Chapters "Well, I made it to the Everfree Forest without being seen... that does seem to be a small quiet town... they never said anything about me socializing... I wonder if anypony knows of me... ah to hell with it, they never gave me a deadline. I'll start work at the crack of dawn tomorrow, the day's almost over anyways."
Rainbow Dash finished work just like any other day, today's forecast called for partly cloudy skies with a few sprinkles. She was laid out on a lone cloud just above a dirt road leading out of Ponyville. Ready to take one of her typical mid-day naps, she jolted back to full consciousness by the only thing that'd kill her more than being rejected by the Wonderbolts; Fluttershy screaming. The first thing that came to the mind of the cyan pegasus was that Fluttershy was in hurt and in trouble. Without much thought, Rainbow Dash bolted to towards the direction of the scream. she stopped on top of a cloud only fifty feet of so from the timid pegasus. The cyan mare peeked out only enough to look at her friends assailant. Fluttershy was facing a green alicorn mare, the two were approximently equal in height. Her wings dipped into the dirt as if their were no bones in them. Her mane a mix of bright greens and yellows was was tangled within itself. The two were standing in front of a large tree not far from Fluttershys cottage. Rainbow Dash had enough when she saw Fluttershy lifted a hoof and jerk back, the mysterious alicorn slowly leaned forwards.
"You leave Fluttershy alone!" Rainbow Dash came charging at the green mare thing. the impact sent them to a tree behind her. "Fluttershy, are you okay? I'll deal with her."
"um, actually he's um... my friend." Fluttershy replied.
Rainbow Dash than got over her friends attacker and proceeded to assault her. "Nobody messes With my friends, you hear me!"
"Wait!" Fluttershy spoke out. The beating came to a stop. a wing and an ear laid off to the side, torn off in the struggle. "Skywing, are you alright. I'm so sorry for Rainbow Dash's actions."
"Uh, Fluttershy what's going on?" The cyan mare got off the strange alicorn, and fell on her flank.
"Rainbow Dash, he is my friend. This is Skywing." She replied.
"I don't know whats going on, but I'm pretty sure she is a mare." Dash was confident in what she was saying.
"well actually he's a... a uh-"
"A mutant." Skywing spoke with an unmistakable stallion voice. staggering to his hooves, He acted as if nothing really happened. He had no evidence of pain. the profuse bleeding had stopped in seconds. "uh... hello?" Rainbow Dash only gawked at Skywing. "Eeyeah... you turned me into Vincent Van Colt. but other than that, you helped me get rid of half the dead weight I need to get rid of. Help me tear off my other wing, and I'll explain."
"Wait, did that even hurt!?" seemed stunned at what she herd.
"Yeah, but dragging them on the ground hurts more." Skywing replied. "Now rip my wing out!"
"O-okay." Skywing got down on his back and extended his wing the best he could. Rainbow Dash placed her hoof on top of the wing as she did the previous. Weather it was a well calculated kick or just dumb luck, the wing came off just the same. the open wound bled out for seconds before coming to an abrupt halt.
"Okay. as I said, my explanation. First off, I'm missing both humerus. So that means wing support what so ever. As for the short bleeding. I must confess, I don't know much about that. I think it has something to do with my regenerating flesh." Skywing finished his short explanation.
"Um... I was actually wondering how you know Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked the only question.
Skywing dreaded that question. The green mare-like stallion just sat there for a moment, going over the events of that day. He finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity to him. "I still have problems with that day. Sorry, but I cant answer that."
"Th-they got you that day. Didn't they? Oh I'm sorry! You don't have to answer that! I mean." Fluttershy stopped in mid-sentence. Fearing she had said something wrong.
Skywing only closed his eyes and dipped his head slightly, then steadily walked to the cowering mare. Fluttershy stepped back, shaking as she did. As he got closer to the mare, she stumbled to the ground. Fearing the worst, Fluttershy clenched her eyes closed, and turned her head away. Skywing stopped directly in front of the now terrified mare. "Cant you see you're scaring her!" Rainbow Dash yelled at the mutant. Skywing took no heed, choosing to calmly lower himself to his belly. At this point their faces mere inches apart.
"Yes. they did." Skywing softly spoke, as not to frighted the mare any more then she was. Fluttershy turned her head back to see her old friend looking at the dirt underneath them. "they did get me." Skywing slowly turned his head. Fluttershy nuzzled his neck in an attempt to comfort him from the memories that invaded his mind, to no avail. Fluttershy slowly got up and moved to the left of Skywing. Getting back down on her belly, Fluttershy wrapped a wing around him in a gesture of comfort.
Rainbow Dash just stood there, watching the whole thing unfold. It took three more minutes to decide to get their friends involved. 'Whatever happened must have been big.' Dash thought to herself. She took to the skies in search of her friends, and to give two some momentary space.
It didn't take Dash long to spot a familiar stand. The remaining customers left as Rainbow Dash came in for a landing. Landing just to the right of the cart, Dash was the first to speak. "Hey, AJ what's going on?"
"closin' up, we sold out quicker than usual." Applejack quickly replied. "So what's happinen' yourself?"
"I don't know how or why, or who he is. but a friend of Fluttershy's has shown up." Rainbow Dash was hesitant about that.
"No foolin'?" Applejack shot with surprise.
"no joke." The cyan pegasus spoke. "their still at Fluttershys cottage."
"great, I'll get the cart back home and meet 'em there."
"I'll meet you there when I get everypony else." with that, Rainbow Dash was off. not even ten second later Sugarcube Corner came into view. She landed in front just outside the front door. She swung the door open reveling a mostly empty shop.
"Hey Dashie, Do you want to make some cupcakes with m-" Rainbow forced a hoof into Pinkie Pies mouth.
"Yeah, yeah. Cupcakes, torture, gutting. It's getting old Pinkie!" Dash Said in annoyance. "I'm here because a friend of Fluttershys is in town, and I thought I would tell you all about it."
Pinkie Pie removed Dashies hoof "Ooh so who is it?"
"I forget his name, but he's green, and his wings were limp."
"Did he have a horn?" Pinkie asked, a little more excited than usual.
"Yeah. How'd you guess?" Dash hadn't expected her to ask.
"It's Skywing, The Cloudsdale Mutant!"
Rainbow Dash was dumbstruck.
"Wait! He's Fluttershys friend? How did that happen."
The cyan pegasus finally spoke after a full minute "I don't know, They never told me."
"Well I guess I should go find them after my shift." Pinkies enthusiasm died down with that said.
"Well, we got through the mid-day rush." Mrs. cakes voice was herd as she came down the stairs. "They get worse every year. Things calm down after the mid-day rush. You can go Pinkie."
"Okei-Dokei-Lokei. I never met a mutant before, never-ever-ever-ever-ever." Pinkie Pie bounced out the front door, in the direction of fluttershys cottage.
"Okay, now where... I guess whatever I see next." Was the last thing Rainbow Dash said before flying out of Sugarcube Corner.
"Is she going to tell the whole town?" Skywing recovered from his silent emotional breakdown, and now had an unamused look painted on his face.
"oh no, she wouldn't. I'm sure she's only telling our friends." Fluttershy reassured.
"Oh, well here come two of them now."
