Blue Star's Origin Story

by RoadieTurbo

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 8161

"I'm often told that sometimes hardships make us a better pony,
but what happens when all you have to hold onto is a glimmer?
I'm Blue Star and this is my story."

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-12 14:30:08 UTC

Blue's School Day

Blue Star's Origin Story

Chapter 1: Blue’s School Day

Mini-Prologue:

Blue Lane and his wife Star Shine loved their new colt with all their heart, however they knew he would never know them as his parents or any of his family, they were told he was to be orphaned by the doctors at his birth, he was born too weak for any normal pegasi parents to care for him and he would need to be raised in an orphanage until he was strong enough to look after himself.

At his parent’s final wish, the colt was left at the orphanage with a note attached to him:

dear institute supervisors, please take care of our young son, Blue Star and make sure he gets proper care like any other pegasi. He means the world to us and we wish the best for him. Whatever happens, please let him know that it wasn’t our choice to leave him and when the time is right, give him this message: “we love you Starry and it was never our intention to hurt you, with love, your Parents Blue Lane and Star Shine.”

The young colt was accepted into the institute until he was old enough to walk, talk and go to Cloudsdale Pegasus school on his own, never receiving the message his parents left him.

Now alone and looking after his young life one step at a time, This is his story…

---Four days after moving from his orphan life and into his solo studies---

Blue Star woke up in his makeshift cloud bed kicking his blankets off and checked the amount of bits that his so called parents and the Orphanage For Disadvantaged Pegasi had left for him for his schooling and basic living, ‘stupid parents and orphanage...’ he found himself thinking bitterly and trotted to his previously prepared saddlebag slinging it on his back and settling his flared wings to rest just above its bags giving himself a final once over in a nearby mirror he’d managed to acquire from the orphanage before leaving it, “oh well I still look good I guess..”

His messy and untidy blue-streaked silver mane and tail always made him smile, ‘two streaks in the mane and three in the tail, I’ve always liked that about my appearance..’ his coat was teal and his grey eyes carefully checked his small wings for any damaged feathers. “hmm, I’m too young for any fully developed feathers anyway…”

Satisfied with how he looked he left his home, shut its door and jumped onto the nearby busy streets of Cloudsdale as he made his way to his school. To his annoyance, the three bullies of his school stepped in his way as he arrives at the entrance, sneering at him. “Where do you think you’re going Teal-boy?”

Blue huffs in impatience “get lost I don’t have time for you losers, I’m already late as it is, so beat it.” laughing the bullies start circling him and jeering “listen to that, the weakling thinks he’s tough yet he can’t even fly yet!”

Blue shoves past them in annoyance hiding a tinge of upset pain at their words, it was true… his wings weren’t developed enough to allow him any actual flight and his grades weren’t exactly spectacular in his eyes either.

Hearing a bell ring throughout the school Blue panics and gallops blindly towards his first and most dreaded class of the day: Flight basics.

In his carelessness he accidentally slams into a pony, knocking them both to the cloudy floor, shaking his head Blue stands up and goes to snap at the pegasus but his jaw drops instead; in front of him is a young rainbow-maned cyan filly from his class that the school bullies had nicknamed ‘Rainbow Crash.’

Her reaction was instantly expected as she glared at him. “Hey! watch where you’re going and stop gawking at me!”

Snapping to his senses Blue shakes his head, “ow.. sorry Crashie… I didn’t see you, I’m late for class.” Rainbow’s glare intensifies as Blue realises his mistake and starts internally kicking himself.

“What have I told you about calling me that Star-boy? I hate that nickname and you know it!” Blue grimaces and mutters under his breath “it can’t be much worse than Rainbow Crash…”

Rainbow’s ear twitches and she takes up a defensive stance growling, “you wanna repeat that or do I have to start a beatdown on you?”

Blue flinches, ‘if there’s one thing I’ve learnt about Rainbow… its that you don’t mess with or push her too far, no matter what.’

“Rainbow please chill out I meant nothing by it, if we don’t hurry up we’re both going to be extremely late as it is.” to Blue’s relief Rainbow relaxes her posture a little and nods with a grin, letting him trot beside her.

“Your lucky I like you for your spunkiness Bluey, otherwise you’d be flattened right now.” Blue was a couple of months older than Rainbow but couldn’t help having a small crush on her since they first met, her griffin friend Gilda on the other hoof, scared him as somepony else not to mess with, even the bullies knew not to mess with a transfer student.

Blue and Rainbow arrived at the school gym and instantly get scolded by the Coach for being late as usual. Class begins with the flight basics of hovering and two 15 repetitions of ‘wing-ups’ for the first month students and basic to advanced flight for the first and second years.

Blue grinned at Rainbow’s complaints that she should be getting special treatment instead of being stuck with the bottom feeders of the class ‘hey, I resent that remark!’ and verbally agrees with her, “I don’t mind the wing-ups Coach but do we have to be restricted to hovering?”

