Scars of a Soul

Scars of a Soul
Written by Lunar Cipher

Illusion

1.1
I don’t often come to this city. Never been fond of it. To be this high up in the clouds for all eternity as the rest who live here do. Though that is their calling. For I can still see the reasoning behind any Pegasus pony’s want to live here. For here to be where their prospective callings are made.

Up here, I find myself often hearing the roaring cheers of countless crowds applauding the sights of the very ponies who do make this city known. As it is here where they grow, where all pegasi do stay to aspire to be like them. To train and learn. Like it was their own lives rather than what ponies back in Canterlot would call lives.

Yet I often stand out there, in the chilling air so soft to my fur, among the flowers and décor of the castle grounds from where even the princess herself does leave to enjoy those same spectacles. Out on the terrace or upon the streets, to sometimes look up and see that great city float overhead. Leaving so much trails of water and wind in its wake. Really a sight for them all.

This, being my first time to actually be here in many years, it’s amazing how little has changed now that I get to see it for myself again. Still left to see why it is so many pegasi do love this city that I now walk through. Even under the moonlight, I look up and see that sight of a mighty rainbow towering high and over the entire city. Still glistening in the night sky, like a solitary star to follow the city forever. Where so few pegasi can be out right now to see it, yet I do. Mostly alone. I see an occasional Pegasus fly by over the clouds and homes built from rain water. None greet me. Likely out on their last runs before heading off to bed. No reason for any of them to be out late tonight, not like any performances were to happen. Such a shame I’ve never taken the chance to ever see one for myself.

Though I can tell from how ponies do feel over it that it is quite the thing to see those very ponies who represent this great city in action. Hearing them all chatter about wanting to be like them. Not for me. I can never seek to be a Wonderbolt, not when so much was left to me that can truly be called fascinating in this dull and tiring land. Where so few things changed. I still can see it… for the better.

1.2
No, I prefer what I am here for now. Though, cannot now with my hooves stepping upon the puddles soaking in the clouds and the rain sweeping upon my mane as the weather pegasi did their job and gave the lands around the city a lasting shower overnight.

But I still have plenty of time. Many more nights for the few chances one would get to see this as I hear them call to me once more to drain the sky in their lights over so many nights, enough that ponies can even spend a whole weekend able to witness it. But how it would be so well to actually see it with my own eyes over this land. To see somepony happy over it. It would be a welcome thing indeed. So many nights painting the sky as I peer upon the stars and the Moon itself. Crafting such works that so many of Canterlot do enjoy. Even if the princess would not care for my work.

Indeed, the one time she did browse my display… she scoffed. I could take it as her being rude until I took the time to see what it was she did find unnerving. For it to be my best work. Of a Canterlot skyline… shrouded under the Moon. A Moon of such vivid detail. It was no wonder she didn’t like it. Likely hurt, as I could have guessed her to be. On a night like this, it looked no different. I look up to the sky and see that orb burning of the ocean light amidst its charge. With the one pony it kept comforted in its embrace high up there and her gaze down upon the world that the Moon itself wore. But I only did it for how wonderful it did look on that night, so much brighter it was and to come out perfectly at the tips of my brushes. Princess Celestia… she was not at all happy. When I got to see her frown upon it. I saw the pain. I can say I felt it too.

I must have, if I am here for this chance to paint something new for her. Something to make her feel better. For which only this city could provide for me. This great city of Cloudsdale. Home of the pegasi, center of where I can see that sight of a sky falling behind the rainbows of this beautiful city. Made even better by that sight I look forward to seeing tomorrow as I get to set with my brushes and paint a scene so much different than any I have. I can see it in my mind right now. So glorious! For the sky to burst fire from the falling stars.

1.3
I still walk down the clouded streets of this city. The rain such a fright for any other pony, but a Pegasus like me, I do love it kissing my back and my wings held tight to my sides. For what is a little rain to one so inspired by the beauty of the sky? Those few others out here, I applaud them for taking the time to join me with it. Unfortunately, none of my friends here decided to join me.

So I get to walk alone. Stop by the shops on their last moments of the day and browse what they have for me to come home with. Coughing up the bits I have, buying one bag of strawberries who still were left with the sweet aroma of a spring day and the tint of water dripping along their sides. Not one flaw at all. I leave this shop, back out into the rain all alone with nothing but my food and my desire to wait. Maybe the rain will clear soon. I have no idea if the pegasi plan to come out in the middle of the night to cut the water… or perhaps I should do it myself. Laughing inside at the idea of me taking down all those storm clouds with my own hooves. Big and small though it was just too much.

No way I can bring my supplies out in this downpour. All I have left is much of the same, to wait. Waiting by the shop, looking up at that rainbow in the sky that still shone bright around all the black clouds. Lit up more and more with each burst of lightning and thunder cracked through the air. I sure hope those Earth ponies down below enjoy this rainfall. I can just imagine them being happy for a nice shower for their crops and greenery until they step into a puddle and dirty their hooves. As long as there will be no more showers at least for one night over the next three nights, I’ll be fine with it. But that was a given for one to be clear. Even with sneaky pegasi who may want to play a prank.

1.4
No, I can just sit here and wait. Enjoy what I have in front of me. Looking back down at the tantalizing shine of the fruits at my lap. Laying against the wall and my hooves kicking down into the clouds under me, plopping one right into my mouth and, … that’s nice. So much so for several more. Chomping down on it all and looking back out at the empty clouds of the city. Where so few lights did still shine from windows. Where the weather factories lay silent. Not even any ponies left to fly about.

As time passed… even the shop owner came out and bid me farewell before leaving for his place. Flying off into the stormy skies and leaving me alone. Such is the usual, I never do have any extended company. Except… as I look over down the cloudy streets, not right now. Waiting to make sure none did spot me. Certain the owner of the shop was gone; my ears focus once more on the sound of chittering wings bustling right down the clouds to where the blue speckled buildings did part.

I know somepony is there. Maybe spying on me? An admirer? Many mares have always seen me as a fetching stallion. How many have called me pretty? Though such a foolish thing to think it may be some new mare watching around the corner. Certainly so because I turned to see and found nopony there. But the sound went on. Watching and waiting for anything different. No, just the same sound. One that continues to leave me a little worried. They definitely are wings.

1.6
Taking another moment to look around, that is when I stood up with my bag of fruits in my mouth and slowly trotting over towards the sound. One that really became a little intriguing to me. Wings they were, beating the air though nopony flew. None of that sound of wind to grace my ear when pegasi did fly overhead or even when I fly. Just an ever-strong urge to go and see what it was.

For something different from the boring nights. Hidden away around the corner. Something in there down the dark alley between these buildings. …Then I hear the chattering teeth. Wait. I ran off straight at the alley as fast as I could, I almost dropped my own bag in my rush. Making it in no time to look down it, down its incredibly dark length where not even the shadows could rustle in the breeze and water drained down all over it to pour streams of it coursing from the dark and down to me, around my hooves. Slinking like snakes in the clouds. But I blink and see it all.

All the trash and waste left behind and forgotten here. Lingering all over and beyond to become drenched in the rain that masked any scent that garbage could have. But the chattering kept going even as I see nothing. Nothing there… but the box left further down between all of this sight. Empty alley, yes… still leaving me wondering what exactly did hide within. Deciding best to see what it may be. Because the sound alone, I knew I was not by myself.

For somepony to be here with me. That I join with them in this dark alley ringing loud with my hoofsteps echoing from the thuds against the clouds bursting upon my steps.

1.6
A box indeed, left alone in this place though not entirely. Seeing there to be so many colors dripping out from underneath it that did confuse me at first until I realized them to be… blankets. Sheets or maybe towels. Something of the sort left at the foot of this box.

My curiosity soared. To see what it may be. Stepping closer to this box soaked to the brim till its light brown coloring was left to be nearly black and folding in on itself where the edges buckled. Holes put into it. Such an old box. Left here for a long time it looked. Seeing many rain showers. I would just leave it as that, as some piece of trash left for a long time… except for how it was propped up by a board. Held up at an angle. Like I could just slip in under it. And that made me fear. Made my heart stop for a moment… just like the sound that came from within that box.

As it stopped, gone with the chattering. But I know better. Something is not right. Something is here for me. And that dumb curiosity that drives me. I can’t just leave it. No matter what I may fear it to be. My hooves step closer. Peering around the side of the box, looking down under the dark interior of it where the blankets they were did spill out from. Where I see a shuffle within that made me gasp. To know my fears were true. For I saw hooves inside. Scurrying back into the dark for me to not see. Hiding under that box. Though I can’t let it hide any more.

I can’t leave it. Not now. Not when I know. Taking it as my responsibility to see this through, dropping my bag down so I may walk over in front of the box and grab its edge with my mouth. Lifting it off the board that held it up to free the blankets underneath.

1.7
It’s not often I find a sight that makes my heart ache. Makes my eyes widen and bursts them in the feeling that I might just cry tears to be hidden from the rain drenching my fur. Nor the anger I feel. Swallowed and torn away by the strong pity I feel. To see this trembling in front of me. Looking up at me with yellow eyes of such intense sadness. Like they wanted to speak to me when her mouth did not.

For I find not a mare, …but a filly. One so small and defenseless, huddled up in her hooves clamped tightly. Protecting herself… from me. Wanting to back away, but she couldn’t. Trapped by the box held up behind her and my shadow cast on her. I mean her no harm. Saddened that she is afraid of me, though I understand. I can’t dare to show her any more than I do now. For my anger is bright and blaring within.

Something about it, about seeing such a tiny child so much smaller than any filly I do see frolicking on the streets with their mothers and fathers. Just fresh from being a foal. She quaked in front of me. Closing her eyes and squeaking beneath her lips. Tightening her hooves around herself and reeling back from me. I can only show her how sad I am for her. Not how mad I am to see her like this. To know she was suffering.

Afraid and unhappy. With a mane so lovely, shining bright of silver and the night sky wrapping around themselves and left to plop down onto her face, hiding an eye, run down her neck and cover her body much like her ragged tail that curled around herself. To the magenta fur so bright in the dark I can see it if not for how drenched it was in the rain. Her entire self soaked to the bone for she began to shiver once more.

1.8
Teeth chattering in a familiar sound beating behind her. For she was a Pegasus just like me. A small and frail one. I look upon those pair of wings she had shaking in the air behind her, beating along the box itself now with nowhere to go. Feeling like I really am cornering her. It took me a while to look away from those wings of hers. How they made me feel so lost in how they were… how different they were. Like none other I could claim to see upon a filly much like her. It doesn’t bother me. It can’t.

What does bother me is that this pony was left here all alone. Under this box… for a long time, when I look at how filthy the blankets are. Covered in dirt and grime and… the remains of spoiled foods. Apple cores and orange peels. Carrot tops and moldy bread. Piled all around her. Living in her filth. Built up after so long. Of all the nerve. I never would have expected anypony to do this to a filly, let alone… I look back at the buildings back outside the alley with a scowl. How anypony can just ignore this. Not see this.

How infuriating. I didn’t expect anything like this to happen upon me arriving here, but I’m glad it did. Looking back down at her, funny how things turn out. Well, I won’t be like any other pony. It’s not often I have company or can share in any experience. Can I count myself lucky to find you? I bet you are so scared of me but, I won’t let that last. So you can also feel so lucky somepony found you. No longer lost or alone. After how long it may be, I’m here for you.

It was only when I saw… her tear going down her cheek, so different from all the water soaking her magenta fur, that I felt so different. That this was something I needed to do, when I’ve never done this before. In my long time among ponies, I’ve never actually felt so giving for a pony. That somepony does need me. For me to help without… without asking for anything back. She still tries to scurry away when I give my hoof out to her, failing thanks to the box. But I won’t give up.

She’s just a child so small, not at all knowing what to do.

1.9
“Hey there, why are you all alone out here?” I say to her in as sweet a voice I can manage. Knowing well what the answer may be. She doesn’t need to say it, she didn’t want to. Clinging to herself and wanting to get away from me.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” I look down upon her and shake my head so slightly, wondering how it is that I can calm her down. I’ve never had to interact with a child out here before. It’s been so long. Little things barely up to my joints that they… hmmm. So I decided to try it. Bending my legs and falling down to the clouds so that my belly may lay upon them. So low that… this filly who sat away from me was at eye level with me. Right before me between my extended hooves. Where she continued to shiver and shake from cold and fear. It does not deter me.

I can’t let her go on like this, but I won’t force her to do anything. Give her some reason to trust me. In all that I have left. So little things for me to work with, except for… I look back at the bag I left to the side. Just close enough for me to reach out with my wing and pull it towards me. Even catching a glimpse of that filly opening an eye again to see what I was doing before she looked away. I bet she’s hungry. If she’s been out here for so long, it must be hard. It must be painful.

So why not something different for a change for her? Pushing the bag over with my nose so that the strawberries may spill out to the clouds. Rolling out in front of me. One stopped right at my nose. Waiting for me. I take it. Planting my nose right against it and looking up at her. She looks at me. Eyes open even as she keeps shaking, not looking at me, but the fruit I have. Yes, she is hungry. I’ll gladly share. “Would you like something to eat?” I say and press my nose against the berry just hard enough to make it roll over to where she was. Stopping right at her hooves. “It’s a strawberry, go on… it’s yours.” Though she just keeps where she is. Staring down at it for just a moment. Not taking much time to look away from me. Her fear so strong. Afraid of me when I mean her the best. Want to show her the best. I guess I can show her. Invite her.

1.10
There are plenty of strawberries around me, one of which goes right into my mouth. Being sure to give off how satisfying it is to eat it. Smiling at the filly. Expressing my enjoyment. “They’re good for you.” Nodding to the one by her hooves. “Don’t worry, I won’t take any more. They’re all yours.” Letting her know this. Putting my head down on the clouds and smiling at her with the bag at my side and so many berries about my face.

Watching her bend down a little and then stop, looking back at me with startled eyes. I make no move. Give her no reason to be afraid. Show only my desire to keep her safe. Does she trust me at all? Hard to tell. Driven by trust or hunger, I can’t say as she grabbed the strawberry in her mouth and chomped down on it so quickly that her tiny teeth made it disappear in a flash.

Good! Pushing a second one over to her for her to enjoy. Then a third. She gobbled them all down. Her wings even stilled. Like she began to brighten up just a little. Giving off a satisfying groan while she chewed. Licking her lips of all the mess she made on her face. Gladly accepting even more berries from me. It was actually a little enjoyable to watch her munch down on them without pause. Just how giddy she was to eat them all. Looking back at me a couple times until she no longer cared to look. Just enjoying her meal that I kept providing for her. Only stopping when I ran out of berries to push over to her. Still plenty in the bag. Perhaps she ate enough by now? I can’t be sure. Though my desire is to let her have even more if she pleases. For all I know she could have gone days without good food.

Days out here all alone in the weather. Weather now like this. That really was the goal now. To get her out of here. Bring her someplace safe. Maybe find who left her. If she was lost. Or… forgotten. How terrible. Well, I won’t make the same mistake. This pony must feel so left out. So afraid of me, it told me a lot. That she has not been around anypony in a long time. Could I be the first in a while? Can I give her the company she wants?

1.11
“See? I’m not gonna hurt you.” She looks at me and blinks. A little shake here and so many shivers running all over her cradled body. “You must be cold out here.” Lifting my head back up though I kept to the ground. But I knew what I was offering her. Something I have seen a father or two do on occasion for their little one. Rarely have I done it myself, yet it feels kind of natural to me to want to give it to her. As only a Pegasus can give. Presenting it to her with my wings coming out to loom over the cloudy surface at our sides and encase this little space we shared together. Holding them out to her. Out to this filly whose eyes widened brightly, glistening of water along their yellow shine to grace me in her wonder.

As those eyes went along my wings, she let her mouth drop. For a moment. She couldn’t hide it from me. She seemed to like my wings. Well, not many ponies would ever be allowed to be near them like I offer to you. It has been an extremely long time since I did this for anypony else. Extremely long. It brought back memories. Ones that made me have to shed a tear. Falling and dripping onto the cloud. She shuddered with a breath. Before she leaned forward. Coming towards me on her hind legs. Where even her forelegs loosened a little and those wings of hers dropped to the ground. Looking deep at me, coming a little closer to peer through the bangs of her drenched mane. “It’s okay.” I am sure to whisper to her. “You’re not alone anymore, little one.” Managing to give her a smile no matter how I feel, how much sadness fills me to do this again for a filly. Such a long time. Such a long time.

1.12
Her forelegs open, something clanked to the ground and she came to me. On all four legs, stopping just shy of touching me. So sweet and innocent, she looked down to the ground and… my heart skipped when her touch hit me. As her fur came upon my own and she crawled down. The tiny thing laying down right under my chin. Buried in my ochre painted fur. To nestle against me… it almost did make me weep. Taking all it took to stop it, to stop the memories. They didn’t stop me. Closing my wings around her. Putting myself over her till no more rain could drench her and I felt only her warmth upon me. Her satisfying sigh so sweet and free, she must really trust me when no other pony would come for her. But I did. I do it for you.

After so long of being left here, she must truly be happy to do this with somepony else. Even one such as I. Though I’m not ashamed. More happy to know that I am doing this… this… looking down at her. At her smiling face and shut eyes, her balling up inside my cradle. Happy for me or happy to be warm? I can’t complain. Just amazed that this could happen for me today. …My eyes set back to what it was that she did drop.

Left behind without pause. I know what it is. I did see them before… surprisingly… at the same shop I bought these strawberries from. Left out at the counter for anypony to buy. Looked just like them. Now how did she get that, I wonder? None other than a small, plastic figure of a Pegasus in full blue and yellow garb flying forth into the sky. A Wonderbolt. A little doll for young pegasi. Didn’t even look worn or damaged. Not even dirty. Like it was new. Huh. Well… however she managed to find this doll, I still find it a little sweet for her to have it. For it to be what she was cradling. Looking back down at her to see she was staring at my wings again.

1.13
Can it be safe for me to assume that this little filly was no different from so many others? Even out here like this and so cold and scared, she still held on to that dream. I knew I saw something in her wings. For her to go through all the trouble to get a hold of this doll, it said a lot to me. As was her fascinations with me. But she fascinated me instead.

It’s not often I can think that anypony can just do this and still be able to keep hold of their selves. She still has that desire for freedom, that longing for adventure that I see so strongly in any young Pegasus pony. But to be so open to none other than me as well. I have to say, I feel so happy for her. Glad that she could still hold on. A terrified little thing who still was so strong. Strong enough to even accept me unlike others. I’d hate to break her heart though, because… we’d have to return that doll. Even so, my mind was washed in ideas. Things even better than some doll for this filly, and all the prospects she had in herself for me to see.

It was then my heart jumped from the feeling. Looking down at her, to see that filly nuzzling her head against my chest. Her face glowing, her smile growing with each passing second. It near touched my heart again just how this filly can be so strong and so giving when I’ve done so little for her. Oh, I just have to.

I reached for the bag again, burying my nose inside and digging around for one. Pulling out another strawberry by the leaf and showing it to her. Close enough for her to grab hold of it and pull it away for herself. She ate it so quickly. Much quicker than the other ones she had. Not at all showing any less that she loved it. It was when she looked up to me and laughed so sweetly when I felt something more. It left me stunned. Staring down at her. I can’t even say it to be so dull in a sense. No, it was something I have seen. Looking out from my lonesome self to the families who passed. That great joy I did see in the faces of the mares and stallions so proud and enthralled with their little ones. It reminded me every time I did see it. With the happiness that those children had. I don’t like to show my sweet side to anypony else but… this filly, she actually made me happy.

1.14
I needed to nuzzle her back, running my nose along the top of her mane. Her little giggles doing nothing but making me go on. Such a sweet thing. My voice even leaving like some sort of embarrassing chortle that, thankfully, only she was to hear of my pleased self. She had her own special way of rewarding me when something yanked at me.

“Ow.” It didn’t hurt that much, nothing I can’t handle let alone make her stop doing it. The filly grabbing hold of my mane of flames and silver and pulling my head down with so much laughter in her voice. Wow, she really was just out of being a foal. Kind of cute to me. I can’t stop her from enjoying something so small. Such a goofy thing. That was when I had to laugh with her. Laughing so much while we looked upon one another, she never letting go of my hairs and never letting go of that joyous look in her vibrant eyes. From where I can see myself in them. Looking back at myself. So I can see that I really am smiling. The happiness in my crimson and azure eyes so uncommon for me to ever see.

She can do this for me? Somepony like her given nothing and left here yet always able to keep that part of her that can make a pony such as I be capable of feeling like I can smile… genuinely. Why… there was only a couple ponies I can think of that could do that. Long gone. Yet she reminds me of them. Should I feel so thankful for her? Or to be so giving? For that is what I want to do for her. Now that she does this for me. Having to give her one last nuzzle.

“What’s your name, little one?” Would she have one? I must call her something to remember her by after all was done. But she held her tongue for a moment. Stopping with her yanking of my mane and placing a hoof to her mouth. Curling her lips and trying to say something. Only for her tongue to just slither out “So-Sou…” Her eyes dropped. As did her shoulders. Looking so defeated. Sou something. It leaves me curious. For she did have something to say, some sort of name to claim. Indeed she did, when she actually did something I did not expect. To point one hoof back to the box she had hid within.

1.15
I saw it. Atop the blankets. So well hidden. Like it was supposed to be hard to find. “May I?” She did not fight it. Actually scooching back under my wings so I could crawl forward, close enough to pull that piece of paper inside over to us. Soaked in small patches of water. I held my other wing up over it to try and save it. For the words were close to being gone. So close yet there. After so long, they never were taken away from this world. This filly… she did a great job at protecting it. Like she did it just for this moment for us. I’m so glad she did. For me to be able to read the words written on it. Though they broke my heart, something else made me feel like it was worth it to read. Just to know the beauty that could roll off my tongue when thinking of her.

Please take care of me. With the words I sought after. That made me look back at the filly hiding under my other wing where my rusted yellow feathers tickled along the top of her head. My name is… You know… I never thought something like this would happen for me. It truly did make this day worth it. As I always wait for the chance to feel like there is something worth remembering that is so different from the dreary setting of this land. It took a pony like this… for me to feel like there is something that can make… anypony smile. I look back down at the letter.

Sure. Take care of her. But… I can’t. I’m not fit to father anymore. For I know I can’t handle that memory for long of times long passed. Though that won’t stop me from helping her. For all she did for me and what she can do. What I see so far off… that she is more than capable of doing for me. “You’re such a treasure” I let her know. “So I won’t leave you here by yourself. But…” leaning closer to her to tap my hoof gently to her nose. Making her grin so widely. “I know someponies who can.” Two who come to mind, far more fit than I to help guide you. “How about we get out of the rain?” Even more so now that another breeze came over me and still managed to chill the little filly, cradling her tighter in my wing and pulling her close. Close enough for me to wrap my forehooves around her small body and pick her right up. Holding her so close to my chest as my wings began to beat the air.

With the doll and our food in the bag, left to dangle from my mouth, cleared of my many fangs, I still spoke down to her as we both went to the sky. “You’re going to make so many ponies happy, I just know it. A sweet thing like you, it’s just what you do. I can’t wait to see what you become…”

Soul Serenity.

1.16
Oh yes did it rain last night and looked like it had been a lot. She didn’t really know why they always had it rain on the city itself. It just seemed weird to her for a city of nothing but clouds to have a shower for itself even when just soaking the land beneath it. She couldn’t complain. Nopony ever did give her a straight answer on why, just that it sure was not something she’d ever wish away.

Waking up this morning to a bright Sun shining in on her room and then that first breath to take when she opened her window up with all that freshly fallen rainwater left behind really leaving her so awake no matter how tired she was when first falling out of bed. That didn’t happen today though. The delectable smell was great and all but there were far more better reasons to be awake for today was going to be special. Promised to her right before she was sent to bed like some cruel joke. Cruel because, wow, was it hard to fall asleep.

Such little sleep but still so lively. Like she could feel so many bolts of lightning coursing through her. Enough to make her jump for joy across the cloudy surface of the city. Basking in the morning Sun and all the bustle of a city alive. Even with the storms now passed, so many weather pegasi flew across the wide-open sky where so few clouds stayed to even show it may have rained. So many yet so quiet as was Cloudsdale where the only sounds of this city were those of joy and laughter from the hundreds of pegasi that she came to know as a part of her life here. Flittering across the sky on their wings, twirling and arcing so quick she was amazed she could see them. Looking up in awe at them flying over her and that real feeling she knew them to have. Such a pleasure that she could do the same.

1.17
Like any other day, no way to tell what it was that happened here, for all she knew was how wonderful it was to see this city again. Her home. Whose great cloudy surfaces slicked in the sky’s own hue themselves shone as bright as any star. Where the rain and the rainbows being the purest wonders of this city. She couldn’t see it from here, but probably could back at the park on the end of her neighborhood from where the towering spires could not block the view of the great rainbow that really was the most beautiful part of this city to her little eyes.

Oh the chance we could be leaving it all for a while! Even for just a few days, it would be fine. She was just too giddy at the idea of what could come, this amazing surprise she had been promised, and she was certain on what it could be. It had to be. For it just turned fall. From where the Sun burned bright and warmed her back so, not too hot or too steamy like the summer, with a nice breeze coming over her. Just right… right enough for another swim still. She jumped back up thinking that and it made her laugh. Yes, that was it! She always said how much she wanted to go back to the lake. It had been two years since last being there. She had an idea where it was, having seen it when following them to it. But it felt like it was happening. Clear as could be in her mind.

A long trot around the city to gather up food and drinks for a picnic all the while saying they had a surprise for her. Before they all flew off for a short glide across a warm and comfortable sky and then… seeing that big circle of water over the horizon that left her star struck. Oh how I’ve missed it so much. Being able to swim in it again, really will make a long winter, spring, and summer so worth it. That is what left her so excited. With how happy they were to see her this way while she followed between them… with the bags in their mouths. It really was familiar.

Yes! Yes! The market they got to go through just now and leaving off with a few bags of food she didn’t get to see them pick out. Not with them insisting it would be a surprise. She followed their instruction and didn’t try to look. Not that she needed to. She wasn’t dumb. Nope, I’ve been a great filly so far this year. Even after so much crap to get through a long time ago, I still impressed them. Just as they wanted. And now they’re rewarding me for it. Yay, I can’t wait.

1.18
Feeling it about to happen right as she splashed down into a deep puddle going up to the tops of her hooves and soaking her magenta fur. The water felt good. Warm to her hooves. Not wanting to leave it, she didn’t need to with so many more puddles all over the clouds that she got to hop into as they walked.

“Careful, don’t fall over.” She wouldn’t fall over. Not too clumsy for that, no way it could happen with her carefully placed steps into the puddles. Certain she couldn’t trip. Not with how she could call herself majestic with these leaps. Not even a wobble when she landed into quite a deep one that splashed her belly and wetted her long tail till the silver was nearly as dark as the night sky of her colors. It only made her giggle a little and shake her tail to send all that water flying off. “Careful” she was told again.

“What? Afraid to get wet?” the filly asked back. Splashing some of that water up with a toss of her hooves to strike the mare’s side and soak her yellow fur. “Hey, now” she laughed with the filly. Holding a hoof over her like she expected more water to come her way. “Try not taking a bath in public, Soul.” Oh what? She was the one taking a shower. But the mare was not angry. Always like this during the few times they got the chance to.

Moments like this were the ones that Soul Serenity cherished when she could, for any time she could get these two off of work to play with her were really some of the best indeed. Now, she was getting the chance to spend more time with them swimming. Maybe a whole day like last time. Even just an afternoon. Just some time they could spend together free from all the work they all had to do. A good break like this was hard to come by.

1.19
Soul hopped back out of the puddle to join with the two pegasi with her. “I’ll dry you off” she said, running her leg along the mare’s fur and really doing a number on ruffling it. “There you go.” “And now you’re all wet, you goofball” she said back before Soul found herself being attacked. Attacked by a hoof rubbing the top of her mane and really tickling. Oh no, not another noogie. She already gave me one this morning. She loves to tickle me. Soul had to push her away. Happy nonetheless that they were this playful with her today. Not so much that her mane had been messed up. Draping in front of her eyes… again. Being sure to give the mare a disapproving frown to which she laughed at her for. Oh well, I tried. Slicking her mane back up and over so the silvered strands touched her cheeks and ran down her neck.

“You really are excited today” she said to Soul. Just finishing up pushing her mane back over till it still lazily draped over the side of her face. It’s fine. Soul liked that silly look to her mane covering her eye up. Kind of like a blanket for her face as she called it. “Yeah, you gonna tell me what we’re doing? You kind of kept me waiting all night.” That yellow mare shook her head. “Nope, it’s a surprise.” She pranced off on silent hooves with that mocking smile on her face to join with the silver coated stallion who waited for them. “Oh… Nimbus…” Soul shook her head.

Great, so I get to wait more. Why not just tell me? I already know what it is but… oh the slight chance that maybe it was something better. Like a Wonderbolts display?! At the least. Something different and exciting that didn’t involve training or reading. Ugh that Nimbus was pretty annoying sometimes. Still, it was part of her charm. Soul didn’t fault her for it. She actually kind of liked her childish behavior sometimes. An adult with so much to do but the right amount of fun that only Soul and Starry Veil over there got to enjoy sometimes. “Fine…” “Don’t worry, we’re almost there. Trust me this is gonna be a great day for you” Starry said to her. The stallion turning tail but stopping short to look to his wife. Soul could swear… they probably thought she wasn’t looking to see those two ponies clank hooves together and smile stupidly. Oh they are really doing their best. Well this had better be worth the wait. Soul had put in so much work around the house and with learning. Even being sure those two came home from flight instruction to a clean house. Always given a fun time from Nimbus and a night of flying with Starry, or even both of them, just for what they say as their thanks for helping them. Soul loved it but… those moments were always so short and… she really just wanted to spend some more time with them. Maybe they wanted to as well.

So many long days of teaching young pegasi how to fly certainly seemed to be a stressful one for how they often came home tired. Putting on a fake face whenever Soul came in, but she noticed. She did like how they still managed to give her things even when tired. They didn’t have to, but… I feel so special that they decide to personally train me every night. They really are good friends. Except for the moments like this when… Soul sighed. Being sure they didn’t notice her, too busy in their own enticement of one another. She could say she liked them more when they do things like this for her. It doesn’t always last. Soul followed after them.

