Okay Mr. Featherlight, are you ready?
As ready as I'll ever be...
So, can you tell me why you are here today.
Well, I need to get some things off my chest, I'm not going crazy if that's what you're thinking!
Not at all. I'm listening, so please... Begin.
Okay, well it started about a year ago. I was still living with my parents, my mother a sweet Pegasus was helping me get ready to go to work with my dad. He worked in construction his whole life, unicorn. That's where the horn comes from... That day he wanted me to come with him to see what he does. That was the day everything in my life changed....
I got up, did my usual routine: horn exercises, shower, and brush my teeth. In reality I was dreading even crawling out of bed.
“Son!” my father called from downstairs. “I'm leaving in a few, get a move on up there!”
“Ugh... I'll be right there dad!” My father, Winston has been working in construction his whole life. From the day my grandfather found he could levitate a hammer he brought him into work every day. Now he wants that of me, but to tell you the truth I wanna be a wonderbolt. I know it sounds impossible bordering foolish. “Featherlight! Come. On. We're going to be late!”
“Okay, okay dad. I'm coming!” I ran downstairs as fast as I could, but I wasn't paying attention and I tripped over the last step. I tumbled and landed on my face before my tail tickled my horn.
“Oh dear!” my mother screeched. “Honey, you know you aren't that coordinated. What possessed you to run down those stairs?!”
“Sorry ma, dad told me to hurry...” she looked to him with a furious gaze. My mom was the sweetest pegasus to ever live, but if anything bad happened to me I wouldn't mistake her for a murderer. “Did you hit your horn honey?”
“No ma, I'm fine.”
“Are you sure, I cou-”
“Breeze, he's fine. Now we have to get going or we'll miss the train.”
“You're right Winnie, but wait! He hasn't had breakfast yet!”
“I'll be fine mom.”
“But, it's a long trip from here to Canterlot.”
“Honey, he'll be fine, and you know I'll be okay. You'll have your boys back before you know it.”
“Okay... Come back in one piece, both of you.” I lit my horn, avoiding having to witness my parents kiss, and slowly pushed myself of the ground. With that me and my dad left home and set out to the train station.
I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, it wasn't the most comfortable ride... All I know is that there was a little filly poking me with a stick that her lollipop had just been on as if I were dead. One good jab and she woke me with a loud grunt. I looked around, not at all familiar with where we were.
“Hey,” my dad nudged my arm. “We're almost there.”
“Really? Where are we?” I yawned.
“Going through unicorn range, conductor said Canterlot should take another two hours.”
“How long was I out?”
“About three hours...”
“Wow, I must have been beat...”
“Yeah, heh. You were snoring like a champ. And by the way, you have something poking out your side there.” I looked down to find an old lollipop stick poking out of my fur.
“Dad, could you get that. I need my magic to charge up some.”
“Sure thing son.”
I looked out of the window at the rolling landscape flying by us. It was strange and new to me, I had never been this far from home, but my dad has been all over Equestria. I've been told it was our family that constructed Canterlot. I turned back to him, he had his snout buried deep in a newspaper.
“Hey dad, what's Canterlot like?”
He stopped, put a hoof to his chin and simply replied, “A place full of stuck up ponies with their heads so far up their rears they can't see the world for what it's worth...”
“Dad!” I laughed loudly.
“What? I'm serious.” he chuckled.
I meant the architecture.” This time he put the newspaper down.
“What is Canterlot you ask? Only the true definition of Equestrian engineering. I'm talking about a city built into the side of the tallest mountain in all the land. The city where the royal sisters live. That's Canterlot my boy. Trust me, you'll know it when you see it.”
The way he described Canterlot made it sound like a city where only the best thrive, and the buildings dominate the sky. “Are we staying in a hotel there?” I asked in awe.
“What? Oh no, we are staying in Ponyville.”
“Wait, Ponyville?”
“Yeah, it's a small town at the foot of Canterlot mountain.”
“Ponyville? Why does that sound so familiar?” thought to myself.
“You know it's the official home is the elements of harmony.”
“Did you know that, or are you reading it right now?” his face turned as red as his night blue fur would allow.
“Well, I was skimming through and I may have found it. Also it's where we're going to be staying while we work on the project in Canterlot. I may as well do some research.”
“Why can't we stay in Canterlot with the other workers?”
“Because there are only a handful of us intercity workers, they already have their hooves full up there.”
“Are any of your buds from Vanhoover signed on?”
“I think Tim and Lumber may have accepted, and hammer to. That's about it really.”
“Oh, well I'm gonna go stretch my legs, I think my horn has warmed up enough.”
