"Grab your things; we are leaving!"
I slowly woke up it was still dark out. Dim in luminosity, pitch black to my eyes. Flare hadn't turned my lights on. With a forceful nudge, he managed to push me off of my bed. "Get up we are leaving!" That tone of his could only spell out trouble. In an instant, I became fully aware and alert of what was to come.
"Flare, what is going on? What time is it?" I was frightened, to say the least. Flare already had his bag packed, but to tell you the truth, I don't think he ever unpacked them. He paced around like a madman, anxious of what I didn't know what was to come.
"Storm, just pack. I'll tell you on our way. Oh, the time. It's, ah, ummmm... Three o'clock." Three o'clock. That rang in my ears like a tolling bell
"It's what?!" I stomped my hoof down "I shall go no where 'till you tell me what the hell is going on!" Flare only hung his head low... and sighed.
"I got a letter of eviction 30 days ago. To make a long story short, we need to be out of here in three hours, so pack up." I knew he was lying. It was too easy to pick out the deceitfulness from his voice, but I had no choice. I went along with it and packed all of my belongings. It took me about twenty minutes to back everything. It was about four o'clock now. I stood in the living room, waiting for more from Flare. No matter how long I had waited, however, I suspected that he was no where in the house. I began to worry, as this knot in my gut began to constrict.
"He was just here like five minutes ago," I felt a slight breeze the door was open, the air biting at my coat with a chill. "Strange... Flare never leaves the door open. Come to think of it, when did we have wind in Cloudsdale?" I walked out side to see Flare, gliding and cutting through the breeze, moving clouds with his featherless wings. It took a lot out of him, being featherless and all, but something I had noticed something. He had his hooves clasped together tight, praying.
"Please Dear Lord, let this letter be true. Let Mom and Dad be sound and safe in Ponyville." Ponyville. Why does that sound so familiar? What made that name stick out in my mind? And since when did Flare start praying? The stallion had never shown any signs of spirituality, nor care for it. So many thoughts had raced through my head. My skull started to feel light, and that knot in my gut began to clench harder, tightening to a screeching loop.
"Flare, I'm done packing. When are we leaving?,"
"When we see the sun, so I'm guessing the next hour or so." I swear I could have heard sobs coming from Flare, crying as silently as he could in order to keep a mask of dignity he thought would go away. He was truly upset, but who would enjoy the thought of having their parents gone for so long? It was rough on us, of course, but mostly him. Oddly enough, he was like my father. He took care of me but I get to actually see my parent? Wait my parents are still alive? These thought made me sick with joy. An angry joy; because they are still alive, apparently, and anger, because they left us.
"Here comes my friend to escort us to Ponyville. Remember the letter I sent you? Saying you will feel cloud quakes because they are moving Cloudsdale."
I nodded
"Well they moved it farther then I thought so we you meet my friend make it short and sweet we need to leave before the movers come."
I smirked. I knew I caught him in a lie, but I'll bust that bastard's balls later. In the far off distance, however, I saw something. A bright rainbow streak, hurdling towards us at a high velocity. I was in a fit of shock, and amazement. It was one of the most wonderful things in the world. Bright auras of multicolored lights cut through the skies. As what had trailed such a sight however, became more apparent to my vision. It was but a mare, ripping through the air in such a high speed that I had never seen before. The mare glided toward the ground and landed, planting her hooves into the earth. I couldn't help but stare at her wings. So tone and agile, it was difficult to believe that the pair belonged to such a mare.
"Storm this is Rainbow Dash she's escorting us."
With a gesture, she held her hoof out. Still, I found myself still amazed and astonished at her wings. It was something about them, something eye-catching. I never was unfit, but she was muscular wing wise. Flare smacked the back of my head with a swift jerk of his hoof, knocking me back to my senses. I regained my composure, turned around, and slugged him in the shoulder.
I shook the mares hoof that she was offering.
