//------------------------------// // The Cloudsdale Show // Story: From the Ashes: Ember's Story // by Zoljen //------------------------------// “So, not that I'm going to complain about the short vacation, but why are we going to Cloudsdale?” Quicktail asked as he sat across from Ember in the train cabin. “We are going to Cloudsdale because there is a Wonderbolt show tomorrow.” Ember casually remarked as she stared out the window. “I'm well aware, we get to see ‘Princess’ Soarin perform another show.” Quicktail giggled as Ember looked at him confused. “What?” Quicktail kept giggling, “Soarin, a part of the lead squad, is a pretend alicorn. He has some fake horn strapped to his head.” Ember watched Quicktail giggle. “Soarin is wearing a fake horn?” He stopped giggling and looked confused, “Surely you must of at least heard of it?” Ember shook her head, “It's been the hottest topic since Discord's reform! A member of the lead squad wearing a fake horn. Ponies think he lost a dare with Fleetfoot or something.” “Afraid not, My time at the hospital has kind of made it so I don't read the news. And they aren't really talkative there.” She shrugged. “Guess I’ll get to see that first hoof then.” “Huh?” Ember chuckled, “I am joining this show as one of their trainers, while you will be in the seats.” “I was curious why we were going to a show that was totally sold out minutes from being announced.” “To get energy for Talon,” she sighed, looking back out the window. “The energy the clinic and you have been providing isn't enough. It's been helping, but a huge boost of energy would get him… relatively, back on his hooves within a few days.” “You don't sound so hopeful about that.” “His hoof has been burned, the scarring from it has rendered it unable to hide.” She held her own hoof out. “The entire hoof, and up to about here,” she explained by revealing a part of her natural form underneath it, stopping a few inches past the fetlock, “is unable to blend, so to speak. I bet it sounds confusing, doesn't it?” “He can't hide himself unless he covers it with something, right?” Ember nodded. “Basically. It won't hide at all, but strangely, he can still make his blade out of it.” Quicktail raised an eyebrow, “Blade?” Ember chuckled softly, “It's a quirk he has, I suspect from being a soldier. He can alter his own hooves into blades.” “That sounds so cool! He’s like a walking armory then!” he bounced in his seat, chuckling, “But wait… if one breaks, then…” “He’d lose the exoskeleton around that limb. It’d grow back, but for a short time, he’d be unable to remake the blade. Probably explains why it's still sensitive right now.” Quicktail raised an eyebrow, “He wouldn't lose the whole limb?” “Losing a part of the blade, no. Losing all of it from the joint out, yes. And that wouldn't grow back.” “So he risks his limbs to fight better?” Ember nodded, Quicktail glanced to his claws, “Huh, brave lad. So this show, you’re going to gather energy from it and use it to help restore him?” She took a deep breath and nodded. “It won't help what's damaged, but it will get him back in the fight a lot sooner. However…” She chuckled weakly, “The last show I attended had me buzzed. If this show is as big as Witch described, uh…” Quicktail nodded with a smirk on his beak. “I am here to prevent you from taking over Equestria.” “Yup. Going to take the train back from Ponyville, so we’ll have to fly there. You can carry me far enough from Cloudsdale, until I can form my own wings.” “As long as you don't try anything, I can carry you the whole way.” “Aww, how sweet.” Ember cooed at him, making him grin back at her. “Anything for my mare.” “Your such a sap.” She tackled him and laid on him. “And you're all mine.” She stared into his eyes as he grinned back. “Ladies and gentlestallions! Please take your seats! The Wonderbolts are ready to go and will begin the show shortly!” Quicktail grinned as he entered the Cloudsdale arena, looking around at all the other ponies making their way in, not caring that a griffin was there to watch the show as well. He had left Ember near one of the entrances to the back, where he met up with Witch and was told to come back there as soon as he could after the show. His seat was near the top of the stadium, among a few other pegasi. Whom, once learning they were sitting next to a griffin, gave him a little space. He merely chuckled and put on the most disarming smile he could to try and not cause fear. Thousands of pegasi here, I hope Ember is doing well. He thought as he looked around, he heard the cheers pick up as he glanced to the stadium floor, spotting a cyan blue mare with a rainbow mane. She appeared to squeak and duck back into the tunnel. A moment later another blue pony stepped out and waved to the crowd, earning an even bigger cheer. He relaxed back into his seat, ready for his first Wonderbolt show. He had heard they were show ponies, and watching them with their mastery over the elements would certainly be a treat. It was just a shame he didn't have Ember sitting next to him, leaning on him and watching along side him. He wondered how Ember was doing, even up here he could feel the buzz of excitement. And he wasn't a changeling! Being down there, near the Wonderbolts she must of already been buzzed. All that energy was basically being thrown into a pot, and she was in the middle of