//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: Wings for a Pony // by Brawney Hooves //------------------------------// Day 3: The Truth Part 1 Clay was flying over Ponyville enjoying his last day of freedom. Doing somersaults and spins in the air. “This must be what mom feels like all the time.” He thought as he started to dive towards the ground only to pull away at the last second. He cheered at the top of his lungs as he flew higher into the sky. “I wish mom could have seen that…she’d probably have a heart attack though.” Clay started to ascend higher and higher until he could barely see the ground. Clay began to drift and shut his eyes feeling the breeze in his mane. “I wish I could keep these wings forever.” He thought dreamily. Suddenly he heard a whooshing sound causing him to open his eyes and soon found himself looking at Firefly. “Hey Clay you want to race? You get a prize if you win.” She gave him a cocky smile. “Sure…what’s the prize?” Firefly’s smile turned seductive. “Why don’t you catch me and find out.” And with that she flew off at full speed, and Clay followed soon after her. The wind began to sting his eyes as he flew faster and faster, soon he saw Firefly and his speed picked up even more as his heart began to race. Clay was mere inches from Firefly when he suddenly felt an odd sensation in his back. He turned his head and to his horror he saw that his wings were beginning to disintegrate before his eyes. “No! Oh Celestia no!” He screamed as they grew thinner and thinner until finally they disappeared completely. Clay stood in the air for a few seconds before plummeting to the ground screaming. The clouds rushed past him and the wind rushed through his ears making a high pitched whine as his heart pounded in his chest. The ground drew closer and closer and he realized that no one was going to save him this time; he shut his eyes just seconds before he hit the ground awaiting the pain of impact. Clay awoke gasping for breath and then looked around to see that he was still in his room safe and sound. He looked to his back and saw that the magic wings were still there. Clay whipped his brow and discovered that he was covered in cold sweat. As he sighed in relief there was a knock on his bedroom door. “Clay…are you awake yet?” Clay slid back down and pulled the sheets higher to cover his wings, when he felt that they were hidden enough he replied. “Come in mom.” Dash walked in to see Clay huddled in his bed. “Are you okay Clay? You slept in pretty late.” Clay rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?” “Its 12:00.” Clay raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be at work?” Dash shook her head. “I decided to take the day off because I wasn’t sure if you were feeling well and I didn’t want to leave you alone.” She walked over to him and noticed that he was damp with sweat “Clay are you alright?” She asked worried, Clay nodded. “Yeah I’m fine, but what do you mean you took the day off? You love being with the Wonderbolts.” Dash sat down next to him and smiled. “I do love being with the Wonderbolts Clay, but I love being with you more.” She ran a hoof through his mane making him smile. “So are you hungry?” Dash asked him, she got her answer when Clay’s stomach made a loud groan. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She replied, Clay was happy to have his mother home for a change, but he knew that if he left the bed she would see his wings, and then what? “I’ll see you down stairs when you’re ready.” She kissed his forehead and left the room, Clay stayed in his bed for the moment as he began thinking about how he was going to hide his wings. He looked around and noticed a black hoodie hanging in his closet; he then got up and placed the hoodie over his head. When he finished he looked at his back and saw that his wings were perfectly concealed. “Perfect.” Clay thought as he left his room and went down stairs. Clay saw his mother making what looked like two turf grass sandwiches, and he sat at the table hoping that she wouldn’t ask about the hoodie. Dash set the sandwiches on the table and then took her spot. “So I was thinking since I was off today maybe we could go someplace and spend some time together just the two of us.” Clay looked to Dash nervously. “Uh, actually mom Dinky and I have plans today. Maybe I could spend time with you later when we’re done?” Clay lied. “Oh…uh yeah that’s fine I guess.” Clay saw her face fall slightly and he felt a twinge of guilt in his ribs. He hadn’t had quality time with his mother in years due to her job and now that she had some free time he had to lie to her face to avoid punishment. Clay took a breath and looked to his mother again. “You know…I can always spend time with Dinky tomorrow.” Dash looked at Clay surprised. “Clay you don’t have to do that.” Clay shook his head. “I want to spend time with you mom…really.” “But what about Dinky?” “I’ll talk to her. She’ll understand.” Dash smiled as she realized she hadn’t lost her son to being a teenager just yet. After they finished their sandwiches they made their way through Ponyville stopping by sugar cube corner and sharing some baked goods and talking with Pinkie Pie. They then went to the park where they played eye spy. Rainbow would manipulate the clouds and Clay would try to identify the object they resembled. It was something Clay hadn’t done with his mother since he was a little colt. Soon after they met Twilight and the others who had decided to have a picnic and asked Dash and Clay to join them. They agreed and enjoyed the food that had been brought and swapping stories about what they had done today. As Clay saw his mother and Aunts talking and laughing about the day Clay couldn’t help but smile at his decision to spend time with them. As Clay reached for a bottle of sarsaparilla Pinkie Pie spoke up. “So Clay how has your search for that mystery filly going?” Clay stopped in mid sip as all eyes were on him now. “Oh my I completely forgot about your crush Clay. Did you find her yet?” Rarity asked excitedly. “She’s not a mystery anymore girls he found out her name at the gala.” Everyone except Dash looked excited. “Who is she?” Fluttershy asked timidly. “H-her names Firefly.” Clay replied choking slightly. He had forgotten about