Stormy Nights 3: Darkened Skies

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

The moonlight shone through the windows, illuminating the motes of dust hanging in the air. Within the large room, a pony lay, enjoying a book by firelight. The flame burning in the hearth kept the cold outside at bay as Spyglass Vision read of the exploits of Forelock Holmes, the great detective. On the page, Forelock was preparing to present the evidence that would prove the true identity of the owner of the Dragon’s Claw.

There was a light knock on the front door. Spyglass set down his book. “Who could it be at this hour?” he wondered aloud.

The orange unicorn exited the large, two-story space that served as both a living room and dining room. He walked down the hallway to the front door and opened it. A mare stood, already facing away. She turned back towards him, her light cyan eyes catching his dark green ones.

The pony was wearing a long black robe, which covered her entire body. A pair of suitcases hung from her sides. She was rather young, about Spyglass’s age.

“Oh. I’m really sorry but... I just got into town and... can I please stay here tonight?” Her dark face was nearly invisible in the shadow the house cast against the moonlight. “Please? Just for one night?”

Spyglass backed down the hallway. “Of course, of course. Come in.”

The mare entered the house and Spyglass closed the front door. He led the way back to the living room with the earth pony in tow. “Thank you, so much,” she said. “I can sleep on the floor out here; I won’t mind.”

“No no, I have a spare bedroom. Upstairs and to the right. You can spend the night there.”

“Thank you so, so mu—” The mare yawned. “Sorry, I’ll get out of your way.” She started up the stairs to the balcony connecting the house’s two bedrooms and its bathroom. “I’ll be gone before dawn, I promise. If there’s anything I can do to repay you...”

Spyglass thought for a moment. “I can think of one thing you can do for me.”

The earth pony had reached the bedroom door. Spyglass could see the hint of a grey tail poking down past her robe. “What?”

“You can tell me your name.”

“OH! I’m sorry! My name’s Starry. Starry Isles.”

The next morning, Spyglass Vision rolled out of bed, rubbing the sand out of his eyes. Leaving his bedroom, he looked across the open space and noticed that the door to his guest’s room was ajar. Curious, he crossed the balcony and peeked inside. There was nopony there.

The room was still tidy, and the bed had been made. A small stack of bits sat in the center of the sheet. It would have been enough to buy a night in a modest hotel room in a city like Canterlot. Spyglass shook his head and gathered the money.

The next night found the same stallion reading another book by firelight. The secret of the Ursa’s Prize was about to be revealed when there was another knock on the door. Forelock Holmes may have been Equestria’s most brilliant unicorn, but he really needed to work on his timing.

Spyglass headed down the hall and opened the door to find Starry Isles again. She was hanging her head so low Spyglass couldn’t see her face under her hood.

“It’s you again.”

“I’m... I’m so sorry...”

“What? What happened?”

“The hotel’s closed... I can’t find a place to go... and I’m so tired... can I... can I please stay one more night? Just one more night? Please?”

“Oh, the hotel’s being renovated. But yes, come in. The room’s still there.”

Spyglass led Starry to the living room again. “Your name’s Starry Isles, right? I’m Spyglass Vision.”

The earth pony looked up at him for the first time that night. There were wet lines leading from her eyes to her chin. “Your name! I slept in your house without even asking your name! I’m sorry!”

“It’s fine, go on, get some sleep.”

Starry could hardly stand. Spyglass had to help her up the stairs and to the guest room.

“I’m really sorry about all this. I’m being so much of a bother,” Starry said.

“I said it’s fine. I’ll see you in the morning.” Spyglass shut the door behind her.

The light of the new day made its way into a bedroom and onto a pegasus’s eyelids. Stormy Nights stirred, then slowly sat up on the bed. Every muscle in her body hurt.

Ow... what time is it... no no no no! I’ve overslept! I promised Spyglass I’d be out of the house before dawn! Stormy quickly made the bed and threw on the robe that concealed her wings and cutie mark. She dug through the suitcases that had been carelessly tossed on the floor and retrieved the day’s rate, placing it on the bed again. Not enough for a third night. I’d better work harder today or I’ll be sleeping on the street.

Stormy hurried out of the bedroom, making a right onto the balcony over the living room, muscles protesting the whole way. She passed the bathroom, rounded the corner towards the stairs leading down and nearly ran into a levitating plate of french toast.

“Good morning!” a voice called from below. Spyglass stood in the living room, glowing horn poking through his dark teal mane. “Nice timing, your breakfast is ready!”

Stormy looked down at the plate. “Oh, you didn’t have to make me anything. I’m not hungry.”

Her stomach loudly contradicted her.

“Now now,” Spyglass replied, “I made enough for two, and my fridge doesn’t have the room for more leftovers.”

“It’s fine... really... I’d hate to impose... I should be on my way; I have to get started on finding work today.”

“My cooking isn’t that bad, I promise.” The plate moved a few inches closer to her. “Come on, try some.”

The smell of the fresh french toast rose into Stormy’s nostrils and her stomach again voiced its opinion of the situation.

Stormy was outnumbered two to one. She smiled weakly. “I guess... I can try a bite or two.”

“Geeze Starry,” Spyglass said as Stormy cleaned her plate, “when’s the last time you ate?” He was still on his first piece.

Stormy swallowed. “I uh, might have missed a meal or two. But look at me, sleeping here without asking your name, coming back even though I said I wouldn’t, sleeping in longer than I promised to. And now I’m eating your food. I don’t know how to repay you for any of this.”

“Speaking of which...” Spyglass levitated a pile of bits onto the table, then pushed it across with his hoof. “I don’t need money for showing somepony some basic decency.”

“But... you should get something for putting up with me. And for having me overstay my welcome like this.”

“Nonsense. If I’d wanted you to leave early, I would have just gotten you up. But you looked so exhausted last night, I figured I’d let you get your rest.”

“That was nice of you but you didn’t have to... to...” Stormy got a mental image of herself splayed out on top of the bed, fast asleep, wings and cutie mark visible for anypony to see. Her blood ran cold. “You didn’t... you didn’t look, right? While I was asleep?”

“No.” Spyglass looked at Stormy’s robe. “Why? Hiding something?”

Stormy jumped away from the table, then winced at the pain. “No! I mean, you can’t look. Please. Please don’t look. Please.”

Spyglass’s eyes had widened at the outburst. “All right, all right. I won’t ask.” He smiled. “So you’re a mystery mare then. I like mysteries.”

