A Fresh Start and a New Love

A week had past; Thunder and Dash would take care of the weather every day and Thunder even got a permanent place in the weather team for Ponyville and even started to get paid. Thunder was truly starting to feel as though he was truly a member of the Ponyville community and the welcome party that Pinkie had been planning for the entire 2 weeks since he’d been here was today, she apologized to him about not having one sooner but she had been really busy with helping the cakes. Thunder told her it was no big deal, he wasn’t exactly fond of parties, in saying that, he knew it was mistake immediately after when she went off about how it’s impossible to not like parties. So for the sake of his sanity Thunder decided to go.

The party wasn’t for another 6 hours and Thunder had just gotten home after patrolling the edge of the Everfree forest; he truly did feel like he could call it home now. Stepping into the front door Thunder calls out “Hey Dash, I’m back from patrolling the boarder of the Everfree forest! You home?” There was no answer. Stepping inside, he heard a *thunk*, looking down he saw his goggles he wore when dealing with weather on the floor with the strap torn in half… “Great, now I need a new strap for these, well I guess I could pay Rarity a visit, see if she has an extra leather strap lying around.” He spoke to himself in an irritated tone. Just wanting to relax, he reluctantly turned around goggles in his saddlebag; he flew in the direction of Carousel Boutique.

Thunder arrived with a graceful drop to the ground in front of the store making no sound, pegasus are light on their hoofs after all, no matter how big they are. Pushing the front door open he heard a bell ring and the sound of trotting somewhere in the back rooms. “I’ll be with you in a moment dear!” he heard Rarity call.

“Take as long as you need Rarity, I’m in no real hurry, mind if I come back there and say hello at least?” Thunder said, knowing that he was now pretty close with all of Rainbows friends.

“Thunder Flash? Is that you? Oh why of course darling, come in!” Rarity said with a sudden change in attitude to a much more chipper tone.

“Rarity, I was just wondering if you could fix my goggles for me. The leather strap snapped and they were a gift from my dad, they mean a lot to me, being the only connection I have left to him and all.” Thunder’s father had just recently passed away before he left to Ponyville, he never knew his mother, so they had grown very close.

“Why of course dear! Anything for a close friend of mine, especially Rainbow’s other half” she said as mockingly as possible.

“Hah, thanks Rarity, how much do I owe you for a new strap? I finally have some money from my job with Dash, hehe” Thunder was scratching his head in embarrassment.

“Oh that’ll be 2 bits, but for you free, because you’re such a handsome stallion and these goggles just look so good on you.” Rarity said as she walked by, still focused on her worked she brushed her tail under Thunder's chin, wrapping around his head and slowly sliding off.

Shaking his head trying to get the smell of Rarity out of his nose, she smelt good, really good. “Rarity I really don’t want to impose, I have money now, so I wouldn’t want to hurt your business just because we’re friends.”

“Oh nonsense!” Rarity said, walking slowly over, she put her hood on Thunder’s lip and moved close, “Now now, just accept the gift as a token of my gratitude that you have let Rainbow Dash and all of us into your life.” She was now almost an inch away from his face.

Thunder gulped and stepped back nervously, “So that’ll be 2 bits right?”

“No, like I said, it’s a gift, from me to you, now let me get it, I’ll even put it on the goggles for you.” Rarity trotted off, after a couple seconds she was back with a small leather strip in her mouth.

Thunder grabbed his goggles out of his saddlebag and placed them on the table, “Thanks Rarity, it means a lot” Thunder was still feeling uncomfortable, blushing profusely.

Rarity floated his goggles over to her with her magic, as well as the strip of leather, Thunder watched as she skillfully and almost effortlessly slid the broken pieces of leather out and onto the table and the new one into place, making it look almost brand new.

Thunder was ecstatic to see his goggles looking brand new again, “Thanks Rarity! It looks great!” Thunder jumped over and hugged Rarity and pulled her into the air, floating a couple feet above the ground.

“You’re very welcome Thunder, and might I say, you are quite strong, look at your muscles my dear.” Rarity said, prodding at Thunder’s stomach.