"Hi I'm Storm Runner,"
She looked to me and smiled, eyes attentive, and expression strong. "I'm Rainbow Dash. By the way, how old are you kid?"
"I'm sixteen, for your information. How about you?"
"Same as you, actually. Anyways, let's get going before the movers come."
She was lying too? I would've believed them if I hadn't heard Flare praying about mom and dad.
"How will Flare getting to Ponyville? He can't fly," Then I noticed something that caught my eye. There was a slight fault to her figure. Her stomach had a bulge, out at about her lower hoof hips. Flare unfolded his clipped wings and moved the clouds. Waiting behind the clouds, however, was a hot air balloon above them, along with another pony in it.
"No of us could make it flying with our wings. It's way to far away, so Twilight, up there, is helping us. Everyone in Cloudsdale hates anything that isn't a pegasi now. Since the war and all."
I looked at her her. Baffled, I saw something that was out of the ordinary. The pony had a weird fixture on her head,
"What is that stick out of her head?" I had asked, hoping to get an answer of reasonable credibility.
Flare only laughed, "That's her horn she's not a pegasis. She's a unicorn."
"A unicorn?"
Rainbow stepped closer "A unicorn is like a pegasi, but without wings. She has the ability to use magic and spells, sort of like the invisibility spell on this rope," she tugs in the air and the balloon moves. The sky was now shimmering a radiant light purple as the suns rays clashed with the blue sky, creating such a luscious hue. Flare was starting to become uneasy, from what I could tell.
"Well, if we're all set, let's move," Rainbow said with an expression of determination splattered on her face, eyes glistening with readiness.
The large balloon began to settle and land next to me, resting the passenger basket on the ground. I jumped out of the way as to avoid getting hit by the contraption. Flare hopped in, then me, and lastly Rainbow Dash. I heard the fire start up, the heat waves licking the swirling air inside of the balloon as the entire thing expanded. And with that, we were off, with winds rushing at our faces and altitude thinning the air. I saw the edges of that city in the clouds, coming closer and closer all together. After that, the only thing else to see was blue. A drifting vortex of blue.
"What is all that blue stuff?" I questioned, pointing toward the scene.
"That's called an ocean storm. Haven't you ever flown upwards to see it before?" Rainbow Dash pondered, looking at me with a hint of surprise.
"No, actually, we aren't even allowed to; since the war started, we had to stay on the ground."
Rainbow Dash shook her head in disappointment. "Stupid pegasi, always trying to keep everyone in the dark, away from the truth. It really makes me sick! That's why me and your bro here went AWOL and fought with the unicorns and earth ponies."
I turned to look at Flare, baffled at what I was hearing.
"You fought with the earth ponies and never told me this?"
Flare looked down in a fit of depression "Yeah... I did."
"And the war hero story that you told me?"
"Me and Twilight... sort of... wrote that"
My head spun. I was distraught, confused, almost to the point where I felt betrayed. He and I were both well aware of the next question that was about to come.
"And... your wings?"
"Never real, Storm. They never were. It was all a lie, a ruse, if you will. I must tell you something that may hurt a little..."
He slowly trotted over to where Rainbow Dash was standing, coming up behind me.
"What are you both doing? Get away from me!" I shouted in a flurry of anger. Never have I had someone lie to me after all these years.
She backed away and moved in front of my vision. "You should have let me stay behind you."
"Storm, I'm not your brother. I never was. I was adopted and raised by your parents. They were lost in the idea that they would never have a child. They adopted me, raised me like one of their own, loved me, like one of their own. I was everything to them. Their entire world. Eventually, you came along, proving their past reasoning wrong."
My heart started to hit a barrage of beats. My hearing came to a slight ringing, and my hooves began to turn cold. Everything in my vision began to double, then triple, then eventually fading to a pitch black. I passed out, hitting my head on the way down. Without notice, I could feel a splash of water engulf me. I must have fell out and fallen into the sea.
