MLP Future: Prince of Unityby Sacred Sky HeartChaptersA Young Pegasus Wishing To BelongSchool of Friendship's First Graduation and Meeting The PastA New Element and A Coming StormSurprise Attack to Sudden PainA Young Pegasus Wishing To BelongIn the sky city of Cloudsdale, a little skyblue pegasus with a short silver mane was wandering around after leaving school, not on the usual path to his home. He felt he needed to clear his mind of what all the other fillies kept telling him. "Agh! Why don't I have a cutie mark yet!?" Yells the young colt. His problem was actually similar to alot of other ponies at his age. The term 'blank flank' seemed pretty common for many bullies to use on young fillies. However, this little pegasus has a deeper wound that the older ponies always poked at. As the pegasus wandered, he noticed it was beginning to get dark. Princess Celestia was lowering the sun so her sister, Princess Luna, could bring out the moon and go out helping all ponies in their dreams. "Oh, I guess I should head home before daddy and my cousin get worried." Sighing, he takes off to the sky, looking for a fast route to his home. "Oh! Look who is here, guys! It's Dash's little Blank Flank of a cousin, Sky Heart!" Sky looks down, seeing an older midnight blue pegasus with a blonde mane fly up, getting in his way. A few other pegasi fly up as well, surrounding the smaller pegasus colt. "C'mon guys! I don't want to deal with you right now! I have to get home!" yells Sky. He tries to get by, but it pushed back into two of the other ponies, both grabbing his legs. "Awww. Are you trying to get home so you can play with your dollys? Or is it because you want to talk to mommy? Oh! I forgot. You don't have a mommy!" Laughs the midnight blue colt. He then headbutts Sky in the chest, making him lose all his air in his lungs. This action also makes the other ponies let go, and Sky drops down, hitting his head on a glass window of a shop. "Um, Thunder? I don't think that was very-" says one of the pegasi, before Thunder cuts him off. "I'm gonna stop you there. He had it coming, after all. Thinking he could just chat with my mare-friend and not expect any kind of punishment? Heheheh. He's just getting a warm-up so far." He flies down, followed begrudgingly by his friends. Sky tries to get up, breathing for air. He then notices he is surrounded again, Thunder being closer to him than the others. "Now, what kind of pain should I give this mare-friend stealer?" He mocks. Sky struggles to get up, crying a bit. "I wasn't trying to take your mare-friend, Thunder! I just wanted to become simple friends with her!" Cries out Sky. Unfortunately, he is bucked into the wall he was next to, Thunder laughing. "Well, I guess you should have figured out you were out of her league! Now, time for your wake up call!" Thunder starts to charge at Sky, smiling evilly as he was aiming to break his legs. That is until a fist of wind started to blow, throwing him off balance. The other pegasi colts look up, seeing dark clouds begin forming in a swirl. Panicking, they fly off to their respective homes. Unfortunately, Thunder got furious at this because of a little 'bad luck.' "Hey! Get back here you cowards!" He yells at them, not getting any response back. He furiously huffs, turning back to Sky. Sky was shaking, scared of what was going to come. He was oblivious to the unusual weather that had blown Thunder off target. "Looks like I have to do this all by myself!" Yells Thunder, jumping into the air and diving at Sky. Sky yells out, terrified. Then, Sky's eyes turn completely white, glowing with radiance that slightly blinded Thunder. The next thing was a blue lightning bolt shooting down from the unusual stormcloud, striking Sky on his forehead. "Well," says Thunder, backing away just in time to avoid the lightning, "I guess my job is....." He then notices Sky wasn't hurt at all. "H-how!?" He yells out, only to get blown back by a white aura-like field and getting knocked out on contact with a building. **** "Nnngh. Wha? What happened?" Sky asks himself. He realizes he is in some sort of void. "H-hello?" He calls out. Soon a light appears before him, and out of it steps a blue alicorn with a sparkling blue mane. It was Princess Luna. "Hello, little one. Are you feeling okay?" She asks, showing a bit of worry for the pegasi filly. "Huh? Of, yes I'm fine. Thank you Princess. But....why are you here? And where IS here?" Asks a confused Sky. Princess Luna sighs, not knowing how to say this. "Well, Sacred Sky Heart, we are in your dreamscape. As to where....you are in a intensive care hospital ward in Cloudsdale." Explained Princess Luna. Sky was, putting it mildly, shocked. "Wh-wh-WHAT!?" Shouts Sky, now in full panic mode. "What happened!? How!? Why!? Has it been only a day!? A week!?" He rants on, flying around in a streak of silver. "Be calm little one. It hasn't been a week." Princess Luna calmly tells Sky, to which he slightly slows down. "As to what happened, you were being bullied by a colt named simply Thunder. Unfortunately, nopony knows how the both of you were hurt. He was released yesterday from the hospital, but I finally got a chance to contact you right now." She continues, but Sky saddens, realizing he somehow hurt the biggest bully in Cloudsdale High. He soon feels a hoof on his shoulder, and sees Luna pull him into a hug. "Do not let this get to you, young Sky Heart. I know you wouldn't do such a thing on purpose. How you did it, though... That remains unclear." "I....I don't know what happened either. All I remember was I panicked, then everything went white! That's all I remember until you came to me now." Sky explained, not feeling any better. Luna holds Sky closer, comforting him the best she could. "I too know what it feels like, to have