The sun beats down above the run down town of Griffonstone and a harsh cold wind can be felt on its mostly bare streets. On a street further in, a fledgling Griffon can be seen rather energetically kicking a crudely made leather ball. The fledgling Griffon looks as you'd expect a Griffon to, with an Eagle's head, talons and wings combined with the body and tail of a lion. However, this fledgling's feathers were a dull silver that gave it a unique glint in the sunlight and his fur was a dark crimson, but his talons and beak are light amber while his eyes are a more full silver compared to his wings. The fledgling kicks the ball around the messy street before looking up at the sky with a somewhat sad look and a frown. The fledgling sits down and begins to watch the clouds in their various forms float and dance about the sky.
"Silverwing, honey. It's time to come in." A female voice can be heard nearby.
Silverwing picks up the ball with his tail and begins to walk towards a run down sizeable house for Griffonstone standards. During his small walk to the front door he couldn't help but constantly look back at the clouds, something inside him yearning for more than just a mere flight around town every now and then. Silverwing opens the front door and walks inside, closing it behind him. He then puts the ball down to the side of the door and continues inside the house. The interior looks just as run down as the exterior with dust and cobwebs hanging all over the place. Turning a right through a doorway Silverwing can see two adult Griffons, the one sitting down at the kitchen table appears to be a male Griffon. While the other preparing something on the crudely put together counter, is a female Griffon. The female Griffon has the same dull silver feathers as Silverwing while her fur is a pale grey. Her talons, beak and eyes all share the same light amber colour. The male Griffon has crimson fur with brown feathers and light amber talons, his eyes are a light blue.
"Did you have fun outside, son?" Silverwing's father asks, lowering his newspaper.
"I guess..." Silverwing walks up to and sits down at the table.
"What's wrong honey? You seem more down than normal. Is everything all right with your friend, Gilda?" Silverwing's mother asks, concerned.
Silverwing shakes his head before sighing. "Gilda is fine, I just feel like something is missing..."
"Son, you are only a fledgling. You'll get somewhere when you are old enough." Silverwing's father states.
"But when will that be? Every time I look up at the clouds I feel something inside me begging, pleading to come out... Like I'm missing a crucial part of who I am..." Silverwing sighs as his mother places a bowl of assorted worms and berries onto the table.
"Darling... Are you also sad because Gilda told you she was going to attend flight school soon in Cloudsdale?" Silverwing's mother asks.
"A little... I'll have no one to play with, everyone else just seems so... Bitter? I don't know..." Silverwing sighs deeply.
Silverwing's father looks at his mother and she nods before they both turn back to Silverwing.
"Son, your mother and I have been thinking and perhaps we have been too constricting." Silverwing's father begins.
"You have wings, which means like all Griffon you belong in the sky and not constricted to the ground." Silverwing's mother adds.
"Thus, we thought about sending you on the same flight school boarding program as Gilda. At least that way you'd have a friend to watch over you." Silverwing's father concludes.
Silverwing sucks a worm out of the bowl before nearly choking on it. "Y-you mean it? You'd send me to flight school?!" Silverwing asks, before jumping off his seat and hugging his parents.
"Yes, it's only fair you learn how to spread your wings from an early age than be constricted due to your paranoid parents." Silverwing's mother comments.
"We expect you to behave though." Silverwing's father states.
"I will, thank you, thank you, thank you." Silverwing beams with happiness.
Silverwing looks around in awe at the flight camp as well as the amount of ponies who are flying around. His parents had to send him with Gilda as they had several things to sort out at home, but the pair made it with some degree of ease. However, before Silverwing could fully appreciate the construction made from clouds, it would seem Gilda was gone from his side and now flying around in the sky with a cyan blue filly that had the weirdest rainbow coloured mane and tail he'd ever seen. Looking around Silverwing felt slightly overwhelmed as he held onto his own duffel bag tightly.
"A little nervous?" A male voice came from the side of Silverwing.
Looking in the direction of the voice, Silverwing could see an Azure blue coated foal that had a dull grey mane and tail with white streaks, his eyes are cyan.
"Y-yeah, just a little. It's my first time really being able to fly without restrictions." Silverwing admits.
"Ah, protective parents right? Don't worry I had 'em as well. What say we give your wings a proper test flight?" The foal states before flying off into the sky.
Looking somewhat nervous, Silverwing leaves his duffel bag beside Gilda's and for whatever reason spreads his wings to eagerly follow the foal. After catching up with him the pair soar through the air above the camp, not following the general route set out by the cloud rings, but their own free route.
"You're not actually half bad at this. I'm Azure Skye." The foal introduces himself.
"Vincent Silverwing, but I'm mostly just called Silverwing." Silverwing gives his own introduction.
"'Silverwing', I like it. Suits you. Do you have any friends here?" Azure Skye asks as the pair circle around some clouds before coming to rest on a medium sized cloud by the flight camp.
"Umm well, I came here with Gilda, but..." Silverwing trails off as the pair see her and the filly from before having fun.
"Say no more." Azure Skye pulls Silverwing into him and waves his hoof out across the sky. "Stick with me, Silver. Together, I'm confident there isn't anything we can't accomplish together. My parents wanted me to come here in order for me to spread my wings a bit and make new friends. I'd qualify you as a friend." Azure Skye smiles.
Silverwing looks out across the sky filled with clouds and the energetic, optimistic foal beside him. Inside he felt something he hadn't before, a deep sense of belonging and purpose. That where he is at this very moment, on this cloud, with Azure Skye as his new friend. Everything about this moment felt right to Silverwing.
"Yeah... Together, as friends. Nothing we can't accomplish." Silverwing beams with a bigger smile then ever before.
"Come on, they'll take role call soon. We wouldn't want to miss that on our first day." Azure Skye leaves Silverwing's side and begins to fly back.
Silverwing can't help but stare at the sun in the distance and the clouds passing him by. He was finally where he had longed to be, free, flying in the sky.
"Hey, you coming or going to daydream?" Azure Skye pokes Silverwing with his hoof.
"Huh? Umm... Yeah, sorry." Silverwing tears himself away from the scenery and follows Azure Skye as they begin to fly back to camp.
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.