Stormy slowly sat back down. “Uh, yeah, mysteries. I’m, um, not that interesting, so don’t worry about it that much. Actually, I won’t be here for long. I just need to get enough work to afford to move onto the next town. I noticed the shop attached to the house.” She tilted her head towards the door underneath Spyglass’s bedroom. “You wouldn’t happen to have anything I can do to earn a few bits?”

“Hmm...” Spyglass scratched his chin. “I could use an extra set of hooves around the store. Tell you what, help out around the shop and you can stay in the extra room at night. I’ll even give you a few bits to help pay your way when you leave.”

“You’d... do that for me? Thank you! Thank you so much! What do I need to do?”

“Well The Finely Focused Filly is an optical store. We sell everything from magnifying glasses to telescopes. Can you grind an achromatic doublet?”

Stormy just blankly stared.

“Do... you know the lensmaker’s equation?”

She started to tremble.

“Can you tell me the difference between a Newtonian reflector and a Cassegrain?”

“I’m sorry,” Stormy whispered.

“Can you dust?”

“I can... I can dust, yes.”

“All right, you can clean. But two things: First, after we close tonight, I want you to read up on types of equipment so you can help customers.”

“All right, I will. What’s second?”

“Wash up, you smell like sweat.”

Stormy stood in the shower, the hot water soothing her aches and pains.

He does all that for me, and I go and stink up the breakfast table as thanks. Hot water has its uses though. Ooh, that feels nice. Those carts are heavier than they look. Stormy washed the one part of her body that didn’t ache for good measure.

Strawberry said my wings were great. Yeah right, I could have used her strength yesterday instead. She spread her wings. Sorry, you won’t be getting much use anytime soon. But it’s better this way. Only way I can be in a town and keep people safe from me, after all.

Stormy got out of the shower and dried herself off, then changed into her second robe. She took a sniff of the robe on the floor. Eww, the old one does stink. I’d better wash this out. And the bedsheets. I probably stunk them up too.

Stormy left the bathroom with her old robe in her mouth. Spyglass stuck his head through the door between the living room and the front shop. “Ah, you’re out. Come on down; the store’s open.”

“I was about to do my laundry...”

“It can wait until closing time. Come on, you have some learning to do about optics.”

Stormy ran over the set of small telescopes hanging on the wall with a feather duster. She turned her head and sneezed.

“Gesundheit,” Spyglass said, still looking at his lens grinder.

“Nopony’s come in today yet. Is that normal?”

Spyglass looked up. “I don’t get many walk-ins. Usually magnifying glasses when they do. Most of my business is from mail orders and custom jobs.”

Stormy eyed a row of binoculars. “So what’s the difference between these?”

Spyglass looked through a lens at a lit candle. “The little ones are compact, but not much else. Their magnifying power isn’t great, but they fit in a saddlebag while leaving room for everything else.” He picked up a second lens with his magic, looking through both while adjusting the distance between them. “The ones in the middle are mostly for birdwatchers. They have a wide field of view, handy to spot wildlife.” He went back to grinding. “Now the ones with the long barrels, those are astronomical. Big lenses at the end to gather lots of light, and they have a larger zoom factor. But you need magic or a tripod to keep them steady enough to look through.”

“I think I get it. What about the telescopes? You said there were different types?”

Spyglass made his way over to a row of telescopes. “Of course. Take a look at the Cassegrain here, for instance...”

The bell of the shop rang. Stormy set down her broom and glanced around. Spyglass had gone into the cellar to find lenses.

A colt trotted into the store, followed by a mare. Stormy walked over to meet them. Might as well try. “Hello, and welcome to The Finely Focused Filly! My name is Starry Isles, how can I help you?”

“My son Starshine here wants to get a beginner telescope. What do you have that’s cheap?”

Starshine looked around the shop in awe.

Let’s see, what did he say about... “Oh, I have just the thing. Take a look at this...” —the name escaped her— “...one. Its large mirror lets it take in lots of faint light.”

“I don’t know, it’s kind of big.”

“Yeah, but it’s very light, and the uncomplicated...” um... “...base attachment makes for a durable scope. And it’s very affordable for its diameter.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Uh, well, the basic mount means you have to track objects by hoof, and it’s tall enough that Starshine will need to stand on something to reach the eyepiece most of the time. And like all telescopes, you’ll need a set of eyepieces to go with it. But the eyepieces we sell will fit on any telescope we sell, so if you’re interested in another one later on, you can use the same set you already have.”

“Well, Starshine, what do you think?”

The colt had lowered the tube and was looking down it. “Can I have it mommy? Please please please?”

Stormy grinned. “Is that a yes?”

Spyglass locked the door to The Finely Focused Filly as the setting sun shone through the clear sky into its front windows.

Stormy stood with her head low. “So... I didn’t earn another night’s sleep, did I?”

Spyglass turned to her. “Are you joking? You dusted every square inch of counter-top, swept the floor, washed the windows, removed cobwebs I didn’t know we had, watered every plant in the house, without asking, sold the Dobsonian, and did the laundry!”

“So... I can stay?”

“Stay? I think I’ll start showing you how to grind a mirror tomorrow because I can’t think of anything else for you to do! A mystery pony shows up in a robe, works her heart out, and won’t say anything about herself.”

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything. I really can’t. It’s better for both of us, believe me.”

“That’s fine. It wouldn’t be a mystery if the detective got all the answers right away. Don’t worry, you’ll slip up sometime. That’s how it always happens in the books. Then I’ll crack the case of the Mysterious Robed Mare.”

Stormy winced. “Um, let’s hope not.”

Stormy was trying her hoof at grinding an objective lens when the bell rang.

“Welcome to The Finely Focused Filly!” Spyglass said. “How can I help you?”

“Yes, that mare sold my son a telescope yesterday.”

Stormy looked up. It was the mother and son from the previous day.

“Ah,” Spyglass said. “Was there some issue with your purchase?” Stormy walked up beside him.

She spoke up, “Did... did something happen?”

The mare continued, “Well, we set it up according to the instructions, and Starshine took a look, when the strangest thing happened.”

Stormy looked at the colt. “What? What happened?”

Starshine yelled, “It was awesome! I saw tons of new stars and nebulae and I think a galaxy, and there are so many craters on the moon!”

Spyglass smiled. “Well a Dobsonian is rather large for lunar observation; you should get a filter so you don’t hurt your eyes.”

“But then, but then, this!” Starshine turned his side towards Stormy and Spyglass. A representation of the Big Dipper adorned his flank. “You got me my cutie mark! Thank you thank you thank you!” Starshine grabbed onto Stormy’s front leg.