I've noticed you mention a lot about you having to use your horn to a great extent. Is there any reason for that?
Yes, but that comes later... I don't like telling everyone about my disability...
Understandable, any more that you would like to tell?
Well yes, how much time do we have left?
Another half hour...
That should be enough time. Well, we passed Canterlot and approaching Ponyville. That place is where my life, in every aspect was turned upside down...
We stopped in Ponyville, a quaint little town. Kind of like where I lived back home. The ponies looked friendly. You know nothing out of place, until on our way to the cottage we were staying in I was tackled by a blue pegasus.
“Oh my head... Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I'm fine. Don't you worry about me. Hi I'm Rainbow Dash,” she stretched out her hoof. In a panic I lit my horn and grabbed hold of her hoof as she pulled up. “What's you're name?”
“I... I'm Featherlight...”
“And I'm Winston.”
“Well, hello. Welcome to Ponyville and whatever,” she was just about to take off when my dad stopped her. “Excuse me Miss Dash, but do you know where the shady grove cottages are?”
“They're towards the edge of town, just head that way and you can't miss 'em. Now, I'm out,” with that she took off into the sky with a sparkling rainbow trail in her wake.
“Hmph, your mom was just like that when we met.”
“Y-yeah...”
“Son?”
“Uh huh, okay dad...”
“Son!” he snapped me out of my frozen state.
“Y-yeah dad, w-whats up?”
“We have to get situated before you start browsing through the local fauna.”
“Oh dad, come on!”
“What? You were starting for an awful long time.”
“Oh, whatever. Let's just go... ” The worst part is, he was right. But I wasn't starting because of her looks. The way she took off and soared through the air captivated me. She was so fast proud and confident. I would have given anything to be able to fly like her, so I decided to ask her for a few pointers. I know, I know, a unicorn asking a pegasus for flight tips is unheard of, but I just needed to know how she did it. So after we unpacked I went on a search.
I couldn't find her at first, mainly because I couldn't tell where she had flown off to, and second. I forgot the mare's name. I fumbled for at least an hour before one of her friends found me talking to myself.
“Hi there!”
“Goodness! Don't sneak up on me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack...”
“Sorry, you weren't paying attention. I thought I heard you mumbling something to yourself.”
“Yeah, I'm looking for somepony.”
“I'll help you out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it'll be like playing detective, or hide and seek, or, or-” I put my hoof to her mouth.
“Please, I just need help finding a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane...” she tapped her chin a few times, pulled a cupcake out of her hair and ate it.
“What? Food helps me think. I've got more if ya want some,” she said with full cheeks.
“Don't worry, I'm fine,” just then my stomach growled fiercely.
“That don't sound fine to me. C'mon, let's go get you something to nibble.” she took me by my hoof and dragged me away. I tried to break free but my magic had gotten weak from walking around for that long. That and my stomach felt like a void, so I let her take me hoping that she wasn't a psychotic earth pony.
“I never caught your name,” she said gleefully.
“I'm Featherlight...”
“Pinkie Pie, but all my friends call me Pinkie!”
“Huh, Pinkie Pie...”
After we properly introduced ourselves she took me all around town to some of her favorite spots to do various odd things. There was one that stood out to me though. There was a hill with the most perfect view of Canterlot. I mean the city glistening in the sunlight, while mountains seemed to bow to its might.
Where did Ms. Pie take you after that?
Oh, right. Sorry, I lost track. Now where was I...? Right, she dragged me all around Ponyville until we ended up at this bakery called Sugarcube Corner.
As soon as we walked through those doors the aroma of sweet fresh baked goods swept me of my hooves. I guess I should say this now, I'm what my mom calls a ‘sugaholic’. I am absolutely addicted to sweets, you wouldn't guess it because of how slim I am. Well this shop was like heaven, and was going to binge until I fell into a food coma, but I realized I left all my bits back at the cottage.
“See anything you like?” Pinkie peeped at me.
“What is there not to like? All these cakes and cookies and muffins... My goodness how do you keep from eating it all?! ”
“A lot of self control, but between you and me I still nibble a little...”
“I want a nibble...” I pouted.
“Well you have to tell me what you want silly.”
“I left all my bits at home...”
“Hmm,” she popped up behind me, then out of my hair, then back behind the counter.
“Wait, how in Celestia's mane did you do that-”
“I'll let you get one thing free of charge.”
“Wha-. R-really?”
“Mhm, you seem nice, and you're kinda cute.”
“Thank you so much Pinkie!” I have her a tight hug then turned my attention back to the assortment of sweets before me. I was going to choose a nice red velvet cake, but I saw some sugar cookies that looked all to delicious.
