Ponyville Shimmers

Chapter 5:

          BANG! Gray opened his eyes. He was in bed. Rays of sunlight were shining into his room through small openings in the curtains. BANG! BANG! The sound was heard again. Someone was knocking on his door. He got out of bed, his feathers ruffled and his mane messy. Gray walked downstairs as the banging continued. "Alright already," he said annoyed. "It's too early for this," he thought to himself. Storm got to the door and swung it open.

"It's about time you answered."

Storm covered his eyes as they adjusted to the sunlight and his vision faded from a blur.

"I had a feeling you were asleep, you sure do look like you have been! Haha"

He could finally see the dark blue pony in front of him. Storm sighed, "Why did I know it would be you Improv?"

Improv laughed, "It’s always me, isn’t it?"

Gray looked around. "Wait? Where's Pinkie?" he looked up. "She isn’t on my roof is she?"

"Hahaha, no actually." Improv chuckled. "She’s actually right behind you!"

Storm quickly turned around to find nobody there.

He began to laugh, "Haha fooled you! She’s hanging out with the rest of the girls. They were going to have a picnic or something of the sort. I didn't feel like being a 7th wheel, so I decided to come see what you were up to. By the looks of it you’re not doing much."

"Hehe, yeah." Storm said scratching his head.

Suddenly a bright blue light exploded and quickly disappeared along with Improv in front of Gray. He looked around and he was nowhere to be seen.

"So you gonna offer me a bottle of cider or what?" Improv said.

Gray Storm turned around only to see him sitting on his couch. "How'd you do that?"

"You think Twilight is the only one that can teleport? Haha"

Storm closed the door and flew to the kitchen and got them some cider. He tossed him the bottle with his wing, then sat down on the recliner across from him.

"One of these days your gonna tell me where you get this cider during off season. This is some good stuff too." Improv joked.

Storm smiled, “Sureee."

They both took a drink. "So what happened last night?" Improv asked with a smirk.

"What? What do you mean?"

"Last night after Pinkie and I left. You and Rainbow? Remember?" Improv gave him a funny confused look.

"Ooooohh yeah," he took a drink. "We both went home."

Improv smiled, "aaaannndddd?"

"Well, I flew with her home."

"Aha! I knew it," Imrpov exclaimed joyfully.

"What?"

"Then what happened?" Improv was ecstatic.

"Weeellll," Storm began, "she did kiss me on the cheek before zooming into her house." He smiled.

Improv suddenly jumped into the air spilling his cider. "I knew it! Haha." Storm was confused.

"Knew what?"

"Haha Pinkie owes me 3 bits!!" Improv laughed.

"What!?" Storm was mega confused.

Improv finally stopped dancing. "Oh, Pinkie and I made a bet that something between you and Rainbow would happen that night as we walked home. She thought that Dash had not gotten over Soarin yet, and that you two would just part ways. I bet that something would happen, as in if you two hung out more and talked or something."

Storm didn't know what to say, but he was still confused.

"Come on, it's not that big of a deal. Pinkie and I make bets all the time, it’s a little game we play." Impov said.

"I mean... that’s ok, it doesn’t bother me. What I'm wondering is how you knew something was going to happen?" Storm asked with a hoof up.

He smiled. "Oh that's easy. We had a really fun time yesterday. I could tell she was too. It's the happiest I've seen her in a while."

"Oh, that makes sense." Storm said. "But why did you get so excited over 3 bits?"

"Have you met Pinkie? She wins everything! I've only won one other time. Don't ever play checkers with her ughhh! There’s no beating that mare." They both laughed.

"They both whooped us yesterday too. I think it’s the same with Rainbow, I can't win a single race with her. She beats me by a long shot." Gray said.

Improv looked at him funny. "Really?"

"What?"

"You actually thought you could beat Rainbow dash in a race?"

"Well I mean I tried bu-"

"No," Improv interrupted with a smile. "No one can beat her. She is the fastest pony in Equestria! Haven't you heard? Haha."

