//------------------------------//
// Arc 6(The Song of the Birds)-1: Sorrow of the Birds 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Life in Canterlot" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


Arc 6: The Song of the Birds


Sorrow of the Birds


“What happened last night at the auditorium of the School for Gifted Unicorns was the work of the Windigos Guild.  They sent a real-life Roc to cause harm to our children.”

It was the morning of a new day.  Chancellor Cinch was on stage in front of a podium alongside Buck Withers, addressing the citizens of Canterlot.  Many were in horror, not just for themselves, but also for their loved ones.
“While what Princess Celestia did was more or less a prank, I can assure you she would never resort to what Coldnelius Snap and his cult would do to our children.”  Chancellor Cinch said as everyone watched on.  “But had it not been for this brave adventurer, I’m afraid this situation would have turned into a horrible tragedy.”
As Chancellor Cinch stepped back from the podium, Buck Withers approached, clearing his throat and being ready to speak.
“I can confirm that what Princess Celestia did was not as mean-spirited as the real thing,”  Buck said as he addressed Equestria.  “Truth be told, I blamed my own arrogance for her stunt.  But at the same time, I also thank her for at least helping me get over my fear of Rocs, as I was able to muster the courage to save two students from the gaping maw of one.  And yet, as I have stood victorious, I admit I felt sorry for the bird.  I wish it never had to resort to attacking our fair city.  What this Coldnelius Snap did, he will pay dearly for endangering our children.”
Many members of the crowd clapped for Buck Withers as he stepped back and allowed Chancellor Cinch to return to the podium.
“Know that if Coldnelius Snap is listening,” Chancellor Cinch said.  “I have this message to you.  You have brought great harm to our loved ones.  You tried to ambush me and the Princess’s daughter, you devastated a mining community in Sire’s Hollow, and you sent a majestic bird into our vicinity.  Justice will come down on you, and you will pay dearly for what you have done to our community.”
As the crowd cheered on Cinch’s message of justice, the Chancellor approached Buck Withers, both with concern on their face, especially with what happened last night.
“I appreciate helping me with this speech, Buck,”  Chancellor Cinch said with a sigh of relief.  “Thank you.”
“After what we all went through,”  Buck Wither said.  “It was the least I could do.”  As Buck Withers was done talking, Gad Zookes approached his old friend and the Chancellor.
“Hey Bucky,”  Gad said.  “Are you ready to hit the road and go on another adventure?”
“No Gad,”  Buck said.  “After what happened last night, I’m going to stay put in Canterlot for a while longer.”
“Stay put?”  Gad said, shocked by Buck’s words.
“Yes,” Buck said.  “One of my inspirations come from the children of Equestria, even those who live here in Canterlot.  As two children were attacked by a Roc last night, I want to make sure they’re all going to be safe before we set out.”
“I understand,”  Gad said, disappointed.  “But I hope we do depart.  What’s the use of staying put if we don’t give the children a story to share with each other?”
“One day, we will, old friend,”  Buck said.  “But for now, we rest.”
As Buck and Gad give each other a high five for luck, Chancellor Cinch takes off with another pony speaking behind the microphone.  Buck and Gad looked as the Chancellor was stepping down from the platform. 
“Chancellor,”  Buck said.  “Where are you heading to?”
“To keep my eye out on a certain Man’s Cub of Celestia’s daughter,”  Chancellor Cinch said.  “Partially to keep her out of trouble, and partially to oversee her growth.”

