Storm of the Century

It was raining. It was so sudden. One second, not a cloud in the sky. The next it was drizzling, then it became a torrent of water. After a while it died down, settling into a steady downpour. Many ponies I saw on the streets were scrambling to get under cover. I didn't mind. I love the rain. Something about it is just so soothing for me. I had never spent a rainy day at the Academy inside. Much to the dismay or relief of my teachers, when it started to rain I would always run outside to enjoy it. Sometimes Aurelia would join me, even though it usually gave her a wet mane. I always thought it made her look even prettier than usually. What I knew about the weather was all taken from Aurelia, her wanting to be a top weather pegasus and what-not. She said that it was the pegasi manipulating the weather itself that changed it and the seasons. There were a lot of technical stuff that I didn't quite understand, like if you didn't have a rainstorm at a specified time, it would cause a whole bunch of problems later on, but between you and me, I didn't understand any of it. I listened to what Aurelia told me, but she could tell that I didn't understand a thing and she didn't hold it against me.

My point, however, is that I love the rain. It's my favorite type of weather. I trotted along the sidewalk under the stream of water, my water-proof jacket keeping my head, fore-legs and the front half of my body rather warm. My flank, however, was freezing. Still, I didn't notice it. Why not? Because I was too focused on not becoming lost.

Yeah, I was lost. Cut me some slack, it was my first time travelling the streets of Canterlot! I passed boutiques, parlors, eateries, jewelleries, and all sorts of establishments. They were all fascinating to me, for I had never seen a more wider selection of fine things in my life. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop to admire them. I had to press on. I remember Aurelia had told me that Pony Joe's was on Canterlot Avenue, the longest stretch of street in the entire city. Seemed simple enough at the time. I checked the nearby street sign. Yep, this was Canterlot Avenue. But that's where the easy part of this mission ended. There were so many shops and stores on that street that my brain nearly exploded in my head from overload.

But ho! Off in the distance, I spied a glimmering beacon of hope! It was glorious, the brightest light in all of Equestria! Obviously I'm exaggerating, but it was beautiful nontheless. There it was, plain for all to see, the sign for Pony Joe's Donut Shop! I galloped full speed to this shining beacon of morality. I slowed to a crawl as I neared the entrance. I scoped out my surroundings, making sure I wasn't being watched or followed, and stepped inside.

The aroma caught me completely off-guard. It was an amazing scent, reminiscent of baking bread, sweet-smelling candles, sugar, and honey. I immediately fell in love with the place. The interior was well-lit by an assortment of oil lamps hanging from the cieling, their casings decorated with shapes of vines, matching the walls bearing the same designs. The floor was checkered tile, white and blue. Wooden tables were scattered through-out the room, places for ponies to enjoy their food. Booths lined the walls, their seats polished, tables thoroughly wiped down. Large windows reminiscent of tears made up part of the wall to my left, from where I entered through the door. At the end of the room (on the left half) opposite the door was a large glass counter, holding all different kinds of donuts, varying from sprinkled, glazed, bear claws, cream-filled, you name it. The wall behind it held racks of all types of baked goods, all of them still steaming as if just taken out of the oven.

At the counter, sitting on a stool, was Aurelia, nibbling on a pink donut with sprinkles. She was garbed in a fleece-lined jacket, with a pair of saddle-bags sitting at the base of her stool. But what really caught my eye was the tan colt with a brown mane and dim, green eyes. I assumed this was Pony Joe, the proprietor of the eatery (aptly named "Pony Joe's Donuts"). But what really drew my attention was the thing poking out of his forehead. His horn. I trotted over to Aurelia, keeping one eye on the baker. I pulled up a stool next to Aurelia and sat down. She glanced to her right at me and gave me a bright smile. The smile didn't hide the fact that the hair beneath her eyes seemed wet. I figured she had been crying, even though it had been raining outside. I thought this because no other part of her was wet, probably because she had been here before the rain had picked up. I gave her a brief smile in return, and turned to Pony Joe. I found he was watching me intently, probably waiting for a snide comment about his being a unicorn. I had come to expect it, so I had no reason to believe otherwise of Pony Joe.

