"Fly you foals!"
By MrAnderson92
"Oh Cloud," Rainbow murmured, "I was beginning to worry about you."
"You never have to worry," I murmured back, nibbling on her ear as she sighed into my neck, "I'll always return to you." I grabbed hold of her and rolled us over so she was underneath me.
"Good," Twilight whispered as she kissed me passionately, "It gets awfully lonely in the library sometimes."
"Well then it's a good thing I'll be living there with you then." I murmured as I kissed her neck softly, "You'll never have to be alone again."
"That's good to hear," She said as she rolled back on top of me, "I wasn't planning on letting you slipping away again." Rainbow said seductively as she began to kiss me ferociously, rubbing her hooves along my sides.
I placed my hoof behind her head and pulled her deeper into the kiss, rubbing her flank with my other hoof. After we broke the kiss, I placed my hooves on her shoulders and flipped her over on her back, staring deep into her blue eyes.
"I missed you so much Cloud...why did you leave?"
"I'm sorry..." I said quietly, "I promise I'll always return to you Shyfly..."
Fluttershy gave me a soft kiss on the lips, "ʸᵃʸ..."
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"AH!" I yelled, bolting upright in the bed I was in. What the hay...Why was Fluttershy in my dream? Well you obviously have some feelings for that mare. She's important to you because she was a part of your past. That's true...maybe I should talk to her. Yes, do that. Right after Rainbow Dash and Twilight kill you. Right...I gotta get back to Ponyville!
"Um...hello?" I called out, "Is anypony home?"
"Ah good morning you injured colt, it seems you had a nasty jolt!"
There's that voice again...and it's still talking in rhyme!
"Uh...who are you?" I asked, searching for the source of the voice, "And for that matter, WHERE are you?"
"If searching for me is such a chore, just look for me beside the door."
I glanced over to the door, and saw the pony I had to thank. Wait...that's no pony! It's a zebra!
"Ah, hello there!" I said carefully, "My name is Cloud Runner."
"It is nice to meet you Cloud, Zecora is my name, of which I'm proud."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Zecora," I said, smiling over at her, "But could you tell me what happened to me?"
"Well, you swerved to avoid a serpent of the sea, and in doing so you ran into a tree." Zecora said, "Where I walked by and found that you had fallen upon the ground, and noticed a wicked sprain had cursed your wing, where I brought you here and made you a sling."
"Oh...why thank you Zecora!" I said gratefully, "How long have I been unconscious?"
"You have been out for a few hours, which gave me time to go collect flowers." Zecora informed me, "Flowers for a special brew, which will ease the pain that must plague you."
"Oh...so it's morning now?" I asked. Goddess...everypony's probably worried sick! Either that or they're extremely angry at you. I know! I gotta get out of here! "Hey Zecora, do you know the way to Ponyville?"
"Why yes I do," Zecora said, "in a short while I'd be happy to guide you."
I smiled happily at her, knowing that this nightmare was almost over.
FLASH! I was a young pony, walking next to a zebra that looked like Zecora, but it couldn't possibly have been her. We laughed and bumped our hooves together, then started racing for a house that was close by....FLASH! Now I was walking side by side with Fluttershy, telling her about my adventures with my someone named Zak, and she just listened in awe...FLASH! Now Fluttershy and I were walking somewhere late at night, when I heard the sounds of a fight coming from an alley close by...FLASH! I stood by the zebra from before, both of us injured but grinning at each other. "Hey now Zak...you didn't think I'd just leave you hangin' now did ya?" I asked, laughing at the situation. He thanked me for standing by his side, and Fluttershy gasped as she walked into the alley, unwounded, but astounded by what she saw. Then I noticed a flash of light and a deep warmth spreading from my flanks. "Cloud!" Fluttershy squealed, "You finally got it!"
"Hello? Anypony home?"
I opened my eyes to see Zecora standing over me, a worried expression on her face, "H-hey Zecora..."
"Ah, it is good to see that you are awake, I thought maybe you were bit by a snake." Zecora said, a relieved smile spreading across her face, "But maybe you would like to tell me about, exactly what it was that put you out?"
"Ah, well Zecora," I began, "I have amnesia. And...I just had some memories come back. I always black out when it happens...it's kind of annoying." I admitted, "But it is nice to learn more about my past."