Stormy carefully extracted the colt to keep him from pulling off her robe. “All right, all right, you’re welcome. Take good care of that telescope and it’ll last you for years.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Starshine saluted. He bounded out of the shop. “I wanna look at more stars tonight, Mom!”

His mother followed him out. “Then you should do your homework while it’s still light out...”

Stormy watched them go. “Wow. All I did was sell a telescope.”

“You gave him a night he’ll never forget,” Spyglass replied. “You let him find his special talent.”

“I... I didn’t...” Stormy paused to think. “I... guess I did... didn’t I?”

Spyglass smiled at her. “That’s the spirit.”

Several days’ effort found Stormy Nights making the final adjustments on her creation. A few turned screws and a new refracting telescope was born.

Spyglass took the instrument outside, inserted an eyepiece and looked through it towards the ocean, which glistened in the mid-day sun. “Hmm... from this I can see... your cutie mark probably doesn’t look a thing like mine.”

Stormy glanced at Spyglass’s flank, which sported a simple telescope. “That bad?”

“Well, this is salvageable.” He looked through it again. “I think. You’re a lot better at sales though.”

Spyglass and Stormy re-entered the store, Spyglass locking the door behind him.

“I’m hungry,” he said. “Ready for lunch?”

Stormy thought for a moment. “Uh, is it safe? After how my cooking went this morning?”

“It wasn’t that bad. I’m sure the stain on the kitchen ceiling will wash right off. Most of it, anyways.”

“Sorry.”

“But seeing as we shouldn’t use the stove again until the inspector comes this afternoon—”

“—sorry—”

“—I’m thinking we can go somewhere for lunch. And since the store’s closed Saturday anyways, I can show you around Baltimare. But first, do you mind if we stop by the flower shop? It’s my mother’s birthday today.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

The Tamfoala River wound its way out of the mountains and through Baltimare, heading onwards towards the ocean. To the west, tree-covered hills rose into mountains. In town, on the north side of the river, the town square hosted a small market for the ponies to buy their food. Above the town, there was not a cloud in the sky; there were no pegasi to alter the weather. On the small bridge spanning the river, Baltimare’s sole pegasus waited, forelegs dangling off the side.

What am I doing? Stormy thought. I’m still hanging around after a week. The longer I stay, the bigger the chances of getting found out. Ugh, I don’t want to think about what would happen then. And I’m hardly helping Spyglass. I’m sure I’m dragging him down. I should leave.

But why don’t I want to?

“I didn’t take that long, did I?” a familiar voice asked. “It took me a little bit to find one that I think fits.”

Stormy stood up. “Oh, no, I was just doing some thinking, that I should head out of town soon. Maybe. It doesn’t matter.” She tried to change the subject: “Are all those for your mother?”

Spyglass was levitating several daisies and one yellow lily. “The daises are, yeah.” The lily floated towards Stormy. “But this one’s for you.”

The flower nestled itself behind Stormy’s ear.

“I... I don't... I mean, you shouldn't have... I mean it's nice...” Stormy could feel her cheeks heating up. “But... why?”

“I was just hoping putting a flower behind your ear would put a smile on your face. I haven’t seen you smile all day. Call me selfish. Come on, lets give the rest of these to my mom.”

Shining Way
A wonderful wife, a loving mother,
and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Rest In Peace

“Happy birthday, Mom.” Spyglass Vision set the daisies down at the base of the tombstone.

The two ponies stood in the shade of the nearby maple tree on top of the small hill.

“Mom, this is Starry Isles. She’s been helping me run the shop over the last week. I hope you don’t mind. She just needs to get back on her hooves, is all. And she’s been a tough mystery to solve. Keeps life interesting.”

After a moment, Stormy asked quietly, “What was she like?”

“Mom was the best parent a colt could ask for. She would always do everything she could to make my sister and me happy. Whenever I got scared of the weather, she would sing this lullaby that would make me feel like nothing bad could ever happen. I later found out she found the lullaby in a book, but she still sang with the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. I wish you could have heard it. And she had the kindest smile. I could never feel sad when she smiled.

“She loved to sit under this tree and watch my sister and I play in the grass. She asked to be buried here, you know.” Spyglass sighed. “Listen to me, rambling like this. I’m sorry, it’s just been a while since I’ve had somepony to talk about her with.”

“No, it’s all right. It sounds like she was a great mare.”

Spyglass looked at Stormy. “She really was. Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’ll see you later, Mom.”

Stormy nodded at the gravestone. “Happy birthday, Misses Way.”

Chapter 2

The two ponies sat at a round table outside Banana Cobbler’s Delectable Eatery. A large umbrella standing nearby shaded the pair while Stormy dug into the plate of green bean amandine.

Spyglass levitated a fork into the dish, narrowly avoiding Stormy’s face. “If I’d known you were this hungry,” he said, “I would have asked if you wanted to stop here first.”

“S’ok,” Stormy mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“Watch, uh, that flower.” Spyglass magically moved the lily back behind Stormy’s ear. “I got it for you to wear, not to eat. By the way, Starry, I’ve known you for a week now and you’ve never really told me about yourself.”

Stormy swallowed. “I thought you liked the mystery.”

“Well yes, but this is getting ridiculous. You can’t even tell me what you used to do before you came to Baltimare?”

“Oh. Well, I just come to a town, work for a week or two, then move on to the next one. Baltimare’s my, um, fifth I think. It’s pretty hard work, but it keeps my stomach full. Usually. What about you? How did you end up with a two bedroom house and your own store at your age?”

Spyglass had rescued most of what was left of the dish, moving it to a small plate in front of him. “I grew up in that house. The room I’ve been letting you stay in belonged to my sister and me. My old toys are still in that closet I bet. Doctor Witherson was my favorite. You should let him out sometime; I’m sure he’d love the company.

“As for the store, my mom ran it. She used to joke that it was her eldest child. After she passed away, Dad took it over, but his heart was never really in it. Soprano—my sister—inherited Mom’s voice. She moved to Manehattan to become a singer.

“As soon as I was out of high school, Dad took every bit I owned, including all that birthday and Hearth’s Warming money he’d given me over the years. Called it the price of the house. Left me penniless with a shop that had gotten a reputation for selling overpriced junk. He’s moved down south since then. I don’t talk much to either of them these days.”

“Oh... I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s all right. I wouldn’t trade The Finely Focused Filly for the world. And I’ve been working hard on rebuilding her reputation, just like Mom would have wanted.”