Storm laughed, "haha yeah, I witnessed it first hoof."

"Just wait until you see her do a Sonic Rainboom. You'll freak out." Improv said.

They both sat for a minute. Gray had noticed the spilt cider and pointed at it. "You’re cleaning that up," he said.

Improv looked back at it. "Oops, sorry." He laughed and lifted the bottle into the air with his magic then cleaned up the mess. "You do have a lot in common though." Improv said as he put the towel he used on the counter in the kitchen. "Pinkie says your personalities mesh well."

"Hmm," Storm said as finished his cider.

Storm walked into the kitchen to throw the empty bottle away.

"Alright then! Let’s go" Improv said joyfully.

"Go where?" Storm looked at him.

"I have no idea! Come on get cleaned up, fix your mane and feathers!" Improv exclaimed.

"Uh, okay I guess..." Storm flew upstairs leaving a couple feathers behind him.

Storm came back downstairs all cleaned up and feathers straight. They went out of his door outside and started down the path to Ponyville. Storm was flying next to Improv.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"Ummm I don't know," Improv laughed. "Got any ideas?"

Storm thought, "Hmm, well I'm actually kind of hungry. What about you?"

Improv looked up at him. "You know what, yeah. I could eat."

"Alright cool," Storm said excitingly.

   They both arrived in town and started heading towards the restaurant where they ate last time with Pinkie and Dash. There was a crowd of ponies standing near the edge of town. They were all talking and some of them shrieked in terror. Some of them looked like they were running for cover

Improv noticed what was going on. "What in Celestia's name is going on over there?" He pointed his hoof.

Storm looked over and he could see Rarity, "I don't know but Rarity is over there." He flew towards her direction and Improv followed.

"What's going on Rarity?" Improv said pointing a hoof at the rest of the crowd. She noticed him and Storm coming towards them and ran over to meet them.

"Oh it's terrible! Some poor pony was found.... DEAD!" She had a look of terror upon her face. Both Improv and Gray's eyes widened.

"WHAT! WHERE!" Storm said. Improv was speechless.

      "Zecora found them in the Everfree. They think it was Timberwolves. This is just awful," Rarity said. Gray flew higher so that he could see. Twilight was carrying the pony with her magic. It was covered by a blanket so that nopony would see. Rainbow was flying in front of her clearing a way through the crowd. Storm flew over to them.

"Where's Pinkie!" Improv said urgently.

“And Fluttershy?” Storm asked.

"They both got scared and went to Sugar Cube Corner to wait for us to sort this gassly mess out." Rarity turned her head to look at Twilight. "Their fine, Fluttershy was deeply shaken up by the matter though." She turned back. Imrpov was gone.

"Move it! You guys aren't making this easy for us!" Rainbow Dash shouted at the agitated crowd. Some of them were still frightened and in shock.

Storm flew up to Twilight. "Do you know who this is?" He said she looked over at him with a very grim look. "Is that Applejack! Where is she?"

"Applejack's fine, she’s at Sweet Apple Acres. She needed to work and didn't come to meet us." Twilight turned back to watch where she was going. "I'm not sure who this is, but we need to get him to the hospital as quickly as we can." Rarity had also just caught up to them.

Storm was relieved. "Here, I'll take him. You shouldn't have to do this your highness." Storm flew under the stallion's body and lifted it with his back, then flew over the crowd before anyone could say anything.

Gray was flying in the air, the hospital was in sight. He was trying to fly as smoothly as possible, he did not want to drop him

"Hey! I could've carried him too ya know."

Rainbow had flown in front of him. "I know you could have. Neither of you should do this. Do you happen to know who this pony is?" Storm asked. She looked down and didn't say anything.

"What? Who is this?" He questioned. She looked up at him.

"It's....that pony from yesterday..... The one who snapped at Pinkie." She said with a frown.

His eyes widened. "Really?!" Gray looked back at the body. "Do you know what he was doing?"

