Chapter 3 ~ The Storm Dost Quell Fire

Chapter 3~ The Storm Dost Quell The Fire

Today was a gloomy day, and the sky wept.

Large cold droplets of semi-frozen water plopped to the ground with heavy wet splashes. This was what many called a “dirty rain” it was a murky and soiled downpour that completely drenched anything that it touched. It cut through all clothing and soaked the poor pony underneath. Umbrellas were useless, as the heavy half-solidified precipitation weighted down the top until the accessory bent and broke. Everyone was simply doomed to get wet.

Sea Storm didn't mind. The rain never bothered him anyway.

His fur hung in heavy wet sheets that shook and dripped. Water was constantly running down his face and into his eyes. His mane and tail hung down matted to his body as he walked down the muddy dirt road, the wet ground splashed and jumped up to stain and dirty his fur. Soon, almost all of Sea Storm's lower half was caked with mud and wet grass strands. He was carrying almost half of his total weight in absorbed water, yet, despite that Sea felt as weightless as he would be if fully submerged.

He could see every droplet as it fell. He could see them morph and tumble and shake before splattering into the ground and splitting into hundreds of droplets. He could feel all the raindrops that he couldn't see, feel them vibrate and teem with a subtle but apparent energy. That energy was within him too, it filled his body to the brim and warmed him like the southern waters of Saddle Arabia and it outmatched the cold of the rain. Everything was of a higher detail through Sea Storms eyes, he could make out the colour and could see every grain of dirt upon the ground. This always happened when Sea was around so much water, or at least it had been happening ever since he had received his Mark.

He still wasn't sure what the Mark was supposed to represent. Obviously it had some connection to the sea but there was no specifics to be derived. Sea Storm’s mother was capitulated by the fact that her son got his Mark rather than the logistics of what exactly that meant. Red on the other side of things had been very excited for him, in fact she and Sea Storm had spent the past day talking about what his Mark could possibly mean. That was where Sea headed now.

Red was sat under the heavy canvas awning that stood in stark defiance to the heavy rain that beat down upon it. Said awning was attached to the ice cream parlour that – also as if in defiance – remained open despite the fact that it would only have two customers that day. Red sat at a completely dry table where she licked away at a strawberry cone. Sea Storm approached and she looked up in excitement at his appearance.

“Blue!” She called out against the heavy splashing of the rain. “Come over here! You’re all wet!”

Red was evidently dry. Sea Storm was quickly beginning to turn pink as he stared at red filly with defiance; rebellion, a challenge to all the order and structure to Sea Storm’s world. He didn't question how Red was able to stay dry in a world as wet as the ocean. He simply accepted it as her mere nature. It was better for Sea’s stress levels that he didn't put much thought into how Red did things.

“I don't mind, I like the rain,” Sea Storm said, he joined under the canapé and shook the water from his dripping fur in great waves. Naturally not a droplet of it landed on Red, but this time only because Sea took great care not to wet what was perfectly dry.

“Of course you do,” Red giggled which made Sea’s chest tighten. “Sit your plot down! We have work to do!”

“Well, I know you’ll have a whole list of ideas by now,” Sea Storm said as he sat down.

“Just one actually,” Red said. “I was thinking… What if your Mark doesn't represent any specific thing about water but… All of it? The sea, the lake, the rain, everything?”

That didn't make any sense to Sea Storm. How could his special talent be all of the ocean? He had never even seen the ocean, the lake was the largest body of water for leagues in every direction. No, it made more sense that Sea’s mark was related to the lake itself, perhaps he was meant to maintain the lake, keep it in a clean and good condition. It made sense as Sea had always felt a connection to the lake that was not unlike the strange connection he felt to Red. The lake had given him his Mark, and in return he had to be its guardian. As these thoughts went through Sea’s head he felt a prickling and crackling sensation shoot up his spine as if a Mage had shocked him with electricity. Sea drew a sharp breath and suddenly he felt full of energy and assured about his course in life.

“I don't think that's even possible,” Sea said. “More likely it has something to do with the lake. Maybe I have to take care of it or something? I'll figure it out eventually.”

