Through Open Skiesby FaelaArtsChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1For Latias, it began with a dream. Flying through the sky with her brother. Arms folded to her sides, she zipped along at mach speeds. Slowing down into a glide, she raised her red and white head to look back, and cry playfully to the blue form trailing behind her. A cry answered her, and the blue form darted ahead. Latias cried out in glee and chased after her brother. Latios, as was his name, was slightly older than her, and a light blue in color. Latios normally had the advantage in speed due to the age difference, but Latias was crafty. Lowering her head, she dived into her brother’s slipstream, and used it to slingshot herself in front, flipping onto her back to cry out, jeering playfully at him. And then Latios vanished, right in front of her eyes. The world faded to black, and Latias opened her eyes to the garden. The city of water hadn’t changed much in the time she had protected it. Stifling a yawn, she looked around for what had roused her from her dream. Seeing nothing, she shifted position and curled back up to sleep. Latias jolted awake in annoyance. There was that feeling again. Raising her head, she rose up from the tree and took to the sky, looking in all directions. After a moment, the feeling grew stronger, pulsing before fading once more. Latias raised her head, looking to and fro as she tried to find the source. There it was, something bright and blue in the sky, barely visible unless you had the eyesight Latias was gifted with. Shimmering for a moment, Latias turned invisible and slowly floated up toward it. It pulsed again, and Latias widened her eyes, that felt like...No, it was impossible. Turning, she looked down toward the shimmering orb that was her brother. There was no mistaking it. Both the orb and this shimmering blue thing had the same feeling. Latias floated closer, was this her brother? Would it lead to her brother? It pulsed once more, and slowly formed into a circle, showing a strange, new sky in the center. Latias felt the pull of her brother, stronger than she had felt it since he had sacrificed his life. Latias glanced down toward the city, her duty. Her memories of the humans stirred. Was her brother’s gift safe? Turning, Latias hovered near the thing, indecision eating her. What was more important? The city, or her brother? Of course the city was more important. Latias had to protect it, as her brother had died doing. And yet, her eyes were drawn to the strange thing. Loneliness ate at her, and she felt her duty to the city waning. Surely the humans could take care of it for a while while she looked for the source, for her brother? Latias nodded her head, yes, the humans would be able to take care of it. Or so she convinced herself. So, Latias reached out a hand, and touched the center. It wobbled, but otherwise nothing happened. Feeling braver, Latias stuck her hand through it, feeling it pass through. Pulling it out, she noticed no bad effects. Latias quickly grew tired of being cautious, and stuck her head inside, pulling the rest of her body through with her. It was breathtaking. An entirely new sky, full of clouds so different from what she was used to. Latias looked around in wonder, knowing no one could see her due to her being invisible still. Latias felt around for the feeling of her brother, but tilted her head, it was gone. Turning, Latias made to return through the blue thing. It was gone. Latias flew through the last area it had been in, crying out as she tried to tear away the sky to reveal it. No, with it gone there was no way for her to return to her city! Even if she found her brother, with no way to return, she was going to be trapped here with him, and the city would eventually fall. Crying out, Latias dropped her invisibility, circling around in a blind panic. Flinching, she noticed the sky above her move, and turned to watch as the sun set. Latias looked around at the world below her for the first time since she had entered the portal. As it slowly darkened, she knew the high hills and rocky mountains below her were unfamiliar. But with night approaching, she wouldn’t be able to see the ground, meaning no landmarks. What if she needed to get back here? What if this was the only way home? Latias slowly lowered toward the ground, peeking around the mountain tops. Finding a suitable cave, she slowly flew inside and looked around. It was large, dank, and dripping with a pool of water on one side, but it would do. Curling into the ground, Latias watched the sun go down, and whimpered. ’Oh brother, forgive me. I have made a terrible mistake.’ After a fitful rest with a strange creature after her, similar to a flaming Pokemon she had seen once, she opened her weary eyes to the dawn. Latias lived in a small city, seeing new Pokemon was always an exciting venture, something which kept her amused during the day. However, this creature had seemed to be trying to converse. Dark blue, similar color to her brother. Latias rose into the sky, and took off from the mountain. Not that Latias would know this, but it had once house a red dragon. Looking around, she took in the forest around her, curiosity drawing her to a strange shape. It looked like an old human dwelling. Or so it seemed to Latias. After all, in her world the only creatures that built castles were humans. Floating down, she traveled through it, stopping by some fabric showing two of those new creatures. One looked familiar, Latias moved on, floating back up to the sky. The second place that caught her attention was a hut sitting in the woods. Floating down to it, Latias glanced in the window. Another one of the new creatures, this one striped and without wings or a horn. Latias moved on, floating back into the sky to look for more new things. There was a strange forest with leaves that were many shades. Latias flew by them, crying out in joy as they fell off in her path. A lot stayed on the trees, and Latias had the feeling that during certain times they could be completely shaken of their foliage. The next thing to catch her attention was an orchard full of bright red fruit. Biting one, she cried out in joy, it was better than any she has tasted before. There was also a few more of the creatures, again without wings or a horn. One was wearing a hat, and had three red fruit on her flank, similar to the kind in the trees. Latias gobbled a few, before reluctantly moving on. Turning, she followed a trail from one building toward a small town. It was filled with many of the new creatures. Latias looked down in amazement. Some had horns, some wings, and a lot had none. Just where was she? Her attention was quickly drawn by the large sparkling building in the center. Flying up to it, Latias took it in, crying out as she tilted her head, curious. It was almost tree like, light blue 'tree' holding up the larger purple part of the building. Latias jumped as something loud sounded behind her, and she turned to see one of the creatures looking warily at her. “Excuse me, but who and what are you?” Strange, this purple creature was able to speak human. Latias mewed slightly at it, and flipped onto her back, blowing bubbles into the air. Maybe if she convinced it she was friendly, it would let her see more wonders. For a small moment her mind returned to the situation of not knowing where to go. No matter, no one said her search had to not have pit stops! Chapter 2Latias giggled as the purple one looked at her. It seemed confused by her actions. Flying around it, Latias wondered if this was a male or female. Or, it could even be one of those rarities that were neither. Latias remembered the first ones she had seen, two magnet’s stuck together. Though, the trainer had given it a gender, so maybe it had been a he instead of an it. “Twilight, what’s that thing flying next to you.” Latias looked down at the voice. This one was bright pink, and had no horn or wings. Flying down, Latias looked curiously at the hair. Was that cotton candy. Cautiously, she opened her mouth and took a bite. Spitting it out, she flew backwards and tried to get the hair off her tongue. “Silly billy, my hair’s not cotton candy, this is though.” The pink one pulled out more curly pink from behind her, this time stuck on a stick. Latias doubted it would be tasty, but she nibbled it regardless. Crying out in pleasure, she dug into it, closing her eyes as she ate the immensely sugary treat. “Awh, aren’t you a cutie pie.” The pink one giggled as Latias ate, and she cried out once, giving a giggle of her own. These creatures were oodles of fun. So similar to that of- Latias blinked, made herself invisible, and flew into the sky to hide. The pink one had tried to touch her. Latias watched the two creatures. While they were certainly fun, she needed to remember why she was here. Latias raised her head, and looked around the sky. With any luck, she could use their link to find him. Latias closed her eyes and tried to send a wide pulse of telepathy into the sky. There was some strange interference at first, but Latias eventually found a way past it. As it traveled outward, she noticed the two below shiver as it passed through them. Could these creatures possess psychic abilities? “Bree?” Latias raised her head, hearing a response she had not been expecting to receive. It looked like it was coming from one of the flying ones. Latias slowly flew through the air, picking up speed as she got closer and closer to the source. Arriving upon it, she looked to the form sleeping on a cloud. Brother! Latias dived onto the form, dropping her spell as she hugged it with glee, crying out in joy. Sure, he was obviously hiding his appearance, and she had just woken him up, but her joy was all-consuming. Spinning around in the air, Latias cried out in joy once more. Her brother was here! Latias knew her brother would know how to get back! “What are you doing? Let go of me!” The form struggled, and kicked Latias away. Confused, she hovered there as her brother glared at her in anger. Worst of all; he didn’t seem to recognize her. Latias called out to her brother, but he simply glared at her. Slowly, the purple one approached from behind her. ’Brother! It’s me!’ Latias tried calling out to her brother via telepathy, but the he didn’t respond. Trying again, Latias watched as her brother winced and held his head. Oh no, was it hurting him. Latias whimpered as he glared at her, puffing out his feathers as if she was a danger. “Wait! Don’t scare it away!” The purple one circled around to hover beside her brother. Latias looked away and whimpered again, confused beyond all reason. Why did her brother not recognize her? Latias tried sending a pulse out once more, and was rewarded by another wince from her brother. Turning, her brother pointed at Latias. “This thing keeps screaming at me in my head!” Oh dear, that was anger. Latias slowly backed away. Why was her brother acting so strange, he never got this angry with her. Latias glanced between the purple one and her brother, was there some link she wasn’t aware of? “It is? Listen, we can’t scare it away just yet. Please, you’re the only one it’s talking to.” The purple one pleaded to her brother, who snorted in response. After giving a sigh, her brother’s expression relaxed, and he looked to her. “Listen, whatever you are, I don’t know where you got that idea in your head, but I’m not your brother.” What? That was impossible, Latias was absolutely positive this was her brother. Blue feathers, red eyes, this was her brother! However, her brother wasn’t finished speaking. “Look, for one I’m not the same, uh, species as you. Also there’s the problem with me being a, you know, girl. So yeah, I couldn’t be your brother.” Her brother was actually a sister? Latias felt her head swimming in confusion, and held her head. It made no sense, this was her brother. And yet it wasn’t? “My names Rainbow Dash, and this is Twilight. She can probably help you better than I can.” Her brother pointed toward the purple one. Latias cried out again in confusion. It made no sense. Her brother was a sister, and named Rainbow Dash? Latias hovered in place, unable to work out just what was going on. “Hey, calm down, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” The purple one, Twilight, tried to calm Latias down. Giving a nod, Latias slowly lowered to the ground and curled into a circle. As the two landed, they walked over to her, and sighed. Latias looked away from them, and up to the sky. Maybe her detector was wrong. Maybe her brother was here, but the search had been false due to the interference. Twilight spoke, asking Latias to follow. Begrudgingly, she shimmered into a vague shape that was similar to theirs. It wouldn’t hold up to close scrutiny, but Latias had more important things to occupy her mind. “Wow, it just shapeshifted.” Twilight blinked, and shook her head rapidly. Turning, she began to lead the new creature toward Fluttershy’s. If anyone could calm, and help, this creature, it was her. The creature had taken the form of a white pony with bright red hair and blue eyes. It’s cutie mark was of the triangle that had been on the creature’s chest. While she was glad the creature had the presence of mind to know that it would look less strange to be walking around as a pony, she wished it hadn’t done so after being seen around town already. No matter, there was a mystery to get to the bottom of, and that mystery required Fluttershy. “Better stay with us for now Dash, it seems to be attached to you.” Twilight saw the small nod from Rainbow Dash, and mentally sighed a second time. It would have been nice to have one normal day. On the bright side; at least this one was friendly. Chapter 3“And so I came through it thinking I’d find my brother and go back through, but it vanished. And now my brother is apparently my sister, doesn’t remember me, and isn’t wearing a disguise like I thought.” Latias wondered what it was about the yellow one that made her want to tell her everything. Fluttershy, that was what she had said her name was. Apparently she was a type of ‘pony’ called ‘Pegasus’. Latias had to admit, Fluttershy was making her feel better, she reminded her of a mother. Briefly, an image flashed through her mind. Latias did not remember much of her mother. It was so long ago, and she had been so young when she had taken her turn defending the city. The turn that Latias had abandoned to search for her brother. “There there, I’m sure we can find you a way home. But you need to understand, Rainbow Dash is not your brother. It is possible she has traits similar, but she is not him. You need to understand that.” Fluttershy put her hooves around the creature’s neck. The creature had called herself Latias, and personified as a female. Fluttershy had seen heartache before, and knew it would be a long road to helping Latias move on. Latias merely floated down to the ground and curled into a ball. The pony she was currently disguised as quickly followed suit. Her disguise was simply a refraction of light, exactly the same as how she turned invisible. Latias had gotten very good at controlling it subconsciously through. Her brother had never had interest, instead preferring to master other combat skills instead. Ear flicking, she heard the two begin to talk. “-and that’s how she got here. Is there any way to you help Twilight?” Fluttershy glanced away, hiding behind her hair as