On a wing & a prayer

On a wing & a prayer.

“Today we’re discussing the case of seventeen year old Quick-Bolt. The charges against this him are those of horrific detail. This young colt had supposedly broken into the house of a local farmer, Berry Punch, & proceeded to rape & rob her. There was a disturbing truth reviled when princesses Celestia & Luna themselves judged the trial. The crowd was in an uproar when Quick-Bolt was found innocent. So much so that he had to be led out of the courthouse by a group of Royal Guards. We will have more on this news as it continues...” The radio was turned off & a few of the surrounding ponies grunted in discuss.

“Can you believe that crap,” the oldest pony in the room said, “That piece of trash actually got away with hurting that poor mare."

“He better hope I don’t get a hold of him.” A younger colt threatened.

Their discussion was cut short when a colt entered the store. His face was clearly familiar to the surrounding ponies.

“Well look at what we got here,” one of the mares said, “It’s the big bad rapist himself.” Quick-Bolt froze in mid-stride, knowing there was going to be a fight if he didn’t handle the situation wisely.

“Please just leave me alone.” Quick-Bolt pleaded, much to the amusement to the advancing stallions.

“I bet Berry Punch said the same thing before you raped her.” The largest colt in colt in the room accused.

“Look, I don’t care what you’ve heard about me, but Berry Punch admitted to making up the whole thing. “ Quick-Bolt snapped.

“Yeah, after the princesses told her to.” One of the onlookers called, advancing on Quick-Bolt.

“That’s a flat out lie.” A voice called from the doorway.

All the ponies turned to face the voice, but flinched away once they realized who it was.

“P-Princess Twilight,” The shop owner stuttered, “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

Twilight looked around the room & walked over to Quick-Bolt, “I was just checking to see what was taking my colt-friend so long in here,” she said, putting a protective hoof around the scared colt’s neck, “Come on Quick-Bolt. It looks like we need to find another store to conduct our business.”

The two ponies walked out of the shop, & back into the crowded market place.

“Can you believe the nerve of those ponies, “Twilight exclaimed “I mean come on, Princesses Luna & Celestia telling a pony to lie?”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Quick-Bolt muttered, clearly upset.

“Don’t let those guys get to you,” Twilight said, trying to cheer up the depressed colt, “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you go back to the library. I’ll get the rest of the groceries.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea,” Quick-Bolt asked, “What if those ponies follow me?”

”Good point,” Twilight said, thinking for a moment, “come with me.”

Twilight led Quick-Bolt through the crowded market place, ignoring the dirty looks they were getting. After a few minutes, she stopped in front of an apple cart.

“Hey Applejack, can I talk to you for a minute?" Twilight asked.

She left Quick-Bolt’s side & went to talk to Applejack. She wasn’t even gone for a full minute before some ponies started to crowd around the nervous colt.

None of them said anything, but Quick-Bolt could tell they were out for blood.

“What’s all this about?” Big Mac asked, breaking through the mob.

“Kick his ass Big Mac!” one of the mares in the group called, along with a few shouts of agreement.

Instead of doing what the mob wanted, Mac stood protectively in front of Quick-Bolt. He was soon joined by; Fluttershy, Spike, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, & RainbowDash.

Twilight returned & took in the scene, “What is wrong with all of you ponies? Do any of you actually have the slightest bit of evidence to convict this poor colt?”

None of the ponies answered, but none of them left the mob.

Quick-Bolt sighed & looked Twilight in the eyes. They shared a longing look before he spoke to the mob.

“If all of you are so quick to judge me then fine, I’ll leave Ponyville & never come back.” He said, much to the pleasure of the surrounding ponies.

“If he leaves, than so do I.” Twilight called.

“Me too.” RainbowDash agreed.

All of his friends agreed until all of the elements of harmony & the Apple family were threatening to leave.

“Hold on every pony,” Mayor Mare said, “Maybe we’re acting a little hastily.”

“I’m glad to see that somepony is thinking…” Twilight started, but the mayor cut her off.

“I mean not only are we talking about the elements of harmony, but the Apple family makes up for over 50 % of Ponnyville’s income.” she explained.

“Fuck it,” Quick-Bolt said, & flew off, “I hope this town burns to the ground!”

“Quick-Bolt wait,” Twilight called, but it was no use, “I hope you all are happy.”

Twilight then flew after Quick-Bolt, followed by their friends.

Quick-Bolt kept flying, until the pain in his wings matched the pain in his heart.

The town had long since passed, & he was now flying through one of the many mountain ranges that surrounded Ponyville.

Quick-Bolt landed on the highest peak he could reach & looked over the edge, “God damnit,” he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Why did this have to happen to me?”

He took another step towards the cliff & closed his eyes, “It would be so easy to end it all,” he said, letting a hoof dangle over the ledge, “So easy.”

He opened his eyes & something caught his attention. Quick-Bolt turned & faced Twilight, who had a wary look on her face.

“What do you want?” Quick-Bolt asked, with more spite than he meant to.

“I just wanted to talk to you.” She answered, moving a step closer, but not risking another one.

“Where are the others?” he asked, avoiding eye contact.

“They’re all waiting at the base of the mountain…for you.” Twilight said.

“I don’t know why you want to be with me,” Quick-Bolt said, taking a step away from the ledge, “ponies are going to say thing about us.”

“I’m a princess. Ponies are always saying things about me.” Twilight said closing the gap between them, & pulling Quick-Bolt into a tight hug.

Quick-Bolt finally looked Twilight in the eyes, & he could tell that she had been crying as well, “Let’s not keep the others waiting.” He said taking flight.

The pair took their time on the way down, just enjoying each other’s company, & when they did l&, Quick-Bolt was embraced by all of his friends.

“Let’s head back to town,” Fluttershy suggested, “We have some packing to do.”

Quick-Bolt froze in place, “Wait, you guys can’t be serious,” he said, “What about all of your jobs?”

“We can always find new jobs.” Pinkie Pie beamed.

“Now all we have to do is decide where to move.” Rainbow Dash added.

“We can move to Appleoosa,” AppleJack said, “They have an apple farm, & a library. They need pegasi to help with the weather; they need a place to buy some sweets. A lot of ponies could use some new clothes, & they have a whole mess of animals that could use some T.L.C.”

“That’s actually a good idea,” Twilight congratulated, “I’ll write Celestia & have her notify the town of our immanent arrival.”

They continued their way back to town, & after a few minutes, Quick-Bolt noticed a pillar of smoke in the distance, “What in the wide wide world of Equestria is that?” he asked, pointing out the intrusion.

“NO,” Twilight gasped in denial, “It can’t be!” They raced back to town & the shock of what they seen brought tears to their eyes.

Every building in town was engulfed in angry red & yellow flames. The towns-ponies rushed around, trying to keep the fire from spreading.

“AppleJack, Pinkie pie, Spike, & Big Mac, you four help evacuate the town,” Quick-Bolt said, taking charge, “Twilight & rarity, try to keep the fire from spreading, Flutter shy & Rainbow Dash, help me gather enough rain clouds to put this fire out. Come on ponies!”

They all went to work & all was going well, until Quick-Bolt heard somepony call for help. He looked around & spotted Carrot Top waving from a window.

He flew into her building, but before either of them could do anything the main support beam for the house snapped, bringing the roof down on the ponies inside.

The only thing Quick-Bolt could do, before the fire killed them, was shield Carrot Top with his body.

The scorching flames burned Quick-Bolt to his core, but he didn’t care. At least he did one good dead before he died.

The last thing that happened before Quick-Bolt blacked out, was a large chunk of wood fell from the ceiling & smashed against the colt’s body.