Applejack and Pinkie Pie were the ones to make it first. "Skywing, what happened to you!" Pinkie Pie was first to speak.
"Rainbow Dash happened." Skywing replied with a bit of anger.
"Where are your wings?"
"Why, want them? There over by the tree."
"Wait, your an alicorn!?" Applejack finally got into the conversation.
"No silly filly. He the Cloudsdale Mutant." Pinkie pie answered for Skywing.
"Oh, so you're Fluttershys friend, ah'd never think of fluttershy havin' more friends in school. Skywing is your name? well, ahm Applejack."
"yeah, heh heh. I'm Skywing." Applejack grabbed Skywings right forehoof shaking it her usual aggressive manor, if not harder. His hoof came off at the shoulder.
Applejack gasped at this outcome. "ahm so sorry, ah didn't mean for that to happen!"
"Fluttershy, dear. I herd you have a friend in tow-" The approaching Rarity was met with the gruesome site, and her word turned to screams of terror. Fluttershy, Pinkie pie, and Applejack starred at the now fleeing Rarity. Skywing however, scolded Applejack out from the corner of his eye, then pulled his forehoof from her grip with his magic. Applejacks attention shifted to Skywing, who was reattaching his dismembered limb.
"How'd y'all go and put your hoof back on like that?" Applejacks confusion was apparent.
"Having an unstable genetic code helps with the recovery process. And a little unicorn magic never hurt, metaphorically speaking." Skywing explained as a struggle could be herd in the distance.
"NO! I refuse to go back, that was absolutely disgusting!" Rarity couldn't put up much of a fight.
"I'm sure you're overreacting to this." Twilight spoke, coming into view.
"yeah, I don't think anypony's that mean." Rainbow Dash added. Rarity finally came into view. encased in Twilights magic aura. The dismembered leg Rarity saw was not there this time.
"See, there is nothing disgusting here." Twilight reassured.
"Oh, I guess I was just hallucinating than." Rarity was finally released from Twilights magic grip when she calmed down. "I terribly sorry about earlier. My name is Rarity, I assume you're Fluttershys new friend?"
"Yes I am, my name is Skywing." 'I had no idea Fluttershy had so many friends ' Skywing didn't know what to expect with all the conflicting reactions 'Just stay calm, and you'll get through this. '
"Skywing." Twilight spoke up. "Rainbow Dash told me that you're a mutant. Now I know thats not true,because the last known mutant Died three hundred years ago. She also told me you are an alicorn. But since you don't have wings don't have wings, I can safely say you are not an alicorn. And I will have a long lecture with a certain cyan pegasus." Twilight shot a look at Rainbow Dash from the corner of her eye.
"Okay, I don't know what to say." Skywing started. "First of all, I am a genuine mutant. So when you said mutants are extinct, that really hurt. Secondly, My wings drag on the ground so Rainbow Dash ripped them off."
"Wait I didn't even tell you my name. How'd you figure it out?" Rainbow Dash show an accusive look at Skywing.
"Fluttershy called you by that name, and most of you are B-list celebs." Skywing looked directly at Rainbow Dash with an expressionless look. then Turned to Pinkie Pie "You... pinky, I forgot your name. what was it?"
"My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but everybody calls me Pinkie Pie." Pinkie bounced out of pure excitement.
"...How'd I get that one... no matter." Skywing returned his attention to Twilight. "Your fame precieves you, Twilight Sparkle."
"Wait, I'm not that famous." Twilight rejected the whole idea of being a celebrity.
"Oh please, you're an A-list celeb. Not very many pomies know you by name, everypony refers to you as 'Princess Celestias student. And defeating Nightmare Moon and Discord only raised your popularity."
"Do you ever wish you could fly?" Pinkie Pie cut off Twilight before she could say anything, much to her relief.
"I don't really have to, why?" Skywing turned back to face Pinkie Pie.
"How can you not want to fly? The wind in your face. The way your body feels. The adrenaline rush, it's all so awesome!" Rainbow Dash expression said it all.
"Just watch." Skywings horn started to glow, a green aura covering it. Small tremors could be felt in the ground, but nothing else. seconds passed by as the cyan pegasus grew impatient.
"How long is this going to take?" The rhetorical question from Rainbow Dash fell om deaf ears. Skywing closed his eyes as the spell continued. A second later, a stone board surrounded on a bright green aura vertically shot out of the ground. The thin oval shaped object came to ground level after going several feet into the air. The top half was smooth and flat, as the bottom was slightly rounded.
"This is how I fly." Skywing jumped on the stone board.
"It's alright, I guess. What can it do." Rainbow Dash, completely unimpressed, didn't expect what came next.
"Wanna race."
"Dear, you can't be serious!?" Rarity spoke immediately after Skywing, leaving no room for Rainbow Dash to accept his challenge.
"Yeah, what makes ya think ya'll can beat Rainbow?" Applejack was convinced Skywing would lose.
"A race though Whitetail Woods." The mutant stallion took a pose on his stone board. shifting the nose of the board in the air
"Ah hope ya know what your doin', gal like you don't need to be gettin' hurt." Applejack spoke with concern, for good reason to. Rainbow Dash's had a competitive streak, doing almost anything to win.
"Skywing isn't a filly." Pinkie Pie lead Applejacks hoof around to Skywings rear, and to his crotch, Swiftly and gently. Applejacks face turned a deep red. Rarity gasped and fainted, bringing a hoof to her forehead as she did. Fluttershy backed down and hid behind her main, clinching her eyes shut. Twilight gawked at what was happening. Rainbow Dash felt herself heating up. And Skywing despite his green fur, turned bright red. His board fell to the ground. He himself went limp, his forelegs gave way then backlegs. All in seconds of each other.
"Pinkie! Ya could've just told me he was a colt, instead uh just doin' that!" Applejack yelled defensively "Ah didn't want to feel his things!"
"Really? I saw you feel Big Macintosh's spooge boulders." chirped with excitement.
"T-That's different, Ah accidently got him hurt there!" Applejacks yelling proved useless.
"To do such an uncivilized thing. I will never get that horrid image out of my mind." Rarity spoke on wobbly hooves.
"Can we get past what Pinkie Pie did and to my race?" the annoyance in Rainbow Dashs voice was hard to miss.
"As soon as we wake Skywing up." Twilight said walking to him.
"Well actually... He's conscious but um... limp." Fluttershy spoke to her friends before addressing Skywing directly. His eyes twitched, a signal of nervousness. "Take as long as you need." She laid down next to Skywing.
"Whats wrong, afraid I'll beat you?" Rainbow Dash worked to aggravate Skywing. seconds later his horn started to glow, and a large rock was ripped from the ground.
Skywing got up in his hooves, and turned directly to Rainbow Dash. "Go into Whitetail Woods, get to the end. Circle this rock, skim along the lake. first one here wins. Got it?" Skywing didn't hesitate with the route. Moments later the rock was flung over Whitetail Woods. He than grabbed his board with his magic and put a line in the ground. "This is the starting line and finish line." Skywing than jumped back onto his board.
"Ooh, this music will go great with the race." Pinkie Pie started jumping with the music.
"Pinkie, we cant hear anything." Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie.
"Oh, sorry." Pinkie left the story to start the music. In seconds the music started. "I'm back. Did I miss anything?"
