Chapter 1 - The Encounter
The day was dark, and that’s even with the sun in the sky. Cloudsdale has collapsed, and nothing has been the same since. Weather has fallen into complete chaos, and few pegasi ever help with the weather control, despite it being their jobs back when Cloudsdale use to exist. It’s all controlled by unicorns now, and the main control facilities are now scattered all over Equestria. The large spires stretch up into the air, and past the clouds, used for the Weather Watch, who kept up on the upcoming storms to prep the cities for the dangers. I am one of the Response Ponies to the Weather Watch, and I was sitting at my desk when the call came up from the Ponyville Weather Watch Tower.
“All Response Ponies in the Ponyville sector, attention, this is not a drill. An electrical storm, Delta Bravo, is heading towards the Ponyville sector, and will be arriving within five minutes. You know the protocols, now go!” The call ended, and all of us looked at each other, before I was the first to stand up.
“Well, you heard the Weather Watch. Let’s get going. It’s our job.” I commanded, before grabbing everything I needed for the Control. I left the Weather Support building, and everypony looked at me, as I was armed with everything that we used for emergency uses. “Everypony, listen up!” I yelled, looking over the crowd that was now gathering. “Stay calm, this is all natural. We have a point three electrical storm coming our way, and we need you all to cooperate.”
“What does that mean? What do you mean, ‘point three’?” One of the many ponies replied, and I looked back at the other Response Ponies, who were now leaving the Weather Support building, and were moving up next to me.
“Point three isn’t the worst that we could get. A scale one is the worst. This isn’t bad, but it is still majorly serious. So, please, no more questions.” I answered, as one of the other Response Ponies looked back at me, then back at the audience. “Now, please head into your houses, and do not come out until the alarm is sounded. If anypony attempts to leave Ponyville, we will not be responsible for any problems that occur to you outside the gates. After all doors are closed, please lock them, and then we will lock the metal gates at the borders of the town.” I dismiss the crowd, and everyone went to their houses. I went over to the gates at the edge of the town, looking at the timer on my saddlebags, which said around a minute left. I looked up, and saw the electricity running through the clouds. Thankfully, the Weather Watch spires were electric-proof, and that everything would be safe up there for the Weather Watch. After the doors were all locked, one of the other Response Ponies waved to me, and I shut the gates, locking them down, before running back to the Weather Support building, where the door was then closed and locked.
“Well, this is going to be a fun night now. I wish we could just get rid of the stupid storm clouds, but without Cloudsdale, nothing can be taken out easily.” One of the other Response Ponies said, sitting down on the couch inside the building. It wasn’t much of a business building, more like a relaxation area while we waited for a problem to occur, but none of us really complained.
“Weather Support Ponyville, are you there?” The radio rang out, as I went over to it again. I answered quickly, and picked up the connection.
“Yes, everything is fine here. We got the town on lockdown, but the radio won’t stay connected for long, with this storm in action.” I replied, looking over the cameras that we had recently set up all over Ponyville. Everything was still, and I could see the electricity that was surging around, hitting different areas of the town. Signs were being hit with the electrical arcs. Due to the special locks on the doors, none of the electricity could get into the houses, and harm the ponies.
“Alright, we’ll leave you guys alone for the storm. We’ll call back when the storm is completely over.” They replied back, as I ended the call, looking back at all the other Response Ponies.
“So, the storm will end soon, and we will all be able to go back to our normal days, right?” The newest Response Pony asked, looking back at me.
“Yeah, for the most part. However, when everything is over, and you leave, there will be much more questions from the other ponies.” I replied, laughing slightly. I took another glance at the cameras, and saw them starting to short circuit due to them not being electricity-proof. The radio cut out, as the antenna most likely couldn’t receive anything until after the storm.
“How long can these storms last?” The new Response Pony asked again, still not knowing much about his job or anything.
“It depends, but most of the time, a point three electrical storm can last around ten minutes to an hour, more or less.” I replied again, looking over to the weather-proof windows, and seeing the storm getting even worse. “However, by the looks over things, we might be in this building for a bit longer.”
“Great, that’s just great. Reminds me of the storm up in Canterlot, when I was being stationed to protect the princesses from storms.” One of the other Response Ponies sighed, looking out the same window.
