Five weeks later, Rainbow nervously stuffed her essay in her saddlebag.

Flying was only part of her education. A wide understanding of weather patrols, aerodynamics, and physics was also needed. This essay encompassed all of those topics. This was what would mark her future. This was what would earn her a job. If she lost this, she'd never be considered for the Weather Factory or the Wonderbolts.

She zipped the top of her bag shut, with the essay now stowed inside. She took a deep breath. You got this, Dashie.

Rain pounded on the glass. She groaned. Of course it had to rain today. She hoped the water wouldn't soak through her bag.

She trotted outside, grumbling bitterly as the rain water soaked her coat. She took off, heading for the Arena.

She didn't notice that the zipper to her saddle-bag was broken.

******

Lucky was already out and flying. He loved storms. He zipped around one of the angry clouds, causing its rain to come out in a swirling motion. He snickered, thinking of the befuddled looks the raincloud was probably getting from below, and moved onto the next cloud, eager to spread his mischief.

That was when he noticed Dashie.

She was flying like a demon, ripping sharply through the conflicting air currents. He whistled in approval, momentarily catching her attention. She smiled at him for a second, and then turned her focus back to flying. He picked up his speed so he could match her pace. "What's the rush?" he yelled over the wind.

"I have to turn my essay in today, remember?" she called back, swerving as the wind tried to knock her to the side.

"Oh, right! Forgot about that. Need me to tag along and beat the shit out of those snotty administrators?"

She laughed. "I'm gonna say no to that."

******

Just a little behind and above the couple, a factory worker was desperately trying to silence a charged and rumbling thundercloud. Somehow, this one had got through the lighting test. Now it had to be removed immediately, or somepony was going to get hurt.

He growled and groaned in effort. This one was a fighter. Still, he clung to it, desperate to keep it steady. Then the smell of ozone filled the air.

The worker yelped and fled as the cloud illuminated the sky with a lightning bolt.

******

"Alright, it you're sure you don't need me..." Lucky laughed as he started to fly away from her.

At that moment, the wind found Rainbow's schoolwork and flung it out of the unsealed pouch.

Lucky, seeing it, immediately slowed and flew a bit up. This was going to be an easy catch.

And then the world exploded.

Everything flashed white and red. He couldn't control his limbs, couldn't stay up, couldn't feel anything but indescribable pain. For a few moments he could hear a cry of fear, then the hiss of the wind, and then nothing. The moment the light faded, everything went black.

Author's Note

So far, this has been a cute little foal-love story. But I can't have that! That's not my style!
So now, everything's going to hell. This is where this story will earn its dark and sad tags.
You have been warned.