//------------------------------// // Part 1: The Sister // Story: Give Me Shelter // by TheWingman //------------------------------// “Okay, let us begin. A One, A Two, A One Two Three Four!” Upon Skychaser’s command, the pianist started playing and the young ponies started the dance they’d rehearsed for weeks. He took great pride as he watched the students under his tutelage practicing all he taught them. Internally, he couldn’t help but shed a tear. As the music stopped, he was left momentarily speechless, proud of his students. “Okay,” Skychaser said, clearing his throat. “Wonderfully done. Remember, the key here is to never be tense. Think of dancing as therapy, a way to meditate your troubles away. Let your mind and body be at ease.” With a collective ‘Yes teacher.’, the students gathered their packs and left for the day. With a relaxed sigh, he turned around only to be met by the appearance of his friend, Scootaloo. With her, they both ran the Cutie Mark Sanctuary where any foals of Ponyville could have a place to vent or seek shelter after a rough patch. For Skychaser, she became his closest friend. “Scoots,” He warmly greeted. “How did the athletics class go?” “It went wonderfully, Sky.” She replied with a hug. “They’re having a great time finding their voices. I see that you’re also making great progress with the dance program.” “Well, it’s not so much making them good dancers as it is letting them have a method to vent and express themselves.” “Yeah, and you’re doing a hell of a job at it.” “Well, if you like doing something, do it for a living.” “Sky,” she said with an impressed look on her face, something Sky has grown used to. “I have to say that you’ve been a great help since you started here.” Skychaser remembered the circumstances that brought him there in the first place, one that was the farthest from pleasant. He remembered every bit of the yelling, shoving, and cursing of his existence that left him without a home… and a family. The more he thought about it, the more his heart felt that familiar sting. Why was he cast out like common refuse? He knew why and it sickened him his core. “Yeah,” Sighed Skychaser, “spending months on the streets, it was luck that Copper Top took notice after I got mugged. Hard to believe that it’s been fifteen years since then.” “Sky,” Scootaloo replied, placing a wing on his head, “you’re safe here and it’s all that matters. It’s not healthy to dwell on the past.” “I… guess. Is there something you need?” “Yes. There’s a mother and her daughter waiting in the main office. She wants to see about having her daughter come here weekly.” “Very well. I’ll handle it.” Nodding, Sky trotted to the main office where Scootaloo handles the paperwork side of things. Aiding her in that regard were her friends Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. Those three had been the closest of friends since foalhood. For him, visiting that room was like routine for him. Though he saw himself as more of a therapist, being forced to adapt to the adult world was the hardest pill he had to swallow, rarely having much of what would be considered a childhood by many. It was always about being kept on a tight leash and any dissent was dealt with harshly. From there, he knew those that reared him didn’t love him at all, seeing him as a tool for their own ambitions. Seeing the office door, he pressed one hoof forward to greet the mother. “Pardon me, ma’am.” He said, closing the door behind him. “I do apologize for keeping you and your foal…” Turning his head to them, his eyes shot open and body froze at a familiar sight, “...waiting.” There, sitting on the chairs, was a familiar sight that brought Skychaser both joy and sorrow. It had been a long fifteen years since he’s seen her face and a mix of emotions followed. It was his sister Summer Rush with her daughter Autumn Shine. A dead silence filled the air as the siblings process what to feel about seeing each other for the first time in years. Neither moved or spoke a single word. “B-Brother?” Summer said, breaking the silence. “Summer?” Sky’s voice hitched. His heart paced at the speed of a Wonderbolt, not knowing what to say beyond her name. Soon, where he should normally feel joy, he felt sadness and shame. The last time he said anything to her was years ago when he was forced to live on the streets and he remembers the four words he said as clear as the sunrise. “Then Leave. Me. Alone.” “I’m here.” Summer spoke up, “Don’t run away.” Nervous and fearful of resentment, Skychaser slowly backed away from her but was blocked by Scootaloo, arriving just in time to see what was happening. She was confused as to what was going on and not knowing why her friend looked like he saw a ghost. “Sky, what’s wrong?” Scootaloo looked towards the mare and filly. “Is she another friend of yours?” “She’s… my sister.” Her eyes lit up brightly. She never knew that the pair was her colleague’s sister and niece. Her shock soon grew to a smile as she rushed over to shake her hoof with excitement. “Oh my gosh!” She gasped. “It’s so exciting to meet you! I’m Scootaloo, a friend of his, Ms.-” “Summer Rush, ma’am.” Summer calmly introduced herself. “I’ve never heard him say your name but he always spoke highly of you but seemed so down when he does. Why?” “Well, it’s complicated.” Looking back and forth between her daughter and shaken brother, Summer knew that there was much that needed to be said between siblings. She didn’t want her daughter to be caught up in it all. “Ms. Scootaloo, if you wouldn’t mind, can you give my little Autumn a tour of the place? I need to have some privacy with my brother.” With a nod, Scootaloo took the young filly under her wing and exited the room, shutting the door behind her. Summer got up from her seat and cautiously approached her brother; her heart beating faster. “Brother, are you okay?” She worriedly asked, only to be met with silence. Skychaser just sat on his haunches with his eyes fixed to his forehooves. His eyes became moist with tears as he prepared for the worst. In his heart, he felt that his sister hated him for pushing her away long ago. “Brother?” “S-sister,” Sky muttered, hitching with every word, “do you still hate me?” “Do I-No!” She gasped, taken aback by his question. “I’ve never hated you, not even in a million years. But, why?” “Why what?” “I’ve heard all the fights between you, mom, and dad. The next thing I knew, they kicked you out and you told me to leave you alone. Why did you say that?” The next thing she knew, her big  