A Silver Sky: Four Little Ponies

By HamGravy

“Yes.”

With that one word, everything changed.

It's strange, looking back on it now. How much power that word had. The freedom it granted. The pain it caused.

It's taken me years to get up the courage to write these words. But I don't think I ever had a choice.

Getting it down on paper means I can finally get it all straight in my own mind. I can finally let go.

And maybe...I can finally forgive her...

I was there to hear the word being spoken, though I wasn't there for a lot of what came before. But I was a part of it, and this is my story as much as it is theirs. All of us played a part, especially the four of us who were there to bear witness on the night it all changed. The three who had suffered through the Gathering, and the fourth who joined us later, who had endured, and caused, her own share of pain.

Like it or not, it was pain that united us as friends, then and now.

Four little foals...

--Chapter One: Scarflank--

“She just does anything you want? Really?”

“Yep. Anything. No matter what. And believe me: we've put this to the test.”

“Wow. What does she charge?”

“Nothing! That's the beauty part! She just stays in her alleyway, and lives off of food that folks toss at her out of pity. She never leaves, even though there's nothing stopping her. But if anyone comes near, she just kind of...assumes the position. Automatically. Like it's expected.”

“Geez...do you think maybe...she needs help?”

“Kid, you've got a kind heart.”

"Thanks, I-"

"Fix that. Kindness ain't got no place in this neighborhood."

Somewhere deep in the east side of the city of Canterlot, far from the opulence of the royal palace or the estates of the wealthy, there is a place called Deadweight Alley. Its name is a misnomer, as the area is actually a collection of neighborhoods, not just one mere alley. It stands apart, like a wound on the city's face, a decaying place of condemned buildings, filthy streets and broken windows.

When Fond Wish was fifteen years old, he ran away to live in Canterlot. He had always thought himself meant for something more than than his family's farm on the outskirts of Hoofington. His family had not agreed. His mother had cried, his father had screamed, but Wish had remained resolute.

A proclamation was made: I'll show you all. I'm better than this place, better than all of you. In the city, I can be an actor, like I always dreamed. I will rule the stage.

The next time you see my name, it will be in lights.

That night, Wish had stolen some money from his mother's saddlebag (he felt bad, but he knew he would be rich enough to pay her back three times over one day) and walked out of his family's farmhouse and into the world. Part of the money went to a train ticket. One way. The rest, he figured, would keep him fed until he became a star.

His mother's money lasted less than a month. He had found a place to live in a fairly nice area, but every casting call he answered ended in rejection. The job he had gotten waiting tables lasted three months, and ended when the owner caught him stealing from the cash register. Wish had pleaded with him, explained that he didn't make enough in tips to cover rent. The owner was not sympathetic.

The rest happened quickly. An eviction notice. Doors slammed in his face. Begging on the streets.

And finally, this place.

Like the rest of Canterlot, Deadweight Alley towered over Wish, almost swallowing him up. When he had lived in the nicer part of town, he had welcomed this. The forest of buildings seemed full of endless possibilities, so different from the big empty skies of his home. But Deadweight Alley was different. Its buildings didn't shine like those in the heart of the city, and the bright lights of Canterlot were somehow dull and lifeless here. Rather than inviting him into a new world, the towering buildings reminded him of the bars of a prison cell.

Then there were the ponies who lived here. They were dirty and haggard, but that was not what bothered Wish about them. It was the lines on their faces. They looked out of place. The weak and elderly didn't last long in Deadweight Alley, and the young ponies who came here all seemed to grow old before their time. Ponies who were barely twenty years of age carried the weight of countless decades in their eyes and on their faces. Even the buildings, most of which were built relatively recently, sat in disrepair, rotting like plants without sunlight.

In the center of Canterlot, ancient castles and mansions shone like the sun. There, everything was old, but looked new.

Here, everything was new, but looked old.

Wish had been there two nights when he made his first friend. He was a black-and-white spotted unicorn by the name of Domino. The pony was older, and dressed well for Deadweight Alley. Wish asked him where he had gotten the money to buy clothes, but he had just laughed.

And then, to celebrate their new friendship, he had taken Fond Wish to meet Scarflank.

“What kind of a name is Scarflank?”

