 'Get her tiger!' and 'Do it! Do it now!' Gemmy jumped off from me, as fast as I never saw her before, and tackled Will.
"Yoouuuu... You will pay for this!" She said to Will, dead serious. She frightened me...
"Haha, pay, yeah, if you can catch me!"
Will said and teleported away. Gemmy looked around and spotted him, sitting on a nearby bench.
He waved to us.
"Hey Gemmy. I will grab him," I said, imitating the move. "then you will use your present on him, okay?"
She looked at me. Then an evil smile creeped onto her face.
"I'm going to divert his attention, be ready to catch him."
I flown up to the roof of the main building, I could see everything from up there. Gemmy did her part of the plan: she caught Will again and again, as he teleported away repeatedly.
He teleported close to me. This is my chance!
I zoomed down in a nosedive and tackled his head, distracting him. Then I began to fly around him, dazing him. When I saw him wobbling a bit, I grabbed his horn, to prevent him using his magic.
Gemmy stepped before him. Will's eyes focused on her.
"Zephy... I think you should get behind me." She said, closing her eyes.
"Wait, what?" I said, frowning.
She levitated the flawless diamond before her horn. She is gonna use it! I flown behind her. I saw her horn glowing before, but this was something different. The air filled with static electricity, and everything went darker. She opened her eyes: pure white. Uh-oh.
Will just stared her, mouth agape, but then he remembered: he is the target! He began to cast a shield spell before him, then another and another...
I heard a humming noise, what get louder and louder in every second, it came from Gemmy's horn. The diamond began to spin and shine.
Gemmy opened her mouth. I raised an eyebrow, I didn't heard anything.
And then..
"Shooooop DA WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!" She shouted, deafening me for a few minutes. A sun bright laser shot out from the tip of her horn, it went in the diamond and come out as a rainbow colored beam of energy.
Will's shield magics disappeard like they were nothing, and the beam almost annihilated Will himself. But I was faster, I tackled him, just avoiding the death beam of rainbow colors. The beam shot trough the wall, the next house's roof, a statue of Princess Celestia and hit the mountain, causing a rockslide.
"Gemmy. Tell me if I make you angry." I said, still watching the devastation what caused by her beam.
"What the hay happened... Here..." Shouted Couch to us, but then he saw the hole in the wall and the other damages to the city.
"Who did this?" He asked calmly.
"It was me, Mr. Black Shine." Gemmy was unusually calm and quiet.
Mr. Black Shine slowly facehooved, took a deep breath and raised his right forehoof. It sparkled in the late morning's sunshine.
"Congratulations Ms. Radiant. You made several new records in the using of energy beams."
"What? She did what? She wont get any punishment?" I asked Coach surprised.
"No Zephyr. Also, you will get a Life-savior Medal."
wat
And this was just one episode of the several stupid and funny things in that two years.
The next year.
Thanks to my coolness in aviation, I was the class leader in any type of flying. Nopony could beat me. Or, almost. Will and Gemmy always found their way to annoy me to hell with their fancy magics.
In the canteen.
"...and I made a quick spin and shouted in his face: 'Looser!' so he didn't see the tree and boom! You can imagine it!" I explained my last race to Will. He listened to me everytime, and that was the important to me. After I finished, we took our seats at a free table and began to eat the lunch.
"Hmm.. did I miss something... where is Gemmy?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.
"I dunno. I saw her coming this way, but... no, I have no idea where she is.
*pop*
"Ohgawd!" She teleported herself right in front of me, ON the table.
"Hi! Did I scare you Zephy, hmmmmm???" She put on her innocent face.
"Nooo, just don't do this ever again." I signed my doom there. She is the kind of pony who will do the prohibited thing.
"Ooo-kay! Willy, do you want to try out a new trick after lunch?"
"Sure, why not?"
I got intersted.
"What trick, may I ask?"
"Ooohhh, you will se if you want to!" She hides something. I have to know what is it.
"Alright. You wont eat now?"
"Me? Eat?" She looked around. "Oh we are in the canteen!"
I facehoofed, Will just shook his head.
"Gemmy, you are sooo random." I said, emphasizing the 'random'.
20 minutes later, in the training yard of the Academy.
