Riders on the Storm

A/N: At the suggestion of my prereader, the prologue has been retcon'd. If you haven't already, I suggest reading the retcon'd version, since the change is pretty significant.

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Riders on the Storm

Chapter 1

Spinning Up

Three weeks.

It had been three weeks since Ponyville had been hit by a particularly rare type of storm, one that normally never appeared more than three or four times a year across the whole of Equestria. It had been three weeks since that storm produced an even rarer and more destructive phenomenon, one that Equestria normally only saw once or twice per decade.

And yet, now Equestria had seen not two or three of those storms, but eight. And worse, of those storms, five had produced tornadoes.

Ponyville was neither the first nor the last to be hit, either. Mere days before, the cities of Las Pegasus and Stalliongrad had been hit by tornadoes. Then, the day after Ponyville was struck, yet another had torn a path of destruction through not one, but two cities near Equestria’s western border; first decimating a griffon village, then moving across the border to hit the small town of Sleepy Hollow.

The only thing that worried Twilight more than this sudden destructive trend in Equestria’s climate was the general lack of worry that other ponies were displaying. There was certainly sympathy for the victims of those disasters, and she doubted there was a single paper or journal in Equestria that had not called for ponies to act and aid those affected, but nopony outside the climatologist community, and the princesses, seemed the least bit alarmed by recent events.

Equestria’s cloud and rainbow factories were supposed to keep these kinds of events from happening. They couldn’t prevent all severe weather, of course; it wasn’t a perfect system. On top of that, sometimes scientists would err in their calculations for the spells that the factories released into the atmosphere, causing a brief increase in unwanted weather events. A surge like this, however - more than four years-worth of severe storms in the course of only about a month - was an indication that something was very, very wrong.

Twilight Sparkle’s mind churned as she trotted along the streets of Ponyville. Discounting small pieces of debris here and there, the houses and stalls around her looked deceptively normal, as did Ponyville’s populace. Life went on, after all. Ponies had to work, buy and sell, disaster or no disaster. However, Twilight knew that this was just because she was not near the tornado’s damage path.

The purple mare threaded through the thick lunch hour pedestrian traffic without really paying attention, practically moving on autopilot. Her brows bunched together as she thought further on the predicament that Equestria - and possibly all of Equis - was facing. Just what could cause such a dramatic surge in uncontrolled weather events? There was always the possibility that a grave error had been made in the spells spread into Equis’ atmosphere, but that was unlikely. The calculations that went into those spells included multiple layers of redundancy. If there was an error, especially one bad enough to cause this much of a surge, it would have been caught.

Though the possibility of equine error was unlikely, it really would have been comforting if that was the sole cause. If it was not an error, well… the implications of that were unsettling, to say the least. That would mean that something on Equis, most likely one or more of the major leylines, had undergone a massive change over the course of only a few hours.

Even more unsettling was the fact that nopony had the slightest idea what kind of change could possibly have happened that fast.

Twilight stopped, finding herself drawn away from her thoughts by something she could not identify. It did not take her long to figure out what had grabbed her attention; the buildings standing around Ponyville’s town square, or rather, the lack of buildings surrounding it. The unicorn’s ears drooped somewhat at the sight of what had been the town’s main cluster of stores. Once filled with pedestrians going to and fro from the various shops and restaurants - especially around midday - the only ponies present now were construction crews and cleanup crew volunteers. Some of the structures were still standing, but they were all damaged. Some were merely missing shingles or a few planks of wood from the outer walls, while others had suffered more severe damage like collapsed walls and completely torn off roofs. Little was left of town hall. The entire top half of the tall structure had been ripped away, and was probably scattered all over Ponyville. All of the windows had been blown out, and the remaining walls were on the verge of collapsing.

Twilight’s heart fell when she saw the once familiar site of Rarity’s Carousel Boutique. It lay in the center of the damage path, and the tornado had evidently been at its peak when it struck. Other structures at the center of its path were heavily damaged, some irreparably, but at least there was something left of them. However, there was nothing left of the boutique except for a single doorframe. The mare almost felt like the frame had been left behind to mock Rarity. It was possibly the weakest part of the building, yet it had been spared and nothing else.