“It's not her real name. It's just what we call her. No one knows what her name really is, actually. Remember when I said she'd do anything? Well, that was mostly true. But there's two things she won't do: leave her alleyway, and tell you her name.”

“Why won't she leave her alley, anyhow?”

“Not sure why. One of my boys figures she's just crazy.”

“Your boys? Other friends of yours?”

“Something like. Oh, hey: we're here.”

Domino pointed in the direction of a particularly dark and frightening looking alleyway, situated between an old apartment complex and a grocery store which looked like it had been closed for years.
Domino smacked Fond Wish on the flank with his hoof. “Well, go on!” he said. “Too dark to see, but it doesn't sound like she's with anyone right now. Go have some fun. I'll keep lookout.”

“Um...I mean...I've never...been with anyone before...”

“Now's the time to start, then, wouldn't you say? Time's a-wastin', kid. And in this neighborhood, that's about all it does. Now move.”

Cautiously, Fond Wish began to walk into the alleyway. It was fairly narrow, and the roofs of the two buildings kept the sunlight out. The shadow they cast covered Wish as he entered. He wasn't sure why, but it made him feel terribly nervous.

“Um...hello? Is anyone there?”

No answer.

“Um...Scarflank? That's what they call you, right? Are you, um...busy?”

Wish suddenly felt very embarrassed. He was about to turn to leave, when he heard it.

It was the faint sound of hooves hitting pavement, slowly but steadily. Someone was walking toward him. It seemed as though they were having trouble.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. It was a foal.

Her coat was light gray, and her mane, which seemed to be growing in uneven patches, was a soft shade of silver. Wish could have almost seen her mane as beautiful, if it weren't so dirty. The little foal did not look well. She had bruises on her back, and seemed to have a little trouble walking. But that wasn't what struck Wish the most about her.

On the right side of her flank, directly over her cutie mark, the little foal had two scars in the shape of an X.

“Your name...” he said. “I...I never even thought about why they would call you that...”

The foal walked up to Wish, and nodded silently. Then, with no provocation, she turned around, raised her haunches, and lifted her tail.

“Oh...” said Wish. “Right...but...I mean...you're just a filly.”

The silver filly turned her head and looked at Wish. Her expression seemed almost neutral. Her position did not change.

“This was a bad idea...” Wish said. The entire situation bothered him. But what bothered him more was his own reaction to it. He had never seen a female's sex up close before, and the sight was exciting him more than he liked.

“HEY, SCARFLANK!” shouted Domino from outside the alley. “HE'S ONE OF MINE! SHOW HIM A GOOD TIME, GOT IT?”

The silver filly nodded, and turned around. Wish staggered backwards, tripping and falling backwards unto his rump. This just gave the silver filly a better view of his member, which had grown larger despite Wish's mental objections.

Unceremoniously, the filly walked up to Wish, straddled him, and positioned herself directly over his cock.

“Wait...” he said. “Why...why are you doing this...?”

The filly hesitated. It seemed as if the question was the last thing she had expected. After a moment, she answered.

“Because it's the only thing I'm good for,” she said.

With that, the filly lowered herself onto Wish's cock. The colt let out a small moan as the filly began riding him.

He had never felt anything like this. The tightness, the warmth. He was losing his virginity to a complete stranger in a filthy alleyway, but at the moment, Wish didn't care. And the filly was wet, too. She moaned softly along with Wish, holding him close to her as she increased her tempo.

Something was changing in the filly. Something in her eyes. Wish was almost too distracted by pleasure to notice it, but it was there. She was enjoying this, but not on the same level he was. The filly's moans were growing more and more primal, more animalistic. It was as if she were trying to regress, to reduce herself to something less than what she was.

Between moans, Wish heard the filly whisper something. It was barely audible, but he somehow picked up on it.

“Shut up...” she said.

“Umm...I'm sorry...” Wish said awkwardly.

“I didn't mean you!” the filly said. Then she increased her speed, and as she did her moans grew louder and wilder.

Wish did not last long. Considering the circumstances, he was actually surprised he held out as long as he did. After only a few minutes, he let out a loud cry as his seed flooded the filly's insides.

Her task done, the silver foal got off of Wish, and without a word, began to walk back into the alleyway.

“Wait!” Wish said. The filly stopped.

“I...that was...that felt really good...um...thank you.”

The filly nodded and continued walking away.

