//-------------------------------------------------------// Waiting For The Clouds To Pass -by Bronze Gears- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 On her way home from the weather factory, a grey pegasus with a teal mane, Sky Streak, trotted slowly down a path of clouds. She sighed from her boring, everyday routine of punching through clouds. The pegasus kicked her front hooves in the air and stretched her wings out, jumping off of the cloud sidewalk and into the sky. Sky Streak flew higher and higher until she reached the end of her front yard. The mare landed as gently as she could while trying not to poke any holes. Sky Streak trotted to her front porch then forcefully shoved her shoulder into the door trying to open it. After failing on the first try, she repetitively slammed into the door until it creaked open. Sky trailed into her empty house that echoed every time she stepped. Throwing her saddlebag onto the nearby coffee table, she flopped onto her couch headfirst and sighed loudly. I'm just glad I'm not a unicorn... Don't have to worry about stabbing a hole in my stuff... Or maybe just... I dunno... Getting your horn caught in something or whatever. Ah who cares? she thought to herself. I'm just bored here... There's nothing to see and nowhere to go... Suddenly, Sky Streak glanced up from the pillow hearing a soft whistling outside. The pegasus trotted to her window and looked down to see her a familiar Unicorn. A light blue unicorn with a messy yellow and green mane was looking up at Sky Streak from the ground, "Hey Lemon Lime." Sky Streak greeted after she opened the window. "Uh... Hey, Sky Streak..." Lemon said hesitantly, "I... I have to tell you something... And I-I don't think you'll be very happy..." She said glancing at the ground. Sky Streak frowned, "How could I not be happy around my one friend?!" Lemon Lime looked up again, "I'm uh... Well ya see..." She stuttered, "I'm moving..." "Oh....." Sky answered quietly, "Right... Well... Where to?" Lemon flattened her ears, "Across the country... To Fillydelphia," She explained, "It's the one place I could find a job." The pegasus sighed, "Well...... Ok... I'm sorry to hear that." "I... Yea... I'm sorry about that. Maybe we could send letters or something? Ya know... We could still talk to each other." Lemon suggested. Sky Streak shrugged, "I don't know... I guess." She agreed. "Ok. I'm sorry this had to happen, there just weren't any jobs around Ponyville." The Unicorn explained, turning around. "Yea..." Sky Streak said, "It's ok..... I understand." Lemon Lime sighed, "Well ok... I should probably get going." "Um. Ok... Talk to yea later?" Sky asked. Lemon shrugged, "Yea. I guess, why not? Anyways.... See you later!" Sky Streak sighed, "See you later, Lemon." They both waved goodbye and Sky Streak went back inside. The pegasus groaned and flopped back on the couch, throwing a pillow to the floor as hard as she could. "My god," She spat, "Celestia, what did I do!? The only pony who has ever cared about me is moving across Equestria. What did I do to deserve this!?" She yelled in the pillows. Sky Streak sighed and sat up, looking outside with moist eyes. After a moment of silence staring out the window again, Sky stood up and walked over to her saddlebag. She dug around until she found the newspaper and dragged it out onto the table. The pegasus stared at the front page, then flipped through each page with her muzzle, looking for the 'Travel and Hobbies' section. Or as Sky Streak liked to call it the 'Crap To Do When You're Bored' section. Sky finally found the page near the end of the newspaper and slumped where she stood. She scrolled through the list of popular things to do and places to go. Nothing. Well, nothing other than 'Touring Around Equestria'. Don't think she'll be doing that anytime soon considering how many bits she has in her bank account. After another minute of scanning the page, she noticed one suggestion. 'Visiting Old Friends' Sky Streak sighed, the last time she had real friends other then Lemon Lime was in grade school, and she's certainly not a time-traveler. Now, even Lemon is leaving. The pegasus rolled her eyes, trotted away from the table, and went to her room. Lemon wasn't even a great friend anyway. Sky thought grumpily, she trotted into her room and wriggled under the blankets in deep thought. She stayed silent for a while, and drifted off, her mind racing with wild adventures and unbelievable thrills. Climbing the tallest mountains, exploring forests, discovering animals and plants that are new to ponykind, seeing the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, the Wonderbolts. Everything that was too incredible to do in one lifetime. Maybe that was what she thought... The pegasus sat up and looked around, something was missing. Sky Streak didn't know what it was, but she knew somehow that something was missing. Something was ripping at her heart, and she wanted to find what that something was. Sky crawled out of her warm blankets and decided to go outside and take a trip around Cloudsdale. Sky Streak trotted outside and breathed in the outdoor air. Maybe I should come outside more... It smells better. She thought as she left her front yard. The pegasus realized there was no need to walk, so she whipped out her wings and raised into the air. Sky landed on a random cloud and glanced down at Cloudsdale, studying the city's architecture. It was bustling with Pegasi. She glanced at the cloud and rainbow factories that were busy at work puffing out new clouds and colors. The pegasus smiled at the beautiful city, and dived off the small cloud, plummeting to the ground. She swooped up moments before touching the earth and spread her hooves out. Sky Streak could feel the wind rushing past her ears and the clouds hitting the tips of her hooves. Though after the moment of silence and peace, the pegasus opened her eyes and slowed down, looking around to see if anypony was watching. Suprisingly, off in the distance on another cloud stood a stallion glancing over towards Sky Streak, though he turned and flew off eventually. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 Sky smiled slightly though it quickly faded and she soared away from the huge city. She dove from cloud to cloud, her wings striking the tip of each one making a soft "Whomp!" sound. The mare smiled slightly though stayed silent, she was too exgaughsted to say anything to herself. Sky landed on a vast cloud and glanced down at a puny village on the ground, she sighed seeing Unicorns and Earth Ponies littered the bustling, narrow streets. Each pony had at least one other pony next to them, chatting with grins spread across their faces. A teal Unicorn slouched on a bench next to her cream colored Earth Pony friend that lay calmly reading a newspaper. A single, fat tear rolled off her muzzle. She observed it dissolve into the cloud beneath her and rolled her eyes. The Pegasus closed her eyes and kicked out the floor beneath her and she plummeted to the earth. Moments afterwards she opened her moist eyes and realized she was dropping. She pulled out her dark grey wings and quickly stopped her descent by rapidly beating them in sync. She swooped upwards to a vertical position and rose to the cloud layer. The wind rushed past her ears and her bright blue mane and tail flailed in the air as she spun through the sky. Sky floated in mid-air and looked at her surroundings. For a far as the eye could see, ponies beamed brightly at each other, and she felt like the only depressed pony in Equestria. The next afternoon, she plunged downwards toward the same village she had noticed before. The Pegasus gently touched down to the dirt and glanced at it suprisingly. Something felt different. Missing. She looked up and observed the empty streets with a puzzled look. Was it a holiday or something? Are the Earth Ponies celebrating a national harvest? She had no idea. She trotted slowly through the suspiciously silent roads. The only sounds were her own hooves tapping against the dirt. Sky sighed heavily and drooped her head to the ground, dragging herself down the streets like a rag doll. The wind quietly whistled in her ears as she walked around the abandoned village. Suddenly, as if on purpose, a pink fluffy Earth Pony popped out of a bush behind her. "HEY! HEY YOU!" She shouted, bounding up to the Pegasus, "What's your name!?" Sky lifted her head and turned around, surprised somepony was outside, "Uh... Sky Streak. Why do you care?" The bouncy pony grinned immensely, "Because silly! I'm Pinkie Pie! And I know everypony!" "Yea... Right..." Sky said with a doubtful tone, "See ya later, I'll come back to this village when I'm happy." She said turning and walking away with her head low. Pinkie turned her head 90 degrees, "Ooh! Ooh! Where are you going?! Can I come?! Ooh! Ooh! I wanna guess! Uh... Las Pegasus?! Manehatten?! Canterlot!? Are you going to Canterlot? Fillydelphia!?" Sky stopped when she heard Fillydelphia and turned back towards the hyper mare, "I-I..." She stuttered and paused, "Everywhere. I'm going everywhere." She said and turned back around to fly away from the empty town. "Ooh! Ooh! Can I come?! I've always wanted to explore!" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly. The Pegasus stopped while in the air and sighed turning back to the mare, "I'm sorry... No. I kind of want to be alone." she explained turning back around. The pink mare bounded towards Sky watching her sadly, "But what's the fun in being alone!?" She shouted. "Like Discord always said, Pinkie... 'What's the fun in making sense?'" The pegasus answered flying away from the small empty town. Sky could overhear the mare's long, exaggerated sigh, "Why does everypony leave?" Pinkie Pie whispered, her eyes growing watery. The pegasus flew off regretting hurting the mare's feelings. She turned back once more noticing that the Earth Pony's bright, fluffy mane was now long and straight. Pinkie's head lay on the dirt and she now looked as depressed as Sky. She shook her head in silence then flew off towards Las Pegasus, the closest city. Besides, she had always wanted to visit ever since she was a filly. She glanced over at a nearby sign, wooden arrows pointed in different directions. A northwest arrow stated: Las Pegasus: 67 Kilometers Shrugging, she headed in the direction of the famous city by wing. There was no need to get a train for two reasons. She didn't have enough bits and it wasn't that far anyways. She ascended to a small cloud and gently landed, attempting not to punch through it. She sighed and looked towards her destination. She hadn't even left Ponyville though the bright, city lights were dimly visible. As she flew off of the cloud Sky realized the sun was setting. Orange, pink, red, and purple streamed across the vast sky. Small street lights from Ponyville flickered on along with lamps in houses. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 Sky glided through the air effortlessly. The clouds slowly began to vanish in the evening sky, uncovering the first few bright stars. The closer she flew to Las Pegasus, more lights from the city flickered on. The Pegasus could already here the loud, blasting music and chat from ponies down below. She descended to a large welcome sign that read: As she entered the edge of the city, Sky looked around noticing many other ponies hurrying down the streets, carriages with yellow and black stripes and checkers littered the bustling town. Ponies were running down dark alleys, some laughing and some crying. Finally after a long flight, the mare abruptly landed on a narrow, empty sidewalk. She glanced around at the slightly quiet road she stood at. Sky trotted slowly to the next stoplight and looked around again. Las Pegasus wasn't what she had expected. The atmosphere was gloomy and dark and the dim street lamps offered hardly enough light to keep the city illuminated. After a moment of standing next to the stoplight post a group of mares stumbled up next to Sky Streak mumbling and laughing. She quickly backed away from the messy bunch and waited for them to leave. A few unicorns fell to the concrete near her and she rolled her eyes. She continued to venture the streets for the next hour, curious to see anything interesting. After gliding down towards a small shop, she trotted slowly through the lanes and picked out a small blue and white hat with a navy blue tree in the center. She picked up and fit it on gently on with a smile. Suddenly, a deep voice spoke up, "Hey missy, you touch it you buy it!" A large brown stallion said firmly. With a sigh, Sky trailed up to the counter and purchased the hat. "That'll be 20 bits please." The stallion spoke lamely. Sky gaped at the expensive hat, though relunctantly flew away with the cap. She glanced around and noticed a dark blue stallion flying her direction, looking directly at her. Sky flapped her wings slightly harder and quickly looked back to see him even closer. She dove to the ground and quickly walked into yet another small store. The gentle jingle of the door bells made her wince slightly. The aroma of coffee and muffins filled the room and she sighed. It was a cafe. A few ponies were strewn around the shop, enjoying the silence. Sky turned back around once again as another pony had trotted in. The same stallion trailed behind her. She attempted to ignore his presence and swiftly left the shop. The mare behind the counter had a slightly disappointed expression, though Sky continued out the door. After gliding down to an intersection, she turned and quickly glanced around, unable to find the suspicious stallion. Suddenly, a quiet voice loomed over her head, "Looking for somepony?" The stallion was floating right above her mane. Sky glanced up at the pony and growled silently, "No. Why? Who are you? Why are you here?" She spoke with a rough voice. He smiled, "No reason," The stallion chuckled, "I just wanted to say hi to you, you don't look too familiar." She growled and began to step back gradually. "That's it?! Celestia. I've been trying to avoid you all night!" "So? I absolutely HAVE to say hi to all the newponies..." He grinned and started to trail towards her. "And could ya QUIT stepping in my hoofprints?!" Sky screeched frustratedly. "What's the matter?" He beamed, putting his hoof on her chest. Sky bit her lip and violently smacked his hoof away. "Stop it. I swear to Celestia." The stallion sarcastically put his hoof over his lips with a surprised shock. "Oh my Sky Streak! I didn't know you swore!" She growled then paused and stared into his eyes. "WHO ARE YOU. HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?" He put on a strict face, "I'm Beat Spark. You might not wanna talk to me like that, or else." "Or else WHAT?" Sky threatened, stepping towards him aggressively. "Or else somepony's gonna get HURT." He replied frustratedly. She sighed, rolled her eyes, and darted off into the sky. For a split millisecond she could feel the rush of wind before she came crashing down. Beat Spark had yanked her tail back to the dirt. "Listen to me, you piece of trash. You don't follow my instructions, you're gonna get hurt." He said forcefully. She growled and rolled her eyes. "What do you want from me already!?" He grinned and poked her hat, "Where'd ya get it?" "I don't know?! Some junky shop down there..." Sky pointed down the street. "Heh." He suddenly violently pushed Sky Streak up against a wall with a malicious smile. She gasped and squirmed in his firm grip. "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" "Oh, I don't know..." He smiled at her creepily. "DON'T YOU DARE DO ANYTHING YOU LITTLE IDIOT!" Sky freed one hoof and smacked his forehead. Beat quickly grabbed both of her front hooves and grinned. "Good luck trying to get away!" She quickly and violently kicked the stallion with her hind legs. Even though he crumpled to the ground, he still held a firm grip to her front hooves. Sky attempted to fly off though was held to the ground by the heavy stallion. He managed to stand up after a few moments and quickly slammed Sky back up against the wall. "Quit trying you little moron!" He managed to pin the mare back and beamed. "Now it's MY turn!" This time, all four of her hooves were stuck to the cold, brick wall. She had no idea what to do at this point. She was stuck.