Broken Wings

The Pain of Loss

My aching wings carried my damaged body out into the night. I had no idea where to go; my whole world had been torn from me. I had lost the girl I loved, been accused of murdering her in a failed attempt to attain godhood and been driven from the life I knew. There was nothing I could do. And... it was all my fault.

Shouts and galloping hooves echoed from the direction of the town. Wing beats filled the air, growing stronger by the moment. I sped up, as much as I was able, but it wasn’t a lot.

Tears were streaming down my face. Was this actually happening? How could they even think that? Why did she have to die?

I had to land, my sobs turning into outright howls of despair. I just gave up at that point. It was too much. I never even looked up from my crying as I heard wing beats in front of me and the grunt of a Pegasus landing. They could just take me.

“Lucky....”

I looked up to see Redwing looking down at me, his face devoid of all emotions.

“Lucky, I heard what they said you did. Tell me, what they say, is it true?”

“Redwing... I... I’m so sorry!”

My sobbing was making it hard to breathe.

“I couldn’t save her. She gave her life to save me... I... I... I can't go on like this! It's my fault!”

The impact of Redwing’s hoof across my jaw caught me by surprise.
“You complete idiot!”

I looked up at the angry face of the crimson Pegasus with shock. A few months ago, he had been afraid of me and now he struck me in the face with no fear at all.

“She cared enough about you to sacrifice her life just to save you... is THIS how you thank her? Sitting here and crying before being led off to some punishment for her sacrifice?”

Redwing let out a weary sigh before looking back at me.

“Lucky, you saved those kids back there, you saved me, and you have made the orphanage a happy place… You gave me a chance to be better. And for that, I thank you.”

Redwing flapped his wings, settling into a hover just above me.

“Now it’s time I saved you. Go, get out of here. Be the pony you were supposed to be. It’s what she would have wanted for you.”

Redwing sped away into the night. A moment later I could hear distant shouting.

“There he goes! Quick! After him!”

The sounds of pursuit began to fade away into the distance. I had no idea where to go next, and so began to trot along the road. I soon found myself staring at a patch of wild roses. Reaching out, I neatly bit off a single, perfect blossom at the stem.

“I need to tell her goodbye…”

With a purpose in mind at last, I took off, ignoring the twinges of pain in my damaged wings and flew in the direction of the Dragon’s Maw.

The cavern was so dark; the only light came from faintly glowing crystals dotted about. I frowned at that, before dismissing them as rescue tools. Holding the rose in my mouth I began to walk, heading deeper into the cave network. Dread filled my heart as I reached the chamber I sought.

I found myself sitting next to the boulder that had ended my love’s life, staring without seeing. There was so much I wanted, no, needed to say, but I found myself lost for words. I forced myself to say her name, just to steady myself.

“Sunspot...”

Almost instantly a purple glow appeared on the boulder; looking closer I could make out a small shield, seemingly drawn by magic. Hesitantly, I reached out to touch it. As my hoof brushed the symbol, a voice spoke into my mind. Her voice.

“Starshot, I don’t know if you’re even alive to find this... but I felt I needed to leave you a message, if you don’t find me first, in case you haven’t worked it out yet. Silly filly, it’s Sunspot.”

Tears rolled down my face and I couldn’t help but break out into sobbing again. The sound of her voice was a melody I couldn’t live without anymore.

“I know you’re sad right now, but I want you to know that... I love you, I always have. Ever since the day I first saw you in the schoolyard. You were such a scrawny little thing, barely able to fly, afraid of his own shadow, don’t deny it!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, she had me there.

“Redwing had been picking on a smaller colt and you tried to stop him. You got your flank kicked, but you tried! I think I fell for you then, a dangerous looking colt with a heart of gold. I’ve been so proud to watch how you’ve grown... and I don’t mean your size. You became a role model; you changed Redwing into a colt to be proud of... although I do have to admit, as you filled out you sure got some hot flanks!”

Her giggling echoed as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. Thank Celestia nopony was here to see it!

“Starshot - I know you love me, I’ve known all along even if you were too afraid to come out and say it, and now I want you to make me a promise. I know you’ll keep it, even if I’m not there to hear you. Promise me you’ll be the pony I always knew you were, a guardian to those who need it.”