"So, I take it this is your friend, miss?" Pony Joe said to Aurelia, not taking his eyes off me. Aurelia looked up from her donut at Pony Joe.

"Yeah, this is him Joe," she told him calmly, turning to face me. Pony Joe looked me up and down, taking my appearance in.

"Well, if he's anything like you said he is, he's more than welcome in my shop," Pony Joe said, taking his eyes off of me. "So, what'll it be sir?" It took me a second to register his question, but the I realized he was asking me what I wanted from the eatery.

"Uh, you wouldn't happen to have any blueberry muffins, would you? I've been craving one since I left school," I said.

"One blueberry muffin, comin' up," Pony Joe said, reaching onto a higher-up shelf on the wall behind him. He produced a blueberry muffin, still steaming and warm, and put it on a white plate and place it in front of me. "Anything to drink?"

"I reccomend the hot chocolate," Aurelia interceded. "It's to die for."

"One hot chocolate then, please," I asked, taking that first, warm, savory bite in my muffin. I glanced around at the bakery, noticing a few other ponies clopping in, seeking refuge from the rain.

"You got it," Pony Joe responded, pulling a piping-hot mug of hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream and marshmallows, seemingly out of nowhere. He set it down in front of me, and trotted off, leaving the counter to tend to the other ponies in the bakery. I turned to Aurelia, who looked deep in thought.

"Hey," I said, getting her attention. "You alright?" She seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in, looking over at me.

"Huh? O-oh yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking is all," she said, taking another bite from her shrinking donut.

"About your parents?" I asked blatantly. I immediately realized what I had just said and started mentally kicking myself. That was a stupid, insensitive thing to say.

"Yeah," she sighed, devouring the remnants of her donut. "It's just... never mind. I shouldn't bother you with it. Hey Joe, another donut, extra sprinkles. Please." Pony Joe nodded and produced another for her to enjoy.

"No, I'd like to know, if it's alright with you."

"They... They said they were glad. That they were happy I was leaving. They told me they were tired of having a disgrace for a daughter, that they were tired of being ridiculed as being the parents of a unicorn sympathizer. They told me... Maelstrom. They told me they hated me." I scooted my stool closer and pulled her into a tight embrace as the tears started trickling out of her eyes.

"Shush, it's alright," I cooed, brushing my left hoof through her mane. "I'm sorry Aurelia. I'm really, really sorry that I dragged you into this."

"No, don't say that," she said, her voice muffled by my shoulder. "It's good I left. It may not have been the nicest exit, but it's good I left. They hated me, and I didn't want to stay in a house-hold that despises me. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, eventually."

"Okay," I whispered into her ear, pulling her even tighter to me. "If you're sure."

"I am," she replied, looking up at me with those beautiful orange eyes. "Now eat your muffin and drink your cocoa, before they get cold."

"Yes ma'am," I said, smiling slightly. I restarted work on my muffin, tearing into it like a timberwolf. Soon, Pony Joe returned, after serving the several other customers situated through-out the bakery. He sighed, plopping down on a chair behind the counter. "Long day?" I asked.

"More like an un-eventful one," he answered, looking up at me. "If it wasn't for this rain, I doubt I would've had so many customers in one day. If you hadn't noticed, being a unicorn tends to drive potential business away. Miss Aurelia here is one of my very few returning customers. If it wasn't for generous souls like herself, I would've found myself locking up the bakery permanently a long time ago."

"Don't say that Joe, lots of ponies still come here, whether or not you're a unicorn," Aurelia said, all trace of tears vanished from her face.

"That's kind of you to say, but we both know that isn't true," Pony Joe replied somberly.

"Well, every Wednesday, since I can remember, Aurelia's been bringing me donuts from your shop. I can safely say that I'm sure there are many ponies in town that greatly enjoy your goods, as I have," I interjected, trying to brighten the colt's mood.

