Sky
Chapter 2: Turbulence in Eternity
“You sure about this?”
Twilight Sparkle stood upon the platform of the station with four of her friends, under the bright glow of the morning sunlight. Beside her was the unicorn’s luggage, the porters struggling to get all the boxes aboard the train in time to meet the tight schedule. Despite the nuisance it brought to the train workers, it did provide Twilight with the time to spend what few precious minutes she had left with her friends.
“Positive.”
The four friends cringed at the word. Their hearts went up into their throats, as the reality of this moment dawned upon them.
“It was a really hard choice to say the least.” She frowned at her friend’s reactions. “I never imaged ever leaving this place that I love so much, away from the friends that I care so much about. I suppose though, times have changed.”
An awkward silence fell upon the group of friends. Unsure of what to say in this sort of situation, they looked at each other’s frowning faces, a dark energy flowing among them.
“We all understand,” Applejack was the first to speak up among the friends, a forced smile cast upon her face. “We really do. Celestia’s right about recommending you to study in that prestigious Canterlot University thingy ma jig. There’s still loads to learn about magic, and there’s only so much you can learn in the library in the middle of nowhere.”
“Yeah... still, I don’t know.” Twilight sighed. “I mean I’ve already made up my mind, but it just feels so wrong to leave all of you behind like this.”
Applejack lightly put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.
“Ah shucks Twi, you make it sound like we’re never gonna to see each other again.” She let out a quiet chuckle. “Don’t worry, this isn’t the end of our friendship, we’re just movin’ on to a new phase.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie popped into the conversation. “You can come back and visit Ponyville anytime, or we can go over to Canterlot. We’ll have a party! With cakes, streamers, punch, cookies;ooooh can’t forget the cookies! Oh gosh, this means that we’re going to have double the parties!”
“Uh-huh.” Rainbow Dash joined in. “And I certainly won’t forget such an awesome egghead like you Twilight; that won’t make me a very loyal pony, would it?” She grinned.
“The animals and I are going to miss you Twilight, but it’s like what Pinkie and Applejack said.” Fluttershy gave a small smile. “We’re only a city away from each other, we can go and visit as often as we like.”
“So don’cha worry ‘bout us Twi. Go, and realize your full potential” Applejack moved in for a hug, followed by the other friends. “We’ll still all be friends no matter what.”
Twilight embraced the group hug, her eyes growing a bit watery.
“Thanks girls.” Twilight smiled. “Really, thank you so much.”
“Ah, don’t mention it.” Applejack gripped her friends tighter together. “Good luck at that magical University of yours.”
“Yeah! Go get them with your magical awesomeness, Twilight! Show them who’s the best magician in all of Equestria!” Rainbow Dash cheered, earning a chuckle from the friends around her.
“Thank you, girls,” Twilight said, letting go of the embrace as the train horn signaled it’s impending departure. “Thank you for everything.
“You better quit thanking us and get on that train, Twi.” Applejack chuckled. “You can thank us all ya want the next time you see us.”
“Mhm! Oh and say hi to Spike and Rarity when you get the chance for me! Tell them I’m sorry about getting confetti and cake all over her latest design.” Pinkie Pie giggled to herself.
“Sure thing, Pinkie.” Twilight chuckled, entering the train as it slowly began to move. “Goodbye girls.” She stared at her friends with watery eyes. “I’ll see you all soon.”
“See you later, Twilight!” the girls replied back, running on the side of the train as it gathered speed, disappearing into the Canterlot mountain ranges in the distance.
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Rainbow Dash stirred awake from her long-winded nap. The cluttered mess of cake crumbs, unorganized cards, and tea cargo surrounded her in the small hot air balloon.
“Pinkie?” Rainbow stretched her forehooves into the sky, easing the sore muscles. “Pinkie Pie?”
The area around them was surrounded by tall stone-built buildings, which reached up straight into the night sky. The basket sat upon a clearing between the buildings, the stone paved streets lit by the lamps all around.
“Pinkie!” Dash hovered out of the basket, the cool air flowed through her mane. “Where the hay are you!?” She called out down the long narrow street.
“Hey you!”
Rainbow Dash turned around to the direction of the voice, coming face to face with three large griffons. They all wore what appeared to be heavy grey armor, slightly glowing under the bright moonlit sky.
“Hey there Griffons!” Rainbow said, leaning her body on the side of the wooden basket. “Element of loyalty here, the one that Celestia sent over to talk to your king. I’m looking for my friend Pinkie Pie, a strange hyperactive pink earth pony. Have you seen her anywhere around—”
The three griffons suddenly jumped onto Rainbow Dash, pinning her down with their weight.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash kicked frantically at her attackers. “What’s the big idea?”
“You are under arrest for trespassing the Great Griffon Kingdom,” one the guards barked out, struggling to hold the powerful pegasus down. “Stop resisting immediately, or we will be forced to use further action against you.”
“Psh! In your dreams!” Rainbow Dash shouted out, rapidly twisting her body and kicking one of the guards in the face. Squeezing through the grip of the remaining two, she managed to free her wings and flapped frantically into the sky. One of the griffons punched Rainbow Dash mid-air with a right hook. She lost control and fell, hitting the ground hard enough to kick up a cloud of dirt. The world around her started to get hazy, the darkness forming all around her until there was nothingness.