“Stop...um...” Wish got to his hooves and took a step toward the filly. “Would you like to come with us? Domino says he knows a good way to get food...”

“No, thank you,” said the filly. “I can't leave here...”

“Why not?” asked Wish.

The filly looked up at the sky. It was almost impossible to see over the shadow of the two rooftops, but it was just barely visible.

“I'm waiting for someone,” she said. “And if I stay here, then ponies will always know where I am. If she comes back and asks about me, they can tell her.”

“It would just be for a little while...”

“I can't,” said the silver foal. “She might come back then...”

Wish sighed. “Who are you waiting for?”

“Someone special,” she said. For the first time, Wish could hear some emotion in her voice. “Someone I don't deserve to ever see again.”

“Oh...” said Wish. “How long have you been waiting?”

“About two months,” she said.

“And you'll wait for her here no matter what?”

“Yes,” she said.

“When do you think she'll come back?”

“...I don't think she'll ever come back,” said the silver foal, lowering her head in resignation. “But it doesn't matter. Either way, I'll wait for her.”

The silver foal turned and began walking back into the shadows. This time, Wish did not try to stop her. Scarflank was too confusing, and he wasn't quite sure what to make of her. As she turned, he noticed that her left flank had no scar. For the first time, could tell what her cutie mark was.

“Hey,” he said. “Why a spoon?”

The filly stopped for a moment. Then, without offering an answer, she kept walking, until the shadows had hidden her completely from sight.

Fond Wish stood there for a moment, wondering if there was anything more he should say. But his thoughts were swiftly interrupted by Domino's shouting voice.

“HEY KID! YOU DONE YET? I GOT PLACES TO BE!”

Wish trotted swiftly out of the alleyway. Domino looked him over and grinned.

“So, how'd you like her? She's a piece of work, isn't she?”

“Yeah, it was nice...” said Wish. “You've been with her before, haven't you?”

“Oh yeah, plenty a' times. She's pretty energetic, huh? Usually she's even more lively, but I think she got roughed up the other day.”

“I noticed some bruises,” said Wish. “Why would someone beat her up? She's not hurting anyone...”

“Shows what you know,” said Domino. “There's only a few ways to make some bits in this neighborhood, and none of them are pleasant. Most of the mares and fillies, they take to walking the streets, entertaining ponies who come here from uptown looking for some company. I don't think they like the way little Scarflank's been giving it away for free. So every now and then, they come by and kick her around a bit. She never fights back or tries to run, from what I hear.”

“That poor filly...” Wish said.

“It's no big deal. They never hurt her too bad. She's just a kid, after all. Which reminds me,” said Domino, levitating an apple out of his saddlebag. “HEY SCARFLANK! THANKS FOR TAKIN' CARE OF MY NEW BOY!” He gave the apple a gentle toss into the alleyway.

Wish's jaw dropped in shock. “You had an entire apple? And you just gave it away?”

“I thought you said you wanted to help her,” Domino said.

“Yeah, but...I haven't seen that much food in days...”

“Neither has she, probably. Need to make sure the little weirdo's fed. She keeps a lot of my boys happy. Helps them let off stress. You come with me, I'll introduce you to 'em back at my place. That's where the real food is.”

Domino began to walk down the street, and Wish followed quickly behind.

“Thanks!” said Wish, “Man, I am so happy I ran into you!”

“Yeah, me too!” said Domino. “You're a nice looking kid. You're gonna be real popular.”

“Popular?” Wish said.

“Here's the thing, kid,” Domino said. “Not all of the ponies who come here from uptown are looking for mares, you know? And that food at my place don't exactly pay for itself...”

“Oh!....oh...” said Wish, as he realized what Domino was asking of him. He stopped walking.

“Hey, I ain't gonna beg, kid,” said the older pony. “You're more than welcome to fend for yourself if you want. Be seein' you.”

Domino continued walking, without looking back.

Wish stood in place, and looked up at the city.

It seemed more like a prison than ever.

Wish gritted his teeth, and began running after Domino.

When they weren't using her physically, the residents of Deadweight Alley had an unspoken rule to keep away from Scarflank's alleyway. There were rumors about her. Ponies who passed by her alleyway at night said that she talked to herself when she thought no one was around, and that her voice sounded angry and accusatory.