1.20
This was why. Right now. Soul looked away as she walked with them. Listening in to the conversation those two were having. Just a few words here and there that she cared to hear, not with how it made her smile fade. Moments like that, which Nimbus had shared with her, she loved them. Too bad it didn’t last. Going back to talking about their flight routines and what not. One would think Soul may be so infatuated with joining them in speaking all that jargon and topics so fresh in her mind. Routines she could play out in her mind the moment she heard them talk about them. They can have all that nonsense for themselves as much as they wanted.

Soul never did find it fascinating to know what they planned to do for the trainees or the aspects of how camps went. Hearing something about them believing one kid definitely being able to be weather Pegasus material in no time. That was great and all, some kid becoming one of those esteemed flyers who actually brought out the storms such as the one from last night. But it always left her wondering… each time they talked like this about other fillies or colts. Just others.

She looked over to the side. Passing by some stands it looked with big umbrellas covering over tables where pegasi sat and talked. Mares at a table together. Two stallions chatting. Or a whole group together drinking whatever it was they were. All adults. All such impressive pegasi including some that looked pretty strong to her. Their wings bursting in pride at their sides with such a strong sense of accomplishment she could see in their eyes. Why those pegasi were amazing, just like all the other adults that she saw flying every day. Up to those pegasi… those very ones she wished to see someday in their blue and lightning coated suits swift through the clouds just like that very lightning. Amazing stuff to hear about. To see. But… to Soul. Something more.

1.21
Her wings fluttering along her sides. Like they were so filled with energy just at the thought of it. They were! My wings are always the best. The best things at her side. No matter what other ponies may say. However hurtful they were. For her wings were the reason she could fly so well with Starry or Nimbus. To feel so proud even when… when nopony said that of her. She had to rid that thought. Shake her head. No! Don’t let that get me down. Looking up at all the pegasi above her with their mighty wings so gorgeous in the Sun to inspire her like they always did. However long it takes… she never did lose that desire. It pumped her every night. For her wings to carry her off just like all of them. But not stop there. That was just the beginning.

It never did interest her to hear of the small achievements that other kids accomplished outside her sight, that only Nimbus and Starry could see. Not like those kids could have the same goals. Soul actually did hear of many pegasi even going off to Canterlot. Where she imagined them well dressed and speaking so annoyingly. Or even to other towns she knew little about. Not sure what was waiting for them there, except that Cloudsdale was the place to be to become great. Her home for so long. As far back as she could remember when she saw the eyes of Nimbus and Starry for the first time. Bursting of their reds and blues. Really… the best moment she had in all her life. Things just felt to be so much better the more she thought of it, no matter how hard it was. Really taking a lot to make the best of it before… whatever was left.

1.22
“Hey Starry” Soul interrupted them. They still did both look down to her. Actually stopping their own conversation for me. She could think of something to talk to them about. Perhaps get a little bit out of them for what it may be they were doing. “Will we be doing any training tonight? I’m dying to hit the skies again.” There wasn’t any training last night. Dinner when they got home and Nimbus let her have a book for her to read while she only listened to them in the next room cheering over something. Something that had to be in the papers she saw Nimbus bring in. Then hushed whispers before she was surprised to hear them send her off to bed with the exciting news. The last training was a couple nights ago. Basic stuff to Soul. But it still made her wings burn. Aching for a chance to try out some of the crazy things these two taught her at some time and to impress somepony.

No, she always lost to these two but someday… it will come when I’ll blow everypony away. It would just take some more time and plenty more training. “Oh” Starry cocked his head back up. “We thought since you’ve been training so hard lately, that you could get a long break from our late-night training for a little bit. Have some fun with the two of us.” Uh huh, Soul inched an eyebrow up. So no training for a little bit? That could mean they were going somewhere that did not involve that. Plus a break? Did that mean they were going somewhere for a bit longer than what she had thought? Her mind raced with ideas. The lake and swimming, a vacation and then…

1.23
Soul gasped with a hoof to her mouth. “Are we gonna see the Wonderbolts!?” That had to be it. Any chance these two took to take a bit of time off, it always was spent going to see a Wonderbolts display. A long break away from their routines. It had to be! She could almost feel her wings rattle with excitement to want to take her off to the sky. She held her grip. Really needing to calm down. “It is isn’t it?” Soul said. Leaping forth with the two ponies and jumping around them. She passed by Starry with a giggle.

“Wonderbolts. Wonderbolts” she sang to them. Almost letting out a scream and then realizing… oh, they didn’t answer me. They didn’t. Not at all. Starry smiling and looking to the ground like he may be sulking a little. But he went back on his walk with Nimbus right behind him, cheering out in her happiness “Wonderbolts. Wonderbolts.” Soul caught that. She was saying it just like Soul had just been. Then… Nimbus leapt once. Just like her. Oh that’s real cool of you. Soul frowned.

Well whatever, she still got an answer. It had to be yes. With them acting like that. Soul had no idea what to expect, her first Wonderbolts show. It had been a year since those two had gone to one. It sucked to be too small to be able to join them but… now… Soul looked to her body. Confident she fit the qualification now to be allowed into the stadium. Not even knowing what it could be to expect. Amazing stunts were the least of it. But to see those uniforms right before her and to see ponies that aspired just as she did. Performing for the world all on their path to the ultimate goal that so many pegasi strived for. Of which she could only see them in paper or poster. Pictures or words. Always the talk of the town. She ran back up to join with the two of them. Careful not to fall behind in her lost excitement. Still holding strong. Coming up with the perfect time in her mind that she let them all know of with how she trotted happily between the two of them.

The chance they could be going to go swimming and then… whatever afterwards. Or perhaps they were going to the other side of the city. Going to stores to… oh! Buy her a bunch of Wonderbolts stuff or maybe a new hat after her old one was blown away. Go to the stadium and spend a whole day there before going off for an evening flight over the beautiful city. Soul did want to see if they could maybe go to the big rainbow. She had heard one stallion comment how it had a good taste to it one time. She didn’t even know pegasi could go up to it and actually taste it. She had to try. Or… maybe combine all that stuff into one. A whole vacation. She really wished she knew what these two had planned. A whole night of waiting followed by an entire morning, it wasn’t fair. Though… they were always both so determined and would never just flat out tell her. Just like the last time they went to the lake. She expected them to do the same with any other event she could be a part of.

Still, that didn’t keep her from fantasizing of the idea of coming up to that stadium and look up in wonder at its vast, blue walls that towered to the heavens themselves. From where hundreds could roar their cheers. After these past couple years… it would be worth it. Just to know that these two would do something like that for her. Spend time with her after so long. I may even have to hug them when we get to the stadium.

1.24
Driven by her excitement, the little filly had a hard time hiding just how much she was looking forward to today. Smiling and humming to herself as she kept close to Nimbus. Neither of them able to not love her reaction, though Soul saw that Starry halted so suddenly that Soul almost rushed ahead. He didn’t look at all upset over anything. Finding that he was actually walking off without them, waving off to them. “I’m gonna pick something up. Sweetheart, could you go on with Soul and I’ll meet up with you two there?” Didn’t seem right to ask Nimbus now, he was already going off to wherever he was going. Soul’s curiosity was strong to see what he may be doing, but… the chance to be with Nimbus. Not that she played favorites with them. But Nimbus was… always the one she felt more comfortable around. Even if they were in a crowded place. Coming home and going straight to her when she needed somepony. Not like her to give up this chance that she gladly took and leaned against the mare’s side. Only to be pulled in a little closer from that golden wing coming over her body.

“Will do” she yelled after the stallion. “See you soon.” And she leaned down to look to the filly, giggling. “Looks like it’s just us ladies.” “Yeah!” Soul leapt inside of the mare’s wing.

“So…” she hinted to her. “Are we gonna go on ahead and enjoy our vacation without him.” She made sure to laugh just to let her know she was joking. It wouldn’t be the same without Starry. “Yeah, he can be such a nuisance” Nimbus joined in on the fun. Scoffing kind of like… she sounded like some pompous pony with it. A good impression. “But sure, let’s go.” Soul was just about to barrel right out of the wing that held her but Nimbus was the one who freed her and then… she knelt down. Keeping her tail up to the sky and beckoning her head upon the clouds where she signaled to Soul with a wave. “Climb on board.” What? Oh this has to be something special. Nimbus giving her a ride, while Soul loved flying on her own, more so when she could just rest atop another pony and watch from above with her wings stilled and the comfort of it. It wasn’t often she got to do this. Not at all helping to contain her.

1.25
Climbing up and over the mare’s head and pulling herself up along her back, which straightened out when Nimbus stood right back up. All the more easier to turn around and lay on her large back where those big, golden wings stretched out around Soul and the orange and blue hairs became her pillow. Soul letting her head rest right against the top of Nimbus’ lush mane and holding on tight around her chest as only this mare would ever allow her to do. So lucky it could be a flyer as strong as her. “You ready back there?” she glanced back to Soul. “Ready!”

With that, Soul joined with the clouds. From one great sweep of wings and feeling all the air rush over her, blasting her face when Nimbus did as she always did and rocketed right up into the sky, leaving just their tails to reach back down to the city. Up high where Soul was with all the other pegasi. Flying past them so quick, not from their speed, but from the very reason why Nimbus got her name of Swiftshot where nopony else up here could even blink in time to notice them fly by before Soul could scream in joy when the clouds poofed around her and she could look down at the entire world below. From where the greatest of rainbows did shine down over them and reaching back to the vast city below, as far as she could see. Always being the best sight she could get. With so few chances to do it like this. It made her tighten her grip around the mare who flew her so nimbly and gracefully around the clouds with such small flaps of her wings. All the more why Soul adored her.

Really wishing they had a lot more time to do things like this… but it was not up to her. It never had been, so she had to take the time and cherish it always whenever they could fly like this together. So often being side by side, so few with her belly upon Nimbus’ back.

1.26
To the sea of clouds below where so many pegasi could see so often every day, this home of theirs. Flat like a sea and rising like the waves to float across the entire world below. Her land of Equestria spanning so far and wide in the glory of its beauty as far as she saw. The rolling hills and the greens of dense forests, to the sheets of clouds so far off over an endless land. So much beauty she never got to be with. So much to love from up here. Till the time I can go on by myself and see it all. From the oceans she could once see in the city’s endless travel across the land, to the clustered castles she saw looming so high among the mountains whose shadows did darken where the brilliant Sun could not touch. Places where so many other ponies could be for me… to give me more than what I’ve had. How long to wait?

Sometimes she hated being a kid, but sometimes, such as now, they meant a lot no matter all the bad that made her look off with a frown and lift her hooves up over Nimbus’ chest and neck to touch at her chin. The moments so few, it was always best to keep them so close to her forever, just to remember there was still more out there for her. Still, moments she could be happy like right now. Like what was coming now that she and Nimbus and Starry could be together for even just a little bit. Without any worry or bother. Really looking forward more and more to the plans that they had together.

1.27
Soul squeaked a little when she was surprised by the puffs of cloud that burst around her and the cheer of the mare who kicked it apart in their flight, before she beat her wings up and over. Soul spun, watching the sky go all around her. Not at all making her upset. Joining Nimbus in the joy of this flight even when she felt her stomach go up into her throat right as the mare plummeted down just short of smacking through a cloud before her hooves softly tapped on its surface and, one flap of her wings, they blasted back off into the sky to plow through so many lines of clouds that tore apart from their force. Their soft remains poofing out of existence against Soul’s face and even leaving some water behind. Really drenching Nimbus who didn’t even care. Laughing her heart out and looking back at the filly she carried.

“Hold on!” Oh no. Soul smiled. Tightening up a little more. Clamping her hind legs around Nimbus’ body now that… that she already was starting up. With her wings beating harder and the sky peered down on them, so high up there but they barreled in at it. Along with the feeling that she may fall off at this angle. Not a problem. Soul believed she could recover herself if she were to fall off at these speeds. She doubted it would happen though. This wasn’t the first time they did this stuff. Making the entire sky spin around her again, slower and slower. With the land below lost now under a layer of cloud cover, so nopony may see. Not them at such heights where only daredevils would try to be this high up… let alone try this. Not freak out at this with both their backs facing the land below and Nimbus’ belly up to the sky. Holding it. With the wind gusting and the air colder. It felt good. Soul so calm as was Nimbus.

“If you hold on, I’ll give you a hint where we’re going.” Huh?

1.28
Soul came back to earth when she felt the wind blasting right into her face and her wings held tight to her sides. Right as the roar of gales so strong almost echoed hard in her ears, yet she didn’t let go. Wouldn’t dare. No matter how intense it was, flying back down to the land below to where the clouds almost exploded before her in an instant. Nimbus only cheered. Falling this fast, it was no problem for her. Not even shaking or losing any bit of her control. Holding her wings straight out at her sides. No buckle or break, with the feathers flapping wildly. Hitting the clouds, it almost felt like she may get smacked off of Nimbus’ back.

How hard those little wafts of air curled around her and the sky bled of glowing light leading their way back down to where the only clouds left were those of a vast city of rainbows and rain reaching up to them once more. Guiding them in. Coming right in at it like they may crash if even one more second went on. That’s what it would seem like. Silly Nimbus, thinking I would fall. Soul yelled out with joy when they roared past the cloudy skylines of the city, to where the other pegasi could only hear the howls of wind left behind with nothing left. Flying right back up into the sky from their plummet and… Nimbus’ wings fell gently to her sides as the wind died around them. Carrying them both forth over the city. To join back with all the others.

Soul could only laugh. Clambering back up onto Nimbus’ mane, over it and looking down to where the mare glanced up and smiled. Nimbus Swiftshot carrying them on, gentle in the breeze like nothing had happened. As was befit of her.

1.29
“Starry never does that stuff for me” Soul spoke down to her. “Glad I can do it for you, it can be our little secret” Nimbus reached up and rubbed a hoof over Soul’s head. Always such an exhilarating ride, and… it was all for… letting Soul in on the plan? “This can also be our little secret too…” Nimbus looked left and right.

Oh yes, so that was the main reason for Nimbus at least. Maybe. Though it did pique Soul’s interest more and more. Nimbus really was eager to let her know, why else make holding on the condition for it? Soul never let go. “So, is it true?” Soul asked her. “Are you taking me to see the Wonderbolts?!” Wait, that was her idea. Those two never even passed the possibility. Whatever, didn’t hurt to ask. Really an amazing thing to go off of and really hope for. “Or what are we doing? Please tell me it’s the Wonderbolts.” “I was just going to give you a hint, Soul” Nimbus said back. “Oh… right” Soul said sadly, forgetting it was just a hint.

Ugh, these two were good. “So… why even tell me a hint?” Not like these two ever told her much about plans or ideas. It seemed to just be their thing. Surprises and fun. “Well, I kind of felt bad about telling you last minute” Nimbus said softly. “I guess it was a bit hard for you to sleep last night after when we told you.” She had no idea. Soul nodded. “Oh, I’m so sorry” Nimbus rubbed her head again. “Truth is… we didn’t know until yesterday. But…” she looked back up. Glancing back to Soul with a cocked eyebrow. “I…” She frowned. Shaking her head. “Ugh, you really are such a great filly, I can’t just lie to you. We’re not seeing the Wonderbolts.”

1.30
She sounded so sad saying that. Soul even saw her cringe a little as she said it. Like it hurt her to say. Rightfully so, she probably thought… she’d break my heart. No… not at all. It did hurt that it wasn’t the
Wonderbolts. All because I got too excited. I hope she isn’t too hurt over having to say that to me. Soul being the one to run her own hoof over Nimbus’ head this time. Trying her best to hold in just how unfortunate it was that they wouldn’t be able to see a display together soon.

But… there was always some other time. Soul had to learn that the hard way when she got the crushing news that she was just too short. That guardpony had been a jerk. I can’t take it out on Nimbus. She still had something in mind anyways. “That’s okay” Soul whispered to her. “Maybe… I can go with you guys sometime?” Soul hoped to at least give her the idea. She felt she was tall enough now. “Oh definitely” Nimbus said. “You’re old enough now.” Much better than a fresh filly who could barely speak. Nine years old now, it must be good enough. Right at the turn of her birthday, Soul knew she’d be ready for it and... yes! It paid off. We get to see the Wonderbolts. Not now, but later on. Hopefully soon.

“But no, Starry and I have been talking…” Nimbus looked off with a long pause. Leaving Soul in wonder. “You’ve been doing so well lately, we thought it’d be nice if we could take you someplace fun where you can train with us for a while. It took a while to make it happen, but we got it done.” She looked back to Soul. “It starts today.” Train with them for a while?! Soul’s eyes lit up. No way. So… no more short nights of them flying together. What, was it some sort of resort or special getaway where they would all get to be together just so they can help teach her? Only her?! Why… she felt so special. The chance they did this for her. Even with it not being the Wonderbolts, this sounded very good anyways. A real chance to be with her two favorite ponies. Maybe even get to do more riding like right now. Nimbus fell silent. Soul wanted to see if she had anything more to say. That was the hint. A good one at that. It made Soul only more excited for it. Of course it had to be Nimbus to lift her hopes up.

1.31
“Training with you two and then… we’ll see the Wonderbolts sometime.” Soul accidentally kicked one of her hind legs against Nimbus’ side. Stopping herself from doing any more. It didn’t hurt the mare at all. “Yup!” she gleefully said. “There were some Wonderbolts events coming up but we decided not to attend them. …But…” she looked back with a wink of her eye. “There’s one in the winter we can go to…” “The winter!” Soul planted her face down into her mane. Sighing her displeasure. That’s several months from now. She really had to wait that long? Well damn. She really didn’t like how they always had to work so much to the point where they were all missing out on so many events. …But the best were always needed here in Cloudsdale.

“That’s no fair…” Soul let her know. “Telling me we’re going and then telling me it’s still far away.” “Sorry, Soul. But it’s the best we could do. However… I hear that one is going to have a special routine that they rarely do. Just think, you get to see that.” Still not fair to tease her like that. Even if there was something amazing to look forward to… at the end of the year. Soul groaned. “Well… thank you for whatever it is we’re gonna be doing today. It’s still nice of you.” Nimbus let out a saddened moan. Even letting up a little on her flying.

“I’m so sorry we couldn’t go sooner. I know how much you want to see them.” “Don’t you worry” Soul said. Taking a deep breath and accepting there was nothing that could be done. No matter how much it sucked. “I’ve been able to wait this long, you know? But maybe…” Soul set her head back down. Right against the back of Nimbus’ neck. Listening to the faint beat of her heart deep inside. So soft and calm. “Can you tell me what it’s like? So I know what to look forward to.” “You want to know what it’s like at an event?” Soul nodded.

1.32
It took a long time for anything to happen. Soul waiting there, listening and not sure what it was that made Nimbus so silent. What made her so calm even like the gentle flaps of her wings. Did I say something wrong? Maybe I offended her or ask her to do something too hard for her? Those events were probably very hard to explain.

“Soul…” Nimbus spoke out so soft and sweetly. Not at all like anything Soul expected. Actually sounding… distant. Looking up and seeing the mare was staring up… up into the open sky they flew through. “When my mom first took me to a showing, she didn’t tell me anything about what to expect. Because… it’s not something you can really put into words. There’s a feeling to it… seeing them in action. Seeing just how great a Pegasus pony can become. I… I can’t put it into words. I can’t tell you something that I just don’t know how to. The amazing moves they pull off and the speed you can actually feel them performing at. The perfection and wonder of… of just what they had to do to achieve it. How long it took. It sparks something. Because I felt it too when I was just around your age looking up at them with my mouth pretty much hitting the floor. I knew what I wanted to do… and I can tell you that it’ll be a feeling you get to enjoy as well. I’ll let you know right now… I can’t wait to sit next to you and see that same spark in you that I had. It’ll let you know that everything you’ve worked on for so long has been worth it, and that something amazing can await you. Whatever it can be. It will drive you to those dreams.”

To my dreams? Soul looked up to the sky. Can it really? There is really something like that that can make that happen for me. Drive me to my dreams… did it do the same for you, Nimbus? Soul looked past her shoulder… to see it. One little tear going down the mare’s happy face. It did. Then she does the same. With how she flies, she could have been something even more impressive to many ponies. But, for the filly who held on to her and smiled into her mane, she impressed her. To drive dreams in her own special way.

1.33
“Tada!” Soul cocked her head. Staring right up past Nimbus, that Pegasus standing up on her hind legs and wings left out like they held up the very thing she presented to Soul. Extremely happy over showing it to Soul… who actually had no idea what she was looking at. Looked like some sort of building or something. Its cloudy walls going far and wide, kind of like a coliseum but much shorter. Well it may as well be something of the sort with its impressive entrance. The thing that Nimbus was more than happy over.

Kind of funny, she really thinks I know what this is. Like the sky itself going all around the doorway into whatever it was. Columns all around it reaching high, towering over any pegasi who could stand before it, spread all around the staircase leading up to this doorway. Soul looked over them. They looked cool. But was this supposed to be where she would be able to train with Nimbus and Starry? Maybe it was some sort of field or… a resort? A big, walled off resort. Now that sounded like a trip indeed except for the strange fixatures that stood out at the top of those columns and all about the cloudy hangers that drooped and spun around this place.

Hooves and tails. Small and so filled with energy as they all bucked and reared. Some even floating about with the clouds whose colors they shared. With so much joy and happiness in their blank faces. Like somepony carved them out of clouds themselves. They all shared something so unique. No matter how they were, they all had their wings… stretched out and touching at the air they joined with. Flying in place over this staircase. Some even kept aloft perfectly with nothing to keep them there. Like their wings actually did have them flying, though Soul knew better.

These little figures weren’t real, though they all resembled something that was. She knew what she was looking at. Little fillies and colts… children flying and welcoming her just like the clouds she flew through. Welcoming anypony who came here. Dancing about with the wind just like all young pegasi sought after. Dreamed after.

1.34
It didn’t answer her question though. Soul smiled anyways to the best she could without showing how very confused this made her. “Where are we…?” She grinned. Nimbus even falling right back onto all fours and her mouth dropped in embarrassment. “Oh…” she laughed. “You’ve never been here before. Sorry.” The Pegasus ran a hoof over her leg. Eyes crossing along the ground. About to say something, Soul waited for her. Then somepony did it again… when Soul recoiled from a hoof grinding over her head again and a shout of “Surprise!” That didn’t matter to her. She really just wanted to know what was going on. Swatting her hooves at the one that pushed her head down and ruffled her mane to the point where it almost tickled.

They finally stopped and Starry himself stepped in front of her. Was it any surprise he had the same excited face that Nimbus had worn a moment ago? Staring down at Soul in anticipation of her being, what, thrilled over seeing this door. Or maybe even an impressive wall. “It’s a great wall and all…” Soul muttered, doing her best to fix up her mane again.

They really needed to stop doing that to her, it took a long time to fix all this hair. “But I still don’t know what it is.” About to mention that it was supposed to be someplace she would get to train for a while with the two of them but stopped herself when seeing Nimbus. Knowing she wouldn’t want to be exposed for giving even a hint of what was happening. Soul could already see the stern look Starry would give to that silly mare.

1.35
“Yeah…” Nimbus said. “We never did show her this place before.” To which Starry was quick to smack a hoof over his head. “Ah… and here I thought we had it all planned.” “Guess we got too excited” Nimbus agreed with him. None of this helped to calm Soul’s curiosity over what was going on. About ready to just jump up to him and beg him to tell her. Because this wait was getting to be too much for her. “Well, you’re gonna need this for it” Starry said. Reaching back into the bags he held over his back. Rummaging in there. Soul looked over. Pulling it right out, gripped between his teeth, …a hat.

As blue as the city itself. “I was sure to buy a little something for you for your first day” he said and let the hat go onto the clouds right at her hooves. Soul’s eyes lit up looking down upon it, and what it was that was clearly there just for her. A gift that made her wonder why it was they did this for her. Her first gift like this. At this golden shine that brightened her face. Made her want to reach out and touch it. “I think it’s great for a talented flyer like you” Nimbus said as she joined with them. Wrapping a hoof around Starry’s neck. Both of them urging her on to take it. It was hers.

The little filly gulped and knelt down to it. Putting it atop her hoof so it could look back at her. Such a small hat that looked just for her. It’s whites and blues and the gold that made her stare. Emblazoned like the Sun. Shining of the sky. Where she could see her own yellow eyes looking back at her inside that winged lightning bolt spanning over the hat. The symbol she knew so well. Seeing it so much, on papers and outfits. To the very ponies who actually wore it in their photos. Proud and true just like the ponies who could claim it. These two gave it to her? Her very own Wonderbolts badge. She didn’t know what to say. Close to hugging the hat. Left to smile instead. It really came close to making her have to weep over just how much Nimbus and Starry were doing for her today. Was this all really my reward for being so good lately? Even after everything that happened… they still will do this for me? There was no way she would delay it any further. Proud to wear this hat and the badge it had. Covering her head right up till the silver-tipped strands of her mane fell down out of it and all could see the gift these two ponies gave her. So sweet of them. They must really have something wonderful for me.

“Thank you so much…” Soul smiled deeply. Holding a hoof to her chest. Not even capable of looking them in the eyes, though she knew they were very happy for her. They should be. It was so nice of them. She did her best to calm down. Close to just swooning over it. “I bet I look pretty awesome in it, right?” This actually being her first time wearing one like this and, she already could see herself in it. She knew for a fact that she did look great. Really the best thing for her to wear for this first day of training with these two awesome ponies. They were more than happy with her. “You sure do” Nimbus said. Both of the pegasi turning to present the door to her again. “I bet all the others will too.” “The others…?” Soul quickly felt her excitement plummet. What others? There was nopony else here.

Nimbus and Starry led her on. Opening their wings up to her. If only she could share in their happiness. “Welcome to Junior Speedsters!”

Junior Speedsters?

Flight… camp…

1.36
So this was camp? Exactly where so many young pegasi went to learn how to fly. Just as she’d imagine it. It really looked not much different. Walking down the empty expanse of clouds within the walls of this place. Staring off at it all. Really just amazed at how massive this place was. That’s what let her know this place was not the norm.

Soul never could think about how different a camp could look with nopony around, where she was the only one there alongside Nimbus and Starry. Both of them so eager that they even went on ahead with Soul at their heels. Until she gave up trying to keep up with them. No matter how she felt. She did it for now, staring up at the sky and all around her. Not even able to move when she felt so very small inside this place. Where the clouds towered high over her. Where not even a single Pegasus could be seen flying about, not in these early morning hours. She wondered if she was the only kid here. If any could be inside the many buildings scattered all over the place with their shining blue windows bursting of rainy blends. She had no doubt… some of them had to be rooms. Leaving her to fear it in a way that only built upon the never ending sights of this place that just beat her down. If she should even be here. Because… she felt so stupid to never figure it out even with the hint. Just her being able to train with Nimbus and Starry for a while, even for a whole day. It never happened. Not when those two, they were always so busy at this place.

Now I get to see it, the place they go to when I’m left on my own. This is where all the pegasi they talk about day in and day out train.

1.37
All around this playground of the skies. With funnels of water pouring down everywhere from the clouds above. To where she passed by pools of water draining over the clouds and seeping through. Looking at it and the filly who looked back at her. To see just how upset she looked. Soul understood her. I understand her so well. Though I should be happy. Coming to this place, where only the best of the best come out of, and now I get to be here with them.

For how long? Soul could only assume for a little bit. Inside this place where the clouds blanketed all the sky in their patterns of layered shapes set atop one another like there were even floors above her. Floors of clouds surrounded by so many… so many hoops. Some pegasi had to have shaped those because clouds could never be made to look like those, and set out all along the sky. Just able to see herself flying through them. Doing tricks with them or something like what Starry or Nimbus would do with her at home. It all looked great. To anypony it would. Soul couldn’t help it, she pulled her hat down. Looking away from it all. Over to the ponies she saw had stopped and were waiting for her. I should at least keep them thinking this is great. It is great. For anypony else, it would be. I only wish I could feel some sort of excitement over it. Having to wear a fake smile and running back up to join them in their walk down the clouds. …I only wish it could have been different.

1.38
Soul looked up to Nimbus, that mare facing ahead, not even aware Soul was looking at her. What she had said. It sounded so awesome. But… if I had known it’d be… in camp. Oh, Soul wanted to groan. Drooping her head back down. She felt her ears slink out from under the hat and set upon the sides of her head. I wanted to train with them. At camp like this, at their… job, that’s what it was. A job. One she knew these two to be quite passionate over. Maybe too passionate, so much so that they brought her here to join with it. Not at all what she wanted. Remembering the clouds right above her and all the open space they gave to her.

She could still see it, her flying alongside both of them all day long. That was a nice dream. All it was, a dream. Skidding to a halt just in time to keep herself from slamming right into the yellow furred leg planted right in front of her… just close to smacking her nose against it. Soul looked up. Finding Nimbus looking over her, reeling back a little. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you” she said down to her. Huh? Why stop when I’m right on your tail then? Soul had no idea what to think of the mare. Except… she let her smile fade so quickly. Putting a hoof out to Starry, touching him against the chest.

“Dear, could you go on ahead and finish up everything. I’m gonna show Soul around.” Whatever it was, Starry actually just stood there staring. Like he had no idea what he was doing. What was going on. Making Soul wonder what these two were up to. Did they really have any secrets left to hide after all this? It took Nimbus actually rearing her head to him over to some building up ahead before Starry snapped out of it. “Oh yeah… I’ll get right on it. Soul…” he looked down to her. “Welcome to our camp. You’ll enjoy it, okay.” Before he looked back to Nimbus. “Take all the time you need.”

1.39
Soul watched him walk off. More puzzled now than before. For whatever these two were cooking up. Was this really something even worth showing me around for? Not like it’s anything new to me. I can find my way just fine… if I’ll be in a camp for a while again. No matter what Starry said, she was not at all lifted. Her heart sank just a little when Nimbus even took the time to step over and stand right at Soul’s side. The big mare kneeling down so that she could be face to face. Still so happy. So cheerful. No matter how serious her voice was.

“Come on, I’ll show you where to put your stuff for later.” Okay… if that was the only reason. It sounded so menial and basic. Not at all. Soul knew there was more to it with how Nimbus set her wing down upon Soul’s back, coiling the feathers up to gently rub against the back of her neck. Soul followed her. Staying right under her wing that covered her up. Having to look back at it. For Nimbus to be holding her like that.

She was glad nopony else was here to see her like this. As Nimbus did not even know what was hidden under the hat Soul wore, frowning underneath. Fully aware what was to come. No matter how good or bad.

