When Lightning Strikes Twice

Chapter 1: Static Wings

"Alright... just get up... and get through the day." Static said, groggily opening his eyes, revealing two dark blue irises, identically matching his coat.

He slowly lifted his torso up, fighting the pulling tides of the warm and inviting bed. On any other dull morning, he would've just slept in, but this morning was different. His first day on weather patrol, after the constant nagging from his parents to do something productive. His roommate had been urging him for a while to join, but it wasn't until now Static had sought the initiative. The dark-blue pegasus let out an unnecessarily long yawn and stretched his forelegs, practically broadcasting his lack of sleep to all of Equestria. Ending his yawn just as dramatic as it had begun, Static unfurled his wings and gave them a quick stretch as well, knowing they would come into great use later. With one more burst of energy, he hauled himself off of the comfortable surface and brought four hooves down onto the hard wooden floor, creating a slight echo throughout the room.

Static quickly shook his head, trying to flush the tired from his eyes. His mind wandered to the importance of this day. It was his day. A day to show the folks that he wasn't just a paranoid shut in, a day to show Equestria what he was made of, a day to glance towards the clock and realize...

He was late.

The pegasus let out a sharp sigh and ran a hoof through his mane as he walked towards his bedroom door. He briskly threw it open, broadcasting not his grogginess, but his rage.

"Thunderlane!" He called down the hall.

After some shuffling from down the hall, in the kitchen, a dark-grey pegasus with a white and light-teal, Mohawk styled mane peeked his head around the corner, trying to hide his extremely apparent nervousness.

"How can I help you?" Thunderlane replied.

"I thought we were supposed to wake up at, I dunno, 8 or so?" Static asked, his tone showing more anger by the second.

"Yeah."

"It's noon."

"Yeah."

Static sighed deeply and facehoofed.

"When do we have to be there?" He asked.

"Two hours ago." Thunderlane replied shrinking slightly.

Static hung his head and let out another hefty sigh, continuing down the narrow hallway, past the kitchen and into the living room. The house was adequate, Static had recently been kicked from his parent's home and moved in with Thunder to help pay for rent, and to cover himself for getting kicked out. Neither one minded the company though, they'd been best friends since grade school. After trudging along the hardwood floor for a few moments, Static finally reached the couch and heaved himself up onto the soft, red surface.

"Why am I constantly instilling my trust in you?" Static said, closing his eyes and rubbing a hoof against his temple.

"Sorry, man... just lost track of time." Thunderlane said, shamefully trotting into the room and placing himself on the couch opposite of Static.

Static waved a hoof sympathetically and opened his eyes.

"It's fine, whatever. Just, how screwed are we?" Static asked.

Thunderlane hesitated for a moment.

"Pretty screwed..." The dark-grey pegasus replied quietly.

Static hung his head once more and heaved his tired body up from the couch and proceeded towards the door.

"Let's just go... I want to get fired and get it over with." he said, opening the front door.

Static was instantly assaulted by a massive ray of sunlight, causing him to recoil slightly and cover his eyes with a hoof.

"Glad we're on the bloody weather patrol... all of this sun is killing me..." He said, his tone returning to annoyed.

Thunderlane chuckled and pulled himself up from his seat.

"It's gonna' take a lot of clouds to block out the sun there, Wings." He said, making his way out the door.

Static muttered something under his breath and shut the door behind him. Turning around, he was greeted by the warm sight of his home town, Ponyville. Ever since he could remember, he had walked the streets and carefully avoided the town's residents. Nothing was wrong with them, they were often friendly. But Static had always followed an anti-social demeanor. Whenever greeted, he would usually shrink and force an awkward smile or just run the other direction. With a sigh, the pegasus caught up with his friend and lazily trotted down the street.

"What's wrong, didn't sleep well?" Thunderlane asked, noticing Static's sluggish attitude.

Static simply shrugged.

"Just... getting those dreams again." Static replied wearily.

Thunderlane paused for a moment.

"You mean the ones about the storm?" He asked, his tone slightly concerned.

Static replied with a nod.

Thunderlane glanced around nervously, searching for his next words as the two continued down the road.

"M-Maybe it'll help you in finding out what that means." Thunderlane said awkwardly, pointing to Static's cutie mark.

Static shook his head.

"Don't know what it means now, don't know what it'll mean ever." The dark-blue pegasus said, glancing to the two black lightning bolts crossed on his flank.

"How'd you get it anyway?" Thunderlane asked.

Static rolled his eyes and continued walking down the road, both of them nearing the outside of town.

"Dude, come on. We've been friends for, like, 10 years, and you've always avoided that question." The dark-grey pegasus said, his own annoyance becoming apparent.

Static stopped dead in his tracks and huffed angrily.

"It was a storm, Thunderlane." He said sternly.

Thunderlane stopped walking, his eyes going wide.

"Like the nightmare?" He asked worriedly.

