//------------------------------// // Prologue: Reunion // Story: One Bolt, Moving Forward // by Boltsinger //------------------------------// In the town of Vanhoover, an orange Pegasus stallion sat in front of a pair of headstones. His mane and long tail were a wind-blown blue with an electric blue strewn throughout. His Cutie Mark was a black microphone with a streak of lightning coiling itself around the device. He wore a white crystal pendant in the shape of a lightning bolt, adorned with topaz cut to look like an electrical discharge. He looked at the headstones through his purple eyes, a hint of sadness showing itself. Behind him sat another Pegasus stallion with brown eyes, a bright yellow coat, a dirt brown mane and tail with a short cut, and a Cutie Mark of a brightly lit light bulb. The orange pony was looking hard at the headstones, trying to bring forth a smile. “I can’t believe I’m actually back here…” he began, looking around at the place in which he found himself. “A year and a half ago, I wouldn’t have even been strong enough to look at this town on a map, let alone actually pay it a visit. But, a lot can change, huh?” He laid on his stomach, crossing his forelegs. “Mom… Dad… It’s me, Boltsinger. Sorry I haven’t been able to come see you. I didn’t even know you were… um… in this state… ‘till a few months ago. You two are gonna love this… I got married! And you won’t believe just who it was I married!” He spread his wings in glee. “Princess Twilight Sparkle! Wait… You probably have no idea who that is…” He scratched his mane sheepishly with one of his wings, lowering his head. “You did pass out before she was even an Alicorn… But, yeah! I married a Princess! I thought you might appreciate that. But… The fact that she’s a Princess is just a perk in the end. She’s really just the best darn mare in the world. I think you would like her. She has a knack for bringing ponies together, even after a big rift tears them apart.” he looked back at the stallion accompanying him. “Right, Brightling?” “Definitely.” the yellow pony replied, standing up. “Listen, I’ve gotta get back home. Sparks has been having trouble handling Oathsinger alone for long periods. I’ll see you later, little brother!” He received a farewell wave from his brother, galloping off towards home. Boltsinger turned his attention back to the headstones, breathing a sigh. “You know that thing that happened when I got my Cutie Mark? The thing that… lead to your current state? Well, it’s done a lot more good since then.” He fluttered his wings in place, swallowing a lump in his throat. “Every time that lightning comes out, it means that somepony somewhere needs help. Then I take off like a Wonderbolt with a sugar rush, not stopping until I get there. Then when I meet the pony that needs my help, I’m always the one with the skills to help them! I’ve helped a lot of ponies over the years, and with all that Twilight has taught me, I’ve only improved at that.” He laughed to himself, sitting up. “And then there’s all the friends I’ve made besides her!” He went into a lengthy description of all of his best friends, practically introducing Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Starlight Glimmer, and Spike. He went on for so long about all of his favorite ponies that he nearly forgot that time even existed. The hour of twilight fell upon him, casting an orange light on the orange stallion. He looked once more at the headstones, finally coming to the end of his veritable rant. “I’m… I’m really sorry about what happened... “ he snorted up a sizable sob, wiping his eyes with his hoof. “Everypony keeps telling me that what happened was beyond anyone’s control, but… that doesn’t stop me from feeling responsible sometimes. I know that you don’t blame me. It was never in your nature, after all. I want you to know that you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ve got the magic of friendship on my side, after all!” He slapped his muzzle with both wings in an attempt to calm himself, standing up. “Well, Brightling’s not the only one with a wife who needs him. I’ve gotta get home, myself.” He bowed his head respectfully, proceeding to turn around. He flapped his wings, taking to the air towards the town proper. Boltsinger came to a landing in front of a house in the residential district of Vanhoover, taking a nostalgic look at the place. He stepped through the front door, where Brightling ran by with a crying white Unicorn colt in his wing. The baby had hazel eyes and a black mane and tail, and his horn was lit with a hazel light that floated a number of household items behind his father, moving almost as fast as the stallion himself. The younger brother raised a hoof, looking at the yellow pony as he ran. “You… need any help?” “I’ve got this!” Brightling answered, panting. “You should get packed and head home! Twilight needs you, you know.” Boltsinger chuckled, looking at the frantic scene that was his brother’s fatherly antics. “Kinda makes me glad I don’t have a foal… Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you!” “This is coming from somepony who has a natural affinity for taking care of Princess Flurry Heart?” Brightling argued, looking back at him. “Flurry is a toddler. And I mostly just play with her.” he explained, gathering some apples into his food bag. “The way she treats meals is a lot like playing as well. Plus she’s past her ‘baby magic’ phase.” “Just you wait, little brother. You’ll be in my shoes before long.” the yellow stallion warned, placing his foal on the changing station and getting to his work. Boltsinger laughed, patting his brother’s back. “Don’t work yourself too hard, big brother.” He turned to the exit, waving a wing farewell. “I’ll tell Twilight you said ‘hi’!” He exited the house, walking out into the road. “Okay… Let’s give this a shot…” He hunched over, flaring his wings. Twilight needs you… She always needs you! And what happens when somepony needs you, Bolt? He felt a familiar jolt and tingling in his wings, a spark appearing in his eyes. That’s right…! Blue streaks of electricity began to discharge from his wings, his Cutie Mark’s lightning crackling and whipping around everywhere. He took off, leaving behind a streak of orange with a blue lightning bolt inside along with a booming thunderclap.