A few of the first months nod in agreement but the pegasus coach stomps his hooves in annoyance “look Blue Star and Rainbow Dash, its my job to teach and yours to listen and learn, do I make myself clear?” Blue lowers his head along with Rainbow and nods in agreement and goes back to his hover practise next to Cloudchaser.

Fact was, this wasn’t the first outburst he’d had since arriving at the school, he’d questioned the school’s education regimen and classes several times, getting in trouble for it each and every time, the students and teachers knew him as somepony that was almost always overthinking things and often analyzing a situation as it happened instead of just going by instinct.

This ‘spunkiness’ as Rainbow often called it often gained him unwanted attention by bullies and teachers alike and sometimes earned him the nickname ‘Star-boy’ by his few friends including Rainbow herself.

Flight class ended some time later with several complaining students as their wings ached and burned from the activities.

Blue exited the gym and headed for the mess room for lunch realising he’d skipped breakfast again.

Taking a seat at one of the tables he feels a playful nudge on his shoulder and looks up to see Rainbow grinning at him as she asks “mind if I join you Blue Star?”

Smiling softly Blue nods in agreement then tilts his head in puzzlement “no Gilda today?” sitting down Rainbow takes out her food of an apple and a few carrots and groans under her breath taking a few bites of a carrot.

“To be honest, Gilda bothers me at times, I mean she’s really cool and awesome to have as a friend and all but being a ‘Griffin’ means she has special dietary needs that are questionable to pony culture, to be specific her need for meat.”

Blue bites into his own daisy and hay sandwich and flinches at the empathized last word, “yeah, that bothers me, I don’t get how she got transferred to this school of pegasi in the first place.. what lessons does she even take, I’ve never seen her in our classes.”

Rainbow frowns at the question finishing off her second carrot and moving onto her third as Blue looks at her, halfway through his own lunch, “you know, I haven’t actually asked much into that… I don’t pry into what she does at the school because that’s her business.”

Blue finishes his meal and gets up a little upset but masks it with a quick grin, “yeah I hear ya Crashie, not really something to bring up between friends as close as you two, I’ve heard the rumors the bullies are spreading about you already, especially with Flight Camp coming up..”

Rainbow tilts her head seeing her friend upset but decides to question it later and shoves him playfully for calling her by the pet name he often teased her with “com on stop calling me that... and what rumors Star-boy?”

Blue flinches as Rainbow stands up finishing her own meal to look at him, a gleam of curiosity in her eyes making him regret his next words even more, “crap Dash, I thought you knew… I’m really sorry you’re hearing this from me but the bullies are calling you more than ‘Rainbow Crash’ now and have started referring you as a ‘fillyfooler’ as well because you're always hanging out with that cream filly, Cloudchaser or Gilda, as far as bullies want to believe, I’m the only ‘colt’ friend you have.”

Blue’s heart breaks as he watches Rainbow’s grin instantly falter and she instantly starts backing away from him, tears threatening to escape her eyes, “you don’t believe them do you?”

Blue hesitates then works up a bit of courage and approaches her carefully, she slumps down and offers no resistance as he gently puts her head against his chest, “do you my honest answer Rainbow?” she nods carefully looking down ready to flinch.

“No Rainbow Dash, I don’t believe a word of it.”

Rainbow looks up at her friend in surprise, curiosity gets the best of her as she asks, “what? why not, I-”

Blue grins at her and uses a hoof to draw her closer to him, “listen Dash, you’re no more a fillyfooler than I am a ‘coltcuddler’ Cloudchaser told me today that the bullies have been spreading that about me as well but… at the end of the day, they’re just empty words to cover whatever insecurities the rumor spreaders have about themselves.”

Rainbow grins as Blue wipes her tears and lets her cling to him for awhile for comfort, she impulsively starts nuzzling him only to recoil at her actions and back away from his embrace “ohmygosh! I’m so sorry Star… I didn’t mean to do that..”

Blushing at her actions, Blue shakes his head, “its okay, I know you’re just being friendly.” ‘uh wow… did she really just nuzzle me??’

Rainbow returns the blush and nods, “u-uhh right yeah friendly… anyway we’ve got pegasus history next and we don’t really want to be late for that… no matter how boring it is..”

On the contrary Blue found his History classes highly intriguing and instantly brightened his spirits grinning like mad. “come on Dash let’s go!!” Blue starts dragging Rainbow out of the mess room and into the hallway straight to the classroom.

“Wha- hey! slow down Blue!! I’m coming by my on steam thank you!!” Rainbow huffs in annoyance “I swear you’re impossible to figure out Starry..”

The next few hours were spent listening to one of the few teachers that actually seemed to like Blue Star for his curiosity for her subject as he always had a question for her and today was no different as he paid attention to every word she spoke.

“So if I’m right in what you’re saying… the first pegasus fliers in Equestrian history had a unique ability to ‘sense’ what was around them and use wind currents to detect sudden changes in landscape or weather so that they could avoid it and continue their flight unharmed?”