Twilight mused. “To be honest, I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I can scan the mountain for signs of the portal, but that’s about it. I’ll send a message to Celestia, maybe this has happened before.” It was unlikely, Twilight had never heard of the strange bird-like creature that was almost shaped to perfection. Really, if someone wanted a fast creature, they had designed one that was aerodynamically ready to be so. “Can I go now?” Rainbow Dash was obviously raring to take to the sky, wings opening and closing every so often. Fluttershy raised her head, and shrunk as she motioned toward Latias. “A-Actually I w-was wondering if y-you would t-take Latias with you. Y-You make her feel s-safe.” Fluttershy saw the glare coming and stepped back, apologising profusely for asking. Dash sighed, giving a roll of her eyes, and reluctantly agreed. “Fine.” Dash winced as the white pony raised her head, and turned her blue eyes toward Dash. Latias was her name huh? Strange name to be sure, but then again her parents had named her after her hair. Latias slowly rose off the ground, and looked between the two, giving a small call of confusion. Twilight mused for a moment, before mumbling about ‘finding a translation spell’ as she walked away. Fluttershy stayed where she was, and Dash turned around to leave. Latias glanced toward Fluttershy, who pointed at Dash. “G-Go with Rainbow Dash. I’ll-be here if you need me.” Fluttershy watched as Latias slowly rose, following Dash toward the cloud home. Breathing out, she turned and walked inside. This would be difficult. Fluttershy knew if she was taking on helping Latias, she would need to leave plenty of time. Which meant bulk feeding the animals. They wouldn’t like it, but she had no choice. “So, Latias. This is my house, try not to move any of the clouds. Not sure how you sleep, so-uh-make yourself at home.” Dash landed on the clouds as Latias slowly entered the house, making sure her wings didn’t clip the door. It resembled a human dwelling, except made out of clouds. Really, Latias was fascinated with how clouds worked in this new sky. “Anywho I gotta go clear the sky for tonight so uh…” Dash scratched the back of her head as Latias merely looked at her. Biting her lip, she knew Fluttershy wouldn’t like it if Dash just left Latias here while she worked. Sighing, she slowly began to fly out the door again. “So I guess you’re coming with me while I work.” Dash glanced back, and Latias cried out cheerfully, following out the door. Dash looked at the wings on the pegasus, open wide and not flapping. Dash pointed to them. “Listen, Pegasi need to flap to remain aloft. I don’t know if it’s different where you came from.” Dash brushed her mane out of her eyes as Latias looked toward her ‘wings’, and began to let them flap. Dash nodded, and slowly flew toward the second she was supposed to clear, and bucked away a cloud. Latias watched in fascination as brother Dash made a cloud vanish. Curiosity piqued, she flew over to a cloud and touched it. It bounced back from her, fluffy. Latias was intrigued. Fluffy clouds were something she only saw, never felt. Pushing her hand inside, it came out moist. Really, these clouds were something new. “No, you gotta use a little force, like this.” Dash flew over and bucked the cloud, looking at Latias as she watched. Turning, she approached another cloud. Frowning for a moment, she clenched her hand and punched it into the cloud. It vanished with a poof. “Breee!” Latias flew over to another cloud, diving through it. Glancing back, she cried out as it exploded, vanishing into nothing. Spinning once, she began to fly through the clouds. Each one coated her in a small layer of water, and soon enough it was reflecting off her body, causing her illusion to stutter occasionally. “Hey, you’re pretty fast. How about a race?” Dash watched as the final cloud vanished, and her face was filled with the happy smile of Latias. Crying out, she began to fly, twirling onto her back as she made sure Dash was following. Smirking, Dash shot off, not too fast mind you. Latias watched her fly past and cried out again, and flew after her. Flying into the slipstream, Latias quickly caught up. Dash smirked and increased her speed. However, Latias was not only keeping pace, but slowly catching up. Smiling, Dash increased her speed further, and let off a Sonic Rainboom. As the colors faded Dash glanced back, and blinked. Not only was Latias still in her slipstream, she was playing in the rainbow trail. Suddenly, Latias vaulted forward, flipping over Dash and out of the slipstream, pulling ahead as she rocketed forward. Spinning around, she cried out in joy and began to spin in the air, doing tricks at speeds even Dash was envious of. All too quickly, the speed she had borrowed from the slipstream was spent, and Latias slowed down to a more reasonable speed. “Heh, that was pretty slick.” Dash smirked at Latias, and silently thought of how to use the newfound knowledge. Latias cried out in joy, still doing tricks in the air even at the reduced speed. Author's Note In case it's not clear enough: Latias isn't faster than Dash, she's using Dash's speed to increase her own.