“I’m only like this because I’m out so often, it’s not like I try.” Thunder said modestly

“Oh but it really looks like it!” Rarity said, walking around Thunder, looking at every inch of his body. She ran her hoof along his side and grazed over his wing, causing him to shudder.

“I’m going to go now, Rainbow is probably waiting for me.” Thunder said, trying to get out of there before Rarity did something more drastic.

“Good bye Thunder Flash, I really do hope to see your handsome face around sometime soon” Rarity teased.
Thunder sighed with relief, happy to be out of that very uncomfortable situation, Thunder trots out into the streets of Ponyville only to hear his name called by an overly familiar voice, one that brings good memories back, yet rips at his heart.

“Thunder! Over here!” the voice called.

Thunder reluctantly turned his head, “Oh god, why is she here? Why did she have to come here of all places” Thunder’s thoughts were moving at a mile a minute. Turning to see Flitter Breezeheart, his ex, staring at him from across the street with a smile on her face, she trotted over to Thunder happily.

“Thunder! Where have you been? I hadn’t seen you around Cloudsdale for the past 2 weeks and when I asked your boss where you were, he said he got a letter of resignation from the Princess in your name.” Flitter said confused, “When I was walking down the street yesterday evening I saw Soarin and Spitfire and they told me they had just spent the day with you down here in Ponyville!”

“Yeah, I asked them to come spend the day with me and my girlfriend Rainbow Dash” Thunder said embarrassed.

“You left home and came here and got a new girlfriend? Oh…” She seemed disappointed, “You see, Thunder, after we broke up, I started missing you and even began to think about how much I miss treated you, not really being there for you. I miss you Thunder, I really was insensitive and… I want you back; I’m still in love with you! Will you please take me back?” she was almost begging, the look in her eyes were desperate.

“Sorry Flitter, I don’t have feelings for you anymore, I’m in love with another mare and she loves me back and cares for me unconditionally.” Thunder stepped back away from Flitter.

“Please Thunder! I want you back, I miss you so much!” She yelled as she jumped at him, tackling him to the ground.

“Hey Flitter stop! I said I don’t love you!” Thunder yelled out.

All of a sudden, Flitter was knocked off of Thunder and onto the ground. “Get off of him!” Dash yelled angrily, she was pawing at ground like a bull ready to charge. “Don’t you dare lay a single hoof on Thunder.”

“Dash! Oh thank goodness you’re here; let’s just go home please, I just want to be alone with you to relax.” Thunder was looking worried.

“One minute, who in the hoof is this mare and why was she pinning you down like that?” Dash sounded furious and confused.

“This is Flitter Breezeheart, the mare who tore out my heart before I met you and she was just telling me that she wants me back.” Thunder said, still emotionally distraught from having to see his heart breaker again.

“Oh, this is the mare that put you through that much pain” Dash said with words that stung like venom, she was disgusted by her presence. “I don’t think you get it missy, you had your chance with him and you blew it and hurt him, I don’t want to see you around him ever again, Thunder and I are in love and I couldn’t stand to see this caring and loving colt to go through any pain anymore, so I won’t ever let you interfere with our life together.”

“You’ll always be second to me! I was his first girlfriend, I was the first pony he said that he loves, and he’ll never truly love you as much as he loves you.” Flitter said, with tears in her eyes.

“Shut up Flitter! I don’t love you at all, you’ve caused me so much grief, and you’re nothing to me now! Just leave me alone! I love Dash so much, she is kind, loyal, beautiful and loves me, that’s more than you in every aspect” Thunder screamed, tears were in his eyes, he couldn’t stand to hear Dash be yelled at by the girl who now has caused him to feel so much anger towards. “Flitter, I’m sorry, but you neglected me and even avoided me, I don’t know why I even had feelings for you, but I’m with Dash, and she has stolen my heart.”

Flitter got up and started walking away, “I guess it was a waste of time for me to come here.” Flitter wiped some tears away with her hoof, “I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you so much Thunder, I didn’t think I did hurt you that badly.”

“You did Flitter, please leave” Thunder said, trying not to be rude anymore, feeling a little bad for shouting.

“Thunder, you don’t still have feelings for her do you?” Dash said, looking up to him worriedly.