“I’m glad to be helping out, then.”

“I’m just glad for some company around the shop; it gets lonely working by yourself sometimes. If you’re done washing the plate, I can show you around town.”

Stormy returned her tongue to her mouth. “Oh, sure. What did you have in mind?”

“Well, we can see if there’s a decent play tonight; we can go sightseeing around the town square; we can walk through the woods—”

“How about the beach? I’ve never been to a beach.”

“The beach? That’ll work too. Let’s go to the beach.”

Stormy breathed deep; the sea air filled her lungs. The air was saturated with the smell of salt... and the feeling of power. With the high sun pounding on the water, even a single pegasus could craft some very severe weather from the rising moisture. But there were none around to exploit it. Such wasted potential.

Stormy walked through the edge of the surf, Spyglass at her side. As they walked, Stormy drifted farther and farther into the water, the bottom of her robe submerging.

Stormy eyed the waves as Spyglass talked about something. Ooh, there’s a good one. “So Spyglass,” she said, pointing a hoof inland, “what’s that building?”

Spyglass turned. “That’s the town hall. I haven’t had much of a need to go there lately...” Spyglass went on, but Stormy wasn’t paying attention.

Keep looking at it... She crouched slightly. Wait for it...

Stormy jumped into the air and landed in the newly arrived wave, sending a small wall of water into Spyglass’s side.

Spyglass turned to see Stormy failing to look innocent.

“Oh, I see how this is.”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Stormy tilted her head, smiled, and blinked several times.

Spyglass kicked water back at her. Stormy pranced backwards away from him, water splashing around her feet. “Come on, is that all you got?”

Spyglass’s horn began to glow as about four gallons of water lifted into the air.

Uh-oh. Stormy backed away. “Hey, hey no fair! I don’t have magic! You can’t—”

He did.

Stormy shook her head, trying to get the water out of her ears. “Ack! Why you—”

A young voice cut in. “Hey, watch it! You almost got our sand castle with that thing!”

Stormy looked over at two fillies sitting just outside the splash radius. “Sand castle?” Her eyes lit up. ”Sand castle. Spyglass put that water down we’re making a sand castle!”

Stormy plopped herself down on the beach and began crafting.

The sun neared the horizon. The two fillies had long since left for other pursuits, and the two adults played in the sand.

“Sheesh, Starry, if I’d known making sand castles would make you this happy, I wouldn’t have bothered with that flower.”

Stormy, still smiling, looked up at him. “I don’t mind. The flower’s nice too.” The smile faded and she felt around her ear. “The flower! Where did it go? Did I drop it?”

Spyglass looked out over the ocean. “If you dropped it, it’s long gone by now. Besides, I got it to make you smile, and you’ve done plenty of that today. Look at you, you’re covered in sand.”

Stormy looked at her sandy legs and dirty robe. “You call this covered? This is nothing! I grew up in the desert! I got sand in so many places as a filly I had to make up words for the parts of my body they got in. And this! This sand is cool and wet. The desert was HOT. I had to lug water around everywhere to keep myself from getting heat stroke or something.”

Spyglass smirked. “First a smile, then I get some history out of you after all.”

“Ah... so you did. Um, I guess that doesn’t tell you too much about me.” Stormy paused. “I hope.”

Stormy entered Spyglass’s old bedroom, closed the door, drew the shades, and hung up her robe. The walls were painted a light blue, with the remnants of some childhood doodles here and there. A quantity of dust called the desk in one corner home. On the east wall was the door to a small balcony, where a filly and a colt had once played, so long ago. In another corner was the bed, which was actually just two twin beds pushed together. There, years ago, a mother had sung a lullaby to a frightened little pony to soothe his nerves.

“My old toys are still in that closet I bet. Doctor Witherson was my favorite.”

Stormy opened the closet door. Atop a pile of old memories was a plush earth pony, snappily dressed.

“Doctor Witherson, I presume.”

Stormy took the doll and sat it down on the bed, seating herself next to it.

“It seems you’ve already beaten Forelock Holmes to solving this case.” Stormy gave her wings a flap. “And you see why I can’t tell Spyglass. I hope you can keep my secret, too.”

Stormy laid down. “You’re supposed to be pretty smart, right? Any ideas on what to do next? I mean, I know I should be getting ready to move on, and I can’t let anyone, especially him, find out about...” She flapped again. “...but... I just... don’t want to.”

She rolled onto her back, holding the doll above her. “Any ideas?”

Doctor Witherson had no answer.

Stormy Nights lay fast asleep on the bed, Doctor Witherson under one foreleg. The soft pitter-patter of rain filled the air.

Stormy groaned contentedly. She rolled onto her stomach, slowly spreading her wings. Thunder rumbled and Stormy smiled, squeezing the toy to her chest.

Her eyes snapped open.

Stormy threw on her robe and flung open the bedroom door, surprising Spyglass below in the living room.

“It’s raining!”

“Um, yeah.”

“How is it raining?! I thought there weren’t any pegasi in Baltimare!”

“Oh there aren’t. We have our own system. I was going to head over after breakfast, though I don’t see why you can’t come, too.”

“Let’s eat then! Comeon comeon comeon.”

Stormy pranced out in the rain, hood tossed back.

Spyglass stared at her from under his raincoat. “I learn something new about you every day, Starry.”

“I’m sorry, but this feels so GOOD. It can’t have been that long since I’ve last felt rain, but it feels like it’s been years!” She looked at the sky and paused. The clouds were nothing like she’d ever seen. Instead of the fluffy sheet she was used to, these looked like they’d been smeared by some giant mixing spoon. Irregular bands of light and dark crossed the sky.

“Um,” she said, “what’s with the sky?”

“Oh, that’s what it looks like here when it rains.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” He pointed a hoof at a column of cloud by the beach. Stormy would have thought that it was a tornado if Spyglass had not been so calm about it.

“Yeah... I think I have to see this.”

At the base of the funnel cloud were four large round machines. Each had a pipe running into it, and the cloud emanated out of their tops. The pipes ran back through several pumps, and on into the ocean. The earth ponies of the town worked the pumps and shoveled salt from the cloud machines back into the sea.

Stormy stared, bewildered.

“We lease these machines from Cloudsdale, you see.”

“Uh huh.”

A new voice said, “Ah, Spyglass, you’re here. Who’s your friend?”

“Good morning, Mayor Seabreeze. This is Starry Isles. She’s been staying at my place for the last week or so.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Isles,” the sea-green unicorn said. “Spyglass, if you would join the other unicorns, it’s time to move the next section.”

