Hush Nowby EvBree196ChaptersPrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4PrologueIt was a calm, clear day in Equestria. Princess Celestia had worked hard to warm her subjects a little after Ponyville had announced the end of it's winter wrap up. Birds flitted around their cosy environment, occasionally swooping through the suburban white homes of Cloudsdale. Never, however, did they reach a small, slightly grey and saggy sky building, a little farther out from Cloudsdale than most homes. This saggy little tuft of steam was the home of a willowy, timid, butter-yellow filly. Fluttershy gazed through the open window of the orphanage, longingly. She spent a lot of time sat at the window. She never exactly knew what she was longing for. "Flying seems very scary and dangerous so it certainly isn't flying I long for." she thought to herself, and all she ever saw from the window in the play room was the occasional dark cloud being reigned in by a weather pony. It was as if she expected some ponies that she knew to come along and see her - not that she knew anyone outside the orphanage. She knew the carer Pegusi, Daisy Bloom and Mrs Beam whom she saw everyday. Not that she spoke much to them. They were too busy taking care of the other orphans. No no, Fluttershy was quite content in her own company by the window. Well, her own company and that of the ponies that she felt were coming to see her soon. She had been asked several times by Mrs Beam if she missed her parents. Fluttershy would never answer with more than a shy shake of the head. She didn't KNOW her parents, how could she miss them? However, what Mrs Beam hadn't asked her, was if she wanted to learn about her parents. She often thought about telling somepony about the two faces that she waited for at the window and asking what they meant, but she didn't want to waste any of their time. Plus she was too timid to talk to anypony in more than one-worded answers (and only that was at a stretch). As Fluttershy rested her head on the windowsill in the groove that had formed from her chin's delicate weight over the years - she decided that maybe she didn't want to know. If her parents were out there, then they obviously had more important things to do than to look after her. She could accept that. Maybe they were fighting dragons, or having tea with Canterlot royalty? She didn't want to get in the way of their adventures. Maybe someday they'd come and pick her up and she would be brave enough to fly and to help fight dragons, or maybe she'd learn to be polite enough to drink tea and speak to the important ponies. Maybe someday. She sighed happily as she scanned the skies again. "No rush, Mom and Dad" She whispered to herself, softly. "I'll be here, waiting for you to pick me up" With that thought, she closed her eyes and drifted into a happy dream, filled with the soothing Lullaby that always accompanied a dream. "Hush now, Quiet now It's time to lay your sleepy head Hush now Quiet now It's time to go to bed..." Chapter 1Star Gazer turned over and groaned as the Junior Speedsters bugle thundered into his bunker. He wasn’t in the mood for today. He was never in the mood for the day if it meant another day at Junior Speedsters. As the bugle sounded again, and the other colts could be heard getting up and into the queue for the bathroom, Star Gazer covered his navy blue head with his pillow and tried to return to his dream. He was dreaming that he had escaped his Flight School for gifted wings and that he was exploring the mysterious land below. Any Pegasus families that had been known to fly down and live on land were seen as rejects and weak-willed. Star-Gazer could remember his neighbour Mrs Doo flying down to land to search for a new life with her earth pony husband. The Gazers knew for sure that she wouldn’t be welcomed back if she changed her mind. Star Gazer never admitted it, but he had always envied the earth dwellers. It seemed like there was so much STUFF down there. Young pegusi weren’t allowed down to land until they were seen as old enough to be trusted. There was still a prejudice against non-flying equines in Cloudsdale. Not that anypony ever spoke of it. "GAZER!" A deep growly voice echoed through the now empty bunker, causing Star Gazer to fall off his bunk. "GET YOUR PLOT OUT OF BED AND GET INTO RANK. UNLESS YOU'RE SOME DUMB EARTH PONY!" As Star sat up, rubbing away a migraine, he received a harsh kick in the rump from the owner of the voice, Mr Thunder. It wasn’t anything new. Star Gazer was always getting kicked about by the teachers here. Any slackers were treated like scum by everypony in the school. That was him. Scum. Star Gazer quickly ran into his place in the assembly in the courtyard. The school was effectively a square exercise yard surrounded by harsh icy buildings that the students lived in, full of sinister looking assault courses and hard-bitten teachers with steel-toed horse shoes that were only a wrong look away from burying themselves into your side. It was a cold and windy place, kept like that all year round to toughen up the flyers. Assemblies were always arranged the same, girls on the left and boys on the right. Best ponies at the front and other creatures at the back,along with the slackers or social rejects. As Star Gazer kept his eyes down as to not cause himself more trouble with the instructors, he waited for the morning announcements and the ridiculous anthem to be over. At least during flying exercises, he could fly fast enough to not get beaten for being too slow without trying to hard. As