“Of course not, you’re the only thing that’s on my mind, I love you so much Rainbow Dash, and you are the only thing I’ll ever love.” Thunder brought Dash close and kissed her passionately, “I’m so glad I have you Dash”

“Of course you are, ‘cause I’m so awesome!” Dash said, poking herself in the chest, “But I’m really glad I have you to Thunder, I feel so comfortable around you, like I don’t need to worry what anypony thinks at all, nothing bothers me.”

“I’m so glad you feel comfortable around me, I’m not going to lie, and I felt nervous for the first while being around you, since you’re so popular and everypony knows you as this amazing mare.” Thunder said pawing at the ground, “I-I-I actually really like your attitude, your always so brash and bold, taking life head on, like what you did with Flitter, without giving a second thought as to who she was, you threw her off me, I saw so much fire in your heart, you really care.”

“Oh-pfft, of course I care Thunder, you’re my lover-colt” Dash said brushing her hoof across Thunders chest, “In all honesty I thought you were too cool for me, that’s why I was nervous around you as well, I guess we were both pretty shy to be around the ponies we had crushes on.”

“Yeah, who would have thought we both had feelings for each other without the other knowing.” Thunder face began to heat up.

“Yeah, I’m in love you for sure, the coolest and sexiest stallion in all of Equestria is all mine.” Dash said with a coy sly grin. Moving up close to Thunder and kissing his neck gently she whispered “I love you so much.”

“I love you to Dash!” Thunder said nuzzling against Dash’s soft fur, “Think we could head home now? I’m exhausted and I just want to relax.”

“Sure, as long as we have the rest of the day to ourselves!” Dash said floating a couple feet into the air flapping her wings happily. Thunder and Dash trotted home, even though Thunder was still a little uneasy about his encounter with Flitter. As they walked into their home Dash noticed that Thunder was looking conflicted, as if he had a lot on his mind, “Are you ok Thunder? You don’t look so good, is this cause of Flitter?”

“Yeah, I guess so, I just can’t believe she would come all this way, just to try and get me back, I mean, I gave my heart to her and she ignored me, not caring at all, I’m just so confused”

“I really hate that mare, who does she think she is? Coming into your life like this after hurting you like that.” Dash was furious at Flitter, she stomped her hoofs down in anger. “I hope I never see her face again, or I don’t know what I’ll do, this is the first time I’ve been this happy and I don’t want it ruined ‘nor do I want you to ever go through anything like that again.”

“Thanks Dash, it means a lot to me that you care this much” Thunder said, blushing a deeper shade of red.

“Bahaha, you’re blushing, that’s adorable!” Dash laughed, “I’ve never really noticed it when you blushed but this time I can see it, d’aww!” Dash was now on the floor.

“Stop it Dash! That’s embarrassing” Thunder said, hiding behind his hooves, he got embarrassed easily.

“Baha! Aww Thunder you’re so adorable when you’re embarrassed.” Dash mocked.

“That’s it, I’m going home, see you home when you stop mocking me!” Thunder said stomping off, face as red as a beet.

“Aww no! Thunder, come on!” Dash said, trying to stifle her laughter, she seemed to be getting more and more comfortable around Thunder day by day, feeling more secure about her relationship with him. “Please don’t leave, it’s only the afternoon, let’s at least go for a swim, take your mind off of all this?”

“Sorry Dash, I think I’m just going to go home and relax, find something to occupy myself for a little while, you can go do something with your friends if you want, it’ll probably be pretty boring just sitting around with me.” Thunder said, yawing.

“Alright, I guess I’ll go for a swim and then go see what my friends are up to, if you need me, I’ll probably be at Sweet Apple Acres.” Dash said, giving Thunder a small kiss on the lips.

“Love you Dash, I’ll see you later.” Thunder said, waving his hoof as Dash flew off.

“Love you to Thunder! I’ll be looking forward to seeing you.” Dash said with a smile. Dash had definitely started acting like her normal brash self, but something was still different about her, not bad, just different, she had a loving attitude, she actually seemed to care about somepony else besides herself and her friends, she cared for Thunder.

