Espirit's eyes nearly jumped out of her head as she stared at the massive city ahead. “T-that... that's Cloudsdale?”

“Yes,” Ganry said softly. “The traveling city.”

“I... I always thought it would be smaller,” she whispered in awe.

“What? I can't hear you over the winds.”

The zebra didn't respond, she just stared in wide eyed wonder. The city was far bigger even than Crystalopolis. There were locations where even a dragon could land, comfortably. The buildings themselves were made of clouds and she began to notice how segmented the city looked. In fact, as she came closer she couldn't help feeling it looked more like a few dozen cities all grouped together and molded into one.

“Remember the cloud cities we passed on the way?” Steelhorn asked. The zebra merely nodded. “Some of them were probably a part of Cloudsdale at one point. Sometimes entire cities and towns will break off or join up with the main city. Especially during times of war.”

“Wow...”

“I hear long ago the city was smaller than a full sized dragon,” Steelhorn said with a chuckle. “And only held pegasi. But now it holds the pegasi, negasi, griffons and a few dragons. The Wonderbolts as well.”

Espirit shrieked and stood up at attention. “D-do you think we'll meet the Wonderbolts? Really? I-is it true? Were they created by the warriors of the sun?”

“Rainbow Dash? I've heard they were, but I've never actually spoken to one about it myself,” Steelhorn said with a chuckle. “Perhaps we can ask them? Though it was so long, long, long ago that I doubt anypony but a historian could tell you.”

“Ohhhhh. It's one of the big proofs, you know? That proves that they were ponies?”

“Maybe. Though I guess with some of the stories I've heard it makes sense. What with her having fought Twilight and eventually becoming a student of Celestia. A pony like that would have more than enough connections to create her own fighting company. Here they come.”

“They? Who-- Oh my gosh!” Espirit shrieked with delight and ran out from the cover of the dragon's thick spikes. A group of griffons and pegasi were racing towards them, wearing thick blue armor coated in lightning bolts. The Wonderbolts. She could barely contain her glee as she raced towards the edge of the dragon. “Look, it's the--”

Her hooves slipped out from under her, sending her sliding down the dragon with a scream. She tried to catch herself, but couldn't, and toppled off the dragon's back.

She barely made it more than a few yards past the dragon before a pair of hooves suddenly enveloped her, wrapping around her tightly. She looked up to see one of the Wonderbolt pegasi. “Err... hi,” she said softly. “I uhhh, I tripped.”

“We're known to have that effect on ponies,” the stallion said, before flying up. She was flown over to the city and, once Onyx landed, dropped onto the dragon's back.

“Espirit, you need to be more careful, you could have been hurt!” Steelhorn said angrily, before circling the mare and checking for any damage. “Are you okay? Any aches? Pains? Did you get any bruises?”

“N-no, I'm fine, just my heart nearly exploded. That's all,” the zebra said nervously.

“It's fine,” the stallion said with a chuckle before taking her hoof and gently pressing a kiss to it. Color flooded the zebra's cheeks. “You'd hardly be the first pony to fling herself from the heavens so one of us could catch you. You must be lady Espirit, correct?”

She gave a little squeak and nodded, her face burning bright red. He was so... so... she didn't even know what to call it. But the armor molded to his form so well and he just seemed to be... dazzling. As the Wonderbolts began to land around them she couldn't help but notice they were all dazzling. Their armor glimmered like jewels in the light, their wings were strong and powerful. They moved with the grace of one who has lived their entire lives in the sky and in such armor. “I-I am,” she said weakly.

“Wonderful,” he said smoothly before stepping back.

A griffon stepped forward. “My name is Jetlag, commander of the Wonderbolts.” She spread out a talon towards the city. “Welcome to Cloudsdale.”

“W-wow,” Espirit said softly, before gulping. “T-that's an interesting name.”

The griffon smirked. “They call me that because I fly so fast I beat the time zones,” she said with a chuckle. “Our mage is ready and waiting whenever you're ready to step on the clouds.”

