5 years. 5 short, incredible years. It has been 5 years since Prism Bolt, the eldest son of Rainbow Dash and Soarin, had his entire life turned around. 5 years ago, he was attending a Wonderbolt's show in Manehatten, with his parents, his little brother, his brother's friend Pixel Bit (the daughter of Sweetie Belle and Button Mash), and his childhood friend and new marefriend Whirlwind. During the show, a large storm rolled in and threatened the safety of every pony there. That is when it all started. Prism and Whirlwind got to work looking for ponies who were caught in the storm, and getting them to safety. This was when Prism discovered what he truly wanted to do in life. During their search, Prism found a young filly. Alone and trapped in the storm. Prism and Whirlwind got the filly to safety, and the look in the little ones eyes was all Prism needed to see. After the storm, Prism learned that many of the Wonderbolt's had no idea what to do in the situation they faced. Therefore, Prism founded a new team of fliers. The Storm Wardens. This group was similar to the Wonderbolt's, however the Storm Wardens would be specially trained to handle any and all emergencies that Equestria may face. And Prism was at the head of this organization, because ever since he saved that little filly. He learned that this was his passion.
But that's not all that happened 5 years ago. During the storm in Manehatten, Prism's mother Rainbow Dash was injured, and his younger brother Icy Storm blamed him for it. However, with consolation from Icy's friend Pixel Bit, Icy learned that he blamed his brother because he wasn't acting like himself. In fact, Icy didn't really know who he was. He had spent his entire life changing his personality to appeal to others, and he never fond out who HE was. So, after his brother Prism founded the Storm Wardens. Icy Storm decided to travel Equestria, and discover who he truly was. And he was accompanied on this journey by his new marefriend Pixel Bit.
But one more thing happened to Prism 5 years ago. He got married, to the love of his life. To his childhood friend, turned marefriend, turned ex-marefriend, turned best friend, turned marefriend again, Whirlwind. Prism proposed to Whirlwind shortly after asking her to join the Storm Wardens......and pulling off the edge of Cloudsdale and toward the ground. The two of them got married shortly after and the couldn't be happier. Shortly after their wedding, Icy and Pixel set off on their journey and they haven't been back home since. Now, Prism and Whirlwind worked in Cloudsdale. Managing the Storm Wardens, as well as organizing various appearances, seminars and training sessions all over Equestria. In addition the two of them train most of the new recruits. Despite being long and difficult, the two of them love being able to work together on something they both love.
Deapite working in Cloudsdale, the couple decided to live in Ponyville. As it is where they were born and where they grew up. Shortly after they got married they bought a house in town and settle down until the Wardens got going and now that was, their days consisted of waking up and the crack of dawn, flying to Cloudsdale, working till dusk, flying back home, sleeping. Luckaly they now had enough Pegasi working for the Wardens that they could take the weekend off.
5 years had gone by so fast, and yet, it has been the longest 5 years of Prism's life. Everything changed. He created a organization to help protect ponies, his brother left home, and he got married. Times sure had changed, and they were still changing even now. Claire and Illusion got married. As did Red June and Valiant Heart. Starburst and her coltfriend Starfall were thinking about it to. Yes times certainly had changed. But much was still the same. Everyponie's parents still lived in town and they were all doing fine. Prism's parents were still considered to be the best fliers around despite their age. Twilight was taking on more royal responsibilities, Applejack still worked on the farm, and town has stayed pretty much the same. Yet more change was coming, and the only people who were along it's path now. Is non-other then the Pegasus couple flying toward Ponyville after a long days work in Cloudsdale.
Chapter 1: getting aquainted
Prism was flying southbound, from Cloudsdale to Ponyville. He had just Finished work, and now he and his Wife Whirlwind were on their way home. As they flew along the same route they always did, Prism allowed his mind to wander. As he flew, he thought about everything that has happened. And even more so, how things had changed.
"What's up Priz?"
The sound of his wife's voice brought Prism back to reality. "Oh, sorry hun. My mind just wandered a bit." Whirlwind was quiet for a moment before she gave a Prism a half-smile.
"Prism what's wrong?"
"What makes you think something's wrong." Prism said with an obviously fake smile plastered on his face.
"Prism we have been married for 5 years. I know by now that when your mind wanders your thinking about something. And your the kind of guy that only puts extensive thought into three things. What you want to eat, something very important with work, or something that's bothering you. And since we're not eating and nothing interesting happened at work, something must be bothering you."
