//------------------------------// // Prologue: The Start Of A New Adventure // Story: To Equestria And Beyond (Rewrite In Progress) // by NightFurySpeedey8156 //------------------------------// "Believe me, Night Fury, when you have a reason to run, you’ll run." "I-I don't know dad, it just seems …kinda impossible." Night Fury may have had the same black fur and feline features as his dad, but his dad always seemed so much bigger and more capable than him. "There's no such thing as 'impossible' son, you can be just as fast as me. You just have to stop doubting your ability to do it." Night Fury took a moment to think, collecting his thoughts of wanting to be like his father. He thought about what would happen if he got the hang of his speed and the potential power he would hold on his grasp if he did put in the effort to try and do his best.On one paw, he could not run with his dad and be made fun of by the other young ones for chickening out, never getting to hear the end of it. Or, on the other paw, he could go with his dad and achieve his dream of impressing his dad and getting admiration from everyone in the village, earning their respect. He ultimately came to the conclusion that he shouldn't be scared of who he is and agreed to his father's plan to help him move along in his life. "O-ok dad, I think I can do it this time." "Good, because that storm is coming in fast. We wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to get you familiar with your speed. c'mon let's go!" And with that the father-son duo took off into the forest, thunder booming over them as they gained speed. Night Fury kept pace with his father very well, matching his steps effortlessly as they took turn after turn down the dirt path, now turning into mud as rain beat down from the canopy above. Night Fury was moving fast for a good while, his father cheering him on as they raced side by side, until Night Fury started to feel the pressure of the constant running on his legs, slowing down as the pain shot through him with every step. "C'mon son, you can do it!" His father called, urging his son to keep up. "I… don't think I… can. Too… tired." Night Fury exclaimed, huffing and wheezing as he continued to slow his pace. He really wanted to become the best he could for his family, but his legs felt like giving out. Thunder boomed distantly above him, and the sky lit up for a moment, fIlling Night Fury’s view as he slowed to a crawl. He had let his father down, his mother down, and most importantly, he’d let himself down. His heart pounded in his chest as his vision began to tunnel and blur from exhaustion, his mind giving him all sorts of terrible outcomes of not mastering his speed. There was a bright flash and a deafening boom right next to him, and Night Fury jumped up in fear and started running, really running, like he never had before. He felt a strange force flowing through him, a constant stream of energy flooding his nerves. His body lit up with red lightning bolts as he took off, leaving the scenery and his dad behind. He heard his dad shout something, but he was already out of earshot. Night Fury was running like he had something chasing him, dodging and leaping over rocks to branches. The lightning kept coming, crackling and booming loudly as the rain soaked him from above and below. He was only focused on getting out of the forest and getting back home until a familiar, tall figure overshadowed him as he ran, speaking over the loud noises and keeping pace with the filly-sized cat. "Look at you, you're running! And I don't mean just a light jog, you are absolutely darting." Night Fury took a look around him as he ran, realizing that he was indeed, using his power and was actually running. He made turn after turn in the darkness and in the rain, not knowing whether to feel terrified or excited at that moment. His father was the next thing he focused on, slitted purple eyes looking right back at him and a proud smile stretched across his muzzle. "Eyes forward!" His dad shouted. Night Fury turned his head at the perfect time to see a rock closing in fast. He jumped into the air to dodge it in time, but he didn't take into consideration how big the rock was compared to his jump height. Time seemed to slow down as he came closer to the giant boulder, his mind flooding with fear as his vision was filled with the boulder's gray color. His mind went blank, nothing interrupting his pure instinct to act on the situation in the best way possible. Claws extended, he grabbed onto the side of the rock, scaling it in what felt like slow motion. Getting higher and higher up the boulder, almost to its peak, he heard an inner voice echoing in his head telling him one thing, and one thing only… "Jump." … and that he did. With nothing else driving his motions except his pure instinct, he took to the air as he hit the peak of the rock he was climbing, soaring over the path with his dad watching him in awe. Night Fury wondered why he just jumped from the boulder he was on, but he didn't distract himself from making a safe landing. He flew through the air for what felt like forever until he hit the ground, and hit it hard. Mud went flying from under his paws as they dug into the ground, skidding along the wet terrain for a couple of seconds before coming to a stop, his dad doing much the same as he faced his now mud-plastered son. "That was amazing! I've never done anything like that before," Fury called, excited by his new ability. Thunder still cracked above, but he wasn’t so scared anymore. "I could say much the same, champ. You wanna go show mom? “Oh my gosh yes!” Family… a cherished thing that everyone should be lucky to have. Family is something that will always be remembered and loved… even years later.