1.40
This building probably was one of the ones that had rooms in it for young fillies or colts to sleep in. If she had any knowledge about this stuff, since she was in here, this was probably for the girl’s. Not at all knowing where it may be where the beds or rooms were in here. Not when Nimbus had guided her right in and found this big hall with none other than lockers. Spaced so far between one another, Soul passed one and could swear it was as wide as she was long. So many of them not being at all the same with so many little things put up to wrap them in colors. Stickers? Drawings and even a poster left to drape those lockers. A poster of none other than the Wonderbolts with the same winged lightning set between the sight of so many of those beautiful pegasi who could wear the uniform.

Soul did pick out some other Wonderbolts designs. But mostly stickers and things she had no idea what they meant. Some lockers were even completely bare. But there were just so many that were not, it gave Soul what she wanted to know. The unfortunate truth. Even such a prestigious and wonderful camp like this was not free from that which worried her. With so many, she bet it even meant more and more that she wouldn’t get the image she wanted all thanks to that hint the mare with her had given to her. There really will be no Wonderbolts. Soul looked away from them. Looking past them all to see many staircases were set around the hall, with their blue walls leading up to what she could only imagine. Pretty sure she knew. Funny, she would think being in such an empty building for a place like this would be wonderful. No.

As she walked past all this, she could hear it all. The laughter and cheers of so many ponies. Those which would fill this place up. To where she would not feel so safe as she did right now under Nimbus’ wing. A touch she feared to lose. She had to ask her now.

1.41
“Am I gonna have to sleep here?”

“What…?” Nimbus said back. The mare even stopped. Soul didn’t dare to leave from under her comforting wing. Keeping her hoof back from reaching up and grabbing hold of the wing to try and cover herself up in like some blanket. Soul didn’t talk. “You mean having to stay in camp? No, no” Nimbus said and did help to light up Soul’s heart a little after it crumbled down when she knew what was in store. “You’ll come home with us every day. We won’t make you sleep over here.”

Well that was nice. A huge load off Soul’s back that she wouldn’t need to be stuck here all the time. Need to get familiar with this place. Nimbus and Starry still were nice with that. Still more than willing to do something she never did expect them to do even in the past. Not after a hard day of work when she would often see them tired but they still were always there to come and get her. Even now. Though she thought the last time that happened would hopefully be the last time. That is what Soul didn’t understand. Why did she need to be trained in camp? She always thought the time they spent together at home, no matter how short it was, was great enough. “You’re worried, aren’t you?”

1.42
Nimbus hit the nail on the head. Soul would not deny her. The mare should rightfully know just how worrying this place would be for Soul. We just got here and Soul knew that, it was all about to begin. That she had little time left before it all started again. It really would’ve helped if they had told her earlier about this. Maybe then she would be able to think it all through instead of feeling this huge weight come down on her right now. So why do it? “Why?” Soul whispered. Of all ponies, Nimbus should know just what camp would do to Soul.

There was no reason Soul could come up with to justify having to be here, not when she had something better at home. In how little time she had to be at that home and do this all her way. It had been great. Why change it? “Why do I have to go to camp?” “Oh Soul” Nimbus tightened her wing around her and the mare walked over so she could try to see. Soul wouldn’t let her. Turning away. Wanting to hide just how upset she was.

Soul couldn’t hide that obvious fact. She was well aware the mare knew how she felt. I don’t want her to see my face. Though Soul was worried. Worried that she may be upsetting Nimbus. It must have taken a lot to get Soul into this place. Junior Speedsters. Where a Pegasus goes in a novice and comes out a master. Soul could not even count just how many wonderful flyers came out of this place. All the boasts that Nimbus and Starry made about it and the ponies in it. And they managed to get me into it. That didn’t matter over the painful fact. One still so strong on her mind. Even so, she couldn’t understand why it was she needed to come back to a place that made her remember.

1.43
“I thought we were doing so well with training at home. It was so fun” Soul said. “But I…” “I know” Nimbus whispered to her. “I guess… it didn’t turn out the way you thought. I really wish I could have told you sooner but… Starry and I… we just feel it’s the right thing to do.” “The right thing?” Soul asked. In what regard? They should know. Do they not? Because it hasn’t been very long. Not long enough to forget. And they decided to do this to me even knowing that. It all was hitting her too fast. Soul couldn’t believe how much those two just threw at her in an instant.

Of course I will feel this way. Of course I can still feel it. The feeling that made her want to twitch her wing. The same one as normal whenever… whenever this happened. And they’re going to put me in it again. “I just want to be trained by you both. I don’t want other ponies with us” Soul said it bluntly. Anything to make her forget the pain of it. “Soul… you can’t stay home forever.”

But I’ve been doing so well staying home. At least it keeps me away from all of it. At least I’m safe there. I’ve always felt better without other ponies there. The same one that always made me hurt. At home, I can do this without fear or worry. “Come here, Soul.” Soul looked up to the mare. Nimbus sitting down in front of her. Her wing falling right off of the filly, sitting down on the floor with the other. Circling the two of them in this little gap between them. No matter how upset Soul was with her, she couldn’t help herself. She walked over. Willingly letting the mare close her wings up around her. Holding her right under to where Soul could even curl up against her. Hidden away inside of her feathers and safe, if she were so inclined to. Not with the thoughts. The pain and the piercing fact that… it was all happening again.

“You’re still afraid after what happened.”

1.44
Soul felt her wing tingle. Like it wanted her to hold it. Just as she should.

Of course I’m afraid. You were there, Nimbus. You were the pony who rushed in to protect me and flew with me in your legs. I can still see the tears falling down your face and onto me. How so scared you were. The first I ever saw you truly sad and afraid. A moment of weakness I didn’t even know adults could get. And she shared that with me. After so long together, it was the first time we ever cried together. That’s why I only let you hold me like this. But… still… you decided to bring me back to it.

Soul had to use all her strength to keep herself from falling apart right now. She had to be strong for Nimbus. Really just wanting the pony to take her home again. Leave this behind. But that was selfish. Not everypony can get into this camp and Soul knew it. She’d get to be with them all the time but why… why did it have to be like this? To put her back in the situation again. I don’t want to relive it again. Frankly, Nimbus should also not want that too. But I can’t believe I need to be here and tell her that. “I don’t want to go to camp again. I hate it here.” Even Soul felt terrible for having to say that. But it was true. The thought of it, she held her wing close to herself inside her legs. Certain that Nimbus could feel her holding it underneath her feathers. “Why can’t we just train at home?” And I remember just how happy I was when you first brought me to a place like this. I really did believe it would be a great experience and that it was something I truly did want. How wrong I was. This isn’t the same as last time, Nimbus. “How can you take me to this place? After what happened. I never want to go to camp again.” Soul buried her head into the wings that held her. Choosing more so to forget it forever.

The longer she stayed at camp, the harder it was to forget just how painful it was.

1.45
“Soul” Nimbus softly stroked a hoof along the back of her neck. Sending chills down her spine with how soft she spoke and how gentle she was. “We could easily just teach you at home just as we’ve been doing ever since then. It has been going so well, but… Starry and I had a long conversation about it. I’ll let you know… if you’re upset with us, just be upset with me. Starry didn’t want us to do this.” “Then why did you do it?” Soul couldn’t understand. If Starry didn’t want it, and Nimbus was so understanding of her right now, why do it? “Why?”

“I wanted it for you.” Says the mare who was most upset of what happened that horrible day. Did she not know it could happen again? What if it did? “We could’ve just gone on and kept you at home all the time, but I didn’t want you to be like me” Nimbus said. But that was what Soul wanted. She was an amazing flyer, so natural and perfect. Really like the sky was what she was born to dominate. No matter how simple her wings looked, how innocent she was with her youthful face and her bright, fiery eyes. She was truly powerful. There’d be no way Soul wouldn’t want to be like her. “As in… I don’t want you to have my childhood.” Her childhood? Soul actually held her breath for a moment. Thinking of her as a kid. Whatever her childhood was like besides all the events and training she did.

“I may have been a great flyer, just as talented and full of life as you are, but I wasn’t happy.” “Why weren’t you happy?” Soul asked, stopping Nimbus’ stroking hoof with her own hoof and she held it tightly. “Things happened to me as well… I…” Nimbus shook her head. Breathing deeply. “I… don’t want to tell you the things that happened to me. Just that… I was the same as you were.” Soul caught sight of the mare’s eyes… staring back over her wings for just a moment. Before they shot back to look at her. Though Soul didn’t need to know. She already did. For those things that this strong mare hid under her wing and how much… she knew they hurt the Pegasus. The one time she saw them, even in the water with those reddened shreds piercing out from her golden tinted coat, Soul could remember seeing them clearly when she swam next to this happy pony. To never talk of them. Even when Nimbus did catch her staring. Only for her wing to have been quick to cover it up again. Even to me, a filly she should trust.

I guess I know what it is she’s talking about. I’m so sorry, Nimbus. You and I never were so different, I never doubted that. But I see what you mean. I know the feeling too. Soul clutched one of her wings tightly.

1.46
“Though… you’re different, Soul” Nimbus said. “Don’t you think that it’ll hold you back and make you have to do what I did.” “I can’t really believe that” Soul said. Not after what happened. “This place will be different, it’s all about flying as beautifully and powerfully as a Pegasus can get here. This is the real deal. And none of the others will fault you for anything.”

Nimbus really did sound so sure of herself. It still wasn’t enough. Not enough to make Soul feel like anything could be different though… she hated the idea of fighting with this pony and how sure she was that Soul will be happy. Soul still shook her head. “Hey now, have a little faith. I know, it’s hard. But this was a big decision I made just to help you… because I really feel you will like it. After all” Soul coughed when she found herself locked inside the mare’s forelegs and gripped so tightly against her chest. In the most awkward hug Soul could think of with her back pressed so hard against her fur, and that pony giggling above her. Awkward but so playful. “I’ll be here for you this time, and you can count on Starry as well.”

“Ok. Ok. Let me go” Soul squeaked out, rummaging her hooves about to the air. Finally able to set on ground again when Nimbus let her go. “Sorry” she said. “I’m just so excited for you. You know it took a long time to get this to happen. And… I assure you, we did it for you.” Soul looked back at her. Left in wonderment as to what ever this could possibly do to help her. After all, she was just fine staying at home. Looked like she had to make that clear. “I prefer training at home, though.” “You know what, I had that same mentality” Nimbus said. “Which is why I don’t want that for you. Otherwise… I’m afraid…” she paused. “I said I wasn’t happy… you wanna know why?” She cocked an eyebrow to Soul expectantly. Soul nodded. What can possibly make not being here so bad? “Because… I was lonely…” Nimbus left her smile behind. Just as her words made Soul actually feel an ache inside her. Not for herself or for any rush to understand. But to see the eyes of this pony and how they shimmered to stare down at the ground and her lashes did fall. Nimbus holding herself tightly inside her wings.

1.47
“I never had anypony to call my friend, not until I was already grown up. And… I regretted it so much. I thought training away from everypony else would work for me, but it didn’t. Because I was pretty sad all the time. Always pretending to be happy to other ponies. And it wasn’t until I met the first pony in my life, who actually made me want to step up and talk to them, that was when I did feel some sense that I could have that hole filled. One thing led to another… I don’t want you to wait for friends like I did. Soul, I just felt like you could meet other ponies here to laugh and play with so you don’t feel alone like I ended up feeling.”

Did she mean like when I tried to make friends the last time? And I know… she knows how that ended. Trust me, Nimbus… I do love the idea. Just like I love the idea of being able to play and laugh with you and Starry. There isn’t a moment when I think the idea of being able to do those things is a bad thing. It’s why I wanted friends in the first place. Why I tried so hard and it all failed me. Just because, yes, I agree with you that it does sound bad to be alone for a long time. I, of all ponies, should know that feeling. I’ve had to deal with it for how many years now? And she brought me here to try and fix that because she feels this would be a change from all the horrible moments from the last time Soul was in a situation like this.

I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that things can change. Even when there was one pony who still managed to. Soul looked past the mare and to all the lockers left down there. With all their stickers and so many things that just made her feel like, yes, there were happy fillies running through this hall daily. How many more would return here with the turn of fall? Just like the last camp. Friends returning to meet each other and new friends to arrive. There always were new ponies to these places. Fresh faces so unknown and different to Soul just as she was to them. But all of them so eager to meet one another just for the chance to become like the groups of fillies and colts she saw every day playing among the clouds just outside her window. Soul sighed. She walked past Nimbus. Letting the mare only question what it was she was doing.

1.48
“So where’s my locker?” Soul asked. Heading off towards the end of the hall, no matter how far she got, always so lit to see all the pale faced lockers just waiting for her.

She smiled… hearing a small gasp from the pony behind her. That’s right Nimbus, I’ll try. Nopony would ever expect me to like this, and I still don’t… but, Nimbus, she always was one that Soul could rely on. If she said things would turn out better here, if I can have the chance to have just what all those other little pegasi could have, I’ll take it. I’ve always been one for taking risks.

Nimbus clambered over to her on frantic hooves and so much joy in her face. Practically jumping alongside Soul at this point. “You’re really wanting to give this a shot?” “Yeah” Soul answered. “But… do you think… I’d be okay here?” Soul fluttered her wings to draw attention to them. “Of course!” Nimbus said. “In fact, I bet you’ll be the talk of the camp once you get going. Stepping out of here with wings of fury!” She laughed and ran off ahead of Soul. The filly just shaking her head with a smile at this silly mare. “It’s this one right here” Nimbus said and planted a hoof to one of the bare lockers… almost bare. It wasn’t till Soul came up to it when she found there was something on it.

Somepony… put a sticker on her locker and it was something she recognized. Just like many of the other lockers. One of the same design that was on her hat. She could only guess who put that there. Looking over to Nimbus and they locked smiles. That sticker did remind her of something. She couldn’t wear this during training. Nimbus opened it right up for her to stick the hat inside. Leaving her mane a mess. She had no idea how many more times it would get messed up today. Ready to reach up and fix it.

1.49
Nimbus’ hoof was the one that beat her to it. No noogie at all. Surprised when that hoof softly went over her mane. Pushing and pulling with such a nice tickle along the top of her head. Soul looked up to her. She really is trying her best to make this a good day for me. Going all out just for me. For a goofball, she was very nice. It really was such a shame she had to go through those moments when she was a kid. Soul almost couldn’t believe she could grow up to be like this. As shocking as it was to know she had the same life I wanted.

Was it true? Soul could not be one to know. Just feeling it being so sweet it worked out for her in the end. She loved to see that Nimbus was happy. That she could grow up to become who she was today. Only wanting the same for me. All to be here, at this camp. I can at least try. “Starry will come back here later” Nimbus said when she just got done swaying some of Soul’s mane down over her face just as she liked. “He bought your lunch and he’ll leave it in your locker. I think you’ll enjoy it.” “When is lunch?” Soul asked already anticipating being able to eat whatever it was they got her. They did buy a lot of food today, enough for her to have thought it was for a vacation retreat. It had to be big. “We’ll all eat after the morning lessons, …you can eat with me… that is if you don’t have tons of friends by then” Nimbus budged herself a little into Soul to hammer home the hint. Sounded pleasing but Soul was just fine eating with Nimbus later. After the morning. These lessons.

“So what will we be doing? I hope we get to continue our high-altitude spirals.” They left off with just a small bit of training with that in the sunset swept clouds last night. “About that…” Nimbus smiled down to her. Just finished with cleaning up her mane. She even started fidgeting with her own spiky mane now. Nervous? Soul cocked her head.

1.60
Oh this is just perfect. So even with how confident Soul was in herself and how many years have gone by doing all she could to perfect her flying, this is what it still landed her in. Soul rolled her eyes at Nimbus. Still not able to accept it. It was great and all that she got to be enrolled in this renowned camp and at least be able to train with Nimbus and Starry more often… just with a crowd who would join them. But that was the problem. Training.

Not the training at all that Soul had in mind. Not now but maybe a year ago when she was at that level. Now that infuriated her inside. Still needing to calm down. No need to bring it out on Nimbus. She was doing this for my benefit after all even if some of this will be a total waste of time. That’s what they were, a waste. Because these wings aren’t meant for what Nimbus had called remedial courses. Really?

After so much training, did she actually think I would be at all satisfied with having to go back to stuff I did long ago? Soul leaned back into the cloudy walls. Beating them with her hooves for a moment. That is what brought Nimbus up from looking at the clipboard she had been busy with and keeping her from noticing Soul’s dissatisfaction this whole time ever since they stepped outside. “Still upset?” You don’t say? Did my ‘what!?’ not clue her in when I got the news? “Do I really need to do that kiddie stuff again?” Soul asked. Though she did know it wasn’t exactly kiddie stuff. Still not the type of stuff she wanted to do. Too easy. Too uninteresting. Really more like stuff to be used for warmups. Though to take all that and turn it into an entire camp stay.

Oh this is gonna be fun.

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“It’s just for the fall, Soul” Nimbus begged of her to understand. “I’m just an instructor here, I couldn’t get you into the higher stuff.” Good, old entrance exams… just like the last camp. She didn’t need a refresher in that regard. Now having to do it again here. She better at least be able to get some classes more qualified for her ability after she ‘proved herself.’

Ugh, that concept always was annoying to her. Really, it would be far better to just show what she could do by blowing them all away and be given an award for that. Nothing she could do about it. Not even Nimbus could do anything about it. Best to just try and make it through these initial lessons no matter how much she didn’t want to do them. Then again, they still gave her chance to hang out with Nimbus and Starry.

“Will we at least be able to train normally at home?” Soul asked. Didn’t want to get rusty with what she already had been learning. “Of course!” Nimbus said as she ran a hoof down the paper on her board. Fully engaged with it but still listening. Just about to go on but she was distracted. Looking off to one of the stallions floating by. “Hang on!” she called out to him. Pointing a hoof up. Soul following it to see the clouds? “I need a few more clouds busted… be a dear and…” Nimbus waved her hoof up to those clouds. Soul couldn’t see her face but she knew just what was going on with that voice of hers. That stallion did laugh. “Right away, ma’am.” Taking off in a gust of wind and joining up with all the other adults Soul had seen mingling around the entirety of the camp doing all manner of work it looked. “Sorry, Soul” Nimbus smiled to her.

Soul smirked. Just an instructor, yeah, she practically ran the place. My ass she couldn’t convince somepony to elevate me. …Whatever she said.

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“But, yes… I’ll be sure to give you refreshers on what we were learning together” Nimbus confirmed for her. The mare giggled and went back to her clipboard. “That way you’ll be ready for next season.” So she too had faith that Soul would prove to be successful. That was good. Soul sure wouldn’t make her regret her confidence.

She had faith in her ability. Though she did wonder if she would be able to show it to any of the others. If anything… she bet that would be a good way to at least make some friends. Anything, really. Soul still was trying to figure out how this would all work. Trying her best to keep away the fear that ponies wouldn’t like her or that something may go wrong. This was a camp for talented flyers, after all. Impress some of them? That could work. Though she did need to know.

“So… will I be put alongside a bunch of novices or something?” “Novices?” Nimbus raised an eyebrow. Really looking like she was questioning something in her mind with how she stared up to the sky for a moment before she let out a satisfying gasp. She flipped back through the pages of her clipboard. Stopping to something where she set her hoof upon it. “Actually there will be a few new ponies to the camp that will be joining us today that are…” and that hoof reached out and surprised Soul with a rub against her chin and the most obnoxious voice that Nimbus could make. “Talented ponies like you. So don’t be jealous of them…” Soul threw that hoof off of her. “Stop it.” Not at all phasing Nimbus in her antics. Not like I’d get jealous, I just want to know. Though it did make her wonder why talented ponies would be joining her in remedial… oh… that was right. Soul scowled. The bickering will be pretty strong here.

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“But most of the class will be learning things for the first time, it seems” Nimbus said scanning over her paper, and her wings fluttered a little at her sides. “Oh I can’t wait to see all these new faces and what they can do!” She got very excited there. “I just know all of you will do amazing.” “I would hope” Soul commented as she watched the adults flying over her busy with so many things.

From some of them floating about to buck at the very clouds that practically made a floor over her until they burst apart for the Sun to shine through, to so many more further up till they were mere specks among the cloudy world hovering high above the camp. Shaping clouds and moving them about, like they were building a whole world above this one. All just for teaching young pegasi.

Soul wondered if she would be able to fly high up there with all those countless rings and obstacles those ponies looked to be making. Or was that for advanced lessons? So absurd. “It’s pretty amazing to pull off a low level rise. That wind is killer, you know?” Nimbus caught her sarcasm immediately. “Yeah I’m aware, you had trouble with that too.” “When I was tiny, yeah.” “Oh and you’re not tiny now?” Nimbus laughed.

“No, I’m not making any of you do the basics. You’ll be pleased to know all the class are pretty experienced right now. Even the newcomers.” Nimbus pointed a hoof at Soul. Well that was good to know. Anything just to be sure what she was getting herself into, and it looked like it would be happening soon enough. Something that did make Soul feel the butterflies in her stomach.

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“Oh! Somepony arrived!” Nimbus said. Looking off. Soul watched as well just in time to see a mare not even bothering to use the door. Flying right in with… none other than a little filly flying alongside her. Landing with her, and Soul already knew what she was seeing. That mare holding a bag in her mouth and happily patting her hoof atop the smiling filly’s long, purple mane. Really like they already knew what to do. That mare not letting go of the filly and leading her over someplace else. Soul watching them the whole time with a frown on her face. Not letting them out of her sight. Wherever they were headed off to. Just all that excitement in that filly’s face, even galloping ahead right out of the mare’s grasp and that mare did chase after her. Both laughing. She did seem so very excited, very happy to be here. Whatever class she would be in, maybe in Soul’s own. Maybe new or experienced, Soul had no idea to tell her with how she was. Except for the feeling that let her keep sight on them even when they left running into one of the other buildings.

A mother and her child. Soul rubbed her leg. Looking back over to Nimbus and her joyous display at seeing that kid being so happy. So easy to amuse.

Soul got up to join her. Walking over to stand at her side. Knowing well that it looked like more ponies would be arriving and that this was actually going to happen. That she would get to see all these other kids and their parents. She found it not at all hard to believe that they will all be just as happy to be here. Unlike me. No matter what, I just can’t smile over this. Preferring just to be as close to Nimbus as she could be. To the point where her hoof almost touched Nimbus’.

“Will you and Starry really be training us the whole time?” Soul asked.

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Nimbus knelt down closer. Putting her clipboard aside. She did it just to do this. Setting her hooves against both of Soul’s. “Oh, don’t you worry. I made sure to put you in our class. As long as you’re here, you’ll have both of us.” That was good. At least, I know I can have somepony to rely on the whole time. Just like… all the other kids Soul did see well past where Nimbus looked at her. Several more, all coming in together… together with their parents. With each other. To laugh and jump and fly with one another without even a care in their faces. Just so much excitement to be here. So much to look forward to. Do I have anything?

Soul wished she could know just what this would lead to. If this will be like Nimbus said. Without all the fear of what may be. Soul backed away from Nimbus. Looking down at the clouds they stood on and sighing softly. Soft was her voice. “Okay, …I’m glad.” “It’s gonna be alright, a new experience for you” Nimbus said assuredly. “I should go and settle in some of the newcomers. Okay?” “Alright.” She did have a job to do.

“Wait here for me, I’ll be back shortly.” But Soul still had so many questions… and being alone. Oh, just shortly. Please may it be shortly. Not with all this worry she could feel building up. This wonder and idea of what could happen. “Can I at least know what lessons we’ll be doing today” Soul asked of the mare who started walking away with her clipboard. Stopping her in her tracks. Looking back to Soul, she wagged her tail at her. “Nah, ah, ah” she grinned. “You get to wait and see like everypony else.”

Soul looked down. So I can’t even know what lessons we’ll be doing. Literally this entire day was nothing more than constant wonder and surprise. Having absolutely no idea. Did Nimbus even know just how nerve wracking this was? “Cheer up, okay” Nimbus said taking a few steps closer to Soul. Somehow that mare never managed to lose her confidence. Confidence in the day, in what was to come? Soul only hoped it was something else she was confident in that kept her so cheerful despite all of this. “If you have any problem, don’t you hesitate to come to Starry or me. We’ll be here for you.” I know. But… will it be enough? Enough to calm me?

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All I can do is hope I won’t need to come to you two. That was all, all she had. Sitting down and watching. Watching so many new ponies all about. All of them the same to her. Much like the first. Or the second. But to see just how happy all of them were. How excitable they all were to be here. Some new, some returning, Soul had no idea on who was who in that regards. If she had seen any of these ponies before. Which had been among the streets she had walked or flown across so many times. In the shops or… from camp. The last camp. None to be known. Except, as she watched them all arrive one by one, she did think.

How did they all feel about this? Did they care? How many of them knew each other? Soul only wished she had been able to come here much like the same as all of them. Able to have a smile on her face alongside… those ponies who did join them. Who hugged and assured them. Soul just able to see a young colt even get a long hug from the stallion with him. Or the pair of curly maned fillies who just got two small bags for them to carry right from the mare who patted them both on the backs with the biggest smile Soul could see upon a pony. With those two fillies running on in laughter together, and… they joined up with others.

So normal and natural like they really did know. So… looks like someponies know each other here, and here I am left to think just what I may be in for. If I can be good enough to be here and let everypony know that all I want… is to be like them. Soul looked around. Hoping to at least catch sight of any of the two ponies that she knew here. Not even around. Too busy setting up, she guessed. For this big day that I have to be a part of.

The more Soul thought of it, the more she wished to just be back home reading or playing with her toys. Just looking forward to a relaxing training session after a nice dinner. Right before going to bed. The same thing. Better than this. But… I have to do it for… for Nimbus. Because… I want to trust in what she said. What she said, as Soul caught the eyes looking at her. Freezing her heart. Stunned to see it before her. Not because they were looking at her, but because… they smiled at her. Just enough to do one little thing before they ran off the rejoin the others. Soul gasped. Gasped as they both waved at her oh so happily. Then the two fillies were gone. Gone like that and Soul was left realizing what just happened. Regretting it. As she felt stupid to do it now, to wave back at them with their tails turned to her. That was more than enough. Maybe Nimbus was right, maybe this camp would be good enough. But will I be good enough for it? Soul let her wings run along her back, hidden well behind her for nopony to see. Knowing very well that… she would have to use them. Even after what happened last time. Last time. Please not again. Soul wished for it to be just like it had been for that one moment when those fillies did smile at her. For it did feel true. Something that I can believe in just like when I go to bed each night. But without those words as I go into the unknown.

The words that tell me that everything will be okay whispered softly into my ears.

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“Alright! All new campers come join me!” Soul finally broke out of such a long daze hearing Starry Veil’s voice and seeing his wild blue mane finally come out to blaze ever brighter than any of the clouds that surrounded all of them. The stallion waving up his hoof to everypony like some sort of stand that demanded attention. He sure got it.

Thank Celestia. Because now something was happening, different from having to just sit here for however many minutes just watching all the other children really act like something she wished for herself. With all their laughter and joy of being with one another, fillies and colts, finally driven off to something different as they all ran over to Starry. A few staring blankly, Soul saw they realized what to do. Clearly they were new to this whole experience too. As was Soul, who couldn’t blame them. The filly just waiting where she had been, alone and expecting, set in wonder as to what today had in store for her. Even now she just watched them all, feeling her hind legs try to kick down against the clouds and push her to move forward but the nagging tremors inside her… they kept her still. Because she knew what this was.

Camp was starting.

So quickly as this whole day had been to her. Just one giant surprise. So very worried. Would Starry or Nimbus be upset with me for being scared right now? I can’t help it. Yet here it was, time to go, and I’m not even ready. Ready to join all those other kids who ran or flew up to where Starry was, gathering like some flock of birds in all their excited banter that even Starry was having a hard time calming down over there. Even a couple fillies floated around him cheering. So few… so very few even looked remotely calm. So few in that group that looked like maybe a dozen or more kids. Soul couldn’t even have time to count them all with how much they scurried around so haphazardly.

And I get to join them?

Soul lowered her head. Looking over to the stallion and further angered at how… how her legs did not do what she wanted them to. To at least try. There was one thing, though. Soul finally caught sight of the reddened sky inside of Nimbus’ mane. That mare coming over to join her husband with all the other kids. Then Soul did know that… at least both of them will be with me.

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Nimbus actually stopped before joining the rest of them. Her and Soul locked eyes. Even from this far away, that mare still smiled at her. Before she waved a hoof for her to come. Yeah. Here we go. So now they want me to come over. That means… Soul sighed. Breathing in so deep. With her wings trembling and her legs not at all able to keep themselves still. Shaking even when they finally did as she wanted them to and she stood up. Preferring to use them and only them. Not like the others who floated and spun about on their wings, while her own kept still at her sides. Knowing very well… and she saw it in Nimbus’ eyes that looked back at her, knowing she could not hide forever. Hide the fact that made her scared.

Soul did pass by Nimbus, staying with her for just a second to look up to her and let Nimbus know just how nervous she was to join with the group just across from them. She understood. Offering her side to Soul and… they both walked together to join with the rest, none of which even noticed her. Too enthralled in their own loud talking and joy. Soul didn’t want them to notice her. Not yet. Almost like Nimbus did know.

“Soul, …I know you’re scared but… you do know you’ll have to use your wings. Right?” Soul gulped. Of course I know. This is a flight camp. Where I’m trained to perform spectacularly with my wings. So, yes, I will have to use them. Eventually. Soon. Soul didn’t know. But she kept them hidden. As best she could. Folded up at her sides. The proof of what she was afraid over. “Yes” Soul said softly. Lead on by Nimbus, her soft steps upon the clouds right at her side. Soul had to glance over to her. Such a shame. Nimbus, you can hide it easily. Soul looked to the mare’s wings set down across her sides. You don’t need to worry. But… I can’t hide it. The thing that makes me afraid. With her only hope being what Nimbus had said. No matter how much the other part of it ate away at her mind. Taking everything it took from her just to stop shaking so bad. Even needing to stop for a moment just to be sure. Be sure her legs had stopped shaking, but her teeth still trembled. Her thoughts still fearful over what was right in front of her, and she had to join it. All she got was a pat on her back from Nimbus.

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Soul left her. Except the other way around. Nimbus walking off to join with Starry at the front of the group that swarmed them, leaving Soul right there. Backing up a little with a gasp when two colts ran right past her, just short of bumping into her. Watching them run off without a worry and all the others ahead of her who grouped up and fluttered about with so many things to talk about. All nonsense she had no idea how to think about. Well really none of it could be heard by her with how loud everypony was.

