//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Wings for a Pony // by Brawney Hooves //------------------------------// Day 2: The Date Clay held the blanket close to his body as he dreamt of meeting with Firefly, a big grin on his face as he imagined kissing the pony of his dreams. A knock at the door woke him from his slumber and he panicked as he remembered that he still had wings, as his mother opened the door he barely managed to cover his new appendages before she saw them. “Morning Clay, are you feeling any better?” She asked standing over him. “Uh, yeah I feel better mom, but I think I’m going to stay in bed for a while.” Dash smiled. “If that’s what you want, then sure. Just don’t sleep in all day okay.” Clay nodded as his mother kissed him on the forehead and started to leave the room. “I’ll be home around nine.” She said as she closed his door, Clay waved goodbye and then listened for the front door to close before getting out of bed and opening his window to fly off. As he did however a thought struck him. “Firefly will probably notice that I can’t walk on clouds when we go out. I better see Dinky if she has any other spells.” Clay flew to Dinky’s home and knocked on the door knowing if anypony would answer it would be Dinky since Ditzy had already left for her mail route. Clay waited and as he predicted Dinky was the one who answered the door. “Clay? What are you doing here?” “Dinky listen do you still have the spell book?” Yeah I have it. Why?” “I need to find a spell that will allow me to walk on clouds. That way Firefly will think I’m a real pegasus.” Dinky sighed. “Clay she’s going to find out eventually. Why don’t you just tell her before she finds out the hard way?” “I will! Just…just not yet.” “What are you waiting for?” “I…I’m scared Dinky.” Dinky looked at Clay confused. “Scared? About what?” “I’m scared that if I tell her I’m an earth pony she’ll…she’ll never want to see me again.” Clay lowered his head. “I will tell her I promise. I just…don’t want the dream to end just yet.” “Clay…if she doesn’t love you for who you really are then she’s not the right filly for you.” Clay looked to his friend disheartened. “If not her than who? Who’d want to date a plain old blank flank earth pony like me?” Dinky gave a sad look. “Somepony will Clay. If you don’t mind me saying you are…handsome.” Clay chuckled nervously. “Thanks Dinky.” He said smiling slightly. “Now let’s find you that spell!” Dinky replied as they walked into her home and she began to look through the book while Clay waited. “I’m lucky to have a friend like her.” Clay thought as he watched her flip through the pages. Dinky found the cloud walking spell. Cast it on Clay and then found a nearby cloud to test it on. Clay was pleased when he found that instead of sinking like last time the cloud was actually quite solid beneath his hooves if a bit squishy. Clay thanked Dinky and then returned to flying as Dinky returned to her home. Minutes later: Clay felt light as a feather as he soared above the clouds over Canterlot looking for Firefly’s home and began thinking of the day ahead. “I wonder where our date is going to be?” As Clay spotted Firefly’s house he decided to try her window this time to see if she was home, Clay hovered in front of her window peering inside to see Firefly writing at her desk. He tapped on the window three times causing Firefly to look back slightly startled. “Clay! I didn’t expect to see you here so early.” She walked up to the window and flew out to meet him. “Sorry I was excited and I wanted to see you.” Firefly blushed. “Well use the door next time I don’t want my father to see you peeping through my window…he might get the wrong idea.” “What do you mean?” Clay asked confused. “Nothing, my dad’s just very protective of me and he’s not fond of boys being around me.” Clay chuckled. “My mom’s the same way.” Firefly tilted her head and gave a smug smile. “You have guys hit on you too?” “Ha, ha, very funny.” Clay muttered sarcastically. “Come on let’s get that date started!” Firefly began to fly higher, but she was stopped by Clay. “Uh, wait. Shouldn’t I meet your parents first or at least tell them where we’re going?” Firefly raised an eyebrow. “Why do I have to tell my dad anything if he just wants to keep me locked up during the summer? Besides he’s at work right now.” Clay was beginning to get nervous. “Well, then maybe we should tell Germane instead.” Firefly rolled her eyes. “What are you a momma’s boy? Our parents don’t have to know everything we do. Now come on!” Clay started to object, but Firefly had already gotten a head start and Clay had to flap his wings harder to keep up with her. Clay followed Firefly over Canterlot and soon they were beginning to ascend higher than Clay was comfortable with. “Where are we going?” Clay asked. “To Cloudsdale the city of the pegasus ponies. You should know that you live there.” Suddenly Clay was relived he had gone to Dinky for that cloud walking spell. “I don’t live in Cloudsdale I live in Ponyville!” “Oh…well you must have flown there before with the Wonderbolts right?” “I never said that I worked for the Wonderbolts!” Clay shouted over the wind. “Well then how do you know Rainbow Dash?” Clay was about to answer when he saw the enormous cloud like city a head of them. “Is that it?” Clay asked. “Duh, of course that’s Cloudsdale. You must have at least gone there for flight school.” Clay panicked as he tried to think of an excuse. “I uh…was home schooled.” Firefly looked startled at the announcement. “Home schooled for flying? Who does that to their kid?” “Somepony who is a good teacher.” Clay remarked. The two ponies flew their way over the cloud made streets and buildings as Clay took in the sights. “This place is amazing…why would mom