Dreams of Silver

Several years later and Silverwing is standing beside Azure Skye. The two are amongst those who are now graduating from flight school to go on and further their education in other parts of Equestria. Their flight teacher whom has been with them throughout most of their time at the camp is giving his speech on how much he will miss the class and wishes them all the best in their next course of education. Azure nudges Silverwing slightly to get his attention.

"This stallion gets anymore soppy and I might start crying with 'em. What's next for you?" Azure Skye asks, flexing his wings slightly.

The flight teacher finishes his speech and the gathered students perform the flight school cheer one last time before separating into their own little groups.

"I'm not sure to be honest. I don't know where to further my education. I'll have to ask my parents when I get back home." Silverwing replies as they walk around.

"My folks were considering Canterlot as my next school. It's got good reputation so I expect it'll be fun. Hey, you should ask your folks to go to the same school. That'd be awesome, spending several more years together." Azure Skye states with excitement.

"That does sound like a good idea. It'd be fun to hang out some more." Silverwing smiles in reply as they head to the exit of the camp.

"Well, I should head home so me and my parents can celebrate my getting past flight school. I hope to meet you again Silverwing." Azure Skye and Silverwing share a hoof/talon bump before Azure Skye flies off.

Adjusting his duffel bag on his back Silverwing spreads his wings and takes flight. Choosing to take a few laps around Cloudsdale first, Silverwing admires the cloud city for all it's worth. Once satisfied he wont miss it too much, he begins his long journey home towards Griffonstone.

Walking up the rugged dirt path leading into the village Silverwing can't help but hum himself a happy tune as he passes the entrance. Navigating through the streets of his home was easy enough as it had hardly changed in the years he spent at flight school. Silverwing visited his parents on several occasions during holidays and time away from flight school. However, it had remained the same run down set up it had always been. Only this time something was different... Something was wrong. Looking up in the sky Silverwing noticed a stack of black smoke coming from where he was heading. Fear gripping at his heart he began to run and eventually came out in front of the burning house that was the source of the smoke. His parents' house. His house... Unable to process what was happening in front of him, Silverwing sought out the only source of comfort he could think of. Frantically looking around he tried to spot his parents among the small crowd of bystanders and Griffons trying to help quell the blaze. It wasn't until an elderly black Griffon put his claw on Silverwing's shoulder did he snap back to reality. The next few words he could remember hurt the most.

"They're gone sonny... They were inside when the house went up..." The elderly Griffon states.

The Griffon in question has soot black feathers and some bald patches. He wears some form of fedora on his head. It took several hours before the blaze died down. Silverwing was told that his parents were found amongst the remains of the house. He knew what he was being told was true, but at the same time he refused to believe it. Griffons tend to move quite quickly so it came as no surprise when the funeral was held that evening in a graveyard overlooking the gorge. Even after everyone had paid their respects and left, Silverwing stood there in front of the grave mounds and crudely made tombstones which bore his parents names. 'Crimson Sky - Loving father and loyal husband.' 'Harmony Gale - Loving mother and devoted wife.'

Gilda walked up to stand beside Silverwing and offers him a wing, but he shrugs it off.

"I'm sorry about your parents..." Gilda begins, but stops when Silverwing begins leaving.

Silverwing wasn't sure how to process this. He wasn't sure how to process anything anymore. Even Gilda's comfort fell on deaf ears and cold feathers. As Silverwing made his way back towards the remains of his house, memories flashed inside his mind of all the times he played with his father. All the times he watched his mother prepare dinner or watch them play. He remembered all the times he got tucked in at night and even more so, how much he missed them during flight school. Overcome with a flood of emotions Silverwing picked up his duffel bag and flew up into the sky as it began raining heavily.

Azure Skye sits in the living room of his cloud home. The decoration is sparse, the walls made of cloud like the rest of Cloudsdale. A sofa and fireplace sit nearby as he relaxes on the rug. Sighing, Azure Skye stood up and went to the window in order to watch the rain.

"Suppose it's about that time we have a heavy rain storm. I wonder if Silverwing got home okay..." Azure Skye asks himself, deep in thought.

