A lone pegasus feather broke free from its owner. Swirling in the air briefly, it slowly sank through the clouds, losing its buoyancy as vapour settled on its delicate frame. Dipping into the haze, it drifted out of sight, lost in the mists of the air. Weighted, it broke free of the suffocating cloud, lazily spinning, throwing small droplets into the wind.

In a sudden gust of heated air, its movements turned erratic, but still retaining its graceful whirl. It seemed to pause in the air for a moment, as if denying physics itself, before dipping suddenly, reversing its lateral flurry. Hugging the seemingly endless meadows of lush green grass, it was caught in the frantic flapping of a panicked mare. Seemingly oblivious, the feather nestled in its long pink hair, tugged by thin strands towards a small settlement, before the breaking wind shook it free, grappling for control.

Looping once, the feather swung from chimney to chimney, finding solitude in the smoke for a fraction of a second, before being knocked away. Weaving between buildings, the plume took rest on the doorstep of a gingerbread house, surrounded by happy souls, bartering salesponys and colourful craftsmanship. Ponies grouped in clumps, exchanging gossip and news. Young foal’s trotted out of school, energetically conversing about what they had learned. Gleeful giggles and shouting could be heard in the distance. Perfection, in its simplest form.

However, it couldn't last forever.

The door was slammed aside, a great gust of wind as the occupant zipped past, joyful laughter in her wake.

The feather was quickly shoved aside, left in a dizzying display of aerobatics, rising as if it had a mind of its own. Quickly caught in another draft, it ascended to almost scratch the clouds. For a moment, everything seemed calm.

Then, an deafening explosion.

Colour rippled through the sky, pushing clouds and air alike in every direction, enveloping everything in the multi-coloured hue of the rainbow. Clouds quickly clumped together, attempting to impede its progress, but were powered through regardless. The feather did not fare well, trembling through the air, it was violently pushed for hundreds of meters, precious barbs being pulled from their frame, scattering across the ground below.

Crippled, it lost its momentum quickly, haphazardly diving towards the earth in short bursts. Stabbing into the muddy surface, it lay crumpled on a creaking plank of wood, outlined by two immensely long metal bars.

They began to vibrate. Slowly at first, but getting more violent as time progressed. Just when the sound became unbearable, the train hit. The ground roared, throwing the feather off its place of rest, wedging it in the slats in the grille. The world became a blur as small settlements passed at a ludicrous speed. Rustic western towns lovingly built of wood in a seemingly lifeless landscape, high class towers that sprouted high enough to prod the clouds. Bustling landscapes and peaceful villages, a contrast of precious tranquility.

Hours seemed to go by, more settlements of similar design shot past, soon melding into a bright blur, little more than a distraction.

A screech that would set anyponies teeth on edge permeated through the steady rhythm of travel, twisting corners and turns blisteringly fast, without any margin for error. The feather flailed desperately at the wind. As the climb got progressively slower, the wind started to pick up, coming to a complete stop, the train rested at the side of a platform, filled to the brim with patiently waiting passengers. Finally catching wind in its favour, the spine pulled free, pivoting upwards, although not as gracefully as before. It revolved around grand spires and spindly buildings rising higher than it ever had during its brief freedom. Its remaining barbs rippled in tandem, before coming to rest gently on a solid stone balcony, framing the perfect lands of Equestria. Crystal clear lakes, lands of every hue and sparkling blue sky’s without a cloud in sight and the sun casting light across the land, slowly setting in the horizon, throwing liquid fire reflections onto the surface of the endless expanse of water.

Slowly, a single being gracefully moved to the balcony, examining the plume with an eye of a over a thousand years’ experience. Delicately, a glow wrapped the feather, barbs already sprouting from the snapped and broken nubs. Smiling knowingly, the alicorn nodded in approval, before gently blowing, sending it back into its whirlwind of adventure, it quickly hovered over the edge of the waterfall, then it was gone.

Smiling softly, Celestia trotted to her bed for a nights rest.

Another perfect day.

__________________

AN:

Written as part of the "45 minute challenge".

Only grammar proofreading allowed...

This is my second chapter of fiction, ever. Was fun to write though :D

Don't forget to give me feedback!

(Would still like an image for this ;]  )