"So, what is the trick?" I asked phlegmaticly.
"Will. Now." Something was in her voice, what made my pegasi-sense tingling.
Will snickered at her, then his horn began to glow as he created a box around me with his shield magic.
"Nononononono, let me OUT!" I shouted, first panicked, then angry.
Gemmy began to giggle, Will just snorted. I attacked the box and to my surprise I broke free. That was more than enough for me, so I began to fly away as fast as possible. Then something hit me. It was Gemmy, she shooted her lasers at me!
"Aaaaaaahhhh!!!! Heeeelp!" I shouted, and this made them laugh. Cool.
I targeted an open window at the highest floor of the Academy' building, but in the last second a shield spell blocked the way in and I crashed on it. The last thing I remember before I blacked out and began to fall, was the screams of some other students...
When I woke up I was in a bed, in the infirmary of the school. Gemmy was sitting next to me, she was asleep, but her face was still wet by crying. So I got here at least 8 hours ago. The door of the room was opened: a sad faced Will steepped in. He saw me smiling at him.
"Zephyr you are alright! Thanks to Celestia! I will never do this stupid trick on you again!" Yeah, he will do other stupider tricks.
Gemmy woke up to this.
"Zephyyyyyyy!!!" She jumped at me (deja vu?), and did the last thing I was expecting. She kissed me. She broke the kiss a few seconds later and blushed like never before.
Will just looked at us, jaws dropped.
"Uhm, well, that's certainly an improvement." I said in a half shocked half pleased tone.
She climbed off of me, still blushing furiously.
But later nothing happened between me and Gemmy... I don't know why. I tried it a few more times, but she... Well, I don't know.
Few weeks later.
Will's next big prank was in the day of the foundation anniversary of the Academy. Every year this day was started by listening our anthem, but this year was special.
I was in my classroom, chatting with Gemmy about how cool we look like in celebrating suit/dress when the speaker of the school-radio began to crack, as it come to life.
"Oh, the anthem is starting, we should get up." I said to her quietly.
The familiar sounds of the anthem has began to play when something changed. The music quieted down and a too familiar voice could be heard...
It was Will. Singing.What.
"United forever, in Pranking, and joking! Our great mighty equine empire shall always, be trolling! The Mighty Trollestia in all of her grace, Created a world, so she could Troll Face!
Long live our Jester fool's land! May we never hear a joke that's too bland! Long live Equestria, with all sorts of Glee! Strong in our Humor, trialed by Pie-ers! Long may a violent idea inspire, Shining new material for all jokers to be!
With Looney, our Princess, Out of her mind, The Elements of Harmony, Pie'd her in the face! The laughs were eternal, the humiliation infernal! Nightmare was tarred and feathered in Pla-"
He couldn't finish the parody anthem, by the noises from the background, he was caught by the principal. But his prank was a total success, as I dashed to the radio room to save his flank, I heard laughing from everywhere.
'Flawless victory.. or almost flawless.' I thought as I stepped in the radio room.
The principal shouted to him, his head was red from anger. I saw the relief on Will's face when he saw me coming in. The principal spotted me too, he turned around and asked me.
"What do you want? Don't you see I'm occupied?" He said this just a bit quieter than shouting.
I stepped next to him and whispered in his ears. He looked at me, blinked a few, then he turned around and left the room. Will just stared me. As I can see, he'd never seen anything like this before.
"H-h-h-how the hay...? Zeph.. What did you... Whoa..."
I smirked at him. "You owe me at least ten." I said in a serious tone, then grinned at him. He responded with a 'phew' and we left the room.
Author's note: 8th chapter is revisioned! Have fun reading!
"I can't believe, it's over! I finished the academy!" I shouted in happiness.
The two years of the academy was over, we made it as ones of the best, and immedietly got assigned into the real squadrons of the Royal Guards.
"Yeah! We all made it! Time to get drunk!" Yes, Will always wanted to say this.
"OhguysthisissosuperIcan'tbelievewedoneititwassofastandawesomeand-" Gemmy, as she used to, got high by the events. I made her stop, by poking her flank.
"Gemmy we know. And Will is right, I have some apple cider for this." I smiled at them mischeviously.
