A Soaring Hope

“My name is Sorin Cloud, and I’m one of the few remaining free ponies, let alone pegsai, in this war-torn world of Equestria.”

I couldn’t tell ya what the year it was or if it was still ruled over by the sun goddess, Celestia. But what I can tell ya….is that a lot has happened since that fateful day. The day the world turned to the brink of destruction. But I guess I should start at the beginning. Thousands of years ago, the twin sisters, Celestia and Luna, ruled the day and night respectfully. But then, one day, the younger sister, Luna, out of jealously and rage, refused to bring down the moon and became the being known as Nightmare Moon. Celestia, using the Elements of Harmony, sealed her sister in the moon and peace returned to the land. But it was not to last, as per predicted, on the thousandth Summer Sun Festival in Ponyville, Nightmare Moon escaped from her prison and descended onto the land, proclaiming that they would never she the sun, nor their princess again. But then, six would-be friends sent out to find the lost Elements of Harmony and stop Nightmare Moon, as well as save Princess Celestia. And after many obstacles but onto their path, they succeeded in finding the elements, stoping Nightmare Moon, and saving Princess Celestia. As well as releasing Princess Luna from the darkness in her heart. The six friends fought many battles after that, such as the Embodiment of Chaos, the Queen of the Changelings, and the Dark King of the Crystal Empire. But as to those dangers, the six had as many if not more happy times of peace and prosperity. But such as the thousand years of peace after Nightmare Moon’s first defeat at the hands of her sister, Celestia, this peace was not meant to be as well. For soon, a race of beings, alien to those of Equestria, came to the world and soon, hell broke loose. The first encounter was made by the wielder of the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie, as she met the being known as Painis Cupcake. Painis has been known for nothing else but devouring those around him. And as he met the Element of Laughter, he said what he normally says, his name and that he was to eat her. Taking it as a joke, Pinkie playfully dodged every move made by him and in ironic sense, ate Painis in one gulp. But that was the beginning, as for some weird reason, the two beings fused together and became the being known as Pinkis Cupcake. Around the same time, Rarity was in a local graveyard when she noticed someone mourning over a grave. When the man left, she came by to pay her own respects, when a spirit shot out of the ground. The spirit said that his name was RubberFruit, a freak, whose goal in life was to have everything and everyone. He explained that it was the full moon that brought him back and declared that Rarity was now his property. As he rushed at her to claim her, their souls fused as well. The same way that Pinkie’s had with Painis Cupcake. Regaining the memories of both beings, the hybrid known as RariFruit came into being. After that, one by one, the rest of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony well possessed by these freaks, until the day that the Princess of Magic and her loyal assistant were also taken over. After that, the true chaos began the likes of which the Spirit of Chaos, Discord, could only dream of. Those who fought back against them were either killed or changed like them. And even for the innocent ones, it was either run away and go into hiding, or become the same freaks that they had become. That’s where we come in. I’ve been hiding with a group of ponies ever since this whole mess began near the outskirts of Manehattan. I wanted to stay back and fight to protect my home of Cloudsdale, but I was just a filly at the time, and my father was able to get us out of there in time. But my drive to turn things right has only increased during all this time. So I’ve honed my skills in order to bring them down, but the last time I faced them, it almost cost me my life. That’s when Doctor Whooves suggested an idea that may turn the tide in this war, maybe even end it. That if we go back in time and stop this terrible fate from ever happening, Equestria will have a shining new future to look forward to, instead of the bleak and dissolute wasteland it is now. But...a future like that does come with a price, and I’d be willing to give my life for if need be.

Just then, my transmitter started beeping, informing me of a call. I set it on the floor in front of me as a 3D image of the doctor came into view.

“Sorin, it’s almost time. Can you come back now?” he said.

“Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute. Get everything ready, will ya?” I replied.

“Of course.” he said as the picture blinked out.

Looks like it’s almost time for me to leave this world behind me. But wither it stays the same or changes for the better is up to what I do next. All I hope is that fate smiles down upon me and my victory.

