Every single person seated in a bleacher stared at me, who coincidentally also had the ball. “We haven’t got all day Summer, just throw it and we can go home!”, said our team’s coach.
“Summer there’s no need for you to be afraid! Nobody’s judging you if this goes horribly wrong!”, why did he say that out loud? They wouldn’t judge, but Uncle on the other hand. Overhead storm clouds were quickly gathering.
“Yo dude can you please hurry up before everybody gets drenched?! Sis just got over her cold yesterday!” My hand folds tightly around cement hard leather. No matter how often things go right, it’s always me who takes last second before that buzzer goes off.
“Kid if your not gonna-”, whoever spoke instantly shuts themselves up. Within sight of everyone my arm winds up. Every bit of strength gets poured into a single object. Possibly with rage in my eyes, as the guy up front slightly flinches, I hurl the ball. Water droplets begin falling simultaneously. Opposing team’s batter readies himself, an unyielding look in his eye. No matter how much preparation is made the ball itself never makes contact. Moments before impact, blinding light consumes our sight. As everyone cautiously looks on my world is enveloped by heavy rain. For so long not one visitor says anything.
With microsecond speed a random toddler says, “Oh my God!”
Truth be said this wasn’t my first time being in a thunderstorm. Albeit up till now those experiences didn’t involve me flying through one! Right outside the cockpit bolts are occasionally seen firing across like fireworks. Beside me co-pilot Jawson Malcolm sat wide-eyed at what’s in front. His chest rose greatly then fell with each deep breath. Couldn’t say much other than ‘We’ll make it out alive.’ and ‘Just treat this as if it were a simulation.’ Now it should be noted we have lightning countermeasures installed, but it’s not entirely foolproof. As the next strike proves. Certain electrically sensitive items go dark, such as our radar. My first instinct was to keep going since the closest landing strip was at our destination. When either of us try steering, however, we find that it doesn’t budge even a little. Autopilot’s off so why isn’t this plane changing course?! In defiance of all known physics our aircraft continuously flies in a straight line despite lacking enough power for said maneuver. Suddenly we break through surrounding clouds, finding solace far above the storm. For what seems like awhile nothing happens. In a spectacular change of events our plane nosedives into oblivion. Malcolm couldn’t hold back anymore screams. Pretty sure everyone in back couldn’t either. You would be lead to believe my last thoughts are of home or family, possibly a lover. Instead all that accumulated was that accursed moment back in middle school. Flashes return in full swing. With another stray bolt my vision goes black.
Clicks force my eyes open. Couldn’t quite see in front as my vision hadn’t fully returned. Pain kept me confined to a bed. Hold up, where did-why is there cushioning underneath me? Against the odds I apparently made it out with minor injuries, from what little could be seen. Don’t know if Malcolm is alive. At last blurriness fades enough so that I could see who laid beside me. Concern floods my thoughts. No way on earth did they put me in a veterinarian hospital! Right there in my neighbor’s bed lay colorful hooves, which I can safely assume lead to an equine underneath their sheet. The clicks from earlier return, evidently heard approaching our room. Before any words could be exchanged my jaw unwillingly drops. What apparently seemed like a pony was entering in her nurse uniform. She ignores my expression and checks both our status clipboards.
Upon her exit dialogue could be heard right outside our room’s door. Couldn’t truthfully make everything out, only that my survival was miraculous. Moments pass before aforementioned nurse returns with a doctor. He asks if there was any pain, since last night’s fall should’ve killed both of us. With great hesitation my hands are raised, and every vein runs cold. In place of hands a pair of hooves touched a brand new muzzle. Alongside these two wings spontaneously burst out. Injury does nothing to stop my emergency flight. My head rams into ceiling tiles. Well rather goes through, seeing as how said overhead materials were made of clouds. Sunlight blinds me, forcing me to land on...actual clouds?! Far beyond into empty skies pegasi flew without any notice of a strange winged creature grabbing his chest in agony! ‘Please don’t notice me, please don’t notice, please don’t notice!’, my thoughts mainly consisted of this phrase. Sudden gusts of wind push me along right over the edge. Not hazardous until another creature t-bones me. Is this a sign I’m not meant to fly?
