35 - ...Do Us Part
The atmosphere was loud and cheerful up in the cloud city, the moon high in the sky and yet the surrounding area lit up like the day as the festivities continued. Pegasi and some other ponies with cloud walking spells were all enjoying the various stalls and attractions dotting the aftermath of the Wonderbolt’s charity show, and all proceeds made from those stalls would further boost the bits gained for charity as well. The main Wonderbolts team, that being Spitfire, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and Little Wing were the main attraction and hosts of this event, though other high-profile figures such as Princesses Celestia, Luna and Twilight were also in attendance.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her family, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Flurry Heart, had sent their apologies ahead of time for their lack of attendance. But as it was, the royal schedule wasn’t always beholding to one’s wishes.
Little Wing, now twenty-two, was with the other Wonderbolts as they mingled around a sizable cloud garden hanging above the other festivities. The garden was hosting the more ‘elite’ ponies who had been attending the charity event, nobles from Canterlot and the likes. Little Wing would have, in all honesty, preferred to be down with the ‘commoners’ laughing and having fun at the stalls over listening to the unicorns around them discuss prestige and other rubbish like that.
But there wasn’t much she could do at the time. She knew her bride was down there somewhere, waiting for Little Wing to join her. Their wedding was a few months before the event she now found herself in, but it and the following two-week honeymoon in Zebrica seemed like a mere day previous. Two weeks of sun and bliss the likes of which she couldn’t have imagined before experiencing it. And it was all spent with just Misty, a time when neither of them could have been more joyous.
Too soon had it come to an end, as all good things do. And now she found herself with her squadmates, all simply trying to appease the aristocracy around them.
The Wonderbolts were also all still in their flight suits, albeit with their hoods down. The alicorns were at the other end of the garden talking with a pony by the name of Fancy Pants. Little Wing had never actually seen Celestia and Luna up close, only at a distance like now and during shows where they sat in the royal box. But while that was going on the last noble to approach them had been called away, giving the team a moment to themselves.
“Try to look a little less bored, Skips,” Spitfire admonished, using Little Wing’s nickname earned by her being so excited on her first official day as a main team member she practically skipped and pranced all over the place. “The nobles like it when they think you’re paying attention to them.”
“When we’re not. At all,” Rainbow Dash quipped with a smirk. “Seriously, who wants to have a go on the High Striker when we’re done with this stuff?”
“You only want to because you’d win,” Scootaloo noted.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” Spitfire muttered. “But you know regulation. The Wonderbolts set up this event, we’ve got to stay at least a couple hours to keep the powers that be happy.”
“I don’t think the princesses would care,” Scootaloo commented.
“I meant the nobles,” the Captain retorted. “Describing them as ‘powers’ might be an exaggeration, but it’s procedure nevertheless.”
“I’m sure it won’t be too much longer before some of us could mingle down there,” Soarin stated. “The Captain and I will probably have to stay a little longer to have some parting words, but I don’t see why the rest of you couldn’t go on.”
“And we thank the Captain of her XO for their sacrifices,” Rainbow Dash quipped. “I will keep the juniors safe while you’re gone.”
Scootaloo and Little Wing rolled their eyes.
“Hey, I’m just glad we got to come at all,” Soarin remarked. “We need to thank that Silver Breeze for foalsitting.”
“Yeah, never thought I’d see the day,” Rainbow muttered to herself with a small frown.
“He couldn’t say no to the bits,” Little Wing explained, though held a small smile on her face. “And I think he might be fond of children. Who knew?”
“Foalsitting and hidden soft sides aside…” Spitfire interrupted. “You’re all juniors to me, Lieutenant Rainbow Dash. And if you dare call me Grandma for that, I’ll have you do one thousand laps for insubordination.”
Rainbow made a face that made it seem like that was no big deal.
“Every hour.”
The face dissolved, and Little Wing couldn’t help but smirk with the rest of them as Rainbow’s own fell away into nothingness.
“I’m surprised you’re not taking it as a challenge, Rainbow,” a new regal voice noted in amusement. When they all turned to the source, Little Wing saw Princess Twilight Sparkle steadily approaching them before she joined the group altogether. “How are you all?”
“Twilight! Get as bored of the nobility as we are?” Rainbow Dash asked knowingly.
“Dreadfully so, but needs must,” Twilight replied. “But everything seems to be winding down. Some of you could probably get away with sneaking away while the Captain and I go talk rules and procedure with Blueblood or somepony.”
“Is that a hint?”
Twilight gave Rainbow a bemused stare. “Yes, Rainbow, it’s a hint. Now scat, before I drag you along too.”
Rainbow Dash laughed. “Hey, don’t need to tell me twice. Uh, right Captain?”
Spitfire looked as bemused as the Princess, but she didn’t seem to argue. “Alright, dismissed. Try not to have too much fun without me and Soarin.”
“We’ll try,” Rainbow Dash remarked, looking towards Soarin next. “See you later, honey.”
“It’s a promise,” he replied, departing with Twilight and Spitfire so that the other Wonderbolts could make their escape.