“Mage? Ohhh! Cloud walking? I'm going to be able to walk on the clouds?” Espirit asked, her giddiness bubbling up inside her. While they'd visited a few cloud cities, she'd had to spend all her time either on Onyx's back or on the ground. She couldn't wait to actually touch the clouds themselves.

“Yep. You're in luck, we have a special guest who's agreed to help with this spell. Mirage! Where are you?”

“I don't have wings so I'm probably still making my way up!” an annoyed voice rang out. After a few moments a crystal pony came into view. She was quite old, with a graying mane and a coat that was a faded ruby red, with barely any sparkle left. Her robes and hat were completely black, not just dyed but as if they were somehow absorbing every trace of light that came near them and refusing to let it escape. A book as black as the garments hung at her side. She was very bony and looked as if one stiff wind could knock her over, though she moved quite quickly for her age, each step firm and without hesitation. She soon stopped in front of the zebra and frowned. “Well, you're the only zebra here so I guess you must be Espirit.”

“Y-yes ma'am,” the zebra said, lowering herself a little. Something about the older woman's gaze reminded her of Celestia, the way she seemed to pierce a pony through with just her eyes. She had a sneaking suspicion the mare could vaporize her with ease, as well. “Are you going to be casting the cloud walking spell on me?”

“Mirage, they never told us you would be here,” Steelhorn said, quickly galloping forward and giving the older, imposing mare a hug. “Does Clearpond know? She's going to be so upset that she didn't come once she realizes you're here!”

The crystal pony chuckled, smiling. All the fear that enveloped Espirit seemed to disappear as the mare started to relax. The black robes seemed to lighten, just a little, and no longer suck in the color around them. The cold, unbending wrinkles on the mare's face now seemed more like smile lines than from scowls. Even her eyes seemed lighter. “Of course not. She's got a lot of work back home to deal with without worrying about old friends. Besides, I didn't even know I was going to be here, when I heard about what happened with Celestia I had to come see the new heroes myself.”

“You two know each other?” Espirit finally asked, though she felt stupid for saying it a moment later.

“Of course!” Steelhorn said before looking back to Espirit. “This is Mirage, she was one of the adventurers who helped fight off Celestia last time she appeared.”

The crystal pony chuckled. “Of course, but that was a long, long time ago. I nearly had a heart attack when I heard that the old sun hag had returned, I'm happy to see a new batch of you heroes have decided to do the dumb thing and smash her back into aether.”

Espirit blinked a few times. “W-wait, dumb? But... I thought Steelhorn said you fought her?”

“I did,” the crystal pony said with a chuckle. “Stupidest thing I ever did. But where would this world be without the occasional act of sheer unbridled stupidity?” She looked her over. “Okay, I'd say you weigh... hmmmm... Okay.” Her book glowed and the zebra was enveloped in a small light. When it ended, she couldn't help but feel extra... poofy. Her hooves especially felt light andhollow, as if they were made of angel food cake.

“What?” Espirit asked, looking down.

“You can walk on the clouds now,” Mirage said. “There's a second enchantment on there, too. The spell has a twenty-four hour time limit. An hour before it ends, it's going to start ringing like an alarm clock.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Because too many ponies seem to forget about refreshing the blasted thing and then end up doing a bee line through the clouds. Then they come and complain to me as if it's my fault,” the crystal pony said with a snort. “So, where's Silverwing? I thought she would be here by now?”

“She's going to catch up with us later,” Steelhorn said. “You know how she is.”

“She did the same thing when it was our turn to travel. Always showing up late, talking about some business or other,” the crystal pony said with a roll of her eyes. “Mare works too hard if you ask me. I hear she took a student, on top of it.”

“That would be my son,” Onyx suddenly said as her head bent back towards the ponies and griffons, making them jump. “Now, as the spell is tended to, would you be so kind as to get off me?”