Meanwhile, class has ended at the School for Gifted Unicorns.  Every student, tall and small, ran out from the front door, waiting to enjoy a nice afternoon in the streets of Canterlot City.  But a familiar group came out, also ready to enjoy some time: Wanda, Abigail, Sunset, Twilight, Spike, Starlight, Sunburst, Moondancer and Danged Spell.  All of them came out to breathe in the afternoon air.
“What a beautiful day,”  Sunset said.  “Feels like I just want to run around and enjoy myself.  In fact, it’s been a long time since I’ve done so.”
“You’re telling me,”  Twilight said.  “Ever since we’ve all met, we’ve all been on a rollercoaster of danger.”
“Well that’s what we get for being on a wild ride, Twilight,”  Danged Spell said as he laughed it off.
“Danged Spell,”  Everyone else yelled as they also erupted into laughter.  Danged Spell looked at his friends and cracked a smile.
“Sometimes,” Danged Spell said to himself.  “It feels great to at least give everyone a good laugh.”
“You know,” Wanda said as she finally got her laughter under control.  “We should spend some time together.  Maybe go to the park and play some ball. Or see if Uncle Bright Mac is in town.”
“Sorry Wanda,”  Twilight said as she placed Spike on her back.  “But I’d promise big brother I’d help him and Princess Cadance with a project together.”
“I wish I could join you,”  Moondancer said.  “But daddy’s taking me down to the Canterlot Aerospace Museum.  I always wanted to go there.”
“Yeah,”  Starlight said, looking disappointed.  “I promised I would go with Sunburst to the local library.”
“I’m afraid she’s right,”  Sunburst said.  “I’d promise her mom and dad to at least check out books on Equestrian History.”
“And as much as I want to enjoy the sun out here,”  Danged Spell said.  “Your mommy Princess Celestia was going to help me with my Wolf’s Breath curse even more.  Sorry, kid.”
“Speaking of Celestia,”  Sunset said.  “I was asked to do some errands for her.  I wish we could all be together.”
Wanda looked disappointed.  She wanted to hang out with her friends, but it appeared everyone was busy.  Even more so, she barely had time to do so since meeting them.  What could she do?
“I see,” Wanda said as she slumped down.  “I’ll just go find some way to have fun.”
As Wanda looked like she was going to walk off, Danged Spell approached the young girl with something in his saddlebags.
“Hey kid,”  Danged Spell said.  “There’s something I wanted to give you since we became friends, and since that nasty Windigo’s Guild decided to give you and that old hag a hard time.”  
With that, Danged Spell pulled out what appeared to be a Y-shaped wooden frame with a super strong rubber band attached to it.
“A slingshot?”  Wanda said as Danged Spell gave her the object.  “Why would I need something like that?”
“Well,”  Danged Spell replied.  “Princess Celestia told me that you end up exhausted when you use your magic.  So I figured why not give you something to defend yourself with.”
“You know that’s not a bad idea,”  Sunset said.  “She’s too new to her magic, and she needs something to fight back with.”
“I don’t know,”  Twilight said.  “What if you beaned someone badly with that?”
“Oh not to worry,”  Danged Spell said as he pulled out a small bag.  “I brought a bag of pumpkin seeds for ammo.  They won’t hit as hard.”
“Gee thanks,”  Wanda said as Danged Spell gave her the bag of pumpkin seeds.  “I always wonder how I could fight back without being so tired.”
Wanda held the slingshot tight and pulled back on the rubber band.  She aimed with her new tool, looking around the vicinity.
“Wow.” Starlight said as Wanda showed off her new slingshot.  “Daddy showed me his slingshot before I came to Canterlot.  He said it came from my grandfather.”
“And just where do you think you’re aiming that weapon, Man’s cub?”  The voice of Chancellor Cinch was enough to cause Wanda to drop her slingshot and freak out.  The Unicorn Six watched as Chancellor Cinch walked on in.
“Hey, give her a break already,” Danged Spell said in protest.  “After all, I just gave her that slingshot.”
“Then do you realize how dangerous it would be in the wrong hooves?”  Chancellor Cinch said as she stared down Danged Spell.  The colt looked like he was scared to half-death.
“Hey, go easy on him,” Sunset said as she stood by Danged Spell.  “Besides, what’s wrong with Wanda using a slingshot?”
“My concern with your sister, Sunset Shimmer,”  Chancellor Cinch said.  “Is that she could hurt someone with that slingshot!  Especially unintentionally.”
“But I won’t hurt any pony with this,”  Wanda said as she nervously held the slingshot and the seed pouch to her chest.  “I promise I won’t.”
“If you’re going to play around with that,”  Chancellor Cinch said. “Then at least go over to the park with it.  At least you won’t be hurting any pony like you promised.  Understood?”
Wanda swallowed with a huge gulp and said “Y...yes ma’am.”  She then turned the other way and ran off with Abigail running after her.
As the Unicorn Six watched Wanda run off through the city, they turned their attention towards Chancellor Cinch, upset by the way she treated Wanda.
“You can’t just treat her like that,” Twilight said in protest.  “After all, she’s a friend of mine.”
“I am aware of your plea, Twilight Sparkle,” Chancellor Cinch said.  “Especially after what happened last night.  But she needs a reminder that she has to behave in this town.  After all, not every pony will see her in a positive light.  Not even the Banks.”
“The Banks?”  Starlight asked.
“Silver and Gold Banks,”  Sunset said.  “They’re the richest ponies of all of Equestria.  They’re also the major backers of every political group in Canterlot.  If they saw one good look at Wanda, they’ll treat her far worse than the Chancellor does.”
“I’m afraid you’re right, young Princess,”  Chancellor Cinch said.  “I’m only harsh on her to keep her well-behaved.  The Banks, on the other hand, are the definition of cruelty.”
“But that’s still no reason to be harsh to Wanda,”  Moondancer said in protest.  “After all, she’s just a little girl, like most of us.”
“That may be a fact,”  Chancellor Cinch.  “But I still fear that something bad will happen to her.  In fact, there’s a part of me that thinks she may have to live through a major mistake on her part.  Like what happened to me when I was a filly.”
“And I assume that slingshot had something to do with your recent tone with Wanda?”  Sunburst said.
“If it's because I was concerned about what she could do with it, you’re wrong,”  Cinch said.  “It was what I once did with a slingshot like that, and what I believe the Man’s Cub could do unintentionally.”

