Birds of a Feather

[The scene opens with colt Flash Sentry and his mother, Solar Flare Sentry stand outside the Cloudsdale Flight school]

Flash:*Whimpers*

Solar: Flashy? Is something wrong?

Flash:....I want dad...

Solar: Dear...you know daddy can't walk on clouds like we can.....

Flash:...I still want him here...

Solar: Oh, dear. *nuzzles him* I know he would love be here with us, but....

Flash: I know...I'm scared, though. What if they make fun of me because of my...problem?
Solar: Then you don't need to deal with them! If that can't like you for you, then they aren't the type of ponies you should befriend.

Flash: Ok...Bye mommy. *hugs her*

Solar: Have a nice day, sweetie. *Hugs him back*

[Scene shifts to a colt Soarin happily bouncing around the front of the school with two mares in front of the school. The first mare has a coat close to Soarin’s with a light green mane while the second mare is much older baring the same coat and a darker green mane]

Soarin: WOOOOO!!!! HUHUHUH! HUHUHUH! SCHOOL TIME! SCHOOL TIME! WOOOHOOO!!! *Runs in a circle and hits his face on the front door* Mmmmm....Butter toast!

Blitzkrieg: Soarin! Calm down!

Soarin: *Dizzy* Sorry, Grandma!

Skyhigh: Soarin, dear...please slow down.

Soarin: Sorry, mom! I'm just excited!

Blitzkrieg: I'm not surprised, little one. It's Yer first day of flight school! Any Highlane worth their salt would be excited!

Skyhigh: But, that also means you have to be careful. You want to be a wonderbolt like your dad and me someday, right?

Soarin: Oh yeah! More than ANYTHING! Even more than my dream of becoming a giant apple pie!

Skyhigh: *Chuckles, then nuzzles Soarin* Have a good day, sweetie.

Soarin: I will! Bye! *Run off towards class*

Skyhigh:....

Blitzkrieg: You worried?

Skyhigh: Of course....Soarin's a wonderfully upbeat child, but....I'm worried about-

Blitz: His wings.

Skyhigh: *Deep Sigh* Yes...I hope he'll be alright.

[Scene changes to Flash in the halls taking in the size and scope of the building]

Flash: W-wow...

Soarin: *Runs past Flash* WOO!!! HALLWAYS! LOCKERS! CLASSROOM DOORS! It's so EXCITING!!!

Flash: What's with him? What a weird pony…

[Scene changes to a class being held by a large stallion with a light tan coat and a brown mane. He wore a pair of sunglasses and a dark blue vest]

Jagger Wing: Welcome, fillies and colts to your first day of Flight school! I will be your instructor, Jagger Wing!

Students: GOOD MORNING, MR. JAGGER!!!

Jagger: Now then, why don't one of you come up and introduce yourself...

Soarin: I WILL! *makes a mad dash for the front* WHAT'S UP, EVERYPONY?! MY NAME IS SOARIN HIGHLANE! SON OF THE GREATEST WONDERBOLTS EVER! SKYHIGH AND GLACIER HIGHLANE!!

Students: HI, SOARIN!

Jagger:Uh…okay. Who’s next?

[Another student stands up and walks to the front, pushing, Soarin out of the way. The colt was slightly taller than Soarin with a bright orange coat and fiery red mane, and violent eyes]

Soarin: Oof!! Hey!

Sunsopt: One side! Greatest coming thought! So...I'm Sunspot Burst. You might have heard of us; The Burst family. The riches ponies in cloudsdale. No need to stare. *Smiles*

Flash: *Mumbles* Oh great...a pushy pony...

Jagger Wing: *Annoyed sigh* Thank you, Sunspot, please sit down now.

Sunspot: *Goes back to his seat smiling smugly*

Jagger Wing: Now then, since it's your first day, we won't do too much, Just basic wing exercisers and going over some of the rules. Rule 1: do not fly near the chimera nest. Chimeras are wild, unpredictable creatures who won't hesitant to eat you little ones up!

