//------------------------------// // A flight for new beginings // Story: Unwelcome Visitor // by The desert brony //------------------------------// “My fellow ponies of Ponyville,” Quick Note stood at a podium, directly to her left sat a closed coffin. “It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to talk about a pony who dedicated her life to making sure the citizens of this wonderful town were as happy and as peaceful as could be. While we sit here and grieve for the loss of our beloved mayor, let us know that she has been a part of our hearts since day one. She has done so much for us and yet we did so little for her. She encouraged us every year during winter to work together, she made an effort to help other ponies with problems they had, and if a building needed repairs, she was there to help ease the burden financially. She was kind and cheerful to all ponies of Ponyville and likewise, so were we to her. We mourn the loss of you, dear Mayor, but we ponies of Ponyville will never forget the things you did for us. May you find peace in the great herd and may you always have green grass under your hooves.” As Quick Note finished her speech, not a single pony had dry eyes. The ponies that had gathered in the cemetery that early afternoon had filled the cemetery to pay homage to the fallen mare. For the past two weeks, citizens of the town had stopped by to quietly wish that she make it through. But early yesterday morning, the doctors pronounced the Mayor dead. This had marked the second murder to ever be recorded in all of Ponyville's history. Unlike last time, every pony now knew who was responsible for both crimes. It had been a hectic two weeks for all the ponies involved. Ponies were questioned and most had the same reaction, baffled that Carrot Top’s twin was behind the assault and murder. Carrot Top had cried when the Hoof Cuff told her of her twin’s crime, she had begged and pleaded them that if they find her to at the least spare her the death penalty. They had told Ms. Top that their only concern was finding her and that if she had any idea of where she could have gone to inform them immediately. Many of the townsfolk started to buy more carrots, more out of sympathy than anything else. Some sent her cards and Pinkie Pie threw her a party. Applejack and her family had decided to give a small portion of their unused fields to her, and also offered to help her should she need any. Every pony did their best to show that she wasn't blamed for her sister's actions. Carrot Top thanked them all and retired to her home every night after the market closed for the day. As the weeks drew on, many still felt bad for her. As ponies filed into a line to pay their final respects to the Mayor, most shambled forward until it was their turn to toss a small hoofful of dirt into the open hole over the coffin. By the time every pony was done, the hole had been filled and one more tombstone rested in the graveyard. This one was different; this one was inscribed with more than just the Mayor's cutie mark and life. It also held an epitaph of her personal motto. “Don't be afraid to pick yourself up after you fall, nopony will think less of you if you make a mistake.” The last pony left in the cemetery was Quick Note. She had been the Mayor's assistant for years; she had gotten to know the Mayor better than the other residents of the town. It was there next to the grave that she lay, pawing a hoof over the loose soil. The breeze blew her combed mane away from her face, the young unicorn knew more about the Mayor than she was willing to admit. With a green glow, a pink rose was placed on the grave and Quick Note left. ^^^ -Knock knock knock- A stallion stood in front of Ponyville’s only liquor store. A box of fresh baked cupcakes rested at his hooves as he waited for the mare who owned the shop to open the door. When the door finally opened, a purple earth pony mare with a deep purple mane stood in the doorway looking oddly sober this afternoon. Clearing his throat, the stallion spoke up. “Berry Punch… I know things these past few weeks have been rather eventful, but back in the bar, I said something unacceptable and I hope you understand that I am truly sorry.” Blaze lowered his head waiting for Berry to verbally tear into him, but when nothing came he dared to glance up only to find a smile on the mare’s face. “Oh, Blaze, you had like five shots of ‘Silver Shield Milk Vodka’ that stuff will screw with anypony’s judgment.” Berry’s smile shined with a fresh brush look. “I take it those are my favorite flavor of cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner.” Berry reached down and grabbed the box in her teeth and placed them on her back. “I’ll forgive you. Now, I know you have a big thing going on tonight so get going I don’t want to cancel my date because you didn’t get your flank in gear.” Blaze took a step back to allow Berry to step out and close her door. “You have a date… with who?” Berry’s grin grew wider and looked as if her face would split from the pure joy emanating from it. “Big Macintosh.” She calmly stated then trotted away leaving a slack-jawed Blaze on her porch. ^^^ “Ladies and Gentlecolts!” An announcer could be seen in the middle of a large open arena. The seats were jam-packed full of ponies from as far as Trottingham. Even the Princesses were in attendance to the newly created Ponyville stadium. “I would