Flightless

-Broken Prayers

Twilight sat back down as her pink haired friend pranced out her front door. She watched closely until she could no longer see her jaunty-self, and then as she sat back down in her chair, she grabbed up her book and placed her reading glasses back upon the bridge of her nose.

She flipped through each page slowly, enjoying the words that were enlightening her mind. Twilight Sparkle wasn't really the kind of girl to fool around when it came to her studies as a priestess. Although sometimes she did become quite irritated with her job and studies. Twilight continued to do what she was born to do, without complaint; at least not out loud.

As her eyes shifted from left to right, Twilight heard an obscenely loud belch from her library room where Spike was organizing her scrolls and books. She lifted her glasses off slowly as she acknowledged the familiar sound, and knew what was to come.

She looked down to her book and sighed. She set it back down on her coffee table and gave it one last glance before standing up and making her way to Spike. In her mind she was hoping to finish that book one of these days; no more interruptions would be nice when that day comes.

"Spike?" Twilight peeped her head through the large brown door. She couldn't help but catch a smell of the strange odor that was coming from the little boy on the ground who was looking up at her with large green eyes.

"I hate it when that happens..." He held a little hand to his mouth and looked down in disgust. With his other hand he offered a rolled up scroll to the older priestess before him.

Twilight grabbed for it gently, and began to open the seal. If you were to say she looked shocked, then you would be mistaken. Twilight read over the words with her eyes slightly narrowed, and her lips were pursed ever so slightly. Her excitement level was at a low minimum, and her happiness wasn't very aroused either. In fact, it was just another day she would have to go visit Canterlot for another boring prayer session. It wasn't anything to get hyped about, and for Twilight, she was getting sick of it.

Yes, she loved the Goddess more than anything, but she never felt as if she truly liked all these religious practices she had to do. She felt too formal about it, but of course she would never admit that to anyone. She was after all a priestess of her word, and she would never let her guard down for a moment and show her true colors underneath her holy garments.

"Spike? Can you go get my robes?" Twilight asked her little assistant without looking from the invitation, or more like demand. She could see through the corner of her eye, the little green haired boy scurrying off to fetch her clothing.

Twilight brought her slender hands over the paper, and with a large sigh, ripped it in half. She let the pieces fall out of her hands and onto the ground, and with that, she left her library room for yet another long journey of boring prayer time.

"Rarity. Applejack. It's so nice to see you here." Fluttershy clapped her two hands together at the sight of her friends. She approached them with open arms and gave each a graceful hug and a kiss on their cheeks.

"Thank you ever so much for this little invite." Rarity brought one hand to her face and with a grin looked over to Applejack who was staring at the picnic that was already set out before their feet.

"Ah, yeah. Thank ya kindly." Applejack finally looked up and grinned at her timid friend that had set out this wonderful get together.

"No need to thank me. It's our pleasure. " Fluttershy smiled and turned her head in the direction of her cottage.

"Our?" Rarity and Applejack exchanged glances. With two subtle shrugs, they seated themselves upon the blanket and waited patiently for the party to commence.

"Oh dear." Fluttershy squeaked as her attention was immediately brought towards a large handful of balloons, followed by a fluffy pink pony-tail.

"Hey, Fluttershy! I'm so glad that you let me come! This is going to be so super fun! Oh except Twilight isn't going to make it! It's such a drag that she's always so busy. I mean, I went over to her house and everything, but she had no time for me, no time at all! Isn't that just mean? Except she said she was going to take me out somewhere whenever she's not so busy! I don't know when that will be, but don't you think it sounds so super fantastically fun!?!" Pinkie Pie jumped in front of the dainty Fluttershy, and with a large gasp between each of her sentences, Fluttershy flinched.

"Pinkie, darling. Take a breather." Rarity looked up to the hyperactive friend of hers with sharp eyes.

"Do you want a balloon?!" Pinkie ran over to where Rarity and Applejack were sitting. Before they could answer, she shoved a string into each of their palms, forcing them to hold onto a balloon, and with another turn shoved one towards Fluttershy as well.

"Oh, yes... Thank you." Fluttershy looked up and smiled as best she could.

"No problem! Balloon's are fun, and well you know, friends like fun!" Pinkie hopped over to the picnic spread and made herself at home as she sat across from the farm girl and the fashion queen.

"Um, AppleBloom said she was comin' in a few to play with Scootaloo." Applejack tried to break the awkwardness as she looked over to Fluttershy who looked flustered at this point. Her eyes quickly jolted to Applejack's voice, and with a quivering smile, nodded her head.

Fluttershy's nerves were getting the best of her. She was starting to feel fear rising in her body as she continued to think of what would happen when she and Rainbow came out to everyone. She didn't think that they would hate her, but she couldn't help but feel that they would make a large distance between them, and she didn't want that to happen at all. She loved all of her friends, and if they reacted badly to their news, then what would come of their friendship? Fluttershy knew she couldn't be so pessimistic about it, but she also knew that she couldn't get her hopes high just to be crushed later on. Her thought train was quickly broken by the sound of foot steps coming her way.