This actually was sort of different from what she remembered. It wasn’t often she saw a group like this so talkative and happy just to be in a place like this. Soul didn’t even see one scowl among the group, though a few eyes did look at her briefly. Only Nimbus’ voice could ring out clearly. “Alright, everypony! Quiet down. Are we ready to start flying today!” Yelling out almost like she was cheering. It worked. All those kids joined her in her enthusiasm with so resounding “Yeah!” Shrieks of cheers and excitement before they all began to die down. Calming down just enough for Starry to actually talk without yelling.

“Gather around me everypony, don’t be shy.” Soul was the only one being the shy one. Hesitating to do as she heard with her legs keeping still for a moment while everypony else trotted along or landed to group up around the two instructors of hers. None of them at all settled when Soul stopped her terror and demanded herself to do this. All was going okay right now. A very excited and happy group of kids. But… probably just because I haven’t done anything yet. Nothing to upset them. No reason to start now.

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Soul joined them all. Taking a few slow steps closer to the group forming up in front of her and… she decided not to do the obvious. No, I want to be near them. Soul looked to Nimbus and Starry still busy settling some of the kids. Except she did notice they both did an occasional glance over to her. They’re expecting me too. Okay. Picking up her pace. Come on, this won’t be so bad. She told herself over and over. It’ll be like Nimbus said. A new group. New ponies. Though none of them had yet to see her in… no! Stop that thinking. All it was doing was making it worse. Almost making her run off right there. Not at all calming to her wings. It didn’t stop her though.

First day of camp, a new day. A new camp. Just treat it like when she was back home training. That’s what she told herself. Just with a new crowd who would be there to watch her and… maybe like her. She had no way of telling. None of these ponies seemed to care. Amazing how most of them seemed to act like they already knew each other. I don’t get that feeling at all. None talked to her. None acknowledged her.

Soul stepped past a couple of them, brushing by a filly with a blazing mane of flames too busy to even care. Just like all the others. Well, at least no eyes were on her. Soul managing to make it around some of the excitable children, stepping over their tails and being sure not to run into them, walking around the group till she was able to make it to the front. Passing a pair of colts and she found an open spot to plant herself down into. Right there with Nimbus and Starry close by to her to stare out over the group she was now a part of. Both of them looking over their clipboards and leaving Soul there to watch to her left and then her right at all the kids she was now with. None of them had done anything. Not a single thing to say that any aspect of their pleasure for being here had dropped. While Soul was still left to wonder while feeling so many all around her. But there was one thing that was different. Soul managed to…

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To smile. Even with all her insides shaking so badly and… almost like she was being closed in on.

Something still managed to make her smile. Even just a little. It was much of the same, the reason she looked up to Nimbus in front of her and the group. I trust her. I trust what she said. Just knowing she had both her and Starry here with her. Why… Soul could already tell… if she had been in another group, she would be panicking by now. She was so grateful that these two managed to get her into their group. That she will be taught by them even if it would initially be refresher stuff. I feel just a little safe. A little confident to know that what she said may be right. Soul wanted to turn to look, look at all the faces of the ponies she would be with in this group. So amazing that they all went silent when Nimbus cleared her throat and even drew Soul’s attention away from what she wanted.

“Welcome to the Junior Speedsters, everypony!” the mare said without any sense that she was trying to hide how happy she was to be here. Soul could swear she saw her long tail wiggle a little. “So I’m Nimbus Swiftshot.” “And I’m Starry Veil” Starry picked up right after her almost like he knew what to say. “Though you can all just call us Nimbus and Starry” Nimbus said to all the quiet fillies and colts. Leaving Soul there to glance about so slightly to see how the others were reacting. As happy as they had been. Though, the brimming joy from their two instructors was not helping to calm them all. “Are you all just as pumped as we are to do some flying this fall!?” Starry called out to them all. Splitting Soul’s head when they all shouted out with their cheers. Catching her off guard for a moment before she also decided to join in with her own laughter and… a clap of her hooves for good measure. “Awesome!” both Nimbus and Starry said in unison. “Well we are glad to have you all!” Starry said. “Nimbus and I will both be your instructors for the fall. Ten year camp veterans just for all of you” and he smiled so… stupidly to Soul.

“We’ve seen so many young ponies like all of you leave here with wings of steel and so many happy memories, oh! I just can’t wait for you all to have so much fun here” Nimbus said. “We’re all new faces here so let’s all do our best to help each other and have one awesome fall!”

Soul almost was ready to start laughing right there when she saw how hard it was for Nimbus to contain herself. These ponies had no idea just how goofy that mare can be and she must be on the verge of bursting by now. That silliness always did throw Soul off. It really did mask just how amazing a flyer she was. Yet she felt so natural being here. Acting like this. This really was where they worked all the time. “Are we all ready to become great flyers!?” Nimbus called out. Met by a roar of approval from all the ponies around Soul. The filly trying her best to fit in. More ready by now to see just what it was her two instructors had in store now for the fall. Certainly… not that. Soul seeing both Nimbus and Starry lock wings to one another as they both stood on their hind legs. With a cheer to the sky that they reached their hooves up to. “Junior Speedsters!” they shouted. Not alone. None of the kids did that pose but they all yelled out with them. “Junior Speedsters!” Really were ready.

Soul smirked. Yeah, …those two have a lot of practice here. They must have rehearsed.

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Though the readiness was quickly spent and everypony calmed back down once Nimbus waved a hoof to all of them and smiled. “Now, now. Everypony let’s all relax. So you know the two of us… but we don’t know who any of you are” she reached out to the group. Roll call… “We all should get to know one another first before we do any flying. So I’ll point to each of you, when I do, let the class know your name.”

Nimbus held her clipboard close, glancing to it and then back to the group. She pointed a hoof just over Soul’s head. “What’s your name?” “I’m Cloudchaser!” Soul heard a filly call out behind her. “Nice to meet all of you” that pony said. Well she didn’t seem to be at all worried of sharing her name. Soul looked around at all the other ponies around her. With each name that was said, she saw how they all looked about to smile at whoever it was who talked. Some even called out some type of greeting to the pony.

Soul mumbled under her breath. It was strange. Did any of them feel any form of fear or embarrassment? While Soul was not at all afraid of her name, she personally loved her name, did any of these ponies feel any bit of worry about being put on the spot and calling out to the rest of the group? Afraid of sharing their name or just nervous at the least? Soul was amazed to see more and more ponies call out their names without any hesitation and so happy when they were greeted. Even some ponies who had been so quiet did it without any fear. Though Soul did not hear their names.

Shaking her head when she realized she had not been paying attention. More focused on how they all were. Fixated and amazed at each of them for just how calm they were. Like they’ve done this before. I’ve done it before too. I still feel nervous, even with her name right on the tip of her tongue. Nimbus just randomly pointing to ponies. Waving at them in response. Learning about them. Though Soul was ashamed.

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Ashamed that she was so focused on how impressive all these kids were. Missing their names. Now she’d have to learn them again. Really wanting to be like them. Like the white maned Pegasus with sky blue fur not at all afraid to show how gripped in this she was when she answered. Or the rainbow maned filly who was so free of any worry with just saying her name. Yet here I am, jealous of all of them. I just wish I could be as excited as all of them are.

Up until it was then she saw that hoof pointing to her, and Nimbus… her smile even bigger than Soul had seen it during this moment. With all eyes on her. Watching her. At least they didn’t see just how vulnerable she was on the inside. How frail she felt to be among all of them. With so much to be afraid of. Like she may squeal in front of them. But it didn’t. Even taking a couple seconds just to say it with it on her tongue the whole time. Get it over with. It’s just my name.

“I’m Soul Serenity.” She spoke it out as gentle as she could. Hearing even a small sense of pride in her own voice as she said her name. The pride she always hoped for… for the future. Looking to her right to the ponies with her…. and she widened her eyes. They all smiled at… at her. Dark blue maned colt to rainbow maned filly and so many others not at all afraid to show her just how happy they were to hear her name. A couple waved at her. But she still heard it.

“Hi, Soul!” And a little laughter to boot. Well… that went as well as she’d expect. Hearing more ponies say their names. She calmed down a bit. Lowering her head and smiling. Hopefully making Nimbus and Starry proud with how brave she had been to join in with all of them in this. Even with what had happened before. She couldn’t be happier with this situation. Or could she… when she felt her spine tingle from the words. Words whispered to her. You have a pretty name.

Soul looked back. Over her shoulder. To see all the ponies behind her, whispering to one another and not at all aware of her. Of the chills running down her spine. So small and so short. Which of them said it? Say such a nice thing that… slowly calmed her. Much like… like when she drifted off to sleep. She wished to know. Though none of these ponies did anything to let her know. Only left to herself as none of them met her eyes. Soul looked ahead again. Sighing. Though she could not contain the relief in her heart. As all their names were spoken.

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Soul had only heard a couple of their names. Cloudchaser? Though she didn’t know who it was that that name fit to, and somepony named Amber. As every other name was lost to her. She wasn’t even sure if any of them remembered her name. If somepony in this group really did think her name was pretty, they remembered.

Still, Starry did say “So now we know everypony’s name. We’re gonna be one rockin’ group this fall.” Some of the ponies giggled a little but kept quiet, and now Soul finally felt relieved to know that the day was actually going to start now that they got the names out of the way. Hopefully get right to some sort of activity… though she did know it was going to be flying. In some way. Though she did a great job at hiding it with her wings folded, she was well aware the time was coming to finally show everypony else the very thing that made her afraid of them all. Coming right on into her when she heard the heart wrenching thing that Starry said.

“Now I know we’re all excited to get to some practice today.” Flipping through his clipboard with a pause. “We’re actually all going to do an individual obstacle course for each of you so you can show Nimbus and me your skills.”

That did get the other ponies talking amongst themselves. Some stayed quiet. Others went on about their boasts or hopes to one another over what could come out of this. Not for Soul, as she felt herself sink. That it was coming so close so fast. She wanted to call out and ask if… if it’d be in front of the whole class. Though she knew the answer. I did agree to do this for them. I can only hold out hopes that… that it won’t be the same. Just that small inkling. That was all that kept her going to think it might not be so bad. How terrible. I’m gonna have to fly for all of them. With just that as my hope. She couldn’t even begin to think over what to do with that. Not when her attention was grabbed again.

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“After that, we’ll all sit down for a surprise before we let you all get to know one another until we break for lunch.” Get to know one another. Soul glanced back to the other ponies just to her right. Well… I guess we’ll see who had been paying attention to the names. Maybe… I can still make some friends just like Nimbus said. All she had to do was… get through the obstacle course. How fitting.

When everypony will see her in action and then, well, she feared the worst. Really wishing it would not happen. Oh man, this just wasn’t fair. I really have to do this?

“But first” Starry said. “Nimbus and I are going to meet with each of you to look over your wings. We need to be sure you can participate for today.” A rock fell in Soul’s stomach.

What?! Soul didn’t hear that wrong. Not at all, with what she saw. With Nimbus and Starry both walking out to join the group. She followed Nimbus. The mare speaking to one of the colts who willingly stepped aside and… and… he presented his wings to her for her eyes to go over. As Starry did the same to another. Unfolded and… Soul could see it clearly. Their little wings so vibrant and full of life. As beautiful as the coats of the pegasi they belonged to. She could see it. That meant… they didn’t tell me about this. Soul could practically feel her legs begin to tremble once more when it took so long just to make them still. But she didn’t have to do this at the last camp.

Why even bother? Yet all the other kids did it without hesitation. Fully presenting their wings whenever either instructor came up to them and politely asked them if they could see. No, it didn’t seem necessary. With how quick they looked over their wings. But they did it so thoroughly and carefully. With their hooves gently set out to slowly push feathers apart just like… like they used to do for me. After baths. When I was dirty. Always so careful and professional with it, especially with her wings. So… this was normal for this kind of camp? They… they could have at least warned me.

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Soul really tried her best to figure out what to do. Surely they both must know how nervous she was about this and to already have her show her wings to everypony. This early. Oh… Soul knew she’d have to show them eventually, but not like this. Not before I even show them that I mean no harm or anything bad to them. Just like before. She really wanted to let her wings come forward so she could hug them. Hide them. …Protect them. Fighting off that urge, an urge she would do if she was alone in her room. Hold so tight till it hurt. Only to kiss them again, because she was the one who knew they were her pride and joy.

She sighed, not caring if anypony noticed her, her frown. Here I thought I’d get to at least wait till I was in the clouds before showing them all. Now I get to do it down here. Join with all these other kids. Looking back over to see what was going on. Seeing that Starry was over there with the rainbow maned filly who had no problem showing her little wings to the stallion that scrutinized them before… he gave her a wide grin and a nod. Much like all the other ponies. Like the one right next to Soul that Starry looked over. None of them had any reason to worry. What? If they had something wrong, they’d need to be sent home or sent to the nurse like the other camp when a poor pony would have something wrong with their wings pop up someday. Not like me. This is not something they can fix. I don’t want them to fix it.

I never want my wings to change. I just want things to change. Please… please don’t be like the other camp. Soul begged under her breath. Knowing she was coming up. With Starry right next to her with the other pony. Maybe he’ll skip over me. Nimbus and him know me. They know my wings are impressive enough to satisfy the needs of the camp for today. Though her legs still pulled her a little forward and she could feel her hind legs begin to kick a little at the clouds under her tail. Her need to run away. Run and hide. Look like a fool in front of all of them. Oh. She really wanted to say it out loud. Damn it!

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So… why did Starry… stop by her? Soul looking back to the stallion who sat down behind her and still managed to smile upon her. One she did not give back. Being sure to let him know through her face… why? Why indeed? Because this meant… he was going to look over her wings.

For no reason. When he knows they’re perfect.

With all the other kids right here next to her. Though she didn’t feel their eyes on her. Oh, they will soon enough. She knew it. Right when she would have to unfold them. It still didn’t make sense to her.

“Why…?” Soul felt so bad when she heard herself say that. She did not expect her voice to come out so shaken and shrill. Wow that almost threw her off. She shook her head. “Why me? You know I’m fit for flying” she whispered back to him, fully masked when Nimbus let out a cheer with another filly across the group. Though Starry clearly heard her. Whispering right back to her. “We can’t leave you out. It wouldn’t be fair to the other kids.” Soul had half a mind to tell him it wasn’t fair to her. He should know just how afraid she was to do this. Though his eyes kept on her expectantly. Practically unwinding her wings just with their gaze.

She couldn’t believe it. That she actually was wanting to just get it done with and just deal with whatever happened after. Whatever bad thing will happen. Damn it, Nimbus, why didn’t you tell me it would be like this. She was really starting to hate that they waited so long to keep this surprise camp escapade a secret from her. Just surprise, surprise, surprise. But that’s always what camp was. The last one was so full of them, and here I go having to deal with it again. “I’ll make it quick, okay” Starry said. “Just a little touch and it’ll all be over in a moment.” …You realize you are wanting me to show off my wings… right here?! Almost about to scream that at him.

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But her eyes went wide. It was pretty subtle at first, even Soul did not notice it. She was the one expecting the worst. No, none of them would know it. To see why it was that Starry spread his thick wings out just a little. Feathers curved and spans arched. The stallion kept them up, and his eyes peered over his shoulder and then the other. Before he whispered down to her. “Let’s make it quick.”

Soul looked again. Did the others care? Did they wonder why it was that this was happening? Soul didn’t even know if they could tell Starry did this on purpose. It almost looked like… Soul gasped. That genius.

Like his wings were caught in the gust of wind coming over them right now that sent his wild mane flying and his feathers blaring.

“You’ll have to show them eventually, Soul. But I’ll help you right now.” Okay. Soul lowered her head. Wow… I can’t believe I’m about to do this. Feeling the muscles in her wings actually respond to her worry and flitter so gently against her sides. Like they begged to be released. I’m going to have to eventually. She took another look. To see no eyes upon her. None could see her behind Starry’s big wings. With just the hooves of her fellow group mates just popping out under the feathers that blew over her. Swaying with the wind. “It’s pretty chilly out now, huh everypony?” She heard Nimbus say past those wings. Met with their agreement. Even Starry did the same. “I’ll say” and he knelt down. “Come on, champ.” Whispering to her. Okay…

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Soul looked down. Not wanting to see when it happened. To feel it only. Because she was so afraid she would hear the gasps and the shrieks. Something so bad. Just because of something as dumb as this. As long as nopony saw. For now, though she knew she was just delaying it. This is why she hated camp. Starry, that better be one helluva lunch you made me.

Soul almost squeaked feeling her wings start to rub against her sides and their terrified trembles were so infectious to make her also start shaking. No matter how much she wanted it done, it didn’t feel good to do it. Like her wings fought so hard to try and burst out. Unwind to join the wind that was torn apart by them. It was a surprise… a big one, that she didn’t feel Starry’s face being smacked dead on by her wings when she let them both rise out from her sides and blanket her back. Where even the wind cooled her wings now. Feeling the tension… and it was gone. To know what it was that was now out for Starry to see. For anypony else to see. Though nothing came of it. Nothing happened. No sound or anything to make her shake. Just a gentle feeling stroking over her spans. Parting her fur so softly and with so much care, the feeling of his hoof that did nothing to make her cry out in pain as she did long ago. No, him and Nimbus knew just what to do for her wings. Her special wings that she loved so much and was so very surprised to see nothing happen to them. Just his caring touch being sure that they were ready for today.

Soul wanted to look. Just to be sure. To see that this was actually happening, and it was. She saw all the feathers of bright magenta bursting out over her shoulders. Arcing so high into the air that they nearly brushed along the body of the stallion that towered over her. Almost risen right over him. To flood her sight in their majesty. The things that only Soul ever truly loved. That always made her hurt back over the worry they caused her. For that was the problem. These wings that took over her sight, the ones that held her at night and let her soar so high in the sky. Their beauty… was only her own and nopony else’s. Even though she was much younger then, she remembered just how amazed Starry and Nimbus were to see them in full bloom. The thick feathers blanketing them that put… even Nimbus to shame. Put anypony to shame. For they were hers and hers alone. It always led to heartache.

To wonder why she had to have wings so different. So vast and gorgeous. Like they shouldn’t belong to me, but they do. They are mine to hold and care for. Mine to carry me in the sky. Mine that lets me fly with the grown-ups. Mine that caused so many to yell at me.

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She was so grateful none could see the beauty of these giant wings that tickled along Starry’s chest. Only he could see. Making sure she had them right and ready to fly as the wind died down and he glanced back up away from them. “You did a good job cleaning them this morning” he whispered.

Of course. If anypony would love them, it had to be me. No matter what anypony else says, I’ll still love them, and soon all of them would… would have to see them. I can’t hide them forever. Not like this. Not even like… like this. Soul, her body shivered. Chills running down her spine. “Whoa…”

Soul turned to look. She had heard somepony. So loud and clear. The voice of a filly that made her want to back away and hide inside Starry’s wings. Though there was none. None at all. Nopony she could find to tell her that she had heard it. Only able to look up in fear to Starry and his deep frown looking off to his side. His disappointment in his sigh. But he still leaned back down with the wind stopping over his head. “Everything will be alright, Soul.”

Will it? Does somepony know? Tell me. Soul was left to herself. When Starry stood back up and her wings shot back down to her sides. Exposing her trembling body to the world around them. His faint hooves stepping away. Leaving her with that voice that haunted her. Somepony saw? Who? Soul looked over her shoulder and then the other one. Looking to see if something had changed. Though nopony moved. No smiles left. Like nothing happened at all. Did I imagine it? Soul shrank back down. Staring to the clouds with wide eyes. Maybe… it won’t be so bad? Though she still hated it. The chance somepony saw the very things shaking along her sides. Not again.
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“Soul Serenity.” Soul looked back to where she heard Nimbus calling her over. Waving her hoof at her with one of the other fillies left to run happily back to join the group. I really wonder why she even wants to see me. Right when Soul was getting so used to sitting here in anticipation of seeing exactly what will happen to her when she had to do what all the other kids were having to do. Two had already gone… and… Soul could say it was quite a thing to watch. Though she didn’t want to be so harsh towards them. Soon enough, Soul would have to join Starry up there in the clouds with all these eyes watching her. It really was hard to calm herself down and just wait for the inevitable but it was going to come. Unless Nimbus had something to help out.

The mare seeing every other kid to discuss safety and stuff with them, Soul doubted it but she saw some sort of sincerity in her reddened eyes. Soul took another look at the course high above her before she got up and went to join with her. Well away from all the other kids, far enough for her to feel confident in saying anything. Or asking anything, without worry of the others. Starry putting her through that damn inspection just so she wouldn’t be made an exception. So what was this now?

“You really think I need a rundown on the safety rules of the camp and proper flight rules?” Soul asked her with so much sarcasm in her rolling eyes. Kind of surprised to see Nimbus frown. “Do you really need to have an attitude right now, young lady?” There were so many reasons Soul could throw at her to argue her right to be a little uncomfortable right now, enough to not be able to be so kind and sweet. Though she was more thoughtful over the fact that Nimbus sounded a little stern to her. So that did mean something was up.

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“No, I’m sure you already know all the safety guidelines.” That was for sure. Nimbus and Starry spent a long time teaching them to her long ago and they stuck so well. Well enough for her to remember to this day. Even being sure to stretch thoroughly this morning. Unlike a few of the other kids who did some more frantic preparations to ready their wings. A good reminder from Nimbus worked wonders.

But if that wasn’t her reason for calling her over, Soul was intrigued to know what it was. She did need to show just what she could do in that course they had prepared for the class. Soul sat down in front of her. Just like the other kids did. Apologizing for her snippy attitude.

“I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?” “No, silly” Nimbus cheered right up. “I just wanted to talk to you about something.” And she cocked her head at the filly sitting in front of her. “You know we’re not strangers, right? Come and sit next to me.” But I was just… alright. Soul did as she asked. Coming over to her and Nimbus did it first, sitting herself right down and she set her clipboard aside. Soul looked to see if anypony was watching them, all of them seemed to be more focused on watching what was going on in the sky.

A new filly was heading up there and the cheers of a few could be heard to support that little one flying up to join Starry. Soul felt she could sit down with her, so she did. Running her hoof along the clouds. “You know it really wasn’t nice of you to make me do that inspection” Soul said. Still remembering just how frustrating it had been. Still left to wonder what it was that she had heard. Nothing to happen. Nothing changed. Still though, it was scary even if nothing bad had happened. “It was what we were supposed to do” Nimbus said. “We can’t just leave you out of it.” Maybe do it another way. Soul didn’t know. None of it really helped to calm her over this entire situation.

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“I did my best getting the cloud shapers to get that wind over us to help calm you a little, but I can’t do everything. I do notice you have been shaking a lot.” She had no idea. But Soul did admit one thing. The wind… Nimbus was trying her best it looked like to make her comfortable here. Comfortable as she got closer and closer to the thing she knew would have to happen. Just another part of flight camp. Another thing that needed to be done to achieve her goals that both these ponies had been working so hard to help her achieve. Really… sort of a sweet motive that Nimbus had for her to be here as well. Soul knew that. She hoped for it.

I’m just glad she understands that I’m not happy about it. That this… this is not easy. Soul watching all the other ponies out there preparing to see another routine. Another display that none of them had anything to be afraid or intimidated by.

None of them had that worry. None of them knew what it was she was going through. She doubted any of them had ever felt it before. No matter how calm or quiet a few of them were. That was it… they were calm. Practically buckling with pride in themselves. I wish I had that feeling. I used to. “It doesn’t matter…” Soul paused. “You and I both know I’ll have to show them all and… I can’t stop it. You know I really do hope you are right about this place” Soul let Nimbus know. Thinking it all right now. It sounded wonderful.

“Maybe I’ll get to do some hardcore training here in the winter or something. Maybe in the way you want it. Friends do sound nice but…” Soul tried to say it but it couldn’t come out. None of them had to worry. Not that filly up there, the same one she had seen smiling and… waving to her earlier. None of the others. They all had been so happy and enthusiastic to do this. None of them needed to like her. None of them had to. She doubted any of them will. Not when they see just what I can do. Just what is wrong with me. That urge to hug her wings again came over her. About to do it now that she was just with Nimbus. Except…

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Nimbus touched her hoof upon Soul’s side. Just above her folded wing. Running it along the edge of the span, careful not to touch it. “Yeah… I know you’ll have to show them. It’s just how things work. But you’re a Pegasus pony and… well, you use your wings. You can’t hide them forever” Nimbus said.

Easy for her to say. She had something to hide and… nopony needed to tell her she needed to show it. Well hidden under those mighty wings that she used to boast proudly of her ability. But she was right. I do have to use them. And… they will be the things that I hope keep me so happy in the future. Like they do when I go to bed, laying under the covers and holding them. As they hold me. “All I can do is help you get a little more comfortable” Nimbus said.

She looked up to the course above. Soul followed her gaze and joined her to watch that filly up there flying about. “Did you happen to notice something about how that course has been going?” Nimbus asked. Soul arched her eyebrow. Notice something? She had seen it looked pretty standard… maybe a little more complex. To her eyes though, it looked easy. A lot of breezy clouds placed about with lots and lots of smaller ones that went all along the sky above them. All surrounding so many little loops of puffy, white clouds shaped very well by the adult pegasi just for this. So small, she knew Starry couldn’t fly through them. That stallion flew along them and followed with the filly who did her best to nimbly zip through them. Her best that was. Soul did see she occasionally missed or her wings grazed the edges of those rings and cut through their soft puffs. Almost being thrown off on hairpin turns. Just small mistakes that Soul kept noticing of these kids. She didn’t understand why.

It was pretty easy looking, lots of times it looked like simple misjudgments of timing for turns and not looking too far ahead in the course to plan that made it so hard for the others. She didn’t blame them for it or think any less. They were trying their best. It did look like a complicated course, more than her previous camp. These ponies were doing a great job at navigating it.

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Soul still kept quiet. Not entirely sure. “Guess you don’t see it, huh?” Nimbus commented. Soul was almost ready to shoo her away for that so she could think and try to have an answer. The best was… “It’s easy?” That made Nimbus laugh a little. “Maybe for a flyer like you or me. But… more of what is happening on the course.” Nimbus knelt down closer so her face was almost right next to Soul’s for them both to look up together. She pointed at… the filly herself. “All the kids who have flown so far are the ones who are a teensy bit behind.”

Now Soul was pretty confused. What was that even supposed to prove to her? “Starry and I had a quick discussion and we were gonna evaluate all the students who are less experienced first before we break. Ponies as good as you… you’ll all be after lunch.” After lunch! Soul could start to feel exactly what it was Nimbus wanted of her. Now that was pretty nice of her. She breathed a sigh of relief. Letting Nimbus know just how much she liked knowing that. A little more time to get ready for… what was still going to happen. “Wow, you’re really going to mess up the whole schedule for today just to help me?” “Who said it’s messed up?” Nimbus said. “This is a slow day… don’t expect us to be more flexible with the schedules in the future. Just use that time to get more acquainted with the camp. Trust me, Soul, it’s not going to be as bad as you think it will be.”

Nimbus tapped the tip of her hoof right along the middle of her back, shocking Soul for a moment with that tickle that came close to… damn it, Nimbus. She almost had let her wings flip out from the reaction. She was messing with her now. “But you still are going to have to fly.” Tickling her even more. Soul swatted that hoof away. Groaning over what she had said. Yes, she knew that. Leaving so much uncertainty over what will happen. I can’t get out of it.

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“I just wanted to let you know that” Nimbus said. Leaving her with that one little relief that she had been gifted. Just another delay. Soul knew that for what it was. Oh joy. But soon enough, she will be flying over this camp with these wings unlike any other. The ones she only appreciated.

“Why don’t you go rejoin the others? The next camper is about to go.” Soul nodded. Sighing to herself and standing right back up to go back to this day of constant surprises for her. Hopefully, those annoying surprises will stop. All she wanted was one surprise and it was one eating at the back of her head and the only reason she decided to do as Nimbus said and head back over to the group instead of turning tail and running. Run back home and hide there. Just like for so long. It was always safer there for her. Better than this feeling. “Soul…” she heard Nimbus whisper behind her.

Turning to see and finding Nimbus staring to the ground. Sad. Concerning. Soul spun around, ready to come back to her. Wanting to know what was wrong. If she had done something wrong. I’m trying my best to make this work. Nimbus met her gaze… and she smiled so sweetly.

“Just want you to know I am proud of you. This is very hard for you, I know, and you’re very brave like you’ve always been. I just want you to know that, no matter what you may think will happen, …your wings are very beautiful.” Soul walked off. Keeping her eyes on Nimbus even as they parted. The mare standing back up and grabbing her clipboard again like nothing had happened. But something did happen. Soul looked away and… she smiled to the clouds she walked upon. Thank you, Nimbus. It always helps… when you say that for me. These wonderful parts of me, I wish I could hold them right now. Love them like I always do. Before I fly upon them through the clouds. Those words of hers had been a nice surprise. Small, but nice. She found it weird she actually wanted to go back to join the others. Meeting with the ponies who cheered for the filly that just returned from her flight. Soul wondered if they would do the same for her. Either way… she’ll do her best. I make Nimbus proud. That’s all I ask for. For somepony to be happy with me.

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All these other kids that she walked past to join with, she could see it. All of them being proud of her. Just as she wished. Like that pride she always saw in the faces of the Wonderbolts on their posters and their pictures. Because they could do things so few others could and do it with so much joy and enthusiasm to show all the work they had done to get where they were. Maybe all of these ponies will see just how much it took for me to get to this point. She hoped. Remembering Nimbus’ story of the ones who brought her the joy she needed to be what she was. Soul also had a certain mare she looked up to to bring her that same joy. That was really the only reason why she felt she could do this, that mare. It won’t be so bad.

Come on, Soul. I got till after lunch to get ready. Ready to figure out how to deal with this. She inched her way around the others over to where she could find a nice spot to sit and watch. Careful to avoid running into anypony, especially since they were all ready to see another flyer go up to show what they could do.

“Wait!” Soul slowed down a little and then… “Soul over here!” Then she stopped in her tracks.

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She spotted somepony that… she actually recognized. Right past all the other ponies and all by herself. Waving to let her know she had been the one to call to her.

Soul couldn’t believe it. Somepony calling for her and one that she recognized, even though this was her first time hearing this filly calling to her with her loud tone. Recognizing her just because of the curly mane she wore drenched in golden light that barely shone out from her yellow fur. She had seen this pony before. The same one of the two that had smiled to her earlier. What could she want? Soul looked around once to be sure this wasn’t some sort of dream or some sort of mistake but nothing changed save for her disbelief. Amazed. Not at all worried because, when she took the first step to come over to her, she saw that same smile this filly had earlier given to her.