Something they all promptly did, with a single flap of their wings they glided away from the garden and down into the crowds of ponies below. And Little Wing was just as glad as her sisters to get out of there and be able to stretch their wings. It may have been for a good cause, but there was only so much of the nobility any sane pony could take.
“Well now that we’re officially off-duty, what games do we hit first?” Scootaloo asked, examining the varying stalls around them.
Now that was the question, wasn’t it? Ponies all around, young and old, were all enjoying themselves on whatever the event had to offer. With all the bits she could see being thrown around, they would be coming away with a good haul to give away. Some to orphanages, wildlife sanctuaries, and ponies displaced in the Griffon Empire by the Sovereign Empire group. The details would be finalised after they knew exactly how much they had to give, so for the time being all they had to do was add their own share to the pile.
Speaking of griffons, a few were also among the ponies that night. Not just griffons, a few other species were present, but it was a group of griffons that had passed Little Wing by as they were deciding on what to do. There were three, one female griffon leading her excitable young son towards a stall with large teddy bears up for prizes. The third was a black feathered and furred male who didn’t seem to be with the other two. While the former duo rushed on ahead, he stopped briefly to glare at the trio of pegasi.
And then a far lovelier sight stepped in between them.
“Hey!” Misty Gust said cheerfully as she booped Little Wing on the nose, causing the cyan mare to go cross-eyed a moment before shaking her head to rectify herself.
“Misty!” Little Wing shared a quick kiss with her wife. “Good timing, we just got relieved by the Captain.”
“I figured,” Misty Gust replied with a giggle. “Don’t mind me joining you, right?”
“If it means getting to watch Wing squirm, I’m in,” Rainbow Dash said casually as she began to lead the group towards the previously mentioned High Striker.
“I don’t squirm!” Little Wing protested.
“You kinda do,” Scootaloo agreed. “I think Misty just has that effect on you.”
Little Wing’s blush was beginning to show through her fur, most blatantly around the tips of her ears. Of course this was all the evidence they needed, and a round of hearty chuckles sounded as Misty gave her special somepony a nuzzle on the cheek, one Little Wing gladly returned.
“Heh, whatever you say,” Little Wing said, draping a wing over Misty as they continued to walk.
The group arrived at the game Rainbow Dash was, like a filly, bouncing slightly on her hooves in her eagerness to play. Little Wing, Misty Gust and Scootaloo stood a few feet back as Rainbow Dash provided the stallion overseeing the game a couple of bits. They all watched in an amused anticipation as Rainbow Dash sized up the hammer, and then the bell high above them. With a smirk she looked back towards her sisters and sister-in-law, confident in every conceivable way.
“Piece of cake,” the prismatically maned mare boasted, picking up the hammer in her mouth while managing to say: “Wats dis!”
Rainbow Dash reared back as the other watched, hammer raised into the air ready to give the decisive blow that would either supplement or wound her pride.
And it was then that, for Little Wing, everything seemed to happen in almost slow motion.
Out of the corner of her eye, Little Wing just managed to spot that dark coloured griffon from earlier return in a severe hurry. What’s more, he was holding something. Something that made the onlookers he passed look on with questions in their eyes, or shrieks of alarm for those who were certain it was very much real.
Wooden and metal, a bow drawn back and hitched into place. An object placed against it, aimed forwards and snarling like an animal with its eyes set right on Rainbow Dash.
He had a crossbow.
And the string was snapping forwards as his talon pressed down into the trigger, even as a few patrolling guards spotted his act and made a mad rush towards him. They would apprehend the griffon no doubt, but too late to prevent what he had started.
Rainbow was swinging the hammer down, eyes only on her target as even Misty and Scootaloo remained blissfully unaware of what was transpiring behind them.
But Little Wing saw. And Little Wing decided.
The arrow was racing forwards with deadly intent, bearding down towards her older sister as she remained ignorant. But Little Wing was not prepared to watch her elder sister die.
So she shot forwards, forehooves reaching outwards as her wings gave an almighty flap. Rainbow Dash was caught completely off guard as Little Wing barrelled into her spine, knocking the hammer out of her mouth and sending it flying off to the side.
THUD.
Little Wing heard the arrow hit something but had no time to see where. All she could feel was the adrenaline pumping through her veins, she and her sister impacting with soft cloud. They skidded a few metres, and then halted. And when Little Wing looked around she could see everypony in the area looking over to either them or the now restrained griffon with wide eyes filled with shock and horror.
“For the Empire!” the Sovereign Empire griffon cawed, trying to fight off the guards before they hit him around the back of the head with the hilt of a blade and knocked him out.
Little Wing breathed a sigh of relief, looking around to see her sister intact and equally as wide eyed, staring into Little Wing’s own.
“Close one…” Little Wing remarked, the adrenaline fading and a supreme sense of tiredness beginning to spread throughout her body.
And then Misty screamed. It was an anguished scream, filled with terror and sadness that could not even be described and given justice by the those who heard it that night.
“W-Wing…” Rainbow Dash muttered with a trembling voice, much to her little sister’s confusion.
And then she felt something wet running down her barrel.
Wet… and red.
That was never going to come out of the uniform. So strange that it was Little Wing’s first thought at the sight, as if she couldn’t comprehend it.
