A week has passed since my little run with my plane. During that time the new addition to my house was added. I’ve decided to lay off the plane for a bit especially since I almost nose-dived into the ground, then almost crashed into the face of a cliff, and almost ran over one of my friends. Until I can properly pilot that thing, it’s off limits.
The Everfree forest has sprouted up some things for me, but nothing usable or useful yet. I found the remains of various types of furniture ripped to shreds, sacks and containers of food ransacked, everyday kitchen tools and utensils gnawed and crushed. Anything common to the public in my world is something I probably wouldn’t be able to find here in the forest since most of the denizens of the forest don’t care for them at all, so basically things that can withstand a lot of abuse or is not within reach of the monsters in the forest is something I can probably find. Things haven’t been interesting in a while. The one exciting news I’ve heard so far is that Rainbow Dash is entering the best young flyers competition over in Cloudsdale. Fluttershy has been helping Rainbow out in her techniques and being a cheerleader of sorts for the rainbow colored Pegasus.
Although Fluttershy yelling and cheering?
“Haha.”
“What’s so funny?” I look up to see Twilight putting some books away on a shelf nearby. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and I are helping Twilight put some books away. She had a weekend of studying to do for something that I have no idea for or care to know at the moment.
“Nothing, just… something.” I give her a smile and she thinks for a second but shrugs it off.
“Well anyway, thank you so much for helping me clean up all these books guys. It was a crazy weekend of studying.” Twilight thanks us, although somehow able to twirl her eyes around. Still, weird but something I should expect. I grab a stack of books on the floor and hold them up, consisting of only about 10 books.
“You’re welcome Twi, now what do you want to do with these?” Before I can get an answer, I hear somepony yelling. I peek out the window to see the Pegasus I was talking about flying straight at us, a little fast for my liking. I take a step back and hide my face behind the books.
“*Booooooom!* *Crash!* *Crack!*” Repeated sounds are heard in front of me as the ground lightly shakes under my feet. Once it dies down, I gently look around the stack of books I’m holding to see the library a complete mess. Every single book is knocked off the shelves and littered the ground around us.
My eye twitches. Why? Because we spent a good part of our morning cleaning this up. Looking down at the books I’m holding, I don’t even care anymore. I just extend my arms, and drop. Rarity isn’t buried under the mountain of books, unlike Twilight, who has a bunch of scrolls shoved into her mouth, Pinkie with a book on her head, and Applejack tightly packed in. The pony responsible for said mess is spread out on the pile.
“God damnit.” I mutter to myself. Sometimes, it sucks being nice.
“Rainbow Dash, you rock. Woo-hoo.” Fluttershy flies into the window and cheers Rainbow in the most quietest cheer I have ever heard in my entire life. “Did my cheering do that?”
“No, sorry Fluttershy, your cheering did not do this.” I say to the shy Pegasus with a slight chuckle to my voice. Rainbow Dash gets up.
“Hehe, sorry about that ladies.”
“Hey!” Rainbow looks over to me.
“And man.”
“That’s better.” I smile. I may be the only one of my kind here but I’ll be damned if I get confused for a lady, or something like that.
“Still, that was a truly feeble performance.” Sounds like Rainbow’s training was a disaster, and I’m still pretty sure that crashing into your friends house/library is not part of any training regiment I’ve ever heard of.
“Actually, it wasn’t all bad. I especially liked it when you made the clouds spin.” Fluttershy happily says to her friend. Rainbow did mention something about her training involving her spinning around some clouds.
“Ugh! I’m not talking about my performance, I’m talking about yours!” Rainbow sternly says and points to Fluttershy. “That feeble cheering!”
“What are you two arguing about?” Twilight asks them. She wasn’t as well informed as I was, especially since they did some of their training over near the clearing close to my house.
“Oh! Were we arguing!? I’m sorry.” Fluttershy apologizes to us, even though we didn’t ask for one. I’ll still be surprised as hell the day I see Fluttershy put her hoof down.
“Rainbow Dash here was training for the best young flyers competition over in Cloudsdale and Fluttershy is her cheerleader,” I begin to explain. I look over to Fluttershy who gives me a smile. “Although from the times I’ve heard her, ‘cheer’, she needs work.”
“I wish you all could come to Cloudsdale with me to see me compete! Fluttershy’s helpful with the support and all, but like Swift said, she could use some work.” Rainbow Dash admits to that I was right.
“What’s that?” Twilight asks. Guess she ain’t as well fed with information as I thought. But now’s not the time for me to interject with anything.
“Listen, you all are more involved with this, so how about I start cleaning up and you all just… talk.” I propose. I may know what Rainbow is preparing for, but how is a blank in my mind. Maybe I’ll learn something interesting or find something that catches my eye from all these books littered about.
“You sure about that?” Applejack asks me. I smile and begin putting up books.
“I’m sure.” With that said, they all continue their conversation while I begin stacking books. I find some interesting covers, some are about the anatomy of a pony, others with dragons, zebras, although zebras and pony’s might have the same anatomy, but they must be different in some cases I guess. History of the zebras, Griffons, dragons, the kinds of animals that inhabit Equestria, weapons, armor, about half of one shelf is stacked but I stop when one title catches my eye.
From Ground to Air. I’m not really sure what it means by that, but it sounds interesting.
“I’m gonna go rest up. Don’t wanna over prepare myself, you know hehe?” Sounds like Rainbow is about to leave. I avert my attention from the book I’m holding over to the others, where Dash is now looking sternly over at Fluttershy. “You on the other hand, better keep practicing! I need a cheering section to match my spectacular performance!” She boastfully says. She spreads her wings and flies right out the window.
“Wow, boastful much.” I comment. Fluttershy watches as her friend flies away, before turning back to us.
“She’s practiced that move a hundred times and hasn’t even come close to doing it. I don’t know if I can cheer loud enough to help her!” Fluttershy worriedly says.
“What move? Sorry, I zoned for awhile.” I asked the shy pony.
“The sonic Rainboom. She’s the only pony ever to be able to do it, and if she does pull it off, she’d win the competition for sure!” Fluttershy lightly shouts, then her head goes low for a second. “Only she hasn’t been able to do it ever since.” She looks back up and flies out the window as well.
Sonic Rainboom? If I can remember correctly, wasn’t that the move that is somewhat close to the ability that I have as well, the air forming around the person or pony, allowing them to able to reach speeds far beyond another beings capacity. I’m the obvious choice of my species since no one can hope to match up to my speed, not without the help of some technology that is. But aside from that, now we are left alone, left alone to clean up the mess a certain pony caused and didn’t bother to help clean up.
“Welp, guess we better get this cleaned up, again.” Twilight says with dead excitement. She picks up a book but Rarity pokes her with her horn.
“Go on, go on.” Rarity edges Twilight.