She must be very friendly to want to talk to me. Though she could have guessed it earlier, even ignoring the fact that Soul did not even return her smile. Still wants me for something. She wondered what. Soul wandered past a few of the other kids, a couple of which watched her briefly to see what was going on. A few of the colts laughing to one another but one of them actually surprised Soul, leaning out of the way for her to walk by without tripping on anypony else.

“Umm… hi” Soul managed to squeak out, doing her best to give this filly a smile no matter how nervous she was getting this close to another pony she didn’t know. Let alone another kid. I shouldn’t be afraid of her though. Soul just realized this was the first pony in her group to actually say anything to her. Even if she had drawn the attention of so many others with her yelling. Must be how it is because Soul could see this filly was just brimming with energy with how she practically rocked side to side with her little wings drooping and rising with her sway. “Yay! I got your name right” the filly said. Giggling to herself. “You were kind of hard to hear earlier. What was it…” she paused and shot a glance to her side quick enough to send those long curls of hers flipping over her ears and down her neck. “Soul Serenity, right?” Soul was not sure what to think. Just that there was a filly here talking to her.

“Yes… that’s my name.”

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That seemed to be all it took to make the filly almost burst out from where she sat. “Yes! I got it right.” And she clapped her hooves together.

“What about me?” she popped forward a little closer to Soul. “Did you hear my name?” Now this was where Soul instantly regretted not paying attention to the names. Should I go out on a whim and just say Cloudchaser? Hope I get it right. But there was something about this pony that made Soul feel like she could just ask her without being afraid of some sort of backlash. Was it her want to actually talk to Soul or… the fact this pony was brimming with joy and practically pressing her face almost into Soul’s.

Soul backed up a step. “Umm…” It should be fine. “I actually wasn’t paying much attention during the names.” “Oh…” the filly shrugged a hoof to her and rolled her eyes. “I don’t blame you, it actually looked like half the class was still trying to wake up.” Soul cocked her head. Wait… but she thought everypony seemed wide awake during it… save for a few. Until she saw the filly winking at her. Soul got the hint. Best as she could. “Yeah, I admit I was still pretty tired” Soul said. “You should have seen my sister” the filly said. “She has always had a hard time with the mornings and wasn’t that used to getting up at the crack of dawn for her first day.” The filly sighed. “But I guess you two got that in common.” Wait, so that other curly maned filly with her was this one’s sister?

Oh wow. Soul could feel her eyes brightening up. So those two actually came here together all the way from home, and both of them greeted her earlier. Where even was this sister of hers? “Well my name is Amber Skyburn, nice to talk with you finally” she held her hoof out for Soul. Bending it and curling it for Soul to be facing the bottom of it. Soul did the same. Waiting for one moment, still lost in what was happening. She put her hoof forward and they bumped together with a thud.

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Amber was immediately happy right after that, almost falling backwards. “Yay! You’re the first pony to talk with me so far, everypony else here seems too busy with their own thing. …But you just looked so lonely” Amber curled her brows up and even frowned for Soul. Right after that sad voice she was using at the end there. Soul was taken aback. “Hey, I wasn’t lonely” Soul said. “This is just…” “Your first day at a camp as well?” Amber asked. Well not my first ever day but… Soul was almost about to say that. No.

“Yeah, this is my first time at camp.” Then Amber scooched herself aside, presenting to Soul the spot where she had been sitting. “Well you’re welcome to sit with me, come join somepony who knows about these camps.” Soul took her offer. Stepping up to plant herself close to the filly. “Oh, you and my sister are gonna get along real nicely. She’s a first timer too.”

A first timer? Soul wondered. This was not just any camp. A lot different than what she expected to hear about anypony attending here.

“What did you both have to get through to get enrolled here then?” Soul asked as she made herself comfortable next to Amber. Curling her long tail up and over to sit upon her side much like Amber did with her curly tail that Soul actually now noticed had a little green bow sticking right out from it. “Well she’s actually a pretty good flyer… despite being a little ummm…” she put a hoof to her chin. “Underwhelming?” she finished. “She was still good enough to get in. But none of us were good enough to get out of this stupid testing that their doing to us.”

Now this was a filly that was speaking Soul’s language. Nodding her head with pride to agree with that assessment. It was all so dumb that they had to prove themselves first before getting to the good stuff. Even Soul had to do it. “Really, I don’t know why I have to fly this practice course they set up” Amber said pointing up to the clouds where Starry was prepping another young flyer. “My little sister has a lot to learn but… I don’t mean to brag, but I’m honestly pretty good when it comes to flying.” That’s the same mentality I have. Though Soul wondered if this filly was right or just blowing smoke to try and sound impressive. Soul didn’t want to get into any sort of debate with her over who was better at flying. Looking over at her wings, she did notice this filly had some decent build to them. Small, but she had muscles latched before her beautiful array of yellow feathers.

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“What about you?” she asked. “Huh?” “How did you get into the camp?” Amber made more clear. Likely for the same reason that Nimbus and Starry thought she would be good for such a prestigious camp in the first place.

“I’m not half bad myself at flying” she said, choosing to keep it to a minimum. “I’ve been trained a lot at home and… it finally came down to sending me to a camp like this.” Soul leaned over to Amber. “But I agree, it’s so dumb we need to do this testing. I think I can do some of the more advanced stuff already.” “I know!” Amber threw her hooves out and stared with shock at the clouds. “Is it so hard? Us good flyers should get the harder challenges right away. This is why I don’t like camps. They always hold us back.” So she hates camps too? Soul was really interested in this filly. She seemed to just be a nonstop barrel of complaints but it was funny to her. She was the first pony here who talked to her, so… Soul felt she could keep it up.

“So you’ve been to camps before?” Soul asked. “I was at a beginner one before this one. I did manage to stay well ahead of the rest of the group and… well… they felt it’d be better if I moved on to something better. Except… here I am having to do stuff I am already familiar with.” Amber crossed her forelegs over her chest and let out a groan. “How is this gonna help me become a weather Pegasus?” Whoa. Soul widened her eyes. She was actually with a pony that wanted to become a weather Pegasus. The way this pony had been talking, it sounded more like she wanted to be some sort of speedster. Especially with how well she talked of her ability. But she actually preferred to be one of those flyers that all young pegasi looked to in amazement at their ability to control the weather perfectly. Just how accurately they knew how to move the clouds and determine the perfect amount of water needed for any field, any situation and fly in dangerous conditions all the time. Soul had heard stories about how weather pegasi could even create storms with their ability. It always did sound like an amazing thing to do but… not something she found interesting for her to do.

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“But I really hope we get to do some fun stuff soon” Amber said. “I’d hate for most of the fall to be about doing old stuff I already know.” That is exactly what Soul wondered if she would have to deal with too. Just by how Amber was talking, it wasn’t hard to know she must be one of those experienced flyers that Nimbus had said would be in the group. So this pony would be flying after lunch?

Soul was curious now to see how well this pony flew. If she should tell her that they would both be flying after lunch. No… then… Soul knew this filly would wonder how she knew such a thing and… have to tell her. She didn’t want to start any trouble. She already had a lot to worry about… such as disappointing this filly or any of the others. No, that was going to come later. Though she hoped it didn’t. “I’m sure we’ll eventually be able to do some cool moves and routines later on” Soul said, not even sure if what she said was true. If any of that stuff could be cool for Amber because Soul hated to know that they weren’t at all interesting for her. “Yeah…” Amber sighed, and she looked up. “But probably not as cool as what you had to go through” she called out. Not at Soul.

Soul looked and saw Amber was saying that to another filly who wandered her way over to them. Another Amber at that. Yellow coat and golden mane with so many thick curls. Rubbing a hoof along the side of her folded wing. “Whatever” she muttered. “Cool? …That was rough, sis’.” Soul knew her. She was the other filly that was with Amber earlier. The same pony… Soul had seen almost crashing into the hoops of the course earlier. So this was her sister. Wow! Soul stared at her and then Amber. She didn’t notice it earlier, but they almost did look exactly that same. Twins? Looking now, the only difference were Amber’s green eyes to this filly’s blue eyes. Blue eyes that looked up to Soul and stayed there. Drooping in exhaustion and then they widened. “No way!” she said.

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Soul was almost thrown off when that filly ran in and joined with Amber. Wrapping her hooves around Amber’s chest. Shaking and, what Soul could call freaking out it looked like. Scaring her a little.

“Amber!” the filly said. “You managed to get her to hang out with you?” Both sisters staring one another in the eyes. Silent like some sort of inside thing that left Soul in the dark. Confused beyond all. Because this was not something she imagined seeing other fillies act like… over her.

Was it wrong that she is hanging out with me? Soul wanted to back away and leave them. Maybe she upset the other sister. But how? “What are you talking about?” Amber asked. “Soul’s alright hanging with me.” Pushing her sister away. “But she’s the one I was telling you about” the other sister said back, and both of them turned to look. Look upon the filly who was just about to leave. Reeling back after hearing what she had said. Telling her about? What? It had to be bad. For them to have those looks in their eyes. Just about to fly off, feeling the fear that she had for so long boil up and sting at her. “No way!” Amber shrieked and… Soul squealed for a moment when that filly jumped right up to her. Eyes staring into Soul.

“You’re the pony Breezy told me about?!” “Uh, you might want to tone it down, sis’.” The other filly looked off, Soul seeing that they had an audience. Some of the other kids drawn to this yelling. This was all going so wrong. I must have done something. What did I do? Like Amber’s eyes were pinning her to the clouds. Not even able to wriggle away. She felt her wings wanting to be freed and take her away to somewhere safe where no prying eyes could see just how scared she was. “Sorry, sorry” Amber whispered and set a hoof upon Soul’s shaking shoulder. The filly moving around to put herself between Soul and all the other kids who turned away to keep watching the display in the sky.

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“I’m so sorry for yelling, but I got excited” Amber said. Practically calming Soul down right there. She got excited over what? Soul didn’t know. Just seeing both fillies were smiling at her. “Okay… sorry for scaring you. Soul, this is my little sister Breezy Tailwind” Amber looked upon the other filly that was almost an exact replica of her. “I take it you got to see her flying just a moment ago. Didn’t she do…” Amber grinned to the Breezy. “Grrreat?” Really slurring that word. It did look like it annoyed the smaller filly.

“Really?” the filly pouted. “Oh I’m just playing with you. You did pretty well on your first go here. I’m sure Soul of all ponies would agree.” What? Soul looked upon both of them. They were both looking so eager just to be with her. Almost like Amber’s entire demeanor changed. Like she was fascinated. Until Soul saw the filly take a quick look down to… to Soul’s wings. Like that look alone forced her wings back a little. “Maybe… I should go” Soul said. Feeling her spirits collapse. What was wrong with these two? Soul hadn’t done anything to them. Yet they’re acting like they know me. “No, really, I’m sorry” Amber said. “Breezy told me about you. She said that…” and Soul felt her heart stop when Amber pointed a hoof down to her… her wings. “You have some amazing wings.” Breezy did… Soul looked over to the little sister. Knowing exactly what it was she was hearing. But the fact that… that neither of them were at all acting as she’d expect. Wanting to back away with this crushing feeling that she now had with both fillies eager to be… so close to her. Almost falling over, herself. “Wait, what?” Soul saved herself from falling. Inching out and away a little from both of them.

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“I saw your wings…” Breezy said shifting shyly on top of her legs. “During the checkup that the instructors did.”

So… that was her. Soul wasn’t hearing things. Somepony had actually seen her wings and that pony was right here with her. One of the less experienced ponies. With wings that Soul could tell could come nowhere close to matching how her own were. Did Amber even feel the same? Neither of them did anything other than wait for her with a smile. Like they expected something from her. What? What should they expect? Do they even know what I’m going through? They have so little to worry about yet here I am… Soul had to calm down. Nothing bad was happening even with the fear that ponies knew about her wings and that could spread and… would all these other ponies react the same?

“W-what about it?” Soul asked. Again feeling that need to protect her wings and hold them tightly. Not wanting anypony near them. Both of them creeping a little further along her sides and trying to hide behind her back from any eyes, folding them tighter. Any reason to keep it obvious they weren’t what anypony may think them to be.

“I was wondering if I could see them” Amber pleaded with her with a giant grin. Soul would not ever fall for such a plea. “I’m sorry… I-I can’t.” Soul backed away. On all fours now. But I… Soul had to think of something. “They’re a little sore… I’m trying to keep them rested for right now.” Idiot! She couldn’t believe the situation she was in. Ponies knew about it. Now… now they know what to look for. Will Amber be upset if she saw them? Anypony would. Amber did want to become a weather Pegasus so wouldn’t she feel upset to see them? Soul wanted them to keep it at that. At least… at least Amber didn’t know what they looked like for right now. But she will soon. They all will. As Soul knew, it was going to happen. Unless she turned and ran which was getting more and more tempting. Until now… “Alright… but I heard they are quite something” Amber said.

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Is she really alright knowing they may be something? Though she doesn’t know exactly how they look. “No really, Amber. I’m looking forward to seeing them in action” Breezy said walking up to join with them. Turning to look to Soul. “I bet they look beautiful when you’re flying.” Smiling gleefully with her tiny face. But there was something. Something Soul saw in her that made her want to stop in her tracks and listen. Because it told her something about this little filly who had seen her wings. However much of her wings, she did not know, but she had seen them. Yet they did nothing to keep the filly’s eyes from shimmering as they looked up to her. Kind of warming her for a moment.

She really… doesn’t have a problem with it? Even after seeing them. She doesn’t feel… Soul let her guard down. Sitting back down as her legs slowed their shakes, and she looked to Amber as well. Still, the pony sat down with her. But she did something. She kept her eyes… off of Soul’s wings. Weird. They joined her. Just that sparked something for a moment. Though Soul wondered if she was foolish to think it. Everything always liked to prove her wrong in the end, always played up. Always falling for it until it hurt the most. But she wanted to believe it. Amber, she was nice enough to talk to me out of the blue. …Maybe this camp will be different. Soul smiled a little. Looking past the two fillies with her and over at all the others. Wondering how they would feel. Knowing she would find out soon. When she would have to be the one up there in the clouds with a crowd to watch her. Just like the Wonderbolts did. Yet none of them ever got nervous. Always expecting the best.

Still… she kept her wings close to her and made sure they didn’t do anything to come close to the other two fillies with her. Even if they kept going.

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“Breezy told me a little about your wings” Amber said. “I really am excited to see how you fly. Just based off what she said, sounds like you got wings of a princess.” “I bet it took a long time for you to get them like that, Soul” Breezy said. “I’d really rather not talk about them” Soul insisted. Having enough of it. Like they were trying to get closer to seeing them or something.

“Is there something wrong with…” Amber said before Soul saw Breezy shoot her a look that instantly stopped her. “Right” Amber said. Turning away. But she didn’t seem to get that look off her face. That she really, really was interested and kept on trying to get at it. Soul could tell she had so many more questions ready to ask her. But she kept quiet with them. Instead, “I really can’t wait to see you fly, I’m gonna bet watching you will be much better than watching… whatever this has been” Amber waved a hoof to the course. “Hey!” Breezy shouted out. “I did my best, you know it’s hard for me.” It did look hard for this filly when she did fly it. All the mistakes that Soul had seen even by just glancing at it, she still saw something in this pony. Even though she pouted over what Amber had said, she didn’t lose even that drive that made her decide to fly the course in the first place. She could have easily just given up. Probably getting pretty upset during the flight. Maybe this whole thing was hard for her but Soul could tell she had that same feeling that Soul herself had had when she first started out. Without much to work on. But this filly had her little sister with her and whoever else it was that helped her. Me, I only had myself. Soul looked down. Until I met Starry and Nimbus.

“Aww, I’m sorry” Amber said, quickly getting onto her hooves and walking across from Soul. Coming to join her little sister. Not any sense that she was playing around when she did apologize. Soul even double backed when she saw what the filly did for her sister. Nothing bad for she could never feel upset over seeing how Amber threw her hooves down on her sister and… they made Soul feel that unease of seeing… two ponies hugging. Breezy didn’t even try to give it back. Staring down to the ground with a little smile all the while Amber was just too busy rubbing her own cheek against Breezy’s. “You did very good for your first time. All that practice paid off, huh sis’.” Amber laughed and almost pulled her little sister right off her hooves until Breezy fought back with a hug of her own, and both of them could laugh together. “Oh please” Breezy said. “I did awful.” But she still smiled saying that. Laughing at herself. “I’ll keep hugging you till you admit you did good” Amber said back. Turning her head around so Soul and her could lock eyes. Not at all stopping her little display and… leaving Soul to herself with only her thoughts.

Her near fixation on them. Seeing Amber’s mouth motion to her. Soul didn’t care. As she could only hear the last of those words that made seeing them hold one another like this… like it was real. Real to see ponies be this nice to one another. To be there for one another. They were so lucky. For each of them to have a pony like that with them all the time. She bet they didn’t even leave one another alone at night. Like in the storybooks she read so long ago. Of two who could be so close. No matter how different they were. How opposite. Day and night. Yet to still love each other like that. To still cry when they were separate. Is this what it’s like? It… it was beautiful. “Are you okay, Soul?”

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Soul blinked. Feeling that water in her eye as it wetted the fur of her cheek. Blinking again and again. Though that ache… it did not leave. Not even with the two fillies staring at her. Letting one another go and their happiness turned to concern. Concern for me. I… damn it. Soul wiped a hoof over her face. “Sorry, I… the wind was blowing in my eyes. Kinda burned, you know?” She didn’t even know if they bought that. It’s fine. They didn’t need to know. None of them need to know anything. No matter how beautiful it is to see something like that. I don’t often see two ponies do that for one another. I don’t often know it.

“You sure you’re okay?” Breezy asked. “I can go get a towel from my locker.” “No… it’s fine” Soul finished cleaning herself up. Remembering they did have something to say to her before… that. “What was it you were telling me?” Not getting an answer right there as both sisters looked to one another for the longest time. “We… just wanted to know what you thought about Breezy’s flying” Amber said. They want me to tell them? “Why ask me?” “Not everypony can get wings like yours” Breezy said. “I bet you’re great at flying so… I thought you could help me learn what I did wrong.” That I’m great at flying? As flattering as it was, they had no idea what they were talking about. They did not even want to see because she knew, with how Amber was, they wouldn’t like it. Like all other ponies who saw it. I hate that I’ll have to show them my wings soon. Show them all. But at least I know what I can do. For the most part. That doesn’t mean a pony like Breezy should be afraid of their ability. Whatever was ahead of them in life. Even if she was having a hard time, she bet the little filly could become a great flyer too. Just like what her sister wanted to be.

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“Well…” Soul started off. Thinking to herself about what she could say. Not wanting to be mean to the filly. She seemed pretty sensitive about her ability. But what can I tell her to let her know how to improve? Just by what I saw. Something simple? “Maybe you should try flying a little slower than what you think you need to do. Sometimes you should just do what you’re comfortable with and not what others want you to do.” “I wish I could have done that” Breezy said. “But Starry said that I needed to keep up with him and don’t fall behind.” Keep up with him.

So Breezy was the one following and not the other way around. That raised so many questions for Soul whenever she would have to fly. “Usually I’m the one compensating for her” Amber said. “She does a great job when I’m the one following her. Looks like it’s a bit different here.” Well that was bad. Soul could see why this could seem intimidating to less talented pegasi. She wondered if any others out in the group may feel that way.

She looked back up to the sky to see the next little Pegasus flying around the course and making a couple mistakes here and there. Some of the same ones she noticed with Breezy. Really having to go pretty fast though he did a good job trying to keep his pace and control. Not that good enough at that speed. Fast enough to deform clouds as he passed by them. It really was not as easy as she hoped it would be to tell Breezy something because the problem she was seeing with these less experienced flyers was just that, they didn’t have the experience. That’s what this camp was here for. That’s why she hated the fact she would have to spend time doing old things she was so used to, and this was Breezy’s first time in a camp. Really weird that Amber had nothing to say over the matter. She seemed to be pretty experienced with flying and had time in flight camps before. Soul really had to think over it.

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“I’m not so sure why you are asking me about it” Soul said as softly as she could. “Not like I can just tell you how to fly. But…” She didn’t want to leave it at that. Maybe… Soul looked back over to the expectant fillies.

“You know, well… we all do pretty bad when we start out and I was the same. I crashed a lot just because I just didn’t think about it and was more worried about getting it done. Get it done as fast as I could and show all the other ponies that I’m a better flyer than they think I am. That my…” Soul took a deep breath. She felt she needed to say it. Because it was true. “That my wings meant nothing. So I needed to show them all that my wings weren’t for show and I can do great things if I try. I never got anywhere.” And it never did help me. I never could find a pony that wanted to help me. Those words almost slipped out of her. Only playing in her head. Along with the sight of that lonely world. Before she knew anything. She bet this wasn’t the same situation as Breezy, no way it could be. But she had a hunch that there may have been another reason why she was flying so poorly.

Soul looked at Amber. “Don’t try to impress other ponies, not until you’re satisfied with yourself” Soul looked away from them. Wanting to hold herself. Because it did mean so much to her. Her drive until the day she woke up to find that mare coming down to pick her up and smile at her. I was so lucky. So lucky that my wings carried me to that. When they never would have if I had just kept crying. Sitting there… looking out to the world under that giant rainbow in the sky and wondering… if she was out there. Away from me… because of these. Running her wings down along her sides. Because I just couldn’t. But I proved them all wrong. “When you fly… don’t think about what others want from you. It should be about what you want when you take to the air and see the sky in front of you. Don’t be afraid of it or what it asks of you. Because your wings are your own and you should use them to carry your own wants. You’ll be the one flying to whatever you want in the end and don’t let any other ponies throw a bunch of storm clouds in front of you to get in your way.” Isn’t that what worked for you, Nimbus? What has worked for me? “Picture that sky in front of you and fly it how you see yourself flying it. You may be surprised what will happen.”

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Soul looked over to Amber and Breezy and… she noticed her. For a second before she walked away. W-was that right? She thought… she had seen somepony else. One she saw before.

Not at all knowing who she was but she was certain she saw her looking at her with those eyes that vanished with the rest of the kids under the flash of that same rainbow… that she looked out upon long ago. Soul stared… trying to find them.

“I know one thing… I was thinking about doing it sometime but, now, I don’t know if I want to race against you” Amber said. Soul looked back to her. Her stunned face. Not the same one that Breezy had, looking away from them both and back up to the course she had flown through. Staying in silence all the while Soul really tried to think what a race with Amber would even be like. Over everything. Soul wanted to see if that pony was there again. Though those eyes were still gone. All she saw were the rest of the kids with their backs to her. “I can’t wait to see you fly” Breezy said. “I want to see what… what you said, what it can do.”

You’ll be able to soon. Soul knew it. They all knew it. Because… I will have to fly with these wings in front of all of you and all I can do is think about how to do it. To get what I want out of it. And I sure do want a lot. So much she wasn’t even sure if she could be satisfied. “You will…” Soul muttered. Looking over again. Only seeing the next kid land to join all the others and their cheers. She knew that time was so much closer when she saw that Starry and Nimbus had come to join the group. They’d better head over there. Standing up and showed the other two the way. “Gather around everypony” Nimbus called out. Breezy and Amber understood what she meant now and followed Soul to join them. While Soul still looked to try and find that one pony she saw.

Almost like she was gone.

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“I gotta admit, I’m pretty nervous” Amber said. Practically shaking a little on her hooves. Looked like she wasn’t taking the news that well. Like all the others kids who groaned when they heard it. Looked like a lot of them were looking forward to seeing the more experienced flyers do the course. Even Amber had seemed excited to do it and see it. Until she learned she was at the front of the list. First pony to go after lunch.

“That means everypony else will be trying to beat you after” Breezy came up with. “Since when did this become a competition?” Amber asked, and Breezy laughed. Running along with her sister with Soul in tow. Left to be more and more curious over whatever it was Amber was wanting to do. Much different from all the other kids. All of which seemed just so busy playing together and flying about. A few of them even trying their own at flying the obstacle course with Nimbus watching over them. None of them able to pay attention to the three fillies slipping out past them on to wherever the hell it was that Amber said was going to be so cool to see. “So what? Who flies the course better than the other?” Amber asked. Looking back in her walk for some sort of answer from the other two.

Soul had nothing to give her. She never even saw this as a competition. Just another thing to get through. Maybe there could be competitions of some kind here but probably not till after this dumb refresher course. Amber didn’t get her answer and went back on her walk. “I’m actually worried she might make a fool out of me in front of everypony” Breezy whispered to Soul. These two were really weird. What was this claim coming from now? Soul wished she was not so in the dark with them. Loving one another at one moment and then going to this sense where she believed them to think the other may be bashing them. Either that or Amber really liked to mess with her little sister. Not that Soul thought it was wrong. Otherwise, she knew they wouldn’t be able to hug like they did. “What do you mean?” Soul whispered.

“Do you think other ponies would make fun of me if they see how much better Amber is than me?” Make fun of her for not being as good as her sister? Really did sound like Breezy was inexperienced with flight camps. Soul held back the urge to laugh at such a goofy concern. “They’re not gonna make fun of you” Soul assured her. “Make fun of her?” Amber said back. Puzzled. Though she had legitimate concern on her. “If anypony makes fun of my sister, they’re gonna answer to me” she said. Coming to a halt and turning back to look around, like she was searching for something. Soul nodded to Breezy. She had nothing to worry about. This filly didn’t even seem to know what she should be worried about in a place like this. Breezy took it well. Happy for her sister’s claim.

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“No need to be worried over anything, sis’” Amber said. Looking a bit past the building they stood by and across the vast fields of endless clouds rising away from them. Surrounding the entire camp. Both ponies continuing to go back and forth to one another, leaving Soul behind. Watching them. She had to smile. Even if they don’t know anything right now, she still loved being able to be near these two and see just how much they seemed to care for one another.

It was weird that they didn’t have any concern being around her. Inviting her along to go with them and hang out for this little break before lunch. Here Soul thought she would have to spend most of the day alone. Concerned if anypony would want to talk to her. Now it looked like Amber was the nervous one.

She had it easy, being the one to go first. It left so many opportunities for the others, unlike Soul. Feeling her heart drop when she heard her name being called out in the order Nimbus gave. Though she felt Nimbus did it just to try and give her more time to become comfortable with the idea. Why, she was given a position at the very end of the class. She would go last.

“At least you’re not going last” Soul added, rejoining the two of them. “What!? I’d rather go last” Amber said. Not even turning to look. More concerned with leading the other two. “But no, it’s me and then all of you. I don’t even get extra time to see how you all do it and…” she paused. “Nope. No handicap for me.” “And she says this isn’t a competition” Breezy mocked her. Patting a hoof on her sister’s back. Soul guessed she could see why she was so worried now. Now that she thought about it. I get to see how everypony else flies and adjust myself to it. She doesn’t even get that. Plus the pressure of going first. What a garbage combo.

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“It was you, then…” Soul tried her best to remember the names. Thinking over the list Nimbus gave out in her head. “Spitfire?” Sounds like she got it right since nopony said anything.

“Aurora Flash, …Rainbow Dash, and then…” this one was the hardest to say. “Me.”

Amber nodded. “Sounds like you were paying attention to the names that time.” Yes I was! Learning the names of all the skilled ponies in her group was actually kind of fascinating to her. Now she knew what to call ponies when she saw them come up to take the course just based off of the order. “There’s a couple ponies I’m freaking out to see fly, but there’s one that I’m real scared to see how she flies.”

“Who’s that?” Soul asked. Before she flinched when a hoof bumped against her nose and stopped her in her tracks. “You” Amber said with a smile. Laughing and trotting off. “But there is another pony I am wondering about.” Her voice sounding so long and lost. Amber so strange as she said it. Soul seeing the pony was lost in thought, staring down to the clouds she slowed her pace upon. Until she stopped at the corner of the building, leaving Soul and Breezy left to wonder what she was on about. She did say there were two ponies, but who…? Soul thought back. They had seen some rather… poor flying from the pegasi who had run the course. That wasn’t nice. They did okay but not enough for her to think Amber would be worried over. Breezy asked the burning question. “Who is it?” No answer. Nothing at all, just Amber looking about and then… she peered past the corner and she nodded. With a look of satisfaction on her face. Then she looked over her shoulder, past the ponies waiting for her to do something. Silent and then she waved a hoof for them to follow. Disappearing around the corner, Soul went on with her. Taking another look behind her to see what it was that was wrong.

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“Okay, so what’s going on?” Soul decided to ask, following the other two anyways even when feeling there was something she was being left in the dark about. Slipping out from all the rest of the class. This time, Amber was ready to answer her. Getting a little laugh that was surprisingly mischievous with Amber giggling into her own hoof as she walked on with the others. All three of them hugging the wall of the building.

“There’s something I think we should see… and I bet it’s on the other side of the house.” Soul cocked her head. Something over here. She looked out, still not getting some sort of answer about the other question. This big and empty area where the clouds went on for so far all the way to the walls around the camp. She still saw lots more clouds over them and oh so many more things that she wondered how long it took the pegasi to shape them all. All the floods of clouds made into discs and lanes set to spiral about into vast towers and swinging platforms left to levitate around an endless sea of hoops set in so many varying sizes. Running along and over the building like something she would see at a fair. Until it all went on to disappear behind the building. Much different from the almost open area they had been working with all morning. That pitiful excuse for an obstacle course.

It was kind of odd seeing all this up here as she walked past it all. Baring on her. Strong and so full of life was this sky. Even with it empty. She could practically feel the wind running off those clouds and see the small drops of rain water dripping across them. Like it all was some sort of course for a Pegasus. If it was, she had no idea where it began and where it ended. Or even how the hell she would fly through it all if she wanted to.
Though it was tempting to try and go up there and take her chances with it. “So… what is it that’s over here?” Soul asked, slowly looking away from that wonderful sky over her. “Well… at my last camp, they had some really awesome courses where the more elevated groups would use and they were all at the other end of where I would be with my group. Then…” Amber looked up to the same display that had captivated Soul. “Looks like this camp is no different. But… wow, this is still so awesome to see. It’s all a lot more crazy than my last camp.” “And do you want us to fly on them or something? Wouldn’t we get in trouble?” Breezy asked.

“We’re not gonna get in trouble” Amber said, though… Soul hesitated for a moment. She was certain this was a load of crap that Amber was saying. Not get in trouble. There were literally no other ponies around here, no instructors at all. It didn’t take a genius to see that they wouldn’t be allowed back here on their own. Strange though. It didn’t stop her. Staying her hoof for a moment but she kept going… with a smile on her face. I get to see the stuff I’m missing out on.