the assembly filed out and the classes separated for the day, Star Gazer looked around at the glaring faces of his fellow pupils. He would have made an effort to talk to them, but he knew that they would be punished for not isolating him, so why bother? "Alright Soldiers" Mr Thunder yelled. "I managed to convince the Principal to let us take a little field trip today. We're going outside the walls." Star looked around at the alarmed faces in his class, surprised himself. Outside of the four walls wasn't allowed, because the Cloudsdale school inspectors had declared that practice outside of the campus was too dangerous. "We're using my favourite old assalut course for you today." Thunder sniggered. A cocky smirk accross his face. Star Gazer gulped, dreading what was to come... Chapter 2Willow Beam tucked her messy pink mane behind her ears as she turned the page of her book over. Daring Doo was her favourite novel. Even if it was just written by her neighbour and would never be published, Willow loved the stories, and was always asking for more. It was about the pony that went out and explored. She didn't need anypony. She was invincible. A rush of wind flicked back her pages and her mane blew over her face once again. She looked up, but saw nopony around. "Good job" she muttered to herself, relocating her place in her book. "If my parents knew I wasn't at school..." Willow Beam was a dreamy pony. With a peachy white coat and pink eyes set in her delicate head. She wasn't disliked by anypony - she was as sunny as her sun and cloud cutie mark! Nor was she rebellious. She just enjoyed her own company more, and occasionally... would find herself flying far past school and sitting on a cloud overlooking the large forest below before coming round from one of her day dreams. As long as her parents didn't find out she was sure that missing a day of school here and there couldn't be too bad. Another gust of wind sent an icy chill down her spine. She found herself looking to the large looming building placed on a storm cloud in the distance. Boy was she glad that she hadn't been sent there! She knew that a pegasus from her flight camp had been sent there. A black colt with a fire patterened mane and tail called Rapid Dash. Good for him, she supposed. As she kept staring, she noticed something that she had never actually witnessed before... the big metal gates at the top of the building opened. She had to get a better look at this! She closed her book - removing her worn old bow from her mane to mark her page - and left her little resting cloud. She flew slowly and quietly, as not to attract any attention from anypony who might see her and tell her parents. Her hooves occasionally bumping over bits of cloud, she steered clear from her school and went round the outskirts of town. She was certain that as she drew nearer to the building, she was getting colder. She knew that they always kept it slightly cooler, but she was freezing her tail off! At a safe distance that had a good view, Willow dug in the clouds to make a pile for her to crouch behind and watched as several rather scary looking young pegasus ponies flew into the air above her in a strict formation, following an even scarier older pegasus, although there seemed to be one empty spot in the otherwise flawless group. Willow Beam saw the old pegasus notice this as he darted back into the building. She jumped as she heard a booming voice followed by a loud thud. The older pegaus reappeared at the front of the flapping formation. Willow gasped in horror as she saw a dark sillhouette struggle to join them. It was another pegasus colt, though he looked so thin and battered. His wing looked crippled, and his head drooped, as if he was struggling to lift it. Had that old pegasus just...? She didn't dare consider it. Willow heard the lead pegasus bark an order and the group immediately began an amazingly complex set of acrobatics in the air. She was absolutely amazed as one pony backflipped, just avoiding hitting the clouds only a few feet away from her. After a few minutes of just staring in awe at the talented ponies above her head, Willow decided that she had probably outstayed her visit. Sooner or later, somepony up there would spot her and she didn't want to face up to the pegasus who was standing on a cloud yelling abuse at the flyers. Come to think of it, she thought as she slinked slowly backwards - belly pressed low against the cloud, she hadn't seen that darker pony that had looked so hurt earlier since the beginning of the acrobatics. She hoped he was ok... All of a sudden, a navy blue heap cumpled in the dust right next to her. "Oh my gosh! " Gasped Willow Beam, galloping over to the bruised colt. "Are you alright!?" He didn't say anything in response, he just put a hoof to her mouth and directed his sky-blue eyes at the instructor to see if he had noticed. Luckily,his head was turned, yelling at a red pegasus filly who had landed too early. Without a single word being exchanged, Willow Beam knew that he was asking her to get him out of there. She tried helping him up but he just couldn't stand properly, a glance at his leg showed her that it was in no state to gallop anywhere quickly, and his wing didn't look any better. Willow Beam took as much of his weight as she could, but he was a muscular pony and she was no body builder. They made a few yards before she crumpled under his weight, panting. "Don't worry" She whispered into his ear. "I'll get you away from here." He closed his eyes and a single tear escaped from his bruised