The warm sun beat down on the turquoise feathers and fur of Wind Song’s wings and back as he winged his way home from Canterlot one fine summer afternoon. The sun’s heat bolstered him against the unsympathetic chill in the air around him that was a testament to the great altitude of his flight. A jet stream from the north sped him southward at a speed which would impress even the best of fliers. Of course, he was ranked among the best of fliers as the efforts of the last few weeks in the royal city had proven.

Above him, the cerulean sky stretched uninterrupted from horizon to horizon, tarnished only by the jagged edges of the Foal Mountain Range to the north and the Appaloosan Mountains to the remote south. Somewhere between him and the Appaloosan mountains lay Ponyville, hidden from his sight by distance and a veil of summer haze which even his eagle-like vision couldn’t pierce.

Beneath him, beyond the occasional patches of small cotton ball clouds, lay the expansive green sward of Bell Meadow, dotted with blotches of pink, red, purple, and even the sporadic gold-tinted bell flower. Bell flowers were an enigma of the modern world which were unique to the meadow. According to the long-lived races of Equestria, they had not existed anywhere in the known world eight hundred years prior and few were brave enough to venture into the meadow to retrieve one.

As a young colt, he had always wanted to fly down and pluck a bell flower, but even at such a tender age he had known, as all the colts and fillies of Equestria did, that it was almost certain death to fly amongst the rolling hills and serene pastures. He marvelled at how the vast meadow looked so peaceful and innocent from this height.

A dense bank of dark green-tinted clouds, another unique staple of the mysterious grassland below him, had built themselves up in the east and now rolled slowly over the space between himself and the ground. This hid the meadow from view and eased his discomfort just a bit, but several flashes of red lightning within the clouds drew out a primal fear within him that made him glad he was so high above them.

Wind Song gave a little shiver of unease and drew his head back level with the horizon, tilting his ears backward and flapping just a little bit harder. He felt the powerful muscles in his back, which drove his wings up and down, begin to burn with the pleasant familiarity of exertion and he drew his mind to happier thoughts.

He knew that few enough pegasi could have made the trip from Canterlot to Equestria without stopping for a rest. Most chose to fly around Bell Meadow rather than over it and the few who braved the direct flight rarely chose to do so more than once. For Wind Song, however, the journey was an easy one which he had undertaken on several occasions.

The silvery ribbon of the Canterlot River, which crept ponderously in and out amongst the low rolling hills of the meadow, had acted as a guide in his younger days, but his pegasus’ sense of direction had quickly made all visual navigational aids redundant. So it was that, even with the dense storm below him hiding the meadow from sight, he could make his way with surprising accuracy.

As the river meandered roughly southward, Wind Song knew it would eventually tumble over the cliff that marked the northern side of Saddle Lake. On the other side of the lake lay Ponyville.

Ponyville, ah! What a place it was. Hardly changed in the centuries of Twilight’s rule, or so he was told, the little town was his home. With its quaint cottages and shops, the myriads of friendly smiling faces, the old Town Hall with its belfry at its center...it was, well...paradise.

Wind Song’s friends would be there waiting for him. Moonlight Whisper, Willow Reed, Snow Star, Honeybell, and Orange Blossom had agreed to meet him in the square by Town Hall upon his return. Years of hard work had led up to his accomplishments in Canterlot these past few weeks and he couldn’t wait to tell them the news. These thoughts occupied his mind for some time as he continued to fly steadily southward, tireless in his anticipation.

Somewhat sooner than expected, perhaps only two hours or so later, Wind Song could see a plume of mist rising hundreds, if not thousands of feet into the air above what he knew must be the waterfall at the edge of Saddle Lake. The towering cliffs and enormous waterwork were the product of hundreds of years of erosion and only Celestia knew what else. At any rate, it made for quite the spectacle with its rainbow-like hues dancing amongst the rising mist as the sun reflected off of the billions of tiny droplets.

Just then, Ponyville came into sight. He could see the cottages, like tiny toy houses, dotted along the opposite shore of Saddle Lake and even a glimpse of the small castle on the southern side of Ponyville which had once belonged to Twilight Sparkle but was now the home of Princess Luster Dawn.