move to Ponyville if she was born here?” landing softly at the front of a small cloud building with a sign that read “Cumulus Café” Firefly began to walk in while Clay continued to look at the buildings around him in amazement. “Hey you want to get some lunch or not?” Firefly asked the mesmerized Pegasus. “Uh, yeah I’m coming.” Clay shook his head and walked in after her. The inside of the café was not what Clay was expecting. Instead everything being made of clouds like he expected everything looked solid with tile floors and tables. Clay was baffled at why the interior would look like a normal restaurant, or for that matter how everything was not falling to the ground below. “Maybe they use special clouds?” Clay thought as he sat at a table with Firefly, as they waited a Pegasus waitress approached with a notepad and quill. “What can I get for you two?” She asked in a friendly manner. “The daffodil sandwich please. “ Firefly said handing her menu. “I’ll have…the daisy top burger with a side of hay fries, please.” He handed his menu to the waitress and began to wait as she hovered to the back. “So tell me about yourself.” Firefly asked. “Oh I’m nobody special.” Clay said meekly. “Clay you saved me from drowning. I’d say that makes you special.” She said smiling at him. “That’s nice of you to say Firefly, but honestly I’m no pony special.” Clay replied. “No pony special? Clay not only did you save my life, but you know Rainbow Dash the greatest Wonderbolt ever; that makes you even more awesome!” Firefly exclaimed excitedly “Now tell me about yourself before I force it out of you.” She stared at Clay with an intense interest; Clay took a breath and began telling her everything, omitting the part about not being an actual Pegasus and Rainbow Dash being his mother for right now and not being her biological son. Soon he finished and saw that Firefly looked intrigued “Well you seem to live an interesting life. I can’t believe that you have never been to Cloudsdale before today.” She remarked. “I guess the thought never crossed my mind…what about you?”Firefly looked to the side. “Not much to tell about me. My dad’s a big important pony, I love the Wonderbolts, and my father doesn’t approve of anything I do.” She looked annoyed as she finished. “Your dad doesn’t like you flying?” “Heh, he’d rather I had been born without wings so I didn’t get hurt when I do a trick. But it’s in my blood I need the wind in my mane, the adrenaline; I love it all.” She said excitedly. Their food had arrived and they soon began eating. “There’s something I don’t understand.” Clay said after swallowing. “What?” “Germane said that your father hated the Wonderbolts…how did you get all that stuff in your room?” Firefly swallowed what she had in her mouth and looked slightly saddened. “It’s not mine actually.” Clay cocked an eyebrow. “Whose is it then?” “They…were my mom’s things.” She said. “Is your mom a fan too?” Clay asked. “No she was a Wonderbolt. One of the best.” “Was?” Clay asked surprised. “Before…before she died.” Firefly said sadly. “Oh…I’m so sorry.” Clay said softly. “It’s okay…you didn’t know.” Firefly looked down at the table as her eyes began to glisten, Clay began to feel depressed as well and put down his burger slowly. “You know…I don’t have a dad.” Firefly looked up at Clay slowly. “Is he dead too?” Clay nodded. Firefly looked at him silently before replying. “I’m sorry.” Clay shook his head. “I’m over it really, I have my mom and she’s all I need to feel like I have a family.” Firefly smiled. “She sounds like an awesome mom.” Clay smiled back. “She is…I couldn’t ask for a better one.” As they finished Firefly paid for their meal and they headed back outside when Firefly had an idea. “Hey since you're new here how about I show you around?” Clay smiled. “I’d like a tour if you have the time.” Firefly smiled back. “Don’t worry Germane thinks I’m still in my room and my dad won’t be back until nine, so that means…” She looked up to see a giant sundial that read three. “We have plenty of time to look around.” Firefly lifted off into the sky and Clay followed closely. Firefly showed Clay how rainbows and the weather were made, as well as the giant stadium where the biggest flying competitions were held. After some more sight-seeing Clay and Firefly decided to try some stunts outside of Cloudsdale. Clay was less experienced than Firefly, and ended up failing most of them. While Firefly performed flawlessly. Eventually Clay just gave up and sat on a nearby cloud to cheer Firefly on, after an hour she was exhausted and sat next to him while they watch the sun descend over the horizon. Firefly began to nuzzle up next to Clay as he began to blush. “Thanks for such a fun time Clay.” She said happily. “I should be thanking you this was your idea.” Firefly giggled. “I know but…I just get so restless being cooped up in that house all day. I don’t have any friends in Canterlot because I’m the daughter of Jasper Goldhoof, and my dad keeps me locked up except when I have to go to school, because he’s afraid I’ll get hurt.” She looked over to Cloudsdale. “That’s why I come here, to feel free from my dad, from who I am, and that stupid name that he gave me.” Firefly frowned. “It was fun to finally share it with somepony else for a change.” Clay smiled. “I don’t know I think Philomena is a beautiful name.” Firefly still frowned. “It’s not good enough for a Wonderbolt though.”Clay cocked his head towards the pink pegasus . “If you don’t mind me asking why did you choose the name Firefly?” Firefly snuggled up to Clay making his heart race. “They used to hang around my bedroom window when I was a little filly. I remember thinking about how beautiful they looked glowing in the dark, and my mom used to catch some for me and