“Wait a second Chase, you were a Response Pony to the royal princesses?” The same new pony said, looking over at Chase, who looked back at all of us.
“Well, Silver, it’s not called a Response Pony, but yeah, that’s the basics of it. It’s known as a Royal Weather Protection Pony, or an RWP Pony.” Chase replied, before going back over and laying down on the second couch. “Well, wake me up when the storm is over, I’m going to sleep. Good night everypony.” He was out within a few seconds after saying that, and we all looked at each other, trying to hold in our laughter.
“So, Spark, what do you think will happen if you get moved stations? You’re one of the best Response Ponies here.” Silver asked, looking over at me. I knew they might move me soon, most likely to the Royal Weather Protection team, just like Chase once had.
“Well, you never know, they might not, but whatever happens, I’ll just pass the information I know off to you.” I said, looking over at the gate cameras, and seeing the technological controls. “The controls aren’t easy to remember, so I’m one of the best to show others how to use them, and with more storms most likely coming in, who knows when someone will need to learn?” It was only another seven minutes before the radio started back up, and I answered it.
“Alright, the storm is over. You can come out.” The Weather Watch said, before turning off their transmission, and I grabbed the town intercom, and turning it on.
“Attention all Ponyville residents, the storm is over, you may come out now. Please be ready to be instructed back into your houses at any moment.” I read off my memory, and then turned off the intercom, and left the building, going to the gate controls. As the town residents opened their doors, I was opening the gate, and saw one of the Royal Weather Services vehicles coming around the corner and coming towards me, before stopping in front of the partially open gate.
“Are you Spark?” One of the ponies, who were heavily armored, asked, looking up at me, as I continued to open the door. I nodded, and then he looked back into the vehicle. When he emerged again, he looked at me, and then at the controls. “We’re from the Royal Weather Services, sent here on behalf of your expertise in your division. We would like to have you up at Canterlot Castle as part of our team.” I finished the gate, and then stepped away from the controls, heading back to the main building.
“Well, I guess I could help. Why am I being repositioned so soon after a storm?” I knew they wouldn’t often due this, unless something went completely wrong.
“Well, due to some… Complications at Canterlot, we had to contact your section as soon as possible.” The pony got out of the vehicle, and then grabbed his weapons from the vehicle, “However, due to the storm, we had to come as soon as we heard that it was over. We must have you up at Canterlot Castle by three hours from now. If you’re not there, who knows what will happen to you.” He dropped a bag in front of me, and then stopped, readjusting his armor. “That bag is filled with all the armor and weapons you should be armed with when you head to Canterlot. Make sure you’re set, or you won’t be in for a good day.” He then turned and walked off, as I looked down at the bag in front of me. One of the other Response Ponies came over to me, and looked at the bag.
“So, Spark, you’re going to be a Royal Weather Services pony?” He asked, looking over at me, as I opened the door to the Weather Support building, and dragged the bag inside, setting it by the couch.
“I have no idea, Goldy. I never saw this in any of my years working as a Response Pony, so this is completely new.” I opened up the bag, and pulled out one of the pieces of armor, levitating it onto my back, adjusting the straps and making sure it’s comfortable. “Well, if I’m going up there, I should teach one of you about the drills and calls. Who wants to learn them?” I looked around, and Silver was the only one to step forward. “Alright, I’ll teach you after I finish putting the armor on.” I levitated the next piece of armor, the helmet, onto my head, and then chained it to the other piece of armor that I already had on. I stepped into the hoof guards, then tightened those on, before stepping back and looking over myself.
“The armor does look much better than it use to.” Chase said, walking into the room from the secondary response room, looking over me. “I heard that you were being moved stations soon, but I didn’t know it was this soon. I’m glad to know that we have someone from the Ponyville Unit going up to serve in the Royal Units.” He sat down on the couch, looking into the bag, and then back at me. “Well, you better get started on teaching Silver. It’s going to be a while.”
Author's Note
This is the first chapter of The Storm Patrol story, part of the Equestrian Tales series, where everything will be in a ordered set, so if you don't read this story, and I've published the other stories, this one won't make as much sense. Hope you all like it, and tell me what you think of it!