Prism chuckled to himself. Whirlwind always knew what was on his mind. In that past, it made them perfect pranking partners. Now, it made them a great couple and co-workers.
"You always could read me like an open book."
"Hey it's not my fault your so easy to read." The two of them giggled and nuzzled each other before continuing the conversation. "So.....what's on your mind?"
"Well, I guess just how much things have changed. I mean look at us. 6 or 7 years ago, our little group did everything together. We prank together, we hung out together, we got in trouble together. Now.......things are different. We're married. So are T and Annie, as well as Claire and Illusion. I bet star will get married here pretty soon. It's just like, as time went on, we grew apart more and more. I mean I see Candy and Del around town from time to time. But we never really get together anymore.
"Star is the new Captain of the Canterlot royal guard, T and Annie are always out somewhere, Claire moved to Canterlot to live with Illusion, June lives with Valiant in the Crystal Empire, and Icy and Pixel are out who knows where. I guess I just miss the good old days you know."
Whirlwind was silent and simply nodded her head. While Prism had a tendency to be rather care-free sometimes........well, most of the time. When he wanted to be serious or sincere. He truly was. Whirlwind game her husband a quick kiss on the cheek and nuzzled closely to him.
"I know baby. I miss them too."
****************
Prism and Whirlwind were coming op on Ponyville. They had some time to kill before it got to late. So they decided to take a scenic route along the edge of the Everfree Forest. The couple was fairly quiet for the duration of their flight. Whirlwind had her eyes set on the clear, starry sky. While Prism's eyes were locked on the ground. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he was watching the ground go by. In the middle of their flight, Prism spotted something. A small shape, bright orange in color. It looked like a pony, or maybe a young dragon. Prism couldn't tell at this distance. It also didn't help that the creature had it's eyes on the ground as well.
"Hey babe, hold up for a sec."
Prism and Whirlwind came to a stop in midair. "What is it Priz?"
"I see something. I think it's a pony but I don't recognize him. He's coming out of the forest."
Whirlwind turned her gaze to see what Prism was looking at. She thought it looked like a pony, but she couldn't make out a race or wither it was a mare or a stallion. She looked back a Prism, who was already moving in the creatures direction. "Come on. Let's see if he needs help." With that, Prism and Whirlwind flew to the creature. As they got closer more things became clear. It was indeed a pony. It was a Pegasus. And a stallion at that. He was about the size of Prism yet slightly taller and slightly skinnier. He was walking with his head down to the ground. His mane was bright red with yellow highlights, and it was draped over his face. As he walked he look like we was off balance.
One close enough Prism called out to the stallion. "Hello." Prism landed in front of the stallion, who stopped as soon as he did. Whirlwind landed next to Prism shortly after he touched down. When the Pegasus didn't answer, Prism spoke up again.
"I was just wondering what you were up to." Prism said obviously unsure of what to say. "It's just that not many ponies go into the Everfree Forest. Especially this late at night."
The mysterious stallion remained silent. Getting worried Prism took a few steps closer and spoke again. "Do you need help?"
With that the stallion looked up, and Prism he part of he face. Most of it was still covered by his mane, but Prism could see his left eye. It was colored golden yellow. The stallion finally spoke. His voice was quiet and weak. And it sounded pained. "Please....." Prism, now filled with worry, allowed his gaze to look over the rest of the stallion. Prism noticed many cuts, scrapes and bruises along the stallions legs and torso. He was holding his right foreleg off the ground as off he was trying to keep his weight off it. Prism also noticed a bird resting on the stallions back. It was a fairly large bird, and it shared the same color scheme as the pony who carried it. However the bird wasn't moving. Prism's gaze snapped back to the stallion when he finished his statement. ".....help.....me." With that the stallion collapsed.
Whirlwind gasped in shock and horror. Prism though sprung into action. His training in the Storm Wardens taking full effect. He rushed to the unconscious stallion's side and first lifted the bird off his back, holding it out to his wife.
"Take this bird to Fluttershy ASAP!" Whirlwinds training began to kick in now as she calmed her self down. She took the bird in her hooves and gave Prism a nod before taking of in the direction they came.
Prism was now hoisting the unknown stallion onto his back. Once he was on, Prism took off as fast as he could toward Ponyville hospital. As he flew, countless questions rushed through his head. "who is this stallion, what happened to him, what was he doing in the forest, why was he here, will he be alright." Prism's thoughts were interrupted when the hospital came into view. He increased his speed and rocketed to the hospital. He just hope it wasn't to late.