The teacher grins at his deduction and nods “that’s right young Blue Star, this ancient form of ‘Wing Sensory’ as its now called is a common trait among our race now and can often vary in sensitivity per individual pony… however I’m yet to hear of a pegasi who is sensitive enough to detect others around him or her in the same manner.”

‘I wanna be the first to achieve that then...’ Blue grins at his thought at looks over at Rainbow to see if she was paying any attention to what was said, he smirks and shakes his head with a soft chuckle, ‘so she’s sleeping in class again… when will you learn Dashie...’

Once the class finished Blue stayed behind and poked Rainbow in the ribs gently, cooing in her ear playfully with a sly grin on his face “come on Crashie, time to wake up…”

Rainbow instantly jerks awake with a start, ready to hoof the pony brave enough to wake her up only to soften and return Blue’s grin “wha… oh its you.. I guess I napped in class again then.. you’re always waking me up..”

“Hey, keep napping like that and your grades might end up worse than mine…” Blue replies teasingly.

Rainbow shoves him as they leave the classroom, “come on Bluey, give yourself a bit of credit, you’ve got some of the best grades in our classes including our numerous History, english, mathematical theory, basic cultural and theoretic flight control classes, I hate to admit it but I’d be amazed if the Wonderbolts didn’t accept you before they ever accept me…”

Blue grins fondly, “now who’s being hard on herself… Dash you have just as much determination at being a Wonderbolt than anypony else, besides I’m not that great, I’m fluking on the two classes that actually matter: Flight and Cloud Control which means I’m picked on for it wherever I turn except for you and Chaser.”

Arriving outside Rainbow looks at Blue for the umpteenth time today and puts a hoof around him as he takes a seated slump

“do you want some help Star, I’m sure the teachers wouldn’t mind me or Cloudchaser assisting you..”

Blue shakes his head. “nah Crashie, I just need somewhere I can study properly without being bullied.”

Rainbow huffs playfully “I can help you with your wings Star-boy but if you’re looking for solo study I’m afraid the school library or that weird tree library I've heard about on the surface is your only chance…”

‘Ugh...book study, gag me please…’ Blue shared Rainbow’s known sentiments for reading and only enjoyed it through his mouth-writing and english classes as a requirement for the subjects, slumping a bit further he meekly asks “alright humor me, where’s the school library..?”

Rainbow grins and removes her hoof from Blue’s shoulder pointing it towards a small cloud building connecting to the main campus making him groan and start trotting towards it, Rainbow has other plans though and bites his tail to stop him causing his head to whip around in surprise. “Rainbow.. why are you stopping me?”

She grins innocently, “nothing, I just want to escort you incase you get lost or need a study partner silly.” Star grimaces faintly and zones out in thought, ‘I usually jump at any chance for some time with Dash but… something’s up she’s never into books or studying.’

Blue shrugs the thought off and looks beside him only to find Rainbow hovering in front of him making him to jump as she frowns at him “what was that about?” he blinks at her question

“What do you mean Rainbow?” she lands and sits in front of him before speaking up “your face went blank and expressionless and you looked like you were staring at nothing, it was a bit uh freaky actually.”

Blue blinked in surprise, ‘huh. I didn’t even notice.’ shaking his head at the thought he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, “oops sorry Rainbow, guess I kinda zoned out a bit. Weird, that only happens at home.. anyway since you’re offering let’s go to that library.”

Blue chuckles at his friend’s instant recoil as she hastily attempts a galloped retreat towards the building she’d pointed out making him grab her tail and dig his hooves into the clouds and comically drag until she stops and glares back at him “let go I was joking Star-boy.”

Blue tilts his mockingly as he grins and lets go of her tail, making her stumble forwards “really so why are you heading towards it, besides I really welcome the company Miss Dash.”

Sighing Rainbow shakes her head, “hey if you want to a boring old building with books in it that’s your deal.. either way I can still watch you practice your flight training later if you want.”

‘Oh.. that’s okay.. I didn’t feel like talking or friendly company anyway...’ disheartened at the thought Blue turns and heads to the library alone, he hears Dash call out to him but shuts it out working just enough courage to look back in time to see her give him a concerned look of ‘what’s bothering you?’ shaking his head he just mouthed ‘I’ll tell you later.’ making her nod and trot off still wearing her worried frown. ‘alright time to study.’ he thought grimly.

It didn’t take long for Blue to arrive at the library, the smell of paper and ink filled his nostrils almost instantly lifting his spirits in a strange way and making him grin as he approached the librarian desk. “excuse me, I’d like to stay and study here for a while Miss Librarian?”

An elderly Stallion with a greying black kept mane appeared from behind the desk, his chestnut coat and yin-yang Cutie Mark instantly catching Blue’s eyes as he instantly bows in apology “oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was a Stallion working here.”