"Whohohoo, guy, I knew you will surprise me!"
"Apple cider? Really? I tried it once and I got WHOOOOO, and then everything slowed down, and..."
Will tilted his head and whispered to me. "She won't get from it, I hope?"
"....." I seriously thought about it. Getting her drunk was a funny idea, but... what if she brakes the rules of physics?Again?
"Zeph, tell me you are not... Oh nooo..."
I know what I want.
We slowly walked out from the building of the Academy, leaving it finally behind, forever. The evening sun was more beautiful than it's used to be, nothing could ruin our happiness now.
"I will see what happens, Will..." He facehoofs.
"And I know what will happen. Uhh.. I hope you have enough energy to stop her." He shaked his head in defeat.
We headed to our apartment, we bought it about 3 months ago: we have enough money by winning a lot of races and competitions.
As we arrive, a mailpony lands next to us. He asks me. "Uhm, are you Mr. Verve?"
"Yes I"m. Is there a mail for me?"
"Yes, and if I'm correct.. yeah, there is two other for your friends too!" He says as he pulls out three letters from his mailbag.
"Mail? For us? What happened?" Will's surprize is natural, except for the bills, we didn't got any mail.
"One way to get it know! Oh, thank you sir for the letters!" I say to the mailpony as I take the envelope from him.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!"
"What is it Gemmy?" I ask her, this reaction is unusual.
"Read it!"
I do as told. It's the notification from our assignment. Gemmy became a Heavy Supporting Specialist... her ability with lasers has payed off.
"Oh. Wow. Who thought? But mine is better." Says Will.
"Hm, what is it?" I ask him, raising an eyebrow.
"I became a Captain. I command several squads. Like yours."
"Wait what? My squad?"
"Check your letter!"
I opened it. And it's true. I got instantly promoted to Sergeant. And, Gemmy is in my squad.
"Wat."
"Ooooh, that look on your faaace!!!! Priceless, priceless!!! Gemmy, get me my camera!" Will almost couldn't hold back his laughter, and after Gemmy giving him his camera (from nowhere, how she do it?), he made a photo from me.
"I will put this on the wall. In extra size. And now excuse me, my lungs gonna explode if I don't laugh now."
He inhales deeply, then errupts in the strongest laughter I have ever heard from him.
So, that's how we got into active service as official Royal Guards.
Same day, in our apartment, around 10. Or 11. Whatever.
I just drank the fifth bottle of the cider, Will was at the seventh, but Gemmy... she drank fourteen. Fourteen. I can't imagine how she did it, and she wasn't higher than she used to. Even she became more calm and clear headed.
"Uhmm... Gemmy... I... I wanted tho.... uhm, ask you som-thing." My speaking became faulty and slow, I can't handle alcohol. She looked at me with a smile.
"What is it Zephy? Hmm?" Maybe because of the cider, but I saw her more beautiful then usual.
"I-I dunno how to ask you, so I will just spit it out."
She frowned, she had no idea about what was coming.
"So... nononono, maybe Ah shouldn't..."
"Oh come on Zeph, dude! *hick* I want to hear it too!" Will had bigger alcohol tolerance than me, but he got dizzy for now.
"Okayokayokay... Gemmy... I want to... I want to..." I whispered in her ears. She looked at me. I made a hopeful smile. But her expression went sad, and she frowned yet again.
"No, Zephy. I.. we can't. That wouldn't be good."
I blinked at her, then looked down to the floor. She lowered her head and left the room, leaving me and the confused Will behind.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Will asked me in a friendly tone.
"Nho. Well, yeah..." I stopped and took a deep breath. "You know that Ah like her..."
"Yeah. Everypony know this."
"Thank you Captain Obvious. Wait, you ARE a captain! Hehe... so, I asked her if me and her... you know..."
He sighed and put a hoof on my shoulder. "Zeph. Bud. If a mare says no, don't ask her again. You just wasted your time and energy."
"..."
We never talked about this again.
Several months later.
That evening was exactly like the others. I entered duty at 7 pm, Captain Will told me where I need to patrol and I got my squad ready to took off at 8 pm.
"Evening Zeph, this time there will be a slightly change, I assigned Rendan to you and you will patrol at the Everfree tonight." Will changed a lot, he became more serious than ever. Looks like the duty really changes the stallion.