When I had awaken, I saw a streak of cyan and rainbow pass to the right of me. I turned and opened my wing like my final flight test. I heard a pop, clicking inside the flesh of my wings. I screamed as I descended downward, crashing into Rainbow Dash on the way. She managed to catch me, however.
"I told you kid. You should've let me stay behind you."
"Yeah, I see why now."
She flew upward to the balloon, taking me along with her. Flare and Twilight were up there, waiting for me. Twilight's face turned a faint green as she leaned over the railing. I could hear a couple of gags, and a slight splashing. I assumed she was vomiting.
Flare said "Are you going to be okay?"
I nodded and cried as he wrapped my bandage up
"So, when exactly were you deciding to tell me?"
He looked at me, wearing a subtle frown "I never planned on it, but this is the best of time as any."
"So what else have you lied about besides the movers and my family? What else do you have to hide from me? If you do, just spill it, right now." I knew that last remark hurt because his eyes became glassy and his chin started to quiver. He shook his head, wanting not to continue this conversation any longer.
"He didn't lie to you Storm. He kept a promise to your parents, the ones who need you now." I rolled over to see Twilight above me, angry, but calm "I knew your parents ever since I was a filly. They would always come to Canterlot, always wanting to visit the princess. Your parents are royalty, believe it or not. They are Cloudsdale's political advisors."
I couldn't believe it. As I rolled back over, I could see Flare, still tending for my wing. I felt awful, and disgusted. I just laid there, and cried. I cried out of pain, self pity, regret, and fear. An overwhelming amount of lies set to truth, of secrets set to light, and stories of heroism placed in the dark, all for me to take in in a mere two hours. I felt the air getting dense; the balloon must have been decreasing in altitude. We were all tired and upset, not wanting to talk to each other. None of us spoke, not after Twilight's outbreak. Flare sat in the corner talking to Rainbow as she stroked his mane, running her hoof through the strands of hair. They leaned against each other, not caring what happened around them any longer. With a sparkling light gleaming in their eyes, they brought themselves together, sharing a kiss. I heard no noise after we hit ground, settling down. Twilight was the first to hop out of the balloon. There was a strange short creature waiting at Twilight's side. It was short and light purple, littered with scales on it's skin, and spikes running from the top of it's head down to it's tail.
"Is this the colt we were suppose to prepare for? He doesn't look royal to me."
"Spike, hush! He is. He doesn't act like it, but he is." She huffed and turned around, walking away.
"This is where me and Rainbow Dash stayed after we turned AWOL. This is Ponyville."
I looked around, examining the barren area. "Where is everyone,"
"They are still sleeping, actually; its only seven in the morning."
Sleep? That sounds wonderful, since, of course, we were up since three in the morning . "So, where exactly are we staying?"
"Rainbow Dash and I are going to her place here in Ponyville. You'll be right next door to us. Follow us; we will show you to your place."
We walk for about ten minutes until we came to a white fence. We began to trail it down to a sign that said 'Sweet Apple Acres' across. Apple? I wonder that was, and what the brown things were with green on top and different colored orbs stuck between them.
Without notice, I heard a sweet voice appear, resonating in my ears.
"Howdy y'all! I hope y'all had a safe trip."
I looked down from the sign to see a beautiful pony with no wings nor a horn. Flare leaned in next to me, whispering into my ear.
"That's an earth pony. Kinda' like a unicorn, except without the horn and magic,"
I didn't care what she was. Her eyes shined like emeralds, glinting as she batted her lashes. She was a light orange with a bright blonde mane, accompanied by a brown stetson that complimented her nicely. She gave a small nod to me, followed by a wink. I could feel my heard race again. I sure hope I don't pass out again.
She walked up to Flare and Rainbow Dash, wrapping her hooves around them in a hug.
"I'm glad y'all made it back. The whole town is excited for the wedding."
