Chapter 1 Normal is normal
Soarin's Story
Author and Creator: 1cy Sparkle
Edited by: CJUploads (Jake)
To Reader: CJUploads (Jake) Who edited this made AWESOME job, idea was my, but Jake made this about 120% cooler. SO THIS IS BIG CREDIT TO HIM !!! ^.^
Chapter 1 Normal is Normal
The weather was cloudy the day Soarin' received the soggy, wet parchment that arrived on his doorstep early one morning. He left the envelope out to dry until it was able to handle without getting torn. (Having hooves isn't really a strong perk to have when it comes to being delicate) On most cases, the Pegasi of Cloudsdale could have easily manipulated the weather how they pleased but if it wasn't severe, they left it be. "I mean, why bother" Soarin' asked himself "we get so busy clearing the skies all throughout the rest of Equestria that we barely have time for ourselves!" But he couldn't complain. After all he was part of the Wonder Bolts, the most elite group of Pegasi in all of Equestria. To be one of them outlines what a brave and true pony really means. His practices are rough, his wings always getting sore after conditioning with the rest of the team. Spitfire, captain of the Wonder Bolts trains us extremely hard both physically and mentally. Nothing is more important. But when Soarin' had his downtime he made sure he took advantage of it. So for now, all that mattered was the note he had received just minutes ago. As he attempted to tear back the poorly wrapped envelope that held the note, he could only wonder what was inside. It wasn't the highest quality note he had seen so it must have been from a younger pony with less experience on writing. The mouth-writing had multiple grammar errors but Soarin' did his best to make it out. It read:
Hi Soarin',
uhmm I don't know what to say, but I think you are awesome. Keep up the good wrork. I hopee too meet you sometime, you're one of my favorite Wonder Bolts (Next to Spitfire, of course!) So if you could just come to Ponyville to meet me I woulde be veryy hapy! You're SO AWESOME!!
P.S. Can you ask Spitfire to let me join the Wonderbolts?
Soarin' smiled as he finished reading the letter. We wanted to know who would send HIM a message! He never got any mail, and when he did it was either bills or junk mail. (Yes, pony junk mail) It wasn't signed. Whoever it was neglected to even print their name! But after some thinking it hit him. He had a fine idea on who had send it. He remembered of a talented Pegasus in the peaceful town of Ponyville who admired the Wonder Bolts very much. He could not remember her name but what made her distinct from every other pony was her vibrant, rainbow colored mane. Now that Soarin' had thought about it more, he might have met the pony before. Could it have been the same Pegasi who once saved us from that deathly fall the day of the Junior Flyer Competition? thought Soarin'. If it was, what an honor it would be to see her again. Who knows, he might just hit it off with this rainbow character. But what would happen if he didn't go and enjoyed the spoils of his break instead? His mind was racing with so many different options. "The Wonderbolts are having a week long break from shows, and I have nothing better to do." Said Soarin' to himself. He still wasn't quite sure on what he was going to do, so he flew off to talk with his good friend Spitfire on what to do.
"Hey there, Spitfire" said Soarin'. Spitfire was in the Cloudsdale Study Hall reading up on what Soarin' could make out as a large book that printed, "Wind Powers - The Art of the Sky". She turned around very abruptly, obviously not interested in what she was reading. "Hi, Soarin'!". She hugged him.
"I want to speak with you about something." Soarin' replied.
"Is something wrong" said Spitfire.
"No, actually, things are going very well for me, but I'm here to talk about a letter I had received in the mail today"
"What did it say? Was it from Royalty? I always adored being a Royal subject!"
"No, but quite the opposite" "You see, a Pegasi in Ponyville wanted me to come and visit her and get to know her. I should remind you this was the same Pegasi I believe saved us from the dreadful fall we encountered at the Junior Flyer Competition a while back" Soarin' said.
"Ah, yes I wish I could remember her name but it's slipping my mind"
Soarin' told the rest of the story and his plan to meet this fan of his personally in the town of Ponyville. Spitfire didn't mind him going, after all, she may be his captain but she certainly wasn't his mother.
"It's funny that you bring this up on such short notice for I also received a message from somepony who wished my presence." said Spitfire.
She then took off with a vigorous amount of speed away from Soarin' and off into the sky. She didn't have time to say where she was going, when she'd be back, or who she was meeting. The book she was reading still lay on the table she was at just moments ago. Soarin' glanced at the book and chuckled. "If I know one thing, it's that Spitfire doesn't like to read" He left the library and went back to his home.
He didn't need to bring much with him. Ponyville was but a small journey for an Earth Pony and being a Wonder Bolt would take him not nearly that much time. Soarin' went to his room to get cleaned up and ready to go to Ponyville. He puts on his favorite tie and shirt, looks at the mirror and struck a pose. He laughed to himself at how silly he looked. After all, he had reason for his good mood. A chance to meet a new friend. And not just any other pony, but a Pegasi like him. Sure there were the Wonder Bolts that he spent most of his time around, but they expected perfection. They were a team, and he found himself going through the motions as days passed. He liked Spitfire. She was a great friend to have. Nopony he knew had a character like Spitfire. She was the only one he truly accepted as a friend. The others, Blaze, Fire streak, Fleetfoot and the others he saw more as acquaintances.
