Rainbows and choices

7

It seemed to take a century before it was Tuesday afternoon. I knocked on Rainbow Dash's door. 'Ah, Black Blue.' She said when I entered. 'I thought maybe I should return your confiscated things.' Said Rainbow Dash. I remembered that they had searched my saddlebag when I arrived. I didn't have much because I had only brought stuff for a week of cloudsdale from ponyville. I had not expect to spend a year at the Rainbow factory. Yet they had searched all my things when I arrived. They had seized some of my things. Now a box with those things was on Rainbow Dash's desk. I immediately recognized a glass jar with a flame in it. I got it from Smolder for my birthday. The flame was dragon fire. That way I could send letters just like dragons. I just had to drop my letter into the flame. They had taken it so that in my frightened beginnings I would not tell my friends everything by letters. They had also taken all my paper and ink. I saw the pocket knife I had received from Gallus. Next to it was a shell that I had from Silverstream. If you held your ear to it, you could hear the sea. To be honest, I didn't know why they had seized it. Just like the plant guide that I had received from Ocellus, the book about the history of the wonderbolts that I had from Sandbar and the wonderbolts action figures that Spitfire and Cloud Walker had given me. I understood why she didn't want me to keep my old Yakyakistan sword. 'Ponies not strong enough to wear yak horns, so Yona gives this sword so that ponies can defend themselves.' Yona had said when she gave me the sword.

My birthday had been two days after the flight test, but I was supposed to be in Cloudsdale all week with my family, so we had a surprise party just before I left. I brought their presents because I wanted to show them how grateful I was. Some things like Smolder's fire would really come in handy. Other things like Yona's sword less. I looked again in the box and there I saw it. A small glass jar with a beautiful ice flower in it. My gift from Snow Star. It was the first snowflake she had ever made. I encouraged her to do that. She had saved it and asked Twilight to cast a spell on the jar so that the ice flower wouldn't melt. He looked exactly the same as Snow Stars cutie mark. I held back my tears. 'Thanks.' I said to Rainbow Dash. 'I also have this box for you. These are all the letters that your friends have sent you. We intercepted them and think that you can have them back now.' Said Rainbow Dash. 'Thanks.' I said again. 'Go on now. You must pack a lot.' Said Rainbow Dash. I nodded and left. I would pack it in the morning. I wanted to read the letters.

I lay down on my stomach on the bed and picked up the first letter. It was one of Smolder.

Hey Black Blue,

 I Think think it's great that you passed your flight test. Don't tell too many people about Snow Stars test. We all miss you very much here. We understand of course that it is important work at the SRAFC. Yet we are going to be very happy when you return. We have been waiting for a letter from you for a while now. Remember that you must think of the person for whom your letter is before you throw it into the dragon flame. Yesterday we discussed flying and the flight test in class. Ocellus has almost burst into tears because she misses you. But you didn't hear that from me. Nothing special has happened yet. Equestria has its longest period of peace ever. Headmare Sparkle says that after you have passed a few tests, you can follow our lessons again.

We hope you will come back soon.

Greetings Smolder.

I blinked a tear away and looked at the date on the letter. He was written 2 months after my departure. I put the letter aside and picked up the next one. It was from Devo.

Dear Black Blue,

There is not much more to say than that I miss you Incredibly.

You are my best buddy and best friend.

Even with the others there, the days are lonely without you.

I hope you don't miss me so much and can enjoy your time there.

Headmare Sparkle says she won't let you do all our tests.

She doesn't want to separate us either, so you can just follow our class again when you return.

Just remember that there are always creatures here who care about you.

Lots of love,

Devo.

The letter was from three months ago. I did not wipe away my tears and took the next letter. It was written by Yona.

Dear friend,

Yona is not allowed to write this letter now. We are in Headmare Sparkle's class. Headmare just said that friend is not coming back after her week at Clouddale. Friend should tell Yona it's not true. Yona understands this is a great opportunity for friend. Still, Yona will miss friend. And not Yona alone. Friend is also missed by changeling, griffon, hippofrif, dragon and ponies. Yona can't wait to see her friend again.

Yona.

This letter was just after I came here. I picked up the next letter and my heart stopped. It was from Snow Star.

Dear Black Blue,

I want to thank you again for your help with the test.

I wouldn't have made it without you.

I heard from Devo that you went to the SRAFC. Personally, I have never heard of it, but the word Secret is not in there without reason. I'm proud of you. You are now officially one of the heroes who protects cloudsdale. I can't wait to see you again.

Lots of love,

Snow star.