"Rendan? You mean that Rendan? With the mecha wings?"
"Yes, he will support you with scouting."
"Cool!"
20 minutes later the Squad was ready. There was Gemmy, my best sharpshooter, Silver Blizzard, an unicorn stallion who cared about defense, Jagged Boulder, an earth pony stallion, he was the front soldier, and Honeydasher, the pegasi mare. She was the scout. Oh, and now there was Rendan too, he helped her in scouting.
My job as the squad leader was to coordinate all of the moves. After getting in the armor, we headed out to the patrolling area.
50 minutes later, near the edge of the Everfree.
"So, Rendan! I heard about you a thing or two!" I said friendly.
"Really?" Hm. Interesting pony. He had white coat, a red-white striped mane and tail and red eyes. Also, his wings were mechanical.
"Yeah, some ponies from my squad keeps telling 'things' from you."
"Let me guess, it's Honeydasher?"
"Yup! She almost idolize you."
"Heh, tell her that she can stop it, I'm a married stallion."
I shook my head and smirked. Suddenly our conversation was interrupted by a scream.
"Dasher?" I asked from noone, searching the source of the most likely mare scream. Then I heard her scream again. All of us run to Honeydasher, but we were late.
At least 8 bandit attacked her. She had no chance.
"Squad, formation!" I ordered, coldly. We had to keep calm if we wanted to win this fight. The bandits formed up too and after a few seconds they charged us. Jagged immedietly done what he is best at: he charged at them, shouting his battlecry, and tackled two bandits.
"Silver, protect him!"
"Yessir!"
He generated a force field around Jagged so he can't be harmed: the diversion was successfull.
"Gem! Now!" She levitated three crystals before her and shoot her magic trough them. The beams hit two bandits and killed one. But the bandit's leader knew what to do: He ordered two of them to try and kill Silver so he can't protect Jagged. When I saw they approaching, I shouted to Rendan.
"Rendan, Quick, help Silver Blizzard!"
He looked at me. I saw fear in his eyes. He followed my order, tackled one of the bandits and began to close-quarter combat with him.
"Gem, concentrated fire at the leader!"
"FIRING TEH LAZERS!" She shouted. I don't understand her, how could she act like this in mid battle?...
But her shooting was succesfull, she hit the leader. But nothing happened to him... shield magic.
"I need to take him out by myself... Gem, watch over the others! I kill the leader..."
And I attacked him. He was a jetblack unicorn in silver battle-armor. I was about to reach him, when he stopped me in my flight, with a force punch - unicorns... I crashed in the dirtroad, creating a mini crater.
The battle raged around me, Jagged and Silver done their best job: Jagged succesfully attacked three bandits at the same time while Silver defended him with shield magics. Gemmy furiously shooted her beams at two other bandit: both unicorns. Her attack was almost useless. I wanted to see what Rendan does, but when I tried to look around I felt a sharp pain in my side. It was the leader. He kicked me in the ribs.
"Get up you worm! And they call you the elite! Pfeh!" He spitted on the ground.
I got on all four.
"You can still give it up now. You don't have to die." I said, but this just made him angry.
"GRRRAAAAHH!!!!" He charged me with his horn. I dodged him in the last second and kicked his head. This made him dizzy for a few second, so I left him alone and flown to help my squad.
When I was on the ground, the fight went worse than I tought. Silver was on lying on the ground, a slowly growing patch of blood was around him.
Without his help, Jagged couldn't handle the outnumbering and rapidly lost his fight. He fall to the ground right before my eyes and I couldn't do anything. I wasn't fast enough.
Gem fought them the most heroically. She shooted them without stop, but they got closer to her. Too close.
"Gem! Teleport away!" I shouted at her, still dashing to her. I saw her face. Her expression was mixed. Fear. Sorrow. And anger. She looked back to the bandits. All of the remain 3 (expect the leader) attacked her.
She brought out her flawless diamond from a pocket in her armor and concetrated her power. Her eyes began glow in white as she gathered the pure energy in a beam. Then she shooted it.