[The class begins to talk among themselves about this new information]

Flash: Uh... *Raises hoof* But why would the school be so close to there?

Jagger Wing: It wasn't our choice. Chimera’s migration and nesting patters are, like the creatures themselves, unpredictable. They seem to have a good supple of food below us, so they've made that area their home for the time being. We don't know if they intend to stay their permanently or f they'll leave after some time, until then, however, stay away from there, understood?

Flash: Okay...

Soarin:  *Notices Flash’s mood.*  Huh... This kid is really out of it. Maybe something bugging him?

Jagger Wing: Now then, let's start those wing exercises! Colts in one line, fillies in another.

[The group forms two lines]

Jagger: So, who wants to shows us how it's done!? How about you, Thunderlane?

Thunderlane: Yes, sir! *Stretches wings and hooves and runs forward, gaining momentum before spreading wings out and lifting off* YAAAAAAH!!!!!

Jagger: Good! Next up, Flitter!

[Several colts and fillies perform the action with ease]

Jagger: Nice work, Cloudkicker! Next...Sentry! Front and center!

Flash: Uh... M-Me?! Why me?! I'm not even next in line!

Jagger: NOW!!!

Flash: EEP!!! Oh... Okay... *Starts running picks off the ground, only to fall and tumble* OOF!!! AAGH!!!

[The other students, save for Soarin, start laughing]

Sunspot: Nice face plant, Crash Sentry! Ha!

Jagger: *Glares at the class, who stop* Try it again, Sentry.

Flash:....I liked my other name better... *Tries to lift off again, but wings begin to buzz and he falls down on his buttocks* Oof!!! ......*Begins to blush in embarrassment* I... (Come on, Flash! You look like a loser out here!) RRRRGH!!! *Struggles to stay afloat* HRRRGH!!! *Starts kicking his hooves to stay up and accidentally kicks the cloud platform beneath him and breaks a hole in it* Huh?! HAAAH! HAAAAH!!! *Falls through it* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Jagger: SENTRY!!! : *Makes a mad dash for Flash, grabs him by the tail and pulls him back* Are you alright, son?!

Flash: *Shaking badly. Starts to tear up a bit*

Sunspot: Ha! Look at that! He's crying like a foal! Haha!  *The rest of the class stars laughing, baring Soarin*

Jagger: SUNSPOT!

Sunspot: S-sir?

Jagger: Since you have enough energy to mock a fellow student, why don't you preform the next exercise....20 times.

Sunspot:...Yes sir...*mumbles something*

Jagger: *Turns back to the still shaking Flash, Slowly, he places a hoof on his shoulder* Sentry, why don’t you take a break and do some wing-ups or something? Alright?

Flash:.......*Nods and walks over out of the way*.....

Jagger: *Sighs before he begins to fix the hole*

Soarin:  *Watches Flash leave* Hmm....

[Scene shifts to Flash a good feet away from the rest of his class as he does the after mentioned wing ups]

Flash: *Struggling* O...O...One! *Falls on the cloud, panting heavily* Oh...why now....stupid wings....I hate this. I wish I was born an earth pony.

Fluttershy: I'll just be over here, Rainbow Dash... You just keep it up without me... *Looks at her wings and sighs*....Some Pegasus pony I am...

Flash:...? Hello?

Fluttershy: Eep! *Backs up and hides behind her wings*

Flash: Um....Hi?

Fluttershy:…*Lightly whimpers*

Flash: Ah! S-sorry. I didn't mean to scare you...Are you ok?

Fluttershy: I...Uh... I'm sorry! *Runs away*

Flash: W-Wait!.....*Looks down in shame* Was it something I said? *Looks down, but then sees that class is dismissed and takes the chance to go find the filly that just ran off*

[Scene shifts to Rainbow Dash walking around the school looking for her friend]

Dash: Hm...Where did Shy go?

Soarin: *Walking around while trying to find someone when he bumps into Dash* Oof!

Dash: Ow! Hey, watch it!

Soarin: Sorry. I was just looking for somepony…Hey have you seen an orange colt?