After contemplating these thoughts for a few minutes, Soarin' shook them out. "I'm going to enjoy myself on this journey, and not dwell on the other nimble things in my life". And that's just what he did. "I'm ready for anything", a confident smile on his face as he took off through the clouds and down closer to the surface.
Soarin' couldn't believe his eyes. It wasn't often he flew down to the surface, or in that case, could go down if he wanted to. Being a Wonder Bolt took a fair amount of time off your hands and up until now, the surface never interested him much. Sure when he attended the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot the festivities were spectacular, but as he gazed over the landscape, Soarin' thought to himself how beautiful nature could be. As he flew along the tops of the trees, Soarin' wanted to fly faster. He prepared himself, took a deep breath, and flapped as fast as his wings could carry him over the landscape.
Part2
The trees almost doubled in size and they started to grow closer together. "The Everfree Forest" whispered Soarin'. He had never had the chance to see such a sight. The trees seemed to grow forever in all directions. To his right side about ten miles to the south lied the Sourstone Swamp. To the west he saw a different kind of tree. They seemed very domestic to Soarin', as if they're weren't supposed to be there. But when Soarin' looked again he could make out not part of a forest, but an orchard. He was seeing an orchard. His excitement seemed to halt as he approached the farm. He'd used up most of his energy flying throughout the forest which made him hungry. He didn't like to be hungry but he did love food. And as he flew closer, that's just what he saw. It was an apple orchard. "Apples," thought Soarin', "I sure could use a good apple and some hay right now."
Soarin' sped up to get to the nearest tree. He got there in no time, landing on the soft, fertile soil with unease. He hadn't walked on the solid ground for a long time. Clouds had a different texture, not as stable and it didn't sink our hooves into the ground. They were comfortable though and that mattered to Soarin'. But when he picked an apple, someone was immediately hollering behind him. "Who are ye and why are ya here?" Soarin' was very startled to see somepony sneak up on him. He quickly snapped his head around and hollered back "My name is Soarin', I was coming here.."
"I know who you are" said the pony a matter-of-factly. "Good to meet'cha, Soarin', my name's Applebloom ye hear."
"Well hi there Applebloom, the same to you as well. Hey, do you think I could find something to eat around here? I'm famished!"
"Sure thing, Soarin'! Follow me, my sister Applejack'll fix ya up with some grub!"
As they walked to the farmhouse, Applebloom asked "What's life like up on Cloudsdale?"
"Fun"
"Just...fun, huh? Doesn't seem like it if you say it like that!"
The truth was, it wasn't all that Soarin' dreamed it would be when he was just a filly. He thought about the fame and the glory of being a Wonder Bolt, but it was more work and less play then he had wished for.
It wasn't long before they got to the barnhouse and Soarin' was greatful for that, not only because he was hungry. It was hard to hold a conversation with this Philly. After all, he didn't really know her, for all he knew, she could be a witch. He chuckled at the thought and focused on the food he was about to indulge in.
Applebloom was the one who knocked on the door. They waited for an answer. They heard hoofsteps draw near, muffled on the other end of the door. It opened, a young pony was standing at the door, one hoof crossed over the other. Her mane was a bright blonde with a ponytail in the back. (Yes, it was a PONYTAIL) She had three white freckles on both her cheeks. She was a calm orange color and sported a leather cowboy hat. She smiled at Applebloom and shot a straight glance toward Soarin'. "Howdy 'y'all! My name's Applejack. Applebloom, who ya got here?"
It seems that he knew this character from somewhere but he wasn't sure where. Applejack could tell Soarin' was tired and needed some food. She brought Applebloom and Soarin' inside the farmhouse. It was better on the inside than it seems on the outside. The kitchen was spotless, with everything in their own place. The eldest of the ponies was at the burner making some fresh apple fritters and other treats. Soarin's eyes gleamed at the sugary pastries. Applejack saw his delight and let him have at anything he likes.
Soarin' rushed to the nearest seat and dug in. Apple pie, apple tarts, and even apple cider. That was what got to him. The apple cider.
"That cider is hoof-made fresh" Granny Smith spoke up.
"Howdy, I'm Granny Smith and I established this joint and all of Ponyville!"
Soarin' was surprised! This was the pony who founded Ponyville? he thought.
"And this here part is Sweet Apple Acres, the finest orchard in all of Ponyville. One might even say in all of Equestria!" said Granny Smith
"It's so fascinating that YOU were the one who founded Ponyville! This is quite an honor! But I'm afraid I'll have to leave now. I must leave if I wish to see who sent me the fan letter. Here's four bits for your troubles!"
"Daw shucks, Soarin', we don't want your money" Applejack said peach fully. "Your company is enough payment for all of us!"
"Oh but I insist, it's the least I can do!"
And with that, he flew off before any pony could argue. As he rose into the sky, he saw a sunset sinking over the horizon, with Ponyville resting in the distance.