"If you enjoy my donuts, why haven't you come in before now then?" Pony Joe said flatly.

"Well, he-" Aurelia started, but I cut her off.

"Can you keep a secret Pony Joe?" I asked him under my breath, so as nopony else in the bakery could hear me.

"Sure. Why do you ask?" Pony Joe asked suspiciously, leaning in.

"Well, this is why I asked," I said, taking in a deep breath as my hooves slowly ascended to my hood. Aurelia gave me a curious look, and glanced nervously at the other ponies in the bakery. Luckily, nopony's attention was focused this way. I heard the sharp intake of breath coming from Joe as I lifted my hood partially, revealing the horn on my head to him, but not anyone else in the shop. Pony Joe gave me a questioning look as I lowered my hood back into position, but he quickly returned to his regular, bored expression, except this time he had a slight smile on his face.

"Well I'll be," he said quietly, grinning. "Been a long time since I've come across another unicorn. You a pardoned unicorn, like myself? Or are you 'on the lamb' so to speak?"

"Option number two," I answered him, grinning back. "You won't tell anypony, will you?"

Pony Joe snorted. "Me? Bah. Like I'd ever. No, your secret's safe with me, friend. You needn't worry about a thing." I released the breath I was unwittingly holding in.

"Thank you."

"Think nothing of it."

The following minutes involved me devouring what was left of my muffin, downing the dregs of my cocoa, ordering another muffin, and paying Pony Joe what we owed, despite his arguments that we really shouldn't, that it was on the house.

"Nonsense," I told him, hoofing him some bits from my bags. "From where I'm from, the food is terrible compared to what I've just eaten. The least I can do is pay you for it." Pony Joe merely nodded his thanks, taking the money and putting it away in his register. Aurelia and I gathered up our things, and set off into the night, bidding Pony Joe a fond farewell. The rain had cleared up a bit, but was still coming down lightly. Aurelia had an umbrella with her, and we both had jackets on so the rain didn't bother us much. After those first few steps outside, I turned to Aurelia. "Well? Where to from here?" Aurelia simply smiled at me.

"Wherever you'd like. This is your first time in the real world."

I knew exactly where I wanted to go, even though I knew it would be dangerous. I wanted to go see the castle, the place where a pony could feel closest to his missing monarchs. It was guarded, obviously, but it was doubtful anyone would notice a pair of ponies paying homage to their lost princesses.

We trotted through the streets of Canterlot, passing few other ponies, on account of the rain. One soldier eyed us carefully as we passed by him, but apparently he didn't think we meant any harm.

The rain soothed my mind and body after the long and interesting day I had just had. Its cool dampness refreshed and invigored me, leaving me in a state of balance, calm and reserved, yet bursting to the seams with excitement and wonder. A whole new world awaited me, it was only a matter of going out and finding it. I certainly didn't plan on staying in Canterlot, mainly because I was undoubtedly being hunted for at the very moment by the Headmistress of the Academy and all the guards and soldiers in the city. I'm surprised that they hadn't already found me, considering that I wouldn't even be hard to find. My appearance was well known to the Principal, so you'd think they would have been able to put two and two together and think, "A white unicorn with a blue checkered hoodie. If we just look for that we should be able to find him!" But apparently not. The other reason for my wanting to leave, was quite simple. Have you ever stayed in one place for a really long time, and just gotten sick of it? I mean, just gotten extremely bored and tired of the same old thing, day in, day out? Sure, I hadn't been out of the school until now, but in a place like Canterlot, you see one part, you've seen it all. Except for the castle, of course. Sitting on the roof of the Academy gave me a good view of the city, and boy, had I seen it all.

Of course, those were just my feelings on the matter. I had to take in to account what Aurelia wanted to do. This was as much her choice as it was mine. I had a feeling that she would want to leave just as much as I do, but there was always the possibility that she would want to stay. After all, despite everything, Canterlot was still her home. Not my home, but it was hers. I hadn't asked her on the matter yet, so I didn't know what she wanted to do as of yet. I would wait until after we left the castle to ask, though.