“Hmm, what should I do? I haven’t had alone time like this in some time, I’ve forgotten how calming it can be.” Thunder sighed happily. “Though it’s ok being alone when you know you still have somepony who wants to be with you, instead of being alone because you’re always alone.”

Thunder began flying to the town square of Ponyville, he looked around and saw Twilight trotting by, a quill and paper floating with a rose coloured glow in front of her. “Twilight!” Thunder yelled as he flew up towards her.

“Oh, Thunder! It’s nice seeing you again, what’s up?” Twilight said, with a smile.

“Oh, I was just looking for some paper and pencils, know where I could find some” Thunder inquired.

“As a matter of fact I do, I just came from the supply store and picked up some pencils and paper, it’s just down the street, what do you need them for?” Twilight ask quizzically, she seemed to take an interest as to what a pegasus like Thunder would be wanting with writing tools.

“I-I-I uhmm, well…” Thunder didn’t like to admit it, but he was becoming a rather talented artist, his artistic abilities in the drawing field had been improving due to his loads of free time being alone so often. “I kind’a have a thing for drawing and I haven’t in a while, so since Dash is off doing her own thing, I thought I’d practice a little.”

“You can draw!?!?” Twilight said surprised, “Really? I’d love it if you could show me some of your drawings.”

Thunder was nervous, no pony had ever seen his drawings before and he thought he was only half decent at drawing, “Uhmm, I’m not very good and I left my sketchbook back at my house in Cloudsdale.” Thunder was now nervous, face turning red slowly.

“Well I know what we’re doing now! Let’s get you a new sketchbook and some pencils!” Twilight said with gusto. “Off to the supply store again, my chores can wait, I really want to see your drawing abilities.”

“Actually I was kind of hoping to get my actual sketchbook back from my house, Celestia said she’d keep it there for me in case I wanted to go back, so it must still be there.” Thunder said, trying to make sure Twilight wouldn’t say yes.

“Well, then luckily for you, I have my hot air balloon to get us up there together and I can cast a walking on clouds spell as well.” Twilight seemed to be ecstatic. “It’s settled then; I’ll drop all this stuff at home and accompany you to Cloudsdale.”

“Ohh uhmm, ok Twi, but I really don’t think I’m very good.” Thunder said, trying whatever possible to make Twilight uninterested in seeing his sketchbook.

“Nonsense, I’m sure you’re a great artist, all artists I’ve seen say they have bad work, but they do an amazing job.” Twilight said with a smile as she put her hoof gently onto Thunder’s shoulder. “Don’t be embarrassed, I won’t laugh at them promise.” Twilight’s voice was soft and reassuring.

Thunder’s tense muscles relaxed as they slowly trotted towards Twilight's tree house. After giving Spike the supplies to put away. Thunder and Twilight got into her hot air balloon and then she used her magic to start it up. “Here we go Thunder, off to your home in Cloudsdale.” Twilight said as the balloon began to gently lift off. They began to pick up speed and after around 5 minutes they were already level with Cloudsdale. Twilight stepped out of the balloon onto the clouds and began to wobble before regaining her balance.

Thunder and Twilight walked and talked about famous Pony artists as they made their way towards Thunder’s house. He was rather surprised at Twilight’s knowledge of almost every subject known to Ponies and also found it quite entertaining.

When they arrived at Thunder’s house, they stopped before entering the front door. “What’s the matter Thunder? Aren’t we going inside?” Twilight asked, with concern in her gentle voice.

“Well I’ve never had anypony in my house since I broke up with Flitter and it’s kind of a mess, so if you aren’t too bothered by it, then, well I just thought I should warn you.” Thunder said embarrassed.

“Oh its fine, I’ll be ok.” Twilight said with a soft giggle.

“Ok, I warned you.” Thunder said opening the door, walking inside he went straight over to a dresser and opened the middle right drawer. “This is my sketchbook, but you can’t take a look at it until we’re back in Ponyville okay?”, Thunder stuffed his sketchbook into his saddlebag and trotted over to Twilight.

“Alright, I promise.” Twilight said, sounding a little disappointed.

“Pinkie promise?” Thunder said with a giggle.

“Yes, cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Twilight said making a motion to stick something into her eye. “Now let’s get going I want to see your drawings so badly now! I’m getting all excited.”