done something unintentionally and blaming myself like it was all my fault. However," she lets go of Sky, smiling at him, "your cousin Rainbow Dash, along with her friends, reminded me that if it was not on purpose, you mustn't let it weigh you down." Sky couldn't help but look at the princess of the night, surprised. He knew she was known previously as Nightmare Moon until Rainbow Dash and her friends defeated her with the Elements of Harmony. What did she do to feel she something wrong when it was an accident? Before he could ask, soft murmurs could be heard. "Looks to me you are finally about to wake up." Says a sincere smiling Luna. "In case you continue to feel this way, head to the little town of Ponyville. I'm sure my sister's protegé and the princess of friendship will help you. Especially since she just opened her School of Friendship. I must take my leave now. I do hope you take my advice, Sacred Sky Heart." Luna ruffles Sky's mane before walking into a light disappearing with his surroundings. ***** "Wha-!?" Sky shoots up out of the bed, looking around. He notices he is surrounded by hospital equipment, an IV in his arm. Over in the chairs of his hospital room laid his father and cousin. Dash, overhearing Sky waking up, speeds over and hugs him right. "Ack! Cuz....can't....breathe.....!" He gasps, making Rainbow Dash let go. She was crying. "Heheh. Sorry little cuz. I'm....I'm just glad you're okay." Stutters Rainbow, trying to fight more tears from coming. Sky smiles a little, hugging her back. He then remembers his conversation with Princess Luna. "Hey Dash?" Sky looks to Dash, feeling nervous. "Yeah Sky?" She looks at him, smiling as she finally stopped crying. "Um..... can you help me enroll at the School of Friendship?" School of Friendship's First Graduation and Meeting The PastIt has been a year since the Bad Three were defeated by all the creatures of Equestria, and the School of Friendship was abuzz more than usual. The reason was because the first graduation ceremony was being planned and every creature couldn't wait for the day to arrive. All except onepony. Sky had enrolled three years ago, and he had pretty decent grades. The main reason he wasn't looking forward to the graduation was because all the friends he made, mainly the first six students, would no longer be around campus and Sky didn't want to deal with saying goodbye again to those close to him. "Yo Sky? You up there?" Yelled out an orange dragon, sounding concerned through the tough-girl act. Sky sighs, getting off his hidden perch and flies down from next to the roof flag. "Hey Smolder. How did you know I was there?" "Heh, it wasn't that hard.... like when you played Hide-and-seek....in the clouds." Smolder seemed to get more depress-like at each statement, making Sky smile and chuckle a bit. This in turn made Smolder smile and laugh as well. "So, why did you fly off so suddenly Sky? Everyone was worried. Even Ocellus started to panic a litt-" a sudden crash in the school sounds, cutting off the orange dragon and causing her to sigh. "Rephrase: a lot! She was scared you didn't want to be friends anymore." Sky looks back, but sighs. "I'm sorry. I just....I don't want to say goodbye to those I care about so much....not again..." Smolder catches Sky's mutter, looking confused. "Wait.... Again? We have been here together since you first enrolled. Are you scared of us leaving and never talking to you afterwards? Bahahahaha!" Smolder simply laughs, not noticing the tears filling Sky's eyes and running down. After finishing, she notices and hugs him. "Don't let little stuff like that bother ya. We'll always be friends, no matter where we may be." Shocked and unable to hold back the tears any longer, sky wraps his hooves and wings around Smolder, crying not tears of sadness now, but tears of joy. "Th-thanks Smolder. I....I practically forgot everything I learned here. Especially from all of you." Smolder smiles and let's go, winking. "What are friends for? We stick together through thick and thin." Another crash is heard then, followed by Pinkie Pie crying out. "NOT THE CUPCAKES!!!!!" Smolder and Sky look at each other, snickering before bursting out in laughter. "Hahaha! Heh, guess we should go let Ocellus know I'm okay." "Heheheh. Yeah. Don't need Ms. Rarity's classroom being next on the havoc list." ***** The day of the graduation ceremony arrived a week later. Yona, Ocellus, Smolder, Gallus, Silverstream, and Sandbar sat in the center of the gathering along with their fellow graduation classmates, eager to start spreading what they learned from Twilight and her friends to the world. As everypony were going over the final adjustments to the decorations, Rainbow Dash zooms in, slightly panicked. "Where is he!? He wouldn't leave the house unless he had a reason, right!? Why didn't he leave a note saying where he went!?" She continued to rant on until she got pulled down to the floor by Rarity's magic. "My dear Rainbow Dash, what in Celestia has you so panicked?" "It's Sky! He's disappeared!" She yells, making everyone sigh. "He did say he was going to be late to us." Explained Silverstream. "Yeah. He told friends he wanted to get something special. Yona wonders what Sky could be getting?" States Yona. Soon there thoughts are interrupted by Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship herself, coming up to the podium. "I am very happy to announce the first graduating class from my School of Friendship are here to spread what they have learned in the school. Each member of the staff, my friends, have done their very best to share their experiences to help the students get a good understanding on how friendship can be a powerful form of magic. Now, let us announce all of the class members that are graduating today!" She declared, and