Espirit nodded. “Sorry! Right, sorry, forgot!” She quickly started racing down the side of the scales, before tripping. She let out a shriek as she plummeted towards the clouds and fear gripped her heart. What if the spell didn't work? They were just clouds, so soft and fluffy. There was no way they could hold her weight. She was going to fall through them and fall to her death. “AHHHHHH!” She hit them.

And bounced up. She let out an eek as the soft, poofy things bounced her a little in the air, only for her to land on them a moment later. She blinked a few times before gingerly reaching out with a hoof and poking against them. They bent under her hoof, but didn't break. Shakily, she got to her hooves and jumped. They were so soft and bounced her up into the air with ease. It was like jumping on top of a massive, super soft bed and she let out a giddy shriek of delight as she hopped back and forth, moving around the cloud cover with ease.

She was finally broken from her enjoyment by a cough. She looked up and with stark horror when she realized everypony had gotten down from the dragon and were now staring at her. Many were holding back their laughter while others were not so kind, struggling to remain standing during their fits.

“Enjoying yourself?” Steelhorn asked with a light giggle, a hoof over her mouth.

Espirit turned bright red and quickly lowered her eyes. “I-I'd never walked on c-clouds before and--”

“Oh, let the child have her fun,” Mirage said before she started to trot off. “When I first learned the spell I used to hop over houses using clouds. A little playing around won't hurt anypony. Now, I must return to my studies, when Silverwing gets here, tell her to come find me.”

“Of course,” Steelhorn said before moving to Espirit's side. “Come on, we'd best drop off our things at our quarters. It's going to be a busy night.”

The zebra nodded, her face still bright red.

“Your bags will be delivered to your room, we'll escort you,” Jetlag said quickly, before looking to Onyx. “Please, feel free to use whichever amenities you desire, the city will cover them.” She then cleared her throat. “Company, surround the guests!” Almost instantly they were surrounded on all sides by the blue armored Wonderbolts. “Forward march!”

Espirit let out a yelp and moved back between Steelhorn and Ganry, marching along with the group. At first it was hard, as the clouds gave so easily that each step made her sink in. However, once they left the landing area, they became far harder and easier to walk on. Still giving just a little, but not so much it impeded her ability to walk. As they walked through the city, the citizens of the city hung out of windows, flew around overhead and just stood on the sides of the streets, watching them and occasionally calling out. The zebra waved her hoof when she could, but found she had to spend most of her time lightly jogging to keep up with the quickly moving group.

The three were led to a large cloud crafted building. It had three spires and while Espirit had a feeling it was supposed to be a castle of sorts, it reminded her far more of one of the simple fighting company homes back home. In fact, she couldn't help but notice most of the buildings seemed simple. Almost all squares with very little other shapes. They were all built together in rows with the ones on the ends having curved corners. The three spires were the only actual non-square she'd seen.

Though that didn't stop it from being beautiful. There were dozens of little rainbow falls throughout the city, culminating into beautiful multi-colored pools. The taller the buildings got, the thinner they got as well, leaving plenty of cubed spires in the sky, which the pegasi and griffons seemed to take great joy in flying around. Occasionally a building or wall would be clipped by a passing flier, but it was quickly repaired and the clouds were put back into place. Still, it wasn't what she'd imagined.

“I thought there'd be more open space,” she mumbled to Steelhorn. “It's so... boxy.”

“This is the residential area,” Steelhorn whispered back. “Lots of shops, everypony needs a place to rest after all. Some areas are more open, of course. We'll be seeing them all.”

Espirit nodded. “Okay. I always wondered what it would be like to fly,” she said softly. “I wonder what it would have been like if the fantasia had turned me into a pegasus.”

“If you drink it again, maybe it will.”

“What?”

“Nothing, just a joke,” Steelhorn said. They were led into the building and Steelhorn gasped. While outside it was so boxy and bland, inside it was beautiful. The main lobby had a miniature rain storm, rainbow, snow storm and even a tornado, each one in its own little section and separated from the main path. There were little paths leading up higher into the upper floors, but they were thin and narrow. Judging by how many seemed to ignore them and just fly up through little holes in the walls and floor, she doubted the stairs saw much use. They were led to the right, through a small doorway.