“Well, as long as you’re happy then I'm happy!” Red exclaimed. “Look, the rain has stopped. We should head to school, c’mon cutie bluey!”

“Can… Can we just stick to with “blue” please?”

“Nope!”

The rain had indeed stopped, the Pegasi above kicked some holes in the solid grey layer of clouds to let some sunlight through. Where the light touched came the heat and waves of steam began to rise where the sun’s warmth reached. The rest was left to shadow and remained as wet as the lake itself. Red and Blue’s hooves splashed through the puddles and the mud left behind by the downpour as they headed to school.

The brown brick building had darkened several shades from the rain. Droplets were condensed on the windows and parts of the roof were dripping with water, creating a small puddle just outside of school. They were forced to pass through if they wanted to enter. Red dived through with barely a spray upon her, Blue simply stepped through as the water would make no difference to the ocean he carried with him.

Other students were braving the cold water gauntlet as well. Many already had and were gathered in the main foyer where they spoke and socialized before class begun. Sea Storm was accustomed to these people staring at him, he was different, he was odd and an oddity. He never imagined that Red would always be a recipient of such stares. She was always socializing with the more… Well, sociable people. And yet, when Red wasn't looking or when she passed by they would stare. These stares were different from the ones Sea’s received, while those were filled with contempt and laughter at his oddity. The looks given to Red were filled with awe, interest, jealousy even. Red was a whole other class of 'odd', people wanted to be friends with her, but Red wouldn't give them the time of day which was why some of those looks were filled with shock and angry jealousy when they saw Red and Blue walking into school thick as thieves. It wasn't right in their eyes.

Both of them ignored the stares of course, but in different ways. While Sea kept his head down Red kept hers high and profound. She would smile almost spitefully at everyone she passed, Red owned what she was, Sea Storm merely accepted his lot in life.

They entered their classroom and sat down, Blue in his usual seat and Red sat right next to him rather than at her spot behind him. She gave him a smile and a wink and Sea Storm offered a weak half-smile in return. That smile quickly disappeared when Fire Blitz walked in. His look was grumpy, deep seated, he looked upset and when his eyes locked onto Sea they filled with loathing and blind hate. Sea Storm would suffer for whatever had upset Fire Blitz this morning.

He sat down in Red’s usual seat, right behind Sea Storm which made his blood pressure spike. He tried to breathe and keep himself from panicking, but he just couldn't to do it, he needed to know what Fire Blitz was doing behind him. Sea must’ve has a distressed look on his face, because the next thing he knew, Red was laying a soft comforting hoof on his own. Surprisingly, it helped quite a bit as Sea Storm felt his heart settle as he calmed down. The mere warmth of Red’s hoof was enough to steel his courage and convince himself that whatever Fire Blitz threw at him he could handle it.

The class progressed normally enough with everyone pretending to pay attention as the professor droned on about Celestia-knows-what. Sea and Red would exchange subtle eye rolls, smiles, and giggles the entire time. Which helped Sea Storm handle what Fire Blitz was doing to pass the time, he would poke Sea’s neck, spit in his mane, Sea could've sworn he also flung pudding or some other soft food as well.

It stopped when Red noticed.

She looked at Sea Storm and her jaw opened just a little. Her eyes filled with the fire of rage and she turned around to face Fire Blitz. The locked eyes, a large brutish colt meeting stares with a small cute filly. Sea Storm could've sworn on the Two Princesses that he saw Fire Blitz faulted under Red’s gaze.

“Stop it,” she said, firm as steel.

And the Fire Blitz did just that, he stopped, he didn't bother Sea Storm again for the rest of the class. The bell did eventually ring and they were released from their borderline mental torture. Red and Blue separated with a promise to meet up later, Red left Sea Storm with a kiss on the cheek that left him rooted to his spot with a heated face and beating heart.

Oh yeah, the lake.

Sea Storm realized that he hadn't spared a thought to his favourite place in the world since the morning. Usually he dreamed of the calming waters, cool breeze, and relaxing atmosphere throughout his entire class. Yet, today he had only thoughts and eyes for Red.