My voice became a whisper as I made my promise through my tears.

“I have to go now; I can’t keep this spell going much longer. Just remember who you were to me. You were my guiding light, my lucky star. That is your talent... Goodbye, Starshot. I love you.”

The tears became wails of misery as I finally began to realise that it was over. Sunspot was gone, and I had lost my reason to live. I don’t know how long I cried. It might have been minutes, or hours. But eventually my eyes fell on that beautiful rose I had laid down beside the boulder. I stared at it for a moment. And then I sat up.

“No. I can’t break down like this. I made her a promise... and I swear by the royal sisters I will keep it!”

I felt my flank begin to tingle and stared in shock as an image appeared, a four-leaf clover bisected by a shining star, my cutie mark... Sunspot was right; I always was her lucky star. I left the caves, never looking back; my final thoughts as I left were of a single rose, lit by the crystals dim light.

I flew into the night, not stopping until Celestia’s sun began to rise above the horizon. Finally I landed, at the edge of a large forest. Finding a shaded spot under a bush, I collapsed into sleep. Exhaustion was total.

“No! Stay away! Mommy! Help me!”

A scream woke me from my dreamless slumber, rolling to my hooves as I looked around.

Near the edge of the forest I spotted a small filly running back and forth as several strange creatures bit and clawed at her, The were roughly pony shaped, but a little smaller and seemed to be made of tree branches. The resembled the diamond dogs we had learned of in class. In any case, they were clearly toying with the girl.

Sunspot’s words and my promise replayed in my mind as I counted them. I wanted to help, but... one pony against seven of ...them? The filly’s screams turned to one of pain as the claws of one of the creatures cut into her flank. All hesitation dropped from my mind as anger began to course through me.

I flew at the nearest one, throwing the full force of my rage into that strike, my hoof smashed into the thing’s ribs with enough force to send it flying over the heads of the remaining six, agape in shock. With an angry snarl I placed my body between the creatures and the child.

“Back off!”

My angry voice seemed to make the wooden monsters hesitate; maybe they were only used to fear? As if to answer my question, one of them charged in. I reared up and brought both hooves down on its head with a loud crunch. It never registered with me until later that I had just killed something in that moment.

“You are not getting past me.”

I almost snarled the words; I was determined to protect the filly cowering behind me. A strange feeling began... a warm feeling flowed from my head, down into my hooves. I had no time to ponder what it was as pair of the wooden monsters charged at me, snarling in ferocity. I spun and managed to buck both of them in the face at once. There was a flash of silver light and the creatures flew away with way more force than I ever could have put into that kick. So much, in fact, they hit the trunk of a tree a fair distance away and smashed through it as if it was made of paper.

The shock on my face must have been taken for some kind of threat as the remaining creatures fled, whimpering. I felt incredibly drained. I turned to the child with a tired smile. I finally got a good look at her - she was a brown earth pony with a black mane and large green eyes. Sweet Celestia, she couldn’t have been more than 5 years old. She looked at me with wonder before pointing her hoof at me.

“Awicorn?”

A chuckle rose from my throat, “No kid, I’m no alicorn. I’m just a Pegasus.”

I felt so very tired at that moment, my vision beginning to blur. I heard shouts and looked away from the forest to see a group of earth ponies galloping towards us. An earthen-coloured mare screamed as she approached us.

“Summer!” Without a glance at my swaying form, she swept the little filly up into a hug.

“Mommy, the awicorn saved me from the bad monsters!”

I passed out.

Groggily, I opened my eyes and looked around; I was lying on a bed in a wood-paneled room, and dim light filtered in through curtains covering a small window. A set of drawers were set against one wall. A door lay in the other wall, which opened as if on cue. In walked a moss-green stallion with a black mane.

“So... you’re finally awake, then? You’ve been out for two days.”

I shakily tried to get to my feet. My body felt sore and drained. “I’m sorry, sir... I’ll leave you in peace...”

With a gentle hoof, he pushed me back down to the bed.