The unicorn remained where she was for a moment and gave the former boutique one last lingering look, then departed down one of the many alleys branching out from the center of Ponyville. Only a few hundred yards from the tornado’s path of destruction was her destination, a small rental property.

It was a nice looking house overall, though a little plain. It was small, but she knew that the size was not an issue for its current tenant. There only needed to be enough room for one pony.

A wind chime hanging on the house’s front patio began ringing in the soft breeze as Twilight cantered up the cobblestone path to the front door. She rapped her hoof against the door a few times, then sat down and waited. Before long, she could hear hoofsteps approaching. Her ears swivelled towards the door.

The door opened, revealing a very familiar white unicorn mare with a deep purple mane. Rarity beamed at her friend.

“Why, hello, Twilight,” she greeted. The mare seemed as cheerful as ever, but Twilight knew better. She could see small creases beneath Rarity’s eyes, and a slight strain on the edges of her smile. She did not comment on it, though. Instead, she returned the smile and greeting.

Rarity stepped aside as Twilight walked inside. The lavender mare took in the appearance of the rental house’s interior. Like the outside, it was rather plain, almost utilitarian. The walls were off-white, and most of the furniture was either gray, white, or, (in the case of wooden items), stained a dark brown color. The house had a rather depressing air about it, one that was worsened by the black and white paintings and sepia tone photos hanging on the walls. This was not a place for a mare who had just lost everything she owned.

“So,” Rarity said as she closed the door behind her friend, “What brings you to my humble… er… temporary abode? Can I get you anything? A drink, perhaps?” Twilight noted that she said the word ‘temporary’ in a somewhat quieter, more unsure tone of voice than the rest of her question.

“Just water, please, and I just came by to check up on you,” Twilight replied as Rarity began walking into the adjacent kitchen. The white mare hesitated. Her ears twitched slightly, but Twilight was unable to tell exactly what her friend’s expression was, since Rarity remained with her back to her. After a moment, she continued on to the refrigerator and opened it, keeping her face hidden from the purple unicorn the entire time.

“Twilight, honestly, you shouldn't have to worry about me. I've got a roof over my head, which is more than some can say.”

“That's true, but you still lost as much as anypony else. I was wondering if you needed any help?”

“Oh no, that's quite alright,” Rarity replied, turning to pass Twilight a glass of water. “It might take some getting used to, but I'll make do. Perhaps you should look for Daisy? She mentioned earlier that a few extra hooves would be appreciated helping her rebuild her roof.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked after taking a drink. “You look a little strung out, like something's bugging you.”

“Darling, I lost my home and all of my work. I do believe I'm entitled to be a little out of sorts, no?”

“I've seen you out of sorts,” Twilight deadpanned. “You don't get twitchy ears until you're about to need the fainting couch. What's wrong?”

“It's nothing you need concern yourself with,” Rarity said with an air of irritation and finality. “I'm in no real position to complain at the moment, saved by my savings, as it were.”

Twilight cocked her head slightly, picking up on Rarity's subtle stress when she mentioned her savings. “Is it a money problem?” she asked, and Rarity's ears twitched again. “It is money, isn't it?”

“I've enough in the bank to stay solvent for now,” Rarity insisted. “It won't be anything to worry about for some time. My, have you done something new with your mane?” she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at the lavender unicorn.

Twilight stared silently at Rarity, and the fashionista began to fidget. “Please stop staring at me darling, you're making me uncomfortable!”

Twilight continued her silent assault, and after several seconds Rarity crumpled. “Well, I never thought to buy 'whirling funnel of doom' insurance for the boutique, so my investors have also lost a great deal on money.”

Rarity looked around for a moment, and nearly lost her composure. “Half of my parents’ retirement fund was tied up in my business, Twilight. It's gone. That's to say nothing of my corporate investor.”

Twilight reached over and gently drew her friend into a hug. “It's just bits, Rarity. I'm sure your parents are happy that you made it out of there okay.”