She vaporized the bandits. Nothing remain from them. I just looked at her, mouth agape. She just smiled at me. Then, like from nowhere, the leader teleported next to her and pierced trough her armor with a magic blade. The time stopped as I saw her gasping for her last breaths. She fell on her knees, then on the ground. Dead.
"What?..."
"And now you follow her!" The leader created a magic bow and arrow and shooted it at me.
I flown up, but the arrow hit me on my chest. I didn't felt pain. All I felt wass pure anger. I charged him. He immediately created a force field, but I flown trough it, like it was nothing, and tackled him. He fell on his side. I pinned him and began to punch his face, just like Jetster's long time ago. And I would punched him to the death, but something happened.
I felt... a warm, but unpleasant sensation in my left side. I stopped punching him and looked down. He stabbed me with a magic dagger. I felt the iron like taste of my blood. The leader pushed me off of him and shook himself.
"That was an exciting fight, worm. I shall leave you alive. Or not." He coughed.
"We will... *cough* get you...*cough-cough* you can't hide foreverhhhnnnghh..." I said to him, slowly drifting off into the blackness of unconsciousness.
"Hah. Just try it." He said as he got up and turned away from me.
I saw him slowly trotting away into the Everfree before I blacked out.
Author's note: Before you start the reading, open this and listen it. This is the theme of this chapter.
Void. I was in the void.
Empty.
Blank.
Just like my mind. I had no idea why I was in it. Then I realized.
I am the void.
A distant, weak light appeared somewhere before my eyes. I looked at it. It was familiar, friendly, but faint and dying.
I had to know what is this light.
I tried to get closer, but I was very slow. I looked at myself.
Light. I was a light just as the one I wanted to reach.
My color was green, just like my eyes. I didn't know how could I see myself, but it wasn't important.
I was an aura like sphere of green light. I had no obsticles to get through, so I accelerated, and grew closer to the other light.
Yellow.
I got to it fast. It was familiar.
As I began to get closer to check it, it's bright yellow color began to darken. Then I heard a voice from seemingly nowhere and everywhere.
"Zephyr." It was a mare's voice.
"Y-yes?" I had no idea what to say. "What... Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter anymore, but you have to listen me."
"Why? Who are you? And where am I?" My brain (if it exist for a light sphere) searched through the possibilites, and found only one acceptable answer. "Is this... Death?"
"No. Not yet. But if you don't do what I say, it will be." The voice was frightened and anxious.
"A-alright I guess..."
"Good. There are a few things you have to know before I tell you what to do."
"Okay, tell me."
"So... When a pony dies, her soul will go to a place where she can watch her life... And then choose if she want to start a new one, or leave this world forever."
I started thinking, I never really believed in things like reincarnation, but I didn't wanted to disturb the voice. She continued.
"And if she wants to, she can choose to save one and only one soul she knows... And loves."
"Uhm... And how is this connected with me?"
"In this way."
I saw a flash, and suddenly I found myself at a moonlit field, near the Everfree. I looked at myself: it was the original me again, in full combat armor, but without a scratch.
I looked around. I know this place... This is where...
She died.
I heard the voice again, but it changed and become familiar.
"Yes, this is the place. This is where you are lying on the ground right now."
I turned to the direction of the voice. It was her. Gemmy.
Her face was sad, I never saw anypony making as sorrowful expression as she at that moment.
"Gemmy? H-how?"
She lowered her head and looked at the ground.
"Zephyr. I was talking about myself. You saw me die."
The realization kicked me in the face: she spoke about that dead pony as 'her'!
"Gemmy...." My eyes watered up.
"No..." She raised her right forehoof. "Tears doesn't help here."
"But..."
She shook her head.
"Zephyr. I'm already dead, and I've made my decision about you."
"What... Decision?"
She walked before me and looked in my eyes.
"I'm going to save you. You were always special in my life, made me laugh, healed my sorrow... And I gave you no chance to show me your true feelings. As my last thing in this world, I choose to save you."
"Wait, why? You have to go? No please no, don't leave me!"
She kissed me. For the last time.
"Zephy...."
"Gemmy?..."
"Wake up!"
"Hhhhhhaaahhh!!!" I awoke with a loud, painful gasp.
I was still in the field, lying on the same spot where the bandit leader pushed me. With all of my remaining energy I stood up, staggering.