Chapter 1For Latias, it began with a dream. Flying through the sky with her brother. Arms folded to her sides, she zipped along at mach speeds. Slowing down into a glide, she raised her red and white head to look back, and cry playfully to the blue form trailing behind her. A cry answered her, and the blue form darted ahead. Latias cried out in glee and chased after her brother. Latios, as was his name, was slightly older than her, and a light blue in color. Latios normally had the advantage in speed due to the age difference, but Latias was crafty. Lowering her head, she dived into her brother’s slipstream, and used it to slingshot herself in front, flipping onto her back to cry out, jeering playfully at him. And then Latios vanished, right in front of her eyes. The world faded to black, and Latias opened her eyes to the garden. The city of water hadn’t changed much in the time she had protected it. Stifling a yawn, she looked around for what had roused her from her dream. Seeing nothing, she shifted position and curled back up to sleep. Latias jolted awake in annoyance. There was that feeling again. Raising her head, she rose up from the tree and took to the sky, looking in all directions. After a moment, the feeling grew stronger, pulsing before fading once more. Latias raised her head, looking to and fro as she tried to find the source. There it was, something bright and blue in the sky, barely visible unless you had the eyesight Latias was gifted with. Shimmering for a moment, Latias turned invisible and slowly floated up toward it. It pulsed again, and Latias widened her eyes, that felt like...No, it was impossible. Turning, she looked down toward the shimmering orb that was her brother. There was no mistaking it. Both the orb and this shimmering blue thing had the same feeling. Latias floated closer, was this her brother? Would it lead to her brother? It pulsed once more, and slowly formed into a circle, showing a strange, new sky in the center. Latias felt the pull of her brother, stronger than she had felt it since he had sacrificed his life. Latias glanced down toward the city, her duty. Her memories of the humans stirred. Was her brother’s gift safe? Turning, Latias hovered near the thing, indecision eating her. What was more important? The city, or her brother? Of course the city was more important. Latias had to protect it, as her brother had died doing. And yet, her eyes were drawn to the strange thing. Loneliness ate at her, and she felt her duty to the city waning. Surely the humans could take care of it for a while while she looked for the source, for her brother? Latias nodded her head, yes, the humans would be able to take care of it. Or so she convinced herself. So, Latias reached out a hand, and touched the center. It wobbled, but otherwise nothing happened. Feeling braver, Latias stuck her hand through it, feeling it pass through. Pulling it out, she noticed no bad effects. Latias quickly grew tired of being cautious, and stuck her head inside, pulling the rest of her body through with her. It was breathtaking. An entirely new sky, full of clouds so different from what she was used to. Latias looked around in wonder, knowing no one could see her due to her being invisible still. Latias felt around for the feeling of her brother, but tilted her head, it was gone. Turning, Latias made to return through the blue thing. It was gone. Latias flew through the last area it had been in, crying out as she tried to tear away the sky to reveal it. No, with it gone there was no way for her to return to her city! Even if she found her brother, with no way to return, she was going to be trapped here with him, and the city would eventually fall. Crying out, Latias dropped her invisibility, circling around in a blind panic. Flinching, she noticed the sky above her move, and turned to watch as the sun set. Latias looked around at the world below her for the first time since she had entered the portal. As it slowly darkened, she knew the high hills and rocky mountains below her were unfamiliar. But with night approaching, she wouldn’t be able to see the ground, meaning no landmarks. What if she needed to get back here? What if this was the only way home? Latias slowly lowered toward the ground, peeking around the mountain tops. Finding a suitable cave, she slowly flew inside and looked around. It was large, dank, and dripping with a pool of water on one side, but it would do. Curling into the ground, Latias watched the sun go down, and whimpered. ’Oh brother, forgive me. I have made a terrible mistake.’ After a fitful rest with a strange creature after her, similar to a flaming Pokemon she had seen once, she opened her weary eyes to the dawn. Latias lived in a small city, seeing new Pokemon was always an exciting venture, something which kept her amused during the day. However, this creature had seemed to be trying to converse. Dark blue, similar color to her brother. Latias rose into the sky, and took off from the mountain. Not that Latias would know this, but it had once house a red dragon. Looking around, she took in the forest around her, curiosity drawing her to a strange shape. It looked like an old human dwelling. Or so it seemed to Latias. After all, in her world the only creatures that built castles were humans. Floating down, she traveled through it, stopping by some fabric showing two of those new creatures. One looked familiar, Latias moved on, floating back up to the sky. The second place that caught her attention was a hut sitting in the woods. Floating down to it, Latias glanced in the window. Another one of the new creatures, this one striped and without wings or a horn. Latias moved on, floating back into the sky to look for more new things. There was a strange forest with leaves that were many shades. Latias flew by them, crying out in joy as they fell off in her path. A lot stayed on the trees, and Latias had the feeling that during certain times they could be completely shaken of their foliage. The next thing to catch her attention was an orchard full of bright red fruit. Biting one, she cried out in joy, it was better than any she has tasted before. There was also a few more of the creatures, again without wings or a horn. One was wearing a hat, and had three red fruit on her flank, similar to the kind in the trees. Latias gobbled a few, before reluctantly moving on. Turning, she followed a trail from one building toward a small town. It was filled with many of the new creatures. Latias looked down in amazement. Some had horns, some wings, and a lot had none. Just where was she? Her attention was quickly drawn by the large sparkling building in the center. Flying up to it, Latias took it in, crying out as she tilted her head, curious. It was almost tree like, light blue 'tree' holding up the larger purple part of the building. Latias jumped as something loud sounded behind her, and she turned to see one of the creatures looking warily at her. “Excuse me, but who and what are you?” Strange, this purple creature was able to speak human. Latias mewed slightly at it, and flipped onto her back, blowing bubbles into the air. Maybe if she convinced it she was friendly, it would let her see more wonders. For a small moment her mind returned to the situation of not knowing where to go. No matter, no one said her search had to not have pit stops!
Chapter 2Latias giggled as the purple one looked at her. It seemed confused by her actions. Flying around it, Latias wondered if this was a male or female. Or, it could even be one of those rarities that were neither. Latias remembered the first ones she had seen, two magnet’s stuck together. Though, the trainer had given it a gender, so maybe it had been a he instead of an it. “Twilight, what’s that thing flying next to you.” Latias looked down at the voice. This one was bright pink, and had no horn or wings. Flying down, Latias looked curiously at the hair. Was that cotton candy. Cautiously, she opened her mouth and took a bite. Spitting it out, she flew backwards and tried to get the hair off her tongue. “Silly billy, my hair’s not cotton candy, this is though.” The pink one pulled out more curly pink from behind her, this time stuck on a stick. Latias doubted it would be tasty, but she nibbled it regardless. Crying out in pleasure, she dug into it, closing her eyes as she ate the immensely sugary treat. “Awh, aren’t you a cutie pie.” The pink one giggled as Latias ate, and she cried out once, giving a giggle of her own. These creatures were oodles of fun. So similar to that of- Latias blinked, made herself invisible, and flew into the sky to hide. The pink one had tried to touch her. Latias watched the two creatures. While they were certainly fun, she needed to remember why she was here. Latias raised her head, and looked around the sky. With any luck, she could use their link to find him. Latias closed her eyes and tried to send a wide pulse of telepathy into the sky. There was some strange interference at first, but Latias eventually found a way past it. As it traveled outward, she noticed the two below shiver as it passed through them. Could these creatures possess psychic abilities? “Bree?” Latias raised her head, hearing a response she had not been expecting to receive. It looked like it was coming from one of the flying ones. Latias slowly flew through the air, picking up speed as she got closer and closer to the source. Arriving upon it, she looked to the form sleeping on a cloud. Brother! Latias dived onto the form, dropping her spell as she hugged it with glee, crying out in joy. Sure, he was obviously hiding his appearance, and she had just woken him up, but her joy was all-consuming. Spinning around in the air, Latias cried out in joy once more. Her brother was here! Latias knew her brother would know how to get back! “What are you doing? Let go of me!” The form struggled, and kicked Latias away. Confused, she hovered there as her brother glared at her in anger. Worst of all; he didn’t seem to recognize her. Latias called out to her brother, but he simply glared at her. Slowly, the purple one approached from behind her. ’Brother! It’s me!’ Latias tried calling out to her brother via telepathy, but the he didn’t respond. Trying again, Latias watched as her brother winced and held his head. Oh no, was it hurting him. Latias whimpered as he glared at her, puffing out his feathers as if she was a danger. “Wait! Don’t scare it away!” The purple one circled around to hover beside her brother. Latias looked away and whimpered again, confused beyond all reason. Why did her brother not recognize her? Latias tried sending a pulse out once more, and was rewarded by another wince from her brother. Turning, her brother pointed at Latias. “This thing keeps screaming at me in my head!” Oh dear, that was anger. Latias slowly backed away. Why was her brother acting so strange, he never got this angry with her. Latias glanced between the purple one and her brother, was there some link she wasn’t aware of? “It is? Listen, we can’t scare it away just yet. Please, you’re the only one it’s talking to.” The purple one pleaded to her brother, who snorted in response. After giving a sigh, her brother’s expression relaxed, and he looked to her. “Listen, whatever you are, I don’t know where you got that idea in your head, but I’m not your brother.” What? That was impossible, Latias was absolutely positive this was her brother. Blue feathers, red eyes, this was her brother! However, her brother wasn’t finished speaking. “Look, for one I’m not the same, uh, species as you. Also there’s the problem with me being a, you know, girl. So yeah, I couldn’t be your brother.” Her brother was actually a sister? Latias felt her head swimming in confusion, and held her head. It made no sense, this was her brother. And yet it wasn’t? “My names Rainbow Dash, and this is Twilight. She can probably help you better than I can.” Her brother pointed toward the purple one. Latias cried out again in confusion. It made no sense. Her brother was a sister, and named Rainbow Dash? Latias hovered in place, unable to work out just what was going on. “Hey, calm down, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” The purple one, Twilight, tried to calm Latias down. Giving a nod, Latias slowly lowered to the ground and curled into a circle. As the two landed, they walked over to her, and sighed. Latias looked away from them, and up to the sky. Maybe her detector was wrong. Maybe her brother was here, but the search had been false due to the interference. Twilight spoke, asking Latias to follow. Begrudgingly, she shimmered into a vague shape that was similar to theirs. It wouldn’t hold up to close scrutiny, but Latias had more important things to occupy her mind. “Wow, it just shapeshifted.” Twilight blinked, and shook her head rapidly. Turning, she began to lead the new creature toward Fluttershy’s. If anyone could calm, and help, this creature, it was her. The creature had taken the form of a white pony with bright red hair and blue eyes. It’s cutie mark was of the triangle that had been on the creature’s chest. While she was glad the creature had the presence of mind to know that it would look less strange to be walking around as a pony, she wished it hadn’t done so after being seen around town already. No matter, there was a mystery to get to the bottom of, and that mystery required Fluttershy. “Better stay with us for now Dash, it seems to be attached to you.” Twilight saw the small nod from Rainbow Dash, and mentally sighed a second time. It would have been nice to have one normal day. On the bright side; at least this one was friendly.
Chapter 3“And so I came through it thinking I’d find my brother and go back through, but it vanished. And now my brother is apparently my sister, doesn’t remember me, and isn’t wearing a disguise like I thought.” Latias wondered what it was about the yellow one that made her want to tell her everything. Fluttershy, that was what she had said her name was. Apparently she was a type of ‘pony’ called ‘Pegasus’. Latias had to admit, Fluttershy was making her feel better, she reminded her of a mother. Briefly, an image flashed through her mind. Latias did not remember much of her mother. It was so long ago, and she had been so young when she had taken her turn defending the city. The turn that Latias had abandoned to search for her brother. “There there, I’m sure we can find you a way home. But you need to understand, Rainbow Dash is not your brother. It is possible she has traits similar, but she is not him. You need to understand that.” Fluttershy put her hooves around the creature’s neck. The creature had called herself Latias, and personified as a female. Fluttershy had seen heartache before, and knew it would be a long road to helping Latias move on. Latias merely floated down to the ground and curled into a ball. The pony she was currently disguised as quickly followed suit. Her disguise was simply a refraction of light, exactly the same as how she turned invisible. Latias had gotten very good at controlling it subconsciously through. Her brother had never had interest, instead preferring to master other combat skills instead. Ear flicking, she heard the two begin to talk. “-and that’s how she got here. Is there any way to you help Twilight?” Fluttershy glanced away, hiding behind her hair as Twilight mused. “To be