Once we had left my parents' home, we take to the air, Scootaloo still levitated up before us. Rarity is in the front, with Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom to her right and left, leaving me in the back of our Diamond formation.
Before we had managed to leave Cloudsdale air, I had noticed several Pegasi cheering us on, as we continue on a slow flight around the city, before we take off in the direction of our homes in Ponyville.
Since it is Cloudsdale we're leaving, we had decided on doing it in a triumphant manner worthy of Pegasi. How could we do it in any other way. Besides, I could as well show my heritage, for all it was worth.
The flight is fairly uneventful, and we don't fly all that fast, but it is a good moment to clear my head and to contemplate the changes of my life, such as they will hit me as I return to my home in Ponyville.
Since we came from Cloudsdale, we're coming in from fairly high, so we made an abrupt dive over the forest of Everfree, mainly for the effect, and for the joy of it. Just never going so low that we were taking chances over the forest, why would we do that anyway, there is no point. Picking up speed in the descent, and coming in pretty fast, as we go in for landing on the central square. By now, most every pony was there.
Scootaloo landed first in an impressive manner, before Rarity came down, closely followed by Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Then I made for the finale of the show.
Once firmly on the ground, Rarity reversed the spell on herself, and the two crusaders. Then I reversed my spell as well, only to reveal who we are, but this is when the surprise hits home. Looking back at my flank, only to find the mark. It is the crusader emblem, with a small change, it's a constellation version of it, the stars clearly visible, but there is no constellation on the sky, there never was.
Apparently most every pony had seen us on the final approach, but most of them are hiding in their respective homes, or whatever was the closest building they could find to slip inside. The owners hadn't protested, from what I could guess. The scenario close to what had happened when Zecora was new in the neighbourhood.
For some reason, a few fillies had been trapped on the scene, in the middle of town, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon clearly among them. Pinkie Pie was standing in the middle of the group, apparently laughing her head off, as if she had gone completely mad.
At first, this had actually scared the poor foals even more than my approach, which may be a good thing. Or entirely mental and utterly abhorrent, all depending on your perspective.
“Sorry dear foals, I couldn't help myself. The situation got extremely hilarious, when I saw myself standing her, trying to guard you against what was coming. We all know these Ponies!” Pinkie put forth.
“Oh yeah, who's scared of a few 'Blank Flanks'?” Diamond then burst out, laughing more than she though possible.
“You don't need to be scared of me, but it would be nice if you addressed me properly. It wouldn't be too much to ask of you, and unless you enjoy me calling you names, you are to call me Star Crusader, from now on!” I explained, before I pointed at my no longer blank flank, where my mark now is clearly visible, once I had withdrawn my spell.
“That's good. Though I think it is the Bats from the Everfree that scared everypony else. I've been there and seen the place, it isn't a place for Ponies, let along a mere filly of colt. Brave grown Ponies have been known to disappear in there!” Pinkie Pie pointed out with a crooked grin, as if she tried to play the 'Joker' or of a 'Bat Movie'.
“I don't like the Timber Wolves, they were in town, several months back. They're scary and mean!” Silver Spoon filled in with a scared look on her face.
“Fear isn't the way, just like Pinkie Pie told us. I don't know what your father Filthy Rich is teaching you, but by the looks of it, you could benefit from learning a few lessons from a Unicorn who knows class. I could help you become more than you show us, Diamond Tiara. You just need to accept what is offered!” Rarity put forth as an offer.
“Yeah, these vicious beasts. I could live happily without ever seeing, or even hearing a single word about them!”Diamond Tiara agreed eagerly.
“Guess I could agree with that!” the Crusaders nodded.
“I think I'll give you a little something as inspiration, in your quest to learn from Rarity!” I pointed out, as a small bubble emerged on the tip of my horn, then languidly floated towards Diamond Tiara.
“What's that strange bubble?” Silver Spoon squealed in surprised shock, before she could calm down.
She had been standing next to Diamond Tiara at the moment, but failed to notice the smile on Rarities face as the bubble appeared. Then she grew embarrassed, as she hears all the other fillies giggles, as they saw her reaction. This didn't look like a bright day to her.
“What is it? You're doing more of your fancy tricks on me, aren't you? It looks like a rather menacing Soap Bubble. That couldn't be it, could it?” Diamond Tiara enquired, not quite secure in what she thought she saw, and it did reflect in her voice too.
“No, Diamond Tiara, this would be a genuine gift to you, from Star Crusader. You better embrace the changes, or they will engulf you and tear you apart from the inside and out!” Rarity lectured, but her amusement couldn't quite be hidden.
“You can do with it, as you please. Though it could be your best Nightmare Night Suit ever, Diamond Tiara. I'm sure you'd scare anyone, if you came as a Bat. Well, short of us, that is!” I pointed out, just as the bubble hit her horn, leaving it tingle for a moment, before it just vanished, and the gift was received.
“I guess it would be fun, scaring a few more foals at this year's Nightmare Night!” she pondered, in a confused tone, before she realised what had actually happened.
She had apparently spread her wings without even thinking of it, maybe her subconscious still yearned for the notion, just to see if it could possibly work.
“Cool!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she saw wings sprouting from Diamond Tiara's back, apparently sharing the fascination of bats with Rainbow Dash.
“How about taking flight, we have a class to attend to. It isn't quite that bad, it isn't as if it is one of Cheerlie's more boring subjects, anyway. I'll be with you shortly, Crusaders, I'll just teaching her how to fly!” I pointed out with a smile.
“You're going to teach me how to fly, Star?” she uttered in surprise, not even catching the breath to consider.
“Yes, that's the idea. I'll have you out-fly Scootaloo in no time, and a few other Pegasi, before the day is out. You'd better believe it!” I teased her.
“Scootaloo never was a flyer, and she never will be. Though if I can at least compare my flying with any Pegasi, I guess it could be worth the effort. If you pull this off, I'd be tempted to replace Silver Spoon at my side. By the looks, you're easily outperforming her already. If only for the one annoyance, your friends are still Blank Flanks!” Diamond Tiara blurted out.
“Yes, they are. They still fly better than some Pegasi of Ponyville, on the first try!” I teased her, as I spread my wings and took off.
“How could I ever forget that?” Diamond Tiara sneezed, as she followed me up, into the air.
“You are going to love this!” I promised her.
“You know, there is a special freedom to flight. These wings are different in some strange ways.
“They're simple cool and effective, you'll see!” I responded with a sly grin, as I lead her up and out of the square.
“It's exciting!” she mused, as she followed me higher.
“Maybe this is why they are so proud, up in Cloudsdale? Maybe we should go there, next Nightmare Moon? Sure would spoil the mood for them?” I suggested.
“Wasn't that where you came from? But you never told a story from there!” She enquired.
“Yes, and yes. It is where I came from, but I never had a memory from the time, until now. I didn't find it all that impressive, so I guess it is the fact that it is where the Wonderbolts live and practice, that makes it special, aside from them heading the mane weather control, possibly. I'm enjoying the way the weather works!” I pondered.
“If we go there for Nightmare Moon, I'll see all I want, while we're there!” Diamond Tiara pondered.