“Sure thing. Here, Starry, watch this.” He trotted over to a group of unicorns. All of their horns illuminated. Up in the sky, a multicolored magical glow appeared around a section of cloud, and the whole thing shifted, smearing the sky.

“Well...” Stormy said, “that’s... something.”

“It isn’t perfect,” Mayor Seabreeze said. “I’ve been asking for a real weather team for a while now, but the Weather Department puts us on the bottom of the list because we already have a weather system, and we can’t get rid of this system because we’ll have no weather team to water the crops.”

“I see. I guess. If, uh, you don’t need any more help I think I’m going to head home.”

Spyglass kept his eyes on the clouds as he replied. “Go ahead. Don’t bother opening the shop; all of the customers are out here anyways.”

Stormy made her way back to the house, trying to just enjoy the rain without looking at the sky. She ruffled her wings under her cloak, trying to get some water, any water, to touch them, but only the faintest hint of moisture made it through.

Stormy Nights stood in the shower, the nozzle directing a spray of cold water onto her outstretched wing.

She sighed. It’s just not the same. Stormy stepped out of the shower, halfheartedly tossing on her robe. She walked to her room.

Hmm, it’s dark outside... and the balcony points away from town... I guess I could... for just a minute or two...

Stormy disrobed and carefully walked out onto the balcony, eyes peeled for other ponies. She laid down and spread her wings. The deep purple pegasus closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt her fears and anxieties wash away.

“Starry? Starry!”

“Wha- huh?” Stormy awoke, rain still falling on her back.

Spyglass looked up from below the balcony. “Are you okay? You didn’t answer when I knocked on your door. I was starting to get worried. What are you doing out here?”

“I’m just...” She still wasn’t wearing her robe. A sense of dread hit her. Her wings closed and she pressed herself down onto the floor. “How much... how much did you see?”

“What?”

“HOW MUCH DID YOU SEE?”

“What do you mean?”

“HOW MUCH DID YOU SEE?”

Spyglass took a step backwards. “Let's... let's talk inside, out of the rain.”

He left Stormy’s view.

Chapter 3

Stormy stood, wings drooped, dripping water onto her bedroom floor.

There was a light tapping on the door. “I got some towels from the bathroom. Can I open the door?”

“What does it matter? You’ve seen me already, haven’t you?”

Stormy glumly looked at the door as it magically opened a few feet. Beyond it was only the top of the living room. Several towels floated in from out of view. The door then closed itself.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Starry. I didn’t see anything, I promise.”

Stormy walked up to the door and began to dry herself off. “You... you really mean it? You still don’t know?”

“I swear to Celestia I don’t know. Are you dry yet? Come on, get dressed so we can have lunch. I’m hungry for grilled cheese.”

After several days, most of the unnatural clouds had either rained out or wandered away. The afternoon sun shone between the few that remained.

“Ready to go camping?” Spyglass asked. A rolled up sleeping bag was slung over his left flank, and a package of supplies hung on his right.

“I’ve got my bag.” Stormy carried a sleeping bag of her own. “You decide on a scope to bring?”

“Of course. We’re taking this one.” A simple refracting telescope and a folded tripod floated up.

Stormy tilted her head. “Kind of small, isn’t it?”

“Yes. But this one has... sentimental value. I think it’s worth bringing on my first trip up the mountains with you.”

“Um... should you be bringing something that important to you on a camping trip?”

“Mom always said that it’s only a telescope when you look through it. Until then, all it is is just an empty tube and some glass. She gave it to me to be used. Here you go.”

The telescope and tripod secured itself to Stormy’s free side. “I’ll be careful with it.”

“Come on, let’s get hiking. We should reach the campsite by sunset if we head out now.”

The two ponies exited the treeline and approached a simple rope bridge crossing a ravine. Far below, the Tamfoala River steadily worked on eroding the rock, flowing onwards towards the town and to the ocean beyond.

The sun sank towards the horizon. Stormy trotted to the edge of the ravine and peered down. “Whoo, long way down there! I can’t even see the bottom in this light.”

Spyglass shuddered. “Can you stand a little farther away from it? You’re making me nervous.” He paused and tilted his head. “Wait, you’re scared of some trees but you can just stare down a cliff like it’s nothing?”

“I can see down the cliff. I can’t see what’s in the forest.”

“I keep telling you, it’s pony-controlled. There’s nothing in there bigger than a dog. Now can you please step away from the edge?”

Stormy walked towards the bridge. “Fine, fine.” She crossed, and Spyglass followed.

He pointed down the trail. “We have to go back into the Super Spooky Forest Of Death a short ways, then we’ll reach the clearing where we can set up.”

Stormy followed Spyglass into the woods again. She eyed the trees suspiciously in the fading light, and stuck close by his side.

In the forest clearing, two ponies sat next to the simple telescope, one looking through. Within, an unimaginably distant galaxy hung in the sky. She looked away from the eyepiece, and up at the sky, which was filled with countless others like it, each invisibly small, except for the one that painted its band from horizon to horizon.

“Wow. I really had no idea the Milky Way could be this bright,” Stormy marveled. “I’ve never paid that much attention to the night sky outside of the cities and towns and all the light pollution. What are we going to look at next? The Horseshoe Nebula was pretty cool, ooh, how about the Horsehead Nebula? I’ve seen nice pictures of that.”

Spyglass chuckled. “We won’t be able to see the Horsehead Nebula in my mom’s little old scope, sorry.”

Stormy looked at Spyglass. “This is your mother’s telescope?”

“Yeah, she made it for me for my last birthday before she died. I know she’d want me to keep using it, though.”

“I see. How about next we look a... a...” she trailed into a yawn.

“How about we call it a night?”

“Already?”

“It’s awfully late.” Spyglass unrolled his sleeping bag. “But the stars aren’t going anywhere.”

Stormy unpacked her bag. “I guess not. We should do this again sometime, though.”

She snuggled into her sleeping bag, careful to keep her robe from bunching up and showing anything. The rope tying her wings closed was uncomfortable, but it was better than risking them opening in her sleep. “Goodnight, Spyglass.”

“Goodnight, Starry. Sweet dreams.”

How long have I been here? Three weeks now? What happened to “a week or two”? He said that his shop was in trouble; he’s not THAT well-off. Certainly not enough to support ME. I clean up once in a while, he gets to double his grocery bill. I’m such a stupid pony.