Static gave an over-exaggerated nod, causing Thunderlane to sink slightly.

"I was six, and a bloody thunderstorm happened right outside of my house. Next day I woke up, cutie mark. Are you happy now?!" The dark-blue pegasus said angrily.

After no repsonse, Static shook his head and continued walking.

Thunderlane quickly returned to his senses and briskly trotted in Static's direction, catching up in a matter of seconds.

"Listen, man, I'm sorry." He said, apologetically.

"Whatever, it's fine." Static said, keeping his eyes to the road.

"No really, I shouldn't have pu-"

"HEY. It's fine, alright?! Just drop it. We're out."

Thunderlane, raised an eyebrow and glanced around, realizing that they were, in fact, well away from the town.

"Oh, right, you ready?" The dark-grey pegasus said, spreading his wings.

Static sighed and reluctantly spread his own.

"Ready..."

... to get chewed out by my new boss. He thought.

Static remained silent during the flight, scolding himself that he had given in, and finally told somepony his story. Even thought it was a vague description, it still brought back the memories of that night. The roar of the thunder, the unexpected flashes of lightning, and the nightmares that followed. He shivered at the thought of it. Helpless and frightened, cowering under his mother's forelegs. Normally, a foal wouldn't be afraid of a small thunderstorm, but Static had a whole new level of fear when it came to the subject. It was mostly the feelings he got in his body. He would always feel restless, his bones themselves would be tingling, chilling him extensively and scaring him beyond any known point. Thankfully, his train of thought was quickly broken as a structure came into view, built soundly atop a large, floating cloud. He sighed in relief and increased his speed, hoping he wasn't too late despite the time he had already missed.

"This is the place, right?!" Static shouted over the roar of wind smacking his face.

Glancing to Thunderlane, he could make out a subtle nod.

As the two neared the structure, a landing patch of cloud came into view just outside. Reaching it, Static landed harshly, creating a sharp thud against the soft surface. Thunderlane landed softly however, still sulking slightly at pushing his friend.

"Where to now?" Static asked, staring at the large facility in front of him.

"Registration..." Thunderlane replied.

Static nodded and made his way into the structure. Sure enough, right when the two entered, they found a desk labeled "registration". Static approached and waved at the receptionist, a blue pegasus mare with a pink mane.

"Names?" She asked harshly before Static could attempt to speak.

"Static Wings and Thunderlane." The dark-blue pegasus replied.

"And reason we're late today?"

Static looked to Thunderlane and shrugged.

"Uhh... f-feather flu." The dark-grey pegasus said shakily.

The receptionist sighed.

"That's not going to work again." She said, stamping two cards and handing them to each pony. "Down the hall, third door on your left, safety demonstration."

Thunderlane frowned.

"Safety demonstration?!" He asked, his tone slightly panicked.

The receptionist snickered.

"That's what you get for being demoted." She said in a snarky, mater-of-factually tone.

Thunderlane groaned and rolled his eyes, continuing down the hallway and motioning for Static to follow.

"Thank you, ma'am." Static said, keeping his head down and continuing down the hall.

Thunderlane groaned again as the two reached the third door on the left.

"Dammit... she's teaching the safety course." Thunderlane said, his tone annoyed yet again.

"Who?" Static asked, shoving him out of the way and glancing into the window.

At the front of the room was a slender, cyan pegasus mare with a flowing rainbow mane and tail. Her violet eyes carrying a look of determination, and slight annoyance.

"Wow... you're upset that we have a hot teacher?" Static asked glancing to Thunderlane.

Thunderlane reddened and shook his head.

"No! She just... doesn't like me that much..." he replied.

"Whatever dude, I'd love to get on her good side..."

"Who's good side?" the cyan mare asked, throwing the door open.

Static jumped a few inches backwards and looked in the direction of the voice. Surely enough, the rainbow-maned pegasus was waiting there with a smug grin on her face. The pegasi inside of the room shared a chuckle as Static's face turned a deep red.

"Oh I was just... talking about... you know..." He said, stumbling over his words like a babbling idiot.

The cyan pegasus raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"You're not going to get on MY good side by being late. You know what wing-ups are?" She asked, smugly.

Static's heart sank as the question processed in his mind. He glanced worriedly to Thunderlane who shook his head and sighed.

"Uhh... y-yes ma'am." Static replied, returning his view to the pegasus mare.

* * *

The next 6 hours were filled with mind-numbing safety procedures from the rainbow-maned pegasus, appropriately named "Rainbow Dash". Static stifled a chuckle at the knowledge of her name, which earned him a few hundred more wing-ups, on top of the extensive amount he had earned for being tardy. After over a hundred of the exercise they both dreaded so much, Static and Thunderlane stared attentively at Rainbow Dash as she wrapped up the class. Even she was bored at this point, from teaching a massive amount of common-sense practices.

"... now, if you'll proceed to the department issued to you on your card, you can begin preparations for tomorrow's weather patrol." She said, her tone dull and uninterested.