She knew she loved looking at these cloud formations over here, loved the idea of seeing what it was she had to look forward to. They better be hard. Soul hated always flying through clear skies and it was so rare for her to have a good challenge. Every time it happened, it was such a thrill. Making her heart pound right now at the idea of it. Nimbus and Starry would understand. The three of them just got sidetracked. Plus there was always the chance it wasn’t allowed. No word had ever been given on it. So sure. Soul accepted it.

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“I’m not saying we’ll fly in them or whatever, but I think there’s something there we need to see” Amber said. “I happened to see a little birdy slip out right before us” she grinned back to them. “Let’s go see what’s going on back here.” Soul followed her lead. Running along the side of the building with hurried steps, the clouds bursting upon here hooves kicking up at them. Curious to know what it was that Amber thought was so interesting. Maybe something that actually was interesting. Something that sure did work wonders to get her mind off things for a moment. She slowed herself when Amber did. Creeping along with Breezy at her side on silent hooves just like Amber. Were they sneaking up on something?

Amber took another look around them and then she inched forward to peek across the corner she stopped at, and she stayed there. Soul didn’t wait. She wanted to see what it was. Not doing what Breezy did, she walked forward to join with Amber to look and see. To see the vast sight before her that made her eyes shine.

Like a whole new world opened up to her. It all made her gasp in amazement. To see this sight shining under the brilliant Sun that pierced through it all and left her to wonder what it would be like to join with it. With the coursing and winding pathways built all along the sky. To wind out across an endless sea of clouds, a field so much larger than the one she had known all morning, and she knew this was what the higher level kids got to use. Though none were here. An empty world of clouds that towered so high into the heavens and spiraling out like a city rushing to build itself amidst the courses and obstacles, so many barriers and lanes. Countless rings, loops, entire fields of clouds built around it all like thunderheads. As if all she had seen leading up to this area was but smaller versions of this mighty scene that any Pegasus training to be a great flyer would dream of. It didn’t elude her.

Her heart had been racing but now it pounded, ready and willing to love the sight. Just thinking of it. How she’d even be able to fly through it all. Spend hours or an entire day studying it all and learning just what it took to be the flyer that would be needed to master all this. She could already see there were just so many countless turns so tight, she knew most of the kids that had flown earlier would crash. But her wings rippled along her sides in enthusiasm. Rushing in her. Her beating heart loving it all until it calmed. Calmed like her eyes and her soul to see the sight that shone over it all.

Washed in colors. Rushing across it all and bleeding their lights out from the cloud so high up there upon which those colors sat.

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She had seen that pony before. The one high up there.

Staring out upon the same world that they all saw, though she didn’t even know she was not alone, all alone out there in the clouds she lay down upon. Slowly looking with her back to Soul though she still let her mouth drop to see her out there. In a way she had not seen before in the brief moment she had earlier. That brief moment of her looking so lost until now, when she saw the filly, she looked so comfortable. So at home.

There was just something about her up there. The way her perfectly tended cyan fur, that so barely stuck out from the sky, melted upon the clouds. As she held her wings out. Both of them, so tiny and so free. Holding the wind. A breeze that swept over them all. Silencing the world. Rushing and… then… Soul blinked. Seeing only her. The one moment earlier, it didn’t compare. To see her like this now. Her and Soul. Above and below. With one not even knowing the other watched. Watched and marveled. To see a pony like this. Her eyes closed. Smiling so deeply. Holding her wings out to the wind. Like it was her. Her own mane whipping so softly in the gentle breeze that let out the sunlight to cast upon her.

A light of rainbows.

She actually looked amazing. Alone like this in a world where only she and Soul was in. Is this your sky too? Soul stopped. Why did I think that. Seeing this pony so calm and so at ease in this world with her. The same one she wanted to fly with as well. But I can see. I can see the longing in her wings. Amber… she loves this type of flying. But I can see something more in you. I can see… that same thing I had. No matter how much the wind swept her mane, messed her bangs, ruffled her feathers, she looked no different to Soul. No different feeling than the one I get now, all this time, of seeing another pony so at home and so… so beautiful in a realm so much like the one I love. Soul took a step forward. Should I join her? Maybe… she loves it too. Loves the longing I have too. The peace in it all. Wanting to ask it of the same pony who shared the wind that swept into Soul’s mane. Making her wings unwind. Until she remembered… I’m not alone either.

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She let her wings back to her sides. Knowing she had come close to almost flying up to that pony. One she didn’t know. One that she wanted to.

“Who is that?” “That… is the other pony I mentioned” Amber said. This was the pony she was worried over? …I can see why. I didn’t think anything of her before. But this feeling… “Her name is Rainbow Dash.”

“Rainbow Dash?” Soul let it slip off her tongue. That had been the name of the rainbow maned pony this whole time. The name I missed earlier. It really was a pretty name. The same name she knew from the lineup. So she… she’s one of the experienced flyers? She’ll be one of the ponies going before me. Here Soul had not even known if that pony had gone yet, not even paying any attention. Though she was wanting to now. Something about her, it made her curious. Not from what Amber had said about her. But from this feeling in her chest. Every time at seeing the filly’s little wings flutter in place with every passing breeze. Like she slept peacefully, keeping her eyes shut for so long though keeping her head raised. Rainbow Dash swept her head back and Soul could tell she was sighing happily. She really doesn’t know we’re here. She doesn’t know I’m here left to wonder. Wonder why she makes me so curious. Why she makes me dream of the sky inside her fur? That feeling she had of knowing she would see… wanted so badly to see what was to come. I have no excitement at seeing any of the other flyers. Why her? Why am I excited to see her fly? Why do I not fear her, this happy pony loving the wind and all that Soul enjoyed too. Just from her face. From her wings.

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“Figured she’d be back here” Amber said. “She used to do it a lot.” Soul looked to the pony with wonder. “She used to?” “I told you I’m worried about seeing her fly” Amber said with a nod. Her eyes still glued upon that pony up in the clouds. Well Soul wasn’t worried. She felt something else. Anticipation of seeing her fly. Could I even be as good as her if I tried? Why did I even think that? Soul had never had any other moment where she felt this way about another Pegasus. Not even the Wonderbolts. Not even Nimbus. Why her?

“Dash used to go to the same camp that I went to” Amber said. “She was in my group. She used to fly with me, I got to be her partner sometimes. But let me tell you, she’s not that talkative. I was actually pretty weirded out by her sometimes. Like she acts like she has some sort of grudge against you or just wants you away from her. Just like she is right now. That’s how she always was. Only being around others when she needed to. She actually got pretty pissed off when other ponies tried to talk to her at lunch one time. She really scared me.”

Amber paused. With her eyes just sitting there, staring off, and Soul had to wonder why it was… that this was the pony she spoke of. Up there with her smile. Or her broken stare earlier. “And… she wasn’t that good of a flyer.” Soul shuddered. Looking back up at the pony. Not a good flyer. But I still want to see her fly. “She was slow like me, and she never did get much better than me. I still remember… when she… she crashed so badly. But… she just left. Left the camp that day with a hurt wing not even saying a word to anypony else. She looked so sad.” Something wasn’t right. Amber… she was the one who sounded so sad saying that. Soul looked. It was true. Amber… she held her head down with her curls left to dangle in front of her face. Shaking her head. “I was surprised to see that she had been enrolled here with me.”

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“I don’t get it” Breezy said. Though Soul ignored her, having to see Rainbow Dash again. With her eyes twitching and widened upon seeing that… eyes as bright as Soul’s own fur stared back at her. Though the others did nothing to show they knew about it. “Why are you worried about seeing her fly?” I don’t care.

Why are you like that, Rainbow Dash, and yet… you’re smiling at me? The cyan Pegasus up there with her wings present to Soul. Laying there and grinning down to the Pegasus who watched her. Grinning with her eyes just as lovely as the mane she wore.

For me to not even feel afraid of her. Of this pony who cocked her head to me and her eyes under a messy mane left to gaze. Warm her, like they invited her. “Because… she wasn’t always like that” Amber said. Soul didn’t want to look away with her ears perked. As this was a world that only her and Dash were in, the others, just voices in her head. Not even knowing of this moment the two had. This comfort I get from her look. This amazement I get from her wings and how calm she was.

“She used to be an amazing flyer, so fast and skilled that none of us could keep up with her. Even I wanted to be like her. She loved it so much… always smiling and laughing whenever we asked her how she did it. She even had friends. Always coming to camp looking like she was ready and loving every day. I don’t know what happened to her to make her change. But she never was the same since. I’m just wondering which… which Rainbow Dash she will be today. I’m a little worried because… because she hasn’t even tried to speak to me. She doesn’t even smile to me.” Yet she’s smiling at me? Rainbow Dash, what is she talking about? I wish I could know. Even stepping forward, ready to fly to her and ask this filly that intrigued Soul so much.

“Wait!” Soul cried out. Right when the cyan filly dropped away into the cloud she sat on. Leaving but the sound of flittering wings behind and a ripple in the clouds. For a second. Soul couldn’t even let her wings out in time before… she looked all over. Not seeing any sign of the filly. Rainbow Dash? “I guess… I hope she proves me wrong” Amber said, stepping forward to join Soul and look for her. Though she didn’t seem to find her either. I hope so too. There’s something about her. I want… I actually want to talk to her. Soul walked out a bit further. Almost out to join the start of this course the filly had been among. No sign. With only… only after lunch… would I see her? I want to. Soul wanted to know so much why it was that it sounded like everything that had happened and been said… none of it made any sense to her. None of it left her restful upon seeing that beautiful mane of a filly so calm in the breeze. So safe and welcoming to Soul. With a smile unlike any other.

Soul shook her head. She wanted to leave. If not before they were caught, then before she would collapse from this weakness she felt inside her at seeing those eyes. So deep in those eyes of something she saw inside Rainbow Dash. “Let’s go back. I’m getting hungry” Soul said and turned back to leave. Leading the other two this time. Rainbow Dash, why did you look so sad? Even with a smile.

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That pony just didn’t seem like it. But there was still a burning question that would be answered so soon for her, as Soul saw that all the other ponies were running off together, some with little bags in their mouths, coming to join them all with Amber and Breezy for lunch. A lunch that would lead to what she had to think over after seeing that pony.

How does she feel about the course? There was so much she didn’t know what to expect over when she saw that pony go before her. Inside, Soul wanted her to do so much more than that picture that Amber had painted for her. I really wish she had not flown off. So close with that temptation to go up and talk to her, only to leave her alone like this. Even with Amber and Breezy, she felt like she was lost and alone. Left to guess.

Soul couldn’t believe it, but now she was actually excited to see what would happen after lunch, and her rumbling belly let her know it was time. She opened up her locker. Eager to see if something had been left for her and something had. A little bag with… with her hat sitting on top of it. It almost made her forget that strange encounter earlier. Just seeing this cute display. Maybe meant to cheer her up. Another locker banged across from her. Where Breezy came up back to Soul with her own bag in her mouth.

“What do you have for lunch?” she muttered from behind her bag. Trying to look over Soul to see. Good question. Once again, it better be worth it for all this worrying. Anything made by Starry and Nimbus was good enough but she was feeling extra expecting today. Soul shrugged her shoulders. “Something special from my…” she stopped herself. From my… wow it almost slipped out again. Like always… but it felt like she could say it this time. Something to keep these two held up. They didn’t need to know anything. Not like they would understand. “My parents.” She had to look away telling that lie. Not even able to face Breezy for saying that or let her see that she ached. “They… whipped it up last second for me.” “Cool. Our mommy made our lunches too.” Then Soul had to look back at her. To see the little filly was smiling so sweetly, and she meant it. She actually said that happily. Called her parent that. Soul couldn’t be upset for her, only smile at hearing a smaller pony than her say something like that.

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“Ever since I almost burned down the kitchen, mom has insisted on making Breezy’s lunches instead of me” Amber said coming over to join them. “They were still good though” Breezy said for her. “Just don’t touch the oven again. …Ever.”

Soul saw them both laugh over it. Huh, now how did that look when that happened? She could only imagine the response those two had gotten. Or the response she would get from Nimbus if she tried to cook something for herself. “Did your parents get that for you too!?” Amber budged in past her to get at her locker. Soul trying to stop her but she still got to the hat. Not touching it as Soul feared her to do. Only looking. Looking and marveling. She really did expect her to try and take it. Now that was unexpected. I don’t often get protective of stuff that they give me. Why now?

Soul still gently pushed her aside to shut her locker up. Keep it away from anypony else. “Yeah” she answered. “Got it for me just for camp. Can’t really wear it while flying though.” “That’s a Wonderbolts hat isn’t it?” Amber asked. Asking while she butted her way right against Soul. Pushing the filly back a little from her excited face. “I know you can’t wear it while flying but… maybe… you could wear it when you’re not?” A request like that, not often she got one. Even Breezy joined in. standing side by side with her big sister in front of Soul. Sharing that same expecting look. “Yeah you should totally wear it. A Pegasus like you, I bet you look cool in it.”

Look cool? Do they really think that? Soul glanced across both of them. Then she looked up just for a moment to see the yellow mare standing out at the door, glancing in and… she winked to her before trotting off with a whip of her tail to her to come follow. “Ummm…” Soul glanced back to her locker and the bag of lunch left at its foot. “I guess I can wear it before I fly… for you two.” The reception was good enough. They both looked so excited to see her in it. She didn’t know why, but if they would like it then who was she to say no? No to these ponies who actually asked her “Would you want to eat lunch with us?” Soul looked back to the doorway. I just have too many questions right now. Too many.

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Soul wondered what Amber and Breezy may be up to as they ate their lunch. If they were off somewhere messing with one another or talking up a storm about the camp or flight instructions. There was just something in Amber’s voice. Something that told Soul she shouldn’t… shouldn’t bring up that other Pegasus. Not around her. Was it that or Soul’s fear to talk to her about that pony? How she really didn’t know what to say about it. Not even to Nimbus who was busy stretching her legs out right next to Soul and sighing so pleasantly before she yawned.

“Sheesh…” she muttered. “No matter how many years, I just can’t get used to instructing a new group so quickly. Some of you kids have so many questions, you know?” She had no idea. Soul patted her hoof against her bag. Waiting for something to happen. For Nimbus to say something. But the yellow Pegasus sat herself down right next to Soul and sighed to the sky. She looked to be in a good mood even if she was a little tired. That’s what happens when you stay up half the night before work. Had nothing to do with us kids, you goofy pony. Soul wanted to tell her that but she didn’t. Just letting the mare enjoy this peaceful moment alone with Soul together behind the building. In front of the very place… the same place that had left Soul with questions of the pony who had been here. “I thought we wouldn’t be allowed back here” Soul commented. Setting none other than her Wonderbolts hat down with her bag. It crinkling from being held under her wing. Joining Nimbus in looking back out at the vast and complex course of clouds that dominated the entire rear of the camp. “Not unsupervised, of course” Nimbus said and Soul almost wanted to smack herself for earlier.

Best not to let her know about that. “But it’s a good place for you and I to have a little talk and eat.” Nimbus waved a hoof to Soul’s bag. “Well, aren’t you gonna see what we got for you?” Soul didn’t waste any time. Digging right into her bag alongside Nimbus doing the same with one she had brought along. Peeling away the bag and finding that they had given her… oh wow… a parfait. The little cup with so much yogurt and the red orbs she craved would be a part of her lunch mixed into it. She always loved eating these, and Nimbus knew it. Those two always made sure to pack her some every day. In some way or another. Leaving the strawberry slices in that parfait just begging her to eat it up. Right next to a little lettuce and flower sandwich packed to the brim. They were right if they thought she’d be hungry. Getting all this for her.

Nimbus didn’t even waste her time chowing down into the same sandwich she had made for herself. Almost shoving it right into her mouth and not hiding how happy she was to eat. Her wings shook in pleasure for a moment. Soul looked away from her, giggling to herself. She seems so peaceful being able to rest. Should I even bother her with what’s on my mind?

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Soul waited and shook her head. It can wait. She went at her own sandwich first, holding it right between her hooves and devouring it so greedily, not even caring whatever Nimbus may think because she was no more elegant. Chomping away till she found only half a sandwich left in front of her and a satisfied belly. With a silent Nimbus watching her.

“What?” Soul asked. Glancing over to her. Nimbus only smiled for a moment. A moment and then “Is it safe to assume you’re not so nervous about flying soon? I did see you met two other fillies and looks like you three are getting along.”

Oh no, that feeling had never gone away. Though Soul wished it would have. Remembering now just how nervous she had been at the thought of what was to come so very soon. Buried under the other thing that was also to come. “No, I’m still a little nervous. But… yeah, they’re both nice.” “What’s their names?” Nimbus asked. Soul answered that anyways. “Amber Skyburn and Breezy Tailwind.” “Oh, the twins.” Nimbus laughed.

“You got quite a handful with that Amber, I’ve heard a whole lot about her.” Soul agreed with her. Finishing off the rest of her sandwich and just not able to keep herself from thinking just how much of a chatterbox that Amber was. How high spirited she was. Yet she still gave off this little hint of maturity that was the total opposite of her sister. But they both seemed to get along no matter how different they were. It was admirable. Soul kind of liked hanging out with them. Did they like hanging out with her? She had no answer for that. Just the questions. Like the big one. Nimbus knew about Amber, huh? Soul looked to her.

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“I know you’re nervous but I promise it won’t be so bad” Nimbus said. “I bet you thought it would all be terrible but you already have two other fillies that seem to like you. It’s so cute.” Nimbus squirmed on her tail. Giddy cheeks in her hooves. Like she was just in love with something. “You’re gonna do awesome!” “Is that why you put me for last in the lineup?” Soul asked.

So enthusiastic about seeing me fly and so sure it will be good, but what was the reasoning behind the order? It didn’t seem to hit Nimbus well. She frowned. Actually sounding a little pouty. “Oh, well I though you would want to have extra time to prepare for it. Sorry for being so considerate to you.” It was fine. Whatever she said, Soul still appreciated the sentiment. Sliding her hoof along the mare’s leg and then returning to her meal. Looking down at her parfait with a smile. It’s insides bursting of swirling color much like the… the mane of the pony she had seen here. The other thing I have to wait for soon.

“Hey Nimbus” Soul said softly. She looked back up to the clouds that surrounded them. She had not seen that pony since she disappeared inside these very clouds. Maybe she was still out there on them. Hiding. That scared sounding pony that Amber spoke of. So different from the eyes that I saw looking upon me. Really wishing she could see her right now. If she had not flown off, would I be here… eating lunch with her? To figure out what it was that I saw.

“Can I ask you about another pony in our group?”

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“Sure, did something happen?” Soul shook her head. “Nothing bad. I just… just…” Soul looked off. Feeling that breeze coming over her. As it whipped her long mane just like it did to the mane of rainbow. “Was curious about… Rainbow Dash.”

“Rainbow Dash?” Nimbus perked her ears. “What about her?” That’s what I want to know. “I don’t know, just… I saw her and she…” Soul struggled to try and find something to say. So eager to ask questions but now… now she realized she had nothing to ask. Nothing she could put into words. Just that nagging feeling in her head that poked so hard to tell her that something was not right in everything that she had heard. “Soul…” Soul’s ears perked up now.

Hearing her authoritative voice spoken so strongly by the mare staring out to the fields. Intently. She had never seen Nimbus look so determined over something. Or the pain in her voice.

“I can’t tell you about the other kids, it’s stuff I just am not allowed to share. But…” But what? Tell me. Tell me something that can make me see what it is that this feeling is. Why do I care… for her? “I feel like… you two… can be a fierce team. A team that can help one another reach your goals. After everything I…” Nimbus shook her head. Not saying any more. Staying true to her word. “I can’t say any more. Just… watch what she does when she flies. She will be going before you. And I think you can learn something. Something I can’t teach you.”

Something you can’t teach me? But the mare had nothing more to say, almost like a switch had been flipped and she smiled back down to Soul. More than happy to talk with her. “But enough about that, how’s about that parfait, huh?” Nimbus lifted a spoon up gripped in her wing and held it out to the cup. Soul just looked off. Lost. To whatever Nimbus said and only knowing the feeling inside her was strong. Curious ever more to know what it was. To know what Nimbus may know. Rainbow Dash, what was that in your eyes? “Open up” Nimbus giggled. Soul sighed her displeasure and did as she asked. Letting the mare dip the spoonful into her mouth. I know you’re trying to keep me occupied from it all, but it won’t work. Nimbus. Today is going to happen anyways. Even if… if these strawberries were just so damn good. Soul let her feed her even more until it was all gone and that lovely taste was left on her tongue. Coming so soon. Soul was ready for it.

Going back with Nimbus to join the rest, fresh from their lunches.

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Soul parted with Nimbus. Waving at her as she left and the mare headed off to the front of the group, leaving Soul to look around. Look across the colorful manes of her fellow group members trying her best to find sight of the colors she was looking for. She instead saw those paired manes of the two ponies she knew just ahead, both laughing with one another. Looking maybe a little livelier after getting something to eat. But… no sign of the other pony she was hoping to see. Soul had no idea what to say or think. Just taking another look and then she headed over to join familiar faces. Being sure to reveal the hat out from under her leg and she struggled to put it on but managed. Just knowing her mane was getting a bit messy underneath it, but she bet she looked kind of cool with it on. Really expecting some sort of compliment from Amber and Breezy for her doing what they asked of her. Soul had to adjust her mane a little, pushing the long bangs over to cover her eye just enough to be able to still see because this hat was fighting her again. Nopony else seemed to care for her wearing it. Except for those satisfied claps of hooves when she joined with the twins.

“Holy crap, look at you” Amber said seeing Soul among them. “Is it… too much?” Soul asked, sitting down between the two of them in the big spot she assumed they left for her. Both of them shook their heads. “Not at all” Breezy said. “Damn girl, you’re looking hot” Amber nudged a hoof into Soul’s leg. Talking like some crazed mare for a moment. Soul groaned. Pulling the hat down over her face just knowing she would blush after hearing such a stupid thing. So much it made her embarrassed to hear it. Amber didn’t have any problem with it. Possibly a little proud of herself for shutting down the filly so easily. Soul thought about just taking the hat off, but… she slowly pushed it back up onto her head. “Anyways…” Soul exaggerated to Amber. “Hope you had enough time to get ready cuz you’re gonna be flying soon.”

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“Don’t remind me” Amber said. “I’m doing my best to keep my cool and… doing pretty badly, huh?” Both fillies agreed with her. So saying dumb things like she did was her way of coping with it? Soul was starting to become a little unsure as to why she was so intimidated by this. Not like she had any real blaring flaws to be afraid of. As far as Soul could tell, Amber was extremely likeable. Wouldn’t hurt a fly. Nopony here for her to be afraid of. Unless she was still afraid of how me and… Rainbow Dash would perform. I’ll try my best to help her out. Just as I have been planning, I just hope it’ll work out.

“Children, listen up. Time for something special!” She heard Nimbus calling out loudly over the group. Standing so proud in front of them all with Starry by her side. “And here we go…” Amber sighed. Pushing her cheeks in with both hooves and letting out a prepared exhale. Letting her wings do a little stretch. A stretch that didn’t hide to Soul just how nervous she was.

“You all did so excellent with the course so far. I hope it was a good way to show you all what you’ll be in for during this fall. Lots of learning and tons of practice till you all are soaring” Nimbus said to them all. “But the ponies I listed before lunch will be flying now to finish off the course.” And she left it at that. Soul applauded her for not even mentioning once how skilled we few ponies supposedly are. I personally don’t want anypony else feeling intimidated. She wanted to see just how the other ponies who were about to fly would fly it. Secretly, she hoped they would do well. Very well. Enough so that Amber over here would feel a little proud of herself after she was done. “So let’s get to it” Nimbus said to the cheers of the colts and fillies.

“Pray for me” Amber whispered to both of them and Breezy was quick to chime in behind her. “Oh Celestia, please save my sister from being a nervous wreck.” “Shut it.” “Amber Skyburn!” Nimbus interrupted the twins. Soul saw out the corner of her eyes that Amber shuddered a little when her name was called. Looking to her sister and then to Soul one last time with a look that really told Soul she was freaking out inside. It didn’t stop her from standing up, giving one last stretch of her wings, and walking off to join with Starry. “And Spitfire, you’ll both be going up together.” The fiery maned filly from earlier stepped up to join Amber at the front of the group. Soul could see from all the way back here that Spitfire even offered a hoof to Amber. Hesitant, Amber gave her one back. Seeing their mouths move but unable to hear them talk. Just watching with Breezy as the two fillies flew up with Starry into the clouds.

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“I hope she’ll do okay, that other girl seems very nice to her” Breezy said. “I’m sure she’ll do awesome” Soul assured her. I just wish I had done something to calm her, now so regretful she had waited till now to think of something for Amber. Spitfire did a good job at accepting Amber up there. Probably took a weight off her mind.

Would I be going up with other ponies as well? Would they be nice to me? What should I even do for them? Something simple, perhaps. That time would soon come. Soul craned her neck with Breezy, up to the large cloud ahead in the sky where both fillies stood atop with a smiling Starry giving them some sort of instructions. A moment of it before Amber herself, so small from down here, trudged her way in front of Spitfire to a place just at the edge of the cloud. Soul had not paid much attention to the course before. She learned so much now. Able to determine what it would be she would have to do. Starry floating in front of Amber with mighty wings flapping, so much different than the small wings Amber held out, arcing her tail to the sky, ready to push herself off. Not even able to tell what it was that was happening up there. Just waiting when Amber finally pushed herself off the cloud and… she zipped forth.

So fast. Soul kept an eye trained on her. Just able to catch the speedy Pegasus dart in and out from behind clouds keeping right up with the hurried flaps Starry took next to her. She didn’t even lag behind. Almost like the two were neck and neck up there when Amber swirled down under a series of twisting clouds made ever faster when the filly spun about them and boomed out across the sky to leave those clouds in mad spirals. Bursting more apart in the shine of the light from the force of her wings. Keeping up with Starry, but… Soul arced a brow. Those bursting clouds. She saw it. Right on a turn the filly took. So quick and nimble, turning on a dime, she clipped the side of the cloud.

Again with another turn. Managing to right herself again with a few more turns and a dart through a long line of hoops she cleared with no mistake.

The look on her face, so warped when Soul saw her graze the edge of another cloud with one sharp upwards turn. From determined to a frown. So quick that Soul almost missed it. She was certainly flying faster than the other kids who had gone. Making less mistakes. But those turns. Soul had no idea what it was that was making her so harshly take them. Looking off to the right to follow the filly dashing out from under a large cloud, with no Starry in sight, until he popped up over the cloud… the same time that Amber cleared it.

She still managed to keep up with him even when unable to see him. Impressive. Soul could almost see a little burst of light coming off from her trail with how fast she was going to the rising cheers of the ponies below. Flying right overhead with a small crack of the wind before she arced up and poofed out of existence into one of the clouds. Flying somewhere so much higher with Starry. Soul wondered if anypony else could see them… she saw them. For a moment and then another. Small faints of wind sweeping up across the clouds. One so straight and perfect. Another so close but… faltering with another turn and then a sudden shake of her wings before they calmed. Amber was frightened. The last of that sight before Soul could see them no more. Looking back down to where she thought they may come out from, a large series of thin clouds patterning across the sky just outside of the thickets that the two ponies had disappeared into. Catching a glimpse just in time.

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Soul almost gasped. Holding it in when she saw the sway of a rainbow tail venturing into the crowd of kids and gone from sight.

She made it! Soul was afraid she may have been hiding this whole time and would not show up. So eager to see her fly. If she was all that Amber said her to be. Whatever Amber said her to be. Maybe I should go and talk to her. She was right there. Soul was tempted. “I love watching my sister fly” she heard Breezy say, staying her hooves. Soul leaning backwards again. Finding the little filly still staring up into the sky trying to find some hint of her older sister.

“Ever since I was a foal, she was always so far ahead of me. Always playing with me over it, but she never thought I would be behind for long.” “You two got to be in the same camp together in the end” Soul pointed out. “Isn’t it awesome? Now we get to both train to be weather pegasi” Breezy said. They both want to be weather ponies? Joining Breezy to see Amber explode out from the clouds with so many wakes of wind and water left behind. Looping back up, right on the tail of Starry and spiraling up again. “What’s wrong with her?” “Huh?” Soul asked back. Breezy was asking it of her. Directly to her.

“She’s been like this recently, she doesn’t fly as well as she used to. Do you know why?” Soul knew why. She believed she did. Same problem… I had. Same one that… that was so hard to fix. But for it to effect how well one flies. Soul felt a little sorry for Amber. Because she didn’t know the exact reason for why she was like this. Hating herself for the bare answer she gave.

“She’s afraid.” A long pause passing between the two of them. Soul looked up and saw that Spitfire had been the one to now stand at the edge of the cloud, right as Amber came back with Starry. Both zipping past the cloud and… Spitfire joined them. Perfectly. The orange coated filly right there next to Amber as they both flew up into the clouds with streaks of light cast down from both of them. One so smooth. The other, struggling. Looping back down and both spinning together wing to wing across the lines and patterns of clouds. Proving such a challenge where both of them clipped. Though Amber did it more… and she looked so unhappy about it. “I wish she would go back to how she was…” Breezy paused. “She made mistakes but she never let them affect her. I’m just worried she won’t be able to be that weather pony she wants to be.” “Don’t say that” Soul had to stop her. Hearing just how serious the little sister was being. That she was actually afraid. She won’t fail. “Amber will make it to her dreams.” But… she looked like something. Something Soul had seen before… in her own face, looking at the mirror under the crack of thunder. The mirror of somepony’s eyes. The fear of disappointing somepony. Like she did before… to end up like… that. Amber should not fear. Because she had a little sister that really seemed to care for her. “I hope so…” Breezy muttered. “Because… I want to be her wingpony someday.”

I bet you two will make it. “Soul… can I ask you a favor?” Soul cocked her head over to the filly. All ears.

“Amber used to have a wingpony before she got this way. Please… help me keep her away from Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash? Soul glanced to the ground, under the cheers of all the other ponies for the two who settled upon the clouds overhead.

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“Aurora Flash, Rainbow Dash and Soul Serenity, come on up, please!” Nimbus said. Then it hit Soul. Oh, no. It’s already here? I’m going to have to fly this whole course just like Amber just showed for me. She didn’t even know if she’d have to fly alongside the other kids like Amber did. All three of them being called up. What the hell was Nimbus even thinking inside that thick skull of hers?