Dash: Orange colt? *Thinks for a moment* I hope you don’t mean Sunspot?

Soarin: Ugh. No. He has a blue mane and isn’t a total jerk.

Dash: Can’t say I have. Sorry.

Soarin: Darn.

Dash: since we’re talking about looking for missing friends; have you seen a yellow filly with a pink mane?

Soarin: *shakes his head* Sorry. No.

Dash: Darn it, Fluttershy. Where are you?

Soarin:…Wanna look together?

Dash: Huh?

Soarin: Well, I just thought since we’re both looking for somepony, maybe we’d have better luck if we looked together.

Dash: Hm….Alright. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra pair of hooves. That reminds me. *Extends hoof* Name’s Rainbow Dash!

Soarin: *Grabs her hoof and shakes it* Soarin Highlane. Nice to meet you!

Dash: Wait…Highlane? Like Skyhigh and Glacier Highlane!? Two of the best wonderbolts to  have every exist ever?!

Soarin:…Y-yeah?

Dash:  OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! *Flies around in a circle, squealing happily*

Soarin:…

Dash: *Notices Soarin’s change in mood* Uh…You okay?

Soarin: It’s nothing….Come one let’s go.

[Scene shifts back to Fluttershy, hiding behind a tree not too far from where Flash was]

Shy: *Panting*  Oh dear..I hope I didn't upset him...

Flash: Hello? Uh... Hello?! Little filly? I... It's okay, I didn't want to scare you or anything. I'm sorry... I guess I...just wanted to talk... *Sigh* What am I doing?

Shy: Um... *peaks from behind the pillar* Hello?

Flash: Huh?! Oh! *Looks over to Fluttershy* Excuse me, um... (Oh no, what do I say now?!)

[There is a brief bit of silence between them before Fluttershy speaks]

Shy: Um...A-are ok? I-I saw you fall earlier....

Flash:...Hmmm....I'm okay.... I guess...

[Another bout of silence before Shy speaks up once more]

Shy: Um...I-I heard you say you wish you were an earth pony earlier...why did you say that?

Flash: What?! You heard that?! I thought I was just talking to myself... Well... If you must know, it's because... *Cringes* Because I'm a disappointment...

Shy: A disappointment? How so?

Flash: Because my parents were so great and I'll never live up to them! I can't even fly... At least if I were an Earth Pony, I could just live on the ground and not have to worry about being as great as them...

Shy: *Thinks for a moment* Um...A-are you're parents....earth ponies?

Flash: Yes and no...My dad is...

Shy: Really? My granny told me she knew some ponies that came from a mixed family when she was a filly. I never thought I'd meet one.

Flash: *Shrinks a bit* Mm…

Shy: *Realizes what she say might have come out wrong* Oh no! I didn't mean like that! I'm sorry! Please don't hate me.

Flash: No…It's ok. I don't hate you. Um…so, are you ok?

Fluttershy: Yes...well...Not exactly, but you don't want to hear about my problems...

Flash: That's part of the reason I'm here. *Sits down*

Shy: R-really? Well...o-ok. I was trying to do some of the wing exercises, but...I... I...I could only do about two before my wings gave out.

Flash: Really? Heh...At least that's more than what I was able to do...

Shy: Oh. I-I'm sorry....So...is it strange? Being the son of an earth pony, I mean?

Flash: No...er...well... I don't know really. I never put much thought into it.

Shy: Does...does it feel any different?

Flash: Well, not necessarily. But I just wonder if *Ears lower* If me being a pegasus was a mistake…

Shy: No! You shouldn't think that! My granny use to tell me that everypony should be proud of what they are. Even if we can't fly very well, we shouldn't regret being born as pegasus...

Flash: *Looks at her with astonishment*

Shy: *Blushes slightly* U-um...that's what I think, anyway...Um, I don't think I ask your name, did I?

Flash: Oh! My name? It's Flash. Flash Sentry.... Though to be honest, I don't think I've done a name as cool as that any justice. It kind of sounds like the name of a superhero or something, not a little wimp like me...