“Until you’re healed up, you’re not going anywhere. You saved my daughter from those Timberwolves. It’s the least my family can do for such a heroic stallion.”

I burst out in laughter, receiving a confused look in response.

“I'm sorry,” I chuckled, “but I’m not a stallion yet. In fact, I’m only 15.”

He stared at me as if I had sprouted a second head, trying to judge if I was mocking him.

“You’re telling me you’re just a kid? By Luna’s moon! You’re bigger than most of the stallions here!”

I laughed hard, before wincing as my body reminded me it was still healing by throwing in a sharp pain in my chest.

“So how old are you in pony years?”

“I just told you, I’m 15.”

“Right. How long do you alicorns live anyway?”

“Sorry, sir, but I’m no alicorn... I'm just a Pegasus.”

The glare I got was unnerving, and then I remembered the horn.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I can understand the confusion, but my horn isn’t really a horn, it’s a shard of bone from an accident. I'm sorry if I offended you with my laughing...”

I turned my eyes down, not wanting to upset the kind pony any more.

“Alright. Let me get this straight. A young colt, who was just passing by, saves my daughter by killing three Timberwolves and fighting off three more. And you claim you’re not an alicorn?”

“No, sir, I have no magic. I'm a Pegasus.”

“Sweet Celestia! Will you stop calling me Sir?! My name is Charcoal.”

“Mr Charcoal... is the girl okay..? I saw her get slashed before I could get to her...”
Charcoal must have heard the fear in my voice, and the regret. He smiled down at me and laughed.

“Kid, the girl was barely scratched, Summer Breeze will be fine. She seems quite taken with you though. But anyway - this is where you tell me what your name is, my brave young colt.”

I panicked: the Equestrian Guard would still be out looking for me. What name should I give? If he found out who I was, and the guard told him of the crimes I had been accused of…
I gave the only name that came to mind.

“Call me Lucky Break.”

Charcoal erupted in laughter. “Kid, your parents must have had strange ideas to name you that!”

“I wouldn’t know. I'm an orphan…” My voice was almost a whisper.

Charcoal sighed quietly and laid a hoof on my shoulder.

“Sorry kid, I didn’t know...”

I must have blacked out again; when I next opened my eyes the curtains were open and bright sunlight shone through the open window. I sat up with a grunt, noting with surprise and gratitude that my old injuries had been cleaned and bandaged. With a smile on my face, I tried to roll to my feet - only to fall backwards off the bed as a small brown head with big green eyes popped up in front of my face.
Standing up shakily, I looked down at the giggling filly and pretended to look hurt.

“Silly awicorn fall down!”

I had to smile. The kid’s young voice, mashing words, was adorable.

“So your name is Summer Breeze?”

The young filly nodded, still staring at me with those huge green eyes. I pointed to myself.

“My name is Lucky Break.”

Summer tilted her head, still staring at me.

“Wucky Bweak?”

I laughed and patted her head.

“Close enough, Summer.”

I trotted to the door, looking to get some air, maybe a little food too. There came a little “Oof” as a sudden weight on my back made me wince, my body complaining about its injuries. Despite the twinges of pain, I smiled, as small hooves wrapped gently around my neck. Summer murmured my name in that adorable lisp again before seeming to fall asleep; I hitched my wings up to make sure she wouldn’t fall off and headed out the door.

The hallway was made of rough wood planks, and doors lined one wall. Glancing about, I saw daylight coming from an open door at the far end of the hallway, so I headed in that direction.

The bright sunlight blinded me for a moment as I took in my surroundings. I was in a small town, the buildings where made from logs, every house had a small garden planted in front of it. Vegetables grew in neat rows. I wandered about for a little, receiving frowns at my bandaged visage before they melted into smiles at the sight of the filly asleep on my back, curled up under my wings. Something about the town struck me as odd, though; around the town was a towering wall made from logs. Why in Equestria would any town need a wall that size?

“Awww! I never saw Summer take to anypony like that before!”

I turned around to see a young mare looking at me with a faint smile. I froze; she had golden eyes…
Blinking, I came back to my senses and took a second look. Besides those eyes she had a brown mane and tail with a grey coat.