Rainbow shook her head. "No. We were all enjoying our picnic when Zecora came running up to tell Twilight. Fluttershy got really REALLY scared and sped off with Pinkie following."

  They had both made to the front of the hospital and went through the front door. The nurse at the front desk saw them and yelled for a doctor. Three of them came rushing over. "What happened!" they asked. "We don't know we found him like this," Rainbow answered. Two of the nurses came out with a gurney where Gray layed him down softly, They all rushed him off quickly. "Princess Twilight should be here soon," He said to one of the doctors. Rainbow and Storm walked out of the hospital.

"What do we do now?" She asked.

"I don't know. Should we go find Pinkie and Fluttershy? Or should we wait for Twilight?" Gray said.

Rainbow flew up. "I think we should go check on Fluttershy and Pinkie. Twilight and Rarity have this covered. We'll meet up with them later." She flew towards Sugar Cube Corner and Gray followed.

"What do you think happened to him?" He asked.

Dash looked at Storm, "I'm not sure. Some thought it was Timberwolves, but it didn't really look like it. He looked like he was beaten up. Badly...”

"Who could have beaten him up? I mean that bad? Who would do something like that?"

"I don't know" Rainbow shrugged.

     They got to Sugar Cube Corner and Mrs. Cake was behind the front desk. "Where's Pinkie and Fluttershy?" Rainbow asked her. She pointed upstairs. "They are in Pinkies room. Improv is here too." She seemed shaken up as well and looked like she was getting ready to close the shop. "Improv?" Storm thought to himself, "When did he get here?" They both flew up the stairway and to Pinkie's door and Rainbow knocked then opened the door.

"Guys are you in here?" She said.

They both walked in. Improv and Pinkie where sitting next to each other. Improv had his arm around her. She looked terrified.

"Hey guys, you alright Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow said walking up to them.

"I'm okay. It's just when I heard what Zecora found it scared me. And when I saw Fluttershy run away I wanted to follow her so she wouldn't be alone." Pinkie replied.

Storm looked around. "Where is Fluttershy anyway?"

"She hid under the bed when she heard y’all coming up stairs." Improv said, "Fluttershy its ok you can come out."

Gray looked under the bed and saw her shaking. Rainbow stuck her hoof under towards her. "It's just us, don't worry," Dash said. She took her hoof and crawled out of under the bed.

"Thank goodness it's you guys." She said before sitting down by Pinkie and Improv.

  They all sat in Pinkies room for a couple of minutes just hanging out. Gray went downstairs and brought up cupcakes for everypony and it seemed to cheer them all up.

Storm took a bite out of his cupcake. "When did you get here Improv?"

"As soon as Rarity told me where Pinkie was I came straight here to check on her and Fluttershy." He said with a cupcake in his mouth. "Ran here going Pinkie speed," he laughed.

Pinkie and Gray laughed.

They were all enjoying their tasty sweets when the door busted open. Fluttershy quickly flew under the bed again. Spike came running in, "Pinkie Pie Fluttersh-" He was cut off as he tripped and fell smacking his face on the floor.

"Oh no, Spike, are you alright?" Improv said helping him up with his magic. Spike stood up and looked like he was seeing stars then he shook his head around.

"I'm fine," he said wiping dust from his knees. "Twilight sent me to find you guys she needs you at the hospital ASAP!" They all looked at each other.

     The six of them arrived at the hospital. Rarity was standing at the entrance. "Thank heavens you all made it!" She said her expression changed when she looked around. "Spike dear? Where is Applejack?"

Spike walked up shrugging, "I went to the farm and Big Mac said she wasn't there."

Rarity gave him a puzzled look. "Well, we will just have to ask Twilight," she turned around and started for the door. Everyone followed except for Rainbow. Storm noticed and stopped.

"What's the matter dash?" He asked. She was standing looking down at the ground with an odd look on her face. She remained quiet and motionless.

Gray took a step forward and tilted his head, "Dash?" She looked back up and put on a smile.