"No, but Fluttershy is starting the race." Rarity watched as Fluttershy got to the middle of the starting line, Skywing on the left Rainbow Dash on the right, scarf in her mouth just like last time. Both racers on the ground, they were itching to be the first one out of the starting line. The scarf went up, Skywing and Dash leaned forwards. Fluttershy brought it down and they flew by her. Dash and Skywing could not have started any faster if they tried.
Slowly Skywing lifted himself on to his back hooves, bringing his right hind-leg forwards. His right forehoof was held in front of him, He started to slowly pull away. "I honestly hope there's more to your flying than this." Skywing turned his attention from Dash to the fast approaching trees. Whitetail Woods provided a technical challenge requiring more precise turning. Rainbow Dash stayed low to the ground to avoid as many branches as possible, and it was working. The slight lead skywing gained was quickly lost.
"See you at the finish line!" Rainbow Dash gained an increasing lead. Skywing left the dirt path for a direct route. Avoiding the branches became problematic, however time and distance was an issue with dash in the lead. It was only ten seconds flat and Skywing gained an entire foot lead against Rainbow Dash. "Hey, that's cheating!" Rainbow Dash accused.
"I said circle the rock, skim along the lake, and get back first. Not how to get to them. speaking of rock." Skywing pulled a hairpin turn around the rock, Rainbow had a wider turn. luck had it for Dash the lake was a straightaway, Rainbow got directly behind Skywing. The slipstream he was producing was perfect. Rainbow pushed herself to her limit, she felt different. she should've made a Sonic Rainboom at these speeds. Rainbow Dash pulled up right behind skywing, threatening to throw him off at that speed.
Instinctively, Skywing moved right, this proved to be fatal. As soon as Rainbow Dash exited the slipstream, a sonic rainboom erupted sending Skywing and his board flying. "Hope you know how to swim." Rainbow mocked as Skywing plummeted into the lake. the sonic rainboom was short lived as the straightaway lead to an area difficult to maneuver at her typical flight speed. The dense foliage proved challenging, Dashes speed drastically fell to manage the barrage of sharp turns.
"Are ya sure Twi'?" Applejack was concerned with what she was she was hearing.
"Yes, he's not a mutant. the last known mutant died over three hundred years ago." Twilight spoke confidently.
"You don't suppose there is any other way to give birth to a mutant, do you Twilight?" Rarity spoke up.
"For the last time, Skywing is not a-" Twilights words were cut off by the arrival of Skywings board. It came in at an angle nose first, burying itself two thirds in the ground.
"Skywings board." Fluttershy squeaked out of surprise. the stone board stuck out of the ground two feet from the finish line.
"Dashie's coming, Dashie's coming!" the sudden outburst of Pinkie Pie grabbed everyponys attention. The speeding cyan pegasus had a smug grin painted on her face. It had changed when she noticed Twilight grabbing Skywings board with her magic.
Rainbow Dash stopped mere inches from the finish line. "How'd he beat me!?" she failed to notice Skywings absence.
"Dash, Skywing's not here, his board just came flying through the air." Twilight spoke calmly.
Rainbow dashes facial expression shifted to fear. 'I really hope he knows how to swim. ' she took a moment before flying over Whitetail Woods. as the lake came into view, the fear in Rainbow Dash only grew. the search for where her Sonic Rainboom started was quick, distinct features were present. upon realizing Skywing was not in sight, she immediately feared the worse. without hesitation Rainbow Dash dove to the bottom of the lake.
To her horror, she found Skywing unconscious. Rainbow grabbed him with all four legs and used her wings to swim to the surface. Reaching it was the hard part. Upon breaking the surface, Rainbow Dash flew to shore. "If you can hear me, stay awake. Just stay awake!" no response. Reaching shore was a simple task for the cyan mare. Rainbow Dash dropped Skywing near the waters edge. His hooves fell to the right, his drenched main and tail splayed out.
Dash put an ear up to Skywings chest. She couldn't hear the heartbeat she so desperately wanted. The thought of killing somepony got Dash to unconsciously perform CPR. Never actually learning it, she copied how she saw it in the movies. fifteen seconds in and Skywing was still unresponsive. Rainbow Dash took a hard kick on her head, sending her back a foot or two.
"ah can't believe you," The familiar voice called out. "you'd just leave yer friends waiting whal y'all got comfy with each other." The accusive words did little to the briefly dumbfounded pegasus.
"What was that for?" Rainbow Dash yelled, forgetting Skywing for the moment.
"Ya invite us to see fluttershys friend, and then run off ta get ta know him intimately!" Applejack turned her attention to the motionless Skywing. She starred for a few seconds before raising her voice. "Ah know ya aint trying to get out of this!" Applejack brought a hoof up and struck Skywing with just enough force to cause a decent amount of pain.
"OhmygodIkilled'em!" Rainbow Dashes panic brought confusion to Applejack. She quickly moved to her panicked friend. "What if the wonderbolts find out, what if Princess Celestia finds out. MY LIFE IS " A third voice cut Rainbow Dash off.
"It finally happened! I'm dead, I'm finally dead!" the voice belonged to Skywing. Applejack and Rainbow Dash watched as he went on. "My body is at the bottom of a lake with no radiation to revive it, so now I'm stuck in hell just waiting to have burning coal shoveled into my ass!" His panicked voice echoed in every which direction.
"Uh, ya aint dead yet." Applejack stated to the panicky pony, her voice slightly colder than usual.
"Oh, um... Oh." Skywing looked towards both mares. "so who performed CPR on me?"
"Is that you were doin'?" Applejack spoke with a hint of guilt in her voice. "Ah guess ah got a little ahead of mahself, ah'm mighty sorry."
"I hate to interrupt but I walked several miles and got into a race, now I'm beat." Skywing stretched his jaw out.
"Yeah, it is getting late. I aught ta get back ta the farm." Applejack brought attention to Celestias fading light. "Ya got a place to stay Skywing?"
"I was actually planning on finding shelter in the Everfree Forest." Skywing spoke expecting something to happen.
"Are you crazy, you're liable to die if you go in there!" Rainbow Dash yelled, showing concern due to the fact it was Fluttershys friend.
"I was actually sent to investigate the Everfree Forest in an attempt to... Uh where's my board?" Skywings attention temporarily shifted to his missing stone board.
"First of all, don't go changin' the subject. Secondly, can't ya just make a new one." Applejack questioned Skywing.
"That stone board took me years to build, I can't use some powerful magic to instantly alter the shape of some rock. It was a time consuming process." Skywing answered.
"hey girls, I just wanted to... What's going on?" Twilight was rather confused about the situation. She carried the stone board with her magic.
"He was about to tell us why he wants ta go into the Everfree Forest." Applejack addressed Twilights Question.
"Thank you for bringing me my board Twilight Sparkle." Twilights magic disapated only to quickly be replaced by Skywings. "Now back to the matter of the Everfree forest. Basically the Canterlot Magic and Mutation research center thinks its controlled by radiation. So with that in mind they sent me to investigate these claims."
"Skywing, how did you-" Twilight was cut off by Rainbow Dash.
"I don't care, I'm not letting Fluttershy get hurt." Rainbow Dash wouldn't tell the whole truth.
