It was just about the average day in the settlement of Wingtown. The birds were singing, the streets were somewhat lively and the fillies and colts were running out from school to go to the parks and the town centre. But it wasn't the average day for the fillie Ember Sparks. Normally, she would be outside straight after school, playing with the other Pegasi. But today was different.
Instead of being out in the sunshine, Ember was quietly sulking, whilst walking up the path to her house. She was upset. Practically everypony at the school had been teasing her, something that didn't happen very often, but when it did Ember would shrug it off. Today though was more harsh to Embers emotions.
She opens the front door to her quiet home.
"Is that you, Ember?" Shouts a voice from the back garden.
"Yes mum."
"Was school ok?"
"Fine."
Without another word, the saddened fillie drags herself upstairs to her room, closes the door and throws herself onto her bed. Burying her head into her hooves, she cries as quietly as she could.
Her parents had failed to notice the fact that Ember went up to her bedroom, and not straight to the park. Most likely because they were busy. Embers dad, Futurepixel, was most likely writing another letter to the council about the worse-than-average conditions of Wingtowns paths, and Embers mum, Melancholy Teardrops, was picking fruit and vegetables from their little patch of crops in the back garden. Her brother wasn't in at the moment, too.
Ember was half glad, and half not about this. She rests her head into the pillow that her mum had plumped up for her like she always does, and continues to sob.
After some more thoughtful crying, Ember overhears the front door open.
"I'm home!" Echoed through the house, accompanied by the sound of the door being opened.
"Ascending Shadows? I'm in the garden. Where have you been all day?" Shouts Teardrops.
"Oh, it's not really important. Have you seen Ember? She wasn't at the park."
There was a short pause. Somepony had noticed Embers abnormal behaviour.
"...no? She came in earlier, so she must be in her room."
"Thanks!"
Shadows trots through the house, and up the stairs. With every hoofstep, Ember cries a little harder. She never really did like ponys seeing her cry, even if it was her family.
The steps slowed, and eventually reached outside Embers room.
*knock knock knock* "Ember? You in there?"
The crying fillie lifts her head from her pillow, sits on the side of her bed and faces the door. She remains silent, beside the repeating sniffles. Hearing this, Shadow assumed Ember had a cold, as this wasn't unusual.
"I didn't see you at the park." He slowly opened the door. "...I need to talk to you about somethi-" Once the door had opened to reveal her, Ascending Shadows saw the tear-soaked fillie. "...Ember?"
She stares at the ground.
"Ember? What's wrong?"
"I...don't wanna say..."
"Are you sure?"
Ember remained silent.
"You know what dad says, a problem shared is a problem halved."
"The...the..." Ember jumps from her bedside, and wraps her hooves around her big brothers legs. "...the kids at school keep bullying me!"
Shadow was slightly bewildered.
"Bullying you? Why in Equestria would they do that?"
"Because...I don't have any wings..." Embers words were slightly muffled by Shadows fur.
"Aww Sparky..."
Picking up his sister, Shadows plonks her back on the bed, and sits next to her.
"You shouldn't let those nasty school ponys get to your head."
"I...I try not to, but...I don't know why they all are mean to me..."
"I'm sure not all of them are mean."
"They are..."
"What about...what about that Olive kid? Olive Starlight? Haven't I seen you talking to him before now?"
Ember swiped the tears from her cheeks. "...yeah...nopony really talks to him...so I do..."
"Exactly, he wouldn't make fun of you like any of the others would."
Ember remains silent, so Shadow puts his hoof on her shoulder.
"The others just aren't used to anypony like you around Wingtown."
"...but...but why is nopony like me?"
"Because you are awesome!"
Shadow shuffles a little closer to his sister.
"Hey, remember what what I told you?"
"...yeah...you don't need wings to be a true Pegasus."
"Now what I didn't tell you is what you do need. Can you guess?"
"Uhh...a licence?"
"Nope."
"...a manual?"
"Still nope. You need the heart. And from what I can see, you have the biggest heart of any Pegasi I have ever known."
"Really?"
"Yeah really! Like that friend of yours, he has nopony to talk to, so you talk to him. You are brave enough to be comfortable around other Pegasi, regardless that you haven't got your wings, because you wouldn't judge. And you wouldn't expect everypony else to judge."
"I know..." Ember says while looking under her arms at where her wings would be.
"...hmmm..." Shadow tried to search for some more ways to lighten up his sister. "...I know what will cheer you up! You wanna hear a story?"
"...ok. What is it about?"
"It's about the history of Wingtown, and why it's a Pegasi-only place."
