Skycloud

I used to think that everything I knew would last forever…that all of the gifts I had been given were going to just sit there and wait for me to appreciate them.  I was sadly mistaken.

My life has been slightly less pleasant than many ponies I know.  I don’t have it as bad as some others do, but I also don’t have what I used to.  You know how they say that you don’t truly realize how good you’ve got it until it’s all gone?  That lesson is one I’ve had to learn the hard way on more than several occasions.

I’m standing over these headstones, the ones I’ve visited many times, and yet they’re the very ones I never thought I’d have to stand over.  All of this is my fault, because I wasn’t there when they needed me.  I wasn’t there when the time came.  I wasn’t there for any of them, and now they’re gone.

But that’s going to change.  I’m going to be a better pegasus.  I’m going to be who he was, who I should’ve been all along.  I owe him that much at least.  The kindness that he showed me, how he cared for everyone…who he was in my life, is who I now strive to be.  I also strive to be like her, the one at the front of that dazzling rainbow stretching over the face of that same horizon.

I won’t be there too late next time, I promise.  I won’t be there too late to save anyone, too late to help them.  I’m going to be faster, stronger, and better than every last one of them if it kills me!

Whatever it takes…

Some of you may be wondering just who I am.  I mean, you can’t really relate to someone until you’ve gotten a chance to know them.

My name isn’t important.  But my story is, and I guess that’s what really matters, right?

Let’s get started, shall we?  I suppose I should start at the beginning, before any of this happened…

It was a cold April morning.  It was still dark outside, yet the birds were awake and chirping, their mothers already out to catch that elusive morning worm.  The sun was mere minutes from rising, and a child was mere seconds from birth.

“Push!” yelled a young nurse mare.  Around her stood six more ponies, three of which were doctors and the other two nurses, and the last one the baby’s father, a young stallion with a dark green coat.  They were awaiting the same thing the delivering pony was.

The light teal mare on the bed was screaming in pain, and although this was no doubt the most excruciating, tiresome day of her entire life, it was also the happiest.  For today, her son was born.

“Come on, you’re almost there, you’ve got this!” one of the nurses shouted, her hooves grasping the mare’s right one.

The father stood back, partly because the doctors needed room to deliver, partly because he was afraid the mare on the bed might strangle him if he came close enough.

“It’s crowning!  I can see the head!” the primary doctor said.  Perhaps this was what gave her the extra strength to make it through, what gave her a real reason to keep going.  When everything hangs in the balance, all you have left to do is push, right?

The teal mare writhed in agony, one final push finally sending the foal on its way.  The doctors sucked the remaining fluid from its mouth.  After the nurses made the incision, they placed it into the blanket in the doctor’s hooves.  He quickly wrapped it tight into a bundle of cotton-covered warmth, which was a surprisingly difficult task if one was not properly trained.  The ponies with free hooves applauded, giving short cheers and hugs.  The mare on the bed fell backwards, her head hitting the pillow in exhaustion.  She was breathing heavily.  It was over.

“Congratulations.” he said, “It’s a pegasus colt.” And with one final fold of the blanket, he carried it over to the mother.  She looked up, sitting upright and resting on the back of the delivery bed.  All of this hard work and effort…she needed to see her one and only son.  The father approached, his eyes locked onto this marvel that was in front of him.  The doctors and nurses then proceeded to leave and give them some time alone.

The couple remained fixated upon this miraculous creature before them:  A son.  It began to sink in that they had done this; they had made something incredible; something that would grow and feel and think.

The father was the first to speak.

“He’s…beautiful, Tangent.”

The mare was silent for a second, still looking upon the sleeping foal wrapped tightly in her hooves.

“Yes.  Yes, he is, Metallic.”

The foal's eyes were closed, so they did not yet know his iris color.  His fur was a dark grey, his mane brilliant lavender purple, darkening as it reached his coat.

The stallion leaned down and kissed the mare on the forehead.

“What would you like to name him?” he asked.

“I was kind of thinking you’d know.” she responded with heavy breaths.

“Well, my father’s name was Crimson Lightning…” he suggested, “and my mother’s name is Cloud Mach.”  It was obvious that he wanted his son to turn out to be a racer, just like his side of the family.  After all, his son was a pegasus, so he might as well be like him.