“Now, I'm afraid your accommodations aren't very fancy,” Jetlag said as she pushed open a wide cloud door. “But you can rest assured that you are safe. This is part of the military compound, anyone who tries to come near you would have to get through a whole flock of Wonderbolts as well as Cloudsdale guards. You won't be disturbed unless you wish it. Three rooms were requested and have already been prepared.”

“Wait, three?” Espirit asked. “But there's four of us. Well, there will be. Wait, I have to sleep in my own room, alone?”

Steelhorn nodded. “Yes dear, you'll get a whole room all to your own! Ganry and I will have our own, right next to it. Don't worry, if you need anything in the night, we're right next door. So don't worry, okay dear?”

The zebra blushed and shrugged. “O-oh. Right. I just thought it would be nice. I won't have his snoring to bother me or anything,” she covered quickly, ignoring the glare from the griffon. “So, where's my room?”

“Right through here,” Jetlag said before pushing open a door. “This will be yours, Miss Espirit. If you'd like to rest, feel free. I'll show the others to their rooms.”

“O-okay,” Espirit managed to squeak out before stepping inside. The room was just... amazing. There was a little waterfall off in the right corner, gently dribbling down into a gentle pool. Opposite the waterfall was a small rain cloud, sprinkling down to make a shower. The bed was opposite the door, a massive bed that she could have fit three griffons on and made of the softest clouds she'd ever seen. They looked almost like a fog. A few pieces of furniture decorated the room as well, little pieces of armor and weapons as well as pictures of the Wonderbolts. She didn't care and galloped to the bed and made a leap of faith.

It was like landing on air that was somehow still solid enough to hold a pony. She rolled around on it and bounced. It didn't bounce very well, unfortunately, but only because it was sooooo incredibly soft. However, she found she could bunch it up with a bit of squeezing and the entire thing would get a little smaller and harder. She could then pull it back apart. She grinned and looked to the door. It was closed. Nopony could see.

She bunched up the cloud as best she could and then dragged it to the pool. Taking a deep breath she jumped on it a few times, before leaping into the air and cannonballing into it with a shriek. She was halfway to the water before she realized she hadn't actually tested how deep the water was. Her shriek went a little higher pitched as she pierced the water.

It wasn't very deep. She hit the bottom layer of cloud and it bended under her, absorbing and sinking down lower and lower. Then finally it snapped back, hurtling her back out of the water for a few seconds before she crashed back down into it a second time, with a much smaller crash. She slowly pulled herself back up, giggling wildly before crawling out of the little pool and falling onto the ground, laughing so hard she couldn't breath.

“Everything okay in there?” a voice called from the door.

“Yes! Everything is fine! Just taking a bath!” Espirit called out after a few seconds,struggling to stifle her laughter.

“Ma'am? Would you like some bubble bath?”

“Yes!” she said quickly, before blushing. “Errrr, the kind to... clean yourself with. Not the kind that just makes bubbles.”

There was a light chuckle. “Of course.”

Soon she was lounging in her bubble bath and enjoying every moment of it. She found that near the shower the water tended to be far cooler, but the waterfall was delightfully warm and she could easily move between the two as she desired. She wasn't sure of many things anymore, but she knew one thing. Fighting Celestia had sooooo been worth it.

There was another light tap on her door. “Espirit? You in there?” Silverwing's voice came out through it.

“What? Yes! Why didn't you tell me you got in?” she called back.

The door flung open, Silverwing and Mirage stepping in. To her surprise the two were still armed, Silverwing's blades out and Mirage's book hovering in the air. Their eyes fell on her and the two relaxed. “Enjoying the pool?” the negasi asked with a smile.

“Y-yes,” she squeaked, staring at the weapons. “Errrr... do you always have those with you? We're safe here, aren't we?”