As I made my way back, the streets were empty and the buildings in ruin. But there is something in seeing old ruins in the glissading twilight, even though the ruins themselves aren’t that old. But luckily, nopony saw me as I made my way back to the base. It looks like a normal run-down storage facility on the outside, but that’s where the genius comes in. We built downwards into our secret base. Only those of us know there's even a base here. As I got inside, most of the other ponies were still looking over research, documents, and calculations for the trip. It took us two years to get it right, but we did it. A couple minutes in and I’ve found the doctor talking to some of the fellow scientists. As I walked near, he noticed me and came nearer as he said...

“Ah, Sorin. Glad you could make it back safely and in one piece.” he chuckled as he said that.

“Of course I made it back, man. Just who do you think you’re talking to, eh?”

“Yes, yes. I know how good you are. You are the one who helped us the most in gather field data for our research. Without it, I don’t know how many more years it would’ve taken us to get where we are now.”

“Always here to do what I can do, Doctor.”

“Yes, well, I’m not the only one who was waiting for you. And she was a lot more impatient than I was.”

“She? Who are you talking about…..Oh no, not…” I said as I was caught off guard by a pink Pegasus with a golden yellow mane flying at me with the speed of a bullet.

“SSSSSOOOOORRRRIIIIINNNNN! Your back, I’m so happy your safe.” said the excited mare as she glomped me to the ground.

Getting up after the glomp and dusting myself off, I said…

“Ugh…Flare. Why must you keep doing that after every time I get back here?” I asked, still in a little pain.

“Because, I don’t know if you’ll be okay out there or not if I’m not there with you.” said Flare.

“You know I’ll always be alright, right? Plus, didn’t I give a transmitter as well?” I said.

Still crying a little, she replied with.

“Yeah, yeah you did.”

“So then we can always talk to each other. And besides, as long as we’re both still alive, I’ll always be right here.’ I said pointing to her heart. ‘And you’ll always be in mine.”

“Hehehe, and that’s why your my coltfriend.” Flare said with a big grin on her face.

“And you’re my marefriend, Flare.” I replied as I went into a laugh and Flare followed suit.

As we were laughing, Doctor Whooves interrupted as he said…

“Sorry to butt in on this, but it’s time, Sorin.”

The laughs turned to seriousness and silence as I replied with a nod. Flare and I followed the Doctor to the teleporter room. As we got in, the Doctor gave me a blue hooded jacket. He then asked for my cloak and to put the jacket on.

“Honestly, I don’t ever get why you where that thing, Sorin. It just looks ugly on you.” said Flare.

I guess she’s right; I do look pretty handsome as a stallion. My coat is a cobalt blue with my spikey black and silver mane and tail. Although they said my magenta eyes are from my mothers’ side of the family. And my cutie mark is a yin-yang symbol behind a cross of two swords. I always thought that it was cool, since not that many pony’s cutie mark is that detailed. When I finished putting it on, Flare said.

“Now that’s a better look for you, Sorin.”

Curious, I asked. “Um, Doctor. I have one question about this. I mean it looks nice, but what is it for?”

“Well Sorin, that jacket that you are now wearing has an anti-space transporter for your seven elemental swords that you carry. Try summoning them with your mind and they will appear.’

I did just as he asked and in a flash of light, they appeared out of nowhere on my back and sides. I was astonished and amazed at this. And as I thought of sending them back, they went away in the same light. The doctor continued with what he was saying earlier.

‘Glad to see that it's in working order.”

“It’s amazing, Doctor. One of your best inventions yet.”

“Well I thought it would be a good idea not to always slug around seven heavy swords at once. Another neat thing is you can either summon one or more at a time, or just bring them all out. But enough about that that, there is one more thing I wish to give you.’

Flare and I looked at each other and then back at the Doctor as he got a square box with a lock. As he unlocked it, he said.

“Sorin, this belonged to your mother and was a symbol of her loyalty and courage. Wear it well with pride.”

As he opened the box, it showed a necklace made of gold with a ruby stone in the middle. The stone was in the shape of a lightning bolt. As I saw it, I knew exactly what it was. Confused, Flare asked.