The “Ponyville Princess” as she was called, Luster Dawn was an odd sort of princess. She led an adventurous lifestyle, the princess did...braving the most treacherous and farthest reaches of the world for no reason other than that she was curious. Wind Song supposed that was because there weren’t many “princessy duties” to see to in or around Ponyville. Twilight took care of most of those. Not to mention, Ponyville had its own mayor to take care of the remaining necessities. Luster Dawn was more of a Daring Do who just so happened to be an alicorn princess rather than a pegasus.

The excitement of seeing Ponyville for the first time in weeks, the prospect of seeing his friends again, and, last but not least, his recent acceptance into the Wonderbolt’s Academy of Flight left him overwhelmed with jubilation.

An idea crossed his mind. An insane idea, but just...maybe this time he could actually do it. In a wild burst of energy, he looked up into the pristine blue sky and angled his flight upward. Stroke after stroke, he flapped his wings with everything he had, his mad dash upward continuing minute after minute. The air became thinner. It was getting more and more difficult for him to breathe, but he kept pulling himself upward, a lunatic grin spread clear across his face.

Finally just as he became sure he would pass out if he flapped even once more, he tilted himself forward in a glorious arc, closed his wings, and plummeted toward the ground. Faster and faster he fell, mile after mile. The ground grew closer and closer with alarming speed. He was just over the edge of Saddle Lake now. Finally, just as the frigid air began to warm, he felt thousands of tiny ice crystals begin to melt and release themselves from his coat, falling into the air around him.

As he continued to plummet downward, he opened his wings. But, instead of slowing himself with them, he instead sped up. The ground was rising up toward him with alarming quickness. A halo of rainbow light began to dance around the edges of his vision. All he could hear was the glorious rush of the wind in his ears. The halo around him jumped and flickered. He was only about a thousand yards from crashing headlong into the surface of the lake. He was so close!

And then, the impossible thing he had been waiting for happened. The halo of color blew outward like a bomb in a burst of light, a billion unfathomable hues expanding away from him that he knew would be seen for hundreds of miles around.

A shout of raucous laughter broke his lips as he angled himself upward back to the horizon, a tail of rainbow light streaming out behind him as far as he could see as he streaked through the humid air. Wind Song drew level only inches from the surface of the lake. As his speed dissipated, he felt the air behind him give a little “pop” and the rainbow tail vanished. In spite of this, the streak of rainbow light he had left in his wake still hung in the air like a multicolored cloud and the now-enormous halo could still be seen, its diameter increasing with every passing second.

Wind Song dropped one forehoof down to touch the smooth surface of the water, throwing up a tail of mist behind him which glistened in a pale imitation of his sonic rainboom. The sonic...rainboom… Wind Song laughed again. He had just accomplished something that hadn’t been done by anypony in the world in more than half a century! It was at this moment that Wind Song became certain that this was definitely the best day ever.

As he flew over the southern shoreline of the lake, Wind Song began executing little flips and rolls for the amusement of all below. Most of the townsponies were going about their daily business, trotting happily from place to place with the enviable contentment that only life in Ponyville could foster. Others leaned languidly against balcony railings. Still others stood behind food carts selling vegetables or fruit.

As Wind Song passed overhead, he saw the many smiles and the occasional cheery wave directed at him. Two or three times he even heard cheers, though he was never able to figure out where they had come from. Smiling broadly as he drew near the town square, he could see his five friends galloping at full tilt over the bridge that spanned the small segment of river that flowed through Ponyville.

He was home at last. He slowed his flight still further as the tower of Town Hall loomed up before him. He descended in slow spiraling loops around the old belfry, his anticipation growing as he got closer to the ground. At last his hooves met the soft lawn of the town square as he landed and he back-flapped to dissipate his remaining speed.

However, before he could come to a complete stop, his momentum carried him directly into Willow, Snow Star, Honeybell, Orange Blossom, and Moonlight. Their jubilant expressions turned to looks of shock as Wind Song crashed right into them. The six startled ponies rolled together in a heap of fluffy and feathered hugs, laughing all the while once they got over their initial surprise.

“Windy!” shouted a pure white unicorn with a good-natured grin, his ice blue mane and tail full of leaves and grass from his fall. “Nice of you to drop in so...um...violently!”

Wind Song let out a bark of laughter. “Nice of you to cushion my fall with your body! Those leaves suit you. You should definitely keep them!” he replied with a chuckle.