Soul looked around. Trying to eye out if the others were on the way up. No luck. “Guess you’re nervous?” Breezy said with so much concern. Soul didn’t even bother with answering. The filly knew it already. Doing something so very nice for her. “I’ll walk up with you.” Soul nodded, accepting her offer. Feeling like it took an eternity just to stand up and slowly trudge her way forward, rummaging past the other kids with Breezy right there with her. Seeing… right there, that all eyes turned to her. Like no other time before. No idea what it was they all could be thinking. If they were curious to see how she flew, if they had any idea just how scary this was for her. Soul gave no reason to show just how terrified she was inside. Keeping her head as high as she could. Planning it all out in her head. Just what it was she could do. Soul stepped past the last of the kids, right there to meet with an exhausted looking Amber.

Her face so sullied with a frown. But she met eyes with the new filly coming up to take her place. Nodding to Soul with a “Good luck.” Before she went back to panting, joining with her little sister and they left Soul alone to walk up to where Nimbus waited with two others. Soul stepping up to stand next to one of them… and she glanced.

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Looking upon the filly, one who didn’t even know Soul was so fascinated in her. Never seeing a filly look so colorful yet so bleak at the same time with just how uninterested she was.
Rainbow Dash sighing so lightly and whipped her mane back up out of her face. Really like she didn’t care. To be this close up to her, all Soul could see now was just how impressive she looked. How wondrous she was with everything that had been said. Yet, Soul couldn’t help but take a quick look to be sure. Seeing just right there that the filly’s wings… How impressive.

Even folded up, their bulk was still something. Thick in elegant feathers but so very strong. Soul had to look away. Feeling within herself if others could see the same in her. I keep them hidden but… she was well aware just how strong her wings were. Seeing another pony so close up with such wings, really hard not to think about it. Especially when the time was coming when I would have to fly. Fly such an easy course. If Nimbus really could expect anything out of it from her. If Soul could expect anything out of it from herself. Even standing so close, Rainbow Dash did nothing more to alleviate her fears. None of the ponies she was with did. No hoof bumps or kind words. Just seeing that the rainbow maned pony just stared off at the colt who was also with them. No less impressive with his wings under a lavender hue of his coat and feathers brightened by the shine of the night sky in his glittering mane lengthily padded down his neck. Almost as long as Soul would expect from a filly. Huh, she had seen him before now that she thought of it.

He was that colt from earlier who cleared the way for her to pass. That must be Aurora Flash. Doing more than she expected, when the colt turned back to the fillies with him and gave such a bright smile. Soul really wanted to talk to them both. Especially the filly with her. Being the closest she ever had been so far to her. Yet like this, where Rainbow didn’t even seem to care for her being here and in front of the whole class. Well aware of all the eyes behind her. When all of them went to the sky to see her fly. Soul was terrified she might start shaking right now.

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“Alright, Aurora and Rainbow Dash, you’re both up” Nimbus pointed her nose up to the clouds.

Wind kicking against Soul when two pairs of wings flapped hard and both of her company left her with nothing said. Nothing gained. Just the coming moment when she would see just what it was that Amber was talking about. As well as a question. “Why the hell am I going alone?” Soul whispered to Nimbus.

Now that she thought about it, it sounded better to be with another pony or two in the sky. Getting just a little wink from Nimbus’ red eyes before the mare turned her attention to the sky. What? And what was that supposed to mean? There was no telling what she could be cooking up. Oh man, like she had no idea just how scary this was. I’ll be flying alone… right after these two. So soon. I’ll be giving a show for everypony. Soon enough… I’m going to have to fly up there… in front of them all. Saving me for last.

Was this just another moment of Nimbus trying to give her more time to ready? A moment that came so quickly. So close. Now that she sat back down and joined Nimbus to watch the scene above. Just in time to hear another crack of wind following after Starry from the little colt going off after him all by himself. Not even caring to look, Soul only drawn off to the sight of the little rainbow maned filly left alone to sit upon the cloud and… holding her head down. Soul felt her heart shake a little seeing just for a moment that the filly did something almost like she didn’t even know Soul saw her. So different from the happy filly she saw in the clouds earlier. Just one who glanced off away from everypony else with wings drooped but held out more than ready to get flying. Her feathers risen but not her spirits. Like she was so sad. Soul saw that sadness in her face. What is wrong with her? There may be a possibility that… she was scared too. If she was, even more than Amber had been. Not even Amber moped like that.

Looked so pitiful. Rainbow Dash turning back to look out at the course in front of her, eyes dropped. Nimbus, why didn’t you send me up there with them? Soul felt it now. She really did want to be up there. Together with that pony. So curious to find out what was wrong with her. Maybe comfort her a little, if… if she may still be that filly that Amber had parted with. If she would even accept any words from Soul. Or just ignore her. Shut her down. As she looked like she would do right now. Maybe not even worth it to bother her.

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Broken up by the resounding cheers of the other kids right when a crackle of light burst out across the sky shimmering along the path that the lavender coated colt took with wings abuzz like fire blazing the sky. No trouble at all taking those turns, zipping in and out and around anything in his path, not even losing track of Starry. But Soul saw the determination in his face for just a moment with how fast he was going. Sweat beading in the sunlight, holding his forehooves out to grip at the sky who tore through with an unbreakable resolve in his looks. The wind sending his long mane to sweep at the back of his head. So fast, just like he was leaving a trail of lightly colored wind fluttering behind him before it died off forever. Huh, he seemed pretty good. Soul didn’t notice anything wrong with his skill.

Here she thought he may be like Spitfire, so confident looking but not at all held back by any faults in his pattern. No, almost like he had done such a course before. As swift as Amber just without the miscoordination. Barreling up from such a tight turn right on Starry’s tail and both of them went past the cloud where Rainbow Dash still sat upon. Soul’s eyes widened. What did she just see? So quick, an instant. Almost blinded out by the billowing light the colt left behind with the cloud only to be torn away by the burst of colors rippling out in a quick flash from that cloud and churning the wind away. Right when that filly, not even bothering to stand up, readied herself, just blasted off with her hooves held out to Aurora. Her wings flapping so gracefully. Almost like a flash across the sky. Like she wasn’t even there. Faded out in her speed so much that Soul almost missed her. Missed seeing that filly lash out after Aurora and Starry where Soul could no longer even put a face onto her.

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Rainbow Dash making all the others wowed in their awe. Soul felt the fur on her back stand up and her heart pumped. Oh wow!

That cyan filly moving so fast and then… keeping right up with the other two she followed. Wing to wing with Aurora. So close, almost like the slightest mistake could cause both of them to collide. But it never came. There to see that both pegasi did so well. Turning together perfectly around any cloud in their way. Zipping along with no speed lost. None gained with Dash a mirror of the colt. Turning around and both of them ripped the sky right over Soul and the entire group so quick. Not quick enough. Not quick enough to make Soul’s heart plummet when she saw her face.

The filly… so quick and graceful. Yet she frowned. A look that never left her even from when she took off from the cloud. Soul turned around to try and look, desperate to know if what she saw was true. Only able to find the rainbow tail zip up and out of view into the clouds. So high up to where she could no longer tell. Both young pegasi beckoning in the wind up there and spiraling back down, swift and true like bolts. Like none of the others saw it. Did Nimbus with her never changing smile? Or did only Soul see it? Cocking her head for the moment before the two pegasi leveled out and flew over them all again. Rainbow Dash. Her wings… Soul had seen it.

Something had happened, and she saw it in the filly’s disappointed face when she passed by, something that made her jumble a little in that spiral she had taken back down. It had been so perfect until the end. Leaving behind a curled sweep of wind in her wake. So much different from the line that Aurora left. Though Rainbow Dash just kept it up, not even losing pace in her wings. Losing speed or anything. Like it was gone in an instant. Back to that amazing display she had been doing before. Taking so many turns so well. Not even falling for the dips and changes in the hoops she so accurately kept with Aurora in. Rising so much higher into the sky once more. Up to the thick clouds. Spiraling over them all. But Soul was just so lost. So confused. Rainbow Dash? A little rough in her descents but… Soul gasped. Along with the rest of the group.

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Rainbow Dash disappeared. Careening right into one of the clouds her partner so easily cleared. Cutting a hole right into it and the cloud distorted and fell apart. Cleaved to pieces when the cyan filly jetted out over it and held her place. Hanging there so high up, not even moving. Paused in her confusion to shake her head. Soul almost yelled out to her. Felt her name on the tip of her tongue. Not wanting this to happen. This thing that should not have happened yet it did so quickly that Soul… she didn’t even know what caused it. Dash was doing so well. Almost like whatever happened left the filly herself stunned, looking about until she caught sight of the two ponies speeding away from her. Readying up her wings again to chase after. Following the course but… it was too late. Soul sank in her hooves.

Even she being so upset to see that filly land on the cloud last to join with the two who had left her behind. So close. She almost pulled it off with no real trouble. What happened, Rainbow Dash? Silent. Just like all the other ponies around her. None said a word. Almost like she could feel the tension in the air. The short mumble that Nimbus let out. Though she didn’t look upset. Not like somepony else.

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Aurora scampered right past Soul, dampened fur and heaving such heavy breaths. Unlike the other pony following after. Landing on heavy hooves with no care. Rainbow Dash followed after, heading right up to where Soul was there to be the one to feel sorry for her. Soul wanted to tell her something. Tell her she did so well. Because Soul did feel like she needed to be congratulated. Let her know she did great. It wouldn’t do anything. Seeing that filly scowling to the clouds she walked upon. Keeping her rainbow mane down low over her face. Such disappointment in her. In herself. That is what Soul saw in her walk as hooves slid across the clouds.

Small claps for Aurora from the others. None for Rainbow Dash. For a moment, Soul forgot that she was up next. Lost in the despair from that filly. Not even able to look her in the eyes when she passed by so close that a breeze settled over Soul from her passing. Looking away but the pony stopped. Feeling it so. So much to just hold herself away from looking at that pitiful pony who stood still next to her. It only lasted a second. Before she walked off to join the rest. But that second hit Soul hard.

“Good luck.” Whispered to her in such a raspy voice under the rainbow mane. Widening Soul’s eyes. She turned.

Seeing the pony’s tail wander off away from her. Leaving her alone. All alone to face what was to come. Alone, though her words hung in Soul’s ears. The pony… Rainbow Dash, she actually spoke. To me. I… Soul hated herself for it now that Dash was well away by herself to sit with the rest. Not looking up from her pity. I should have said something to her. I should have told her how well she did. Because… she looks so down with herself but… so confident with me? Does she really want me to do well? Soul could not look at her anymore. Just up to the cloud she would need to go up to. Nimbus waved her up to it with a smile. How well? Damn it. This day… it really does suck. And now… here we go. Soul slid her hat off. Shaking her head and sending her bangs back out the best she could, ruffling her mane back up. Nimbus was already prepared to take it from her, accepting it though she said nothing. She didn’t have to. They both knew the time was here. Soul whispered to her. “Tonight, can I please have ice cream for doing this?” “Just a little” Nimbus said back. Well at least there was that. Soul gulped. Looking out to the clouds upon all four hooves. She already felt it happen.

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The silence said all. Like all the ponies in the camp were staring at her. Being there to see it. Feeling her wings rip away from her sides so slowly.

Her thick feathers tickling her as they passed. Like they did their best to comfort her in this moment. Let her know that these wings were here for her. They only wanted to do this for her. Not for any of the other ponies. None who saw her. Those feathers there to touch her until they left to be caught by the breeze hailing in over her. Sweeping the feathers casting a tall and long shadow that had to loom all the way back over all the ponies behind her. The ones who gasped. Fillies and colts. One by one and the chatter amongst them all. Like they all isolated her. Away with nothing but the two great weights shining out from her sides.

Soul hated it. So much. Like her legs would collapse. So close to it. They all know now. Just how I look. Just how I am. This little filly with wings so gracious and magnificent that none other could compare. None she had seen before. None any of them had seen. Here now with no Starry to cover her up.

She wondered if they liked her wings. The only wings she loved. Turning for but a brief moment to look upon both of them. Their mighty spans arcing so high over her with the sheets of thick magenta feathers beating a chorus in the wind with not a flaw to them. She did her best to hide them away all day. But now was the time to fly. To do the one thing she loved doing the most. With the one things she loved even more than that. No matter what they think, I still love them. I love both of you. Pushing both her wings down to slide across the clouds. It couldn’t be bared any longer. Like she might crack right now with all these eyes behind her. So afraid to even look back at them. Trying so hard to hold back the tears. The shudder in her chest. No. Soul shook her head. Squeaking so loud in her ears but so silent to all. Drowned out so quick by the command she gave as both her wings beat hard to the clouds and rocketed her up.

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That was so close. Soul almost collapsed right there when she landed up on the cloud that Starry waited for her on. Damn it. I can’t believe how weak I am. May as well not even have any legs. All four staying still for much too long. Trembling so with the drawing eyes of so many still stinging her. Like they were all still behind her. Even with them all being so far down below. Hoping none of them could see just how pathetic she looked. Did Starry even? He didn’t do anything but smile at the little filly who successfully joined him. No matter how long it took her, he was patient. Even lifting one leg felt close to jelly, holding both her wings out to tower over her. So ready to protect her. Hide her away from sight as much as catch her if she should fall over on these weak legs. Her chattering teeth. That was so scary.

Even for so short, feeling all their eyes on her. Hearing them say things she could not pick out. Yet another group of kids to see my wings. Yet another group to see me fly. But… why even approach? My wings are out, I can just fly away. Away from here. No longer needing to fear anything. But I don’t want to. I don’t want to fail. Just like when I saw… those eyes. That look of defeat. When I saw them so long ago in the puddles that I looked down in to. From a face so familiar in the rain.

Still… Rainbow Dash wished me luck. Like I had her blessing, the blessing of the pony she wanted to show. Because… I don’t want her to be like that all the time. She wants me, of all ponies, to do well. I gave up so long ago on trying to impress others for the fun of it, why now? To be so concerned with her. To want to show her just what it was like to fly… happily. She couldn’t get out of it. It was going to come this whole time. Not even able to believe she would encounter a filly like that who was so, sadly, pathetic. It reminded her too much of another pony. Long gone. Even if I look so weak, I don’t feel it. I’ll fly. If not for the ice cream, then maybe to make a difference. Just… don’t go too overboard. Her wings ruffled in approval. Telling her it was all going to be alright. That her decision was right. It’s what kept her still, not at all trying to fly away. Standing out on the edge of the cloud just like all the others had done. With Starry there with her. Floating in front of her. Gazing upon this filly with his ocean blue eyes.

I’m ready for this.

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“I just want to let you know, I’m proud of you, champ.” Soul smiled a little for Starry. He knew how hard this was. It was so nice to have his blessing. “It’s going to be your standard course. Just do your best to keep up with me.” Starry said that almost like it was going to be a challenge for her. Soul said nothing of it.

Bending her weak forelegs down till her chin almost touched the cloud. Rearing her tail so high with the shadow of her mighty wings left out over it and across the cloud. With not even any wind left to blow. All was still. Soul kept her eyes forward. One last gulp. But she didn’t lose that look. Determined to stare it all down. This feat she would need to do. To finish the moment. To prove that… she had nothing to fear.

All I need to do is do this right. Just another thing to look forward to. A bright day under that Sun blistering through the still clouds. Lowered under their bulks. Her hind legs pushed back so slightly. Ready to send her over the edge. Her wings baring down upon the clouds. Both monoliths of her strength and all these years ready to tear through this sky. Another sky. Just another sky, and somewhere down below all the others watched her. She bled them out of her mind. Right now it was just her and the sky. Think of it like it always was until the time came. Starry’s tail flipped. Alongside one huge stroke of his wings. That was it. Soul did the same. Pushed with her hind legs. As her wings caught the air.

In one brief moment so slow, yet quick enough to just blink before her wings slammed the air behind her and that rush did strike.

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Always so wonderful to feel it. To feel that weightlessness to her whenever she flew. Where not even the earth below had any say over her. To where that sky up above that challenged so many to try and tame it felt so powerless to stop her. Indeed how it was. Nothing had power over her. Just her and her wings cleaving the air.

Soul blasted forward with but the gush of wind left to slam across the cloud she left behind. Holding her forelegs out to reach for the clouds ahead of her that came in so quickly. Eyes zipping back and forth to keep tabs on Starry as well. Though she knew what to do. Seeing it in his flight. He angled his wings up high. Soul did the same. Watching him disappear, she didn’t need to see him. Just angling herself upwards with the cloud to separate both of them. She spun over it. Cleanly. Watching her world spin in tandem. From the blue sky above to the white clouds below. So quick that she saw Starry once more as both pegasi cleared the spiral. Into another. Then another.

Soul held her breath for each. Remembering how scary it was to do spins like this long ago. The feeling she may spin out of control. Gone now. So easy. Keeping her wings to flap gently and turning them slightly for each pass. One big push needed to escape from them all alongside Starry. The stallion turned hard left. Soul arced around the cloud. Hearing the wind screaming in her ears, her wings howling so hard. Echoing the sky’s song. Not even good enough for a warm up. None of these turns mattered. Again and again. Soul rocketed around each one. Even ones she recognized when Amber had clipped them. Her wings passing around them unscathed. Not even a single touch to her feathers. But the true joy of feeling that bobbing and weaving. Her body lapping side to side with each hard turn. Yet her wings held true and she giggled a little. Not even having to think about it. Anything.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment. Listening to the wind in her mane. Opening up again in time to roll around an oncoming cloud with one quick glide. Spinning up and over so many more. Lines of them. The stallion alongside her safely away from the clouds she so effortlessly tumbled around. Leaving a clean cut of the wind behind her to paint a scene around these clouds. Not even able to see what may be happening behind her. If those clouds fell apart. They seemed to shatter as she passed. Spiraling over one last one in time to level out and clear the first hoop. So small. A tiny little hoop she had to curve her wings up in an instant to avoid cutting through the edges of it. Almost like Starry and Nimbus didn’t account for her having big wings. Not that it mattered. Soul made short work of all the hoops she found. Crisscrossing through them, one, two, three. The fourth one came and Starry dipped down. Leaving Soul to deal with the last hoop so much smaller than the rest.

Wow, they didn’t account for my wings. Oh well.

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The sky spun and Soul let her mane reach down to the ground. Her whole world upside down. Perfect for the clear. That’s all it took. Passing with the top of the hoop over her belly and her wings curving inwards. Down to the ground. Curling the spans up and holding them there for less than a second. A moment she felt so proud of with not a touch to her body. Not an error in her flying.

Upside down, it was so easy to turn downwards and follow after Starry. Zipping down so quickly after him, with the wind’s howl turning to a roar. Darting into the layers of deep clouds below. Starry went through them. Soul did not. She turned herself. Edging around the first cloud and nearly running into a second hidden behind it. But she cleared them both and all the many others that stormed around her. Doing her best to keep track of a path through the array of clouds. All the while not losing sight of the shadow flying through them all. Waiting for the moment when it would be over, and she entered open sky again. The Sun shining down on her. Almost running into another hoop right outside the clouds. Cleared again.

Not one thing stopped her from keeping up with Starry. Not one obstacle to fluster her. Even her wings felt so great. She felt so great. None of them could hear her, laughing. Having the time of her life. Not with the wind roaring so loudly around her and so high up here in the clouds where the camp below was but a bunch of specks. She loved it. This one moment of true freedom coursing through her feathers. Sending her mane slicked back to blanket along her back.

What a joy! She flew back up. Joining with Starry so high. So high up where the clouds lay at their thickest. Huge sheets covering the sky. None too large for Soul. None too intimidating. She dodged up and over them all. Going over a small series of them and then she beat her wings harder to thunder up past the rest and into the clearing in them all. She just caught sight of Starry pointing down with a free hoof. Right as he did what it meant and turned himself to leave Soul up there. It took a quick glance to see he went down to a huge series of cloudy hoops all arrayed like they led her back down to the ground below in a wild course where none of them were aligned. She didn’t hesitate.

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Soul spun down and angled her wings backwards. Reaching her hooves out to the oncoming hoops. Passing the first and then her wings made the slightest of moves. Twisting her over to pass through the next. A comet through the sky. She felt like one. Like one of those shooting stars. It always was such a thrill to fly this fast. Feeling it getting faster and faster as she fell to earth but not at all afraid.

Her wings had her. Her cradle. They always protected her. Always helped her. Not failing one bit to get her through any of the hoops no matter how wonky or small those hoops were.

The wind so hard and pushing against her mightily. It was no challenge for her. Going this fast, I can’t wait to do some high level flying like this. Crazy stunts at speeds that made her lips smack back against her cheeks. Her eyes tearing up. With not a moment where she was afraid. Her heart beating so hard. Yet her breath so calm. She didn’t need to turn and see that the last hoop fell to pieces behind her with all the wind she left behind and her adrenaline made her scream out in joy.

“Woohoo!” Soul passed under the next cloud, spinning over it with Starry. This really was like they were back home training together. So fun. So much to enjoy. She loved every moment of it. But there always came a time when she had to be disappointed. Always when it ended. Now, now when she recalled the truth of the matter. When she had to do what needed to be done. This wasn’t home. This was something so scary. The reason her legs always shook. Now was the time. Coming down with Starry so quickly at the cloud they started at. Darting in at it. She could tell this was meant to be the end of it. I cleared the course perfectly. That… was the problem. One that needed to be fixed.

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Soul cursed herself. I won’t ever do this at home. Or in the future when… when I can do this all the time. When I can be a beautiful mare in the sky with the glimmer of the Sun upon that which I wear over my eyes and the soft touch of success running over my body. I’ll never do this then. She hated doing it now.

Soul held her wings out, catching the wind so hard. Holding her hooves out to touch upon the cloud. The speed so great… it can easily be seen why this happened. Though she could recover so easily from a speed like this. Let’s make it different this time. I think I did enough now to show Rainbow just what can happen when one is truly free from worry. That cloud came in so quick. Holding her hooves to it. Ready to catch it. Bending her wings inwards to keep the wind inside their feathers. Almost like a perfect landing. Too bad. Soul’s wings crinkled up. She felt her feathers curl, sighing to herself. As the speed took over once more.

I almost had it. I feel so stupid for ending it like this… as long as I can do it whenever I want, I’m fine. But just right now. I’ll allow it. Soul crashed. Burying her face hard into the poofy white surface of the cloud so quickly she almost had to raise her wings back up to try and catch herself. Fearing she may plummet right through the cloud. Her wings saved her from that. Though they did their other job. One so bad, of letting the filly scrape along the cloud and tumble over till she spun onto her back… just short of falling off the edge. Left to lay there with her wings sprawled out and the shame of knowing… she had to do this. Staring up at the sky she flew through so well. She apologized to it. I’m sorry. To it and her wings.

But anything… to protect me. And these wings I love.

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“Soul!” Starry ran up next to her. Peering down over her. Blotting out the sky with his face. So etched in worry and fear. He had no reason to. Soul felt no pain in her. No discomfort or anything. She only frowned. I succeeded… yet I feel like a fool.

“Are you okay, baby girl? Are you hurt?” Huh, Soul could remember the last time the Stallion called her that. Just like this. When he leaned down to her, his eyes glimmering in the fear of what held him long ago. When he needed to feel the same last time. A time she hoped to avoid with what she just did. I did this for you, Starry. As for Nimbus. I don’t want to see any of us have to cry again. So don’t be upset.

Soul reached a hoof out to touch his cheek. Running it along his fur. She smiled. Raising her wings up around them. She just let her head lay back and grinned to the sky. “Did I do good?” Soul asked. As lively as she could. Feeling him cheer up. Did your baby girl make you happy? For at least one of us to be happy. He was.

“Oh man, Soul. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know how fast we were going” he said, sliding his hoof under Soul’s back and helping her up. Soul let her wings fall to the cloud, shrouding her hooves. Standing next to him. She couldn’t stop smiling. You didn’t do anything wrong, Starry. “It’s fine. I got a little scatterbrained at the end there” Soul excused herself. “But I still think I did pretty good.” “Yeah. You did amazing, champ” Starry patted her head. “I hope I get ice cream tonight” Soul teased him as she trotted off, ready to go back to join the others… and see just what it was she managed to accomplish. Hoping to get the result she sought after from them all. As well as from Starry. “Sure thing, kiddo.” Yay, both of them promised it to me now. I’ll need some after all this. Soul held her wings back out. Jumping off the cloud to join the others. Certain she was going to get what she hoped for. Anything to avoid… that time again.

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Landing there right next to Nimbus, Soul looked out with widened eyes upon the scene before her and the sounds of so many fillies and colts stamping their hooves… and cheering for… her. From front to the back, all she saw were her group with not a frown she could find. Just to reverberating cheers and smiles of them all.

Many of their voices drowned out by the loud clamping of their hooves. In this scene that none of the other kids who had gone ended up receiving. Soul was the one to get it. Even with her crash at the end. The only moment she bothered to think of them all.

Yet they cheered, for the time when… when she showed them all just what it was like to fly freely. Even the ones who had not performed so well, they all joined in. Some even walking up past others just to try and get a look of her. Her with her wings, still spread out at her back catching the wind in their feathers. Until they both slowly closed back up. Though she felt something. The urge… to not hide them. From any of them in this moment where… she truly did not expect to come to. It all rushed around her. Flooded her. She felt so proud. Do they really like me? Even after all that happened. They don’t need to. They shouldn’t. But they do. At the very least… I thought I would be ignored. The thing I really wanted. But I get this.

Soul had to smile. Smile and blush. Feeling her cheeks warm so much, it was embarrassing. Relief only coming when her flustered self broke by the hat that Nimbus pushed down onto her head. Under which, Soul saw the mare smiling down at her. Should she smile back? Soul only felt shock. Staring down at the clouds to her hooves. Not believing that Nimbus may have been right. And I get to join in with all of them?

“Settle down everypony. Settle down!” Nimbus called out loudly over all their voices. Just barely able to break through it all and managing to make some of them stop. The rest took so much longer to calm down with Amber herself being the last one to stop stamping her hooves. Looking around at all the other ponies she was with and awkwardly smiling when she realized what was going on by herself. She looked way too involved in celebrating Soul. She must have liked it too. Very much. Soul was happy that she could keep such a smile on that filly. On all of them. “Great job, Soul” Nimbus whispered behind the filly as she made her way back to join the others. Soul glanced back. Not wanting to show the others just how close she felt to the mare right now. Going on to join them.

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Nimbus called out to the group as Soul walked up to the other ponies, to join with the two she knew better than the others. Though all of them smiled at her like they all knew her so well. “Great job, everypony! You all did amazing today!” Soul only joined with Amber and Breezy. Sitting next to Amber, but she reached on over when the smaller filly presented her with her hoof and Soul did as she wanted. Before hoof bumping with Amber as well. Really seeing just how happy they were with her in their eyes. Even Amber. Soul expected her to be something different right now. She did sort of sound intimidated before. What’s with the change? Or is she actually happy for me?

Fur touched against her back. Amber patted Soul right between the wings and she giggled. She was happy. For the first time today, Soul actually felt like she belonged somewhere. Close to another pony. The two who happily sat with her. “I’m sorry to say but today’s activities are coming to an end for us soon” Nimbus went on, now joined by Starry who happily handed her a clipboard to add to her own.

“First day is always a quick one, but I think we all made awesome progress today. So you’re parents are all on the way!” She sounded very happy to say that, not like the others. Many of the kids even groaned hearing that. Guess they had been having a lot of fun. Soul admitted it, even though she wanted to go home, she actually felt okay with staying here a little longer. With these two, but they would be leaving, she knew it. Or even Rainbow Dash. Wait.

Soul looked around. Wasn’t she at the front before? Soul looked left and right. Nothing. Maybe she moved on to the back. It did… sound like something she might do. Soul wondered what she may have thought of her flying. If she felt any better. Maybe even among the ponies who cheered for her. She did wish me good luck. “But I did promise a surprise earlier today, and I got a good one for all of you before we all head out.” Nimbus lifted the clipboards for her eyes to go across and she smiled, pulling up a pencil into her mouth. “Just give me a minute.” And she said no more. Turning over to Starry and they both whispered. Soul struggled to hear what they may be saying. What they were planning. She only saw that Nimbus drew upon the papers she had. She was interested. The same could not be said of the others. “Soul.”

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She heard the whisper behind her. Turning over to find one of the colts sitting behind her with a big grin. He leaned forward. Happy to say “How long do you think it will take me to fly like you?” Huh? Soul blinked. Stunned… that him and other kids suddenly joined in. Until she found herself surrounded by so many eager kids. But she wasn’t afraid. They did nothing to make her feel that way. Just small chatter she heard from each of them as they all tried to sit with her.

One filly even budging right past a less than happy Amber to say “Please tell me how you get your feathers like that.” “Yes, please. Your wings are gorgeous” another filly said. Cut off when Amber tossed the filly off of her. Backing up to join with Soul. What she said was the puzzling thing. More than anything the others were saying. “Your wings really are pretty, by the way.” “Oh” Soul finally said. Almost instinctively. She felt she could allow it. Allow one of her wings to gently fall off from her side and… she held it close. Covering herself in its feathers, though not afraid to hide it from them. She actually wanted to show them. Hearing anything they said. “I’m gonna fly like her.” “It was so great to see you fly.” “No, really…” Soul muttered. Holding her wing closer and using her other hoof to pull down her hat over her blushing face. Hating so much that she was like this now especially in front of boys let alone the girls. But every word struck her chords.

“I wasn’t that great” she tried to stop them. “I did crash at the end.” “Oh that’s just because you were going too fast” Amber chimed in. “I saw you, you looked like you just didn’t care when you were flying. Totally in your element. I think we can forgive you for not paying attention at the end there.” Really? Soul wasn’t even sure what she may have looked like. But that didn’t excuse that she did crash at the end… even if I didn’t need to. I flew so perfectly. I did everything I normally do when nopony is looking. Until the end. But I still get this. All these ponies who happily came closer to sit with her. Not what she expected.

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Soul didn’t even move. She didn’t want to knowing they all wanted to be near her. Feeling their eyes gaze upon her wings. She still felt defenseless. Like she was in trouble. But… she didn’t do anything about it. Not even fold up her wing. Smiling under her hat. Seeing that yellowed fur scooched close to her. Amber, strange how she was reacting. She really did seem to like her. My display must have impressed her. And I love it. That was it. Soul loved this.

She looked up to Amber, finding the filly now had a mane of flames, and Amber at the other side of this pony. Spitfire? The filly found a place right between them. Smiling so happily at Soul. Doing exactly what Amber had done. She patted Soul on the back. “Great work up there” she said. “I didn’t even think you would be that skilled.” It was then that Soul giggled finally. “…Thank you. But, come on, I wasn’t that good.” “You can stop being embarrassed” Spitfire said. “I’ve been at this most of my life, and I know a great flyer when I spot one.” She nudged into Soul’s side, just over her wing.