"How does me going into the Everfree Forest at night hurt Fluttershy." Skywing was genuinely stumped on this one.
"I think she means emotionally, if something happens to you in the Everfree Forest, it would... Fluttershy is really sensitive to this Kind of things." Twilight answered for Rainbow Dash.
"If you insist. But where do you suppose I stay, I didn't go into town." Skywing tried to prove a point, without ant success.
"My place." Rainbow Dash quickly answered. 'And the rumors will finally end. '
Skywing only looked at Rainbow Dash with a deadpan expression as she turned from cocky to annoyed. "Very well. Lead the way."
Applejacks and Twilights jaws simultaneously dropped as Skywing jumped on his board. "Rainbow. Ya hardly know him, whah ya takin' em home so soon."
"Because if Fluttershy trusts him, Thats good enough for me." A smug look crossed Dashs face. "Besides I can handle myself."
"Shes got a point you know. Fluttershy does trust him, and that's a lot to go by." Twilight Spoke.
"So what of the others?" Skywing suddenly questioned.
"Went home."
With a respectful huff, Skywing turned to Dash. "Shall we go, or to you intend to keep me here." With that, Rainbow Dash was off with Skywing not too far behind. The distance was no further than their race, but their speeds were more casual.
"Hey, can you walk on clouds?"
"I'm a mutant pegasus, aren't I."
"I don't know."
"I'm the Cloudsdale Mutant witch should imply that originally I was a pegasus."
"I guess that makes sense."
The trip was was slightly longer than the conversation. Dashs cloud house had an ancient Rome feel to it. "I guess I shouldn't be impressed by a B list celebs house, but I am."
"Wait till you see the inside." Rainbow Dash spoke. Skywing threw is board at the earth after setting hoof on cloud. The interior had a more modern design, complete with secondary carpeting of fast food wrappers, empty beer cans from years past, and old worn out clothes. A coffee table with a few uncrushed beer cans sat in front of a couch. "Well the place is kind of a mess, want anything." Rainbow Dash moved to a mini fridge located behind the door.
"What do you got." Skywing stood by the door visibly nervous through his best efforts to suppress it.
"I got Bronyweiser. Uh... you can relax, ya know that." As if on cue Skywings tension eased. Rainbow Dash pulled two beers from the mini-fridge and hoofed one to Skywing.
"Can't complain with Bronyweiser." Skywing took his making his way to the couch. Though the mare-faced stallion could easily open the can with his magic, he opted for his hoof like a earth pony of pegasus.
"So if were all celebrities, then why aren't well all mobbed by everypony?" Rainbow took a drink.
"that's an easy one, Princess Celesta has put it where the paparazzi cant bother you directly." Rainbow said nothing as she starred at her can of Bronyweiser. "Nothing like a couch to show you how exhausted you really are."
Dash looked up from her can to Skywings face. "Hey, there's been something I've been wanting to ask you." Skywing only raised an eyebrow. "I was wondering if you'd wanna have some fun with me?" Rainbow spoke seductively
Skywing only glanced away. "Not happening."
"What, why!?"
"Simple, I hardly know you outside of what the media has gathered, even then I don't entirely trust them. But more importantly, I don't think I'll stay awake to finish you off."
"I doubt anypony could fall asleep during-" Dash was cutoff mid-sentence by Skywing.
"Obviously you haven't been as exhausted as I am right now." Skywing took a short pause before continuing. "I haven't been this relaxed in... I can't remember. every waking moment I keep from returning to my past life, they hunt me down relentlessly. Though I haven't seen them lately." Skywing finished his beer and placed the empty can on the coffee table.
"You wanna another?"
"No, the fatigue is really getting to me." Skywing let out a big yawn before proceeding. "I'm calling it a day right here, right now."
"Before you go to sleep, at least tell me what the media is saying about me." Rainbow Dash was intent on learning about what they were saying about her.
"The most talked about thing the media says about you is that your a lesbian, but something keeps telling me you're bi. Another thing they talk about is..." Skywing looked up for a moment before his head came crashing down on the sofa.
Rainbow poked at the now fast asleep mutant on her couch. Skywing only curled up like a little foal. Convinced he was not waking up soon, Rainbow took two steps towards her mini-fridge before deciding against it. As she went up the stairs to her room a thought pop into her head. The thought followed her to sleep. 'How did he know I'm bi? '
Skywing had a habit of waking up at five am every morning, a habit he'd rather get rid of. Skywing shifted positions during his sleep, and was now splayed out on his back. He wasn't fully awake but he didn't need do be to know that he was fully erect, a nuisance if he ever knew one. He took five minutes to fully wake up, before a foreign sound invaded his ears.
An alarm clock that sat on Rainbows night stand had gone off. 'Did I leave the alarm on again ' The alarm was for yesterdays early morning work. Dash searched for the annoying noise until she finally found it. The call of a full bladder was the second thing that came to her mind.
Curiosity got the better of Skywing, prompting him to go up to Rainbow Dashs room. The odd sound had disappeared leaving Skywing to speculate. Opening the door undetected to dashs room was easier than expected. A full look around from the door revealed little save for Dashs absence, until a new sound broke the silence. The new sound was easier to recognize, It caused him to blush. As the sound came to an end, the shortly followed sound confirmed the thoughts that had invaded his mind, causing Skywing to blush even deeper. Rainbow emerged from her bathroom with an empty bladder, a shocked look covered her face as she discovered her unwanted but greatly appreciated ease dropper. It quickly turned into a devilish smile.
'crap! ' Skywing stood motionless other than his quickening breaths as Rainbow repositioned herself to get a better of his stone hard member. Ether by choice or distraction, she didn't acknowledge his fully regenerated ear, or the skin that generated over where his wings once were, none witch scarred up.
"You enjoyed what you herd, Didn't you?" Rainbow seductively moved forwards, Skywing stepped back. "Now you can enjoy me."
'Okay it's official, this is the most scared I've been in a long time. Now what do I do then all I everything I know is from a pony mill outside Equestria? ' Skywing continued to inch back as Dash moved forwards twice his speed.
Rainbow pretended to not notice how nervous the Cloudsdale Mutant was, and chose her next words without excess thought. "Oh I know, I'll start you off with foreplay." The suggestion made Skywing rear up and loose his hoofing. Rainbow could only watch and cringe as the mare-faced stallion painfully descended the stairs. "You okay?"
Now at the bottom floor, Skywings first thought was to check for dislocated limbs and found that his right hind leg was, at the base. With a bit of magic he was able to put it back in place. "You really are persistent, aren't you. If it means anything, the media normally print what will get the readers attention, and half of it isn't usually true."
"So, then we just have to convince then were dating." The cyan mare was concerned about the mare-faced stallion, but more so about how the public saw her since she learned she was a celeb.
Skywing got on his hooves and decided his next words wisely. "Nice plan, but there's one catch. Mutants are seen quite literally as the scum of Equestria. We are looked down upon as a sub species, or a an entirely different and inferior race. 'Desperate lesbian mare dates mutant freak.' My god, the media would eat that up like a pack of starving wolves. Are you really prepared for something like that?" Skywings appendage had receded into his body during his once around, much to his relief. Dash sat there dumbfounded at the top of the steps as Skywing made his way out the front door.
