//------------------------------// // Flying the Dream Part 1 // Story: Student of Friendship // by zalla661 //------------------------------// After the meeting with the Princesses and Button’s mom, Starlight was walking alone down the halls of the castle. Golden Claw was escorting the Mash family back home, and Starlight managed to give Thunderclap the slip while walking through the halls. She was now at the main gate where there were two guards standing by as she passed unhindered. Starlight made a quick trot to Ponyville center where she ran into a pony she hadn’t seen in sometime, or rather she accidentally bumped into her not paying attention to where she was going. The impact sent both mares to the ground, with Starlight on top as a pile of tools fell around them. Starlight got up quickly dusted herself off and helped the mare up. “I’m so sorry miss! I wasn’t watching where I was going and-” “No, you weren’t.” The mare replied sourly. Starlight’s mood suddenly soured at the sound of the mare's voice. “Oh, it’s you,” Starlight grumbled levitating the tools into a bag and giving it to the mare. “How’ve you been Amber Anvil?” Starlight said the mare's name with such hate and venom it almost made her sick to say it. Amber Anvil, smithy of Ponyville smirked at the angry scowl Starlight gave her as she took her tools back. “Someday the Princess will see you for the monster you are along with Trixie and be done with both of you,” Amber said walking away. She passed Starlight the mare wiped her tail at the unicorns behind. The tail snapped right on her cutie mark, which made Starlight yelp in surprise. Amber smirked at Starlight’s reaction as she rounded a corner and entered her shop and slammed the  door shut behind her with a swift kick. Starlight blew a childish raspberry at the door where Amber entered. After which she promptly turned about face and with a flick of her mane she strut away with her nose up. Not before kicking some dirt on the welcome mat first though. Starlight walked away when she noticed Guiding Wind walking through the market by herself. Starlight’s mood brightened up at the sight of the sweet kind hearted mare. Starlight picked up her pace to catch up with the maid pony when Rainbow Dash came down and landed next to the prench maid. Starlight stopped and casually sat nearby on a bench next to a mint green unicorn who was sitting by herself with a newspaper. Starlight ignored the mare and her paper and focused on the interactions between Rainbow and Guiding Wind. The two talked for a minute, clearly Guiding wind was having trouble with her words, but Starlight noticed Rainbow kept a calm face and worked through it. In the end after a good two minute conversation Rainbow flexed her wings out, allowing Guiding Wind to inspect them up close. Ponies stared at the pair, Rainbow had a silly grin on her face, and Guiding Wind looked like she was enjoying touching Rainbow’s wing like a Wonderbolt fan would if their hoof touched their idol. After Rainbow showed off her wings to Guiding Wind, the rainbow maned pegasus flew off leaving Guiding Wind alone waving goodbye to the mare. Starlight waited as Guiding Wind turned to leave then ran to catch up to her. “Guiding Wind! Hey!” She called to the maid pony. Guiding Wind stopped to scan the  area to see where the source of the voice that called her came from. As luck would have it, Starlight came up beside her right as the earth pony maid turned her head her way. With a kind smile and a polite bow Guiding Wind greeted Starlight with nothing but humility and grace. “Greetings madame. How do you fare, young miss?” She asked Starlight. “Ah, could be better. How are you?” Starlight asked. Guiding Wind blushed looking away bashfully from Starlight. The unicorn smirked sensing a moment of fun friendly teasing coming up. “Aw, does somepony have a crush on Rainbow Dash?” Starlight playfully teased Guiding Wind. Guiding Wind squeaked trying to hide her face behind her mane. “Miss! I really don’t think so! She’s so far out of our league!” Guiding Wind whined but smiled as she playfully flicked her tail. “Although she is a very sweet mare.”  She added as they both giggled. The thought of Rainbow Dash being sweet brought a short lived laughter fboth mares. After the short lived laughter Starlight and Guiding Wind continued down the street until they walked through the market. “Hey, sorry. I was just teasing you.” Starlight told Guiding Wind. “To be honest, I think you have a great chance with her.” Guiding Wind gulped and slowed down a pace or two before finding her rhythm again. Coming to Starlight she leaned in closer to the mare's ear and whispered gently to her. “You really think so?” She asked, feeling unsure. Starlight nodded, smiling with great confidence in her words. “I know you got a chance. Trust me, I’m friends with her and I have to say without a doubt you can win her heart!” Starlight said walking up to a stall with Guiding Wind. After a quick purchase of carrots the two mares continued