The white unicorn leaned into Twilight and sighed. “Whether they're happy or not, they've lost a sizeable percentage of their net worth because of my own short-sightedness, and I've no way to compensate them until the boutique is rebuilt. With how many homes were destroyed, nopony knows when that could be, if it happens at all. Even then, how many ponies will be concerned with fashion when another tornado could touch down and destroy it all anyway? I've got no other marketable skills, Twilight, and I may never be able to pay them back.”

“So?” Twilight countered. “I think you're worth more to them than the money ever was.”

“Be that as it may,” Rarity said with a sigh, “That still leaves me in debt to Blaque for more than forty thousand bits, and I suspect they will be less forgiving. Their CEO isn't overly fond of me or my business for some reason.”

“I'm sure something can be arranged,” Twilight said gently. “In the mean time, if money is tight, why don't you come stay in the library with me and Spike? We have more than enough room, and you could even set up a workshop.”

“I couldn't possibly!” Rarity exclaimed, pulling herself out from Twilight's embrace. “My own misfortune is no excuse to impose on you. I'll simply keep calm and canter on, as the saying goes.”

“Nonsense!” Twilight said, stomping her hoof and striking a pose for emphasis. “When disaster strikes, we have to stick together!”

“But what will ponies think?” Rarity asked, wide-eyed. “Two mares and a baby dragon? They'll talk! My reputation-”

“Will be perfectly fine,” Twilight interrupted. “It's just one friend helping another in a time of crisis, nothing else. Besides, that would open up another house for a pony who lost theirs. Wouldn't that be the generous thing to do?”

Rarity scowled slightly. “That's hardly fair, Twilight! Using my own Element against me like that!”

Twilight smiled. “I'm not wrong though, am I?”

“You are an infuriating mare,” Rarity said, walking towards a small set of stairs. “Will you at least let me get my things?”

“Of course,” Twilight said, clapping her hooves together. “Spike will be so excited!”

“I'm sure he will be,” Rarity grumped from upstairs. “Perhaps we should break this to him slowly?”

“Of course,” Twilight said. “Although I have to admit, half of me wants to see his face when he figures it out.”

Rarity giggled as she came down the stairs wearing two small saddlebags. “Yes, it will be quite something. I believe I have everything now, shall we be off, then?”

Twilight's heart sank when she saw how little Rarity had managed to save, but she nodded and fell into step behind her friend. Walking through the streets of Ponyville, Twilight seized the opportunity to watch Rarity, and she frowned when she noticed how the white unicorn walked like she was standing on eggshells.

“Is something else bothering you?” she asked.

“Hmm?” Rarity said, turning her head towards Twilight. “Not at all, darling. Why ever do you ask?”

“You just aren't yourself today.”

“Then who am I?” Rarity replied with a smile that quickly faded. “I'm sorry Twilight, I'm just preoccupied. Even without needing to pay rent, I still haven't enough money to pay what I owe to Blaque or any way to make it quickly.”

“So why not take out a loan?” Twilight suggested. Rarity only raised an sceptical eyebrow, so she continued. “Go to Blaque and ask if you can take out a loan to rebuild the boutique. You might have to diversify your stock a little, but you should still be able to generate a positive cash flow. Then you can pay off your loan, and the company loses nothing but gains whatever they make in interest from the loan. It's a win-win situation for them and it gets you back on your hooves.”

Rarity closed her eyes and thought for a moment before nodding. “The idea has some benefits, yes. I will certainly look into it, explore my options. Thank you Twilight.”

Twilight smiled. “Hey, what are friends for?”

“Not just for that the idea,” Rarity said, returning the smile. “That house, while certainly better than nothing, was so very dismal. You must allow me to make you a dress to show my thanks!”

Twilight waved a hoof. “Not until you're settled into a new boutique. I won't have you stressed out over a dress for me when you've already got so much to worry about.”

Rarity stopped walking, and after a moment Twilight did too, casting a questioning glance at her friend. “Please, darling, let me do this. My records were destroyed in the storm, so I hardly have a backlog of orders to work through, and work is all I have left that I can truly call my own. I understand your objection, but I assure you it will be no hassle, just the opposite. I need something I can focus on, something to create instead of clouding my mind with all this destruction.”

