Two Halves

"Look out there baby... Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes it is," responded a small Pegasus filly, looking out into the billowing, colorful clouds that gently graced the sky.

"Soon, you'll be out there with all of the others."

"Mom? I don't... I don't know if want to go. Not yet." The filly tentatively nestled her head against the mare's chin.

The mare sighed. "You need to honey. You can't stay under my wing forever."

"But it looks scary out there, mom."

"But there's much joy to be had. Now, please be strong for me."

"Okay..."

"Great. Now please, get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow." The mare gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and walked with her to the filly's room.

"Do you think they will be nice me, mom?" The filly asked as they walked.

"Of course they will, sweetie."

"Will I be able to keep up with them?"

"Yes, of course."

"But I haven't spent much time around other ponies yet. What do I say? Oh, mom, I'm scared."

The white mare gently tucked her into bed. "You will know, trust me."

"Okay." The filly got more comfortable under the sheets.

The mare began to sing a divine, peaceful melody as the filly slowly dozed off.

'Out in the clouds

Beyond the haze

Lies a young angel

With love and grace.

She looks around

For the swan

To see it flying

Until it's gone.

The light blows out

Into the wind

And so she thinks

The dream is gone.

But really she knows

It's in no way true

All will come through

The morning gloom.'

Once her eyes were completely shut, she could feel her mom's gentle lips touch her forehead.

"I will always love you. Never forget that."

---

The filly had long ago dazed off, hugging tightly to her soft pillow, when suddenly her eyes jolted open due to a muffled thud. She lay there breathing heavily, her eyes bolting around. 'It was just a bad dream,' she comforted herself. But still, something felt off.

She gingerly removed the covers from her body, bieng careful not to make a peep, and gently placed her hooves on the soft, wispy floor. Still, everything looked normal. On the other side of the room was the same old window looking out towards the grand structures of Cloudsdale. Her small desk was under it, and to her right was the door. Except it was cracked open. The filly faintly remembered hearing the door closing lightly before she fell asleep, just like every night.

Taking a deep breath, the filly nervously tip-hoofed towards the open door to investigate. As she slowly entered into the dark, eerie hallway, she heard a door creak, causing her to jump in fear.

Once she had calmed down, the young pegasus turned a corner in the hallway to see her mom's door cracked open slightly.

"Mom?" She called in a fearful, almost inaudible voice.

Nothing.

"Mom?" She said it a little louder this time, but still nothing.

She walked up and opened the door nervously. There was nothing but a small pool of blood on the bed where her mom should've been sleeping and a colt about her age standing there, horrified.

'Run,' the colt mouthed right before he was shrouded by a thick layer of black smoke.

And then nothing.