The negasi nodded and motioned to the door. Mirage closed it with a wave of her hoof. “Espirit, I need you to listen closely. The next few days, I want you to keep an eye out for anything strange you see while here, okay?” The blades slowly retracted as the mare closed her wings over her side. “No matter how small, I want you to tell me. Especially if it's anything about the aether of the land.”

She nodded quickly before relaxing. “Of course. Ummmm... is there anything in particular I should look out for?” So high up she could barely feel the aether, so she wasn't sure how much use she'd be.

“No. It's just a little worry.” She smiled and trotted over, putting a hoof on her head. “Sorry to scare you like that, I've just been a bit jumpy lately. Seeing Mirage here hasn't helped.”

The older mare let out a snort. “I'm not the one staying on alert during what should be a relaxing vacation.” She trotted forward and glanced back to her book. “Besides, my studies of the Breezies are far from dangerous or stressful.”

“Yes, but you always manage to bring trouble where ever you go,” the negasi said before looking down to Espirit again. “That looks quite delightful, would you mind if I join you?”

“Oh! Feel free,” Espirit said before moving aside. She giggled a little as the Negasi slid in, not even taking off her blades.

“So, I've been talking with our hosts, they've offered to let us share a room if you don't mind,” Silverwing said with a smile. “Since Ganry and Steelhorn are sharing one, I thought it might be fun for us to, as well. We can get to know each other better.”

The zebra gasped and nodded. “Oh, I would love to! I think we'll need a second bed, though.”

“Of course,” Silverwing said before laying her head back and closing her eyes. “Oh, by the way. Is there anything in particular you wanted to see while here?”

“Well...” Espirit rubbed her chin before gasping. “I want to see the weather factories and meet the changeling queen! Steelhorn told me about her an I'd love to meet her.”

The negasi nodded. “Of course. I'll see what I can do for you, okay? Have you been enjoying your trip so far?”

“Uh huh! It's been so much fun. Do... you not like this though?”

“This?”

“The attention. You went through this last time and... I thought you might want to... again.”

The negasi shook her head. “I've never been one for that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, it's nice for a little bit, but it can get tedious. The ponies constantly want your attention and affection, but they don't want to give anything in return.”

“I'm sorry?”

“Last time we defeated Celestia, our guild fell apart afterwards due to financial hardships.”

“W-what?” Espirit sat up and stared at the mare.

“The actual defeating of Celestia ended up granting us plenty of awards, but very few of them were financial. We became household names, but nopony wanted to hire us. Those who would hire us assumed we were too expensive for them and never tried. Those who would wanted us to do things far outside our limits and we couldn't even hope to succeed. Not to mention there were dozens of ponies wanting to come and see us, but they didn't want to help us in any way. We managed to make a little in souvenirs, but they weren't enough to replace our lost finances. Especially with all the ponies using our likeness and selling things in our names. Most of us went our separate ways when the burden became too much.”

Espirit shivered. “W-wait, you mean Torrential is going to--”

“No. We are far more experienced this time and Clearpond has already taken plenty of steps to ensure nothing like that happens again. She has merchants and advisors working with her to make sure things go more smoothly. I expect a hearty profit, this time. But I still don't like it. I've seen how fast these ponies will turn on and abandon you when...” She sighed and reached out, patting the zebra's head. “I'm sorry. The last time this happened, a lot of bad things happened as well. It's hard to shake the bitterness it left in my mouth.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Why did you fight to stop Celestia, if you are so upset about the end result?”

Silverwing chuckled. “Because somepony had to. And... I'm not upset about all of it. Just parts. If we hadn't, ponies would have died. A lot of ponies. None of them deserved it. Making the world a better place, when we can, is the responsibility of all ponies.”

Espirit nodded. “I... I guess. I like the attention, though. I... Does that make me bad? Am I a bad pony? I would have done all this a second time for all the praise I'm getting,” she mumbled softly.

The negasi reached out and patted her head. “That's fine. Just make sure that the attention isn't the only reason you're doing this. Even tyrants get praise for their actions, after all.”

