Light Fades Fast

Early dawn sunlight filtered down onto the street as Lsy prepared to make his way into town. He glanced at his stand and frowned with disgust. It had to be one of the ugliest structures in all of Equestria. Lsy had inherited the old structure from the master candle maker he had studied under. According to him, the decrepit stand had been around long before Lsy’s parents had been born. Years ago it had been painted a deep earthy green with shimmering letters written in gold paint advertising the candles. Now the paint was almost completely worn away revealing the rotting boards underneath.

Sadly Lsy nuzzled the frail shutters, now hanging by two rusty hinges. Lsy loved his stand and if he had the money would have long repaired it. But business had been dreadful. Since he had been evicted from his rented workshop the quality of his candles was awful. He ended up making them right on the street on the rare sunny day. Never had he felt more embarrassed than that first day he had to sell those awful candles. Lsy was glad his master could not see what he had become.

A wonderful smell began to fill the air, awaking Lsy from his reverie. Rumbling down the street was a baker’s cart laden high with steaming morning loaves. Lsy smiled as a pair of nearly identical tan earth pony mares pulled the cart to a stop in front of him. The mare closest to Lsy spoke up, “Well good morning to you Lsy! My, my you’re up with the birds I see. Planning on making some candles today?”

“Not today Crescent. It’s the cloud challenge festival today. Besides, a storm’s coming and I don’t want my hard work ruined.”

The second mare turned towards him, “What are you talking about Lsy? There’s not going to be a storm! Just look at the fine, sunny day we’ve got on our hooves. If you ask me it’s the nicest one we’ve had in quite a long while.”

“Yes, it’s nice out for now Peach. But look over to the North just behind the mountains. There’s a dark patch coming our way.”

Peach glanced to the mountains and sure enough a very menacing group of clouds could be seen blowing lazily down into the city. Frowning Peach regarded her sister, “Crescent he’s right! Ah, what are we going to do now? We went all out baking for the festival today too. How are we going to sell them all?”

“It’ll be alright Peach. Looks like we have a few hours yet. Just be your usual cheerful self and no pony will be able to resist.” Crescent looked at Lsy calculating, “But, we could use some extra help. What do you say Lsy, want to help us sell some bread? We’ll pay you with a couple of loaves. So how about it?”

“Well, I wanted to go to the library today.” Lsy’s stomach growled loudly as the tantalizing smells lofted into his nostrils. He hadn’t eaten in three days. “I guess I can go after the storm hits. Sure I’ll help!”

“There’s the spirit Lsy! Come on we’d better hurry!” Together the trio set off to the city center at a brisk trot.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The town center was alive with movement when they arrived. The worn-out stone buildings surrounding the center were adorned with colorful scraps of fabric used as make-shift banners. Inevitably the small center was packed with ponies coming out of the woodwork to support their favorite team. The teeming mass writhed with a tangible excitement. Carts laden with fair food surrounded the center where ponies of all ages played a variety of flight themed games. All around the sounds of laughter reverberated against the stones. They carefully pushed their way into a descent spot and started to set up shop.

Crescent insisted they eat before the festival got even more hectic so they all picked out a loaf. Lsy happily gobbled down the bread savoring the warm, fluffy interior that only the sisters could manage. Smiling he looked around at the great wooden stage in the very center of the circle. Around it stood six groups of sleek pegasi stretching and discussing their strategies for their upcoming test of will power. Lsy tried to be as excited as every pony else but couldn’t shake the oppressive feeling of foreboding that grew ever larger as the storm approached.

Lsy turned to Crescent, “Seems a bit odd doesn’t it? Why do we celebrate the day the pegasi announced they could no longer control the weather?”

Crescent sighed, rolling her amber eyes. “We aren’t celebrating their failure, we’re celebrating the possibility of returning control of the clouds to the pegasi. Besides, I don’t care what we’re celebrating as long as Peach and I can make some descent money. Don’t try to overthink everything alright?”

Lsy smiled and began to move out to advertise when Crescent stopped him. “Hey now Lsy why don’t you put on an apron?"

"Why? I'll be okay without one Crescent."

Crescent flushed pink and pawed the ground uncomfortably. She turned her head to glance at Lsy's promise mark and mumbled, "Don't want to draw any unnecessary attention do we?"

Lsy snorted angrily and stamped his hooves. This is exactly why he hated going out with Crescent and Peach. For the many years Lsy had known the pair, they always had been embarrassed hanging around with him. Sure they'd play and talk to him when they were alone, but put them in a crowd and they acted like complete strangers. Lsy snapped the apron up, "Fine! Sorry I'm such a distraction!"

Lsy had all but forgotten the morning's argument as a busy hour passed. Crescent had wanted Lsy to sing with Peach to get attention but Lsy flatly refused claiming only to know sad songs. It was very fun getting to see every pony so cheerful and eager for a good show. However, as if pulled by some invisible string Lsy began to wonder about Strya and her words to him, particularly about the missing promise marks. ‘Perhaps because they have lost direction, or hope...’ But looking around him Lsy couldn’t see what she meant. These ponies are happy, they aren’t sitting in despair but enjoying pleasant times with friends and family. Strya must be mistaken, we haven’t lost hope at all.