lids. " "Thank you" He mouthed, weakly. Resting his head on the cloud. All of a sudden, the mist shuddered beneath them as a giant looming figure landed centimetres from the pair. "Gazer" The instructor snarled "I see you are resting with your fillyfriend here" "P-Please sir!" The terrified filly stuttered. "SHUT UP YOU STUPID FILLY" The giant boomed. "Gazer, get back to your bunk. You and I are going to have a little chat" The dark colt suddenly found some strength from some unknown source. "You," he started, the rage present in his voice "CAN'T CONTROL ME" Quick as a whip, Willow saw two back hooves strike the instructors face, causing him to collapse in pain. "QUICK" Gazer yelled, pulling a bewildered Willow Beam who was still in shock. Next thing that the pair knew, the clouds had disappeared from under their feet, and they were falling down, down to the large forest below... Chapter 3Star Gazer opened his sky blue eyes, expecting the bugle to confirm that it was just a nightmare and that he was back in his living nightmare, instead. But he heard no bugle. When he looked around, he didn't see rusty bunk beds or grimy walls. The walls were white and the room was warm. Gazer tried to sit up but a crippling pain in his back and his head forced him straight back down on the pillows, the pain so intense he thought he was going to vomit. "Hello? Is anypony there?" He called out timidly between deep breaths. A white pony came bustling in, a red cross cutie mark on her flank. "Ah! You're awake young man!" She said cheerily, but got no reply. Star Gazer was staring at her side. Where on earth were her wings? How could an earth pony be in Cloudsdale? "Um... Sorry ma'am but... where am I?" Gazer asked. The white mare chuckled. "Why you're in Ponyville infirmary dearie! You and your friend were in a pretty bad way after falling through those trees! Good job one of the Apple family spotted you." "That filly!" Gazer suddenly exclaimed, once again sitting up, wondering if she was ok, and at the same time being in shock that he was on land. This time, he couldn't stomach the pain in his head and back, and the nurse had to quickly fetch him a bucket. "I see you're awake then" A soothing voice found its way to Gazer's ears. He looked up when he'd finished retching. There she was. The filly that had saved him from his living hell. Her orangey peach coat glowing in the sunlight that was streaking through the window. He felt a sharp pang of guilt hit him as he saw the thick bandage covering her right wing and her right front hoof. She limped over to the bed and gave him a quick nuzzle - which resulted in both of their noses turning pink. "I-I just wanted to say thanks for saving my life" She spoke, quietly. "I... saved your life? I thought I was the one who threw us off the clouds?" He spoke, taking a sip of water from the glass next to him. "After you tried to take off with us and we were falling, you opened your wings and covered us both. We fell through loads of tree branches, but you took the weight of us both from the fall. The doctor said he was amazed at how your back wasn't broken. You took a pretty hard bump to the head and both your wings and your back leg and tail broken". She quickly looked away, swallowing back a sob of sympathy and gazed back at her rescuer. He sat back gently, trying to focus, but it was hard. Mostly because his head was killing him, but those eyes... they were just such a beautiful shade of pink, shimmering slightly with emotion. He caught himself staring and looked away, quickly. "So." The filly cleared her throat before holding out a hoof. "I'm Willow Beam" Star Gazer tried to reach out to take her hoof, but he realized that they were bandaged up. He shook his head apologetically at Willow Beam before answering. "I'm Star Gazer - but just call me Gazer." He said nonchalantly before crinkling his muzzle into a grin. She beamed back brightly. Such a pretty smile, thought Gazer. "So, will you be able to fly back up to Cloudsdale and tell your family you're OK?" She shook her head. "Nah, I'm stuck here until this wing heals up. Couple of weeks, the doctor said. Not that it really matters - I kind of wanted to see what was down here anyway." Gazer's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "No way! I always wanted to come down here too!" He replied. Willow Beam couldn't help but smile at the navy blue Pegasus. Gazer rubbed his head. "So what's going to happen to us?" "Well," The peach Pegasus blew her soft pink mane out of her face before continuing. "They said that you can be discharged tomorrow, as long as you get plenty of rest and check in with the Doctor every couple of days. They've set us up with a room above the bakery here, and they even got you a wheelchair so we can go for a tour of the town when you feel like it" She grinned at him, and he returned the expression. They remained that way for a few minutes before a doctor ushered Willow Beam out of the room to allow Gazer to rest. "I'll come to pick you up tomorrow!" She called, limping away on her three good legs. The navy colt just nodded - still grinning stupidly at his companion as she exited the room. That night, neither of the ponies could sleep. Willow Beam laid on her face in the pillow of her bed in the bakery attic , her plot sticking in the air comically. At least it was comfortable. She couldn't sleep anyway, her mind was occupied on the colt that had saved her life and risked his own for her. A tear left her eye as she thought just how grateful she was for his bravery. In the hospital, Gazer stayed