“Go on what?”
“Find a spell that’ll get us wingless ponies into Cloudsdale!” Rarity says with a smile and brushes her eyelashes a bit. “Didn’t you see how nervous she was?”
“Nervous?” Applejack interrupts. “Have you spit your bit or somethin’? She was tootin’ her own horn louder than ah brass section of a machin’ band.”
“Oh pulease! I have put on enough fashion shows to recognize stage fright when I see it! ” Rarity says sternly. Being a fashionista and all, I can only imagine the things she’s seen.
“Plus,” I add. “When you’ve been in the situations I have, you learn to recognize someone or somepony’s reactions and read their emotions to body movement. And Rainbow’s is screaming ‘please help me!’”
“Then it’s settled, we’ve got to find a way to be there for her! Now go on!” Rarity bumps Twilight hard with her flank, sending the purple unicorn tumbling into a pile of books.
“Ugh! How am I supposed to find a flight spell in this mess?” Twilight grumbles. It’ll definitely be hell having to try said spell in all this.
“A flight spell?! Right there!” Pinkie Pie points over to me with the book in my hand. I forgot I was still holding this. “Page 27!”
I flip through the book and find the page. Indeed the physics bending pony has found it, a spell to give ponies flight. My face shows a bit of surprise, which confirms her.
“How’d you do that?” Applejack asks her.
“It landed on my face when Rainbow Dash knocked me into the bookcase!” Pinkie happily replies. I hand the book over to Twilight, who takes it into her magic.
“Your right! A spell that will allow earth ponies to fly for three days!” Wow. If I wasn’t allergic to magic, I’d try that spell. “Ohhhh, it looks really difficult. I’m not sure I can do it.”
“Really? The Great and powerful Twilight Sparkle, keeper of the library here in Ponyville, student to ‘the’ Princess Celestia, savior of my life, can’t perform a spell to give a pony wings?” I taunt her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, if you taunt or encourage a person enough, they’ll eventually do what it is they say they can’t do.
“I’m not as powerful as you may think, Swift. This spell is too complicated for me to easily do.” I don’t believe her.
“Yet somehow, you were able to use a spell to bring to life two of my kinds many inventions.” Giving a pony wings, or bringing a powerful Hummer and an advanced P51-Mustang fighter to life? What’s tougher?
“Are you sure?” Twilight asks in a worried tone. She obviously doesn’t know the full strength she has, but I think I do.
“I’m sure.”
“Well, okay, but who’s going to volunteer to be the test subject?” Pinkie Pie and Applejack look unsure of it. Twilight’s gaze moves over to me.
“I’d revel in the chance to do it, but I’m pretty sure I’d die if I do.” So I’m clearly out of the question, much to my dismay. The next few minutes are met with uncomfortable silence.
“I willllll! For Rainbow Dash, I will go first.” Rarity gracefully says. As good a friend as ever miss Rarity is.
“Okay, here goes!” Twilight lightly shouts. She clenches her eyes and her horn begins to glow. Soon, a long bluish stream of magic begins to engulf Rarity. She looks uncertain as it engulfs her completely. The air around us begins to pick up a bit, giving a sort of hard breeze in the room. The process is slow at first, second passing until it looks about done.
“Ah!” Twilight suddenly yelps as a dark blue orb appears between her and the engulfed Rarity. A bright flash of light fills the tree house. I instinctively bring my arms up to protect my eyes from it’s blinding rays. However something hits me and I slam hard against a bookcase, with something on top of me. Slowly opening my eyes, I find Twilight on top of me. She slowly opens her eyes and looks at what she’s laying on.
“You alright?” I ask her. She looks disoriented pretty bad, and not just from the crash. Guess she wasn’t kidding about the spell being difficult.
She nods and we slowly get up. I look around to find Pinkie and Applejack getting up as well. However, my eyes look onto the majestic creature now floating in front of us all. Pinkie and Applejack give out a gasp of surprise at the results.
“I think it worked.” Twilight says disoriented. Oh it definitely worked! Floating before us, our own Fashionista Rarity of Ponyville has wings. But not just any wings! These have the look of a butterfly’s. They have a bright pink streak, coupled with separate, light grass green, dark tint of yellow, light sky blue, some splotches of white, all placed together on a purple transparent sheet, and that’s what you have, Rarity’s wings.
“Wooooooooow!” I let out. The colors of this place have always fascinated me for so long in the time I’ve been here.
“Oh my! These are absolutely gorgeous!” Rarity praises her new wings. It’s true. They sure are a sight to behold, however my only concern is that they look a little too… flimsy.
“How do they feel?” Twilight asks the new winged unicorn. Rarity sets herself down on the floor and spreads her wings.
“Like I’ve had them since I was a filly!”
“Shoot, Rarity! Those are some mighty fine wings you got there!” Applejacks comments on Rarity’s wings.
“Yeah! I’ve never seen anything like these! Ever!” Pinkie yells, shifting from one position around Rarity, to another so she can see the wings better. After about half a minute of everyone admiring Rarity’s new additions, I interrupt.
“Alright everypony. This is nice and all, but the competition should be starting in about a few hours. So let’s get everyone fitted now shall we!” I inform them while looking at my watch. I look over at Twilight, expecting her to be ready about this, but she’s not.
“I’m sorry, but that spell is just too complex for me to be able to do again.” Damnit! Rainbow needs us if she’s going to have the confidence in order to pull off this legendary Sonic Rainboom.
“Sooooo, what do we do?” Applejack says. Everyone looks unsure of what do now. I mean, out of any unicorn, Twilight is the only one capable enough to cast said spell, and she can’t anymore right now. Everyone begins to think of what to do, but then an idea pops into my mind.
“Hold on a sec!” I search around, trying to find the book that had the spell Twilight used. Earlier when I was searching through it to find the page Pinkie mentioned the spell was on, I passed over one spell that should give us the desired effect we want.
“Where is it? Where is it?” I soon grow frustrated. I didn’t think the flash was big enough to make the mess we had before an even bigger mess now. “Come on, come on… Aha!”
From the pile of books I was sifting through, I find it. Opening it, I flip through the pages and read each one to find out if it’s the right spell.
“What are you looking for?” Twilight asks me. My eyes stay locked onto the book however.
“When I was flipping through the pages, my eye caught something. A different spell that doesn’t require as much energy as the one you just used, but should have the desired effect you all need.” After explaining my intentions, I find it. “Here.”
I hand Twilight the book with it open to the page of the spell. She takes the book with her magic and her eyes glide over the words of the spell, making her expression change to that of happiness.
“Yes! This is it! This is perfect! Thank you Swift!” Twilight is obviously happy that she found it, well I found, but at least its easier on her. “A spell that’ll allow non-Pegasus ponies to walk on clouds!”