I looked at Gemmy. It was true. She is dead.
But I know her gift will not last too long if I stay here, mourning her. I began my almost unbearably painful journey to the closest city I know here: Ponyville.
After almost an hour of pain and blood loss, I almost gave up. The arrow in my chest wasn't a problem, it's force was deflected by my chestplate and it just 'scratched' me. But my wound in my left side was bleeding. Not too much, but enough to be lethal if not tended to in time.
I collapsed.
"This is it. The end of the road Zeph."
I wandered about my family... My friends... And Gemmy finally.
"No. I must go! For her!"
I stood up again, and ignored the pain. I must get into the city, ANY cost!
When I reached the outskirts of the city, it was already dawn. The horizon was bright red and orange as the sun slowly rised. Maybe this is the last time I see this.
The city was still empty, nopony was around this early.
Except one figure.
It was a gray mailmare with blonde mane and... Wall eyes? She had to do her job early so nopony disturbed her because her eyes, I thought.
"H... Help..." My voice cracked. I was almost out of power.
She noticed the faint cry and looked at me. Because she was airborne, she saw the path of blood I made.
She flew down to me in a flash and landed next to me.
"Oh my goddesses! Hold on sir, I will help you!" She stated and tried to put me on her back.
"Watch... Watch my left side..."
She checked it and nodded, determination on her face.
"My.. My name is Zephyr Verve... Sergeant of the Royal Guards... 27th division..."
"Ditzy Doo, local mailmare at your service!"
We took off from the ground and began to fly to the hospital.
After a while we were in the hospital where a nurse, Nurse Red Heart as I got know her name later, patched me up, before I was moved to Canterlot where the bigger hospitals were. The ambulance chariot was about to go when I signed to a nurse to wait.
Ditzy came to me, relieved.
"Thank you Ditzy. I owe you my life." I said, quietly, still in pain.
"Nooo, you don't owe me nothing, I did what I had to!" She smiled at me.
"But... I would be dead now if you didn't save me!"
She shook her head and smiled at me again.
"Seeya sometime later Zephyr. Visit me when you recovered."
"O-okay. Seeya Ditzy."
The nurse closed the door of the chariot and we headed off to Canterlot.
I've been in the hospital for three weeks. My parents visited me daily, and my big brother came at me once too.
But being alone for almost all day made me think.
I thought about my life... How it was? I thought about every piece of it.
Solitude. Pain. Sorrow. A shiny, passing point of happiness. And I lay on a bed in a hospital.
Few days earlier I got a letter from the Royal Guard Headquarters. It said that I'm classified as unable to perform my duty and I'm going to be disarmed. Hah, it was just an incidental coincidence, I wanted to leave it anyway.
Yes, I thought about things in those three week. Maybe too much.
But the most painful in my time on that bed, was the one time when Iron Will visited me. He was so depressed, he hadn't smiled or went in duty for the past weeks. He blamed himself for the death of Gemmy. I told him that he didn't do it, but my trying was unsuccesfull.
"Will. Seriously. It's the part of our job. Ponies die on the field, you know it too! Please stop blaming yourself and get back in your normal state!" I was worried and angry at him, he must stop or he will kill himslef...
He sighed.
"No, Zeph. I am the responsible for her death. I sent you, Gemmy and the whole squad on that patrol."
I blinked at him. He just sat next to my bed, his head hanging, like he doesn't want to look in my eyes. Even the color of his coat became darker. I got out of the bed, and sat next to him. My side was still aching but thanks to the unicorn doctors, it was mostly healed.
"Will. Look at me. You have to move on. You can't do anything to change this, torturing yourself will not help you."
He slowly rised his head and looked in my eyes. I only saw pain, sorrow and regret in his bloodshot ones.
"I... I can't. You should go back in your bed. I'm leaving now."
He stood up and walked to the door to leave.
"Will, don't do anything stupid!"
He looked back at me.
"No. I wont."
And he left me alone.
One more week passed and my wound healed enough to allow me free walking around so I left the hospital. After my short visit in the RGHQ, I got my severance pay (which was pretty big), a parade uniform and a veteran's medal.