I looked at Flare. Marriage? This big pony that I called my brother is getting married? Really? It was quite indeed true. With the same look in both of their eyes before, they pressed against each other, sharing another kiss. It was unbelievable. I felt worse than I had ever before. I tears began to roll down my eyes.
"What's a matter with you there, partner?"
I didn't speak. How could I? I bad mouth at my brother just a while ago. Blood or not, he raised me like a real brother, then I had proceeded to insult him in front of his fiancé. He patted my back, missing my bad wing. With a playful pull, he grabbed me, hugging me tighter than ever. He whispered "I promised I'd come back to take care of you no matter what," I broke. I stopped crying, I stopped feeling, I stopped thinking. I just broke. Standing there for what felt like half an hour, they began to worry about me.
"Does the fella need a doctor?"
"I don't know. Give him a minute. Anyways me and Rainbow Dash are going home. I guess we will see you guys around."
Still stuck in that dumbfounded position, I could see that the mare stood there with me the whole time I was there. I stood for I don't know how long. She had gone, and then returned with a stallion; a big red hulking earth pony.
"Big Mac, take him to the guest room and lay him down. And don't let Granny see him. She won't know what to do with herself in this state he's in." Big Mac threw me over his shoulders nodded his head. He trotted to the house, with me bouncing like a dead weight on his back. We arrived to the structure, which was next door to this big red building. He opened the doors, peekinghis head in.
"Eeyup, no Granny Smith."
He trotted up the stairs, laying me down in the open bedroom bed. I laid there, pondering as to what Flare said. I couldn't comprehend it. He wasn't even my real brother. How could he even remotely love me? How could I down talk the very stallion who raised me from a colt to now, the one who I most depended on? A lot changes in sixteen years, that much is true. After the two years after he came back, it never felt like he actually left. I hung my head, regretting what I had done. My very conscience was crushed under my very thoughts. I brought my hooves to my eyes, trying to hold back from breaking down. It didn't work. It fact, it only gave me something to cry into; the very hooves of a terrible person.
I heard foot steps tapping on the hard floor. I heard a knock on the door, subtle, and caring.
"Hey fella. May I come in?"
I got up to answer the door, trying to rub my eyes from the torrent of tears that had ensued. I didn't want anybody to see me like this. As I opened the door, I saw her. The same orange mare from before.
"Ah don't think I got to properly introduce myself. I'm Applejack."
I got back into the bed, having my back towards her. She probably didn't want to see me like this.
"I'm just a pegasi. That's all there is to me." I said with no expression in my voice (or at least, I tried not to show expression).
"Now come on fella. Ya gotta' at least tell me your name."
"Trust, me, it's not that important."
She moved in closer putting her hoof on my shoulder. It was warm and loving. "Now come on partner. If your staying in the Apple family house, you gotta' have a name."
I shrugged "Stormrunner."
She rolled me over and smiled, "Now come on partner. That wasn't that hard now, was it."
I got a better look at her face from this angle. She had a cluster of freckles that sprinkled both her cheeks, and big dark green eyes that shined, even in the dark. Her smile was intoxicating. With it, I felt welcome, to say the least. I sat up, only to find myself gazing at her. For quite a while, we didn't say anything to each other. but it was like we said a thousand words. Just her company was more than enough. She got up and left, only to come back with a cot to put in the guest room I was in. We shared the company of each other for the night. With that, we slept 'till the very next day. I awoke smiling, for I had knew somebody wanted to be with me. I looked over, hoping to see her, only to realize that she wasn't there. "Wow. She's... gone."
Door flung open, almost slamming into the wall that it was hinged to. A small filly, short in stature, walked in.
"So you the new guy my sister's been talking about all morning."
I smiled, somewhat joyed at what she had to say. She actually talked about me. I can only wonder as to what she had say.
"She's my big sister, so don't you dare get any big ideas or the cutie mark crusaders will get you!"
I nodded, just trying to entertain the cute kid.