The predawn air sent a chill down the mutants back. peering down from the cloud, Skywing searched for his board. 'Okay too dark to see the ground. Very well, looks like another skydiving trip for the stallion that looks like a mare. ' The Cloudsdale Mutant plunged off the edge, with desired results. The stone board quickly came into view as he prepared a falling mount. The board shot out of the ground, circled around from above Skywing. The board made contact with his hooves as Skywing leveled out. 'Right than. Next stop, Everfree Forest. '
Spike typically woke up between six and six thirty, and snuck into the main library to avoid waking Twilight. However this time she was not in her bed. It was not a mystery to why Twilight was not in bed, but what she was trying to explain. Twilight was sleeping in the main library, with book on her face. Now in the main library, Spike took this as an excuse to wake her up. He didn't like to see what was essentially the only family he had like this. Twilight was slouched up against the center table when she fell asleep, and was now on her belly. Hind legs fully extended and forehooves at each end of the book on her head. "Twilight, I thought we talked about you overworking yourself." Twilight was a light sleeper but only mumbled something in complete gibberish. Spike decided on nudging her to wake her. It didn't take long before Twilight was alert.
"Thanks for waking me up spike." Twilight tried to get back to her studies as Spike made sure to prevent her, at least until he got answers.
"I want to know why your're doing this, You promised me you would at least give an explanation when you overwork yourself."
Twilight sighed. "Somepony is claiming to be a mutant, and I want to prove he's not." Spike interjected reminding her about what she learned from Pinkie. "Spike, your a genius. I need to prove that he isn't a mutant, not that he can't be a mutant."
"But isn't that the same thing?"
"No they aren't, now I'm going to need 'Ancient Races and Religions' and 'Hidden Dangers of Equestria.'" Twilights stomach growled loudly. "and maybe some breakfast." She grinned sheepishly as Spike acknowledged the order for breakfast, deciding on daisy pancakes for a good choice as he left Twilight to search for the books she spoke of. They weren't books that peaked her interest, but books she kept track of none the less. The first book was 'Ancient Races and Religions' a complete guide to races lost to time. Her first thought was to brows the index. Twilight was disappointed when the word mutant was not listed in the book. The second book 'Hidden Dangers of Equestria' had not a few pages, but a whole chapter. It was sub-section three that would give her the answers.
Creation of Mutants
Contrary to popular belief mutants are not a separate race but an unnaturally modified version of a preexisting race or animal. the most common way a mutant is when both or ether parent is a mutant. However a mutant may also be conceived if ether parent is exposed to direct radiation or mutagen. the odds of a mutant being conceived are drastically raised if both parents are exposed to radiation or mutagen.
Twilight stopped reading thinking thinking it was referencing non-ponies, and skipped to sub-section nine.
Mutants and Ponies
Ponykind is not exempt from mutants, however for three hundred years mutants were rarely conceived. Mutant ponies typically die young with an average of twelve percent of them actually reaching maturity, with most being killed by a residential pony.
Twilight got restless and proceeded to the next sub-section. It was dedicated to the mutant ponies as far back as four hundred years ago. The book itself was less than ten years old, the odds of exposing Skywing were in Twilight s favor. The list was thirty-eight pages long, consisting of each mutants name date of birth and death with a short description. she browsed the names until she came upon what she had half heartedly searching for.
Skywing D.O.B 4/5/1991 Death 6/3/1993 'The Cloudsdale Mutant' was one of the last known mutants in existence. Born without ether humerus in his wings, thus both wings had to be surgically removed. other notable mutations were his mares skull and his unicorn horn. weather it was fully functional or not may never be known. Death was by a fall from cloudsdale to the ground below by local pegasus trying to quote "Dispose of the monstrosity." after seven years, the search was called off. The body was never found.
Twilight was dumbfounded. It was now obvious this new unicorn was using a spell to change his or her appearance. Finding the name was surprising, But the fact the real Skywing was dead was all the proof Twilight needed.
The rest of the morning progressed smoothly as vendors and shops opened for busness. Sugarcube Corner was doing exceptionally well keeping up with customers. Pinkie Pie had been creating a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for Skywing, the next problem was getting him to the party on time. That had been fixed by the arrival of an amber colored mare. "Boy howdy, you'll throw a party just for the time of day. wouldn't ya?" Applejack attempted small talk as she brought in apple based pastries.
"Applejack, I need you to get Skywing. Were almost done." The ecstatic pink pony made her way to her amber colored friend.
"Beg your pardon, but ah don't know where he is."
"Well somepony's bound to know where he is." Pinkie Pie finished putting up the decor for the party as her eyes scoured the room ensuring everything was in place. "Who was he with last?"
"Never mind that, I think ah know where Skahwing might be. ah won't let ya down." Applejack pulled Pinkie Pie into a short brief hug, before galloping out the door. Her first thoughts were to head to the Everfree Forest. 'Now ah know he said somethin 'bout The Everfree Forest. ' Applejack didn't gallop everywhere but she did enjoy the wind in her mane from time to time, a pleasure she had in common with Rainbow Dash. It wasn't hard to tell weather she was galloping for fun or another reason. Applejack slowed to a stop as she neared her destination, Everfree Forest. The cowpony cautiously entered waiting for something to jump out and attack her. The pre-noon sun would lower the chances of an attack, but they were still possible. Applejack was only a half a mile into the forest before a manticore came into sight, something was off.
"A manticore of her size seems well fed, but I'm going to need a blood sample to be certain." The sudden voice scared Applejack, sending her to a momentary state of fear.
"Come out, Ah ain't afraid of you!" Applejack yelled into no particular direction to mask her fears.
"Jeez, you don't have to yell. I'm right here, it's a pain when you blend into your surroundings. By the way, you're a horrible liar, uh Applejack was it?" Applejack searched the area with her eyes until Skywing seemingly emerged from the brush towards the head of the manticore. "I suppose there is a reason you came looking for me."
"We here in Ponyville have a unique way of welcoming new pony folk to our town." Skywing walked past Applejack before turning to face her.
"Okay. Lets get out of here, I don't want to be near that manticore when she wakes up." Skywing turned his head back around as the two walked a few feet before he turned his head towards Applejack again. "Weren't you going to take to Ponyvilles welcoming comity?"
"Oh, uh. Yeah..." Applejack nearly forgot about the Party at the shrinking sight of the manticore. She got to Skywings side before he started walking by her side. Skywing couldn't help but glance at the cowpony as the two made their way out of the Everfree Forest.
"Has anypony told you how pretty you are?" Skywing spoke nonchalantly.
Applejack was caught off guard with the Question. She felt her face heat up from the new complement. "No, ah think you're the first." Applejack averted her eyes upon completing her sentence.
"You don't say, and here I am thinking you would've at least had two or three colts ask you out or something." Skywing had feelings for her, but buried them deep. He wanted to know more about modern pony culture before getting into a relationship.
"Did ya want ta ask me out?" Skywings face started to heat up as the conversation turned against him.
"No... not yet, at least." Skywing kept a straight face.
"What do ya mean 'not yet.'" Applejack thought it was curious statement. In truth, Skywing hadn't been in Equestrila for very long, only a year and a half.
"It matters not. So where is this welcoming thing?" Applejack and Skywing had only stepped into town before the question came up.
