//------------------------------// // Where it Ends // Story: Getting Tough // by Manaphy //------------------------------// A week had gone by since Misty Fly left Iron Will's program, but the memories felt so vivid that it all felt like it had happened only a few hours ago. Everything could be described in intricate detail the more she thought about it. Whether it was Iron Will's panicking face or her two close friends standing beside her, warming her heart as she clenched her teeth, it was all there. Where did all of that time go? What were her friends up to? And what happened to Iron Will? The more she thought about it, the more it felt as though something was knocking against her head. As Misty gazed at the chandelier above her and let her mind meander as though it was a bored filly, her ears twitched as a fluttering envelope slid into her apartment room. She looked over to the white envelope and raised an eyebrow before rising off of her small, green sofa. Stretching her body and yawning, Misty trotted over to the envelope and opened it without hesitation. On the letter was the symbol of the Royal Guard. Were they letting her in anyway? Misty's heart beat faster and faster before she read the letter's contents. Misty Fly, We regret to inform you that because you did not pass Iron Will's course, you will not become a member of the Royal Guard. If you wish to try again, stop by Canterlot Castle and fill out the forms as you had done before your first attempt at joining. The Royal Guard truly wishes you the best. Golden Shield Captain of the Royal Guard Misty's heartbeat returned to normal, but her heart sank as she let go of the letter and stood as still as a statue. While it was expected, she couldn't stop herself from frowning slightly and sagging her shoulders. Letting out a deep sigh, she trotted back to the green sofa and collapsed on the soft cushions, letting her body sink deeper and deeper into its warm, tingly texture. She turned her head slightly and her eyes locked onto the clay pot she purchased back at Ponyville. Its texture was as smooth as it was the day she bought it. The pot glowed under the sunlight peering through the window of her apartment and Misty could see herself somewhat as she continued gazing at the pot. Memories of her time with Bulk Biceps and Amethyst Star poured into her mind the longer she stared at the pot. The more she recalled her experiences with the two, the more her lips curled into a smile. The world felt warmer and her heart slowly climbed out of the abyss and back to where it was before, but something about her reflection caused Misty to raise an eyebrow. Her reflection was wearing the Wonderbolts uniform, just like her reflection did back at the gym. Now that she thought about it, the pot's colors were the same as those of the Wonderbolts. Was that a mere coincidence? Possibly, but Misty felt as though the clay pot was talking to her, but with images instead of words. Was her heart guiding her this entire time? Knock! Knock! Knock! Misty shuddered and leaped off of the sofa as though an electrical current ran through her body. She shook for a moment and her breathing became cold, but it all subsided after a second or two. She trotted towards the front door and slowly opened it, a creaking sound echoing around her. The door was wide open, and Misty's heart warmed and her eyes shimmered as she smiled. Bulk and Amethyst were both standing before her with smiles of their own. The two trotted over to Misty and wrapped their forelegs around her body like a soft, fluffy blanket. "Amethyst! Bulk!" Misty cried out with a smile as her vision became blurry. "I've missed you two so much! How is everything?" Amethyst and Bulk released Misty from their hug, both of them full of life. "We're both doing well," Amethyst said with a nod. "How are things going for you?" "They're going okay. I didn't make it into the Royal Guard." Misty's shoulders sagged, but just as they did, Bulk softly patted them and smiled as he gazed into her eyes. "Forget about them," said Bulk as he stood firm. "You're awesome! There are so many other things out there for you." "Bulk is right," said Amethyst as she trotted closer to Misty. "While it may take some time to find out what you'll do for a living, we know that you'll find it one day." "Thanks," Misty said as her smile widened. "By the way, do any of you know what happened to Iron Will?" "I think he's doing a roadshow now. At least that's what I've heard." "I see." Misty cleared her throat. "Anyway, do the two of you want to do anything? I'm up for whatever you have in mind." "Let's go to Cafe Canterlot. Not as students of Iron Will, but as friends." Misty nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great. What do you think, Bulk?" "I love it!" Bulk shouted into the air. His voice echoed in the apartment to where he probably woke a few sleeping ponies up. Misty and Amethyst giggled for a bit and Bulk blushed with a sheepish grin before joining in the laughter. The laughter soon dissipated and soon the only noises that remained in the hotel were the buzzing fans inside. Their sounds were somewhat grating to the ears, but not to where one would cringe. "Let's get going." Misty closed her apartment door