"Applebloom! What are you doing, messing with our guest." It was Applejack, carrying a tray with something golden on it.
"I heard you slept with our guest last night and I didn't want him getting any funny ideas, sis."
Applejack blushed at the comment... and so did I. I looked passed Applebloom, only to wink at Applejack.
"Don't worry. It'll never happen again, I promise."
"Good." Applebloom stormed out passed her sister.
"I'm so sorry she did that."
I laughed "Its all good. I use to do the same with Flare all the time." Bringing up Flare, I began to feel a bit depressed, still saddened at what happened yesterday.
She smiled as she walked across the room.
"Flare told us wonderful stories about you and him. He really loves you. I already know what happened yesterday, sweetie."
It hit me like a brick. She knew I froze. She placed the tray in front of me
"Well, sugarcube, eat up. These oats are what's for breakfast."
I wolfed down the oats without hesitation. I choked as the first mouthful went down, but I continued. She only smirked.
"Gosh feller, you were hunger, weren't you."
I nodded "They were delicious."
She smiled and started to walk away. As she was about to leave, however, she turned back.
"Well, honey, if you need anything, holler for me."
She turned the corner. I just couldn't help but smile. She was nice nicer then most pegasi that I had ever met before. I wondered what Flare was doing, and feeling. I felt mixed feeling lowliness and joy. What happened yesterday, and the generous hospitality of Applejack, it was all bittersweet.
I rolled over, looking at the ceiling. I could only wonder at what's going to happen in the days to come...
Author's Note
Thank you everyone for reading Mostly V and TheDarkKnight and Most importantly heavy Rain for making me stick with this
"Hey there fella! You're up awfully early." It was Applejack. I had been staying with her and the Apple family for two weeks, and all I can say is that their hospitality is more than enough. Big Mac and I worked the fields, long days of labor, but the least I could do to repay them. Needless to say, it was my first time fully knowing what an apple was.
"Yeah I couldn't sleep," the memory before I landed was seared in my brain like a hot brand. I couldn't believe there was this much guilt pent up inside me. The thoughts lingered in my skull like a rattle, and I didn't have the courage to tell Flare about it ever since we set hoof on land. I saw Rainbow Dash, but she looked at me, hurt, and I glanced, never looking for too long.
"Guilt?"
"Yeah. That's all I ever feel now. Guilt for what I said to... him." She just stood there in her thoughts, wondering as to what I could have meant. I didn't expect her to understand right away. We were standing at the marketplace working the apple stand. This was always the usual place that I met up with Rainbow Dash.
"Well feller we need to go see your brother than let's go."
"Just up and leave the stand," I wasn't use to the earth pony and unicorn ways of work. I knew everything about an apple. Talking about apples is practically all that me and Applejack talked about for one whole day. There were a lot to know about them before you could work with them, even if they were just pieces of fruit. Surprisingly, much care and planning had to go into them.
She grabbed my hoof and pulled me close.
"Of course! We always do it! I know everyone in Ponyville; they wouldn't steal from me."
"Whatever you say." I was a bit skeptical, but it was her product. I was in no position to argue with her ways. She drug me all the way to Flare and Dash's house. I stood on the door step staring at the door, hesitating to actually knock.
"Well are you going to knock or what?" I tapped the bottom of my hoof on to the door. Within that small sliver of a moment, time seemed to stand still. I knocked a second time, but still no answer. As soon as I was winding up for a third, Rainbow Dash opened the door. I saw the house was dimly lit, and Flare in the background laying down.
"Can I help you Storm? I was actually about to come out and get you."
"Hey Rainbow," Applejack called from behind me ",he wanted to talk to his brother is this a bad time?" I couldn't say anything the memory played over in my head I teared up.
"What's wrong with him? He never rests!" She exclaimed with a worried look on her face."He is always working on something."
