//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: Friendship isn't just Magic, it can heal hearts too // by Raumo //------------------------------// I watched as Rainbow did a flying version of pacing. She was trying to coach Fluttershy on how to cheer. A flying competition in Cloudsdale. I would love to see that. Too bad I'm not a pegasus. A laugh escaped me as Rainbow tried to get Fluttershy to cheer louder. "Too loud?" Fluttershy asked as Rainbow sort of shut down in shock from how quiet she was. "Sorry Little Shy, but I don't think that was quite what she was going for," I answered "Oh. I just don't think I can cheer loud enough. You and the others would do a lot better." "Eh, I don't think I would be, but the others can be loud." Rainbow recovered and flew up to practice her routine and the Sonic Rainboom. A sonic boom that flows out as a huge wave of rainbow. Sounds incredible. Will she be able to do it though? "Yay." Fluttershy cheered quietly. Using a cloud as a springboard Rainbow started her routine. "Way to go," Fluttershy cheered as she completed phase two. As she then sped down like an arrow for the rainboom, I could see she was about to pierce the barrier, when she seems to lose control and was flung away. "I predict that she will land at or in the library. Let's head there." We ran there. We arrived just as Rainbow flew the library window. "Rainbow Dash, you rock. Whoo hoo." Fluttershy cheered at the window. I headed through the door into the mess of books. As Rainbow wished that we could be at Cloudsdale to cheer for her, I picked up books. Pinkie dashed around explaining the competition and sonic rainbooms. Okay so I knew they were hard to do, but Dash has been the only one? That is a lot to live up to. No wonder she wants a bit more of a cheering section. Ah, the Wonderbolts. That is why she is so pumped for this competition. I smiled at Fluttershy's quiet yay once more before they left. "She has practiced so many times and hasn't been able to pierce the barrier. Fluttershy is worried she can't chher loud enough to help her, and at this point she is right." I commented to the girls. As Rarity prodded Twilight to find a spell that could get us to Cloudsdale, I contemplated. There was a spell she used on me during the winter. We cast it just to see how long the spell stayed with me, not for its actual use. What was it again?...oh yeah. I remembered the spell just as Twilight was casting a different one on Rarity. I ducked and covered my eyes as a huge flash came about and Twilight was thrown back. Rarity now had butterfly wings. "I think it worked," Twilight voice was a bit woozy. "Miss Sparkle?" She looked at me. "I know of a different spell you could use." "Which one?" "The spell you cast on me for endurance , during the winter, was a spell that allowed earth or unicorn ponies to walk on clouds like pegasi." "Oh yeah, That would actually be less draining than this other spell. But how would we get up there?" "I seem to remember there is a hot air balloon service." "Oh, right," she replied sheepishly. As we pierced through the clouds in the balloon, Dash looked so excited. Then we all jumped out of the balloon. "How?" Rainbow asked in disbelief. Twilight answered, "I cast a spell to make wings, but it was too difficult to do more than once. Alex remembered a spell that allows us to walk on clouds." "And we came to cheer you to victory," Applejack exclaimed. Rainbow was grateful. She and Fluttershy then showed us around Cloudsdale. This place is incredible. My neck prickled slightly, because I was getting as much attention as Rarity. Oh curses. I got so acclimated to Ponyville, I forgot I am an oddity everywhere else. Fluttershy sensing my apprehension slid close to my side and looked up at me. I looked at her reassuringly. "I'll be fine Little Shy. Some stares won't hurt me." We continued to the weather factory. We got helmets and I awkwardly put on a white shirt over my other one. We entered the area they make snowflakes. Amazing, but we had to leave quickly, as Rarity's wings made the snowflakes blow around. We moved on. The rainbow making area was also incredible. Pinkie just had to try eating some of the rainbow. Her face was priceless. Then Rarity came up with some bullies. I frowned as they taunted Dash. A wave of protectiveness flowed through me. Odd, never felt that for Rainbow before. I am seeing a different side to her here though and I don't like bullies. Fluttershy spoke up and had us move to the cloud making area. As Rarity's wings made Dash even more nervous, I sighed. Oh Rarity. Is the attention really making you that blind to your friends situation? Attention seems to have gotten to your head. As the pegasi suggested that Rarity enter the competition I groaned. This is not going to end well. As the contestants competed I was elated. I loved watching them fly. As time went on though and neither Dash or Rarity appeared, I