Chapter Twenty-One: Hidden Agenda

Flutter Valley

            Clover had been awed for hours. The word had spread through Flutter Valley swiftly and now she had become something of a celebrity. The groups of the younger flutter ponies, some only a  few years older than Morning Glory had gathered about. Bluebonnet, a white pony with dark blue hair with a white strip in it had sat by Clover. She was shy and quiet but she was also not afraid to question.

            Tiger Lily on the other hand, was older and very assertive. She had orange hair with a black strip through it and a darker orange body with her said flowers as symbols. She was constantly interrupting Clover. The girl didn't find it annoying because she was waiting for Morning Glory and it was nice to have something to do.

            "They really took your wings away?"

            "Yes."

            "Why?"

            "Well, see-"

            "Did it hurt?"

            "I don't-"

            "How old were you?"

            "Did you always know you were a flutter pony?"

            "Did you sense it at all?'

            "Flutter ponies!"

            Rosedust's commanding tone broke the chatter.

            "She's only twelve. Be brief with your questions. Besides, I'm sure this is very overwhelming for her."

            Daffodil looked at her queen and tossed her flaming yellow mane aside. She rose and her golden yellow body shimmered. She gave Clover a grin and then took to the air. The others also gradually dispersed. All but Queen Rosedust and her second-in-command, Morning Glory.

            Morning Glory stepped up to the girl and said,

            "It may take a few weeks. My guess is that your wings will come shortly."

            Clover nods, "I still can't believe this."

            "why not?"

            Clover looked at her with tears, "I always knew that I didn't belong. I've always loved the sky. I just never knew why."

            Morning Glory smiled and nuzzled her gently,

            "You can stay here if they emerge."

            Clover said, shocked, "Really?"

            "Yes."

            "I accept."

Dream Valley

            Baby Lofty listened from the top of a bookshelf. Paradise, Wind Whistler and Bright Eyes were reading. They had been talking about what had happened and were discussing what they thought was the best course of action. All three seemed to agree that until they knew the witches' plan then they could not make a good decision.

            Baby Lofty was sick of waiting. Everything she had to wait for. It was driving her completely insane. She knew that the witches were up to something. Why else would they bother to try and exile Baby Ribbon? Why had they done that? That question filled the girl with fear. She had a feeling that it was more than it appeared.

            It made more sense. The witches would not be so secretive and careful if they didn't have a good plan. The thought made Baby Lofty sick to her stomach.

            She was anxious to find out. She had a bad feeling. She knew it wasn't just the night either.

            "Mama!"

            baby Lofty leapt up and flew to the door. She saw Baby Ribbon run down the hall. Ribbon came out of a door and embraced the hysterical girl. Such a thing had become a common nighttime occurrence and that just made Baby Lofty angrier. Btu she listened, this time was different.

            "Mama…the feeling!"

            "What feeling, sweetie?"

            "it's the same one I got before the witches…"

            Ribbon embraced her daughter but the adults looked at one another in fear. The feeling Baby Ribbon had felt had been a premonition of the horror and sadness to come. The few visions that her unicorns received were scarce but they were never wrong.

            And now she reported a second one.

            That filled Baby Lofty with fear. She could stand it no longer. She ran outside the Estate and took to the air. She had to see what was happening. She knew it has something to do with this night, although she did not know what or why. She just knew that it was this night.

            Completely forgetting her mother's forbiddance, she rose into the sky, fighting the fierce gusts that blew down at her. She reached the clouds but an inner sense made her continue. Her breaths were coming raggedly now. She tossed her mane and struggled to breath until she broke the final cloud.

            Looking around, her heart froze in her chest…no…not this…anything but this. She had heard stories…but seeing it…seeing this horror…

            "Oh no…"

End of Part 2

To be continued…