--Graduation--
Standing up on the stage, tall and proud, was Lightning Chaser. Well, he and his friends. It was the fateful day; The day where they complete their education, and move onto their real lives. Although it would still be a year or two before they could actually sign up for their new careers, but graduating gave them the extra time for practice, or getting to know their future bosses better.
Sitting in the front rows, are the parents of the fillies and colts graduating the rigorous few years at school. Eyes filled with joy and pride, all collectively applauding, and cheering for their new graduates, and soon to be leaders of many new flight groups and teams in establishment around Ponyville. Everypony knew however, there was no colt more qualified to lead a scout team then Lunar. The others would simply be followers, or secondary scouts.
A finely dressed stallion walked up to the podium and cleared his throat. He then proceeded to pick up a slip of paper and began reciting a few lines.
“To all those who graduated our educational system with high honor, we wish you the best of luck, and hope you can excell past what you strive for in your near future.”
He then picked up a second sheet of paper and began reading off names.
“Cherry Raindrops.”
At that moment, a red filly with a white mane, walked up and received her diploma from the stallion. The line ahead of Lightning and his friends consisted of a few other fillies and colts. No doubt they would be called in a matter of minutes to walk up and receive their diplomas as well
“Cloud Blitz.”
Lightning looked up for a second to think. He really like that name. Cloud...
“Spitfire.”
He looked up with eyes wide open, and saw her trot up to the stage with tremendous pride in her eyes. She happily took the diploma after shaking the stallion’s hoof, and walked back down the stage. She seemed very eager to start her training with the Wonderbolts, but than again, why wouldn't she be? It was her dream after all.
“Sonic Dash.”
Dash shot up instantly, and nearly sprinted to the stallion. He was in no doubt ready to be out of school, and out on his own. He accepted his diploma, and shook his hoof, quickly walking back down the steps. The stallion continued to read off names of some of the fillies and colts he had never gotten the time to announce.
“Lunar Shadow.”
Lunar had then jumped off his seat, and walked up the stage to receive his diploma. He looked anxious to get out as well, either because he simply slept half the time, or because it just bored him to death. To no surprise, his father yelled out at him jokingly.
“You have twenty-four hours!”
Everypony laughed, and looked back at him. Sipping his tea cup, he was completely unphased by the sudden attention.
Lightning looked down for a second, and patiently awaited his turn to walk up on stage. The stallion had flipped a page, and continued calling out the names of those who passed. It was actually a fairly large shock so many passed, because it seemed like half the time, half the class was asleep.
“Lightning Chaser.”
His eyes went wide, as he hopped off his cloud chair to walk up onto the stage. The stallion had given him a congratulating look, as he walked up and received the diploma from him. He stuck his hoof out, and gave the stallion a firm shake, then quickly walked back down the stage to his chair shaped cloud. He could hear his parents cheering in the background for him while he was making his way up the stage. It was nice having all his friends and family around for the occasion.
As the list came to a close, the stallion had taken out a third slip of paper and read off of it.
“Congratulations to those who passed, and we hope you flourish in your lives ahead."
He set the slip down, and looked into the crowd.
“You are all now members of Cloudsdale’s adult population. Good luck to all of you and again, congratulations on passing our educational system.”
It was easy to tell he was trying to stall the mob of parents in the crowd, that carried an impending feeling that they would storm the stage. Once he walked off the stage, all the parents immediately flew over to their graduate, and praised or congratulated them. Storm and Sky had landed right next to Lightning, as they all had a family hug and congratulated little Lightning.
“Guess we can't call you little anymore huh bud?”
Lightning laughed and said, “It's ok dad you can call me that.”
“How about we go to the bakery for a cake?”
Sky nodded in agreement, but said, “only if we finish dinner first!” Storm had laughed and tousled her mane.
“Well duh! It wouldn't be the same without your salads.”
They both laughed and flew off into the direction of their house. Lightning shook his head while laughing a bit. What fun his parents were! (sarcasm) He had flapped his wings a few times for warm-ups, and quickly took off, following the direction his parents flew in. Cake did sound good after all, so might as well follow them to wherever they were going. After all, it could be the last time he would be following his parents somewhere.