“Great! Now with that spell, we can all go to Cloudsdale and cheer Rainbow on!” Rarity shouts. The others cheer as well, but their overlooking two other factors.
“Well, almost everyone.” I mutter to myself. Unfortunately, I said it a little too loud.
“Why? Oh right! Magic hurts you.” Twilight nervously says. I chuckle at her forgetfulness.
“It’s alright. But there’s something else you also forgot.” My words catch all of their attention. “How are we getting you all to Cloudsdale?”
They all looked stumped. Rarity’s mode of travel is embedded onto her, but Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie are a different story. “You’re right. How are we going to get to Cloudsdale?”
“Ooh, ooh! I know! I know!” Pinkie shouts in her usual bubbly and happy way, with her hoof raised into the air no less and waving it around.
“Yes, Pinkie?” Twilight addresses her.
“I have a hot air balloon we can use! I sometimes use it to make deliveries for the Cakes to ponies in the clouds!” We all look at each other, not even exchanging words since we already know what we all are thinking.
“That could work.” I say. She gets a big grin.
“Alllllright! I’ll go get it!” And once she finishes saying that sentence, she bounces right out the door to wherever she has that thing stashed.
“Well, looks like that’s everything.” I say. I begin walking out so I can head home and relax, but Twilight stops me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going home, to rest up a bit and take an inventory check of everything I have.” I say nonchalantly.
“But you’re going with us.” I raise an eyebrow at that statement. How am I supposed to go with them?
“And pray tell how am I supposed to go with you?” I asked, obviously surprised on the plan that she has for me, the only creature they personally know that’s allergic to magic.
“Welllllllll, if anything, you can cheer Rainbow on from the balloon, or maybe you can cheer for her from your plane.” She proposes with a smile. I place a hand under my chin, giving the impression I’m thinking really hard on this, but I already made up my mind and just giving them a show.
“Well, as fun as that sounds, my plane is out of the question because I’m sure they need the skies clear for the competition, and there are no clouds large enough or long enough for me to be able to land my plane, plus we don’t know if your spell will work on inanimate objects.” Voicing the ideas off the top of my head, I make my case that I can’t go. Twilight and the others look sad that I can’t go see a new place here in Equestria, and even if I do go, I won’t see much of it, annnnnnnd I’ll be bored out of my mind. I kneel down in front of Twilight and place a hand on her shoulder. “Thanks anyway, Twilight. I’ll help Spike clean up here while you girls go and help out Rainbow.”
Their frowns turn into smiles and nods. “You’re right. We better get ready, Applejack. Knowing Pinkie, she probably has the balloon-!”
“Ready!!” A voice from before interrupts Twilight. We look around to find the source until we look out the door. Pinkie’s standing there in the basket of the hot air balloon that’s floating just a few inches off the ground right in front of Twilights door.
“And so the most hyper and mysterious pony I’ve ever come to know has impressed me yet again!” I shout my surprised state as we all walk outside to meet the pink pony, well almost all of us, Rarity just flew out. I didn’t see a single balloon at all when I woke up today, and considering its height, I would have spotted it easy, but I didn’t.
“Thanks, Swift.” Pinkie Pie replies. I look down at my watch to realize that almost half an hour has passed.
“You girls better get suited and ready. The competition should be starting in a couple hours and I have no idea how fast this thing can go.” I tell them. Twilight nods and looks at Applejack.
“He’s right. Applejack, you ready?” Applejack nods.
“Sure am. Give it to me, sugarcube.” Twilight’s horn begins to glow again, however this time her face isn’t as strained or hurt like before. A purple aura surrounds AJ’s hooves for a few seconds before it disappears. “Let’s hope it works.”
“Alright, c’mon Pinkie. You’re next.” Pinkie jumps right out of the basket in a single jump and lands right in front of Twilight.
“I’ll see you all when you get back. But now doubt Rainbow is going to milk the prize of spending as much time with the Wonderbolts as she possibly can.”
“Okay then. I wish we could bring you Swift! It would’ve been nice for you to go to Cloudsdale and see how the Pegasus live.” Twilight says to me. I wish I could go too, but some things are preventing that from happening. It sucks.
“Bye! Tell Rainbow I wish her luck!” I shout to them as I walk and wave them off. They wave me farewell before Twilight resumes fitting her and Pinkie with the cloud walking spell. I’m still sad that I can’t. This would be one hell of a news documentary for my people. A city in the sky, made out of things in the sky no less. If I did go, I’d be bored out of my mind from sitting in the basket for so long with nothing to do, and if I stay here here, I can do something more productive.
The obvious choice wins the battle in my mind. With a last huff of defeat, I just continue walking… until an idea pops into my mind. “Wait a minute.”
Cloudsdale can’t be made entirely of just clouds. They’re going to need other things to help sustain them up there. Maybe if they have something solid, I could… yes, yes that could work, hopefully.
I begin bolting as fast as I can to my house. I need to find what I’m looking for soon or I might lose my only ticket to Cloudsdale. I fling the door open and search around. My shotgun is on a shelf in the my room, my pistol in the holster of my gun belt hanging on a hat rack near the door, my compound bow is hanging on some supports over the fireplace, and the grapple gun is on my gun belt as well. I grab my gun belt and quickly fit it to my waist. I have an idea on how to traverse Cloudsdale, if they have what I need up there.
I bolt out the door and look around to see if I can spot the balloon anywhere, sadly, I don’t see it anywhere.
“Damn, missed them.” I groan. I guess my luck is all that I can give Rainbow for now then. I slump a bit and begin walking back into my house, defeated.
“Goodbye, Swiiiiffftt!” A loud voice snaps my attention. I look around to try and find the source of said voice, but I still can’t find it.
“Up here!” A southern accent yells. I look up to find the large pink balloon a few feet above my house in all its glory..
“Holy-! Wait! Waaaaaiiiiit!” I shout up to them, hoping they can stop the balloon so I can get on, but they don’t. Either they didn’t hear me, or it really can’t be easy to stop that thing. But maybe I can still hitch a ride.
I run to the side of my house and look up the wall. I breathe in and out, then run. I run up against the wall of my house, not putting enough force against the wall for me to kick it down or break it or anything like that but enough for me to give myself a boost up. I grab the edge of my roof and try to pull myself up. It takes a bit of work considering I’ve never done something like this before but I manage. Once I’m up, I look at the balloon to see if it’s low enough for me to try and jump it. Unfortunately, it’s not, but I do see a long rope hanging from the basket of the balloon.
That’s my ticket! I take a few steps back, making sure to keep an eye on the rope as well. I look up to see my friends looking down at me, a look of confusion on their faces as to what I’m going to do.
“Might I ask what you are doing dear?” I look to my right to see Rarity hovering there in the air. I smile and get ready.