brother was shuddering and softly sobbing. For years, Skychaser had to live with pushing away the only blood relative that treated him with kindness. Dealing with his parents, Lightning Dust and Dumbbell, wasn’t easy for him, especially if his mother had plans for him from the beginning and his father did nothing but watch. “It’s that… It’s that… if you were truly happy at home, I wanted you to forget about me! I didn’t want to get in your way. I’m so sorry, sister! Hate me if you want but I did it for you!” That was it for him; Sky couldn’t hold back his swell of tears any longer. He lost himself in his emotions as he braced for the worst. For Summer, she had long suspected the reason why he cut his ties with her. On one hoof, she was upset yet she couldn’t bring herself to get mad at him. It was the first time in years since she saw her older brother and she still loved him. No force in the universe could break that attachment for her. Trotting in front of him, she got down to his level and pulled him into a hug. Immediately, his eyes shot open as a veil of warmth enveloped his being. With the simple gesture of affection, Sky realized his sister still loved him and he felt guilt for abandoning her. Returning the hug, he buried his snout in her shoulder as his frown gradually grew into a smile. He was happy that his sister still loved him after all that time. “It’s okay.” Summer whispered as her wings wrapped around his form to calm him down. Slowly, his sobs diminished as tears stain his face, “I’m here. There’s no need for you to feel sad anymore. I’m just so glad to see you again.” “It’s been too long, sister.” Skychaser sobbed, “It’s been so long. How have the years been for you?” “Apart from missing you and starting a family of my own, things have been great.” “Same here.” As he broke the hug, Skychaser looked deep into Summer’s eyes. Soon, those memories came back. Fight after fight, insult after insult, his parents treated him like refuse, sometimes outright ignoring him in favor of his sister. But, he never faulted Summer for any of it. He wanted to carve out his own path through life but his mother was hellbent on making him the next great wonderbolt and they had zero tolerance for deviations. “Summer, I know you want the truth.” “More than anything.” She agreed. “I just didn’t understand why mom and dad would kick you out. I know you and you aren’t a bad seed. Tell me everything.” With a sigh, Skychaser nodded his head and looked his sister dead in the eye. “Very well. At some point after mother started training me to become a wonderbolt like she had dreamed, I started having my own dream. I wanted to go do something that I loved for a living and be happy. Slowly, I’ve showed my disinterest and after explaining it, I thought they would understand. But, they didn’t take kindly to it at all. Day by day, they would spit on my name, ignore me, and it got to the point where I had to leave and collect myself. After the cops brought me back when they saw me in a scuffle, then and there, they said I was ‘wasting space’ and kicked me out. That’s what happened and I swear to you it’s the truth.” “My gosh.” She gasped, “But, why would mother and father do that to you? “To this day, I don’t know.” Summer sat there in slight disbelief. Since that day, she long suspected that there was more to what was explained to her. As a young mare in her mid twenties, she had more than enough understanding to question the actions and authority of her parents. “Listen, I feel that you won’t completely believe me based on my words alone. All I offer is the truth and nothing more. But if you choose to not believe me, then I’ll understand. I won’t think less of you at all.” “Sky,” Summer placed a wing on her brother’s shoulder, “if there is one pony I trust, it’s you. I know that you’ve lived your life in fear. Please, don’t be upset anymore.” Looking in his eyes, Summer knew that Skychaser still was wracked with doubt. Taking a brief moment, a thought occurred to her. Though she didn’t account for the impromptu reunion, she felt that the opportunity would allow the both of them some closure. “I know what’ll put your mind at ease. It may make you uncomfortable but I know it’ll work.” “What?” His ears perked up and his gaze shift towards her face. “What are you suggesting?” “After I’m done with Autumn’s tour here, I was going to go visit our father downtown.” “Here?” Sky replied with confusion, “What happened?” “Two years after you left,” Summer sighed, “things between mother and father deteriorated. Not long after I moved out, they got divorced. Father now lives in the downtown area near city hall.” “No doubt it has something to do with me.” Sky groaned as he sat against the nearby wall. Putting two and two together, he immediately figured out what his sister intends. He hoped that he wouldn’t see his father after the hell he put him through but he knew that his sister was right. He’ll have to face his demons sooner or later and nothing was stopping him from doing so. The crippling fear of having to face his father after so long held him back. If confronting his father would bring him peace, even if it’s for one last time, he’ll do it, no matter how painful it’ll be. “I know where you’re going with this.” He sighed, “For too long, I’ve been bemoaning that day. I’m just so sick of staying silent on that, so damned sick of it.” “So, you’ll go along with this?” “Yes, I will.” Skychaser said while standing up. “But, I can’t see father being pleased to see me again.” “Who knows.” The door opens and through it came Scootaloo and an excited Autumn Shine. In an instant, she gallops to her mother’s hooves. “How was the tour, dear?” “She was incredibly excited and well behaved.” Said Scootaloo. “I think she’ll like going here. As for when she’ll start, next Monday at 4 pm will be perfect.” “Sounds wonderful. Well, we must be off. After I drop off the little one at my house, me and my brother will go run a few errands.” “Very well.” Scootaloo said before trotting away. “Oh, and congratulations on your reunion, Sky.” With a nod, the three left the office and center. For Skychaser, it was a strange feeling reconnecting with the part of his past that he avoided for years. He had a feeling that he couldn’t run from his fears forever. Reconnecting with his cherished sister brought him joy and settling a score with his estranged parents would hopefully deliver upon him some much needed peace. Skychaser’s desire for solace out weighed his fears and he would need to steel himself.