"It's over at Sugarcube Corner." Applejack lead the way as they passed various buildings.
'This is a pretty nice place. ' Skywing made mental notes as he followed Applejack.
"Were here. Lets go in, there waiting for us." Skywing entered the gingerbread themed shop, followed by Applejack. The darkened room became a a buzz of excitement as Applejack hit the light switch. A loud 'Surprise' same from everypony in the room simultaneously.
"Were you surprised. Huh, were ya, were ya, were ya." The pink party pony ecstatically jumped in place. For a moment, the bloodthirsty crowd Skywing was used to seeing when he went to any given city faded into happy party goers.
"Uh...yeah, I was Surprised." However nothing could prepare him for what was to come next.
"Skywing is a fake!"
Viewer discretion advised: Strong Language
All the ponies turned their heads to the back there Twilight stood, she was taking a pose that signified authority. Skywing stared at her with the same deadpan expression he faced every negative event in his life with. "The real Skywing died years ago, back in June 3, 1993!"
It was Pinkie who made the first move, dragging Twilight into the back room as she bolted across the crowd of ponies. "What are you talking about Twilight, Skywing is right out there with everypony else."
"How can you say that, I just brought up indisputable proof that that isn't Skywing. How can you deny that?" Twilight began to get frustrated with Pinkie as Fluttershy entered the room unnoticed.
"Twilight, you have to trust me. I met Skywings parents shortly after they called off the search, they were all mopey. It was hard for his mom to describe him without breaking into tears every few minutes. But they told me everything, and he fits perfectly." Pinkie spoke with sincerity in her voice.
"Y-You know my parents?" Skywings sudden appearance had frightened Twilight, Pinkie however almost expected him to join them. Skywing sat by Fluttershy who was watching him since he walked through the door.
"Of course I know your parents, they came to Ponyville after they called off the search." Skywing sat there, taking in what Pinkie had told him with. With tears lining his eyes, he leaned into Fluttershy who was more then happy to comfort him as the new information settled in. "Aw, don't cry. Ooh I know." Futtershy wrapped a wing around Skywing as his emotions started to show by the tears caressing his cheeks.
Twilight grabbed Skywing with her magic and held him in the air. "WHO ARE YOU?" she demanded in a loud demanding voice. Fluttershy shrunk down as Twilight started spinning Skywing end over end, too scared to speak up. Rainbow Dash was stopped at the door frame dumbstruck at what she was watching. Skywing finally had enough after a minute of spinning, and flung a frying pan at the lavender unicorns horn. Subsequently chipping Twilights horn then dropping Skywing on his face.
"What's going on in here?" Rainbow Dash finally asked after being speechless.
Skywing pulled his face off the ground as he spoke. "She thinks I'm a fake. Well is there anything you want?"
"You." Rainbow grabbed Skywing and pulled him into the main room. A small stage had been set up complete with speakers. Skywing looked in awe as Pinkie hit started up the first song .
If you are offended by strong language, this is the song to skip
Pinkie Pie was the one who took center stage with a mic dangling from the front her mane.
Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Hollywood, were never goin' down.
And all kids in the hood come and wave shake your hands, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
And then you're drunk, shake that ass like you know how to dance, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Rainbow Dash picked up instantly after Pinkie.
Start gettin' loud, I wanna party now.
If you hate an Undead, that's party foul. I only drink Micky's,
I can't afford the cans, I drink so muck they call me "Charlie Forty Hands."
If the keg is tapped then you're getting capped,
Take your girl to the sack and I'll take a nap.
Ladies drink 'em fast, so I can have a blast,
You got you're beer gogs on and I'm gettin' ass.
Like: "oh my god, is that Charlie Scene?"
Skywing nearly made Dash choke upon hearing that.
Ladies show me your treats like it's Halloween.
You got a fake I.D. and you're seventeen!
I'm a complete catastrophe buzzing around you like a bumble bee.
So let's take some shots,
Do a beer run and flip off the cops.
Girls give me props and they're on my jock,
Paris Hilton said "That's hot!" when she saw my cock.
That's hot!
Rainbow nor Pinkie had expected Skywing to make it so flawlessly.
And all kids in the hood come and wave shake your hands, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
And then you're drunk, shake that ass like you know how to dance, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Immediately a brown earth pony with an hourglass cutie mark took center stage, after leaving the crowd.
I'm about to serve it up for all you party goers,
Scene kids, meat heads, alchies, stoners.
Dancing around like a bunch of faggots,
Funnier then fuck, you can ask Bob Saget.
I never claimed that I knew how to dance,
But I'll get drunk, get high, pull down my pants.
So fuck five bucks, Just fill up my cup.
Don't kiss me bitch, you just threw up.
Now drunk as fuck about to pass out.
Destination: your mothers couch.
dude is it true you screwed my mom?
Fuck yeah bro, that pussy was bomb.
So I'm hoppin', jumpin', sippin' and skippin'.
It's like these that we all love livin'.
So take out your hands and throw the H.U. up!
Now wave them around like you don't give a fuck.
Check please!
And all kids in the hood come and wave shake your hands, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
And then you're drunk, shake that ass like you know how to dance, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Everypony had hit their marks, and the crowd was jumping, and Some gone as far as spiking the punch. Though it was usually Pinkie who'd spike the punch. she anticipated this and left the punch unspiked. Rainbow started as the song went on. "Aw yeah... Uno, Dos, Tres, Skywing!
Can't stop, won't stop, Charlie make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, Johnny make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, J make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, Peters make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, Kurlzz make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, Funny make the booty drop.
Can't stop, won't stop, lat me see the panties drop.
Producer's on the floor, let me see your booty pop.
Grab your drink and get on the floor!
Grab your drink and get on the floor!
The purple alicorn filly who screamed the words started to shrink down as all eyes focused on her, yet the song continued.
And all kids in the hood come and wave shake your hands, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
And then you're drunk, shake that ass like you know how to dance, Hollywood, were never goin' down.
Lets dance in the hood,
Shake that ass Hollywood.
Hollywood, were never going down.
Lets dance in the hood,
Shake that ass Hollywood.
Hollywood, were never going down!
The crowd began roaring as the song ended. "Hey, Skywing, where'd you learn to sing like that?"
"I don't know, Dash. You pick up a lot of things when you have a lot of time to yourself." Skywing made his way off stage after the brown stallion. He started reminiscing about his recent past before Pinkie spoke up.
"Skywing, don't go! I have another song for you to sing!"
Skywing only stopped for a moment before responding. "No, this is your party for me. Also, I'm not much of a entertainment pony." Skywing then looked at Rainbow who was following Skywing off the stage. "Hey Dash, who made that song?"
"Ponywood Undead. Haven't you heard of them?"
"No, just the song." Skywing and Dash made their way to the punch bowl as Pinkie started the second song .
Yo pretty ladies around the world
Got a weird thing to show you so tell all the boys and girls
Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too
We're about to go down and you know just what to do
Wave your hands in the air like you don't care
Glide by the people as they start to look and stare
Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up, everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up, it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Now all you sucker DJ's who think you're fly
There's got to be a reason and we know the reason why
You try to put on those airs and act real cool
But you got to realize that you're acting like fools
If there's music we can use it be free to dance
We don't have the time for psychological romance
No romance, no romance, no romance for me mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up, everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up, it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up, everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up, it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up, everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up, it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
The song ended with the same roar by the crowd. "I know you love to hear me sing, but what about Sky and Dashie!" The crowd roared even louder as the two mentioned ponies made their way back on stage. Skywing grabbed his mic in his hoof once more as Pinkie started the third song .
