Occult Rising

The morning came quick. Applespice awoke to the sound of Jet rummaging through the hall closet looking for something.

"… know I put it in here. Gotta find that damn book." He mumbled to himself.

Applespice sat up.

"What are you looking for, Jet? Maybe I can help." Applespice offered.

Jet flinched when he spoke and slowly turned around.

"No, that's okay, Applespice. I'm, uh, just. Um, rearranging the closet. You know, to save space and stuff." Jet replied.

He looked as though he hadn't slept at all. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was frazzled, and his clothes were wrinkled and had sweat stains on them.

"With all due respect, Jet. You look like shit." Applespice said.

Jet turned around and looked in the mirror on the back of the closet door.

"Oh my Celestia. You're right, I do look like shit." Jet said as he closed the door and headed upstairs.

Applespice sat up as Wind came down the stairs and sat on the couch next to him. She smiled and gave him a kiss.

"Morning, sexy." She said.

"Good morning, Windy." Applespice replied.

"What was wrong with my dad? He looked like something the cat drug in." Wind said.

Applespice just shrugged.

"Don't ask me." Applespice said.

He got up and stretched before heading to the bathroom. After he was finished, he came and sat back down on the couch. Wind snuggled up next to him and they watched TV for a while. After a few minutes, Wind's mom screamed from upstairs. Wind and Applespice ran upstairs to find that the window was smashed open and Dash was unconscious on the floor. Jet was nowhere to be found. On the bed, Wind found a note.

It said, 'We have taken Jet Stream. Do not try to pursue us, it will only lead to disaster. The best thing you can do is spend your last fleeting days with your loved ones.'

"Who took dad?" Wind asked.

Applespice took the note and looked over it.

"It's signed, SS. Who's SS?" Applespice asked.

Wind shrugged.

"Help me get my mom downstairs to the couch." Wind said as she moved to pick her mother up from the floor.

Applespice moved in front of her and picked up Dash with little effort. They moved downstairs and set her on the couch.