Shy: Well...I think it's a lovely name. And, who knows, maybe you could be a super hero one day....

Flash: Fluttershy...I... Thank you...but I'm not sure about that. I mean, I can barely get off a surface...

???: Nah, he might just have to settle for side-kick! At least with THAT attitude being his selling point!

Flash & Fluttershy: HUH?!

[Flash&Shy turn to see Rainbow and Soarin standing near the entrance]

Soarin: 'Sup!?

Dash: There you are, shy! *Runs over to check on Fluttershy* I've been looking every for ya!

Shy: I'm sorry, Rainbow. I didn't mean to worry you.

Dash: Nah. you're good. *Sees Flash* Hm?

Soarin: Hey! *Runs over to Flash* Are you ok? That was a bad fall...

Flash:....Well.... *Looks to Fluttershy, who nods to him and gets him to smile*....I'm okay. I've had worse.

Soarin: Good to hear! But c'mon! We gotta get back to class soon!

Flash: Oh...O-Okay!

Fluttershy: Umm...Flash!

Flash: *Looks back* Huh?

Fluttershy: Don't forget what we talked about! Okay?! Remember who you are! Accept it and appreciate it! Don't ever doubt yourself!

Flash:.....*Nods*

Rainbow Dash: Wow....since when were YOU the encouraging type?

Fluttershy: I don't know....I guess I just noticed how down he was and...he seemed like a mirror of me...

[Scene changes to Flash and Soarin trotting down the halls. There is some silence between the two before Soarin speaks]

Soarin: Oh by the way; my name is Soarin. Soarin Highlane. *Extents hoof*

Flash: *Slowly shakes Soarin’s hoof* Flash Sentry.

Soarin:....Hey, c'mon. Quit being so mopey!

Flash: Sorry...

Soarin: So what did you and that filly talk about?

Flash: Why would you want to know?

Soarin: I dunno. Just curious. Everypony here says how awkward Fluttershy is with everyone and almost never speaks with anyone except Rainbow Dash. In fact, while we were looking for you, we even heard some jealous colts ask "Why that foal?" "What's so special about that lead-hoof?!" and my favorite "He's stealing my wai-"

Flash: OKAY, I GET IT!.......Sorry...

Soarin:  *Giggles* It’s cool. So..what were you guys talking about?

Flash: Just...things. Nothing to important.

Soarin: Wow...you're a bad liar.

Flash: Huh?

Soarin: If your gonna lie you could least be original about it. Like, maybe something about what the world was like before The two sisters, or even Santa Hooves is real or if apple pies will become sentient and take over the world and force all the ponies to world in apple pie factories in order to build up there evil apple pie army so they can TAKE OVER THE UNIVERSE!

Flash: *Is slightly taken aback by Soarin’s sudden outburst* Are you okay? You don't seem well.

Soarin: I'm fine! i'm just excited about school is all. I ran in here this morning and hit my head on one of the lockers. hehe!

Flash: *Thinking* So that was him.

Soarin: I really wanna learn how to fly! So I can be a super cool wonderbolt like my folks! Then once I become a wonderbolt, I can rub it in Wave Chill's stupid, ugly face! Bet you can't call me the "flightless wonder" any more, can you, jerk!?

Flash: Wave Chill?

[Soarn’s mood shifts. No longer is he upbeat, but now deeply upset]

Soarin:  My older brother.  He gives me a lot of grief because….*slowly opens his wing, which are much smaller and frailer than Flash's* My wings are...kinda messed up. My parents said it was because I was born pre...pre mat...I was born early, so they haven't full grown yet. So...*Soarin flaps his wing and hovers for a few seconds before falling* I can't stay in the air for very long.

Flash: And you brother makes fun of you for that?! What a jerk!

Soarin: You don’t have to tell me. He’s always poking fun at me because of it.  That’s where the “flightless wonder” came from. Makes it worse because my folks are the two best wonderbolts ever…*Tears began to form in his eyes, before his quickly wipes them away*   But, I bet if I work hard, I can fly like any other Pegasus.

