Dark Skies

“You won’t amount to anything!” My father yells at me, giving me a face of severe disappointment. I felt my father's cold stare chill my very soul. It was horrible, to be looked down upon by the only colt I admired. I heard my mother arguing with my father later that night. I merely covered my head and ears, fruitlessly trying to drown out the anger. I just wished that it would all go away.

I didn’t have time to think…

“You are a loser, Night Light~” The school bully mocked. It wasn't like he teased me before, but this time it really hurt. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to cry from the pain.

"Heh heh, what's wrong? Don't have your mommy to save you?~" the bully continued. I can't take it anymore!!

"Shut up..." I grimly demanded, slowly lifting my head up, giving the bully a deathly, hateful stare. It was hard enough being a second year in filly school with the work I have to do, I don't need anymore of this crap.

"Oooohhhh. I'm so~ scared. What are you going to do about it?" The jerk teased, scuffing my mane with his hoof. That was when I snapped. I lunged at him and began the onslaught.

I just reacted…

The filly teacher gave me a nasty sneer.

“You should have stayed in the dirt hole where you came from.” I sat frozen for a few seconds, heart skipping a beat or two. I lean my head down and tears began to roll down the sides of my face. It was very harsh, the hypocritical idea that a teacher can help me. Now I had no hope for school, I no longer felt safe anywhere. The bell rang and everyone left, hurriedly ready to begin the weekend, but I just sat at my desk, crying. All I wondered was...why? Why does everyone hate me? Why can't I even get help from those I look up to. It seemed like my existence was nothing but sorrow and pain. Now I just wished that I would disappear.

The lightning bolt was falling towards Rainbow Dash, and in that split second… time seemed to…slow down. All these thoughts ran through my head: being called a failure, always feeling alone and unacknowledged. No…not this time…

“Noooooooo!!!!!!!!” I scream and flew straight for Rainbow Dash. I don’t care what happens. *BZZT!*
I cannot fail. *ZZZZT-BZZT!*
I won’t let her die like this!!! *CCCCCRRRRRAAAAACCCCKKKKK*
I saw a flash of white as I flew, I felt a sudden rush of warmth and the next thing I know I was cradling Dash in my arms. Her face was stunned, she had the expression of awe through her tear stained eyes; she smiled and closed her eyes, either passing out or quickly falling sleep I couldn’t tell. I almost didn’t notice that the tree she was caught under was split completely apart and that I was moving exceedingly faster than I last remember. One second I’m flying towards Rainbow Dash and the next, I have her in my arms. I realized in a matter of seconds, I found myself hovering in front of Twilight. Her face was equally shocked and intrigued at the same time. I don’t know what it is, but that wasn’t important.

“Dash got her leg caught, she needs medical attention.” I told Twilight. She blinked a couple of times then violently shook her head.

“R-right. Sorry about that…here, bring her in.”
I carry Dash into the bunker while Twilight closes the heavy metal door.

A few days have passed along with the storm. Dash sustained minor injuries but she will be fine, at least that’s what Twilight tells me. I volunteered to keep an eye on Dash while she recovers. I ask Twilight why she hesitated back when I had Dash in my arms, but she won’t tell me because she can’t explain it to herself. I sit on a chair next to Dashes bed, the same bed I was in when she was looking over me. How ironic. I leaned back in the chair and my thoughts began to drift.

I sat on the roof of my house, crying my eyes out. I was so unwanted, all my color faded to a dull grey. I was up for so long that night fell. I had stopped crying, and was now staring into the darkness, riddled with small shimmering dots.

"What are you doing up here?" A soothing voice asked. I turned around to see my mother standing behind me. Her brown hair flowed in the nightly breeze and her eyes shown their emerald color even in the darkness like they were lit candles. I slowly looked back at the horizon, I didn't feel like taking. Something wrapped around me, warm, comforting, I wanted to bask in it forever. My mother looked down at me, wing cradling me like I was still her newborn filly.

"Chase, you can talk to me about anything." She lightly poked me in the chest where my hear was. "Anything."

We both sat in the night as I told her about what happened over the few days in school. Her face did not change, but I could sense she was just as hurt as I was.

"Mama?" I asked.

"Yes, little one?"

"Why do people hate me? Do I not belong?"
My mother pauses to think of an answer.

"No sweetie, you're not hated. You're more...misunderstood."

"Everything I do, only brings sadness...and darkness." I state, sounding grim.

"Even the smallest of lights can shine in the dark." She says. I look up at her with wondering eyes.

"Just believe that things can get better...they always will. You will find your light. And when you do...hold on to it, and you will never be sad again" I looked back out to the night, tears began to well up.

"Now, let's go inside. Dinner is almost ready."

"Yes, Mother." I reply, felting a little lifted.

“Ugh…” Dash finally begins to stir and trying to life her head.

“Hey, take it easy…easy.” I say, holding a hoof under her head.

“Where am I?” She asked.

“We’re in the bunker, do you remember what happened?”

“Well I remember getting our stuff and then a storm rode in…I got caught under tree…lightning struck and there was a fire…” She stopped mid-thought and then looked at me eyes widened to the size of watermelons. “And then you came...a white flash, a loud thunder clap and then I look up to see your face…but…”

“But?” I said, raising a brow, now I was really curious.
Her eyes darted to up, trying to collect her thoughts.

“You seemed…different. Your mane was…well, white…and glowing even.”
I was a little surprised by the words said, but I didn’t change expression or tone.

“I think I’m ok now.” Rainbow Dash said, getting out of the bed but her legs collapsed under her.

“Hey-careful!” I say, diving to catch her, but I reacted too early and I miss. Instead she tripped over me and we both tumbled down in a mass of hooves and feathers. My head whiplashed into the wall and the pain made me reflex which ended up with me head-butting Dash.

“OW…SON OF A-!” I began but I opened my eyes and I saw deep pools of a purplish color. It took me a second to realize that I was a mere inch away from Rainbow’s face. I froze, every muscle in my body tensed up, and I almost forgot how to breathe. We were so close I could feel her breath on my nose.

“Sorry.” We both say the same time. Rainbow’s cheeks began to shine a little of pink and red. Her eyes delved into mine, like she was trying to read my thoughts. She slowly leaned I towards me- *WHAM!!!* The door swung open.

“Hey Chase, I got those towels that you needed. Oh…sorry I didn’t know, I was interrupting something.”
Dash and I look at Twilight and then at each other.

“Twi…I can explain…” I begin.
*WHACK*

“OW!” I yelp as Dash punched me in the face and gave a deathly stare that made me shut up. Ugh, now I’ll never hear the end of this.