Twilight thought a moment, then nodded. “I suppose that makes sense, just promise me you won't trouble yourself over it.”

“I do so swear it,” Rarity said, putting her hoof over her heart. “Thank you, Twilight. This means a lot to me.”

“Don't mention it,” Twilight as she started walking again. “It's just what friends do for each other, right?”

“That may be so, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't thank you.”

Twilight nodded again, accepting the thanks. The two walked in silence until they came to the door of Ponyville's town library, and Rarity hesitated slightly. Twilight simply opened the door, stepped inside, and called for Spike. The baby dragon poked his head down the stairs just as Rarity walked through the door, and he ran down the steps before perking to attention.

“Spike, Rarity will be staying with us for a while, could you help her get settled?”

Spike blinked, looked at Twilight, then blinked again. “Seriously?” he said.

Twilight nodded.

Spike raised a claw and hurried into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. Twilight and Rarity glanced at each other in confusion, but before they could say anything, Spike's voice rang out from behind the door.

“THERE IS A GOD!”

--

“You can’t be serious, ‘Tia!”

Princess Celestia, diarch of Equestria, kept her expression hard and unchanging at the burst of minor outrage. She continued stirring the small cup of tea on a saucer in front of her. At the opposite end of the table, Luna, her co-ruler and younger sister, regarded her with a look of utter disbelief.

“I am completely serious.” Luna blinked at Celestia’s calm reply. “I fail to understand why this is so difficult to accept.”

The darker princess sputtered. “Difficult to accept? This is impossible to accept! You mean to refuse aid from the only beings in the universe - nay, the multiverse - who have any real experience in dealing with tornadic storms!”

Celestia’s cup paused halfway to her lips. She looked at her sister for a moment, then sighed and lowered the cup back to its saucer. This was not how she wanted this meeting to go. Celestia always looked forward to talking to Luna, even if they only had time to talk about royal business. As busy as the two princesses were, it was rare for them to spend much time together under different circumstances. As such, when they did get a chance to have “peace talks,” as Luna called them, Celestia never wanted it to turn into an argument.

“I am not rejecting the Americans’ offer to aid us,” she explained patiently. “What I am rejecting is the plan they put forth for that effort. Food supplies and building materials are perfectly fine, but-”

“But what?” Luna interrupted. “Humans aren’t?”

The magical aura around the spoon in Celestia’s drink, which she had been using to absentmindedly stir her tea, disappeared, and the utensil fell to the side of the cup with a soft tink.

“I never said that.”

“Not verbally, but your actions have made that rather clear,” The younger princess retorted, her voice quieter than before, but no less upset. Luna’s eyes narrowed at her sister. “From the moment the portals appeared in Equestria, you have been doing everything in your power to keep us isolated from Earth.”

Celestia took a sip from her cup a tea to give herself a moment to think. “I am simply being cautious of what could be a negative influence, Luna. Nothing more.”

Luna raised a single eyebrow. “Negative influence? You think that human technology will collapse our economy, ruin our environment? What of their medical science? Would that not save lives? Would their systems of travel not open more of our world to exploration? Would advancement really be such a negative thing?”

“But at what cost would those advancements come?” Celestia asked gravely. “Do you remember the Minotaurs’ Industrial Revolution? How many died as a direct result of the advances they made? I have no problem with allowing Equestria to move forward, but it must be done in a controlled fashion, slowly, or we run the risk of our little ponies falling into chaos.”

“The Minotaurs did not have the advantage of the humans’ direct aid. Do you think they would watch us destroy ourselves when they have already proven themselves willing to offer aid in a time of need?”

At that, Celestia hesitated and looked unsure for a moment before she continued.

“The matter of opening Equestria’s interdimensional borders is irrelevant at the moment. What is relevant, though, is the Americans’ offer and their reason for helping us. Think about it, Luna, they want to send us their best scientists, who would no doubt be well paid for their work here, their most advanced - and expensive - technology, and have even offered to cover the costs of housing their personnel and equipment here in Equestria. Doesn’t that strike you as being a bit odd? One does not simply spend millions of bits - or dollars, as the case may be - to help someone out of mere sympathy. There are other motives driving them.”