The Stallion chuckles gently and waves off the bow, “its quite alright youngin I don’t see many young minds in these walls anyway so please browse to your hearts content, my name is Zen.”

Blue bows to Zen again and trots off through the shelves until he discovers the section he’s looking for,

Basics in Flight, Cloud and Wing Control/Maintenance.

Attempting to take a book from the shelf he discovers his wings still aren’t strong enough to support him and the book and topples backwards with a thud calling out to Zen who rushes into the shelf, “here youngin, let me give you a hoof with that..hmm, that’s an interesting title you’ve selected.. if you don’t mind me intruding might I make a suggestion?”

Blue looks down at the book he’d selected and instantly blushes at the title ‘Wing Maintenance between Partners’ and nods at Zen for his suggestion “I didn’t mean to pick this one, can you guide me for a book on Wing development and strengthening,

Cloud manipulation or Flying for beginners please?”

Zen grins and grabs the requested books for him, setting them on a nearby table along with the one Blue had accidently picked, “your such a polite young colt, your parents must be proud.”

Blue noticeably flinches and lowers his head, Zen waves him over and as he sits at the now book loaded table Zen speaks softly “I apologise youngin, I thought you knew your parents… you look just like them after all…”

Blue frowns at old Zen, “wait what do you mean… my parents left me at an orphanage…”

Zen gives a saddened look, “I’m sorry to hear that master Blue Star… but please know that they both loved you, I’ll leave you to your reading.”

Blue’s frown deepens, “wait Zen, how do you know my name? I never told it to you.” The old Stallion merely grins and replies simply, “you have your mother’s silver mane and your father’s eyes and coat, your blue streaks come your father and your Cutie Mark will be your own.”

This gives Blue some thought as he brings the nearest book, ‘Basic Wing Strengthening and how to efficiently develop them’ in front of him and opens its covers to begin his study.

After a while a paragraph seems to jump out at him as he frowns reading it aloud without realising his flank was starting to flash, “One of the many ways to strengthen and develop your pegasus wings is through practicing coming out of what’s called a Freefall Dive and trusting in your flight instincts that you will have the inner strength to save yourself.”

‘Would that really work or is this book playing tricks on me..?’ at the thought, his flank stops its weak flash and remains blank as he reads on. “This style of stunting and Flight Training is high risk because it requires a calm mind and body to correctly allow natural instinct to take over.” the flashing starts up again and this time remains constant as Blue frowns again taking in the information ‘a calm mind and body? hmm… best way for that to happen would be to study into zen and-- wait.. zen? as in...’ “Zen!!”

Zen approaches Blue and grins taking a glance at his new Cutie Mark, “ah I see you’ve discovered your talent young master.”

“Huh? my what?” Blue lifts a wing up and looks at his previously blank flank to see the Cutie Mark of a partly open book with a four-point silver star on it. “a talent for reading? but what’s the star for?” ‘and why a four point?’

Zen’s grin softens “young master, it would seem you hold onto a small glimmer.” Blue frowns at Zen and says in a small whisper of curiosity “I’m not sure I follow what you mean, can you help me understand what this Cutie Mark means… I’ve never seen one like it.”

Zen nods “lets see if I understand it myself… You're partly open book shows not only a newfound love for reading but also a willingness to be open to those close to you even if you haven’t discovered that yet… your four-point star shows a small glimmer within your heart that you must discover on your own, though it seems its not here to stay until you discover what that glimmer is.” Zen points at the mark and Blue notices that the star is gone from the cover.

“What? but- it was right there!” Blue starts poking at the cover hoping it’ll bring the star back but to no avail. ‘Zen’s right.. guess I need to work out what my glimmer is for it to be permanent.’ shrugging the thought off with a grin for something to look forward to he remembers what he called Zen over for.

“Hey, this might sound strange old-timer but do you happen to know about something about ‘calming the mind and body’? I need it for my future training.”

Zen blinks and tilts his head in thought “hmm well the best way for you to do that is for you to practice a form of relaxation and meditation, I don’t get many visitors so I’ll be more than happy to help you learn and practice your Wing Sensory as well.”

Blue frowns ‘but I only asked about that in class today how’s he know I was going to study it?’ his thought is interrupted by Zen adding a question “so tell me young Star, who are you planning to dote with? because a young cyan filly has been watching you since you arrived.”

“D-dote with? well I have my crush on Crashie but… wait.. she followed me? I’m too young for that sort of thing anyway..” Blue blushes in a soft shade of pink and tries not to look around the library seeing Zen’s old feathers ruffling gently at his sides making him frown and tilt his head ‘I’ve read about that in class… is that Wing Sensory?’

Nodding in agreement Blue smiles “that would be great Zen, I’ll be happy to learn from you but how do you that with your wings?

My teacher said there’s no record of anypony actually being able to detect other creatures within Wing Sensory range..”

Zen chuckles softly “I’m guessing your speaking of history your teacher? sweet lass but sadly she relies on the school texts and scrolls for her information which, I might add are grossly outdated my boy..” Blue grins at this and bows to Zen.