“Ok, fine, let’s get back to your balloon.” Thunder said, as they briskly walked out of the room and onto the streets.

After reaching the edge where Twilights balloon was, they were both met with shock when they saw Twilight’s balloon was gone. “Oh no… somepony stole my balloon!” Twilight said with much despair in her heart. “How am I supposed to get back down to Ponyville without it??” Twilight was now starting to tear up.

“Uhmm, Twi. I have wings y’know.” Thunder said with a smirk, trying to reassure her that everything was ok.

“Yeah, but I don’t! How is that supposed to help me get back to Ponyville?” Twilight was now crying, “I’m scared Thunder!”

“Twilight! Calm down, I’ll fly you down, don’t worry, just hop on my back and hold on tightly, I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” Thunder said, holding Twilight close to him.

“Ohh, I don’t want to be a burden though.” Twilight said through her tears, sniffling quietly.

“You aren’t, I owe you big time for getting me a place to stay in Ponyville and kind of setting me up with the mare of my dreams, I owe you much more than a free flight down to Ponyville.” Thunder was trying to calm Twilight down.

“Oh ok, but please don’t drop me, it’s not that I don’t trust you, I jus-” Twilight was cut off by Thunder’s hoof being gently placed over her lips.

“Calm down Twilight, nothing will happen to you.” Thunder said kneeling down on all fours and lying flat on the ground, “Now hop on and hold on tightly around my neck, just try not to choke me.” Thunder said with a laugh.

Twilight carefully moved herself over Thunder and lied down slowly onto his back; she could feel the warmth of his body and smell his mane, it smelt like fruit and mint. Slowly wrapping her hooves around his neck, she shivered at the touch; she had never been this close to a stallion before and felt a little uneasy. “I-I-Is this ok?” She asked nervously trying not to make Thunder feel uncomfortable.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Thunder said, blushing, his face was now a deep shade of crimson, “Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Twilight said, squeezing a little tighter around Thunder’s neck. Thunder could feel the warmth of her body beginning to mesh with his own, her fur was soft, her whole body seemed to melt into his, and she was a lot softer than Dash was.

“Alright, let’s go!” Thunder said as he flapped his large wings, letting him soar into the air. Twilight had her eyes closed tightly as she pushed her face into the back of Thunder’s neck in fear.

“Is it safe to look yet?” Twilight yelled trying to be heard over all of the wind.

“Yeah its fine Twi, the view is spectacular!”

“Ohh ok!” Twilight reluctantly opened her eyes with a flutter as they adjusted to the light from Celestia’s sun. “Oh dear Celestia, this is beautiful, it’s much higher than I could go with my balloon, it’s breathe taking.” Twilight’s eyes were beaming; she was truly amazed at the sight before her.

“Yeah, it’s truly a sight you can appreciate.” Thunder said looking back towards Twilight. Turning his head back his face was inches away from Twilight’s face, her face was full of wonder and eyes bright in amazement, and she looked so happy and actually kind of cute.

“Thunder, can we take the long way down” she said softly, with redness forming on her cheeks. “I’d like to see more of the beautiful Equestrian sky.” She was now looking directly into Thunder’s eyes, only inches away from hers.

“Hey Twilight? Mind if I do something a little drastic, I just kind of feel like doing it.” Thunder said.

“I think I’d be ok with that,” Twi said closing her eyes gently.

Thunder Dove down, the sudden jerk in movement made Twilight gasp as they drove down to the cloud below. Emerging from the bottom and steadying out. Twilight looked at Thunder unimpressed and soaked to the bone. “Hehe, sorry?”

“Y’know you sound a lot like Dash there…” Twilight said, still looking unimpressed, she did the same kind of thing to me when I first met her in Ponyville.

“Well, let’s get dried off and head down to Ponyville.” Thunder said, flapping his wings bringing them up in an arcing pattern, and then diving down towards the ground at full tilt.

