This was what Dark Star lived for. The excitement, the adrenaline, the thrill of being in danger and just not caring. A bolt of lightening shot out to his right and just behind him he could hear Thunderclap cheering, his blood rushing just as much. Neither could really see where they were going, but that just added to the feeling.
A boom of thunder blasted from behind him and Dark Star watched as Thunderclap suddenly shot forward, shouting unintelligible cheers as he was able to tap into his inner speed. Dark Star was always envious of the ability his friend could harness, but there was always one thing that stopped him from wanting it too much.
“AH CRAP!” Was all Dark Star could hear as Thunderclap’s wings suddenly gave out, sending him plummeting down back towards the ground. He hit the earth rather hard, making a small trail through the dirt before finally grinding to a halt. Dark Star rolled his eyes before gliding down and offering a hoof to his friend. Thunderclap spit out the dirt that had been pushed into his mouth before reluctantly taking the help. “Ugh, one of these days I’m gonna get over my speed limit and finally go as fast as I want.”
“Patience grasshopper,” Dark Star said, deepening his voice to sound older, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
“Don’t gimme that crap,” he replied, punching him lightly on the shoulder, “You’re just jealous that I’m the faster flyer!”
“Whatever you say, Thundercrash.” Dark Star retorted, sticking out his tongue. Thunderclap raised his hoof, ready to pummel the black Pegasus for calling him by the nickname his mother had unintentionally passed down to him. Before the brawl could begin, Dark Star spoke up, “Hey, do you hear that?”
Thunderclap’s ears perked up, trying to find the sound. Both turned around towards Ponyville, now rather distant. The storm they had just raced through had reached the pinnacle of its strength over the humble village, pouring rain and pulling on the trees with its harsh winds.
“Looks like the storm has really picked up. Didn’t expect it to be this rough from what mom told me.” Thunderclap said, trying to straighten up his mane as the winds reached even as far as their lookout.
Dark Star said nothing. Thunderclap turned towards his fellow Pegasus, only to flinch at the look of horror on Dark Star’s face. “Dol…” he heard him whisper before watching as he shot off towards the village. Thunderclap tried to follow, but the cramps in his wings were still too much to bear.
“Pareidolia!” He shouted, zipping through the muddy streets of Ponyville. “Dol, where are you!?” His eyes searched frantically for his younger sister, but the small Unicorn was nowhere to be seen. “Mom’s so gonna kill me…” he muttered to himself.
He glided down and landed on the muddy trail that was once the path which he thought he remembered leaving his little sister behind on. He began trekking his way forward, “Dol, speak to me!”
“Star?”
His ears perked up. Only one pony ever called him by that nickname, and only one pony was allowed to call him by that nickname. He rushed over to the alleyway he thought he heard the sound come from and from there he could see the small, white Unicorn looking up at him from within the cover of a leftover cardboard box. He stepped closer, trying to wear a comforting smile, “Dol, it’s okay now.”
Pareidolia stayed curled up within her makeshift den, shaking from the cold. She whimpered softly as thunder boomed above them. Dark Star held his soaking wet hoof out, “Come on, let’s get you home.”
She nodded softly before taking his help. The two trudged through the storm together, getting completely drenched. Pareidolia tried using her magic to shield them from the rain, but the bubble lasted only a few seconds before collapsing and showering them with more water.
After what felt like an hour-long journey, the two arrived at a small cottage just outside of town. Dark Star knocked on the door three times before shivering just as much as his sister, and soon a light but hurried shuffling could be heard behind the door. It flew open, revealing a yellow Pegasus with a look of nothing but anxiety on her face.
She gasped upon seeing the drenched filly and colt at her door. Pareidolia’s white mane completely covered her face; more so than usual, covering both her eyes. Dark Star had a weak smile on his face. “Hey mom,” he said with a guilty chuckle.
Fluttershy practically tackled the two young ponies, pulling both into a tight hug and hovering in the air. “Oh my goodness, I was so worried about you two! Where were you? Are you okay? You’re not sick are you? Did something happen? Did somepony get hurt—“
“Mom!” Dark Star gasped, trying to escape from their overprotective mother’s grasp. Upon seeing that she was choking the poor things, she released them and offered a sheepish smile in apology. He turned towards Pareidolia and lifted half of her mane up before tossing it over the side of her head to allow her to see. “We didn’t mean to stay out so late,” he confessed, “We were on our way home when—“
“W-when I asked if we could take the, Um... long way back.” Both pairs of eyes turned to the young filly that had interrupted. Pareidolia shifted uncomfortably, not liking the sudden attention. Her eyes turned to the floor, “Along the way, we got caught in the rain… We thought we could wait it out, but…”
Fluttershy gently bit her lip and shook her head before brought the filly into a light embrace. “It’s okay dear, I was just worried about the two of you… I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen.” Pareidolia smiled and nuzzled her mother’s neck before yawning deeply. Fluttershy smiled, “Come on you two, it’s already past your bed times.”