"Well do you think you are well enough to move?" Zecora asked, "Remember that you don't have anything to prove. We can leave for Ponyville at any time, I suggest we wait till you're at your prime."
"No, I'm ok!" I said hurredly, "I have to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible!"
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Twilight had collected all her friends inside the Carousel Boutique, and they had been up all night looking for Cloud. "Come on girls," Twilight said urgently, "there must be somewhere we haven't looked!"
"I already told you ladies!" Rarity exclaimed exasperatedly, "Cloud said something about going to the Everfree Forest to think about what he was going to do!"
"He wouldn't be dumb enough to go in there and stay there all night!" Rainbow Dash argued.
"Unless he went 'n' got himself lost..." Applejack said thoughtfully, "Ah think we should go into the Everfree Forest an' look fer 'im!"
"Um...I think that's the best thing we can do..." Fluttershy said quietly, "Maybe we can go ask Zecora to help us..."
"That's a great idea Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly, "It's been awhile since we've talked with her! This'll be exciting!"
"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow shouted, snapping Pinkie out of her own little world, "We have to focus on finding Cloud! He could be seriously hurt! And if he isn't he's GOING to be..." She finished darkly.
"Ok girls, here's what I think we should do," Twilight said, taking control of the situation, "I think Rainbow, Applejack and I should go into the forest to look for Cloud, and the rest should stay in Ponyville in case he comes back on his own."
"Okey-dokey Twilight!" Pinkie said loudly, "I can plan a party for when he gets back!"
"Oh he'll be getting a party alright," Rainbow said darkly, "a special party that Twilight and I will throw for him."
"Oh! You already have a party planned??" Pinkie asked excitedly, "Are we all invited??"
"No Pinkie," Rainbow sighed, "Only Twilight and I can be there."
"Oh..." Pinkie said, her hair deflating, "Okay...I'll just have to throw another party for the rest of us!" She exclaimed.
"Alright girls, do we all know what we're going to do?" Twilight asked, receiving confirmations from all her friends, "Then let's move out!"
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Zecora and I walked along a path, not going as fast as I would've liked as my stupid bandages and injuries slowed me down considerably. But Zecora seemed fine with our current speed, and I got the feeling that she was used to going at her own pace.
Hmm...so I had a zebra named Zak for a friend when I was younger...and he and Fluttershy were there when I got my cutie mark...whatever it was, and whatever it meant...
Zecora and I were walking in silence, as I was too lost in my own thoughts to hold a meaningful conversation. I can't get that dream out of my head...the way the mare I was with kept changing...especially when Fluttershy showed up...You're life is totally messed up right now isn't it? Yeah, it is. And I still don't know who that earth pony is! She might not even be anypony important! Judging from my memories, she was or still is somepony important to me! And I'm going to find out how important!
Zecora and I kept walking along the path in silence. Until I finally had to break the silence.
"Hey Zecora," I started, "is the path to Ponyville a long one?"
"Usually it does not take so long, but sometimes the trip I like to prolong."
"Ugh, I wish I wasn't hurt! Then I could just fly back to Ponyville!" I exclaimed, "I don't see how things can get any worse..."
"Worse things can always occur, it is up to you the lessons you infer." Zecora stated, glancing over at me as she did so, "What troubles ail you my friend? Maybe I can help you bring them to an end."
"Well, first off, I still have amnesia," I started, "that's an important one. The other more immediate problem is that I made two dates with two different mares for the same time tonight."
"It seems your situation certainly is bleak," Zecora said, "Who are these mares of which you speak?"
"Um...a pegasus called Rainbow Dash and a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle." I informed Zecora, not noticing her expression change to one of shock.
"Those are the mares you wish to date??" Zecora asked alarmingly, "With them both, you must come straight!"
"You know them?" I asked, equally shocked, "I know I need to come straight, but I got lost in this forest! I've been trying to get back to Ponyville so I can talk to them about it!"
"Do not worry my new friend, I'm sure your relationships with them you can mend." Zecora reassured me, "Those mares are very kind, I'm sure that they will not mind."
"Thank you Zecora," I said, smiling over at her as we increased our pace slightly, "I'm glad you found me in the forest."
"I am glad as well my friend," Zecora replied, smiling back at me, "for soon your troubles shall be mended."