The crowd grew silent as the song began, and Skywing and Rainbow Dash took separate sides of the stage. Though the intro was long and suspenseful, It was Dash who started the song.
I cannot take this anymore,
I'm saying everything I said before.
All these word, they make no sense.
I found bliss in ignorance.
Less I hear, the less you say.
You'll find that out anyways!
Skywing began his part shortly after Rainbows.
I find the answers aren't so clear,
Wish I could find away to disappear.
All these thoughts, they make no sense.
I found bliss in ignorance.
Nothing seems to go away.
over and over again.
At this point Pinkie managed away to echo this perfectly.
Just like before.
It was at this point there they started exchanging lines, starting with Skywing.
Everything you say to me.
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
And I'm about to break!
Everything you say to me.
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
And I'm about to!
At this point, Skywing pulled a large object out of the ground. It had an overall slender body, with three fingers on each hand. The head was large and triangular. Skywing started controlling it like a puppet with his magic as he sang.
These are the places where I can feel,
Torn from my body my flesh it peels.
During this ride we can cut up what we like.
Waiting alone, I cannot resist.
feeling this pain, I have never missed.
Please, someone, give me a reason to rip off my face.
Blood is a pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring, and pouring.
Now Dash started screaming her part of the song.
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up when I'm talking to you!
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up!
Blood is pouring.
Shut up, I'm about to break!
Skywings puppet went back into the ground.
Everything you say to me.
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
And I'm about to break!
Everything you say to me.
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
And I'm about to!
Everything you say to me.
Takes one step closer to the edge,
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
Takes me one step closer to the edge,
And I'm about to break!
Everything you say to me.
Takes me one step closer to the edge,
And I'm about to break!
I need a little room to breathe.
Takes me one step closer to the edge,
And I'm about to!
The crowd created an uproar as the the song ended. As some ponies stomped the ground, others got up on there hind legs. Cheers of excitement turned to screams of terror as a table went sailing through the air. Skywing caught it mere meters from his face, and turned it on his attacker in the form of large staples. Twilight ended up held to the wall. Though she remained unharmed, she was fully restrained for all to see. the crowd separated as Skywing made his way to Twilight. "Just release the spell, and show us who you really are."
Skywing only starred at the fully exposed Twilight. "There is no spell, you constantly deny that witch you see. I am the real Skywing, and nothing will change that." The restraints holding twilight to the wall started dematerializing, and took shape as the table that Twilight threw. The walls became absent of holes as Skywing spoke again. "Just remember Twilight Sparkle, I let you live."
The party goers were silent as Skywing made his way back to the punch bowl. "... come on it's a party, I'll talk with Twilight later. In the mean time, lets live it up!" The ponies roared in approval as the party moved on. leading to three ponies doing keg stands, five ponies with 'forty hooves,' and four drinking competitions, one of witch Skywing participated in and won. Many party games later, things started winding down. With most of the ponies gone home, all that remained were Twilights five friends, four party ponies, and Skywing.
Pinkie Pie approached the heavily intoxicated Skywing with the intent of giving him a place to sleep it off. "Come on Sky Why, we need to get you to bed." She pushed pushed in the drunk mutant, but to no avail.
"I... I.. I got a place... I... I got.. a place." Skywing Showed just how drunk he was as he staggered out the door and into the moon lit night.
"Darling, do you honestly think that he should be out there in the condition he's in?"
"Yeah, even I know to 'bunk when drunk.'" The apple farmer spoke with concern as she watched as Skywing stumbled in an unseen direction. She also knew what a drunk unicorn was capable of, having dealt with a few herself.
"I know what you mean, but a drunk unicorn is a dangerous unicorn." There was truth behind Pinkies words; Drunk unicorns were literally ticking time bombs, the slightest thing could set them off. With little control over their magic, a unicorn could potentially kill another pony, or itself. "Okay everypony, we need to close up so we can prepare for tomorrow."
Everypony began leaving Sugarcube Corner. Pinkies remaining friends Pinkie Pie Promised to keep an eye out for Skywing if they happened to run into him. As they all went there separate ways, they all had there own thoughts on the impaired mutant. Fluttershy worried weather or not he'd be okay. Rarity was fixated on his upcoming hangover. Applejacks thoughts wandered to before the party, despite her efforts to refrain from thinking about it. And Rainbow Dash thought about taking advantage of his drunken state to better her chances of getting into the wonderbolts.
The walk home was uneventful for everypony save for Applejack, who spotted a potential thief. "Teach you to steal mah apples!" She charged the trespasser at full gallop, pivoted and bucked the would be thief as hard as she could. she flew into an already bucked tree and fell to the ground. Applejack approached cautiously as the pony staggered to her hooves.
"A-Applejack? What are you... doing here in um... Whitetail Woods?" The inebriated Skywing jerked his head back and fourth as he spoke.
"Skahwing? This is Sweet Apple Acres." Skywing looked around as he tried to take in what Applejack told him.
"It is?" Skywing staggered some more as he tried to get a grip in reality.
"Yes it is. Now you're coming with me, you're drunk."
"So's your mother."
"Nopony talks about my mama." Applejack reared up ready to buck Skywing as he fell to the ground. She momentarily calmed down to check on Skywing, who was making it clear he was out cold. Applejack pulled Skywing onto her back as best she could before trotting home.
Big Mac stood at the front door as Applejack came into view. "Friend of yours?"
"Yeah, he's a real light weight. hope you don't mind him sleeping it off here." Skywing nearly slipped off Applejacks back before Big Mac Pulled on his hoof.
"Nnope." Both Applejack then Big Mac entered the house.
"So, should I just plop him on the couch-"
"He'll have my bed." It wasn't often the Apple family had company, but Big Mac was always the one who'd offer his bed when it came around. Applejack worked her way up the stairs with the incapacitated Skywing still on her back.
It was exhausting, but she managed from the front gates of Sweet Apple Acres to Big Macs room. Applejack yawned, with Skywing in bed and the day done, getting herself to bed was the only thing on her mind. She took care not to wake Applebloom or Granny Smith. as she made her way to her room. The days events rolled through her head as she slipped under her covers, then once again replaying the moment before the party. "Dang nabbit. I hope I don't end having one of those dreams." Applejack took a few moments trying to think about something else before falling asleep.
Skywing pulled the blankets over his head as the blinding light, combined with the throbbing headache, hammered at his conscious. He didn't even know what he was grabbing onto, yet at the same time he didn't even care. All he knew was that his head was in pain. 'Ugh, what the hell did I do to get this? ' It took ten minutes before Skywing decided to get out of bed, in which he argued with himself, tried to remember what happened yesterday, and opened his eyes to the blinding light. All of which led to a bigger migraine. Skywing swayed as he tried to analyze his surroundings, and worsened his migraine.