Rumors flew that she had escaped from an insane asylum, or that she was the victim of a botched magic spell. One story contended that she was a stray creation of Discord which had never vanished after his defeat, and the crossed out Cutie Mark was one of his little jokes, a sign that she wasn't a real pony.

A week later, Fond Wish happened to walk past her alleyway on the way back to Domino's place. He was trying not to think about what he had done that night.

Lately, he spent a lot of time trying not to think.

As he passed the alleyway, he heard the silver filly's voice.

“No, I'm not! I'M NOT!”

No one responded, but then she spoke again.

“Shut up! Shut up! You ruined everything! If I hadn't listened to you, she wouldn't have left me here!”

She wasn't talking to anyone, Wish realized. She was yelling at herself.

“You're wrong!” she said. “I'm not better than this! Stop saying that I am! I'm not better than anything! I...I...”

Wish heard quiet sobbing for a moment, and then the silver filly spoke again.

“Just leave me alone...just leave me alone so I can remember her...please...it's all I have left...”

The voice suddenly fell silent.

Fond Wish considered going into the alleyway for a moment. He thought about asking the silver foal if she needed help, or if she just wanted someone to talk to.

But then he remembered what Domino would do to him if he got home late again. And he ran from the alleyway without another thought.

The silver filly was on her own.

**

Two months earlier, Twilight Sparkle made a pilgrimage.

The last time she had climbed the craggy peak now colloquially known as Dragonsmoke Mountain, she had done so with five friends. This time, she climbed the peak with one. And when she came down again, she would do so alone.

Styngian, dragon ambassador to Equestria, had suggested the mountain for their meeting place because it was out of the way, but still fairly close to Ponyville. He did not wish to attract attention. Though it looked steep, thanks to its well-worn trails the mountain could be climbed in less than two hours under normal circumstances. Twilight and Spike chatted happily as they climbed. They did not discuss their impending separation, nor did they bring up Rarity, or the possibility that Spike might not come back.

They spoke like two friends on an outing, talking of small things and sharing private jokes. And they did so effortlessly, but without any illusions: they knew reality would catch up to them soon enough.

At the summit, the librarian and her assistant sat together by the mouth of a vast cave. They still had a little while before Styngian arrived to take Spike with him, and they intended to make the most of it.

They could not have picked a better spot. The peak was the tallest in the Everfree region. Before them, the vast land of Equestria spread out in every direction.

“It's so beautiful...” Spike said. “When you came up here before with the others, did you guys have a chance to stop and look at all this?”

“Not really,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “We kind of had our hooves full with that sleeping dragon.”

“I don't know why you didn't just ask me to come talk to him,” said Spike. “We totally could have bonded.”

Twilight laughed, “Yeah, that might have been a miscalculation on my part. But it turned out okay. Fluttershy really proved herself that day.”

“She sure did...” Spike said wistfully. “I miss her, Twilight.”

“I do, too,” she said. “I still see her in town sometimes, you know. She'll be out shopping for food for her animals, and we'll say hi to each other. But we just don't have that...that spark that we used to. She was always the quietest of our group, but even when she wasn't talking, she always seemed at peace around us. Now she's just awkward. I'll try to force conversation, but it never really goes anywhere.”

Twilight sighed. “The worst part is, I don't know what caused it. No, actually, the worst part is I don't think anything in particular caused it. The six of us just sort of...moved on.”

“Fluttershy still lives in her cottage, though, right? What's to stop you from visiting?”

“Nothing, really. In fact I have, but I always feel like I'm intruding. She'll try to play the nice hostess, but she keeps having to run off to feed one of her critters or something. Her place is practically a zoo these days.”

“That's a shame...” Spike said.

“It's like that with all of them. Rainbow Dash has gotten so deep into her flight training and mentoring Scootaloo, I hardly ever see her on the ground anymore. Applejack's family finally managed to buy all that extra farmland, which is good for them but means so much extra work that I haven't seen her in months. Pinkie's the only one I really keep in touch with anymore. And even she's gotten a little...excessive.” Twilight let out a small laugh.

“Maybe you could ask her for help dealing with...with the other member of your group...” As he spoke, Spike's tone seemed to change. Thinking of Rarity still hurt.