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Oh these mares just won't quit with all their fussin' Applejack thought tiredly, as Twilight and Rainbow alternated between arguing over the situation and completely ignoring each other. Ah just wish that this whole mess were over with.
"Hey wait a minute," Rainbow Dash said suddenly, "isn't it a dumb idea to look for Cloud on the path? If he was still on the path then he wouldn't be lost now would he?"
"Well...that's actually a good point Rainbow," Twilight said, not looking at her friend, "If we want to try and find Cloud, we'd have to leave the path."
"Alright ya'll, here's what ah'm thinkin'," Applejack said, "Ah'll go on ahead to Zecora's place, while you two look for Cloud."
"That's a good idea AJ," Twilight said, "does that sound good to you Rainbow?"
"Well, I can't think of a better idea," Rainbow said begrudgingly.
"Alrighty then everypony, let's go find us a forgetful colt!"
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It was getting much easier to talk with Zecora, as our short walk turned into a long trek to Ponyville. But on the inside, I was still being tormented by my thoughts. This is taking too long. I have to find Twilight and Rainbow before it's too late. Also, my wing hurts. Really bad. Shut up, I think our Twilight/Rainbow problem is much more important than our sprained wing! Maybe right now. Just you wait till it has to be amputated. It's a stupid sprain! It's not going to be amputated because of a stupid sprain!
"Cloud?"
"Sah huh whuh?" I said, shaken out of my reverie by Zecora's voice, "What is it Zecora?"
"Do you hear that? It sounds like somepony's in combat."
I stopped and listened carefully, straining my ears for whatever Zecora was hearing. I could faintly hear the sounds of somepony yelling and some monster roaring in the distance.
"Cloud! There ya'll are!"
"Huh? Applejack? What are you doing here?" I asked incredulously.
"Me 'n Twi 'n Rainbow came into the forest to find ya! And here you are!" Applejack said excitedly, "Now we can all get outta here! But," she continued, suddenly turning serious, "you best tread lightly around Twi and Rainbow right now. They're some o' mah best gals and I won't stand for one o' them bein' hurt by you."
"Wait," I said, equally serious, "they're in the forest RIGHT NOW? Where are they??"
"Well, we didn't think ya'll would be on the path, so they decided to search the forest for you." Applejack said, "But here ya'll are! Right with Zecora! Looks like Ah made the right choice!" She chuckled.
I looked over at Zecora, and she stared at me with a concerned look on her face.
"We must go and find those mares!" She said urgently, "Because I think they are in quite the snare!"
I nodded, and turned toward where I heard the sounds of battle. "You two stay here. I have something I need to do."
And with that, I ran off into the forest, with Applejack calling after me and Zecora keeping her from following me.
Sorry Applejack, I have to do this alone.
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Gah! Dammit Twilight! Why did you have to get hit by that branch??
Rainbow was crouched in front of Twilight, trying to protect her friend from the manticore that had snuck up on them a short while ago. The manticore roared and charged them both, forcing Rainbow to pick Twilight up and move out of the manticore's reach yet again.
I can't keep this up much longer... she thought desperately Somepony help us!
"HEY! GET AWAY FROM THEM!" Cl-Cloud?!
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I leapt in-between Rainbow and the manticore, staring at the beast as it eyed me warily. My wing hurt, the bandages Zecora put on me tight around my midsection, but I barely noticed the pain knowing that I had somepony to protect. And, no matter what, I was going to protect Rainbow and Twilight.
"Rainbow," I said quietly, still staring at the manticore, "take Twilight and head that way." I flicked my tail in the direction of Zecora and Applejack, "I'll catch up with you as soon as I can."
"I'm not going to leave you here with that thing!" Rainbow said, a certain undertone in her voice betraying her fear, "After all Twilight and I've been through over you I'm not going to walk away as you face it alone!"
"It's fine Rainbow!" I said firmly, feeling a familiar warmth pass over my flanks as a flash of light illuminated the forest around us, "This is what I'm meant to do."
"But..."
"Fly you foals!"
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A/N: Well, another chapter comes and goes. So to explain the dream sequence (in case anypony was confused) everytime Cloud switched positions the mare changed, from RD to Twi to RD to Fluttershy. There was only one mare at any given time in the dream, she just kept changing personas. I'll try to update again later tonight, but if I don't then I won't be able to update again until sunday. Thanks again all you guys for reading my story! I hope you're enjoying it! :3