//------------------------------//
// Time to Leave 
// Story: To Have Wings 
// by googolplex 
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	The next two months were not that exciting. I managed some work on my prototype. However, the readings Princess Twilight gave to me, were extremely helpful, especially the pegasus anatomy book. It really helped me improve on my designs in how the wings would turn as they flap. 
Dad is getting called out on assignment near the Appaloosa territory. He leaves in a week. I heard the place used to be a nice little town, but now it’s a huge city, but they have a territory problem with the buffalo who still call nature their home. My dad is going there to try and smooth things over between the ponies and buffalo, but I don’t think that Chief Big Wind is much for words anymore. 
But enough about that, school is about to start! I have never been excited for school before, but after taking the tours of Twilight Academy, then the meetings, and the learning opportunities. I can barely hold in my excitement!
“If you keep smiling like that, somepony might start thinking you’re crazy.” 
“Yeah, so?” I pushed Amber. She has been unusually attached lately. She even went with me to the machinery shop, which is where we are currently headed. I do not mind it at all though. I probably will have little time to see her if at all when I move to the school. 
Oh yeah, there is one downside to going to Twilight Academy. I have to move in at the academy, no exceptions. This was their way of telling us that they were trying to promote learning at all times, and they wanted to keep us close. My parents loved the idea. My sister and I hated it. I almost decided not to go just based on that. But when I told my sister, she hit me and told me I was being stupid. So to avoid further punishment, I just decided to go ahead and go. 
I have been all packed and ready to go since last night, but we leave in three days. I have been so nervouscited that I have barely slept. 
“Hey how about this?” Amber held up a small joint. I had spaced out long enough that I had not even recognized that we were already at the shop. I violently shook my head, trying to clear it of all my thoughts. I examined the joint. I would definitely have to do some welding, it is definitely too small in length, however, it might still work for something else. 
“How many are there?” I asked. 
“A lot,” she said acting a bit overwhelmed. For some reason, her response made me chuckle. 
“Alright, I think we have the money for that many. Let’s just go ahead and get them all.” Over time, I have realized that sometimes I can make mistakes. Dad always says measure twice, cut once. This is sort of my version of measuring twice. 
I have been making preparations for being at school. My entire family has given me a ton of bits to make sure I have everything I need ever since they found out. Sure, most of it was supposed to go towards finding school clothes and extra lunch money and stuff like that, but I may have spent a little less than I should have on those items.
I now have a gigantic rolling red toolbox with sixteen different black and silver drawers. It has all sorts of little gadgets and tools that fill it to near bursting point. Screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, nails, even some power tools, but don’t tell my parents! They say I have a problem. I tell them there is no problem with a hobby. Of course now my hobby is going to be involved in school. Oh, did I mention that my toolbox rolls?
Amber and I arrived home with both of our saddle packs filled with mechanical items and tools. Amber practically collapsed at the door. 
“Oh, Amber,” my mom ran to us. “Are you okay? Do you need me to carry those?”
“No I’m fine,” she answered, struggling to get back up. 
“Yeah, good luck getting her to let those go. I told her I could carry both of them, but she insisted that she carry at least one.” 
“Sounds like somepony is trying very hard to be nice,” my mom winked at me. I know what she was hinting at, but I had already made arrangements tomorrow for something special for Amber. Of course I could say nothing though because I wanted it to be a surprise. Tomorrow, I planned on letting her pick a place, wherever she wants to go. After which, I think we are going to head to The Cheese Sandwich. It is her favorite restaurant after all. 
Even after several attempts to try and take the saddlebags from my sister, she eventually made it to my room. I felt terrible seeing her struggle, especially since I knew I could carry them without a problem. She is definitely my sister if she is this stubborn. 
We spent the rest of the day organizing the new parts into my toolbox.
“Where’s this go?” I kept hearing from my sister. I had pointed so many times I felt like a robot. She was a great help no matter how annoying it was though. 
I put my prototype on hold these last couple of weeks to make preparations for the instance that I may need a difficult part to find in upper Ponyville. It used to be such a small town, but now it is a decently sized city. Since Princess Twilight’s kingdom was selected by the Elements of Harmony, ponies have been flocking to that place, mostly dignitaries and the rich trying to rub elbows with the famous Princess Twilight. 
That night I sat down at the dinner table for what would end up being the last dinner of ours as a family. The next day, Dad had been called out early because of an escalating tension in Appaloosa Territory. Since he and other Wonderbolt teams were called out, Mom was asked in at the main headquarters, so the next day was just Amber and me, until Aunt Dew arrived later that night. 
During that day, I decided that I would do whatever Amber wanted to do, and it was nice to see her smile. We went to her favorite shopping mall, and spent practically every bit that Mom and Dad gave us there. This time, I was stuck carrying everything back home. Not so cool. Apparently my sister has some sort of vendetta for me. 
After that, we went to Cheese Sandwich for lunch. Then went home and played board games until Aunt Dew showed up. I never know why I agree to play games with her in the first place, she seems to have me beaten before I even play. I swear she is cheating every time. 
The day after, I was bored out of my mind. Aunt Dew, Amber, and I all sat around being lazy. It felt good, but still boring. It was my last day to be home, but I was already packed and ready to go. I went through the whole checklist, and everything was in its perfect place, ready when I am. 
Could hardly sleep a wink that night, I was too anxious for the next day. Then, it had seemed like I closed my eyes for a second and the next my sister was waking me up, telling me it’s time to go.
