“Mommy?” asked the little filly.
The mare who had been leaving the room after tucking her child into bed paused. “What is it Dashie?”
“I was just wondering, what is it like to fly?”
The mare slightly sighed internally that her bed would have to wait a little longer, but smiled and turned back around to the small and cozy bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the sleepy foal underneath the warm comforter. “Well, to begin with, flying is unlike anything else in the world.”
“How so?” By this point, Rainbow Dash had scooted up more onto her pillow to look at her mother more easily, her eyes large and curious.
“When you fly on your own two wings, it feels even greater then you could imagine. The wind rushing through your mane, the thrill of the sky, leaving the forces of gravity behind to soar and fall in the air, all of it forms an experience that can’t be matched. Even if,” at this the mare reached forward and booped her daughter on the nose, causing her to giggle, ”a certain little filly insists that her parents give her ponyback rides all across the city. You’ll see it for yourself one day. Now, unless I’m mistaken, somepony needs to be going to sleep.” She gave a pointed look at the snug filly and got back up off the bed.
“Goodnight Mommy. I love you.”
“Goodnight Dashie. I love you too. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, the mare left and turned out the lights, letting only the light of the moon illuminate the child-sized bedroom.
“One day,” Rainbow Dash said, gazing out the window to the never resting cloud city, “I’ll be the best flier in all of Equestria.”
***
“Alright Miss Rainbow Dash, if you think that you know better than me on flight let me see your takeoff position. Or would you rather go back to your nap?” The teacher’s voice woke me up out of my mid-class doze. It was flight class. Not even an actually flight class, but pre-flight class! I had been studying on this for ages, I didn’t need a teacher to show me how to do it.
“Of course I know a takeoff position Mrs. Cloud.” It was one of the first things I read up on. I didn’t like reading as a general rule, but if I wanted to be the best flier in Equestria I had to make some sacrifices. I still hadn’t managed to get off the ground for very long though, my wings not yet strong enough to support my body. That didn’t stop me from trying though.
Okay, takeoff position. Legs spaced out, leaning slightly back so as to put the weight on my back legs, wings up and out so they met my body at a 35º angle. Check, check, and check. I smiled to myself, proud that I was able to back my excuse for napping.
The teacher looked over my position, sweeping her gaze up and down and finding no flaws worth pointing out. “Alright then, since you appear to have the takeoff preparation done, how about you actually take off?” She gave me a smug smile, as if thinking that I couldn't do. I’ll show you a takeoff!
I crouched down somewhat and jumped into the air, my wings flapping to keep me aloft and maintain my balance. I hovered in that air, waiting while my teacher gave me an appraising look. “Excellent form Rainbow Dash. You can sit down now and continue napping.” I was rather surprised. Usually when I was caught napping, I’d at least get a warning, not permission to continue. In a way, I was sort of disappointed that she didn't make me do anything more. It was the first time I had had to back up my flying claims and it gave me a thrill I hadn't had before.
After class had dismissed and I was about to start the short walk home, three of my classmates came over to me. They weren't being kind about it either, making me a little nervous. So, Score, Hoops, Dumb-bell. From what I’ve heard, they’re the typical school bullies. This won’t end well. I glanced behind me and saw the edge of a cloud, followed by open sky. Oh, how fantastic. I don’t even have an escape route unless I can fly.
“Hey, Rainbow Dash, what was with showing us up today in class?” Dumb-bell was leading the trio advancing towards the small filly.
“Yeah, you made us all look bad," said Hoops, supporting his leader.
“Well it’s not my fault for you all not studying up outside of class.” I waved my wings at them and continued, “We’ll be using these our entire life, so you might as well take some time out of your bullying schedule to look up some flying basics.”
They ignored my comments and kept advancing on me, forcing me to back up more and more. I looked towards the classroom for any sign of our teacher, but she was still inside doing Celestia knows what. “I bet she can’t do anything but hover and crash" mocked Score.
“Yeah, Rainbow Crash!” jeered Hoops. I cringed, feeling that that nickname would stick with me for life. I felt my back hoof reach the much less stable cloud edge and stopped, not taking my eyes off of the advancing bullies, but not responding to the various insults they were now throwing at me. Here it is, fight or flight time. In this case, literally. While I doubted that they would hurt me intentionally, accidents have happened. Flying over their heads would probably be the best option because I wasn’t so certain of three against one odds. I spread my wings and crouched in preparation for takeoff, but the lead pony, Dumb-bell, had already reached me.
“And what’s she doing now? About to show off again?” Unfortunately, he enunciated his last statement by stomping his hoof on the cloud. While that normally wouldn’t be a problem, he must have stomped a little too hard. A crack appeared in the cloud edge and the part I was standing on broke off, sending me falling.
Surprising to even myself, I didn’t scream as I started falling to the ground and my death. Oh shoot, what did those books say to do when recovering from a fall? Angle your body downward was the first step. Against all natural feelings, I pointed my head towards the ground. Slide open your wings and tilt them to slow your fall. Check. Glide until you slow down enough that you can flap. I managed to halt my direct plummet and instead gently glided on the wind.
What my mom said all those years ago was right. The breeze filled my wings, lifting me up along the warm western winds. My feathers were spread wide, pushing me along wherever the air would take me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, the adrenaline from my near death experience still coursing through my veins. With the extra energy, I started to fly.
I felt gravity’s chains fall down to the earth while I was free to soar through the heavens. I was one with the sky as I flew up and up, climbing higher and higher with each flap. My wings felt strong and comfortable, each feather quivering with the pleasure of finally realizing their true purpose beyond mere hovering. Being in the sky just felt so… right. I never wanted to leave, never wanted the wind flowing past my body to stop, never wanted the touch back down to earth and face reality.
For there in the place between the earth and the stars, I felt free.
Author's Note
So, I've never written Slice of Life before... I hope you all like it.