"Oh it's nothing..." She said, "C’mon I'm sure the others are waiting for us." She then flew through the hospital doors leaving Storm behind. He looked around then flew in behind her.

Storm flew into the ER where everyone was waiting.

"Great, Gray your here. Thanks for helping me back there," Twilight said. "Now where is AJ?" She stood looking around.

"Uhhh Twilight, I forgot to mention that she wasn't at Sweet Apple Acres when I got there." Spike said twiddling his thumbs.

"What? Really? She said she had work at the farm. Where is that pony?" She said in slightly irritated voice. "Have any of you see her at all?"

Everypony shook their head. "I haven't seen her all day," Pinkie said with a little frown.

"Well I guess we will have to continue without her. I'm sure she was just out in the orchard somewhere." Twilight said. "What I brought you all here for is very important. The doctors have told me that there is no chance that Timberwolves could have been the cause of this. They have told me that this have had to be done by something else. What could have done this? Or WHO?"

They were all surprised and trying to think of who could have done it.

"I am completely unsure Twilight," Rarity said.

"Yeah Twilight neither me nor Pinkie know anything that could have." Improv said.

They all sat in silence for a minute. Storm looked around the hospital. There wasn't much going on. Ponyville was usually very peaceful and accidents hardly ever happened. As far as he could see there was only a couple other patients in the building.

"Well then, I will be calling a town meeting at city hall. Spike will you let the Mayor know please, and tell her to gather everypony together," Twilight said.

"Sure no problem Twilight." Spike turned and headed for the exit.

"I need all of you to be on the lookout for anything suspicious. If you see anything out of the ordinary please let me know," She said. Rainbow flew over everyone and in front of Twilight.

"Actually Twi that reminds me. The other day when we saw this pony he was arguing with another mare. But we haven't seen her around anywhere either."

Twilight put a hoof to her chin and thought. "Hmm, we’ll have to look for her at the meeting. She could know something about all of this. In the meantime, everypony stay indoors and also be on the lookout for the pony you four saw," Twilight went for the door. "I will be writing a letter to Princess Celestia letting her know what has happened and giving everything more thought."

"Twilight, if you don't mind I could assist you?" Rarity said.

"Sure. Thanks Rarity." She said with a smile. They all went back outside in front of the hospital. "Everyone be safe. If you can, look for Applejack. She must know at once," said Twilight. She and Rarity began to walk to the library. Leaving only Pinkie Pie, Dash, Improv, Gray Storm, and Fluttershy.

"What are we gonna do now guys?" Gray said, "Should we look for AJ or the other mare?" They all looked at him.

"I think we should look for Applejack. I'm little worried about her," Improv replied

Fluttershy lowered her head, "I say we hiiidde," she said quietly.

"I say we look for the other mare!" Rainbow dash said loudly, "we need to get to the bottom of this!" She was in the air hovering above everyone.

Improv thought, "Hmmm. What if Pinkie and I look for Applejack and you guys look for that mare?"

"B-but I d-don’t want tooo. I'm too scared..." Fluttershy said quivering in fear. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"I think its good idea," Storm said. "Fluttershy you could go help Twilight and Rarity in the library? Would you wanna do that? That way you wouldn't be alone."

She looked up at him, "I guess that would be okay."

"Great! Then we'll fly you there," Rainbow Dash said Pushing her across the dirt leaving a trail. "C'mon Fluttershy." Pinkie, Improv and Storm laughed. Fluttershy finally got up to fly.

     "Okay guys, we’ll see you later. Good luck." Improv said. He and Pinkie started walking off. They could hear their voices trailing off in the distance. "Dang I still haven't gotten anything to eat. Do you think the Apples will have any apple pie? I could really go for some." Sounds of Pinkie licking her lips and drooling could be heard, "mmmm apple pie." "Oh yeah, you owe me three bits." "WHAT!?........"

Gray laughed to himself he watched them walking away.

"Hey you comin or what??" Rainbow yelled out him. He turned around quickly, "Yeah." Storm said smiling as he flew to catch up to them.