//------------------------------// // Reconstitution // Story: Friendship Was Magic // by Deceius //------------------------------// And now, something totally different! I see them. Feel them. I can't really explain it but I know they're out there. This place, there has to be an end to it. A wall or door maybe? A way out. I've been flying for ages. I can't even see the shockwave anymore from my Sonic Rainboom. I've never flown this fast for so long. An unending landscape slides along below me. Plains, forests, lakes. It would be beautiful if I wasn't pushing myself so hard. My wings feel like they're coming apart at the seams. The wind rips at me; my eyes burn and my lungs struggle to take in air. How I wish I had my goggles right now. I've slowed down, my trail has shortened back into my tail. I put on a quick grin; this is my favorite part of any hard flight. In a final burst of effort I break the sound barrier in a single flap, rocketing myself across the sky like a polychromatic missile. I count the seconds. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... The speed starts to bleed off and I push myself even harder and harder. To any onlooker I might aswell have been just a straight rainbow colored line, zipping past them. The slipstream would blow them over like leaves in Autumn. The Sonic Rainboom sucks in on itself. Distorting the light around it and pulling the grass from the ground. It collapses into a super tight ball of pure rainbow before exploding outwards a hundred fold more powerful than a regular Sonic Rainboom. I can't wait to show the girls this one. My wings finally cramp up; I glide to the ground. The soft grass makes a fantastic cushion as I gently let down. I lay still for awhile; there isn't a way to keep time here. No sun or shadows for me to judge. All pegasi can do it from instinct. I take a few seconds to let my heart calm down and to wipe the tears from my eyes. I stretch out on the grass, enjoying the tickle on my fur and the warmth from the earth. The sky will always be my home but the ground definitely has some benefits. The grass is a nice snack as well but I'm not really hungry. I don't really get hungry or thirsty in this place. I don't get tired or feel like I need to sleep. I can physically exhaust myself like before but I'm always ready to do it again in a few moments. This would be great if I was home. In Ponyville. With my friends. I've been here for so long. Where exactly is here? No matter which direction I fly I always end up back in the same spot. The same tree, the same still pond, the same mirages on the horizon. The clouds move across the sky. I've tried riding them to the end of this place. I just end up back here. It's not a bad place to be really, the tree has that limb that's just like my favorite tree on AJ's farm, the water is calm and cooling, the clouds almost as fluffy as my bed back in Ponyville. It's incredibly relaxing. I stand and walk over to the pond. I test the water with my hoof, a quick chill runs down my spine. Perfect temperature to cool down in. I step in, walking to the center. The water doesn't go above my neck. I sigh an extremely content sigh. The water is just perfect, soothing my tired wings and cooling down my overworked body. I feel like I could stay in here forever. Eventually, the water turns me into a light blue prune. I leave the pond, the air feels cool and warm at the same time. I do a couple light flaps to shed the water from my wings and shoulders and sprawl out in the grass to let the gentle breeze dry me. It does the job nicely. I stand up. I need to stretch after flying like that. I don't actually need to stretch because of how this place works but it keeps my mind off of what and where here is for a little while longer. I roll my shoulders and neck, feeling the knots untangle themselves and the joints pop. That tree has a comfy limb with my name on it. A flap or two later and I'm snuggled into my branch. The world flows around me. The clouds move across the sky, the grass sways in the breeze, the leaves rustle together making a little song. Nature's lullaby, calming and caring. Just like my mothers. I let my wings unfurl, catching the wind and floating lightly. It's a moment of complete bliss. I'm filled with a warm glow, an aura of comfort seems to surround me. I feel like this is home but I remember still. I remember Cloudsdale. I remember my parents and my first home. I remember Flight School and my first real friend: Fluttershy. I remember the accident and the months after. I remember starting my weather job in Ponyville, who would've thought I'd rise through the ranks so quickly. I remember meeting Applejack, and being bucked out of that comfy tree. I remember meeting Rarity, and the torture chamber known as the spa. I remember meeting Pinkie, and all the pranks we've pulled. I remember Twilight coming to town with Spike; cute lil guy. I remember Nightmare Moon and Luna. I remember the Young Flyers Competition and the Wonderbolts and the Princess. I remember Discord. I remember the days before the wedding. I remember how much we let down Twilight by not believing her. I remember the invasion. I remember the shattering. I remember the laugh. And, I remember the darkness. I remember Ponyville. I'd never leave it hanging. I can see it and all my friends in front of me, as if the thought had made them real. I know better but I can't stop a smile from appearing on my face. Fluttershy, hiding behind her pink mane as always. Applejack, that goofy look in her eyes just ready for a competition. Twilight and all her egghead books. Rarity, posing for the nonexistent fashion magazine paparazzis. Pinkie, smile as wide as a mile, pulling a bag of candy out of her tail. I walk over to them, returning their smiles. I've flown enough today, maybe it's time for a walk. Maybe death isn't so bad after all.