everyone cheered, some that possessed magic making small fireworks to honor the graduating class. ***** In the Everfree Forest, Sky was at the cave that once housed the Tree of Harmony. Wanting to find something for his friends to remember him by, he thought why not something from the very source that started their friendship? Unfortunately, no shards or crystals could be found in the cave. "Ugh. I guess it was a waste of time. Maybe Twilight was right about not needing a physical item to remember something?" He says out loud, trying to comfort himself from his insecurities. However, he soon trips over a rock, falling into his face. "Owowow!" He gets up, rubbing his nose. "Why was a rock up that high?" He looks towards it, but notices a slight shine to it. Entranced, he reaches out to it, slightly touching the surface. Almost immediately, a light shoots out of it, blinding Sky. The light flies out of the cave, going towards the south of Equestria and pass its borders. This was no regular light. It was a sort of signal. But to what? ***** "......y...." Sky could hear some sort of faint voice, but couldn't see anything. He was in some sort of dark fog. ".....y Sk.....eart." "Hello?" Asks Sky into the darkness. Not really sure where the sounds were coming from. "My Sacred Sky." A slight sillhoette starts to form in front of him. Color started to fill in, and sky could not believe who was before him. "M....mom....?" He choked out. Sure enough, a elegant, green mare with an orange mane stood before him. She had large wings as well. However, she had something that Sky never seen in photos of his mother. On her head was a long, graceful horn, almost identical in length of Celestia's. She smiles, approaching Sky. "Yes my sweet young colt, It's me. Forest Rae, but also your mother." She giggled. "H...how are you...why do you...?" Stuttered Sky, not really knowing what to say. "Why do I have an alicorn horn?" She saddens a bit, but looks Sky in the eyes. "Well, it's because I didn't want to be a princess. I know many ponies want to be royalty, but I didn't feel right commanding others to do things for me. I ran away from my Kingdom to the south of Equestria, hoping to settle down without worry of such stress. Upon my arrival in Equestria, I was amazed by how everypony helped each other without an argument or asking for anything in return." She then smiles. "One night, in my cave I was living in to avoid being seen, I fell asleep and met with another Princess. I know you met her once as well, but I felt scared upon seeing Luna in my dreams. However, she assured me that nopony would find out about my secret, and she taught me a spell to hide my alicorn horn from those around me. Of course, I could still use my magic, but nopony could figure out where or whose magic it was. And in all joy, that is how I got to meet your father." Giggling, she sits down. "It was my first time going to Cloudsdale, a city actually made of clouds and floating in the sky. While I was walking around, your cousin zips by, nearly knocking me over. Another pegasus followed her, and I fell into a fountain. The pegasus noticed this and quickly returned to me, making sure I was okay. I went to tell him I was just fine, but his soothing, gentle and kind eyes took my heart, and I realized I had fallen for him." Forest looks at sky, pulling him into a gentle hug. "If that never happened, I would never have felt the joy of becoming a mother. Your mother." Sky couldn't hold it in any longer. He hugged Forest back tightly, wrapping his hooves around her neck, crying hard. "Thank you so much Mom! I never thought I'd ever get a chance to talk with you, let alone hug you!" He sobs, happy to be hugging her after so long of wondering what it would feel like. She returns the hug back, bringing her wings around them both as well. "I am glad to have granted this wish of yours, my son." She lets go, but then worries. "Sky, in that place you were at last, did you touch a small stone?" Sky thinks back, nodding. "Yeah, but it seemed to emit its own light. Almost like the Elements of Harmony. Why do you ask, mom?" Forest sighs, realizing why she felt uneasy. "Back in my old kingdom, there was a prophecy that spoke of a beacon to a land of light. A place of bountiful beauty and magic. Unfortunately, the king of that time set up a spell upon the entire country that, once the beacon has been activated, would go to start a war, aiming to conquer it and enslave all creatures that defied them. I'm just glad you seem unaffected by this curse casted by the evil king." She smiles as she looks at Sky, not seeing any change or corruption in him. However, Sky felt confused and a little uneasy. Just as he was about to ask Forest something, sounds could be heard. "It seems you need to wake up, my son." She says as she begins to fade. "Wait! What do I do? Will I get to see you again? Mommy!" Forest smiles sadly, ghostly tears sliding down her cheeks. "Time will tell, my son. For now, be strong." She soon fades away completely, leaving behind one last sentence. "I love you, my Sacred Sky Heart." A New Element and A Coming StormSky opens his eyes slowly, being blinded slightly by the light of the sun. "Wait.... Wasn't I inside the cave?" He looks around, feeling a sense of deja Vu right now. "I better get back to the school before the graduation ceremony ends." He flies up, looking around to see where he was. What he did not expect was what appeared to be a volcano next to a dark grey castle. "Um, this isn't Equestria...." He trails off as he sees a silver light strikes the highest spire of the castle, the same color of light that blinded him at the Cave of Harmony! Everything suddenly became a blur, soon resettling in what seemed like a throne room. There were no stain glass windows like