“Hey Pinkie.”
“Afternoon Dashie!”
“Wait, that voice...”
“Can I get my usual?”
“Sure, be right back.” I peeled my face of the glass and found two baby blue legs in front of me. I looked up and there she was, the one I was looking for.
“You're um, Rainbow Flash right?”
“No, I'm Rainbow Dash, unless you've got me mixed up with some other pegasus... Wait, aren't you that unicorn I ran into in town square?”
“Yes, I've been looking for you all day!”
“Uh, what for?” Just then I realized that I was a little too excited from all the delicious goodies surrounding me.
“Oh, where are my manners? Uh, Miss Dash, right?”
“Uh huh...”
“When I saw you fly off earlier today I thought it was pretty amazing, and well. I was wondering if you could give me some tips or maybe even train me...?” I knew she would laugh, but not too the point to where she would be on the floor gasping for air. To be honest I felt stupid that I didn't see that coming...
“Wai-wai-wai-wait... Let me get this straight. You a, unicorn, wants to learn how to fly?! Sorry for laughing so hard, but I've seen unicorn flight spells. The moment they touch the sun they disintegrate.”
“What if I told you I created my own spell that lasts as long as I want it to?”
“I'd call your bluff.”
“You won't know until you see.”
“Okay I'll bite, since I'm tired right now, I'll wait to tomorrow. If you can fly for more than fifteen minutes I'll train you.”
“Okay, deal.” we shook on it. Well I shook, she nearly cracked my hoof with her grip.
“Here you are Dashie!”
“Thanks Pinkie, see you tomorrow Featherlight.” And just like that she was out the door. I turned back to Pinkie who had an oddly sly look on her face.
“What?”
“Oh nothing. Have you picked what you want yet?”
“Oh, right.” I pressed my face back to the glass.
I'm afraid that's all the time we have Mr. Featherlight.
Really? That went by quick..
Yes indeed...
Well, I'll see you next week. I need to head home to gather my thoughts. Until next time...
Until next time...
A shy mare, and the Amalgamous Animal
Uh, hello. Doctor, are you here?
Yes, yes I'm here Mr. Featherlight. Have you gathered your thoughts since your last visit?
Yes... Yes I have.
You can begin whenever you feel like you're ready.
Okay, so. Uh, where was I at when we finished?
You were at a bakery drooling over a plethora of sugary food before you.
Right, of course.
After I got the most delicious red velvet cake I've ever had in my life. I headed back to where me and my dad were staying.
It wasn't too late in the day. The sun was still out, ponies still running around. As I continued to walk home I thought about how I might impress Rainbow Dash. She seemed to know just about everything there is to know about flying, I mean you should see this mare go. She's amazing! So, I'm trying my best to think about what I could do to make her drool in amazement.
After I went back to my cottage I ate half of my cake in one huge gulp, no regrets, and found the nearest field to train. The trick to this flight spell is I modified it from the original. Instead of spawning butterfly wings, I spawn actual pegasus wings. There's only one major backlash about this spell. Since the pegasus wings are stronger, mature natural for a pony, and thicker, they need twice the amount of magical energy needed to sustain them. Every time I use it, I'm tapped out for at least an hour, and that's only enough energy to get me off the ground.
I concentrated, pushed my horn to the limit, and cast my spell. The wings began to slowly appear on my back, but by then I could already feel my limit approaching. I didn't pay that any mind and kept summoning my wings. My horn throbbed with pain, and a headache soon followed, but I had my wings and I was ready to fly.
Listen closely here is where it gets epic. With one downbeat I took to the air, climbing straight into the sky. I looped around a could and dove as fast as I could, moments before I reached the ground I pulled out, did three barrel rolls, and relaxed while flying backwards... Directly into a tree.
That wasn't as epic as I was hoping it'd be
Hey, I tried my best. The truth isn't always exciting.
I suppose so... What happened after you emptied whatever sense you had left into that tree?
Funny, honestly I can't contain my laughter...
Thank you, please continue.
Okay, so I slammed into the tree.
I hit it pretty hard. A family of squirrels fell off a branch directly onto my head. I tried my hardest move but I burned out my magic doing those stunts. Not that the tree was bad, it was nice and shady, kept me out of the sun. The only thing I was worried about was the squirrels poking at my horn and playing in my hair. I wasn't too sure about how much time had passed. The squirrels had gone and I was just enjoying the day, until I saw a curious yellow mare approach me.
“D-Do you think he's alright angel?”
“Don't worry I'm fine.”
“AAAH!” She shrieked. Before I could attempt to reassure her she bolted away.
