//-------------------------------------------------------// Letting a Friend Go -by Woody Hooves- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Letting a Friend Go //-------------------------------------------------------// Letting a Friend Go Heaven was in her room making sure she got her things packed in her luggage. She turned towards her room window to see the weather outside. The sky was showing it's baby blue colors with white fluffy clouds decorating the big blue background. The sun shined on her dark reddish brown mane and made her golden rings on her ear reflect the bright sunlight. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as her bat-like wings opened widely, giving her a very relaxing sensation as fresh air filled her lungs. When she breathed out she felt air escape her lungs and through her nose. She opened her eyes with a smile, knowing that today would change he life. Today was the day Heaven goes to a place called the Batavia, a land where bat ponies live and meet new creatures all around the world. They say that every living creature are welcome to come, but since it was too far away and it took lots of money to even go there, not many ponies ever went to there. But thanks to luck, an old friend of Heaven who lives there, wanted to see her and wanted to go to special school there with her. She has invited Heaven to visit and stay with her and she even said that she'd support all of her needs to get there. Heaven was so excited she couldn't wait to get there and hug her old friend, and get to meet lots of new bat ponies who were just like her. She went back to packing and picked up a thick old book. Staring at it, she smiled softly and carefully opened the cover of the book. The first page had a picture of her and Midnight, her big sister. They were very close together since they had each other to lean on. In the picture, Heaven and Midnight was smiling towards the camera in a park. She turned to the next page and saw another picture of her and Midnight in an amusement park on a ferris wheel with fireworks in the night sky. When she turned to the next page she giggled. She saw one picture on the right with her big brother, Woody stuck in a tree trying to wiggle himself out. She looked at the picture on the left and saw Midnight trying to pull him out of the tree with Heaven laughing behind it. She gently put her hoof on the picture and felt the smooth paper. She smiled softly and felt thankful for having such wonderful friends who gave happiness in her life. She snapped back to reality and finished packing her things in her luggage. She took a look at her luggage that was now full with her things, and felt satisfied. After a few minutes of making sure she got everything she needs, she went out the front door as the warm sunny air welcomed her outside. She started walking to the airport with her tail pulling her luggage. As she walked on the streets toward the nearest bus stop, she took a look around her surroundings for the last time she'll ever see again. The green leaves of the bushes along the sides of the street she was walking on seemed to dance as she walked by, and the leaves of the trees waved at her as they danced with the soft breeze. The flowers bloomed open letting out the smell of spring. She enjoyed every moment of this as it would be her last. When she reached the bus stop she took a seat on a wooden bench and waited for the shuttle bus to arrive. Just as she sat down she heard her phone ring from her luggage. She took it out and saw was calling, she didn't hesitate to answer. "Hi sis!" Midnight had called her from the airport waiting for her little sister. "Heaven, where are ya? We're all waiting for you!" Midnight said from the other end of the call with a giggle. There were some giggling noises in the background if Midnight's call. "Sis? Who's there with you?" "Oh, I'm here with your friends. Woody, Cookie, Winter, Dai, and Zeen are here." Heaven felt surprised to hear that all her friends were there, waiting for her to arrive. "Wait. Everypony is there??" "Yup! They came out to see you and say goodbye." She felt so happy, tears started to well up in her eyes. "Ok, I'll be there soon! Oh, the bus is coming! Cya in a bit, sis!" She ended the call as the shuttle bus came and stopped in front of her. She climbed up and took a seat nearby a window and leaned her head against it. She watched the neighbor houses and some buildings pass by as she wondered if Batavia would be similar like this. She was sure it would never be the same. * * * * * * She got off the bus as she hopped off and looked around. There were many ponies in the airport. Many were from many different countries. Some of them were creatures she's never even seen before! There was a group of griffons forming in one place as if they were on a tour. Some looked like sharks as they had tails that looked like a shark tail. She wondered what kinds of creatures she'd meet in Batavia besides batponies like herself. She wished there would be some friendly ponies there who would welcome her. She didn't want to leave her friends here and go somewhere she never been to. She wanted to stay and be happy with her sister, with her friends. But she knew that she'd have a more happier life in Batavia, where she could meet new friends who were just like her. She wouldn't feel the loneliness she'd been hiding for years. She looked at the doors of the airport and took a deep breath. She went through the door as she stepped inside. The inside of the airport was huge. There were lots of information desks on the front and many small stores on the second floor. Heaven was standing in the first floor in an empty open space that gave her most of the view of the inside of the airport. She gasped as she realized how small she was compared to the building she was in. There were even more ponies inside than outside too. There were dragons, griffons, ponies that looked a little different than the others, there was even a group of crystal ponies