Meanwhile, at the park, Wanda had felt exhausted from all that running.  She stood there and caught her breath, with Abigail right by her side.
“That was a close one,”  Wanda said as she looked at her slingshot.  “All this over a silly slingshot?  What’s so bad about it?”
Wanda reached into her pocket and pulled out the bag of pumpkin seeds that Danged Spell gave to her.  She pulled out a seed and placed it on the pad of the slingshot.
“Well,”  Wanda said as she looked at Abigail.  “Time to give this baby a go.”
As Wanda looked around, she saw a white mushroom, growing from the grass of the park.  An ideal target.  Wanda aimed her slingshot at the mushroom, then pulled back on the padded rubber band, keeping her eye on the target.
“Here goes,”  Wanda said as she released her grip on the rubber band of the slingshot.  The pumpkin seed went flying and connected straight with the mushroom, ripping it off from the ground and sending it flying into a nearby stone, splitting from the top before falling to the ground.  Wanda looked at her slingshot and was amazed.
“Wow,”  Wanda said as she looked at Abigail.  “Think of what I can do with this, Abby.  Maybe I can defend Equestria with my trusty Slingshot.”
Abigail gave a confident meow as Wanda danced around, celebrating the use of her slingshot.  She was excited to put her new tool to use again, hoping to perfect her aim.  As she got done dancing, she saw more mushrooms on the ground, giving her a bit of a confident grin.
“Aww yeah,”  Wanda said as she placed a pumpkin seed on the pad of the slingshot and pulled back.  “I’ve got this.  Cover me, Abbi.”
Abigail cheered from the sideline as Wanda fired off the pumpkin seed, sending it flying right into one of the mushrooms, blasting it from the ground.

Meanwhile, up in the trees, a Mother Bird flies towards her nest, where her baby was eager to learn how to fly.  The Mother Bird chipped at her son, flapping her wings as to demonstrate the basis of flying.  The Younger Bird looked up at her mother and began to flap his wings, hoping to fly.  He hovered a bit off the branch, hoping to be airborne as her mother. 
But the little birdie began to tire, and started to fall to the ground.  The Mother Bird was able to catch him with his tail and place him back on the safety of the branch.  The Younger Bird was discouraged, as he was afraid that he could fall to the ground.  But the mother knew he had to try again.  
So the Mother Bird reassured her son to try again.  She flapped her wings with the intent on encouraging him to fly, before flying into the air.  The Younger BIrd looked up at her mother, and attempted to flap his wings again.
This time, he was able to get off the branch and fly into the air.  The Younger Bird flew as high as he could, flapping his wings as he remained airborne.  But only for a short while. He became tired again, as he was not used to flying.  So he landed a perch on another tree branch to rest up, while his mother came by to check up on him.
The Mother Bird was proud of her son’s progress.  She gave her son a kiss on the forehead before turning around and bending down so that her son could jump onto her back.  The Younger Bird does so, eager to fly higher than any bird in the park.  With a swift flap, the Mother Bird takes off into the sky with her son on her back.
As the mother was fully airborne, she chirped  to her son to fly even further than he did.  The Younger Bird, picked up by her mother’s encouragement, flapped his wings, jumped off and flew alongside his mother.  The duo were now flying together at last.  Though the Younger Bird did show signs of exhaustion, the Mother Bird flew right next to her, just to be right next to her son.