grew concerned. "What happened to Rarity and Rainbow Dash?" The others looked at each other worriedly then shrugged at me. They were announced together as the last contestants. The girls cheered. Fluttershy still not very loud, but still the loudest she has been. I watched Rainbow instead of Rarity. Oh she is not doing good. Nerves and Rarity really got to her. I looked up as they climbed for the finish. Rarity was going too high, her wings couldn't take the altitude and proximity to the sun. They melted and she fell. Dang it! I can't help her. The Wonderbolts rushed to catch her. Oh crap she knocked them out. Rainbow sped down to catch them. As she did the barrier formed around her. "Come on you can do it," I whispered out, "come on." As she pierced the barrier and color flashed out Fluttershy started actually screaming in happiness. "A sonic rainboom! She did it!" "Indeed she did. Well done Rainbow Dash, well done." I quietly spoke out, clapping for her as she brought back the Wonderbolts and Rarity. I could feel the spell beginning to wear off me, so when they brought the balloon for Rarity, I quickly jumped in. No need for another person to catch. I don't like it. If something happened to one of them here, or somewhere else high up, I couldn't help them. That is not a pleasant realization. I hate being helpless. A little later, Rarity apologized to everyone especially Dash for her behavior. The Wonderbolts appeared and thanked Rainbow. Then the princess came. She greeted us all, then pronounced Rainbow Dash as the grand prize winner. I tuned out as Rarity told of what she had learned and watched the others take Dash on a victory lap. "I see you have chosen to stay with Twilight, Alex," the princess pierced my thoughts. "You have some wonderful friends now." "I do not have friends, only good acquaintances. And a sister," I stated as the others came back. They looked at me as if I had grown another head. "I see you're in denial," the princess stated in amusement. She looked to the others. "Help him see the truth eventually. Okay my little ponies?" They nodded enthusiastically. I scowled. Oh great. Now they are in on it. No peace now. And I am NOT in denial. We traveled back to Ponyville. As we entered the library, I turned to Twilight, "Miss Sparkle, I want wings." She looked at me in shock. "I don't mean wings like Rarity had. I want mechanical wings. Seeing Rarity fall today, was not pleasant to say the least. I need to be able to fly to protect you and the others." "Alex, you don't have to protect us." I turned to her and knelt to her level, an insistent look on my face, "Actually I do. It is all I know to do, and it is what I have chosen. I can't lose anyone else because I couldn't get to them or get them somewhere in time." I paused. Then as I did with Fluttershy, I took a chance. "I hate admitting it and I planned to never tell you, but I am fond of you. I made a choice to protect you from the first time I met you and that has grown since. Fluttershy was added to my list of protection because she is my little sister. Your friends are there as well, because they are precious to you. I realized today there is another dimension to your world. Originally I wanted wings so I could fly freely, but now it is another way for me to protect you and the others." In my earnest plea, I had let my mask slip. By the look on her face, she could see my fear. She moved towards me hesitantly, I didn't move. She then gently hugged me. I was frozen in shock, for she had never initiated contact with me before. She had sensed my dislike of being touched. She spoke softly, "I am honored you have chosen to protect us. I wish I could tell you that you'll never lose us or we won't get in a situation that we need your help, but that wouldn't be true or fair to you. I don't know how long it'll take, but I will help you make wings." A tight ball of fear I hadn't realized was there, eased in me. I was right to tell her and ask her. I feared she would be flippant about my request and the possible danger, but she listened. I hugged her back. "Thank you. This means a lot," I whispered out. She gave me a squeeze then pulled back. "Now, do you have a basic idea of what you want? From there we can go on." "Indeed I do." I showed her my sketchbook and the planning began. A week later, Twilight cried to me, "We have to go to the Castle of the Two Sisters. They might have some books there on magic crystals than can hold the power you would need to fly for a long period of time." "Why there? Why not take a trip to Canterlot and sneak into the Royal Archives. Wouldn't that have better, current information?" I countered. "Possibly. I want to see what the castle has though. It might have something that has been long forgotten." "Most likely for a very good reason." "Please Alex? I made it there my very first night here and I was fine. Also, we can stop at Zecora's and get my favorite tea." "If I