“Win...Wind...song!” panted Moonlight Whisper, a dark blue mare whose midnight coat and royal blue tresses of her mane and tail gleamed in the afternoon light. “Did you...was that? The sonic…” she stuttered as she pulled herself to her hooves.

Orange Blossom, a white earth pony mare whose blonde locks had been bunched up into a sloppy ponytail called out, “You bet your bit that was Windy! I saw it! Ain’t that right sis?”

“Darn tootin’!” replied Honeybell, a tangerine mare with mane and tail the color of straw and who was still trying to extract herself from the tangle of bodies and legs,

“I wasn’t sure, but I just...wow! That’s amazing, Windy!” Moonlight finished as Wind Song blushed.

Wind Song had always liked Moonlight. The pretty pegasus was quiet and a bit of a recluse, yes. But when her wit or anger were aroused, she was a force to be reckoned with. She was the kindest hearted of ponies and would give everything she had to make others happy, down to her last bit. You would never guess that she was also one of the most intelligent mares in Equestria. He knew she must be tired from her routine night watches over Ponyville, but she had chosen to come out to welcome him home, and that meant the world to him.

“Thanks, Moonlight.” Wind Song replied with a smile. Was it just him, or did she blush when she smiled too? It was always so hard to tell with her. Nah...they were just friends, and he wouldn’t ruin that for anything in the world.

“So!” Willow Reed, a light gray unicorn with a curly pink mane and tail, overrode any other comments that may have been forthcoming. “You’ve got this big stupid grin on your face, you’ve just executed the first sonic rainboom Equestria has seen in living memory, and I have a fairly significant wager with my husband riding on the outcome of your activities in Canterlot, Windy. I’m assuming you got into the academy?”

Here, she turned to Snow Star, who had been in the process of removing the last of the leaves from his fur.

Snow Star jerked his head around abruptly to face his wife, looking like he had been kicked as the smile left his face. He obviously hadn’t expected Willow to remember this or for her to have mentioned it so brazenly in front of Wind Song. Abashed, he turned to Wind Song, who was feigning a deeply hurt expression at his best friend’s obvious betrayal.

Wind Song, who had come to the conclusion that a well-placed prank was in order, slowly and convincingly allowed his jubilant smile to drain away in lieu of a look of somber resignation.

“Well…actually, um...” he began, pausing for effect as he dropped his gaze.

Willow’s cocky smirk turned to a look of incredulous disbelief just as Snow Star’s eyes widened.

“I...uh…look, I’m really sorry to disappoint...” Wind Song drew this last statement out for a few seconds, looking chagrined as he poked distractedly at a random pebble with the tip of one forehoof.

Honeybell and Orange Blossom were not to be fooled, and stood behind the two nonplussed unicorns, bent double in fits of silent laughter.

Moonlight, who had also been trying to suppress her mirth, blurted out, “Oh come on, Windy. That’s not very nice!” before finally releasing a little snort of amusement.

“Okay, okay.” Wind Song conceded, looking up and kicking the little pebble so it hit Snow Star squarely in the chest with no small amount of force. “I got in!” he finished, hitching his self-satisfied smile back on his face. “...traitor.” he added as an afterthought, shooting Snow Star a sarcastic grin while Orange Blossom and Honeybell finally let loose their pent up hysterics.

Snow Star, who was rubbing the spot where the pebble had hit him, said with a strained smile, “What can I say? She forced me into it, Windy! She bet you’d get accepted and what was I supposed to do? Not bet back? Relationships are all about competition, buddy!”

This last sentence was said with so much resolve that Wind Song let out a genuine chuckle and pulled his friend into a tight one-legged embrace.

Releasing Snow Star, Wind Song said, “I’ll have to take your word for it on that one, my friend.”

After a moment, Wind Song released Snow Star who asked excitedly, “So, you did get in then?”

“Damn straight I got in!” crowed Wind Song thrusting one triumphant hoof into the air.

This proclamation drew a round of excited cheering from all present.

“And…” Wind Song continued with suspense, “I got an invitation to the Canterlot Club of Champions.”

Honeybell’s jaw dropped. “You did not.” she said, flabbergasted. “You got invited to the Champion’s Club?!”

“I did!” Wind Song replied. “Signed by Nightingale herself!”

“What’s the Champion’s Club?” Moonlight asked demurely.

Wind Song and the others froze and turned to stare at her in disbelief.

“What?” she asked, turning a bit red.