It has been a slow night at the Ponyville Urgent Care Clinic. Nurse Blue-Cross was walking through the halls of the clinic making sure everything was I order for the night. Blue Heart was a unicorn mare with a dark blue coat, and a white mane with a two blue streaks going through it, one lighter then the other. Her cutie mark was a blue hospital cross, placed over a white shield. Tonight was a big night for her. It's her first night watching over the clinic during the night without her mother Nurse Red-Heart. Nothing usually happened during the night at the clinic but somepony had to be there just in case.
Since night were usually uneventful Blue Cross decided to do one final check, and then get some shut eye. She had been up almost 20 hours strait and she was tired. She went over her mental checklist as she made her way to the front lobby.
"Ok, all doors except for the front one are locked, I have an exam room and an x-Ray room still unlocked, I have some basic medical supplies out just in case, and only the lights that are needed are currently on. That's everything."
With a proud smile on her face, Blue made her way behind the front desk, where she had a small blow-up mattress, a blanket, and a pillow waiting for her. Setting her keys on the desk, Blue took her place on the mattress and attempted to get some sleep.
Not ten minutes after Blue Cross laid her head down, she was stirred from her sleep by a loud bang. Springing up from her mattress she looked to the front door. Only to see that it had been kicked in by a pony she knew well. Prism Blot stood in the lobby of the clinic with another stallion slung across his back.
"Blue! I need you help with this guy pronto!"
Blue's head was swimming with questions. Why did Prism come I with a stallion on his back? Who was that stallion? Is he really so bad that he couldn't wait till morning? Despite all these questions, Blue's job came first. She ran out from behind the desk and gave Prism instructions.
"Put him in room 1. I'll be there soon." With that both ponies took off down the hall. While Prism stopped in room 1, Blue ran a little further. She stopped in a room further down the hall. There she grabbed everything she thought she might need. Basic medical tools, gloves, a mask for her muzzle, a oxygen mask for the patient, and a roll of bandages. With her supplies in tow, Blue quickly arrived. In room 1 to find that Prism had placed the Pegasus stallion on the bed-table and was waiting for Blue.
"Prism to wait in the lobby."
"What! But I can help. Maybe I can...."
"NO! He looks like he's in bad shape. I can't have anypony getting in the way. Now go wait outside."
Reluctantly Prism nodded and left the room, making his way to the lobby. There he sat on one of the plush chairs and wait desperately for Blue to finish her work.
****************
Prism opened his eyes slowly. He had fallen asleep shortly after retiring to the lobby of the PUCC. Prism sat up and turned his gaze to the clock hanging above the hallway that lead further into the clinic. 6:45am. It was almost midnight when Prism got there, and he slept for early 7 hours while waiting for news on the injured pony he found. Quickly Prism got jumped off the chairs he was resting on, and stretched his limbs. before venturing into the hallway, Prism looked around the lobby. He noticed Whirlwind laying down on some chairs nearby. She was snoring quietly and was drooling a bit. Prism chuckled and then walked though the hall toward exam room 1. He was about to enter when a quiet feminine voice stopped him.
"Not yet Prism. Our patient is still sleeping." Blue Cross was sitting on a chair nearby. there was blanket on the floor near the chair and she was levitating a mug of coffee in front of her.
"Why not? I need to see if he's ok."
"He is ok, trust me. Sure he was little banged up but nothing that I couldn't fix."
"I guess I shouldn't be doubting your skills as a nurse now should I?"
"Trust me, This is nothing compared to what I had to do in order to fix you up. I mean how do you fracture a rib just by flying."
"G-force, that's how."
"How can you fly fast enough to generate enough G-force to actually break...."
Blue's sentences was cut short by a soft moan coming from the the exam room. the two ponies immediately ceased their conversation and entered the room. They were greeted with the sight off a bright orange Pegasus moaning and pressing his hooves to his temple. once he noticed he had company he spoke.
"Where am I? What happened?"
"So cliche." Prism's comment was met by a firm hoof to his side. Courtesy of Blue Cross.
"Please ignore Prism. My name is Blue Cross. What's yours?"
The stallion thought for a bit before answering. "Flare Blitz. My name is Flare Blitz."
"Well mister Blitz, do you remember anything from last night?"
"I remember walking through the Everfree forest. I can't remember why but I was. Then I saw......something and nothing after that. What happened? And why can't I remember anything?"
"You were pretty beat up when Prism brought you here."