"History is boring..."
"Not the way I tell it."
Shadow begins. "Long ago, a few Pegasi of legendary origin soared over the land of Equestria. They needed to find the best spot for flying. A spot with space to fly between mountains, a spot where you can glide just above a body of water, and, the silliest reason if you ask me, a spot with an amazing view."
The young fillie was already captivated. Ember always loved stories.
"They searched, and searched, and searched, but they couldn't find that perfect place. That was, until one day, they came to Wingtown. Of course, it wasn't called Wingtown then, it was just a patch of land, with some mountains, and the sea next to it."
You could probably see the glints of amazement in Embers eyes.
"The air was just right, you could soar through it like cutting butter with a hot knife. The mountains not only made a brilliant obstacle course, but gave way for the most amazing view from whatever angle you looked at it! They had found paradise. A Pegasus's paradise. They had found Wingtown."
"Woahhh."
"Woah indeed. Once the legendary Pegasi had sons and daughters, and got a little old, they built houses and shops. Pegasi from all around came to see what the area was like, and hardly any of them left. For some reason, this place doesn't appeal to Unicorns, Earth Ponys, or even Alicorns. Nopony really knows why."
Ember was still dumbstruck.
"In fact..." Shadow jumps up from the bed. "...why should I tell you, when I could show you?"
"Wh...wha-"
"C'mon! I'll race you to the front garden!"
With that, Shadows darted down the stairs, with a confused Ember running behind him. Bursting out of the front door, Ember finds Shadow waiting for her. Shadow lowers himself to the ground.
"Jump on!"
"You mean...on your back?"
"Yep! I told you I was going to show you!"
Steadily, Ember climbed onto Shadows back.
"You ready?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, just hold onto me really tight, ok?"
"Got it." Ember grasps onto Shadows back.
"Here we go!"
Shadows mighty wings extracted from his sides, and began to push up and down. In seemingly no time at all, they were in the air.
"You holding on?"
Ember nods. With a burst of acceleration, they dart off to a single cloud in the sky. As they got closer, the remaining teardrops streaked out of the corners of Embers eyes. Reaching the cloud in a mind boggling time, Shadow tried to slingshot around it. Which to Embers amazement, he did. As they curved around the fluffy cloud, Ember glided her hoof along side, carving a line around it. Once they reached the very back, a weakened opening could be spotted, so Shadow pierced straight through the cloud. Ember felt the tiny condensed rain droplets against her face, along with the strangely strong cloud along her body, and the cool air rushing through her mane. Like a poof of white cotton, they burst through the cloud, revealing the most jaw-dropping sight.
The view of Wingtown, just like Shadow had described it, was just like a Pegasus's paradise.
"See those mountains over there?" Says Shadow, brushing away the cloud from his muzzle. "Those are the ones I was talking about. They were right about the view, don't you think?"
The amazed fillie scans the entirety of the area. She had never seen such beauty beheld by her humble town. The houses looked small, and the ponies beneath the clouds were like ants. Even through the eyes of a child, the view would bring thoughts to a halt. As suddenly as they reached the sky, Shadow darted down to the sea.
"What are you doing?!"
Shadows didn't reply.
"Shadows?!"
He was waiting for the perfect moment to pull up. They got closer and closer to smashing straight into the vast see. Ember began to scream and close her eyes with the speed they were travelling.
Just as they reached the water, Shadows pulls up, causing him to glide just above the sea, so close that his stomach was practically touching the water. The two tips of his wings were ever so slightly submerged, creating tiny white streaks on top of the sea.
Noticing she wasn't floating in the vastness of the blue sea, Ember opened her eyes. After calming down from the initial shock, she looked down at the sea, and saw the reflection of what was happening. She saw the happy look upon Shadows face in the water, making her laugh.
They began to elevate once more. Drifting at a slower, but not exactly slow pace back to the sky, they reached another cloud.
"You haven't flown before, have you?" Asked Shadow.
"No, but that was amazing! I loved it!"
"Ah." Shadow wore a smirk. "I have a surprise to show you then."
With Shadows 'surprise', the two zoomed up to the top of the cloud.
"Wh-what are you doing now?!"
"It's a surprise!"
They reached the top of the cloud, only for Shadow to stand atop. A regular sight for anypony else to see, but Ember was shocked. She had never got the chance to stand on a cloud, seeing as she has never had the chance to give it a try. Ember didn't even know it was a thing Pegasi could do.
"Well? Jump off then."
"But won't I fall?!"
"Of course not! You're a Pegasi! Pegasi can stand on clouds!"