“Of course they have ulterior motives,” Luna replied coldly. “After all, they have had no opportunity to study this world, and they are a most curious species. They have seen a chance, and they mean to take advantage of it if they can.”

“Yes,” Celestia agreed amiably. “I am quite certain they would relish the opportunity to learn this worlds secrets, and perhaps even share some of their own. However, would that not simply be the first step towards some greater goal? The game is never won in a single move.”

“A game?” Luna asked. “Lives are being lost, homes are being destroyed, and we have no way to stop it. You call this a game?”

Celestia blinked. “It was simply a metaphor for the larger picture. At any rate, I am quite certain that with some time to study these rogue tornadoes, I will be able to stop them.”

Luna frowned. “Your arrogance is astounding.”

Celestia opened her mouth to reply, but Luna cut her off.

“The Americans have dealt with storms like these before, they have studied them, fought them, rebuilt from them. You would stall for time so that you could do what they have already done? What would it cost our nation for you to do this yourself instead of swallowing your pride and accepting the help the humans offer?”

Celestia opened her mouth again, but Luna simply raised a hoof. “On Earth, there is a region they call Tornado Alley. If you overlay maps of America and Equestria, Ponyville is within those bounds. Do you realize what that means?”

For a third time, Celestia opened her mouth. Luna waited patiently for a moment, and Celestia closed it again.

“Well?' Luna asked.

Celestia lamely shook her head.

“It is an area where tornadoes strike more often than anywhere else in the world, and possibly a parallel between America and Equestria.”

“So there may be another storm in Ponyville?” Celestia asked.

“I am no more an expert on these storms than you, but that is most definitely a possibility. Is it a chance you wish to take?” Luna asked.

Celestia sighed and rubbed her temple with a forehoof. “It isn’t that simple-”

“Yes or no,” Luna interrupted. “I want an answer, not a feeble excuse.”

“You won’t give me a chance to explain my reasoning? That’s hardly fair.” Celestia huffed. Her patience was beginning to wear thin.

“Is it fair that you deny our subjects desperately needed help?” Luna asked as she delivered a scathing glare. “Is it fair that they pay the price for your xenophobia? Is it fair that your pride apparently matters more to you than their lives?”

Celestia’s teacup shattered in her telekinetic grip as the solar Princess stood, her eyes glowing bright white. The temperature in the room suddenly rose by several degrees. “You would dare levey such accusations against me?”

Luna smiled, a picture of serene calm. “If it angers you so, then prove me wrong.”

Celestia stared at her sister. She kept her somewhat aggressive stance, but the glow in her eyes dimmed slightly.

“Well?” Luna urged, her smile becoming slightly smug. A muscle jumped in her sister’s cheek, but she remained silent. Luna arched a brow at her.

“Nothing? Alright then,” Luna clopped her forehooves together. A small note of condescension found its way into her voice. “Let’s review your reasons for throwing the Americans’ offer back in their faces.”

“First, you say it could be a negative influence. I’m not even going to argue that point. In some ways, you are probably right. Some of what we learn from humanity will undoubtedly affect Equestria negatively, but as you said yourself, that is irrelevant right now. Equestria has just experienced four years of rotating thunderstorms over the course of a month, and more than fifty years-worth of tornadoes in that same time period. Coupled with the anomalous activity that climatologists have been detecting in the atmosphere, we could be looking at something as severe as the total collapse of not just Equestria’s climate, but our planet’s climate. That is just a bit more important than Equestria’s possible growing pains in the future.”

“Second, you think we can handle ourselves, and have even gone so far as to say that you can handle this on your own.” Luna’s confident smile disappeared, and she put a forehoof to her chin in thought. “I… I honestly don’t know where to start with this one. I have no problem with being confident in our little ponies’ ability to learn and adapt, but really? The United States has dealt with prolific tornado generation since its birth more than two hundred and fifty years ago, they experience more of them in a single year than we do in an entire century, and the vast majority of the ones that strike them are far more powerful than any tornado ever seen on Equis.”