in the castle back in Canterlot, but plenty of torches illuminating haunting portraits. The one closest to the throne looked to be damaged, hard to make out who was in it. He slowly flew to end farthest from the throne and found a portrait of an alicorn that looked almost like King Sombra, former king and tyrant of the Crystal Empire. His wings had red highlights in their feathers, and his mane and tail had a similar pattern. His alicorn horn was what drew Sky's attention right away, though. Unlike being the usual spear shape, this alicorn's horn was in a zigzag kind of shape. "I don't understand. Is it really possible for there to be alicorn colts?" His thoughts were cut short as he heard muffled voices approaching from outside. Sky decides to quickly hides behind one of the huge support pillars, and the giant doors open. "Sire, are you sure you want to go right away? I mean, I know that the prophecy is being fulfilled, but from what I've studied of the transcripts-" explains a small white colt with a slightly disheveled light blue mane, only to be cut off by the spreading of wings. Wings similar to those of the portrait near the front belonging to the alicorn king of the past. "I do not wish to hear about your mess and troubles! Alert all of the country, Messi Nizer! It is time to claim our new home." Says the older pony, turning just enough for Sky to see he was an alicorn. His horn was slightly curved, just like how King Sombra's was. "Y-y-yes King Shadin!" Messi bows quickly, rushing out of the large hall, the doors shutting behind him. King Shadin walks over to the throne, looking at the damaged portrait. "I hope you enjoyed your home, dear sister. Because after I conquer this land...I'll be coming for you." He says, dark swirling must flowing from around is crimson eyes. **** "AAAH!" Sky yells with a start, looking around see it was slightly dark. He was back in the Cave of Harmony? "What kind of nightmare was that!? I might it be able to..." He soon trails off after seeing the silver light again, shining bright. He reaches down into the dirt, pulling out what appeared to be a a simple rock. Upon further inspection though, it had a unique design embedded in it. Six circles, each one colored differently from the others, connected to what appeared to be a silver and blue diamond in the center of the spheres. Unity... "Huh?" Sky looks around, but doesn't see anyone. As he was about to call out, bells start sounding off in the distance. "Oh dang it! I'm late for the ceremony!" He quickly flies out, carrying the stone with him in his saddle bag. Little did Sky realize, this stone would define his future in many ways. Surprise Attack to Sudden PainSky barely made it to the school to see everyone finish getting their diplomas. He stands at the entrance, smiling. Suddenly, Twilight steps up to the podium again. "Now, I know many of you are ready to get out there, but we have two creatures here that wants to say a few words. Ocellus and Gallus, please come up to the podium." Immediate, Ocellus rushes up, while Gallus was tossed up by Yona. "Ack! What was that for? I didn't volunteer!" Complained the gryphon. "Well, the rest of us did Gallus." Snickers Sandbar. "Heheh, Ocellus wanted to do team speech, but Yona not good at talking." "Yeah, and you always know how to make your mouth fly as fast as you actually can." Giggles Silverstream. Gallus looked to Sandbar with pleading eyes, to which he chuckles lightly. "Sorry Gallus. You are on your own in this." Sandbar chuckles as Gallus sighs in defeat. After the laughter from the scene dies down from in the auditorium, Ocellus steps to the podium to begin her speech. However, a loud crash sounds from above. Every creature looked up, and several dark armored pegasus ponies fly down. Amidst a chaos that could rival Discord, two pegasus ponies grabbed Ocellus, carrying her away as she screamed. "Ocellus!" Sandbar tries to jump after her, but gets hit by a beam of red magic. Sky, seeing his friends getting hurt and separated, jumps into the air and flies at the pegasi. Not noticing him until it was too late, they get slammed into each other and drop Ocellus. She catches herself with her wings flaring open, landing safely next to Sandbar in concern. "Sandbar! Y-you're going to be okay. I promise!" she cries. However, an evil chuckle is heard from within the cloud of dust created from the debris. Sky recognized it from his vision, now feeling his legs become shaky. "Well well well. So this is the so called "School of Friendship?" Looks more like a gathering of useless creatures and lowly ponies, to me." Said the dark, male voice. Before anyone could say anything, a beam of red magic flies at the Young 6. However, it is deflected by a violet barrier. Everyone turns and sees Princess Twilight's horn glow the purple aura of her magic. "Who are you? You have no right to coming here and destroying my school!" She yells at the figure. Even though no one could see his face well, his gaze could be felt. "Who am I? I am the new king of this land! I am your new ruler, and all creatures here shall obey me, King Shadin!" Yells the stallion angrily. He steps out of the dust, and everyone simply gasped at his appearance. He was not a unicorn, but a soot black furred alicorn. His horn was shaped like a lightning bolt, zigzagging sharply. Sky feels a sharp pain suddenly, his head burning for some reason. This alicorn was in his vision, but somehow Sky felt something more. King Shadin suddenly placed a hoof on his forehead, like something hit him. He looks around the room until he spots Sky. "Bring me that pegasus!" He yelled, pointing towards Sky Heart. Just before the soldiers could, a light blinds every creature. King Shadin glares where Sky was, because when the light was gone, so was everyone else. "Hmmm. It seems we are connected somehow, little pegasus. How I don't know, but I will find out."