let me keep them for the night. She used to call me her little firefly…but that was a long time ago.” Clay hearing the sadness in her voice decided to comfort her by draping his wing over her like how his mother used when he was scared or sad. It seemed to do the trick as she rested her head on his shoulder and began smiling broadly. “I feel so safe around you Clay.” She said softly “I feel like you would never let anything hurt me.” Clay looked down at her and smiled. “And I wouldn’t.” Firefly looked up at him and they locked eyes and began to slowly move towards each other, however as Clay was about to kiss Firefly he heard the distant ring of the clock tower from Canterlot which rang eight times. “Oh no, mom will be back soon!” Clay thought panicking slightly. “Oh no, dad will be back soon!” Firefly said out loud as she pulled away “Sorry Clay I’ve got to get going. We can catch up tomorrow okay?” Clay was feeling dejected, but nodded. “Good and by the way…would you mind not telling anypony about that sappy moment earlier?” Firefly asked. “Who would I tell?” Clay replied, but Firefly didn’t look convinced. “Promise that this will stay between us for right now okay I don’t want it getting around that I’m…one of those romance loving ponies.” Clay nodded and she looked relived “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow Clay.” She propelled into the air and headed off while Clay looked on sadly. “I was so close.” He thought as he started to make his way home. Suddenly he heard his name. “Clay!” He looked back to see Firefly flying straight at him. “What are you doing?” Clay asked puzzled . “I forgot to give you something.” She said stopping a few inches from him. “What?” Clay asked, Firefly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “That.” She replied smiling before flying away again. Clay hovered in the air as the realization hit him that he had just been kissed by a girl. He slowly brought a hoof up to his cheek and smiled as his heart began to feel warm inside him. Clay Hurried back to Ponyville and looked at the clock tower as he landed in the now dark and empty streets showing that it was 8:30. “Perfect just enough time to get home and hop into bed without mom knowing.” He started to head home when he heard a voice. “Cutting it kind of close don’t you think?” Clay jumped and turned around to See Dinky looking at him. “Dinky…oh thank goodness.” Clay sighed. “So…how was it?” “It was awesome! We went to Cloudsdale and it was as incredible as our parents told us it was!” Dinky smiled. “Really? That is awesome.” She smile turned to a sideways glance. “So…how was Firefly?” Clay smiled. “She’s great. She wants to be Wonderbolt, she’s rich, and she’s a great flyer. She even…” Clay stopped in midsentence. “She did what?” “Uh, nothing.” Said Clay remembering what he had promised to Firefly. “Look Dinky I have to be getting home so maybe I’ll see you tomorrow ok?” Dinky smiled. “Sure thing.” Clay started to leave when Dinky spoke again. “Clay…be careful when you’re flying ok?” Clay looked to her slightly confused by what she had said. “Uh, yeah of coarse I’ll be careful.” Dinky looked at him worried. “It’s just…you’re my best friend and I don’t want what happened on your seventh birthday to happen again.” Clay walked back to Dinky and looked to her smiling. “It won’t happen again Dinky I promise…and you’re my best friend too.” Clay pulled Dinky into a hug before running back to his home. Leaving Dinky slightly stunned, but pleased at the same time before she headed home herself. Clay swung open the front door and raced to the bathroom to get ready for bed. He brushed his teeth and combed his mane before going to his room and pulling the sheets over his body. He turned over to face the bedroom window as he heard the front door open and close. “Clay! I’m home!” He heard his mother call from down stairs, but he didn’t answer and pretended to be asleep as he heard her hoof steps climb the stairs. Dash poked her head into his room and began whispering. “Clay are you asleep yet?” She looked over and saw the seemingly sleeping earth pony in his bed, she walked over to him and sat at the edge looking down at him and stroked his side. “I hope you’re not still sick Clay I worry about you sometimes.” She said softly while Clay listened and kept his eyes shut. “If anything ever happened to you I…I don’t know what I would do.” She went silent and looked to the sleeping colt. “I missed you today Clay…being a Wonderbolt captain is tough some times, but coming home and seeing you makes me feel like I could do it forever.” Dash smiled as she continued rubbing Clay through the sheets. “ I remember when you were little you used to cry when I left and I had to pinkie promise that I would come back…and when I did you were always there waiting for me with that cute smile.” She looked up as the memories came flooding back making her eyes glisten. “But you don’t cry when I leave or wait for me to come back anymore…I guess I have to remind myself that you’re not that foal I found alone and helpless anymore. Some day you won’t even need me anymore you’ll be…all grown up.” She looked to the ground sadly. “I guess that’s the down side about being a parent. Eventually they don’t need you for anything other than to tell them that you love them from time to time.” Dash looked to Clay again and smiled sadly. “Well…at least I have you for a few more years before that happens.” She leaned over and kissed the back of his head before getting up and heading to the door and then turning back she whispered. “Good night Clay…I love you.” She then shut the door quietly as Clay laid there allowing large tears to fall from his eyes. “I love you too mom.” He sobbed as he looked out the window and at the night sky.