“Guess I’ll be a regular in here if you don’t mind that is, a part of me hates to admit this, but I love it in this library and I hope I can continue my studies in here!”

Zen grins at his enthusiasm to learn and quietly puts a hoof on the young colt’s shoulder, “I’ll be happy to help you out in any way I can master Blue, now since you’re going to be a regular in here.. I don’t mind giving you access to the library’s borrowing system.”

Blue’s eyes instantly light up as he stands up doing a jumping backflip forgetting that he’s being watched, settling down he gives the old stallion a bright grin and sits back down to continue his study, “thanks Zen, that means a lot and I promise to study to the best of my ability.”

Zen nods and taps his hoof patiently “that’s kind of you, sorry to interrupt your studies youngin but it seems your filly friend is waiting for you, it is getting quite late after all, here I’ll set your books into your saddlebag so you can take them home.”

Blue physically jumps bumping his legs on the desk as he looks outside and realises the sun was starting to set and thanks Zen for the books as he puts the books in his Saddlebag and helps him put it on his back before he remembers something with a grin “Zen? take out the partner preening book, I won’t be needing it anytime soon, the three you’ve started me with will suffice.” Zen bows his head and nods taking the book out and setting it back on its shelf carefully.

“Alright run along young Star, you don’t want to keep your rainbow friend waiting do you?” Zen gives a knowing grin as Blue trots off happier than he had entered ‘I love reading!’

Blue spots Rainbow tapping her hoof impatiently at the library entrance with an annoyed look on her face “come on Bluey! its getting late!” Blue laughs and trots to her side so they can go home together after an exhausting day of school and study.

“Alright little spy I’m coming!” he watches in amusement as the filly beside him gives a subtle flinch at the idea that she may have been caught so he adds with a chuckle “relax, the librarian found you out and told me you’d been watching me since I arrived, if you wanted to be my study partner that badly you could've just asked.” Blue grins at Rainbow’s playful retch.

“Ugh please, books are so boring.. if you wanna start being a bookworm or egghead that’s your deal Star-boy.. but if you don’t want to study alone I’ll sit by you and keep you company.”

Blue grins as they end up outside the school premises and near his home “careful, I might hold you to that one day Crashie…” Rainbow returns the grin and nudges him playfully

“You’re so annoying Bluey… anyway my home’s this way so I’ll see you later.” Blue’s grin falters as he watches her leave for home as he realises he’s at his own place already.

Jumping to its entrance, opening the door and setting his bag down closing the door behind him with a hoof he sighs and slumps into a cloud recliner he’d made himself “home sweet home I guess… but why does it have to feel so… empty and lonely.. it hurts..and I hate it.”

Looking at his saddlebag, he gets up and wanders over to it and takes out his borrowed copy of Basic Wing Strengthening and allows a grin as he returns to the makeshift recliner to continue studying the book where he left off. “oh well.. I got my Cutie Mark today so that’s a bright side and I can start developing my wings properly now instead of just using guess work.”

Blue frowns as a thought comes to mind ‘one thing bothers me though, Zen brought up my parents… did he know them at some point?’ shaking his head he decided not to pry the old stallion’s knowledge on the matter ‘whatever reasons they had for leaving me at the orphanage I don’t want to know anymore… it’s painful enough knowing I’m alone...’

After reading until nightfall he sets his book aside and grins at Zen’s thoughtfulness finding a single bookmark in his bag “thanks Zen..” marking his place in the book he closes it on a table, heads to his room and slumps into his bed eagerly allowing an exhausted sleep to take him.

Home Truths

Chapter 2: Home Truths

After leaving first month Flight Class Blue Star developed his wings and earned his first flight feathers under his study and tutoring with Zen at the library and his home study of books he loaned from the School Library, through Cloud study his home and bed also improved, much to his proud delight.

Blue looked in his mirror grinning at his wing’s progress while checking his Cutie Mark only to slump a little ‘the star still hasn’t returned.. guess I haven’t found my glimmer yet.’ shaking the thought off he grabs the books he wants to return to the library and continuing reading in his spare time, puts them in his slung saddlebags and leaves his house in high spirits, closing the door behind him.

“I can’t wait for my first flight!” he calls aloud to nopony in peculiar grinning with excitement.

“Hey Rainbow CRASH! I heard your parents bit the dust!” Blue looked up to see the school bullies circling Rainbow and instantly takes off in flight to intercept them flaring his wings and going into a protective stance growling “Leave her alone!”

 The bullies recoil slightly at his speedy interference and sneer at him “beat it Teal-boy, this doesn’t concern a booknerd like you!”

Blue glares at them dangerously changing from protective to aggressive as he hisses “care to repeat that muscle-head... or do I have to make you?”