'Ah screw it! ' Skywing started staggering to what he thought was the doorway, tripped on his own front hooves, and stumbled into the shelf. Skywing grunted and fell to the floor, the pain now equivalent to being hit with a sledge hammer. Skywing clutched his head in pain as tears started forming in his eyes, and quickly convinced to get up. Standing proved futile as he slammed his head on the shelf again. This time the knots in the ropes holding the shelf gave way and dropped one of Big Macs trophies on Skywing. "Shit!" Tears started flowing down the mutants cheeks now that the pain was equal to having a piano sized anvil crushing his head on pavement.
"Ah don't care how much the hangover hurts, you-" Applejack stopped short of entering her brothers room. The sight of Skywing withering in pain had silenced her, but the fact the solid gold yoke Big Mac won, laying on the ground next to Skywing stopped her in her tracks. 'Ah kin only imagine the pain... ' Applejack slowly stepped into the room towards Skywing, who was unaware of her presence.
"WHAT!? NGH" Barking at Applejack was painfully futile for Skywing. With his horn pointed at her, Applejack approached the mutant and attempt to help him through the worst part.
'We're havin' a talk later. ' Applejack could sympathies with the hangover, but would not tolerate his words and current actions. She pushed herself up to Skywing's side so he could lean against her. "C'mon, up you go. we have an ice pack in the freezer." Her words were like nails on a chalkboard at the infrequency of a dog whistle to him. This made Skywing clench his head tighter. "ah ain't going downstairs without ya."
"SHUT UP!" Skywing took her advice after withering in pain for an added three minutes. With all four hooves, on the ground he pushed his body off the ground. Which felt like a ton. With a huff, Skywing managed to straighten all four of his legs. He then draped his head on applejack's back. He didn't know that would happen next, but he was desperate for relief.
"Alright, you just follow me and we'll get an ice pack out of the freezer." Though Applejack was speaking softer, It still rattled Skywing's brain. She moved slowly to be sure she wouldn't lose him.
'It wasn't the kind of dream ah was expectin'. Still, it felt close to it. ' Applejack was expecting a romantic dream which ended with what most stallions supposedly wanted, instead It was one with a more curious Skywing. As she sold apples, he would go out of his way to question what things were. He would look at objects and question what they were; objects like jump ropes, cameras, even the various baked goods in her wagon.This wasn't a true surprise, at the party it was brought to light that he didn't know what a cupcake was, nor a balloon. What really set the dream apart from others is where Applejack would call him part of the family, Skywing would actually take things a little further and nuzzle her occasionally. At the end of the day, he was starting to show deep affection towards her. When it finally came time to sleep, Skywing ended up sleeping with her. While he didn't do anything sensual, what he did was bad enough. Skywing fell asleep in seconds, and said 'I love you'. It was at that point when Applejack woke up.
"Why me brain hurt?" Skywing was in no condition for critical thinking, but he had countless questions in his head. The least he could do was ask about his condition.
"It's called a hangover. You get one every tahm you drink too much." Applejack was forced to lay Skywing's head over her back as they maneuvered down the stairs. Each step was enough to cause his throbbing brain constant pain. "Stay quiet everypony, our guest has a hangover."
"What's a hangover?" Sweetie Belle's voice rang out like nails on a chalkboard in an opera house to Skywing. There was no school today because it was Saturday, and the CMC decided to try something at the farm to get their cutie marks.
"It's something that happens when you drink a lot." Applebloom’s voice was not that different.
"Maybe we can get our cutie marks by drinking." Scootaloo voice was probably the easiest, but still sounded like a train was screeching to a halt.
"That's a terrible idea." Applejack spat her words like venom from a spitting cobra. "Nothing ever comes from drinking. Look at our guest, he's a perfect example of what drinking does to you." Skywing was nothing short of a prisoner to the pain in his head. "now you think of something else to do whal I git a Ice-pack for him."
"why is he colored like Granny Smith?" Scootaloo was too focused on colors to make a plan.
"Rarity would know what to do." Sweetie Belle provided the key to what would be Skywing's modern nightmarish hell.
"Then let's take him to her." Applebloom looked at Sweetie Belle, then to Scootaloo. As the three exchanged looks one thing became clear.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TAXI PONIES!!!" The three fillies jumped into the air as they yelled.
"Please, no more, I can't take it." Skywing's cries made no difference to the CMC, who would not stop until they got Skywing to the Carousel Boutique. The fillies grabbed Skywing from the couch before Applejack got him the Ice pack, and ran outside to their wagon. The cool morning air did little for Skywing as blinding sun, combined with the hard drop into a metal box thing made him feel like hell all over. Applebloom hung his head off the back, and Sweetie Belle put his hooves to his side. They got on either side of Skywing and signaled to Scootaloo to hit the gas. As soon as they started moving Scootaloo's wings generated a ringing sound in Skywing's ears that was worse than a mosquito hovering around your ear.
"We better hurry up girls, he's lookin' a little green." Applebloom became concerned when she noticed him making a face she makes when she feels like she's about to throw up.
"I thought he was already green?" Sweetie Belle, as usual, didn't understand.
"Skywing can't turn green if he's already green." Scootaloo protested with logic, as she was focused on the road and only listened as Skywing unloaded his stomach behind the wagon.
"I give up. Please, just kill me already." Skywing begged as Scootaloo tried to go faster, consequently making his situation worse. His horn began dragging in the dirt for a few seconds before Sweetie Belle and Applebloom Pulled his body back. He watched the blinding colors fly by during his trip, each more brain splittingly painful than the last.
“You sure about this Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo questioned as the Carousel Boutique came into view.
“She has to know.” Sweetie Belle responded surprisingly chirpy.
“Ya mean, she might not know?” Applebloom was taken back by what she said. Skywing groaned as he blinked.
“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle called out as Rarity closed the door. It was saturday so that also meant it was the day of the week where Rarity and Fluttershy would go to the spa. Rarity looked over just as she was about to leave. Scootaloo put her right hoof to the ground and skidded to a stop in front of Rarity. “We need you to help Skywing with his hangover.”
“I’d love to but I-” Rarity’s words turned into shrill screaming as she looked at Skywing in the wagon. Skywing clenched his teeth and put his hooves over his ears as brain drilling shriek pummeled his brain. “He should have stayed in bed.”
“It was Sweetie Belles Idea.” Scootaloo tried to shift some of the blame to her as the three of them looked down in shame.
“Well get him inside, I-” Rarity stopped herself and thought back to the day they met, more specifically when he said they were celebrities. “Idea!” Rarity sang out as Skywing groaned in pain. “Girls, you did a wonderful thing bringing Skywing to me. A visit to the spa should perk him right up.”
“But you said-” Rarity cut into Sweetie Belle’s sentence.
“You run along, and remind me to treat you three out to some ice cream sometime.” Rarity trotted over to Skywing as the CMC cried out with joy, then checked their flanks. As they groaned over their still blank flanks Rarity whispered. “Skywing can you walk?”
Skywing groaned and staggered to his hooves. “Barely.”
“Follow me.” Rarity quickly whispered. Skywing followed without question.He followed her uncomfortably close, but as she tried to get personal space he began to stagger. Rarity quickly jumped back before he could fall over, and his head draped over her back just as it had with Applejack. Rarity winced, but stayed. “Alright just follow me and You’ll be fine.”