and her soul was bubbly to where she could barely lock it. Her forelegs shook for a moment, but she managed to regain her composure and the ever familiar clicking noise rang in her ears. The group made their way down Hotel Travertine and marched through the front door of the hotel. They found themselves on the roads of Canterlot once more, but a tingling feeling inside of Misty made this experience feel different than the last time. Canterlot hadn't changed at all, but there was a warm, ticklish feeling inside of her that wouldn't go away. The sun was directly overhead, lighting even the narrowest streets in a bright, shining light. Posters, advertising all sorts of things, lined the walls of the streets. A few ponies were out and about, trotting to wherever they needed to be and chatting with friends or passersby as they went along. Everypony had a smile on their face and the cool breeze that blew across the city pleased the nostrils. Misty heard the melodic tune of chirping birds off in the distance and when she looked up, she noticed those very same birds flying in a V formation. She smiled and proceeded to follow Amethyst and Bulk towards Cafe Canterlot, taking the same route she did from before. "What's been going on since we last saw each other?" asked Misty. "Well, I'm planning on moving to Ponyville by next month," said Amethyst. "I hear that there is a really good school there that I think my daughter will adore. I believe it's called Ponyville Elementary." "That sounds wonderful." Misty nodded and smiled. She turned her attention to Bulk. "What are you planning on doing, Bulk?" "I'm going to practice my flying and weightlifting skills," Bulk answered with a grin. "I know the fortune teller said I'd be taking part in a relay race, so the flying practice is just in case she is right. Then again, she did say that I'd forget how to fly well during the tryouts and the event itself." "I hope that you're able to do the weightlifting competition you've dreamed of doing. Also, I don't know how a pegasus could forget how to fly." Misty tilted her head. "Is this supposed to be some sort of arcane thing?" Bulk shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me. I don't get a lot of things, so I can't answer." He then turned to Amethyst. "Do you know, Amethyst?" Amethyst shook her head. "Sorry, but I don't. Destiny is a strange thing. Does it even exist?" "Maybe," said Misty. "Then again, the odds of me getting hit in the face with a poster advertising the Wonderbolts Academy is close to none." The cool breeze sped up slightly and the posters on the walls were pushed off and carried up into the air. One of these posters danced with the wind until it smacked Misty square in the face. She squirmed for a moment and pulled the poster off of her face. On the poster was an advertisement for the Wonderbolts Academy. It had silhouettes of flying ponies and the symbol of the Wonderbolts in the background. Streaks of blue and yellow covered the poster with a few various colors added to make the poster stand out and pull ponies towards it like a magnet. Misty's jaw dropped slightly and she then showed the contents of the poster to Amethyst and Bulk, who both bit their lips and let out a hearty laugh. Misty's smile widened and her cheeks blushed. "I think I know what you should do, Misty Fly," said Amethyst. "You should become a Wonderbolt!" "Seriously?" Misty asked. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "Well, um, what makes you think that?" Amethyst chuckled for a brief moment. "That's easy. If you were able to last in the tryouts of the Royal Guard, you'd have to be tough. Also, all of these things with you and the Wonderbolts means that you should take a look at it." Bulk raised his hoof into the air. "To add on to what Amethyst said, there are way too many coincidences. Maybe this destiny thing is trying to tell you something." Misty rubbed her muzzle and the rest of her body froze. Should she see if the Wonderbolts were worth her time? They were a well-known group of ponies that had done a lot for Equestria and its bordering kingdoms, so the helping others portion of her dream would be satisfied there. Spitfire and Soarin were both Wonderbolts, and both of them seemed to be kindhearted when she encountered each of them. Misty's mind kept formulating all sorts of reasons and observations as to whether she should join, but in the midst of this, something popped up in the back of her head. Her eyes then shimmered and her smile widened. "Yes," Misty muttered to herself. "Excuse me?" asked Amethyst. "Remember when I watched Soarin as he trotted away from us?" Amethyst nodded. "When I said yes, it was because my heart told me to try and become a Wonderbolt. I know what I need to do from here." "That's great! Anyway, let's go hang out at Cafe Canterlot. And if you do decide to become a Wonderbolt, Bulk and I will always be cheering for you." Misty's heart warmed. She trotted up to Amethyst and Bulk and wrapped her forelegs around both of them. Their bodies were both warm and soft, and all that Misty could do was smile widely. "Thank you," said Misty. "I won't give up. I'll keep on going for both of you and for every friend of mine, whether I've met them or not." The End