honest, I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I can scan the mountain for signs of the portal, but that’s about it. I’ll send a message to Celestia, maybe this has happened before.” It was unlikely, Twilight had never heard of the strange bird-like creature that was almost shaped to perfection. Really, if someone wanted a fast creature, they had designed one that was aerodynamically ready to be so. “Can I go now?” Rainbow Dash was obviously raring to take to the sky, wings opening and closing every so often. Fluttershy raised her head, and shrunk as she motioned toward Latias. “A-Actually I w-was wondering if y-you would t-take Latias with you. Y-You make her feel s-safe.” Fluttershy saw the glare coming and stepped back, apologising profusely for asking. Dash sighed, giving a roll of her eyes, and reluctantly agreed. “Fine.” Dash winced as the white pony raised her head, and turned her blue eyes toward Dash. Latias was her name huh? Strange name to be sure, but then again her parents had named her after her hair. Latias slowly rose off the ground, and looked between the two, giving a small call of confusion. Twilight mused for a moment, before mumbling about ‘finding a translation spell’ as she walked away. Fluttershy stayed where she was, and Dash turned around to leave. Latias glanced toward Fluttershy, who pointed at Dash. “G-Go with Rainbow Dash. I’ll-be here if you need me.” Fluttershy watched as Latias slowly rose, following Dash toward the cloud home. Breathing out, she turned and walked inside. This would be difficult. Fluttershy knew if she was taking on helping Latias, she would need to leave plenty of time. Which meant bulk feeding the animals. They wouldn’t like it, but she had no choice. “So, Latias. This is my house, try not to move any of the clouds. Not sure how you sleep, so-uh-make yourself at home.” Dash landed on the clouds as Latias slowly entered the house, making sure her wings didn’t clip the door. It resembled a human dwelling, except made out of clouds. Really, Latias was fascinated with how clouds worked in this new sky. “Anywho I gotta go clear the sky for tonight so uh…” Dash scratched the back of her head as Latias merely looked at her. Biting her lip, she knew Fluttershy wouldn’t like it if Dash just left Latias here while she worked. Sighing, she slowly began to fly out the door again. “So I guess you’re coming with me while I work.” Dash glanced back, and Latias cried out cheerfully, following out the door. Dash looked at the wings on the pegasus, open wide and not flapping. Dash pointed to them. “Listen, Pegasi need to flap to remain aloft. I don’t know if it’s different where you came from.” Dash brushed her mane out of her eyes as Latias looked toward her ‘wings’, and began to let them flap. Dash nodded, and slowly flew toward the second she was supposed to clear, and bucked away a cloud. Latias watched in fascination as brother Dash made a cloud vanish. Curiosity piqued, she flew over to a cloud and touched it. It bounced back from her, fluffy. Latias was intrigued. Fluffy clouds were something she only saw, never felt. Pushing her hand inside, it came out moist. Really, these clouds were something new. “No, you gotta use a little force, like this.” Dash flew over and bucked the cloud, looking at Latias as she watched. Turning, she approached another cloud. Frowning for a moment, she clenched her hand and punched it into the cloud. It vanished with a poof. “Breee!” Latias flew over to another cloud, diving through it. Glancing back, she cried out as it exploded, vanishing into nothing. Spinning once, she began to fly through the clouds. Each one coated her in a small layer of water, and soon enough it was reflecting off her body, causing her illusion to stutter occasionally. “Hey, you’re pretty fast. How about a race?” Dash watched as the final cloud vanished, and her face was filled with the happy smile of Latias. Crying out, she began to fly, twirling onto her back as she made sure Dash was following. Smirking, Dash shot off, not too fast mind you. Latias watched her fly past and cried out again, and flew after her. Flying into the slipstream, Latias quickly caught up. Dash smirked and increased her speed. However, Latias was not only keeping pace, but slowly catching up. Smiling, Dash increased her speed further, and let off a Sonic Rainboom. As the colors faded Dash glanced back, and blinked. Not only was Latias still in her slipstream, she was playing in the rainbow trail. Suddenly, Latias vaulted forward, flipping over Dash and out of the slipstream, pulling ahead as she rocketed forward. Spinning around, she cried out in joy and began to spin in the air, doing tricks at speeds even Dash was envious of. All too quickly, the speed she had borrowed from the slipstream was spent, and Latias slowed down to a more reasonable speed. “Heh, that was pretty slick.” Dash smirked at Latias, and silently thought of how to use the newfound knowledge. Latias cried out in joy, still doing tricks in the air even at the reduced speed. Author's Note In case it's not clear enough: Latias isn't faster than Dash, she's using Dash's speed to increase her own.