After walking a couple more blocks, passing through the Dawn district, taking an illegal shortcut through some backyards, and taking a nice stroll up Canterlot Way through an open field, we arrived at our destination. Canterlot Castle, (former) home of the two Alicorn Princesses, Celestia and Luna. It was a grand, breath-taking sight. Awe-inspiring, to say the least. Its tall, white and gold, majestic spires gleamed in the moonlight, sitting perfectly against the backdrop of stars and clouds in the night sky. The golden drawbridge that was normally spanning the moat was raised due to it being so late at night. I spied an observatory to the left, its massive telescope protruding from the dome-shaped tower. The rain added to the awe factor, giving it that spooky feel that it was abandoned. In fact, it kind of was.

I didn't have any words for the visage before me. I was simply speechless. I assume Aurelia was in the same state I was, because I didn't hear her utter a word. We both gazed out at the intricate carvings, spiraling decor, and flowing (yet sopping) banners bearing the emblem of Princess Celestia, a gold circle orbited by orange flames on a white backdrop. Despite the bright, white-gold, pearly exterior, the castle seemed, almost depressing. As if it was missing a certain spark which gave it life and color. I realized why. Its spark was missing.

That spark was its two inhabitants. It was missing the Princesses it had housed for thousands of years. When I thought of this, a tear suddenly sprang up from my eye. Aurelia wouldn't notice, probably because of the rain, but I decided to wipe it from my face anyway. We had no Princesses. They were gone. Our two leaders, our protectors, our greatest pride, gone. Just like that. Yes, we had Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and Prince Shining Armor (who was a unicorn, surprisingly. More on that later), but it just wasn't the same. Equestria had been under the rule of the Sisters for millenia (although there was the thousand year banishment of Princess Luna), and when they suddenly go missing and two other members of royalty have to take over, it's a severe blow to everypony's heart.

"I want to go in," I said quietly, but loudly enough for the mare at my side to hear me. She gave me a curious look.

"Why? We can't get in anyway, but why?" she asked me, studying my face for any signs as to what I was thinking.

"Because I just want to be sure," I told her, "and we can get in. I have magic, remember?"

"It's Canterlot Castle, Maelstrom. They're bound to have magical defenses to prevent people from breaking in," she countered logically.

"Maybe in the old days they did, but not now. Unicorns like me aren't allowed to join military service, remember? Besides, I won't be long. I just want to look around."

Aurelia sighed in quiet frustration. "Okay, fine horn-head. But how do you plan to get us in there? The drawbridge is up."

"Have some faith darling. It just so happens that teleportation is a part of my skill set. It usually requires that I have seen or been to the place I want to transport myself to, but if I channel more mana than is necessary or perform a scrying spell, I can either forcibly transport myself somewhere, although if there's something solid there like a mountain it could get very messy, or with the scrying spell and can use the leylines to astral project myself into an area to get a view of where I want to go. It's not always perfect, as it takes years of practice to master, but I'm pretty sure I can do it with enough concentration.

"But I don't have to do either of those things. After all, do you remember that picture you showed me of the Princess' throne room? I can just draw upon my memory of it and I can transport myself there. Pretty neat huh?"

"Except you've left out one small equation," Aurelia said, shaking her head. "How am I going to come in with you?"

"Easy," I said, waving her question away with a hoof. "I expand the teleportation field and focus on both of us when I want to use the spell, instead of just myself. I takes a little bit more out of me, so I'll have less energy than if I only cast the spell on just myself. I may not have much experience, but I know I can do this Aurelia." What I was about to say would be pivotal.

"Do you trust me?"

Aurelia looked at me as if I was the biggest idiot in the whole of Equestria. "'Do you trust me?' he asks. That's got to be the stupidest question anypony's ever asked me. Maelstrom, I trust you with my life. Now hurry up and cast your spell, I'm aching to get out of this rain."