“What is that, Doctor Whooves? It looks like an old piece of jewelry.”

Still in shock, I asked. “Is that what I think it is, Doctor?”

“Indeed it is, Sorin. This necklace is the Element of Loyalty, one of the six lost Elements of Harmony. This Element was worn by Sorin’s mother long ago, before she was possessed and turned into one of the Elements of Insanity. And now, this Element is belongs to you, Sorin.”

“But wasn’t your mother….” asked Flare before I cut her off.

“Yeah, she was. The fastest flier in all of Equestria back in her day, and the previous wieldier of this very Element… Rainbow Dash. But… is it right for me to wear this?”

   “Sorin, I wouldn’t know any other pony worthy of this element than you. Take pride in that, but don’t let it go to your head.”

I grabbed the golden necklace from its case and strapped it around my neck. Bedazzled, Flare said…

“It looks good on you, Sorin. Like you were meant to have it!”

“But Doctor, where did you get this from, and where are the other Elements of Harmony?”

“We were able to collect them from the castle in Canterlot before they attacked. Luckily, our agents were able to get out with them in time. As for the other elements, they’re in the vault, safe and protected.”

“But why haven’t you given them to any other pony?’ asked Flare. ‘With the Elements of Harmony, we can fight back. They’ve helped defeat others in the past, right? Like Nightmare Moon or even Discord.”

“That may be true, but the truth of the matter is… we haven’t found anypony with the characteristics of the elements, especially like those of the previous mane six, who are now our greatest enemies. So far, only Sorin has been able to draw out the full power of this element. And everypony else is too scared to even try with the others.”

“I see.”

“But do not fret, my dear. For that is why we are here today. The time has finally come to take back our world from those monsters and bring Equestria into a bright new future.”

“Your right, doctor. Sorin, are you ready?”

“I’ve waited my life for this moment, let’s do this.”

As we walked down the narrow hallway to the teleporter room, everypony looked upon us and cheered for our victory. It felt like we really were going to change this world for the better.

“You can do it, you guys!”

“Kick some Insanity ass, Sorin!”

“We all believe in you, Sorin!”

As we got inside the teleporter room, it was circular with monitors on either side and a huge tube on the back wall. With circuits running down the walls, floor, and ceiling, it must power the teleporter. While standing in awe, one of the scientists told me to enter the tube. As I made my way inside, the doctor gave me one more thing.

   “Here Sorin, one last thing.” said the Doctor as he put the watch-like device on my arm.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s a time-display tracker. It will keep track of what time you are in, as well as help guide the teleporter to that time. But not only that, it is also a two-way transmitter, so we may speak to each other. I have one as well, see?”

“As do I.” said Flare, showing it off.

‘You guys are the best. And don’t worry; I’ll make sure this time is set right.”

“As we all know you will.’ said the Doctor as he smirked. He then spun around as he yelled ‘Alright everypony, this is it! This is the moment we’ve been waiting for! Goldenlight, prime the teleporter!’

“Yes sir!” said Goldenlight.

“Raindust, set the year for 1023 of Celestia’s reign!’

“Yes sir!” said Raindust.

“Sorin, get the teleporter and prepare for launch!’

“You got it!”

As I got in, Flare came to the glass and said. “Come back safe, will ya?” As I looked her in the eyes, I said with a calm voice, “I’ll do my best.” She smiled back as I said that as she walked back.

“Alright everypony, we got one shot with this, let’s make it count!’ said the Doctor. ‘Get ready to launch in 3…2…1…”

Just then, a huge explosion occurred inside the facility. As everypony scrambles to get on their feet, Doctor Whooves asked on his intercom “Beaker, what happened out there?”

Beaker responded with “Doctor, it’s them! They’re here! The Elements of Insanity! They’ve found us! Oh sweet Celestia, noooo…” The transmission broke off there.

“Doctor, what’s wrong!? What’s going on?”

“Sorin, I’m sorry. But it’s them, they’ve found us.”

“The Elements of Insanity!” I said with a snarl.

***