We looked like quite the attraction as we dragged two suitcases, my tool chest, and on top of that I was wearing my saddlebags. I did design a quick fix to easily pull my tool chest with me. It was a large claw on one side and the other attached to my saddlebags, making carrying along practically a cinch.  
On the way to the train station I thought about how Mom and Dad. They could not make it since they had work. Yeah it might be a bit disappointing, but I understand. We were all way too quiet though, I felt like I was being marched into a court-martial, or maybe to my execution. Either way, someone needed to start talking. Guess that means me.
“So,” I started, but I did not expect the interruption.
“While you’re there, you promise to stay in touch right?” Amber asked.
“Of course!” I answered. “Gotta make sure you at least try to stay out of trouble. Not to mention we get three days off for most of the holidays, so I’ll definitely stay in touch.”
“No you need to write so you’ll stay out of trouble. You’ll wander out past curfew for sure. At least if I nag about it, maybe you’ll keep working hard.” 
“Says the one who still doesn’t practice turns while flying,” I gently shoved her.
“Ha!” she pushed back, “Coming from an earth pony!” 
“You two knock it off,” Aunt Dew looked down at us. “You know if anyone ever questioned the fact that you two were brother and sister, this would definitely prove you were.” She kind of laughed, “Too bad I had nothing to record you two with.”
“What’s this I hear about brother and sister?” A familiar voice echoed through my ears. I turned around to see my mom. Of course everypony would normally act cool at this time, but I figured that since this might be the last time I see her for a while, I showed her my utmost affection. Okay, yes I was glad my mom showed up and I tackled her with a hug. 
“Speaking of brothers, where is mine?” Aunt Dew asked. 
“Oh he’s inside waiting on us. I just got here no too long ago.”
“Dad’s here!?” My sister and I both excitedly asked. We both thought that he was long gone to Appleloosa by now. Mom nodded and we both bolted for the door, my tool chest still behind me, making a horrible racket as I ran as fast as I could to look for Dad.  
As soon as we were inside the train station, we looked for Dad wherever he might be. It took little effort considering he was the center of attention. He was wearing his Wonderbolt uniform with the hood rolled down. Foals and adults alike surrounded him and bombarded him with praise. Amber and I both waved at him. He smiled and returned the wave, and walking toward us, said goodbye to his admirers. 
“We thought you would have been in Appleloosa by now,” said Amber. 
“Well the distance was no small feat to cover, but I can manage for my son’s trip to Ponyville,” he retorted. 
“Seriously?” I asked, dumbfounded. “You flew all the way back here, just to see me off?” He laughed loudly.  
“No, of course not,” he said still chuckling to himself. “I may be spry, but I doubt even General Dash could get back here in time. I simply asked to stay close by for a couple more nights, and they agreed.”
He had me going for a minute there. I was nearly impressed. Appleloosa is quite the ride away from here. Even the most dexterous of the pegasi would have to at least make a stop in Ponyville or Cloudsdale before making the final trip up here. But alas, the joke was on us. My dad has always been good at gags and making others think that he is way stronger than he is. 
Truth is, I would be willing to bet that he is stronger than he thinks he is, and that may be what makes his bluffs seem so realistic. He always gave the I’m not sure, but I’ll try, attitude, and boy try does he ever. He once moved a huge boulder trapping some ponies on a mountain. When one of the rescued ponies asked him how strong he was, he only replied with Just strong enough. I’m not sure what he meant by that, but I imagine it was something that hinders his real potential sometimes. 
“There you are,” Aunt Dew called from behind us. She and Mom were pretty much left in mine and Amber’s dust after we sprinted inside the train station, so they had to catch back up. 
“I imagine my two troublemakers didn’t give you too much grief did they?” Dad asked as he hugged Aunt Dew. 
“Not at all,” she said with a wink. Dad sort of nodded with a smile, I’m not sure what for, though.  “Anyway it is about time to get somepony on the train, don’t you think?” 
“Yes, we should probably get you all loaded up, Cloudy,” Mom answered. We all walked toward the platform and an attendant took my bags and another took my tool chest. The one with the chest struggled for a little while before finally getting it to move. 
Now more than ever, I began to have second thoughts. The train in front of me would take me somewhere I have never been before. It could be some place that I could never come to like. I turned to my family. I know I will miss them, but if I stay, I may miss out on the perfect opportunity to find what my cutie mark might actually be. I am ready to go, but at the same time, I want to stay. 
“Cloudy,” Amber said giving me a hug. “Try to have fun while you’re there okay?” I nodded. 
“She’s right, you know,” Mom said joining on the hug. “Make some friends while you’re there. The ponies who you will meet are different than the ones you know here. Give them a chance and maybe you’ll be surprised at what you find.” 
“Guess it’s our turn,” I could heard Dad say. I could not see him through Mom, but I could feel him and Aunt Dew both joining in on the group hug. “We’ll miss you, bud. Don’t be afraid to call us whenever you need us, alright?” 
“Okay,” I said. The train whistle blew, signaling it was ready to go. Everyone around us stopped what they were doing and headed inside. I held onto my family a little longer before letting them go. 
“Time to go, Son,” Dad said with a smile. He nudged me onto the train. I stood there in the doorway, staring back at them as they waved. Their smiles were warming to say the least. 
“Love you!” Mom said as the door closed. Soon after, the train began to move. I waved goodbye through the window on the door until my parents were no longer in sight. 
Now, it was just me. I walked through the entryway on my left and looked for an open seat. Thoughts ran through my head about what I should have said when I had the chance. I hardly said a word because I was overwhelmed by what was going on. I should have said more, or at least said I love you back to my mom.