"He is sick! Zecora, Twilight, and the town doctor don't know what it is, but he isn't the only one. There are a lot of ponies out there sick."
"Sick? No! Impossible! My brother never gets sick." No way he could get sick. I don't even know what he was infected with. That was the scary part; not knowing what was wrong with my brother. And to top it all off, I couldn't do anything to help him. With a quick gallop, I pushed Rainbow Dash aside and met him at his bedside. He groaned as if trying to say something, but he couldn't.
"I'm so sorry, Flare. I shouldn't have said those things the day we left home. I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry." Rainbow and Applejack both laid their hooves on my shoulders, trying to reassure me that good will come, but I didn't buy it. I didn't buy it one bit. I threw them off. Though I was aware that was rude, I wasn't leaving. Not while my brother was like this.
"Storm, the doctor sedated him. He's going to be asleep for sometime now. He was in so much pain and being here won't help you. If anything, you will only run the risk of getting sick."
"No! I'm not leaving!"
Applejack walked to the door and whistled. Within ten minutes, Big Mac appeared at the door. He began to push me away from my brother. He was trying to keep me away. I thrashed around, but it didn't work. All I could do was cry the entire time. I couldn't help it. The gnawing guilt at away at my insides, feeding like a parasite. When we were outside, he placed me on the ground. I collapsed, not wanting to move for any given reason. I cried, trying to cover my eyes with my hooves, but it wasn't any use. The stallion that would and did give his life for me. My own brother. Now, even after harsh and demented words, he's condemned for sickness.
Twenty minutes passed and the town clock chimed, signaling noon. I picked myself up and trotted up to Applejack, who happened to be standing in front of the door, right beside Big Mac.
"Where does Twilight live? I need to see her now."
"Uhhhhh sweetie, she doesn't like you very much. You know, since you bad mouthed Flare."
"I don't care!" I retaliated. I was in no mood right now to be told no. "I need to see her now with or without you guys."
"The town library is where you can find her" Rainbow Dash said while pushing past Big Macintosh. "But it isn't a good idea to see her since she doesn't like you very much, especially after your outburst on the balloon trip."
"I don't care what she thinks! She can want me dead for all I care. Flare needs me now!"
"I wouldn't try to stop him, Rainbow Dash." Applejack interjected. She stood next to me, shoulders cocked back and her chest puffed out as a display of power. She eyed Big Mac who was right in front of her. Though, of course, he was bigger, he still obeyed even a sibling. "I'll talk to her for him." I looked at her with something I've never looked at with a mare before she looked at me with a smirk.
"Fine, but he must stay outside, Applejack," Rainbow Dash warned.
"Eeyup" Big Mac added, concluding Rainbow Dashes statement.
"I promise he will stay outside the entire time," Applejack said.
"Good"
After the ordeal, Applejack and I left, making our way to Twilight's house, which took about thirty minutes to get to. Though to most that would seem a tad bit long, it seemed to go by relatively quickly since me and Applejack chit chatted the entire way there. I could hold a conversation with her as long as she wanted. I would even continue rambling if she would be inclined for me to. It was, however, an opportunity for me to tell her my feelings, how I truly, but right before I said anything, the thirty minutes were up, and we were finally there. I didn't want Twilight to know I was there. It would have been an awful situation for her to find out. It was about one in the afternoon, yet the house was dark. The tree in which the library was built around was wilting to the point of dying. It's burned colored bark looked coarse and lifeless, dry and lacking substance. The lights were off, and the leaves were brown, beginning to show weary signs of aging. Though the season was spring, this tree showed quite the opposite. I worried, of course, but I didn't let my inclination show.
"This don't look right at all."
"What? What's wrong?." I exclaimed.
"Stay here I be back lickity-split. I've never seen the library like this since Twilight moved in," and like that, she was in the door. I could hear the tapping of her hooves as she walked in.
"Must be hardwood floors," I thought.