I still manage to find ways to hurt those I care about. What other ponies would be better for him than I am? How about ANY OTHER MARE IN EQUESTRIA. Yet here I am, exploiting his generosity, and keeping him from somepony who deserves him more. Such an idiot, Stormy.

Starry.

“Starry!” Spyglass shook her awake.

“Hrm? Wha? I sleep through the alarm clock?”

“I woke up early and I saw you tossing and turning all over the place. Did you have a nightmare or something?”

Stormy stretched in her bag, then began to work her way out. “No, nothing too out of the ordinary. Sorry if I woke you up.”

Most of the stars were still out; there was only the faintest hint of the new day in the sky above the trees at the eastern edge of the clearing.

After a granola breakfast, the pair had packed up and were heading down the mountain. The eastern horizon was now glowing, the sun lingering just below.

“When we get back to Baltimare,” Spyglass said, stepping off of the bridge over the ravine, “what do you say we hit the beach again?”

“Why the beach?” Stormy asked as she crossed the center. “Cheaper than another flower?”

There was a snap. The rope bridge lurched.

“STARRY!”

The other rope snapped, splitting the bridge in half. Stormy frantically hooked her forelegs into a gap and swung down, hitting the cliffside. The telescope, tripod, and sleeping bag she was carrying were knocked free and fell away into the darkness below.

Spyglass’s head appeared above. “Starry! Are you all right?”

Stormy had the wind knocked out of her. “I’m... I’m okay. Oof.” Her hind legs scrabbled for purchase. One of the anchors had unwound, leaving the bridge hanging by a single rope.

“Hang in there, I’ll get you up!”

Spyglass pushed the front half of his body over the edge, stretching a foreleg downward. Stormy unhooked one of her forelegs and reached up, but they were much too far away from each other to reach. He grunted, then slipped a few inches.

Stormy’s heart stopped. Spyglass managed to push himself away. “DON’T!” she yelled. “Don’t do that! Don’t... don’t risk yourself for me.”

Spyglass’s head appeared over the edge again. “Starry. I don’t ever, ever, want to hear you talk like that again. I’m going to think of something, just give me a few seconds. You’re not going to fall. I promise.”

It’s all right, Stormy thought. I can still fly. I’m not in THAT much trouble. I... my wings. … I tied down my wings. She gripped the bridge a little tighter.

All right all right, I just need to get the rope off. She dug her hind legs into her stomach, kicking at the rope securing her wings. Come on, come on. She tried to open her wings while Spyglass wasn’t looking. Just... a little... there! The rope fell off, catching on her hind legs. Okay NOW I know I’m going to live.

“Okay, Starry.” Spyglass appeared again. “I’m going to use magic. I’m going to telekinetically pull the bridge up. Hang tight.”

“Wait, is your magic strong enough to lift me?”

“I’ve never been strong enough to pick up another pony. But I have to try! I promised you’d be safe, remember. Here goes!” He stepped backwards and left her sight.

The bridge illuminated and slowly shifted upwards. Stormy could hear heavy exertion above. “I’m uh, not so sure about this...” she started.

The rope supporting the bridge began to fray against the edge of the cliff.

The magic faded.

The rope snapped, and Stormy felt weightless.

Stormy twisted herself head-down as she fell. Her robe flapped upwards. Stormy opened her wings. Her left wing opened, but something caught her right. She looked to see the rope wrapped around her wing and her hind legs.

She flapped as hard as she could with her free wing to slow down. Her right wing wiggled pathetically in the rope’s grasp. Below, the Tamfoala River rushed up to greet her, along with the rocks jutting out of it.

Stormy tried to correct for the uneven thrust the best she could, rolling over, jerking herself upright, and trying to avoid turning into the cliff wall.

She couldn’t stop her descent entirely, and hit the river. Under the water, she felt her robe snag on something, holding her head under the surface. She squirmed underwater until she managed to get her teeth on the robe’s neck, and pulled it off over her head. She swam with the current to a nearby rock and pulled herself out of the river.

She flopped herself down onto the flat rock, panting heavily. “Stupid... rope... never doing... that again...” She worked the rope off and kicked it into the river, where it floated a short distance before catching on some other rock.

Stormy shook herself dry and looked up. I guess that’s it. Not quite how I wanted to leave, but it’ll have to do. I wonder if he’ll bother with a funeral. I wonder what he’ll say at it.

She opened her wings. All I have to do now is just... fly away.

Stormy took off.

But first... it can’t hurt to listen. Just listen.

She flew up to where the bridge used to hang, being careful to hug the cliff face. She listened intently, but heard nothing. Did he leave? Just like that?

Stormy flew along the ravine for a short distance and peeked over the edge. Spyglass was still there. He was on his stomach, head buried in his hooves. The very top of the sun poked over the horizon behind Stormy.

She landed atop the cliff and walked into the forest. She made her way to the trees nearest to him, moving as quietly as she could. Spyglass did not notice.

He’s going to be all right... he’ll find somepony else... somepony better than I am... She turned back and forth. He deserves better, whoever he’ll find deserves him... Her wings opened and closed. I have to go, I want to... I have to... I have to leave.

Why can’t I leave?

Chapter 4

...

I’m going to regret this.

“S... Spyglass,” Stormy said. She spoke as loudly as she could, but it came out as a whisper.

Spyglass’s ear twitched. He raised his head. “H... hello? Is... is somepony there?”

I can still leave I don’t have to— “Spyglass. It’s me.”

Spyglass stood up and turned around. He galloped towards her, tears in his eyes. “STARRY! You’re alive!? How did you- oh.” He turned away.

“Wh... what?”

“You’re not wearing your robe.”

Stormy looked down. “No... I lost it. But... it doesn’t matter anymore. You can look.”

“No, I’m not going to. Not if your secret’s that important to you.”

“Please, Spyglass... turn around.” Stormy closed her eyes, and shakily opened her wings.

There was silence for a few seconds. Stormy opened her eyes. Spyglass faced towards her, but with closed eyes.

Her wings drooped. “Spyglass... why?”

“If you don’t want me to look, I won’t look. I’ll just walk home with my eyes closed, or walk in front of you, if that’s what you want.”

“What I want?... I want... I want to put my robe back on again! I want to go home and forget this happened! I want to just stay in Baltimare forever!” Stormy fell onto her stomach and buried her head in her hooves. “But I can’t. Not anymore. You need to know, and then you’ll... It’s just... not fair.”

Stormy heard Spyglass walk over to her, and she felt a hoof on her shoulder. “I won’t ask, Starry. Not if it’ll upset you. Everything’s going to be okay.” She felt his hoof slide off of her shoulder.