“You’ve got wings of steel.” Why was she being so nice to me? She was a pretty great flyer too… she didn’t need to do this. But there was such kindness in her voice. Like she meant every word she said. Is she trying to cheer me up? Soul let her hoof drop from her hat and her mane hung free along her face. Her really red face. The temptation to hide was so much. Damn it. I didn’t expect this. Even her other wing felt the need to join the first and happily hung lose from her side. Not at all losing any of the kind words said to her. The affection she got. Even one filly asking “Can I touch your wings, they look really soft.” As nice as it was to get such a compliment, Soul had to decline. Waving her off and holding her wings away.

The only pony she allowed to touch her own wings was herself… and Nimbus, who was so gentle when she taught her how to keep them looking so nice. Good thing too. She didn’t need to yelp out in pain from another pony touching her wings here. It was Nimbus again who managed to get all the ponies to calm down and give Soul the space she wanted. “Alright, fillies and colts…!”

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They all readied for the surprise. Whatever it was. Even Soul paid attention. “This whole obstacle course was to help Starry and me decide… who will be partners with who for the rest of the fall. Flight buddies!” Nimbus said. Just like last camp. We’ll have flight buddies here? Soul felt her heart skip a beat. Many of the others so happy to hear this. Spitfire crossing her forelegs right next to Soul and saying with a grin “Awesome.” “So I will call out who gets to fly with who for the rest of the fall.” None seemed to protest the idea. Not even Soul. Just the wonder of who it was she’d be with. A huge list because…

“I want to be with Soul!” A filly cried out. Followed quickly by another kid. Several of them calling right out the name of the filly they wanted to be with. Coming close to demanding over the others for the one filly they really wanted to be with. They want to be paired with me? Soul looked upon them all. Each pony who asked for her. Like her heart had no break today. This felt so exciting and… so good. It… it was enough to make her tremble. Not ones of fear anymore, but of joy. Ponies like me.

“Mrs.” Spitfire called out with a raised hoof. “I’d like to be paired with Soul.” Now that made her gulp… and smile. One… of the… experienced kids wants to be my partner? She wasn’t just being nice for the hell of it. Spitfire really did seem to like her. She must have meant the words she said. She thinks I’m a great flyer. Enough to want to partner with me. “Now, now” Nimbus said to them all. “I don’t take requests.” Met by the groans of everypony. “Damn” Spitfire whispered over to Soul. “Well I tried. Here’s hoping we can fly together.” “Yeah…” Soul said. Not exactly meaning it.

In truth, she didn’t care who she got paired with, and the pairs were made with her left to wait. Seeing as names were called out one by one and fillies and colts came to join one another in pairs. Happily patting hooves. Some even hugging as they joined with their friends. Not one of them was unhappy if they didn’t get paired with Soul. She was happy for them. Knowing they all would be there for one another for the rest of the camp, and that group of kids around her got smaller and smaller. Each of them going to join with the friend they would get.

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Soul felt a little sad to hear it when Spitfire sadly walked off, but she made herself smile. Looking back at Soul. “Oh well, …hope you keep showing me what you got.” Soul nodded. Seeing off the fiery Pegasus going to join with Aurora Flash. Leaving so few left behind to still wonder who they will be paired with. But more went up. Soul kept watch. Looking off at them all and then… when they began to leave.

Running off to join with the ponies who brought them here. As they all began to say goodbye to one another and Nimbus found time to let them know how excited she was to see them tomorrow. I’m excited too. Because today was… something else. I can’t even feel upset right now. Not with my worries. Not with seeing the kids go off with their parents. Not knowing what it was like for their lives. What they may do. Some kids even waved goodbye to her. With their partners already given, they all still liked me. Do they feel proud of me? Though none of them told her that. She didn’t need to to hear it echo in her head. From the voice of a familiar mare. One that I made proud today. Or to be called something like that… haha Soul wanted to heave a happy cry.

He called me his baby girl.

They all like me. Nothing bad happened today. It almost made her want to hug herself if she wasn’t around what was left of the group. “Amber Skyburn. You’re with Breezy Tailwind” Nimbus said. Much to the delight of the twins. They both hugged one another right next to the filly too scared to hug herself. Soul was happy for them. Two sisters being able to be flight buddies. It sounded like a beautiful dream to her. Like something… that actually was kind of cute now that she thought of it. A little jealous actually to see just how much they enjoyed the news. You see, Breezy. You’ll be your sister’s wingpony in no time. She bet that the older sister would do so much to help her little sister out for this camp. Soul let go of her attention to the names when Amber touched her shoulder. Both sisters there smiling at her.

“Great day today, Soul” Amber said. They had no idea. For it to end like this. Soul was just as happy as they were and she didn’t hide it to them. Soul’s hoof met Amber’s. “Maybe we can play later today” Breezy suggested. “Sorry, I’m a bit busy today” Soul said. Loving the idea of maybe playing some game with these two if Nimbus allowed her. But… ice cream called to her. It wasn’t often she got to have any. The twins would understand. “Well, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow” Amber said. “We had a blast today.” “Yeah! We did” Soul said, laughing with her. “Goodbye, Soul” they both said together. Running off in a gallop. Soul loved how much they enjoy themselves. Both fillies going to join with the mare whose fur matched theirs. Their mom. Hugging her kids so much with her wings, both fillies only able to wrap their hooves around her legs. No less joyous to see their mom run her nose through their manes. Soul looked away.

That looked nice. Too nice, as she looked over to Nimbus and Starry. Not wanting to say anything, just wait as the kids slowly disappeared around her, and Soul was left alone. Alone but not unhappy at all. More than liking the idea of going home with those two and coming back tomorrow with them. To make them more proud. I don’t often do that. It feels… good. “Soul Serenity” Nimbus caught Soul’s attention, and that of the few kids left. All of them rearing forward eager to hear their names. As much as Soul was. She was the one who was the most excited to hear what was to come. Forgetting it so quickly in the light of this day.

“You’re with Rainbow Dash.”

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That was the thing that Soul wanted to hear. To hear that pony’s name with her own. That was the thing that brightened up her day. For the rest of the fall. With the one pony who wished me luck. Like her luck was what brought this all out. I get to be with her. Soul giggled. Kicking her hind legs into the clouds. More than eager to meet with the pony she would be with. For the first time. So she could finally say something to her. See why it was… she smiled at… me.

“Hey, Rainbow” Soul said. Turning around. To see nothing. Around again. Soul stood up on all four. Looking among what was left of her group. At all the eyes that turned to her. But none of them were the ones that matched her own fur color. Under that mane of rainbow. With that one moment of joy, her smile faded off. Finding no trace of that pony she wanted to talk to as she wandered off. Taking a few steps off to try and see if she missed something. She did not. She was not here. Not here to talk to her. Oh… did… she leave already? Without hearing who she got paired with? That couldn’t be. It shouldn’t be.

Soul dropped her head. Oh, she really looked forward to talking with her. Their first actual chance. But she didn’t want to give up. This day had been so great. …Left only with the sight of that cyan furred filly with such a frown on her and displeasure in her scowl. Did I make her smile when I flew? I don’t want her to leave today without being happy. Even for just a moment to talk with her, get to know her. Because… she’s going to be my flight buddy. My buddy. The filly shifted a hoof over the other and walked away from the group. Hoping to try and see her somewhere. If she was hiding somewhere. About to leave and maybe able to catch her before she did. At least be able to introduce herself. See that filly bump her hoof against her own. Or even just to see her face. To know if she made a difference.

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But no sign of her, and it was then that Soul once again felt alone. Standing there by herself with no partner next to her. To leave already without her. Without that possibility that Soul wanted. If it was possible with Rainbow Dash. Since it also seemed like something that that pony needed as well, and she really believed it could happen. She was her buddy after all. Leave out of here with a smile as Soul said goodbye to her so she may come back tomorrow to a buddy who was secretly more than happy to be partnered with Rainbow Dash. In this wonderful season she bet was coming. That Nimbus was right.

Rainbow Dash, I hope we can be awesome partners. Soul kept searching for her. Going up to the building that overlooked the camp. Standing upon its raised stairs and into the door where the locker room lay empty. Nopony coming to greet her as her partner, and she looked back out to the field of clouds. Over to where the rest of the group was alongside their parents. All so eager to leave and lovingly reunited with the ponies who cared for them so much. Not one of them being the pony she looked for. All across this empty camp where she stood alone over it all. Then she felt it. Like she was defeated.

Dash… I really wanted to meet you. I was hoping I could have a partner like all the other kids had. But I barely even know you and you don’t know me. We may as well be strangers. Such a shame she would have to leave here knowing that was the case. Since Dash had already left. Slipped out before I could tell her goodbye. All Soul could do was sit herself down upon the steps and wait. Wait for whenever they could leave so this day could be over and a new one to begin after… at least some more moments of fun. Training alongside Nimbus and getting to eat some ice cream, hopefully with whatever toppings she liked. She already saw the strawberries and chocolate sauce covering it all. She licked her lips. I couldn’t talk to Dash, but I could at least have a sweet end to the day. Awesome!

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“Hey Soul Serenity.” Soul perked her ears up to where the voice spoke to her. It didn’t sound familiar one bit. Drawing her in to where it came from, like it came from all around. Frantically turning her head about. Curious for it to be Dash until it hit her that it sounded… like a boy.

Somepony who was still here who wants to talk to me? Why, she was starting to get a little nervous of what they may want. Especially after what happened with the whole group earlier. “Up here.” Soul stopped her search. Craning her neck up and finding just who it was that was talking to her. So close to her, she didn’t have any means of telling how long he may have been there watching her. Now that was what was embarrassing. Though he looked like he meant no harm. Like nothing was wrong. Even if he had caught sight of her moping. He didn’t care at all. Just smiling down at her from his perch above where he hung over the edge of a tiny cloud looking no bigger than he could be. Where Soul even saw his glowing green tail wrapped in the night sky swaying gently over the edge just across from where he peered over.

Really a surprise to find that lavender coated colt of all ponies here floating over her. His first words to her. It left her flustered. Stumbling on her words.

“H-h-hello.” “I don’t think we got a chance to talk yet” the colt she knew as Aurora Flash said back. “You really aren’t much of a talker, huh?” How strange. Soul had no response to him. Kind of rude of him to point that out. Yes, I suck at it. She didn’t take it as an insult. Not in his kind smile. How he laughed a little at the filly who just proved his point. She let it go. More impressed that this colt of all others was actually here to talk to her. “Don’t worry about it” he assured her. “My name is Aurora Flash. I just wanted to let you know a couple things before I head home.” Whoa he was going too fast. Soul still had yet to respond to him. Feeling so weak kneed that a colt was here actually talking to her. The fact he surprised her, and she had to admit that he was a pretty decent flyer… on top of that… kind of cute. Soul shook that thought away.

Damn, I’m really not used to this type of stuff. Placing a hoof to her cheek.

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“It’s… nice to meet you” Soul said back to him. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t expect to find you around here. You scared me.” The colt laughed again.

“Really, I thought you’d have gone home by now” he said. “But it’s still cool I managed to catch you.” He stood up on top of his cloud and kept his place to peer down upon her. His eyes lowered and Soul felt her heart skip a beat. No matter how much his demeanor dropped, he didn’t lose that admirable look of strength in his smile. One that spoke so gently now. So softly against her ears that it made her shudder to hear him talk to her like that.

“Soul, I gotta say… I was really impressed with how you flew today. I didn’t expect it from you. But you really do have the making of an awesome flyer.” “Really?” Soul backed away a couple steps, rubbing her hoof over her cheek. She was the one now who was happy. All… all these ponies really did like her. All I did was do what I normally do. For the most part. Here I thought… no, no reason to think that anymore. For even a young flyer as skilled as Aurora to like her. Spitfire and Amber. All of them. Save for just one who had left her. It didn’t matter. She loved hearing these things. Just to know her efforts for herself were seen as a good thing by others for once. She looked forward to coming back here tomorrow.

“Thank you” Soul whispered. She wanted to tell him just how much she thought he was a great flyer as well. Something to return the favor. Damn her tongue being tied. Her legs wobbling. She felt so pathetic right now. Even more than when all the other ponies complimented her earlier. This feeling, it wasn’t bad, it was one she loved. For herself to be shaking in joy. “If you didn’t hold back, that is.”

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Soul looked back up to the colt. Hearing that change in his voice. It struck something inside of her. Something familiar. To hear a voice like that. Saying something like that. To hold back. What does he mean? Soul couldn’t voice her words. Keeping her dried lips tight. Like her wonders were answered by the frowning pony above.

“You may have fooled the others with that crash but you didn’t fool me. I need to ask you, why did you do that?” Oh no. “I… don’t know what you mean” Soul said. Feeling ever more stupid that a pony may know she did it on purpose. No, she didn’t. To all of them, it was an accident. Something she didn’t mean to do, while the opposite was true inside of her. I didn’t botch it. Botch it for… other reasons. “I lost control of my wings at the end” she said.

“Nope” Aurora snapped. “You aren’t a good actor. Your wings were pretty solid and then just gave up mid-way. Kind of weird you were still looking so happy when that happened.” Did I? Soul held her breath. I… didn’t even notice. I was so caught up. But he couldn’t really believe I did that on purpose. Even if… I did. Not at all helping her feel any less ashamed of herself. Because… they all liked her in the end. No matter how well she performed. They all cheered for her. Sat with her. So many wanted to be her partner. With how perfect I flew and how happy I was. I… didn’t even need to crash at the end. I didn’t need to think the worst would come out of it. That was what held her back from even trying to fight against this colt. Because his words were the truth and she held it in her heart that she was the one lying. “I take a lot of pride in flying” Aurora said. “A lot more than most ponies would know. And it was a really bad move you pulled earlier. Pretty piss poor. You kind of didn’t deserve all that praise you got. Wouldn’t you say so?”

Soul ran her hoof along the steps. Dragging it back to touch against herself. Staring down at it. She let her wings fall as well. He is right. I shouldn’t have gotten that praise. Not at all.

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Soul yelped feeling the cold rush over her. So quickly she didn’t even know what had happened till it was too late. Hard to tell when her mane fell apart to cover her entire face and she shivered. With a fresh breeze coming in. Soul wiped her mane out of the way. Feeling the cold water rush down her soaked mane and all over her drenched fur. Puddling all around where she sat. She stared upon that water. Looking down her muzzle at all the water dripping down her mane and along her nose. Falling to join the rest that surrounded her. Soaked her butt. Dampened her tail.

She just held her mouth open. Unable to tell what had happened. Just the remains of rain water plopping down around her, dwindling away so slowly till it came out no more. Leaving but a filly sitting in the water, shivering and holding herself. It almost made her want to fall to the ground. But the smell gave it away. The smell of the water. She had been rained on. Looking back up and finding Aurora with his cloud, hooves planted firmly on to it, where the last of the rain dripped out of its fluffy bulk. One last thing came down from that cloud. The colt himself. Hovering down to float in front of her. In front of the filly who started to cry.

Soul didn’t sniffle. She didn’t dare to moan. But the tears came out, mixing with all the water running down her face like it were just more rainwater. She backed away a little. Scared. There were so many times this day when she felt so defenseless and pathetic. But this was it. Like she felt naked in front of this colt who scowled at her. Covering herself up in her wings and legs, trying to hide her shivering. That is what it would look like. Because she actually was protecting herself. Afraid of what was to come now that it happened. Then all her hopes fell apart.

“It pisses me off when ponies joke around with flying. Somepony like you… you don’t deserve to call yourself a great flyer, and I’d be damned if you show me up.” Aurora reared in on her. Soul just wanted him to go away. Leave so she could get a towel and not need to hide. She slid her head down under her wings. Just watching the water drip down into the darkness. Her precious wings keeping her safe. Safe from this terrible thing that she… she didn’t want at all. “You’re pretty pathetic, Soul.” Ended by the flutter of wings disappearing into the sky. Moments passed. Before… before the frightened filly left her safety, looking up to find herself alone. Alone with her thoughts and the fact that this day… had been awful. I didn’t expect to be praised for my flying. I didn’t expect everypony to like me. So stupid of me to think it would happen. It never happens. Just like last time. And here I thought it would be a good thing. Nimbus and Starry worked so hard to get me into this camp. Just so they could be with me all day and so I could make friends. Why did this have to happen?

“Looks like what you said earlier didn’t work out.”

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Soul darted her head over. Afraid of who it may be. Did he come back? Her legs almost jutted out ready to take her off. No mane of glowing greens or violets. But one of rainbow.

Stepping out from the corner. Standing so still. But she kept Soul firmly in her eyes. For this to be the time when the two fillies could be together alone, face to face. With Soul just there, wanting to run away. Away from this filly who showed no compassion in her face. Nothing in her voice. Just words that made Soul want to cringe. Hide away. Scream at somepony. “About just doing what you want to do” Rainbow Dash said. As if trying to reaffirm her. Let Soul know she was so stupid. I know I’m stupid. And I got what I deserved. Now I will from now… on. Just like… it always has been. Soul had nothing to say to the filly. She didn’t want to say anything. “Such a shame.”

Rainbow Dash flew off. Soul fell forward. Trying to get the words out. Call out after the filly who left her with those terrible words. Just wanting to ask her to wait. Soul held her hoof out, up to the pony who went into the sky. Jumping over the walls to the camp and she disappeared. Why even do that? Soul let her hoof clamber back down to the ground. She saw me… get rained on. Why say that to me. I only wanted to be her friend. I only wanted her to smile. But to say something like that to me. Leave me like this. I thought we were supposed to be buddies, and that’s what Soul needed right now. A buddy. All alone with her soaked mane and fur. Weeping into her wing. Left with it all. The truth in the matter. I did… get what I… expected. Even when I tried not to. I still got it. Forgetting all the happy words that were told to her today. Filled just with the voices of those who she bet hated her. Soul wiped her face off again and again. Groaning into her legs. Slamming both of them back down. She angrily looked upon the ground.

Damn this place. When I was supposed to just be able to enjoy working towards my dream. It had to be ruined… again. Because nopony likes me. Not even my par… I can’t even think about it. I don’t want to. I just want what Nimbus wanted for me. Soul held in her tears. She had to when she heard her name called out. “Soul!”

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The filly glanced over. Not at all looking away from the ground. But she saw Nimbus and Starry coming over to her. She didn’t want to see them any longer than she had to. Because… she let them down. They did so much to try and get me in here, to make my life better. It can’t be that I ruined it. It was so great to see Nimbus so hopeful for the filly. That this would really be a turning point in her life. Away from all that crap in the past. Away… from it… all. Soul shuddered. I just want to fly the way I want to. Without worrying. For once.

“Soul.” Hooves clanked up to her. Soul shook her mane. Sending the water flying off her. Trying her best to compose herself. She coughed in the end. Water running into her nose. “Oh dear, Soul what happened to you?” Nimbus pleaded of her. She felt a familiar touch on top of her back. Starry laying his hoof gently on her. For a moment. “I’ll go get a towel. It’s okay, Soul.” The stallion galloped off. With just Nimbus there coming closer to the filly. The filly who whipped her mane away. Feeling her inside quake… because their questions said all. They didn’t know what happened. …Good. Soul uttered a little laugh. Laughing not at the situation… but at herself. Nimbus could not tell. As long as she didn’t know that I messed up. Again. “I’m sorry” Soul muttered. “Oh, don’t be sorry. What happened?”

Nimbus sat down next to her and snaked a hoof around the filly. Pulling her a little closer into her. To where Soul’s soaked fur touched Nimbus’ warm body. She doesn’t know. Haha. Don’t you worry, Nimbus. It’ll get better. I’ll find a way. This is all my fault after all. “I slipped in a puddle.” “Come here, Soul” Nimbus whispered. Placing her wing down on top of the filly who gladly sat down with her. “I’ll keep you warm till you’re dry.” “Can we just go home…” Soul asked her. “Soon?” The mare sighed. Silence filling the space between the two of them. Soul just looked away. Unable to look her in the face after lying to her. But anything for her. I got to keep her proud of me. Because I’ll prove to them all. I won’t let those two jerk kids get to me. Even if… it hurts so much. Rainbow Dash… I just wanted to be your friend. “It’s okay, Soul” Nimbus whispered. “We’ll go home, but we need to go shopping first. I’m gonna pick up your ice cream. How about a big bowl for my special girl?” Oh yeah, I was supposed to get ice cream tonight… for being a good girl.

A good girl who didn’t mess up. I’m sorry, Nimbus.

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Soul let the door close behind her. Scampering past Starry and Nimbus, both so swamped in heavy saddlebags filled with things Soul didn’t even care to see when they bought them. Whatever they were, she only hoped they would be happy with them.

She didn’t care. Over any of it. Not with the voices still ringing in her head. Reminding her, and it pained her for far too long. To see that she had truly failed herself. With these wings of mine. These wings that were supposed to bring out the best day. Something so different from what she was used to. It only led to much of the same. It just wasn’t fair. Not fair at all that she just couldn’t get anything good for her. Doing her best to show Nimbus that she was happy. Joyous when they picked out the ice cream she wanted. More than happy to talk to Nimbus about some flying techniques Soul was more than happy to try out at some time. Preferably when she wouldn’t have anypony around to watch her. Safe and sound doing what she loved most in the comfort of her home. A place she missed all day long and finally able to walk into it again.

Brushing past her companions. It just wasn’t right anymore to pretend like she was happy. Because she couldn’t be happy. Not with her eyes drooping to the ground and her hooves almost dragging. Just that dull pinging in her whole body with heavy eyes. She just didn’t care any longer. Soul just stretched herself out. Standing with the sofas ringing around the living room. Doing her best to look like she was about to just plop herself down on them. Eager to get to enjoying the evening with Nimbus and Starry. If she had the energy. If she cared to. Not with this weight on her. One that left her so sad. Deep inside. To hide it away from them both. She felt so bad to do it. But I’m supposed to be their good little girl. A pony that so many would love to be around. If only that was true. It was another battle to keep herself from crying again. So many times wanting to do it while they went around the shops and market stalls. Flying home on top of Nimbus’ back. Planting her face right into the mare’s mane. She didn’t even notice. Nor did they now when they both went past towards the kitchen. Leaving Soul to herself with the steps ahead of her.

The filly slipped past. Creeping on the soft, cloudy surface of their home. She stopped. Looking back over to the front door. Out the windows upon that dark night shrouded in what was left of the Sun’s dying glow cast upon the big and open field of clouds where… where earlier she wanted to fly among. To train with Nimbus. On all those clouds formations she had prepared for the filly all around their house. It just… wasn’t the case anymore. Soul glanced back down. Sighing to herself. Before she let her first hoof step upon the stairs, and she went on up. Like it took forever to try and slip out of there. Each step feeling longer than the last. Anything just to get to her room. Because she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Not in front of them. The filly came up to the top, venturing on past the cloud walls covered in the beautiful portraits of Cloudsdale and all its wonder. She stopped to peer upon the one that she loved to see so much. Tonight, no different. Because it was where great flyers went to. To that open and vast coliseum that took over the painting, with so many pegasi left to dance about it. A titan in the sky. Soul left it be. Silently going off to her room.

“Soul.” She stopped suddenly. Damn it. Not needing to turn to feel Nimbus behind her. Peering over the steps. Feeling her worried look back there. Soul grimaced. “Where are you going?” I just can’t. I can’t bear to do it any longer. “I’m sorry, I’m very tired. I just want to go take a nap.” Soul didn’t give her the chance.

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Nimbus stepped up the last of the stairs. Trying to reach her hoof out to the little filly that ran off. Ashamed in herself, that her shock kept her from stopping the filly, before her door shut behind her. Soul was gone. Leaving Nimbus there with Starry. Her beloved husband joined her. Though she had nothing to say to him. Just seeing that filly’s eyes so much today and all the pain in them. I can’t… demand anymore of her. She must be tired. So very tired. In more ways than one.

Nimbus felt herself pulled closer. Held in the wing of Starry. Both of them staring off hopeful to see that filly come back out. I’m sorry, if I was too hard on you today, Soul. I’m trying my best… to help you forget. Nimbus joined Starry in their hug. Planting her face down into his fur. Even like this, no reason to be happy. Only worried for the little one on the other side of the door.

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Raised walls going so high into the sky, high enough to be seen all the way over here. Past all the towers and weather factories. Like a shining symbol of Cloudsdale’s might. Arced spans and winding banners running all along it, but silent. On this night. No spotlights spread across the sky. No cheers from its berth.

She wondered if anypony else looked upon it right now or if she was the only one. The only one to dream of it. To feel so sad by it. A place for great flyers. I like to see myself as one. But I keep messing up. He said it best. Aurora. Nopony wants me to be a great flyer. Soul sniffled. Her hoof drifting off the book she had left upon her chair yesterday night. Wanting to get around to it. Not tonight. I don’t even want my ice cream. I don’t want the rewards of a good flyer. Not tonight, when I just feel like a crappy one. Another night. Like always. Soul Serenity alone in her room. With the lights off, and only the moonlight cast in through her blinds. Guiding back to the bed. She couldn’t look at it anymore. I failed so many. It’s just another day. For me… Soul wept into the covers of her bed.

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Was Soul still up? Starry looked down to the crack under her door as he approached it. No light shone through. Didn’t mean it entirely. He didn’t quite understand it, but that filly sure did love spending time in the dark sometimes. How she managed to read as she did it, he’ll never find out. He should still check. It still drove him to. Holding the bowl of ice cream topped to the brim in his mouth. Spoon ready in it for Soul, alongside the strawberries he was sure to put in on top.

She deserved it. I don’t often bother her when she’s in her room but today was a special day. A day he was so proud to have happened for the filly. No matter what hardships were suffered today, it still worked out in the end just to see her smile with so many ponies around her. All of them so eager just to meet her. It was such a beautiful sight, all because of her efforts. He didn’t fault her for going to bed early. After all that, the little filly just wasn’t used to being out all day. If she wasn’t awake to eat, at least… make sure she was alright. The poor thing looking so dead tired all evening. A real change from her normal, hyper self. Even dropping out of the training they had planned tonight.

Well, Nimbus would love to do it for her tomorrow instead. He knocked his hoof upon the door. “Soul, you awake?” Moments passed… with no answer. Oh dear… did he just waste making this bowl for her? He waited a little longer.

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Then the door creaked open. Pushed open by his own hoof. Letting the dim light of the hallway seep into the dark room. Reflecting brightly off the window… the one Soul left with the blinds still open.

“Soul?” he whispered, creeping in on light hooves. Looking past the door and… there he found the filly, asleep on top of her bed at the other side. Not even the new light coming in woke her up. It only made him quieter. Stopping on his hooves. But he would not leave. Even with knowing she would not be able to eat. He couldn’t just leave her the way that he found her over there, shaking his head and smiling at her. Really is a poor thing. So sleepy. Starry didn’t leave, he came in. In upon gentle flaps of his wings bringing him to a float. All her bookshelves left undisturbed around the room. Set upon the walls in between the posters they had gotten her over the years of scenes so familiar to the ones out in the hall. She loved them just as much, so much that she surprisingly kept them so clean of dust to sparkle in the light in their foiled sheets. Even the book on the chair, left just as he found it when he woke her up this morning. Didn’t even touch it. She really did fall right to sleep. Especially with how it was he found her. The little filly left sprawled out on top of the blankets. Even her wings left to blanket the bed itself, into which… she lightly snored. Snored under the safety of her mane and the hat she had worn left to her side.

Soul, you goofball. Starry smiled deeper. Putting the bowl down on the chair. She can’t have it tonight, but she will definitely get it tomorrow. In fact, Starry thought Nimbus wouldn’t pay attention if he put another scoop in there for Soul. No food tonight, it looked like. She slumbered so peacefully, her tail gently waving along the blankets. I hope she’s having a good dream. After all she did, it’s the least she could get. Alongside a great night’s sleep.

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Starry was careful to come in closer to her. Hovering right over her prone body. Can’t leave her like that. It was supposed to get chilly later tonight. Funny, it’s been years since I did this. Kind of nostalgic. She’s become such a big girl so quickly, but I still remember when you were so much smaller. And you loved it when I did this for you. I wonder if you still would, even if you insist you can do it yourself. No matter what, you’re still our baby girl.

Starry slid his hooves slowly under her chest. Careful not to touch her wings. She didn’t wake, not at all, as he picked her right up. So light. Almost like you never did grow up. May as well be the case. Just thinking about it, it brought them all back. The memories that made him want to tear up right now. The day when this filly entered their lives. The greatest gift they ever received when it seemed like Nimbus would never be able to achieve her dream. Her true dream. No matter how much they wanted it, they never could. Until you came to us. That was the day, he got to first do this for her. Starry placed her head down upon the pillow. So gentle, she did not even stir though her snoring stopped and her wings ruffled closer. Sighing in her sleep. Starry waited for her.

She finally relaxed again. Lost in her sleep. Free to let Starry pull the blanket over her. Closer and only her little head popped out. Her wings twitching so slightly under the blanket. Stopping like they let Starry move around to tuck her in. Folding the blanket around her. He hovered back up when the filly sighed again and she moved. For just a moment. All she did was roll to her side. Cradling herself under the blanket. Burying her face back down into the pillow this time. She wasn’t this mobile when she was smaller. Probably a sweet dream. The best gift she could get tonight for all she did. I can only make sure she’s cozy. Tucking her back in. Certain she would be warm for the rest of the night. He wouldn’t leave.

Looking down on her again. Just seeing it even more. It’s still been such a long time, but you’re still that tiny foal. Who made Nimbus’ dream come true when her body failed her. That horrible news they had to know far before she came. Dashed away like that just when we saw your smile. I wonder how he’s doing. I wish he could come back to see us some time, so we can thank him again for bringing you to us. So we could see just how happy and strong you could become. To be the light of our lives. Soul Serenity. I’m so proud of you. Starry glanced back to the doorway, hopeful to not find Nimbus there. They were alone. Good. Starry, lowered himself down. Landing at her bedside. So close to her little face. Nimbus would make fun of me so much for this. But you deserve it, champ. Starry leaned in to her peaceful face. Going till he couldn’t anymore. Planting his nose softly onto her cheek. The same little rub he gave that made the tiny foal giggle many years ago. Nothing like that now. Nuzzling her for so long. He just wanted to let her know how much she meant to him. For her to wake up and find him like this. She didn’t. That was okay. As long as she’ll always know just how much they appreciated her. We’ll do anything to keep you happy so you can reach your dreams. Just like you helped us reach our dream.

“Sweet dreams” he whispered to her ear. Leaving out the door with the bowl in his mouth, ready for her tomorrow.