As they approached the ground, their speed continued to rise. Thunder could feel that oh so familiar feeling as the adrenaline began to flow through his veins. The air began to feel thick with energy, as sparks began to shoot off of his body and back onto either him or Twilight. Soon, *BOOM* a thunderous roar could be heard across the sky. Twilight screamed out as they barreled towards the ground. There was an enormous flash and 3 lightning rings formed around the stream Thunder left behind as they drove towards the ground at breakneck speed. After coming close to the ground, Thunder leveled out and flew over to Twilight’s house and slowed down, coming to a grinding halt.

Twilight rolled off of Thunder’s back, looking up at him, while she tried to catch her breath. Her heart was practically beating out of her chest. “Holy buck, that’s was exhilarating, aaand terrifying all at the same time, let’s never do that again.”

“Ehehe, sorry I just kind’a got into it.” Thunder was now feeling extremely embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to scare you Twi.”

“No it’s fine, I’m just a little light headed, anyway, let’s go in my tree house, I want to take a look at your drawings now.” Twilight said eager to see the art that Thunder had accumulated over the years.

Sitting down in Twilight’s house, Thunder opened up his saddle bag and pulled out his sketchbook and opened it to front page, “They do get progressively better over time, well because this is over 4 years of sketches.” The book was very large

“Ok, I’m looking forward to it!” Twilight said with much excitement.

They began flipping through the pages, seeing picture after picture. The drawings began to get progressively better.

“Ohh my, is that Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked very surprised? “That’s amazing it looks exactly like her.

“Yeah, Princess Celestia actually asked me to come to Canterlot and sketch this picture of her, I guess I ended up turning it into a fully rendered pencil drawing.” Thunder said with an embarrassed laugh.

“Who are these Ponies?” Twilight asked, turning her head to the side trying to figure out who she was looking at.

“Ohh, these are my parents, Storm Gust and Summer Winds. I drew this of them together for their anniversary picture. I only had a picture of my mom to go off of since I never actually met her, but my dad loved it.” Thunder was now smiling softly as he thought about his dad.

“That’s so sweet. I’m sorry about you not getting to know your mother.” Twilight said putting a foreleg around Thunder to comfort him.

“Actually this next picture was from the newspaper a couple years ago. It’s Rainbow Dash, when I first saw her picture in the newspaper, her beauty captivated me.”

“She looks amazing in these photos, I can’t believe you’re such an amazing artist.” Twilight was eagerly flipping through the many drawings of Dash, royal guards and even a drawing of Luna and Celestia together when her sister came back home. “You have to show Rainbow these, she’ll love them”

“I don’t know, there are quite a lot of pictures of her, she might find it creepy.” Thunder was feeling uneasy.

“I think it’s sweet, and she did say she had a crush on your for quite a while.” Twilight was trying to reassure Thunder.

“Oh, well it’s getting kind of late; I guess I should head home.” Thunder said, closing his sketchbook and putting it in his saddlebag.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?” Twilight suggested. “You can go home to Dash after, ok?”

“I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Thunder thought out loud as his stomach grumbled.

After they ate their dinner together discussing his art and looking at a couple more pictures as they ate, Thunder flew home as quickly as he could.

“Dash, you home?” Thunder called out walking into the front door.

“Thunder! You’re home!” Dash yelled tackling Thunder over. His sketchbook and pencils fell out of his saddlebags and onto the floor. “What are these?” Dash looked at the book that fell open to a page with a couple drawings of her. “Are these pictures of me?” Dashed asked, kind of shocked.

“Uhmm I ugh, yes….” Thunder was mortified. “I drew them after I saw you in the newspaper, I kind of developed a crush on you…. After that I couldn’t help it, I just started drawing pictures of you absent mindedly.”

“These are amazing!” Dash said looking at all of the pictures that filled the book. “I didn’t know you could draw so well!”

“I kind’a hoped no one would know it’s a little embarrassing.” Thunder was blushing a deep shade of red.

“Nonsense I think it’s sweet, I mean I did have a crush on you too.” Dash said with a smirk, trotting over to embrace Thunder in a hug. “Let’s head to bed already, I wanna take a look at these in the morning.” Dash spoke in a very sexy tone.

The two pegasus packed up Thunder’s mess and trotted off to the bedroom and crawled into bed. They both passed out in no time after having such busy days, there would be much to talk about in the morning.