The zebra shivered. “Right. I am doing it because I want to help ponies, though! I mean, I'm a conjurer. It's my responsibility to set the balance right in the world. Things like that, made of aether, are really bad for everypony.”

Silverwing sighed before nodding. “Yes. They are. Especially when they're used as tools to destroy and kill. But I can see why ponies make them. Sometimes ponies need a hero, something they can believe in. For many, Celestia filled that need. Perhaps if the real Celestia were here, there'd be no need for such creatures to exist.”

Espirit nodded. “Do... you think the original was better? Was a... kinder, nicer spirit?”

For a moment the negasi was silent and watched the waterfall. Finally, she nodded. “Yes. I... do believe so. All the stories I've heard of her, and the records we found, were of a kind, loving ruler. Why she disappeared I cannot say. But... these things they are creating? They are different. They are cruel and wicked, they burn ponies to a cinder without a second thought. Each one is different, as well. One tribe may raise one, then when it is destroyed, another tribe may raise one and that Celestia might even destroy the first tribe. There is no loyalty, no compassion with these creatures.”

“How about the warriors of the sun and moon? Do you think they were kind?”

“I imagine so. All of these ponies were once great heroes of legend. Celestia, Luna, Discord, Cadence, Chrysalis, all were heralded as the greatest protectors and lovers of their people. I could not see how they could be so evil now.” She reached out and patted her head. “And that's what makes these new creations so scary. They are pony made and evil, twisted versions of the stories we were told as children. If they were really so kind and loving as the legends say, what else could be created by those with enough motivation and desire?”

Espirit nodded. “I guess. Do... you think the real them could be made? Ones that are... loving and kind? Who protect ponies?”

Silverwing smiled and gave a slow nod. “I think it is possible. If evil, cruel ones could be created, then I see no reason why loving, protective ones can't. Perhaps one day they will be made by ponies with the desire to protect, not harm. All it will take is that firm, solid need and desire. Enough ponies with that same want and longing that the tribes have. But even that might be bad.”

“What? But then ponies would be protected and saved!”

“Ponies need to be able to stand for themselves. They can't expect a princess to run in and save them every time.” She sighed. “Some ponies need it, but others don't. That's why heroes like us exist, to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. To save them. But if there aren't ponies like us, if ponies only ever depend on a princess to save them, then they'll never stand for themselves.”

“But what if there's something we can't fight? Something we need them to help with?”

“If there is something so dangerous that we need one of those creatures to save us, then we should fight by their side, not cower behind them. That's why companies like Torrential exist, to fight back the darkness. The... time may come when a creature like Celestia is needed. It may even be here already. But we can't depend on it always being there to save us. We need to fight and keep fighting until the evil is gone. Because something like that won't last forever.”

“What? Why not?”

“You were there to fight Celestia. What do you think if such a creature existed forever? All that aether trapped within? Do you think it would be good for the land? Or even the creature itself, knowing it was nothing more than magic made flesh?”

Espirit shivered and shook her head. “N-no. No I don't.”

“Exactly. So something like that cannot last forever, nor should it.” She slowly got to her hooves and stretched out. “I think I'm going to go talk to our hosts. Do you plan to go out tonight?”

“W-well, not too much. I think they had some ponies they wanted me to meet, though. I also wanted to know about the Wonderbolts while I was here, too!”

“I'll see what I can do. Don't go anywhere without me, Steelhorn or Ganry, okay?”

The zebra nodded slowly before gulping. “Are... we in danger?”

“Likely not, but I wish to be certain and safe. I wouldn't worry too much, child. I can be a bit paranoid.”

Espirit nodded and watched the mare go. Once she was alone in the room she sighed and gently splashed around in the pool, swimming along before sliding out. She let out a gentle yawn before trotting towards her bed. Maybe a nice little nap could be nice.

She jumped onto the cloud and closed her eyes, murmuring softly as she relaxed.