“Seen everything? Nothing you missed?” She turned slightly, showing her flank and cutie mark, a tree branch hung with icicles, and grinning at me.

Okay, this was unexpected; I’d never had a girl flirt with me like that before. Unsure how to respond, I lowered my face to hide the blush I felt creep across my face.

Peals of laughter rang out from the unknown mare. “You know, for such a tough stallion, you’re remarkably easy to embarrass!”

I had to say in frustration “I’m no stallion, I'm still a kid myself.”

She gave me an odd look. “So... how old are you?”

“I'm 15 years old, and before you ask I am NOT an alicorn.”

She gave me a mocking smile. “I’m North Wind, Summer is my baby sister. What do they call you?”

“Lucky Break.”

North Wind fell to the ground, laughing so hard it almost woke Summer.

“Sorry, sorry! It’s just so funny you’re called Lucky Break and you’re injured!”

My angry glare must have got to her, as she rolled back onto her hooves and smiled at me.

“You know, you’re kind of cute when you glare like that.”
I blinked and sighed. This girl seemed obsessed with teasing me. I was too tired and hurt to deal with it right now.

“So, North Wind, where can I drop off my adorable cargo?”

North Wind grinned at me and pointed to a nearby hay pile. With the utmost care I lifted the filly’s sleeping form, taking her weight onto one of my wings, wincing slightly as I remembered they were hurt too. Gently I lowered Summer down to the hay and let her settle. With a fond smile I stood back up and turned to North Wind; she was staring at me with an odd look on her face.

“You really do care what happens to my little sister, don’t you? You barely know her... why?”

“I made a promise to someone I loved,” I sighed sadly. “I promised her I would protect ponies who needed it, no matter the cost to me.”

“You lost someone you loved? How long ago did she die?”

“Around a week before I ran into Summer…”

“Oh, Lucky... I'm sorry...” North Wind looked down at the ground, her eyes seeming to tear up. “Was she family?” she asked hesitantly.

“I have no family, I'm an orphan.” I sighed. “Her name was Sunspot, she was a fellow orphan... she was the first pony to ever care about me...” A single tear rolled down my cheek. “I loved her more than life itself.”

“Lucky... I...”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted her, “I just need to be doing something besides feeling sorry for myself. Is there anything around town I can help out with?”

For the rest of the day I worked hard. I hauled logs, ploughed fields, fetched and carried as needed and occasionally entertained a certain young filly who followed me like a shadow. I think the townsfolk accepted me when they saw me flying a few feet from the ground with Summer clutching my neck, screeching with laughter. I was careful not to fly fast and landed before turning.

It was after this activity that Charcoal found us both asleep in the evening gloom, curled upon a haystack, my wing curled protectively over the sleeping filly. Carefully, he nudged me awake.

“I don’t know where you came from, kid, but I'm thankful you’re here.”

“Why’s that?” I felt I had to ask, it didn’t seem he was thanking me for driving off the Timberwolves.

“You have been conscious for less than a day, and you helped most of the town. You even kept Summer out of mischief, and that is no easy feat. Even North Wind speaks highly of you.”

I was very confused; all I did was do a few chores and keep a filly smiling.

“Kid... I know you have nowhere to go. I want you to stay with me and my family.”

My jaw bounced off the floor. I was stunned. I hadn’t spoken more than a few dozen words to this pony and he was inviting me to live in his home with his family?

“I…” A scream from beyond the wall interrupted me.

“Timberwolves!” Without hesitation I launched into the air, leaving Charcoal looking after me in astonishment. I hovered over the town gate, scanning the dark beyond the torches affixed to the gate posts. Hooves thundered as ponies ran for the gate. At the edge of the torchlight I spotted a lone pony struggling with a timberwolf on his back while a second circled around, looking for a chance to deal that fatal strike.

I gained height and folded my wings, plummeting like a stone. I landed with both front hooves on the back of the circling timber wolf with a sickening crunch... something in my chest gave way from the impact. Great. I broke my ribs. Again. Spinning, I planted my back hooves into the face of the second wolf, bucking it from the back of the injured pony.