stone still, as to not hurt his wings more, thinking about the sweetest, kindest filly he'd met in a long time. Although he was in pain, he couldn't help but be a LITTLE grateful that they had been grounded together for a while. Chapter 4(Hey guys, if you guys are still reading this, then thanks for being patient! College/friends/being down recently has kind of been slowing down my progress, but the holidays are coming soon, so I will be able to write more hopefully! Happy Hearth's Warming every pony!) Willow Beam tugged at her bandage in the middle of the room that she would be staying in for the next few weeks. It had been late at night when she had come in and she had too much on her mind to bother admiring her surroundings before climbing into bed. The room was cosy and warm, with a very soft bed set in a deep pink with candy cane colored legs. The curtains were also a deep pink, framing a window looking out to a market square below. The rest of the room was a pale pink, with the occasional picture of cakes and sweets. Willow liked the softness of the room. She scanned it one last time before leaving through the white stable door and gingerly walking downstairs to the room below. The coffee shop and bakery downstairs was run by a couple of newlyweds called the Cakes. They were only a couple of years older than the Pegasus ponies, she was sure. Though Mrs. Cake treated her just like a mother would. As Willow walked into the shop, sure enough, the cakes had laid out a cupcake breakfast and some grass tea for her. "Thanks so much for letting us stay here Mr and Mrs Cake." The peach mare beamed, as she watched her hosts rush around making the final preparations for the morning. "Please let me help-". She had barely finished her sentence before a turquoise blur sat her down at the table. "We can't have an injured guest making herself work!" The yellow earth pony exclaimed,as he flipped the open sign in the door and trotted back to the pegasus, adjusting his new bow tie. Willow Beam had to gulp back a small tear. She was so grateful for the kindness of these strangers who had offered to take her and Gazer in. After all the nursery rhymes that mocked the earth ponies and unicorns that had been taught to her, she was being treated as if she was one of their own. Willow mentally shook herself and took a sip of the tea. It was delicious. "So when is your friend due out of the hospital?" The young mare asked, tying on an apron and rolling out dough whilst her husband dealt with a customer. "Well, I said I would pick him up this morning, so I'll head out after breakfast if that's OK?" "No need to ask me honey, you can come and go whenever you feel like it! Are you thinking of exploring town?" "Well, it depends on how he feels, but I think we'd both like to have a look around." Willow Beam stopped herself from going into a daydream about her fellow winged friend. How he'd rescued her from fatal injuries, by causing some grave ones of his own. "You seem to be eager to get out and see him." winked the blue mare. Willow blushed and blew her mane from her face. "Go on, you should set off - I'll save your breakfast, don't worry." As the bandaged pegasus thanked her again before calling a goodbye and trotting eagerly out of the bakery, the two newlyweds shared a knowing glance. A memory of their meeting and a newly kindled love was soon to repeat itself before them. ~ Willow Beam was practically galloping to the hospital - not that she was supposed to due to her damaged wing and hoof, but she didn't really care. She couldn't help but do a little prayer in her head that Gazer would be there, waiting. Though it was still early. He may not even be up yet. Why was she so excited? She barely knew this colt! She couldn't help but blush a little as she slowed down and tucked her mane out of the way. As she turned the last corner to the hospital, she wondered what the two of them could do? Well she would have to take Gazer to see the Cakes and to settle him in. Maybe they could explore town a little? Go buy some apples from the barn nearby that the Cakes had talked about so fondly? She just wanted him to be happy to spend time with her. She took a deep breath when she got to the door of the hospital before entering. She scanned the waiting room for a second before her eyes fell upon a familiar pair of sky blue eyes. Gazer was propped up in a wheelchair, which supported his injuries comfortably. He looked tired, as if he had had difficulty sleeping, but his face lit up at the sight of the filly. As they met in the middle of the room they both started talking at once. "I'm so glad you're ok -" "I've been looking forward to-" The two both then blushed and smiled timidly at each other. "So are you up to look around town today? Or would you like a nap? Or do you need to speak with your doctor? Or..or..?" Willow began hurriedly. Gazer just kept smiling at her. "Looking around town sounds great." he replied, through her nervous babbling. She stopped for a second, mid-sentence then blushed and pushed back her mane, blushing. "One problem though," Gazer continued, looking down, awkwardly. "You'll have to push me. If I try to wheel myself... my back..." He closed his eyes, hiding the tears of frustration that were forming in his eyes. Never before had he had to ask for help. He felt so helpless with his broken body. A warm hoof touched his face. "Hey," Willow soothed. "It's my pleasure. I'll push you," Gazer didn't meet the delicate pink eyes that were watching him, but he managed a sincere nod through the two tears that had escaped and seeped down his face.