I nodded at this, and began focusing my built-up mana, as well as drawing additional energy from the surrounding leylines around us. I called the excercise to mind which helped prepare a pony for casting spells. I went through the routine a couple times to strengthen my mental link with the energy already brimming to be released, until I was happy with my level of readiness. As I told Aurelia, I wasn't an experienced magician in the least, so I had to prepare a lot before I cast a spell like this. I finally said the world internally that I would need for the teleportation spell, and focused all the mana I had charged into the spell.

Suddenly, a swirling envelope of blue energy pulsated out from my horn, forming an almost protective ball of magic around Aurelia and I. I closed my eyes pictured the sight of Celestia's throne room in my mind's eye, and willed the pulsating, gyrating, swirling tethers of magical energy to transport us there.

Long story short, it did.

I opened my eyes to look around at my surroundings, and I was mesmerized by it. Before me was the very throne that Celestia would sit upon. This was the chair that a practical Goddess sat upon, ruling all her loving subjects. That velvet red cushion? It had felt the touch of royal flanks. It had been the spot where a Goddess' ass had been. It was glorious. Oh jeez, I just realized how wrong that sounds. I am a bad, bad colt.

I turned to my right, my eyes resting on Aurelia who was as tightly coiled as a rope, muscles as tense as a lion's on the plains of the Zavannah, ready to pounce on an un-suspecting gazelle. Her eyes were shut firmly, afraid to open and find out something had gone terribly wrong. Fortunately, I am so amazing that everything went as perfect as possible. Okay, our coats were a leeeeetle singed, but that's beside the point. I got us there in one piece didn't I? I poked her side with my hoof, trying to get her to open her eyes. Slowly and reluctantly, she did. Aurelia also took the opportunity like I did to look around at the new locale we had arrived at.

"Not too shabby for a first time teleporter, huh?" I said, brushing my hoof lightly against my chest, rubbing off imaginary dirt and inspecting it with a cocky grin.

"I guess," she said nonchelantly, "Except you left burn marks on the floor," she pointed out.

"That's a uh, side-effect of the teleportation spell. Happens to everypony."

"Uh-huh. Sure it is."

"Can we just go?"

"Lead the way, Marco Pono."

So I did. I picked a random doorway, hoping it would lead me somewhere interesting. It did. I followed a long hallway, walls lined with all assortments of detailed paintings and portraits, glass stands bearing all sorts of priceless and valuable vases, amulets, and other bits and baubles. I'm sure all these would be fascinating to somepony else, but I wasn't interested in these things. They weren't why I was here. When I reached the end of the hallway, I came to a large, spiraling staircase that seemed to go on forever. I braced myself for suffering to come, and began the ascent up the monumental steps.

I didn't realize until much later how much I would both rejoice and regret my choice to go up those steps.

It seemed like a decade passed when Aurelia and I finally reached the top of the staircase. There were other passages that we could have taken at certain intervals on the staircase, but something told me, no. Something at the top of the staircase was calling me up there. I didn't know what it was, but I was determined to find out. Between the magic I had recently cast and that colossal mountain of a staircase, I was drained of energy when I got to the top. I just wanted to curl up in a ball on the floor and go to sleep. My brain told me that I needed to keep going though, so I did. Before me stood a large set of double doors, masterly crafted out of mahogany. It seems everypony who's anypony important has something made out of mahogany, and Princesses were no exception it seems.

As Aurelia and I neared the doors, I felt a gentle breeze brush past me, and one of the doors slowly creaked open. Odd, considering that in no way could a gust of wind that light open a door that big and heavy. I knew something wasn't right here, and Aurelia knew it too, most likely, but despite our better judgment, and thanks to our idiotic curiosity, we went in anyway.

Quite possibly the best decision I've ever made, or the worst.

AN: Okay, I feel really bad because it took me two weeks to get this next chapter up. That makes me feel really bad. I promise in the future to be more diligent in updating, etc. etc. etc. Everyone who's read so far, I appreciate it, and those who are following it, even more so. I also feel really bad because I said this one would be super long, but it isn't. I plan on making it up to you, the non-existent viewer, in the next chapter. And that's a promise.