With the severance pay and my savings, I bought a small flat in Cloudsdale, in the outskirts of the city, near to Ponyville. I wanted to show it to my friends... Friend. Only one left.
I went to search Will, if he is alive.
After arriving to Canterlot and flying to our old apartment, I found it's door locked.
"What the hay?..."
I looked for the spare key, it was under the flower pot, next to the door. After picking it up and opening the door, I heard the sound of a piano and the familiar singing voice of Will.
'Thanks to Celestia he didn't...'
I stepped inside quietly and crept to the room where the piano and he was. The door was opened slightly so I had a great view on him.
He played on the instrument, a slow, sad song, tearing and singing along. [Original song: here. ]
"All around me are familiar faces Worn out places, worn out faces Bright and early for the daily races Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses No expression, no expression Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take When ponies run in circles its a very, very Mad world, mad world..."
He stopped and began to cry, but stoped it soon and continued to play.
"Foals are waiting for the day they feel good Happy birthday, happy birthday And I feel the way that every foal should Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous No one knew me, no one knew me Hello teacher tell me, what's my lesson? Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take When ponies run in circles its a very, very Mad world, mad world, enlarging your world Mad world...."
When he stopped and leaned forward to cry, I stepped inside. He looked at me. He had big sacks under his bloodshot eyes, his mane was disheveled and greyer than ever.
"Zeph. Why did you came here?" His voice was hoarse, I don't know how did he sang so well then....
"I wanted to see if you are alright. Or not. But I can't decide."
I took a deep breath and walked next to him.
"Will, snap out of it. This leads into nothing! You have to stop this!"
He looked in my eyes. I saw his expression changing as he thought about this whole situation. Then he spoke.
"You... You are right. I can't leave everything alone because I lost someone important."
"That's the spirit. Now Will, get yourself ready and go to the HQ, sign yourself to duty!"
He slowly nodded and went in the bathroom. Twenty minutes later he come out as a new pony: all of the greyness disappeard, he was almost the same. But he didn't smile. For now, this will be enough.
"Hmh, you are ready, let's go!"
I said and led the way. Few minutes later we began to talk.
"...So I bought it. Not too big, but perfect for me, it's close to Ponyville where I will work."
"Ponyville? And what will you do there?"
"I saw that they need weather ponies, so I thought that will be perfect for me. And guess what?"
"Hmm?"
"I found somepony!..."
"Oh, who?"
"Do you remember that filly I was talking about, that one who did the Sonic Rainboom?"
"Uhm, yeah, did you find her or what?"
"Eeeexactly. And she grown up now. I hope I can get closer to her, she is the captain of the weather ponies."
"Heh, good luck! You will need it!" I glared at him. "Ho-ho-ho, what is this look? Do you want to say something?"
"Yeah."
"And what is it?"
"You are totally your old self."
He blinked few times as he thought about his.
"Well, you said that I have to move on, so I did!"
"True. Oh, we are here." I looked at the gates of the HQ. "I'm afraid I can't wait you, I have to get back in Ponyville soon to submit my application. Visit me soon!"
"Okay, seeya Zeph!"
"Seeya Will. See you later..."
I got in air and flew away, to my new job, to my new home, to my new life.
After moving into my new home I quickly made it comfortable and was eager to see the new workplace, so after locking the door, I flew to Ponyville.
Before I got into the small city, I stopped to rest a bit - my wounds were healed (more or less) but my general condition has worsened due to the lack of moving in the hospital. And don't speak about the bandages around my chest and left side, they were not the most comfortable things to wear.
Five minutes later I felt myself ready to go, but in the second I got off the ground, a rainbow colored explosion boomed trough the air. It came from Cloudsdale.
"Wow, that's familiar.... Is it... Her? In Cloudsdale?" I tried to think why would a Sonic Rainboom happen in Cloudsdale. "Oh of course! That race I forgot the name... And time. I should be in it. Uh, whatever."
Some time later, in Ponyville.
I landed in the front of the City Hall.
'If I'm correct, I have to ask the Mayor.' I thought as I got inside.
As I trotted inside the building and were greeted by an unicorn receptionist.
"Good day sir, what can I do for you?"
"Uhm, hello, I come here to sign myself for the weather pegasus job... I don't know where to search the Weather Control HQ, so I came here."