Suddenly a loud voice broke through the festive air and slowly the chatter died away. On the central stage stood a middle aged unicorn announcer with a ruby coat magnifying his voice magically. He spoke up, “Hello and welcome to the annual Cloud Challenge. This year we’ve got some promising new stallions in the race and a few favorites.” He nodded to the team with aqua robes and proceeded to give the names of all the teams and their players. “The goal of this little competition is simple. Try to kick the clouds away and change the weather. The team who accomplishes this task we’ll be well rewarded by the mayor who has placed a thousand bit prize.” There was great deal of excited murmuring at this and every pony turned eagerly back to the announcer.

“Well then, one final note before we get started. This storm behind me is looking to be a rather big one so I would advise are team members and you our wonderful audience to be extra careful today. If the weather gets too bad best to go home. Understood? Good then let’s go!” He blew loudly into a horn and the teams shot up into the darkening sky.

Normally the festival completion was rather easy to keep track of as the sky was generally only grey. Today was different however, the terrifying mass of clouds began to blot out the sky and all that could be seen of the teams were blurs of color whizzing in and out of the storm. The crowd grew nervous and a great deal of excited murmuring went on. Lsy began to grow restless himself and slowly inched his way to the stand's base in order to see the competition more clearly.

The winds began to pick up and howl violently as if some great monster was breathing hard into the center. Ponies began to shiver and even the announcer grew pale and whispered to the mayor. The Announcer addressed the crowd, “Well folks I’m afraid the storms getting too dangerous for our fine competitors. The competition is being called off.” He blew loudly into a second horn and slowly the teams flew back.

As the last stragglers landed, the aqua team looked very nervous. Their team leader flew to the stand, “Has any pony seen Silver? He should’ve come down with Alek but didn’t.”

A frantic burst of talk erupted around the center as ponies looked around for the missing pegasus. Just then a great burst of wind blew hard on the square, knocking over fillies, colts, and carts. In the back of the crowd some pony shouted and pointed up.

High in the clouds a pegasus was flying, no hurtling to the ground. He didn’t stir, as though the storm had knocked him unconscious. His teammates leapt into the sky to lift him but it was too late. With a sickening crunch the silver pegasus hit the hard cobbles of the center and lay still. Lsy shuddered when he saw a white figure fly away from the stallion and he knew. Strya had come for the pony. He shook as the announcer looked over the stallion and spoke, “He’s dead.”

An unearthly silence now filled the center. Not a pony stirred nor did they speak as a cart was fetched to carry the body. Snow had begun to fall fast onto the square and onto the backs of the crowd. And yet, no pony dared to break the Sabbath stillness surrounding them. A massive bay earth pony then slowly pushed his way onto the stage, “Silver was a good kid so let’s see he’s sent off right.” Then he began to sing a slow, sad tune,

“In this dark lonely city we live out our lives

For many years we toil alone

Many years we try to escape

With each day we fade ever farther,

No more will I leave this place,”

Slowly the crowd joined in with the stallion, singing mournfully.

“No more will I smell the meadows

No more will I touch the sky

For I’m doomed to lie here in this darkness

Till I go home and leave this ol’ place behind”

As Lsy sung he looked toward the center and was shocked by what he saw. There by the dead stallion was Strya singing melodiously along, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“So take me home, where I’ll see my mother

Take me home where I’ll be at peace

For I’ve nothing left to hold onto,

Nothing more have I to give,”

Slowly a group of ponies pulled a cart toward the body and carefully lifted Silver onto it. The crowd continued, the tune reverberating across the circle and carried into the wind.

“So remember me when I go

Remember the good times we’ve had

For our lives are but a dim flame

And in this world light fades fast”

Wordlessly the crowd dispersed to their homes. Not a sound was made as merchants packed up the carts. Together the fillies and colts worked to collect all the banners and toys from the cobbles. Lsy went to assist in tearing down the stage. In less than half an hour the square had reverted to its’ usually bleak, open appearance. The storm was fast upon them and snow was being blown in all directions. Lsy walked over to help Crescent and Peach finish up and handed back the apron. He smiled sadly as they left together down the side street.

After a distance Lsy stopped, “I need to go back to the library now. Will you two be all right by yourselves?”

“Just fine Lsy.” Crescent whispered looking worriedly at Peach who had been crying to herself all the way. “We’d best get home. If the storm’s too bad you can stay with us tonight.”

“Thank you Crescent.” Lsy turned and walked back towards the center, bracing against the stiff wind. Thinking to himself, truly we are cursed for a perfectly healthy pegasus to die like that.But if it is a curse there must be some way to reverse it. If there is I’ll find it!