The dark brown bully opens his muzzle to repeat but reconsiders and gestures to his friends “come on, these two are perfect for each other; one’s a stupid orphan and the other just thinks she’s cool because she hangs out with that dumb griffin…”

Rainbow goes to retaliate but Blue stops her with his hoof as she shouts at their retreating tails

“JUST TRY saying that to Gilda’s face you cowards!” the bullies yelp at the idea and gallop off to their classes making her huff and mutter bitterly “yeah that’s what I thought…”

Rainbow turns to her friend and tilts her head “thanks Bluey… I wasn’t aware you were that ready for flight yet, your wings have strengthened already?” Blue blushes, folding his wings.

“Not quite Dash, they’re still developing, I only got my first primary flight feathers a few days ago so that was pure impulse of seeing you in trouble…my wings actually burn a little from exertion.”

Rainbow blushes herself and smiles gently as they trot side by side to their class.

“You didn’t have to protect me..” Blue merely shrugs and puts a playful wing around her which she looks at and shrugs off in playful banter, “hey I’m not that easy to win over mister…”

Blue merely grins “I know, however I protect all my friends Crashie.” Rainbow blushes at the name and shoves him into the gym earning a shouted “hey!” she merely smirks and enters beside him as they receive the usual scolding from the Coach.

“You’re late! Line up with the other flight students!” Doing as they’re told they end up next to each other with Cloudchaser on Blue’s left as usual.

“Alright slackers, since this is going to be your first Flight Training I don’t want to see any ‘stunting’ or fancy flying, this is merely basics and you will treat it as such! am I clear?” The Coach bellows at the class with a respectable “Yes Sir!” as an answer, grinning the Coach leads the class outside in single file and turns to face them as they line up again in an orderly fashion.

“Good, now pick a partner and take up your organised Flight regimens from yesterday while I supervise you in groups of two.” the line dismantles and the students quickly grab who they want to be partnered with, Cloudchaser grabs Thunderlane as her partner.

Much to Blue’s surprise, Rainbow grabs him as hers with a smile as she whispers to him “time to see if your private studies have been worth it Star-boy, show me that partly open book of yours isn't for show and tell.”

Blue returns her smile with a quippy “I’d love to, however I believe fillies go first?” bemused, Rainbow huffs in playful impatience and takes up a flight stance.

“Fine Mister Gentlecolt… but only because we're friends.” Rainbow starts the regimen that Coach at done up for her involving wing and flight control as Blue watches her carefully for any mistakes or turbulent errors, seeing none he takes flight himself and practices his own control along with her grinning as they fly wing to wing matching their beats near perfectly as the class and Coach watch on gobsmacked.

Blue looks down and grins as they start doing their scheduled laps around the field “hey Rainbow, the bullies are right about one thing, we are perfect for each other but not for the reasons they gave, we’re really close friends and we-” his sentence is cut off as he notices his partner frown. “hey what’s wrong?”

Turning back towards the class Rainbow lands in front of the Coach and asks to be excused for a moment which he nods at saying “alright take a moment Miss Dash.”

Blue goes to follow her but Coach calls to him so he lands instead, “yes Coach what is it?” he watches the Coach take a careful breath before he leads him away from the class and puts a hoof on his shoulder and continues,

“Listen Blue Star, I know about your parents every teacher does but please don’t pursue it for any truths boy, you won’t like what you find, Zen’s let me know about the private study you’ve been doing and I approve of it as long as you don’t push yourself too hard too fast.”

Star tilts his head “my parents? I know they ‘loved’ me but I’m not going to question their disappearance, I know I’ll be told when I’m deemed ready to hear it..”

The Coach nods his head satisfied “good lad, now as for Miss Rainbow Dash you’re excused to find her, I know how close you two are and she needs a none griffin friend right now.”

Blue nods and takes flight using his partly developed Wing Sensory to feel for her presence, ‘hmm I haven’t perfected this yet… I might land and find her on hoof.’ soon after this thought he lands and eventually finds her alone and deeply upset so he approaches her carefully and gently whispers to her so he doesn’t startle her.

“Hey Dash, wanna talk… I’m here to listen if you need me to.” her response was slow as she doesn’t look at him straightaway and mutters “go away Teal-boy.. I want to be alone.”

Seeing tears, Blue doesn’t move as she quietly sobs and hiccups under her soft, unsteady  breath ‘if it means just being a presence… I don’t care.’ he moves a bit closer to her and sits. “come on Dashie, I hate seeing ponies upset.. you know that better than anypony.”

Slowly getting off the bench she’d stiffly been sitting on she sits herself beside him and lets him put a supportive wing around her as far as it’ll go without resistance as they sit there in silence for a while before Blue looks up at the weather clouds above them and sighs to break the quiet.

“Its about what those bullies were teasing you about isn’t it, I overheard them talking about your parents.” Dash scoots closer and shivers nodding gently as she puts her head against his neck so Blue embraces her gently with both wings as she starts sobbing again, he coos gently to her ear making it twitch as she slowly speaks up.