“My father’s name is Thundering Fluorescence.  I’ve always loved that name.  And my mother’s is Indigo Sky.” she replied wearily.

After a minute of thinking, the stallion spoke.

“Thundermach.” he said.

“What?” she asked.

“His name…Thundermach.”

She took it in for a moment, repeating it and getting her mouth used to the name.  She liked the way it sounded.

“I guess it’s my turn, then.” She thought for a moment, bringing another word to her lips.

“Skycloud...Skycloud.” she spoke.  He said it a couple of times in his head.  He liked it.

Just then one of the nurses came in with a birth certificate.  She had a joyous grin on her face.  Her name-tag read “Tally Redheart.”

“Have you come up with a name yet?” she asked.

Tangent and Metallic looked at one another and smiled.  Tangent spoke up.

“Thundermach…Thundermach Skycloud.”

The sky was a radiant cyan blue, with a hint of turquoise on the horizon. There was nothing that could ruin this beautiful day. The clouds were gleaming white, fresh from the weather factory, and soon to be filled with rain to pour across the land, delivering water followed closely by life and sunshine afterward. The sun was high in the sky, shining brilliant rays of pure golden warmth onto everything it touched. Several miles in one direction was the wealthy and majestic Canterlot Castle, a city on the north face of a steep luscious green mountain side. There was even a wondrous waterfall flowing, or falling rather, directly into a giant pool of water. This water served as the city moat, and was used throughout the city, kept in the fountains and other such places. It flowed most directly through a pathway cut into the mountain, which flowed under the city's main entrance, a bridge overlooking the nearby drop-off, where a second and third waterfall formed. Past this decorative moat and the city walls lay Equestria's most royal abode, Canterlot. The city was covered in famous figures and wealth among other things, and the ponies who lived here were of the utmost class and upbringing, a majority being of the unicorn race. And although this was fun to describe, the city of interest here is not Canterlot, but another city; one higher up than the mountains.

About a mile above the ground sat a floating, white metropolis, frivolous and stuffed with beauty, grace, art, invention, economy, politics, potential, and sometimes water. Within were nearly unlimited things that could easily make this the best place in all of Equestria. The city was nothing short of a giant hunk of legendary architecture, even if it was made of clouds. Great pillars and archways with spectacular art filling them side to side lined the many historic buildings and landmarks that stood just as tall--if not taller--than they did when they were first constructed (although maybe a little dryer), and even had new additions being made. Liquid rainbows and various waterfalls flowed out of the sides of the cloud city, making it a glorious sight to behold. In the town square lay a massive marketplace, where hundreds upon hundreds of pegasi gathered to arrange business, trade, and heartwarming celebrations if the time was right. This was a place where everypony enjoyed each day to the fullest, and always wore a smile on their faces. This was the metropolitan capital of the pegasi. This...was the city of Cloudsdale.

With the weather as welcoming and gleeful as it was, practically every pegasus in the city was outside for a chance of some time to bathe underneath Celestia's beautiful sun. They picnicked in the puffy white clouds around and above the city, enjoying delightful food and conversation. To each of them, the daytime was miraculous and lovely, a time to frolic and play after their work was done. However, lazing around was not all that there was to occupy a bored pony's time. There was a race track where skilled pegasi could really strut their stuff and compete, or if one was in the mood for adventure, then he or she could simply take a carriage ride to another city or exciting place. The trips didn't usually take over an hour, and there were always fun things to do while waiting. But, if one seeks true unmatched excitement, then the stadium will sure to be packed with pegasi awaiting none other than the amazing, the daring, the incredible, the super-ultra-extreme-awesomazing WONDERBOLTS! Although on a regular day, the citizens of this floating metropolis would love nothing better to do than to fly. All pegasi but the youngest (and a certain chicken you're all familiar with) are fully capable of flight, and tend to have only the best time simply flying around and enjoying the day.

Near this city is a fairly large cloud, and on top of this cloud is a house, and inside this house, one lazy pegasus sleeps to his heart's content.

"THUNDERMACH!!! I'm gonna' KILL YOU!!!" His eyes shot open, awake, and he already knew that in a couple of seconds he may or may not be so far away from getting the biggest pounding he had ever received.