Twilight hugged him. “It's okay. I'll handle that,” she said. “In all honesty, Pinkie's a bit too friendly to help with this. I think it would be really hard for her to turn against a friend like that. Even one who's turned against all of us.”

“I guess...” Spike said sadly. “I just...wish I could help somehow. I feel like I'm running away from a fight...”

“This isn't a fight, Spike,” Twilight said. “And you're not running away. But if you want to help...actually, there is one thing I was meaning to ask of you before Styngian gets here.”

Spike pulled out his quill and parchment. “One last checklist?” he asked, always eager to help.

Twilight giggled and shook her head. “No, Spike. It's something I need you do to when you make it to the Red Continent. It's...well, it's about the Princess.”

Twilight turned her head away from Spike and looked across the vast landscape before her. “I really want to believe that she has a good motive for asking me to leave Rarity alone. I mean, I was raised to believe that Celestia always has our best interests at heart. But....maybe that's part of the problem...”

Spike scratched his head. “I'm not sure what you mean, Twilight.”

“Every pony in Equestria was raised to think that way. We all kind of just trust her implicitly, I think. Even after she dismissed me, I still believe in her. Or maybe it's just that I want to believe in her. I'm not really sure...”

“Well, maybe she does have some good reason,” said Spike. “Isn't that a saying with you ponies? 'Celestia knows best?'”

Twilight decided not to comment on Spike's use of the phrase “You ponies.” There were more pressing matters to attend to.

“Well, that's just the thing, Spike. Around here, the Princess is revered and adored. But what worries me is that we ponies are a little too close to her, you know? We might be blind to her faults because we love her so much...that's why I need your help.”

“Anything,” Spike said.

“While you're on the Red Continent, I want you to ask the dragons what they know of the Princess. Not just facts, but also their personal thoughts about her, and about Equestria in general. Maybe it won't amount to anything, but I wonder if beings who weren't raised to revere the Princess might be able to offer some insights that we can't. Especially since you'll be living with dragons who've lived in other lands. I bet they'll have a lot to offer if you ask.”

“Maybe,” said Spike. “Is the Princess really that famous outside Equestria?”

“Well, she raises the sun for everyone, not just us,” said Twilight. “I'm guessing she's probably at least somewhat well known. Anyway, if you hear anything interesting, be sure to send me a letter, okay? That green fire of yours is going to really come in handy!”

“Okay, Twilight! You can count on me!” said Spike, getting to his feet and offering a salute. The prospect of being able to help his friend had cheered him up quite a bit.

“I always knew I could,” said Twilight with a smile. “It'll take me a while to write back, of course, but-”

The unicorn was interrupted by a sudden, violent gust of wind, which blew so hard that it drowned out her words. “Wow! The wind up here is a lot more rough than I remember!” she said.

“That's not the wind, Twilight...” Spike said, pointing to Twilight's right.

The unicorn turned her head. Spike was right. There was no wind. The air was being pushed violently forward by the sheer power of a full-grown dragon's wings.

Styngian had arrived.

Twilight struggled to keep her footing as the ambassador approached the mountain. Spike, however, stood still, facing him. Somehow, despite his small frame, he was able to withstand the effects of his elder's arrival without flinching.

The great dragon landed on the mountain, and the ground shook at his landing. He was easily the largest dragon Spike had seen, even including the multitudes he had seen during the migration. His scales were deep red, and his eyes an almost dazzling gold.

Spike looked at Styngian, and felt as though he instantly knew who he wanted to be.

“Hello, young one,” said Styngian. His voice reverberated through the air, yet it carried a calm, warm tone. “Your friend has told me much of you. If all the stories are true, then I am in the presence of a very brave young dragon indeed.”

“Oh!” Spike stammered in awe. “Um...thank you! Wow, you're, I mean, I didn't expect you to be so...”

“You'll have to forgive Spike,” Twilight said. “The only other dragons he's really met were teenagers at the migration.”

“Ah,” said Styngian, “Yes, the migrating tribes are a bit more...rowdy than those of us who have settled on the Red Continent. I hope you'll find us more to your liking, young one.”

“Yes sir! Um, I mean, I hope so!” said Spike.

“Twilight Sparkle,” said Styngian, “Forgive me, but my time is short. It is a long flight to our homeland, and I must be there before the moon rises.”

“Of course,” Twilight said. “Spike...”