PrologueIt was a calm, clear day in Equestria. Princess Celestia had worked hard to warm her subjects a little after Ponyville had announced the end of it's winter wrap up. Birds flitted around their cosy environment, occasionally swooping through the suburban white homes of Cloudsdale. Never, however, did they reach a small, slightly grey and saggy sky building, a little farther out from Cloudsdale than most homes. This saggy little tuft of steam was the home of a willowy, timid, butter-yellow filly. Fluttershy gazed through the open window of the orphanage, longingly. She spent a lot of time sat at the window. She never exactly knew what she was longing for. "Flying seems very scary and dangerous so it certainly isn't flying I long for." she thought to herself, and all she ever saw from the window in the play room was the occasional dark cloud being reigned in by a weather pony. It was as if she expected some ponies that she knew to come along and see her - not that she knew anyone outside the orphanage. She knew the carer Pegusi, Daisy Bloom and Mrs Beam whom she saw everyday. Not that she spoke much to them. They were too busy taking care of the other orphans. No no, Fluttershy was quite content in her own company by the window. Well, her own company and that of the ponies that she felt were coming to see her soon. She had been asked several times by Mrs Beam if she missed her parents. Fluttershy would never answer with more than a shy shake of the head. She didn't KNOW her parents, how could she miss them? However, what Mrs Beam hadn't asked her, was if she wanted to learn about her parents. She often thought about telling somepony about the two faces that she waited for at the window and asking what they meant, but she didn't want to waste any of their time. Plus she was too timid to talk to anypony in more than one-worded answers (and only that was at a stretch). As Fluttershy rested her head on the windowsill in the groove that had formed from her chin's delicate weight over the years - she decided that maybe she didn't want to know. If her parents were out there, then they obviously had more important things to do than to look after her. She could accept that. Maybe they were fighting dragons, or having tea with Canterlot royalty? She didn't want to get in the way of their adventures. Maybe someday they'd come and pick her up and she would be brave enough to fly and to help fight dragons, or maybe she'd learn to be polite enough to drink tea and speak to the important ponies. Maybe someday. She sighed happily as she scanned the skies again. "No rush, Mom and Dad" She whispered to herself, softly. "I'll be here, waiting for you to pick me up" With that thought, she closed her eyes and drifted into a happy dream, filled with the soothing Lullaby that always accompanied a dream. "Hush now, Quiet now It's time to lay your sleepy head Hush now Quiet now It's time to go to bed..."
Chapter 1Star Gazer turned over and groaned as the Junior Speedsters bugle thundered into his bunker. He wasn’t in the mood for today. He was never in the mood for the day if it meant another day at Junior Speedsters. As the bugle sounded again, and the other colts could be heard getting up and into the queue for the bathroom, Star Gazer covered his navy blue head with his pillow and tried to return to his dream. He was dreaming that he had escaped his Flight School for gifted wings and that he was exploring the mysterious land below. Any Pegasus families that had been known to fly down and live on land were seen as rejects and weak-willed. Star-Gazer could remember his neighbour Mrs Doo flying down to land to search for a new life with her earth pony husband. The Gazers knew for sure that she wouldn’t be welcomed back if she changed her mind. Star Gazer never admitted it, but he had always envied the earth dwellers. It seemed like there was so much STUFF down there. Young pegusi weren’t allowed down to land until they were seen as old enough to be trusted. There was still a prejudice against non-flying equines in Cloudsdale. Not that anypony ever spoke of it. "GAZER!" A deep growly voice echoed through the now empty bunker, causing Star Gazer to fall off his bunk. "GET YOUR PLOT OUT OF BED AND GET INTO RANK. UNLESS YOU'RE SOME DUMB EARTH PONY!" As Star sat up, rubbing away a migraine, he received a harsh kick in the rump from the owner of the voice, Mr Thunder. It wasn’t anything new. Star Gazer was always getting kicked about by the teachers here. Any slackers were treated like scum by everypony in the school. That was him. Scum. Star Gazer quickly ran into his place in the assembly in the courtyard. The school was effectively a square exercise yard surrounded by harsh icy buildings that the students lived in, full of sinister looking assault courses and hard-bitten teachers with steel-toed horse shoes that were only a wrong look away from burying themselves into your side. It was a cold and windy place, kept like that all year round to toughen up the flyers. Assemblies were always arranged the same, girls on the left and boys on the right. Best ponies at the front and other creatures at the back,along with the slackers or social rejects. As Star Gazer kept his eyes down as to not cause himself more trouble with the instructors, he waited for the morning announcements and the ridiculous anthem to be over. At least during flying exercises, he could fly fast enough to not get beaten for being too slow without trying to hard. As the assembly filed out and the classes separated for the day, Star Gazer looked around at the glaring faces of his fellow pupils. He would have made an effort to talk to them, but he knew that they would be punished for not isolating him, so why bother? "Alright Soldiers" Mr Thunder yelled. "I managed to convince the Principal to let us take a little field trip today. We're going outside the walls." Star looked around at the alarmed faces in his class, surprised himself. Outside of the four walls wasn't allowed, because the Cloudsdale school inspectors had declared that practice outside of the campus was too dangerous. "We're using my favourite old assalut course for you today." Thunder sniggered. A cocky smirk accross his face. Star Gazer gulped, dreading what was to come...