“Moonlight Whisper...” began Snow Star,

“...the smartest pony Ponyville has seen in decades…” this statement earned him a warning glare from Willow.

“...doesn’t know what the Canterlot Club of Champion’s is?” he concluded in a tone of utter astonishment.

Moonlight, now positively glowing with embarrassment, spluttered, “Well, I’m more book smart than anything. Sciences are my specialty...and a bit of arcane science...which I guess is still...science…” she trailed off.

A sympathetic Willow stepped in front of Snow Star, giving him a none-too-gentle shove backwards with a hind hoof.

“Ignore him, Moonlight.” she said.

“Hey!” came Snow Star’s muffled reply, cut off by a quick silencing spell from Willow.

“The Champion’s Club is the single most prestigious athletic club, open to only the most able and most daring ponies in Equestria. The fact that Nightingale herself invited Wind Song is an honor of the highest order.” Willow continued as though reading an excerpt from the Encyclopedia Equestria, still maintaining her spell on Snow Star.

A look of comprehension dawned on Moonlight’s face. “Oh, that’s amazing! Thank you for explaining, Willow. But who is Nightin...”

Moonlight’s question was interrupted by a resounding crack which sent Willow reeling backward, holding her horn in one fetlock as though it had been struck by lightning.

“WHAT!?” exclaimed Snow Star, who had evidently broken the spell his wife had cast on him.

“You don’t know who Nightinga…OW!”

Willow had rallied quickly, snatched Snow Star’s left ear in her teeth, and was in the process of leading him by it, not gently, into a small alcove at a nearby shop when Wind Song spoke.

“She’s the captain of the Wonderbolts.”

Loud unintelligible whispering followed by a yelp of pain emanated from the alcove, momentarily drawing the attention of the four remaining friends. A few seconds later, Willow stepped out with a self-satisfied smirk, followed by a chagrined looking Snow Star.

Moonlight looked back to Wind Song.

“Thanks, Windy.” she said gratefully. “I guess I need to do a bit more reading up on these kinds of things.”

Wind Song replied cheerfully, “It never hurts! But worst case, you can always just ask me. I’d be happy to lend any assistance if you need it. Not that I’m likely to be much help to someone as smart as you in anything other than sports or the Wonderbolts.”

Moonlight smiled at Wind Song just as Willow and Snow Star returned to the little group.

Taking a deep breath, Snow Star looked at Moonlight and said, “Moonlight.” he took another deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Snow!” Moonlight replied with a radiant smile.

Snow Star jerked his head over to his wife with a face that clearly said, “See?! I told you she didn’t care!”

“So anyway.” Orange Blossom began impatiently, “What happened? Did you get to meet Twilight? Or any of the council?”

“Nah.” Wind Song replied, a bit disappointed. “Nopony has really seen much of her in the last few months and the council has been abroad lately. She’s been pretty distracted. Something about threats against Canterlot or something. Buuuut…”

Wind Song drew out this last word as he reached to his side, opened one flap of a small saddle bag, and pulled out a rolled up sheet of parchment tied with a purple ribbon. This drew several awed gasps from his friends.

“...I did receive a personal letter from her congratulating me!” he finished.

An amazed Willow used her magic to gently pull the letter from Wind Song’s grasp and, carefully removing the ribbon as though it were made of dried rose petals. She unrolled the parchment, noting the broken seal containing the Equestrian seal, and read aloud,

“Dearest Wind Song, it is my wish to congratulate you on your admission to the Wonderbolt’s Academy of Flight and on your invitation to the prestigious Canterlot Club of Champions! If you should choose to accept the invitation, a commemorative placard will be added with your name on it to the Wall of Fame right here in Canterlot. Many commendations on your breathtaking performance yesterday. I know that all Equestria is anxious to see how you will choose to employ your obvious gift in the field of flight! May the wind rise always under your wings, Princess Twilight Sparkle”

Willow concluded, gently rolling the parchment back up and replacing the ribbon before floating it back to Wind Song’s outstretched hoof.

“Wow, Windy!” Honeybell said in aw. “Who woulda thought that of all the ponies in Equestria, you’d be the one to not only get into the Wonderbolts, but the Champion’s Club! And Twilight! She made it sound in that letter like she was actually there at the arena watching you.”

