//------------------------------// // Chapter 27 // Story: Wings for a Pony // by Brawney Hooves //------------------------------// Dash and Clay made their way out of the forest not really sure how to explain what had happened to the others. As they emerged they were met with surprised gasps from Twilight and the others. “Rainbow! Clay! You’re alright!” Twilight shouted joyfully and soon both ponies found themselves in a large group hug. “We thought we lost you! Comet and Sky came back and said that you were…” Rarity halted unable to finish. “I wasn’t dead I was just…sleeping.” Everyone laughed nervously. “Oh my goodness look! Clay even got his cutie mark!” Twilight gasped. Twilight and the others began crowding around Clay to see it. “Oh my. What does it mean Clay?” Fluttershy asked. “Who cares?! Dashie and Clay are back and Clay has his cutie mark, so let’s party!” With that they all made their way back to Ponyville anticipating the celebration Pinkie no doubt had in store. “Clay. If you don’t mind me asking what do you think your cutie mark means?” Dash asked Clay as they hung in the back. “I think it means that I have two families that love me no matter what.” “Well that does make you unique.” Dash chuckled “But what made it appear?” “I guess when you came back I started thinking of where I belonged in this world. And I realized that I was only truly happy with you and with Uncle Comet. And it made me realize that no matter what I may face I’ll always have you and Comet looking out for me.” “Well this time you saved me Clay. I can’t believe you took on that timber wolf all on your own.” Dash smirked ruffling his mane. “I didn’t do it alone. Sky helped.” “Sky was there? Well that’s…that’s…unexpected.” They finally arrived home and encountered Comet and Sky. “Oh, Celestia…Rainbow you’re…you’re alive!” Comet said startled. “Of course I’m alive! You can’t keep me down!” Sky looked at Rainbow baffled. “But…but we saw you…and the blood…” “I’m fine really so stop worrying.” Said dismissively. “I…I guess you’re right. I’m just glad that both of you are safe.” “We are safe. And Clay here found his cutie mark in the process.” Clay turned to show his new cutie mark to Comet and Sky. “Well I guess I can’t call you blank flank Clay anymore can I?” Sky chuckled. “Nope. Guess you can’t.” Clay replied. Sky smiled and began to leave “Where are you going?” Clay asked. “I have a filly waiting for me to tell her that you and your mom are alive and well.” “Who?” Sky didn’t answer he simply just flew off into the air and didn’t look back “Why do I keep feeling like evrypony has something they aren’t telling me?” Clay muttered. “Clay.” Comet spoke “I thought that if I brought you to Manehatten it would explain who you are better. But considering what has happened…I think it would be best if I tell you right now.” Clay looked to Comet in anticipation “Clay…are you familiar with the Wonderbolts?” “Of course! My mom’s captain of the Wonderbolts and I love their air shows! Why were all my family members Wonderbolts?” Comet chuckled. “Were they members? Clay…they founded the Wonderbolts.” Both Clay and Dash’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding!” Comet shook his head. “No. Our family established the Wonderbolts when princess Celestia saw one of our ancestors perform. Since then we have made quit a name for ourselves.” Clay was speechless “Me and your father were supposed to take over when your grandfather passed on. But then…well you know. That’s why I wanted you to come with me to Manehatten so that you could learn how to manage it.” “But…I’m not a pegasus pony it wouldn’t be right.” “Neither was your father. Your grandparents were shocked to discover that one of their children was an earth pony. But we treated him the same as any other member of the family. They loved me and your father Clay, and they would love you wings or not. But the choice to stay here or going to Manehatten is up to you Clay. I don’t want to force something on you that you just only discovered.” Clay began to contemplate his options. He looked to his uncle, then to his mother. “Uncle Comet thank you for the offer but…I think I’m just going to stay here for now.” Comet smiled. “I understand. And Clay this doesn’t mean I will ignore you. You’re family and we take care of one another. If you need anything, anything at all just name it.” Clay tapped his chin. “I don’t really need anything. But there is another pony I know that could use a little *ahem* financial help.” Comet and Dash raised an eyebrow. “Who?” They asked. “Aunt Applejack. She’s the one who gave us our home mom I want to return the favor. I want her to be paid 500 bits so she can fix up sweet apple acres.” Comet smiled. “500 bits should be easy enough.” Dash