“The strongest tornado Earth has ever seen was nearly three miles wide and had winds of more than three hundred miles per hour! Of course, you probably have no idea how big and fast that is, since you’ve been more concerned with pandering to your xenophobia and technophobia than learning about the newly discovered extra-dimensional species next door. Allow me to educate you: that is four kilometers wide and four hundred eighty kilometers per hour, four hundred and eighty! What’s more, that tornado was entirely mundane in nature. Equis could get storms that are infused with magic. We can’t even stop a weak, non-magical tornado with what we know now, let alone a strong one, or heaven forbid a strong magical one!”

As Luna reached the climax of her tirade, Celestia seemed to wilt. The white glow in her eyes faded, as did her anger, and she sat back down at the table.

“We need the humans’ help with this, ‘Tia. There is no denying that fact. They have more experience with tornadoes, and uncontrolled atmospheric phenomenons in general, and they are better equipped than us to deal with this situation. We know more about magic, and they will need that knowledge, but we cannot do this ourselves, nor should we try. There is too much at stake, and too many unknown factors.”

With that, Luna ended her rant and directed an intense stare towards her sister. The elder alicorn did not meet her eyes right away. For a few seconds, both princesses were silent, and the only sound in the room was the steady tap of tea dripping from the table to the floor. Celestia gave a heavy sigh, and lit her horn. A golden aura appeared around the scattered shards of her broken teacup. The pieces rose into the air and congregated in front of her, fitting together like the pieces of a puzzle, which she then sealed together with a quick repair spell. She then siphoned the spilled tea off the floor and table with her magic, gathered it into an undulating sphere, and placed it back in the cup.

Celestia looked up at her sister with a resigned expression. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. For a moment, she looked around, as though hoping to find an answer written on the walls, then she sighed again. The solar princess set her cup down on the table without bothering to stir it or drink from it; the tea inside had been on the floor after all, and it was probably cold to boot. She then looked to the side of her saucer, where she had set a thick file folder. The words “Project Windrunner” were printed in bold block letters on the front. Celestia levitated the file in front of her, then looked back at her sister. Steeling herself for what she was about to say, she magicked the document over towards her sister. The younger alicorn grasped it in her magic, regarding her sister somewhat warily.

“We should review the plan again, before we give our answer.” Luna relaxed visibly and gave a small smile.

“Of course,” Luna agreed. However, rather than open the file, she set it down next to her and regarded her sister with a significantly more sympathetic look, shifting gears from Princess Luna, the hardline politician and princess, to Luna, Celestia’s loving younger sister. “‘Tia, why are you so hesitant to accept this? Are you really that worried by their technology, or is it the humans themselves, maybe?”

“No, I simply worry that what we have now may be lost. The humans have technology on a level even the most imaginative ponies struggle to dream of, how will the population react to seeing it? They could merely be curious, or perhaps they would be frightened, maybe enough to act irrationally. There is no telling what frightened ponies could do when faced with something so alien to them.”

“Truthfully, I cannot say for sure how they will react, although it must be said that the humans’ technology is unknown only because they have never been allowed to demonstrate it. As I have said before, humanity has sought to enter Equestria for some time, now. We have simply never given them the chance. Besides, what is worse, the chance that ponies may react badly to the Americans, or the guarantee that they will lose everything they have?”

Celestia sighed, but did not answer. Luna frowned slightly. To another pony, the elder princess would have merely appeared to be surrendering. Luna knew better, though. Her sister was conceding  the argument, but she was also dodging any further discussion on the subject, undoubtedly because she knew it would lead back to another debate on the matter of making faster progress on integrating Equestria into the arena of Earth politics. It was a debate that Luna would win every time, only for Celestia to “pull rank.” Unfortunately, matters of that nature were under Celestia’s authority, not Luna’s.

Luna decided to let the matter drop for the moment. The time would come when her older sister’s reluctance would need to be dealt with, but now was not that time. The blue alicorn levitated the file in front of her, simultaneously bringing her teacup to her lips; it had been untouched in the heat of the argument earlier. Her nose wrinkled as she set the cup back down. The tea was cold.

“So,” Luna began, opening the folder and setting it back down on the table. “You mentioned making changes to Project Windrunner…”