“I’m not sure.” Wind Song paused, looking confused. “I definitely didn’t see her or her personal guard there. Maybe somepony told her what happened?” he mused.

Snow Star, who had been contemplating something, asked, “What was that you said about threats against Canterlot, Windy?”

Wind Song gave a little chuckle of amusement.

“Oh, that. Nothing more than the usual nonsense. You know, enemies who are upset at the princess for one reason or another. As if Twilight couldn’t smash them all to paste with barely more than a glance.”

Snow Star pressed on, “But you said she seemed a bit distracted. How distracted? So out of sorts that she couldn’t even make it to the tryouts?”

Wind Song, whose expression became less certain, said, “I’m sure she’s busy, Snow. She is the princess, after all. She’s got more important things to do than watch a bunch of pegasi do maneuvers she’s been doing herself for almost a thousand years.”

Snow Star looked even more grim, “And Rainbow Dash wasn’t there either, you said? You didn’t see any of the council?”

“She’s a spirit, Snow. What’s she going to get out of watching us mortals?” Wind Song retorted, though all nearly all of his confidence had gone from his voice.

Willow, who had been gazing downward, seemingly in deep thought, now raised her eyes to Wind Song.

“When was the last time Rainbow Dash missed watching the tryouts, Windy?” she asked, seemingly a bit unnerved.

“I’m not sure...um, I’ve never really paid attention to…”

Willow cut him off, “Never, Windy. Not once in eight hundred sixty-seven years has Rainbow Dash been absent from the tryouts. Celestia’s mane, she barely ever misses the weekly performances.”

Wind Song, a bit ashamed that he hadn’t known these all-important facts about the most famous Wonderbolt to ever grace the Equestrian skies, waved a nonchalant hoof and said, “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure the council will take care of it. After all, what could the most powerful alicorn in existence and five immortal spirits have to worry about?”

“That’s what worries me.” Snow Star said earnestly.

Honeybell, who had been growing more and more impatient by the minute, stuck her head between Willow and Snow Star, looking at each of her friends in turn.

“Well, while the esteemed matters of royalty and immortals are mighty nice to speculate on, I reckon I’d like a certain pony who bet a cask of Apple family cider and a night of free drinks that Windy wouldn’t get into the Wonderbolt’s to hold up to his end of the bargain.”

Snow Star choked.

Wind Song, for the second time that day, whipped his head around to stare incredulously at the now coughing and spluttering unicorn who refused to meet his gaze.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Before Wind Song could say more or kick anything too large at Snow Star, Willow stepped between them.

“I totally agree with Honeybell. Let’s get some drinks. We’ve got a Cutecinera to go to first thing tomorrow morning, so the sooner we get to the Draught Horse, the better!”

“Oooooh!” Orange Blossom bounced up and down delightedly. “A Cutcinera?! Who’s the lucky foal?”

Willow allowed a hint of pride to creep into her voice as she replied, “My niece, Sugar Spice. She just got her cutie mark two days ago.”

“That’s wonderful!” Orange Blossom said, bouncing all the more.

“I was actually sort of hoping you all would help me get things set up for the party in the morning.” Willow said hopefully. “If it’s not too much trouble of course.”

“Well, if that’s the case, we better get to drinkin’ pretty soon here, Willow.” Honeybell replied with some urgency. “Late nights n’ early mornin’s don’t mix! Especially when there’s ale involved.”

Snow Star, apparently in an attempt to recover some of his injured pride, popped his head out from behind Willow.

“I have a spell we can use that’ll banish any hangover to Tartarus.”

Willow took a quick step backward, bumping Snow Star roughly with gray rump. “My spell, you mean.” she said testily.

“That one exactly, my love.” replied Snow Star with a coprophagous grin before turning and beginning to march toward the western side of town.

Wind Song, who had been watching the couple’s exchange with amusement, glanced over at Moonlight, who had already been staring at him fixedly. They both blushed furiously and looked away.

“Well, I guess that’s my cue.” Honeybell said, turning and breaking into a gallop to catch up with Snow Star.

“Get back here, moneybags! You’re my bar tab tonight!” she called after him.

Willow rolled her eyes and shook her head, sending her pink curls bouncing. “Well, let’s go do some celebrating, eh friends?”

Author's Note

The Thorn of Equestria - Chapter 1

The Thorn of Equestria

Chapter 1

By Wind Song

REVISED 17SEP20