When The Skies Are Proud
A side story by Quillo Manar
Based off of a story by Cerulean1313
Prologue - The Skies Have Fallen

"We will see who is on top when the Wonderbolts perform for me personally. Oh yes, I doubt you’ll be so cocky then, whelp.” Exclaimed Proud Skies to the arrogant messenger before turning to his desk. 'Storm Blitz and his whorse of a marefriend will rue the day they taunted me in front of the Princesses and delegates. Worse still they managed to have the Princesses on their side in the entire event! I swear, I will crush one dream for every taunt they threw at me, it's only fair after all.' A wicked grin grew on the mayor's face as he thought of different ways to ruin the dreams of his nemeses. "I wonder if there are any delicate strings I can cut that are tying that whorse to her house?" He thought aloud, he'd have to research that before he can do it, but anything is possible with power… and he'd have to teach those foals a couple of lessons about messing with power.

Everything was falling into place for Proud Skies, so what a couple of ponies got hurt along the way? All is fair in the fight for balance. He returned to finishing off the latest improvements to his 'Legislation of Equality', the way he sought to improve this was to make sure that everypony will have their place in society, and make sure that everypony contributes to the treasury. Improvements to the city can't be done on an empty wallet after all. Nopony had a right not to help improve the city.

Not a sound was present after his outer musings died down, spare the sounds of a quill deftly making its way across a page. Proud Skies was making sure that there would be absolutely no mistakes in his bill, there will be absolutely no reason why the Princesses can turn him down this time. Everything was perfect.

A scribble and a dot was heard before the bill was closed. Perfection. This isn't going to help your campaign, sir. Those words repeated themselves in his mind. A frown appeared on his face, "What does that foal know? Of course it isn't going to help my campaign, my campaign doesn't need any help." With those final words he left his study room to retire to bed, a night of planning plays havoc on the mind and back and he was just about ready to fall asleep. Before he is able to do so tonight though, he was overcome with the desire to get a breath of fresh air. He made his way to his master bedroom in his palace like government building positioned in the centre of his marvellous city to reach the veranda. He opened the doors and stepped outside.

The night was cold, exactly what he wanted after the rigmarole of trying to make flawless his proposal in a stuffy, windowless room, he closed his eyes and sighed in bliss as the breeze flew delicately across his mane and down his back. After a short while of silence he looked up and saw the sky, littered with stars. The glowed and shimmered, unlike anything that he has seen before. His mind was forced to recall tales of old, many a tale depicted that the stars shimmered whenever the Princess of the Night was overcome with happiness of the highest degree… either that or she just sneezed. He hoped it was the former, because this would mean that the Princess knows that he finally completed his bill and filled in any loop holes and she is happy that balance can be maintained.

He turned around and headed back into his room and shut the doors to the veranda behind him, cancelling out the outside world from the tranquility of his room. Proud enjoyed his quiet solitude as he made his way to his bed. Everything was perfect. He reminded himself as he slithered into his cold and empty bed. He fought back a shiver as he dug deeper into his sheets. He wrapped himself tightly in them to shun the reality around him. He preoccupied his mind by recalling his schedule for tomorrow. Skies was most looking forward to tomorrow, though never will he actually admit it, but he has always saw the Wonderbolts as equals. Their continued contribution to his fame was a big part as to why he kept them around. In fact they should be thanking him that he prevented that whorse of a mare from sullying his trust in their performances.

He closed his eyes and awaited sleep, although, every night sleep seems to be further and further away from him. Every time he gets close, his mind jars him back to reality with the fact that his bed is cold, and Proud Skies was alone in his master bedroom in the palace-like mansion in the centre of his great city. Everything was perfect, he'd remind himself, but then he'd shiver and reality will call back the notion that he is in fact…

Abandoned.

Cloudspire was roughly three times the size of Cloudsdale, with five times as many residents. Nearly half of the inhabitants had shown up to watch the Wonderbolts perform, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they fell under. It was ten minutes before the show was to start, and Proud Skies sat in the best booth, waiting for the Wonderbolts to give their opening speech in his honor, a sure fire way to soothe the petty dissent for his actions at the tryouts. Really, how much could this mindless herd care about some pony half way across Equestria when he was having the best brought in so they can see for themselves?

Proud Skies was becoming impatient, but only very slightly. He caught a glimpse of the two leaders of the Wonderbolts arguing at each other in a very heated debate. At least, it looked like a debate, he couldn't be sure. While shows are spectacular from this booth, many details are obscured from there. Details like what they were talking about, but surely it can't be that important, because it looks as though the Captain is ignoring her subordinate. Yet another excellent example of how balance of power is to be maintained; Captains on the top, and everypony else below.