Flare glanced at Prism then turned his attention back to Blue. "How bad was I?"
"Well," Blue said while levitating a clipboard up to her face. "You had 1 broken rib and two others were fractured, your right foreleg was dislocated, you had lots of cuts and scrapes all over your body, your right wing is sprained, and your left with is broken. That means no flying till your better."
Flare look at Blue with expressions that looked to be a mix of disappointment frustration.
"Well then what am I supposed to do then. I'm can't fly and I'm stuck in some town I don't even know. I live in Cloudsdale, I can't take a train to Cloudsdale."
Prism spoke up for the first time since he entered. "I think someone in town has a hot air balloon. I bet you could borrow it and get home."
"Two things. First, I don't do balloons. I just feel.....uneasy about them. Second, even if I got home, I would confined to my house. Pegasi have to fly almost everywhere in Cloudsdale since the city is on multiple clouds."
Prism felt stupid for not thinking of that since he spent most of his time in Cloudsdale for work. "Oh right.....sorry."
Flare just groaned and took this moment of silence to examine his room more thoroughly. As he looked around his expression changed to one of confusion. "Where's my bird?"
Blue seemed confused now. "I'm sorry, what bird?"
"My bird. My bird that never leaves my side."
"I'm sorry you didn't have a bird with you when you came in."
Flare now look angry. So angry it was like he was ready to commit murder. "What!" Flare turned and pointed at Prism. "You, what did you do to my bird!"
"What are you talking about?"
Flare was furious now. He reached out with his left hoof (Which was nearest to Prism). "You listen to me hot-shot. That bird hasn't left my side since I got him. I know for a fact that he was with me in the forest. You were the one that brought me here so you must have done something. Now I'm going to ask you again, Where the buck is my bird."
Prism was trying to formulate an answer. Luckily his wife beat him to it. "I know where your bird is." All eyes shifted to Whirlwind who was standing in the doorway to the exam room. Flare looked at her with that upset expression, but he spoke in a softer tone.
"What. What did you say."
"I know where your bird is. It was hurt pretty bad as well so I brought it over to a friend who knows everything about animals. She'll take care of it I promise. Now, can you please let my husband go?"
Flare thought for a bit before speaking. "Fine, but mark my words. If anything happens to Nova, somepony's gonna pay." With that Flare released Prism, who walked over to thank his wife.
"Thanks babe, I completely forgot about the bird."
"I know, you tend to forget things when you get caught up in the heat of the moment."
Flare turned to speak with Blue, who was currently looking over his x-rays.
"So, what do I do know?"
"Well, your injuries shouldn't take to long to heal. Your wing and your rib will take the longest. Other then that you should be fine. I'm going to go ahead and keep you here one more night just to be safe. If your alright after that, then we'll get you situated in town. Sound good to you."
"Fine." Flare groaned. "But Nova should be fine by now. I want him here as soon and physically possible."
"Of course."
With that said, Prism and Whirlwind decided it was time to leave. It was just after 7am. It was Saturday so the couple had work off. As they walked to the front door of the Clinic they saw another mare walk in. She was an older mare, with a snow white coat and dark red mane. Prism and Whirlwind recognized" her as the mother of the other nurse in the Clinic.
"Oh, Prism Bolt and Whirlwind? Please don't tell me Prism got hurt on the job again. I may have to start charging you more every time you come to the Clinic."
"Oh no Nurse Red Heart." Prism spoke shaking his head. "I'm fine."
"Well then what brings you here. Checking up on Blue for me?"
Prism started trotting to the door with his wife close behind. "Not exactly." Almost the second the two pegasi stepped out the door they heard yelling from inside the clinic.
"I told you I feel fine I don't need a physical. Get that glove off your hoof."
"Please mister Blitz, It standard procedure for new patients. We need a physical before we can enter you into the system."
"If I NEED a physical at least wait till a stallion doctor gets here."
A new, slightly less feminine voice joined the conversation.
"We don't currently have any stallion doctors, but perhaps I can help."
"Alright Blue mane, put that glove back on and lets get this over with."
Whirlwind turned to Prism and spoke. "Think he'll be alright?"
"With both Red Heart and Blue Cross there?"
As they walked away they heard more yelling from the clinic.
"Ok, I thinks that's enough girl.....wait what are doing. A stephiscope? Oh no I don't do those. My heart beat's fine just go and put that thing.......*AHHHHH* sweet Celestia that bucking thing if really bucking cold!"
"I think he'll be just fine."