"Hey there... um... Storm. May you come here please!" She yelled out. I could feel my stomach drop, just like the very first time I had took flight. I trotted up to the door and hunched down, peering a watchful eye past the door. I saw nothing but two silhouettes, shadows of unknown figures, walking next to a bump in a bed. From the distance, I was able to make out who the shadowy figures had belonged to. One was Applejack, and the other was Spike. All the while, however, I wondered what the bump on the bed was. I walked, now next to the bed. I stood beside Spike, who was at the head of the bed, shaking out of intense fear. I looked over at the bump. It was a mare, yes, but not AJ. It was a sea foam green mare. After examination, I came to realize she had no horn, so being a unicorn was out of the question. However, I did managed to see that she had wings, indicating that she indeed a pegasi. She tumbled and rolled over. She had a stark and bleak face, void of any sort of expression that a living creature could have. The mere image rattled my nerves. I froze inside my own skin, unable to move even a muscle. It was like being an animal trapped within the confines of a cage. I saw why neither of them moved. This was no ordinary mare...
She was my mother.
She appeared to be a corpse, lifeless to say the least, but she was very much alive. Blood flowing, heart pumping, lungs breathing. She was tossing and turning, all while whimpering each and every breath. AJ had glanced at me, witnessing the horrendous pain that clenched my very being. She lowered her head and dropped her stetson. and all the while stood there. It hadn't even been five days since Granny Smith had passed away. AJ didn't appear to be phased by her death, now that I come to realize it. She knew it wouldn't be long until the inevitable had happened. However, it hurt Apple Bloom the most, leaving such a young innocent filly distraught with the horrible weight of the death of a loved one. I hugged her for days, just like Flare held me when my mom and dad left. But now, my greatest fear became reality, almost to the point of sheer mockery. She was here in front on me, fast asleep. I reached my hoof out and touched her head. She was cold, clammy, and sweaty. Without warning, the once lifeless body was now fully alert, jerking up at my touch.
"Who are you?! Why are touching me?!" She looked at me, wincing at my sight. After her primal state of shock, she exploded in to a coughing fit. After her episode, she looked up to me, scared and mortified.
"I'm no one. I'm a new pony here." I tried to explain to the best of my ability."You probably won't know me," I said with so much anguish deep within my heart. I started to tear up. My first thought would be to not let anyone see, but I was grateful that it was a dark area, so then no one would witness me like this.
"Well..." She began, trying to muster up some,"... I'm Star Runner. What is your name, strange pony? Do you have a name?" She asked, tilting her head in curiosity, followed by another chain of coughs.
"Oh, it's, uh, not relevant. I'm leaving tomorrow for my next job," I lied... and it killed.
She started to speak, but her voice became slurred. With a faint whimper, she rolled her eyes to the back of her head, and blacked out. I went to touch her again, yet I didn't want to wake her again. With a rapid dash, I raced my way out of the the place. AJ and Spike both made desperate attempts to block my path, but I blew pass both of them, out the front door. Still hyped on my energy, I galloped my way to the Everfree forest. I just ran and ran, not wanting to stop. In fact, I couldn't stop. Life had just turned into a living hell. I was being a pansy-ass about telling Applejack my true feelings. To top it off, I yelled at Flare for a damned horrible reason. To add injury to insult, he's sick, possibly dying at this very moment, and I found my mother who I hadn't seen in years, stricken with the ghastly sickness just like Flare.
I slid to a stop, right before a pool of water. With no where to turn, with no one to take me in, with no one just to hear me, I broke down. I collapsed on the ground, bawling in a torrent of tears. It was hard to stop. I could only think about the ones I love. And when I would think of them, the tears only came harder.