“Wait! Pleae! I need your help!” She stopped running and looked back at me nervously. Her little rabbit Angel tapped her hoof and looked at her. Then she started talking to him as if they were having an intelligent conversation. Then she turns back to me.
“Can you please help me!” she inched closer. “Please I'm not sure if I can move!” Once she heard that she came running back like a raging bull.
“Oh my goodness are you okay?!”
“Other than I ran into this tree I'm fine.”
“Oh no, are you paralysed?!”
“No, well kinda. Look, I just need you to roll me over.”
“Are you hurt?! We need to get you some rest immediately!” She lifted my limp body onto her back and carted me away to Celestia knows where. I'm on this stranger's back panicking, wondering if she was a psycho who poses as an adorable shy little mare... Thank goodness that wasn't the case. She brought me to a large house just outside of town. Waiting there was a zoo of animals that she greeted as if they were her children.
As she brings me inside I'm greeted to one of the best kept and decorated homes I have ever seen. It almost sparkled with cleanliness. Only one thing didn't sit too well with me though. There were animals cleaning her home! At that point I decided I hit my head too hard and had fallen into some sort of coma. “Sir? E-excuse me, sir?” she asked quietly. “I'm going to set you down now while I go get a bowl of soup and some medicine.”
“Medicine?!” I shrieked in the shrillest voice my tiny body could muster. “I'm fine miss. I don't need any medicine, but soup would be very nice.”
“But you said you couldn't move...”
“That's because I have a slight disability.” My magic finally felt strong enough to lift me off her back. So with a clumsy heave I stood before her. “The thing is that I can't move properly unless I use my magic, without it,” I shut my horn off, collapsing to the ground. “This happens.”
“Oh my goodness!” she squealed while hiding her face behind her hooves.
“Sorry, sorry!” I got back to my hooves. “That can be a bit too graphic for some.”
“S-so you're perfectly fine?” she asked cautiously.
“Yeah, other than the fact that I'm a limp noodle,” I chuckled. My laughter fell short when the only response I got was awkward stares from her and the animals present. “In midst of all this commotion, I didn't catch your name.”
“I'm Fluttershy…”
“Hello Miss Fluttershy, I'm Featherlight.” I held out a hoof. She looked at it, then at me, then shook it slowly. “Geez I see why there is a definite ‘shy’ in your name,” I thought through the awkward moment. “So... Where exactly am I?”
“Oh, um. You're in my cottage, where I live. It isn't much, but it's home.”
“It is a nice cozy little something. Are we still near Ponyville by chance?”
“Yeah, it's only a half hour walk down the path.”
I didn't show but on the inside I was greatly relieved this girl hadn't kidnapped me. One problem presented itself all too well though. If the turn was a half hour away, like Fluttershy said. That means that is a half hour of exhausting walking, adding on that I had to manner l meander around to find where me and my dad were staying. It was too much and I was way too tired.
“Are you from around here?”
“Huh, what?”
“I asked, are you from around here?” she questioned softly.
“Oh, n-no I'm from Vanhoover.”
“Wow, I bet it's cold up there. Why are you here? If you don't mind me asking.”
“I'm here working on a construction project in Canterlot with my dad. I Need to get back to him, but I'm exhausted. I'm struggling just to stand...”
“Oh, you poor thing. Please have a seat on the couch, I'll go fetch something to eat.”
“Thank you.”
As she went into the kitchen I lied down on the nearby love seat. I appreciate her kindness, still do till this day. But she said ‘poor thing’…
Does that bother you?
Immensely... I know what I can and can't do. And reminding me of that by relating me to anything frail makes me angry. I don't want society to see me as some poor defenseless charity case!
Did you tell her that?
No... I was scared that I might frighten her, or she'd kick me out.
Is she the only one who you feel pities you?
Who Fluttershy? She used to, now she looks up to me. But the others who do it are my parents and the few that I could call friends... I mean, I'm not supposed to when be able to really without clunky metal braces bolted to my knees, yet they still think little Featherlight needs help! That, that he needs to be coddled like a little colt who got lost in the shopping center! Not only does it anger me, it's embarrassing!
Ahem, I see...
Sorry for exploding...
Don't worry, I've dealt with patients who found it necessary to throw chairs.
Wow...
Now back to your story, time is running out. Besides, I'm finding it quite... Interesting.
Heh, if you like that then you'll love what happens next.
I'm relaxing on her couch while she prepared us lunch. A small odd looking chipmunk scurries up to me, and just stares. I tried to shoo him away but he wouldn't budge.
“What do you need little guy?” I asked.
“Who are you calling little?”
“What the f-?!
“Ah, ah, ah. Watch your language.”