"Fillies and gentlecolts," Came the announcers voice from out of field, demanding the attention of the crowd, "we welcome you to the twentieth annual Cloudspire Wonderbolts Durby! But first, as always, a word in thanks to our sponsor."

Proud let the smallest smile break across his lips as the blue-and-yellow suited ponies made their way onto the centre stage, ready to declare their utmost gratitude for being able to perform for the mayor of this wonderful city. The crowd agreed with this sentiment as their roars were almost deafening, it is such a good thing that the Wonderbolts know how to control a crowd. Much like how Skies does on a daily basis, controlling mindless peons might seem like a hard task, but it's as simple as signing a name. He looked towards the show mare with a look of success and beamed at her. She returned his gesture with a smile of her own, until she flashed a scowl in his direction. This confused him a bit and his winning smile faltered before he remembered, she is just controlling the crowd.

A quick couple of taps on the microphone silenced the roars of adulation from the ponies in the bleachers, such control! “Citizens of Cloudspire, thank you for coming. Know that this show was sponsored by none other than your very own Proud Skies.” She pointed towards the booth that the mayor resided. Proud allowed himself a moment of greatness as he waved to the crowds' cries of glee, “And it is on his account that there will be no performance.”

Dead silence.

He paused… Did he just hear that right? They are not going to perform for him? Such audacity! She now plays a game of power that she can't possibly win, "You there!" He shouted in anger as he pointed to one of the ponies in the room, "Bring me a microphone!" His request was quickly hoofed to him as he jumped out of his chair, his face twisted into one of pure anger and hatred.

"What is the meaning of this insult!" He near shouted into the microphone.

She muttered something away from her mic before turning back to respond, “Citizens of Cloudspire, I’m sure you’ve all heard about the most recent tryouts we held to determine the next Wonderbolt we’d let into the team. The pegasus that won was the best I’ve seen since Lightning Wing, whom I’m sure you all remember.” She paused as Proud narrowed his eyes, focusing on the mare that dares insult him and cancelling out all other sound. “This mare, by the name of Rainbow Dash, was trained by Lightning Wing’s methods. She has trained her whole life for a chance to become one of us, and that day, her dreams would have come true.” Unlikely. A whorse of her standard could never hope to dream of being a Wonderbolt! “Proud Skies had her wrongfully disqualified without cause.” That was the turning point, Proud went from quietly fuming to outright raging. He had every right to disqualify her! She was disrupting the balance! “Hear me, Proud Skies! We will not perform until she is allowed on the team!”

How dare she expect to tell him what to do, he paid for them! They have to follow his command, not the other way around! “You cannot command me, I payed my dues and for today, you are mine! Proceed with the show or I shall have you arrested for disturbing the peace!” If he was less focused on belittling the mare that dare defy him, he would have noticed a few pegasi that dare try to attack him. Luckily though, some ponies can actually do their job.

The blue skinned one wrenched the mic out of his leader's hoof, maybe he can fix her mistakes, “You can burn with your bits, Proud Skies!” He cried. Apparently not, Proud's anger topped the charts as he threw the microphone to the ground, turning away from the tirade of abuse coming from the flying duo and their supporters.

"SECURITY! ARREST THOSE MISCREANTS!" he shouted to the black clad security ponies who were wrestling a few angry peons to the ground.

"Which ones sir?" The Security pony asked before being interrupted by the Wonderbolt.

“We do not perform for money, but for passion! Cloudspire, if you ever wish to see us return- "

Disregarding the final cry of the offending flight team he yelled back an order to the agent, "I don't care, all of them!" With that, Proud fled the scene, breaking passed the security agents barring the doors to his booth. He darted out from the stadium and took flight over the hoards of angry ponies. He flew towards his manor, any pony that thought it right to chase him were quickly apprehended by security.

His mansion wasn't that far away from the stadium, but Proud Skies wasn't used to flying at such a speed, but flying for your life does wonders on your stamina. It was just over 5 minutes when he touched down on his veranda's step, the sweat that formed on his brow and his aching wing muscles were forgotten as he barrelled into his study. He grabbed at his suitcase, tore it open and stashed his revised legislation into it. He nodded with a final huff and left his study abandoned. He bucked the door shut behind him and didn't even bother to lock it as he tore out of his front door, bowling over anypony who got in his way. Immediately he took off for the nearest town's train station, paid his fare, and boarded the train to Canterlot. He was going to have this bill approved, then he will ruin the lives of the Wonderbolts that dare defy him. One by one, they will all fall into oblivion, but first he will need to destroy the life of that arrogant Captain.

