Heir of the Storm
Chapter Two
A few years later
Twas a normal enough day at Sweet Apple Acres. The summer season had just begun, allowing for the whole Apple Household to spend time in the orchard together. Big Macintosh spent the morning plowing a new field for future use, while Applejack took Apple Bloom and Sky Shard to a far end of the orchard for some apple bucking. Sky actually just brought the baskets to Applejack for her to fill, the same job Apple Bloom used to have until she began her 'training' as Applejack had put it.
Every day for the last few months, Sky found enjoyment in this part of the day but also found a deep disdain for himself. He had watched every pegasus his age, with exception to Scootaloo, learn to fly. Even if it was just a slight hover over the ground. The black pegasus colt with blue tipped wings grew envious of his class mates as they hovered in the air around him while his wings remained glued to his back. He could stretch them ever so slightly, but he could never fully extend them out like his friends.
His family watched with fake smiles as he practiced and stretched his wings, in his youth he was sharp and could tell that they were concerned. Even working in the orchards, he would attempt to expand his wings. Just to see them unfolded across his body, that alone would be enough to satisfy his yearning. As he stretched out the non-responsive wings, he caught the blonde earth mares attention.
"Still tryin ta earn yer wings?" Applejack forced a smile at the young colt. "Jus keep practicin and Ah'm sure ya'll be soarin through the air in no time!"
Sky looked up at the blonde mare, her concerned smile revealing what she really thought. The young colt sighed as he turned his back to grab another basket for his sister. Applejack exchanged her smile for a concerned frown as he turned his back. Poor fella, Ah wish there was sumthin Ah could do... A thought rang in her head with the force of a gong, an idea that flipped her frown into a beaming smile.
"Apple Bloom! Keep up the good work, Ah'm gonna run Sky inta town with me," Applejack shouted to the earth filly in the distance who shot her head up and smiled back.
"Alright! Ah bet if Ah buck every tree here Ah'll get ma cutie mark fer sure!"
Applejack smiled at her sisters enthusiasm, and turned to the young colt returning with an empty basket.
"Hey there Sky, wanna run to town with me? Ah got somepony for ya ta meet."
Sky nervously looked up to Applejack, but after a moment of consideration he nodded. Applejack had to fight back another concerned frown, she had hoped he would finally start talking to her. Apple Bloom can get him to talk, even if it's just barely and She had heard him herself a couple times in the past few years. The earth mare remembered several nights where her dreams haunted her, dreams about finding out Sky was actually mentally ill. She had long since dismissed those thoughts as he seemed sharper than a manticores tail in the field. The two of them left the orchard towards Ponyville, towards a certain home in particular.
Rainbow drifted lazily from her bed, not even bothering to glance at the clock. She knew it was past afternoon. Still, she managed to fight her way out of the bed covers. Dragging herself into the washroom, she fiddled with the shower knobs for a few short seconds until the water came pouring out of the faucet. As usual, the rainbow mare sat on the outer edge of her tub as she ran her hoof in and out of the running water. After it reached the desired temperature, she then slowly placed each leg into the scalding hot water.
Not the type for pampering herself, Rainbow did enjoy a hot bath every day. The way the hot water relaxed her wings and left them soft and smooth. She felt as though she could lay in the tub for hours, and would have too if it weren't for...
"RAINBOW! HEY RAINBOW!" The loud southern voice rang through the house, almost making Rainbow slop out of the tub in a minor panic.
"Gah... freakin... can't even enjoy a hot bath around here without getting..." Rainbow muttered as she pulled herself out of the tub.
"HEY! RAINBOW!"
"Oh I hear ya... ugh..." Rainbow managed to quickly dry herself off before departing the washroom for her front door.
"RAINBOW! YA THERE!?" Applejack shouted once more, almost ready to give up when she heard the door open and close. Soon after, the cyan pegasus descended down to the ground. "Ah jus' hope this works..."
Applejack dreaded asking her pegasus friend for help with Sky, especially since she was known to be so reckless... But over the last few years, the farm pony decided that there would be no better teacher, to fly anyways.
"Yeah, I heard you the first time Aj. Hey there Sky!" Rainbow smiled at the little pegasus. Sky slowly retreated back behind Applejack, but responded with a feint smile. "Still gettin over that huh?"
"Ya, ya won't believe how hard it is gettin 'em to talk!" Applejack smirked as she planted a hoof on Sky's head and ruffled his mane.
"I bet, so what did you need? Awful early to be trekking up here isn't it?" Rainbow asked, Applejack could almost catch a hint of agitation in her voice.
"Well, Sky here needs some help and Ah figure that maybe the fastest flier in all of Ponyville may be able to lend a helpin hoof?" Applejack smiled as she pulled Sky out from behind her. "He wants ta learn to fly, but Ah don't know what to teach 'em."
"So you want me to... what, school him on how to fly?" Rainbow asked.
"Ah want ya to help him learn, yeah. If it means jus' bein ah good role model then Ah'de sure appreciate it."
"Role model, huh? How bout it kiddo? Wanna learn to fly under my wing?" Rainbow cocked a grin at the young pegasus, who now was sitting eagerly nodding his head in excitement.
"Alright, if you say so... but... I have to warn you, I can be pretty awesome sometimes. So you think you can handle that?" Rainbow held her smirk and stroke a heroic pose.
Again, Sky nodded furiously. Eager to fly and to be like the other pegasi in the town, he wanted nothing more than to be like his friends.
"Great! Well, when can I start with him? I'm assuming you will still need him back on the farm." Rainbow asked.
"Nah, Ah'll use him when ya ain't Rainbow. Just make sure he stays safe ya hear?"
"Safe!? Girl I am the deff-"
"Don't even finish that comment of yers Miss Wreck into the orchard" Applejack interrupted with a laugh as Rainbow turned a light red with embarrassment.
After organizing a schedule for Rainbow to train Sky, Applejack seemed to feel much better. Her and Sky returned back to the farm to check up on Apple Bloom as Rainbow flew back up to her home. All three of them ready to start their new challenge. Teaching a grounded colt to fly...