“Helping Rainbow Dash.” I dash forward, careful not to lose my footing but I’m also not slamming hard enough into the roof to break it. I kick myself off the edge of the roof at just the right moment and launch myself up and away from my house. With outstretched arms, I grab the rope in time and keep a firm grip on it so I don’t slide down and give myself rope burn in the process. The balloon is pulled down a little but still continues to climb and move. I begin climbing up the rope, pulling what little I leave behind with me so it doesn’t get tangled up in any trees. What I just did was a little crazy, but Rainbow is my friend, and I should be there for my friends regardless of my situation. Especially since she and the others are my only real friends in like, ever.
“Hey, girls! Did I miss anything?” I say with a happy smile as I pull myself up to the basket. A look of surprise is plastered on all their faces.
“What in tarnation do y’all think your doin’?” Applejack is the first to ask me. I pull myself into the basket, with a little help from my friends of course, and sit down.
“I decided to come along. Whether I’ll be stuck here in the balloon for the whole time, or I can somehow get a good look at the race and cheer Rainbow on, I’m willing.” I say with determination. Nothing major has happened since I got my new plane, but this competition is big for one of my friends, so the least I can do is be as close as possible so I can lend whatever support I can to said friend.
“Wow, that’s very nice of you Swift! You really are a true friend.” A true friend? It still takes me awhile to truly grasp their words. I’m glad that they call me friend, especially a true friend.
“Yeah, I am. Thanks.” I hope my plan works, if it does, then I can travel with my friends around Cloudsdale, if not, well I’ll be bored as hell. But first… “Twilight, do you know if there is anything solid on or in Cloudsdale? Not made of clouds, I mean?”
She thinks for a bit, trying to picture anything she can in her mind of anything she’s read or heard from her friends. “Actually, yes. There should be. Cloudsdale isn’t fully comprised of only clouds. No they do have some solid surfaces up there, like stone walkways and marble columns of such. Why?”
With all that, it’s perfect. I look up at her and pull out my grapple gun. “With this, I can hook onto surfaces out of my reach and pull myself onto them. If I can time them just right, I can swing from one solid platform to another, and maybe I can get to a good enough vantage point to be able to cheer rainbow on instead of just being stuck here in the balloon.” With the look on Twilight’s face, my theory is both sensible and crazy.
“Really? Are you sure about that?” she asks me with a look of worry. Like I said, one wrong move and I could end up sliding off and plummeting to a certain death, but if my friends are going, then I’m going too, besides, when am I going to be able to see this legendary sonic Rainboom that Rainbow dash is apparently the only pony ever to pull it off, and the only power that is similar to my ability.
“I’m sure, Twilight. How often am I able to stand on something that is right next to a cloud, let alone be able to touch one without the help of technology?” Without a plane, without a climbing gear to support me as high as a mountain that touches the heavens, not even so called jetpacks, if anyone were able to make one. I think it would be so cool to be able to own, but it sucks that my people aren’t that advanced yet, but it’s the thought that counts.
“Well, alright. As long as you’re careful! Rainbow dash would be very sad and feel guilty if you… died to try and help her.” Twilight says trying to come up with the courage to actually say die. Death isn’t something that these ponies are used to around here. I’ve killed a few animals while I’ve been here, but nothing like a pony or griffon or sentient creature. I give Twilight a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry, Twilight. I have no intention of anything like that happening to me today.” My words and smile help to ease her mind, as her worried and unsure expression fades. With everyone’s mind set on what is to be done, we all relax. Rarity already took off ahead of us so she can find Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash before the competition. Looking over the edge of the basket, the view is beautiful. Canterlot can be seen in the distance, Ponyville not under us but still a little closer than Canterlot, the Everfree forest right next to it, and it is biiiiiiiig. I can’t tell how big it is, but if I’m ever going to try and scour every inch of it for anything that may pertain to me or my people, my work will be cut out for me. It also doesn’t help the fact that I’m starting to get light headed, and dizzy.
“Whoa.” I say a little quietly to myself, my head beginning to spin a bit in the process.
“Swift! Are you alright?!” Pinkie worriedly asks me as Twilight helps me sit down in the basket so I don’t go over the edge. I nod.
“Yeah, I’m fine it’s just that… whoa, oh man… I’m not used to going so high up.” I wearily tell them. With how the basket is moving too, it’s kinda hard to keep my breakfast in. “I think I’m gonna, ehh… gonna close my eyes for a second and hopefully this’ll pass.” I lay back against one of the walls and let my eyes slowly droop close.
“Oh, alright Swift. We’ll wake you when we get there.” Twilight says to me. I give a weak nod and a light wave too. Soon, my breathing calms down, my eyes close, my muscles relax, and my mind goes blank…
“Swift? Swift? Wake up! We’re here.” A voice calls out to me, waking me from my slumber. I slowly open my eyes, the calm blue sky and ever pink balloons fabric greeting. I grab the edge for leverage and hoist myself up. What I find is amazing, the balloon is set down on the clouds, stone buildings and supports placed neatly on the clouds, and the city is huge, many buildings and pony’s as far as I can see far. No matter what my people do, they can’t hope to compare the natural beauty of what I see now, and under me, to something that they can make.
“Wow!” I say in awe.
“It’s pretty awesome isn’t it?” I look around from the gaze of Cloudsdale to my left to see all my friends standing on the clouds, and Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash hovering above the others, Rainbow being closest to me.
“It’s amazing. The view from my plane as the sun sets was amazing, but this is different. Your kind made this!” I say with amazement in my voice. Rainbow smiles, flies over to me and sits down on the edge of the basket.
“It is, so are you just going to stay here the whole time or you got something to help you follow us?” Rainbow dash’s question snaps me from my awe of the city. I look at her for a second before I look around. The others are on some stairs so from what I can tell, that’s where they are going. I look around them to try and find something that’s solid I can use to help me. With luck, right above them is a stone arch.
I smile and grab my grapple gun. Fitting the glove setting it has onto my right hand, making sure it’s functioning properly, and the cable isn’t snagged or tangled, I’m ready. “I prefer to follow.” I aim and shoot. The spear like projectile fires out of my gun and hits the stone arch, the prongs on it shoot out and connect to the stone as well. I pull the trigger again and I’m whisked away. I’m pulled out of the balloon in an instant and swung towards the arch. As I go above my friends on the stairs, I press a button on the side to detach the spear from the stone. The rest of the cable gets sucked back up into my gun and I fall. Planting my feet firmly on the hard ground, I step a few times to slow myself down before I come to a stop just before the edge. I stand there for a few seconds, seeing what just happened right now, and looking down over the edge, seeing the cloud slowly move right in front of me that I can just reach out and touch it.
“Swift! Are you okay?!” I mind snaps over to the voice. I turn around to see all my friends hovering and standing there right behind me. They all look worried but I calm them down.
