Fall of The StormView OnlineThe StormFall of The Storm The grey sky faded to a deep pitch black, as clouds argued, shoving each other to get sunlight. A small opening through the darkness. Just one. One beam of light. One beam of hope. The air, though, was hot like the middle of August, fire and lava surrounding the town, but no. No, it wasn't the light barely shining through the black-hole of a sky, nor was it any fire or lava. It was a storm. A mighty storm. Rainbow's wings buzzed and her hooves became sore, as she and her alicorn friend heaved heavy clouds into the Weather Factory. Her tail was flowing in the wind, such as her mane. She looked over to her friend, Twilight, then sighed. An uncontrollable storm might start if no work was attempted. They might even have a chance of putting it off a bit. Ponyville was in Full Panic Mode, but the commotion stayed indoors, as pegasi, and one purple princess worked. Hours passed, and the half-ton clouds filled with more and more water. The heat now turned to a fierce chill, which ran against Rainbow's spine. Her wings burned, as some flesh cracked around her wing, some feathers falling off. Her vision weakened, only a blur being seen, and her friend, glowing in the darkness, a bright smile on her face. Rainbow's wings soon started to bleed, her body burning from intense heat and loss of blood. She lay her head on the present cloud, still pushing it to the factory. Only three yards more... The rainbow mare's body faltered, her body hanging limp, wings still fluttering. Her hooves grasped the edges of the cloud, then she reached her climax. Two more yards more..... just two... Rainbow Dash caught a worried glare from Twilight, who let go of the cloud, one hoof still on it. One..... more.... yard... Then Rainbow gave up, letting her body take over. "I-I can't do anymore, Twi..." she mumbled, watching Twilight's whole body tremble. Her eyes flashed in the darkness in worry, letting go of her grasp on the cloud. Rainbow's eyes fluttered, as her wings stopped, silence filling the air. Twilight rushed over to her friend, hooves around her waist. "Rainbow? Rainbow! Speak to me! Please!" The alicorn yelled. In her hooves lay an unconscious cyan mare. *SPLASH!* Rainbow's eyes shot open as she looked at her numb hooves. She lay on the grass, beneath a heavy, grey cloud, her friend standing on it. She smiled, flying down to the multi-colored pegasus. Twilight held her hoof in her's, picking her up off the blackened mud. Wilted grass spread around it, dotting the area. A few cottages and houses lined behind Rainbow Dash, who's head knocked into a metal pipe, nearly making her unconscious again. Twilight finally got her to stand, then without haste, she wrapped her hooves around, embracing her into a warm hug, one that blocked out the coldness forming in the air. A green line of smoke soon wriggled through the air, passing cloud by cloud, grabbing the working pegasi' attention. Soarin landed on a cloud, a hoof to his chin. Turning around to three other pegasi, he stood strait, his chest out, hooves spread, one hoof pointing to the pegasus group. "Find the Princesses, pronto! We've got a big one here!" he ordered, his voice barely audible through the howling of wind. Half of the winged ones headed east, towards Canterlot Castle, and others fought against the wind, roaring and howling like a wild beast. Which it was. Spitfire and Scootaloo trotted through the Canterlot hallways, approaching guards. She turned her head to the filly. "Hey, you did... pretty well up there. I'll give ya that," she said. Scootaloo blushed, the thoughts of actually flying in the air like the WonderBolts, clearing clouds, preventing to storm from coming... It made her feel.... special. A grey-coated guard held out his spear, the other one accidentally poking his helmet. "Who enters?" he asked, then looking to the wonderbolt uniform. He removed the spear, letting the two into the castle. Sat there was Princess Celestia, a golden encrusted crown upon her head, her mane gracefully blowing. She looked down, seeing the two pegasi bowing to her. "Please, come in," she says, the two nearing her. Scootaloo looked down to the carpet, shuffling her hooves, while Spitfire's whole body shook in fear. Horrible fear. "What ever is the matter?" The princess asks, hearing Luna come in. The fierce pattering against the windows covered it with frost, the beam of light smaller than before. Luna looked to her sister worriedly, then nodded, her eyes closed in sorrow. "It may be too late, I am afraid," The younger alicorn whispered. She wiped a tear from her eye with a hoof, trotting into the kitchen. Celestia curiously stared at the hallway, a figure trotting through it. It grew closer, then closer, stopping suddenly at the end of the hall. "Perhaps.... I can help." The voice asked. Celestia tilted her head in confusion. She stared at the shadow, only able to spot one yellow hoof under the hood which was over it's head- over it's whole body. Suddenly, the door burst open, a rush of ice and unbearable coldness rushed into the castle. Apple Jack, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood there, followed by Rainbow Dash. The tip of her tail was frozen in pure ice and snow, water instantly dripping off the end. Celestia now stared more confused, but now mixed with blind fear. "Please, I beg of you, tell me what the matter is!" Celestia asked, her voice just above anger, frustration, and fright. She lowered her head, trying to calm her heartbeat. "It's... it's awful! A storm!" Rainbow said, holding her tail in her still-numb hooves. Celestia growled under her breath, then face-hoofed. "May I politely ask, why would you call me for a storm?" Celestia asked, anger boiling in her heart. Twilight stepped forward, shaking her head. "Not any storm. One I can't seem to-" A voice cut Twilight off. She stared at the yellow forehooves peaking out from the hoodie the pony was wearing. "Twilight?" The voice asked, obviously a mare. Twilight trotted to the pony, a few feet away to be cautious. Her heart sensed something... different. Like she met this pony before. Then, one word seeped out between her lips. "S-Sunset Shimmer?"