Until she looked a little harder.
There was the arrow, sticking so deep into her side that it was probably poking through the other side too. And given that she could feel the wet patches forming from both sides of her body, that was almost certainly the case. Though that wet feeling was quickly dying away… along with all other feeling.
“WING!” Rainbow Dash shouted in grief, reaching forwards and cradling her little sister as her usual bravado crumbled and was replaced with something more desperate and… begging.
Scootaloo and Misty also rushed to her side, sitting down beside her and whispering promises of help and medical attention.
“No…” Rainbow muttered, before her eyes fell onto the arrow. “We… We’ve got to get it out!”
“No!” Scootaloo shouted back. “It would only increase the bleeding! She needs a doctor!”
“Please please please…” Misty was begging as her hysterical cries echoed around their now silent surroundings. “You’re going to be alright! You’re going to be alright…”
“Misty…” Little Wing muttered, trying and wanting to say more.
But nothing more would come.
All further shouts became distant, the sights around her still open eyes blurring together. All feeling became numb, and a familiar darkness began to creep in. It was different this time, though. Before she had been unaware of its passing, but now she was painfully so…
And she was scared.
Her breathing ceased, her eyes closing as the last thing she saw was the sight of a lavender alicorn flying down towards her with urgency in her movements, and the broken features of the ponies she loved.
And then she died.
“Hello, Emma,” Penumbra greeted, a smile on her face. “Hello… Little Wing.”
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....I knew something was going to happen, but not this.
To quote Adam Savage, "I'm sad."
Finally, the suspense arrived. The guards clearly failed their job here.
Oh, my...
Damn. Right in the feels.
How could you! if you dont find some way for twilight to bring her back, i am going to fucking murder you.
No why please tell me that she will be ok
The audio in this clip sums up my thoughts here perfectly.
*ring* *ring*
Little Wing?
*ring* *ring*
Little Wing!?
*ring* *ring*
LITTLE WIIIIIIING!!!!!
8800351
8800370
Stop taunting us!
Why? You made have to find a sad song.
[First thought at seeing chapter title: "Oh something happened", reads...]
"NOOOOOOOOO!" DAMM THAT CLIFF HANGER!
What a spot to stop. I really hope Little Wing comes back to life, or at least be some form of okay.
8800326
An excellent example. My thoughts were more:
Fin
On one hand, I think that little wing will be fine and her death is going to be used as a way for Penumbra to recruit her for something.
On another completely unrelated hand, Amazon sells Pitchforks through their prime program.
Don't mind me, I'm just gonna sit here in the corner and pull my hair out.
UGHHHH..... Frickin Cliffhangers! I despise them! Btw, good chapter :)
My reaction to the ending of this chapter.
I got nothin'.
8800370
Why do I get the feeling that "little" wing is soon to be soaring wings due to her sacrifice to protect
finally, a wonderbolt that actually lives up to the military standard.
okay i did NOT see that coming
8800458
"Good to know." Love how you've linked it and all. Hope you're right about Little Wing being ok.
8800384
Oh wow, good find. Sorry you had to go looking.
8800370
Taunting?
In all seriousness, I am going to be a lot more active on fimfiction, breaking that F5 button for the next chapter. Could not have a been a greater cliff hanger.
Split his beak far apart and roast that damn chicken
8800714
Not in front of the poor griffon child who already saw a pony get skewered today, please.
My, sisters until the end.
The plot thickens.
Twilight will save the day! With her ultra alicorn magic of McGuffin, all will be okay.
...
Right?
Omfg. Alicorn princess Little Wing, the alicorn of sacrifice.
*takes deep breaths*
I swear, if Penumbra had anything to do with this, i swear i will find him and make him regret his decision so much, he will never think of doing so again. I will show him horrors he cannot comprehend for this grave mistake.....
8800910
No.
8801042
Penumbra is a she.
8801329
Still..... what i said still stands
I kept expecting Misty to die.
And here I thought it was going to be Misty that bit the dust.
8801436
No... no it doesn't. Penumbra would have to actually exist for what you said to stand. :P
8801880
Maybe...
But who are we to say if she exists or not? We haven't seen her, but it doesn't mean she doesn't exist
Oh, my...
Well her cutie mark does have a phoenix on it so there may still be hope.
But regardless of the outcome one thing is certain: the so called 'sovereign empire' is probably about to cease to exist in very short order.
I actually feel relieved now that the hammer has dropped-- or at least the first hammer. I feel like now the gloves are off and the story is entering a new, somewhat more interesting and less nerve-wracking stage.
...okay, I saw a death coming, just not this one.
I wonder if Little Wing will see everyone’s reaction to her death?
well crap this is gong to muck things up.
8812612
Hey, you're probably right (I'd recommend Gilded to anyone). Early on I found that to be a curse of a third person perspective and the lack of a physical speaking voice. Though I like to think she gets some development chapters 7 through 10.
This is also a fair bit different from other stories I've done in the past. The lack of explosions is an indication.
8812734
When is the next update? I can't wait for more!
Oh...
I'm.... I'm crying now. Let me just take a few minutes to cry my face out in my blanket fort, please.