The little dragon nodded solemnly, walking over to his friend.

He heard the familiar whistle of Twilight's telekinesis as an object hovered out of the knapsack the two of them had carried up the mountain.

A satchel full of cookies hovered through the air and came to rest in Spike's hands.

“Triple peanut butter,” Twilight said. “Your favorite. I tried to follow your recipe and...I mostly got it right...well, the second batch anyway. Let's not discuss the first batch...”

“Oh, so that's what all that smoke was about last night,” Spike said. “Thanks, Twilight.”

“They say it's really hot where you're going, so try to keep cool, okay?” Twilight said. She spoke quickly, realizing their time was short. “Oh, what am I saying, you can take baths in lava, of course you don't need to keep cool. But also, don't let anyone bully you, and don't be afraid to write if you need anything, or just want to say hi, or have any que-”

The satchel of cookies dropped to the ground as Spike embraced his friend, hugging her as tight as he could.

“I love you, Twilight,” he said. “And I promise: pony or dragon, I'll come back someday.”

“I know you will,” Twilight said, trying her best to smile.

She stood and watched as Spike climbed on Styngian's huge back. She kept watching as the great dragon once again took flight. She did not move from her spot until Styngian was nothing but a tiny speck on the horizon.

“And I'll do whatever I can...” Twilight said, “...to make sure Ponyville is a place worth coming back to.”

She turned away from the side of the cliff which overlooked the forest, and turned toward Ponyville.

She could just barely make out Carousel Boutique.

“No more excuses, Twilight.” she said. “It's time.”

**

Silver Spoon had chosen this particular alley for a reason. It was out of the way, but not so obscure that no one would know where she was. It was blocked off on one side by a building, so it would be easy to see other ponies coming in. And most of all, during the day it was almost permanently covered in shadow. It reminded Silver of her basement. She could walk into those shadows and disappear from sight. Become nothing.

She rather liked the idea of being nothing.

But the little voice inside her head seemed determined to remind her of everything she was.

Tonight, like most nights, she was engaged in the task of shutting it up. But the voice was winning, and Silver didn't have the energy to argue with it anymore. Instead, she tried to plead.

“Just leave me alone...just leave me alone so I can remember her...please...it's all I have left...”

As she spoke, Silver Spoon could sense movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head, to see Fond Wish pausing at the entrance to her alley. It was only then that she realized she had been talking to herself. Again.

She put her hooves over her mouth. Somehow, her embarrassment even silenced the voice.

She watched Wish from the shadows until he took off running. Silver sighed, glad he hadn't come into the alley.

“Funny,” she said quietly. “I don't care if they see my cunt, if they touch me or hurt me...but if I think they've seen me talking to myself, I get completely embar-”

Silver shuddered when she realized she had said that out loud. This time she hadn't even been responding to the voice.

All of a sudden, she sensed someone. Not standing at the entrance to the alley, but right behind her. She got to her hooves and spun around, frightened of who might be there.

There was no one. Silver Spoon was alone.

Maybe they're right, she thought. Maybe I am losing my mind.

Maybe it doesn't matter anymore.

The filly lay back down against one of the walls of her alley. She closed her eyes. Though it had a habit of keeping her awake, the voice showed her mercy that night, and within a few minutes, Silver Spoon was asleep.

Just outside the alley, barely out of Silver's line of sight, a gray unicorn stood silently. His expression was perfectly neutral, despite the fact that Silver had almost seen him a few moments earlier.

He raised his hoof and adjusted his glasses. They were round, and perfectly matched the pair which made up his Cutie Mark.

Then the unicorn closed his eyes, and a moment later, he wasn't there.

He was in a small, opulent room in a mansion on the other side of town. The room was filled with all manner of books, many of them rare first editions of beloved classics.

The room's occupant was sitting on a couch reading when the gray unicorn appeared. He seemed glad for the interruption.

“Oh, it's you, Gaze. So you've returned,” Fancypants said. “Does that mean what I think it does?”

The gray unicorn nodded.

Fancypants smiled. “So you've found her.”

[Next: Sweetie's choice/Twilight's confrontation/Rarity's two seconds]

Author's Note

This story is the last part of the Tarnished Silver series, and a direct sequel to "Twisted: Four Little Foals." If you would like to read the series from the beginning, please refer to my user page for the reading order.