For possibly the third time now my future is being held captive by gravity. Spinning prevents me from seeing who else was falling. No matter what keeping calm takes priority. Especially when your caught in a downward spiral! Agh! Hello where does this blue pegasus ride lead? Shortly after being caught tree branches keep me wide awake. Constant wooden slaps added onto my discomfort. From there dirt comes rushing upwards to meet me headfirst. Quicker than my rescue began it ends, with me piercing the nearest dead tree. By whatever force that brought me here, I’m still alive. Behind me a voice gasps. Sure enough that same voice is apologizing for having me tag along. Blue coat color, deep sea mane and tail, green eyes, yeah getting used to my new environment will be a process.
He tells me his name is Soarin. Not much can be said otherwise, since we don’t get much discussion time. Medics arrive shortly for our lift back onto cloud based foundation. You know what my brain was already melting from lightning teleportation, so right now this is merely questionable logic. Nearby pegasi were discussing a freak storm that occurred earlier today. Apparently nobod-pony could fly as lightning strikes were too violent. One filly’s dialogue caught my attention, “Weather team says it’s still going, all the way into the Badlands!” That intrigued me for whatever reason. With tons of effort I keep everypony in the dark about my identity. It’s not until Soarin returns that why our relationship exists is given reason. Without warning a stray bolt struck him blind, sent him crashing into tree bark and inflicted burn marks. When he looks to his side another pegasus laid unconscious with their own charred wounds. By whatever strength Soarin wielded he carried us both right up to an airborne hospital. Okay so that’s why our survival was miraculous.
We arrive safely back, and more rest is prescribed upon another check-up. “Was there anyone else besides us?”, my first words spoken using a muzzle.
“No, sorry dude, nopony besides you and me were found under the storm clouds. Was there somepony else with you?”, Soarin asks.
“Yeah, but they’re tough. Pretty sure they can find their way home.”, true as it may be perhaps I should go look for Malcolm? None of us are on Earth anymore. Our room’s window allowed viewing of near countless winged horses doing as they pleased. Would he even be recognizable given how my body’s changed? Regardless I should...at least try.
With another day past the doctors release me. Alright guess no better place to start then where I first arrived. On my way there a gray coat, blonde mane and tail colored equine pulls up beside me, saying the letter in her hoof was addressed to me. She nearly runs into a legitimately solid cloud pillar as she flew away. Hope she doesn’t handle emergency room patients. The letter appeared rather formal, almost regal in fact. Solid purple envelope with pink for inner contents, and a strange emblem stamped on it. “Dear Recipient, Isn’t this yours? If so then please take care of it.” Alongside simple words, round glass could be felt inside. Confetti explodes in my face, leaving behind my old aviator cap. Don’t know how they got ahold of it, but thanks either way! “Sincerely Yours, Your Best Friend”, were it’s last words. Don’t know if it should even be worn given it’s mysterious arrival. Still it goes on my head. Where else should it go?
Tree bark lay scattered about like used firewood. We certainly did a number on this plant, same goes for surrounding flora. Regardless of how much searching is done not one trace is found that would help me find out if my friend is alive or dead. Soon large shadows cast by neighboring mountains forced me to call off my search. It’s then snapping twigs force me into convenient shrubbery. Through leaves my eyes catch two beings, one being a yak the other being a creature I’ve never seen before. Similar in how my results were, they couldn’t find what they were looking for either. Not much could be made out about specific characteristics, except how insect-esque light aqua pony is. Moonlight finally shines enough light on them: nothing weird, except how yak girl has braided hair plus cute bows and aqua pony like entity has ladybug style wings. As if they could hear my thoughts, each turns her eyesight to my bush. Despite stealth efforts insect girl catches me with her friend close behind. Life couldn’t be stranger right now if it wanted to be.
“Why are you spying on us?”, bug girl asked. Instead of heavy buzzing like most large insects her wings made gentle helicopter wooshes every flap.