Static glanced down to the card the receptionist had given him, which was only marked tardy.

"Uhh... miss?" He said nervously.

Rainbow Dash directed her attention to the corner of the room, where Static was sinking, nervously.

"Yeah?" She asked, her tone coming back to life quickly.

Static was taken back for a moment as she acknowledged him, assuming his question would be met with a harsh command for more wing-ups. He quickly shook the thought from his mind and held up the card.

"Mine just says tardy..." He said nervously.

"Mine too." Thunderlane said, holding his card up as well.

Rainbow Dash quickly grew a smirk.

"That means you two get the best job..." She said slyly.

Thunderlane gasped and his eyes went wide.

"You don't mean...?" He said, terrified.

Rainbow nodded.

"Storm control." She said sternly.

Static's eyes went wide next, followed by him toppling over and colliding harshly with the ground.

* * *

"C'mon, it might not be that bad." Thunderlane said, trying to cheer his moping friend.

Static sighed and sank lower into the bar stool as the rhythmic sounds from the nearby jukebox danced around the room. Thunderlane frowned and put a comforting hoof on his shoulder, sliding a wooden mug across the counter.

"Just chill out, we've got the rest of tonight and most of tomorrow. She said the storm wasn't until, like, 9." Thunderlane said.

Static shook his head and lifted the mug to his lips, taking a long drink of the warm cider waiting inside. He gave a harsh gulp and sighed, slamming the wooden mug back onto the bar.

"It's probably my worst fear, and now it's my job. Sure I'll just calm down." Static replied sarcastically, waving a hoof in the air.

Thunderlane sighed and took a drink of his own mug, setting it down much lighter than Static had.

"Just trying to help..." The pegasus said with a slight frown.

Static shook his head again and chuckled.

"It's fine... I appreciate it." The blue pegasus said, shoving his friend slightly, causing him to stumble and fall from the chair.

Thunderlane hit the ground harshly, creating a sharp thud that was heard even over the blaring music. Static paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, nearly falling out of his own bar stool. Thunderlane's eyebrows immediately fell, but after a few seconds he began to chuckle as well. Both of their laughing was cut short however, when a familiar cyan pegasus hovered by, carrying a drink in her hooves.

"Late today and binge-drinking... smooth." Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.

Static paused and stumbled over his words yet again, but Thunderlane spoke up before he could say anything legible.

"Just leave us alone," He said, returning to his seat. "We got enough lecturing today as it is..."

Rainbow growled angrily.

"Hey, I hate giving that class anyway, but you foals need it so you don't screw up out there!" She said.

Thunderlane waved a dismissive hoof and turned back to the front counter.

"Sure you do..."

Rainbow Dash shook her head and continued her flight over to a table of other ponies. As soon as she'd left, Static shot Thunderlane an annoyed glare.

"You just had to tell her off, didn't you? You can't let me have a good standing with anypony!" He said in a harsh, hushed tone.

Thunderlane chuckled, taking another drink of his cider.

"Trust me, you don't need a good standing with her." He replied, wiping the foam from his mouth.

"Why the hell not?!" Static spat back at him.

"She's... pushy, and over-competetive!"

"Yeah, but she's our boss."

Thunderlane shook his head and waved another dismissive hoof.

"Whatever. You want to go hang out with her then, go ahead." He said, bringing the mug to his lips yet again.

Static chuckled and shook his head. Taking another swig, he glanced across the well-maintained and heavily decorated bar to the table Rainbow Dash had flown too. Around it, sat five other mares, two unicorns, a pegasus, and two earth ponies. He'd seen a few of them around before, but one specifically caught his eye, one he hadn't yet seen. Static instantly spat his mouthful of cider into Thunderlane's face and choked for a moment.

"Gah, what the hell dude?!" The dark-grey pegasus shouted angrily, trying to wipe the cider from his coat.

Static wiped his mouth and pulled Thunder closer, pointing his hoof to the table Rainbow Dash had flown to.

"Who the bloody hell is that?!" He asked, his tone hushed to avoid any suspicion.

Thunderlane raised an eyebrow and glanced towards Static's point.

"The yellow one?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Static nodded his head furiously.

"That's... Fluttershy if I remember right. Gah... this is all over my freakin' coat..."

The blue pegasus ignored his friend and simply gazed at the yellow pegsus, her light pink mane draping over her face and down along her back, slightly covering her dark-teal colored eyes. Thunderlane immediately noticed his stare and grew a wicked smile.

"Why, you got the hots for her or something?" Thunderlane asked, raising an eyebrow.

Static instantly broke his stare on her and blushed deeply, turning back to the bar.

"You've got the hots for Fluttershy..." Thunderlane said with a chuckle.

Static shook his head and slammed a few bits on the counter, then trotted quickly out of the bar. Thunderlane blinked.

"A simple 'no' would've been fine..." He said with a chuckle, following his friend out.