“W-why did they have to go… I’ll miss them so much… I don’t want to believe those bullies…” Blue gently strokes Rainbow’s unkempt mane with his hoof as she starts nuzzling with a added “you’re so warm…”

Blue smiles softly and lets her stay in his wings until she calms herself down and he asks her gently “are you alright now?” Dash nods as Blue wipes her tears away.

“Y-yeah, I’m glad it was you who found me.. I hate being sappy in front of anypony else..” Rainbow puts on a brave face to show she’s okay but Blue knows better and puts a hoof on her shoulder and speaks up “hey, if it makes you feel better.. the bullies are right about me.”

Rainbow tilts her head in confusion “so you really are an orphan? But Bluey.. that would mean you're alone in that house of yours…”

The corner of Blue’s mouth twitches a little in faint annoyance at the fact. “don’t remind me, its fine though I have my study to keep me company.”

Rainbow gives a small yet cute pout “Flight Camp’s coming up and Gilda won’t be attending, I’m hating the thought of you alone so do you want to come with me? I can arrange something with Coach so that you don’t need parental permission to go..”

Blue opens his mouth to decline but sees the concern in Rainbow’s magenta eyes and his heart aches a little from cuteness as he grins instead with replied “sure Dash I’d love to join you.” he grins as Rainbow does a small fluttered backflip in the air at his answer.

“Thanks Starry, see Fluttershy’s been timid about her flying so her family has sent her to Flight Camp as well to help her get some confidence in herself.”

Blue tilts his head and deadpans “that was a cheap trick Crashie… I don’t know any Fluttershy.” Rainbow punches him lightly adding with a grin “she’s a friend of mine anyway thanks for the support Bluey… guess I needed it and hey if you ever want some company...”

“I know where to find you, yeah I know Dash, thanks.” Blue finishes for her making her nod grinning as she jumps at the bell ringing for the next lesson and grins sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. “oops looks like we missed lunch… I’ll see you later.”

Rainbow looks confused, “wait your not coming to class?”

Blue grins softly “sorry Rainbow, the teachers arranged with Zen to take me under his wing and train me personally, so I’ll see you after school okay?” Blue watches her slump and frowns adding “however they have given me the choice as to whether I want to take the personal lessons or go to class as per normal and I am allowed a study-buddy in the private tutoring if I want to.”

He frowns at Rainbow’s ears instantly perking up at the words ‘study-buddy’ as she instantly darts off to her classroom, shrugging he takes his own flight path to the library and gets greeted by Zen as he wears his usual gentle grin. “I see you have no spy this time youngin”

Blue returns the grin knowing what he meant; the last month Rainbow had spent any time she could secretly ‘or at least that’s what I allowed her to believe but Zen sensed her each and every time with a subtle grin to me’ watching him as he studied up on his meditation, relaxation, wing control, cloud functionality and more recently Beginner’s Guide to Self-Taught Stunting.

“hey Zen, nah Miss Dash darted off to class already after I mentioned that I was allowed a study-buddy.” something played at the back of Blue’s mind but he ignored it as just the usual nagging feeling he got about his parents every time he entered the library for his lessons.

Blue took his usual seat and took his saddlebag off to remove the books he wanted to return after studying and reading them 3 times like the many overs he’d returned several  times over the last month after memorising them.

Zen gives a soft smile, “ah another batch of books memorised Blue? impressive, these were bigger than the last lot I loaned you youngin.”

Blue grins with pride and feels that strange glimmer again causing him to look at his Mark, ‘the star’s back! could that be it? am I hopeful that wherever my parents are they’re proud of me?’ he holds onto that thought and the star doesn’t vanish, however instead of being the same silver as his mane the star gives off a slightly dull look making him tilt his head in confusion as he looks at Zen for answers seeing him notice as well.

“Hmm, it seems youngin… that you're looking for a separate glimmer besides your parents.” Zen taps his chin thoughtfully adding “perhaps your heart desires a friend that you can rely on.”

Blue doesn’t reach for a book and closes his eyes to ponder in the meditative area of his mind. ‘a friend I can rely on huh… well the one pony I think of who’s already had my back is Rainbow-’

His thoughts are interrupted as he’s willfully tackled by a joyful cyan filly catching him off guard, he starts laughing “hey Dashie, I was just thinking of you… aren’t you supposed to be in class?”

Rainbow gives an energetic grin shaking her head “Nope! guess who just appointed herself as your new study-buddy and got permission for it!” Blue grins shaking his head as his star turns full silver. ‘reliable and a little annoying… yeah that’s definitely you Rainbow Dash.’

After several hours of studying the school bell chimes again signaling the end of the day, much to the pair’s relief as they pack up their notes and Blue’s newly loaned books into his bag and thank Zen for another lesson, he bows to them as they start heading for home.

“That was interesting to say the least, you’ve been studying like that for the last month? I’m rather surprised Bluey, I expected that to be boring but it was kinda fun!” Rainbow shoots him a grin which he half returns making her frown and turn to him worriedly, “hey what’s wrong you usually come out of Zen’s lessons more chipper than this..”