He was struck with guilt once again as Sea felt as if he had abandoned the lake. Sea had a system, a process to get him from one day to another and central part of that was his routine visit to Lake Aornos. This usurping of the natural order of Sea Storms world was very upsetting. There was a moment of revelation where he connected the dots and concluded the only changing factor, the only thing that kept him from the lake was the same red filly that had a pension for challenging the very structured environment that Sea Storm had created for himself.

Red, that strange filly had simply strolled into his life and changed everything. And Sea just let her. Somehow, she had circumnavigated his barriers and shook the boat. This wasn't right, this wasn't how Sea Storm was supposed to live, he didn't have friends, he didn't talk to people, he certainly didn't have ice cream with them, and he definitely didn't receive kisses on the cheek from them. This wasn't right, once again Sea Storm felt guilty, the lake had given him his mark, not Red. He could smell it now, even so far from the actual water, Sea could smell the freshwater spray and the sweet alluring aroma of the water plants that grew there.

Without pause he found himself briskly trotting the gravel path around the lake, pushing through the tall grass that bordered it, and splashing into the shallow waters. He swam, bathed, and essentially frolicked like a fish in those cool waters for what felt like hours. Time was meaningless here, the ills of the world inconsequential, all there was to think about was the cool waters and the soaring energy that Sea Storm felt building inside of him that compounded with every second and every dive to the very depths of the lake.

Reluctantly, he did have to bring himself out of the waters, the day was ending and the sun dipping. Sea Storm pulled himself onto shore and gave his wet fur a good shake, he looked around as he wasn't overly sure where he had come to. He saw the small bridge which he recognized, but he also saw the person standing on it in wait.

“You have a good swim?” Fire Blitz asked and before Sea could move or even take a breath, the larger boy had him by the mane and was dragging him back towards the bridge. Sea Storm kicked and screamed to no avail, he was thrown against the wood of the bridge’s floor and kicked in the stomach no less then five times and in the head no less then three.

“You’re an autistic little retard y’know that?” Fire spat. “You'll never do anything, never be a use, never contribute jack-shite to the world, why din't you kill yourself? I know why, because you’re an arrogant little piece of garbage who thinks he's some pretty little princess and the whole world thinks he's special. Well, guess what, the world doesn't work like that. Too bad you never had a dad to kick that into you. It's sad really, but I'm more than willing to give you the beating that you needed, and when I'm done with you I'll get that whore Rose Blossom-“

Anger, no, rage, pure and unprecedented filled Sea Storm to the core with a sensation like boiling water. The pain was gone, so was the fear, Sea didn't care about himself at that moment, the only thing that filled his mind is that this urchin standing above him wasn't going to lay one single grubby filth-ridden hoof on Red. Sea Storm was back on his hooves in seconds, moving faster then he ever had before in his life and with strength he knew not, he slammed his head into Fire Blitz’s chin. Slamming the larger boy's jaw closed on his tongue and sending him sprawling backwards, he looked at Sea Storm with wide eyes and a mouth full of blood. Sea Storm didn't hesitate to land a hard buck kick into his chest which sent Fire over the bridge’s railing and falling the short distance into the shallow water of the stream below with the sound of him cracking against the rocks.

Sea flung himself over the railing after him, landing on his hooves with the immense balance and grace. As he approached Fire Blitz, whom lay in the shallow water struggling to stand on what looked to be a sprained leg the water began to suddenly surge around them. As if heavy rain was falling elsewhere, the water rose to touch Sea Storm’s underbelly and it reached up to Fire Blitz’s chin as he lay on the ground. The colt would try to stand, to keep his head above water but it was a fruitless effort as his injuries kept him immobilized. He did manage to crash at Sea Storm whom stood solid as a rock, his eyes pleading and in panic.

“Please, please! I can't swim!” He begged.

Sea Storm stared at him, and with energy crackling inside of him he placed an almost tender hoof atop Fire Blitz’s head and gently pushed it under the water. His body jerked and struggled weakly as bubbles surfaced from his head but within a minute or two he would go limp and be carried gently out into the deeper waters of the lake. There he would like and be consumed by the black depths as if he was swallowed by an eldritch beast.