“I’m just fine everyone. Now…” I hold up my grapple to show them. “I have a mode of transportation for Cloudsdale.”
“Y’all crazy, you know that?” Applejack replies. I give a chuckle to her and nod.
“I know right.” I turn to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with a smile. “Now, about that tour…”
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The tour of Cloudsdale was amazing, the amount of Pegasi that lived here, the famous ones that came from here as well, Rainbow also showed us where the Weather is made, which I might add had a pretty good look to it what with all the lightning clouds that covered it. Although it kinda sucked when Rarity’s over use of her wings made her cause a lot of the snowflakes to fly around and break, considering each flake is hoof made, a lot of ponies were pretty mad, luckily we got out before anypony could blame us. Next was where they made the rainbow’s, which Pinkie demonstrated to us that rainbow’s definitely aren’t meant for their flavor. Guess those Skittles commercials were wrong, you can taste the rainbow, but you’ll probably burn yourself. But again! Rarity was aweing some more pony’s with her wings, and it didn’t help that those particular ponies were apparently Rainbow Dash’s enemies. And from her expression, she’s starting to feel a bit betrayed at Rarity’s actions. We are here to support Rainbow and her competition! Not get checked out with some new addition to your body.
The next room was some type of steam room, from my guess, it makes the clouds. But it was the last room we went to, because that was where Rarity nearly destroyed Rainbow’s complete confidence in whatever she had left in herself for the competition. Rarity decided to enter the competition, destroying Rainbow’s calmness, and scaring her to death as well. For the first time I called one of my friends, which I thought I would never call any of my pony friends:
Rarity… is a bitch.
Throughout the whole time, other Pegasi have been giving me some weird looks as usual, but some of them here know me from Ponyville, so it was all good for a bit. But now it’s time for the competition. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Twilight are all hanging out on one of the spectators clouds, where Pinkie is flaunting the large number 1 foam finger that she somehow and mysteriously kept with her. It also didn’t help that those jackass ponies from before that referred Rainbow Dash to Rainbow ‘crash’ are sitting right below our friends. I’m laying down on a giant stone spectator box that is reserved for only the highest and most prestige ponies out there, which I have no idea who exactly, I’m just hitching a seat on the very roof of it. The announcer floats up on a cloud in the middle of the arena:
“Filly’s annnnnnd gentle colts! Please rise and join me in welcoming our beloved Princess Celestia!!” Everypony in the arena goes crazy as the Princess slowly hovers down to a seat that’s right under me to while waving. She looks up and notices me as I look down to her. I smile and give her a slight wave. She returns my gesture with the same. She’s also being escorted by two guards. “And please welcome our celebrity judges for the best young flier competition! Thhhhhe Wonnnnderrrrbolts!!” The announcer shouts as six Pegasi fly right past him, leaving a trail of dark clouds and lightning in their wake, and upwards into the air. All six fly up side-by-side before going into a line, huddling close together and breaking off, sending a multitude of fireworks in every direction. Once the fireworks are done, all six fly down and land on some clouds nearby to watch. If I can compare these ponies to anything back in my world, they can rival the Blue Angels of the American Navy. Mostly because of their moves, and that both have the same type of color to them. The Wonderbolts suits are colored blue with some light yellow lightning streaks added to them.
Rainbow Dash told me all about the Wonderbolts on a bunch of occasions. Soarin, Spitfire, Blaze, Fire Streak, Fleetfoot, High Winds, Lightning Streak, Misty Fly, Rapidfire, Silver Lining, Surprise, and Wave Chill are the names of all the Wonderbolts. I only know them by name, not by looks since they all wear that same uniform all the time. It kinda gets hard to keep track of them. Besides, Rainbow Dash probably knows them off the top of her head.
“And Now! Let’s find out who will take the prize at this years, Best Young Flier!” With that announcement, the Competition starts. I wait patiently for the first pony to go out. Once she does, another comes out. Seems the arena is big enough for more than one pony to go on. Although after seeing #7’s 15 barrel rolls in a row, my smile and excitement start to fade. I was hoping for Rainbow Dash to go out soon. After all, she was the whole reason I came out here for, and I want to see that damn Sonic Rainboom!
When ten comes out and its not Rainbow, I groan and stand up. I look around to see where Twilight and the others are. Once I spot them, I equip my grapple, get an accurate feel for the release and retract switches on the gun, and I begin traveling. Have you ever tried to swing from pillar to pillar with one hand? No. Well lucky you! It’s hell. The force and push of the wind against you as you curve around the pillars on the outside is no easy task. To even catch a breather, I had to hang on the top edges with my free hand. Spiderman is lucky! At least he has two hands to work with, I don’t damn it! I swing on the last column right next to the girls and slam hard against it, scaring the hell out of Fluttershy.
“Sorry Fluttershy.”
“Oh, it’s… it’s alright.” She says as she slowly comes out from under her fore hooves.
“What are you doing here Swift? The views not good from your position?” she asks with a smirk. Right now, my arm aches. The spear at the end of the cable is dug in at the top of the pillar, my legs are planted firmly against the pillar, and my other hand is free and I can’t grab anything. If I fall, well, I envy the pony who’s gonna be the very first to scrape a human off the ground in Equestria
“Where’s Rainbow? Over half the contestants have gone and we haven’t seen hide nor hair of Rainbow or Rarity?” Hopefully my friends have an idea. They all look unsure just the same as me.
“You got us, Swift. Contestant 12 just came out, so Rainbow and Rarity should be out soon.” Applejack says to me. It wasn’t the perfect answer but it puts a smile on my face.
“Well, alright then. I guess I better get back to my seat.” I groan out loud. I gently breathe to prepare myself for the small journey back.
“Why didn’t you just walk along the stone pieces connecting the pillars together?” Twilight says to me. I look at her confused. I didn’t see nothing like that! She points her hoof up at the top and I see the clouds connecting them. At first I think she’s just crazy, but I narrow my eyes to see them move just a tiny bit, and there it is! My eye twitches as I slowly slide up the pillar until I hit the top. I wish I knew that earlier. The near heart attacks would have been great without. Once I’m up, I make my way across my new makeshift bridges back to my seat.
“And now for our final competitor of the day, contestant number 15!” Finally! Rainbow Dash nervously flies out from behind the curtains. “Uhhh… ehhh and apparently contestant number 4.” My gaze shifts back to the curtains and I see Rarity flapping out behind Rainbow, trying to look as graceful as she always tries to be… while also wearing the most freakiest get-up and make-up I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
“Yeaaaahhhh! Woo-hooo! Give a show we’ll never forget!!” I shout as loud as I can. Both Rainbow and Rarity are my friends, more so Rainbow Dash considering the stunt Rarity pulled, but they’re my friends and I’ll support them. Rarity says some things to Rainbow, then some music starts playing, some very… sappy… music.