"Mom! Look at me! Ain't I fast?" Scootaloo, with her arms spread like wings, came running towards Fluttershy. Her mind cleared of all bad thoughts, and her lips curled in a sweet smile. She couldn't help but smile at her little Scootaloo as she lived her dream, running.

Next to her was Rainbow Dash. She was holding a few extra plates in her arms and her teeth were glowing as she watched Scootaloo running towards her beautiful girlfriend.

"Hey, Flutters! I got the rest of...." Rainbow stopped in her tracks as her eyes set on her friends. With her mouth agape, she began marching her way over to Fluttershy.

"Oh...no..Rainbow.."

"What the hell is she doing here!?" Rainbow pointed a long finger in Applejack's direction. She gnashed her teeth towards the farm girl who was now standing up in front of Rainbow Dash with no fear present.

"What's your problem?" Applejack folded her arms and calmly looked at Rainbow Dash.

"How dare you come! I told you I didn't want her here!" Rainbow was now directing her words to Fluttershy. Scootaloo was hiding behind Fluttershy's long dress as she looked up with confusion at her other mother.

"She....She didn't mean to do anything." Fluttershy brought both of her hands to her mouth in fear and frustration.

"What is it that I did to make you so darn angry?" Applejack threw her arms to the sides in a questioning gesture.

"You ....you...." Rainbow let her finger recede from her accusing point. Her eyes dropped as they looked at the frightened Scootaloo. Rainbow's thoughts went a little deeper back. If Applejack hadn't had been so careless then Scootaloo would have never walked in on Rainbow and Fluttershy while they were making love, and it would had been harder to explain to her about them if she hadn't had witnessed it herself. Scootaloo also wouldn't had ran out and found her prosthetic leg that Rainbow dropped and forgot about. If it weren't for Applejack's carelessness, then their family wouldn't have been this perfect.

Rainbow looked back up to Applejack's green eyes. The side of her lip curled up as she gave her a small smirk, and as she walked up to her, Rainbow wrapped one arm around her farmer friend and gave her a half hug. She moved her face towards Applejack's ear. With her free hand she moved her blonde hair out of the way until she was sure that she would be able to hear her.

"Thank you." Rainbow whispered. She let go of her friend and motioned her back next to Rarity. With a confused look on her face she accepted the invitation and sat back down.

"You're...uh...welco--"

"Shhh." Rainbow brought one finger to her lips. She winked at her friend, and with a chuckle, Applejack waved away the confusing air.

Twilight, with her hand on her head trying to support herself, continued to drift off into a restless sleep as she and Spike rode on the train to Canterlot. It usually wasn't too long of a ride, but this time, it felt like they had been sitting there for an eternity.

Spike tried to get comfortable as he was squeezed against Twilight's sleeping body, and the window next to him. He tried to push her up with his tiny arms, but she was much larger than he was, and so he was forced between the two unmovable objects.

His eyes strained to look out the window, and with a leaping relief in his heart he was, for the first time, happy to see the castle of Canterlot.

"Twi...light!" Spike tried to yell out. He didn't feel like he was loud enough, but surely Twilight heard him, and with her reflexes, pounced up.

"Wha..?" Twilight opened her eyes slowly. She brought a hand to her face and rubbed her eyes.

"Are we there yet?" Twilight stretched up and yawned slightly as she looked back down to Spike. He was now stretching himself, since he was squeezed for so long.

"We are here." He answered as soon as he could feel circulation in his body again.

"Shoot. Does my robe look straightened enough?" Twilight spread her arms for Spike to observe. He barely looked, but just for Twilight's satisfaction, he nodded.

The duo made their way past the gates of the Canterlot Castle, and into the chambers of the Goddess. Two soldiers from the outside closed the large double doors behind them, and with a loud thump, the two proceeded towards the usual thrown.

"Twilight Sparkle." A large voice echoed throughout the walls, but no one was there to see. This wasn't surprising. Considering that Celestia, the Goddess of the daylight was not usually visible, but there were times when Twilight and Spike both would see her, when she wanted them to that was.

"Yes, Goddess." Twilight lowered her head in a bowing position, Spike did likewise.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

Twilight's eyes shot up in confusion. This was quite odd. The Goddess never asked for favors from her. Usually she would tell her to pray for a certain thing or something, but this was completely different. Twilight let her eyes jolt to Spike who was just as confused as she was. The two stayed bowed for a few more moments before looking back up into the direction of the empty thrown.

"A favor, Goddess?" Twilight took a small step forward with her arms stuck to her sides as she stood up straight and tall next to her little Spike.

"My sister. She has become obsessed with a certain girl. I believe you know her." The large powerful voice rung through Twilight's ears. The girl wasn't sure if she understood what the Goddess was talking about or not. The Goddess of the moon was obsessed with someone she knew?