A Young Pegasus Wishing To BelongIn the sky city of Cloudsdale, a little skyblue pegasus with a short silver mane was wandering around after leaving school, not on the usual path to his home. He felt he needed to clear his mind of what all the other fillies kept telling him. "Agh! Why don't I have a cutie mark yet!?" Yells the young colt. His problem was actually similar to alot of other ponies at his age. The term 'blank flank' seemed pretty common for many bullies to use on young fillies. However, this little pegasus has a deeper wound that the older ponies always poked at. As the pegasus wandered, he noticed it was beginning to get dark. Princess Celestia was lowering the sun so her sister, Princess Luna, could bring out the moon and go out helping all ponies in their dreams. "Oh, I guess I should head home before daddy and my cousin get worried." Sighing, he takes off to the sky, looking for a fast route to his home. "Oh! Look who is here, guys! It's Dash's little Blank Flank of a cousin, Sky Heart!" Sky looks down, seeing an older midnight blue pegasus with a blonde mane fly up, getting in his way. A few other pegasi fly up as well, surrounding the smaller pegasus colt. "C'mon guys! I don't want to deal with you right now! I have to get home!" yells Sky. He tries to get by, but it pushed back into two of the other ponies, both grabbing his legs. "Awww. Are you trying to get home so you can play with your dollys? Or is it because you want to talk to mommy? Oh! I forgot. You don't have a mommy!" Laughs the midnight blue colt. He then headbutts Sky in the chest, making him lose all his air in his lungs. This action also makes the other ponies let go, and Sky drops down, hitting his head on a glass window of a shop. "Um, Thunder? I don't think that was very-" says one of the pegasi, before Thunder cuts him off. "I'm gonna stop you there. He had it coming, after all. Thinking he could just chat with my mare-friend and not expect any kind of punishment? Heheheh. He's just getting a warm-up so far." He flies down, followed begrudgingly by his friends. Sky tries to get up, breathing for air. He then notices he is surrounded again, Thunder being closer to him than the others. "Now, what kind of pain should I give this mare-friend stealer?" He mocks. Sky struggles to get up, crying a bit. "I wasn't trying to take your mare-friend, Thunder! I just wanted to become simple friends with her!" Cries out Sky. Unfortunately, he is bucked into the wall he was next to, Thunder laughing. "Well, I guess you should have figured out you were out of her league! Now, time for your wake up call!" Thunder starts to charge at Sky, smiling evilly as he was aiming to break his legs. That is until a fist of wind started to blow, throwing him off balance. The other pegasi colts look up, seeing dark clouds begin forming in a swirl. Panicking, they fly off to their respective homes. Unfortunately, Thunder got furious at this because of a little 'bad luck.' "Hey! Get back here you cowards!" He yells at them, not getting any response back. He furiously huffs, turning back to Sky. Sky was shaking, scared of what was going to come. He was oblivious to the unusual weather that had blown Thunder off target. "Looks like I have to do this all by myself!" Yells Thunder, jumping into the air and diving at Sky. Sky yells out, terrified. Then, Sky's eyes turn completely white, glowing with radiance that slightly blinded Thunder. The next thing was a blue lightning bolt shooting down from the unusual stormcloud, striking Sky on his forehead. "Well," says Thunder, backing away just in time to avoid the lightning, "I guess my job is....." He then notices Sky wasn't hurt at all. "H-how!?" He yells out, only to get blown back by a white aura-like field and getting knocked out on contact with a building. **** "Nnngh. Wha? What happened?" Sky asks himself. He realizes he is in some sort of void. "H-hello?" He calls out. Soon a light appears before him, and out of it steps a blue alicorn with a sparkling blue mane. It was Princess Luna. "Hello, little one. Are you feeling okay?" She asks, showing a bit of worry for the pegasi filly. "Huh? Of, yes I'm fine. Thank you Princess. But....why are you here? And where IS here?" Asks a confused Sky. Princess Luna sighs, not knowing how to say this. "Well, Sacred Sky Heart, we are in your dreamscape. As to where....you are in a intensive care hospital ward in Cloudsdale." Explained Princess Luna. Sky was, putting it mildly, shocked. "Wh-wh-WHAT!?" Shouts Sky, now in full panic mode. "What happened!? How!? Why!? Has it been only a day!? A week!?" He rants on, flying around in a streak of silver. "Be calm little one. It hasn't been a week." Princess Luna calmly tells Sky, to which he slightly slows down. "As to what happened, you were being bullied by a colt named simply Thunder. Unfortunately, nopony knows how the both of you were hurt. He was released yesterday from the hospital, but I finally got a chance to contact you right now." She continues, but Sky saddens, realizing he somehow hurt the biggest bully in Cloudsdale High. He soon feels a hoof on his shoulder, and sees Luna pull him into a hug. "Do not let this get to you, young Sky Heart. I know you wouldn't do such a thing on purpose. How you did it, though... That remains unclear." "I....I don't know what happened either. All I remember was I panicked, then everything went white! That's all I remember until you came to me now." Sky explained, not feeling any better. Luna holds Sky closer, comforting him the best she could. "I too know what it feels like, to have done something unintentionally and blaming myself like it was all my fault. However," she lets go of