Lucky Roll stretched out his wings, ignoring his aching joints.
He had to get off the ground, and into his sanctuary. The blue beyond was the only place were he couldn't get to him. His father had no wings. Thank Celestia for that.
He shivered as he remembered the anger on his father's face the night before. The poor colt had forgotten to get his father more booze, and he was absolutely furious about it.
"YOU USELESS PRICE OF SHIT!!!!" he had roared. "YOU UTTERLY USELESS MULE!!!" His father had then thrown an empty glass bottle at the helpless foal. It had shattered against him, cutting into his olive-green coat and leaving long bloody streaks behind. It was all Lucky could do to keep from crying out in pain. Crying just ment beating. This Goliath had no sympathy.
His father struck out with one of his powerful hooves, striking his son in the side, which sent him flying across the room. Lucky slammed against the wall at top speed. He coughed harshly as air was forced out of his lungs. He gasped, struggling to breath. His father stormed over to him, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him against the wall, strangling him further in the process. "WELL?! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, YOU GELDING?!!!"
" I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he cried. "It won't happen again! I promise!"
"WORDS MEAN NOTHING!!!" His father then proceeded to beat his son senseless, throwing his limp body onto his bed.
That was where he woke up the next morning, bloody and in considerable pain. He had stumbled down the stairs and out the door, and there he stood now, preparing for take-off.
Sky was paradise. Air was safety. It was the only place were he was safe, the only place he belonged. He needed to get up there.
Lucky snapped open his wings and shot into the air. Euphoria overtook him as the wind hissed past his ear. He heard it as a comforting voice, welcoming him home. His pain was forgotten. There could never be pain here.
He decided to test his injuries. He attempted a corkscrew, and immediately spun out of control. No tricks today. His body wasn't up for it. He decided that speed was the main focus today, he began to zip between the clouds, not caring about direction, not caring about his horrid life. All that mattered was the thrill of dashing through and around the clouds.
**********************************************
"Rainbow Dash! You're up!"
Rainbow stepped forward nervously. Today was dive day, and she was no good at diving. Everytime she tried, she smacked into the ground.
But she was no quitter. She was getting into the Wonderbolts if it killed her. Diving was just a standard skill. She couldn't get in if she couldn't complete a basic.
She took a deep breath, going over the game plan. She needed to keep her wings pinned at her sides at all times, needed to keep her legs straight, and at the last moment possible, she needed to open her wings to slow herself down and pop back up. Simple.
She crept up to the edge if the board, breathing deeply to steady herself. You got this, Dashie. She told herself. You can do this.
She gracefully jumped off and went into position. For a few moments, all she could focus on was her racing heart. Then she noticed the ground approaching fast, so she tried to open her wings.
They wouldn't budge! They were stuck!
**********************
Lucky snapped out of dreamworld long enough to finally stop and take in his surroundings. Somehow, he had ending up above the diving arena for Cloudsdale Junior Flight School. He wasn't attending there, of course, but sometimes he watched the other foals practice. Like right now.
The last colt completed his dive without flaw. Lucky clapped quietly in admiration. Dives were one of the hardest things to do, but this colt was obviously a natural. He started in surprise when he saw the next contender.
It was a cyan filly with a rainbow-colored tail and mane. He'd never seen anything like her before.
It was her turn. Even though it looked like she was trying to hide it, she was quite nervous. She took her time in getting to the edge, before jumping off and snapping into a dive. She was doing fine until it came time for her to pull out. Her wings weren't working!
Instinctively he sprang into action, going into a dive himself and ignoring his body, which screamed in protest. He had perfected this move long ago, and it showed, and he flew toward the ground at record-breaking speeds, ripping past the arena where all the teachers and trainees watched in complete shock. He closing in on her quickly when his hooves began to spark. In moments, a plume of fire and smoke followed his plunge. If he wasn't focusing on the filly at the time, he would've yelled in excitement. He'd only managed this feat once in his life, and now it was happening again.
But all he cared about at the moment was rescuing a fellow flier. At the last possible second, he snatched her up and rocked into the air, pausing at the arena instead of returning to his previous hight.
********************************************
Rainbow Dash was frozen in shock.
She had honestly thought she was a complete goner when her wings locked up. But then, suddenly, a huge streak of fire had come barring toward her, making the loudest sound she had ever heard, and had whisked her back up to the sky, terrified but unharmed.
Everypony else was frozen too. No one could process what exactly had happened. It was unheard of.
She heard her rescuer clear his throat, before saying "As you were, everypony." and dropping her on the clouds. He zoomed off again at breakneck speed.
Finally her coach regained movement and rushed towards her to see if she was alright. The huge stallion was shaking. The spell lifted, and the ponies roared in applause for the stunning rescue.
Rainbow Dash could only think of one thing: Who was that pony?
*****************************
Lucky beamed at the sound of praise.
He was aching all over, but it worth it. Not only had he saved somepony, but he had accomplished the hardest move possible: a Blazeball.
Nothing could break his joy that night. Nothing.