Two days is a long time to wait on a train, but with enough sleep and scheming the time should pass in the blink of an eye. Unknown to Proud though, time passing in the blink of an eye is the exact opposite of what he needed.

Two days have passed

Proud Skies waited for three eternities to get in front of the castle meeting room. Surprisingly it was not very difficult to get an appointment with the Princess… Usually it would take about three days of constant reminder to get inside, but all it took this time was a simple sign in. Not that it mattered of course, he had it all worked out, go in, demand the bill be approved at the price of letting that whorse into the Wonderbolts, then get out before anything else can go wrong. There is absolutely nothing preventing him from getting this bill approved. It was that simple, what can possibly go wrong?

that's it! he said it! he is doomed!

"Proud Skies? Princess Celestia will see you now," the guard at the front door said with a scowl in his direction. Proud Skies flicked his head up in determination as he entered the room. He was going to get this bill approved, no matter what happens.

He summoned what was left of his pride and engaged his political mask.

"So happy you could find the time to see me, Princess Celestia," he said sarcastically, he chose to sit in the chair at the very opposite of her throne and slammed his briefcase on the table. He spotted the Princess' sister on her throne as well, she attempted to say something but a brief gesture from Celestia stopped her. "Now, before I ask you what you’ve decided, let me give you some information I think you’ll find quite interesting. A certain mare that I believe you know personally, Miss Rainbow Dash, has been disqualified after winning the Wonderbolt’s Tryouts, but I may be willing to rescind my order if you should smile favourably upon my edict.” He felt his stone cold mask begin to chip away at the sight of the Night Goddess' piercing glare, he wasn't going to let her get away with it, "You can glare away, Luna, but I have the upper hoof! The time has come for you to decide, Celestia!" Celestia began to chuckle, something isn't right, she should have said yes right away, why is she laughing? Luna's gaze fumbled under the gentle calming weight of her sister's hoof.

"So, is that what you think?" Proud had no response, in truth, he was waiting for confirmation, what she said next only proved to confuse him further. "Luna, bring them in." The younger alicorn left the scene with a smirk, and returned shortly after. It was who she returned with was what stopped Proud's heart and confidant demeanour. The bastard Storm Blitz with the little runt Scootaloo on his back, Flying Grace with Quakehoof, and that whorse Rainbow Dash all entered and bowed before the princess before sitting at her side, the little brat sat on her pathetic brother's lap, she never once lost her gaze on Proud. Celestia continued when all were seated, "Flying Grace, Luna and I thought it be fitting that you see what is about to unfold. I hope I find your approval.”

A small stack of papers levitated under Celestia's magic onto the table in front of the stunned mayor, pushing away his briefcase with his bill in it. She played her hidden royal flush, "So tell me Proud, who has the upper hoof now?" Celestia asked with a smirk.

"Mom, what are those?" Proud's arrogant ex-son asked, Skies' face was pale, near white. Proud Skies recognised these papers, oh did he recognise them. They were letters, little harmless letters, with a couple of names. Harmless names, written in ink. Harmless, simple ink. Yet no matter how he put it in his mind, no matter how harmless they might seem, they were Proud's one and only downfall, and he knew it.

The Night Goddess was nothing to mess with, when she needed to be scary, she was, as dictated not by what she said next, rather how she said it, “Those, Storm, are confessions of the vilest sort. This repulsive knave has, according to these documents, ordered the execution of Lightning Wing and was planning that of a second, thy future sibling,” it was a hiss, almost like that of a snake preparing to strike. Proud's world melted away, nothing mattered anymore, the only thing that existed was him, those letters and a warning...

'Now listen good, Proud, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. Flying Grace has files in her possession, files that can not only break you, but destroy your name. She knows what you have done to her father, and what you are going to do to her child. If you do anything more to her family, she will release them to the public, if you leave them alone, then you can continue your pathetic excuse of a life. Let this be your final warning, Proud, leave… them… alone…

Skies shrunk further into his chair as he remerged from his memory, "Y-you c-can't prove any of t-this!" he stuttered in fear as he slipped out of his chair, slid the papers off the desk and began to trample and destroy them as best he could, this display only served to entertain the princesses and family further as Celestia calmly replied with a smile.

"Luna, if you would be so kind?" The Night Princess left the room again with a greater smirk then last time on her face, only to return with… Nightshade and BloodStitch, the two names on the letters. The ponies that can break and destroy his name. "Now, I believe I offered you both a reduction of your sentences for your testimony?" Celestia reminded the two ponies, "I do believe our audience would love to hear what you have to say."