“No she didn’t.” I say to myself. Rainbow had a special type of music planned for her event, but since Rarity is going too.
“She did. She changed the music.” We were here to support Rainbow. Some friend you are Rarity.
Rainbow begins phase one of her plan. She flies left and right in between a column of tall narrow clouds. At first, she does pretty good and flawlessly, but it doesn’t last long. She waits too long turn and slams right into one of them, sending her flying into the bottom of the arena.
“Ha! Nice move, Rainbow Crash!” It just so happened that the cloud above her had the three jerk ponies from before. Bastards.
All the while, Rarity continues to dance through the air and show off those fake wings for everypony to see. Another thing that concerns me is that Twilight mentioned that Rarity’s wings were very delicate and flimsy. If she continues that type of escapade of hers, she’ll be the one plummeting to the ground! “Damnit Rarity.” I say to myself in anger.
A gust of wind hits me slightly, almost making me lose my balance. I look up to see Rainbow Dash now high in the sky, flying around some clouds and making them spins very fast. “Phase 3.”
A cloud smacks into Rainbow Dashes face and sends the last cloud hurdling right at us. The cloud hits the spot right between where me and Celestia are. The impact shakes the roof and hits my legs, finally making me lose my balance. “Whoa, whoa whoa, Whoa!!” I shout as I slip off the edge.
“Swift!!” I hear multiple voices cry out. I grab my grapple gun and aim up. I fire and it hits something. I breathe a sigh of relief as I slowly climb back up past the clouds for everypony to see.
“It’s alright everyone! I’m fine! Continue!” I reassure everypony in the arena that all is good. My body slowly twists around until I am now face to face with none other than…
“Princess. Hi. How’s it been?” She gives me blanks stare before replying.
“Hello to you as well, Swift Wind. I trust everything’s been going well for you since our last meeting?” she asks me. I smile with a nod.
“It has. Ponyville’s been safe since. For now, enjoy the show.” I wave her goodbye with my free hand and zip the rest of the way up. Rainbow Dash and Rarity begin flying high into the air, going pretty far out of a normal person or ponies field of view, but not me, I can still see them just fine, although the sun Rarity is flying up to kinda makes it hard to see her, while Rainbow is hopefully putting into effect the last part of her plan, the final Phase. The Sonic Rainboom.
“Look upon me, Equestria! For I… am…” Rarity shouts loud enough for us all to hear and spread her wings. “Rarity!!”
The sun beams through her wings, revealing a type of rainbow pattern on us all. All the ponies in the arena are in awe at the wonderful event that is showering us all. Hopefully Rainbow’s Sonic Rainboom can beat that. Except, I see some smoke.
“Rarity!!! Your Wings!!” I shout as loud as I can up to her. She doesn’t faze or anything, just spreads her wings further apart.
“Yes! Marvel at my beauty!” Damn her and her grace! If she doesn’t get away from there in time, they’ll-.
“!!” I gasp at the sudden fiery blaze on her. She just looks for a second before realizing what just happened.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!” Rarity begins screaming as she falls.
“Rarity!!” I yell and grab my grapple gun again. I aim all the way across the arena and aim for something solid. As soon as I find my mark, I fire. Once it connects, I wait for the right moment to catch Rarity. Taking into account at how fast she’s falling, the length of my cord and how fast I can swing down, I jump. As the air and wind rush past me in an instant as I fall, keeping the hardest grip I’ve ever had in my entire life onto something. I extend my free hand out as much as I can to catch her.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh-ooof!” Rarity’s screams of terror gets cut short as i slam hard into her, knocking the air out of her. I hold onto her as hard as I can as well. My momentum comes to slow halt to the point of where we are just dangling uncomfortably far from anything solid in the arena. I give a sigh of relief.
“Whew! Man that was close.” I look down at the slightly quivering pony in my arm. “Hey? Rarity? You can open your eyes now. Your safe.”
“Huh? Wha-? Where-?” she looks around for a second before looking up at me. Her face of horror and fear turning to safety and happiness. “Ohhh, thank you, Swift! I surely would have perished if it wasn’t for you!” She praises me with her words and a few kisses as well.
“Alright, alright, alright! Don’t smear your make-up! C’mon, let’s get back to the others.” I say to her, stopping her. She give me a nervous smile and wraps her hooves around me to get a better grip on me. I hit the switch to begin retracting the spear to my gun. At first, it strains due to the added weight but this thing is designed to withstand punishment!
“*SNAP!*” Unfortunately, the thing the spear connects too doesn’t. The cord immediately retracts back into my gun. I just stare up, knowing what the hell just happened. Me and Rarity look at each other for a second as one thing runs through my mind.
Classic cartoon move.
“Son of a-“ Those are the last words I mutter before we begin falling. “Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!!!” I shout as we fall.
Rarity continues to scream her usual self, I try to hold onto her but she’s moving around too much. We pass right through a cloud and it hits hard into my face, stunning me and making me lose my grip on Rarity. I twirl around in different directions, trying to regain myself but the constant hitting of clouds against me is making it hard as hell! Soon, I don’t feel the wind on me anymore. I open my eyes to see Cloudsdale getting farther and farther away from me. I try to turn around to see Rarity but something hits me hard. The air gets knocked out of me as I try see what hit me. One of the three Wonderbolts that came after me and Rarity tries to grab me, but my movement coupled with the cloud that just hit me, made the flame haired Pegasus slam into me instead of catching me. I can tell it’s a mare due to the way her body is.
Hey! When you hang out with nothing but mares all day, you can tell. I think the Wonderbolt was Spitfire if I remember the pictures right. She swirls at Rarity as I’m able to turn myself around to look at the ground. I smile that all three are going to get her, but the crappiest thing happens. Rarity is still so scared of what’s happening that she’s screaming and flailing her hooves like crazy, apparently knocking out all three Wonderbolts in the process.
“Damn you, Rarity! Why can’t anything ever go right?!” I yell to myself. I straighten my body out as much as I can and aim straight for her the ponies. I have a plan. If I can push the Wonderbolts in front of some clouds, they should be able to stop and land on them, but Rarity…
Don’t worry, Rarity. You still have a family to worry about. I aim at Rarity as I fall to the ground even faster so I can catch her. Yards turn to meters, then to feet until I can almost touch her. I reach out as much as I can to grab her.
“All… most… there?!” I say to myself. Rarity stops freaking out when she opens her eyes.
“*GASP*” She gasps loudly. I think she’s surprised to see me, but her eyes are looking right past me. I turn around to see something coming right at us. Something really fast. When I narrow my eyes, it’s Rainbow Dash! But theres something different, very different as she comes at us with speed far faster than I’ve seen of her ever pull. Something appears around her, a white type of barrier, but then, I see electricity crackling around her, she begins to narrow and fly faster!