walking towards the entrance to their plane. She looked around looking for her friends as she walked slowly on the hard marble floor. When she turned her head around she saw even more stores full of items meant for traveling. She out her phone and sent, a quick message to Midnight. "Where are you?" A few seconds later, she got a reply. "Second floor." She looked up and rolled her eyes as she didn't notice that there was a waiting area in the second floor. She saw an escalator nearby and went up to the next floor where her friends would all be. Once she was on the second floor she saw a small group of ponies in the middle. When she walked towards them she immediately knew who the ponies were. "Guys!" She shouted as she ran to her friends and received a big group hug from them. "We've been waiting for you for hours Heaven!" Her big sister said as she gave a poke on her rib making her squeal. "Sorry, I was busy packing." "Well, you sure pack a lot." Midnight giggled when she saw how her suitcase was puffed up. "You got everything you need?" Woody asked in a slightly worried tone. He didn't want anything bad happen to his friend who was like a little sister to him. To Heaven, Woody was like a big brother. He always tried his best to help her when she felt down. He was worried that something might happen during her flight to Batavia, or she might've forgotten something important she needed to pack. When she noticed his voice revealing his worry for her, .she put a hoof on his shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry, Woody. I'm pretty sure I got everything. I even did a double check." "Oh, ok. That's good to know." Woody said as he gave her a smile. "I'll miss you, Heaven.." Winter spoke in a quiet tone. She didn't want her to leave her. Heaven gave her a tight hug as she softly nuzzled her. "I'll miss you too.. But hey, I'm sure we'll meet again one day." She said with a soft smile that melted Winter's heart. Winter was a pony who was a very close friend with her. She gave her hope when she didn't have any, and whenever Heaven felt like crying to herself she gave her a tight hug to calm her down. She hugged Winter tightly in her hooves as this would ,be the last time she'll ever hug her. She slowly let go and looked at Zeen. She became friends with him just a few days ago, and she really liked him as a friend. She felt sorry for not being able to spend time with him more and leave so early. Since they didn't really know much about him, she felt a little awkward as silence took place in between them. He looked at her as he bit his lip and looked away at a large window that showed the runway of the airport. Heaven spoke up to break the silence. "Well.. I know it's only been a few days since I met you, but you seem like a very amazing friend to have ." He looked at her from the corner of his eyes as tears started to well up. She gave him a soft warm hug as she felt her own tears form. "Don't be sad. Even though it's only been for a short time you made me happy. I'll miss you.." He returned the hug as tightly as he can, not being able to say anything from his throats that now had a lump. She let go of the tight hug, and looked at Dai. He was already breaking up. She gave him a hug just like she did to her friends, but tighter this time. "I'll miss you, Dai.." Dai wasn't much of a talker, but words didn't need to be said to understand what they wanted to say. He returned the hug as he nuzzled her cheek. "I'll miss you too.." His sad tone made her feel like this wasn't right. She didn't want to leave. But it was for the best, and her friends all understand her decision. The group walked towards the entrance of the plane aim silence. The ponies were all feeling sad to let her go, but on the other side of their hearts they were happy to know that she'll have a better life. When they reached the gate that separated the airport and the plane, they all stopped and hugged one last time. "I'll miss all of you... You all have made me happy when I was feeling sad... I wish I could bring you all with me..." The young bat pony said in a broken voice as tears dripped down on her cheeks. "We'll miss you too, little sis..." Woody said as he covered everypony with his wings. "Will I ever see you again..?" Heaven forced the words out through her broken voice, as she started to sob. "Yes... one day, we'll see you again... I promise..." Winter nuzzled her friend, ignoring her cheeks being wet from her own tears. When they all let go, Heaven hugged Midnight tightly once more. "I love you, sis..." Midnight didn't want this. She wanted her to stay with her. But she wanted her little sister to live a happy life. She'd be happier there than here. "I love you too... Heaven..." She whispered in her ear ever so softly, Heaven felt like she'll always remember it. They let go of each other, as the airport announced through its speakers. "Your attention please. Pegasi-210 for Batavia will be leaving in twenty minutes. All passengers are to board the plane immediately." Heaven quickly went through the gate, but turned her head back right before she stepped her hoof on the plane. Her friends were all waving goodbye at her. "Have a safe trip!" Midnight shouted, ignoring her broken voice. Heaven nodded and stepped inside the plane as a nearby mare closed and locked the door shut. The plane took off, and Heaven was now flying in the air. She took the lucky window seat and stared outside. The ground became farther and farther as the plane gained altitude. She rested her head on the seat, and wondered what Batavia would have ready for her. She was about to find out, and she was sure it would be good. She felt tears form up in her eyes again, but this time she smiled softly. "I'll be waiting for you guys... I love you all... Goodbye..." She whispered to herself, as she let tears drop down on her cheeks. Smiling through them, she imagined her friends leaning on a tree in Batavia when they all visit her one day, laughing along with a true smile on their faces.