Proud reacted quickly, attempting in vain to reconstruct and preserve is already disintegrated pride and status, he stood and yelled to the Princess, “I don’t know these ponies! Whatever they say is lies!”

"You're the one who lied, you said you would protect me!" The convicted assassin yelled, pulling at his chains trying to escape before he was shoved to the ground and silenced by the guards.

“He is just as guilty as I am, your Highness." Bloodstitch said with a fierce determination in his eyes after his brother in chains was pushed to the ground, "I will accept my punishment; there is blood on these hooves.”

Celestia commended their honesty, and had them sent away. Proud barely reacted, his chin hit the floor as he fell, staring at the shredded papers that very well represented his name. His anguish repeated itself in his mind, 'It's all over, I'm done for, it's all over, I'm done for…' He didn't even react when Storm approached him and stood him up, only for him to crumble to the ground once more.

"Come on, Proud, take it like a stallion for once in your life." The titan of a pegasus said down to him, smirking on his cowardice.

'…it's all over, I'm done for, it's all over, I'm done for…'

"Yeah, seriously, this is getting embarrassing," his marefriend quipped as she cantered merrily towards her lover, "Oh, don't worry, there are plenty of rocks who will listen on the moon."

Proud nearly fainted when he heard what the Princess of the Night responded with, "Dear sister," with all the innocence of a younger sister, "the mare maketh a good suggestion. What say you?"

'…it's all over, I'm done for, it's all over, I'm done for…'

"Nay, Luna, it would disgrace your fair moon. There is no place in Equestria for this filth," Celestia stalked over to Proud and stood menacingly over him, from his position all he could see of her were her shining mane, near glistening coat, and glowing eyes. She looked like the depiction of the afternoon day, ever harsh and unforgiving, "Proud Skies," she addressed, his world became her voice as it echoed around the room and in his mind, no bit of malice spared, "for your crimes against this family and for murder, you shall be banished from Equestria. Should you be seen within my domain again, I shall not be so lenient. You will have three days and no more to make it to the border," She punctuated her sentence with a stomp of her foreleg, an illusion spell directed at Proud made arcane magic spike out from under her hoof, "Also, all your assets shall be handed over to Flying Grace, and your marriage is hereby annulled. Additionally, as you, a pegasus, have shown such disrespect for your own kind, you shall live the rest of your days without your wings. Luna?"

'…itsalloverimdoneforitsalloverimdonefor…'

Time seemed to slow as the Night Goddess skipped over to where Proud was grovelling in fear, his mind was switched back to an almost primal state in the fury of the two goddesses of the land. He felt himself be lifted up in a dark blue aura belonging to that of the merry Princess. What he felt next, what he felt, was a sensation and pain like no other. All of his feathers were stripped off in sequential order as his wings shrank and melded with his back. To everypony else, this lasted for naught but a second. To Proud, the pain carried on for a millennia. Luna knows how to be cruel, she knows how to be so very cruel. She could have used a spell to make the preceding harmless, but instead made his cries mute.

He felt every one of his feathers pulled out of their sockets, one by one they detached and fell to the ground. There he was, writhing in the air, screaming a muted scream. The featherless wings started to crack as it felt like his bones were crumbling into dust, grinding into a fine paste beneath his skin as they ever so slowly merged with his back. He can no longer feel, and the world sank around him. He lost his wings, he lost his wings. He dropped painfully to the floor. He looked back to see the damage he felt.

They were gone… His wings were gone…

In a vain attempt to regain his lost limbs, he madly shovelled up a hoof full of his former feathers and stabbed them painfully into his back, doing naught but break the skin. He bled as pain flared further in his back but still he attempted to put them back in. A single feather remained stabbed into his back in a dumb mimic of it's former glory.

The feather fell in synchronisation with him as he fell to the floor and silently wept as his world crashed around him.

Somepony totted up to him, he knew not who it was, but he knew that he hated them, he hated everypony so much. Then came a voice, a mockingly haughty voice, the voice like that of several quills on a blackboard.

It echoed with that of a voice forgotten from his past.

"Do not worry, for alas, wings are only for flying, am I not correct?"

He briefly remembers losing his sanity, everything else fades into the oblivion of regret. He knew that he lunged at the offending pony after they finished speaking. He then felt propelled back by a great force to smash onto the ground behind him.

Proud played a game of power that he never had a chance of winning.

'It's…

All…

Over…'

Author's Note

Thank you Cerulean for permission and Thank you Ominous for not finding out yet. :3

Three things:
1) Quillo do good?
2) There will be mistakes, I challenge YOU! The pedantic reader, to help me find them and fix them.
3) There will be puns.