Twilight had just finished locking up the Library for the day, even getting Spike to help her secure the doors and windows for the storm set to roll in tonight. Looking over her 'Meduim seasonal Storm Checklist', she smiled at having one item left: upstairs loft sunlight. She had saved it for last as she could get a glass of water from the kitchen before heading upstairs towards her bedroom, the window well within reach on the way. Rolling up the scroll, she trotted from the open foyer that functioned as a library and an entertaining room and toward the small kitchen, the sound of thunder rolling in the distance and moving closer my the minute.

"Uderoth howls in anger..... Never understood why Shinny would say that and smile during every storm...." Twilight chuckled and shook her head, shutting off the lights before walking up the stairs, glass of water in her magic. She created the top of the stairs when a flash of light startled her, a loud crack of sound shook the windows in their frames. Deciding to not dally any longer, Twilight reached up and grasped the window lock with her magic when a black mass crashed through the window, sending shards of glass to the floor below with it. Shocked, she cast a quick fix it spell on the broken glass before the rain could come cascading through. Remembering what caused the need for the spell, She rushed back down the stairs to find a dragon sprawled on her floor, wings cut from the glass and scorch marks along it's spine and a smoldering section over the left eye.

"Just whar happened to you?....." She whispered, giving a squeal of surprise when the dragon spasmed and let out an arcid smelling cough before seeming to pass out.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! I chided myself as rain soaked me to the bone, thunder and lightning on my tail. It had to only been fifteen minutes since I left the Enterprise and a dam monsoon was upon me, riding my ass. And I'm sad to say, it was the second crack of thunder that broke my from my daze. And I definitely didn't scream like a girl...... Anyways, I had tried climbing higher, but I could never crest the top of the Strom. I'd get 30 feet from it when I loose all lift and drop back below. On the second attempt, a bolt of lightning struck to my right and arking off to conect with my back causing a tingling sensation to run up my spine. The third attempt was as I neared the outskirts of Ponyville. I was beginning to tire out, but felt like I could make it to town hall before I was spent. But as I leveled out from another failed attempt, a sudden gale caused me to vear to the left as a massive mother of all lightning bolts came down, striking my left side of my face.

All I felt was pain as my vision turned to a blinding white, and my face was on fire. I don't know why or how, but I felt more lightning hit me before I felt something shatter and blacked out with one last thump as I'm sure my head bounced off of floor.

A room made of white..... Something. Soft to the touch and pleasantly warm. But didn't feel like anything. I sat up and rubbed my head, pausing when I felt a pair of knots near the top of my forehead. I snapped out of my confusion as a garbled shout came from in front of me. The source..... Was some blurred biped- like having bad vision and no glasses blurred, that pointed at me and shouted again. It's cry of panic was echoed further away, drawing my attention to a massive statue of..... Me? I mean, overall looked like me, but it only had it's left arm. The right was cut short at the elbow, and the right wing was missing a third of the membrane while the left was just bone. Before I could move to see it more, a heavy presence pushed me back down, a distorted voice speaking as my vision faded to nothing.

YoU ARE toO eArLY MEIN FùER!!

".....ey! Hey! Are you ok?! Oh, please be ok..... I really should have taken Fluttershy up on those first aid classes...... I can't send a letter to Celestia over this, oh dear ....." The voice continued as feeling slowly came back to me, and I wish it didn't. Absolutely everything hurt, and was nothing but pins and needles. And that wasn't considering my head, which felt like I stated at the sun for hours and then drove two spikes through my forehead. I would have just laid there, but someone would probably bust their brain worrying over me or I might be paralyzed.....

Fear really help you make a decision.

Ever so slowly and painfully, I moved to put my arms under me and walk my upper body up off the floor, stopping once I was sitting upright. Keeping my eyes closed and the second worst headache from growing, I tried speaking to Miss panic. "Oi...... Frauline. Iahm phine......" Ok, mouth is still tingling. I coughed to get her attention, shifting my legs into a more comfortable position. I guess my movement startled her because she stopped rambling to let out a gasp.... And rambling again!

Frustrated, I growl and open my eyes to stare her down. She slows her rambling, ending it with a rather cute squeak as I notice just how bright everything seems. Like I see every detail as if it was day but it's pitch black outside and there are no lights on. Deciding to think about it later, I focused back onto the purple unicorn in front of me. "Firth. Soury abut tha window. Two, stoop panikin. T'ree, I'm full o' light'n......." Sure enough, I could actually feel the electric energy flowing through me! I moved my arm and spotted faint arc burns along my scales that glowed a dull blue. Before I got too lost in the latest development of myself, She spoke up.

"Are you certain you're okay? Judging by the burn marks you took atleast two direct hits and multiple arcing hits. I would almost estimate that to 1.20 gigawatts......." She had a lost in thought look before she shook her head. "Unfortunately, I don't have any credited book on Dragon Anatomy not am I licensed doctor. So I will take your word." She smiled before holding out a forehoof, "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And you are?"

"Ripper...." I went to shake her hoof but a small arc of electricity jumped from my claws to her hoof, causing her to squeak and shake her hoof with a smile. "Sorry. I was flying from work when the storm snuck up on me....." I explained feeling better in my body but still having the headache.

Twilight tilted her head, seemingly confused. "Snuck up? I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude but there has been a notice about the storm for two days all over town....."

I rubbed my sore head, shuffling my wings to work out the stiffness. "I kinda travel for work..... Just got to town late last night." I don't like lying to people that are helping me, but I also don't feel the pride of claiming to be a Private of the Enterprise. I might quit, I don't really know. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, clearing my mind before my depression spiked again. "If you don't mind, can I wait out the storm while I'm here? I feel fine but I think I'm a walking lightning rod now and I am definitely not flying again tonight......." I asked after opening my eyes, feeling the soreness of my wings and the small cuts in their membranes.

My exhaustion must've shown in my looks and voice because Twilight softly smiled. "Of course! There is a reading nook with some pillows you can sleep on. I apologise for not having a couch. This is more library than a house, and it only has the one bedroom that I share with my adopted brother Spike." She gave a determined nod before lighting up her horn. "If you need help, I can help you walk to it....." She offered. I tried to stand but felt my legs lock up as my muscles protested.

Sighing I waved her off, "Thanks, but just give me a few of the pillows, I can't move......" Twilight gave another kind smile before teleporting three large pillows, placing two behind me against the wall, and letting me hold the last one as I leaned back hearing my spine softly pop.

"If you need anything else, I will be upstairs. Kitchen is past the stairs, and there is a bathroom to the left of the stairs. Goodnight, and I hope you feel better tomorrow." I gave a silent nod as she went upstairs, slowly shifting myself to lay facedown, one pillow under my chin and the other two to my chest.

Still feeling the soreness of my everything, I let out a happy sigh as my body relaxed and I willingly passed out.

Author's Note

Hey all!

Was stuck- and still am as I'm writting this note, in a traffic jam and was able to write over 3/4ths of this chapter.

Hope you enjoy and I shall work on the next chapter!

Ripper vs. Queen of the Nerds!!!
Actual title undisclosed