Is this it?!
In a blaze of glory and Rainbow, her speed doubles, a giant shockwave of Rainbow that spreads far out to miles around. A much brighter and gleaming Rainbow, far better than I’ve ever seen in my entire life follows Rainbow as she jets right to us. I close my eyes at the last second before she collides into us. In an instant, I find myself grabbing onto something, two things to be exact. I open my eyes to find I’m holding onto Rainbow Dashes hind legs, with Rarity holding onto the two on the front and the Wonderbolts on her back. My entire mind and body is racked with amazement at what I’m seeing here.
Rainbow Dash, the fastest Pony I’ve seen in my entire life, has just made the impossible happen for my people.
She made a rainbow. No, a fucking Sonic Rainboom! The rainbow behind us continues to follow as she whisks us up into the sky. It was only untill now that I just realized just how close to the ground we were. Rainbow curves up high into the air and straight up to Cloudsdale. As we make our way up, the view of Equestria becoming bigger and bigger with every passing second, I still can’t believe what just happened. One second I’m falling to my death, ready to sacrifice myself for one of my friends, the one who have acted like a bitch awhile ago but still opened her home to me, and now, I’m actually part of a rainbow.
This… is… fucking… Awesome!!
We curve over Cloudsdale, leaving an actual Rainbow over the Pegasi city in the sky. We curve into the bottom of the arena and hover in the middle. Some Pegasi fly over to us, one each grabs the Wonderbolts, two grab Rarity and another two grab me. I curve my arms over the backs of the Pegasi and breathe a sigh of relief. Out of all this, and from the streamers and cheering bombarding us, I think Rainbow won. Anyone who says differently can kiss my-
“A Sonic Rainboom!! Woooo! Yeah!!” A particularly loud shouting nearby attracts my attention. I look over to my left to see the rest of my friends on a cloud, cheering loud and proud, but Fluttershy surprises me most of all. She’s practically screaming and jumping up into the air while pumping her front hooves into the air as well. I may have almost died right now, but these two sights I surely think are well worth it. Fluttershy is finally cheering as loud as Rainbow Dash wanted, and, I finally got to see the Sonic Rainboom. Rainbow Dash… you sure are something.
“I did it. I did it.” Rainbow Dash says, surprised that she finally accomplished what she thought was impossible.
“You sure did. Oh! Thank you, Rainbow Dash! You saved my life!” Rarity praises her friend.
“Oh yeah! I did that too! Ha! Best… Day… Evvveeeerr!” Rainbow Dash happily says as she pumps once. I stare up into the sky, marveling at the pristine, glimmer and closeness of the rainbow above me.
“It sure is, Dash.” I finally say. She looks at me with a smile as I continue to stare up. “It sure is.”
“Come on, lets you two back onto your ride.” The Pony on my right carrying me tells us. I give a nod and indicate with my head where to take us.
The Pegasi were able to get me and Rarity back to the balloon, where we piloted it back to the arena so we can meet with everyone. Everypony is in front of the balloon while an uncomfortable silence looms over us.
“I want to apologize to all of you for getting so carried away with my… beautiful wings.” Rarity tries to apologize while choking back tears. “I guess I just lost my head.”
“Oh it’s okay.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“We still love you.”
Our friends try their best to help ease Rarity from the whole ordeal that’s happened.
“And I’m especially sorry that I was so thoughtless as to jump into the contest at the last minute after you had worked so hard to win it! Can you ever, ever forgive me!?” Rarity begs Rainbow Dash for her friend’s forgiveness.
“Aww, it’s okay! Everything turned out alright, right?” Rainbow replies with a smile. After everything, I guess it did turn out alright. After all, Rainbow Dash will be remembered for awhile as the creator of the Sonic Rainboom, winner of this year’s best young fliers competition, and… savior of the Legendary Wonderbolts. That’s a title you got to love. But I’ll stick with my Guardian status, thank you very much. “I just wish I could have met the Wonderbolts while they were awake.” Rainbow says in a sad and pouty demeanor. However, a unique blue uniform covered hoof pokes Rainbow on her back. She turns around, and to her surprise, the three Wonderbolts, Spitfire, Soarin’, and Fleetfoot, are standing there in all their glory, alive and awake thanks to their savior, who is awe struck at finally meeting her idols.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoooosh!!” Rainbow repeatedly says.
“So you’re the little pony who saved our lives? We really wanted to meet you and say thanks.” Spitfire says to Rainbow Dash. Fleetfoot and Soarin’ nod in agreement. Rainbow is still stunned.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” I chuckle at how she’s acting. Always the tough son of a bitch with a tomboyish attitude that she usually has, now reverted to a school girl who found the love of her life. I hear some flapping noises and look to my right to see Princess Celestia and a couple Pegasus guards coming over to us.
“Princess!” Twilight says in awe as she and the other Elements bow to royalty. I join in as well.
“Hello Twilight Sparkle! And hello to your friends too.” She happily says. We all smile at her, however Rarity still look a little sad.
“Princess Celestia? I’m sorry I ruined the competition! Rainbow Dash here is really the best flier in all of Equestria!” Rarity says about Rainbow, making her blush and fidget her hooves a little.
“I know she is, my dear. And that’s why for her incredible acts of bravery, and her spectacular Sonic Rainboom!” Princess Celestia begins to gracefully say. I think I know where this is going. “I’m presenting the grand prize for best young flier, to this year’s winner, Miss Rainbow Dash!” The Princess brings a golden crown, adorned with a lightning bolt on the front and a wing on each side. The arena cheers the winner on.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh…” Rainbow trails off, repeatedly saying ‘Ohmygosh’ as Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie carry her off to be seen by all. Now it’s just the Princess, Twilight, Rarity and I.
“So, Twilight Sparkle. Did you learn anything about Friendship from this experience?” Princess Celestia asks her faithful student with intrigue. Twilight mentioned before what exactly it was that she was doing in Ponyville. She always had this feel about her that said that she wasn’t an all-time inhabitant of Ponyville. Her teacher wanted her to learn the true meaning of Friendship, because apparently she preferred to study and learn about magic than make friends. Still, back on my world, learning about friendship would be considered complete crap, I would have thought that! But being here, I can understand.
“I did, Princess! But I think Rarity learned even more than me!” Twilight directs the attention to Rarity, considering that she’s right. Rarity definitely must have learned something from all this.
“That’s saying something.” I smugly say with a smile. Rarity gives me a scolding look and gently punches me in the arm. It only slightly hurts. She turns back to the Princess.
“I certainly did. I learned how important it is to keep your hoofs on the ground…!”
“Or feet.” I add.
“And be there for your friends.” Rarity says with sincerity. I can’t help but smile at this. I’m glad Rarity was able to see the folly of her ways, a little late but still good.