Sky, smiling at him, "your cousin Rainbow Dash, along with her friends, reminded me that if it was not on purpose, you mustn't let it weigh you down." Sky couldn't help but look at the princess of the night, surprised. He knew she was known previously as Nightmare Moon until Rainbow Dash and her friends defeated her with the Elements of Harmony. What did she do to feel she something wrong when it was an accident? Before he could ask, soft murmurs could be heard. "Looks to me you are finally about to wake up." Says a sincere smiling Luna. "In case you continue to feel this way, head to the little town of Ponyville. I'm sure my sister's protegé and the princess of friendship will help you. Especially since she just opened her School of Friendship. I must take my leave now. I do hope you take my advice, Sacred Sky Heart." Luna ruffles Sky's mane before walking into a light disappearing with his surroundings. ***** "Wha-!?" Sky shoots up out of the bed, looking around. He notices he is surrounded by hospital equipment, an IV in his arm. Over in the chairs of his hospital room laid his father and cousin. Dash, overhearing Sky waking up, speeds over and hugs him right. "Ack! Cuz....can't....breathe.....!" He gasps, making Rainbow Dash let go. She was crying. "Heheh. Sorry little cuz. I'm....I'm just glad you're okay." Stutters Rainbow, trying to fight more tears from coming. Sky smiles a little, hugging her back. He then remembers his conversation with Princess Luna. "Hey Dash?" Sky looks to Dash, feeling nervous. "Yeah Sky?" She looks at him, smiling as she finally stopped crying. "Um..... can you help me enroll at the School of Friendship?"
School of Friendship's First Graduation and Meeting The PastIt has been a year since the Bad Three were defeated by all the creatures of Equestria, and the School of Friendship was abuzz more than usual. The reason was because the first graduation ceremony was being planned and every creature couldn't wait for the day to arrive. All except onepony. Sky had enrolled three years ago, and he had pretty decent grades. The main reason he wasn't looking forward to the graduation was because all the friends he made, mainly the first six students, would no longer be around campus and Sky didn't want to deal with saying goodbye again to those close to him. "Yo Sky? You up there?" Yelled out an orange dragon, sounding concerned through the tough-girl act. Sky sighs, getting off his hidden perch and flies down from next to the roof flag. "Hey Smolder. How did you know I was there?" "Heh, it wasn't that hard.... like when you played Hide-and-seek....in the clouds." Smolder seemed to get more depress-like at each statement, making Sky smile and chuckle a bit. This in turn made Smolder smile and laugh as well. "So, why did you fly off so suddenly Sky? Everyone was worried. Even Ocellus started to panic a litt-" a sudden crash in the school sounds, cutting off the orange dragon and causing her to sigh. "Rephrase: a lot! She was scared you didn't want to be friends anymore." Sky looks back, but sighs. "I'm sorry. I just....I don't want to say goodbye to those I care about so much....not again..." Smolder catches Sky's mutter, looking confused. "Wait.... Again? We have been here together since you first enrolled. Are you scared of us leaving and never talking to you afterwards? Bahahahaha!" Smolder simply laughs, not noticing the tears filling Sky's eyes and running down. After finishing, she notices and hugs him. "Don't let little stuff like that bother ya. We'll always be friends, no matter where we may be." Shocked and unable to hold back the tears any longer, sky wraps his hooves and wings around Smolder, crying not tears of sadness now, but tears of joy. "Th-thanks Smolder. I....I practically forgot everything I learned here. Especially from all of you." Smolder smiles and let's go, winking. "What are friends for? We stick together through thick and thin." Another crash is heard then, followed by Pinkie Pie crying out. "NOT THE CUPCAKES!!!!!" Smolder and Sky look at each other, snickering before bursting out in laughter. "Hahaha! Heh, guess we should go let Ocellus know I'm okay." "Heheheh. Yeah. Don't need Ms. Rarity's classroom being next on the havoc list." ***** The day of the graduation ceremony arrived a week later. Yona, Ocellus, Smolder, Gallus, Silverstream, and Sandbar sat in the center of the gathering along with their fellow graduation classmates, eager to start spreading what they learned from Twilight and her friends to the world. As everypony were going over the final adjustments to the decorations, Rainbow Dash zooms in, slightly panicked. "Where is he!? He wouldn't leave the house unless he had a reason, right!? Why didn't he leave a note saying where he went!?" She continued to rant on until she got pulled down to the floor by Rarity's magic. "My dear Rainbow Dash, what in Celestia has you so panicked?" "It's Sky! He's disappeared!" She yells, making everyone sigh. "He did say he was going to be late to us." Explained Silverstream. "Yeah. He told friends he wanted to get something special. Yona wonders what Sky could be getting?" States Yona. Soon there thoughts are interrupted by Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship herself, coming up to the podium. "I am very happy to announce the first graduating class from my School of Friendship are here to spread what they have learned in the school. Each member of the staff, my friends, have done their very best to share their experiences to help the students get a good understanding on how friendship can be a powerful form of magic. Now, let us announce all of the class members that are graduating today!" She declared, and everyone cheered, some that possessed magic making small fireworks to honor the graduating class. ***** In