The Skies Belong to us!

by enamis

Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past (1/2)

Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past Pt. 1

Gilda slowly climbed down the staircase lining the outside wall of the giant hollow tree, followed by her crew. Spike had run off ahead and the rest were a bit skittish about what to do, after all, it been nearly two years since they were home.

Gilda gazed upwards. Staircases and drawbridges lined the upper-half of the tree, slowly winding down to ground level. Ponies, dogs, griffons and other beings filled the walkways, going about whit friends or carrying supplies or simply running around looking for loved ones. The entire area bustled whit activity like no place she’d ever seen before.

Just as Gilda squeezed past a charade of diamond dogs carrying sacks and barrels of items up to the branches of TreePort she saw something very familiar. The griffon, took a few more steps forward before awkwardly tripping, but she was luckily caught by a pink hoof. She looked up and saw... a blue eye… still full of energy even after all this time.

“Hey Gilda, long time no seen huh?” The dull pink mare spoke in a kind, swayed voice, whit a hint of sorrow and at the same time laughter, shinning through. She tilted her head as she helped the ochre griffon get up on her feet, and her straight pink mane fell over her face like heavy curtain.

“A long time indeed… Good to see ya’ again Pinks’...” Gilda smiled and wrapped her talons around the pony into a tight hug.

“So… where’s the party cannon, eh?” Gilda joked as she withdrew the hug.
“You know I'm not that kind of mare anymore, Gilda.” The pony brushed her mane out of her face and smiled a serene smile. She began walking as her cyborgian hoof let out a hiss of high-pressure air whit every step. Unlike most amputees she seemed to treat the bronze attachment like it was her own flesh and blood. The spring let out a few squeaks and the small pressure dial dotted from one side to the other whit every step and hiss.

The mare walked over to the group just as Dinky bolted through, right between Vinyl’s hoofs. The filly stopped just in front and began bouncing up and down, her goggles constantly smacking her in the chest.

“Hi Pinkie!” she squeaked.
“Pinkamena.” the mare corrected.
“Sorry, Pinkamena. How’s mommy doing?”
“Like always ya’ lil’ tyke.” Pinkamena tousled the filly’s mane with her one good hoof. She looked over to crowd and saw a familiar black figure and a familiar orange filly. She smiled and slowly blinked her blue and her blank eye before stretching her hoofs out for a hug.

The orange filly squeaked and bolted forward whit her little wings buzzing. She rammed into Pinkamena and squeezed the mare tight.
Pinkamena’s blue eye watered as the hug finally gave out, the little orange filly, Scootaloo, sadly smiled.

“It’s good to see you again Pinkie…” Scootaloo whispered before walking over and nuzzling Gilda.

“Yea… good…” Pinkamena whispered as she got up. She looked up at the crew and smiled. “You guys look starving. Head on over to Sugarcube Co, everything’s on me.”

“You heard the mare, do whatever you want today. Tomorrow we’ll get going on the business end, alright?” Gilda gave an indirect command as she hugged Scootaloo a bit closer. Mutual nods of silence came from the crew as they began walking past Pinkamena, exchanging a small hug or a smile.

The group cleared and all that was left standing was Gilda, Scoot and Pinkamena. The pink mare slowly nodded and Gilda lowered herself to Scootaloo’s height.
“Moma’s gotta’ clear her head, kid. Go meet your friends, I'm sure the clubhouse’s still there. Pinkie’ll pull some strings, I'm sure.” The griffon smiled.

“Alright mommy.” Scootaloo smiled and laid a small kiss on the griffon’s beak before tacking Pinkamena into another hug and walking away.

Gilda smiled and spread her wings.

Spike clutched the small boutique of flowers a bit closer. He had aged quite the bit since last time he was here. His claws had grown out and doubled in size and length, making him look a bit like an orangutan. The scales on his head and spine hand turned sharp and slick, his teeth had grown out and become stronger, more durable.

He blinked his green eyes getting rid of the moisture at the very corners. He took a step forward.

“Gilda?”

The griffon stopped in the air just a few hoofs above the ground. A familiar voice came from behind. The griffon turned to see a chubby yellow figure whit a soft pink mane.

The griffon shook her head and landed in front of the yellow pegasus, as her memories of the equine flooded back.

“Oh! Hey uhh… Butterfly…?”
“Fluttershy.”
“Whatever, I never imagined seeing you here. Ever since four years ago I thought you’d be the first to leave, take off to like, Appaloosa or something.”

“Oh, I considered it, but just couldn’t leave my home and I simply couldn’t take my little animal friends whit me. Besides, they’d buy my dear little cottage and tear it down for a skyscraper!” Fluttershy expressed her disapproval in her never-changing soft and shy voice. Gilda smiled. She still remembered the few moths in flight camp they had together. After all Fluttershy was the very best friend of Da-

Spike walked along the thin gravel path. Both sides of the path were dotted with flowers of all kinds along with the occasional bench and rows upon rows of pale gray stones whit various engravings. He seeked only one.

As he walked further, whit the boutique still clenched in his claws, he came to the bottom of a small hill. The teenage dragon looked up and took a deep breath. He lifted his foot and placed in on the lush green grass.

“… and Sweetie comes by every day, I just knew she was going to be a wonderful singer!” Fluttershy smiled as she and Gilda trotted along the street.

“I bet Scoot’s gonna be real happy to see her again, and that other filly, whatever her name was, too.” Gilda smiled before turning to a frown. She looked over to the pegasus and took a deep breath.

“You feeling alright? It seems you’re having a hard time walking…”
“I'm fine, Gilda.” Fluttershy smiled. “Oh! I completely forgot to tell you! Me and Mac are going to be parents!”

“…And now! The world’s first flying unicorn!” she chanted and turned to face the crowd whit a beaming smile. She waved her hoof and stepped backwards-

Spike shuddered. The words still rang in his head as he scaled the small green hill. Just as he reached the top he was greeted by the dying sun’s warm kiss. It was twilight, his favorite time of the day… and his bestest friend.

Spike slowly placed the boutique of flowers in front of a pale gravestone.