The skies are rainy and grey. A large gathering of ponies, ranging from close friends to Canterlot nobles, and even a lover. A large beautifully designed casket sat next to a unfilled grave. Professor Whinny Von Barn had passed away. His sudden and untimely death was caused by a major heart attack, he died at age fifty five. The funeral was short and silent, many words had been said about the grandfather of the EAA, the pony who's dumb idea actually ushered in a new era for pony kind. The rain only continued to fall as the group began to disperse from the area. Only a few ponies remained, one of which was Clare Von Barn who was crying over her husbands grave. her crying subdued when she felt the hoof of princess twilight at her side.
"I never got to say goodbye..." twilight slowly nodded and moved in to hug clare
"I'm sorry for your loss, he will be missed by us all" Clare stifled another sob as tears only continued to flow down her cheeks.
"He will never get to meet his daughter." Clare rubbed the bulge in her stomach with a trembling fore hoof.
"She will be the daughter of a great pony. I'm sure she will be so proud of him" Twilight moved away from her and stood at Clare's side.
"Thanks to your husband Mrs. Barn we have achieved feats of science that we thought were impossible." Clare didn't respond and only kept on staring at the head stone.
Here lies Whinny Von Barn the Grand father of the EAA
The heavy white space suit Soarin again wears sparkles, in the well lighted hallways of the space center. He has worn this outfit on countless occasions and test, But this time was it. The moment all of Equestria, the EAA, the Princesses, and all of pony kind had waited waited for. The moment Soarin would become part of history for ages to come. Soarin followed the security staff down the hallways and past countless enthusiastic reporters for international press and news. The loud buzz of ponies was drowned out by his thick pressurized suit. When he was inside this suit he was isolated from the rest of the world, vocally, and physically.
The group continued there trek down the hall until they reached a back door where a van was waiting for soarin. The surroundings were ether blocked off by the van or the large crowd of reporters all hoping to get one last word with Soarin. He was happy that he couldent hear the shouting through the glass of his helmet. as he boarded the van he remembered his interview a week ago with a reporter from Equestria Now.
"Good evening Mares and Gentle colts, we here at Equestria Now would like to thank you for tuning in for our exclusive interview with Equestria's first Astronaut, Captain Soarin of the wonder bolts." the camera switched sets from infront of the reporter to behind her revealing a well dressed Soarin.
"Its a pleasure to meet here with you Soarin" the reporter said enthusiastically.
"Its great to be here Paper Press" Paper Press smiled and pulled out a note pad and quill with her magic.
"Now we are all wondering what drove you to this prestigious field you are in now? what hardships were you forced to go endure to accomplish such an achievement" the reporter held the quill and note pad at the ready preparing to record Soarins every sentence.
The white EAA van pulled up to the massive launch pad, the Pegasus II perched proudly above it. Soarin steped out of the van with the aid of some staff to help carry his equipment. The massive Pegasus II stood in the afternoon sunlight, beams of light reflecting off of its silver painted body. Soarin could not help but marvel at the feat of engineering as steam floated off of its metallic skin from the melting coolant.
"Well, i'm sure everypony knows my story before my employment and training with the EAA the most interesting part, and the hardest had to have been the non stop training."
"Oh please explain!" Paper Press replied taking note of Soarin's dialogue.
"Well, for starters, I was put through two years of nonstop education and testing. Would I do it again? Nope" Soarin gave his signature smirk.
The elevator of the lift whirred to life as is slowly ascended to into the air. The trip to the top of the rocket was short, giving the riders a unique close up view of the Pegasus II rockets and it blindingly shiny, and reflective body. The lift suddenly lurched forward and stopped at the top of the launch tower, a utility ramp connected the tower to the command capsule via walk way.
"Oh darling, by the sound of the testing I only imagine what the physical training had to be like." Soarin chuckled and nodded his head in agreement at Paper Press' statement.
"You got that right, almost every hour I spent awake, I spent training." Paper Press adjusted her glasses and continued writing.
"And are there any role models or mentors that you stride after?" Paper Press asked with fascination."
Soarin was guided into the cramped command capsule, and fastened in with the same bulky and uncomfortable straps that constricted his body. the access hatch was closed shortly afterwards, and the only thing keeping him company was the sound of his nervous breathing. The in front of him where various controls and dials that adjusted the on board computer, above him was a small circular window giving a small blue glimpse of the outside world. The number on the count down timer was growing smaller by the second, but for Soarin every second was an long hour.
"I would say my role model would have to be Von Barn. I will never forget the things he had told me when i was broken and ready to give up."
"And what is that?" the reporter asked with curiosity
The count down clock reached its final ten seconds, and Soarin could feel the engines bursting to life underneath of him.
"He always told me that science was never easy and that no mater how hard we are kicked to the ground we have to just pick ourselves back up."
The timer read five seconds. Soarin looked up out of the small window to get one last look at the beautiful afternoon sky, it may be the last time he would ever see it. As if on cue, Pegasus II's engines burst to full power and Soarin could feel every pound of force being spewed out of the nozzles. He shut his eyes from the sheer vibrations as the rocket began to lift off of the ground and slowly make its way to the heavens.
"He had once told me, you can't win without losing."