“Excellent! Well done, Rarity!” The Princess congratulates Rarity on her lesson. “But now I must ask, Swift. How did you enjoy your first Best Young Flier Competition?” Celestia asks me. I give her a smile.
“To be honest Princess, our winner practiced outside my house whenever she could, considering I couldn’t bring my plane up- You know of my plane, right?” I asked her as soon as the word escaped my mouth. I know Twilight wouldn’t forget something like that to mention to the Princess, but I had to be sure. She nods.
“I have. Twilight here mentioned it to me through one of her letters. I also have to admit that something like that seems a bit…” she trails off, trying to come up with a word.
“Farfetched?”
“That’s it!”
“Anyway, I wanted to come cheer her on, but when I heard its up in the clouds, I thought that idea would be completely shot. But, with a bit of ingenuity, some info from Twilight here, and a lucky find,” I hold up my grapple gun to show her. “I was able to come by, cheer my friend on, and witness the legendary Sonic Rainboom. True I almost died, but the scare was worth it.”
“I do hope it was.” The Princess begrudgingly agrees. I guess she doesn’t share my same optimism. Still, the Sonic Rainboom was a piece to behold.
“Hehe, either way, Princess, I am glad to see with my own eyes that one of my best friends was crowned the winner.” I say and she nods. Guess that’s something we can agree on today. The girls bring Rainbow back from parading her around the arena and set her down in front of us all.
“This really is the best, day, Evveerr!” She shouts yet again with happiness. This is either the second or third time she’s said that today. But hey! Who can blame her? I would be just like that too if I won something this big.
“Uh, hey Rainbow Crash-” My attention drifts to the voice of one of the three ponies who have been assholes to Dash the whole time she was here.
“Dash!” The taller light orange Pegasus nudges his dark brown colored friend in the stomach from mispronouncing Rainbow’s name, again.
“Oh! Uhh, sorry. Rainbow Dash.” He finally corrects her name. That still doesn’t bring a smile to me however.
“What do you three want?!” I shout sternly to them, making sure they can hear me.
“Easy, there Swift. I got this.” Rainbow Dash boastfully says to me. I give the ponies a glare before calming myself.
“Uh, yeah, we just wanted to congratulate you on winning the competition.” The bully congratulates Rainbow on her achievement.
“Yeah! That Sonic Rainboom was awesome!!” the taller Pegasus shouts as he rears his front hooves up. Now that, gives me a smile.
“He, thanks guys.”
“Uh, ur, we’re really sorry we gave you such a hard time before.”
“Aww that’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” For those who consider Rainbow Dash a badass, and considering how much she really likes winning, I’m glad to see she’s pretty mellow from everything she’s taken so far.
“Hey! You wanna hang out with us?! Maybe you can show us how you did that incredible trick!”
“Oh now they want to hang out with her. Jerks.” I mutter to myself.
“Now, Swift. We have to learn our lessons sometime.” Rarity heard me and says. As much as I don’t want to admit it, she’s right. It’s best to learn from your mistakes. Rarity now knows not to upstage her friends, those bully’s should have been nicer to her so she would hang out with them now, and me… Well I can’t think of anything. All of this was worth it if you ask me.
“Sorry boys,” Rainbow Dash apologizes to them and flies up to where two of the Wonderbolts are, leaving them in awe with their mouths open. “But I’ve got plans!”
She shouts back as she flies away towards the sun with the two Wonderbolts by her sides. Well, apparently after so long, she finally gets to hang out with her idols. I look back to my friends who have smiles on their faces as Rainbow just drifts away.
“Well, since there’s nothing else needed of us, why don’t we start heading back home. I’m starting to miss the feel of solid ground under me.” I say to my friends. This has been the longest I’ve ever been off the ground in my entire life. Probably the longest in anyone’s life.
“He’s right. I do miss my hooves being on the ground as well.” Rarity agrees with me. My friends nod and begin walking back over to me. I look over to the Princess.
“If that is everything, Princess, I’m afraid we must be going. We all have duties back in Ponyville, it’s best we get back ASAP.”
“Plus! We need to throw Rainbow Dash a congratulatory party!!” Pinkie Pie says, popping up from between me and Rarity. I don’t take my eyes off the princess, instead I just smile and gently pat the top of Pinkies puffy hair. I’ll never understand you Pinkie. That’s what makes you fun.
“That too.”
“I’m sure you are right, Swift Wind. I have duties to tend to as well. I wish you luck and happiness for the future.” The Princess says to me. I give a nod and smile to her.
“You too, Princess! Bye!” I shout. She spreads her wings and begins flying away to Canterlot.
“Alrighty, then everypony, and human. Let’s saddle up!” Applejack says. Me and Rarity begin helping our friends inside the balloon. Not Fluttershy, however since she just flies into the basket.
“Uhhh, hey?” I turn around to see the bully’s from before standing right there next to the basket. I just look at them and lean on the edge of the basket.
“What?” I just go right out and say. They cringe a little but get right back up.
“We just wanted to say, we’re sorry. You know about giving you and especially Rainbow Dash a hard time while you were here.” The dark brown pony begins to apologize.
“Is there any chance you can forgive us?” The tall light orange pony asks. I sigh a bit at first. In any other situation, I probably wouldn’t consider it. But as I look back to my friends, the faces and expressions they have. All the evil I know of in this world is either locked away, banished, or destroyed. I can’t be making enemies like I did before.
No, I said I was going to make a new start here, and I’m going to keep that.
“You know, back in my world, I wouldn’t have wanted your apology. I didn’t have many friends back before.” I look to my friends and point at them. “These ponies have been more friends to me than anyone of my species has ever been. It’s a feeling that’s foreign to me.” I look to the bully’s, and since I don’t know their names, I’ll just have to keep calling them that. “But, I can’t keep making enemies, but I have to be careful who I call friends. So you know what…” I lean in close to them, making them cringe a little more.
“I think, that if Rainbow Dash can forgive, I can too.” I sincerely say and extend my hand out. All three of the bully’s smile and one by one, I shake their hoofs. This world truly is something. All the hate I’ve had before, the fighting, the running, I’m very glad now I can truly relax.
“Well, I’ll see you guys… whenever we meet again.” I say to my new friends as they hover off slightly above me and away from the balloon.
“See ya later.” One of them says and all three of them fly away. It feels good not having any enemies right now. Well, to my own knowledge anyway. The balloon begins to pick up and we start flying back home.
“So, Swift, was this trip worth it?” Twilight asks me. I’ve said it before; I don’t mind saying it again. I walk to the other side of the basket and stare out into the sunset, signaling the coming of dusk and Luna’s embrace.
“It was, my friends.”
Friends. It’s good to have some.
“It sure was.”