the Everfree Forest, Sky was at the cave that once housed the Tree of Harmony. Wanting to find something for his friends to remember him by, he thought why not something from the very source that started their friendship? Unfortunately, no shards or crystals could be found in the cave. "Ugh. I guess it was a waste of time. Maybe Twilight was right about not needing a physical item to remember something?" He says out loud, trying to comfort himself from his insecurities. However, he soon trips over a rock, falling into his face. "Owowow!" He gets up, rubbing his nose. "Why was a rock up that high?" He looks towards it, but notices a slight shine to it. Entranced, he reaches out to it, slightly touching the surface. Almost immediately, a light shoots out of it, blinding Sky. The light flies out of the cave, going towards the south of Equestria and pass its borders. This was no regular light. It was a sort of signal. But to what? ***** "......y...." Sky could hear some sort of faint voice, but couldn't see anything. He was in some sort of dark fog. ".....y Sk.....eart." "Hello?" Asks Sky into the darkness. Not really sure where the sounds were coming from. "My Sacred Sky." A slight sillhoette starts to form in front of him. Color started to fill in, and sky could not believe who was before him. "M....mom....?" He choked out. Sure enough, a elegant, green mare with an orange mane stood before him. She had large wings as well. However, she had something that Sky never seen in photos of his mother. On her head was a long, graceful horn, almost identical in length of Celestia's. She smiles, approaching Sky. "Yes my sweet young colt, It's me. Forest Rae, but also your mother." She giggled. "H...how are you...why do you...?" Stuttered Sky, not really knowing what to say. "Why do I have an alicorn horn?" She saddens a bit, but looks Sky in the eyes. "Well, it's because I didn't want to be a princess. I know many ponies want to be royalty, but I didn't feel right commanding others to do things for me. I ran away from my Kingdom to the south of Equestria, hoping to settle down without worry of such stress. Upon my arrival in Equestria, I was amazed by how everypony helped each other without an argument or asking for anything in return." She then smiles. "One night, in my cave I was living in to avoid being seen, I fell asleep and met with another Princess. I know you met her once as well, but I felt scared upon seeing Luna in my dreams. However, she assured me that nopony would find out about my secret, and she taught me a spell to hide my alicorn horn from those around me. Of course, I could still use my magic, but nopony could figure out where or whose magic it was. And in all joy, that is how I got to meet your father." Giggling, she sits down. "It was my first time going to Cloudsdale, a city actually made of clouds and floating in the sky. While I was walking around, your cousin zips by, nearly knocking me over. Another pegasus followed her, and I fell into a fountain. The pegasus noticed this and quickly returned to me, making sure I was okay. I went to tell him I was just fine, but his soothing, gentle and kind eyes took my heart, and I realized I had fallen for him." Forest looks at sky, pulling him into a gentle hug. "If that never happened, I would never have felt the joy of becoming a mother. Your mother." Sky couldn't hold it in any longer. He hugged Forest back tightly, wrapping his hooves around her neck, crying hard. "Thank you so much Mom! I never thought I'd ever get a chance to talk with you, let alone hug you!" He sobs, happy to be hugging her after so long of wondering what it would feel like. She returns the hug back, bringing her wings around them both as well. "I am glad to have granted this wish of yours, my son." She lets go, but then worries. "Sky, in that place you were at last, did you touch a small stone?" Sky thinks back, nodding. "Yeah, but it seemed to emit its own light. Almost like the Elements of Harmony. Why do you ask, mom?" Forest sighs, realizing why she felt uneasy. "Back in my old kingdom, there was a prophecy that spoke of a beacon to a land of light. A place of bountiful beauty and magic. Unfortunately, the king of that time set up a spell upon the entire country that, once the beacon has been activated, would go to start a war, aiming to conquer it and enslave all creatures that defied them. I'm just glad you seem unaffected by this curse casted by the evil king." She smiles as she looks at Sky, not seeing any change or corruption in him. However, Sky felt confused and a little uneasy. Just as he was about to ask Forest something, sounds could be heard. "It seems you need to wake up, my son." She says as she begins to fade. "Wait! What do I do? Will I get to see you again? Mommy!" Forest smiles sadly, ghostly tears sliding down her cheeks. "Time will tell, my son. For now, be strong." She soon fades away completely, leaving behind one last sentence. "I love you, my Sacred Sky Heart."