With the trust she had in her brother, Ember jumped from his back. With a little bit of a shriek, Embers hooves placed firmly on the top of the cloud. With a stumble, she quickly gained her balance.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Asks Shadow.
"Yeah! I didn't even know Pegasi could do this!"
As Ember bounced around the fluffy cloud, Shadows took a moment to admire the stunning view once again. Although he had seen in hundreds, even thousands of times, it was just as relaxing, and memorable as the first. Well, the first time would have been more to the point of downright amazing, rather than relaxing. The town, the mountains and the vastness of the sea put together an indescribable view.
Shadow was lying on his stomach. He could feel the waves of cloud go underneath him as Ember bounced around. This seemed to take his thoughts away from the scenery, and he began to day-dream. As his mind jumped from thought to thought, he remembered something.
When he walked into Embers bedroom, Shadow was going to tell her the news he had. But cheering Ember up made him forget all about it.
'Oh no. When shall I tell her?' He thought. 'Should I tell her now? I just spent a while cheering her up, and I don't want to upset her, so should I tell her tomorrow? Yeah. Tomorrow, after she comes back from school. I'll tell mum and dad once we go home.'
"Wha'cha doing, Shadows?" Ember asked conveniently as Shadows finished thinking.
"Admiring the scenery."
Ember lies down beside Shadow, and joins him in marveling of the view. Time seemed to just fly by for the siblings, whether it wad the enjoyment of the view, or some other not-entirely-obvious factor. Ember grew tired, indicated by her sleepy head bobbing slightly, and her eyes beginning to close.
"Getting sleepy, Ember?"
"Just...a little..." Ember says, interrupted by a yawn.
"Probably best for us to get moving anyway. It's getting late. I think I can see rainclouds over there and mum and dad are most likely wondering where we are."
Shadows look over to Ember, seeing her head rustled into a ball of cloud she had rolled. She had drifted asleep.
"Ember?"
"...wuh?"
"It's time to go home."
Ember climbs back onto Shadows. As his wings once again push them up, they begin to gently descend. Without speed to keep her awake, Embers sleepiness still lingered in her head.
Shadows wings continued to gently lower them. He noticed that Ember hadn't made a sound. Surely she would be asking questions, or giving out 'Woah's with the sun shimmering on the water now becoming apparent.
"You feeling alright, Ember?"
Shadow turns his head, to see that Ember had fallen asleep, with her arms wrapped as far as they could around Shadows body, like he was a giant stuffed teddy. Like with the cloud, she wad using the warm fur on Shadows back as a pillow, or a memory foam. The sight soothed Shadows heart. With that, they touched the ground.
Shadows tip-toed onto the dirt path that led up to their house as a light misty rain fell from the sky. He reached the door, and considered how loud the door might be. Did Futurepixel oil the hinges again? Or did they remain as their normal creaky selves? Trying as hard as he could not to wake his sleeping sister, Shadow gently twisted the bronze door-knob. With a stroke of luck, the door emitted no creaks, but Shadows luck didn't last, because Melancholy Teardrops was there to take it.
"Where have you bee-"
"Shhh!"
Melancholy shows a confused look on her face, until Shadows walks past.
"...aww."
They walk together into the front room, where Melancholy gently picks up Ember from Shadows back, and carefully rests her on an armchair. Shadows grabs a wooly blanket from the back of the chair, and covers the sleepy fillie.
"Mum?" Shadows very slightly whispers.
"Yes?"
"I need to tell you and dad something important in another room."
With some more confused looks from Melancholy, she gestures to Shadows she will be in the kitchen.
As Melancholy walks toward the kitchen, Shadows looks over the sleeping Ember.
'She is going to be devastated when I tell her...'
Following Melancholy, Shadows walks into the kitchen.
The young Ember was drifting in between being awake, and falling asleep, but a knock coming from somewhere pulled her back into consciousness. Investigating the knock, she gets up to search. Ember finds her medicine bottle on the floor, blown over because of a gust from the opened window. Probably brought in with the rain.
'Oops. I haven't taken my medicine yet.' She thought, closing the window.
Picking up the bottle of medicine, Ember noticed how light the bottle is.
'It must be empty. I think we have some in the kitchen...' She thought.
In the kitchen, Shadows, Melancholy, and Futurepixel were talking.
"How come you wanted us in here? Without Ember?" Asks Melancholy.
"Well, I don't want her to have to overhear what I have to say. She came home from school today crying, and I have been cheering her up."
"And this news may upset her?" Continues Futurepixel.
Shadow nods.