Suddenly a knock on the door drew his attention, making him raise an eyebrow. The knock wasn't like a hoof, but more sharp and precise. Trotting over to the door he knew exactly who it was. What puzzled him was the 'why'? Opening the door Azure Skye can see a drenched Silverwing, still holding his duffel bag.

"Hey... Can I come in?" Silverwing asks, a clear tone of sadness in his words.

"Yeah, sure. I'll just let mother know that you're visiting." Azure Skye states, as he lets Silverwing in.

Silverwing lightly ruffled his feathers trying not to get water everywhere. Azure Skye returned to him with a towel and sat him by the rug. The pair were in an odd silence as a Pegasus mare with an azure blue coat, dark blue mane and tail with white streaks and light blue eyes walked into the room carrying a tray of hot chocolate. She placed down the tray between them and frowned slightly.

"Vincent, what's the matter? Azure told me you were flying home when you left flight school. I'm not complaining, of course. You and Azure have been the closest of friends growing up and you're always welcome here." The mare wears a worried expression.

"You know I always enjoy your company buddy, but you have never looked like this before... Not even after that fling with Gilda." Azure Skye comments, looking at Silverwing.

"They're gone, Azure... I went home and..." Silverwing struggled to speak, his voice a little hoarse and broken.

Azure Skye shifted closer to his friend and gently comforted with a hoof.

"Did they leave on holiday or something? Talk to me buddy..." Azure Skye presses.

"They're... When I went home... I saw smoke and... The house was on fire... Funeral was in the evening... I didn't know who else to turn to..." Silverwing begins shedding tears as he attempts to bury his sorrow in the mug of delicious hot chocolate.

Azure Skye gave no words of comfort. He didn't know what to say at this news. His best friend's parents dead? How could he possibly be able to imagine Silverwing's grief, but he had a good idea. Still saying nothing, Azure Skye sat closer next to Silverwing and hugged him with his wings to comfort him.

"Vincent, If you wanted and had nowhere else to go, you could stay with us. Azure didn't make many friends at flight school and you have been the only one who I always see with him. We have a spare room you can stay in while you get yourself sorted and should you decide to stay, I fully approve. You are practically like a second son to me with how close you two are and how much time you spend together." The mare comforts Silverwing before disappearing to sort out the spare room.

"It'll be alright, Silverwing. Trust me." Azure Skye sighs deeply.

"You don't know that for sure... I..." Silverwing hugs the towel tightly that is draped over him.

"Look at me buddy." Azure states, making Silverwing look in his direction. "Have I ever, in the several years  we have known each other, steered you wrong or lied to you?"

Silverwing thinks for a moment before shaking his head in reply.

"Exactly. So, trust me when I say everything will be alright. I'm here for you just like you were there for me when my father passed away. Do you remember why  I settled down so quickly in flight school?" Azure Skye asks.

"Because Gilda would have smothered you in your sleep if you kept crying all night?" Silverwing asks, smiling a little.

Both friends smile and chuckle at the shared memory before Azure Skye shakes his head gently.

"Because I had you, feather brain. My most loyal and trustworthy friend of all. We shared everything, including my many plans that saw us scolded. So, just like then I'm here for you now. Granted I'm only what? Fifteen, while you're sixteen, but we stick together and that's what matters." Azure Skye gently hugs Silverwing.

They part and Silverwing sighs deeply before smiling a little.

"Thanks... For always being my friend and in some ways I always thought of you as a younger brother, despite it always looking like the opposite." Silverwing drinks more hot chocolate.

"I'll be your 'brother' till the day I end up leaving Equestria. We'll get you through this like we always do." Azure Skye stands up.

"Is that with rope, butter and a small bungee jump miscalculation?" Silverwing asks, also standing up.

"Hey... We said we would put that behind us. The water looked clear enough... How was I supposed to know?" Azure Skye chuckles.

The pair take their hot chocolate mugs and Silverwing's duffel bag back to Azure Skye's room before his mother entered the living room again.

"Poor foal... No pony should have to suffer through that kind of trauma. I just hope we can help him get through it." The mare looks at a family picture of her and Azure Skye. In the picture with them is a tall Pegasus stallion that has an azure blue coat, white mane and tail with grey streaks and azure blue eyes.

The mare gave a light sigh before picking up the tray and returning to the kitchen.