it. After a short while, once all the ponies had been seated, a bright yellow mare in the Wonderbolt outfit flew out from the tunnel and floated up into the middle. “Ladies and gentlestallions! Welcome to the Cloudsdale arena!” Her voice echoed throughout the arena, Quicktail squinted to see if she was even using a megaphone, which it appeared she wasn’t. He chuckled as all the ponies around him roared and Captain Spitfire went through her speech. As she neared the end of her speech, Quicktail could almost make out a smirk on her muzzle as she mentioned the newest Recruit squad. And once she called out their name, he saw five figures launch out of the tunnel. He eyed each one, but when his gaze landed on the last one, he let out a faint gasp. Seeing a griffin wearing the Wonderbolt uniform was something he never thought he’d see. And when he heard the name Matteo, his suspicions were confirmed. He was still a part of the Sky Wings when he saw that tank of a griffin approach the gates, and promptly get refused. He thought to question it, but he knew the rules. The fact he could have been a new Master of the Sky and held that rank till age finally caught up with him was something he actually admired. But to be rejected before even trying out, sometimes he found the culture he came from stupid. Still, seeing Matteo pass by him as the squad flew its laps, was a good thing. He didn't let all that training go to waste, and from here, it looked like he only improved. He’d have to see if he could meet Matteo at some point, ask him how the Wonderbolt training compared to the Sky Wings. As he looked over this squad, it certainly stood out from what he had heard of the others. A griffin, a filly sized mare, a...neon green pony who looked like he had more screws loose then Surprise, a stallion from the Crystal Empire, and a mare with a one of a kind mane and tail. Maybe he’d have to try out for the Wonderbolts at some point. After they passed, he applauded with the rest of the crowd, and sat down to enjoy the show. Ember shuddered as she closed her eyes, standing off to the side of the arena floor. She and Witching Hour were on the sidelines, watching the show from the closest point possible, incase anything happened. “You okay?” Witch casually asked, glancing at Ember after the recruit squad landed. “Yeah… This show is going on for an hour, right?” “Yup.” “Oooh boy.” Ember opened her eyes and looked up, seeing Squad Seven take to the stage. “Two routines, and then a game of Wing-ball.” She looked at Witch. “I'm not glowing yet, am I?” Witch raised an eyebrow. “No… why would you… nevermind.” She shook her head. “Relax, You can duck out after the routines if you want.” “Wouldn't be fair to Quicktail.” “Like you being down here and not by his side is?” Witch quipped, looking at Ember who was scanning the seats for him. “Touché,” Ember sighed, shuddering again. “Cloudsdale shows are so full of energy.” “Yeah, I bet them cheering for Rainbow Dash only added to that.” “I am feeling a buzz now, but I should be good for the whole hour. If I get too far out of line, just… uhh… smack me, yeah.” Ember chuckled weakly as she gazed up and watched the last bit of Squad Seven’s performance. “Then you may want to leave now. The lead squad is next, and it's a crowd favorite. I wouldn't want to see what happens to a ch… er, you, when you absorb too much energy.” “Except I need as much as I can get,” she shuddered again when the crowed cheered, she glanced up to see the lead squad start their routine. “And we don't explode… Pass out perhaps, but not explode.” “Thanks for that mental image! Just what I wanted to see, one of my friends exploding.” She glared at Ember, who raised her hooves defensively. “Sorry! You kind of brought it upon yourself!” Ember paused, “Wait, you still consider me a friend?” She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow at Witch. “Well yeah! I’ve known Emerald for nearly my whole life! So the fact that she is… well, different. Sure it was shocking at first, but now… it all makes sense.” Witch sighed. “The fact that you basically knew exactly what to say to ponies to make them happy, among other things.” Ember let out a content sigh, grinning as she watched Witch. “Thanks, that means a lot to me.” She looked skyward, watching the lead squad. “I don't know if I’d still trust you around Tricks though,” Witch mused, eyeing her friend. “But he likes me!” Ember grinned, glancing to Witch for a moment, then skyward again just as the lead squad finished. The crowd erupted in cheers, making her shudder again. “Erf…” Witch watched Ember as the crowd applauded and the lead squad left the area. “Must be a hard life, having to avoid things like this.” “Possibly avoid Cloudsdale shows in the future… but Manehattan? Or anywhere else? I’m just buzzed after it.” “Still, you can't go to the Crystal Empire,” Witch shrugged as she stood up. “Actually…” Ember chuckled as she followed after her. “Not after this show, but… I could, it’d be tingly.” Witch raised an eyebrow as she watched Ember walk beside her, seemingly able to walk just fine. “How do you know?” Ember sighed, looking down, “Two of my… friends, live there.” “And here I thought you didn't want to disclose where they all were,” Witch mused. “That part is fine, it's just I don't want them to lose their jobs, or lives. Because of what I