And brush the leading edge of her wing.

Spyglass stopped. “Huh?” He prodded her wing. Stormy looked up at him as he opened his eyes.

“You’re... you’re a pegasus?”

Stormy shifted her wings and pushed her face back into the ground.

“What’s wrong? Whatever gave you the idea I wouldn’t like you if I knew you were a pegasus?”

Stormy still didn’t look at him. “It’s... it’s more than that.”

“Like what?”

“I... I still don’t want to say. I’m sorry.”

“All right. I won’t push you. Let’s just go home, Starry.”

“Stormy.”

“Excuse me?”

She looked up. “My name’s not Starry. It’s Stormy. Stormy Nights.”

“Stormy Nights, huh? You really are bundle of mysteries, aren’t you? Well, would Stormy Nights the pegasus like to go home?”

“But... there’s one more thing.”

“What now?”

Stormy’s eyes welled up. “I lost your mother’s telescope. I’m so sorry. I know how much it meant to you...”

“It’s all right. You saved something much more important.”

The sun finished setting outside of Spyglass Vision’s house; the orange faded from the sky. Within, two ponies were finishing up their dinner.

“I’m really sorry about not going to the beach like you wanted. I’m just... not feeling up to much of anything. And I still feel awful about the telescope.”

“I told you it was okay. And take your time feeling better.”

Stormy polished off the last of the hay casserole. “Yeah. Although I do appreciate the flowers.” She tilted her head towards a bouquet of orange roses, yellow carnations, and white daisies. “But I should get packing.” Stormy started walking towards the stairs.

“Packing?” Spyglass moved to block her way. “What do you mean, packing?”

“I need to head out of town. Soon. I might as well just go tomorrow.”

“What? Why?” Spyglass didn’t move out of Stormy’s way.

Stormy opened her wings and flew up to the balcony. Spyglass hurried up the stairs and entered her room behind her.

“Star- Stormy, what’s going on? Why are you in such a hurry now?”

“Here’s Doctor Witherson back. I might have drooled on him a little in my sleep.”

Spyglass magically tossed the doll aside. “STORMY. Tell me what is wrong.”

Stormy turned to look at Spyglass. “I can’t tell you, okay? You think I want to leave? I don’t. But I have to. I-I just can’t... I can’t let you... fear me.”

“Fear? Why would I be afraid of you?”

“If I said... you would... ARGH! I just can’t take this!” Stormy flopped onto the bed, then looked into Spyglass’s eyes. “I try to imagine what it would look like. Looking at you and seeing you looking back at me in fear. I just can’t stand it! I could take it from any other pony, but not you! Not you! That’s why I need to go. I need to leave before you figure it out! I want to remember you smiling at me, not cowering away from me.”

“Stormy, I’m not afraid of—”

There was a knock at the door. “What the? Be right back. Just... stay there.”

About thirty seconds later, Spyglass returned. “There’s some ponies here asking for you.”

“What? Me? I’ll be right there.”

Stormy went to the front door, followed by Spyglass. There were two white pegasi there, wearing golden armor.

“Stormy Nights?” one of them asked.

“Um, yes?”

“Princess Celestia has been searching for you.”

“What?”

“You will meet the Princess tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, in the town square. Don’t be late.” The two pegasi turned and left.

Stormy was in a daze. “The Princess... me... morning...” She didn’t even remember how she ended up back in her room. “Why... why?” Stormy, on the bed, looked at the lightning bolts on her flank. “I knew I was dangerous, but... this much? Enough for the Princess? I thought... I thought if I just stayed on the ground... everything would be okay. I would be able to just live my life.”

Stormy looked at Spyglass, tears welling in her eyes. “What is she going to do to me? I’m... I’m scared.”

Spyglass settled onto the bed next to Stormy. “Everything I’ve heard about the Princess says that she is a wise and just ruler. Whatever it is, Princess Celestia will do the right thing, I’m sure.”

“But what’s the right way to deal with somepony like me? Spyglass... can you please stay with me, for just... just a little while? I just want...”

“Ssh, it’s all right. I’ll be right here as long as you need me to.” He shifted his weight, and Stormy felt the warmth of his body press against hers.

“Thank you.”

The first light of the next morning shone into the room, waking Stormy up. Against her stomach, Spyglass steadily breathed in and out, still fast asleep. He was also laying on both of her left legs. Stormy slowly pulled herself free, trying not to wake the stallion.

Spyglass stirred. “Mmh?” He raised his head. “Sunrise already? I must have dozed off.” He rolled out of bed, stretched, and reached over to ruffle Stormy’s mane. “Hey. Today’s your big day.”

Stormy, still on the bed, rolled onto her stomach. “I know.”

“There’s time for breakfast. What do you want to eat?”

“I’m not hungry, but I really appreciate it. Everything you’ve done for me, really. I just wanted to tell you, in case... in case she...”

“Stormy.” Spyglass laid himself back down on the bed, putting a hoof on Stormy’s shoulder. “You’re going to be okay. We can have some waffles when you get back.”

“If I get back.”

“WHEN. Princess Celestia is going to understand; just tell her that there’s nothing wrong with your lightning.”

“I’m not so... wait. You KNOW?” Stormy scrambled out of bed. “How could you know about my lightning?!”

Spyglass glanced at Stormy’s cutie mark. “Call it a hunch.”

“But... why? Why are you not afraid of me? You stayed with me, all night, knowing what I could do?”

“Stormy, do you remember last week, when it rained? And I found you on the balcony?”

Stormy looked away. “And you almost saw my wings.” She extended them for a moment. “I managed to fool you, I guess. Though we both know how much good that did in the end.”

“But you laid there. You didn’t fly. You could have gone up to the clouds. Your coat is dark enough nopony would have spotted you. You could have done... whatever it is you do with weather. And lightning. Nopony would have known. So why didn’t you?”

“Because...” Stormy looked into his eyes. “I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t risk you finding out. I’d been very careful not to do anything to reveal myself to anypony.”

She began to pace back and forth. “To keep everypony safe from me. I had to work while wearing that robe, in that heat. To keep them safe. When I flew between cities, I was careful to make sure nopony saw me take off or land.” She stopped and looked back at Spyglass. “Whenever I landed on a cloud to rest, I was careful to not make any sparks. Careful not to send bolts at anypony, to watch what’s below. I’ve been careful...

“Careful...

“I’ve been...

“I’ve been... such an idiot!”

Stormy fell to the floor and began to sob.