And There Was Light...View OnlineThe StormAnd There Was Light... The yellow mare threw off her hoodie, revealing her horn and red, mixed with yellow hair. Her eyes were a bright teal, much like Fluttershy's and her cutie mark was a half red, half orange sun. She looked down to the floor, her ears flat against her head. She looked up at Twilight who stared blankly and the white one who got off her throne, hoof to her mouth. Silence took over the room once again, as shuffling was heard in the kitchen. Luna emerged the dining room, sacks of food being held in her magic. However, she wasn't too shocked about Sunset Shimmer coming to help, but tried snapping the ponies out of their trance. She cleared her throat, all eyes bouncing towards her. "*Ahem* I do believe there's more that must be done, rather than eyes to a pony. The earth ponies, you are commanded to harvest any food you can find," Luna said, Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack nodding, then galloping outside with Apple Bloom following. "Unicorns, find any heat source you can, and gather spell books, immediately. There's no time to waste," Luna commanded once again. She stared at Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Spitfire, who looked at her in a way that meant if she messed up, Equestria would be destroyed, a disaster. "Pegasi, and Twilight, you must help us clear the clouds, and evacuate the town. Equestria, if you must. I wish you luck," she said, sending them off. Pinkie bounced alongside Apple Jack, who was carrying an empty bucket in her jaw. The sky darkened even more, another chill brushing the earth ponies. Pinkie shivered, and as if her energy had melted away, her mane flattened, and she stopped bouncing. Apple Jack turned to her worriedly. Pinkie's fur was stiff like an icicle, her eyes... sad. Not happy, not the Element of Laughter Apple was used to knowing. "You alright, sugarcube? Yer lookin' mighty drab, no offence," Apple said, tilting her stetson, looking to her former pink party pony. She nodded, not a word escaping her lips, nor did any thoughts come to mind. She let herself go, a sorrowful howl shaking the mighty clouds above. Twilight sighed as Rainbow held onto the back of her mane. She was clearly loosing a wing. Her bone was chipped, feathers missing, and most rainbow strands of hair fell off her frozen tail. Just a small amount was left, and she'd have nothing but bone soon. Her hooves struggled to hold onto the alicorn, who flew at a fair speed, making sure not to go too fast, or her friend's skin might even rip off. Rainbow winced at the cold stinging her face, and one featherless wing. "It's g-gonna be alright, Dashie. I promise..." Twilight murmured, her voice being taken by the wind. She landed on the first patch of clouds, letting Rainbow rest on one of them. She lay, trembling, her featherless wing being tucked to her sides. Her tail, though, had no more rainbow hair on it, but just a tail, like a dog. Rainbow whimpered, pain spreading around her wings, as she let out a quiet hum of pain. Twilight sobbed, tears falling on Rainbow's icy fur, and the two lay on that cloud, cuddled, but cold. A flash of light went through the sky, a bit in Rainbow and Twilight who looked up, eyeing the very last light they'd see in a while. Twilight shook her head, sobbing again, Rainbow hugging her tight. The two prayed and prayed for light, but all it did was fade, like their hearts. Looking up, Twilight mumbled, "Let there be light," she said, looking the the weakly smiling mare who's eyes fluttered a bit. Rainbow mumbled back, ".....and there was light..." Sunset stared at the wall full of books, Rarity then smirking a bit. Using their magic, they levitated a large stack of books, marching to the outside weather. They eyed a green unicorn with white hair who waved a hoof to them. Sweetie Belle carried only a small pile of books with her magic, being a filly. She lay inside the carriage, laying between the sacks of oats next to her. A yellow earth filly trotted to her. Sweetie looked up, hugging her tightly, grinning the only grin that was placed in Equestria that day. "Apple Bloom! Are you alright? I was so worried!" Sweetie exclaimed, letting go of her grasp on the other Crusader. Apple smiled, climbing into the back of the carriage with the unicorn filly. "Heh, yeah, but ah'm not so sure 'bout Pinkie, though... she's kinda 'Out of it'..." Apple stated, the words 'Pinkie' and 'tiered' in the same sentence sounding weird to her. Sunset teleported them over, dumping the books into the unicorn's carriage. They returned inside the library, gathering more books, dumping them into the next carriage, led by a pink earth pony with a pink and black mane. They did this several times, almost reaching a half hour. Rarity fainted, this time, she wasn't being dramatic and laying on her chair. This time, she fell to the cold, hard dirt below her, body limp and being hugged by the wind that surrounded her body. Luna growled, her magic being sucked by the power of the storm. Behind her was Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart, who was