A New Element and A Coming StormSky opens his eyes slowly, being blinded slightly by the light of the sun. "Wait.... Wasn't I inside the cave?" He looks around, feeling a sense of deja Vu right now. "I better get back to the school before the graduation ceremony ends." He flies up, looking around to see where he was. What he did not expect was what appeared to be a volcano next to a dark grey castle. "Um, this isn't Equestria...." He trails off as he sees a silver light strikes the highest spire of the castle, the same color of light that blinded him at the Cave of Harmony! Everything suddenly became a blur, soon resettling in what seemed like a throne room. There were no stain glass windows like in the castle back in Canterlot, but plenty of torches illuminating haunting portraits. The one closest to the throne looked to be damaged, hard to make out who was in it. He slowly flew to end farthest from the throne and found a portrait of an alicorn that looked almost like King Sombra, former king and tyrant of the Crystal Empire. His wings had red highlights in their feathers, and his mane and tail had a similar pattern. His alicorn horn was what drew Sky's attention right away, though. Unlike being the usual spear shape, this alicorn's horn was in a zigzag kind of shape. "I don't understand. Is it really possible for there to be alicorn colts?" His thoughts were cut short as he heard muffled voices approaching from outside. Sky decides to quickly hides behind one of the huge support pillars, and the giant doors open. "Sire, are you sure you want to go right away? I mean, I know that the prophecy is being fulfilled, but from what I've studied of the transcripts-" explains a small white colt with a slightly disheveled light blue mane, only to be cut off by the spreading of wings. Wings similar to those of the portrait near the front belonging to the alicorn king of the past. "I do not wish to hear about your mess and troubles! Alert all of the country, Messi Nizer! It is time to claim our new home." Says the older pony, turning just enough for Sky to see he was an alicorn. His horn was slightly curved, just like how King Sombra's was. "Y-y-yes King Shadin!" Messi bows quickly, rushing out of the large hall, the doors shutting behind him. King Shadin walks over to the throne, looking at the damaged portrait. "I hope you enjoyed your home, dear sister. Because after I conquer this land...I'll be coming for you." He says, dark swirling must flowing from around is crimson eyes. **** "AAAH!" Sky yells with a start, looking around see it was slightly dark. He was back in the Cave of Harmony? "What kind of nightmare was that!? I might it be able to..." He soon trails off after seeing the silver light again, shining bright. He reaches down into the dirt, pulling out what appeared to be a a simple rock. Upon further inspection though, it had a unique design embedded in it. Six circles, each one colored differently from the others, connected to what appeared to be a silver and blue diamond in the center of the spheres. Unity... "Huh?" Sky looks around, but doesn't see anyone. As he was about to call out, bells start sounding off in the distance. "Oh dang it! I'm late for the ceremony!" He quickly flies out, carrying the stone with him in his saddle bag. Little did Sky realize, this stone would define his future in many ways.
Surprise Attack to Sudden PainSky barely made it to the school to see everyone finish getting their diplomas. He stands at the entrance, smiling. Suddenly, Twilight steps up to the podium again. "Now, I know many of you are ready to get out there, but we have two creatures here that wants to say a few words. Ocellus and Gallus, please come up to the podium." Immediate, Ocellus rushes up, while Gallus was tossed up by Yona. "Ack! What was that for? I didn't volunteer!" Complained the gryphon. "Well, the rest of us did Gallus." Snickers Sandbar. "Heheh, Ocellus wanted to do team speech, but Yona not good at talking." "Yeah, and you always know how to make your mouth fly as fast as you actually can." Giggles Silverstream. Gallus looked to Sandbar with pleading eyes, to which he chuckles lightly. "Sorry Gallus. You are on your own in this." Sandbar chuckles as Gallus sighs in defeat. After the laughter from the scene dies down from in the auditorium, Ocellus steps to the podium to begin her speech. However, a loud crash sounds from above. Every creature looked up, and several dark armored pegasus ponies fly down. Amidst a chaos that could rival Discord, two pegasus ponies grabbed Ocellus, carrying her away as she screamed. "Ocellus!" Sandbar tries to jump after her, but gets hit by a beam of red magic. Sky, seeing his friends getting hurt and separated, jumps into the air and flies at the pegasi. Not noticing him until it was too late, they get slammed into each other and drop Ocellus. She catches herself with her wings flaring open, landing safely next to Sandbar in concern. "Sandbar! Y-you're going to be okay. I promise!" she cries. However, an evil chuckle is heard from within the cloud of dust created from the debris. Sky recognized it from his vision, now feeling his legs become shaky. "Well well well. So this is the so called "School of Friendship?" Looks more like a gathering of useless creatures and lowly ponies, to me." Said the dark, male voice. Before anyone could say anything, a beam of red magic flies at the Young 6. However, it is deflected by a violet barrier. Everyone turns and sees Princess Twilight's horn glow the purple aura of her magic. "Who are you? You have no right to coming here and destroying my school!" She yells at the figure. Even though no one could see his face well, his gaze could be felt. "Who am I? I am the new king of this land! I am your new ruler, and all creatures here shall obey me, King Shadin!" Yells the stallion angrily. He steps out of the dust, and everyone simply gasped at his appearance. He was not a unicorn, but a soot black furred alicorn. His horn was shaped like a lightning bolt, zigzagging sharply. Sky feels a sharp pain suddenly, his head burning for some reason. This alicorn was in his vision, but somehow Sky felt something more. King Shadin suddenly placed a hoof on his forehead, like something hit him. He looks around the room until he spots Sky. "Bring me that pegasus!" He yelled, pointing towards Sky Heart. Just before the soldiers could, a light blinds every creature. King Shadin glares where Sky was, because when the light was gone, so was everyone else. "Hmmm. It seems we are connected somehow, little pegasus. How I don't know, but I will find out."