"Oh! Well, you saved your time by going here first. The Mayor's office is in this way." She pointed to a staircase. "You will find her upstairs."
"Thank you!"
I trotted upstairs. The Mayor was a bit elderly looking mare with grey mane and glasses. Maybe that's why she looked old.
"Welcome to Ponyville, what do you want Mr...?"
"Verve. My name is Zephyr Verve."
"So, what do you want here Mr. Verve?"
"I came here to take the Weather Pegasus job, I read about it in the Cloudsdale News."
"Hmm, I see, and why would I let you take it? Do you have any certifications?"
'She's getting on my nerves!'
"I'm a retired Royal Guard. I've been sent to retirement because I got injured. I thought you could see my bandages. But if that's not enough I was one of the best flyer in my division... No, in the whole army. Is this enough?"
She blinked a few.
"Y-yes, I think it is. Please sign this form here and you can go to the HQ, it's near to the hospital, you can't miss it." She wasn't that stuck-up now...
"Thank you!" I signed the paper and left her in her office. I hate the ponies who thinks themselves big because they have a bit of 'power'...
At the HQ...
I stopped and looked up. The building wasn't extraordinary, the only significant detail what made it recognizable, was the big sign on the front.
"Oookay, one way to go."
I said and stepped inside. The interior was familiar, it almost looked like a post office. As I walked to a counter, a mare spotted me and greeted me.
"Hello stranger, what you are up to?" Her coat is sky-blue, she have orange eyes and blond mane.
"Hi, my name is Zephyr Verve, I'm here to sign myself for weather pegasi."
"Let me guess, you were at the Mayor?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Nothing. My name is Wind Whistler, nice to meet you Zephyr."
"Same here! Well, when can I start?"
"Not so fast, first I need to check what can you do!"
"Oh, we can miss that, I can do anything."
She raises an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Really?"
"Yes. Of course not right now, but like a weak later I will be able to clear the sky in seconds. Just my wounds heal up, you will see."
She looks at my bandages.
"Hm, yes, you are wounded, but why?"
"Because I was a Royal Guard until a few weaks ago, when I was attacked. My whole squad was killed, I barely survived. Shortly."
She stared me with a surprized and sad expression.
"Ohh, I didn't know, sorry..." She stops staring me and begins to poke the floor with her right forehoof.
"No, you don't have to. Just.. Move on."
She nods and signs to follow her.
"So, this is the sqad! Or almost, the leader is out of city now."
We went in a resting place: some couches, a coffe-table with some magazines, and a coffe-machine.
I looked at the team and...
"Bluey?"
"Zeph?"
"I haven't see you in AGES!"
Yes, there he was, my good old friend, Blue Breeze, in whole life-size. We brohoofed like in the old times.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uhm, working?"
"Oh. Right. Well, welcome!"
Fantastic. I got my job and an old friend in the same day. What else could come now?
The next day.
Bluey told me about the how and when, so I was ready for everything. Except one thing.
A multicolored thing.
I was in the resting place, waiting for my assignment for my first day when she come in.
'Wooooowwww....' I tought as I saw her: Cyan coat, rainbow colored mane and tail, and a cloud with a rainbow colored lightning shooting from it as a cutiemark. Awesome.
She looked at me with a waiting expression. I got it and walked before her.
"My name is Zephyr Verve, I'm the 'new guy'."
She raised her eyebrows but then smiled.
"Rainbow Dash, the team leader, welcome in the squad!"
We shook our hooves.
I don't know how, but I was able to control myself. Okay, now comes the first step... I have to get know her more.
Weeks passed, and I got more and more information about her, my plan about how could I conquer her heart has formed. Time to do the second step.
It was a grey and peaceful dusk when I got to her cloud house. I had a small package in my mouth: A single red rose and an expensive choclate heart.
'I will just leave it on her doorstep, she will find it and I will tell her that I left it at her yesterday. Yes, this must work. Or maybe not, I don't know what to do with girls, I never had a fillyfriend and... Who the hay am I talking to now?'
I stopped thinking and placed my present on Dash's doorstep, just to fly away quickly.
'This must work, this must work, this must work.... Oh I'm hopeless....'