“Ugh, but mom...” Dark Star groaned.
“No ‘buts’, now come along.” Fluttershy said as she fluttered through the air with the tired Pareidolia cradled in her hooves. Dark Star rolled his eyes before following after the two of them. Fluttershy helped the two dry themselves off, Dark Star insisting that he do it himself. Afterwards, the two were tucked into bed as the candle between their beds began to dim.
“Mom?” Pareidolia mumbled tiredly to her mother, who was about to step out of the room.
“Yes dear?” Fluttershy turned and smiled at the small Unicorn.
“Could you tell me a story? To help me fall asleep?”
Fluttershy smiled and walked quietly to the rocking chair next to Pareidolia’s bed, the soft creaking breaking the silence of the night. “Of course. What would you like to hear?”
The filly thought for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, Fluttershy saw Dark Star continue his bad habit of rolling his eyes and turn over away from the two.
“How about a story about dad?” Pareidolia asked, breaking her train of thought.
“I’m sure you’ve heard just about everything there is to know about your father, Dolia.” She replied softly.
“I know… I just like hearing about him. Can you tell me what he was like again?”
Fluttershy tapped her chin with her hoof, acting as if she was pondering the thought. “Well, your father was a very quiet stallion. A tall, strong Unicorn that towered above most ponies. He had a very dark, black coat, much like Dark Star’s.” Fluttershy noticed Dark Star shift slightly, giving away that he was awake and indeed listening as well. “But he had a mane that was long and white and soft, just like yours.” She brushed a few locks of mane away from Pareidolia’s face, revealing both of her cloudy eyes.
“Was it love at first sight?” The Unicorn asked innocently.
“Actually, I was rather intimidated by your father at first. In fact, you could almost say that most ponies, myself included were afraid of him. You see, when he arrived in Ponyville, your aunts and I were under direct orders from Princess Celestia herself to protect all the ponies that lived here from a race known as the Changelings.”
“But I heard from Feather that there were Changelings in Canterlot!”
“And she’s right." Her mother nodded, "The Changelings have reformed since then, and now aid us as we expand further north. But before that, there were many bitter feelings between the two races. They were falling near extinction and would do anything to survive… even attack innocent ponies. Your father and a close friend of his came to Equestria from a far off land and were sent to defend us from the Changelings. When Ponyville was first attacked, he was the one that held the Changelings at bay.”
“All by himself?” The filly asked, still amazed by such a feat.
“All by himself. I thought it was kind of scary at first, the way he could display such strength… but later I found him not far from our cottage, watching the birds. I decided to speak with him, and learned that he had a much softer side behind his height and all his armor.” Fluttershy smiled at the filly’s many questions and interruptions.
“There’s no way one Unicorn could keep away an army of Changelings!” Dark Star turned onto his side, a skeptical look on his face. “I learned about them in history class a few days ago, and my teacher said that they used their numbers to overwhelm their prey. There’s just no way that one pony could hold off a full-scale attack.”
Both ponies looked at him for a moment, surprised at his sudden outburst. Fluttershy smiled at the colt, “That’s also true… but he did it. Twice, in fact. Like I said, he was a very powerful Unicorn; almost as strong as Celestia herself.”
“Pfft, I’ll believe that when I see it…” Dark Star turned back over and tried to fall asleep again.
Fluttershy kept her motherly smile, but Pareidolia could see the way the light in her eyes that she always got when she spoke about their father began to dim. “I wish you could see the things he could do… For you see, he had to defend against more than just the Changelings. The Changelings had the help of some ponies just like him and who were just as powerful. He sacrificed himself to stop the Changelings, and I believe that if not for him, we would not have won. Not far from here, at the same tree that we first met, he was buried… I go there every day, thanking him for protecting us all… and for blessing me with the two of you.”
Fluttershy wiped away a tear that was forming in her eye. She looked up and saw that Pareidolia had already closed her eyes and had begun to fall asleep. Carefully, she raised herself up and blew out the candle before stepping into the hallway and closing the door.
The rain began to pick up again, a light but constant shower tapping at the windows. Distant thunder could be heard and a bolt of lightning illuminated the room, revealing a tall figure that was shrouded in a robe. It looked down at the sleeping Unicorn with colorless eyes, watching silently.
“Do not worry, dear child…” It said quietly, kneeling down by Pareidolia’s bed and brushing her mane to the side and caressing her cheek. “I have watched your toils and know the secrets you hide from the others, too afraid to reveal lest they grow to see you as different and shun you…” Removing its glove, it placed a bare finger on her forehead, just below her horn. She began to curl up, shivering and whimpering. “But do not be afraid, for I will help you achieve what you desire most.” A smile crept across its lips, “And have the one you desire most.”