“Wasn’t spying on anyone, just uh seeing if my friend was here. Sorry if it looks that way.”, without patience for any response my legs quickly guide me away. Hope they don’t consider this rude.
Helicopter beats become increasingly louder until she flew beside me. In surprising movement yak girl successfully moved in front without my knowledge. Said yak takes a good look before saying,
“Yona thinks you need help.”, Yona plainly says. That’s one name given.
“Nah, just tired from today’s events.”, my point is proven via a convenient yawn, “Sorry again for that little moment. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Once more I’m trotting away slightly faster than last time. Unlike last time nobody follows me, which is a relief. Now far behind insect girl’s name could be heard amidst various dialogue, Ocellus. Spoke to soon, here comes Ocellus again. She asks if I was lost. “Don’t worry about me, just gotta-”, then realization struck like rolling logs. No idea what currency they use, where here is still, coupled with unknown laws, yeah this tiny horse was lost in more than one way. She facehoofs upon my answer followed by her friend. My right forehoof almost did likewise. Nearby growls bring our attention together in a specific direction. See we’re currently surrounded by forestry, which in hindsight probably should’ve incited red flags from the get go. Thus wild animals would eventually appear right? Tonight unlike my world this environment has it’s denizens fighting against wolves made of wood! Perhaps in hands down the most ghastly thing my eyes have seen thus far, low glowing emerald lights practically flickered lantern style. At least seven pairs burned through dimly lit forestry. As wolves do they encircle us.
“On three we rush in separate directions, and don’t stop until either they break off or we find help.”, how’s that again? Are ghastly wooden canine attacks normal? “One…”, wait, “Two…”, not ready, “...Look out!” We’re divided as the wolves strike first. Everyone runs along separate paths, but still remained within sight. My wings absolutely refused to open. Come on worthless things, burst forth like earlier so we can escape! If you could see through my eyes, everyone here would look as though we’d been reimagined to old school animation. Please don’t take my life guys! We can all go home and forget about how you tried killing us! With my entire attention focused at what’s giving chase, nothing prevents me from instantly sliding into darkness. When my body stops twirling, overhead roots told where gravity had taken me. Claws snatched and tore wherever there was an opening. From where the others fled cries arose. My assailants suddenly turn back. Now’s my chance to run! Before they could gain on me again, I’m swept up by an unknown force. On my left Yona waved casually from her captured position. One familiar voice asks how I’m doing from above. Aqua colors wash my upward sight, giving away who it might be. "Alright everyone hang on! We're heading home!"
Today will be marked as eternally bizarre in memory.
Moonlight shone bright even after we arrived safely ‘home’. Below what looked to be houses decorated their healthy landscape, while a huge tree shaped crystal castle shone like-well like a gem. Wonder how long this place has been in existence, given how old fashioned the architecture is. My wings open much easier now that our landing spot is clear. Even if past incidents told me flight wasn’t alright, right now I’m far too captivated by it’s feeling to care. Should notice enough for my next target’s contact. With spontaneous force another character pulls me into a sky dance. Our hips shake, legs move as if we’re on solid ground, whoever’s in lead spins me about with top-like rotation speed, and finally catches me without any mistake. Didn’t think my brain could get any more scrambled, turns out a young hippogriff just danced with me mid-air. Oh wow she’s nothing short of cute! She flies down with me in tow, running over to greet my fellow wildlife escapees. Silverstream was dance girl’s name. Ocellus might’ve told her what occured, considering how much power is used to leap hug me. She all but screams how joyful she is for my still beating life. Mounds of light violet fuzz incite pure warmth.
The moment’s ruined upon Yona asking, “We never got pony’s name, so we can thank him properly! Yona wanna give proper thank you!” Of all things she questions my name. What makes this scenario bad is how much Caleb Summer shines like a broken neon sign in comparison alongside Soarin and Ocellus. Come on brain think of poetic words now! Our conversation is postponed upon nearby tree leaves rustling. We look over to see a deep orange/black colored mostly normal pony fall out of his perch. He gives us this look as if he’s wanted dead or alive. Before he could speak what’s presumably his red duffel bag falls out behind him and spills it’s contents. One cup rolls into Ocellus’s left foreleg.