around age nine by now, her magic forcing the clouds back. Twilight followed behind, a heavy blast of magic pushing clouds yards back. The group fought the heavy clouds, absorbing their magic, somehow. "H-How are they- it, uh, the clouds taking our magic? That's impossible!" Flurry stated, most of her energy worn out. Luna winced, her horn frosted with thick, packed ice. "I'm not s-sure, but it must be some kind of dark m-magic they hold!" Luna hollered over the wind. Twilight's magic faltered, as Flurry's wings did, surprisingly, as the pink alicorn lost her strength and descended to the land below. Panicking, Twilight dived down like an eagle, the clouds covering up her path as she crashed. "Flurry! No, I..... I can't... Please... let me go.." Twilight hoped to herself, watching the alicorn filly become engulfed by fog and clouds and light drizzles from the sky. Twilight cast a spell, creating a lazer, which bast through the clouds, enough space fro her to fly through. She slipped through, the clouds covering her path back to the sky. She flew fast as she could, then tucking her wings to her back, letting gravity make her fall. She looked down, the filly nearly touching the ground, and Twilight unfurled her wings, leading her to the ground. Flurry's screams were unheard, through the wind, drizzling rain, and commotion erupting like a ready volcano. Nearing her niece, Twilight held her hooves out to the falling fill inches below her, scooping her up, a foot before hitting ground. Looking up, Flurry thanked Twilight with a grateful hug. As Apple, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, Sunset Shimmer, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Starlight and Spitfire came around, embracing each other with a hug. The lightning struck, thunder roared, and a drop of rain hit the top of Soarin's head. Nodding, Rainbow stood up, her dog-like tail, and one wing made of pure iron and the other of blue feathers, but not afraid. Another growl erupted, as Rainbow's voice followed. "It is time,"
The Rage BeginsView OnlineThe StormThe Rage Begins A warm trickle of rain splashed onto a few heads. The rainbow mare evacuated all ponies inside shelter, while she and Twilight would map the quickest path to Canterlot. Worry swept over the town, ponies rushing indoors for safety. The drizzle soon came to a clam, steady beat of water, dripping off roofs and the fog in the air grew. Rainbow and the lavender alicorn beside her were in mid air, flying just underneath the clouds. Rain turned to a heavy blast of needles, poking at Rainbow's skin hidden under her thick, cyan fur. Fluttershy was frantically galloping down the streets, looking for an empty house, or atleast one where she could fit in. Thunder rumbled heavily, shaking the ground like an earthquake. Lightning zapped down in the distance, screaming and hollering followed. A fire rose up in that direction, causing the poor mare to panic. She checked Town Hall, swinging open the door. It was mostly empty. Only two mares and Rarity sat there. Misty, Rarity and Thunder sat there under blankets, shivering wildly. Thunder struck again, the pegasus sent off her hooves in fright. She scurried under the glass table, sobbing. Rarity frowned as she stared at the lightning only miles from Ponyville. It wasn't long until the town would be forever forgotten. Flurry, Cadence and Luna fought with their magic against the clouds, which had covered all light, but some light managed to appear in the panicking town. Luna's magic was halfway worn out, as she stood on a cloud, the large clouds sucking at her energy. She looked up at Flurry and Cadence. "I'm afraid..... we only have a better chance if thee does one thing..." After a long discussion, the Changelings had offered to help if half the kingdom's Changelings were given a home in Ponyville. They did a fair job, but the clouds thickened and a second layer spread the town, darkening it. Hail and rain fell, the needle-like rain stinging the ponies below. Fluttershy whimpered as another booming of thunder exploded. Rarity held the shy filly close, under the blanket, but it barely helped. Misty trotted over to the front door, opening it to reveal a Princess and a Wonderbolt. "We've found the way. It's quiet a journey, but we can make it!" Rainbow said, pointing a hoof to the door. Twilight lit her horn casting magic to teleport the ponies outside. Looking up, they eyed three of the other princesses fighting the storm, also two changelings and Queen Chrysalis. Rainbow pointed ahead. "This way, now!" she commanded, the others galloping through the path. Twilight and Rainbow Dash exchanged glances, then on cue, they blast into the cold air in unbelievable speed. Hail fell against their coats and their wings burned like fire, but kept on. The storm worsened by the moment as the two stopped by each house to evacuate ponies to the trail. Minutes passes, then hours. Even Zecora evacuated the forest, despite that it wouldn't get to the Everfree until another hour or so. Still, it was too risky to make guesses. At a time like this, guess was just another word for danger.