As usual Dash had a point that he wouldn’t willingly admit aloud, Blue always came out of Zen’s personal tutoring much happier than his normal classes because he felt like he was achieving something on his own without a mass of students sharing the praise.

Blue shakes his head and gives a fake, half grin, “sorry Dash just got things on my mind that’s all.. nothing to worry yourself over.” Rainbow doesn’t buy it and starts hovering backwards as they continue their path home through the school and gives him a glare making him flinch and look away, the grin instantly vanishing.

“You know you can’t fool me with that grin of yours Star, I’ve seen it too often to know it only appears when your hiding something.” she softens and puts a concerned hoof on his shoulder, “come on, we’ve known each other for just over a month now, talk to me.”

Blue stops walking and hesitates making Rainbow huff in annoyance, “its about that new star on your Cutie Mark isn’t it.” he shakes his head noting that they’re alone in the middle of the school obstacle course, she frowns at prods a bit further, “then what’s wrong?”

Shaking his head again he speaks slowly unsure of his own feelings or words “I don’t want to go home alone.” Rainbow tilts her head in confusion as they start their trek home again.

“What do you mean, I’ve never seen you go home by yourself, its either with me or that young filly Cloudchaser.” Blue gives a half hearted grin ‘Cloudchaser… sweet filly but-’

Rainbow interrupts his thought nudging him, “Hey, you're zoning out again..” grimacing Blue shakes his head and gives his thanks receiving a nod in return as they start arriving near their homes.

“I have a few times and hated it… Okay I’ll rephrase then… I don’t like arriving home alone…its depressing.” as pure irony to his words they end up arriving at his house step and looking at each other as a awkward silence starts settling in.

After what feels like several hours to Blue he speaks up first, turning away to enter his doorway “I should let you head home Dash, I’m guessing you’ve inherited your parent’s house so that you’re not on the streets.” Rainbow nods to confirm making him grin and add with a playful smile “that’s good then, I’ll see you later Crashie..”

Blue puts his hoof on the cloud door to his house and goes to open it until his ears twitch to a whispered “wait, please.” frowning he turns his head back to the filly and notices she’s shaking, “let me enter with you and keep you company for awhile Bluey… today gave me a hint of loneliness that I’m inclined to realise you have to go through each day.”

Blue lowers his hoof back to the cloud beneath him and turns to her but lets her continue as she starts approaching him. “when we first met I had a feeling something was off but I didn’t press the matter.. you always seemed distant from the other ponies including me. Its because you’ve been alone all this time isn’t it.. I’m really hating that Star.”

now inches from his muzzle, Rainbow tilts her not knowing what more she can say to convince him so she impulsively plants a caring kiss to his lips before he can react making him blush in surprise as his wings instinctively ‘pomf’ themselves out, leading Dash to giggle gently as she breaks the kiss. ‘w-wow my first kiss... and it was with Rainbow Dash!’

Grinning like mad trying to calm his blush and wings down Blue steps aside and opens the door to let them both in however the grin wavers slightly as he spots a scroll in the doorway addressed to him.

Rainbow tilts her head and states “Kinda empty and depressing isn’t it Starry… I can see why you don’t like arriving or even going home.” she turns to him and  sits down on an empty area of cloud frowning at the scroll in his mouth as he closes the door behind him “what’s that?”

getting a bad feeling in his chest, Blue approaches Rainbow and breaks the seal on the scroll. Dropping it he unrolls it with his hooves in front of them and sits down beside her to read it:

Dear Blue Star,

we regret sending you this letter but we feel you must know that your parents were involved in

a weather accident alongside the parents of a filly classmate named Rainbow Dash last week.

The storm in question was category three and was almost under control by the 4 pegasi group. However being over an area called the Everfree Forest  it escalated to four without any warning.

Considering that you’re still an extremely young colt I’ll be blunt:

nopony survived the storm and upon witness ponies seeing the still raging storm rise to the highest level, we regrettably had to alert the Cloudsdale Elite Weather Team to handle the mess.

We are sorry that you have to hear about it like this and Miss Dash will be receiving a similar letter that is hopefully more erm ‘subtle.’ we hope you weren’t alone upon receiving this.

This is going to be hard to take in and again we apologise for disturbing your school day with this news. Sincere Apologies for your loss, Cloudsdale Weather Bureau Director, Storm Blitzer.

Finished reading, Blue taps the scroll with his hoof and lets it roll up naturally wishing it would burst into flames as he feels Rainbow shudder beside him and looks at her he notices that

she’s at the brink of tears and he feels himself at breaking point at each passing second.

They instinctively huddle and wing embrace each other as Blue Star shakes his head

feeling both their hearts shatter as the four-point star on his Cutie Mark starts fading again.

‘N-No… It can’t be true...I didn’t even know them..’