“Isn’t that our school’s cafeteria food?”, asked Ocellus. When our guilty person is given the spotlight he runs without hesitation. Yona herself quickly corners him between all four of us.
“Okay, okay, you caught me. You won’t get much for turning me in, there’s no reward considering how I only recently arrived here.”, that statement wholly catches my attention. While the students discussed whether or not he should be turned in, I pull him aside for a very specific question. “...Yeah, I got sent down via a lightning bolt. Why are you asking?”, he asked clearly inquisitive about where such a question came from. Step by step we tell each other what happened once flight A-36 crash landed.
Similar in how my experience went, he woke up on a mountainside surrounded by charred earth. Unlike me he didn’t catch anyone else and therefore no rescue party. Pain kept him paralyzed there for around two days until finally he could move his body. Up till now he’s been wandering around what’s called Everfree Forest, avoiding local flora and fauna while taking whatever his claws deemed edible. Today he got tired of random chance if he finds genuine food, and chose to steal from a school. Whoever this guy was back then, he must not have gained much common sense. He admits to stealing another passenger’s ticket for an escape from authorities. Explains why he shifted in his seat.
When the students return with their verdict, they decide on a warning in place of actual charges. An eye roll later he leaves duffel bag in claw.
“My name’s...Brave Summer by the way.”, my words were prior to chasing after my fellow survivor. “So where are you going from here? We don’t exactly have any places to call home.”
“No, but hey I’ve heard of a place where griffons live. Maybe I’ll go there? Unless you have a reset day button somewhere.”, he grins upon finishing that last line. Pilots don’t know much if anything regarding their passengers, since they’re only flying one way. "By the way, how's everyone else? Rare as it may be if we survived, surely other's did as well?"
"...About that, see a filly back up on Cloudsdale said the electrical storm that brought us here continued beyond into what's referred to as 'The Badlands'. In short, I have no idea where the other passengers are, sorry." No words are exchanged for the longest time. It seems as though my response has left him speechless. His wings suddenly unfold, nearly hitting me in the process.
"As farfetched as this may sound, why don't we look for them? You know, considering we don't have any other plans.", he clearly wouldn't have in any other circumstance. My options were either A) Follow this guy who I just met on a round-the-world search and rescue mission, or B) Wander about until eventually insanity settles after living nomad style for so long.
"Sure, consider me your partner in crime.", now let's hope those missing passengers can stay alive for rescue.
Our conversation is interrupted by Silverstream suddenly jumping up to hug us. She exclaims how amazing it is to meet new creatures! Then pulls us back for an official introduction. We’re introduced properly between Yona, Ocellus, and finally Silverstream in person. Turns out Ocellus is a ‘changeling’, strange race of insectoid entities who can shapeshift at command. She demonstrates this by taking my form. Kind of creepy since only her eyes gave her disguise away. Yona smiles and shakes my hoof, followed by my friend. When our new hippogriff acquaintance meets up with me we dance mid-air once more. Only this time we ascend high above dense clouds. As luck would have it I’m thrust head first into a peaceful starry view. We fly as if we’d never heard of gravity. My heart fires enough power for an entire house. Upon passing through a particular cloud we’re splashed from top to bottom in water. Only thing keeping me sane in our sky waltz is my wings.
Now you may ask why this hasn’t broken me, from beginning until this very moment. It hasn’t because this story isn’t traumatic by any definition. Sure it’s ridiculous in every sense, but still it’s enjoyable enough that it doesn’t scare me. Basically my only problem is that it seems false.
Our scene closes with an unusually silent landing. Neither party moves even slightly, for whatever reason. We've come quite a ways from stranger to dancing carelessly without second guessing our steps. Can anything be said right now? With another backward movement she trips on something. At first my concern was on Silverstream considering how she just tripped on...Malcolm?!
Author's Note
Please alert me if anyone here is out of character. It would help tremendously considering how often I'm late to catching up on the show.