"Goddess, what do you mean?" Twilight's voice was weakening. Her legs trembled under her robes as she looked around the large chamber.

"Goddess Luna." Celestia's voice rung loudly.

Before Twilight's eyes, a tall woman stepped forth. Her blue hair flowed in the air with no help of any breeze or wind. Her skin was as light as a porcelain doll. Her eyes were darker than the midnight sky, and her lips were icy like snow. This woman was not like the Goddess Celestia at all. This was not at all how Twilight expected the moon Goddess to look. Twilight's imagination was not even comparable to how beautiful this Goddess truly was.

Twilight immediately bowed before the visible Goddess of the moon.

"Sister. I do not appreciate you sending your priestess after me." Luna spoke up in such a cool voice that Twilight could barely move. Chills ran down her spine with every syllable.

"I'm simply trying to understand you, sister." Another woman began to form before Twilight's eyes.

This woman was much different than that of Luna. She was taller, and her hair flowed with many colors. Her darker skin shinned in complete darkness. Her pink eyes looked as if there were a hint of sadness within them, yet they showed prestige. Her lips were pursed, and her movements were swift, yet graceful.

"Goddess." Twilight bowed yet again, followed by Spike who was still in awe by Goddess Luna.

"Twilight Sparkle. You needn't be worried. My sister is merely fascinated with a certain friend of yours." Celestia approached Twilight and lifted her head with a powerful hand.

"If I may ask, Goddess. Who is it that you are so intrigued by?" Twilight turned her purple eyes to the lovely dark moon Goddess. She continued to hold her head low in respect, though Celestia continued to push it back upwards.

"Twilight Sparkle. Priestess of Canterlot. Resident of Ponyville, and friend of Goddess Celestia. What is it about you humans that make you so vulnerable? Why is it that you pray out to Celestia for help?" Luna stepped forth with one graceful step at a time, though she wasn't as graceful as Celestia.

"Goddess, it is because we are merely mortals." Twilight lowered her head once again as Luna got closer towards her. Celestia gave up with her and let her head hang low until Luna herself brought a hand to her face.

Twilight twitched at the coldness of the strange hand against her cheek. She could feel Luna getting closer to her, and to Twilight's disbelief, Luna leaned in and kissed her upon her forehead.

At first Twilight felt honored, but soon images began to flash through her mind. They were visions of Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. They were together, hugging, holding hands, kissing. What was this? More images began to flash before her eyes, they were of Scootaloo in her wheelchair. Scootaloo trying to walk, but failing aimlessly, and Scootaloo now with her prosthetic leg, running around with AppleBloom in a meadow that Twilight could recognize as the usual place that Fluttershy held her picnic get together's.

With once last flash, Luna receded from Twilight's forehead and let her hands fall away from Twilight's face. Spike watched in terror, yet amazement by with all his confusion, and Twilight's eyes were wide open staring out into pure blank space.

"Twilight Sparkle. Now do you see what it is you want to see?" Luna's cool voice slithered through Twilight's ears, and soon Twilight snapped out of her visions.

"Goddess! What...wha..." Twilight for the first time looked into Luna's blue eyes directly. Her confusion was surely something to see, and Luna did nothing but ignore it.

"Twilight Sparkle. My sister here was prayed to one night by a little girl that goes by the name Scootaloo. She is currently living with your two close friends Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, am I correct?" Twilight looked over to the sun Goddess. What were they talking about?

"No, Goddess. Scootaloo lives with Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash is only the one that Scootaloo admires the most." Twilight threw her arms to her sides sharply.

"Scootaloo lives with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy." Luna repeated her sister.

"But Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash live separately!" Twilight's frustrations were starting to get the better of her.

"You're wrong, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said as she laid a hand on Twilight's shoulder.

"Well....so what? Even if they do live together, what are you two going on about?" Twilight could hardly believe that she was speaking to the Goddess's in this tone, but she was so confused that it didn't even matter to her at the moment.

"They are lovers, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia's calm voice rung out.

Twilight stopped and thought for a moment. Was it possible that they truly were in love? Rainbow Dash was a total brute, and was definitely thick headed. But on the other hand, Fluttershy was timid and quiet, would never hurt a fly, and was a complete sweet heart. Even though, they did seem to fancy each other quite a bit, but Twilight merely thought it was because they were childhood friends.

Was she against it? No, Twilight didn't think anything different of them, but she was still confused as to how this was relevant.

"But it's not them that I truly am concerned with. It's Scootaloo that I'm after." Luna spoke out, and Twilight's attention quickly shot to her.

"What is it that you want from her? She is only a child, a handicap child at that. What purpose is she to you, Goddess?" Twilight began to calm her tone down again. She breathed in a few deep breaths and then looked Luna back in the eyes.

"She prayed to me. I must fulfill her prayers." Luna's voice boomed louder than it had the whole time.

Twilight looked up at the Goddess. Terror filled her eyes.