meeting Firefly today and she was probably waiting for him right now. “Can’t say that name sounds familiar.” Applejack said tapping her chin. “Do you know where she lives?” Twilight asked. “I…I found out that she lives in Canterlot.” Dash placed a hoof on her head. “No wonder we haven’t been able to find her!” Rarity gave a puzzled expression as she thought. “Funny I know every pony in Canterlot and I’ve never heard of a Firefly.” Fluttershy looked to Rarity. “That is rather strange.” Clay began to panic his plan was starting to fall apart. “Clay…do you want us to help you find her?” Dash asked her son. “Uh, you don’t have to do that mom really I can find her on my own.” “I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria I can be at Canterlot and back in no time.” Clay was really panicking now. He didn’t want his mother to meet her yet. “Mom I can get to her myself let’s just enjoy the picnic!” Clay grumbled, starting to stress out. “It’s no…” Dash started but was cut off. “Mom, please, I can find her myself I don’t want your help!” Clay shouted. Dash and the others looked at Clay startled by his outburst and the atmosphere had changed dramatically, Twilight and the others looked to Dash who looked startled at her son, yet she remained quiet for a short time before finally speaking. “Clay, what’s going on? You’ve been sneaking around, and now you’re yelling at me for trying to help? It’s like you don’t even want me in your life!” Clay looked at her apologetically. “Mom I’m…I’m sorry.” Dash froze, slightly panicked. “No you’re right…you’re a big boy now and you don’t need me to help you with everything.” She bit her lip and looked down. “I’ll just uh…I’ll just stay out of your way and let you handle it.” Clay lowered his head feeling terrible for making his mother feel this way. Feeling like the good times were over Twilight and the others began packing up the picnic and left for home while Dash and Clay trailed behind not meeting each other’s gaze. As they continued walking Dash suddenly stopped. “Clay can I talk to you for a sec?” Clay looked to her nervously. “Sure.” He walked up to her and they sat down while the others continued to walk. “Clay…are you…embarrassed by me?” Clay looked at his mother baffled. “Why would you think that mom?” Dash looked uncertainly at Clay. He had always worshiped her. She knew there was a time when a foal got embarrassed by their parents, but she always thought she was too cool for that, that Clay would always think how lucky he was to have such an awesome mom. “Well…you just don’t want to spend time with me anymore. And you don’t seem to want me to meet this filly of yours so I thought that her meeting me would embarrass you…” “Mom…” Clay said feeling incredibly guilty. “But I can be totally cool, ya know. I mean not everypony has a mom who’s a Wonderbolt, or who will go to Canterlot to find the girl they like, right? I mean, I’m kinda awesome for a mom…? ” She swallowed nervously, almost looking scared. Clay reached over and hugged his mother tightly trying to show that he didn’t feel that way at all. “You could never embarrass me mom.” Dash smiled and returned the hug, then after a pause she asked. “Have…have I been a good mom Clay?” Clay squeezed her tighter. “You’re the best mom anypony could ask for.” A small tear ran down Rainbows face. “Thank you Clay.” They finished the hug and began to catch up with the others. Both of them feeling lighter and happier than before. After a few minutes Dash and Clay reached home, Dash headed inside but Clay stayed back thinking. “Hey mom is it alright if I stay out a bit longer?” Dash looked back at him. “Sure…but, um,why?” “I…I need to think about something for a bit.” Dash nodded and Clay walked off to a quiet spot under a tree to think. He didn’t have much time left before his wings would disappear, and he was trying to figure out what to do with the time he had left. He knew Firefly was waiting for him so he had to meet her…but what would she think of him once his wings were gone? As he thought Sky’s voice rang in his head. "Filthy earth pony!" Clay shook his head silencing the voice. “Will she still like me when I can’t fly anymore? What if she hates me for lying to her?” Clay started to rub his temples with his hooves sighing in frustration. Clay began thinking back to the early years with his mom and he began to remember his seventh birthday, he could remember every detail of the night when his mother tucked him into bed. “What did you wish for anyway?” He heard his mother ask. “To have wings like you mommy.” His younger self answered. Clay now back in the present day looked up at the clouds and thought of all the things a mother and son could do like flying kites, play games in the park, and exploring Ponyville…but there was one thing he could never do with Dash. The one thing that he had wanted to do since he was a young colt, and now he had his chance. Clay stood up with a new determination and began to walk home when he spotted Dinky. “Dinky!” He called after her and started running to his childhood friend. “Hi Clay!” She walked over to him. “Just so you know I haven’t told anypony about your wings…have you told your mom yet?” Clay shook his head “Not yet and I appreciate you keeping my secrete Dinky, but now I need you to make a promise.” “What’s that?” Dinky asked concerned. “Tell my mom to meet me in Canterlot.” Dinky blinked in confusion. “Why?” “Because I need to tell the truth…to both her and Firefly.” “Why can’t you tell her?” Dinky questioned. “Because I need to get to Firefly so I need you to tell my mom for me while I’m in Canterlot.” Dinky opened her mouth as if to speak, but she soon shut it again and simply nodded. “Thanks Dinky.” He then started to take off his hoodie and spread his wings making Dinky’s eyes widen in amazement. Clay faced away from her and flew off into the sky when Dinky called out stopping him. “Clay…what do I tell her?” “Just tell her that I need to show her something and that she can finally meet Firefly in person.” Clay started to fly again when he was stopped by Dinky once again. “Clay!” He turned to her in midair. “Yeah?” Dinky looked at him with sisterly concern. “Be careful.” Clay smiled and nodded before taking off into the sky again heading for Canterlot.