said.” “I am sure that whatever they are doing, they wouldn't lose their jobs.” “I am sure one of them would.” Ember grumbled. “Oh? So one of them is somepony important?” “So,” Ember looked at Witch, “I couldn't help but notice the rather large griffin on the new squad.” Witch grumbled as Ember changed the subject, “Yeah, came here because the Sky Wings rejected him. Don't know why they would.” “He’s too big.” Ember stated, earning a confused look from Witch. “The Sky Wings, from what I’ve heard, are stubborn with their rules. He is too big to fit in their formations. Weird that he’d be a Wonderbolt though.” “He showed us a lot of various things.” Ember glanced to her side, seeing a blue Wonderbolt outfit. She gazed up a little to see Soarin smirking at her. “Hello again, Miss Haze.” “Hello, Commander Soarin.” Ember chuckled weakly, glancing past him to see Rainbow Dash nuzzling up to his side. “Shouldn't you be spending more time with your friend there?” Soarin glanced down to Rainbow Dash and chuckled, “Yes, and you shouldn’t call me Commander. You know I dislike titles.” “Forgot about that,” Ember grinned as Dash peeked around Soarin, looking over Ember. “Huh, I don't think I’ve seen you with the trainers before.” “Oh, that's… ” She was cut off as a neon green pony slid up to her other side, floating above her, making Witch jump back with a gasp. “She’s just here to collect something for a sibling!” He sneered as Ember looked at him with a panicked face. Witch sighed, and casually pushed him away with her magic. “Go away, Twister, and go bother Broody McStormcloud.” The stallion sneered back at her, then quickly slid under Ember and leaned up, pressing his nose to hers. “Your friend thinks I have a few screws loose! Tell him they were never screwed in to begin with!” He laughed as he slid along the ground like a snake over to Squall. Ember just stared at the green pony, mortified and confused. Rainbow Dash let out a sigh and poked Ember. “He does that all time, you get used to it.” Ember glanced to Dash for a moment, “Uh… sure…” She looked back at Twister, noticing he had a small sign in his tail that read ‘End of Scene.’ She just blinked, “I… don't know what to make of him, at all.” Quicktail landed by the small train station in Ponyville, chuckling faintly as he glanced at the pony draped over his back. She had thankfully dozed off at some point during the flight from Cloudsdale to Ponyville, as her attempts to cuddle him while high in the sky were making staying airborne difficult. He gently trotted up to the station, making sure to not disrupt the sleeping pony on his back as he went. He stopped at the counter, getting greeted cheerily by the pony behind it and asked when the next train to Canterlot was leaving. “About a half hour from now, why?” The mare asked, looking at the snoring pony atop the griffin. “I’ve just flown from Cloudsdale, and just wanting a train the rest of the way. So a private cabin for two would be lovely.” Quicktail grinned, making a tiny gesture to the unicorn. “Huh, while that isn't that long of a flight, it must of been tiring carrying a unicorn that whole way…” The mare shrugged, asked for the bits, and slid a pair of tickets to him. “Be back in about half an hour, and enjoy Ponyville in the meantime. I’d suggest you avoid Sugar Cube Corner though.” “Why’s that?” “The mare who works there… uhh…” She rotated her hoof by her head, signaling Quicktail that somepony was crazy. “Uh huh…” He nodded slowly. “Alright then. Might be best if I just wait here then.” He turned and took a few steps from the counter towards one of the benches, walking up to it and looking at it. “Hmmm.” He glanced back at Ember, then to the bench. He perked his ears as he heard a pair of clops land by him, and looked over to come almost nose to nose with a white unicorn mare. She blinked and took a few steps back, “Sorry darling, was just admiring the fancy jewelry.” She gestured to Embers fetlock, where the bracelet lay. “Must say it looks divine.” “Oh, yeah. I had it made for her,” Quicktail grinned, a faint pink tint showing up, but hidden behind his feathers. “You wouldn't mind helping me put her on the bench, would you?” “Oh not at all!” The unicorn grinned, her horn lighting up and soon Quicktail felt Ember leave his back, and get set down on the bench gently. “She is a sound sleeper, it seems.” “She can be at times,” Quicktail grinned, sitting by the bench. “But she’s cute when she’s asleep.” “Where are you two off to?” The mare sat by them. “Canterlot. Oh, my names Quicktail,” he extended a paw towards her, she glanced at it, then shook it with her hoof. “Rarity, and your friend?” she gestured to the sleeping mare. “Emerald Haze.” The griffin looked over the mare for a moment, “Wait, she has a little statue of you, that she bought around the time of the wedding.” Rarity scoffed, “Those dreadful things? They don't capture me well enough at all,” she waved a hoof. “They really should of asked for us to pose or something. Or for our input.” she grinned towards the griffin, “Well, I should be on my way. Have a friend who needs help with something.” Rarity stood, took a few steps from him and bowed, then proceeded to trot off with a grin. Quicktail happily waited for the train to arrive and get set up for it's trip back to Canterlot, as he sat there with Ember who was snoozing away.