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// A trip to Windy Whistle 
// Story: June Clouds 
// by Ponypant 
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You could tell the earth ponies down below that there were indeed mountains up high at the edges of Windy Whistle, but it’d be all for naught, for many wouldn’t believe you. But if you were a pegasi who resided higher than the earth mountains below, then you’d know very well that the sky mountains were something to behold. They stretched higher than even the Windy Whistle observatory, yet were deep and penetrating against the clouds they nestled in. It was beautiful, daunting, and comfortingly protective all at once. 

For this was any Pegasi's utopia. Clouded plants that replaced the annoyances of common shrubbery you'd come across on earth. The low winds that only proved to cause dismay for many pony's hair, and light carts that held earth grown produce - the biggest argument being how difficult it was for one mare to push a cart full of carrots up a hill just to get to a market. 

But the pegasus up above that tampered with the weather down below had no complaints whatsoever about their lovely city of fair and breezy winds that only aided them in their ventures, bakeries, and celebrations. While the earth ponies and unicorns would set up umbrellas during long markets days for the unexpected rain to come, the pegasus, after a thorough job well done, would often fly high up to their rainless cities and talk amongst each other to the gentle rumble and shake of the clouds underneath them doing what they do best. Rain.

Windy Whistle was an especially incredible city to be in during days like this because of just how soft and light the clouds were. And just how well trained and managed each water that filled the clouds inner compartments acted compared to their counterparts in nearer sky cities. It was such luck when one could move jobs from one city to Windy Whistle - as it was abundant in local fairs, produce, business, and sports-ponies. 

Today was a day just like most. Where the pegasi were bustling to catch the flyaway clouds that seemingly didn’t want to be captured at all! And preparing water droplets for the purpose of rain. It was beautiful even so, with the light winds (though a bit more fierce than usual) blowing gently across the cloudy landscapes, and the waft of sweet Snowberry pies hunger causing smells. 

Striking blue birds the size of a bumble bee bounced with great excitement from tree to tree. Hoping to find some of the more common fruits that decorates the foliage during early spring. The Pegasus gardeners would occasionally come down from tending to the spiny cotton bushes high on top the mountains, and pick each snowberry carefully from its stem, making sure that no stubborn thorn were plucked with it. And so fiercely stuck to the trees they were, but the Pegasus population appreciated the work so, for those who preferred to linger at home more than bother themselves with sports, as many Pegasus do, would bake the best pies the skies have ever seen. And then they’d further delight themselves and others with their creations at grand cookouts and fairs, that even some unicorn yearned to try - thus sniffing out the nearest wizards and those knowledgable about magic to help them with flight spells. Though the spells never carried them far. 

One of those unicorns, was JuneBug herself. A tired looking blue unicorn with flushed cheeks and somewhat controlled fluffy golden hair. You could tell she was busy, and busy she was with her constant studies - a toxic unicorn trait that she inherited from her strict father. She, with the help of her eldest sister, Glimmer Wing, and her much more worrisome youngest sister, Firefly, who also happened to be reluctant about the time of the outing, made it possible to vacation in Windy Whistle for the first time since June was a filly. It’s been a good day of being in the breezy city, and she hadn’t felt her magic go weak yet. Surely her new spell must be working. 

Usually JuneBug would stay where there was ground, as she preferred it this way. But, her mother and sisters being Pegasi, sometimes she had a great itch to be in the Windy City too, be it a sense of need and the yearning to belong, or what JuneBug so sarcastically calls a “certain lost Pegasus urge”,  something her father can’t say he understands. 

“Do you think the pies have cooled by now?” Fire Fly asked, an expression of genuine worry  plastered on her face. “I don’t like cold pies,” and with a pointed hoof towards her sisters, she said, “you both know I don’t like cold pies,” 

JuneBug rolled her big blue eyes. No doubt if the pies have cooled, Fire Fly would find a way to blame it on them. For being late, for not knowing exactly where to go upon arrival, for this and that and that and this. “I’m sure they’re still hot.” She said simply, after some thought. After all, how do you calm a worry-wart like Firefly? She heard Glimmer snicker evilly besides her. And before she could speak, knowing full well her older sister's intent, Glimmer said in a frantic tone “..And if they’re not, you’re going to have a mouthful of the coldest.. dampest.. soggiest.. wettest, and most dreadful pie you’ve ever tried!!” disturbing a flock of bush birds nearby. 

“SOGGY??” The smallest Pegasus was horrified by the mere thought of a perfectly good snowberry pie becoming so soggy, it was only mush in her hands by the time it reached her snout. “Just about,” Glimmer Wing giggled. It was just the reaction she wanted out of her little sister. And believe me, she was basking in it. 

“What did mom say about playing on your sisters nerves?” JuneBug asked, her eyes focused more on the bush birds flying frantically, pushing clouds back and forth as they went. It was mesmerising how easily the clouds were transported. 

“Like you would know,” Glimmer Wing said, folding her arms as she flew backwards. “You’re never even here. Unless it’s for.. “vacations”. Which really only lasts a couple of days.” 

JuneBug didn’t reply, instead she turned her entire attention towards the greying clouds underneath them. She saw how her hoofs almost completely delved deep into them. She shifted. Her magic was waning, and she guessed there wasn’t much time left before she’d be tumbling back down to earth. 

“I mean, what kind of vacation is that anyway! One where you stay for two days-“ JuneBug stopped her sister's thought with a hoof to the mouth. 

And then it started pouring. 

“You know, I never understood why the birds like it here so much..”