Chapter 2Willow Beam tucked her messy pink mane behind her ears as she turned the page of her book over. Daring Doo was her favourite novel. Even if it was just written by her neighbour and would never be published, Willow loved the stories, and was always asking for more. It was about the pony that went out and explored. She didn't need anypony. She was invincible. A rush of wind flicked back her pages and her mane blew over her face once again. She looked up, but saw nopony around. "Good job" she muttered to herself, relocating her place in her book. "If my parents knew I wasn't at school..." Willow Beam was a dreamy pony. With a peachy white coat and pink eyes set in her delicate head. She wasn't disliked by anypony - she was as sunny as her sun and cloud cutie mark! Nor was she rebellious. She just enjoyed her own company more, and occasionally... would find herself flying far past school and sitting on a cloud overlooking the large forest below before coming round from one of her day dreams. As long as her parents didn't find out she was sure that missing a day of school here and there couldn't be too bad. Another gust of wind sent an icy chill down her spine. She found herself looking to the large looming building placed on a storm cloud in the distance. Boy was she glad that she hadn't been sent there! She knew that a pegasus from her flight camp had been sent there. A black colt with a fire patterened mane and tail called Rapid Dash. Good for him, she supposed. As she kept staring, she noticed something that she had never actually witnessed before... the big metal gates at the top of the building opened. She had to get a better look at this! She closed her book - removing her worn old bow from her mane to mark her page - and left her little resting cloud. She flew slowly and quietly, as not to attract any attention from anypony who might see her and tell her parents. Her hooves occasionally bumping over bits of cloud, she steered clear from her school and went round the outskirts of town. She was certain that as she drew nearer to the building, she was getting colder. She knew that they always kept it slightly cooler, but she was freezing her tail off! At a safe distance that had a good view, Willow dug in the clouds to make a pile for her to crouch behind and watched as several rather scary looking young pegasus ponies flew into the air above her in a strict formation, following an even scarier older pegasus, although there seemed to be one empty spot in the otherwise flawless group. Willow Beam saw the old pegasus notice this as he darted back into the building. She jumped as she heard a booming voice followed by a loud thud. The older pegaus reappeared at the front of the flapping formation. Willow gasped in horror as she saw a dark sillhouette struggle to join them. It was another pegasus colt, though he looked so thin and battered. His wing looked crippled, and his head drooped, as if he was struggling to lift it. Had that old pegasus just...? She didn't dare consider it. Willow heard the lead pegasus bark an order and the group immediately began an amazingly complex set of acrobatics in the air. She was absolutely amazed as one pony backflipped, just avoiding hitting the clouds only a few feet away from her. After a few minutes of just staring in awe at the talented ponies above her head, Willow decided that she had probably outstayed her visit. Sooner or later, somepony up there would spot her and she didn't want to face up to the pegasus who was standing on a cloud yelling abuse at the flyers. Come to think of it, she thought as she slinked slowly backwards - belly pressed low against the cloud, she hadn't seen that darker pony that had looked so hurt earlier since the beginning of the acrobatics. She hoped he was ok... All of a sudden, a navy blue heap cumpled in the dust right next to her. "Oh my gosh! " Gasped Willow Beam, galloping over to the bruised colt. "Are you alright!?" He didn't say anything in response, he just put a hoof to her mouth and directed his sky-blue eyes at the instructor to see if he had noticed. Luckily,his head was turned, yelling at a red pegasus filly who had landed too early. Without a single word being exchanged, Willow Beam knew that he was asking her to get him out of there. She tried helping him up but he just couldn't stand properly, a glance at his leg showed her that it was in no state to gallop anywhere quickly, and his wing didn't look any better. Willow Beam took as much of his weight as she could, but he was a muscular pony and she was no body builder. They made a few yards before she crumpled under his weight, panting. "Don't worry" She whispered into his ear. "I'll get you away from here." He closed his eyes and a single tear escaped from his bruised lids. " "Thank you" He mouthed, weakly. Resting