looked at Clay happily. “You’re going to make Applejack very happy Clay.” Comet turned from Dash anf Clay. “Well I should get going. I need to let my folks know that they have a grandson here in Ponyville.” “Wait, Uncle Comet! You are going to come back aren’t you?” Comet ruffled his mane. “Of course I will champ.” Dash approached Clay. “Clay why don’t you head home? You’ve had a long day.” Clay nodded and began walking back home when he suddenly stopped and walked back to his uncle. “Uncle Comet. When I was in the forest I found the carriage that mom found me in. I looked through it and I found these goggles and this…” He handed the photo to Comet and he stared at it in silence “I thought you should have it to remember my dad.” Clay continued looking at the picture and a small tear slid down his face. Thank you Clay…but I have my memories of my brother. And when I look at you…it’s like I have him back.” Comet handed the picture back to Clay “You keep it Clay, so that you always remember that you have a family that loves you.” “No I don’t have a family that loves me…I have two.” He gave his uncle a tight hug “Goodbye Uncle Comet…be safe.” “You too kiddo.” They let go and went their separate ways. Clay slowly and groggily made his way to his bed. He got under the covers and went to sleep, exhausted from the day’s events. As he drifted into the dark void he dreamt of all the times he had spent with his mother old and new. Some happy, some sad, and some terrifying. But as he saw the moments flash before his closed eyes he relized just how lucky he was to have a mother that not only was he proud to call his mom, but was there for him every step of his life. Clay awoke and began stretching. He then got out of his bed and left his room. As he did he saw that the light to his mother’s bedroom was on and walked in to check on her “Mom…are you okay?” Dash looked back at him and smiled. “Of course I’m fine Clay. I actually feel better than I have in years. I guess that means I’m getting old huh?” She chuckled. Clay looked at her, she was wrapped in bandages and she had several cuts across her body, she looked terrible but he still smiled. “Well you still look great to me mom. After what happened today I…I wanted to be sure you were alright.” “Thanks Clay. I’m fine I promise.” Clay started backing away “Clay can I talk to you for a minute?” Clay walked into her room and sat on the bed with her “Clay. I’ve been thinking about what you said about you not deserving me for a mother. And I want you know that you are wrong. The truth is that I’m the one that doesn’t deserve you.” Clay tilted his head in confusion “Before I had you I was just a hotheaded not a care in the world cocky pegasus with a dream. I didn’t really have any plans beyond becoming a famous Wonderbolt and living off of the fame of being the element of loyalty.” She then placed a hoof on his head and stroked his mane “Then I found you. This little foal all alone in the forest with no parents. I was scared when I was the one who had to take care of you because I didn’t want to screw up your life. And then…then you said your first word, and you know what that was?” Clay shook his head “You called me mommy. That was the first time you said that to me, and I promised myself that from that day that I would love you and protect you like noponies business. You…you made me a different pony Clay. You made me feel like for once in my life I didn’t screw up and that I could be a good mother.” She placed her hooves on Clay’s shoulders and looked him in the eye “So when I say that I love you no matter what…please believe me when I say it’s true.” Clay smiled. “I know mom. I figured that out when you gave me the choice of whether you should stay an earth pony. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure that out.” She hugged him and rubbed his back. “It’s okay. I know that it couldn’t have been easy for you to feel accepted with your mom being a living legend. Just promise me that when you do decide to leave and start to find your way that you’ll never forget me.” Clay wrapped his legs around Dash hugging her tightly. “I could never forget an awesome pony like you mom.” Tears fell from Dash’s eyes. “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown up. It seems like only yesterday I was flying over Ponyville to help you fall asleep. And now…now you’re saving me from wolves.” “I had a great role model.” Dash hugged him tighter. “I love you squirt.” Dash whispered. “And I love you too…mommy.” He whispered back. It had been years since he had called her mommy, but he didn’t care. That I love you was as sincere as when he had said it to her on the night before his seventh birthday. And it would always be true no matter how old he got.