Back down on the ground, Wanda continued to practice with her slingshot, having uprooted the last poisonous mushroom from the ground.  She cheered along with her kitten companion Abigail.  They looked up and saw some acorns dangling from the tree, ideal target practice for Wanda’s slingshot.
“Hey Abby,”  Wanda said as she primed another pumpkin seed into her slingshot.  “Do you think I can take them down?”
Abigail lets out a confident meow to encourage Wanda to go further with the slingshot.  Wanda looked at her slingshot and pulled back.
“Alright,” Wanda said as she was about to let loose.  “Here goes nothing.”
And so, Wanda fired off another pumpkin seed, barely missing one acorn in the trees.  Wanda looked discouraged.  But she wasn’t about to give up.
“Ahh fiddlesticks,”  Wanda said as she pulled out another pumpkin seed.  “But I’m not going to let something like that get in the way.”
Wanda primed her pumpkin seeds and fired off another few shots.  The first three missed their targets, but the last one was able to knock down an acorn from the tree.  Wanda and Abigail cheered as the lone nut hit the ground.
“Yes,”  Wanda said as she leaped in excitement.  “I finally hit a target.  I finally hit a target.”
Abigail clapped her paws for Wanda, meowing for her human companion.  But as she did, she noticed two bird shadows gliding on the ground.  She looked up and hissed directly at the sky, catching Wanda’s attention.
“Abby,” Wanda said. “What’s wrong, kitty?”
Wanda looked up and saw two silhouettes of birds in the sky.  But as she watched, her eyes shrunk down in fear, as she stood there helpless.  The man’s cub shook horrible as the shadows of the birds circled around the sun,  
“R..R..R...Ro...Ro,”  Wanda said as she could barely get the words out of her mouth before yelling out “ROC!”  Wanda immediately jumped right behind a tree with Abigail leaping in afterwards.  They looked out and saw the contours of the two birds circling the park.  Wanda looked at her slingshot, then looked at Abigail.
“Don’t worry Abby,”  Wanda said as she gave Abigail a rub on her head.  “I won’t let them eat you.”
Wanda quickly jumped out from behind the tree and took aim at the Bird shadows.

Back in the sky, the Mother Bird continued to fly with her son at her side, with not a care in the world.  She was proud that the Younger Bird was now full of energy and was flying without her help.  But as they flew together, a hail of pumpkin seeds shot their way, causing them to freak out and separate.  
The Younger Bird flew away as he dodged out of the way of incoming pumpkin seeds.  The Mother Bird tried to get close, only to be blocked off by another pumpkin seed that almost hit her.  She could do nothing, but stay out of the way of the incoming pumpkin seeds, and watch as her son flew as fast as he could, trying to dodge out of the way of the seeds.

Back on the ground, Wanda continued to fling pumpkin seeds at the bird silhouettes, fearing that a Roc would come close to her and gobble her up.  She pulled out another seed and primed her Slingshot, aiming at the smaller shadow in the sky.  She continued to shake, but kept her focus on the shadow.
“I’M NOT GONNA LET YOU EAT ME,”  Wanda said, as she prepared to fire off the seed.

Back in the sky, the Younger Bird flew as fast as he could, trying to get to the safety of his tree, fearing for its own life.  He chirped as loud as he could, calling for his mother and flying as fast as he could.  He saw the tree branch nearby, and looked to finally be home safe.
But just before he could land on the branch, he was hit on the head by a flying pumpkin seed.  The impact was enough to knock him out cold and send him falling down to the ground.  The Mother Bird could only watch as her son went flying downwards before he hit the ground below.

Down below, Wanda breathed a sigh of relief, believing that she finally shot down the Roc.  
“That was a close one, Abby,” Wanda said.
Wanda and Abigail walked up to the shadow of the bird as it landed on the ground.  But as they got a good look at them, they realized something was off.
“That….that’s not a Roc,”  Wanda said as she saw what appeared to be a baby bird, having been shot out of the sky by a stray pumpkin seed.  Abigail was also horrified by the fact that it wasn’t a Roc, but a small common bird.
The Mother Flew flew down and saw her son lying there, unconscious.  She looked down at her son, calling for him to wake up.  But to no avail.  She proceeded to dangle a worm above her son’s face, hoping he would wake up.  But not even the scent of food could lure her son out of his trance.  
It was at that moment that the Mother Bird realized something horrible had happened to her son.  He was dead.  Shot out of the sky by a stray pumpkin seed.  Tears fell from her eyes as she picked up her son, limp as a rag doll.  She could do nothing but hold her son in her wings.