don't go with you, you're going to break my rule and sneak out there, aren't you?" She wouldn't look at me. "Fine we'll go. Just so I can keep an eye on you." She yelled in excitement and shot out the door. I quickly ran after her. We were passing through town when a blur spun Twilight in a tailspin. The blur then turned into three excited fillies. "Oh, hey Fluttershy." I turned at Twilight's voice. "Hey Twilight, Alex. Where you two headed off to?" Fluttershy asked. "We are headed to the Everfree to do some research at the castle ruins, and pick up my favorite tea from Zecora's." "The Everfree Forest? You two will be careful won't you?" "Of course. Alex will be there to help me out if anything happens," Twilight assured her. I nodded. She then asked, "What are you doing with the girls?" "Rarity has a lot of work to do, so I offered to take the girls to my home for a sleepover." "Wow, sounds like everyone has their hooves full. You sure you can handle three small fillies?" "Oh these three angels, they'll be no trouble at all." The three little one stood by her looking innocent. Yeah. I am not buying it. Good luck Little Shy. Your're going to need it. They walked off and we headed into the Everfree. I swear this forest is trying to kill us. How is Twilight so unconcerned? I dodged another branch hand thing that tried to fall on me. My hand twitched to my holster on my thigh. After the last incident here I wanted easy access, so I used my more visible holster. It made Twilight twitch, but she tolerated it. We eventually made it to the castle and Twilight made a beeline to the library. Surprising these books are still in usable condition. Twilight and I scanned the shelves, putting a few in her bag for further study. As the sun began to set I turned to her, "Miss Sparkle, it's best if we go to Zecora's now before nightfall." She opened her mouth to protest. "No arguing." She conceded and we set off to Zecora's. We reached her hut, but it was nightfall by then. Twilight got her tea, and we set off for home. Along the way we saw a chicken sitting in a bush. "Oh, did one of Fluttershy's chickens escape?" Twilight asked. "Looks like it. Why don't you try to herd it towards me and hopefully I can pick it up." She nodded and walked over. As she did the chicken rose up and revealed a lizard body. Oh shoot a cockatrice! "Twilight, run!" I shot it. Even on kill, it was just stunned. Thankfully it was enough for Twilight to get away. We quickly ran off. On the way we ran into three fillies. "What are you doing here?" My voice was urgent for I knew the cockatrice followed us. "Don't answer that, we have to go." They started protesting. I was about to order them to shut-up when Fluttershy flew in. "Oh good, you found them." She sounded relieved. "Fluttershy, we have to go, there is cockatrice around." She gasped and tried herding the fillies, but they ran off towards a chicken in the bushes. Oh crap. The cockatrice was revealed again, and it turned a real chicken into stone. The girls panicked. As it flew towards Fluttershy, she commanded, "Girls, get behind me. Now." They complied. I readied for another shot when suddenly Fluttershy surged forward and started scolding the thing. Yikes, it is like the dragon all over again. Please let this work again. I tensed as Fluttershy's tail began turning to stone, then her legs and torso. Suddenly it completely shattered with a flash of light. I relaxed as the cockatrice went to unfreeze the chicken. "Again, well done Fluttershy." She smiled at me then turned to the fillies. "Are you girls alright? I was so worried." They answered in the affirmative. "Thanks to that stare of yours. You're the Stare Master!" They then apologized for not listening to her and sneaking out into the forest and promised to listen from now on. "Oh you better, or I'll give you the stare." They then laughed. I turned to Twilight. "Now you see why I don't like you going into the forest alone? You never know what'll be here." She nodded. "Alright, I won't ever sneak out here. Thanks for saving me from turning into stone." I nodded and we headed home. The next day, Twilight was having tea with Fluttershy and I was watching the fillies running around and sketching them. Rarity came walking up. She went to collect the girls, but they wouldn't listen. Fluttershy quietly spoke and they listened. Last night must have really impacted them. They're good kids, just energetic to the max. Fluttershy then got Opal off of Rarity's side. Whoa, cranky cat. Twilight walked up to me. "I believe I may have found a good power source for the wings, thanks to the books we got. Just need to find some good gems. I can ask Rarity for some after her next gem hunt." I smiled. "In the meantime you and I can try to build prototype wings. What I want is quite different from anything normal." Then I'll be one step closer to being in the skies and having another way to protect you and the others.