to walk heading back towards the castle. While they did Guiding Wind seemed a bit lost in thought. Starlight ventured a guess that her mind was on Rainbow Dash. After what she said to Guiding Wind the earth pony seemed to think hard on what she said. “I don’t think it would work out.” Starlight gasped at the sudden comment from Giding Wind. Flabbergasted by her words Starlight tried to steer the conversation into a more positive direction. “Hey now, I know Rainbow Dash, and I can say without a doubt that from the way she acted around with you you can easily score with her!” Starlight said, hoping to brighten Guiding Winds mood. “I don’t know, young Miss…” Starlight groaned. “Ugh, look just trust me on this Guiding Wind! Rainbow doesn’t show off like that for just anyone,” Starlight said imitating Rainbow when she flexed her wings for Guiding Wind. “Believe me when I say that Rainbow likes you,” Starlight assured her. “Why not ask her out?” “No, young miss. I can’t,” Guiding Wind said melancholically. Starlight felt her ear and eyes twitch with irritation. She couldn’t understand why Guising Wind was so against the idea of going out with Rainbow Dash. Then she thought, maybe it wasn’t her place to put them together unless they wanted it. Just like with her, and Button being forced apart by Twilight, was it really her place to bring Rainbow and Guiding Wind together? Did they even like each other like that? It was clear Guiding Wind cared for Rainbow, but she didn’t know about the other mares feelings. “I can never be with her.” The words came out of Guiding Wind had completely thrown off Starlight. The response was simple. So cold and distant. It was as if Guiding Wind wasn’t there and was replaced by a changeling or a mimic. The cold distant tone threw Starlight off that she had to do a double take just to make sure it was Guiding Wind who said it. The Earth pony sighed looking up at her sky. A flock of pegasi flew overhead. One stopped to wave to another pony at the ground and then flew off to catch up to his friends. The group had stopped to wait for their friend before continuing their journey to wherever they were heading. It made Guiding Wind feel depressed to see them. Lowering her head she wiped her now tear strained eyes with her hoof. “I can never be with her. So, I’ll never try,” She said looking at the castle approaching in the distance. Starlight feeling saddened by her friends words decided to pry a bit more. She didn’t want to force it and drive her friend away, but Starlight was still set on this and nothing was going to change her mind. “Why can’t you be with her?” Starlight asked eagerly. “Why wouldn’t you be? It’s obvious she likes you.” But Starlight’s words were quickly shot down by the most obvious answer. She just didn’t want to say it, but Guiding Wind was more than able to do so herself. “I can’t fly, young miss.” Guiding Wind said sighing. “If she were to date me I would ground her and she wouldn’t be able to fly as she does. It simply won’t work out.” “But, that’s silly! Whether you can fly or not, if Rainbow does care about you she will compromise! That’s what love is about!” Guiding Wind shook her head, but smiled kindly to her friend. “No, it’s not that simple. I would never ask Rainbow to limit herself just to be on my level. That’s fine though. I’m happy enough to spend time with her, and that’s good enough for me. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to prepare lunch. I’ll bring yours to you room like always?” Starlight sighed in defeat. “Yeah, bring it to my room. Thanks.” Guiding Wind nodded and continued on towards the castle leaving Starlight to her thoughts. The mere thought long and hard. Her own feeling aside she was now conflicted with herself. Ever since she reformed she had accepted new ideas and new things, but something in the back of her mind still lingered. A thought she hadn’t thought of much as of late but was still there growing and gnawing at the back of her mind. “What if we were all equal?” After getting back to her room Starlight went to a large chest in her closet. She dragged the large chest out and opened the lid, the old iron hinges creaked loudly as she opened it. Inside was a variety of nick nacks she collected over the years. Her old equality staff, a few jars of zap-apple jam, cider, and many other things. The object she sought however was far more exotic. A small mason jar with a copper lid with a faint glow emanating from it. Using her magic Starlight brought the jar up to eye level and looked long and hard at it. INside was the floating cutie mark from trixie she took from the alternate timeline. With a dark grin Starlight walked over to her work desk and pulled out several books on transfiguration and opened them up. She was in for a night or few nights of heavy reading and little sleep, but her friends happiness was all worth it. She would help Guiding Wind reach her dreams with Rainbow Dash. She just needed a little magic to help, nudge them in the right direction.