“I’m such...” she worked out between breaths. “I’m... all this time... I could have... flown and... been careful... and I lied to you... and you... you’ve done... so much... I can’t possibly... I’m so sorry...”

Spyglass made his way next to her, settling down at her side. “It’s all right, Stormy,” Spyglass said, putting his foreleg across the back of her neck. “Let it all out.”

After about a minute, Stormy had calmed down a little and looked back up to Spyglass.

Through her blurry vision, Stormy could still see the unicorn smiling at her. “Feel better now?” he asked.

Stormy wiped her eye and smiled faintly at him. “Yeah... I needed that,” she said with a sniffle.

“We still have time for breakfast. Are you hungry yet?”

“Um... do we have time for those waffles? It’s been a long time since I’ve had waffles.”

“We can have waffles, then you can sort this whole thing out with the Princess. I’ll go get the waffle iron warmed up.” Spyglass left the room.

A crowd had already gathered in the square. Stormy could only figure that the guards had been asking around town the previous day.

Stormy hesitated at the edge of the crowd. She turned to Spyglass. “I don’t think I can do this. It’s just...”

Spyglass put his hoof on her shoulder. “It’s going to be all right, Stormy. I believe in you. Go ahead, she’ll understand.”

Stormy nodded at him and took a deep breath. She walked alone to the center of the square, head low, all eyes on her. She stopped in front of the two guards, who looked at her with stern eyes. I need to do this myself, she thought, but I’d feel a whole lot better with him next to me.

A short distance ahead, a golden carriage touched down. Off stepped the largest pony Stormy had ever seen, a bright white mare in shining armor. Her long, multicolored mane and tail blew in some unfelt wind and glowed as if they were lit from within.

Stormy bowed as low as she could and closed her eyes as Princess Celestia approached. It’s all right, it’s going to be all right... Stormy heard the Princess’s footsteps stop just in front of her.

“Stormy Nights,” the soft voice said.

I can do this... right? “Y-Your Majesty,” she managed to get out.

“When I visited Whinnypeg three months ago, I could not help but hear several rumors of a dangerous weatherpony, one who wielded lightning. I became curious about this pony, and you have proven quite elusive until now.”

Stormy started to shiver. “I, I’m so sorry!” she stammered. “If, if I’d known, I would have written, or flown to Canterlot or, or—” She still hadn’t looked up.

“No need to apologize, Stormy Nights. I must admit, when I first heard about a pony that destroyed weeks of hard work, and nearly struck three other ponies with lightning, I was not expecting this.”

Stormy looked up. “Your Majesty?”

She saw Celestia looking back down at her, a benevolent smile on her face. “Tell me, how long has it been since you last used your abilities?”

“Um, not since I left Whinnypeg. I mean, I’ve flown between cities, but I’ve been really careful about keeping grounded and covered inside the towns.”

“But you have not used your lightning at all?”

“Not at all since then, Your Majesty. But...” She paused. Here goes nothing... “I think... I’m ready to give it another try. And be more careful about it.” Quicky, she added, “If that’s okay, uh, Your Majesty.”

“Certainly, Stormy Nights. Every pony should feel free to use his or her unique talents.”

“R-really? You’re not-?” Stormy took a moment to compose herself. “I mean, thank you. Thank you so much, Your Majesty.”

“Not at all. I look forward to hearing about your weather career.”

“Yeah... weather.” She glanced back towards Spyglass. “I... kind of want to stay in Baltimare though. But... Baltimare doesn’t have pegasi.”

A voice spoke up from the crowd. “If you’ll pardon the interruption, Princess?”

Stormy and the Princess both looked over at the unicorn. “Yes, Mayor Seabreeze?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Baltimare has been hoping for a real weather team for a while now, and I think Miss Nights would be great for when we need some rain. It would be a nice change to have real clouds for once.”

“An excellent idea! I shall ask the Weather Department to assign more pegasi to Baltimare immediately.”

So... I can stay! Stormy jumped to her feet, then paused. Wait. “One...” She swallowed. “One more thing, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, Stormy Nights?”

“There was a weatherpony I knew in Whinnypeg, named Wob- I mean, Silver Lining, she’s...”

Stormy could hear Wobbler’s voice in her head: “...the best weatherpony in Equestria!”

“She... has a few things to learn, but I think she deserves a second chance.”

“I shall be sure to look into it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“You’re quite welcome. Now, I have business back in Canterlot I need to attend to. It was a pleasure to meet you, Stormy Nights.”

Stormy bowed again. “It was, um, nice to meet you too, Your Majesty.” She watched the princess leave.

Stormy ran back to Spyglass and embraced him.

I don’t deserve this.

I don’t deserve any of this.

But...

I think...

that maybe...

I can get used to it.

Spyglass Vision lay in his living room, the fireplace warming the house and providing light to read by. In his book, Forelock Holmes dramatically opened his cape, revealing that he had been holding the jewel known as The Princess’s Eye that entire day.

Spyglass felt a warm weight press down on his shoulders. He looked up and into Stormy Nights’s face, which smiled back down at him. She closed her wings.

“Tomorrow’s when the first of the new weather team arrives, isn’t it?” Spyglass asked. “Going to go work up there from now on?”

“I’m a rough weather pony, remember? I’ll still spend my time helping in the shop when the sun’s out. But when the call comes for rain, you’re going to need those binoculars to find me!”

“I guess you’ll be living in a cloudhome too. It’s going to be lonely at night again without you.”

Stormy climbed down off of Spyglass and curled up next to him.

“Nah... cloudhouses are overrated.”

The sunlight shining into The Finely Focused Filly was blocked by a cloud that was moving not quite in a straight line. Stormy busied herself cleaning the lenses of the various telescopes along the back wall.

She heard the door open and Spyglass say, “Welcome to The Finely Focused Filly, how can I help you?”

“Yeah, I heard you had a best friend here.”

Stormy turned, flew across the shop, and tackled the pony, sending the pair out the front door.

“Strawberry! What are you doing here?”

Strawberry Blossom stood up, sending Stormy sprawling. “ME? You go and send this gloomy letter from Whinnypeg and then just up and vanish? I was worried sick! I nearly failed out of school! What in Equestria got into you?”

Stormy looked away. “I’m sorry I worried you like that. I had something I... had to get over. But I’m better now. Here, I’ll show you around town. I know, let’s go to the beach. Beach sand is fun to play with.” She yelled into the shop, “Spyglass, Strawberry and I are going to the beach!” Stormy turned back to her friend.

“Come on, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”