Within my terrible state, a growl made it's presence. The roaring snarl echoed within the bark of the trees surrounding me. A deep rumbling, with vicious undertones. Timberwolves, I presumed, howling in the forest, low voices that rumbled from their throats. Their glowing eyes shimmered a radiant bright yellow. In perfect timing, they started to slink out of the woods one at a time. With each breath they took, they snarled and growled. I never looked up. I didn't have the courage to. I just sat there, amazed at the sight. With a brisk breeze sweeping over me, one jumped. I opened my wings, knocking one of the wolves down. His body collapsed into a entropic pile of disembodied sticks. I jumped in the air, hovering in place. I screamed at the top of my lungs, piercing the air with a signature war cry. They ran, fearing what's to come if they were to stay. With great agility and speed, they fled, leaving their trashed accomplice scattered in pieces. I felt the heat of my body, the fire in my blood rising with each passing moment my anger stayed. Frustration and anxiety were the only things to come from this day. And the only escape was a yell.
"Storm Runner! Are you okay up there?!" I heard faintly as the voice passed through the rage and the flapping of my wings. I looked down to the earth, seeing all of the Apple family, huddled to see me. Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and her the beauty of them all, Applejack. she was the one who yelled up at me. Though she was there, her very presence had calmed my nerves. I dropped to the ground before them, waiting to hear what they had to say.
"I'll be fine. I just needed that," I said rubbing the back of my neck with a bit of nervousness.
She was genuinely worried. They all were, as a matter of fact, with expressions on their faces that were that of distraught. The last time I felt like this was when we took the family picture that I always keep under my pillow, the very one that Applebloom found. Applebloom ran up, hugging my leg with a grip too intense for somepony her age.
"I heard you ran off, and went into the evergreen forest! Then I heard the timberwolves! I was worried! So so worried!" she said crying, rubbing her tears on my skin, soaking my coat.
"What were you thinking?! You could have been hurt" Applejack said. Her head was pressed against mine, rubbing her skin against mine.
"I'm fine, you guys, really, I am. But thank you," After all this time, now I truly realized how close I was to losing the closest thing I have to a family. All because of my idiotic mistake. Tears began to swell in my eyes. I wasn't in the mood to hide them.
"What's wrong Storm?" The little filly questioned, bringing herself together, staring up at me.
"It's nothing," She knew I was lying. I was never good at lying, to tell the truth. It was rather easy to see through it. I didn't know what to say. This family, it reminded me of Flare. So much so that it hurt. I felt a tightness in my chest, a tight squeezing on my heart, constricting.
"Storm, you're starting to scare me. What's going on?" Applejack asked as she held Applebloom away from me. Not because I would hurt her, however.
"I don't know how to put this but..." I paused, not wanting to say it. I couldn't. How could I? Applejack and Big Mac knew everything the day we landed. There was no secret, no piece of information to hide. They looked at me with sad but caring eyes. I knew I had to tell them the truth. All of it...
"I love you guys as family. I couldn't do any of this without you," I said. The tears subsided, all the while the entire group slowly but surely shared a smile that grew bright on their faces. Big Mac to my right, and Applejack to my left. She kept bumping me, I suppose trying to signal something, but I didn't know what. All the while, she stared at me with big bright eyes. We walked back to sweet apple acres, leaving the area that could have been the place of my demise. Dusk was arriving as we made it to the farm. We all missed Granny Smith, constantly asking us how were the chores we had done and asking us if we were tired and hungry. Though it had only been about a week of me knowing her, I felt like a piece of my family was gone, no longer here. Lost forever, never coming back, not even just to say hi. She was nothing now more than a cold memory. Applejack was, however, my source for comfort and warmth...
"Well, anypony hungry?" Applejack had asked with a gleaming.
"I'm not, but thanks though," I replied, smiling as I headed up the steps to my room in the Apple family house. They all looked at me, yet not one spoke a single word. They all soon went their separate ways. AJ, however, continued to look at me. Her eyes shining radiant. She began to sniffle, and tears started to roll. Maybe this will have to wait another time...
Author's Note
Thank you all for patiently wait here's chapter two and thank you v for editing me I love you bro
