Dark Flight

It was late at night, or rather early in the morning, Stormy Night was sitting in the back of the carriage along with his mother, Silent Skies. They were on their way towards the Summer Sun Celebration to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun. This was his first time going, and he was more than just excited.

"Are we almost there Mom?" Stormy asked looking out the window of the carriage, "I can't wait to see the princess raise the sun!"

"Almost Stormy! Ponyville is just over this hill," Silent said as they neared the top of a rather large hill. "How is your father doing?"

Stormy reared his head towards the front of the carriage, "Are you alright Dad?"

His father, an earth pony named Sebastian, turned his head backwards, "I'll manage son,"

Stormy smiled and sat down, looking back at his mother, "He said he's fine Mom,"

Silent smiled and nodded, "Good, now when we get to Ponyville I want you to be on your best behavior. I don't want you running around,"

Stormy's smile slowly faded, like a foal when you tell him he can't have any candy, "Yes ma'am,"

After a few more minutes of lecturing, the carriage finally came to a stop. Stormy's smile quickly returned as he raced from the carriage, forgetting everything his mother had just told him.

"Hang on Stormy! Don't leave us now!" His father was shouting as he was unhooking himself from the carriage. He stepped up to the door, opened it, and allowed Silent to step out before shutting it. "Alright Stormy, lead the way,"

Stormy beamed, he turned and ran, following the many signs as he went.

Stormy was rushing through the streets, his face filled with excitement. He raced through the many ponies that lined them. 'This is going to be great!' He thought as he arrived at the stage. He turned around to see if his parents were still behind him, they weren't.

His smile instantly faded, "Mom?" he slowly began to walk back down the way he came. He began to trot back through the streets yelling, "Mom? Dad?" He slowly began to pick up his pace as he grew more frantic, "MOM! DAD!"

As he passed an alleyway he heard a faint sound. He stopped and looked down the dark path, listening intently. Until... "Stormy!"

He didn't hesitate. He dashed down the alley, wings buzzing to hopefully propel him forward. "MOM!" He continued running, yelling as he did. "Mom, where are you?"

He reached a wall, he looked left and right. Two paths, which one did she go through? He waited, listening for something, anything... He faintly heard it, "Stormy, help!"

He quickly turned to the right, the direction her voice came from, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He kept running, he could hear his mother's voice getting fainter as she grew further away.

It wasn't long before he reached the end of the alley, his mother nowhere to be seen... "Mom?" No response. Stormy began to cry, "Mom?"

He sat there, crying. Not wanting to do anything at all. He began to

feel as though his life was over, like everything was lost and there was no way to retrieve it.

Not long after, he felt a tap on his shoulder and jumped back, looking up to see who it was. He saw a brown earth pony with a black mane looking back at him. She looked to be about the same age as he was. "What's the matter?" She said, her eyes full of sympathy.

Stormy sniffled and wiped his eyes, "I can't find my mom," he said, still crying uncontrollably.

The pony looked down, "Oh," was all she could say. They sat there in silence for a few minutes.

Suddenly she spoke up, "Maybe my mom can help!"

Stormy sniffled again, "Really?"

"Yeah, I'm sure she can help find your mom!"

Stormy stood up and wiped his eyes once more, "Th-thanks,"

The pony turned around and began to walk, "Oh, I'm Octavia by the way. What's your name?"

Stormy began to follow as he replied, "I'm Stormy Night,"

Octavia turned her head, "It's nice to meet you Stormy!"

Stormy looked at her and smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever. He turned back to where he had just been sitting, wishing he had just stayed with his mother like she wanted...

It wasn't long before the two of them arrived at Octavia's home. It wasn't big, it was kind of on the small side. The two of them walked through the front door, Octavia yelling, "Mom! I'm home! Can you please come here?"

"Yes in a moment!" Her mom called back.

Octavia turned back to Stormy, "It's okay Stormy, my mom can help. We'll find your mom and dad in no time!"

After a few more moments, Octavia's mother came through a nearby door. She was a white mare with a black mane just like Octavia. "Hello Octavia, who is your friend?"

Octavia spoke up, "This is Stormy Night, Mom. He needs some help,"

"What is it?"

Stormy began to tell his story, from how they had planned to go to the Summer Sun Celebration to how he chased after his mother. How he couldn't find her and even how he felt after he lost her.

"Oh my, well it'll be alright Stormy," she reached over and hugged the little colt, "I will do everything I possibly can to find your mother,"

Stormy didn't try to hold back his tears, he just let it all out. The mare didn't stop him, how could she have?

Weeks passed with no news. No whereabouts of his mother were found. Stormy began to lose hope, he began to feel as lost as he had the day they were separated.

Stormy was sitting alone in the guest room, as time passed, however, it began to feel more and more like his room. He heard a knock on the door, followed by, "Can I come in?"

Stormy sighed, "Yes it's open," The door opened to reveal Octavia's mother, whom he now knew as Sweet Melody.

"How are you doing?" She said as she sat on Stormy's bed next to him.

"Okay I guess,"

"Well, I know it's been hard for you, being so young and all, but... it's been weeks Stormy, there isn't much more we can do to find your mother,"

Stormy looked up into her eyes, "Wh-what are you saying?"

Sweet sighed, "We have to give up...,"

Stormy shot up from the bed, "No! We can't! They're out there somewhere, I know it!"

Sweet stood up next to him and hugged him, "I know this hurts you, but we can't do anything else. Believe me, we've been trying, so very hard, to find your parents,"

Stormy began to cry as he hugged her back, "N-no...,"

Sweet moved back as she looked him in the eyes and smiled, "You are welcome to stay here, with us. You've been here so long you're like family to us now, and we can't just leave you,"

He looked back at her, "R-really?"

She nodded, "Of course. Don't worry, you will be safe here, we will love you and take good care of you,"

Stormy thought a moment, then he looked back up at her, "Th-thank you, for everything," He then wrapped her in another hug, which she generously returned.