“Get back to the gate and close it!” Not even checking if he had heard me, I turned towards the dark. Dozens of pairs of yellow eyes watched me. I spat out a mouthful of blood and grinned into the dark.

“Remember me, boys?”

“Wucky?”

I glanced back. Summer was behind me? What was she doing here? The wolves closed in with a snarl. Sweeping her up, I tried to fly but the pain in my chest was making it hard to breathe, let alone fly... The gate seemed so far away; even if she ran I couldn’t keep them all away from her like this. Not knowing what else to do, I wrapped her in a hug and wrapped my wings protectively around her. This was it; this was how I was going to die.

“You can’t have her!”

The timberwolves were all around now, circling, not one brave enough to attack yet.

“I said you can’t have her!” At that moment my own life meant nothing to me, all that mattered was seeing this filly safely back to her family. A tingle began at the base of the horn. The beasts attacked as one, time seemed to slow down once more, and I saw my horn begin to glow with silver light.

“I said you can’t have her now back OFF!”

As I screamed that last word, the horn erupted with silver light. A silver bubble of it spread from my crouching form with startling speed and where the bubble touched the wolves... they were thrown backwards with great force. I don’t know who was more surprised, me or the wolves! That was magic! I used magic!

Summer lifted her head and looked at me. “Wucky are you feeling bad?”

I passed out again.

I woke with a groan, back in the room I last awoke in. Why did I seem to spend so much time unconscious? A stern voice drifted in from outside. What I heard made me shiver with fear.

“I am captain Thunder Chaser of the Equestrian Guard; I'm here searching for a fugitive. He is a black Pegasus with a red mane and eyes. His distinguishing features are a scar over his left eye and a false horn. Answers to the name Starshot.”

I recognised Charcoal’s voice, “Yes, we have seen someone like that.”

He was turning me in! I tried to stand but was too weak to move.

“We saw a stallion matching that description around... what, three days ago? He was flying over the Everfree Forest. Looked pretty hurt.”

Wait, they were hiding the fact I was here and unable to escape?

“Thank you, sir. We’re on his trail now, troops! Move out!”

I listened to the silence for a minute before the door opened and Charcoal trotted in. He looked hard at me for a moment before speaking.

“So… Starshot, is it?”

I sighed before answering. “Yes... my name is Starshot, and I'm the one they were hunting. I'm sorry I never told you the truth, but... I didn’t want to get anypony in trouble for helping me...”

“Kid, you’re as strong as an ox but as dumb as a mule. In this town we judge a pony on their own actions, not what some loudmouth in armour tells us.”

I stared in shock as he continued, “Time and again you put your neck on the line to save others with no thought to yourself. While still covered in injuries, you helped the whole town, and entertained my daughter. When someone called for help you again risked yourself without a moment’s hesitation, and thanks to that lightshow there hasn’t been a single timberwolf sighted in almost a week!”

Charcoal walked back to the door. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he called back to me.

“Get some rest, kid. I don’t want to see you up until you’re healed this time.”

With a grateful smile I drifted back to sleep.

I had stayed in town for almost a month now; my injuries had healed up completely. I knew I had to leave sooner or later, though, or I would bring trouble down on the nice ponies here who had adopted me as one of their own. I didn’t want to go! I had found a home and a family, a town full of ponies who wanted me to stay... it was every orphan’s dream.

The day I left the whole town gathered to see me off; I’ll admit, I was touched. Every pony wished me well in turn. Then came Summer. The little filly hugged me so tight it was hard to breathe.

“Pwomise you will come back Wucky?”

I hugged her back, “I promise, kiddo. I’ll be back one day.”

North Wind came next, after a brief hug she laughed “You best come back, Summer needs to be able to brag in school she’s got the best big brother there is!”

Charcoal laid a hoof on my shoulder. “She’s right, son, you’re one of the family now. You better come back once this thing is all over, okay?”
The dams burst. I cried. But for the first time in ages it was with joy.

“I’ll be back one day, I promise”.

I walked out of the gate and looked back, all the smiling faces waving goodbye to me... it hurt to leave, but I had to.

I launched myself into the air and flew into the warm morning sun.