like to welcome you all to Ponyville amphitheater and the new home to your very own Phoenixwings!” The crowd thundered their applause as three ponies flew into the stadium, each with a trail of fire following them. “And it is with great pleasure that tonight a pony from your own home town has risen into the ranks and now will be flying as the newest member of the team. So please put your hooves to the floor for your very own, SCOOTALOO!” From a cloud placed high above the stadium, an orange blur descended with alarming speed before curving up and flying too close to the crowd causing many of them to duck. With a few loops in the air, Scootaloo landed on the same platform in front of the other members. She had on a smaller, but none the less, same flight suit that the other Phoenixwing members wore. As the audience cheered for the filly, including her friends, Scootaloo held her head high and pumped her wings in anticipation for tonight’s show. It had been such an eventful two weeks it was hard for her to believe all that had happened. *** “I love you too, Scootaloo. Now, keep your head up.” Before Scootaloo had been able to respond, her father tossed her up and out of his reach. All her pegasus instincts fired off at once and she pumped her wings with fervor. “Hay, Scoots,” When she looked up, she saw her father suspended between Sunbright and Dust Devil with a goofy grin plastered on his face. “Wait, what?!” She just stared at him in utter bafflement. “Sorry, Scoots. If I said something, Harvest would have ran off with you instead and I wouldn’t be able to see you fly on your own.” He said waving a hoof to her back. Scootaloo turned to stare at her wings that were beating almost like a hummingbird’s, right before they faltered and she fell into the waiting hooves of Rainbow Dash. “I-I- I was flying!” She cried for joy, nearly popping out of Dash’s grip. “Whoa there, squirt. You still have to build up your muscles so don’t go and force it.” Dash smiled at the pegasus she called a sister. “Yea, can we talk about this on the ground because honestly, Blaze, you’re heavier than you look.” Sunbright strained with Dust as the two pegasi climbed into the air carrying Blaze to the lip of the gorge. When every pegasi were once again on the ground, Scootaloo and Blaze shared a long overdue hug. Scootaloo broke from the hug and looked at Sunbright who was standing close by before lightly kicking her left front leg. “Ow! What was that for?” “That,” Scootaloo glared at the older mare, “was for kicking my dad out of the team.” Sunbright raised an eyebrow at Blaze and Dust silently asking them if they knew what this was about. When the Dust shrugged, she focused on Blaze who had started scratching the back of his head. “I may have had a bit too much to drink and jumped to conclusions.” Sunbright nodded and looked to the filly. “Well then, I guess that kick could be for me thinking about kicking him out. Truth is, I couldn’t even if I was pissed enough to do it. I can’t kick Blaze out because he’s too good to lose to the Wonderbolts and a lot of mares love him.” Sunbright rubbed her temple with a hoof. “But the real reason is because I’m only the team leader in name not practice. It’s the three of us that debate on everything that goes on in the team and the most I could do is suspend him from a show.” Sighing she looked up to Blaze, who was now eying her with suspicion. Sunbright closed her eyes as she spoke “And the real reason I came all the way to Ponyville was to apologize. I’m simply a lonely mare who wanted to share a warm bed, but didn’t think about my teammate’s feelings or that they were still trying to overcome a loss.” When she opened her eyes, Blaze was giving her a deadpanned stare that left his displeasure well known. “Okay, I acted like an ass and I’m sorry.” With this, Blaze gave a nod of approval. “Right,” Twilight Sparkle piped up, “with that out of the way, would somepony please explain what just happened?” After all the ponies had been introduced plus one rain-check on a welcoming party; Sunbright explained how she and Dust had hidden below the edge of the gorge and heard the self-incriminating speech that Harvest had made. The two waited until Scootaloo was tossed off the cliff, but was disgruntled when they were forced to save two ponies. Twilight had pulled a notepad and jotted down everything and then sent a letter to the princess once they returned to town. *** “Are you ready!?” the announcer’s voice had pulled Scootaloo from her memories. The last week alone, she had both her father and Rainbow Dash teamed up to train her for tonight’s performance. When her father had asked if she would join, she had originally refused because she wanted to join the Wonderbolts like Dash. When her father stepped up and said that just because she joined now doesn’t mean that she was stuck with them. Many ponies that had joined had left to pursue other endeavors or their true callings, or simply because the constant traveling never left them time to find love. So the decision was made that Scootaloo would become a member of the team to build her up to her goals of becoming a better flier; good enough for the Wonderbolts. With a grin, Scootaloo crouched, ready for takeoff. While there were still issues she had between her father, Scootaloo was happy to finally be moving forward toward her goals with not just her friends, but with family at her back.