Flash: *Is completely dumbstruck* Wow….

Soarin: Than my stupid brother will stop calling me that...So, what's your deal? Were you born early too?

Flash: Um...Well-

Sunspot: Well what's this? Lead hoof and the brick are beein' all buddy-buddy with each other?

[Flash slumps down slightly]

Soarin: *Notices Flash’s state* Shove off, Sunspot!

Sunspot: Or what?! *Pokes Soarin's chest* You gonna fly home to your mommy?! Oh, wait...You can't.

*Soarin shrinks*

Sunspot: Ha! The son of two wonderbolts can't even fly! [Sunspot and his friends laugh at Soarin]

Flash: *Feels…something building up in his chest*

Flash: Well....What's it to you anyway? Why would you care?!

Soarin: Flash?

Flash: Tell me, Sunspot. What makes you think he can't fly?

[Sunspot and his friends turn their attention to Flash]

Sunspot: What kinda Pegasus is he if he can't even fly?! You know what's that's like, right lead hoof? *His friends laugh* Come on, Highlane! We all saw you during training! You could even stay airborne for a few seconds.

Soarin:....Hmph! Well it's not like you didn't start out small, Sunspot!

Flash: Start out small...?

Soarin: He used to be the same size as me!  But, he had a growth spurt and now he thinks he’s better than everypony else!

Sunspot: Well, at least my wings aren't broken and useless!

Soarin: At least I’m not some ego mantic who has to use his money to buy friends!!

[Everyone gasp as a vein pops on Sunspots right temple]

Sunspot: *Grabs Soarin* You've got a big mouth, Highlane! Maybe I outta do something abou-

[Without thinking, Flash runs up to Sunspot and bucks in him the face, sending him back a bit and making his nose bleed]

Sunspot: Ack! My nose...H-he broke it!

Flash:.........*Panting*

Soarin:  *In an shocked tone* Dude?!

Flash: *Breathing heavily* DON'T.....TOUCH HIM.....!

Sunspot: *Holding his nose* Uh...You're gonna pay for this, lead hoof *Runs off with his friends*

Flash:...*Turns to Soarin* Are you ok?

Soarin:.....Ya didn't have to do that, dude... I could've taken'em!

Flash:....S-Sorry.... I just didn't want you to get hurt...

Soarin:...*Sigh* It's fine... Thanks... And don't worry, I'm okay.

Flash: *smiles*

Soarin: Though, I have to ask...how are you that strong? That looked like the kinda buck an earth pony would give...

Flash: Well, I always did think I was more like an Earth Pony than a Pegasus...but that filly.... Fluttershy, she told me to embrace what I am and well... If I'm gonna be a lead hoof, I may as well use it to some kind of advantage...

Soarin: You've gotta be the strongest Pegasus I've ever met!

Flash:..............

Soarin: Uh...dude?

Flash: *Lowers down and starts crying*

Soarin: What's wrong!? A-are you ok?!

Flash: *Sobbing* I....hit....him.....Aaaaahaaaaah!!!!! I didn't...want to....hurt anypony!

Soarin: Dude....hey! Quit crying! You did a good thing there!

Flash: B...B...but

Soarin: No buts, man. You protected back there. I'm really grateful...*Holds out hoof* Thanks!

Flash:.........

Soarin: Go on! Bump it! Don't leave me hangin'!

Flash: *Raises hoof and bumps Soarin's hoof*  Hehe…

Soarin: Heheh! Flashy! I think this is the beginning of a BEAUTIFUL friend-*Falls on his face*

Flash: Are you alright?!

Soarin:….Ding dong. Hehe. Yeah. I’m fine. Brought ya some lunch, dude! *Digs around in nap sack for a few seconds before producing a brown paper bag*

Flash: Wow…thanks, Soarin.

Soarin: That’s what friends are for, Flashy!

Flash: Friends….Hey, Um….would you like to come over to my house later? Maybe we could invite  those two fillies also.

Soarin: Dash and Shy?  Sure. The more the merrier, right?

Flash: *Smiles warmly* Right.