his head on the cloud. All of a sudden, the mist shuddered beneath them as a giant looming figure landed centimetres from the pair. "Gazer" The instructor snarled "I see you are resting with your fillyfriend here" "P-Please sir!" The terrified filly stuttered. "SHUT UP YOU STUPID FILLY" The giant boomed. "Gazer, get back to your bunk. You and I are going to have a little chat" The dark colt suddenly found some strength from some unknown source. "You," he started, the rage present in his voice "CAN'T CONTROL ME" Quick as a whip, Willow saw two back hooves strike the instructors face, causing him to collapse in pain. "QUICK" Gazer yelled, pulling a bewildered Willow Beam who was still in shock. Next thing that the pair knew, the clouds had disappeared from under their feet, and they were falling down, down to the large forest below...
Chapter 3Star Gazer opened his sky blue eyes, expecting the bugle to confirm that it was just a nightmare and that he was back in his living nightmare, instead. But he heard no bugle. When he looked around, he didn't see rusty bunk beds or grimy walls. The walls were white and the room was warm. Gazer tried to sit up but a crippling pain in his back and his head forced him straight back down on the pillows, the pain so intense he thought he was going to vomit. "Hello? Is anypony there?" He called out timidly between deep breaths. A white pony came bustling in, a red cross cutie mark on her flank. "Ah! You're awake young man!" She said cheerily, but got no reply. Star Gazer was staring at her side. Where on earth were her wings? How could an earth pony be in Cloudsdale? "Um... Sorry ma'am but... where am I?" Gazer asked. The white mare chuckled. "Why you're in Ponyville infirmary dearie! You and your friend were in a pretty bad way after falling through those trees! Good job one of the Apple family spotted you." "That filly!" Gazer suddenly exclaimed, once again sitting up, wondering if she was ok, and at the same time being in shock that he was on land. This time, he couldn't stomach the pain in his head and back, and the nurse had to quickly fetch him a bucket. "I see you're awake then" A soothing voice found its way to Gazer's ears. He looked up when he'd finished retching. There she was. The filly that had saved him from his living hell. Her orangey peach coat glowing in the sunlight that was streaking through the window. He felt a sharp pang of guilt hit him as he saw the thick bandage covering her right wing and her right front hoof. She limped over to the bed and gave him a quick nuzzle - which resulted in both of their noses turning pink. "I-I just wanted to say thanks for saving my life" She spoke, quietly. "I... saved your life? I thought I was the one who threw us off the clouds?" He spoke, taking a sip of water from the glass next to him. "After you tried to take off with us and we were falling, you opened your wings and covered us both. We fell through loads of tree branches, but you took the weight of us both from the fall. The doctor said he was amazed at how your back wasn't broken. You took a pretty hard bump to the head and both your wings and your back leg and tail broken". She quickly looked away, swallowing back a sob of sympathy and gazed back at her rescuer. He sat back gently, trying to focus, but it was hard. Mostly because his head was killing him, but those eyes... they were just such a beautiful shade of pink, shimmering slightly with emotion. He caught himself staring and looked away, quickly. "So." The filly cleared her throat before holding out a hoof. "I'm Willow Beam" Star Gazer tried to reach out to take her hoof, but he realized that they were bandaged up. He shook his head apologetically at Willow Beam before answering. "I'm Star Gazer - but just call me Gazer." He said nonchalantly before crinkling his muzzle into a grin. She beamed back brightly. Such a pretty smile, thought Gazer. "So, will you be able to fly back up to Cloudsdale and tell your family you're OK?" She shook her head. "Nah, I'm stuck here until this wing heals up. Couple of weeks, the doctor said. Not that it really matters - I kind of wanted to see what was down here anyway." Gazer's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "No way! I always wanted to come down here too!" He replied. Willow Beam couldn't help but smile at the navy blue Pegasus. Gazer rubbed his head. "So what's going to happen to us?" "Well," The peach Pegasus blew her soft pink mane out of her face before continuing. "They said that you can be discharged tomorrow, as long as you get plenty of rest and check in with the Doctor every couple of days. They've set us up with a room above the bakery here, and they even got you a wheelchair so we can go for a tour of the town when you feel like it" She grinned at him, and he returned the expression. They remained that way for a few minutes before a doctor ushered Willow Beam out of the room to allow Gazer to rest. "I'll come to pick you up tomorrow!" She called, limping away on her three good legs. The navy colt just nodded - still grinning stupidly at his companion as she exited the room. That night, neither of the ponies could sleep. Willow Beam laid on her face in the pillow of her bed in the bakery attic , her plot sticking in the air comically. At least it was comfortable. She couldn't sleep anyway, her mind was occupied on the colt that had saved her life and risked his own for her. A tear left her eye as she thought just how grateful she was for his bravery. In the hospital, Gazer stayed stone still, as to not hurt his wings more, thinking about the sweetest, kindest filly he'd met in a long time. Although he was in pain, he couldn't help but be a LITTLE grateful that they had been grounded together for a while.