Wanda and Abigail watched from behind the tree.  
“I…I don’t believe it,” Wanda said in shock.  “I thought I was going to be eaten by a Roc.  And it…it turned out to be a baby bird.”
Wanda just stood there, gripping the slingshot with her right hand and the seed bag with her left hand.  Abigail looked up at her companion as tears began to fall.
“I...I didn’t mean to do it,”  Wanda said as she started to cry.  “I didn’t mean to kill a baby bird.  I’m the mean Roc.  I’M THE MEAN ROC!”
Spotting an open knothole in the tree next to her, Wanda threw her Slingshot and pumpkin seeds in before covering it with a layer of dirt.  She broke down crying as she thought about what she did.
“I didn’t want this to happen,”  Wanda cried.  “I didn’t mean to kill him.  I DIDN’T MEAN TO!”
Shocked at what she did, Wanda turned tail and ran off from the park with Abigail running off after her.  

Wanda ran as fast as she could, ignoring everyone in the streets, crying her eyes out as Abigail chased after her.  She ran hard, tripping every once in a while before picking herself back up.  As she saw the faces of citizens concerned for her well-being, she ran off, keeping her head turned in shame.
She ran all the way through the gates of Canterlot Castle, ignoring the guards that stood firm for any intruders.  She ran inside the castle, ignoring everyone as she ran up the stairs and into her room.  Though her speed caught the attention of Princess Luna and Majordomo Kibitz, she was too heartbroken to have paid any attention.
“What in the world just happened?”  Princess Luna said.
“Honestly my dear Luna,”  Kibitz said as he became concerned for Wanda’s well-being.  “I believe it may have been a broken heart.  It may be because Chancellor Cinch went too harsh on her, or maybe something else.  Something horrible.”
“Something tells me she really needs some help,”  Princess Luna said, looking upstairs as the door to Wanda and Sunset’s room was locked tight. 
“What should we say to Princess Celestia?”  Kibitz said.
“Honestly,”  Princess Luna said.  “I am not so sure.”

Later that night, Celestia, Luna, Sunset and Cadance were in the living room, talking with each other.  
“So she just locked herself up in our room and won’t come out?”  Sunset asked.
“I’m afraid so,”  Princess Luna said.  “I’ve seen Wanda this troubled before.  But not like this.”
“I’m beginning to wonder if Chancellor Cinch went a bit too far with scolding Wanda,”  Princess Celestia said.
“No,”  Princess Cadance said as she shook her head.  “I’ve seen how harsh Cinch can be towards Wanda.  And every time, she comes to us for comfort.  This is the first time that she pulled something like that.”
“”I believe I may have an idea,”  Princess Luna said.  “When she’s asleep, I will go into her dream and figure out what’s wrong.”
“That’s right,”  Princess Celestia said.  “You’re a dream walker.  If anyone can figure out why Wanda acted like that, it’s you.”
“It won’t be long until she falls asleep,”  Princess Luna said.  “Then I can tap into her mind, and we can figure out a way to help her.”
Princess Celestia turned her head to Sunset and said “Sunset, until this ordeal is resolved, I’m going to let you sleep with me tonight.  Are you okay with it?”
“I’m fine, mommy,”  Sunset said.  “But I’m still concerned for my baby sister.  I hope she makes it out okay.”
“She will,”  Celestia said as she placed her wing around Sunset.  “She will.”
“And if you guys need any help,”  Princess Cadance said. “I’m ready.”

Upstairs, Wanda had changed into pajamas and hid underneath her blanket, still crying her eyes out.  Abigail was right next to her, placing her paw on Wanda’s face as she cried out for her.
“Abby,”  Wanda said as she couldn’t stop crying.  “I don’t think I’ll forgive myself for what I did.  It’s all my fault.  It’s all my fault.”
Wanda continued to cry as the moon in the nighttime sky rose upwards to mark the end of a long, stressful day in Canterlot.  But for Wanda, her nightmare had just begun.


	To Be Continued in…


	A Song of Remorse