The next thing I knew the little rodent began to grow into a grotesque creature that looked like a Frankenstein experiment gone awry. “Now, who are you?”
“I-I-I'm Featherlight,” I cowered.
“Featherlight, yes. And what are you doing in dear Flutters cottage?” his tone sharpened but remained playful.
“I-I uh-”
“Discord? Is that you?”
“Yes Fluttershy. I'm just dealing with this intruder.”
Then he was gone in a puff. I then found myself hoisted in the air by my tail. I flailed as much as I could without my magic.
“Let me go!” I struggled
“Tsk, Tsk, this really is a shame. I expected you to put up more of a fight. Looks like it's time for the boot!”
I heard another poof of magic. With no other options I braced myself for a solid kick to the rear when Fluttershy finally came from the kitchen.
“Discord?! What are you doing?!” she shrieked.
“Simply removing this napping intruder from your home. Trust me you'll thank me later.”
“He's not an intruder! He is my guest, and you are going to put him down. Right! Now!”
His posture stiffened and his eyes bugged.
“Right now mister!” she commanded sternly. He dropped me on the hard wood floor. “Discord!”
“What?! I put him down like you asked.”
“He has a condition! He can't move as well as other ponies do, right?”
“Y-yeah,” I groaned. Then I used my magic and slowly pulled myself to my hooves.
“A condition?” Discord curiously stated. Then he teleported behind me while wearing a nurse's outfit. “What is ailing you.”
“Degenerative Spine Growth.” I said flatly
“Degenera what now?”
“A couple of spinal columns in my neck haven't grown much since I was born. They're pinching my central nerve, so I can't move my legs properly.”
“Can you feel them?” Fluttershy asked with intrigue.
“Yeah, I feel mostly everything. I just can't move them that much, if not at all.”
“Then how are you standing?” Discord asked while poking at my legs.
“Stop that! I am standing thanks to my magic. I found a way to create a spell that moves my limbs, kind of like a puppeteer.” I lifted my leg.
“Wow, that's amazing!” Fluttershy cheered. “How did you learn it?”
“After I was diagnosed I just started messing around with my legs. I've been doing it since I was a colt.”
“Wow.”
Her amazement fed me confidence and pride like I never felt before. “Meh, I've seen better.” And he ruined it... “Honestly Mr. Featherlight,” he slowly circled me. “As admirable as your story sounds, I find it to be nothing more than a parlor trick,” he coughed up a pigeon.
“How would you know you... Whatever you are!”
“Why I'm the one and only master of chaos Discord.” A neon flickering sign with his name on it appeared behind him. “And I know actual perambulation spells. You're faking.”
“I don't have to take this! I'm. Leaving!” I stormed towards her door, just then I couldn't hold the spell together anymore. “Oh no!” Fluttershy cried. “Mr. Featherlight, are you okay?” she came rushing to my side.
“No I'm fine, just wanted to get to know the floor better...”
She lifted me onto her back and placed me on the couch. She looked to Discord with fire in her eyes then returned to the kitchen. As she left Discord came up to to me. “I know what you're up to Featherlight. Fluttershy is my friend and I'll be glad to keep it that way.”
“Look, thing. If you want me to leave your marefriend alone I'll gladly oblige...” I sighed.
“She's NOT my marefriend. She's a close friend I'd rather not see ruined by the likes of you.”
“Whatever floats your boat...” I responded flatly. He stroked his goat beard then disappeared. “Finally...”
“What's ailing you old buddy old pal?” he appeared in miniature on my snout.
“I'm fine...” I growled.
“No need to be hostile anymore. I was just joking.” he turned into a clown.
“You have a sadistic kind of sense of humor...”
“Oh you flatter me. Remember? Spirit of chaos.” another neon sign appeared behind him, but this one the ‘O’ was flickering and sparking.
“Why are you trying to apologise?” I scolded.
“Because between you and me, Flutters is terrifying when she's angry.”
Fluttershy came back from the kitchen with a large tray of assorted fruit. “Sorry that took so long. I didn't know Discord would be here.”
She reminded me so much of my mom, kind caring and sweet. So it made me wonder how she got roped into Discord's little game.
She told me about how he was trapped in stone for the last thousand years, and that chaos freed him. Then her and her friends put him back, only for him to be freed again fully reformed. As she told me this story, Discord acted out every word in hilarious detail. He may have been a jerk, but he sure was funny. I saw a little bit of me in him to tell you the truth.
What do you mean?
I mean that he's had a bad life, and he hides it. Hides it well...
Sadly time is up...
Right... I'll see you next week then?”
I'm looking forward to it. Till next time...
Till next time...