Chapter 4(Hey guys, if you guys are still reading this, then thanks for being patient! College/friends/being down recently has kind of been slowing down my progress, but the holidays are coming soon, so I will be able to write more hopefully! Happy Hearth's Warming every pony!) Willow Beam tugged at her bandage in the middle of the room that she would be staying in for the next few weeks. It had been late at night when she had come in and she had too much on her mind to bother admiring her surroundings before climbing into bed. The room was cosy and warm, with a very soft bed set in a deep pink with candy cane colored legs. The curtains were also a deep pink, framing a window looking out to a market square below. The rest of the room was a pale pink, with the occasional picture of cakes and sweets. Willow liked the softness of the room. She scanned it one last time before leaving through the white stable door and gingerly walking downstairs to the room below. The coffee shop and bakery downstairs was run by a couple of newlyweds called the Cakes. They were only a couple of years older than the Pegasus ponies, she was sure. Though Mrs. Cake treated her just like a mother would. As Willow walked into the shop, sure enough, the cakes had laid out a cupcake breakfast and some grass tea for her. "Thanks so much for letting us stay here Mr and Mrs Cake." The peach mare beamed, as she watched her hosts rush around making the final preparations for the morning. "Please let me help-". She had barely finished her sentence before a turquoise blur sat her down at the table. "We can't have an injured guest making herself work!" The yellow earth pony exclaimed,as he flipped the open sign in the door and trotted back to the pegasus, adjusting his new bow tie. Willow Beam had to gulp back a small tear. She was so grateful for the kindness of these strangers who had offered to take her and Gazer in. After all the nursery rhymes that mocked the earth ponies and unicorns that had been taught to her, she was being treated as if she was one of their own. Willow mentally shook herself and took a sip of the tea. It was delicious. "So when is your friend due out of the hospital?" The young mare asked, tying on an apron and rolling out dough whilst her husband dealt with a customer. "Well, I said I would pick him up this morning, so I'll head out after breakfast if that's OK?" "No need to ask me honey, you can come and go whenever you feel like it! Are you thinking of exploring town?" "Well, it depends on how he feels, but I think we'd both like to have a look around." Willow Beam stopped herself from going into a daydream about her fellow winged friend. How he'd rescued her from fatal injuries, by causing some grave ones of his own. "You seem to be eager to get out and see him." winked the blue mare. Willow blushed and blew her mane from her face. "Go on, you should set off - I'll save your breakfast, don't worry." As the bandaged pegasus thanked her again before calling a goodbye and trotting eagerly out of the bakery, the two newlyweds shared a knowing glance. A memory of their meeting and a newly kindled love was soon to repeat itself before them. ~ Willow Beam was practically galloping to the hospital - not that she was supposed to due to her damaged wing and hoof, but she didn't really care. She couldn't help but do a little prayer in her head that Gazer would be there, waiting. Though it was still early. He may not even be up yet. Why was she so excited? She barely knew this colt! She couldn't help but blush a little as she slowed down and tucked her mane out of the way. As she turned the last corner to the hospital, she wondered what the two of them could do? Well she would have to take Gazer to see the Cakes and to settle him in. Maybe they could explore town a little? Go buy some apples from the barn nearby that the Cakes had talked about so fondly? She just wanted him to be happy to spend time with her. She took a deep breath when she got to the door of the hospital before entering. She scanned the waiting room for a second before her eyes fell upon a familiar pair of sky blue eyes. Gazer was propped up in a wheelchair, which supported his injuries comfortably. He looked tired, as if he had had difficulty sleeping, but his face lit up at the sight of the filly. As they met in the middle of the room they both started talking at once. "I'm so glad you're ok -" "I've been looking forward to-" The two both then blushed and smiled timidly at each other. "So are you up to look around town today? Or would you like a nap? Or do you need to speak with your doctor? Or..or..?" Willow began hurriedly. Gazer just kept smiling at her. "Looking around town sounds great." he replied, through her nervous babbling. She stopped for a second, mid-sentence then blushed and pushed back her mane, blushing. "One problem though," Gazer continued, looking down, awkwardly. "You'll have to push me. If I try to wheel myself... my back..." He closed his eyes, hiding the tears of frustration that were forming in his eyes. Never before had he had to ask for help. He felt so helpless with his broken body. A warm hoof touched his face. "Hey," Willow soothed. "It's my pleasure. I'll push you," Gazer didn't meet the delicate pink eyes that were watching him, but he managed a sincere nod through the two tears that had escaped and seeped down his face.