"Well...what is it son?"
"Today...I came back from Canterlot..."
"Canterlot? But that's miles away, why in Equestria did you go there?"
"Well..." Shadows took the moment to anticipate his parents reaction. Would they react angrily? No, that would be out of character for them. "...I have finally figured out what I want to do with my life..."
"You have?" Asks Melancholy.
"Yeah. I want to be a royal guard, and I flew to Canterlot to sign up."
"...I...I don't know what to say..." Futurepixel murmurs.
"I took some consideration about what my cutie mark could mean, and then it became clear to me that I wanted to be a guard."
"That's a very brave decision, Shadows."
"When will you be leaving?"
"I'm not sure, but we could get a message saying I have to leave for Canterlot any day soon."
"I see..." Futurepixel walks over to Shadows, and rests his hoof on his shoulder. "...I'm very proud of you, son."
"We both are, Shadow."
"Thanks...I'm not even sure I will pass, but recently there has been hardly any volunteers, so there's that..."
"So." Melancholy adds. "If you do pass, which I'm sure you will, how long will you be gone for?"
"There's no way of knowing, but all I know is I will be away for quite a while."
Behind Shadows, somepony could be heard struggling to hold back her cries. "...b-but...but you can't go..."
"Huh?" Shadows turns to see Ember, sitting on the floor in a puddle of tears . "...oh no, you heard that didn't you..."
Embers eyes began to fill with more tears. "...w-why are you going?"
"Because..." Shadows struggled for any words. "...because now I know what I want to do as a job, you know how much I struggled to figure that out..."
"But...b-but what about me?"
Shadows walks over to Ember, and sits in front of her.
"It will be fine, Sparky. You will be fine. You are gonna have to look after mum and dad while I'm gone."
"...I can't...not without you..."
"Of course you can, Ember! You don't need me..."
Shadows words weren't doing much. Ember stared at the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"...please don't go to Canterlot...I want you to stay here...in Wingtown..."
"I know, Sparky. I won't be gone forever-"
"But what if you are?!"
"I won't be...I promise."
Shadows thought about one last thing to cheer Ember up. Or at least for when he would be gone.
"Remember when we were a little younger, I would always look after you when mum and dad were away?"
Ember looks into Shadows eyes. "...yeah?"
"Do you still know that song we used to sing?"
"...uh huh?"
"It's been so long since we last sung it. Can we...?"
Ember nods, as Shadow begins.
"When they are gone..."
"...when they are gone..."
"And it's just you and me..."
"...and...it's just you...and me..."
"We need each other..."
"...we need each other..."
"Like leaves to the trees..."
"...like...like leaves to the trees"
"When you are sad, and they are gone..."
"When I am sad...and they are gone..."
"Just remember where I stand..."
"I will remember...where...where you..."
Ember couldn't carry on, and wraps her little hooves around Shadow, to cry on his shoulder.
Shadow continues to gently sing the melody.
"...like the shore to the sand...I will be with you...just sing the song...when they are gone..."
Ember and Shadows remained seated on the floor for a while, their arms still wrapped firmly around each other.
"I want you to remember that when I'm not here. Can you do that for me?"
Ember nods.
"Promise?"
"I...promise..."
They both release their grasp on one another.
"...can you promise me something Shadows?"
"Anything."
"...promise me you won't be long...protecting the Princess..."
"...I promise."
There was a pause.
"...and don't get hurt." Adds Ember.
"I will be fine, Ember. This royal guard stuff shouldn't be too hard, after all, I have been protecting a Princess almost all my life."
"What do you mean?"
"...I have been protecting you almost all my life."
Glancing past Ember, Shadows looks out the rain-soaked window. The time had just flown by, and it was pitch black outside.
"Woah! It's way past your bed-time, missy. Lets get you to your room." Says Shadows.
Getting up from the floor, Ember proceeds to walk to the stairs, but she is stopped by Shadows.
"Allow me." He says
He lowers down like before, so Ember can once again get on his back, which she does. They head upstairs.
"Don't go falling asleep on my back again." Shadows gently says in response to a yawn.
They reached the door, it was still open from earlier. Once Shadow had flicked the light on, and softly trotted to Embers bedside, she jumps off, landing on the springy mattress. Shadow flipped over her pillow, which was damp from Ember crying earlier on.
Ember lies down, as Shadow pulls the covers over her, and tucks her in. It looked like she had already fallen sound asleep.
Shadow turned the light back off, and was about to close the door when Embers naturally soft voice caressed through Shadows ears.
"Goodnight Shadows."
"Goodnight...Ember."